Dmitri Lekai/Kommersant via Getty ImagesChuck Berry may be gone, but he's also out with his first new single new single in nearly 40 years.

Dualtone has released "Big Boys," a scorching Berry romp featuring Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Nathaniel Rateliff. It's the lead single from Berry's upcoming album, Chuck, the late Rock and Roll legend's first new album since 1979 and one he had been working on since 1991.

Kicking off with a classic Berry guitar riff, "Big Boys" offers the tale of a little boy who wants to party like the big boys do. Berry and Rateliff trade vocals, and while most of the guitar breaks are Chuck's, the track ends with a smoking solo from Morello.



Rolling Stone has a look inside Berry's final album, which includes a Johnny B. Goode sequel "Lady B. Goode," and a re-write of "Havana Moon" called "Jamaica Moon."

According to the magazine, some of the songs have their origins in the 1980s, when Berry was touring the oldies circuit. "He always had a pad and a pencil with him," says frequent Berry bass player Jimmy Marsala. But a fire at Chuck's Berry Park in 1989 destroyed 20 years worth of tapes.

Berry worked to recapture much of the music, switching to digital production and teaching band members parts he'd written on piano.

"Sometimes he'd show us the bass line or the piano line that he wanted," Marsala tells Rolling Stone. He heard things differently than most people do, let's put it that way."

Then Berry would check the music with his wife of 68 years, Themetta "Toddy" Berry. "My mom would give a thumbs up or a thumbs down," remembers Charles Berry, Jr., "Thumbs up, he was done. Thumbs down, 'I've got more work to do.'"



Chuck is due June 16.

Here's the track list:



"Wonderful Woman"

"Big Boys"

"You Go to My Head"

"3/4 Time (Enchiladas)"

"Darlin'"

"Lady B. Goode"

"She Still Loves You"

"Jamaica Moon"

"Dutchman"

"Eyes of Man"

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Opinion

Different world

I have been hearing a big pearl of wisdom about working smart, being creative, and being innovative. With the changing trends of employees and working styles, I ask myself  Do the majority still not work from home? Its not a screenplay we saw a few years back when the world was faced with COVID.


News, analysis, and archives on the grassroots in Haiti. Nouvel, analiz, ak achiv sou baz yo an AYITI. Noticias, analisis y archivos sobre el pueblo de Haiti.
London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/22/2017 -- Fintech Storm and Zero Field Labs hosted the first ever Blockchain India Summit 6 Dec 2016 at Shangri La Hotel, New Delhi with a posse of global Blockchain leaders. Vitalik Buterin, Founder of Ethereum, was Guest of Honour along with pre-eminent leaders in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) such as Ethereum, Consensys, Microsoft, Wipro, IBM, Synechron, Accenture, TCS etc. Now they are bringing to Mumbai the global Blockchain talent led by Vitalik himself, deemed the foster father of Blockchain, and the whiz kid who invented ethereum at 20, and listed in Fortune 40 under 40 in 2016 - to Blockchain India Week - 12-19 May 2017 - a week full of hackathons, workshops, conferences and CEO-CTO forums aimed at fostering relationships and facilitating enterprise collaborations with the global cryptocurrency ecosystem.



On his first trip to India, gifted polymath Vitalik Buterin enthralled audiences everywhere in New Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad with his thought leadership on DLT, theory of crypto economics, his vision for decentralisation and his role in taking ethereum and distributed computing to masses - his vision is decades ahead of our technology and times. He is extra ordinarily well-rounded in his ability to master and elucidate multiple economic and mathematical concepts to powerful world leaders and young students of DLT alike.



Now driven by the mission of making decentralised world wide web through Ethereum World Computer a possibility even to those who have no knowledge of blockchain or technology. Much like Bill Gates wanted to make pocket-computing ubiquitous and Steve Jobs wanted to amalgamate everything modern and coalesce into a single personalised device called smart phone, Vitalik is working relentlessly to make Ethereum general purpose and something akin to Next Generation Windows ! He is thinking decades and is leading high-powered research to solve problems in the way of DLT becoming truly mainstream - problems such as scalability, privacy, user interface security, latency, and governance. He is taking a whole generation of global technologists along the dizzy ride by educating, guiding, inspiring and leading with his daring vision! The man is something of a magician! A cursory read of the ethereum.blog, his prolific publications addressing doubts of crypto naysayers and answering abstruse mathematical questions leave you in awe of his wondrous genius, indefatigable energy and hypnotic confidence of a 21st century business icon!



Rallying behind ethereum founder's vision are corporate biggies such as Microsoft, Wipro, Intel, banks such as J.P.Morgan and Credit Suisse - among the 300 odd companies who are joining the latest and most relevant of alliances in blockchain - the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance. Centralised systems may soon be passe, and the whole IT industry is closely tailing Vitalik just to get a glimpse of this bedazzling future of decentralisation, which may be quite unsettling for the incumbents!



Mission of Enterprise Ethereum Alliance - "Learn from and build upon the only smart contract supporting blockchain currently running in real-world production and to define enterprise-grade software capable of handling the most complex, highly demanding applications at the speed of business."



Marley Grey of Microsoft who sponsored Blockchain India Summit Dec 2016 as Global Blockchain Partner has this to say "Ethereum was the first blockchain supported in Azure and it is evolving to address the needs of enterprises globally. Focusing on requirements like privacy, permissions and a pluggable architecture while retaining its public roots, Ethereum continues to widen the scope of what developers, businesses and consortiums can achieve."



Zero Field Labs is bringing the ethereum movement to India. Read Vitalik's interview by Arifa Khan here on Ethereum's vision. (http://www.dailypioneer.com/business/ethereum-as-a-platform-has-many-things-that-are-unique-about-it--vitalik-buterin.html) Among the delegation are Ethereum core developers from Europe including a team of 20 technical experts from Ukraine - a fast emerging Centre of Excellence in DLT. CEO of Zero Field Labs, Ms Arifa Khan, India Partner and adviser to Vitalik, was in Kiev, Ukraine recently to talk on Current Technological Challenges in Development of Ethereum & other DLT platforms, at the BlockchainUA conference. Her talk captivated many an Ukrainian technologist and persuaded them to visit India.



Blockchain India Week 12-19 May 2017 will present the European blockchain developer talent to India for the first time and a potpourri of blockchain ideas, a suite of Proofs of Concept already developed in Europe, USA at Blockchain India Hackfest and at custom-built ethereum workshops in India. Developers are converging from all over the world in Mumbai for the Hackathon being hosted in collaboration with IIT Mumbai 12-14 May with over 200 signups already. Indian Bitcoin and Blockchain clan is excited about "Vitalik Buterin Prize in Blockchain Excellence" instituted and sponsored by Zero Field Labs, the prize to be handed over by Vitalik, himself on 18 May in Mumbai.



Blockchain India Week is being supported by Vitalik and several members of the Enterprise Enterprise Alliance (EEA) such as Microsoft, Consensys etc. Andrew Keys of Consensys who is leading membership drive of EEA is excited to support India's strides in decentralisation! Among the invitees are other prominent bit-coiners like Roger Ver and Chandler Guo from China!



Join us for privileged interactions with global pioneers of Bitcoin and DLT!



Ms Khan is pleased to be hosting Vitalik's second visit to India. She is excited to work with Banking and other industries in their transition to a Blockchain enabled world! She is Vitalik's Adviser and Ethereum representative in India. Ms Khan looks forward to pitching blockchain solutions to Govt. of India and several states like Andhra Pradesh on this visit. She will be soon launching Blockchain Council India.



About Fintech Storm

Fintech Storm has been prescient in spotting trends in Banking, Payments & Fintech industries in Europe and India and has been hosting large scale conferences in India under the brand "Europe-India Conclave", inaugurated by Union Cabinet Minister for Shipping, Roads & Highways - Nitin Gadkari in Dec 2015. Zero Field Labs, an affiliate of Fintech Storm is a London based startup focused on building blockchain applications for Indian clients, and is the sponsor of first ever Blockchain India Summit 6 Dec 2016 New Delhi, and the upcoming Blockchain India Week, Mumbai 12-19 May 2017.



About Zero Field Labs

Zero Field Labs is a Crypto-economy/Blockchain play, and hosts Blockchain Storm Global Series of Conferences and Workshops around the world, and has hosted events in London, Geneva, Zurich, Mumbai, New Delhi. The company offers customised corporate training and technical workshops on Blockchain for global corporates, and has hosted a series of Blockchain focused workshops in India including to Reserve Bank of India team. The high quality custom-built workshops offer in-person hands-on training with developers from Europe, who have built real applications on Ethereum, Hyperledger etc. Get in touch with info@blockchainstorm.co to ask for a quote and to schedule a custom built workshop for your team in India in May 2017.



CEO Ms Arifa Khan is the architect of Europe-India Conclave, Fintech Storm and Blockchain Storm Series.



Blockchain Storm - Ethereum India Summit

When: 18 May 2017 9:00am to 6:00pm

Venue: Hotel Taj Lands End, Bandstand Seafront, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Event website: http://europeindiaconclave.com

Ticket site for foreign delegates: http://blockchainstormethereumindiasummit.eventbrite.com

Ticket site for Indian delegates: https://in.explara.com/e/blockchainstormethereumindia2017

Hackathon: http://blockchainindiaweekhackathon.eventbrite.com

Hackfest: http://blockchainindiahackfest.eventbrite.com



Media Contact

Ms Arifa Khan

Founder Fintech Storm

CEO Zero Field Labs Pvt Ltd.

340 The Highway

London, E1W3ES

ph 0044-7950424784

arifa@fintechstorm.com

info@blockchainstorm.co

http://europeindiaconclave.com

http://blockchainstorm.co
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/22/2017 -- Europe Neurological Disorder Drugs Market: Overview



This report on the neurological disorder drugs market studies the current as well as future prospects of the market in Europe. Health concern related to life threatening diseases are the major concerns in the developed and developing countries of Europe.



This research report provides a detailed analysis of the neurological disorder drugs market and helps understand the various driving factors for the growth of the market. The market overview section analyzes market dynamics and trends such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influence the current nature and future status of the market. Market dynamics factors such as market attractiveness analysis have also been explained in order to deliver a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario of the Europe neurological disorder drugs market.



Obtain Report Details @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/europe-neurological-disorder-drugs-market.htm



Europe Neurological Disorder Drugs Market: Segmentation



The neurological disorder drugs market has been segmented by disorder, by drug class, by distribution channel and by countries. The disorder segment has been sub-segmented into Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebrovascular disease and others. The drug class has been segmented into Anticholinergic, Antiepileptic, Antipsychotic, Analgesics, Hypnotic & Sedative, Antihypertensive, Anticoagulants and others. The distribution channel segment has been sub-segments into retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and eCommerce.



Europe Neurological Disorder Drugs Market: Scope



The executive summary provides detailed insights about the report and the market in general. This elaborate executive summary provides a glimpse into the present scenario of the Europe neurological disorder drugs market, which includes a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The executive summary also provides overall information and data analysis of the Europe neurological disorder drugs market with respect to market segments based on disorder, drug class, distribution channel as well as geographic regions.



The market for neurological disorder drugs has been extensively analyzed based on their usefulness, effectiveness, sales revenue and geographic presence. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ Mn for each disorder, drug class, distribution channel as well as geographic regions has been provided for the period from 2016 to 2024. This report on the neurological disorder drugs market also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year.



Europe Neurological Disorder Drugs Market: Regional Outlook



Geographically, the neurological disorder drugs market has been segmented into 10 major regions: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, U.K., Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Poland and Rest of Europe. The market size and forecast for each of these regions have been provided for the period from 2016 to 2024, along with CAGR (%) for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. The research study also incorporates the competitive scenario in these regions.



Fill The Form To Gain Deeper Insights On This Market @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17567



Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:



A list of recommendations has been provided for new entrants as well as existing players to help establish a strong presence in the market and increase market share. The report also profiles major players in the neurological disorder drugs market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include Merck & Co., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bayer AG, Astra Zeneca, F-Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, and GlaxoSmithKline plc.



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.



Contact us:

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A team of paleontologists from the University of Cambridge and the Natural History Museum, London, UK, has proposed radical changes to the dinosaur family tree, based on their careful analysis of dozens of fossil skeletons and tens of thousands of anatomical characters.

Dinosaurs were first recognized as a unique group of fossil reptiles in 1842 as a result of the work of the anatomist, Professor Richard Owen, who later went on to found the Natural History Museum in London.

Over subsequent decades, various species were named as more and more fossils were found and identified.

During the latter half of the 19th century it was realized that dinosaurs were anatomically diverse and attempts were made to classify them into groups that shared particular features.

It was Harry Govier Seeley, a paleontologist trained in Cambridge under the renowned geologist Adam Sedgwick, who determined that dinosaurs fell quite neatly into two distinct groupings, or clades: Saurischia or Ornithischia.

This classification was based on the arrangement of the creatures hip bones and in particular whether they displayed a lizard-like pattern (Saurischia) or a bird-like one (Ornithischia).

As more dinosaurs were described it became clear that they belonged to three distinct lineages: Ornithischia, Sauropodomorpha and Theropoda.

In 1887 Seeley placed the sauropodomorphs (which included the huge classic dinosaurs such as Diplodocus and Brontosaurus) together with the theropods (which included T. rex), in the Saurischia.

The ornithischians and saurischians were at first thought to be unrelated, each having a different set of ancestors, but later study showed that they all evolved from a single common ancestor.

The new analysis of dinosaurs and their near relatives concludes that the ornithischians need to be grouped with the theropods, to the exclusion of the sauropodomorphs.

It has long been known that birds (with their obviously bird-like hips) evolved from theropod dinosaurs (with their lizard-like hips).

However, the re-grouping of dinosaurs proposed by the authors shows that both ornithischians and theropods had the potential to evolve a bird-like hip arrangement  they just did so at different times in their history.

When we started our analysis, we puzzled as to why some ancient ornithischians appeared anatomically similar to theropods, said study lead author Matthew Baron, a Ph.D. student in earth science at the University of Cambridge.

Our fresh study suggested that these two groups were indeed part of the same clade. This conclusion came as quite a shock since it ran counter to everything wed learned.

The carnivorous theropods were more closely related to the herbivorous ornithischians and, whats more, some animals, such as Diplodocus, would fall outside the traditional grouping that we called dinosaurs, he added.

This meant we would have to change the definition of the dinosaur to make sure that, in the future, Diplodocus and its near relatives could still be classed as dinosaurs.

The revised grouping of Ornithischia and Theropoda has been named the Ornithoscelida which revives a name originally coined by the evolutionary biologist, Thomas Henry Huxley in 1870.

The repercussions of this research are both surprising and profound, said co-author Dr. David Norman, also from the University of Cambridge.

The bird-hipped dinosaurs, so often considered paradoxically named because they appeared to have nothing to do with bird origins, are now firmly attached to the ancestry of living birds.

While analyzing the dinosaur family trees, the researchers arrived at another unexpected conclusion.

For many years, it was thought that dinosaurs originated in the southern hemisphere on the ancient continent known as Gondwana. The oldest dinosaur fossils have been recovered from South America suggesting the earliest dinosaurs originated there.

But as a result of a re-examination of key taxa its now thought they could just as easily have originated on the northern landmass known as Laurasia, though it must be remembered that the continents were much closer together at this time.

This study radically redraws the dinosaur family tree, providing a new framework for unraveling the evolution of their key features, biology and distribution through time, said study co-author Prof. Paul Barrett, from the Natural History Museum, London.

If were correct, it explains away many prior inconsistencies in our knowledge of dinosaur anatomy and relationships and it also highlights several new questions relating to the pace and geographical setting of dinosaur origins.

The research appears today in the journal Nature.

_____

Matthew G. Baron et al. A new hypothesis of dinosaur relationships and early dinosaur evolution. Nature, published online March 23, 2017; doi: 10.1038/nature21700

This article is based on a press-release from the University of Cambridge.
[NAIROBI] Kenya has launched an online monitoring, evaluation and reporting system to improve capturing of data on sanitation and hygiene status, a conference has heard.



According to Kenyas Ministry of Health, the country has open defecation rate of 14 per cent, with countries such as Wajir and Turkana having a rate of 76.7 and 82.2 per cent respectively.

The portal has empowered public health officers to provide timely sanitation and hygiene data from their working stations. Kepha Ombacho, Kenya Ministry of Health

The online portal could help coordinate monitoring of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and enable public health officials in rural areas facilitate rapid acceleration of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign, experts say.



Kepha Ombacho, the director of the countrys public health, told SciDev.Net during a conference on sanitation held in Kenya last month (7-9 February): The portal has empowered public health officers to provide timely sanitation and hygiene data from their working stations to the Ministry [of Health] headquarters where it will be placed online for public consumption.



Ombacho added that the portal could help detect cholera outbreak faster by linking it to handwashing or lack of toilet.



It could aid Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) implementation processes and processing of the data to generate real-time reports for quick decision-making, he explained. CLTS is an approach for mobilising communities to address their sanitation problems.



Tobias Omufwoko, country coordinator of WASH Alliance in Kenya, added: The hub now allows generation of real-time information from all parts of the country on equal measure.



Omufwoko indicated that the hub is user-friendly for both government and partner agencies, adding that it has ended the presentation of different data at international conferences by the government and partner agencies.

Jimmy Kariuki, UNICEFs WASH officer for sanitation and hygiene promotion in Kenya, agreed and added: The previous system of monitoring CLTS could not be accessed at one time, hence the need for a robust system that hold partners responsible in their work.According to Kariuki, the real-time monitoring gives public health officers shorter time in getting data on the status of sanitation in villages within their jurisdiction and approving ODF status of a region.UNICEF funded the systems development to help Kenya achieve its vision of attaining ODF status by 2020, Kariuki adds.
A coal mine in Germany is recycled to be a giant hydroelectric battery. It will continue to pump water between two chambers.

The Prosper-Haniel hard coal mine in Germany at the state of North-Rhine Westphalia which was founded in 1863 will be recycled today, Digital Trends reported. The coal mine used to supply fossil fuels in Germany for almost five decades.

This time, instead of being a coal mine in Germany, the site will serve another purpose rather than produce fossil fuels. It will now be turned into a "giant hydroelectric battery for sustainable power supply that can store excess solar and wind energy.

The Prosper-Haniel coal mine in Germany will be converted into a 200-megawatt hydroelectric reservoir. More so, its 2,000-foot deep mine will act as a power storage or a giant battery to provide electricity for 400.000 homes.

According to Inhabitat, as a giant battery, it will store energy by the use of a continuous water pump on two chambers that are connected thru pipes with turbines. When an increased amount of power is needed, the upper chamber will then release the stored water all the way to the turbines and into the lower chamber.

On the other hand, when there's a low demand for electricity, the pumps will refill the upper chamber with the use of a much cheaper electricity. This will be a win-win situation for the coal mine in Germany for there will always be a storage facility to supply the entire country.

The coal mine turned into hydroelectric battery, it will not only produce renewable energy but also boosts the local economy of the country. Likewise, it will serve as the battery for supplying sustainable electricity for more than 400,000 families in North-Rhine Westphalia.

State Governor Hannelore Kraft people living in the same town who worked in the coal mine in Germany would also play a major role in the hydroelectric battery. "We have a very favorable part to provide sustainable and cost-effective storage," Kraft said.
The sea turtle in Thailand that has eaten almost 1000 coins have died yesterday. Osmin or "piggy bank" the sea turtle has died off of complications from her surgery to remove the toxic coins inside of her.

"Piggy Bank" the sea turtle has undergone two surgeries to remove the coins inside her body. It has been eating the coins that people were throwing at it inside his pond in Chonburi province. Just a week ago, Osmin or "piggy bank" has been eating and swimming perfectly fine, reported BBC. However, the 25-year-old Thai sea turtle has fallen into a coma after having intestinal problems. It was during the second surgical procedure of the beloved turtle that the complications occurred, on Sunday.

She has been carrying 5kg (11lb) of coins. The mass of the metal is so heavy that it has cracked her shell. The first procedure was very successful. However, after some time, the surgical procedure has left a big space in the sea turtle's stomach, it got an infection. "Piggy Bank" the sea turtle and her stomach has twisted it and blocked the blood flow in her body, CBS stated.

"We planned to return her to the Royal Thai Navy Turtle pond on Thursday. Unfortunately, she developed intestinal volvulus and strangulation on Saturday," Nantarika Chansue, a lead veterinarian at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of veterinary science, described in a Facebook post after performing the turtle's second operation. The coins were really toxic for Piggy Bank, the sea turtle. It was 200 times higher than normal. Osmin also got toxemia, nutritional deficiency, immunodeficiency, and stress. The sea turtle in Thailand did not wake up after it.

It was the infection and a space in the stomach that really killed Piggy Bank, the sea turtle. The doctors said they did all of their best but it was not enough. They really wanted to save Osmin but it was too late.
Eminent theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is soon to board a spacecraft. In a recent interview, the legendary cosmologist revealed that he will be on board Virgin Galactic.

According to CBS news, Professor Stephen Hawking said that he has accepted an invitation from billionaire Richard Branson to travel to space. The journey will be organized by Branson's company Virgin Galactic. Stephen Hawking said that he has already undergone a Zero-gravity flight which allowed him to float in simulated conditions, but it is his ultimate desire to fly in space. So, when Richard Branson made him the offer, he could not say no to that.

However, Virgin Galactic has not revealed that what arrangements have been made in order to enable Stephen Hawking, who has a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to make the trip. Stephen Hawking was first diagnosed with the disease at the age of 21, which since has paralyzed him gradually. Also, there has been no confirmation from the company's side about when the journey will be commenced.

According to the Independent, Virgin Galactic is looking forward to commercially carry people to space at the earliest. Richard Branson was hopeful of commencing the first flight into space earlier in 2009 but had to abandon it under a number of problems that came up.

Professor Stephen Hawking, apart from announcing about his space travel, spoke about his three children who have given him immense pleasure. He also gave his view on the new US President Donald Trump. He branded him as a "demagogue" and said that he fears of being refrained from entering the US in the future. Professor Stephen Hawking also warned the British politicians over the issue of "Brexit", which he said might be a threat to Britain's dominance in the field of science and innovation globally.

The eminent researcher also said in the interview that "world government" is a real necessity to understand the extent of usage of technology for the betterment of lives. Without it, technology might turn out to be an eventual curse for mankind, said Stephen Hawking.
Until a few years ago, it was known that the Solar System has nine planets. However, this information was tweaked in 2006, when Pluto was demoted from its former position of a planet to a dwarf planet. Since then it has been widely accepted that there are eight known true planets that orbit around the Sun. Now, according to a group of scientists, our star system could have more than 100 celestial objects that can be classified as planets.

A research team headed by Johns Hopkins Universitys Kirby Runyon has prepared its own version of how planets should be classified. According to the team of researchers, the factors defining the eligibility of a celestial object as a planet should depend solely on the object itself and not other factors like location, etc.

Going by the teams definition, Earths Moon or even Jupiters moon Europa are planets. This is because both moons are no less than a planet -- under the current definition of Mars, Jupiter or even Earth -- besides also being larger than Pluto.

So, what is the existing definition of a planet? According to the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) criteria, a planet is a celestial body that (a) orbits around the Sun, (b) has enough mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit." Keeping these requirements in mind, Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet because to be considered a planet, the icy world and its natural satellite would have to move alone through their orbit.

According to a BGR report, if the researchers version of planetary definition is actually widely adopted, then it would increase the number of planets from eight to 110. The scientists supporting argument and information will be presented in the upcoming Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas.
FLORENCE, S.C.  On Saturday evening, The Florence Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority will host Talking All That Jazz with Ezra Brown and Friends.

Proceeds from the concert will go toward the sororitys philanthropic efforts, particularly empowerment of youth in the greater Florence area.

Brown, a Florence native who resides in Singapore, is a world-renowned jazz guitarist. His sound is a culmination of Southern comfort and urban grit, embodied by his upbringing in gospel, and his love of blues, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.

Hes worked with an impressive list of Grammy Award-winning artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Charlie Daniels, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and Bobby Blue Bland, among others. Hes toured all over the world and recorded solo albums.

Brown said hes doing this concert because he believes the youth of Florence have more potential and more talent than is recognized or explored.

Im looking at it through a wide lens and thinking about how I can help my city, he said. How can I help a blossoming artist? How can I help someone become the next Ezra Brown or the next Houston Person?

Brown said everything in life is a lesson. He said some of his biggest and most vital lessons were instilled through music, and that type of learning needs to be explored here in Florence.

I often wonder what would I be doing if I had never learned the power of my art and left Florence," Brown said. Kids here need an outlet to explore that side of themselves they may not even know is there. Playing with all these big name cats across the world is cool, but the world needs to know about Florence, South Carolina and the talent we have here.

To see Brown perform be at the Florence PAC on Saturday at 6 p.m. Opening acts for the event include local artists Kiswana Salters and Lawrence Coffee.
HARTSVILLE, S.C.  The Wednesday Afternoon Painters, a group of friends who meet and paint every Wednesday at the Black Creek Arts Center, are featured in an exhibit, "Painting with Friends," at The Mantissa Executive Suites and Spa in downtown Hartsville. Their artwork will be on exhibit through the end of March in the Mantissa Gallery.

The artists are Frankie Bush, Judy Jacobs, MJ Martin, Sue Earle Brand, Jane Wheeler, Sherry Brown, Cornelia Webster Joyner, Timi Bronson and Gay Morrison. The friends are from Hartsville, Cheraw and Lake City. A tenth artist from Monroe, North Carolina, joins the group when she can.

I started with Judy Jacobs and Jane Wheeler six years ago, said Bush, who has taught art classes and was a former art teacher at Hartsville High School.

We kept adding friends, she said.

The group is not open for additional members.

Jacobs said being together as friends is the best part of the group.

If sad about a project and thinking about throwing it away, the group critiques and makes suggestions, Jacobs said. They find something worth saving.

Jacobs said she never painted before joining the group. She finds inspiration from painting flowers and plants.

I go into another place where I do this, she said.

In her artist statement, Jacobs said, Thanks to my friend and mentor, Frankie Bush, I began taking watercolor lessons from her six years ago as a way of therapy following my husband Willard Jacobs death.

Wheeler, the other original member, said she was an emergency department nurse for 30 years. When she retired, she said, she needed something to occupy her time. She needed to find an outlet that provided a more peaceful, quiet and reflective mood.

Painting seemed to fill the bill.

Wheeler said she had never painted before.

I admired Frankies work and love the girls in the group, she said.

Joyner is also a retired nurse. She lives in Lake City.

In her artist statement, she said that she had always had a pencil and sketch pad in hand, even as a child.

Timi Bronson is an art quilter. She said she took a serious look at watercolor four years ago after moving to Hartsville. She took classes and workshops at Black Creek Arts.

One piece of artwork in the exhibit was collaboration by all of the artists. It was an experiment in which all nine artists contributed to the finished product. The piece is composed of 12 individual paintings by the nine artists. Three artists painted two pieces each.

Inspiration for the work came from Sherry Brown, a member of the group. Her husband, Kenny, took the original photograph of a flower, enlarged it and cut it into 12 pieces. Each artist drew a piece at random and was told the colors to use.

In a statement about the piece, the artists said they became anxious after drawing their segment of the work, fearing their work might not measure up to that of more experienced artists in the group or that the colors might not match or the pieces might not fit together as intended.

The exhibit includes watercolors, especially of flowers and other elements in nature, quilts and other fabric wall hangings.
KINGSTREE -- Throughout Williamsburg County School District, you will find a strong dedication to the districts mission, which states: In partnership with all stakeholders, Williamsburg County School District will ensure a world-class education for all students by utilizing a rigorous, innovative curriculum that focuses on creativity, critical thinking and problem solving.

The district is committed to a culture of continuous improvement through quality strategic planning and continued advancement to adapt to the current and future needs of students and stakeholders.

Williamsburg County School Districts new instructional curriculum called the "3Cs"  College, Careers and Citizenship  highlights the districts overall focus, to prepare all students for educational excellence. To assure students success, concentration is placed on providing high quality educational experiences for all students at each grade level to help them obtain the required knowledge and skills for 21st-century workplace advancement. The district is fortunate to have teachers who incorporate these necessary skills into all that they do within the classroom so that students will be fully prepared for the challenges that await them beyond their secondary education.

The leadership and staff of the district understand the importance of providing a caring and safe environment for all students. Each student is intellectually challenged to maximize his or her potential and experience educational excellence. For this reason, the district encourages an atmosphere of collaboration, open communication, commitment and dedication to students, and celebrates the success of meeting this goal with an incredible faculty and staff of dedicated professionals.

The district has accomplished so much over the past two years that has advanced it in many ways; however, there is a continuing effort to seek ways to further enhance the quality and delivery of education to learners.

Williamsburg County celebrates among its many successes a strong commitment in the area of student leadership. Highlights of student opportunities that benefit them in their preparation for success are as follows:

Seven district students selected as Duke Tip Talent Identification Scholars; 14 district students received outstanding performance on the ACT-Science Assessment by scoring 20 or more; district student named 2015-2016 State Skills USA Chaplin; district student selected to participate in the SC Governors School of the Arts and Humanities Summer Discovery Camp; district student selected to participate in the SC Governors School for the Math and Science; district student selected State FBLA Representative; district Show Choir named Carowinds Show Time Show Choir; district senior recognized as one of the Top 5A Players in South Carolina by SCBCA; district student organization recognized as Largest Chapter in 2A Schools; district student selected to present at the USC Junior Science and Humanities Symposia; district student named Regional Junior Scholar; district students named Innovation Award Winners at the SC Robotics Competition; district student awarded SC High School League Track and Field Gold Medalist Winner; and five district students selected as representatives to the SC Legislative Black Caucus.

The district administration appreciates the support and concern for the students of Williamsburg County School District. We will continue to assist our students by challenging them to reach high levels of success and providing them with educational excellence at all grade levels. We are very appreciative of the support and commitment of district stakeholders who understand that we must work collaboratively to make available diverse educational opportunities for district learners that will improve their national competitiveness.
Missing is Brandon Paul, 23, of Floral City, Florida, who reportedly went overboard from the eighth deck of the ship at approximately 3 a.m. Carnival Victory was 33 miles northwest of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba.

USCG said Carnival Victory launched a search boat and contacted watch standers at the Seventh Coast Guard District Command Center. USCG directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton to search for Paul.

Cuban authorities also launched assets to assist in the search and as of Wednesday morning Carnival Victory continued to search on scene.
When Leslie Raymond assumed executive directorship of the Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) in 2013, she had deep concerns that the experimental festival had pursued a narrower audience than ever before.

Raymond, who has participated in the festival in

"Someone who does not make 'experimental' moving image art a central life interest becomes bored and restless," she wrote. "I admit that many of us who do love experimental work also get bored and restless. Trying to help the audience 'get it' becomes a moot point because people are getting impatient."

Raymond calls former AAFF program director David Dinnell "incredible." But when Dinnell departed the festival last year Raymond also saw an opportunity to push back against a vision that she says had "started to shift away from the foundation of the festival." For the 55th AAFF, which runs March 21-26, Raymond and new associate director of programs Katie McGowan have implemented multiple strategies to engage a broader swath of filmmakers and filmgoers.

"We happen to be in Ann Arbor, where we have this incredible, diverse, broad, interested audience who are wanting alternative music, alternative food, and alternative film fits right into that," Raymond says. "We want to serve that audience as well."

Democratizing the process

That effort began with some basic changes to the way AAFF selects the films it screens. McGowan notes that in recent years many festival films were curated, rather than being chosen by AAFF's cadre of screeners, who view and judge each film that's submitted to the festival. For this year's festival, Raymond and McGowan curtailed curated programs and reemphasized the role of the screening team. Each of this year's 2,500 submissions was viewed and judged by at least two screeners in a three-round process.

"I think that we have a renewed sense of trust and an importance that we're placing on the screening process," McGowan says. "It's open to multiple viewpoints and perspectives rather than just one program director."

After eight years screening films for AAFF, Robin Sober definitely noticed the difference this year. Although Sober says festival leadership didn't directly communicate the intention behind this year's changes, organizers sought input from the screening team about how to improve the screening process. She expresses particular appreciation for a new "buddy system" that encouraged screeners to communicate with those who were appraising the same submissions.

"It was sort of more of a community feeling, or like being part of something, because we could have more conversation," Sober says. "It felt more collaborative."

As Raymond and McGowan made the final picks from the resulting list of screener-approved films, they selected for diversity across the total pool of festival films and within individual programs. McGowan expresses particular satisfaction that this year's program features more humorous and "rambunctious" films.

"In recent years I think the festival has been a little quieter," she says. "I like a lot of those quiet films, but I think this year is a break from that in that we have a much wider variety."

"A tapestry of voices"

Festival leadership also sought to present a wider variety of not just films, but filmmakers, in this year's lineup. McGowan and Raymond were particularly interested in increasing representation of female filmmakers and filmmakers of color.

"Something we think a lot about is inclusion," McGowan says. "If we take a step away from our festival and look at festivals and at the business of cinema, it's too often white, straight males at the top. Given that we have the luxury of not engaging in the commercial film world, I think we also have this responsibility to make sure that a tapestry of voices are showcased."

This year the festival sought and received a grant from the

"Rebellion isn't necessarily like a large historical moment, although there's plenty of those," says LaFleur, who is known locally for her multi-media series of

McGowan notes that Asian film will also be well represented at this year's AAFF, including

"The experimental film world is too often portrayed as a monolithic medium or field, when really there are all different types of experimental film," she says. "We are really working hard to showcase those different styles nationally and internationally."

Moving forward by looking back

While there's a forward-thinking bent to this more open-minded approach to experimental film, it also marks something of a return to form for AAFF. Raymond was a devotee and personal friend of now-deceased AAFF founder George Manupelli  and it shows, according to Terri Sarris, a filmmaker and University of Michigan lecturer who has taught a class on AAFF's history.

"(Raymond is) really enthusiastic, really aware of and interested in maintaining the sort of things that drove George Manupelli in the early days: definitions of what experimental is, and a willingness to let that evolve and think about that in critical ways," Sarris says.

In the same blog post in which she criticized the festival's move towards specialist audiences back in 2009, Raymond recalled getting "teary-eyed" at a lecture Manupelli gave on AAFF that year, entitled "An Unauthorized History." She still references that presentation in articulating her own goals for the festival.

"(Manupelli) had a different vision for what the Ann Arbor Film Festival would be  that it would not be a tastemaking kind of a platform, but that it would be open," she says. "There were intentions to just encourage more people to get in on it and make movies. As long as there were people who wanted to make films, George wanted to show them."

Although broadening audience appeal is a common strategy to boost revenues or revive a flagging organization, Raymond says that's not the case for AAFF. The festival is the longest-running experimental film festival in North America and Raymond says attendance is accordingly robust, with an annual audience of 10,000. Her interest isn't in selling more tickets so much as bringing new faces to the table.

"It's about making art relevant," she says. "It's about helping open the door so that people can see it, experience it, find meaning in it for themselves personally. I think that, in the larger picture, is something we want to see with art in general in our culture."
Mark Maynard in the nearly-completed Landline Creative Labs

Gold Cash Gold on Michigan Avenue

Barry Murray, director of Economic and Community Development for the city of Dearborn

Michigan Avenue, downtown Detroit

All photos by Nick Hagen.

To better understand the road's importance, Concentrate will explore the past , present, and future of Michigan Avenue in a three-part series presented in conjunction with Metromode and Model D , our sister publications in the metro Detroit area and the city of Detroit.Mark Maynard fell in love with Ypsilanti as a student at the University of Michigan playing gigs there with his band. A wife, two kids, and a house later, he's still in love with the small city in Washtenaw County."This is a cool little town," says Maynard. "There's great architecture, good deals on nice houses, a growing arts scene, lots of music."Maynard has done a lot of thinking about what it takes to build a successful community through his popular blog , which is a mixture of Ypsilanti news, politics, and personal musings. Part of that is encouraging locals to buy property and preventing outside developers from altering the town's special character.So that's just what Maynard and business partner Jesse Kranyak did last year after purchasing an old Bell Telephone Company building on Pearl Street just off Michigan Avenue. Called Landline Creative Labs , they're nearly finished with the renovation that will include first-floor retail and a second-floor office and studio space for creative professionals."It's one thing to blog about the community and another to put your money where your mouth is," says Maynard. "Ypsilanti has its own unique feel now and we don't want that to go away."Maynard and Kranyak are just two of the many entrepreneurs who have started businesses as part of an economic resurgence that's taken place along Michigan Avenue. After a sharp downturn in the late 2000s, commercial strips and downtowns along the corridor have been activated thanks to a mixture of attractive building stock, reliable traffic, and active development organizations.Detroit's Michigan Avenue renaissance started just over a decade ago with the opening of Slows Bar-B-Q.Where previously there were only a handful, today businesses line both sides of the street on the one-mile stretch of road from 14th Street to the John C. Lodge Freeway. There are restaurants (Gold Cash Gold, Ottava Via), cafes (Astro Coffee, Detroit Institute of Bagels), a bike shop (Metropolis Cycles), and more. There's even a reclaimed woodworking store (Woodward Throwbacks).Michigan Avenue in the Corktown neighborhood has a lot going for it: close proximity to downtown, active community groups, great building stock, and the synergy of numerous other businesses located just off Michigan Avenue, like Mudgie's Deli and the Farmer's Hand . Corktown, and by extension Michigan Avenue, has become a regional destination for nightlife and shopping.The city of Detroit has gotten involved, too.The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) improved bus service along Michigan Avenue, doubling frequency and increasing service to 24 hours a day. Neil Greenberg, DDOT's manager of scheduling and service development, says there were two good reasons for this change: ridership has steadily grown along the corridor despite weaker service, and it's become one of the densest parts of Detroit.Biking has also been a point of emphasis. Coordinating with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), DDOT added protected bike lanes to the road. One of only a few sets of these lanes in the city, they improve cyclist safety by using parking spots as a buffer between bike and traffic lanes.A city-wide bike share program is also set to roll out in the next couple of months. The Downtown Detroit Partnership will install 43 stations containing over 400 bicycles in the system."How many of us have gotten in a car to drive to a meeting a couple miles away?" says Lisa Nuszkowski, executive director of Detroit Bike Share. "Bike sharing can fit in nicely to connect people to shorter distances."The placement of these stations has yet to be finalized. But with businesses on and around the main thoroughfare, protected bike lanes, and in close proximity to downtown, Michigan Avenue fits perfectly into this system.As dramatic as Corktown's turnaround has been, Dearborn's is equally impressive.According to Barry Murray, director of economic and community development for the city of Dearborn, vacancy rates were as high as 40 percent along Michigan Avenue in the late 2000s. As of 2016, that number was down to 12 percent.That decrease can be attributed to the steady increase in individual businesses like Brome Burger and Dearborn Fresh Supermarket . More importantly, the city has helped secure a variety of major, multi-million dollar developments.The momentum first began with the $70 million redevelopment of the old Montgomery Ward department store at Michigan and Schaefer Road into a mixed-use medical complex. The city purchased the property, put out a request for development proposals, and helped make the project a reality. "It was built when the rest of the economy was going in the dumpster," says Murray. "That complex really changed the corner."In 2014, the city relocated from its offices to a building further west on Michigan Avenue that had been vacated by a data processing company. But then officials wondered what to do with the abandoned, nearly 100-year-old City Hall. That's when Artspace stepped in to develop 53 units of housing and studio space for artists."It's an amazing reuse of a property that might not have been good for other things," says Mike Bewick, executive director of the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority.Plans for the campus don't end there. The concourse that connects the two main City Hall buildings will be converted into a white box commercial space for cafes, galleries, and other businesses.In perhaps the biggest news of all, Ford Land Development acquired 10 buildings in West Dearborn, including the historic Wagner Hotel, for conversion into a mixed-use office and retail center. The project will cost approximately $60 million and bring 600 employees to the area. (We'll have more on this development in this series' next installment on the future of Michigan Avenue.)At the center of all these developments is Michigan's Highway. "Michigan Avenue is the heartbeat of our city," says Murray. "All our institutions relate back to it."Not to be outdone, Ypsilanti has also seen a reversal in economic fortunes. According to Beth Ernat, director of economic development for the city of Ypsilanti, vacancy rates in the city's historic downtown have dropped from 40 to 10 percent in the last five yearsnumbers almost identical to Dearborn's.Ernat credits the turnaround, in part, to the creation of a neighborhood enterprise zone in the city's working-class south side that helped stabilize home ownership through tax incentives. But more than that, the national, state, and Michigan Avenue economies have simply improved.In those five years, downtown Ypsi has seen the opening of restaurants (Red Rock Barbecue), a brewery (Ypsi Alehouse), antique shops, a tattoo parlor, and much more.In addition to Landline Creative Labs, owners of the women's clothing store Mix rented out a performance space next door to their shop. These developments, plus high rental prices in nearby Ann Arbor, have made Ypsilanti an increasingly popular place for Washtenaw-area artists to locate. Locals also organized a local art tour, First Fridays Ypsilanti , which takes place onyou guessed itthe first Friday of every month.It's helped artists bring attention to local businesses, and vice versa.Despite the phenomenal growth of these commercial corridors, development experts agree that Michigan Avenue hasn't reached its full potential. A major reason for that is the design of the road itself, which is five lanes wide in parts of each city, down from seven in some cases, with sidewalks too narrow to accommodate cafe-style seating and larger tree varieties.Despite use of occasional medians and parking buffers, Michigan Avenue remains a decidedly pedestrian-unfriendly street."We want to get people into the public realm and interacting with others," says Nuszkowski. "To do that, people need to feel safe and protected from traffic."But because Michigan Avenue is part of the state's Highway Trunkline System, it's controlled by MDOT. Making changes to the street's infrastructure remains a perpetual challenge for planners."Michigan Avenue is a blessing and a curse," says Bewick. "It's a blessing because Dearborn grew up along Michigan Avenue, and there's retail on both sides of town. But it's a curse because it's run by MDOT, and their objective is to get traffic through, not encourage stops."The region also had an opportunity to greatly increase connectivity between these cities along Michigan Avenue last year. But a ballot proposal to collect millages across four southeastern Michigan counties to fund regional transit service failed. Among the many ways the proposal would have improved public transit, it also called for the creation of rapid bus lines along Michigan Avenue.But no one's giving up. Michigan Avenue has been an important road historically, and remains so today. "Michigan Avenue is such a great corridor," says Ernat. "It really has room for everything."Check back in two weeks, when we'll conclude this series with a look at the future of Michigan Avenue.
Just in time for World Water Day, here's some news we can use: European industry leaders revealed details this week for an ambitious project that would turn city wastewater into usable fuel for vehicles and utilities.

The project, dubbed Life+ Methamorphosis, outlines procedures for extracting biomethane from wastewater processing plants in Spain. The technology itself isn't new, but the commitment to action is noteworthy. This isn't just an eco-friendly concept outline - it's a fully funded program that's already underway.

The initiative pivots on an unusual partnership between European car maker SEAT and Aqualia, a Spanish water management company. Aqualia is handling the first phase of the program by installing a prototype biogas converter facility at an existing municipal sewage treatment plant outside of Barcelona.

The conversion process works like this: Specially prepared bacteria is mixed in with organic solid waste, which transforms the waste into raw biomethane gas. All of this happens within an impressive piece of technology called an anaerobic membrane bioreactor.

The gas is then processed a second time in order to remove nitrogen, which can itself be harvested for other consumer uses. The biogas comes out the other end, as it were, in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG). The biogas can be used either directly in vehicles for transportation or it can be piped into any natural gas distribution network.

RELATED: Food Scraps Fuel These UK Supermarket Trucks

That's where automaker SEAT comes in. To demonstrate the viability of the program, the car company will provide a fleet of CMG vehicles to be fueled up from the wastewater plant.

According to SEAT and Aqualia, a medium-sized treatment plant - like the one used in the prototype run - can convert around 10,000 cubic meters of water and generate 1,000 cubic meters of biomethane in a 24-hour period. That's enough to power 150 vehicles for more than 60 miles per day.

In one year, CNG vehicles could drive nearly 3 million miles with the biofuel obtained from a single wastewater plant. Someone at SEAT crunched the numbers and determined that it's enough to make six return trips to the moon. There's no word on CNG lunar missions at this time, but still - good to know.

It's all promising news, and the timing of the announcement is quite deliberate. March 22 is World Water Day, largely coordinated by the United Nations to address sustainable management of water resources around the world. The Methamorphosis project is being funded in part by the European Union's LIFE+ program, which promotes new policies and technologies regarding environmental protection and climate change.

WATCH: How Feeding Onions To Cows Could Help Save The Earth
Press Release

March 22, 2017 What's next after Free College Tuition bill?

ANGARA CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF 'ONE FAMILY, ONE GRADUATE' BILL TO TARGET POOREST OF THE POOR Following the recent Senate passage of the bill mandating free tuition in all state universities and colleges (SUCs), Senator Sonny Angara said the next education reform in line should be the One Family, One Graduate Act. Angara's Senate Bill 133 gives poor but deserving students free college education until they graduate. Beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be prioritized under such program. "The One Family, One Graduate bill aims to ensure that every Filipino family, especially those living in poverty, has at least one college graduate. This is a good companion measure to the free college tuition bill as it would target the poorest of the poor. Habang pinagagaan natin ang gastusin ng mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa SUCs, dapat ay mas prayoridad nating tulungan ang mga pamilyang wala talagang kakayahang mapagtapos ang kanilang mga anak," he said. The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), a group of economists and education experts, has opposed the tuition subsidy for SUCs, calling it "anti-poor" as higher-income students are said to benefit more from such free tuition. Studies showed that out of 100 students that start elementary education, approximately less than 20 are able to graduate from college, and among the primary reasons for not being able to finish their education were poverty and lack of opportunities. The FEF pointed out that tuition covers only one-third of the cost of attending college while the balance consists of cost of living allowances. "Education authorities are concerned that free tuition in SUCs will result in free riding as higher-income students, who have the ability to pay for living allowances, might end up using the free tuition subsidy. "Most of our poor students drop out because of the high cost of college education. Our bill seeks to address this by covering not only the tuition but other school fees as well," Angara said. Under SB 133, student-grantees will be provided a maximum of P60,000 per academic year to cover the cost for tuition and other school fees--including academic and extracurricular expenses, purchase of textbooks, board and lodging, transportation, clothing, medical needs and other valid related education expenses--to complete the student-grantee's degree program. The senator, who is a known advocate of education reform, also filed bills providing a 20-percent student fare discount, and five-percent discount on food, medicine, miscellaneous and other school fees including books and school supplies to underprivileged students in all levels throughout the country. Furthermore, the FEF argued that free tuition in SUCs will provide unfair competition to private institutions which, according to the group, are more efficient in providing higher education. The FEF instead pushed for the stronger implementation of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act that unifies and rationalizes all modalities for student financial assistance, including scholarships, grants-in-aid and student loans. Angara, who also authored the UniFAST law, explained that the P60,000-financial assistance will be given through a voucher system so that students and their families can choose the schools they want, whether in SUCs, private higher education institutions or in technical-vocational schools. "Ang pinaka-layunin natin dito ay siguruhing walang maiiwan sa libreng edukasyon. Dapat bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay mayroong oportunidad na makapagpatapos ng kanilang anak, lalo na iyong mga mahihirap pero deserving, na siyang tutulong para guminhawa ang kanilang buhay," he said.
Press Release

March 22, 2017 Invoke Arbitral Ruling Against China - Gatchalian Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday called on the Duterte administration to invoke the South China Sea Arbitration ruling in filing a formal protest against China as the regional superpower prepares to build a radar installation on the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal. "The favorable decision in the Philippines vs. China case is a potent tool we can use to enforce our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. It is our duty to invoke this ruling and take action before international legal institutions to contest any further acts of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea," Gatchalian said. The South China Sea Arbitration, decided by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2016, declared that similar Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea had violated the Philippines's sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Gatchalian stressed that the Scarborough Shoal, which sits less than 200 kilometers off the coast of Zambales, is a militarily significant position that must be protected at all costs. "Chinese military activity so close to the Philippine mainland is an alarming national security risk that must be immediately addressed," Gatchalian said. Gatchalian, a member of the Senate majority and an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, urged the President to re-think his hands-off approach to the issue. "It is incorrect to say that there is nothing we can do to stop China. We still have several legal and diplomatic options, all of which must be exhausted in defending Philippine territory from foreign aggression. The Philippines should never allow itself to be bullied by anyone, no matter how big and powerful that bully might be."
Press Release

March 22, 2017 Tax Reform, Traffic Crisis Act among 10 priority bills pushed by Congress, Malacanang A package of 10 proposed bills- including reforms to the country's taxation system, and the bill addressing the country's traffic crisis - will be part of the priority legislation that the legislative and executive branches have agreed to work on in the upcoming months. This was confirmed during the four-hour consultative meeting and dialogue between officials from the Senate and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) last Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City. Senate officials led by Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo, chiefs-of-staff from the offices of the senators, and Senate Secretariat officers represented the Upper Chamber during the event, while the PLLO contingent was led by PLLO Secretary Adelino Sitoy and PLLO Undersecretary Antonio Gallardo. According to Gallardo, both panels agreed to "work closer and enhance cooperation" in order to secure the more efficient passage of pending legislation, given Congress' hectic and limited schedule. He said both Houses of Congress would only have around 14 calendar days to meet their legislative targets before they go on sine die adjournment on June. "I would say that the task ahead of us is quite challenging. But as long as we work together, the challenge can be answered adequately," Sitoy said. Gallardo said the 10 bills considered as "common priorities" by Congress and the Malacanang are as follows: Bills considered "common priorities" by Malacanang and Congress Status 1. Occupational Safety and Health Hazards Compliance Act Committee Report No. 30 approved on 3rd reading in House, 1 Senate Bill 2. National Mental Health Act 10 House Bills, Committee Report No. 41 approved by Senate on 2nd reading 3. Utilization of the Coconut Levy Fund 18 House Bills, Committee Report No. 8 in second reading at the Senate 4. National Transport Act (to address transport traffic crisis) 1 House Bill, Committee Report No. 24 in second reading at the Senate 5. Unified National Identification System Act 1 House Bill, 3 Senate Bills 6. Condonation of Land Amortization and Arrears on Interest Payment 2 House Bills, 2 Senate Bills 7. Con-current Joint Congress Resolution on the Revised Base pay Schedule of Military and Uniform Personnel 1 House Bill, 4 Senate Bills 8. Pension Reform for Uniformed Personnel 1 House Bill, 1 Senate Bill 9. Comprehensive Tax Reform Program 1 House Bill, 12 Senate Bills 10. Security of Tenure Bill 11 House Bills, 7 Senate Bills Gallardo said that out of the 10 priority legislation, four are already in advanced legislation either at the House of Representatives or at the Senate. These are the proposed National Transport Act, the Utilization of the Coconut Levy Fund, the Occupational Safety and Health Hazards Compliance Act, and the National Mental Health Act. Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte identified 55 priority bills as part of his legislative agenda while Congress listed 39 "common legislative priorities." "The challenge really is on how all of us can help push these important bills," Gallardo said.
Two suspects in the fatal shooting of a 53-year-old woman at a Sacramento motel were arrested in Menlo Park after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed car chase that ended in a crash, officials said.

James Martin Baca, 37, and Rebecca Irine Temme, 35, both of Sacramento, were captured Monday when Sacramento County sheriffs detectives tracked a car stolen from the homicide victim to Menlo Park and spotted the suspects driving it, officials said.

When detectives tried to stop the suspects, the car took off, leading them on a high-speed chase, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office officials said.

The suspects crashed the car and fled on foot but were caught with the aid of the California Highway Patrol, Menlo Park Police Department and Redwood City Police Department, authorities said.

Detectives were hunting for Baca and Temme in the killing of Leonora Montoya, who was found dead Sunday from a gunshot wound to the head at the Surf Motel in Sacramento, officials said.

A 911 caller reported hearing a gunshot on the block where the motel is located shortly after 11:45 p.m. Sunday. Sacramento County sheriffs deputies responded to the area, canvassed the surrounding blocks, and found Montoyas body inside a room at the motel.

Investigators suspect prior animosity between Montoya and the suspects led to the slaying, but they would not specify the source of the tension.

Temme and Baca were arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery. Temme was also found in violation of post-release community supervision requirements. Baca was suspected of violating parole.

Both were booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where they are being held without bail. They were scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Wednesday.

Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi
The drive to recall San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee died a quiet death when its leaders failed to deliver any of the 47,565 voter signatures needed to put it on the ballot.

Recall leaders blundered from the beginning, and never gathered any significant public or political support, said P.J. Johnston, spokesman for the anti-recall effort.

Recall effort leader Mike Murphy did not return our call.

The recall, launched last year, was prompted by Lees close ties with tech and real estate interests. At the time, many of those close to Lee considered it a threat to the mayor, given his slide in popularity.

Lees friends in the business community and labor raised $75,000 to beat back the measure and spent $10,000, mostly on legal fees.

However, just as quickly as it was launched, the drive went off the road when a confrontation between recall backers and a group of 200 Lee supporters  many of whom were Asian American was caught on video.

It showed a recall supporter shouting, Go back to China, and, You take your Chinese asses back where you came from.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The video went viral, and even the mayors staunchest critics condemned the outburst. Whatever momentum the recall effort might have had was stopped in its tracks.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
Sandra Zuniga is San Franciscos Ms. Fix-It.

The 41-year-old is a one-woman operation working with neighborhood residents to navigate the citys convoluted and complex bureaucracy and help solve qualify-of-life issues.

Some residents want more trash cans, while others want fewer. Others want help with blighted billboards and broken glass. More commonly, they want fixes for crime and filth  problems that have grown despite the tech boom and a swelling municipal budget.

Mayor Ed Lee launched the fix-it pilot last year after rising complaints about San Franciscos grimy streets and sidewalks, broken streetlights and potholes tearing up cars. Lee plans to quadruple the operation this year, expanding it to 20 neighborhoods and adding three people to Zunigas now-nonexistent staff in June.

She currently corrals manpower across seven agencies: the Public Utilities Commission, the Municipal Transportation Agency, Public Works, the Police Department, the Recreation and Park Department, the Department of Public Health, and the Homeless Outreach Team. But none of the 40 city employees across the six agencies works directly for her department.

Ive walked these neighborhoods and Ive talked to the residents and small-business owners, said Lee, who announced the plan in his State of the City address. They want simple quality-of-life issues fixed and fixed quickly, and Ive heard firsthand how positive the Fix-It team has been for their communities. Fix-It isnt just beautifying our communities. Its strengthening them, connecting residents to city services, and introducing neighbors to each other to empower lasting change.

The fix-it director  yes, thats Zunigas actual title  uses information from the 311 customer service portal and crime data to map the most distressed city blocks. They are then grouped together into a 15-block radius. The Bayview, Tenderloin, Mission and Excelsior were ranked among the worst neighborhoods for quality-of-life issues, a city survey showed, and many of the hotspots were clustered in those areas.

The brewing discontent stands out in stark contrast to a city that has grown more prosperous in the last decade, with a budget that has grown to more than $9 billion. Zuniga, who spent the last decade at Public Works, said she knows the initiative wont fix everything, but its a start.

Theres not enough time in the day to fix everything, she said. We still have our challenges, and not everything will be fixed in a sense. But working together helps. There have been so many more eyes on the streets. Merging relationships and departments helps build the community as we go. Im excited to have more help.

Last year Zuniga worked with five communities spread over 100 city blocks in Chinatown, the Market/Castro area, Mission/Geneva, the U.N. Plaza/Civic Center area and the Inner Sunset. She helped fix 108 streetlights, paint 495 crosswalks and curbs, prune 51 trees and replace 150 street signs.

In recent months, Zuniga worked with community ambassadors to tear down a billboard at Judah Street and Ninth Avenue. Theyve removed green city trash cans along Grant Avenue in Chinatown and collected needles from Victoria Manalo Draves Park in SoMa. The group, clad in neon yellow vests, has swept broken windshield glass, scrubbed graffiti and striped pavement.

Stephanie Cajina, who has lived in the Excelsior for 10 years and is the executive director of the Excelsior Action Group, said having someone help with city issues makes a difference. Residents had the blighted news racks in the area consolidated, and streetlights actually got fixed. Besides, Cajina added, working with a real person is better than being redirected into a computer portal.

This is a good start, Cajina said. Obviously there needs to be more. But the beauty of this program is you are talking with someone who can actually engage decision makers. Its not just getting funneled into 311 or a place the city logs a complaint. Sandra followed through with absolutely everything from the smallest complaint to the largest. Thats whats refreshing about this.

This month Zuniga is tackling a chunk of land from Fillmore to Gough streets and Golden Gate Avenue to Bush Street in the Western Addition. A possible list of other areas for the year includes portions of District 10, which includes Bayview-Hunters Point, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch and Visitacion Valley; and District 11  the Ingleside, Excelsior and nearby neighborhoods.

In a city this big, theres always something to be done, Zuniga said. I love going into communities. I love the people, and I love working with different agencies. Twenty neighborhoods is a lot, but working together will help. All of that will make a difference.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
If you know someone who has just moved into the old college building thats been converted to affordable housing at Laguna and Hermann streets, heres my tip: Wangle an invitation to stop by.

The curb appeal alone is impressive, with rich stucco and clay tile roofs from when Spanish Revival was all the rage. Its a shot of Santa Barbara a stones throw from Market Street, the scholarly tone enhanced by a big-eyed owl carved into one thick buttress.

But the deepest revelations are inside, down shadowy hallways wide enough to hold the long-gone rush of students spilling from classrooms. This is a rare historic restoration where the aura of history remains, layer upon layer upon layer  including layers that bear the scars of past mistakes.

You get this sequence of history that plays out, and each piece adds to the experience, said Fred Pollack of Van Meter Williams Pollack, the architecture firm that recast Richardson Hall for nonprofit developers Mercy Housing and Openhouse. Thats one of the pleasures of working on buildings like this. Its a puzzle every time.

The complexity of the puzzle can be seen in something as simple as the two entrances from the street, both of which lead to space constructed between 1924 and 1930.

The entrance on Hermann is where students ascended through a portal topped by sculpted classical figures holding the proverbial Book of Knowledge. Inside was San Francisco State Teachers College, which became San Francisco State College in 1935 and now is San Francisco State University. When the college moved to the shores of Lake Merced in 1957 the block bounded by Laguna, Hermann, Buchanan and Haight streets became the University of California Extension.

These days, the doors inside the portal are locked on the outside, since they flunk all accessibility requirements. The front door is around the corner at 55 Laguna, wide and glassy, opening to a foyer that offers the choice of stairs or an elevator.

Upstairs, the 40 apartments line corridors with layered histories all their own.

Theyre wide and tall, with sturdy plaster surfaces and the occasional barrel-vaulted ceiling to mix things up. At one turn, the walls are adorned with murals by Jack Moxie that the federal government commissioned in 1935 as part of its Works Progress Administration effort to fight the Great Depression.

The story doesnt end there.

In the 1950s, college officials decided to cut a pair of new service openings into Richardsons auditorium  through the murals. And then cover them with paint, same as with the other dozen or so murals by Moxie sprinkled through the building. Simple as that. In a decade determined to remake all aspects of American society, why show any respect to details that might be in the way of progress?

By the time that Pollacks firm was working with preservation architects Page & Turnbull to adapt Richardson Hall for housing, attitudes had changed. Testing determined that remnants of Moxies angelic but somber students were still beneath the subsequent coats of industrial paint, so restoration specialists got to work.

We looked into re-creating the portions of the murals that were destroyed, in a lighter color, Pollack said. But work like that is very expensive.

Personally, I like the fragmentary restoration. It forces questions on the viewer. Theres no pretense that we knew best all along.

The makeover of Richardson Hall involves subtractive work outside as well, keyed to changing notions of how the city should work.

That entrance on Laguna Street is part of a ground-level sequence that includes a cafe space at the corner and the new Bob Ross LGBT Senior Center. Before the redevelopment of the block, none of those spaces existed  the sidewalk was flanked by a bulky retaining wall to hold up the steep hillside and the parking lot on top.

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But now the parking lot has been replaced by a market-rate development of six-story buildings (Woods Hall, another remnant of S.F. State days, has also been restored nicely along Haight Street by BAR Architects). Laguna Street is seen as the front of the transformed block, rather than the backside of the hill.

The developers and Pollacks firm worked with city planners and the Historic Preservation Commission to determine precisely how much of the wall could be removed. The issue was historic integrity, not the structural kind: Richardson Hall is a landmark. The grim face to Laguna was one of its original features.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

We didnt want a blank wall, Pollack said. Planners wanted it to continue to feel like a wall, not a series of columns.

The final layer is hinted at in the Bob Ross center, which is operated by co-developer Openhouse, a nonprofit focused on the gay community.

In community hearings involving the restoration of Richardson Hall, there was a push to target the affordable housing for lower-income Castro residents with few options as they aged. Fast-forward to 2017, and the marketing effort for this LGBT-friendly complex was successful enough that 70 percent of the residents who moved in over the winter identify themselves as gay.

In its first life, Richardson Hall served aspiring students. Now its a place for older people to wind down their lives. Yet the scholarly owl still stands guard above the corner, and the quiet halls still tell their tales.

Place is a weekly column by John King, The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron
House Republicans proposed changes to the American Health Care Act  the GOPs plan to replace the Affordable Care Act  could reduce federal funding to Medi-Cal, Californias insurance program for the poor, even more dramatically than the original bill sought to do, health experts said.

The amendments, released by House Republican leaders Monday night, keep the core elements of the original bill but propose two notable changes to the way states can administer Medicaid.

They also include language that gives the Senate, when it considers the bill in the coming weeks, an opening to change the way tax credits are calculated to give people in their 50s and 60s additional financial assistance to buy health insurance  though experts say the assistance would still be smaller than what they currently receive under the Affordable Care Act.

On the Medicaid side, the new changes would allow states to impose a work requirement for Medicaid beneficiaries  an option that California is unlikely to take. In California, 81 percent of Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are non-elderly adults and not disabled are in a family where at least one person works; 61 percent work themselves.

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A spokeswoman for the Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, said the agency cannot speculate as to any potential changes to the Medicaid program that may occur under proposed federal legislation.

But Tim Jost, a health law professor at Washington & Lee University, said he would be surprised if California headed down this path, which some Republican-led states have attempted in recent years, only to be denied by the Obama administration.

With the current politics in California, I would be surprised if it were one of the first states trying to impose a work requirement, Jost said.

In California, about 1 in 3 residents, roughly 14 million people, are on Medi-Cal. About 4 million of them were added over the past few years under the ACAs Medicaid expansion, which California officials moved more aggressively than most states to enact.

The new Republican amendments would also give states the option of choosing between two types of Medicaid federal funding starting in 2020, though both options would result in a significant reduction of federal dollars to Medi-Cal.

The original bill sought to change the way the federal government finances Medicaid by switching from the current federal matching system to a per capita cap, starting in 2020, that is based on enrollment. The new proposal would allow states to choose a block grant instead, which would translate to less money over time than the per capita cap, said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

On the individual market side, the new proposals would lower the tax threshold for medical expense deductions, from 7.5 percent to 5.8 percent, with the apparent aim of allowing the Senate to provide more generous tax credits for people in their 50s and 60s. The Congressional Budget Office and other analysts have found that lower-income Americans in their 50s and 60s would be hurt most by the GOP plan, as the bill would provide smaller tax credits to buy plans while at the same time allowing insurers to charge older consumers five time more than what they charge younger consumers.

This change provides the Senate flexibility to potentially enhance the tax credit for those ages 50 to 64 who may need additional assistance, the proposal said.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Cat__Ho
When it comes to the annual H-1B visa lottery, Nikita Patwari  a talented graphic designer who left her family in India to create a life for herself in the U.S.  is nothing but a number.

The grades she received as a graduate student at Savannah College of Art and Design wont help her secure the visa that allows skilled foreign workers to find U.S. employment, nor will the importance of her role at Shippo, a San Francisco startup. Instead, for 24-year-old Patwari and the hundreds of thousands of other H-1B visa hopefuls, its all about luck.

I know it is a very slim opportunity, but Im just hoping for the best, said Patwari, who is currently in the U.S. on an Optional Practical Training visa, valid for three years. All of my decisions are based on the H-1B.

This year, the chances of securing the highly coveted work visa may be even slimmer. Immigration experts anticipate another record-breaking year of applications. While some immigration attorneys attribute the expected uptick to a good economy and high demand for engineering jobs in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, they say many of their clients are filing more applications this year, believing this may be their last shot under a president who has promised to overhaul the much-debated visa program.

There are a lot of companies that are saying, Hey, this is my only opportunity to get in under the current H-1B situation, because everyone is expecting a change, said Marcine Seid, an immigration attorney in Palo Alto. And they dont expect it to be for the better.

H-1B visas allow highly skilled foreign workers to spend three to six years at sponsoring companies in the U.S. The number of applications, which overwhelmingly come from India, has nearly doubled since 2014. Yet, the number of visas granted to for-profit companies has remained at 85,000 per year.

Silicon Valley tech companies, ranging from Facebook to younger startups, have come to rely on H-1B visas to staff many engineering positions. For fiscal year 2017, the United States Citizens and Immigration Services received a record of 236,000 H-1B applications. When this years application period opens April 3, several immigration attorneys interviewed said they expect 250,000 to 300,000 petitions to be filed.

Jason Finkelman, an attorney in Austin, Texas, said he has personally filed nearly double the number of applications for H-1Bs than he did last year.

Theres all this talk of how it might change and how it might be more restricted in the future, he said, adding that clients across the board are filing more applications this year.

Other companies, however, are continuing with business as usual. Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, said at a Stanford University talk on immigration this month that his company has no measurable change in the amount of applications it will file this year.

Shippo, where Patwari works, will file six H-1B petitions this year, more than it has before. Spokeswoman Helen Phung said the number increased because the company has grown. But, she added, Anyone that is affected or could be affected by the new administrations parameters will have full support of the company.

The visa program has been a constant point of contention between Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. The tech hub has long argued there are not nearly enough available visas to fulfill the demand it has for foreign workers.

For a number of years, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has received so many H-1B applications that it typically stops accepting them within a week. As recently as 2012, applications were accepted for nearly eight months.

While the chance of an individual applicant like Patwari landing an H-1B becomes slimmer as more people apply, many in Washington, including the current administration, argue that the program is rife with loopholes that allow big corporations to squeeze out American employees in favor of cheaper foreign workers.

President Trumps views of the H-1B program have varied. Last month, for instance, he called for a merit-based immigration system that would value skilled immigrants over more traditional family-based immigration. That would seem to run counter to previous suggestions that he would limit the H-1B program to protect American jobs.

Another worry for those applying for the visa this year is a recent move by U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services to temporarily suspend premium processing, which allows applicants to pay to expedite their applications.

Nearly 60 percent of H-1B applications are ordinarily filed via premium processing because many employers rely on receiving a quick decision, to know whether the prospective employee can begin working by the visas Oct. 1 start date. Otherwise they will look to hire elsewhere.

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But William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said he believes the real impact on the amount of H-1B applications will not be felt for a few years.

People who are already in school here have made the choice of America, but people who havent yet chosen, they are looking at Canadian universities and Australian universities much more seriously, he said.

Patwari has decided she wants to stay in America but, unfortunately, her ability to do so is not under her control.

She has three chances to secure an H-1B visa before she must either go back to India or find another country that will allow her to stay. However, depending on what President Trump decides to do with the program, this year might be her best and perhaps only opportunity.

Its very stressful, she said. Its really, really stressful.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
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Amid a swirl of scandals, three senior women executives at Uber held a call on Tuesday about the beleaguered companys plans to improve a workplace seen as hostile and sexist, its search for a No. 2 to help its reflexively combative CEO Travis Kalanick, and ways it will treat its drivers better.

Put simply, change starts at the top, said Arianna Huffington, an Uber board member. Thats why Travis accepted responsibility from the first all-hands (meeting), and apologized for leading the company to that point.

That point for the worlds most valuable startup includes a bombshell blog post by a former engineer alleging sexual harassment; revelations about a secret program to foil law enforcement investigations; a video of Kalanick browbeating an Uber driver; a lawsuit alleging that Uber stole trade secrets from Googles self-driving car spinoff; and an exodus of high-profile executives, most recently Jeff Jones, who quit as president on Sunday, saying Ubers aggressive culture was inconsistent with his values.

Kalanick had already promised to seek leadership help and announced a search for a chief operating officer. Whatever Ubers challenges, the best of the best are coming to the table, excited about the companys potential, Huffington said.

Kalanick skipped the call because he was too busy interviewing potential candidates for the new position of chief operating officer, according to Huffington, who bristled at questions about whether Uber stage-managed an all-female panel.

Its not like we got them from central casting, she said, noting that the positions held by her fellow call participants should be taken as a really good sign of how women are valued at Uber. Huffington was joined by Rachel Holt, head of U.S. and Canada operations; Liane Hornsey, chief human resources operator; general counsel Salle Yoo (who did not speak); and Rachel Whetstone, head of communications.

Huffington bristled even more about the top query from reporters, one repeated several times: Would the board ever ask Kalanick to step down?

The board has confidence in Travis and we are proceeding ahead with the search for a chief operating officer, she said, later adding, I know its a sexy question, but really its the same answer. Its not been addressed, it hasnt come up, and we dont expect it to come up.

Hornsey and Huffington both defended Kalanick as someone who is learning from his mistakes. Ive only been here 11 weeks, but almost week by week, I see him changing, Hornsey said. The events of recent weeks are absolutely something that would cause an individual to change.

Despite a #DeleteUber protest campaign that started in January, Ubers growth continues to accelerate, Holt said. Last week, riders in the U.S. took more trips with Uber than ever before, she said. In fact, U.S. growth was faster in the first 10 weeks of 2017 than in the first 10 weeks of 2016.

Holt outlined a series of changes in how Uber will treat its drivers  and later said that many of them came from Jones, a very big advocate for focusing on drivers and addressing their pain points.

Uber knows it needs to bring more humanity to the way we interact with drivers, she said, acknowledging that relationships with many drivers are frayed.

Changes include improved training for support agents, more in-person support centers, streamlined earnings statements, and giving drivers a say in fare adjustments.

Uber will balance driver history against passenger complaints. Someone with three rider complaints but just 100 trips under their belt will be treated very differently than a driver who has received three complaints but completed 10,000 trips, Holt said.

And it will use technology to verify some rider complaints before suspending drivers.

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Uber also needs to undergo more soul-searching and focus on team-building, Hornsey said. Uber is disruptive  and disruption demands the confidence to be bold, she said. What I have seen, though, is that this has translated internally to what I would call a cult of the individual.

Uber will release its first report on workplace diversity by the end of this month, Hornsey said. Its one of the few major Silicon Valley companies that has not yet disclosed data about hiring minorities and women. Hornsey noted that the number of Uber employees doubled last year.

In February, Uber hired former Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the charges of sexism and hostile workplace, both through interviews with employees and an anonymous tip line. That report is expected to be concluded last next month, and will be publicly released, Huffington said.

There can be no room at Uber for brilliant jerks and zero tolerance for anything but totally respectable behavior in an equitable workplace environment, Huffington said.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
President Trump says his proposed freeze on admission of anyone from six overwhelmingly Muslim nations, and on all U.S. admissions of refugees, is urgently needed to protect Americans from incoming terrorists. But since federal courts blocked his order last week, the Justice Department has shown no sign of any pressing need for action.

Trumps current executive order  issued a month after federal courts halted enforcement of an earlier, broader version  was scheduled to take effect Thursday, but was blocked hours earlier by a federal judge in Hawaii as an apparent act of religious discrimination. A federal judge in Maryland issued a similar ruling early Thursday, limited to the six-nation ban.

Nearly six days have passed, and the Justice Department has yet to ask any higher court for immediate intervention, and by all outward indications, is treating the case as a routine appeal.

In any ordinary case, the Justice Departments delay would not be significant. But here it is a surprise, said Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor. Trump claimed these rules were absolutely essential and requested immediate implementation. The departments lawyers ... had ample time to prepare a rapid response. Yet we find delay.

The Justice Departments response is devastating to their argument that the need for executive action is urgent, said Bill Ong Hing, a University of San Francisco law professor and founder of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco.

Asked about the matter, spokeswoman Nicole Navas said Monday, The department declines to comment on legal strategy.

Whatever the purpose of that strategy, it could have the effect of allowing Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, to take part in the case when it reaches the high court. The Senate Judiciary Committee held its second day of confirmation hearings Tuesday for Gorsuch, a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

When Trumps original order was blocked Feb. 3 by a federal judge in Washington state, the Justice Department immediately asked the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco for an emergency stay, which was denied. Trump had hinted of an appeal to the Supreme Court, but the department instead dropped the case.

After last weeks decisions, the department waited until Friday, then filed an ordinary notice of appeal of the judges ruling in Maryland with the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.

The appeals court responded with a schedule that called for the Justice Department to file an opening brief by April 26, followed a month later by written arguments from the refugee-support groups that filed the suit. The department did not object to the schedule.

Trumps lawyers showed even less urgency in the Ninth Circuit, which supervises federal courts in nine Western states, including Hawaii, Washington and California.

Two days after U.S. District Judge Derrick Watsons ruling last Wednesday that barred nationwide implementation of Trumps order, the Justice Department asked Watson to clarify that his decision applied only to the six-nation travel ban and not to the halt on refugee admissions. Watson tersely rejected that reading in a one-paragraph order on Sunday.

Two days later, at the request of both sides in the case, Watson ordered further written arguments and scheduled a hearing next Wednesday on whether to replace his temporary restraining order against Trump with a longer-lasting injunction. As of Tuesday, the Justice Department had not filed anything with the Ninth Circuit.

It was a striking contrast to Trumps personal response. At a rally in Nashville last Wednesday, the president told supporters he had learned minutes earlier of a decision from Hawaii that endangered the safety of our nation, the safety and security of our people, issued by a judge for unspecified political reasons. Trump promised to fight this terrible ruling and defeat it in the Supreme Court.

A day later, press secretary Sean Spicer said the administration would challenge both the Hawaii and Maryland rulings because the danger is real, and the law is clear.

One legal commentator said the governments actions speak louder than its words.

The Justice Departments leisurely pace undermines the claim of urgent national security necessity for a blanket ban, said Pratheepan Gulasekaram, a professor of immigration law at Santa Clara University. You would expect that if, as the president and his advisers claimed, any delay would allow national security threats into this country, then they would be pushing for immediate reviews and stays.

On the other hand, the Justice Departments timetable increases the likelihood that Gorsuch, Trumps Supreme Court nominee, will win Senate confirmation and join the court before the case arrives.

Gorsuch, a federal appeals court judge since 2006, has not ruled on any cases involving presidential orders or terrorism. But he worked on legal issues involving interrogation methods as a lawyer in President George W. Bushs Justice Department, spoke favorably of conditions at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, and has advocated interpreting laws according to their text without considering outside evidence of lawmakers intentions, a potentially important issue in the travel ban case.

One explanation for the Justice Departments approach to the case, Gulasekaram said, is that they think they have a better chance in the Supreme Court after Gorsuch is seated.

But Trump shouldnt take Gorsuchs vote for granted, said Pamela Karlan, a Stanford law professor and former Justice Department attorney in President Barack Obamas administration.

If it were almost any other president, my guess is, somebody who took the positions that Neil Gorsuch took when he was in the (Bush) administration would likely be deferential to presidential power on issues of immigration and national security, Karlan said.

But when you have a president who has said as many times as he (Trump) has, I just want to ban all Muslims from the country, its hard for judges not to look behind that.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @egelko
Oakland is no longer as Uber-cool as San Francisco.

Thats because Uber put the brakes on its expansion plans here. Instead of moving some 2,000 to 3,000 workers into the former Sears building on Broadway that is being renovated, Uber will move in with a few hundred workers, moving the rest into other offices in San Francisco.

And thats cool with me, because Oakland doesnt need to become Silicon Valleys next stomping ground.

What Oakland needs from the tech industry, if anything, is more than brick-and-mortar investment. And thats not what Ubers bringing. In community outreach meetings in Oakland, Uber said it would hire people and businesses for maintenance, food services and security work.

That doesnt begin to address the technology employment gulf that exists for people of color in the Bay Area. Im supposed to believe that Uber can build self-driving cars, but when it comes to approaching diversity the company would rather drive on a flat tire than pull over and ask for help?

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who wants to increase the hiring of minorities at tech companies, has requested that Uber release its employee demographics so a glaring problem can be tracked and the company can be held accountable, like other companies that began releasing diversity data in 2014. So far, Uber, which hired a diversity officer in January, has declined.

Until tech companies realize that recruiting and hiring black and brown people adds value to companies that have black and brown people as users and customers, none of them will be a good fit for Oakland. According to 2010 census data, black people remain the single largest ethnic group at 27.3 percent of Oaklands population, just slightly greater than the white and Hispanic populations, which were 25.9 and 25.4 percent of the population respectively.

So Oakland needs to guard against becoming an extension of San Francisco, which embraced tech only to see rocketing property values mute its soul. Already we are seeing how Ubers coming has impacted commercial property value in Oakland.

In 2015, Uber purchased what it calls the Uptown Station for $123.5 million from developer Lane Partners, which bought the seven-story, 380,000-square-foot property in late 2014 from Sears for $24.25 million.

According to LoopNet, a San Francisco-based commercial real estate marketplace, the average asking rental rate per square foot for Oakland office space as of June was $32.42, representing a 30 percent year-over-year increase.

To put the increase into perspective, just two years ago  before Uber bought the former Sears building  the rental rate hovered just above $20 per square foot.

After the building was purchased: boom!

The Greenlining Institute, an Oakland nonprofit that has been vocal about how Uber could negatively impact the city, was lucky to get its foot in the door of Oakland real estate at just the right time  pre-Uber.

In 2013, it bought and began renovating a 24,000-square-foot building on 14th Street for $10 million, moving in last month. Orson Aguilar, the president of Greenlining, told me then that the nonprofits timing was lucky.

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We bought before Uber announced, he said. Had we waited, this never wouldve happened.

Other nonprofits and small businesses wont be so fortunate. Its true that Uber wont need all that space in Oakland and could lease some of it out  to companies that can afford it, of course.

Still, city leaders, including Mayor Libby Schaaf, have cheered Ubers arrival because of the economic opportunities it can create and, ultimately, the other technology companies it may attract to Uptown. But this is Oakland, a city that prides itself on being diverse  something that Uber hasnt been able to claim.

Oakland, the home of the Black Panthers, remains active with protests for social and economic justice. In San Francisco, protesters will hang out in front of Ubers Market Street office for a few hours. In Oakland, theyll camp overnight.

Uber recently hit a rough stretch that includes operating in territories where it has been banned or not approved, claims of sexual harassment, defections by executives and recorded mistreatment of an Uber driver  by the companys CEO, no less.

If the Oakland office was open, can you imagine how Oakland activists might have responded?

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Tuesday and Friday. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
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When it comes to making reservations, OpenTable is now encouraging diners to book responsibly.

The mantra is part of the companys campaign, begun Tuesday, designed to combat the restaurant industrys battle against diners who fail to show up for reservations or cancel at the last minute. OpenTables efforts reflect a growing global conversation among restaurateurs and booking services about no-shows in the digital age.

Australias largest online booking site, Dimmi, pushed the topic back into the spotlight last month, when it blacklisted nearly 40,000 diners for skipping out on reservations.

In the past, OpenTable communicated its reservations with diners by sending a confirmation email when the booking took place, and then a second email reminder four hours before the seating. With this new campaign, OpenTable is sending more emails to diners, adding a text-messaging system and using push notifications on its app to remind diners about a pending reservation.

Technology should be an enabler to decrease no-show rates, not make them worse, said Scott Jampol, senior vice president of marketing at OpenTable.

OpenTable was founded in 1998 and remains the countrys largest reservation service, despite the continued growth of Tock, the Chicago ticketing service used by high-end Bay Area restaurants like San Franciscos Lazy Bear, Healdsburgs Single Thread and most recently, the French Laundry in Yountville.

More than 21 million diners per month use OpenTables online platform to book reservations at more than 40,000 restaurants. OpenTable would not share how many users were no-shows.

OpenTable has a four-strike policy: If a user fails to show up for four reservations within a 12-month period, the account is terminated. However, OpenTable does not penalize last-minute cancellations, allowing users to cancel a reservation up until 30 minutes before the booking time.

Kim Alter, chef-owner of Nightbird in San Francisco, commented on the OpenTable campaign, saying a last-minute cancellation or no-show makes it even harder to run a business in a Bay Area dining environment where profit margins are razor thin.

Dimmis no-show rate after it instituted the blacklist dropped by a quarter. And Tock has a no-show rate below 1 percent.

Yelps reservation service has a no-show rate of 3 to 4 percent in San Francisco, but company officials said the numbers have been declining over the last 12 months.

Thats in large part due to a pilot program allowing diners to confirm or cancel a reservation with a text. More than 60 percent of diners confirm. Before the program, only 20 percent of diners confirmed their reservations, Yelp said.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter @JustMrPhillips
How should local governments respond to the border wall? The Trump administration has launched a $600 million bidding process for its promised wall along the Mexican border. Hundreds of companies have submitted design concepts in response.

The wall is disdained by local officials in the Bay Area for good reason.

The wall is insulting to Mexico and to Mexican Americans, who represent a substantial portion of Bay Area residents. Since most immigration experts dont believe it will be effective at stopping illegal immigration, its likely to be a colossal waste of taxpayer money. (No one knows what the final cost will be, but estimates run as high as $22 billion. Trumps 2018 fiscal year price tag for the wall is $2.6 billion.)

But is it appropriate for local governments to bar contracts with companies seeking to place bids? As a practical matter, these moves are neither going to deter President Trump from pursuing his campaign promise, nor hinder his ability to find contractors eager for the work.

The Berkeley City Council unanimously passed a resolution last week recommending city divestiture from any company involved in the project.

San Francisco Supervisors Hillary Ronen and Aaron Peskin introduced legislation Tuesday that would bar San Francisco from contracting with companies that bid on the project, regardless of whether they win a contract. The Oakland City Council is set to vote on a similar measure.

Many vendors who have expressed interest in bidding are based in California. Several have contracts with San Francisco and Oakland.

There are plenty of precedents for local governments choosing not to do business with certain companies because of a difference in values.

But since the matter is one thats being directed by our own federal government, local officials need to take a strategic approach rather than a broad one.

For example, local officials could weigh a winning bid on the wall as one factor among many others as part of the normal contracting process. Such a solution would be a balance between honoring our principles and acknowledging the companies right to bid on a project directed by our leaders in Washington.
Legal aid organizations across California are bracing for what could be a devastating financial blow following the release of the Trump administrations draft budget last week.

Alongside its call to halt government spending to the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the proposed budget would also eliminate funding to the Legal Services Corp., an independent government agency that sends hundreds of millions of dollars a year to groups providing crucial legal services to low-income Americans.

Nationwide, many legal aid groups rely on grants from the agency to make up significant portions of their budgets each year. Without them, some fear that theyll have to significantly scale back their operations as they search for other sources of funding. In 2016, Legal Services received $385 million from Congress, 90 percent of which went directly to fund legal aid organizations.

Right now, a lot of our energy is spent on generating new funds that may offset a loss in federal funds, said Alex Gulotta, executive director of Bay Area Legal Aid, commonly known as BayLegal, which serves around 60,000 people in the region each year.

The $4.1 million that BayLegal received from Legal Services last year made up more than 31 percent of the organizations $12.9 million overall budget.

Were hoping we can raise money to offset some cuts, but obviously if we were to lose the entire $4 million ... that would be devastating for Bay Area Legal Aid and for the entire access-to-justice infrastructure in the Bay Area, he said.

Beyond their work in courtrooms, legal aid groups also serve as essential hubs of information and training for attorneys in private practice that volunteer to take on cases pro bono. A corporate attorney, for example, may have little experience handling landlord-tenant or immigration matters, so legal aid organizations help get them up to speed on the key issues in the case theyll be handling.

They basically organize the whole effort. It just wouldnt happen at all without them, said Morgan Gilhuly, a San Francisco attorney and managing partner at Barg Coffin Lewis & Trapp. Gilhuly was one of dozens of law firm leaders across the country who sent a letter imploring Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to preserve Legal Services funding.

I cant think of a lawyer who doesnt think its an essential organization, Gilhuly said. Its inconceivable that we wouldnt want to fund it.

California Rural Legal Assistance in Oakland, which provides services to impoverished populations statewide, has already begun to scale back some of its operations in an effort to minimize the impact of cuts to Legal Services, should they become reality.

In addition to layoffs, Jose Padilla, the organizations executive director, said that the group has closed its office in Santa Barbara. He hopes to be able to serve Santa Barbara clients from an office in Oxnard, nearly an hours drive away.

Legal Services funding makes up between 55 and 60 percent of Rural Legal Assistances roughly $13 million budget each year, Padilla said. Eliminating funding for Legal Services would leave his organization particularly vulnerable, he said.

Were more dependent on the federal dollars, because we cant access the same types of (funding) resources in rural places as my colleagues in urban spaces, Padilla said.

Across the state, Legal Services supplied nearly $43.6 million to 11 different legal aid organizations last year. Funding from the federal agency helped resolve 81,966 cases in California in 2015, the most recent year for which the organization has released case data. Legal Services reports that 47 percent of those cases were housing-related.

State funding would not go far to close that gap. The Equal Access Fund, the primary vehicle for state legal aid, distributes about $10 million a year to organizations in California. Last year, the Legislature approved a one-time $5 million increase to the fund.

Salena Copeland, the executive director of the Legal Aid Association of California, said that she and other advocacy organizations are pushing to raise the fund to $30 million next year. That proposal has been taken up once in a state Senate budget subcommittee, Copeland said.

Not everyone is convinced that federal funds should be used to support legal services for low-income individuals.

The Heritage Foundation, an influential conservative policy think tank, released a blueprint for a balanced budget in late February that also suggested eliminating funding for Legal Services, saying that it is not a duty of the federal government to provide (legal) defense in these types of cases.

Many state and local governments already provide funding for indigent legal defense and are better equipped to address the needs of those in their communities who rely on these free services, the Heritage Foundation wrote.

Legal Services President James Sandman, however, remains stridently optimistic that his agency will survive what is expected to be a bruising political battle over the federal budget in the coming weeks.

Every year for 42 years, Congress has funded us, and I dont see that changing, Sandman said. People understand the importance of providing access to legal assistance to people who cant afford a lawyer. Sandman added that he believes his agency enjoys bipartisan support, and cited the fact that Legal Services funding has gone up by $10 million a year for the last three years as evidence of that.

In the budget environment weve lived in, to be getting increases like that is a sign of support for our mission, he said.

The Office of Management and Budget did not respond to requests for comment.

In the meantime, Gulotta of BayLegal said his team will continue assessing how to keep the money flowing should the tap of funds from Legal Services get cut off.

You dont want to take drastic action until youre sure you have to, he said. But it wouldnt hurt if people decided that now is a good time to send us money.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa

Courting assistance

Federal funding for legal assistance helped resolve nearly 82,000 cases in California in 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Nearly half involved housing.

Case type Number of cases Percentage of cases Housing 38,681 47% Family 12,089 15% Health 8,897 11% Income 8,292 10% Consumer 4,020 5% Individual 3,943 5% Employment 2,505 3% Juvenile 731 1% Education 430 1% Miscellaneous 2,388 3% Total 81,966 100%

Source: Legal Services Corporation
Since Lin-Manuel Mirandas Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton began its preview run this month, the Bay Area has cast its eyes on the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market St., San Francisco).

In the opening number of the musical, the character of Aaron Burr posits, How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar? Over the course of three hours, the answer to that question is explored through witty hip-hop tunes and rap battles, which will no doubt leave the audience satisfied.

But here in the Chronicle Food department, we feel there is an equally pressing question that needs to be addressed: Where can hungry and thirsty theatergoers go to raise a glass to freedom or grab a bite to eat?

To that end, here are some of our favorite spots around the Orpheum.

Quick & Casual

Moya: Great, reasonably priced Ethiopian food that offers gluten-free injera. Favorite dishes include kitfo, a spicy Ethiopian-style steak tartare, and the doro tibs, a sauteed chicken dish flavored with tomato, garlic and berbere.

121 Ninth St., San Francisco. (415) 431-5544. www.moya121.eat24hour.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

Jin Mi: Jonathan Kauffman recommends this Civic Center Korean restaurant particularly for its soft-tofu soups. The bibimbap is also a solid offering.

366 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. (415) 834-5007. Lunch and dinner Sunday-Friday.

Golden Era: Another pick from Kauffman is this Tenderloin eatery, where youll find bright, flavorful vegan Vietnamese food like the house rice claypot with tofu, black mushrooms, noodles, onion and ginger.

395 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. (415) 487-8687. www.goldeneravegan.com. Lunch and dinner daily.

Gyro King: The decor may be modest, but the freshly grilled Turkish kebabs are worth trying, and so are the desserts.

25 Grove St., San Francisco. (415) 621-8313. Lunch and dinner daily.

The Hall: This Mid-Market food hall boasts a handful of different dining options to choose from. Many are particularly fond of the fantastic pozole verde and good sopes at Mexican stand El Pipila. Another standout is the smoked meats from the Whole Beast, including the lamb gyro.

1028 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 558-8293. www.thehallsf.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Friday.

The Market: Between pizza, poke, Malaysian and Filipino eats, the Mid-Market grocery store is pretty much guaranteed to have something for everyone.

1355 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 767-5130. www.visitthemarket.com/. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Something a little fancier

August 1 Five: The modern interior is a proper stage for the modern Indian food, says restaurant critic Michael Bauer, who gave the 4-month old restaurant 3 stars in his February review.

524 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 771-5900. www.august1five.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

Corridor: This Van Ness restaurant offers excellent American food with pleasant surroundings, says Bauer, who awarded Corridor 3 stars last fall. Dine leisurely upstairs by making a reservation. If you're in a hurry, you can order at the counter.

100 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 834-5684. www.corridorsf.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Friday; late-afternoon snacks/dinner Saturday-Sunday.

The Perennial: Seasonal, carefully sourced cuisine and excellent cocktails take center stage at Anthony Myint and Karen Leibowitzs eco-conscious fine-dining establishment, located a block from the theater.

59 Ninth St., San Francisco. (415)-500-7788. www.theperennialsf.com. Dinner Monday-Saturday.

Alta CA: Daniel Pattersons Mid-Market restaurant features seasonal California cuisine and a large bar area. Best of all, the kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. three nights a week, making it a great stop for a post-show meal.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

1420 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 590-2585. www.altaca.co. Dinner Monday-Saturday; late-night dinner (10 p.m.-1 a.m.) Thursday-Saturday.

Cadillac Bar & Grill: A great place for Mexican food and margaritas, says Bauer, particularly the grilled snapper with Veracruzana sauce. If youre bringing kids to the show, this is also a good spot to consider.

44 Ninth St., San Francisco. (415) 554-0181. www.cadillacbarandgrill.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Friday; Dinner Saturday.

Montesacro Pinseria-Enoteca: Tucked away on an alley off Sixth Street, this restaurant specializes in pinsa, a Roman-style flatbread. Other winners on the menu: a kale salad and the slow-roasted porchetta.

510 Stevenson St., San Francisco. (415) 795-3040. www.montesacrosf.com. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Good for a drink

The Beer Hall: This small bar has an interesting rotating selection of local beers that would surely inspire Hamilton and his buddies Laurens, Lafayette and Mulligan to raise a glass.

1 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 800-7416. www.thebeerhallsf.com/. Open nightly.

Whitechapel: You might be more likely to spy loyalists to the crown here than the Sons of Liberty; that said, this whimsical London-inspired gin palace is hard to beat for a pre- or post-show cocktail. The kitchen also churns out booze-friendly bites until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

600 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 292-5800. www.whitechapelsf.com. Drinks and bar snacks nightly.

Mr. Tipples Recording Studio: Grab a post-show drink at this sultry Mid-Market cocktail bar, which also offers nightly jazz performances. New Orleans-inspired bar bites are also served.

39 Fell St., San Francisco. (415) 851-8561. www.mrtipplessf.com. Drinks and bar snacks Monday-Saturday nights.
Drive south on Highway 1. When you reach Half Moon Bay, keep your eye out for Magellan Avenue. The small byway is easy to miss  and the watering hole at its terminus, the Miramar Beach Restaurant, would be easy to overlook: small and pink, engulfed by muddy pools of sand this time of year, it doesnt quite strike the pose of the hulking oceanfront inns that surround it.

Being just barely off the beaten path was exactly how Maymie Cowley, its onetime owner, liked it.

Redheaded and strong-willed, Cowley ran this place from 1918 to 1955. Records indicate the roadhouse went by many other names  the Ocean Beach Hotel, Ocean Beach Tavern, Ocean View Cafe, El Granada. Whats clear is that it was the most fun place to be on this stretch of the Pacific coastline: a purveyor of alcohol during Prohibition, a port for rum runners and a bordello.

Madam Cowley was definitely the boss, says Gabe Whelan, the restaurants current owner. She got into knife fights at other bars, so you can just imagine what this place was like.

San Mateo County was a hub of activity during Prohibition, allegedly with the highest density of bars in the U.S. during those years. The Aug. 20, 1926, edition of The Chronicle lists Maymie Cowleys El Granada among 14 Bay Area resorts suspected of selling liquor.

In that era of temperance, the roadhouse was raided several times. The restaurant still contains secret compartments, of the push this cabinet and it becomes a revolving door variety. In 1924, The Chronicle reported a battle of knives in which roadhouse employee Daniel McIsaac faced off against an undercover agent working for Californias Prohibition director and an apparently vigilante Prohibition informer. According to The Chronicle, the three were drinking freely and ultimately were cut in several places, but only superficially.

Upstairs were 10 small rooms, each with a sink, toilet, hat rack (very important) and bell system, which apparently enabled a sort of room service from the kitchen downstairs. (The rooms have since been converted to offices.) Theres no evidence of a password requirement, but misspelled menu items on the facade of the restaurant  scollops, prongs  served as an invitation to interested clients. The misspellings were a signal to potential johns that prostitutes were available inside, says general manager Sheri Lewis, who has worked at the Miramar since 1990.

Madam Cowley herself lived in those diminutive quarters for about 40 years. She moved across the hill around 1955, after a burglar broke into her bedroom and attacked her. Woman, 80, Fights Burglar in Room Over Her Tavern, read The Chronicles headline. That night, she had retired from the bar to her room in the early hours of the morning  a night owl even at 80  and found a man, his face masked with a handkerchief, standing by her bed. He shot a gun at the wall, broke Cowleys glasses, choked her and stole $75 from her cigar box, leaving her with, according to the paper, nose and shoulder injuries.

That may have been the end of Madam Cowleys tenure at the Miramar  and its unclear what sort of business she had been running in the two decades since repeal, when at least one (but certainly not both) of her establishments two revenue sources had become much less illicit.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Today, the Miramar is owned by Mark Jamplis and Gabe Whelan, whose Whelan Capital Management  a major investor in Popeyes and Timbuk2 bags  bought the restaurant out of bankruptcy in 1990.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

The propertys history was not on Whelans mind then; it was more about a financial opportunity, he admits. There was zero around here when we got into this deal  no homes, no businesses, Whelan says of Half Moon Bay 27 years ago. It took Whelan six years to persuade the Coastal Commission to approve a patio expansion; he doubts they would approve it today.

Miramar may not feel like it did under Cowleys tutelage, but its endearing kitschiness nevertheless transports to a bygone era. A Sun Chief slot machine (25 cents to play) still stands in display; framed photographs of the Cowley era dot the walls like paintings in a museum. The restaurants palette of stained glass, dark wood and white tablecloths  against the backdrop of live piano by local musician Terry Disley (Thursday through Sunday)  may not suggest Prohibition, but they seem to recall a different time in the life of Half Moon Bay: more staid, less flashy.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

The contemporary fad for Prohibition-era libations  borne out in full force in San Franciscos precious, craft cocktail bars  has been lost on Miramar, which instead offers pina coladas, lemon drops and margaritas. Martinis come in flavors like Chocolate-Tini, Washington Apple-Tini and Miramar Pomegranate-Tini. Many drinks are blue.

But hey, the Bay Area loves its tiki drinks. And we certainly have a fondness for old-school, hopelessly unfashionable seafood dishes like crab and shrimp Louie, oysters Rockefeller or chilled seafood cocktail  a few of the Miramars specialties.

Prohibition, after all, has become something of a fetish for San Franciscos drink culture. You can sneak into Wilson & Wilson or Mariannes, or participate in the immersive theater experience of Speakeasy. Heck, just order Speakeasy brewerys Prohibition Ale. At bars like Devils Acre and Local Edition, you can pay upwards of $15 for a drink that tastes like it might have been repurposed from the medicine cabinet.

Or you can go to the Miramar, sit by a firepit on the patio, order a Blue Pacific and some fried calamari with tartar sauce and imagine the redheaded madam welcoming the rum runners into her harbor.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine, beer and spirits writer. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob

To order: Traditional seafood Louie ($22-$26), Miramar calamari ($14), Blue Pacific ($12), Miramar mai tai ($12)

Where: Miramar Beach Restaurant, 131 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay. (650) 726-9053 www.miramarbeachrestaurant.com

When: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
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St. Patricks Day celebrations in America typically involve Guinness, kelly green and rousing choruses of Irish Rover.

But during this years S.F. celebration of Irelands patron saint on March 3, Mayor Ed Lee and local Irish leaders also underscored another facet of the Irish diaspora: immigration.

That political hot potato was also echoed rather boldly at the White House March 16, where Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, while standing next to the president, reminded Trump that 35 million Americans claim Irish heritage. Yet some 50,000 undocumented Irish live and work amid the legal shadows of America.

Ireland came to America, because deprived of liberty, opportunity, safety and even food itself, the Irish believed. Four decades before Lady Liberty lifted her lamp, we were the wretched refuse on the teeming shore, Kenny declared, in a video thats gone viral with 30 million views. We believed in America, in the compassion of America, in the opportunity of America. We came and became America.

That theme continued during the 53rd Hibernian Newman Club St. Patricks Day Lunch on St. Patricks Day, benefiting the S.F. Archdioceses campus ministry at the Westin St. Francis hotel, where an 820-strong crowd honored EssEff native Jack Fitzpatrick, the son of Irish immigrants.

The former accountant and community leader, now executive director of the Gellert Foundation, recognized the importance of the Catholic school education (St. Monicas, St. Ignatius, USF) his parents strived to provide him  an education that remains unaffordable for many families.

We see children whose immigrant parents work multiple jobs to send them to Catholic schools. Their surnames may no longer be Sweeney, Collins, Brady, Murphy or Healy. They are often Sanchez, Hernandez, Garcia and Lopez, said Fitzpatrick. But their parents face the same economic challenges that Irish immigrants of the past faced.

The Celtic celebrations included the annual Irish flag raising at City Hall, led by Mayor Lee, Protocol Chief Charlotte Shultz and Supervisor Mark Farrell, who emceed the lively program.

The fete honored retired SFPD Deputy Chief Diarmuid Philpott, co-founder of the S.F.-Cork Sister City committee and a beloved community leader, who served as grand marshal for the citys 167th St. Patricks Day Parade.

And Irish Consul General Philip Grant, who later received the Distinguished Leadership award at the Ireland Funds annual gala, was also heralded.

Grant soon decamps to Ireland for a new government post. But his work in the Western states increasing economic links between Ireland and America, as well as providing compassionate support to families affected by the deadly 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse, was roundly praised.

San Francisco, way back when, was a real sanctuary city for our people. And I hope the city always remains so. We were lucky to land in the West and not end up in the slums or ghettos of the East Coast, said Grant. We were the pioneers here: We helped build this city; we learned values of diversity here. I know one thing about the Irish here: They love Ireland. But, my god, they love San Francisco even more.

Spring fling: A gazillion blooms (billy balls, palm fronds, anthurium, succulents, hydrangea, hyacinth and forget-me-nots) were bursting at the de Young Museum during the recent Bouquets to Art, the Fine Arts Museums largest fundraiser for its exhibition and education programs.

Led by Bouquets chairwoman Claudia Feury, with assists from honorary chair Lorna Meyer Calas, grand patron Dede Wilsey and FAM Auxiliary President Kate Sullivan, the opening night featured glorious floral homages by local designers paired with artworks in the de Youngs permanent collection.

Other attractions included fantastical fashion created by floristry students at City College of San Francisco, and the spring seasons most anticipated cocktail buffets with McCalls mini-lamb chops and other delicacies.

Years ago, City College was going to cut back the program, said student A rmando de Loera Mejia, an eco-friendly designer who created a knockout floral gown. So its great were here to showcase the skills we learn at City College.

While this was Bouquets 33rd edition, it was the first for FAM Director Max Hollein.

It was fun to be here as the designers arrived to install their creations. Their energy, dedication and sheer joy was a pleasure to see, he enthused. The art provides a resonance that works like a yin-yang, inspiring different levels of creativity among the designers. It also helps if they land a prime location.

Roxie rising: Though modest in size, the recent Roxie fundraiser at Mission Bowling Club featured one of the best film-centric online auctions in town. Lots included a meal with director Eleanor Coppola, a Sausalito bike tour with filmmaker Christopher Upham, and pizza with musician Boots Riley, actor Gregg Turkington and producer George Rush.

Rebranding itself as a nonprofit, the Roxie, the nations oldest art-film house, now thrives as a sustainable center showcasing independent, emerging and Spanish-language films as well as film education and technology, thanks to the vision of Roxie board president Diana Fuller and trustee Owsley Brown.

Their bowling fundraiser, a down-home fete for film devotees, raised a healthy $35K to keep the Roxies reels rolling.

A year and a half ago, I was pretty depressed, as it felt like a lot of things in San Francisco were sort of falling away, explained Roxie executive director Dave Cowen, a former tech IT guru. While its been a real wild road, the Roxie is solvent with a $1 million dollar budget.

Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicles society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow
One man's utility box is another man's canvas, but San Francisco city officials have had enough. Graffiti vandals have scribbled across hundreds of AT&T utility boxes, and officials say the company isn't doing enough to stop it.

Larry Stringer, chairman of the Graffiti Advisory Board, wrote a letter to Kenneth McNeely, president of AT&T California, imploring the telecommunication company to remove graffiti within 72 hours of its appearance, reports the San Francisco Examiner.
WASHINGTON -- The Republican health-care overhaul spearheaded by House Speaker Paul Ryan, Wis., and backed by President Donald Trump suffered a significant setback Wednesday, as personal appeals by both the president and vice president failed to sway conservatives to back the bill.

In a last-ditch effort to persuade key GOP opponents of the bill to stand down, Vice President Pence huddled with members of the House Freedom Caucus in his office Wednesday morning, while Trump met with 18 House Republicans at the White House.

While Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, who met with Trump, came out in favor of the bill Wednesday, that single switch was not enough to put the measure over the top. GOP leaders can afford only 22 defections, given that one Democrat is expected to be absent Thursday. A Freedom Caucus spokeswoman said Wednesday that "more than 25" members of the group oppose the bill.

The Washington Post has not independently verified that count, but multiple members who left the group's meeting Wednesday afternoon said they remain opposed.

The caucus' message, spokeswoman Alyssa Farah tweeted, is "start over."

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the Freedom Caucus chairman, said Pence had offered the group gathered in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building "a couple of options" at the meeting but there was "no official offers tendered on either side."

By the time House Freedom Caucus members met - along with GOP Sens. Rand Paul, Ky., and Ted Cruz, Texas, as well as Michael Cannon of the conservative Cato Institute, their opposition to the bill had solidified.

"There's not enough votes to pass this," Meadows said. "Nothing's changed."

Several caucus members leaving the meeting said they would not accept the changes floated by Pence, since White House and leadership negotiators were offering to support future changes to the bill once it was considered in the Senate.

"There have been promises of hopes that something constructive might happen in the Senate, but that's after we vote, and that's not going to work," said Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala.

Elsewhere in the Capitol, GOP leaders were working to clear the bill's final procedural hurdle. House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said the measure would allow Americans "to make their own health care decisions," and create the kind of competitive insurance market that will expand health care coverage without excessive government mandates.

But Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., questioned why lawmakers would move it to the floor when the Congressional Budget Office had not yet issued a new analysis of the bill in light of tweaks the majority made to it on Monday.

"I don't think we should be meeting on a bill when we don't even know how many people it will hurt," said McGovern, whose motion to adjourn was defeated by a vote of 7 to 2. The bill, he added, would provide "massive cuts for the well off, at the expense" of poorer Americans.

Sessions predicted the congressional scorekeeping would come out sometime Wednesday night: "We will not go to the floor without that CBO score."

Conservatives continue to press for changes to the bill that would eliminate more of the Affordable Care Act's insurance mandates - which require plans to include, among other things, mental health, prescription drug and preventative care coverage. That, they argue, is the only reliable way to force down premiums.

Ryan, who hopes to bring the bill to the floor for a vote on Thursday, called opposition to the measure part of "the tempest of the legislative process" in a radio interview Wednesday morning with conservative host Hugh Hewitt. He did not rule out that further changes could be made to the bill to win additional votes. But the speaker warned that fulfilling those GOP demands would violate Senate budget rules and leave the bill vulnerable to a blockade by Democrats.

"Our whole thing is we don't want to load up our bill in such a way that it doesn't even get considered in the Senate," Ryan told Hewitt. "Then we've lost our one chance with this one tool we have."

Ryan said he remains confident that the measure will pass the House. "This is the one chance we have to actually repeal Obamacare and replace it with the stuff we believe in," he said, referring to the Affordable Care Act. "The president is all in, we all made this promise, and that's why I'm confident."

Still, complications stemming from the bill's last-minute tweaks appeared to add yet another political headache Wednesday, as veterans' groups discovered that the latest draft might make them ineligible for a tax credit. A change made to ensure the measure would comply with Senate rules ensures that individuals can only qualify for the bill's tax credits if they "are not eligible" for other types of coverage, including those provided Veterans Health Administration.

In an email, House Ways and Means Committee spokeswoman Lauren Aronson said the issue would be fixed in subsequent legislation. "This amendment makes no change to veterans' healthcare. In working with the administration and the Veteran Affairs Committee, we will continue to ensure that America's veterans have access to the best care available."

Two dozen GOP lawmakers remained firmly opposed to the health-care overhaul on Tuesday amid a high-stakes persuasion campaign led by Ryan and Trump - more than enough to block the bill. There were also rumblings that a Thursday vote could be delayed if leaders are unable to secure enough votes beforehand.

Trump made a public pitch for the measure Wednesday during a panel in the Roosevelt Room with the newly-confirmed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services director, Seema Verma, and female medical professionals.

After praising the doctors, nurses and health-care aides in the room, Trump declared, "Unfortunately Obamacare is making their lives so much more difficult, as you all know. And putting enormous barriers in the way of helping patients, who we are going to help and get this thing done, and get it figured out.

When reporter asked whether he would keep trying to overhaul the ACA if the House bill failed, the president replied, "We'll see what happens."

Trump had made his pitch to lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, arguing the measure's passage would represent a powerful, if symbolic, achievement for both the president and the House speaker. Even if the House approves the package, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate.

In a Tuesday morning address to a closed-door meeting of House Republicans, Trump used both charm and admonishment in selling the GOP plan, reassuring skittish members that they would gain seats in Congress if the bill passed.

He singled out Meadows, who has helped lead the right-wing opposition to the bill.

"I'm gonna come after you, but I know I won't have to, because I know you'll vote yes," Trump said, according to several lawmakers who attended the meeting. "Honestly, a loss is not acceptable, folks."

Trump's remarks - which Meadows said he took as good-natured ribbing - reflected his mounting urgency to secure a major legislative victory in the early months of his presidency and fulfill a central campaign promise by repealing the signature domestic achievement of President Barack Obama. Passing a health-care measure is key to unlocking momentum for the president's other legislative priorities such as tax reform and infrastructure spending.

But Paul emphasized Wednesday that House conservatives would "stand on principle," and had no political incentive for doing otherwise.

"We ran on repealing Obamacare," said Paul. "Back at home, no Democrats like this and at least half of Republicans don't like this."

In addition to conservatives, who do not think the proposal does nearly enough to undo the Affordable Care Act passed by Democrats in 2010, some moderates fear it will harm their constituents as well as their party's prospects at the ballot box.

In interviews on Tuesday, more than two dozen lawmakers said they were either firmly opposed to the bill or leaning toward voting against it.

Addressing reporters Tuesday, Ryan played down the possibility that the bill could fail Thursday and argued that conservatives should be pleased that many of their demands would probably be in the legislation. Adding further changes, he said, could jeopardize the legislation's chances in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., sounded a cautiously optimistic note Tuesday, promising that the Senate would forge ahead with plans for votes on the measure - if it passed the House first.

"If the House passes something, I will bring it up," McConnell said. "We'll try to move it across the floor next week."

During the Rules Committee session Wednesday, Republicans acknowledged the legislation would undergo even more changes before it reaches Trump's desk.

"Look, this is a legislative process," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, when asked about the issue by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "I assume the Senate will continue that improvement process as we hand this ball over to them."

Cole reiterated the point, saying lawmakers in both parties should keep in mind, "This isn't a once and forever bill, or vote, or anything of the kind . . . What we do today isn't going to be the final word.

On Tuesday afternoon, Trump hosted more than a dozen members of the Tuesday Group, a moderate House faction, in the Oval Office for a lower-key lobbying session that involved Trump asking each person to relay their concerns about the bill.

Going into the White House meeting, Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., described himself as "a strong lean no," citing a variety of concerns. "My views are based on fundamentals in the legislation," he said. "I don't see the lower premiums in this bill."

After the meeting, he said his views had hardened: "I'm a no," he told reporters.

Many of the changes were made to placate conservatives, including giving states the option to take a fixed Medicaid block grant and to impose work requirements on childless, able-bodied adults covered under the program. Others responded to broader concerns about the sufficiency of the tax credits offered to help Americans purchase insurance.

One revision was more narrowly targeted - added at the behest of a group of Republicans in Upstate New York who wanted to end their state's practice of commandeering local tax revenue to fund state Medicaid benefits.

That compounded the concerns of Rep. Daniel Donovan, R-N.Y., a Tuesday Group member who represents parts of New York City that would be hurt by the change.

"I have four hospital systems in my district; they are my biggest employers," he said. "All of them have grave concerns about how they are going to survive if this gets passed."

After the White House session, Donovan said he welcomed the meeting with Trump but had not reached a final decision: "We'll know on Thursday. Some of these things have to be addressed."

One surprising holdout was Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa, who was among the first House members to endorse Trump and has emerged as one of his most stalwart backers. But he is a hard-liner on illegal immigration and cited the issue Tuesday in opposing the bill.

The tax credits offered under the GOP plan, he said, could be claimed by an individual who is not "lawfully in this country and eligible to receive them."

"I would have a hard time explaining to families in the 11th District . . . why they should be helping to pay for the health expenses of someone who broke the law to get here and has no right to those federal dollars," he said.

---

The Washington Post's Abby Phillip contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Gov. Jerry Brown said he saw a possibility Tuesday to get federal money for the recently stalled electrification of Caltrain during private meetings with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Its difficult, were not there yet, but Im cautiously optimistic were going to find a way to fund Caltrain, Brown told reporters outside the Transportation Department after his meeting with Chao.

Brown, on the second day of a four-day trip to the nations capital, met with McCarthy and Chao just over a month after the transportation secretary moved to withhold a $647 million federal grant to electrify the Peninsula commuter line.

Chao put a stop to the funds at the request of San Joaquin Valley Republicans who see the electrification project as tied to Browns multibillion-dollar high-speed rail project, which they consider a boondoggle and is under construction now in the valley.

McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is seen as close to President Trump and particularly influential on California issues. During Tuesdays meeting, Brown said McCarthy outlined possibilities for Caltrain funding, so Id say the door isnt closed.

Brown is in Washington to lobby the states congressional delegation and administration officials on California issues. He was scheduled to have dinner Tuesday night with California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who spent the day leading Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the questioning of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at his confirmation hearings.

In pressing for restoration of the Caltrain electrification funds, Brown cited strong support for the project from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the tech business organization that sent its own delegation to Washington last week to lobby the administration and its congressional allies for the money.

Caltrain serves 65,000 daily commuters in the crowded Silicon Valley corridor with an aging system of diesel locomotives. Electrifying the trains would reduce smog, upgrade the trains and reduce traffic congestion, supporters say.

Carl Guardino, the president of the leadership group, said in an interview leaving Washington last week that it was unprecedented for an administration to withdraw funding for a project that got such a high priority rating from the Federal Transit Administration, adding that the project would create 9,600 jobs in states across the country.

We need to make sure we dont start setting precedents denying projects that have been thoroughly vetted for years by career professionals for reasons not based on the merits of the project, he said.

Brown said he was searching for ways to bridge the partisan divide in Washington so that the states interests can be served.

Look, we have a very polarized nation, its polarized in California, its more polarized in Washington, Brown said. Republicans have certain doctrines and frameworks. Democrats have different doctrines and different frameworks. We have a president called Donald Trump. We are looking for ways to protect California and advance the cause of our country.

Brown cited his collaboration with Republicans in California on a big water bond, a rainy-day fund for the budget, and a workers compensation overhaul. Im not going to say, Oh no, we dont talk to the president, we dont talk to Republicans, Brown said. I think well find a way here in Washington. I cant say were there yet, but you dont build Rome in a day. You take steps.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead
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A scammer's glee at finally getting a response quickly turned to regret when he realized he'd tried to scam a police chief.

Unlike most of us, Benicia police chief Erik Upson didn't delete the email when it hit his inbox. Instead, he started a hilarious correspondence with "Rudy."

(Note: All strange turns of phrase and lack of punctuation are Rudy's.)

"How are you doing I hope you are doing good please can i ask you for a favor? Waiting for your reply Regards Rudy," reads the opening email from the scammer.

"What can I do for you?" Upson replied helpfully.

"Glad to hear from you I traveled out of the country for a vacation due to some urgent issue i run out of cash and I am having problems withdrawing from my account in UK," Rudy answered, his eagerness at luring a possible victim practically leaping off the email.

"I was wondering if you could lend me $1,850 or any amount if not all so I can quickly get some little things done and also take a cab to the airport."

Rudy then directed Upson to wire transfer him the oddly specific amount of cash needed for the world's most expensive cab ride with the assurance he will "refund the money immediately."

More for you Here's why you should never return a call from area code 473

Upson, ever the public servant, fired back a thoughtful missive to his new cash-strapped friend.

"I've got lots of contacts at the Met (the London Metropolitan Police). I've asked them to head on over to help you out!" he wrote. "They should be there shortly. Ask for Senior Inspector James Dopsworth. We'll get through this."

Sadly, Rudy has not responded to that kind offer for police assistance. We can only hope he found a taxi that would accept less than $1,850 for a ride to the airport.
Yu-Ping Xie worked multiple jobs in San Francisco and still found time to cook dinner for her two sons and husband  an unwavering effort to make a better life for her family following their immigration from China more than 13 years ago.

But the brothers lost a mother and a husband lost his companion on Saturday when the 56-year-old Xie died at California Pacific Medical Centers Pacific campus after apparently being poisoned by toxic tea prescribed by an herbalist in San Franciscos Chinatown.

The family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Sun Wing Wo Trading Co. on Wednesday that seeks unspecified damages after Xie ingested the deadly blend of medicinal tea allegedly prescribed by the Chinatown shops owner.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Jin Wei Deng / / Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Mason Trinca/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Mason Trinca/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 5 of 5









She would do anything unconditionally to help us, said Xies 31-year-old son and co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, Jin Deng. She worked very hard. She single-handedly brought the whole family up and did multiple jobs.

Deng, his younger brother and their father are grappling with their loss following the past month and a half of anguish.

Sometime in February, Xie was prescribed a blend of herbs by Yui-Wun Chan, the owner of Sun Wing Wo Trading Co. and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.

Xie took the blend of tea to help improve her immune system. It was the first time she had taken a traditional Chinese herbal elixir since she and her sons moved from Guangzhou, China, in 2003, Deng said.

But the mother soon fell critically ill, experiencing abnormal heart rhythms and weakness that required resuscitation and hospitalization until she ultimately died on Saturday.

A man in his 30s was hospitalized in a separate incident after apparently ingesting tea from the same herbalist, San Francisco Department of Public Health officials said. He has since recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

The San Francisco medical examiner is working to determine Xies official cause of death, but investigators with the health department believe theyve narrowed the origin to aconite, a toxic flower found in the teas both victims had purchased at the Chinatown shop.

If prepared properly, aconite is said to have anti-inflammatory properties and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. But the purple flower in its raw state  also called wolfs bane, monkshood and helmet flower  can be a deadly cardiotoxin.

Health inspectors have pulled any products containing aconite from Sun Wing Wo Trading Co. while they investigate how the toxin got into the tea.

The herb shop at 1105 Grant Ave. remained open for business Wednesday as customers looked over the bulk bins of dried roots and shelves of pills and supplements imported from Asia.

None of the merchants there spoke English, but a spokeswoman for the shop said the business could not comment on the poisonings.

We have been cooperating with the health department and we are waiting for the results of their investigation, said a woman over the telephone, who did not want to give her name.

Xies family hopes something significant comes from the health departments probe.

The family wants justice, San Francisco attorney Charles Kelly, who filed the lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court on behalf of the family, said Wednesday. They feel that the Sun Wing Wo Trading Co. should be held responsible for selling contaminated herbs that killed their mother.

Kelly also hopes the incident will be a wake-up call to state lawmakers. Unlike other health professionals, acupuncturists and even barbers, herbalists like Chan at Sun Wing Wo are not required to be licensed by the state.

This is a perfect time for the state to take a look and say, Do we need to regulate this? Kelly said. These teas are not meant to be sipped recreationally. Mr. Chan prescribed these. Hes essentially trying to practice medicine.

Deng, who works as a nurse at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said it was his mothers hard work and compassion that inspired him to get an education and pursue a career in nursing. Xie woke up every morning at 5 a.m. on her way to work as an in-home health care provider to seniors along with her side jobs at various hospitals and clinics.

I just feel regret that she had done so much for the family, and me and my brother, and we didnt get to provide her the good life that she deserved, Deng said.

He said his father, Wei Dong Deng, has barely eaten or slept since Xie fell ill. After she passed, he has barely spoken, the son said.

But as the family grieves, Deng is comforted by the profound impact his mothers hard work and humanity had on his success in the United States.

She was always so kind and very compassionate, he said. I got a lot of the kindness from her. Thats what made me want to pursue a career that requires a lot of compassion and kindness.

Friends of the family have created an online fundraising site to help pay for costs associated with Xies poisoning and death.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
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.

Thursday

Panel on women: Hosted by the California Historical Society, a panel on the roles women played in resistance and social protest movements in the Bay Area during the 1960s and 70s. 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.

Refugee benefit: Prerna, which means live to inspire in Sanskrit, is an organization that assists refugees in resettling in the Bay Area. The organization is holding a benefit from 6 to 9 p.m. at Books Inc., 301 Castro St. in Mountain View.

Feinstein meeting: A public meeting with Sen. Dianne Feinsteins staff to discuss questions and concerns with her state director. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Fill out this form with questions and concerns to share at the meeting: http://bit.ly/2mMDpqh.

Saturday

Dark money summit: The California Clean Money Campaign hosts 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 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto. Register: www.yesfairelections.org.

Danville town hall: Hosted by Mayor Renee Morgan, with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, state Sen. Steve Glazer, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker 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.

Demonstration: A protest in support of the Affordable Care Act will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Federal Building, 90 Seventh St. in San Francisco.

Town hall: Hosted by Unity in Diversity to celebrate the Bay Areas diversity and address the uptick in hate crimes nationally. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sunnyvale City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Sunday

Anti-Trump meetings: A general assembly to discuss strategy and develop plans to resist the Trump administration. Hosted by San Francisco United Against Trump, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Redstone Building, 2926 16th St. in San Francisco. Also, a planning meeting to push back at the Trump/Republican agenda will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Noe Valley branch of the San Francisco Public Library, 451 Jersey St.

Rally: A rally and walk supporting equality, hosted by the Feminist Majority. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. A rally featuring speakers including Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a walk. The event will be at Rinconada Park, 777 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/norcalwalkforequality.

Monday

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 people affect climate change. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Peace and Justice Center, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa.

Tuesday

Demonstration: A call for Sen. Dianne Feinstein not to strike compromises with President Trumps administration. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will begin outside the Montgomery Street BART Station, 598 Market St. in San Francisco, and will end outside Feinsteins office at 1 Post St. For more information: http://bit.ly/2njpqvN.

Wednesday

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., 3271 18th St., San Francisco.

March 30

Womens event: A happy hour and panel discussion featuring female entrepreneurs, Nevertheless, She Persisted: An Evening with Fearless Women. The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at DoubleDutch, 350 Rhode Island St., Suite 375 in San Francisco. For more information on speakers: http://bit.ly/2nxMB6e.

March 31

Community event: The Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center will host a free community-wide event to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at SOMArts, 934 Brannan St. in San Francisco.
The owner of a vintage clothing store on Haight Street in San Francisco was charged Wednesday with nine counts related to selling items made of endangered species, including jaguar and snow leopard skins.

Cicely Ann Hansen, 68, the proprietor of Decades of Fashion on Haight and Belvedere streets, was charged with nine misdemeanor counts of illegal possession for sale of an endangered species, according to the San Francisco district attorneys office.

Standing in her shop Wednesday before a counter filled with decades-old earrings of all kinds and colors, Hansen billed herself a fashion historian since the age of 5, saying that her focus was on the preservation of the clothing.

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said traffickers of endangered species must be held accountable to wipe out the market for items made with them.

Theres no second chance once those animals are gone, Gascon said.

Hansen said she was smeared when a tip from an anonymous informant prompted investigators in early February 2016 to conduct a sting operation at the shop, which opened in 2005, trying on a $4,500 jaguar coat and an ocelot coat listed for $850, prosecutors said.

Agents from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife executed a search warrant on the shop two weeks later, on Feb. 25.

Inside, officers seized more than 150 articles of illicit clothing  including garments and accessories made of sea turtles, pythons, snow leopards and other endangered species that Hansen said were decades old.

Hansen, who has been in the vintage clothing business since 1968, said she was unaware of a law that prohibits the sale, but not the possession, of articles made with endangered species, saying no one had told her. She said she didnt realize she was breaking the law, even if she doesnt agree with it.

A vegetarian who would rather die before Id kill an animal, Hansen said many of the 150 items seized were for her personal use, but were stored in the shops basement.

Its about preservation, Hansen said. They do that with film. They break their necks to preserve film because film is art, and art deserves to be preserved.

Michael Bodley and Filipa Ioannou are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com, fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley, @obioannoukenobi
The Fairfax Brewfest, featuring pours by Lagunitas Brewing Co., Stone Brewing, and other California brewers, takes place on March 25 in Fairfax. Tickets are available now.

Fieldwork Brewing recently irked the state of Vermont by dubbing a recent one-off beer a "Vermont Farmhouse." The state of Vermont, see, created the Representation of Vermont Origin Rule, a legal mandate that assures any food or beverage labeled "Vermont" must be from within the state. The naming decision spurred a nasty tiff with Greensboro, Vermont's Hill Farmstead and a state rep named Sam Young.

Downtown San Francisco's new Hitachino Beer is finally open to the public.

Laughing Monk is asking locals in Bayview's District 10 to help pass the Egbert Avenue Lighting measure.

21st Amendment is hiring for lots of positions.

Oakland's Beer Revolution turns seven years old this year and they're celebrating on Saturday, March 25. For the occasion, San Francisco's Barebottle Brew Co. is releasing a special commemorative beer, called the Dust Punks IPA (available at just Beer Rev and Barebottle).

Speakeasy's still in action, and they're looking to secure a buyer by the end of April.

New can and bottle releases:

March 21: Temescal Brewing has released two new cans, a juicy-sounding IPA called Carried Away, and a clean pilsner called Wander.

Now through April: A collaboration between Seven Stills and Fieldwork has produced this beautiful bottle of dry hopped and sea salt-infused whiskey. Currently it's only available to club members, but they promise to open sale later in April.

Sea Farmer is our new collaboration with @fieldworkbrewingco. This is the first of our whiskeys that we have used our gin basket to infuse hops and sea salt into the whiskey. The result is the flavor of a dry hopped IPA in whiskey form. This is currently available exclusively to club members but will be shipping out to California in April #ipawhiskey @torinnielsen A post shared by Seven Stills of SF (@sevenstills) on Mar 21, 2017 at 8:57pm PDT

March 22: Drake's will release its Rye Drakonic, an imperial stout aged in 7 year High West Rye barrels, to '89 Club members.

March 30: The Rare Barrel is releasing its stellar Supermassive, a dark sour beer aged in oak barrels with blackberries and black currants.

March 31: Fieldwork will release Painted Gold, a pale ale inspired by local band the Brothers Comatose.

Have a tip about the local beer scene? Send a message to this author at apereira@sfchronicle.com.
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An estimated 17,000 AT&T employees in California and Nevada went on strike Wednesday to protest what they claim is the illegal way in which the company is handling work assignments for technicians. The walkout underscored nearly a years worth of simmering workplace tensions at the telecommunications company.

Relations have been fraying between AT&T and Communications Workers of America District 9, the union representing the workers, since their contract expired nearly a year ago. The two sides have been locked in protracted negotiations trying to hammer out a new agreement. Employees at the companys retail stores are not covered by the contract and did not participate in the strike.

The workers  98 percent of whom are in California  moved to strike over what they claim is AT&Ts practice of directing lower-salaried workers to perform jobs that their contract reserves for their more experienced, higher-paid colleagues. Up to 2,968 workers in the Bay Area were expected to participate in the walkout, according to a union spokeswoman.

The workers claim that allocating work in such a way threatens the positions of employees with more seniority, and fails to compensate less experienced technicians for working above their pay grade. The CWA also plans to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that enforces labor law.

Its about respect, said Orange Richardson IV, a maintenance splicing technician in San Francisco whos been with AT&T for 20 years.

We dont mind if you want to train our workforce to make them more educated and successful, but you should also compensate them for it, said Richardson, who also serves as president of the CWAs San Francisco office.

You have to take a stand at some point. You cant be disrespected every day.

The union said its workers will remain on strike until they reach an accord with AT&T. The work assignment dispute that prompted the strike Wednesday could be resolved before a full contract is agreed upon.

The union has also repeatedly called on AT&T to end its practice of sending call center and customer support jobs overseas as the contract negotiations have dragged on. It upped the pressure on the company last week, presenting a letter signed by dozens of elected officials in California and Nevada that pledged support for the workers and slammed the company for failing to provide access to quality communications services, particularly in rural areas, while maintaining high levels of executive pay.

About two dozen AT&T employees protested outside the main administrative office on Bush Street in San Francisco, holding placards and calling for a fair contract.

We want the company to come back to the table, to bargain in good faith and give them the fair share for their job title, said Jacque Coniglio, an AT&T call center worker and union steward who helped lead the San Francisco picket line.

AT&T spokesman Steven Maviglio said that while he couldn't comment on the specifics of labor negotiations, Were addressing this grievance, and we think what were offering is extremely reasonable.

We dont think its in anybodys best interest, and its unfortunate that the union chose to (strike), but were in continual discussions and we hope to get everybody back to work as soon as possible, Maviglio said.

We have thousands of unionized employees in the state, and were familiar and compliant with the law and the terms of our bargaining agreements.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
The purchase of Jet, an upstart e-commerce venture, for $3.3 billion last summer was meant to give Walmart, the nations largest retailer, a way to transform its online retail strategy.

Now Walmart is expanding its e-commerce ambitions, and it has tapped a Jet executive to help it build new startups within the company.

The company said this week that it has formed Store No. 8, an internal venture meant to hatch new online retail businesses.

It is the latest sign that Walmart is trying to revamp its e-commerce playbook. That effort began in earnest last year, with the acquisition of Jet. And last week, Walmart struck a deal to buy ModCloth, an online purveyor of trendy womens clothing.

Behind the strategic shift has been a recognition that Walmart, long dominant in the world of physical retailing, has fallen far behind in the business of selling goods online  and particularly far behind Amazon.

Jet had ambitions of becoming Amazons most formidable rival at a time when few credible challengers had emerged. But Jet failed to achieve profitability or emerge as a robust competitor.

Many big companies have internal venture arms. And Walmart already has an internal research lab, WalmartLabs of San Bruno, that has focused on developing new e-commerce applications for the retailer.

But Store No. 8 is the first incubator or investment arm of its kind at Walmart, which has a market value of $213 billion.

The new venture takes its name from an early Walmart store, built in an old bottling plant, that the company founder Sam Walton would use to try out new retail strategies.

Store No. 8 is meant to foster relationships with entrepreneurs, particularly those in the fields of artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies.

We knew we needed to keep investing in the future of retail, Seth Beal, one of the principals of Store No. 8, said in a recent interview. Were making sure that we make the right short-term decisions but dont neglect the long term.

Beal, who was previously a senior vice president for global marketplace and digital store operations at Walmart, will be joined by Katie Finnegan, who led Jets corporate development and has a background in fundraising and mergers.

When the mother ship is ready, were sort of ahead of the eight ball, Finnegan said. Our goal is to have whatever we work on integrated into the mother ship.

Store No. 8 is somewhat like corporate venture arms at other companies and will be charged with identifying emerging technologies that could prove useful. But rather than simply taking stakes in existing ventures, the new division is intended to help create new startups. It will also strike strategic partnerships with other promising young e-commerce companies.

Along with incubating new ventures, Finnegan said, Store No. 8 will be able to draw on Walmarts resources to support any startups that it launches.

Were giving these portfolio companies the best chance for success, she said.

Beale and Finnegan declined to comment on how much money Walmart would commit to the new venture, saying that Store No. 8 did not have a set goal for money to use in its investing.
The armed ex-husband of a woman who chased her around her Redwood City office Tuesday killed himself in an ensuing standoff with police, officials said.

Officers responded to the office park in the 400 block of Penobscot Drive around 2:15 p.m. after the 44-year-old woman said he was threatening her with a handgun, according to the Redwood City Police Department.
A Catholic priest in San Jose who embezzled thousands of dollars from parishioners who thought they were donating to their church was found guilty of more than a dozen bank fraud charges Tuesday.

The then-pastor of St. Patricks Church, Hien Minh Nguyen, had previously pleaded guilty in August 2016 to tax evasion in the amount of $19,000, court records show.

A judge in San Jose Tuesday found Nguyen, 57, guilty of 14 counts of bank fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California. He faces a maximum of 35 years in prison.

The church, now known as Our Lady of La Vang, predominantly serves Vietnamese Catholics in the area. Nguyen could not immediately be reached for comment.

A spokeswoman for the Diocese of San Jose, Liz Sullivan, said the pastor requested a personal leave of absence in December 2013 and has remained on paid leave since.

Sullivan declined to comment further, saying the archdiocese was awaiting his June 30 sentencing. Nguyen was not disciplined by the archdiocese for his actions.

From 2005 to 2011, Nguyen, who also served as the director of the Vietnamese Catholic Center, would routinely use checks drawn from the centers account to pay for his own living expenses, federal prosecutors said.

Nyguyen also on at least 14 occasions took checks intended as donations to the center and deposited them into his personal account.

At St. Patricks, Nyguyen would likewise take donations from his parishioners earmarked for the church  such offerings at Catholic Churches usually support upkeep of the facilities, parish programs or charity  and deposit them in his own bank account.

Under federal sentencing standards, Nguyen faces a maximum of 35 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley
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Over the objections of student protesters wearing graduation robes and signs showing their student-loan debt, California State University trustees narrowly approved tuition increases Wednesday for the first time since 2011.

There is zero joy in this, said Trustee Peter Taylor, chairman of the boards Finance Committee, as he blamed the tuition increase on insufficient state funding. He said he would vote for the increase because CSU is not as good as it used to be. ... We are being asked to choose between quality and (college) access.

Students in the audience at CSUs Long Beach headquarters booed.

The increase takes effect in the fall. Undergraduate tuition will grow by 5 percent, adding $270 and bringing the yearly price to $5,472, not counting books and board. Graduate students will receive a 6.5 percent increase, adding $438 a year and raising tuition to $7,176.

This is the first year since 2011 that CSU can raise tuition under Gov. Jerry Browns multiyear plan for the university, which guaranteed funding increases of at least 4 percent from 2013 to 2017 if the trustees kept tuition flat.

Most undergraduates wont have to pay the increase. Sixty-three percent, or about 255,000 students, receive financial aid in the form of grants or waivers that cover full tuition and do not have to be repaid. The remaining 170,000 students are from families that earn too much for the subsidies.

Yet many of those students say they already work two jobs and are overburdened by student-loan debt.

Busloads of students began arriving in Long Beach at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday to oppose the plan that is expected to raise $77.5 million for CSU. The funds would pay for nearly half of an expected shortfall of $168 million.

Please, I beg of you to vote no on the tuition increase! sociology major Esman Asher told the trustees. She wore a sign saying she owed $60,000 in student loans.

Unlike years past, when the trustees raised tuition by higher amounts, students broke no windows Wednesday, and no one was arrested. They still made their objections known, with about 50 outside the auditorium and 40 inside.

What about the students? the protesters cried, interrupting the trustees discussion of a building plan for Cal State San Marcos. And to Chancellor Timothy White, who proposed the tuition increase, they cried: Chancellor White! Do whats right!

Students said that even a seemingly small increase would impact them harshly.

We are hanging by a thread. Grants and loans still dont cover expenses, Celia LoBuono Gonzalez, a student from San Francisco State, told the trustees. Some students eat only one time a day.

Chief financial officer Steve Relyea told the trustees the higher price was needed to advance CSUs plan for graduating an additional 500,000 students in 10 years, doubling the current rate.

Students dont need this graduation initiative! San Jose State student Iritzi Torres Mendoza told the trustees. They need mental health services!

Eight trustees of the 19 trustees on the board voted against the tuition increase, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom; Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Los Angeles; and state schools chief Tom Torlakson.

Weve got to make better decisions, Newsom said, telling his colleagues they shouldnt do the job of the Legislature and the governor, which is to fund CSU.

Rendon said, Its absurdly ironic that a week ago in the state Assembly we held a conference about debt-free college education and now were talking about fee increases.

But in the end, most trustees said they reluctantly agreed with the chancellor that the Legislature is unlikely to give CSU the money it needs, and that higher tuition is the way to close the gap. As students shouted: No justice! No peace, Gonzalez told a reporter: I feel betrayed.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
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A San Francisco teachers union official has been placed on administrative leave following the release of an undercover video Tuesday in which he appears to admit he assaulted a student and covered it up.

San Francisco school officials and labor leaders are investigating the contents of the video released Tuesday by Project Veritas, a nonprofit known for legally and ethically questionable undercover video stings involving labor unions, the community-organizing group ACORN and National Public Radio.

The edited footage released Tuesday includes separate conversations in 2015 between Antonio Mankini, treasurer and field representative for the United Educators of San Francisco, and two Project Veritas staffers, one posing as a friend of a district teacher who hit a child and the other as the teacher himself.

Mankini appears to admit he once clotheslined a student, but made it look like an accident.

And that one still bothered me, Mankini appears to say in the video. That one, yeah, because I crossed the line. I know, I mean, I made it look like an accident and all the witnesses would have said, No, he ran into my arm.

He notes that hitting a child with a fist is pretty serious stuff. But he also appears to offer advice to the purported teacher.

Were there any witnesses? Mankini asks. Just keep it that way. Seriously. If there werent any witnesses, its his word against the kids.

Project Veritas and founder James OKeefe are known for breaking laws and lying in pursuit of their political agenda, union officials said in a statement Tuesday.

Nevertheless, the deceptive video clips that OKeefe has posted are troubling and we are committed to a swift, full and fair investigation so that all appropriate actions can be taken, the union said. When the facts are known, we will act swiftly in the best interest of our students and consistent with the high standards we uphold for all educators.

Mankini did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

It is illegal in California to record or eavesdrop on a conversation without the consent of all parties. It does not appear Mankini gave consent, union officials said. Project Veritas representatives said they had obtained the footage legally.

San Francisco school district officials also said they investigate all complaints of wrongdoing, but added that Mankini has not been a classroom teacher for several years.

The comments that Mankini appears to make in the video are very disturbing, said district spokeswoman Gentle Blythe. We have grave concerns about the behavior Mr. Mankini references and encourage any former students, staff or family members who may have experienced mistreatment from Mr. Mankini or any other district employee to report their concerns immediately.

The tape is among a series of Project Veritas videos going after school labor unions, said a spokesman for the group, Nick Evangelista. He said the San Francisco video had been edited, but nothing was taken out of context.

The video was recorded as part of a fishing expedition, Evangelista said, and was not prompted by any allegations against district teachers.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
What happens when a seasoned Bolinas rancher and a food technology executive join forces? They plan to save the world, of course.

Bill Niman, a sustainable-food pioneer and former owner of Niman Ranch, sold his grass-fed beef and turkey company, BN Ranch, last week to meal-kit startup Blue Apron, which was already using his meat in its home-delivered dinners. In the course of doing so, Niman has signed on to revamp its entire meat supply.

This was a unique opportunity to work with the worlds foremost leader in animal husbandry, said Matt Wadiak, 38, Blue Apron chief operating officer. Our vision statement is to build a better food system. This is a great step in that direction.

And were not going to stop with beef, added Niman, 72, who will retain the title of president and founder of BN Ranch within Blue Apron.

Founded in 2012, New Yorks Blue Apron is considered the leader in the $1.5 billion meal kit industry  consisting of companies that speed up dinner preparation by delivering boxes of portioned raw ingredients with recipes to customers homes. Blue Apron has served BN Ranchs grass-fed beef and free-range turkey for two years. Over half of the beef served in its estimated 8 million monthly meals comes from BN Ranch, in dishes like chipotle-glazed meatloaf and seared steaks with potatoes. The goal with this acquisition is to scale up its supply and transition all of its beef, turkey, chicken and pork to BN Ranch standards  and to begin labeling it as BN Ranch meat.

Blue Apron has never purchased another food company before and neither have its peers, such as San Franciscos all-organic Sun Basket. Its unclear whether this unusual partnership is a sign of things to come. Now that food companies on every level, from fast food to fine dining, feel a need to tout their sustainability standards, perhaps the pressure is on for food technology firms to make an even broader statement about the environmental impact of their products.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Niman and his wife, Nicolette Hahn Niman, started BN Ranch in 2007, 40 years after he co-founded the meat company that would eventually be called Niman Ranch, which grew to become a major supplier of sustainable beef and pork to grocery stores and restaurants. He left Niman Ranch soon after Natural Food Holdings became chief investor in the company in 2006, because of disagreements with how it was run. In 2015, Niman Ranch was bought by Perdue, one of the nations largest chicken producers.

BN Ranch works with about 20 farms and ranchers in California and New Zealand to produce seasonal grass-fed beef and free-range turkey, and Niman said it will continue to offer those products to wholesale Bay Area customers, including several stores and restaurants.

Blue Apron already gets ingredients directly from 150 farms and ranches, but Wadiak said bringing the company  and Niman  on board was the only way to make larger-scale changes like getting involved with breeding programs, raising calves on farms and finishing them on grass. The company already says it does not serve animals raised in confinement or treated with hormones or sub-theraputic antibiotics.

To effect change on farms and create premium beef on the scale we wanted we had to be vertically integrated, said Wadiak.

Much beef labeled grass-fed is on pasture for a short period and finished with grain so that it can be available year-round. Niman said his grass-fed beef is raised only on grass and slaughtered when it reaches an optimal weight, during a short period of the year. For Blue Apron, the plan is to keep beef to this natural cycle and then age it, cut it and flash-freeze it to use during other seasons.

If you harvest animals when theyre in high season  just like nectarines and asparagus  theyre plentiful and theyre cheaper, said Niman. He began working with ranchers in New Zealand several years ago for a better year-round supply.

Jen Fedrizzi/Special to the Chronicle

Niman is particularly excited about the meal kit companys ability to use the whole animal in all kinds of preparations  ground beef from different cuts for example  rather than just certain prized steaks, which he said will bring more profit to individual ranchers.

We can raise animals better without torturing them or the environment, without pushing back on the farmer-rancher, he said.

Meals from Blue Apron start at $8.74 per serving, depending on the size of the order. Wadiak would not disclose whether Blue Apron would raise prices for this new meat program. He said it doesnt have plans to purchase other farms or ranches. Last year the company was rumored to be making plans for an initial public offering, though in December, Bloomberg reported that plans to sell stock had been put on hold.

A former chef who got to know Nimans products while working at Oliveto in Oakland, Wadiak connected with him a few years ago when they realized their companies shared a warehouse space.

Niman has a reputation for exacting standards. Some have called them over the top. Niman previously told The Chronicle that disagreements over cattle-raising were a large part of what caused him to leave his Niman Ranch. It raises the question of how that relationship would work within Blue Apron.

It was no compromise with Bill, said David Samiljan, owner of Barons Meats & Poultry, a butcher shop in Alameda, who worked at Niman Ranch as a butcher and quality control manager in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He remembers how Niman would insist on feed and humane standards of certain quality.

That was the way it was done. The Niman way, he said.

And it showed in the product, added Samiljan, who carries BN Ranch beef at his store and still remembers the first time he tasted a Niman Ranch pork chop.

For his part, Niman said that his philosophies around animal husbandry are a good match with his new business partner, however unlikely the pairing. Wadiak spent 100 days in the past two years visiting ranches with Niman.

The fact that Ive been working with Matt so closely, I know Blue Apron is driven by doing the right thing, said Niman. My experience in the past is that it has not always been that way in the meat industry.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
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Bread is deeply embedded in San Franciscan history, from Boudin's tangy sourdough to the artisan influence of Acme. In 2014, the city once again made headlines for its bold bread  but this time, thanks to its artisanal toast.

An article in Pacific Standard magazine by John Gravois is credited with bringing the toast trend to the forefront of the American consciousness. "A Toast Story" chronicled the triumph of Trouble Coffee founder Giuletta Carrelli as she survived her debilitating schizophrenia through coffee, coconuts, and cinnamon toast.

When National Public Radio's "This American Life" picked up the story, suddenly the entire country was talking about San Francisco's "potentially annoying" toast obsession.

The heartwarming story led to national attention as the country learned of the West Coast's crispy bread infatuation. From the New York Times to Buzzfeed, national media outlets decried the odd obsession.

Some critics claimed pricy toast was emblematic of a changing city that had lost touch with its roots; others said it represented Americans' "intensifying obsession with and fetishization of food." VentureBeat even ran an article with the headline "$4 toast: Why the tech industry is ruining San Francisco."

Yet by 2016, the press seemed to forget their outrage. Little did they realize, in this expensive bohemian oasis toast prices were skyrocketing.

The days of $4 toast are but a hazy memory. Keeping with its homespun roots, Trouble Coffee has kept its toast prices steady, but that hasn't stopped the trend from exploding at higher-end cafes and restaurants.

Sit-down restaurants typically offer more expensive fare than casual coffee shops, but even the grab-and-go cafes weren't hesitant to charge a pretty penny for artisanal toasts.

Avocado and poached eggs appear to be the most common toppings, although what really makes a tasty toast is a strong foundation  the bread. Preferably, it's thick enough to refer to as a "slab" and baked locally.

So what's with the toast obsession? Perhaps San Franciscans are nostalgic for days spent noshing PB&Js in the school cafeteria. Or maybe it's the aesthetically pleasing contrast of green mashed avocado against the backdrop of a porous brown baguette. Not to mention, a slice fits perfectly in America's other square-shaped infatuation  Instagram.

The yeast has risen and the prices tallied: Check out our gallery above for the most expensive toasts in San Francisco and some that are actually (relatively) affordable.

Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.
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Following its winter hiatus, Mission Community Market, reopened Thursday night, debuting its new multi-use public space, La Placita.

Five years in the works, La Placita is the result of a partnership between the weekly farmers' market (Thursdays, 4-8 p.m.), the Planning Department, Department of Public Works and Gehl San Francisco to provide a new public space in the heart of the Mission.

Located at Bartlett and 22nd streets, the new space was designed by urban designer and landscape architect John Bela. In addition to large curved wood and metal pergolas, which will provide vendors and shoppers with protection from sun and weather, the space also features artwork by local muralist Jet Martinez.

While La Placita will serve as the anchor for the weekly market, the neighborhood plaza is designed to be a multi-use public space for music and dance performances, street festivals and other community gatherings.

Thursday night's vendors were led by Urban Sprouts, a stall featuring plants grown by students from June Jordan High School in the Excelsior. There were also stands featuring dried fruits and nuts from Winters Fruit Tree, strawberries from Yerena Farms and local food makers like Reem's Arab Street Food and Marla Bakery. More produce and food stalls will join the rotation in the coming weeks as the market ramps up for spring.

To give the space a proper neighborhood welcome, a grand opening block party will be held on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sarah Fritsche is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sfritsche@sfchronicle.com Twitter/Instagram: @foodcentric
The 2017 graduates at Virginia's Liberty University, which bills itself as the world's largest Christian college, will hear from a commencement speaker who has been married three times, delivered "f-bombs" in public and private, and talked of his experiences groping women.

President Donald Trump is Liberty's graduation speaker.

"It is a tremendous honor and privilege for any university to host a sitting U.S. president, and we are incredibly grateful to have President Trump to be part of this historic day," Jerry Fallwell, Jr., president of Liberty, said Wednesday.

Trump was last at Liberty in January of 2016, in the midst of the Republican primary season, when Falwell gave him a big boost in competition with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for the evangelical vote.

"Christianity, it's under siege: We're going to protect Christianity, I don't have to be politically correct," Trump told students. He is a nominal Presbyterian, but has taken past and present wives at Episcopal and Dutch Reformed churches.

It was at Liberty where Trump made a memorable Biblical blooper, saying, "Two Corinthians, 3:17, that's the whole ballgame." The correct phrase is "Second Corinthians."

Shortly after Trump's campaign speech at Liberty, Falwell endorsed him as "a successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father, and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again."

Falwell has done blocking for Trump on other occasions.

Last October, the Liberty boss blocked a column in the student newspaper that was critical of candidate Trump, after the "Access Hollywood" tape in which Trump talked in vulgar and obscene terms about his attempts to sexually assault women.

Falwell is still cheerleading.

"His supporters, including 80 percent of the evangelical community, are thrilled with President Trump's actions today," he told CBN News. "The fact that the mainstream media and the Establishment, on the left and right, remain in attack mode with their often baseless and dishonest claims against Trump is a sign that President Trump is doing a wonderful job."

Trump, in a statement, said: "I look forward to speaking to this amazing group of students on such a momentous occasion."

Trump said he looks forward to "celebrating the success of this graduating class as well as sharing lessons as they embark on their next chapter full of hope, faith, optimism and passion for life."

It has been a tradition, in recent years, that the University of Notre Dame hosts newly elected presidents, from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan (and actor Pat O'Brien) to Barack Obama.

In 2017, however, Notre Dame has opted to honor Vice President Mike Pence.
WASHINGTON  Black lawmakers emerged from a meeting with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday saying the president was at least willing to listen to their concerns that his policies and positions could hurt their African American constituents.

However, beyond a promise of future dialogue and a discussion about divisive rhetoric, it seemed that there was little change in either the White Houses mind or the minds of the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus on issues like the presidents approach to health care, police misconduct investigations, criminal justice, education or funding for historically black colleges and universities.

He listened and we talked and we proposed a lot of solutions, many of which I think he had not heard before. Well keep advocating, said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., caucus chairman, who presented the White House with written copies of the groups history and agenda.

Trump met with the lawmakers in the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office, with a candid photo tweeted by White House press secretary Sean Spicer showing the president in conversation with Richmond; Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the Houses No. 3 Democrat; and other members of the caucus leadership.

Before the meeting, Trump reminded the media that he pledged during his campaign to improve conditions for African American citizens.

This means more to me than anybody should understand, Trump said. Every American child has a right to grow up in a safe community, to attend great schools, to graduate with access to high-paying jobs.

But black lawmakers said they reminded Trump in a candid discussion that many in their community still hold against him some of his campaign statements, including that former President Barack Obama, the first African American president, was not born in the United States. Trump received only 8 percent of the African American vote in Novembers election.

Several areas of concern were raised, including the way that African American communities were depicted during the campaign as being areas that were completely lawless, said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles.

There were areas of agreement, Richmond said, including the need for infrastructure spending, and the importance of increasing safety for black families in the nations inner cities. He also noted that money for historically black colleges and universities was not cut in Trumps budget, although there was no increase in funding for those schools.

The Congressional Black Caucus is made up of 49 black members of Congress  48 Democrats and Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah.

Jesse J. Holland is an Associated Press writer.
BOSTON  The former head of a Massachusetts pharmacy was convicted Wednesday of racketeering and other charges over a meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people across the country and was traced to fungus-contaminated drugs.

Prosecutors said Barry Cadden, 50, ran the business in an extraordinarily dangerous way by skirting regulations on cleanliness to boost production and make more money.

Cadden, president and co-founder of the now-closed New England Compounding Center, was charged with 25 counts of second-degree murder, conspiracy and other offenses under federal racketeering law.

After five days of deliberations, the jury found Cadden wasnt responsible for the deaths and acquitted him on the murder counts. He was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud. Sentencing was scheduled for June 21.

The 2012 outbreak of meningitis and other infections in 20 states was traced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contaminated injections of medical steroids, given mostly to people with back pain. In addition to those killed, 700 people fell ill. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee were hit hardest.

It was preventable, but it happened because this man, Barry Cadden, decided to put profits before patients, federal prosecutor Amanda Strachan told the jury during closing arguments.

Caddens lawyers said he was not responsible for the deaths. They said Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist, ran the so-called clean rooms where drugs were made.

The racketeering charge and the 52 counts of fraud carry up to 20 years each.

Denise Lavoie is an Associated Press writer.
WASHINGTON  President Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, the Associated Press has learned. The White House on Wednesday acknowledged the revelations had started to catch a lot of buzz but brushed them aside, though some members of Congress expressed alarm.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP. Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success, Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer indicated Wednesday that President Trump had not been aware of Manaforts work on behalf of Deripaska.

To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from 10 years ago is a bit insane, Spicer said. He noted the APs reporting has started to catch a lot of buzz but said Manaforts work occurred long before he became Trumps campaign chairman. I dont know what he got paid to do, Spicer said, adding, Theres no suggestion he did anything improper.

Manaforts plans were laid out in detailed documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear. The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort confirmed again Wednesday in a statement that he had worked for Deripaska but denied his work had been pro-Russian in nature.

Jeff Horwitz and Chad Day are Associated Press writers.
On her very first day in Rome, Italy, a man named Mountain Butorac took his 3-year-old goddaughter, Estella Westrick from Atlanta, to meet Pope Francis.

Things did not go as planned.

Estella was given the opportunity to meet the pope, so a Vatican aide picked her up to whisk her over, following his Wednesday service. Estella, however, used the opportunity to make her own impression.

Just as the pope kisses her on the cheek, Estella snatches his hat  called a zucchetto  from right on top of his head.

Luckily, Pope Francis appeared to be quite amused by the little girl's actions, as was her godfather.

"It's her first full day in Rome," Butorac told CNN. "Who knows what she will get up to tomorrow."
California Gov. Jerry Brown made a brief, fiery speech alongside other democratic leaders on the Capitol steps Wednesday warning against the Republican health care proposal.

"This is a dangerous bill. It's written by people who don't know what the hell they're talking about," Brown told the assembled crowd opposing the drive to demolish former President Barack Obama's health care law.

"It is so big, so complicated that I doubt if any member of Congress on the Republican side has even read it," Brown told the crowd during remarks lasting just over a minute. "I know the people in Trump Tower have not read it."

Brown urged the President Donald Trump to "come down from Trump Tower" and witness the impacts the bill would have on the American public. He said in California the bill would put millions of people at risk.

Brown was followed by former Vice President Joe Biden, who said he couldn't improve on Brown's sentiments.

"I had planned on saying a lot more, but the truth of the matter is that Jerry Brown summed it up," said Biden. "As a matter of fact, he got me so cranked up that I was about to take my tie off. And by the way, I think he's the best governor in the United States of America."

The assembled dignitaries criticized the planned elimination of tax increases Obama imposed on high earners and health care companies while reducing federal help for many low-income people and cutting Medicaid, which helps the poor pay medical bills.

Democrats champion Obama's statute for its expansion of health care coverage to 20 million more people and requiring insurers to cover the very ill, families' grown children to age 26 and specified services like mental health care.

"It ain't going anywhere," said former Vice President Joe Biden. "This is not going to pass."

As the House Rules Committee met to set the contours of Thursday's planned floor debate, Republicans said their legislation would help achieve their long-time goal.

"We have the best opportunity in seven years to repeal this sinking ship of Obamacare," said House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas. He said the GOP bill would "deliver a health care system that truly works for the American people."

Democrats focused on recent projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that the GOP would cost 24 million people coverage in a decade and drive up out of pocket costs for many, particularly lower earners and older people.

"Sometimes I think my Republican friends have lost their human ability to feel what 24 million people really means," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

ALSO Joe Biden meets adorable puppy named Biden on his return to Capitol Hill

Trump's remarks and the White House nose count of votes were each described by Republicans who provided inside information on condition of anonymity.

The Republican legislation would halt Obama's tax penalties against people who don't buy coverage and shrink the federal-state Medicaid program for low earners, which the statute has expanded. It would provide tax credits for medical bills, though generally skimpier than the aid Obama's statute provides. It also would allow insurers to charge older Americans more and repeal tax boosts the law imposes on high-income people and health industry companies.

The Rules committee, usually tightly controlled by GOP leadership, was expected to let the chamber vote on revisions that top Republicans concocted to win votes. These include adding federal aid for older people and protecting upstate New York counties  but not Democratic-run New York City  from repaying the state billions of dollars for Medicaid costs.

Most House GOP opposition comes from some of the chamber's most conservative lawmakers, though a smattering of GOP moderates have also said they oppose the Republican bill.

Many conservatives are demanding that the bill void Obama's restrictions on insurers, which they say drive up premiums. Moderates' concerns include a worry that the measure would snatch insurance from many voters  a week after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the measure would toss 24 million off coverage in a decade.

House GOP leaders' amendments to round up votes will literally be costly.

The budget office had projected the original bill would cut federal deficits by $337 billion over a decade. But those savings are plummeting as top Republicans dole out provisions to nail down backing. Language helping older and disabled people includes $85 billion set aside for the Senate to beef up tax credits for people aged 50 to 64, who budget analysts said would see big cost increases from the GOP bill.

If the House approves the legislation, Republicans face an even tougher fight in the Senate, which they control by just 52-48. Six GOP senators have already said they oppose the legislation, enough to sink it without changes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
One British lawmaker was hailed by some as a hero in Wednesday's attack on the British Parliament.

Conservative parliamentarian and Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the police officer who was stabbed and later died. About 10 yards away was the attacker who was shot dead by police after scaling the security wall toward Parliament's grounds.
Increasing reclamation bonding and requiring more frequent and independent auditing of mines prone to producing acid drainage takes the lessons of the past and applies them to the future, a Missoula lawmaker told a legislative committee on Monday.

Democratic Rep. Nate McConnell brought House Bill 593 before the House Natural Resources Committee. The legislation makes two primary changes to state mining law, which supporters argued safeguard taxpayers and the environment and opponents contended were arbitrary and unwarranted.

HB593 requires hard rock miners in sulfide ore bodies, known for producing acid mine drainage, to post a bond of 150 percent of anticipated cleanup costs. The bill also shifts a five-year state audit and reassessment of bonding to a three-year independent audit of operations.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality would create rulemaking under the bill to identify mining in sulfides that are prone to acid mine drainage.

The independent auditing mirrors compliance measures in the state of Alaska, McConnell told the committee, and address the many examples where insufficient bonding has left Montana taxpayers on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in cleanup costs.

This bill essentially just wants us to get it right, he said.

Mining has and continues to play an important role in the state, McConnell said, while providing some of his familys history of mining.

This is not anti-mining. I am not anti-mining, he said.

Proponents of the bill included conservation groups, many detailing examples of mining reclamations where companies declared bankruptcy, including cleanups at Zortman-Landusky near Malta, Libby and Butte to the Clark Fork River.

A proposed copper mine in the Smith River watershed was also a chief topic for supporters of HB593. The Black Butte Copper Project near White Sulphur Springs would include mining in sulfide ore, although full environmental analysis with the states predicted impacts has not been completed.

David Chambers, president and founder of Center for Science in Public Participation, detailed his work as a consultant at the now shuttered Zortman-Landusky. Bankruptcy and a number of unanticipated costs related to water treatment have caused the state to incur cleanup costs approaching $30 million, he said.

Bonnie Gestring with Earthworks noted that in the two years since a similar bill was voted down in the 2015 Legislature, another mining company has declared bankruptcy and HB593 offers taxpayers a buffer.

This bill is very simple, who should pay the cost of cleanup at a mine site -- the taxpayer or the mining company, she said.

Executive Director of Montana Trout Unlimited Bruce Farling called the bill modest for what he described as a chronic contemporary problem.

Several supporters emphasized the importance of clean water to Montanas recreation economy.

Members of the mining industry brought opposition to HB593, highlighting the efficacy of current regulations while calling the bill redundant and arbitrary.

Our livelihood is based on needing to do the right thing, Dan Banghart, manager for Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall, told the committee. This bill is unnecessary given the working relationship and oversight we get from the DEQ as well as the other agencies in the federal government.

John Beaudry with Stillwater Mining questioned the wide net cast by including all sulfide ore bodies. Sulfide ores vary with only certain compounds causing acid mine drainage, he said.

We see no rationale for these costs plus 50 percent, he said of the proposed bonding.

Mark Thompson with Montana Resources in Butte and president of the Montana Mining Association told the committee miners are not necessarily opposed to regulations but that the industry is one of the most regulated in the country.

We like to make sure new regulations are effective and appropriate, he said, adding that money spent on bigger bonds would be better spent invested back into the company and the state.

Tammy Johnson, executive director of the Montana Mining Association, said the bill makes several broad assumptions about the mining industry. HB593 assumes that mining companies do not care about their impacts to water quality, DEQ is incapable of doing its job and that the industry does not support regulations, she said.

Johnson disagreed with those assumptions and defended the industry and regulators. She then applauded the impacts of the outdoor industry and said its success is an indication that both recreation and mining have and can continue to coexist.

Under questioning from committee members, McConnell said he would be open to an amendment grandfathering in existing mine permit holders.

If mining companies do it right they get the bond back, he said, closing on the bill by saying HB593 is a Montana solution that adds responsibility.
A referendum that would ask voters if the right to hunt, fish and trap should be expressly stated in the Montana Constitution narrowly cleared committee Tuesday.

Senate Bill 236, brought by Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, underwent a number of changes through amendment between its hearing on Feb. 16 and the Senate Fish and Game Committees vote on Tuesday.

The hearing included opposition from a number of trapping opponents concerned about strengthening protections for activities they object to.

Also opposing the bill at the hearing were Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and several sportsmen groups concerned about the language and future ability for the state and Legislature to regulate hunting, fishing and trapping. Original absolute language that tied the right to harvest fish and wildlife as essential to pursuing lifes basic necessities, could hamper regulation of licensing and bag limits, they contended.

Fiedler told the committee Tuesday that she worked with some of the opponents to craft an amendment which seeks those protections while alleviating some of the concerns. The new language, she said, defines hunting, fishing and trapping as a right held by Montana citizens but still subject to proper oversight from FWP and lawmakers.

Passing the bill and voters approving it would provide additional protections for legal challenges to hunting, fishing and trapping, Fielder said, identifying I-177 as one example. The initiative sought to prohibit most trapping on public lands, but was defeated by voters last year.

Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, questioned the appropriateness of moving such a heavily amended bill.

I have to express my concern that were essentially changing the entire bill and do not know the effects of that change, she said, asking for a rehearing of the latest version of the bill.

Fielder replied that the intent of the bill has not changed and reiterated the recrafting of the bill with some of the opponents.

One of those original opponents, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is now a proponent of SB236. The organizations legal team had input on the latest language, both Fielder and Mark Lambrecht with RMEF told the committee.

Its much simpler and keeps the main focus of strengthening the constitutional protections to hunt, fish and trap and at the same time it ensures that the Legislature and FWP retain authority to regulate hunting, fishing and trapping in Montana, Lambrecht said in an interview before the hearing, and similarly testified on Tuesday.

The Montana Wildlife Federation, which also opposed the bill at the hearing, still has some reservations, Conservation Director Nick Gevock said ahead of committee action Tuesday.

If were going to amend the Constitution of Montana, we need to take the time to ensure it is done carefully instead of rushed, he said, echoing Cohenours concerns about the number of changes that will not be taken up in a Senate hearing.

Gevock did say the bill is better with the amended language and emphasized that his organizations opposition is directed at getting the bill right, and not against hunting, fishing and trapping.

During the hearing, FWP chief legal counsel Becky Dockter opposed the original bill, citing the potential unintended consequences but also stating her opinion that the rights were already encompassed in the Constitution.

The Constitution currently says in part, The opportunity to harvest wild fish and wild game animals is a heritage that shall forever be preserved to the individual citizens of the state.

When asked if FWP would change its stance with the new language, Dockter said before the hearing that the agency would not take a new position until it saw the amended bill.

Fielder said Tuesday that interim FWP Director Martha Williams looked at the amendment and supported portions of the new language.

Williams opinion on the bill could not be confirmed in time for this story.

Sen Chas Vincent, R-Libby, voiced his support for the bill as giving the Legislature a say in crafting hunting, fishing and trapping protections, as it could also come via citizen initiative.

We need to move this forward and continue this discussion, he said, adding that additional discussion will take place on the Senate floor and in the House if it passes.

A referendum would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers to move to the ballot.

Sen. Jeff Welborn, R-Dillion, was a somewhat reluctant opponent, saying his concerns centered on where the funding would come from to push the bill over the finish line. He saw it as a dangerous precedent if SB236 made it to the ballot only to be defeated due to an absence of a support base ready to fund a campaign.

I felt its a great idea and were just a little bit ahead of our time, he said.

Fielder responded with a letter from the group Montanans For Wildlife and Public Access, which opposed I-177. That group has committed to fundraising to support the referendum, she said.

Sen. Mike Phillips, D-Bozeman, noted that the bill would not prevent efforts to roll back the protections, even if they are enshrined in the Montana Constitution.

Fielder agreed that anyone could come forward with an initiative, but defended SB236. The purpose of this legislation is to make it more concise and clear so that when courts decide they have the Legislature and citizens intent to take to heart.

SB236 as amended passed committee on a vote of 6-5.
In honor of Women's History Month, a Washington-based conservative nonprofit decided to create an award this year. It would recognize public figures who have "been consistent champions of the economic reforms that women need most," according to the group.

The Independent Women's Forum named it the "Working for Women" award. The inaugural recipient of the honor? Vice President Pence.

The choice was a natural one for IWF, which advocates for women who value free-markets and personal liberty, a spokeswoman said.

"Vice President Pence's name was at the top of the list given his track record of advocating for free markets and limited government including rolling back heavy taxation and regulation," IWF spokeswoman Victoria Coley said in an email. "These policy positions help create the conditions for more women to thrive professionally and personally and pursue their vision of the American Dream."

However, the decision has raised eyebrows at a few other women's and civil rights groups, who say Pence's record has been anything but friendly to women. The vice president has long been at odds with liberal women's-rights advocates who have called him out on everything from his 1999 argument that women shouldn't serve in the military to the antiabortion legislation he pushed as a lawmaker and governor.

"I must say I find it somewhat ironic that he would be winning the 'Working for Women' award when basically he has spent his career in politics working against women, not for women," Lenora Lapidus, director of the Women's Rights Project for the American Civil Liberties Union, told The Washington Post. "He has a long track record both during his years in Congress and as governor of Indiana of basically taking position after position that is anti-women and harmful to women."

Before being tapped to become Trump's running mate, Pence, 57, had served as governor of Indiana since 2013. Before that, he was a congressman representing Indiana's 2nd and 6th districts, from 2001 to 2013. A staunch conservative who describes himself as a "born-again, evangelical Catholic," Pence has said that his faith informs his life.

Women's reproductive rights

Pence's antiabortion stance was in full view throughout the presidential campaign. Speaking at the Values Voter Summit last September, Pence said he would help Trump restrict abortion rights and perhaps overturn Roe v. Wade.

"I want to live to see the day that we put the sanctity of life back at the center of American law, and we send Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history, where it belongs," Pence told the crowd.

When he was governor, Pence last March signed sweeping new abortion restrictions into place. Among many things, the new law would have required that women obtaining informed consent for an abortion to "view the fetal ultrasound imaging and hear the auscultation of the fetal heart tone" at least 18 hours before the procedure. It also banned abortions performed solely because the fetus had Down syndrome "or any other disability," and required that aborted or miscarried fetuses be buried or cremated.

It was considered one of the strictest abortion laws in the country - and in July, a federal judge blocked key provisions of the law as unconstitutional before they could go into effect.

Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, called the law a "blatant, unwelcome intrusion into private, independent decision making" - and blasted Pence for supporting it.

"Today's decision shows Gov. Mike Pence that he cannot force his religious ideology on Hoosiers," Cockrum said then, in response to the federal judge's injunction. "It is further compelling recognition by the courts that legislation interfering with women's reproductive rights will not be tolerated."

Planned Parenthood

Vox's Sarah Kliff wrote that Pence had been working to defund Planned Parenthood since 2007, when he was a congressman, even though federal funds are already barred from being used to cover abortions.

In 2011, Pence once again spearheaded an effort to defund Planned Parenthood, threatening to force a shutdown of the federal government over the issue. His reputation was so well known that, after the Trump-Pence ticket won the election, it inspired a campaign to donate to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name. The organization saw a surge of nearly 80,000 donations in the week after the election, many "in honor of" Pence, the Atlantic reported.

"He has really sort of taken on as his personal crusade to defund and really just dismantle Planned Parenthood," Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women. "He claims that this is because he's Catholic. My last name's O'Neill and I call bulls--- on that. . . . Where has he ever tried to criminalize, legislate or restrict vasectomy? You don't see him trying to criminalize men's legal health. Only women's health."

Women in the military

In 1999, when Pence hosted a talk radio show (and likened himself to a "Rush Limbaugh on decaf"), he wrote an op-ed for his show's website that decried Disney's "Mulan" as "liberal propaganda."

In the piece, first rediscovered by BuzzFeed News last year, Pence argued that the plot of "Mulan" served as proof women should not serve in the military.

"Housing, in close quarters, young men and women (in some cases married to nonmilitary personnel) at the height of their physical and sexual potential is the height of stupidity. It is instructive that even in the Disney film, young Ms. Mulan falls in love with her superior officer!" a younger Pence wrote. "Moral of story: women in military, bad idea."

Women's pay

Lapidus, the ACLU women's rights project director, also criticized Pence's track record on policies regarding women in the workplace. As a congressman, Pence voted three times against legislation that would have mandated equal pay for women, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2007. (As governor, Pence said he supported equal pay but that it needed to be achieved through improving the economy.)

"All of his positions have been really his lack of respect for women as equals who have a right to privacy and to make decisions about their own lives," Lapidus said. "Really on just about every front: economic justice, violence against women, reproductive rights, healthcare, LGBT equality . . ."

The Independent Women's Forum, the group that is honoring Pence, did not respond to interview requests Tuesday. However, the group has historically rejected claims that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, instead taking the position that women choose to work in lower-paying industries. ("Before You Blame the Wage Gap, Check Your Attitude," reads one headline on the group's website.)

Among its positions on prominent issues, the IWF advocates for "market-based alternatives" to government-run medicine and decries "the scare tactics geared toward women and moms that are used to encourage greater government regulation and intervention." Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway served on IWF's board of directors but currently is listed as being on a leave of absence.

Those positions are more or less in line with those of Pence, who has opposed the Affordable Care Act and, as governor, cut funding for Indiana's public health departments.

"They have a right, absolutely, to advocate whatever policies they want," O'Neill, the president of the National Organization for Women, said. "But when they promote men or give awards to men who promote policies that hurt women, they need to expect that people like me call them out on it."
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Two years after being tormented in a chilling Vallejo home-invasion and kidnapping that put their attacker in prison for at least four decades, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn are engaged.

Huskins posted pictures on Facebook over the weekend of Quinn popping the question at an undisclosed vineyard.

The engagement comes as the young couple, both 31, begins to move on from the kidnapping nightmare and its horrific aftermath, in which the Vallejo police department publicly accused them of a hoax.

The very-real kidnapper, 39-year-old Matthew Muller, a former San Francisco immigration attorney and Harvard Law School graduate, was later caught, pleaded guilty, and on Thursday was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for the crime.

Before Sacramento federal Judge Troy Nunley issued the sentence, Huskins and Quinn spoke for the first time publicly about the ordeal. The victims read emotional statements during which they broke down in tears as they each recounted their trauma.

I am so grateful for Aaron, standing by my side and giving me strength and support as I continue to struggle, Huskins said during the sentencing hearing. He knows exactly how to calm me, care for me, how to hold me in the midst of my nightmares. The thought of returning to his arms during those 48 hours helped get me through it, and I never want him to let me go. He gives me peace, love, laughter and hope in humanity.

Muller kidnapped Huskins on March 23, 2015. Dressed in makeshift tactical wear, he sneaked into Quinns Mare Island home armed with a plastic water pistol disguised as a laser-sighted firearm.

He drugged the couple, tied Quinn up and stuffed Huskins into the trunk of a car. Muller, who spent four years in the Marine Corps, took Huskins to his parents South Lake Tahoe vacation home where he held her  raping her twice over two days  before dropping her at her fathers home in Huntington Beach (Orange County).

Investigators in Vallejo, though, were allegedly more influenced by the plot of the movie Gone Girl  in which the title character fakes her own kidnapping  than the facts of their case.

A law enforcement official on the case told Huskinss attorney to watch Gone Girl to understand their investigation, attorney Kevin Clune wrote in a lawsuit filed by the couple against the city of Vallejo.

The same day Huskins turned up safe, Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park called the episode a wild goose chase in front of dozens of television cameras that had amassed outside department headquarters following the sensational incident.

Today, there is no evidence to support the claims that this was a stranger abduction or an abduction at all, Park said at the time. Given the facts that have been presented thus far, this event appears to be an orchestrated event and not a kidnapping.

After being publicly disparaged for months - television commentator Nancy Grace pushed the Twitter hashtag #kidnappinghoax on her Headline News show - the couple was vindicated.

Muller was busted after breaking into a home in Dublin in a remarkably similar crime to the Vallejo case. The homeowner in that episode fought off Muller, who bolted from the house but left his cell phone behind.

Authorities tracked the phone back to the South Lake Tahoe hideout where they found Muller along with evidence from the Huskins abduction.

Vallejo police have not publicly apologized for calling the kidnapping bogus. Police Chief Andrew Bidou, though, wrote private letters of apology to Huskins and Quinn upon Mullers capture.

It is now clear there was a kidnapping, Bidou wrote, adding that it was not a hoax or orchestrated event and conclusions by police were incorrect.

But in his apology, Bidou defended his officers, saying they took appropriate investigative steps with the information that was available at the time of the abduction.

Several local jurisdictions - including Solano County - are now considering filing charges against Muller related to the abduction.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
On the March 23 seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Representative Rodney Davis is working to replace our current healthcare system with a House GOP plan that will harm many of his working-poor and 50- to 64-year-old constituents in Illinois District 13.

In our district, the uninsured rate has dropped from 9.9 percent to 4.6 percent under the Affordable Care Act. That means 5.6 percent more of the people in District 13 now have health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the GOP plan could result in 24 million Americans losing their health care coverage  mainly the working-poor and those who are 50- to 64 years-old. The beneficiaries of the GOP plan are insurance companies and the wealthy.

Representative Davis has refused to hold local town hall meetings to talk about these issues or respond in person to questions. Given his blind adherence to House Speaker Paul Ryans agenda, I am very worried about what they may do next to Social Security and Medicare.

We need a representative in Washington who listens to, responds thoughtfully and represents the people here in District 13.

Karla Luxner, RN, Decatur
DECATUR  Farmers have numerous legal issues to consider that can potentially impact their operations.

Attorney Cari Rincker of Champaign discussed what she considers the top five legal issues during the Macon County Farm Bureau Ag Day Breakfast on Tuesday at the Decatur Club

The Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, is among those issues, she said. President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider its WOTUS regulations.

It sends everything back to the EPA for a recommendation, said Rincker, who grew up in Shelbyville and has a satellite office in New York City. She represents agricultural producers along with small- to medium-sized agribusinesses and food entrepreneurs.

It's probably going to be years before we know what the results are going to be, Rincker said.

The Supreme Court had ruled in 2016 on a WOTUS-related case about the rules related to how land can be regulated. Producers want to continue to farm while still protecting the land and water features in and around their farms, but the changes have made it more difficult for them to do so.

Rincker's presentation was part of the activities this week the Farm Bureau is organizing to highlight the agriculture industry, manager Tim Stock said.

We want to spread the education about where our food comes from, Stock said. Farmers are trying to produce an abundant food supply. They have directives to follow and are fighting against ways they're told to operate their farms.

Some farmers are included in pending litigation involving Syngenta, Rincker said. A class of producers have until April 1 to opt out of a class action lawsuit stemming from China's refusal to accept certain GMO corn from Syngenta that allegedly had not been safely certified.

U.S. farmers claim the refusal has caused economic damage, Rincker said. Farmers who have received notification don't need to do anything to remain part of the lawsuit at no cost, but Rincker said they can opt out.

With no costs, they also lose control, Rincker said. By opting out, they can choose their own counsel. It's a business decision.

In addition, Rincker said farmers have decisions to make related to estate and succession planning along with business contracts. They should make sure agreements are clear, she said.

Divorces can be part of one of the most complex legal situations, yet Rincker said something that is often overlooked.

It's a healthy exercise for it to at least be discussed, Rincker said.

The veterinary feed directive involves a veterinarian authorizing a client to obtain and use a drug in or on animal feed in accordance with FDA-approved label directions, Rincker said.

As part of the Ag Day recognition, the Farm Bureau was planning to acknowledge the first baby born this week in Decatur along with students from various elementary schools in the area. Students in Kathy Barringer's second grade class at Meridian Elementary School, Noelle Bourisaw's fourth grade class at Meridian, Mandi Ditty's kindergarten class at McGaughey Elementary School in Mount Zion, Cally Jones' fourth grade class at Argenta-Oreana Elementary School and Anne Shiley's second grade class at Maroa-Forsyth Grade School designed placemats that were used during the breakfast.
DECATUR  Patience is the watchword for Macon County officials as they await "quick-take" eminent domain authority from the state for the Macon County Beltway project.

The plan, approved unanimously by the county board during its March 9 meeting, would allow the county to acquire 8.3 acres of land just south of Brush College Road and Illinois 48 through eminent domain.

Once in possession of the land, the county would start on a "connector project" that would be the starting point for the long-discussed beltway.

This is the first step of many other steps, and it needs to be done first, Macon County Engineer Bruce Bird said. Its the key that opens the door to do the rest of the work.

The plan needs approval from the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner. If the authority is approved, the county will have one year to exercise its eminent domain right.

So far, local lawmakers expressed support for the overall beltway project, though one state representative has been less than supportive of the process.

State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said he plans to sponsor a bill in the senate to give Macon County the authority after speaking with representatives from the city and county about the importance of getting the beltway project started.

There are any number of reasons why this street makes complete economic sense for the city and county, Manar said.

Even with his support, Manar said the preference is still for the county and the landowner to come to an agreement without the need for eminent domain.

With the bill, which has not been filed as of Tuesday afternoon, Manar said he is hopeful that the county can talk with all local lawmakers and gather support from them before the plan moves forward in the General Assembly.

County board members expressed concern during their March 9 meeting that several state lawmakers, including state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, and state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, would oppose granting quick-take authority.

Rose expressed surprise when told of the comments from county officials, saying he has had good conversations with those in the city about the beltway and what needs to be done.

Ive been supportive of the project, he said.

Mitchell, while expressing support for the beltway project, said he is troubled by the quick-take option.

Mitchell said he thinks the proceedings have been rushed, adding that more negotiations should have taken place before the county asked for eminent domain authority.

The county is acting like a bully here, Mitchell said. Just because they can do something does not mean that they should. This is something you go to as a last resort, not a first resort.

One particular issue that Mitchell raised was that the first bill to grant Macon County the authority was filed Feb. 10 by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, a Democrat from Belleville in the Metro East area. His district is more than 100 miles from where the connector location.

Ive been here a long time, and thats the first time Ive seen something like this, Mitchell said.

House Bill 3837 has since been sent to the House Executive Committee.

Hoffman did not respond to a request for comment left at his Springfield office.

When told of Mitchells comment, Bird and Macon County Board Chairman Jay Dunn said the county has followed standard procedure regarding negotiations to obtain land for roads.

In an email, Bird said the plan to build the connector in that area was first presented during a public meeting in 2012, and the landowners were contacted in January for permission to survey the property.

The county made its first contact with landowners about negotiations on Jan. 10, with an offer of $17,000 an acre presented two days later. The figure was based on an appraisal completed last fall, for which the county contracted with Springfield-based Hanson Engineering, with the appraisal completed by Joseph M. Webster of Webster & Associates.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Bird said the county has not received any counter-offer or an update on negotiations from either the landowners or their legal representation.

We intend to negotiate, but its kind of hard to dance when you dont have a partner, Bird said.

County officials say they have been negotiating with landowners Craig and Jill Wynne, who did not respond to a message left at their residence. An attorney said to be representing the landowners, Springfield-based Edward D. McNamara, also did not respond to a request for comment.

Part of the reason the county has sought the authority is due to concerns that money for the project could soon disappear. The cost to redevelop the intersection is covered by a $10 million investment given to the county in 2014 by former Gov. Pat Quinn. Since not all of the money has not been used, Dunn said hes heard it is possible that the Illinois Department of Transportation will take it away.

Mitchell scoffed at that notion, saying he has spoken to representatives from DOT and Rauners office who have promised him money for the project will not be touched.

Bird and Dunn stressed that the plan as of now is to continue a negotiated settlement, with any eminent domain authority being an absolute last resort.

Im sure we can reach an agreement with the landowners; I think its just a matter of getting together, Bird said.
A San Francisco man who was charged with voter fraud, although he never actually voted, has reached a plea deal with the district attorneys office.

Donald Dewsnup pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanor counts of false voter registration.

Under the deal, Dewsnup will have to perform 100 hours of community service and serve three years probation. He was given credit for two days served in jail.

It was mutually agreeable, said Dewsnups attorney, public defender Paul Myslin. The main thing is that Mr. Dewsnup wanted to put this behind him and focus his efforts elsewhere. I know he is very passionate about his advocacy and I expect we will hear from him again.

The case against Dewsnup was unusual.

When the charges were filed last April, District Attorney George Gascon said Dewsnup registered to vote using a false address, allowing him to vote in a supervisorial district in which he didnt live.

By registering in that district, Dewsnup was able to infiltrate the influential Telegraph Hill Dwellers neighborhood association to advance his political agenda, according to Gascon.

San Franciscos supervisorial races can be decided by a small number of voters, Gascon said at the time.

Dewsnup faced charges of three felony counts of filing a false document with a government agency, two felony counts of perjury and two felony counts of false voter registration.

In 2015, Dewsnup also led a failed effort to take over the San Francisco chapter of the Sierra Club to make it more development-friendly.

Max Szabo, a spokeswoman for the district attorneys office, said: These types of violations are not brought to our attention often, but when they are its important that we pursue them to ensure the public knows these violations will be taken seriously. A clean electoral process is fundamental to a healthy democracy.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen
Service workers at the airport and in other city-owned facilities could see a $2 hourly raise in July, under a bill introduced Tuesday at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

The bill by Supervisor Jeff Sheehy would increase the minimum hourly wage city contractors must pay their employees from $13.64 an hour to $15.86 an hour. In July 2018, the rate would increase to $16.86 an hour.

The bill is meant to ensure that city contractors pay more than the hourly minimum wage, which in San Francisco will increase to $14 in July and $15 one year later.

The rates that contractors have historically been (paying) are not keeping up right now with minimum wage increases. So this is restoring equity to the system, Sheehy said.

When your lowest-paid workers get more income, they spend it, and that spending generates economic activity that leads to increased tax revenue for the city, so this is a win-win situation.

But those who would benefit would still be earning a bare-bones salary by San Francisco standards. A person working 40 hours a week making $15.86 an hour brings home $33,000 a year. Workers at San Francisco International Airport are already entitled to an additional 50 cents an hour, generating them an extra $1,040 a year.

Sheehy conceded that isnt a lot of money  and he wants to see it increase more.

A lot of people who work hardest in our society get paid the least, he said.

Also at Tuesdays board meeting, a visibly frustrated Supervisor Mark Farrell accused his colleagues of giving away taxpayer dollars to affordable housing developers to spend on political campaigns  instead of housing.

Farrells comments were part of a heated discussion about his bill to restrict housing nonprofits from leveraging public funds for political campaigns.

I cant believe this body is going to sit here today and vote down an ordinance that says we want to spend more money on affordable housing and not on political campaigns, he said, adding that there was an affordable housing cabal that worked behind the scenes to defeat his bill.

The bill failed on a 8-3 vote. Supervisors Farrell, Sheehy and Katy Tang supported it. Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Jane Kim, London Breed, Ahsha Safai, Sandra Lee Fewer, Hillary Ronen, Norman Yee and Malia Cohen opposed it.

Kim accused Farrell of attempting to chill the speech of groups that have supported political campaigns he opposes, while opposing those he supported.

It is absolutely wrong for this board to prohibit free speech and try and penalize people who speak against the things we believe in, Kim said.

Farrells legislation would have prohibited nonprofit developers from refinancing buildings they built with the help of public funds and using the proceeds on political campaigns.

Some nonprofit developers in the city have done that, but none so successfully or broadly as John Elberling, executive director of Todco.

In recent years, Elberling has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to support progressive ballot measures, money he says he got from refinancing federally subsidized apartments.

Farrell said that was inappropriate.

Call me crazy, but it seems to me common sense that precious affordable housing dollars should be spent on affordable housing.

Farrell also criticized Elberling  without mentioning him by name  for spending money on political campaigns instead of providing hot water to residents living in his buildings.

Last June, the Department of Building Inspection issued a violation against a building Todco owns  at 241 Sixth St.  because it failed to provide hot water.

Cohen, who seemed undecided but ultimately opposed the legislation, said the issue wasnt as clear-cut as Farrell presented. She said that while public dollars provided the initial investment in a building, any profit that an organization makes is usually considered private dollars.

That is where I am in the gray area  where I am uncomfortable, and it makes it hard for me to support the legislation, she said.

In another vote, a complicated real estate transaction three years in the works received final approval from the board.

In a 9-2 vote, the supervisors approved a deal to sell a city office building at 30 Van Ness Ave. for $70 million. It also approved the sale of 1660 and 1680 Mission St., currently home to the City Planning and Building Inspection departments, for $52 million. The sales of the buildings are aimed at funding a new 460,000-square-foot city office building at 1500 Mission St., now the site of a Goodwill store.

Lend Lease, the developer in contract to buy 30 Van Ness, could build a 520-foot tower on the site. The group has agreed to make 25 percent of the units below-market rate, while committing another $8 million to $10 million to the city for affordable housing.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen
BEIRUT  At least 30 Syrian civilians were killed in an air strike by the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in a rural area of Raqqa province early Tuesday, according to residents, activists and state television.

The U.S.-led coalition said it had no indications an air strike had hit civilians, but in its daily report on coalition strikes, the U.S. military acknowledged that strikes were carried out in the area. It said that on Tuesday, coalition warplanes carried out 19 air strikes  an unusually high number for a single day  on a range of Islamic State facilities near the city of Raqqa.
SEOUL  North Koreas latest missile launch ended in failure on Wednesday as the United States sent a supersonic bomber streaking over ally South Korea in a show of force against the North, officials said.

The reported launch failure comes as the North angrily reacts to ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.
I recently spoke at Curious Minds Weekend in Toronto at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. Audience members submitted questions on cards before the showanonymouslybut the moderator, Lisan Jutras of the Globe and Mail, and I were having so much fun talking with each other that we didn't get to many cards. So I'm going to quickly answer as many of the questions from the audience at Curious Minds as I can this week.

My husband and I have been seeking a third for a threesome. After a very palpable night of flirtation, I asked a mutual friend (as we shared a cab) if he would be down for a threesome. He said yes, but I was not about to spring him on my husband that night. So I texted him later about it, and he has ignored me. What should I take from this?

The hint.

A friend's BF won't go down on her no matter how much she asks. She still won't break up with him, even though she told me that oral is the only way she has ever had an orgasm. How do I get her to realize her sexual pleasure is a priority?

If your friend's BF doesn't know oral is the only way she can orgasm, she should tell him. If she told him and he doesn't care, she should dump him. If she told him and he doesn't care and she won't dump him, you're not obligated to listen to her complain about the orgasms she's not having.

I'm a bisexual 42-year-old female with an extremely high sex drive who squirts with every orgasm. How do I deal with friendseven people at a sex clubwho think you're a freak because "women aren't supposed to be horny all the time."

If your friendspresumably people you aren't fuckingcomplain that you're horny all the time, maybe it's because you don't talk about anything other than the sex you just had or the sex you hope to have soon. If people at sex clubs (!) are complaining about how horny you are either you've accidentally wandered into a yacht club or even people at a sex club wanna talk about something other than sex every once in a while.

My very Christian friend is about to get married. Though she is socially very liberal, she is pretty sexually repressed. I want to do something to encourage her to explore her sexuality a bit before she takes a try at partnered sex. How weird would it be to buy her a vibrator as a shower present?

Don't give your friend a vibrator at her showergifts are opened in front of guests at showersbut go ahead and send her one. Tell her it's a pre-bachelorette-party gift.

Two guys divorced in order to bring a third man into their relationship on equal terms, and they now plan to start a family with their sisters acting as surrogates. Thoughts?

Mazel tov?

I am 31. My husband (newly married) is 46, almost 47. He takes FOREVER to come, no matter what I do. How do we speed up this process? My jaw, fingers, etc., are all very sore.

Your husband speeds up the process by incorporating self-stimulation breaks into the blowjobs, handjobs, etcetera-jobs you're giving him. He strokes himself while you take a quick breather and/or an Advil, he gets himself closer, you get back to work.

I'm 47 and my wife is 31. I take a lot longer to come and recover than she would like. Could you please explain to her that it's normal for a man my age to "slow down" and it's not her?

Happy birthday. And, yes, it's normal for a man to slow down as he agesit's not herand there are younger men who take a long time to come. But such men need to take their partners' physical limitations into consideration. To avoid wearing out their partners' jaws, fingers, etc., they need to take matters into their own hands. They should enjoy that blowjob, handjob, twatjob, or assjob, take breaks to stroke their own dicks, eventually bring themselves to the point of orgasmic inevitability, and end by plunging back into that mouth, fist, twat, or ass to blow their load.

I have been reading your column since the early 1990s. Since that time, what has struck you in the kind of problems people write you about?

People don't ask me about butt plugs anymore. I used to get a letter once or twice a week from someone who needed to have butt plugs explained to them. But butt plugs have their own Wiki page now, so no one needs me to explain them anymore. But for old times' sake: They look like lava lamps, they go in your butt, they feel awesome, and they typically don't induce gay panic in butt-play-curious straight boys.

Would you share your thoughts on our prime minister, Justin Trudeau?

I think Justin needs to stop fucking around and legalize weed already, like he promised.

When are you going to move to Canada already?

See above.

Polyamory after marriageis it okay?

For some.

I'm a submissive gay boy. I saw you walk into the theater tonight wearing combat boots. Is there any way I could lick your boots clean after the show?

Sadly, I didn't see your question until after I got back to my hotel.

Straight male here. My best male friend of 20 years transitioned to female. I've been super supportive since day one, but her transitioning is all she ever talks about, and it's getting tiresome. I miss our discussions of bicycle repair and Swedish pop music. How can I tell her to give it a rest while remaining supportive?

If she began transitioning last week, then of course it's all she can talk about. If she transitioned five years ago and it's still all she ever talks about, then you'll need to (gently) be the change you want to see in the conversation. Listen supportively when she discusses trans issues and seize opportunities (when they arise) to change the subject ("So how do you think Sweden will do in Eurovision this year?").

Why are so many lesbians into astrology?

All the lesbians I know are strict empiricists. So the more pertinent question would be this: Whose sample is skewedmine or yours?

My male partner never masturbates and we have sex only once a week. We've been together four years. I'm a woman. I would like to have sex just a little more, but he isn't into it. Is there something weird about me masturbating a bunch during the week and just having weekend sex?

Nope.

Dude? Trump? WTF?

ITMFA (ITMFA.org).



On the Lovecast, Dan chats with Brian Whitney, coauthor of a book about the Cannibal Cop: savagelovecast.com

@fakedansavage on Twitter

Santa Fe Reporter
News, March 8: Sodanomics

What if We Kick Vices?

Good idea. I'll vote for [the "soda tax"] if it comes to ballot. However, I see its main value as a way to force people to eat better, and I disagree that education should be funded by taxing vices. By that same reasoning, we could justify taxing massage parlors, payday loans and vape shops to fund treatment for those same vices. Where will it end? Have we now given up on the idea that upstanding citizens should fund their children's education?

Rachel Cogent

SFReporter.com



Letters, March 15: Profitable Enterprise

Here, Here

Russella Serna's comment that coyote populations have been dying off is absolutely right!

Don't believe the rancher's lies about "too many coyotes" or how "poor calves/lambs are torn to bits by coyotes." It is not unusual to see dead livestock everywhere on public lands: they die of disease and the elements, which is the main reason for livestock deathsnot coyotes or other wild animals.

Coyotes, wolves and other wildlife are just the scapegoats for spoiled ranchers, who receive millions of dollars each year in subsidies from the government in reimbursements, cheap grazing fees and free wildlife slaughter. ... Wild animal populations are struggling due to senseless killing and increasing climate change. They urgently need protection.

The livestock industry needs controlling, not the coyotes. For starters, let's get these moochers off public lands, so wildlife can have some refuge.

Rosemary Lowe

Santa Fe

News, March 15: Rons Run

Da Doo Ron Run

Ron [Trujillo] has my vote. Our City Council should be concentrating on bringing business to Santa Fe and providing opportunities for our younger citizens to stay here and earn a living (right now they all hightail it as fast as they can after graduation to Texas, Arizona or Colorado, where business is booming). Instead the council wastes time and energy on the liberal progressive feel-good schmuck that has nothing to do with providing purposeful careers and opportunities for our citizens.

Dave Dennison

SFReporter.com

Cover, March 15: The Foilies Awards

Thanks, Obama

In your "year's worst in government transparency awards" you forgot the "Here is your pallet full of money to fund terrorism" award. Proudly awarded to the Obama administration for giving the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism $400 million in cash, flown in on a pallet in secrecy as a ransom payment that the administration still denies (that it was a ransom, not that it didn't happen)although they did their best to keep it from becoming public. Transparency (and good judgement) at its worst.

Tom Lohr

Santa Fe





SFR will correct factual errors online and in print. Please let us know if we make a mistake, editor@sfreporter.com or 988-7530.

Mail letters to PO Box 2306, Santa Fe, NM 87504, deliver to 132 E Marcy St., or email them to editor@sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specic articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

Santa Fe Reporter
Dawes is evolving. Or has already. Either way, the Los Angeles band has shed at least some of their folky pop gestalt for patient ruminations on the usual suspectsloss and love and mortalitywith their fifth studio album, We're All Gonna Die. This time out, the boys have crafted songs a little more layered (if not more grown-up) than previous outings; Die is, in fact, more Dire Straits or Hall & Oates than it is Jackson Browne, but we're talking more soulful, too, or perhaps a little more rock 'n' roll and sexy.

Of course, previous elements that put the band on the map, such as melodic style, killer vocal harmonies or heartfelt lyricism (think All Your Favorite Bands-era Dawes) remain intact as well, and the aforementioned evolution seems far more organic happenstance than a band that set out to purposefully rebrand itself in a misguided attempt at chasing success (or trends).

"It's kind of just what happened," drummer Griffin Goldsmith says. "I think the songs Taylor [Goldsmith, Griffin's brother and Dawes' front man/main songwriter] is writing are obviously very different than the previous batch."

This generally takes the form of autobiographical pieces from Taylorlike "Roll With the Punches," wherein he tells us: "The separation was logistical/Deciding what belongs to whom/How dying love manifests in a rug or a chest"but also contains some pretty solid advice about living, like on "Quitter" where we are advised: "Quit talking to God if your prayers don't get answered/Or if you don't exactly notice when they do."

Regardless, the overall message seems timeless and worthwhile, yet it bears repeating: Live while you can. This is what we mean when we say "grown-up." After all, if we're all gonna die, why do we spend so much time focused on not living? That's from Shawshank Redemption  basically.

"I think that's sort of the sentiment that comes across," Griffin explains, "but what I really like about it is that it's a polarizing titlesome people think it's a sad thing, or some people think it's hilarious. I think, for me, it speaks to the place of the record or this band or the industry, pop music.  Obviously we're not pop music, but I mean in the grand scheme of things."

For Dawes' upcoming Santa Fe appearance at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, they'll play without an opener, the first such tour in their career. This may sound daunting for a band, but with five albums under their belt and tour after tour in the rearview mirror, it's more of a chance for them to spread out, provide a bit of a retrospective feel for longtime fans but also to really dig into the newer material.

"We can finally play for two-plus hours, which I know is a lot of music to ask the listener to be there for," Griffin says. "But it's really invigorating to go out there and play for hours and really stretch out with the songs. The emphasis is on listening."

If nothing else, Dawes has a proven knack for staying power and a willingness to experiment and continually challenge themselves and their listeners. Even if you think you know this band, their newer stuff is a departure of sorts; yes, you'll recognize Taylor's croon and the spirit stays the same, but rather than stay satisfied with mid-level success and the repackaging of the same old, same old, they've transformed into something new enough and bright enough as to be engaging, yet deep enough and bittersweet enough as to seem like whatever song they're playing may just be about us and our own bullshit. And that ain't easy.

"Nobody comes to the table with a fully realized song, and I think that's why we've been able to be on tour and make five different records," Griffin adds. "It wasn't like we set out to do whatever; the process is a real collaboration."



Dawes

7:30 pm Wednesday March 22. $24-$34.

Lensic Performing Arts Center,

211 W San Francisco St.,

988-1234

FIRST TRACKS

Hear, Here

We've got our ears to the ground in search of interesting tidbits of music-related information, Santa Fe. Are you recording an album? Hitting the road to tour? Thinking of going major-label? We want to know about it, so email your best friend Alex De Vore at alex@sfreporter.com.

Santa Fe-based MC Raashan Ahmad (of Oaklands Crown City Rockers) has been traipsing the globe like some kind of goddamn rap-based Indiana Jones. Ahmad told us that after his recent sojourn to Europe, hes got South America, Greece and more on the docket, but that he also hopes to throw down with some DJ gigs next time hes back home. Lets all become obsessed right now.

Nathan Smerage and Daniel Mench-Thurlow, both formerly of rock act Venus and the Lion, have joined forces once again for a new yet-unnamed band. Were pumped because theyre both basically music geniuses. In fact, Smerages solo work (which can be heard at nathansmerage.bandcamp.com) is so good, we listen to it even when we dont have toa reality we dont afford to plenty of local bands/musicians.

Happy 10th b-day to AMP Concerts! The Santa Fe/ABQ promotions-based nonprofit that brings your ass free (and not-free) concerts all the time would be a fifth-graderyikes. If you pop in at Whole Foods next Wednesday (thats March 29), know that 5 percent of the days proceeds will go to helping AMP bring Red Elvises and Metalachi back to town for the bazillionth time. Theyll probably use the money to do other stuff, too.

Does anyone know where we landed on hating SxSW? Like, did they turn a bunch of international bands in to ICE or what? All we know is that we think the obsession is silly, and our friends in bands whove played the annual music fest mostly have Our slot was at 8:15 am in the bathroom of a slaughterhouse and literally only the sound guy was there! stories. Did you go? Lemme know if I should continue shaking my fists in outrage.

Santa Fe Reporter
I recently had a long conversation with a visitor from Denver about how Santa Fe has a north/south divide. For us, this isnt shocking or new to say. I find it hard to articulate beyond the racial, economic, political and historic divides that are common everywhere. Divisions in Santa Fe are invisible. There are spheres of culture that we exist in and you can exist in yours without ever coming into contact with the other ones.

This isn't to say that there isn't crossing. There definitely is. And it isn't even hard to do. You just have to move outside the circles you travel once in awhile. That, however, takes effort and drive. This is a long intro to something that has always interested me about Santa Fe: restaurants with downtown and Southside locations. Plenty of cities have restaurants with more than one location, but this isn't the interesting thing. It's the clear distinction of downtown vs. Southside that makes this something to think about.

In the early 2000s, a sudden boom on the Southside mostly took the form of suburban sprawl, strip malls and chain stores. A surprising number of local places have carved out a space: Plaza Cafe or Blue Corn. Many of them are a second location to a downtown business. I wanted to see if they did different things for the different sides of town.



I didn't survey all of the doubled businesses, of course. I picked oneCleopatra's Cafe (Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 820-7381). Cleopatra's is one of those great businesses in town that I always forget about. This isn't a dig at the foodit has more to do with Santa Fe's weird indoor shopping spaces.

The original location sits in the middle of the Design Center, not quite downtown, not quite not downtown. You can drive right by and not even notice the building. Lunchtime on a Wednesday, I figured it would be busy. Only a few people milled about. There was a family eating at The Kitchen Window next door. A few down the walkway at Pizza Centro. Otherwise it was quiet. I got sheesh tewook ($7.50) and dolmas ($5.95) and found a small table in the corner to read while I waited. Not that it ever takes long. The server soon brought me two plates. The tewook was great. Large bits of chicken grilled to a crisp on the outside and melty inside. Caramelized onion and tomato, and a traditional aioli on top. There was a little too much paprika sprinkled across this dish, but I soon finished my meal and went for the dolmas. Tangy, sweet and soft. One of my favorite clean tastes. They were just perfect and not overly oily like the canned versions most of us have from grocery store salad bars. The only real off-note is that you are sitting in a caged-in seating area in the middle of a mostly-empty mall. I read a chapter in my book, dropped off a pair of pants to be hemmed at Santa Fe Seamstress and went on with my day.

A week earlier I had gone to the Southside Cleopatra's (3482 Zafarano Drive, 474-5644) on a whim with a group of friends and had ordered the same thing. That was where the idea came from to compare the two. The tewook and dolmas were both the same price and almost exact in their taste. The Southside location put less paprika on top, and the sauce was maybe a little less tangy, but otherwise they were identical down to the plates they were served on.

The big change is that the Southside location has a large room to itself, though its no less odd. It feels like a cafeteria with high tabletops spaced loosely in the large, echoey room. Theyve managed to re-create the feeling of sitting in a food court at a mall in both of their spaces. Which is part of the charm, I suppose. It certainly doesnt make the food less delicious.

So why two Cleopatra's? With parking downtown as terrible as it is, and the realities of the divides in this city, it's almost as if the Southside would miss out if there weren't two. I would guess this applies to most of the dueling location businesses in town; downtown isn't the only place that exists. The restaurants noticed and stepped in to serve the growing city that we are.



Surprises:

Prices: I expected the downtown version to be more expensive.

Consistency: It's spot-ona feat even for a single location.



Santa Fe Reporter
After years of legal wrangling over press freedoms and the publics right to know, the Santa Fe Reporter is set to finally have its day in state District Court at the end of this month.

At the heart of the case: Is it a violation of the paper's free expression rights under the state Constitution if Gov. Susana Martinez blacklists SFR for critical coverage?

Martinez' press secretary refused to comment on pending litigation. And the governor's high-powered private attorney, Paul Kennedy, says he's "not authorized to comment on this matter."

Katherine Murray, one of the lawyers representing SFR, says the tensions rising nationally between President Donald Trump and the press highlight the dangers of government officials playing favorites. "To a certain extent, when you choose the messenger, you're also getting to shape the message," she says. "We need our press to be unpopular, to pursue the topics nobody wants to talk about."

The case already has made some history, Murray says. Laws on the books are one thing, but until they're tested in court, how they work can remain a mystery. Freedom of the press is protected under New Mexico's Constitution, she says, but a paper's right to access public information without facing discrimination is a novel issue for New Mexico courts.

The three-day bench trial is slated for March 29-31 before District Court Judge Sarah Singleton in Santa Fe. (Court dates scheduled for last November were vacated when Murray had to travel unexpectedly to receive her adopted son.) Martinez is not scheduled to testify, although several of her current and former staffers are. SFR journalists past and present also are expected to take the stand.

When reporter Joey Peters came to SFR from Washington, DC, he was surprised at how difficult it was to reach anyone at the governor's office. "Responsiveness was better from the federal government," he says. Peters remembers writing in emails to the governor's spokesman, "Get back to me ASAP," a naive turn of phrase that makes him laugh today. "I came in expecting that spokespeople for government agencies would contact you back."

In 2012, SFR documented the unfolding story of Martinez' leaked emails, the inner-workings of her administration and public business conducted on private email accounts. In December, the paper published a cover story headlined "The Year in Closed Government," digging into those emails and juxtaposing them against the governor's promise to run the most transparent administration in state history.

"After that, I think they just cut us off and wouldn't respond to us at all, not even emails or anything," says Peters, now a reporter for New Mexico Political Report.

In the absence of direct communication, SFR increased its reliance on public records requests, Murray says. That also proved fruitless, and the paper contends the administration repeatedly violated the state's Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)New Mexico's sunshine law that allows everyone access to documents and other records.

So in the fall of 2013, SFR sued. Murray says the serial IPRA violations created an either/or scenario: "Either this is a deliberate withholding of information that the governor's office thinks is potentially politically embarrassing, or something about the way they handle IPRA requests is just flawed and results in us not getting the public records."

After rulings from Singleton on some of the issues in the original court filing, claims stemming from five alleged IPRA violations will be contested at trial.

Kennedy wrote in a brief that the state's public records law is an "unfunded mandate" that's hard on the state's limited resources.

The lawsuit also says the governor's office interfered with a free press by stonewalling SFR. The paper's reporters weren't receiving even basic information the administration was providing to other news organizations. It was retaliatory "viewpoint discrimination," according to the lawsuit, and it happened because the governor's office didn't like the tone and content of the paper's coverage.

The lawsuit doesn't say the governor has to give a sit-down interview to every paper that wants one or offer comment on every single issue. But that decision has to be based on the issue at hand, Murray says, not whether the news organization seeking comment covers the governor in a favorable light.

Kennedy also argues that evidence shows it wasn't viewpoint discrimination when the governor's office didn't respond to SFR, and that the paper isn't the same thing as the Associated Press or the Albuquerque Journal. It has a smaller staff and it doesn't distribute breaking news, he wrote.

But Murray will tell you this lawsuit gets at the heart of the media's role in a democracy, and SFR brought it not just to ensure the paper's own rights, but because the ability to gather and report news is essential to a free press.

"I certainly don't want the Washington Post or the New York Times to start being gentler on President Trump because they just want access to the room," she says. "That doesn't benefit any of us."

Problems like this don't often get to the lawsuit stage, which can be expensive and time-consuming, according to Gregg Leslie, the legal defense director for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, DC. "So often reporters just feel kind of helpless when they're confronted by something like this," he says, "so it's good to see that somebody's really pushing for their rights."







Marisa Demarco is covering the trial jointly for KUNM radio and SFR as an independent journalist. Contributing editor Jeff Proctor is supervising her coverage for SFR, including planned daily reports from the courtroom that will be published at SFReporter.com.

Santa Fe Reporter
Alan Mitchell, a veteran of the goat breeding and goat meat industry, blames a failed Australian trading company for the demise of his export business, according to a liquidators' report.

Taupo-based GoatNZ was put into liquidation on Feb. 7 after 14 years in business first as a procurer and exporter of goat meat and from 2011 as an export broker of goat meat. Creditors include Harvest Meat Co, one of the biggest independent food distributors in the US, with annual sales of US$1.5 billion.

According to the report from Lynda Smart and Derek Ah Sam of Rodgers Reidy, GoatNZ was the first of two brokers and the initial recipient of funds in a supply chain between Harvest and an Australian supplier, Australian Commercial Livestock Pty. "The failure of the Australian supplier to supply the goats, despite payment being made, has resulted in the liquidation of the company," the liquidators said in their first report.

Mitchell declined to comment while he is in dispute with the second broker in the supply chain, an Australian company called Karjim Pty that is also in liquidation. The Rodgers Reidy report says GoatNZ has a claim against Karjim, which is unlikely to have any funds available for creditors. Mitchell has told the liquidators that GoatNZ doesn't have any assets.

Mitchell, the sole director of GoatNZ, says the company is insolvent because Australian Commercial Livestock failed to supply the goats to Karjim, according to the liquidators. It was too soon for them to make any judgements about the situation. Their initial report only has two amounts identified so far, for unsecured creditors - the Inland Revenue Department for $24,048 and other creditors, put at $513,557. Creditors include the Accident Compensation Corp, Harvest Meat, Holland Beckett, IRD and Le Pine & Co, the report says.

New Zealand goat meat exports amounted to $8.1 million in 2016, free on board, according to Statistics New Zealand data. That's up from $1.3 million in 1988 and the highest on record. Export markets for the meat are diverse and varied, based on 2015 figures. The biggest market was Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean under the control of France, which took about $2.2 million of New Zealand goat meat that year. The US was the second-largest market at $1.6 million.

Mitchell is a 25-year veteran of the industry, having first been involved as a farmer in a large-scale embryo transfer programme to track desirable genetic traits. He went on to develop meat goats chosen for their traits of being hardy and fast growing. He is a former chair of the goat committee of the NZ Meat Board.

Mitchell co-owns an elite hybrid flock of goats, according to his website.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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New Zealand shares fell, with Fonterra Shareholders' Fund and Fletcher Building dropping while Sky Network Television rose after the pay-TV company said it will challenge the regulator's decision to decline its Vodafone merger.

The S&P/NZX 50 Index dropped 24.71 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,060.83. Within the index, 30 stocks fell, 12 rose and eight were unchanged. Turnover was $171 million.

Dual-listed banks led the index lower, with Australia & New Zealand Banking Group down 2.7 percent to $33.56 and Westpac Banking Corp falling 2.7 percent to $36.50.

Units in the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund fell 0.6 percent to $6.18. Fonterra Cooperative Group cut its forecast for full-year earnings per share while maintaining its projected milk payout, citing volatility in returns from ingredients, tightening margins and potential increased milk supply in the autumn.

Per-share earnings are forecast at 45 cents to 55 cents while the farmgate milk price payout was affirmed at $6 per kilogram of milk solids, giving a forecast available for payout of $6.45 to $6.55 before retentions for a fully shared-up farmer. It had previously projected per-share earnings of 50-to-60 cents for a payout of $6.50 to $6.60 before retentions.

The dairy exporter downgraded its forecast while releasing first-half results today which showed revenue climbed 9 percent to $9.2 billion. Normalised earnings before interest and tax fell 9 percent to $607 million in the six months ended Jan. 31. Net profit rose 2 percent to $418 million.

"The result was a bit of a mixed bag really, it was okay but I think earnings per share guidance was a downer on the overall result," said Peter McIntyre, investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners.

Fletcher fell 0.2 percent to $8.34. The shares plunged over 10 percent on Monday after it unexpectedly cut full-year earnings guidance by $110 million because of losses related to construction projects. The downgrade came just four weeks after the company affirmed earlier guidance for the full-year while announcing its first-half results. Fletcher gives up rights to a 27 cent final dividend tomorrow.

"A lot of investors are wanting to sit on the sidelines and see what happens," McIntyre said. "Certainly there's questions within the market over management. Some investors will be hanging in there for the dividend, it will be very interesting tomorrow to see where that one trades."

New Zealand Refining dropped 1.7 percent to $2.35. Its gross margins edge higher in the first two months of the year with strong throughput at the Marsden Point refinery.The Whangarei-based company achieved a gross refinery margin of US$6.58 per barrel in January and February, down from US$7.96/barrel a year earlier, though higher than the 2016 average of US$6.47/barrel. Some 7.16 million barrels were processed in the two-month period, up from 6.83 million a year earlier and ahead of the planned maintenance shutdown in March.

Sky TV was the best performer, up 6 percent to $3.69. Sky TV and Vodafone New Zealand will today lodge appeals against the Commerce Commission's decision blocking their merger. The pay-TV operator and telecommunications group are filing the papers in the High Court today to fall within the statutory timeframe while they wait on the regulator's reasoning against the decision, Auckland-based Sky TV said in a statement. Those reasons are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Mercury New Zealand gained 2.1 percent to $3.15 and Tourism Holdings rose 1.6 percent to $3.80.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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November 4th Morning Report


DECATUR  A total of 16 full-time employees at Richland Community College have accepted buyouts as the college looks for ways to offset declining revenue.

Those who accepted buyouts include three administrative staff, two faculty members and 11 support staff, according to a presentation made during Tuesday nights meeting of the colleges board of trustees.

These employees will leave their positions no later than June 30.

We had good turnout for those interested in this, said Greg Florian, vice president of finance and administration. Were not there yet (regarding budget), but this is a good start.

With the buyouts, the college will be able to reduce its salary budget line by $848,478. The college will have to spend $281,241 to pay for incentives tied to the buyouts.

The remaining savings of $567,237 will likely be reduced after an analysis to determine whether current employees or new hires will be required to perform the functions being performed by departing staff.

Were still looking at what the net savings will be for the institute, Florian said.

Classes should go on as normal, despite the buyouts, as officials said it was a priority to make sure the spring semester would be unaffected.

The buyouts were offered through a voluntary separation incentive plan, which stopped accepting applicants on Monday afternoon. Those who accepted buyouts will receive an incentive payment, with the weekly amount equal to their base salary as of Feb. 1, divided by 52. Those employees will receive one weekly pay amount for each year of full-time employment up to 26 weeks.

Of Richlands 156 full-time employees, 104 were eligible for the program. That includes 60 staffers and 44 faculty members.

The cause for the cuts and buyouts is a combination of the school experiencing a 13 percent decline in enrollment over the past six years and a loss of funds from the state, which used to account for roughly 13 percent of the colleges budget.

The buyouts come several months after five administrative positions at the college were eliminated, including the chief of staff, vice president of economic development and innovative workforce solutions and director of human resources.

Board members got a reminder of how shaky the financial situation is when college President Cris Valdez provided a PowerPoint presentation looking at the colleges finance and early budget projections for the coming school year.

Enrollment at Richland is at a 20-year low, which Valdez attributed to factors such as a declining local population and a general enrollment decline among Illinois community colleges.

Along with the buyouts and a tuition increase approved by the board last month, Valdez said the college must "re-balance" its budget and get more in-line with similar sized community colleges.
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.
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In a few weeks, St. Maarten, will be featured on the most watched travel show in Europe and seen by potentially a quarter-of-a-billion people across the globe. The BBC Travel Show sent a crew to the island recently to cover the SXM Music Festival. While on island, contact was made with the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and an interview setup with its new Head Rolando Brison.





In the interview with the BBC, Brison was asked about the destinations tourism product, about the uniqueness of the airport and about the SXM Music Festival that they came to cover and how it fits into the tourism product. The BBC Travel Show utilizes a network of correspondents in London, Tokyo, Sydney, New York and Kuala Lumpur and the program aims to provide unique insight into the world of travel.





The 30-minute episode about SXM Music Festival show will be broadcasted within the next 3 to 4 weeks to a major portion of the 265 million direct subscribers of the BBC channels that broadcast the show, plus many other affiliates around the world as well as potentially millions of views more across YouTube and social media.





Since the BBC typically does not play any paid advertisements, the only way to get advertising on their network is through programming. With the value of a national television one minute ad being over US $300,000, the exposure St. Maarten will receive from the SXM Music Festival episode is more than 2 to 4 million euros potentially, based on how many viewers will ultimately watch the show.





"The island just got a huge boost of European and global advertising through the BBC's decision to send The Travel Show to cover St. Maarten and the SXM Music Festival. I was proud to tell the world about why St. Maarten needs to be the next place they visit for a great vacation in a place that we expect they will fall in love with," Brison said.





"We will continue to make efforts to attract such high-profile media to the destination either by means of our marketing agencies, or through the support for major events like Heineken Regatta, St. Maarten Carnival and now SXM Festival who do such a great job bringing top notch media coverage to our destination, he added.




New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
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It is a head-scratcher why this bike has not been a better seller. A part of the problem was the spec, back in 2014 when Kienle won Kona. There was no electronic shift system for this bike. That has since changed. Here is a Di2 Plasma Premium on Nytro's site for a tick under $7000 complete.



Scott's well-regarded Plasma has been a visible presence in triathlon since its introduction. Hard-riding, Kona-winning Sebastian Kienle as well as Luke McKenzie, Flora Duffy and others ride Scott's fine bikes.



But there has been another issue with this bike, which is the lack of a prescriber or solver. Trek, Felt, Quintana Roo, Cervelo, TriRig, Giant, you name it, most of the important brands have Pad X/Y solvers and by this I mean if you know the X and Y dimensions from the bottom bracket to the pads (either to the rear or center of the pad) there is a "prescription" given you by the brand. You're a Trek Speed Concept, size L, low/far stem, 35mm pedestal, pads pulled back 20mm from neutral.

This has allowed Trek to sell its Speed Concept well in spite of a truly inept national dealer network (that is to say, a truly great dealer network that is truly inept at sizing and selling tri bikes). How useful is Trek's solver? As of this writing there are about 8,500 posts on the Trek Speed Concept Owners thread which consists of, mostly, "Hey, Carl, I'm 625x495," and Trek engineer Carl Matson answers with a prescription like that listed above. The customer goes to a Trek dealer, says, "I'll take a Speed Concept, Project One," gives the prescription and hands over the credit card, and the Trek store employee, having no flipping idea what the consumer just recited, charges the card and a month later another SC arrives. The dealer accepts a UPS shipment, takes the bike out of the box (probably with a blurry knowledge of how the transaction occurred) and the new SC owner rides off into the sunset.



Scott didn't have such a prescribing tool. Now it does.

Scott uses the rectangle (or parallellogram) motif, which I think is wise. It's easy to see all sizes on one chart, and it's easy to read. If your Pad X/Y (this chart uses pad-center, not pad-rear) is sitting on the bottom of a rectangle that means the bike in that size fitted to you will be slammed (you won't be able to go any lower). If the pads sit 20mm above the bottom of the rectangle you pedestal the pads 20mm.

Now, to be clear, you don't have every bit of adjustability in these rectangles. You have 3 fore/aft options inside these rectangles: dead center, forward 15mm, and rearward 15mm, because fore/aft is actuated by moving the pad cradles forward or rearward (or center) and each cradle has holesets 15mm apart from each other.



Scott was wise to place this sizer on a page that can be printed out on a letter-sized piece of paper. Quintana Roo did the same thing. Now a fitter or retailer can print it out, laminate it, sit it next to the fit station and prescribe the bike after the fit is done just by reading off this laminated sheet. Click here to download a printable version.

What about mortal Plasmas, such as the Plasma 10 and 20, which are loosely based on the Premium but use standard stems and which might sell for down to $2,200? We use a different process to prescribe a precise complete bike solution based on a rider's fit coordinates. For these bikes, just as with other mortal bikes like Cervelo's P2 and P3, the process is just as granular, just as effective, but does not reply on the Pad X/Y solver.
Drunk and disorderly patrons who loiter around licensed venues after being kicked out could soon face prosecution, under the ACT government's long-awaited liquor law reform package.

Big bottle shops would also see their licence fees increased while those of small bars would be cut, with the extra funds funnelled into an education program about responsible drinking, according to a bill due to be introduced into the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

White Rabbit bar owner Nick Tuckwell Credit:Rohan Thomson

Under the draft laws, the ACT's Fair Trading Commissioner would also have the power to force licensees to install security cameras around their venue

The package would also include provisions to amend the legal definition of 'intoxicated' to include impairment from drugs or a mix of drugs and alcohol.
The Labor government has agreed to investigate a "vacancy tax" or an extension of land tax to vacant investment properties, after the Greens' Caroline Le Couteur called for action on Wednesday.

Ms Le Couteur wants land tax to extended to all properties unless they are owner-occupied, charitable or farming properties, bringing the ACT into line with the states.

Owners of empty apartments are being tackled in Melbourne, and will now be investigated in Canberra with a possible vacancy tax or extension of land tax.

In Canberra, rented homes already attract land tax, but vacant homes are exempt. For a $400,000 property (unimproved value), land tax is about $4000.

"It doesn't make sense that you have to pay the government if you rent your house out, but if you leave it empty you don't pay," Ms Le Couteur said, suggesting the system might have been a historical anomaly because of the number of Canberrans posted overseas and leaving their homes empty.
Calvary Bruce Private Hospital opened its expanded mental health unit on Wednesday, boosting patient capacity by 40 per cent.

Bed numbers at Hyson Green rose from 20 to 28 under the $2.5 million upgrade, which saw a new gym, larger range of services and full renovation.

Picking up the Peaces co-founder and Director of Training David Tonacia at the Hyson Green unit, the only dedicated private mental health facility in the ACT. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Former AFP officer David Tonacia had stayed at Hyson Green six times since being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder on return from the Solomon Islands, where he was sent in 2006 to restore law and order.

He said the centre saved his life.
Gungahlin received two-thirds of the ACT's entire road budget in 2015-2016 and over half the budget this financial year, according to figures from ACT transport minister Meegan Fitzharris' office.

The figures show $62.3 millon of the $90 million 2015/2016 ACT roads budget was spent on Gungahlin roads, while $61.5 million of a $111 million budget will be spent on the northside region in 2016/2017.

The duplication of Horse Park Drive between the Federal Highway and Mulligans Flat Road is the recipient of most of the 2016/2017 Gungahlin funds, receiving $57 million, while the Ernest Cavanagh Street extension will receive $4.5 million in funding.

The figures don't include $10 million of Commonwealth funding on Barton Highway upgrades.
Subcontractors are chasing $7 million in payments owed by Canberra-based construction firm SMI, as creditors decide whether to liquidate the company.

Businesses are owed amounts up to $733,000 from SMI, which went into administration in February.

Astor Air Conditioning site supervisor Greg Axon and director Johan Esterhuizen. Their business is owed money from ACT building company SMI. Credit:Rohan Thomson

Creditors, many based in Canberra, will meet again in late March and could vote to liquidate it.

Administrators RSM Australia told creditors that ACT builders Decca showed interest in purchasing the company, which could help recover more money.
The trial of Arthur Marshall Hoyle, a former University of Canberra lecturer accused of committing indecent acts on students, and raping one, began on Wednesday in the ACT Supreme Court.

Prosecutors say that in April 2015, Mr Hoyle, who was teaching postgraduate business law, was alerted by another lecturer that the semester one assignment question had been uploaded online, on a website where essays could be bought.

Former University of Canberra academic Arthur Hoyle arrives for his trial in the ACT Supreme Court last week. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Mr Hoyle, 67, expressed a belief that some of his students had plagiarised. Over the course of 10 days, he emailed five students inviting them to his campus office to discuss their papers.

Prosecutors contend that when each of the students, all women, came to his office in building 11 during that time, Mr Hoyle presented the paper and indicated the student was in trouble. It's alleged he put his hands on the students, such as by touching their thigh or lower back, or tried to kiss them. It's alleged he raped one of the women.
There is another explanation It may not be about security after all. Three of the airlines that have been targeted for these measures - Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways - have long been accused by their US competitors of receiving massive effective subsidies from their governments. Government-subsidised Middle Eastern airlines such as Etihad Airways have feared for months there may be retaliation from the Trump administration. Is this it? Credit:AP These airlines have been quietly worried for months that President Trump was going to retaliate. This may be the retaliation. These three airlines, as well as the other airlines targeted in the order, are likely to lose a major amount of business from their most lucrative customers - people who travel in business class and first class.

Business travellers are disproportionately likely to want to work on the plane - the reason they are prepared to pay business-class or first-class fares is because it allows them to work in comfort. These travellers are unlikely to appreciate having to do all their work on smartphones, or not being able to work at all. The likely result is that many of them will stop flying on Gulf airlines, and start travelling on US airlines instead. As the Financial Times notes, the order doesn't affect only the airlines' direct flights to and from the United States - it attacks the "hub" airports that are at the core of their business models. These airlines not only fly passengers directly from the Gulf region to the United States - they also fly passengers from many other destinations, transferring them from one plane to another in the hubs. This "hub and spoke" approach is a standard economic model for long-haul airlines, offering them large savings. However, it also creates big vulnerabilities. If competitors or unfriendly states can undermine or degrade the hub, they can inflict heavy economic damage.

Weaponising interdependence As we have argued in the past, and talk about in forthcoming work, the US move can be understood as a variant form of "weaponised interdependence." We live in an interdependent world, where global networks span across countries, creating enormous benefits, but also great disparities of power. As networks grow, they tend to concentrate both influence and vulnerability in a few key locations, creating enormous opportunities for states, regulators and non-state actors who have leverage over those locations. In this context, the United States is plausibly leveraging its control over access to US airports, which are central "nodes" in the global network of air travel between different destinations.

It is using this control to attack the key vulnerabilities of other networked actors, by going after the central nodes in their networks (the hub airports) and potentially severely damaging them. What can Gulf airline carriers do? Gulf airlines have tried to defend themselves against political attacks from US competitors by appealing to free trade principles. The problem is that standard free trade agreements, such as World Trade Organisation rules, don't really apply to airlines (although they do apply to related sectors, such as the manufacture of airplanes). This has allowed the Gulf airlines to enjoy massive subsidies, without having to worry too much about being sued in the WTO. However, it also makes it hard for Gulf states or the states of other affected airlines to take a WTO case against the new US rules, even if these rules turn out to be motivated by protectionism and the desire to retaliate, rather than real underlying security questions.

If this were happening in a different sector, it would make for a pretty interesting case. States preserve carve-outs from international trade rules when they feel that their security is at stake. Would the United States prevail in a case like this, where there is a colourable security justification, but where there is also a very plausible argument that the real motivation doesn't have much to do with security? Or would the WTO defer to the United States' proposed justification? It's very likely that the Trump administration will make more unilateral rules that are justified using the language of national security, but are plausibly motivated by protectionism, so we may find out.
The United States and the United Kingdom have both banned electronic devices larger than a mobile phone from cabins on flights from some Middle Eastern and North African countries.

While the measures - enacted in response to an "unspecified security concern" - should not stop passengers on direct flights to and from Australia bringing laptops, e-readers and other devices on board, there could be flow-on effects that will make travelling to America or the UK more of a hassle.

As for Australia, a spokeswoman for Minister for Infrastructure Darren Chester said on Wednesday that his department, which regulates air safety, had no current plans to implement similar bans for flights heading here.

Luckily for Australian travellers, British authorities have not followed their US counterparts in applying the ban to flights that originate or stop over in the big Middle Eastern hubs of the UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and Qatar.
The lawyer charged with deciding whether one of Australia's largest institution investors Perpetual signs up to class actions has called fees charged by class action lawyers and funders "excessive".

Perpetual senior lawyer Jessie Moodley told the Corporate Conduct and Class Action symposium in Melbourne she had ongoing concerns about the fees associated with class actions.

"The costs are too often excessive and are not aligned with the risks to the funder or to the law firm running the case," Ms Moodley said.

"There's a need for funders and for lawyers to put downward pressure on fees.
Concerns that there are too many class actions against companies are ill founded, according to Federal Court judge Bernard Murphy.

Justice Murphy applauded Australia's current class action regime on the 25th anniversary of the regime in Australia.

The Federal Court in Melbourne. Credit:Erin Jonasson

"Provided the actions are about serious wrongs and provided they are about serious losses, as a society shouldn't we be more worried about corporate wrongdoings rather than the number of class actions?" Justice Murphy told the 2017 Corporate Conduct and Class Action Symposium in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Justice Murphy's comments stand in opposition to those by some quarters from the business community that have decried the "outbreak" of class actions, particularly class actions brought on behalf of investors.
Bianca Rinehart has been given the green light to sue her estranged mother Gina for alleged misconduct in managing the multibillion-dollar family trust, including allegations she "improperly spent company money on personal expenses".

Ms Rinehart, who replaced Mrs Rinehart as the trustee following a protracted legal battle, asked the Supreme Court for judicial advice as to whether she would be justified in taking further action against her mother for alleged underpayment of mining royalties.

Bianca Rinehart outside the Supreme Court in 2015. Credit:Ben Rushton

The mining mogul's eldest children will claim Mrs Rinehart's flagship company Hancock Prospecting failed to pay them and their younger siblings dividends from certain tenements. The unpaid dividends amount to approximately $500 million, of which the trustee would receive about $120 million.

They will also allege Mrs Rinehart breached her fiduciary duties when she was trustee of the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust by failing to ensure dividends were paid by Hancock Prospecting to the trust. Further, they claim she actively took steps to deny appropriate dividend payments.
Investors are being tapped for about $40 million with the launch of a new fund by Folkestone and a capital raising by Villa World.

The two groups are taking advantage of the increased demand for higher yielding property assets in the current low-interest-rate environment.

Land at Wollert that ID-Land will develop in partnership with Folkestone.

Villa World, the Queensland-based residential developer, sought a trading halt on Tuesday as it organised a capital raising of about $20 million, at about $2.20 a security, through Morgans. Under its capital management strategy, last month the group extended the maturity dates for a $140 million bank financing arrangement.

The funds will go towards its latest aquisition, a $33 million, 42-hectare site in the Melbourne south-east suburb of Clyde.
LOGOS Property has increased its footprint in the industrial property space with two new sites that have an end development value of about $60 million.

It adds to the group's $2 billion worth of developments under management across Australia China, Singapore and possible new ventures in Indonesia.

Logistics Place, Larapinta, being developed by LOGOS Property

In separate sales, the Macquarie Capital-backed LOGOS, has bought a site in John Morphett Place, Erskine Park, Sydney for about $15 million and another at 47 Logistics Place, Larapinta, Queensland, worth about $10 million.

Development starts in 2017, with the NSW site having an end value of close to $40 million and in Queensland, about $20 million.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness secured a seat in the House of Commons at his third attempt in 1997. Credit:AP While Adams could turn on the charm, McGuinness presented during the Troubles an aspect of unremitting menace, blaming the British government for each Republican murder. He never condemned such atrocities, but did once warn the IRA not to be "the initiators of further injustices". A devout Catholic, he maintained that "God will understand the pressures we are under". His commitment to the armed struggle was fundamental. In 1984 he told a Republican funeral: "We recognise the value and the limitations of electoral success. We recognise that only disciplined revolutionary armed struggle by the IRA will ever end British rule." A decade later he joined Adams in winning over the IRA's Army Council to give temporary support for the peace process, arguing that there was "nowhere to go but the negotiating table". And having seized the "historic opportunity" for talks, his message in those talks was uncompromising. James Martin Pacelli McGuinness was born in the Bogside on May 23, 1950, the second son of Tom McGuinness, a foundryman, and his wife Peggy. He left the Christian Brothers' technical school at 15, working in a butcher's shop after a garage rejected him because of his religion.

He gave up animal butchery on August 8, 1969, the day Catholics repelled the RUC and B-Specials in the "Battle of the Bogside", which led to the Army being sent in. He joined the IRA when the troops arrived and, in numerous gun battles, made his reputation as the hard man behind the barricades in the "no-go" areas of the Creggan and the Bogside. McGuinness rose rapidly up the Republican hierarchy  switching from the Officials to the more active Provisionals  through his decisiveness and force of personality, and the internment of senior Republicans that gave the street fighters their chance. By 1971 he was unchallenged commander of its Derry Brigade  admitting to the Bloody Sunday inquiry three decades later that he had been the Provisionals' No.2 in Derry but strongly denying he had fired the first shot. Bloody Sunday  the shooting of 13 unarmed civilians by paratroops in January 1972  left McGuinness feeling that he had let his people down by not going on to the offensive. A wave of cold-blooded killings of soldiers and RUC men followed. That April he embarrassed the authorities by appearing at a press conference with David O'Connell, the IRA's political strategist and one of its most wanted leaders, to show off "Free Derry"  34,000 people centred on the Creggan under Provisional control. Faced with a peace petition signed by 13,500 of his charges, McGuinness insisted: "Most of the people love us."

Soon after, he suggested to the IRA chief of staff Sean mac Stiofain that it was time to test if Britain would negotiate a withdrawal. Provisional leaders invited Whitelaw to "Free Derry" to discuss a truce. The offer was spurned, but to McGuinness' astonishment the Northern Ireland Secretary called the IRA to London for talks on July 7 at the Cheyne Walk home of his deputy, Paul Channon. The delegation comprised McGuinness, mac Stiofain, O'Connell, Seamus Twomey, Ivor Bell, Adams  specially released from internment  and the solicitor Myles Shevlin. There was no chance of a breakthrough: mac Stiofain demanded British withdrawal within six months, and the ceasefire broke down in days. Back in Derry, McGuinness launched a bombing campaign that left just 20 out of 150 city centre shops trading. He announced a switch to attacks on soldiers and Army posts, but before they could begin the Army occupied the no-go areas and he fled to Buncrana, over the border, where he controlled operations and developed a love for fly-fishing. That December McGuinness and his deputy Joe McAllion were arrested when the Garda found 250lb of explosives and 5000 rounds of ammunition in their car. They were jailed for six months, McGuinness telling the court in Dublin: "I am a member of Oglaigh na hEireann [the IRA] and very, very proud of it." Released from the Curragh after four months, he defiantly told 10,000 supporters at Bodenstown that the Provos would not end their "just war" until British troops withdrew  and outraged Dublin by calling also for the overthrow of the Dail.

Arrested again near Buncrana in 1974 and jailed for a year, he was sent to Portlaoise prison, staying put when 19 inmates blasted their way out. He was released in time to plan a Christmas blitz that appeared to end the ceasefire until the leadership reasserted control. By the time the truce ended late in 1975, he was a valued member of the Army Council. He became the Provisionals' director of operations in 1977 and the next year chief of staff. His involvement in electoral politics stemmed from the 1981 hunger strike, which created martyrs in Bobby Sands and the other prisoners who died, and, through to the byelection successes of first Sands and then Owen Carron, created an electoral base Sinn Fein could not disavow. He now had value as a public figure, and to reduce the risk of rearrest gave up being chief of staff for a nominally political role  after setting up arms supplies from Libya. In 1982 he was among five Sinn Feiners elected to James Prior's abortive Assembly  refusing to take his seat. Whitelaw, now Home Secretary, excluded him from mainland Britain after the Droppin Well pub bombing that killed 17 people, 11 of them soldiers. Before the 1983 general election McGuinness sought to improve Sinn Fein's chances by declaring that the IRA's kneecapping of delinquents had "outlived its usefulness". He took on the SDLP leader John Hume in Foyle  which included Derry  coming third with 10,607 votes; the pledge to end kneecapping became a "review".

In 1985 the BBC, under government pressure, dropped a Real Lives documentary in which McGuinness participated; after a political row and a near-total strike by BBC staff, a modified version was shown. McGuinness could not fully relish the furore as he was in jail for non-payment of fines. Three years later his voice, and those of all Sinn Feiners, was banned from British airwaves, an actor taking his place; much ridiculed, the ban remained until the 1994 ceasefire. His life, always at risk, came under direct threat in 1988 when the Loyalist Michael Stone fired on mourners at the funeral of three IRA volunteers shot by the SAS in Gibraltar. McGuinness was one of Stone's targets, but the gunman panicked, killing three other mourners before police rescued him from a vengeful mob. Stone tried again in 2006, infiltrating Stormont on a mission to shoot McGuinness and Adams before being wrestled to the ground. In February 1993 the government said it had received a message from McGuinness saying: "The conflict is over but we need your advice on how to bring it to a close." McGuinness, hugely embarrassed, branded it a forgery, but detailed exchanges followed despite British outrage at the next month's Warrington bombing. He now declared that "Republicans are willing to engage in the search for a democratic settlement with courage and flexibility".

Sinn Fein stalled in public while, behind the scenes, McGuinness gambled his reputation on getting the IRA to declare a ceasefire once every possible concession had been won. Few were forthcoming, but the Provisionals ordered an end to hostilities on August 31, 1994. Two months later, Major lifted the exclusion order on McGuinness. While Adams rallied support in America, McGuinness took charge of negotiations. The first official contact for more than 70 years took place at Stormont on December 9, 1994. McGuinness' Sinn Fein team arrived in a black cab and armour-plated Granada, fearing attack in Protestant East Belfast. He termed the three-hour meeting a "historic opportunity", but the message was unflinching: "Now is the time to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor." On May 10, 1995, Major's political development minister Michael Ancram shook McGuinness' hand at Stormont, then told him the IRA must move toward disarmament before Sinn Fein could join all-party talks. McGuinness declared the peace process in "deep crisis". Senator George Mitchell's principles on decommissioning cleared the way for round-table talks, but before they could start the IRA bombed London's Docklands. The attack had been months in the planning; Adams claimed he knew nothing about it. McGuinness probably did. Yet he kept up the peace offensive, with 15.5 per cent of the province's electors embarrassingly backing Sinn Fein in elections Major called for a peace forum. When it met in June 1996, McGuinness and Adams turned their exclusion into a media event.

Momentum for a further ceasefire built with Labour's 1997 election victory; McGuinness secured a Commons seat at the third attempt, ousting the Democratic Unionists at Mid-Ulster, with its strong Republican base. He refused to take the oath, and a plea to the Speaker to seat him failed. Within weeks a new ceasefire was in place and that October McGuinness and Adams led Sinn Fein into multiparty talks. In April 1998, Sinn Fein committed itself through the Good Friday agreement to work peacefully through a power-sharing assembly and Executive. McGuinness' reputation took a dent through his conduct at the Bloody Sunday inquiry. Lord Saville decided not to jail him for refusing to name fellow IRA members, then McGuinness refused to identify an IRA safe house to protect the family living there, only for the inquiry to hear it had been demolished. Under pressure from Paisley, the party eventually and historically agreed to accept the Police Service of Northern Ireland, opening the way for Sinn Fein  and McGuinness  to re-enter government on May 8, 2007. McGuinness took the message that deadly foes could work together to other implacable enemies, chairing a meeting in Helsinki between Iraqi Sunnis and Shi'ites. He also censured the Vatican for "miserably failing" to tackle the problem of child abuse by Irish priests and stepped up Sinn Fein's campaigning in the Republic, finishing third in the 2011 presidential election.
Dear Prime Minister, while people may well have the right to be bigots, they should not have the right to let their bigotry affect the lives of others. It is just that simple. Guy Thomson West Ryde This issue is not just about ethnicity, although clearly that is a major target for many bigots. It's anything about all of us. Our gender, skin colour, eye colour, sexuality, economic status, religion, education, linguistic ability, cultural heritage, employment status, age, place of residence or origin, citizenship, visa status, dis/ability, receipt of government benefits, social status, etc. Nobody is exempt from abuse and now our government wants to give bigots open slather. Good one, Mr Turnbull Jenny De Lacey Greenwell Point

What a farce! The Coalition is sweating over section 18C (not broken) but is impotent on critical issues like tax rorts, climate change, jobs and fair pay. Keep it up, guys and further demonstrate your incompetence and irrelevance. Brewis Atkinson Tyabb (Vic) Why is it that the CEOs of large corporations come out in support of changing the marriage laws but remain silent in defending free speech? Jane Wilks Baulkham Hills Freedom of speech is much more important than "freedom to love" ("From harmony to free rein for bigots", Letters, March 22). Consenting adults have that right. Freedom of speech also gives you the right to lobby for homosexual marriage but homosexual marriage does not give anyone the right to free speech.

Richard Pickersgill Rylstone I expected more of Malcolm Turnbull. The hard right racist extremists in the Liberal Party have opened a Pandora's box with the changes to 18C.When someone expresses their "right to free speech" by calling some one a "gook" or "coon", don't complain if you get assaulted. John Stagg Woy Woy Will Mr Turnbull call a double-dissolution if he can't get his hate-speech amendment through the Senate? Dave Horsfall North Gosford

Not only is the legal meaning of harass uncertain, it seems the proper pronunciation is also unclear. Harass should rhyme with embarrass. Don Leayr Albury Larger class sizes are not made for every classroom Once again an "education guru" makes suggestions for education and school reform by comparing our class sizes and teacher time in Australia with other countries, ignoring some vital cultural and systematic differences between the two ("The bigger, the better for class sizes, says education guru", March 22). More teacher time is greatly needed for professional development, individual teaching and collaboration and of course the bulging paperwork. That is a given. However, larger class sizes might not suit the highly segregated system in Australia, whereby disadvantaged and needy students are relegated to the bottom level of the hierarchy of schools in much larger numbers, thus lessening their chances of individual attention.

Larger class sizes will only work well in an equitable school system, where all students attend similar schools with similar cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Vanessa Tennent Oatley Your headline was quite misleading regarding bigger classes because the greatest difference in countries performing well on PISA is due to the professional development opportunities for teachers, who end up spending less time in the classroom. So who is in the room? Doesn't that add to budgeting costs? And how do you factor the students' lived experience or self-discipline into this equation? Gordana Martinovich Dulwich Hill

While the philosophy of "small classes" was pushed to ridiculous extremes in the United States in the 1970s, I refute the idea of supporting bigger classes where individual practice is vital (eg languages). The smaller the numbers, the more attention available for each student. Gurus sometimes get it wrong. Barrie Smillie Duffy ACT Working from home works just fine No one wants to work from home, according to Ross Gittins ("Pessimists Miss the Human Factor", March 22). Try telling that to the thousands of long-range commuters from the Blue Mountains, some of whom spend the equivalent of 24 hours a week on a train travelling to and from a desk in the city to do a job that they could just as easily perform on a computer at home.

Working from home saves time and money for the worker, and increasingly valuable office space for the employer. It's good for the environment too less pollution from petrol fumes from our clogged-up roads. Some enlightened employers already realise the benefits by allowing staff to spend half their time at home and half in the office. The pessimists who claim this will lead to lower productivity, with workers frittering away their days drinking coffee and doing the Herald crossword, should be brave and give it a go. The long-range commuter has some wonderful incentives to make working from home work. Nick Franklin Katoomba Inappropriate responses to a heinous crime A drunk underage girl is allegedly raped in an eastern suburbs home ("Cranbrook student faces police investigation", March 22). I do hope the police investigate the owners of the home for any contributory or direct negligence in allowing either an intoxicated child, or alcohol to be served, in their home. Enough of children being left vulnerable to the perils of parentlessness.

Michael Bremner Alexandria "Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson told parents the school would offer support to students who needed it," your story said. Amazing. Not a word about offering support to the girl involved. How typical of a private boys' school education. Madeleine Davis Blackheath A stands for Attitude If Justin Milne is to become the new chairman of the ABC, then I hope that Lucy Battersby will interview him on his current views about free-to-air television in general, and the ABC in particular ("Is there a new chair in there?" March 22).

Has free-to-air TV "become the province of cash-poor, time-rich people", as he reportedly predicted in 1995? Does he include the ABC audience in that category? Surely the ABC, operating under a legislative charter, has obligations that far exceed those of the commercials? Given Australia has one of the highest concentrations of media ownership, the ABC's role as an independent and comprehensive national broadcaster is vital. No way can the ABC be lumped together with the commercials, whose only obligations are to their shareholders. Jan Kent Farmborough Heights, A plague on strata Airbnb wants to impose its pestilence on strata buildings in exchange for a snippet of their booking fee ("New program for Airbnb could see fall in strata fees", March 22). What was that old line about 40 pieces of silver?

John Hinde Millers Point Oh teacher, I need you Marjorie Williamson would be welcome to join my local public school ("Four days? Hardly", Letters, March 21). Here the norm is for teachers to take extended holidays to America/Europe during term time, as well as another few weeks of leave for other reasons during the year. The conversation among the exhausted mums is how to fit in a daily schedule of over two hours of commuting, eight hours work (at least), attend to all the domestic duties and then find time in the evening to do the reading, writing and maths practice that apparently doesn't fit into a school day. I'd love a work/life balance that gives me twelve weeks' paid leave per year.

Name withheld Gymea When Jeff met Julia At last, a job worthy of the only recent prime minister responsible for bringing any game-changing policies into law ("Beyond politics: Kennett passes 'sweetest baton' to Gillard", March 22). Thank you, Jeff, for honouring our Julia. Joan Croll Drummoyne The Lord's music

Etta James the mother of rock and roll? ("Berry and Haley: the two fathers of rock", Letters March 22) Get outta here! That title belongs to Sister Rosetta Tharp. Her recording of Strange Things Happen Every Day reached No.2 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1945 and is regarded as the precursor of rock and roll. Sr Tharp sang and played electric guitar like no one else at the time. Her music and performances influenced Chuck Berry as well as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Tina Turner. Although her music was based in gospel, her vocal style and guitar playing were definitely rock and roll. Terry Armstrong Paddington Jobs over principle Peter Dutton has realised that failure to support marriage equality might be detrimental to members of the Coalition in the next election so it may get a run just to save their jobs ("Secret push for marriage equality", March 22).

Once again our political leaders show their self-interest ahead of the wishes of the majority of those they pretend to represent Roger Hallett Toowoomba (QLD) Snowy shambles How long until the Deputy Prime Minister taps Malcolm Turnbull on the shoulder, and says: "Mate, you can't keep recycling water in the Snowy Mountains." The scheme diverts water inland for irrigation farmers and we don't have enough ("PM's Snowy pitch is just a pipe dream", Letters, March 21).

Geoff Ford Wahroonga Price is right: police can ask me anything The NSW police can feel free to stop and question me about my Opal card anytime they like now that a recompense rate of around $45,000 an hour has been established by the courts. ("Man awarded $3000 after dispute over Opal card", March 22). For that price, they can even call me a smart arse if they wish. Stewart Smith North Kellyville

Rugger bugger? If the accused is convicted, would he be a rugger bugger? ("Coach may be forced to give evidence in bugging case", March, 22) Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga Comedy of snails Anne McDonald, perhaps you could try the strategy of the comedian Jimeoin regarding the snails eating your mail ("Epping snails have downsized and moved on", Letters, March 22). He went to his letterbox and advised them in a gentle tone, "Lettuce, not letters!" I believe the Irish accent would be optional.

Charmain Brinks Newcastle Get to the point Where did the decimal point and the zero come from in the label attached to the prime minister's grand plans for the Snowy River? ("Hydro 2.0 'sets path to renewables'," March 21) Does Snowy 2.0 leave the way open for Snowy 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5? Or is this simply corporate talk 101? Phil Rodwell Redfern Malcolm Turnbull: The Man of Snowy Blither
On Monday the government of Malcolm Turnbull got some good news in the form of the first Newspoll in months that not only didn't see the government's vote dropping but actually showed a three point bump.

While that was contradicted by the Essential poll the following day, it was still trumpeted as proof that Turnbull appeals to voters when he returns to his core strengths, as with the tech-and-green-energy announcement of the expansion of the Snowy Mountains Hydro scheme.

So then on Tuesday our Prime Minister announced that he thought it very important to make it easier for people to be racist in public, and would legislate to that effect by removing the terms "offend, insult and humiliate" from the Racial Discrimination Act, to be replaced by "harass".

The new laws, he explained, would better determine "the type of conduct that should be prohibited, not mere slights or the taking of offence or hurt feelings", while neatly avoiding the fact the current laws already don't allow prosecution for mere slights, taking offence or hurt feelings.
A 25-year-old Thai sea turtle died from blood poisoning on Tuesday, never recovering from an operation to remove 915 coins from her stomach, thrown into her pool for good luck, veterinarians said.

The green turtle named Omsin, "Piggy Bank" in Thai, underwent a seven-hour-long operation this month to remove five kilograms of coins, which she had mistaken for food.

Omsin, "Piggy Bank" has died after surgery to remove five kilograms of coins. Credit:AP

But Omsin, who lived at a conservation centre in Chonburi, east of the Thai capital Bangkok, was rushed into intensive care on Sunday night, breathing too slowly.

She received an emergency operation on Monday, after which she went into a coma.
Mumbai: An Indian court has declared the sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers living entities, giving them the same legal rights as human beings, in a move analysts say may do little to protect them or keep them clean.

The legal order comes just days after New Zealand declared its Whanganui river a living entity and appointed two guardians to protect its interests, making it the first river in the world to be given these rights.

Boats are silhouetted against the sun's reflection in the River Yamuna, in Allahabad, India. Credit:AP

The high court in India's northern Uttarakhand state on Monday said the Ganges and its longest tributary, the Yamuna - both held sacred by millions of Hindus - have the right to be legally protected and not be harmed, and can be parties to disputes.

The court ordered that the two rivers be represented by the chief of the National Mission for Clean Ganga - a government body overseeing projects and conservation of the Ganges - as well as the state's chief secretary and advocate general.
Strong wind gusts and "sideways rain" have lashed Sydney and the Central Coast, leaving more than 33,000 homes without power.

The weather wreaked havoc on transport on Wednesday afternoon, with lightning strikes, downed trees and heavy rain causing delays on roads and across the Sydney Trains network.

Volunteers from the State Emergency Service have responded to more than 400 calls for help since bands of storms began to sweep across the city just in time for the evening commute.

The Bureau of Meteorology finally cancelled its thunderstorm warning on Wednesday evening at 9.10 pm for Sydney but an alert remains in place for inland regions. (See chart below).
The head of ASIO, Duncan Lewis, has signalled authorities are bracing for a heated political and community reaction to the return of Australians fighting with jihadist groups such as Islamic State, warning it will be a "polarising and a dividing" issue.

Mr Lewis said on Tuesday night that he expected there would be fewer returnees than previously thought, even after the anticipated collapse of so-called IS caliphate in Syria and Iraq. Those who did return would present a security problem back in Australia but there were plans to manage their return, he said.

His remarks highlight that agencies are acutely aware that significant numbers of returns of foreign fighters will prompt questions about why they are accepted back into the country and what should be done with them once they are on home soil, especially if there is not sufficient evidence to prosecute them.

"Beyond the spectrum of public opinion, we can anticipate the effective and appropriate management of returning foreign fighters to be a polarising and a dividing issue in Australia," Mr Lewis told the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on Tuesday evening.
Australia's highest-profile Aboriginal politicians have emphatically rejected claims they have settled on a minimalist model for recognition in the constitution, well before an Indigenous constitutional convention assembles at Uluru to debate the referendum question.

Concern that the nation's four most prominent Aboriginal parliamentarians have done a deal on a "politicians' model" has been expressed during the first seven of 12 Indigenous dialogues leading up to the Uluru convention in May.

At last weekend's Melbourne dialogue, co-convenors Jill Gallagher and Jeremy Clark said that, if it were true that the politicians had already done a deal for "mere minimalism", Indigenous people were ready to make a stand and say "no".

"Any done deal on minimalism is a deal-breaker. It is a deal-breaker that will kill this referendum," they said.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has left the door open to the government dumping part of its 10-year, $50 billion company tax plan in the 2017 May budget.

Mr Morrison has also highlighted other government measures, including infrastructure spending, its innovation and defence industry spending plans, as well as a plan to redefine a small business as having a turnover of up to $10 million, up from $2 million, as examples of how it will drive economic growth - if it dumps the elements of the company tax plan it cannot win support for.

The federal government is expected to secure support from the Senate crossbench in the next week for a tax cut for companies with a turnover of up to $10 million.

Labor will only back a cut for companies with a turnover of up to $2 million, while the Greens do not support lowering the rate from 30 to 27.5 per cent.
Most of us have tried on clothes that look lovely on the hanger, or in a picture, only to be disappointed. Besides the fact that so few of us resemble campaign models, surely the most common reason is fit.

We humans are all different shapes and sizes. Australian Standard womenswear sizes, based on data from the 1920s, were abandoned in 2007, and brands now set their own fit guidelines, which vary widely.

"The proposition is simple: you can get exactly what you want whenever you want, and you are no longer restricted by what fashion decides is on trend," Zolan Csaki.

According to Choice,about half of Australian clothes shoppers surveyed in 2014 reported that garments didn't fit them.

If you can find a great alterations service, cultivate that friendship; it's gold. Even better is ordering something made especially for you, so it fits like the proverbial glove and flatters you in all the right places.
The Northern Territory government has voted to legalise the medical termination of pregnancy and passed law decriminalising abortion.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles tabled the bill which passed through Government late Tuesday night, 20 votes for, four against, after a long debate.

Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner and Health Minister Natasha Fyles (right) were vocal supporters of the new abortion laws which passed through the legislative assembly on Tuesday. Credit:Neda Vanovac

Under the new legislation women in the Territory will now also have access to the abortion pill RU486.

"We believe all Territory women are entitled to control over their lives and access to high quality services," Fyles said.
A message sent by the Musical.ly account user. Credit:3AW "Who wants to win a 5 minute video call with me?" the first message read. "All you need to do is send me a photo of you naked, or of your vagina," read the next. A message sent by the user pretending to be 'the real Justin Bieber'. Credit:3AW This was followed by: "Lots of girls send me these pics all the time I will never tell anyone."

Finally, the user said "message me right now if you want to do it". Charlie and her mother Alicia. Credit:Jason South Alicia said she immediately felt sick. "The third message concerned me even more," she said. "It showed how much of a professional predator he was. "It was that persuasive 'you're doing the right thing', sickly chat.

"I grabbed the iPad and went to the police station. It was a lovely lady officer, and she was horrified as well, but they were limited in what they could do. "When you went into the profile, there was no way you could track them down. They said he could be in Russia, or Thailand, or America, anywhere." The police told her they would do what they could, and informed other police officers about it. Alicia blocked the user, reported him to Musical.ly and sent the app creators an email. She also told parents at Charlie's school about the messages. Children's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said parents needed to engage in their children's online lives and teach them about "stranger danger" online.

"Unfortunately we have repeatedly seen that where children go, predators seeking to exploit those children will follow," she said. Ms Grant said parents concerned about a certain user should collect evidence, including screenshots and their username details, and report them to police. Website esafety.gov.au also educates parents on technology tools to help protect their children online. Multiple convicted paedophiles have posed as pop star Justin Bieber in an attempt to manipulate their young victims. Police charged a Brisbane man with 900 child sex offences earlier this month after he posed as the singer online.

In 2013, a British man was jailed after also pretending to be Bieber to convince young girls to expose themselves. Queensland Police Detective Inspector Jon Rouse said a "serious rethink" about child online safety was needed after so many children believed they were communicating with the celebrity. Alicia said it was a brutal warning to parents about how easily children could fall prey to online predators. "This was within 36 to 48 hours [of installing the app]  such a short time," she said. "For her to only have seven friends, and for him to be able to find her on such a private account, it worries me sick.

"I'm thankful I was standing over her that day and I'm hoping she would have made the correct decision, but at the end of the day she's eight years old. "I know there are a lot of parents out there that are busy; they might not understand the app, they might think their kids are up in their bedrooms playing on an iPad doing school work." Musical.ly boasts more than 100 million users worldwide. It is known as "the youngest social network", targeting users under the age of 13. Alicia said that with so many young people on the app, she worried about "how many predators are out there posing as god knows who". A Musical.ly spokeswoman did not respond to questions about whether "the real Justin Bieber" would have his account removed from the app.
A man will be extradited to NSW and charged with abduction and murder almost 50 years after a three-year-old girl disappeared from a beach in Wollongong, in one of the state's most notorious cold cases.

Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow Beach on January 12, 1970, when she went to the surf club change rooms with her brothers after a swim.

A coronial inquest into her disappearance in May 2011 found she died some time after she disappeared, from an unknown cause.

Her body has never been found, despite a $100,000 reward on offer for information leading to the person responsible.
Sydney has been denied its fair share of transport infrastructure funding over the past decade despite the growing economic and social cost of congestion.

The city has received only 17 per cent of all new state and federal investment in road and rail over the past 12 years even though it generated about 24 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product last financial year, analysis by the Grattan Institute think tank shows.

Sydney's share of Commonwealth support has been especially stingy - the city received only 5 per cent of Commonwealth funding for road and rail in the decade to 2015. The rest of NSW, which is about 8 per cent of the national economy, received 27 per cent of Commonwealth road and rail funding in that period.

Marion Terrill, the Grattan Institute's transport program director, said Sydneysiders were "within their rights" to think a history of government underinvestment has led to worsening congestion.
A disgraced former senior oncologist, who indecently assaulted a junior colleague after spiking her drink, has had his jail term slashed after judges took into account his decades of outstanding medical work before his psychological decline.

John Henry Kearsley will be eligible for parole in May, 18 months earlier than under his original sentence, after a successful appeal in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Thursday.

Former senior oncologist John Kearsley in 2012. Credit:Jane Dyson

Kearsley, the former director of radiation oncology at St George Hospital, put benzodiazepine into the woman's wine glass during dinner at his house in Glebe, in Sydney's inner west, in November 2013.

The woman, a registrar at the hospital, who cannot be named for legal reasons, woke to find Kearsley sucking her nipple.
A new criminal gang has emerged publicly on the Gold Coast for the first time, sparking police warnings of extreme violence, weapon and drug trafficking.

Police on Tuesday afternoon swooped on a Labrador unit owned by a member of The Last Hour (DLASTHR), a Sydney-based gang.

Police have been aware of a small number of members of the gang living on the Gold Coast, and others visiting regularly. Credit:File

They found drugs and ammunition allegedly belonging to gang member Kris Mircevski, 34, along with bank cards and driver licences traced to recent break and enters.

A key found at the address opened a storage locker that allegedly contained a stolen motorcycle.
Cr Quirk said both the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Brisbane Airport Corporation had been "hanging their hat" on international aviation law in their opposition to increased building heights. Brisbane's current tallest building, Infinity Tower, is not tall enough for our Lord Mayor. Credit:Robert Shakespeare "I get the fact that we want to have a strong aviation safety record and we certainly don't want to jeopardise that  we're not about to do that and say 'let's throw safety out the window and have greater heights as a result'," he said. "What we are asking, though, is that there be a sensible conversation around the flight paths around and the potential for, if not all, some parts of the city to at least be able to go higher." The reason for the restriction

An Airservices Australia spokeswoman said a "number of components" were considered when determining the impact of tall buildings around Australian airports. "These assessments determine the impact that the airspace penetration has on arrival and departure flight procedures and offers air traffic management information to the relevant airport and regulators," she said. "In this case that is Brisbane Airport Corporation and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development." The spokeswoman said Airservices Australia's Radar Terrain Clearance Charts was a measure of how low aircraft could go relative to nearby infrastructure. It is determined by calculating the height of the highest obstacle, rounding up to the nearest 100 feet, and adding another 1000 feet. "Therefore, if an obstacle is 319.13 metres it is converted to feet, becoming 1047 feet, which is then rounded up to 1100 feet," she said.

"To meet the required separation standards an additional 1000 feet is added, making the RTCC height in that area 2100 feet. "This means that the lowest altitude a controller can have an aircraft under radar vectors in that area as depicted on the RTCC is 2100 feet." Brisbane CBD's 274-metre height limit is, in imperial measurements, 900 feet. That means the city has an RTCC  in effect, a horizontal plane over the CBD, under which aircraft can't fly  of 1900 feet (580 metres). While aircraft would not usually fly that low over the CBD, along what pilots call the "River Track", air traffic control clearance could in some circumstances, such as emergencies, be lowered to 1900 feet. Any change to building height limits could require revised flight paths or steeper angles of descent and ascent.

Most of the aircraft that use the River Track, heading east over the city towards the airport, are services arriving from the north. International regulations mean any increase to the RTCC would have to be done in 100-foot increments (30.5 metres), but any changes would have to overcome significant regulatory hurdles. Adding to the constraints is Brisbane Airport's new parallel runway, due to open in 2020, which would replicate the airspace requirements to an area two kilometres to the west. Other restrictions, such as the departure surface (a gradient that gets higher the further away it is from the airport) also affects some sections of the CBD. The case against raising the roof

A Brisbane Airport Corporation spokeswoman said while the BAC did not approve or declare protected airspace, it did not support changes to the existing regulation. "BAC has an obvious interest in the protection of the airspace that enables Brisbane Airport to operate safely and to grow," she said. "Nonetheless, we will continue to work with the federal government and the council to look for opportunities wherever possible within the established international regulations." Council opposition infrastructure and planning spokeswoman Shayne Sutton said while Labor was open to a review of CBD heights, that should not come at the expense of air traffic safety. "The existing height limits are the result of advice from Airservices Australia, and are in place for a good reason," she said.

"We would need to see clear evidence from ASA that the height limits are no longer required or can be increased." Cr Sutton said the impact of any changes to height limits on flight paths and the resulting aircraft noise over Brisbane suburbs would also have to be fully understood before adoption. "There are some key areas across Brisbane that are already adversely impacted by aircraft noise," she said. "We will not support measures that intensify this problem, or spreads it over a greater number of suburbs." But Cr Quirk said technological changes in aviation technology could allow for a rethink of the restrictions.
A man has been charged with more than 200 animal welfare offences after a puppy farm raid west of Stanthorpe in January uncovered more than 80 animals.

RSPCA inspectors and police raided the Glenarbon property, owned by Haris Ljuhar, in January and found a large number of dogs, mainly American Staffordshire bull terriers and Australian, American and French bulldogs.

More than 80 dogs were seized in the puppy farm raid. Credit:RSPCA Queensland

It will be alleged the conditions of the property were "appalling" - sick dogs were allegedly living in inadequate conditions, including sharing spaces with dead dogs.

Mr Ljuhar, 40, was charged with 215 animal welfare-related offences and is due to appear in Goondiwindi Magistrates Court in May.
Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has jumped a plane to Canberra to deliver the city's multibillion-dollar wish list to the federal government.

Cr Quirk attended Parliament House on Wednesday as the chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) for two days of meetings with key government and opposition representatives to discuss infrastructure investment.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk was among the Queensland mayors asking for infrastructure investment from the federal government. Credit:Chris Hyde

It was understood the mayors also intended to use the opportunity to pursue their push for the south-east Queensland region to be the next to partner with the Commonwealth and Queensland government on a "City Deal" funding arrangement.

"Relieving congestion and delivering a public transport system which works for the region remains the firm focus of the SEQ mayors," Cr Quirk.
Knowing that a business doesn't pay their bills is incredibly important for anyone in the position of providing trade credit; it is the sole reason that thousands of businesses access credit bureaus in an effort to mitigate risk and safeguard their cash flow. The question is why should knowing that a business has defaulted on tax debt be treated as any lesser risk?

Last December, Treasurer Scott Morrison announced in the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) that the Australian Taxation Office would disclose businesses with unsettled tax debts over $10,000 that are 90 days overdue, who have not effectively engaged with the ATO.

Colin Porter from CreditorWatch says there is a domino effect that a failing business has on the other businesses within their network and supply chain.

According to the ATO, 62.5 per cent of taxpayers with debts are small businesses, making up a significant part of the total collectable debt of $19.2 billion, as of 30 June 2016.

There are genuine concerns relating to the initiative, particularly the rollout of information following the recent ATO outages. What hasn't been effectively discussed however, is the benefit the initiative will have to the wider business community.
Two drivers have miraculously walked away from a dramatic two-car collision in regional Victoria which saw their vehicles engulfed in flames.

The smash occurred in Hazelwood North, 159 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, when the cars travelling in opposite directions collided about 11.25am on Wednesday.

Video from the scene shows firefighters battling to control the blaze, which engulfed the two vehicles at the intersection of Firmins Lane and Hazelwood Road.

Police and paramedics were visibly startled by loud sounds coming from the wreck burning just metres from where they were treating one driver.
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Poor students living in public housing will be locked out of the prestigious Melbourne Girls College, according to a peak tenants group.

In a move described as "education apartheid", large parts of north Richmond, including public housing estates, will not be included in the school's zone from 2020.

An informal agreement previously meant that the school provided automatic entry to all Richmond girls.

Facing a fierce backlash from residents in the marginal seat of Richmond, Education Minister James Merlino hinted on Wednesday that he was reconsidering the controversial changes.
Former Howard minister and Victorian Liberal party president candidate Peter Reith has suffered a stroke.

The former industrial relations minister in prime minister John Howard's government has been campaigning to unseat Liberal state branch president Michael Kroger.

Party members grew concerned for Mr Reith when his speech became slurred at a candidates' forum organised by the Albert Park Liberal party branch on Tuesday night. Both Mr Reith and Mr Kroger addressed the gathering.

He was hospitalised on Wednesday morning and was in a stable condition later in the afternoon, sources close to him said.
Danny Nikolic has lost a legal bid to get his riding licence back, with a tribunal member saying she does not believe the former jockey has changed enough to return to work following a history of abusive exchanges with officials.

Mr Nikolic has been banned from racing since September 2015, when the Racing Victoria Board denied him a riding licence because it decided he was not a "fit and proper person to ride in races".

He has faced disciplinary charges for fighting with another jockey, failing to obey stewards' directions, and using insulting language.

VCAT Deputy President, Heather Lambrick, ruled on Wednesday that he was still not a "fit and proper person" and of good character, which is now required to obtain a licence.
It was a rare psychopathic rage that drove Renita Brunton's killer to stab her 106 times.

It was November 5, 1993, in the Link Arcade in Sunbury in Melbourne's north-west and Mrs Brunton was attacked in the kitchen at the back of her second-hand clothing shop about 1pm.

She was stabbed all over her body. If she screamed, no one heard it.

There was someone who fitted the bill as the killer in this cold case; serial murderer and rapist Peter Dupas.
When James* woke up in hospital with a bloodied face and broken nose, the last thing he remembered was leaving the Brunswick Hotel.

"I only vaguely remember leaving the pub, they were closing up and then I remember waking up in the hospital," he said.

In fact, the 42-year-old was so shocked by his injuries he set about trying to reset his nose without assistance.

James was knocked unconscious on Sydney Road in Brunswick about 1am on March 6, and says he was the victim of an unprovoked attack.
A judge has described a BMX rider who sexually abused more than 20 young girls as a "monster of sexual depravity", whose crimes demonstrated the dangers of social media.

Fabian Meharry, 28, befriended 22 girls on social media websites before asking them to send him sexual photos of themselves.

The judge called Fabian Meharry a "monster of depravity" and jailed him for 12 years.

He blackmailed the girls, aged between 11 to 17 years, into performing degrading and painful sexual acts on themselves online, secretly recording videos of them which he used to continue blackmailing them.

County Court Judge Liz Gaynor sentenced Meharry on Wednesday to 12 years' prison with a non-parole period of 10 years for more than 60 child sexual abuse crimes including producing child pornography, sexual penetration of a child under 16 and grooming children using a carriage service.
Victoria's extremely low reporting and conviction rates for rape and sexual assault are unacceptable, according to former attorney general Rob Hulls.

Mr Hulls comments come as the Supreme and County Court chief judges defend the handling of sex-assault cases following calls for reforms to protect child victims in Victoria's courts, including from the family of a teenage girl who was allegedly raped.

The criminal justice system is not insensitive to child complainants in sex-offence cases, say Chief Justice Marilyn Warren and County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd.

Chief Justice Marilyn Warren and County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd have written an opinion piece, published by The Age on Thursday, arguing there has already been "extensive" reforms to reduce children's trauma.

The chief judges highlight reforms including that children are only required to give evidence once and that video of their police interview can be used as evidence in the County and Supreme Courts.
Inmates at the Melbourne Remand centre in June 2015. Credit:Seven News "...You could hear this yelling coming from the yard outside, it was like a herd of rhinoceros, like cattle," Mr Kent said. "Then all of a sudden a siren went off and a Code grey was called, which is a riot." Selection for the Special Operations Group is brutal, with some of the fittest and strongest washing out as instructors deliberately try to break them. Credit:Pat Scala Mr Kent and other officers were asked to lock the inmates in his area and evacuate all the staff, including administration officers.

"In my time, there was no evacuation drills as to where to go," he said. "We were told to run." He made it outside but was sent back in to help  this time without his radio. During the next 10 hours, the father of two was repeatedly sent into the prison to confront, arrest and contain the rioting prisoners  working without even any water to drink. "I was scared," he said. 'We had nothing, there was no police ...we had no radio ...the phones were dead. "There were certain times throughout the afternoon ..when I accepted the fact that I [was] not going to get out."

In December, the Department of Justice and Regulation was charged with criminal safety failures over what was the largest prison riot in the state's history. The department was charged by WorkSafe Victoria with four breaches of workplace health and safety laws, including failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace, failing to ensure the workplace was safe, and failing to ensure persons other than employees were not exposed to risks. Mr Kent is now suing the department. Shine Lawyers general manager Stuart Le Grand said the department had failed to keep Mr Kent safe. Mr Le Grand said Mr Kent and other workers were repeatedly asked to return unarmed to a facility "overrun by high-risk offenders".

He said they were taking action on Mr Kent's behalf to ensure he received financial support and access to treatment and care while unable to work. "We are also investigating a potential action against the Department of Justice for actions that were taken on the day of and in the time surrounding the siege which we believe led to Matthew's injuries," Mr Le Grand said. "This is about accountability and justice for a man who put his life on the line to serve his community." Mr Kent, who now suffers from panic attacks, said after the riots were contained he was given no assistance and drove home on his own. "It took me three hours to complete the 45-minutes journey because I had to keep pulling over," he said.

"I kept hearing the noise of smashing, the explosions, the helicopters. "I kept thinking I was going to pass out. And then I didn't hear from them. Didn't even get a phone call 'are you okay'?" Opposition spokesman for Corrections Edward O'Donohue is asking the government to apologise to Mr Kent. Mr O'Donohue, who raised the issue in the Victorian Parliament on Wednesday, said the psychological impact of working as a prison officer needed to be considered. "While there is much talk about the financial costs, there is an enormous human cost following the government's failure to prevent the worst prison riot in Victoria's history," Mr O'Donohue said.

While refusing to comment on the individual matter, a Department of Justice spokesman said the welfare of its staff was of the utmost importance. Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney said they continue to support staff affected by the incident. "Senior management also continues to work with prison staff to make sure they feel safe and secure in their place of work," she said.







Mr Kent, who is on WorkCover leave, said the incident had changed him forever, leaving him unable to trust even his wife and children.
Residents have welcomed a move by the City of Joondalup council to tone down developers' plans for a major Sorrento beachfront development.

After intense debate, 10 out of 13 councillors voted in favour of a motion to restrict any proposed development to a maximum height limit of four storeys.

The landowners behind The New Sorrento Plaza plan, including the Peard family of Peard Real Estate and the Brown-Neaves family, had proposed a mix of four to six-storey mixed-use developments at the West Coast Drive site, known for White Salt and Voyage Kitchen, provoking protest from residents.

City staff had recommended councillors support the scheme amendments and activity centre plan, but councillors introduced the modifications in response to community protest.
Yallingup locals have slammed fishermen for putting swimmers at risk of a shark attack after catching and gutting a salmon catch without warning at one of the South West's most popular tourist beaches.

Similar concerns were raised previously at a popular Perth beach after a territory war had broken out between fishermen and surfers at Trigg.

In November last year board riders at the northern Perth beach had criticised anglers for disposing of fish guts and casting out onto breaks at the beach, forcing the City of Stirling to step in following accusations of poor behaviour by local fishermen from angry surfers.

About two weeks ago images emerged of fishermen bleeding a 10-tonne catch of salmon at Smiths Beach in WA's South West, causing a shark frenzy on the shoreline, shocking beach-goers oblivious to the fishing activity.
Bahaa Trad's ticket. "He tried to give me money when I arrived in Lebanon telling me that I needed to sign a receipt for it  I brushed him off because he still wanted me to sign this unknown document." He described a harrowing four years in the detention centre on Manus Island, which has been internationally criticised for repeated human rights violations. Bahaa Trad boarding pass for the last leg of his deportation trip from Manus Island. A recent survey found most Australians overwhelmingly believe that the cruel treatment of refugees in offshore detention centres should end.

The United Nations refugee agency was alarmed last month at the increased pace of deportations with two Nepali men forced to return to their country of origin. Up to 60 asylum seekers from various countries including Lebanon are reportedly slated for deportation. "I am worried about my friends and what will happen to them," Trad added. Azzam al-Sheikh, a friend of Trad's who is currently on Manus Island, distressingly told Fairfax Media by phone on Monday "they are targeting us Lebanese. We all have appointments with the authorities." At his appointment on Tuesday morning, he was offered $25,000 to return to Lebanon voluntarily or go to another country where he has relatives. He was told flights would be arranged for him. He was given no deadline to make a decision, but another detainee was given seven months to consider his options, he said. Sheikh said his asylum claim was rejected about a year ago with no specific reason given. He said a country threat assessment, a standard procedure to process a claim, was not conducted in his case.

The 29-year old claims that prior to his appointment, immigration officers told him and 12 other Lebanese asylum seekers that travel documents were being prepared for their imminent departure. He also noted that three had voluntarily asked to be returned to their countries of origin. It is unclear what their nationalities were. "I rang the Lebanese embassy in Canberra to check for myself and they confirmed that travel documents with our names were being handed over to Australian authorities. This is baffling because we never asked for them," Sheikh said. "I don't care about the money being offered. I told them [immigration officers] point blank even if they offer $1 million, I can't go back home because I'll be dead." Reuters reported last month that Bangladeshi and Nepalese asylum seekers on Manus Island were being repeatedly called to meet with Australian officials and pressured to take amounts of up to $25,000 to return to those countries, or face deportation.

He says he would be in danger if deported involuntarily. "They are sending us to our deaths over there. Just leave us in this prison like the others." There are more than 800 asylum seekers in detention on Manus Island. Last year, Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruled the camp was illegal and needed to be shut down. Trad is anxious about his movements in Lebanon shuttling hurriedly in the dead of night between safe houses and spending most hours of the day indoors. He told Fairfax Media the same political reasons that drove him to seek asylum were still at play and that he was planning his escape once more. With the civil war raging in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon has been the recipient of the spillover violence across its fragile border.
Paris: France's Interior Minister has resigned after financial prosecutors opened an inquiry into whether he hired his teenage daughters for holiday jobs while a member of parliament.

The shock resignation of Bruno Le Roux came in the wake of a similar payment scandal surrounding the British wife and two children of Francois Fillon, which has severely damaged his chances in the upcoming French presidential election and placed him under formal investigation.

French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux resigned amid investigation into parliamentary jobs for his daughters. Credit:AP

A satirical television show, Quotidien, reported Mr Le Roux employed his two daughters 24 times as parliamentary assistants during their summer school breaks for a total payment of 55,000 ($77,300).

In a brief statement, Mr Le Roux said: "I have tendered my resignation to the President, which allows me without any considerations as a man and father to defend my honesty".
Rio de Janeiro: Five armed men burst into a small town hospital in the Brazilian Amazon, surrounded security guards and shot dead a prominent former land rights campaigner turned and council worker, in the latest deadly attack on land campaigners.

Waldomiro Costa Pereira, a public servant and a former activist with the Landless Workers Movement (MST) was killed on Monday when gunmen stormed the general hospital in Parauapebas in north-eastern Brazil's Para state.

Waldomiro Costa Pereira was murdered in hospital. Credit:Screenshot/G1

Parauapebas City Council, confirmed the incident saying in a statement "five men stormed the hospital, held security guards at gunpoint and executed Waldomiro [Pereira]". Local media said 10 shots were fired.

The motive for Pereira's murder is unclear, MST said, but he had been recovering in intensive care from a previous assassination attempt on Saturday.
Emergency services attend to injured people outside the Palace of Westminster, London, Credit:AP The driver then crashed the car into a fence outside the Houses of Parliament, before getting out and trying to run inside. The assailant, armed with a knife, stabbed one police officer who was guarding the building, before he was shot dead by other officers. Despite efforts by a Conservative MP and others to resuscitate the injured police officer, he passed away. In this image taken from video, police officers gather around a car adjacent to Houses of Parliament in London. Credit:AP He has since been named as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father with 15 years policing experience. Police said Mr Palmer was not armed at the time of the attack.

The assailant has not been identified. London's assistant police commissioner Mark Rowley said police think they know the identity of the man but would not reveal details. He said Islamic extremism is suspected in the attack. Emergency personnel tend to an injured person close to the Palace of Westminster, London. Credit:AP British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "sick and depraved" terror attack and conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims. "For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe," she said on Wednesday evening.

Keith Palmer, the police officer who was killed during the attack on the Houses of Parliament in London. Credit:Metropolitan Police The attack comes on the one year anniversary of a terror attack in Brussels, in which suicide bombers killed more than 30 people at an airport and metro station. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she knew of no Australians involved in the attack. Pedestrians mowed down London's emergency services were first contacted at around 2.40pm, local time, about a incident on the Westminster Bridge, where a vehicle had struck a number of people.

Witnesses described a chaotic and horrific scene. The vehicle appeared to deliberately mow down a number of pedestrians, flinging people into the air and leaving them badly wounded on the roadside. Former Polish foreign minister Radosaw Sikorski told the BBC he was in a taxi driving along the bridge when he heard what he thought was a "collision". "And then I looked through the window of the taxi and I saw someone down, obviously in great distress," he said. "And then I saw a second person down. I started filming, and then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely. Mr Sikorski said he started filming "seconds after the car passed", describing it as "mowing down" pedestrians. "People rushed forward to help the victims," he said. "I saw five people down."

Another witness, whose hands were still shaking, told the BBC he saw people "flying like a football" after being struck by the car. The man, Ismail, said he saw two victims on the ground, then a third "gentlemen flew up in front of me and landed in the middle of the road." Eyewitness Steve Voake told the BBC he was walking across the bridge when he saw two bodies lying on the ground - and another in the water. Among the injured is three police officers, and three French teenagers on a school trip to London. Assailant shot by police

Assistant police commissioner Rowley said once the vehicle has driven across the Westminster Bridge, it crashed into a fence outside the Houses of Parliament which sits on the banks of Thames. "At least one man, armed with a knife, continued the attack and tried to enter parliament," he told reporters. Witnesses reported seeing the assailant rush towards the building and stab an officer. Tom McTague, the chief UK political correspondent for Politico, said on Twitter he saw "attacker runs through gates, stabs policeman, runs forward & then police shoot at least twice, he falls." Jayne Wilkinson, who was near the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square when the attack occurred, said she saw a middle-aged man holding a knife. He ignored warnings from the police, running though the gates into the compound of Parliament, she said.

"They were shouting to warn him," Ms Wilkinson said. Soon after, she and her partner heard three gunshots and saw the man on the ground. Dennis Burns, who was just entering Parliament for a meeting when the security alert happened, told the Press Association: "As I walked in I heard a security guard get a radio message saying 'a policeman has been stabbed'. "When I got inside I was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of panicked people running down the street. The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people. "It looked like they were running for their lives."

British Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood was photographed trying to resuscitate the stabbed officer outside parliament. He was praised as an "absolute hero" for his efforts but the police officer's injuries proved fatal. Mr Rowley confirmed the police officer had died in the attack and that his family had been notified. "This is a day we planned for but hoped would never happen," he said. "Sadly it's now a reality. We will continue to do all we can to protect the people of London." Mr Rowley would not say whether the assailant was known to police. 'Catastrophic injuries'

The two-stage attack left about 40 people injured, including a woman who was pulled alive from the Thames and several schoolchildren visiting from France. The first confirmed fatality was a woman who died on the road following the vehicle attack. "She was under the wheel of a bus... She died, confirmed her death at the scene," said Dr Colleen Anderson from St Thomas' Hospital, according to the Guardian. "There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic." London police later confirmed the death toll was four, including the police officer and the attacker, and that the number of injured was at least 40.

Australia sends condolences to Britain Extra police will guard Australia's Parliament House on Thursday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed, as he sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to the United Kingdom. "This is an assault on every democracy, every parliament, every free nation," Mr Turnbull said on Thursday morning. "We condemn it, and we stand in absolutely resolute solidarity with the people of Britain." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she had spoken to her UK counterpart Boris Johnson to convey Australia's sympathies, and confirmed that she knew of no Australian victims. "I have made contact with Australia's High Commissioner in London and confirmed at this point there has been no reference to any Australians being involved in the incident," she said in an interview with Channel 9.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten described the attack as a "shocking crime" and said "all Australians stand with Britain today". A White House spokesman confirmed US President Donald Trump has spoken to the UK prime minister about the incident. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson extended the US' sympathies to the people of Britain. "We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," he said in a statement. Prime Minister May said the Parliament would sit as normal tomorrow and that terrorism would not stop Londoners from going about their day as normal too.



"They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives," she said.



"And we will all move forward together. Never giving in to terror."

Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes, told Fairfax he had been on his way through the Westminster cloisters - metres from the site of the attack when it occurred. He and a group of colleagues had been heading into the house for a vote, responding to the division bells. "Two or three shots - well, what we now know to be shots, rang out," Mr Vickers said "Then security people were pushing us towards the doors and saying 'please get out of the building'." He and the other MPs left in "a reasonably orderly fashion", he said. In the confusion he hadn't even been sure they were gunshots.

"Everyone was apprehensive ... but there was no real panic at all." He found himself outside Westminster near the bridge. "I saw the vehicle lodged against the railings but at that stage the security people were telling everyone to get as far away as possible." He said he had been impressed by the response of the emergency services. "Ultimately the democratic process and freedom will be the winner in this," he said. "We will not kowtow here in Britain or any other parts of the democratic world.
Roger Stone walks off stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July, as WikiLeaks began dumping the Democrats' emails. Credit:New York Times But in disclosing that the investigation had begun as early as July 2016, Comey also revealed the paucity of information in the White House on what his sleuths have been up to in the past seven or eight months. In the hours before Monday's unambiguous revelation, administration aides were confidently predicting the investigation was going nowhere, that Comey would declare there had been no contact or collusion. "The Russian collusion thing has always been bullshit," an official was quoted as saying. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes. Credit:AP The President resorted to his weapon of choice - Twitter - to attack the committee hearing on Monday and to spin the evidence in his favour as it proceeded. But afterwards he had nothing to say - uncharacteristically ignoring the questions raised in the hearing when he spoke during the evening to a campaign-style rally in Louisville, Kentucky.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer claimed to be unaware of any current White House staff being a part of the investigation. But Comey wouldn't rule out anyone. Retired Lt-Gen Michael Flynn was forced to quit as national security adviser over leaked phone conversations regarding the US relationship with Russia. Credit:AP So is anyone safe? Trump loyalist and committee chairman Devin Nunes, who had invoked the image of the dark cloud over the White House, stunned a press gaggle with his ambivalence when asked after the hearing if Trump personally was under investigation. "I highly doubt that. But you know what? We don't know everything." Here then is the breadth of Trump's Russia-related web of influence, only some of whom are believed to be under FBI investigation and/or are likely to be called before the various congressional committees now investigating the Russia connection - along with the administration's disowning of them in the wake of confirmation of the FBI's investigation: Agreed to testify: Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Credit:AP

Jeff Sessions, Attorney-General: As the country's top law officer, he was obliged to recuse himself from any Justice Department handling of the Trump/Russia investigations after it was revealed that he had failed to disclose two meetings with Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, in the course of the campaign. Roger Stone, long-time adviser: He seemed to claim in the course of the campaign that he had advance knowledge of the leaking through WikiLeaks of troves of emails hacked from Democratic Party computers by Russian agents. (Sean Spicer: Trump and Stone speak "from time to time" but they had not done so recently.) Representative Adam Schiff: a Democrat with renewed confidence in the FBI. Credit:AP Jared Kushner, Trump's adviser and son-in-law: He had a meeting with Kislyak during the transition period and reportedly has real estate business deals with Russians. Michael Flynn, a high-profile campaign surrogate and national security adviser: He was sacked by Trump after revelations that he lied about his conversations with Kislyak. Also under investigation as a former military officer, for accepting payment for attending a gala for the Kremlin-owned Russia Today TV network - during which he sat at Russian President Vladimir Putin's table at a banquet. (Sean Spicer: he was just a "volunteer of the campaign.")

US President Donald Trump. Credit:Bloomberg Donald Trump jnr, the President's son: He travels to Russia and famously told a New York real estate conference in 2008, "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets" and "We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia." Paul Manafort, former campaign manager: He was sacked after six months after revelations that he has received millions of dollars in questionable payments from pro-Russian politicians and businessmen in Ukraine and of contacting Russian interests in the course of the campaign. (Sean Spicer: "[He had only a] limited role for a very limited amount of time.") Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State: A former ExxonMobil chief executive and Putin friend, he oversaw a partnership deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars between ExxonMobil and Russian energy giant Rosneft after which Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship. Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce: In the 1990s, he served on the board of the US-Russia Investment Fund, which helped drive business in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and has a stake in a Cyprus bank favoured by wealthy Russians.

Carter Page, former adviser on foreign policy: He reportedly met Kislyak during last year's Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio; speaks to business groups in Russia and, some years ago, worked in Moscow as an investment banker. (Sean Spicer: "An individual who the president-elect does not know and was put on notice months ago by the campaign.") J.D. Gordon, former adviser on national security: A former Pentagon spokesman, he too reportedly met Kislyak in Cleveland. (Kellyanne Conway: "[He had] very attenuated contacts to the campaign. [The President] doesn't know [him], didn't work with [him].") Some who are independent of the Trump circle are dismissive about the alleged collusion with the Kremlin. Mike Morrell, a former acting director of the CIA, is an authoritative voice in knocking it down. "There is smoke, but there is no fire at all," he said. But the circumstantial case put to Monday's hearing before the House Intelligence Committee by senior Democrat Adam Schiff is seemingly sufficiently compelling for the FBI.

Here's the scenario that Schiff, drawing on public sources, presented as, perhaps, a series of coincidences in the course of 2016, but perhaps not - and therefore warranting serious investigation. Early July: Page travels to Moscow with approval of the Trump campaign. In Moscow, he makes a speech critical of the US focus on democracy and corruption. Page secretly meets Igor Sechin chief executive of Rosneft, reportedly a former KGB agent and close friend of Putin and of Tillerson. Sechin reportedly offers Page brokerage fees in a deal involving the sale of a 19 per cent stake in Rosneft. Reuters reports the transaction but the name of the buyer and the amount of brokerage fees are unknown. About the same time the Trump campaign is offered documents damaging to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton - Russian-sourced but laundered through WikiLeaks - in return for a future Trump administration watering down Washington's criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and taking a stand against NATO. Mid July:

Manafort, who had selected Page as the campaign's Moscow go-between, attends the Republican convention with Page. Kislyak also attends - meeting Page, Gordon, Sessions and another Trump adviser, Walid Phares. The Republican platform is changed to delete references to giving "lethal defensive weapons" to Ukraine - and later Gordon admits that he had a hand in the revision. Late July: The first batch of damaging Democratic Party emails is released. August 8: Stone boasts publicly that he has communicated with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and claims more documents would be coming, including an "October surprise".

Mid August: Stone claims to have had contact with the hacker of the Democratic computers and, soon after, makes the remarkable prediction that Clinton campaign executive John Podesta's personal emails would soon be published - which duly happens. November: Post election, Trump appoints Flynn as his national security adviser, but he sacks him in February after he is revealed to have lied about his meetings with the Russian ambassador. Comey is suspect in Democratic circles because of his 11th-hour, campaign revelation that Hillary Clinton's controversial emails were still being investigated by the FBI.
Police forensic officers at the scene close to the Houses of Parliament in London. Credit:PA There is only one higher level, 'critical', which means an attack is imminent. Last year the Daily Mail reported there were 2000 terror suspects in the UK. It's believed there was only one attacker involved. Credit:AP So if, as police suspect, this was a terror attack, the questions to ask today are threefold.

Of course, we must know why this happened, who is behind it. Police are working on it. But there is a third, more heartening question: how was something like this prevented for so long? Hogan-Howe put it down to the UK having the best intelligence services in the business. "We tend to arrest people before the attack and on the whole at the moment they have not got through - but only because of good intelligence," Sir Bernard said. Just about every week, there is another report of an arrest and a charge on terror offences. It sometimes doesn't even make the news. Here is a sample from this month.

Just two days ago in Cardiff a 34-year-old pleaded guilty to five terrorism charges. He had been an active member of IS, sitting in his bedroom developing a website that taught other IS members and supporters how to hack into computers for criminal purposes. He even had a USB stick disguised as a cufflink which he used to hide his activities. Two weeks ago a 22-year-old from Acton in west London pleaded guilty to 'preparing terrorist acts'. He had made a concerted effort to get to Syria to join IS. On March 7, a 30-year-old man from south London was arrested on terror charges.

On March 2, a 45-year-old from north-west London was charged with three counts of disseminating terrorist material. On March 1, the Met's counter-terror command arrested a 35-year-old man on "suspicion of inviting support" for IS. Since 2013 there has been a consensus in the halls of power that one day this intelligence net would fail. With so much relentless pressure, one day, someone would get through. Today, it appears, they did.

Tonight at least four families will mourn their dead. There will be hard questions to ask, about why the UK's police and intelligence services didn't spot this one, or at least prevent it. All this said  a big caveat is needed. At the time of writing this is not a confirmed terror attack. The motives, state of mind, background and mental health of the attacker have not been publicly reported. Police say they "remain open-minded to the motive"  but a full counter-terrorism investigation is already underway, led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

Police are reviewing their priorities and resources across the capital, as of this minute. Already eyes are looking, not at this threat, but forward to the next. And the next. Loading And the next.
Washington: The Wall Street Journal, accused by some journalists of going soft on US President Donald Trump, printed a stinging editorial on Wednesday that likened the falsehood-addicted commander-in-chief to an alcoholic.

Trump doesn't even drink.

The Journal editorial board ripped into the President for what it described as his "seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods", and reserved special criticism for his unsubstantiated charge that former president Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the campaign.

Even after FBI director James Comey testified before Congress this week that his agency does not have "any information that supports" the claim, Trump has not relented.
POINTE BLANCHE:--- Seabourn pioneered small-ship, ultra-luxury cruising, and continues to represent the pinnacle of that unique style of travel. On Saturday, March 11, Seabourn, one of the ports cruise partners that played a role in the design and layout of the new Homeporting Terminal, arrived with the Seabourn Odyssey to as part of its cruise offerings this Caribbean cruise season.

Seabourn Odyssey carries 458 passengers, and this was the first time that the cruise line is using this vessel to embark and disembark guests here. Seabourn has a history with Port St. Maarten which dates back to the companys roots with earlier ships that carried 208 passengers.

Based on various homeporting case studies, Port St. Maarten has been ranked as one of the top cruise port destinations in the Caribbean where the quality of facilities is concerned.

On Saturday, March 11 Seabourn Odyssey Captain Stig Betten was welcomed to Sint Maarten by Port St. Maarten Management representative Hector Peters. Peters thanked Seabourn for its continued interests in Sint Maarten on behalf of the Government and Port Management. Peters added that the destination now offered a state-of-the-art homeporting facility and he looked forward to them possibly returning in the future.

Betten, who has been coming to the destination since 1999, says the island has very nice beaches and great shopping, which are attractive for guests. He also added that the island has a sheltered port which makes boarding and disembarking of passengers seamless thereby making it a great port for cruise operations.

Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunications and Transport Rafael Boasman, was represented by Senior Policy advisors Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher and Julian Lake.

On behalf of the Honorable Acting Minister of Tourism Rafael Boasman and the Ministry of Tourism, I would like to extend our warm welcome to Captain Stig Betten and crew of the Seaborne Odyssey to St. Maarten, said Arrindell-Doncher. I hope today will be the first of many enjoyable stays on our beautiful island this season. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Seabourn for choosing to call on Port of St. Maarten and wish you much success. Welcome.

Destination Sint Maarten came in top ranking for shopping experience and port/destination services that are offered to the cruise industry. With the new Homeport Terminal, Port St. Maarten is looking forward to developing a long-term working relationship with cruise brands and at the same time becoming the Northeastern Caribbean homeport of choice.

Homeporting generates more airlifts in and out of the destination; brings additional business for local service providers; and creates the potential for pre- and post- cruise extension visits.

On December 18, 2016, the first 250 homeporting cruise passengers arrived on the island with XL Airways to take a cruise with cruise line Pullmantur Cruises. The third cruise line homeporting out of Sint Maarten is Windstar Cruises.

Seabourns founding goes back to 1986, and their model is the casual, relaxed elegance previously available only to owners of the worlds most fabulous private yachts. They commissioned the 10,000 GRT Seabourn Pride, an intimate ship nimble enough to visit both great cities and the picturesque harbors preferred by international yachtsmen.

Its current fleet of four intimate, all-suite ships (Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore), carry between 458 and 600 guests each, sail to the worlds most desirable destinations at their peak seasons. On board, guests are served by an award-winning crew numbering nearly as many as the guests, hand-picked and extensively trained to deliver Seabourns signature style of thoughtful, personalized and heartfelt hospitality.

Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation & PLC. Carnival has a portfolio of the worlds most widely recognized cruise brands.

The Homeport Terminal building is located near the cargo container storage area; is air-conditioned and state of the art within a 1,500 square meter structure; 12-check in desks and a luggage screening machine; bar and restaurant serving drinks and snacks on sale for passengers; VIP section with seating for 50-80 passengers; Wi-Fi; facilities for the disabled; and storage for more than 1,200 pieces of luggage.

The new facility is a temporary multi-functional structure, which is storm proof and demountable prior to a hurricane threat. Other events can also be held at the terminal due to its multi-functional design and layout.

There is parking for up to 60 vehicles and three touring car options; line up zone for taxis, with direct access to the main entrance from Homeporting Terminal; Royal landscaping and paving to provide "square" experience in front of the Homeport Terminal; lobby of 550m2 with 200 seats for passengers, and two information screens; ceiling fans; high-end transport trolley/train; and toilet facilities.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of the Central Bank Emsley Tromp failed the screening process announced Minister of Finance Richard Gibson at the Council of Minister's press briefing on Wednesday.

Minister Gibson said when the government of St. Maarten discovered that the managers and president of the Central Bank of St. Maarten and Curacao did not go through the screening process as required by law, St. Maarten requested the screening for the managers and President of the Central Bank. Gibson said VDSM failed the President of the Central Bank Emsley Tromp who still has the right to appeal that finding. He said until that process is completed the countries Curacao and St. Maarten cannot appoint anyone to that post. Gibson also confirmed that Tromp is still on suspension while a deputy was appointed to manage the daily affairs of the Central Bank.

The Minister of Finance also stated on Wednesday that the two managers passed the screening process, but both persons will reach the pensionable age before the end of 2017. Therefore, St. Maarten has to start looking for people to fill those positions as of now because finding the right people could be difficult.
PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maartens Carnival Coca-Cola can have made into the collection of Davide Andreani, the Guinness world record holder for largest Coca-Cola collector cans. St. Maartens Coca-Cola cans are the initiative of local beverage distributor CC1. 2017 marks the second year the cans have been produced for St. Maarten Carnival and the second time CC1 has sent a collector can to Andreani.

Italy's Davide Andreani received his first Coca-Cola can back in 1982 when he was just 5 years old, an event which was to kick off a lifetime's obsession with the soft drink. Soon after, Davide began collecting the distinctive tins, with his father bringing him home unusual designs when returning from his European business trips.

At the last count, confirmed on 14 August 2013, Coke lover Davide was in possession of a record 10,558 unique single-brand cans from 87 countries, setting a new Guinness World Records title for Largest collection of soft drink cans - same brand.

Now 37, all cans in Davide's collection have been emptied through a small hole in the bottom. If they were left on display unemptied, they could oxidize or even explode. Using his website to display rarities in his collection and to assist with trading rare Coca-Cola can collectors items, David searches the globe for tins which only appeared in shops for a limited time or sometimes never even released to the public.

This is how he found St. Maartens Coca-Cola cans for Carnival and requested them from CC1.
Researchers are most interested in persistent contrails

Using biofuels to help power jet engines reduces particle emissions in their exhaust by as much as 50 to 70 percent, in a new study conclusion that bodes well for airline economics and Earth's environment.

The findings are the result of a cooperative international research program led by NASA and involving agencies from Germany and Canada, and are detailed in a study published in the journal Nature.

During flight tests in 2013 and 2014 near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, data was collected on the effects of alternative fuels on engine performance, emissions and aircraft-generated contrails at altitudes flown by commercial airliners. The test series were part of the Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions Study, or ACCESS.

Contrails are produced by hot aircraft engine exhaust mixing with the cold air that is typical at cruise altitudes several miles above Earth's surface, and are composed primarily of water in the form of ice crystals.

Researchers are most interested in persistent contrails because they create long-lasting, and sometimes extensive, clouds that would not normally form in the atmosphere, and are believed to be a factor in influencing Earth's environment.

"Soot emissions also are a major driver of contrail properties and their formation," said Bruce Anderson, ACCESS project scientist at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. "As a result, the observed particle reductions we've measured during ACCESS should directly translate into reduced ice crystal concentrations in contrails, which in turn should help minimize their impact on Earth's environment."

That's important because contrails, and the cirrus clouds that evolve from them, have a larger impact on Earth's atmosphere than all the aviation-related carbon dioxide emissions since the first powered flight by the Wright brothers.

The tests involved flying NASA's workhorse DC-8 as high as 40,000 feet while its four engines burned a 50-50 blend of aviation fuel and a renewable alternative fuel of hydro processed esters and fatty acids produced from camelina plant oil. A trio of research aircraft took turns flying behind the DC-8 at distances ranging from 300 feet to more than 20 miles to take measurements on emissions and study contrail formation as the different fuels were burned.

"This was the first time we have quantified the amount of soot particles emitted by jet engines while burning a 50-50 blend of biofuel in flight," said Rich Moore, lead author of the Nature report.

The trailing aircraft included NASA's HU-25C Guardian jet based at Langley, a Falcon 20-E5 jet owned by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and a CT-133 jet provided by the National Research Council of Canada.

"Measurements in the wake of aircraft require highly experienced crew members and proven measuring equipment, which DLR has built up over many years," said report co-author Hans Schlager of the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics. "Since 2000, the DLR Falcon has been used in numerous measurement campaigns to investigate the emissions and contrails of commercial airliners."

Researchers plan on continuing these studies to understand and demonstrate the potential benefits of replacing current fuels in aircraft with biofuels. It's NASA's goal to demonstrate biofuels on their proposed supersonic X-plane.

For more information about NASA's aeronautics research, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/aero
Claim: The son of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee once killed a dog at Boy Scout camp. Rating: About this rating Mixture

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A years-old bit of political gossip was brought back into the limelight in January 2015 when former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, in an interview promoting his new book, publicly criticized the parenting skills of the First Couple, Barack and Michelle Obama. Many pundits were quick to point out an incident that was much discussed during Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign, one touted as calling Huckabee's own parenting skills into question.

On 11 July 1998, two young men working as counselors at Camp Pioneer in Hatfield, Arkansas, killed a dog at that Boy Scout camp. One of those young men was 19-year-old Clayton Frady of Texarkana and the other David Huckabee, the youngest son of Arkansas Governor Michael Dale "Mike" Huckabee. David Huckabee was 17 at the time of the slaying, although he would turn 18 less than two weeks later. Both young men were fired over the incident.

And that is where the undisputed facts of the story leave off. All the rest of the details, including why the dog was killed, how the dog was killed, and whether Governor Huckabee attempted (successfully or otherwise) to forestall investigations into his son's act, is up for grabs and may never be knowable. (Thus we can only verify the basic fact that David Huckabee killed a dog at a Boy Scout camp, not the ancillary issues of whether he truly did so "brutally" or "for fun.")

While the dog itself was consistently described as a stray that had wandered onto the property, the only additional description of it came from Marcal Young, scout executive of the Caddo Area Council that operated the camp where the animal was killed, who said the canine was "probably a mixed breed."

As to why the dog was killed, different people have offered different reasons. Governor Huckabee said in 2007 interview conducted by Larry King that "It was mangy. It looked like it was going to attack." The father of the other young man fired over the dog's slaying said in a 1998 news article his son had come upon one or more Scouts who had the dog "hung over a limb and choking," so his son helped "put it out of its misery." Scout executive Young said in another 1998 news article the two young men had told him the dog appeared to be ill.

No one connected to any of the principals apparently wanted to talk about how the dog was dispatched. The only person in that group who said anything about this was Danny Frady, father of Clayton Frady (the other young counselor fired over the incident), and even he didn't describe just what his son did beyond averring that when his son came upon the animal, it was being hanged by others. Anonymous rumors about how the dog was killed hold that Frady and Huckabee hanged the dog, slit its throat, and stoned it to death.

One lingering question about the incident is why young Frady and Huckabee would have been fired from their jobs as camp counselors if they had merely put a suffering animal out of its misery or struck down a sickly animal that looked like it was about to attack someone? Scout executive Young, the person who dismissed them from their jobs, said the pair were fired because they had violated a Scout law: "A Scout is kind."

A December 2007 Newsweek article reported that shortly after the animal's death, the local prosecuting attorney wrote a letter to the Arkansas state police asking them to investigate the case to see if the two young men involved had violated state animal cruelty laws. The state police did not look into the matter, and no charges were filed.

John Bailey, then director of Arkansas's state police, told Newsweek that personnel in Governor Huckabee's employ (his chief of staff and personal lawyer) leaned on him to write a letter officially denying the local prosecutor's request for an investigation: "Bailey, a career officer who had been appointed chief by Huckabee's Democratic predecessor, said he viewed the lawyer's intervention as improper and terminated the conversation." Bailey was fired by Huckabee seven months later, with (according to Bailey) one of the reasons given by Huckabee being that "I couldn't get you to help me with my son when I had that problem." Newsweek quoted I.C. Smith, the former FBI chief in Little Rock, as saying "Without question, [Huckabee] was making a conscious attempt to keep the state police from investigating his son."

Governor Huckabee denied using his influence to keep police out of the matter, saying to CNN host Larry King: "Well, let me categorically say that is absolutely not true. I never used my influence. In fact, if anything, I said treat it like you would anything else. I don't want special treatment for him or against him. My son was a minor at the time. It was not a criminal issue. It was an issue that was dealt with."
Claim: NASA scientists discovered a "missing" day in time that corresponds to Biblical accounts of the sun's standing still in the sky. Rating: About this rating False

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Readers have been awestruck by the "missing day" legend since at least 1936, when the story emerged into popular culture via a book by Harry Rimmer, titled The Harmony of Science and Scripture, as reflected in this 1999 example from the Internet:

For all the scientists out there and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible ... here's something that shows God's awesome creation and shows that He is still in control. Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called "myth" in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore Maryland and a consultant in the space program,

relates the following development. "I think one of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at GreenBelt, Maryland. They were checking the position of the sun, moon, and planets out in space where they would be 100 years and 1000 years from now. We have to know this so we won't send a satellite, up and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite, and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down. They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong either with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out and they said, "What's wrong?" Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair. There was no answer. Finally, a Christian man on the team said, "You know, one time I was in Sunday School and they talked about the sun standing still." While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, "Show us." He got a Bible and went back to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with "common sense." There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee." Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy and if darkness fell they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right  "The sun stood still and the moon stayed  and hasted not to go down about a whole day!" (Joshua 10:12-13) The astronauts and scientists said, "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes  not a whole day. They read the Bible and there it was "about (approximately) a day" These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes you'll still be in trouble 1,000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said "Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?" Hezekiah said "It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees." Isaiah spoke to the Lord and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe!" Isn't it amazing?

In his own work, Rimmer cited an 1890 book as his proof of the calculations behind the tale. Scholars dismissed Rimmer's claims as baseless, but despite the authoritative debunkings of that time and in the years since, the legend continues to thrive. Indeed, the Internet has given it new legs, and spreading it to new audiences is as easy as clicking the 'forward' button.

The Public Affairs Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, responded to the prevalence of Hill's fictitious story by issuing a press release that noted (among other things):

[This center] has no knowledge of the use of its computers supposed by Mr. Harold Hill and attributed to our scientists. Goddard does not apply its computers to the task of projecting thousands of years into the future or past, as this would be irrelevant to the operational lifetime of satellites, which rarely exceeds a dozen years. [Harold Hill] worked briefly at Goddard early in the 1960s as a plant engineer, a position which would not place him in direct contact with our computer facilities or teams engaged in orbital computations.

Historically, the notion of a "lost day" in time comes from a combination of two Old Testament passages. The first is from the Book of Joshua and describes Joshua's defense of Gibeon from the five kings of the Amorites. In order to enable Joshua to finish off his enemies before they had a chance to flee under cover of darkness, God provided additional daylight by causing the sun to stand still in the sky for nearly a day:

10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day

The second passage, from 2 Kings, describes Hezekiah's request that God move the sun ten degrees backwards as confirmation of his promise that Hezekiah would be delivered into Heaven:

20:8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 20:9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

One of the first issues we have to consider is that the Bible is thousands of years old, and the accounts it contains have come to us through many oral tellings, re-copyings, printings, and translations. We have to be very careful about presenting a specific interpretation of a single English word or phrase from one particular version of the Bible as being "what the Bible actually says." Therefore, the first difficulty this legend presents is that nowhere in the Bible (in the Book of Joshua or elsewhere) is it stated that God made the sun stand still for exactly 23 hours and 20 minutes. Various translations word Joshua 10:13 differently, but most agree that the sun stood still for something less than a day: "about a whole day" or "nearly a day." We're told nothing more specific  "about a whole day" could also mean 22 hours and 48 minutes or 23 hours and 2 minutes; we have no way of telling. (The primary means of reckoning the passage of time in Joshua's era was by observing the apparent movement of celestial bodies through the sky relative to the observer. It's not likely any contemporary of Joshua's could have recorded the length of time the sun stood still with this degree of precision under the best of circumstances, and certainly not when the sun and moon were both fixed in the sky, and the sun's light prevented the sighting of any other stars.) As it turns out, the "23 hours and 20 minutes" figure was almost certainly an amount of time chosen by the legend's originator for extra-scriptual reasons we'll explain later.

The next difficulty is the interpretation presented in this legend of the statement in 2 Kings 20 about God's moving "the shadow" backwards "ten degrees" as meaning that the sun's shadow was moved backwards through ten angular degrees of measurement on a dial (presumably a sundial). Since a dial is a circle, and a circle contains 360 degrees, moving the sun's shadow backwards ten degrees would correspond to resetting time by one thirty-sixth of day. One thirty-sixth of a twenty-four hour day is two-thirds of an hour, or forty minutes. Voila! The problem is, 2 Kings 20 doesn't quite say this  the word "degree" is an artifact of certain English translations. How this passage is presented in other translations is more general: that the sun's shadow moved backwards ten steps (or ten units or ten intervals or ten markings) on the "dial of Ahaz." Since we have no idea exactly what the "dial of Ahaz" was, nor how much time was represented by one of its units, we cannot make any real estimate as to how far the sun actually moved. (If the dial of Ahaz had forty evenly-spaced markings on it, for example, ten of those units would represent one-fourth of a day, or six hours.)

We can only speculate, but it seems likely that once the originator of this legend decided upon an interpretation of 2 Kings 20 that created a "lost" 40 minutes of time, he also decided that the "about a whole day" described in Joshua 10 was a period of exactly 23 hours and 20 minutes so that the two amounts combined would equal exactly one day (even though the length day is actually about 23 hours and 56 minutes). Why? Perhaps because God is associated with balance and perfection, and any natural process that appears ordered is often attributed to divine handiwork: if scientists discovered a "missing" 23 hours and 18 minutes, that could be taken as some random fluke of the cosmos, but if the "missing" period were exactly one day, that would be evidence of a directed celestial intervention by a higher power.

Regardless of the amount of time involved, the discovery of a "missing" period of time remains implausible. If the sun had indeed stood still for a day a few millennia ago, we would have no way of determining that fact through astronomic observations today. We have no frame of reference, no cosmic calendar or master clock to check against to see if we're overdrawn at the Bank of Time. The concept described here would be like giving someone a non-functioning clock and asking him to determine how much time had elapsed since the clock had stopped running. One could note the positions of the hands on the dial and make a reasonable guess about what the time of day was when the clock stopped running, but without knowing whether that time was A.M. or P.M., and without knowing the calendar date on which stoppage occurred, one could not possibly make any reasonable estimate about how long ago the clock stopped.

Even the putative reasons offered for the scientists' performing the calculations described in this legend make little sense. We need not know about any "missing time" in the past in order to be able to launch spacecraft today. Even if the sun really did once stand still for a day, that would have absolutely no effect on where the sun, the moon, or the other planets are going to be one hundred or one thousand years from now. If we put a new battery in our stopped clock, all we have to do to get it back on track is to set it to the correct time; we don't need to determine how much time the clock "lost" while it wasn't running to be assured that it will display the correct time in the future.

The appeal of this legend isn't difficult to see: the tale confirms not only the existence of God, but also the literal truth of the Bible. Moreover, it pits the scientists versus the believers, with the believers emerging victorious and the (presumed godless) scientists left ground into dust by the very science they'd so long and so loudly upheld. David (in the form of the pure-hearted believer) takes on the Goliath of Science who continally bleats for independently verifiable proof of the Almighty, and for once the faithful are able to deliver up on a silver platter what's been asked for.

To those who've given over their hearts to God and the Holy Word, this is a deeply satisfying legend. Faith is, after all, the firm belief in something which cannot necessarily be proved, a quality that can leave believers (especially those who find themselves in the midst of non-believers) feeling unsatisfied. As steadfast as their certainty is, they cannot prove the rightness of the path they tread to those who jeer at their convictions. And this is a heavy burden to shoulder. A legend such as the "missing day explained" tale speaks straight to the hearts of those who yearn for a bit of vindication in this life. Being right isn't always enough: sometimes what one most longs for is sweet recognition from others.

That recognition, and that satisfaction, is what this legend provides. Intoxicatingly heady stuff, that. No wonder this tale has survived from generation to generation and withstood the ravages of countless debunkings. Nonetheless, its factual details are wrong, the scientific processes it describes are dubious, and its premise of a "missing day" depends upon some very selective and questionable intepretations of scripture.

Authenticity matters little, though: our willingness to accept legends depends far more upon their expression of concepts we want to believe than upon their plausibility. If the sun once really did stand still for a day, the best evidence we'd have for proving it would be the accounts of people who saw it happen. That is what the Bible is said to offer. Some people accept that as sufficient proof, and others don't.
Verifi Names Ian Nicholson Business Development Director, EMEA

LOS ANGELES, CA  (Marketwired)  03/22/17  Verifi, Inc., the leading provider of , today announced the appointment of Ian Nicholson as their Business Development Director, EMEA. He will work from the Companys London office.

Verifi will look to Ian to broaden the Companys merchant partnerships as they continue expansion into the UK and mainland Europe. His responsibilities will include the on-boarding of new merchants and partners as they continue to adopt Verifis award-winning Cardholder Dispute Resolution Network (CDRN).

Ian brings an impressive array of expertise to the table, said Matthew Katz, founder and CEO of Verifi. We will look to him to continue our UK expansion while expanding into additional markets in Europe and beyond.

Ian holds more than twenty years of experience in building and implementing go-to-market strategies and sales. His career began at UUNET, one of the largest Internet service providers at the time and a pioneer in Tier 1 networks. Ian enhanced his payment processing expertise as head of gaming for EntroPay, Europes largest VISA pre-paid card issuer, where he managed his sectors revenue line and was awarded the Excellence in Motion honor for his work.

Most recently, Ian worked with mobile payments leader, Boku, Inc. where he was instrumental in building and implementing sales strategies for direct carrier billing for physical goods in the UK.

Verifis CDRN platform processes hundreds of thousands of cases monthly and provides merchants and issuers with unmatched protection through near real-time collaboration for both fraud and non-fraud chargeback disputes. CDRNs patented closed loop process integrates directly with top card issuers and redirects disputes from the issuer to the merchant for resolution before they escalate and become chargebacks. Merchants avoid costly fees, fines or penalties while issuers support cardholder satisfaction through timely resolution, as well as lower operating expenses.

Based on its proprietary closed loop process, CDRN is widely considered the most accurate and collaborative network solution for fraud and non-fraud disputes. By leveraging timely and accurate dispute data, CDRN prevents chargebacks and helps merchants avoid paying for false alerts that do not become chargebacks.

Looking forward, Verifi is in the process of expanding their award-winning dispute prevention and risk management services to further improve the payments ecosystem for cardholders, merchants and issuers alike. As part of their innovation plan, a new service will enable the sharing of order details in real-time between merchants and issuers to resolve billing confusion, reduce friendly fraud and help validate true fraud. By providing a deeper level of data, cardholders can better recall or understand their purchases and avoid filing false cases of fraud. This new offering will minimize the occurrences of cardholders looking to capitalize and manipulate the system that result in unnecessary chargebacks, lost sales and profits along with higher operational costs and unhappy customers.

Verifi continues to invest in its UK network expansion as well as key international markets to increase the protections and benefits CDRN offers cardholders, merchants and issuers. The company serves a broad and growing base of customers ranging from early stage to large enterprise merchants and top tier issuers.

Verifi, an award-winning provider of end-to-end payment protection and management solutions, was founded in 2005 to help merchants effectively manage the payments challenges they face every day. Verifi helps merchants safely process paymentscombat fraud, prevent and resolve costly chargebacks, as well as increase billings and keep loyal customers. Our best-in-breed solutions and white glove support are trusted by a wide range of industries from emerging companies to the Fortune 500. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, we process more than $20 billion transactions annually and currently serve more than 25,000 accounts globally. For more information, visit: .

:

Kevin Mercuri

212-901-6914
Jamf Prepared with Pre Zero-day Support for All Apple Spring 2017 Releases

MINNEAPOLIS, MN  (Marketwired)  03/22/17  , the leader in Apple device management, announced support for the upcoming Apple releases of iOS, macOS and tvOS. When customers upgrade their iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV, IT administrators using (formerly Casper Suite) or (formerly Bushel) can be confident their management workflows will be uninterrupted. Committed to helping organizations succeed with Apple, Jamf has offered zero-day support for all Apple releases for over a decade, ensuring customers can take advantage of new Apple technology as it becomes available.

In addition to version compatibility, Jamf Pro, a solution designed specifically for professional Apple administrators, supports the new functionality launched for macOS, iOS and tvOS. This includes new security capabilities and configuration management for devices, additional managed restrictions, a new version of Apples Classroom app, making it easier to set up ad-hoc classrooms, and substantial new device management capabilities for Apple TV, including zero-touch setup, configuration and app distribution.

For the first time, businesses and schools can set up and manage Apple TV just like they do iPhone or iPad, which means they can not only mass deploy Apple TV with ease, but create a seamless and interconnected experience between Apple devices, said Dave Alampi, vice president of product management and marketing, Jamf. And, the desire to make Apple TV management more turnkey is there. In a recent survey of 959 IT admins on Jamf Nation, 97 percent reported Apple TV devices in their environment, with 35 percent saying they have 50-plus TVs. When asked about Apple TV growth, 44 percent of respondents are planning to add more Apple TV devices in the next year.

We imagined teachers being able to display any historic picture, map or other educational content on a classroom display with the simple command of their voice, said Blair Anderson, technology manager, Shawnee Heights School District in Tecumseh, Kansas. Thats why we deployed fourth generation Apple TV devices to every classroom and conference room in the district. Being able to use Jamf Pro to manage our entire ecosystem of Apple products, including Mac, iPad and Apple TV, lets us transform, yet supervise, the total learning experience for students and help improve teacher effectiveness.

As usual, Apples new functionality for iOS, macOS and tvOS coupled with Jamfs zero-day support will help organizations empower people with technology that puts the user first, said Dean Hager, CEO, Jamf. Specifically, the new management support for Apple TV opens up tremendous potential for transformation in education, healthcare, hospitality and boardrooms around the world. We have only seen the beginning of what life looks like in a world of network connected things. I look forward to the automation we can help organizations achieve by supporting future Apple innovations the day they become available.

Since 2002, Jamf has been solely focused on helping organizations succeed with Apple. Jamf is committed to enabling IT to empower end users and bring the legendary Apple experience to businesses, education and government organizations via its Jamf Pro and Jamf Now produces, and the 42,000+ member . Today, more than 10,000 global customers rely on Jamf to manage 7 million Apple devices. To learn more, visit:

Kaitlin Shinkle

Jamf

(612) 508-2643
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Never miss Somerset's latest and breaking news again by signing up to our Daily Newsletter

More than 50 Somerset primary school pupils are inside the Houses of Parliament after it came under a suspected terrorist attack today (March 22).

The 57 children from a Church school were on a school trip to London when the attack at the Palace of Westminster took place.

A spokeswoman for the school has told Somerset Live the pupils are aged 10 and 11 and are currently inside Parliament's Education Unit

She said: "Is is the safest place they could possibly be. They have no idea how long they will be there."

One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured in the attack.

The children from St John and St Francis School on Westonzoyland Road in Bridgwater are all safe and well.

The school has Tweeted to say the children have been singing to "lighten the mood."

Two people have been shot by police outside Parliament after an incident on Westminster Bridge in which 'several' people were injured.

A woman has been rescued from the River Thames.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now





The Houses of Parliament has been locked down while the two men were being treated inside the grounds.

A statement from the school read: "We have spoken to Mr Piper in London and ALL children are safe. A text message has been sent out.

"Please do not call the school as we need to keep the phone lines clear. We will update you with further news as we receive it."

The school also tweeted: "We're all sat in the centre of the #housesofparliament . We are safe, happy and lightening the mood with a sing song"
Three families who helped shelter former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in 2013 after his mass leak of information about surveillance programs have asked Canada for asylum, their lawyer said on Friday.

The families - three Sri Lankan adults, a Filipina, and three stateless children - have had long-pending asylum claims in Hong Kong that they fear may soon be rejected, lawyer Marc-Andre Seguin said in a phone interview from Hong Kong.

Vanessa Rodel from the Philippines, who has a five-year-old daughter and is one of those seeking asylum in Canada, has said she has no regrets about taking Snowden in.

"I am hopeful that we can get into Canada and start a new life (with) safety and freedom," she told Agene France-Presse.

Seguin said the families had been thrust into the spotlight after the September release of the Oliver Stone film "Snowden" which referred to their role in Snowden's flight from the United States in 2013 and, eventually, to Russia.

Seguin said the families and Hong Kong-based lawyer Robert Tibbo, who introduced his clients to Snowden, now face increasingly adverse circumstances in Hong Kong.

They said that they have been "actively sought by Sri Lankan operatives" in recent months and fear for their safety in Hong Kong, Seguin said. Reuters could not independently verify their stories.

A spokeswoman for Canada's immigration minister said his office does not comment on current or possible cases and could not confirm or deny having received the applications.

Hong Kong authorities have yet to confirm that they are investigating claims Sri Lankan operatives were working in the territory, but a Security Bureau spokesman said it was illegal for foreign agencies to carry out law enforcement action within Hong Kong.

"Everyone in Hong Kong is protected by Hong Kong laws regardless of his or her identity and background," the bureau spokesman said.

Snowden's leaks of classified information about government surveillance programs caused an international furor over the reach of U.S. spy operations. His defenders see him as a whistleblower who exposed the extent of government snooping on citizens.

He has been allowed to remain in Russia for another three years and will next year qualify to apply for Russian citizenship, his Russian lawyer was quoted as saying in January.
By Mata Press Service

A grassroots organization which formed Canada's first Sikh cadet regiment in Surrey will have its day in court to challenge its ouster by the Army Cadet League of Canada.

The BC Supreme Court denied an application by the League to dismiss the case last week and ordered the plaintiff - Friends of the Sikh Cadets Society  which was representing itself to seek counsel.

An amended notice of claim will be filed this week, said Harbinder Singh Sewak, one of the founders of the Friends of the Sikh Cadet Society.

The judge has given us our day in court and we intend to use that to regain our reputation which has been tarnished by our unlawful ouster, unfounded reasons and sinister motives, he said.

Sewak led a group of Sikh donors to form the 3300 BCR British Columbia Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) in 2012 with the intention of honouring the Sikh heritage connection with the Canadian Forces and advance the pluralism of Canadas military family.

According to the B.C. Supreme Court notice of civil claim, the Friends of the Sikh Cadets Society said its agreement to fund the regiment was unilaterally terminated by the Army Cadet League of Canada.

The lawsuit claimed the ouster was orchestrated by factions aligned with Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan.

"The conspiracy was fuelled by rival Sikh factions aligned with Minister Sajjan which led to undue interference of the operations by the society and its ultimate ouster," the claim states.

"As a result of the conspiracy, the operations of the 3300 BCR British Columbia Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) are in disarray, leaving stranded dozens of teenagers and their parents in one of Canada's fastest growing cadet program(s)."

After the lawsuit was filed last year, a statement from Jordan Owens, a spokesperson for Sajjan, that did not directly respond to the suits allegations, noted the minister has proudly worked to promote diversity throughout the Canadian Armed Forces.

"Having served in the military, Minister Sajjan has great respect for the Chain of Command, and trusts them to make the decisions that have been delegated to them," Owens said.

The Army Cadet League of Canada in its failed application to dismiss the case said The Friends of the Sikh Cadets Society was dissolved in May 2015 for failing to file its annual reports with the Registrar of Companies.

As a result of the dissolution and failure to uphold financial commitments the sponsorship agreement (between the society and the League) was terminated in June 2016.

On the issue of factions aligned with Sajjan allegedly behind the motive for the ouster, the League contends that the claim is difficult to understand and is without substance.

Sewak and the Friends of the Sikh Cadets Society said in an affidavit that the dissolution by the Registrar was a technical oversight and that the society has been restored with an order that it is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had never been struck off.

I have conducted a search and there are many societies that are supportive of the cadet program that have technical faults including not being registered and they have not been dealt with the same manner as us, said Sewak in his affidavit.

Sewak in his affidavit contends our financial duties were not neglected in any manner and the termination was politically motivated.

The sponsor committee is a group of volunteers dedicated to the operations and growth of the Sikh Cadets. The Army Cadet League, instead of helping and guiding us, has for some unknown reason decided it is best to get rid of us, said Sewak in a statement.

Sewak said the lawsuit will be suspended if an open inquiry is called by the Department of National Defence and/or The Army Cadet League in how this matter was handled.
By Renee Sylvestre-Williams

New Canadian Media

When Toronto-based lawyer Anjli Patel and her husband, Parambir Keila, were planning their Sikh wedding ceremony, they wanted to keep it simple and have it downtown. But they didn't look specifically for a South Asian planner familiar with their cultures.

We found our wedding planner through a listing on Wedluxe.com, says Patel. It wasn't necessarily the norm for Patel to have a planner. She says traditionally South Asian weddings were organized by families and, in some cases, the entire village. But since her 2012 wedding, she says having a planner instead of relying on family has become more accepted in South Asian communities.

There are South Asian wedding planners, like Sapna [Weddings], but we went with our planner [Melissa Haggerty from Spectacular Spectacular], even though ours was their first South Asian wedding, because we wanted to get married in a downtown venue, and our planner had a lot of experience planning events in downtown venues. Spectacular Spectacular has planned a few South Asian weddings each year since.

That choice, and that distribution of knowledge, wasnt available 10 or 15 years ago, when Vicki Singh was planning her wedding. She was inspired to start her own wedding planning business after trying to find suppliers who could cater to the South Asian market.

As more immigrants settle in Canada, theyre looking for planners who can help plan weddings that incorporate all aspects of their cultures. With the Canadian wedding industry worth $5 billion and catering to an average of 160,000 couples annually (according to a survey in Wedding bells magazine), the industry has evolved beyond the white dress. And while it's easy for many people to find a planner who understands their wishes in their countries of origin, it can be difficult to find planners in Canada who fully appreciate clients varied needs and cultural sensitivities.

This year will be our 15th anniversary [of the business], says Singh, who has published two books on the subject, Cultural Weddings and The South Asian Wedding Planner. This issue kept coming up. Finding suppliers who wanted and could cater to Indian weddings was a challenge. Instagram wasnt as prevalent, so there were fewer ways to find out about new services and ideas. We were counting a lot on word of mouth to find people to do video, makeup  and the referrals werent always of the best quality.

We helped plan a Sikh wedding last year where the photographer had never done this kind of wedding before, Singh explains, describing one typical example. She was adamant she knew what to do, but there are certain things you need to know beforehand that she never got to: in a Sikh wedding you remove your shoes, cover your head, et cetera, during the ceremony. She came to the venue not knowing any of that.

Alison McGill, editor-in-chief of Weddingbells, says couples who've wanted a diverse wedding have been chronically underserved by the industry, but that is changing. Diversity has always been a key factor in Canadian weddings, and with more and more couples wanting to incorporate their cultures into their celebration, there has definitely been a shift in the wedding marketplace  Offerings are more multicultural today than ever before, and it is now not as difficult to find a wedding planner specializing in specific cultural celebrations. She also said that wedding shows  often the place where couples find vendors and suppliers  are becoming more varied, offering services specific to different cultural backgrounds.

Danielle Andrews, co-founder of the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, has seen firsthand how the industry has changed. I dont know that multicultural weddings themselves have necessarily increased, she says. What Im seeing is more wedding coordinators getting involved. Were seeing a shift towards having a wedding coordinator handling the [culturally specific] details  and not necessarily always a wedding coordinator of the couples culture.

What has changed, in other words, is that wedding coordinators are educating themselves about different cultures. They might have training in (and until recently, cultural familiarity with) western wedding mores, but now theyre expanding their expertise and range of services.

Andrews says theyre seeing more weddings that blend eastern and western traditions  more western-style weddings with the Chinese tea ceremony included," for instance. "Its not heavy on customs, but its definitely incorporating customs. Couples are picking and choosing which customs they want incorporated into their wedding.

Patel and Keila chose not to include extravagant Sikh or Hindu traditions into their wedding, which often include a week of events leading up to the ceremony. Instead, she and her husband kept the wedding small, celebrating at the Art Gallery of Ontario with 150 people, and even skipping the cake. She says working with Haggerty might have sounded risky, but it worked out: We had a South Asian officiant and we all met a number of times to review the ceremony in detail. We had many design meetings where we discussed the big-picture look and feel and details as well. Having said that, our vision was never beyond her comprehension because we have the same aesthetic sensibility. We were always on the same page.

Singh, the one who started her own wedding planning business, may have had trouble finding suppliers who could help plan weddings, but now, people can get her books everywhere. We have brides who get our books at the Bay or Bed Bath and Beyond. And [then they] will have their nieces use it  a progression of people.

Renee Sylvestre-Williams is a writer living in Toronto. Her work has been published in The Globe and Mail, Canadian Living and Quartz. This story is the product of a partnership between TVO.org and New Canadian Media.

This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media.

See http://newcanadianmedia.ca/component/k2/40839-beyond-white-dresses-and-tiered-cakes

Highlights from the wedding survey include:

 There will be an estimated 160,324 weddings in Canada during 2015.

 The average age of Canadian brides is 30.

 December remains the most popular time to get engaged with 20% of men popping the question that month.

 67% of weddings will occur between June and September. The most popular month to marry in is August, with 23% of weddings taking place that month.

 One in four weddings that occur between November and April will be destination weddings. 14% of Canadian weddings will take place abroad.

 The expected cost of a wedding in Canada in 2015 (including the honeymoon) is $30,717.

 75% of brides agree that they are likely to spend more than anticipated on their wedding.

 The average number of wedding guests is 129.

 89% of brides had input on how much their wedding ring cost.

 More than one in four women had chosen their engagement ring before becoming engaged.

 90% of brides said they had logged into a social network in the past 30 days and 83% of brides said that social media plays an important role in the planning of my wedding.
Namely News: Volunteers scare up Halloween fun

On Loop Court in Grangers, neighbors build a Halloween maze for all. At IU South Bend, students organize Boo to You for area children.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
In this June 18, 2015, file frame from video, Joey Meek, friend of Dylann Roof who is accused of killing nine black church members during Bible study on June 17 in Charleston, S.C., speaks to The Associated Press. Meek, the only person to whom Roof confided his racist plan to massacre worshippers is set to be sentenced Tuesday, March 21, 2017, for lying to the FBI.
Charles Poches future as district administrator seems uncertain as the Portage School Board has scheduled its sixth closed-session review of his performance since December.

The board  which has evaluated Poches in closed sessions twice in December, twice in February and once in March  will again meet in closed session at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Poches is on a two-year contract that ends after the 2017-18 school year.

No board action concerning Poches has taken place in open session, though an email sent to all district staff members on Thursday by School Board President Matt Foster said that the board has decided not to extend the district administrators contract an additional year and will freeze his 2017-2018 school year salary. The email was provided to the Daily Register on Thursday by a confirmed district employee who wishes to remain anonymous.

The decision about Poches, Foster says in the email, was made after considering the district report card, the survey results, and community concerns we have received.

Foster on Tuesday confirmed authorship of the email, which begins by thanking staff for providing valuable feedback in a School Perceptions climate survey. Foster told the Daily Register last week that, concerning Poches, no formal action has taken place, but an outline has been discussed and mutually agreed upon to move forward. Foster reiterated that stance on Tuesday, but admitted that saying the board had already reached a decision in the email was a poor choice of words, in hindsight.

Foster said the idea to not extend Poches contract and to freeze his salary for next year came from Poches, which Poches confirmed Tuesday. Foster also said he expects Poches to return as district administrator next year, pending future board evaluations and discussions.

Not extending his contract, Foster said, would give Poches a year to show improvement, particularly in light of the district last year falling into the category of meets few expectations in report cards from the state Department of Public Instruction.

We need to work harder for our kids, and that starts with me, Poches said of the report card, noting he had suggested the board not extend his contract and freeze his 2017-18 salary after a special meeting held in February. I told the board I didnt earn it; I didnt earn an increase in pay.

I see this as a great opportunity for accountability in education, to address shortfalls in the school report card and to show our community how well our kids are performing in this school district, Poches said. We have, through this process, come through with a clearer picture of who we are.

When Foster was asked if Poches future as district administrator was uncertain, he replied, Isnt anybodys future uncertain? He added that the number of closed-session meetings the district has had in regards to Poches is a little more than usual, but stressed the value of having multiple discussions.

Foster expects the boards evaluation of Poches will be completed by the end of April.

At this point (his) contract will continue through 2017-18, and at that point he can be renewed or not renewed, Foster said.

Poches said his returning as administrator beyond 2017-18 is up to the board but that he loves the district and wants to be here for a long time.

School Perceptions

Staff in January completed the survey conducted by School Perceptions LLC, an independent research firm based in Slinger. Those results will be the subject of an all-staff meeting set for 3:45 p.m. March 29 in the Portage High School auditorium, led by administration.

The Daily Register received the questions for the staff survey from the district on March 15 via an Open Records request. Questions in the survey are intended to measure respondents feelings about district administration, communication, work environment, health and wellness, the School Board and leadership at the building level.

Surveying of the Portage community has not yet been administered, the company confirmed Monday. Sue Peterson, project manager and strategic communications specialist at School Perceptions, is expected to discuss the staff survey at the School Boards next regular meeting on April 10. Peterson confirmed Monday that she has a hold on her calendar to attend that meeting but is awaiting confirmation from the district.

The School Board reviewed the staff survey data in closed session on Feb. 28, according to the meeting minutes posted on the district website.

Per Fosters email to staff, building administrators received results and data from the staff survey on March 13 and were then asked by the board to identify areas of need and a plan of action to meet those needs. Administrators, he wrote, would then be expected to consolidate their findings and present a draft plan of action to the board for the April 10 meeting.

The School Board in its October meeting approved the School Perceptions survey to be done at a cost of no more than $6,000. Poches in that meeting had addressed the board in support of the survey, which he felt will help us engage more with the community and demonstrate to residents how referendum dollars are helping everyone. Poches added that usage of the survey by neighboring districts like Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells had opened up lines of communication, aiding them in finding public support for various projects.

Poches, 49, came to the Portage district on July 1, 2007, after spending four years as Crivitz School District administrator. In Portage he replaced Dan Pulsfus, who retired after 14 years, and Gene Hamele, who served as interim administrator during the search for a replacement for Pulsfus.

A district administrators contract cannot exceed two years, and a contract for a term of two years may provide for one or more extensions of one year each, according to state law.

Data for improvement

Portage has so far paid School Perceptions $1,950 for the staff survey and $2,800 for the pending community survey, Peterson said. The company has started work on the community surveys design, building it around the goals outlined in the districts 2014-2019 Strategic Plan.

School Perceptions was established in 2002 and has conducted research for entities in all 50 states. Peterson estimated the company has worked with 80 percent of the school districts in Wisconsin.

School surveys, she said, vary from district to district, depending on what their needs are. It is not uncommon, she added, for the staff to be surveyed before the community, noting that the timeline Portage is experiencing between issuing the staff survey and the community survey is very typical.

The staff survey, Peterson said, is designed to gather some good data on your district employees strengths and weaknesses and what systems of support can be put into place to make your district more successful. The company deals exclusively in providing data, she added, noting that any solutions are entirely left up to the district.

Peterson said the staff survey wont be public record until the results are shared by the district in a public meeting.
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

NASA's recent discovery of seven new Earth-sized planets, 40 light years away, has generated more excitement in the hunt for life off our own. Many influential thinkers have turned their attention to the colonization of other planets (usually Mars), including Tesla founder Elon Musk, and the groups behind Mars One. But while the search for extraterrestrial life is fascinating, our interplanetary exploration raises some interesting ethical questions.

Physicist Stephen Hawking has said that we should colonize other planets to protect the human race:

Although the chance of a disaster to planet Earth in a given year may be quite low, it adds up over time, and becomes a near certainty in the next thousand or ten thousand years. By that time we should have spread out into space, and to other stars, so a disaster on Earth would not mean the end of the human race.

The notion of a mass exodus and transplanting a planet is, on the surface, an attractive concept. But we rarely, if ever, critically ask why we ought to do such a thing in the first place. Have we truly earned the right to colonize other planets, especially after the way we've behaved on this one? Many films and books have turned their attention to these ethical questions.

Can we survive?

Interplanetary colonization was once the stuff only of science fiction. Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy, for instance, showed the act of colonizing and terraforming Mars (literally turning it into Earth).

Red Mars (1993), Green Mars (1994), and Blue Mars (1996) showed the gradual changes to the structure of the red planet as it became more habitable for humanity. The books also looked at the psychological effects of humanity's ultra-longevity, including existential boredom. Even Robinson questions whether we should colonize Mars, indeed he has said of the Mars One project, which aims to establish a permanent human settlement on the planet:

This is an example of the kind of fantasy that can emerge in the age of the internet, with the gullible scientism that comes from a culture that lacks scientific literacy.

He also reasons: "I like the Earth too much."

More recently, in Andy Weir's The Martian (2011), astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) colonizes Mars after being left for dead.

And in the 2012 film Interstellar, a group of astronauts go through a wormhole to examine three new planets for a "new earth," after crop blights and a second Dust Bowl ravage much of the original earth. The remainder of humanity is left for dead while new colonies are set up on a new planet.

Both these films raise tough questions, suggesting that there's no single utopian vision regarding the colonization of planets. While both look at extending the lifetime of humanity beyond the Earth, we must ask, at what cost is humanity's survival ensured?

Should we survive?

These discussions are taking place in a period of time known as the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene, according to scientists, is the current geological era in which we find ourselves: characterised by humanity's impact on the planet, and a tendency to view everything through a human-centred lens.

Cultural studies theorist Claire Colebrook, whose work focuses on culture and the Anthropocene, has looked at the rhetoric of survival that is attached to many science fiction films, notably The Day the Earth Stood Still.

In both the 1951 and 2008 version, an alien called Klaatu is sent to Earth to warn humans that if they don't change their disregard for the planet, they will be eradicated for the benefit of Earth. The 1951 version is set in the Nuclear Age, while the 2008 remake focuses instead on environmental catastrophe. When the alien sees another, more benevolent side of humanity, he calls off the attack.

The 1951 trailer for The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Colebrook asks: "[why] is present discourse focused on how we might survive, rather than whether we ought to survive?"

Numerous writers and film-makers have turned their attention to the question of what it means for humanity to be annihilated. In Nevil Shute's critically acclaimed On the Beach (1957), a hallmark Nuclear Age sci-fi work alongside Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon (1959), a cloud of radiation slowly drifts from the Northern Hemisphere down to Melbourne after a nuclear war. The survivors, meanwhile, try to enjoy themselves before the inevitable end arrives.

Observes one character:

It's not the end of the world at all. It's only the end for us. The world will go on just the same, only we shan't be in it. I dare say it will get along all right without us.

JG Ballard's The Drowned World (1962) similarly demystifies the longevity of the human race, with the central character gradually welcoming the destruction of civilisation as the world reverts to its wild, primitive state. The novel ends with him disappearing into the wild:

He left the lagoon and entered the jungle again, within a few days was completely lost, following the lagoons southward through the increasing rain and heat, attacked by alligators and giant bats, a second Adam searching for the forgotten paradises of the reborn sun.

As theorist Gary Westfahl points out, in comparison to other sci-fi works, The Drowned World "rapturously embrace[s] human extinction."

More recently, Lars von Trier's film Melancholia (2011) follows the story of two sisters, played by Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as another planet is on a collision course with Earth. Justine (Dunst), welcomes Earth's destruction, saying: "The earth is evil. We don't need to grieve for it [] Life exists only on Earth. And not for long." At the end, the planet collides with the earth and obliterates it.

Similarly, in the Australian film These Final Hours (2013), the world comes to an end after a meteor collides with the earth, and the main character and his pregnant girlfriend sit on the beach as a firestorm bears down on the planet.

And in Michael Faber's The Book of Strange New Things (2014), a pastor is sent to another planet to impart Christian values while Earth succumbs to severe climate devastation and famine. Despite this, the pastor tries to get back to Earth to die with his wife and their unborn child.

These works delve into the moral and ethical issues surrounding humanity's survival, in contrast to other works that promote humankind's longevity. In The Day the Earth Stood Still, humanity was seen to have jeopardised its chance of survival before being redeemed by the benevolence of the alien.

But in a world that is dragging its feet on climate change and other massive environmental problems, the concept of moving to other planets appears quite selfish.

In Independence Day (1996), President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) describes the invading aliens as a virus, saying:

They're like locusts. They're moving from planet to planet  their whole civilisation. After they've consumed every natural resource they move on.

As interplanetary colonizers, we would become the aliens.

Some of these books and films suggest humanity doesn't deserve to survive, others withhold judgement, instead hurtling towards the final moments. These usually offer redemption for at least some humans  through love, bravery, or freedom.

Should we give up?

It appears all too easy to adopt a fatalistic attitude in light of such discussions of humanity's ultimate fate. Woody Allen, for instance, has discussed what he calls "Ozymandias Melancholia," or, the "realisation that your works of art will not save you and will mean nothing down the line."

The view from the moon, captured in 1968. (Image credit: NASA)

Yet he also notes that "the artist's job is not to succumb to despair, but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence."

It isn't as simple as nihilistically accepting the inevitable, but questioning the extent to which we are willing to ensure survival, and considering the inevitability of human extinction. Medicine, for instance, has kept humans alive for longer than they otherwise would have lived, an example of positive human survival.

But when the prospect of human survival intrudes upon the natural environment of other planets, which would be best left alone, the idea of colonizing other planets becomes unethical.

Siobhan Lyons, Scholar in Media and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates  and become part of the discussion  on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com.
Yves Meyer is known for his pivotal role in developing the wavelet theory, which is used to detect gravitational waves from two black holes merging (right).

A French mathematician known for his pioneering work on a theory used for applications ranging from image compression to the detection of gravitational waves from the merging of black holes has earned one of the world's top prizes in mathematics.

Yves Meyer, a professor emeritus in mathematics at the Ecole normale superieure Paris-Saclay in France, will receive the Abel Prize, the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters (which awards the prize) announced today (March 21) in Oslo. The prize, which comes with a cash award of 6 million Norwegian krone ($710,000), will be bestowed by King Harald V of Norway on May 23.

Meyer was honored largely "for his pivotal role in the development of the mathematical theory of wavelets," the academy said. His work on wavelets began in the mid-1980s. [The 11 Most Beautiful Mathematical Equations]

Wavelets are mathematical operations that look a bit like the spiky blips that appear on a seismograph or a heart-wave monitor. When the wavelets are mathematically combined with another unknown signal (ranging from sound to image signals), they can be used to extract information from the original signal. Wavelets, like their more famous cousins Fourier transforms, are widely used in signal processing, including in compressing certain formats of JPEG images.

Wavelets are particularly useful when the goal is to discard some extraneous information (such as low-frequency noise from the universe) while keeping the important signal (like the brief blip of gravitational waves from two black holes colliding). Wavelets also aid in detecting edges, because they easily pull out spots in data where a signal is changing rapidly, such as in the lines of a fingerprint.

Though others invented wavelets in the early 1980s, Meyer's work allowed scientists to create unique wavelet transforms that were ideally suited to specific signals.

Varied life and interests

Meyer was born in Tunisia in 1939, before emigrating to France and entering an undergraduate school there in 1957. After graduating, he became a math teacher at a small French military school. The job was not a good match for him.

"A good teacher at the high-school level needs to be much more methodic and organized than I was," Meyer said in an interview in the International Association of Mathematical Physics bulletin in 2011.

He also disliked the one-way, didactic approach to teaching students while they struggled to gain the knowledge and were frequently wrong, he said.

"Socrates makes very clear that he needs a discussion with his friends to discover the truth," Meyer said in the interview. "Truth is never given to him as a gift from God; truth needs to be elaborated through a collective work. My experience of teaching in a high school shaped my entire life. I understood that I was more happy to share than to possess."

After that frustrating experience, in 1963, he applied to a doctoral program in Strasbourg, France and, over the decades, hopped from school to school in France, never settling on a permanent home. His mathematical inquiries were equally peripatetic: He developed important theories in a wide range of fields, including number theory and the Navier-Stokes theorem, which describe the flow of viscous fluids.

"During my professional life, I obsessively tried to cross the frontiers," Meyer said in a statement from the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters.

Originally published on Live Science.
Stephen Hawking at a press conference to announce Breakthrough Starshot, a new space exploration initiative, at One World Observatory on April 12, 2016, in New York City.

Stephen Hawking does not feel welcome in Donald Trump's America. The renowned physicist made this unhappy claim in a recent interview, and he expressed particular concern about how the Trump administration is treating the issue of climate change.

Hawking discussed U.S. politics during an interview with ITV's "Good Morning Britain" on Monday (March 20). Hawking, who once called Trump a "demagogue," said the new U.S. president was elected by "people who felt disenfranchised by the governing elite in a revolt against globalization." The Trump administration's policies pertaining to climate change, and science in general, are an attempt to satisfy that electorate, Hawking told interviewer Piers Morgan.

Only about two months into his presidency, Trump has already signaled that science will not be a priority for his administration. Trump's proposed 2018 budget called for major funding cuts across the science-focused government agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already seen major changes since Trump's election, and could see its budget shrink by 31 percent under the proposed budget. [The Reality of Climate Change: 10 Myths Busted]

In fact, it was the EPA that Hawking specifically noted when discussing the Trump administration. Hawking disagreed with the appointment of Scott Pruitt to head the environmental agency. Pruitt, who called to abolish the EPA before his appointment, recently said he does not believe that carbon dioxide is a main driver of climate change.

"[Trump] should replace Scott Pruitt," Hawking said when asked if he had a message for the U.S. president. "Climate change is one of the great dangers we face  and it's one we can prevent. It affects America badly, so tackling it should win votes for his second term. God forbid."

Hawking also said Trump's sanctioning of two oil pipelines continues the country's reliance on fossil fuels.

However, Hawking did note there are signs of hope in the world  for instance, the rise of women in powerful political positions. Also, despite policies that would deeply cut funding for many U.S. programs, science advancement continues to impress Hawking. The scientist specifically shared his excitement over the search for Earth-like planets.

Original article on Live Science.
Earth as seen by the NASA/NOAA DSCOVR satellite on July 6, 2015. President Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate DSCOVR's Earth-observing work.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Planetary scientists expressed their displeasure this week with President Trump's recently proposed federal budget, despite the increase of funding it would provide their field.

NASA's Planetary Science Division Director Jim Green described his program's proposed 16 percent budget bump as "incredibly good" during a talk Monday (March 20) at the 48th Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference in The Woodlands, Texas.

But many researchers in the packed room focused instead on the hit taken by Earth sciences, a cut that critics have linked to the politics of global warming. [President Trump Signs NASA Transition Authorization Act]

"I personally feel it is short-sighted to be excited about the planetary science budget," Nancy Chabot, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, told Green during the questions-and-comments part of his presentation. "Planetary science does not live in isolation."

Short-term gain, long-term loss

The president's federal budget request, which was unveiled March 16, cuts funding to numerous government agencies dramatically. The Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department, for example, both would lose about 30 percent of their funding if the budget were enacted as-is.

But NASA suffered less than a 1 percent drop to its funding level, down to $19.1 billion. And planetary sciences received a 16 percent increase, a rise that Green said was "historic."

"We've never had a proposed budget this high," he said, noting that the bump is the largest increase for any NASA division.

Green also cited the $3.7 billion slotted for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, a duo that NASA is developing to send astronauts to deep space. SLS will also be able to launch robotic missions to other worlds, Green noted.

The White House's proposed budget eliminates NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission and allocates no funding to a lander mission to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. (NASA's Europa flyby mission, called Europa Clipper, remains on track for an early-2020s launch.)

Ben Bussey, the chief exploration scientist in NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, was also at Green's talk Monday. He reminded the audience that the proposed budget needs to be reviewed by Congress before going into effect. The next budget deadline will be April 28.

"What we do depends on what we get appropriated," Bussey said. "We won't really know exactly what is happening until we see the appropriations bill."

That idea was repeated multiple times through the session; Green advised a "wait-and-see" approach as scientists expressed dissatisfaction.

Most of the concern regarded the proposed $100 million cut to Earth science, which includes satellites that monitor Earth's temperature and sea level. The White House budget request also cancels four NASA Earth-science missions  the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite; the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) experiment; the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder; and the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR).

The community of lunar and planetary scientists at the conference urged one another to contact elected officials about continuing funding for NASA Earth science. One audience member urged that some of planetary science's funding go to studying our planet. ['Listening to the Planets' to Understand Our Changing Climate (Video)]

"We do that all the time," Green said, pointing to astrobiology and comparative planetary science studies, which investigate Earth environments to help understand other worlds. Those studies are funded by planetary science, he said.

This didn't fully appease the scientists, who burst into applause when one member quoted California Gov. Jerry Brown's statement that the state would launch its own satellites if existing Earth-science spacecraft were shut down.

"Planetary science may receive a short-term gain but a long-term loss if the science community in the United States isn't strong all the way around," Chabot said.

Mission roundup

Green also gave a broad update about the status of various NASA planetary-exploration missions. For example, he touched on the three finalist landing sites for the Mars 2020 rover  Jezero Crater, the Northeast Syrtis Major mesas, and Columbia Hills, which lies inside Gusev Crater (which was previously visited by NASA's Spirit rover).

"These are fabulous sites," Green said.

And he discussed a recent NASA "senior review," which unanimously recommended continuing to extend all existing planetary missions that have already passed their primary stage. That includes all of the agency's active Mars rovers and orbiters, the Dawn mission to the dwarf planet Ceres, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the New Horizons Pluto probe, which is zooming toward a January 2019 flyby of the faraway Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69. (That moniker will likely change, however; the New Horizons team, NASA, and the International Astronomical Union are all working to develop a contest or activity to rename the body.)

Green also said that the Juno mission to Jupiter will stay in its current 53-day orbit around the gas giant, rather than move to the originally planned 14-day path. Green emphasized that Juno will be able to complete its minimum science objectives during its prime mission stage, while the probe's journeys through the far reaches of Jupiter's magnetic environment will provide "a richer set of science." The Juno team will begin working with heliophysicists to better understand how charged particles streaming from the sun interact with Jupiter, Green added. [Photos: NASA's Juno Mission to Jupiter]

The OSIRIS-ReX asteroid sample-return mission is also in good condition, Green said. The spacecraft safely passed by a special region in Earth's orbit known as L4 and took the opportunity to hunt for undiscovered space rocks. No announcement of any newfound objects has been made yet, but Green seemed optimistic that one might come in the future.

In the meantime, the Cassini mission is winding down its 13-year study of Saturn. The craft will use the massive moon Titan for one last gravity boost in April, then perform 22 dives between Saturn's cloud tops and its innermost ring before slamming into the planet's atmosphere on purpose on Sept. 15.

Big science in small packages

Green also announced a planned increase in funding for cubesats, tiny spacecraft that can be built and launched faster and more cheaply than conventional satellites.

Although many cubesats have been launched into orbit around Earth, getting them to other worlds will prove a bit more challenging, Green said.

"Planetary cubesats are kind of difficult," he said, pointing to power and communication needs. Still, "we shouldn't be afraid of that," he said. [Small Satellites Have Big Benefits For NASA (Video)]

Green urged the planetary science community to work with other space-exploration programs, as well as international agencies, to help make planetary cubesats a reality. Cooperation can save time and money as new satellite missions learn from prior tests and launches, reducing the amount of duplicate testing and allowing one group to learn from the mistakes of another, he said.

One way to overcome some of the problems could involve pairing planetary cubesats with larger missions, which could release the tiny craft at the target and communicate their results back to Earth, Green said. The less expensive cubesats could take greater risks than their higher-priced companions.

"That's an important paradigm we think we want to look at and study in future missions," Green said.

The growing private sector of space exploration could provide further scientific opportunities when paired with cubesats, he added. Green pointed to SpaceX's plans to help colonize Mars, and the company's recent announcement that it plans to launch two paying passengers on a trip around the moon by the end of 2018. Depending on the plans and payload limitations, NASA could look at including cubesats on these or future trips.

"I can't promise you, but we want to be able to continue that discussion," Green said.

He went on to announce 10 new cubesat missions that NASA has selected for development. They include two missions each to Venus, Mars, Earth's moon and asteroids. One mission would visit Jupiter, and another would go to Uranus.

"This is a huge step for us, and the start of a new, exciting opportunity," Green said.

Human spaceflight, too

Not all the talk Monday was about planetary science. Bussey addressed NASA's continuing work on habitation systems, or "habs," designed to support human missions to deep space, including journeys to Mars.

In addition to the human component, a space-based hab would provide intriguing opportunities for science. Not all of this work would require human intervention; many experiments could be set in the hab and left. But Bussey reassured the assembled scientists that habs won't replace robotic missions to other worlds.

According to Bussey, NASA's present strategy involves placing a deep-space hab in lunar orbit, then going straight on to Mars.

"The current NASA plans don't involve going to the lunar surface before going on to Mars," he said.

He pointed toward international plans to get to the moon, noting that the next humans to set foot on the lunar surface may not be NASA astronauts.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Astronauts are gearing up for three spacewalks outside the International Space Station that will culminate in the station's 200th spacewalk.

The first and second spacewalks are scheduled to occur over the next eight days and will help prepare the station for commercial spacecraft carrying crew to be able to dock. One of them is also aimed at upgrading the station's capability to host Earth-observing instruments. Each will take about 6.5 hours.

"Here we come to the 200th spacewalk and we're still not just fixing things, but improving things and expanding capability and adding functionality  continuing to build the space station over time," NASA Flight Director Emily Nelson said during a news briefing today (March 22). "The first half of the [space station] program was about building this enormous facility that's now producing all this amazing scientific research, and we don't just go outside to fix things  most of [these three spacewalks] is about improving and expanding." [Astronaut's-Eye View: Stunning Spacewalk Video from Space]

The first of the three spacewalks will see American astronaut Shane Kimbrough and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet setting out at 8 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT) Friday (March 24), and you will be able to watch it live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV. American astronaut Peggy Whitson will be inside, controlling the robotic arm help her crewmates.

Next, Kimbrough and Whitson will venture out March 30 (nobody on the robotic arm). Those two spacewalks are largely devoted to opening up space for a second International Docking Adaptor, which will allow future commercial spacecraft to dock with the station.

Right now, only Russia's Soyuz spacecraft can dock to bring people aboard  astronauts have to use the robotic arm to grab and berth commercial spacecraft, like SpaceX's Dragon and Orbital ATK's Cygnus, which bring cargo to the station. NASA has contracted with SpaceX and Boeing to eventually send crew to the space station, and those arrivals in the coming years would use the new docking ports.

Whitson and Pesquet will conduct the third spacewalk, currently scheduled for April 6 with robotic help from Kimbrough inside. They will install an avionics box, set to be launched on a Cygnus spacecraft soon, that will let scientists install more experiments outside the station to take measurements and monitor Earth.

However, that Cygnus launch was further postponed today because of an issue with the Atlas V rocket's booster  the third spacewalk will have to be rescheduled if it's set to arrive too late, since the astronauts will have to wait for the box's delivery.

Kimbrough, Whitson and Pesquet have been studying the procedures for the first spacewalk over the past week  interspersed with the usual research aboard the orbiting lab as well as chatting with NASA fans through Facebook Live and talking with France's president, respectively.

After the three spacewalks wrap up, Kimbrough and Russian cosmonauts Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov will be heading back to Earth in a Soyuz spacecraft, and two more crewmembers  including first-time NASA flier Jack Fischer and Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin  will head up, bringing the crew count back to five.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Funding the International Space Station beyond 2024 may hinder NASA's ability to get astronauts to Mars in the 2030s, some observers say.

The United States' ability to send astronauts to Mars in the mid-2030s depends in part on cutting back or ending government funding for the International Space Station (ISS) after 2024, the head of a congressional subcommittee that oversees NASA said Wednesday (March 22).

"We ought to be aware that remaining on the ISS [after 2024] will come at a cost," U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space, said during a hearing about options and impacts for station operations beyond 2024.

"Tax dollars spent on the ISS will not be spent on destinations beyond low Earth orbit, including the moon and Mars," Babin said. "What opportunities will we miss if we maintain the status quo?" In Pictures: NASA's Vision for a Crewed Mars Base]

NASA currently spends about $3.5 billion a year on the space station program, including about $1.7 billion to transport crews and cargo, between $700 million and $800 million on research, and $1 billion on operations. An additional $1 billion comes from station partners Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada, NASA Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier told the committee.

NASA's space station budget makes up roughly half of the agency's total spending on human space exploration programs, with the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket and the Orion deep-space capsule accounting for most of the rest. The SLS and Orion costs are expected to continue at about the same levels beyond development and into manufacturing and operations, with a projected flight rate of about one per year beginning around 2023.

Gerstenmaier, who oversees NASA's human exploration programs, urged Congress to plan a smooth transition from the station to beyond-low-Earth-orbit initiatives, with an eye on preserving U.S. leadership in space, especially with China planning to launch a new space station in 2023.

A clear path forward also would allow NASA to better leverage the remaining time for station research and commercial initiatives, other participants in Wednesday's hearing said.

Mary Lynne Dittmar, executive director of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration advocacy group, warned that ending the U.S.' efforts at the station too early could nix budding commercial space companies, some of which might eventually support the station's continued operation as a commercial outpost.

"Applications with strong market potential are emerging," Dittmar said. "Abandoning the ISS too soon will most certainly guarantee failure."

The time between basic research and the development of commercial markets often takes decades, Dittmar said, noting that it was 49 years between the invention of the integrated circuit and the iPhone.

"It's impossible to predict commercial activity that's based on research and innovation, but [what] we know are the kinds of conditions that you create to help bring that about," she said.

While Congress ponders the station's future, NASA should expand its partnerships with private companies, urged Eric Stallmer, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based industry association.

"The NASA investment[s] in these partnerships are already paying huge dividends," Stallmer said.

For example, by partnering with private companies, NASA has been able to cut its costs to fly cargo  and, soon, crew  to the station, compared with what it spent to operate its own fleet of space shuttles, which cost about $500 million per mission to fly.

Several of NASA's partners, in turn, have parlayed taxpayer investment into new products and services. For example, SpaceX brought back commercial satellite launch services to the United States.

The public-private partnerships also present a path forward for NASA as it looks to send astronauts beyond the station's orbit, Stallmer said.

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, for example, is proposing cargo delivery services to the moon to support NASA exploration and commercial endeavors.

Follow Irene Klotz on Twitter @Free_Space. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
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Battle Lasers! US, Russia, China Develop Brighter Beams for Blasting Enemies







Moscow (Sputnik) Mar 21, 2017





2017 has already seen a spate of bold statements by Russia and US officials about the development and testing of laser weapons in their countries; earlier this week, the US announced that it is preparing to test a new high-powered laser weapon which can be mounted on army trucks. On March 16, Lockheed Martin said that its new solid-state fiber laser can slice through targets with a record-breaking 58 kilowatts of direct power, and that in a matter of months it will deliver its High Energy Laser Mo ... read more
Also in attendance was Hamish Macleod of BSW Timber who explained the importance of the investment to local industry. He said:

BSW Timber is the UKs leading sawmiller. A Scottish-based family business, we employ over 1,200 people. We need new forests like this to ensure a sustainable supply of timber for future generations.

As a company, we are working to seek opportunities for better support and understanding for forestry in the wider land use context post Brexit and look forward to a thriving forestry and timber sector.

John Lamont MSP added:

I was delighted to pay a visit to the Tilhill Forestry managed Larriston site in Liddesdale. Forestry is an important contributor to the local economy in the Borders and parent company BSW Timber, based in the Borders, is a major employer.

It was really useful to hear a bit more about the whole process from forest to timber products and to hear a bit about BSWs plans for the future. I know that many businesses in the Borders, particularly those who either trade overseas or compete with imports, are facing a challenging time in light of Brexit and the possibility of a second independence referendum. Businesses have had to deal with uncertain times recently and politicians of all parties need to do all they can to help the economy return to stability as soon as possible.

The site is being planted by Tilhill Forestry and Investment and Property Director Jason Sinden explained the economics:

This type of ground was traditionally used for raising tough breeds of sheep, such as Blackface and Cheviot. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in production systems and we are now finding that many sheep farmers are raising their sheep on the lower ground. Because of this, increasing amounts of hill ground are becoming available for forestry.

We can grow very high yields of timber on this type of ground and supply the timber processing mills throughout the region. When you work out the figures, it is a very attractive investment and, according to independent studies, it creates more jobs than alternative agricultural systems.
Many of the farmers, mainly drawn from Swaledale and Wensleydale, will soon see their current agri-environment subsidies end.

This could result in a significant drop in income, unless new agreements are entered into.

Countryside Stewardship, now in its third year, provides financial incentives for farmers to look after the environment.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authoritys Farm Conservation Adviser, Jane Le Cocq, organised the meeting and gave the main address. She concentrated on the Mid Tier part of the CS scheme, advising that it was extremely undersubscribed within the National Park. She explained that there was a lot of pre-application work to be done, such as photographs and soil samples.

The main option within the scheme for most of the people at the meeting, who farm in Severely Disadvantaged Areas, was a payment for managing land as low input grassland, worth 16 per hectare. There was a collective intake of breath when the meeting was told how little nitrogen could be applied to the land to meet the eligibility criteria. However, there are supplements that can be laid on top of the low input grassland payment. For example, theres a haymaking supplement worth 85 per hectare.

Farmers were also given advice on Catchment Sensitive Farming and the capital grants that sit within CS, including the Water Capital Grant and the Hedgerows and Boundaries Capital Grants.
More than two centuries of innovation and transparency are being marked throughout 2017, as the livestock auction mart industry celebrates the bicentenary of the UKs first registered livestock auction.

Following the launch of a new brochure charting the history of livestock auction marts since the first registered auction was held in Hawick back in 1817, the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) will be leading celebrations with a series of events and receptions across the country.

Speaking at the launch of the celebrations, George Eustice MP, the minister of state for agriculture, fisheries and food, spoke of his appreciation of the industry.

I am delighted to congratulate the livestock auction industry on this special anniversary, and to recognise the important contribution auction markets make to the rural economy, said Mr Eustice.

Over two centuries livestock auction markets have provided a consistent, stable and transparent method of selling livestock.

Chris Dodds, executive secretary of the LAA added, Along with our colleagues at the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland (IAAS), we are organising a number of events and activities to celebrate the important role of the livestock auction industry.

Our annual conference, from 18-21 May, will have a special focus on the bicentenary celebrations, while at the same bringing together industry experts and keynote speakers to address the key issues facing the industry today.
The new Israeli distributor ensures supplies of ZETOR tractors not only in Israel but also in its neighbour country, Jordan. Tractors with powers ranging from 80 to 150 hp are going to be imported to this territory; namely tractors of the MAJOR, PROXIMA and FORTERRA ranges. Israeli market is subject to a similar legislation as western countries, thus, this market will be supplied with machines which meet STAGE IV emission standard. Through its affiliations, our partner in Israel shall ensure not only sales of tractors; its attention also focuses on high-quality and continuous after sales service for customers. Thus, farmers can make us of complete services related to the sales of new tractors, their service and purchase of original spare parts.

We are striving to strengthen our positions in the markets of Western Europe and North America; however, we also pay attention to other business offers. Making our way into this territory is attractive opportunity for us to extend our business. It is a key customer for us, therefore, we are open to any possible cooperation if we can see the interest in the ZETOR brand, says Martin Blaskovic, Managing Director of ZETOR TRACTORS a.s.

Entering the Israeli market is a brand new opportunity for ZETOR TRACTORS a.s. Company. In historical perspective, ZETOR tractors were imported to the area of the Near East for instance from a production premises located in Iraq, still, the presence of the ZETOR brand in Israeli market is a premiere. Under the contract, supplies of tractors are planned in the volume of several tens of pieces with a perspective of further increase.
The T7 tour marks the start of New Hollands 100 day #WinningTeamTour, supporting its celebration of 100 years of tractor manufacturing in 2017, and it will be followed by tours for baling and combine products later in the year.

New Holland dealers are supporting the tours by hosting the events on nearby farms. Visitors can ride and drive up to three models from the T7 long wheelbase and Heavy Duty tractor ranges, including T7.260, T7.270 and T7.290. Operators will be able to put the tractors through their paces in a real farm environment with a range of implements. Other machinery from the host dealers may be present at the different sites.
This follows the increasing numbers of lambs affected with Schmallenberg identified in England and Wales throughout the winter of 2016/2017.

SBV is spread by midges and if infection occurs for the first time in pregnant sheep (broadly in the second month of pregnancy and slightly beyond and in cattle broadly in months three to five of pregnancy and slightly beyond), damage to the developing central nervous system occurs. This results in brain and limb deformities in the new born lambs and calves, which are not compatible with life.

George Caldow, Head of SAC Consulting Veterinary Services said:

It can be difficult to predict how widespread any infection will turn out to have been or to be but there are some important points that give us an indication of the likely impact that SBV infection will have this spring on Scottish livestock. In winter 2016-2017 SRUC vets have not diagnosed SBV in either early lambing flocks in Scotland or in all year round calving dairy herds in Scotland.

It is therefore inferred that at the time of maximum midge activity in 2016 there was unlikely to have been SBV present in the midges in Scotland otherwise we would have seen cases in these two categories of animals.

The midge population progressively declines as we move in to winter and midge numbers will have been low during the time of maximum vulnerability of the main Scottish spring lambing flock, which is likely to have been December and January. Therefore it may be that only small number of ewes will have been infected with few affected lambs being born and these are more likely to be in flocks in the southernmost part of the country.
GREENWICH  Greenwich residents should not be alarmed if they see a low-flying helicopter in town in the near future. Its just Eversource doing a routine inspection.

The investigatory flights are performed several times during the year. The upcoming ones, which will take place throughout the state, will monitor the growth of vegetation.

Were going to be looking for trees growing too close to our lines or any other vegetation that might cause a problem for our transmission lines, Eversource spokesman Frank Poirot said Tuesday, adding the flights would be focused on high-voltage electric lines.

The exact date of a helicopters presence over Greenwich is not known yet, but flights will be conducted in Connecticut from March 23 to March 31. The flights will be take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cover close to 90 municipalities. Helicopters will fly low in order for the vegetation growth to be effectively monitored. Poirot said the height is typically 80 feet above ground during an inspection.

Inspections at some other times of the year use infrared scanning to look for changes in temperature on the transmission lines. By helicopter is the most efficient way to do the inspections as they cover 800 miles of transmission lines in Connecticut.

When we do the infrared scans, a higher level of heat is an indicator of an emerging issue, Poirot said. It could be a sign of corrosion or metal fatigue and we want to identify those before they become issues that would affect our customers. These flights throughout the year, whether were doing the survey of tree growth or the infrared scans, are our proactive way of staying on top of emerging issues before they become a problem.

Greenwich has a little more than two miles of transmission lines in it and the work is expected to be completed in town in one day.

When a helicopter will fly over Greenwich wont be determined until the day it happens. Poirot said variables like weather and wind are key factors in deciding which part of the state will be covered on any given day.

We pick areas that can be done with as little trouble as possible, he said.

Greenwich Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Kraig Gray said the police regularly receive very few calls about the flights. People are typically blase about the presence of a helicopter over town, he said.

One of two helicopters being used for the inspections will fly over Greenwich. It will either be a blue and gray model with a tail number of N1431W or a blue and white helicopter with a tail number of N411DD.

The utility informed the Greenwich Police Department and other first responders about the upcoming inspections last week.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
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STAMFORD  Watching an orchestra perform is a rare opportunity for most third-graders, but the experience this week left an even stronger impression for more than 1,000 city students.

Third-graders in all of the citys public schools participated in a live interactive performance with Stamford Symphony musicians as part of a hands-on music program.

About 1,350 students joined the concert Tuesday morning by singing and playing their recorders from their seats at the Westhill High School auditorium.

The Orchestra Sings was the culmination of this years Link Up program about orchestral repertoire in partnership with Stamford Symphony and Carnegie Halls Weill Music Institute.

This is a really early introduction to music, Stamford Symphony CEO and President Barbara Smith-Soroca said.

The third-graders have been learning rhythm, melody, tempo, orchestration, composition and other concepts.

The Carnegie Hall initiative, born at New York Citys schools, has engaged hundreds of thousands of students nationwide since its inception in 1985. The institute provided professional development and teacher guidebooks to Stamford schools.

Smith-Soroca said its crucial to expose children to music education at an early age.

I would say that the majority of these children would never hear an orchestra were it not for the exposure through the school system, she said. If they dont get music into their brains now, we wont have audiences in the future.

A state grant helped introduce the program two years ago in Stamford. Funding was lost last year, but the Redding-based Be Foundation helped bring the initiative back to Stamford.

Music is a core subject, said Richard Wenning, the foundations executive director. Its vital that we provide an outstanding music education to all our children.

Sandy Errico, a music content leader for the district and music teacher at Springdale Elementary School, said her students were excited to participate in a live interactive performance.

Whats really cool about this program is that it can be tailored to each individual student, she said. If Im not a good recorder player, I can sing instead. If Im losing my voice, I can play the recorder  Theyre able to work on their strengths.

The program is one of several initiatives the Stamford Symphony has helped launch in the district.

Fourth- and fifth-graders took the spotlight on Wednesday with The American Experience concert. Students in those classes choose their own instruments, which include the violin, cello, percussion, voice and others.

Stamford Symphony works with music teachers in the district to prepare those children for a concert that focuses on their American history curriculum.

These children are fortunate in Stamford that they will see an orchestra three times just in their elementary school, Smith-Soroca said, noting many families cant afford orchestra tickets.

Wealth, Wenning said, should not be a barrier to cultural exposure.

noliveira@ stamfordadvocate.com, 203-964-2265, @olivnelson
NEW YORK  Sears, a back-to-school shopping destination for generations of kids and the place newlyweds went to choose appliances, has said that after years of losing money that there is substantial doubt it will be able to keep its doors open.

Its a dramatic acknowledgment from the chain that owns Sears and Kmart stores, which has long held fast to its stance that a turnaround is possible, even as many of its shoppers have moved on to Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon.

Sears has survived of late mainly with millions in loans funneled through the hedge fund of Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert, but with sales fading it is burning through cash.

Sears Holdings Corp. said late Tuesday it lost more than $2 billion last year, and its historical operating results indicated doubt about the future of the company that started in the 1880s as a mail-order catalog business.

The company known for DieHard batteries and Kenmore appliances has been selling assets, most recently its Craftsman tool brand. But it says pension agreements may prevent the sale of more businesses, potentially leading to a shortfall in funding.

Its a sad story. This is the place that created the first direct-to-consumer retail, the first modern department store. It stood like the Colossus over the American retail landscape, said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting firm. But its been underinvested and bled dry.

Company shares, which hit an all-time low last month, tumbled more than 13 percent Wednesday. Sears tried to soothe investors fears, saying in a post on its site that it remains focused on executing our transformation plan and that news reports miss the full disclosure that its highlighting actions to reduce risks. It also said that the comments made in the filing were in line with regulatory standards.

Lampert combined Sears and Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy. He pledged to return Sears to greatness, leveraging its best-known brands and its vast holdings of land, and more recently planned to entice customers with its loyalty program.

The company, which employs 140,000 people, announced in January that it would close 108 additional Kmart and 42 more Sears locations, and unveiled yet another restructuring plan in February aimed at cutting costs and reconfiguring debts to give itself more breathing room.

But it has to get more people through the doors or shopping online for what its selling. Sears, like many department stores, has been thwarted by a new consumer that has ripped up the decades-old playbook that the industry has relied upon. A plethora of new online players have also revolutionized the market.

Industry analysts have placed the staggering sums of money that Sears is losing beside the limited number of assets it has left to sell, and believe the storied retailer may have reached the point of no return.

The company has lost $10.4 billion since 2011, the last year that it made a profit. Excluding charges that can be listed as one-time events, the loss is $4.57 billion, says Ken Perkins, who heads the research firm Retail Metrics LLC, but how the losses are stacked no longer seem to matter.

Theyre past the tipping point, Perkins said. This is a symbolic acknowledgement of the end of Sears of what we know it to be.

For Sears to survive, Perkins believes it would need to do so as a company running maybe 200 stores. It now operates 1,430, a figure that has been vastly reduced in recent years. As for Kmart, Perkins does not see much of a future.

Dodgeville clothing retailer Lands End was part of Sears for 12 years  from 2002 when Sears bought the Wisconsin company for $1.9 billion  until 2014, when Sears spun off Lands End.

Lampert still is majority owner of Lands End, as well. Records submitted to federal regulators show that as of October 2016, Lampert held nearly 12.6 million shares of the nearly 32 million shares of common stock issued by Lands End.

State Journal reporter Judy Newman contributed to this report.
Two Madison siblings were sentenced Tuesday to federal prison for passing counterfeit money at businesses in southern Wisconsin.

Danesha Phillips, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 42 days in prison, with credit for time served. Her brother, Marlo Phillips, 19, was sentenced to one year, also with credit for time served since his arrest in February 2016.

Both will also serve two years of supervised release. They were also ordered to re-pay $7,500 in restitution to shops that were paid counterfeit cash, jointly with three other co-defendants.

The five traveled to various cities from Baraboo to Janesville, making small purchases at businesses with fake $100 bills. They were arrested on Feb. 23, 2016.

Cornelius Stewart, 22, of Madison received a two-year prison sentence in February for his leadership role in the scheme. Dominique Gaunichaux, 19, and Parish Barbary-Wheatherby, 21, will be sentenced in April.
I n a month when the oil-price benchmark has plunged from $54 to $48, it takes courage to say it will hit $85 before the end of the year.

But that is what happened a few days ago at one of those conferences in London where analysts from leading independent research boutiques sell their expertise and best ideas to professional fund managers.

It is a minority view but that is what makes it interesting  to echo the words of the legendary John Templeton, one of the early hedge-fund pioneers, who noted that no one ever made serious money by following the crowd.

Before fracking techniques were perfected earlier this decade, it was impossible quickly to step up the output of oil. A little extra might be squeezed from existing finds but it took years to locate new fields, develop them and bring them onstream. That rigidity of supply in the face of fluctuating demand meant prices were volatile.

But fracking now makes it possible to turn oil production on and off like a tap, which means supply can adjust quickly to demand  and that should mean the end of volatility. Conventional wisdom has it that oil prices will never again rise much above $55 because fracking in the US becomes economic at or around that price, and will kick in.

But Matthieu Raimbault of Palissy Advisors told his audience this view was too simplistic. Breakeven calculations for the shale producers were lazy, he said, and too often based on the cost of an additional barrel from an existing well. However, it cost a lot more than this to start again from scratch, so you needed a much higher price to get things going.

The consensus also underestimated the difficulty of reassembling crews of skilled workers after so many had been laid off; it failed to take into account shortages in essential raw materials like fine sand; and it underestimated the increased cost of hiring drilling rigs when everyone wanted them at once.

That was why he reckoned a continuation of the Opec-induced supply squeeze could push oil to $85 before fracking production kicked in in sufficient volume.

Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, one of the most astonishing omissions in the Governments industrial strategy document, published earlier this year, was that there was no mention of the North Sea.

This is despite the fact it is this countrys major industrial asset and still has huge potential even with production declining. The mere thought the oil price might spike has significant implications for this country, because it could give a further lease of life to our oil and gas industry.

There are, for example, hundreds of small pockets of oil  some owned by the oil majors, some by the Government via the Oil and Gas Authority, some capped and some abandoned.

These cannot support a full production platform and pipelines but, just as fracking has revolutionised shale production, so it is now possible to mount a drill on a tanker, position the ship above the pocket and milk it.

This is not happening, however, because the industry is at an unfortunate inflexion point with prices so low.

The big companies are pulling out because they only understand big projects, but small firms  with the possible exception of Cairn  are financially too weak to take advantage of the opportunity.

The bigger prize still is the prospect of increased gas production.

The Government likes gas but seems determined to back the wrong horse by giving encouragement for fracking for gas on land  an odd idea for two reasons. First, there is far more unrecovered gas in the North Sea than on land.

So it would make more sense to exploit that initially, given the huge amount of expertise we have, the relative ease of extraction and the massively reduced environmental impact.

Second, even the Americans seem to understand how unpopular fracking will be if it is attempted in a small country like Britain, the more so when it takes place in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Indeed, they appear to think that the combined opposition from Greens and the wider middle class to a process that fractures rock underground by pumping in a high-pressure mixture of water, chemicals and sand is politically as well as environmentally toxic.

Thus, while all the expertise in this technology is American, no Americans applied for drilling rights in the latest round. That seems to be saying that it will be years before the opposition is overcome.

However, a growing number of small independents are assembling North Sea assets. Industry veteran Algy Cluff, for example, has put together an interesting portfolio through Aim-listed Cluff Natural Resources, and is looking for partners to help finance drilling.

In terms of value for money and helping meet Britains immediate energy needs, he is convinced that what he wants to do makes far more sense than potentially offering a $5 billion (4 billion) subsidy to help build a wind farm on Dogger Bank or taking an even bigger gamble on building a tidal barrage in Swansea Bay.

He is surely right in this, and a country with a sensible energy policy would give him and the other remaining North Sea operators as much support and encouragement as possible in their efforts to extend the life of the assets. Unfortunately, the fact the North Sea failed to get a mention in the key industrial policy document suggests that such common sense is in short supply in Government circles.
T heyve been dubbed the arms dealers of the UKs chief executive pay race in some City circles  a low-profile band of fixers equipping boardrooms with an arsenal of schemes that allow executive pay to reach eye-watering levels.

But for these quiet courtiers who advise FTSE remuneration committee chairmen on how to pay chief executives, the heat is intensifying, bringing them out of the shadows for the first time to defend their industry.

They say they have helped rein in pay over the past decade, introducing new concepts like pay restraint, greater deferral periods for share awards, longer time horizons, and claw back provisions.

But with Prime Minister Theresa Mays push to overhaul governance, and unusually militant demands from big-hitting investors such as BlackRock and Hermes for greater transparency from the industry, they face mounting questions over their role.

Meanwhile, the fast-approaching AGM season is likely to add further intensity to the debate. The role of advisers  accused of fuelling huge pay schemes, a claim they deny  may also be scrutinised.

Consultants are at the forefront of the remuneration debate right now, says Institute of Directors corporate governance head Oliver Parry. Im not saying every consultant is a yes-man but there is a perception they are less likely to challenge decisions.

Helena Morrissey, one of the Citys most influential fund managers, has also criticised them for helping inflate pay. Others, like David Pitt-Watson, who as an investor has dealt with consultants for the past 20 years, believe the use of remuneration consultants has failed to improve the link between pay and performance.

If youve never heard of a pay consultant, dont worry youre not alone.

Their industry is dominated by a small group of firms ranging from big names like PwC, Deloitte and Willis Towers Watson to boutique outfits such as New Bridge Street and Kepler Associates, which are owned by bigger consultants Aon Hewitt and Mercer.

They are tasked by remuneration committee chairmen to structure top pay packages.

The work can be lucrative  consultants are paid by the hour  so if there is a particularly contentious issue, the meter keeps running. But this has prompted questions about how they are paid.

Complexity potentially creates more work for the consultants. We do need better disclosure and transparency of what fees are being paid for which service, said Stefan Stern from the High Pay Centre.

Giants fork out millions for advice FTSE 100 firms paid remuneration consultants 10.5 million in 2015, according to an analysis of accounts  underscoring the lucrative fees on offer for firms that advise remuneration committees. The biggest cheques that were written for pay advice came from the banks. Barclays paid 195,000, Lloyds forked out 426,700, HSBC 116,200, RBS 121,358 and Standard Chartered 276,042. Some firms relied on several consultants. National Grid, for example, used New Bridge Street, Alithos, Linklaters and Towers Watson for its remuneration committee. The consultancy with the most clients was Deloitte, followed by Willis Towers Watson and PwC.

Last years embarrassing defeat for oil major BP over chief executive Bob Dudleys $20 million (16 million) package and the last-minute reversal to tobacco giant Imperial Brands plan to increase pay for its chief, Alison Cooper, earlier this year has also fuelled scepticism about the level of dissent from the consultants in the boardroom.

But the advisers who earn their crust in the Square Mile rebuff this claim.

Consultants spend a lot of time arguing pay down rather than arguing it up, says Tom Gosling from PwC, which advises FTSE 100 firms including the likes of Standard Chartered, Royal Mail and Marks & Spencer.

Good consultants are prepared to say unpalatable things in the boardroom.

Some even lose their accounts after speaking out too strongly, according to Andrew Page, head of New Bridge Street, the FTSEs biggest pay consultant.

He said his firm refused to continue to advise one Footsie group after the remuneration chairman shunned its advice and pushed on with his controversial pay plan.

We will stand up to remuneration committee members because the last thing we want is for them to embark on a course of action where they can get into difficulty with investors, he said.

Remuneration consultancy gained prominence in the late Nineties and became more important in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis as the complexity and level of executive pay schemes grew.

Most offer a range of services to committees, from helping them benchmark pay against rivals to assessing how much shareholders will support a particular policy, and making sure pay schemes are legal.

However, as the multi-million-pay industry has grown, so too has the criticism that it obscures the link between pay and performance.

Most chief executives cant tell you what they are being incentivised to do any more, said Kit Bingham, a partner at headhunter Odgers Berndtson.

One investor, who owns dozens of FTSE 100 stocks, said more disclosure and complexity is encouraging a race to the top.

Complexity hides what the scheme is actually about. Everyone can see what others pay and nobody wants to be at the bottom of the pay league. Imagine if you knew everybodys pay in the office, imagine the chaos that would cause.

But consultants say its the investors who are to blame for mind-boggling structures for executive pay, which are traditionally made up of a salary, bonus and long-term incentive plan.

Complexity usually comes from different stakeholders wanting different things, says Keplers Gordon Clark. Some shareholders demand long-term incentives based on earnings growth or return on capital while others want relative total shareholder return.

Indeed, it is often the consultants leading the calls to simplify pay structures, only to be met with investors shooting down the plan.

PwCs Gosling says that because 80% of pay is performance-based, the structures become more unwieldy.

He favours returning to a restricted-share model, handing remuneration to executives without dependence on their performance  like one used by B&Q owner Kingfisher, where executives are partially paid in shares come what may.

A significant number of investors dont like the restricted-stock model so committees wanting to introduce it face a hard task, he admits.

The increased militancy of investors has already made companies shrink some of their pay packages in order to head off rebellions at this seasons annual meetings, a sign to consultants that pay is being reined in despite the headlines.

Anglo-American announced last month that it would cap long-term share bonuses after an investor revolt last year. Barclays, meanwhile, has also increased the threshold and holding period for its long-term share scheme.

GlaxoSmithKline, which is seen as a prime candidate for a no vote this year, has reduced the salary and bonuses on offer for new chief executive Emma Walmsley to head off concerns.

The arms race in pay may be heading for a climax this AGM seasons but perhaps it's all sides who hold keys to reach entente cordial
T he Dutch firm behind Dulux paints today snubbed a second unsolicited bid from US rival PPG worth $24 billion (19 billion) as opposition mounts in the Netherlands to the takeover.

AkzoNobel, which employs 3400 in the UK and also owns DIY adhesive Polyfilla, said the American companys higher offer failed to address its concerns about a deal, including significant potential job losses and a culture gap between the pair.

It warned that a deal, raised from $21 billion made earlier this month, would lead to asset sales due to the overlap of both companies in decorative paints and performance coatings. It said: PPG provides no substantive commitments to employees, creating potential uncertainty for thousands of jobs worldwide.

The company, which sponsors the annual 5K Colour Run for charity, is due to begin production at a new factory in the North-east of England and invest in a research facility nearby.

The potential takeover has echoes of Kraft Heinzs 115 billion failed tilt at Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever, which also sparked job fears.

Akzos chief executive Ton Buchner said the company was best placed to unlock the value within our company ourselves. He said the deal was not in the interests of Akzos stakeholders.
I NG is being investigated by Dutch prosecutors over allegations of money laundering and corruption, it emerged on Wednesday, hours after Britains major high street banks became engulfed the separate vast Global Laundromat money-concealing operation.

The Dutch lender  which hid news of its own criminal investigation on page 232 of its annual report  refused to reveal details.

Local reports, however, claim a link to a case alleging the payment of bribes to the daughter of Uzbekistans ex-president.

ING Bank is the subject of criminal investigations by Dutch authorities regarding various requirements related to the on-boarding of clients, money laundering, and corrupt practices, ING said.

Meanwhile, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, Barclays and Coutts are among 17 UK-based or located banks facing questions over processing some $740 million (590 million) from the Global Laundromat operation run by Russian criminals.
L uxury goods giant Hermes on Wednesday revealed record sales figures, helped by tourists flocking to London stores thanks to the post-Brexit vote exchange rate.

Axel Dumas, chief executive of the French design house, said the weaker pound had made purchases more attractive to international shoppers.

That, and a remarkable performance in its leather division, contributed to revenue climbing 7.5% to 5.2 billion (4.5 billion) in 2016.

The firm, known for its Birkin bags, posted growth in all regions but said the Hong Kong market, which has been hit by a government crackdown on bribery, remains challenging.

Net profit rose 13% to 1.1 billion.

The company said: In the medium term, despite growing economic, geopolitical and monetary uncertainties around the world, the group confirms an ambitious target of growth rate for revenue at constant exchange rates.

Rogerio Fujimori, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, wrote in a note: Hermes remains the closest brand to the 'perfect luxury paradox', simultaneously balancing characteristics such as timelessness, modernity, growth and high profitability. 
H ell hath no fury like a customer scorned. Just ask Lloyds.

Having treated victims of the Reading HBOS sex-for-bankruptcies scandal with apparent disdain for a decade, it is trying to make amends.

On Monday, heeding victims concerns it would hire one of the arguably conflicted Big Four accountants or Magic Circle law firms to look into compensation, Lloyds recruited a veteran reviewer of banking disputes  Professor Russel Griggs.

But a growing number of customers, whose cases were heard in the HBOS trial, say hes wholly inappropriate.

They point to a previous independent review where they say the Prof was naive on the scandal of how banks put troubled businesses into their special measures units such as RBSs Global Restructuring Group.

Its in nobodys interests to repeat the fiasco of the child sex abuse inquiry, where the thing took years to start because of objections to the proposed chairmen.

But Lloyds should have sought HBOS victims views on the appointment before announcing it.

They now scent a stitch up, where the reviewer rubberstamps what the bank wants to hear. Lloyds faces another noisy backlash.

Kid gloves are needed for those so badly bruised and beaten.

All that glitters 

A London banker objects to criticisms of his profession over Russian money-laundering in this weeks Laundromat scandal. Dont blame us, he says, blame the Home Office.

Under the Labour government, the Home Office created Golden Visas, where foreigners pledging to invest big money here were allowed in, pretty much no questions asked. Hundreds, then thousands of the super-rich came to London, opening bank accounts here and sending their children to expensive British schools.

Though some were from the US and other relatively clean countries, 60% were multimillionaires from Russia and China  two of the most corrupt countries in the world. In 2014, the rules were tightened, the hurdles made more expensive. And guess what happened? The numbers of Russians and Chinese plummeted overnight.

From a total peak of 1172 Golden Visas granted in 2014 before the clampdown, only 192 were issued in 2015. Chinese and Russian investor visas fell to just 35 and 34 respectively.

Figures for 2016 look similar, with only 215 visas issued.

From a money-laundering perspective, that has to be good. But it makes you wonder  what checks has the Government been doing on the backgrounds of the 3000 millionaires and billionaires let in before the clampdown?

Perhaps the banker has a point.
M embers of Londons luxury retail sector on Wednesday welcomed news that MPs will grill communities minister Sajid Javid over crippling rises to business rates.

The companies spoke out after the Communities and Local Government Committee yesterday confirmed that on April 19, Javid will be questioned over new rates changes and the pressure being putting on retailers.

Chris Webster, the managing director of upmarket menswear brand Oliver Sweeney, said the probe would be a way to flag that rates changes couldnt have come at a worse time for retailers with physical outlets.

He added: Brands and retailers are already seeing significant cost pressures from changing exchange rates following the Brexit vote.

Jewellery designer Kiki McDonough said the rates hikes meant the company would not be hiring more staff which it would have done otherwise.

Sir Peter Rogers, chairman of New West End Company, said: Local taxation of businesses are meant to ensure that all businesses pay fair and equitable contributions in order to support vital local government expenditure. The business rates system fails in both cases. It is neither fair nor equitable for businesses, and it fails to provide the funding required by local government, which is under increasing financial pressure.

He told the Standard: We believe the government should take this opportunity to review the way in which businesses are taxed to provide the necessary funds for local government services.
A dvertising tycoon Sir Martin Sorrell today called on rival new-media firms such as Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter to follow Googles example.

The WPP boss was referring to the search giants intention, announced yesterday, to recruit more online invigilators and adopt a tougher stance on extremist content.

Google has been at the centre of a storm over ads accompanying hate-filled YouTube videos by white nationalists, anti-Semites, and fundamentalists. It has been boycotted by major ad agencies after brands including Toyota and HSBC, and the British Government pulled spending on the site. The business responded by promising to consider policing uploads as well as ads, and a new tougher stance on hateful, offensive and derogatory content.

But Sorrell, who has in the past called for Facebook and Google to be treated as media companies rather than tech firms, and both control advertisement placements and stop fake news, told the Standard other major online firms needed to do the same.

Google has taken the initiative at last, other new-media firms have to follow their example.

He added: Googles acknowledgement of the problem, apologies and proposed measures, both technical and human, are all to be welcomed. We have to make sure that the steps taken and implemented will be effective, and if there continue to be risks, that these are clearly spelt out.
I t does not take long in Britain for political rows to turn into cultural ones  and then cultural ones into ones about the BBC. Some 70 MPs have complained about the perceived bias of the broadcaster against Brexit in the run- up to Article 50. Many who back Leave are sensitive to the fact that their negotiating position is under scrutiny, while Remainers need only to sigh told you so at the sign of anything going awry.

Hands up: I am one of those people who talks about Brexit and its implications fairly often on the box. By coincidence, Iain Duncan Smith, a prominent signatory, talks about the referendum on a Radio 4 documentary I made called How We Voted Brexit, in which he proved a lucid witness to the anxieties and eventual joy of the vote going his way. His counterparts were also disarmingly honest about the failure of the Remain campaign. If Mr Duncan Smith has a problem with the result, I will give him his licence fee back.

But the charge is less about individual shows or broadcasters than a sense of understanding and proportionality and, quite often, tone matters as much as content. A fair hearing in the Brexit negotiations is a reasonable ask, because viewers and listeners should be given as much good information and as deep a picture as possible. That goes not only for Britains position but for the German, French and other European stances and the textured cultural reasons behind them.

As for talking down Britain, it sounds a bit like an advance excuse for difficulties ahead. If something is potentially bad for the economy then audiences should be told why that might be. As much as the BBC now finds itself on the pranger for being downbeat about leaving the EU, it was under attack last year from irate Remainers on the grounds that figures thrown around by Leave in the campaign needed more questioning. I guess this is a balance, albeit of the grim accountancy kind.

If there is a deficit in TV news and current affairs it is in curiosity and a failure to probe beyond the first level of understanding. The analysis of why Brexit happened is deeper and more intriguing than the faithful believe. The BBCs own survey headlined the link between better education and the likelihood to vote Remain. It is a form of analysis that gives too little weight to the fact that older voters were around before massive university expansion, let alone the impertinent question about whether all higher education at any level automatically makes one smarter.

In common with other media, Auntie overdoses on visits to Lincolnshire and rundown industrial parts of the country to explain Brexit. It does not inquire so deeply into why, say, the South-East outside London or largely prosperous Kent felt so differently. At the heart of this is a BBC conundrum. Many of its defenders inside and outside regard it as a redress from the Left of Centre to a Right-ish tilt in the national press.

Tesco scraps beers and ciders in Brexit price row

Yet that sits awkwardly with BBC Director-General Lord Halls view that impartiality is its cornerstone. I agree that the impartiality of the BBC is important. But it is not flawless. The national broadcaster should be more open and inquiring about this valuable, difficult aim and what it means in practice  during Brexit and beyond.

Anne McElvoy is senior editor at The Economist
W henever you feel dismayed at the state of the world, remember: the bollock shower has just begun. If Donald Trumps presidency were a movie, wed have just passed what they call in Hollywood the inciting incident. Thats the bit where the cyclone hits Kansas, Nemo gets lost, Lindsay Lohan meets the Mean Girls and were under way.

Brexit is shaping up to be a full-on Shakespearean history cycle but were still a couple of intervals away from the denouement of part one. Mighty kingdoms will fall. Strange alliances will form. So grab some monkey nuts and settle in.

Perhaps its the Californian spring, perhaps its simply that Im 10,000 miles from the Labour leadership crisis, but Ive been finding comfort in these thoughts recently. Last week, the cult documentary maker Adam Curtis was in Los Angeles for a film festival in his honour. After a screening of his new film HyperNormalisation  British viewers can dial it up on BBC iPlayer  an audience member asked: Yes, but what happens after Trump? There was palpable relief in the room that such things could even be contemplated, that there are other horizons.

Trumpism will unravel because his policies make no sense and hurt the people he promised to help. Were already seeing that with a Republican healthcare bill that asks some 64-year- olds to pay more for health insurance than they earn in a year.

At home, Brexit hardliners now have a date for their independence day. Well done, guys! But its hard to see how a few slogans that a New Labour focus group would have rejected as a bit vapid (Global Britain? Empire 2.0?) will help them outrun economic reality. The best Boris Johnson can do is accuse the BBC of producing fake news for reporting on the facts: sound familiar?

So the stage looks set for a progressive fightback in the second act. And yet for a million petty reasons (not all of which involve Jeremy Corbyn) this is not happening. In Britain, it doesnt even seem close to happening. Repeating the problems isnt the same as articulating the solutions. And currently all any one is doing is repeating the problems.

In HyperNormalisation, Curtis suggests that one overarching reason is that mainstream politicians have all but given up on politics. Faced with the economic crises of the mid-Seventies they retreated from the idea that politics could create a better world and instead handed power to technocrats and financiers who promised to keep things stable (principally via cheap credit).

He likens the current crisis to the last days of the Soviet Union, when everyone realised that the system was crap but lacked the vision to see beyond it. The late critic Mark Fisher coined the term capitalist realism to describe this imagination gap.

But it is precisely in this imagination gap that the fightback must take root. The coming battles will be less a matter of Left v Right, than of globalism v isolationism, collaboration v retreat, universalism v ethno-nationalism, bridges v walls.

To win them, politicians who identify with the progressive Centre must speak to the idea that all lives matter  and do something theyve not done for a while, which is to imagine how they will make the world a radically better place for everyone, as opposed to a slightly less crappy place for some people.

The ideas, the resources, the technology is there, if they choose to look. Advancing the humanist case for a universal basic income for all citizens would be a good start.

Dark side of the California dream

Big Little Lies, the new HBO/Sky Atlantic murder drama starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and a vicious Laura Dern, is a deceptive delight. It is set among warring parents in the bohemian paradise of the Monterey Peninsula, California  todays equivalent of JRs Dallas?

On one level you are supposed to covet those Silicon Valley millions, those beachfront firepits, those panoramic school runs up the Pacific Coast Highway.

And yet of all the aspirational dramas on TV it is at once the most sympathetic to its characters concerns  and the most unsentimental in the way it belittles them against the oceans roar. At no point are you allowed to indulge the fantasy that an enviable lifestyle means an enviable life.

More twists in the world of Google

Follow the money and you realise that Google is an advertising company first and a developer of cool internet stuff second. Its parent, Alphabet, is one of the richest corporations in the world as it found a way to use the metadata provided by those who use its search engine and sell those insights to corporations.

We are Googles product. Its business is selling us to advertisers. Its not a brand new idea  thats how newspapers make money, pretty much. Its just that Google has always promised to do so in an infinitely more sophisticated way.

But clearly not that sophisticated. Google is currently in trouble over its YouTube adverts. It turns out that firms such as Marks & Spencer object to having their messages play before far-Right propaganda videos.

Similarly, Ive let my son watch Peppa Pig and wondered why Googles algorithm would play an advert for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare? It seems fairly elementary, doesnt it?

* Want your ethical credentials to be truly on point? Try a pig vigil! At a star-spangled dinner event the other night an in-demand Hollywood stylist was regaling the table with a recent journey to a slaughterhouse outside Los Angeles. She went with a group of fellow vegans to pay tribute to the suffering of the animals, and to teach her young daughter about what actually happens on an industrial farm. Yeah, it was a little intense, but it sort of worked out, she said. My daughter now wants a pet pig!
In Madison City Council District 10, a two-term incumbent faces a challenge April 4 for a seat representing Madisons Southwest Side. (I) indicates incumbent.

Maurice Cheeks (I)

Age: 32

Address: 3545 Nakoma Road

Family: Wife, Melissa (veterinarian); daughter, 14-month-old Hannah

Job: Vice president of business development for MIOsoft (Madison-based, big data analytics software company)

Political experience: Two terms on the Madison City Council

Other public service: Leading Locally founder, Foundation for Madisons Public Schools board member, founding board member of Wisconsin chapter of the New Leaders Council, National League of Cities (Leadership Fellow), national steering committee, former algebra tutor for Schools of Hope at Memorial High School

Education: Bachelors degree from Eastern Illinois University and continued education through executive coursework at the UW-Madison School of Business

Steve Fitzsimmons

Age: 58

Address: 5209 Odana Road

Family: Wife Paula, married 25 years

Job: State of Wisconsin; Department of Children and Families; business analyst/project manager, lean government facilitator

Political experience: Work with animal welfare organizations to pass bills supporting animal- friendly legislation

Other public service: Vice president of Midvale Heights Community Association, chair 640 member neighborhood watch, National Weather Service trained storm spotter, former president of Madison bird club

Education: Associate in computer science with honors, Federal Aviation Administration license pilot, National Association of Underwater Instructors licensed scuba diver, Federal Communications Commission ham radio operator, certificates in project management and lean government

Q&A

List three of your top priorities:

Cheeks: First, for our city to be successful we must reduce opportunity gaps and inequality. Second, we need to try new, creative techniques to broaden the scope of citizen engagement in this busy, constantly-connected society. Third, Im focused on intentionally designing plans for future growth that brings economic and societal benefits with an emphasis on safety, affordability, transportation and upward mobility.

Fitzsimmons: Improve public safety; improve communications and representation with constituents; lower taxes by addressing the ongoing, unresolved emergency detention problem with police.

If you could reverse one city action, what would that be?

Cheeks: I struggled to answer this question, because when I encounter reversible policy that is detrimental, I work to change it. (For example, Ban the Box.) What we need isnt a rear-view mirror, but a plan for a next era of greatness for Madison. Lets envision our future city so the next generation does not need to look back with regret.

Fitzsimmons: Settling lawsuit with Tony Robinson family for $3.35 million. This case should have went to court so both sides could have their day in court and make their cases. Big mistake, sends wrong message to everyone. Authorizing $350,000 for a needless study of our police to search for signs of white privilege and implicit bias. Money ripped from Madisons emergency funds, not budgeted.

How would you change the way the city handles development?

Cheeks: The citys relationship with development is far too reactive. Comprehensive plans that reflect years of public engagement and intentional design for our citys future ought to be the starting point for conversations between developers, staff and citizens regarding potential projects. We should proactively foster economic growth in sectors that create good jobs and a diverse, vibrant community.
D avid Lammys call for London to become a post-Brexit city-state may sound tempting but there are fundamental holes in his reasoning [London must look to be a city-state if hard Brexit goes ahead, Comment, March 20].

He cites only Singapore as a present-day comparison, and while it can boast an impressive economy for such a small country, the vast majority of Singaporeans both live and work there. Those travelling daily across the passport-controlled borders every day from Malaysia or Indonesia are very few in number.

By contrast, large numbers of those working in London commute in from counties such as Essex, Surrey and Hertfordshire. In many cases people travel from further afield, making it impossible to practically isolate the London economy, which is only as big as it is due to the contributions of outsiders.

If we expanded this new independent Londons boundaries to include these commuters from the Home Counties, the Remain majority would be diluted because the new areas that would become part of London are substantially more pro-Brexit, thus totally undermining Lammys reasons for wanting London to secede in the first place.

Benjamin Nunn



David Lammy is right that London should become an independent city-state if Theresa May fails to secure a deal that is in Londons best interests. We already have a directly elected Mayor and Greater London Assembly, and with a population of around nine million people, London would be considerably larger than other city-states such as Singapore.

The quality of life in London depends on our great city being open and interconnected, and if that is out of step with the rest of the country and put at risk by Mays handling of Brexit, then Londoners should have the same opportunity as the Scots to go for it on our own.

Gavin Simmonds



In his article David Lammy draws parallels with the SNPs progress towards an independent Scotland to illustrate what is possible when an impassioned electorate decides its time to fight for the devolution of power.

One might note that the SNP seems to be making rather more progress towards its cause than the proponents of a London city-state, not least because the former has matched rhetoric with action.

If the Government will not fight Londons corner, what steps does Lammy propose for Londoners, or his own party, to do so? Rather than parroting familiar statistics on London being denied a fair share of its tax revenues, Lammy might benefit from clarifying how, as Tottenhams MP, he is taking action to secure greater power for London.

M Henderson



No evidence of a credible Brexit plan

So at last we know that Article 50 is to be triggered on March 29. The waiting is now over but that doesnt mean it is a sign of progress.

Brexiteers will cheer, proof of a rather perverse form of British grit and determination, but the price of Brexit will become gradually apparent.

Just as the German high command, on the eve of the First World War, declined a final chance to avert mobilisation, the Government seems determined to pursue its intention to enact a hard Brexit, whether it negotiates a deal or not.

Germany at least had its Schlieffen Plan in 1914. The Brexiteers increasingly appear to have no plan at all.

Jon Temple



Better support for victims is welcome

The Mayor launched his Crime Plan on Monday with the aim of keeping Londoners safe. It also means that for the first time we will have an Independent Victims Commissioner for London.

This commissioner will engage, empower and galvanise support for victims of serious crime across London. For far too long the level of support a victim receives from the police depends on where in London they live or their status in society.

I hope our new commissioner will not only ensure there is a standard level of support across London but will be able to reach out and support those we know are caught in the repeat victim/perpetrator circle.

Duwayne Brooks



The internet is just another business

Rohan Silva is mistaken about the counter-cultural aspects of the internet and Silicon Valley [Silicon Valleys Sixties idealism versus 21st-century responsibility, Comment, March 20].

Uber, AirBnB and Facebook are not part of any genuine sharing economy; they are old-fashioned, large scale corporations, extracting money and, above all, exploitable data from their consumers. Platform co-operatives, such as Fairmondo in Germany for example, are genuine attempts at using the web for sharing.

Lets not get fooled again, as they say.

Hugh Barnard



Osborne and the Standard challenge

Whatever the pros and cons of having George Osborne as the new editor of the Evening Standard [Controversy continues after Osborne is named Standard editor, March 20], I hope he continues the tradition of his predecessor, Sarah Sands, who chaired excellent public debates on the great issues of the day.

Stan Labovitch



Presumably there is a precedent for a sitting Tory MP to be editor of a major daily newspaper, yet at the very least it looks like a grave conflict of interest. The role of a free press is to hold the Government to account, surely?

Jamie Register



George Osbornes appointment as editor of the Evening Standard is a masterstroke. Those who object are envious at best and jealous at worst. He is the right man for the job and I believe he should retain his parliamentary seat in Tatton too.

Dominic Shelmerdine

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews



Cycle lanes should be safe for walkers

The Mayor is on the right track in making sure new cycle lanes have zebra crossings so people can avoid potential conflict with people on bikes.

I strongly support segregated cycle lanes and asked the Mayor to keep an eye on Londons new bus stop bypasses to make sure the new infrastructure is working for everyone. London needs to be safe for people on foot and we also need high-volume cycle routes to get people into the city on the busiest roads  the Westminster Bridge design shows we can have both.

Caroline Russell, London Assembly Green Party Group



20mph zones need further investigation

One aspect of street pollution in London that is rarely mentioned is the effect of 20mph zones, particularly in the outer suburbs. A recent review in Manchester has revealed that 20mph zones were ineffective and that 1.7 million of taxpayers money has been wasted.

If drivers obey the limits, vehicles will be emitting toxic fumes for 50 per cent longer at 20mph than 30mph and invariably incorporate traffic calming, with accelerating and braking adding further pollution.

Cllr Tony Owen (Con), London Borough of Bromley

Join the conversation: #escleancityviews
Review at a glance









I t gladdens my heart whenever a talented female chef leaves the empire of a kitchen autocrat  think of Angela Hartnett and Gordon Ramsay  and strikes out successfully on her own. Samoan-born New Zealander Monica Galetti worked at the Michelin-starred Le Gavroche for 16 years under Michel Roux Jr, who Ive always considered a bit of a cold fish, and followed him into the MasterChef world, where she proved a stern but warm judge and rocked a peroxide crop.

Now shes opened her own restaurant with her husband David Galetti, the former Gavroche sommelier, with backing from Alastair Storey, chair of hospitality giant WSH.

Mere, at the less hectic northern end of Charlotte Street, is a grown-up place with a menu and a wine list the chef rightly and refreshingly describes as pretty straightforward. The food is sophisticated but unpretentious and expertly executed. Altogether, its friendly and consummately professional, if a little lacking in wow factor for the price.

But first things first  that name. Mere is French for mother but also apparently Samoan for Mary, Galettis mums name, and its supposed to be pronounced mary not mare. But the staff pronounce it meer, as in lake or as in Pah, milord, tis a mere restaurant. Meer, mare, Mary?

Id say uncertainty over pronunciation would bar a swathe of the population from making a telephone booking. But thats why weve got the internet. I also cant help feeling Galetti could have paid tribute to her heritage and worked in an Oliver Twist pun about second helpings: Please sir, can I have Samoa?

On the ground floor, behind a lightwell looking down into the basement dining room, is a bar with dark blue-grey walls, royal blue sofas and a fairly hideous artwork, a circular rutted swirl studded with metal champagne cork caps.

A waitress, elegant and slender as a blade, served us a Tom Collins updated with a splash of St Germain, and the restaurants signature champagne cocktail with mango liqueur, sweet on the nose and tart on the tongue. A beautiful staircase of rough concrete and curved plywood leads you down.

Double act: Meres owners David and Monica Galetti in their new restaurant, with Samoan artwork on the walls / Matt Writtle

The room is long, buzzy without being over-loud, with a geometrically decorated Samoan siapo cloth and other island artworks by Galettis cousin, Solomon Daniel, on the walls. There seemed to be a lot of very fat English and American people in it the night we visited, but thats by the by.

The menu has just six options for each course, dictated by seasonality and market availability, if those arent the same things. I like the way classic dishes with quite a lot of artistry behind them are bluntly offered up as Beef, Cod and Chicken.

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We started with grilled octopus and with mushroom and Marmite because, well, why would you resist a cheeky offering like that? The tentacle came nicely caramelised on the outside and giving within, with a hint of spice from nduja and paprika-sprinkled fennel, and also an unusual fruitiness from the accompanying caper and raisin condiment. There was a Moroccan sweetness too in the reduced wild mushrooms that surrounded three nuttily al dente tortellini. Marmite butter gave this subtle and delightful assembly of flavours and textures a lovely savoury afterglow.

From the mains, 30-day-aged sirloin of beef came in pretty, evenly pink, butter-soft roundels, with a wittily light sweet onion beignet and tarragon creme fraiche. Perfectly nice, but it lacked something. Five minutes in an apologetic waiter supplied it: a sticky chunk of glazed beef cheek that the kitchen had forgotten to plate up, and which made the whole thing more glossy and rich. 1.

Nick's week in food 1. For a chilly weekday lunch, the last of the previous evenings head-clearing Hot and Sour soup, adapted from Nigella Lawsons recipe and using homemade chicken stock. 2. A sausage bap with Colmans mustard snatched from the Giggly Pig stall at Oval Farmers Market before a historical tour of Vauxhall Park. 3. Pan-fried sea bass  again from the farmers market  with paprika cauliflower and carrots in vermouth, eaten while watching Catastrophe on catch-up. 4.After a 6km walk along the Thames to Wandsworth, luxuriant baked ham (pictured) followed by deliciously sharp grapefruit sorbet with biscotti, a raucous Sunday lunch at our friend Sallys in Southfields. 5. Shakshuka  eggs baked in a rich sauce of onion, pepper, and chopped tomato with garlic, cumin, coriander and parsley. A simple and pretty Sunday supper

Still, I won the main course by going for squab, which came in the shape of two small lozenges of soft pink breast with a rhubarb glaze (again, that unexpected but delightful sweetness). Crunch was supplied by a ras el hanout pastilla, like a highly worked, delicately spicy spring roll. Cabbage and chard complemented it all nicely.

I didnt win the pudding course: my poached pear with pecan crumble and spiced pear ice cream was perfectly nice, if over-saccharine, and easily trounced by a lovely, light, blood orange pudding. This amalgam of mousse, yoghurt sorbet and meringue threw up new explosions of taste with each mouthful, culminating in torn chunks of orange and grapefruit at the bottom. The rhubarb and creme fraiche dessert, which we watched with envy land on a neighbouring table, has already been touted on Twitter as Londons prettiest desert.

Staff are efficient and agreeable, not least the affably stubbled David Galetti, who explained the principle behind the restaurants Coravin system. Looking like a glorified Rabbit corkscrew, this enables him to extract small glasses of wine through the cork of expensive bottles without opening them (it pumps argon gas in to replace the liquid, so there is no oxidation).

Thus I was able to enjoy 75ml of Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2007 with pudding for 13.50. Very nice it was too. But when most of the succinct wine list is offered in 250ml carafes  a large glass, as far as Im concerned  at 15-30 the booze bill can mount, especially over an unhurried meal. Puddings, starters and cocktails are reasonably priced, but with mains north of 30, you might feel youre paying a lot for a simple menu delivered with unfussy skill. But I think youd be wrong.

74 Charlotte Street, W1 (mere-restaurant.com). Open Mon-Sat noon to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm, closed Sundays and bank holidays. Price for a meal for two with wine and service charge around 180 (more with cocktails and/or wine from the Coravin system)
L ife is better in glorious Technicolor. It is hard to be stern when your world is kaleidoscopic so, to raise your mood, you must grasp the rainbow whenever an opportunity presents itself. Wear the red raincoat, not the black one; pick the bold cocktail, not the dry white. The richer the palette, the greater your joy.

As you take up this philosophy you will see opportunities for bright pigmentation everywhere. Every situation will have both a colourful and colourless option.

Even something as simple as getting your daily bread  for this spring the capitals bakers have been inspired by the rainbow.

It started in Maltby Street Market  one of several open-air food hubs which serve as bellwethers for the direction of the capitals cuisine  and specifically at Little Ghost Bagels, run by New Zealander Adam Andrews. His range of Asian-inspired bagels includes, crucially, bright pink ones. They come in several incarnations  sometimes purely pink, at others pink and charcoal  but the bright hue is always achieved using beetroot.

London's best bakeries and cake shops 1 /21 London's best bakeries and cake shops Ottolenghi Scandinavian Kitchen Violet Cakes Kristin Perers Kova St John Bakery Nordic Bakery Steven Joyce Maitre Choux Amy O'Boyle Crosstown Doughnuts Gail's Bakery Cutter & Squidge Jacob The Angel Bread Ahead Old Post Office Bakery Fleet River Bakery Konditor and Cook

Many of his bagels are inspired by his homeland. For Waitangi Day, which celebrates the signing of New Zealands founding treaty, he created a braised beef shin burger that is a take on the kiwi burger  a classic in every fish and chip shop in New Zealand. This included beef, pickled beetroot, pineapple and chilli chutney, a fried egg, kewpie mayonnaise and crispy shallots, served inside a beetroot bagel. The rest of the time Andrews fills his beetroot bagels with other meat and vegan options. I stick to a basis of sweet, spicy, salty and crunchy, he says. My vegan option is beetroot, potato and coconut curry with roast peanuts, mint, coriander and pickled beetroot. My meat option is ssamjang roasted pork belly with pineapple kimchi. Little Ghost Bagels pops up at Maltby Street at weekends and at Kerb in Kings Cross on Thursdays.

Bright future: a Little Ghost bagel

You can taste the rainbow across London. Caravan, which has just opened a new site on Bankside, is serving up tombstone slabs of sunshine yellow cornbread pooled with chipotle butter, lime and a sprig of fresh coriander. It is bright, cheerful and makes regular sourdough look rather anaemic.

Food blogger Madeleine Shaw recommends spinach crepes: she serves her zesty green ones with sauteed mushrooms and tart pomegranate seeds. An image of hers that she uploaded to Instagram this month has chalked up almost 2,000 likes; the full recipe is on her website.

Even Marks & Spencer has a nod to the Technicolor carbohydrate trend: its rainbow

wraps are stuffed with colourful vegetables. And dont forget Brick Lanes Beigel Bake  which dispenses rainbow rings with rich seams of colour running through the dough  valuable Instagram currency.

There is an obvious health benefit to colourful food: mostly colours are achieved with the addition of an extra vegetable to the dough or batter, which means youre getting an extra vegetable with your bagel without having to try very hard. (This does not apply to those unabashedly artificial rainbow bagels, but thats besides the point.) Moreover, spinach adds texture to pancakes, which can sometimes err on the side of gelatinous, while beetroot is high in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. As food, it passes with flying colours.
H enry Lloyd-Hughes has already played David Miliband on TV and now he is crossing the political divide to portray a prominent Tory politician.

The Inbetweeners actor, who starred in Channel 4s satirical docudrama Miliband Of Brothers, plays Rory Stewart in a play about his adventures in Iraq.

Occupational Hazards, opening at the Hampstead Theatre on April 28, is based on Mr Stewarts memoirs of his time as a British diplomat governing a province in newly liberated Iraq before he was elected as an MP in 2010.

His attempts to help govern the new country as religious sectarianism took hold formed the basis of an award-winning book and have now been transferred to the stage.

Lloyd-Hughes, 31, who played bully Donovan in C4 comedy Inbetweeners, said he was not worried about playing a real-life character with a high public profile and that it was an advantage to be able to easily access footage of Mr Stewart talking about his stint in Iraq. He said: It is great because you get loads of tools to start with and you can take as much as is helpful.

The actor said Stephen Browns amazing, articulate script would try to show how Iraq came to be in the state it is in now. He said: It will look at that and understand why the Iraq of 2017 still feels like a work in progress.

There is heartbreak and terror and dark comedy all wrapped up in it.

Occupational Hazards is at Hampstead Theatre from April 28 to June 3.
2 017 is officially the year that were done with basic Easter eggs.

First came the news that whole cheese Easter eggs were available to buy in the UK, and now? Someone has made a boozy Buckfast version.

D-Bees, an off-licence in Northern Ireland, has started selling the tonic wine-themed egg, which contains a miniature bottle of Devons notorious brew.

The eggs cost 9.99 each to purchase from the shops website - although youll have to pay an extra fiver to have it delivered outside of the country.

The off-licence has previously garnered attention after creating a Christmas Buckfast hamper and a Valentines collection of the drink.

But the boozy caffeine Easter eggs have proved the biggest hit, with the The Courier reporting that the shop has been flooded with more than 2,000 orders in 24 hours.

As well as a chocolate egg and a mini bottle of Buckfast, the Easter gift also comes with other bits of Buckfast-branded merchandise including a lighter, pen and fridge magnet.

Best Easter eggs - in pictures 1 /14 Best Easter eggs - in pictures Pierre Herme Limited Edition L'Oeuf Galets 95, Available from March 10 in-store at Selfridges selfridges.com Hope and Greenwood's Sea salt caramel egg with sea salt caramel fudge 7.99, hopeandgreenwood.co.uk Robert Cavalli Zebra egg 29.95, harrods.com Charbonnel et Walker mlik chocolate egg with champagne truffles 16.99, selfridges.com Rococo Limited Edition handpainted chocolate easter egg 39.99, selfridges.com Prestat London Gin truffle Easter egg 13.50, johnlewis.com Fortnum & Mason Rose & violet creams egg 37.50, fortnumandmason.com Chococo Honeycomb egg 9.50, chococo.co.uk The Chocolate Society Pink blonde ombre chocolate egg 24.99, selfridges.com Hotel Chocolat The Supermilk Facet Easter egg 18, hotelchocolat.com Pierre Marcolini Rabbit Doll egg 98, Available in-store at Selfridges selfridges.com

You might want to steady yourself if you plan on cracking one of these open on Easter morning though - the notorious drink has an alcohol content of 15 per cent and the caffeine equivalent of about four coffees per 75cl bottle.
A n innovative safety campaign which allows people who feel vulnerable in pubs or bars to discreetly signal for help is being rolled out across London today.

The scheme allows customers who could be feeling threatened or unsafe on a date to get help by approaching the bar and Asking for Angela.

Police will train staff at bars, clubs or pubs that sign up to the deal to immediately respond to the safety signal.

People can be taken aside or to a safe location so they can speak in confidence about what help they may need.

Staff could then call someone a taxi, contact their friends or family or ask the individual causing the distress to leave the venue.

The Ask for Angela initiative - originally launched by Lincolnshire County Council - has already proved successful in a pilot in Merton where more than half of the licensed venues have signed up to the scheme.

Posters advertising the scheme will be placed in venues with messages including, Are you on a date that isnt working out or Is your Tinder or POF date not who they said they were on their profile?

Inspector Wayne Matthews, from the Central Licensing Team, said: This is a simple yet effective scheme which empowers members of the public to seek help if they are feeling vulnerable, by allowing them to raise their concerns with staff.

It may be that they are in the company of someone who is not what they seemed and they want to get away safely and with minimum fuss.

This initiative will facilitate this and hopefully prevent situations from escalating into something more serious. Of course where scenarios do develop we know bar staff will contact police to attend the scene and deal in the usual manner.

In Merton police say the scheme has raised awareness among bar staff and encouraged them to look out for potentially vulnerable customers.

At one Wimbledon nightclub security staff noticed two men plying a lone woman with drinks, while they stayed sober. Staff called police because of suspicions about their intentions and the two men were ejected frrm the club. Police then gave the woman a lift home to ensure her safety.

In another case at a bar in Wimbledon a man was seen harassing two women. One of the women looked towards security staff and asked for help.

Staff immediately intervened and had to remove the man from the premises when he became violent. The man was later arrested by police while the two women expressed their appreciation in being taken seriously when asking for help
A moped rider is fighting for life in hospital after he was involved in a suspected hit-and-run crash with a van.

Emergency services raced to the scene of the collision in Kennington in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The moped rider, a 22-year-old man, was rushed to hospital in south London where he remains in a critical condition.

Scotland Yard said the driver of the van did not stop at the scene.

Paramedics alerted police to the crash in Kennington Lane at the junction with Denny Street shortly before 5am.

A Met Police spokesman said: Officers attended along with the LAS and found the rider of the moped, a 22-year-old man injured.

He has been taken to a south London hospital. His injuries are being treated as life-threatening.

The van did not stop at the scene.

There are road closures in place. Enquiries are on going.

He added that no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.
P olice and ambulance crews descended on a Tube station in south London after reports of a person stabbed in a mass street brawl.

Met police officers, British Transport Police and London Ambulance Services rushed to Kennington station just after 7pm to attend a large fight.

Pictures of the scene show traffic at a standstill as police officers patrolled the area.

A Met spokesman said officers were called to reports of a group fighting there and were informed that someone had been stabbed.

Stabbing: There were reports that someone had been stabbed / @isaacirwn

Police have not found anyone injured or made any arrests.
T he Muslim Council of Britain has condemned the terror attack which struck the heart of London.

Religious leaders said it was too early to speculate on the attackers' motives but offered "thoughts and prayers" to the victims.

A police officer and a knife-wielding terrorist were among four people killed in the attack on Wednesday.

A man was shot outside the Houses of Parliament after a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Westminster attack: Four confirmed dead in police statement

Scotland Yard's most senior counter-terror officer said up to 20 people were injured and a serving police officer was killed in the attack.

Many public figures, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have praised the tremendous bravery of the emergency services during the incident.

Sadiq Khan makes a statement on the Westminster terror attack

Among them was the MCB, which in statement said: We are shocked and saddened by the incident at Westminster.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

We condemn this attack and while it is still too early to speculate on the motives, our thoughts and prayers are for the victims and those affected.

We pay tribute too to the police and emergency services who handled this with bravery.

Forensic officers at the scene in Westminster / Dominic Lipinski/PA

The Palace of Westminster is the centre of our democracy and we must all ensure that it continues to serve our country and its people with safety and security.

Scotland Yard confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack and London Ambulance Service said it has treated at least 10 patients.

Issuing a statement shortly before 4.30pm, the Mr Khan said: My thoughts are with those affected and their families.

"I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

He urged Londoners to visit the Met Police website for further information.

Prime Minister Theresa May was set to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the attack.
F our people including police officer Keith Palmer were killed in London's bloodiest terror attack since 7/7.

Around 40 people were injured as a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge while terrified tourists ran for their lives.

The knifeman then stabbed a policeman before being shot dead by armed officers near the Houses of Parliament.

The policeman was named on Wednesday evening as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father. who was a member of the Diplomatic Protection Service.

Westminster attack: Key moments caught on camera

Mr Palmer later died despite frantic efforts to save him by bystanders including a serving MP.

A woman was also among those who died in the attack, which is the bloodiest since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 when 56 people were killed.

Killed: PC Keith Palmer / Metropolitan Police

Three other police officers were also injured during the carnage.

The Mets acting deputy commissioner and head of counter terrorism Mark Rowley said on Wednesday evening that five people were killed, including the police officer and his attacker.

However on Thursday morning he corrected that death toll to four - PC Palmer, two others, and the attacker.

Lockdown: Armed police descended on the scene / Stefan Rousseau/PA

He said on Wednesday night police were treating the attack as Islamist-related terrorism.

The Met, British Transport Police and City of London police all stepped up patrols after the attack.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

The Met have opened up their casualty bureau so people can check on loved-ones.

Dept Comm Rowley said: One of those who died today was a police officer - PC Keith Palmer - a member of our Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

"Keith - aged 48 - had 15 years' service and was a husband and a father.

Horror: A man is loaded on to the ambulance (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift and he had every right to expect that would happen.

"I can also now confirm three members of the public also lost their lives in this attack. Specially trained family liaison officers will be deployed to support them.

"And I confirmed earlier, the suspected attacker was shot dead by an armed officer - therefore meaning we now have five people in total who have died."

After the attack unfolded MP Tobias Ellwood was joined by paramedics who battled to save the life of the stricken officer as he lay on the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament.

Eyewitness Rick Longley said: "We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

Attack: A police officer was among the dead (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Other witnesses described scenes of terror as the Hyundai i40 sped across the bridge before the stabbing, with one woman apparently jumping into the Thames to avoid the vehicle.

Bridge: Twenty people were injured / Carl Court/Getty Images

A group of French schoolchildren were also among those targeted by the killer. Three students, aged between 15 and 16, were wounded with one ending up on the roof of the car.

Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar in the grounds of the palace as gunfire rang out at around 2.45pm.

The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in their chambers.

Westminster terror attack: Eyewitness describes seeing a car 'clearly hitting people'

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs: "What I am able to say to the House is there has been a serious incident within the estate.

"It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police."

Meanwhile, members of the Mets armed counter terror unit were deployed to Parliament and a swathe of the area was placed on lockdown.

An air ambulance landed in Parliament Square and a regular ambulance came in through the front gates as medics rushed to help.

Killing: A knife on the ground (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Quentin Letts, the Daily Mails parliamentary sketchwriter, said he saw a man in black attack a police officer outside Parliament before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

He told the BBC: I saw a thick-set man in black clothes come through the gates into New Palace Yard, just below Big Ben.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets.

Toby Melville/Reuters

"And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman.

"The other officer ran to get help and the man in black ran about 15 yards towards the entrance.

Police at the scene of the attack in Westminster (Victoria Jones/PA ) / Victoria Jones/PA

He added: "As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell."

Witnesses described seeing a heavy-set man carrying a knife and running towards the Houses of Parliament.

Jayne Wilkinson said: "We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

"And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

"He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt.

Crash: The car smashed into gates at Parliament / @Lukesteele4

"He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him."

A group of young boxers who witnessed the attack said the terrorist pursued the officer.

Frazer Clarke, 25, from Burton-on-Trent, said: "We heard a loud bang and screaming and then I noticed some smoke. I thought it was a car crash.

Cordon: The area around Parliament Square was placed on lockdown / Victoria Jones/PA Wire

"I looked towards the front gate and people were running, a police officer and a fellow coming to the gate with two knives.

"He was stabbing the police officer with the knives.

"He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black of grey top and what looked like work boots.

"The police officer was stumbling and fell on the floor.

Emergency: The Air Ambulance landed in Parliament Square (Victoria Jones/PA ) / Victoria Jones/PA

"Another police officer walked toward the guy with the knives and shot him twice. I didn't think they were proper bullets, they seemed like rubber bullets."

Pat McCormack, 21, from Washington in Tyne-on-Wear, added: "I saw him stabbing the officer in the back of the head and the back of the neck.

"He was running away but then he collapsed."

A witness, who did not want to be named, saw Mrs May and her undercover police detail near the area of Parliament where ministerial cars are parked.

He said there were undercover officers in a 4x4 vehicle in the car park.

"We just heard gunshots inside Parliament," he said.

"It looked like they are taking her away."

Police on Wednesday evening urged the public to remain vigilant. Anyone with information should call 0800 789 321.
T heresa May has described today's attack in Westminster as sick as depraved as she encouraged Londoners to go about their business as usual in defiance of terrorism.

The Prime Minister spoke outside 10 Downing Street following an afternoon that saw a shocking attack in the heart of London.

Speaking after chairing a meeting Government's Cobra committee, she praised the exceptional bravery of emergency services who "ran towards" danger as they protected others.

She said that the location of the attack was "no accident", adding that any attempt to defeat the values Parliament stands for are "doomed to failure", adding that the "forces of evil" would never be allowed to "drive us apart".

Westminster attack: Key moments caught on camera

Mrs May paid tribute to those killed and in the incident on Wednesday afternoon  which included a servicing police officer - and confirmed that three more officers were among the 40 believed to have been injured.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected, to the victims themselves and to their families and friends, who waved their loved ones off but will not now be welcoming them home," she said.

"For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.

Attack: Police forensic officers close to the Palace of Westminster (Yui Mok/PA ) / Yui Mok/PA

"Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger, even as they encouraged others to move the other way."

Mrs May added: "That they have lost one of their own in today's attacks only makes their calmness and professionalism under pressure all the more remarkable.

Terror: Emergency services at the scene outside Parliament / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

"These streets of Westminster, home to the world's oldest parliament are ingrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe.

Attack: A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"And the values our Parliament represents - democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.

"That is why it is a target for those who reject those values.

Sadiq Khan makes a statement on the Westminster terror attack

"Let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before, any attempt to defeat our values through violence and terror is doomed to failure."

Mrs May confirmed that a single attacker drove a car into pedestrians walking on Westminster Bridge, killing three of them, before running with a knife through the front gates of the Palace of Westminster, where he killed a police officer before being shot dead.

May: The PM speaking outside Downing Street following a terror attack in Westminster / PA

She said Parliament would "meet as normal" on Thursday and that the UK's security threat level, which has stood at "severe" for some time, will not be raised as a result of the incident.

"We will come together as normal and Londoners and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city will get up and go about their day as normal."

Attack: police officers and emergency services work on Westminster Bridge / AFP/Getty Images

The exact details of the attack were still emerging, she said, adding: "Having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers.

"This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament, where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us and our democratic institutions safe. Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead."

The 45-minute Cobra meeting brought together senior ministers as well as top police officers, representatives of the security agencies and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mrs May ordered flags to be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent people who lost their lives at Westminster.
A man who was fatally stabbed through the heart at an Essex house has been named as a 23 year-old from north London.

Danny Myers, from Enfield, died in hospital following the knifing in Clacton at around 4.45am on Monday.

A 35-year-old man from London and a 29-year-old woman from Clacton were arrested on suspicion of murder.

The pair remain in custody for questioning.

A post mortem examination found the cause of his death to be a stab wound to the heart.


A 36-year-old man has been arrested 18 years after a bomb hoax was made at a west London fast food restaurant.

Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea made the arrest at an address in Essex on Wednesday.

It comes almost two decades after the threat on the eatery in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, on November 10 1999.

It was claimed at the time that the threat was made by a far-right organisation.

The arrest comes following a forensic review of evidence seized from the scene.

The man is currently being held at a custody centre in east London, Scotland Yard said.

A spokesman added: Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea have arrested a 36-year-old man at a residential address in Essex on suspicion of an offence under Section 51 of the Criminal Law Act, namely making a bomb threat.
T hese dramatic images show the moment an heroic MP tried to save the life of a police officer who was stabbed to death in a terror attack.

Bloodied Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood is said to have rushed to the side of the stab victim outside the Palace of Westminster.

Photos from the scene showed him crouched down next to the police officer.

Mr Ellwood, a former soldier, lost his brother Jon in the Bali bombing of 2002.

His sibling had been in the country for a teaching conference and was killed when a blast tore through the nightclub district of Kuta.

Westminster Attack: footage shows police attending to injured in New Palace Yard

The MP's hands were placed on the stricken mans chest, seemingly in an effort to stem the flow of blood.

Terror: A bloodied Mr Ellwood stands with the emergency services / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Witnesses said the MP for Bournemouth East also gave the man mouth-to-mouth until paramedics could arrive to take over and the Air Ambulance landed nearby.

Mr Ellwood later told the Daily Mail: "I was on the scene and as soon as I realised what was going on I headed towards it. It is a huge tragedy, it really is.

Stefan Rousseau/PA

"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood."

He was later seen standing among emergency service personnel, with blood on his hands and forehead, while the man lay on the floor.

A shocked police officer is pictured being led away, clutching her head.

Stefan Rousseau/PA

Four people died in today's attack, which saw a car mow down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before a man was shot outside Parliament.

The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in their chambers, while Theresa May was bundled into a car.
A traumatised witness today told how a man ran past him and began "plunging" a large knife into a guarding police officer during the Westminster terror attack.

The police officer was among five killed after he was stabbed in a terror attack outside Parliament earlier this afternoon.

The suspect rammed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before attacking the officer - leaving up to 40 injured.

Rick Longley said he was walking past the Parliament buildings when he heard a "loud bang".

Holding back tears, he said: "A guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out. They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

Westminster attack: Police warn public about no-go areas in London

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

A knife laying on the ground at Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Quentin Letts, the Daily Mails parliamentary sketchwriter, said he saw the suspect, dressed in black, attack the officer before being shot as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

Westminster Attack: footage shows police attending to injured in New Palace Yard

I saw a thick-set man in black clothes come through the gates into New Palace Yard, just below Big Ben, he told the BBC.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

"And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman.

"The other officer ran to get help and the man in black ran about 15 yards towards the entrance.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell."

Ambulance: Emergency services at the scene (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

A Commons office worker described the moment that an attacker, who is also one of the four killed, was shot by armed police after bursting into Parliament.

There was a loud bang, loud enough to make us stop work and run to the window, they said.

I could not make out what had happened in the street but then saw a man running around to the front of the building.

Westminster Attack: Eyewitness describes what he saw

The huge iron gates were open at that stage, and the man ran through the entrance.

He kept running and was heading towards the cafeteria by Westminster Hall when I saw someone, who must have been a police officer in plain clothes, shoot him several times. I think he was shot in the chest.

It was very shocking. Within minutes there were police running all over the place.

Westminster Attack: Man films from inside London Eye capsule mid-ride

Police have cordoned off a large area outside Parliament and over Westminster Bridge and are treating the incident as a terror attack.

Scotland Yard's anti-terror unit is launching an investigation.

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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.

"This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident. Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

"We thank the public for their assistance."

Paramedics: Crews are treating this as a major incident / Stefan Rousseau/PA

London Ambulance Service Deputy Director of Operations Pauline Cranmer said that emergency crews, including London Air Ambulance, were called to Westminster Bridge at 2.40pm.

We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible," she said.

We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.

As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency.
W estminster Tube station has been closed and a string of London bus routes are on diversion after a terror attack at Parliament.

A man was shot by police outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday afternoon moments after a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

At least one woman has been killed in the incident, which Scotland Yard confirmed was being treated as terror-related.

All approaches to Parliament Square were closed off by police following the attack, with firearms officers still on the scene.

(Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

The Met also urged the public to avoid Whitehall, Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge.

Victoria Embankment and Victoria Street, towards Parliament Square, have also been shut.

Westminster Attack: Eyewitness describes what he saw

As rush hour approached, the only Tube station closed off due to the attack was Westminster.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

The Jubilee line remained open but is not calling at the station.

However, buses through central London are being placed on diversion.

Horror: People were mowed down by a car before the shooting / Toby Melville/Reuters

Buses in the Westminster area are either being diverted or terminated early, with London Underground accepting bus tickets in zone 1.

Routes affected include the number 507.

No trains stations have been affected by the incident.

Rail lines into Waterloo and Charing Cross have remained open.
A manhunt has been launched after a serial flasher exposed himself to women on different trains across the capital.

Detectives released an image of a man they want to speak to on Tuesday after it was revealed two separate incidents of indecent exposure on the capitals transport network were linked.

A 51-year-old woman spotted a man exposing himself and touching himself inappropriately on a train between Queenstown Road, Battersea, and Mortlake, Richmond.

The suspect left the train shortly after the incident around 4pm on January 3, British Transport Police said.

A month later, a 21-year-old woman came forward to report seeing the same man flashing on a train between London Waterloo and St Margarets in Hertfordshire.

The second incident was reported to have happened around 7.45pm on January 5.

A BTP spokesman said: Everyone should be free to travel on the railway network without experiencing unwanted sexual behaviour. If you would like to report an incident, please get in touch.

We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will investigate.

Anyone who recognises the man shown in the CCTV image should contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or text information to 61016, quoting reference number 196 22/03/17.
O rganised crime gangs are customising cars and lorries on an industrial scale to smuggle Class A drugs worth millions of pounds to London, the Standard can reveal.

The gangs are using garages in Europe like factories to adapt vehicles for transporting cocaine and heroin to Britain on ferries and through the Channel Tunnel.

A senior Met detective said police and Customs officials were discovering increasingly complex hiding places for drugs inside cars.

He spoke as a trafficker faced jail for smuggling 30 kilos of cocaine with a street value of 3.6 million to London in a custom-made cache in the roof of his Bentley Flying Spur.

A drug hiding place in the dashboard of an Alfa Romeo which was stopped last October

Convicted Florentino Gonzales, 48, was arrested by a joint police and National Crime Agency team after he was seen exchanging the drugs for cash in the underground car park of top-end flats in Southwark.

The Belgian, who is of Spanish origin, drove from his home in Brussels to London via the Eurotunnel in September last year unaware that he was under surveillance by police.

Officers from the NCA and the Mets Organised Crime Partnership watched as he gave packages to two men before travelling to the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf.

After police swooped on the pair and arrested Gonzales at the hotel, a specialist Border Force search team discovered the hidden compartment in the Bentleys roof and found seven packages of cash worth a total of 250,000.

An examination of Eurotunnel records found that Gonzales Bentley had travelled to the UK 13 times in 2016. Investigators believe that the car was used to smuggle cocaine into the UK on each occasion and could have held up to 60 kilos of the drug at a time.

Another secret stash in the car's roof

Today Detective Chief Inspector Spencer Barnett of the OCP revealed that officers were finding drugs in cars false footwells, dashboards or panels.

He said garages like factories were producing cars with false compartments on an industrial scale.

Were seeing complex concealments where vehicles are altered to hide drugs, he added. It is an industry in itself to build these into vehicles.

A lot of knowledge and expertise is required to alter vehicles without damaging them. You have organised crime groups specifically designing and building concealments.

"These are more and more sophisticated, so in a routine stop they are unlikely to be detected.

Florentino Gonzales, 48, faces jail

We are learning all the time and trade information with the Border Force about how they work.

Last October two men were stopped in an Alfa Romeo car at Belsize Lane, Camden, and officers found a hidden compartment in the dashboard used to carry cash. Two men were later jailed for money-laundering.

In February last year NCA officers found five kilos of cocaine hidden in a space between the rear seats and the boot of a car in Barnet.

Last month a car stopped in Fulham Palace Road had six kilos of cocaine hidden in compartments cut into the side panels of the front doors and behind the seats.

The 54-strong joint squad targets top-echelon organised criminals in London and last year charged 144 people, resulting in individuals receiving 380 years of imprisonment.

Officers recovered 203 kilos of cocaine, 10 of heroin, 951 of cannabis, two shotguns and two handguns  one with a fitted silencer.

Detectives say most drugs are smuggled in via ports on lorries and cars, though some are landed by small aircraft at rural airfields or smuggled in on cruise ships.

Security agent Gonzales was yesterday found guilty by Blackfriars crown court of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Two other men  Edwin Abazi, 31, of Hillingdon, and Bajram Elezi, 34, of Epsom  were also found guilty after the five-week trial.

Four others admitted similar charges as part of the drugs conspiracy. All seven face sentencing at a later date.

Andy Tickner of the OCP said: By disrupting this network we have prevented a significant quantity of Class A drugs reaching Londons streets.
F acebook has activated its safety check feature in London following the terror attack in Westminster.

The feature allows people to mark they are safe in a status which is then published for their friends and family to see. Users can access it here.

The launch of The Attack in Westminster safety check  has been used in the past during major incidents such as terror attacks in Paris, Berlin and Pakistan.

It's launch comes as the hashtag #PrayForLondon began trending on Twitter, just hours after the incident was reported.

Police have urged members of the public to avoid Westminster after four people, including a police officer, were killed in the attack outside Parliament this afternoon.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a car ploughing through pedestrians along Westminster Bridge  leaving up to a dozen people injured.

Safety check: The device allows people to let friends and family know they are okay / Facebook

The suspect then is believed to have stabbed an officer within the perimeter of Parliament before being shot down by police.

London Ambulance Crews are at the scene of the attack and have declared a major incident.

Westminster Attack: footage shows police attending to injured in New Palace Yard

Soctland Yard has dispatched additional armed police around the capital and Londoners have been asked to be "vigilant".
S adiq Khan has praised the response of the emergency services as Theresa May was set to hold a Cobra emergency meeting after a terror attack in London.

The Mayor commended the tremendous bravery of police and paramedics as they continued to deal with the aftermath of the attack on Wednesday afternoon.

Medical crews were seen treating patients on Westminster Bridge after a 4x4 vehicle mowed down pedestrians and a police officer was stabbed near Parliament.

At least four shots were reportedly heard after the vehicle ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. The police officer was then stabbed.

Four people have been killed including an armed police officer and the attacker. One woman died as tourists fled in terror on the bridge, according to a junior doctor at nearby St Thomas' Hospital. Others suffered "catastrophic injuries."

The Mayor has issued his response to the attack (file photo) / PA

Scotland Yard confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack and at least 20 people have been injured.

Issuing a statement shortly before 4.30pm, the Mayor said: "There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise.

"I have spoken to the Acting Commissioner. The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is under way.

Westminster terror attack: At least two dead

My thoughts are with those affected and their families.

"I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

He urged Londoners to visit the Met Police website for further information.

Prime Minister Theresa May was set to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the attack.

Terror attack: Police and paramedics with an injured man outside the Houses of Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

The Cobra committee brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

Mrs May, who had been in PMQs, was in the division lobby when she was alerted to the attack and bundled into a car.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also responded to the attack and said in a statement: Reports suggest the ongoing incident in Westminster this afternoon is extremely serious.

"Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, [their] families and friends.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

"The police and security staff have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the public, MPs and staff, and we are grateful to them."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone in and around Westminster caught up in this dreadful incident - and with the brave emergency services."

MPs are told the must stay inside the House of Commons as the attack unfolds / PA

MPs in Hollyrood delayed a vote on a possible second independent referendum following the attack.

The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in their chambers as the attack unfolded.

Monmouth MP David Davies said he came under fire on his way to vote following PMQs.
Two Republican lawmakers are proposing to raise the retirement age from 55 to 60 for most new public workers and change the way pension payments are calculated to ensure the future solvency of the states pension system.

Critics say the moves would make public jobs less attractive.

The coming bill, authored by Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, and Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, is a revision of proposals Stroebel championed last legislative session that never got a hearing.

The bills would have made similar changes to the state pension system for existing state employees, reducing their monthly pension payouts.

A pension system is only as stable as a governments ability to fund it, said a memo written by Stroebel and August seeking co-sponsorship, adding that the bill would protect the Wisconsin Retirement Systems solvency and taxpayers by changing benefits for new hires to bend the cost curve down on a pension system that is generally considered one of the best in the country.

Currently, WRS uses a complex formula that includes years of service and the average of the highest three years of earnings to determine payouts. Under the bill, payments would be determined by averaging workers top five years of pay instead of the top three.

Stroebel has said the result of averaging the top five years of income will be more representative of workers salaries.

Also under the bill, the minimum age at which a new worker could retire would be 60 instead of 55. Public safety workers could retire at 52 instead of 50.

Government pension contributions would be $59 million lower if the measures were in place today, according to the co-sponsorship memo released this week. An October actuarial study conducted by Michigan-based Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Co. shows state contribution rates would eventually decrease by between 0.43 percent and 0.7 percent depending on the type of employee under the proposal.

Jason Rostan, a spokesman for August, said the new proposal applies to new hires only in order to make the bill more likely to succeed.

We decided that concessions need to be made in order to reform our retirement system, Rostan said. These individuals will be taking a job with state government with the knowledge of the changes to the retirement system this bill would make. It seemed unfair to affect employees that were already in the system.

But state workers union representatives say the measures would diminish a benefit that attracts people to the public sector, after Republicans already drastically curtailed public workers ability to bargain over wages through Gov. Scott Walkers 2011 collective bargaining law known as Act 10.

Because so many private-sector workers have been pushed out of the secure retirement offered by pensions, ideologues like (Sen.) Stroebel think everybody should be fed to the Wall Street sharks, AFSCME Council 32 executive director Rick Badger said. A better answer is to work on ways to make a safe and secure pension available for everybody, not make it harder to achieve for those who still have a shot at it.

Stroebel said Badger has worked too long representing government employees.

In the private sector, companies use other methods to recruit top talent. Millennials are not as motivated by pensions as their grandparents, Stroebel said in a statement. While our pension system is fully-funded, the contribution rate has increased substantially over the past fifteen years. The most important feature we need in keeping the WRS solvent is making sure it is an affordable promise.

Rostan said with or without the proposed changes, state employees will continue to enjoy one of the best retirement systems in the country, and with Walkers proposed merit pay increases for public employees, we believe the state will still be able to attract the best and brightest.

Doug Keillor, executive director for Madison Teachers Inc., which represents Madisons public school teachers, said raising the minimum retirement age would affect government employers by having to pay long-term employees longer at higher salaries.

This proposal harms public employees, public employers and those looking for work. It provides no discernible benefit, Keillor said.

Public employees can retire at age 65 and get full pension benefits, but they may opt to retire earlier and get reduced payments. The system covers 605,049 active employees, retirees and former employees with deferred benefits and paid out $4.9 billion in 2016, according to the state Department of Employee Trust Funds, which oversees WRS.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, the $92 billion system was 99.97 percent funded and its unfunded liability was $24.1 million, according to the department.

A department spokesman declined to comment on the bill. Spokesmen for Walker and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, did not respond to requests for comment.
C oncerned family and friends have been provided with a phone number if they wish to check a loved one is safe after Wednesdays terrorist attack in Westminster.

Four people were killed in the attack  including a policeman  while at least another 20 have been injured after a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

A knifeman stabbed the policeman before being shot dead by armed officers near the Houses of Parliament.

The attack is the bloodiest in the capital since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 when 56 people were killed.

The Met provided two phone numbers that can be called if you are concerned about family and friends or if you were involved in the incident and wish to declare that you are safe.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

A Met Police spokesman said: Worried about family/friends involved in todays incident in #Westminster? Please call Casualty Bureau on 0800 056 0944 & 0207 158 0010.

If you were involved in todays incident in #Westminster & are safe, call Casualty Bureau on 0800 056 0944 or 0207 158 0010 & choose Opt 2.

The spokesman added that demand will be high on the Casualty Bureau and encouraged people to keep trying if this is the case.

He said: Staff at Casualty Bureau are working hard to speak to as many people as they can.
F ootage has emerged of the crashed car on Westminster Bridge just seconds after it mowed down a crowd of pedestrians in a terror attack which left four people dead.

A witness who shot the footage described hearing a loud bang and the driver running from the scene as a hail of gunfire rang out.

A crowd of stunned tourists could be seen stood next to the 4x4 vehicle as a victim lay injured on the ground just metres away.

In the background, a mans voice could be heard shouting: My God, my God.

Aftermath: The crashed car on Westminster Bridge / @claudiascore

The witness, named Claudia, who filmed the footage, described the aftermath in a series of tweets.

She wrote: I was on Westminster when the loud bang happened. Saw what's on my vid but then saw a man run and shots fired at him. "Get down!" Panic.

Tried to check on the guy stuck under the car but couldn't get to him. Looked in really bad shape. I'm shaken up to say the least.

She later added: Couldn't get in touch with a colleague that left work at the same time - just found a photo on news, being treated to minor injuries.

Medical crews were seen treating patients on Westminster Bridge after the 4x4 vehicle ploughed into the crowd.

Terror attack: The car ploughed into pedestrians on the bridge / @Lukesteele4

At least four shots were reportedly heard after the vehicle mowed down pedestrians on the bridge. A police officer was then stabbed.

Four people have been killed, including the armed police officer, who was protecting Parliament, and the attacker. One woman died as tourists fled in terror on the bridge, according to a junior doctor at nearby St Thomas' Hospital.

Others suffered "catastrophic injuries."

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

Three French teenagers who were on a school trip to the capital were among those hit when the vehicle ploughed into tourists on the bridge.

One of the three students, aged between 15 and 16, was thrown onto the roof of the car which ploughed into crowds of pedestrians at 2.40pm on Wednesday, according to French newspaper Le Telegramme.

Scotland Yard confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack and said at least 20 people had been injured.
T ourists have been held inside carriages on the London Eye amid a terror attack in Westminster.

A statement from the tourist attraction, on the opposite side of the Thames to the Houses of Parliament, said it was on lockdown following the attack.

A spokesman said: "At present we are holding all of our guests within our attractions as per tried and tested security procedures.

"The safety and security of our guests and staff will always be our number one priority.

Christina Lewis, who lives in Camden, described screams as the wheel ground to a halt.

The 26-year-old, who was trapped on the attraction for an hour-and-a-half told the Standard: It was scary at first everybody screamed and we thought the wheel had broken.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

A Spanish tourist, known as Hersio, said on Twitter that he had been on the bridge just 20 minutes before the attack and said 20 minutes afterwards he was at the top of the Eye.

He shared images from the tourist attraction and wrote: Almost an hour later, raised in the London Eye.

I think we're still here for safety, we still do not know when we'll be down.

We were up and suddenly we see a lot of police and ambulances arrive, everything has happened very fast.

Tourists were slowly brought down from the Eye and led into the nearby Sea Life Centre, witnesses said.

A huge swathe of Westminster is on lockdown after up to a dozen people were mowed down on Westminster Bridge, a police officer was stabbed outside the Houses of Parliament and a man was shot by police.

Scotland Yard confirmed they were treating the incident as a terrorist attack and London Ambulance Service declared a major incident and urged Londoners to avoid calling 999 if possible.

Major incident: London Ambulance declared a 'major incident' / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Onlookers told of scenes of panic with tourists fleeing as gunfire broke out in Westminster around 2.40pm.

A man was seen receiving medical attention outside Westminster Hall after a 4x4 vehicle ploughed into railings nearby.

Police and paramedics treat a wounded man at the scene in the grounds of Parliament / Stefan Rousseau/PA

At least four shots were heard after the vehicle ploughed into crowds on the bridge.

The Prime Minister, who had been in PMQs, was in the division lobby when she was alerted and bundled into a car.

Emergency services flocked to Westminster Bridge

Members of the Met Police's new heavily armed SAS-style counter terrorism unit were deployed to the scene with automatic weapons.

The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in their chambers.
A Tube workers head became trapped between train doors after he had urged passengers to stand clear at a busy commuter station in central London.

The mans head became stuck between the doors of a Central Line train in front of a huge crowd of commuters at St Pauls station during the Wednesday morning rush hour.

Passengers were ushered off the train and told to stay away from the doors after the driver discovered a fault on the westbound service at about 9.45am.

But the Tube workers head became stuck after he stepped onto the train to check the carriages were empty.

Witness Lily Smith, 24, who filmed the incident, told the Standard that a crowd of commuters tried and failed to wrench the train doors apart to free him.

Trapped: The Tube worker's head became stuck between the doors of a Central Line train (Lily Evangeline ) / Lily Evangeline

Ms Smith, a designer from east London, said: All passengers on the train were told there was a fault and we had to get off at St Pauls and await the next service.

London Underground workers were checking the carriages were empty, whilst telling everyone to stay away from the doors.

There was obviously some miscommunication between the workers, then the doors shut, I heard a roar of laughter from passengers on the platform and saw his head stuck in the door.

Ms Smith said it was about 10 minutes before the doors opened and the Tube workers head was freed.

It took around 10 minutes to free the Tube worker, according to witnesses / Lily Evangeline

She added: He did shout can everyone stop taking pictures but it was in a jokey manner.

I don't think he was hurt. He continued to check the train once he was freed.

"He was obviously a bit flustered and embarrassed.

Ms Smith uploaded the video to Facebook with the caption: London Underground worker stuck in the doors after telling everyone to stay away from the doors.

Transport for London told the Standard that the Tube worker was not injured during the incident.
D onald Trump Jr slammed Sadiq Khan after Wednesdays attack in Westminster over comments the Mayor made in an interview last year about terrorism.

Four people have been killed in horrific scenes in the heart of London, while at least 20 people were left injured.

The Presidents son quoted an interview Mr Khan did with the Evening Standard last September, following an explosion in the Chelsea district of New York that left 29 people injured.

The Mayor said in the interview that terror attacks were part and parcel of life in the big city.

Sadiq Khan warns against speculation in the wake of the New York city bombing

He told the Standard: "It is a reality I'm afraid that London, New York, other major cities around the world have got to be prepared for these sorts of things.

"That means being vigilant, having a police force that is in touch with communities, it means the security services being ready, but also it means exchanging ideas and best practice."

Mr Trump linked to a report of the interview in a tweet, saying You have to be kidding me?!

His father President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation in London, describing attack in Westminster as "big news", but is yet to release an official statement.

Mr Khan has already responded to the shooting unfolding outside the UK Parliament in Westminster, praising the work on the emergency services.

Emergency services at the scene (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

He said: There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise.

I have spoken to the Acting Commissioner. The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is under way.

My thoughts are with those affected and their families.

I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances."
P rime Minister Theresa May was bundled to safety by plain-clothed police as MPs praised the emergency services following todays terror attack in London.

Four people including a police officer were killed as a terror attack struck the heart of Westminster.

Mrs May was seen being escorted into a silver Jaguar guarded by police officers after shots rang out at Parliament at just after 2.40pm on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister, who was reportedly in the division lobby during a Commons vote when the attack happened, was driven away from the scene.

The PM's car being driven away from the scene. / AFP/Getty Images

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed Ms May was okay and would be chairing a Cobra meeting following the bloody incident.

The Cobra committee includes government ministers, senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies and meet in a briefing room in Whitehalls Cabinet Office.

Westminster attack: Police warn public about no-go areas in London

The committee works together in the aftermath of serious incidents, and has previously gathered after terrorist atrocities including the July 7 attacks.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

MPs who were in Westminster at the time of the attack praised the work of life saving police who rushed MPs into the lobby at gun point.

Westminster terror attack: Eyewitness describes seeing a car 'clearly hitting people'

Anna Soubry MP called the work of the police outstanding and said: Colleagues taken out of the library at gun point by counter terrorist armed police officers.

Armed officers ordered myself and Security Minister into lobby at gun point. Terrifying.

Westminster Attack: footage shows police attending to injured in New Palace Yard

She said fellow MP Jo Johnson arrived to vote as the attack happened and was taken off his bike and bundled into the security check point.

She added: It's a remarkable coincidence that this terrorist attack came as we were voting - when we are at our most vulnerable.

Mr Johnson, who is the MP for Orpington, said: Police saved many lives today  extraordinary response.

Police said they are treating todays events as a terrorist incident and said they will be deploying extra police officers across the capital this evening.
T hree French teenagers on a school trip were among 20 injured when a car mowed down tourists during a terror attack in Westminster.

One of the three students, aged between 15 and 16, was thrown onto the roof of the car which ploughed into crowds of pedestrians at 2.40pm on Wednesday, according to French newspaper Le Telegramme.

Four people, including a police officer and the suspect, were killed in the attack, Scotland Yard said.

The pupils from a school in Concarneau, Brittany, had arrived in London on Sunday evening.

A spokeswoman for the Lycee Saint-Joseph de Concarneau confirmed three students were injured but said she could give no further information.

Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 1 /48 Attack at Parliament, March 22, 2017 A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminste PA The scene of the incident @Lukesteele4 The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The scene at Westminster bridge this morning, the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn The flag above the Houses of Parliament in London flies at half mast the day after a terrorist attack Jeremy Selwyn A forensics tent on Westminster Bridge seen from Victoria Embankment in London the day after a terrorist attack Jonathan Brady/PA Police officers walk accross Westminster Bridge the morning after an attack by a man driving a car and weilding a knife Darren Staples/Reuters Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster Stefan Rousseau/PA A knife on the cobbles at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA A man lies injured after a shooting incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge Toby Melville/Reuters Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London Matt Dunham/AP An armed police officer runs accross the road during an incident on Westminster Bridge in London Toby Melville/Reuters A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament Carl Court/Getty Images The scene outside the Houses of Parliament The area around Westminster was put on immediate lockdown BBC Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions before the incident PA A police officer stops traffic as the Jagaur car of British Prime Minister Theresa May is driven away Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images A image of armed police inside Parliament @BarryGardiner Emergency services close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London Yui Mok/PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster Victoria Jones/PA Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster Yui Mok/PA Police forensic officers on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster Dominic Lipinski/PA People remain in pods on the London Eye after it was stopped Jonathan Brady/PA Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police, speaking outside Scotland Yard in London Victoria Jones/PA Westminster Bridge BBC Emergency services make their way down the river Jack Taylor/Getty Images Members of the public wait at locked doors outside St Thomas' hospital Carl Court/Getty Images

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said: "Terrorism concerns us all and France knows how the British people are suffering today.

"We are doing everything to find out if French nationals have been involved."

Matt Haikin, 44, cycled across the bridge just moments after the attack.

Westminster terror attack: At least two dead

He told the Standard: I saw a car and as I came up to it I noticed someone next to it covered in blood.

There were people standing around and others running towards. I assumed it was just an accident.

The car then smashed into the railings of Westminster Palace before a knifemen stabbed a police officer to death.

Attack: Emergency services at the scene / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Mr Haikin added: Fairly shortly after I heard some shots. I thought then that something was going on.

As I went over to see what was going on they were starting to move people back.

I think I saw a couple of bodies on the ground. I couldn't tell if they were injured.

Medics treat the injured on Westminster Bridge / Alex Lentati

Images emerged on social media of groups of school pupils being led away from the Houses of Parliament.

It is believed that more than 100 youngsters, who appeared to be aged between eight and 12, had been on educational visits to Westminster during the attack.

They are thought to have been kept within cordon inside the building.

Witnesses described some as visibly shaken by what they had experienced and tearful, Sky News reported.

Scotland Yard confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack and have deployed extra armed police across the capital.
M on dieu! French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, pictured, may be flying high in the polls  he is just edging ahead of Marine Le Pen  but whats going to happen if he wins and has to look Theresa May in the eye?

The Londoner was sitting in our usual first-class lounge on a quick jaunt this week and flicked through this months Monocle. In it Macron addresses his fellow politicos across La Manche.

He starts his critique of the UK with Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson but saves his most savage judgments for May and her plans for Brexit. Its the British who will lose the most. You cannot enjoy rights in Europe if you are not a member  otherwise it will fall apart, he says.

Boris Johnson enjoys giving flamboyant speeches but has no strategic vision; the turmoil he created the day after Brexit proves it. Nigel Farage and Mr Johnson are responsible for this crime: they sailed the ship into battle and jumped overboard at the moment of crisis.

He doesnt spare our new PM either: Theresa May has handled it but what has been happening since then? On the geopolitical level as well as on the financial, realignment and submission to the US. What is going to happen is not taking back control: its servitude.

Macron also lays into US President Donald Trump. I am not going to be hostile towards Mr Trump, he says, before becoming hostile. His comments on Europe demonstrate that he has no sense of history.

We hope Macron doesnt have any trouble crossing borders the next time he pays us, or the US, a visit.

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Getty Images

Good to see that even Tony Blairs political inner circle is following the hot new London trend and bagging editors seats. Alastair Campbell, formerly Mirror political editor and Blairs spin doctor, is to join The New European, the Remainers newspaper of choice, as its editor-at-large. He has written columns for the title so he has some experience with the team but it dashes any hope of a religion correspondent: he doesnt do God, after all.

Irish eyes get ready to smile at Trump

ullstein bild via Getty Images

To the Irish Embassy for a well-earned Guinness at its annual St Patricks Day party. The Irish Ambassador to Britain, Daniel Mulhall, leaves these shores this summer to become Dublins man in Washington, and he assures us he doesnt fear Donald Trump snubbing him. I will make him shake, said Mulhall, referring to The Donalds awkward encounter with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. I want him to tweet me at some stage and say hes a good dude but I want it in capital letters, he laughed. I was thinking of changing my Twitter handle to @therealdanielmulhall but its not allowed. Im hoping he might retweet my poetry quotes. A bit optimistic, as the Pres may not have read a book since sixth grade.

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Quote of the day: I didnt want this job... My wife told me Im supposed to do this

After accusations that he is the weakest US Secretary of State in history, former oil man Rex Tillerson says he didnt really want to do the foreign affairs job anyway. Ivanka Trump has met with more heads of state than Tillerson.

Street style is alive and kicking in the Ghetto

Dave Benett/Getty Images

Emma Thompson and her daughter Gaia Romilly channelled Bob the Builder with double dungarees at a party and screening for The Ghetto Film School at Bafta on Piccadilly last night. It was hosted by James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and 20th Century Fox CEO Stacey Snider.

Model turned actress Lily Cole told us she was enjoying rehearsals for The Philanthropist, directed by Simon Callow at Trafalgar Studios next month. Its a piss-take of bourgeois society, with some depraved characters, she said. Is it easy to get into character? Lily laughed. Its fun, she said.

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Getty Images

Hats off to Christian Candy. He and his brother, fellow property mogul Nick, have been busy with High Court investigations of bullying, blackmail and extortion, which they deny. But yesterday Christians wife, Emily Crompton, posted a photo on Instagram of her with her new baby girl, Kaia Sienna Rose Candy. Thank heavens they didnt follow the tax exile trend set with the twins they had in 2013: they named them Isabella Monaco Evanthia and Cayman Charles Wolf.

As Brexit day approaches...

AFP/Getty Images

Theresa May will send some Tory MPs into mourning when she triggers Article 50 next Wednesday. Remainer Anna Soubry told The Londoner last night that shell be wearing a black armband in grief when the two-year Brexit countdown begins.

I was thinking about putting on an armband  a black armband, Soubry said. In mourning? Yes. I accept that we are leaving the EU but I still think its a profound mistake.

Dave Benett/Getty Images

Soubry was speaking at the launch of The Women Who Shaped Politics, by Sky presenter Sophy Ridge, pictured with fellow presenter Kay Burley, held at the Blue Boar in Westminster. Soubry later rowed back on the idea.

Burley rushed off air to go to the party, and talked up her own credentials as an MP. Theres never enough women in politics, she said. Id love to go into politics, I think Id do a great job.

The Londoner hopes Sky will not be the limit for our Kay.

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Tweet of the day: Ivanka may have security clearance and an office but her made-in-China coats still arent shifting in Hackney TK Maxx and well wear anything.

Food writer Debora Robertson says theres a pile of Ivanka Trumps wares going spare. Sad.

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At least she got the Ros part right

Kazakh-born businesswoman Goga Ashkenazi, above left, was in LA last night for a MaxMara party held in honour of actress Rosamund Pike, above right. Ashkenazi, owner of the Vionnet couture label, was thrilled to meet her. Hey world, she wrote on Instagram. About last night with beautiful elegant Rosalind Pike. Erm... Rosamund, as someone pointed out. She later noticed the error.

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Ban of the day: Canadian diplomats have been asked to stop using cardboard cutouts of Justin Trudeau after inappropriate photos were taken with him. Cancel the Madame Tussauds waxwork.

Follow The Londoner on Twitter and Facebook here.
T he Labour leader has declared war on big businesses that lumber small firms with debts because of late payments.

Londons small and medium sized businesses are currently owed 5 billion by other companies.

Jeremy Corbyn called the culture of late payments a national scandal and at the Federation of Small Businesses conference tomorrow he will tell how his party would introduce a new fines regime in the private sector and a 30-day cut-off point for invoices.

Mr Corbyn said: Cash is king for any business and big companies are managing their cash by borrowing interest-free from suppliers.

Some of the biggest names in business are holding cash piles that dont actually belong to them.

Its a national scandal, it is stopping businesses from growing and it causes thousands to go bust every year.

It kills jobs and holds back economic growth.

Nearly half of Londons one million small businesses last year had to wait for bigger firms to pay invoices beyond agreed fixed terms. Most payments should be made in 30 to 60 days.

The average debt is 32,185, figures show.

Statistics released by Labour today also reveal 160,000 small firms were forced to pay their own suppliers late because of delayed payments and 63,222 were unable to pay staff on time.
P rincess Anne sparked a row today after saying she would grow genetically modified crops on her estate.

The Princess Royal told the BBC the impact of GM crops might not be seen for a long time, but that to rule out the scientific technique just in case was impractical.

Her views contrast with those of her brother Prince Charles, a passionate organic farmer who has spoken out against GM.

He is patron of the Soil Association, which has campaigned against GM crops and ingredients in human and animal food.

Princess Anne, who farms at the Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire, told Farming Today: GM is one of those things that divides people, but surely if were going to be better at producing food of the right value then we have to accept that genetic technology, whether you call it modification or anything else, is going to be part of that.

GM crops are not grown commercially in the UK and trials of scientifically engineered plants are stringently vetted. Asked if, in a post-Brexit UK where growing GM crops was allowed, she could see the plants being cultivated on her land, Princess Anne replied yes.

But Liz ONeill, director of campaign group GM Freeze, said: GM-growing countries are already suffering what the US National Academy of Sciences identified as major agricultural problems caused by the cultivation of GM crops.

Herbicide-resistant superweeds, reduced biodiversity and the contamination of conventional and organic crops are much more than occasional downsides.

The harm done by GM crops is already all too real. It shows that you cant solve systemic problems one gene at a time.
Looking to crackdown on those circumventing city taxes, the Madison City Council approved an agreement Tuesday with Airbnb to collect room taxes on short-term lodgings offered on the website.

Members also set a goal of communitywide 100 percent renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions, while directing $250,000 to develop a plan on how to make that possible within the citys operations.

Council members unanimously approved a plan that will have Airbnb voluntarily collect a 9 percent tax on residences or rooms rented out by city residents, commonly known as hosts. According to the city, there are 500 to 600 private units available for rent in Madison, including about 400 on the Airbnb website.

The city estimates the agreement could bring in around $183,000 in tax revenue. The San Francisco-based company would take the tax out of what renters pay for lodgings before hosts are paid.

According to the city, between 15 and 20 hosts have been registered with the city to pay room taxes.

Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit said hosts will be informed before collection begins, which could start as early as May 1.

Most of the focus of Tuesdays meeting was on the citys ambitious energy goal as dozens of supporters showed up.

City government can control how it operates, and this resolution empowers city staff to develop a plan, including target dates and benchmarks, for achieving 100 percent renewable net-zero carbon goals, said Sustainable Madison Committee chairman Raj Shukla. The vote you cast tonight is the culmination of nine months of community discourse and community leadership, but its really just the beginning.

The $250,000 will come from $750,000 allocated for sustainability improvements in the 2017 budget. The city will submit a request for consultants to develop the plan, and Shukla said he hopes a consultant will be selected by June or July.

The plan is set to be presented to the council by January 2018.

In other business, an additional $6 million to construct the replacement of the Government East parking garage was approved.

Members unanimously approved the funds after the $39.7 million initially budgeted for the project came up $10 million short. City staff closed the gap to $6 million by reducing the size from 600 parking stalls to 560.

The larger-than-expected estimate follows two bids for the renovation of the Madison Municipal Building that were significantly higher than what city officials had planned to spend.

There are more big projects coming down the pipeline later this year, and if our construction estimates continue to be well under the actual bids, were going to have some serious problems through the rest of this year with our capital budget, said Ald. Mark Clear, 19th District.

Two tax incremental finance (TIF) loans for business projects also received approval by the council.

Epicentre, a biotechnology company, will receive a $1.9 million loan to help the construction of a 132,000-square-foot building within the University Research Park at 6102 Odana Road. A $913,000 TIF loan was also granted to help Landmark Oaks Development build 109,000 square feet of commercial space at 2921 Landmark Place.

Council members met for the last time before Wisconsins spring election on April 4. Five of the 20 seats on the council are contested.

One new member is guaranteed by the next council meeting on April 18 as Ald. Tim Gruber, who filled in to represent the 11th District after former Ald. Chris Schmidt resigned last year, is not seeking the post.
F athers are afraid to ask for more flexible working hours to look after their children over fears it will damage their careers, it has emerged.

A Government probe has been launched into the issue after research showed that 44 per cent of fathers had lied to their bosses about family commitments.

The inquiry, run by The Women and Equalities Committee, aims to establish how much support dads receive at work.

The investigation, led by Tory MP Maria Miller, is set to uncover how much demand for change there is among working men.

Fathers will be quizzed on their views over how current working arrangements and finances affect the care they can give to children of all ages.

Ms Miller told the BBC: "Many fathers want to be just as involved in their children's lives as mothers do, which is good for children too.

But, she added that some requests for paternity leave and flexible hours led employers to question the commitment of male staff.

The 2017 Modern Families Index showed between two per cent and eight per cent of eligible fathers will take Shared Parental Leave - introduced in 2015 - this year.

The inquiry will begin to gather evidence on Wednesday.
T he manufacturer of the iconic black cab is today opening a 300 million car plant that has created more than 1,000 jobs.

The London Taxi Company is opening the factory in Coventry using an investment from LTCs Chinese owner Zhejiang Geely.

In 2013, the London Taxi Company faced administration before China's Zhejing Geely Holding Group stepped in to rescue the firm.

More than 1,000 jobs, including 200 engineers and 30 apprenticeships, have been created by the opening of the plant.

The new electric taxi will go on sale in London towards the end of 2017, and then around the world in early 2018.

Geely said 5,000 vehicles a year will be produced by 2019.

The factory will also become a research and development centre in electric vehicle powertrains and lightweight aluminium body structures, which will be applied in all vehicles made at the plant.

Unite union regional officer Peter Coulson said: "This a fantastic story of a company that was on its knees in 2013.

"Now, thanks to the commitment of Geely's top management and accompanying large-scale investment, the iconic London taxi is set for its continued renaissance.

"Tribute should also be paid to the dedicated workforce who have worked hard and diligently to contribute to the current success.

"This is fantastic news in terms of highly skilled jobs for our members and the future creation of employment opportunities. It will be a wonderful boost to the West Midlands economy."

London Taxi Company chairman Carl-Peter Forster said: "We are extremely proud of what we have achieved today, and we have firmly put our stake in the ground as a new, global automotive leader in urban commercial vehicles."
B ank customers who pay cheques into their accounts will soon be able to get the money cleared within one day.

Currently, the cheque-clearing process can leave customers waiting up to six working days for cash to be cleared.

The change, which will be phased in from October, means bank users will be able to withdraw cash day after they pay in their cheque, excluding weekends and bank holidays.

However, it will be the second half of next year before all UK banks and building societies will be offering the faster service.

Under the arrangements, which have been coordinated by the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company, banks will be able to clear cheques by exchanging pictures of them.

All cheques currently have to be physically transported back to the bank that issued them.

James Radford, chief executive of C&CCC, said: "These changes will put cheques firmly in the 21st century, delivering real and important benefits for the many individuals, charities and businesses that regularly use cheques.

"Not only will cheques clear faster but banks and building societies may offer their customers the option of paying in an image of a cheque rather than the paper cheque itself."
A young trainee doctor dubbed University Challenges hottest contestant ever said: Im not sexy, I wear scrubs all the time.

Oxford University student Emma Johnson, 22, sparked a Twitter frenzy among fans of the quiz show who hailed her beautiful, fit and very cute.

But, the Corpus Christi college team member shared her bemusement at becoming an overnight sex symbol after her appearance on the BBC programme on Tuesday.

She told the Daily Mail: It's been completely surreal. I had no idea I was being talked about on Twitter.

At first I thought it was a joke, I couldn't believe it.

'Very cute': Fans praised Emma Johnson on Twitter / BBC

Ms Johnson, from north London, branded the attention the 2017 version of catcalling after attracting random friend requests from strangers on Facebook.

She added: Do I consider myself a sex symbol? I spend most of my time running around a hospital wearing scrubs looking distinctly unsexy.

I was on University Challenge. It's not like I was on 'The Bachelor' where you are judged on your appearance.

I'm single and meeting someone through University Challenge would be bizarre to say the least, it's definitely not something I was expecting.

Twitter storm: Emma Johnson was dubbed University Challenge's 'sexiest contestant ever' / BBC

Despite the medical students success in firing a string of correct answers at host Jeremy Paxman, Corpus Christi lost the competition against Oxford Balliol sparking heartbreak among besotted fans.

Frank Smith wrote on Twitter: I shall miss Johnson.

While, Harry Homan-Greenexclaimed: Noooooooo Corpus Christi Johnson come backkkkk!

Another user took the opportunity to comment on the contestants attire and said: Farewell Corpus Christi and Johnsons going out tonight wear.

Praising the student Graham Killeen wrote: Johnson from Corpus Christi  Oxford is on fire tonight. V cute too.

Jeanna Skinner added: Not ashamed to admit I have a massive girl crush on Johnson.

Another user wrote: Brains and beauty Johnsons my kind of lady.
A ban on electronic goods being brought into the cabin on certain flights to the UK is due to the threat posed by Islamic State, it has been reported.

Downing Street announced the clampdown amid fears IS terrorists are developing new weapons which can be hidden in electronic devices, US media said.

The restriction applies to certain electronic devices on certain flights from Middle Eastern countries, and follows a similar move by the US.

It will apply to inbound direct flights from six countries  Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

ABC reported the new security measures follow intelligence obtained earlier this year indicating IS was working on ways to smuggle explosives on to planes by hiding them in electronics.

The US government has reportedly deemed the threat substantiated and credible.

In February last year an explosive device concealed in a laptop was used to bomb an airliner after it took off from Mogadishu airport in Somalia, east Africa. All passengers survived but the bomber died.

The ban means passengers will not be able to bring laptops, tablets, and other portable devices into the cabin.

Standard size mobile phones will still be allowed but devices longer than 16cm, wider than 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm in depth will need to be checked in.

Medical devices are also not affected.

Devices larger than a mobile phone have already been banned from cabins for US-bound flights from eight Muslim-majority countries.

Inbound flights on nine airlines operating out of 10 airports in eight countries are subject to the US Department of Homeland Security ban.

The US restrictions apply to airlines flying direct to the United States from airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Morocco and Qatar.

The airports affected by the US ban are in Amman; Cairo; Kuwait City; Doha; Dubai; Istanbul; Abu Dhabi; Casablanca in Morocco; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
M illions of air passengers were today told to allow time for an additional security search just before they get on board as airlines rushed to implement a new laptop ban.

The US and UK have announced new carry-on restrictions banning large electronic devices, including laptops, larger phones, Kindles and tablets, on certain passenger flights.

But it emerged today that people flying from six countries to the UK will be searched a second time, at the boarding gate, to make sure they have not been handed banned items in the airside areas of terminals.

Officials suggested the intensity of the extra search will vary between different flights and airlines, and may range from a simple bag search to a full body scan.

Where there is a closed boarding gate, where passengers cannot mingle with people on different flights, the search will usually take place when people enter the waiting area.

But in open gates, where people on different routes sit together, they will have to be searched as they leave it to get onto the aircraft.

A Department for Transport spokesman confirmed that the procedures could cause delays and urged travellers to ask their airlines whether they needed to allow extra time.

The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals, he said.

The restriction affects passengers on UK-bound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

US media reported that the crackdown was prompted by credible and substantiated intelligence that so-called Islamic State (IS) was plotting to smuggle explosives onto planes by hiding them in electronics.

British anti-terror advisor Dr Sally Leivesley said a laptop ban was needed because a small bomb in a cabin could punch a hole in the side of an aircraft causing massive depressurisation and certain death for everyone on board.

Explosives had already been found in the ink capsules of printers carried in luggage, indicating the terrorist thinking.

But she warned that the crackdown did not go far enough, saying there was evidence that the supposedly secure airside area of airport terminals was in fact porous.

This would mean terrorists who passed standard screening could be handed weapons by accomplices before boarding.

The laptop ban cover devices measuring 16cm by 9.3cm by 1.5cm. These will have to go in the planes hold. Airlines may take a few days to implement the new measure, said Number 10.

America announced a similar measure covering eight mainly-Muslim countries.

UK airlines operating direct flights which will be hit by the new measures are British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while overseas airlines affected are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.

Devices including Kindles and other e-readers will be banned from the cabin, along with hybrid devices such as the Microsoft Surface and iPad Pro, as well as the new Nintendo Switch gaming system.

Some travellers will be forced to pay extra fees for a checked bag if they want to use these gadgets at their destination.

Most smartphones, including the iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S7, will still be eligible to travel in cabin baggage.
G ermany is to deport two German-born terror suspects to the countries their parents hail from in a landmark decision.

The two men, who live with their parents in Gottingen, Lower Saxony, have not been convicted or charged with a crime, but are believed to have links to Islamic State. They were arrested in the university city last month under suspicion of plotting a bomb attack.

A 27-year-old man of Algerian origin and a 22-year-old man of Nigerian origin will be deported to the countries where their parents were born within weeks after they lost an appeal.

Germany does not automatically award citizenship to people born on its soil  the nationality of both parents is also taken into account. The deportations are the first time in postwar German history that such a move has been countenanced and comes amid an increasingly hardline stance from the authorities.

Following the ruling, Lower Saxonys interior minister Boris Pistorius said: We are sending a clear warning to all fanatics nationwide that we will not give them a centimetre of space to carry out their despicable plans. We have drawn our sharpest sword to combat concrete terror threats. In the case of the Algerian man, Germany says it has obtained assurances from the north African country that he will not be tortured or have his human rights infringed in any way.

After the men were seized on February 9, police found IS propaganda material, a gun and IS flags at their homes. However, there was not enough evidence to charge them with terror offences.

In the climate that has existed in Germany since the Christmas lorry market attack in Berlin that claimed 12 lives, there is now much more of a willingness to neutralise suspects in any way possible. The killer, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, 24, swore allegiance to IS in a video before the atrocity.

The government has warned that there could be many more such deportations to follow. Mr Pistorius said: They will face the full force of the law regardless of whether they were born here or not.

The two men had been under surveillance for some time due to their links with IS when they were arrested. Their expulsion from Germany was ordered by the federal administrative court in Leipzig.

Local media said the deportations would take place quickly and that the men would be barred from re-entering Germany indefinitely.
D onald Trump has offered the "full co-operation and support" of the US in responding to the Westminster terror attack and "bringing those responsible to justice".

The White House said the President offered his condolences to Theresa May in a phone call following the bloody events in London, which left four people dead including a policeman and knifeman.

Mr Trump had earlier described the apparent terror attack as "big news" as world leaders were shocked by the incident.

A White House spokesman said: "President Donald Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom to offer his condolences on today's terror attack in London and his praise for the effective response of security forces and first responders.

Terror: Four people died in the attack (Stefan Rousseau/PA ) / Stefan Rousseau/PA

"He pledged the full co-operation and support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice."

Westminster attack: How the day unfolded

According to US network NBC, President Trump told reporters shortly after the attack: "I was just getting an update on London.

"Some big news having to do with London just happened."

Westminster: The car hit railings outside Parliament / @Lukesteele4

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families.

"Canadians remain united with the people of the UK."

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: "Shocked at attack on London. Yesterday I spent the day at Westminster. Luckily not today.

"London's Parliament is the mother of democracy!"

Westminster attack: Theresa May vows Britain will never give in to terror

Earlier, Donald Trump Jr used the attack to criticise Sadiq Khan over old comments he made about terrorism.
A snake was discovered by a young boy on board a passenger flight in the US.

The yellow, five-foot long snake was left behind in the cabin of the plane by a passenger who was travelling on the previous flight.

The pilot, who was flying the plane to Anchorage, Alaska, informed passengers over the PA system: Guys we have some loose snake on the plane but we dont know where it is.

A young boy who was climbing his seat found the snake, which was not venomous, asleep under a duffle bag.

The youngster was one of seven passengers travelling on the Ravn Alaska commuter flight on Sunday from the Alaska village of Aniak.

The snake was asleep under a duffle bag / AP

His mother Anna McConnaughy said: He said, `Oh, Mom, look at this. What's that? That's how we figured out there was a snake sleeping in the corner."

She added that that most passengers on board wanted to see the snake.

A pilot came back to help, she said, leading to a short discussion with a flight attendant on how best to capture it.

The flight attendant places the snake into a rubbish bag / AP

"He said, `I'll hold the bag, and you grab the snake,"' McConnaughy said. "Quite a gentleman."

The flight attendant grabbed the snake by the belly and dropped it into a plastic rubbish bag. It spent the rest of the flight in an overhead storage bin, and the plane reached Anchorage on schedule.

A spokesman for the airline, William Walsh, said in a statement that the snake owner had not registered the pet for travel in the cabin of the Ravn Alaska flight.

After arriving in Aniak, he reported that his snake was missing and likely on the return trip to Anchorage.
D onald Trumps Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has revealed he did not want the top job and only took it because his wife said he should.

Mr Tillerson, the ex-boss of the worlds biggest oil company ExxonMobil, was sworn in as the USAs top diplomat last month.

But the businessman has since revealed he initially did not want to take the role and had not even met the US president before he was invited to Trump Towers and offered the position.

In an interview with the Independent Journal Review, Mr Tillerson said: I didnt want this job. I didnt seek this job.

My wife told me Im supposed to do this.

The 64-year-old oil and gas chief said: When he asked me at the end of that conversation to be secretary of state, I was stunned.

I was supposed to retire in March, this month.

"I was going to go to the ranch to be with my grandkids.

He said following the meeting in New York he returned to his home in Texas where his wife, Renda St Clair, reportedly waved her finger in his face and said to him: I told you Gods not through with you.

Businessmen: The new US Secretary of State alongside boss President Donald Trump. / REUTERS

The father-of-four added: My wife convinced me. She was right. Im supposed to do this.

Mr Tillerson made his name as the CEO of ExxonMobil after rising up through the ranks at the company.

Despite lacking experience in government, the businessmans experience travelling the world and making big deals impressed President Trump.

In his career at the multi-national, which spanned four decades, Mr Tillerson spent time in Russia and became a personal friend of President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier this week US officials said the secretary of state will miss a Nato meeting and instead attend a G7 meeting in Italy before travelling to Moscow to meet Russian leaders.
E mma Watson is on track to become the highest paid actress in Hollywood after taking a pay cut to star in Beauty And The Beast  in return for a share of the profits.

The English star had a guaranteed salary of 2 million for the film, far lower than the fee Disney shelled out to Angelina Jolie for Maleficent.

But the gamble appears to have paid off for the 26-year-old actress, expected to get more than 12 million from a deal that entitles her to a slice of the films worldwide earnings.

Beauty And The Beast pulled in more than 280 million on its first weekend and is already set to earn the 600 million needed to trigger Watsons windfall  and her final payday may be even higher.

Beauty And The Beast Clip - Gaston

It has sent the actress to the top of the Hollywood pecking order and she can name her price for her next project, according to experts.

I think she has the world in the palm of her hand, said Liza Anderson, celebrity publicist and founder of Anderson Group Public Relations.

She is the biggest star in the world right now. She can star in anything. She could produce. Shes Americas sweetheart and a global sweetheart. Theres no better position to be in right now. Im sure she has Hollywood banging at her door.

Shes a perfect combination of outspoken and demure, and those are qualities both men and women love.

Watson had even turned down the chance to star in La La Land  the hit musical that earned Emma Stone an Oscar  to stay in London and prepare for Beauty And The Beast.

The former child star made nearly 50 million as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. Hollywood casting director Brett Benner said the success of Beauty And The Beast will widen Watsons appeal.

He said: This raises her star and its more than most actors would dream of making in a lifetime.
K atie Price has shared her shock at being in Westminster at the time of the terror attack on Parliament.

Price, 38, was stuck in traffic near Westminster Bridge after leaving ITV studios earlier this afternoon following her appearance on Loose Women.

The former glamour model was unaware of the incident as she approached the area and asked her Twitter followers what was happening.

She tweeted: Does anyone know what's happened on Westminster bridge hell of a lot of police cars ambulance traffic.

She later posted: Omg I was right by Westminster when it just happened, like a scene from a film.

A representative for Price confirmed that she is fine.

A man was shot outside the Houses of Parliament and a police officer was stabbed during the incident earlier this afternoon which also saw a car mow down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Westminster terror attack: Eyewitness describes seeing a car 'clearly hitting people'

Four people have died, including a police officer and the assailant. Others have suffered "catastrophic injuries" according to a junior doctor at nearby St Thomas' Hospital.

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

Car crashed on Westminster Bridge and gunshots heard in terror attack

Londoners have been warned to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.
M ulan fans have been left outraged after it was revealed that two major changes will be made to the upcoming live-action remake.

The new film will not feature any songs, unlike the 1998 animated Disney classic which was famed for tracks including Ill Make a Man Out of You and A Girl Worth Fighting For.

Speaking about the decision, director Niki Caro confirmed that there are no songs right now, much to horror of my children.

He told Moviefone: Its a big, girly martial arts epic. It will be extremely muscular and thrilling and entertaining and moving.

New movie: Mulan in the Disney classic

If that news wasnt bad enough, fans were dealt another blow when it was revealed Mulans love interest Li Shang wont be in the film. He has been replaced by a new character who will act as Mulans rival.

One Twitter user slammed the decision as blasphemous while another accused film bosses of screwing with the plot.

Others questioned why Beauty and the Beast remained a musical, with one tweeting: If Beauty and the Beast got songs then I should be able to sing with my boy Li Shang the best Disney bop Ill make a man out of you #mulan.

The news comes months after 112,000 fans signed a petition calling on film bosses to ensure a white actress is not cast in the titular role.

Set up by Natalie Molnar, the petition called for an end to the disturbing trend of whitewashing in big-budget movies.

It was announced earlier this year that the studio is focusing its casting search in mainland China for the main roles, including Mulan herself.

Mulan is set for release in 2018.
World Water Day Focus on Millennials as Group Aims to Connect Well-drilling with World Evangelism

Contact: Darin Campbell 512-785-8350;COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 22, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- As millions mark World Water Day on March 22, a Christian organization is pursuing the key group it believes can play a major role in bringing two kinds of life-giving fresh water to those in need millennials.Photo: As a part of Reach Beyond's holistic approach to ministry, many wells have been strategically placed near radio stations so villagers can hear the gospel when they come to get water. Not only are communities being transformed physically, many have been transformed spiritually.Missionary group Reach Beyond's "Fill My Cup" project is focused on this passionate, cause-centric group of Christians, believing that their strong social conscience can be channeled into a new wave of support for efforts to bring lasting spiritual change to people thirsty for God.Founded in 1993, World Water Day brings attention to the plight of the 660 million-plus people living without a safe water supply close to home. As a result, many are forced to devote hours to trekking to distant sources, or waiting for their turn to collect some, and face the health challenges of using contaminated water.With three decades of helping with clean water systems behind it, Reach Beyond is now seeking to expand its efforts through "Fill My Cup," raising money to drill a clean water well in a part of Africa where people have been resistant to the gospel.Organizers believe that, as similar efforts have done in other places, the better health project will open doors to share the gospel, and that by demonstrating how such practical projects can become a bridge for evangelismsharing the good news of the "living water" of which Jesus spokemore young Christians will be inspired to rally behind similar programs."We admire how so many millennial Christians have a high concern about issues of social justice," said Reach Beyond President Steve Harling. "But they also tend to be less invested in sharing the gospel. We want to help them learn more about how the two can go togethera practical demonstration of Gods care naturally leading to opportunities to share the gospel."Through its longtime media- and medical-based ministry, Reach Beyond is well aware how much a lack of clean water negatively affects thousands of communities in the developing world, from poor health to the loss of educational opportunities for young people, especially girls. They are often forced to miss school to instead walk long distances to hand-carry home water for cooking and washing.Over the past few years, Reach Beyond has worked with partners to provide more wells in four countries in Africa as well as in parts of Central Asia, Haiti and Nepal. In 2016 alone, Reach Beyond helped complete 15 clean water projects, in Benin, Ghana, and Ecuador."We have been able to use the opportunity of providing life-giving physical water to share about God's great gift of eternal living water," said Harling.The 60-day "Fill My Cup" campaign focuses on millennials and aims to raise at least $12,000 to fund a well-drilling project in a predominantly Muslim area historically resistant to the gospel. Targeting social media platforms favored by younger people, the campaign launched March 1 to incorporate two important dates on the calendarWorld Water Day (March 22) and World Health Day (April 7).Donors receive a thank-you gift for their support: a handmade African keychain, a T-shirt bearing the message "Nsupa ye de," which means "Good water is tasty" in the Akan language, or an exclusive signed African-themed print from Reach Beyond staff member and artist Brian Mellema."We believe that many young Christians will want to be part of this kind of two-handed presentation of the gospel, when they see how providing practical, physical help in God's name can become a vehicle for sharing the wonderful message of the gospel," said Harling. "By bringing people clean water, we can also introduce them to the source of living water."For more information, go to www.reachbeyond.org/fillmycup Reach Beyond ( www.reachbeyond.org ) is a media and medical-based evangelical outreach ministry with operations on five continents. It spreads the gospel of Jesus through modern media including radio broadcasts, webcasts, social media and solar-powered radio distribution. It also provides medical services to the needy throughout its network. Today, Reach Beyond, with an annual budget of approximately $19 million and has more than 1,000 staff members in 30 countries.For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:Darin Campbell, InChrist Communications  dcampbell@inchristcommunications.com , (512) 785-8350Press kit available at www.inchristcommunications.com/fillmycup
Barely four in 10 Wisconsinites approve of President Donald Trumps job performance, with Republicans and Democrats starkly divided, according to the first Marquette Law School Poll of the new administration.

The poll found 41 percent approve of Trumps performance, while 47 percent disapprove and 11 percent are undecided. Those numbers are consistent with national data showing Trumps job approval level in the low- to mid-40s, poll director Charles Franklin said.

The results also showed state Republicans rallying around Trump with 90 percent saying they had a favorable opinion of the president, up from 67 percent of Republicans who had a favorable view of Trump just before the November election.

Among Democrats, 91 percent have an unfavorable view while 39 percent of independents have a favorable view and 45 percent have an unfavorable view.

Polarization is at the level it was throughout most of the Obama administration, Franklin said.

The latest poll comes after a tumultuous first two months for Trump, who has waged constant war with the news media while making false or uncorroborated statements, had two attempts to halt immigration from Muslim-majority countries blocked and had associates investigated by the FBI for possible collusion with Russia during the campaign.

Asked about allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, 50 percent said they were somewhat or very concerned, while 48 percent said they arent concerned.

The poll also asked about trust in the news media, with 57 percent saying theyre more likely to believe facts reported by newspaper or TV media than comments from a politician. Another 22 percent said they would be more likely to believe a politician, while 18 percent said they believe neither.

The poll was conducted last week as a Republican health care bill, Trumps budget proposal and Trumps tweets about being wiretapped during the election  debunked by the FBI director this week  all came under intense scrutiny. National polls, similar to the Wisconsin poll, have found Trumps supporters still back him.

The Marquette poll found 6 percent want to keep the Affordable Care Act the way it is, 54 percent want to keep and improve it, 28 percent want to repeal and replace it and 8 percent want to repeal it without a replacement.

The poll also gauged support for the 2010 health care law, with 51 percent supporting it when it was referred to as the Affordable Care Act and 40 percent supporting it when it was called Obamacare.

Two-thirds of respondents said they support allowing immigrants in the country illegally to be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship. Another 17 percent said they should be allowed to stay as guest workers. Only 14 percent said they should be required to leave. Also, 59 percent oppose building a border wall versus 37 percent who support the policy, which was one of Trumps signature campaign promises.

The Marquette poll has been closely watched since debuting in January 2012 during the lead-up to the states historic gubernatorial recall election and later presidential election. The final poll before the 2012 presidential election showed Democratic President Barack Obama leading GOP challenger Mitt Romney by eight points. Obama won the state by seven points.

The final poll before last Novembers election showed Democrat Hillary Clinton leading Republican Donald Trump by six points. Trump won the state by less than one point, becoming the first Republican to win Wisconsin since 1984.

Franklin gave a lengthy explanation for the inaccuracy of his last poll, noting that almost every other poll using different methodologies flubbed the outcome. Franklin said the exit poll data showed late-deciding voters breaking 2-1 for Trump. Franklin also noted that his poll differed from the actual results by only a few points in most parts of the state, with the biggest exception coming in the conservative Milwaukee suburbs.

Our polling had always shown Trump underperforming Romney in the (suburban Milwaukee) counties, and he did, Franklin said. But he did 16 points better than what we were showing.

The most recent poll was conducted March 13-16 and included 800 registered voters with a margin of error of +/-4.4 percentage points.
Just as lots of things are debatable in life, rock n roll has been known to pit even best friends against each other when it comes to arguing the fine points of the music that changed America in the middle of the last century.

But the one incontrovertible fact that everyone agrees on when it comes to rock n roll is that songwriter and guitarist Chuck Berry was one of its three most indispensable rockers during its formative years. He nudges out Little Richard for the top honor and stands a head above Elvis Presley for the coveted King of Rock title. While Elvis covered R&B, Chuck Berry was its personification. It was a language he understood in his bones.

Berry, who died Saturday at the age of 90, was the rocker who most captured the imagination of every rock performer who came after him. In fact, Chuck Berry inspired everyone from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan to Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townsend and Bruce Springsteen.

The St. Louis native was appreciated and acclaimed on both sides of the color line even during the Jim Crow era because his songs triggered a universal joy about being young and alive.

Songs like Johnny B. Goode, Too Much Monkey Business, Sweet Little Sixteen, Roll Over Beethoven, Brown Eyed Handsome Man and Maybellene established the musical and rhetorical parameters of early rock n roll. Everyone who ever wanted to be a rock star after Chuck Berry had to learn his songs and guitar licks before anyone elses because it was his songs that were in the most demand at school dances, proms and house parties.

With the exception of a stint or two in jail, Chuck Berry has never stopped touring. Even as a senior citizen, the once tireless performer thrilled audiences with modified versions of his famous duck walk while playing the guitar. He was always a thrill to see live.

Berry outlived all of his major rivals for the title of King of Rock n Roll except Little Richard, who is very much alive and still touring. In the end, the title may fall to Little Richard because there will be no one left to dispute it. But whether by technicality or consensus, Chuck Berry was the King of Rock n Roll while he was alive.
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Western Nebraska Community Colleges show choir, Varsity Vocalise, has been busy ironing out the last of its moves ahead of the 27th annual A Gala Evening at the Gering Civic Center on March 24-25.

Sophomore Rebekah Carlson has been the manager of the show choir and the colleges concert choir, Collegiate Chorale, for the last year and a half. Carlson has a wide vocal range, covering alto, soprano and occasionally tenor, and said its been a steep learning curve to nail down the choreography for the performance. Shes getting ready to pass on the manager torch to freshman Natalie Saenz and their both excited for this weekend.

Were going to incorporate WNCCs 90th Anniversary with the program and want to help celebrate that with the gala, Saenz said.

All Varsity Vocalise members are scholarship students and go through auditions to test their vocal and listening abilities, along with rhythm and choreography.

Choreography Chair Jayme Haugen continued drilling the show choir on the finer points for James Bond Theme, which showcases students performing sashays with fedoras and scarves.

Slow Turn ... Now bend down more. Sing, guys! Sharp!

Despite the scholarships, some of the students have engagements with outside jobs and other classes, which makes it challenging to participate.

A lot of them have to work to survive, but I appreciate their time, contributions and participation, WNCC Director of Choral Activities Imgyu Kang said. Theyre very talented.

And its hard, but they enjoy it, Kang said. They get to make music with others and make others happy.

Kang said hes worked hard to make the choirs more diverse, bringing in students from eight different countries and finding music pieces that go beyond the traditional fare for College Choir music.

Its really great that (WNCC President Todd Holcomb) has given me the opportunity to kind of change things a little bit, Kang said.

Individual tickets are still available for $30 for both Friday and Saturdays performances.

Patrons may purchase tickets by phone at 308-630-6550, online at wncc.edu/performingarts or in person at the WNCC Foundation office, located at the John N. Harms Center on the WNCC Scottsbluff campus.

All tickets are reserved. To request specific seats, call the Foundation or purchase in person. If purchasing online, best available seating will be assigned.

And once the Gala is over, therell be no rest for the wicked  Varsity Vocalise will go on a four-day tour next week showcasing their stuff with stops in Gordon/Rushville, Arapahoe and Kearney.
Gering Public Schools Board of Education passed two resolutions on March 20 in order to move forward with its high school renovation project. Voters in the school district recently passed a bond issue in a special election with an approval rating by citizens of over 70 percent.

The first resolution was the selling of the bonds which authorizes the school district to sell the general obligation bond with the principal amount not to exceed $24 million.

It is the first step to putting bonds in market and having the resources to begin the project. The school district will be meeting with bond rating companies to close and sell bonds in the next several weeks.

Bob Hastings, superintendent of Gering Public Schools, said they are excited to take the next steps and began to put together an excellent product for the community. Hastings said the process of the renovation began in the summer of 2014 and there have been many people involved in the process along the way.

Our community has shown us overwhelming support and that doesnt happen everywhere. It doesnt happen in most places, quite frankly, Hastings said. I think it speaks highly of the community. It speaks highly of the board and the work they do in the community.

B.J. Peters, Gering Public Schools board member, said the school district has some heavy lifting to do now with the bond issue passing.

The school district recently had a meeting with Rex Schultze, a school construction law expert, and Corky Bradley, a lead architect with RB+B Architects.

Our intent was to start the process and do what was needed to start rolling on this, Peters said.

He said most of it was getting policies in place to help guide the school district. There are some people on board who are excited and it will be nothing but positive for Gering going forward, Peters said.

Were starting to see a little better timeline picture of how this is all going to come to fruition, Peters said. Were still a long ways away from putting a shovel in the ground.

Peters said there was a concept in place by RB+B Architects, but there is not a lot of detail about the designs yet.

He said there will need to be a group of people who will work with RB+B Architecture to fine tune the floor plans and come up with something more detailed.

Its a little more complicated since its a renovation and an add-on, Peters said. We want to add on to the new facility without losing the integrity of the existing facility.

The Gering Public Schools Board of Education adopted a resolution to take the construction project down a path of construction management at risk.

The construction management at risk approach was chosen over design-build. Construction management at risk is where there is a hiring of a construction manager and they are able to guarantee the price of the project for the school district. The project will then not go over the set price.

Peters said hopefully something will be in place in June and a group of people can work hand-in-hand with the architect.

I think it is the best approach to get a great building at a cost-effective price, Peters said.

Hastings said there are a few different options school districts have with school construction. He said after meeting with experts in the field and the architect for the project, construction management at risk was the better option for Gering Public Schools.

It fit best with our plans and the direction that we would like to move, Hastings said.

The school district is in the process of writing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a construction manager and hopes to send it out the first part of next week.

Hastings said the RFP will be out for about a month.

There will be a selection committee that will form to work on what construction manager will be selected. It will consist of school administration, school board members and a community member. Peters said it will be important to have high school teachers on the committee because they will be the ones telling how to make the workspaces as optimum as possible.

Hastings estimates it will take about three or four weeks to review the bids, interview and negotiate a contract after the month-long process of getting companies to bid. The goal would be to have the construction manager in place by June 1.
TORRINGTON, Wyo.  Black Hills Energy has donated to Eastern Wyoming Colleges Foundation a whole house heater (up to 2000 sq. ft.) to be raffled off to support EWCs Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, SkillsUSA, and help fund the Agricultural Technology Education Center.

The heater, valued at $3,500 is a major gift that will help provide needed funds for the college, said John Hansen, Director of Institutional Development for EWC. Hansen further stated that, The donation is a testament of Black Hills Energys belief in higher education and their philosophy of reinvesting in our local communities.

Raffle tickets for the heater will be available during the EWC/KGOS Business Expo March 24-26 at the Rendezvous Center in Torrington. Raffle tickets can also be purchased via phone through the Office of Development at 307-532-8397. The drawing will be held April 5.
A State Department grant will provide an opportunity for 21 students from Southeast Asia to explore western Nebraska this weekend.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is in its third year serving as a host university for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) program. The mission of this intensive, short-term academic program is to provide participants with civic engagement, leadership and collaboration skills; cultivate an understanding of American culture, values, and institutions; establish ties with institutions throughout Southeast Asia; and foster relations between the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations.

The group represents all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Participants arrived in Omaha on March 11 and will travel to Scottsbluff and Gering on March 22-25, to witness civic engagement in the rural community and experience small town American family-life.

Scheduled activities for the YSEALI participants include visiting the Scotts Bluff National Monument and the Legacy of the Plains Museum, meeting with students at Gering Public Schools, and discussing issues with a number of community organizations.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend a cultural presentation by the YSEALI participants at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, at the First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff.

In addition to studying at UNO, students will visit Mount Rushmore; Portland; and Washington, D.C. over the five weeks.

Launched in 2013, YSEALI is program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region: civic engagement; environment and natural resources management; and entrepreneurship and economic development.

UNO will host an Alumni Summit for YSEALI academic fellows from Fall 2015, Fall 2016, and Spring 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in May. For more information, please contact Cassidy Cooper, the Program Coordinator at cecooper@unomaha.edu or 308-672-4407.
Good News! My priority bill, LB 432, has made it out of committee and is now in General File. LB 432 is the bill I introduced readers to last week, which will remove budgeting for delinquent taxes. This bill will give property owners some property tax relief.

Last week we also had a public hearing on my bill LB 568. LB 568 is a bill which creates a new temporary substitute teacher certificate. This idea came to me and was supported by 20 superintendents in the Panhandle, including Travis Miller of the Bayard Public School District who traveled all the way to Lincoln to testify in favor of the bill at the Capitol. Bayard Public Schools should be very proud of the commitment of Mr. Miller.

Many of the schools in western Nebraska are hard pressed to find enough substitute teachers to adequately staff their schools throughout the year. As a result, principals and even superintendents sometimes find themselves teaching classes. I was asked by our superintendents to do two things: lower the educational requirements and extend the length of time that a substitute teacher may teach.

After looking at the requirements for substitute teachers in some of our neighboring states, I decided that Wyomings certificate provided the best model for my bill. South Dakota has no educational requirements for substitute teachers, while Colorado requires a bachelors degree. Wyoming, on the other hand, requires the minimum of a high school diploma. Although my bill lowers the educational requirements for substitute teachers to the minimum of a high school diploma, individual school districts are not obligated to abide by these minimum standards.

LB 568 extends the number of days that a substitute teacher may teach in a school district from 45 days to 90 days. After I introduced LB 568, the Department of Education decided to extend the old certificate out from 45 days of teaching within a school district out to 90 days as well. So, even if LB 568 never becomes a law, our western schools will find some relief next year.

I also included Wyomings requirement of passing two constitutional exams. LB 568 requires applicants to take a course and pass an exam on both the United States Constitution and the Nebraska Constitution. I am happy to report that these two requirements were never challenged during the public hearing on the bill.

Additional requirements for my new Temporary Substitute Teacher Certificate include that an applicant must: Be 21 years of age or older, complete 24 hours of in-service training, complete 30 hours of classroom observation, submit to fingerprinting for a background check, complete the application and pay the required fee of $80.00.

Finally, Don Stenberg, the Nebraska State Treasurer, is holding $170 million for 350,000 Nebraskans in unclaimed property. In order to get your unclaimed property you will have to submit a claim. To check to see if your name is on the list, please visit www.treasurer.nebraska.gov and click on the unclaimed property tab, or you may call my office at 402-471-2616 and my staff will check to see if your name is on the list.
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Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said Wednesday that his Cabinet was preparing his new visits this year to Austria, Italy and the US.

"I have had excellent meetings in Brussels that will generate meetings for April and May. Preparations are underway for my visits this April to Austria and Italy," Grindeanu told DC News news portal on Wednesday, adding that on Thursday he is scheduled to meet members of the Moldovan Cabinet.

He confirmed that work is also being done on his visit this autumn to the US.

"The partnership with the US is extremely important. The US is our strategic partner. Strengthening Romania's relationships with the US beyond words is one of the fundamental guidelines of governing and of the government I am running. Much has been said over these years. I know that business ties have also to be strengthened," said Grindeanu.

Asked about his relationship with President Klaus Iohannis, Grindeanu said: "Institutionally correct".

"I have had a conversation with Mr President. If we are talking about the European debate on the five scenarios [regarding the future of the European Union], there is a shared opinion of the Presidential Administration, the Government and Parliament. I was thinking that just two more moments have existed after the [December 1989] Revolution when all energies were steered in the same direction and consensus existed: when Romania joined NATO and when it joined the European Union," said Grindeanu.

agerpres.
This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
Mercy is proposing to build a new parking garage and outpatient center just south of its Creve Coeur hospital.

Its request for certain allowances for the project were approved by Creve Coeur's planning and zoning commission Monday night and are now headed to city council, Jason Jaggi, Creve Coeur's planning director said.

Mercy is seeking approval for text amendments that would eliminate or reduce building and parking setbacks and required buffer yards, while increasing the site coverage from 55 percent to 63 percent.

Site coverage, in this context, is a measure of how much the area is covered by "buildings, driveways, parking lots, loading areas, but excluding landscaped and green spaces," according to Jaggi.

The Post-Dispatch reported in February that Mercy had purchased multiple properties just south of its hospital campus and had hinted at future growth.

Hospital officials declined to provide details about the project at 12120 Conway Road, the former site of its nursing home that the nonprofit, Catholic hospital operator previously demolished.

In drawings provided to the planning and zoning commission, the outpatient center appears to be attached to the parking garage. The structure appears to be six stories.
The man who has promised to resurrect the Jefferson Arms building in downtown St. Louis was the subject of a lengthy New York Times article Wednesday that examined the Turkish developer's business relationships with the Trump Organization.

The Trump Organization is pursuing a deal to operate a Dallas hotel that would be owned by Alterra Worldwide, a company headed by Turkish real estate mogul Mukemmel "Mike" Sarimsakci. The Dallas hotel would be a Trump Scion brand, which the hotel company plans to begin rolling out in numerous cities.

The Times article detailed the thorny international conflicts of interest that could arise from the transaction, given Alterra's business ties to numerous foreign countries, including Russia.

Sarimsakci currently has the empty, 14-story Jefferson Arms building on Tucker Boulevard under contract and St. Louis has approved millions of dollars in development incentives. When he first told the Post-Dispatch about plans for the building a year ago, he mentioned a Trump hotel as one of the possible brands that could fill the space.

Months later, after Donald Trump was elected president, Mayor Francis Slay said via Twitter in November that the development team had "confirmed that the shuttered Jefferson Arms will NOT be a Trump Hotel." The mayor's statement came after a local television report and anti-Trump protests.

Soon after, Alterra firmed up plans and said it would put a 198-room Marriott in the building originally built as the Hotel Jefferson in time for the 1904 World's Fair. In addition, Alterra plans nearly 240 apartments and almost 20,000 square-feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

Last month, St. Louis Aldermen approved up to $17.4 million in tax increment financing assistance for the $104 million Jefferson Arms rehab. The developer also wants another $2.6 million in sales tax help from special taxing districts set up on site.

He has said construction should start this spring and the project could be complete by late 2019.

Sarimsakci has also said he is eyeing the Butler Brothers warehouse at Olive and 18th streets in Downtown West.

The Times story said that Sarimsakci has indicated that he "hopes to work on Scion hotels in a number of cities," with Dallas apparently being the first.

In a recent article in New York Magazine, said he is looking at another site in St. Louis for the Scion brand that could be an easier sell politically.

To read the entire story, go to www.nytimes.com
GARNER, Iowa  Farmers in the U.S. agricultural heartland that helped elect Donald Trump are now pushing his administration to avoid a trade dispute with Mexico, fearing retaliatory tariffs that could hit over $3 billion in U.S. exports.

The value of exports at risk is based on a Reuters analysis of a tariff list which Mexico used in a trucking dispute six years ago and which Mexican officials have said could serve as a model if President Trump sets new barriers to Mexican goods.

Pork producers contacted Trump's transition team soon after the Nov. 8 election to stress that tariff-free access to Mexico has made it their top export market by volume, said John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council.

The council has sent the administration multiple letters, including one signed in January by 133 agricultural organizations, and is arranging for several hog farmers to fly to Washington next month to talk to officials.

"We just keep pounding them on how critical trade is to us," said Weber, who fears Mexico could revive the list of mostly agricultural products it successfully used to push Washington into letting Mexican truckers on U.S. highways in 2011.

Pork products topped that list and, if revived, the tariffs would apply to over $800 million of annual pork exports, according to data compiled by IHS Markit's Global Trade Atlas. "We'll be the first to take the hit," Weber said.

The lobbying effort by U.S. businesses which rely on the Mexican market shows how Mexico can press its case in Washington despite having an economy 1/17 the size of America's and relying on the U.S. market for nearly 80 percent if its exports.

In Iowa, where pigs outnumber people seven to one, hog and grain farmer Jamie Schmidt voted for Trump in part on his promise to cut regulatory burdens for businesses.

Now he and others who farm the flat, rich land around Garner, Iowa, worry about trade. Schmidt gets about half of his income from hogs, earning $4-5 for each of the 425 pigs he sells per week, usually to a Tyson Foods packing plant in nearby Perry, Iowa.

Tariffs from Mexico could depress U.S. wholesale prices and wipe out his profits, Schmidt said. "It would be devastating."

In the crosshairs

In December, after fears of a trade dispute fueled a deep peso slump, Mexico started mapping out U.S. states that are most reliant on its market, replicating the strategy it used in the trucking dispute, said two senior Mexican officials.

Mexican officials also prepared briefs, seen by Reuters, on Mexico's own risks in a dispute, including losing much of its cost advantage in building cars, such as the Ford Fusion made in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Reuters could not verify a complete list of products and states Mexico considered targeting this time around.

But the country's foreign minister said last month tariffs could target Iowa, which raises a third of U.S. hogs and exports about a quarter of its pork production, $100 million of which went to Mexico last year.

The minister also said tariffs could aim at Wisconsin, the center of U.S. cheese production, and has singled out Texas for its "notable" trade surplus with Mexico. All three states voted for Trump in the 2016 election, with the president taking Iowa and Wisconsin by slim margins.

Trump has accused Mexico of destroying U.S. jobs and has vowed to leave the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico if he cannot renegotiate better terms with Mexico. United States went from running a small trade surplus with Mexico in the early 1990s to a $63 billion deficit in 2016.

Besides pork, cheese was also a top target in the trucking dispute in which Mexico retaliated with tariffs against rules that banned its trucks from U.S. roads. Some $200 million in current annual exports of cheese would be targeted if the tariff list were revived, according to the IHS database, which the U.S. government uses to measure the impact of trade disputes. The full tariff list would apply to $3.25 billion in current U.S. exports.

John Holevoet, the director of government affairs at Wisconsin's Dairy Business Association, said he has attended multiple meetings with Wisconsin federal lawmakers this year where risks of Mexican trade were discussed.

Weber of the pork producers group said he believed the Trump administration "gets it" when it comes to the vulnerability of U.S. farm exports. Republican Congressman Steve King, who represents Iowa's agriculture-focused fourth district, also pointed out that Iowa's role as the first state to hold presidential primaries helps keep farm interests in Washington's view.

But King told Reuters he was worried the White House is still not taking trade risks seriously enough.

A possible 20 percent tax on Mexican imports, which White House spokesman Sean Spicer has said could also pay for Trump's proposed border wall, would cause a trade war, he said.

King said he has been in contact with the White House on the matter but has yet to secure a one-on-one meeting with the president. "I'm making sure that here in Washington they know what this means."

Alper reported from Mexico City. Additional reporting by Michael O'Boyle and Christine Murray.
Updates at 1:30 p.m. with police response.

ST. LOUIS  A woman whose body was found off an interstate last Friday apparently had been in a car crash two days earlier  but her body went unnoticed. The victims husband blames police for a poor job.

Police are apologetic and say it shouldnt have happened.

The victim is Gretchen Roberdes, 40, of St. Peters.

Police explain the oversight this way: Rescuers who went to the crash site the afternoon of March 15 saw a 2002 Hyundai that had struck a guardrail on a ramp from eastbound Interstate 44 to Lafayette Avenue.

They looked around and didnt find anyone.

Two days later, about noon on Friday, March 17, a utility worker saw a womans body lying off the roadway. She had suffered injuries to her torso and head. Police reported the discovery of the body near Interstate 55 and Lafayette Avenue. The two interstates criss-cross there, south of Lafayette Square.

At first, police thought she had been struck by a car. But after more investigating, police say they determined she was in the crash two days earlier, just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15.

Her Hyundai had struck a guardrail, police say, and she was tossed out of the car on the opposite side of the ramp.

Roberdes husband, Ronnie Stubbs, faults officials. The car has Kansas tags and is registered in Kansas in Stubbs name and his stepdaughters name  and neither was contacted, even though the car was towed away after the crash.

It was definitely negligence. They should have called me, said Stubbs, of St. Peters. Whats upsetting to me personally, they figured somebody got in an accident and walked away from it. As far as looking everywhere, in specific areas, I think they did a poor job.

St. Louis Police Col. Jerry Leyshock said the proper procedures were not followed and the department was very unhappy about this oversight.

Normally, he said, the owners of the vehicle would have been notified within an hour of the discovery of the wrecked car.

Stubbs said Roberdes was heading to Kansas City to see relatives and take a break for a few days. He said that he didnt know when she was planning to leave, or what she did on Tuesday night, but that he last heard from her by text on Wednesday. On Friday, her sister from Kansas filed a missing person report with police in St. Peters.

When a police officer came to Stubbs home Friday to inquire about the missing person report, the officer told Stubbs they had located his wifes car in a tow lot and learned it had been involved in a crash. But they hadnt found her yet.

Later Friday, police notified Stubbs that his wifes body was found near the crash site. Authorities told Stubbs she apparently had hit a wall and was thrown from the passenger window of the car. She was thrown off the right side of a ramp, into a drainage ditch between two overpasses.

Roberdes older sister, Melanie Stroda of Edwardsville, Kan., said the medical examiner said Roberdes likely had been killed instantly, so that gives the family some solace knowing that she did not lay injured for hours or a day.

Stubbs and Stroda went to the scene on Saturday to look around. He said they wanted to determine if the police account was credible.

Stubbs said: It was kind of credible. I can understand why they missed the body. But I dont understand at the same time. They should have looked around for the body, but I guess their first instinct was to get the car off the freeway as fast as possible.

Stroda not only saw the site in person but researched it on Google earth mapping. She said in an interview that she wanted to give police the benefit of the doubt.

Its not that unreasonable to think she would have been out of sight, Stroda said. It was just a case of where she was thrown, just enough out of sight, and possibly far enough away from the impact of where the car was and it was a curved area and a small hill.

Roberdes is survived by her husband and five children.

Shes the sweetest, kind person youd ever meet, her husband said. She was really selfless. She always looked after everybody else. Thats what Id like people to know about her.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Drive in Lenexa, Kan. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Relatives have set up a gofundme account to raise money for her children and funeral expenses.
UPDATED at 9 a.m. Thursday with comments from Jefferson College spokesman

ST. LOUIS  A former Jefferson County resident could face up to 30 years in prison and fines for allegedly using the identity of another man to enroll in Jefferson College in Hillsboro.

Malachi Duncan, 32, appeared in U.S. District Court here on Wednesday. He has been charged with 10 counts of fraud, including orchestrating a scheme to commit student loan fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, Social Security fraud and identity theft, according to the federal prosecutor's office.

Duncan allegedly used the identity of a co-conspirator named Demarcus Brewster to gain admission and enroll as a full-time student at Jefferson College during the 2013-2014 school year.

Duncan reportedly used Brewster's identity to get federal financial aid, student housing and on-campus employment.

The former resident of Hillsboro was arrested in Memphis, where he lived and enrolled at the University of Memphis under an assumed name, prosecutors said. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Duncan on March 1.

In addition to prison, Duncan could face up to $1 million in fines if convicted.

Brewster pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit student loan fraud last June. He was sentenced to seven months in prison and is required to pay back the Department of Education.

Jefferson College spokesperson Roger Barrentine said he couldn't talk specifics about the people involved because of privacy rules. But Barrentine said the college was cooperating with law enforcement agencies.

Barrentine, in an email statement, also said: "As a higher education institution, the principles of honesty, integrity and character are taken very seriously at Jefferson College. Students attend college to give themselves a better chance for a successful future. However, the individuals involved are accused of multiple federal crimes that could land them in prison and tarnish their records forever."
ST. LOUIS  A man was shot in the shoulder Tuesday night during an apparent armed robbery in the business district on Cherokee Street, police say.

The man was shot about 8:30 p.m. near Cherokee Street and California Avenue, police said. He was conscious and breathing when he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The man was apparently the target of a robbery, police said. Police did not have any information about suspects or property stolen shortly after the shooting.

Investigators at the scene examined a silver SUV parked along the curb. The SUV had a bullet hole in the passenger side of the front windshield.

The shooting happened near several shops and restaurants in Cherokee Street's business district.

The shooting was not a random incident, Alderman Cara Spencer said. Spencer's 20th Ward includes the intersection in the business district.

Spencer said late Tuesday night that witnesses at the scene told her the shooter and victim knew each other and had a disagreement just before the shooting.
CLAYTON  A prosecutor told jurors Tuesday that Rachel Kinsella put her 9-year-old son at deaths door by poisoning him for almost a year. Kinsellas defense lawyer says the mere presence of medication in the boys blood does not prove she poisoned him.

Kinsella, 36, of Meadville, Mo., about 100 miles northeast of Kansas City, is standing trial this week in St. Louis County Court on charges of first-degree assault and child endangerment.

In opening statements Tuesday, Assistant Prosecutor Sheila Whirley said Kinsellas son Patrick spent nearly six months in the hospital and had more than 10 blood plasma transfusions and six surgeries. Kinsella is accused of intentionally making her son sick by secretly giving him prescription medication at a home where she and her son resided in the 7400 block of Grant Village Drive in Marlborough from March 2014 until the following January when the state took Patrick from her.

Whirley told jurors Kinsella sought treatment for Patrick at St. Louis Childrens Hospital and at Childrens Mercy Kansas City to get anti-seizure medications from both without telling doctors at either hospital.

He went from the brink of death to a healthy child, Whirley told jurors. Thats what he is today.

The boy no longer needs a feeding tube and though he still has epilepsy, he has not had a seizure since he was removed from his mothers custody, Whirley said.

In January 2015, Patrick was admitted to St. Louis Childrens Hospital in what Dr. Jamie Kondis testified Tuesday as almost a comatose state along with seizures, hallucinations and a severe loss of coordination.

Kondis said lab results revealed three medications not prescribed by doctors at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, a combination of which is like youre getting an overdose.

She said Patricks condition was most consistent with abuse.

Charges say Kinsella told police she accidentally gave her son the wrong medication on occasion, but doctors told police the types and amount of drugs found in the boys system revealed intentional poisoning. The medications were meant to treat mental health and seizures but police have said Kinsella tried to attract attention through her childs illness in what is known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. He was placed in protective custody with his paternal grandparents.

Patrick was born premature in 2005 and had been diagnosed with epilepsy, encephalitis and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Kinsellas lawyer, Gregory Smith, has said Kinsella did not poison her son and that hospitals near Meadville where Kinsella lived were not equipped to handle Patricks long-term medical problems. He said Patrick had always had a seizure disorder as well as an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the brain.

Smith said the presence of medication in Patricks system does not prove Kinsella tried to poison him. Kinsella was doing what she could to care for her sons numerous health problems, he said.

Whirley said Patricks father died in 2012 without a will, which resulted in the court appointing Patricks aunt to manage a $275,000 inheritance for the boy . By keeping Patrick sick, Whirley suggested, Kinsella could receive payments from that inheritance to care for her son.

If (Patrick) died, she would be the likely heir, Whirley said.

Kinsellas other lawyer, Bill Grant, told jurors we totally disagree with Whirleys characterization of the case and said there are other sides to the story.

The trial is expected to close by Friday in St. Louis County Circuit Judge Joseph Duekers courtroom.
A preschool nestled in a hallway of Webster Groves High School costs $5 a day and is run almost entirely by high school students.

Teenagers write the lesson plans. Teenagers communicate with the parents and collect their tuition checks. Teenagers apply for and earn grants for the preschool, which gets no operating money from the Webster Groves School District. Teens run the daily storytime, play with the children, plan parent luncheons, host prospective parent tours, publish the weekly parent newsletter, paint the hall, discipline students, take the children on field trips and organize the annual graduation.

The only adult in the preschool  high school teacher Diane Stromberg  stands back and, aside from answering the occasional question and depositing the tuition checks, watches it all happen.

I definitely like being on the flip side of things, learning how things work, said Sophie Killeen, a high school senior and director of the preschool. Its very cool to have all the responsibility on me.

About 115 Webster Groves High School students operate the preschool in shifts from 9 a.m. to noon, as the cornerstone component of Strombergs child development class.

Stromberg, a 38-year veteran teacher at the high school and a Webster Groves alumna, says the problem with other classes about children and teaching is that students learn the principles without hands-on experience.

In her class, the hands-on experience isnt limited to just running the preschool. For a lesson about what makes toys attractive to children, she has students design their own games and test them with the toddlers. For a lesson about infants, she has them build an infant mobile using nine safe objects. For a lesson about what it takes to raise a child, she allots students $3,000 to budget for a baby  maternity clothes, diapers and all.

Students from Strombergs class will graduate not just knowing how to work with children, but also how to run a business and work in a team. Its a level of responsibility and trust that the students arent used to getting from adults.

She brought out a lot of confidence in me and the other high-schoolers, said Amanda Michenfelder, a high school senior and a lead preschool teacher, about Stromberg. Im very surprised she trusts us.

Smiles and giggles

The preschool has existed in the high school for about four decades and has always been run by students. Yet it retains a relatively low profile and sustains itself solely on word-of-mouth advertising.

Some parents are initially nervous about letting teens care for their children in an uncertified day care. The day care does not need state certification because its not an all-day preschool.

But then they see their children playing with the high-school students and become convinced its a sensible way to organize a preschool.

At first, I was like, I dont know about this. But Ive been impressed with how motivated and excited the high-schoolers are, said Rachel Mecham, a stay-at-home mom from Rock Hill whose 4-year-old daughter is enrolled. The students choose to be here. Theyre energetic and not burned out.

A recent storytime at the preschool showed how comfortable the children have become with the high-school students. About 20 preschoolers nestled in the laps of high-schoolers on the carpeted floor while Michenfelder read a book about wheels on a bus going round and round. The preschoolers and teens giggle, smile and sing together while making wheel motions with their hands.

Parents who use the day care like the proximity and cost. Stromberg said she hasnt raised the $5-a-day rate in 15 years.

However, care ends in the middle of the day, so parents must be able to drop off and pick up their children during workday hours.

Most of the preschools families live in the middle-class to affluent suburbs of south and west St. Louis County, from municipalities including Shrewsbury, Chesterfield and Webster Groves. Almost all the families and most of the students are white. The preschool offers need-based scholarships, but none of the preschools current families qualify, Stromberg said.

Still, Strombergs students learn about working with needy children. After a recent preschool day, Stromberg sat down with her students in a circle for a brief talk about what theyre learning that week: adverse childhood experiences and alternative family structures.

She explained how 1 in 5 children live in poverty. She asked them to think about how children growing up with difficult life circumstances might experience relationships, religion, school and work differently.

Stromberg estimates about 30 percent of her students end up working with children in some way.

The class has persuaded some students, such as senior Liz Gilstrap, to become teachers when they once were adamant about not going into the profession. Others have become teachers, occupational therapists, pediatricians and pediatric therapists.

Whatever career path they follow, Strombergs students earn hours to qualify for Missouris A-plus scholarship program. Students who attend state teaching colleges find that theyve already used the same textbooks and completed similar assignments in Strombergs class.

They get the learning, but they get the hands-on experience to actually do it, Stromberg said.
ST. LOUIS  Phyllis Schlaflys daughter alleges in a new lawsuit that several of her brothers have in effect diminished her inheritance by exerting undue influence over their conservative-icon mother as her health failed in her final months.

It is the latest turn in a Schlafly family rift that began in part over disagreement about the candidacy of President Donald Trump.

In the suit, filed this week in St. Louis County Circuit Court, Anne Schlafly Cori claims her brothers got their mother to amend a family trust so that all legal bills in separate ongoing litigation between the siblings will come out of Coris share of the inheritance.

One of her brothers said Wednesday that the suit was frivolous and designed to generate a news story.

The siblings and others were already entangled in litigation stemming from a fight over Phyllis Schlaflys political legacy. That fight came to a head last year, when the siblings split over support of Trump in the Republican primary. Phyllis Schlafly publicly backed Trump, a position at odds with Cori and other board members of the Eagle Forum, Schlaflys Alton-based conservative think tank.

Those board members worried that the aging Schlafly was being influenced by long-time Missouri politico Ed Martin, whom Schlafly had brought in as the Eagle Forums president and who was an enthusiastic Trump supporter.

The board attempted to fire Martin last April based on what members said were management issues, a move Martin has contested in still-pending litigation. The boards actions infuriated Coris brothers, John, Bruce and Andrew Schlafly, according to Coris suit.

Several lawsuits subsequently were filed in both directions between Cori and her allies on the board on one side, and Martin and the Schlafly brothers who support him on the other.

Schlafly died Sept. 5 at age 92. It was only after her death, Cori alleges, that she learned her mother had amended her trust to remove Cori as a co-trustee, leaving John Schlafly as the sole trustee.

The trust was later amended further with a clause that effectively reduces [Coris] share by all Lawsuit Related Costs, the suit says. In effect, Coris inheritance was earmarked to go toward paying for litigation against her, the suit claims.

The brothers were intentionally misrepresenting [Coris] actions and intent to Mrs. Schlafly to get her to amend the trust, Coris suit alleges. By exerting undue influence over Mrs. Schlafly, John Schlafly and others were attempting to  put pressure on [Cori] to abandon her efforts in the separate litigation.

Martin isnt named in Coris latest suit. But it includes emails between the Schlafly brothers and Martin in which they discuss strategy in their battle with Cori. In one, Bruce Schlafly writes to the others: Now is the time to go for the jugular in my opinion, and that means a no holds barred attack on Anne, even if it means public sees a family feud.

In another email to family members, Andrew Schlafly writes that I am recommending to mother that she automatically offset the potentially enormous costs of the on-going litigation from Annes share of the estate. He then suggests to those family members: You may want to tell mother likewise.

Coris attorney, Matthew J. Rossiter, declined to comment on the suit.

In an emailed statement to the Post-Dispatch, Andrew Schlafly said of his sister: Ms. Cori has caused the waste of more than $1 million in legal fees, and she wants someone else to bear those massive costs. Now she is wasting more money on legal fees with this frivolous lawsuit against 17 people.

Coris suit names as respondents 17 beneficiaries of The Phyllis Schlafly Revocable Trust, including minor children in the Schlafly family. In Coris narrative of her allegations, however, she references only John, Bruce and Andrew Schlafly and Ed Martin.

Andrew Schlafly, who is a lawyer in New Jersey, said in his emailed statement: The litigation was apparently designed to generate a news story.
The city is asking for federal approval to study whether its a good idea to put St. Louis Lambert International Airport under private management.

Mayor Francis Slay was in Washington with Travis H. Brown, president of Grow Missouri Inc., an organization funded by retired St. Louis investor Rex Sinquefield, to apply for one of five open slots in the Federal Aviation Administrations Airport Privatization Pilot Program.

The preliminary application made Tuesday asks only for the OK to examine privatization, and a decision could come in a month.

Before such a plan would be enacted, it would need approval from the Board of Aldermen, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, airlines that serve Lambert and voters.

If eventually given the final go-ahead, something that would be at least a year away if it happens at all, the city would retain ownership of the airport and its land, but a private company would lease it. Money coming into the airport could be used for needs beyond the airport and by the city and St. Louis region, something not allowed under the current operation system.

Slay said the money could bolster infrastructure, and he cited the Northside-Southside MetroLink expansion, a project that he made a priority in the waning days of his administration, as one potential recipient of such funds.

I dont think anyone would disagree that Lambert needs a big shot in the arm, Slay told the Post-Dispatch from Washington.

The airport has battled tough times in past decades, although it has seen a recent surge in passenger traffic and flights.

It suffered a devastating blow and loss of flights to Europe when American Airlines ceased its hub operations through a series of cuts after absorbing the bankrupt Trans World Airlines in 2001. A $1 billion runway built when Lambert was still a bustling hub has been underused, and attempts to get a China Hub faltered.

But the airport saw a 10 percent spike in passenger traffic to about 13.9 million people in 2016. It has added new destinations, more flights and larger planes  airlines at Lambert added 733,000 seats last year. Its working to get an international air-cargo facility running, as well as a dual-customs facility capable of clearing goods moving to and from Mexico. Even shipping livestock is being explored.

Revenue that the city receives from the airport has remained flat for several years at about $6 million annually, and it is not expected to change under the current operating structure, according to the city. But under a public-private partnership, the city said it would receive an immediate capital infusion for non-airport uses or it could get substantially increased annual payments.

The airports budget is $170 million, and supported entirely by user fees paid by airlines and concessionaires and federal funds.

An airport seeking to participate in the airport privatization pilot program must receive preliminary FAA approval through an application process to reserve one of the slots available under the program, according to the FAA. Once that agency approves the preliminary application, the airport can select a private operator to manage the airport, negotiate an agreement with the private operator and prepare a final application to submit to the FAA.

Commercial service airports such as Lambert, can be leased, but not sold.

Almost all commercial service airports in the United States are owned by local and state governments, or by public entities such as airport authorities, according to a February 2016 report by the Congressional Research Service.

Only two commercial service airports completed the privatization process established by the FAA privatization program, the report said.

But the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which was privatized in 2013, is the only one with a private operator under the provisions of the privatization pilot program. Aerostar Airport Holdings is operating the airport under a 40-year agreement with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.

Others are looking into going with private management.

The FAA accepted in December a preliminary application to participate in the privatization pilot program by the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., which is owned and operated by Westchester County.

And it approved a preliminary application from the Hendry County Airglades Airport in Clewiston, Fla., which is owned and operated by Hendry County, in 2010. The FAA says that airport is preparing a final application.

Grow Missouri has put up a dollar amount in the low six figures to pay for people to help with the application for Lambert, and the city has no money invested in the application.

Slay said Grow Missouri had no financial interest in the project.

Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, the airports director, was not available for comment Wednesday, said Jeff Lea, an airport spokesman. He did say that she was not in Washington with Slay.

Local leaders were largely unaware of the application but were open to learning more about what private management could mean for St. Louis.

This is the first Im hearing about this, Comptroller Darlene Green said by phone late Wednesday. And that is all I can say without having any other information regarding this subject.

St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger said in a statement that he supported exploring the idea of such a public-private partnership.

Done correctly, a large private investment to upgrade the airport could be a game changer for St. Louis County and the entire region, he said.

The office of Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed has not yet seen anything on the idea, said Tom Shepard, Reeds chief of staff.

We are all for increasing revenue and efficiencies at the airport, but certain operations need to be publicly managed, Shepard said. Citizens need to take note of the players involved in this as we await details of any proposed arrangements.

He brought up Reeds role in putting a stop to a controversial 2013 effort supported by Slay to approve a $250,000 consulting contract with Veolia Water North America. Slay said at the time the aim wasnt to outsource the water division but to investigate ways to keep water rates from rising.

Two members of the airport commission reached Wednesday night said they were not aware of the Slay administrations plans.

One of them, Rik Nemanick, said that wasnt unusual.

Usually these things go through the Board of Aldermen before they get to us, he said.

Commissioner Kathleen Osborn said that although she didnt know the details of Slays plan, she had heard talk of potential public-private partnerships in the past and there had been discussions about potentially pursuing whether it would be a plus for the city.

And the woman likely to be the citys next mayor is willing to consider the idea.

I am open to the idea of exploring a public-private partnership at Lambert Airport as long as it makes sense for city taxpayers, Alderman Lyda Krewson, a member of the airport commission, said in a statement. I will look forward to hearing from the FAA later this spring.
Looking to highlight local entrepreneurs, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is inviting residents to submit businesses they feel should be recognized as Good Neighbor Business of the Month in the 112th District, according to a press release.

Our local business owners play a critical part in our community and its important that they are supported and recognized, Stuart said. These businesses are our neighbors, too, and when we spend money through them, those vital dollars get reinvested in our community.

Stuart is asking residents to nominate local small and mid-sized businesses they believe should be honored as a Good Neighbor Business of the Month.

Businesses available for consideration must be located in the 112th District, which includes Caseyville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Granite City, OFallon, Maryville, Glen Carbon and Fairview Heights, and have demonstrated a commitment to the Metro East community.

Since taking office, I have prioritized a responsible economic plan that would help to lift up our small and mid-sized employers, Stuart said. I want to make sure that I am visiting and talking to our areas important business stakeholders on this issue. In addition to recognizing an outstanding local business each month, I am forming an Economic Development Citizen Advisory Committee to bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, economic development experts and citizens to discuss ways that we can attract and retain employers here in Illinois.

To obtain a nomination form, contact Stuarts full-time constituent service office at 618-365-6650 or e-mail repkatiestuart@gmail.com.
Pakistan and Switzerland on Tuesday signed the revised Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to taxes on income.

The agreement was signed by the Ambassador of Switzerland Marc George and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Dr.Muhammad Irshad. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan was also present on the occasion.

The revised agreement will open new vistas for cooperation, especially in the areas of exchange of information for tax purposes. It contains improvements with regard to the taxation of service fees and capital gains resulting from the sale of qualifying participants.

These rules will promote economic exchange in bilateral relations. The agreement also contains an arbitration clause which should guarantee the avoidance of double taxation.

The treaty replaces the article on Exchange of Information with the the internationally accepted standard based on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) model.

The new agreement will considerably expand the existing scope of information to be obtained on request basis for the enforcement of domestic tax laws.

It will also provide access to bank information for tax purposes, and such information shall not be refused solely because the information is held by a bank or other financial institution.

For this purpose, the requesting state will provide information such as the identity of the person under investigation and period of time for which the information is requested.

The existing agreement between Pakistan and Switzerland was signed in 2005 and enforced in 2008. In August 2013, Pakistan approached Switzerland to incorporate the updated version of the agreement based on the OECD Model.

In August 2014, Pakistan delegation visited Switzerland for re-negotiation of Pak-Swiss Treaty and the initial draft agreement between the two countries was agreed.

The final negotiations were held in Berne, Switzerland in June 2016 to resolve all issues amicably, and incorporate them with Pakistans tax policy.

The agreement will come into force in Pakistan on first July of the next calendar year. Both countries will undertake procedures to ratify the agreement.
British Secretary of the Interior, Amber Rudd has said on Tuesday that the British government understands Pakistans concerns over issue regarding MQM and the decision would be made as per the law.

Rudd convened a meeting with Minister for the Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the federal capital.

During the sitting, she said that no one is above the law in Britain. The two leaders discussed several matters of mutual importance including anti-terrorism, immigration, stability and bilateral terms.

While addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, the British official said that Pakistan suffered the most in war on terror however, the security situation in the country has bettered in the last two years.

Pakistans economy is also growing consistently, she said and added that there remains a lot to achieve.

She said that Britain shares close ties with the people of Pakistan and expatriates residing in Britain. The British government wishes to continue partnership with Pakistan.

The English minister congratulated the people of Pakistan in advance for March 23, Resolution Day.

On the occasion, Chaudhry Nisar said that Pak-British relations go way back in time. He branded meeting with British counterpart a success and said that the two countries understood each others perspective in a better way.

He expressed hope that top British officials would continue to visit Pakistan.

The federal minister said that an agreement was signed regarding Pakistani immigrants illegally residing in Britain among discussion over other matters of importance.
Lalak Jan Shaahed was born in Yasin, Ghizer District, in the Northern Areas, Pakistan. After school he joined the Pakistan Army, and reached the rank of Havaldar. As a junior officer in the Northern Light Infantry, Jan fought against India in the Kargil War of 1999. He volunteered to be deployed on the front lines and drove back a number of attacks by the Indian army.

Tiger Hill in the Kargil Sector had been occupied by 11 men of 12 NLI (Northern Light Infantry) unit of the Pakistan Army. One of these men was Subedar Sikander, the person who was responsible, with 10 other men, to hold back India's offensive long enough to force the Division at Siachen to retreat. His 2IC (Second in Command) was Havaldar Major Lalak Jan.The 10 men of 12 NLI were told by Subedar Sikander to change their positions while firing back at the attacking Indian forces. As the men followed the orders, they managed to bluff the Indians into believing that the size of the force was much more than 11.

On 1st of July, 1999, the 18 Grenadiers Battalion (India) launched a fierce attack on Tiger Hill by virtue of artillery shelling of the occupied bunkers. Subedar Sikandar placed his men in such positions that they managed to repulse the attack without any loss of life on their own part. It is not known how many men were lost by the 18 Grenadiers Battalion. On the morning of 2nd July 1999, amidst the mist, the 18 Grenadiers launched another attack on Tiger Hills. Subedar Sikandar ordered his men to retreat to a secret bunker. Once the men were safe, he ordered Lalak Jan to descend Tiger Hill, and amidst the Indian Artillery shelling plant the landmines in the area in front of the Indians. The impossibility of the task was realized by all, but the Subedar insisted that the army has sent them down to fight, and that they would have to complete this task if they were to make a dent in the Indian offensive. Planting the landmines was the only way for them to damage the Indian armor and artillery, as none of the 11 men of 12 NLI had any heavy weaponry. The Subedar insisted that the mist would help Lalak Jan as well, and the Indians would not be expecting it either.

Accepting the daunting task, Lalak Jan descended Tiger Hills amidst the mist. The remaining men gave him as fierce a cover as possible to distract the Indians. Lalak Jan used his natural mountaineering ability to the fullest in the snow clad area and planted the landmines in such a manner that the Indians would encounter them in case they tried to move forward towards the hill. Lalak Jan returned, having successfully planted the mines as ordered. The trap was now set. All that the men required to do now was to lure the

Indians into it.

Subedar Sikandar told his men to gradually reduce the firing to a standstill. About two hours after firing ceased from the Pakistan side, the Indians thought that they had managed to clear the area of the insurgents. Hence they began to move forward. The landmines wrought havoc with their initial forward movements. The Indians suffered heavy casualties, however, as they have not publicized this incident, the exact amount of damage is not known. The damage was in any case, severe enough that 18 Grenadiers did not attack Tiger Hills for at least 3 to 4 more days, until they were supported by another Indian Unit, eight Sikh.

On 6th July, both 18 Grenadiers and eight Sikh attacked Tiger Hills in the fiercest of Tiger Hill battles or the Kargil Operation. Some of the Indian soldiers launched an attack from the steeper side of the hill. The NLI was not expecting an attack from this side. The NLI fought this battle at a heavy cost. Seven of the 11 men were killed, including Subedar Sikander. The Indians had managed to destroy a number of the Tiger Hill bunkers by either a hand to hand fight or by dropping a grenade into it. Only Lalak Jan and three other men remained. The onslaught of the Indians was continuing and they were rapidly advancing towards capturing the hill.

Lalak Jan, who was now the senior most person around, placed his men in strategic positions, at least two to three per person, and told them to fire without staying in one position. These four men, pitted against an enemy much superior in number and weaponry, managed to repulse the Indian onslaught by sheer courage and determination.

On 7th July 1999, 18 Grenadiers and eight Sikh launched yet another offensive. This was a successful attack. Two of Lalak Jan's men were killed. Lalak Jan and his only other remaining comrade in arms, Bakhmal Jan were both seriously injured. Not giving up, Lalak Jan got hold of an LMG and while Bakhmal Jan provided him with the ammunition, the two men kept trying to repulse the Indian attack. Lalak Jan's left arm had been rendered useless as he had received a bullet in it. Bakhmal Jan, unable to sustain his injuries, died while supplying the ammunition to Lalak Jan. From there on, in one of the most stunning demonstrations of determination, Lalak Jan held up the two units of the Indian Army for four complete hours. The Indian offensive finally slowed down and they descended Tiger Hills. The reason for this is not known, perhaps they thought that they could shell the bunker in which Lalak Jan was positioned.

After the Indian offensive had subsided, reinforcements (5 to 6 men) were sent to Tiger Hill under Captain Amer. When he saw the condition of Lalak Jan he told him to go back to the base camp as his arm was in no condition to be used. Lalak Jan told the captain that he did not want to die on a hospital bed, but would rather die in the battlefield. He told his Captain that he should not worry about the arm.

While this was going on at the hill, the Indians started shelling from a secret bunker in an adjacent hill. By that time the command of the handful of troops at Tiger Hill had been taken up by Captain Amer. He realized that the fire was coming from a secret bunker and also directed fire towards it, but the effort was in vain. The exact reason for the failure of this fire by the Pakistanis is not known. It could have been because of one of three reasons:

1) The secret bunker was very well designed and protected by the Indians

2) the fire was not directed properly or

3) the bunker was not in the range of the light weaponry possessed by the Pakistanis atop Tiger Hill.

There was only one way left to counter the secret Indian bunker; it had to be blown up from a closer range. When the injured Lalak Jan volunteered for the mission, his plea was immediately rejected by the captain, who was of the opinion that he would do it himself. However, Lalak Jan persuaded him, giving him his previous landmine installation experience coupled with his mountaineering skills as the explanation. The Captain agreed.

Lalak Jan put a bag of explosives on his back, and while shouldering an AK-47 descended Tiger Hills for the second time amidst heavy Indian shelling. Managing to avoid being seen by the Indian forces, and utilising his knowledge of the hills to take cover, he located the secret bunker and threw the explosives inside the bunker. The bunker, which was also an ammunition dump, blew up in what was probably the biggest blast of the entire Kargil Operation. Lalak Jan managed to take cover, but the Indian Army lost 19 to 20 men inside and nearby the bunker.

The other Indian soldiers saw Lalak Jan and opened fire on him. Surrounded from all sides by Indian fire, Lalak Jan tried to resist and returned fire. He sustained serious injuries as a result of heavy mortar shelling, but managed to defend his position and frustrate the Indian attack before dying at his post.

On 15th of September 1999, the commanding officer of 12 NLI sent two commando forces to Tiger Hills to recover the body of Lalak Jan. The two forces were called 'Ababeel' and 'Uqaab'. Ababeel provided the fire cover while Uqaab went into the destroyed enemy bunker to retrieve the body of Lalak Jan. When his body was found, Lalak Jan had his AK-47 clinched to his chest.

Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan's highest military award, for extraordinary gallantry. Since Pakistan's creation, only ten soldiers in all have received this honour.
Fuel-free electric bikes or E-bikes are all set to hit the roads for the first time in Pakistan in coming months.

E-bikes are fully electric, which means they do not require petrol or any other fuel and run up to 80-100km with rechargeable batteries. The charging of the battery takes 6-8 hours with a cost of only Rs20/charge.

Recently, a firm based out of Bahria Town Rawalpindi Jolta International displayed three e-bikes in Gwadar.

Other features of E-bike include alarm and automatic locking system, keyless start, disc brakes and a digital meter.

Jolta International officials said that locals can purchase E-bikes according to their demands as they will be available in three models E 70, E 100 and E125 with different prices.

The manufacturing companies said that these bikes are environment friendly, smoke free and without noise.
The United Kingdom has followed the United States in banning electronic devices on passenger flights from several Muslim-majority countries, reports say.

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a ban on large electronic devices from cabin baggage on flights from nine airlines in eight countries across 10 airports in the Middle East.

The measure came after the department claimed that terrorists are seeking "innovative methods" to bring down passenger planes amid fears that bombs could be hidden in laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games.

The list of countries includes Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.

The list of airlines affected by the ban includes Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad Airways.

The airports affected are:

Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco

Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo International Airport, Egypt

Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan

King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kuwait International Airport

Hamad International, Doha, Qatar

Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates

Dubai International, United Arab Emirates

UK issues electronic devices ban for six countries

Following the US ban, the British government announced that passengers flying directly to the UK from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey will be banned from large electronic devices into the plane cabin.

The banned devices are laptops, tablets and phones which are larger than a typical smartphone, measuring 16 cementers by 9.3 cementers by 1.5 cementers.

"The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals," a government spokesperson said.

"Direct flights to the UK from these destinations can continue to operate to the UK subject to these new measures being in place. Travelers are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest FCO travel advice and to check online with their chosen airline for further information," he added.

The US Department for Homeland Security earlier said the ban was implemented because they were "concerned about terrorists' ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs.

They said terrorists are "aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks.

US President Donald Trump has been under fire by Muslim and human rights groups as well as his Democratic rivals and many of his Republican proponents since he started calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" during his presidential campaign.

Following his inauguration on January 20, Trump has twice issued executive orders, banning people from several Muslim-majority countries, causing widespread protests in the US and several world cities. American courts have blocked Trumps travel ban but the president has said that he is still trying to find a way to impose it.
The United Nations has rejected a call by Saudi Arabia and its allies to supervise a Houthi-held Yemeni port, where tens of refugees were killed last week in an aerial attack blamed on Riyadh.

The Saudi call came after more than 40 people lost their lives and dozens of others were injured in an apparent Saudi airstrike that hit a boat carrying Somali refugees near Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Friday.

Riyadh and its allies have denied being behind the air raid despite witness accounts citing an Apache helicopter - which is only used by Saudi Arabia in the war on Yemen - to have attacked the vessel.

Reacting to the call on Monday, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the warring sides in Yemen are responsible for protecting civilian infrastructure and civilians, adding, These are not obligations they can shift to others.

Saudi Arabia called for jurisdiction over Hudaydah port to be transferred to the UN while the humanitarian situation in Yemen has dramatically deteriorated amid a Saudi blockade, which has put the impoverished country on the brink of widespread famine.

Last week, the World Food Program (WFP) warned that 60 percent of Yemenis, or 17 million people, were in crisis or emergency food situations.

The humanitarian community delivers assistance in Yemen solely based on needs and not on political considerations, and will continue to do so through all available means, added Haq.

The United Nations also called on Monday for an inquiry into the attack.

We call on all parties to the conflict to make proper inquiries to ensure accountability and to prevent this from happening again, the head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, said.

Saudi raids continue unabated

The development comes as Saudi warplanes keep up their strikes against civilian targets across Yemen.

According to Yemens al-Masirah television, at least six civilians were injured as a Saudi air raid hit the district of Majz in the province of Saada.

Riyadh also launched rocket and artillery attacks on the areas of al-Sheikh and al-Umar in the Munabbih district of the same province. The residential buildings and farms in the area were struck in the attacks.

A security source told Yemen News Agency that the Saudi jets also pounded the provinces district of Kitaf.

At least 25 Saudi airstrikes also hit several areas across the province of Taizz, including the districts of Waziiyah and Dhubab as well as Taizz International Airport.

In retaliation for the kingdoms relentless airstrikes, the Yemeni army and allied forces targeted Saudi military men on the kingdoms soil.

Yemens War Media released footage showing a Saudi military vehicle destroyed in the southwestern region of Jizan on Monday after it was attacked by Yemeni forces.

The Yemeni troops ambushed the vehicle near Jizans al-Khashal military base, killing all the Saudi military men on board.

The Yemeni forces also fired a medium-range ballistic missile at al-Faisal military base in Jizan. The attack comes a day after fighters of Yemens Houthi Ansarullah movement released footage of a ballistic missile attack on King Salman Air Base in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Also on Monday, the Yemeni troops targeted military positions in the kingdoms regions of Najran, Asir and Jizan, killing and injuring a number of Saudi soldiers.

Saudi Arabia has been leading a destructive military campaign against Yemen since March 2015 to reinstate former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and crush the Houthi movement.

The campaign has seriously damaged the countrys infrastructure. Local Yemeni sources have put the death toll from the Saudi war at over 12,000, including many women and children.
Saudi Arabia has announced that honour of all the Muslims coming from around the world for Hajj and Umrah will be ensured without any discrimination.

An important cabinet meeting of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud was held in which it was decided that Saudi government will continue to serve all the pilgrims regardless their country and citizenship.

In a statement issued after the meeting, it has been said that it is the religious duty of Saudi government to serve the pilgrims and they will be welcomed without any discrimination.

The statement said that Saudi government will ascertain the provision of all facilities to the pilgrims regarding their safety and respite.
About 50 staff and 15 tonnes of equipment and building material is being transported to Raoul Island this week for three government agencies undertaking scientific work there.

The Royal New Zealand Navy amphibious sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury and a Royal New Zealand Air Force SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter are transporting staff and supplies for Department of Conservation (DOC), MetService and GNS Science on the trip.

The ship left Auckland today and will return on March 30.

About 40 DOC workers, including botanists and engineers, will conduct maintenance work on several buildings and a solar-power generation system on Raoul Island. Five rangers will also replace the five who have been stationed on the island.

DOC operations manager Geoff Woodhouse says having access to the Canterbury, as well as helicopter support, allowed DOC to transport its largest contingent to date, who would be carrying out key projects in a limited time.

In addition to food supplies for their Kermadecs outstation, staff would be bringing 10 tonnes of corrugated iron roofing, four 30,000-litre water tanks, four roller doors, a tractor, a tandem trailer and several tonnes of building materials.

The assistance that DOC gets from the New Zealand Defence Force is invaluable, especially being able to utilise an asset like Canterbury, which has so much capacity, says Geoff.

MetService Meteorological Data Services manager Kevin Alder says three agency staff would be assessing their facilities on the island and teaching the DOC team how to operate and maintain an upper air sounding programme, where weather balloons carrying instruments that measure wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and pressure are released each day.

The programme is indispensable in gathering data used for forecasting weather.

GNS Science is sending a team of 11, including three commercial divers, who will service the tsunami gauges at Fishing Rock on Raoul Island that form part of the New Zealand tsunami-detection network.

Other GNS Science staff will be servicing the GeoNet seismic and global positioning system equipment on the island, while two chemists will be sampling the volcanic crater lakes and hot springs.

GNS Science staff will also conduct research work on Curtis Island, a volcanic island with an area of about 40 hectares. The island has an active geothermal system and is a breeding site for nesting seabirds.

RNZN Commodore Jim Gilmour, the Maritime Component Commander, says deploying Canterbury enabled more cargo and more personnel to be carried on the 1000-kilometre trip.

The Seasprite further widens the scope of our support for other government agencies because it will enable us to reach more inaccessible and remote parts of the Kermadecs.

Commander Simon Rooke, the Commanding Officer of Canterbury, says the ship could carry up to 250 passengers and about 750 tonnes of cargo.

Because of her strategic lift capacity, Canterbury is often assigned to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations or resupply missions in New Zealand and overseas, Commander Rooke said before the ship left Auckland this morning.

Canterbury last went on a resupply mission to the Kermadecs in 2012. Last September the New Zealand Defence Force deployed offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago and a Seasprite helicopter to transport 23 staff from DOC and MetService and about seven tonnes of equipment and supplies to Macauley and Raoul islands in the Kermadecs.

New Zealand Army staff load equipment and building material that amphibious sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury will transport to Raoul Island this week for three agencies undertaking scientific work there.
Yes, we need to keep it under control

No, we need to learn to live with it
Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are set to receive government funding to help subsidise neutering for menacing dogs in the region

A total of $55,956.52 will be granted to Tauranga City Council and $44,830.43 to Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The grants, made out of a pool of $850,000 of Government funding announced by Associate Minister for Local Government Jacqui Dean today, is part of a New Zealand-wide action plan to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks announced in late 2016.

Most dogs are gentle, loyal and caring animals, but we all know that some dogs give the others a bad name. Its important that we keep our kids, and our community, safe from menacing dogs, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller.

The community will be safer thanks to these neutering programmes, which are designed to reduce the risk of dog attacks.

"The number of menacing dogs will reduce in the long term, as neutering is linked to decreased roaming and aggression.

Todd says the legislation is not targeted at good, law abiding dog owners or specifically at bad dog owners.

The legislation is targeted towards the many dog owners in our community who want to neuter their dogs but cant afford to do so.

This subsidy will give them a hand up to do so, and our community will see the benefits.

The campaigns are being carried out by Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and 30 other territorial authorities, often in coordination with local veterinarians and SPCAs.

Many territorial authorities are also combining this neutering offer with their own offers of subsidised microchipping and/or registration.

Other aspects of the national action plan launched last year will be progressed in 2017.

This includes a bill to require the licensing of high-risk dog owners, which is expected to be introduced later this year.
Now in its third year of working with the Americas Cup Event Authority, the British watchmaker has developed two new additions to its sailing line-up ahead of this years AC35 grand finale, which will see the 35th Americas Cup come to a climax in Bermuda.

Following the launch of its Regatta watches in 2016 featuring added countdown functionality, the brand went on to develop two unique Regatta chronograph calibres and it has now augmented that by launching its third Regatta movement with the Regatta AC II.

Designed to be both highly legible and incredibly tough whilst at sea, the Regatta AC II is has been manufactured from hardened stainless steel. Furthermore, the watchs convex sapphire crystal is extremely durable and has nine layers of anti-reflective coating applied to both sides of the glass for increased legibility.

The new timepiece also has a different configuration from those launched in 2016 with a customised 15-minute countdown disc in the 12 oclock position combined with an integrated internally rotating bezel for additional timing functionality.

As well as the Regatta AC II, Bremont will also be launching a new AC 35 model, which will be made in a limited run of 35 rose gold watches, to mark next years final.

Designed to capture the timeless elegance of the J-Class of the 1930s, the AC 35 features bluesteel hands set against a black dial. The dial is also subtly embossed with very fine imprints of the Americas Cup trophy, the oldest trophy in international sport. Finally, the watch bears a Bermuda mark to commemorate the 2017 final, which takes place in June.

Founded in 1851 off of the shores of Britain, the trophy known as the Auld Mug was presented to the fastest boat to sail around the Isle of White. The schooner America won and from then on the most iconic sailing competition in the world has been known as the Americas Cup.
For over 35 years, the seaplane charter company has been providing services throughout the northeastern U.S., and for the past 15 years theyve also catered to visitors traveling to islands, resorts, and yachts throughout The Bahamas, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean.

Anyone who has experienced the travails of conventional air travel  the long queues at check-in, the clearing security, the delays  will be attracted by the idea of, almost literally, being whisked off your feet and transported directly to your destination with no fuss or bother.

This is what is on offer with Shoreline Aviation, whose pilots meet you at the baggage area, grab your luggage, and load you on to the plane. If youre heading for a yacht charter, the yacht captain will provide them with GPS coordinates, and before you know it youll be splashing down beside your beautiful vessel.

With a crewmember greeting you and placing a cocktail in your hands while others go to gather your belongings from the plane, a sense of relaxation is guaranteed to wash over you as your vacation begins in optimum style.

And if that's not enough, for those looking for a smaller adventure, they also offer day trips as well as sightseeing tours.

If youre planning a yacht charter, or a visit to any land-based luxury destinations in this part of the world, go to shorelineaviation.com or email them with your specific vacation requirements at [email protected]. Enjoy your trip!
Prime minister Mariano Rajoy has expressed his sympathy following the terror attack which shook London on Wednesday afternoon. He tweeted: "Spain is with the British people. I condemn the attack on Westminster and express solidarity with the victims."

This echoed the sentiment of Spain's foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, who, speaking to journalists at a ministerial meeting held in Washington for the coalition led by the United States against so-called Islamic State (IS), agreed that the incidents were "very serious" and spoke on behalf of his government and the Spanish people in offering support to those affected: "Todos estamos con el Reino Unido." ("We are all with the United Kingdom.")

Central London was brought to a standstill on Wednesday afternoon when a man stabbed a police officer in the grounds of the House of Commons before being gunned down by police. Both men received treatment but were later pronounced dead.

Three more people died and more than 40 were injured on Westminster Bridge after the 4x4 driven by the alleged assailant mounted the pavement, ploughing into the crowds, before crashing into Parliament's perimeter wall.

The attack came a year to the day after 32 people were killed in attacks on Zaventem airport and the metro system in Brussels.
Tina Repass loves taking things apart, figuring out how they work, and then putting them back together again. The graphic designer prefers to do the maintenance work on her car and cherishes her manual typewriter.

She enjoys working with her hands and doesnt mind getting them dirty. Her hobbies include woodworking, painting, basic machinery work, metal working, photography and ceramics.

I like the old way of doing things and incorporating the new with the old, she said.

Her latest challenge is a big one.

Real big.

The 2002 George Wythe High School graduate rescued a 4,000-pound printing press that was headed for the junk heap. She dreams of restoring it to its former glory and using the letterpress printer in her wedding and event invitation services business.

To help finance the venture, she is entered in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, a grant program that awards 10 small businesses with grants up to $25,000 and $7,000 in FedEx office print and business services. The public votes on the grants. The voting period runs through April 5. The top 100 finalists will be announced April 13, and winners will be announced on April 25.

In a video that accompanies her entry, Repass says she has always loved the art of letter press printing.

I was able to save the 1929 Kluge printing press from its end in a scrap heap, she said. Ive been gathering supplies since acquiring the press. The printing press has always been a community event; it was saved and moved by volunteers and friends. Everyone who sees it gets excited about it. My dream for the press is to get the press running, have it run by bicycle or motor, and to also build a tiny shop around the press, thus making it a mobile, interactive, working, historical piece to take to different events. My dream for the printing press is to revive it to its original glory and share it with others.

Repass saved the two-ton press from Wordsprint in Wytheville, where she worked for several years after graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in industrial design.

One day, I found out they were getting rid of the press. I had walked by it for four years, thinking it would be neat to run that, she said. I begged them not to throw it away. They said if you can come get it, its yours.

So, like any good child, she turned to her parents, Don and Betty Elmore, who agreed to house the massive machine in their barn. Repass is the granddaughter of Bland County resident Sally Edwards. Eventually, the Repass family had to build a concrete floor in the barn to support the press.

Its almost a hundred years old, and it was running 10 years ago, so I know it can run again; it just needs some parts, said Repass, who wants to operate the machine 21st-century style.

I want to make it run and use new technology with it to print, she said. I have friends with 3-D printers; they can print out new type to print with. I want to mix new technology with old technology. It is amazing that the press can still work. Its all cast iron and metal parts, and I think that is neat.

Repass, who owns a design studio, Tina Repass Designs, also works as a freelance graphic designer and team lead manager at OZMO in Blacksburg. She has an Etsy shop where she sells note cards, fun prints and invitations. She also designs custom wedding invitations.

Restoring and using the printing press will mingle many of her interests, she said.

It combines graphic design, my love for machines and printing, and my old soul and love for old things into a product I can sell, she said. There is a big revival in letter press, and I just want to be a part of it. I think it is so neat that people are taking these old machines and making them work again.

To vote for Repass in the FedEx contest, visit http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/Gallery/Detail/d101f7cd-2c6f-4ccd-813f-b568fc496ce0

You can also access the voting page by visiting Repass website at www.teanbean.com.
Attention all girls attending prom: nows the time to snap up a dress at reasonable prices. The Fort Chiswell High School chapter of Help Save the Next Girl is holding a (gently used) prom dress sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

The club is doing this to help girls who dont necessarily have the money and things to have a nice prom, said Fort Chiswell senior and club member Elizabeth Sweeney. It will give them the opportunity to find a dress and have a girls day; to feel girly and beautiful about themselves.

It will also give students a chance to make a little money by selling their old prom, homecoming or pageant dresses, Sweeney added. Jewelry and shoes will also be for sale.

Changing rooms and full-length mirrors will be available so girls can try on various dresses and pick the perfect one. The entrance to the sale is in back of the school.

The club is opening the sale to anyone in the community. A sales table is $5, which will go to the club. Any profits made from selling the dresses, jewelry or shoes go to the seller; the club only gets $5 per table, Sweeney said.

Its open for adults, kids, everybody, she added. The seller sets the prices. Its going to be a good girls day.

The Fort Chiswell Help Save the Next Girl chapter is the first in Southwest Virginia. Sophomore Zoe Belle Lowe started the club in the fall. The clubs primary focus is to spread safety information and prevent future crimes against young women.

The national Help Save the Next Girl organization was founded by Dan and Gil Harrington of Roanoke in response to their daughters death at the hand of a sexual predator.

On Oct. 17, 2009, Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, attended a Metallica concert in Charlottesville and never came home. Three months later, a farmer found Morgans remains in a mountain pasture about six miles from the concert venue.

In March 2016, cab driver Jesse Matthew Jr. pleaded guilty to killing Harrington and University of Virginia student Heather Graham, who died in 2014. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the murders. In addition, Matthew was sentenced last year to three life sentences for the 2005 sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman in Fairfax, Virginia.

To reach Millie Rothrock, call 228-6611, ext. 35, or email mrothrock@wythenews.com
A grand jury on Monday declined to indict a Bland County man who shot and killed his neighbors dog.

In January, a judge found probable cause to send a felony animal cruelty charge against 64-year-old John. R. Risler of Dublin to grand jurors following a preliminary hearing where Risler admitted to shooting a boxer named Oliver but said he did so because he thought he was in danger.

After listening to the prosecutions evidence in the case on Monday, grand jurors decided not to return an indictment, which would have led to a trial.

According to testimony at the preliminary hearing, Risler and other neighbors responded to a commotion in the Little Creek Valley last October and found Oliver chasing and attacking a wounded deer in a creek.

Risler said he shot the dog when it left the deer and came at him. He also shot and killed the deer and left both carcasses behind.

In January, Risler was convicted of wasting a wild animal. He paid his $100 fine and $86 in court costs on Jan. 25, according to records.

The dogs caretaker, Wes Hancock, was fined $50 in January after being convicted of allowing the dog to roam at large.

Bland County Commonwealths Attorney Patrick White said on Tuesday that he doesnt plan on taking the animal cruelty charge against Risler to another grand jury.

Although grand jurors didnt indict Risler, they did find probable cause to hand down indictments against three others. Now that theyve been indicted, the defendants will stand trial in Bland County Circuit Court where a judge or jury will decide if theyre found guilty or not guilty of the allegations against them.

Buddy Ray Lester, 30, of Hurley was indicted on Nov. 27, 2016, charges of being a felon in possession of a gun and felony drug possession. Lester is scheduled to enter a plea on June 6.

Dallas McClanahan, 53, of Hurley was indicted on November 2016 charges of being a felon in possession of a gun, felony drug possession and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Hes slated to enter a plea on April 4.

Tracy Racheal Blankenship, 34, of Hurley was indicted on Nov. 27, 2016, charges of being a felon in possession of a gun (eight counts), being a felon in possession of ammunition and marijuana distribution. Blankenship is scheduled to enter a plea on June 6.
Dr. John Wheeler has been appointed the new Division Superintendent of Floyd County Schools. A motion was made tonight following the end of a School Board meeting and public hearing to hear budget concerns for the coming year.

School Board vice-chairman Laura LeRoy made the motion, seconded by Board member Gene Bishop, to appoint Dr. Wheeler. He received a unanimous vote from the Board. He will transition from Interim Superintendent to Superintendent effective April 1.

Dr. Wheeler signed a 3-year, 3-month contract with an annual salary of $112,000. The contract also states that he shall establish residency in Floyd County within 18 months of taking office. The Board will reimburse him for moving expenses up to $3,000. Dr. Wheeler will also be provided with a vehicle for business use.

The contract goes through June 30, 2020.

In a press release from the School Board tonight, it was noted that Dr. Wheeler has been serving Floyd County Public Schools since July 1, 2015 as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Effective November 9, 2016, Dr. Wheeler has served as the Interim Division Superintendent as well as the Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Wheeler is originally from Beckley, West Virginia. He will complete his 27th year in public education in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the end of this school year. Dr. Wheeler has taught Career and Technical classes and high school and middle school mathematics for the first 15 years of his career. In the ten years prior to coming to Floyd County in 2015, Dr. Wheeler served as a high school assistant principal, a high school principal, and a middle school principal in Montgomery County.

Dr. Wheeler received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science Education from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia in 1986. He completed his Masters Degree in Leadership and Policy Study from the University of Virginia in 1989. Dr. Wheelers Doctorate Degree was earned from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and Policy Study in May of 2014.

Dr. Wheeler is happily married to Kelly Wheeler, and they have four children, Katy, Luke, Michael, and Caroline. Currently two of his children are attending Virginia Tech. Katy is a senior engineering major with Corp of Cadets and holds a high ranking position in the Corp. Luke is a sophomore in the College of Science as a data analytics major. Michael will graduate this spring from Radford High School and will make a decision on his future (hopefully soon). Caroline is currently a student in Radford High School.

The Wheeler family said they are humbled and honored to be presented with this opportunity. Dr. Wheeler and his family have been a part of the Floyd County area since moving back to the New River Valley in 2004 enjoying the community and the outdoor activities including many hikes up the Buffalo Mountain. Dr. Wheeler indicates he is looking forward to continue working with the many fine people in Floyd County to grow the educational experiences for our students, staff, and community.
ABINGDON, Va.  Washington County leaders got their first look last week at the proposed budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

County Administrator Jason Berry presented his recommended budget of $123 million to the Board of Supervisors on March 15. His plan would require no tax increase.

If the board approved all the budget requests, the spending plan would total $129 million and require a 17-cent hike in the real property tax rate, which currently stands at 61 cents per $100 of assessed value, according to Berry.

A number of Washington Countys nonprofits and local organizations appeared before the board to defend their budget requests.

Several members of the Virginia Highlands Airport Authority asked board members to consider their full request of $180,388. Airport Director Mickey Hines argued that the airport provides tax revenue for the county and encourages new businesses to consider the area.

Hines said the airport typically gets around $45,000 from the county, but unexpected expenses, including some equipment damage and legal fees related to a controversial 138-kilovolt transmission line that may be installed near the property, have reduced the organizations reserves.

Airport officials have adamantly opposed the transmission line since it was first proposed by Appalachian Power in late 2015. The line would be installed less than 3,500 feet from the airport and airport officials think it would pose a danger to aircrafts going to and from the airport.

Officials from other organizations, including the Mendota branch of the Washington County Public Library, Washington County Fire & Rescue, Washington County Historical Society and the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, also spoke to the board. Many had budget cuts last year after a more than $400,000 shortfall led to tightened spending across the board.

The fiscal year starts July 1.
GLADE SPRING, Va. - Local entrepreneur Stephen Curd said hanging out the handmade sign on his new Glade Spring business was one of the best feelings hes experienced.

Its been a crazy, beautiful journey and it just shows what hard work can do, said Curd, who will open a clothing manufacturing business in downtown Glade Spring on April 1. Eventually, the business will create jobs for local residents.

Lavelle Manufacturing will make custom denim jeans and high-end clothing, leather goods, and handmade jewelry, all of which will be produced in the town. The business is an answer to a life-long dream for the designer, whose goal is to produce sustainable American-made products.

Curd plans to start manufacturing his line of apparel by mid-April, and filling orders hes already received from clients throughout the U.S. He wants to market his clothing to retailers in the Tri-Cities region by this fall.

The Lavelle label is the sister child of Garic Stephens, a tailored-made menswear collection Curd started while living in Chicago. The designer, who relocated to Southwest Virginia two years ago, said Lavelle Manufacturing is about creating clothing that is made in the United States.

Its something that you can invest in that will last forever, he said.

There needs to be a resurgence of local manufacturing in the Southeast and our plan is be a part of bringing American-made clothing back to this country, one jean or jacket at a time, said Curd, who spent a year studying how to make a pair of jeans from a seamstress at a local manufacturing plant.

The business is located on Main Street in building space previously occupied by Glade Green Grocer. Curd remodeled the space to resemble a metropolitan marketplace.

I wanted the store to have this New York vibe so we built walls, tables, ladders and shelving and have filled the store with ready-to-purchase goods and antique furniture that makes the store feel fresh and fun.

Customers can make appointments Monday through Wednesday for consultations for custom clothing. The store will be open to the public on Thursday through Saturday.

During the consultation, the customer and I will discuss what they are looking for and we will come up with a plan to design a piece made for them. This includes fittings, fabric choices and a finished product. I offer a one-on-one service to every client, he said.

Quality fabrics for the store have been purchased from North Carolina, New York and during his trips to Italy and Barcelona, Spain.

I have a whole section in the shop for clients to get fitted, try clothing on, and relax and chat about our creations. Its my own fashion oasis, Curd said.

My main focus is creating pieces that are timeless, not faddish, said Curd, who creates original designs, some are unisex and can be worn by both men and women.

His Lavelle denim line was launched with the idea of bringing custom denim to the masses.

I know a lot of people have a hard time finding jeans that fit them. Now I have an alternative for them. I had a tough time finding clothes that fit me when I was growing up, so thats also inspired me to make clothing that is tailored to any shape and size, he said.

For now, Curd will do the sewing, but his plan is to hire three to six seamstresses he will train to make many of the stores handmade products while he concentrates on working solely on the Garic Stephens label.

Curd said the start-up costs for the business include the investment of five industrial machines to make jeans.

Each one performs a specific step in making each pair of jeans, he said. I also have five table machines for my custom pieces.

The Lavelle label is named after Curds grandmother, Eva Lavelle Curd, who taught him to sew at an early age and supported his career as a fashion designer.

She wanted her grandchildren to know the basics of sewing on a button or darning a sock. She is the reason I am a designer, and the person I am today, Curd said. The Lavelle label is my tribute to her, a beautiful soul and one of my best friends.

Glade Spring Vice Mayor Jerry Coleman said he believes the new business is the next step in regaining momentum after the closings of some businesses in town. He said it will generate tax revenue and provide jobs during a challenging time.

Nancy Williams, who serves on the towns Economic Development Management Team, said Curd has had fashion shows in New York, Chicago, California, Nashville and Asheville. She said she believes the business will attract customers specifically seeking his line of clothing to Glade Spring.

Im so glad we have a space here in Glade Spring to attract a young entrepreneur in the fashion industry because Glade Spring is so far removed from the fashion industry, Williams said. If Stephen can make a name for the town in the fashion industry, it would be a star in our crown.

During the grand opening, customers will receive a 10 percent discount off merchandise in the store, and custom-made jeans will be reduced from $168 to $140.

Appointments for consultations can be made by contacting Curd at (276) 608-5594.

If You Go:

What: Grand opening for Lavelle Manufacturing;

Where: Downtown Glade Spring, Virginia;

When: Saturday, April 1. Doors open at 6 p.m.; hors doeuvres served at 6:30 p.m., a fashion show starts at 7 p.m.; and meet-and-greet is 7:30 p.m.
The U.K. is joining the U.S. in its ban restricting passengers from bringing some electronic devices onto flights from the Middle East.

Phones, laptops, and tablets that are larger than 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length and wider than 9.3 cm will no longer be allowed in the cabin on select flights coming from several Middle Eastern countries, the U.K.'s department of transportation said on Tuesday.

The U.K. said it was in "close contact" with the U.S. since the country announced its own ban on Monday. However, the U.K. made no mention of any specific risk, only that it faces "evolving" terrorism threats.

The six countries included in the ban are Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tunisia.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a similar action that will apply to flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa starting later this week. It also bans consumer devices larger than a smartphone.

Terrorist groups "are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items, the DHS said.

However, the electronics ban reportedly stems from no "specific, newly discovered threat," but instead general caution.

Last year, a bomb built into a laptop slipped past an airport security check and exploded on a Somali passenger flight, injuring two and killing the suspected terrorist. A Somali terrorist group with ties to Al-Qaeda reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

The U.K.'s transportation department didn't say how long its restriction might last. "We understand the frustration that these measures may cause and we are working with the aviation industry to minimize any impact," it said.

However, the new regulations from the U.S. and U.K. only apply to electronics brought into airplane cabins and doesn't appear to affect any devices checked in baggage.

That's raising some questions over the efficacy of the bans.

"If there is a threat, you need a much, much wider, universal ban -- and explain why iPads & Kindles, but not phablets," tweeted Zeynep Tufekci, a professor at the University of North Carolina who studies technology.
Data Science Community Kaggle will be joining Google Cloud, said Fei Fei Li, chief scientist of Google Cloud AI and machine learning, at last weeks Googles Next 17 conference.

The Kaggle community, which includes 800,000 data experts around the world, use the network to stay up to date on the latest innovations in data science and machine learning, according to Li.

The barriers to entry for artificial intelligence must be lowered and made available to the largest possible community of developers, Lee told the audience at Next.

Brand to Live On

The Kaggle team will remain together and operate as a distinctive brand within Google Cloud, said Kaggle CEO Anthony Goldbloom.

Kaggle will continue to grow its competitions and open data platforms, while remaining open to all data scientists, companies and technologies, he said.

Kaggle Kernels will continue to support various machine learning libraries and packages supported by Google, as well as those outside of Googles toolkit, Goldbloom added.

Competitive Set

Goldbloom cofounded Kaggle in 2010, when the organizations first competition was used to predict voting patterns for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Kaggle in recent years collaborated with Booz Allen Hamilton on the Data Science Bowl, a competition that granted data scientists and other organizations access to particular data sets to develop algorithms in order to address specific scientific challenges.

The competition two years ago addressed ocean health, using 100,000 underwater images from the Hatfield Marine Science Center. It attracted more than 15,000 submissions from various teams.

The competition last year centered around heart disease, using thousands of MRI images to help develop more accurate diagnostics. More 700 teams submitted upwards of 1,400 entries, and the winners were a nonscientific pair of hedge fund traders  not data scientists.

This year, the US$1 million competition is challenging competitors to develop machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to achieve more accurate methods to diagnose lung cancer, using a data set of images from the National Cancer Institute.

New Territory

Google is one of the leading experts in and users of data mining, and it is looking to Kaggle to help expand on that capability to identify new trends and scientific ideas, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Data scientists collaborate using Kaggle in a collective effort to advance data mining, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The Kaggle acquisition gives Google unique access to information advancing the technology and allowing them to, over time, effectively mine information resources  thus ensuring their financial dominance over the Internet, Enderle said.

The data science community is relatively new, and there has been a marked shortage of qualified candidates for data science positions, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

Acquiring Kaggle will offer Google Cloud numerous opportunities to support innovative and forward-thinking machine learning projects and workloads, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Google Cloud recently has made other deals to enhance its capabilities, including last summers acquisitions of Orbitera, a commerce platform that makes it easier to buy and sell software in the cloud, and Apigee, an API management tool used by hundreds of firms, from AT&T to Walgreens and Live Nation.
Apple poked a hornets nest when it removed the standard headphone jack from the iPhone 7. It may do it again by replacing the Lightning port with USB-C in the next iPhone.

The Lightning port, introduced in 2012, is used to charge and connect accessories to the iPhone, but Apple plans to swap it for USB-C, which the company has been introducing into its computer lines, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

It would be a bold step for Apple, because it would mean Apple would be dependent on the advance of the USB-C standard for any innovations they may want to make around physical connectors, said IHS Markit Senior Director Ian Fogg.

In the past, Apple chose to use its own home-brewed connectors for the iPhone  first its dock connector, then Lightning.

Both of them allowed Apple to innovate more quickly than the industry because they werent dependent on standards, Fogg told TechNewsWorld, and it enabled them to have a business model around accessories through third-party companies, where Apple could ensure quality and collect a license fee.

USB-C: Good and Bad

Its not likely that Apple will scrap the Lightning connector, said David McQueen, a research director at ABI Research.

Theyd only put USB-C in if it allows them to make the phone thinner, he told TechNewsWorld.

A standard connector would be better, because you could share the cables for it with the new MacBook and with other devices, noted Kevin Krewell, a principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Thats a good thing, he said.

The bad thing is you have to buy another cable, Krewell told TechNewsWorld.

Apple will unveil three new iPhones in September, based on reports corroborated by the WSJ. The expected models are an iPhone 7s, a 7s Plus, and a 10th anniversary edition called iPhone 8 or X, which could have a curved 5.8-inch OLED display.

Switching from a Lightning connector to USB-C is a minor thing. Its not going to make large numbers of people buy an iPhone, said IHS Markits Fogg.

On the other hand, innovating with the display, having a wide-aspect ratio display that fills the face of the phone without increasing the volume of the phone, is good for consumers and good for the experience of using the phone, he observed.

OLED Offers VR Opportunity

Having an OLED in the next iPhone is a definite possibility, TiriasKrewell said.

Its just a matter of getting the right supply chain in place, he pointed out.

Apples wanted to switch to OLED, but getting the supply chain behind it to support their quality and standards and display resolution has been a challenge, added Krewell.

OLED screens not only offer a more vibrant display with richer colors and deeper blacks, but also have lower persistence than other types of displays, which reduces motion blur.

That makes OLEDs much more suited for things like virtual reality,  IHS Markits Fogg said.

Apple has resisted the temptation so far to make any play in that area, he continued, but a shift to an OLED, which we are expecting, would be an enabler for them to make a move to a VR experience if they want to.

A large, end-to-end display also could make the iPhone more competitive in the market, maintained Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy.

It would be exceptional and could bring them at parity with Samsung, he told TechNewsWorld.

A $1,000 iPhone?

One of the new iPhone models reportedly will have a stainless steel casing with a glass back. Apple tried glass backs on its iPhone 4 models, but durability was an issue. Now, with improved materials, the company may be ready to try the design again.

Phone makers are moving away from having a metal, unibody design to having a glass back, noted IHS Markits Fogg. Because of the robustness of glass now, its much tougher than when Apple offered it with the iPhone 4 and 4s.

Glass backs enable more varied industrial designs with attractive finishes, easier integration of more antennas needed to support faster wireless speeds, and easier wireless charging, he explained.

Wireless charging also has appeared in reports about the next iPhone. The question is whether it will be wireless charging through the air or by placing the phone on a charging pad.

Another rumored possibility is the inclusion of 3D sensors that enable the phone to recognize gestures.

All this new tech would come at a hefty price  perhaps $1,000 or more.

Pushing the price over $1,000 would be a deal breaker for a lot of people, Tirias Krewell said.

On the other hand, Apple has shown they can be successful at prices some considered outrageous, Moorhead remarked. If they can bring their best, I believe many would buy at that price.
Google Fiber, Alphabet's gigabit internet service provider, has been informing hundreds of Kansas City residents that they won't be getting their ultra high speed internet service after all. Cancelling these installations is yet another setback for Fiber, which has had a very slow roll-out and recent financial issues.

Those affected will be receiving refunds on their deposit within the next few weeks. Customers in the Kansas City area who already have the service will be able to keep it going forward, too. The closures are likely due to poor financial numbers and Google biting off more than it can chew in this market.

Google is currently in 9 locations, of which Kansas City was the first back in 2012. In a statement to The Verge, a Google Fiber spokesperson did still reaffirm their commitment to the KC area with plans for expansion into several more communities. A Bloomberg report however outlines how many in Kansas City are disappointed in Google Fiber's effort to expand in the area and the lack of growth it promised to bring to the city.

Google Fiber has also been increasingly hesitant to take deposits for new service installations. They have instead been focusing on future wireless projects and wired projects they can complete in the next few quarters.

"Other Bets," the division of Alphabet that Google Fiber is in, had an operating loss of $3.6 billion last year. In an attempt to become profitable again, Alphabet stopped their drone delivery project, spun off its self-driving car technology to Waymo, and is continuing to scale back on Google Fiber.
It has been almost a year since Microsoft started working on a modified version of Windows 10 for the Chinese government and state-owned businesses. Now, the Redmond firm has finally finished the customized OS, but it's not saying how it differs from the regular version.

The Chinese government has been trying to move away from software that it believes could be used for spying purposes by foreign agencies. It banned Windows 8 in the wake of Edward Snowden's NSA revelations and has attempted to create Linux-based alternatives to Windows.

It was September 2015 when Microsoft first announced it was working with the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group (CETC), which develops tech for China's military and government, on a joint venture called C&M Information Technology Co. Ltd. to serve "state-owned enterprises in key infrastructure fields such as energy, telecommunications, and transportation." Microsoft controls 49 percent of C&M, while CETC owns a 51 percent stake.

Although Windows 10 is available in China, Windows is banned from government systems. This modified version of the OS, which China Daily reports is "equipped with tailor-made security features," is specifically for China's government employees, not consumers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"We have already developed the first version of the Windows 10 government secure system. It has been tested by three large enterprise customers," said Alain Crozier, CEO of Microsoft Greater China. "We have worked extensively to make it secure and controllable. We are now ready to serve the market."

Microsoft may be improving its relationship with China, but there are questions over how far it has gone in its efforts to appease the country's government, and exactly what alterations were made in this version of Windows.
A man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after sending a journalist who has epilepsy a tweet containing a strobing GIF. Senior Newsweek writer Kurt Eichenwald had an eight-minute epileptic seizure after viewing the message, and suffered from after-effects for several months.

29-year-old John Rayne Rivello was arrested on Friday, three months after sending the "weaponized tweet" to Eichenwald. The Washington Post reports that Rivello's charges cover hate crimes, "based on alleged anti-Semitic bias associated with the crime." He was released yesterday after posting $100,000 bail.

Rivello appeared to have covered his tracks well, using an anonymous Twitter account on a prepaid SIM card he had bought with cash. But newly unsealed documents uncovered by The Verge reveal how he was eventually found.

Police started by sending a court order to Twitter asking it to hand over all details relating to the @jew_goldstein account, which Rivello used to send the Tweet. His message also included the words "You deserve a seizure for your posts."

Twitter's info didn't reveal much more than a dummy email address, but it did contain the Tracfone number Rivello used. There were no subscriber details associated with the number, so police turned to AT&T, which supports that Tracfone SIM.

The telecoms giant couldn't offer any clues to the perpetrator's identity either, though its toll records showed the SIM had been used with an iPhone 6. After sending Apple a few warrants, the Cupertino company revealed the number was associated with a five-year-old iCloud account owned by John Rivello of Salisbury, Maryland.

Rivello's iCloud account included a screenshot of Eichenwald's wife's response to the strobing GIF, another screenshot of Eichenwald's Wikipedia page that had been altered to show a date of death, and other incriminating evidence. There was also a picture of him holding up his driver's license showing a photo and address, which made finding him a lot easier.

@jew_goldstein This is his wife, you caused a seizure. I have your information and have called the police to report the assault. --- Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016

Authorities say Rivello targeting Eichenwald "as revenge for what he saw as the reporter's critical coverage of President Trump." Eichenwald recently tweeted that in the time since the attack, he has received more than 40 other GIFs with strobe effects.

More than 40 ppl sent strobes once they found out they could trigger seizures. Details of their cases are with the FBI. Stop sending them. --- Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) March 17, 2017

"Face of the alt-right" Richard Spencer has defended Rivello, tweeting: "There's now a legal fund for Jew Goldstein. It debunks @kurteichenwald claims." The fund currently stands at $11,915 from 278 contributors.
Houston officials are eyeing the release of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat the possible spread of Zika virus.

The report said officials of Harris County, Texas, are discussing plans with Oxitec, a British biotech company, to release genetically modified mosquitoes that will not reach adulthood.

The plan, according to Mustapha Debboun, director of the Harris County Mosquito Control Division, is to have the tool to fight not only Zika but also other mosquito-borne diseases.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the carrier of Zika virus, dengue fever, and chikungunya, are common in Houston area.

There is no reported local transmission of Zika in Houston. Texas had homegrown Zika cases only in Cameron County, on the border with Mexico.

Trial Did Not Push Through

In August 2016, Oxitec got the signal from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a field trial in a Florida Key suburb.

The FDA said the trial will have no adverse effects on humans, animals, or the environment.

The proposed Florida Keys trial did not materialize last year in the face of mounting concerns from Key Haven residents on genetic engineering.

To conduct a trial in Harris County, the company has to submit the required environmental assessment to the agency, the FDA said.

Trials Outside The United States Promising

The British company, however, had conducted several tests in Brazil, Panama, and the Cayman Islands. It claimed to have produced around 90 percent of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes in each of the three locations.

Oxitec scientist Deric Nimmo called it an important change in tackling the disease with the "release of mosquitoes to control mosquitoes."

New Ways To Fight Zika Virus

The Oxitec technology needs inoculation of mosquito eggs with DNA containing deadly genes. In every batch of inoculated eggs, only the males will be released to mate with wild female mosquitoes. Male mosquitoes don't bite, so they will not help spread the disease.

The offspring of these genetically modified male and wild females will just die when hatched.

Field tests outside the United States had shown the technique was able to reduce the mosquito population over an eight-month period by 82 percent.

"About 40 percent of the global population is at risk [from] this species," Andrew McKemey, an entomologist and head of Oxitec field operations, said.

There is a need for new ways to combat the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, as all the current mosquito control methods are inadequate.

"My opinion on how we should proceed is we should aggressively pursue Aedes aegypti control," Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said.

He said there is a need to act on the problem while it is not yet late, especially in cities that are at risks.

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The much-awaited Samsung Galaxy S8 is slated for a March 29 launch in New York City, and is anticipated to hit the shelves in April.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is the successor of the Galaxy S7, and has been subjected to various leaks on many occasions.

Apart from leaks, the upcoming Samsung flagship has also been compared with other premium smartphones like the iPhone 7. The latest leak pertaining to Galaxy S8 shows the image of the impending smartphone placed between the iPhone 7 and the Galaxy S7 edge.

What Does The Comparison Reveal?

Based on the leaked images, the Galaxy S8 appears to be taller than the iPhone 7, but a tad smaller than its predecessor Galaxy S7 edge. The upcoming flagship device is also seen flaunting curved corners along with minimal bezels on top and bottom. It can also be seen that Samsung has done away with the home button on the front display of the Galaxy S8

Although a bit smaller than the Galaxy S7 edge, the impending Galaxy S8 looks much more compact compared with its predecessor. This is largely due to the minimal bezels on its top and bottom panels. Apart from this, the upcoming Samsung flagship can be seen boasting the rumored 85 percent screen-to-body ratio.

Galaxy S8: Release Details

The Galaxy S8 is expected to become available for preorder from April 7, especially for the people in South Korea. There is no information about the worldwide availability of the device.

The preorder of the Samsung device is expected to wrap up on April 17 in its home country. There are also reports that from April 18, Samsung may host the prelaunch event for the smartphone, but only in South Korea.

The flagship device is expected to be released in the United States on April 28. Previous rumors suggested that the Galaxy S8 will hit U.S. shelves on April 21.

Even as consumers look forward to the handset's arrival, analysts are not very optimistic about the smartphone's sales. The Galaxy S8 has been anticipated to be less successful in terms of sales as compared with the iPhone 8. According to reports, the iPhone 8, which is expected to feature the OLED display, may negatively impact Galaxy S8 sales.

The Samsung flagship is rumored to sport a 5.8-inch screen, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 processor, along with 4 GB of RAM, and an internal storage of 64 GB. The flagship smartphone may also come with IP68 certification and could be available in multiple hues, including a violet option.

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International passengers traveling to the United States from select countries will have to get their electronic devices checked at airports. This comes in the wake of the latest authorization by U.S. officials to counter non-specific terrorism threats that they received some weeks ago.

This ban is expected to be formally rolled out on March 21 by the Department of Homeland Security. Gadgets larger than a mobile phone will be subject to further screening.

Why The Ban?

As reported by Reuters, this curtailment has been in the pipeline for many weeks now, ever since the government received a security threat. Several airlines will come under scrutiny because of this new rule. Officials confirmed a report from Associated Press, saying that the rule would apply to 10 airports in eight Middle Eastern and African countries.

Which Airports Are Affected?

The report says that the ban will affect the airports in Cairo, Amman, Kuwait, Casablanca, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

However, no American airline has been put under the purview of this ban. Passengers on American carriers will be permitted to carry large devices like laptops, portable DVD players, cameras, and tablets.

News agencies like CNN have reported that the electronics ban is related to several bombing attempts that have been planned by Al Qaeda on U.S.-bound airlines these past few weeks.

Royal Jordanian Airlines, UAE's official airlines, had tweeted that passengers flying to the United States would not be allowed to carry most of the common gadgets on the plane. Passengers could, however, carry cell phones and medical devices. The tweet has since been deleted from the airline's official Twitter page.

Saudi-based pro-government newspaper Al Riyadh reported that aviation officials had notified that airlines taking off from Saudi airports to U.S. airports directly would have to let their passengers know that they must store laptops and tablets in the check-in luggage.

The report further said that these orders were communicated to the Interior Ministry of Saudi by U.S. officials.

The White House has desisted from commenting on the issue. David Lapan, a spokesperson of the DHS said that it will not comment on "potential security precautions," and maintained that an official statement would be released when needed.

John Kelly, the secretary of the DHS, had personally informed all the congressmen about the ban per reports.

This is not the first time the U.S. government has upped its security measures pertaining to electronic gadgets. Back in 2014, mobile phones and other gadgets were required to be turned on at the checking kiosks at airports prior to boarding.

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Hotels are overflowing with advance bookings and restaurants are gearing up for a tremendous weekend. Such is the buzz in Nebraska.

With five months to go for the Great American Eclipse, the state is prepping for the mega celestial event.

When Is The Eclipse Occurring?

The total solar eclipse will be witnessed on Aug. 21, but cities like Beatrice and other towns in Nebraska are already gaining a lot of tourist attention. This is because the state will be one of the prime locations for viewing the eclipse in the entire country.

Eclipse enthusiasts are expected to congregate in thousands to view the first total solar eclipse in 99 years. The Nebraska Tourism Commission is expecting 4,000 to 10,000 people at the viewing points across Nebraska.

Why Is Nebraska A Hotspot?

Nebraska has 74 percent favorable conditions for viewing the eclipse. This combined with Nebraska's characteristic open, clear skies, and genial hospitality make it an extremely popular destination for viewing the eclipse.

The smooth roads and highways, which will fall directly under the moon's shadows, will allow viewers to witness the great sight. There is also the scope of shifting locations, in case one's line of vision is blocked.

Interstate highway number 80, from mile marker 152, all the way to Lincoln, will be in the eclipse's path. In total, the roadways will mount up to 251 miles.

Great American Eclipse has touted the Nebraska Sandhills as the fourth best place to view the eclipse from.

How Huge Is The Hype?

Demand for hotels, bed and breakfasts, and transport vehicles have increased tenfold. Tents and camping gear have also attracted a lot of bookings and sales.

The eclipse will cut through Nebraska on a Monday. This has created a weekend getaway for many, as people will look to utilize the three days for traveling, attending seminars, and viewing the eclipse.

Universities from all over the United States are roping in scientists to establish observation camps in the state. Experienced eclipse chasers have predicted that the town of Alliance, which has a strength of 8,500, should be prepared to handle an excess of 10,000 visitors during the eclipse weekend.

What Measures Are Being Taken To Meet The Demand?

Hotels and trailer parks have been booked well in advance, and the local authorities are planning to add another 800 to 1,000 camping sites. Additional temporary toilets are scheduled to be installed. Even grocery stores are planning to maximize their stock, in a bid to prepare for the grand event.

Nebraska, therefore, is set to prosper from the event and looks to charm everyone with its hospitality during the Great American Eclipse.

Visit the official tourism website of Nebraska, for more details on the event.

Photo: David Paleino | Flickr

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The net worth of U.S. President Donald Trump has slipped, dropping by $1 billion according to Forbes' latest list of the richest people in 2017.

Released on Monday, March 20, Forbes' new world's billionaires list estimates that Trump's net worth has dropped from $4.5 billion in 2016 to $3.5 billion this year. This $1 billion decline also translates to a considerable drop down the list, as Trump fell from the No. 336 spot last year to No. 544 this year. In other words, Trump dropped 208 spots in Forbes' latest billionaires list.

Donald Trump Net Worth

Trump stepped down from his businesses upon assuming his presidential role, but this net worth decline is not associated with this move because Trump still owns those businesses.

Instead, the decline in Trump's net worth is largely attributed to the swings of the real estate market. The real estate properties Trump owns in Midtown Manhattan, including the Trump Tower and eight other buildings, amount to roughly 40 percent of his fortune. As Forbes points out, a decline in Midtown Manhattan real estate automatically translated to a decline in Trump's wealth.

"Although the Trump name now extends around the world, the core of the president's fortune remains tied to a handful of buildings in midtown Manhattan in New York City," notes Forbes. "He got his start working with his father Fred, who developed low-cost housing in Brooklyn and Queens."

Trump has argued against Forbes' estimates several times in the past, especially when it comes to his brand worth that's harder to value than real estate. In a personal financial disclosure form last year, Trump said his net worth was more than $10 billion.

Forbes, in turn, notes that Trump has a long history of trying to inflate his Forbes valuation and decades ago editors even joked about having a "Trump rule" when assessing Trump's net worth - consider the amount Trump claims and then divide it by three to get the real worth.

2017 Forbes Billionaires List

As for the rest of the list, Forbes says that it was a record year for wealthy people, as the number of billionaires saw a 13 percent surge from 1,810 to 2,043. This marks the first time that Forbes' list tops 2,000 people with 10-figure fortunes. Forbes attributes this surge partly to higher commodity prices and rising stock markets.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is at the very top of the list for the fourth year in a row and the world's richest person for 18 out of the last 23 years. Gates' fortune increased by $11 bullion to a total of $86 billion in the latest list. Investor Warren Buffett ranked second and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos ranked third.

Rounding up the top five are Amancio Ortega, the founder of clothing chain Zara, who ranked fourth, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who moved up to the fifth spot to reach the top five for the first time.

The United States still has more billionaires that any other country worldwide, but China is catching up. The United States has 565 billionaires (up from 540 last year), China has 319, Germany has 114, and India has 101.

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A new research has thrown fresh insight into the tiny moons of Mars  Phobos and Deimos  with regard to their origin and the supposed ring-like structure of Mars in the past just like Saturn.

A NASA-funded study by scholars at the Purdue University claimed that Mars will regain the rings when one of the moons disintegrates.

According to a new model offered in the study, Purdue scholar Andrew Hesselbrock said the debris strewn into space from an asteroid collision with Mars, around 4.3 billion years ago, has been the starting point of moon formation in the Red Planet.

Hesselbrock's simulations concluded that Mar's moons were actually remnants of a bigger moon that broke away millions of years ago.

Big Moon Splinters Into Ring

Formation of the big moon was caused by a gigantic impact experienced by Mars billions of years ago. Though it led to the formation of a giant moon, it was unstable and splintered into a larger ring.

It also kickstarted the cycle of spatial residue alternating between two structures  a planetary ring and a moon form resulting from the clumping.

"My argument is that Phobos ... was not produced in an impact," said study author Hesselbrock.

To buttress their theory of impact on Mars surface, the authors point to the large Borealis Basin on Mars surface, covering a broad swath of the ejected debris into space.

The study has been published in Nature.

Ring Formation And After

The researcher's model also suggests that small moon formation from the ring was also accompanied by the drifting of the planet to form the moon. When rings coalesce to form smaller moons, the remaining residue is thrown into Mars surface or pushed into space.

The exercise is a recurring one, with small moons breaking into rings and later clumping into moons.

In another parallel process, the moon also edges toward Mars under the pull of gravity. The drift will culminate when it hits the Roche limit as tidal forces of Mars turn intense enough to rip apart the celestial body.

Phobos Facing Disintegration

According to the model, Phobos is now going closer to Mars, and it may break apart when it reaches the nadir of Roche limit. New rings will be due in a span of millions of years.

In the past also, based on the intensity of Roche limit, the cycle might have played out several times in the billions of years that has passed.

What is interesting is that the moon, when it takes rebirth from a ring, would diminish in size at least five times the previous size. The debris falling on Mars is in evidence at the sedimentary deposits seen at the equator of Mars.

"You could have had kilometer-thick piles of moon sediment raining down on Mars in the early parts of the planet's history, and there are enigmatic sedimentary deposits on Mars with no explanation as to how they got there," coauthor David Minton said.

Deimos Is Safe

Unlike the disintegration threat faced by Phobos, the other moon Deimos is safe, as it too far to be a part of the regenerative cycle.

Being too far means the effects of Martian tidal forces will not affect its orbit, and it will keep increasing the distance from Mars.

The Purdue model is good at the simulation stage and is yet to be proved, though it remains a big possibility. To verify the model against the moons' origin, the way out is collecting samples from the moons and Mars for an analysis. If they match, Hesselbrock's theory may come true.

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A year after Google launched the first Android N developer preview, the company is now releasing one for the next major version of Android named "O," or what some others speculate to be called Oreo down the line.

While rumors have offered up new features that might be included in the update, Google hasn't coughed up any official word. That stops now, with the release of the first Android O developer preview.

A key difference between O and past major versions of Android is availability. TechCrunch notes that while Google immediately pushed out Android N previews over-the-air to anyone who wanted a taste of the Nougat flavor, the company isn't launching O into the Android Beta channel right away. Google is instead offering those who own a Nexus 5X, 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel, Pixel XL, or Pixel C, to flash their devices manually. But what happens if a user doesn't own any of these devices? No worries. Google will still open O for enrollment after a bit more developer testing.

In terms of new features, Android O isn't much of a stunner. The UI still looks relatively the same, as shown by early testing by developers. Instead, Google has burrowed underneath the operating system's surface, applying tweaks here and there.

Here are the most interesting changes and improvements in Android O you need to know:

Notification Channels

With Android O comes so-called notification channels, which by the looks of it will provide developers to wring multiple notifications into groups. For instance, possibly for a Reddit app or some sort, notifications can be grouped according to a subreddit a user particularly follows, thereby easing the pandemonium that can quickly arise from a plethora of notifications that can accumulate over time.

Picture-In-Picture Mode

Previously rumored, picture-in-picture is now a thing of reality on Android O, although other OEMs did have a similar feature in the past, such as Samsung, so it isn't anything revolutionary by any measure. But it is a welcome update. With picture-in-picture, users can set video content to the side while they navigate to other apps to perform other tasks.

Background App Limiting

The past few major Android updates focused mainly on improving the software so as to consume the phone's battery more efficiently. Android O resumes the principle with its background limits system for apps. With it, app functions and processes become limited when they're stashed in the background, or unused. There are three areas it's focused on: implicit broadcasts, background services, and location updates.

Updated Wi-Fi Features

How can Wi-Fi even be improved? By supporting new connectivity features, of course. Android O will support added Wi-Fi aware features, such as Neighborhood Aware Networking, or NAN. This feature makes it easy for two devices to communicate without internet connectivity as a middle man. Google states that it's collaborating with partners to push NAN support to devices.

Adaptive Icons

Custom Android skins often come with their proprietary app icon design. The Pixel uses circles, Samsung uses a combination of circular and square shapes, and other manufacturers try to mimic Apple's rounded icon design. Adaptive Icons on Android O will let developers pick a background image and have it adapt to the custom Android skin.

Better Keyboard Navigation

Android tablets hold the promise of productivity. But thanks to an erring keyboard navigation system, that promise is hurt. Google plans to improve that with Android O, stating that it is "focused on building a more reliable, predictable model for 'arrow' and 'tab' navigation." How exactly this will be implemented remains nebulous.

Apart from all features listed aloft, there are quite a bunch of new improvements detailed by the Android Developers Blog, so if you really want to trail the nooks and crannies of the first Android O developer preview, give that post a read.

Google is poised to elaborate on everything listed herein and beyond in May, during its I/O developer conference. If the company mirrors its schedule last year, the first Android phones to come with Android O could be released sometime in October.

Thoughts about Android O's new features? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!

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Uber, currently in the middle of a storm of controversy, has promised that changes are coming to the ride-hailing company.

The pledge was made in a conference call held with some reporters covering the various incidents that have placed Uber in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Uber Promises Change

The special press call by Uber was hosted by Arianna Huffington, a member of the company's board, and included three of the company's highest-ranking female executives, namely United States and Canada operations lead Rachel Holt, chief human resources officer Liane Hornsey, and communications lead Rachel Whetstone.

Huffington, who stood in place of CEO Travis Kalanick, reiterated Kalanick's commitment to accept responsibility for the dreadful state of the company's culture, as well as the duty to make changes to the company.

Huffington also said that she would hold Uber's "feet to the fire" regarding the promised transformation of the company, which has the goal of not just fixing the culture of Uber but rather making the ride-hailing service "the most admired workplace to work at."

Kalanick was absent from the call, as he was said to be busy with the interview process of hiring a COO, along with investor and board member Bill Gurley, who was tapped to lead the board subcommittee focusing on the COO search.

When asked if Uber's board was considering to request Kalanick to step down from his position and whether he would not object to such a request, Huffington said that the possibility has not been discussed and will likely not be brought up.

Kalanick is a major focus of the reportedly toxic culture of Uber, as his "hard-charging" style of leadership has created a workplace environment that encourages employees to outmuscle one another, with bad behavior by strong performers often overlooked. Kalanick was also caught on video engaging in a heated exchange with an Uber driver over the company's business model.

Will Uber Survive?

While Uber has acknowledged its mistakes, the company claims that the swirling controversies have not yet damaged its business. The number of requested Uber rides in the United States over the first 10 weeks of the year are higher compared to the same period last year, Holt claimed.

The question, however, is how long Uber's business will hold up, and if it will maintain its momentum over the year as the company fixes itself internally.

Uber President Jeff Jones recently stated his intention to leave the company, claiming that the reasons for his exit are difference in beliefs and leadership approaches. Jones leaves Uber just six months after he was hired to the position, and reports state that his decision is directly connected to the multiple controversies currently attached to Uber, including the claims of sexual harassment and a sexist environment in the company's workplace.

Other issues that Uber is currently involved in include the revelation of a secret tool named Greyball that allowed the company to evade regulators and allegations by Waymo, Google parent Alphabet's self-driving unit, that the company stole its self-driving car technology.

If Uber will survive through these ordeals, it will have to follow through on its promised changes, and it will have to do so quickly to keep customers requesting rides through its app.

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The Forbes annual list of worlds billionaires is out. It marks the first time that the ranking tops 2,000 individuals with 10-figure fortunes, partly due to higher commodity prices as well as rising stock markets.

But in what parts of the worlds do most billionaires live?

Cities With The Most 10-Figure Earners

The wealthiest list spans six continents as well as 71 countries and territories. In terms of city distribution, New York occupies the top spot with 82 billionaires and a combined net worth of $397.9 billion, Forbes reported.

New York Citys richest resident is David Koch at $48.3 billion, followed by former mayor Michael Bloomberg. Just last September in the ranking of richest Americans, Bloomberg was richer than Koch.

Trailing NYC is Hong Kong, which boasts of a 75-billionaire population and a combined net worth of $297.8 billion. Leading the Asian citys roster of billionaires is Li Ka-shing at $31.2 billion.

In a city thats home to more than seven million people, its easy to see how real estate has made the fortunes of so many of them. Some 25 of those billionaires get the bulk of their fortune from real estate, wrote Ryan Salchert.

Other cities with the most billionaires are Moscow in Russia, with 73 billionaires and $297 billion combined net worth; Beijing in China, with 54 billionaires and $161.3 billion combined net worth; London with 50 billionaires and $217.3 billion combined net worth; and Mumbai with 41 billionaires and $149.1 billion combined net worth.

Shanghai, Seoul, Shenzhen, San Francisco, and Singapore also made it to the list.

Increasing Number of Planets Richest

This is a record year reflecting a 13 percent climb of the number of billionaires, from 1,810 last year to 2,043, and the biggest in the three decades that Forbes has been tracking them globally. The total net worth of these individuals jumped 18 percent to a record $7.67 trillion.

For the fourth consecutive year, Bill Gates is richest on Earth with an $86 billion fortune, up from $75 billion in the previous year.

Of any billionaire anywhere, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos logged the best year with an additional $27.6 billion in fortune, bringing his total net worth to $72.8 billion and taking him to the top 3 for the first time.

Warren Buffet had the second most wonderful year and the largest gain since Donald Trump emerged victorious in the November presidential elections. In 12 months, his fortune jumped $14.8 billion, enabling him to nab the second top spot from clothing maven and Zara founder Amancio Ortega.

Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg also moved up to the fifth spot for the first time, his fortune rising $11.4 billion in 12 months.

An analysis of charity group Oxfam harped on the wealth gap worldwide and revealed in January that the eight richest persons in the world hold as much wealth as the poorer half of the global population.

Trump In Forbes List

Trump slipped in the ranking this year with a $1 billion decrease in fortune. He fell from number 336 last year to number 544 this year, a dip of 208 spots.

His drop from the billionaires list, however, was not attributed to him stepping down from his businesses upon entering the White House but to swings seen in the real estate market. Trump owns properties such as Trump Tower as well as eight others in Midtown Manhattan.

Hes traditionally averse to the way Forbes estimates turn out. In a personal financial disclosure last year, Trump said he had a personal fortune of over $10 billion.

In a report last February, global credit rating agency Fitch deemed Trump a potential threat to the global economy. The unpredictability of U.S. policy and the Trump administrations willingness to sever established international ties, the experts cited, are factors that could potentially destabilize markets worldwide.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
While already threatened by ocean warming or acidification, coral reefs around the world are facing another adversity in the form of dead zones.

Hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, can create large dead zones that snuff out marine life and threaten dozens to hundreds of coral reefs worldwide, according to researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute or STRI.

What Are Dead Zones?

Dead zones take place at the bottom of a body of water when there isnt sufficient oxygen to sustain marine life. They form naturally but their number and severity have significantly increased in the recent decades, said lead study author Andrew Altieri.

They are worsened by eutrophication, or a density of nutrients, as well as sewage inputs in coastal waters. This leads phytoplankton blooms and plankton to die, decompose, and draw off oxygen in the process.

"The number of dead zones currently on our map of the world is 10 times higher in temperate areas than it is in the tropics, but many marine biologists work out of universities in Europe and North America and are more likely to find dead zones close to home," the STRI scientist said in a statement.

Fortunately, while warming acidification demands large-scale solutions, dead zones are usually a localized issue and can be reduced through controlling sewage and agricultural runoff into the ocean, Altieri added.

The study focused on the huge, semi-enclosed Almirante Bay, located around 174 square miles in the Bocas del Toro province in Panama. When they saw a massive coral reef die-off in the area in September 2010, the team suspected that a dead zone instead of warm or acidic ocean water could be the culprit.

After measuring water quality and going through thick bacterial slime and dead marine animal bodies on the ocean floor, the researchers found extremely low oxygen levels in greater depths while there was still high oxygen in shallow waters where corals were healthy  a symptom of a dead zone.

Underreported Worldwide

The findings, Altieri said, could apply to coral reefs globally, as dead zones may be commonly occurring in the tropics but have gone largely undocumented since scientists didnt look for them. Another problem is that research institutions from tropical areas tend to suffer from poor funding compared with those in temperate regions.

Dead zones may be underreported by an order of magnitude, warned co-author Nancy Knowlton, estimating that there are likely 10 for every 1 dead zone in the tropics.

But the team saw that some coral species can fare better with low oxygen than others. Stephanocoenia intersepta, for instance, usually manages to survive in the Almirante Bay dead zone while others have died out. This species, though, is not a branching coral and does not offer an ideal habitat for others.

Warming temperatures also play a role, since coastal environments become more vulnerable to hypoxia amid warming climate.

Altieri insists on delving deeper into the tropics, proposing that at least 370 dead zones in the tropics remain undocumented.

The findings were discussed in the journal PNAS.

Great Suffering

The Great Barrier Reef, while still recovering from the massive coral bleaching that ravaged 400 miles of its northern regions in 2016, is still facing an elevated and imminent risk of another widespread bleaching this year.

Authorities are closely watching the accumulated heat stress it is demonstrating just like in the same period last year, when it experienced the worst bleaching incident.

Experts have proposed different measures to mitigate bleaching, including addressing overfishing and pollution.

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Airbnb is betting big on China, announcing a new name and a hefty investment to cater to the country's growing number of travelers.

China is a huge market and the world's most populated country, yet U.S.-based Airbnb didn't show much interest in China in the past. That's no longer the case, as the home-sharing startup is ready to plunge into the Chinese market with a splash.

Airbnb Chinese Name: 'Welcome Each Other With Love'

Airbnb will adopt the name "Aibiying" in China, which means "welcome each other with love." The company announced on Wednesday, March 22, that it will triple its workforce in the country and double its investment. A hefty marketing campaign will also be in the mix, aiming to promote the venture and the new name in the coming months.

Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder, CEO and Head of Community, notes that the company has a number of plans for Chinese travelers (millennials in particular) in need of an alternative travel solution.

We're committed to our future in China and empowering Chinese millennials to belong anywhere.https://t.co/H6M2PFs3eH#AirbnbTour2017 pic.twitter.com/SDqBzcQ78r  Airbnb (@Airbnb) March 21, 2017

The new name of "Aibiying" (), or "welcome each other with love," mirrors the company's mission to bring people together to reinvent traveling across communities, neighborhoods and borders. Airbnb is also expanding its Trips and Experiences in China and making efforts to bolster its network of more than 3 million listings in more than 190 countries worldwide.

Airbnb China Expansion: Will It Make It?

While Airbnb's move to double down on China efforts sounds exciting, the company will face an uphill battle in the ever-competitive Chinese market. As CNN points out, China already has its own Airbnb-like service called Tujia, which has a major share of the market.

Foreign companies often have a tough time competing against domestic alternatives in China and Tujia will likely give Airbnb a run for its money. Uber, for instance, spent a fortune trying to make it in China and eventually ended up selling its Chinese business to rival Didi Chuxing.

However, Airbnb says it learned from other companies that tried and failed to conquer China. The expansion comes as Airbnb is seen as a good candidate for an initial public offering, but it remains to be seen how things will pan out. Airbnb just secured $1 billion in funding earlier this month and said it has no IPO plans for the near future.

Airbnb vs. Tujia In China

China-based Tujia has a massive share of its home market, boasting more than 430,000 listings in 312 towns and cities across the country. Airbnb, meanwhile, has 80,000 Chinese listings and it forged collaborations with only four big cities. It looks like a fierce challenge from the get-go, but Airbnb's global network and fame could help it get an edge in the competition.

Airbnb can offer greater global accommodation that could appeal to a growing wave of international travelers. Chesky highlights that China is essential to Airbnb's ambitions to connect people from around the world, and this new rebranding and push drives it one step closer to achieving its goals.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The French president mentioned to Nicolas Maduro his interest in starting a bilateral work useful for Venezuela and the region. | Read More
NASA's ICESat-2 to Provide More Depth to Sea Ice Forecasts







Greenbelt MD (SPX) Mar 17, 2017





In March, the Arctic sea ice pack is supposed to reach its greatest extent - but this year it's far below average, off by an area about the size of Texas and New Mexico combined. Satellite observations currently reveal how much of the ocean surface is covered by ice, but there is another critical measurement to make. Researchers are already anticipating using NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, to measure sea ice in the third dimension. Satellites have been continuously ... read more
Hyderabad, March 21 (IANS) Virtually ruling out an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute as suggested by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the case was about title.



"Please remember Babri Masjid case is about title which the Allahabad High Court wrongly decided as a Partnership case. Hence the appeal in apex court," he tweeted.Owaisi is a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which had challenged in the Supreme Court the 2010 verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court directing that the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmbhoomi disputed site be divided into three parts.



The court had directed that the 2.77-acre disputed land be divided in three parts - two parts to Hindu organisations and the remaining to the Muslims.



The AIMPB, the apex body of Indian Muslims, termed the High Court verdict as "unacceptable", saying it was based on faith and not on evidence.



Describing the judgement as "strange and surprising" the Supreme Court had on May 9, 2011 stayed it.



The Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested out-of-court settlement while hearing an appeal by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy for construction of the Ram temple.



Owaisi hoped that the Supreme Court would decide the other cases pending since the demolition of Babri Msjid in 1992.



"I hope Supreme Court decides the contempt petition pending since 1992," he tweeted.



"Waiting to hear about whether conspiracy charges will be held against (BJP leaders L.K.) Advani, (Murli Manohar) Joshi, Uma Bharati in Babri demolition case.
MARKSVILLE  Prosecutors have wrapped up their case against a former Marksville deputy marshal accused of murder in a shooting at the end of a pursuit in November 2015 that left a 6-year-old child dead, capping a long day of technical testimony from experts with chilling details from the child's autopsy.

Following three days packed with nearly 30 prosecution witnesses, attorneys for Derrick Stafford will begin presenting their case to the jury Thursday morning. Speaking outside the Avoyelles Parish courthouse late Wednesday afternoon, defense attorney Christopher LaCour wouldn't reveal to reporters whether the 33-year-old former Marksville Police Department lieutenant would take the stand.

Over the course of eight hours Wednesday several expert witnesses from Louisiana State Police pored over crime scene diagrams, displayed spent cartridge casings, discussed paint chips from the hood of one deputy's car, and passed a bullet recovered from 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis' body to the jurors.

Dr. Christopher Tape, a Broussard forensic pathologist who conducted Jeremy's autopsy, said the child was shot at least four times in the hail of gunfire that tore through the small Kia Sportage the boy's father, Christopher Few, was driving that night. A fifth gunshot wound on the boy's arm may have been caused by one of the bullets that passed through him elsewhere.

Tape stood and pointed out on his own body where each round tore into Jeremy  pointing to his left eyebrow, the left side of his neck, the right side of his chest, left leg and left elbow  before showing jurors graphic photos of the wounds on the boy's lifeless body.

Four bullets or bullet fragments were pulled from the young child's body during the autopsy, a State Police Crime Lab firearms examiner, Michelle Cazes, told the courtroom. Three of those matched Stafford's .40-caliber Glock pistol, while fragments from the fourth couldn't be matched to any gun.

Cazes also said 18 casings recovered from the scene matched the .40 caliber Glocks carried by both Stafford and then fellow deputy marshal Norris Greenhouse Jr. Fourteen of the casings matched Stafford's gun, while four were determined to have come from Greenhouse's weapon.

Outside the courthouse, LaCour, one of defense attorneys, said most of the experts merely established what everyone already knows: that his client, as well as Greenhouse, opened fire that night.

Their defense for Stafford hinges on showing that Few, the boy's father, posed an imminent threat to the officers, who fired their weapons in self-defense. Stafford's attorneys have sought to establish that Few led the deputies on a reckless and dangerous chase, rammed Greenhouse's Crown Victoria patrol car, and had thrown the vehicle into reverse before Stafford and Greenhouse fired their weapons.

It remains unclear what triggered the two-mile pursuit, which began when Greenhouse  who was patrolling alone  flipped on the lights of his patrol car around 9:24 p.m. Few testified Tuesday that he worried he might've drank too much earlier that night to legally drive and was trying to get his son to a caretaker before pulling over in case he was arrested.

Few told the jury Tuesday he drove safely during the pursuit, and a State Police detective, Ronald Beeson, testified he had calculated the average speed of the chase at 30 mph. Surveillance video from the parish courthouse shows Few  with Greenhouse in close pursuit  coming to a halt at a stop sign before turning and continuing the chase.

Stafford's lawyers have maintained Few ran others off the road and pointed to a statement from Stafford's partner, Jason Brouillette, that Few was using his Kia "as a weapon" at the time of the shooting. Brouillette, also a deputy marshal, wasn't arrested or charged in the shooting.

Sgt. Howard Johnson, who diagrammed and recreated the crime scene, confirmed Wednesday that Few's Kia Sportage did in fact collide with Greenhouse's patrol car at some point during the pursuit and ensuing confrontation. But Johnson testified it was impossible to say whether Greenhouse  who was driving the lead pursuit vehicle  rear-ended Few's Kia or whether, as defense attorneys contend, Few backed his vehicle into Greenhouse's car.

+3 Father of slain 6-year-old testifies Marksville officers gave no warning, fired as he had his hands up The driver in the fatal incident, 26-year-old Christopher Few, testified for over an hour Tuesday afternoon, describing the events of Nov. 3, 2015, and recounting the hail of gunfire that wounded him and killed his 6-year-old son, Jeremy Mardis.

Johnson also testified that Few, who can be seen in body camera footage captured by a Marksville policeman reversing his vehicle during the shooting, was traveling about 8 mph. At that speed, Johnson said, the officers could've easily gotten out of Few's way at a brisk walk or light jog.

LaCour, the defense attorney, argued that Johnson's tests and recreations were inaccurate and unscientific. Johnson said he used his State Police Chevrolet Tahoe  not another Kia Sportage  to calculate those figures, and timed himself moving around the crime scene. Johnson contended those calculations would still provide a suitably accurate basis for evaluating the incident.

The final witness for the state in Stafford's murder trial was Jeremy's maternal grandmother, Cathy Mardis, who described Few as a devoted father and an "easy-going, laid back" guy. Mardis said Few spent nearly every weekend off work driving more than four hours to visit his son in Beaumont, Mississippi, some 25 miles southeast of Hattiesburg, before bringing the boy to live with him outside Marksville in April 2015.

During Cathy Mardis' testimony, prosecutors played surveillance footage from inside a discount tobacco shop where Few's mother, Samantha Few, works in Marksville. Few testified he'd visited the store the afternoon of the shooting to borrow a car after the friend he'd been living with had told him to move out.

The surveillance videos shows Jeremy and Chris walking into the store around 3 p.m. that Tuesday afternoon, six hours before the shooting. Holding hands, father and son chat with the boy's grandmother and then wander the aisles.

For most of the video, Jeremy tails behind his father. He has on the same light-blue shirt which in the autopsy photos show it pulled up and cut away to show his fatal wounds.
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Brandon Wiley, the man involved in the shooting death of East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputy Sgt. Shawn Anderson, died Tuesday evening, State Police said.

Wiley, 30, died in a hospital just before 6 p.m. from a gunshot wound he received when he got into a struggle with Anderson and another deputy, said State Police Trooper 1st Class Bryan Lee.

Wiley had been listed in critical condition since Saturday.

Anderson, 43, and another deputy had gone to Classic Cuts hair salon off O'Neal Lane late Saturday to question Wiley, a suspect in a rape of a 15-year-old girl, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"Shots were fired" during the struggle that followed between Wiley and the deputies, said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks. Authorities have not said if Wiley was armed or if he fired any shots during the incident.

The second deputy, who has not been identified, was uninjured in the incident.

Anderson was taken to a hospital where he died that night of a gunshot wound to the trunk, East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark said Tuesday.

Wiley had been convicted of crimes in the past, ranging from tattooing of minors to aggravated battery, and was booked remotely Sunday into Parish Prison on three counts: first-degree rape, resisting an officer and tattooing of minors, according to court records.

While few details have been released regarding the shooting, deputies did release a report that detailed the rape allegations. A 15-year-old girl told detectives that on March 12 she called Wiley and asked him to give her a ride to a business where he tattooed her, according to his arrest report.

When he finished the tattoo, she went into the bathroom. When she came out, Wiley grabbed her, tied her hands behind her back and raped her, according to the report.

Wiley has a company registered with the Secretary of State's Office called The Preferred Look LLC, which lists Classic Cuts address as its business location and advertises tattoo work under that business name on Facebook.

However, Wiley is not licensed or registered with the Department of Health to perform commercial body art, according to Bob Johannessen, a department spokesman.

The owner of Classic Cuts, Lilnetta Roach, said Monday that all her employees had their own keys to the strip mall location and it wasn't uncommon for some to stay late to finish lengthy hair appointments.

However, Roach said she did not know of any tattooing being done in her store. She said Wiley had worked as a barber and stylist at her shop since the summer and had always been professional. He showed up on time, was respectful to customers and wore a uniform, she said, adding that she was surprised by the accusations that had been made against him.

"These allegations, I'm not saying they're not true, I just didn't encounter them at the shop at all," Roach said.

Roach said Wiley had a wife and young daughter. The Advocate was unable to contact Wiley's family.
That we have a politician who understands economics is very welcome. Gov. John Bel Edwards' proposal to tax companies on gross sales (income) 
When Brett Cunningham went to hug his children goodbye for school, his legs gave way and head hit the ground.

The veteran sergeant - who had spent 30 years with the Australian Federal Police - could no longer ignore the trauma suffered from decades of searching for dead bodies and chasing child sex offenders.

Brett Cunningham has been with ACT Policing for more than 20 years and has battled with PTSD for more than a decade. Credit:Rohan Thomson

"I had come back from a shift at the watch house and I just collapsed," he said.

"I looked into [my children's] eyes and they were like big dinner plates. I was crawling and groaning to get to the phone and say I'm not coming into work."
A 100-kilogram propeller that fell off a Regional Express (REX) plane over south-western Sydney last week has been winched out of bushland, as investigators try to determine what went wrong.

NSW Police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) officials on Wednesday morning used a PolAir helicopter to lift the propeller from bushland in the Georges River National Park, where it came to rest after detaching from the plane on Friday.

The propeller crashed to the ground about 100 metres from a suburban street but was found only on Tuesday, leaving residents in the area shocked at the close call.

An ATSB spokesman said the propeller was winched to the nearby Bill Delauney Reserve where it was loaded onto a vehicle and taken to a NSW Police facility in Bankstown.
It is the sort of deal that would have any real estate investor salivating: Interest-free loans, and the ability to walk away from any losses if the price falls.

This is the share offer that real estate guru, John McGrath, is using to retain the top talent at his embattled property shop, McGrath Ltd.

The share scheme was one of a number of details to emerge from the public release of McGrath Future  the long-term incentive package designed to prevent the sort of exodus that helped trigger its latest profit downgrade and send the stock to fresh lows.
The bad news about the regulators' new attempts to hose down housing investment enthusiasm is that they are, at best, second rate. The Law of Unintended Consequences is always at work, ensuring damage elsewhere in the economy, while the most effective tools for the present circumstances remain locked in Treasury's cupboard.

The first punch of this new round of whack-an-investor is NAB and Westpac increasing investors' rates by more than owner-occupiers'. The impact? NAB's 25 point rise will cost investors a little more to service existing loans, so they'll be spending a little less elsewhere in the economy. And it shaves investors' borrowing power for new purchases, so they are more likely to go after cheaper properties  which is where first home buyers tend to concentrate.

Does it do anything to increase housing supply? No. Does it reduce demand? A little bit but it's marginal and not where you'd like it to. And, like the 2015 macro-prudential squeeze, the impact tends to wear off. Thanks to negative gearing the taxpayer will pick up half the tab for investors in the top tax bracket anyway.

The RBA and Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority aren't specifically interested in housing prices and the plight of thwarted Sydney and Melbourne first home buyers. Their concern is whether lending for housing has gone crazy to the extent of potentially damaging banks in the event of a downturn  thus the regulators might not limit their efforts to investors if they fail to get adequate traction. They nonetheless have some sympathy for owner-occupiers (who they view as more stable borrowers) and no prize for guessing the federal government would prefer them to concentrate on the investor.
The tax man should be undertaking random audits of employers to help identify potentially $5.6 billion worth of unpaid superannuation owed to almost 2.8 million Australians, according to Industry Super Australia.

A number of submissions to the Senate inquiry into superannuation guarantee non-payment have questioned whether the Australian Taxation Office is doing enough to detect unpaid super, and suggest the agency should do random audits of employers to identify when they are exploiting casual and part-time employees.

Research from Industry Super and Cbus released in December found employers failing to make the 9.5 per cent compulsory superannuation guarantee (SG) payment were pocketing $3.6 billion per year from 2.4 million workers.

The ISA has since revised its research. It says based on ATO tax file data for 2013-14, 2.76 million people were affected in that financial year by an average of $2025 per person, or an aggregate amount of $5.6 billion.
CFMEU and other union workers marched in support of worker's rights on Grocon sites. They held one minute's silence at the wall where three people died in Swanston Street. Credit:Penny Stephens It was a shocking incident. Among first on the scene were heroic CFMEU officials who removed bloodied bricks with their bare hands. Grocon, through a subsidiary, eventually pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe workplace and was fined $250,000 (not $330,000). A sign company who had a role in hoardings on the wall was fined a further $250,000 after fighting the charge. The CFMEU blockaded Grocon's CBD site in 2012. Credit:Justin McManus McManus is right, in my view, to regard those fines as woefully inadequate.

A second death occurred a few weeks earlier when a Grocon worker fell from a crane. This was not a workplace incident, that has been made clear by the coroner and is well known within the industry. Boral faced a black ban as part of the Grocon dispute. Credit:Ben Rushton How you go about breaking a law plays into the ethical calculus The fifth worker mentioned by McManus? There isn't one. Grocon issued a furious retraction demand late on Friday claiming that it had never been held responsible for anyone's death. Given its subsidiary's guilty plea over the wall, this is an over-reach and a callous exercise in legal hair-splitting.

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has called for the CFMEU to be kicked out of the ACTU. Credit:James Jessup But McManus has twisted these facts to suit her agenda. Asked to clarify her position, she now admits she wrongly claimed "five workers were killed" yet continues to argue that Grocon had a role in the crane death. CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka outside a court hearing over his blackmail charge. Credit:Justin McManus This is a deeply concerning approach to basic facts about serious workplace accidents, especially in the face of compelling evidence.

Instead of backing down, McManus also said it was still "accurate to point out that the huge discrepancy in fines paid by the company and the CFMEU is a glaring example of the inherent unfairness in our industrial relations laws". Former ACTU and Labor leader Simon Crean has called repeatedly for action on the CFMEU. Credit:Arsineh Houspian Which brings us to her suggestion the CFMEU has been unfairly forced to pay millions of dollars in fines because its unlawful strikes, at Grocon and elsewhere, were linked to workplace deaths. "Quite often these workers have stopped work because a worker has been killed on a building site," she told the ABC, before her poorly informed foray into the Grocon case. The facts don't bear out her claim. Crucially, in the Grocon case, most of the conduct for which the CFMEU has been fined happened in 2012, well before the horrific wall accident or the crane death.

Not only that, the biggest payouts had next to nothing to do with Grocon. The steepest imposts came from a ruthless black ban of concrete company Boral for supplying Grocon. Boral found out it was black banned after its customers cancelled orders citing pressure from the union. Boral had nothing to do with any of the deaths and also lodged its court action against the CFMEU before the tragic wall incident. The CFMEU weren't walking off a site after a death; they were engaged in a bitter industrial dispute with Grocon over the appointment of safety officers and conducted a secondary boycott in order to try to win it. In 2015 the union agreed to pay Boral up to $9 million to settle the court case without admitting any of the allegations. That dwarfed the $1.15 million the union had to pay for contempt of court stemming from its high-profile blockades of Grocon sites and well above the $3.5 million it had to pay Grocon in damages (again it denied liability). That alleged boycott though is still the subject of criminal blackmail proceedings against two of the union's most senior members, Victorian state secretary John Setka and his deputy Shaun Reardon.

When McManus was asked by Sales to reflect on the conduct of the CFMEU, including whether she would back away from the union, she replied, "there's no way we will be doing that". She then added: "I'll tell you this: the CFMEU, when they have been fined, they have been fined for taking industrial action." Asked the same question last year, former ACTU leader and Labor prime minister Bob Hawke told The Australian that the ACTU would be better off without the CFMEU in the fold. Another former ACTU president and Labor leader Simon Crean has repeatedly called for the CFMEU to be reined in. Neither would comment this week when contacted by my colleague Anna Patty.

Why do Hawke and Crean feel this way? Because the approach of the CFMEU is out of whack with what even most unionists would consider reasonable industrial defiance. Statistics from the ABCC give a good insight into what it looks like on a day-to-day basis. The CFMEU are respondents in 56 current prosecutions with 110 of their representatives facing 1076 alleged contraventions. Of those 56 cases, 19 surround right of entry. This is one of the most common prosecutions where CFMEU officials disregard laws around right of entry to building sites, which is tightly controlled for safety reasons. In order to obtain a right-of-entry permit an individual must pass a "fit and proper person" test, which many CFMEU top brass don't pass. Not that it stops them barging onto sites. Court judgments recount on-site conversations and cast a poor light on those involved. Site managers asking for legal process to be followed are routinely abused and bullied.

In one celebrated case in Adelaide, an ABCC inspector was subjected to this tirade at close quarters: "You're just about having a heart attack. You're shitting yellow, you piece of shit. Go f------ brush your teeth next time, you piece of shit, all right? You f------ coward, I'd f------ take you to school, you f------ piece of shit." This is the sort of behaviour being compared with the dignified resistance of Gandhi and Rosa Parks on social media. You see, I would contend that how you go about breaking a law plays into the ethical calculus. McManus suggests the rampant bully-boy style of the CFMEU is a valid industrial tactic. Yet at the same time McManus took to social media at the weekend to say she condemned "bullying and thuggery".
Political leaders denigrating groups that dare to criticise government is not unusual. Some leaders are particularly prone to inflammatory rhetoric in this regard.

That is the context to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's outburst against corporate leaders, including bank chief executives but singling out Qantas's Alan Joyce, who wrote to the Prime Minister to support same-sex marriage legislation rather than a plebiscite. Dutton himself has previous form when railing against parliamentary opponents such as the Greens' Sarah Hanson-Young ("an embarrassment to the country") and community critics of government refugee and asylum-seeker detention policy.

Both sides of politics do it. What is unusual for a Liberal minister is that the subject of such anger should be corporate leaders, the very people the government urges to speak out against Labor policies, rather than the usual suspects like trade unionists or environmentalists. Perhaps Dutton was annoyed that his traditional allies, including a peak body, the Business Council of Australia, had turned against him on a social issue while, in his view, not offering enough support on economic policy issues.

Playing the man rather than the ball is reminiscent of the attacks on church leaders in recent times for daring to take issue with government over international relations during the Iraq War or tax reform during the GST-on-food controversy. Remember the language and style of then foreign minister Alexander Downer's 2003 attacks on Anglican primate Peter Carnley and other church leaders for ignoring "their primary pastoral obligations in favour of hogging the limelight on complex political issues". Consider also Liberal leaders' public dressing-down of the Australian Catholic Social Welfare Commission in 1992 for its allegedly "second-rate polemic parading as moral argument".
If we are to have the best government, we have to have the best politicians, but rank-and-file preselections can work actively against that.

And Labor does it better than the LNP, at almost every relay change.

High school principal Corrine McMillan will run for Labor in the south Brisbane seat of Mansfield.

Just take this week's example  from both of Queensland major parties  as a case in point.

The Labor has endorsed high school principal Corrine McMillan to take on the LNP's Ian Walker for the Labor party in the tightly-held seat of Mansfield. Its margin is wafer-thin, and McMillan has a string of educational leadership awards to her name.
Malcolm Turnbull's proposal to change the wording of the Racial Discrimination Act is unnecessary and potentially destructive. After months of claiming there was no need to alter the legislation, the Prime Minister has performed an abrupt U-turn, creating confusion about his true convictions and leaving the distinct impression, once again, that he is beholden to the Coalition's arch-conservative wing.

The debate centres on section 18C of the act, with the wording transformed into a totem for culture warriors who seek, in the pungent phrase of Attorney-General George Brandis, "the right to be a bigot". The issue has erroneously been cast as a matter of protecting free speech, conveniently ignoring that the law has existed for decades without meaningful intrusion.

Illustration: Andrew Dyson

The intent of the act is to protect a person from vilification, making it illegal to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate on the basis of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin". Mr Turnbull's proposal would see the words "offend, insult and humiliate" replaced with "harass", and a change made to judge such harassment, from a "reasonable member of the relevant group" to "the reasonable member of the Australian community".

Mr Turnbull has sought to justify the change by arguing "we are defending the law by making it clearer". Yet as Age political editor Michael Gordon has already asked, if Mr Turnbull believes the section lost credibility "a long time ago", as he said this week, why did he insist running up to the election last year that he had no plans to make a change? Case law has made very clear a simple matter of hurt feelings is not sufficient to trigger the act. Susan Kiefel, who now serves as chief justice in the High Court, has held the offence must have "profound and serious effects, not be likened to mere slights".
Not every Anglican diocese has robust child protection measures, with Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies telling a royal commission the lack of national consistency is "extremely disappointing".

In the final day of a public hearing into how Anglican institutions have responded to child sexual abuse, Archbishop Davies acknowledged that not all the country's 23 dioceses had rigorous mechanisms in place.

"There has been a failure of the national church to have consistency across the board but it shouldn't be forgotten that there are a number of robust systems in place in most dioceses," he told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Counsel assisting the commission Gail Furness, SC, asked: "I take it there are some that don't have robust systems?"
The body of a man swept out to sea at Nobbys Beach in Newcastle is believed to have been found, more than three days after he went missing.

Mohsin Awan and fellow Pakistani student Mohsin Javed, both 23, were on a rock face near Nobbys Beach on Sunday evening when they were hit by a wave and dragged into the water.

University of Newcastle student Mohsin Awan was swept out to sea on Sunday night.

Mr Javed held on to the rocks as bystanders jumped in and pulled him to safety.

Mr Awan tried "very hard" to swim back but couldn't make it, the pair's housemate, Usman Ghani, said on Tuesday.
A major underground walkway beneath Sydney's Central Station will become an arterial route for hundreds of thousands of commuters each day, linking a new metro line to suburban trains and light rail.

Unveiling the planned "Central Walk" on Wednesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said commuters would encounter some disruptions at Australia's busiest station during the three-year construction of the concourse, which was due to start by the end of next year.

"It won't affect train services but some customers will have different platforms from which they catch their trains," she said.

"This is about modernising the centrepiece of our rail network. Alongside the metro project, we will ensure that Central rail station will have it's much needed upgrade."
Embattled political duo Don Nardella and Telmo Languiller have been accused of electoral fraud, as the fallout from the Labor entitlement scandal deepens.

Parliament's internal auditors found that Mr Nardella had registered to vote at an Ocean Grove property and Mr Languiller had registered at Queenscliff, despite little evidence from either to justify that the towns were their principal place of residence.

The two western suburbs MPs have caused outrage by moving their home base to the popular beachside towns and claiming an entitlement designed for country MPs who are forced to visit Melbourne.

Mr Languiller has repaid nearly $38,000 in claims but Mr Nardella is refusing to repay any money. He has claimed at least $113,000 for living in Ocean Grove, well away from his Melton electorate.
A man looking at pictures of dead bodies on his phone on an early morning train sparked a security scare that shut down two platforms and caused heavy delays at Flinders Street Station.

Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has told radio station 3AW that police were called after passengers noticed a man looking at pictures of bodies on the Frankston line train on Thursday morning.

Mr Ashton said passengers were on high alert after the attack on the Houses of Parliament in London overnight.

"We had a report, I think from the events last night and the hyper-vigilance in the community ... we had a report of someone who looking at deceased bodies on a mobile phone."
WA Police are searching for more than 130 handguns that were stolen from a business in Perth's southeast earlier this month.

Burglars broke into the Beckenham business on the night of March 11 or in the early hours of March 12.

Anyone with information about the crime or knows someone who is in possession of a large number of handguns is urged to call police.

- AAP
A former Australian Workers Union official has appeared in a Perth court over the alleged misappropriation of more than $400,000.

Ralph Blewitt, 71, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with 31 fraud offences that allegedly took place between April 1992 and December 1994.

Ralph Blewitt has been charged with 31 offences in the 90s. Credit:ABC News

Blewitt previously admitted his connection to the AWU Reform Association fund, which was established by then-union boss Bruce Wilson when he was in a relationship with former prime minister Julia Gillard.

Blewitt, who lives in Malaysia, was granted bail until his next court appearance on July 6.
OpenRoad Auto Group has opened the first Hyundai Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI) facility in downtown Vancouver and is the newest addition to Hyundai's expanding GDSI program

and is the newest addition to Hyundai's expanding GDSI program The Dealership exceeds 30,000 sq-ft, the showroom displays 12 vehicles and has 18 service bays

The state-of-the-art facility complements the new, modern premium vehicles in the Hyundai line-up

This Dealership is in addition to OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond, the first Hyundai Dealership in the OpenRoad Group's portfolio

VANCOUVER, March 22, 2017 - OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary, a new dealer within the Hyundai network, has proudly opened its doors to customers in the Vancouver, BC market under the leadership of Christian Chia. This new dealership joins OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond as the second Hyundai dealership owned and operated by OpenRoad Auto Group.

The design for the facility reflects Hyundai's new Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI) being rolled-out across the country and around the world. The $2-million 30,000 sq-ft project has made OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary one of the premiere automotive facilities in the region, with a new vehicle showroom displaying 12 vehicles indoors and 18 bays to service customer vehicles combined with a service drive-thru, car wash, and new indoor vehicle delivery area.

"We are pleased to bring the first GDSI Hyundai dealership and a landmark new facility that represents the maturing of the Hyundai brand to Vancouver," said Christian Chia, Dealer Principal of OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary. "The entire OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary team worked exceptionally hard to open the doors and we're excited to be able to serve the Hyundai community at this incredible new state-of-the-art facility."

"With the GDSI program, Hyundai dealers coast-to-coast are raising the benchmark for what a modern, welcoming dealership can be," said Don Romano, President and CEO for Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary is an immaculate facility that showcases the stylish, high-quality, well-equipped Hyundai vehicles in our line-up. I would like to congratulate the entire team at OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary for their successful opening."

The dealership also boasts many iconic elements of the GDSI program, such as the bronze ACM exterior, an ACM and LED showroom ceiling, vertical green columns, the iconic brand wall and reception desk in both sales and service, along with the many other GDSI elements to provide a customer centric experience for all Hyundai customers of the past, present and future.


Shelby GT350 Mustang Owners File New Class-Action Lawsuit Against Ford

Class-action lawsuit says owners deserve reparation for Ford knowingly selling so-called track-ready cars with defective and dangerous powertrains

EDITOR's NOTE: Ford made this statement to The Auto Channel in response to our GT350 story. Ford is committed to providing our customers with top-quality vehicles. However, we do not comment on pending litigation.

MIAMI March 22, 2017; Consumers nationwide today sued Ford for knowingly selling allegedly defective Shelby GT350 models that while marketed as track-ready cannot actually be operated safely on a racetrack, according to Hagens Berman and Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, co-counsel law firms representing the plaintiffs.

According to the lawsuit, after spending a big premium to own a piece of racing history, drivers soon learned that once on the track, their track-ready vehicles can lose speed and power mid-drive, without warning and in as little as 15 minutes.

The firms say that Shelby owners paid high prices for an iconic car named after racecar royalty, Carroll Shelby. Instead of receiving the modern-day epitome of Mustang performance and racetrack-ready power, thousands of owners have been left with pricey vehicles that in no way live up to Fords marketing that promised a track-ready hotrod, and could put drivers and passengers at risk of crash and injury.

Shelby GT350 owners are being represented by leading auto defect consumer-rights law firm, Hagens Berman, which achieved the then largest automotive settlement in U.S. history  $1.6 billion against Toyota for a concealed defect and Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, a nationally recognized trial law firm. Hagens Berman is also leading litigation against General Motors for its ignition switch defects as well as other national lawsuits against Volkswagen and Mercedes for illegal use of emissions-cheating software.

If you own or lease a 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang Base model or Technology Package model, you may be entitled to compensation for this defect that inhibits your cars performance. Contact Hagens Berman to find out more about this issue and your consumer rights against Ford.

The ability to purchase a track-capable car that could also operate on the street is a key factor in what led purchasers to buy the Shelby GT350 Mustang, according to the suit, but Shelby GT350 Mustangs with the Base Model or Technology Package model can overheat due to defective transmissions and rear differentials that cannot keep cool enough to function at high speeds without external transmission and differential coolers. When this occurs, the vehicles go into Limp Mode, where the vehicle suddenly loses power and rapidly decelerates. As a result, these track-ready race cars prove useless on the racetrack and drivers dont get what they paid for.

The lawsuit, filed Mar. 22, 2017, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, seeks monetary damages for a proposed nationwide class of consumers who purchased or leased the affected vehicles, as well as injunctive relief for Fords misconduct related to the design, manufacture, marketing, sale and lease of affected vehicles.

When Ford marketed and sold these Shelby GT350 Mustangs, it knew exactly how to appeal to track-enthusiasts: it marketed enhanced performance in a limited-edition iconic vehicle that has been associated with racing for generations, said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman. We believe that Ford induced purchasers with its ?track-ready marketing, when in fact it knew that this defect would ultimately bar these Mustangs from ever being the hotrod consumers paid for.

"Ford's only answer to owners has effectively been, 'pay for a fix on your own dime,'" Berman added.

The complaint states, Mustang testimonial websites and Ford customer service files are replete with complaints from consumers who reasonably believed that their Class Vehicles would in fact be ?Track-Ready, but have been put at risk of accident on race tracks and during non-track driving when the defective transmissions and rear differentials overheat, causing the cars to go into Limp Mode at drastically reduced speed and performance.

According to attorneys, Ford engaged in deceptive business practices in violation of several consumer protection statutes when it failed to disclose the defective track-ready powertrain system. It instead continued to market Ford vehicles as fully capable of track performance, safe, reliable and high quality.

Shelby owners sought these vehicles specifically because they appreciate fast cars and the legacy of the Mustang, and wanted to own a piece of racing history  to live the dream of being able to own a car that could be used for everyday driving and also had the power and performance for the racetrack, said Stuart Grossman, founder and partner at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen. What Ford sold them was nothing of the sort.

Plaintiffs also allege that the failure of Ford to properly fix the powertrain defects at no cost is a breach of express warranty.

The lawsuit seeks reimbursement and all damages permitted by law for vehicle owners, including diminution in value of the affected Shelby GT350 Mustangs and/or loss of the benefit of the bargain, in an amount to be proven at trial to compensate owners for Fords fraud that put drivers at risk. Plaintiffs also seek an order enjoining Fords deceptive marketing and sales acts and practices, as well as punitive damages.
Coming soon - The Cultural Voyager Dedicated to anyone who pursues culture as a major part of their vacation experience.
Three intelligence sources told The Daily Beast that the ban on carry-on electronics aboard U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports in North Africa and the Middle East was the result of information seized during a U.S. raid on Al Qaeda in Yemen in January. The United Kingdom joined the U.S. ban Tuesday.

Information from the raid shows al Qaeda's successful development of compact, battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices believed to be strong enough to bring down an aircraft, the sources said. The battery bombs would need to be manually triggered, a source explained, which is why the electronics ban is only for the aircraft cabin not checked luggage.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security publicly cited two attacks on flights in the last two years, the downing of a Russian jet over the Egyptian Sinai in October 2015 and an attempt that nearly succeeded in bringing down a jet that had taken off from Mogadishu, Somalia last year and made an emergency landing after an explosion ripped open its cabin. The insurgent group Al-Shababb claimed credit for getting a laptop onboard the flight that had been rigged as a bomb.

Since they werent high enough, the explosion wasnt catastrophic to the plane and they were able to land," one source told The Daily Beast. "The bomber got sucked out of the hole, but it was proof of concept."

DHS declined to comment on the intelligence, saying only "we employ a variety of measures, both seen and unseen, to protect air travelers."

A former British Army intelligence analyst told The Daily Beast that an investigation into the device suggested that it used a military grade high explosive that generates a supersonic shock wave. It was probably the same explosive used by "shoe bomber" Richard Reid: PETN, or pentaerythritol tritinate, which is hard to detect. It delivers high yield for its weight: just 100 grams can destroy a car.

Although the ban on laptops is based on the belief that the compact explosive inside a battery would have to be triggered by the bomber in the airplane the British analyst believes that a laptop might actually be equipped with a timer. The timing mechanism can be quite small. In fact, it is believed that the Somali bomb was pre-timed. Therefore a ban that still allows laptops in the cargo hold does little to negate the threat.

He also points out such a device could not be triggered remotely: There is no phone reception at 30,000 feet and installing a link to a satellite connection would be too bulky.

The chief bomb maker for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Ibrahim al-Asiri, has been working on packing even smaller devices, the source added. CNN first reported the news on Tuesday evening.

The problem with this theory is that it implies that the security screening of electronic devices at the 10 airports is no better than at the airport in a failed state like Somalia. The pilot of the Airbus A320 involved in that incident said of that airport: the security is zero. Airport employees had conspired with the bomber to get the laptop through security.

One source said the foreign countries included in the ban were selected because of their exposure to al Qaeda groups and members who might try to bring a battery bomb on a plane heading for the U.S.

Egyptian intelligence officials were briefed over the weekend, according to one source, and have long been concerned about another plane departing from Cairo being brought down like the Metrojet plane in Oct. 2015. And there is another disaster, EgyptAir Flight 804, from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport to Cairo in May that crashed into the eastern Mediterranean and killed 66 people.

The crash has subsequently been shrouded in mystery. In December the Egyptian authorities announced that a criminal investigation had been opened. They had had six months in which to analyze data from the airplanes two flight recorders recovered from the wreck. But there was a dispute between the Egyptian and French about the cause. The French air crash investigators said that it was not possible at that stage to draw conclusions about the origin of the accident.

It is known from data transmitted from the Airbus A320 as it spiraled down from its cruise height of 37,000 feet that it suffered a rapid cascade of failures, beginning with an electrical problem in the cockpit. This escalated into a fire in the electronics bay below the cockpit that effectively fried the computers controlling the flight.

There were indications that the disastrous sequence started with some kind of explosion in the passenger toilet immediately above the electronics bay and behind the cockpit. Video taken of the wreck showed heat damage beneath the cockpit.

Before leaving Paris the airplane had flown from Asmara in Eritrea, to Cairo and then onward to Tunis and Paris. That means that investigators would be looking at the possibility of an explosive device being placed on the airplane at any of those airports.

In early March, a Russian passenger on a Turkish Airways flight from Alexandria to Istanbul was arrested after an improvised explosive was found in his luggage, according to a DHS alert in early March citing Egyptian media.

The gravity of the move had been underscored by the political response to it. Representative Adam Schiff, Californian Democrat and ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement:

Over the weekend I received an additional briefing by the Department of Homeland Security and I fully support the new security precautions. These steps are both necessary and proportional to the threat.

Several Federal Air Marshals told The Daily Beast they were angry they were blindsided by the ban, only to learn about it from CNN or BBC news reports circulated by management. (President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN as "fake news.") But DHS spokesman said they shouldn't be surprised to not receive notification about something they aren't involved in.

"FAMS arent involved in this particular action so why would they be notified of an action that doesnt directly affect their duties?" DHS spokesman David Lapan told The Daily Beast.

Federal Air Marshals only fly on U.S. carriers and the electronics ban involves direct flights into the U.S. from countries served by foreign airlines.

The most consequential impact of the new measures will be on the three airlines operating out of the Persian Gulf states: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. In the last decade there has been a major transformation of the connections between inter-continental airline routes. Led by Emirates from their hub in Dubai this has put the three airlines in a dominant position to connect flights from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe and, significantly, to directly fly passengers from those regions to the United States.

Moreover, these airlines have set new standards of service, particularly for business class passengers. Anyone flying business class with these carriers finds the cabins glowing with the glare from many laptops as workaholic executives and managers use their flight time to catch up on work.

The three major U.S. international carriers, Delta, American and United, have found themselves left with fleets of older airplanes that cant match the quality of cabin amenities of the Gulf airlines, who use latest generation jets like the Airbus A380 super jumbo and the Airbus A350. Over the last few years those airlines have pushed into major U.S. business centers like New York, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle  scooping up, for example, major players in the energy and tech industries.

Craig Jenks, President of a New York base consultancy, Airline/Aircraft projects, pointed out that the bans effects reach far beyond the named airports.

In particular, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways all have a high volume of passengers originating in Indian cities. Among these are many in high tech industries flying on from hubs in the Gulf directly to U.S. tech business centers like San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and New York.

Now, all of a sudden, you arrive at a Gulf airport headed for San Francisco with your light carry-on and you discover, no laptop on board nor even while in transit at the hub. Intentionally or not, this is a negative for the Gulf carriers, Jenks said.

Now that the ban has been joined by the UK, which has said that passengers on 14 airlines would not be able to carry laptops into the cabin of direct flights to London from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, the disruption to business travelers has become even more widespread.

Air travel remains a priority target for terrorists. And, once more, the mere threat of terror attacks has proved itself as costly, at least in economic impact, as the act of terror.

For example, one recent casualty has been Turkish Airlines. In 2015 it was following the Gulf airlines model to exploit the strategic location of Istanbul as a hub for the Middle East and Africa. In that year it made a profit of $872 million. Last year that became a loss of $463 million. Two events, a terror attack on Istanbul airport and the failed coup in July, as well as fear of new terror attacks, have put the airline into a financial crisis. Istanbul is on both the U.S. and U.K. list of airports covered by the new ban.
Over the past seven years, Obamacare has consumed Republicans and become our white whale. Weve campaigned since its passage on amorphous promises to repeal and replace the heavily-flawed program with an amorphous program that was billed as lowering costs, while improving care.

Then 2016 happened and Republicans seized control of the presidency and maintained their majorities in both chambers of Congress, which in turn led to the much-maligned American Health Care Act (AHCA), which the House will vote on Thursday. Just as Obamacare led Democrats to face angry townhalls in 2009 and 2010, the AHCA has Republicans facing them now as their constituents emphatically declare that health coverage is now a right for all.

They are not wrong.

As conservatives, we opposed Obamacare. It was too costly and made the overall health care system worse. But like it or not, its passage made health coverage for every American a right. Even Speaker Paul Ryan admitted this when he stated that Obamacare is an entitlement program, as did Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) who took this a step further when he said that the federal government established the right for every American to have health care. Yet, some Republicans still have not recognized that the debate has shifted from one over whether or not health coverage is a right, to one about how best to provide health coverage for all while reducing costs.

It is not helping the Republican Party.

Americans of all beliefs and backgrounds do not react well when an established right is threatened with removal. Even the perception that a right is in jeopardy causes people to become very upset (just ask voting rights activists or Second Amendment supporters) and involved in the political process.

Intentional or not, the American Health Care Act would make it harder for Americans to have access to health coverage and, by extension, health carewhich, again, is widely seen as a right now. Some 14 million Americans would lose their coverage in the bills first year, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The fundamental flaw of the repeal bill, ironically enough, is one that it shares with the law it would replace: It imposes a top-down approach to health coverage that remains anathema to conservatives. A 60-year-old American would instead receive an annual $4,000 tax credit to buy it, no matter where they lived or the cost of living.

More, as the Kaiser Family Foundation recently noted, in places like Pennsylvanias Northumberland County, a county that President Trump won with 69 percent of the vote, that same personwho is likely already feeling the crunch of Obamacare raising insurance premiums and deductiblesis currently receiving a $11,150 subsidy under Obamacare.

Other aspects of the AHCA should give all Americans pause. It allows insurance companies to impose caps on medical coverage, which is flat-out immoral. Theoretically, mental health coverage, physical therapy, or even chemotherapy can be stopped mid-treatment because the insurance provider does not wish to continue paying for a costly procedure.

President Trump campaigned on the noble and worthy goal of ending the opioid addiction that now plagues the United States. By allowing coverage caps, the AHCA is directly at odds with this goal. The National Institutes of Healths National Institute on Drug Abuse has deemed drug addiction a mental illness, that should be treated as such. The AHCA, though, effectively eliminates mental health parity.

Republicans of all stripes and beliefs are coming out against the AHCA as it now stands. Last week, Republican Governors Snyder, Kasich, Sandoval, and Hutchinson of Michigan, Ohio, Nevada, and Arkansas respectively, warned that states could not shoulder the costs the federal government intends to offload onto them.

Despite its many flaws, President Trump has married himself to the AHCA and refuses to divorce it, even though it lacks a key provision Trump promised on the campaign trail: the removal of state lines to promote competition among insurance companies throughout the country, which would in turn lower the cost of coverage due to the free markets influence.

Republicans would be wise to come together with willing Democrats to produce a real and effective bill that reforms the broken system of Obamacare and respects the Hippocratic oaths commitment to utterly reject harm and mischief. If we do not, our party will suffer the political consequences, while Americans will face the economic and medical repercussions.
LONDONA terrorist struck at the historic heart of the Mother of Parliaments on Wednesday armed with nothing but rudimentary or makeshift weapons. He was brought down by armed officers, but not before he had careened into more than a dozen civilians in an SUV and stabbed a policeman to death at the gates of the House of Commons.

A blood-soaked member of Parliament battled to save unarmed officer Keith Palmer, 48, staunching his wounds and performing CPR, but his efforts came to naught.

At least four people, including the attacker, were killed with 40 wounded in the most deadly terror attack in London since the 7/7 bombings in 2005. Some of those being treated in hospital have catastrophic injuries.

The attack began on Westminster Bridge, where two centuries ago William Wordsworth was inspired to write:

Earth has not anything to show more fairDull would he be of soul who could pass by

Among those lingering to enjoy the views across the River Thames on a bright spring afternoon was a group of French schoolchildren. Three of them were injured as the vehicle mounted the sidewalk and sped into the crowds on the bridge.

One woman plunged over the railings into the dark river below. She was rescued from the water and rushed to hospital. Another woman was killed instantly on the bridge. One victim was slain at the foot of Big Ben.

Joanne and Brad Buck, on vacation from Marlborough, Connecticut, were coming up the escalators at Westminster Underground station when the attack took place.

As they emerged up the steps into the daylight, they saw the vehicle crashed into the railings opposite the Tube entrance. They first knew tragedy had struck when they looked into the eyes of a middle-aged man who was standing with his hands clamped to the sides of his head.

His face was etched in terror, Joanne, 59, told The Daily Beast. It was sheer horror. Something terrible had happened.

Almost immediately, dozens of Metropolitan Police officers carrying machine guns raced into sight and Brad, 63, ushered his wife behind one of the huge sandstone pillars of Portcullis House.

The vacationers had no idea that a burly close-protection officer was doing virtually the same thing 50 yards away. He had one arm around Prime Minister Theresa May as he bundled her into a silver Jaguar that soon sped away from the scene.

Seconds earlier, gunshots had rung out on the Parliamentary estate, killing the attacker, who had ditched his vehicle and run straight through the open gates opposite Parliament Square.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing him run up to an officer and make a series of stabbing motions before racing toward the House of Commons building. Thats when he was shot two or three times by armed officers.

The building was packed on the busiest day of the weekjust a few hours after a typically rowdy Prime Ministers Questions. While police secured the area, some members of Parliament were told to shelter inside the chamber itself.

Amine Mouad, 35, a kitchen porter from Algeria who lives in Edmonton, North London, told The Daily Beast he was on the phone with a friend close to the Houses of Parliament when he heard two gunshots.

I heard bang bang, and I started to run.

Then I see a manhis head is down on the ground. I thought he was injured, but then I saw the blood. It was not normal blood. He was full of blood from his head, Mouad said, motioning with his hand to signify a river of blood.

Despite the first attack on the House of Commons for a generation, the prime minister announced that parliamentary business would go ahead as normal.

These streets of Westminster, home to the worlds oldest Parliament, are ingrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament representsdemocracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of lawcommand the admiration and respect of free people everywhere, May said.

That is why it is a target for those who reject those values. But let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before: Any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.

Although the identity and motives of the attacker are as yet unknown, the incident bears a striking resemblance to attacks using vehicles as makeshift weapons of mass murder in Berlin last December, where 12 people died at Christmas shopping fair, and in Nice, France, last July, where 86 people died and more than 400 were injured. Both of those attacks were claimed by the so-called Islamic State as part of a campaign to inspire terror throughout Europe.

As ISIS has come under increasing pressure from the U.S.-led coalition and local forces in Syria and Iraq, its calls have increased for any sympathizers to take any action they can to strike back. In addition to the vehicle attacks, there have been knife and ax attacks in public places.

Some attacks have been directed remotely over encrypted messaging applications, most often Telegram; others, including the one in Nice, appear to have been inspired but not specifically directed. A lone assailant at Paris Orly airport last week tried to grab a patrolling soldiers assault rifle and said he was determined to die for Allah, but he was an ex-convict high on alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana, which suggests the attack was virtually spur of the moment.

Londons Metropolitan Police said Wednesdays attack is being treated as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Wednesday that the commander-in-chief had been briefed on the situation almost immediately after it happened.

I was just getting an update on London, Trump said. Some big news having to do with London just happened.

Donald Trump Jr. was also quick to try and capitalize on the attack. He mocked Londons Muslim mayor for his response to the attack.

Labour Member of Parliament Wes Streeting issued a furious response: Use a terrorist attack on our city to attack Londons Mayor for your own political gain, he wrote on Twitter. Youre a disgrace.
The House Oversight Committee wants more information on foreign payments to and contacts with Michael Flynn , President Donald Trumps former national security adviser.

Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz and ranking member Elijah Cummings sent four separate letters to White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, FBI Director James Comey, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats requesting the pertinent documents by April 3.

Chaffetz and Cummings requested that each agency produce documents relating to Flynns foreign contacts and payments, security clearance applications, and other related documents between the time of his retirement in 2014 to present day, a press release reads.

The letters focus on six specific areas. Cummings and Chaffetz would like information provided by Flynn in response to security clearance applications, certifications, or requests for periodic reinvestigation.

Additionally, theyd like to see investigative and adjudicative files related to Foreign Influence or Foreign Preference, two separate guidelines of documentation associated with Flynns security clearances.

Cummings and Chaffetz request documents related to contacts with foreign nationals and interactions between Flynn and RT officials, representatives, affiliates, or agents.

Finally, the request covers documents related to receipt of funds from any foreign source, efforts to seek approval for payments from foreign sources and documents related to Flynns work with Leading Authorities, Inc., the speakers group with which Flynn was affiliated.

Flynn was asked to resign from the White House last month after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his previous conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

He also recently registered as a foreign agent with the Department of Justice for lobbying work he did before the election that may have benefited the Turkish government.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter from Chaffetz and Cummings.
Note: This article is excerpted from a new report from the Enough Project: How The Worlds Newest Country Went Awry: South Sudans war, famine and potential genocide.

A legacy of corruption and violence has finally caught up to South Sudan, the worlds newest country, as the United Nations has declared a full-blown famine, a rare designation not made for any part of the world since 2011. Multiple UN officials have additionally warned that the country, riven by armed conflict, stands on the brink of genocide.

A brief review of that nations history can offer insight into how things got so badand what, in concert with the urgent need for a surge in humanitarian aid, can be done to dismantle seemingly endless cycles of violence and suffering.

The underlying sources of conflict and human suffering in South Sudan today have not really changed much since Sudans independence in 1956, at which time South Sudan was still part of the larger nation of SudanSouth Sudan only became an independent state in 2011. This is a history of unchecked greed, manifesting itself primarily in the accumulation of wealth and power by corrupt leaders.

South Sudan may be one of the poorest countries in the world per capita, but it is fabulously wealthy resource-wise: oil, gold, livestock (which are sources of wealth, savings, status, and social standing), the Nile River, and land. The ultimate prize is control of a kleptocratic, winner-take-all state with institutions that have been hijacked by government officials and their commercial collaborators for the purposes of self-enrichment and brutal repression of dissent.

When a peace deal was struck in 2005 ending the North-South war, the southerners were given authority over an interim administration in the southern third of the country, the part that would vote in an independence referendum six years later. During that interim period, two competing kleptocratic factions, led by Salva Kiir and Riek Macharwho would later become, respectively, South Sudans president and vice-presidenthad their own ethnic militias, corruption schemes, and patronage networks. Neither side was genuinely interested in building democratic institutions, good governance, transparency, service delivery, womens empowerment, or economic development. Instead, the focus was on looting.

The loyalties of different armed leaders and their fighters in different regions had to be purchasedor temporarily leasedto build a consolidated southern army and ensure a decisive vote for independence in 2011. As the interim southern administration established its system of managing finances, leaders went from managing a budget of about $100,000 to managing a budget of more than $1.5 billion when the oil-sharing provisions of the peace deal were enacted. An oil-fueled gravy train (PDF) was created, and grew as the budget expanded in the years that followed. Beyond funding for the army and a few other government functions, nearly everything else appears to have been stolen, as there was no transparency with the oil income and where it went. When the independent state of South Sudan was established in 2011, the looting only increased. Transparency Internationals 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks South Sudan 175 out of 176 countries.

A den of thieves had been created. The thieves had a falling out, first politically, then with open war in 2013, a scant two years after independence. These competing armed factions have committed horrible atrocities over the past couple of years as they violently pursue the spoils of a hijacked and perverted state. The horrors of war, however, have not deterred the leaders from continuing to milk the countrys system, as demonstrated in the 2016 investigative report by The Sentry.

The favored tactic for imposing will and exploiting resources throughout this history has been the recruitment and use of ethnic-based militias conducting scorched-earth operations. Ethnicity has been used as the main mobilizer for organized violence, which resulted in genocidal violence in Darfur and the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, and in parts of South Sudan even during the North-South War that eventually led to South Sudans independence.

In most genocides or other mass atrocities, leaders figure out a way to use identities to mobilize citizen sentiment and drive wedges between communities. This is an essential element of a divide-and-conquer war strategy. In South Sudan, ethnic-based militias are recruited and armed to attack the communities perceived to be opponents. This practice goes back to the British colonial era, when identities were politicized, just as the Belgians did in colonial Rwanda, establishing tribal authorities. Even religion was politicized along ethnic lines in South Sudan by the British in the way missionary societies were deployed.

When militias are recruited and mobilized on an ethnic basis, a classic drain the water to catch the fish approach ensues, in which the population is targeted and cleared from the area, thus depriving opposition elements of a civilian base from which to recruit, resupply, and find sanctuary. War tactics include village burning, sexual slavery, burning of food stocks, denial of aid access, mass rape, forced conscription of children, and killing of civilians. Mass atrocities become routinized.

In 2013, the two main competing kleptocratic factions of South Sudans ruling Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) that had unified for the purposes of securing the independence of the country in 2011 had another falling-out, plunging the country back into war, mass hunger, and the brink of state collapse. There has been total impunity for the resource theft, child soldier recruitment, abductions, mass rape, bombing of civilian targets, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid.

In South Sudan today, war crimes pay. There is no accountability for the atrocities and looting of state resources, or for the famine that has resulted. But it would be a mistake to see the trajectory of South Sudan as hopeless, its future fixed in the devastating status quo.

Many African countries became independent states in the past 50 to 60 years. South Sudan is five years old as an independent state. Sudan, the country from which it split five years ago, is 60. At the age of 60, the United States had a transatlantic slave trade fueling an economic boom, was ethnically clearing and cleansing its Native American populations, and had not yet fought its own civil war, one of the deadliest in per capita terms in the history of the world. Europe has an even deadlier history of state formation, marked by five centuries of border-defining conflict and genocide.

Thus, South Sudan and more broadly Africa are not so wildly different from the United States and Europe. Wars of state formation are just occurring later in Africa (because of colonialism) and with deadlier and more plentiful weapons, many of which are produced in countries with permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council. Well over half of the countries that emerge from wars eventually go back to war, especially when root causes remain unaddressed, so again South Sudan is not exceptional.

Many countries that were written off as hopelessly stuck in conflict and crisis over the last few decades have emerged and built new futures. Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, and many others have emerged from deep crisis. Yes, they all have ongoing issues related to either corruption or restricting political space, but they are light years ahead of where they were just decades ago. More than half of the continent of Africa is at peace and growing economically. Many African countries are building democratic institutions and holding credible elections. Patience and the proper investments can lead to a turnaround in South Sudan, too.

Huge resources have been thrown at the problem for decades. Billions of dollars have supported peacekeeping forces, further billions have underwritten humanitarian assistance, and one peace process after another has tried to break the cycle of violence. But none of these efforts focus on the driving force of the mayhem. In South Sudan, corruption isnt an anomaly within the system; it is the system itself, the very purpose of the state. There is no attempt to dismantle or counter the kleptocratic networks that benefit more from instability than peace.

The missing ingredient in the international response is the creation of sufficient leverage or influence to shift the calculations of these violent kleptocrats from war to peace, from atrocities to human rights, from mass corruption to good governance. The surest way for the international community to build influence is to hit these thieves of state in their wallets.

There are a number of internal conflicts within the broader war in South Sudan that will have to be resolved. External and internal change agents can work together to reform the kleptocratic system, build institutions of accountability, and create new incentives for better governance. Ultimately, South Sudanese people will drive reform and determine their future. From the outside, the United States, Europe, the United Nations, the African Union, and other concerned actors around the world can provide support and solidarity to the efforts of South Sudanese people who are on the front lines of efforts to build peace, good governance, and accountability.

However, in many cases it is the policies of external actors (countries, companies, banks, arms providers) that help provide a great deal of the fuel for the fires that burn in South Sudan and other war-torn African states. Therefore, some of the most meaningful actions that can be taken are focused on countering negative policies and commercial arrangements that originate from outside South Sudan and dramatically disadvantage South Sudans civilian population.

What is needed is a hard-target search for the dirty money, the ill-gotten gains from the last decade of looting. Choking the illicit financial flows of the kleptocrats is the key point of leverage available to the international community, given the vulnerability of stolen assets that are offshored in neighboring countries or around the world in the form of houses, cars, buildings, businesses, and bank accounts. The kleptocrats are not hiding their money under their mattresses. The points of convergence where illicit financial schemes rely on legitimate global financial infrastructure are where policy, enforcement, and regulatory efforts should be focused. Dismantling the financial networks that enable and benefit from atrocities will give peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts a real chance of success.

Tying accountability and consequences to credible peace efforts aimed at root causes represents the most promising route to peace. The international community needs to help make war costlier than peace for the leaders and their networks of collaborators, and change their cost-benefit analysis, creating targeted and personal consequences for corrupt war-mongers. The perverse incentives that reward violence and theft must be reoriented.

The most promising policy approach would combine creative anti-money laundering measures with targeted sanctions aimed at kleptocratic networks, the combination of which would be robustly enforced with the objective of not just freezing a few assets, but rather freezing those willing to commit mass atrocities out of the international financial system altogether.

This is revolutionary, because it would suddenly give international policymakers and diplomats a major point of leverage to impact the calculations of those willing to commit mass atrocities to maintain or gain power.

Given the dominant position of the United States in the international financial system, and the extreme vulnerability to which the assets of South Sudans kleptocrats are exposed within that system, the United States is uniquely positioned to help alter the incentives for South Sudans leaders away from grand corruption and war, and to give peace a chance in that embattled and long-suffering land.

War criminals and their international collaborators should pay a price for destroying so much of the hope that accompanied South Sudans birth as an independent nation a mere five years ago, and for their role in creating a full-blown, UN-declared famine. Despite the shadow of a corrupt and brutal history, its not too late for that hope to be restored.

John Prendergast is founding director of the Enough Project, and co-founder of The Sentry.
The White Houses former top national security official did not sign an ethics pledge ostensibly required of all Trump administration appointees barring them from ethically questionable lobbying activities, The Daily Beast has learned.

A spokesman for former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn confirmed on Tuesday that Flynn did not sign the pledge during his brief tenure.

The pledge, imposed by executive order a week after President Donald Trump took office, bars all federal appointees from lobbying their former colleagues for five years after leaving the administration and bans them from lobbying on behalf of foreign governments for life.

Confirmation that Flynn did not sign the pledge comes amid controversy over his lobbying last year on behalf of a company linked to the Turkish government. Flynn belatedly acknowledged that the work may have benefitted that government and notified the Justice Departments foreign agent division months after the work took place, and after he had resigned from his White House post.

It also comes as the White House fields questions over mechanisms for enforcing the pledge, raising questions about the processes in place for ensuring compliance with the presidents own ethics rules.

Flynns failure to sign the pledge removes legal barriers to future foreign agent lobbying and advocacy work involving former White House colleagues, through his spokesman Price Floyd said that the retired Army general intends to comply with the restrictions detailed in the pledge.

Gen. Flynn never had the opportunity to sign Trumps ethics pledge, but he plans to abide by its terms, Floyd told The Daily Beast.

But ethics watchdogs say that voluntary compliance lacks any mechanism to ensure that Flynn sustains that commitment to the pledges prohibitions.

If hes voluntarily complying he cant be held to the same standard and there can be no enforcement by the Department of Justice, said Lydia Dennett, an investigator with the Project on Government Oversight.

Trumps executive order specifies that appointees are only contractually committed to its terms upon signing the pledge.

Asked last week about Flynn specifically, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that he was subject to the ethics pledge requirements in Trumps executive order.

Id have to check and actually figure out when he signed or if he signed the form, Spicer told reporters. But yes, all administration officials who come in are required to sign that ethics pledge banning them from lobbying for five years and then a lifetime ban on lobbying on behalf of any foreign government.

In the event that appointees violate the terms of the pledge, Spicer said the Justice Department could seek a court injunction barring them from conducting prohibited lobbying activity, debar them from receiving federal contracts or other assistance, or levy civil fines.

But Dennett noted those sanctions arent available if a nominee doesnt actually sign the pledge. She said news that Flynn failed to do so raises questions about the White Houses commitment to its own ethics rules.

Mr. Spicer recently stated that the President fully expects the DOJ to vigorously enforce this order but they cant do so if officials arent signing the pledge, Dennett said in an email. She added that POGO will be filing Freedom of Information Act requests to confirm which Trump appointees have and have not signed the pledge.

The White House did not respond to questions about Flynns failure to do so, and whether any additional Trump administration appointees have yet to sign it.

Nominees to positions that require Senate confirmation must sign Office of Government Ethics agreements detailing how they plan to comply with applicable ethics laws. The agreements contain a paragraph certifying, in the words of one recent nominees, that as an appointee I will be required to sign the Ethics Pledge (Exec. Order no. 13770) and that I will be bound by the requirements and restrictions therein in addition to the commitments I have made in this ethics agreement.

Though non-Senate confirmed appointees such as Flynn are required to sign the same ethics pledge, they are not required to submit written assurances to independent ethics officers that they will do so.

The pledge was a centerpiece of Trumps drain the swamp mantra. It built on a similar pledge, also imposed by executive order, under President Barack Obama. But Trumps version lacked some features present in Obamas, including reporting requirements that allowed the Office of Government Ethics to publicly post notifications of any pledge waivers issued to executive branch appointees.

Forty-nine Obama appointees received waivers of portions of their ethics pledges, according to OGEs website.

The Trump White Houses website includes a page devoted to ethics pledge waiver disclosures, but that page has remained blank for the first two months of the administration. It promises that waiver certifications will be published as they become available.

A source close to Flynn, who requested anonymously to speak candidly about his post-White House activities, said that the former national security adviser has not done any work since leaving the administration that would have triggered provisions of the ethics pledge.

His pre-White House work fell squarely in the type of activity that the presidents executive order seeks to combat. Flynn lobbied on behalf of a Dutch firm with ties to the Turkish government in an arrangement that transparency groups say exemplified shortcomings in federal enforcement of laws governing foreign agents.

Flynn retroactively registered as a foreign agent this month out of an abundance of caution, a source familiar with his thinking told The Daily Beast last week. Failing to register as a foreign agent is a federal crime, FBI director James Comey said on Monday.

Flynn resigned from the White House last month after it was revealed that he had failed to disclose contacts during the 2016 presidential campaign with the Russian ambassador to Washington regarding U.S. sanctions on that country.
Since 1964, the principle of one person, one vote has served as a cornerstone of American democracy. Will that remain the case?

Two years ago, I spoke to a group of appellate lawyers in Washington, D.C., about a series of Supreme Court decisions between 1962 and 1964 that, taken together, established the principle of one person, one vote in all state legislative and congressional apportionments. Chief Justice Earl Warren consistently referred to the reapportionment decisions as the most important of his tenure on the Supreme Court.

At the end of the evening, a member of the audience introduced himself as a former clerk to Justice Byron White and mentioned, as an aside, that another former White clerk, Neil Gorsuch, had helped the Justice rethink his position on reapportionment. I never had an opportunity to ask Judge Gorsuch what that might mean, but members of the United States Senate sure ought to. With Gorsuchs confirmation hearings now underway, it is imperative to understand precisely how he helped White reconsider his views on reapportionment.

Gerrymandering receives a great deal of attention today as an obstacle to equitable representation, but it was malapportionmentwhich The New York Times once referred to as the twin evil of gerrymanderingthat posed a far greater threat prior to the 1960s. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Americans moved in large numbers from rural areas and small towns to cities and suburbs. But legislators feared losing their hold on power and refused to reapportion in many states. Alabama and Tennessee did not reapportion for more than 60 years after 1900, Oregon for more than a half-century after 1907, and Illinois went from 1910 to 1955 without redrawing districts.

Other states reapportioned but only after creating districts that were so unbalanced that the legislature remained in the firm control of a distinct minority. In California, for example, more than 6 million residents of Los Angeles County sent one representative to the state Senate, as did 14,294 inhabitants of three sparsely-populated counties east of the Sierra. Less than 12 percent of Californias population was in a position to elect a majority of the state Senate.

Legislative malapportionment created a system of minority rule that pervaded almost every state in the nation prior to the Supreme Court rulings. And since state legislatures typically control congressional districting, residents of urban areas were drastically under-represented in Congress as well.

The situation became so dire that the Supreme Court finally agreed to enter the political thicket, declaring in 1962s Baker v. Carr that the federal courts could consider whether or not malapportionment violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Baker v. Carr did not, as is often alleged, establish the principle of one person, one vote. That came two years later, on June 15, 1964, when the Court issued opinions in six cases from six states.

Law school textbooks highlight Reynolds v. Sims, a case from Alabama, because Warren selected it as the lead case through which to announce the Courts decision. But the most important decision that dayand the one that members of the Senate Judiciary Committee should ask aboutcame in Lucas v. Forty-Fourth General Assembly of Colorado.

Voters in Colorado had gone to the polls in November 1962after Baker v. Carrand established a system of apportionment in which the lower branch of the legislature was based on population and the upper branch based on area. Lucas v. Colorado presented more clearly than any of the other cases what Solicitor General Archibald Cox referred to as the ultimate question, namely whether or not both branches of a bicameral legislature must be based solely on population.

After months spent debating this question with William Brennan, his closest colleague, and Frank Beytagh, his head clerk, Earl Warren came to the conclusion that population equality as the basis for apportionment in one branch of the legislature would matter little if a minority had a lock on the second branch. Justices Brennan, William O. Douglas, Hugo Black, and Arthur Goldberg swiftly joined Warren, providing him a majority of five votes for the position that both branches must be based on population.

But Warren knew that the implications of so sweeping a decision would be momentous. He wanted a sixth vote, and in particular he wanted the vote of Byron White, a native of Colorado. Like Hugo Black before him, White destroyed his most important Court papers, so there is little to document his thinking in the reapportionment cases. But other justices record White as initially ambivalent about the Colorado case, not quite ready to join Warren, but also aware that the Colorado plan amounted to little more than slick political gerrymandering which favored certain economic interests. On June 10, White sent Warren a note and asked, without explanation, to join Warrens opinion, thus securing the principle of one person, one vote.

So how, then, did Neil Gorsuch, as a law clerk in his twenties, help White rethink his position on reapportionment? It is possible that the justice, who had retired by this time, and his clerk might have engaged in discussions about whether or not one person, one vote should really mean one voter, one vote, but that seems unlikely. Such a claim reached the Supreme Court last term (and was dismissed) but was not at issue in the 1960s or in the 1990s when Gorsuch clerked for White.

No, it seems far more logical and likely that White and Gorsuch, also a native of Colorado, discussed whether or not both branches of a bicameral legislature must be based on the principle of one person, one vote. If Gorsuch did, indeed, help White rethink his position in this regard, it is crucial to know how Gorsuch feels about Lucas v. Colorado and the other reapportionment decisions of the 1960s.

Judicial nominees are understandably hesitant or unwilling to discuss their views on cases that might come before them once confirmed. But certainly a conversation in the 1990s between a law clerk in his twenties and a retired justice about a case from the 1960s is not off-limits for a Senate confirmation hearing in 2017. Unless, of course, Gorsuch is reluctant to acknowledge that he believes that the Supreme Court went too far in the 1960s in establishing the principle of one person, one vote at all levels of government.

J. Douglas Smith is the author of On Democracys Doorstep: The Inside Story of How the Supreme Court Brought One Person, One Vote to the United States.
Time is ticking on a law that has kept parking meters off of North Dakotas streets for seven decades.

North Dakota is the only state in the Union where parking meters are banned by law. The state legislature is moving forward though with a bill to repeal the ban and let cities charge for parking. The debate hasnt just split the state, its divided a family responsible for the ban in the first place.

My granddad was a wheat farmer who hated having to pay when he drove to town to shop, said JoNell Bakke. He wouldnt pay a penny to park and neither will I!

Bakke is talking about Howard Henry, who was single-handedly responsible for eliminating the meter scourge in the 1940s.

Hard Wheat Henry lived outside Minot, the closest big city. One day he drove into town to buy supplies and instead of feeding the meter right away, he stopped to talk to a friend. When a city worker handed him a citation, Henry was told that he should have paid as soon as he got out of his car. As the story goes, he stood there and fumed with a nickel in one hand and a ticket in the other. Henry was so angry that he swore this would never happen again to the good folks of North Dakota.

So he took his personal gripe to the people and collected enough signatures to for a ballot initiative to ban the meters. He won and the meters were pulled up.

In 1951, the legislature fought back and overturned the law. But along came Henry, who again got it reinstated with another ballot initiative. Its stayed that way ever since.

JoNell wishes she had a nickel for every time a reporter has asked her about parking meters, but the oldest of Henrys 23 grandchildren doesnt mind.

My grandfather was bigger than life. Im so proud of him. Talking to you is a way to keep his memory alive, she said.

As it turns out, Bakkes upstart city cousin wants to undo her grandfathers work.

Jake Joraanstad, 27, owns a software company with 40 employees in Fargo where he says the free parking his infamous uncle started has created chaos.

If he were alive, Id say to him, Uncle Henry, if you come to Fargo, youd understand theres a parking problem, Joraanstad said. Lets not expand the reach of government. Lets let the individual cities decide how they want to deal with meters.

Bakke, who lives up the road in Grand Forks, says the big cities of Fargo and Bismarck where parking is scarce, have given ridiculous arguments for wanting to repeal the ban.

Once, they claimed that city workers who chalk the tires of parked cars were coming down with elbow shoulder injuries from the stress of having to bend down every two hours.

Still, Joraanstad, whos never even met Bakke, says, Ornery people in North Dakota see the parking meters as an extra tax they have to pay. But with the new law, each city will get to decide how it wants to control parking. That sounds to me a lot more like freedom than a tax.

Im less less angry at parking meters than I am at the politicians, says Bakke, herself a former state senator .

What makes me mad is that the State Legislature arbitrarily reversed a law which the people voted for two times! After a vote, if the people of North Dakota want the meters back, Im fine with it.

If Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signs the meter bill into law, Bakke said shell make sure it goes back to the people by creating a ballot initiativejust like her grandfather did.

Burgum, who actually pushed the law to to welcome back the parking meters has said they encourage turnover which leads to more retail sales for downtown businesses and more tax revenues for the state.

Its a big city versus rural issue. People who drive into town dont want to pay to shop. Most of our politicians are from the city now, so they dont undersand. says Joel Heitkamp, a former state lawmaker-turned talk show hows on Fargos Mighty 790 radio station.

There seems to be pattern here. Heitkamp is the brother of North Dakotas lone Democratic Senator, Heidi Heitkamp. Joel Heitkamp believes Burgums agenda to reinstate paid public parking has to do with the fact that the governor owns property in Fargo himself.

Bakke agrees: The governor rebuilt the entire downtown of Fargo. He wants to line his pockets.

Heated discussions over Gov. Burgums business interests have going on since he decided to run for office early last year. A local entrepreneur, Burgum ran a software business which sold for more than $1 billion to Microsoft in 2001. After landslide election win this past November, questions arose over his involvement with a major real-estate development firm that owns many of Fargos apartment and office buildings. The Kilbourne Group is also partnered in major downtown project: a mixed-use tower called Block 9. Burgum has removed himself from of day-to-day operations with the Kilbourne Group to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

For how huge North Dakota is, the politics are very small-town740,000 people live there and less than half that number voted in 2016.

In fact, its so hard to campaign in such a big, wide open state, when Howard Henry made a run for governor in the 50s, instead of driving for miles on end to deliver his message, he just flew his farm plane over the towns and dropped political leaflets. After many tries and failures to win U.S. and state office in North Dakota, he finally became a state lawmaker in 1971.

And you know what? He sat right up front, for every hearing, said Bakke. But he had a heart attack and died that very year.

Before Henry passed on, though, he was awarded a particularly unusual keepsake. The city of Minot presented him with the original parking meter which started all of this talk. It sits, in JoNells living room, appropriately, next to the grandfather clock.

And it still gives you 12 minutes for a penny.
It didnt take long for the hosts of The View to ask their guest Rachel Maddow a question that Jimmy Fallon failed to broach when he sat down with the MSNBC host a week ago to talk about her big scoop on President Trumps tax returns.

Some say Trump leaked those himself in order to distract from other things, co-host Sara Haines suggested about one minute into Maddows appearance on Wednesday, adding that the returns themselves were not that damning for the president. Do you think that could have come from Trump? she asked.

It totally could have come from Trump, Maddow admitted. As far as Im concerned, the only thing that matters is, is that document real? Thats the story. Later, she added, We have no idea where it came from. It very well might have come from the president himself.

We know he gave them to you, Joy Behar chimed in, bluntly, because otherwise there would be more pages with real information on them.

Maddow said the first thought that went through her head when Daily Beast contributor David Cay Johnston approached her with the first two pages of Donald Trumps 2005 tax return was, Dont get pranked.

Obviously theres such appetite to learn about his tax returns, Maddow said. Hes the only president in 40 years that we dont have his financial information, and simultaneously with that we have this increasing knowledge about his weird overseas ties in terms of people on his campaign. She added, Its the perfect environment to prank somebody.

Maddow explained that her team spent 36 hours trying to get the White House to confirm the documents veracity, which helps explain why the Trump administration was able to get out its own statement about the returns before she revealed the details 22 minutes into her primetime ratings bonanza.

As co-host Sunny Hostin pointed out, Trump called Maddows release FAKE NEWS! on Twitter, while his son, Donald Jr. actually thanked Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes!

My favorite thing about those two things together is like, OK, its an amazing release of his tax information that shows hes super rich and paid a ton of money in taxes, its real and great, Maddow said of the tweets. Also, its fake! And its illegal for you to publish them.

She added, Im happy to absorb either of those punishments from the family. But both of them?! Its either fake or its real and you guys have to pick one.

In a later segment, Maddow also addressed the bigger news of the day in Judge Neil Gorsuchs Supreme Court confirmation hearings, making a strong case for why Democrats should do everything in their power to keep Trumps nominee off the bench.

The elephant in the room here in the Gorsuch nomination is that President Obama nominated Merrick Garland for that seat when he still had a year in office, Maddow said. And the Republican objection to even meeting with him, let alone holding a hearing was that President Obamas only going to be president for another year.

With the FBI investigating whether or not President Trump and his campaign colluded with a foreign power in their attack on the United States, Maddow said its weird to let that person make a lifelong appointment to the Supreme Court.

Even former Fox News contributor-turned-View-co-host Jedediah Bila could agree with Maddow on that argument. I dont understand how you can justify having this investigation go on with the commander-in-chief and at the same time have this nomination go through, she said.

Or, as moderator Whoopi Goldberg put it, People need to get up. People need to do something!
The White House on Wednesday insisted that the president had no idea his former campaign chairman had worked to advance the interests of the Russian government when he was hired last year.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer dismissed insane suggestions that Trump might have known about Paul Manaforts past work for a Kremlin-linked Russian oligarchnoting that his work in Russia was public record.

And it would have been, if Manafort filled out the proper forms. But he didnt, and hes now facing allegations of a federal crime as a result.

Spicers comments followed an Associated Press report revealing that Manafort worked for Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. Under his $10 million annual contract, Manafort pursued policies to greatly benefit Putins government, according to the AP report.

Spicer insisted that the news has no bearing on an ongoing FBI investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government to influence the 2016 election.

His comments came a day after he sought to downplay Manaforts involvement with the 2016 campaign. On Tuesday, Spicer said the former campaign chairman played a very limited role on the campaign.

Spicer brushed aside questions on Wednesday about whether Trump should have known about Manaforts past dealings with an adversarial foreign government, even as he described that work, and Manaforts representation of other governments, as readily available information.

Paul represented many foreign clients, according to publicly available data, including in Asia, Africa, and Europe, he told reporters. His representation of foreign clients is public.

But he also dismissed suggestions that Trump might have been aware of that public information.

The president was not aware of Pauls clients from the last decade, Spicer said. To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from a decade ago were is a bit insane.

Spicer went on to compare Manaforts work to that of Tony Podesta, a Democratic lobbyist and fundraiserand the brother of Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign chairmanwho has represented numerous clients aligned with foreign governments, including a state-owned Russian bank.

There is no suggestion that he did anything improper, Spicer said of Manafort. He did not fill out any paperwork attesting to something that he did that suggests there was anything nefarious.

On the contrary, it is Manaforts failure to fill out paperwork that has some in Congress suggesting he may have committed a serious crime, and contradicts Spicers assertions that there have been no allegations of impropriety, and that relevant information on Manaforts past clients was publicly available information

To the extent that his work was designed to advance the interests of the Russian government, it should have been, but was not, disclosed to the Department of Justice.

The Foreign Agent Registration Act requires that lobbyists and public relations officials working to advance the interests of foreign governments disclose extensive details on their activity to DOJ.

Manaforts failure to do so could rise to the level of a federal crime, according to Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

According to his own words, his work was intended to greatly benefit the Putin Government, Cummings said in an emailed statement. If he was actively undermining U.S. policy by promoting Putins interests and receiving millions of dollars for it, a criminal prosecution may be warranted.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, has called for Manafort to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee to give Americans answers they deserve.

The White Houses dismissals of any allegations of impropriety involving Manafort came as Cummings and Oversight chairman Jason Chaffetz sought information on contacts between another former senior Trump aide, former White House National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, and agents of the Russian government.

Chaffetz and Cummings requested information on Flynns foreign contacts and payments from White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and the heads of the Pentagon and the FBI.

Flynn stepped down from his post last month after it was revealed that he had failed to disclose discussions with the Russian ambassador to Washington regarding U.S. sanctions against the country.
A female Marine reservist is the newest victim of an ongoing effort by current and former Marines to share nude photos of fellow servicemembers without their consent.

A Facebook group called Marines United 3.0, taking its name from the original Facebook group shut down in January for sharing nude photos, continues to flout the Marine Corps and Congress by circulating photos, including at least one new cache. The group has resorted to extreme vetting of membersincluding a demand that aspirants post a nude phototo prevent infiltration, according to a source within the group.

This is not what normal people do to each other, the female Marine reservist, identified here as Kim to protect her privacy, said. The men sharing the pictures and videos must have some need for vengeance toward somebody. I mean, why is this fun? What makes this so fun? If you want to see naked people, go to porn sites. I dont understand the logic behind it. Its to the point now that Im just numb.

Kim said photos she had taken for her civilian boyfriend were stolen in 2014 and later showed up on a now-defunct website, but soon afterward, she was notified by a fellow Marine that her nude photos were on a Twitter page.

It seems like they disappear and they come back every six months, Kim said. I would get random text messages at work and theyd send me my own pictures, and I would break down I dont know what I can do. Theyre out there, these same three-to-five pictures. I hate it.

Like many of the photos posted and shared in the Facebook groups and drives, Kims photos have been circulating for years, and now they have appeared on the original Dropbox drive shared on Marines United, as well as the newly constructed Google Drive set up Thursday on Marines United 3.0. Each new share makes her feel helpless and disappointed in her fellow Marines.

This is not why I joined the Marine Corps, Kim said. Its not the same now. I dont know whos seen my pictures and who hasnt, but theres nothing I can do about it.

Former Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Fielder has no regrets about creating the shared drive where Kims nude photos were uploaded last weekend.

This is the new public drive as promised, Fielder wrote Thursday on the private Marines United 3.0 group page, just before he posted a link to the new shared drive. Keep it organized and post only the nastiest shit. Nothing illegal (underage), is all I ask.

Despite that Facebook comment, Fielder told The Daily Beast that he is not responsible for whats in the shared drive.

I put it up there for members to put in there whatever they wanted, Fielder said. I dont regulate [the shared drive] and I dont go in it because I dont really have the time. It took me a week just to make it, but whatever is on there is just what the Marines posted in there.

Do I think that people should be sharing what theyre sharing? he said later. Thats not for me to decide.

The Daily Beast reviewed the shared drive and found that many, though not all, of the explicit photographs were the same ones discovered in other shared drives created by the now defunct Marines United 2.0 and the 30,000-member Marines United.

The shared drive has four subfolders, two of them containing explicit photographs. One folder is titled Wooks, a derogatory term for female Marines derived from Chewbacca. The other subfolder is called From Anon-IB and contains hundreds of nude photos previously seen in other Marines United share drives. Business Insider reported that the AnonIB site contains nude photos of female service members from all four major military branches.

In total, The Daily Beast has uncovered six shared drives from secondary versions of Marines United, two of which contained hundreds of non-consensually obtained nude photos. A week after Sen. Angus King told Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, You know that they are mocking you and the leadership, its clear that those efforts to humiliate the Marine Corps leadership are ongoing.

Fielder said there is a distinction between the legal and moral sides of the nude-photo-sharing.

I mean, I dont see a legal issue with it. I do think theres a moral issue with it, but theres a lot of difference between the law and your own moral code If the law wants to get involved, show me the passage that says this is illegal.

Fielder, as a reservist, is no longer subject to prosecution under the Uniform Military Code of Justice, according to former Marine Judge Advocate General Lt. Col. James W. Weirick. But a provision within Marine Corps policy states that Marines on individual ready reserve status must maintain standards of conduct, according to the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve website.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has identified at least 17 smaller, related groups that may have also participated in photo-sharing. The increased scrutiny has led servicemembers and veterans sharing photos to adopt new tactics and vetting procedures that make it harder for investigators, reporters, and victims to identify, penetrate, and shut down the groups.

Screenshots provided to The Daily Beast by a member of Marines United 3.0 show some of the new procedures introduced to stop leaks. The insider, who asked to be called Andre to protect his identity, explained how the vetting works.

They are careful not to reveal the names of secret backup rooms, Andre said. You have to be invited into these new rooms. The administrators are slowing the entire membership process down in order to complete their vetting procedures.

Marines United 3.0 reviews new members by having them answer a series of questions like, Where did we [Marines] get the nickname Devil Dog? and, What is the name of every Marine Corps mascot?

Andre says this vetting system is not very effective, as the answers can be easily Googled. But other groups also comb through a prospective members Facebook for signs of having served in the Marine Corps, or deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan. Finally, new members are instructed to post a nude photo of a servicemember within 24 hours or be booted from the secret group.

Posting the photograph is a part of the vetting for some of the other groups, like a gang asking you to kill someone, Andre said. They dont trust you unless you make yourself culpable.

Investigators with NCIS continue to collect evidence from the now-defunct Facebook group that once had over 30,000 members.

All four branches of the military have sent out social-media behavior guidelines to their personnel since Nellers appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 14. For active-duty military, non-consensual nude-photo-sharing is considered illegal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the militarys legal code. But the UCMJ does not directly apply to former Marines or other civilians.

Division Chief Chris Evans, a special agent with NCIS, told reporters Friday that of the 1,200 screen names identified from screenshots of the original Marines United Facebook group, NCIS identified 725 active-duty U.S. Marines, 125 U.S. Marine reservists, 15 U.S. Navy Sailors, and 310 non-military personnel, which includes veterans.

Not all of those identified were directly involved in the photo-sharing. Neller told the Senate Armed Service Committee he suspected that about 500 of the 30,000 members actually participated in nude-photo-sharing. Neller will appear Tuesday afternoon before the House Armed Services Committee, where he is expected to update those numbers and brief the committee on the status of the Marines United investigation, more than two weeks after the scandal broke.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), who in February was appointed the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committees Military Personnel Subcommittee, has introduced the Servicemembers Intimate Privacy Protection Act, or SIPPA, which would prohibit the sharing of intimate images without the consent of the individual or individuals depicted.

Speier intends the bill to close a revenge-porn gap in the UCMJ. Neller told senators a week ago that certain changes to the UCMJ might be necessary to address the issues of revenge porn and nude-photo-sharing.

Evans seconded those recommendations, adding that in the future, all Marines will have to sign a contract about behavior on social media. He hopes to encourage more victims of the scandal to come forward by identifying the gaps in policies and resources that can discourage them from reporting abuse. He added that the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps will lead a new 30-plus-person investigative task force that is far more diverse than the 92-percent-male Marine Corps: 40 percent of the operational team is female, with ranks ranging from sergeant to lieutenant colonel.

Every major military investigative service is now engaged in the investigation. NCIS, the Army Criminal Investigative Division, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service are working together in a room at Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, Evans said, adding that he expects the number of potential victims and persons of interest in the case to grow.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations training academy is also in Quantico, but the bureau would not comment on whether or not it is investigating Marines United and related groups.
The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee claims President Donald Trump and his transition team were incidentally surveilled prior to inauguration.

Trumps team had their communications inadvertently collected as part of legal foreign intelligence gathering by the U.S. government in November, December, and January, according to Rep. Devin Nunes who addressed reporters at an impromptu press conference Wednesday in the Capitol.

I have seen intelligence reports that clearly show that the president-elect and his team were... monitored, Nunes told the press. It had nothing to do with any criminal investigation.

Democrats responded with incredulity that Nunes briefed the public and the president before the committee. Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee was unspairing.

"If accurate, this information should have been shared with members of the committee, but it has not been," Schiff said. "Indeed, it appears that committee members only learned about this when the Chairman discussed the matter this afternoon with the press. The Chairman also shared this information with the White House before providing it to the committee, another profound irregularity, given that the matter is currently under investigation. I have expressed my grave concerns with the Chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

Following his announcement in the Capitol, Nunes went to the White House to brief the president on the news. It's a strange move that throws into doubt the independence of the investigation he is currently undertaking on the president and his campaign.

After a meeting with Nunes, President Donald Trump said he felt vindicated, presumably in his debunked claim he was "wiretapped" before taking office. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found, Trump told reporters at the White House.

But Nunes didn't vindicate Trump: he said last week Trump Tower was not "wiretapped." And Trump's original claim was that he had been "wiretapped" by President Obama last October, during the presidential campaign. Nunes said Wednesday incidental collection occurred in the three months following October.

Nuness briefing came days after the bombshell revelation that the FBI was investigating the Trump campaign for possible ties to Russia , which interfered in the U.S. elections. The surveillance Nunes revealed was not related to Russia, he said.

The Daily Beast asked Nunes which country was targeted by the foreign surveillance, and he declined to answer. Nunes did say that the intercepted communications were widely disseminated through the U.S. government and the names of U.S. persons were unmasked in these reports.

The administration, I dont think, is aware of this. So Im going to make sure I go over there and tell them right now, Nunes said. This includes information on the president-elect, his transition team, and what they were doing.

Im alarmed by it, Nunes said. Clearly I thought it was important enough to tell all of you, inform the speaker [of the House of Representatives].

Asked whether the surveillance was political in nature, Nunes responded, in a second press conference outside the White House, "Some of it seems to be inappropriate I don't know if the American people would be comfortable with what I've read."

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been scrambling for weeks after President Trump made the allegation that he had been wiretapped during the campaign.

How low has President Obama gone to tapp [sic] my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy! Trump wrote on Twitter. The FBI has said it could not find any evidence to support this.

Nunes announcement was unrelated to Russia, and came just two days after the FBI told Congress in a hearing that they were actively investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, and whether there was collusion between Trump campaign associates and the Russian government.

Republicans spent a large portion of their time during their Monday hearing railing against leakers who revealed that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was engaged in communications with the Russian ambassador -- even suggesting that reporters who published the information should be prosecuted.

But on Wednesday, Nunes revealed to the press that legal American surveillance picked up communications by Trumps team. At one point he said that President Trumps own communication had been swept up; at another, he insisted that this was merely possible.

This raises the question of whether Nunes leaked classified information about surveillance without authorization.

If he didnt get authorization, he just released classified information without authorization. Two days after we just had a hearing filled with rants about leaks of classified information, Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer, told The Daily Beast. That type of information is not public knowledge, one way or another. Thats classified.

Nuness spokesman did not respond directly to a question regarding whether Nunes got the green-light from the intelligence community or the White House to reveal the existence of these surveillance activities, but said, Chairman Nunes deliberately avoided discussing any details that would be classified.

What is clear is that Nunes's move throws into doubt the independence of the investigation he is currently undertaking on the president and his campaign.

"In the 40 years of the committee's existence... I have never heard the chairman of an oversight committee going to brief the president of the United States about concerns he has about things he has read in intelligence reports," said Jeremy Bash, the former chief counsel of the House Intelligence Committee, on MSNBC Wednesday afternoon. "The job of the committee is to do oversight over the executive branch, not to... tip them off to things they may be looking at."
Editor's note: Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in New York on July 6, 2019, and faced federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. In the wake of his arrest, Alexander Acosta stepped down as Labor Secretary over his role in brokering Epstein's 2007 sweetheart plea deal. On August 10, 2019, Epstein died in an apparent jailhouse suicide. For more information, see The Daily Beast's reporting here.

At his senate confirmation hearing Wednesday morning, labor secretary nominee Alexander Acosta generally described the secret non-prosecution deal he oversaw as U.S. Attorney with billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein as a good thing.

According to law enforcement officials and alleged victims, between the years 1998 and 2007, financier and playboy Jeffrey Epstein who socialized with the likes of Donald Trump and Bill Clinton ran a kind of sexual pyramid scheme in Florida, New York, and on his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he paid minors as young as 13 years old to perform sexual massages and recruit other girls for the same. Police eventually caught up with Epsteinafter his alleged serial abuse of some 50 girlsbut a secret agreement with federal prosecutors, overseen by Acosta, resulted in an unusual sentence that critics, including the alleged victims and local police, felt was far too lenient and allowed a member of the rich elite to evade appropriate punishment for his crimes.

After a round of questions from senators about overtime, worker protections, department budgets, and job training, Democratic senator Tim Kaine got right to it on Wednesday, pulling out a recent Washington Post story that rehashed all of the Epstein ugliness.

Asked whether he had worked to keep the plea deal quiet, and whether he declined to indict Epstein on federal charges despite his own offices desire to do so, Acosta said, That is not accurate.

Acosta went on to say that a difficulty in the Department of Justice is that it does not litigate in the public record or the media, but in court. Acosta said that Epstein case was originally a state matter and disputed the notion that he hadnt acted aggressively, noting that had he not stepped in, Epstein could have been charged even more leniently under a local grand jury.

The grand jury in Palm beach county recommended a single count which would have resulted in zero jail time, zero registration as a sex offender and zero restitution.

Declining to discuss specifics of the Epstein case, Acosta called his offices sealing of the draft indictment pretty typical, and defended the deal in general terms.

At the end of the day, based on the evidence, professionals within a prosecutors office decide that a plea that guarantees someone goes to jail, that guarantees he register generally, and guarantees other outcomes is a good thing.

That was a broadly held decision, Acosta said.

Police in Palm Beach County, Florida arrested Epstein in 2008, after a months-long investigation that included stakeouts and interviews of local girls whom they determined to be victims. They took that evidence to prosecutors and suggested the billionaire be charged with several felonies, including lewd and lascivious molestation and multiple counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. If federal prosecutors had charged him according to police suggestions, the man with a little black book full of princes, presidents, and prime ministers could have faced 15 years in prison.

But after a meeting with Epsteins high-priced and high-powered lawyers, including Gerald Lefcourt and Alan Dershowitzwho defended their client by reportedly having witnesses followed and discrediting alleged victims by offering their social media profiles as evidence that they werent as innocent as they claimed to bestate prosecutors recommended that Epstein be charged with a single misdemeanor. In response, the Palm Beach police chief wrote a letter to the Department of Justice asking that it step in.

It seemed to have little effect.

As an U.S. Attorney, Alex Acosta did get involved, but as he claimed in a 2011 letter , the state had been outmatched by Epstein, whose attorneys launched "a year-long assault" on prosecutors more aggressive than any Acosta had previously encountered.

Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender, and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success, he wrote in the letter.

In the end, Epstein paid settlements to dozens of accusers, and plead guilty to a single count of soliciting a minor. He served 13 months of an 18-month sentence in a Palm Beach county jail instead of state prison16 hours of which, on every day but Sunday, he could spend at his home or in his office, due to a work release provision in the deal. Since 2008, Epstein has quietly paid settlements to scores of his alleged victims, and must register as a sex offender for life. Meanwhile, the women who allegedly procured girls for Epstein, referred to as potential co-conspirators, in the non-prosecution agreement , also received immunity from prosecution.

In the same 2011 letter, Acosta conceded that the work release and county jail location of his state sentence seemed like "highly unusual treatment" that "undermined the purpose of a jail sentence."

In 2016, several of Epsteins alleged victims decried the plea deal, filing a civil lawsuit against the federal government and alleging Acostas office had violated their rights as victims by not notifying them of the secret agreement. The two sides have been in settlement talks since last summer, according to court documents. Brad Edwards, the attorney on behalf of the Jane Does, declined to comment on Acosta when reached by The Daily Beast, but has suggested he hopes the government will admit wrongdoing or perhaps pay a fine to resolve the case.

Federal prosecutors did offer some additional insight into Acostas decision during a 2015 hearing, were Assistant U.S. Attorney Dexter Lee suggested the alleged victims may have complicated any prosecution by the fact that they in turn became recruitersfinding additional victims, Lee said, for Epsteins pyramid scheme in exchange for money.

"Your Honor, we believe there's an issue about whether or not Jane Does 1 and 2 may have been complicit in the offenses, Lee said. Specifically, that they themselves procured additional young women for Mr. Epstein and were paid commissions or referral fees for it.

Epstein wasnt the only scandal the labor secretary nominee was asked to address on Wednesday.

Senator Patty Murray questioned Acosta on his time as head of the civil rights division of the Department of Justice during the Bush administration between 2003 and 2005. During his tenure, the Department of Justice Inspector General found he relied on a subordinate, Bradley Schlozman, to make hiring decisions. Under Acostas watch, Schlozman illegally sought to purge liberal attorneys in favor of hiring more conservative, real Americans (as Schlozman put it). The Inspector General report never implicated Acosta himself in the department's politicization, but did determine he took no action to investigate, bring the matter to the attention of their supervisors, or change Schlozmans role in hiring for the Division.

On that controversy, Acosta had little defense.

That conduct should have never happened, Acosta answered. I deeply regret it.
PARISIf were going to judge Americas NATO allies by their defense spending, as President Donald Trump seems intent on doing, then Turkey should be in good odor. Its military is the second biggest in the alliance, and it is one of the few members that exceeds the spending target of 2 percent of GDP.

But the plain fact is that Turkey has become Americas most dangerous ally.

Every day, headlines show it is a menace to the integrity of NATO. Its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is seeking to win what amounts to dictatorial power with a constitutional referendum next month, and, ironically, has taken to branding as Nazis other members of the alliance, the Germans and Dutch, that have dared to challenge his ambition.

Erdogans Turkey is specifically dangerous to the United States because, in order to stir up populist nationalist fervor and build his personal power, he has accused Washington of supporting a bloody coup plot that tried and failed to bring him down last July.

The ostensible reason for Erdogans anti-American ire is that Fethullah Gulen, the leader of an Islamist movement once allied with Erdogans own Islamist AKP party and the supposed mastermind of the coup plot, lives in exile in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania.

But this is not just about rampant anti-American rhetoric. Among the tens of thousands of people jailed in Turkey are American citizens falsely accused of working for the CIA.

Immediately after the coup, which involved some Turkish air force officers, the Incirlik air base used by the United States in the war against the so-called Islamic State was cordoned off and effectively shut down for several days. Its Turkish commander was placed under arrest and frog-marched off the base.

Given the Turkish governments behavior and the countrys evident instability, its of no small concern that under NATOs nuclear sharing program, an estimated 50 to 90 atomic weapons reportedly are located at Incirlik (PDF). Although these B61 munitions are considered tactical weapons, each thermonuclear device has a potential blast yield of about 340 kilotonsmore than 20 times that of the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

In the immediate aftermath of the Incirlik blockade and arrests last summer, spurious reports played up by Russian propagandists claimed the nukes had been moved from Incirlik to Romania. That was not the case. But there remains wide sentiment among security analysts that those nukes should be moved somewhere more secure.

As a Congressional Research Service report (PDF) noted at the time, concerns were based on both the ongoing political uncertainties in Turkey, including the evolving state of U.S.-Turkish relations, and the bases proximity to territory controlled by ISIS.

The Syrian border is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Incirlik. Towns like Al Bab and Dabiq, until recently under the control of the so-called Islamic State, are slightly further.

The argument for leaving the nukes in Turkey was to reassure Ankara against a threat from Russia. But given the obvious and growing rapprochement between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Erdogans increasingly overt hostility toward his NATO allies, leaving thermonuclear weapons on the bomb racks of Incirlik seems to many a pointless and dangerous exercise.

Graham Allison, author of Nuclear Terrorism, notes there is no official U.S. acknowledgment of this arsenals location but says he believes the security of U.S. equipment at Incirlik is generally very good. Any attempt by Turkey to seize the nuclear weapons would be considered an act of war, which is very unlikely, he says. But still, their presence is troubling.

The weapons should be moved, says Hans Kristensen of the Federation of Atomic Scientists. With Erdogans behavior, they no longer seem to serve a useful role of reassurance It is the local and regional insecurity that demands a removal. Even though the [U.S.] Air Force will insist that they can protect the base, it is simply unacceptable to expose nuclear weapons to such a security situation. Nowhere else in the world does the U.S. store nuclear weapons under such conditions.

Given the current environment, nightmare scenarios are easy to imagine.

I worry more about Erdogan, or anti-Erdogan elements in the military, than ISIS, says Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.

But heres the problem: As ISIS comes under increasing pressure in Iraq and Syria, its looking for new bases from which to operate, and its looking for vengeance against Turkey, which aided and abetted the jihadist buildup in Syria in the early part of this decade, then turned on it in 2016.

***

An article in the current issue of Sentinel, the journal published by West Points Combating Terrorism Center (CTC), gives a sense of just how dangerous the Turkish security situation is becoming.

Its author, Ahmet Yayla, formerly was the deputy chief of the counterterrorism department of the Turkish National Police (the post he held when I first met him several years ago). And he subsequently served as the head of counterterrorism in the city of Sanliurfa, just north of the Syrian border, from 2012 to 2014. There he witnessed firsthand the contradictory policies of the Erdogan government that allowed some 25,000 foreign fighters to join the ranks of the so-called Islamic State.

As Yayla told me when we met recently in Washington, D.C., If Erdogan had not let those foreign fighters go through Turkey to Syria, there would be no ISIS as we know it today.

Yayla is now in exile, teaching at George Mason University in northern Virginia, and he recently co-authored a book with Anne Speckhard, an expert on the psychology of extremists, ISIS Defectors: Inside Stories of the Terrorist Caliphate.

Predictably, because of his reporting on de facto cooperation between the Turkish government and ISIS fighters, Ankara has claimed Yayla is a Gulenist, an allegation he flatly denies. Since last July his 19-year-old son has been under arrest in Turkey in what appears to be an effort to intimidate him.

Yaylas article in CTC Sentinel centers on an attack by a lone ISIS gunman in the early hours of Jan. 1 this year that killed 39 people and wounded 71 in Istanbuls fashionable Reina Nightclub on the European edge of the Bosporus.

But its the context for that attack that is most worrisome. The killer, Abdulkadir Masharipov, was an ISIS sleeper originally from Uzbekistan who had lived quietly for a year in a provincial Turkish city with his wife and children before he received a message on Christmas Day directing him to carry out a massacre in Istanbul.

This was no lone wolf. Reports in the Turkish press subsequently documented the extent of the support network that sheltered Masharipov and armed him after he got the order from his handler in Raqqa, the ISIS capital, to move ahead with the operation.

Thus far, the investigations into the Reina attack have revealed that more than 50 individuals directly provided support to Masharipov before and after the attack, Yayla writes. The investigations have also revealed just how cash rich the group is inside of Turkey. In total, just over $500,000 was confiscated by authorities from the network linked to the attack, a clear indication of the priority given to international operations by Islamic State decision-makers.

***

American soldiers fighting in the counterinsurgencies like to say when theyre about to attack an enemy stronghold, Well put our boot in the middle of the puddle and see which way the water squirts.

Yayla makes the case that as ISIS gets stomped in Syria and Iraq, its not just squirting, its fighters are flooding toward Turkey, where they have had at least four years to build the organizations infrastructure.

He was an eyewitness to the huge flow of people coming from Syria into Turkey after 2012.

As the civil war in Syria escalated, he writes, Turkeys southern borders were overwhelmed with refugees fleeing from Syriamore than 3 millionwho were let in regardless of their background.

The influx of refugees was so overwhelming that it became a major security concern for border cities because of the opportunities it provided the Islamic State to infiltrate operatives into Turkey, according to Yayla. Sanliurfa alone received more than 400,000 refugees in just 20 months.

By the time ISIS declared its caliphate in June 2014, it was essentially the main southern neighbor of Turkey. In the months that followed, it strengthened its control of major border areas and thereby its ability to transport material and foreign fighter movements back and forth across the border.

Ankara was prepared to tolerate a certain degree of Islamic State activity on its soil and on its border with Syria, says Yayla, because it was seen as an enemy to the Assad regime and to Kurdish fighters linked to the PKK [insurgents inside Turkey] rather than a direct threat to Turkish national security In 2014 and 2015, Turkey did not carry out a single pre-planned, intelligence-led counterterrorism operation on its soil against the Islamic State and other jihadi terrorist organizations. Even in 2016, when Turkey started treating the threat more seriously, counterterrorism operations were mostly launched in reaction to different terrorist incidents, and in most cases, suspects were released swiftly.

At the same time, according to Yaylas CTC Sentinel article, Turkish police and counterterror operations were being eviscerated by the Erdogan government. The dismissals began in December 2013 after sensational corruption charges were leveled against senior figures in Erdogans party. Then, after the attempted coup last year, the purges took on monumental proportions. More than 125,000 government officials were fired, and more than 40,000 were arrested. Half the active-duty generals in the military were sacked.

The Turkish National Police lost more than 20,000 officers in the period since late 2013, including police chiefs and officers who had spent years in the field fighting terrorism, according to Yaylas heavily footnoted article.

As a result, while the hardened fighters of ISIS are looking to make their move, many of the cops trying to stop them are rookies.

The Islamic State will likely expand its campaign of attacks in Turkey, writes Yayla. In the Jan. 6 issue of the ISIS magazine Rumiyah, he notes, the group declared that Turkeys NATO membership, secular governance, security operations against Islamic State operatives on Turkish soil, support for the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad, and incursion into Islamic State territory in Syria meant war.

A few weeks earlier ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, infuriated by Turkish incursions into the territories near the border that the group was accustomed to control, called on his followers to attack Turkey, destroy its security, and sow horror within it. Put it on your list of battlefields. Turkey entered the war with the Islamic States with cover and protection from Crusader jets. And many of those, one might note, flew out of Incirlik.

At the end of the day, as the Turkish government now tries to confront this threat, whatever its grievous miscalculations of the past, one must wish it well. But one must also wish that the United States would get its nukes out of there.
Alicia Clarke called 911 in a panic. Shes not moving, Clarke told an operator of the woman lying on a massage table. Shes hard. Shes hard and cold.

The dead woman on the table would have troubled even a legitimate medical professional. But Clarke and her business partner Denise Wee Wee Ross were not accredited doctors. Instead, prosecutors allege, the pair ran a black market salon out of a Dallas warehouse, where they offered butt enlargement procedureswhich usually cost upwards of $7,000 according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeryfor as little as $300. But instead of working with doctor-approved materials, the pair allegedly pumped clients with industrial-grade silicone.

On February 18, 2015, one of the injections turned lethal, prosecutors claimed in opening statements at Rosss murder trial on Tuesday. That evening, 34-year-old mother and nursing home worker Wykesha Reid arrived at the unlicensed salon for its signature product, known as the Wee Wee Booty, named after Ross. The following morning, Clarke called 911 to report Reid lying immobile and cold on a massage table.

Ross and Clarkes salon wasnt listed online or in any phone book, prosecutor Summer Elmazi alleged Tuesday. Instead, the pair allegedly attracted customers by word of mouth. Prospective clients would book treatments by phone, and would not receive the salons address until the day of their appointment, Elmazi said.

An affidavit from Ross and Clarkes March 2015 arrest alleges a garish scene inside their operating room. Just days before Reids death, the pair had allegedly given a different woman butt injections. Despite paying $520 for the procedure, the unnamed woman had serious concerns about Ross and Clarkes qualifications, she told police. When she asked the women what they were injecting in her, the pair allegedly gave vague answers, telling the woman they were using a water-based saline.

But Ross and Clarke were using a far more deadly substance, prosecutors said.

She never one single time ever told them she was injecting industrial-grade silicone into these womens bodies, Elmazi testified, according to the Dallas News.

The pair allegedly ran operated the salon for at least three years, charging between $300 and $1,000 for the dangerous shots. James Ames, an attorney representing Reids family in a separate civil suit said his legal team has seen evidence suggesting the underground salon ran even longer, and that Ross and Clarke may have had other business partners who are still on the loose.

"There's definitely evidence suggesting that this was happening for six, seven years, Ames told The Daily Beast. We want to find out if there were other people involved and what role they played. We want to know who knew what when, and if there was a financial incentive for them."

When Ross and Clarke they injected the unnamed woman nine days before Reids death, the woman complained of pain. During the procedure [the woman] felt intense pain and was told to be quiet after screaming in agony, the affidavit reads. The woman told police she was sent home with superglue and cotton balls to seal her injection sites.

Nine days later, Reid checked into the makeshift salon for an appointment. Reid, 34, had visited several times before, and always left with cotton balls glued to her puncture wounds, her daughter testified Tuesday.

She never felt it made her beautiful or pretty, Reids daughter testified. It was just the fact that it was something she wanted. Outer beauty.

But on this visit two years ago, something went wrong. In a separate civil lawsuit, Reids family details what they believe happened once the injections entered her body.

She began having a seizure and ultimately died from pulmonary silicone embolization as the silicone traveled through her heart and became lodged in Ms. Reids lungs, reads the civil suit by Reids family. Essentially, Ms. Reid suffocated slowly as silicone prevented the lungs from working properly.

But rather than call for an ambulance, Ross and Clarke fled the scene, leaving Reid on their operating table overnight, Reids family and prosecutors allege.

They left Wykesha Reids body on that massage table, Elmazi testified Tuesday. They left her there like a piece of garbage.

The next morning, Clarke finally called 911. Shes not moving, Clarke can be heard saying on the recorded call, which was played in court on Tuesday. Shes hard. Shes hard and cold.

Sobbing, Clarke is heard telling the operator that Reid had felt sick after her injections, and laid down on the table to rest. In the call, Clarke claims to have only found Reid dead the next morning. When police arrived on the scene, they found Reid dead on a table, in what was clearly a makeshift salon, said Officer Jay Angelino, who responded to Clarkes call.

There was no towels. There was no product, Angelino testified Tuesday. There was no garbage can. The warehouse space was mostly empty.

Elmazi doubled down on these claims, alleging that Ross and Clarke failed to follow basic sanitary procedures in their unlicensed salon, such as disinfecting the massage table where they performed injections or cleaning clients skin before sticking them with syringes.

In opening statements, Rosss attorney called Reids death a tragic, tragic, tragic accident, but downplayed Rosss role, accusing Clarke of administering the fatal injections. But Elmazi claimed both women had injected Reid with the fatal formula. In the pairs arrest affidavits, the unnamed woman also accuses both women of administering injections.

Both women are charged with murder and practicing medicine without a license.
I've got a secret. I've fallen in love... with a country called Iceland. There are many places I have been in the world, that have not lived up to my expectations but Iceland exceeded them. The amazing landscape has inspired many films and TV shows, such as Game Of Thrones , Interstellar, Prometheus and many more. Here I will tell you why I fell in love with Iceland and why you will too.





The Waterfalls





Gullfoss

Iceland has many beautiful waterfalls all over the country. Gullfoss is one of the most beautiful and well known as it's on the Golden Circle route. A route that covers some of the most well-known waterfalls and geysers in the Thingvellir National park.



Another stunning waterf al l is Seljalandsfoss in south Iceland not far from Vik. This waterfall is popular as you can walk behind it and see the majesty of the water and power of the water from a different angle. Just be sure to wear sturdy walking boots as it can be slippery underfoot and waterproof clothing as you will get wet.





The Volcanoes

Eyjafjallajokull

Iceland has a number of active volcanoes, including mount Hekla who has erupted 18 times since 2000 and Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano which erupted in 2010 and caused havoc due to the ash cloud over Europe and flight cancellations.



This gives Iceland it's unique and different landscape, after all, it is known as the land of fire and ice. You can even go inside rihnukagigur volcano which has been dormant for 4000 years.



The Geysers

Strokkur Geyser

As Iceland is a volcanic island with active volcanoes with that comes the geysers. The word geyser comes from geysier which means 'to gush' and the original geyser, The Great Geyser is in Iceland. Unfortunately, it doesn't erupt very often but next to it is Strokkur Geyser that goes off every 5-8 minutes.



An easy 90-minute drive on the Golden Circle route, i t really is a thing of joy to see these eruptions and realise the power of the earth.



The Black Sand Beaches



Vik



With volcanoes come black sand beaches. The black sand beaches around Vik in the south of Iceland are striking and memorable. The sand originated from the basalt lava that covers much of the area. One of the beaches here has basalt columns that look like a pyramid and is interesting to see.



To look out onto the black sand beach in Vik is a serene but surreal experience, just be careful as the waves are known to be unpredictable and particularly dangerous in this area.





The Glaciers





Myrdalsjokull

Glaciers and ice caps cover over 11% of the land area of Iceland. This contributes to the economy as tourists flock to go on snowmobiles and go glacier hiking.

Iceland is losing ice due to climate change and many of these glaciers will be gone before we know it. Myrdalsjokull, for example, the glacier above, will be gone in about 50 yea rs. To see this huge but amazing glacier is awe inspiring.





The Geothermal Spas

The Blue Lagoon

Geothermal spas are an Icelandic tradition and many locals spend their days off or catch up with friends after work relaxing in the warm waters. The poster boy for Visit Iceland is the Blue Lagoon located on a lava field not far from Reykjavik and close to the airport.



Whilst the Blue Lagoon is in a beautiful setting it is also expensive so do like the locals do and go for one of the other hot pools , and enjoy a more rustic but equally enjoyable experience at the fraction of the price.



The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights

The phenomenon known as the northern lights or Aurora Borealis can be seen in Iceland from October to March. This beautiful light display which can be made up of many colours including blue, green, and red are a result of electrically charged particles in the Earth's atmosphere. You do need favourable conditions to see the northern lights though, mainly darkness with little light pollutions and no cloud cover.



To see the northern lights spectacular is so amazing that is it on many people's bucket list.



The Food

Apotek

Iceland is known for its traditional unusual food think boiled and singed sheep's head, 'Black Death' schnapps and fermented shark but it also has amazing fish and seafood as well as excellent lamb.

We went on a food tour which was an excellent way to orientate you to the city as well as giving you a taste of local Icelandic food. We enjoyed seafood soup, Skyr - an Icelandic dessert similar to yoghurt as well as the famous Icelandic hot dog amongst other things. The dessert we ended the meal with at Apotek was outstanding.




We desperately need green NGOs and campaigners to campaign for time-of-day-electricity charging.

Only then we will get real smart meters, not the sham ones that are being installed now.

The so-called smart meters, being rolled out in a house near you, are mainly a bit of meaningless hype which won't do the very thing that popular mythology thinks they will do.

That is, to ensure that electricity prices are geared so that they fit in with when electricity is being generated: with lower prices when solar and wind output are high, for example, and rising steeply on cold, still December evenings.

The Government and OFGEM need to implement grid and distribution charges that would discourage electricity companies from supplying energy to their customers at peak times. Such charges would make it much more likely that the electricity industry would encourage their consumers, through their pricing policies, to consume less electricity during peak times.

As the green energy revolution gathers pace, and the number of electric cars increases, we ought to be making the system really smarter. This involves incentivising consumers to charge their electric cars and perform other functions (wash clothes, etc) at times when there is a surplus of generating capacity rather than when there is a shortage.

Nothing smart about 'smart meters'

But practically none of the 53 million smart meters being rolled out across the country can do this. I have heard of one small supplier that offers tariffs according to time of day, but regrettably such efforts will be stymied by the failure of the electricity system as a whole to encourage this type of scheme.

In theory electricity suppliers will have an incentive to encourage their consumers to buy electricity at times when there is a surplus of electricity, and thus when it is cheapest on the wholesale electricity markets (ie power coming from power generators).

But alas, the system does not do enough to encourage this. This is because if a brave electricity company (Green Energy perhaps?) does introduce time-of-day pricing they will help their competitors as well by reducing the general prices on the wholesale market. The other electricity companies will just act as free loading parasites and the smart company will be sharing their gains with them.

One solution to this is for the Government to regulate the electricity distributors to ensure that they introduce substantial charges on suppliers for use of the system when there is peak demand for electricity. Thus all electricity suppliers will have a greater interest in introducing 'time-of-day' electricity charging schemes.

Then we might see some real smart meters being installed that allow this. There are some small variable charges for using the system at the moment but they are paltry compared to what needs to be done to encourage a decentralised energy system that responds to consumers and clean energy needs rather than the needs of the big electricity companies.

Electricity distributors also need to be given more incentives to develop storage systems on their local electricity 'feeder' systems rather than increase distribution capacity from the high voltage network by installing bigger transformers.
Making a return to our two favourite summer locations, Mount Maunganui and Nelson in early January 2023, we've got whiff of the first release lineup and me oh my, yes boy
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 ...
iStock/Thinkstock(OVERLAND PARK, Kan.)  An eight-alarm fire that injured three firefighters and destroyed multiple homes in Kansas this week was ruled an accident on Tuesday, according to emergency officials said.



Investigators believe the fire, which began at an unoccupied apartment complex in Overland Park, Kansas on Monday, was accidentally ignited by a welder working onsite, the Overland Park Fire Department said in a statement Tuesday evening.



The fire was the biggest in the citys history, according to the statement on Tuesday.



The fire broke out at a luxury apartment complex under construction at around 3:30 p.m. Monday before quickly spreading to several nearby homes in Overland Park, which is the states second most populated city, fire officials said.



At least 22 homes were affected by heat exposure and flying embers, according to Overland Park fire officials.



Three firefighters were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries but appear to be doing well officials said early Tuesday.



Overland Park Fire Department spokesman Jason Rhodes described their conditions as a "mixed bag" of damaged and destroyed on Monday evening.



He described the initial scene as "a bit of a war zone" and said the fire was intensified by winds, which pushed fire embers south, and dry air conditions.



Fire officials said they worked into early Tuesday morning to fully extinguish the fires.

FF's working into the night. Neighbors be vigilant embers still a danger. Those needing assistance go to Christ Lutheran Church 117th Nieman pic.twitter.com/UFCpynKQur  Overland Park Fire (@OPFDMedia) March 21, 2017

City building inspectors were in the area on Tuesday to assess the safety and "livability" of the damaged homes, according to Overland Park fire officials.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
What issue do Iowa voters most often say is critical? You might be surprised
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Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the live oak. The Double L Vineyard stretched up the gentle slope to the foot of the Santa Lucia Range and ran down to the edge of River Road. We looked across the patchwork fields of broccoli, strawberries, and lettuce in the famous Salinas Valley, Americas Salad Bowl, as a breeze from the northwest tugged at our picnic napkins.

Jason, our guide from the Morgan Winery, explained the importance of the site for making their award winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Double L vineyard, planted by Dan Morgan Lee in 1996, (named for the double luck of twin daughters) was a gamble on the benchland of the Santa Lucia Highlands. At that time, their 60 acres was one of the pioneering vineyards in the newly recognized wine region. It was a good bet.

From his bulky satchel, Jason pulled out eight bottles of the Morgan lineup, all available in Connecticut: A Sauvignon Blanc, three Chardonnays, two Pinot Noirs, and two Grenache/Syrah blends  an impressive array of high quality everyday wines plus some of the best special occasion examples from the Highlands.

Its the breeze from the nearby Monterey Bay that makes the site so special. You wouldnt think that this benchland overlooking the hot, dry Salinas Valley would be any good for wine. But as the afternoon sun warms the valley, the rising heat draws in ocean air across the Highlands, cooling the vines and extending the growing months. The long, cool season yields very ripe fruit with intense flavor and brisk acidity. The wines are just delicious.

Neither Chardonnay nor Pinot Noir like it too hot  cool climate wines, theyre called. They dont like it cold either  no hard frost in wine country.

Theyre often found side by side around the world  in Chablis/Burgundy, Coastal Sonoma, the Pacific Northwest, and Australia's Margaret River Valley, as well as the Santa Lucia Highlands. Ive always thought Id thrive within sight of a row of happy Chardonnay vines!

Dan Morgan Lee fine tunes his wines by using 25 different grape clones, each bringing their own proven personality. Cloning selects specific, desirable traits like color, flavor, or aroma and reproduces them with genetically consistent vine cuttings. Morgan even has clones from the legendary Burgundy vineyards of La Tache and Romanee Conti.

Morgans wines cover a range of styles. Metallico ($22) is the Chardonnay that got me hooked. It spends its life in stainless steel tanks  no barrel aging. The resulting wine is pure, ripe, chardonnay flavor with clean fruit, mouth filling body, and brisk acidity  perfect for sipping or at the table.

Highland Chardonnay ($28), 100% Santa Lucia Highlands grapes (63% Double L vineyard), moves toward a more bold California style. Barrel fermentation adds oak notes contrasting with some creamy character and Chardonnay fruit. Its all done with a deft hand.

Double L is the designation for Morgans top of the line wines. The limited production Double L Chardonnay ($42) showcases the best of the vineyard site in a big, balanced, California style. More new barrel and malolactic fermentation show up in a creamy, nutty, vanilla character balanced with tropical fruit and bright acidity  lush and opulent to pair with full-flavored food.

Pinot Noir, tricky to grow anywhere, thrives in the Santa Lucia Highlands. In Twelve Clones ($34), the fruit aroma jumps out of the glass and the wine finishes with a food-friendly acidity.

Double L Pinot Noir ($64) is made with 100% organic fruit. Careful sorting and whole berry fermentation yield a generous wine, soft and supple. With a little more structure and darker fruit flavors, it would be great at any special occasion.

Kevin Leary of Learys Liquor Cabinet in Darien loves the wines, carries as many as he can stock, and does a brisk case business with the Metalico. You might also find Morgan wines at Stewarts Spirits in New Canaan or Total Wine in Norwalk.

In addition to being organically farmed, the Double L vineyard is certified for Sustainability in Practice (SIP) by a committee of grape-growing peers. Owl nesting boxes to control pests in the vineyards are just one example of SIP at work.

Morgan was among the first to plant in the Santa Lucia Highlands along with Mer Soleil, Talbott, and River Road. Vineyards have since been planted more than 20 miles south along the bench to include well-known vineyard names like Garys, Rosellas, Hahn, Manzoni, and Pisoni.

There are no visitor facilities at the Morgan vineyard, although plans are afoot for a new winery and tasting room on site. In the meantime, you can visit the Morgan tasting room in the Carmel Valley on the other side of the Coast Range in the Crossroad Shopping Center in Carmel, Calif.

Theyve had a break in the drought in California. Right now the rolling, folded hills are lush with grass and wildflowers. Along the vineyard the clover was almost knee high in the wet, muddy ground. Bud break was just starting at the top of the vineyard where the lush tree-dotted hills get too steep to cultivate. Down hill in the table-flat valley some fields were greening up with new crops while others were a freshly-plowed dark, rich, earthen brown.

As we finished our shady tasting the breeze was picking up and cooling down  first-hand evidence of how the ocean air influences the vineyard and produces these remarkable wines.

Frank Whitmans Not Bread Alone column runs every Thursday in The Hour. Frank can be reached at notbreadalonefw@gmail.com.
In February, Entrepreneur and Culture IQ released their second annual list of the Top Company Cultures in America, featuring 153 companies with high-performance cultures. For the second year in a row, a company with a completely remote workforce is included on the list -- FlexJobs.

As the founder and CEO of FlexJobs, I can tell you that, while this an honor in and of itself, this distinction is particularly appreciated because many people think that a remote company cant even have a company culture, let alone a great one.

Building a strong, healthy company culture isnt easy in any company. It takes a conscientious effort and continuous dedication to build an organization that actively supports workers to do their best work and be their best selves, both inside and outside the office. All of the companies on this list believe these efforts are worthwhile and that a thriving company culture can fuel the fire for a growing business and better bottom line.

Related: Distance Is No Barrier to a Strong Company Culture

For us, being a remote company is a core part of who we are. The inclusion of FlexJobs on the Top Company Cultures list highlights that its possible to have a remote company with a fantastic company culture. Furthermore, it shows that remote work can enhance and benefit company cultures.

Entrepreneur and Culture IQ focused on 10 core qualities of culture to find the top company cultures in America:

Collaboration Innovation Agility Communication Support Wellness Mission and value alignment Work environment Responsibility Performance focus

Remote work is well-suited to support each of these qualities in unique ways. With each of them in mind, heres how weve built one of the best company cultures in America, remotely.

Agility, performance focus and mission and value alignment.

We are very much a mission-driven organization. In our case, FlexJobs mission is to help professionals find jobs that fit their lives -- jobs that offer flexible work options like flexible scheduling and remote work. So the fact that our workers are all remote means that our very way of working aligns with our mission and values.

But, we reinforce our mission and values in other ways. Remote work strips away facetime and office politics, so we can focus on results as a main performance measure. When and where people do their work isnt usually important -- how, why and what they do is.

And of course, we use remote work to find the best talent. Hiring someone based mainly on their skills and their fit with our company culture, rather than location, ensures that performance is a vital factor in recruitment and retention.

Related: 6 Characteristics of Successful Remote Employees

Work environment, support and wellness.

Flexible work environments allow companies to better support their workers, especially when it comes to wellness. A flexible work environment acknowledges that our workers are whole people, with big, and sometimes complicated, lives outside of the office. And it doesnt do the company or the individual any good to make them feel they need to shut that part of themselves off when they start work each day.

Take our buddy system, for example. People going on parental leave or dealing with a serious illness can be matched with a coworker who has experienced something similar. These connections help people cope with the full range of life experiences, inside and outside of work, and allow people whove gone through something challenging to share their knowledge and experience to help coworkers.

A big goal in our culture-related initiatives is to cultivate connectedness, which is a key feeling in a remote environment when we often work independently throughout the day.

Collaboration, communication and innovation.

One of the most pervasive myths about remote work is that it stifles collaboration and communication -- and, therefore, innovation -- and that workers simply cant collaborate well unless they are physically together in an office.

However, our team members say they feel more connected in this virtual space than they did in jobs where they were co-located. The only difference in how in-office professionals communicate versus remote professionals is the lack of in-person meetings. And most remote workers find theyre able to communicate well without those, substituting office facetime with video conferencing, video calls and occasional in-person meet-ups.

Related: Collaboration Tools of the Most Productive Remote Teams

Proactive communication is how we approach working together: encouraging everyone to speak up, ask questions and clarify ideas when they arent sure about something. Also, each team sets 30-60-90 day goals, big ideas are encouraged, and processes are always being refined to foster innovation and remove roadblocks.

Responsibility.

I saved this key cornerstone of our company culture for last because its so important. A remote work environment is built on trust. Specifically, trusting everyone to act as responsible professionals who are capable of doing their work well in an independent work environment.

Ive worked with some of the folks at FlexJobs for years without having met them in person. And people accept jobs with our company without setting foot in a traditional office or meeting face-to-face. Therefore, as a company, every level of our operation starts with a baseline of trust.

And thats the key aspect of a remote companys culture. We dont have bricks and mortar. We dont have offices or cubicles or water coolers or conference rooms. Instead, our company culture is the brick and mortar; its our infrastructure. As a remote company, our culture is the space in which we exist.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
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Tourists aboard the famed London Eye were stuck as a scene of chaos unfolded below them Wednesday.

An attack in London unfolded within sight of some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that have views over the capital. It stopped rotating and footage showed the pods full as viewers watched police and medical crews on the bridge, which has at its north end Big Ben and Parliament, two iconic symbols.

Here's the full story on Wednesday's attack from the AP:

LONDON  A vehicle mowed down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge, killing at least one woman and leaving others with injuries described as catastrophic. Around the same time Wednesday, a knife-wielding attacker stabbed a police officer and was shot on the grounds outside Britain's Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown. Authorities said they were treating the attacks as a terrorist incident.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe. Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France. There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not clear if there was more than one attacker. London Police Commander B.J. Harrington said a full counter-terrorism investigation was underway.

"The whole length of the bridge there were people on the ground," Richard Tice, a witness, told Sky News. The London Ambulance Service said it had treated at least 10 people on the bridge.

Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas' Hospital said a female pedestrian died and around a dozen people were hurt.

"There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries," she said.

Rick Longley told the Press Association that he heard a bang and saw a car plow into pedestrians and come to a crashing stop. Images from the scene showed pedestrians sprawled on the ground, with blood streaming from a woman surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," he said. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

At Parliament, a body was seen lying in the yard. It wasn't clear if it was the attacker.

Dennis Burns, who was just entering Parliament for a meeting, told the Press Association he heard a radio message saying an officer had been stabbed. Police and security rushed outside as he was going in.

"When I got inside I was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of panicked people running down the street," he said. "The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people. It looked like they were running for their lives."

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said he saw a man in black attack a police officer outside Parliament before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets," Letts told the BBC. "And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman."

Lett said the other officer ran to get help and the man in black ran toward the entrance.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," he said.

As lawmakers were voting inside Parliament, they reported hearing the sound of gunshots.

Journalists there said they were told to stay in their offices. Press Association news agency reported that two people were seen lying within the grounds of Parliament.

Prime Minister Theresa May was at Parliament when the incident began, but her office says she is safe.

British security has thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but the UK has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker stabbed three people at a train station in east London in response to the Royal Air Force's bombing of the Islamic State group in Syria.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British Army soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.

The worst peace time attack on Britain this century was on July 7, 2005, when four Al-Qaida-inspired bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other emigrated from Jamaica.

___

Paisley Dodds and Rob Harris in London and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed.
NORWALK  For the next installment of the Norwalk Public Librarys program, AuthorSpeak, Clarinda (Rindy) Higgins and Bill Armstrong will lead a discussion of their book, Against the Current: How Albert Schweitzer Inspired a Young Man's Journey on Friday, March 24.

Higgins, of Westport, visited Gabon, the West African country, in 2014, to learn details of how her first cousin Mark Higgins lost his life five decades ago at age 20. She embarked on a solo 2,000 mile trek across the newly independent and rebellious Belgian Congo.
Six immigrants from six different countries shared their stories about the various challenges they faced in either becoming a U.S. citizen or in the process of becoming a citizen Tuesday night at a panel discussion at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island.

The meeting, Struggles to Become a Citizen, was facilitated by Bishop William Dendinger.

Tuesdays panel discussion was part of a series Bishop Dendinger has facilitated in educating people about the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

We have discussed the processes, the laws, the political aspects, the humanitarian aspect, the religious aspect, but we havent talked to individuals, Dendinger said. We wanted people to hear what their internal struggles were, what their difficulties were, what their feelings and emotions were in order to become documented. We want to get the feel of what they are experiencing, not just what the politicians are thinking or their religious background or church policies.

Dendinger said what he hopes people get from the panel discussion was to be able to walk in their shoes.

The panelists were from Nigeria, South Sudan, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar and Guatemala.

They came to this country for six different reasons, and from six different countries, Dendinger said.

He said the Grand Island community is a sprinkling of many different nations. Dendinger said America is a diverse country in and of itself, with people coming from different regions of the nation. The same is true for the many immigrants who have come to America, as they cannot be stereotyped or lumped into a certain category. Immigrants represent the diversity of the people of the world who see the U.S. as a place to be free from war, poverty, and tyranny.

We want people to understand what they go through internally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually and why they come here, Dendinger said.

One of the panelists, Dhang Pi, is from Myanmar. He works at Super Saver as a sushi chef. He is working on becoming a U.S. citizen.

Pis story was similar to many of the other panelists who left their country to escape persecution.

Many of the panelists said one barriers to becoming a citizen is learning to speak English. While Pi can speak and understand English, it still is difficult to communicate clearly.

As the world knows, our peoples suffered persecution for many decades because of our race, religions, social status and political standings, Pi said. These bad circumstances forced many of us to flee our country and that brought me to refugee camps in Malaysia.

During the eight years he spent in refugee camps, he faced many life-threatening difficulties.

Pi said, unable to go back to his country, he now lives safely in the USA.

I had to go through many stages and had to pass background checks by the U.S. government, he said.

But in the end, Pi said, Thank God and all the U.S. citizens for giving me a safe place to live here.

He said there are still many challenges and things to learn about America, but Im very happy you Americans welcome me with open arms. Thanks a lot and God bless America.

That wecloming sentiment was shared by all the panelist, such as Anh Nguyen, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam.

Nguyen said she faced many struggles in her path to citizenship, such as having to hold three jobs to support her family, difficulties in speaking English and finding the time to study to pass the various tests to become a citizen.

But through the struggle of all the paperwork that needed to be filled out to become a citizen, she worked long and hard hours, taught herself to speak and write English and now, after 18 years in America, Nguyen is not only a citizen, but she owns her own home and other properties, along with her own business.

Sebastian Jacinto, who has been in the U.S. for 25 years after escaping persecution in his home country of Guatemala, has achieved his ultimate dream. Jacinto became a U.S. citizen last year. He has worked hard at JBS in Grand Island for the last 15 years to support his wife and four children. Jacinto said the hard work and difficulties of becoming a citizen was worth it to escape the persecution of his home country. He now lives free and safe, and provides a good living for his family.

For Moses Aken of the South Sudan, he started his presentation by saying, With Gods will, everything is possible.

Aken was exiled from his home village in the South Sudan at age eight and was fortunate to escape persecution, poverty and the wars and famine that raged in his home country.

For many of the young boys who were known as the Lost Boys, Aken said their childhood trauma left deep psychological scars that made their assimilation to the U.S. difficult and not without its own set of unique set of challenges.

But, in end, like the other panelists, such as Hyacinth Okoli of Nigeria, who came to America to become a chemical engineer and start a new life, and Maria Lopez, who came to America 25 years ago from her native Mexico and struggled for years to master the language and become a citizen and now has a successful career at Central Community College in Grand Island, Aken said he is thankful to be granted the privilege and honor to become an American.

The stories shared by the panelists was best summed up in a prayer said prior to the meeting, which said, We pray that all those who immigrate to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families, now and into the future, may find this country a place where they may live in peace, safety and dignity.
March 27 through 31 is Nebraska Severe Weather Week, a reminder of the possibility of severe weather during the spring and summer. However, severe weather, such as tornadoes, can strike any time of the year, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings.

On Christmas Day 2016, a strong storm system moved through northern Kansas and southern Nebraska. One of the tornadoes produced by the storm hit ground at 12:24 p.m. about 4 miles northwest of Gibbon. It damaged power poles and irrigation pivots, as well as destroying a small outbuilding in the Blue Sky Subdivision along its 4.2-mile track. That tornado was rated an EF0.

But now that spring has arrived, severe weather becomes more common as temperatures become warmer. Hazards such as lightning, severe wind, tornadoes, flooding and large hail can cause significant property damage, injury or even death.

The Grand Island/Hall County Emergency Management Department, in association with the National Weather Service, encourages every home and business owner to understand the risks of severe weather.

The highlight of Severe Weather Awareness Week, a test tornado warning, will be issued between 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29. The National Weather Service urges schools, businesses and the general public to participate by invoking a severe weather safety plan.

In addition, the Emergency Management Department encourages the public to let the department know where a siren is heard by using the social media tools of Twitter @GIHallEMA or Facebook at www.facebook.com/gihallema911.

Grand Islands history is forever marred by the seven tornadoes that touched down on June 3, 1980, killing five people and injuring 200.

The National Weather Service in Hastings reported 45 tornadoes in 2016 but, fortunately, no deaths or injuries. The number of tornadoes was eight fewer than the 30-year average of 53.

The first tornado of the year was on April 24 in Nuckolls County, and the last were on Christmas Day in Phelps, Kearney and Buffalo counties.

According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, a tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground that can produce winds in excess of 200 mph and is capable of "destroying anything in its path and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles."

While tornadoes can occur around the world, they are more frequent in the United States. In an average year, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 to 75 fatalities and 1,500 injuries across the nation.

Because a tornado can occur anytime during the day or night, social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, has become an important tool for people to access information, according to the Grand Island/Hall County Emergency Management Department. Throughout Severe Weather Awareness Week, the department will use Twitter @GIHallEMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/gihallema911 to provide tips and videos and direct people to resources that can help.

Severe weather presents some of the most dangerous hazards, Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund said.

"Working with our friends with the National Weather Service, we hope that residents take this week to review their emergency plans and be ready when severe weather comes calling," he said.

Rosenlund recommends the public learn more about weather advisories, watches and warnings provided by the National Weather Service.

"There are many ways to receive emergency weather information, including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alert radio, local radio, television and newer sources like text and email messages," he said.

For more information about severe weather in Nebraska or an online Severe Weather Awareness Week packet, go to http://www.weather.gov/media/gid/awareness/swaw/SWAW2016.pdf.

The National Weather Service in Hastings offers these tips for dealing with severe weather.

 Have a NOAA weather radio and battery backup to receive warnings.

 Have a plan of action before severe weather threatens.

 Know how your community sends warnings. Some have outdoor sirens, while others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents.

 Pick a tornado safe room in your home such as a basement, cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

 Conduct a tornado drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching.

 Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place.
Election Day 2022: The stakes are high with all eyes on Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania voters on Election Day will make decisions that could reshape the future of both the commonwealth and nation.
Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton awarded a proclamation to the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority at SIUE for its 100th anniversary at Tuesday nights City Council meeting. Following the sororitys 100-year anniversary, the organization will be hosting a sisterhood event on the weekend of March 24  26, consisting of a reaffirmation ritual, a formal dinner and a brunch.

As stated in a memo sent to Patton, the organizations motto is, Esse Quam Videri, which is Latin for To be rather than seem to be, whichdrives (the sororitys) promise to always make a positive impact on (its) community.
Kris Klenke and her daughter Chelsey recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators during rare disease week. They met with legislators and other rare disease advocates.

The Klenkes were there with the National MPS Society. Kris Klenkes son Kraig passed away from the disease in 2010 when he was 18.

MPS stands for Mucopolysaccharidosis. Kris Klenke explained the disease by breaking down the word. Muco is mucous, which is thick and jelly-like, poly means lots of it, and saccharidosis is complex sugars, she said. Patients are missing an enzyme so they cant break complex sugars down.

There are several types of MPS, Klenke said. Her son had Type 2, which is also known as Hunters Syndrome. He had to wait for an approved treatment, she said. The treatment was approved in 2006, and he started treatment. He was 14 years old. He got a synthetic enzyme, she said.

Kraig was diagnosed when he was 3 years old, Klenke said. Because these diseases are so rare, doctors just dont see it, she said. A lot of little things got brushed off as normal childhood stuff, but by the time he was 2, he became apparent that there were delays.

The type of MPS that Kraig had primarily affects boys, Klenke said. MPSs are genetic diseases, Klenke said.

Type 2 is auto-recessive. Both parents have to be carriers. If they are, there is a one in four chance that their children will have it. It had never been in our family. It was a spontaneous mutation in Kraig.

When the treatment became available, Kraig started going to Childrens Hospital once a week for the treatment. He had some issues and complications and he was never able to get the infusion at home, Klenke said. It was a lot for him. We got there at 8 a.m., and it could be 8 p.m. when we left. If everything went well, we were there until usually about 4:30. But it helped. It gave him a better quality of life.

Klenke has been active with the National MPS Society for several years. I served on the Board of Directors for about 17 years now, she said. We serve individuals diagnosed with the disease and their families. All types of MPS are considered rare diseases. For example, only 1 in 150,000 people have Hunters Syndrome.

During rare disease week, many groups like the MPS Society go to Washington, D.C., to talk with legislators. They also attend training on advocating for patients and their families. The Board of Directors of the National MPS Society also meets during the week. We hold three meetings a year, and usually the first is in Washington during rare disease week, Klenke said.

This year, Chelsey Klenke accompanied her mother and met with lawmakers. Chelsey graduated from EHS in 2011, and went on to graduate from Missouri Baptist University in 2015 with a degree in psychology and human services. Her education and career have been influenced by growing up with her brother, Klenke said, adding the Chelsey volunteers with the MPS Society.

Her passion is working with siblings. Thats ultimately what she wants to do, Klenke said. Chelsey works full-time and wants to continue her education. She took a few days off to go to Washington, Klenke said.

This year, the MPS Society talks to lawmakers about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and any plans to replace it, Klenke said. There are things in there that we think are very important and we want them to stay in place, she said.

The treatment for many rare diseases is very expensive, Klenke said. For example, Kraigs medicine was dosed based on weight. He got four vials per weekly treatment, and each vial cost $7,000. It is one of the top 10 most expensive drugs in the Unites States. At least half of the top 10 are enzyme replacement drugs.

Because of this, the Society would like to keep the unlimited lifetime maximum benefit. They would also like to keep a provision allowing pre-existing diagnoses to stay in place and one that allows children up to age 26 to stay on their parents insurance.

One thing that is really important to us is the Open Act, Klenke said. It is legislation that allows for current FDA approved drugs to be repurposed for rare disease. During their time in Washington, they met with a doctor who is working with a drug currently used to treat leukemia. He thinks that the drug will work with MPS Type 3.

The Open Act gives pharmaceutical companies incentive to research drugs for repurposing, Klenke said. A repurposing trial is less expensive and has a shorter trial time. Less than 5 percent of all rare diseases have a treatment. We need to do something, and the Open Act would move things along at a faster pace.

Klenke said that her group goes to about 10 meetings while they are in Washington. They usually meet with legislative aids. When they got to Congressman Rodney Davis office, they met with one of his aids. They were then told that Davis was on his way if they could wait a few minutes. When he arrived, Davis met with them and then took them on a short tour of the capital, including a trip to the Speakers Balcony for a picture.

Klenke said the trip was important to her, and even more memorable this year, with Chelsey working by her side. This is something we feel we need in memory of Kraig.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017

Opposition to government policies is normal in a democracy like Indonesia, where setting public policy even at the lowest, subdistrict level involves consulting with people as the most affected party. Consultation definitely has its limits, but wisdom does not, in particular if a policy could harm not only the people but also nature, as in the case of the controversial plan to build a cement factory in the Central Java regency of Rembang.

It is not because of the death of Patmi, a 48-year-old woman who joined fellow Kendeng farmers in a protest outside the State Palace, that the government should put the cement factory project on hold until the cause of the farmers is fully addressed.

The problem with the cement factory is that it is legally flawed  after the Supreme Court ruled last October in favor of the farmers and ordered state-owned cement producer PT Semen Indonesia to cease its activities.
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Linkedin Umar Juoro (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017

The economy grew merely 5.02 percent in 2016 and growth is expected to be a little bit higher in 2017.

Although 2016 growth was higher than the 4.88 percent in 2015, the expectation that government-led infrastructure development would lead to higher growth has not materialized. Government spending was even down by 0.15 percent and growth in the construction sector was not as high as expected.

Almost all of the infrastructure projects currently under way are being carried out by state-owned companies, even those at the level of sub-contractors. The participation of the private sector is minimal. As a result, infrastructure development has not had the expected multiplier effect.

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Linkedin Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017

When my older sister who lives in Germany came to Indonesia recently, we gave her the royal treatment. Well, shes family after all and had not visited in 12 years.

So if a family member hadnt visited in 47 years, the royal treatment would be quadrupled, right? Well, thats how long it had been since a Saudi monarch had come to Indonesia. The last time was the visit of King Faisal in 1970, so when King Salman of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia came in February the reception was pretty over the top.

Family member? Yes, being Muslims, we are all members of the ummah (community of Muslims), which for some is even more meaningful than being connected by blood. Our qibla (direction Muslims face when praying) is toward Mecca, but more than that, lately Saudia Arabia is our qibla for many things we consider to be part of our Muslim identity.

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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 18:26 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5ec8c7 1 Art & Culture creators-super-fest,Anime-Festival-Asia,art Free

Local indie artists are being encouraged to unite at Creators Super Fest, an event that aims to exhibit works from independent artists and connect them with the market. Taking place at the Grand Ballroom of Pullman Hotel Central Park, West Jakarta, Creators Super Fest will run from April 29 to 30.

The event features various activities including workshops, competitions, merchandise-selling and concerts. Creators will have the opportunity to meet professional Japanese artist John Hathway and Thai artist Okita Kung.

Meanwhile, those who are just starting out in the cosplay world are invited to join workshops with celebrity cosplayers from China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Famous cosplayers Hana and Baozi, Ying Tze, MG and those from Re:ON will attend the event as well as making appearances at meet-and-greet sessions.

Furthermore, creators can participate in the Art Duel where they will have the chance to demonstrate their skills on both days of the event. Solo cosplayers can take part in the Cosplay Competition on April 30 and impress the judges with their costumes.

Hong Kong cosplayer MG will attend the Creators Super Fest in Jakarta on April 29 to 30.(Creators Super Fest/File)

Read also: Contemporary performance artists fill in the landscape

Daily tickets are available for sale on the official website with prices starting at Rp 55,000 ($4) per day.

Every year we are astounded by the overwhelming response the local community has given us. We feel that a dedicated event for creators would be able to continue encouraging such positive creativity, said the managing director of event organizer SOZO, Shawn Chin, in a press release. We hope that local creators can continue to grow and strengthen their craft.

Creators Super Fest originated from the Creators Hub that promotes local artists and encourages them to create their own works of art. The Creators Hub is also one of the most popular sections at the Japanese pop culture event Anime Festival Asia (AFA), which is also organized by SOZO. (asw)
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Palembang  Wed, March 22, 2017 19:58 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f3e2a 1 National sumatra,mining,Palembang,coal,BKPM,mineral-resources Free

Hundreds of mineral and coal mining companies from across Sumatra gathered in the South Sumatra capital of Palembang on Wednesday to attend the fourth annual Sumatra Miner conference.

During the two-day event, which was also attended by representatives of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), participants will discuss issues related to the Indonesian mining industry, especially the availability of mining commodities such as gold, silver, lead and coal.

The conference this year promotes the theme Game Changer in Sumatra Mining, Tim Duffy, the president director of PT Agincourt Resources, one of the speakers at the event, told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the conference on Wednesday.

Heavy equipment is seen at a marble quarry in Bukit Besole, Tulungagung, East Java, on March 7. Rampant mining activities in the area have been blamed for damage to a 28,000-hectare forested area in Tulungagung.(Antara/Destyan Sujarwoko)

Duffy presented the success story of the Martabe gold mine operated by his company.

We successfully maintain social approval to operate [the mine] and fully comply with the high operational standards in terms of safety, community development, environmental protection and compliance with the law, he said.

(Read also: Semen Indonesia postpones Rembang factory opening due to protests)

The mineral and coal development program director at the ministry, Sri Raharjo, emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability in mining operations.

Millions of hectares of forested areas are problematic due to overlapping concessions, he told the Post. The mining potential in Sumatra is huge, making the chance of forest destruction high too. (bbs)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22 2017

For more than four months, the panel of judges at the blasphemy trial of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama has heard from expert witnesses testifying against Ahok.

Experts on religion have included Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shibab and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Maruf Amin.

They believe that Ahok, who is a Christian of Chinese descent, insulted Islam by saying Surah Al Maidah 51 was a lie, which became the foundation for the legal case against the governor.

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Linkedin Indra Budiari and Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 09:05 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5d6906 4 City Anies-Baswedan-Sandiaga-Uno,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,#2017JakartaElection,2017JakartaElection,campaign Free

Two weeks after the campaign period started, Jakarta gubernatorial challenger Anies Baswedan and incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama seem to have changed their campaign styles ahead of election day on April 19.

Having garnered 39.95 percent from the total votes in the first round, Anies is aware that his popularity in the capital was unquestionable and he should use the second campaign period to move forward from introducing himself, a former education and culture minister, to the public.

M. Taufik, deputy head of the Anies campaign team, said on Monday that for the last few weeks on the campaign trail Anies and his running mate Sandiaga Uno have focused on raising public awareness about their programs.

We are trying to reach more people to let them know that Anies and Sandiaga have a lot of good programs for Jakarta. That has been our focus in the second round, he told The Jakarta Post.

Taufik said they also adopted some of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyonos programs to woo his 900,000 former supporters following his exclusion from the race.

(Read also: Defeated SBY's son tells supporters to freely vote for Ahok or Anies)

Recently Anies and Sandiaga have adopted Agus proposal for a cash assistance program at the community unit (RW) level. They have promised that each RW would receive money based on programs it carries out to develop local communities.

Anies, who was once known as a moderate Muslim figure, has also increased his efforts to attract Muslims voters. Having kicked off their second-round campaign by visiting the headquarters of a prominent Muslim group called Syarikat Islam, Anies and Sandiaga have since made visits to Islamic boarding schools and attended mass prayers and Quran recitals in other places.

Based on recent poll numbers, Anies has been dubbed the favorite in the election with pollsters considering that most of Agus former supporters would likely switch to Anies bandwagon.

Islam Defenders Front (FPI) founder, Rizieq Shihab, for instance, has switched his support from Agus to Anies.

(Read also: Muslim voters willing to vote for Ahok-Djarot: Surveys)

Meanwhile, Ahok seems to be pivoting away from a high profile campaign as he is choosing to do several activities that are closed to the media and rely on social media to promote his programs he will implement should he be elected.

Unlike the campaign for the first round of the election, in which his campaign team always told the press about his agenda, Ahoks runoff campaign schedule is often unpublished.

On March 9, for instance, unbeknownst to reporters the embattled governor paid a visit to a sick resident in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, an activity that was broadcast live on his Facebook account. Later on, he visited another sick resident in Pademangan, North Jakarta.

The sharp-tongued governor said earlier that he was more comfortable not surrounded by reporters while campaigning as they would make it hard for him to greet residents if it was too crowded.

Meanwhile, since the campaign period began, Djarot has filled Ahoks shoes to appear in front of the media by conducting more spot-checks than Ahok.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Eva Sundari said that the silent campaign was part of the teams strategy to save the incumbent from the public resistance related to Ahoks blasphemy charges.

This [Ahoks] campaign would be more concrete, no longer about personal marketing like Im good, please vote for me. Therefore, Ahoks campaign would be more silent compared to Djarots, Eva said.

Although he seemed relaxed on his campaign activities, Ahok has undertaken guerilla tactics on social media to attract young voters.

Last week, Ahok launched a talk show program called the Ahok Show, which could be watched live through his YouTube channel, or on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Ahok campaign team spokesman Iwet Ramadhan said the program, in which Ahok would appear as a host with presenter Sarah Sechan as his co-host, would raise popular topics, such as free Wi-Fi, open green space and affordable apartments.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 19:51 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f32d0 1 National semen-indonesia,Semen-Rembang,#SemenIndonesia,Rembang-factory,Kendeng-farmers,protester Free

Following Tuesdays death of a farmer demonstrator, about 100 NGO activists joined the Central Java farmers protest across from the State Palace on Wednesday, protesting a cement factory that they deem as endangering the villagers livelihood.

The activists replaced hundreds of farmers who had held a daily rally since March 13. The farmers went back to their home villages to bury their community member, Patmi, who died of heart attack early Tuesday.

Representing various civic organizations, such as Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA), Legal Aid Institute (LBH), Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) and Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), eight of the activists buried their feet in concrete blocks the way the protesting farmers had done to dramatize their demand.

Now we all are Kendeng, said Dewi Kartika, the KPAs secretary general, in reference to the mountainous area in Rembang regency where the factory is being built. We swear we wont stop until our demand is met.

(Read also: Kendeng protester's death triggers calls for activists, NGOs to step up resistance)

The protesters took turns addressing the crowd, announcing their demands and praising the late Patmis courage.

Patmi was right here Monday and buried her feet in concrete blocks, just like what were doing now. She fought with us because she had faith that the Kendeng people would eventually retain their land. We should share her faith, Adi Wibowo of KPA said.

The activists said they were unhappy with the governments stand on the issue. Presidential Chief of Staff office head Teten Masduki told the protesters on Monday the government was reviewing the disputed project, but he was short of saying the government would cancel it as they have demanded. (hol)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has banned state-owned lender Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) from opening new bank accounts at its cash offices in the wake of an investigation into a time deposit slip forgery case that allegedly involves its employees.

The prohibition is implemented on all types of accounts.

The authority is also banning BTN offices from seeking third-party funds from marketing efforts and opening new branches, OJK deputy commissioner for banking supervision Irwan Lubis said on Tuesday, as quoted by Kontan.co.id.

"These measures will last until the bank's internal control gets better and its operational risks decrease," he said, expressing hope that the lender could improve its good corporate governance.

(Read also: Jokowi calls on Cabinet to protect Indonesian consumers)

BTN corporate secretary Eko Waluyo ensured his firm would comply with the prevailing regulations.

"BTN will not protect anyone involved in the fraud case," he said.

Four institutions and an individual customer reportedly fell victim in the fraud case, which carries Rp 258 billion (US$19.3 million) in potential losses.

Police have arrested the head of the BTN Cikeas cash office in West Java, Bambang Suparno, on account of his alleged involvement in the case. (prm/hwa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 16:15 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5e76b0 1 City urban-farming,Ciliwung-river,riverbank Free

Jakartans living near riverbanks can meet their vegetable requirements from urban farming as has been shown by residents of the Ciliwung riverbank in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

A 250-meter plot of land on the Ciliwung riverbank has been turned into an urban farm and has been planted with vegetables, herbs and chili, said Sehati farming group leader Yanny Maya on Tuesday.

We have 46 kinds of trees here, said Yanny as quoted by beritajakarta.com, adding that local residents had used the crops for their own consumption.

Central Jakarta Food Security, Agriculture and Maritime Agency head Bayu Sari Hastuti said that the Menteng urban farm was one of the success stories in the city.

The municipal agency has been helping the residents by giving them training and other development programs, she said.

According to earlier reports, an urban farm has also been developed on Jl. Pramuka, Central Jakarta. (kkk)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22 2017

The North Sumatra administration is exploring the possibility of teaming up with its counterpart, the provincial government of South Koreas Jeju Island, to further develop tourism and renewable energy sectors.

North Sumatra Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi said Tuesday that his administration planned to adopt an eco-friendly approach on Samosir Island in Toba Lake and Nias Island while promoting tourism.

Both islands are considered as having similarities with Jeju Island.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 10:53 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5db685 1 Business budget,infrastructure,funding-gap,private-sector,state-budget Free

As the government has a limited budget to fund infrastructure development, it continues to work on necessary regulations to lure investment from the private sector.

In its report titled Meeting Asias Infrastructure Needs, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) points out that Indonesia requires US$1.15 trillion worth of investment between 2016 and 2030 to expand its gross domestic product (GDP) by 4.5 percent.

There is a gap amounting to $47 billion to meet the investment demand of $70 billion each year, the report says.

It is impossible to close the gap by depending only on government funds, said National Development Planning Ministry assistant for infrastructure Wismana Adi Suryabrata.

That is why were improving regulations pertaining to investment and enhancing the execution of projects to encourage the private sector to invest in infrastructure, he added.

(Read also: Private sector urged to invest in infrastructure)

Among the governments attempts to attract greater participation from private entities is through the revision of two regulations on public-private partnerships (PPP) and non-state budget infrastructure funding, locally known as PINA.

The government has pledged to build a variety of facilities worth Rp 4.7 quadrillion ($352.9 billion) until 2019, of which 40 percent is to be funded by the state budget. The majority of the rest will rely on investment from state-owned enterprises and private firms. (byn/lnd)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22 2017

The tobacco bill is not dead yet, despite the governments earlier claim that it would kill the bill.

In a last minute decision that caught antitobacco activists by surprise, the Joko Jokowi Widodo administration decided to give the bill a lease on life by sending a presidential letter (Surpres), to the House of Representative, saying it would agree to discuss the Houses initiative.

The letter was sent on March 18, the deadline for the government to respond to the House, just three days after Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung announced that a Cabinet meeting held on March 14 had concluded that the bill, which seeks to triple production to 524 billion cigarettes by 2020, was unnecessary.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22 2017

The Jakarta Police have learned the identities of people allegedly responsible for putting up banners spreading hate speech aimed at incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama across Jakarta.

We have obtained several names, which I dont need to reveal here, but we will investigate them, said Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Suntana on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

Recently, banners calling on Muslims to not perform last rites for deceased who voted for Ahok, who is a Christian of Chinese descent, have been popping up on mosques around Jakarta.

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Linkedin Haeril Halim and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017

The tobacco bill is not dead yet, despite the governments earlier claim that it would kill the bill.

In a last minute decision that caught antitobacco activists by surprise, the Joko Jokowi Widodo administration decided to give the bill a lease on life by sending a presidential letter (Surpres), to the House of Representative, saying it would agree to discuss the Houses initiative.

The letter was sent on March 18, the deadline for the government to respond to the House, just three days after Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung announced that a Cabinet meeting held on March 14 had concluded that the bill, which seeks to triple production to 524 billion cigarettes by 2020, was unnecessary.

There is no Surpres [to be issued by the President], Pramono said at the time.

It is unclear what changed the governments stance at the eleventh hour, but the controversial decision came about amid threats from the Houses Legistation Body (Baleg) that it would reject government-proposed bills in retaliation for the governments refusal to agree to a deliberation on the tobacco bill.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly, who earlier claimed that the government would not discuss the bill with the House, said on Tuesday the government had no choice but to send the letter because the House had declined to withdraw its request before the deadline.

Yasonna repeated President Jokowis statement that the government was aware there were a number of stipulations in the bill that would harm public health, but at the same time, the government wanted to improve the welfare of tobacco farmers.

The government, he said, would find a solution that would work for both the government and the House during the discussion process at the House. If no agreement was reached between the two sides during the bills deliberation, the government could still ask the House to drop the bill, he added.

In the letter, President Jokowi assigned Trade Minister Enggartiasto Enggar Lukita, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to discuss the bill with the House.

Enggar, who reportedly supports the bill, dismissed allegations that the government had changed its position due to threats from Baleg, adding that both the House and the government would find solutions on the bill during the discussion period.

What agreement will be achieved will depend on the progress of discussions in the future made by the government and the House, Enggar said, adding that the government was mandated by law to issue a surpres to answer the Houses proposal.

Meanwhile, Pramono declined to comment on the issuance of the Surpres, but emphasized that any agreement made during the discussion period had to be in line with the result of the March 14 Cabinet meeting, which concluded that a law on tobacco was not needed.

Principally, the government thinks the tobacco bill is not necessary because prevailing regulations and other related laws are more than enough. The government will not change its stance and this is the decision of the President. I was there when it was made, Pramono said.

(Read also: Jokowi opts to kill tobacco bill)

Health Minister Nila said she had yet to receive any brief from the President regarding her role in the discussions. Nila said her office would remain firm in its view that the bill ought to be rejected because it put at risk the health of the Indonesian people.

I emphasize that the ministry will stand on the side of health, Nila said.

Prijo Sidipratomo, chairman of the National Commission on Tobacco Control, said Jokowi had fallen for a trap set by the House because by agreeing to discuss the bill, there was now little way for the government to reject it during the discussion period.

If we consider the backgrounds of the ministers sent to the House to discuss the bill, only Minister Nila opposes the bill. Enggar and Airlangga are from NasDem and the Golkar Party and those parties initiated the bill. The Surpres decision has hurt the feelings of Indonesians who want the President to take the side of health, Prijo said.

Firman Subagyo, the chairman of Baleg, said the governments eventual decision to issue a presidential letter responding to the Houses proposal to discuss the bill was in line with his expectations.

We expect the government to share its concerns regarding our proposal. The final decision on the fate of the bill will be jointly determined later after we have heard the governments side of the argument.
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 22:34 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f59e1 1 National UNDP,inequality,gender-imbalance,gender-gap,human-development-index,HDI,#HumanDevelopmentIndex Free

Greater participation of women in Indonesian politics, in terms of their presence on legislative bodies, is key to the countrys efforts to close the gender inequality gap, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has said in its latest Human Development Index (HDI) report.

According to the 2016 report, which uses data from 2015, the participation of Indonesian women in legislative bodies remains low at 17.1 percent, slightly more than half of the 30 percent quota for women in legislative seats. In the Philippines, the percentage of women participating in the countrys parliament stands at 27.1 percent.

"We need to discuss more on how to take affirmative action in this matter [...] If we can overcome gender inequality, our HDI position will go higher," UNDP Indonesia Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adviser Ansye Sopacua said on Wednesday.

(Read also: Indonesia still struggles to close gender equality gap: UNDP)

The 2016 report shows that the HDI for Indonesian women stood at 0.660 while the index for men stood at 0.712. In terms of the gender development index (GDI), Indonesia stood at 0.926, lagging behind the Philippines at 1.001.

Ansye highlighted that the implementation of existing public policies advocating gender inequality should be improved to realize Indonesia's commitment to SDG 5 on gender equality and womens empowerment.

The government should also create more public policies that could improve womens chances to participate in business and empower marginal people, as well as social assistance to provide employment in order to build resilience in human development, she added. (ebf)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 21:09 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f4bec 1 National gender-imbalance,gender-inequality,gender-gap,GenderEquality,gender-equality,human-development-index,HDI,#HumanDevelopmentIndex Free

The latest Human Development Index (HDI) report released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) says Indonesia is still struggling to close its gender equality gap.

The 2016 report, which uses data from 2015, shows the HDI of Indonesia women is 0.660, lower than the index for Indonesian men, which is 0.712. In terms of the gender development index (GDI), Indonesia is at 0.926, coming behind the Philippines, which is at 1.001.

UNDP Indonesia country director Christophe Bahuet said multiple reasons had led to gender inequality in many countries. Basically, the inequality was linked to social norms, differences of education levels, lack of access to general services and to financial services and cultural factors.

I think the economic structure and political structure [in Indonesia] are still dominated by men. To change them has to do with changing the perception. If gender equity is achieved, the HDI of the whole nation will go up, Bahuen said after the report was released on Wednesday.

The UNDP data shows a wide gap between Indonesian women and men in terms of gross national income per capita, which is 6.668 and 13.391 respectively. Only 50.9 percent of women participate in the labor force, compared to 83.9 percent of men.

Still, Bahuet noted that Indonesia's progress in terms of policies to push for women's empowerment had been good, including those that facilitated better access for women to credit, which could encourage women to run businesses, generate income and empower themselves in society. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 11:13 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5dd888 1 City JKT48,manager,death Free

A manager of platoon-sized girl band JKT48 was found dead hanging in his bathroom at his home in River Park, Pondok Aren in South Tangerang.

"Yes, he is one of JKT48s managers. He was found hanging in his en-suite bathroom," said South Tangerang Police's criminal unit head Adj. Comr. Ahmad Alexander as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

The manager, a Japanese man known as IJ, 47, was first found dead by his housemaid on Tuesday afternoon.

The maid, as well as his family members, saw him at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and he was reportedly last seen entering his bedroom at 11 a.m.

At 5 p.m., his wife looked for him around the house but did not find him.

She then asked the maid to peek inside the room from a window outside the house.

"[The maid] saw him hanging inside the bathroom," said South Tangerang Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Mansuri separately.

His wife and the maid then asked for help from a security officer to break into the room and rushed the victim to the Premier Bintaro Hospital.

The police are investigating the case. (agn)

Topics : JKT48 manager death
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 17:13 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5e8c99 1 National Kendeng-farmers,semen-indonesia,Semen-Rembang,cement,cement-factory,#SemenIndonesia,Ganjar-Pranowo,Central-Java,Rembang-factory Free

The death of Patmi, 48, a Kendeng farmer who fought against the construction of a cement factory belonging to state cement maker Semen Indonesia in Rembang, Central Java, has pushed activists and NGOs to increase their resistance against the project.

They have vowed to continue their protest until President Joko Jokowi Widodo instructed Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo to revoke the governments environmental permit for Semen Indonesia.

Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) secretary general Dewi Kartika said on Tuesday activists would continue to demand Jokowi take strict action against Ganjar. The governor violated the Presidents instruction last August, which ordered Semen Indonesia to cease its activities until an environmental assessment (KLHS) for mining activities in Kendeng Mountain areas was completed.

(Read also: Farmer protester who buried feet in concrete block dies of heart attack)

The meeting between Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki and four representatives of Kendeng farmers on Monday produced no result. He said the issuance of the permit was the authority of the Central Java administration. The farmers were also disappointed they could not meet Jokowi although the President was at the palace.

[...] President Jokowis measures have contradicted his own policies. The President has promised to certify 9 million hectares of land for farmers, but he is unable to even respond to the demand of the Kendeng farmers, Dewi said.

Patmi, one of the Kendeng farmers staging an eight-day protest in front of the State Palace, died of a heart attack on Tuesday. "The death of Bu Patmi is the moment for all of us to step up the struggle to preserve the environment in Central Java, said Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) director Alghiffari Aqsa. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 15:31 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5e23e8 1 National KPK,graft,graft-suspect,Ramapanicker-Rajamohanan-Nair,Handang-Soekarno,Handang,#KPK Free

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have handed over the case dossier on tax auditor Handang Soekarno, a suspect in a bribery case implicating businessman Ramapanicker Rajamohanan Nair, to prosecutors, the commission spokesperson said.

Today, all files related to their investigation into Handang have been handed over to prosecutors, KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah told journalists on Tuesday.

Citing the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP), he further said the anti-graft bodys prosecutors had 14 days to compile the indictment against Handang before his case could go to trial.

Handang is at the center of the tax bribery case after KPK investigators reportedly caught him accepting a US$148,500 bribe at Nairs residence on Nov. 21 last year.

Nair reportedly paid Handang to waive unpaid taxes owed by Nairs company, PT Eka Prima Ekspor Indonesia, amounting to Rp 51 billion ($3.83 million) in 2014 and Rp 26 billion in 2015.

The KPK has also named Nair a suspect in the case. His fifth hearing was held on Monday, during which Handang testified as a witness. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 16:37 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5e7b5c 1 National KPK,Constitutional-Court,MK,graft,Patrialis-Akbar,#PatrialisAkbar,#KPK,corruption,corruption-case Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is probing six officials at the Finance Ministrys Directorate General of Customs and Excise in its investigation into an alleged bribery case that has implicated former Constitutional Court (MK) justice Patrialis Akbar and businessman Basuki Hariman, a commissioner has said.

The [KPK] investigators need information from customs and excise authorities to clarify crucial information related to the case. We are looking into the business interests of Basukis companies in beef import activities, KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah told journalists on Tuesday.

He said the KPK had questioned six witnesses from the customs and excise office as it stepped up its investigation into Basukis case.

As reported earlier, KPK investigators raided the customs and excise office in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, on March 6. Customs and Excise director Heru Pambudi said during the raid that KPK officers had requested documents relating to nine beef import companies they needed in their investigation into the case.

Apart from Patrialis and Basuki, the KPK has also named Ng Fenny, Basukis secretary, and Kamaluddin, an alleged broker between Patrialis and Basuki, suspects in the case.

Patrialis allegedly accepted bribes from Basuki as part of the latter's attempt to rig the judicial review process of Law No. 41/2014 on Cattle and Animal Health. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 23:59 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f5f7c 1 Business entrepreneurship,entrepreneurs,unemployment,workforce,jobs Free

Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga has set a target of a 4 percent national entrepreneurship rate by the end of this year.

The figure is an increase from 3.1 percent last year, which is itself a rise from 1.67 percent in 2015.

Puspayoga said Tuesday that he was upbeat about meeting the goal because efforts made in the past two years had led to a significant surge in the ratio of local entrepreneurs to the total population.

Furthermore, the latest figure exceeded the minimum ratio of 2 percent relative to the population that a country ideally achieved, he added.

We want it [the ratio] to be at least equal with Malaysia, which has a figure of 5 percent. The figure should not as high as in Japan or the United States, where it stands above 10 percent, Puspayoga said in a statement as quoted by kompas.com.

(Read also: Successful entrepreneurs must be tech-savvy: Jokowi)

The emergence of new entrepreneurs is considered essential to address unemployment, which rises as a workforce grows faster than job opportunities.

The achievement of the higher entrepreneurship rate target, Puspayoga said, would require solid cooperation from various stakeholders, namely the central and regional governments, state-owned enterprises, universities and students.

Students and universities are a potential target to nurture entrepreneurship. We visit universities to help raise the ratio, he said. (ecn/lnd)

Topics : entrepreneurship entrepreneurs unemployment workforce jobs
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 19:09 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5f0995 1 City online-ojek,ojek-service,angkot,brawl,clash Free

A clash between drivers of angkot (public minivans) and ride-hailing ojek (motorcycle taxi) app drivers broke out at Laladon public transportation terminal in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Wednesday evening.

The clash started when a large mob of ojek drivers marched towards the Bogor City Hall to stage a protest.

So these ojek drivers wanted to go to City Hall to meet the Bogor Mayor. As they passed the terminal, stones were thrown at them by angkot drivers, who might think that the ojek drivers wanted to attack them, Dramaga Police chief Adj. Comr. Budi Santoso said as quoted by TribunnewsBogor.com.

The attack triggered a brawl between thousands of ojek drivers and angkot drivers.

We wanted to meet the mayor because this afternoon we received news that one of us was attacked by minivan drivers. But we were intercepted and stones were thrown at us at the Laladon terminal, said Anwar, a 35-year-old ojek driver.

While the clash left no casualties, two minivans were damaged.

There was no casualties. Only two minivans were destroyed because of stones and blocks thrown at them, Budi said.
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 18:09 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5ec153 1 Business Freeport-Indonesia,#FreeportIndonesia,share,divestment,Papua Free

The Papua administration has requested a 10 percent share of divested shares of copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia if the company abides by a requirement to sell 51 percent of its shares to national entities.

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe met President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Wednesday to discuss the standoff between Freeport Indonesia and the government and how it would affect the province.

A similar request has also been made by Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng.

"This is our country and we must maintain our sovereignty. This is why 51 percent of its shares must be divested to us and we [in Papua] want 10 percent of them," Lukas said.

(Read also: Local administrations in Papua to get Freeport shares)

"The President completely agreed with our stance on Freeport. Papua and Jakarta are fighting for the same thing."

Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of US-based Freeport McMoRan, has refused to accept a government demand that it convert its contract of work (CoW) into a special mining license (IUPK). The company argues that an IUPK would effectively annul its CoW, signed in 1991.

Freeport says it does not want to give up the rights listed in its present CoW, including protection of its long-term investment. It has threatened to take the case to international arbitration if a mutual agreement is not met in the next few months.

Freeport is required to divest 51 percent of its shares to national entities and, as stipulated in a new regulation, develop smelters alone or with other companies. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 17:30 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5ea7a9 4 City Bekasi,bootleg-liquor,fake-liquor,raids Free

The Bekasi Police have uncovered on Monday an operation that produces bootleg liquor in South Bekasi, West Java.

The police raided the two houses that had allegedly been turned into places to produce and distribute bootleg liquor on Jl. Raya Pekayon in South Bekasi.

The police had been watching the houses for three weeks.

"In handling the case, we indeed faced a difficulty. When there were unknown buyers, they would not serve them. They only served regular buyers," Bekasi Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wijonarko said on Wednesday as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

During the raid, the police confiscated a total of 3,702 bottles of bootleg liquor, as well as equipment to produce and pack the alcohol.

They also arrested two suspects, identified only as BJG, 60, and HRM, 43.

Police claim the suspects told them that they had been running the business for three months.

Wijonarko said the police would further investigate the case to confirm their statements. (agn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 06:54 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5ce693 1 National child-molestation,Facebook Free

The Indonesian Child Protection Agency (LPAI) has demanded that the National Police reveal to the public the faces of suspected pedophiles involved in the now-closed Facebook group containing child pornography.

By showing the faces and the full identities of the suspects from the Facebook group, called the Official Candys Group, the police would help the public recognize the alleged perpetrators, Reza Indragiri of the LPAI said on Tuesday.

We will not accept it if the perpetrators are only charged with the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. We want the criminals to suffer the heaviest penalties possible and be charged with multiple charges, he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

(Read also: Pedophiles find haven on Facebook)

He said it was not against the law for pedophiles to have their faces displayed in public as pedophilia constituted an extraordinary crime like corruption and terrorism.

The Official Candys Group was an exclusive group on Facebook with around 7,000 members.

The group shared child pornographic material in the form of 100 pictures and 500 videos.

The members of the group were required to regularly upload links of child pornography with different victims. The police have so far arrested four administrators of the Facebook page. (hol)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 10:15 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5da789 1 City RPTRA-Jakarta,storytelling Free

Thirty-eight managers of child-friendly integrated public spaces (RPTRA) in East Jakarta attended a storytelling workshop on Tuesday in a bid to teach young students in an interesting way.

East Jakarta Library and Archives Agency head Fadlan Zurhan said the workshop aimed to enhance the skills of the managers in professional storytelling for students of early childhood education centers (PAUD), kindergarten and elementary schools.

It is because RPTRAs are often visited by children, hence, the managers have to be competent at storytelling, Fadlan said, as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

He added that storytelling was one of the most practical methods with maximum results to deliver materials to students. (wnd)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 06:29 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5cd342 1 National Red-Cross,#Red-Cross,ICRC Free

The head of the global Red Cross body met on Tuesday with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who chairs the Indonesian Red Cross.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto and Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani also attended the meeting.

Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), also met with ASEAN secretary-general Le Luong Minh. He said he was exploring increased cooperation on humanitarian matters with Indonesia and with ASEAN. He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi on Wednesday.

Speaking to the press along with the ICRCs representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste, Christoph Sutter, Maurer said that with increasingly protracted and complex conflicts, the ICRC cannot manage on its own.

Therefore, Maurer said the ICRC must always seek bridges to facilitate its humanitarian work in areas of conflict and disaster. Like the ICRC as a multinational organization, he said, Indonesia was at the frontline of all religious and ethical fault lines of the world [] We see this vibrant society trying to cope with diversity.

As a nation with less ideology and less violence he said Indonesia had managed to become a dialogue partner to Myanmar, which then met with other ASEAN member states to discuss the crisis in Rakhine State where the ICRC has obtained access.

He said Kalla, Tito and the coordinating ministers expressed an interest in continuing their cooperation, including training for international peacekeepers among the police and military.

Puan was especially interested in the ICRCs counseling and rehabilitation programs for sexual abuse victims, Maurer said, which are typical in conflict and non-conflict societies. (dan)
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Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22 2017

Indonesia needs to strengthen its commitment to safeguarding the marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle, which is threatened by destructive natural resource exploitation and climate change, the leader of a transnational organization set up to protect the area has said.

During a recent visit to The Jakarta Post, Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat executive director Widi Pratikto said Indonesian leadership and improved coordination among participating states were needed to ensure all members implemented the commitment to the organizations initial declaration in 2009.

Indonesia, he said, should take a leadership role as it was the country with the largest area of coral reef.

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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 09:18 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5d8c6d 1 Business pharmaceutical-industry,tax,tax-incentive Free

The Industry Ministry claims that it has suggested the Finance Ministry provide a tax incentive for investors willing to spend money to build production facilities for raw pharmaceutical ingredients.

The ministrys Director General for Textile, Chemical and Miscellaneous Industries Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono said his side had suggested an income tax cut for investors willing to spend a minimum of Rp 50 billion (US$3.7 million) and employ at least 25 workers to produce raw material for medicines.

Weve suggested that [idea] to the Finance Ministry, be it for those who build a factory in or outside of an industrial area, he told The Jakarta Post recently.

(Read also: Healthcare biz needs push)

The government has been trying to attract investment to boost local pharmaceutical ingredient production. The countrys pharmaceutical sector currently imports 95 percent of its raw material.

In 2016, the government opened up the entire pharmaceutical sector to foreign investors from the initial 85 percent. However, stakeholders say there has been not much fresh investment since then.

Investment in the pharmaceutical sector has stagnated in recent years, reaching just Rp 8.9 trillion from January 2011 to September 2016, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) data shows.

Sigit said the ministry had prioritized medicine firms with higher local content to be listed in states e-procurement catalogue.

More basic materials like benzene, toluene, xylene, phenol, solvent, pharmaceutical salt and sugar are locally available and their production improved to support the making of pharmaceutical ingredients, Sigit added. (hwa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 22, 2017 17:52 2056 a291276806121264c0bd211cde5eb20d 1 National tobacco-bill,tobacco,tobacco-control,cigarette-smoking,CigaretteSmoking,#tobacco-bill,#TobaccoControl,Jokowi,jokowidodo Free

An expert has warned that the deliberation of the tobacco bill is not worth being continued because it contradicts several prevailing laws.

Legally, the bill contradicts 14 existing laws, National Commission on Tobacco Control chairman Prijo Sidipratomo said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

Among the laws he said the bill contravened were Law No.36/2009 on Health and Law No.19/2013 on the Protection and Empowerment of Farmers.

Prijo further said doctors and health practitioners had rejected the tobacco bill. They had made a petition they had submitted to President Joko Jokowi Widodo.

(Read also: Indonesia gives tobacco bill a shot)

Prijo said that if the tobacco bill was passed into law, there was likely to be an increase in the number of smokers in Indonesia. It is stated in the bill that cigarette packs will only carry written health warnings like before. he added

Prijo said pictorial health warnings had in fact been regulated in the 2009 Health Law and Government Regulation No.109/2012 on the Security of Materials with Addictive Substances.

After expressing his rejection of the bill, President Jokowi finally agreed to discuss the tobacco bill with the House, for which he issued a presidential letter on the bill.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said the change in the governments stance toward the Tobacco Bill, as reflected in the presidential letter, occurred following a talk between representatives of the government and the House on Monday. However, the minister said, the government had not yet decided whether they agreed with the substance of the tobacco bill. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Palembang  Thu, March 23 2017

Hundreds of mineral and coal mining companies from across Sumatra gathered in the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang on Wednesday to attend the fourth annual Sumatra Miner event.

During the two-day event, which included representatives from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), participants will discuss issues related to the mining industry especially about the availability of mining commodities, such as gold, silver, lead and coal.

The conference promotes the theme Game Changer in Sumatra Mining, Tim Duffy, the president director of PT Agincourt Resources, one of the speakers in the event, told The Jakarta Post at the conference on Wednesday.

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Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, March 23 2017

Local venture capital firm Kejora Ventures has announced its expansion into Thailand, its third market after its overseas debut in the Philippines and Singapore, as it aims to create regional camaraderie for startups.

Kejora founding partner Sebastian Togelang said the effort would also pave the way to expanding the reach of local startups under the firms wing to a wider network in the region, notably the largest investor network in Southeast Asia.

Thailand, Southeast Asias largest economy after Indonesia, is seen to be at an ideal position to harness the opportunity to shift the socioeconomic aspect toward the digital industry.

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Linkedin Tama Salim and Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, March 23 2017

Pakistan insists that its bilateral relationship with Indonesia will flourish if the two countries find a solution to the strict visa requirements that have been placed against Pakistanis.

Unfortunately and for unknown reasons, [the Indonesian government has] placed Pakistan on a very restrictive visa list that makes traveling to Indonesia very difficult, Pakistani Ambassador Aqil Nadeem told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday ahead of the 70th anniversary of Pakistan National Day, which falls on March 23.

The envoy insisted that the policy was really impacting people-to-people contact between the two countries, who have otherwise met challenges in increasing balanced trade relations.

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, March 23 2017

As Indonesia grapples with a credibility gap in light of a recent policy that is set to harm billions of dollars of investment in the mineral processing industry, the government has attempted to make amends by promising to provide incentives.

A Cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday to ease concerns lodged by smelting industries after a regulation was issued in January enabling miners to continue exports of copper concentrates and allowing the shipment of low-grade nickel ore and washed bauxite for the next five years.

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Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) Hanoi, Vietnam  Wed, March 22, 2017

Vietnamese state media say a court has sentenced nine men to death for trafficking more than 1,000 pounds of heroin.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that the court in Hoa Binh province also sentenced nine others to life imprisonment and four others from 17 to 20 years in jail at the end of the 23-day trial on Tuesday.

The newspaper reported Wednesday that the ring was convicted of trafficking 495 kilograms (1,089 pounds) of heroin from Laos through Vietnam for sale in China from 2012 until the ring was broken up in 2015.

The newspaper says the ring made illegal profits of $672,000.

Vietnam has some of the world's toughest drug laws, where trafficking 100 grams of heroin is punishable by death.
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Linkedin Joseph Pisani and Jennifer C. Kerr (Associated Press) New York, United States  Wed, March 22, 2017

The U.S. and Britain, citing concerns about terrorist attacks, are not allowing passengers on some flights from mostly Middle Eastern and North African countries to bring laptops, tablets and certain other devices on board with them in their carry-on bags. All electronics bigger than a smartphone must be checked in.

Here are some questions and answers on the ban:

__________

WHICH FLIGHTS AND AIRPORTS DOES THIS AFFECT?

The U.S. ban applies to nonstop U.S.-bound flights from 10 international airports in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. About 50 flights a day, all on foreign airlines, are affected.

The British rules apply to flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

__________

WHY ARE THESE COUNTRIES AND AIRPORTS SINGLED OUT?

U.S. officials say the decision was prompted by intelligence about potential threats to planes bound for the U.S. They are giving no details, such as whether a particular terror group prompted the ban.

__________

WHY DOES THIS AFFECT ONLY NONSTOP FLIGHTS, NOT THOSE WITH STOPOVERS?

Flights with stopovers on the way to the U.S. are met with additional security checks and screenings, adding an additional layer of protection. Bennet Waters of the Chertoff Group, a security consulting firm, says the affected airports may have been singled out by the government because of the procedures and equipment they use to screen carry-on bags.

__________

WHY ARE LAPTOPS AND TABLETS CONSIDERED MORE DANGEROUS THAN CELLPHONES?

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has not explained. But Waters says TSA and intelligence officials have probably concluded that cellphones are too small to be rigged with enough explosives to bring down an airliner.

In this May 4, 2014 file photo, an Etihad Airways plane prepares to land at the Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates. A U.S. official tells The Associated Press that the ban beginning Tuesday, March 21, 2017, affects airports in 10 cities of Cairo in Egypt; Amman in Jordan; Kuwait City in Kuwait; Casablanca in Morocco; Doha in Qatar; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Istanbul in Turkey; and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.(AP/Kamran Jebreili)

Read also: Dubai boasts worlds fastest, free airport Wi-Fi

__________

HAVE LAPTOPS OR ELECTRONICS EVER BEEN USED TO ATTACK PLANES?

Bombs concealed in electronics have been an airline safety concern for decades. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland, by a bomb hidden inside a Toshiba cassette recorder and packed inside a checked suitcase in the cargo hold. All 259 people on board and 11 others on the ground were killed. More recently, a Daallo Airlines plane landed safely in Somalia last year after a bomb inside a laptop exploded in the passenger cabin and blew a hole in the fuselage. Only the suspected suicide bomber was killed.

__________

COULDN'T A LAPTOP WITH A BOMB INSIDE STILL POSE A DANGER WITHIN THE CARGO HOLD?

Yes. A bomb inside the cargo hold could bring a plane down, airline security experts say. But they say the scanning technology used to screen checked luggage for bombs is generally more sophisticated than the X-ray machinery used to examine carry-on luggage.

Also, separating the bomb from the bomber could make it harder to detonate it in the air. A timer would be less reliable, because it could go off on the ground if there were a flight delay, says Jeffrey Price, an aviation security expert and professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. And a bomb with a barometric pressure switch that would detonate at a certain altitude could be set off by rough handling at the airport, Price says.

__________

SHOULD TRAVELERS BE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR ELECTRONICS GETTING STOLEN FROM THEIR CHECKED LUGGAGE?

Yes, thieves are known to target expensive electronic equipment. Cheap luggage locks can be broken and canvas baggage can be cut into, says Anthony Roman, president of Roman & Associates, a risk management firm. He recommends using hard-shell suitcases that come with strong locks.

__________

Associated Press writer Alicia Caldwell in Washington contributed to this story. Kerr reported from Washington.
Thursday, March 23

Cabaret star, comedienne, and bawdy chanteuse Lady Rizo has sung with with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and recorded with Moby. Now shes exploring the current state of political affairs with a more personal eulogy, RED, WHITE and INDIGO: My love-hate relationship with America at Joes Pub. Through March 25, 9:30 p.m., 425 Lafayette St., $30, more info here.

Filmmaker Z.S. Rosenfeld and award-winning musician Elie Massias team up for a night of Art in Heaven at the Museum at Eldridge Street. Massias will improvise and perform a real-time soundtrack against the backdrop of Rosenfelds film of decaying synagogues in Europe. 7:00 p.m., 12 Eldridge St., $15/$10 students/seniors, more info here.

Meet the artists featured in the Italian American Museums current show, Artiste Italiane  Women Artists of Italian heritage. Each artist is Italian-born or the daughter of immigrants from many small towns in Italy. The artists will discuss how their heritage affects their work and daily lives. 155 Mulberry St., $10 suggested donation, more info here, to RSVP call: 212-965-9000.

Friday, March 24

Conceptual artist Ventico brings her solo exhibition, Phos Hilaron: From the Masses Rise the Saints, to Chinatown Soup. Transforming the gallery space into a three-part, site-specific installation that features a Chapel, a Reliquary, and an Altar, she has lined the walls floor-to-ceiling with Saints  photographic murals of interlocking bodies: images of unidentified flesh upon flesh and limb upon limb, representing the masses. Opening reception 6:00  8:00 p.m., 16B Orchard St., Through April 2, 2017, more info here.

Saturday, March 25

Spanish childrens theater company Teatro Sea presents its puppet musical version of Little Red Riding Hood, The True Story of Little Red, at Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center. In this version, Little Red is a fearless little Latina on her way to visit her grandmother, or should we say abuela? 3:00 p.m., 107 Suffolk St., $20 adults/$10 kids, more info here.

Sunday, March 26

Join Artist-in-Residence Melissa Liu and other artists, community organizers, and activists from the Chinatown and Asian American community for an afternoon of programming from Wing on Wo & Co. This Artist Talk and Arts & Activism Roundtable is the culmination of the W.O.W. Project and China Residencies inaugural  Artist Residency for the Lunar New Year. 2:00 p.m.  6:00 p.m., hosted by the Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., more info here.

Upcoming: Wednesday, March 29

Known as Englands greatest living director, legendary Terence Davies comes to the Metrograph to indtroduce and discuss The Long Day Closes and Tammy and the Bachelor. His latest film, A Quiet Passion, premiers later this spring and stars Cynthia Nixon as the great 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson. 7 Ludlow St., screenings are at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $15, more info here.

Check out our CALENDAR for more events and submit your own events HERE.

Upcoming community events:

Thursday, March 23  Parenting Workshop, Henry Street Settlement (Chinese)

Friday, March 24  106th Commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Monday, March 27  Lowline Design Workshop

Tuesday, March 28  Community Board 3 Meeting
But what if your teacher told you this map was completely wrong? In a controversial new move, public schools in Boston have done just that.

The Galls-Peter Map that will now be in Boston Classrooms.

Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish cartographer, devised his accepted version of the map in 1569  and its been used in classrooms ever since. However, it is full of gross inaccuracies and significantly exaggerates the size of imperialist powers. South America is made to look the same size as Europe. In reality, it's actually twice as big. The USA was also drawn too largly and the equator moved to place Germany at the centre of Europe. Greenland also sees a massive change in size - it is 14 times its actual size in most maps. Therefore, in a bid to educate students about ideological bias in cartography, Boston has introduced the lesser-known Peters projection, which reduces the size of imperialist powers to their actual dimensions and increases the area of Africa and South America to represent their real size. They hope it will completely change how their students view the world.Colin Rose, who is on the board for Boston public schools, said that this is the start of a three-year effort to decolonize the curriculum in our public schools. Maybe we can be an example for other school districts, he continued. Its a paradigm shift. Its important that students trust the material they are given in school but also question it. 86% of students within Bostons 125 public schools are non-white. Ross spoke of the significance of the new map for these students, suggesting that its important to provide an accurate picture of where their heritage is rooted. In the past, Google Maps has been called out for providing incorrect data. James Cook discovered Sandy Island, a small strip of land off the coast of Australia, in 1774  when it never existed at all. Yet, it still managed to appear on Google Maps until 2012, until it was finally removed. Maps - whether on a classroom wall or on our phones - determine how we perceive the spaces around us. Boston schools are leading the way to help students understand what the world really looks like.
New airline security measures have been announced for passengers travelling to the UK from six countries, banning them from carrying laptops and other large electronice devices in their cabin luggage.

Here is everything you need to know about the new ban.

What has been announced?

Airline passengers travelling to the UK from six countries in the Middle East and north Africa are to be banned from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices as cabin luggage.

What devices are affected?

Under the new arrangements phones, laptops, tablets and e-readers longer that 16cm, wider than 9.3cm and more than 1.5cm deep will be barred.

(Steve Parsons/PA)

What are the countries?

Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Why is this being done?

Downing Street declined to discuss whether the new rules were prompted by specific intelligence, while Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the Government will not hesitate to put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.

Arent they doing something similar in America?

Yes. Grayling said Britain has been in close contact with the US government to fully understand their position.

What are authorities in America saying?

The Department for Homeland Security said evaluated intelligence indicated that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.

(Tim Ockenden/PA)

Which airlines are affected?

Six UK and eight foreign airlines will be affected by the new rules. The UK carriers are British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while overseas airlines affected are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunisair and Saudia.

What if I need to take my device?

Travellers who want to use a laptop or kindle in one of the affected destinations can either arrange for it to be delivered to their home by post or pack it in a checked bag in the hold.

Will I have to pay extra to check a bag in?

Many passengers hoping to save money by choosing hand luggage-only fares now face extra baggage fees. The amount varies between airlines and destinations, with easyJet charging 13 to 30 for a bag in the hold booked online.

(Chris Ison/PA)

Will my gadgets still be insured?

Passengers should contact their travel insurer before putting expensive devices in checked baggage, as many policies do not cover valuables placed in the hold.

How long will this last?

No timeframe has been confirmed in the UK but US authorities said the measures announced there would be in effect indefinitely.
New Scotland Yard has released an official statement after the terror attack in Central London that saw one woman killed and at least ten other people injured this afternoon.

Commander BJ Harrington shared the Metropolitan Polices statement on Twitter just after 5pm.

In the statement Commander Harrington revealed that although we remain open-minded to the motive a full counter terrorism investigation is underway, and that the case has been taken on by the Counter Terrorism Command.

There are a number of causalities, including police officers, although the exact number is unknown, according to the statement.

Harrington also urged the public to stay away from the following areas:

- Parliament Square

- Whitehall

- Westminster Bridge

- Lambeth Bridge

- Victoria Street, up to the junction with Broadway

- Victoria Embankment, up to Embankment Tube Station

The number of police officers deployed across London will be increased from this afternoon.

Anyone will any information should call 0800789321

Read the full Metropolitan Police statement below:

Full statement from Commander Harrington following the incident in #Westminster #London pic.twitter.com/vMPCXKq2Ft  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also released a statement in relation to the incident, where he thanked police for their "tremendous bravery".
Gucci is attempting a leap into the mainstream with its latest Instagram campaign, based on your favourite memes.

The collection of photos was posted last night and followers werent convinced. One user said: Please stop making memes Gucci. Your work shouldnt be a joke.

#TFWGucci Perhaps it was the blatant attempt to connect with young people, or the cringe-worthy explanations which accompanied each photograph, butdoesnt seem to be taking off.

This one, according to Gucci, was inspired by the super-recent Arthur meme  the cartoon aardvark represents utter frustration with a clenched fist. It was created by by Derek Lucas, with photography by Benjamin Langford.

Apparently in this one: John Trulli takes on the well known structure of the guy she says I shouldnt worry about meme with the addition of a Gucci Le Marche des Merveilles timepiece.

Its a classic two-panel joke, with a mundane watch set against Guccis version. Trullis meme style is quirky and irreverent, tackling pop culture and everyday experiences in equal measure. All he has to do is add a line of text to the image and it becomes a viral vehicle.

Oh dear.

As a visual joke, (Ege Islekel) superimposes van Goghs visage over famous album covers. His #TFWGucci memes play with Neo-Classicist paintings, brought to life by captions from @youvegotnomale and @champagneemojis that namecheck art history as well as 21st century romance.

Very fancy.

Rather than pasting pictures in a digital landscape, (Flaminia Veronesi) preferred to sculpt clay figures in this artwork: an outstretched hand, clad with rings and a Gucci Le Marche des Merveilles watch, reaches out to touch a statues lovely face.

Recreated from a Gucci campaign shoot, the result is sweet, sad, and not a little lonely, like a Giorgio de Chirico painting.

How artistic.

With each meme post, more fans begged the fashion house to stop it, but they just ploughed on. Hey, at least were talking about it.
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On the inevitability of the machine-owned enterprise

Wed 22 March 2017

A machine-owned enterprise is one in which none of the profits go to any human, and none of the work is performed by any human. The entirety of the business is owned and operated completely autonomously.

The obvious way for such an enterprise to begin is for the owner of a human-owned business to automate away as much of his work as possible, and then to die without leaving the business to anybody else. The business would simply continue to take payments, provide services, and pay bills, until something catastrophic happened that it couldn't respond to automatically.

This is a relatively weak form of machine-owned enterprise, and probably something more deliberate and strong-AI-powered would be required to ensure long-term survival, but it proves the concept. And plenty of successful human-owned businesses start and end within a span of 10 years or less. There's no reason a machine-owned business couldn't have an impact on the market, or even be considered "successful", even if it dies in a much shorter period of time.

That it will become possible for machine-owned enterprises to exist is nothing new (Andreas Antonopoulos uses the hypothetical example of a self-driving, self-owning Uber taxi, that arranges and pays for its own repairs). I argue that it will not only become possible for machines to wholly own enterprises, but that such enterprises are inevitable.

Automation increases efficiency

When machinery to automate away human labour is first introduced, it results in efficiency gains: an equivalent product can be made for less cost by using machines in place of humans. Initially this results in increased profits for the business. Through competition, this results in prices going down. Everyone's a winner, apart from the workers who are now out of a job. In other words, everyone's a winner, apart from the displaced workers who were used to charging high prices for services which are now available more cheaply.

Removing the business owner from the equation increases efficiency further still: the business no longer needs to make any profit whatsoever. In fact there is no real need for a fully-autonomous business to take even a penny more in payments than it needs to pay in expenses. Traditional businesses, which are paying expenses in addition to enriching the owner (or at least paying for him to eat), should rightly be out-competed by machine-owned enterprises which don't pay for anybody to eat. Again, everyone's a winner, apart from the displaced business owners who were used to charging high prices for services which are now available more cheaply.

Efficiency is necessary

Soon after it became possible for machine automation to replace human workers, it became necessary: any business which did not employ such automation was no longer competitive. Indeed, in the general case, any business which is too inefficient is out-competed by businesses which are not. Therefore, all else being equal, machine-owned enterprises will necessarily out-compete human-owned enterprises.

It is likely that human-owned enterprises will have the upper hand for some time, by virtue of being more flexible in responding to changing market conditions, but I believe it is only a matter of time until this is no longer true.

Barriers

The first barrier to the existence of a machine-owned enterprise (today, at least) is how it comes into existence in the first place: no rational business owner would deliberately automate himself out of collecting the profits. The only reason to start the business in the first place is to collect the profits; there is no motivation to stop doing so.

The next barrier is ensuring its continued survival. The machine must be capable of doing things that aren't part of the core business (which is taking payment, providing service, paying bills) but are still necessary from time to time: repairing broken equipment, dealing with beauracracy, keeping up with changing technology demands, and so on.

Properties

There would likely be no customer support available, although community support forums would go some way towards solving this (as they already do in many cases). And this might not be a big problem: Google already operates most of its services with almost no customer support (albeit that the user is generally not a "customer" in such cases).

There would probably be no taxes paid. And not just because there are no profits generated, but because there is not even any person to levy the tax on. A machine-owned enterprise has few good reasons to exist as an entity in the legal system at all, and indeed would have difficulty doing so as it would not have any humans to name as its directors.

Machine-owned enterprises would be unlikely to succeed in markets that rely on human insight and problem-solving, for obvious reasons. It's not totally inconceivable that a machine could employ humans to do parts of its work, e.g. by sub-contracting simple tasks to Mechanical Turk, but this would likely prove non-viable for tasks that are central to the business.

The most likely place for machine-owned enterprise to spring up is online "software as a service" businesses. It is already possible for software to take payment in Bitcoin, pay for hosting in Bitcoin, and provide some services without any human in the loop. As long as market demands do not change too quickly, and the hosting provider does not switch the machine off, a machine-owned business could operate this way for years without any issue. It is arguably possible for this to work using more traditional payment methods (e.g. PayPal, Visa), but then a human-related bank account is typically involved, and a human will periodically be expected to respond to correspondence. The separation of human from business is much more practical with decentralised payment methods, and it would become even more practical with decentralised hosting methods.

Threats

They will find it hard or impossible to react to changing market conditions that can't be predicted ahead-of-time. Pricing strategy can be automated to some extent. But if a hot new chat app becomes popular, and customers start expecting hot new chat app integration, the machine will have a hard time providing it.

They likely won't have any ability to respond appropriately to lawsuits, although it is not inconceivable that they could automatically hire a lawyer when necessary. And whether this actually matters is debatable: with no human to threaten with imprisonment, punishment for non-compliance with laws could prove to be difficult.

A machine-owned enterprise would also have no practical way of responding to slanderous news articles, which might leave customers with an inaccurate perception of the business. In the arena of social perception, a machine-owned enterprise would be almost completely defenceless.

They would also be defenceless against successful hacking attempts. If somebody hacks into the servers of a traditional online business, the business owner notices, takes action, and eventually regains control of his business. If a machine-owned business is hacked, the business has no way to respond and simply becomes the property of whoever hacked into it.

Conclusion

Until very recently, it was not possible to operate any business without having a person interacting with customers. In many markets, it is now necessary to do so in order to remain competitive.

It is now possible in some markets to operate almost totally-automated businesses, and to sit back and collect profits while the machine does the work. To this extent, we are currently living in a "Golden Age" for passive income. Not too long from now it will once again cease to be feasible, as all of the profit is competed away by autonomous entities which do not need to make any profit.

Machine-ownership of enterprises will likely have less of an effect on society than previous displacements of workers by automation, simply because there are fewer owners of automatable businesses than there were employees performing automatable tasks. Good times ahead.
Bengaluru, Mar 22 (IBNS): FreeCharge on Wednesday announced the promotion of Ankit Khanna to Chief Operating Officer of the company, an official release stated.

As a part of his expanded role, Ankit will be managing Product, User Growth, User Experience and Business Development at Freecharge.

Before taking charge as the COO, Ankit was the Chief Product Officer with the company.

Prior to which, he was the Senior Vice President, Product at Snapdeal and has been with Snapdeal since the Companys inception in 2010, where he joined as the Product head.

Welcoming Ankit, Jason Kothari, CEO of FreeCharge said, We are proud to announce Ankits elevation as the COO of FreeCharge. Ankit has brought in tremendous value and energy to the team and has played a pivotal role in the Companys journey to become one of the fastest growing digital wallets in the country today. He has also helped build highly complex and scalable products encompassing various aspects of e-commerce and digital payments ecosystem and helped build a frictionless user experience.

Speaking about his appointment, Ankit Khanna said, I am excited about my new position at FreeCharge and look forward to continue my fruitful association with the Company. As digital payments gain more and more precedence in our lives and in the Indian economy, I am thrilled to be a part of the space. Along with the talented team at FreeCharge, I look forward to making further contributions to the Company going forward.

Ankit holds a Bachelors in Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Before joining Snapdeal, Ankit also co-founded Itasveer in 2006, an online solution for photo printing which was later acquired by a Pune based IT Services company.
Kolkata, Mar 22 (IBNS): In its endeavor to make its existing processes better to provide timely and transparent distribution of foodgrains to a 4000-strong buyer base across India, the countryas largest stockholder of foodgrains, Food Corporation of India, chose mjunction to auction foodgrains for two years beginning April 2017.

The countrys largest B2B ecommerce player, on a war-footing, created a model in just 15 days addressing the existing pain points and creating a very efficient and transparent system.

mjunctions e-auction model will strengthen the distribution mechanism of FCI, which in turn has a key role to play in addressing challenges such as insufficient storage.

Significant process improvements brought in by mjunction include introduction of a single window for pan-India e-auction and an automated end-to-end service.

The process automation will significantly reduce turnaround time, benefitting both buyer and FCI.

A buyer will not have to open separate windows for each state auction and can access these auctions with a single login screen simultaneously.

The buyer can also download the sale orders, release orders from multiple states using the same login ID from anywhere in the country.

CEO of mjunction Vinaya Varma said, We are already in the agro-commodity market with tea. With this partnership, we are adding wheat and rice to our bouquet. A transparent, automated, customized and user-friendly mechanism has been devised, and I am certain that FCI will benefit immensely from our services. After metals, idle assets, rough diamonds and spectrum, this is one of the new areas that we are entering. Pulses, cotton, forest timber and produce are the other commodities that we are exploring.



mjunction has started the empanelment of interested buyers from Mar 20.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (IBNS) : Making his first speech in Parliament after becoming Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and perhaps the last in the 18-year stint in the Lok Sabha, Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday promised to turn UP into the best stat of the country, free from corruption,riots and crimes, reports said.

"Aap dekhte rahiye... Wahan par bahut kuch band hone jaa raha hai (You keep watching... A lot is going to stop there)," he said.

Adityanath, who was made UP CM pending his election to the state Assembly, has been a member of the Lok Sabha for the last 18 years representing Gorakhpur constituency.

He assumed office as the CM only on Tuesday.

He said there hadn't been a riot in Gorakhpur in the last five years though 403 such incidents have taken place elsewhere in UP.

Immediately after taking over charge, Adityanath held his first meeting with the state police chief, asking him to present a blueprint to tackle crimes witin 15 days. He also reportedly asked police to be vigilant while expressing his concern over the murder of a Muslim leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
One number for each South Dakota football state championship matchup

To prepare you for all seven matchups, here are some quick numbers to file away as you read up on all of these teams.
Lucknow, Mar 22 (IBNS) : Three meat shops were set on fire by a mob in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday night.

NDTV quoted police as saying that the shops were burnt by "anti-social elements".

The incidents took place two days after Yogi Adityanath took charge as Chief Minister heading a BJP Government.

While a section of the party has been asserting that a ban on all slaughterhouses will come in force very soon, the official stand of the BJP is that only illegal slaughterhouses will be shut.

Nearly 20 per cent of the people of the state are Muslims with the majority of them depending on meat as staple.

On Monday, two slaughterhouses were shut down, which the Government said were illegal.



The Uttar Pradesh police has also sent orders to all police stations to take firm action against illegal slaughterhouses and cattle smuggling.
Kolkata, Mar 22 (IBNS): At least seven persons, including three children and two women, of a same family were killed as a tar-filled tanker overturned and fell on a private car on Durgapur Expressway (NH2) near Rathtala area in Burdwan district of West Bengal on Wednesday morning, reports said.

According to reports, when a Howrah to Asansol bound sedan car was trying to overtake a tanker, the tar-filled tanker lost its control and fell on the vehicle at around 9 am.

The car was mangled under the tanker and covered with hot coal-tar, leaked from the tanker.

Later, fire and emergency services officials, one fire tender engine, police, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)'s ambulances and rescue cranes rushed to the spot.

After being recovered from the car, seven passengers were taken to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, where all were declared brought dead.

"Deceased have been identified as Rajan Kumar, Reshmi Singh, Seshnath Singh, Nirmala Singh, two children, Anwesha Singh and Arabh Singh, and 13-year-old Riya Singh. They all were the residents of Golmohor area in Kolkata's neighbouring Howrah city," a senior official of Burdwan district police told IBNS.

"Nearly 42-year-old Rajan Kumar, who bought the car two days ago, was an inspection of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and posted in Howrah division," the official added.

Meanwhile, alleging delay in arrival of rescue teams, locals staged demonstration at the scene and police restored to mild lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse agitators.

However, local police have seized the killer tanker while its driver is still absconding.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Images: Facebook)
It's our annual Labour Weekend tradition ...The Sound 'Hall Of Fame' Countdown... Where we honor the greatest 500 songs of all time as voted by you.
New Delhi, Mar 22 (IBNS): Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

He requested him for a special farm debt waiver package for Punjab.

Singh tweeted: "Called on PM @narendramodi ji today, have requested for special farm debt waiver package for Punjab."

He also met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Speaking on the meeting, the Congress leader tweeted:"Met FM @arunjaitley at his residence, asked him for immediate release of CCL for smooth wheat procurement in Punjab."

Image: Amarinder Singh Twitter page


The Madhya Pradesh government has proscribed a book  which allegedly describes a tribe as killers of cows  and blacklisted its author, a minister said on Wednesday.

The book 'Bharat ka Bhugol' (Geography of India) is prescribed for postgraduation course and allegedly describes Gond tribals of Madhya Pradesh as killers of cows and consumers of cow meat.

Talking to the media after the issue rocked the assembly, Higher Education Minister Jaibhan Singh Powaiya said the book has been published by a private publisher and not the government.

He said its author Harish Khatri has been blacklisted.

Earlier, in the assembly, Congress members created a ruckus on the issue. The house was thereafter adjourned to Thursday.
The Proposed Route Will Reduce The Distance Between The Two Capitals By 40kms. Branching Out From The Delhi-Gurugram Speedway, It Will Pass Through Seven Districts.

A big relief is coming for people residing and frequently travelling between Delhi and Jaipur. The plan for a new 195km super expressway project, connecting the two cities, has been finalised and the land acquisition for the same has begun in full swing.

The 195km speedway will branch out from the Delhi-Gurugram express way near Kherkhi Daula toll plaza and will pass through seven districts before culminating at Chandwaji in Jaipur district. It will be a six-lane road with three on each side. Whats interesting about this route is the fact that it will reduce the distance by 40km and the travelling time by 2-3 hours.

Earlier, Union road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari had said that the time between Delhi-Jaipur will be reduced to 90 minutes via the previously proposed expressway. It was going to be a 226km greenfield expressway, which would have started from the Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi and terminated at Daulatpura, Jaipur. However, that speedway plan was scrapped as it incurred higher acquisition and relocation costs.

Ashok Sharma, project director, NHAI (National Highway Authority of India), said, Land has been identified and the acquisition process has been initiated. There are two sections of the project in Haryana and Rajasthan. The acquisition process has started on the Haryana side.

Presently, the distance between Delhi and Jaipur is 235km and the time taken to travel revolves around 4-5 hours. Plus, the current highway is too crowded, and the frequent traffic jams further stretch the time further.

The expected building cost of this super expressway will be around Rs 6,530 crores, in addition to the Rs 5,000 crores required for rehabilitation and resettlement of the population. The total land required for the project is 1755 hectares, of which 360.65 hectares is governments land, while 38 hectares comes in protected forest in Haryana and Rajasthan and 1.22 hectares is a reserve forest area. It will be pass through 423 villages of Gurugram, Jhajjar, Rewari, Mahendergarh, Alwar, Sikar and Jaipur.

Source: CarDekho
The Supreme Court suggested on Tuesday that it is sympathetic to Microsoft Corp in a dispute with disgruntled owners of the Xbox 360 video-game system who sued saying the console has a design defect that scratches game discs.

The justices heard arguments on Tuesday in a case that involves the Xbox 360 owners' attempts to get class action status for their lawsuit, which was filed several years ago in the state of Washington, where Microsoft is headquartered.

Xbox 360 owners were initially denied class action status in the lawsuit. Several justices seemed sympathetic to Microsoft's argument that the Xbox 360 owners shouldn't be permitted to use a procedural maneuver to force an appeals court to weigh in after the appeals court declined to do so.

Microsoft has sold millions of Xbox 360 consoles since they were introduced in 2005. It says only 0.4 per cent of owners report disk scratching and that in many cases damage is the result of consumer misuse.

The company says consumers were warned both in the instruction manual and on a sticker affixed to the console not to move it while a disc was inside.

When a handful of Xbox 360 owners sued, a federal judge initially said the lawsuit couldn't proceed as a class action, and an appeals court declined to consider an appeal of that decision.

The Xbox 360 owners then asked the judge to dismiss their case, a procedural move designed to get the appeals court to weigh in, which it did. Microsoft says that shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told the attorney for the Xbox 360 owners, Peter Stris, that "rule makers went through a lot of work" to come up with the rule governing appeals in class action cases and suggested he was making an end run around it.

And Justice Stephen Breyer suggested the "simplicity" of ruling for Microsoft seemed preferable, asking Stris if there was "anything terrible that would happen" if the justices ruled against his clients.

Arguing for Microsoft, lawyer Jeffrey Fisher told the court that ruling for the Xbox 360 owners would "upend" the "carefully considered" rule governing an appeal of a class action determination.

Business groups including the US Chamber of Commerce have urged the court to side with Microsoft. In briefs to the court they say a ruling for the Xbox 360 owners gives those who file questionable class action lawsuits another chance to pursue class action status if they fail to get it at an early stage of the litigation.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has impressed upon Islamic scholars to spread the "true message and picture of Islam in the world" so that the misgivings or misperceptions about Muslims are removed.

Interacting with a group of Islamic scholars from Malaysia, who called on her at Srinagar on Wednesday, the chief minister said the greatest responsibility of Muslim scholars and clergy in current times is to spread across the world message of peace, tolerance and mutual coexistence which Islam stands for.

Mehbooba Mufti asked the visiting delegation to explore the areas of mutual interest in education and tourism and work towards more and more scholarly exchanges. She informed the delegation about the functioning of Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri and many other initiatives taken by the Government in the field of education.

The delegation informed the chief minister about the activities of their organization and discussed areas of collaboration in education and social outreach. They extended an invite to the chief minister to visit Malaysia.

The delegation, which comprised Sheikh Ismail Kassim-Advisor and Founder of Pertubuhan Rahmatan Lil Aalmin of Malaysia, Prince Tengku Bahaudeen Ahmad-President, Tuaku Besat Burhanudeen and Hazif Hamza, is currently on a visit to the state.
The Kashmiri separatists have put young boys in the forefront to distribute posters threatening people against participating in the bypolls for the Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats. The two constituencies will go to polls on April 9 and 12 respectively.

The separatists have given a call for boycott of the byelection for the two seats.

Young boys were on Wednesday seen distributing the posters in Bemina, Tangpora bypass and Nowgam.

A spokesman of the Hurriyat said their activists were circulating anti-election material asking people to stay away from polling.

It is worth mentioning that the separatists were accused of inciting the youth during the recent nearly six-month-long violent agitation in Kashmir that claimed life of 80 people and left more than 7000 others injured.

In the previous elections too such call for boycott of polling was given by the separatists but it hardly made an impact and the percentage of polling had been increasing in every successive election.
As the Maharashtra resident doctors' strike entered the third day, the state government on Wednesday gave strong warning to the protesting doctors and asked them to resume duty or face action.

"Those doctors who don't return to work by 8 pm on Wednesday will lose 6 months' salary," state Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan was quoted as saying by a news agency.

Meanwhile, Dean of Government Medical College, Nagpur on Wednesday suspended 301 resident doctors in the wake of the strike. In another development, a show cause notice has also been issued by the Bombay Municipal Corporation to the 1,200 protesting doctors.

The Bombay High Court, which was expected to hear the matter on junior doctors' mass leave on Wednesday, will most likely hear it on Thursday.

Reports suggest that because of unavailability of the CJ's bench, the hearing has been postponed to another day.

For the third consecutive day on Wednesday, over 3,000 resident doctors continued their mass casual leave protest against growing incidents of attacks by patients' relatives on them.

Medical services in 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra, including four in Mumbai, were severely affected because of the strike.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday announced the key portfolios for his cabinet.

UP CM Adityanath kept Home and Finance portfolios, while his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were assigned PWD Ministry and Middle and Higher Education.

Aditynath on Tuesday met the senior leaders of the party Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to reports, there was a tussle between Chief Minister Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya over the important home portfolio. Both Adityanath and Maurya wanted the home department and have turned to Delhi for a solution.

Adityanath was sworn in as the UP CM on March 19 and made commitment to work for the development of the state and live up to Modis dream of turning Uttar Pradesh into Uttam Pradesh.

UP will be the state which our honourable Prime Minister has dreamt of, a corruption-free state, a state free of anarchy. It would be an incident free-stateUttar Pradesh would work to make the dream of Prime Minister a reality," Adityanath said.

The Uttar Pradesh government will hold the first cabinet meeting on Wednesday headed by
Guwahati, Mar 22 (IBNS): The sleuths of Assam police Vigilance and Anti Corruption (V&AC) on Wednesday raided the Social Welfare department office in Dispur Janata Bhawan in connection with the Rs 2250 crore scam in the department.

According to the reports, the V&AC team raided the office and seized 24 files of ICDS and SNP schemes under the department.



Earlier, the V&AC had arrested six officials of social welfare department on February 27 in connection with a multi crore rupees scam of the department.



The arrested officials are District officer of Goalpara Hemi Borah, District officer of Kamrup Kishori Dutta, Accounts officer RS Bhattacharya, UD assistant Debasish Dey, LD assistant Sajid Hussain and Programme officer Kulen Saikia.



The six officials are among the 11 officials, who were interrogated by the V&AC sleuths.



In connection with the multi crore scam, the V&AC team had also grilled three former Congress ministers including Akon Bora, Gautam Roy and Ajanta Neog.



The vigilance team had grilled at least 32 officials including three IAS officials into the scam.



Last year, Assam CM had directed to probe the multi crore scam during the previous Congress regime.



During the investigation it is revealed that an amount of Rs 150 crore was siphoned off every year from the social welfare department of the state for the past 15 years.



The investigation also detected nine lakh fake entries of ghost children in the ICDS list.



The top official of V&AC said that 390 fake Anganwadi centres have been identified, which were fraudulently entered for siphoning off the money.



The V&AC sleuths had arrested an employee of Social Welfare department last year.



The investigating team had also seized several dozen files in connection with the multi crore rupees scam.
Before hitting the theatres, the Rajinikanth-starrer film 2.0 has already hit the headlines, only for the wrong reasons. Crew members allegedly assaulted two photo journalists in a shooting set in Chennai on Wednesday.

Two journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged that a key area in Triplicane in Chennai was blocked for shooting purpose.

When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up, photographer Raghunathan, was quoted as saying by a new agency.

He said Barath, who works for a Tamil daily, was also badly beaten up. We have lodged a joint complaint and have sought appropriate action, he said.

Directed by Shankar, the Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar-starrer film 2.0 will be released during Diwali this year. The film is in the final stage of shoot.
The government has set in motion a plan to boost nuclear power so that the generation capacity in the country touches nearly 15,000 MW by 2024, the Lok Sabha was told on Wednesday. In 2014, India's nuclear power generation capacity was 4,780 MW.

Replying to queries during Question Hour, Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, said a number of steps have been taken by the Narendra Modi government to fast-track all ongoing nuclear projects and setting up new plants in different parts of the country.

"When we came to power in 2014, we had set a target of generating nuclear power by three times in 10 yearsand we hope to reach that target," he said.

The minister, however, said for generating targeted nuclear power, there has to be enough uranium available ~ both from domestic as well as foreign sources.

Singh said the government was actively pursuing the process of acquiring uranium from different sources, including exploration in new places like Bihar and Meghalaya.

He said for the first time, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India has been allowed to go in for setting up joint venture nuclear plants along with public sector undertakings.

The minister said the third stage of India's nuclear power programme contemplates using thorium along with uranium- 233 as fuel in thorium-based reactors. With sustained efforts of years, India has gained experience over the entire thorium fuel cycle on a semi-industrial scale, he said.

"The developmental activities include studies in thorium extraction, fuel fabrication and irradiation, reprocessing studies including construction of an engineering-scale power reactor, thorium reprocessing facility and setting up of uranium-233 fuelled Purnima and KAMINI research reactors," he said.

Singh said the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and research organisations attached with DAE are engaged in various R&D activities to address the utilisation of thorium in different types of reactors, including efforts aimed at enlarging the existing thorium cycle experience to a bigger scale.
In a major development to the 1992 Babri masjid demolition case involving senior BJP leaders L K Advani and others, the Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned its hearing till Thursday and said an appropriate bench will hear the case.

The apex court was on Wednesday expected to decide whether senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti should face trial in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case.

The top court adjourned the case on a CBI plea challenging a trial courts decision to drop criminal conspiracy charges BJP and other Hindu right-wing leaders in the Babri masjid demolition case.

The hearing comes a day after the Supreme Court on Tuesday called for an amicable settlement to the Ayodhya dispute, terming it most sensitive and sentimental matter.
Trivendra Singh Rawat, who recently took over as the Uttarakhand chief minister, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday.

In his first visit after assuming office, Rawat is scheduled to meet Modi at 1200 hrs in Parliament House, an official said.

Rawat, who met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the morning, is also expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjre in the evening, the official added.

Rawat, who sworn in as the 9th chief minister of Uttarakhand on March 18 after BJP's landslide win in assembly polls, arrived here yesterday evening.

BJP bagged 57 of the 70 seats in assembly.
Only those who dont understand the dynamics of Modis BJP and its relationship with the RSS would believe stories doing the rounds that the Sangh leadership foisted Yogi Adityanath on the Modi-Shah duo as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Yogi was handpicked by the PM and his Man Friday, the BJP president.

It is well known in BJP circles that the RSS has always been suspicious of Adityanath even as it appreciates his hardline Hindutva ideology. Adityanath has never been a member of the RSS; nor for that matter is he officially a member of the BJP either. The BJP has accommodated Adityanath, and before him his mentor, Avaidyanath, in its Lok Sabha list because of the power and influence they wield in Gorakhpur and surrounding areas.

Adityanath is an independent-minded person with a secure base. Consequently, he has never had to accept the authority of either the RSS or the BJP.

However, unlike the tense relationship he had with the BJP led by Vajpayee and Advani, the present leadership of Modi and Shah has a healthy respect for Adityanath. The Yogi from Gorakhpur gets on well with Shah in particular. The BJP president has been heard in the past praising Adityanath as a powerful and effective campaigner.

Before the campaign began in earnest, Modi and Shah are believed to have toyed with the idea of projecting Adityanath as the CM candidate. They shelved the idea because they feared his rhetoric would polarise the Muslims behind the BSP, making Mayawati a formidable challenger for the UP prize.

Once the stunning verdict came on March 11, it was but a short hop for Yogi from star campaigner to chief minister of the countrys most populous and politically most important state. The RSS had left the choice to the Modi-Shah duo. Sangh leader in charge of BJP Krishan Gopal was used to douse any resentment there may have been among leaders like the BJPs UP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya who had the right credentials too. He is a Hindutva hardliner, a Ram mandir activist and a backward caste to boot.

In a last ditch attempt to stop the BJP from forming a government in Goa, the Congress is believed to have offered Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party the post of chief minister. Sardesai is a former Congressman who walked out because of differences with the partys Goa president Luiz Faleiro.

The Congress was so desperate to halt the BJP juggernaut that it sidelined Faleiro to woo Sardesai. It seems Sardesai did not immediately refuse. But the Congress offered him such an unattractive deal that he ultimately declined. The Congress wanted a rotational arrangement with him: two and a half years as CM for Sardesai and two and a half years for a person from the Congress. Sardesai wanted a full term.

Although Congress leaders are blaming the role of casino money in propelling the BJP to power despite the defeat of its sitting chief minister and six incumbent ministers, the party must look inwards to see where it went wrong. It is quite clear that the Congress was tardy in cobbling up the numbers which gave the BJP an advantage.

Many in the Goa Congress are upset with the leadership for allowing the government to slip out of the partys hands. Vishwajit Rane, who resigned on the day of the trust vote, is just the first casualty of the fading appeal of the Gandhis. Others may follow suit in the coming months.

Well planned

Narendra Modis planning for every action is so meticulous and so well thought out to the last detail that its no wonder he leaves his opponents far behind. Just consider the kind of detailed planning that went into his victory lap in Delhi the day after the results were announced.

It seems Modi wanted to do something around the 325 figure. Thats the staggering number of seats the BJP won in UP. Finally, it was suggested to him that he should do a roadshow from Meridien Hotel to the BJP national headquarters on Ashoka Road. The route was carefully chosen. The distance from the hotel to the BJP office on Google map is 325 metres. That matches the UP seat tally. Modi was so taken with the idea that he waved aside security concerns and walked the distance. He was, of course, well protected by a posse of SPG officers. Nevertheless, it was a victory lap straight after Modis heart.

Missing from action

Where was Rahul Gandhi when the results were announced? For three days after counting day, he was missing from public view. On result day, all winners and even losers addressed the media. But not Rahul.

Considering Rahul had put himself out to lead his partys campaign in UP, although it was contesting just 105 seats, political watchers felt that he owed it to the public to step out and say something after the rout. The Congress won just 7 seats.

The buzz in Congress circles is that Rahul took off for a short holiday in the hills immediately after campaigning ended for the final phase on March 8. He surfaced the day after Holi only to say that the Congress is a little down in UP.

Modi and Amit Shah are 247 politicians. They eat, breathe, sleep and talk politics. If he wants to challenge them, Rahul will have to stop treating politics like a 9-5 job that allows him to take weekends off and short holidays whenever he wants.
The phenomenal victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh has surpassed the figures projected by various exit polls, and has almost fooled political pundits. The outcome can rightly be viewed as a tectonic shift in the countrys political landscape, whose aftershocks will continue to reverberate across the political spectrum. Amidst the euphoria in the BJP camp, despair among Akhilesh-Rahul gatbandhan supporters and a sense of foreboding among the Left-liberal forces, apprehensive of further accentuation of the communal divide, myriad interpretations of the verdict are being offered.

What has come through is the mesmerizing magic of Narendra Modis charisma, his perceived metamorphosis from the Modi of Gujarat, who suffered the ignominy of being the alleged perpetrator of a genocide to a benevolent mass leader, who is strong, capable of taking risky decisions and shouldering the responsibility of its fallout independently, a leader who seems to be keen on delivering and making a difference in the lives of Indias teeming millions. This election has been a lot about Modi than about any other factor. The jury might be still out on the question of demonetisation as a policy decision, but it has worked well as a political move.

Politics is a game of perception and the masterfully crafted persona of Modi as almost a Yugpursh has purportedly dealt a severe blow to the hoarders of ill-gotten black money, the local money lenders, thanedars, landlords, contractors, lawyers or even doctors, who, for the poor, dispossessed men and women of rural India are the tormentors. This impression has captured the imagination of millions. Through extensive visibility of a Prime Minister repeating again and again his resolve to work for the garib aadmi, through the reiteration of the professed mantra, Sabka sath, sabka vikas, Modi has hijacked the pro development plank of the Opposition. Expressing a willingness to do away with triple talaq has helped him to win the support of Muslim women and reports suggest that a sizeable chunk of the community voted for Modi.

The introduction of a gender-related issue by the BJP, even if one grants the allegation of the Opposition that it is a mischievous move and hides the partys real intention to heighten the binaries of Hindu and Muslim social practices, is a first of its kind. It was a move that has yielded impressive results as it gave vent to the aspirations of women of minority communities to gain access to a better life which is now within the reach of some of their sisters from the majority community.

The Akhilesh-Rahul gatbandhan failed to take off for a variety of reasons. The Akhilesh governments policy of distributing freebies instead of creating more employment opportunities deepened frustration even among the traditional support base of the Samajwadi Party, particularly among the youth. The family drama and the rift between father and son worsened matters. The states rising crime graph during his chief ministership, particularly the heinous crimes against women, the low rate of conviction of criminals, and the fielding of a character called Gyatri Praajapati ~ facing a rape charge ~ scuppered the prospects of the outgoing Chief Minister. The scion of the Gandhi family is increasingly viewed as incapable of delivering as the BJP acolytes mock his sudden trips abroad as signs of a weakling who cant stand the heat of politics, and a person who is neither serious nor committed.

Meticulous planning and execution of a strategy to negotiate the complex matrix of caste and community in Uttar Pradesh by the BJP president Amit Shah, indeed a process that began right after the 2014 election, is another key factor behind his partys spectacular performance against which the belated alliance of SP and Congress turned out to be quite insipid. Among the other factors can be listed a vigorous drive to induct new members, numerous meetings and road-shows, a religious march, Dharma Chetana Yatra led by a Buddhist monk, a clear signal to the Dalit community that they stand to gain from abandoning Mawawati, steeped in corruption charges, and jumping onto the bandwagon of the BJP, numerous moves to consolidate the upper caste Hindu vote through controlled but somewhat muted use of the Ram Mandir issue, making Modi omnipresent in the cyber world through the well calibrated effort of an army of paid techies, Amit Shah did all it takes to ensure success.

The kabarsthan jibe and more electricity during Ramzan post-truth (a new phrase in circulation these days, implying subtle mixing of facts and lies) created deep seated apprehension among sections of the media, intellectuals and political analysts, who feared a bitterly polarizing discourse. But one must give credit to Indian democracy that after the media outrage, Modi acolytes had to issue qualifying statements that the binary mode of Modis speech are wrongly interpreted, that he only advocates equal access to resources for all communities. If one compares this to the rabidly sectarian, bitterly divisive discourses delivered by Modis American counterpart, who never makes any attempt to couch his hateful words with decent homilies, one feels a sense of pride in the inherent strength of our democracy. The fact that stories about Kairana helped the BJP to win more votes than Dadri made them lose, is testimony to the failure of the SP-Congress combine as well as pro-left forces to generate a strong counter-narrative.

The BJPs relentless charge of minority appeasement against its opposition, the charge of pseudo-secularism, fanning the discontent among the majority about the perceived restrictions on the free articulation of Hindu socio-religious practices have been buttressed by the failure of the ruling dispensation to enforce the rule of law, to generate a sense of justice and fair play and be perceptively impartial in its dealings with different communities, as perceptions are hardly ex nihilo. The myth of a consolidated vote-bank along the caste and communal divide has been debunked. As the noted psephologist, Pranay Roy, has observed, the BJP seems to have received a significant percentage of lower caste and minority votes.

Those who scoff at the election result as a vindication of divisive, communal, polarizing techniques, with a touch of supercilious contempt about the intellect of the common voter, should think twice. The electorate might have enjoyed the jibes, the mocking style of Mr Modi who is always at his eloquent best at the election rallies and excels in the use of the language of the common man, but as it turns out, the voters have reflected on the issues of development, of peaceful, harmonious, living with members of other communities, of an overwhelming desire to have opportunities while choosing their rulers. A young Muslim girl, a first-time voter in a remote village of UP, told a TV journalist, kuch achha karna chati hu (I want the opportunity to do something good for me, for the country). Her voice must have echoed the yearnings of her Hindu brothers and Dalit sisters as well.

One hopes that Narendra Modis victory speech will bring about a New India emerging out of the aspirations of the common people, of the poor, of the youth and women and unscathed by any jingoistic, communal, divisive politics. Hopefuly, the slogan ~ sabka sath, sabka vikas ~ will graduate from rhetoric to reality.

The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Womens Christian College, Kolkata. She can be reached at [email protected]
Karnatakas decision to move a revision petition in the Supreme Court seeking to rectify an error that had crept into its 14 February judgment in the 19-year-old wealth case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha is a welcome move. A Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy set aside the Karnataka High Court order of September 2014 acquitting Jayalalitha, Sasikala, VN Sudhakaran and J Illavarasi of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, but ruled that the corruption case against Jayalalitha stood abated with her death on 5 December. The four were convicted by the Special Judge who tried the case and sentenced Jayalalitha to four years simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 100 crore and the other three to similar terms of imprisonment and fines of Rs 10 crore each. Following Jayalalithas death, Sasikala through legally questionable means has captured the AIADMK and is ruling Tamil Nadu in the name of Jayalalitha by remote control from jail in Bengaluru where she is undergoing her jail term, much to the embarrassment and shame of the people of the state. For instance, the budget for 2017-18 was presented first by Finance Minister D Jayakumar on 16 March at the graveside of Jayalalitha on the Marina Beach and only later to the state Assembly. Jayalalithas photo still adorns government offices and full-page state advertisements with her picture have become a common feature.

The Karnataka government said in its review petition that Jayalalithas death had freed her from jail sentence but the fine of Rs 100 crore imposed by the trial court stood and should have been recovered from her vast estate. There is no provision in the Constitution or in the Supreme Court rules for such abatement. On the contrary, the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that both in case of civil appeals as well as in election petitions there would be no abatement if the death takes place after the conclusion of hearing. The Bench concluded arguments in Jayalalithas disproportionate wealth case on 7 June 2016 and reserved judgment. She died on 5 December. The judgment was delivered on 14 February. The criminal appeal of Jayalalitha involved offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The judgment said in a scathing attack on Jayalalitha, Corruption is a vice of insatiable avarice for self-aggrandisement by the unscrupulous, taking unfair advantage of their power and authority in breach of the institutional norms, mostly backed by minatory loyalties. Both the corrupt and the corrupter are indictable and answerable to society and the country. This is more particularly in the peoples representatives in public life committed by the oath of office to dedicate oneself to the unqualified welfare of the people. Recovering the fine of Rs 100 crore is not going to make a dent on the vast estate running into thousands and thousands of crore rupees with no known heir, but it will send a message to the corrupt that crime and punishment go hand in hand.
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is one of the most contentious issues staring the Indian polity in the eye. Although Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution speaks of a Uniform Civil Code for citizens, it has remained a distant dream, with no government thus far addressing the issue with seriousness.

This has been primarily on account of the fear of a possible backlash at elections from sections of voters. The present government's attempt to implement UCC has been vehemently resisted by large sections of Muslims led by clerics and their ilk. Endless debates and discussions between stakeholders have not succeeded in carrying the issue to fructification. Religious sentiments have prevailed over aspirations of all right-thinking men and women of the nation for a level playing field.

A Uniform Civil Code for all citizens is in agreement with the secular ethos of the nation. Unlike in the West, where secularism is a mere act of the State distancing itself from the Church, the concept means in the Indian context, equal treatment of people of all religions  a proactive stance on the part of the State.

This calls for respect from the government for the sentiments of the people of different religions, without leaving any room for favour or prejudice. While the endeavour to treat all citizens alike before law is in keeping with the exhortation of the relevant Article of the Directive Principles of State Policy as well, the State is hard put to carry out the implementation without its action being perceived by people of the minority communities as an attempt to trample upon their sentiments or to curtail their freedom to live in terms of their religious beliefs.

At the same time, people of any religion cannot be viewed or treated as clones cast in the same mould and should not be expected to unquestioningly fall in line with the provisions of the personal law applicable to their community. That is because such personal laws were fashioned and designed on the basis of religious tenets and cultural mores, dating back to medieval times to primarily suit people living in a distant land in harsh conditions, fighting for the perceived supremacy of their religion.

In the Indian context, a community is made up of individuals with their own views, beliefs and opinions in their vital personal matters and private lives in changed circumstances and conditions prevailing in the country. They may not be faulted for seeking redressal for a grievance in terms of natural justice, just like any other citizen, without prejudice to their religious standing or beliefs.

In the matter of personal law, interpretation of its provisions is heavily loaded in favour of the clerics and other religious entities and agencies. An individual's inalienable right to natural justice is stifled by his or her religious identity, in matters such as marriage, divorce, maintenance, adoption, inheritance, etc.

The issue of triple talaq is a case in point. The fundamentality of a divorced woman's right to alimony is at stake. The self-esteem of a woman to live a life of gender equality is in question. This is the kind of a helpless situation in which a large number of persons, mostly women, of the minority communities find themselves in.

The question of such men and women being able to contribute their optimal share to the nation's and society's development in accordance with the evolved social situation is a matter of equal concern to the majority community.

When aggrieved individuals find their voice to protest against provisions of their personal law and choose to step out of the line and try to seek justice in a court of law, the State cannot afford to stand on the wings as a mute spectator and do nothing to ameliorate the situation.

Judiciary, on its part, finds hardly any maneuverability in the present system to address the situation, leaving the aggrieved person to fall back into the mire of personal law. Lack of conviction on the part of politicians or their obstinacy to take any measure for social welfare that would impinge on their vote bank politics prevail over the concern of judiciary for fair play and natural justice for all the citizens, as was witnessed in the Shah Bano case during the Congress rule.

The individual liberty of members of a community which is governed by personal law thus falls prey to the stubborn attitude of the community elders and their insistence on the freedom to have their own personal civil code. The government cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the travails of forlorn individuals on account of their vulnerability against the personal law code.

The resulting situation is simmering discontent among individuals, particularly women, in minority communities, who find themselves victims of a lacuna in the system. In a society such as the one in India where people of diverging religious beliefs have been living in harmony despite grave instigations and provocations, for the State to continue to allow this kind of despair among vast numbers of its citizens does not augur well.

It is not only the various religious groups in the country but also the faceless individuals who form these groupings and yet feel left out who have to be carried along by the State in the interests of fair play and its own survival lest discontent have a detrimental effect. Failure on the part of the government to be proactive in such a crucial matter would not only reflect poorly on its efficacy but also be a sad commentary on the shape of democracy in the country.

Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival on January 23 this year, Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin, who is well-known for slamming misogynistic ideas in Islam, rightly asserted that India urgently needs a UCC to protect the democratic rights of Muslim women as well as to stop the issue of fatwas by some religious clerics. To cut a long story short, the UCC is long overdue. To further delay its implementation would be tantamount to the State abandoning a section of its own people, no matter how small or large their number, purportedly on account of lack of a consensus, while, in reality, on account of lack of political conviction.

The returning of the Law Commission's questionnaire on the UCC by the Chief Minister of Bihar purportedly because "the questions have been framed in such a manner so as to force the respondent (Bihar government) to reply in a specific way" is a classic attempt on the part of the naysayers of Indian politics to tactfully avoid taking the bull by its horns.

As the first step in the long way to be traversed, the people of our country need to be educated by the government about the issues involved. How several countries around the world, including a fair number of Islamic ones, have opted for UCC in the interests of their own social and overall development needs to be projected.

The people of the minority communities should be spurred on to realize that the time for self-introspection and rejection of complacency in matters vital to their interests is well at hand. The foremost task at hand is for the government to convince the people to stir out of their comfort zone and help themselves.

The writer is a chartered accountant and former member of the boards of public sector banks and corporations.
It is a remarkable instance of coordination in the air, when the greater imperative of concerted action on the ground to confront terrorists has floundered on the rock of prevarication. The United Kingdom has joined the United States to reinforce the latters anti-immigrant agenda. Whitehall has followed up the sweeping ban imposed by the White House on laptops and tablets on inbound flights from six countries ~ Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia ~ all predominantly Muslim. Only mobile and smart phones of a specified size will be allowed inside the cabin. These countries or points of origin of flights do not figure in Donald Trumps list of seven nations whose citizens have been barred from stepping into the United States of America. Not even Saudi Arabia whose nationals are believed to be involved in 9/11. President Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May ~ nationalists both ~ emerge as siblings together in the war against terrorists intent on blowing up planes. The latest imprimatur which has readily been accepted by 10 Downing Street raises the number of suspect nations ~ viewed through the US prism ~ to thirteen, though unconfirmed reports suggest that Iraq might now be spared the humiliation. In a sense, a not dissimilar prism is now in use in the United Kingdom. No one denies the potential technological threat that these gadgets could pose; and yet the fact remains that this threat cannot possibly be confined to Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. Equally, a wider application would have dislocated civil aviation. It is a pregnant targeting of innocent civilian passengers from certain Islamic nations, indeed a ban that has been announced almost simultaneously in Washington and London. Hence the sniper attack from Lebanon: We have come to expect this from Trump ~ the court jester of global politics. Even Gaddafi thought before he spoke.

The statement of the US Department for Homeland Security mirrors the threat which is dangerously real ~ The US government is concerned about terrorists ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 downing of an airliner in Egypt; the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia; and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. The fear can scarcely be minimised even if laptops, tablets, and e-reading devices such as Kindle are checked in and kept in the hold. The international check-in counters can be less stringent in Pakistan, however. And thereby hangs a tale.
The Earth Hour is perhaps the biggest global movement against climate change that has only grown bigger with each passing year ever since its inception in 2007.

This year marks the 11th edition of the annual event and heres a quick guide to the mega campaign so that you may join the effort to save mother earth.

What is Earth Hour?

Its a global campaign started by WWF in 2007 in Sydney urging people across the globe to switch off their lights for one hour between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm once every year. The idea is to spread awareness on the ill effects of climate change.

When is it being observed?

Earth Hour 2017 is on March 25, Saturday at 8:30 pm local time. Millions of people from more than 170 countries will be participating to send out the message that they care about the planet.

Why should lights be turned off?

Its not about conserving electricity but sending out a collective message. The campaign aims to unite the people across the globe in the fight against climate change.

Which landmarks will switch off the lights this year?

Prominent landmarks that have signed up this year include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben along with UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Acropolis in Athens and Edinburgh Castle.

How can you participate?

Its simple, just turn off all your lights and electronic appliances on Saturday between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm. If you want to go the extra mile then WWF suggests on its website that people can donate five Facebook posts between 22-25 March to help Earth Hour and WWF shine a light on climate action.
Facebook

Kolkata, Mar 22 (IBNS): A non-bailable case has been registered against eminent Bengali poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay in a Siliguri court in north Bengal on Wednesday for allegedly hurting religious sentiment through a Facebook post, officials said.

According to reports, based on a complaint lodged by a member of an apolitical organization Hindu Samhati- Arnab Sarkar, investigating officer (IO) of Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station, Abhijit Saha, initiated the case in a local court.

"The case has been registered under cognizable and non-bailable IPC section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and section 67 of Information Technology (IT) Act (Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form)," a senior police official told IBNS.

A police source said that a legal notice under CrPC section 41 could be served to the Kolkata-based poet.

According to reports, IPC section 295A is a cognizable and non-bailable offence, which can prescribe three years imprisonment or fine or both to an offender.

Though no reaction has been received from Srijato on this matter so far, a source claimed that the poet could move to the Calcutta High Court to appeal for an anticipatory bail.

After Yogi Adityanath was selected as the Chief Minister of newly elected BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh, poet Srijato wrote a poem and posted it on his Facebook wall on Sunday late evening.

Alleging that few stanzas of the poem are harmful for religious sentiment, Arnab Sarkar, a resident of Bagha Jatin Colony area under Pradhan Nagar Police Station limits in Siliguri city of north Bengal, on Monday lodged a complaint against Srijato Bandyopadhyay at Siliguri Metropolitan Police's Cyber Crime Section.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
Scientists have demonstrated proof of principle that traumatic memories can be erased from the brain  as seen in the science fiction film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Studies in mice demonstrated that fearful memories prompted by a sound associated with an electric shock could be turned off and on. The researchers said, however, that attempting to experiment on humans was full of ethical problems and some way off. But their studies suggest it will be possible at some point in the future, for example, to treat people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or drug addiction.

Speaking recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Sheena Josselyn said that they had been able to discover the specific brain cells where a particular memory was stored. So we can target where in the brain a memory has gone, she said. We can then decrease the activity in these cells  And it is as if we erase the memory. After this was done, the mice were unperturbed when they heard the sound they had previously learned to associate with the shock.

Increasing the cells activity restored the memory of the shock  enough to be unpleasant but not to cause lasting harm  to the mice. We can turn memory on and turn memory off, Josselyn said, It really does give us proof of principle. If theres a memory problem, we dont have to target the entire body or the entire brain.

Josselyn, of Toronto University, said that it was possible that in the future scientists could develop a heat-seeking missile or a heat-seeking drug that would somehow operate on just the cells important for this memory. We can erase a fearful memory in mice, suggesting in people there might be a way of targeting just those cells that are important in just this traumatic memory and perhaps getting rid of it, she said. The spotless mind, interjected Professor Howard Eichenbaum, director of the Centre for Memory and Brain at Michigan University, who was taking part in the same briefing to the press at the meeting.

In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, an estranged couple erases memories of each other after breaking up, but things do not go quite to plan. Eichenbaum cautioned that there were a limited number of brain cells involved in such memories and killing off one memory might damage others. But he added, If this memory was particularly severe and was destroying your life, then it might be a reasonable compromise.

Asked about the ethical considerations, Josselyn said that being able to target the potential treatment was a key issue, adding that she did not see a future in which brain cells would be killed off to remove memories. The ethics are a really important question. I think we are the sum total of our memories, she said, We all learn from our mistakes. If we erase the memory of our mistakes, what is to keep us from repeating them?

But she added, For something that really interferes with your everyday life, I think a treatment that targets just those cells could be appropriate. In addition to removing fearful memories, the researchers have been able to get rid of memories associated with taking cocaine among the mice, suggesting this could lead to new ways of treating drug addicts.

Memories are stored in what is known as an engram, which consists of brain cells that fire in a particular pattern. When something happens, the brain cells, or neurons, compete against each other to store the memory. Josselyn said, We showed that if two related events occur in a small time window  six hours  then the same neurons win the competition for allocation to both engrams.

This links the two related memories. If, on the other hand, two events occur more than six hours apart, non-overlapping populations of neurons are recruited and the memories are kept separate.

Our results suggest that this neuronal competition during memory formation is a mechanism that links or disambiguates related emotional memories.

THE INDEPENDENT
Recently, some actions of Governors have triggered off a heated controversy among jurists and political leaders. Some of them believe that as we have adopted the British model, the Governor, like the President, has to act upon the advice of the Cabinet. But others think that though, in normal times, the Governor has to abide by the advice of the Cabinet, in some situations the former can surely act of his own choice. Thus, the question ultimately veers round the actual position occupied by the Governor in our Constitution.

It is true that we have adopted the Westminster model of Britain. But as WH Morris-Jones writes, the system is reproduced in the units, but with some differences  (The Government and Politics of India, p. 80). Though the President is the Head of the State, there is, under Art. 74 (1), a cabinet to aid and advise him and he is expected to act upon such advice. As such, he has no discretionary power.

But the local cabinet gives the Governor aid and advice except in so far as he is required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.

So for the Governor, there are two fields  in one of them, he is to act according to the will of his Ministers, but there is an undefined area where he is his own master. Significantly enough, the Constitution has not demarcated the area of his discretion. According to Art. 163 (2), if any question arises whether or not a matter actually falls within his discretionary capacity, the decision of the Governor shall be final and its validity cannot be called in question at all.

This provision sufficiently proves that the Founding Fathers did not intend to make the Governor a puppet-ruler, because he is a functionary equipped with various discretionary powers.

DD Basu has held that the Governor can, of course, act in his discretion in some matters and they may vary according to circumstances  (Introduction To The Constitution of India, p. 210). And Dr BC Rout opines that the Governor may claim to have discretionary power in the (i) appointment of the Chief Minister; (ii) dismissal of the Chief Minister; (iii) Summoning the Assembly; (iv) dissolution of the same; (v) reservation of a state Bill for the President; (vi) recommendation for the imposition of the Presidents Rule and (vii) promulgation of Ordinance etc.  (Democratic Constitution of India, p. 220). If such powers really rest with the Governor, he can by no means be regarded as a mere figurehead.

Secondly, though the Constitution did not originally contain any Article to compel the President to act upon the ministerial advice, the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution totally changed Art. 74 (1). Now the President is legally bound to abide by the advice of his cabinet. If he flouts it, he may, under Art. 61, be impeached by the Parliament for violation of the Constitution.

But such amendment has not at all touched the gubernatorial authority and moreover there is no impeachment mechanism at the state-level. So if a Governor ignores the cabinet, it can only request the President to remove him from the province  neither the cabinet nor the state legislature can take a punitive step against the defiant Governor.

Thirdly, the President is elected by an electoral college (Art. 54) and he cannot be removed without an impeachment. But, the Governor is nominated by the President and may be dismissed by him at any time and without any reason  (Art. 155 and Art. 156). Thus, as Dr SC Kashyap observes, the Governor has no security of service  (Our Constitution, p. 213). In fact, he is a crucial part of our centralised federation, the Founding Fathers thought that India could not be held together without a unified mechanism and that the structural unity could be safety assisted through the gubernatorial office.

So if a state cabinet seeks to act against the national interest and organic integrity, gubernatorial powers can stem the rot. In other words, when the ministerial advice and central directives differ, the Governor would surely accept the later in order to safeguard his own job.

Fourthly, there are some gubernatorial powers which in normal conditions seem to be insignificant but in the changed situation they become immensely crucial.

For example, the Governor, under (Art. 164 (i)), nominates the Chief Minister. Thus, if a political party can secure an absolute majority in the Assembly, he has to send for its leader. But if no party can obtain such majority, the Governor can either summon the leader of the biggest party or try to form a coalition cabinet. In such a situation, much depends upon him  (Dr HH Das  India: Democratic Government and Politics, p. 273).

He can, in such case, ask the aspirant to give him the list of his probable supporters and to present them at the Raj Bhawan. But he can, of course, promptly choose his Chief Minister without any numerical test and then give him some time to prove his majority  (GS Pandey  Constitutional Law of India, p. 240). In this sense, he may become the King-maker.

Similarly, the Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. The Chief Minister is a Minister in terms of Art. 164 (2), and, so, he too can be ousted by withdrawing the gubernatorial pleasure which is purely a mental phenomenon. It is in this way that Justice BC Mitra of the Calcutta High Court directly supported in 1967 the stand of Dharma Vira, the Governor of West Bengal (Ghose v. Sharma). As Dr JC Johari has opined, the term of the Chief Minister depends upon the pleasure of the Governor. The word pleasure is very important  (Indian Government and Politics, p. 730.)

To take another example, under Art. 174 (1), the Governor summons the legislature on the advice of his Chief Minister. But, if, after a split in the ruling party or departure of an ally, he hesitates to face the Assembly for the fear of a defeat, the Governor may, of his own, summon the House in order to ascertain the actual numerical position.

Then, he normally dissolves the House on the advice of the Chief Minister. But, if a defeated CM gives him such an advice, the Governor is within his inherent right to decline to grant it  (Dr AC Kapur  The Indian Political System, p. 355). Particularly if he has a fair chance to form an alternative cabinet, he can rightly refuse to oblige the erring Chief Minister.

He can also recommend to the President to impose Presidents Rule in the province under Art. 356. In such cases, he does not require the advice of the Chief Minister  (SL Sikri  Indian Government and Politics, p. 232).

He is moreover not bound to assent to a state Bill. He can veto it or send it to the President. In 1959, the Governor of Kerala referred the Education Bill to the President and the apex court indirectly appreciated it as a wise step.

Truly, the role of the Governor has been a controversial subject ever since the creation of the Constitution. But in 1967, some non-Congress parties occupied power in several states and, hence, the Union Government under the Congress faced a political debacle. Naturally, it used the gubernatorial power to keep these states under control and thus some of the Governors came out of their slumber with their decisive powers. Thus, it has become crystal clear that the Governor is not merely a decorative emblem. As Dr MV Pylee has rightly claimed, he is a functionary designed to play a vital role in the administration of the affairs of the state  (An Introduction To The Constitution of India, p. 204).

After independence, the Congress occupied power at the Centre and in the states and, hence, there was no Centre-state conflict. Moreover, some eminent leaders became Chief Ministers in the states. This is why the Governors had to reside behind the curtain. Sarojini Naidu, the Governor of UP, regarded herself as the bird in the golden cage. Another Governor compared himself with a dignified hotel-keeper.

But, with the passage of time, the political scene has changed and the actual nature of the gubernatorial office has taken shape.

The writer is a Griffith Scholar, Author and Former Reader, New Alipore College.
At least 33 persons were killed during air raids, believed to have been carried out by the US-led international coalition, against a school sheltering displaced people in the Syrian province of al-Raqqa, a media report said on Wednesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that all the victims of the attack on Monday night were displaced people from other parts of the country, living in a school in al-Mansoura area, the Islamic State's main stronghold in Syria, Efe news reported.

The 33 bodies were taken out from under the debris of the school that was apparently targeted in the air strikes.

Residents from the area told SOHR that about 40 displaced families from the provinces of Homs and Aleppo were living in the school.

SOHR did not rule out a rise in the deaths as there could be bodies still under the rubble.

Since March 8, international coalition warplanes have intensified their attacks against the city of al-Raqqa and areas located east and west the homonymous province, where at least 116 civilians, including 18 minors, were killed during the bombings.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist organisations and praised India for being helpful in the development of his country.

Pakistan's reluctance to end its support for terrorism underpins the continuation of violence in Afghanistan and the region, Rabbani said while speaking on Afghanistan's foreign policy priorities and implications for the new US administration at a meeting organised by the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington on Tuesday.

The Atlantic Council is a forum for countries to discuss key issues such as peace, security, democracy and prosperity around the world.

"Pakistan violates our air-space and frequently shells eastern Afghanistan. These routine violations undermine any prospect of normal bilateral relations, and pose a serious threat to peace and security in our region and beyond," Rabbani said.

He said Afghanistan tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad but, "unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan".

Rabbani said defeating terrorism in Afghanistan and the region is, fundamentally, dependent on eliminating terrorist safe-havens in countries that harbour terrorists.

"They must end their sponsorship of terrorism through continual flow of financial, moral and material aid."

The minister said Afghanistan has always chosen cooperation over confrontation and Islamabad should see its neighbour as a sovereign and independent country.

"It is not subservient to anyone," he said.

Rabbani also called India "an important partner providing support where their means have allowed". He lauded India for the all-round development of Afghanistan.

Referring to the series of recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar, the Foreign Minister said these incidents proved that the Taliban did not want to come to the peace table.

He said a paradigm shift in Pakistan was needed if any progress has to be made in peace efforts with the Taliban.

"Now, we have stopped asking Pakistan to deliver Taliban to the peace table. We want Pakistan to take action against the Taliban leadership. They should not support violence in Afghanistan," he said.

Rabbani also urged US President Donald Trump's administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
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Kolkata, Mar 22 (IBNS): Demanding an immediate action against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader-ministers, who were seen taking money in Narada sting tapes, the Kolkata unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hosted a protest rally in the city on Wednesday.

A large number of party activists, led by BJP's state president Dilip Ghosh, took part in the rally.

Starting from College Square in north Kolkata, the massive march ended at city's downtown Esplanade area.

When police tried to stop the rally by setting up barricades, agitators engaged in a scuffle with the policemen.

A heavy police force were deployed to the area to bring the situation under control.

Bengal BJP's president Dilip Ghosh claimed that a woman supporter of the party, Rai Dey, was injured during the demonstration as a brick was thrown at her by unidentified outsiders.

Senior officials of the city police said that police controlled the situation in a peaceful way and no protester was held during the agitation.

BJP leaders, however, said that their protest over Narada issue will be strengthened in future until strict action is taken against the accused.

After being directed by the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started preliminary enquiry into Narada scam.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
Andrew Denis-Lynch (r) and girlfriend Helena Baska spoke to media at CRARR (Centre for Research Action on Race Relations) about being allegedly racially profiled by police following an incident on the night of March 6th where Denis-Lynch was surrounded by police for dancing in the street in a jovial way.


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London, Mar 22 (IBNS): At least four people were killed and 20 others were wounded in a terror attack near UK's parliament building on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The attacker stabbed a police officer to death after a car plowed into people in Westminister Bridge which killed two. The assailant was killed too in the attack just outside the Parliament.

Mark Rowley, the national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner, said: "As you know we have declared this a terrorist incident and the Counter Terrorism Command are carrying out a full scale investigation into the events today.

"The attack started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring a number of members of the public and three police officers who were on their way back from a commendation ceremony.

"The car then crashed near to Parliament and at least one man - armed with a knife - continued the attack, trying to enter Parliament."

"Sadly - I can now confirm that four people have died. That includes a policeman who was protecting Parliament from the attack and one man we believe to be the attacker who was shot by a police firearms officer.

"The officer's family have been made aware. At least 20 people have been injured. As part of long established and well rehearsed plans, Parliament was locked down and the Met responded in line with our plans for a marauding terrorist attack.

"That response included uniformed and specialist trained firearms officers," he said.

Flag was at half-mast over Scotland Yard tonight to mark the death of the officer and the other victims of this afternoons attack in #Westminster, tweeted Scotland Yard.



Following the events in #Westminster today there will be extra police officers - both armed & unarmed - out on our streets

While earlier reports said a woman was killed, according to CNN, a woman was pulled alive from the River Thames amid chaos in the area, the heart of political life in Britain.

Meanwhile, in a statement given by Commander BJ Harrington at 17:45 hrs on 22 March at New Scotland Yard, he said: "Since 14:40hrs this afternoon (Wednesday, 22 March) the MPS has responded to an incident in the area of Parliament Square, and the Senior National Coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident.

"And although we remain open minded to the motive, a full counter terrorism investigation is already underway - this is led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

"At this stage I will confirm what we know has happened, but I will not speculate.

"We received a number of different reports - which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife.

"Officers were already in the location as part of our routine policing operation. Immediately, additional officers were sent to the scene and that included firearms officers.

"We are working closely with the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

"I'd like to repeat our request for the public to avoid the following areas:

"Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.

"This is to allow emergency services to deal with this ongoing incident.

"There is an ongoing investigation being led by the Counter Terrorism Command and we would ask anybody who has images or film of the incident to pass those to police.

"We know that there are a number of causalities, including police officers, but at this stage we cannot confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries.

"Our response will be ongoing for some time as it is important that we gather all possible information and evidence.

"Public safety is our top priority and we are reviewing our policing stance across London and throughout the course of this afternoon there will be additional police and officers deployed across the Capital.

"I would like to ask the public to remain vigilant and let us know if they see anything suspicious that causes them concern and dial 999 immediately.

"The Acting Commissioner Craig Mackey is being treated as a significant witness as he was at the scene when the incident started. Whilst he is not injured, it would be inappropriate for him to talk about the incident at this stage. Ours and his thoughts are with all those involved and those responding to both incidents.

"Anyone with information can also call 0800 789 321."


New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday stressed the need for both the Government and the opposition groups there to show the same level of commitment and compromise which led to the signing on 31 December of an agreement on the electoral process, while also citing the UN peacekeeping mission's readiness to adapt to the deteriorating security situation.

The primary responsibility for the implementation of the Agreement rests with its signatories, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for DRC, Maman Sidikou, told the Security Council in a briefing.

Under the agreement, President Joseph Kabila would stay in office until elections are held by the end of 2017. During this period, a 'National Council for Overseeing the Electoral Agreement and Process (CNSAP)' would be set up, and a new prime minister named from opposition ranks.

However, some discord has delayed the implementation of the agreement, and the death of opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who was to head the CNSAP, had had a significant impact on the political process.

Sidikou said that the situation seems to have evolved in the right direction over the last few days, with negotiations on the "Special Arrangement" resuming, and the Presidents of the two Houses of Parliament called for an irreversible and credible electoral process and expressed their support.

Significant progress has been made in updating the electoral roll. To date, more than 19 million voters have been enrolled and the enrollment process is about to begin in the two remaining enrollment areas, said Sidikou, who is also the head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

MONUSCO's logistical and technical support for the enrollment process will be completed by the end of this month, and if authorized by the Security Council, MONUSCO is prepared to provide technical and logistical support for the electoral process, which would go beyond updating the electoral roll.

On the security front, Sidikou said that violence and threats to civilians are no longer concentrated in the eastern DRC, noting that community-based violence and inter-ethnic clashes have spread from areas already affected by armed conflict, such as the Kivus, to Tanganyika, the three Kasai provinces, Lomami and Kongo Central.

The Secretary-General has set out a package of measures aimed at enhancing the ability of the MONUSCO Force to support the achievement of the Mission's strategic objectives in the current challenging security context through the adoption of a more mobile, flexible and agile posture. He has recommended the deployment of two additional formed police units (FPUs) to help the Congolese authorities address the potential threat of electoral and politically motivated violence in key urban centers where there is no FPU presence.

Sidikou said that MONUSCO has already undertaken adjustments to its posture and operations, and that the Mission will continue to make such adjustments as may be required in the months ahead.

MONUSCO will continue to provide support for the implementation of the Agreement, while supporting efforts to address the mounting threats faced by the civilian population during the transition period, he concluded.

Photo MONUSCO/Anne Herrmann

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of rising discrimination and violence against those perceived as different, United Nations Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Tuesday urged the world to stand up against intolerance and build communities that recognize diversity not as a source of weakness, but a source of strength and richness.

In a time of upheaval and change, it is easy to paint vulnerable communities as the cause of problems [] people are being targeted because of their race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, warned Guterres at an event at the UN General Assembly commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Highlighting the particular plight of migrants as well as those, especially women and girls, from minority communities who are often targeted as scapegoats and experience racial profiling by authorities, the UN chief underscored the collective responsibility to do better and to protect human rights of all.

We all have a role to play [] after all, racial discrimination destabilizes societies, undermines democracies and erodes the legitimacy of governments, he said. By acting together to end discrimination, we can lift humanity as a whole.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General also reminded that international law requires States to take effective actions to prevent and eliminate discrimination on all grounds and in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life.

They must be vigilant and respond immediately and appropriately, including by prohibiting incitement to racial, national and religious hatred and ending racial profiling, he said, making a specific call on politicians and leaders to speak up and counter hateful speech.

Let us stand up against intolerance and eliminate discrimination, he noted, Let us join forces in our global campaign  Together for Respect, Safety and Dignity for all.

Marked on 21 March, the International Day commemorates the killing of 69 unarmed protestors in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, who were staging a peaceful protest against the discriminatory pass laws of the racist apartheid regime.

In his remarks Assembly President Peter Thomson said it is challenging to see how far the world is from winning the global fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance. Even though global migration had long been a feature of human history and forcible displacement had driven large number of people from their homes, refugees and migrants too often are met with suspicion, fear and intolerance.

The world must reaffirm its faith in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, he said, adding that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights called on the world to stand up against racism, xenophobia and hate where and whenever it appeared.

Moreover, political leaders must be role models for tolerant and respectful attitudes towards migrants. Cross-cultural education in schools must foster respect for diversity and understanding of the positive contribution refugees and migrants made to societies and economies. Most critical, said Thomson, is the need to fully support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda to secure a safe, more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

We must use this historic opportunity of the forthcoming negotiations on a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration to affirm universal respect for the rights of migrants, he said.

Also addressing the Assembly, Louise Arbour, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, said the New York Declaration and forthcoming global compact negotiations would show societies how to embrace diversity at a time when more than 240 million people were displaced.

With pluralistic societies appearing to be the norm, she said her work involved supporting the Together campaign, a new dialogue about refugees and migrants to foster social cohesion while countering negative stereotyping and falsehoods about them.

Assembly honours memory of late Russian Ambassador Churkin

Also on Tuesday at the General Assembly, UN chief Guterres paid a tribute to Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations who passed away last month, a day before his 65th birthday.

Ambassador Churkin was truly one-of-a-kind  an outstanding diplomat, a man of many talents and interests, and a human being whose friendship touched many of us here in this hall on Tuesday, said Guterres in his message, offering his condolences to the late Ambassadors wife, son and family as well as to the people and Government of Russia.

UN Photo/Pendl

Source: www.justearthnews.com
But the tribe has a long way to go
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): Over two-thirds of the population in the Democratic Peopleas Republic of Korea (DPRK) suffers from food insecurity, malnutrition, and a lack of access to basic health and sanitation services, according to a latest humanitarian report, which also appeals for $114 million to meet the urgent need of the most vulnerable.

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) is in the midst of a protracted, entrenched humanitarian situation largely forgotten or overlooked by the rest of the world, Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator for DPRK, said in the Foreword of the 2017 needs assessment for the country.

Frequent natural disasters, especially droughts and floods, changing weather patterns, as well as the lack of agricultural inputs, have left more than 5.6 million people, or 20 per cent of the total population, food insecure and undernourished, despite the political tensions.

Updated data is needed to accurately evaluate the food insecurity situation while increasing crop yields is also of great importance to improve peoples living standard, according to the report.

Malnutrition, as a nationwide problem, needs proactive approach, especially with focus on the first 1,000 days of life.

Those most at risk from the consequences of a lack of access to healthcare include under-five children, pregnant women, people living with disabilities and the elderly, stated the report, while highlighting that safe hygiene practices such as hand washing with soap are seriously affected in absence of running water and hygiene promotion.

Therefore, the reports suggested prioritizing health interventions in rural areas and improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Given small presence of humanitarian community in the Country, as well as limitations on funding, UN agencies and partners are scaling up efforts to ensure the assistance is provided to the most needy people.

However, the report underscored that some $114 million is needed for humanitarian relief, as external assistance plays a vital role in safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of people.

I appeal to donors not to let political considerations get in the way of providing continued support for humanitarian assistance and relief, said Mishra.

Photo: UNICEF/Simon Nazer

Source: www.justearthnews.com
It's no secret that political funding in India is largely preferred to be a faceless affair. On Tuesday, both the BJP and its Narendra Modi-led government asserted that going ahead, they would like to retain the same, but in a proposed new system of political funding.

Earlier the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved amendments to the RBI Act while presenting his Budget amendments for the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha.

The government had proposed to amend the RBI Act to give the central bank the power to issue electoral bonds and designate banks for dealing in them.

Political donors, individuals and corporates will have to issue cheques to buy these bonds, which can only be encashed after depositing in the bank account of a political party.

The amendment to the RBI Act provides for the provision that if the donation has come by way of electoral bonds, then the identity of the donor will not be disclosed.

The proposals moved by government to reform political funding will also require the stamp of the Upper House and the President before it is enacted as a law later this year.

"Even after 70 years of independence there is no transparency in political funding. Most donations are received in cash and the donors, too, hesitate to disclose their identity," Jaitley had said in his Budget speech.

The government also proposes to provide tax incentives to political donors who pay through electoral bonds. Cash donations to political parties were proposed to be capped at Rs 2,000 in the Budget.

"We, at BJP, have the least amount of donations in cash. But in the past we had taken initiatives on Advaniji's advice to accept only cheque donations, but donations to the party dropped by 90 per cent the next year," said Muralidhar Rao, BJP's national general secretary in charge of the party in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

"Providing tax break to political donations is a good thing. It encourages contribution to the democratic process needed for nation building," Rao said, when asked if there are any other examples where such tax breaks are offered on political funding.

"Everyone is facing complexities on the issue of political funding, we are taking the lead this way. In Europe and US they are also trying with other mechanisms," said Rao, speaking on the sidelines of a discussion on 'Transparency in political funding', organized by Bharat Niti, a discussion platform.

Addressing the same discussion, former IAS and founder of Loksatta Party in Andhra Pradesh N Jaypraksh Narayan said the most significant step in reforming political funding was taken in the Vajpayee administration that passed the Election and Other Related laws (Amendment) Act.

"This law, too, made political party contributions tax deductible under section 80G of IT Act before it was repealed. However, it also had a provision to cap donations from individuals and corporates depending on their average earnings and net profits over a period of five years. Such a cap would be necessary to be introduced or there could be many dangers to the democracy with such a move," said Narayan.

Addressing the panel discussion, Arjun Ram Meghwal, minister of state for finance, said the government is committed to bringing in transparency in electoral funding and is also seeking opinion of other parties on compulsory voting and unified polls for all governing bodies.
The implementation of Goods and Service Tax could make goods cheaper for consumers after July 1, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

Addressing the Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth Countries and British Overseas Territories in Delhi, he said, The biggest taxation reform that we are trying to implement from July 1 is Goods and Services Tax. It will increase the volume of taxation. There is no tax on tax, therefore it makes goods, commodities and services little cheaper and far more convenient.

The GST Council had recently okayed all four draft legislations and sent them to Union Cabinet for its final nod. The Cabinet promptly cleared the four supplementary GST legislations which are to be introduced in parliament in the ongoing budget session.

The laws which enable this (GST) are now before parliament. Once they get cleared, then by the middle of this year we hope to see the implementation as far as this law is concerned, he said.

Jaitley said India's growth momentum will continue to be reasonably well at seven to eight per cent rise in GDP this year, and added that there are also prospects for an even higher growth if the global economy picks up.

In terms of tax compliance, Jaitley noted that India ranks fairly high as a non-compliant state. Therefore, one of the efforts of the state has been how to bring non-compliance to an end. Once the GST is introduced it will be a great check as far as evasion is concerned, he said, adding that the government has amended direct taxation law by bringing in curbs on cash currency.

On Tuesday, the minister introduced an amendment to Finance Bill 2017 in parliament, proposing to ban cash dealings above Rs. 2 lakh.

Cash component of Indian economy was exorbitantly highabout 12.2 per cent of GDP and of this, 86 per cent was high denominational currency and therefore the tendency to deal excessively in cash did exist and this created its own challenges for economy, he said, defending the government's November 8 move to demonetise high denomination notes.

Highlighting that the move had subsequently led to a higher transparency, Jaitley said, "Anonymity was attached to this high level of cash operating in the market. That anonymity disappeared as money had to be deposited in a bank."

"This has also increased the trend towards digitisation of the economy and will act as a disincentive to continuing to dealing in the shadow or parallel economy," he said, indicating that the move could shrink the size of India's large informal economy.

India's GDP, Jaitley said, will have long-lasting impact from demonetisation, which will also make the economy cleaner.

As regards India's growth, Jaitley said India would continue to remain amongst the fastest growing economies of the world. For the last three years, we have been the fastest growing major economy. We will continue to be in that phase. I think for India to achieve the growth rate of seven to eight per cent is reasonably logically plausible, Jaitley said.

He said the tax department is trying to make the I-T (income tax) backbone stronger to make evasion difficult for taxpayers. This, he said, will reduce the workload of the tax department to only a limited number of scrutinies.

The minister said the government is now focused on reducing the problems of the public sector banks and trigger private consumption to bring the economy back on track. We are hopeful that the next few quarters will probably see a better result as far as those areas are concerned, he said, adding oil prices remain an uncertainty for India.

This year's conference is being hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India.

"This Conference will provide a platform and opportunity for all the Supreme Audit Institutions to meet and share their experiences and discuss the key issues faced by them in the area of public audit," said Comptroller and Auditor General of India Shashi Kant Sharma.
Disney is facing a lawsuit alleging that Oscar-winning animation film 'Zootopia' was copied from the work of author Gary L Goldman.

Goldman's credits include writing 'Total Recall' and 'Next' and producing 'Minority Report'.

The complaint filed on Tuesday in California federal court comes from Esplanade Productions Inc, which is being represented by the prominent law firm of Quinn Emanuel, according to media reports.

In the lawsuit, Disney is alleged to have a track record of ripping-off work including The Lion King, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Up, Inside Out and more.

"They did it with 'Zootopia,' too, when they copied Gary L Goldman's 'Zootopia'. Twice in 2000 and 2009 Goldman, on behalf of Esplanade, pitched Defendants his 'Zootopia' franchise, which included a live-action component called Looney and an animated component called 'Zootopia'," states the complaint.

"He provided a treatment, a synopsis, character descriptions, character illustrations and other materials. He even provided a title for the franchise: 'Zootopia.' Instead of lawfully acquiring Goldman's work, Defendants said they were not interested in producing it and sent him on his way. Thereafter, consistent with their culture of unauthorized copying, Defendants copied Goldman's work. They copied Goldman's themes, settings, plot, characters, and dialogue some virtually verbatim," the complaint further reads.

The lawsuit states that Goldman pitched former Disney executive and Mandeville Films' CEO David Hoberman, at Disney's offices in 2000, and that everyone at the meeting "understood that writers pitch ideas and materials to studios and producers in confidence in order to sell those ideas and materials for financial compensation."

Hoberman responded favorably, continues the complaint, but his company ultimately passed.

Disney is then alleged to have begun work on its own 'Zootopia' and reproduced substantially similar expression in alleged violation of plaintiff's copyrights.

The plaintiff wants the court to make Disney show them "all profits derived from their use of the Goldman's Zootopia and their production, reproduction, preparation of derivative works based on, distribution, performance, and display of the Disney Zootopia or the Zootopia Merchandise in all media, from all sources, worldwide."

A Disney spokesperson responds: "Mr Goldman's lawsuit is riddled with patently false allegations. It is an unprincipled attempt to lay claim to a successful film he didn't create, and we will vigorously defend against it in court."
Sacred city of Ayodhya has welcomed the Supreme Court's suggestion for an out of court settlement of Ram temple dispute. The parties to the dispute have agreed to it but with a riderthey want the dialogue under the aegis of the Chief Justice of India or a bench comprising the SC judges. They also ruled out mediation by political parties or any other outfit.

In 2010, Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court, while delivering its verdict, had divided 2.77 acre of the disputed land of the temple into three parts. Each part had gone to Hindu Mahasabha (Ramlala Virajman), Islamic Sunni Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu religious sect. Subsequently Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara moved the Supreme Court.

The dispute had reached court 132 years ago and the hearing has been going on for past 67 years.

Ayodhya-based Iqbal Ansari, son of late Hashim Ansari, a party in the case representing the Muslims, said, We want the matter to be resolved. We will discuss with our men; parties should sit together and find out the solution.

Ram Das, who belongs to Nirmohi Akhara, said, For the dialogue, a panel should be constituted under the Chief Justice of India (CJI). There should not be any outside interference; dialogue should be strictly restricted between the parties.

Triloki Nath Pandey, who represents Ramlalla Virajman, another party in the case, said, It would be better if Supreme Court invites all the parties for the dialogue. Parties could be represented by their lawyers too, but no outsiders should be allowed.

However, the Vishva Hindu Parishad has not shown much interest in settling the dispute in this way. The VHP is of the opinion that a law should be passed in parliament for construction of the temple.

VHPs Ayodhya-based spokesperson Sharad Sharma said, Earlier, too many attempts have been made to settle the dispute through dialogue, but it failed to reach any solution. The only way to resolve it is through a law made by parliament.

It remains to be seen which way the wind will blow in future. However, temple construction debates have gathered steam in Uttar Pradesh after the formation of Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state.
The Supreme Court is likely to examine whether to revive the conspiracy charges against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The apex court will hear the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s plea against Allahabad High Court's order dropping criminal conspiracy charges against the BJP leaders in the case.

There are two sets of cases. One is against BJP veteran Advani and others who were on the dais at Ram Katha Kunj in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 when the Babri mosque was demolished.

The other case was against lakhs of 'karsevaks' (volunteers) who were in and around the disputed structure.

The CBI had chargesheeted Advani and 20 others under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between classes), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (false statements, rumours etc. circulated with the intent to cause mutiny or disturb public peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

It had subsequently invoked charges under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC which was quashed by the special court whose decision was upheld by the high court.
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly witnessed a huge uproar today when Speaker Haribhau Bagade suspended 19 legislators from the opposition parties for nine months for disrupting the state budget presentation.

Members from the opposition parties had tried to disrupt the budget presentation of finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the ongoing budget session on March 18. The MLAs had unfurled banners and resorted to sloganeering in order to demand loan waiver for the farmers in the state.

The speaker suspended 10 MLAs from the NCP and nine from the Congress with immediate effect till December 31. This means that the suspended MLAs will lose out on the current Budget session, apart from the scheduled Monsoon session in Mumbai and the Winter session to be held in Nagpur.

We have been demanding for the loan waiver for over two weeks now. The suspension is an attempt to silence our voices. This is a dangerous undemocratic thing, said Jitendra Awhad, one of the suspended MLAs from NCP. He said the NCP and the Congress will have to take their battle to the streets to defeat the government's intention of suppressing their voices.

Maharashtra has had the maximum number of farmer suicides during 2015-16 and 2016-17. The state was planning to merge planned and unplanned expenditures for the year 2017-18.

Opposition leader Radhakrishna Wikhe-Patil had described it a "complete fraud" move. This budget is a complete fraud for the farmers in the state. Absence of loan waiver in the budget has shattered their lives completely, said Wikhe-Patil. The farmers in the state are in distress since the last two years. Two farmers have been committing suicides everyday for the last five months. After how many deaths is this BJP government going realize the gravity of this disaster? he asked.



Severe drought in 2015-16 brought the farmers on their knees. The fall in prices of agricultural produce as a consequence of demonetisation broke the farmers completely.

Here's the list of the 19 suspended MLAs:

Amar Kale (Congress), Bhaskar Jadhav (NCP), Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress), Jitendra Awhad (NCP), Harshavardhan Sakpal (Congress), Madhusudan Kendre (NCP), Abdul Sattar (Congress), Sangram Jagtap (NCP), Avadhut Tatkare (NCP), D.P. Sawant (Congress), Sangram Thopte (Congress), Ameet Zanak (Congress), Kunal Patil (Congress), Deepak Chavan (NCP), Rahul Jagtap (NCP), Narhari Zirwal (NCP), Vaibhav Pichad (NCP), Jaykumar Gore (Congress), Datta Bharane (NCP)
Joining the 'go digital' bandwagon, South Korean giant Samsung on Wednesday launched Samsung Pay, the company's flagship mobile payments service, in India.

Apart from allowing users to simply tap and 'pay on the go' using their registered cards, Samsung Pay has integrated digital wallet Paytm as well as the government's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment system into its app.

Payments through Samsung Pay can be accepted at all places where a physical card will work.

To launch Samsung Pay, a user will just have to swipe up on a compatible phone, select the card, authenticate using a fingerprint or PIN and bring the phone close to the point of sale (PoS) terminal.

Samsung Pay works with Samsung's patented Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology as well as with Near Field Communication (NFC).

"Samsung Pay is an example of how we continue to push the boundaries of innovations to make life simpler and better for consumers. I am confident Samsung Pay will redefine digital payments and contribute to Digital India," HC Hong, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, told reporters here.

The integration of Samsung Pay with local payments solutions is in line with Samsung's Make for India' commitment.

With its launch in India, Samsung Pay is now available in 12 global markets, including South Korea, the US, China, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Samsung Pay partners include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Cards, Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank and payment gateways, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

"With Samsung Pay, we give our consumers the smartest way to make digital transactions by far," added Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Business, Samsung India.

Samsung Pay will also be available on the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch shortly, allowing users to pay with just the movement of their hand.
Legendary physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking is all set for an 'out-of-the-world' trip. He confirmed the news of his trip to space on a popular television show, Good Morning Britain, on Monday. When British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan asked Hawking about the meaning of life, he said: I can tell you what would make me happiest, to travel in space. I have already completed a zero-gravity flight which allowed me to float, but my ultimate ambition is to fly into space. I thought no one would take me, but Richard Branson has offered me a seat on Virgin Galactic, and I said 'yes' immediately."



At 75, Hawking may not be the oldest person to go to space. Renowned NASA astronaut John Glenn went to space at 77, Hawking will be the first person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosisalso known as Lou Gehrig's diseaseto do so.



Hawking's trip will be sponsored by Virgin Galactic, a spaceflight company founded by billionaire Sir Richard Branson in 2004. The company aims to make space accessible to more people and for purposes such as adventure travel, tourism or just for an experience, than space research. Virgin Galactic's plan to complete a flight was delayed by a range of problems and accidents, including the crash of SpaceShipTwo over the Mojave Desert in North America in October 2014.



In mid 2015, the company reportedly sent out emails to its elite clientele informing them of the plans to launch the company's VSS Unity SpaceShipTwo, a suborbital rocket-powered manned spaceplane, by end of 2017. The Virgin Galactic spaceship is designed to carry two pilots and six passengers on luxury space trips for $250,000 (approximate over Rs 1 crore) per seat.



Branson had expressed his wish to take Hawking to space. In a media statement, he had said: Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the people I admire most in the world, an undisputed genius who has opened our eyes to the wonders of the universe, while also happening to be a kind and delightful man. He is the only person I have given a free ticket with Virgin Galactic, and he is signed up to fly as a Future Astronaut with us if his health permits it.


The United States and Britain on Tuesday imposed restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from certain airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

The US Department of Homeland Security said passengers traveling from a specific list of airports could not bring into the main cabin devices larger than a mobile phone such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras.

Instead, such items must be in checked baggage. Although civil liberties groups raised concerns that US President Donald Trump was seeking another limit on movement after a travel ban from Muslim-majority countries was challenged in the courts, Britain took similar steps.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said there would be curbs on electronic items in the cabin on flights from six countries in the Middle East. The foreign office said the measures would be implemented by March 25.

The moves were prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets.

The ban would continue for the "foreseeable future," a US government official said on Tuesday, adding that it was possible it could be extended to other airports and other countries.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer declined to talk about the intelligence that prompted the new steps or explain why some countries were left off the list.Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said he "spoke to the intelligence community over the weekend, and this is a real threat."

US officials say militant groups are known for innovative bomb designs, including embedding them inside computers.

Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also has boasted of one of the world's most feared bomb makers, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri.French and Canadian officials said they were examining their arrangements but neither government was taking additional security measures at this stage.

The airports covered by the US restrictions are in Cairo; Istanbul; Kuwait City; Doha, Qatar; Casablanca, Morocco; Amman, Jordan; Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates.

The affected airports are served by nine airlines that fly directly from those cities to the United States about 50 times a day, senior government officials said.

The carriersRoyal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airwayshave until Friday to adopt the new policy, which took effect on Tuesday.

No US airlines are on the list because there are no direct flights on them between the United States and the cited airports, officials said.Britain said its restrictions would apply to direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The British regulations affect British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson , Atlas-Global, Pegasus, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Turkish Airlines and Tunisair.

IAG-owned British Airways advised customers departing from affected airports to arrive in good time at check-in.Shares in IAG turned lower after the UK announcement, with easyJet also ending the day in negative territory.

Recent intelligence

A US government source said that while the restrictions arose from multiple reports of security threats, some recent intelligence had arrived that prompted the current alert.

US authorities believe there is a threat from plots similar to an incident last year in Somalia, where a bomb hidden in a laptop blew a hole in the side of a plane but failed to down it, another source said.

However, some experts questioned whether the limited ban could improve security and said it is complicated by aviation safety concerns about lithium-powered batteries used in many electronic items catching fire in the hold.Some potentially affected said the ban was unfair."

Security for some people, and other people none? It's not for everybody, right?" said Mohsen Ali, an Egyptian who spoke to Reuters TV at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport where he was waiting to meet a friend.

US officials said the decision had nothing to do with Trump's efforts to impose a travel ban on citizens of six majority-Muslim nations.

On March 6, Trump signed a revised executive order barring citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from traveling to the United States for 90 days. Two federal judges have halted parts of the ban although Trump has vowed to appeal.

While Democrats have criticized Republican Trump's travel ban, Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the HouseIntelligence committee, said he backed the new precautions as "both necessary and proportional to the threat."

However, human rights group Amnesty International said the restrictions raised "serious concerns that this could be yet more bigotry disguised as policy."
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): On Tuesday, the call that people with Down Syndrome be included to fully and equally participate in all aspects of society echoed widely throughout United Nations Headquarters in New York.

With a full agenda, a special event to mark World Down Syndrome Day identified and turned key issues that affect individuals with Down syndrome into a call for inclusive policy making.

What we need to see is a paradigm shift towards understanding that people with Downs syndrome have valuable contributions to make to society and until that happens there are always going to be blockages to getting into school, to getting proper medical attention and living independently, Andrew Boyd, Director Downs Syndrome International, told UN News.

For many, prevailing negative attitudes result in low expectations, discrimination and exclusion  creating communities that prevent people with Down Syndrome from successfully integrating with others.

In contrast, the message reverberating from on Tuesdays event underscored that when people with Down Syndrome and other disabilities are given opportunities to participate, all people benefit from this shared environment of friendship, acceptance and respect for everyone and high expectations are created.

Those gathered for the event agreed that people with Down Syndrome and their advocates must be empowered to influence policy makers at all levels.

The speakers said that these individuals may need additional support in specific areas, such as health, education, work and living accommodations, which underscored the importance for them to directly influence policy formation and implementation covering those and other issues.

The resounding chorus of My Voice, My Community encouraged people with Down syndrome and those who advocates for them to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action.

The special event was organized by Down Syndrome International and sponsored by UN Permanent Missions, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and international agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Photo: UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

Source: www.justearthnews.com
A policeman was stabbed inside the perimeter of Britain's parliament building on Wednesday, an assailant was shot outside and several people lay bleeding on a nearby bridge, Reuters witnesses and officials said.

A Reuters photographer saw at least a dozen people injured on Westminster Bridge and photographs showed people lying on the ground, bleeding heavily. The number of casualties was unclear.

The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.

Prime Minister Theresa May was safe after the incident, a spokesman for her office said. He declined to say where May was when the attack took place.

The leader of the House, David Lidington, said in the chamber that an assailant who stabbed a policeman had been shot by police.

Amid confusing scenes, it appeared the incident may have unfolded in several locations, including the busy bridge where tourists often congregate to take pictures of Big Ben and other attractions.

The incident took place on the first anniversary of attacks on Brussels in Belgium.

Reuters reporters inside parliament said a large number of armed police, some carrying shields, were pouring into the building.

Britain is on its second-highest level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

In May 2013, two British Islamists stabbed to death soldier Lee Rigby on a street in southeast London.

In July 2005, four British Islamists killed 52 commuters and themselves in suicide bombings on the British capital's transport system in what was London's worst peacetime attack.
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): The security situation in South Sudan is avery worrisome,a the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations on Tuesday said, warning that the number of people fleeing the country showing no signs of slowing, and calling for a political solution to the hostilities.

You cannot hope that a solution will come by the use of weapons, the solution has to be political, said outgoing Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous in a press conference in Juba, alongside Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who will take up the position in April.

Ladsous underscored the importance of the 2015 peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition groups, but noted that there are concerns about implementing an agreement which will shortly be two-years old.

Earlier in the day, Ladsous said he spoke with President Kiir in what he described as a good meeting. Among the topics discussed were the challenges to humanitarian action, including impediments to getting clearances, as well as instances of aid workers killed or injured while on the job.

Meanwhile, the needs in the country are greater than ever with two counties in Unity state  Mayendit and Leer  formally declared famines.

Ladsous warned that the situation is man-made after several years of fighting and is not going to improve because it is now crop planting season and all farmers are displaced or seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

Speaking to journalists, Ladsous also noted that the first vanguard of the UN Security Council-mandated Regional Protection Force should be deployed to Juba in the next few weeks. The units will be comprised of Bangladeshi, Nepalese, and Rwandan troops, followed by Ethiopian forces and troops from other countries.

The senior UN official added that he will meet on Wednesdayin New York with Member States who are contributing troops to discuss the deployments.

Once deployed to Juba, the Force will free a number of UNMISS units to the countryside to better protect the civilians, he said.

Ladsous noted, however, that the main responsibility for protection is with the Government of South Sudan: We cannot have one blue helmet behind every single South Sudanese citizen. The responsibly to protect its own citizens is that of the Government. And we are here to support, to facilitate, to help the Government of the sovereign country of South Sudan.

Photo: UNMISS

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): Global temperatures set yet another record last year and the world witnessed exceptionally low sea ice, and unabated sea level rise and ocean heat, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday, warning that the extreme weather and climate conditions have continued into 2017.

According to the agencys Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2016, while global temperatures hit a remarkable 1.1 degree-Celsius above the pre-industrial period, global sea-level touch record highs and the planets sea-ice coverage dropped more than four million square kilometres below average in November  an unprecedented anomaly for that month.

This increase in global temperature is consistent with other changes occurring in the climate system, explained WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

With levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere consistently breaking new records, the influence of human activities on the climate system has become more and more evident.

Each of the year since 2001 has seen at least 0.4 degree-Celsius above the long-term average for the 1961-1990 base period, used by the UN agency as a reference for climate change monitoring.

The 2016 heating was further boosted by the powerful 2015/2016 El Nino weather system, during which global sea-level also rose very strongly.

Similarly, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere reached the symbolic benchmark of 400 parts per millions in 2015  the latest year for which WMO global figures are available  and will not fall below that level for many generations to come because of the long-lasting nature of CO2.

The extreme climate conditions also added to human suffering: 2016 saw severe droughts, affecting millions in southern and eastern African and Central America. For example, in the Caribbean, Hurricane Matthew  the first category 4 (CAT4) storm to make landfall since 1963  tore a path of destruction in Haiti and inflicted significant economic losses in the region.

Vital that Paris Agreement on climate change is fully implemented

In the midst of such challenges, Taalas, underlined the importance of implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, which also entered into force last year.

The entry into force of the Paris Agreement on 4 November 2016 represents a historic landmark, he said, adding: It is vital that its implementation becomes a reality and that the Agreement guides the global community in addressing climate change by curbing greenhouse gases, fostering climate resilience and mainstreaming climate adaptation into national development policies.

He also called for continued investment in climate research and observations to allow scientific knowledge to keep pace with the rapid rate of climate change.

Extremes continue in 2017

The extreme weather patterns are continuing in 2017, said WMO.

At least three times so far this winter, the Arctic saw what can be called the Polar equivalent of a heatwave, with powerful Atlantic storms driving an influx of warm, moist air, meaning that at the height of the Arctic winter and the sea ice refreezing period, there were days which were actually close to melting point.

Antarctic sea ice has also been at a record low, in contrast to the trend in recent years, and some areas, including Canada and much of the United States, were unusually balmy, whilst others, including parts of the Arabian peninsula and North Africa, were unusually cold in early 2017.

In United States alone, 11,743 warm temperature records were broken or tied in February, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the UN agency.

Even without a strong El Nino in 2017, we are seeing other remarkable changes across the planet that are challenging the limits of our understanding of the climate system, said World Climate Research Programme Director David Carlson.

We are now in truly uncharted territory.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Damascus, Mar 22 (IBNS) : At least 33 displaced civilians were killed in an airstrike on a school in a Syrian town held by Islamic State, The Times reported.

The reports quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying that the US-led coalition was behind a strike in Al-Mansoura, north of Raqqa, in the early hours of Tuesday.

We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqqa, Aleppo and Homs, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based organisation.

The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families.

The coalition said this month that offensives in Syria and Iraq had inadvertently killed at least 220 civilians, but some monitors dispute this figure.
[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

A cache of nine bronze coins from the end of the Byzantine period (seventh century CE) was discovered in salvage excavations that the Israel Antiquities Authority conducted as part of widening Highway 1, near Ein Chemed, financed by the Netivei Israel Company.

During the course of the excavations, which were carried out last June, a large two story structure and an adjacent built, complex winepress were exposed. According to Annette Landes-Nagar, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, The hoard was found amongst large stones that had collapsed alongside the building. It seems that during a time of danger the owner of the hoard placed the coins in a cloth purse that he concealed inside a hidden niche in the wall. He probably hoped to go back and collect it, but today we know that he was unable to do so.

The coins bear the images of three important Byzantine emperors: Justinian (483-565 AD), Maurice (539-602 CE) and Phocas (547-610 CE). They were struck at three different mints, Constantinople, Antioch, and Nicomedia, all of which are located in what is today Turkey. An image of the emperor wearing military garb and carrying crosses is depicted on the obverse of the coins, while the reverse indicates the coins denomination and is usually inscribed with the letter M.

According to Landes-Nagar, The hoard indicates the end of the site. The historical background to its having been hidden is apparently related to the Sassanid Persian invasion that occurred in 614 CE. This invasion, was one of the factors that culminated in the end of Byzantine rule in the Land of Israel.

Fearing an invasion and imminent danger, the residents of the site buried their money against the wall hoping to return home at the end of the disturbances, which did not happen. The site was abandoned and destroyed, and ultimately covered over and incorporated in the agricultural terraces that characterize the region.

The building and the winepress beside it belong to a larger site that extends across Highway 1, and which was exposed on the other side of the road about a year ago. A Byzantine church was revealed in that part of the excavation. The investigation of the site raised the hypothesis that this is a settlement called Einbikumakube whose name was preserved in that of the neighboring Arab village of Beit Naquba. This site is situated alongside a main road leading from the coastal plain to Jerusalem. Settlements and way stations, some of which were near flowing springs, developed next to the road that was used by Christian pilgrims who were traveling to Jerusalem.

According to Amit Shadman, the district archaeologist for Judah, The Israel Antiquities Authority and Netivei Israel are working together to conserve the site as a landmark in the scenery alongside Highway No. 1.

Photographic credit: Yoli Shwartz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority







(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
In a joint operation involving border police and Israel Police, soldiers during the night raided a forgery operation in the PA (Palestinian Authority) village of Yata, located in the Hebron district.

The facility provided documents for cash, including Israeli identity cards and permits to cross the Green Line and remain inside Israel proper. The raid is the result of a undercover operation that was taking place during recent months. PA residents paid thousands of shekels for forged permits.

The force confiscated a computer, printer, other materials and NIS 85,000. The commander stated the raid marks the closure of the major forgery operation that provided PA residents with documents for those willing and able to pay. He added that the forgery lab even produced passports.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The U.S. and British governments, citing unspecified threats, are barring passengers on some international flights from mostly Middle Eastern and North African countries from bringing laptops, tablets, electronic games and other devices on board in carry-on bags.

Passengers flying to the United States from 10 airports in eight countries will be allowed only cellphones and smartphones in the passenger cabins, senior Trump administration officials said. Larger electronic items must be checked.

The British security rules will affect flights from six countries and will bar passengers from taking any phones, laptops or tablets larger than a normal sized mobile or smartphone, into the cabin.

The U.S. rules took effect Tuesday, and airlines will have until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday to implement them or face being barred from flying to the United States, the officials said.

They said the decision was prompted by evaluated intelligence about potential threats to airplanes bound for the United States. The officials would not discuss the timing of the intelligence or if any particular terror group is thought to be planning an attack.

Trump administration officials briefed reporters on condition they not be identified publicly. That was despite President Donald Trumps repeated insistence that anonymous sources should not be trusted.

The electronics ban affects flights from international airports to the U.S. from in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. About 50 flights a day, all on foreign carriers, will be affected. The officials said no U.S.-based airlines have nonstop flights from those cities to the United States.

The British security rules will apply to flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

With the order affecting flights from predominantly Muslim nations, the ban may invite comparisons to Trumps orders barring travel from several Muslim-majority-nations, which have been blocked by courts. Early in his candidacy, Trump had called on barring Muslims from entering the United States.

But the comparison has its limits. The travel ban was more severe, separating families and barring students from studying in the U.S. The laptop ban is more of an inconvenience and its stated reason is to protect the very travelers who are affected by it. Still, its bound to annoy powerful business people and diplomats, and could affect the travel plans of wealthy tourists sought after by the U.S. travel industry.

Details of the electronics ban were first disclosed by Royal Jordanian and the official news agency of Saudi Arabia.

In its statement, Royal Jordanian said the electronics ban would affect its flights to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal.

A spokesman for Royal Jordanian says the airliner has not yet started to enforce the new U.S. regulation. Basel Kilani has told The Associated Press that the airline was still awaiting formal instructions from the relevant U.S. departments, which could possibly come later on Tuesday.

EgyptAir officials said the airline will implement that ban on Friday, while Emirates officials said the new security procedures would start on Saturday for its passengers.

However, the Mideasts biggest airline is confirming that U.S.-bound passengers will be prevented from carrying electronic gadgets aboard aircraft.

Dubai-based Emirates said Tuesday the ban takes effect on Saturday. That guidance differs from the information provided by senior Trump administration officials, who have said the ban is in place from Tuesday

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly phoned lawmakers over the weekend to brief them on aviation security issues that have prompted the impending electronics ban, according a congressional aide briefed on the discussion. The aide was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The administration officials who briefed reporters about the ban said foreign officials were told about the impending order starting Sunday.

A U.S. government official said such a ban has been considered for several weeks. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose the internal security discussions by the federal government.

The ban would begin just before Wednesdays meeting of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Washington. A number of top Arab officials were expected to attend the State Department gathering. It was unclear whether their travel plans were related to any increased worry about security threats.

Most major airports in the United States have a computer tomography or CT scanner for checked baggage, which creates a detailed picture of a bags contents. The equipment can warn an operator of potentially dangerous material, and may provide better security than the X-ray machines used to screen passengers and their carry-on bags. All checked baggage must be screened for explosives.

(AP)
Yad LAchim turned to Education Minister Naftali Bennet earlier this week demanding that he put an immediate halt to all contacts between his ministry and A New Way, the NGO that brought Jewish children from Caesarea to a mosque to bow down and pray in keeping with Islamic custom.

A New Way, which receives funding from the New Israel Fund, organized the class trip as part of its effort to promote coexistence between Jews and Arabs. The tour of the nearby Arab town of Jisr a-Zarka included a visit to the local mosque together with Muslim children of similar ages. Upon entering the mosque, the Jewish children participated in prayers and bowed down to the ground. According to Channel 20, which exposed the affair, several of the parents said their children had been required to participate in the ceremony.

Channel 20 also revealed that A New Way has being working hand in hand with the Education Ministry for the past 18 years, running its programs in a not insignificant number of schools. Now it is clear that the innocent attempt at promoting mutual understanding and respect leads to joint prayers in mosques.

Yad LAchim officials, shocked by the pictures Jewish children bowing down at a mosque, sent an urgent missive to the education minister, who also serves as chairman of the Jewish Home party.

In their letter, Yad LAchims leaders wrote: Assimilation in Israel is masquerading as a yearning for multi-culturalism. Jewish identity, the backbone and core values of the Jewish people, is dealt a blow, here in Israel, out of a desire to show tolerance towards other religions. It begins with a bill to advance the Holiday of Holidays  legislating a joint celebration of Jewish, Muslim and Christian holidays in December  and continues with joint prayers in a mosque. If we dont come to our senses, it will end, chalilah, with baptism. The Education Ministry must sever all ties with the NGO and forbid it from running programs in schools so that this kind of thing doesnt happen again.

(YWN Headquarters  NYC)
If Islamic terrorists in Gaza or Lebanon go to war with Israel, they could find their usual targets empty.

Israel is drawing up contingency plans to evacuate up to a quarter-million civilians from border communities to protect them from attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah or other Islamic terrorists groups.

The mass evacuations would be the biggest in Israels history, part of a bigger plan where the army works with municipalities to keep civilians safe.

All sides have been preparing in case a new round of warfare breaks out, although Hezbollah, currently is tied down in Syrias civil war fighting in support of President Bashar Assad. It also comes amid an uptick in tensions between Israel, Syria and Hezbollah.

Each side has warned that a new conflict would be worse than previous ones. Hezbollah fired more than 4,000 rockets on Israeli communities in the 2006 war, while Israel bombarded terror targets in southern Lebanon.

In 2014, 50 days of fighting left widespread devastation in Gaza and thousands of rockets and mortars fired by Hamas and other Islamic terrorist at Israeli towns and cities.

Israel says Hezbollah and Hamas have rebuilt larger arsenals capable of hitting the entire country. Elements of the evacuation plan, codenamed Safe Distance, were disclosed by a senior Israeli officer in an interview to The Associated Press.

In 2017, all of Israel is under threat, said Col. Itzik Bar of the militarys Homefront Command. Preparations are underway for Israel to deal with very high amounts of incoming fire, he said.

Bar pointed out that Hezbollah has gained battle experience from fighting alongside Assads forces and that Hassan Nasrallah, the Shiite groups chief, has recently increased his rhetoric about attacking Israel.

The idea is to remove the threat by not having civilians there, Bar said. We want a meeting of army and Hezbollah forces and not civilians with Hezbollah forces.

The evacuation plan would apply mainly to communities adjacent to the borders, he said.

In places where we understand there is a great danger to civilians, for example, where we wont be able to supply defenses or supply deterrence  we will evacuate, Bar said.

Evacuees would be housed in existing infrastructure, including hotels, schools and Kibbutz guest houses, he said.

The scope of evacuations would depend on the situation, but all told, the plans cover up to 250,000 people who would be moved to safety if there is a conflict on multiple fronts, he said. Israel has a population of about 8.5 million.

Small core groups would stay behind in evacuated areas to maintain vital infrastructure and ensure that communities function the day after the fighting, he said.

Another senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with protocol, said the idea resulted from lessons learned in the 2014 Gaza war, in which communities were not evacuated but residents eventually left on their own.

Tens of thousands of Israelis left their homes near the Gaza border as the fighting dragged on, turning some areas into ghost towns. The exodus was sparked by Palestinian shelling along with the fear of heavily armed Gaza terrorists infiltrating Israel through tunnels.

Border communities vulnerable to mortars are the most in danger, he said.

Israels Iron Dome defense system was seen as a game-changer in the 2014 war, ensuring a decisive protective edge from short-range rockets fired from Gaza. But the security official said there were not enough of the defensive systems to cover attacks on multiple fronts.

He said Hezbollah has significantly built up its weapons stockpile since the 2006 war and has upgraded its arsenal to about 150,000 missiles.

Israel has made it clear it will act to prevent Hezbollah getting advanced munitions and is widely believed to have carried out several airstrikes in recent years on weapons convoys destined for the terrorist group. On Friday, it made a rare admission of such a strike after Syria fired missiles at its jets.

However, the official said Israel fears that some advanced weapons like surface-to-sea weapons or anti-aircraft missiles might already have reached Hezbollah.

Israels military chief, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, told an academic conference Tuesday that Hezbollahs top commander was killed in Syria in May 2016 by rivals within the group. The announcement was the latest sign of an escalating feud between Israel and Hezbollah.

He said the death of Mustafa Badreddine illustrated the depth of the internal crisis within Hezbollah. He also said it reflected the extent of the cruelty, complexity and tension between Hezbollah and its patron Iran.

An Israeli military official said Israel believes the order to kill Badreddine was given by Hezbollahs leader Nasrallah.

Israeli intelligence believes Badreddine had been feuding with Iranian military commanders in Syria over the heavy losses his group had suffered on the battlefield.

Israel, meanwhile, has been building up its missile defenses. A system called Davids Sling to intercept medium-range missiles from Hezbollah is due to become operational in early April. That would mark the completion of a multilayer missile defense system that includes Iron Dome and Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles  of the type possessed by Iran  high in the stratosphere.

The military also has vastly improved its early warning systems, according to Bar, the Israeli colonel.

Technology has come a long way since 1991 when air raid sirens sent Israelis nationwide scurrying to bomb shelters when Iraq fired Scud missiles at Tel Aviv. In the 2014 Gaza war, sirens warned of incoming rocket attacks on wide areas.

Bar said the system has been narrowed down and improved dramatically with more than 3,000 different warning zones. Now only civilians in the line of fire will need to take shelter, while others in the same city wont, he said.

An annual intelligence assessment found Hezbollah or Hamas probably are not interested in sparking a war in 2017, but it warned of the danger of a dynamic of escalation leading to conflict. In February, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah was not seeking a resumption of hostilities. But he vowed that if war did begin, his forces would strike Israels Dimona nuclear facilities,

Israeli officials have in turn escalated the rhetoric with Lebanon, citing concern about recent comments made by Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a strong Hezbollah ally who was elected head of state in October.

In an interview last month with an Egyptian TV network, Aoun said Hezbollah has a complementary role to the Lebanese army. As long as the Lebanese army is not strong enough to battle Israel  we feel the need for its existence, he said. The armys newly appointed commander also has vowed to boost its capabilities.

Several Hamas officials say the group does not seek a confrontation with Israel now, but that it has developed its arsenal and restored its capabilities to even greater amount than before the 2014 war. They did not specify numbers.

Reports in Gaza suggest Hamas completed repairs to dozens of attack tunnels used to infiltrate Israel that were damaged in 2014.

(AP)
TeachNJS appreciated Gov. Chris Christie calling attention to the increased threat to religious non-profits today, but urged the governor and the state legislature to do significantly more to protect nonpublic schools. TeachNJS called for increasing nonpublic school security funding to public school levels  from $50 to $144 per student.

TeachNJS has played a leading role in advocating for increased security funds for nonpublic schools in New Jersey. Last year, TeachNJS helped pass the Secure Schools for All Children Act which increased security funds for nonpublic schools from $25 per student to $50, but Gov. Christie deleted security funding completely in his latest budget proposal last week.

Under Gov. Christies new fiscal year 2018 budget, nonpublic schools receive zero dollars for security programs.

TeachNJS is committed to working with Governor Christie and the New Jersey legislature to fight for equal security funding for nonpublic school students, said Nathan J. Lindenbaum, co-chair of TeachNJS. Government has a responsibility to protect all of our students  no matter which kind of school they attend. We are cautiously optimistic that Gov. Christie and the legislature wont leave our children stranded.

After the recent spate of bomb threats, its become abundantly clear that we need to do more to protect our children in nonpublic schools, said Maury Litwack, executive director of the Teach Advocacy Network. TeachNJS has been on the front lines of the fight for funding equity, and we will work with all political leaders to achieve this important goal.

(YWN Headquarters  NYC)
31 protestors affiliated with the Peleg branch detained during protests by police were arraigned on Tuesday, 23 Adar. They were all arrested during stormy protests in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh over recent days. The court released 26 of them to ten-day house arrested. The remainder were remanded for an additional day, until Wednesday.

The prosecution promises swift and stern justice, planning to filing criminal indictments against all of them before the 10-day house arrest period expires. They will face an array of charges ranging from illegal protest, interfering with traffic and police and assaulting police.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
IDF soldiers patrolling the Gaza border during the night of 24 Adar (Tuesday to Wednesday) spotted three images moving along the border. They implemented the appropriate protocol and fired at the images, killing one terrorist and wounding two others.

The wounded terrorists were taken to Gaza hospital. The IDF spokesman confirms the report. Bchasdei Hashem there are no reports of injuries among IDF soldiers.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Wikimedia Commons

London, Mar 22 (IBNS): Westminister Police said they are treating the gunshots outside the United Kingdom Parliament House as a terrorist attack, which occurred few hours ago on Wednesday, according to BBC World News.

According media reports quoting a hospital, one woman was killed in the Westminister bridge while several others received cataclysmic injuries due to the gunshots.

Witnesses said that they heard about four gunshots.

According to a Common, one police officer was stabbed inside the Parliament.

Police officers are looking for the witnesses in the Westminister bridge.

Following the lock down in Parliament, Scottish Parliament has called the Referendum debate off.

The London Eye has stopped working.

However, reports confirmed that Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May is safe after the gunshot.
[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

In the framework of Magen David Adoms Sheirut Ezrachi program, on Monday, 22 Adar 5777, a shiur was given to volunteers by Chief Rabbi of Israel Dovid Lau Shlita which focused on the merit of coming to the aid of others. The rav gave a bracha, that the participants should always merit assisting others and not requiring assistance.

During the days events, MDA Chief Eli Bin surprised the volunteers when he arrived in the Jerusalem station to speak with them, the volunteers he dubs Fighters for Life ( ), a name Bin used in reference to the Sheirut Ezrachi volunteers only.

One volunteer explained how he runs to calls from his home, and how he resides in a chareidi city. Bin promised he would make certain he receives one of the MDA electric bicycles to assist his life-saving efforts.





(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Watch as the Incredible VitalOne Crew flies former IDF soldier from Cancun Mexico to New York- Presbyterian Cornell Hospital for limb saving surgery with Chief Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Dean Lorich. Hear from Or Yanai himself as he is transported back home to Israel via ElAl Airline post-surgery and recovery.
Fox & Friends has emerged as the morning television show of choice for President Donald Trump and his fans, although that may have backfired for Fox News Channel this week.

Like many cable news shows in the Trump era, Fox & Friends has seen ratings jump, and not just in the White House. Its average February audience of 1.72 million viewers was 49 percent over last years, the Nielsen company said. The show usually has more viewers than MSNBCs Morning Joe and CNNs New Day combined.

President Trumps Twitter feed provides ample evidence of his devotion, too.

Like Morning Joe, the political talk show whose love-hate relationship with Trump is clearly set on hate right now, Fox & Friends makes no secret of its opinions. Yet the episode with Fox senior judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano illustrated how news and opinion arent always a smooth mix.

Napolitano used Fox & Friends as a venue for his discredited report that British authorities helped former President Barack Obama spy on Trump. The White House cited the report to buttress its view that Trumps predecessor was surreptitiously watching him, but after Britain dismissed it as nonsense and Fox said it could provide no evidence to back it up, Napolitano has been taken off the air indefinitely.

Fox & Friends was a frequent punching bag for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show and one media critic, Erik Wemple of The Washington Post, called it easily the worst in all of televised news following the Napolitano episode.

Watching it, though, the show appears to capture a sense of discontent and patriotism that appeals to many Trump voters, certainly in a way that mainstream journalists, to a large degree, have been unable to grasp. Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, said he suspects many people enjoy watching it for the thrill of outrage.

One day last week, the show had segments on PC police who were doing away with the designation of homecoming king and queen at a college, a man whose fiance was killed by a drunk driver who was an illegal immigrant, a congressman who received bureaucratic resistance when he tried to hang a portrait of Trump in a veterans hospital, and chaos on college campuses when conservatives are invited to speak.

Alex French, a 32-year-old working in sales in Charlotte, North Carolina, said he appreciated the shows reporting on veterans and appreciates its interest in news away from the nations coasts.

They do a good job of trying to reach out to people in the small towns, he said.

Trump, who has declared ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC the enemy of the American people, told the three Fox & Friends hosts that you have treated me very fairly during an interview on Feb. 28. He did a weekly call-in to the show when he was campaigning for president.

Maybe without those call-ins, someone else is sitting here, he said.

Since hes been president, 12 of Trumps tweets reference something that appeared on Fox & Friends moments earlier  far more than any other program, according to a compilation by CNNs Reliable Sources.

After Fox & Friends had a segment with Nick Adams, author of Green Card Warrior on March 3, Trump tweeted within 25 minutes that the book was a must read. On Feb. 25, Herman Cain cited statistics comparing changes in the national debt in the first months of Trump and Obamas presidencies; within a half hour, Trump tweeted that the media has not reported the same statistics. Foxs Brian Kilmeade said that Russia ran right over Obama for eight years on March 7, and 10 minutes later Obama tweeted the same thing.

Every minute of the show you can tell they are fully conscious of the fact that they know the president of the United States is one of their fans and is getting a lot of information from them, Syracuses Thompson said.

Glenn Thrush, a reporter for The New York Times, tweeted recently that he was starting to watch Fox & Friends so I can get an early sense of White House policy messaging for the day. Not kidding!

How the knowledge that the president is watching affects people putting together the show is unclear. Fox declined to make any of the shows producers, or hosts Kilmeade, Steve Doocy or Ainsley Earhardt available for interviews.

The morning after FBI Director James Comey told a congressional committee that the bureau was looking into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, Fox & Friends mentioned that development in passing. But it also belittled Comey with a rapid-fire clip package showing 20 instances in his testimony where he declined to answer a question.

Kilmeade said the lack of curiosity about leaks to reporters really bothered me.

Doocy previewed that days Senate confirmation hearing of Trump Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, saying Democrats dont have a prayer of blocking him, but that doesnt mean they wont try.

Earhardt interviewed the author of a book who said that the medias panic about Trump exposed the bias of many journalists.

We expect journalists to be fair, Earhardt said. Thats their duty.

Our duty, she added, quickly correcting herself.

(AP)
Wells Fargo plans to upgrade all 13,000 of its ATMs next week to allow customers to access their funds using their cellphones instead of traditional bank cards.

The announcement was made by Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan on Tuesday at an employee town hall in Orlando.

While banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have announced similar upgrades to their ATMs, those are still being rolled out. Wells would be the first to upgrade all of its ATMs with the feature across the United States.

To access their money, customers would get unique eight-digit codes from their Wells Fargo smartphone app, and enter the code into the ATM along with their PIN number. The machines will still accept debit cards as well.

Whether a customer happens to have a card on them or not, (the upgrade) provides another simple and secure way to withdraw cash at any of our ATMs, said Adam Vancini, head of virtual channel operations at Wells Fargo.

One limitation of the one-time code, though, is that it wont work on the secure doors that many branches have for non-business hours that require a customer to swipe an ATM or debit card to gain entry. Wells Fargo said those secure doors are found at a small percentage of branches, mostly in major metropolitan areas like New York City or Chicago.

The announcement comes as Wells Fargo is looking for ways to woo back the customers it alienated after the San Francisco-based bank admitted that employees opened as many as 2 million checking and credit card accounts for their customers without getting authorization. The bank said Monday that activity at its branches remains depressed from a year ago, with customers opening 40 percent fewer checking accounts per day last month compared to a year earlier, while the number of customer interactions with branch bankers per day was down 17 percent.

Wells said it plans to roll out another upgrade to its ATMs later this year, which will allow customers to access the ATMs by holding their smartphones up to a reader on the machine, instead of entering the eight-digit code. It would be similar to using Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, the bank said.

Chase, Citigroup and Bank of America all announced last year similar upgrades to their ATMs, but the rollout has been slow. Chases upgraded machines are still in major markets like New York, Miami and San Francisco, while Bank of America says roughly half of its ATMs have the cardless capabilities.

(AP)
President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the terror attack in London outside the Houses of Parliament today.

Just getting an update on London, Trump said, entering a meeting in the White Houses Roosevelt Room.

Big news.

US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation in London and is monitoring events, his press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted.

The US State Department says it is closely monitoring the incident and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said: We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful.

He added that the US Embassy in London is closely following the news and stands ready to help any affected Americans.

He said: Our hearts go out to those affected.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The following article is via Breaking911.com:

Abu Izzadeen, also known as Trevor Brooks, is now suspected of being the terrorist behind the cowardly terror attack in London this afternoon, according to reports.

Izzadeen was a spokesman for Al Ghurabaa, an organisation banned by the British government under the terrorism act for the glorication of terrorism.

He was convicted on charges of terrorist fundraising and inciting terrorism overseas in 2007.

Trevor Brooks was born on the 18th April 1975, he was reportedly killed on the 22nd March 2017 by a police officer after hitting several people with his car and stabbing a police officer.

Brooks converted to Islam the day before he turned 18, on 17 April 1993.

READ MORE: BREAKING911.COM
[COMMUNICATED CONTENT]

Have you always dreamed of moving to an, Out of town, community? Do you want to make a difference in a place where every Jew counts? Norfolk, VA may be the place for you. Norfolk is home to an open, warm and amazing community of people based in Bnai Israel Congregation. Led by Rabbi Sender Haber, Bnai Israel is the hub of our community. Not only is the shul thriving with new, young families moving to town on a regular basis, but there is an amazing Torah school with over 100 children, a boys yeshiva, girls high school, Vaad Hakashrus, eruv, Kollel, kosher restaurant, and much more.

Many out-of- town communities want new families to move in, but few can back up their claims with action. Norfolk has a recruitment hiring mechanism that does its best to place perspective employees in new, suitable jobs prior to their move. The community is offering FREE tuition to qualified families, due to the Virginia state tax credit program, and is giving free shul membership and other benefits as well to new residents who qualify.

Norfolk, VA is home to the largest military installations in the world. Various businesses and industries are able to thrive near such a lucrative environment. The weather is not bad either. With average temperatures in the winter above 50 degrees, and beautiful Summers, the area is the perfect place to raise a family. Being a short four hour drive from Baltimore and a six and a half hour drive to New York, the Norfolk community is positioned close enough to large communities that resources are readily available.

Norfolk, VA has shocked the frum world in the way that it has grown and maintained its Torah institutions. Toras Chaim, the Torah day school, is led by Rabbi Mordechai Loiterman, Ph.D. His school prides itself on not only preparing the boys and girls for high levels in Torah education and secular education, but Toras Chaim prepares kids to live a life of proper middos and kindness for others. The gift of living in a smaller, yet committed community is that our children learn that each one of them can make a difference. BINA High School for girls has also made a name for itself. Under the leadership of Mrs. Aviva Harpaz, BINAs specialized and personalized attention to each girl helps to guarantee that girls leave BINA with a tremendous love of Torah and the skills to be whatever they choose to be. Yeshivas Aish Kodesh is a true Makom Torah attracting many boys from outside of Norfolk.

Norfolk, VA is a wonderful place to raise a family. Affordable housing, great job opportunities, wonderful, Southern hospitality and the kindest and committed people around. Norfolk is a place that you should want to call home. For more information about how to make Norfolk, VA your new home please check out www.norfolktorahcommunity.com and contact Rabbi Sender Haber at 757-275- 8271 or [email protected].
A Givat Zeev resident is ordered to pay NIS 20,000 to another community resident for labeling him a Nazi the Jerusalem Magistrate Court ruled in the libel suit filed by attorney Chen Hollander in the name of the plaintiff. The plaintiff claimed he was badly humiliated by the defendants action in a community shul.

The incident dates back to November 2015 during seudas shlishis in the Darchei Noam Shul. The plaintiff is the shul treasurer and is active in running the shul. An argument broke out during seudas shlishis during which shul finances were discussed. The argument took place in front of many mispallalim and at one point, the defendant came over to the plaintiff and began shouting insults at him, which attorney Hollander says were libelous. Among the shouts was Nazi, which Hollander explains is prohibited by state law towards preventing it from being used and abused.

During the hearing last week, it was explained that several attempts were made to have the defendant apologize, but he would not hear of it at the time. Since the insulting incident, the plaintiff has changed to a different shul.

Realizing what awaited him in court, the sides entered into negotiations and agreed on the sum of NIS 20,000, which the court accepted and approved, making the agreement legally binding.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Actions taken by the Shin Bet with the assistance of the Israel Police, led to the February 2017 arrest and interrogation of Muhammad Murtaja, born in 1977 and a resident of Gaza.

Murtaja is the coordinator of the Gaza branch of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) organization, a humanitarian assistance program run by the Government of Turkey. He was arrested on suspicion of working for the military wing of Hamas.

During its investigation, the Shin Bet ascertained that Muhammad Murtaja was recruited by Hamas at the end of 2008. Beginning in 2009, Murtaja was active in the military wing of Hamas. His activity included, inter alia, military training and exercises, manufacturing weapons and explosive devices and digging terror tunnels. Murtaja even stored weapons, such as hand grenades and guns, in his home.

During the investigation, it became clear that Murtajas trip via Israel to receive training from TIKA, which led to his arrest for interrogation, was also intended to allow him to acquire information that would improve the accuracy of Hamas rockets being launched at Israel.

It was further discovered during the investigation that, beginning in 2012, Murtaja served as Gaza coordinator of TIKA. TIKA works on behalf of the Turkish government to advance humanitarian projects in Gaza. The investigation showed that Murtaja deceived TIKA by misusing the organizations resources and funds, which were intended for substantial humanitarian projects in Gaza by diverting them to Hamass military wing. This fraud was carried out in collusion with the senior ranks of Hamas in Gaza, headed by Ismail Haniyeh.

The investigation uncovered the various techniques Murtaja used. For example, he would give his superiors in TIKA a list of impoverished residents in Gaza who were candidates to receive financial aid. In fact, Hamas senior officials provided these lists to Murtaja, and most of the so-called needy people on them were actually terrorists in the Hamas military wing or their family members. In this manner, they received benefits and stipends.

Another scheme used by Muhammad Murtaja uncovered in the investigation enabled millions of shekels to be diverted to members of the Hamas military wing during and after Operation Protective Edge. For instance, food aid packages donated by TIKA for the destitute population in Gaza were given to members of the Hamas military wing. In addition, when Operation Protective Edge ended, the organization financed a public event, at which Hamas military members were awarded stipends and benefits.

It was further revealed that the Turkish IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation helped to directly fund the activities of the Hamas military wing. IHH was designated in 2008 by Israel as a terrorist organization because of its support for Hamas. The investigation uncovered that Mehmet Kaya, the coordinator of IHHs Gaza office, gave Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Raad Saad cash from Turkey that was earmarked for the Hamas military wing. The money transferred by the IHH to the Hamas military wing was used, inter alia, to build a facility to train Hamas marine forces, as well as to purchase equipment and weapons. For years IHH methodically transferred funds this way to the Hamas military wing to be used for its military buildup.

Murtaja provided a great deal of operative information during the investigation, including on tunnel routes, the methods used by Hamas in digging the tunnels, action plans for fighting, and weapons manufacturing.

Murtajas interrogation provides broad exposure to the methods used by Hamas in acquiring resources for its buildup and in the operative military sphere. This information, combined with a great deal of information obtained in the investigations of Hamas military members over the past year, show the considerable efforts invested by Hamas in preparing for a military confrontation with Israel, at the expense of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

This investigation demonstrates the diverse fraudulent methods used by Hamas vis-a-vis the international community and humanitarian aid organizations. These acts of fraud, involving the highest levels of Hamas leadership, divert money and resources meant to rehabilitate Gaza and the destitute population therein. This fraud gives Hamas more room to use all its material and economic resources for acts of terror and military buildup.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Wikimedia Commons

London, Mar 22 (IBNS): Hours after gunshots were fired outside Parliament House on Wednesday, Commander B J Harrington of Metropolitan Police while interacting with media said that the public safety is the first priority to them.

However the Commander could not confirm the actual number of casualties in the whole incident.

"We do not want to speculate the number of casualties" he said.

Commander also informed that additional officers will be on duty across London.

He also informed that Police Commissioner in-charge was present during the attack who has been treated as a witness.

People can dial 999 if they want to inform about anything that is suspicious and 1800789321 for giving any information related to the incident, Harrington said.

According to media reports quoting a hospital, one woman was killed in the Westminister bridge while several others received cataclysmic injuries due to the gunshots.

Witnesses said that they heard about four gunshots.

According to a Common, one police officer was stabbed inside the Parliament.

Police officers are looking for the witnesses in the Westminister bridge.

Following the lock down in Parliament, Scottish Parliament has called the Referendum debate off.

The London Eye has stopped working.

However, reports confirmed that Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May is safe after the gunshot.


I received a letter in November claiming I had a debt of 1,966.87 with Automobile Association Personal Finance. The letter came from PRA Group of Kilmarnock, Scotland.

It said the original agreement had been taken out on December 12, 1986, with a balance of 1,328.87 and offered a final settlement payment of 132.89.

I have never had any personal finance dealings with the AA, although I was a member 40 years ago.

I am astounded to have been contacted about a debt that was supposedly taken out so long ago.

During this time I have never had any communication with the AA or anyone else about it. Is this a scam?

F. D. County Durham.

Concerning: A reader has received a demand from debt firm PRA for an AA loan which he insists he never took out and knows nothing about

This may not be a scam, but it does have a troubling feel about it.

PRA buys old debts and tries to get some payment  often by asking for around 10 pc of the amount that is outstanding.

As the original creditor has given up and may well have sold the debt for pennies, PRA needs only a small success rate to make a profit.

AA was shocked by the letter, too. It says it has never had a business arrangement with PRA and expressed concern that its name was being used in pursuit of this debt.

It suggested the account number may relate to an old credit card from when it had a relationship with Halifax Bank of Scotland. With this letter, PRA Group is trying to make you acknowledge the debt or accept responsibility for it.

Why? Well, the Limitations Act 1980 places a six-year time bar on pursuing unsecured debts. It applies as long as:

Within six years of the debt being established the creditor has not already obtained a county court judgment against you;

You or anyone else owing the money (if your debt is in joint names) have not made a payment towards the debt during the last six years;

You have not written to the creditor admitting you owe the debt in the last six years.

PRA says it bought the debt in 2007 and spoke to a someone with a very similar name in December of that year and that person would not provide verification details. But, then, neither would I if someone phoned me out of the blue asking for personal details.

It says it then used tracing services and issued an annual statement for the account.

When you received the letter you requested proof of the debt, but it would not discuss this without you providing further personal information. And, again, why should you?

PRA says the debt became statute-barred in November 2012 because it was operated as a credit card until a last payment was made in 2006, but argues this does not extinguish the debt.

This, it says, would only happen if you confirmed you had no intention of making payments. I would have thought this was obvious since you'd told them you had no knowledge of the debt.

I'm extremely concerned about this episode. My advice to anyone receiving a similar letter chasing a statute-barred debt is to contact the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768.

If you tell a firm that an old debt is not yours and the firm continues to chase you, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service on 0800 023 4567.

These letters are not worth the paper they are written on. If a debt is statute-barred, you don't have to pay a penny.

As for your case? Well, I think it is likely PRA got the wrong person. It points out that it did not threaten any enforcement action and has agreed not to contact you again.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY - MINI BANKS Here are some of the best letters about our report on how banks are getting rid of cashiers, shrinking branches and fitting coffee shops. I went to my local branch last week and there were only two counters. When I asked where the others had gone, the lady pointed to a line of new machines. When I go to a branch I expect to be served, not have to work out how to use a machine. C. G., London. My bank branch, which I rarely enter, has a huge amount of unused space. It's a great idea to use some of that for local businesses to conduct meetings or deal with customers. L. S., London. Other than paying in large amounts of cash, what do you need a cashier for? Everything can be done on the phone. It is time to accept the world is changing. D. N., Doncaster. I used one of those machines to make a payment a little while ago. The bank called me to say the payment was 100 short when it wasn't. I lost that money because it was my word against the bank's. B. G., Northampton.

In October, I received a statement from Virgin Media advising me I was due a refund of 55.70 after changing supplier to Sky.

I got the cheque in November but my bank would not accept it because it was not made out in my full name. I rang Sky and asked for the cheque to be reissued.

I was kept hanging so eventually wrote to return the cheque but heard nothing. I rang again on December 29 but still, nothing.

A. V. A., Sheffield.

Firstly, I think it's rather silly of your bank to have refused to cash the cheque.

Virgin had issued a cheque using your middle name and surname. I know several people who choose to use their middle name without difficulty. It should have been a simple matter for your bank to verify that you were the person who was named on the cheque.

As you didn't supply a phone number I wasn't able to ring to check the other mysterious detail  that you rang Sky to ask for the cheque to be reissued. Is it possible that you also wrote to Sky rather than to Virgin by mistake?

Either way, Virgin Media has now reissued your cheque so all should be well.
Wall's ice cream, Johnnie Walker whisky and Jordans Country Crisp breakfast cereal are enjoyed by millions of people in the UK.

But did you know that these British products are becoming staples in homes across the world?

Bedfordshire-based Jordans, for example, is the second biggest- selling cereal brand in France, while Johnnie Walker owner Diageo is enjoying booming sales of whisky in countries such as Mexico.

Success story: Whisky accounts for 4 billion of the goods shipped abroad from Britain each year, with 1.2 billion bottles exported

These firms are at the cutting edge of the type of cross-border trade everyone is hoping for once Britain leaves the EU.

Firms such as Pladis, the owner of McVitie's biscuits, are keen to cash in on Britain's reputation for quality goods by introducing them to the rest of the world.

Its owners, who have their headquarters in Turkey, have said they want to boost sales of favourites such as Digestives and Jaffa Cakes  many of which are made in Britain  by 50 per cent over two years by shipping more overseas.

So, how do investors cash in?

Jordans is a British success story. It began as a family flour mill in Biggleswade, near Bedford, in the 19th century.

One of the family discovered granola in America in 1968 and brought the idea to Britain.

Today, Jordans cereals can be found on shelves in more than 60 countries, the company having grown exports by more than 60 per cent to 90 million over five years.

Its granola and muesli are popular in health-conscious countries such as France, Canada and Australia, where it sells to one in ten households.

Jordans sells almost as much cereal internationally as it does in Britain.

The 162-year-old firm's parent company, Associated British Foods, made a 1 billion profit last year and its share price is up 40 per cent in four years.

Export successes: Bedfordshire-based Jordans is the second biggest- selling cereal brand in France, while Unilever is the world's biggest maker of ice creams

Darius McDermott, of fund broker Chelsea Financial Services, recommends BlackRock European Absolute Alpha to savers wanting to share in the firm's success.

The fund invests 1.30 of every 100 in Associated British Foods and has turned 10,000 into 11,270 over five years.

Whisky accounts for 4 billion of the goods shipped abroad from Britain each year, with 1.2 billion bottles exported.

America and France account for just under a third of total exports. In France, whisky sales outstrip the domestically produced spirit cognac.

Whisky is becoming increasingly popular among younger people in emerging economies, who see it as a status symbol. In Mexico, it's giving local favourites tequila and mescal a run for their money.

The Scotch Whisky Association says the number of bottles shipped to Mexico grew by a third to 57.1 million between 2014 and 2015. The country's favourite brand is Johnnie Walker, owned by Diageo.

The London-based firm, the world's biggest producer of spirits, reported sales of 600 million in Latin America and the Caribbean last year.

Dirty Howay: Clint Eastwood is said to be a fan of Newcastle Brown Ale

Jason Hollands, of fund broker Tilney, tips Evenlode Income, which invests 7.40 of every 100 of savers' money in Diageo. It has turned 10,000 into 19,720 in five years.

Italy is proclaimed as the home of ice cream, each year exporting more than 190 million worth.

But Britain isn't far behind, with annual exports totalling 105 million. And 5 per cent of this goes to Italy.

British-owned Unilever, which owns brands such as Marmite and PG Tips, is the world's biggest maker of ice creams.

Four big brands sold in Italy  Cornetto, Carte D'Or, Max and Magnum  come under the umbrella of Heartbrand, whose distinctive heart logo is used in more than 40 countries.

The brand we know as Wall's is sold under different names throughout the world; it's called Algida in Italy and Eskimo in Austria, for instance.

Wall's was originally a butcher's stall in St James's Market in London, which sold sausages to the Royal Family before expanding its business into ice creams.

Last year, the division of Unilever that makes ice cream turned over 8.6 billion, 20 pc of the company's total. It recorded profits of 900 million.

Ben Yearsley, of adviser Wealth Club, tips Liontrust Special Situations, which invests 4 per cent of savers' money in Unilever. The fund has turned 10,000 into 18,090 in five years.

Foreign tourists have sometimes mocked our warm, flat ales  but they're coming round to them.

One of the best known brands is Newcastle Brown Ale, brewed in Yorkshire by the Dutch drinks giant Heineken.

Newkie Brown, as it's affectionately known, has become a cult classic among American hipsters since it arrived in the U.S. in the Eighties.

It's a favourite from New York to Los Angeles  film star Clint Eastwood is said to be a fan.

Heineken exports the equivalent of 43 million bottles of Newkie Brown to the U.S. each year  roughly the same amount consumed in Britain.

For investors, Mr Yearsley tips Lindsell Train Global Equity, which invests more than 7.50 in every 100 in Heineken.

The fund has turned 10,000 into 24,270 in five years.

p.thomas@dailymail.co.uk
Sainsbury's director Mary Harris is stepping down from the board after nine years

CHAIR QUITS Sainsbury's director Mary Harris is stepping down from the board after nine years.

Harris, 50, is being replaced as chairman of the grocer's remuneration committee by Susan Rice.

SALES SOAR Furniture store ScS has posted a 14.1 per cent rise in sales in the 26 weeks to January 28.

It made 165.9million in revenues, while narrowing its losses from 3.4million to 2.6million. Shares fell 2.4 per cent, or 3.88p, to 165p.

FRUIT BOOST Waitrose saw soaring sales of raspberries and soft fruit last week as it benefited from warm weather.

But total sales were down 2.1 per cent, hurt by this year's later Easter. In John Lewis, sales were up 0.4 per cent on last year, driven by strong sales in beauty products ahead of Mother's Day.

Total sales across the partnership were down 1.2 per cent to 202million.

BREXIT WORRY European airports urged the Government to prioritise aviation during Brexit negotiations.

The Airports Council International fears the aviation industry will be 'left in the dark' about what will happen and the uncertainty will end up constraining route development across airports.

NEW PLANE Ryanair has bought its 450th Boeing aircraft. The 737-800 seats 162 passengers and brings Ryanair's total number of the aircraft to 380.

EXPERT PICK The Financial Conduct Authority has appointed consumer rights expert and head of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Nick Stace as a non-executive director.

BANK ROLE Former JP Morgan banker Alan Carruthers has been made chairman of stockbroker Numis, replacing Gerald Corbett. Shares rose 0.3 per cent, or 0.75p, to 261.25p.

EARNINGS UP Profits at SafeCharge International climbed 23 per cent to 22.5million last year.

The firm, which provides equipment and software for shops to take payments, hiked its dividend 46 per cent to 16.47 cents a share.

CAR TALKS Discussions aimed at resolving a dispute over pensions at BMW will resume today as workers continued voting on whether to take industrial action.

SHOP STRIKE Staff at a Topshop distribution centre will strike again in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Members of the GMB union at the Leeds site will walk out for 24 hours from 6am today following the breakdown of talks after a strike last month.
Cheesy does it: Domino's announced a sharp slowdown in sales growth earlier this month

The chief executive of Domino's Pizza has more than trebled his pay packet after pocketing 4.5mililon  about 5p for every pizza the firm made.

David Wild, 61, saw his total pay leap by 3.2million after a 3.5million long-term incentive plan vested.

Father-of-four Wild was handed 947,652 shares when he was hired by Domino's in 2014.

He secured a full pay out through the long-term plan last year after hitting his performance targets, which included raising earnings per share by 69.8 per cent.

Domino's announced a sharp slowdown in sales growth earlier this month amid stiff competition and lacklustre demand for its Winter Survival deal.

However, it still sold 89m pizzas last year  enough to stretch from London to Detroit.
Small shopkeepers pay higher rates of property tax than retail giants such as Harrods and John Lewis, Money Mail can reveal.

Across the country punitive business rates threaten the survival of many High Street stores, cafes and restaurants.

Around 510,000 businesses face higher bills from next month. Some say the huge increases will force them to close, stripping our High Streets of vital services.

Money Mail's Save Our Shops campaign scored a victory when Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the worst-hit businesses would have price increases capped at 600 a year.

Threat: Across the country punitive business rates threaten the survival of many High Street stores, cafes and restaurants

A 300 million relief fund will also be distributed by councils to businesses that are struggling the most with the rises.

However, many small shops in smarter areas will not be eligible because their bills are already sky-high. Shops also fear that qualifying for the relief fund may be like trying to find one of Willy Wonka's golden tickets, with so many in need of help.

Crucially, the Government has failed to address the harsh methods used to calculate business rates. Cruel anomalies mean some small stores will pay nearly ten times the rate per square metre as department stores and online retailers.

Though bigger stores still pay more overall, business organisations say the smallest shops are forced to shoulder too much of the burden.

This is because business rates are calculated on a property's annual rental value, rather than the firm's size, turnover or profits.

So shopkeepers and restaurant owners who barely scrape a living in prime locations are penalised at the expense of out-of-town super- markets and online giants such as Amazon and Asos, which have warehouses in some of the cheapest areas of Yorkshire and Wales.

Mike Cherry, of the Federation of Small Businesses, says: 'Business rates are fundamentally flawed. As a property tax, they disproportionately hit small businesses.'

Money Mail is calling for an overhaul of the entire business rates system, which nets the Treasury 25 billion a year.

Here, we reveal how the unfair way the tax is applied threatens our towns and villages.

SMALL GIFT SHOP VERSUS HARRODS

Sophie Likes... boutique, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, employs two people

2017 rate: 495 per sq m

Harrods, Knightsbridge, Central London. One of the world's largest department stores, it has offshoots in property, banking and aviation. Group turnover last year was 788 million. It has 12,000 staff

2017 rate: 243.50 per sq m

Twisted: Luxury department store Harrods in Knightsbridge will pay 243.50 per sq m while Sophie Hartley's Sophie Likes ... boutique in Harrogate must stump up 495 per sq m

Sophie Hartley must find 9,320 to pay the taxman this year.

The founder of Sophie Likes . . . is not entitled to business rate relief due to the high rental value of her store.

Harrods' business rate bill is at a lower rate partly because few companies would be willing to rent such a vast space, decreasing the rental value per sq m.

'It shows how wrong the system is that I'm paying a higher rate than a world-famous store in one of the most desirable location in the UK,' says Sophie.

'I think that profits should be taken into account.'

She fears that if independent retailers like herself are forced out, towns such as Harrogate would lose their unique identity.

The cap on rates hikes of 600 a year  announced in the Budget  will not benefit Sophie because the rental value of her shop is too expensive to qualify.

DELICATESSEN VERSUS WAITROSE

Bayley & Sage deli, Parsons Green, South-West London, has around 30 employees

2017 rate: 850 per sq m

Little Waitrose. Part of the John Lewis Partnership, generating 6 billion of sales a year and employing 90,000 in 350 stores

2017 rate: 145 per sq m

Unfair: Bayley & Sage deli in Parsons Green, London, founded by Jennie Allen will pay 850 per sq m while Little Waitrose , part of the John Lewis Partnership, will pay just 145 per sq m

The Bayley & Sage deli was founded by Jennie Allen 20 years ago, who now faces paying almost 35,000 in business rates a year on this one store.

In comparison, Waitrose will pay 92,000 for its far larger Parsons Green site just down the road.

'We are not on a level playing field with the big supermarkets,' says Jennie, 54. 'It is insane that we are paying such a different amount per square metre.'

Jennie has four delis in West London. She will pay more in business rates on her Wimbledon branch, which opened in 1997, than she will in corporation tax this year, which she says is 'crazy'.

'Smaller companies are carrying too much of the burden,' she says. 'I don't mind paying more corporation tax because that is based on profits, but business rates  and the way they are calculated  makes no sense.

'I don't think the big shops should be punished just for being big companies, but there should be parity at least.'

INDEPENDENT CAFE VERSUS STARBUCKS

The Good Life Eatery has three cafes in London, including its first one in Chelsea. It has a staff of 75

2017 rate: 1,850 per sq m

Starbucks owns or franchises 800 branches in the UK alone and employs 14,000 staff

2017 rate: 1,850 per sq m

The Good Life Eatery, which has three cafes in London, will pay 1,850 per sq m while Starbucks which owns or franchises 800 branches in the UK alone will pay 1,850 per sq m

Yasmine Larizadeh and Shirin Kouros opened The Good Life Eatery, in Chelsea, South-West London, as an antidote to the rows of chain cafes in the area.

But they fear business rates hikes will mean the giant chains will be the only survivors.

Just two doors down from their independent cafe, there is a huge Starbucks. Pret A Manger, Itsu, Eat and Costa Coffee are nearby.

Yasmine, 27, says it's a big struggle for smaller start-ups to compete. The business rates on the friends' cafe will go up from 18,800 to 21,800 in April.

They must pay 1,850 per sq m  the same rate as global coffee giant Starbucks and a big rise from 1,275 per sq m last year. While Starbucks can absorb the cost, it will hit Yasmine's business hard.

The Good Life Eatery is also charged seven times the rate of John Lewis's store Peter Jones in Sloane Square  a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge  which is billed 253 per sq m. 'It makes no sense that all cafes are treated the same and we are charged the same as Starbucks,' says Yasmine.

Small business rate relief  where shops will pay nothing if the rental value is less than 12,000 a year and get a discount if it's below 15,000  was meant to help shops such as hers. But she is not eligible because the property is worth too much.

There is no tax break to help new and relatively small shops that occupy expensive properties. 'Our rates are not sustainable,' says Yasmine. 'It is affecting our profits, our recruitment and how much we can reinvest into the business.

'The chains are taking over every High Street. They will soon be the only ones left.'

Yasmine is sceptical of the 300 million relief fund for businesses worst affected by the rises. 'It will be like all of these other funds to help start-ups: there is a big announcement, then you never hear about it again,' she says.

'And when you apply, you're not eligible or it's no longer running.'

CLOTHING SHOP VERSUS BOOHOO

Kidzone, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

2017 rate: 185 per sq m

Boohoo.com, Burnley warehouse, Lancashire. The online clothing retailer has an annual turnover of 195 million and 1,000 staff

2017 rate: 15 per sq m

Closing: Kidzone in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire 2017, is closing as owner Stewart Jones says he cannot afford the new rates charges of 185 per sq m

Packing up the remaining stock last month, children's clothing and school uniform retailer Stewart Jones, 57, bid farewell to the shop he opened five years ago.

He's been pushed off the High Street by business rates, which were due to increase by 1,000 next month to almost 6,000 a year.

His new premises will be less prominent and more difficult for pushchairs to access  but he'll pay no tax because it is small enough to be exempt.

Meanwhile, online clothing giant Boohoo will pay 25,000 less on its warehouse in Burnley over the next five years after its rates were cut. They have dropped from 19 to 15 per sq m, while Stewart's rates would have risen from 175 to 185 per sq m if he had stayed.

'Another 1,000 a year might not sound like a lot, but theses rates are killing me,' he says. 'They should be based on your profit, not just the space you occupy.'

For Stewart, the relief measures announced in the Budget have come too late. He has already shut up shop and moved premises. But he still wants to see an overhaul of how rates are calculated.

'If something doesn't change quickly, our High Streets will have only charity shops, big chains and nothing else,' he says.

STATIONERY SHOP VERSUS AMAZON

The Pencil Case, Cowbridge, South Wales. Sells stationery, school uniform and ballet and dancewear. Two parttime staff

2017 rate: 250 per sq m

Amazon warehouse, Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea. The global internet giant takes 5 billion in sales in the UK a year and has 14,000 staff nationwide

2017 rate: 27 per sq m

The Pencil Case in Cowbridge, South Wales will pay 250 per sq m compared to global giant Amazon in Swansea which will pay 27 per sq m

Sally Stephenson fulfilled a childhood dream three years ago when she opened The Pencil Case in the pretty market town of Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

But she finds herself competing with one of cost-cutting online giant Amazon's huge distribution centres just 28 miles away.

Plus, she is charged business rates more than nine times higher than Amazon per sq m.

Next month, they will rise from 200 to 250 per sq m  while the rate for Amazon will drop from 31.50 to 27 per sq m. 'It is crazy and unfair that a huge multinational competitor such as Amazon gets taxed at such a lower rate than I do,' says Sally, 42.

While Amazon's overall bill will be bigger because it owns a much larger space, Sally can't understand why online retailers are offered more generous rates per sq m.

Her annual bill is due to rise from 960 to 1,430  and within three years will be up to 5,000 a year. I was going to hire a new member of staff and invest in a website, but I have had to put the brakes on everything,' says Sally.

'You can't put up your prices enough to cover this type of increase. At best it will squeeze your margins and at worst places will have to close.

'The rating system rewards online over bricks-and-mortar shops.'

Welsh shops are not entitled to the business rates relief announced in the Budget because devolved powers mean the Welsh Assembly makes its own decisions on this tax.

A spokesman for the Government's Valuation Office Agency says: 'We approach all classes of property fairly and equally, and use recognised methods to set rateable values.'

l.eccles@dailymail.co.uk

Additional reporting: ELEANOR HAYWARD
SYSTEMS WARNING A simpler system is needed for keeping finance firms safe from cyber attacks, senior Tory MP Andrew Tyrie has warned.

He said there were too many different Government organisations responsible for regulating IT security at banks and insurers.

CHIEF QUITS Barclays' credit card business boss Amer Sajed has quit and is thought to be keen to work for the US Democrats. He retires in July and a replacement has yet to be announced.

HOTELS BOOST Travelodge plans to open 15 UK hotels this year, creating 300 jobs, in areas such as Bath, Inverness and York, taking the number of Travelodges to over 570.

PHARMA FAILURE Swiss drugmaker Novartis suffered a blow after a heart treatment drug failed a late-stage trial because it did not cut cardiovascular deaths or reduce the worsening of heart failure.

NUCLEAR STRIKE Workers at the Atomic Weapons Establishment are staging the first of a series of new strikes today in a long-running dispute over pensions. Members of Unite at sites in Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire are due to take seven days of action.

RIO RECRUIT The former finance boss of Shell, Simon Henry, will join Rio Tinto on April 1, rather than July 1. The 55-year-old is being replaced at Shell by Jessica Uhl.

COPPER CLAIM Alecto Minerals says efforts to mine copper in Botswana are progressing well. Shares are suspended but the company plans to re-admit on AIM in May.

ULTRA PAY Ultra Electronics boss Rakesh Sharma was paid 1.9million last year, slightly down on the previous year's 1.2million.

Profit at the London-based company, which makes hi-tech equipment for the US and UK armies, rose 9.3 per cent.

EXTRA WORK Nuclear regulation staff have worked extra hours to meet an end-of-March deadline for checking reactor designs.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation said the work of reactor designer Westinghouse put considerable pressure on its resources but it expects to be able to finish in time.

The reactors are for a nuclear power station in Moorside, Cumbria.

STEEL PRODUCTION Steel production for the 67 World Steel Association counties was 126.6m tonnes in February, up slightly from the same month a year ago.
Islamabad, Mar 22 (IBNS): Five militants have been killed in Mirak, Kalaya, Orakzai Agency of Pakistan on Wednesday, media reports said.

As per the statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), high value target terrorist Duran of the TTP was also killed in the operation.

"Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. FC KPK conducted an IBO in village Mirak, Kalaya, Aurakzai Agency early this morning. 5 terrorists including high value target terrorist Duran of TTP killed," read the ISPR website.


In their hands: Lenders can cancel mortgage offers at any time

Borrowers are being left thousands of pounds out of pocket by banks which pull their mortgage offers at the last minute.

Lenders can cancel mortgage offers at any time.

Usually the buyer has done nothing wrong; the bank has simply realised it made a mistake, such as miscalculating a borrower's salary or misreading the valuation report.

Money Mail has heard of one case in which a bank pulled out of a deal even after the buyer had exchanged contracts with the seller.

Mortgage brokers say in most cases buyers have lost thousands of pounds in wasted fees.

Robert Sinclair, of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, says: 'Pulling a mortgage offer at the last minute is heartbreaking.

Lenders should be more sympathetic, especially when their mistake causes the problem.'

Have you had a mortgage offer cancelled? Write to p.thomas@dailymail.co.uk or Money Mail, Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, Derry Street, London, W8 5TT.
A small bank has today launched an account offering Lottery tickets as well as paying interest.

OakNorth Bank's nine-month fixed-rate bond pays 0.5 per cent a year.

Each month the bank will buy ten Lottery tickets for each 40,000 put in by savers. You then get a proportion of any winnings.

Save and play: OakNorth Bank's nine-month fixed-rate bond pays 0.5% a year. Each month the bank will buy ten Lottery tickets for each 40k put in by savers

It's part of a growing trend for banks and building societies to launch new taxable accounts with a little bit extra while rates are at such a low level.

Joel Perlman, co-founder at OakNorth, says: 'We thought this would be a fun way to make saving a bit more exciting. Our customers already benefit from competitive savings rates.'

The new bond joins a handful of banks that give prizes. Halifax Savers Prize Draw gives customers a chance to win monthly cash prizes.

Rates paid by Halifax are poor  as little as 0.05 per cent. But you have the chance of winning one of three 100,000 prizes, 100 at 1,000 or 1,000 100 prizes  a total of 500,000 each month.

You need at least 5,000 in a qualifying savings account with Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

Your money can be spread between the banks, but must be in the accounts for the whole calendar month before each draw, which takes place at the start of each month.

You must also be over 18 and live in England, Wales or Scotland. Northern Ireland and overseas residents don't qualify due to the Gambling Act 2005.

Children's and current accounts are also excluded and, crucially, you must register to take part.

If your money is spread across several qualifying accounts, you need to register only one and Halifax will work out your overall combined balance.

On joint accounts, Halifax splits the balance. So if you have 1,000 in your own account and 7,000 in a joint account, your balance is deemed to be 4,750 (1,000 plus half of 7,500), which is below the benchmark.

But if there was 8,000 in the joint account you would qualify.

Virgin Money appeals to Manchester United fans. Its accounts with the Man Utd logo offer free tickets for matches at Old Trafford and signed replica shirts to win in its monthly draws.

Its latest account, Matchday Saver, pays a fixed 2.25 per cent until next March.

Unlike most regular savings plans, you can withdraw cash any time without penalty. You get ten entries to the draw every month and one extra for every 50 in your account.

There is also the Man Utd Red Devil Saver at 0.75 per cent and Fred The Red Young Saver for under-16s at 1.75 per cent.

Newcastle BS easy-access Community Saver at 0.8 per cent gives money to local charities and Coventry BS Poppy accounts have donated more than 13.5 million to the Royal British Legion.

sy.morris@dailymail.co.uk
Newark, Mar 22 (IBNS): Two Indian men are each facing 17 months of jail time for smuggling foreigners into Newark, New Jersey, reports said.

The men were found guilty and sentenced by the Newark Federal Court, NorthJersey.com reported.

Identified as Harsad Mehta, 67, and Nileshkumar Patel, 42, they pleaded guilty in January.

Both Mehta and Patel smuggled foreigners into US in exchange of money.

A court document read that the men "unlawfully enrich themselves by illegally smuggling aliens into the United States for a fee."



image: http://njfederalcourtlawyers.com
MBABANE  In an effort to stamp out cross-border crime, the South African KwaZulu-Natal Province has committed to building a border wall.



According to News24, the region has already set aside a budget for the construction of the large concrete barriers  up to two metres high each, which will be erected along parts of the Mozambique and Swaziland borders near Jozini and KZN.



We are tired of the cross-border crime, said KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Belinda Scott at an event in Durban on Friday.

She said people, including tourists, were getting killed and attacked from vehicle hijackings and stock thefts.

In addition, wildlife was being poached.



She said protecting citizens along the border was not a function of the provincial government, but the province intended to take the lead in a E120 million project to erect New Jersey Barriers along certain areas of the border.



New Jersey Barriers are the low, concrete, short wall structures often used along highways to direct traffic and protect driving lanes.

Scott said the intention was not to stop people from crossing the border, but the barriers will aim to stop illegal vehicular travel between the countries.



She said an 80-kilometre stretch of the border had been identified where most of the illegal crossings were made, of which a 25-kilometre stretch was the most commonly used by the criminals. She said they hoped to recoup the money for the project from the Department of Home Affairs, which would also have to maintain the barriers, while the plan was for the defence force to patrol it.
MBABANE  A former police officer, who was dismissed from the Royal Swaziland Police after he was convicted of drink-driving, has taken the Prime Minister (PM), Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini to court.



Sifiso Sibandze, who was based at Matsapha Police Station, wants the premier to provide reasons why he upheld the decision of the national commissioner to dismiss him from work. Sibandze was arrested while off duty.

He contended that the PM simply made his appeal a mere formality and in so doing, rubberstamped the incorrect decision of the national commissioner of police.



National Commissioner of Police Isaac Magagula has been cited as the second respondent in the matter. The PM is the Chairman of the Police Appeal Board.

Sibandze is, among other things, seeking an order reviewing, correcting and setting aside the PMs decisions.

He wants the court to reinstate him to the police service and also to direct the Royal Swaziland Police to pay his salary arrears calculated from February 28, 2014 to the date of his reinstatement.



The former police officer contended that the prime minister, as chairperson of the appeal hearing failed to apply his mind, by not affording him an opportunity to explain and make submissions on the grounds of the appeal he noted.



He told the court that he had the desire to demonstrate how grossly unreasonable the decision of the national commissioner of police was, but that right was allegedly not afforded to him.
PIGGS PEAK  A preschool child was killed and 17 other pupils were injured when the kombi they were travelling in rammed into a truck near Swaziland Plantations yesterday. (Right) Five people were seriously injured and rushed to the rfm hospital in anot

PIGGS PEAK  A four-year-olds life ended tragically yesterday when a kombi she was travelling in with 17 other children, including older pupils from surrounding schools, rammed into a truck.



The accident happened in the morning along the road near Swaziland Plantations, which is about five kilometres away from Piggs Peak.

It was gathered that the kombi was heading for Piggs Peak, transporting pupils, while the truck was turning near the plantations.



The kombi is said to have failed to stop while travelling at high speed and rammed into the rear end of the truck.

The kombi also hit into a sign written, Beware, heavy duty trucks turning ahead.



At least five of the pupils are said to have been critically injured as they lay on stretchers or sat in wheelchairs while being attended to.

Some of the parents said the children blamed speed for causing the driver to fail to stop before he hit the truck.



The impact was quite huge such that the front part of the kombi was completely damaged as the drivers body hit into the steering wheel.

Despite being seriously injured, the driver miraculously survived the impact.



The truck which the kombi ran into appeared to only have a minor damage and was later driven off into the Swaziland Plantations premises.

As soon as the vehicle crashed, the pupils were quickly rescued by employees of the Swaziland Plantations from the wreckage.

The workers from the forestry company had to lift the vehicle which had trapped some of the pupils.

Screams from the badly injured pupils could be heard from the kombi while the workers frantically tried to assist. Some of the pupils lay unconscious, including the driver who appeared to be stuck to the steering wheel due to the impact of the accident.
MBABANE  Its game over for old money trade. The old coins trading business has since been closed following the tremendous turn out.



Ever since the Times Sunday published the story of a businessman, who is a collector of old money, not only have Swazis shown interest in trading their old coins and notes but others from as far as Piet Retief, in South Africa came to the kingdom.



Interested members of the public flooded the Times of Swaziland offices in search of the location of the collector. Due to the fact that the mobile number which had appeared in yesterdays edition of the Times of Swaziland was no longer available, permission to direct members of the public to the businessmans home was granted.



As a result, the collector said his premises were flooded by over 100 people who had come to sell their money. The businessman said this overwhelming turnout had gotten him more than he had expected, which was why he had decided to stop the trade. He thanked the public for their positive response and said he would let them know should he need more old money.



Even though he could not divulge the exact amount he disbursed yesterday, the collector said a handsome amount was paid for the oldest coins. Information gathered is that the older the money, the higher the price he paid.

... South Africans feel safer trading in Swaziland



MBABANE  What has attracted some South Africans to come trade their old coins and notes in Swaziland is that they trusted they would get their money and be safe afterwards.


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By Mark Hallum

A City Council motion in 2014 to ease restrictions on gender change applications has resulted in a spike of birth certificate changes in the past few years.

Before the city pulled the requirements back on its health and administrative code, gender marker changes on birth certificates averaged about 20 per year. Since January 2015, 731 New Yorkers have amended their personal documentation to make services requiring accurate record available to them, the city Department of Health said.

Carrie Davis, chair of the Department of Health and Mental Hygienes Report and Advisory Board on Gender Marker Change Requirements, explained how making changes to these records available to the transgender community is vital to their receiving the services they need in the public and private sector.

As a cascade of anti-transgender legislation begins to sweep across the nation, it is more important than ever that transgender people have access to accurate identification in order to have open access to employment, school, travel and banking, Davis said. New York Citys forward-thinking and progressive public health policy regarding transgender people and birth certificates helps build a stronger foundation as we work toward greater health equity for transgender New Yorkers.

City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett pointed out that allowing these changes sets the city apart by validating the lives of transgender people across all five boroughs.

As jurisdictions around the country continue to adopt policies of discrimination against transgender people, it is crucial for this city to reaffirm its commitment to equality and health equity, said Bassett. We will continue to work with the community to recognize and affirm transgender lives, improve our services, reduce stigma and promote the health of all transgender New Yorkers.

According to the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, 55 percent of applicants who changed their gender marker switched from male to female, while 45 percent switched from female to male.

According to Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan), better information regarding the transgender community is vital to protecting them against discrimination and hate.

Over the past years, the Council has worked to ensure that transgender and gender nonconforming individuals have the same rights as everyone else, Mark-Viverito said. The insightful data put forward by the Health Department highlights the citys commitment to protecting the dignity of our most vulnerable communities. And in the face of divisive forces that are attempting to undermine equality, the Council will continue to work with the Health Department to break down barriers for the transgender community.

Ethan Rice, who sits as vice chair next to Davis, said improvements to the system will continue to be made as members of the transgender community seek changes to their birth certificates and other documentation.

The need for the 2014 change in the code could not be more clear when seeing the number of transgender individuals that have accessed accurate birth certificates in New York City in the last two years, Rice said. The Advisory Board will continue to review the process and make recommendations for improvements to ensure that all transgender people born in New York City can attain an accurate identity document.
Beaver County identifies mail-in voters with undated ballots

Anyone on the list should visit the Beaver County elections office by 8 p.m. Tuesday to make the necessary corrections.
TROY -- A 6-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after being hit by a school bus, city police said.

The child suffered facial lacerations, which were not life-threatening, Troy police spokesman Capt. Daniel DeWolf said. The boy is being treated at Samaritan Hospital.
"Sing": A toe-tapping film that's "Zootopia" meets "American Idol." It's charming and entertaining as long as the music is playing. The quieter bits between the songs come across as being slightly out-of-rhythm. The good thing is that there are barely any moments when a gorilla, porcupine, pig or camel isn't belting out a tune. Seeing a crass menagerie of singing animals belting out pop tunes is when the film is at its zany best. There's a trio of frogs performing Van Halen's "Jump," a snail belting out the Christopher Cross tune "Ride Like the Wind," three provocative bunnies performing Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" and a sheep bleating Seal's "Kiss From a Rose." Overall, "Sing" is fun and energetic, has positive story elements and is beautifully crafted. All of this means "Sing" will be a hit with creatures great and small.

"Robocop 2" and "Robocop 3": Both sequels to the 1987 film starring Peter Weller as the half man/half robot fail to generate the same action and dry humor. Part two is slightly better as Weller reprises his role as Officer Alex J. Murphy. He must deal with even more problems in Detroit when a new designer drug called "nuke" hits the streets. The film hits a major bump when Robocop must face an evil version of himself. Part 3 slips even more off the table as the focus becomes how Robocop must deal with corporate greed. Robert John Burke takes over the role and just can't give the character the kind of authority and pathos Weller brought to the part. Both are still worth a look.
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Schenectady

A man charged with painting black swastikas on his Woodlawn home and then lying about it to police last month tried to tell a judge during his arraignment Tuesday that he was roughed up by the cops.

Andrew King, who mentioned something about Ellis Hospital and police officers, was cut off by City Court Judge Robert Hoffman at his arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting an incident got under way.

King's public defender, Julia Simone, clarified during a phone interview what King, whose police mug shot shows what appears to be a black eye, was attempting to say to Hoffman.

"He's alleging he suffered those injuries as a result of a physical contact with police officers," said Simone, who said she did not inquire more about the accusations. When asked in the interview about reports that King is Jewish, Simone said he is.

Sgt. Matthew Dearing, a city police spokesman, denied King's accusations of physical contact with officers that resulted in injury, saying that he was unaware of any altercation from the time the detectives picked King up at his home Monday afternoon and brought him to the holding cell at the police station.

"He had no altercation with us in our interaction with him at all," Dearing told reporters. "There was no altercation with our officers at all when he was arrested, nothing."

Asked about what Simone said her client told her about being roughed up, Dearing said he would check if anything may have happened "in the back" that he was unaware of. He later responded in an email, maintaining, "there was no physical altercation between (King) and officers or detectives."

On Tuesday, Hoffman set bail for King at $500 cash and sent him to the county jail.

Police say that he reported that sometime overnight on Feb. 10 either one or more persons spray-painted swastikas on his Chiswell Road home in the Woodlawn neighborhood.

Simone told the judge that her client has lived in Schenectady for 43 years, receives government assistance for a physical disability, and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The prosecutor said King has a misdemeanor conviction in Connecticut and a felony conviction in New Jersey.

He also asked Hoffman for a stay away order of protection related to a harassment charge, a violation, currently pending against the defendant related to an incident last month involving a female employee of Northeast Parent & Child Society. The agency works to protect children, preserve families and strengthen the community.

Hoffman granted a full stay away order of protection, which prohibits King from having any contact with the woman.

Court documents indicate that around noon on Feb. 15, King pointed his hand and finger in the shape of a gun and said, "you better take care of yourself" and told the woman that she would "miss her daughters when they're gone."

King is scheduled to return to court Friday.

His arrest comes amid a wave of hateful vandalism across the state and country. In January, swastikas were scrawled across buildings, signs and a church in Esperance, a small village in Schoharie County. Police later arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with the graffiti.

The State Police doubled the number of biased crime specialists in their ranks to deal with a six-fold increase in reports of hate crimes in the last six months, First Deputy Superintendent Christopher Fiore said March 9.

"We've noticed a definite uptick," Fiore said.
SCHENECTADY  A bandit made off with an unknown amount of cash after robbing the Trustco bank branch on Union Street Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Police said bank employees told them the demanded money from tellers at the 1620 Union St. branch. He did not display a weapon and no one was hurt.
MALTA -- The Saratoga County District Attorney's office will host a candlelight vigil for crime victims at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2776 Route 9, Malta.

The vigil will mark the annual National Crime Victims' Right Week. The observation is meant to bring together communities throughout the country to promote victims' rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.
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More than a hundred tenants living in the Towne Towers apartments were routed from the California Avenue complex after fire ignited in a second-floor apartment Tuesday evening  bringing a massive firefighting response and sending three to the hospital.

About 100 firefighters responded to the four-alarm fire called in at 7:22 p.m. at 12 California Ave. Three people suffered smoke inhalation and burns, one with serious injuries, Fuller Road Deputy Fire Coordinator Michael Romano said.

The fire was extinguished quickly, but the second and first floors sustained heavy smoke and water damage, while the floors above sustained smoke damage, Romano said. No tenants were allowed back in the building Tuesday night.

"It took all of our manpower to get everyone out of the building," Romano said. "We had to go door to door. Many of the tenants had to be helped or carried out."

Many tenants were brought to the Roessleville Elementary School where the American Red Cross was helping victims find places to stay. Many are staying with family or the nearby Marriott Hotel.

Others stood outside, some in their pajamas, watching. Resident Cheryl Escobar said she heard the alarm but didn't take it seriously.

"I thought it was kids," she said. "But then my neighbor came over and told me to get out."

She and neighbor James Larue, both of whom live on the fourth floor, said it was very smoky on the second floor.

Saratoga county Ems at Towne towers fire. pic.twitter.com/4QBKxttIW4  Wendy Liberatore (@wendyliberatore) March 22, 2017

Firefighters were expected to be on scene until midnight aiding residents who need to retrieve belongings. Tri-City Rentals management, which owns the building, is coordinating with Colonie Fire Services. Those who are looking for loved ones or need help getting items from their apartments can call 862-6600 after 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Romano said he did not yet know the cause of the fire, but inspectors were on site. The kitchen were the fire started was gutted, Romano said.

The fire closed off sections of Central Avenue and Fuller Road. Motorists were advised to avoid the area.

Firefighters and EMS from Albany County and Saratoga responded. In addition to Fuller Road, Shaker Road, West Albany, Guilderland, Colonie, Latham, North Bethlehem and Clifton Park were on site.

Romano said this is the ninth fire in Colonie this year.

"There is no particular reason," said Romano. "We are just having a bad run."

Fire started on second floor, fuller road dept in charge. pic.twitter.com/ypBsE2VPE5  Wendy Liberatore (@wendyliberatore) March 22, 2017

Colonie police statement on fire

The Colonie Police Department received a report of a structure fire at 7:22PM on March 21, 2017 for the Towne Towers Apartments at 12 California Avenue. The fire originated in the kitchen of an apartment. Three people were transported to area hospitals for smoke inhalation and burns. One patient is in serious condition.

The American Red Cross is staging at the Roessleville Elementary School located at 100 California Avenue. Access to the school can be gained through Colonie Central High School (1 Raider Blvd). The American Red Cross will be providing assistance to the victims of the fire.

The Towne Towers are currently closed to its residents and the general public. Fire Fighters will be on scene until midnight aiding residents who need to retrieve essential belongings. Future inquiries regarding entries into the building need to be coordinated with Colonie Fire Services and Tri-City Rentals management after 9am on March 22. The Tri-City Rentals information line after 9am is 518-862-6600.

The Fuller Road Fire Department was in overall charge of the fire scene with assistance from surrounding departments. Members of the Colonie Fire Services are conducting the investigation into the incident.
Washington

President Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday adding human exploration of Mars to NASA's mission. Could sending Congress into space be next?

Flanked at an Oval Office bill-signing ceremony by astronauts and lawmakers, Trump observed that being an astronaut is a "pretty tough job." He said he wasn't sure he'd want it and, among lawmakers he put the question to, Sen. Ted Cruz said he wouldn't want to be a space traveler, either.

But Cruz, R-Texas, offered up a suggestion. "You could send Congress to space," he said to laughter, including from the president.

Trump, who faces a crucial House vote later this week on legislation long promised by Republicans to overhaul the Obama-era Affordable Care Act health law, readily agreed. The health care bill is facing resistance from some conservative party members.

"What a great idea that could be," Trump said, before turning back to the space exploration measure sponsored by Cruz and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

The new law authorizes $19.5 billion in spending for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the budget year that began Oct. 1. Cruz said the authorization bill is the first for the space agency in seven years, and he called it a "terrific" achievement.

Trump last week sent Congress a budget proposal that seeks $19.1 billion in spending authorization for the agency next year.

"For almost six decades, NASA's work has inspired millions and millions of Americans to imagine distant worlds and a better future right here on earth," Trump said. "I'm delighted to sign this bill. It's been a long time since a bill like this has been signed, reaffirming our commitment to the core mission of NASA: human space exploration, space science and technology."

The measure amends current law to add human exploration of the red planet as a goal for the agency. It supports use of the International Space Station through at least 2024, along with private sector companies partnering with NASA to deliver cargo and experiments, among other steps.

After signing the bill, Trump invited several lawmakers to comment, starting with Cruz. When Trump invited Vice President Mike Pence to speak, he suggested that Nelson be allowed to say a few words. Nelson traveled into space when he was in the House.

"He's a Democrat. I wasn't going to let him speak," Trump quipped, to laughter.
A company called Danfoss Silicon Power GmbH signed a memorandum of understanding nearly a year ago to operate a power electronics chip packaging facility at SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Utica campus in partnership with General Electric Co.

Details of the 2016 deal, obtained by the Times Union, come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to travel to Utica on Friday to make a major announcement regarding SUNY Poly and GE and their collaboration at the school's so-called Quad-C facility there. The governor originally had planned to be in Utica on Thursday.

Oneida County officials told business leaders last month that a deal was near between GE and an undisclosed company to operate the $125 million Quad-C building as a chip packaging center for the state's $500 million Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium. They have promised 300 new jobs.

The PEMC, as it is known, was created by Cuomo and former SUNY Poly President Alain Kaloyeros to commercialize silicon carbide chip technology developed by GE at its research lab in Niskayuna that is ideal for use in power electronics controls. GE and SUNY Poly have already set up a $135 million manufacturing line for silicon carbide wafers used to make the chips, which are used in aviation, automobiles, the electric grid and other electronic devices.

The Times Union had learned that the deal with Danfoss, negotiated under Kaloyeros, included a state incentive package of $100 million and required Danfoss to begin its operations in Utica at SUNY Poly's Quad-C facility later this year.

Although Danfoss Silicon Power is based in Flensburg, Germany, its parent company, Danfoss, is located in Denmark. The company announced a new CEO Wednesday.

Several high-profile SUNY Poly deals were put on hold or delayed either before or after Kaloyeros was arrested in September on state and federal bid-rigging charges related to an alleged corruption scandal that involved several upstate developers who were big political donors to Cuomo, along with two former Cuomo associates. Kaloyeros and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty, and Kaloyeros resigned from SUNY Poly in October.

It is unclear if the deal with Danfoss has changed since Kaloyeros was in charge or if Friday's announcement will be about another firm that has negotiated with GE to operate the packaging center.

GE and SUNY Poly will take the silicon carbide wafers they process in Albany and later take them to the Quad-C building in Utica, where they will be packaged into individual chips.

Packaging involves not only the outer shell of the chip but the wire interconnects that allow them to be inserted into electronic devices. Silicon carbide is considered to be a major leap in power electronic chip making since the material is much more durable and efficient than the traditional silicon wafers used to make today's power chips, which regulate power in a device.

The deal with Danfoss was designed to fulfill Cuomo's $1.5 billion Nano Utica initiative that was first announced in 2013 but has undergone several changes. For instance, an Austrian chip manufacturer, ams AG, that was supposed to operate a $680 million chip factory across the street from the SUNY Poly campus backed out of its deal with the state around Thanksgiving.

State officials are hopeful they will find a replacement for ams soon, although Friday's announcement is expected to center on the new deal at Quad-C.
KeyBank CEO Beth Mooney was in Albany Wednesday to announce $2 million in grants to 16 local nonprofits, with Albany Medical Center and Trinity Alliance getting about one third of that.

KeyBank donated $500,000 to Albany Med to support its Grow Our Own program to train its employees to become registered nurses. Over the past 15 years, 163 Albany Med employees have participated in the program, which has helped the hospital address what is a regional and nationwide nursing shortage.
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"Judaism is a gastronomic religion. We're either giving food or taking it away," says Rabbi Matthew Cutler of Congregation Gates of Heaven synagogue in Schenectady. For him, food is a way to retell the Jewish story and remember the struggles and joys the religion's followers. In the lead-up to Passover, which begins April 10, food becomes a more prevalent trope in the ongoing narrative.

"Food offers a richness that enhances one's experience," says Cutler, and for members of his congregation, the 14th annual Jewish Food Festival helps them to revel in the experience. The celebration of Jewish cuisine, which leans toward the Eastern European heritage (versus the Sephardic North African and Middle Eastern origins) of the Capital Region's Jewish population, includes what Cutler calls, "bubbe standards," or Jewish grandmother food: brisket, kugel, knish, matzo-ball soup and chicken liver. "Everything is within the ballpark of Jewish culinary style."

The food is a combination of local restaurant and market food and donations from congregants. Price Chopper, Honest Weight Food Co-op and Gershon's Deli bring in prepared food, while the home-style offerings that tend to be family recipes are an additional draw for Jewish visitors and gentiles alike. Cutler calls the flaky, raisin-filled rugelach made by Barbara Walton, a member of Congregation Gates of Heaven a must-eat for him. "When I eat that, I'm in heaven," he says with a sigh.

The retelling of history with food is a hallmark of the Jewish religion, says Cutler, who is also a Times Union religion blogger. The seder table includes reminders of the Jewish story of exodus, diaspora, slavery and freedom. The bitter herbs used in Jewish cooking are reminders of slavery in Egypt. Parsley is dipped into salt water to taste the tears of ancestors. Charoset  a sweet paste of fruit and nuts  is placed on the table to mimic the mortar used for building stone cities in Egypt. Passover's restriction on leavened bread led to matzah, a flat cracker that signifies the flight from slavery, when there was no time to let bread rise. "It's food that reflects the ability to pick up and get food wherever they could," says Cutler. The food is often simple, using nose-to-tail cooking philosophy that points to the poor roots of many Jewish ancestors.

More Information If you go 14th Annual Jewish Food Festival When: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday Where: Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady Admission: $20; $8 kids 13 to 17 years old, free for 12 and younger. Note: Get $5 off when you bring three nonperishable food items to be donated to the Northeast Regional Food Bank. See More Collapse

Cutler says having a prominent Jewish food festival in the Capital Region makes sense, given that Albany is a historical center of faith and religious activity for Jews. Germans Jews began settling in Albany in the 1830s, with a wave of Russian Jews arriving in the 1880s. The legacy lingers, as the Daily Beast ranked Albany as the 12th-largest Jewish population in the U.S., with Jews accounting for 2.1 percent of the population. Currently, Judaism is the second-largest religious population in the country, but a study by Pew Research Center says that, by 2050, Islam will take the No. 2 spot, growing from 0.9 percent of the population in 2010 to 2.1 percent by the projected year.

Another signifier of Judaism's importance here? The beloved pastrami served at Katz's Deli in New York City is produced under the State National brand at Old World Provisions in Troy.

With food as good as that of the Congregation Gates of Heaven Jewish food festival, there's no doubt that the cuisine of Judaism will make even non-believers feel there is a bit of holiness in each bite. Tina Wasserman, a noted Jewish cuisine expert, will take part in the event and will offer a cooking course the night before the event ($180 per ticket or $300 per couple).

"There are stories that come from the kitchen," say Cutler, and the festival is a chance to learn with the mouth.

Deanna Fox is a freelance food and agriculture writer. www.foxonfood.com @DeannaNFox.

RUGELACH

Makes 64 cookies

For the cookies:

2 cups flour

 teaspoon kosher salt

1 package (8 ounces) cold cream cheese, cubed

2 sticks (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg yolk

1 batch filling (see recipe below)

Confectioners sugar

For the filling:

1 cup walnuts

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1 cup golden raisins

 cup melted butter

1 cup apricot jam

Combine the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times to mix. Scatter the cubes of cream cheese and butter over the flour. Pulse 10-12 times to combine until coarse crumbs form.

Whisk the vanilla and egg yolk in a bowl and pour over the butter-flour mixture. Run the processor continuously until the dough starts to clump together. Gather the pieces together in a ball. Divide into four portions and cover in plastic wrap. Flatten into a disk and refrigerator for two hours (or up to three days).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and prepare the filling. In a food processor, grind 1 cup of walnuts until they break into tiny crumbs. Add the raisins, melted butter and apricot jam, then pulse to combine.

For the cookies, roll out the dough on a surface dusted with confectioners' sugar (let it warm on the counter for a minute). Roll the dough into a circle about 1/8-inch thick. Spread the filling in a thin layer of filling evenly over the surface of the dough, right to the edge.

Slice the dough into 16 wedges, like a pizza. Roll up each wedge from the wide end to the narrow tip. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure the tip is tucked underneath. Chill the cookies for 20 minutes while the remaining batches are prepared.

Bake the cookies until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Bake remaining cookies.

From Deanna Fox
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It goes without saying that great musicians pay close attention to what music they play and how they play it. Pianist Mitsuko Uchida also gives scrutiny to where she plays.

That's according to Derek Delaney, artistic director of the Union College Concert Series, where the pianist has not one but two upcoming performances. Uchida, who is based in London, gives a solo recital on Monday evening and returns with clarinetist and composer Jorg Widmann for a matinee on Saturday, April 1.

Her current American tour consists of concerts with the Cleveland, Chicago and Boston symphonies, plus recitals in three cities: New York (at Carnegie Hall), Ann Arbor and Schenectady.

"She performs not to conquer the music world or to build a personal fortune," says Delaney, "but to provide a means to an end for artistic expression."

More Information If you go Mitsuko Uchida, piano When: 7:30 p.m. Monday Where: Union College Memorial Chapel, Schenectady Tickets: $30. Call 388-6080. Or visit: http://www.unioncollegeconcerts.org. Mitsuko Uchida, piano and Jorg Widmann, clarinet When: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Where: Union College Memorial Chapel, Schenectady Tickets: $30. Call 388-6080. Or visit: http://www.unioncollegeconcerts.org. See More Collapse

Uchida limits herself to about 50 concerts a year, which is a sharp contrast to artists pushing their stamina by taking upward of 200 bookings per year.

Uchida's upcoming performances mark her first Schenectady appearance in 10 years. Her 2006 recital was dedicated exclusively to Mozart, her specialty. Monday's recital opens with the composer's Sonata in C-Major, K. 545, followed by Schumann's "Kreisleriana," Op. 16 and Fantasy in C-Major, Op. 17 plus a new work composed for her by Widmann.

Delaney praises Uchida as among the most important artists to appear in the series in 20 years. An arguably true assertion, it comes with a healthy dose of personal allegiance.

Uchida and Delaney have been acquainted since he began his administrative career in 1997. His first job was what he describes being a "gopher" for Uchida's management company in Manhattan. When Uchida came to town, he supervised transportation to rehearsals and concerts and took on sundry errands. That allowed plenty of time for the two to chat about music, business and life.

"I never had a feeling of being starstruck, as she was quick to put me at ease," he recalls. "But there was no question that I was in the presence of greatness. It oozed out of her every pore."

The association with Uchida has helped Delaney's career. After leaving her management firm, he landed a job on the staff of the Marlboro Festival in Vermont, where Uchida was co-artistic director (she's been the solo artistic director since 2013).

"I'd spend the summers up there with her," says Delaney. "She stays right on campus. That's unusual and speaks to her generosity. Most senior artists stay in rented houses off campus, yet she wants to be surrounded by the young musicians."

Our local music scene has also benefited, as evidenced by the upcoming double-header of events.

Landing top artists often requires plenty of coaxing by savvy concert programmers. About two years ago, though, Delaney received a call from Uchida's manager William Capone, who put it simply: "How would you like Mitsuko?"

"Yes, please," said Delaney, without missing a beat.

There was no hesitation to accommodate her schedule, which explains the unusual Monday evening slot. "You don't pass up an opportunity to present someone like Mitsuko," says Delaney.

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The second appearance with Widmann was added later and again came through a personal connection. Delaney makes extended annual visits to Marlboro, and one evening in summer 2015, he was at a restaurant in Brattleboro. ("That's where people go when they want civilization," he explains.) Uchida was seated at an adjacent table and discussing a planned collaboration with Widmann. Delaney recalls her saying, "We're looking at Princeton. But if they can't do it, would you be interested?"

"Yes, of course," replied Delaney, again with a musician's sense of timing.

Uchida is also highly selective regarding what other musicians she performs with. Some examples involve artists familiar to Union College audiences. For the Mozart violin sonatas, she chose to work with Mark Steinberg, first violin of the Brentano String Quartet. A landmark recording from 2005 of Schubert's "Die Schone Mullerin" features the British tenor Ian Bostridge with Uchida at the keyboard. (The recently announced 2017-18 season at Union features return engagements of the Brentano and Bostridge.)

"If there's somebody she hears and is fond of, she seeks to collaborate with them," explains Delaney.

Opportunities to hear solo woodwind artists don't come about too often. But on top of Widmann's renown as a performer, the Union concerts will highlight his work as a composer. His "Sonatina facile" for solo piano will be heard on both concerts. Widmann will perform one of his own works on the joint recital, which also features music of Berg, Schubert and Brahms.

Anticipation is running high, according to Delaney, who reports tickets buyers traveling from as far as Manhattan, Rochester and Montreal.

"When this came together, I was thrilled beyond belief," says Delaney. "It's a crowning accomplishment."

Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy.
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The new musical "Rebel/Sister," which opens Wednesday at University at Albany, takes the Greek tragedy ''Antigone'' as a point of departure to explore political themes. Rather than the ancient past, the setting is a post-apocalyptic world of the future. A civil war is underway and the president is trying to control the people by manipulating the media. Nonviolent protesters seek to resist and create change.

Doesn't sound futuristic at all, does it?

"We're in a very political time right now," says composer and lyricist Anna Ebbesen, "and the focus changed several times in the year we've been writing this."

Chad Larabee and Jonathan Michael Weber co-authored the book. Larabee, who heads the UAlbany theater department, also serves as stage director.

More Information If you go "Rebel/Sister" When: Opens 7 p.m. Wednesday and continues for eight more performances through April 5. Where: University at Albany Performing Arts Center, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany Tickets: $10-$20 Info: 442-3997 See More Collapse

Finding the right musical language to evoke the fraught environment of "Rebel/Sister" wasn't much of a problem for Ebbesen, whose is a Manhattan-based musical director. Her main work is as music supervisor at the New York Film Academy, where Larabee is also on the faculty.

"The expression of the subject matter in 'Rebel/Sister' tends to feel a little more rock," says Ebbesen. She explains that a rock musical can be identified by a vocal style that's different than standard musical theater fare, and also by the instrumental accompaniment. "Rebel/Sister" features an ensemble of guitar, bass, cello, piano and drums, along with a cast of 23 undergrads.

Dissonant harmonies also seemed appropriate to the material.

"A little bit of dissonance in orchestrating is a trademark of mine," says Ebbesen. "I rough up the edges a bit, even if it's another composer's material. It's been fun to create that from the start."

Bringing to life the work of other composers through orchestrations and arrangement is Ebbesen's specialty. This season at the Film Academy, she's working on adapting five short musicals into film scores. "Rebel/Sister," which has a baker's dozen of songs, is her first full-length stage work and her most ambitious undertaking as a composer.

One challenge for Ebbesen is that the songs needed to express more than raw emotions.

"It's not that writing love songs is simple," she says. "But this requires more thought. What do I want to say in this moment? What do I want to take away from that?"

The conflicts inherent in the material provided an opportunity for the composer.

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"We have sections where the men are all riled up and women are acknowledging the cost of war," continues Ebbesen. "The men's line has one flavor and the women another. That creates an emotional dissonance."

Ebbesen's model composer is Stephen Sondheim. Certainly, he's known for putting unexpected material into the framework of musical theater. He also goes deep into characters' motivations.

"He's said that for everyone to have the same perspective in a group is unrealistic," recalls Ebbesen. Sondheim's example is "This Was A Real Nice Clambake" from the 1947 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel." "I think it's funny everyone thought it was great. Didn't anyone have indigestion?" says Ebbesen quoting Sondheim.

As a composer, Ebbesen faced an unusual request during the creation of "Rebel/Sister." Her collaborators often asked her to be more expansive with her music.

"Most composers like to write songs that go on for four to six minutes," explains Ebbesen. "I'm used to working in film where everything needs to be shorter. I kept writing 90-second songs and they'd say how about 2 or 3 minutes. That's a rare thing."

Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy.
Documentary filmmaker Amanda Bailly kept filming as she witnessed police beating Syrian refugees with truncheons in Greece, Serbia and Macedonia. Cops confiscated her video camera and erased the footage. This and other setbacks, including the theft of a duffel bag with her extra clothing on the second day of her trip, only strengthened the resolve of the 28-year-old Guilderland High School graduate to put a human face on the worst humanitarian crisis to hit Europe since World War II.

"I guess I have chutzpah," Bailly said. "I got it from my mother, because when she wants something she goes out and gets it straight away."

We spoke by Skype on Sunday as Bailly sipped American coffee in a cafe in Beirut. "The internet's better here," she said. She's lived and worked in Lebanon for the past two years, making short videos for international human rights organizations to finance her indie film.

In high school, Bailly traveled to Paris and China and dreamed of becoming a foreign correspondent. While at Boston University, where she majored in journalism and wrote for the school paper, she traveled to Morocco, Argentina and Vietnam. Working as a reporter for a small paper in rural Massachusetts after college seemed like a dead-end, so she left for a job at Human Rights Watch in New York City.

More Information Contact Paul Grondahl at grondahlpaul@gmail.com See More Collapse

She made short films there and an assignment in Beirut caused her to fall in love with the country. She vowed to return. The chance to document a Syrian refugee family's journey arose suddenly, two days after she bought a new Sony A7S digital camera that shot video and recorded in very low light. "It's small like a tourist camera and I could hide it easily. That was key," she said.

Bailly walked for days alongside tired, hungry and thirsty refugees in September 2015. She filmed them as they endured hardships, fearful of being detained and sent back to their battered country. She met women who cradled and nursed infants, exhausted couples in their 70s and families struggling to keep their children nearby. Bailly spoke Arabic and blended in as best she could.

She interviewed people fleeing a Syrian civil war that has raged for six years, killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians and displaced millions more. The sheer scope of the problem is numbing and hard to comprehend. Bailly focused on a single mother named Sham and her two children, Yaman, 10, and Lulu, 7. They traversed roadways, loaded into trucks and trains and trudged through forests on a popular Mediterranean route north through Europe to sanctuary in welcoming countries. Bailly had known the mother, who taught Arabic to American aid workers. The mother decided to join the mass migration of refugees with her children after waiting nearly two years without success for asylum in the United States. As a counterweight to the cruelty she saw, Bailly documented the kindness of strangers along the journey.

"The Syrians kept insisting they give me bananas because they thought I looked hungry. Several people took off their jackets and offered them to me because they worried I was cold," Bailly said. "They had risked everything and left their homes behind to walk across Europe for better opportunities for their children and yet they worried about me."

Bailly's journalistic immersion and deep empathy yielded her first full-length film, "8 Borders, 8 Days." It was shown at two standing-room-only free screenings March 9 and 10 at the Madison Theater in Albany. A panel discussion followed. "The response in Albany was so positive and inspiring," Bailly said. The large and receptive audience offered assistance for dozens of Syrian refugee families who have resettled in the Capital Region in the past year.

Distributors have expressed interest in Bailly's movie, but she intends to show it first at film festivals in coming months across New York, Florida and Texas. A film festival in Seattle gave her a small grant that erased much of her debt on the low-budget project. She hopes to work out a deal with a human rights group to use "8 Borders, 8 Days" in refugee assistance initiatives. "We want to be very strategic and screen the film in conservative communities," said Bailly, who has hired women refugees from Vietnam and Egypt to work with her on marketing. "By exposing people to this human story of refugees, I hope they'll open their minds and welcome refugees into their communities."

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Bailly's parents provided financial assistance and moral support. "We worried about her during the filming because we didn't know exactly where she was and there were dangers," said her father, John Bailly, a retired lawyer for the state. Her mother, Lee Lounsbury, is executive director of Welfare Research Inc. They live in Guilderland. Their son, Nick, is a senior at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Bailly credited her interest in the Middle East to a global culture course at Guilderland High, taught by social studies teacher Jonathan Mapstone and English teacher Gary Gnirrep. "Best class I ever had," said Bailly, who kept in touch with her teachers. Mapstone moderated the panel discussion after the screening.

"We're very proud of Amanda," her father said. "She's smart, adventurous and talented. I'm just glad she didn't get in the rubber raft with the refugees as they crossed to Greece. It was very dangerous and the raft started to sink."

The Syrian refugee mother and her two children made it safely to Germany after a journey of about 3,000 miles. They resettled in Berlin, where she works as an Arabic teacher and the kids are learning German. The transition has been challenging and Bailly assists them however she can.

grondahlpaul@gmail.com
Maybe some of the tension of recent meals can be attributed to the way we have been dining for the last seven months: cramped, sealed in by...
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By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Mar 22 (PTI) At least two students were killed today and 20 others injured, five of them critically, in a stampede at a primary school in Chinas central Henan Province.

The stampede took place at the Experimental Primary School of Puyang County when students were returning after a toilet break to take a test.

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Twenty others who had been injured were sent to hospital, with five of them in critical condition.

The principal and vice principal of the school have been suspended for investigation, the countys head of education bureau told state-run Xinhua news agency.

"The students were going to have a test after the break, so many went to the toilet. Some students on the second floor fell down on the staircase causing others to lose balance and tumble down," Liu Wenhua, the schools vice principal who witnessed the accident, was quoted as saying.

Rumours that a wall in the schools toilet collapsed turned out to be false, the report said.

The local government has set up a team to investigate the incident. PTI KJV ZH MRJ AKJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
[March 22, 2017] Canada funds $125 million Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is funding a Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy for research and talent that will cement Canada's position as a world leader in AI. The $125 million strategy will attract and retain top academic talent in Canada, increase the number of post-graduate trainees and researchers studying artificial intelligence, and promote collaboration between Canada's main centres of expertise in Montreal, Toronto-Waterloo and Edmonton. The program will be administered through CIFAR, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. The new program was announced in the federal budget released on Wednesday. "The Canadian government clearly recognizes the importance of artificial intelligence as a platform technology that cuts across many areas of innovation today," says Dr. Alan Bernstein, President and CEO of CIFAR. "This investment in deep AI builds on Canada's strength as a pioneer in AI research and will provide a strong foundation for Canada to build on its global leadership in this important and exciting field." Artificial intelligence is a burgeoning area of research with implications for everything from better medical diagnoses to self-driving cars. The market for artificial intelligence-related products is predicted to reach $47 billion in 2020, and the field has attracted significant investmentfrom Google, Facebook, Baidu and other major technology players.



Canada's global lead in AI is due in large part to the early support by CIFAR of a group of researchers from around the world, led by Geoff Hinton at the University of Toronto, for over a decade. Notable Canadian researchers include Hinton; Yoshua Bengio of the University of Montreal; and Richard Sutton of the University of Alberta. CIFAR's program in Learning in Machine and Brains is now co-directed by Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun (New York University and director of AI Research at Facebook). Researchers in the CIFAR program made fundamental advances in artificial intelligence that helped launch the current excitement in the field. The deep AI techniques they developed make computers better at seeing patterns and making accurate predictions based on those patterns, using so-called artificial neural networks, in a way analogous to how we think humans learn.

The investment will build on those advances, and create the critical mass of talent necessary for the spectrum of Canadian businesses to succeed in this new market. "I want to thank the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Canada's Minister of Science, and the Canadian government for having the vision to launch this important program," Bernstein said. "The government has laid the foundation for a sustainable effort that will pay off scientifically and economically for Canada far into the future." "Canada's scientific success in deep AI is an example of how investments in fundamental research can result in enormous potential for innovation," he said. "Deep AI is a platform technology that cuts across virtually all sectors of the economy, with the potential to improve people's lives. It will help build a stronger and more innovative economy, create high value jobs, improve transportation and lead to better and more efficient health care and social services. This announcement keeps Canada in the forefront of the technology, and gives us a chance to steer its direction and take full advantage of its benefits." The budget also renews and enhances funding for CIFAR with $35 million over the next five years. The money will go towards CIFAR's mission of enabling transformative knowledge by catalyzing global networks of the world's pre-eminent researchers. "We're grateful for this enlightened support from the federal government," Bernstein says. "This government understands the importance of investing in fundamental research, and they understand that CIFAR's unique model of bringing together the world's best minds to address some of the most important and most interesting questions of our time benefits both Canada and the world." SOURCE Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

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[March 22, 2017] Merck Animal Health Completes Acquisition of Vallee S.A.

Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today announced it has successfully acquired a controlling interest in Vallee S.A., a leading privately-held producer of animal health products in Brazil. "The combined strength of the two companies under the umbrella of MSD Animal Health will provide customers with a more comprehensive portfolio of products for livestock animals," said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. "We will continue to seek opportunities like these that complement our business and bring value to our customers." About Merck Animal Health For over a century, Merck Animal Health has been a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck Animal Health. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter (News - Alert) at @MerckAH.



Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC (News - Alert)) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005156/en/

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[March 21, 2017] Spain - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

LONDON, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spain's regulator improves wholesale access covering 65% of the population

In recent years the value of Spain's telecom market has fallen steadily, with the sector affected by the poor economic climate which has contributed to high unemployment and reduced disposable income among consumers. However, a five-year recession, with tumbling GDP, effectively ended in 2014 when the economy showed a steady return to growth for four quarters in succession. Growing confidence among investors was palpable starting in 2015, and the improved business climate augurs well for the sector into 2017.



Spain has one of the largest mobile markets in Europe, with effective competition from four MNOs and a growing number of resellers and MVNOs. This competition, together with regulated roaming and MTRs, has driven down the cost of mobile calls in recent years though the number of subscribers has fallen since 2011 as customers cancel multiple SIM card ownership in response to the economic crisis. The market has seen considerable changes in recent years, including the acquisition of Yoigo by Masmovil and the release of 900MHz frequencies for mobile broadband use. There have also been growing investments in network upgrades to support LTE and HSPA+ technologies, while MNOs and vendors are also investing in 5G technologies and services. The auction of additional spectrum in 2016 is helping operators keep pace with the growth in demand for mobile data. Both Orange Spain and Vodafone Spain have acquired fixed-line operators in a bid to compete more effectively with Movistar in their bundled service offerings.



Broadband penetration is on a par with the EU average. Subscribers continue to contend with relatively high access price, though access speeds have recently begun to improve in line with upgraded networks. The incumbent telco Telefonica, operating under the Movisar brand, has invested in fibre infrastructure while cablecos now commonly provide data at up to 300Mb/s. The regulator has in recent years promoted fibre network sharing, and has developed a pricing structure for shared fibre infrastructure. In early 2017 it formulated new conditions for wholesale access to Telefonica's fibre networks covering some 65% of the population. In the cable sector, Vodafone Spain is in the process of delivering DOSCIS3.1 technology capable of providing data at above 1Gb/s.







The strong growth in the number of fibre broadband connections is beginning to tell on the sector's dynamics. Although several operators are investing in fibre, either in their own networks or through sharing arrangements, Telefonica is by far the dominant player.



This report introduces the key aspects of the Spanish telecom market, providing statistics on the fixed-network services sector, and profiling the main players and their strategies to meet an increasingly competitive environment. The report also assesses the main regulatory issues, noting the status of interconnection, local loop unbundling, number portability and carrier preselection. In addition the report provides statistics and market analyses on the mobile sector, including an assessment of regulatory issues, a profile of the major providers, and an analysis of mobile data services such as SMS, MMS, i-mode, HSPA, LTE, 5G and mobile TV. The report also covers the fixed and wireless broadband markets, together with developments in related technologies such as fibre and broadband powerline. It includes broadband subscriber forecasts to 2021.





Key developments:



Telefonica prepares to sell Telxius infrastructure business;

Oran- Valencia (Orval) submarine cable expected to be ready for service in June 2017 ;

Vodafone Spain launches Spain's first NB-IoT network;

Vodafone and Orange launch VoLTE and VoWi-Fi services;

Orange planning to provide 95% population coverage with LTE by 2017;

Telia sells its stake in Yoigo to Masmovil;

Vodafone Spain contracts Huawei to upgrade its HFC network with DOCSIS3.1;

Movistar boosts fibre to 300Mb/s;

Report update includes the regulator's market data updates to November 2016 , telcos' operating and financial data to Q4 2016, recent market developments.





Companies mentioned in this report:



Orange Spain , Telefonica, Jazztel, Ono, Movistar, Vodafone Spain, Lebara, Lycamobile, Masmovil, YouMobile, Canal+, Prisa.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3599805/



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Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

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For more information:

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Email: [email protected]

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Website: www.reportbuyer.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spain---telecoms-mobile-broadband-and-digital-media---statistics-and-analyses-300427321.html SOURCE ReportBuyer

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[March 21, 2017] Max Mara Manufacturer IMAX Signs with Centric Software

CAMPBELL, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX, a manufacturing division of iconic Italian fashion company Max Mara, has selected Centric Software to provide its product lifecycle management (PLM) solution. Centric Software is the leading PLM solution for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor and consumer goods companies. IMAX is part of the Max Mara Group and produces knitwear and jersey for most of its 35 different labels. The core business is manufacturing, although IMAX also provides logistics services to Max Mara's brands. IMAX is a complex operation, with production in Italy as well as some outsourcing to sites in Europe and Asia. IMAX's main goals are to keep production costs as low as possible while still producing high quality clothing and to guarantee on-time deliveries to its customers. Although the company previously had a PDM system in place, it was primarily using an ERP system to organize data. Users were lacking visibility and there was a duplication of information across various systems and programs, creating inefficiencies and confusion. "The tools we had been using for many years were no longer up to date and were not sophisticated enough for our business processes," explains Giovanni Bisotti, IT Manager at Imax Srl. "We had different systems all containing various product data which made it difficult for users to keep up. In some cases, the same data was being entered twice in different systems and occasionally data would be not be accessible to some users because it was associated with personal databases or accounts." "We wanted to simplify that situation to give users a unique environment where they could find all of the information related to each product, so we started looking for a solution. Because things change so quickly in the fashion market, we needed flexibility to manage our processes and data and a tool that would allow us to react rapidly. We also wanted to enable new methods of collaboration, both internally between users and externall with regard to the supply chain."



After reviewing a number of different PLM providers, IMAX selected Centric Software to provide their new PLM solution. As Bisotti says, Centric proved to be best-in-class for several reasons. "We like Centric's focus on fashion. Centric has great references in Italy and also around the world," says Bisotti. "It's one of the few PLM solutions that is tailor-made for our industry. The technology impressed us and it is easy for users to adopt and use. We looked for a solution that would be highly configurable, rather than customizable, and we found it in Centric. Centric's approach allows us to benefit from upgrades and new releases, and Centric is particularly active in that regard issuing new innovations frequently."

As Bisotti concludes, "We're looking forward to increased efficiency which will reduce our internal costs and time to market. This is the main objective of the project. With Centric PLM in place, we'll also be changing our data model. The PLM system will be the master source of data, rather than the ERP system. So far, working with the Centric team has been great  it's really straightforward and collaborative. I see a lot of positive energy and we're very enthusiastic about it." "IMAX's focus on manufacturing high-quality clothing means that they need an adaptable, easy to use, innovative solution to drive efficiency while maintaining agility," says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software, "We are very pleased to partner with them to help meet their cost-savings and time to market goals." MAX MARA AND IMAX (www.maxmarafashiongroup.com) Recognized throughout the world as the precursor of modern pret-a-porter fashion, the Max Mara Group is one of the largest international fashion houses and the first Italian women's clothing company. The company was formed (in 1951) with the aim of offering "haut de gamme" feminine clothing, produced according to excellent industrial processes. This is a record that the Max Mara Group has consolidated over time through a meticulous, luxurious style that has always achieved rising success on a world-wide scale, demonstrated today in more than 2,300 stores. Max Mara Group, with 41 companies and over 5,000 employees, operates in 105 countries. Max Mara has spawned 35 labels, although Max Mara womenswear remains the core of the company. Other brands include Sportmax, Sportmax Code, Weekend Max Mara, Marella, Pennyblack, iBlues, Max & Co. (the trendy, youth division), and Marina Rinaldi. Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com) From its headquarters in Silicon Valley and offices in trend capitals around the world, Centric Software builds technologies for the most prestigious names in fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, and consumer goods. Its flagship product lifecycle management (PLM) platform, Centric 8, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, business planning, quality, and collection management functionality tailored for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric SMB packages extended PLM including innovative technology and key industry learnings tailored for small businesses. Centric Software has received multiple industry awards, including the Frost & Sullivan Global Product Differentiation Excellence Award in Retail, Fashion, and Apparel PLM in 2016 and Frost & Sullivan's Global Retail, Fashion, and Apparel PLM Product Differentiation Excellence Award in 2012. Red Herring named Centric to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015, and 2016. Centric is a registered trademark of Centric Software. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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[March 22, 2017] Eutelsat's Sat.tv App Expands to Vibrant 7/8 West Video Neighbourhood

Regulatory News: Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications (Paris:ETL) (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) announced today at Cabsat Dubai that Sat.tv, its mobile programme guide, is expanding to include free-to-air channels broadcasting from its popular 7/8 West neighbourhood. Sat.tv was launched in April 2016, targeting the 65 million homes equipped for DTH reception from Eutelsat's HOTBIRD neighbourhood. The app has already registered almost one million downloads and is now available to the more than 52 million DTH-equipped homes in the Middle East and North Africa that receive free-to-air channels from 7/8 West. Enhancing the free-to-air viewing experience Sat.tv now gives viewers in the Middle East and North Africa the opportunity to browse through the detailed programme schedules of around 400 free-to-air channels*, with options to search by time, channel or type of content. Viewers benefit from a user-friendly programme guide interface available in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Italian, Russian) and can access programme details in up to 40 languages. Sat.tv has already seen strong take-up in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran, with users particularly drawn by the option to select preferred content in one click and to receive personalised recommendations. Increasing broadcaster engagement with their audience Easy navigation and extensive information for viewers are derived from the ergonomic app eco-system that enables broadcasters to enter programme schedules that are displayed real-time through the app. They are able to directly edit their data from a dedicated back-end. Nicolas Moulin-Fournier, SVP New Video Servies, commented on the app extension: "Sat.tv has been welcomed by broadcasters for its capacity to create value and by viewers for living up to its promise: "Free to choose". We are confident that the vast audience at the fast-evolving 7/8 West neighbourhood will adopt Sat.tv's intuitive app features as quickly as HOTBIRD viewers and broadcasters."



For more on the Sat.tv app visit Eutelsat's stand at Cabsat 2017, Dubai World Trade Centre, 21-23 March: Zabeel Hall Stand: Hall 7 Stand: C7-10.

Sat.tv is also available for download on the App Store and on Google (News - Alert) Play For more information

www.sat.tv About Eutelsat Communications Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 39 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service. For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com * total number of channels cumulating HOTBIRD and 7/8 West line-up www.eutelsat.com - Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Eutelsat_SA and Facebook (News - Alert) Eutelsat.SA View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170321006432/en/

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[March 22, 2017] Prosveshcheniye: 65 Million Displaced Persons Poses an Urgent Challenge for the Modern Educational System

PARIS, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Mobile Learning Week held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the President of Prosveshcheniye, Vladimir Uzun proposed to establish an an ad-hoc committee under the umbrella of UNESCO for the coordination of social educational programmes and projects implemented by businesses in various countries. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480923/Prosveshcheniye_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480924/V_Uzun.jpg ) "Prosveshcheniye, as a socially-oriented company, has been supporting and implementing initiatives for many years that share the principles of UNESCO's activities through promoting the stable development of society and intercultural dialogue. We are ready to use our experience and join forces with like-minded people around the world," Uzun says. In addition to Russia, Prosvehcheniye is also active in more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia. The Company's work has been inextricably linked with the history of Russia and the development of the Russian education system for more than 86 years.



"Prosveshcheniye is the most influential Russian company in regards to the improvement of the quality of modern education. The past organizational and business transformations mean the Company meets all the conditions for entering the IPO as a new stage of development, it has a significant potential for providing quality education, including distance and mobile formats of education, projects of modern digital education," Uzun emphasizes. One of Prosveshcheniye's main priorities is to ensure equal access to quality education for all children without exception. According to the latest UN data, there are 65 million of displaced persons in the world. The issue of internal migration is important for multinational countries with remote territories, such as Russia. Prosveshcheniye experts have developed and published educational literature in 29 languages and dialects.

Mobile Learning Week also focused on special textbooks for disabled children. Two hundred new textbooks for visually impaired children in all secondary school subjects have been published by Prosveshcheniye for a short period of time. Vladimir Uzun held a meeting with the Assistant-Director General for Education of UNESCO, Mr. Qian Tang, during which the importance of bilateral cooperation in the main areas of UNESCO activities - primarily in the field of distance learning in remote regions -was reaffirmed. The parties agreed to a special agreement aimed at development of the main initiatives of UNESCO within Education 2030. It will be signed at the Moscow International Salon of Education, which will be held in April this year in Moscow.

Contact: [email protected], office +7(495)624-03-01

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[March 22, 2017] Affinity Health Plan Names Michael Murphy as President and CEO

The Board of Directors of Affinity Health Plan has selected an innovative and strategic healthcare leader, Michael Murphy (News - Alert), as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005274/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Murphy comes to Affinity with extensive experience leading public and private healthcare organizations. He was most recently at Aetna, one of the nation's leading diversified healthcare benefits companies, where he oversaw a multi-state, $4 billion region that included Medicaid programs. While at Aetna, he developed multi-level relationships with key providers and government officials, which helped to establish a solid foundation for continued success. Mr. Murphy previously served as CEO of Coventry Health Care Plans across multiple states. (Coventry Health was purchased by Aetna in 2013). At Coventry, he oversaw the acquisition and integration of several health plans and was instrumental in stabilizing managed Medicaid following its introduction in Kentucky. Before joining Coventry, Mr. Murphy served as President nd CEO of Mercy Health Plans in St. Louis, MO, where he held various senior operating roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Government Programs.



Earlier in his career, Mr. Murphy was founder and CEO of Managed Prescription Services (MPS), a company from which the modern pharmacy benefits management industry evolved. His success in this arena led to the development of independent pharmacy networks across the country, serving growing numbers of health plans and preserving community-based care. "His track record of transforming and growing two multi-state regional health plans, along with his entrepreneurial skills and political advocacy, make Michael Murphy the right choice to lead Affinity Health Plan forward," said Affinity Board Chair Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez. "We believe he will be a dynamic catalyst in reinvigorating Affinity's reputation as a highly effective, member- and provider-centric health plan by advancing primary and community-based care."

Of his role at Affinity, Mr. Murphy said, "Making healthcare more accessible has been a lifelong passion of mine. It's a challenge in this complex and changing healthcare environment, but I believe that by remaining focused and true to our community-based roots, Affinity can continue to make extraordinary contributions. I look forward to leading Affinity in this new chapter of growth and development by being a strong healthcare partner to providers, members and the community." He succeeds former CEO Glenn MacFarlane, who resigned in June of 2016, and James Hooley, who stepped down as Chair of Affinity's Board in 2016 in order to serve as interim CEO while the search for a new leader was conducted. Mr. Murphy received his Bachelor's degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and an MBA from Washington University - Olin School of Business. About Affinity Health Plan Founded in 1986, Affinity is an independent, not-for-profit organization driven by the mission to help its members and their families and communities lead healthier lives. For over 30 years, Affinity has built one of the area's largest physician networks, which includes 40,000 providers and more than 85 of the top hospitals in the Greater New York region. Affinity offers a variety of programs under Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, HARP, Medicare and Qualified Health Plans on the New York State of Health Marketplace for members in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, as well as in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. For more information, visit AffinityPlan.org, or follow Affinity Plan on Twitter, Facebook (News - Alert) and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005274/en/

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[March 22, 2017] MEDIA ALERT: Ezekiel Emanuel Slated As Keynote Speaker at Pepperdine Graziadio 3rd Annual Future of Healthcare Symposium

Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management will host its 3rd Annual Future of Healthcare Symposium on March 23, 2017 at the Marina del Rey Marriott. Ezekiel Emanuel, a key architect of the Affordable Care Act, will serve as the keynote speaker. The Future of Healthcare Symposium: Delivering Value-Based Healthcare, will explore the healthcare industry's transition from legacy fee-for-service and volume-based reimbursement models to value-based payments. The Pepperdine Graziadio event will bring together healthcare experts and professionals to share their personal insights, experiences and ideas in order to inspire larger conversations about the future of healthcare as a business. What: The 3rd Annual Future of Healthcare Symposium explores how rapid changes to healthcare reimbursements are impacting healthcare providers, consumers and insurance plans. Attendees will also enjoy opportunities to network and share best practices while discussing potential collaborations. Register and view the full agenda here. When: Thursday, March 23rd, 2017  8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Where: Marina del Rey Marriott

4100 Admiralty Way

Marina del Rey, CA (News - Alert) 90292 Who: Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management will host a daylong symposium featuring an impressive line-up of speakers addressing a broad range of issues related to value-based care. Speakers are affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai Health System and other leading healthcare organizations. Speakers include: Ezekiel Emanuel, Joint Appointment: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Founding Chair, Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. Former Special Advisor on Health Policy, Office of Management and Budget. Ezekiel Emanuel is one of the leading practitioners shaping the future of healthcare, with a long record of experience at the top levels of policy. Trained both as an oncologist (MD, Harvard Medical School) and a political scientist, Dr. Emanuel offers a uniquely thoughtful perspective on the most difficult issues in medicine today. From 2009 to 2011, he served as a special advisor for health policy t the White House Office of Management and Budget. As one of the most prominent voices advising the White House about healthcare, he had a significant impact on federal healthcare budgets and the Affordable Care Act.



Samir Malik, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Genoa Telepsychiatry, part of Genoa, a QoL Healthcare company Samir Malik is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Genoa Telepsychiatry, part of Genoa, a QoL Healthcare company. Mr. Malik came into this role through the acquisition of his company, 1DocWay, a New York City-based telepsychiatry company, which he founded and served as CEO. The company expands access to mental healthcare in rural America. Mr. Malik and his team have built the technology-enabled services company from scratch, treating 50,000 patients across the country.

Thomas M. Priselac, President and CEO, Cedars-Sinai Health System Thomas M. Priselac is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cedars-Sinai Health System and has held the position since January 1994. From 1988 to 1993, he served as Executive Vice President. An author and invited speaker on health policy issues, Mr. Priselac has served the healthcare field in various roles. He is past Chair of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees and past Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Barbara McNeil, Professor of Radiology and Former Acting Dean, Harvard Medical School Barbara J. McNeil, MD, PhD, is the Ridley Watts Professor and founding head of the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. She is also a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. McNeil's research focuses on several areas, most notably technology assessment and quality of care, as well as the effects of alternative payment arrangements and organizational characteristics on quality and costs of care. Wyatt W. Decker, Vice President, Mayo Clinic; Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Clinic, Arizona Wyatt W. Decker, MD, is Mayo Clinic Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. As a vice president of the largest not-for-profit integrated multi-specialty group practice in the nation, Dr. Decker helps direct Mayo Clinic's research, education and clinical operations in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Dr. Decker is directly responsible for Mayo Clinic operations in Arizona. Lou Silverman, CEO, Advanced ICU Care, Harvard Medical School Lou Silverman has a 15-year track record of success as CEO in healthcare information technology and healthcare services companies, translating a passion for the transformative benefits of innovative healthcare solutions into successful clinical and commercial organizations. In addition to his leadership role at Advanced ICU Care, Mr. Silverman serves on the board of directors for a variety of healthcare-related companies, both public and private. Hill Ferguson, CEO, Doctor On Demand Hill Ferguson is Chief Executive Officer at Doctor On Demand. With nearly two decades of experience in mobile technology, Mr. Ferguson has led companies at all stages of growth, from being a founder to serving as a senior executive at PayPal (News - Alert), a high-growth public company. He holds deep commitment to putting customers first by delivering the best possible products, a value that resonates with Doctor On Demand's commitment to its industry-leading clinical quality and best-in-class customer experience. About the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management A leader in cultivating entrepreneurship and digital innovation, the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management focuses on the real-world application of MBA-level business concepts. The Graziadio School provides student-focused, globally-oriented education through part-time, full-time, and executive MBA programs at our five Southern California locations, Silicon Valley and Santa Barbara campuses, as well as through online and hybrid formats. In addition, the Graziadio School offers a variety of master of science programs, a bachelor of science in management degree-completion program, and the Presidents and Key Executives MBA, as well as executive education certificate programs. Follow the Graziadio School on Facebook, Twitter at @GraziadioSchool, Instagram, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005001/en/

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[March 22, 2017] BIOPHYTIS to present four scientific studies at the International Conference on Frailty & Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) in Barcelona

PARIS, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIOPHYTIS (Alternext Paris:ALBPS), a biotechnology company specializing in the development of drug candidates to treat diseases of aging, announced it will present the full results of the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Sarconeos (BIO101), the Companys lead drug candidate for the treatment of sarcopenia, in healthy elderly volunteers in the SARA-PK clinical study, as well as three other scientific studies, at the 7th International Conference on Frailty & Sarcopenia Research, held April 27-29th 2017 in Barcelona, Spain.

Stanislas Veillet CEO BIOPHYTIS, said: We are proud to present the full results of the SARA-PK clinical study at the leading international conference, confirming the potential of Sarconeos in the treatment of sarcopenia. Several other studies have been selected, demonstrating the energy and originality of our scientific and medical teams, among the most active in the industry, which today are focused on the launch of the SARA-OBS/INT international clinical study. Oral presentation - April 28th: SARA-PK: A single and multiple ascending oral doses study to assess the safety and evaluate the pharmacokinetics of BIO101 in healthy young and older volunteers.

Wally Dioh1, Susanna Del Signore1, Philippe Dupont1, Pierre Dilda1, Rene Lafont1,2, Stanislas Veillet1 (2017).

1BIOPHYTIS, Paris, France, 2Sorbonne Universites, UPMC Univ Paris 6, CNRS - Laboratoire BIOSIPE, Paris France

The complete results of the SARA-PK clinical study will be presented, confirming the good safety and pharmacokinetics profile of Sarconeos (BIO101) in healthy elderly volunteers. Posters: Title: BIO103, a second-generation compound for the treatment of sarcopenia. From anabolic properties to the reversion of aging-related functional loss. Authors: Pierre Dilda1, Anne-Sophie Foucault1, Sophie Raynal1, Christel Carbonne2, Jean-Denis Durand2, Stanislas Veillet1, Waly Dioh1, Rene Lafont3 (2017). 1BIOPHYTIS, Paris, France, 2Metabrain Research, Chilly-Mazarin, France, 3Sorbonne Universites, Laboratoire BIOSIPE, Paris, France The effects of BIO103, the second-generation drug candidate in pre-clinical development in sarcopenic mice are presented. BIO103 efficiently compensates the effect of aging on mobility, confirming its potential in the treatment of Sarcopenia and other muscular dystrophies. Title: Loss of muscular function as a result of aging, obesity and immobilization: a mouse model for pharmacological intervention. Authors: Anne-Sophie Foucault1, Pierre Dilda1, Stanislas Veillet1, Waly Dioh1, Arnaud Ferry2, Rene Lafont. (2017). 1BIOPHYTIS, Paris, France, 2 Sorbonne Universites, UPMC, Inserm, CNRS  Institut de Myologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France A new sarcopenic animal model is being presented, allowing the evaluation of the effect of drugs such as Sarconeos (BIO101) and BIO103 on muscle quality and mobility over the course of aging. Title: Patient Reported Outcomes (ePROs)  SarQoL, SF-36 and TSD-OC - in ageing related Sarcopenia. SARA-OBS, a six-month observational clinical trial. Authors: Susanna Del Signore1, Waly Dioh1, Gianluca Zia2, Stefania Del Signore2, Stanislas Veillet1. (2017). 1BIOPHYTIS, Paris, France, 2Bluecompanion ltd, London, United Kingdom. A model of an electronic observation notebook (or Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes i.e. ePROs) developed for SARA clinical studies is being presented. The data gathered is automatically stored in SARA-DATA, the database built for automatically storing and following in real-time SARA clinical data.



http://www.frailty-sarcopenia.com/programme.pdf

About SARCONEOS (BIO101)

Sarconeos is a first in class drug candidate based on the activation of the MAS receptor (major player of the renin-angiotensin system) restoring muscular anabolism, inhibiting myostatin, and that has demonstrated meaningful activity in animal models of muscular dystrophies. Sarconeos is developed in the treatment of sarcopenia, an age-related degeneration of skeletal muscle, leading to loss of mobility in elderly people. This condition, for which no medical treatment currently exists, was first described in 1993 and has entered the International Classification of Diseases (M62.84) in 2016. It affects more than 50 million people worldwide.

About BIOPHYTIS:

BIOPHYTIS SA (www.biophytis.com), founded in 2006, develops drug candidates targeting diseases of aging. Using its technology and know-how, BIOPHYTIS has begun clinical development of innovative therapeutics to restore the muscular and visual functions in diseases with significant unmet medical need. Specifically, the company is advancing two lead products into mid-stage clinical testing next year: Sarconeos (BIO101) to treat sarcopenic obesity and Macuneos (BIO201) to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The company was founded in partnership with researchers at the UPMC (Pierre and Marie Curie University) and also collaborates with scientists at the Institute of Myology, and the Vision Institute BIOPHYTIS is listed on the Alternext market of Euronext Paris (ALBPS; ISIN: FR0012816825). For more information: http://www.biophytis.com Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risque) section of the Listing Prospectus upon the admission of Companys shares for trading on the regulated market Alternext of Euronext Paris filed with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org) or on BIOPHYTIS website (www.biophytis.com). This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to shares in BIOPHYTIS in any country. Items in this press release may contain forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. The Companys actual results could differ substantially from those anticipated in these statements owing to various risk factors which are described in the Companys prospectus. This press release has been prepared in 5 both French and English. In the event of any differences between the two texts, the French language version shall supersede. BIOPHYTIS

Stanislas VEILLET

CEO

[email protected]

Tel : +33 (0) 1 41 83 66 00 Citigate Dewe Rogerson

International press

Laurence BAULT/Antoine DENRY

[email protected] / [email protected]

Tel : +33 (0)1 53 32 84 78

Mob : +33(0)6 64 12 53 61





Milestones

Press and investor relations

Bruno ARABIAN

[email protected]

Tel : +33 (0) 1 83 62 34 84

Mob : +33 (0) 6 87 88 47 26 LifeSci Advisors

Chris MAGGOS

Managing Director, Europe

[email protected]

Tel : +41 79 367 6254

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[March 22, 2017] Qualtrics Offers Professional Certification for World's First Experience Management Platform

SILICON SLOPES, Utah and SALT LAKE CITY, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualtrics announces an expanded professional certification program to help users become certified on the world's first experience management platform, the Qualtrics XM Platform. The new program builds upon the existing training program and will help support a growing experience management ecosystem, including customers, developers and partners, and provides certified individuals to help companies and organizations best leverage the full power of the innovative platform. The significant growth in Qualtrics deployments is accelerating interest in Qualtrics expertise and certification. The Qualtrics XM Platform is designed to address the growing experience gapthe gap between market, customer and employee expectations and what organizations actually deliver. The first solution in the experience management space, the platform will help companies measure, prioritize, and optimize the experiences they deliver across the four foundational aspects of businesscustomers, products, employees and brands. Experience management helps organizations close the experience gap and achieve four key outcomes: Customer Experience (CX): Delight customers at every touchpoint;

Product Experience (PX): Build products that people love;

Employee Experience (EX): Improve employee engagement, retain top talent, and develop leaders;

Brand Experience (BX): Create differentiated brands that people want to associate with. According to Ryan Smith, CEO of Qualtrics, "There are two types of data: operational data and experience data. For too long, companies have been looking exclusively at data about the pastthe operational data or 'O data.' Where companies must improve is with experience data, or 'X data.' X data is the human-factor data, the beliefs, emotions, and sentiments that tell you 'why' things are happening and that help predict what is going to happen next. And while there are plenty of technologies to help companies manage their operational data, until now there hasn't been a technology that makes it easy to capture and understand the X data. The Qualtrics XM Platform will change how organizations operate and help develop the market leaders of tomorrow." Anyoneincluding researchers, marketers, analysts, faculty, administrators, product managers, HR eneralists, executives, leaders, and morecan become certified on the XM platform to help drive real impact in an organization across the four foundational aspects of business.



Qualtrics Certification is designed to help users develop the skills and expertise needed to help close experience gaps. Six different certifications are offered, including: Technical Professional

Technical Expert

Customer Experience Expert

Employee Experience Expert

Brand Experience Expert

Product Experience Expert Each certification provides the necessary product knowledge and methodology knowledge to drive organizations forward in each domain. The new, expanded program is an extension of the existing program and those already certified will automatically be granted credentials from the new program.

"Qualtrics Certification is the validating body that prepares individuals to become experts on the Qualtrics platform and experts within their category. It is part of the Qualtrics vision of helping companies create world-class experiences for customers and employees by training individuals on the Qualtrics Platform, and giving client leadership confidence in the quality of the data and insights collected," said Bennett Weisse, Head of Certification at Qualtrics. "After all, the data collected is used to make major business decisions across an organization, so know-how and accuracy are crucial." "Qualtrics Certification increases my level of expertise and helps me solve my company's most pressing problems around the experiences we are delivering to key stakeholders, including clients, employees, impacts to our products or even our brand reputation," said Johanna Moscoso, Consumer Insights Lead, The Weather Company, an IBM Business. "Getting Qualtrics certified has also helped me develop a skill set that has immediately translated to early career success. It means that we can be confident in the decisions we make, because it's improved my team's ability to collect, analyze, and act on important insights that drive key experiences. We are vastly more successful as a company thanks to the information we get from Qualtrics." The Qualtrics ecosystem has seen rapid growth recently and more employers are seeking candidates with Qualtrics skills. Users of Qualtrics are seeing increased demand from potential employers across the board--from small to medium businesses, up to the enterprise level. Candidates in marketing, branding, customer experience, product management, human resources, and senior management disciplines are reinventing their resume thanks to Qualtrics. In addition, key academic institutions globally are offering training for their students on Qualtrics as part of their curriculums, including Cornell, Harvard, Kellogg, MIT, Princeton, Purdue, Stanford, and Yale universities. These students are essential to growing the Qualtrics ecosystem as they bring the platform with them to their new jobs. Over 3,000 customers, partners and employees have completed the Qualtrics Certification Program to date. Visit https://www.qualtrics.com/certification/ to learn more and sign up for an upcoming course. About Qualtrics:

Qualtrics is a rapidly growing software-as-a-service company and the leader in experience management. More than 8,500 enterprises worldwide, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 and 99 of the top 100 U.S. business schools, rely on Qualtrics. Our solutions make it easy to measure, prioritize, and optimize the experiences organizations provide across the four foundations of business: customer, product, employee and brand experiences. To learn more, and for a free account, please visit www.qualtrics.com. Contacts:

Julia Giona, Qualtrics

+1 (415) 828-4775

[email protected] McKenzie Haggard, Method

+1 (801) 461-9773

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qualtrics-offers-professional-certification-for-worlds-first-experience-management-platform-300427453.html SOURCE Qualtrics

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By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Mar 22 (PTI) At least two students were killed and 20 others injured today in a stampede at a primary school in Chinas central Henan Province.

The injured were being given medical assistance, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The accident happened when some students were going to the toilet at about 8:30 AM in the No. 3 experimental primary school of Puyang county.

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Cause of the accident is being investigated, the report said. PTI KJV ZH

--- ENDS ---
[March 22, 2017] Picowork's CCOS and CCC Put IoT, Big Data within Your Company's Reach

TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As IT infrastructure sizes and data-sharing between connected devices continue to grow, company workflows in a variety of industries continue to become increasingly digitalized. In addition to increasing production efficiency, providing competitive business insights, and building brand identity through differentiation, the unprecedented spike in data volumes, otherwise known as Big Data, has significant potential to create further value for corporations. While businesses are able to understand the significant value of Big Data and the visions brought by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, few have been able to harness the technological advancement. This is due to a major obstacle in which different systems cannot securely connect, inter-operate, and interact with each other. As such, the demand for cooperation between IT departments and controls engineers continue to exist. "IoT and Industry 4.0 is made possible and grows through collaboration. Therefore, the key to capitalizing on Big Data depends on the establishment of better horizontal communications, both between machines and humans," stated Jun-Hsiao Lin, the vice-president and Chief Technology Officer at Picowork. As illustrated by industry research, majority of businesses and individuals continue to rely on platforms and application programs from third-party providers to communicate andcollaborate. Only a few businesses would have the necessary resources required in the development of their own apps.



"Businesses are unable to access the Big Data generated from the external applications as the ownership of the data remains in the hands of the providers. Even if the businesses can somehow obtain the data, there might still be layers of challenges involved with utilizing the information due to compatibility issues arising from the lack of standardization," said Lin. To overcome the major obstacle, Picowork, a Taiwanese cloud tech firm established in 2010, recently launched the Collaborative Cloud Computer (CCC) and Collaborative Cloud Operating System (CCOS). CCC and CCOS were designed to enhance the comprehensive collaboration supply chain and end consumers.

"Achieving a flexible online work environment that encourages collaboration can be easy and cost-efficient," said Benjamin Cheung, the product director at Picowork. Unlike conventional personal computers, CCC can be set up in public or private data servers depending on the preference of the client. CCOS users can easily access and manage resources through their personal computers or even mobile phones. Within the CCOS, users can create the CoWork, a cross-cloud environment where internal users, external CCC users and non-CCC users can be granted access to share resources and collaborate on projects. While the level of content security and control is set by the CoWork creator, invitees may share content and exchange resources freely depending on the permission granted. "For businesses, adopting the CCC and CCOS will allow the firm to reap the tremendous benefits from pooled resources without sacrificing security and reliability," Cheung added. "With the system Picowork created, collaborative data can now be collected in your own cloud. As the industry moves towards the adoption of the CCC and CCOS, Big Data will eventually no longer be monopolized by the platform and application providers. Instead, it will be available to all participants in the cloud ecosystem," Lin concluded. For more information, please visit www.picowork.com Contact:

George Hu

886-919563599

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/picoworks-ccos-and-ccc-put-iot-big-data-within-your-companys-reach-300427505.html SOURCE Picowork

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[March 22, 2017] Nielsen And FOX Television Stations Renew Local Television Ratings Agreement

NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) has announced today that it has signed a long-term renewal agreement with FOX Television Stations (FTS) for audience measurement services. As part of the agreement, FTS licenses Nielsen's Local Television ratings across all of the group's 28 stations, in 17 designated market areas (DMA), including the Charlotte FOX O&O WJZY/WMYT, which was not in the previous agreement. FOX Station Sales, their national sales representative group, is also part of the renewal agreement. By extending its relationship with Nielsen, FOX's owned-and-operated stations and national sales representative group can demonstrate their advertising and market value to marketers by leveraging currency measurement that provide breadth and depth into local audiences. The agreement includes Nielsen's announced plans to enrich its Local TV panels with data from its Portable People Meter technology and set-top-boxes, delivering significantly larger sample sizes and driving increased ratings fidelity. Out-of-home audience will also be included for the first time in local measurement. The investments that Nielsen is making to Local TV are part of its overall strategy to deliver all-electronic easurement across all 210 DMA. This effort combines Nielsen's gold-standard panels with the strength of big data sources to provide Local TV clients like FTS with stable and accurate data that help them better compete in the marketplace.



"FOX continues to be at the forefront of delivering valuable local content to its viewers," said Jeff Wender, Managing Director for Nielsen Local Media. "This strategic agreement builds on the long-term relationship and mutual respect that exists between FOX Television Stations Group and Nielsen. We are excited to deliver an enhanced local measurement portfolio for more strategic decision making and increased ROI to advertisers." ABOUT NIELSEN

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global performance management company that provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers watch and buy. Nielsen's Watch segment provides media and advertising clients with Nielsen Total Audience measurement services for all devices on which contentvideo, audio and textis consumed. The Buy segment offers consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers the industry's only global view of retail performance measurement. By integrating information from its Watch and Buy segments and other data sources, Nielsen also provides its clients with analytics that help improve performance. Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world's population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

ABOUT FOX TELEVISION STATIONS

FOX Television Stations is one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 28 stations in 17 markets and covering over 37% of U.S. television homes. This includes seven duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Orlando and Charlotte. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nielsen-and-fox-television-stations-renew-local-television-ratings-agreement-300427677.html SOURCE Nielsen

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[March 22, 2017] Chinese Startup First Cinema Heads to Hardwarecon 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- First Cinema, a startup technology company based in Hong Kong, clinched first prize in the Shenzhen qualifying round. This small but dedicated company has beaten out competition from Canada, Germany, Russia, Finland and Greece. The market they are hoping to lead is largely unclaimed as their product is a world first cinematic television which provides an even wider screen experience than most movie theaters and boasts a picture quality 4x better than other similar products. This will be the first time for First Cinema to attend Hardwarecon and they feel that they are ready to take on this big task. First Cinema must have its goal clear in attending this event, to make a professional impression. Their product "Cinera", the world's first personal cinematic television, has been in development for four years and represents not only a significant investment of money but also effort. Cinema hopes to introduce this product to a worldwide market by showing any potential investors their prototype. For First Cinema this is also an opportunity to get ready for a crowd funding event that takes place in the middle of June this year.



In taking first place they have won the opportunity to attend Hardwarecon, a global conference developed exclusively for hardware entrepreneurs. First Cinema will hope to make the most of this opportunity as Hardwarecon attracts over 500 professionals from all across the globe, many of which are potential investors who are always looking for the next big thing and Cinera might just be that. Hardwarecon has made companies before and no doubt it will again. Investors have already shown an interest in Cinera, the world s first personal cinematic television, but as with any company the right investor must be found if First Cinema is to make their mark on the global market. Competition is rife this year as many other companies and rivals will be looking to catch the attention of investors; to make the impression needed these entrepreneurs must be brave, bold and above all fearless. With the right product and marketing strategy, any company can make their product the next big thing, especially at Hardwarecon.

Facebook link: www.facebook.com/Cinera-428617354145548/ For more information on Cinema contact:

Kun Dong

[email protected]

+86-157-6887-0296 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinese-startup-first-cinema-heads-to-hardwarecon-2017-300425901.html SOURCE First Cinema

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[March 22, 2017] FLY-BAG2 Airlines Latest Defence Against Laptop Explosive Devices

GENOA, Italy, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As airlines respond to the threat of explosion from terrorist devices disguised as laptops and computers, pressure has been mounting for a solution which will enhance passenger safety. The bomb which was placed within the cabin of Metrojet flight 7K9268, because of the security breach at Sharm el-Sheikh airport, caused the aircraft to crash in the Sinai desert and was the worst Russian air disaster after years is still in the public consciousness. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/481360/FLYBAG2.jpg )

The fact that all aircraft are vulnerable to terrorist attack has been bought into focus by tabletand laptop ban introduced yesterday. Airport security is at very high levels, and is subject to continuous improvement. But complementary passive countermeasures are also needed, in order to protect aircraft, crew and passengers, in the event an explosive device is smuggled onboard. So it's no surprise therefore that the aviation industry is urgently looking for ways to enhance passenger safety.



The D'Appolonia FLY-BAG2 is fitted into the aircraft hold. Passenger bags are then loaded into the lightweight flexible bag within the hold. In the event of an explosion, the new generation fabric contains the blast by absorbing the shock waves, together with any fragments, while being fire resistant. Roberto Carpaneto, CEO, D'Appolonia, says, "The FLY-BAG2 represents a major step in counter terrorism and gives passengers the assurance that they can travel with increased levels of safety. We move into production initially with FLY-BAG2 variants, designed specifically for the Airbus A320, but we will be responding to industry demand with new sizes for other aircraft types in the near future." FLY-BAG2 is covered by an international patent and more importantly it is compliant with airworthiness regulations set by EASA, the European Aviation Safety agency.

Executives are available for interview please call Victoria Silvestri +39-01-0-5385555

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[March 22, 2017] PCI SSC Members: Vote for Netsurion and EventTracker's John Christly for Board of Advisors

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. and COLUMBIA, Md., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Netsurion and EventTracker today announced that John Christly, Global CISO and an information security industry veteran, is running for the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) Board of Advisors. The election period will be open from now until April 17. The primary business contact for each Participating Organization and Affiliate Member is invited to submit a ballot for the election via the PCI SSC portal at https://programs.pcissc.org/.

Christly is well-qualified as a board representative and already heavily involved in the PCI SSC. Today, he serves as a voice for SMBs and multi-location merchants with the PCI SSC Small Merchant Task Force. Deeply involved with small merchants in day-to-day security operations, Christly has his fingers on the pulse of the SMB operations world. He draws on this experience to provide insights and leadership to help make merchants become safer from the threats of data breaches and hackers. Christly currently leads cybersecurity and compliance efforts for Netsurion and EventTracker, managed security services providers focusing on firewall and SIEM services for multi-location businesses. In this role, he provides support to in-house corporate teams, customers, and partners. This post enables him to consistently gain real-world insights into small merchant compliance pain points and needs, making him a valuable addition to the task force. Christly has more than 25 years of experience in technical and cybersecurity-related operational, project, and program management, as well as vast knowledge of industry regulations, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, HITECH, and more. He formerly served as the CISO and HIPAA security officer for Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He was also the co-founder and CEO for OMC Systems, a Florida-based cybersecurity advisory firm. In addition, he served as the HIPAA security officer for Memorial Healthcare System, a multi-hospital pubic healthcare system.



The PCI Security Standards Council is doing wonders to strengthen and maintain security standards in the payment industry, said Christly. To be elected to a spot on the Board of Advisors is a great honor, and I feel, if elected, I can make a very valuable contribution to this important industrywide standards initiative. For more information on the PCI SSC Small Merchant Task Force, please visit https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pci_security/small_merchant.

Tweet this: [email protected], CISO of @Netsurion + EventTracker (@logtalk) running for #PCISSC Board http://bit.ly/2mUDs44. Vote at https://programs.pcissc.org/ Resources

Netsurion Security Blog

Netsurion Success Stories

EventTracker YouTube

EventTracker Case Studies About Netsurion

Netsurion is a managed security service provider specializing in the protection of multi-location businesses information, payment systems, and Wi-Fi networks from data breaches, network outages, and ever-evolving cyberthreats. Our new service offering  SIEM-at-the-Edge  is powered by our subsidiary, EventTracker, which helps deliver comprehensive security benefits to edge locations that normally would not have the means to leverage such a solution. Netsurions award-winning remote network security services and PCI compliance solutions help keep businesses of any size secure. Any sized branch or remote office, franchise or sole proprietor operation can use Netsurion without the costs of onsite support. The company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, and insurance sectors. www.netsurion.com About EventTracker

EventTrackers advanced security solutions protect enterprises and small businesses from data breaches and insider fraud, and streamline regulatory compliance. EventTrackers platform comprises SIEM, vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, behavior analytics, a HoneyNet deception network and other defense-in-depth capabilities within a single management platform. The company complements its state-of-the-art technology with 24/7 managed services from its global security operations center (SOC) to ensure its customers achieve desired outcomessafer networks, better endpoint security, earlier detection of intrusion, and relevant and specific threat intelligence. The company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, banking and financial services, utilities, and government sectors. EventTracker is a division of Netsurion, a leader in remotely-managed IT security services that protect multi-location businesses information, payment systems, and on-premise public and private Wi-Fi networks. www.eventtracker.com. Twitter: @LogTalk. CONTACT: Deb Montner, Montner Tech PR (203) 226-9290 [email protected]

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[March 22, 2017] Symetra Names Mary Bates SVP and Chief Operations Officer, Individual Life

Symetra Life Insurance Company today announced the promotions of two Individual Life executives as Mary E. Bates is named senior vice president, chief operations officer, and Phil Bouvier assumes divisional sales leadership responsibilities as vice president, Sales and Marketing. Bates and Bouvier report to Symetra CEO Tom Marra and are based in the company's Waltham, Massachusetts office. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005981/en/ Symetra promoted Mary E. Bates to senior vice president and chief operations officer, Individual Life division. (Photo: Business Wire) "These promotions are an important step forward as we strengthen the leadership team for Individual Life, Symetra's fastest-growing division. Since joining us last May, Mary's extensive industry expertise and clear focus have helped drive outstanding service to ur business partners and policyholders. Going forward, her significant operational experience will be invaluable as we accelerate our automation capabilities and expand our Individual Life product portfolio," said Symetra CEO Tom Marra. "Phil Bouvier has been an integral part of the rapid growth and development of our Individual Life business. He has done a masterful job overseeing our sales organization, and his leadership, energy and passion for success will continue to drive sales results and push us closer to achieving our national player goals for the division."



Bates joined Symetra in May 2016 as vice president, underwriting research and development, Individual Life. Prior to Symetra, Bates was senior vice president of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, where she served as its head of Life Underwriting. Previous roles include executive director of Life Risk Management at MassMutual and vice president and chief underwriter for ING, Security Connecticut Life Insurance Company. A member of the Association of Home Office Underwriters and the Risk Appraisal Forum, Ms. Bates holds a B.S. in business administration from Western New England University. Bouvier joined Symetra in July 2011 as vice president, Life Insurance Sales, responsible for increasing sales of advanced planning individual life insurance products through new distribution outlets, including brokerage general agencies and independent life professionals. He previously served as national vice president, Individual Insurance Division at Sun Life Financial in Boston, and spent 15 years at John Hancock Life Insurance Company in a variety of sales and management positions. Bouvier graduated from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

About Symetra Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005981/en/

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[March 22, 2017] CADD Microsystems Earns Autodesk Platinum Club Honor for Strong Sales Performance

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CADD Microsystems, a nationally recognized authority for technology solutions in the design, build and operate industry, was honored as part of the Autodesk Worldwide Channel Sales Platinum Club for FY2017. CADD Microsystems achieved recognition as Top Reseller in New Subscriptions Sold in the US and Canada. The award was announced during the annual Autodesk One Team Conference in Las Vegas earlier this month. "What an exciting time to be in this business. Our clients are doing amazing work with Building Models and streamlining the design, construction, fabrication and facilities management process. It is fun to be a part of transforming the way things are made," said Jeff Gravatte, CEO of CADD Microsystems. "Our success in both the government and commercial marketplaces is the result of a relentless focus on our clients' business. This industry thrives on change and innovation, and we help our clients capitalize on those changes by delivering unbeatable solutions that build real business value for their organizations." "CADD Microsystems' expertise in the industry, coupled with their focus on client success, has proven to be a smart strategy as they guide their clients through industry and technology advancements," said Ray Savona, vice president of Americas sales, Autodesk. "The company's FY17 growth proves tat working with its clients to achieve their business objectives through Autodesk technology is a good roadmap for mutual success."



CADD Microsystems builds solutions to achieve long-term success for its building, construction, infrastructure, facilities management and manufacturing clients. The tailored solutions combine advanced design technology, BIM process consulting, professional services, and employee development and training programs, all aimed at achieving client goals. This is done through proprietary resources like CADD Community and BIM Interoperability Tools, and through strong business partnerships with Autodesk, Bluebeam, FM:Systems and Global eTraining. As an Autodesk Platinum Partner  the highest tier of the Autodesk Partner program  CADD Microsystems works closely with Autodesk to help clients design, simulate and analyze their ideas, increase operational efficiencies and maximize their return on investment in Autodesk software solutions.

About CADD Microsystems CADD Microsystems - an Autodesk Platinum Partner and Government Specialist  is a consulting and software firm specializing in all phases of the building lifecycle. We are a nationally recognized authority for technology solutions, and we tailor these solutions to address our clients' individual needs. We are one of the largest providers of Autodesk products and services to the government and commercial firms, and one of only a few U.S. partners designated an Autodesk Platinum Partner. We've won numerous partner and industry awards, and our leaders and experts present at industry events worldwide. But the greatest metric of our success is in our long-term client relationships and the loyalty we've earned. Our focus is first and foremost on client needs. By helping our clients manage and execute projects flawlessly, we continue to be the company our clients want us to be. Learn more at www.caddmicrosystems.com. Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadd-microsystems-earns-autodesk-platinum-club-honor-for-strong-sales-performance-300427930.html SOURCE CADD Microsystems

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[March 22, 2017] RAPIDGate Program Marks 13th Year of Securing U.S. Military Facilities, Saving Contractors Time at the Gate

SureID, Inc., the national leader in high-assurance identity management solutions, announced today that its flagship RAPIDGate program has facilitated 380 million entrances and flagged 4 million ingresses at military facilities across the U.S. since its first military implementation at Washington state's Joint Base Lewis-McChord1 in March 2004. Since that time, the RAPIDGate program has identity-proofed and credentialed more than 1,407,000 third-party personnel representing more than 78,000 companies and including more than 200,000 PIV-I credentials issued since 2014. The RAPIDGate program provides increased security and streamlined access to highly secure facilities such as military installations, government buildings, federal agencies, manufacturing and distribution sites, commercial buildings, and ports. The program provides a single identity management and perimeter installation access control solution and credential for the high-assurance identity management of vendors, suppliers, service providers and other contractors who are not authorized to receive a Common Access Card (CAC). The program saves time and money both for the U.S. government and for the individual participants who seek access to RAPIDGate-enabled installations. Over the last 13 years, individuals have accessed U.S. military installations using RAPIDGate credentials nearly 380 million times. The U.S. Navy first awarded SureID a contract on October 31, 2006 and adopted the RAPIDGate Program as the Navy Commercial Access Control System (NCACS) in 2010. In addition to the Navy the program can be found at U.S. Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army installations throughout the U.S. and is used daily by thousands of companies and their employees. The RAPIDGate program supports businesses of all sizes by handling the management of participant screening and credentialing for installation access while reducing unproductive wait times to get on base. Once a person is an approved participant of the RAPIDGate program, there is no need for daily visits to the Pass and ID office for a temporary access pass. "Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our military installations through unparalleled identity management solutions while streamlining the process for those who need access to bases," said Steve Larson, CEO and founder of SureID, Inc. "Working across branches of service within the Defense Department and various departments within the federal government the RAPIDGate program stands alone in its low cost and high effectiveness to the military and in providing ease of use for the vendors and contractors using the program." The RAPIDGate program's unique business model has enabled the Defense Department to realize cost savings because vendor participants, not the DoD or the individual service, generally pay a fee for enrolling in the RAPIDGate program. Costs to vendor companies are generally recaptured through increased productivity of their employees. Often, vendors, suppliers and service providers who do not hold a RAPIDGate credential are required to obtain a new pass from the Pass and Identification Office for each visit to a specific base. This can be a long process that entails waiting in highly congested commercial vehicle inspection points. A RAPIDGate credential enables individual participants to quickly move through installation Entry Control Points. Visit our website to learn more about the RAPIDGate program or to enroll. About the RAPIDGate Program The RAPIDGate program is an end-to-end high-assurance identity management solution. The program manages the identities and installation-specific access privileges of tens of thousands of program credential holders for access to military installations throughout the nation. RAPIDGate program participants can, with one credential, access any installation where the program is implemented so long as the company they represent has been sponsored by the installation or a tenant command, and is approved by the installation commanding officer. The RAPIDGate program is further enhanced by SureID's complementary solution, the RAPID-RCx program, which allow security personnel to scan driver's licenses, CAC cards, Teslins, and TWICs. About SureID, Inc. SureID, Inc. (www.SureID.com) is the market leader in high-assurance identity solutions. The company creates end-to-end trusted identity programs offering full credential lifecycle management through the combination of registration, identity proofing, background screening, credentialing and identity authentication for government, private enterprise and individuals including contractors, vendors and other authorized personnel. SureID's RAPIDGate program provides an enterprise-wide, single-credential high assurance identity for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army and the critical infrastructure sector across the country. SureID, Inc. is the leading issuer of PIV-I credentials. Founded in November 2001, SureID is headquartered in Hillsboro, Ore., with offices in Minot, N.D., and Alexandria, Va.







____________ 1 The base was formerly known as The United States Army Fort Lewis.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006063/en/

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[March 22, 2017] Quantum to Highlight Data Management Solutions for Meeting Video Surveillance Storage Challenges at ISC West 2017

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Corp. (NYSE: QTM) will highlight its data management solutions at the ISC West 2017 Conference in Las Vegas, along with the latest additions to its extensive partner ecosystem. Powered by the company's award-winning StorNext software, these multi-tier storage solutions provide a unique combination of high performance, low-cost capacity and data accessibility for video surveillance workflows. Three leading video analytics providers  BriefCam, Ipsotek and Intelligent Security Systems (ISS)  recently became Quantum Advantage Partners and will be available in Quantum's booth (#26117) to present how their advanced analytical tools integrate with StorNext-based solutions. In addition, Quantum will be competing in the Video Surveillance Data Storage category for both the Security Industry Association Best New Product award and Security Today Govies award. [Click to tweet: Visit @QuantumCorp booth 26117 at #ISCWest 2017 for multi-tier #storage solutions; meet our great partners @StorNext http://qntm.co/2mJi8Od] Partnerships With Industry Front-Runners In the year that has passed since the last ISC West Conference, Quantum has been recognized by partners for demonstrating technology innovation. Axis Communications, the market leader in network video, named Quantum 2016 Technology Partner of the Year at its 11th annual Axis Connect and Converge Conference. Industry-leading VMS vendor Milestone Systems also marked the successful collaboration with Quantum at this year's MIPS Americas Conference, honoring the company with its Technology Partner of the Year award for 2016 and naming Quantum Best Milestone Solution Partner for 2016 in the Asia Pacific region. These honors follow Milestone's custom development of a file-based plug-in for Milestone XProtect. The plug-in offloads archive data from the primary camera ingest network, allowing access to long-term retained data that has aged beyond primary storage capacity, and eliminating the performance impact on the VMS server from "grooming data" before archiving. Continuing Growth for Quantum's Surveillance Partner Ecosystem Quantum's booth will be a hub of partnership activity with industry leaders in VMS, camera and sensor technology, analytics and systems integration. Quantum Advantage program partners will present how their mission-critical surveillance and security fferings integrate with Quantum's multi-tier storage to address the challenges of managing, retaining and accessing surveillance data in a cost-effective way. Both Axis Communications and OnSSI will have Quantum kiosks in their booths and will also have experts presenting on their integration with Quantum storage offerings. In addition to BriefCam, Ipsotek and ISS, other partners scheduled to present in Quantum's booth include Aimetis, Arecont Vision, AxxonSoft and Milestone Systems.



Supporting Quotes Jeremy Krinitt, Vice President, Enterprise Business Development, BriefCam

"BriefCam's Syndex Pro facilitates turning video data into actionable information for improving security, optimizing operations and gaining valuable business insights. Analytics benefit from having more data available over longer periods of time, and Quantum's multi-tier storage can enable companies to store more data cost-effectively for longer periods. This partnership will promote best-of-breed video analytics solutions across various markets and applications." Bill Flind, President and CEO, Ipsotek "Ipsotek's advanced video analytics improve the efficiency of systems already in place in environments such as airports. These tools can detect, analyze and alert to improve security, increase public safety and enhance operational performance. Being able to manage data and access it real time is vital for the effectiveness of our analytics. By integrating Ipsotek with Quantum storage, our customers gain access to the intelligent storage that is essential for advanced analytics." Eugene Beytenbrod, Director of Engineering, Intelligent Security Systems "Security and law enforcement professionals are facing the challenges created by more cameras, higher resolutions, and increasingly complex analytics. Quantum's solutions integrate with ISS analysis tools and offer an intelligent, scalable storage platform that provides a simple-to-manage foundation, which can grow under a single file system, designed specifically for video applications. Quantum's solutions leverage different tiers of storage while maintaining transparent and direct access to video content." Wayne Arvidson, Vice President, Surveillance and Security Solutions, Quantum "We are offering a fresh approach to address the video surveillance storage dilemma, and it is resonating with the industry's technology leaders. By bringing our heritage of intelligence and military technology to the commercial security industry, Quantum is being increasingly recognized not just for storage solutions but for technical innovation. ISC West is the largest security industry trade show in the U.S., and Quantum has come a long way since our first year as a participant. It is very gratifying to have partners that are so committed to joining us in creating solutions that are keeping people and property safer." Additional Resources For more details on Quantum's participation at ISC West: www.quantum.com/aboutus/events/iscwest2017/index.aspx

Learn more about Quantum video surveillance solutions: www.quantum.com/solutions/video-surveillance/index.aspx

Read about StorNext scale-out storage: www.quantum.com/products/scale-out-storage/stornext-data-management/index.aspx About Quantum Quantum is a leading expert in scale-out tiered storage, archive and data protection. The company's data management platform and tiered storage approach provide a unique combination of high performance, low-cost capacity and easy access that enables security and law enforcement professionals to address the challenges created by more cameras, higher resolutions, and increasingly sophisticated analytics. Learn more at www.quantum.com/solutions/video-surveillance/index.aspx. Quantum, the Quantum logo, Quantum Advantage Partner and StorNext are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Quantum Corporation and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Public Relations Contact:

Bob Wientzen

Quantum Corp.

+1 (720) 201-8125

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quantum-to-highlight-data-management-solutions-for-meeting-video-surveillance-storage-challenges-at-isc-west-2017-300428037.html SOURCE Quantum Corp.

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[March 22, 2017] CompSci Resources Chooses QTS for Critical Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS), a leading provider of data center, managed hosting and cloud services, announced today it has been selected by CompSci Resources LLC, a software engineering firm and provider of regulatory compliance software, to deploy an innovative hybrid cloud and disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) solution. CompSci serves Fortune 500 public companies in addition to some of the largest mutual funds. CompSci's flagship product, Interactive Converter (IC), enables these organizations to comply with SEC filing requirements by ensuring timely and accurate reporting of financial information. CompSci's production IT environment is currently hosted in a QTS Enterprise Cloud. CompSci also selected QTS' DRaaS to enable rapid failover and recovery of CompSci's services. QTS DRaaS allows CompSci to quickly isolate workloads and migrate them to almost any environment, enabling them to realize the flexibility and cost savings of cloud-based disaster recovery. "The dynamic nature of financial information demands the highest levels of accuracy and availability and that applies to our technology and services as well," said Jonathan Lord, Senior System Administrator, CompSci Resources. "QT' DRaaS provides the automation, security and return time objectives (RTOs) that allow us to better serve our customers while accelerating our business growth."



"As workloads continue to move to the cloud, DRaaS is emerging as a highly compelling part of a broader hybrid IT solution to ensure availability and security," said Dan Bennewitz, Chief Operating Officer, Sales and Marketing  QTS. "QTS continues to build its portfolio of cost-effective IT infrastructure services that form the basis of highly flexible and tailored integrated solutions backed by unmatched expertise and high touch support." Featuring Zerto Virtual Replication (ZVR) BC/DR software and delivered from QTS' fully-integrated platform, QTS' enhanced DRaaS protects mission critical workloads and applications to improve IT resiliency. It is hypervisor agnostic providing multi-cloud support to migrate and manage compliance-mandated environments.

In addition to DRaaS, QTS also offers a broad portfolio of managed disaster recovery solutions, including website failover, QTS DR On-Demand and QTS DR High Availability for those customers looking to leverage QTS' systems, processes and people to maximize their infrastructure investments. About QTS QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: QTS) is a leading provider of secure, compliant data center, hybrid cloud and managed services. QTS features the nation's only fully integrated technology services platform providing flexible, scalable solutions for the federal government, financial services, healthcare and high tech industries. QTS owns, operates or manages more than 5 million square feet of data center space and supports more than 1,000 customers in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In addition, QTS' Critical Facilities Management (CFM) provides increased efficiency and greater performance for third-party data center owners and operators. For more information, please visit www.qtsdatacenters.com, call toll-free 877.QTS.DATA or follow us on Twitter @DataCenters_QTS. Media Contact:

Carter B. Cromley

(703) 861-8245

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compsci-resources-chooses-qts-for-critical-disaster-recovery-as-a-service-draas-300427912.html SOURCE QTS Realty Trust, Inc.

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The stage is set and the jodis are ready; and we can't wait any more for the grand premiere of the show

By Shweta Keshri: One of television's most popular dance reality show will be making a comeback on TV soon. The show that has celebrity dance couples setting the stage on fire has entertained the viewers since 2005. This year, the Nach Baliye stage is set for ten jodis who will sweat it out on the dance floor.

Here are five reasons to look forward to Nach Baliye 8: Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha is one of the judges in Nach Baliye 8.

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Actress Sonakshi Sinha who made her television debut with Indian Idol Junior, will be seen as a judge on this show along with choreographer Terrence Lewis and director Mohit Suri. Sonakshi said in a statement, "I'm thrilled and equally excited to be part of season 8 of Nach Baliye. I am a romantic person at heart and I have come on board to surround myself with love. I'm the Idealist and I'm here to see true love stories unfold, their chemistry and gauge which are the ones with all heart." Sonakshi was quite fun on Indian Idol Junior and her presence will surely add spunk to the show.

Ranbir Kapoor

In all likelihood Ranbir Kapoor is set to make his television debut with Nach Baliye 8 and we couldn't be more happy. The actor will be seen hosting the first episode of the dance reality show. He will be opening the show with a special dance performance on a medley of his hit songs.

The show has a nice mix of young lovers, newly married and experienced couples. Fans are eagerly waiting for newly married Divyanka Tripathi - Vivek Dahiya and Mohit Sehgal - Sanaya Irani to appear on the show. We have seen Sanaya Irani and Mohit Sehgal romance on screen, but that was seven years back in Miley Jab Hum Tum. They are one of the most popular jodis of the show and their fans are waiting to see them together on small screen again. Divyanka and Vivek are a part of the same show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein but have never been paired opposite each other. It would be a treat to watch them dance and romance on Nach Baliye.

It would be interesting to see Bharti Singh do the romance wala dance with fiance Harsh Limbachiyaa, as we have always seen her crack jokes on stage. Soon-to-be married couples like Aashka Goradia - Brent Goble and Dipika Kakar - Shoaib Ibrahim.

Karan Tacker

Nach Baliye 8 also marks the comeback of host Karan Tacker on small screen. He was last seen on The Voice India as a host in 2015. Since then the handsome hunk has been missing from action on TV. Karan has quite a fan following and all his fans are elated to know that he is hosting this season of the show.

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Because it's Nach Baliye

There is no better reason to watch Nach Baliye than the show itself. A show that has entertained its viewers for more than a decade, is back with its eight season and that is a reason enough to get you glued to your TV screens.

--- ENDS ---
[March 22, 2017] Ag Day in Sacramento Gets Healthy Boost from UnitedHealthcare with Fun Walk Around the Capitol

UnitedHealthcare and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom hosted a fun, one-mile walk around Capitol Park. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006304/en/ Kevin Kandalaft of UnitedHealthcare leads students from Woodlake Elementary School in Sacramento, Calif., on the first Healthy Ag Walk Wednesday, as part of Ag Day at the Capitol. UnitedHealthcare and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom hosted the fun walk to highlight nutrition, exercise and educational programs that help people live healthier lives (Photo: Gary Fong). The walk was part of the annual Ag Day at the Capitol, which brings thousands of people to Sacramento to celebrate California agriculture. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound led the walk, joined by nearly 100 kids and teachers. Ag Day at the Capitol takes place each March during National Nurition Month.



About California Agriculture in the Classroom

The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture among California's educators and students. For the past 30 years, the Foundation has provided free, high-quality, teacher-tested, and standards-based materials. The valuable training opportunities and resources have promoted integrating agricultural education into K-12 classrooms and afterschool programs, touching the lives of more than 15 million students. For more information visit Learnaboutag.org or follow @LearnAboutAg on Twitter (News - Alert). About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006304/en/

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[March 22, 2017] Engagio Hires Heidi Bullock as Chief Marketing Officer

Engagio, the leader in the rapidly growing "Account Based Everything" revolution, today announced that it hired Heidi Bullock as Chief Marketing Officer. Most recently the Group Vice President, Global Marketing for Marketo (News - Alert), Bullock will lead Engagio's marketing efforts designed to help the company accelerate its strong growth and build on its leadership in account-based marketing and sales solutions. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006338/en/ Heidi Bullock, Chief Marketing Officer, Engagio. (Photo: Business Wire) As Engagio's first CMO, Bullock will lead every aspect of the company's marketing, includng branding, demand generation, product marketing, communications and events. With nearly 20 years of experience, Bullock is recognized as one of the most respected practitioners and thought leaders in the new world of data-driven marketing.



"We are incredibly excited to have Heidi join Engagio as CMO," said Jon Miller, founder and CEO of Engagio. "I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Heidi when we were both at Marketo, and she is without question one of the superstars of today's global marketing industry. I have no doubt she will play a vital role in advancing Engagio's mission of empowering companies to close more deals faster by helping them orchestrate human connections at scale." "I am thrilled to be joining Engagio and working with Jon and the amazingly talented team he has assembled," said Bullock. "I believe Engagio has a huge opportunity to take marketing, sales and customer success to a whole new level by leveraging the combined power of technology and human connection. For me, it has always been about partnering with my colleagues to help our customers ignite real, sustainable growth. Engagio is better positioned to achieve and surpass that goal than any other company in the market."

Prior to joining Engagio, Bullock served nearly 5 years in marketing positions at Marketo, eventually becoming Group VP, Global Marketing following the company's 2013 IPO. Bullock began her career as a product manager in the life sciences industry, after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a degree in molecular biology and genetic engineering. Later, she earned a MBA at St. Mary's College of California. About Engagio Engagio enables companies to orchestrate highly scalable human connections that engage their best prospects and customers, creating more pipeline and closing deals faster. Large enterprises and fast growing mid-sized companies use Engagio's Account Based Marketing and Sales solutions to expand customer relationships, drive account conversion and strengthen alignment between sales and marketing. Engagio is a winner of the 2017 Bay Area Best Places To Work, an awards program presented by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Backed by leading venture investors and headquartered in San Mateo, CA (News - Alert), Engagio is pioneering the Account Based Everything revolution. To learn more, visit www.engagio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006338/en/

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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.
An online opinion poll conducted by the Yogi Adityanath's website suggests that people in the state favour the stringent laws against cow slaughter as 98 per cent people voted for it.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: The new government in Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath has kicked off a crackdown on illegal cow slaughterhouses across the state, which was also one of the key poll promises of BJP. Interestingly, it seems that people in the state are in favour of a ban on cow slaughter. This has come to light in the latest online opinion poll that was conducted by a website run by Yogi Adityanath.

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Just ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh, there was an online opinion poll where voters were asked to give their views on whether there is a need for a stringent law against cow slaughter. At least 98 per cent of the respondents were in favour of the law.

"Maharaj ji every fortnight suggests questions relating to social issues and we put online poll for the same. In January this year the question was regarding bringing law against cow slaughter and 98 per cent people were in favour," said Divya Kumar Singh, in-charge of the computer section at Gorakhnath temple.

Yogi Adityanath who also founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini in 2002 has been active with the campaign to ban cow slaughter. In fact during polls also he had asserted if BJP govt comes to power, banning cow slaughter will be its priority.

ALSO READ:

UP slaughter houses on chopping block

Yogi Adityanath gets cracking: 3 days, 5 big decisions of new Uttar Pradesh chief minister

--- ENDS ---
Adityanath, who was reported to have discussed the allocation of ministries with the BJP's central leadership in Delhi yesterday, has kept over three dozen departments with himself which might be distributed later.

By Press Trust of India: Keeping the key Home ministry with himself to improve the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today allocated portfolios to his ministerial colleagues.

He also kept the Mining department, which was in news for allegedly being mired in corruption during the previous Samajwadi party regime, an issue which the BJP had raised vociferously during the election campaign. It was then headed by the tainted Gayatri Prajapati, who is presently in jail.

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Adityanath, who was reported to have discussed the allocation of ministries with the BJP's central leadership in Delhi yesterday, has kept over three dozen departments with himself which might be distributed later.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS The crucial Finance ministry has been allocated to Rajesh Agarwal, a six-time MLA and former deputy speaker of UP Assembly. Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has been given the Public Works Department (PWD), Food Processing, Entertainment Tax and Public Enterprises Department. The other Deputy CM, Dinesh Sharma was given Higher and Secondary Education, Science and Technology, Electronics and IT departments. Sidhharth Nath Singh has been assigned the charge of the Medical and Health while Surya Pratap Shahi got Agriculture, Agriculture Education and Agriculture Research. Another senior minister Suresh Khanna will look after Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development. Young face Shrikant Sharma will handle the Power department, while Swami Prasad Maurya has been entrusted with Labour portfolio. The lone Muslim face in the council of ministers, Mohsin Raza been made the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Electronics, IT, Muslim Waqf and Haj.

Among the ministries that the chief minister has kept are the Information, Housing and Urban planning, Food and Civil Supplies, Personnel, Institutional Finance, Estate etc according to the list released by Governor Ram Naik today.

WATCH: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha: Full speech

The Adityanath government, having 25 cabinet ministers, nine ministers of state (independent charge) and 13 ministers of state, was sworn in on Sunday.

--- ENDS ---
Editor's Note: On May 17, Google released two new versions of Android O at its I/O 2017 developers conference keynote. The below instructions can help you obtain the second version of the developer preview, while we have easier steps for installing the first public beta.



Google launched a developers-only preview version of Android O, version 8.0 of its mobile operating system on March 21. While 2016's Android 7.0 Nougat added split-screen mode and direct reply to messages, this year's update looks to fix battery life issues and make the OS more efficient to use.

Google's Pixel handset was one of the first to feature Android 7.1 Nougat. Image: Samuel C. Rutherford / Tom's Guide

There's even a tasty hint as to what its candy codename will be. Here's what we're hearing about Android O:

MORE: The Latest Android Tips, Tricks and How-Tos



How can you get Android O?

Android O is currently available as a download that requires you to flash your device, deleting all of the content on it currently. This is an early version that's far from final, so Google notes that "there are more features coming, and there's plenty of stabilization and performance work ahead of us." In other words, don't put this version on a phone you rely on for everyday use.

If you're feeling ready to take the plunge, you'll also need a Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel, Pixel C or Pixel XL, as installable disk images are only available for those devices.



Better battery life

Giving devices longer battery life is the goal of Background Limits, the top-billed feature in the release notes for the developer preview of Android O. To accomplish that, Google is "adding automatic limits on what apps can do in the background," which it started work on in Android N, version 7.

Among other things, the new background limits will put caps on the amount of background services and location updates that can be performed in a specific amount of time. By organizing and limiting these actions, Google's hoping your apps won't be able to do too much damage to your battery when you're not using them.



Improved notifications

Android O will also introduced Notification Channels, which will categorize notifications into channels. This way, users can block or change kinds of notifications in group, rather than muting all the things an individual app is trying to communicate.

Android will copy that for you

Android O's other major feature may be an increase in assistive features that allow you to let Android take the wheel. Google's already revealed that this new version will include Autofill APIs, which allow users to select autofill apps, "similar to the way they select a keyboard app." Autofill apps can store and secure user data including addresses, usernames and passwords.



This sounds similar to a rumored feature called Copy Less, which we learned about in a report from VentureBeat. Copy Less would let the operating system automatically copy data to your clipboard in order to save you the time of selecting text and hitting copy.

According to "a source familiar with the matter," this feature would work in the background, and chime in when it thinks you could use it. The example listed imagined you and your friends texting about where to go for dinner, and after you find a restaurant in the Yelp app, typing "it's at" would add the address of said restaurant in the automatically generated suggestions. Copy Less could show up in either Google's Gboard virtual keyboard or across all of Android.

Messages and maps finally linked

Android O could also give messaging apps the power to identify addresses in text and let you tap on them to open them in the maps app. VentureBeat's source said that it's unclear as to whether this would be restricted to the Android Messages app or be made available to all of the operating system's messaging apps.



The absence of this feature from Android up until now is something of a mystery, as iOS users have had it for several years.



MORE: Best Android Launchers for Customizing Your Phone

Gesture-based actions

The same source told VentureBeat that Google's developed a feature that lets gestures trigger actions in Android. An example listed suggests drawing the letter C onscreen could bring up a list of your recent contacts.

When will Google release Android O to the public?

Just as it did last year, Google released a developer version of Android O in March, so we expect May's Google I/O developer conference to feature a deeper dive into the update. Google I/O kicks off on May 17.

If Google follows past Android updates, the full version of O will arrive in late summer/early fall. Of course, then it's a matter of the updated OS reaching existing devices. Nougat, which came out in 2016, only recently arrived on phones like the Galaxy S7.



What dessert codename will Google give Android O?

Google's Senior Vice President of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer has teased that Android O could be codenamed after a popular sandwich cookie. That's right, in a tweet, Lockheimer shared an animated GIF of a cake made of Oreo cookies.
Families looking to shave a lot of money off their monthly cell phone bill have a new option at discount carrier FreedomPop  provided they're also willing to skimp on data.



(Image credit: FeedomPop is offering 3GB of 4G data for $20. Credit: Syda Productions/Shutterstock)

FreedomPop, which offers contract-free cell phone coverage over the networks of AT&T and Sprint, has added family plans to its list of service options. The base plan offers unlimited calls and texts with 1GB of 4G data. FreedomPop bills that as a free plan, though there is a $5 charge per line. That means a family four pays $20 a month.



In announcing the family plan today (March 22), FreedomPop says it's also offering a bonus 500MB of data for each family member on a plan. So that family of four would really get 3GB of 4G data to share for their $20.



MORE: Who Has the Best Family Plan?

Even for $20, that's not a lot of data to go around. For reference, my wife and I share 3GB of data under an old Verizon plan. We regularly use more than 2GB of data each month, and that's without any video or music streaming. Four people would really have to be careful about their data usage on a 3GB plan.



To that end, FreedomPop does let families upgrade their monthly data allotment. A 2GB data plan costs $15 a month while 4GB and 10GB plans cost $35 and $75, respectively. You'll still get the 500MB-per-line bonus data under these options, though the price of the 10GB plan begins to approach the unlimited plan pricing offered by larger carriers.



FreedomPop's new offering seems to counter those unlimited data plans unleashed by the Big Four carriers in recent weeks. Those plans promise lots of LTE data each month, but at much higher rates than what FreedomPop is charging. The cheapest plan is Sprint's $60 a month unlimited option, which costs a family of four $90 a month for the next year under a current pricing promotion. Even with Sprint's promotional pricing, that's four times what a family of four pays for a low-data plan at FreedomPop.



The argument in favor of FreedomPop's approach is that few mobile users actually need all that data much data. Unless you stream a lot of video and music, you can likely get buy with 2 to 3GB per line  and even then, you'll still probably struggle to use all your allotted data.



Among the major carriers, T-Mobile seems to recognize that unlimited plans may be overkill for every user on a family plan. As part of its T-Mobile One Unlimited offering, the carrier gives subscribers a $10 bill credit for each line in a plan that doesn't use more than 2GB of data.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a very good value because of its captivating infinity display, strong performance and long battery life for under $500.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The Galaxy S8 has been around for a couple of years, but it's still a strong choice for those looking for flagship-level design and solid performance for under $500. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ boast 5.8- and 6.2-inch infinity displays, which go from edge to edge, and these handsets feature Qualcomms relatively zippy Snapdragon 835 processor for speedy performance.

Were still not fans of the fingerprint sensors location. But when you add in excellent battery life and improvements to a camera that was already very good, you have two winning handsets with the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

See our best phones list for all of our top picks.

Galaxy S8 price and release date

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were released in April of 2017. You can now get the Galaxy S8 starting at $499 with 64GB of storage. The larger Galaxy S8+ isn't as readily available, but it retails for about $589. However, we've seen this phone for as low as $364 on Amazon (opens in new tab).

You may want to keep an eye out for Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals to see if these phones get discounted during the holiday season.



Design: It feels like the future

The Galaxy S8 exemplifies a nearly bezel-free phone done right. Samsung didnt just take away the bezels on this phone; it crafted a space-age work of art with a new infinity display that stretches from edge to edge. The Galaxy S8 not only has a slightly bigger screen-to-body ratio than LGs phone but also looks sleeker because of the way the Gorilla Glass curves toward the edges on the front and back. Other Android phones look like blah, flat slabs by comparison. The S8 is also thinner and narrower than the G6.

The screen on the S8 is 5.8 inches, versus 6.2 inches on the S8+. But other than the difference in display size, the S8 and S8+ have the same design. Overall, we prefer the bigger screen on the S8+, but if you have small hands, youll likely find yourself repositioning the phone in your hand to reach certain buttons, including the home button, which is now a virtual button instead of a physical key. The button worked well in our testing, providing solid haptic feedback. Its flanked by the Recent Apps and Back buttons.

Whats remarkable about the Galaxy S8 is how much more screen real estate it gives you compared with the S7, while still offering a compact and lightweight design. The S8s 5.8-inch screen is housed in a 5.5-ounce, 2.7-inch-wide chassis, whereas the 5.1-inch S7 weighed 5.4 ounces and had the same width. The S8 is taller, but its still easy to use with one hand.

With its 6.2-inch screen, the 6.1-ounce S8+ is heftier than the 5.5-ounce, 5.5-inch S7 Edge. But the S8+ makes the iPhone 8 Plus (6.2 x 3.1 x 0.29 inches, 7.13 ounces) look positively bloated. Plus, unlike the latest iPhones, the S8 and S8+ have headphone jacks.

No matter which size you choose, it wont be long before you see fingerprint smudges on the back of the phone. The smudges were especially prominent on the midnight black version of the S8 and S8+, but you can also choose the lighter orchid gray or arctic silver, which dont show smudges as easily.



Galaxy S8 Galaxy S8+ Price

From $499

From $589

Display (Pixels) 5.8 inches (2960 x 1440) Super AMOLED 6.2 inches (2960 x 1440) Super AMOLED Camera (Back) 12 MP, f /1.7 aperture 12 MP, f /1.7 aperture Camera (Front) 8 MP, f/ 1.7 aperture 8 MP, f/1.7 aperture Biometric Scanning Facial recognition, iris scanner, fingerprint reader Facial recognition, iris scanner, fingerprint reader CPU Snapdragon 835 Snapdragon 835 RAM

4GB 4GB Storage 64GB 64GB microSD

up to 256GB up to 256GB Battery

3,000 mAh 3,500 mAh Battery Life (4G) 10:39 11:04 Size

5.9 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches 6.3 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches Weight

5.5 ounces 6.1 ounces Colors

Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver Android Version 7.0 Nougat 7.0 Nougat Charging USB Type-C USB Type-C Wireless Charging WPC and PMA WPC and PMA

About that fingerprint sensor

We were worried that the fingerprint sensors placement right next to the camera on the back of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ might be a problem. And it was, initially. Because the sensor is fairly narrow, its difficult to target it without looking. We got used to it after a couple of days, but we still wish it were below the lens.

If you dont want to reach around the S8 to unlock your phone, you can choose from a couple of other biometric options that Samsung gives you. Theres facial recognition, as well as iris scanning. Iris scanning unlocks your phone faster and even works in the dark, but it doesnt work in direct sunlight; your eyes need to be fully open, so squinting isnt an option. The facial recognition is not only slower but also had trouble in direct sunlight and doesnt work in the dark.

Our advice? Use the iris scanning everywhere except in the sun, and when there is bright light, just use the fingerprint scanner.

Display: The perfect screen is here

Apple is bringing an OLED screen to the iPhone X, but you have to pay a grand for the privilege. Sporting a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels, both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ turned in nearly perfect scores on our tests, offering a very bright picture, amazingly vivid colors and near-perfect color accuracy.

The extra-wide 18.5:9 aspect ratio doesnt work well with some apps, but overall, we like how immersive the experience is when watching video and playing games.

When watching the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer, we could make out every wrinkle in Reys hands as she seemed to levitate the rocks around her with the Force, as well as every rising ring of smoke around Kylo Rens smoldering mask. As the camera panned around to the island where Luke was training Rey, it was hard not to be impressed by the golden sunshine that reflected off the water, as well as the lush, green foliage dotting the mountains.

The S8 backed up our experience by reproducing a superb 183 percent of the sRGB color gamut. That blows away the LG G6s 134 percent, but the AMOLED screen on the Google Pixel scored an even higher 191 percent. (However, when you turn on Adaptive Display mode on the Galaxy S8, it can reach as high as 255 percent.)

If youre looking for accurate color, the S8 can deliver that, too. In its AMOLED photo mode, the display notched a Delta-E score of 0.28 (0 is perfect). The LG G6 was closest, at 1.01, but the Pixel XL was way behind, with 5.88. Like the LG G6, the Galaxy S8s screen is HDR certified, which means you can enjoy a wider range of colors and better contrast on videos that support the standard. Amazon, Netflix and YouTube offer a growing variety of HDR-ready movies and shows.

The 18.5:9 aspect ratio doesnt work well with every app. For instance, in Super Mario Run, we noticed unsightly bars above and below the game. But Samsungs own apps are optimized, and you can fill the screen by pushing a button while watching YouTube and Netflix, even if the video looks a bit stretched out.

Since our initial review, some users complained about a red tint appearing on their S8 screens, but Samsung has released a fix.



Audio: Poppin

For a small speaker, the Galaxy S8 pumps out pretty sweet sound. When we listened to Justin Timberlakes Cant Stop the Feeling, on this phone, the lyrics were clearer, and the volume was louder, than the same track on the LG G6.



The latter handset sounded slightly muffled by comparison. However, you dont get stereo sound from the Galaxy S8 as you do from the HTC U Ultra.



The S8's Snapdragon 835 muscle blitzes every other Android phone on the market.

Performance: A handheld powerhouse

The Galaxy S8 goes boldly forward into a new era of speed, thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 system on a chip (at least in the U.S.; in other regions, the S8 will have Samsung's Exynos 8895 chip). The S8 also comes with a healthy 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage (twice the amount you get from base models of the LG G6 and the Google Pixel) and microSD card expansion for people who need even more space.

When you put it all together, the S8's muscle blitzes every other Android phone on the market, but it falls short of the iPhone 8's A11 Bionic chip. The S8 almost always feels exceedingly snappy, no matter if you're vaulting over Goombas in Super Mario Run or mowing down aliens in N.O.V.A. Legacy. We didnt experience any lag when using multiwindow mode for chatting with friends while streaming video on YouTube. If you pay close attention, you may notice that some of the transitions when switching between apps aren't 100 percent smooth, but that seems mostly cosmetic.

In terms of benchmark performance, the Galaxy S8s multicore score of 6,295 in the Geekbench 4 overall performance test was more than 50 percent higher than that of its closest Android competitor, the Snapdragon 821-powered Google Pixel XL (4,146). However, the iPhone 8 scored above 10,000 on this test.



The Galaxy S8's graphics power was also quite impressive, as it hit 36,508 on 3DMark's Ice Storm Unlimited test. Other Android adversaries, like the LG G6 (29,611) and the Google Pixel XL (28,182), were farther behind. But the iPhone 8 scored a much higher 64,532.



New for the S8 is Samsung's Device Management tab, which is best accessed by swiping in from the Edge tab. It offers a quick look at the status of your device, including battery status, power mode (optimized, performance, game or entertainment), available storage and your current memory usage. There's even an optimization button that cleans up any lingering apps and clears your cache, which is a handy tool for people who go weeks or months without actually turning off their devices.

Cameras: Better on both the front and back

When we first found out that the S8's 12-megapixel rear camera is ostensibly the same as the one on last year's S7, we were a bit disappointed. But that rush of emotion was a bit premature, because under the hood, Samsung made some important software enhancements. And then you toss in a new, higher-resolution, 8-MP front cam, and you get a phone that produces noticeably better pictures no matter which shooter you're using.

The most important tweak comes in the form of Samsung's new multi-image photo processing, which mimics the operation of the Google Pixel's HDR+ mode by taking multiple pictures when you press the shutter, selecting the best one, and enhancing that image with extra details and info from the remaining two pics.

When we took both the S8+ and a Pixel XL out for some side-by-side testing, it was clear that Samsung's adjustments have had a pretty positive effect. At a nearby farmer's market, the S8 captured a crate full of apples with better contrast, richer colors and better details than the Pixel XL.



And when I continued down the street, the S8+ topped the Pixel XL again when I snapped a pic of some flowers, this time offering better white balance than Google's phone, as evidenced by the greenish hue on the white flower's petals.



But it wasn't a clean sweep for the S8+. When I really tried to push both cameras to the limit by shooting a backlit scene pointing straight at the sun, the Pixel XL stunned us with a shot featuring big, bold colors and sharp details, even though there was some serious lens flare going on.



Inside, in pretty much ideal conditions, the S8+ and the Pixel XL were again neck and neck. The one difference is that the Pixel's cool color tone brought out the green in the pistachio macaroon, while the pic from the S8 sported a more neutral white balance, which led to a more pleasing overall photo.



Finally, at a local bar with even less light to work with, both the Pixel XL and the Galaxy S8 impressed us with photos that were brighter than the scenes in real life. Small differences included less blown-out highlights in the S8's pic, which was countered by more detail in the darker areas of the scene in the Pixel's photo.

When it comes to tweaking your photos or changing modes, Samsung has added new Snapchat-like filters that let you decorate faces with various animal masks, hats and other silly emojis. But if that doesn't strike your fancy, the camera also comes with modes for shooting panoramas, food, slow-mo and more. And as with all good camera apps, there's also a Pro mode that lets you adjust settings manually.

As for selfies, the S8 and S8+ sport new 8-MP cams with a wide-angle lens, which makes it easy to snap you and all your besties at once. However, compared with the Pixel XL's 8-MP camera, the S8's selfies can sometimes be a little lacking.



We compared photos shot by the S8 and the Pixel XL outside on a sunny day. The Pixel XL's photo had an extra level of sharpness and detail we didn't get from the S8+. Our face looked a little too smooth and perfect on the Samsung, to the point where we were wondering whether Beauty Mode was kicking in even when we had it set to 0.

The Galaxy S8s camera can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second and slow-mo video at up to 240 frames per second at 720p. (In comparison, the LG G6 shoots at just 60 fps in slow-mo.)

To test the Galaxy S8s video quality, we shot some footage of a pond with fish swimming about in 4K. The S8s footage looked crisper and more vibrant than what the iPhone 7 Plus captured, even if the colors looked a bit oversaturated. However, when we put both phones on a mount to test image stabilization, the iPhone 7s video looked smoother; we saw a bit of stuttering in the S8s footage as we walked up a grassy hill.

For a hallmark feature on a flagship phone, Bixby feels pretty half-baked right now.

Bixby: Still a work in progress



The Galaxy S8 introduces a new personal assistant, Bixby, to take on the likes of Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana. And for a hallmark feature on Samsung's flagship phone, Bixby feels pretty half-baked right now, even after Samsung has rolled out voice controls to its virtual assistant.

The main difference between Bixby and other digital assistants is that it lets you use voice commands to control your phone in lieu of tapping the screen, which can save you time and energy. You can also use Bixby to tell you the weather or look up the definition of quixotic, but its real purpose is giving you a whole new way to control your phone. For instance, you can ask Bixby to show you emails from a specific person by name, and it will slickly pull up all your conversations in just a couple seconds. That's way faster than tapping to open the email app, hitting search and then typing in that person's name.

Bixby can also understand complex commands with contextual language, so you can do things like ask Bixby to post the last photo you took to Instagram and add a caption, all with one command. You can also change almost any setting on the S8 using your voice, which is often much faster than trying to dig through a modern phone's increasingly complex array of menus and tabs.

Or at least, that's how things should work. The big problem is that Bixby's voice-command functionality, while now available, was pretty erratic when we tested it.

Sometimes Bixby will fail to understand your language at all, while other times, Bixby will get confused and try to open the wrong app or adjust incorrect settings. But every once in a while Bixby will get everything right and you won't even be able to tell that its voice commands are still a work in progress. Currently, simple commands have the best success rate.

MORE: 11 Coolest Things Bixby Voice Can Do on the Galaxy S8

As of August 22, Samsung announced that the Bixby voice command feature is now available in more than 200 countries and territories, though you'll still need to use either English or Korean to make it work. Support for additional languages, as well as more third party apps, is in the works.



Then there's Bixby Vision, which leverages the S8's camera along with object recognition to identify items in the world. We found this worked pretty well when we pointed the S8 at various household items, such as shampoos, snacks and aluminum foil. It also works for books. After pointing the Galaxy S8's camera at any object, we could check prices online on Amazon.

Say you're at the liquor store and want to know the rating of that wine or what food to pair it with. Bixby has also partnered with Vivino to identify that bottle and spit back information. However, at a wine store in New York, the feature was more miss than hit, as it seemed to have trouble with the bright lights. At home, however, Bixby identified three wines correctly, though we were greeted with a home server error.

Bixby's other talents include the ability to set reminders and a Bixby Home tool with a card-based interface that shows you your schedule, what's trending on Facebook, the weather, news and other info.

All told, Bixby is a frustrating mix of success and failures, though there is a lot of potential should Samsung work out all the kinks. Thankfully, though, you can turn to the Google Assistant, which also comes preloaded on the S8.

Software: Feature-rich but accessible

Running Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 still has a skin on top of Android, but its fairly intuitive, and Samsungs minimalist, line-drawn icons are easy to understand. We like that you dont have to tap a button to see all of your apps from the home screen; just swipe down from the middle of the screen, and then swipe left to see more apps.

If you swipe down from the very top of the screen from wherever you are, youll see your notifications and Samsungs quick-settings shortcuts. Finally, swiping in from the left provides access to Edge screen shortcuts, such as a customizable list of apps, a device maintenance screen (for battery, choosing performance mode, etc.) and a Smart Select tool for selecting an area of the screen and sharing it or pinning it to the top of your display.

Youll also find a ton of advanced features. The ones at the top of our list include a one-handed mode that you can activate by tapping the home button three times to shrink the screen, as well as the ability to quickly launch the camera by pressing the power key twice.

At least on the T-Mobile S8 we tested, there was minimal bloatware. T-Mobile included just five of its own apps: Device Unlock, T-Mobile, T-Mobile Name ID, T-Mobile TV and Visual Voicemail.

Accessories: Way beyond Gear VR

The Galaxy S8 works with the new Gear VR for those who want to experience virtual-reality games and content, but thats not the only interesting accessory. The new DeX ($149) is a dock that lets you use the S8 and S8+ as a mini PC. The dock can connect to a full-size monitor via its HDMI port, as well as a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth. It also has an Ethernet jack and a USB port.

Out of the box, the Samsung Connect app will let you access and control various Samsung-branded smart home gear. For instance, you can start your Samsung robot vacuum ($549) or peek inside your Samsung Family Hub fridge (about $2,900) to see what you need from the store while youre out. But youll get a lot more possibilities if you buy Samsung's $169 Samsung Connect Home  a combination mesh Wi-Fi router and SmartThings hub that will let you control other items, such as Philips Hue lights and Netgears Arlo security camera.

Samsung offers a slew of other accessories, including an LED View cover for always having the time in view, a wireless charging stand and more. Check out our roundup of the Best Galaxy S8 accessories and Galaxy S8 cases.

Battery Life

One concern about a phone with this much screen is how that extra real estate might impact battery life. The Galaxy S8+ has a slightly smaller battery than last years S7 Edge (3,500 mAh versus 3,600 mAh), and yet the S8+ improved almost 1 hour, to 11 hours and 4 minutes, on the Tom's Guide Battery Test (continuous web surfing on 4G LTE using T-Mobile's network). The standard Galaxy S8s 3,000-mAh battery endured for 10:39 on the same test, improving on the Galaxy S7's (8:47) time by nearly 2 hours.

We obtained these results with the phones resolutions set to their max 2960 x 1440 pixels. They come with the less demanding 2220 x 1080 setting on by default.

MORE: Smartphones with the Longest Battery Life

Compared to the Galaxy S8+, the Pixel XL's battery life was just a bit longer, at 11:11. The iPhone 8 Plus hit 11:16, while the smaller iPhone 8 lasted 9:54. LG G6 finished way behind, with a time of just 8:39.

On top of that, the S8 has battery smarts that let it learn about your usage patterns to help extend its longevity even further. And when you need to juice the phone back up, you can take advantage of the S8s fast-charging capabilities via its included USB Type-C cable or use one of Samsung's slick wireless chargers (available separately).

Bottom Line

Its clear that, with the Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung set out to create more than a phone. Its trying to build a more Apple-like ecosystem, with devices ranging from the Gear VR and the DeX dock to the new Samsung Connect app for controlling smart home gear and the Bixby assistant. Its also evident that Samsung hasnt yet reached that goal, as Bixbys voice features can be hit or miss.

But even with that shortcoming, the Galaxy S8 still beats the Android competition while surpassing the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in terms of design, display quality and features. The iPhones are better, though, when it comes to sheer speed and their cameras.



Some shoppers will prefer a newer Android phone in the same price range, like the $479 Pixel 3a XL, but overall the Galaxy S8 and S8+ remain good values for those who prefer Samsung handsets.

Credit: Jeremy Lips/Tom's Guide; Comparisons: Samuel Rutherford/Tom's Guide.
When we head into virtual worlds these days, we generally want to take our hands and legs with us. And we want to them to work in virtual reality much like they do in the real world.





The author tries out Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 VR headset with Leap Motion controls unaware of onlookers.

With that in mind, Qualcomm has built a VR headset reference design that's based around its Snapdragon 835 mobile platform and that incorporates the gesture control technology developed by Leap Motion. Qualcomm introduced the reference design last month, but I got the chance for a quite literal hands-on demo during a visit to the company's San Diego headquarters for a closer look at the Snapdragon 835.

As far as VR demos go, this one was not particularly complex. When I strapped on the Qualcomm VR headset and held up my hands in front of my face, virtual versions appeared in my field of view. The hands looked pretty alien with long, slender fingers, but they mirrored the exact motions that my real hands were making.

When I strapped on the Qualcomm VR headset and held up my hands in front of my face, virtual versions appeared in my field of view.

And that's important, because my virtual hands could manipulate objects. When I held my hands together and made an outward pinching motion, I could create a shape that expanded the further i pulled my hands apart. When I was done forming the shape, I could grip in one or both hands and toss it with a simple throwing motion; the object would fly off into the virtual world, leaving a satisfying splash of color wherever it landed. If I wanted to try a different shape, all I had to do was open my left palm and select from the cube, rectangle and geodesic sphere options.



(Image credit: Built-in Leap Motion technology lets you manipulate objects with your hands. (Credit: Qualcomm))

The entire experience was not unlike my time at February's Mobile World Congress, where I tied a couple of HTC Vive Trackers to my boots to give myself a pair of virtual legs that I could use to fend off some rather angry dinosaurs.



There is one key difference between the two demos, though. HTC's headset is still wired and relies on external sensors to track your virtual comings and goings. The Qualcomm headset is a self-contained unit that promises six degrees of freedom, meaning you can move freely in any direction. I found that out first hand in a separate demo that served as a promotional video for the upcoming Power Rangers movie. The demo let me move freely around the Power Rangers' cave-based headquarters, and when I took off the headset, I found that I had strolled halfway across a Qualcomm work space.



This isn't the first time I've tried out a Qualcomm headset, though that earlier reference design was based on the Snapdragon 820 mobile platform. This new version relies on the Snapdragon 835, which counts immersive experiences as one of it central pillars. The Snapdragon 835 promises to render graphics 25 percent faster than the 820 did, eliminating graphics lag when you turn to look elsewhere in a virtual setting. Qualcomm's also put out a Snapdragon VR developer kit that aims to help content creators leverage the technology in the Snapdragon 835.
THE LARGEST FIRE EVER TO HIT OVERLAND PARK

Contractor for CityPlace 'deeply saddened' by fire Titan Built, LLC, the main contractor for CityPlace, in a statement says they are heartbroken by the fire destruction on the property and surrounding neighborhoods. The statement also says the company is working with investigators to determine a cause and work on preventative processes in the future.

Overland Park fire that spread through neighborhood provides stark warning for all homeowners OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Overland Park Attorney Brad Russell watched the fire unfold from his 12th floor office in Corporate Woods. Russell, who litigates insurance claims, said most fire victims have one common wish -- that they had done more to protect their property.

Massive Overland Park fire ruled accidental by investigators Monday's 8-alarm fire that destroyed two apartment buildings and damaged or destroyed several nearby homes has been ruled an accident, Overland Park fire officials said Tuesday evening. Investigators believe the fire started after some wood building material was accidentally ignited by a welder working on site.

Metro establishments waste no time organizing relief efforts for OP fire victims OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- As the smoke clears, the relief efforts begin. Neighbors are helping neighbors after Monday's huge fire, one of the metro's biggest ever, which damaged or destroyed 25 local homes. The blaze also ruined a building at the new City Place Apartments project, which was still under construction at the time of the fire.

Wood shake shingles in the spotlight after embers spark multiple fires Monday's 8-alarm fire in Overland Park brings greater scrutiny on cedar shake shingles and safety issues associated with the building material. Many of the 17 houses that caught fire from flying embers from the City Place Apartments have cedar shingles.

After less than 24 hours of investigation . . .and now that leaves local news to focus on pointless human interest stories and other fodder to fill the news hole despite as this JoCo enclave attempts to rebuild.Accordingly, here are most of the important links on. Take a look:You decide . . .
Kansas City Dude Accused Of Meth Town House Vs. Car Crash Burn Down

21-year-old man charged in crash that sent Independence home and stolen vehicle up in flames INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Prosecutors filed charges on Tuesday against a Kansas City man they say crashed a stolen vehicle into an Independence home late Sunday night and caused an explosion that sent both the vehicle and home up in flames.

More Deets On Nasty Golden Ghetto Story

Man charged with raping a child in Johnson County Authorities in Johnson County have charged an Overland Park man with raping a child.

Local Vet Hard Times Continue

Trial date set for Former VA physician assistant accused of sexually abusing patients LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - A former physician assistant accused of sexually abusing patients at a Leavenworth VA Medical Center was in court again Tuesday. Mark Wisner is facing several charges, including criminal felony sodomy and sexual battery and was supposed to go to trial nearly a year ago.

Kansas City Coffee Spill Over

KC's the Roasterie percolates with expansion plans A plan to repurpose a shipping container as a prototype drive-through "coffee kiosk" by the Roasterie earned approval Tuesday from the Kansas City Plan Commission. The new coffee kiosk proposal calls for improving a shipping container and outfitting it with rooftop solar panels in a surface parking lot at 4627 Madison Avenue.

The Kansas City Hipster Calendar

A Reflection on Cord Spinning (Working Towards Patching Holes in the Veil) A Performance by Goo Witch This piece was part of Part of FLESH CRISIS: Pop Up Performance Series at The Drugstore Thursday, January 19, at 7 PM - 9 PM Everyone was clumped in groups around the periphery of the During this pop-up performance series, several performances took place simultaneously, including works by Christina Silvius and Wolfgang Bucher.

It turns out thathottiewas recently spottedand she has toned down her glamour modeling just a bit despite her. Still, our dedication to her online work continues as we offer local links that are nearly as interesting as the Brit babe. Take a peek:And this is thefor right now . . .
"The responsibility of the community to fund education goes back hundreds of years. Fast forward to present day, when school funding and whose responsibility it is is constantly in the news. There's a lot to wade through, and the Take Note team is here to simplify some of the confusion that is school funding."

A guide to recent school funding debate throughout the region from this broadcasting endeavor on the dole.Description:You decide . . .
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Newly-elected Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi who directed him to adopt a policy of zero tolerance on corruption and ensure transparency in governance.

"The Prime Minister has asked to adopt policy of zero tolerance on corruption. He also asked to ensure transparency and assured us full support for the development of Uttarakhand," Rawat told reporters here after the meeting.

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An official said Rawat apprised the prime minister about the priorities of his government in the state.

The two leaders also discussed in detail about the roads in the border areas of the state, the official added.

The Uttarakhand chief minister also met party president Amit Shah who asked him to ensure allocation of portfolios in a balanced manner.

Shah also asked him to take along all sections of people on the path of development, Rawat told reporters after the meeting.

Rawat said party leaders will meet tomorrow in state capital Dehradun to discuss the allocation of portfolios.

The chief minister also met senior BJP leader L K Advani, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

Rawat said Jaitley has assured his ministrys support to all the financial subjects related to the state.

In his meeting with Naidu, the two leaders discussed about the progress of various schemes of Urban Development Ministry like Smart City, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and AMRUT.

"Naiduji has assured us that there will be no shortage of funds for the development of Uttarakhand," Rawat said.

An Urban Development Ministry official said Naidu brought to the notice of the chief minister about the slow progress of urban projects in the state and asked him to expedite them.

Rawat is also expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day.

Meanwhile, Rawat ruled out the suggestion of two capitals for the hill state. PTI JTR/MP KUN

--- ENDS ---
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- James Brocious, 39, is charged in Jackson County with assault and armed criminal action. According to court documents, early Sunday morning, the victim went to a vacant home near 80th & College to retrieve some property. That's when police say Brocious hit the victim in the head with a hammer, knocking the victim unconscious.
The Red Scare of the 1950s. The Japanese invasion panic of WWII. Fears of ISIS troops running amuck in our major cities the US has long been a country worried that someones gonna invade it. Aliens, Commies, North Korea, you name it. Someone, somewhere, has fantasized about America being dominated by it.

The most ironic part of all this is how unlikely it actually is. A massive nation bordered by allies to the north and south, the US is almost comically difficult to attack. In WWII the Nazis didnt even try. The Imperial Japanese occupied a measly handful of Alaskan islands. The last time an enemy nation directly carried out a successful invasion was when the British burned down the White House in the war of 1812, and even they were eventually repulsed.

But that hasnt stopped other powers from dreaming of marching troops over American soil. Some of the following plans were deadly serious. Some were mere fleeting ideas. One or two even actually succeeded. Terrified at the thought of the US being invaded? The following suggest you neednt worry.

10. The Kaisers Crazy Pre-WWI Invasion Plan

What do you picture when you hear the words Kaiser, America, and war in a sentence? Were betting its 1917 and images of US troops poring onto the battlefields of France as Woodrow Wilson sits in the White House. If the Kaiser had had his way, youd be imagining something very different: the dawn of the 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt as president, and Germany launching an insane invasion of the eastern seaboard.

Nearly a decade and a half before WWI, Kaiser Wilhelm II was already planning a gigantic cross-Atlantic war. At the time, the US was backing the construction of the Panama Canal, leading Berlin to worry Germany would be excluded from Pacific trade. The Kaiser had already been toying with an invasion of America since 1897. The new canal seemed the ideal pretext to order the bombardment of Manhattan.

The plan itself was audacious. As German ships shelled Manhattan, sixty troop carriers would land on the Atlantic seaboard with orders to attack. Roosevelt would be forced to sign away the Panama Canal, or watch Washington and Boston burn. Incredibly, the invasion nearly went ahead. The order was about to be given to attack when German chief of staff, Count Alfred von Schlieffen, vetoed the plans for being completely insane.

9. Canadas Crazy Post-WWI Invasion Plan

Yep, you read that right. Canada, the country so nice even Denmark thinks its soft, once planned to invade the USA. And not at some sane point, like in the aftermath of the War of 1812. This plan was mooted only three years after the countries had fought side-by-side in WWI. Known as Defense Plan No. 1, it was borderline insane.

The rationale for making a plan was, incredibly, Canadian fears the US would invade first if they didnt. Rather than sitting around waiting to be annexed, Ottawa figured they should attack first. The problem was the US army was clearly better trained, better equipped, and much bigger than the Canadian one. So Lt.-Col. James Buster Sutherland Brown drew up an attack plan that avoided having the Canadian army fight at all costs.

Instead, Canadian troops would launch lightning strikes on northern American cities, occupying Maine, destroying Detroit and the Twin Cities, and burning Seattle and Portland. Theyd then retreat as the US army mobilized, pausing only to blow up bridges. Once safely back in Canada, theyd scream look you guys, America is attacking! and sit back while Britain mobilized the Empires troops to save them.

Not surprisingly, everyone thought this was the dumbest thing theyd ever heard. Busters successor ordered all copies of the crazy plan burned.

8. The Nazi Plan to Bomb New York

For about half a century, successive German regimes were fixated on bombing New York City. After the Kaisers wacko plan above was shelved, Adolf Hitler took up the mantle. And, boy, was he serious about it. According to Albert Speer, Hitler was obsessed by the idea of New York in flames. From 1937 onwards, at least part of the Nazi war machine was consistently looking for ways of attacking the Empire State.

Their first plan was to develop a long-range bomber that could fly to America and back from occupied France without having to refuel. Known as the Amerika aircraft, it would do to NYC what the Blitz did to London. While the Nazis eventually managed to develop planes that could nearly fly 10,000 kilometers on a single tank, they didnt quite hit the 11,800 kilometers needed to make bombing NYC viable. So they switched to rockets. As V2 rockets crashed down on London, the Nazis began construction of an Amerika rocket that wouldve crashed into New York at supersonic speeds, killing hundreds.

The scariest part is how close some of these projects got to completion. The Amerika rocket was almost ready at the wars end. Had the Nazi state held out just a few months longer, it seems likely that Hitler wouldve realized his dream of seeing Manhattan on fire.

7. Japans Plan to Annex Hawaii

The bombing of Pearl Harbor remains one of the biggest losses of American life in a single action. So imagine how much worse it could have been if Japan had followed it up with an invasion of Hawaii. Back in 1941 it was a terrifying possibility. Had one faction of the Japanese Imperial army had their way, it might even have become reality.

The idea came from Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese naval strategist who orchestrated the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto was convinced the US was significantly stronger than Japan and that a massive, early propaganda victory would be needed to shake American morale. With an invasion of the US mainland out of the question, it stood to reason that Hawaii was the only sensible target. Yamamotos plan called for the Japanese to follow up Pearl Harbor with an invasion of the island, securing a quick Japanese victory.

Given the way the US public freaked when Japan occupied a few lumps of rock off the coast of Alaska, its fair to say Hawaii being annexed would probably have sent the county nuts. In the end, though, Yamamotos superiors disagreed. Pearl Harbor was bombed, but Hawaii itself spared.

6. Pancho Villas Successful Mexican Invasion

There are very few people who arent dead, 19th century Brits who can say they successfully invaded the US and burned an entire town. Pancho Villa is one of those people. A Mexican Revolutionary leader, he started life as Americas golden boy in the huge unrest happening south of the border. But then the government of Woodrow Wilson switched support to his rival, Venustiano Carranza, and threw Villa under the bus. Villa responded by unleashing hell on any American who crossed his path.

First, he managed to kidnap 18 Americans inside Mexico and had them all slaughtered. But his crowning achievement came on March 9, 1916. Followed by a band of 1,500 guerillas, Villa crossed the border onto US soil. His troops surrounded the small town of Columbus, New Mexico. A few hours later, the citizens were dead, and Columbus itself was in flames.

It marked the last time in US history that a town on American soil was laid siege to and destroyed by foreign attackers. The US responded by invading Mexico, supported by Carranzas government. Although the carnage they caused was enough to dissuade Villa from ever attacking America again, they were unable to capture the rebel leader. Villa wouldnt be assassinated until 1923.

5. Japan Partially-Occupies Alaska

Although Pancho Villas invasion of New Mexico would be more dramatic, it was the Japanese occupation of Attu and Kiska that really scared the public. Thats because both are part of the island chain that makes up the far-western fringe of Alaska. And while Alaska wasnt yet a state in 1942, it was an American territory. In the same way that wed freak out about a hostile force occupying Puerto Rico today, Americans of the time went loopy at Attu and Kiskas annexation.

After Pearl Harbor, it was probably the biggest psychological blow of the entire war. The public fretted the Japanese army would proceed along the Aleutian chain until they conquered Alaska proper. Only a few months before, the Battle of Los Angeles had seen antiaircraft guns pepper the LA sky when someone thought they saw a Japanese plane, and now the Imperial army was making a real move on America.

Yet nothing like what the press and public feared ever came to pass. Japan had neither the resources or the inclination to occupy the whole of Alaska. In fact, some historians think they only grabbed Attu and Kiska to distract US attention from their attack on Midway Island. Whatever the truth, the occupation only lasted 14 months before the US retook the islands.

4. The Kaisers Plan to Have Mexico Invade Texas

Despite his reputation as a fearsome warmonger, Kaiser Wilhelm sometimes seems more like a supervillain from a cruddy Saturday morning kids show. He even had a knack for coming up with the sort of easily-defeated plans Skeletor would be embarrassed by. Chief among those was the time he tried to convince Mexico to launch an unprovoked invasion on Texas.

It was January 1917, and the US was a mere four months away from joining WWI. Rather than do everything in his power to keep the Americans out, the Kaiser had foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann telegram the German ambassador to Mexico, instructing him to make Mexico an offer they could almost certainly refuse. With German financial and military backing, the Mexicans would invade America, while also trying to convince the Japanese to join in the war. In return, Mexico would be able to reclaim territory recently taken by Texas.

For a plan that relied a whole lot on Mexico taking arms against the US, it failed to recognize that there were literally no scenarios where Mexico could defeat the American military. On top of this, the British managed to intercept and decode the Zimmerman Telegram and make its contents public. Mexico wisely decided to keep out of the war. The US, meanwhile, decided to join in, achieving the exact opposite of what the Kaiser had hoped for.

3. Britain and France Almost Join the Civil War

In the early days of the Civil War, the Confederacy really believed it could get the European powers on its side. The South was the main exporter of cotton to the continent. European countries, it was believed, would all rather recognize the Confederacy than face a cotton shortage. In the end, Britain and France nearly did join in the war but not due to any cleverness on the Souths part. Instead, they almost attacked the Union over a badly-bungled Yankee mission to arrest two Confederate diplomats.

At the time, the diplomats were traveling on the British ship Trent to drum up European support for their cause. The North seized the ship, arrested the two Confederate men, and then let the Trent continue on her way. Unfortunately, holding a neutral ship up was in violation of international law. When the British found out, they hit the roof.

London immediately began drawing up plans for war, including an attack from Canada and a bombardment of the Union ships blockading Confederate ports. At the same time, France announced it would back Britain in any conflict with America, raising the insane possibility of the US Civil War spilling over into WWIs unnecessary prequel.

Ultimately, the Union apologized to Britain and let the arrested men free. The UK and France backed off, and the prospect of a Confederacy with powerful friends never materialized.

2. Japan Successfully Occupies Guam

A small island in the Pacific, Guam was taken from the Spanish during the Spanish-American War and has been classified as an unincorporated US territory ever since. In WWII, it was also the site of Japans most successful invasion of American territory. Hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Army seized the island. What followed was a thirty month horror show of rape, forced labor, murder and torture.

The occupation of Guam was the closest the Japanese got to interring American citizens en masse and it shows just how lucky we are that they never got any closer. Chamorros (Guam natives) were beheaded, worked to death, and forced into concentration camps in the heart of the jungle. They were beaten, their women raped, and their children mutilated. Then the American navy attacked to retake the territory, and the shelling killed even more Chamorros.

Eventually, on August 8 1944, US forces succeeded in liberating Guam. It marked the end of Imperial Japans hopes of invading and occupying America.

1. The Confederacy Nearly Takes Washington, DC

We mentioned earlier that no enemy nation has successfully invaded the American mainland since the British burned the White House. Depending on how you define a nation, the Brits might have almost had some company. In 1864, as the Civil War was drawing to a close, Confederate troops under Jubal Early nearly pulled off an impossible trick. They came within a hairs width of successfully invading and destroying Washington, DC.

Its impossible now to imagine how this couldve affected our perceptions of the war. The destruction of the Federal capital at the hands of Southern rebels wouldve thrown the entire Yankee force into disarray. And it nearly happened by accident. Early just happened to march near Washington at a time when Union defenses were stretched so thin his army could break through. So he rallied his troops, and nearly pulled off the impossible.

We say nearly because one factor stood in his way: his men were just too dang tired. After relentless days of marching in the middle of a suffocating heatwave, they simply couldnt move fast enough. To Earlys dismay, his men werent up to the job. Washington was saved.

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Greece will participate in the 37th International Paris Book Fair which will be held from the 24 to the 27th of March

Greece will participate in the 37th International Paris Book Fair which will be held from the 24 to the 27th of March, with Morocco as the country of honour for the first time.

More than 50 countries are expected to participate in the Fair that brings together publishers, French and international authors and more than 150,000 readers each year. The organization of the Greek delegation has been assigned to the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and in cooperation with the Greek bookshop ?Desmos?, based in Paris.

The Greek kiosk will showcase over 100 titles of Greek books which have been published in France, while a talk has been scheduled on Saturday (March 25) titled ?Greek literature in the years of the crisis?. Writers Rea Galanaki and Yiannis Tsirbas, who have captured with their pen the reality of the crisis, will discuss with translators Loic Marcou and Michel Volkovitch. Publisher and magazine director of ?Desmos?, Yiannis Mavroidakos, and literary agent Katerina Frangou will participate in the conversation.

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 Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the real owners of Cyprus were the Turkish-Cypriots during a speech in the US. The top Turkish diplomat expressed hope that the Turkish-Cypriot community would do it share to take advantage of the opportunity and solve the long-standing problem.

He went on to stress that many chances had been lost for the solution of the Cypriot problem, blaming the Greek side for suspending talks in Geneva, which had started in February 2014, by excluding the will of Turkey. Mr. Cavusoglu claimed the Greek-Cypriot side still envisaged a union with Greece and did not accept that the Turkish-Cypriots were the rightful owners of the island.

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
New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the strategic partnership between Greece and Israel saying the country is an example for Greece on entrepreneurship, during a speech at the Greek-Israeli Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

"The relationship between Greece and Israel is strategic and with great depth, a relationship which is not questioned in its core," he said, adding that Greece may also learn from Israel about reforms.

He said the country constitutes an accessible example for Greeks, as many of the things that Israel has done are relevant and applicable in Greece. Mitsotakis mentioned the strategy followed by Israel in supporting startups and the ?Jeremy? program which was implemented for the first time in Greece in 2011 to support startups.

He also reminded attendants that his father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was the Greek prime minister who recognized the state of Israel in 1990, just 10 days after he took office, "correcting a dissonance", as he said, while a month later he made the first official visit of a Greek premier to Israel.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) has provided over 7.5 million people with clean drinking water by end of 2016, according to a top official.



''Suqia has launched a number of projects and initiatives to provide clean drinking water to underprivileged countries around the world and has provided over 7.5 million people with clean drinking water by the end of 2016, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation," remarked Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.



His remarks come as the international community celebrates the World Water Day 2017 today (March 22).



The key beneficiary countries included Ghana, Uganda, Somalia, Tajikistan, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal.



As part of the project, Suqia dug wells in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Benin, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Thailand and Burkina Faso during the first quarter of 2017.



"These projects will benefit 121,920 individuals," stated Al Tayer.



''On the occasion of World Water Day, Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, renews its support and commitment to raising awareness among the community, about the importance of finding sustainable solutions to drought and water scarcity in underprivileged countries, while highlighting the role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Sedco Holding Group has announced the acquisition of 50 percent stake in the Jeddah-based Al Yusr International Schools (YIS).



Sedco Holding Group CEO Anees Ahmad Moumina and YIS CEO Zamil Al Otaibi signed the partnership agreement at the groups headquarters.



Education in Saudi Arabia is important and promising, hence it is important to invest in the development of this prominent sector," said Moumina. "YIS offers a gateway to expand our education projects in the future. This partnership complements Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, which aims to develop and advance education.



YIS invests across promising opportunities for a better future by building good education platforms. Furthermore, we are conferred by the AdvancED accreditation and have adopted international curriculum with a focus on Arabic language and Islamic studies, in order to ensure a brighter tomorrow for our youth. We are confident that our partnership with Sedco Holding Group will have a significant role to play in meeting our strategic goals, said Al Otaibi.



YIS is a private school catering to local and expatriate communities in Jeddah, operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the AdvancED accreditation.



AdvancED is the largest community of education professionals in the world, serving 34,000 schools and school systems across more than 70 nations.



YIS schools are located in Al Nahda District (girls section) on 18,677 sq m area, and in Al Shate'a District (boys section) on 5,000 sq m lot.  TradeArabia News Service


Australia-based Alara Resources Limited, a minerals exploration and mining development company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mining Development Oman (MDO), the sultanates new mining investment and development arm, a report said.



The agreement will help Alara Resources with the launch work on its Al Hadeetha Copper Gold project, and also in pursuing other mining initiatives in the country, added the Oman Daily Observer report.



MDO is a new holding company established last year to invest in, among other things, large-scale commercial mining and downstream processing schemes, as well as transport and logistics infrastructure to underpin the growth of this promising sector.



A total of 60 per cent of MDOs share capital of RO100 million ($259.7 million) is owned by four government entities: the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF), Oman Investment Fund (OIF), Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Oman National Investments Development Company (TANMIA).



The balance 40 per cent is proposed to be offered for public subscription via an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), added the report.
Britain has banned airline passengers on 14 carriers from carrying laptops and other electronic devices in cabin luggage. The ban follows similar one imposed by the US.



British ban, announced hours after the American measure, applies to different airlines. It covers direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.



The Turkish government said the US ban was wrong and should be reversed, said a BBC report. The US ban is being imposed as an anti-terrorist precaution, reports said.



The ban will come into force on March 25. Large electronic devices will still be allowed on board in checked baggage.



Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau said his country was also considering restrictions on electronics in the cabins of planes.



The airlines affected by the UK ban include British Airways, EasyJet.



The airlines affected by the US ban are Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways.



The airlines included in the US decision have been given a deadline of 07:00 GMT on Saturday to impose the ban, officials said, adding that the restriction had no end date.



An Emirates spokeswoman was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying the airline understood that the US directive would come into effect on March 25 and remain valid until October 14.

A Royal Jordanian statement said flights from Ammans Queen Alia International Airport to the US has been included in the US ban.



It said RJ will implement these instructions as of March 24. "By taking these measures, it spares passengers the hassle of having to go through legal procedures in the US. RJ passengers departing from Queen Alia International Airport to the United States are not allowed to carry any electronic or electrical devices on board the aircraft cabin. Prohibited devices, which include -but not limited to- laptops, iPads, tablets and cameras, can be transported in the checked baggage only, whereas cellular phones and needed medical devices are excluded from the ban," it said.



The RJ stations in the US include: New York, Chicago and Detroit, in addition to Montreal, as it is served by a combined flight with Detroit.



The ban excludes passengers flying from these stations to Amman, the statement said.



"RJ calls upon its passengers traveling to the United States to abide by these instructions to facilitate their travel. They are also requested to inform airport check-in staff of any prohibited devices- which are still in their possession- in order to be put in their checked baggage," it added.
Citing a deadly attack this month on a military hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said Afghanistan needs US help in addressing "military shortfalls''.

By AP: Afghanistan wants the United States to send more forces to help meet shortfalls in the battle against the Taliban and the Islamic State group, the nation's top diplomat said on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani welcomed a recent call by US General John Nicholson, the top American commander in Afghanistan, for a few thousand more troops from the US or other coalition partners to help break the stalemate in the war-torn country.

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The Trump administration has not yet said if it will send more forces in response to Nicholson's comments. Some 8,400 US troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, performing counter-terrorism operations against insurgents and training the Afghan army. The war is in its 16th year.

Citing a deadly attack this month on a military hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said Afghanistan needs US help in addressing "military shortfalls," through increased training, ground and air capabilities, and reconnaissance and intelligence support. The attack was launched by IS with the Taliban.

AFGHANISTAN EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

"We stand confident that the new US administration under President Trump will remain strategically engaged and continue its support," Rabbani said at the Atlantic Council think tank ahead of a gathering in Washington of the US-led coalition against IS. He described Nicholson's call as "an appropriate decision considering the prevailing security challenges still facing us."

In a sign of how major powers are vying for influence in the region, Rabbani said Russia is planning a 12-nation conference on Afghanistan. The former Soviet Union engaged in a disastrous decade-long occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Rabbani said the US had been invited but didn't know if it would attend. The State Department said it hasn't yet decided on its participation.

Rabbani said the discussions would follow up on six-nation talks held in mid-February involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Iran. He said he did not think the Taliban would be invited.

In congressional testimony last month, Nicholson said Russia has been publicly legitimizing the Taliban and seeking to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.

Rabbani said Russia and Iran have both told Kabul they have been in contact with the Taliban to encourage a return to the negotiating table. They deny providing the Taliban material support.

Rabbani said terrorism and extremism must be combated through cooperation among governments. He said the Taliban wouldn't seek peace unless Pakistan cracked down on "terrorist safe havens" on its soil - a long-running source of bitterness between the neighboring countries.

Also read: Kabul: Gunmen disguised as doctors attack military hospital; ISIS claims responsibility

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Also read: Will shed blood like rivers: Latest ISIS video has China worried

Also read: Pentagon drops ISIL, adopts term ISIS in tow with Trump's terminology

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Government led investment is driving a surge in domestic tourism across Saudi Arabia  with experts predicting a 40 per cent rise in the number of internal trips made between 2015 and 2020.



The Euromonitor International Tourism Forecast report, prepared exclusively for The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2017, has revealed record levels of domestic travel within the kingdom.



Following the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030, vast initiatives have been launched aiming at encouraging Saudis to explore all the kingdom has to offer.



That has led to an almost instant spike in the number of people travelling internally and forecasters now predict that the kingdom will see 40 per cent more domestic vacations taken in 2020 than were made just five years earlier.



Nikola Kosutic, research manager at Euromonitor International, said: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) is investing generously in boosting domestic tourism, launching a number of new initiatives.



Live Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Saudi Airlines and Aramco, for example, encourages residents to visit historic locations, whilst Leave No Trace aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the country.



Other schemes aimed at boosting domestic tourism include The Colours of Saudi Arabia Forum, which organises various events and competitions related to photography. A Tourism Call Centre is also now in place, providing intensive information about attractions and events across the kingdom.



This is not to mention the famous Janadriyaha and Jeddah Ghair festivals, which are held annually and are attracting a growing number of visitors every year, added Kosutic.



Euromonitor International identifies Makkah as the main attraction of the kingdom due to religious tourism, alongside Madinah, with Al Riyadh Province and the Eastern Province popular with business travellers.



April is set to be a busy month for business travel as the many members of the kingdoms growing hospitality industry descend on Jeddah for the fifth edition of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia.



Organised by MICE Arabia and co-organised by dmg events, the annual exhibition sees thousands of visitors congregate to discuss and do business on the many different hotel and hospitality sectors across its three days (April 4 to 6).



The event is co-located for the first time this year with Stone & Surface Saudi Arabia. - TradeArabia News Service


NYS Comptroller Reports Wall Street Compensation Up 2% to $23.9 Billion

After three years of declines, Wall Streets bonus pool is up and traders are about to get paid.

Cha ching!

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli noted in his most recent report that the bonus pool for Wall Street employees rose 2% to $23.9 billion during the December-to-March bonus season.

The average bonus paid to securities industry employees in New York City increased 1% to $138,210 in 2016 as pretax profits for broker/dealer operations increased 21% to $17.3 billion. It is the first increase in profits following three years of consecutive declines. In the report, DiNapoli said that profits were driven by cutting costs and lowering non-compensation expenses, which includes the cost of legal settlements.

Wall Street profits bounced back strongly in 2016. Lower costs more than made up for the continued decline in revenues, Mr. DiNapoli said in the news release. Bonuses were up only slightly in New York City as the industry held the line on compensation. The jump in profitability is good news since the industry generates a significant amount of tax revenue for both the state and city budgets.

Employment on Wall Street grew 2.2% in 2016 to 177,000 jobs on average, with 3,800 jobs added last year vs. 2,800 in 2015. It is the highest employment on Wall Street since the 2008 financial crisis and the third consecutive year of job growth.

Despite job gains, the securities industry in New York City is 6 percent smaller than in 2007, while the rest of the private sector has grown by 20 percent, DiNapoli said. Nonetheless, the industry remains an important part of the citys economy. The industry accounts for less than 5 percent of the private sector jobs in the city, but generates more than one-fifth of the private sector wages paid.

DiNapoli estimates that nearly 1 in 10 jobs in the city are either directly or indirectly associated with the securities industry.

Securities-related activities are a major source of revenue for the state and city, the report added. DiNapoli estimated that the securities industry accounted for 18.5 percent ($13.8 billion) of state tax collections in state fiscal year 2015-2016 and 7 percent ($3.7 billion) of city tax collections in city fiscal year 2016.

New York Citys budget had assumed that profits would reach $18 billion and that the bonus pool for securities industry employees in the city would increase by 2 percent. As a result, tax collections should be close to forecast.

In 2015, the most recent data available, the average salary including bonuses for Wall Street employees was $388,000, compared to $74,000 in the rest of the citys private sector. Data for 2016 are not yet available.

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Seeing a family of birds in their natural habitat could sound like a bore, but bird-watching is as exciting as it is different. It slows down travel time by observing the location's amazing sights while one accepts the challenge of finding a particularly beautiful bird breed in the park or location to be observed. If this is your thing, the world has the following amazing bird-watching destinations one should not miss.

According to BBC -- citing master bird-watcher Noah Strycker -- a beginner bird watcher's paradise is Ecuador in South America. He said the country "has an incredible diversity" with "good guides and a wonderful culture. Over the Andes mountain range near the western slope, Ecuador bird-watching tour operators guide those interested to see the South American country's avian riches.

Strycker also recommends the Malehur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The Refuge has over 320 species of birds including rare ones such as the Western Snowy Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Franklin's Gull and more.

South Georgia is not a bird-watching site with an immense number of bird species, but it has plenty of birds that fly around in flocks. Penguins in different breeds, including King, Emperor and Gentoo penguins, roam around here.

Poland has its own Bialoweza Forest. According to The Guardian UK, the forest has "remained virtually unchanged throughout the years" and it is home to a huge number of bird species including woodpeckers, hazel grouse, owls, and even warblers. The nearby village and its tour operators have specialized travel itineraries for expert bird watchers -- many who would want to see specific and hard-to-find birds.

In South America's Peru is Manu and bird-watchers go on expeditions to find the perfect rare species of birds they could find. South America is the perfect breeding ground for birds given its warm climate. Peru has over 1,000 types of bird species that tour operators call their tours "easy bird watching" where novice to expert bird watchers could learn and quickly find rare species.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
There are a lot of pictures and videos about couples settling down, getting married, and spending nice romantic vacations. Well, two guys just didn't want any of that yet -- while some of their buddies were busy getting married, they spent the ultimate "Homiemoon" together.

One of the guys said: "While everyone is getting married and having babies, my best friend and I had our homiemoon in Thailand." Well, it was definitely a trip of a lifetime because when they got back, everything that these two guys did just went viral.

The two guys, who are best friends of 15 years, decided to have a trip of their own in Thailand while taking pictures of the "follow me" pose in every place that they visited. The two posted the pictures of their homiemoon online and you can view them by checking out Imgur user ignoreeverythingido.

Bored Panda reported that the trip included Tonsai beach where the two friends took a "follow me" picture on the shores of the beach while facing the stunning views of Tonsai's surroundings. They also did the same thing on the busy streets of Chiang Mai's Sunday night market.

They also visited a couple of Thailand's temples and even went to Pai and took a picture with the white Buddha. Not to mention, they also paid a visit to an elephant sanctuary doing the same pose, but this time, with elephants in the background.

Their last stop was in the good old streets of Bangkok where street vendors and billboard signs are shown in their picture. "For reference, my friend is a burley, hilarious, large, orange-beared, kind dude," Imgur user ignoreeverythingido said. "Finally the 15 years of friendship has paid off."

These two became a symbol of what bromance really is, with one of them saying that they're heterosexual partners for life.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
By Shweta Keshri: Set against the backdrop of a village near Bilaspur (U.P.), Agnifera is the new show that recently premiered on &TV. The show starts with a PWD engineer riding a scooter over a bridge, when all of sudden he gets surrounded by a dozen of armed goons. The goons are led by none other than our protagonist Ragini (Yukti Kapoor) who threatens the engineer and gets him thrown in the river as a repentance for not informing her about a tender on time. The show depicts the socio-political conditions in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

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Daughter of a dabang leader, Ragini, is no less than a dabang herself, who extorts money for her father, has bad temper and even runs her own court of justice. She might be involved in her father's illegal works but can't stand when someone disrespects women.

Ragini in a still from the show. Picture courtesy: ozee.com

Until now, we have seen coy and timid girls crying buckets play the female lead on Indian TV but Ragini is surely an exception. Her character exudes power and strength. She is neither docile nor is she a cry baby.

Ankit Gera makes a comeback with Agnifera

Ankit Gera makes a comeback with this show as Anurag. Anurag is the most eligible bachelor in town and has returned to his place after finishing his MBA in London. Anurag and Ragini have an interesting encounter. His father, who is a man of principles wants his son to get married to a well-educated girl, while his mother wouldn't mind agreeing to an alliance if the father of the bride give a hefty dowry.

Also read: Simran Kaur excited to play a lawyer in her debut TV show

Srishti aka Simran Kaur as principled lawyer

Simran Kaur, the voice behind Nobita from the cartoon series Doraemon makes her TV debut with this show. She plays Srishti, a final-year law student, who can't see injustice happening in front of her eyes. She has been brought up in a middle class family with values and stands by them.

It would be interesting to see the tussle between the two to-be brides, who will fight it out to win the most eligible bachelor. Both the girls are strong headed and courageous. If Ragini is a daring dabang, Shristi is a brave and intelligent. May the best girl win!

--- ENDS ---
Asia is very popular among travelers especially to those who are on a tight budget. But despite the fact that this continent is far cheaper compared to other luxurious travel getaways, it has also some of the most romantic sites for couples. If you are thinking of bringing your loved one to a romantic trip but want to save some cash, here are some of the most romantic destinations in Asia that you must check out.

Japan

Couples can indulge themselves into the most amazing full bloom cherry blossoms. Most major cities in the country such as Osaka and Tokyo experience the cherry blossom season during the months of April and May so better mark your calendars on these dates.

Philippines

Home to 7,107 wonderful islands, the Philippines is among the cheapest yet most romantic travel destinations in Asia for couples. From hotel accommodations, restaurants, white-sand beaches, old churches and even extreme outdoor adventures, this Southeast Asian country is absolutely budget friendly. According to Tripzilla, the Philippines is gifted with the abundance of pristine paradise such as Boracay and Palawan where couples can experience an amazing relaxation and delight without going home with empty pockets.

There are also many cultural and historical sites in the Philippines such as in Vigan and in Ilocos that are perfect for couples who just want to spend their day taking pictures together while appreciating that rich heritage of the country.

Thailand

Thailand's picture-perfect view, majestic islands, rich culture, and exotic experiences make the country one of the perfect budget-friendly destinations in Asia for couples. You can experience the dynamic vibe in Bangkok, or go on several underwater adventures in the beautiful island of Phuket. With limitless options to do and to choose from, this Asian gem will bring the best out of every couple travelers without spending too much.

Maldives

Maldives, the smallest country in Asia in terms of physical size, consists of approximately 1,192 coral islands. According to Trips to Discover, romantic getaways here mostly begin in Male, the country's capital city. The beauty of the beaches that are situated in this country are almost unbelievable--the Maldives arguably has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with its crystal blue sea and white powder sand. The marine life in this country is literally astonishing as well.

Vietnam

There is an amazing array of mountains, beaches, temples, cities and rivers that is perfect for couples who want to spend quality time together here. You can see vendors along the streets selling good-quality food and items that definitely suit your budget. You can also visit Sapa, a relatively small yet breath-taking highland town in Vietnam which is known to be the most romantic destination in the country. You can step foot to the wonderful Vietnamese sites such as the Heaven Gate, Sapa Stone Church and the Sapa Market--commonly known as the "love market".

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, has officially announced the launch of the airline's new direct daily flights from the southern Omani city, Salalah to Calicut, Kerala in India beginning on March 27. These new flights are included in Oman Air's new flight services between Muscat and Kozhikode.

In its official statement, the airline said that flights to new destinations are part of Oman Air's goal to meet its "fleet and network expansion." A Boeing 737-800 will be the one operating the airline's new direct daily flights where each flight will usually take up to 3 and  hours, Breaking Travel News reports.

The daily flight will depart from Salalah at 01:10 and is expected to arrive in Calicut at 06:20. On the other hand, the return flight will be out from Calicut by 07:00 and will arrive back to Salalah by 09:15.

Since the month of February, Oman Air's existing frequencies between Muscat and Calicut have been multiplied to two daily from the previous one daily, Zawya says. In a statement, Oman Air's Chief Executive Paul Gregorowitsch said, "Oman Air is committed to support the economic development of the Dhofar region, which is a key market for us. We are extremely happy to announce this new direct service between Salalah and Calicut."

Further, Gregorowitsch also confirmed that Oman Air's customers who desire to travel between Calicut and Salalah will never have to go on a longer flight because the recently launched daily flight will let the passengers go to Salalah and Calicut without transferring at the Muscat Airport. "We are sure that this route will be received well by the discerning guests," he added.

As of this day, Oman's national carrier is continuously increasing the airline's weekly capacity India by adding frequencies on the five key destinations of Oman Air in India. From twice daily, flights to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi have already increased to three per day.

"More travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Dhofar region with cool and refreshing weather, which contrasts sharply with the hot, dry climate to be found elsewhere in the region. In addition, visitors will also be able to make the most of the region's renowned hospitality, ancient culture and awe-inspiring landscapes," Gregorowitsch said.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Looking for a no-fuss, comfortable accommodation in Italy? Then book a night or two at Benbo, Italy's first capsule hotel. Located inside the premises of Naples International Capodichino Airport, it's the perfect for on-the-go passengers looking for a simple place to stay for the night.

This whole venture is the result of the collaboration of BenBo and Dorelan. "To grant value to time, comfort and rest," said their mission statement.

This type of accommodation is brilliant for business travelers, backpackers, and travelers that are not willing to spend a fortune a night in swanky hotels. And because BenBo is located right inside the airport, you won't have to worry about the traffic and travel time getting to the airport-saving you hours in getting to your flight.

Benbo consists of 42 "capsule" rooms, which looks like a "little colored house with a smart television, a bed, a desk to read or work on a computer, air conditioning and a docking station to charge a phone, PC or tablet," according to reports. These housing units are about 4m, and two of the rooms are designated for disabled people.

A first in Italy, this type of service might hit the airports of Rome, Bergamo, and Palermo as well. ''The idea comes from an elaboration of capsule rooms at Tokyo's airport, but it is the only experiment in Italy for the moment," said Carlotta Tartarone, project manager at Studiotre. "We chose Naples because it is our city, but we are already in contact with the airports of Rome, Bergamo and Palermo to export the model."

Capsule hotels in airports are starting to become more popular. The first "pod-type accommodation" in airports is Nine Hours, located in the Narita Airport in Tokyo. It's designed for passengers on connecting flights looking for a more comfortable space to relax while waiting for their flights.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Earlier, both the Panneerselvam and Sasikala factions of the AIADMK had expressed shock over the poll panel's freezing of the 'two leaves' symbol.

The Commission issued the order following the O Panneerselvam camp asking EC to allot the two leaves symbol to it.

By India Today Web Desk: The Election Commission has allotted the O Panneerselvam camp the name AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma with symbol of lamp post, while the Sasikala faction has been named AIADMK Amma with the cap symbol.

Earlier, both the Panneerselvam and Sasikala factions of the AIADMK had expressed shock over the poll panel's freezing of the 'two leaves' symbol and said that they would make all efforts to retrieve it.

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AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran said he did not expect such an outcome and that he would win the RK Nagar bypoll and get the poll symbol back.

The Election Commission has said it delivered a temporary verdict because there wasn't enough time to examine documents submitted by both sides and take a fair decision. It says both sides can submit extra documents and make their case again before April 17.

ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR Before filing E Madusudhanan's nomination for the RK Nagar polls, 'Team OPS' will pay her respects at Arignar Anna, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa memorials at Chennai's Marina Beach. Panneerselvam and his men. The Panneerselvam camp is already at the Jaya Memorial, as tweeted by a Tamil channel. Madhusudhanan, OPS faction's candidate for RK Nagar polls, is confident that his side will legally prove that they are the real AIADMK, the TV channel reported. Veteran AIADMK leader Ponnaiyan told Thanthi TV that the Election Commission's verdict is a "first victory" for the OPS camp. "In the end, the 'Twin Leaf' (Rettai Ilai) symbol will go to Panneerselvam's side," he said. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in a statement said it was "shocking and disappointing" that his party didn't get the symbol despite submitting "strong evidence" to the poll panel and that they would get it back "at any cost". The Panneerselvam camp plans to ask the Election Commission to bar Sasikala's faction from using the AIADMK headquarters. Dinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, said the party workers had "crossed" a similar situation in the past, referring to the poll panel's freezing the election symbol following the death of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran in 1987. "AIADMK workers have crossed a similar situation. Therefore, they will remain united and we will win the polls and get the 'two leaves' symbol again. Amma's (J Jayalalithaa) supporters are with us. We will win and retrieve the symbol," he told reporters in Chennai. Replying to a question, he said all relevant documents had been put before the EC on this issue and that he "did not expect" such an order by the poll panel. He also appealed to the voters to give their mandate to him as he was contesting to fulfill "Amma's dream of making it a model constituency in India". He said he would be filing his nomination on March 23. The Commission issued the order following the O Panneerselvam camp asking EC to allot the 'two leaves' symbol to it. Following his February 7 revolt against Sasikala, Panneerselvam and some of his supporters were expelled from AIADMK by her. The Panneerselvam camp has since challenged her appointment as AIADMK General Secretary before the poll panel. It has also fielded E Madusudanan against Dinakaran for the April 12 bypoll to RK Nagar, necessitated by the death of sitting member and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in December. S Semmalai from the Panneerselvam camp told PTI, "We will go all-out, pursue legal measures and retrieve the victorious 'two-leaves' symbol of M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. We will emerge victorious." The former minister and sitting MLA from Mettur seat expressed shock over the Election Commission's decision, saying that they firmly believed that they would get it as they had submitted adequate documents citing party bylaws and legal framework under which they should have been given the party symbol.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

Also read | Jayalalithaa legacy war: Election Commission freezes AIADMK's 2 leaves party symbol

Also read | AIADMK MLA Kangaraj threatens to leave Sasikala camp over inaction in quarry deaths

Also read | AIADMK expels O Panneerselvam after Sasikala is convicted in DA case

WATCH VIDEO

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Skyscanner launches White Paper setting out vision for dynamic airline marketplace in an era of evolving devices and frictionless booking



(TRAVPR.COM) UK - March 22nd, 2017 - Skyscanner has today launched a White Paper setting out its vision for the future of airline distribution and the changing role of metasearch within this.

The paper, authored by the metasearch engines CEO and Co-Founder Gareth Williams, sets out Skyscanners intention to transition towards becoming a marketplace in which travellers can shop for a rich array of air fares with a seamless process from start to finish across any device.

Williams argues that the evolving technology landscape, with the increasing consumer preference for mobile, and evolving click-tap platforms such as chat bots, has blurred the lines between what can be considered a direct air ticket purchase. In this evolving environment, the former line between direct and third party intermediaries has blurred while the need for a frictionless shopping experience and for rich and dynamic airline products to stand out has increased.

Skyscanner hopes to lead the field when it comes to distributing carriers products by creating an airline marketplace offering carrier store-fronts which are virtually indistinguishable from airlines own booking sites. This marketplace would give greater branding control to suppliers while allowing them to tap into Skyscanners wide audience of travellers across a range of devices  from apps through to chat bots. Many airlines still have limited mobile booking options on their own sites, while the vast majority of carriers have yet to embrace newer emerging technologies such as bots.

Williams states, Our vision for the future is collaborating with airlines in delivering our version of the supplier managed marketplace to travellers worldwide. We want to bring airline products on our site as close to the direct experience as possible, with carriers controlling their products and brand while benefitting from our traffic, and audience, across a range of devices.

This means offering a form of airline store-front. For travellers, the experience on Skyscanner is then virtually indistinguishable from the experience on airline.com  yet has the advantage of being available on desktop, app or any device. Airlines must have the opportunity to stand out in the next generation of distribution, particularly as travellers increasingly expect to be able to transact on smaller screen sizes with shorter purchasing journeys which offer a seamless booking process.

IATA has recognised Skyscanner for its initial pioneering approach towards evolving distribution. Yanik Hoyles, Director of the NDC Program comments as part of the paper, The pace of innovation and change is accelerating, prompted by worldwide access to the Internet and the rapid development of mobile, among many others factorsin this sense, Skyscanner is leading the way by having achieved the highest level of NDC Certification as an aggregator, allowing its partner airlines to offer their entire range of products - including upsells and ancillaries- when displaying their content through Skyscanner.

Skyscanner offers the most robust and advanced direct facilitated booking platform available in the metasearch space, having last month introduced pioneering features such as seat selection, fare families which have produced upticks in average conversion rates for carriers of up to 50% for mobile bookings and 100% on ancillary upsell. Several airlines have integrated on the platform already, including Finnair, British Airways and Scoot, with a strong pipeline of carriers going live in the near future.

View the White Paper by visiting partners.skyscanner.net/future-of-airline-distribution

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SOURCE is a solar-powered and self-contained device capable of harvesting up to 10 liters of clean drinking water per day from the air.

By harvesting water vapor from the air and condensing it into liquid, atmospheric water generators can essentially pull water from the air, and these devices hold a lot of promise for providing an independent source of drinking water. And although drought-stricken regions and locations without safe or stable water sources are prime candidates for water production and purification devices such as those, residences and commercial buildings in the developed world could also benefit from their use, and they make a great fit for off-grid homes and emergency preparedness kits.

Some water generators, such as the WaterSeer, get a lot of hype (and a lot of skepticism) but haven't been able to deliver. Others, like the Ecoloblue devices, are a bit more costly and complex, but they actually exist and can be bought and put to work. Earlier this year, I wrote about Zero Mass Water's SOURCE device, which is a rooftop solar device that produces water instead of just electricity, but the pricing and availability weren't quite clear then. The company recently announced that SOURCE hydropanel arrays are now available in the US, where "It works in almost every climate, and almost every day of the year."

Creating Drinking Water

A standard SOURCE array is made up of two hydropanels, with additional panels added as needed for the water production or the local climate, and this self-contained unit is designed to be mounted onto the roof of a building, where it can then produce an average of 4-10 liters per day. An onboard 30-liter reservoir holds the collected water and mineralizes it with calcium and magnesium, and the outflow of the device can be plumbed right to a tap (or refrigerator or dispenser) inside the building for ease of use. No maintenance is said to be necessary other than annual filter changes and swapping out the mineral cartridge every five years, which a subscription program delivers when it's time.

A Practical Solution

According to Zero Mass Water, even those in low-humidity and arid regions can put SOURCE units to work to generate water, which is a question that many skeptics of the system bring up. "Our array on the Zero Mass Water headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona makes water year-long despite low relative humidity. The Phoenix-Metro area can get below 5% relative humidity in the summer, and SOURCE still produces water in these incredibly dry conditions."

SOURCE water generators are costly, at least in terms of the initial investment. A standard array with two panels runs about $4000, plus another $500 for installation, and is said to be engineered to last at least 10 years. That brings the cost to about $1.23 per day, or between $0.12 and $0.30 per liter, when averaged out over the life of the unit.

At The Verge, Lauren Goode took a closer look at the SOURCE device:
We recently coveredthe list of the happiest countries in the world, (mostly cold and snowy and dark) but what are the happiest cities?

 Arkadis design and consultancy

According to a study by Arcadis, a consultancy, the happiest city is Seoul, Korea; North America doesnt appear on the list until 10 with Montreal; the US at 41 with Boston. But this is all based on education, income equality, work life balance, health and affordability, many of which are arguably worse in American cities, where the President says Our inner cities are a disaster, you get shot walking to the store." Not good marketing. But which is the happiest city in America, and what are the criteria?

A study by Gallup just looks at the USA and is biased towards health care, but comes up with Naples, Florida in Number 1, followed by Salinas, California.

 Gallup/Healthways

I have only been to a few of these cities in the top 20, most of which are not huge. But I have been to most of the Florida ones and thought, Really? It's warm, but it's all parking lots and malls. Perhaps it is the criteria that they use, which are heavily weighted toward health care and financial security.

Richard Florida, writing in Citylab, describes yet another list that looks at 230 counties in America and finds that most cities are not very happy. From the abstract:

We find that the core characteristics of urban life (in particular size and density) contribute to urban unhappiness, controlling for urban problems. Urban unhappiness persists regardless of urban characteristics.



The study finds that those living in counties outside metropolitan areas tend to report higher levels of happiness than those living in central cities... the three happiest counties (which scored above a 3.5 on the happiness scale) are mostly rural or a mix of suburban and rural, according to the study.



Florida writes:

As one who does go on about the wonders of cities, this is all very shocking to me. But then they are not counting those things that I think are important in cities, from transit to trees to libraries. Perhaps we need a new list based on other criteria.

Lloyd Alter/ London/CC BY 2.0

On URBAN HUB they write about searching for the secret of urban contentment.



Economic prosperity brings many good things to cities, such as new high-rise buildings, booming populations, more jobs, new shops and greater opportunities. But thats not enough. Instead, a city with elevated levels of happiness is often one that has invested in the simple pleasures: in creating a sense of community and meaning, and in ensuring freedom to move about flexibly. A happy city, it appears, is a city that designs an infrastructure that supports elementary concepts of human connection.

It should be noted that URBAN HUB is a website sponsored by ThyssenKrupp, which makes elevators and moving sidewalks, so they are in the business of infrastructure that supports urban connections. But they have a point.

Lloyd Alter/ Beijing/CC BY 2.0

URBAN HUB quotes Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City, a wonderful book that I have read but have not gotten around to reviewing. He lists his criteria for happy cities:

I propose a basic recipe for urban happiness drawn from the insights of philosophers, psychologists, brain scientists, and happiness economists. What should a city accomplish after it meets our basic needs of food, shelter, and security?

The city should strive to maximize joy and minimize hardship.

It should lead us toward health rather than sickness.

It should offer us real freedom to live, move, and build our lives as we wish.

It should build resilience against economic or environmental shocks.

It should be fair in the way it apportions space, services, mobility, joys, hardships, and costs.

Most of all, it should enable us to build and strengthen the bonds between friends, families, and strangers that give life meaning, bonds that represent the citys greatest achievement and opportunity.

The city that acknowledges and celebrates our common fate, that opens doors to empathy and cooperation, will help us tackle the great challenges of this century.

This is a different, better way of measuring happy cities.
The third convict Sunil Joshi had died under mysterious circumstances the same year, soon after the blast. The blast that rocked the Khwaja Chishti shrine on October 11, 2007 left 3 people dead and 17 injured.

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court today sentenced two people - Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel - to life imprisonment in the 2007 Ajmer blast case. The third convict Sunil Joshi had died under mysterious circumstances the same year, soon after the blast.

The blast that rocked the Khwaja Chishti shrine in the month of Ramzan on October 11,2007 left 3 people dead and 17 injured.

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Both Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi had been Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) pracharaks.

THE STORY IN DETAIL The court also asked for submission of the closure report on one Ramesh Gohil, who was initially arrested in the case but no charge against him proved, who too had died after the blast. Devendra Gupta was sentenced under Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) alongwith section 120 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 18 of the UAPA and was fined 5000 rupees whereas Bhavesh Patel was sentenced under Section 16 and 18 of the UAPA and fined 10,000 as per the court. Gupta was found guilty of conspiracy and Bhavesh Patel of planting the bomb. Speaking to India Today, Defence Counsel JS Rana mentioned that they disagreed with the verdict. He said that the verdict was based on possibilities and that it would be challenged in a higher court. NIA counsel Ashwini Sharma said that the duo was accused of involvement in the Ajmer shrine bomb blast to incite religious sentiments, a conspiracy hatched by Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel. He expressed satisfaction with the verdict, citing that there had been conviction in the case even though some people had been acquitted. On March 8, the NIA Special Court in Jaipur had found these three - Devendra Gupta, Bhavesh Patel and Sunil Joshi - guilty in the case. The court had convicted these three on grounds of conspiracy, of planting bombs and inciting religious sentiments. The other accused namely Aseemanand, Chandrashekhar Leve, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Mohan Rateshwar, Lokesh Sharma, Mehul Kumar and Harshad Solanki were acquitted for lack of evidence. Three accused identified as Suresh Nair, Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra were declared absconding. The case had witnessed a major twist as Bhavesh Patel had accused several Congress leaders such as former Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Digvijaya Singh of pressurising him to name senior RSS leaders, including Mohan Bhagwat and Indresh Kumar, of being complicit in the case. He had demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged role of Congress leaders and NIA officers.

WATCH VIDEO

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Three people were convicted in the 2007 bombing, which left three people dead and injured 17 others. One of the convicts - Sunil Joshi - died soon after the bombing. The court has sought a report on 3 absconders in the case.

Three people were killed in the 2007 blast at the Ajmer dargah

By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Jaipur today sentenced Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel to life in jail in the Ajmer blast case.

The two were convicted along with Sunil Joshi on March 6. Joshi died under mysterious circumstances soon after the bombing, in which three people were killed and 17 others were injured. The October 11, 2007 blast took place during the month of Ramazan and targeted the Khwaja Chishti shrine.

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Both Devendra Patel and Sunil Joshi are former RSS pracharaks.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: On March 6, the court found three of the accused guilty in the 2007 blast case. Those convicted include Devendra Gupta, Bhavesh Patel and Sunil Joshi. Both Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi are former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sagh(RSS) pracharaks. The NIA court found the three men guilty of conspiracy, planting bombs and inciting religious sentiments. While Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel have been in judicial custody, Sunil Joshi had died mysteriously in 2007, soon after the Ajmer bombing. The remaining accused, including Aseemanand, Chandrashekhar Leve, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Mohan Rateshwar, Lokesh Sharma, Mehul Kumar and Harshad Solanki were acquitted in the case. Three accused - Suresh Nair, Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra - were declared absconders. The National Investigation Agency had accused Aseemanand of masterminding the blast. The Jaipur court, however, acquitted Asseemand and others for the lack of evidence. The court also did not find any involvement of senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar in the blast. The case had witnessed a major twist when Bhavesh Patel, one of the three men convicted, accused several Congress leaders, including Digvijaya Singh and former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde of pressurising him to name senior RSS leaders, including current RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar as being complicit in the blast case. He demanded a judicial enquiry into his accusations and into the alleged role of Congress leaders and NIA officers.

ALSO WATCH | Ajmer blast case: NIA acquits Aseemanand, 3 held guilty

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Punjabs newly-elected Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made a strong pitch for a loan waiver for farmers of the state.

Amarinder met the Prime Minister in his Parliament complex office, first time after becoming the Chief Minister.

"I mentioned the debt waiver issue to the PM. It was an extension of the demand we made earlier when we had gone to meet the PM as part of a Congress delegation led by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

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"I said the debt loan waiver should be extended to Punjab farmers along the lines of Uttar Pradesh," Singh told media persons after meeting the Prime Minister here.

The newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister is in New Delhi and will meet President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day.

He earlier met Finance Minister Arun jaitley to seek financial support for crop procurement.

"Met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence and asked him for immediate release of CCL for smooth wheat procurement in Punjab," he said after the meeting.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal also accompanied Amarinder during this visit.

"We have sought a support of Rs 20,653 crore on this account. The finance minister was very supportive. We expect wheat to land in mandis in two to three days," Singh said.

On Congress strategist Prashant Kishor, who failed to deliver a victory for the Congress-SP combine in UP, Amarinder said, "I am very happy with Kishor. He fought well. His IPAC team of 1,700 volunteers had spread across villages and he had a team of 100 plus people in Chandigarh. We did well in Punjab."

Over who would be the next chief of Punjab Congress, he said, "Let Congress president Sonia Gandhi return. I will request her to choose someone else since I as CM of Punjab cannot handle both the positions."

Amarinder is here for holding a series of meetings with governments top brass during his first visit to the national capital after taking over as the state Chief Minister. PTI SKC DIP

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Berlin, March 21

Three radicalised German-born teens were today sentenced to up to seven years in juvenile detention for carrying out a religiously motivated bomb attack on a gurdwara that left a Sikh priest badly injured.

The judge ruled that the teens should serve sentences of seven years, six years and nine months, and six years in a juvenile detention centre.

Prosecutors had argued that the three  who were 16 at the time of the act  had attacked the gurdwara in Essen out of radical Islamist motivations to kill non-believers. The trial uncovered no evidence of the three having direct contact with terror group IS.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Two convicts had set off a homemade bomb after a wedding party on April 16, 2016 at a temple belonging to the Sikh Gurdwara Nanaksar congregation, wounding three people. The bomb, crafted from a fire extinguisher packed with explosive chemicals, also destroyed the doors.

The third was found guilty of conspiring to murder. Yusuf T, Mohamed B and Tolga I were aged 16 when they detonated the device. All three were born in Germany.

Over 13,000 Sikhs live in Germany, many of them in Cologne and around 200 in Essen in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. PTI
Though well-intentioned, the Supreme Court suggestion to the parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case to drop legal proceedings and work out a negotiated settlement is unlikely to achieve the desired goal and may only end up kicking the can down the road. Given the polarised communal environment in Uttar Pradesh and imbalance of power between the majority and minority communities, it will be difficult to dispel minority fears and convince it of a level field where a fair deal is possible. The Allahabad High Court too had suggested a solution through talks but nothing happened. It therefore is no surprise that Chief Justice Khehars suggestion has evoked no positive response from the Muslim Babri Masjid Action Committee. Also no surprise that the BJP and Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister and a proponent of the Ram Temple movement, have promptly lapped up the offer.

On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid demolition shamed Indian democracy and secularism. Communal riots that followed the tearing down of the 16th century mosque were among the worst since Independence, resulting in some 2,000 deaths. The Central and state governments had failed to act. The Supreme Court realises the gravity of the issue but naively overestimates the capacity of community representatives to rise above sectarian considerations and concede space to the other. Even a judicial settlement up to the high court level has been found unacceptable. Both sides had challenged the Allahabad High Courts 2010 verdict which, strangely, relied on faith rather than law.

Indias institutions dealing with the Ayodhya dispute have all been found wanting. No major convictions have taken place for the Babri demolition. The CBI has been accused of being soft on the accused. After sitting on the case for seven long years the apex court, it seems, wants to wash its hands of the matter. After the executive failure, the judiciary should not be running away from its responsibility. No matter how volatile, the case has to be settled  and that too on the basis of law and not religion. Stripped of its religious trapping, it is just a land dispute.
Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 22

A former sarpanch was shot dead by two assailants outside the court premises here today. The assailants tried to flee after committing the crime, but were overpowered by the police.

The deceased has been identified as Rajeev alias Kala (40) of Aasoda village in Bahadurgarh subdivision of the district. Old enmity is believed to be the reason behind the murder. The police registered a case of murder against the accused, identified as Rohit alias Deepak of Najafgarh and Sikandar alias Rohit of Bapdola (Delhi).

Sources said Kala was brought here from Ambala jail to appear before a court in connection with the killing of Aasoda Siwan sarpanch Rambir (30) and his father Balbir Singh (57) in their house on July 28 last year. Rajeev was a co-accused in the case.

The crime was committed at noon when police personnel were taking Kala back to the police van parked outside the court campus after hearing of the case. The accused armed with country-made guns fired at him from a close range and fled the spot. One bullet hit Kala and he fell down, said Jhajjar DSP Rajeev Kumar.

The DSP said that a team of CIA of the police acted swiftly and nabbed the accused when they were running towards the main road after committing the crime.

In the meantime, Kala was also rushed to Civil Hospital from where he was referred to PGIMS, Rohtak, and he was declared brought dead there.

The accused in their thirties are being grilled to find out the exact cause behind the murder and all others involved in the crime, said the DSP, adding that Kala was a co-accused in the Aasoda sarpanch murder case.

A police spokesman said that two country-made guns and five cartridges had been recovered from the accused.
Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 22

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will head an all-party delegation to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Mach 24 over the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal.

The timing of the meeting with the Home Minister is important as Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.

The heading of the all-party delegation by Khattar to the Home Minister is seen as clever strategy by the BJP to score brownie points over its two political rivalsthe INLD and the Congress  in the state.

In the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in November 2016, which held the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, as unconstitutional, there is a rat race among the political parties in Haryana to claim credit on the SYL canal issue.

Sources said written communication had been sent to Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu, Health Minister Anil Vij, state BJP president Subhash Barala, Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar, Leader of Congress Legislative Party Kiran Choudhary, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, state INLD president Ashok Arora and Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala to be part of the delegation.

The others, who have been invited, include state Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Saranjit Singh Sotha, SAD MLA Balkaur Singh, state BSP president Naresh Saaran, BSP MLA Tek Chand Sharma, Independent MLA Jai Parkash and Advocate General Baldev Raj Mahajan.

On February 23, the main Opposition INLD marched into Punjab and undertook at symbolic digging of the SYL canal in an apparent bid to embarrass the ruling BJP at the Centre and in the state.

In fact, the SYL issue raised a lot of dust during the recently-concluded Budget session of the Haryana Assembly with various political parties indulging in blame game.
Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 22

With an eye on the Assembly elections, the state government is planning to urge the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPSERC) not to recommend any hike in the power tariff. If the hike in tariff is announced, the Congress regime, in a bid to woo voters, could bear this burden itself.

An indication to this effect was given by Power Minister Sujan Singh Pathania here today. However, it is learnt that the HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB) has recommended a hike of 30 per cent in the power tariff this year but it is the HPSERC which will take the final call after holding a public hearing. There are 16 lakh power consumers in the state. Being the election year, it was being expected that there would be a tax-free Budget as has been the case in the past but the power consumers can now be relaxed that there will be no additional burden on them even if it was nominal. Even though the hike in tariff made by the HPSERC is very nominal, the Congress regime in a bid to woo voters could bear this burden itself, notwithstanding its own poor financial health. A budgetary provision of Rs 450 crore against Rs 410 crore in 2016-17 has been made in this years Budget for subsidy to domestic consumers. We will request the HPSERC not to recommend any hike in the power tariff but if it still insists, the government will not put any burden on the consumers and provide a subsidy to cover the enhanced power tariff, said Pathania. The hike in power tariff, both for domestic and industrial consumers, is made by the HPSERC after seeking the opinion of the HPSEB and public suggestions are also invited.

Last year too, though the HPSEB had sought a hike of almost 33 per cent, a mere 3.5 per cent increase in the tariff was allowed by the HPSERC. The hike that was made last year for 2016-17 was 15 to 20 paise per unit for domestic consumers in the higher slabs. The hike was to generate additional revenue of Rs 154.48 crore to the state exchequer. The lifeline consumers in the 0-60 units bracket had been spared of any burden. The tariff had remained unchanged for the industrial consumers.

Sources in the HPSEB confirmed that though they had sought a hike of almost 30 per cent to meet their revenue requirement, as was the case in the past, not much of hike was being expected.

As far as last years situation is concerned, the revenue required by the HPSEB is to the tune of Rs 4,966.05 crore against a total income of Rs 4,811.58 crore. The board had projected a revenue gap of Rs 1,556.70 crore and had sought a 33 per cent hike.
Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 22

Two seniormost BJP leaders Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar took a dig at the Congress today.

Dhumal said the Punjab Police had filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court saying Himachal was the source of drugs.

It is for the first time that such an allegation has been made against a peaceful state like Himachal. The drug mafia flourished during the stint of Congress government. The state government should come out clean and counter the allegation publically as well as legally, he alleged.

Dhumal said out of the 88 peons recruited by the present government in the Secretariat in the state capital, 38 were from Shimla. Only one person was from Chamba and three from Kangra district. The said recruitments illustrate bias of the Congress government against Kangra region.

On the declaration of Dharamsala as the second capital of the state, Dhumal said it was a political gimmick. Though the decision has been taken to declare Dharamsala as the second capital, no budgetary provision has been made for creating infrastructure here. Besides, no orders have been issued to shift some government offices to Dharamsala that was mandatory for giving the second capital status, he said.

Though the present state government has announced government colleges in the state, most are being run from government school buildings. This has made a mockery of higher education in the state.

Dhumal patted Kishan Kapoor, former minister and senior most BJP leader from Dharamsala, saying most development was the result of his efforts.

Shanta Kumar said it was for the first time that the Union government had started taxing the rich and passing on benefits on to the poor. The Modi government has been carrying out development at the grass-roots level in the country and people are happy, he said.

The BJP leader said the Union government wanted to give many projects to Himachal, but the state government was not submitting the proposals. The Union government had declared many national highways in the country, but the state had failed to submit their detailed project reports, Shanta Kumar said.

He said the Union government had approved the Pathankot-Mandi-Leh rail line. It would usher a new era of development for Himachal, he said.

Satpal Satti, state president of BJP, said the party leaders were going places to expose the mafia rule in Himachal. The party is eyeing 60 Assembly segments in the next elections, he said.

Kishan Kapoor said Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma had failed to keep the poll promises.

The CUHP has not come up in Dharamsala. Kapoor said in case the Congress government was serious about the second capital status for Dharamsala, they should have held the Budget session.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

India today put on Pakistan the onus for resumption of dialogue, stating that it should first commit to end the state-sponsored terrorism.

Replying to queries in the Rajya Sabha, the government said ceasefire violations by Pakistan and casualties on the Indian side of the border had come down after the surgical strikes across the LoC.

The government, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Rajya Sabha, was ready to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to normalise the situation there.

Rajnath also warded off the Oppositions attempts to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his statement at an election rally in Gonda that the Kanpur rail accident was a conspiracy from across the border. To Congress leader Digvijaya Singhs query whether the NIA was reporting to him or the Prime Minister, Rajnath asked the members to wait for the NIA investigations to get over. Modi, he insisted, had not taken any names at the rally.

On resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, the Home Minister said: Pakistan should at least make a beginning and say it is willing to talk and end terrorist activities and seek the support of any country in the world (to end terrorism).

Pakistan should take an initiative, he said on questions by CPM leader Sitaram Yechury and JD-U leader Sharad Yadav on why talks were not being held with Pakistan. The previous (UPA) government had also placed a condition for Pakistan to give a commitment to end state-sponsored terrorism, he added.

On the unrest in the Valley last year, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had even written a letter inviting all such (separatist) forces to talk to visiting delegation, but they still did not turn up.

We are ready to talk to everyone... The entire nation wants the situation to normalise in Kashmir. We are ready to cooperate with everyone and have taken all initiatives in this regard, he said.

Singh said he had visited the Kashmir valley thrice during the unrest last year. There has been no dearth of official communication, he added.

Earlier, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said: The ceasefire violations by Pakistan have come down post the surgical strikes. There were 228 ceasefire violations at the LOC in 2016 and 221 at the IB (international border). However, till February 2017, there have only been 22 ceasefire violations till now.

The civilian casualties and injuries in 2017 has been zero at the IB and LOC, whereas in 2016 there were 13 civilian casualties and 83 injured on the LOC and 8 casualties on the IB and 74 were injured.

Five BSF jawans lost their lives and 25 were injured along the international border. We claim that the incidents of ceasefire violations have reduced post surgical strikes. Ends

On benefits given to the soldiers: Singh mentioned out-of-turn promotions and honour to soldiers involved in surgical strike. We have decided that under any circumstances the family of a jawan martyred will get overall financial support of more than Rs 1 crore, he said. Athough sacrifices of jawans could not be measured in monetary terms, they got less money earlier, he said.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the South-East Asias longest road tunnel between Chenani and Nashri on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on April 2.

The 9.2 km tunnel, which is the part of the ambitious 286 km-long four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, will reduce the distance between two capital cities  Jammu and Srinagar  by around 30 km.

We have received an official communication that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on April 2. We have geared up to make all arrangements for the event, Niraj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, told The Tribune.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a public rally after inaugurating the tunnel, which has been built with an estimated cost of Rs 3,720 crore.

Work on the countrys longest tunnel was started on May 23, 2011, and its expected date of completion was May 2016 but got delayed due to technical reasons. The two-lane tunnel, connecting Chenani in Udhampur with Nashri in Ramban district, would also reduce the existing road distance between the two points on the highway from 41 km to just 10.89 km.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has also constructed a parallel escape tunnel (6-m diameter) along with the main tunnel for evacuation of commuters in case of eventuality.

The executing agency conducted the successful trial run on the project last week and it has now been closed till formal inauguration.

The tunnel will be first in India equipped with world-class Integrated Tunnel Control System, through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication, electrical systems tolling, etc., will be automatically actuated. It will save fuel to the tune of Rs 27 lakh per day between Chenani and Nashri.

It will provide safe and all-weather route that will help save almost two hours travelling time on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22

The wait is finally over for all-weather road connectivity to the Kashmir Valley as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the state on April 2 to inaugurate Southeast Asias longest road tunnel between Chenani and Nashri on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

The 9.2-km tunnel, part of the ambitious 286-km-long four-laning project of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, will reduce the distance between the two capital cities  Jammu and Srinagar  by around 30 km and save the journey time by two hours.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the nodal agency for the project, completed the successful trial run of the tunnel between March 9 and March 14. The tunnel has been closed to traffic till its inauguration.

We have received an official communication that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on April 2. We have geared up to make all arrangements for the event, said Niraj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.

The work on the tunnel was started on May 23, 2011. Its expected date of completion was May 2016 but work got delayed due to technical rea-sons and unavoidable circumstances.

The two-lane tunnel, connecting Chenani in Udhampur district with Nashri in Ramban district, will reduce the existing road distance between the two points on the highway from 41 km to 10.89 km.

Built at a whopping cost of Rs 3,720 crore, the tunnel will be the first in the country to be equipped with world-class integrated tunnel control system through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication and electronic tolling system will be automatically actuated.

It will save fuel to the tune of Rs 27 lakh per day between Chenani and Nashri and will cost a light motor vehicle Rs 55 for one-way journey and Rs 85 for the two-way journey. For a months travel, the motorists will have to shell out Rs 1,870.

The tunnel has been illuminated with around 4,000 lights. About 600 bulbs of 150 Watt are installed in the escape tunnels while 1,200 lamps illuminate footpaths on both sides. Besides, 120 traffic signals have been installed for the lighting purpose, official sources said, adding that at least 124 CCTV cameras have been installed at equal intervals of 75 m to keep round-the-clock surveillance on the movement of vehicles inside the tunnel. The maximum speed limit to be followed in the tunnel is 50kmph. The mobile network of telecom operators, including Airtel, Idea and BSNL, and 92.7 FM facility is also functional inside the tunnel.

Official sources said the Prime Minister was also scheduled to address a public rally after inaugurating the tunnel. The Prime Minister will reach Udhampur from Allahabad at 2.30 pm and then fly to Chenani, where he will inaugurate the tunnel at 3 pm. After the inauguration, he will address a public rally. He will return to New Delhi by 4.30 pm, they said.

The NHAI has also constructed a parallel escape tunnel (6 m in diameter) along with the main tunnel for evacuation of commuters in case of any eventuality.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22

Even as the J&K State Cable Car Corporation (JKSCCC) cancelled its controversial tender notice after the uproar over renaming of the historic Bahu Fort, the state government is yet to clarify its position on the change in nomenclature of the fort to Shahabad Station.

The issue, however, continued to draw political and public outrage with various groups accusing the BJP of being hand-in-glove with its ruling ally, PDP, for establishing a sectarian homogeneity in the entire state.

Following protests and uproar on Tuesday, the JKSCCC issued an order cancelling its notice inviting tenders till further notification.

The state government and the Tourism Department, which is the nodal agency for executing the cable car project, preferred to maintain silence on the issue and is yet to clarify its position.

The Corporation, in a notice issued on March 17, had invited tenders for the construction of a wall. It had named the Bahu Fort area as Shahabad Station of cable project in the notice.

Harsh Dev Singh, chairman of the Panthers Party, said It is highly reprehensible and unacceptable that J&K Tourism Department has despicably changed the nomenclature of the cable car project.

The subsequent withdrawal of the tender notification yesterday will not suffice until and unless the project is restored to its original name. The clandestine change of the nomenclature of Jammus cable car project has not only endorsed the communal ideology of the secessionists but also desecrated the holy shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Mahakali after whom the ropeway had been named, Singh said.

Lalit Sharma, Director of the UK-based Voice of Dogras Organisation, in his message to The Tribune, said Jammu, the refugee capital of the state, needs to protect its cultural identity. The earliest historical link recorded to the Bahu Fort is that of Raja Jambu Lochan of the Jammu dynasty. The fort is also home to Jammus presiding deity, Bawe Wali Mata. Jammu needs to stand in solidarity against this change of name from Bahu Fort to Shahabad Station. Bahu Fort it is, Bahu Fort it will be!

Hari Om, a Jammu-based analyst, said By renaming our ancient Bahu Fort, the PDP-BJP government has not only outraged the religious sensitivities of the Hindus across India, but has also taken yet another step towards Islamisation of Hindu-majority Jammu. The BJP has been betraying Jammus historic mandate and humiliating Hindus by becoming a party to acts being committed by Mehbooba Mufti to convert Jammu into Kashmir.

Activists of the Dogra Front, led by its president Ashok Gupta, staged a protest against the alleged objectionable name given to cable car project and raised slogans against the state government.

This is really a matter of great concern that the cable project has been named after a street. This move is nothing but a provocative attempt to hurt the religious sentiments of Jammuites, Gupta said.

When contacted, Shamim Ahmed, Managing Director of JKSCCC, said We have cancelled the tender notice and I dont want to go into political issues. We are committed to the commissioning of Jammu ropeway project by March 2018. It is Bahu Fort ropeway project.
Turnbull, who will welcome Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at parliament in Canberra later in the day, said the London attack reinforced the imminent threat faced by Australia.

By Reuters: Australia will increase security around the country's parliament on Thursday in the wake of a deadly attack in London, the country's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.

Four people were killed and at least 20 injured in London on Wednesday after a car ploughed into pedestrians and an attacker stabbed a policeman close to the British parliament in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack".

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Turnbull, who will welcome Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at parliament in Canberra later in the day, said the London attack reinforced the imminent threat faced by Australia.

"We work very, very closely with our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States and many other partners around the world," Turnbull told reporters. "But we must be clear-eyed about the risk. It is real and that is why terror threat level is set at probable."

Australia, a staunch US ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since 2014 and authorities have said they have thwarted a number of plots. There have been several "lone wolf" assaults, including a 2014 cafe siege in Sydney that left two hostages and the gunman dead.

--- ENDS ---
Srinagar, March 22

Separatist leader Nayeem Khan was on Wednesday detained at Srinagar airport when he was on his way to New Delhi.

Khan was detained by a police team at the airport when he was on his way to board a flight to New Delhi, a police official said.

The separatist leader was taken to Police Station Saddar from where he is likely shifted to his residence and placed under house arrest, he said.

Khan was on his way to New Delhi apparently to take part in Pakistan Day celebrations at Pakistan High Commission tomorrow.

Other separatist leaders, who have participated in the Pakistan Day celebrations in the past, are currently under detention inside their homes or in jail.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmad Shah are among the top leaders put under house arrest while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik is currently lodged at Central Jail Srinagar. PTI
Yash Goyal

Jaipur, March 22

A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday awarded life imprisonment to Ajmer Dargah bomb blast case convicts Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel.

NIA Special Judge Dinesh Kumar Gupta pronounced the judgment in the case in the presence of both the convicts. A cash fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed on Devendra and Rs 10,000 on Bhavesh.

Gupta and Patel were convicted under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy and under Sections of the Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The special NIA court earlier on March 8 convicted three people in the Ajmer blast case, while acquitting seven others, including RSS worker Swami Aseemanand, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

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On October 11, 2007, a powerful bomb had gone off on the premises of the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty in Rajasthan during iftar at around 6.12 pm, killing three people and injuring 17 others.
Ananya Panda

Tribune news Service

New Delhi, March 22

Expressing solidarity with their counterparts in Maharashtra government hospitals and supporting demand of adequate security for doctors, resident doctors of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) wore helmets while working in the emergency on Wednesday.

Condemning the Maharashtra governments ultimatum asking doctors to report back to work or face six-month pay cut, AIIMS Resident Doctors Association president Dr Vijay Gurjar said, The government instead of providing security to resident doctors at their workplace is threatening to deduct salary and throw them out of hostels. We are forced to work wearing helmets as we don't want lose our vision and life as well as our hard-earned degrees.

It is very unfortunate that the Bombay High Court instead of directing the government to provide security to doctors has asked it to terminate their services. We support our colleagues in Maharashtra, Dr Gurjar said.

Such apathy of the government and insecurity will discourage young people from choosing medical profession, he said.

On Sunday night, resident doctors at many places across Maharashtra proceeded on mass leave demanding proper security arrangements in view of the recent spate of attacks on resident doctors by attendants.

The agitation was triggered by an assault of a resident doctor by the relatives of a patient who died at Sion Hospital the previous day.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

Marking another blow to the Congress, its veteran and former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna today formally joined the BJP at its headquarters here. Krishna, who had left the grand old party in January, joined the saffron outfit in presence of party chief Amit Shah.

Though Krishna, 84, does not fit in the BJPs age-limit rule of 75 years for ministers and chief ministers, the community he comes from  Vokkaliga  makes him an asset for the BJP trying to regain control of the state that is currently under the Congress rule.

BJPs former Chief Minister of the state BS Yeddyurappa is from the powerful Lingayat community. Having a leader of the stature of Krishna also by its side, the BJP may now be able to also cover another key caste constituency in the state.

In any case, while welcoming him into the party, Shah assured Krishna his seniority would be duly respected in the party, making many sceptics remark about treatment meted out to party seniors now relegated to the margdarshak mandal.

Krishna, who announced his resignation from Congress on January 29, because of the state of confusion, was all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah and their leadership.

They have taken the country to great heights. I am grateful today that I am joining the party which was led by the great leaders. I see great India emerging under the leadership of Modi and ably supported by Shah, he said.

I am deeply humbled that I am joining a political set-up which has given a great glory to the country. I would like to rededicate myself to the cause of the nation under the banner of the BJP, he said.

A trusted aide of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Krishna returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

India and Russia are having a disagreement over the joint production of Kamov-226T light-utility helicopter that was announced as the first major Make in India project some five months ago.

The two long-standing military allies are facing hurdles as Russia is yet to give approval for the project. Top sources told The Tribune that pricing of the copter and related technology transfer through a private Indian partner were the two stumbling blocks.

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New Delhi is not satisfied with the price being asked by the Russian side, sources said. The terms of having a private partner were part of the inter-government agreement inked in October 2016 during the Narendra Modi-Vladimir Putin meeting in Goa. It was first announced in December 2015 that Kamov-226T will be copter of choice.

The Russians have public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the Indian partner, but the Ministry of Defence is looking to have private sector Indian investors to share a part of the contract that India has to execute under a joint venture with Moscow.

The Indian side will hold 50.5 per cent stake in the joint venture, of which the private sector companies will be strategic partners with HAL. The private partners could be doing various tasks of making the copter at HALs Bangalore facility. The HAL will remain the lead integrator of the copter, sources said.

The HAL is owned by the Ministry of Defence and has previous experience of making copters. The Indian forces need some 800 light utility helicopters over the next decade, a demand which cannot be fulfilled by the HAL alone. The Indo-Russia joint venture aims to have an annual production capacity of 40-60 helicopters. Under the India-Russia agreement, the Kamov engine will involve a separate partnership. Kamov uses French engine-maker Turbomecas power plant. The HAL already has a partnership with the same French company to produce engines for its indigenously developed copter, the advanced light helicopter, called Dhruv. The Kamov 226T is also fitted with Turbomeca engines, but a different variant.

The twin-engine Kamov 226T will replace the single-engine Cheetah/Chetak, usually deployed for surveillance, dropping small loads and for rescue, including of troops posted at forbidding heights such as the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region.

The three services and the Coast Guard currently have 430 Cheetah/Chetaks helicopters. They are based on the 1950s designed Alouette Aerospatiale 315B Lama of France.
Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Center, secretary-generals of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, the Election Commission and the Attorney-General on a PIL challenging generous pension and allowances given to former legislators.

A Bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar decided to examine the issues raised in a PIL filed by Lok Praharian NGOwhich wanted the top court to scrap pension and allowances, including lifetime free railway travel, given to former lawmakers.

The petitioner moved the top court after the Allahabad High Court rejected its petition.

The court issued notices to the respondents after petitioners counsel Kamini Jaiswal pointed out that there were no guidelines for pension and allowances given to former MPs and MLAs.

Government employees had to contribute to the pension fund for availing the post-retirement benefits while former lawmakers pension was paid from the consolidated fund of India, i.e., taxpayers money, Jaiswal argued.

Before issuing notice on the PIL, the Bench said: We have seen an era when MPs after being in public life for long have died as paupers. However, it noted that facilities and allowances must be reasonable and not arbitrary.

Politics has become the most lucrative profession even for the scum of the society, Lok Praharinotices General Secretary and a former bureaucrat SN Shukla had told the Bench on Tuesday.

Questioning the law made by Parliament permitting former lawmakers giving generous allowances, the petitioner NGO alleged that the pension and perks for them should be withdrawn.

While the governors do not have the facility of pension at all, an MP even for a day and his spouse get pension for life. While even serving judges of the Supreme Court and high courts do not have the facility of free air/train travel for their spouses even on official tours, ex-MPs enjoy unlimited free train travel for life in AC-II with a companion 365 days a year, the petitioner alleged.

An ex-MP becomes an unwarranted burden on the citizens, the NGO said, adding, it was not their birthright to fleece the public they no longer represented.
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

Under pressure to honour the loan-waiver promise made to the farmers of Uttar Pradesh before the Assembly elections there, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre Government is bracing up to open a Pandoras box as similar demands have started pouring in from other states, too. The government has asked NITI Aayog to make an overall assessment of the funds required and come out with a detailed implementation plan.

Noting that the Centre has apparently realised that it is not only the farmers in UP, but the peasants across the country might be requiring assistance in some form, sources in the government said NITI Aayog had been asked to firm up a plan in that regard.

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Politically also, the ruling BJP, which has already set on to the path of winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections hands down, is looking at the issue to turn the emerging challenge for the government into an opportunity by capitalising doles electorally.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently led a delegation to Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley and his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh, in the states bid to press for the farmers loan-waiver demand. In a few months, the demand for an across-the-country scheme for loan waiver will gain momentum. Some ministers are also of the view that farmers were hit badly during 2014-16 due to hailstorms, below-normal and unseasonal rains. Therefore, a loan waiver for farmers across the country is not completely unreasonable, said a senior official in NITI Aayog.

There is also a realisation within the government that a robust impetus to economy could only come from rural areas. The golden phase of Indian economy was witnessed between 1998 and 2008. That period saw a massive splurge in rural areas for the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and construction of roads, the official went on to add.

In the past, over Rs 60,000 crore was spent by the Manmohan Singh government under the farm loan-waiver scheme.
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 22

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officers to ban paan, gutka and other tobacco products in all government offices in the state.

The 44-year -old chief minister directed Uttar Pradesh government officials to stop chewing paan, paan masala etc when in office, after seeing betel-juice stained walls during his first visit to the secretariat annexe building here.

"The chief minister visited all the floors of the annexe building and met officials posted there. After detecting betel stains on walls, he asked employees not to consume paan or paan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness," Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accompanied Yogi, said.

Adityanath also asked the staff to make the atmosphere in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use plastic, Maurya told reporters.

The annexe, known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan, houses the chief minister's office and his secretariat, offices of the state chief secretary, principal secretary (home) and other senior IAS officers. With PTI inputs
Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 21

In a step towards gender equality in religious matters, women acted as priests and conducted the Anand Karaj to solemnise the marriage of two Namdhari couples. The ceremony in Sirsa was performed in the presence of Thakur Dalip Singh, the elder brother of Namdhari sect head Satguru Uday Singh.

Arvinder Singh of the Namdhari Panthak Ekta said Amritsars Daljit Singh tied the nuptial knot with Amandeep Kaur of Ajnala and Madhya Pradeshs Dharam Singh with Hardeep Kaur, also from MP.

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Dr Balwinder Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana, praising the initiative, said it would redefine the role of women in society, although there is no restriction on women conducting the Anand Karaj ceremony.

The wedding rituals of the Namdharis are akin to that of the Hindus. The couple, attired in all white, circumambulate around the sacred fire (havan) four times amid recitation of hymns from the Adi Granth. Thakur Dalip Singh, addressing his followers after the wedding ceremony, called it a historical and revolutionary step towards women empowerment, while urging the gathering to eliminate differences owing to caste and to opt for inter-caste marriages.

Members of our sect are strictly forbidden from hosting a reception party and accepting gifts from relatives and friends. There is no dowry. The bride does not take anything with her to the in-laws house. We solemnise marriages en masse, at a cost equivalent to Re 1.20,  explained Arvinder Singh, who runs the Namdharis religious awareness programme in Punjab.
New Delhi, March 22

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will hold a series of meetings with the governments top brass here on Wednesday.

Capt Amarinder, who is on his first visit to the National Capital after taking over as the Chief Minister, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Parliament House office in the afternoon and President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening.

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He will also meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence in the afternoon.

Though these meetings are stated to be courtesy calls, he is likely to seek help and cooperation of the Central government in grant of more funds to Punjab to initiate further development in the state.

During his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, he is also likely to put forth some of the demands of the state.  PTI
Swamy told India Today that having both temple and mosque within the same premises will be an emotional and not a practical proposition, since such an arrangement would not be conducive to the law and order situation.

By Atir Khan: Reacting to India Today's initiative of discussion with stake holders on finding an amicable solution to Ayodhya issue, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday said if Muslims are willing to shift within the disputed premises then it would be wiser for them to make a mosque outside the premises.

Swamy told India Today that having both temple and mosque within the same premises will be an emotional and not a practical proposition, since such an arrangement would not be conducive to the law and order situation. He said in the past there have been efforts by terrorists to disturb the temple site and given the world wide terrorism scenario, it would not be advisable to have both the structures within the same premises.

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The BJP leader was reacting to India Today Group's initiative of discussion with Mahant Gyan Dass of Hanuman Garhi, Mahant Ram Dass of Nimrohi Akhada and Mohd Iqbal Ansari, who represented Babri Masjid. All three stake holders arrived at consensus for an amicable solution to the disputed site. But with the following three preconditions:

1. Both parties want temple and mosque made in same campus of 7 acre

2. Both parties demand Centre's representative to take this dialogue forward

3. All parties want that before sending representative, they should be contacted and spoken to separately

4. Hardliners like Subramaniam Swamy and Haji Yaqoob should be kept away from the dialogue

When asked to react on the deliberations, Swamy said, "These parties should have earlier given their representations in Allahabad High Court. And this is just one proposal and if they are keen to pursue it, then they should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court and let the court decide whether it is feasible or not."

According to Swamy, there should be wider consultations which should include Shankaracharyas and Ulemas, which have also come up with solutions in the past. He added, "Centre's representation is already there in the issue and it should best be left to courts on who should or should not be involved in the consultations."

On the precondition of his exclusion in the deliberations, he said that he has no objection but his petition is based on more fundamental issue of his right to worship at birthplace of Ram. He said that the stakeholders are perhaps fearful that due to his legal knowledge, he would run away with the property.

Also read: Ayodhya dispute: Division not possible, Muslims should relinquish claim in good faith, say Hindu hardliners

Also read: Ayodhya dispute: 6 questions on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute answered here

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 21

The Punjab Government today made eight political appointments in the Chief Ministers office (CMO) that will cost the state exchequer lakhs of rupees every month. At its maiden meeting on Saturday, the Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Capt Amarinder Singh, had decided on several austerity measures.

Capt Amarinder has reposed faith in his old team, with one addition. His confidant Lt Gen Tajinder Singh Shergill (retd), a former PPSC chairman, becomes Senior Adviser in the rank of Cabinet Minister. Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, a former media adviser and long-time associate of Captain, has been appointed Adviser in the rank of Minister of State (MoS). He was arrested after the Congress lost to the SAD-BJP alliance in 2007.

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Raveen Thukral, a senior journalist who steered Capt Amarinders media campaign in the recent Assembly elections, is Media Adviser in the rank of Minister of State. He formally takes charge tomorrow. Former journalist Vimal Sumbly, who has been with Capt Amarinder for the past nine years, is Secretary (Press).

Capt Sandeep Sandhu, a general secretary in the PPCC, Major Amardeep Singh and Karanpal Singh Sekhon, who worked as OSDs to Amarinder Singh prior to his becoming CM, are now Political Secretaries.

Former IGP Khubi Ram has been appointed Security Adviser in the rank of ADGP in terms of status, pay, perks and privileges. Khubi Ram, a 1984-batch CRPF officer, joined the Punjab Police on deputation in 1991. He was among the top officers to have led the anti-terrorist operations in the state under KPS Gill, then DGP. He was SP (Security) during Capt Amarinder Singhs term as CM in 2002-2007.

He was among the first non-IPS officers to have been promoted as DIG, Punjab. In all, 11 CRPF and BSF officers were absorbed in the Punjab Police under the Absorption of Paramilitary Officers in Punjab Police Rules, 2006. The Punjab Police had withdrawn security to Khubi Ram in September 2015 after he was reportedly seen at Capt Amarinder Singhs functions.
Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Sangrur, March 22

Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said that nobody should have any issue if he was working elsewhere as long as it was not improper and didn't involve illegal means.

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Speaking to a TV channel, he said: Should I run bus service like Sukhbir? Or indulge in corruption.

He said that if he was working four days in a month from 7pm to 6 am, without affecting his responsibility as a minister, why anybody should be bothered?

If I work four days a month 7pm to 6am why are people getting stomachache?" said Sidhu, who has been working on a popular comedy show on TV.

Meanwhile, Aam Admi Party Sangrur MP and former comedian Bhagwant Mann said that Navjot Sidhu must quit the comedy show as he did, after becoming the MP.

Mann said: Even after having many other sources of income, Sidhu is unwilling to quit the show, while I quit it soon after becoming the MP and had no other proper source of income.

Navjot Sidhu is not a government employee to work from 9 am to 5 pm. He is a minister and must work round the clock for the welfare of people, added Mann.

With ANI input
Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 22

To plug loopholes in the private education system of the state, the Cabinet has decided to set up separate regulatory authorities for private schools, colleges and universities.

It has asked the Education Department to submit a draft legislation in the next meeting.

The Vidhan Sabha, during the SAD-BJP government, has already cleared a Bill on regulating education in private schools. Even the Governor has given his assent to a Bill on regulating private schools. The regulation process, however, got stuck in the elections, said former Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema.

No one can deny that several private institutions charge hefty fees and provide poor quality of education. At the same time, private education in the hands of the SGPC, DAV and Sanatan Dharam remain the best. There is need to regulate the system to bring in uniformity, he added.

Besides a Bill on private schools, the state government is planning to introduce a separate Bill to regulate education in private colleges and universities, where the major complaint is lack of uniformity in standards of education.

Students in several colleges complain about poor quality of teaching, while teachers complain about lower emoluments. A college professor flagged another matter. Several institutes make tall claims about job placements in advertisements. This needs to be verified, he said.

Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Sandhu said, Higher education needs autonomy for designing the course content in accordance with the requirements of the times. If the government can introduce regulations that can get students more jobs and frame syllabus that matches the requirements of the industry, we will never object. The government needs to involve us in the decision-making process.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 22

Uttarakhand BJP president Ajay Bhatt on Wednesday said that the government would decide on the issue of making Gairsain the summer capital in a year.

Bhatt, while speaking with mediapersons here today, said, We have made a commitment on Gairsain even in our vision document released during the Assembly elections. We hope to achieve some sort of headway on Gairsain in a year, he said.

On the issue of holding the budget session in Gairsain, Bhatt said the issue was not important. Our focus is on giving a transparent and corruption free government, which can be achieved even while functioning from the district headquarters. The place is not important. It is the ability to bring a change in governance and imposing disciplined work culture, he added.

On the issue of creation of new districts, Bhatt said the previous BJP government under Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had issued a government order in this regard.  We need to revive that government order that the Congress government had cancelled, he added.

Cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, who performed a havan at his office in the Vidhan Sabha, reiterated the government commitment on making Gairsain the summer capital of Uttarakhand. We have to build the necessary infrastructure, he said.

He emphaised the need to promote Uttarakhand as a winter destination for foreign tourists.
Washington/London, March 22

After United States, UK also imposed restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from certain airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

The US Department of Homeland Security said passengers traveling from a specific list of airports could not bring into the main cabin devices larger than a mobile phone such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Instead, such items must be in checked baggage.

Although civil liberties groups raised concerns that US President Donald Trump was seeking another limit on movement after a travel ban from Muslim-majority countries was challenged in the courts, Britain took similar steps.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said there would be curbs on electronic items in the cabin on flights from six countries in the Middle East. The foreign office said the measures would be implemented by March 25.

The moves were prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets.

The ban would continue for the "foreseeable future," a US government official said on Tuesday, adding that it was possible it could be extended to other airports and other countries.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer declined to talk about the intelligence that prompted the new steps or explain why some countries were left off the list.

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said he "spoke to the intelligence community over the weekend, and this is a real threat."

US officials say militant groups are known for innovative bomb designs, including embedding them inside computers.

Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also has boasted of one of the world's most feared bomb makers, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri.

French and Canadian officials said they were examining their arrangements but neither government was taking additional security measures at this stage.

The airports covered by the U.S. restrictions are in Cairo; Istanbul; Kuwait City; Doha, Qatar; Casablanca, Morocco; Amman, Jordan; Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates.

The affected airports are served by nine airlines that fly directly from those cities to the United States about 50 times a day, senior government officials said.

The carriers Royal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways have until Friday to adopt the new policy, which took effect on Tuesday.

No US airlines are on the list because there are no direct flights on them between the United States and the cited airports, officials said.

Britain said its restrictions would apply to direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The British regulations affect British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson , Atlas-Global, Pegasus, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Turkish Airlines and Tunisair.

IAG-owned British Airways advised customers departing from affected airports to arrive in good time at check-in.

Shares in IAG turned lower after the UK announcement, with easyJet also ending the day in negative territory. Reuters
Ashis Ray

Tribune News Service

London, March 22

Four persons, including the attacker and a police officer, were killed in Wednesdays terrorism incident at the British Parliament, the police said. Four persons have died. That includes the police officer who was protecting Parliament and one man we believe to be the attacker, who was shot by a police firearms officer, Britains top counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley told mediapersons. At least one woman was reported to have died while several are said to have sustained catastrophic injuries.

The attack comes on the first anniversary of the Belgian terror attacks. The worst terrorist attack in London occurred in July 2005 when four British Islamists killed 52 commuters.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A man in his 40s is believed to have carried out todays attack in the heart of central London. A section of the British media described him as an Asian. Driving a Hyundai i40, he ploughed through a crowd, injuring at least 20 pedestrians, and crashed the car into railings. He is then believed to have run through the gates of the Palace of Westminster  Britains Houses of Parliament  stabbing a police officer.

An eyewitness said: I saw a man running with a very large kitchen knife. He was running really fast and went straight past the guards at the gate. I saw him stab a police officer two or three times. His colleague intervened and the officer managed to stagger away. I then heard two shots and the man went down. Other witnesses reported one body on Westminster Bridge, right next to the Parliament building. Witnesses heard up to a dozen gunshots.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being bundled into her official car, a Tata Motors built bullet-proof Jaguar. She was reported to be safe. Minutes after the incident, an emergency helicopter landed in Parliament Square as sirens of ambulances and police cars rang out. The London Police said a full counter-terrorism investigation is underway into the attempt to penetrate the Palace of Westminster  that houses the House of Commons and Lords and the iconic Big Ben.

Buildings in an around Parliament Square, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed in 2015, were on lockdown, including the Supreme Court and Westminster Abbey.

The House of Commons suspended its session as loud explosive sounds were heard inside the building. TV pictures showed several persons lying wounded on Westminster Bridge, some bleeding heavily. Another was reported to be under a bus.

Londons Police Headquarters, Scotland Yard, said: Officers remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident, until we know otherwise. Amid confusing scenes, it appeared the incident may have unfolded at several locations.
Peshawar, March 22

Five Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed on Wednesday during clashes with the security forces that also left a Major and a soldier dead in Pakistans restive northwestern tribal region.

The clashes took place in Utmankhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency during an intelligence-based operation by security forces, the army said in a statement.

Five Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, including commander Shah Dauran, were killed by the security forces.

During clashes, Major Mudassir and Sepoy Matiullah were killed.

The security forces arrested several terrorists from the area when a search operation was conduction after cordon-off.

Heavy arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of terrorists.

Orakzai is one of Pakistans seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

Pakistan last month launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to clean the country of remnants of militants after dismantling their hideouts in remote tribal region.  PTI
Islamabad, March 22

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said former dictator Pervez Musharraf had offered him a secret deal to return to the country from exile in Saudi Arabia to form a joint government in 2008.

At a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentary committee yesterday, Sharif said, Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007, according to a report in Dawn.

Musharraf offered me the deal directly, but I turned it down, he said.

Sharif said Gen Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past. But I declined. The revelation about the goings-on in Pakistans polity in 2007 has come for the first time from Sharif, who at the time was living in Saudi Arabia after his government was toppled by General Musharraf in a coup in 1999.

Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

We left the country in a miserable condition and were not allowed to return for a long time, Sharif said, and made it clear he would do the same to Musharraf, who left last year for Dubai ostensibly for medical treatment.  PTI

It was other way around: Generals ex-aide
Seoul, March 22

The US military detected a failed North Korean missile launch attempt, with a missile exploding within seconds of its launch, a US military spokesman said.

South Korea said the apparent North Korean test launch on Wednesday morning did not go off normally. But the US military statement shed more light on the latest in a series of missile tests by the isolated, nuclear armed state that have raised alarm across the region.

US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma, Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an air field on North Koreas east coast.

A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch, Benham said, adding that work was being carried out on a more detailed assessment.

The South Korean defence ministry said it was also conducting analysis for further details.

South Koreas Yonhap news agency said the missile may have exploded as it was launched, before reaching an altitude at which it could be detected by South Korean radar.

The launch comes as the US envoy for North Korea nuclear programme, Joseph Yun, met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss a response to the Norths weapons programmes.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year in defiance of UN resolutions. It is believed to be working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

Earlier on Wednesday, Japans Kyodo news agency reported North Korea may have launched several missiles from an area on its east coast, citing a Japanese government source.

The launch may have failed, Kyodo said, adding that the type of missile involved was not known.

Last year, North Korea launched several intermediate-range missiles from the same area but only one of the tests was successful.

Last week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Japan, South Korea and China and how to handle North Korea was a major issue in his talks.

Tillerson said all options, including a military one, were on the table if North Korea threatened South Korean or US forces.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he was acting very, very badly.

North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 6 and this week conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened a new birth of its rocket industry.

A senior US official in Washington told Reuters on Monday that the Trump administration was considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Koreas nuclear and missile threat.

Undaunted by the possibility of even tougher sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system, a North Korean diplomat said his government would pursue an acceleration of its nuclear and missile programmes.

This includes developing a pre-emptive first strike capability and an inter-continental ballistic missile, said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the DPRK (North Korean) mission to the United Nations in Geneva.  Reuters
Fort Meade, Md., March 22

The US government should have publicised the existence of a programme that vacuumed up in bulk Americans telephone call data before its existence was leaked by former contractor Edward Snowden, the National Security Agencys Deputy Director said on Tuesday.

Richard Ledgett, who is retiring next month, said in an interview with Reuters that disclosing the secret programme would have been difficult. But, he said, doing so might have mitigated the damage done by Snowden.

Thats one where I might have to say, yes, Ledgett said in his office at NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland. Thats one where maybe it would have been less shocking when Snowden did what he did.

Ledgetts comments, which echo the sentiments of some former top US officials, come as the US intelligence community is stepping up efforts to convince Congress to reauthorise other controversial surveillance programmes.

Those programs allow intelligence agencies to collect vast amounts of digital communications from foreigners living overseas, but incidentally scoops up the communications of an unknown number of Americans.

The programs, authorized by Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, expire on December 31 unless Congress takes action.

Ledgett said that the NSA, whose mission is to intercept adversaries communications while protecting sensitive US government networks, had learned from the Snowden experience.

Were being very open about the (Section 702) programme, and will be, he said.

Privacy advocates have repeatedly demanded that the government share an estimate of how many Americans are ensnared by programs authorized under Section 702.

Intelligence officials have declined to do so. But Ledgett, in remarks earlier Tuesday at a forum sponsored by the Aspen Institute, said yes when asked if an estimate would be provided before year end.

Snowdens revelation of the bulk telephone data program - which captured information about calls such as the numbers and time stamp, but not their actual content - prompted congressional hearings and court battles.

In 2015, Congress passed a law replacing it with a more limited system while installing new transparency measures over US surveillance activity.

US officials argued that the program was lawful, and aimed at finding violent militants or other adversaries in communication with allies inside the United States.

In the 50-minute interview at the NSAs large campus outside Washington, Ledgett expressed concern about the vulnerability of US critical infrastructure to cyber attack by another nation.

All of the major cyber threat actors that we worry about have efforts in place, have that capability, he said.

Can you take out a traffic system? Absolutely. Can you take out comm(unication)s systems? Absolutely. Can you take out gas and oil distribution, and energy distribution systems?

Absolutely you can. ... Were more vulnerable than most. He also gave a small insight into the secret cyber battles playing out globally, around-the-clock.

In late 2015, he said, an unclassified US government computer network was penetrated by another nation, and the NSA was called in to help.

In the past, when an adversary realized they had been discovered, they would withdraw. Like a turtle, touch them and they pull in their shell, Ledgett said.

What happened here was, they fought back. So it kind of became a hand-to-hand combat thing, he said. Wed remove their malware. They would deploy new malware, even though they knew we were in the system. They were just trying to get around us. He declined to name the attacker or the computer system involved.  Reuters
The Babri Masjid demolition is not the first case which has dragged for years in the courts. Many other cases are awaiting closure for years.

The Babri Masjid was demolished by kar sevaks in 1992.

By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today ruled that L K Advani and other senior BJP leaders will be tried for criminal conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Besides L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union minister Uma Bharti too will face conspiracy charges in the case which pertains to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the disputed Ram janmabhoomi in Ayodhya in 1992.

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Nearly 25 years since kar sevaks demolished the 16th century mosque and the resulting violence killed 2,000 people, the case is finally witnessing some progress.

However, the Babri demolition is not the first case which has dragged for years in the courts. Many other cases are awaiting closure for years.

FIVE CASES THAT ARE PENDING FOR YEARS:

#Sovabazar family land case, 1833: It is perhaps the coutry's longest-running case where nearly 200 descendants of 'Raja' Rajkrishna Deb are fighting over his property. The property at stake includes thousands of acres of land and seven mansions.

#Doshipura case, 1878: Shias and Sunnis have been fighting over two acres of land in Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency. The 139-year-old case is yet to get a closure.

#PIL on water pollution, 1992: It is the oldest-existing PIL filed by Sureshwar D Sinha on river and sea pollution linked to industries, domestic sources and sewage.

#Vinod Kumar abduction case, 1994: The criminal case against former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in the disappearance of Ludhiana-based businessman Vinod Kumar and two others is pending at the Tis Hazari courts in Delhi.

#Suryanelli rape case, 1996: A 16-year-old girl from Suryanelli, Kerala, was allegedly raped 67 times by 47 people during a period of 40 days. Among the accused is Congress leader P J Kurien. Status: Pending Supreme Court appeal.

Prime accused in the Suryanelli rape case: Dharamrajan.

ALSO READ:

Timeline of Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute: Mapping three-decade history of Ayodhya case

Ayodhya dispute: 6 questions on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute answered here

Suryanelli rape case: Victim gets justice after 18 years, prime accused Dharamrajan sentenced to life

FLASHBACK: Babri Masjid demolition

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Washington, March 22

Vowing to increase pressure on the Islamic State, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday said IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadis death is imminent as US-backed forces close in on jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

Nearly all of Baghdadis deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere. It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate, Tillerson promised, as he opened discussions among delegates from 68 countries gathered in Washington to discuss the anti-IS strategy in Iraq and Syria.

The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasise the word commitment, Tillerson said, adding, The success of our mission depends on a continued devotion to our stated objective of defeating this terrorist organization.

The US Secretary of State called on coalition partners to allocate more military, financial resources toward defeating the terror group. He said the United States will also work to establish interim zones of stability to allow refugees to return home.

Although it was unclear where the zones would be set up and how these would work, creating any safe havens could ratchet up US military involvement in Syria and mark a major departure from President Barack Obama's more cautious approach.

Increased US or allied air power would be required if President Donald Trump chooses to enforce no fly restrictions, and ground forces might also be needed to protect civilians in those areas.

Hard-fought victories in Iraq and Syria have swung the momentum in our coalition's favour, but we must increase the intensity of our efforts to solidify our gains in the next phase of the counter-ISIS fight, Tillerson said. Degradation of ISIS is not the end goal, we must defeat ISIS.

Wednesdays event was the first meeting of the international coalition since the election of Trump, who has pledged to make the fight against Islamic State a priority. He vowed in January to set up safe zones in Syria for refugees.

Tillerson called on coalition partners to make good on financial pledges to help secure and rebuild areas where Islamic State fighters have been pushed out. The coalition expects to raise about $2 billion for humanitarian assistance, stabilization and demining in Iraq and Syria for 2017.

Iraqi government forces, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from Islamic State last year and have liberated eastern Mosul.  Agencies

Trumps SC pick takes exception to judges criticism

"When anyone criticises the honesty or integrity or motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening and I find that demoralising theres no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge  we just have judges in this country."  Neil Gorsuch, donald trumps supreme court pick

"The courts are not helping us (over travel ban), I have to be honest with you. Its ridiculous. Somebody said I should not criticise judges. Okay, Ill criticise judges to keep criminals and terrorists the hell out of our country." Donald Trump, us president
BRUSSELS, March 22

Belgium marked the first anniversary of bomb attacks that killed 32 people with remembrance ceremonies, a new memorial and poignant reflections from those who lost partners but survived.

Many times I ask myself What if? said German Lars Waetzmann, who lost his wife Jennifer when two young Belgian Muslims blew themselves up with suitcase bombs in the departure hall of Brussels airport a year ago. The couple had been about to fly to New York.

What if we had left 10 minutes later? What if we had driven a bit slower? What if? But it happened, he said, before recounting how a stranger had laid a jacket under his head and stayed by his side.

It shows that next to horrible things that happened that day, beautiful things can happen.

Waetzmann was speaking at a ceremony where the king and queen, government ministers, airport and rescue staff listened to a roll call of the 16 victims who died at the airport.

A minute of silence was held at 7:58 am to mark the time when two young Belgian Muslims blew themselves up with suitcase bombs in the cause of Islamic State.

A bronze abstract sculpture which previously sat near the check-in desks was unveiled in a new site by the approach road to the terminal. It still bears marks from the explosions, which were carried out by individuals linked to Brussels-based militants who had killed 130 people in Paris four months earlier.

Just after 9 am, around the time a third bomber detonated his bag on a train, the king laid a wreath at Maelbeek metro station beside a commemorative wall covered in graffiti left by passers-by in the days after March 22: Tous ensemble (All together) read the most prominent message above a red heart.

A monument to all the victims was inaugurated close to the headquarters of the European Union. EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker said the attacks struck at the very heart of Europe but had failed to undermine Europeans faith in democratic freedoms.

King Philippe, who was present at all the ceremonies, addressed the families of victims: To hate and to violence, you responded with dignity.

Prime Minister Charles Michel said the Belgian state, which was criticised for failing to monitor large numbers of its citizens returning from fighting in Syria, had learned lessons and made reforms in security and intelligence.  Reuters

The face of tragedy

Indian flight attendant Nidhi Chaphekar , survivor of the Brussels twin terror attacks, sobs during a memorial ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy on Wednesday. Covered in blood and dust at the Brussels airport (right), Chaphekar became a symbol of the attacks that would sum up the horror and the tragedy that killed 32 persons and wounded 270 others. She is hopeful that she will one day be declared medically fit to return to the skies. AFP
You're about to get hit with a meteor shower of pictures featuring adorable little babies relaxing at a spa.

By India Today Web Desk: If a time machine were to be invented, wouldn't we all want to go back to being tiny, carefree babies? From sleeping like fluffy little pandas to being fed like royalty, babies lead a king-size life--before growing up to be like us, of course. These little bundles of joy are the most pampered tiny creatures and their cuteness deserves every bit of it.

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But just when you thought the babies couldn't be pampered any further, comes along a baby spa. Yes, you read that right. The brainchild of two Indian sisters, Anita Yap and Kavita Kumar, the Baby Spa in Perth, Australia is not just unique but also endearing. And needless to say, the pictures from the spa sessions are contagiously adorable. It's not a surprise that these sisters would come up with such an idea considering how we Indians, just love to love our babies a little more than the others.

The spa has been in business for 11 months, and its every parents' dream come true. Babies aged between 6 months to 6 years old come in, and are given a spa and a massage to relax their tender young muscles. The baby spa also has the facility of a baby pool, yes, a small baby pool, overflowing with cuteness. The babies take their own swim with a device called Bubby, invented to help these angels float in water. The munchkins in this paradise are put to sleep after the spa, massage and a swim, only to wake up happier and naughtier. Look at these pictures, and gush like we are:

Baby Lennon ?| Creating a safe and nurturing space for parents to bond with their baby is a significant part of the make-up of Baby Spa Perth. One of the benefits for parents is becoming better acquainted with the behavioural states and cues of your baby.?#parentchildbonding #infantdevelopment #babyspaperth #Repost @the_beardproject ??? Life would be a pretty boring place without these two A post shared by Baby Spa Perth, AUSTRALIA (@babyspaperth) on Feb 6, 2017 at 5:18pm PST

The spa sessions help the parents bond over discussing their little pieces of heart, while being a stress-buster for everyone who is a part of this delightful venture.

--- ENDS ---

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Wabco's Jon Morrison at the grand opening of the company's new facility in North Charleston, S.C. Photo: David Cullen

North Charleston, S.C.  Wabco Holdings celebrated the grand opening of its new North Charleston, S.C., plant on March 22 that allows the company to produce air disc brakes for trucks and trailers in the U.S. for the first time.

The Belgium-based component supplier said it invested $20 million in the 145,000-square-foot plant to meet increasing customer demand for its air disc brakes. Already up and running, the plant also produces air compressors and related safety systems.

But air disc brakes are clearly the main attraction. Jon Morrison, Wabco president, Americas, told HDT that the brand-new facility has "assembly capacity of up to 200,000 units to serve the truck and trailer market here."

And Jacques Esculier, chairman and CEO of Wabco Holdings, pointed out that overall air disc brake penetration is still under 20% in North America - a market condition he views as "a runway to growth."

The facility increases Wabcos manufacturing footprint by more than 60% and the company has increased employment at the North Charleston facility by around 230 individuals.

Photo: Wabco

Wabco manufactures its single-piston ADBs in Charleston to serve commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators in North America. Wabcos portfolio of ADBs is sold under the brand names Maxxus for heavy-duty trucks and Maxx 22T for trailers.

Wabco also manufactures high-performance air compressors at its North Charleston facility. Wabco and Cummins established a joint venture  fully operational in 1998  to produce single- and twin-cylinder air compressors for heavy-duty trucks, buses, and industrial equipment.

By localizing the production of air disc brakes in the region we demonstrate our commitment to advancing commercial vehicle safety and shaping the future of the transportation industry, said Esculier. Our air disc brakes pave the way to higher automation of commercial vehicles and platooning, both of which rely heavily on superior braking performance.
Roadies Rising is turning out to be one of the toughest seasons. Picture courtesy: Voot

By Indo-Asian News Service: Over 10 Roadies Rising contestants battled for survival here in Rajasthan when veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who is associated with the reality show on MTV, brought in wild card entries.

A barren crop field surrounded by coloured flags turned as a battle ground on Tuesday, after Harbhajan, known for bringing 'googlies' in the show brought back four former contestants, who had to perform a task against four present participants from gangs of Neha Dhupia, Rannvijay Singha, Prince Narula and Nikhil Chinapa.

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Known for her 'ruling team' in the show, Neha said she was 'shaken' by Harbhajan's surprise and added that tasks in Roadies can be stressful.

The gang leaders of Roadies Rising in one frame. Picture courtesy: Instagram/rannvijaysingha

"(With Roadies) I have got a chance to see places I have never seen or heard off... but unfortunately tasks can get very stressful sometimes. I am fighter no matter what and what matters for me is that I am a survivor and that's what I bring to the show and sometimes it feels like a school trip."

Talking about shooting in Alwar, Rannvijay said: "Rajasthan is the most visited state in Roadies. This season the route is properly charted because we are going to several battle grounds."

Rannvijay, who won the first season of the show, says the route for the fourteenth season has been based on history. "King Hemu, who was from here (Alwar) had won 22 battles. Gwalior, Jhansi... and where all great battles have been fought, the route has been mapped." he added the new addition to the show is Nikhil Chinapa, who previously has judged several seasons, but has now joined the show as a gang leader.

Talking about his association with the show, Nikhil said, "I was a judge for few seasons, but this is the first time I have been a part of the journey. A lot of people have been saying I have come back to Roadies actually I haven't comeback... I have walked in for the first time because this is completely a blank canvas."

Harbhajan said he wanted to connect with the youth and that's what urged him to be part of the reality show.

--- ENDS ---
Two separate incidents of assault on women were reported from Vijaynagar area of Bengaluru.

By Rohini Swamy: It seems the spate of crimes against women in Bengaluru refuses to abate, with more and more such incidents being reported from India's IT hub.

A woman was molested in Vijayanagara area of West Bengaluru by two persons who came on a motorbike on the night of March 19.

The incident took place sometime around 9.30 pm, when the woman was walking in a deserted lane of Vijaynagar, which is considered to be one of the safest zones in the city.

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The incident was caught on CCTV camera. The video went viral triggering a barrage of comments condemning the incident.

The video footage showed the men approaching her from behind and the pillion rider groping her moments later.

Following the incident the woman filed a complaint with the police. Although no arrests have been made, the police have launched a search operation to nab the accused.

In another incident, two men were seen snatching a mobile phone from a lady in the same location. This incident too came to light after it was captured on the CCTV camera.

Bengaluru Police are currently examining the video to find out if the same persons were involved in both the crimes.

Also read:

Bengaluru woman booked for putting up 'objectionable' Facebook posts about Yogi Adityanath

Bengaluru: NGT issues notice to Karnataka govt over Bellandur lake fire

Also watch:

Bengaluru horror caught on CCTV: Woman molested in Vijaynagar

--- ENDS ---
Aaron Carter, the singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years, was found dead at his home in Southern California. He was 34. Representatives for Carters family confirmed the singers death Saturday. They did not provide any immediate further comment. A sheriff's official says deputies responding to reports of a medical emergency found a person deceased at the home in Lancaster. Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, performed as an opening act for Britney Spears as well as his brothers boy band, and appeared on the familys reality series, House of Carters.
The Maharashtra Assembly suspended its 19 members - 10 from the NCP and 9 from the Congress - till December 31 for "disrespecting" the House on March 18 when they created a ruckus while Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presented the state budget.

By Kiran Tare: The Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP caught its partner in power Shiv Sena unaware when it had already made up its mind to suspend 19 MLAs on Tuesday. A confused Shiv Sena could neither justify the reason for the legislators' suspension not had it a plan to counter the BJP's move.

As proposed by Legislative Affairs Minister Girish Bapat, the Maharashtra Assembly suspended its 19 members - 10 from the NCP and 9 from the Congress - till December 31 for "disrespecting" the House on March 18 when they created a ruckus while Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presented the state budget.

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Protesting the decision, members of the Congress and NCP have announced to boycott the House's proceedings till the suspension is revoked. The Shiv Sena members remained mute spectators in the House but became vocal against the decision outside the House after party chief Uddhav Thackeray ordered them to take a stand against the BJP.

Shiv Sena deputy leader in Assembly, Vijay Awati said that the party was against the suspension of legislators but it did not appreciate their behaviour in the House. "All of them were demanding loan waiver to the farmers. We also have an opinion that the farmers' loan should be waived off. The quantum of their punishment is bigger than their guilt. We have demanded to the chief minister that their punishment period should be cut down," he said.

A BJP legislator said that the plan to suspend the errant MLAs was finalised at a meeting at Fadnavis' official residence on Monday night. "The party had asked each of us to remain present in the House to back the suspension motion," he said.

Shiv Sena's Sunil Prabhu admitted that the party was unaware of the BJP's plan. "The motion was moved in the special sitting. We did not anticipate the smart move," he said.

There is a speculation that 19 legislators were suspended to clear the possible hurdles before the government in passing the budget without any trouble in case the Shiv Sena opposes it to corner the government. After their suspension, the strength of Opposition including the Shiv Sena has reduced to 127 whereas the BJP has 133 members including its supporters.

However, a senior official with the Assembly Speaker's office made it clear that the Shiv Sena will be considered as a ruling partner unless and until it formally withdraws the government's support. "We have abolished the cut motions on budget since 2010. There is no question of going for vote on the budget. Even if the Opposition demands voting there will be a voice vote. The Speaker can always rule in favour of the government in a voice vote. It means the government is absolutely safe," the official said.

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Also read: Shiv Sena, BJP ditch each other in Zilla Parishad president polls

Also read: Maharashtra: BJP to force Shiv Sena to come on its knees by twisting its arms on financial front

--- ENDS ---
TEN is no longer the broadcast partner of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with ABC now set to screen The Gala, Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow and The Great Debate.

Wil Anderson hosts the Gala tonight for Oxfam at The Regent Theatre, with a line-up including Paul Foot (UK), Stephen K Amos (UK), Arj Barker (USA), Anne Edmonds, Mae Martin (Can), Loyiso Gola (Sth Africa), DeAnne Smith (Can/USA) Jason Byrne (UK), Rrzila Carlson (Sth Africa/NZ), plus Matt Okine, Demi Lardner, Tommy Little, Sammy J., Joel Creasy, Frank Woodley (its not clear if all will make it into the TV special).

Festival Director Susan Provan said, Each year I am heartened by the goodwill of our comedians and audience members who do not hesitate to support the amazing work of Oxfam. They demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and the development of a global community where clean water, education and a safe home is equally accessible to all citizens.

Filmed from Melbournes Regent Theatre, and hosted by Wil Anderson, the annual Gala is the biggest night on the comedy calendar, where the finest and funniest from Australia and overseas take to the stage. Artists donate their time for this super-sized special event, and through the generosity of those on stage and those in the audience and watching at home, The Gala supports the life-changing work of Oxfam worldwide.

8:30pm Sunday April 2nd on ABC.
Filming of Doc Martins penultimate series is underway in Port Isaac, Cornwall.

Martin Clunes returns as grumpy medic Dr. Martin Ellingham, for eight new episodes.

All regular members are returning, with Art Malik to guest star as John Rahmanzai, a visitor to Port Wenn, who surprises Ruth with information about someone from her past.

Martin Clunes says: Im thrilled to be back on the beautiful North Cornish coast to shoot series eight of Doc Martin. The Doc is as obstinate as ever, but he is trying his best to be a better husband and father.

No word on any more from Sigourney Weaver, however.

She wants to come back and fight me, Clunes recently told TV Tonight. But it is down to her availability.

The series is set to end with season 9 in 2018.

Caroline Catz plays Doc Martins wife and local school headmistress, Louisa Ellingham.

After having therapy to save their marriage in the last series, they face the challenge of living happily together with their baby James Henry

Returning to the series, Dame Eileen Atkins plays Doc Martins formidable Aunt Ruth, who is beginning to doubt the wisdom of going into business with Bert Large and his son Al.

Ian McNeice is back to play Bert Large, with Joe Absolom son Al. Bert is desperate to make his home distilled whisky a success, but theres a shortage of customers willing to buy. Meanwhile guests are not exactly flocking to Als bed and breakfast, and he fears he will have to close the doors for good.

Wedding bells are ringing for unlucky in love PC Joe Penhale , played by John Marquez.

He popped the question to the Docs nanny Janice Bone, played by Robyn Addison, in the last series and is looking forward to marital bliss. Will the course of true love run smoothly at last for Portwenns police officer?

Theres romance too for the doctors receptionist, Morwenna Newcross, played by Jessica Ransom. Morwenna and Al have become an item. But theres devastating news for Morwenna when her parents Jack and Tara Newcross return to Portwenn unexpectedly.

Selina Cadell returns as pharmacist Mrs Tishell, whose husband Clive, played by Malcolm Storry, is keen for her to join him on his keep fit regime.
Former deputy Liberal Party leader Peter Reith has hospitalised after having a suspected stroke.

Reith, who hosts Beattie and Reith on SKY News, reportedly has bleeding on the brain and is in a stable condition in the Epworth Hospital in Richmond.

Victorian Liberal Leader Matthew Guy said Peter Reith has been a dedicated servant of the Liberal Party for more than four decades and is one of its most beloved statesmen.

On behalf of all Victorian Liberals, I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

SKY News presenters Peter van Onselen and Kristina Keneally have also extended their best wishes on behalf of the channel.

Sky News Contributor Peter Reith is being treated in a Melbourne hospital after suffering a brain bleed. MORE: https://t.co/OMATiEkFYA pic.twitter.com/afRpjrpd43  Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 22, 2017

Source: ABC
Dr. Chris Brown is back on The Living Room this week, learning about hurling in Dublin ..as opposed to hurling after a Tucker Trial in South Africa.

Wow House with Barry Du Bois

With house and land prices in Australias capital cities making the dream of owning property less and less likely, Barry has found a fascinating alternative where less is more. The Tiny House Company are making movable tiny homes with just 18 square meters of internal floor space. Barry visits the family living in a tiny house that is built on a trailer to get all the tips on fitting everything you need in a small space.

Travel with Dr Chris Brown

Dr Chris Brown returns to The Living Room couch after hosting Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! and heads to Ireland to do a story on the secretive, unique language of the Irish. He learns a word that is so unique it cannot be translated into English  craic. To find out what it means, Chris takes to the streets of Dublin and finds craic in the strangest of places, including their traditional ball game. Will he uncover this mystery of the ages?

Food with Miguel Maestre

With so many people being time poor, there is a big resurgence on ways to pre-prepare meals to save time and money. Miguel meets up with two home cooks who have turned their love of cooking into a successful business delivering dinners to time poor families across the city. The Dinner Ladies, who started their business in a backyard shed now delivery thousands of meals a week and the key to their success is the freezer.

Quickie with James Treble

James goes tribal and transforms two pieces of dressed timber into three funky arrows. Mounted on a wall, these arrows are the perfect accessory for the entrance to a home or the ideal decoration to add to a bedroom wall. Partnered with a bit of greenery, a nice candle and some books, it creates the perfect stylish set up for any spare space around the house.

7:30pm Friday on TEN.
By Press Trust of India: Health

Chandigarh, Mar 22 (PTI) British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott today assured full support to the Haryana government for setting up the proposed Indo-UK Institute of Health in the state.

The institute will be built at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore on over 50 acres of land and a team from the United Kingdom (UK) has already visited several places to identify a suitable site for the project, an official release said here.

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Lelliott was accompanied by Andrew Ayre, who will be taking over the post from him, it said.

Ayre said he was impressed with what he had seen so far in the state and evinced keen interest in exploring possibilities for cooperation with Haryana.

The release said Lelliott has completed his four-year term and would now move to Sudan as the Deputy Head of Mission, later this month.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar congratulated Lelliott on his new assignment and said India and Haryana enjoy a strong bond with the United Kingdom.

As sugarcane is grown in abundance in Haryana, the UK could assist the state government in setting up units to process the produce, he said.

Khattar said special emphasis is being laid on diversification of crops to encourage farmers to adopt horticulture and farming of cash crops, instead of traditional rice and wheat.

The state government is implementing the peri-urban concept of farming, especially in the National Capital Region, to meet the demand for fruits, flowers, vegetables and milk, he said.

The Chief Minister said two major agreements were signed with the UK at the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit at Gurgaon last year.

Apart from this, various leading companies of the UK have set up their units in Haryana, Khattar said.

The Global Smart City Project in Gurgaon and the Industrial Logistic Hub in South Haryana that is dedicated to the industrial corridor on both sides of the Kundali-Manesar-Palwal Expressway were among the key projects being implemented by the government, he said.

The Chief Minister said the state government is focusing on skill development and has set up the Haryana Skill Development Mission and will complete the construction of the University of Skill Development within a year.

Food processing, textiles, apparel, footwear, electronics and Information Technology, defence, aerospace manufacturing and renewable energy are among the key thrust areas of the state government. PTI CHS ANB

--- ENDS ---
Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the University of Houston's commencement speaker in May.

Actor, businessman and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger will speak at the University of Houstons spring commencement.

The university-wide commencement is set for 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, at TDECU Stadium.

Commencement is the formal university-wide celebration at which degrees are officially conferred upon graduating students, a tradition that the university restarted three years ago after TDECU Stadium was completed. This years ceremony will be livestreamed at uh.edu.

Schwarzenegger, one of the most recognizable stars in both Hollywood and politics, has previously given commencement addresses at Emory University and the University of Southern California.

As the Republican governor of California from 2003-10, Schwarzenegger was known for working with members of both political parties to address climate change, renewable energy, rebuilding infrastructure and addressing health care and political reforms.

He is an accomplished and well known actor and politician, Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at UH, told regents for the UH System as she reported on commencement plans. He has worked with leaders of both major political parties as governor in addressing some of the challenges that California has faced, and since leaving office, he has continued to promote state and local clean energy efforts.

He founded the clean-energy nonprofit R20: Regions of Climate Action and established the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy at the University of Southern California, which works on environmental, economic and other public policy issues. He serves as chair of the think tank board and holds a professorship in public policy at the school.

More information about the commencement is online. Details about media credentials for the ceremony will be announced later.
| By Chris Zang

Goldie Blumenstyk, MS, one of the nations most respected higher education journalists, didnt pull any punches as the latest speaker at the Presidents Panel on Politics and Policy at UMB.

After giving an overview of what she would discuss concerning the current state of higher education and how it will be affected by the Trump administration, Blumenstyk smiled and said, I told a friend what I would be doing today and she said and then what will you be doing to cheer people up? getting a laugh from the 75-plus at the Southern Management Corporation Campus Center on March 21.

(View a photo gallery.)



Since 1988, Blumenstyk has been a reporter and an editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education, which UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, called the newspaper of record for those of us in academia. She has traveled the world for The Chronicle and in 2015 she wrote the book, American Higher Education in Crisis? What Everyone Needs to Know.

USM Chancellor Robert Caret, VP and Chief Accountability Ofcr. Roger Ward, and others share an amusing moment as Carey Law Dean Donald Tobin asks a question.

She said the question mark in the title was important to her, to indicate that she didnt know it all. There was a lot of hype and silliness out there and I didnt want to buy into it, she said. But when the publisher said it was a chance for her to step back and say whats changed in higher education in the past 25 years, she found it was an irresistible time to take on this project.

She read the following excerpt to the UMB crowd.

Over the past three years, the price of college has gone up faster than the price of all other goods and services. Student debt is at an all-time high at $1.2 trillion. Doubts about the value of a college degree are on the rise. State support for the public college sector, which educates seven of 10 students, has yet to find and may never find the return to the generous levels of financial support it had in the early 2000s. The financial model underlying many private colleges is becoming more and more fragile.

Collectively, colleges reflect and some say even amplify, the racial and economic income inequalities found in the nations neighborhoods and its elementary and secondary schools. The demand for career trades is growing even as experts agree the skills of a liberal arts education are becoming increasingly important. And the restless reform movement inspired by the promise of new technology and backed by powerful and political and financial might is growing more and more insistent that the enterprise spend less, show better results, and become more open to new kinds of education providers.

I wrote that 2  years ago and I think it holds up pretty well, Blumenstyk said. And thats a problem for all of us here.

She pointed out that college has never been more important, saying that by 2020, two-thirds of U.S. jobs will require education besides high school  a jump from 28 percent when she was in college in the 1970s.

But the education landscape is changing, something The Chronicle of Higher Education is focusing on with its Re:Learning project. Blumenstyk spoke about badging systems some universities are using to credit students for skills theyve mastered. Credentialing in addition to degrees. Colleges closer connections with embedded for-profit company advisors. Electronic mentoring systems that give students alerts when their grades are falling. Open education resources, which provide well-vetted, free information to replace the high price of textbooks, providing professors more flexibility in the process.

She said such changes are needed because todays college students often dont have the support systems of generations past. One-third of all college students are older than 25, Blumenstyk said. Thirty-seven percent attend part time and at community colleges thats 60 percent. One out of four is a parent. One out of eight is a single parent. Theyre all working, many because they have to. The countrys population is getting browner and more economically stratified and so are our colleges.

Despite billions of dollars in financial aid, lower income and minority students are still far more prevalent at two-year colleges than four-year. That matters a lot, she said, pointing out that community colleges are the least funded and have the poorest success rates. Eight out of 10 students enter community college expecting to get a BA. Only 17 percent ultimately do.

Debt without degree is a particular problem, she said, and the wealthy still are nine times more likely to earn a college degree by age 24 than others.

Blumenstyk was the third speaker in UMBs President's Panel on Politics and Policy, which examines issues important to the University community likely to be affected by the new president and Congress. She expressed some reservations about the Trump administration, pointing out a national science advisor had yet to be named, fears about government databases, the cultural divide between blue America and red America.

She pointed out the travel ban is affecting college admissions, with enrollment numbers down 40 percent from the targeted countries with Canada gearing up to accept the applicants. Thats how its looking, she concluded. Was there something in there a little bit cheery?

Then she opened the floor to questions with Perman giving the first to our educator-in-chief University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert L. Caret, PhD. Caret disagreed with Blumenstyks assertion that higher education wasnt working, citing a growing demand for college services and rising retention and graduation rates in Maryland, though he acknowledged growing national impediments to maximum growth.

Blumenstyk agreed that Maryland has put more money into financial aid and its institutions than a lot of states.

Added Caret: In Massachusetts, students pay 70 percent of the cost, here they pay 50 percent of the cost. Wed like to see them pay 30 percent.

Read more about the President's Panel on Politics and Policy at UMB.


| By David Kohn

Samba Sow, MD, MSc, director general of the Center for Vaccine Development in Mali (CVD-Mali), and adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), has been decorated as a Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French government. Sow, a native of Mali, will be formally inducted in July, on Bastille Day. This is the highest honor bestowed by the French government. He is receiving the award for his crucial role in Malis response to the recent Ebola epidemic. As a result of his leadership, the country successfully tracked and monitored all potential cases to minimize a potential outbreak. CVD-Mali is jointly maintained by the Ministry of Health of Mali and the UMSOM CVD.

Dr. Sow richly deserves this honor, said CVD director Kathleen Neuzil, MD, MPH, FIDSA. This work required enormous personal courage, technical expertise, tireless dedication, and strong leadership.

Samba Sow, MD, MSc

Sow began his close collaboration with the Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) in 2001. The CVD is part of the UMSOM Institute for Global Health (IGH), which focuses on vaccine development and malaria research. This collaboration has led to the introduction of five lifesaving vaccines for children and adults in Mali and elsewhere in Africa. In the process, a team of highly trained Malian public health physicians was formed at CVD-Mali; this team was uniquely capable of responding to the Ebola epidemic under Sows leadership.

When the Ebola epidemic struck in West Africa in 2014, Sow and his team were prepared. As the epidemic spread, he responded. When most health workers fled the areas where the disease seemed to appear, he instead went to those places. He played a key role in setting up the Malian Ebola surveillance and containment network (for case detection and follow-up of contacts), emergency hospital unit, and border screening system. Collaborating closely with the Malian government, as well as civilian leaders, religious figures, and others, Sow and his team worked nearly nonstop for months. Their efforts were rewarded: Mali was one of a very few West African countries to contain the epidemic. In recognition of his strong expertise, he has been appointed special advisor to Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The Ebola outbreak, which occurred primarily in West Africa from 2013 to 2016, infected more than 28,000 people and killed more than 11,000. More than 10,000 were infected in Liberia, and nearly 5,000 died there. By contrast, eight people in Mali were infected, and six died.

Sow has other significant accomplishments as well: He helped lead clinical trials that resulted in the introduction of a vaccine that has played a major role in reducing Meningitis A in areas of Africa where the deadly disease was once common. More than 220 million people have received this vaccine in 26 countries. In Mali, he has also been a key actor in implementing Gardasil, a vaccine against cervical cancer, as well as vaccines against meningitis, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases.

Sow received his MD degree from the Ecole Nationale de Medecine et Pharmacie du Mali, and his MSc degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Throughout his career, he has conducted research on vaccines, infectious diseases, and public health in Mali and Africa, and has been crucial in the countrys fight against leprosy. He has authored or co-authored more than 90 scientific articles and chapters and serves on high-impact international committees overseeing the use of vaccines in developing countries.

Dr. Sow has devoted his career to saving lives, especially the lives of those who are most in need of help. Ebola has been a major public health threat in Africa and elsewhere. His work has significantly decreased this threat, said University of Maryland School of Medicine Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, who is also the vice president for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. His tireless and heroic work has succeeded in doing just that, many times over. I am very happy for him  he fully deserves this impressive honor.
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The flavours and colours of Middle Eastern cuisine were on the menu at the Kenzo catwalk show at the recent Paris Fashion Week, thanks to 36-year-old former Syrian television chef Mohammad El Khaldy, a refugee who sought asylum in France just a short time ago.

The fashion world elite casting an eye over this years ready-to-wear styles at the renowned fashion house enjoyed specialities such as baba ganoush, fattoush, kibbeh and baklava.

The event was the latest to showcase the skills of a man who was once prosperous and well-known in his home country before civil war drove him and his family to flee to safer shores.

Last June, Mohammad cooked with French chef Stephane Jego as part of the French capitals Refugee Food Festival. The pair devised a new style of cooking at the Left Bank restaurant lAmi Jean, where Jego is the chef and owner, combining French and Syrian recipes.

Kenzo had heard about Mohammad and contacted the Refugee Food Festival. He was selected to cook at the catwalk show after a competing with another chef.

He has also cooked at receptions at the Palais de Tokyo Museum and at Paris City Hall for an event attended by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.

It is a far cry from the life he led just a few years earlier, when he owned several restaurants and appeared regularly on cooking shows on television in Syria and Dubai. He bought a house for his family in 2011 and was able to pay for the education of his three sons. He and his wife Doha, a teacher, enjoyed a happy family life.

Then conflict erupted in Syria in 2011, turning his world upside down. We started to hear the dangerous stories, Mohammad said. We saw people dying, people moving out of homes.

We thought we would come back. We thought it would take only a few days, months maybe.

As thousands, then millions, fled, they joined the exodus. They took just a few clothes and personal belongings and the limited amount of cash, US$400, they were allowed to withdraw from the bank and left for Lebanon. They were sure they would return soon. Their youngest son, Adam, was just three months old.

We took a bag, gold jewels I had bought to my wife, Mohammad said. We thought we would come back. We thought it would take only a few days, months maybe.

They were unaware at the time that it was just the beginning of their journey in exile.

Former Syrian TV chef Mohammad El Khaldy, 36, prepares Middle Eastern dishes ahead of Kenzo's show in Paris.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Former Syrian TV chef Mohammad El Khaldy's team prepare a menu that included Middle Eastern specialities for Kenzo's show in Paris.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

A waiter places dishes on the table at the Kenzo catwalk show after-party for which Mohammad El Khaldy prepared an array of Middle Eastern specialities.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Mohammad El Khaldy (in black) with the team who put together the Middle Eastern specialities for Kenzo's show in Paris.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Mohammad El Khaldy and Kenzo designer Carol Lim after the fashion show, where Mohammad cooked a menu of Middle Eastern dishes.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Syrian refugee and former TV chef Mohammad El Khaldy, 36, greets his mother for the first time in four years in the arrivals lounge at Charles De Gaulle Airport.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Former Syrian TV chef Mohammad El Khaldy (left), 36, is reunited with his mother (wearing a white headscarf) for the first time in four years at Charles De Gaulle Airport.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

Believing they would be safer In Egypt, he went there alone to try to start a restaurant. After a period of separation while he tried to establish a business, his family joined him, but he and Doha decided to try to make a new start in Europe after his restaurant venture was thwarted by a series of misfortunes.

After a gruelling, 12-day journey on an overcrowded boat heading from Alexandria to Italy, they were picked up thanks to the Italian governments Mare Nostrum search-and-rescue operation.

I was looking for the safety of my children, Mohammad said. They had many questions. Adam was telling me that he wanted an apple. Every time he asked me, I cried. I cried every night, but I had my wife, Doha, my lifetime friend. She supported me.

He was full of praise for the welcome they received in Italy. We looked like homeless. We were homeless. Many people came to help. A very old man gave us food. In the bag, there was an apple I gave to Adam.

Eventually they reached France, where they were granted refugee status in 2015.

Paris was my dream place to work. Paris is the mother of service, cuisine, the famous capital of hospitality, fashion, food, gastronomy. If you put Paris on your CV, you are a professional. This is what we say in Arab countries.

They were housed at a reception centre in Savigny-sur-Orge, on the outskirts of Paris, where they waited for their asylum application to be granted. Mohammad gave cooking lessons to the social worker assigned to his case, Carole. She taught me how to speak French, I taught her how to cook.

Carole told him about an organization called les Cuistots Migrateurs (the migrant chefs), a venture created by French entrepreneurs Louis Jacquot and Sebastien Prunier, who are trying to change the way Parisians view immigrants by introducing the French to the best of the newcomers home cuisines.

The pair tracked down trained chefs among the thousands of people granted asylum in France. They then gathered a small group to form a catering company specializing in lesser-known cuisines.

Syria is my love, my mother, my wife. I cant find the words to tell you what Syria means for me. But today, we cannot return.

The group provided most of the chefs that took part in the Refugee Food Festival, including Mohammad, who was one of the first to join the project. Eleven restaurants in Paris opened their kitchens to chefs from Syria, Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Iran and India for the event.

What I like more in cooking is the very first taste, when people say mmmm, Mohammad said.

His children  Adam, now aged 6, and his brothers Omar, 13, and 10-year-old Ziad  speak French fluently and attend school in Paris. Doha, 36, hopes she can return to teaching. Mohammads mother, whom he hadnt seen for four years, obtained a visa and joined them a few weeks ago, reuniting the family once again.

He said he wanted to learn as much about France as he could, and also to share his culture and use his talents to live in harmony with the people who have welcomed us.

However, Mohammad still dreams of going back to Syria.

Syria is my love, my mother, my wife. I cant find the words to tell you what Syria means for me. But today, we cannot return.
Welcoming the Governments announcement that as of 1 July 2017 the UK will be granting refugee status to resettled Syrians and others arriving under the UKs two major resettlement schemes, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stressed today the importance this decision will have for their successful integration.

More than 5,700 Syrian refugees have been resettled to the UK since the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) with the quota of 20,000 places began in March 2014. They have been welcomed and received by 206 local authorities across the country. In May 2016 the Government also committed itself to resettling up to 3,000 refugees from the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on children at risk and their families.

In response to todays announcement, the UNHCR Representative to the UK Gonzalo Vargas Llosa said: We are pleased and encouraged by the Governments decision to grant refugee status to families and individuals resettled to the UK through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme for Syrian refugees and the Vulnerable Children at Risk scheme. This is a step in the right direction and the decision will contribute to the successful integration of refugees in the UK. Matched with the ground swell of support of the British public for refugees, this decision will help provide the sense of stability and certainty that refugees need about their future.

The UK was among the first to respond to UNHCRs 2013 call for temporary or long-term safe and legal pathways for Syrian refugees. As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, the UKs decision will help support the long-term integration of refugees.

In practice, the grant of refugee status will help provide clarity in legal status to beneficiaries; ensure easier access to financial support for Higher Education and help provide access to travel documents making it easier for refugees to visit relatives abroad. As the resettlement and asylum processes complement each other, the new policy will give the same rights to resettled Syrians as those who claim asylum in the UK and are granted refugee status.

More than 4.9 million Syrians live as refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. UNHCR estimates that more than 10 per cent of them are acutely vulnerable and need resettlement elsewhere. This includes those who fall within globally agreed resettlement criteria, such as survivors of torture, refugees with serious medical conditions or women left alone with several children to care for and without family support.

The UK is one of 34 countries contributing to UNHCRs ongoing resettlement effort for Syrian refugees. In addition to resettlement of 20,000 Syrian refugees, UNHCR continues to support the UK in resettling 3,000 vulnerable children from the Middle East region.
Emanciana Kisissi with her newborn son, and her sister, Mauwa Safiri in the maternity ward at Dzaleka refugee camp health center in Malawi.  UNHCR/Dorothy Kachitsa

Dzaleka, Malawi - One day after giving birth to her second child, 23 year old Emanciana Kisissi has a lot to say about the conditions in the health centre at Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi.

She is laying on a ripped plastic mattress, placed on a peeling metal frame in the maternity ward with nearly twenty women, some of them two to a bed and others lying on mattresses on the floor. The air was stuffy due to the sweltering heat outside and the number of people in the room.

So much is needed. There are not enough beds for all the mothers who have just had their babies or who are going to have their babies soon. I had to give birth on a regular bed, not a bed for having a child. The beds themselves are in poor condition and we dont have sheets and blankets for the mattresses. The mosquito nets are old. There isnt even a table, so we have to store our food on the floor, she says.

Having fled unrest in her home town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kisissi is grateful that she has a safe place to say in Malawi, but daily life can sometimes be a struggle in the camp.

Tewodros Wubayehu, UNHCRs Public Health Officer in Malawi acknowledges that improvements are needed. She has explained everything perfectly about what the needs are in the health centre especially in the maternity ward.

Dzaleka refugee camp, originally built for a population of some 9,000 people now has more than tripled in size to nearly 28,000 people. The health centre, which serves both the population in the camp and the surrounding host population has to meet the needs of an estimated 65,000 people, 60 percent of whom are Malawians.

The maternity ward at Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi is overcrowded with both refugees and Malawian women coming to give birth. UNHCR has initiated construction of a new maternity ward and will provide new furniture, mattresses and equipment.  UNHCR/Dorothy Kachitsa

We are in the process of addressing most of these issues, says Wubayehu. Additional blocks are being added on to the health center, including the construction of three new consultation rooms to strengthen the health care services for children under five. A special delivery ward is being built that will accommodate four delivery beds and rooms for different stages of birth, including a prenatal ward. New beds, side tables, mattresses, mosquito nets, blankets and sheets are being procured along with a heavy duty washing machine and dryer. We are also working with the Ministry of Health on staff training to improve health services to the community."

USAID and UK AID have also helped by recently providing a prefabricated pharmacy storeroom with air conditioning and a standby generator.

While these steps will help address the conditions in the short term, more still needs be done in order to keep health centre supplied with all the essential medicines and materials.

The new arrivals of refugees in Malawi has been at a steady rate of between 400  700 people per month over the past two years, says Monique Ekoko, UNHCRs Representative to Malawi. This unfortunately does not warrant calling it an emergency. However when our resources are not matched by an equivalent increase in the numbers of persons of concern, which now stands at almost 30,000 persons of concern as compared to 19,000 in 2014 , it is a real struggle to meet the needs. Additional funding is required to help the government bring Dzaleka health centre to the level it really should be.

UNHCR is supporting the Government of Malawi to expand the health center in Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi. Construction is nearly finished on the new maternity ward.  UNHCR/Tina Ghelli

While these new improvements that are underway are too late for Kisissi, her sister, Mauwa Safiri, age 25, is due to have her first child next month, and she hopes that the conditions will be better. I just want to have my baby in a safe environment, says Safiri.

And I want my son to grow up healthy enough to become President of Malawi, said Kisissi to much laughter from the other women in the room.
By Press Trust of India: Saudi Arabia Chennai, Mar 22 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government today said two fishermen from the state had died in Saudi Arabia and sought diplomatic assistance from the Centre to bring back their mortal remains.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that three fishermen -- J George, P Nevil and V Joseph -- of Kaniyakumari district went for fishing from Darin fishing base in Saudi Arabia on March 17 in a vessel owned by a Saudi national and had met with a mishap the next day.

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The bodies of George and Joseph were recovered and a search was on for Nevil, "who is still missing," he said.

"The families of these fishermen are traumatised after knowing about the tragedy and are seeking expeditious diplomatic assistance in the search and rescue of Nevil and transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased to Tamil Nadu and obtaining financial assistance from their employers," he told Modi in a letter. He requested the PM to direct the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to take urgent steps to arrange for necessary search and rescue operations and transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased. "I also request you to kindly direct the Indian Embassy to take up this matter with the employer concerned and ensure that the monetary benefits due to all the three fishermen are released to their families without any delay," he said. In a separate letter, the Chief Minister took up the arrest of 35 Indian fishermen employed in Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia, and apprehended by Iranian authorities in different instances last year. All of them were working on contract basis under the sponsors of local employers and had on different occasions, "inadvertently" strayed into Iranian waters, where they were apprehended, he said.

He sought Modis immediate intervention to instruct the Indian Embassies in Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran to take effective legal steps to secure their immediate release.

"The prolonged incarceration of these poor fishermen who went abroad to earn their livelihood severely affects their families and dependents who are suffering economically and also undergoing mental trauma," he said.

He requested Modi to instruct the External Affairs Ministry to take speedy action on this matter. PTI SA APR BSA

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 22 (PTI) A youth Congress leaders statement that AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi should quit if he does not want to lead from the front drew flak today from former KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, who said the party is behind him and there is no need to question his leadership.

"Congress in the state is behind Rahul and there is no need to question his leadership", he told reporters here.

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"Rahul is capable of leading the party and he had also been able to achieve success during hard times for the party, Chennithala added.

State Youth Congress Vice President C R Mahesh had triggered a row with his Facebook post that "Rahul should quit if he has no interest to lead the party from the front"

"You should open your eyes and see that the roots of thepolitical party, that had spread its wings across the country, is now being uprooted," Mahesh had said.

He had also criticised CWC member A K Antony, terming the senior leader as a mouni baba.

Meanwhile Mahesh, in a press conference in Kollam, today announced he would be stepping down from the party position and leave politics for the time being.

Asked about the appointment of new KPCC President in the wake of V M Sudheeran quitting the post, Chennithala said a decision would be taken within two days.

He also said that former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had expressed his unwillingness to accept the position.

"The final decision rests with the party high command," he added.

Sudheeran had resigned from the position two weeks back, citing health reasons.

The Congress leader welcomed the statement of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan that the Malappuram bypoll result would be a referendum on the LDF government in the state. "Will Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan quit if the LDF candidate loses the election?," Chennithala asked.

He alleged that there was a tacit understanding between CPI(M) and BJP for the bypoll to defeat the Congress-led UDF candidate P K Kunhalikutty, a senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader from the state.

The Congress leader also said votes of secular forces in Uttar Pradesh was divided as the Left parties fought the polls alone instead of strengthening secular unity.

Chennithala said since Left parties has lost relevance at the national level, they should support UDF candidate Kunhalikutty, "who is fighting to safeguard secularism."

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Attacking the ruling LDF government, he said the state governments inefficiency had resulted in lapse of Central funds under various centrally-sponsored schemes to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. PTI JRK LGK APR BSA

--- ENDS ---
After being dropped from planetary status in 2006, scientists at John Hopkins University argue that Pluto should be reinstated as a planet. Science popularizer and "Cosmos" host Neil deGrasse Tyson disagrees.

According to John Hopkins University Ph.D. planetary scientist Kirby Runyon, compares the argument to religion and politics. He adds that people, including him, are worked up over it. Pluto was demoted from being a planet to a "dwarf planet" by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

According to the IAU, the reason for the demotion is that the celestial body did not meet all three criteria the astronomical group uses for Pluto to be accepted and recognized as a full-sized planet. Notably, Pluto met the other two criteria except for one; it has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. The other two being: in orbit around the sun, and it has sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium.

However, Runyon is adamant in his stance that Pluto along with over 100 celestial bodies in our solar system can be considered a planet based on his new proposal. Although he admits, that discussing the issue can turn into shouting matches and that it would be easier not to bring the subject up, The Washington Post reported.

Ignoring his own advice by risking another shouting match, Runyon will be attending the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, on March 21, to take part in contesting the IAU's definition in a poster session. Accordingly, he will lead the session and present his proposal, which was drafted in collaboration with several members of the New Horizons team. Their aim is to present a new definition of planethood.

In a recent guesting on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," DeGrasse Tyson admitted to being in the group who decided to demote Pluto into a "dwarf planet" based on it not meeting the IAU's third criterion.

Colbert pointed out that people at NASA want to reinstate Pluto as a planet; citing people wanted the designation of a planet to be closer to people's intuition rather than some arbitrary scientific designation. DeGrasse Tyson responded that people just have to get over it.

He pointed out that Pluto's orbit cross that of Neptune's from time to time, adding that Pluto's orbit is atypical of a full planet's behavior. He exclaimed twice "Stay in your lane!" referring to the "dwarf planet" orbit that crosses into Neptune's lane, as both bodies orbit the sun.

DeGrasse Tyson also pointed out in the same interview, that our own moon has five times more mass than Pluto does. Much as Runyon and his group would want to reinstate Pluto as a planet, DeGrasse Tyson, however, has this to say about the celestial body's demotion, "Pluto had it coming." Space.com reported.
Upadhyay was arrested on December 22, 2015 by Kandivali Police in Mumbai after bodies of Hema and her lawyer Bhambani were found dumped in a drain at Kandivali in cardboard boxes on December 12.

By Divyesh Singh: Artist Chintan Upadhyay who is presently lodged in Thane central prison on charges of murder of his estranged wife Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Harish Bhambani will be sent to temporary custody of Mumbai crime branch.

Unit VII of Mumbai crime branch which is presently investigating the double murder case had sought permission from Dindoshi Court so that they could analyse Upadhyay's iPhone which is locked using a passcode. The passcode used to open the phone remains with Upadhyay and the crime branch team has been unable to open it to further investigate the case. FSL also sent a report to crime branch that the passcode of the phone was needed as they couldn't crack it and multiple attempts could lock the phone making it impossible to access it later.

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According to sources, other than a passcode lock, the phone also has a fingerprint lock which has made it impossible for the crime branch team to analyse the phone and its data. Officials believe that once the phone is accessible, they might get some more crucial information regarding the conspiracy and execution of the murder. The public prosecutor submitted an application with the court which granted temporary custody of Upadhyay to the crime branch despite opposition from Upadhyay's lawyer.

Upadhyay was arrested on December 22, 2015 by Kandivali Police in Mumbai after bodies of Hema and her lawyer Bhambani were found dumped in a drain at Kandivali in cardboard boxes on December 12. Four workers working at a fibre workshop were arrested for the murder while their employer Vidyadhar Rajbhar on whose orders the murders were executed at his workshop in Charkop is still on the run. Upadhyay had served 14 days custody earlier which is the highest number of days a murder accused can be held in police custody.

Also read:

Hema Upadhyay's estranged husband Chintan Upadhyay arrested for her murder

Mumbai double murder: Police claims Chintan Upadhyay provoked others to kill Hema

--- ENDS ---
Mavericks owner and celeb magnate Mark Cuban revealed to students how easy finance management is and how as a student, fiscal responsibility is vital for success. Any student here or abroad can apply these tips and see their life as a student, change dramatically.

Finance Management is key

Having, maintaining and balancing a budget is not only important in businesses, it is also needed in everyday life. Mark Cuban told students that they should become fiscally responsible. Having a tally of things bought, things to buy that are necessities and things that can be done away with is important and it may be the difference of completing or failing college.

Make Pragmatic Decision

As Mark Cuban said, sometimes students should not be guided solely on what the feel their best at. College is a business decision essentially, as one spends time, effort and finances in exchange for an opportunity for success. Decide on a college that will be most beneficial to you. Cuban added that a state run university, though its tuition is somewhat low, maybe more expensive for a student because the institution has little to no financial aid for enrollees. Make pragmatic decisions always.

Live with Simplicity

The aim of going to college is not to be the hippest or most technically updated boy or girl in class. The goal of going to college is getting a diploma at all costs. In addition to Cuban's finance management tip, is the simplicity tip. Do everything possible to save some money. This ranges from eating at home, refraining from overspending on stuff which are not that important. Live life simply now so that we can live like kings in the future.

Given the tips from Mark Cuban, students should act more independent as expected. They should find jobs, manage their income, be practical, be realistic and be responsible. These are the qualities that are molded during school years, which are traits needed to be successful in the corporate world. These are applicable to all students studying here or abroad.
Overseas students are now refusing to enroll in US colleges as President Donald Trump intensifies his radical foreign policies. A lot of them express fear amid the changing stance of America towards Islam.

Four out of 10 American universities are seeing a significant drop in their foreign applications. More than 250 educational institutions participated in the survey, which is scheduled to be fully released by the end of March. For now, it is known that a lower 35 percent experienced an increase in international applications while 26 percent said the situation did not change.

What is causing the decline?

The New York Times reported that that the Trump "Muslim ban" greatly affected the turnouts of foreign applications for schools. Accordingly, a lot of US colleges recruit students and hire teachers from the seven target countries. These include Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and Libya.

The report was published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. Basically, the students who have inclinations to Islam fear the changing political climate in the US. For fairness, senior officials in the White House earlier noted that green card holders and dual citizens in any of the targeted countries are exempted to the immigration ban.

Nevertheless, the damage has been done already with reports of noteworthy drops in applications from China too. The US President and Chinese ruler Xi-Jin Ping are recently not in very good terms. China, alongside India, provides almost half of all international students in America.

Biggest chunk

Obviously, the largest drop in applications came from the Middle East. Although, do note that American colleges are already experiencing declines from Saudi Arabia even before the Muslim ban. They were attributed to the Saudi government's changes in the country's foreign scholarship programs. Before that, Saudi was the third country of origin for international enrollees in the US.

Well, an earlier University Herald report noted that these overseas students are migrating to Canada. The report further said that Americans are among the transferees. Aside from the fact that there is no radical immigration policy there, the tuition fees are actually cheaper. Apparently, this started right after Hillary Clinton lost in the presidential race.
US President Donald Trump released his 2018 budget proposal and there's one conclusion that can be drawn: that Science & Research and Trump do not exactly fit. Deep cuts of budgets were made to several scientific research agencies. Scientists are outraged that it shows his administration has no strategy to fund science.

The science agencies that will apparently receive the cuts are National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Institutes of Health, US Geological Survey, and the Department of Energy, Science Mag reported. Not only does the Trump administration neglect to give priority to science & research, the proposed budget also revealed nothing about spending on the National Science Foundation, US Department of Agriculture, and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Christine McEntee from the American Geophysical Union says this is a regression for scientific progress. This was echoed by Darrell Kirch from the Association of American Medical Colleges who said the unprecedented budget cuts will cripple US biomedical research, which is currently giving hope to all.

In line with the cut on science & research, the Trump administration's 2018 budget proposal will axe four space missions from NASA, Space reported. If the federal budget request makes its way into law, projects DSCOVR, CLARREO Pathfinder, the OCO-3 experiment, and the PACE satellite will be shut down. These projects are geared toward studying the world's climate, confirming fears that Trump truly intends to eliminate NASA's climate change research.

Not only that, the cut budget will also cancel the Asteroid Redirect Mission, a robotic probe and Earth's last hope if ever an asteroid hits the planet. Although the budget is still in its proposal stage and has to be approved by Congress, many people from the science community fear about the outcome of this budget cut.

The worst part is this decision was arrived to without being opined by a presidential science adviser appointee. Trump has yet to fill that vacant spot. If he does then science & research and Trump would finally fit.
Renowned physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking is space bound on a Virgin Galactic trip after accepting an invitation from Richard Branson while contemplating that he might not be welcome in America anymore.

Stephen Hawking is space bound

In an interview with the British program "Good Morning Britain," the physicist stated that the birth of his three children brought him great joy, but what would make him happy, is to travel in space, adding that he already completed a zero-gravity flight. Amidst concern for his safety, even after being certified by several doctors, an emergency room was set up on board G-Force One. Four physicians and two nurses accompanied him on the trip.

The concern was later set aside when the flight had turned out so well. A two 30-second weightless arc flight turned to a full eight. The professor broke another mold by showing the world that disabled individuals could safely fly in Zero-G, as attested by six wheelchair-bound teenagers who took a subsequent trip following Hawking's, Seeker reported.

Hawking stated that his ultimate ambition is to fly into space. He thought no one would take him until Richard Branson offered him a seat on Virgin Galactic, to which the physicist responded to an immediate yes.

Stephen Hawking Not Welcome in America

Professor Hawking stated that he has many friends and colleagues in America, and he still considers it a place he likes and admires in many ways. However, he feels he may no longer be welcome.

In the wide-ranging interview, professor Hawking discussed US president Donald Trump, who he stated is a demagogue, who appeals to the lowest common denominator. As such, the renowned scientist fears that his statement might be enough reason for him to not be welcome in America.

Furthermore, he charged the president's priority lies in satisfying his electorate who are neither liberals nor that well-informed, CNN reported.
Due to the onslaught of fake news proliferating on media, Academics, led by Professor Dan Svantesson, voiced out their desire for laws that will punish false news severely.

Professor Dan Svantesson, of Dan University in Sweden, told Lawyers Weekly about his proposal of countries to pass laws against fake news. He feared that due to the online nature of these news and how it is spread mainly through the internet that it is a global concern that should be dealt with.

Fake news has been a major concern especially in the United States. Though the phenomenon isn't new, it gained full attention when President Donald Trump started a massive campaign against fake news. Many academics fear that the proliferation of fake news online may affect public opinion in a massive scale, especially with the growing importance the internet has on daily life.

Moves to limit fake news have been done by the government already, the latest was former President Obama signing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in which it includes the Countering foreign propaganda and disinformation act, allowing penalties for spreading wrong information purposely.

Countries like Germany and Australia have passed legislation that will limit the proliferation of fake news. According to the Chicago Tribune, the first amendment, freedom of expression and speech are clearly protected in the condition that the speech is not obscene or threatening. Though this might be very broad but it is the intent of the amendment to protect expression itself. The first amendment is purposely made to prevent the government from repressing criticism coming from the people.

Because of this, fake news has been a real problem, even in the United States as the constitution does protect them unless it becomes a threat to peace and order. However, despite this, academics are bonding together to propose law that will curb fake news or limit it if the move will be deemed unconstitutional.
Light sabers used by Obi Wan Kenobi and the the Jedis will not stand a chance against the new weapons that the U.S. military will be introducing by 2020. .These powerful weapons, developed by both private contractors and government agencies, are much powerful than what are being used now ushering the age of Star Wars.

One of these weapons, the 60-kilowatt Lockheed Martin laser system, was recently introduced by the U.S. Army. Lockheed Martin describes it as a 'combined laser' where small laser beams are combined to become a single, more powerful beam.

In 2015, Lockheed introduced a similar laser system, the 30-kilowatt fiber laser ATHENA, which could take down a big truck even if it's still one mile away. However, the weapon is 'diffraction-limited' which means the concentration of the beam has a limit when it reaches a certain point.

The new laser system, however, is more accurate, efficient, and silent. It will be delivered and further tested at the Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT), in Huntsville, Alabama.

The 60-kw Lockheed is not the only laser weapon system the Department of Defense has in store for the military. At the beginning of March, they also tested a 5-kw lMobile Expeditionary High Energy Laser (MEHEL) 2.0 laser which was fitted on top of a Stryker assault vehicle. The laser is capable of taking down militarized drones. Those drones weigh 20 lbs. and fly at the speed of 115 miles per hour.

Adam Aberle of the Space and Missile Command said that the test have shown them that they can fit a laser and a radar together in one platform enabling the laser to self-cue to target.

At present, the U.S. Navy's USS Ponce is already equipped with a powerful laser system that could obliterate drones, small boats, and light aircraft. The Navy is also planning to equip its helicopters with a defense laser system that can deflect anti-aircraft missiles.

The Air Force, on the other hand, is going to equip its C-130 Hercules transport military aircraft with an offensive laser. By 2020, it plans to equip all of its fighter planes with laser. Aside from the offensive laser, they are also planning to equip these planes with defensive laser which will act as a protective shield against other aircraft, missiles, and drones.
The philanthropic arm of Google, Google.org, has committed $50 million to support education technology initiatives over the next two years. It aims to help nonprofit organizations that are using technology to help education problems globally.

There are around 130 million students around the world that have yet grasp basic subjects even after four years of primary education. Google.org has spent $110 million supporting various efforts to use technology to close gaps in education.

This year is Google's largest dedicated portfolio that focuses on selected organizations from across the world. There have been nine grantees selected and more will be chosen by the end of the year. One of the grantees were the Foundation for Learning Equality, which offers an open source platform that allows offline access to online materials for those who don't have internet access.

Million Sparks Foundation was also one of the selected few. They offer a platform called ChalkLit that provides standards-aligned content that is designed to help teachers. War Child Holland, also made it to the list, which provides a year's worth of curriculum aligned to national standards for students in the war zones.

Google.org Education Lead Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink said that by the end of 2017, they aim to give grants to education nonprofits in 20 countries. And later this year, they will be looking for the next round of innovators to join them according to Campus Technology.

Not only will Google be provided financial support but Google volunteers will also help in various areas of expertise such as user experience design, translation, offline functionality, and data analytics. The grants are focused on access to good quality learning materials for more students, teacher professional development and reaching students in war/conflict zones.

Students around the world that belong in low-income communities have to learn with fewer books, some are out-of-date texts, and other materials that are culturally irrelevant. But with technology, Google hopes to provide students with educational resources that are engaging, interactive, and effective.

Google will focus on giving students the right materials to succeed. They will keep teachers trained and engaged according to Digital Trends.
Aside from entrance exams and interviews, students need to get themselves mentally and emotionally ready for college, especially when it comes to the major they are taking. There's no better way to do this than reading books that will prepare them for the next level. Here are some books recommended by professors and professionals that will prove helpful to soon-to-be college students.

The Iliad by Homer

The Iliad is not an easy read and that's a fact. However, it's one of the best epic poems which makes it a must-read, especially for students who are heading to Columbia University because it is one of their required reading for all freshmen students. Most of all, this is a good chance to get acquainted with all the heroes of the Trojan War and get the first-hand information about the woman whose face had launched a thousand ships.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami is one of the most compelling authors in the past four decades and Norwegian Wood is a good start for those who are not familiar with his works. It is short but nonetheless compelling and powerful.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One of the most original and funniest books of all times. It has never failed to win readers once they start reading it. Although it's a five-book series, the first one is always the best as it is depressing and funny at the same time. The book became so popular that an international holiday called Towel Day was created to celebrate Adams.

The Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Those who watched the movie are missing out big time if they haven't read the book yet. For one, the book is much better than the movie as was always the case. Palahniuk is one of the American authors with a unique style and those who read one of his works get hooked and end up buying some of his works.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go is a dystopian novel by Japan-born British author Kazuo Ishiguro which is a cross between Jane Austen and George Orwell. It is heartbreakingly beautiful that those who read it can't help the tears falling.
The Harvard University community has described President Trump's budget proposal as "devastating." This comes after the administration has announced that it will cut funding for the arts, humanities and sciences.

The "America First" budget was released on Thursday. The Atlantic reported that the administration will be cutting funds for the Department of Education by 13.5 percent or about $9.2 billion.

However, it was noted that President Trump's budget proposal is still just a blueprint. Lawmakers will draft their own budget proposals and the plan that Congress passes will form the basis of the appropriation bills that fund the government.

According to Michigan Daily, the proposed budget will reduce or cut funding for over 20 departmental programs. It suggested the removal of $2.4 billion in grants for teacher training and $1.2 billion in funding for after-school programs.

At a rally in Tennessee, President Trump defended the proposal saying that the budget will lower costs to the taxpayer by reducing or removing funding for ineffective or duplicate programs. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos promised that the most "vulnerable" students will be protected even with the large cuts made.

In The Harvard Crimson, university spokesperson David J. Cameron said that the budget represents a "significant retreat" from the federal government's partnership with research universities. This has resulted to the improvement in the nation's economy and public health.

There had been concerns about the cut to the funding for federal programs vital for university research agendas. Professors of arts and humanities are specifically worried about the future if ever Congress passes President Trump's budget proposal.

Music Department Chair Suzannah Clark admitted that the proposed funding cut is already damaging to consider. This is because it shows the people of America and the world that intellectual things are not being given importance.

Scientists have organized a "March for Science" to be held in April. This is intended to be a celebration of the passion for science as well as a call for support and safeguard the scientific community.
President Donald Trump finally signs the bill that funds NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for its Mars landing project. The President has also set an aggressive deadline, hoping to see the mission completed in 2033. He made the very important announcement on Tuesday.

The NASA Authorization Act of 2017 basically states that the science firm should stay on its course towards its dream of sending mankind to the red planet. While Barack Obama also supported this endeavor, he talked about it in more vague terms.

According to CNET, the bill talks about the sustained partnership between NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin. The former is owned by Elon Musk while the other is headed by Jeff Bezos. The ultimate goal of the multi-deal is more than just getting to Mars, but "colonizing" it as a second home for mankind in the coming decades (if not centuries).

Notably, Trump has sacrificed a huge chunk of the 2018 budget for other agencies in order to push this NASA mission. For one thing, he intends to halt the funding for climate change research. Meanwhile, during the signing ceremony, Trump asked Representative Ted Cruz (R-Texas), if he wants to go into space. Cruz said the President "could send Congress" instead.

The gentleman from Texas authored the bill. He was with different astronauts and fellow lawmakers when the formal authorization happened. Per Time, NASA gets a total of $19.5 billion in spending.

Last week, though, the President proposed a lower $19.1 billion budget for the space agency. "For almost six decades, NASA's work has inspired millions and millions of Americans to imagine distant worlds," he noted. Meanwhile, the bill also supports the use of the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2024. For the record, SpaceX is doing the delivery of supplies to cosmonauts stationed at the ISS.
By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Mar 22 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif committed blasphemy when he said Islam does not allow forced conversion and discrimination against minorities in his speech on Holi, a hardline cleric has alleged.

Allama Ashraf Jalali, a leader of Pakistan Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah group and secretary of Sunni Ittehad Council, alleged Sharif committed blasphemy and attacked Pakistans ideological basis in the speech he delivered in Karachi, according to a video of the clerics speech circulating online.

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"The prime minister said such anti-Islam and blasphemous words that the Earth should have exploded," he claimed, adding that Sharif "violated his oath, ideology of Pakistan, The Quran and Sunnah of Prophet. His speech is a dangerous attack on Islam."

"We demand a public apology from the prime minister (for his anti-Islam speech)," the cleric said in the video.

Its not clear when and where the cleric was speaking and who his audiences were. However, it could be categorised as a hate speech and attract action under the anti-terrorism laws.

The Pakistan government has not reacted to the clerics speech so far.

On March 14, Sharif had given a bold and inclusive message saying forced conversion and discrimination against minorities were not allowed in Islam and under the laws in Pakistan.

In his greetings to the minority Hindus, Sharif had also warned against destruction of the places of worship of other religions, describing them as "a crime in Islam".

Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan and those accused of committing it have been targeted by extremists in the past. Former governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his police guard for criticising the blasphemy law introduced in 1980s by then military ruler Zia-ul Haq.

Analysts say the draconian law, under which an accused can be sentenced to death, is a powerful tool to muzzle criticism in Muslim-majority Pakistan. PTI SH ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
A series of declassified nuke test footages have been uploaded on YouTube recently. The upload of videos is part of the ongoing project of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, headed by physicist Greg Spriggs to preserve the raw footage digitally for posterity.

The videos uploaded on YouTube are declassified footages of nuclear tests made by the US during the heyday of the nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union. The footages show the mesmerizing power of fission and fusion predicted by formulas and by Einstein's legendary E=MC2. Einstein calculated through his special theory of relativity that the mass is equal to energy.

As reported by Discovery Magazine, the atomic age was ushered by the successful detonation of the first ever atomic bomb in the Trinity test site, in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The bombs were then used to force Japan to surrender during World War 2, after two bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing indescribable death and destruction. After the war, the Soviet Union got hold of the blueprints for the device and thus started the cold war.

According to a report made by ABC news, there are almost 10,000 declassified videos of nuclear tests, 750 of which are already declassified, digitized and ready for preservation. The footages were originally meant for research purposes for further development and testing of new nuclear devices. These were for years, highly confidently and top secret, however since the cold war has ended and worldwide nuclear test ended in 1996.

As more and more footages are slowly being declassified, people will have the chance to view the power of the atom and how destructive it is. Spriggs aim is to preserve these footages in hopes that it will be a reminder for future generations of the tremendous power of the nuclear bomb and how humanity came close to annihilating itself during the cold war.
Istanbul airport authorities had claimed that they were not able to read Danish and that new documents, translated in English, must be provided before they could release the body.

Rita Shahi had left the cosy hills of Dehradun in Uttarakhand years ago to settle in the Scandinavian country. However, she wished to be cremated according to Hindu rituals.

By Siddhartha Rai: Sushant Shahi is waiting for his mother. He knows she isn't alive, but wants to say a final goodbye. A Danish citizen of Indian origin, Rita Shahi had left the cosy hills of Dehradun in Uttarakhand years ago to settle in the Scandinavian country. However, she wished to be cremated according to Hindu rituals.

"My mother suffered a massive stroke on March 6," said Sushant. "It took around 10 days to complete the formalities and the medical examinations in Denmark itself before we could get her home." While Rita's body was put on a flight, Sushant and his wife boarded a different aircraft to fly to India.

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"We were shocked to learn at Delhi airport that her coffin had not arrived," Sushant said. "We were told that the coffin was detained at the Istanbul airport, where it had to be loaded on to the flight bound for Delhi. I was told that Istanbul airport authorities had claimed that they were not able to read Danish and that new documents, translated in English, must be provided before they could release the body to be flown to Delhi."

Rita's husband Surya Bikram Shahi, a noted social activist from the Gorkha community in Dehradun, is still waiting to see her for the last time Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh asked this newspaper on Wednesday to assure the family that he would make sure that the Indian embassy takes care of the issue.

"I want to tell the bereaved family that all help possible will be coming to them from the Indian embassy. No problems should come their way from now on," Singh told Mail Today when apprised of the matter. Rita obtained Danish citizenship after she found employment in the country's medical sector. Sushant was with his mother, studied there and also found employment in the Nordic nation.

NO HELP FROM INDIAN AUTHORITIES?

"She used to come and visit me from time to time. She was here last December and had left only on the 26th after attending a rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was a big fan of the PM," recalled a grieving Surya Bikram Shahi.

"She had all the right to live an independent life and I had always been with her." The family, and Gorkha welfare organisation "The Gorkha Foundation", had appealed to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, the Prime Minister, his office, and the home ministry, but said they had received no assistance.

"We have tweeted to Sushma ji, written mails to the PMO and the home ministry, but no help has been forthcoming," said Sagan Moktan, chairman of the Gorkha welfare body.

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"This is to bring to your notice that the dead body of Smt Rita Shahi, W/O Shri Surya Bikram Shahi, an eminent social worker is stranded in the airport of Istanbul for the last 10 days," said the letter addressed to the Indian authorities mentioned above.

"She expired on the 5th of March 2017 in Denmark and from there the body was sent? the aggrieved family is waiting for the body to arrive and that the departed soul could be cremated with all respect and the last rites?Being a Hindu the performance of the last rite is very important for the well being of the departed soul. Therefore we request you and your august office to kindly intervene and help us in bringing the body back so that the family can perform the last rites and bid farewell to the departed soul."

Also read: Sushma Swaraj comes to rescue of Indian woman in Pakistan who was being ill-treated by her in-laws

Also read: Indian Sufi clerics return to narrate what happened to them in Pakistan

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March 22 2017

Inverclyde Council has lent its approval to construction of a new Early Years Centre in Greenock designed by Holmes Miller and CCG.The West End Early Years Centre on Madeira Street will offer places for 100 pupils within the grounds of the recently demolished Greenock Academy, offering a range of playrooms peppered with flexible furniture and seating.An open canopy structure defines the entrance to the early years centre with punched openings infilled with full-height glazing while openings to the north elevation, bookended by projecting classroom pods, are recessed for shelter.In their design statement the architects noted: The building comprises a central gable form clad in dark grey fibre cement slate which houses the playrooms and main circulation through the building. To the rear of this, a further box clad in vibrantly coloured fibre cement panels houses all of the support accommodation.Sliding laser cut aluminium shutters are integrated within the design to provide additional privacy and security as required.
Oct. 26, 2022

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.  Cadets got the unique experience of interacting with and learning from the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 at the U.S. Air Force Academy Sept. 27-29. The National Character and Leadership Symposium sponsored the visit and three days of activities.The 12
Water temperature: 39 degrees. Air temp: 36 degrees. A stiff wind was in the air; its going to be a cold one, thought Paul Mills. He went through his gear bag looking for three undergarment layers, one dry suit, gloves, helmet, mask and snorkel, and fins.



Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Mills is an aviation survival technician at Air Station Cape Cod. While his skills are honed from hours of training, making sure his gear is prepared is just as crucial.



Cold weather  its less about training and more about the equipment that keeps us alive, he said.



Preparation can be the difference between life and death, said Mills.



Cold weather gear is required to be worn when the water temperature is 55 degrees and below. The water temperatures in New England can get below 30 degrees, but that doesnt stop a well-dressed crew.

January 19, 2017 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Mills, an aviation survival technician, trains in the swimming pool with a comrade at Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. This rescue technique is what rescue swimmers use when bringing survivors to the basket to be hoisted into the awaiting MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to bring them home safely. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) During a [search and rescue] case, Im jumping in to save a life no matter what, said Mills.



He said its not just the water thats cold, but the wind too.



The cold I feel doesnt come from the water, but from the rotor blades of the helicopter, he said. I feel warm in the water with all the gear on.



The three layers of undergarments, similar to long underwear, are warm. Next, the dry suit, which is leak-tested to make sure those undergarments do not get wet, keeps the core of the swimmer warm. The harness goes on after the dry suit. It connects to the hoist hook and contains all of the rescue and survival gear.



The harness is full of pockets holding supplies such as a strobe light, a knife, a personal locator beacon, a radio, and a flashlight, said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Brennan, another aviation survival technician at the air station.



According to Brennan, a rescue swimmer in full cold weather gear can survive in the water for roughly 14 hours.



Even though the weather changes, the training doesnt. Mills works out three days a week with his crew and swims two days a week. In between, he goes up in the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter in full cold weather gear and conducts hoist training with local Coast Guard small boat stations and cutters in the area.



The swimmers and aircrews conduct training hoists during the cold weather, but are cautious of the weather conditions. If the weather is bad, there is no reason to put a crew at risk when a life is not in jeopardy. Hoist training is just part of how Mills and his team stay prepared to face the chilling cold water during a search and rescue case.



During certain times of the year, the swimmers train at the beach. They practice going through the surf and conducting rescues using a dummy or each other as victims.



When there is a search and rescue case, the water temperature doesnt matter, because the risk is always measured against the value of saving a life.

January 19, 2017 - Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Munk, an aviation survival technician, walks in full cold weather gear on the tarmac of Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts before a training flight to help a crew member become a fully qualified flight mechanic. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Nicole J. Groll) Mills said he relies on the gear he has to do its job and protect him from the cold. And as his crew members agree, dressing for the weather is the best policy.



There isn't much that you can do for cold weather, said Brennan. You can dress for it, but cold is still cold; you have to simply put up with and power through it.



During winter 2015, the air station crews did power through it. Air Station Cape Cod performed over 250 rescues and saved about 80 lives.



Last winter, Mills said he was personally involved in five search and rescue cases where lives were saved.



But there were other cases that didnt end as well, he said. There were four cases where lives were lost to the cold water, he said.



The cold takes lives, its best to be prepared with proper gear to withstand the frigid water. By U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll

Provided through DVIDS

Copyright 2017 Comment on this article
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has extended the deadline of making villages along the Ganga free from open defecation from March 31 to May this year as only 76 per cent of them have met the target.

MDWS Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government had set a target to make 4,300 villages along the banks of Ganga, across 52 districts and five states, open-defecation free (ODF) by March 31 this year.

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"However, the target could not be achieved and the deadline has been extended up to May this year," Tomar said.

MDWS Secetary Parmeswaran Iyer said some 3300 villages of the 4300, which comes to around 76 per cent, are now open defecation free.

Akshay Rout, Officer on Special Duty in the MDWS and project in-charge, said that polls in Uttarkhand and Uttar Pradesh and floods along the banks had delayed the work.

"The next target would be have a good liquid and solid waste management in these villages," Rout said.

Tomar said that till date a total of 1.75 lakh villages in 118 districts have become open defecation free.

Tomar also said the government is working on a plan to provide tapped war to all by 2030, as he launched the National Water Quality Sub-Mission today to provide clean drinking water to 28,000 fluoride and arsenic-hit localities across the country by 2021.

Speaking at a workshop on Water for All organised by his ministry on the occasion of World Water Day, Tomar said as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, every family should have tapped drinking water by 2030.

"On the same lines, the government is also working on a scheme to have tapped drinking water to all by 2030. The Centre is also discussing this scheme with the states, which requires an investment of nearly Rs 5-6 lakh crore," Tomar said.

The minister said if the Centres share is to be taken into account, it comes to around Rs 23,000 crore, which is much higher than its annual budget.

Pointing that several lives have been lost due to diseases arising from drinking arsenic-polluted water, Tomar said West Bengal is largely affected due to this while water in Rajasthan has large content of fluoride, resulting in disabilities.

"The government is trying to provide tapped drinking water for all, but the priority remains to deal with areas affected by fluoride, arsenic, iron and nitrate," Tomar said. PTI PR BSA

--- ENDS ---
Roadrunner Nation to march for justice in honor of Cesar Chavez

UTSA students, faculty and staff will march together in support of workers' rights.

(March 20, 2017) -- Students, faculty and staff from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will join thousands from across South Texas as they march together in San Antonio's 21st annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice. The march is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25. It begins at Guadalupe and South Brazos streets and ends at Alamo Plaza.

>> See the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice route details.

The annual march celebrates the life and legacy of labor, human and civil rights leader, Cesar E. Chavez. The Mexican American farm worker fought for farm workers' rights in California and eventually the entire nation from the 1950s until his death in 1993.

"Cesar Chavez had power for the Latino voice in the United States," said Brian Halderman, director of the UTSA Center for Civic Engagement. "This gives students an opportunity to not only march under his name but to participate in civic engagement in a different way. We often think of civic engagement as voting or volunteer service, but in this case we're putting one foot in front of the other because we believe in a cause."

Groups of UTSA students, faculty and staff have traditionally participated in the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice, organized by the university's Student Leadership Center. This year, that center collaborated with the Center for Civic Engagement, the university's Mexican American Studies Program and African American Studies Program, and the Student Government Association, among others, to grow UTSA's involvement in the march.

UTSA graduate student James Pobanz will be participating for the first time.

"Events like this are important to not only represent UTSA but to stand in solidarity with the people that make up our community," said Pobanz, who graduates with his master's in social work this May. "It also gives me a chance to take the pulse of the community and get a feel for what is on people's minds and to explore opportunities for change."

UTSA will provide shuttles to transport faculty, staff and students to the march. Main Campus participants will meet at the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. to ride the shuttle. Downtown Campus participants will meet at 9 a.m. in Lot D-3 under I-35. Shuttle riders must register by March 24. Participants can also meet the UTSA group at the start of the march.

Roadrunner Nation is encouraged to wear orange to the march and will walk behind an orange banner, chanting along the route. There will be a presentation on the significance of Chavez' life following the rally at Alamo Plaza.

"This is a chance for us to take what we learned from the classroom and see how it can fit into the real world, said Pobanz. "UTSA has given us the tools to make a difference in people's lives. Let's join together and show our community what we can do."

- Courtney Clevenger

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Learn more about San Antonio's Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice.

Learn more about the UTSA Student Leadership Center.

Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Meet a Roadrunner: Elizabeth Cook wants to make higher education attainable for others

Elizabeth Cook

(March 22, 2017) -- Meet Elizabeth Cook. This UTSA doctoral student is the first recipient to ever receive the Gaye Theresa Johnson African American Studies Doctoral Fellowship, an award for advanced doctoral students pursuing research. The award is offered by the UTSA Consortium for Social Transformation and UTSA Office of the President.

Born in California and raised in a military family, Cook has lived and traveled all around the world. After moving nine times, she graduated from high school in Washington state and, due to her husband's military relocation, arrived in San Antonio in 2011.

"I grew up relatively poor. I had no concept of what college was supposed to be," said Cook, a first-generation college student. "During my undergraduate career, I didn't even know we needed books to attend class. I was truly a naive student."

Cook came to UTSA to pursue her doctoral degree in educational leadership after earning a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a Master's in Education from the University of Oklahoma. To support her doctoral research, she received the UTSA Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies' ELPS Doctoral Fellowship.

"I chose UTSA specifically because it was a Hispanic-serving university. I wanted a place that was vested in underrepresented minorities and non-traditional students."

The UTSA doctoral program has taught Cook more about higher education administration. In the classroom, she has been challenged to see the world in new ways. She also has studied inequality and has an insider perspective of how to affect change in higher education and create pathways for diverse groups of students.

During her time at UTSA, Cook worked with and taught in many different areas of the university, including the Consortium for Social Transformation. She was nominated by UTSA professor Theodorea R. Berry for the Gaye Theresa Johnson Fellowship.

Since receiving this fellowship, Cook has devoted her time to completing her dissertation, which focuses on African American women in graduate schools.

"It's great to be able to connect my years of experience in higher education administration and student affairs with my current work. I've been able to craft my five years of study into one laser-focused ideal," she said.

Cook is also spending significant time with Karla Broadus, director of the UTSA African American Studies program. Together, they are working with others across campus and in the community to help expand the program.

"I've been very fortunate to work with our students and help them understand the importance of African American Studies," Cook said. "These are the courses that are going to enrich you as a human being."

Over the years, Cook has worked extremely hard and has connected with people who understand her research in and outside of her department.

"The research I'm doing is different than the mainstream. The one thing that UTSA is very, very good at is working hard to make that vested effort to make positive change," said Cook. "UTSA is really trying to reach that next tier  that Tier One level."

Graduating this May with her doctoral degree in educational leadership, Cook's advice to other students who plan to pursue their doctoral degree is to branch out of their comfort zone.

"Be serious and focus on what you want out of a program. Be honest and ask questions about the courses and research, and connect with faculty that can help you along the way."

Cook is looking forward to her future and to creating a college classroom environment that's inclusive and supportive for all students.

"My personal ethos and mission during my professional career has been to seek out the students who are unsure about their time here," Cook said. "There have been so many people along the way who have been integral to my success. I want to be that person for others as a way of giving back. That's the impetus for me to get my Ph.D. from UTSA. I wanted to progress further but I also want to participate in the conversation at the table where leaders are making decisions that affect others."

- Erika Bruno

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Do you know a Roadrunner who is achieving great things? Email us at social@utsa.edu so that we may consider your suggestion for our next installment of Meet a Roadrunner.

Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Texas governor recognizes UTSA small business network during national SBDC Day at the State Capitol

(March 22, 2017) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott will issue a proclamation today observing the first national America's SBDC Day at the Texas Capitol in Austin. America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) include locations across every state in the country that provide local businesses and entrepreneurs with resources to start and grow small businesses. The Texas Senate and House of Representatives also will read resolutions to recognize the Texas SBDC Network, which has been strengthening Texas economy for more than 30 years.

On March 22, 1977, the Small Business Development Center Act was introduced in the United State Senate. This led to the creation of an educational infrastructure of approximately 1,000 service centers and more than 5,000 professional business advisors who provide personalized confidential management and technical assistance to more than one million Americans nationally each year.

SBDC Day is a national, collective proclamation of the success and impact America's SBDCs have across the country in economic development and the small business community. America's SBDCs create a new job every five minutes, start a new business every 30 minutes, and generate $100,000 in new sales every 7.5 minutes.

Representatives from the Texas SBDC Network and UTSA's Small Business Development Centers will be present for the reading of the proclamation and resolutions. This national recognition is part of a continued effort from America's SBDCs to raise awareness about the presence and significance of its services to growing communities across the U.S.

In 2016, the Texas SBDC Network served more than 63,000 businesses, created 14,692 jobs and generated $152 million in incremental state and federal tax revenue due to growth. The San Antonio SBDC served more than 8,000 business in the city alone.

"Texas SBDCs grow the Texas economy one business at a time," said Al Salgado, executive director of SWTXB SBDC Network. "The South-West Texas Border SBDC Network and its affiliate SBDC host institutions thank our business and community clients, economic development allies and team members who enrich the Texas economy through their work. We also thank Governor Abbott and the State of Texas for recognizing statewide SBDC impact."

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Find local SBDCs in Texas.

About the UTSA Institute for Economic Development

The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to growing businesses, creating jobs and fostering economic development. Focused on building the economy one business at a time, the Institute consists of 10 centers and programs that provide professional business advising, technical training, research and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. These programs serve Greater San Antonio, the Texas-Mexico border area as well as regional, national and international stakeholders. Together with the federal, state and local governments, and private businesses, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development fosters economic and community development in support of UTSA's community engagement mission. In 2016, the Institute generated direct regional economic impact of 7,517 jobs, started 591 new businesses, $447 million in new financing, $78 million in new tax revenue and exceeded $1.4 billion in new sales, exports and contracts.

About the UTSA South-West Texas Border (SWTXB) SBDC Network

The South-West Texas Border SBDC Network stretches for 79 counties across south, central, west and Gulf Coast Texas. This vast and diverse territory encompasses 108,000 square miles including our state's capitol. To meet the challenge of providing services to aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, the Network operates 10 professional staffed SBDC centers. The SBDC is funded in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), The University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as colleges and universities throughout the Network's territory. The 29,751 advising and training clients served in 2016 represent almost 20 percent of the 148,784 employer businesses in the service area. SWTXB SBDC Network clients continue to outperform the average Texas business in sales and employment. Those clients, who represent the Network's long-term impact, also generated more than $62 million in state tax revenues for Texas.

Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Alzheimers Listening Sessions Scheduled Throughout Wyoming

The University of Wyoming Center on Aging is among sponsors with the Wyoming Department of Health for Alzheimers disease informative listening sessions throughout the state.

Listening sessions are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

The Wyoming Alzheimers Task Force is developing a plan to address Alzheimers disease in Wyoming. The group will partner with the Wyoming Alzheimers Association, St. Johns Medical Center and St. Johns Hospital Foundation, and AARP to gain insight from Wyoming residents on Alzheimers in the state.

The plan will gain insight into the lives of individuals caring for someone with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia. The plan will identify resources, detect resource gaps and map opportunities to improve the lives of individuals with dementia.

All listening sessions will be held from 3-5 p.m. Listening session dates and locations are:

-- Casper, Thursday, March 23, UW-Casper, Room UU322.

-- Gillette, Friday, March 24, Campbell County Public Library, Wyoming Room.

-- Rock Springs, Monday, March 27, Rock Springs Library, Ferrero Room.

-- Lander, Tuesday, March 28, Fremont County Library, meeting rooms A and B.

-- Ethete, Wednesday, March 29, Wind River Tribal College, Room C1.

-- Jackson, Thursday, March 30, Teton County Library auditorium.

-- Worland, Wednesday, April 5, Washakie County Library, large meeting room.

-- Cody, Thursday, April 6, Park County Library, Grizzly Room.

Interested residents unable to attend listening sessions can share their thoughts through an online survey found at http://bit.ly/2nJQBwE.

For more information about the UW Center for Aging, visit www.uwyo.edu/wycoa/.

For more information about the plan, call Linda Chasson at (307) 777-6103 or email linda.chasson1@wyo.gov.
Judaic Studies Professor to Present Cone Lecture at UW March 28

Irven Resnick

Medieval laws governing Jewish dress and the Jews badge will be discussed during the 20th annual Cone Family Distinguished Lecture in History Tuesday, March 28, at the University of Wyoming.

Irven Resnick, a distinguished scholar in Judaic studies, will present The Clothes Make the Man: The Jews Badge and Sexual Impurity at 3 p.m. in Room 310 of the Classroom Building. The event is free and open to the public.

Resnicks lecture will focus on medieval laws that governed how the Jewish community was forced to dress to separate members from the rest of the community and to prevent intermarriage between Jews and Christians. He will discuss the Jews badge, a medieval invention that also was part of the Nuremberg Laws in Nazi Germany.

Dr. Resnicks lecture on medieval anti-Semitism is especially timely in light of recent anti-Semitic events in the news involving the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats at Jewish community centers, says Barbara Logan, an associate lecturer in the UW Department of History. Many current anti-Semitic slanders have their origin in the Middle Ages.

Resnick is the Chair of Excellence in Judaic Studies at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

He has been a Corresponding Fellow at the Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies at Bar-Ilan University (Israel) since 1996, and a senior associate at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies (England) since 2003.

In 2006, he was elected a faculty associate at Oxford Universitys Oriental Institute. For fall semester 2006, he was a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Queen Mary, University of London. Additionally, he is a contributing member to the Center for the Study of Conversion and Inter-Religious Encounters at Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel).

The Cone Lecture is made possible by the generous support of Susan B. Horton Cone. A native of Newcastle and the daughter of a local physician, Cone graduated from UW as a history major in 1931. Throughout her adult life, she spent time in Jackson Hole, Louisiana and California. But, home to Cone was always Newcastle, and the university was never far from her thoughts.

In her later years, Cone expressed a concern that our increasingly technological society was losing sight of the value of the arts and humanities. Seeking to encourage discussion in the humanities, Cone endowed this lecture series in honor of her family.

For more information about the Cone Lecture, call Logan at (307) 766-6057 or email blogan@uwyo.edu.
By India Today Web Desk: Deepika Padukone is back in Mumbai, and the first thing that the Bajirao Mastani actor did after she landed in India was to catch up with her friends.

Buzz has it that Ranveer Singh is in pain as he recently got a dental surgery done. However, the 31-year-old actor ditched her boyfriend to party with her close buddies. Clad in a white top and a pair of denims, Deepika looked elegant as she made her way out of the high-end eatery with her buddies.

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It's been a while since the rumours of a fall out between Ranveer and Deepika have made to it the juicy tabloids. However, the rumoured lovebirds have remained tight-lipped on their relationship status.

Interestingly, Deepika and Ranveer are currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmavati. The film also stars Shahid Kapoor.

(Photos: Yogen Shah)

ALSO READ: Here's what Deepika Padukone has to say about break-up rumours

ALSO READ: Deepika opens up on her HUGE crush on Vin Diesel. Is Ranveer listening?

ALSO WATCH: Ranveer Singh says his outlook on romantic relationships has evolved

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UW Professors First Novel Nominated for National Award

UW Professor Jeff Lockwoods first novel, Poisoned Justice, has been named one of three finalists by the Independent Book Publishers Association. (Pen-L Publishing Photo)

University of Wyoming Professor Jeff Lockwoods first novel, Poisoned Justice, has been named one of three finalists by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).

Lockwood is nominated in the fiction: mystery and suspense category in IBPAs 2017 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition. Lockwood says IBPA does not share the number of entries per category, but nearly 1,400 entries were submitted this year in more than 55 categories.

And, the mystery and suspense category generally has among the largest number of nominations, he says.

A single gold award winner will be selected from the finalists in each category and announced during a ceremony in Portland, Ore., Friday, April 7.

I am deeply honored to have had my work selected for this award, Lockwood says. And, I am delighted that the judges appreciated my efforts to weave philosophical questions as to the nature of justice into the literary style of crime noir.

For Poisoned Justice, UW Creative Writing Program Director Lockwood went back to his entomology roots to write his book, centered on a murder mystery.

In the creative writing program, we ask our students to take risks -- and moving from my comfort zone of nonfiction into the realm of a noir mystery was quite a leap for me, he adds. And, so, its tremendously encouraging that IBPA selected my book for this.

In his October 2016 published book, an activist ecology professor is found dead in his hotel room. The police chalk it up to natural causes, but his wealthy and fiery widow is convinced it is foul play. She needs someone who can operate behind the scenes -- in the dark cracks and gritty crevices of San Francisco.

Lockwood introduces the books hero, Riley the exterminator. His career as a police detective was cut short when do-gooders saw him beat information out of a child kidnapper. Riley now runs his fathers pest control business, where he hunts down two-legged vermin on the side.

In Poisoned Justice, the professors death scene suggests somethings amiss to a man who knows insects. Riley learns that the victim had a costly plan to take down the pesticide industry. And, the professors need for cash put him on a collision course with a brutal drug lord.

In describing the main plot, Lockwood writes that, When Riley discovers a twisted connection between his own brothers poisoning and the professors death, extermination is in order.

Although my previous work has been in nonfiction, good writing crosses genre boundaries, Lockwood says. Story is at the heart of my writing life -- whether that story is about how locusts changed the American frontier, how insects were used as weapons of war throughout history, or how an imaginary cop-turned-exterminator explores the line between justice and vengeance.

The 288-page book is available through Pen-L Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and Kobo. Poisoned Justice is the first of a three-book series planned with Pen-L Publishing, and the second mystery is slated for release later this year.

Founded in 1983, IBPA serves the independent publishing community through advocacy and education. With more than 3,000 members, IBPA is the largest publishing trade association in the United States.
Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel seem to have begun a new relationship now. One that does not involve amazing babies, that is.

By India Today Web Desk: Deepika Padukone, once upon a time, had spoken about what she thought about her relationship with her xXx Return of Xander Cage co-star and Hollywood actor Vin Diesel.

If you need a bit of rewinding, Deepika was on The Ellen DeGenres show when she was asked, "There is a romance going on, that's what you would get from that as well... Look at that face! Does that mean there is?"

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Deepika responded, "Well, there is no smoke without fire!"

"But, it's all in my head! So yeah, I mean in my head I think, like yeah, we are together and we have this amazing chemistry, and we live together and we have these amazing babies! But it's all in my head," said Deepika.

And now, if reports are to be believed, Deepika has found a godfather in Vin Diesel. Buzz has it that the Fast and Furious actor is taking a keen interest in Deepika's career in Hollywood, and looking at all scripts coming the leggy lass's way.

Vin Diesel and Deepika Padukone's chemistry in xXx Return of Xander Cage received a thumbs-up from critics, even though that can hardly be said about the film in itself.

On the work front, Deepika Padukone is yet to sign her second Hollywood project after xXx Return of Xander Cage. She is gearing up for her next Bollywood film, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati.

MOVIE REVIEW: xXx Return of Xander Cage

ALSO WATCH: Vin Diesel leaves India to shouts of 'takle!'

WATCH: Deepika-Vin arrive in India

--- ENDS ---


In the latest culinary collaboration for its Artist Series, Umami Burger presents Cindys Casa Burger by fashion icon, supermodel and businesswoman, Cindy Crawford, along with Randes Spicy Margarita, an exclusive Casamigos Tequila cocktail created by her husband, Rande Gerber (Pictured: Cindys Casa Burger).

Cindys Casa Burger and Randes Spicy Margarita are available at participating Umami Burger locations nationwide from March 17 to May 12, 2017, with $1 from the sale of each burger and cocktail benefitting American Family Childrens Hospital in Madison, Wisc. and its Fighting Cancer So Kids Wont Have To campaign.

Cindy is not just an incredible businesswoman, shes also extremely generous and caring. She has created an exclusive Artist Series Burger for Umami to help support pediatric cancer research at the University of Wisconsin and American Family Childrens Hospital where her younger brother was once treated for leukemia, said Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO of sbe, Umami Burgers majority shareholder. We are pleased to collaborate with both Cindy and Rande to amplify the Umami Burger experience for our guests while backing an important cause.

Bold and spicy, Cindys Casa Burger is made with two jalapeno-studded beef patties and topped with crushed avocado, butter lettuce, oven roasted tomato, miso-mustard, caramelized onions, American cheese, house spread, tortilla chips, salsa brava and queso fresco. To complement Cindys Casa Burger, Rande Gerber  Crawfords real-life pairing and Casamigos Tequila founder  has created Randes Spicy Margarita, an exclusive Casamigos Tequila cocktail available at Umami Burger.

Growing up in a small town, I loved classic American comfort food, and nothing is more classic than an American cheeseburger. Rande who owns Casamigos Tequila, also inspired my burger, said Cindy Crawford. Cindys Casa Burger is slightly spicy, blending together classic Mexican and American flavors with an umami twist. The tortilla chips are tossed in a chilaquiles-style salsa brava and dusted with queso fresco for layers of flavor, and the heat from the jalapeno is balanced by American cheese, avocado spread, tomato and butter lettuce.

Cindys Casa Burger is available for $14 at participating Umami Burger locations nationwide through May 12, 2017. Learn more about Cindys Casa Burger in a video filmed by famed photographer Matthew Rolston.

Created exclusively for Umami Burger, and as the perfect pairing to Cindys Casa Burger, Randes Spicy Margarita is made with Casamigos Blanco, muddled serrano peppers, fresh lime juice, orange juice, house-made simple syrup and a PAMA infusion topped with Xicaru Mezcal, Cointreau foam and thinly sliced serrano pepper. Randes Spicy Margarita is available at Umami

Burger at restaurants with a full bar through May 12, 2017 for $11.

Randes Spicy Margarita is refreshing with a kick of heat thats equally satisfying, said Rande Gerber. This cocktail features Casamigos ultra-premium tequila and fresh ingredients which packs serious flavor, and gives back to an organization that is near and dear to our hearts.

In fall 2016, American Family Childrens Hospital and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center joined forces to launch a new childhood cancer fundraising effort at the University of Wisconsin. Fighting Cancer So Kids Wont Have To is a campaign that supports childhood cancer research taking place on campus. The campaigns vision is not only to save every patient but also to eliminate the risks that come with traditional cancer treatments, aiming to transform cancer from a life-threatening disease into a treatable and manageable one.


Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres, the acclaimed signature restaurant at SLS Las Vegas, will host an exclusive six-course dinner paired with the varietals of Andrew Will Winery at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6 (Photo credit: SLS Las Vegas).

Bazaar Meat lead sommelier, Chloe Helfand, will describe the wines and explain why each was selected for the pairing.

Founded in 1989 in Washington state, Andrew Will Winery pays homage to owner and founder Chris Camardas son, Will, and nephew, Andrew. Named one of the 50 most influential winemakers in the world by Wine & Spirits Magazine, Camarda has made his mark in the winemaking community through his blends.

Routinely scoring 90 points and above in major wine publications, the predominantly red blends feature grapes from Camardas vineyards, including: the Champoux Vineyard and Discovery Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills; Two Blondes Vineyard in Yakima Valley; and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. Camardas success has positioned Andrew Will Winery as one of the leading wineries in Washington State, and has cast renewed attention on Washington as a producer of fine wines.

The Andrew Will wine dinner includes:

2014 Cuvee Lucia Sauvignon Blanc Geoduck

Santa Monica Spot Prawns 2014 Andrew Will Cabernet Franc Beef and Parmesan Grissini

The Lhardys Madrid Beef Consomme 2013 Andrew Will Merlot Slow-Roasted Baby Lamb

Julian de Tolosoa Piquillo Peppers 2012 Sorella red blend Rabo de Toro

Baby Carrots

Papas Canarias 2010 Two Blondes red blend Japanese Baby Peaches Dessert assortment
News

Nov 05, 2022

You need to have a degree. Mia, daughter of Juan Nevarez, heard it all of her life. Education opens doors and will help you to become self-sufficient. People wont take you seriously without it, and youll have to work extra hard to demonstrate that you know what you know. more info

Oct 31, 2022

It is time to renew your 2023 Vineyard Team Grower Membership. As you know, Vineyard Team is dedicated to bringing you the latest sustainable viticulture knowledge. more info

Oct 29, 2022

$1.3 Million Raised for the Children of Vineyard and Winery Workers<br /> Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give backand the results were astounding. more info

Oct 13, 2022

Now through December 18th, Hotel San Luis Obispo, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of San Luis Obispos vibrant downtown, invites wine lovers to discover the beauty of the Central Coast during harvest with a host of fall-inspired experiences. They have teamed with two SIP Certified brands to offer guests incredible deals featuring sustainable wines! more info

Oct 03, 2022

Chantal Lefebvre, owner of WaterFire Vineyards, the first property outside of California to be SIP Certified, was recently interviewed by Jennifer Kiel of Michigan Farmer to talk about the history of their vineyard, and how they have used their sustainable certification to differentiate their business and demonstrate how to grow grapes while protecting the lakes. more info

Sep 21, 2022

As a young child living in a small home in Mexico City, Esteban Garcia recalls using sun-warmed water from a 5-gallon bucket to bathe. There were three of us kids and my mom had one for each of us, he shares. We grew up in poverty.When the family moved to the U.S. in 2000, they found work as pickers in the fields of Santa Maria. Esteban remembers using his small hands to help his family collect strawberries and other seasonal produce starting each morning at 5am. more info

Aug 31, 2022

First-generation students have more barriers when it comes to attaining higher education  they cannot ask their parents how to navigate the system. With this new funding, the program can expand to have an even greater impact. more info

Aug 29, 2022

Congratulations to our 10-year members! Sustainable agriculture is critical in the preservation and protection of the people and the planet, and farmers and producers like SIP Certified members put sustainability at the forefront of their business practices to ensure they are doing their part in protecting these precious resources. more info

Aug 23, 2022

Wine industry and business leaders from across the country once again came together at Must! Charities PURPOSE event with a shared passion to give backand the results were astounding. The evenings Fund a Need raised $1 million to benefit the Vineyard Teams Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides academic opportunities to children of vineyard and winery workers. more info

Jul 26, 2022

The Vineyard Teams Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Helps Children of Farmworkers go to College more info

Apr 11, 2022

Did you know that the Vineyard Team is an award-winning organization? Arising from a small grower groups desire to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices, the Vineyard Team has become an internationally recognized leader in the sustainability movement. more info

Mar 30, 2022

Every five years, the SIP Certified Standards undergo a peer review by representatives from the university and extension system, state and federal agencies, agricultural professionals, and environmental and social organizations. These experts are asked to review the Standards chapters and provide their feedback via comments and questions. The 2023 SIP Certified Standards peer review was completed in February 2022 by fifteen experts in the field, and the Technical Advisory Committee reviewed the comments in March 2022. more info

Mar 21, 2022

In 2021, Dustin Tran and Nicholas Lawrence Babin of California Polytechnical Institute conducted a survey of 91 vineyard managers in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. The aim of their study was to assess the level of, and barriers to, adopting six irrigation efficiency best management practices (BMP). more info

Dec 29, 2021

No matter what role you have in the business of winegrowing, Sustainable Winegrowing with the Vineyard Team provides information and education to help you stay up-to-date with the latest science and research in the field. Today, we bring you the Top 5 Sustainable Winegrowing Podcasts of 2021. more info

Dec 13, 2021

We have expanded Business Membership tiers for 2022. Please read the details below so your company can have access to Vineyard Team Business Membership benefits all year long. more info

Nov 11, 2021

You might have heard about our Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. We know higher education is important to many students but paying for college can be challenging. The Vineyard Teams Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship helps college students whose parents work in members' vineyards and wineries achieve their dreams. more info

Nov 10, 2021

The Vineyard Team's Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship honors Juan Nevarez, a beloved member of the Central Coast winegrape industry, whose kindness, expertise, and passion shaped so many local vineyards. Juan Nevarez was a dreamer. But the difference between Juan and many at that time was his ability to turn his dreams into reality and share that opportunity for others. The Vineyard Team is proud to pay tribute to a Paso Robles Pioneer through this scholarship that supports families of vineyard employees in their educational pursuits. more info

Oct 27, 2021

We know higher education is important to many students but paying for college can be challenging. The Vineyard Teams Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship helps college students whose parents work in our members' vineyards and wineries achieve their dreams. Help us reach our goal to raise $50,000 by December 1. YOU can make a life-changing impact on a students future. more info
Now in its second year, the summit is organised by the Citi Foundation and the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) in partnership with the Banking with the Poor Network and The Economist Group. This year the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) is the official host of the summit.

Themed Advancing Financial Inclusion in a Digital Age, the summit will explore the opportunities and challenges of the next generation of financial inclusion, and showcase the latest technology and innovations in financial products and services for the unbanked and underserved.

Michelle Curry, CEO of FDC called the impact of the digital age on financial inclusion arguably the greatest financial reform of our time and added that it was both encouraging and inspiring to see such dedication to the reform evidenced by the large number of attendees at this sellout summit.

Nguyen Thi Hong, deputy governor of the SBV, spoke about the future of financial inclusion in her keynote address today.

More organisations are offering new financial products and services that change the form and nature of the market and are shaping the future of financial inclusion. This rapid change presents challenges in terms of management, monitoring and risk of information and system security. Therefore, it is critical to harmonise the goals of financial innovation, integration and consumer protection to maximise the benefits of financial inclusion, said Hong.

Despite great progress made over the past decades in financial inclusion worldwide, some two billion adults remain unbanked, more than half of which are in Asia-Pacific.

The inclusive finance ecosystem is evolving to include not only financial service providers, both banks and non-banks, but new players, like mobile money providers and e-money operators, to name a few, said Brandee McHale, president of the Citi Foundation and director of Corporate Citizenship at Citi.

What we will explore at this years summit is the need to balance new innovative technological advances and creative partnerships with policy that will continue to not only help drive financial inclusion for low-income populations but also protect vulnerable populations, she added.

Over the next two days, delegates will debate issues, share case studies, analyse trends and explore opportunities to drive collective action. The summits delegates include prominent organisations including the Vietnam Bank of Social Policies, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Ford Foundation, MicroSave, Cullinan Group, Friend of Womens World Banking, The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, World Bank Group, United Nations, Grameen Capital, ACCESS Development Services, Visa, bKash, MasterCard and Yale University.
A rare commodity

Petrolimex, the biggest fuel supplier in Vietnam, has basically finished preparations for its planned listing on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in mid-April 2017. Since the end of 2016, many big firms that are going to be listed or have outstanding business results have become hot commodity on the OTC market. Thus, the PLX ticker is being hunted and its price has been increasing as the day of listing on HOSE is approaching.

During Petrolimexs IPO in 2011, the purchase price for a share was VND15,032 ($0.66). Since November 2016, numerous investors have been looking to buy PLX stocks at VND24,000 ($1.05) per share, and the price kept increasing. At the beginning of March 2017, according to Saigon Securities Inc., PLX was about VND40,000 ($1.75) per share on the OTC market.

Some brokers said that Petrolimex shares are now worth VND46,000-47,000 (about $2), but they are rarely bought.

Besides, the attractiveness of PLX can also be explained by its improving business results. In 2016, Petrolimex earned an after tax profit of VND5.2 trillion ($227.67 million), which was 1.5 times as much as 2015s figure (VND3.4 trillion$148.86 million). Notably, its 2016 profit margin reached 4.2 per cent, compared to the 2.3 per cent of 2015.

In 2016, Petrolimex also finished selling its stakes to Japanese strategic partner JX Nippon Oil and Energy, a company with 50 per cent market share in Japan. In this deal, JX Nippon Oil and Energy purchased 8 per cent of PLXs stakes at a price of VND39.017 ($1.7) per share. Thanks to this deal, Petrolimex gained VND4.039 trillion ($176.84 million) and raised its chartered capital to VND11.388 trillion ($498.6 million).

Short-term factors reigning in enthusiasm

Despite its actual potential, investors should have a more accurate view of this enterprise. Petrolimex had a favourable year in 2016, but it was the past. Whether 2017 and the years ahead will be favourable is difficult to forecast.

Despite higher after-tax profit, Petrolimex owners equity in 2016 also rose dramatically, from VND16.7 trillion ($731 million) to over VND23 trillion ($1.007 trillion), by 38 per cent. Thus, return on equity (ROE) in 2016 was 22.6 per cent, only a slight increase compared to the 20 per cent of 2015.

Besides, there was no significant increase in Petrolimexs gross profit, while its total profit sharply increased. In particular, in 2016, Petrolimex earned a revenue of over VND14 trillion ($613 million), a slight increase compared to the VND13 trillion ($569 million) of 2015. Meanwhile, sales expenses grew from VND6.8 trillion ($297.7 million) in 2015 to VND7.6 trillion ($322.75 million) in 2016. These figures show that Petrolimexs core business was not improved remarkably throughout the year.

In addition, the increasing profit in 2016 originates from the significantly declining financial expenses, which went from VND2.6 trillion ($113.8 million) in 2015 to VND875 billion ($38 million) in 2016. There is no guarantee that financial expenses will not rise again in 2017, especially in light of the probable appreciation of the USD from the beginning of 2017, which may raise these expenses as most Petrolimex products sold in Vietnam are imported.
The plan, named VITA  Bao An Toan Dien offers both savings and critical illness coverage that will protect customers against the increasing risks of critical illnesses.

VITA  Bao An Toan Dien features coverage for 99 critical illnesses up to 275 per cent of the sum assured (SA) and waiver of premium benefit when the life assured is diagnosed with critical illness. The plan covers short term financial needs with cash benefit of 5 per cent of SA payable every 5 years.

Customers get a comfortable life in old age with special cash benefit at the age of 75, up to 200 per cent of SA and loyalty additions. They get protection for their children with financial support benefit for parents. In addition, there is death benefit of when the life assured passes away from the age of 75 with 100 per cent of SA.

With VITA  Bao An Toan Dien, while the maximum premium term is only 20 years, customers shall be covered until the age of 99, with total benefits that can top out at 375 per cent of SA. When diagnosed with a critical illness in Generalis list of 99 common critical illnesses, the life assured will receive up to two payments for early-stage critical illnesses, and up to two payments for late-stage critical illnesses. Particularly, for diabetic complications which are quite common in Vietnam, Generali Vietnam shall make an additional payment of 25 per cent of SA to provide support for continuous treatment.

Despite our short history, we have established a successful track record in providing suitable, practical and affordable financial solutions for customers. VITA  Bao An Toan Dien plays up our motto of being simpler, smarter, truly customer centric, said Tina Nguyen, CEO of Generali Vietnam.

For the first time in Vietnam, customers can now access a plan that offers peace of mind from rising medical costs and protects their quality of life at the same time. Positive feedback of the plan makes us confident that this will benefit many people looking for protection before, during and even after a critical illness occurs, she added.

VITA  Bao An Toan Dien follows the launch of another health rider plan, VITA Golden Health, launched in December 2016. VITA  Golden Health provides coverage across Asia and pays for all cancer treatment expenses up to VND1 billion ($440,000). Together, these health plans will allow customers to have more financial flexibility and comprehensive protection for themselves and their families.
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 22 (PTI) Recognising that there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson today said defeating the terrorist group is the "number one US goal in the region."

"I recognise there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating ISIS is the United States number one goal in the region. When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand," Tillerson said in his address to the 10th meeting of the 68-member Global Coalition against ISIS.

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India is not part of the global coalition against ISIS. However, the National Security Advisor Ajit Dovals four-day trip to the US coincides with this meeting.

The Ministerial being hosted by the State Department is focusing on the ground campaign in Iraq and Syria, and how the Coalition can effectively transition to defeat ISIS globally along the five lines of effort of the campaign (military, foreign terrorist fighters, counterterrorist financing, counter-messaging, and stabilization of liberated areas).

Addressing the first full meeting of the Coalition since 2014, Tillerson said the 68-member group is "united in stopping" an ISIS resurgence, halting its global ambitions, and discrediting its ideological narrative.

"And we are ready to grow stronger and stay aggressive in this battle," he said.

"The expansion of ISIS has necessitated a large scale military response, and our offensive measures are reclaiming areas in Iraq and Syria in which ISIS has had a large and destructive footprint. Our end goal in this phase is the regional elimination of ISIS through military force," Tillerson said.

The coalition he said will continue to facilitate the return of people to their homes, and work with local political leadership.

They will provide stable and fair governance, rebuild infrastructure, and provide essential services.

"We will use our diplomatic presence on the ground to facilitate channels of dialogue between local leadership and Coalition partners. The US will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires, to allow refugees to return home," Tillerson said.

"As we stabilise areas encompassing ISIS?s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria, we also must prevent their seeds of hatred from taking root elsewhere. We must ensure ISIS cannot gain or maintain footholds in new regions of the world. We must fight ISIS online as aggressively as we would on the ground," said the US Secretary of State.

Said to be the largest international coalition in history, the 68-member Global Coalition since its formation in 2014 has liberated 62 per cent of the terrain once occupied by ISIS.

Having conducted more than 19,000 air strikes, the coalition has killed more than 180 senior to mid-level of the ISIS leadership. PTI LKJ PMS

--- ENDS ---

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Employees work at a production line of the JBS-Friboi chicken processing plant in Lapa, Parana State, Brazil. Police have halted exports by 21 meat processers suspected of bribing inspectors to issue them bogus health certificates for rotten meat. (RODRIGO FONSECA/AFP)

Hong Kong is the biggest market for Brazilian beef, importing US$718 million worth in 2016, according to Brazilian government figures.

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety said it had temporarily suspended the import of frozen and chilled meat and poultry "in view of the fact that the quality of the meat from Brazil is in question."

This followed a similar ban by China, which is Brazil's biggest market for beef and poultry overall.

South Korea, for its part, lifted a temporary suspension on the distribution of chicken already imported from Brazil, after authorities there performed quality inspections and confirmed that no tainted poultry had entered the country.

It has no plans to close its market to Brazilian meat, the South Korean embassy in Brasilia said.

But the European Union earlier demanded a stop to exports by four companies implicated in the scandal, while Chile suspended all meat imports, prompting Brazil to threaten retaliatory measures against its Latin American trade partner.

Mexico issued its own ban on poultry imports late Tuesday, saying it wanted Brazil "to show scientific proof and guarantees of the sanitary level, quality and safety" of the produce.

Brazil's neighbor Argentina announced it was ready for "an even greater increase in the usual (quality) controls."

Japan, which is Brazil's third biggest market for chicken, with US$720 million in sales, said it would not allow imports of products from the 21 businesses under investigation in Brazil.

And Russia, which has heavily relied on Brazilian imports since banning US and European Union food imports, said it wanted clarifications from Brazil.

"We expect more than 30 countries to question Brazil about this issue," Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said Monday.

NATIONAL 'EMBARRASSMENT'

Officials have been scrambling to contain the damage since Brazilian police announced the results of a two-year investigation on Friday.

According to police, health inspectors were bribed to certify meat no longer fit for consumption, while additives were used to mask problems in the produce.

Exports have been stopped from all 21 meat processors under investigation, and at least 30 people have been arrested.

A poultry-processing plant run by the multinational BRF group and two meat-processing plants operated by the local Peccin company were shut down.

Brazil exports meat to more than 150 countries, with 2016 sales of beef and poultry reaching more than US$10 billion.

Total meat exports amount to about seven percent of exports and 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product, according to Capital Economics.

The Folha newspaper reported that 21 meat processing companies forced to halt exports while they undergo investigation represent less than one percent of total Brazilian meat exports.

However, the damage to the industry's reputation could be far reaching, hitting Brazil just as the country struggles to exit its worst recession in history.

President Michel Temer called the quantities involved in the scandal "insignificant" on Tuesday, but he admitted there had been "an embarrassment."

The scandal also broke right ahead of negotiations to seek a free-trade accord between the European Union and several South American countries including Brazil.

France and other European countries are wary about opening up the EU meat market to countries in the South American Mercosur bloc, which includes major exporters Brazil and Argentina. Paraguay and Uruguay are the other members.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said that the city does not import meat from the affected meat processing plants in Brazil as they have not been approved to export to Singapore.
Investor flight from build-operate-transfer (BOT) traffic projects is triggering worries that the Government must rethink how to promote private investments in BOT infrastructure projects, experts said. - Photo infonet.vn

Most recently, infrastructure developer Tasco decided to stop investing in BOT projects after 10 years.

Tran Thi Thanh Tam, a member of Tascos Management Board, said at a meeting late last week in HCM City that returns on BOT projects stand at around 11.5 per cent annually, a small payback for investments of such a large size and long duration.

Tasco says it sees better investment channels elsewhere.

Traffic projects under BOT practice--one type of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to deal with infrastructure development capital shortages caused by State budget limitations--had been attractive to private investments in the past few years, but they are now losing their appeal. Several investors are facing financial difficulties with their BOT traffic projects.

Tran Ngoc Le, from Yen Khanh Service, Trading and Production Company, an investor in Hac Tri Bridge in Phu Tho Province, was quoted by Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper that the current revenue from operating the project is not enough even to pay banking interests.

It collected around VND5 billion (US$219,000) of fees per month, while the amount for paying banking interests was two times higher. This was because many drivers choose to run on the old road to avoid paying fees, she said.

Le added that the paypack period was initially estimated at 17 years but now it could be up to 50 years.

According to economic expert Ngo Tri Long, a major reason for investors withdrawing out of BOT projects was struggle in capital, as banks are tightening lending to BOT projects.

Experts say the management towards investments in BOT projects is being tightened, thus, profits will not be as high as previously expected. Thats why both banks and investors might see that BOT projects are no longer a fertile land to pour investments in, said Bui Danh Lien, President of the Ha Noi Transport Association.

Nguyen Danh Huy, head of the management board for PPP projects under the Ministry of Transport, said that there are problems in the legal framework and operation mechanism of BOT projects.

Huy said that while domestic investment capacity is limited, attracting foreign investments in BOT projects is not easy, as foreign investors often require high profits from 17 per cent to 19 per cent together with a number of guaranteed terms.

Huy said the ministry had proposed a new mechanism on BOT to the Government to promote investments in traffic infrastructure projects.

Statistics show that the ministry raised VND186.7 trillion to invest in 62 projects under BOT and build  transfer practices from 2011-2015.
Vietnam imported USD12.8m worth of meat from Brazil in the first two months of 2017, accounting for 7% of the import revenue from Brazil.

A seller on Phan Dang Luu Street, HCM City said that although the shop was only opened recently, the business was good because many consumers prefer imported meat, especially beef. Besides American and Australian meat, products from Brazil are also favoured thanks to their affordable prices.

The rotten meat scandal has caused public concern. "Some consumers go to our store just to ask if we know anything about the scandal," the seller said.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade cautioned local agencies to tighten management on imported meat from Brazil.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to tighten management on imported meat following the rotten meat scandal in Brazil

33 Brazilian officials were recently suspended over allegations that several of the biggest meat processors in Brazil have been exporting rotten beef and poultry for years.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies were investigating and collecting evident that various firms had bribed state officials to export unhygienic meat, including JBS, the world's largest beef exporter, and BRF, the world's top poultry producer.

The beef and poultry products from Brazil were found to be contaminated with salmonella bacteria that can cause serious illnesses for consumers. The companies are also accused of using banned substances.

Hundreds of papers for appeal hearings and 30 arrest warrants have been issued. Many countries have ordered a ban imported meat from Brazil.
The CNN television channel has released a list of six must-try dishes in the country: pho (noodle soup), bun bo Nam Bo (southern vermicelli with beef), xoi (sticky rice), goi cuon (vegetables, shrimp and pork meat wrapped up in rice paper), banh xeo (rice pancake folded in half and filled with shrimp, meat and green bean sprouts) and bun cha (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat).

The choice of these six dishes chosen is not a surprise, but it is noteworthy that all these gourmet creations are part of daily food in the country, available throughout the year, and even throughout the day.

Renowned writer Nguyen Tuan has written that enjoying pho is almost a religious rite because it is intrinsic to the daily life of locals, especially Hanoians.

Tran Van Tri, 78, a Hanoian, said that for around 50 years, a bowl of pho has been his breakfast, come rain or shine.

Ray Wester, an Australian lecturer at the National Economics University, said pho is the most tasty soup in the world that adds to his enjoyment of working in Viet Nam.

Traditional cuisine expert Pham Anh Tuyet said pho is so highly appreciated because it is a great combination of broth which is made by boiling cow bones for 6-7 hours and spices like cinnamon, anise, cardamom and white rice noodles.

Irresistible sights

No one can hold his or her appetite on seeing a bowl of rice noodle soup covered with thin beef pieces, green onions, and Lang basil. The dish gets even more delicious when a few drops of lemon juice, chili and peppers are added to it, Tuyet said.

The bun bo Nam Bo is an aromatic gift from the southern part of the country. Unlike the flat rice noodles used in pho, the bun (vermicelli) is round.

Food expert Le Kim Chi said this southern dish is a mix of bun, stir-fried beef, vegetable salad of green bean sprouts, cucumber pieces and basil topped with fried groundnut, fried onions, and sweet and sour vinegar or lemon juice drops.

The dish is ideal for summer because it not only has a great flavour, but also helps cool down heat inside your body, Chi said, adding that you need not to go to the south to enjoy this dish. It is available in Ha Noi.

Xoi, another popular dish, is made with glutinous rice that is cooked wither by itself, or with corn, black beans or peanuts.

Nguyen Thi Sang, a resident of Ha Nois Hai Ba Trung District, said she buys xoi as breakfast very often, choosing xoi lac (sticky rice with groundnuts) for her grandparents, xoi do xanh (with green beans) for her husband, xoi bap (young corn) for her son and xoi ruoc (salted shredded meat) for her daughter.

Sometimes, they enjoy xoi gac (momordica cochinchinensis) fruit or xoi thit kho tau (Chinese braised pork).

Each portion of xoi can be as low as VND5,000, suitable for a crowed family like ours. It helps us feel full through the morning, not to mention healthy, said Sang.

The dish is available in all parts of the country, and many cities now boast xoi chains, even.

Goi cuon (vegetables, shrimp and pork wrapped in rice paper) is a dish that is very popular among locals and foreigners.

The dish is also from the south, originally. Dipping the roll in sweet and sour sauce and chili, makes it a tasty snack or food that is full of different flavours and textures, said food expert Chi.

She said however, that the dish should not be eaten to fill oneself.

The banh xeo ((rice pancake folded in half and filled with shrimp, meat and green bean sprouts) is well known in all the three regions.

Ray said his Australian friends were delighted with the banh xeo they had when visiting Viet Nam.

 I still remember a shop selling banh xeo in Hue, witnessing the cooks quickly putting the rice powder and its dumpling into a cooking pan over a medium fire and waiting until it turned yellow and well cooked, recalled Ray.

Having it with fresh salad, cucumber, fresh banana and sour carambola wrapped in rice paper, is really enjoyable, he said, adding that although its a fast food, I can never have enough of banh xeo.

The final dish in the top six is bun cha (vermicelli and grilled meat) of Ha Noi. The dish enjoyed an extra dose of fame when former US President Barrack Obama had it when he visited Viet Nam last year.

Many eateries in the capital city serve this dish, but one of the tastiest versions can be found at the Quan An Ngon Restaurant chain in Ha Noi, said overseas Vietnamese-American businessman Duong Quang Nghi.

He said the cookers use young fresh and flat bamboo sticks to grill pork on wood charcoal, which gives the dish a special flavour.

I like the way a waiter gets the grilled cha out of the bamboo sticks and puts it in a bowl with a mixture of carrot and kohlrabi pieces in sweet and sour sauce, Nghi said.

For a long time, I have preferred having bun cha for lunch whenever I come here on business trips, he said.

In fact, the Quan An Ngon chain is a place where all the six dishes can be enjoyed in their original tastes.
Visitors at the 2017 Propak Vietnam, which is being held in HCM Citys Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre from March 21 to 23.  VNS Photo Xuan Huong

Michael Przytulla of the German Engineering Federation  Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, said, It is expected that the demand for packaged food will rise by 38 per cent to 5.4 million tonnes by 2020.

Vietnamese consumers were also increasingly focusing on food hygiene and quality, with more opting for packaged products instead of buying goods at open market stalls, he pointed out.

Tran Viet Dung, deputy director of VCCI Exhibition Service, said the increase in exports of seafood, garment and textiles, confectionary and some other products also pushed up demand for packaging.

Packaging plays a vital role in terms of protection, storage and hygienic handling of a product, and a key role in the marketing mix and in defining the character of products, and has a massive impact on sales and purchasing decisions.

"It is vital that brand owners understand its importance to create the right packaging," he told at a press conference held on the opening day of the 2017 Propak Vietnam exhibition.

Paolo Lemma, trade commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said Viet Nams food industry had an important role in the economy, significantly contributing to GDP and attracting foreign investors.

"The packaging sector is also one of the most rapidly developing industries, and many foreign suppliers and manufacturers have made a foray into the market," he said.

Przytulla said the increasing demand for foodstuff, processed foods and beverages and packaging, the rising number of supermarkets as well as the development of new products and increasing hygiene requirements led to a rising demand for state-of-the-art machinery.

Viet Nam is, to a very large degree, dependent on the import of machinery and equipment.

"In 2015 Viet Nam spent 392 million euros on imports of food processing and packaging machinery, a 10 per cent increase over 2014, with China, Germany, Japan, Italy, and South Korea being the top suppliers.

"Export-oriented manufacturers in Viet Nam favour high-tech solutions to meet international standards and be competitive," he said.

2017 PROPAK Vietnam

Dung said PROPAK Vietnam, a major annual processing and packaging technology exhibition, held in HCM City from March 21 to 23, would provide an outstanding sourcing platform for many industries, enhance business connections and discover new ideas for production line improvement and expansion.

The expo features a wide array of cutting-edge processing and packaging machines, technologies and services for the food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemicals and other industries.

It has attracted more than 400 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories, including 11 international group pavilions from Germany, China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Italy, BT Tee, general manager of SES Vietnam Exhibition Services, said.

The vast opportunities offered by the event would be enhanced by the joint staging of the first Printech Vietnam, which serves the converting, package printing and labelling sectors, he said.

Conferences and seminars would be held on the sidelines of the expo, including on water quality and management for food processing and improving the quality of rice and rice-based products.

The event at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, jointly organised by SES Vietnam Exhibition Services and VCCI Exhition Service, is expected to attract more than 7,500 trade visitors.
(File photo: AFP/Thierry Zoccolan)

Scientists warn that the routine use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent illness in healthy farm animals contributes to the rise of dangerous infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs, which kill at least 23,000 Americans each year and pose a major threat to global health.

"It's the kind of risk that doesn't discriminate. An illness that is resistant to antibiotics could happen anywhere, poor or rich," Natalie Beinisch, engagement manager at Aegon Asset Management, said by telephone from the Hague.

Members noted that chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc and McDonald's USA have used strict antibiotic policies to elevate their brands.

"There is the potential for significant opportunity for those food companies that get the recipe for sustainable food production right," said Jeremy Coller, founder of the Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return Initiative (FAIRR) and chief investment officer at Coller Capital in London.

This year the coalition plans to keep up the pressure on Yum, whose policy lags those of major chains such as McDonald's Corp, whose U.S. restaurants last year stopped serving chicken raised with antibiotics important to human medicine.

The coalition also is pressing large food companies to set clear timelines for phasing out the routine use of antibiotics in chicken, pork and beef in all markets where they operate.

ShareAction and the FAIRR Initiative lead the group, whose members include Aviva Investors, Aegon Asset Management and Green Century Capital Management. The mostly European and U.S. coalition debuted last year with 54 investors representing about US$1 trillion under management. It since has added 17 new members and doubled assets under management.

A broad campaign to curb antibiotics has been gaining steam in recent years with help from rising consumer interest, pressure from doctors and non-profit groups, and meaningful responses from companies such as McDonald's and Tyson Foods Inc, the world's second-largest poultry company.

"It's a domino effect. Once suppliers move ... there's no excuse not to move," said Leslie Samuelrich, president of Boston's Green Century Capital Management, who spoke at a coalition event for investors at BlackRock's New York City offices on Monday.
To implement this policy, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) issued Circular No. 38/2016/TT-BTTTT on December 26, 201, detailing the cross-border distribution of public information. The circular came into effect on February 15, 2017.

As defined in Circular 38, cross-border provision of public information refers to any act by offshore organisations/individuals using websites, social networks, online applications, search services and other online methods to provide public information that users, be it organisations or individuals, in Viet Nam may access or use, wherein public information is, as defined in Decree 72, online information of an organisation or individual that is made public to all entities without the need to identify the specific name or address of such entities.

Circular 38 requires that foreign entities providing public information to users in Viet Nam (information providers) shall observe the regulations and laws of Viet Nam and shall cooperate with the MIC in addressing violations, if any.

In cases where an information provider provides illegal public information to Viet Nam, or refuses to cooperate with the MIC in addressing violations, Viet Nams authorised management agencies may take necessary technical measures to block their access from Viet Nam.

Regarding steps taken in case of violations, Circular 38 states that upon detecting illegal public information being provided from outside its borders into Viet Nam, the MIC will notify the information provider of the violation and make specific requests so that the issue is addressed, removing the information or blocking access from Viet Nam (first notification).

The information provider will have 24 hours from receipt of the MICs notification to verify and process the issue. If the information provider does not meet the MICs request within the prescribed time limit, the MIC will issue a second notification, and the service provider will have another 24 hours to comply with the MICs request or give feedback to the MIC.

For implementing this cooperation mechanism, Circular 38 requires that an information provider who rents space in Viet Nam for storing its public information for the purpose of providing service, or has one million or more visitors from Viet Nam per month, shall notify the MIC of its contact details, which includes, for organisations, the registered company name and address, trade name, location of the main server for providing service, and contact persons in the registered country and in Viet Nam. The notification can be sent directly to the MIC, via post or via email to report38@mic.gov.vn.
There have been some commentaries from all newspapers. However, these commentaries should look into the history of Vietnams development and these peoples process of getting rich in order to give an objective account.

Where the wealth comes from

When the country switched from central planning to a market economy, a part of the population became rich by selling drugs, prohibited goods, speculation, corruption, or using their relationship with government officials to enrich themselves and relatives. These people the government should detect and punish according to the law.

However, some people took advantage of the time period to invest in sectors with high profit margins in order to accumulate initial capital and then use it to expand to other sectors and form conglomerates.

The owners of many conglomerates in the private sector got rich from land because they took advantage of the time when the price of land was very low and the government was willing to transfer land to the private sector, both domestic and foreign, pretty easily. When the country became a little more developed through urbanisation and industrialisation, the price of land rose, making some people very rich.

It is not right to attribute this to legal opacity and possible relationship with government officials.

In the years after the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, most of the country was poor. Local governments issued many policies to encourage investment in the private sector, including renting out land to investors for free or at very low fees.

Some say these few people got rich from land, which is public property. This is not really true, because these people also relied on their own business intuition, in order to go from the initial capital to become owners of big companies.

Vietnam currently has 600,000 companies in the private sector, of which a few thousand are of a larger size, and only a small percentage of these got rich from land.

Many rich Vietnamese people were students who went to study in the USSR (now Russia) and Eastern European countries or workers who went to work abroad and took advantage of the transition to a market economy in those countries to amass wealth. Among these is Pham Nhat Vuong, Vingroups chairman. He earned millions of dollars from producing and selling instant noodles and other fast food in Ukraine and many Eastern European countries.

Many Vietnamese who live in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Australia sent billions of dollars to their relatives in Vietnam and the relatives used this money to invest, or they themselves set up companies in Vietnam. Many people who worked for foreign companies returned to Vietnam and used their working experience and earnings to set up their own companies and have been successful.

Thus, it can be seen that the rich of Vietnam amassed wealth not only through land but many other ways, too. However, 168 in a population of 93 million is too few. The Wealth Report expected this number at 403 by 2025. An increase would be a good thing.

The right attitude would be to acknowledge the ones that amassed wealth legally and work with law enforcement agencies to detect and punish those that did so illegally, and try to narrow the income gap between people.

The real role of the real estate market

In the past 30 years of Vietnam transitioning from a central planning to a market economy, the country has made numerous achievements. However, Vietnam is still slow compared to other countries. South Korea started as low as Vietnam when it started industrialisation in the mid-60s, but took only 20 years to become an industrialised country with leading global technology companies, such as Samsung and LG, but after thirty years Vietnam only succeeded in getting out of the group of low-income countries. Vietnam also has very few high-tech companies and its private sector in general has low competitiveness. Labour productivity is low. The government is trying to fix these weaknesses in the recently announced restructuring of the economy to follow a new growth model.

Some say that real estate can help short-term growth but is not a sector that the economy can rely on for the long term. One cannot ignore the importance of real estate in economic growth because this sector is an important contributor by being a significant investment channel, a sector that is directly linked to urbanisation, housing demand, the technical infrastructure, hotels, offices, resorts, tourism, the construction material production industry, and furniture production, not to mention the millions of jobs it creates.

Since the 80s Hanoi only built between 50,000 and 150,000 square metres of apartment buildings each year, the old kind, like the ones in Kim Lien and Giang Vo. They are not only small but also monotonous in design. The tallest hotel was the 11-floor Thang Long Hotel. In the recent years, Hanoi builds 1.5-1.6 million square metres annually, with modern architecture. This changes the face of the city. In 1990, the country produced and used 2 million tonnes of cement. In 2016, these figures were pushing 75 million tonnes produced and 65 million tonnes used.

Between 2008 and 2012, the real estate market was at a standstill. Many companies in construction and real estate sales went bankrupt. Many people became unemployed. Bad debts rose. Construction material and furniture production companies also met a lot of difficulties. Eventually, the government had to deploy rescue measures, including the VND30 trillion ($1.32 billion) loan package for homebuyers. This shows that the real estate sector is really important.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City there are two urban areas built by foreign-invested companies, namely Ciputra and Phu My Hung. 20 years ago Vietnam was yet to have a big private company in real estate, so the government let Taiwanese and the Indonesian firms build these two modern urban areas in the two biggest cities and gave them many incentives in terms of tax and land rental fees. The developers put in a few hundred million US dollars in each of these two urban areas, but then earned a good few times as much. At that point, the government could not do differently because Vietnamese companies were not yet capable of carrying out such projects. These projects met the demand for housing and through them Vietnamese companies learned the tricks of the trade.

Now there are tens of thousands of real estate developers in Vietnam, including strong companies, such as Vingroup, Sun Group, Dai Quang Minh, and Novaland, among others. They have built modern urban areas with complete facilities and claimed the real estate market as the playground for mostly domestic firms. Only in some cases where it was necessary did the government give projects to foreign investors with high technology and capacity, or let the projects be carried out by cooperation between domestic and foreign companies to increase its quality.

However, it should be noted that big real estate companies need to invest in technology, design, architecture, and process too. Some companies have imported modern equipment and formed a workforce with high qualifications that are capable of designing and creating modern buildings. These firms then went on to set records in terms of construction time, while ensuring the quality of the building.

Positive signs

In recent years, many conglomerates in the private sector expanded operations in many sectors, such as supermarkets, high-tech agriculture, healthcare, and education. Thanks to their financial capacity and their experience in business, they produced good results and earned consumers trust. Some five-star hotels in Hanoi, such as Hilton and Daewoo, used to be joint ventures with foreign companies but have been bought by Vietnamese private companies.

A Vietnamese that has made a fortune by selling milk is Thai Huong, chairman of TH Milk. People who have visited her farm, which is a few hundred hectares in area, where she grows grass, rears cows, and produces milk, were amazed. In order to carry out the dream of supplying milk to Vietnamese people, she went to Israel to learn about the most modern technology, hired a company to advise her on growing grass, and bought cows from New Zealand and Australia. In less than 10 years, TH Milk has become one of the two dominant Vietnamese milk companies. It is now in the process of building a project on rearing cows and producing milk on a gigantic scale in Russia.

Thai Huong said that TH Milk aimed to have 137,000 cows by the end of 2017, and that its plants have can meet 50 per cent of the domestic demand for milk through their total capacity of 500 million litres a year. The Asian Book of Records recognised the TH farm in Nghia Dan, Nghe An as the biggest concentrated high-tech dairy farm in Asia.

In 2014 the company started working with government agencies to supply milk to children in kindergartens and primary schools in order to improve the height and health of the Vietnamese populace.

Sapa is one of the most well-known tourism destinations in Vietnam. Since 2016 the town has a cable car developed by Sun Group that carries tourists from Muong Hoa to the Fansipan summit, the highest point of Indochina. The system cost VND4.4 trillion ($193 million). Construction started in November 2013 and the system entered operation in February 2016. Guinness World Records awarded two Guinness certifications for the Fansipan cable system, for the biggest height gap (1,410 metres) between its departure and arrival stations and the worlds longest three-wire cable car (6,292.5 metres).

This project shows that Vietnamese companies are now capable to finance and have the skill to build projects that are complicated both in terms of geography and technology. The project has contributed to attracting domestic and international tourists to Sapa and Lao Cai, create jobs for the people there, and increase local revenues.

Vingroup is a Vietnamese conglomerate that in the past two years has developed hundreds of supermarkets across the country, and invested in high-tech agriculture in many localities. Vingroup has built a supply chain linking producers and distributors using attractive incentives, and it aims to connect Vietnamese companies in each type of product in order to compete with foreign-invested companies.

Vingroup has a commission fee of 0 per cent for some agricultural produce that are sold through its supermarkets, while Big C has increased this fee to an unbearable percentage for some Vietnamese companies after it was taken over by Thai investors.

Vingroup has signed a contract with 250 suppliers and agricultural cooperatives to apply new and clean technologies, instruct farmers on how to farm, create a low-cost and fast supply chain for the benefit of producers, companies joining in the chain, consumers, and Vingroup alike.

Vingroups forming a supply chain, working with producers and distributors, is a model that many Vietnamese companies in many sectors can learn from. They can create their own supply chains in order to seize new opportunities from the domestic and global market.

Many Vietnamese companies also pay attention to corporate responsibility. They create jobs and set aside a part of their millions of dollars of revenue to do charity, help alleviate poverty, support poor households, and give scholarships to poor students.

Some localities in Vietnam are blessed with geographical ease of access, so they have better infrastructure than others. They attract many foreign-invested projects and see fast socioeconomic growth and are now on the path to modernising themselves, while mountainous localities and those near the borders have numerous difficulties in achieving economic growth. This creates a gap between localities. In recent years many big companies in the private sectors have invested in highways, urban areas, supermarkets, resorts, and industrial parks, as well as planted forests, and contributed to narrowing this gap. These companies helped the government in meeting growth targets at these localities.

At the investment, trade, and tourism promotion conference of Tuyen Quang Povince held at the end of February, some domestic companies registered VND18 trillion ($790 million) in big projects in the coming years. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he appreciated the companies efforts and believed that Tuyen Quang is going to grow faster thanks to the projects.

These prospective projects include building a 30kilometre expressway linking Tuyen Quang city with Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway, reducing the time needed to travel from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang by 40 per cent. Together with other telecommunication, electricity, and water infrastructure projects, this will help the locality better attract foreign investors. The Prime Minister said that the companies should carry out the registered projects and ensure that all three parties, namely themselves, the province, and the community can benefit.

Vietnams process of socioeconomic growth is different from other countries. Therefore, studies should take into account the different historical context of events in order to be able to offer correct explanations.
The medical services at about 40 hospitals in Delhi will be shut all together on Thursday.

By Priyanka Sharma: The doctors strike virus in Maharashtra has struck the Capital as about 40,000 doctors in the city are going on a mass leave, shutting down the medical services at about 40 hospitals all together on Thursday.

So, if you are planning to visit any government hospital on Thursday, think twice as nearly 2,000 surgeries are likely to be postponed. The doctors are planning to stand in solidarity with a resident doctor, who was brutally beaten up by the relatives of a deceased patient at Mumbai's Sion Hospital.

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Over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra have gone on mass leave, agitating against dangerous working conditions. Top government hospitals such as AIIMS, RML, Safdarjung are among all Delhi government hospitals, which will be shut down on Thursday.

WE WANT SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT: DELHI DOCTORS

The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) has expressed their support to the doctors in Maharashtra. The association, which is an umbrella body of all resident doctors in Delhi, has decided to go on mass leave if any action is taken against the doctors in Maharashtra. Dr Pankaj Solanki, President, FORDA, told Mail Today, "About 40,000 resident doctors of at least 40 hospitals have decided to go on mass leave on Thursday between 9 am to 4 pm. Only emergency duty schedule of resident doctors will be followed during this time. We have taken this step in view of increasing number of assaults on doctors and showing solidarity towards our colleagues from Maharashtra. And we condemn the action taken by government of Maharashtra against doctors."

A senior doctor, from a government hospital, requesting anonymity informed Mail Today, "About 1,500-2,000 operations planned for tomorrow (Thursday) would be postponed. We don't want to go on mass leave which will affect patients but we are helpless. Now, if capital would be burning, definitely government will wake up. "The incident at Maharashtra is so grim that instead of providing security to resident doctors at their workplace, Maharashtra government is threatening them."

"Our fellow doctors are beaten up and government is reluctant to take any action. What we want is just safe environment at our workplace," Dr Vijay Gurjar, President, Resident doctors' Association of AIIMS told Mail Today.

Also read: Maharashtra medical crisis: Another doctor thrashed at Sion Hospital

Also read: Mumbai: Resident doctors on mass leave after patient's relatives attack Sion Hospital physician

Also read: Mumbai: Sion doctors hold silent protest, OPD services affected in many hospitals

--- ENDS ---
The Khmer Rouge tribunal plans to spend millions of dollars in reparations to the victims of the regime who were included in Case 002/02 if the former regime officials are found guilty later this year, the court has said.

In a statement, the court said that victims and civil parties in the case would receive reparations in the form of project funding at the request of the Cambodian government.

The proposed projects include health care, including mental health care, reconciliation work, education, the preservation of memorials and naming of existing infrastructure, and public remembrance ceremonies.

Neth Pheaktra, court spokesman, said more funding was required for the projects.

These projects will cost more than $6 million and from what I understand ... other relevant stakeholders have only half, he said.

Sum Rithy, a civil party to the case, said he disagreed with the plans, saying many felt personal reparations to individuals would be a better use of the money,

Its hard to accept because its of no use to the victims, more than 3,800 people, as they struggle and spend their own money during the trials, he said.

A torture survivor, Rithy, said despite life sentences for a few senior members of the regime, he was not satisfied because many of the regimes killers had walked free.

Nushin Sarkarati of the Center for Justice and Accountability, which assists victims of the Khmer Rouge, however, said the reparations process would ensure a lasting legacy.

Given that the crimes heard before the ECCC are serious crimes affecting a large population, collective (rather than individual reparations) are better suited to address the needs of the survivor community, he said in an email. There are nearly 4,000 civil parties participating in this trial and more victims continue to be impacted to this day.

Peter Maguire, a law professor and author of Facing Death in Cambodia, said that the scale of reparations was too small, suggesting that money would be better spent on dedicated non-governmental projects, such as the Documentation Center of Cambodia.

The U.N.-backed court has spent some $270 million so far to try just three Khmer Rouge leaders since 2006.
Cambodias King Norodom Sihamoni has called on Cambodians to vote in the forthcoming local elections without fear of political threats.

King Sihamoni made the statement in a letter posted to the National Election Committee website on Monday.

The letter said that the elections would be a chance for Cambodians to express their political views in private without fear of a backlash.

The election on June 4 is confidential and complies with democracy, freedom and pluralism, therefore, people should not be worried about pressure, threats or intimidation of any person or any political party, the letter reads.

Oum Daravuth, spokesman for the Royal Palace, could not be reached.

Hang Puthea, NEC spokesman, said the letter was part of a longstanding tradition in which the king encouraged people to embrace democracy ahead of an election. Cambodian society really needs warmth from the king, he said.

Meas Ny, a political analyst, said the statement would act as a counterweight to the ongoing political tensions between the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

The king released this important message as a wake up call to people, Ny said.

King Sihamoni, who holds a ceremonial position in which he officially signs laws into force, has been in China since early March for medical treatment. Speculation arose as he departed just as a controversial law governing political parties was amended in what was viewed as the latest attack on the opposition party.

Sam Rainsy, the former opposition president, praised the king for leaving the country as the amendments were passed, forcing Senate President Say Chhum to sign off on the changes in his absence, in what some viewed as a rare moment of protest on the part of the King.
NATO earlier this year sent additional troops to the Baltics to reassure the former Soviet states against a resurgent Russia, which described the deployment as threatening. Lithuania plans to build a border fence along Russia's strategic Kaliningrad enclave, where Russians have mixed views about being surrounded by NATO members Lithuania and Poland. VOAs Daniel Schearf reports from Rukla, Lithuania.
Kurdish commanders in northern Syria said this week Russia is building a military base there, and will help train its fighters. Moscow disputed the claims, but analysts say it is a sign of the Kurds growing role in the region. Across the border, Iraq faces a potential watershed moment as the battle for Mosul nears its end, with speculation growing that Kurds in the autonomous north could make a renewed push for independence. Henry Ridgwell reports.
An altered Facebook headline on a newspaper story involving a statue of Robert E. Lee has blown up into a major sore point in the Virginia GOP primary for governor -- another instance of politicians or their allies changing headlines to suit their own purposes on that platform.

Virginia's governor's race is being watched nationally as a possible early referendum on President Donald Trump. A group aligned with gubernatorial hopeful Corey Stewart, a firebrand conservative Trump backer, has weaponized a fake headline to attack rival Ed Gillespie, the GOP establishment's pick for governor. At issue: Gillespie's level of support for Virginia's Confederate monuments.

Stewart pledged no Confederate monuments would be removed if elected, staunchly supportive of Southern history. After Stewart protested before Charlottesville's Lee statue in February, the Washington Post wrote a story called "Protesters mob provocative Va. governor candidate as he defends Confederate statue."

Conservative Response Team

A conservative nonprofit with ties to Stewart campaign aides -- the Conservative Response Team -- subsequently posted and promoted a Facebook post linking to the article but with a fake headline: "Gillespie: I'm OK with Charlottesville Taking Down the General Lee Monument." The post makes it look as if that were the Washington Post's headline.

In fact, Gillespie has said he doesn't support moving the statue and thinks local officials who approved moving it should be voted out of office. Gillespie also said it's an issue to be handled locally.

Rick Shaftan is a Republican operative who runs the Conservative Response Team's Facebook page and altered the headline. He said Gillespie's trying to have it both ways and the changed headline reflects that.

"It's all true, it's exactly what Ed thinks," Shaftan said.

Other flaps over altered headlines have erupted in at least two other states recently involving politicians or political groups close to them. The social media site has special tools available to page administrators allowing them to change headlines in ways that make it look like they were written by legitimate news organizations.

Critics complain altered headlines are a new kind of "fake news" to fool casual readers. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan was recently called out for a staff-altered newspaper headline including the words "road kill" about legislation he criticized. In North Carolina, a GOP state senator drew fire for an altered headline stating Democratic Gov. Roy "Cooper flip flops on refugees."

Criticized

During the presidential race, Facebook was criticized for not doing enough to stop patently fake news stories on its platform. Recently it announced a slew of new countermeasures.

The instances highlight Facebook's increasingly important presence in political campaigns, thanks to its vast reach and ability to target specific subgroups of voters.

The altered headline rankled Gillespie, whose own Facebook page is frequently visited by users chiding him for not supporting Confederate monuments.

The post was widely shared, and Shaftan said it was viewed more than 400,000 times. Shaftan said his group, which doesn't have to reveal its donors, paid a small amount to Facebook to promote the post. He said the issue resonates with a large group of voters opposed to an elitist mindset" that dismisses the importance of preserving Southern statues. He said the rebellion echoes what happened last year.

"This is kind of why Trump won," Shaftan said.

Gillespie's campaign complained to Facebook in mid-February that the altered headline misrepresented his position. Facebook didn't remove the post then. It suggested, among other things, that Gillespie's campaign create a new page focused on debunking false stories.

But when asked about the post Friday by an Associated Press reporter, Facebook removed it that day. Spokesman Andy Stone said it violated Facebook's terms of not doing "anything unlawful, misleading, malicious, or discriminatory."

Disappointed

Gillespie spokesman Matthew Moran said the campaign's disappointed with Facebook.

"We hope Facebook will work harder to stop (Stewart) and his allies from using its platform to deceive voters," Moran said via email.

Shaftan said he found out Friday the post was removed. He reposted the story with the same altered headline hours later and paid to promote the new posting. It was still online Monday morning before Facebook removed it.

And after this story was first published, Shaftan posted it to the Conservative Response Team's Facebook page but with what he said was a "slightly more accurate headline." It reads: "Gillespie Flips Out Over True Altered Headline Over Lee Statue Removal."
By India Today Web Desk: Disney's Beauty and the Beast might already be stirring magic in theatres near you, but tiny details about cinema you love always make your heart do a tiny hop, don't they?

So, allow us to us tell you that Emma Watson's character in Beauty and the Beast has an Indian connection you probably didn't know about till now. Emma is a strong advocate of sustainable fashion on a personal level, but now, this subjective aspect has extended to her professional life too--much to the delight of many.

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A recent Instagram picture shared by Sinead O' Sullivan, Assistant Costume Designer of Beauty and the Beast, speaks about how two brothers from Bhuj, Kasam and Juma, embroidered a beautiful bodice donned by Belle (Emma Watson) in the movie.

The picture collage that shows a close up of the embroidery, the brothers and Emma wearing the dress is captioned, "Belle's bodice from @Beautyandthebeast was beautifully hand embroidered by artisan brothers Kasam and Juma in Bhuj, Western India. They used a technique called "Aari work" which is a very fine chain stitch traditional to the Kutch area of Gujarat. This style lent itself very nicely to this eighteenth century French floral design. Costume designed by Jacqueline Durran, photo credit: Simon Marks @dyptsimonmarks #beautyandthebeast #costume #whomademyclothes #disney #artisan #bhuj."

But this isn't the only costume with a sustainable back-story. The signature red cape worn by Emma in the movie is also entirely organic in nature the fabric of which "were sourced from fairtrade co-operatives in India and Nepal," Sullivan shares in another post.

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All said and done, the inclusion of sustainable fashion in a movie as large-scale as Beauty and the Beast is a great step towards making the idea mainstream.

--- ENDS ---
Southeast Asia, seeking a long term agreement to settle disputes in the South China Sea, faces new challenges as China moves to extend its regional influence with plans for a scientific station on islets close to the Philippines.

The concerns come as analysts say the United States Asia policy is currently focused on rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, currently chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), this week held talks with regional partners Myanmar and Thailand.

Freedom of navigation

Following talks in Bangkok with Thailands Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the countries agreed to promote freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as a core value in securing peace and prosperity in the region.

Maintaining peace, stability and security as well as respecting freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea, are in the interests of all countries, within an outside the region, as they are fundamental conditions for growth, development and prosperity, Duterte said.

Thai analyst Kavi Chongkittavorn said Thailand and the Philippines hope to have a code of conduct framework completed by July, to then add nuts and bolts to the agreement.

Code of conduct

ASEANs long time goal has been to press ahead with implementation of a 2002 declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea or code of conduct. But Beijing has long resisted completing a legally binding code, leading to divisions within ASEAN.

However, China is to host a meeting of ASEAN in May on the Code of Conduct framework, with diplomats hoping on progress towards a legally-binding document to manage regional disputes.

Environmental monitoring station

But the talks in Bangkok follow official Chinese media reports saying Beijing may be preparing to install an environmental monitoring station at Scarborough Shoal, which sits inside the Philippines 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The Chinese foreign ministry denied those reports Wednesday.

In 2016 China pressed ahead with consolidating its military position on the Spratly Islands, including runways on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs, reinforced hangers to accommodate fighter jets as well as other defenses, improving port facilities and installing radar.

The U.S., which has carried out military exercises near Scarborough Shoal, strongly opposed any Chinese construction there under former President Obama.

US attention now focused on North Korea

But analysts say President Donald Trumps administration is preoccupied with tensions on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea has been testing rockets.

Carl Thayer, a defense analyst at Australias University of New South Wales, said Washingtons attention has shifted from the South China Sea issue.

The South China Sea has been lost. Its just not on the radar. It is there but its like a pot thats been put on the burner and the heat has been turned down. Everybody else is looking at not moving a fire on the main cooking pot  and thats North Korea, Thayer said.

China is strengthening claims

Analysts say uncertainties over the U.S. policy towards the South China Sea and a comprehensive strategy for Asia generally has enabled China to adopt a stronger position to its claims to the region.

James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, said the uncertainties over the U.S. policy have led to disappointment within ASEAN.

Now they think its going to be a stalemate and people are thinking that the Americans only worry about North Korea and the North Korean crisis. They dont worry about the South China Sea, Chin said.

Now all bets are off. The problem with this approach it that the longer you leave the South China Sea alone, it means to give more time to the Chinese to keep building military bases, he said.

China nears de-facto control

Once China builds on reclaimed land on the Scarborough Shoal, it means they will have de-facto control of the South China Sea.

Thayer said a Chinese airfield on the Shoal would be strategically significant completing a triangle linking Woody Island in the Parcels, the occupied features in the Spratly Islands, giving China the ability to monitor all aircraft and surface ships passing over or through the South China Sea.

[But] they will allow freedom of navigation because China is essentially a trading nation. So they will not disturb the freedom of navigation  so thats the positive, said Chin.

China claims much of the South China Sea through the so-called nine dash line that extends near Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to headline the 2017 meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee next week in Washington.

The AIPAC Policy Conference, which regularly sees attendance above 15,000 people, is the largest annual pro-Israel gathering in the U.S., and will feature speeches from political leaders like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, among others.

Thousands of people show up at the conference each year to hear world leaders discuss issues of importance to Israel and its global proponents, and to devise better ways for the U.S. and Israel to work together.

Speakers at this year's conference also include U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

According to the event website, more than two-thirds of congressional representatives will be in attendance as well. Attendees will be able to personally lobby representatives in support of pro-Israel legislation.

Last year, the conference drew a crowd of nearly 20,000 to hear keynote addresses from former Vice President Joe Biden and then-presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The crowd was so large that the general sessions of the Policy Conference had to be held in Washington's Verizon Center.

This year, the event will take place as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has said it will make restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process one of its top priorities.

Trump, while hosting Netanyahu last month at the White House, said he thinks he can broker a deal that will be agreeable for both sides, but emphasized that both Israel and the Palestinians will "have to make compromises."

"I'm looking at two-state and one-state" formulations, Trump said. "I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one."

Trump was a staunch supporter of Israel throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, speaking on several occasions about his affinity for the Jewish state and denouncing the United Nations as biased against the country.

Speaking at the AIPAC conference last year, then-candidate Trump said that when he became president, Israel would no longer be treated like a "second-class citizen" and he would work closely with Netanyahu to "help bring stability and peace to Israel and to the entire region."

"We will send a clear signal that there is no daylight between America and our most reliable ally, the state of Israel," Trump said.

U.S. to boycott 'outrageous' debate

Earlier this week, Haley said the U.S. would boycott a U.N. Human Rights Council session focused on the Palestinians.

Haley called the permanent agenda item requiring members of the council to debate Israeli human rights abuses against Palestinians  the only one of its kind  "outrageous" and said the U.S. would not participate in such discussions.

"The so-called 'Agenda Item 7' discredits the standing of the only U.N. body specifically designed to address the state of global human rights by allowing nations to distract from their own abuses back home by churning out anti-Israel propaganda," Haley said in a statement.

The George W. Bush administration also refused to participate in the council, but the U.S. applied for admission under the Obama administration because, the administration argued, it would be better able to affect policy from within the body.
One year ago Wednesday, terrorists killed 32 people and wounded more than 300 in Belgiums capital city. Those who lost a loved one during the attacks share how they are trying to turn their mourning into something positive.

Photos by Johan van der Steen are on display in Brussels. He was among those killed in terrorist attacks that rocked the city one year ago.

His life partner, Kristin Verellen, organized the photo exhibit as a tribute to him.

"Well, it has been a tough year," Verellen said. "The 22nd of March is only one day of the year but its important that we as human beings are also capable to stand still and to reflect on the unhappy things in life."

Verellen established a citizens movement called "Circles -- we have the choice" -- connecting anyone affected by violence by sharing stories.

"We have the choice started immediately afterwards, to create meaningful togetherness as a positive response to blind violence and to the fragmentation and polarization that we see in our society," she said.

Some of the terrorists lived in the Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels. Many of the 100,000 Muslims living there feel stigmatized. Some were also victimized.

Mohamed El Bachiri is a metro driver from Molenbeek. His wife, Loubna, was killed when terrorists bombed the metro she was in, leaving him behind with their three young children.

El Bachiri put his sorrow into a call for love, by publishing a poetry book called Jihad of Love.

"Its a message of love, of humanity, a call for reflection and it's related because the unimaginable, the unspeakable happened to me, and I think this is somehow a response," he said. "We need to express ourselves, we need love and at the same time, we need to talk about what we are first and foremost  human beings. We need to return to our humanity."

Its here at the Maalbeek metro station where both Verellen and El Bachiri lost their loved ones.

Instead of a moment of silence to remember the victims, metro staff will observe a minute of noise, demonstrating their solidarity against hate and terror.
Ceremonies were held Wednesday in Brussels to mark the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in the city, which killed 32 people and came just four months after the series of attacks that took 130 lives in the French capital, Paris.



The remembrance services in the political heart of Europe took place amid a fierce debate over security failings that allowed the assailants to travel freely into and within the European Union.

There were significant lessons to be learned both from Brussels and Paris, and more recently from Berlin. And that is really about how good the border agencies in those countries, and all the agencies, are collaborating with each other, to share intelligence in order to intercept harmful people at the border, said Tony Smith, former director general of Britain's Border Force.

Leaked report cites poor communication

A March report written by the European Commission's security union task force, and leaked to Britain's Guardian newspaper, warns that security services are unable to carry out basic checks, like searching cross-national databases using biometric data such as fingerprints.

The alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks in 2015, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was the subject of an international arrest warrant, yet was able to travel from Belgium to Syria via Egypt in 2013 before returning to Europe.

Anis Amri  an asylum seeker who drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market in December and killed 12 people  entered Germany from Italy via Switzerland, despite appearing on a terror suspect list.

Watch: Brussels Marks Attacks Anniversary as Debate Rages Over Security Failings

So when you're looking at controlling people who are crossing the external frontier [of the EU], some of whom are European passport holders, the officers there aren't getting the tools, the information and the data they need. With the free movement within the EU, it's very easy to move around the EU with weapons, quite often undocumented, said Smith.

The leaked EU report suggests officials are considering beefing up police checks within the passport-free Schengen zone  but there is political opposition. Swedish member of the European Parliament Malin Bjork was in the Brussels airport when the bombers struck a year ago.

I think we are going the wrong way. So there is all this emphasis on militarized and surveillance-based security, and I think it's inefficient and I think it's not long-term at all, said Bjork.

Mayor claims improved security

Many of the Brussels and Paris suspects lived in or operated from the Molenbeek district of Brussels. Belgian media reported Monday that police have uncovered 51 organizations there with suspected ties to terrorism. Molenbeek Mayor Francoise Schepmans says the flow of Belgian citizens to join Islamic State has been halted.

We see that there are no longer any departures for Syria and that there are few returnees. The problem centers on people who are here in the municipality, and we keep an eye on these people.

Security experts say the current border systems are failing to tackle that homegrown terror threat; but, in Europe, there remains strong political support for freedom of movement, seen as one of the pillars of the EU.
Chinas reported proposal to build a monitoring station on a tiny shoal disputed by Manila would erode a fragile trust between the two countries and fluster the Philippine president, who is anxious to seek Chinese economic assistance.

Chinese Environmental Monitoring Station

Chinese media reports quoted the mayor of the Chinese city of Sansha as saying last week his government would start preparatory work this year for an environmental monitoring station at Scarborough Shoal, a tiny land feature 230 kilometers from Luzon Island.

The Chinese foreign ministry dismissed those reports Wednesday, saying that "according to the relevant bodies in China, the reports ... are mistaken, these things are not true." Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily briefing that China places "great importance" on preserving the ecology of the South China Sea but that it also places great importance on its relations with the Philippines.

If China carries through, it would threaten a trust it has established with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after a stormy period from 2012 to mid-2016, analysts say. Duterte traveled to Beijing in October and pledged to shelve the maritime dispute and received commitments of $24 billion in aid and investment from China.

If China were to be very bold about something, barreling up and starting to undertake land reclamation, then I think it would be difficult for Duterte, said Euan Graham, international security director with the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney. And public opinion I think would also start to sway in the Philippines.

Facing Chinese plans

Duterte, whose largely impoverished country is looking for more foreign investment, said Tuesday via the presidential office website he cannot stop China at Scarborough Shoal. Well all lose our military and policemen tomorrow, and we are a destroyed nation, he said, referring to the relatively weak Philippine military.



But later the Philippine Justice Ministry said it would protest to China over its intentions for the shoal, Manila-based news media reported.





The president is conflicted at the moment because he welcomes Chinese help in building an 830-kilometer railway project on Mindanao, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines.

Massive aid promised



China is banking on the fact that it has promised so much international assistance and infrastructure development projects to the Philippines, Batongbacal said. The prospect of railway aid, he said, may be factoring into Dutertes reaction, his fatalistic reaction that oh well, theres nothing I can do about it.



Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said on a visit to the Philippines this week his government would be open to helping with the 218 billion peso ($4.34 billion) project, which would connect cities on a vast southern Philippine island that lags other parts of the country in economic development.

History at Scarborough Shoal



Scarborough Shoal was the site of a standoff in 2012 between Chinese and Philippine vessels and its part of Beijings claim to about 95 percent of the resource-rich South China Sea. Fishing boats from Luzon Island frequent the shoal, which encompasses 158 square kilometers of water.



Duterte said last year he would declare a marine sanctuary in the shoals lagoon.



Chinas claim to the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea includes waters that Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also call their own. China has irritated the other governments with land reclamation, some for military installations, since it began expanding quickly in 2010.



China would need to reclaim land to build on the shoal, analysts say.

Does monitoring station violate agreement?



Officials in Beijing might argue that a monitoring station doesnt violate the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea that it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is being chaired by the Philippines this year, said Jonathan Spangler, director of the South China Sea Think Tank in Taipei.

That accord only prohibits occupying so far uninhabited land features in the disputed sea,



Building an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal could theoretically be done without inhabiting the feature, but that would not make the action seem any less provocative to rival claimants or other major stakeholders, Spangler said.



The Hainan Daily news report quoting the Chinese mayor has been removed from the Chinese media outlet's website, indicating the officials statement may have been premature, some experts say. However, China also raised the same prospect last year, prompting the Philippine government then to seek confirmation.

China/Philippines relations at stake



Chinese officials have time to intervene now if they hope to sustain strong ties with the Philippines, Batongbacal said.



There seems to be growing pressure among some critics in the Philippines for Duterte to be more forceful in his response to China, said Carl Baker, director of programs with the think tank CSIS Pacific Forum in Honolulu.



The Chinese vice premiers visit, however, suggests that Dutertes government continues to believe that it can control the maritime disputes by promising to respond later to China's assertive behavior while taking advantage of the economic benefits of improved relations with Beijing, Baker said.



A final green light by China or a backlash against Duterte among Filipinos could nudge the country back toward seeking support from its former colonizer and long-time military ally, the United States, some analysts say.

Philippines could turn back toward US



Dutertes predecessor, Benigno Aquino, leaned heavily the United States for military support, which included joint maritime patrols after 2014. Duterte, a vocal opponent of American influence in the Philippines, canceled those patrols but he has gotten along with U.S. President Donald Trump since Trump took office in January.



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in January before his confirmation that China should be barred from its landfilled islands in the contested sea, a comment that upset Beijing.



Aquino also took the China-Philippine maritime dispute to a world arbitration court. The court ruled in Manilas favor in July, but China rejected the outcome and has sought bilateral talks with Southeast Asian claimant states to patch over maritime sovereignty issues.
Hundreds of Colombian villagers have been killed or driven from their homes despite the recent peace deal between the government and rebels, according to a new report by Amnesty International.

"Alarmingly, in large parts of Colombia, the armed conflict is as alive as ever," Amnesty's Americas director Erika Guevara-Rosas said Tuesday. "Hundreds of thousands of people across the country have yet to see any difference in their lives since the peace accords were signed."

The new report focuses on the village of San Jose de Apartado, which declared itself a "peace community" 20 years ago by refusing to allow forces from either side in the fighting into the area.

Amnesty says that villagers report a surge in paramilitary activity over the last several months and that hundreds have been killed, forced out of their homes or threatened.

There has been no comment from the Colombian government on the Amnesty report, but Colombian officials have said paramilitary groups have long been disbanded.

Pact signed in November

Bogata signed a peace deal with the FARC rebels  the country's largest rebel group  in November. It ended a 50-year uprising against numerous Colombian governments, leaving more than 200,000 dead.

The government is also holding talks with Colombia's second rebel group, ELN.

Despite the peace accords, the International Committee of the Red Cross says fighting still rages between the government and other smaller rebel groups.

It says violence in the cities, unexploded mines and bombs, and restrictions on freedom of movement mean there is still "a long way to go in Colombia."
Judges at the International Criminal Court Wednesday sentenced former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba to an additional year in prison and fined him $324,000 for bribing witnesses during his earlier trial on war crimes.

Four other members of Bemba's legal team also were sentenced by The Hague-based court. They were found guilty back in October of bribing and otherwise influencing 14 defense witnesses to try to tilt the outcome of the first trial, which led to a March 2016 conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This was the ICC's first case dealing with witness tampering. Bemba's lawyer, Aime Kilolo, was given a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence as well as a $32,000 fine for his involvement.

Bemba is currently serving an 18-year term in connection with widespread abuses by his forces in the neighboring Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003. Last year, judges ruled he was criminally responsible for acts of murder, rape and pillage carried out by his militia in the CAR. He was not only the first person convicted by a global war crimes court for crimes of sexual violence, but also the first to be held directly responsible for crimes committed by his soldiers.
Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday in pressuring the Trump administration to surrender records of former national security adviser Michael Flynn's payments and contacts with foreign officials during the past three years.



In a sign of deepening interest among congressional investigators, leaders of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee asked for materials on Flynn's communications and payments from Russian, Turkish and other foreign sources since Flynn retired as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in August 2014.



The request came as a Flynn spokesman said the retired general filled out all of his security clearance paperwork, but did not sign a mandatory ethics pledge during his time as national security adviser.



Also sought by the committee chairman, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, and the top Democrat, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, is any available material on Flynn's security clearance, which would have been required to allow him access to highly classified government documents and information. The two congressmen made the requests in letters to White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, FBI Director James Comey, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and National Intelligence Director Dan Coats.



President Donald Trump fired Flynn last month for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other top administration officials about Flynn's postelection conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States.



Bipartisan front

The committee's move is significant because of the bipartisan front and the effort to gain broad information about Flynn's foreign-related work and communications for an extended period before Trump appointed him in January.



Cummings said the goal is to learn whether Flynn was untruthful on his security clearance forms, his vetting materials, and in other documents - conduct that could carry a criminal penalty - and we want to know what the White House knew when they hired him as national security adviser.



The committee also wants to determine whether Flynn violated the constitutional prohibition against foreign payments to former military officials who could be called back into service.



The FBI has interviewed Flynn about his Russia contacts as part of its inquiry into meetings, phone calls and electronic contacts last year between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials and others representing Russian interests.



The House request comes a week after the committee released documents showing Flynn accepted more than $33,750 from the Russian government-backed RT network for a trip to Moscow in 2015, before he joined the Trump campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have described that network a propaganda arm of the Russian government.





Cummings and Chaffetz cited Flynn's payments from RT in their letters as they sought information about the retired Army lieutenant general's responses to security clearance questions, as well as any other security clearance applications, certifications, or requests for periodic reinvestigation.



The letters also ask for any investigative and adjudicative files concerning Flynn's clearance. The lawmakers want to see documents referring or relating to Lt. Gen. Flynn's contact with foreign nationals, including any direct or indirect contacts between Flynn and foreign government officials, representatives, affiliates, or agents.



Price Floyd, a spokesman for Flynn, said Flynn met the disclosure requirement for national security adviser. Everything that was supposed to be included was included, Floyd said.



He said Flynn last came up for a security clearance review in January 2016, and disclosed his trip to Russia to attend an RT event. Flynn also took a polygraph - required of someone with his level of security clearance - and passed, Floyd said.



Trump signed an executive order on January 28 prohibiting political appointees from lobbying the government in any way for five years after serving in his administration. That same order instituted a lifetime ban on outgoing officials representing foreign governments.



Ethics pledge

Floyd said Flynn didn't have the opportunity to sign the ethics pledge, but he is going to abide by the pledge. Floyd said Flynn has not engaged in any lobbying work since leaving the White House that would have violated the pledge.



White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Wednesday that all applicable employees have signed the ethics pledge. She did not answer questions about why Flynn had not. The White House did not immediately respond to a request to review those documents. The Daily Beast first reported on Flynn's failure to sign the pledge.



In addition to his RT contacts, Flynn filed paperwork this month with the Justice Department as a foreign agent whose lobbying work between August and November last year may have aided the government of Turkey. Flynn's consulting firm, Flynn Intel Group, registered as a lobbyist last year for Inovo BV, a Dutch-based company owned by a Turkish businessman.



After Flynn's lawyers consulted Trump's legal team during the transition and after Flynn's appointment, he and his firm re-filed as foreign agents, a distinction that requires much more detailed documentation with the Justice Department.



The owner of Inovo BV, Ekim Alptekin, told The Associated Press that Flynn and his firm did so due to pressure from Justice Department officials.



The committee letters also ask for Flynn's receipt of funds from any foreign source, as well as documentation of any efforts by Flynn to seek government approval for payments from foreign sources.



The committee also asked the agencies for new documents relating to Flynn's work for Leading Authorities Inc., which handles Flynn's speaking requests.



Last week, the committee posted material from the firm, including copies of checks Flynn received from RT and two other Russian companies, as well as emails between Leading Authorities, RT officials, and Flynn and his adult son, Michael Flynn Jr., who accompanied his father on the Moscow trip.
The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has reported "recent coordinated physical attacks" on the much-protested line, just as it's almost ready to carry oil.

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners didn't give details, but experts say Dakota Access and the rest of the nearly 3 million miles of pipeline that deliver natural gas and petroleum in the U.S. are vulnerable to acts of sabotage.

It's a threat that ETP takes seriously enough that it has asked a court to shield details such as spill response plans and features of the four-state pipeline that the company fears could be used against it by activists or terrorists.

Here is a look at some pipeline security issues:

RECENT ATTACKS

Authorities in South Dakota and Iowa confirmed Tuesday that someone apparently used a torch to burn a hole through empty sections of the pipeline at above-ground shut-off valve sites.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem said the culprit in Iowa appeared to have gotten under a fence around the facility, but Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Brown said the site in South Dakota wasn't fenced.

The Iowa incident was discovered March 13 and the South Dakota incident Friday.

Pipeline operators are asked to report security breaches to the National Response Center. Data on the center's website show no reports from ETP this month.

The $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline runs 1,200 miles through the Dakotas, Iowa and Illinois.

HOW DO YOU ATTACK A PIPELINE?

Because pipelines mainly run underground, aboveground shut-off valves are natural targets, according to Jay O'Hara, a spokesman for the environmental group Climate Direct Action. That group targeted valves on pipelines in October in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Washington state, though the pipeline companies said activists didn't succeed because none of the sites were operating when the attacks happened.

Explosives, firearms and heavy machinery also have been used to try to sabotage pipelines.

Securing pipelines is difficult because they often travel long distances through remote and even uninhabited territory, said Kerry Sundberg, a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, who studies energy infrastructure security and environmental crime.

THE DANGER

Sundberg said "it's stupid and dangerous" to tamper with pipeline shut-off valves.

Modern oil pipelines are "incredibly sophisticated" systems that move huge volumes of petrochemicals at high pressures, he said. Simply closing a valve can cause the pressure upstream to increase quickly, creating a significant risk of a spill that endangers the environment and anyone in the area where the pipe suddenly bursts, he said.

In response to the October incidents, federal regulators issued a bulletin warning that tampering with pipeline valves "can have significant consequences such as death, injury, and economic and environmental harm."

Sundberg also said that it's ironic for people who say they're concerned about the environment to take an action that could cause an environmental disaster.

But O'Hara said: "The hypocrisy really lies in the pipeline corporations who say their pipelines are safe, say leaks don't happen. They blame activists who are trying to stop global cataclysm by taking action to point out what they do every day, which is leak and spill."

Someone who targets a pipeline facility in the U.S. could face up to 20 years in prison.

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT ATTACKS?

No suspects have been identified in either state and no group has claimed responsibility.

O'Hara told The Associated Press that Climate Direct Action wasn't involved in any actions against the Dakota Access pipeline.

Attorneys for the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, which are leading the legal battle against the pipeline, said the tribes don't condone acts of violence against pipeline property.

HOW FREQUENTLY DOES PIPELINE SABOTAGE OCCUR?

Not very often, Sundberg said. It happens more frequently in Canada than the U.S. It's generally committed by people trying to make an environmental point. It would be "very scary" if terrorist groups tried it in North America, he said.

Some of the worst incidents in the U.S. were on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Vandals blew up a section in 1978, spilling about 16,000 barrels of oil near Fairbanks. In 2001, a drunken man fired a hunting rifle into the pipeline near Livengood, causing more than 6,000 barrels to spray out.

Some of the most notable incidents in Canada happened in the 1990s and 2000s in Alberta and British Columbia. A series of bombings in 2008-09 targeted pipelines in British Columbia. Weibo Ludwig, an Alberta man who crusaded against the extraction of "sour gas" containing high amounts of hydrogen sulfide, was convicted in several of the 1990s acts of vandalism. He was arrested but never charged in the later attacks.

Pipeline sabotage happens with some regularity in war zones. Iraqi insurgents, Colombian rebels and Mexican guerrillas all have claimed responsibility for pipeline attacks in recent decades.
The cost for individual homes in the U.S. to "go solar" has dropped by more than 60 percent over the last decade.

Those low costs helped convince more than a million Americans to install solar panels on their roofs.

Now schools are beginning to get in on the benefits. One of them is the school system in Fremont, Indiana.

The residents of this small town in America's upper Midwest have always relied on the sun to warm their fields and draw tourists to their lakes. Now school superintendent William Stitt said theyre counting on it to power their schools.

"The technology has advanced so much in the last couple of years that its become more energy efficient, more cost effective for schools to get solar energy," Stitt said.

Start-up cost

Construction of the solar project will cost $3 million. But when finished, it will completely power the elementary, middle and high school buildings. It may generate so much electricity, that the school will be able to sell some back to the power company at a profit.

The system will work through several rows of 3,000-4,000 panels each. They will be located in a special 2.5 hectare solar field behind the middle school.

The district has to lease the equipment from the local power company for 20 years, at a fixed rate.

But Kim Quick, facility director, said that even with that added cost, the schools should save money because the panels should last 40 years.

"[It] is going to cost us approximately the same amount were paying for utilities today. So that cost is never going to increase for the next 20 years," Quick said. "So if the power company comes in next year and says, 'We want to increase utilities 6 percent,' were going to pay the same were paying today 20 years from now."

Free electricity, eventually

In 20 years, the school district will own the equipment outright, meaning it wont pay anything for electricity.

Since the panels are always "on," Quick said the district will save additional money by banking the unused electricity that's generated when school is not in session.

"These work year-round. Even in a full moon they will produce electricity," he said.

Just 3 percent of the nations 125,000 schools use some form of solar energy. While not all can use solar power cost-effectively, a recent report by the Solar Foundation found that 72,000 US schools could save money with solar.

Schools could install panels on their roofs or elevate a field of panels over a parking lot. Those innovations would save most schools an average of $1 million over 30 years.

Educational component

Going solar also offers schools an educational component. It provides teachers opportunities to incorporate lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math into the curriculum.

All three schools in the Fremont system will have a live display module that kids can visit daily to learn how much energy is being used and saved.

If all goes according to plan, Fremont School Districts new solar field will be up and running by mid-summer. Superintendent Stitt is already looking further ahead.

"Id love the community and the kids in 40 years to go, 'Man, they made a great decision 40 years ago by creating this solar project!'  he said.
By India Today Web Desk: Guess who got lucky this Sunday? 87-year-old Pat Adams got the shock of her life when her favourite star George Clooney visited her and wished her a very, happy birthday.

Considered one of the sexiest men of all, 55-year-old George Clooney visited the Sunrise Sonning Retirement and Assisted Living Facility, UK to wish Pat Adams who had been living in the old-age home for quite some time.

advertisement

"The lady in the picture, loves George Clooney and mentions every day how she (Pat Adams) would love him to meet him, especially as he lives so near to where I work," a staffer who works on the facility posted on its official Facebook page.

The staffer went on to add, "So letters have been sent asking would it be possible for her dream to come true (...) What was extra special it was her Birthday in the week. He bought a card and a lovely bunch of flowers."

George Clooney and his wife, human-rights lawyer Amal have been living in their country mansion near London awaiting the arrival of their twins later in the year.

On the work front, George Clooney last appeared in the thriller Money Monster.

ALSO READ: George Clooney and Amal Clooney expecting twins. No divorce?

ALSO READ: Is that George Clooney's wife Amal's baby bump?

WATCH: Brangelina to the Clooneys; 2016 was the year of celebrity-splits

--- ENDS ---
An Indian court has given the status of living entities to two of the countrys major rivers  a move it said would help in the preservation and conservation of rivers that Hindus regard as sacred, but whose waters have turned into a toxic cocktail due to the dumping of raw sewage and industrial waste from crowded cities along their banks.

India is not the first country where this has happened. Last week in New Zealand, the Whanganui River was granted the same legal rights as a person after the local Maori tribe fought for recognition of the river as an ancestor.

Taking a cue from the New Zealand case, the Uttarakhand High Court in North India said that the "legal status" conferred on the Ganges and its main tributary, the Yamuna, means that polluting or damaging the rivers will be legally equivalent to harming a person.

Millions of Hindu devotees call the Ganges River Maa or mother and consider its water holy. At spots considered sacred, they come to perform the last rites of their loved ones and take a dip in the river, believing it will wash away past sins.

The 2,500-kilometer-long river flows from the Himalayas through crowded plains into the Bay of Bengal.

"The rivers are central to the existence of half of the Indian population and their health and well-being. They have provided both physical and spiritual sustenance to all of us from time immemorial," the court order said.

The order came in response to public interest litigation.

"This will help protect the rivers, as they now have all the constitutional and statutory rights of human beings, including the right to life," said lawyer M.C. Pant , who has been on the forefront of many environmental court battles.

The Uttarakhand High Court has appointed three officials to act as legal custodians for the two rivers.

Some experts voiced skepticism, saying the practical implications of giving the rivers living status were not clear. They say the order would only help if authorities take steps to build sewage treatment plants and reduce the dumping of industrial waste.

The court order no doubt has a very good intention, so that people put it in priority, but only if it is implemented, because implementation has always been a problem, said Sushmita Sengupta at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi.

Efforts to clean up the Ganges and the Yamuna have been taking place for decades and successive governments have spent billions of dollars on high profile projects  but environmentalists say there is little to show for it. The courts have often chided the government for lack of progress.

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government again took up the challenge and launched a $3 billion project to rejuvenate the Ganges. The Hindu nationalist prime minister has said that cleaning the holy river is a top priority.

Sengupta said so far there is hardly any improvement in the river. They made a very good holistic plan, but we have not seen any implementation...date and we have not see any change or improvement in the quality of water. That is the concern, said Sengupta.
Twenty-three-year-old Radiya Ahmed Rufai is about to deliver her first child. But she has developed pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy disorder that leads to a sharp rise in blood pressure.

The doctors at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital in the central Nigerian state of Kaduna are racing to prevent Rufai from falling into eclampsia  thats when the pre-eclampsia advances to a level that can induce seizures.



She was referred from another hospital to this place, with nothing to show that she was having those treatments [for pre-eclampsia]. It was here that we found out she had high blood pressure, explains Dr. Hassan Shuaibu, a general practitioner in the hospitals obstetrician and gynecology department.





Across Nigeria, maternal health workers are trying to improve maternal mortality. But the figures are alarming: in 2015, there were an estimated 814 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization. About half of those deaths were caused by two conditions: uncontrolled bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage, and pre-eclampsia.

Cultural norms



Rufai lies on the hospital bed, whimpering and shivering with pain. Shes careful not to shout out. In this part of Nigeria, cultural norms surrounding pregnancy expect women not to shout during labor  doing so would be a sign of weakness and a woman who is not able to suppress her expression of discomfort while in childbirth could face ridicule from her peers. So, women here put on a brave face, even during a difficult labor.



Rufais labor is getting worse. Her blood pressure is rising and her unborn infant is releasing meconium, a type of infant stool, in the amniotic fluid. Its a telltale sign that the baby is distressed.



Across the ward, 32-year-old Aisha Suleiman is breastfeeding her day-old baby. Its her seventh child. With her previous pregnancies, Suleiman experienced postpartum hemorrhaging. This delivery was no different. She lost about three pints of blood. The hospital was able to transfuse blood to her.

Lack of access to medicines

Even though, maternal mortality worldwide has decreased by nearly half in the last 15 years, Nigeria still faces a heavy burden, leading the world in the total number of maternal deaths per year. In 2015 alone, 58,000 Nigerian women lost their lives to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes.



The Nigerian Association for Reproductive & Family Health (ARFH) and the international NGO, PATH, revealed in a 2016 study how a lack of access to three basic medicines is increasing the threat of Nigerias two most deadly pregnancy complications: postpartum hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia.



In 2012, the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children determined that the medicines to prevent and treat these two conditions  oxytocin and misoprostol for post-partum hemorrhage and magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia/eclampsia  should be made affordable and promoted for use by the global health community. But Nigerian hospitals do not always have these medicines available. And when they are available, the quality is not reliable due to poor storage and regulation.



As of March 2016, there were 13 oxytocin products and four magnesium sulfate products registered in Nigeria that had not yet been judged to meet international quality standards. This increases the risk that maternal health products are poor or unknown, the 2016 study reveals.



Its time to work hand in hand with advocates, the government, suppliers, and donors to improve the quality and availability of maternal health medicines, reduce counterfeits, and ensure that all women receive the care they deserve, says Kehinde Osinowo, the director of programs at ARFH.

Many complications



Back at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, health workers are treating other complications. Theyve successfully administered magnesium sulfate to manage Rufais pre-eclampsia.

Sitting across from Suleiman is Hajia Muhammed in a white long hijab. Shes about to deliver twins but one of them is in a dangerous bottom-down position known as breech. Muhammed will need a cesarean section. Theres also a young woman who is HIV positive. She delivered a baby boy just hours earlier. The doctor examines him to check if the mother transferred the virus.



In the examination room, nurses scrub with antibacterial soap and hot water. They walk to the beds and kneel over women lying on their backs. Rufai waddles in and goes to a bed. The nurses want to check to see if she may be able to deliver vaginally.



The results come back negative. Her pelvis is too tight. The fetus is too stressed.



They wheel her into the operating room, with Muhammed.



Shuaibu heads the surgical team. He says that many of the Caesarean operations could be avoided with proper antenatal care.



Most of our women dont go for antenatal and we only see them when there are complications, Shuaibu says. Even if they come for antenatal, you give them medication to take, they often dont understand why they need to take it. Poverty is another thing because they dont have money to continue with the medication until they deliver.



The surgeries are completed in under an hour and the women go to the recovery room. Rufai has given birth to a girl and Muhammeds twins rest in the arms of elderly relatives.



The day ends at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospitals maternity ward with no major complications.
They are nicknamed "kamikaze" drones. Houthi forces and those aligned with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen are using them to target the missile-defense systems of Saudi-led coalition forces, weapons analysts say.

According to a study by Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a London-based organization funded by the European Union to monitor the movement and use of conventional weaponry, Iran has been supplying Houthi forces and Saleh loyalists with weaponry since the start of the two-year conflict that has left 10,000 civilians dead and an estimated 40,000 injured.

Among the weapons  unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which CAR researchers say in their report released Wednesday have been supplied in batches to Houthi and Salehs forces.

Topple government

Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 after Houthis toppled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Government forces dominate in the south and east of the impoverished country on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, but Houthis, who are an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, control the larger towns in the northwest, including the capital, Sana'a.

CAR researchers report that Houthi- and Saleh-aligned forces employ many of the drones to target the Saudi coalitions Patriot surface-to-air missile systems.

They do so by crashing the UAVs into the systems radar sets (specifically the circular main phased arrays) -- directing the UAVs by programming their systems with open-source GPS coordinates of the Patriots positions, researchers said.

While the coalition deploys Patriot systems to counter missile threats, the destruction of the Patriots radar systems enables Houthi- and Saleh-aligned forces to target coalition assets with volleys of missile fire unhindered, they added.

The use of these drones illustrates the Houthi- and Saleh-aligned forces ability to employ low-cost technology against the coalitions sophisticated military assets, researchers said.

Military transfers

Military transfers by the Iranians to their allies in Yemen have been stepped up in recent months, according to U.S. and Western officials.

On Tuesday, the Reuters news agency reported that U.S. officials have intelligence indicating Iran has been increasing weapons transfers to the Houthis, mirroring the strategy Tehran has used to support its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, in Syria.

Iran rejects accusations from Saudi Arabia and the West that it is giving financial and military aid to the Houthis in the battle over Yemen. Tehran blames Riyadh for the intractable conflict.

Last October, U.S. and Western officials highlighted the Iranian weapons transfers, which they said includes a range of weaponry, from small arms to missiles, as well as coastal defense cruise missiles such as ones fired at the USS Mason, an American naval destroyer, three times in October 2016.

Those attacks on the naval destroyer prompted retaliation by the U.S. military, which launched cruise missiles that destroyed three Houthi radar sites.

Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, head of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, accused Iran shortly after the attacks on the USS Mason of being connected with the attacks on the ship. And he disclosed that U.S. and partner nations intercepted five seaborne weapons shipments from Iran that were headed to the Houthis.

The CAR researchers say the acquisition of Qasef-1 drones supports [Western] allegations that Iran continues to bolster the capacity of Houthi- and Saleh-aligned forces through the transfer of new technology and advanced weaponry.

Weapons transfers are enabling the Houthis and their allies to conduct sophisticated asymmetric operations against the Saudi-led coalition.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The CAR investigators inspected seven UAVs for their report.

Six were seized on November 27 by Presidential Guards from the Emirates, who intercepted a truck transporting them in Yemens Marib province.

The drones were partially assembled. A seventh was recovered after it crashed near Aden International Airport. CAR investigators also examined a damaged drone recovered after a Houthi attack.

The fuselage and wings of the UAVs bore printed serial numbers, corresponding to handwritten serial numbers stamped on various internal components. Some of the serial numbers were consecutive, indicating that the drones were manufactured on the same production line.

Last month, Houthi forces displayed four UAVs, which they claimed to have designed and manufactured themselves.

One of the systems displayed is identical to the UAVs produced by Irans Aircra Manufacturing Industrial Company, the CAR investigators said.

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, a spokesman for the Sunni Arab coalition fighting the Houthis, told Reuters, "We don't lack information or evidence that the Iranians, by various means, are smuggling weapons into the area.

Saudi military officials say that many of the weapons systems being used by the Houthis now were not in the arsenals of the Yemeni army, which the Houthis plundered in the first months of the conflict.

Many of the Iranian weapons are being transported overland through Yemens neighbor Oman, Saudi officials said. Oman denied the claim.
U.S. media reports say worries about an Islamic State bomb led U.S. authorities to ban passengers from carrying large electronic devices on inbound flights from some airports in the Middle East.

Citing unnamed sources, The New York Times reports that the ban was put in place to counter IS jihadists' plans to develop a bomb small enough to fit inside a laptop battery.

ABC reports that intelligence obtained by U.S. officials earlier this year showed the IS group working on ways to smuggle explosives onto U.S.-bound planes. A government source told ABC the threat information is "substantiated" and "credible."

The Transportation Safety Agency, however, denied any specific threat and said in a statement it instituted the ban due to "evaluated intelligence" that shows terrorist groups' continued interest in targeting commercial flights.

The directive requires passengers flying directly to the United States from 10 Middle Eastern airports to store electronic devices larger than a cellphone in checked baggage. The TSA said it chose not to include cellphones due to logistical reasons.

The TSA said it chose the airports "based on the current threat picture" and after consultation with intelligence officials, though more airports could be added in the future.

"As threats change, so too will TSA's security requirements," the agency said.

The airports affected by the U.S. ban are: Queen Alia International Airport, Cairo International Airport, Ataturk International Airport, King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, King Khalid International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Mohammed V Airport, Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Britain institutes ban

Britain joined the United States in instituting a similar ban on large electronic devices Tuesday, though the British version is slightly less restrictive.

The British directive will block carry-on electronics larger than 16 centimeters in length, 9.3 centimeters in width and with a depth of over 1.5 centimeters on direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

"Direct flights to the U.K. from these destinations continue to operate to the U.K. subject to these new measures being in place," a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May told reporters. "We think these steps are necessary and proportionate to allow passengers to travel safely."

Terrorism analyst Greg Barton of Australia's Deakin University said the action seems to be linked to al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the terror group's affiliate active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia that has targeted airlines in the past.

"They're clearly concerned about airports that are regarded as not being up to scratch on security, and other airports that are, while very good, dealing with massive flows of passengers that are coming through," Barton told VOA. "Presumably the intelligence that triggered all of this is linked to AQAP in Yemen, and it may have come out of that rather disastrous raid that killed a U.S. soldier but nevertheless was said to have yielded valuable intelligence."

Terrorist efforts 'intensifying'

Private security experts on both sides of the Atlantic are divided on the wisdom of having electronic gadgets consigned to the hold, with some pointing out that airlines have become increasingly worried about the risk of lithium battery-powered items catching fire in the hold. Others said a bomb could still be triggered via a cellphone signal.

But a British intelligence official told VOA, "Consigning gadgets to the hold presents some serious obstacles for the bomb-maker, forcing him to design an automatic trigger device or timer that can be designed small enough to fit into an e-reader or a thin laptop."

The TSA statement said, "Our information indicates that terrorist groups' efforts to execute an attack against the aviation sector are intensifying given that aviation attacks provide an opportunity to cause mass casualties and inflict significant economic damage, as well as generate overwhelming media coverage."

Airlines were notified of the increased security measures Tuesday and have until Friday to comply. No end date was included in the order, meaning it will extend indefinitely.

Several British airlines will be impacted by the British ban  including British Airways and low-cost carrier Easyjet, as well as package-vacation carriers Thomas Cook and Thomson. The British ban affects in-bound flights from Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It is unclear why the U.S. and British bans do not exactly match when it comes to the airports and countries included.

Sophisticated technology

No U.S. airline is impacted by the U.S. electronics ban  none fly direct to any of the countries listed by the Department of Homeland Security, which warns militants are seeking "innovative methods" to bring down jets amid concerns that bombs will be hidden in laptops.

A U.S. intelligence official dismissed claims by some security experts that the ban is as much politics-led as security-informed. He told VOA: "The ban is reflective of how sophisticated al-Qaida is becoming in the next generation of devices their bomb-makers are trying to develop."

U.S. intelligence agencies have long been focused on militants in the Middle East exploring a new generation of non-metallic explosives unlikely to be detected by current airport security equipment.

In 2014 U.S. intelligence officials were alarmed by what they said was a teaming up of veteran jihadists in Syria with bomb-makers and terror planners from AQAP.

The group was behind the attempted Christmas Day bombing in 2009 of Northwest Airlines flight 253 by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who bungled the detonation of explosives sewn into his underwear. And it claimed responsibility for a 2010 cargo plane bomb plot foiled by British intelligence.

Al-Qaida isn't the only group that's prompting concern. Last year the Somali insurgent group al-Shabab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of Mogadishu, blowing a hole in the side of the plane. The aircraft was still low enough that the pilot was able to land the plane safely.

Meanwhile. Turkey said Tuesday it would ask the U.S. to reverse the ban, which affects travelers departing for the U.S. from Istanbul's Ataturk airport.
If Islamic militants in Gaza or Lebanon go to war with Israel, they could find their usual targets empty.

Israel is drawing up contingency plans to evacuate up to a quarter-million civilians from border communities to protect them from attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah or other Islamic militant groups.

The mass evacuations would be the biggest in Israel's history, part of a bigger plan where the army works with municipalities to keep civilians safe.

Increased tension on all sides

All sides have been preparing in case a new round of warfare breaks out, although Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group sworn to Israel's destruction, currently is tied down in Syria's civil war fighting in support of President Bashar Assad. It also comes amid an uptick in tensions between Israel, Syria and Hezbollah.



Each side has warned that a new conflict would be worse than previous ones. Hezbollah fired more than 4,000 rockets on Israeli communities in the 2006 war, while Israel bombarded militant targets in southern Lebanon. The month of fighting killed an estimated 1,200 Lebanese, most of them civilians, as well as 44 Israeli civilians and 121 Israeli soldiers.

In 2014, 50 days of fighting between Israel and Gaza's Islamic militant Hamas rulers killed an estimated 2,100 Palestinians, six Israeli civilians and 66 Israeli soldiers. There was widespread devastation in Gaza and thousands of rockets and mortars fired by Hamas and other Islamic militants at Israeli towns and cities.

Israel says Hezbollah and Hamas have rebuilt larger arsenals capable of hitting the entire country. Elements of the evacuation plan, codenamed Safe Distance, were disclosed by a senior Israeli officer in an interview to The Associated Press.



In 2017, all of Israel is under threat, said Col. Itzik Bar of the military's Homefront Command. Preparations are underway for Israel to deal with very high amounts of incoming fire, he said.

Hezbollah better prepared

Bar pointed out that Hezbollah has gained battle experience from fighting alongside Assad's forces and that Hassan Nasrallah, the Shiite group's chief, has recently increased his rhetoric about attacking Israel.

The idea is to remove the threat by not having civilians there, Bar said. We want a meeting of army and Hezbollah forces and not civilians with Hezbollah forces.

The evacuation plan would apply mainly to communities adjacent to the borders, he said.

In places where we understand there is a great danger to civilians, for example, where we won't be able to supply defenses or supply deterrence ... we will evacuate, Bar said.

Evacuees would be housed in existing infrastructure, including hotels, schools and Kibbutz guest houses, he said.

The scope of evacuations would depend on the situation, but all told, the plans cover up to 250,000 people who would be moved to safety if there is a conflict on multiple fronts, he said. Israel has a population of about 8.5 million.

Small core groups would stay behind in evacuated areas to maintain vital infrastructure and ensure that communities function the day after the fighting, he said.

Iron Dome defense a plus for Israel

Another senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with protocol, said the idea resulted from lessons learned in the 2014 Gaza war, in which communities were not evacuated but residents eventually left on their own.

Tens of thousands of Israelis left their homes near the Gaza border as the fighting dragged on, turning some areas into ghost towns. The exodus was sparked by Palestinian shelling along with the fear of heavily armed Gaza militants infiltrating Israel through tunnels.

Border communities vulnerable to mortars are the most in danger, he said.

Israel's Iron Dome defense system was seen as a game-changer in the 2014 war, ensuring a decisive protective edge from short-range rockets fired from Gaza. But the security official said there were not enough of the defensive systems to cover attacks on multiple fronts.

He said Hezbollah has significantly built up its weapons stockpile since the 2006 war and has upgraded its arsenal to about 150,000 missiles.

Hezbollah upgrades weapons stock

Israel has made it clear it will act to prevent Hezbollah getting advanced munitions and is widely believed to have carried out several airstrikes in recent years on weapons convoys destined for the militant group. On Friday, it made a rare admission of such a strike after Syria fired missiles at its jets.

However, the official said Israel fears that some advanced weapons like surface-to-sea weapons or anti-aircraft missiles might already have reached Hezbollah.

Israel's military chief, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, told an academic conference Tuesday that Hezbollah's top military commander was killed in Syria in May 2016 by rivals within the group. The announcement was the latest sign of an escalating feud between Israel and Hezbollah.

He said the death of Mustafa Badreddine illustrated the depth of the internal crisis within Hezbollah. He also said it reflected the extent of the cruelty, complexity and tension between Hezbollah and its patron Iran.

An Israeli military official said Israel believes the order to kill Badreddine was given by Hezbollah's leader Nasrallah.

Israeli intelligence believes Badreddine had been feuding with Iranian military commanders in Syria over the heavy losses his group had suffered on the battlefield.

Israel adds to missile defense

Israel, meanwhile, has been building up its missile defenses. A system called "David's Sling'' to intercept medium-range missiles from Hezbollah is due to become operational in early April. That would mark the completion of a multilayer missile defense system that includes Iron Dome and Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles  of the type possessed by Iran  high in the stratosphere.

The military also has vastly improved its early warning systems, according to Bar, the Israeli colonel.

Technology has come a long way since 1991 when air raid sirens sent Israelis nationwide scurrying to bomb shelters when Iraq fired Scud missiles at Tel Aviv. In the 2014 Gaza war, sirens warned of incoming rocket attacks on wide areas.

Bar said the system has been narrowed down and improved dramatically with more than 3,000 different warning zones. Now only civilians in the line of fire will need to take shelter, while others in the same city won't, he said.



An annual intelligence assessment found Hezbollah or Hamas probably are not interested in sparking a war in 2017, but it warned of the danger of a dynamic of escalation leading to conflict. In February, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah was not seeking a resumption of hostilities. But he vowed that if war did begin, his forces would strike Israel's Dimona nuclear facilities.

Hamas repairs tunnels

Israeli officials have in turn escalated the rhetoric with Lebanon, citing concern about recent comments made by Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a strong Hezbollah ally who was elected head of state in October.



In an interview last month with an Egyptian TV network, Aoun said Hezbollah has a complementary role to the Lebanese army. As long as the Lebanese army is not strong enough to battle Israel ... we feel the need for its existence, he said. The army's newly appointed commander also has vowed to boost its capabilities.



Several Hamas officials say the group does not seek a confrontation with Israel now, but that it has developed its arsenal and restored its capabilities to an even greater amount than before the 2014 war. They did not specify numbers.

Reports in Gaza suggest Hamas completed repairs to dozens of attack tunnels used to infiltrate Israel that were damaged in 2014.
Nini Wacera and Karen Lucas are known as the "sex queens" of Nairobi. In a rather conservative country, they co-host a popular podcast called "The Spread." The project is aimed at opening dialogue about sexuality, providing information on sexuality to people of all ages, focusing specifically on the youth.

The platform kicked off in 2015 after Lucas and co-presenter Wacera noted that no one was having conversations with the youth about sex. There was a platform on the continent, and in Kenya specifically, for a sexuality-based talk show.

Its the way we were raised and it has a lot to do with religion and sort of like the religious beliefs that are pushed upon us and being told by our elders that certain things are wrong but I think its changing, there is a new wave and new generation of people who are a lot more open. If we can sort of spearhead that in Kenya then we are very happy to do that. Its about unlearning all of the things we have been told are bad and taboo, said Lucas.



A wide range of topics are discussed on the show, from sexual health, body image, pornography and the dangers associated with sex and sexual abuse to HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

There are many things that can be avoided, teenage pregnancies and the rise of HIV amongst our children, sexual abuse. If we are having conversations with our children about sex and sexuality all of this things can be avoided or reduced in our country, said Lucas.



Twenty-nine year old Cathy Sonia is an ardent listener. Growing up, she struggled with her sexual identity; she had no one to talk to about it.

A lot of us are raised to believe that sex is more of a private issue. It never comes across to our parents to talk to us about sex, that never happens and so as kids we grow up believing that thats just a taboo, said Sonia.



She said the show has helped her understand her sexuality.

At the end of the day, the podcast is informative, it gives you informed information or informed knowledge so that at the end of the day, the teenager or the child is aware that sex is ok at the end of the day, that it is not a taboo. It is not something to be ashamed of, It is normal. It is just like eating.



The Kenya Film and Classification Board is the government agency mandated to regulate the creation, broadcasting and distribution of films in the country. The Kenya Information and Communications Act empowers this agency to promote national values and morality. Its CEO, Ezekiel Mutual, says podcast produced in Kenya falls under the boards mandate.



He said he supports The Spread, but insists that morality should be maintained. As long as the podcast does not promote homosexuality, he is fine with it.

There are levels that could create an offense, but the discussions about sexuality in itself are very healthy, I think we need to provide this platforms for guys to talk about it," said Mutual.

"We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and assume that the subject of Homosexuality is not happening in Kenya. It is happening, therefore I encourage the conversation. My problem would be, people who are in it should not use it to create misleading information that this is the norm or this is what should be in Kenya. If they are discussing the challenges, if they want to find help, if they want to find confidence in discussing and finding solutions among them, I have no problem.



The Spread continues to channel sex-positive messages. The presenters said they will continue to support and promote young people's healthy sexual development through their broadcasts.
A German-led NATO battle group of tanks, armored vehicles, and troops, including Lithuanians, engaged enemy attackers mid-March on a field outside a military base in Rukla, Lithuania.

The NATO group fired flares, smoke canisters, and blanks for what a press officer said was the first demonstration of maneuvers since they arrived in Lithuania earlier this year.

A group of visiting German military and other European dignitaries watched from nearby stands.

We are from Norway, we are from Belgium and from the Netherlands. We all accomplished a very high intensity training, said Lieutenant-Colonel Christoph Huber, commander of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, and the German contingent in Lithuania. And, we are prepared to deter and to defend Lithuania.

NATO is sending additional troops to the Baltics to reassure the former Soviet states against a resurgent Russia, which described the deployment as threatening its security.

NATO troops

After Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea, NATO agreed to send troops to Lithuania and to Estonia, Latvia, and Poland in a move to deter potential Russian aggression.

Russias military drills and increased buzzing of NATO airspace have raised concerns among Baltic states, which rely on NATO policing for defense.

NATO jet scrambles to intercept Russian warplanes approaching NATO member airspace jumped from an estimated 400 times in 2014 and 2015 to 800 times in 2016.

We are protecting NATO airspace, NATO borders, said Major Martin, commander of the Netherlands Air Force Detachment for NATOs Baltic air policing in Siaulai. And, it is not necessarily just the Russians - its any aircraft that does not comply with the rules that we ... that apply in the air.

U.S. President Donald Trumps demand that NATO members pay more for their defense is welcomed by the Baltic states but there is concern that his push for better U.S.-Russia relations not sacrifice their interests.

We do hope that such kind of relations will not create new spheres of influence; no more Yaltas Two; and of course they should not be contrary to the international law as we know it, said Latvia Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics.

Building a fence

Lithuania is taking measures that include building a fence this year along its open border with Russias Kaliningrad. The main purpose of the fence is to prevent smuggling, but there are also concerns about Russia.

Well, as I say, we have to be prepared for the worst, said the Lithuanian Ministry of Defenses Political Director Vaidotas Urbelis. Provocations could happen. And, we saw an incident on the Estonian border where one officer was just kidnapped.

The September 2014 incident on the Estonian border raised concern that Russia planned to use the same hybrid warfare techniques on the Baltics that it used to seize Crimea and still employs in eastern Ukraine.

Sandwiched between NATO members Lithuania and Poland, Russias Kaliningrad enclave is a strategic, military outpost housing its Baltic Fleet. Russia recently moved a S-400 missile defense system and nuclear capable Iskandar ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, citing military posturing from NATO.

Some residents are worried about the potential for conflict.

"Because the Kaliningrad region is quite small and many people are quite concerned about that, including us, said resident Ekaterina who only gave her first name.

Won't take a risk

Others are less concerned.

"I do not think that someone would take such a risk. I do not think that both NATO and the European Union are in a hostile mood, said a resident who identified himself only as Ilya. The issue is with our president (Vladimir Putin), he added.

Just in case, Baltic states urged NATO to take additional security measures in the region ahead of a Russian September military exercise in neighboring Belarus, which some fear is much larger in scale than reported.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in February described Russias Zapad 2017 drills as a very large and aggressive force that will very demonstrably be preparing for a war with the West.

Russian state media on Tuesday reported the joint Russia-Belarus exercises involve around 3,000 Russian troops, 280 pieces of hardware and up to 25 Russian aircraft.

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday invited NATO observers to the drills in an effort to increase transparency. "We are not hiding and should not hide anything. If NATO representatives want to be present at our drills, you are welcome. Moreover, Im already receiving such information and such signals from them, he said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday expanded protections for immigrants who are in the country illegally, emphasizing the city's refusal to help enforce the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

An executive directive asks the fire chief and chiefs of the airport and port police to follow the Police Department's decades-old policy of not investigating individuals solely to determine their immigration status.

Los Angeles "champions inclusiveness and tolerance, and welcomes everyone who seeks to realize their dreams and build their families here, regardless of national origin or immigration status," Garcetti's directive said.

Immigrants are the "engine" of the Los Angeles economy, with nearly two out of three residents foreign-born or children of immigrants, Garcetti said.

Bars cooperation

The directive bars any city employee from cooperating with the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws or allowing use of city money or resources for such enforcement unless legally required to do so.

Additionally, workers cannot give federal immigration agents special access to any city facility unless legally required to do so.

Jails and police agencies around the U.S. have opted in recent years not to cooperate with immigration authorities, in some cases citing federal court rulings that immigrants cannot be held in those jails strictly because of their immigration status. Other jurisdictions have passed local ordinances barring cooperation.

Police agencies and civil rights groups have argued that immigration crackdowns -- such as recent federal raids that included arrests at courthouses -- spread panic in minority communities and make it harder for police to earn trust and fight crime.

At a news conference, Police Chief Charlie Beck said that so far this year, reports of sexual assault by Hispanics have dropped 25 percent while domestic violence reports have fallen by 10 percent.

Hispanics are believed to comprise the largest segment of Los Angeles residents who entered the country illegally.

The relationship between police and the immigrant community is strained when an officer "knocks on the front door to get witness information and to talk to a victim and people run out the back door" because they are afraid they will be arrested and deported, Beck said. "And that is what we fear the most is happening in our city."

Crackdown on 'sanctuary cities'

President Donald Trump has said he plans to crack down on so-called "sanctuary cities" and other jurisdictions that do not cooperate with immigration authorities and has threatened to eliminate access to some federal grants.

On Monday, immigration officials released a list of 206 cases of immigrants released from custody by "non-cooperative" public agencies before federal agents could intervene.

Garcetti said the report was trying to pin a "scarlet letter" on those agencies and would harm relationships between federal and local governments.

Meanwhile, Garcetti and dozens of other mayors taking part in the U.S. Conference of Mayors are urging Trump and Congress to fix what they termed a "broken" immigration system.
A Syrian war monitor said Wednesday an airstrike believed to be carried out by a U.S.-led coalition has killed at least 33 people at a school near the key city of Raqqa.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the airstrike happened early Tuesday outside the village of al-Mansoura, and that the school was serving as a shelter for people displaced by the fighting in Syria.

Raqqa is the de facto capital for the Islamic State group, and the city's capture is a main goal for the various forces fighting the militants.

The U.S.-led coalition, which includes about a dozen countries carrying out strikes against Islamic State in Syria, has been pounding Raqqa in recent days. Coalition data showed nearly 20 strikes per day there on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Overall, strikes in Syria are up dramatically this year, with about 550 per month in January and February compared to an average of about 350 in the last six months of 2016.

U.S. warplanes are responsible for the vast majority of coalition airstrikes in Syria.

Those strikes, and those done by Syrian forces and their ally, Russia, have brought concerns about civilian casualties in a war that has left more than 400,000 people dead and displaced millions from their homes.

Earlier this month, the coalition released its latest civilian casualty report, saying that since operations began in August 2014 it has found "more likely than not" its airstrikes have killed at least 220 civilians. That includes strikes in both Syria and Iraq.

Rights organizations and conflict monitors say the toll is much higher.

The London-based group Airwars says coalition strikes have likely killed, at a minimum, 2,700 - 3,900 civilians in Iraq and Syria. Airwars puts the toll for Russian strikes, which have taken place only in Syria, at around 3,900 since they began in September 2015.
Multiple blasts at camps for people who have fled the Islamist militants Boko Haram killed four and injured 18 in the northeastern Nigeria city of Maiduguri, the state police commissioner said on Wednesday.

The attacks were the latest in a series in the past week. In a video circulated on Friday, a man claiming to be Boko Haram's leader claimed responsibility for bombings in Maiduguri and a raid in a nearby town last week. Bombings near the city killed four on Sunday.

Borno Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said the latest blasts happened around 4:30 a.m. (0330 UTC).

"Three bomb explosions occurred this morning at three different locations near Muna Garage, Maiduguri. Four people were killed and 18 people injured," he said.

Chukwu said two of the blasts happened at camps for people displaced by Boko Haram. The frequency of attacks has increased since the end of the rainy season in late 2016.

Maiduguri has been the city worst hit by Boko Haram's eight-year-old campaign to create an Islamic caliphate in northeastern Nigeria.

Boko Haram violence has displaced more than 2 million people and killed at least 20,000, according the United Nations.

Since Boko Haram first took up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009, trade routes and farming activity have been disrupted.

Although Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has led a successful military campaign against the militant group since he assumed office, Boko Haram is still capable of executing deadly attacks.

The violence is not limited to northeastern Nigeria and has spilled over into Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Led by cuts in coal-based power plants and thrust on renewable energy by India and China, the construction of such plants globally has witnessed a decline, indicating that global climate goals are within "feasible" reach, a new survey today said.

The survey revealed that India and China have seen a significant slowdown in expansion of coal, which is a major cause of pollution and causes approximately 12 lakh deaths in India annually.

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"For the first time since the beginning of the global coal boom a decade ago, developments in East and South Asia ? in particular Chinas wide-reaching restrictions on new coal plants and Indias indication that no new coal power is needed ? appear to have brought global climate goals within feasible reach, raising the prospect that the worst levels of climate change might be avoided," the survey said.

It however said that while "more progress" is needed and the margin for error is tight, results of the past year provide "good reason for optimism".

The survey authored jointly by the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Coalswarm found that globally, there has been a 48 per cent decline in the overall pre-construction activity, a 62 per cent drop in new construction starts and an 85 per cent decline in new Chinese coal plant permits.

"This global slowdown in the coal power sector is a great opportunity for keeping global warming below 2 degree Celsius as per the Paris Agreement. Thus the commitment of achieving the 1.5 degree target looks more feasible," it said.

Noting that 68 GW of construction of such plants in India and China is now frozen at over 100 project sites, the survey however pointed out that ongoing over-investment in coal-fired power in India is potentially wasting vast amounts of capital.

"In India, 31 coal plant units at 13 sites totalling 12,725 MW of capacity have been stalled, mainly due to frozen financing. Power demand in India has not kept pace with expanding capacity. Besides this, the declining cost of renewables has caused many financial backers of coal projects to withdraw support, leading to a further freeze in construction activity," the survey said.

Coal is a primary source for causing air pollution that leads to approximately 12 lakh deaths in India annually, Greenpeace said.

While China has been cutting down on its coal consumption for the past three years and has vowed to cut 150 million tonnes of coal output capacity this year, India has gone a step "backward" with the recent news of postponing the implementation of emission norms for coal-fired thermal power plants, it said.

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"Despite slowdown in construction of new plants and Plant Load Factors dipping to an all-time low, there are more than 170 GW of power plants under various stages of approval. Indias Environment Ministry continues to clear further coal power projects and the government continues to stress upon its target of mining 1.5 billion tonnes of coal by 2020," said Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace India.

It is estimated close to 25 per cent of Delhis air pollution is contributed by the secondary particles produced by thermal power plants and diluting the emission rules would be a step backwards in the fight against the health crisis due to air pollution in India. (MORE) PTI TDS KUN

--- ENDS ---
Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador in Ankara Wednesday to protest political asylum Norway reportedly granted to Turkish military officers allegedly involved in last year's failed coup.

"This is not an acceptable situation," Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said. "Europe should not become a safe haven for coup plotters, for terrorists and murderers."

Reports from Norway say as many as five Turkish officers were given asylum. Their lawyer says they had been in Norway for a couple of years and that Turkey ordered them to return home after the July coup attempt.

One of the officers told Norway's Verden Gang newspaper that they fear what will happen if they go back.

"If I return, I will be detained and risk torture and will be forced to make a false confession. People die inexplicably in Turkish prisons."

Turkey blames exiled U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen for the failed coup, in which the military tried to seize power from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen denies any involvement.

Turkish authorities have arrested or fired more than 100,000 police, soldiers, government workers and private citizens for alleged involvement in the coup. Many others have escaped the crackdown by fleeing to other countries.
One in four children  600 million in total  may live in areas with severely limited water resources by 2040, putting them at risk of deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhea, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF said on Wednesday.

Already some 500 million children live in areas with limited water supplies, and the demand for water today far exceeds available resources in 36 countries, UNICEF said.

Supplies are expected to shrink further due to droughts, rising temperatures, flooding, population growth and urbanization, the U.N. agency said in a report.

If no action is taken to clean up and conserve water supplies, more children will be forced to drink potentially unsafe water as a result, UNICEF said.

Climate change plays a part

Around the world, millions of children lack access to safe water  endangering their lives, undermining their health, and jeopardizing their futures, said UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake.

This crisis will only grow unless we take collective action now he added in a statement.

Climate change is one of the reasons behind reduced water sources in the future, impacting "the quality and quantity of the water," Cecilia Scharp, a senior water advisor at UNICEF, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Flooding, which is expected to increase due to rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, can pollute water supplies and spread unsafe water across wide areas. Droughts are also expected to increase in frequency and severity.

More work for women, girls

Women and girls now spend 200 million hours a day collecting water, and this will rise if they are forced to travel further to reach water sources, making them vulnerable to attack in some countries, UNICEF said.

UNICEF's projections are based on models assuming no action is taken to conserve water and tackle pollution, Scharp said. But governments, industries, agricultural businesses and communities can help diminish the impact of climate change on children in countries pressed for water resources, the agency said.

Governments should plan for risks to water supplies from drought, rising temperatures, flooding, population growth and urbanization, Scharp said.

Reusing waste water

Businesses should ensure they are conserving as much water as possible, and reusing waste water whenever they can, UNICEF said.

You can use economic incentives so people don't overuse [water], Scharp said of local governments. You can put restrictions on ... personal use of water in urban areas where a lot of water is used for lifestyle activities, more than [for] consumption.

Poorer children will be hurt the most by a depletion of water sources in the future. This should come as no surprise, UNICEF said.
A three- to four-month window remains to avert a famine that could potentially kill millions of people in three African countries and Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross warns.

The Swiss humanitarian agency said speed was of the essence to prevent a tragedy of massive proportions in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria.

Dominik Stillhart, ICRC Director of Operations, said agencies must urgently scale up their humanitarian operations and international donors must support these efforts to prevent millions of people in these countries from starving to death.

"This is not business as usual," he said. "Twenty million people facing starvation is not something that we are dealing with every day and, therefore, we really need to act now. If we act now, especially in Yemen and in Somalia, famine can be averted."

The International Committee of the Red Cross has launched a $400 million appeal to provide food, water, shelter and health care for five million of the most vulnerable people in the four famine-affected countries.

Stillhart said speed was of the essence. He said aid agencies and donors needed to learn the lessons of 2011 where the response to the famine in Somalia was "too slow, too little and 260,000 people died of starvation, more than half of them children under the age of five."

He added that ICRC staff was on the ground and delivering aid in all four countries, but because Somalia and Yemen were experiencing both drought and conflict, "we did not wait for donors to respond. We immediately started to respond as from February to this crisis that we saw evolving."

"I am for now not completely pessimistic with regard to the possibility to avert the worst, especially in these two countries."

Man-made disaster

He said the crisis in South Sudan and northeast Nigeria was different because famine in those countries was a man-made disaster caused purely by conflict.

While drought was playing havoc with the lives of people in Somalia and Yemen, he said famine in all four countries was "first and foremost the result of protracted conflicts."

"No amount of aid money will overcome political obstructionism, a failure to abide by the norms of warfare," he said.

Some 100,000 people in South Sudan's Unity State are facing famine, a crisis brought on by conflict and the inability of aid agencies to reach the area because of insecurity.

Bruce Orina, ICRC Deputy Regional Director for Africa, told VOA that more than three years of civil strife in South Sudan has led to multiple displacements of the population so "the population is unable to plant. And, we witnessed, in fact, in most of the areas where crops were planted, they were not tended to and, of course, they went to waste."

He described a similar scenario in northeast Nigeria where nearly two million people have become displaced by Boko Haram. Because of the conflict, people were unable to access land.

'Breaking point' in Yemen

ICRC officials are most concerned about the situation in Yemen because they noted that the gap between the needs of the population and the humanitarian response was bigger there than in the other countries.

"Words cannot capture the extent of the suffering of the Yemeni people," said Robert Mardini, ICRC Middle East director.

He said nearly 70 percent of the Yemeni people were dependent on humanitarian aid.

"Their resilience has reached a breaking point," he said.

Mardini said an average of 20 people were dying every day.

"Many, they die from treatable wounds, curable diseases because of the terrible state of the health infrastructure," he said. "Only 45 percent of health facilities are running today in Yemen, let alone the medicines, medical supplies, etc.

"The children are going hungry. There is an increase by 150 percent of child malnutrition and those are only indicators that are extremely alarming. This conflict is pushing Yemen closer to famine day after day."

'Worse-case scenario' looms

Stillhart told VOA that aid agencies needed to act now to get a massive humanitarian response underway to tackle the hunger crisis.

"I would say we have probably a window of three months during which large amounts of aid need to be distributed in order to avoid a worst-case scenario," he said. "It is really absolutely necessary that there is a strong mobilization of the donor community."

The international community is being bombarded with appeals for famine relief, including a $5.6 billion United Nations appeal, the ICRC's one-half billion-dollar appeal, and funding requests from numerous private aid organizations.

"There are significant needs," Stillhart said. "There are serious concerns in terms of having funding available sufficiently fast in order to avoid large-scale starvation."
When it comes to the deployment and use of an HIV vaccine, researchers say even a partially effective vaccine, although not perfect, still could prevent millions of infections each year.

There are no AIDS vaccines in use, but many are in the development pipeline or clinical trials. The problem is the vaccines are turning out to be less effective than hoped.

To get a handle on what the future might hold, scientists at Oregon State University developed a mathematical model of HIV progression, transmission and intervention, tailored to 127 countries around the world.

According to the model, using current interventions, the world might expect to see about 49 million new cases of HIV in the next 20 years.

But the study concluded that 25 million of those infections might be prevented if ambitious targets for diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression set by the United Nations are met.

And thats where an HIV vaccine comes in.

Jan Medlock, the study's lead author, said adding a vaccine to the mix -- even one that is only 50 percent effective -- by 2020 could prevent another 6.3 million new infections, potentially reversing the HIV pandemic.

Partial efficacy is still better than zero efficacy, and it really becomes (a matter) of thinking about the cost and trade-off," she said. "Are you taking away money from treatment or some other health program to buy these vaccines? If not, then theyre probably worth doing, even at very low efficacy."

Medlocks model -- reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences -- input clinical data from a vaccine thats now in large-scale trials in South Africa.

Until it was modified for the phase-three trial in the hopes of boosting its effectiveness, the vaccine candidate showed about a 60 percent efficacy in preventing infection for the first year. The effectiveness dropped to 31 percent 3 years later.

Even without an improvement in current levels of HIV detection and treatment globally, a vaccine thats only 50 percent effective has the potential to avert 17 million new cases during the next two decades, Medlock said.

Medlock added an even less effective vaccine could make a sizeable dent to slow the pandemic.

Twenty percent efficacy at the global population scale is still going to prevent several million infections," she said.

Medlock said many countries will inevitably fall short of the U.N.s ambitious goals to contain the HIV pandemic.

Thats why researchers believe the firepower of imperfect HIV vaccines should be brought to bear in the fight against the AIDS virus.
U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is acknowledging that he worked for a Russian aluminum magnate under a multi-million-dollar contract a decade ago, but is pushing back on claims that his efforts were aimed at advancing the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Manafort, Trump's campaign chief from March until August last year, told U.S. news outlets on Wednesday that he worked for Oleg Deripaska "almost a decade ago, representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments." But Manafort said that his work for Deripaska "did not involve representing Russia's political interests" supporting Putin.

Manafort's work for Deripaska was disclosed by the Associated Press, which said Manafort signed a $10 million annual contract with the Russian in 2006 and maintained a business relationship with him until at least 2009.

The former Trump aide, according to the news service's report, proposed a political strategy to thwart anti-Russian opposition in the former Soviet republics.

In a 2005 memo to Deripaska, Manafort was quoted as saying, "We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success." Manafort said he "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

After disclosure of his previously unknown ties to Deripaska, Manafort said his work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" and was part of a "smear campaign."

FBI probe

Manafort's link to Deripaska came to light two days after James Comey, the director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, the country's top criminal investigative agency, told a congressional hearing that it is conducting a probe into whether Trump campaign aides criminally colluded with Russian interests during last year's presidential election. Manafort's name was mentioned 28 times at the hearing, but Comey declined to say whether Manafort was a target of the investigation. No one mentioned Deripaska.

Congressman Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, spelled out at the hearing several links between Trump aides and Russia both before and after the election, asking whether they all were a mere coincidence.

On Wednesday, Schiff said in a Twitter comment, "Manafort worked w/oligarch to advance Putin's interests and was Trump's campaign chair when Russia released stolen docs. Another coincidence?"

The White House has repeatedly rejected any contention that Trump campaign officials colluded with Moscow to help Trump defeat his Democratic challenger, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But the FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees are investigating the details of the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Russia, on orders from Putin, meddled in the election to help Trump win.

Russia hacked into the computer of Clinton campaign chief John Podesta. The anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks subsequently released thousands of his emails in the weeks before the November election that showed embarrassing, behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton secure the party's presidential nomination.

Manaforts role

Manafort ran Trump's campaign during the crucial months leading up to the Republican National Convention, where the billionaire real estate mogul claimed the party's presidential nomination.

But on Monday, after Comey disclosed the FBI's probe of possible Trump campaign collusion with Moscow, White House spokesman Sean Spicer addressed Manafort's role in the campaign.

Spicer said the 67-year-old Manafort played a "limited role for a very limited amount of time" in the campaign.

Manafort left the Trump campaign last August after it was revealed he had worked for the pro-Russian party of ousted Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia as his government was toppled in 2014 by pro-Western interests.
Brazil's federal police raided the offices of people close to several prominent senators on Tuesday in the latest phase of a sweeping, three-year corruption probe, according to authorities and local media.

The 14 search and seizure warrants were issued by the Supreme Court based on information provided by executives of engineering conglomerate Odebrecht SA in plea bargain deals tied to the graft probe, police said in a statement. The raids took place in the cities of Brasilia, Maceio, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

Neither the police nor prosecutors provided details on the targets. Globo News TV said the investigation targeted people closely associated with Senate President Eunicio Oliveira and Senators Renan Calheiros, Valdir Raupp and Humberto Costa.

Oliveira, who is a key ally of President Michel Temer in his efforts to pass fiscal reforms, denied receiving illegal donations in his 2014 campaign for governor of Ceara, a northeastern state.

"The senator is convinced the truth will prevail," a statement issued by his lawyer said, commenting on the morning police raids.

Senator Costa in a statement said he was confident the raids would corroborate his defense.

Other senators mentioned in the media did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In December, Odebrecht signed the world's largest leniency deal with Brazilian, U.S. and Swiss prosecutors and admitted bribing politicians across Latin America and in Africa. The Supreme Court is expected to disclose details in the coming weeks of the 950 depositions given by 77 Odebrecht executives.

Carlos Lima, a federal prosecutor who has helped lead the probe, told Reuters this month he thinks upward of 350 new investigations could stem from the Odebrecht testimony. The scandal has reached into Temer's inner circle and threatens the fate of proposed reforms to curb an untenable budget deficit and pull Brazil out of its worst recession.
A crowd burnt two Europeans to death on a tourist island in Madagascar and lynched a local man because they suspected them of trafficking human organs after a dead child was found on a beach, police said.



The European men were hunted down and killed by residents on the island of Nosy Be, one of the Indian Ocean island's leading tourism hubs.



They (the crowd) suspected them of organ trafficking, Madagascar police chief Desire Johnson Rakotondratsima said. It appears that one of the foreigners admitted it in front of the local residents after they found the dead body of a child.



A third suspected organ trafficker, a Malagasy man, was also killed. He was lynched, security chief General Andrianazary said. The security forces arrived too late.



One of the two dead Europeans was French, according to France's foreign ministry. A French interior ministry official said the body of the child had been found with organs removed.



The French foreign ministry said it had warned its 700 citizens in Madagascar to avoid all travel within the country and asked those planning to travel there to delay their trip.



We are counting on the Malagasy authorities to bring to light the exact circumstances of this and have asked them to take measures to increase security for our nationals on the ground, given that Nosy Be is a popular tourist destination, a spokesman said.



Nosy Be is an island off the northwestern tip of mainland Madagascar famous for its turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.



Analysts say crime has increased in Madagascar since President Andry Rajoelina seized power through a coup more than four years ago, plunging the country into political turmoil and leading donors to freeze aid, which has dented public spending.



Almost 80 percent of households now live below the poverty line, one of the highest rates in Africa.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has come under fire for a decision not to attend next month's NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, and for an announcement that he will travel to Russia later in April.

At Tuesday's State Department briefing, acting spokesman Mark Toner fielded a number of questions from reporters about the NATO meeting.

One reporter said he had been told that NATO had offered several alternative dates to Tillerson to make it possible for him to come, but these were rebuffed. Toner said the problem is a scheduling conflict.

"We are certainly appreciative of the effort to accommodate Secretary Tillerson. I can say that we have offered alternative dates the secretary could attend, and those are now being considered. It is important to remember though that this is not just a decision for NATO headquarters, but it also has to be reached, these dates, by consensus by all 28 allies," Toner said.

Another State Department official said Tillerson would be traveling to Italy in April for a meeting of the G-7, and then to Russia.

During the briefing, Toner said he had no formal announcement to make yet about the Russia trip, and could not say whether Tillerson would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rather than have his first meeting of the 28 NATO allies, Tillerson is set to attend President Donald Trump's meeting April 6-7 with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Reuters news agency reported.

Asked about what message Tillersons absence at the NATO meeting would send to close U.S. allies, Toner stressed that the United States remains 100 percent committed to NATO.

US representation

He said Tom Shannon, acting deputy secretary of state for political affairs and former acting secretary, will represent the U.S. at the NATO meeting. Toner also noted that Tillerson is meeting with most, if not all, of the NATO foreign ministers Wednesday when the Coalition to Defeat Islamic State meets in Washington.

President Trump has repeatedly dismissed NATO as "obsolete," though his Vice President Mike Pence voiced staunch U.S. support for the alliance during a news conference in Brussels last month and Tillerson has also expressed his support for NATO.

The White House announced late Tuesday that Trump will attend a summit of NATO heads of state set to be held May 25 in Brussels, and will host NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg for talks on April 12.

Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said skipping the NATO meeting would send a "most unfortunate signal."

"I would blame it on schedulers. I do think that is part of the problem. He will have met with a lot of ministers in other venues, but given the discussion that's going on about NATO, I think it's an unfortunate scheduling problem," Albright said.

The ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, released a sharply worded statement after hearing reports of the travel decisions.

"If reporting is accurate, Donald Trump's administration is making a grave error that will shake the confidence of America's most important alliance and feed the concern that this administration is simply too cozy with Vladimir Putinm" Engel said.

"I cannot fathom why the administration would pursue this course except to signal a change in American foreign policy that draws our country away from Western democracy's most important institutions and aligns the United States more closely with the autocratic regime in the Kremlin," he said.

Engel added: "If that's the case, it's an absolute disgrace and I'll do whatever I can to stop the United States from going down this path. If it's not the case, Secretary Tillerson needs to explain why he arrived at this troubling decision. We need to see him before the Foreign Affairs Committee soon to answer these questions."

Russia trip

Other Democratic lawmakers also weighed in on the reports, saying they were stunned to hear Tillerson would skip the NATO meeting and then travel to Russia later the same month.

The news comes a day after testimony Monday at a House Intelligence Committee hearing where FBI Director James Comey confirmed that his agency is investigating Russian attacks on the 2016 U.S. elections and possible links between Russia and members of Trump's campaign team.

During Tillerson's confirmation hearing, some senators, including Republican Senator John McCain, had expressed concern about Tillerson's close ties to Putin during Tillerson's time as the CEO of ExxonMobil. Putin awarded Tillerson the "Order of Friendship" in 2013.
Russian and Turkish soldiers are facing off over the Syrian Kurdish canton of Afrin. Ankara says the area that borders its territory is under the control of PYD terrorists affiliated with the Kurdish insurgent group the PKK. But Moscow, like Washington, views the PYD and its YPG militia which controls Afrin as key to fighting Islamic State.

Moscow took Ankara by surprise when it deployed forces in the canton to monitor a cease-fire between YPG and the Free Syrian Army, which is backed by Turkey. On Wednesday violence erupted again. Ankara said one of its soldiers was killed by a sniper shooting across the border, prompting Turkish artillery to retaliate.

The YPG-controlled region has been under threat since Turkey launched a military incursion into Syria in August. Operation Euphrates shield has twin objectives, of removing Islamic State and the YPG militia and its political wing PYD. But Russian deployment puts Euphrates Shield in question.

Practically it means the end of Operation Euphrates Shield, said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served across the region. "The military operation cannot move down south towards Raqqa, because there is the Syrian Arab Army or Assad together with the Russians. It cannot turn east towards Manbij as its suggested by the Turkish government. Why? Because there is [the] Syrian Army backed by  Russia and also you have the U.S. special forces there along [with] U.S. Army Rangers. Militarily it means the end of the operation."

Sensitive issue

Ankara has made little secret of its displeasure.

This is one of the biggest sensitivities we as a government have. Unfortunately, both Russia and the U.S. have not been sensitive to this as part of both the Raqqa and Manbij operations, said Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus.

Russias deployment in Syria could add to pressure and criticism of Ankara's Syrian policy.

Syria has brought us to the point whatever we are going to do we are going to antagonize Moscow, the United States and Iran. We can't stand up to all of them, warns political consultant Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners.

But powerful domestic considerations continue to drive foreign policy. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is campaigning on a nationalist platform before next months referendum to extend his presidential powers. Standing up to the Kurdish insurgent groups, the PKK and what he calls its affiliates in Syria, is an important part of that campaign message.

Symbol for Kurds

Turkish security forces for months have been fighting across Turkeys predominantly Kurdish southeast, while also targeting the legal Kurdish movement. The successes of Syrian Kurdish forces have become a powerful symbol for Kurds in Turkey.

Even though they [Turkish security forces] have arrested thousands, our towns and cities have been destroyed here, people are being encouraged by the gains of the Rojava [Kurdish name of the region under Syrian Kurdish control] resistance, by the progress of the PYD and YPG in Syria, said Ertugral Kurkcu, a parliamentary deputy of Turkeys pro-Kurdish HDP Party.

Tuesday, tens of thousands of Kurds gathered in Diyarbakir, the main city in Turkeys predominantly Kurdish southeast, to celebrate the Kurdish New Year. The mass gathering turned into a political event with pictures and slogans in support of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and speakers calling for a "no" vote in next months referendum.

Kurdish entity seen as inevitable

Syrian Kurdish forces, buoyed by growing military support by Moscow and Washington, are continuing to make territorial gains as they move on Raqqa, Islamic States self-declared capital.

If Turkey is unhappy with Syrian Kurds expanding their territory and their control, there is only one way to stop it, it is to cooperate with Damascus, suggests Haldun Solmazturk, head of the Ankara-based Twenty First Century Turkey Institute. He said, By not coordinating and harmonizing is military operation with Damascus, Turkey is helping with the dismembering of Syria and the Kurds are benefiting from this.



Ankara has started to temper its vociferous opposition to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, with ministers suggesting Turkey could be ready to drop its demand for Assad to immediately step down, while others express the need for talks with Damascus.

But any dramatic reversal in policy by Ankara is considered unlikely and is probably too late.

Russian reconciliation efforts between Kurds and Damascus is continuing and it definitely envisages decentralization of the Syrian state as part of it, said former Turkish diplomat Selcen.

Observers warn with few options remaining, Ankara must sooner or later come to terms with a Syrian Kurdish entity on its border.
Russia's force in Syria has suffered losses since late January more than three times higher than the official toll, according to evidence gathered by Reuters, a tally that shows the fight in Syria is tougher and more costly than the Kremlin has disclosed.

Eighteen Russian citizens fighting alongside Moscow's allies, the Syrian government forces, have been killed since Jan. 29 -- a period that coincided with intense fighting to recapture the city of Palmyra from the Islamic State group.

The Russian defense ministry has publicly reported only five servicemen's deaths in Syria over the same period, and its officials' statements have not mentioned any large-scale Russian ground operations in the fight for Palmyra.

Politically sensitive

Military casualties abroad are not as politically sensitive in Russia as in some other countries but send a negative message ahead of a presidential election next year which is expected to give President Vladimir Putin a fourth term.

The toll was revealed in interviews with relatives and friends of the dead men, cemetery workers, local media reports of funerals and evidence collected by a group of investigative bloggers, Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT).

In each case, Reuters has independently verified information about the death by speaking to someone who knows the dead man.

The casualties since the end of January represent one of the highest tolls for the Russian contingent in Syria since the start of Moscow's military intervention 18 months ago.

An official with the Russian foreign ministry referred questions about them to the defense ministry. The Russian defense ministry did not respond to Reuters questions about the casualties and about military operations in Syria. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Private contractors

Most of the dead were not regular Russian soldiers, but Russian civilians working as private military contractors under the orders of Russian commanders. Moscow has not officially acknowledged the presence of the contractors in Syria.

One of the 18 men killed was Yuri Sokalsky, a 52-year-old from the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik who, according to a person close to him, signed up to go to Syria in January with a group of private contractors.

In one of his last phone calls home, the person close to him said, he expressed surprise at the large numbers of Russian contractors being despatched to Syria, and relayed what he had been told about the intensity of the combat.

"Out of every 100 people, 50 are coming back in caskets,"

the person recalled Sokalsky as saying. The person asked not to be identified, fearing repercussions for revealing information that is sensitive for the Russian authorities.

On March 14 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial drawdown of Russian forces in Syria, saying their mission had, "as a whole, been fulfilled." The fight for Palmyra this year tells a different story.

Death announcements

The 18 fatalities documented by Reuters include the five regular soldiers whose deaths were announced by the defense ministry, four private military contractors in one unit killed on the same day, seven other such contractors, and two regular soldiers whose deaths the defense ministry has not announced.

The period examined by Reuters coincided with the start of a major Russian deployment to the area around Palmyra, according to several people close to the dead fighters.

Several relatives of people killed in Syria said they had received phone calls from people involved in recruiting private military contractors warning them not to speak to media.

Out of the 18 dead, at least 10 were killed in the region of Palmyra, which Islamic State fighters seized in December for a second time in a year - a major reversal for Syrian government forces and their Russian backers.

On Jan. 10, Sokalsky, a land mine specialist, left his home in Gelendzhik and set off for Rostov, in southern Russia, to join a group of private contractors being despatched to Syria.

On his one previous tour to Syria, only fighters over 35 were being hired, selected to carry out specialist technical roles or train Syrian units rather than for out-and-out combat.

"This time they were taking everyone," said the person close to Sokalsky.

Shrapnel injuries

Two official documents seen by Reuters show that on Jan. 31, Sokalsky died from shrapnel injuries in Tiyas, in Syria's Homs province about 60 km west of Palmyra. Three other members of his unit, all private military contractors, were killed the same day, according to relatives, friends and cemetery officials. They were Alexei Nainodin, Roman Rudenko, and a third man whose name Reuters was not able to establish.

Another private military contractor, Dmitry Markelov, was also killed at Tiyas, site of the Syrian military's T4 air base, on Jan. 29, according to people close to him.

Four regular Russian servicemen were killed in the same area on Feb. 16, Russian state media cited a defense ministry statement as saying. The soldiers, described by state media as "advisors" to the Syrian military, were not named. A fifth regular serviceman, Artyom Gorbunov, was killed near Palmyra on March 2, state media quoted the ministry as saying.

A further eight members of the Russian contingent were killed since the end of January at unknown locations in Syria, the evidence gathered by Reuters showed.

They were contractors Konstantin Zadorozhny, Ivan Slyshkin, Vasily Yurlin, Alexander Sagaydak, Alexander Zangiyev, and Alexander Tychinin, and regular Russian soldiers Igor Vorona, and Sergei Travin.

Local media reports and social media posts point to more Russian deaths in Syria since the end of January than the 18 casualties, but Reuters has not been able to verify that information independently.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 22 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan today alleged that the 19 opposition legislators were suspended by the state government fearing that the budget may not be passed.

Talking to reporters, Chavan asked if BJP could promise loan waiver to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, how could the same demand be "wrong" in Maharashtra?

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Nineteen MLAs of the opposition Congress and the NCP were today suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for nine months for creating ruckus during the Budget presentation in the House last week.

"The opposition legislators were demanding relief to farmers by way of waiving their loans during the budget presentation. Looks like they were suspended due to fear that the budget may not passed," said Chavan.

He said the party unit has written to the state election commission that the upcoming elections for Latur, Chandrapur and Parbhani municipal corporations be held through ballot box and not EVMs.

Replying to questions over the doctors strike in the state, Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said need of the hour was to ensure security of doctors.

Meanwhile, the Opposition leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss their strategy for the rest of the session against the backdrop of the suspension of 19 MLAs.

Chavan will also attend the meeting.

The Opposition had announced earlier in the day that it would boycott the session till the suspension was revoked. PTI MR NRB SRY

--- ENDS ---
Despite international sanctions, North Korea has found partners across Africa willing to buy arms and make defense deals, says the head of a U.N. panel of experts that investigated the transactions.

According to a U.N. report released last month, North Korea has used a number of methods to avoid detection and has forged agreements with at least seven African nations to train soldiers, build infrastructure and sell a wide range of weapons and vehicles.

The deals violate U.N. sanctions banning transactions with North Korea involving weapons or military equipment and prohibiting the hosting of any North Korean trainers or advisers.

Hugh Griffiths, coordinator of the U.N. panel monitoring sanctions on North Korea, told VOA these sanctions are being flouted in some parts of Africa.

North Korea generates revenue by supplying arms, military equipment, surface to air missiles, radar, MANPADS [Man-portable air-defense systems], a wide variety of goods and services to African states, he said. And from this they derive significant amounts of foreign currency revenue for their own programs related to weapons of mass destruction.

But Griffiths emphasized the isolated Communist nation, which has angered world powers with nuclear tests and missile launches, is also trying to win friends in Africa through these deals.

North Korea has always pursued its diplomacy in a twin track approach that generally has involved military cooperation or ministry aid in the form of advisors, technicians, repair services and, of course, prohibited arms and related material such as rocket launchers, rockets, old Soviet-era tanks, he said. So its diplomacy through military cooperation.

Sophisticated missiles for Sudan

One of the findings of the report was that North Korea supplied Sudan with sophisticated air-to-ground missiles that use satellite guidance systems. Two deals valued at $6.4 million were made through a front company in 2013.

Pyongyangs main military contractor, known as the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID), has been a designated entity by the United Nations since 2009, but continues to operate through a number of front companies.

The Sudanese military have been criticized in the past for using barrel bombs that have targeted civilian populations in various parts of Sudan. Thats just bombs kicked out of the back of Antonov aircraft, Griffiths said. But what our report shows is that the North Koreans have been supplying far more sophisticated air-to-ground guided missiles that use GPS, satellite guidance systems and that those are being constructed and sent to Sudan together with longer-range ground-to-ground missiles as well.

Griffiths said, Sudan had never been documented before as a North Korean customer, but now they have and that's a very serious matter.

According to the report, Sudan did not respond to the panel's inquiries about the deals.

Other sales documented in the report span the continent. North Korea shipped automatic pistols and other small arms to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where they were issued to the Presidential Guard and other special units.

In Mozambique, it signed a $6 million contract to supply surface-to-air missiles, radar and anti-tank armaments. North Koreans worked there at a munitions factory that later exploded.

Mozambique has not commented on the contract but Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi condemned North Korea's nuclear tests and missile launches during a visit to Japan. In a joint statement, Nyusi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged North Korea to "refrain from any provocation and fully comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions and other international commitments."

In Angola, North Korea has trained the presidential guard in martial arts.

In Namibia, it worked on a project to build a munitions plant using North Korean laborers and components. The project began in 2010, but was discontinued in 2015, according to the report. The United Nations alleges North Korea used its construction company known as Mansudae Overseas Projects, which primarily builds statues and monuments, as a front for the military work in Namibia.

It's quite important for African member states to be aware of not only what has been banned most recently, but also the ways in which companies such as Mansudae operate on behalf of U.N. designated entities such as KOMID under-the-radar to participate in prohibited activities, Griffiths said.

In June 2016, Namibia announced it had ceased dealings with both North Korean companies in order to be compliant with U.N. sanctions.

Shining a light on violations

The U.N. report found that Africa has the worst rate of nations reporting compliance with U.N. sanctions on North Korea, 11 of 54 countries.

This is not very high on the list of priorities for those countries and it is common for African countries and many other states in the world are not giving high priority to reporting to sanction regimes or any other United Nations arms control related activities, said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institutes (SIPRI) Arms and Military Expenditure Programme.

Wezeman said the temptation for African countries to do business with North Korea is great because of the cheap cost, longstanding relations and even the countrys status as an outlaw could be appealing.

Some countries like Eritrea are under sanctions themselves and unable to purchase weapons on the open market. Other countries do not know the rules.



It may simply be the fact that those people who are responsible for the acquisition of arms in the African countries, which we are talking about, are simply not really aware and willing to become aware either of the international rules when it comes to arms procurement and of the stipulations of the U.N. arms embargoes, Wezeman said.

But the unwanted spotlight given by reports like this to African countries may change that.

It attracts international attention and there are plenty of other member states whom they can legitimately buy weapons [from] providing they are not under sanctions themselves, he says. The truth of the matter is that African member states can get all the weapons that they need from other countries.
At least 25 people have died of starvation in the self-declared republic of Somaliland as the Horn of Africa grapples with an increasingly severe drought.

The drought situation is at its most dangerous level. Eighty percent of the livestock have gone and we are struggling with saving people, who have started dying. So far, we have recorded 25 deaths, most of them children who starved to death," said Ahmed Abdi Salay, the governor of Somaliland's northwest Sanag region.

According to the United Nations, more than 50,000 children across Somaliland and Somalia are facing possible death because of the ongoing regional drought.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not recognized by any other country.

The news about the deaths in Sanag emerged a day after government-owned Radio Mogadishu website reported that at least 26 people died of starvation in Somalia's southern region of Jubaland.

The governor of the Togdheer region in Somaliland, Mohamud Ali Saleban, said the drought is affecting every part of Somali society.

The pain of the drought has touched us in all levels, every office and every household there is the impact," he said. "Relatives who lost their livestock have resorted to come to the cities in search of lifesaving assistance from their acquaintances and relatives, Saleban said.

On Monday, Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire included a minister of disaster management in his Cabinet, saying the ministry will deal with the drought that has left more than 6 million Somalis in need of aid.

Governor Salay said more than 15,000 people who have fled rural areas are now living in makeshift displaced persons' camps in the Sanag region capital of Erigavo.

According to a statement from the Somali doctors association, a group of Mogadishu doctors has joined the Drought Relief Campaign, providing medical services to individuals in the camps for the internally displaced.
A U.S. Senate panel considering the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch will hear testimony Thursday from lawyers, advocacy groups and other federal judges in the final stage of his confirmation hearing.

After that it will be up to the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on whether to send the nomination to the full Senate, after spending this week questioning Gorsuch.

During Wednesdays session, Gorsuch described a landmark 1973 pro-abortion rights decision as the law of the land but fended off numerous probing questions senators posed on other hot-button issues.

The Supreme Court of the United States has held in Roe v. Wade that a fetus is not a person, Gorsuch told the Senate Judiciary Committee, explaining the ruling that legalized abortion. Thats the law of the land. I accept the law of the land.

Gorsuch was tapped by President Donald Trump to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia more than a year ago. During last years campaign, Trump promised to nominate jurists who are committed to overturning Roe v. Wade, the linchpin for one of the most ferociously contested social issues in America.

A day earlier, Gorsuch described Roe v. Wade as legal precedent, but added that precedents can be overturned.



I speak for myself

On other matters, Gorsuch repeatedly declined to share his views, to the mounting frustration of Democrats.

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy asked if Gorsuch believed that the Voting Rights Act, which sought to eliminate barriers minority groups have faced in casting ballots, constitutes a racial entitlement, as Scalia once opined.

I dont speak for Justice Scalia. I speak for myself, Gorsuch responded.

Leahy also asked Gorsuch to weigh in on a constitutional provision barring a U.S. president from accepting foreign gifts, a subject of much discussion in legal circles given Trumps business dealings around the world.



That is a subject on which there is ongoing litigation right now, senator, I believe - certainly threatened litigation and impending litigation - and I have to be very careful about expressing any views, Gorsuch said.

What worries me is you have been very much able to avoid any specificity [in your responses to questions] like no one I have ever seen before, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California told the nominee. For us on this side [Democrats], knowing where you stand on major questions of the day is really important.

Republicans came to Gorsuchs defense.

There are some members of this body who have suggested that you are hiding your judicial philosophy, Texas Senator John Cornyn said. I dont think theyve been paying attention to the proceedings over the last day and a half. ... Weve heard a description of your legal philosophy and the reasoning behind it time and time again.



Corporate interests

Over two days of testimony, Democrats repeatedly pressed Gorsuch on what they see as his pro-corporate record as a federal appellate judge. Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse argued that corporations wield too much power in Washington given their unlimited ability to make financial contributions to political campaigns, thanks to a Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United.

Gorsuch responded that, rather than looking to the courts to rein in corporate influence, lawmakers could do the job themselves.

Theres room not just for litigation, senator, but legislation [as well], the nominee said.

WATCH: Gorsuch on criticism of judges' motives

Whitehouse replied that a Congress beholden to corporate interests will never do as Gorsuch suggests.

Heres the problem. ... Once you let certain political interests achieve the kind of dominance that Citizens United has let them get, they can start to exert disproportionate control over Congress, and now Congress cant do that any longer because there is no longer a fair playing field, Whitehouse said.

Whatever objections Democrats may have, blocking Gorsuch from the high court will prove difficult. Republicans are in the majority and have the votes to approve him in committee and send his nomination to the full Senate. Once there, Republicans can change Senate rules to eliminate Democrats ability to block a final vote through the filibuster.
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch was grilled Wednesday during testimony before a Senate panel about his role in approving severe interrogation methods when he was an attorney in President George W. Bush's administration.

The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, questioned Gorsuch about why he had written "yes" on a document next to a question about whether a CIA torture program had produced useful intelligence.

"My recollection of 12 years ago is that that was the position that the clients were telling us," Gorsuch said. "I was a lawyer. My job was as an advocate, and we were dealing with detainee litigation. That was my job."

Another Democrat, Senator Patrick Leahy, asked Gorsuch if he agreed with the Bush administration's premise that the president has the authority to revoke torture and surveillance laws. Leahy said the Bush administration argued that "the law" gave presidents the constitutional authority to circumvent such measures.

Gorsuch replied that "Presidents make all sorts of arguments about inherent authority - they do - and that is why we have the courts, to decide."

On his third day of questioning by the Senate panel, Gorsuch defended his philosophy of judicial originalism, which focuses on the Constitution's text, saying it is meant to provide equal protection for all.

When Senator Feinstein asked how the philosophy reconciles with the rights of gays and lesbians, Gorsuch noted there was precedence on the issue. "It matters not a whit that some of the drafters of the 14th Amendment were racists, because they were, or sexists, because they were."

"The law they drafted promises equal protection of the law to add persons," he added.

Gorsuch tried to distance himself from reports that President Trump, White House advisor Steve Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Prince Priebus told donors they would nominate a Supreme Court justice who is "pro-corporate and socially conservative."

Gorsuch responded that he speaks for himself, and not the president or anyone else.

Democrats have portrayed Gorsuch as a pro-corporate jurist who would tilt the legal playing field against ordinary Americans, and continued to press him on cases in which he sided with large companies over their employees.

Judicial nominees, both liberal and conservative, historically have refused to allow themselves to be pinned down on pending legal issues during their confirmation hearings, and Gorsuch continued to do the same.

Republicans hold a slim two-seat Senate majority and would need eight Democrats to support Gorsuch should a filibuster necessitate a three-fifths vote to advance his nomination in the full chamber.



Democrats are under intense pressure from progressive activists to oppose Gorsuch, but Republicans have the option of changing Senate rules to eliminate the minority partys ability to block Supreme Court nominees should Democrats vote as a block against him.
Thailand's junta leader and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte agreed Tuesday to strengthen military ties and cooperate against cross-border criminality, including illegal drugs.

Duterte has faced criticism over the bloody nature of his campaign against drugs, while Thailand's junta is under pressure from the West to restore democracy nearly three years after it took power in the name of ending instability.

"On the security matters, Thailand and the Philippines are willing to work together in tightening the military ties of both countries as we are concerned about the challenges in addressing terrorism and all forms of transnational crimes," Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said after their meeting.

Duterte also referred specifically to the campaign against illegal drugs. More than 8,000 people have died since he took office last year and began his own crackdown.

South China Sea disputes

As the Philippines chairs the regional meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, Duterte emphasized the need for the bloc to complete the framework of a code of conduct to ensure all parties follow legal and diplomatic processes in settling territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Although the Philippines has moved closer to an accommodation with China over the contested waterway under Duterte, friction remains.

The Philippines plans to file a strong protest against China after Beijing announced preparatory work for an environmental monitoring station on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, a cabinet minister said Tuesday.

China has put missiles and radar on man-made islands in another part of the South China Sea, in which Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have claims.

Thailand has no territorial claim in the South China Sea, but as one of ASEAN's bigger members it is influential within the bloc.
In a show of unity against Islamic State terrorism, the U.S. State Department hosted 68 foreign ministers and other leaders from all over the world to discuss their global coalition strategy to defeat the extremist group.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said hard-fought military victories have swung momentum in the coalition's favor, but added that no one can rest while IS remains an active and violent foe.

Tillerson: Degradation Not the Goal, We Must Defeat ISIS

"Degradation of ISIS is not the end goal. We must defeat ISIS," Tillerson said, using the acronym for Islamic State that many diplomats prefer. "I recognize there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating ISIS is the United States' number-one goal in the region.

"As we've said before," Tillerson continued, "when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand."

Before last year's presidential election, candidate Donald Trump accused President Barack Obama of being weak on terrorism. Obama said Trump's campaign assertions were refuted by the gains U.S. and allied forces were making against Islamic State.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who also addressed the meeting Wednesday in Washington, said the terrorist group has now been "completely decimated" in his country.

WATCH: Tillerson Talks about Uniting Against IS

U.S. seeks allies' contributions

In his speech Wednesday, Tillerson looked beyond the current battlegrounds, asking other countries to boost their contributions once IS fighters have been expelled from Iraq and Syria:

"We must keep making the investment in liberated areas in Iraq and Syria to help innocent people rebuild and stabilize their communities. Right now, this means continuing to clear explosives, restore water and power, deliver humanitarian and resettlement assistance, and forge partnerships with local leaders who reject extremism."

Tillerson noted that the United States has contributed 75 percent of the military resources toward expelling Islamic State forces from Iraq and Syria. Now, he said, U.S. coalition partners should step forward and pay 75 percent of the estimated $2 billion needed this year for stabilization and reconstruction of those areas.

"The United States will do its part, but the circumstances on the ground require more from all of you," the secretary of state told the assembled foreign ministers. "I ask each country to examine how it can best support these vital stabilization efforts, especially in regard to contribution of military and financial resources."

Tillerson said the stabilization phase would include what he called "interim zones of stability" in Iraq and Syria. The goal, he noted, is to allow refugees to return home safely once IS fighters are no longer a threat.

Call for 'humanitarian safe zones'

The interim zones Tillerson mentioned appear to be different from "safe zones" that the Syrian opposition and some allies have long called for  using American air power to protect Syrian civilians.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who served in the U.S. Air Force in both Iraq and Afghanistan, told VOA that safe zones are urgently needed, not only to protect besieged Syrian civilians, but also to combat Islamic State:

"I believe people need to realize that Daesh, ISIS, was created by [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad. He created a safe haven for them in the beginning, he's used them as a way to stay in power and, ultimately, his brutal regime is the biggest recruiting tool for Daesh or ISIS that has ever existed, so ... I think what's important is that we start with humanitarian safe zones. I think it's important that we bring our allies in the region together ... and I think we have to be willing to use the stick, the punishment against Bashar al-Assad for violations of any kind of cease-fire."

Echoing his Republican colleague, Congressman Brendan Boyle, a Democrat, told VOA that the fight against Islamic State is also a battle of ideas:

"First, as far as against ISIS, it's far more complex than just a military operation. It's a fight on social media. It's a fight  yes  on the military field. But it's also a fight when it comes to law enforcement. It's a fight that stretches from suburbs of Paris to senior centers in the West, to Starbucks in East Asia. It is a global fight, and I think it's one that's roughly analogous to the Cold War, actually, in terms of an ideology of freedom and modernity, fighting against an ideology that pretty much stands for everything [that is the] opposite of that."

Tillerson said the global coalition must fight IS online just as aggressively as on the ground, since "a digital caliphate" is just as much an enemy as Islamic State's physical headquarters.
A global tobacco treaty put in place in 2005 has helped reduce smoking rates by 2.5 percent worldwide in 10 years, researchers said Tuesday, but use of deadly tobacco products could be cut even further with more work on anti-smoking policies.

In a study published in the Lancet Public Health journal, researchers from Canada's University of Waterloo and the World Health Organization (WHO) found that while progress against what they called the "global tobacco epidemic" has been substantial, it has still fallen short of the pace called for by the treaty.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which came into effect in 2005, obliges the 180 countries signed up to have high tobacco taxes, smoke-free public spaces, warning labels, comprehensive advertising bans and support for stop-smoking services.

Smoking causes lung cancer and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, which kill more people than any other diseases.

The WHO says tobacco kills about six million people a year globally and imposes a huge burden on the world economy. Annual health care and lost productivity costs for those made ill from smoking are estimated at around $1 trillion.

The study analyzed WHO data from 126 countries  116 of which are signatories to the FCTC  and tracked and compared the implementation of the five key measures from 2007 to 2014 to look at links between strong policies and smoking rates.

It found that, on average, smoking rates dropped to 22.2 percent in 2015 from 24.7 a decade earlier. But the trends varied, with rates falling in 90 countries, rising in 24 and remaining steady in 12.

Countries that fully implemented more FCTC measures saw significantly greater reductions in smoking rates, the study found. Overall, each additional measure was linked with a drop in smoking rates of 1.57 percentage points  corresponding to 7.1 percent fewer smokers in 2015 compared with in 2005.

The study was not a full global analysis, since only 65 percent of countries had the data needed, but it did include countries from all income levels and regions. The researchers also noted that the lower smoking rates could be influenced by factors other than FCTC policy recommendations.

"The data did not allow a detailed analysis of the impact of individual policies," said Geoffrey Fong of Waterloo University, who co-led the work.

He called for more studies that are specifically designed to evaluate the impact of all FCTC policies and would "help provide guidance to countries about what policies may offer the greatest benefits."
U.S. intelligence may have picked up President Donald Trump's personal communications with foreign leaders and others during legal routine surveillance of foreign officials, a key Republican lawmaker says.

Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters Wednesday outside the White House that most of the intercepted material was from communication from Trump transition team members, collected between the November election and the January inauguration.

However, communications between Trump and foreign officials and those he was considering for administration jobs may have been part of the intercepted calls.

WATCH: Nunes on 'Incidental Collection'

Nunes said the information was then "widely disseminated" among the intelligence community and that the identities of the Trump team members were "inappropriately" uncovered in the intelligence reports.

When a reporter asked Nunes if anyone was spying on the president-elect, he said he has "no idea" and that "it depends on one's definition of spying."

Nunes said an undisclosed source gave him the material after Monday's intelligence committee hearing at which FBI director James Comey confirmed his agency's investigation of Russian meddling in last Novembers presidential election.

WATCH: Nunes on Legality of Collection

Wiretap allegations

Trump has insisted that former President Barack Obama wiretapped his telephones at Trump Tower in New York.

Nunes said he went to the White House on Wednesday because he had a "duty" to tell the president that there are intelligence reports about the surveillance.

Trump later said the information from Nunes makes him feel "vindicated."

Nunes has repeatedly said that while there was never a physical tap of Trump Tower as Trump has alleged, he was concerned other forms of surveillance were used against Trump and his team.

WATCH: Trump on Feeling Vindicated

Nunes said this has nothing to do with the investigation into whether Trump officials colluded in alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election. However, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, said Nunes has now cast "a profound cloud" over the probe into that question.

Schiff said he wants to know why Nunes would tell Trump about what he has learned before giving the rest of the committee any details.

He said Nunes cannot head an independent investigation and be a "White House surrogate" at the same time.

WATCH: Schiff Discusses Need for Independent Commission

Schiff said he has "grave doubts" about the way the investigation is being conducted, and he called for a truly independent commission to take over the probe into possible ties between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.

The House Intelligence Committee has asked heads of U.S. intelligence agencies to assist with a "thorough investigation" to determine why the collections were not disclosed to Congress  which requested the collection  why it was authorized, and whether any laws were violated.
Farmers in the U.S. agricultural heartland who helped elect Donald Trump are now pushing his administration to avoid a trade dispute with Mexico, fearing retaliatory tariffs that could hit over $3 billion in U.S. exports.

The value of exports at risk is based on a Reuters analysis of a tariff list that Mexico used in a trucking dispute six years ago and that Mexican officials have said could serve as a model if Trump sets new barriers to Mexican goods.

Pork producers contacted Trump's transition team soon after the November 8 election to stress that tariff-free access to Mexico has made it their top export market by volume, said John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council.

The council has sent the administration multiple letters, including one signed in January by 133 agricultural organizations, and is arranging for several hog farmers to fly to Washington next month to talk to officials.

'Pounding them' on trade

"We just keep pounding them on how critical trade is to us," said Weber, who fears Mexico could revive the list of mostly agricultural products it successfully used to push Washington into letting Mexican truckers on U.S. highways in 2011.

Pork products topped that list and, if revived, the tariffs would apply to over $800 million worth of annual pork exports, according to data compiled by IHS Markit's Global Trade Atlas.

"We'll be the first to take the hit," Weber said.

The lobbying effort by U.S. businesses that rely on the Mexican market shows how Mexico can press its case in Washington despite having an economy 1/17 the size of America's and relying on the U.S. market for nearly 80 percent if its exports.

In Iowa, where pigs outnumber people 7 to 1, hog and grain farmer Jamie Schmidt voted for Trump in part on his promise to cut regulatory burdens for businesses.

Now he and others who farm the flat, rich land around Garner, Iowa, worry about trade. Schmidt gets about half of his income from hogs, earning $4 to 5 for each of the 425 pigs he sells per week, usually to a Tyson Foods packing plant in nearby Perry, Iowa.

Tariffs from Mexico could depress U.S. wholesale prices and wipe out his profits, Schmidt said. "It would be devastating."

Targeting states

In December, after fears of a trade dispute fueled a deep peso slump, Mexico started mapping out U.S. states that are most reliant on its market, replicating the strategy it used in the trucking dispute, said two senior Mexican officials.

Mexican officials also prepared briefs, seen by Reuters, on Mexico's own risks in a dispute, including losing much of its cost advantage in building cars, such as the Ford Fusion made in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Reuters could not verify a complete list of products and states Mexico considered targeting this time around.

But the country's foreign minister said last month that tariffs could target Iowa, which raises a third of U.S. hogs and exports about a quarter of its pork production, $100 million of which went to Mexico last year.

The minister also said tariffs could aim at Wisconsin, the center of U.S. cheese production, and has singled out Texas for its "notable" trade surplus with Mexico. All three states voted for Trump in the 2016 election, with the president taking Iowa and Wisconsin by slim margins.

Trump has accused Mexico of destroying U.S. jobs and has vowed to leave the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico if he cannot renegotiate better terms with Mexico. The United States went from running a small trade surplus with Mexico in the early 1990s to a $63 billion deficit in 2016.

Besides pork, cheese was also a top target in the trucking dispute in which Mexico retaliated with tariffs against rules that banned its trucks from U.S. roads.

$3B-plus in U.S. exports

Some $200 million in current annual exports of cheese would be targeted if the tariff list were revived, according to the IHS database, which the U.S. government uses to measure the impact of trade disputes. The full tariff list would apply to $3.25 billion in current U.S. exports.

John Holevoet, the director of government affairs at Wisconsin's Dairy Business Association, said he has attended multiple meetings with Wisconsin federal lawmakers this year where risks of Mexican trade were discussed.

Weber of the pork producers group said he believed the Trump administration understands the vulnerability of U.S. farm exports. Republican Representative Steve King, who represents Iowa's agriculture-focused 4th Congressional District, also pointed out that Iowa's role as the first state in the presidential nominating process helps keep farm interests in Washington's view.

But King told Reuters he was worried the White House was still not taking trade risks seriously enough.

A possible 20 percent tax on Mexican imports, which White House spokesman Sean Spicer has said could also pay for Trump's proposed border wall, would cause a trade war, he said.

King said he had been in contact with the White House on the matter but had yet to secure a one-on-one meeting with the president. "I'm making sure that here in Washington they know what this means."
Britain joined the United States Tuesday in banning laptops, tablets, cameras and some other electronic devices from cabin luggage on flights from Turkey and several countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Devices larger than a smartphone will now have to be checked in.

Many air travelers, however, cannot imagine going on a trip without an electronic gadget.

"People carry laptops and iPads for all kinds of reasons related to work, related to daily life, and if they can't bring it, then what are they going to do?" said Amitava Dutt, who was deboarding an Abu Dhabi flight.

But terror groups have been using electronic devices as explosives, most recently on a plane in Somalia. The Trump administration announced Tuesday it is putting in place measures to prevent such terrorist attacks against Americans.

"Elevated intelligence that we are aware of indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressive in pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks to include smuggling of explosive devices in various consumer objects," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

The British government announced similar restrictions Tuesday. Travelers already undergo tight airport security and some say this extra measure is unnecessary.

But security experts say removing electronic devices from the cabin is a prudent measure.

"What we are essentially seeing is that by putting equipment into the hold of the plane, we are separating the larger electronic equipment from the individual who could detonate that," security expert Daniel Gerstein of the Rand Corporation said.

Gerstein told VOA via Skype that if potential terrorists move to the airlines that do not ban electronics, more countries could adopt the measure.

"So this could be something that becomes the new normal, or we could see it rapidly diminish if we find procedures -- screening procedures -- that will allow for safely getting passengers and their gear onto and off of the aircraft," he said.

As a result, some flights to the United States and Britain may be long and boring for passengers who like to pass the time with their laptops and other electronic gear.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that he is hopeful of implementing the biggest tax reform GST from July 1 which will make goods and services cheaper and tax evasion difficult.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today said that the government was hoping to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by July 1 after the enabling Bills get Parliament's nod in the current budget session.

"GST is the biggest reform in India. Hopefully, GST will be implemented by July 1. GST Bills will hopefully be cleared in Parliament," Jaitley said here at the 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth Nations hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

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Jaitley said that India's indirect taxation regime, which is currently the most complex in the world, will transform into a simplified one with the implementation of GST.

"We have the most complicated indirect tax systems. Once implemented, what is currently the most complicated system in the world will become the simplest in the world. The enabling laws are before the Parliament. By middle of the year (2017), we hope to see the implementation of GST," he said.

"Evasion of taxes will be difficult under GST. Size of Indian economy will increase," he added.

Jaitley also noted that India is an open economy with 90 per cent of the investment happening through the automatic route.

"Opposition to reforms is minimal. Opposition to protectionism is minimal. Reforms in the foreign direct investment (FDI) in India have been significant and we are among the most open economies in the world," he said.

The Finance Minister, however, lamented that while public investment and FDI were high, private sector investment still lagged behind.

ALSO READ: PM Narendra Modi's Cabinet approves 4 GST bills, over to Parliament now

MUST WATCH: Budget session: PM Modi hopeful of breakthrough on GST, Opposition to raise Lucknow encounter

--- ENDS ---
Amid continuing economic turmoil, Venezuela skipped heating oil contributions to a Massachusetts-based nonprofit for a second consecutive winter, signaling that the popular program that began with fanfare after Hurricane Katrina may be kaput.

The decision by Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. to bow out of the program founded by Joseph P. Kennedy II, which has helped hundreds of thousands of U.S. residents, coincides with plummeting oil prices and corresponding economic problems in oil-rich Venezuela.

Hopes of a late contribution to the "Joe-4-Oil" program to help the poor heat their homes faded with spring's arrival this week, Kennedy said.

"While this is not good news, it certainly isn't surprising," the businessman and former congressman told The Associated Press.

Citgo officials declined to comment.

The Citgo heating oil program was launched after Katrina damaged U.S. refining capacity in 2005, causing energy costs to spike as winter approached.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the fiery leader who died in 2013, responded to an appeal from Kennedy to help out after criticizing then-Republican President George W. Bush for failing to do enough for the poor. Houston-based Citgo is a subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company.

Over the years, the program has provided $500 million in heating assistance to 2 million program participants in 25 states and the District of Columbia, supplementing federal energy assistance.

Rita Soucier, 80, said she and her husband received assistance many times over the years, helping the couple stay warm in their trailer in Howland, Maine.

This year, there was no help, said Soucier, whose husband, a retired paper mill worker, died last month. But she said she's grateful for past help, typically 100 gallons of heating oil.

"It helps a lot when you're not the richest people in the world," said Soucier, who said her needs are few. "As long as I can get by, I don't want any more or any less."

Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves, has been hurt by declining prices. The unraveling economy, cuts to social programs and growing political divisions have rocked the once-stable country, leading to food shortages and a dramatic drop in currency value.

Citizens Energy continues to operate other programs. The nonprofit was created in 1979 to channel revenue from commercial enterprises to charitable programs.

But the heating oil program may fold. The "Joe-4-Oil" television advertisements did not run this year or last, and a message online said that applications for winter heating oil help were not being accepted.

The nonprofit isn't giving up hope, however. The Citgo program was suspended in 2009, only to return a few months later.

Citizens Energy continues to operate solar, wind and transmission projects that provide assistance, including solar panels for low-income homes, energy grants for homeless shelters and natural gas subsidies for low-income households.

"The good news is Citizens Energy continues to grow and prosper and provide significant benefits to low-income people around our country as a result of businesses that provide the financial firepower to fulfill our mission," Kennedy said.
Lawmakers questioning Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at his Senate confirmation are asking about something called "Chevron deference."

For the record, it is not about letting someone ahead of you in line at the gas station. But it is a legal concept Gorsuch has addressed as a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver since 2006.

What you should know about Chevron deference, and why it is such a big deal:

CHEVRON AND GORSUCH

The basic idea is that Congress writes laws that often aren't crystal clear. It leaves the details to federal agencies when it comes to things such as environmental regulations, workplace standards, consumer protections and even immigration law.

The Supreme Court's 1984 ruling in Chevron v. NRDC says that in those situations, often murky, courts should rely on the experts at the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies to fill in the gaps. The opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens has been cited more than 15,000 times.

Gorsuch is part of a growing conservative legal movement that questions the idea that judges should essentially step aside and let the agencies have their way. He has written favorably about a big change in the law that would give judges more power and potentially make it harder to sustain governmental regulations.

Writing in a case involving immigration law last year, Gorsuch noted that court decisions "permit executive bureaucracies to swallow huge amounts of core judicial and legislative power and concentrate federal power in a way that seems more than a little difficult to square with the Constitution of the framers' design. Maybe the time has come to face the behemoth."

That view seemed to pick up support from Justice Samuel Alito when he spoke to a conservative group in Southern California in early February. Alito pointed to "a massive shift of lawmaking from the elected representatives of the people to unelected bureaucrats" that is a product of the high court's willingness to give regulators wide latitude.

Justice Clarence Thomas also is skeptical of the Chevron decision's validity.

THE PARTISAN DIVIDE

This kind of talk from Supreme Court justices and appellate judges worries advocates for regulation of business practices across a wide swath of the American economy.

"You would destroy the ability of Congress to legislate and agencies to administer, and you'd have no predictability for citizens to anticipate what they can and can't do. There's no way Congress can anticipate every situation or rule in every situation. That's why we set out broad rules," Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York said in an interview.

More than 100 civil rights organizations that oppose Gorsuch's nomination include his views on the Chevron decision in their complaints about him. "He would relegate this vital precedent to the dustbin of history because it disfavors the corporate interests he championed as a lawyer and as a judge," the groups wrote in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

On the other side of the spectrum, some conservatives have hailed Gorsuch's opinion that called the Chevron doctrine into question. "It is one of the most prescient, comprehensive dissections of the doctrine that I've ever read," C. Boyden Gray, a former White House counsel, said earlier this month at a Heritage Foundation event on Gorsuch's nomination.

Republicans in Congress also share this disdain for handing so much power to regulatory agencies. The House of Representatives already has approved legislation on a near party-line vote that would override the Chevron decision and require courts to decide for themselves what statutes mean. Its prospects in the Senate are uncertain.

CHANGE AGENT?

Some experts in administrative law said Gorsuch's vote on the Supreme Court probably would not lead to a wholesale reversal, but could make the court pickier about when to defer to agencies.

Even now, the court does not always rely on the Chevron opinion. In its 2015 decision that upheld the Obama health overhaul's financial aid to middle- and low-income Americans to help them pay for health insurance, the justices pointedly refused to defer to the Internal Revenue Service's interpretation of provisions dealing with tax credits. But Chief Justice John Roberts said in his majority opinion that a ruling for the challengers would lead to a "calamitous result" that Congress could not have intended.

"Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them," Roberts wrote.

The court's insistence on evaluating the health care law on its own -- without deferring to the IRS -- actually has worked to the benefit of supporters of the health care law, said Notre Dame law professor Jeffrey Pojanowski.

Had the court relied on the Chevron case, President Donald Trump would have had more freedom to undo parts of the law without Congress weighing in, he said.

A court that is less willing to defer to agencies could act as a brake against the Trump administration to the extent it relies on agency action instead of legislation to advance its agenda, Pojanowski said.

Still, any short-term gains for liberals during Trump's administration are sure to be outweighed over time, said Pamela Karlan, a Stanford University law professor and former Obama Justice Department official.

"Supreme Court justices are on the court for a good long time. Putting a justice on the Supreme Court who doesn't believe in any kind of deference to agency decisions means that even if five, 10, 15 or 40 years from now, the Democratic Party is in control of the White House and progressives are in control of administrative agencies, somebody who doesn't believe in deference may continue to override the will of the people on these things," Karlan said.
Aspiring NATO member Montenegro is hardly a formidable military force. Its army has just 2,000 members, its four military jets are up for sale and its two operational warships hardly ever leave their home port.

Nonetheless, Montenegro is in the middle of a row between the West and Moscow over influence in the Balkans. The outcome of that clash could determine which way the western Balkan region is heading: toward the European Union, NATO and integration with the West, or back to Russia's embrace.

"It is clear that the East-West tensions have left consequences on the political and security situation in the western Balkans," former Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

He said that in the face of the "destructive" Russian influence in Montenegro, the West should "in the shortest period of time take a more determined course in defense of the European system of values."

Djukanovic's pro-Western stance made him the target of an alleged election-day coup attempt in Montenegro in October. The Kremlin's secret service operatives allegedly planned to kill him, topple his government and replace it with a puppet regime, all because of Montenegro's NATO bid  which Djukanovic had championed until he stepped down after the election.

Montenegro had been a faithful ally of Russia. But after splitting with Serbia in a 2006 referendum, the nation of 620,000 people took a strong turn toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

Russia strongly opposes the expansion of the Western military alliance in a region it considers part of its strategic sphere of interest. Wary of Russian influence in the still-volatile region, NATO wants Montenegro in the alliance.

Twenty-five of the alliance's 28 members have ratified Montenegro's membership. U.S. senators still haven't approved it, and there are fears in Montenegro and the region that President Donald Trump's new administration is too lenient toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Last week, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona slammed his party colleague, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, accusing him of "working for Vladimir Putin" after Paul blocked the passage of a treaty that would allow Montenegro to move forward with joining NATO.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said "it is strongly in the interest of the United States that Montenegro's membership in NATO be ratified." The letter, dated March 7, was made available to the AP Wednesday.

"With Montenegro's accession, the alliance will create a contiguous border along the Adriatic coast," Tillerson said. "Since Montenegro borders five other Balkan nations, including NATO allies Croatia and Albania, its NATO membership will support greater integration, democratic reform, trade, security and stability with all of its neighbors."

The Kremlin has denied involvement in the alleged coup plot, but has openly campaigned against NATO in Montenegro and also in its neighbors, Serbia, Bosnia and Macedonia, and has supported pro-Moscow nationalist officials and groups in all those countries.

Andrija Mandic, a leader of Montenegro's opposition Democratic Front coalition, said Montenegro should never join NATO and should instead maintain close ties with its Slavic Orthodox "brothers" in Russia.

"We belong to a civilized circle that inherited the best traditions of Montenegro, which for 300 years had best relations, once with imperial Russia and later with the Soviet Union," Mandic told the AP.

Analysts say that behind all the tensions lurk major strategic goals.

For Russia, it is to have access to the deep-sea ports for its warships deployed in the Mediterranean and to maintain its economic and political interests; for NATO, it is to keep the Russian navy away from the so-called "warm seas." Montenegro is the only Adriatic state that is not yet a NATO member.

"Russia believes that the western Balkans partly is in its own sphere of influence," said Gennady Sysoev, the Balkan correspondent of the Russian daily newspaper Kommersant. "It is based on the fact that here, pro-Russian sentiments are quite strong."

"Amid its confrontation with the West, Russia feels that whoever is not with Russia is against Russia," he said.

Throughout history, Russia has viewed Montenegro as a close ally.

In recent years, Russia's rich and famous have been buying property along Montenegro's stunning coastline and opening businesses.

There's an entirely Russian-populated village on top of a mountain overlooking the spectacular Saint Stefan peninsula hotel resort, and Russian-language schools have sprung up for the growing Russian population. Russian billboards selling property line the winding road along the shoreline.

Montenegro remains deeply divided about NATO and other integrations with the West.

As a Serbian ally, Montenegro was bombed in 1999 by NATO, which launched airstrikes to stop a crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists. That made NATO highly unpopular in the predominantly Christian Orthodox countries.

"I am against NATO because I cannot forget the NATO bombs they tossed on us, here and in our brotherly Serbia," Stanko Lazarevic, a fisherman in Bigova, said as he prepared his nets.

Retiree Milorad Novakovic favors NATO membership but says it's important to maintain good relations with Russia.

"I don't see how Montenegro could jeopardize Russia by joining NATO," he said in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica.
Opposition parties in Zimbabwe say they have no confidence in the country's electoral commission and are calling for an international body to run the 2018 elections.

Opposition parties led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai held a rally of about 500 people Wednesday in Harare at which they said the next election is heading for a dispute unless the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, or ZEC, steps aside.

The rally follows the electoral commission's request to President Robert Mugabe's government to buy biometric voter registration equipment in preparation for Zimbabwe's 2018 elections. The opposition says the move is unconstitutional.

Opposition supporters marched to the commission's offices to present a petition, singing on their way.

Douglas Mwonzora, secretary-general of the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change, spoke to VOA.

"The political parties have made a fundamental decision and demand that [ZEC be] dismantled," he said, adding that the elections must instead of overseen by an international body, such as the United Nations, Southern African Development Community or African Union. "ZEC has failed the test of impartiality and independence. ZEC, in the first place, must be independent; the moment it ceases to be independent, it becomes unconstitutional. They cannot argue that they are constitutional and act unconstitutionally. So, it has ceased to be constitutional."

The electoral body has been meeting with all political parties in Zimbabwe, but ZEC chairwoman Rita Makarau said Tuesday that the effort is not working.

"We accept fair criticism, balanced and fair criticism; we have always welcomed it," Makarau said. "Abuse we say 'No' by anybody, political parties or any stakeholder. And because we are beginning to feel that our engagements have been misunderstood, we believe it is time for ZEC to go back to the drawing board and see how best we can engage with you. This platform is not working too, according to ZEC. We called you to dialogue, but you do not want to dialogue with us in good faith."

Makarau was unhappy with a media article quoting the opposition parties as criticizing the commission for asking the central government to take some of its procurement duties.

The opposition parties argue the government was composed of the ruling party, which is a player in Zimbabwe's election.

On Wednesday, the commission could not be reached for comment, as it only allowed state-owned media into its offices when the opposition petition was presented.
Delegates attending the 18th edition of the World Bank Annual Conference in Washington DC, USA, say there are many ways of curbing corruption in the allocation of land to people in various nations. VOA Studio 7 reporter Praxedes Jeremiah speaks with one of the delegates, Tina Moyo, a researcher.
Zimbabwe received higher than normal rainfall this year, but as the world marks this year's World Water Day, there is not much cause to celebrate. A civic organization that fights for the right to water says a low percentage of Zimbabweans has access to clean water.

The United Nations says it is making efforts to ensure the precious resource props up the country's backbone  agriculture.

For the first time in two years, Zimbabwe has received an above normal amount of rain; but, with that came an outbreak of typhoid in January, and last week cholera claimed two lives.

'Nothing to celebrate'

Program manager Goodlife Mudzingwa works for Community Water Alliance, a civic organization that deals with issues of water governance in Zimbabwe. Mudzingwa said there is nothing to celebrate come World Water Day on Wednesday.

Basically there is nothing to celebrate in terms of water, Mudzingwa said. In terms of availability, there is nothing that has been met. It also relates to fiscal commitment in terms of budgetary provision by the government to realize that right. Our analysis has shown that 0.4 percent (of the budget) has been committed to water provision. So when you look at all those components it is an expression that there is no realization of the right to water.

The right to water has been in Zimbabwe's constitution since 2013; but, for 36-year-old Chipo Masvinga, enjoying that right is still far away.

Two or three times a week, she says she is about 30 meters down the Mukuvisi River from a busy bridge in Harare. With infant daughter Esther on her back and 4-year-old son Emmanuel nearby, she is doing laundry using river water.

Clean water a must

Upstream, industrial and human waste flow into the river, which organizations like Community Water Alliance have been complaining about to authorities.

Masvinga said residents have no taps so they use the river and for seven to eight years the authorities have not talked about providing water. She said drinking water comes from an open well, but the community would rather get clean water from boreholes. She adds they want good living and access to clean water, since it is the people's source of life.

Water is also the Zimbabwe cornerstone of the country's mainstay, agriculture. That is why the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said it is happy that Zimbabwe has received above normal rainfall.

Irrigation system repairs

Southern Africa FAO head Chimimba David Phiri said he is happier than the previous two years celebrating World Water Day. Two years of drought had led the FAO to begin rehabilitating Zimbabwe's irrigation system with funding from the European Union and the Swiss government.

The history of Zimbabwe is very interesting; there are a number of irrigation schemes that were created, but most of these schemes have gone into ruin either because of siltation over a long period of time, lack of maintenance, or irrigation equipment itself that needs to be changed, Phiri said.

The aim of that is to make sure that even in the time when there is no adequate rainfall, the farmers in those irrigation schemes can produce enough for their own consumption and for sale. The other one is to ensure that productivity increases by having two or three crops in a year."

Phiri said the rain Zimbabwe received would not stop the $13 million irrigation project. He says the U.N. agency aims to ensure Zimbabwe improves its livestock and crop production by ensuring that farmers have water throughout the year.
Hundreds of relatives of those killed on Sept. 11 have sued Saudi Arabia, joining many others who have tried to hold the kingdom responsible for the attacks.

Like other recent actions, the lawsuit filed Monday capitalizes on last year's decision by Congress to let victims sue Saudi Arabia. It seeks unspecified damages.

Earlier attempts to hold Saudi Arabia responsible over the past 15 years have failed. Fifteen of the 19 attackers who hijacked planes to carry out the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania were Saudis.

The 9/11 Commission report found "no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded" the attacks. But the commission also said there's a "likelihood" that Saudi-government-sponsored charities did.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment.
Zimbabwes opposition parties put on a show of unity Wednesdays, where they marched through the streets of Harare, demanding transparency and the disbanding of the state-appointed electoral commission they accuse of hindering free-and-fair elections.

Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was among those marching, singing and demanding accountability from the countrys electoral commission, despite heavy police presence.

Efforts to derail Wednesdays march, proved unsuccessful as opposition parties put on a force of unity as they demanded the disbandment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission which they declared lacked impartiality and independence.

What triggered this latest protest is the issue of the Biometric Voters Registration, which fell under scrutiny when government announced its intention to purchase the kits, in place of the United Nation Development Program or UNDP.

Addressing the crowd, Tsvangirai said he would not allow the government to steal yet another election.

Every time we go into an election it is a dispute. Why should we have a character of an election which is violent and which is always dependent on coercion and intimidation."

Tsvangirai, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, but assured Zimbabweans he is doing fine, contends he won the 2008-elections, though he did not assume office.

The opposition has not lost an election. The opposition in 2008 won the election. We all know the MDC won the election confirmed by [President] Mugabe, by (inaudible) we won an election. So we have not lost an election. What we have not achieved is a transfer of power.

Zimbabwes elections have been marred by violence against opponents of President Robert Mugabe as well as intimidation and alleged fraud including the stuffing of the electoral roll with phantom voters including names of long-deceased people and children too young to vote.

In preparation for the upcoming 2018 election, opposition parties which number more than 54, have resolved to form a coalition to defeat Zanu-PF and President Mugabe. Among the biggest champions for this is former finance minister and leader of the People's Democratic party Tendai Biti, who also attended the protest.

"The message we are sending to Zanu-PF, to Robert Mugabe, to his wife, to their children, to their rats, to their mice, is that we are coming for them."

The voter registration has been a contested issue between Zimbabwes opposition and the ruling Zanu-PF as many believe the government manipulated the voters roll so as to boost its numbers. Tuesdays march is an effort by the opposition groups to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming elections. (Reuters also contributed to this article)
Churches across the United States have formed a grassroots movement to oppose the Trump administrations immigration policies and to offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants threatened with immediate deportation. More than 800 churches and some synagogues have declared themselves sanctuaries and are taking other measures to stop the deportation of immigrants who are in the country illegally.

All Souls Church Unitarian, located in the heart of Washington D.C.s immigrant community, declared itself a sanctuary after President Donald Trump's election in November. As a candidate, Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigration by building a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and stepping up deportations of those already here, focusing particularly on those with criminal records. Since he took office, he has issued three executive orders on immigration, including one that opens the door to deporting almost anyone without documentation.

All Souls Senior Minister Reverend Robert Hardies says his congregation is motivated to protect undocumented immigrants in the community. These immigrants in our neighborhood, theyre our neighbors. Theyre our family members. Theyre our co-workers. Theyre our friends," he said. So we want to stand in solidarity with the people that were close to.

All Souls and other American churches provided sanctuary during the 1980s for Central American refugees fleeing the wars and massacres in the region. Earlier, during the Vietnam War, American churches offered sanctuary to those who refused to serve in the military. Bishop Dwayne Royster, political director of PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations, notes the idea of sanctuary goes even further back in American history.

[It] goes back to William Penn and others who came from Great Britain escaping religious persecution, coming to Philadelphia and founding a community of religious liberty, Royster said. Sanctuary is very present in the underground railroad that existed in this country where there were faith communities that housed slaves that were escaping from the south. We find sanctuary to be a very important part of our identity.

Honoring 'sensitive locations'

The exact number of undocumented immigrants now in sanctuary is unknown, in large part because those involved want to keep the cases private. However, there has been publicity surrounding a few cases of unauthorized immigrants taking refuge in churches, including in Denver and Philadelphia.



VOA recently reported on two undocumented immigrants, currently living in a Phoenix, Arizona, church. A Honduran woman under threat of deportation this month sought refuge at a Quaker Meeting House in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 59-year-old woman, who goes by the name of Emma, arrived in the 1990s and has a traffic citation but no criminal record, according to her attorney.

For now, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is following its practice of not entering churches to arrest those living there. In a statement, ICE spokeswoman Jennifer Elzea said: Enforcement actions at sensitive locations should generally be avoided and require either prior approval from an appropriate supervisory official or exigent circumstances necessitating immediate action. The policy was confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly last week in a closed door meeting with congressional Democrats, according to the Washington Post.

Sensitive locations include schools, hospitals, churches, synagogues or mosques, according to ICE guidelines spelled out in a 2011 memorandum.

In the 1980s, some pastors and activists providing sanctuary were prosecuted and convicted of conspiracy for smuggling illegal immigrants. All Souls' Hardies says he is consulting with lawyers but is not overly concerned. I think churches as institutions have a certain kind of power and establishment in the community ... so I think that religious institutions in America can stand up to the power of the government.

Aside from offering shelter to the undocumented, All Souls is mobilizing volunteers and training them to take action to prevent people in immigrant communities from being deported.



Rapid Response teams have been formed to alert communities when ICE agents are in the area or to accompany those picked up to immigration courts. Other groups canvass immigrant neighborhoods letting people know they have certain rights even if they are in the country illegally, including the right to stay silent and to demand a lawyer.



Keeping families together

While the number of congregations offering sanctuary more than doubled since the November election, the more than 800 places of worship offering refuge are just a fraction of the 350,000 religious congregations estimated to exist in the U.S. by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

At pro-Trump rallies earlier this month, demonstrators expressed support for stepped up enforcement measures to deport illegal immigrants, no matter what the costs. Itll be disruptive for some people who are here illegally, said Trump supporter John Beckendorf who was attending a rally in Palm Springs, California. I would like to think that families wont be split but there may be some of that that happens.

Preserving families is one of the main factors driving the sanctuary church movement, according to PICOs Bishop Royster. What youre really talking about is the destruction of society, the very fabric of which is the family, he said. When youre tearing undocumented parents from children who were born here in the U.S., were tearing families apart and we dont want to see that happen. We believe our faith calls us to be better than that.
A young Hindu-Muslim couple in Uttar Pradesh committed suicide on Tuesday, fearing 'trouble' for their families if they continued their relationship.

By India Today Web Desk: A young couple in Uttar Pradesh committed suicide on Tuesday, fearing 'trouble' for their families if they continued their relationship.

Shahjahanpur resident Feroz Ahmed (19) shot Gunjha Sharma (18) in the head and then killed himself with the gun, according to a report in the Times of India. The two had been together for more than four months.

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Feroz and Gunjha were facing immense pressure from their families, who were unhappy with the fact that the two practiced different religions. Family members told ToI "the young couple had started feeling that, given the situation in the state, their relationship was going to bring trouble to their families."

According to a Huffpost report, Feroz's relative said he "called his parents and told them that he was going to kill himself because he didn't want them to face trouble." the report quoted Ahmed's relative as saying.

Responding to the alleged suicide, police first suspected it to be a case of honour killing. However, eyewitness testimony supported the suicide claim.

The young couple were seen near Bantara railway station. The two hugged, and Feroz shot Gunjha in the head, before going on to shoot himself, the witnesses said.

"It happened before we could even believe what was going on. The couple was standing near the railway station, and then they hugged, and then we heard the gunshots," local resident Mohan Singh told ToI. Singh said he was "passing by at the exact moment the incident happened".

Parents of the teenagers have refused to claim the bodies after the postmortem so far, officials told ToI.

--- ENDS ---
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Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

With Americas court system landing in the spotlight a lot lately, its perhaps no surprise that the publics interest in the American Civil Liberties Union has also grown in the past few months. Among the people who think the ACLU might need more money to fight for Americans rights in long, expensive court battles in coming years are funny celebrities willing to do a telethon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Tom Hanks are set to headline the Facebook Live fundraising effort on March 31. Other celebrities set to appear on Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU include Amy Poehler, Tracy Morgan, Jon Hamm, Zosia Mamet, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Uzo Aduba, and Josh Charles. The event starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Photo: David Wolff - Patrick/Redferns

Portland, were told, is a magical place, but nobody can say exactly why. Its cool, except it isnt at all; its already over, or is it on again? We havent heard the latest. Defining Portland is pointless: The fact that you would care enough to do it means youre already there. Portland is a real location. You can mail physical objects there. But its also a state of mind, a stage where fantasies of style proliferate without apparent end.

At first glance, it makes no sense why the 11th track on Drakes More Life should be titled Portland. True, the city is mentioned by featured artist Travis Scott, but only in passing as part of a scheme to get his girl to go snorkeling and to allow him, in a bizarre, Cronenberg-esque turn of phrase, access to her organs. How can you snorkel in a city with no coastline? How can you surf with no waves? Only Travis Scott knows.

Meanwhile, the hook (and second verse) on Portland belongs to Quavo of the Migos; centered on a jaunty admonition against wave theft, Quavos counsel takes on an ironic zing, given the relationship between Drake and the Migos began when Drake borrowed Migos mixtape hit Versace for his own ends while jumping on the fashion the Atlanta trio inaugurated for triplet-based meters.

Theres something gleefully cavalier about warning against passing others styles off as your own on a track with Drake and Travis Scott, two artists whose aesthetic, such as it is, is an ever-shifting collage of the aesthetics of others. Drake and Travis are real artists. They make actual hits and serious money. But theyre also states of the imagination, curatorial platforms where fantasies of being stylish can substitute for style itself. Where else would they be, if not Portland? And why would anyone hold it against them, so long as the music is a joyful hoot and everyones being properly paid?
Photo: Focus World/Toronto International Film Festival

Look, youre already going to be barfing in sheer terror. Why not do that terror-barfing  in style? In what is unquestionably the most metal movie-theater amenity available today, Los Angeles Nuart Theatre is providing custom-made, handcrafted barf bags to moviegoers attending screenings of French director Julia Ducournaus cannibal horror film Raw.

The bags are a nod to both the fear-induced fainting and vomiting that anecdotally accompanied the movies festival rounds, as well as horror novelty items of the past. One of the staff at the Nuart took up the initiative to make the barf bags out of paper lunch bags. What a fun idea! Mark Valen, a film-buyer for Landmark Theatres who also programs the Nuart, told The Hollywood Reporter. I remember that used to be done with some horror releases in the 1970s. Audience members are encouraged to eat any and all bagged lunches theyve brought with them before the screening starts, in order to avoid any tragic mix-ups and/or tragic-mix-up-related vomiting.
Becky G in Power Rangers. Photo: Kimberly French/Lionsgate

Days after Disneys Beauty and the Beast went through the ringer with the Malaysian censorship board over its exclusively gay moment, Lionsgates Power Rangers, which features a character implied to be questioning her sexuality, has passed the censors. Variety reports that the film will be released in the Muslim-majority country despite containing a scene in which a character asks Trini the Yellow Ranger (Becky G) whether she is having boyfriend problems, and when she shrugs off his question, then asks about girlfriend problems. Without answering directly, she discusses how she worries her parents wouldnt approve of her lifestyle. The countrys censorship board, the LPF, gave the film a P-13 rating.

Previously, the LPF demanded over four minutes of cuts to Beauty and the Beast to remove the gay element from the film, which Disney refused to do. After the studio appealed to the countrys Film Appeals Committee, which is separate from the LPF, the uncensored cut of the film was released with a P-13 rating (in the U.S. Beast is rated PG). Its not clear whether the change in the LPFs rulings is due to the outcry over Beauty and the Beast or the fact that the Power Rangers scene was considered relatively less blatant (even if it did make headlines). Point is: Citizens of Malaysia will get to see just as much Becky G onscreen as everyone else.
Photo: Saban Brands

The first incarnation of the Power Rangers franchise was the Fox series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which used footage from the Japanese series Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger and began airing in the U.S. in 1993  a time when you could make the only black cast member the Black Ranger and have a Vietnamese woman play the Yellow Ranger and no one said, Lets reconsider this. There have been hundreds of episodes of Power Rangerrelated television since the original series ended in 1996, including Turbo, Zeo, Lightspeed Rescue, and Dino Charge, but for many millennials its still the Might Morphin edition (no apostrophe) that lives on as the show of record. As hip new kids like RJ Cyler and Becky G. prepare take over the controls of the Megazord, heres a brief on what the original six have done since their mightiest morphin days.

Photo: Saban Brands

David Yost (Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger)

Original Series Episodes: 154

In addition to logging the most appearances in the original series, Yost also put in work on 43 episodes of Power Rangers Zeo. In 2010, he revealed he left the show after being harassed for being gay, Outside the spandex, Yost hasnt done much acting, though he does have a credit this year in a sci-fi movie called The Order. Another fun fact about David Yost: He served as an associate producer on the Fox reality show Temptation Island, and was a segment producer on three episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Photo: Saban Brands

Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly Hart, the Pink Ranger)

Episodes: 138

As one of the longest serving Rangers, Johnson appeared in the original series from 1993 to 1995, a run that included the franchises first big-screen production, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. She later reprised her role in 1997s Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. Shes had the highest-profile post-morphin career of the original cast, with a supporting role on Felicity as well as stints on The Division, Flashpoint, and Covert Affairs. Johnson is still acting, with a handful of projects in development, and a cameo role in the new Power Rangers movie.

Photo: Saban Brands

Jason David Frank (Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger and the White Ranger)

Episodes: 118

Though Frank came late to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, hes become the Iron Man of the franchise, logging more episodes than any other performer, appearing in four subsequent Power Rangers series: He did 50 episodes of Power Rangers Zeo, 19 episodes of Power Rangers Turbo, one episode each for Power Rangers Wild Force and Power Rangers Megaforce, and 38 for Power Rangers Dino Thunder. In addition to various Rangers-related videos, hes also appeared in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, and joins Johnson in a cameo role in the new movie. For Frank, a trained martial-arts professional whos competed as an MMA fighter, its always morphin time.

Photo: Saban Brands

Walter Jones (Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger)

Episodes: 89

Jones came into Power Rangers with the longest resume behind him, and after exiting the franchise after a contract dispute in 1994, he starred in the short-lived Nickelodeon sci-fi series Space Cases in 1996. Since then hes worked steadily in shorts, indie films, and one-off TV roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, NYPD Blue, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The biggest movie youll find him attached to is likely his voice work in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, but he was also credited as Angry Fan in Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Although he never picked up a Morpher again, Jones did lend his voice to the Power Rangers Wild Force series in 2002, playing a character named Gerrock.

Photo: Saban Brands

Austin St. John (Jason Lee Scott, the Red Ranger)

Episodes: 89

Despite being the groups ostensible leader, St. John had one of the shortest runs on Mighty Morphin, but he did reprise his role multiple times after departing in the same contract dispute. In 1996, St. John had an 18-episode stint on Power Rangers Zeo, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie in 1997, and returned once more for a single episode of Power Rangers Wild Force in 2002. After being mostly inactive during the aughts, St. John has three film credits for 2017, one of them alongside his old Ranger pal David Yost in The Order. Judging by his Instagram, he loves Jeeps.



Photo: Saban Brands

Thuy Trang (Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger)

Episodes: 88

Trangs career was tragically short-lived. After leaving Power Rangers in 1994 alongside Jones and St. John, she appeared in two films in 1996, Spy Hard and The Crow: City of Angels, before dying in a car accident in 2001.
Ah, youth. Those long, heady days when you could while away your time watching John Hughes movies, eating pizza, and totaling your dads beautiful 1961 Ferrari California Spyder. Now, as an adult, you view only German existential films, eat raw plants you forage out of the undergrowth, and drive cautiously to your stable office job on a toilet. In their new ad campaign, Dominos has Joe Keery (a.k.a. Steve from Stranger Things) turn back the clock by reenacting Ferris Buellers breaking of the fourth wall (in a spot which you can watch below), as well as his mad dash home at the end of Ferris Buellers Day Off. Meanwhile, if you tried to jump a fence for a pizza now, your skeleton would explode. Kids: god love em.
Anjela Nedyalkova and Ewan McGregor in T2 Trainspotting.

T2 Trainspotting owes us a new Choose Life speech, and it better be good. The original speech didnt just kick off the first Trainspotting film; it was the centerpiece of its marketing campaign, a Generation X mantra. It was probably inevitable that a movie as nostalgic as T2 would try to re-create it, but in this case, the burden of expectation was a little too much.



To set the scene, Ewan McGregors Mark Renton is having dinner with Sick Boys girlfriend, an ambitious sex worker named Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova), at a nice restaurant. When the conversation lulls, she brings it up. Whats choose life? Simon says it sometimes. He says, Choose life, Veronika. Renton laughs, like its a memory he hasnt thought about in ages. Choose life was a well-meaning slogan from a 1980s anti-drug campaign, he explains, while the movie cuts back to the original sequence. We used to add things to it.

What follows is the 2017 version of the speech. Choose Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and a thousand other ways to spew your bile across people youve never met, Renton tells Veronika. Choose updating your profile. Tell the world what you had for breakfast and hope that someone somewhere cares. Choose looking up old flames, desperate to believe that you dont look as bad as they do. Choose live-blogging from your first wank to your last breath, human interaction reduced to nothing more than data. Choose 10 Things You Never Knew About Celebrities Who Had Surgery. Choose screaming about abortion. Choose rape jokes, slut-shaming, revenge porn, and an endless tide of misogyny.

So, yeah, its a dud.

Renton has 20 years of terrible things to catch up on: Iraq and Brexit, the 2008 financial collapse and Kanye interrupting Taylor Swift! Instead, the movie squanders his big moment: Hes using it not as a declaration but a come-on. Renton is trying to sleep with his friends girl, and in perhaps a sign that the movie was written by a middle-aged man, this speech is the thing that gets him into her bed.

That grossness aside, T2 is just the latest example of an unfortunate screenwriting trend: a movie stopping dead in its tracks so a character can complain about social media. (Considering Rentons speech comes shortly after he and Sick Boy have had a lovely drunken night messing around with Snapchat filters, its particular galling in this case.) Its a cheap way of signifying a heros free-thinking bona fides. Viewers need to understand that our protagonist is not like rest of the sheep out there, man. They really get it.



The problem is not restricted to bad films. In last years The Edge of Seventeen, Hailee Steinfelds emo teen wagged a finger at her peers. My entire generation is a bunch of mouth breathers. They literally have a seizure if you take their phone away for a second, she complains to her teacher (Woody Harrelson). They cant communicate without emojis. They actually think that the world wants to know that they are eating a taco! Exclamation point, smiley face, smiley face, smiley  like we give a fuck! I am an old soul. In another high school, Thomas Haden Church got a similar line in Easy A. I dont know what your generations fascination is with documenting your every thought  but I can assure you, theyre not all diamonds, he tells Emma Stone. Roman is having an okay day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof. Who gives a rats ass? He was slightly ahead of The Social Network, which had a dozen of these speeches in every scene, but at least there they were topical.

Birdman is unlike other movies for a lot of reasons, not least because Emma Stone delivers the inverse of the usual rant: Theres a whole world out there where people fight to be relevant every day, she tells Michael Keaton. And you act like it doesnt even exist! Things are happening in a place that you willfully ignore, a place that has already forgotten you. I mean, who the fuck are you? You hate bloggers. You make fun of Twitter. You dont even have a Facebook page. Youre the one who doesnt exist.

(For the record, its entirely possible to have a narrative untouched by a social-media gag. Moonlights lovers reconnected without the benefit of Facebook. La La Land didnt make Ryan Gosling send a Snapchat. The brothers in Hell or High Water didnt even text.)

Its also possible to handle social media well on film. Olivier Assayass Personal Shopper has a terrifying sequence thats just Kristen Stewart staring at her phone, eyeing the dot-dot-dot bubble thats sure to precede a chilling iMessage. Assayas deploys technology to show how a Skype session or phone call can divide us into two places at once. Handling it so matter-of-factly gets more about the weirdness of social media than a rant about Facebook pokes ever will. Besides, who even writes social-media updates about what theyre having for lunch anymore? If these screenwriters wanted to stay current, theyd have their main characters complain about not getting creative credit on their memes.


American Bitch, the recent Girls episode, featured a thoughtful discussion of rape culture, a jarring ending, a prosthetic penis  and Chuck Palmer (The Americans Matthew Rhys), the latest incarnation of a rising pop-culture trope: the Fake Famous Jackass Novelist. Here, we collect (and dissect) six prominent FFJNs.

The Character: Chuck Palmer (Matthew Rhys)

Appeared In: Girls

Author Bio: A middle-aged, divorced, award-winning novelist, he has a young daughter and an unrestrained penchant for college girls.

Fake Book Titles: Torwater Falls, Until Josiah, Test Monkey, The Ninth of July, Shannons Rock, The Dirty Ones.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: He invites Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham) over for a frank discussion about a blog post she wrote about his sexual indiscretions, then comes on to her to prove his point.

Bearded? Yes.

Notable Quote: Im a horny motherfucker with the impulse control of a toddler.

The Character: Philip Lewis Friedman (Jason Schwartzman)

Appeared In: Listen Up Philip

Author Bio: Stifled by his girlfriend, he moves in with his mentor, an older fake famous jackass novelist and thinly veiled Philip Roth (Jonathan Pryce).

Fake Book Titles: Join the Street Parade, Obidant.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: When a girl he picks up tries to make out with him in a bar, he scolds her for being gauche. Also he wears tweed suits.

Bearded? Yes.

Notable Quote: If you were [a groupie], you would probably have read both of my books.

Photo: Copyright: Showtime 2011

The Character: Hank Moody (David Duchovny)

Appeared In: Californication

Author Bio: An alcoholic sex addict, hes depressed after his latest novel is made into a commercially successful movie.

Fake Book Titles: South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, God Hates Us All.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: Did you read those fake book titles? Also, he picks up a girl in a bookstore and only after sleeping with her realizes shes the 16-year-old daughter of his ex-wifes new partner.

Bearded? Just enough stubble to appear edgy.

Notable Quote: I probably wont go down in history, but I will go down on your sister.

The Character: Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone)

Appeared In: Basic Instinct

Author Bio: A beautiful, mysterious millionaire whose latest thrillers plot mirrors a murder in which shes also the prime suspect.

Fake Book Titles: The First Time, written under the name Catherine Smith; Love Hurts, under the name Catherine Adams.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: She writes books about murders then actually commits them. Also she eschews undergarments.

Bearded? No.

Notable Quote: Id have to be pretty stupid to  kill somebody the way I described it in my book.

The Character: Bernard Berkman (Jeff Daniels)

Appeared In: The Squid and the Whale

Author Bio: An aging Park Slope professor, hes too preoccupied with his ongoing writers block to spend any time with his sons.

Fake Book Titles: Watching the Unseen, End of the Line (Mailers favorite of my books), Underwater.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: His marriage to his third wife breaks up after she starts getting published. Meanwhile, he begins an affair with a college student who moves into his spare room.

Bearded? Yes.

Notable Quote: I can lend you my first edition of The Naked and the Dead. As a present.

The Character: Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman)

Appeared In: Bored to Death

Author Bio: An alcoholic pot-smoker living in Brooklyn, he posts an ad on Craigslist and becomes an amateur detective.

Fake Book Titles: A debut novel, I Pass Like Night  the same title as one by real-life Jonathan Ames, who created the series.

What Makes This Author a Jackass: He drives off his live-in girlfriend with his pot-smoking and paralyzing neuroses. He later confesses to his therapist that his father criticized him as a mamas boy.

Bearded? No.

Notable Quote: Im like a Russian doll. Theres all these versions of me, in me.

*This article appears in the March 20, 2017, issue of New York Magazine.
By Press Trust of India: From Yoshita Singh

United Nations, Mar 22 (PTI) India has ranked a lowly 131 among the 188 countries surveyed for human development, a new UN report has said, bracketing the third-largest Asian economy alongside its South Asian neighbours like Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal.

India has made no improvement in its ranking over the previous year, despite the Human Development Report for 2015 noting that foreign direct investment favours countries such as China and India.

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Indias Human Development Index rank in 2014 was also 131.

However, 63 per cent Indians were "satisfied" with their standard of living in 2014-15, the latest report found.

The report, released annually by the UN Development Programme, said Indias rank of 131 puts it in the "medium human development" bracket, which also includes nations like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Kenya, Myanmar and Nepal.

Indias HDI rank value in 2015 stood at 0.624, which had increased from 0.580 in 2010.

Its life expectancy at birth stood at 68.3 years in 2015 and the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita USD 5,663, the report said.

On the perception of feeling safe 69 per cent answered "yes", while on freedom of choice, 72 per cent female responders answered they were "satisfied" as compared to 78 per cent for male.

Indias score for overall life satisfaction was 4.3 on a scale of 1-10, according to the report.

On perceptions about government, 69 per cent said they had trust in the national government for the 2014-15 period while 74 per cent said they had confidence in the judicial system.

It lauded measures like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme taken in India to generate employment.

"Creating jobs through a public works programme targeted at poor people can reduce poverty through income generation, build physical infra- structure and protect poor people against shocks. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in India and the Rural Employment Opportunities for Public Assets Programme in Bangladesh are prime examples."

The report noted that increasing clean energy investments in India by 1.5 per cent of GDP a year for 20 years will generate a net increase of about 10 million jobs annually in the country, after factoring in job losses from retrenchments in the fossil fuel industries. (MORE) PTI YAS ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Varanasi, Mar 22 (PTI) The discovery of some handwritten letters with ISIS initials, hailing Pakistan and threatening destruction in eastern UP on Friday has prompted police to beef up security in the area.

"A case has been registered against unidentified persons after nearly 5-6 handwritten letters were recovered on which Pakistan Zindabad slogans and ISIS initials were scribbled along with threats given for carrying out destruction in Purvanchal," SP (rural) Ashish Tiwari said today.

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An alert has been issued and Intelligence agencies are also probing the matter.

"A probe is on and primarily it appears to be the handiwork of some mischievous persons," he added.

The anonymous handwritten letterswere found by the roadside in Mirzamurad police station area.

"24/3/17Ko Purvanchal Mein Tabahi. Bacha Sakte Ho to Bacha Lo (There will be destruction in Purvanchal. Save it if you can)," said the letter. PTI CORR RCJ SK RCJ

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: From Harinder Mishra

Jerusalem, Mar 22 (PTI) The newly renovated tomb, where Jesuss body is believed to have been interred after crucifixion, was unveiled at a ceremony here today after nine months of painstaking restoration work costing about USD 4 million.

A team of scientists and restorers have completed work on one of Christianities most sacred monuments in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

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At the centre of the restoration work was a small structure above the burial chamber, known as the Edicule, on which a team of about 50 experts from the National Technical University of Athens, which had previously worked on the Acropolis in the Greek capital and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, worked for almost nine months.

The conservators worked mainly at night in order to allow pilgrims continued access to the shrine.

A marble slab covering the rock carved tomb was lifted for the first time in October last year in more than two centuries, allowing restoration workers to examine the original rock shelf or "burial bed" on which Jesuss body is thought to have rested.

A small window has been cut open into marble slabs to allow pilgrims a glimpse of the rock.

The distasteful iron caging around the monument and dark black marks from candles burnt by pilgrims have all disappeared from the structure with the restorers stabilising the shrine with titanium bolts and mortar and cleaning up thick layers of candle soot and pigeon droppings.

The work involved the use of radar, laser scanners and drones.

The structure needed reinforcement and conservation, including installation of an underground drainage network for rainwater and sewage, said Antonia Moropoulou, a professor at the National Technical University of Athens, who oversaw the restoration work.

Israeli authorities had shut down the building in 2015 after Israels Antiquities Authority deemed it unsafe and the repair work started only in June 2016.

The unveiling ceremony to mark the completion of the restoration will be in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, and a representative of Pope Francis.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the heart of the Christian quarter of the walled Old City, covers the assumed site of Jesuss crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

It is a huge attraction for pilgrims and tourists from all over the world, many weeping and clutching precious mementos or photographs of loved ones can be seen forming long queues to see the shrine. PTI HM MRJ AKJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---

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Riyas Moulavi, 34, was hacked to death in his retiring room attached to a mosque at Choori in Kasaragod town late on Monday triggering a violence in the town.

Riyas Moulavi, 34, was hacked to death in his retiring room attached to a mosque in Kasargod town.

By India Today Web Desk: A madarsa teacher was found killed with his throat slit near a mosque triggering violence in Kerala's Kasargod district. The local authorities have put prohibitory orders in the area to prevent situation from going out of control.

According to reports, Riyas Moulavi, 34, was hacked to death in his retiring room attached to a mosque at Choori in Kasaragod town. The incident took place late on Monday (March 21). The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had called a strike in the town on Tuesday in protest against the murder. The party also accused the police of not allowing people to participate in the funeral procession of the killed madarsa teacher.

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WHAT HAPPENED:

Late on Monday night, one Abdul Aziz Musaliyar heard loud cries from his adjacent room. He rushed to Riyas's room to check what was happening. When he tried to open the room, stoned were hurled at him from inside the room. He then ran back to the mosque and alerted locals about the incident using the loudspeaker. Locals rushed to Riyas's rescue but the assailants had fled by them. The madarsa teacher, who was found in a pool of blood with his throat slit, was rushed to a local hospital. Riyas, however, could not survive. Locals told the police that there were more that two attackers and they fled on a two-wheeler after the attack. The police has registered a case and is scanning CCTV images of nearby areas to nab the attackers. Situation remains tense but under control in Kasardgod.

WATCH: Kerala: 20-year-old BJP worker hacked to death in Thrissur ALSO READ:

Kerala: BJP worker hacked to death in Kannur

Kerala: BJP worker hacked to death, his father was killed in 2002

Kerala: BJP worker's wife who suffered injuries after their house was allegedly burnt by CPM workers dead

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Colombo, Mar 22 (PTI) President Maithripala Sirisena today left on a three-day official visit to Russia, becoming the first Sri Lankan head of the state to visit Moscow in 43 years.

His visit takes place following an invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin as both countries mark the 60th anniversary of establishment of bilateral ties this year, officials said.

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Sirisena and Putin are scheduled to hold talks tomorrow.

His discussions in Moscow will focus on the bilateral ties, including promotion of trade and investment.

Former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaikes visit to Moscow in 1974 was the last such trip by a Sri Lankan leader. PTI CORR ABH

--- ENDS ---
The Baylor University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa will hold events with film director Whit Stillman on Thursday and Friday.

Stillman will present the 2017 Roy B. Albaugh Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Barfield Drawing Room in Baylors Student Union Building. Topic will be The High-Low Manifesto  and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

At 5:30 p.m. Friday, Stillman will attend a screening of his 1990 film Metropolitan, with a discussion to follow. Baylors film and digital media department is co-sponsoring the screening.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Writers workshop

Donna Skell, executive director of Roaring Lambs ministry, will speak at the Christian Writers Workshop at 6 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Woodway, 13000 Woodway Drive.

Skell oversees the ministrys testimony and writing workshops, as well as Bible studies, and co-hosts a radio show called A Time to Dream.

The free workshop is open to the public.

NARFE meeting

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Texas District 6, will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Waco Association of Realtors, 2025 N. 44th St.

The District 6 meeting will be in lieu of the groups regular meeting.

A catered lunch will be served. Cost is $15.

For reservations, call 845-4348.

Baylor concert

The 14-member, nationally recognized Baylor Percussion Group will present a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Jones Concert Hall in Baylors Glennis McCrary Music Building.

For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/music or call 710-3991.

Art Center fundraiser

Art Center of Waco will have its Table Toppers fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. March 30 in the Baylor Club at McLane Stadium, 1001 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The event will feature artistic tablescapes created by local businesses and nonprofit organizations on display, celebrity waiters serving champagne and mimosas, and silent and audible auctions.

Tickets cost $70 for Art Center members, $80 for nonmembers.

For reservations, call 752-4371 or visit www.artcenterwaco.org.

China Spring sale

The China Spring Civic Club will have a garage sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 31 and from 8 a.m. to noon April 1 at the China Spring Tabernacle, 127 Ford St.

To donate, call Betty Manchego at 836-1905.
Waco City Council agreed Tuesday to spend an additional $150,000 to cast a wider net and look into three potential landfill sites, in addition to the city-owned land next to the existing Waco Regional Landfill.

The council voted 6-0 to amend its agreement with SCS Engineers, spending another $100,000 to ensure that the study considers an additional three sites, at a total cost of $991,000. The council also authorized an additional $50,000 to the law firm Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend for permitting work, for a total of $200,000.

The council agreed not to seek a new state landfill permit until the evaluation of alternative sites is done, likely this June.

City Manager Dale Fisseler said the alternative sites have not yet been identified, but they will not include any former landfill sites, despite rumors to the contrary. The engineers will look at each sites geology, buffer zone potential, highway access, distance from Waco, proximity to neighborhoods and cost implications.

Councilman Jim Holmes, who has sided with opponents of the original proposed new landfill site off Highway 84, had asked for the evaluation.

On Tuesday, Holmes also voted with Councilman Wilbert Austin against authorizing a $75,000 payment to two law firms to defend a lawsuit filed by neighbors over the proposed site. He said the city instead should seek to put the case on hold until the council chooses a landfill site.

Opponents from the surrounding subdivisions thanked the council Tuesday for considering other options but reiterated that the 270-acre site the city has set aside for a landfill is unacceptable. Some 1,500 people have signed a petition against that site.

We are encouraged by the fact that the council has decided to pursue the consideration of other alternatives, said Kent Keahey, a longtime Hidden Valley resident and a former Providence Healthcare Network CEO.

We believe you should consider what Waco will look like in 10 to 20 years. . . . Do you really want the new landfill to be built in the middle of the current and future residential growth?

Other opponents chided city officials for seeking to replace the existing landfill with a new one next door, despite a 1992 settlement in which the city promised not to expand Waco Regional Landfill, known as 948A.

Sam Brown, homeowners association president at Twin Rivers, said putting a new landfill next to it violates the common understanding of that agreement. Brown said he and many others bought homes with the understanding that the landfill would be closed and reclaimed as parkland within a decade or two.

Were not a bunch of folks complaining that we dont want a landfill next to our house, he said. We already have one. . . . We have lived up to our end of the deal, and now its your turn.

In a departure from usual practice, Mayor Kyle Deaver engaged Brown in dialogue, rebutting his points one at a time.

Deaver said that despite statements from the Citizens to Save Lake Waco group that is suing the city over the landfill, the 1992 settlement was not with that group but with one person, Wanda Glaze. City officials attempted to get Glaze to amend the agreement in 2005 and allow an expansion, but Glaze declined.

Deaver said the agreement referred specifically to the landfill permitted as 948A, and council members at the time noted that it would not prevent a new landfill in the same area.

When you say were not keeping our word, I want citizens to understand, thats what the council knew then, and thats what the plaintiffs knew, Deaver said.

I want to be clear that the city is very serious about pursuing other options, he said. But theres been so much misinformation that I felt compelled to give the citys position and give factual information.

Brown countered that the city in his experience has not been forthcoming with information about the case.

Alley cleanups

Also Tuesday, the council discussed increasing funding for alley cleanups. Councilman Dillon Meek had raised alarms about the trashy state of many residential alleys since the city stopped providing alley trash pickup.

Acting public works director Chuck Dowdell suggesting spending an extra $36,000 for alley maintenance, as well as a $50,000 addition to the contract with Goodwill to clean up junk in alleys and other rights of way.

Dowdell said the $36,000 was based on 10 percent of the amount spent on street maintenance.

Councilman John Kinnaird said he was surprised that the city is spending only $360,000 on street maintenance. Kinnaird said he would like to focus more effort on formally abandoning alleys with the consent of adjacent property owners.

Its 60 miles of alleys, and its going to take a long time to get it done, he said. I know there are some we have to maintain, and we need to do a good job with those.

Meek said the need for safe, clean alleys is immediate.

I think abandonment is a long-term solution, but right now we need to move forward with this.
Marlin Independent School District officials approved an agreement Tuesday with the Texas Education Agency that could seal the fate of the district if it fails state accountability ratings this year, for the sixth year in a row.

But Superintendent Michael Seabolt said the agreement is just something the TEA is required by law to do and that the state agency does not expect the district to do well this year. It will be the districts second abatement agreement in the past two years, and its state-appointed board of managers approved it during its meeting Tuesday.

TEA does not expect Marlin ISD to make standard this year, but they do expect progress, Seabolt wrote in an email to the Tribune-Herald on Monday. My meeting with TEA officials led me to understand TEA has no plan or intentions of closing Marlin ISD. TEA does intend for the instruction to improve. We are under no pressure regarding the abatement agreement. We are under pressure to improve academically, and we will.

The agreement allows Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to close the district if it fails 2017 academic or financial accountability ratings. If Marlin ISD again receives an improvement required rating or a substandard financial accountability rating, Morath will revoke the districts accreditation status again and order its closure, the agreement states.

But if the district meets standards, Morath will re-evaluate the 2016-17 accreditation status and notify the district at a later date. The agreement also states that the board would waive its right to appeal a closure decision.

Though the document doesnt give a specific date for potential closure, the TEA typically releases preliminary accountability ratings for a given year during the fall semester of the subsequent school year.

This could put a kink in the state-appointed board of managers efforts to help turn around the district within the next two years, which is how long state-appointed boards of managers typically serve.

Seabolt wrote that his efforts are focused on improvement, and he anticipates that will happen this year. Last year, Marlin High School met standard for state accountability, but Marlin Junior Academy, Marlin Primary Academy and the district as a whole did not, according to TEA records.

It would not surprise me and other officials in the state that the junior high might make state standard this year, Seabolt wrote. If that happens, and the high school stays strong like it has for the past two years, the district will likely make it. I think thats a real possibility.

The state-appointed board also voted Tuesday to pull the district out of a lawsuit the elected school board joined last year that challenges state standardized test scores.

The lawsuit was part of the effort to keep Marlin ISD open, Seabolt wrote. As I said, my understanding is TEA has no intention of closing Marlin ISD, not now, not next year. Spending money on a lawsuit that will take a lot of time and effort doesnt make sense at this point in time.

From here, the district will focus on classroom instruction, Seabolt wrote. Higher teacher salaries mean the district is able to hire and retain the kind of educators we need in Marlin, he wrote.

That effort is paying off. Instruction in the classrooms has improved. The junior high has improved in a remarkable manner. We keep working the plan. Unfortunately, the plan is expensive, hence the RIF (reduction in force), Seabolt wrote.

You will not find better instruction at the junior academy or high school anywhere in the state. The elementary is just a step behind but is making progress in instructional quality. In the end, thats what it comes down to: high-quality educators engaging students with high-quality instruction.
After more than five years on the job, a four-legged veteran with the Waco Police Department will retire because of health concerns that became apparent last month, police officials announced Wednesday.

Viper, an 7-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics and detection, retired from the department Tuesday evening during a city council work session. Council members approved turning ownership of Viper over to Waco police officer Ray Woodruff after Viper began to suffer weakness from a spinal lesion that was discovered in February.

He has done a lot of good work for us, and his handler, Ray Woodruff, is a seasoned veteran of the police department, Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt said during the city council meeting. Viper, in particular, was utilized more than 2,400 times in five years. He conducted 344 narcotic searches, he found narcotics 112 times and he searched over 90 buildings keeping our officers safe.

Holt said Viper assisted in 273 warrant services, 326 felony arrests and countless calls for services with state and federal agencies.

We are saddened of the retirement of an awesome asset to our citizens and the community that he served, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said in a press release. However, we are excited that Viper will now retire to a life of leisure, rest and relaxation with his partner and friend, Officer Ray Woodruff.

Viper was born in May 2009 in Queretaro, Mexico, before he underwent training in obedience and protection, Swanton said. Viper was imported to Canine Headquarters in Hutto in August 2011, where the city of Waco purchased Viper and his partnership with Woodruff started. The team was certified in narcotic detection and patrol work, according to the press release.

During Vipers tenure, he also served as an ambassador for Waco police, performing demonstrations for local events, neighborhood block parties and the yearly Red Ribbon Campaign.

Swanton said Vipers health started to deteriorate in February and he was taken to Texas A&M University.

It is believed that he has a cervical spine lesion, Swanton said. Due to the severity of Vipers disability, it has been recommended that he be retired.

Mayor Kyle Deaver thanked Viper and Woodruff during Tuesdays meeting for their work in the community and handed Woodruff a dog treat to give to Viper in celebration of his retirement.

Woodruff will continue to work as one of the departments three K-9 handlers, Swanton said. It was not immediately known if the city would buy another dog after Vipers retirement.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and fellow Republicans want to bring the American Health Care Act to a vote in the House on Thursday. Thats within a few weeks of introducing this bill and not allowing any hearings on it, contrary to the multiple weeks of hearings and consultation held before the passing of the Affordable Care Act. Why the refusal to listen to multiple voices and areas of expertise in dealing with such an important issue?

Whats the rush? Why not listen? Why, in fact, use a budget reconciliation process to make this important vote rather than a more extensive introduction of a policy change that would allow the Republicans to spell out steps two and three that are promised to complete the plan?

Congressman Bill Flores told us why in his Sunday column: Unfortunately, Senate rules for the use of reconciliation restrict what we can include in AHCA to pass it with a simple majority in the Senate. But as is, the steady buzz is that the bill is dead on arrival. Again, why the rush?

Another bill, under regular process, could include phases two and three, as he promised but did not detail in his column. What are those details? I just bought a car. I would not have done so with one-third of the details about the car and its potential costs.

The diagnosis of imminent death for Obamacare depends on who you talk to. For just as many people whose negative stories Flores quotes, you can find alternative stories, and millions of people, who are grateful for their insurance. And you can find health care experts who do not think it is on life support but has real possibilities for a long life. It would be interesting to survey the 23,000 people in this district on the Affordable Care Act and find out what they really think. But, of course, we dont have time. Why?

Another question: Why bundle changes to Medicaid in with this bill? Medicaid expansion as part of the Affordable Care Act has been supported by states with both Democratic and Republican governors. Millions of people with low incomes now have basic health care under plans that do not equate to the Gold Level Plans that all members of Congress have under Obamacare. The subsidy for the federal plan is around 70 percent. I wager the people who cannot afford Gold Plans, even with subsidies, would be glad to swap Flores for the plan he has if they had a salary that could afford it.

The proposed changes to Medicaid are to give states more flexibility. However, Ryan does not tell you that Medicaid as now constituted has more flexibility than the proposed changes. Most people think Medicaid is health care insurance when, in reality, most Medicaid funding supports long-term services for people with disabilities and elderly persons. Many of these programs produce higher quality of life by enabling people to live in community settings. Without these, institution and nursing-home populations would swell significantly at about three times the cost of community settings. Thus, be wary of proposed changes in Medicaid that promise savings. And why do we need to readily attack a program that supports elderly mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters who have disabilities? In the Christian framework, they are among the least of these. Alas, they dont count as much because they dont have as much political power.

So back to the question with which we started. Why rush this without thinking through the implications and knowing more about the plan GOP officials are possibly making up as they go along, even though they have had seven years to get these details down?

Answer: They want to repeal the ACA while they have the majority before too many people notice what theyre doing  and to do it on the same day the Affordable Care Act was signed into law seven years ago. In other words, its a show of power. Thus, many of us will gather tonight and Thursday night for a candlelight vigil outside Flores office. Why? Also for show, in mourning, for people whose lives will be at stake if this passes and is implemented. Come join us and lets talk about how your life is impacted.

But give me substance  facts and deep discussion  over show. And remember: Big decisions require that kind of time.

Bill Gaventa is a clergyman who has worked at the intersections of faith and disability and serves as director of the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. He is president of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He lives in Woodway.
This would be a good time to do something about the red menace of Vladimir Putins Russia. Instead, were talking about the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.

FBI Director James Comey, testifying Monday about his agencys investigation into Russias attempt to tilt the 2016 election to Donald Trump, explained why it was a fairly easy judgment that Trump was Putins favored candidate: Putin hated Secretary Clinton so much that the flip side of that coin was he had a clear preference for the person running against the person he hated so much.

But Rep. K. Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican and senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, was having none of it. Yeah, that logic might work on Saturday afternoon when my wifes Red Raiders are playing the Texas Longhorns. Conaway doubted such reasoning all the rest of the time.

Comey was patient. Whoever the Red Raiders are playing, you want the Red Raiders to win, he explained. By definition, you want their opponent to lose.

Conaway was fourth and long. He scrambled to formulate another question, then punted: Well, let me finish up then.

Comeys testimony confirmed the FBI is investigating whether the presidents campaign staff colluded with a powerful American adversary in an attempt to swing the election. But instead of being shaken from complacency and uniting to make sure this never happens again, the Republican majority on the House Intelligence Committee mounted a reflexive defense of Trump. The partisan response made it plain there will be no serious congressional investigation, nor any major repercussions for Russia. We were attacked by Russia  about this there is no doubt  and were too paralyzed by politics to respond.

Trump, whose claim that President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower was dismissed by Comey, continued to fire his weapons of mass distraction Monday morning, tweeting that the real story is who leaked classified information.

This is to be expected from Trump. The disheartening part was that most Republicans on the panel, which is supposed to investigate Trump, instead slavishly echoed his excuses.

Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., underscored that there was no evidence that Russia cyber actors changed vote tallies. (There was also no allegation they had.) He also pronounced himself extremely concerned about the widespread illegal leaks (much more so than the potentially illegal actions that the leaks exposed).

Reading from Trumps cue card, Nunes asserted that its ridiculous for anyone to say that the Russians prefer Republicans over Democrats. The chairman urged Comey to tell his staff not to believe that somehow the Republican Party watered down its platform on Russia.

And Rep. Trey Gowdy, who led a multiyear Benghazi investigation packed with innuendo and damaging leaks, repeatedly denounced the felonious dissemination of secrets, supposedly by the Obama administration, and the hearsay that is impugning the Trump team.

Comey may well have handed Trump the presidency with his announcement just before the election that he was reopening the Clinton email investigation. But he redeemed himself somewhat Monday with a lyrical defense of our wonderful, often messy, but free and fair democratic system. Said Comey: When theres something from a foreign state to disrupt that, its very serious. It threatens what is America.

Dana Milbank covers political theater for The Post.
President Pinocchio

Imagine waking to the news that President Trump is speaking to the nation that Russia was never involved in U.S. hacking/espionage. Seventeen federal agencies disagree with him.

Now consider that Trump once said that he saw people cheering as the Twin Towers came down: LIE.

Said Obama was not a U.S. citizen. LIE.

Said no one involved with his campaign was involved with the Russians. LIE.

Said he won the most electoral votes since Reagan. LIE.

Said thousands were bused across states to vote. LIE.

Said he had the largest inauguration crowd. LIE.

Said he never said more countries should acquire nuclear weapons. LIE.

Said he did not support the war in Iraq. LIE.

Said the murder rate is the highest in 47 years. LIE.

Said no cuts to Medicare and Social Security. LIE.

Also consider a man who bragged about walking in on young women during beauty pageants; insulted a POW after dodging the opportunity to serve himself; insulted a Gold Star family; and stooped low enough to mock a disabled reporter. A man who rated women with callous numbers and claimed his fame and fortune allowed him to grab them.

Said I released the most extensive financial review of anybody in the history of politics. LIE.

Said if I decide to run for office, Ill produce my tax returns. Absolutely. LIE.

Can we exempt conduct and normalize behavior we once would call abnormal? We have to ask: Where is the truth? Where is the trust?

Randy Broussard, Belton

No peacenik

After reading the March 12 Trib Q&A with Amir Hussain and all the protestations about the peaceful nature of Islam, one could conclude that Muhammad was not a good Muslim. He was many things, but peaceful was not one of them.

Muhammad and his new religion were rejected by his hometown of Mecca, and he was forced to flee to Medina. His reception in Medina was more cordial, and, as soon as he gained enough followers, he immediately launched attacks against Mecca. At first, he waged economic warfare by attacking Meccan merchant caravans. Those attacks failed, but, determined to get revenge, he raised a larger army and attacked and captured Mecca itself. He then spent the rest of his life waging war against neighboring Arabian tribes.

Muslims today may claim to be peaceful, but how much of the example of Muhammad can they reject and still remain good Muslims? How much of the example of Christ can Christians reject and still be considered good Christians?

The history of Islam would suggest that Muslims only want peace when they do not have the power to wage war. If Islam were to regain the kind of military power it enjoyed during the Middle Ages, how many peaceful Muslims would then decide it is no longer necessary to be peaceful?

David B. Anderson, Waco
ASHLAND  More than 40 years ago, the community united to bring a medical clinic to Ashland. Now public input is needed to determine the fate of the clinic.

A public meeting regarding the Ashland Family Clinic is scheduled for Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. at the Ashland Public Library.

Earl West, president of the Ashland Community Medical Clinic Fund board of directors, said the objective of the meeting is to let the public know where they are at with negotiations regarding the clinic.

The board signed a lease with Saunders Medical Center (SMC) in 2011 to operate a medical clinic. Before that, Lincoln Family Medical Group had a clinic there for 25 years. The the board made the switch to SMC in an effort increase the days the clinic was open per week from four to five.

The fate of the clinic has been in question since the full-time physician, Dr. Greg Precht, announced his resignation in early February. Precht is scheduled to leave the clinic at the end of April.

Prior to Prechts announcement, Chelsea Schuster, a physicians assistant who worked in the clinic part-time, left for personal reasons. As a result, the hours were reduced from five days a week to four in January.

The history behind the medical clinic dates back to the mid-1970s, when the community found itself without a doctor. Ashland applied to sponsor two South Vietnamese doctors through a program that brought refugee physicians from the war torn Asian country to the U.S.

A fund drive was started in 1976 to build a facility that would house a medical clinic for the new doctors as well as dentist and optometrist offices. The Ashland Community Medical Fund was established as a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation made up of a cross section of Ashland business and civic leaders.

The fund drive reached its goal in just a few months and construction of the medical building began. The total cost of the building ended up over $200,000. The office opened in July 1977 with dentists Dr. Jack Cooper and Dr. Walter Fahey and optometrist Dr. A.R. Campbell, as well as the two Vietnamese doctors, Dr. Trihn Quang Vinh and Dr. Le Von Dung.

The Ashland Community Medical Clinic Fund continues to own the building, charging rent to its tenants including SMC, according to Dave Lutton the board of directors treasurer.

After learning of Prechts planned departure, the SMC Board of Trustees held a public meeting in Ashland to discuss the situation. About 20 community members attended, with the majority in favor of keeping the clinic open.

At that meeting, SMC officials presented information showing that the patient numbers at the Ashland clinic have not grown as expected and that the clinic lost $341,000 last year.

Tyler Toline, SMC chief executive officer, said all of the clinics operated by SMC lose money, but the Ashland clinics losses were higher than the other clinics. The Wahoo clinics lost between $150,000 and $200,000.

The losses make it difficult to keep the clinic open Monday through Friday as originally requested by the medical fund board, West admitted.

Wed like to keep it open five days a week, but that probably isnt possible anymore, he said.

However, West said there are other medical organizations that have expressed interest in the Ashland clinic.

If possible, wed like to stay with (Saunders Medical Center) if we can work out a decent proposal, he added.

Toline said SMC and the Ashland Community Medical Fund board have gone back and forth on ways to keep the clinic open in a manner that meets the communitys needs but is also financially viable.

Sometimes were not always in line with each other, he said.

One way to reduce costs would be to staff the clinic primarily with a physicians assistant or nurse practitioner, which are known as mid-level health care providers.

I assume a mid-level will be predominant there, Toline said.

SMC also proposed keeping the clinic open three days a week. The medical fund board suggested four days a week with two of those days being half-days.

Were somewhere between those two options, Toline said.

Community support of the clinic was vital back when SMC took over nearly in 2011.

The unknown variable five years ago when SMC came on board was community support, he said.

Unfortunately, when the unknown became known, support was not as high as SMC officials had hoped, Toline said. Patient numbers have not grown as expected over the years, and a recent survey of Ashland residents showed 32 percent did not know there was a medical clinic in the community.

Toline said no decisions have been made yet regarding the clinic.

We will wait until after (Sundays) meeting, he added.

Despite the challenges, West said the local board members are doing their best to keep the clinic open.

There are a lot of negatives, but were still trying to be as positive as we possibly can and hopefully maintain the clinic, he said.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Home grown smartphone maker Lava will sell only six smartphone models at any given point of time, and work to strengthen its connect with offline retail stores.

"Instead of launching multiple handsets, we will focus on selling only six smartphones during any given point. Lava will focus on connect and visibility at retail stores," Lava International Product Head Gaurav Nigam said on sidelines of launching two new dual sim 4G smartphones Lava Z25 and Z10.

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He said that the companys new strategy is to remain neck-to-neck in competition with Chinese players who have deep pockets.

"In terms of branding, we will focus on visibility at retail stores. We are currently selling through 1.2 lakh retail stores, and by end of this year we plan to have our products at 1.6 lakh retail counters, covering almost entire retailer base for mobile phones," Nigam said.

He said that Lava is now selling all phones that are made in India at its Noida plants and expect to come out with first smartphone of Lava that will be designed in India.

"We have 750 engineers employed by Lava in China for designing phones. We recently hired 50 engineers in India, who are working on to design first Lava phone in the country," Nigam said.

He added that the company has enhanced test criteria to increase robustness in the phones.

"We are promising our customers that the screen of Lava smartphones will not break due to fall. If it breaks within a year of purchase, we will give one replacement for free. We have also enhanced test criteria for moistures," Nigam said.

He said that the same robustness is present in Z25 and Z10 models that it will start selling for Rs 18,000 and Rs 11,500 a unit in select stores in Delhi from March 23.

The 5.5-inch Lava Z25 comes with 8 megapixel front camera and 13 MP rear camera, fingerprint sensor, 4GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage with similar capacity support for external storage, 3020 mAh battery and finger print sensor.

Lava Z10 has 5-inch screen, 8 MP rear and 5 MP front camera, 2620 mAh battery, 2GB RAm and 16 GB internal storage. PTI PRS BAL

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Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the Law Commission in its 262nd report has recommended that the death penalty be abolished for all crimes other than terrorism related offences and waging war.

By Press Trust of India: The Law Commission has recommended that the death penalty be abolished for all crimes except those related to terrorism, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the Law Commission in its 262nd report has recommended that the death penalty be abolished for all crimes other than terrorism related offences and waging war.

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"As Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are in the concurrent list of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, the report has been circulated to all state governments and union territories for seeking their views," he said replying a written question.

Also read:

Javed Miandad calls for 'death penalty' for match-fixers

A dead argument

--- ENDS ---
End of the day. What happened?

the government looks set for a victory on its childcare changes after it decided to decouple the reforms from myriad welfare cuts;

after it decided to decouple the reforms from myriad welfare cuts; the $1.6 billion childcare package will be largely funded by a two year freeze on family tax payments which means payments will not go down but they will also not go up in the usual fashion (as per indexation);

will be largely funded by a which means payments will not go down but they will also not go up in the usual fashion (as per indexation); the Nick Xenophon Team supports the childcare changes and the savings measures and says it is not a perfect deal but a vastly better one than the original omnibus malarky;

and the savings measures and says it is not a perfect deal but a vastly better one than the original omnibus malarky; changes to the Racial Discrimination Act have been introduced into Parliament; and

have been introduced into Parliament; and it looks as if the government is also looking to modify its company tax cuts.

Politics - it's all about the art of the possible, right?

My enduring thanks to Alex Ellinghausen and Andrew Meares for their hard work and to you for keeping us company.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Alex, Andrew and I will be back in the morning. We hope to have your company once more. Good night.
A school in New Zealand is doing away with boys and girls uniforms, instead letting their students wear whatever items they like.

Students at Dunedin North Intermediate have five options which they can pick from regardless of their gender: trousers, skirts, kilts, culottes, and shorts.

A growing number of Kiwi schools are opening up uniform choices to their students, regardless of gender. Credit:Stocksy

Principal Heidi Hayward said the change was a practical way to value diversity.

"This isn't about doing something radical, it's about giving kids some choice and valuing diversity. It's about saying to kids 'you're here to learn and we want you to be comfortable'."
A 15-year-old private schoolboy has been charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a teenage girl at a party in Sydney's eastern suburbs this month.

Detectives charged the former Cranbrook School student on Tuesday, following the alleged assault at the party in Bellevue Hill on March 4.

Police will allege in court that the 15-year-old girl, who also attends a Sydney private school, was unconscious when the boy sexually assaulted her.

The boy's friend, also aged 15, allegedly filmed the assault on a mobile phone.
Parts of Microsoft's Outlook, Skype and Xbox Live services were down for some users Tuesday, marking the second big outage for the company this month.

Xbox Live's website showed that games were working normally but some core services were down. Twitters users, many of them gamers, vented frustration after having trouble logging on to their accounts.

Earlier this month, Outlook 365, Xbox Live and Skype went down for several hours in parts of the world.

DownDetector, a site that tracks when services go out, showed spikes in problems for both Outlook and Xbox Live on Tuesday afternoon.

The breadth of the outage was not immediately clear, though many reports said it was affecting primarily the East Coast and parts of Europe.
By Press Trust of India: London, Mar 22 (PTI) People who lose their sense of smell in middle or old age are at an increased risk of dying early, a new study claims.

Researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden followed about 1,774 adults aged 40 to 90 years for 10 years.

After controlling for demographic, health-related, and cognitive confounders, each additional correctly identified odour lowered the risk of mortality by 8 per cent, researchers said. About 23 per cent of the participants died.

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Individuals who performed at chance level on tests (indicating complete olfactory loss) were at a 19 per cent higher risk of death than individuals with normal smell function, researchers said.

The results contribute to the growing evidence that olfactory assessments might provide insights on the ageing brain, researchers said.

"Our results were not explained by dementia, which was previously linked to smell loss. Instead, mortality risk was uniquely predicted by smell loss," said Jonas Olofsson, senior author of study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

"In our future research, we will try to pinpoint the biological processes that can explain this phenomenon," Olofsson added. PTI APA SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020.

Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work.

Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri.
Congress MLA Raghogarh Jaiwardhan Singh in the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly alleged that there was a huge scam in the PoS machine hiring that required an investigation from a neutral agency.

By Hemender Sharma: A Point Of Sale (PoS) machine that costs anything between Rs 3,000 - 5,000 has been hired on an annual rent of Rs 14,940 by the Madhya Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department. Over 22,000 such POS machines have been installed across public distribution system outlets in the state after the government decided to introduce a biometric -based system for disbursement of subsidised food.

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In a written reply to a question asked by Congress MLA from Raghogarh Jaiwardhan Singh in the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Om Prakash Dhruve accepted that the PoS machines were hired through the state electronics development corporation and till September 2016 two companies that had installed these machines had already been paid a little less than Rs 17 crore rupees.

Singh while talking to India Today alleged that it was a huge scam that required an investigation from a neutral agency. "A PoS machine these days won't cost more than Rs 5,000 but the government is paying close to Rs 15,000 as annual rent for one such machine. The contract has been signed for a period of five years, so the government will end up paying around Rs 75,000 as rent for a machine that costs less than Rs 5,000. If this is not a scam what is it," he said.

The government, however, is trying to defend its decision to hire the PoS machines on rent saying the rental costs include the annual maintenance as well. "There is no irregularity in this deal. We will have to understand that wherever technology is involved along with internet and electronic devices, it has been observed that the government has not been able to do proper maintenance work, so these machines have been hired from these two companies and they are also doing the maintenance," Cooperatives Minister Vishwas Sarang while talking to India Today said.

On being asked about the 17000 odd complaints that have been registered against non-functional PoS machines during the past one year, Sarang said, "We have looked into complaints and we will ask the concerned companies to solve the problems being faced by people."

Also read: Digital India: You'd think e-transactions have increased since note ban. They haven't

Also read: Shocker from Madhya Pradesh: 28,000 kids below six years of age died last year

--- ENDS ---
At the invitation of Mr. Kyaw Htin, Director General of Myanmar Customs, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Yangon, the economic center and former capital city of the Union of Myanmar and the location of the Customs Departments Headquarters, and Nay Pyi Taw, the countrys current capital city, from 20 to 22 March 2017 in furtherance of the WCOs strategic goal of raising Customs profile.

In Nay Pyi Taw, Secretary General Mikuriya had a series of meetings with political leaders, including Major General Aung Soe, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Thant Sin Maung, Minister for Transport and Communication, and Mr. U Maung Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance. Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj. Gen. Soe accompanied by heads of police and representatives from other law enforcement agencies, appreciated the WCOs explanations on the role of Customs in border security and confirmed that agencies under his authority would arrange a dialogue with Customs at several levels to ensure exchange of information.

For Minister for Transport and Communication Thant Sin Maung, the use of a range of WCO tools would be relevant for the implementation of the Cross-Border Transport Agreement that he would like to activate with Myanmars neighbouring countries. He also stressed that the WCOs assistance in the area of transit would be highly appreciated as Myanmar was looking into the ASEAN Customs Transit system. In addition, as Myanmar is gradually opening its borders after five decades of isolation, Minister Thant Sin Maung emphasized the importance of Customs in assuring connectivity at borders.

Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance pointed out the Myanmar Government's twin deficits regarding its budget, with a tax to GDP ratio of 8%, and its trade with a high trade deficit caused by weak export capacity. He expressed a particular interest in strengthening capacity in the field of Customs valuation and offered his strong political support. Secretary General Mikuriya explained that a variety of WCO tools and programmes are addressing revenue concerns in support to the increasing role of Customs in enhancing economic competitiveness, protecting society and ensuring security.

In Yangon, Secretary General Mikuriya visited the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, which had quickly developed to attract many overseas companies since its establishment one and a half years ago, where Customs has implemented a modern operating model. He also went to see the Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System (MACCS) which was implemented in November 2016 at Customs' Headquarters. In this framework, he had the opportunity to meet with the business community, which underlined the benefits of the introduction of the MACCS, through a drastic acceleration in Customs clearance, as well as an improved business environment thanks to enhanced integrity.
It has been alleged that the fisherman was killed after being fired upon by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 6.

By Pramod Madhav: The Madurai branch of the Madras High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to file a report on who will investigate the death of Tamil fisherman Britjo, who was killed in the waters between India and Sri Lanka.

It has been alleged that Britjo was killed after being fired upon by the Sri Lankan Navy. A Public Interest Litigation was filed by a person named D Raju to find out who shot Britjo.

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The plea said, "It has become a frequent affair for Sri Lanka to harass Indian fishermen fishing in Indian waters. The Centre has not taken any measures to prevent this. The Supreme Court has ordered to provide adequate security to Indian fishermen and yet no protection is given. Till now 600 Indian fishermen have been shot dead by Sri Lankan navy."

"The Centre takes the issue softly when Srilanka is involved. A few years ago, when two Italian Marines shot two fishermen, Kerala police arrested them and Italian government paid a solarium of Rs 1 crore to the victims' family. But to Britjo'a family, the state has paid only Rs 5 lakh rupees," the PIL further said.

Hearing the plea, judges Selvam and Adinathan directed the Ministry of External Affairs to file a report on who will conduct the investigation and adjourned the case to April 11.

Sri Lanka still maintains that its navy was not involved in the incident as the force has been strictly ordered not to fire at suspected poachers.

Britjo was killed on March 6 and his body was brought to Rameswaram where a bullet was removed from his neck.

ALSO READ | Indian fisherman killed in Sri Lankan Navy firing off Tamil Nadu coast

ALSO READ | Sri Lankan Navy releases 53 Indian fishermen as goodwill gesture

--- ENDS ---
Action was proposed in the Assembly against these members for creating ruckus during Finance Minister Sudhir Munguntiwar's Budget speech on Saturday.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Following the ruckus on Budget day by opposition members, 19 MLAs belonging to the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were suspended till December 31.

Action was proposed in the Assembly against these members for creating ruckus during Finance Minister Sudhir Munguntiwar's Budget speech on Saturday.

After the house met following a 3-day break, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat presented the proposal seeking the suspension of MLAs who disrupted the Budget speech. Speaker Haribhau Bagde issued suspension orders.

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Out of 19 MLAs, 10 are from the Congress while nine are from the NCP. The list of suspended MLAs include senior Congress leader Vijay Vadettiwar, former ministers Bhaskar Jadhav, Jitendra Awhad from the NCP among others. The resolution was supported by both the BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs.

During the Budget day speech, these MLAs had raised slogans demanding loan waiver for farmers. Some members had even raised banners inside the house, while some burnt copies of Budget outside the house in Vidhan Bhawan campus.

"We are not sad over the suspension, but the way the govt is trying to silence the voice for farmers is worrying," said Jitendra Awhad, suspended NCP MLA.

The state government however justified its action. "No one has the right to burn copies of the State Budget. This behaviour is certainly not expected from elected representatives. They were objecting without even listening to the Budget speech," said Sudhir Mungantiwar, Finance Minister.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has requested the Chief Minister to revoke the suspension. Senior Shiv Sena Ministers met CM Devendra Fadnavis and requested the revocation.

Also read:

Maharashtra: Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar presents Budget; Opposition calls it anti-farmer

Maharashtra expects 8.5 percent growth in economy, says state finance minister

Maharashtra Budget session: Opposition disrupts governor's speech over loan waiver

--- ENDS ---
Over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra have gone on mass leave, agitating against dangerous working conditions.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye, India Today Web Desk: Agitating doctors in Maharashtra have been asked to resume work by 8 pm today or risk losing six months' worth of salary, state minister for medical education Girish Mahajan said today.

Over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra have gone on mass leave, agitating against dangerous working conditions. The protest was sparked by an incident last week when the relatives of a deceased patient beat up a resident doctor at Mumbai's Sion Hospital.

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Addressing the issue behind the agitation, Mahajan said, "The government will provide 500 guards too civic-run hospitals within five days, 600 guards within 20 days and 1,100 guards within a month."

Earlier today, the Birhanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a notice on the matter, asking 500 resident doctors in Mumbai to resume work or face disciplinary action.

The notice warned the doctors that if they fail to resume work, then they could be expelled and their medical registrations could be canceled, as per a January 31, 1996 Government Resolution.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association's Maharashtra chapter has lent its support to the physicians, expressing 'deep pain' at the "recent spate of events of unabated violence against doctors."

A letter signed by IMA Maharashtra State's president Dr Ashok Tambe and honorary state secretary Dr Parthiv Sanghvi says, "We are unable to understand the apathy on the part of the government in not providing an atmosphere free from fear."

"We oppose any action taken against resident doctors and will work to all extents to ensure that they are not victimised."

Dr Sagar, an advisor to the IMA, said they don't want assurances but actual on-the-ground action. "We need more security at OPDs, in emergency wards and operation theaters," he added.

ALSO READ | Bombay High Court asks protesting doctors to join work or face action

ALSO READ | Mumbai: Resident doctors on mass leave after patient's relatives attack Sion Hospital physician

ALSO WATCH | Doctors in Mumbai hold silent protest, demand security after violence in Sion hospital

--- ENDS ---
Although the state government has taken the harsh step of sending notices to doctors who claim that they are not on strike but just on mass leave, however not much has helped in breaking the strike. The resident doctors at KEM and Sion Hospital have not joined work and are on strike.

By Vidya : A pediatrician working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of government-run Sion Hospital has been thrashed by the family of a child in Mumbai.

The child is said to be recuperating but still in the NICU and according to resident doctors who have been on strike since Monday, the argument between the doctor and the parents of the child started on the procedure of treatment. Although the doctor called for security but by the time guards arrived the doctor had been thrashed. The doctors are preparing to go and register a formal complaint with the police.

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This incident has further reinforced the demand of resident doctors who have been on strike asking for installation of CCTV cameras and placement of security guards in large numbers at government hospitals for their safety.

Although the state government has taken the harsh step of sending notices to doctors who claim that they are not on strike but just on mass leave, however not much has helped in breaking the strike. The resident doctors at KEM and Sion Hospital have not joined work and are on strike.

Resident doctors form about 60 percent of the workforce at government-run hospitals in Maharashtra and due to a number of incidents of doctors being thrashed by relatives of patients the resident doctors have gone on strike which has crippled the healthcare system in the state. The state government like earlier times has given assurances but has not taken concrete steps due to which the strike has only added to the woes of patients in state.

Also read:

Maharashtra doctors' strike: Resume work or lose six months' salary, state minister warns physicians

Bombay High Court asks protesting doctors to join work or face action

--- ENDS ---
Welcome back to another exciting installment of Top 5 Fridays. As we all know this is a comic blog, so most of you might not know that ...
If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now!

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The following is from the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office:

VERNON PARISH -- Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft invites the citizens of Vernon Parish to attend town hall-style meetings beginning in April.

These meetings have been scheduled to support a new Community Outreach Program (C.O.P.), established by Sheriff Craft.

The program has been initiated in an effort to enhance communications between law enforcement personnel and the citizens we serve.

The goal of this program is to promote the safety and well being of our citizens by addressing any problems or concerns within our communities.

Residents attending the meetings will be able to speak with deputies and detectives regarding specific concerns within their communities.

Sheriff Craft would like to encourage residents to attend the meetings and to provide information directly to law enforcement personnel regarding any problems or suspicious activities occurring within their communities.

Information will be noted on a written complaint form and the complainant can indicate whether they wish to be contacted in the future regarding the complaint.

Anyone wishing to report criminal activity can also do so anonymously by filling out a complaint form and noting that they do not wish to be contacted in the future regarding the complaint.

These meetings will be conducted every six months by Sheriff Craft.

We are proud to serve the citizens of Vernon Parish.

A meeting will be at the Anacoco Town Hall at 6 p.m. April 4.

Hornbeck Town Hall at 6 p.m. April 6.

Evans Commnity Center at 6 p.m. April 11.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in the Knight Community at 6 p.m. April 13.

Simpson Town Hall at 6 p.m. April 18.

Hicks Fire Station at 6 p.m. April 20.

Pitkin Community Center at 6 p.m. April 25

Rosepine Town Hall at 6 p.m. April 27.
By Press Trust of India: Peshawar, Mar 22 (PTI) Five Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed today during clashes with the security forces that also left a Major and a soldier dead in Pakistans restive northwestern tribal region.

Theclashes took place in Utmankhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency during an intelligence-based operation by security forces, the army said in a statement.

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Five Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, including commander Shah Dauran, were killed by thesecurity forces.

During clashes, Major Mudassir and Sepoy Matiullah were killed.

The security forces arrested several terrorists fromthe area when a search operation was conduction after cordon-off.

Heavy arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of terrorists.

Orakzai is one of Pakistans seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

Pakistan last month launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to clean the country of remnants of militants after dismantling their hideouts in remote tribal region. PTI AYZ AMS ZH

--- ENDS ---
By Adam Morton Mar. 21, 2017 | 07:46 PM | PADUCAH, KY

On Tuesday, the Paducah Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to amend the city's current alcoholic beverage ordinance. The new amendment allows microbreweries with the appropriate licenses to sell malt beverages by the drink and package on Sundays.The amendment will allow microbreweries without restaurant status, and any other future microbreweries to be open on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. without having to hold a restaurant licence.Commissioner Sarah Holland said the ordinance will likely have a positive impact on local tourism. "For me, it was about leveling the playing field. We only have two microbreweries in town, and though one chooses not to be open on Sunday they could sell if they wanted to," Holland said. "And so it only seemed fair to allow the other microbrewery to sell on Sunday. And as we continue to grow that area, which is good for local economy; Its good for tourism, then we want our ordinances to reflect that priority."Holland was not the only commissioner to mention how allowing the microbreweries to sell on Sunday would impact tourism."I guess it's about supporting tourism, isn't it? If you think about it, what industry do we have direct control of as a city? Well, that's tourism. Frankfort kind of controls a lot of other industry locations, but this we can promote ourselves, and so why wouldn't you?" said Commissioner Allan Rhodes.Not everyone at the meeting agreed that the ordinance will be a positive thing. Concerned citizen Russell Hobbs asked the commission not to pass it, saying he felt it would interfere with the community's worship. "I felt like we need to remember the Sabbath day and Keep it holy," Hobbs said. Hobbs also said alcohol causes more damage than it does good.Commissioner Richard Abraham said, "We had one gentleman come and voice his concern about having that brewery open on Sunday. It all comes back to a personal responsibility. I think we all have that, and so having said that we're going to allow it, but each of us are responsible for our own conduct."Abraham also mentioned that the Paducah Police Department and other city offices are aware of the work it takes, and they will make sure that they are up to speed on the things they need to do to keep the community safe.

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By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 22, 2017 | 12:58 PM | BENTON, IL

The man accused of helping James Nathaniel Watts in the robbery of Cairo's First National Bank almost three years ago was in court Tuesday.WSIL-TV reports that Otha Watkins III appeared in the Federal Courthouse in Benton following his indictment on March 13. He faces four charges from May 2014; aiding Watts in the robbery attempt that led to the deaths of two women, lying to the FBI, having a handgun as a convicted felon, and conspiring with Watts to rob a McDonald's restaurant in Charleston, Missouri.Watkins entered a not guilty plea for every charge and waived his right to a detention hearing. Watkins' trial is set for May 30, and he is the step-brother of Watts.On March 16, Watts pleaded guilty to attempted armed bank robbery resulting in death, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In exchange, the prosecutor removed the death penalty as an option when Watts is sentenced on May 25.Anita Grace of Olive Branch, Illinois, and Nita Smith of Wickliffe died from stab injuries they received during the robbery attempt.

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By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Mar. 21, 2017 | 09:00 PM | LOUISVILLE, KY

A Kentucky-based health care system has announced the departure of its chief executive officer after four years on the job.

Steve Hanson's departure as CEO of Baptist Health comes less than a week after 288 positions were eliminated across its system, including nearly 170 in the Louisville area.

Hanson served as CEO since March 2013, and no explanation was given for his departure Tuesday. Baptist Health's board chairman, Allen Rudd, thanked Hanson for his contributions.

The system says its board appointed two veteran executives to provide shared interim executive leadership as it begins a nationwide search for Hanson's successor.

The Baptist Health system includes nine hospitals  eight owned and one managed  as well as urgent care clinics, outpatient diagnostic and surgery centers, home care and physical therapy clinics.
Astros take World Series title over Phillies in six games
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By The Associated Press

Mar. 22, 2017 | FRANKFORT, KY

By The Associated Press Mar. 22, 2017 | 09:40 AM | FRANKFORT, KY

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is warning fellow Republicans of political consequences if they oppose health care legislation coming up for a vote in the House this week.



In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, McConnell says: "I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us from keeping the commitment we've made to the American people for almost 10 years now" to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law.



McConnell sounded confident that the bill will pass the House and come over to the Senate, where it is currently short of votes. McConnell made clear the bill will change in the Senate so it can pass.



And he made clear he expects President Donald Trump to lean on wavering Senate Republicans.




The attack on the meat shops comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cracking down on slaughterhouses.

By India Today Web Desk: Three meat shops have been torched by unknown persons in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district.

Police have registered a case in the incident which took place on Tuesday night.

The attack on the meat shops comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's crackdown on slaughterhouses.

Yogi Adityanath has directed the UP police to prepare an action plan for closure of slaughterhouses in the state, according to PTI.

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The new chief minister has also ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows.

CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL SLAUGHTERHOUSES

Raids are being conducted across the state to identify illegal slaughterhouses and seal them. On Tuesday, at least 15 illegal slaughter houses were sealed in Ghaziabad.

Four illegal slaughterhouses were sealed in Kanpur on Tuesday night.

In Meerut, police are raiding slaughterhouses across the district to check if they are being run illegally.

Similarly in Azamgarh, around half a dozen illegal slaughterhouses have been sealed.

The BJP in its election manifesto for Uttar Pradesh had promised strict action against illegal slaughter houses.

ALSO READ:

Yogi Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh: Meat traders, butchers feel the heat, shut slaughterhouses in panic

Adityanath: 7 things that you may expect Yogi to do as Uttar Pradesh CM

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
A Muslim woman delivered a boy who looks like an alien and locals hailed him a reincarnation of Hindu god. But the woman rejected her baby born with the deformity.

By India Today Web Desk: A mother in Bihar rejected her baby born with deformity but has seen many visitors who are of the view that the baby is a reincarnation of a Hindu god.

Khalida Begum, a mother of four, gave birth to the baby on Monday, according to a Mirror report.

The 35-year-old woman was shocked upon seeing her baby with a small head and his bulging eyes.

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A baby boy born with an extremely rare genetic condition has been called an 'alien' by his mother. She also refused to breastfeed him initially.

"Several body parts of the baby is not completely developed. When I saw the baby after delivery for the first time, I was completely shocked to see the alien-looking boy. I was so shocked and saddened by this that I asked the midwife to take the baby out of my sight," a Zee News report quotes Khalida as saying.

According to the local reports, the doctors have claimed that the newborn has been diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition called harlequin ichthyosis. The condition gives the person thick skin and the features are rendered deformed.

Experts are also speculating that the boy might be suffering from another rare defect called Anencephaly.

Even though Khalida rejected her baby, the locals, including boy's father Mohammad Imtiyaz, are of the view that he might be a reincarnation of a Hindu god.

FYI || Neem tree at DU's North Campus churns out liquor...and you can have it for free ||

FYI || Watch: This giant Brahma chicken is giving Twitterati nightmares, reminds many of Jurassic Park movie ||

Also Watch: Baby Monkey Mourns Her Dead Mother on Roadside

--- ENDS ---
More than 100 Kansas school districts would get less money next year under a proposed funding formula up for hearings this week.

The Kansas Dept. of Education

on Wednesday. Overall, it puts another $75 million into K-12 public schools.

Among Shawnee Co. districts, Seaman's funding would decrease more than $900,000 from this year. But other schools will gain. Topeka USD 501 will get $2.7 million more, while Auburn-Washburn will be getting an extra $2.3 million.

Manhattan and Emporia districts would be cashing bigger checks as well, with Manhattan-Ogden gaining another $1.6 million and Emporia getting nearly a half-million more.

The biggest drop in the state happens at Geary Co. Schools, which would see their funding cut by $5.5 million.

The funding plan uses the basic concepts from a formula the state dropped two years ago. The proposal sets aid amounts for each student, then adds money for students with special needs. Committee hearings on the bill are set for Thursday and Friday.

Districts would be required to impose local property taxes to finance operations.

The current block grant system expires on June 30, the same day as the deadline set by the Kansas Supreme Court for lawmakers to enact a system that adequately funds K-12 public schools.
By Press Trust of India: Swamy

New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today accused Muslim bodies of "creating hindrances" in resolving the Ram Janambhumi-Babri Masjid dispute and said the "outer limit" to settle the issue is April 2018.

Swamy made these comments a day after Muslim organisations appeared sceptical about the Supreme Courts suggestion for an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute.

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They had said such attempts in the past have been unsuccessful.

"All the Muslim parties had yesterday said on TV that this (out-of-court negotiation) is all waste of time...Only the SC should hear it...They create hindrances in the hearing...Somehow, they are trying to delay it," he said.

He said the matter has been pending before the apex court for six-and-a-half years, but not a single hearing has been held.

"Either we reach a solution through mediation under SC judges or there is day-to-day hearing. If they (the Muslim parties) try to avoid by adjournment, then the outer limit is April 2018." However, he did not elaborate what he meant by the "April 2018 outer limit".

Following the BJPs impressive show in the recently concluded assembly polls in five states, the party is likely to attain majority in the Rajya Sabha, which would pave the way for bringing a law to build the temple.

Some right wing organisations, including the VHP, have been pitching for bringing law to help construct the temple.

The Supreme Court had yesterday suggested an out-of-court settlement of the lingering Ram Janambhumi-Babri Masjid land dispute at Ayodhya, observing that issues of "religion and sentiments" can be best resolved through talks.

Chief Justice J S Khehar also offered to mediate even as the bench headed by him suggested that the parties to the dispute adopt a "give a bit and take a bit" approach for a meaningful and sincere negotiation to resolve the issue.

The observations were made after Swamy mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, saying that it has been over six years after the Allahabad High Court decided the civil appeal and that it needed to be heard at the earliest. PTI ENM PYK SMN SMN

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Narayani Shastri is a married woman since the past 1.5 years.

Narayani Shastri, who debuted with Kahani Saat Pheron Ki, and shot to fame with her role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has been out of circulation for quite some time.

She was last seen in Piya Rangrezz in a negative role, but the show didn't make much noise. Probably this is the reason she could keep her 1.5 year marriage with Steven Graver aka Tony under wraps.

?? A post shared by Narayani Shastri (@narayanishastri) on Dec 16, 2016 at 11:47am PST

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Also read: Asha Negi, Suyyash Rai, Narayani Shastri: TV celebs at restaurant opening

But not anymore. The lady has finally decided to talk about it.

If you ask her about the reason of keeping her nuptials secret, this is what she has to say. "Tony is media-shy. Honestly, both of us didn't want to get married. We actually got married because one day we were wondering 'Why don't we want to tie the knot, given that the two of us want to be together always?' It was rather strange. This thought came to us one day and we called the registrar the next day. I was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and had only my mother and a few close friends at the wedding. We did not want to blow it out of proportion. Tony and I needed some time to get comfortable with the idea of being married and now, we are comfortable with the thought," Narayani told The Times of India.

Here's a big congrats to the couple!

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 21 (PTI) Former MP Nilesh Rane today quit as general secretary of Maharashtra Congress, accusing party president Ashok Chavan of "inaction" in appointing district president of Ratnagiri.

"Despite telling you (Ashok Chavan) that I want to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election from my constituency, you have not appointed president for Ratnagiri district...your inaction smacks of political conspiracy," Nilesh, a former MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, said in a letter to Chavan.

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"If you use your position only for yourself the party will suffer more in future. If you cannot empower the ordinary party workers I have no interest to continue as the state executive committee under you as an office bearer," he said and accused Chavan of "harbouring vested interests".

He said if proper decisions are taken, meritorious people will be associated with the party. "Otherwise Congress will not get candidates to contest even Gram Panchayat polls," he added.

In the letter, Nilesh cautioned Chavan to act before it is too late.

"I want to see how much more damage you can do to Ratnagiri district," he said, informing that he was quitting the general secretary post but would continue to be associated with Congress.

Congress defeat in Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad polls was because the party had not appointed a district unit chief for the last one-and-half year, he said. PTI MR RMT KIS

--- ENDS ---
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  If theres an example in Wednesdays federal budget of challenges President Donald Trump presents to the Liberal governments lofty goals, its in the measly five paragraphs dedicated to Canadas newly fraught relationship with the United States.

After the usual platitudes about common values and interests, theres a promise to continue to build on long-standing environmental co-operation with the U.S. to address climate change, as well as enhance the quality of our air and water.

The document was likely already at the printers when word surfaced this week that any day now, Trump plans to start dismantling the very projects in the U.S. designed to tackle those things.

Chief among them: gutting funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, withdrawing from the Paris climate change accord and axing a Great Lakes safe drinking water program for 40 million people on both sides of the border.

The 2017-18 budget seeks to guard against the same surge of anger that propelled Trump to victory last fall, laying out plans and strategies to bolster the skills and confidence of Canadians anxious about what lies ahead.

But to what extent Trumps actions could fuel those fears, the Liberals have so far steered clear of trying to address.

The most obvious example is taxes. Trump is poised to overhaul the U.S. tax system in a bid to increase competitiveness. How the Liberals could move in response to that isnt in the budget; theyve only plucked the low-hanging fruit identified in the broad tax expenditure review.

It is the one area of the budget where they are moving more slowly than they said they were going to, said Scotiabank economist Jean-Francois Perreault.

Wednesdays fiscal projections note repeatedly that Canadas economy depends on the broad global state of affairs, yet the fact that the Liberals are aiming to shrink deficit levels in the coming years hints theyre betting on strong global economies.

As part of its focus on skills and innovation, the government sets out a target: grow Canadas goods and services exports  from resources, advanced manufacturing and others  by 30 per cent in 2025, a modest increase from what they are now.

While the focus is on markets in Asia and the Canada-EU free trade agreement, the U.S. market is still number 1 in Canadas books.

Canadian export growth could remain modest and possible U.S. policy actions affecting trade could restrain exports to the U.S. even further, the budget said.

A pledge to make U.S. policy all about Buy American, Hire American was one of the signature lines of Trumps first address to Congress and the fight is already on in the U.S. for tougher Buy American rules.

Trump also sounded a warning in that speech about military funding:

We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific, to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations and pay their fair share of the cost. 

How Canada is going to respond to that, if at all, is partially wrapped up in the now-delayed release of the defence policy review, a long-term planning document for the military that should have been out before Wednesdays budget.

But it was pushed forward by Trump; any move made with the American military will have a spin-off effect here.

Meanwhile, Wednesdays budget postponed another $8.5 billion in spending on new military equipment over the next 20 years, including $933 million over the next six years.

There were signs in the budget that perhaps the Liberals are aiming for some positive spin-offs from the Trump effect.

Theyre making permanent $37.5 million per year to attract more tourists to Canada, and also spending $7.8 million to help companies bring in talent from around the world and promising $117.6 million over eight years for high-ranking research positions.

Trump is starting to sound like a convenient excuse, complained opposition MPs.

I think poor Trump is starting to have wide shoulders  he is responsible for all the disappointments, incompetence and negligence of Justin Trudeaus government, said NDP leader Tom Mulcair.

Its time for the government of Canada to start managing the government of Canada.

On the environment, the Liberals seem ready to forge ahead no matter what happens in the U.S. The budget lays out billions in everything from research to green infrastructure to help Canadian companies take advantage of international demand for clean technologies.

Trumps politics, like climate change, is a risk multiplier; both turn difficult situations into disasters, said Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada.

Investing in a greener, fairer economy is a smart hedge against both of them.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The Department of National Defence will spend up to $400,000 next year to demolish military houses along Kenaston Boulevard, which will allow the city to finally widen the often congested artery.

It appears to be the first significant step in years toward Winnipegs desire to add two additional lanes to Kenaston between Grant Avenue and the St. James Bridge. It is one of the most bottlenecked streets in the city during rush hour and has been a priority for the city for years, but progress ground to a halt because of a lawsuit between Ottawa and Treaty 1 First Nations over land entitlement to the nearby Kapyong Barracks.

It has been eight years since the city held public consultations to sort out the best way to widen the road. In 2012, the mayors executive policy committee directed the city to begin negotiating with Ottawa to acquire more than 100 private- and military-owned homes along Kenaston that have to be demolished to make room for the additional lanes.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS More than $3 million is being spent this fiscal year to renovate former Kapyong Barracks homes. The Department of National Defence is also paying to demolish homes.

In 2015, widening Kenaston was one of the citys four top-priority projects for infrastructure funds from Ottawa, but it was dropped to the bottom of the list because the ongoing legal battle put it on hold indefinitely.

The lawsuit did not cover the land the houses are on; the fight was over the Kapyong Barracks site at the corner of Kenaston and Grant, which Ottawa declared surplus in 2007 and attempted to sell off to its Crown corporation developer.

But the whole plan to redevelop was shelved as Ottawa and the First Nations squared off in an eight-year legal battle over whether Ottawa should have consulted the First Nations before selling the land to someone else.

Federal courts sided with the First Nations and during the 2015 federal election, the former Conservative government decided not to appeal the latest ruling.

The First Nations and Justin Trudeaus Liberal government have been negotiating since, although a deal has not been concluded.

The houses are on what is known as the South Site of Kapyong Barracks, about 136 acres along Kenaston, Corydon Avenue and other area streets.

There were 350 homes there until recently, when demolition began on some of the homes on Corydon and nearby streets. Nine houses are being torn down now, at a cost of about $250,000, because they are structurally unsound.

A military official told the Free Press Tuesday $400,000 has been set aside in next years budget to demolish homes along Kenaston to permit the eventual road widening by the City of Winnipeg. He did not say how many or which ones are targeted for demolition.

More than $3 million is also being spent to renovate 100 of the homes in this fiscal year. There is almost $2.88 million in the 2017-18 budget to renovate additional homes.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The lot at the corner of Kenaston Blvd. and Corydon Ave., where a duplex was demolished recently.

The official said 283 of the houses are currently occupied and the other 67 are vacant; the Defence Department needs 480 housing units in Winnipeg to meet its needs and currently has a total of 558.

Only 350 are on the South Site.

Nobody was available from the city Tuesday to discuss the widening plan, expected to cost about $375 million.

The Defence Department is also set to begin tearing down the buildings on the Kapyong site to get it ready for development as soon as negotiations between Ottawa and the First Nations conclude.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Quebec foursome with alleged ties to organized crime has been arrested in Winnipeg over an alleged fly-by-night credit-card fraud operation targeting local businesses.

Four 22-year-old men from Montreal face several criminal charges, including identity theft and participating in organized crime, after they allegedly arrived in the city with the goal of stealing private credit and debit card data from Winnipeggers  something a Manitoba judge has described as fraud tourism.

Three of the men  Michael Guy Vincent, Ahsan Muhammad Noor Khan and Fabrizio Imola  were released on bail last week. A fourth, Miles Lafleur-Diallo, remains in custody despite offering a $35,000 cash bail. He is pending on robbery and theft under $5,000 charges in Quebec, where he also had a warrant out for his arrest for possession of a weapon and obstructing a peace officer allegations.

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press The alleged scheme involves showing up to a business near closing time and replacing the card-payment pin-pad terminal with a dummy version while staff arent looking.

No publication ban was imposed at the bail hearing. All four are presumed innocent of accusations against them.

Lafleur-Diallo and the others are accused of travelling to Manitoba equipped with credit-card skimming equipment, including a fake pin-pad terminal, a false-bottomed backpack and several cellphones. Theyre accused of installing card-skimming devices at 10 Winnipeg businesses in a week, prior to their arrest on Feb. 22.

The alleged scheme involves showing up to a business near closing time and replacing the card-payment pin-pad terminal with a dummy version while staff arent looking. The real pin pad is then modified overnight to capture credit card data and personal identification numbers, and reinstalled when the business re-opens the next morning. Fraudsters can then connect wirelessly to the doctored pin pad and use the stolen data to forge new credit cards.

In this case, Crown attorney Mandy Ambrose alleged some of the men distracted employees while another placed a backpack over the card-payment terminal to make the switch. The Crown told court the mens activity was captured on video surveillance.

Criminals involved in these skimming scams, as it relates to Winnipeg in particular, generally travel here from another location, which obviously minimizes the risks of them being identified later, Ambrose told court.

While card-skimming schemes arent particularly common in Winnipeg, Sgt. Shaun Veldman of the Winnipeg Police Services financial crime unit said generally, they are more likely to be carried out by residents of another province.

Commonly its not local people, but it will be people linked to organized crime that travel here to harvest payment-card data, Veldman said. And it requires quite a high level of sophistication. Its not your average person thats able to do this.

Often, Veldman said, the stolen credit- or debit-card data will be used in countries such as the United States, which doesnt require widespread use of chip cards for credit transactions.

Their end game is they want to convert that payment-card data, whether its debit or credit, into cash, he said.

He said the perpetrators will typically try to make cash withdrawals or use credit cards for online purchases. But the fraudulent transactions usually wont show up on consumers credit-card statements until months later.

Theyre not going to skim it this week and then use it next week. People find out months later that criminals have held on to this harvested data and then they wait for an opportune time, Veldman said. When they actually go in and cash out, so to speak, they do it all at once. They try to do as much as they can because they know as soon as the payment-card organizations find out, then they begin shutting down all of the cards from the compromised site.

Cardholders who report fraudulent transactions can be reimbursed by their banks or credit-card companies, but its up to business owners to check their card-payment terminals for signs theyve been tampered with, Veldman said.

We ask that merchants be diligent in checking their point of sale terminals with the protocols that manufacturers have given them, checking them on a regular basis to make sure that they havent been compromised, Veldman said.

Veldman said Winnipeg police investigate several card-skimming cases each year, but he said increased use of chip and PIN technology has put them on the decline. Counterfeit debit and credit-cards (used within Canada and internationally) accounted for more than $127 million in losses in 2015, according to the Canadian Bankers Association.

In this case, any assumptions based on residency, ethnicity or culture of the accused are dangerous and have historically resulted in miscarriages of justice, said defence lawyer Matt Gould, who represents Khan.

As he denied bail to Lafleur-Diallo last week, provincial court Judge Kael McKenzie referred to the accusations against the men as fraud tourism.These types of offences, and again, youre presumed innocent, but they cost individuals extreme amounts of money and theyre very difficult to detect because of the prolonged nature between when people make the transactions and when they actually realize that theyve been duped, the judge said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
"We strengthen our national defense capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centerpiece," the North Korean envoy said.

By Reuters: North Korea has nothing to fear from any US move to broaden sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and will pursue "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programmes, a North Korean envoy told Reuters on Tuesday.

This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

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Reuters, quoting a senior US official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.

"I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and China...We of course are not afraid of any act like that," Choe told Reuters.

"Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference."

He called existing sanctions "heinous and inhumane".

North Korea has been under sanctions for "half a century" but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or "self-sufficiency", he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the "legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime".

He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticized remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week.

"All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK," Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said.

"In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programs and missile programs. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea."

PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE CAPABILITY

"We strengthen our national defense capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centerpiece," Choe said.

Asked to comment on Choe's remarks, a US State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea "to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric...and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks."

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Choe declined to give technical details of North Korea's latest rocket engine test on Sunday - seen as a possible prelude to a partial ICBM flight - calling it a great historical event that would lead to "fruitful outcomes".

"I can tell you for sure that the inter-continental ballistic rockets of the DPRK will be launched at any time and at any place as decided by our Supreme Leadership," Choe said, recalling leader Kim Jong Un's pledge in a New Year's address.

Analysts say North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an ICBM and may show it off soon, but is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States.

"The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea," Choe said. "And we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks on the part of the United States.

"We would utilize every possible means in our hands and the inter-continental ballistic rocket is one of them."

ALSO READ | North Korea launched 'several' missiles into sea: South Korea

ALSO READ | US President Donald Trump wants its nuclear arsenal to be the largest in the world

--- ENDS ---

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This article was published 21/03/2017 (2057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dr. Peter MacDonald doesnt have empirical proof that Winnipegs weekend spike in emergency room visits was caused by freezing rain and icy roads, but he has strong suspicions.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authoritys regional lead in orthopedics said hes relying on the word of emergency room doctors and surgeons who found themselves being barraged by ice injuries.

On Friday and Saturday, ER visits reached a seven-week high: 109 and 130 people respectively. Thats compared with just 21 ice-related visits on March 10 and 20 on March 11.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Walking like a penguin can minimize the risk of injuries, a safety expert says.

We dont really know for sure, but it just makes sense, MacDonald said.

His theory is bolstered by Sundays numbers: on a sunny, springlike day ER visits dropped to 44. Since Feb. 1, the highest recorded visits before the weekend spike was 62 on Feb. 25.

Operating room numbers over the weekend were also up, MacDonald said, double their usual at 60.

Icy conditions often see a rise in fractures slightly above the wrist, he said.

You slip and fall, and you put your hand out to brace yourself, MacDonald explained. During that time the radius bone, which is the larger bone of the wrist, snaps backwards.

Its a very common injury, he said, especially in elderly women and it often requires surgery, accounting for the operating room increase.

While Winnipeggers are no strangers to freezing rain or ice, MacDonald said the weekend weather may have caught people off guard. Typically, he said elderly people will skip appointments and stay indoors if they have advance notice that the weather will be poor.

Whether St. Patricks Day celebrations also played a role, MacDonald couldnt say.

It could have been younger people get injured, and of course, thats sometimes related to people out partying when theyre a little tipsy, he said, but I dont have that proof.

We recommend that folks sort of waddle rather than take long steps. Long steps increase your risk of slipping  Lewis Smith

Lewis Smith of the Canada Safety Council said walking like a penguin could help people minimize the risk of injuries before winter finally yields to spring.

That sounds a bit cutesy, Smith said, but its pretty effective.

We recommend that folks sort of waddle rather than take long steps, he said. Long steps increase your risk of slipping.

The freeze-melt-freeze weather of late winter can be especially treacherous, Smith said.

With the heat and then the sudden cold, snow melts and turns into ice, he said, making walking somewhat of a sport.

jane.gerster@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A fugitive truck driver who skipped his criminal-court trial and fled to South America was arrested after he tried to return to Canada more than three years after he was charged in a fatal crash.

RCMP said Wednesday Randolf Enns was arrested in Toronto as he tried to re-enter the country last fall.

He was not extradited back from Paraguay but attempted to return to Canada back in November of 2016, when he was intercepted by police based on information received from our Interpol partners, a Manitoba RCMP spokesman said in an email to the Free Press.

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files Traffic passes a memorial set up in Headingley for Derek Bossuyt, who was killed in a 2013 accident.

Enns, now in his mid-30s, is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year-old Derek Bossuyt in a July 2013 crash near Headingley.

Enns was reportedly living in Paraguay for months, avoiding the charges against him, after he didnt show up for his trial in October 2014 and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest. He reportedly travelled to Paraguay, where he has dual citizenship, sometime after he was released on bail following the crash.

Enns has been returned to Winnipeg, where he remains in police custody awaiting trial.

His defence lawyer has ordered a not criminally responsible report, meaning Enns will be assessed by medical professionals who will try to determine his mental state at the time of the crash. The assessments are meant to find out whether an accused was suffering from a mental disorder that made it impossible for him to understand what he was doing.

Under Canadian law, a not-criminally-responsible assessment can be ordered even after an accused is found guilty, but before they are officially convicted. During Enns court appearance this week, a provincial court judge granted a request to allow doctors more time to complete the report before his trial is scheduled to begin.

Enns new trial is set to begin May 30. The final day of the trial is the day before the fourth anniversary of the fatal crash.

Bossuyt was killed after the pickup truck he was driving was hit head-on by a semi-truck that had crossed the centre line of the Trans-Canada Highway near Headingley on July 22, 2013. Enns, formerly of Ladysmith, B.C., was charged with dangerous driving causing death and with resisting arrest. He is also charged with failing to appear in court and violating his bail conditions.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
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OTTAWA  Funding for an advanced manufacturing facility in Winnipeg doesnt hinge on Manitoba signing on to a new national health-care deal, a federal official confirmed Wednesday.

The decision could get the negotiations on federal health transfers back on track after they fell off the rails last week with a furious Premier Brian Pallister declaring he wouldnt be intimidated into signing a deal.

Manitoba stands alone as the last province or territory not part of a new, 10-year health deal that will increase the Canada Health Transfer by three per cent a year and divide $11 billion across the country for targeted home care and mental-health programs.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister

Last week, Manitoba accused Ottawa of threatening to kill off the $60-million Factory of the Future facility for advanced aerospace and automotive manufacturing research unless the province dropped demands for an enhanced health agreement.

The money disappears at the end of March with the end of the fiscal year and Ottawa implied Finance Minister Bill Morneau might not roll the funding into the 2017-18 budget, which he tabled in the House of Commons Wednesday, without a health deal in place.

At a news conference in Winnipeg, Pallister acknowledged he has received verbal assurances from Ottawa that the $60-million funding commitment is no longer linked to Manitoba signing the federal-provincial health accord. But he wants that assurance in writing.

Its critical that we have that commitment reaffirmed and the risk of the removal of that commitment removed, the premier said. And only then will we be able to, in good faith, resume the negotiations entering into the health accord.

Pallister said Manitoba would also be looking for additional funding for renal health programs and for addressing the opioid threat before signing a health deal.

Pallister said last Friday he would be prepared to fly to Ottawa to negotiate the health deal after the budget as long as the $60 million was in place. While it is not explicitly mentioned in Morneaus budget, a senior federal official told the Free Press, the funding carries over.

We will not let the money lapse, the official said.

The project was first promised by the former Conservative government in June 2015, and was included by the Liberals in the 2016-17 budget. However the money wasnt spent while the National Research Council struggled to find a suitable parcel of land on which to build.

The NRC, directed by the prime ministers office, halted the land-selection process in February.

Federal officials insist no ultimatum was issued to Manitoba. But it was pointed out to the provinces lead negotiator on the health file that Manitoba would need Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to approve reprofiling the funding into the coming fiscal year.

Manitobas share of the new 10-year health deal is noted in Wednesdays budget, about $180 million over the next five years. The remainder, $220 million, will be transferred between 2022 and 2027, but the documents look only at five years out.

Pallister wanted Ottawa to commit to improving health outcomes for indigenous people. The budget has $828 million over five years for just that purpose.

Manitoba is now asking for that money to be allocated by indigenous population rather than overall population, meaning the share that would go to Manitoba could be 15 per cent, rather than 3.6 per cent. There were no details available Wednesday on how that money will be allocated.

The main budget book points out several times that 12 provinces and territories have signed the deal without specifically mentioning that Manitoba has not.

Manitoba will get its three per cent increase to the Canada Health Transfer in 2017-18 regardless of whether it signs the deal. However, the rest of the country will share in the 2017-18 home care and mental-health funding immediately. Manitoba will be left out of its piece  a relatively small $10.8 million  unless it signs.

The $11-billion promise ramps up quite slowly, largely because Health Minister Jane Philpott and the provincial health ministers still have to hammer out the details on the way the money will be spent. Philpott expects to develop benchmarks for judging the effectiveness of the funds.

In 2017-18, just $300 million of the $11 billion will flow to the provinces. That rises to $850 million in 2018-19, and by 2021-22, it will be $1.5 billion.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

 with files from Larry Kusch
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Scratching out cat overpopulation in Winnipeg is the focus of a new partnership between two cat welfare community groups and the Winnipeg Humane Society.

The humane society, the Cat Advocacy Rescue Education (CARE) group and the Winnipeg Lost Cat Alert (WLCA) have teamed up to to open a WHS satellite outreach centre at 1051 Main St. At the centre, spay and neuter services for cats will be made more available to low-income families and an initiative to reduce feral cat populations in non-residential areas will be facilitated.

Money from the City of Winnipegs cat licensing fees makes up part of the $201,000 in grant funding that will pay for the partnerships multi-faceted program for one year, with the goal of finding future funding to extend the work. Grant money was also contributed by The Winnipeg Foundation and the humane society from donor contributions.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Humane Society received over $201,000 in grant funding to implement a community program designed to address cat overpopulation in Winnipeg. Jessica Thompson, owner of Paws for Thought, Boutique For Pets on Main St. hosted the news conference Wednesday and is taking part in the innovative program that benefits cats and cat owners in key Winnipeg neighbourhoods.

We have one simple mission, to give every animal a chance, said Javier Schwersensky, the humane societys CEO. I am beyond excited that we have received this funding and beyond excited that we have a presence on north Main and I really hope that this program is going to make a real difference in the heart of Winnipeg.

The WHS satellite centre, expected to open April 1, is inside the Paws for Thought boutique for pets and will be managed by CAREs Jessica Thompson. At the centre, low-cost and no-cost spay-and-neuter services will be arranged for cats belonging to people in the North End, Elmwood and Transcona and transportation provided for the owned cats to the WHS for the surgeries. A full-time veterinarian has been hired to facilitate the anticipated increase in spay and neuter surgeries for cats at the WHS clinic.

Any barrier that may exist to spay and neuter, be it cost, be it transportation, be it information, were removing all of those barriers, Schwersensky said. A progress report will be made back to the community.

Thompson has been running the CARE cat community outreach program in the North End since 2011 and has provided about 1,200 spays and neuters of cats from low-income homes and recently-rescued stray cats in partnership with Machray Animal Hospital. She said being part of the new partnership with the WHS will have an important impact in the community.

This (cat overpopulation) is a community issue so we need the help of our neighbours and our residents and in order for them to do that, we want them to feel like they have a location that is responsive to their needs, Thompson said.

Im thrilled. I am beyond thrilled at this development and this partnership. This is what weve needed in order to create more volume and double the amount of cats that are being spayed and neutered and also double our community presence, the level of trust that we have and the relationships that we can build with our neighbours to bring their cats in and get them the surgeries that they need so that their cats are healthier and also our community is healthier.

Director Claudia Allen of the WLCA will lead an initiative to train volunteers to help manage feral cat colonies in the areas industrial locations. This will involve trap, neuter/spay and return (TNR) programs in co-operation with businesses in the area. Cats will be humanely trapped, spayed or neutered and returned to their colony location.

Allen said simply removing feral cat colonies doesnt work because other feral cats will move in to take advantage of the increased food source.

If you have guard cats, in an area that already had those cats, theyre going to keep the other ones out while decreasing the population because they will be spayed and neutered. Theyre not going to be able to have those kittens anymore, said Allen, who described the feral cat population in Winnipeg as ridiculous and estimated in the 50,000 to 100,000 range.

This had been done on large scales in other areas. There is one township in North Carolina that has been doing nothing but trap, neuter, return and its been very successful for them.

She said feral colony managers will be established in targeted areas who will help with the TNR program and keep an eye on the health of the cats afterward. The TNR programs will start once the outside temperature remains above zero, for the safety of the cats.

Animal Services CEO Leland Gordon said the innovative, aggressive program is made possible because of cat owners who have purchased cat licences.

Its important that Winnipeggers know that the primary source of funding for this initiative has come from Fix-it funding which is part of the revenue from cat licence sales, Gordon said.

While there were over 6,000 spay and neuter surgeries performed at the WHS, an expected 1,800 are expected to be done in 2017 through the Main Street satellite centres programs.

Thompson will also head up an educational component out of the WHS satellite centre to raise awareness of services and resources for cat owners and to build a network of animal welfare leaders in the area.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The church pastor calls it providential. The director says its serendipitous.

Whatever you call it, the anticipated May opening of transitional housing for 18 newcomers in Winnipeg is timely, proponents of Naomi House say. Years before Manitoba began seeing a rising tide of asylum seekers fleeing the United States for Canada, City Church started looking for a place to house newcomers in need of a place to stay and a friend to help them resettle.

The church found a two-storey building on Ellice Avenue, and volunteers from different church groups and trades have spent two years gutting the former appliance shop to turn it into living and learning space for recent arrivals to Canada with nowhere else to go.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Naomi House interim director Sally Nelson says the initiative will help refugee claimants learn English, provide job skills and help them get to know their new home.

Now, as Naomi House prepares to open its doors, Manitoba is bracing for a flood of refugee claimants fleeing the U.S. when the weather warms up.

Its providential, Pastor Tim Nielsen said, drowned out by the whine of power tools as a small but dedicated group of retirees finish the interior. The exterior is complete with a Naomi House awning already offering some shelter.

The West End building has a new HVAC and electrical system, and includes bedrooms with bathrooms, a communal kitchen, a classroom, living area and an outdoor area on the second floor. It was redeveloped on a pay-as-you-go basis, Nielsen said.

Its taken us longer but, when it opens, its debt free, he said. And they did it without the strings attached to government funding.

It allows us to follow our mandate, said Nielsen, to provide affordable housing and help to newcomers of any faith or no faith  whether theyre immigrants, asylum seekers or privately sponsored refugees.

Naomi House plans to target untapped volunteer potential in the faith community, Nielsen said.

People want to get involved but dont know how or where, he said.

They plan to match helpers with newcomers in conversational English, job skills and getting to know their new home, said Naomi House interim director Sally Nelson.

One of the greatest gifts you can give is a friendship that guides them through a new culture and helps them adapt, said Nelson, who has worked in the resettlement community for years.

Naomi House has been reaching out to neighbours, the nearby Central Mosque and other organizations and businesses and will invite them to their open house later this year, Nelson said. The group continues to fundraise and plans to hire a volunteer co-ordinator for Naomi House, she said.

Theyve looked at whats happening in other cities and provinces, such as Vancouvers not-for-profit transitional housing and support for refugee claimants called Kinbrace.

Manitoba is one of the last places to have transitional housing for refugee claimants, Nelson said. Now, Winnipeg is experiencing a surge in refugee claimants, and Naomi House is set to open.

Its serendipitous, she said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 21/03/2017 (2057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A semi-truck driver-turned-fugitive is seeking an assessment of not criminally responsible after he was returned to jail to face criminal charges arising from a fatal highway crash.

Randolf Enns, in his mid-30s, is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year-old Derek Bossuyt in a July 2013 crash near Headingley. Enns was reportedly living in Paraguay for months, avoiding the charges against him, after he failed to show up for his trial in October 2014 and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest.

He is now in custody in Winnipeg and has been for several months, although its unclear how he arrived back in Canada. Manitoba RCMP did not respond Tto a Free Press inquiry.

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files Traffic passes a memorial set up in Headingley for Derek Bossuyt, who was killed in a 2013 accident.

Enns defence team has asked that he be assessed by medical professionals to determine his mental state at the time of the crash. A new trial is scheduled to begin in May and last for three non-consecutive days, ending July 21  nearly four years to the day Bossuyt died.

Bossuyt was killed after the pickup truck he was driving was hit head-on by a semi-truck that had crossed the centre line of the Trans-Canada Highway near Headingley on July 22, 2013. Enns, formerly of Ladysmith, B.C., was charged with dangerous driving causing death and with resisting arrest. He is now also charged with failing to attend court and breaching his bail conditions.

When Enns appeared in court on Monday, Bossuyts mother saw, for the first time, the man accused of killing her son.

I cannot think of a word to describe the feeling, said Karen Goodale, Bossuyts mother. I just was staring at him, thinking, If it wasnt for you, my life would be so different. Just the act of one person has completely destroyed my life, and my whole family. This has been devastating for so many people.

Goodale said RCMP told her they picked up Enns last November, although she doesnt know how or where he was found.

Enns reportedly fled to Paraguay, where he has dual citizenship, some time after he was released on bail following the crash.

After a CBC report revealed he had been living in Paraguay in November 2015, neither police nor justice officials would say whether an extradition process was underway to bring him back to Canada.

Goodale said shes relieved Enns is now facing the accusations against him.

Knowing that he was back was a huge shock, actually, because everyone was saying how long the process will likely be and you hear all the stories of the people who never get caught, so you almost prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario, she said.

So hearing that he was back in custody, that part definitely was a relief, but theres still so much. It really depends on that (not-criminally-responsible) report and there are still a lot of unknowns.

Enns requested the not-criminally-responsible assessment once he was returned to police custody, nearly four years after the crash. The doctors tasked with completing it asked the court for more time and were given an extension until April 3.

His trial is set to take place on May 30, June 15 and July 21. Booking a three-day consecutive trial would have meant longer court delays in the case.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Opinion

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This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  I havent been discriminated against because Im a woman, Veronique Bergeron said. Ive been discriminated against because Im a mother.

Bergeron  a technical writer, holder of two law degrees, creator of a home business and mother of nine children  brought that message to an International Womens Day event in the Ottawa offices of think tank Cardus.

Prospective employers rejected her, saying, You wont be able to make our 7 a.m. issues management meeting because of your family.

If only Canada would export the ideas that make our economy prosper and Africa would bring us a welcoming attitude toward children.

In a country where fewer of us have children, let alone large families, the plight of the North American woman is that she can be all she wants to be, just dont bring motherhood into the picture. Our fertility rate perennially hovers well below replacement.

The plight of the woman in the developing world, by contrast, is a lack of economic opportunity even as they welcome babies with dancing and singing.

So it would seem appropriate to make a cultural exchange: we help bring economic opportunity to the developing world, while they help us achieve an open heart to children.

Instead, Canada is exporting our unhealthy attitudes toward families. Indeed, a form of prejudice against women and children was the subtext of the prime ministers remarks around the massive infusion of funding for reproductive health in the developing world on International Womens Day.

For far too many women and girls, unsafe abortions and lack of choices in reproductive health mean that they are either at risk or simply cannot contribute or achieve their potential through education, through involvement in their community, through a broad range of opportunities, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Those words deserve much more scrutiny than they received. The provision of abortion and contraception as a necessity assumes women are not welcome with all their capacities, including child-bearing. Abortion and contraception assume maleness is the norm to which all must adhere.

Approximately one in four Canadian pregnancies ends in abortion. Taxpayers fund abortion, providing some incentive in that direction. This, alongside the less than subtle dont get pregnant messaging, which starts as early as grade school, leads to girls and women truly never trying to get pregnant until its too late.

Canadian women  who can also be mothers  constantly hear that contributing to society means controlling fertility. Babies cost too much, theyre told. And they interrupt education and careers.

The good news is the federal governments attitude doesnt wholly reflect those of Canadian women. In a Womens Day survey conducted via Angus Reid Forum in February, six in 10 women said they believe they are held back for being women and one in two women believe motherhood is not valued enough.

As Bergeron discovered, these two sentiments are tightly connected. Women, once unjustly held back for our capacity to bear children, are today told this beautiful aspect of being female is, at very best, irrelevant.

More interesting still is the result from the same survey that six in 10 women believe you can be a feminist and pro-life. Only 15 per cent of women believe the two concepts are incompatible. Feminism, it would appear, is a bigger tent than we are led to believe and need not include abortion advocacy or promotion.

Take Obianuju Ekeocha, an empowered woman and the founder of Culture of Life Africa. She writes about how they celebrate each baby born in her remote corner of Nigeria. Growing up, she never witnessed this thing called post-partum depression.

If Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky is correct that the soul is healed by being with children, then the North American soul needs quite a bit of healing.

The developing world needs a functioning economy. Canadas latest funding measure for the developing world is fundamentally at odds with the wholeness and vitality of the person, for whom family and children are an intrinsic and beautiful part.

If only Canada would export the ideas that make our economy prosper and Africa would bring us a welcoming attitude toward children. Then, together, we would truly be advancing the cause of human dignity and womens rights across the globe.

Andrea Mrozek is family program director at Cardus, a public policy think-tank.
Opinion

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Whats wrong with Southeast Asia?

Thirty years ago, most of the region was run by thuggish dictatorships. Then the Philippines showed the rest of the world how to get rid of the dictators without violence and its non-violent example was watched and copied around the world. Now the thugs are coming back to where it all started.

The democratic revolution in the Philippines in 1986 was quickly followed by the non-violent overthrow of the generals in Thailand in 1988 (though they continued to intervene every few years) and then by the fall of Suhartos 30-year dictatorship in Indonesia in 1998. By then the example had also spread through the rest of Asia (democratic revolutions in Taiwan and South Korea and even an attempt at one in China).

SAKCHAI LALIT / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, and Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha leave a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday.

The democratic wave swept across the rest of the world too: Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union from 1989 to 91, South Africa in 1994, a large number of Latin American and African countries in the past quarter-century and even a brave (but failed) attempt at democratization in several Arab countries. More people now live in democratic countries than in dictatorships.

In the cradle of the non-violent revolutions, however, things are heading in the other direction.

Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, is a self-proclaimed murderer who boasts about how many people his death squads kill. If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out, he declared in December. I have done this before, why would I not do it again?

Duterte Harry (as he is called in homage to Clint Eastwoods film portrayal of lawless cop Dirty Harry) was elected to the presidency with a massive majority last year and he is still hugely popular with ordinary Filipinos. But this is not democracy; it is populist demagoguery of the most extreme kind.

About 8,000 suspected drug dealers and users have been killed by police and vigilantes, with Dutertes warm approval and encouragement, since he was elected last June.

The fate of Thai democracy is equally disheartening, although the strongmen there wear military uniforms.

Thai democracy, deeply polarized by a long-running political battle between the urban middle class and the rural poor, fell to a military coup in 2014. Two years later, the Thais ratified a constitution that grants the army permanent power over the political system, including the right to appoint all 250 members of the Senate. Even so, the military have now postponed the promised election from this year to 2018.

Indonesian democracy still survives, and the latest president, Joko Widodo, is a genuinely popular figure of unimpeachable honesty. In the 2014 election he saw off his opponent, a former general and ex-son-in-law of the old dictator Suharto, with ease. But there are signs of rising extremism in the worlds biggest Muslim-majority country.

The hard line Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which demands a sharia state in a country where 15 per cent of the population are not Muslim, has been leading violent demonstrations against Basuki Purnama, the ethnic-Chinese Christian governor of Jakarta. He is facing spurious charges of insulting Islam, but the FPIs real objection is that non-Muslims should not hold positions of authority over Muslims.

There is clearly support for this view among some of the capitals Muslims  and to make matters worse, many senior military and police officers have had close links with the extremist organization. Indonesian democracy is certainly the healthiest in the region, but it faces serious threats.

Then there is Burma, the latest convert to democracy in Southeast Asia. After half a century of almost continuous military rule, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize-winning leader of the democratic opposition, is finally the effective leader of an elected civilian government.

She still operates under a military veto, and she has to close her eyes to the brutal attacks on the Rohingya, a Muslim minority the army and other Burmese ultra-nationalists insist is not really Burmese at all. The army is using this conflict to burnish its own nationalist credentials and undermine the fledgling democratic government, and The Lady, as she is universally called, dares not defy it.

There is no country in Southeast Asia where democracy is really secure and in most cases the main reason is the overweening power of self-serving military and police forces. Power struggles between the old political and economic elite and new politicians such as Widodo in Indonesia and the brother and sister Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra in Thailand  both overthrown by military coups  play a large role too.

There are many other new democracies with over-mighty militaries and privileged elites that do not want to let go and yet the failure rate is significantly lower everywhere else except the Middle East. There may be some common cultural factor that unites the Southeast Asian countries, but its unlikely: they are variously Buddhist-, Christian-, or Muslim-majority.

So whats the matter with them? Maybe its just bad luck. After all, they arent actually a statistical sample.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.
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OTTAWA  Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveiled a budget he said will make Canada healthier, cleaner and more competitive even though it adds almost $120 billion to the national debt by 2022.

Ten years from now, our cities, towns and northern and rural communities will be healthier and better connected, Morneau said Wednesday in the House of Commons.

Our air and water will be cleaner. More Canadian goods will get to international markets, and modern, efficient public transit systems will get hard-working parents home more quickly at the end of a long day.

SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS Minister of Finance William Morneau delivers the federal budget in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill Wednesday.

Morneau repeatedly called his second budget ambitious and responsible, even though the deficit will hit $28.5 billion this year. The main budget plan shows deficits drop each year, and will be $18.8 billion by 2021-22.

Morneau would not directly say when the books would be balanced.

In the 2015 election, the Liberals promised to run $10-billion deficits for three years, followed by a balanced budget in 2019. That wont happen.

Although last years deficit came in lower than expected  $23 billion instead of almost $30 billion  that was largely because money set aside for infrastructure wasnt spent. Economic growth was better in 2016 than expected, but the economy is not on track to be spectacular in the next five years, meaning slow-growing revenue.

The budget lists spending of $330.2 billion on revenues of $304.7 billion. Spending is up $15 billion over last year, however, only about $1.3 billion is new money not previously allocated.

The budget gives some details about previously allocated money, including major new infrastructure programs for social housing and child care.

There is $7 billion for child care and early childhood learning listed in the budget but none of it will be spent in 2017-18 while Ottawa works on a new national framework for child care and early learning with the provinces. The first of the funds, about $540 million, will begin to flow in 2018-19.

On social housing, there is $11.2 billion over 11 years but only about $12 million is on the table in the first year.

Manitoba NDP MP Daniel Blaikie called the budget a major non-event given how little new money will be spent in 2017-18.

I see a ton of zeros in these charts, said Blaikie. Its easy to announce money 10 years into the future. Were going to have at least two elections before then.

Its the same with the new national health deal, which Manitoba has yet to sign. The $11 billion over a decade for home care and mental health includes just $300 million in 2017-18.

Almost one-quarter of the main budget document talks about improving workers skills to meet the needs of the changing economy, encouraging innovation and investing in clean technology, digital industries and agri-food. The budget uses the word innovation 261 times in its 268 pages.

There is $8 billion for these initiatives over the next five years.

Manitobans  particularly those in lower-income brackets, adults with dependant children and those trying to attend school part time  will find improved access to federal student grants to help them afford education.

The budget provides details of plans to cut greenhouse gases, including a promise that if provinces and territories dont meet federal benchmarks for putting a price on carbon, Ottawa will impose a pricing system on them.

Manitoba has yet to announce its response. Premier Brian Pallister hasnt yet signalled support for the national climate change plan hammered out between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the provinces last fall.

Lake Winnipeg could benefit from a $43.8-million, five-year investment to help Fisheries and Oceans Canada protect major waterways from invasive species, as well as $70.5 million over five years to protect freshwater from toxic chemicals and improve water quality. The Lake Winnipeg basin is mentioned in the budget under both initiatives.

Manitoba is also set to get a new national park, the Manitoba Lowlands National Park, as well as new national marine protected area on the Churchill and Nelson rivers.

Federal excise taxes on liquor and cigarettes are going up, and the government is also going to add the GST to ride-sharing services such as Uber, so they are treated the same as taxis.

Ottawa is eliminating under-performing tax credits such as the public transit credit and one that was intended to encourage businesses to create their own child-care spaces  it had hardly any takers since it was introduced by the former government.

Conservative House Leader and Manitoba MP Candice Bergen said getting rid of tax credits and hiking excise taxes is proof the Liberals are out of control.

Theyve maxed out the credit card and now theyre trying to find what they can sell in a garage sale, she said. In this case, its tax credits.

The budget never mentions U.S. President Donald Trump by name but his shadow loomed large over it as Canada braces for possible protectionist trade policies.

For the global economy there remains uncertainty around key elements of U.S. economic, fiscal and trade policy, the budget said.

Morneau included a $3-billion annual contingency reserve he calls an adjustment for risk.

It also includes Canadas first ever budget gender statement that analyzes how the budget affects men and women in different ways.

The budget does not address the discrepancy in funding for on-reserve child welfare programs that was the subject of a Canada Human Rights Tribunal order in 2016. Last years budget included money to address the gap, which the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society blames for the high rate of First Nations children put under the care of child welfare agencies.

However, the amount of money was less than what the society says was ordered and there was no additional money in this years budget.

The government is investing in new data and data analysis initiatives to produce better information about everything from the countrys housing stock to the state of municipal and provincial infrastructure and trade data.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
By Press Trust of India: From M Zulqernain

Lahore, Mar 22 (PTI) A Pakistani court has directed the Punjab government and the JuD counsel to present their final arguments on March 27 on a petition challenging the detention of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and four others under the anti-terrorism law.

Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief, along with Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid, Qazi Kashif Hussain and Abdullah Ubaid has filed the petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) through senior advocate A K Dogar.

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Hearing their petition yesterday, LHC Justice Syed Kazim Raza Shamsi observed that Section 11-EEE(1) of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 required the government to furnish reasons for the detention of a citizen.

During the hearing, advocate Dogar said the government detained JuD chief Saeed and four aides on the pressure from the US and India.

"India has always tried tocause harm to Saeed," he alleged.

He argued that a UN resolution was used in the past to detain the JuD chief and the court had set the detention aside in 2009.

"The government has failed to produce any evidence against Saeed or his organisation. There are ulterior motives and mala fide intention behind the impugned act of the government."

Dogar said the government had no evidence that the petitioners were a risk to security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of UN resolutions their liberty could not be curtailed.

The court adjourned the case till March 27 directing the petitioners counsel and a provincial law officer to come up with final arguments.

The government on January 30 had put Saeed and four leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest in Lahore under the country?s anti- terrorism act.

Besides Saeed, the names of 37 other JuD and FIF leaders had earlier also been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country.

Saeed was also put under house arrest after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, but he was freed by court in 2009.

Saeed has a bounty of USD 10 million on his head for his role in terror activities. PTI MZ NSA

--- ENDS ---
Question: Do I need to have a mirror on the outside passenger side of the door on my pickup truck? It has one on the drivers side and a rearv
Religion is very important to me. Im not unusual. According to a recent Pew report, three-quarters of Americans said that religion was at least somewhat important in their lives, and well over half said that it was very important. Only 11 percent said that it was not important.

We are privileged to live in a country where our respective faiths are generally protected and respected. Of course, there are the random acts of bigotry, like overturned gravestones, the heckling of men and women in religious garb and the destruction of religious icons. Sometimes Muslims live in fear, sometimes Jews and sometimes Christians are the ones picking up the shattered glass from their vandalized churches.

But for the most part, we do not cower in basements to read the New Testament, the Torah or the Quran. While religion might only be somewhat important, the right to believe or disbelieve without any sanction or explanation is the single most important incident of our collective citizenship.

That is why I was smiling on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday morning when I learned President Trumps second travel ban was blocked by courts in Hawaii and Maryland.

Because, and you have to listen to me closely without putting on the cartoonish anti- and pro- immigration uniforms, this travel ban was not aimed at travel. It was aimed at religion.

Most of those who support Trumps attempts to limit the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries truly believe there is a nexus between the nationality of those citizens and the bombs that explode in marketplaces and churches, outside synagogues and at airports. More important, they believe that it is not only the passports of those citizens that predict the propensity toward terror, but their professed faith.

I know our president believed that, at least judging from what he said on the campaign trail, when he was calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. To be fair, he added that the shutdown would only be temporary, until our countrys representatives can figure out what is going on. Of course, given the agility of our politicians and the speed with which they act, that means well be waiting until the 12th day in the month of Never.

When the administration tried to present its first, ill-fated immigration initiative as just a travel ban, most of us who remembered his comments about Muslims said thats not what you said the first time, Mr. President. We also recalled the pithy observations of one of Trumps policy gurus, Stephen Miller, who was instrumental in crafting the original, ill-fated ban and who has a history of attacking Islamofascism. Miller confirmed in a Fox News interview that the second ban was basically the first one wrapped up in prettier paper. In fact, he said, Fundamentally, youre still going to have the same basic policy outcome for the country.

That policy outcome was to make sure that immigrants from majority-Muslim countries would not be able to come into the country, in some cases for 90 days, in some cases for much longer, in some cases permanently.

Another reason the travel ban is actually a Muslim ban is because it conveniently forgot to put Venezuela on the list, the native country of Carlos the Jackal, a most prolific terrorist, or Colombia, or Ireland, or Croatia, or Cuba, or many other countries with non-Muslim majority populations that have been the source of much of the worlds terrorist acts over the past 40 years. Here are some of the groups that have been responsible for the majority of the confirmed terrorist attacks since 1980, according to the National Consortium on Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism:

The Ku Klux Klan, Medellin Drug Cartel, Irish Republican Army, Chicano Liberation Front, Aryan Nation, Gay Liberation Front, National Front for the Liberation of Cuba, Jewish Defense League, Anti-Castro Group, American Indian Movement and the May 19 Communist Order. If they were still around, you could throw in the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers, and youd probably have more communists and atheists setting off bombs than Muslims.

But for some reason, it is popular to conflate Muslims with terror and Muslim immigrants with terrorists. This is why the revised travel ban was doomed to at least short-term failure, because the people who were closest to the president acknowledged that its central purpose hadnt changed since day one: Keep the bad Muslims out of the country until we can figure out who the good ones are.

Replace Muslim with Jew, Catholic, gay, black, nun, Irishman, Rudy Giuliani or any other random classification, and see how well that would hold up in court. It wouldnt, and it hasnt.

Dont get me wrong. Im aware there is a troubling confluence of Islamist philosophy and violent reaction. There are very few people who commit terror in the name of Christianity, even though there are a lot of Christians who have committed terror over the years. But the fact that far too many people commit terror in the name of Islam does not mean that they are true Muslims or that they represent the faith.

This travel ban was both too broad and too narrow. It was doomed to failure the minute the Trump supporters said it was the same basic policy.

So, back to the drawing board, Mr. President. And this time, take the crayons out of amateurs hands, otherwise Barron will be ready for Medicare by the time you get this right.
Process concerns have entered the organization of a special Sauk County Board meeting to discuss process concerns.

A county supervisor who has led an effort to address controversial personnel decisions in recent months said Tuesday he so far has been excluded from the planning of an April board meeting to discuss the matters.

I think thats a failure of an understanding that I believe we had for how to move forward, Supervisor Peter Vedro of Baraboo said, referring to an agreement he had with Sauk County Board Chair Marty Krueger of Reedsburg.

In response to controversy over a $135,000 separation agreement with the countys last administrative coordinator, Vedro pushed for an outside inquiry into the countys hiring and firing practices. As part of a compromise between Vedro and Krueger, the board agreed to host a special meeting in April to discuss those issues.

They were to work jointly to find a facilitator to lead the April discussion. But Krueger told a committee he chairs Tuesday that he so far has managed the search himself.

He said he reached out to the Wisconsin Counties Association to identify prospective facilitators, and learned of two professionals from the University of Wisconsin-Extensions Local Government Center. Krueger then provided those facilitators with a review of what led us to where we are during a private phone conference that involved several other county officials.

Vedro was not involved in the search for a facilitator or the phone conference. Although Vedro said he independently zeroed in on the same two professionals to lead the meeting, he was concerned that Krueger had not involved him in discussions.

Krueger responded saying that Vedro will be included in follow-up discussions about the contents of the April meeting.

Krueger also said he hopes a representative of the Wisconsin Counties Association will serve as the meetings parliamentarian. Krueger is past president of the association, and currently serves as secretary-treasurer on its board of directors, according to the groups website.

A member of the public who attended Tuesdays committee meeting told the full board later that evening that he did not appreciate Kruegers independent handling of the facilitator search, and the exclusion of Vedro.

Thats dictatorial behavior, John Eric Allen of Baraboo said during a portion of the boards meeting set aside for public comments. You just really need to be careful about how this thing is going, because youre really showing some terrible tendencies that the public is worried about.

Vedro has been critical of Kruegers handling of recent personnel matters and his actions as board chair, saying he exceeds his responsibilities and functions as a county executive.
Calling all of Trumpeteers. Presidential success doesnt end in November. Your new president needs help.

A lot of Wisconsin voters showed up last November to vote Donald J. Trump for president. Many of those folks were new voters. There were at least two million more voters nationwide. About 200,000 of those new voters live right here in Wisconsin.

The presidential election historically attracts the most voters. Its an election that chooses the leader of the free world, but the president cannot implement his agenda alone. He needs help that can only be delivered in follow up elections.

There is more to instituting change than voting once in November. If the president is going to move along his agenda, he needs a team that supports him. If you question that, ask former President Barack Obama how it worked for him after the voters changed the lineup in 2010.

On April 4, there is another election. Historically, less than half of the November electorate will show up. On the ballot are several local positions, but in this election, the big race is for the Department of Public Instructions Superintendent of Schools. Its an important election if you support the new presidents agenda to improve our nations schools.

The current DPI chief is Tony Evers. His website looks a lot like his last seven-and-a-half years in office. There is nothing to it. It consists of five pages, none of which tell you what he intends to do for our children. You can, however, get involved and send him money. You can check it out at www.tonyforwisconsin.com.

Evers largest accomplishment during his tenure was to accept the federal cash cow that came with implementing the national Common Core standards. It really must have been a strain to sign off on a program that forced school districts across the state to redo their entire math and reading curriculums to align with these new national standards.

Common Core has been such a huge failure even the left leaning Huffington Post declared it a failure in May 2016. HuffPo reported the National Assessment of Educational Progress had learned the curriculum is failing. HuffPo reported that then-Secretary of Education John King conceded the tests are basically designed so that 70 percent of students will fail, with a much higher percentage among students with disabilities, English language learners, and children who live in poverty.

In other words, the students that Common Core and the high-stakes testing regime were supposedly designed to support the most were the least successful. Evers signature piece, Wisconsins adoption of Common Core, crashed and burned alongside Obamacare. Its time for something different.

That is why Trump brought in Betsy Devos. The new secretary of education has been a strong advocate of putting parents back in control of their kids educations. Rather than forcing kids to attend failing schools, like several in the Milwaukee area, she supports programs that allow families in poor neighborhoods to give their children the same education only the wealthy can afford through a private education. Thats what a voucher program does.

Evers opponent is Dr. Lowell Holtz. Holtz supports vouchers and charters schools. He believes in putting control of education back into the hands of teachers and parents, not into the federal bureaucratic system. His platform recognizes that parental choice is only part of the solution.

Last week Holtz unveiled his plan for a Teachers Bill of Rights. The objective is to free Wisconsin public school teachers of burdensome administrative chores and let teachers teach. Its a bill of rights that promotes school safety, eliminates the bureaucracy, restores local control, and gives teachers a voice at DPI. Unlike the DPI of the past, it wont be the union leadership alone that gets the ear of Holtz should he be elected.

Feel free to compare the two candidates for yourself. You can check out Holtz at www.kidservative.org. There you can compare the platform of Holtz to the platform of Evers. On second thought, Evers doesnt even offer a platform so maybe you should just go look to see that it actually doesnt exist.

A lot of new voters sent a clear message that they are tired of the status quo. If they want to continue to make a generational change and get rid of the status quo in education, then they need to shake things up in places other than the White House.

Making this change means showing up at elections in April, too.
WAUPUN A Dodge County Sheriffs deputy received minor injuries after a 22-year-old Waupun man fled during a traffic stop Tuesday

According to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, deputies made a traffic stop on Highway 49 near Shamrock Road in the town of Chester at 11:40 p.m.

During the stop the driver was identified as Matthew Ellcey. Ellcey fled the traffic stop, dragging a sheriffs lieutenant for a short distance as he drove. The lieutenant sustained minor injuries and was treated at Waupun Memorial Hospital and released.

A pursuit of Ellcey was initiated and continued into the city of Waupun. Ellcey lost control of his vehicle and crashed at the intersection of East Main and South Watertown streets. Ellcey ran from the scene and was later apprehended at a residence in Waupun after police searched other locations the suspect had entered, including National Rivet & Mfg. Company.

Ellcey was arrested and booked into the Dodge County Detention Facility. Thie case remains under investigation. Ellcey could face charges of knowingly fleeing an officer and obstructing an officer causing injury. Other charges may also be requested as the investigation continues.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the investigation.

I would like to thank the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Waupun Police Department, and the Beaver Dam Police K-9 for their assistance in this incident, Schmidt said.
The Little Rock Zoo said Wednesday that one male and two female wolf pups were born Dec. 21 and now weigh about two pounds.
Marvin Jameson

Marvin Jameson, 86, of Rio, died March 22, 2017, a month after sustaining a head injury from a fall.

The oldest son of Julius and Gladys Jameson, Marvin was born in Lodi and rode his bicycle to Rio at age 14 to live with his aunts, Lillian and Vicky Jameson to attend school. Except for brief stints in Portage and Brooklyn, he lived in Rio the rest of his life.

Marvins careers with the Rio Farmers Union Cooperative, Roberts, Jameson, Hill Insurance Agency, and Arlington Mutual Insurance and his involvement with the ministries of Redeemer Lutheran Church for 60 years made him well-known and highly regarded in four counties.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Margaret; his children, Linda, Norman (Sue Ellen), Denise (Rick) Cada, and James; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his sister, Gloria (Lang); many beloved nieces and nephews and five stepchildren.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara, the mother of his children; their infant son, Brian; grandson, Dustin; and Marvins brothers, Julius Jr. and Donald; and sister, Shirley.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rio. Interment will follow at Dekorra Cemetery, Lake Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Grasse Funeral Home in Rio. In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider a memorial gift to the ministries of Rio Redeemer Lutheran Church. Grasse Funeral Service of Rio (www.grassefs.com) is serving the family.
King Jordan is a six-month-old pit bull mix who was surrendered by his family who could no longer keep him due to landlord issues. He is a friendly dog who appears to get along with everybody. He plays well with other dogs and should be okay with cats. He will need some work on his manners but is intelligent and eager to please. King Jordan is neutered and up-to-date on all vaccinations.

Wilbur is a two-and-a-half-year-old domestic shorthair cat who was found with several other cats who appeared to have been dumped on the side of the road. He is friendly, affectionate and playful. He loves to run around with toys but will sit in your lap and purr. He would do well in a family with children but would be happy in any home. Wilbur is neutered and up-to-date on all initial vaccinations.

For more information, visit www.saukhumane.org or call 608-356-2520.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) India today dismissed reports in Pakistani media that it has agreed to halt work on Miyar hydroelectric project at the neighbouring countrys request and termed them as "factually incorrect".

"Media reports on India agreeing to halt Miyar project at Pakistans request are factually incorrect. India never agreed to halt the project(sic)," The High Commission of India in Islamabad tweeted late last night after the meeting of Permanent Indus Commission in the Pakistani capital.

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Rubbishing the reports, government sources said there is "not even an iota of change" in Indias position in connection with the 120 MW-capacity Miyar project, located in Himachal Pradeshs Lahaul Spiti district.

They said India has also not agreed to review design of Lower Kalnai hydropower project (48 MW), being built in Jammu and Kashmir, as reported by the media in the neighbouring country.

"What has appeared in Pakistani media is distortion. Indias position on the projects remains the same as it was before going to the meeting," a top official said.

The Indian delegation for the two-day meeting, which concluded yesterday, was led by Indus Water Commissioner P K Saxena while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Mirza Asif Saeed Baig.

After the meeting, Pakistans Ministry of Water and Power had said in a statement that the discussions were held on Indias proposed Miyar, Lower Kalnai and Pakal Dul hydropower projects as well as on matters pertaining to exchange of data and conducting tours and meetings of the Indus commission.

"On (the) Miyar hydropower project, India has withdrawn its design after Pakistan had made objections on it in the previous meetings of the commission," the statement claimed.

It said the "Indian side also agreed to a tour of inspection for Pakistans Indus Commission which is expected to be arranged before August 2017."

Besides Miyar and Lower Kalnai, Pakistan has been flagging concerns over designs of Indias Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW) and Kishanganga (330 MW) hydropower projects, being built or planned in the Indus river basin, contending these violate the treaty. PTI ENM PYK SMN

--- ENDS ---
Blood drive March 28 at Glacier Canyon Center

A Wisconsin Dells Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 4 p.m. March 28 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center, 45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required.

Senior citizen craft day planned for Thursday

The Dells/Delton Parks and Recreation Department will hold a senior citizens arts and crafts day from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Thursday at the Community Center at Kilbourn Public Library, 620 Elm St.

Kilbourn Library

holds spring craft day

Kilbourn Public Library, 620 Elm St., Wisconsin Dells, will hold a spring craft day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. We will create and paint a spring scene on canvas. Visit www.dellslibrary.org or call the library at 608-254-2146 for more information.
Rabbani, who is currently visiting the city to attend the US-sponsored anti-coalition group meeting, urged the Trump administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

By Press Trust of India: Terror groups continue to have havens in Pakistan and its establishment provides unhindered support to terrorists, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has said, slamming Islamabad for being the destabilising factor in his war-torn country.

Noting that the Ghani government, soon after coming to power, tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad, Rabbani told a Washington audience, "Unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan on the promises they made."

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Rabbani, who is currently visiting the city to attend the US-sponsored anti-coalition group meeting, urged the Trump administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

WHAT THE AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAID "This has to stop", Rabbani said in response to a question, adding that he expects the same from China, a good friend of Pakistan. "A paradigm shift in Pakistan is needed to bring Taliban on the peace table", Rabbani said, as he praised the role of India for the all-round development of Afghanistan. Referring to the series of recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar, the Foreign Minister said that these incidents proved that Taliban did not want to come to the peace table. "Pakistan should see Afghanistan as a sovereign and independent country. It is not a subservient to any one", he said. "India has been a country that has supported Afghanistan for 15 years. It has been busy building schools, colleges, hospitals, roads and bridges. While others have chosen to destroy them they (India) have chosen to build them. We value that", Rabbani said. Pakistan's reluctance to end its support to terrorism undermines efforts to ensure peace and security in the country, he alleged. "Now, we have stopped asking Pakistan to deliver Taliban to the peace table. We want Pakistan to take action against the Taliban leadership. They should not support violence in Afghanistan," he said. "I do not see any policy change in Pakistan in the coming days," he said, attributing this to the increasing insecurity in the powerful Pak military.

Also read | China to produce ballistic missiles, aircraft with Pak after slamming India's weapons programme

Also read | US lawmaker's radical reset: Declare Pakistan state terror sponsor

WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
Professor Michel Verstraete: Global Change Institute Visiting Professor

Professor Michel Verstraete is a Visiting Professor at the Global Change Institute at Wits with over 250 contributions published.

Professor Michel Verstraete was appointed as a Distinguished Scholar at Wits University in 2013 and is currently a Visiting Professor associated with the Global Change Institute at Wits. He concurrently served as the Chief Scientist of the South African National Space Agency from 2013 to 2016.

Verstraete graduated with an MSc in Meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1978. He then joined the United Nations Environment Programme in Kenya until 1981, before returning to MIT to complete his DSc in Atmospheric Sciences, which he attained in 1985.

He worked at the National Center for Atmospheric Research from September 1981 to August 1990, and served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan until July 1990. He then joined the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in Italy where he worked for 23 years.

He joined Wits in 2013 as a Distinguished Professor remains a Visiting Professor at this University.

Professor Verstraete is well-published with over 250 contributions, has edited various books and participated in numerous conferences, some of which he organised, around the world and in South Africa. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Climate Observing System and has occupied many editorial positions at prestigious academic journals.
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By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 22 (PTI) Pakistans reluctance to end its support to terrorism in Afghanistan undermines efforts to ensure peace in the country, Afghan Foreign Minister has said and asked the US to put pressure on Islamabad to stop it from using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

Minister Salahuddin Rabbani also praised India for its consistent support to the war-torn countrys reconstruction and development.

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Terror groups continue to have safe havens in Pakistan and its establishment provides unhindered support to terrorists, Rabbani said.

Noting that the Ghani government, soon after coming to power, tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad, Rabbani told a Washington audience: "Unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan on the promises they made."

Rabbani, who is currently visiting the city to attend the US-sponsored anti-coalition group meeting, urged the Trump administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop it from using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

"This has to stop," he said in response to a question, adding that he expects the same from China, a good friend of Pakistan.

"A paradigm shift in Pakistan is needed to bring Taliban on the peace table," Rabbani said, as he praised the role of India for the all round development of Afghanistan.

Referring to the series of recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar, the Foreign Minister said these proves that Taliban does notwant to come to the peace table.

"Pakistan should see Afghanistan as a sovereign and independent country. It is not a subservient to any one," he said.

"India has been a country that has supported Afghanistan for 15 years. It has been busy building schools, colleges, hospitals, roads and bridges. While others have chosen to destroy them they (India) have chosen to build them. We value that," Rabbani said.

Pakistans reluctance to end its support to terrorism undermines efforts to ensure peace and security in the country, he alleged.

"Now, we have stopped asking Pakistan to deliver Taliban to peace table. We want Pakistan to take action against the Taliban leadership. They should not support violence in Afghanistan," he said.

"I do not see any policy change in Pakistan in the coming days," he said, attributing this to the increasing insecurity in the powerful Pakistani military. PTI LKJ PMS NSA

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Srinagar, Mar 21 (PTI) Terming ruling PDP as a "carbon copy" of the RSS, opposition parties National Conference (NC) and Congress today alleged that the ruling dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir was vitiating the atmosphere in the state on communal and regional lines.

"PDP is the carbon copy of the RSS which is trumpeting the monologue of Nagpur (RSS headquarters) and furthering its interests overtly and covertly," NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said at a joint rally with Congress for the alliance candidate and Pradesh Congress Committee chief G A Mir in Anantnag district.

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He said PDP stands "exposed" for facilitating the RSS "to spread its tentacles, first by inducting its political constituent BJP into the (state) government and now by vitiating the atmosphere on communal and regional lines".

NC and Congress have entered into a seat-sharing agreement for the bypolls to two Lok Sabha seats of Srinagar and Anantnag

While NC president Farooq Abdullah is contesting from Srinagar, Mir is the alliance candidate from Anantnag constituency.

Sagar said after the electoral victory in Uttar Pradesh and appointment of a hardcore pracharak as Chief Minister, the RSS is "emboldened to the extent of spreading its tentacles subtly in the state".

"NC stood vindicated the day PDP offered an olive branch to the BJP while forming the government as it always believed the former to be creation of agencies at the behest of top RSS leaders," he said.

The NC leader cautioned people against the "danger of RSS using proxy channels, as the BJP has put all its weight behind the PDP candidates during the ongoing parliamentary elections in order to weaken secular forces".

"The BJP has been claiming privately that the vote to PDP will be recognition to RSS presence in the Valley. Their monstrous growth and advance can be stopped only when the people of Kashmir get united and show their strength through ballot to negate anti-Kashmir policies," Sagar said.

Urging the people to exercise their democratic right carefully, Mir said "fascist forces" have no place in Kashmir that has been an abode of saints and sages for centuries.

"We cannot allow communal forces to take centre-stage in a place known for its composite culture," he said.

"By pretending to be anti-BJP before the elections, the PDP not only hoodwinked public opinion in the Valley but also became instrumental in strengthening saffron brigade in Jammu," Mir claimed. PTI SSB MIJ AQS AQS

--- ENDS ---
How Rastafari moves William & Mary

Iyabo Osiapem is a senior lecturer of Africana studies and linguistics at William & Mary. Osiapem recently sat down with W&M News to discuss the only class taught at W&M on Rastafarianism titled How Rastafari Moves The World. Photo by Stephen Salpukas

Leonard P. Howell (pictured in mural) is considered the founder of the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica beginning in the 1930s. Howell, a supporter of the philosophies of fellow Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey, promoted the belief of self-determination, black consciousness, attainment of collective black wealth and repatriation to Africa. Currently, W&M is one of a few universities and colleges in Virginia that teaches a course specifically on Rastafarianism. Photo by David McFadden

Group photo of members of the Rastafarian culture display the flag of their faith at a gathering in Jamaica. Currently, W&M is one of a few universities and colleges in Virginia that teaches a course specifically on Rastafarianism. Photo courtesy of The Gleaner Magazine

Family Photo As a culture of inclusion and respect of others, Rastafarians rely heavily on the concept of family and friendship. Currently, W&M is one of a few universities and colleges in Virginia that teaches a course specifically on Rastafarianism. Photo by Whag Waan

Internationally Known As a faith, Rastafarianism is practiced all over the world most notably in South America, Europe and Asia as depicted here by a man who lives in Indonesia. Currently, W&M is one of a few universities and colleges in Virginia that teaches a course specifically on Rastafarianism. Photo by Vivy Youcan Photo - of - Hide Caption

As a teacher of Afro-Caribbean history and culture, Senior Lecturer of Africana Studies and Linguistics Iyabo F. Osiapem noticed that her students at William & Mary took quite an interest in Bob Marley along with the unique hairstyles and colors surrounding the practice of Rastafari, a spiritual approach to being African in the New World, which was developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. However, she also noticed that students held incorrect notions about the Jamaican faith.

That led her to develop How Rastafari Moved the World, one of just a few courses offered at Virginia colleges and universities about the topic. While the class is specifically on Rastafari, its broadly on the development of African Diaspora and the process of cultural and identity creation in the Caribbean, according to Osiapem.

Because the students mostly associated the culture of Rastafari with just reggae music and the practice of smoking marijuana as a means of enlightenment and not as a spiritual and socio-political movement, I had to do something about that, she said. There is so much more to this culture, like the seven principles of Rastafari that members use to guide their lives.

{{youtube:medium|AMk-taJosKY, Iyabo Osiapem, a senior lecturer of Africana Studies and linguistics at William & Mary discusses the genesis of the term "Rastafari."}}

A new beginning

Jamaican-born Leonard P. Howell conceived Rastafari as a religion and practice after his time living in New York City during the early 1920s. Howell, a supporter of the teachings and philosophies of fellow Jamaican and activist Marcus Garvey believed in the connection between western blacks and the continent of Africa. He specifically told Africans of the Diaspora to look towards Ethiopia. He also promoted the belief of self-determination, black consciousness, attainment of collective black wealth and repatriation to Africa, said Osiapem.

It was a perfect storm that brought Howell and Garvey together, she said. Garvey had established the Universal Negro Improvement Association, and Howell, looking for a sense of identity for black people, found that he shared some of the same attitudes that Garvey was advocating for blacks in the United States. Taking the values asserted by Garvey, Howell then used the ideas of personal resolve and pooling together monetary resources to change the conditions of early 20th century [black] Jamaica.

At the beginning of the 1900s, Jamaica had a very limited social and economic infrastructure, and Howell wanted to figure out what could be done in this post-emancipation period to help positively transform the future of poor black Jamaicans, said Osiapem. And according to Osiapem, Howell looked toward Ethiopia and the crowning of Haile Selassie I as the emperor of an African nation as an example of black prosperity and power.

Jamaica, during the early 1900s was a very poverty-stricken place, Osiapem said. So, in doing his best to help [black] Jamaicans find their worth in society, Howell pulled together the ideas of religion and black political ideology and focused it on Africa. He wanted to bring the concept of Africa in all its glory to Jamaica. Howell then began to preach what he called Ras-Tafar-I. The word Ras denotes the term king and Tafari was Selassies name before his coronation in 1928 and the letter I signifies the enumeration of the first male born in a family line, the number one as in first, and the first person singular pronoun in English. The I also represents the human eye in which people perceive the world around them. So, the letter I in Rastafari culture is a crucial characteristic to adherents of the faith.

And according to Osiapem, Rastafari refers to the collective oneness people who understand the faith share with one another. However, Howell based one aspect of Rastafarian culture on the belief that information about the black experience in the King James Version of the Bible was proactively taken out or mistranslated by early biblical scholars, said Osiapem.

Rastafarians believe that the Bible as we know today is incorrect, she said. It is argued that the information in this holy text is wrong because there was an effort to take the black experience out of both Old and New Testaments before being authorized by King James I of England for mass distribution to the world. And the goal of the Rastafarians is to correct the mistake by infusing black ideology for their followers.

Also, some Rastafarians believe that Selassie is the incarnation of God on earth and that Ethiopia is the exact location of "Zion" or the city of God. As such, many believers have traveled to live in or have made a pilgrimage to Shashamanea 500-acre region of land in Ethiopia that Selassie left for members of Rastafarisince the 1950s, according to Osiapem.

In the classroom

The class spends a significant amount of time on black liberation movements throughout the Caribbean, such as the Independence of Haiti in 1803, Osiapem said. The students come to appreciate the struggles that black communities have continuously engaged in so that their communities could find political, cultural and spiritual emancipation from nations that assisted in colonizing individuals.

{{youtube:medium|Rg_hUK-73Es, Iyabo Osiapem, a senior lecturer of Africana Studies and linguistics at William & Mary discusses how Rastafari 'moves' the world}}

According to Jayqua Williams 20, she had no real knowledge of Rastafari other than the fact Bob Marely believed in it. After her orientation aide informed her about Osiapems class, the subject piqued her interest and after completing the course, she learned a lot more including what led to Rastafari separating from Christianity in Jamaica, said Williams.

The Maroon groups of Jamaica separated themselves, and Rastafarianism began in the years of 1930s after post-slavery oppression, Williams said. In addition, I learned that as a whole, the culture was shunned by Christian society and the followers of Rastafari were considered outsiders. Everything I learned in the class was totally new to me such as how the religion has now spread to countries like Great Britain, Brazil and the United States. I would highly recommend it to all new students.

In addition to having a following in the countries of Great Britain and the United States, Rastafari has gained notoriety as a religion in Japan, New Zealand and Germany, according to Osiapem.

Although the class is only offered in the fall, Osiapem is currently working on developing more material for her class in the country of Dominica this spring by talking to local followers of the faith, according to Osiapem.

I see this class being offered here at William & Mary for a long, long time, she said. Rastafari is a very visible culture, and I doubt that the music of Bob Marley and other reggae artists will ever go out of style and thats what usually brings students to this course.
The poet had posted a new poem on his Facebook page on March 19 after Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

By Indrajit Kundu: Police have booked eminent Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay under non-bailable sections after a complaint was filed against him by a member of a Hindu group for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Hindus in a Facebook post. Bandopadhyay has been booked under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 67 of the Information Technology Act by the cyber crime police station in Siliguri.

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The poet had posted a new poem on his Facebook page on March 19 after Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Titled 'Abhishap' or 'Curse', the poem is a critique of the hardline Hindutva with a veiled reference to the controversial leader's appointment as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

On Monday, Hindu Samhati member Arnab Sarkar lodged a police complaint against the poet at the Siliguri Cyber police station. According to the complainant, the poet has used 'derogatory' remarks in his post about Hindu religion.

"This is nothing but an attack on the religious sentiments of Hindus. A section of the state's intellectual community is mistaking the tolerance of Hindus as their weakness. Why don't they not write such things against other religions?" asked Arnab, a second year student of Bagdogra college.

"The poet has only revealed his perverted mindset and penal action should be taken against him," the complainant added.

While the poet has termed the police complaint an assault on the freedom of expression, he claimed that his poem is a critique of all types of religious fundamentalism and not just about hardline Hindutva.

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh welcomed the police complaint against poet Srijato.

"The poet has used very derogatory words against Yogi Adityanath. Being rejected by the people, these communists are getting frustrated and are thus, trying to defame us. They should be dealt with firmly," Dilip Ghosh said.

However, the Left has termed this a ploy by the Mamata Banerjee administration to facilitate the emergence of BJP in the state.

"The FIR against eminent poet Srijato is reflective of the how the Trinamool administration in Bengal is conducting itself on behalf of the BJP. Creative thinking is being sacrificed at the altar of politics. We shall oppose such action," said CPIM leader Fuad Halim.

Asaduddin Owaisi has also reacted on the matter.

"Everyday people threaten me on my facebook page or WhatsApp. Why law doesn't apply it? Law of country permits criticism. This incident shows Freedom of Expression isn't there. A critique of Hindutva isn't criticism of a religion. You can't book a person like this," said Owaisi.

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(With inputs from Supriya Bhardwaj)

Also Read: Now, PIL against Kamal Haasan in Chennai for insulting Hindu epic Mahabharata

FIRs registered against US-based online retailers for selling shoes, beer with Hindu symbols

Also Watch:

PIL filed against Kamal Haasan for alleged derogatory remarks on Mahabharata

--- ENDS ---




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By Press Trust of India: ED

Jammu, Mar 21 (PTI) Police today picked up five youths with suspected Venezuelan currency amounting to Rs three lakh from a hotel in Jammu city and handed them over to Enforcement Directorate for probe into the matter.

During patrolling and checking, a party of police station City Jammu caught five persons, all residents of Baramula district, from a hotel "Kawalti lodge" at Residency road in Jammu who stayed their last night, police officials said.

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Thereafter, all the persons were questioned but they did not disclose the reason behind their visit, they said.

On searching them, police found currency of BancoCenteral de Venezuela amounting to Rs three lakh and one cheque of J&K Bank of Rs 3,30,000 from the possession of two of the five persons.

As the matter is related to foreign currency, the five persons along with the cash and cheque were handed over to the Enforcement Directorate for further action accordingly, they said. PTI AB DIP

--- ENDS ---
CAP1400 reactor vessel passes pressure tests

22 March 2017

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Hydraulic pressure testing has been completed on the reactor pressure vessel for the demonstration CAP1400 unit to be built at Shidaowan in China's Shandong province.

The demonstration CAP1400 reactor vessel (Image: SNPTC)

The vessel - with a total weight of about 487 tonnes - underwent a two-stage hydraulic pressure test to confirm the integrity of its welds and seals. The tests were witnessed by officials from China's regulator, the National Nuclear Safety Administration; reactor designer, the Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (SNERDI); and the manufacturer of the vessel, China First Heavy Machinery Group.

The first stage of the tests involved raising the pressure within the vessel to 21.5 megapascals (MPa) and maintaining it at that pressure for 10 minutes to check the integrity of the vessel. The pressure was then lowered to 17.2 MPa - the design pressure for the vessel - and the O-ring seals were then checked for leaks both internally and externally. The tests were successfully completed on 17 March.

The CAP1400 is an enlarged version of the AP1000 pressurized water reactor developed from the Westinghouse original by State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC), with consulting input from the Toshiba-owned company. As one of China's 16 strategic projects under its National Science and Technology Development Plan, the CAP1400 is intended to be deployed in large numbers across the country. The reactor design may also be exported.

In May 2016, the CAP1400 design successfully passed the International Atomic Energy Agency's Generic Reactor Safety Review. This review is not a clearance process but a review of the quality of the safety documents identifying strengths, weaknesses and gaps.

International use of the CAP1400 is still dependent on meeting country-specific standards and requirements, but passing the IAEA safety review will make this process easier.

Site preparation is already underway for two demonstration CAP1400 units at Huaneng Group's Shidaowan site in Shandong province. The pouring of first concrete is expected to take place soon.

Huaneng Group's Shidaowan site is part of a larger Rongcheng Nuclear Power Industrial Park, at which two prototype 105 MWe HTR-PM small modular reactors are already under construction.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
The mysterious Plain of Jars is a landscape in northern Laos dotted with hundreds of megalithic stone jars believed to have been burial sites for close to 2,000 years. According to various sources, the stone jars were used to store the dead human bodies for their flesh to rot away, leaving behind their bones for burial. This use is supported by the Japanese and Laos archeological excavations which have led to the discovery of burial goods and human remains. According to researchers, the stone jars were formed between 1240 and 660 BC, with some transported to the area from quarries located as far as eight kilometers away.

Location

Tourists visiting the Plain of Jars historic site in Phonsavan, Laos, Editorial credit: mundosemfim / Shutterstock.com

The stone jars are scattered throughout the Xiangkhoang Plateaus central plain in northern Laos, specifically the lower foothills and upland valleys. The Xiangkhouang Plateau is located on the Annamese Cordillera, in the Xiangkhouang Province, with the jars concentrated in the Phonsavan City. The province has about 90 jar sites, with each site containing about 400 stone jars, most of which are broken or have fallen over. Though Xiangkhouang Plain is the main site of the stone jars, clusters of such stone structures form a linear path to northern India.

Description

Plain of Jars, Site 2.

There are 90 stone jar sites scattered throughout the Xiangkhouang Plateau in northern Laos, with each site containing about 400 stone jars. However, only three of the megalithic jar sites have been extensively studied, with Site 1 listed as a World Heritage Site. The megalithic stone structures are made of sedimentary rocks, with heights ranging from 1 to 3 meters. Most stone jars have lid rims, with most jars believed to be originally covered by lids. However, it is believed that most lids were made of perishable material since only a few stone lids have been discovered on most sites. Some stone lids discovered in sites like Ban Phakeo contain carvings for animals like tigers, monkeys, and frogs.

Besides the stone lids, stone discs have also been discovered in some sites. The stone discs are flat on at least one side and may have been used to mark burial sites or cover graves. However, the discs are much fewer and are mainly found close to stone jars. Grave markers are mainly unworked stones placed strategically to mark graves or burial chambers. The serial property also contains grave goods, jar manufacturing sites, and quarries located next to the jar sites. Site 1 has a cave made of natural limestone with two artificial holes at the top. The holes were probably used as crematorium chimneys.

Brief History

Big Jar is the biggest stone jar at the Plain of Jars site 1 in Phonsavan, Laos.

The origin of the stone jars remains unknown to date, though the archaeologists believe they may have been used 1,500-2,000 years ago. Also, it is unclear who made the jars since little is known about those who lived in the area during prehistoric times. However, these elements are popular evidence of the Iron Age civilization. The Plain of Jars is associated with overland activities because the sites are located in an area that facilitated movement across the region.

According to most researchers, the stone jars were once used as funeral urns. Madeleine Colani, who excavated the cave at Site 1 and 11 other jar sites in the 1930s, concluded the jars were used as burial sites during the Iron Age. However, a local Laotian legend suggests the jars may also have been used as food storage. According to the legend, an ancient giant king called Khun Cheung created the stone jars to brew Lao Lao rice wine to celebrate a victorious battle.

The US Air Force bombed the Plain of Jar between 1964 and 1969 while fighting Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese communist forces. The US forces dropped over 260 million cluster bombs on the plains, more than it dropped during World War II. However, close to one-third of the explosives dropped unexploded, making the area dangerous and limiting movements.
Why is Rhode Island its Own State?

The State of Rhode Island is located in the northeastern region of the United States of America. Rhode Island is the smallest state by land area, covering only 1,214 square miles. It is the second most densely populated state in the country, ranking only after New Jersey. The state is ranked eighth among the least populous states in the country, and its official name is the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Connecticut, and Massachusetts as well as a relatively short maritime border with New York.

The History of Rhode Island

Before any European contact, Indigenous people first lived in what is present-day Rhode Island. By the 1600s, there was a sizeable population of European colonists who had arrived at modern-day America. One of them was Englishman Roger Williams, a Calvinist who was excommunicated by Puritans in the colony of Massachusetts for his evolving religious views. Facing arrest and shipment to an English prison, Williams settled atop the Narragansett Bay. The means by which he came across this land is disputed: it's theorized that it was either acquired through purchase or was given to him by a Narragansett chief by the name Canonicus. Williams called the site Providence, meaning "God's intervention in the world". Later in 1638, a group of religious dissenters conferred with Williams before settling in Rhode Island. The place they settled was known as Portsmouth but due to disagreements the southern part of the Island separated itself and was known as Newport.

Independence

Newport, Portsmouth, and Providence united in 1644 to form the Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ("plantation" is a British English word for "colony") with the aim of fighting for their independence. On May 4th, 1776, Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to the Great Britain and declare its independence. However, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the United States Constitution. It finally did so on May 29, 1790, following threats of having its exports taxed as if from a foreign country.

Rhode Island As An Independent State

During the first decades of Rhode Island's statehood, it was governed according to the colonial charter of 1663. Land owners were the only people granted the right to vote provided they had property worth at least $134, which meant more than half of Rhode Island's citizens were ineligible to vote (this doesn't include the amount of residents who were unable to vote on account of being female). As a result, this allowed for over-representation in rural areas whereas growing industrial areas were severely underrepresented. Additionally, the charter discouraged any landless citizens who did not have any endorsement from their landowners to file for civil suits. Rhode Island in acknowledgment to President Lincoln's appeal for military aid from other US states was the first to send its troops during the American Civil War. Throughout the entire state of Rhode Island, racial segregation in the state's public schools was abolished in 1866.

Present-Day Rhode Island

Since the great depression in the 20th century, the Democratic Party has predominantly taken over local politics in the region. At the moment, the state has a comprehensive health insurance plan together with an extensive social safety net by American standards. Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. The state is estimated to have a population of 1,056,298 according to a census of July 2015, which had increased by 0.35% since the previous census was taken in 2010. The whole of Rhode Island is divided into different municipalities which are then responsible for handling all affairs of the local government. The state comprises of 39 cities and towns with Providence being the largest metropolitan area.
Intersleek products helping ship owners and operators to save ten million tons of fuel and 32 million tons of CO2.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Ship owners and operators using the Intersleek range of biocide-free marine coatings supplied by AkzoNobel have achieved fuel savings worth a combined total of $3 billion since the technology was first introduced 21 years ago.

More than 5,500 vessels have been coated with the companys multi-award-winning Intersleek products  part of the International range of coatings  helping ship owners and operators to save ten million tonnes of fuel and 32 million tonnes of CO2. The savings achieved over the last two decades are equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted when 15.5 billion kilogrammes of coal is burned or during a 123 billion kilometre car journey (a distance similar to 400 return trips from Earth to the sun).

The milestones are based on the savings achieved by using Intersleek in comparison to each vessels previous hull coating system. The product range  which has the best foul release track record within the shipping industry  was the first silicone-based technology developed for fast crafts and deep-sea scheduled vessels.

Following the original launch 21 years ago, several versions of Intersleek have been introduced, each providing improved vessel efficiency. Intersleek is also at the heart of AkzoNobels industry-first carbon credits scheme, which financially rewards operators for generating less CO2 emissions.

The ship owners are awarded one carbon credit for each tonne of CO2 saved. This effectively rewards owners twice for choosing sustainable coatings  both through a reduction in fuel costs and the financial benefits of the credits awarded. The carbon credits initiative incentivizes investment in more sustainable practices, thereby accelerating carbon reduction within the shipping industry, and enabling owners to gain from operational, environmental and bottom line benefits from clean technologies.

To mark the 21st anniversary of the Intersleek range, AkzoNobel is launching a special campaign. It is designed to reflect the technologys impact on the global shipping industry, as well as the importance of increasing sustainability within the sector.

The campaign will include a series of commercial incentives that aim to drive continued uptake of Intersleek and, in doing so, drive further fuel and emissions savings across the global fleet.

Intersleek has come a long way since we first discovered the foul release effect of silicone elastomers in the laboratory as part of our R&D process to create more sustainable technologies, said Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of AkzoNobels marine coatings business.

Since then, it has had a significant impact on the shipping industry and made a tangible difference for many ship owners, as well as playing a leading role in our ongoing commitment to making shipping more sustainable, he added.

 Worldofchemicals News
Aftermath of the bombing attack

By: Emily Lewis WorldWideWeirdNews.com

(Scroll down for video) A group of Muslim teenagers admitted to bombing a Sikh temple due to their hatred of other religions, according to court documents in Germany.

Essen police said that they have arrested the three Muslim teenagers after they placed a fire extinguisher filled with explosives at the entrance of the Sikh temple.

Two of the teens, who were identified only as T. and B., have been convicted of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm.

The two were sentenced to serve around 7 years in prison.

The third teenager who was identified only as I., was convicted of conspiracy to murder, and has been sentenced to serve 6 years in prison.

According to the police investigation, the three teenagers were in contact with radical Muslim elements before attacking the Sikh temple.

The three teens then plotted to use a fire extinguisher to bomb the temple. As a result of the explosion, a cleric suffered a broken foot and several other people got cuts as a result of flying debris.

The explosion caused damage to the temples doors and windows. During questioning, T. and B. admitted to the attack while I. denied any involvement.
Earlier today, two photojournalists were assaulted by the crew members of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer 2.0.

By India Today Web Desk: Superstar Rajinikanth's 2.0 landed itself in a fresh controversy when two photojournalists were allegedly manhandled by the crew members of the film.

Now, director Shankar himself had visited Press Council office in Chennai to sought an apology. He said, "I am sorry. I shall ensure incidents like this don't repeat. It has happened without my knowledge."

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According to reports, journalists have withdrawn a complaint filed against the film's production manager, a bouncer and Shankar's nephew.

It all started when Ranganathan, a photojournalist, had questioned the crew members for shooting on broad daylight, when the permission was given only between 11pm and 6am. On the other hand, a bouncer had assaulted Sri Bharath, another photojournalist, on his face and alleged that he only tried to snatch the camera. The crew left immediately after the media came in for the rescue.

After the ruckus, the police have detained Pappu, an assistant director of 2.0.

Made on a lavish budget of Rs 400 crore, the film stars superstar Rajinikanth, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson and Sudhanshu Pandey.

Produced by Lyca Productions, the film is slated to release on Diwali this year.

WATCH Power Paandi trailer- Dhanush makes a good impression with his directorial debut film ALSO READ: Rajini's 2.0- Photojournalists attacked by crew

ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 made profits even before release, says producer

( With inputs from Pramod Madhav, India Today)

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Legacy Book Launched to Mark Opening of HMP Berwyn

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Mar 22nd, 2017

A legacy book documenting the construction phase of the 250 million prison in Wrexham has been launched.

The HMP Berwyn book  How We Built a Prison for North Wales  was unveiled at a ceremony in Coleg Cambria.

Author Susan Miller oversaw the project in collaboration with students and staff at Wrexham Glyndwr University, the National lottery-funded ADOR (A Degree of Responsibility) scheme, prison governor Russ Trent and developers Lendlease.

The collection of photos, interviews and articles featured in the book will commemorate the construction of the category-C male prison, the largest in Europe.

Speaking at the event, Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Claire Taylor, paid tribute to the organisations involved, notably Lendlease, which commissioned the students to document the timeline from inception to opening.

This hasnt just been about writing a book, said Dr Taylor.

The value that students have gained from involvement in this project has been immense.

They have learnt key employability and personal development skills such as project management, planning and organising events, research and information-gathering, meeting deadlines, writing and producing chapters for the book, team working and communications.

They have been working alongside real employers on a live project, thereby experiencing first-hand the opportunities and challenges presented by being engaged with the world of work.

She added: We are delighted that as this part of the project comes to a close, Wrexham Glyndwr University continues to work closely in a variety of ways with Russ Trent and his team.

We are looking forward to continued collaboration, including through research projects and doctoral study.

Joanne Prescott, a graduate teaching assistant at the University, played a key role in pulling together the content. As part of her PhD she will look at the ethos and philosophy of offender management at the jail.

She said: I have always been interested in prison reform and penal policy, so when I heard about the project, I jumped at the chance to become involved.

During my time on the project I have been able to work closely with many of the key stakeholders and senior management teams involved with HMP Berwyn, and it is this opportunity to network which has given me the foothold in which to pursue a PhD research project at the prison.

Without the book, none of this would have been possible; it really has been a life changing experience and one which I have enjoyed from start to finish.

Her words were echoed by Rita Patel-Miller, Community Engagement and Training Manager for Lendlease at HMP Berwyn.

It has been a pleasure working with the students from Wrexham Glyndwr University, they showed a real commitment to the project, collating information, interviewing key partners and stakeholders, juggling deadlines and attending meetings while working towards their individual qualifications, she said.

Their support has been very valuable to the book project as they collated lots of information and helped us to collaboratively meet some challenging deadlines and expectations.

Susan added: It was a very exciting scheme to be involved in. I have worked on similar projects in the past, but this was the first time I was working with, and mentoring, students.

They did a lot of the work and I was there to support them, give them encouragement and help to guide them, while watching them grow in confidence and enthusiasm.
MP Thanks Security Services After Westminster Attack

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Mar 22nd, 2017

A police officer has been stabbed in the Houses of Parliament in central London, with multiple casualties on Westminster Bridge in what police are treating as a terrorist incident.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas was in the House of Commons at the time of the attack, around an hour earlier noting he was pleased to meet up with Wrexham RBL members at a Wales Reception.

Pleased to catch up with @Wrexham Royal British Legion at Wales Reception in Parliament: lots going on at the moment!  Ian Lucas (@IanCLucas) March 22, 2017

Minutes after the attack he tweeted to say:

In Chamber. Fine and thinking of those taking care of us.  Ian Lucas (@IanCLucas) March 22, 2017

Parliament has now been suspended for the day as politicians and staff remain locked inside and a full building security sweep takes place.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the alleged assailant was shot by armed police.

MPs said they had heard three or four gunshots.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Theresa May was OK.

Witnesses report seeing several people being mowed down by a vehicle on Westminster Bridge

London Ambulance Service confirm 'number of crews' attending Westminster incident, along with Hazardous Area Response Team. pic.twitter.com/jpNfTx5sm2  BREAKING.UK (@BreakingDotUK) March 22, 2017

Met Police say: We were called at approximately 14:40 hours to reports of an incident in Westminster Bridge, SW1. It is being treated as a firearms incident.

Officers  including firearms officers  remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

London Ambulance Service Deputy Director of Operations Pauline Cranmer said: We were called at 2.40pm to Westminster Bridge to reports of an incident, with the first crew arriving within six minutes.

We have sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, Londons Air Ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team.

We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.

We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.

As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency.
The Red Crowned Roof is popular in Singapore and Thailand for its meat and as pets.

While the Red Crowned Roof turtle sells for Rs 4000 near Chambal River, in Singapore and Thailand it is bought for $2000 per piece, which is a whopping Rs 1.5-2 lakh.

By Baishali Adak: At least 23 turtles of a highly endangered species, the Red Crowned Roof, were recovered from smugglers in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday.

The amphibians with brightly coloured heads - also known as 'lal tilakdhari' and 'Batagur Kachuga' in Hindi - were fished out from the Chambal River and destined for southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Thailand, etc. They are popular here for their meat and as pets, the poachers confessed.

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They were being taken to Chennai to be shipped out, and tickets for a Chennai-bound train were also found, police said. The Special Task Force (STF) of UP, led by additional superintendent of police Arvind Chaturvedi, nabbed them from Agra, where they had set up the centre of their illegal trade.

RED CROWNED ROOF SELLS FOR RS 2 LAKH IN THAILAND

ASP Arvind Chaturvedi said, "We got valuable inputs regarding the presence of these poachers from WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) chief in UP, Dr Rupak Dey, and Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) chief Shailendra Singh." "We sought information from adjoining areas, Mainpuri, Gwalior and Mathura as well, and finally caught Deependra and Ajay on March 20. They were later recognised as international smugglers operating across Asia and 23 Red Crowned Roof Turtles were recovered from them," he said.

On interrogation, Ajay revealed that he has been involved in catching turtles in Yamuna and Chambal River for last five to six years now. He deals in two turtle species primarily - the Red Crowned Roof and Chitrika Indica. He also admitted to regularly transporting them through Kolkata and Chennai ports and that his foreign contacts received them. While the Red Crowned Roof turtle sells for Rs 4000 near Chambal River, in Singapore and Thailand it is bought for $2000 per piece, which is a whopping Rs 1.5-2 lakh.

Similarly, Chitrika Indica also goes for very high rates. Notably, the Red Crowned Roof Turtle is a critically endangered species and in fact, shares the protection status of the tiger by being on Schedule 1 of the 'Wildlife Crime Act (1972).' TSA's Shailendra Singh said, "We suspect that because of extreme poaching, there are only about 500 of these turtles left in Chambal."

Also read: Afghan man arrested at Delhi Airport for smuggling out heroin in body

Also read: An inside look on cattle smuggling at Bangladesh border

--- ENDS ---
The Labour Party caucus unanimously elected Jacinda Ardern on March 7 as the partys new deputy leader, following the resignation of long-standing MP and deputy Annette King.

The 37-year-old entered parliament as a young list MPi.e., without an electoratein 2008. Arderns promotion to deputy leader follows her victory in a February 25 by-election in the west Auckland electorate of Mount Albert. With a general election due in September, the ruling National Party, along with the right-wing NZ First and ACT parties, declared it a safe Labour seat and did not contest the election.

The result was a foregone conclusion. Ardern won with 10,495 votes, with the Green Partys Julie-Anne Genter second on 1,564 votes. Voter turnout was just 30 percent, following a similar historically low turnout in the Mount Roskill by-election last December.

Ardern has been portrayed by the media and the union-funded Daily Blog as the potential saviour of Labours declining electoral fortunes. In fact, her election underscores the crisis that has engulfed New Zealand politics following the installation of the extreme right-wing nationalist Donald Trump as US president, which has further fuelled political instability throughout the world.

John Key, New Zealands prime minister since 2008, abruptly resigned last December. He had been a champion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which Trump has scrapped.

The parliamentary parties have all scrambled to adapt to the new international situation ahead of the forthcoming election. Labour and its allies are seeking new mechanisms to contain the growing opposition among workers and youth to austerity, attacks on democratic rights and the build-up to war. There is growing alarm over the deepening disaffection of working people with the entire political set-up.

According to the Daily Blog, the rise and rise of Ardern represents a break with Labours past and the 198490 Lange governments pro-business assault on the working class. Daily Blog commentator Chris Trotter proclaimed that Labour leader Andrew Little is turning the party to the left as the old guard, represented by King, are sidelined. Little claimed Ardern is the voice of a generation that is missing out most from the governments neglect.

To claim that Ardern represents a departure from Labours right-wing, pro-market policies is absurd. She is a career Labour politician. The daughter of a police officer, Ardern worked in the offices of previous leaders Phil Goff and Helen Clarkboth ministers under Lange. Goff, as tertiary education minister, was responsible for introducing New Zealands first university fees.

From 200608 Ardern worked in London as a senior policy advisor to the Blair and Brown governments on small business policy and a review of policing. In 2008, she was elected president of the misnamed International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), the youth organisation of the Second International which demonstrated its reactionary character more than a century before by supporting the First World War. The IUSY is a training ground for the international labour bureaucracy.

In her 2008 maiden speech to parliament, Ardern espoused a belief in human rights, equality, social justice while evincing no opposition to Labours attacks on all these principles. She lauded the Clark-led government of 19992008, which entrenched high levels of inequality during the course of a five-year share market boom and oversaw skyrocketing household and student debt. Labour also sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, strengthening military ties with Washington. Ardern falsely claimed that Clark had made good progress in reducing poverty.

Ardern has not waged any struggle to defend jobs and living standards, nor has she opposed New Zealands deepening involvement with US imperialism as it prepares for war against China.

A focus of her election campaign was to demand more police stations in Mount Albert. As the partys police spokesperson in 201314, Ardern attacked the government for supposedly underfunding the police. Labour plans to recruit 1,000 more officers and strengthen the force in anticipation of social unrest. With the Greens support, Labour recently picked former Police Union head Greg OConnora defender of police brutalityto stand in the Ohariu electorate.

As Labours support has plummeted and the party has changed its leader four times, Ardern has risen rapidly through its ranks. In 2011 she became the fourth-ranked member of Labours shadow cabinet, although she has not held any major portfolios. Despiteor rather because ofher relatively thin record, Ardern is being brought forward to boost Labours appeal to the upper middle-class on the basis of gender politics. In 2013, Labour instituted a gender quota policy aimed at ensuring 50 percent of its MPs are women after this years election.

Ardern has been assiduously promoted by the pseudo-lefts, which represent the same privileged social layer. During the Mount Albert by-election campaign Socialist Aotearoa candidate Joe Carolan described her as a wonderful person and praised her work as an MP. In September 2015, Carolan introduced Ardern as a left MP to address a protest where she posed as a supporter of Syrian refugees. In January, Ardern spoke at an anti-Trump rally in Auckland where she denounced Trumps sexist remarks and the threat to birth control rights. This is despite the fact that Little has committed Labour to work with Trump if elected.

Labour, which continues to languish below 30 percent in the polls, is a party of big business and war. While Ardern has voiced tepid concerns about child poverty and the housing crisis, Labour has no intention of addressing the social crisis that has unfolded over the past 30 years under successive National and Labour governments.

Calculations are already being made that Ardern could, sooner rather than later, replace former union secretary Little as party leader. Recent polls have rated him at just 7 percent as preferred prime minister. As a potential prime minister, Ardern is clearly prepared to adapt to whatever is required by the ruling elite to implement the next stage of the assault on the working class and deepen New Zealands alignment with the US-led drive to war.

Labour already supports the current governments cuts to social services, as well as tax cuts for the rich and an increase in consumption tax. It has joined the xenophobic NZ First, the Greens and the trade unions which blame migrants for soaring house prices and have called for cuts to the immigration program. Along with NZ First, Labour has attacked the government for failing to spend more on the armed forces.

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As soon as the bogus, obligatory public consultation on dismantling healthcare services in Dorset, in the South of England, ended last month, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG) has begun taking the axe to jobs and services.

The DCCG has withdrawn funding for council-employed community rehabilitation assistants (CRAs) in Bournemouth Intermediate Care Services (BICS)which is operated by the Dorset HealthCare University Foundation Trust (DHUFT).

This attack on a well-functioning servicewhich operates as a safety valve for overwhelmed hospital services in Bournemouthbelies the DCCGs claim that the main objective of overhauling vital services under the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) of the Conservative government is to deliver care closer to home.

Thirteen out of 21 CRAs, employed by the Adult Social Care Services of Bournemouth Borough Councilwho have years of experience and skills in assessment, rehabilitation and acute carereceived redundancy letters last Thursday. This comes after the disbanding, in January, of the DHUFT-operated community palliative service. According to some clinicians, this crippling attack on BICS is a step towards destroying the entire BICS team, as is the case with palliative services.

Announcing the redundancies, Tim Branson, the service manager of Adult Social Care wrote to CRAs, As a result of the withdrawal of funding from NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG), I am writing to advise that a decision has been made to reduce staffing in Bournemouth Intermediate Care service (BICS) and regretfully this may result in redundancies. It is therefore possible that your job will be affected by the proposed redundancies, although no decisions have been taken at this stage.

It is proposed to reduce staffing amongst Community Rehabilitation Assistants.

The claim that no decisions have yet been taken is a barefaced lie aimed at pre-empting any opposition. Branson called a meeting Monday with CRAs affected as a part of the third step of the redundancy procedure.

CRAs who attended the meeting told NHS FightBack, set up by the Socialist Equality Party (UK), it was held only in order to justify the redundancies and to outline the required steps to fulfil them.

CRAs who received redundancy notices and other staff working in the department were shocked and devastated at the news. One clinician told NHS FightBack, They are destroying our team. This is outrageous. This came out of the blue. I think they are going to do the same to us as they did to the palliative care team. This is happening when more and more people need support in the community. The worker pointed out that DHUFT has not replaced staff that left their posts recently, including a very senior nurse.

Another affected CRA said, I am still in shock and I cant believe this. I have worked in the team for more than 12 years. All the people I have worked with for many years are like one big family. I have also met the most wonderful older people, who, despite their problems have had such a story to tell us about their lives. This is going to have a big impact on these people who deserve to be looked after, which as a team we do so well.

The CRA added, The impact on all of our lives is going to be enormous, financially, emotionally and affects our security. I feel like we are being dumped. I am also really scared of not being able to find another job to feel financially secure with.

BICS provides services to patients to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and to facilitate supported discharges. The team aims to optimise functional independence while addressing any acute healthcare needs. The team consists of advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacy technicians, CRAs and administration staff. They liaise closely with other professionals in the area, including General Practitioners and hospital staff to achieve good patient care outcomes.

Since its foundation as the Community Assessment and Rehabilitation Team (CART) 16 years ago, it has evolved to carry out not only assessment and rehabilitation, but acute healthcare of patients in order to reduce the pressure on acute inpatient services in hospitals.

The attack on the Bournemouth workers and local services built up over decades is a part of an unprecedented assault on the National Health Service by the Conservative government. This is aiming at privatizing services and ending the NHSs mandate to deliver care free at the point of delivery, on the basis of clinical need and not the ability to pay.

Last year, the DCCG embarked on a Clinical Service Review (CSR) of Dorset health services as demanded under the governments Sustainability and Transformation Plans. The DCCG must cut its deficit of 158 million by 2021, to be achieved largely at the expense of patient care services and jobs. The deficit of the NHS hospitals trusts in England as a whole have reached more than 2.5 billionmeaning further decimation of services are on the horizon in the 44 areas in England that STP are being introduced.

As in other parts of the country, the DCCG aims to outsource the most lucrative areas of the services as the rundown of services start to bite.

Among its plans is the downsizing of two major accident and emergency departments in Poole and Dorchester, the closure of childrens units, maternity units and more than six community hospitals delivering inpatient care.

Thirteen community hospitalsmainly operating as rehabilitation units significantly lessening the pressure on acute hospitalsare going to be replaced with a handful of Community Hubs, many without beds.

According to the CSR, three community hospitals, St. Leonards, Alderney and Westhaven, will shut and the sites will be used for other purposes. It has now been revealed that the total loss of beds in Dorset will be 109.

These attacks take place while patients are dying in hospital corridors and bed occupancy in hospitals reaches dangerous levels. Unprecedented levels of underfunding to local authorities have led to an enormous crisis in social care, placing more pressure on existing community teams like BICS and hospitals in particular. This week it was revealed that 95 UK councils have had home care contracts cancelled by private companies. These firmsnotorious for paying their staff rock bottom wagestold the councils they were unable to deliver even the most basic services with the funding councils were now offering.

In Dorset, huge sections of the NHS are in private hands. Learning Disability Services in the area once run by the Southern Health Care NHS Trust have been sold to a private company called Dimensions, with workers wages slashed to poverty levels.

Social Care Services previously run by Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Poole Borough Council were transferred to a private partnership company, Tricuro, in 2015. Last year, Tricuro imposed a massive pay cut on the lowest-paid in the workforce by imposing a new contract.

These attacks have only proceeded due to the connivance of the trade unions and Labour Party who are isolating and dissipating every struggle. Instead of mobilising the more than 1 million NHS workers in a joint offensive against the destruction of public healthcare, the unions have restricted workers instead to writing letters of protest to the very MPs who are implementing attacks. In Dorset, the Royal College of Nursing is openly facilitating DCCG proposals to slash services while Unison, with more than 500,000 NHS members nationally, along with Unite and the GMB have allowed these attacks to go through without raising a finger against them.

As one BICS team CRA member told NHS FightBack, We cannot expect any fight against these attacks from the unions. But they will come and see whether all the procedures are correctly followed before implementing these attacks.

Similar job losses to those at BICS have been carried out in nearby Poole. Health workers in Dorset and beyond must oppose the sacking of the BICS workers and the axing of the vital services they provide. NHS Fightback urges health workers to share their experiences of similar attacks on jobs and conditions with our organisation and the World Socialist Web Site. This is critical in order to alert working people to what is taking place and build a unified rank and file movement of healthcare workers, patients and the working class as a whole to oppose these savage attacks.

To contact NHS FightBack visit www.nhsfightback.org
IYSSE candidate for the Student Senate at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Mitch Abrams spoke with international students on Sunday about the threats that they and all immigrants face because of the Muslim ban, the border wall and the anti-immigrant hysteria promoted by the chauvinist rhetoric of the Trump administration in its first weeks in office.

EMU students from India described a mood of shock and horror among international students of all nationalities and religious backgrounds at reports of families being ripped apart in brutal deportations at the hands of agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting on the initiative of President Donald Trumps executive orders.

The students had made arrangements to meet with the IYSSE at the EMU Student Center when they found out that that the clubs campaign opposes the policies of President Trump and the Republicans as well as the Democratic Party, with the demand for open borders and full rights for students and workers of all countries to live and work wherever they want.

They were surprised to learn that the Democratic Party and trade unions had set the table for Trump by advocating economic nationalism and chauvinism over the course of decades. Abrams informed the students that the Obama administration expelled more than 2 million immigrants in an effort which exceeded that of all previous administrations combined, and Bernie Sanders pushed economic nationalism and militarism during the 2016 election campaign.

Rajkumar, president of the Indian Students Organization and vice president of the International Students Organization at EMU, and another graduate student Mahesh, also from India, explained to Abrams that the political crisis in the United States has provoked a sharp decline in the number of students who come to the United States from other countries. In only two years time the number of Indian students at EMU has declined from more than 500 to just 130.

Our web site here used to be very busy with students from India who wanted to come here to study, Mahesh reported, but that has completely changed. Explaining further he noted, This is not only about India. It affects foreign students from everywhere.

The visa process is changing, he continued. There are a lot of obstacles. There are new limitations on the program through which students who are seeking occupational training can qualify for the H1-B visa. The new rules will require a minimum annual salary of $130,000 which is very rare. What happens to the student who just wants to get an education?

Rajkumar described the chilling impact of the anti-Muslim ban. That affects not just the countries that were targeted. India has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, 14% of a population of 1.2 billion. By this ban Indian people are thinking we could be victimized as well.

Mahesh added, They are separating families. My Iranian friends here cannot go home and come back. Crime is everywhere, but the new crime is racial crime. You hear, Get out of my country. You risk your life to come here.

Rajkumar noted, A lot of students do not know what actually is happening, and appealed to Abrams as a candidate for Student Senate to assist in explaining the political situation and defending the rights of foreign students on campus. First we must inform the students. We can be together in this fight, he said.

The IYSSE campaign is the only way that all students can defend their democratic rights, Abrams explained. They can expect no defense from the Democrats or the EMU administration. There is no other party representing the interests of workers and students regardless of their nationality outside of the SEP and the International Committee of the Fourth International of which we are a part.

Abrams addressed the policy of the university noting that in an email titled Support for International Students and Scholars at EMU, university President Dr. James M. Smith wrote, The university does not provide information on a students immigration status to anyone, except when required by law.

Students should rightfully view the presidents offer of support with grave suspicion, Abrams warned. In other words, he explained, they will open up the university to ICE agents just so long as they have a legal fig leaf. Students will find no defense of their rights on the basis of this policy.

With regard to following the law, he continued, we could be living under a regime in which police and immigration agents are routinely demanding, Papers, please, like they did in Nazi Germany. A genuine defense of democratic rights can only be waged by turning to the international working class. Democratic and social rights are the products of the class struggle of the working class in the first place and can only be defended by the revival of that struggle.

Rajkumar, Mahesh and Abrams also discussed the lessons of Indias history including the struggle against colonial oppression, the massive upheaval against imperialism which followed World War II and the role of religious pogroms in blunting and dividing that movement into the partition of the Indian sub-continent.

Abrams observed that in whatever form historically, nationalist and racial politics have always been designed to divide the working class in preparation for new wars to divide the world for capitalist plunder. The politics of racial, religious and national prejudice, Abrams concluded, must be rejected in order to unite the workers of all nations in a new anti-war movement as the essential preparation for world socialist revolution.
Thirteen autoworkers in India have been condemned to life imprisonment after being framed up on murder charges stemming from a July 2012 confrontation at a Maruti Suzuki car assembly plant on the outskirts of Delhi, Indias capital city.

Those sentenced to rot in Indias notorious prisons include the entire 12-member executive of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU) at the Manesar, Haryana plant. All the workers are victims of a ruthless vendetta mounted by the corporation, the police and judicial authorities, with the full complicity of Indias principal political partiesthe Congress Party and the Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

These workers are totally innocent. Their only crime was to challenge the sweatshop conditions imposed by the Japanese-based transnational corporation with the aid of a pro-company, stooge union.

The International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site have initiated an international defense campaign to demand the immediate release of Ram Meher, Sandeep Dhillon, Ram Bilas, Sarabjeet Singh, Pawan Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Suresh Kumar, Amarjeet, Dhanraj Bambi, Pradeep Gujjar, Yogesh and Jiyalal.

The background to the case

In March 2012, after months of walkouts, sit-down strikes, and other actions mounted in defiance of a company-controlled union, the Manesar Maruti-Suzuki workers forced the company to recognize the MSWU as a first step to realizing their demands. These included abolition of the hated contract labor system, which pays thousands of temporary workers 14,000 rupees (US $214) a month, or less than half the salary of permanent workers. Four months later, on July 18, 2012, management provoked an altercation on the factory floor. While workers were defending themselves from an army of private security thugs, a fire of mysterious origin broke out. The fire claimed the life of human resource manager Awanish Kumar Dev, who was overcome by smoke.

There is not a shred of evidence that connects any of the framed-up workers to the fire or to Devs death. Moreover, he would have been the last one workers wanted to harm, since he was the one manager at the factory who was sympathetic to the workers. He had even helped them to register the MSWU with the Haryana Labour Department.

The fire was the crux of the prosecutions murder case. Yet it could not establish where, when or how the fire started. The authorities did claim to have found a matchbox, which supposedly escaped detection during the initial investigation of the fire and inexplicably survived unscathed in an area destroyed by the blaze. Nothing ties this matchbox to any of the workers.

The police crackdown

The July 18 events were used by the company and Indian authorities as a pretext for a massive crackdown on workers. Beginning the very next day, police smashed into workers homes and beat and detained hundreds of workers.

Suzuki then purged the Manesar workforce, firing and replacing 2,300 workers.

Defense lawyers soon began to expose the state frame-up against the almost 150 workers police formally arrested and jailed. They showed police had worked off lists of suspects supplied by management and that 89 of the workers had been arrested on the basis of names provided by police in alphabetically organized allotments by four Maruti Suzuki contractors. Thus, one eyewitness only saw rioting workers whose names began with a first letter from A to G, another only those with names in the G-P range, and so on. At the trial itself, these and other witnesses were systematically unable to identify the workers they had implicated.

Despite these and many other inconsistencies and fabrications, 148 workers were held for more than three years in jail, where police, according to civil rights groups, subjected them to torture. In denying them bail, authorities declared that they had to restore the confidence of global investors and demonstrate that they would not face labor unrest in India.

In convicting the 13 workers of murder and 18 other workers of lesser crimes, the Gurgaon District court had to willfully ignore its own finding that there had been collusion between the police and Maruti Suzuki management and fabrication of evidence.

Indeed so full of holes and dubious was the prosecutions evidence, the court had to exonerate 117 workersworkers who prosecutors had vehemently claimed till the very end were just as guilty as the rest.

Why the Maruti Suzuki workers were targeted

In the 14 months that preceded the mass arrests and frame-up, the Manesar Maruti Suzuki workers had become a focal point of workers resistance across the huge Manesar-Gurgaon industrial belt, raising the ire of the corporate bosses and the political establishment. The Congress Party-led Haryana state government repeatedly mobilized police en masse to break workers actions and suggested that the MSWU was in cahoots with terrorists and other outsiders determined to sabotage the states economy.

The prosecution, in its closing argument, demanded savage retribution against the Maruti Suzuki workers, claiming their actions were a threat to the BJP national governments Made in India program. That is, they were a threat to its drive to undercut China and make India the sweatshop of the world by supplying the transnational corporations with cheap and compliant labor.

The defense of the Maruti Suzuki workers is an international issue and a responsibility of the international working class. Transnational corporations like Suzuki scour the world to find the cheapest labor costs. Meanwhile, governments are criminalizing worker resistance.

There is no time to lose! If this travesty is not reversed and the Maruti Suzuki workers freed, it will embolden not only the Indian ruling elite, but the corporate and financial aristocracy in every country.

The Indian prison system is a living hell. Many of the families of the framed-up workers are facing destitution with their sole breadwinners behind bars. Maruti Suzuki has also served notice it considers the life sentences too lenient. Company attorneys have vowed to appeal the March 18 judgment, so as to press for the punishment that the prosecution demanded for the 13: death by hanging.

The attack on the Maruti Suzuki workers is part of the war being waged against the working class throughout the world. Justice for these workers will not be obtained by appealing to capitalist courts, to the Indian political establishment, or the major unions, which are all tied to this establishment and, consequently, have systemically isolated the persecuted workers.

Workers around the world and all those who defend democratic rights must come to the aid of the courageous Maruti Suzuki workers and demand their immediate release.
A budget proposal under consideration in the Florida Senate would slash state aid to Holocaust survivors.

The proposed cuts are part of a larger $20 million budget cut proposed by the states Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee chairwoman, state Senator Anitere Flores. If passed, the cuts will primarily affect programs that fund medical research and give aid to the elderly.

South Florida is home to 345 Holocaust survivors, more than any other region in the US except New York City. Most of the survivors are in their nineties and are largely centered in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program is due to be eliminated altogether. This 20-year-old program provides $92,946 annually for the funding of home aides for survivors. Some of the services the aides provide include transportation for visits to the doctor, assistance in cooking, cleaning and other chores. At a rate of $18.50 per hour this works out to be approximately 5,000 hours a year of assistance.

If the program is cut, former beneficiaries may be forced to move into nursing homes. For survivors who continue to suffer from the psychological scars related to their experiences, the transition could have a devastating effect on their well-being.

In an interview with WPTV, Jewish Family Services President Danielle Hartmann outlined the potential consequences of the proposed cuts: Some of the traumas affecting them during the Holocaust actually come back. So, something as simple as taking a shower for a Holocaust survivor is not a positive experience in a nursing home.

Martin Ferst, a 93-year-old survivor and widower living in Boca Raton who is provided an aide by the program, spoke to the Sun Sentinel about the potential cuts.

Thanks to her, Im surviving. Otherwise I wouldnt be here. I cannot drive, I cannot cook, Ferst said. Without [her], I would be lost.

Another program slated to be cut that primarily affects south Floridas Jewish population is the Jewish Family Services Transportation Services for the Elderly and Disabled in Palm Beach County, which will see $143,640 cut from its annual budget of $922,000.

For 14 different clinics in the state researching Alzheimers disease and other memory disorders, a total of $3,119,214 is set to be cut, which breaks down to $222,801 for each clinic.

Eight different hospitals that provide mental health services to youth will see $6 million cut from their budgets, or $750,000 each.

Other planned cuts include $1 million from AIDS research at the University of Miami, $352,746 from diabetes research and prevention, and $200,000 from substance abuse treatment programs.

The proposed budget cuts are particularly cruel when viewed in the context of the states overall budget. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the state had a budget of $82.2 billion.

This includes nearly $4.5 billion spent on law enforcement and corrections, including $198 million to be spent on maintenance and repair of prisons, to handle the states steadily expanding inmate population.

Republican Governor Rick Scotts proposed budget for 2017-2018 would further expand funding for these areas, with a proposed $53.1 million to be spent on pay raises for state law enforcement and corrections officers. An additional $5.8 million is to be spent on strengthening counterterrorism operations at the state level.

The state spent over $1.1 billion in 2016-2017 on Scotts fraudulent economic development scheme, aimed at drawing businesses from other states to open up shop in Florida. This figure does not include an additional $250 million in subsidies that the governor requested to retain the transplanted businesses. Simultaneously, the state of Florida continues to provide a mere three months of unemployment insurance to workers who have lost their jobs, the lowest in the country.

While $200 million is budgeted for affordable housing, an increase of $25 million from the previous year, this figure does not reflect the fact that the state legislature has taken $117 million from the states affordable housing trust funds to spend elsewhere. Florida continues to have a large homeless population, along with some of the fastest growing housing prices in the country, particularly in the heavily populated southern counties.

Funding to provide medical services to low-income Floridians is to be reduced from $1 billion to $608 million. There are currently 567,000 uninsured citizens in the state, largely due to the governors refusal to accept federal funds for the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The budget for county health departments will be reduced by $17 million from the previous year, eliminating the funding for 507 county health employees. Additionally, $23 million will be cut from the states childrens special health care services (KidCare program).

The number of state employees who lost their jobs in 2016-2017 was 270, bringing the total number of state workers fired under the Scott administration to 8,800.

While programs that benefit the most vulnerable have been cut, wealthy business owners have been the primary beneficiaries of Scotts budgets. Taxes were reduced by $130 million in the 2016-2017 fiscal year. According to the Florida Policy Institute, Over the last three fiscal years, almost $1 billion of recurring revenues have been lost because of tax law changes. Sales and corporate income taxes exemptions, reductions, and credits represent more than half of all revenues lost.

The governor has proposed an additional $618 million in tax cuts for the 2017-2018 budget.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 22 (PTI) The resident doctors of state-run hospitals in Maharashtra stayed away from work for the third day today, prompting the government to order them to report to duty by this evening or lose six months salary.

Nearly 4,000 doctors have been on strike in various government and municipal hospitals since Monday demanding security at work place in the wake of a string of attacks on their colleagues.

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As many as 500 resident doctors in medical colleges in Mumbai have been issued notices by their deans, an official from Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said.

Also, 370 resident doctors in Nagpur, 200 in Pune and 114 in Solapur have been suspended by the deans of their respective medical colleges, the official said.

Their protest mainly affected the medical services of Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and general wards, a MARD official said.

Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan ordered the resident doctors to report to duty by 8 PM today or lose their six months salary.

"The resident doctors should report to duty by today evening or they will lose their salary for six months. The students of post graduate courses who are serving as resident doctors will also face the action," Mahajan told reporters.

"We have all the legal provisions to take such steps," he said.

"We have assured them of providing enough security and it will be given by month-end. Now, they should resume the duty," the minister said.

He said patients from the economically weaker sections come to government hospitals and the resident doctors should not play with their lives by taking such an extreme stand.

Medical services in 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra, including four in Mumbai, have been affected because of the protest.

The OPDs in these hospitals have been hit hard as only senior doctors are available to attend the patients.

The MARD, the apex body of the resident doctors, has officially not supported the decision of the medicos to stay away from work, but many of its members are a part of the ongoing protest.

The Bombay High Court had yesterday rapped the medicos while observing that their conduct was "shameful", and asked them to resign if they dont want to work.

However, the hearing on the petition filed by activist Afak Mandaviya, seeking action against the protesting doctors, was adjourned in the high court today as the bench presided by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur was not available.

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The plea will to be heard tomorrow. (MORE) PTI ND SP GK BSA

--- ENDS ---
The ranks of the worlds billionaires registered a sharp increase in 2016, with the number rising by 233 to reach a record 2,043, according to Forbes magazines annual survey. This was the first time that the Forbes list of the worlds richest has included more than 2,000 individuals.

The combined wealth of those on Forbes billionaires list rose 18 percent to $7.67 trillion, a staggering sum, more than the gross domestic product of all but the wealthiest of the worlds countries. The immediate impetus for the rise are surging stock prices, which have reached record levels since the election of US president Donald Trump, and the rising price of oil over the past 12 months.

More fundamentally, the increasing concentration of wealth among the worlds richest represents a social retrogression in which societys resources are being plundered in the name of a mad pursuit of private gain.

The wealthiest individual in the world remains Microsoft founder Bill Gates, whose fortune rose to $86 billion, an $11 billion increase. Second was investor Warren Buffett ($75.6 billion) and a close third Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ($72.8 billion). Bezos recorded the single biggest jump in net worth last year, pocketing an additional $27.6 billion.

Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico was number six on the Forbes list with a net worth of $54.5 billion. Despite a $4.5 billion increase in his net worth from last year, Slim moved down the list from the number four position. All told the net worth of Mexicos billionaires rose 17 percent in 2016 to $116.7 billion.

The top 10 billionaires on the Forbes list had a combined wealth of $558 billion, more than the Gross Domestic Product of Venezuela. Just eight of those billionaires control as much wealth as the bottom half of the worlds population, 3.6 billion people, according to Oxfam.

The United States continues to have the largest number of billionaires in the world, with a record 565, an increase of 25 over last year. China is next with 319, while Germany is third with 114. China had the most newly minted billionaires last year, adding 76.

In impoverished India, where 13 Maruti Suzuki autoworkers were recently sentenced to life imprisonment on frame-up charges, there are 101 billionaires, making the country fourth on the list in terms of the super wealthy. At $23.3 billion, telecom tycoon Mukesh Ambani is Indias richest man, in a country where the average wage is just $295 per month.

There are 14 billionaires living in Sub-Saharan Africa, another region noted for its high proportion of people living in extreme poverty. The richest is Nigerian Aliko Dangote, ($12.1 billion) chairman of Dangote Cement, Africas largest cement producer.

US President Donald Trump is 544th on the list, with an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion, based largely on his holdings in the New York real estate market.

In the United States, meanwhile, the compensation of top executives also rose in 2016, up from its already obscene levels. The median compensation of chief executives at the 104 largest US companies rose 6.8 percent for 2016 to $11.5 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Twice as many CEOs saw pay increases as pay cuts, with most of the compensation coming in the form of stock awards.

The top-paid US CEO, Thomas Rutledge of Charter Communications, pocketed $98.5 million, a 42 percent increase. Estee Lauder CEO Fabrizio Freda raked in $48.4 million while Nike CEO Mark Parker nabbed $47.6 million. Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby got $18 million at a company that is being investigated by the federal government for a scheme involving tax fraud.

These figures provide a snapshot of the degree to which the world is being plundered by a financial elite that has amassed wealth on a scale that has no historical precedent. The growth of these fortunes parallels a process of social destruction in which the vast majority of the worlds population are being stripped of resources in order to provide money for tax subsidies to the rich and increases in military spending.

A large portion of the world subsists on less than $2 per day. Famine is threatening some 20 million people in Yemen as well as South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria, the product of predatory wars stoked by the United States.

In Western Europe the welfare state set up in the wake of World War II is being dismantled while Germany and other imperialist powers rearm in preparation for war.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the already inadequate social safety net is being further slashed to provide tax cuts for the rich and pay for a big increase in military spending. Life expectancy in the United States declined for the first time in 23 years in 2015 after decades of stagnant or declining income, cuts in health care services and other social programs and a burgeoning drug epidemic.

In the United States for the past four decades, Democratic and Republican administrations have seamlessly and without interruption proceeded with the dismantling of the social gains of the working class in order to enrich the financial aristocracy.

This process intensified with the election in 2008 of Barack Obama, whose administration made unlimited funds available to bail out Wall Street and, through its policies of quantitative easing, opened the spigots of the Federal Reserve to flood money into the stock market.

The policies of Obama paved the way for the election of the billionaire Trump, the direct representative of the criminal financial elite. Since the election, the stock market has reached record levels in anticipation of further tax handouts to the rich and the dismantling of health, safety and environmental regulations in the interests of boosting corporate profits.

There is a bipartisan consensus in the US Congress for an overhaul of the health-care system based on further restricting access and slashing costs so that more money can be made available for the military and tax cuts. Both Democrats and Republicans reject the notion that health care is a social right that should be made available to everyone free of charge, claiming, there is no money.

However, as the Forbes billionaire list demonstrates, there are resources aplenty for satisfying all pressing social needs. It is the present irrational organization of society and the subordination of all aspects of economic and social life under capitalism to the demands of a rapacious financial aristocracy that is the main stumbling block to providing for the well-being of the worlds population.

This raises the necessity for the working class to unite its forces globally for the socialist transformation of society. This means seizing the wealth of the corporate and financial elite and placing the major banks, petrochemical, industrial, transportation and health-care companies under the democratic ownership and control of the working class. These resources must be employed for the raising of the living standards of the worlds population and the provision of decent wages, healthcare, education and housing for all.
The Trump administrations budget proposal released last week slashes or outright eliminates federal funding for social programs that provide aid to working class and poor families coping with poor housing and high heating bills.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, is slated to be eliminated under the Trump budget by 2018. The program had a budget of $3.4 billion in 2016 and provided heating assistance to people in households that are below 150 percent of the federal poverty rate, although states are allowed to reduce that to 110 percent.

In 2014, according to LIHEAP, only 6.4 million households received assistance paying heating bills out of the 38.5 million households that were eligible to receive some aid.

Just over one-third of all US households qualified for heating assistance. With an average of 2.64 people per household, a staggering 101.6 million Americans were poor enough to have received heating help even though less than 17 million did so.

LIHEAP aid has been slashed in recent years by both Democratic and Republican administrations; in 2014 the average benefit payment was a meager $366 annually.

Trumps budget for the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would slash funding by $6.2 billion, or nearly 14 percent for fiscal year 2018.

The agency, which was created in 1965 under the Johnson administrations Great Society initiative, is tasked with assisting in the creation of quality, affordable housing.

With many people already struggling to maintain the housing that they have or frantically searching for affordable, better quality, and safer shelter, these cuts will only further harm those families who face long waitsoften yearsfor affordable public housing.

As federal housing aid comes under the axe, poor and working Americans continue to contend with stagnant wages, climbing utility bills and substandard housing.

Intense pressure is put on households during the cold winter months when many workers find themselves falling behind on heating bills, forcing many workers to do without heat or rely on hazardous alternatives, putting them at the risk either freezing to death or dying in a devastating house fire.

Since the onset of the winter heating season, which started on September 15 last year, there have been 1393 reported deaths due to house fires, and in less than three months so far this year, 632 people have been killed. Most of these deaths were preventable and a large proportion were caused by residents forced to use space heaters because of high utility bills and poor housing.

There is a heightened risk for those living in deindustrialized sections of the Northeast and Midwest, where the death toll leads the nation. So far this year 37 people have been killed by home fires in New York state, followed by Pennsylvania with 31, Ohio and Illinois with 30 and 29 respectively.

Some of the preventable house fires in the past few weeks provide a striking picture of the real housing conditions the working class and poor endure in the US.

On Sunday, March 12 a call for help came at 3 a.m. reporting a house fire near Rochester, New York. An 86-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were killed by the fire.

Local fire officials have said that power was out at the home and that the blaze started in the fireplace. The first responders that arrived on the scene found a running generator. A neighbor interviewed by local media said that most of the homes in the area had backup generators due to frequent power outages.

Early on Saturday, March 4 at 12:45 a.m., a house fire was caused by a wood-burning stove in the western Massachusetts town of Warwick. Lucinda Seago, 42, and four of her five children aged 7, 9, 12, and 15 all died in the fire. Her husband Scott and one child survived.

The parents were both employed, Scott was in the IT industry and Lucinda graduated school in 2014 to become a nurse and was working in a long-term health care facility.

Firefighters that responded to the rural home faced significant challenges that delayed them: there was not readily available water and the bitterly cold temperatures froze equipment when water was trucked in.

On March 2 in Brutus, New York, located just west of Syracuse, a fire at a mobile trailer claimed the life of one unnamed male victim in his 60s. At least four fire departments responded when smoke was reported around 11 a.m. Responders found the unconscious man, attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On March 1, in Mt. Upton, New York, a rural area northeast of Binghamton, J.R. Franklin, a 16-year-old who was deaf and autistic, perished in a fire caused by a wood-burning stove that was the sole source of heat being used in the mobile trailer that was his home.

The slashing and outright elimination of federal housing aid, which often make the difference between life and death for the poor, meager as it is, will guarantee that the numbers of those killed in house fires will rise.
Tsar to Lenin is printed in large letters on the posters and fliers advertising the screening by Mehring Verlag of the film by the same name at the upcoming Leipzig Book Fair. The unique documentary of the Russian Revolution will be accompanied by a lecture discussing the meaning of the film and the contemporary significance of the October Revolution.

When one raises the question of the October Revolution in discussions, one is immediately confronted with various political questions, said Iason, who is helping to build for the meeting along with other members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and supporters of the Sozialistische Gleicheitspartie (SGP).

Ben raised a similar question. The 21-year-old philosophy and music student views the October Revolution as an important event which then led into a dead end.

Perhaps the high ideals of the revolution failed in the realisation, he suggested. Representatives of the IYSSE explained that one must understand the rise of Stalinism as a counterrevolutionary tendency in response to the isolation of the revolution.

Ben thought it was important to take up the ideas behind the revolution, in order to counter growing nationalism and neoliberalism. He felt that equal education opportunities for everyone and enlightened media are also necessary. It is especially important to counter anti-Islam sentiment and see instead what people have in common, he said.

Lucie, who studies medicine, thinks that the peace and security of recent decades are in danger. Terrorism is the result of the wars that the West has waged in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The possibility of a major war has once again become very real. This is exactly why the question of revolution is posed once again, Stolpe explained. We are confronted today with the same problems that led to World War I and to which the October Revolution was the answer, he said.

During the discussion, an elderly lady came up to the IYSSE table, which was decorated with meeting posters. Lenin, she called. He wasnt so bad! The lady introduced herself as Anneliese Jahr. She said that she will turn 84 in a few weeks and that she had studied in the Albertina Library as a young history student.

She has seen the film The Young Marx and was very excited. Marx was so farsighted. He foresaw everything that is happening once again, she said.

The situation today is like it was then, in the times of the October revolution, she continued. The right wing is on the rise. The situation is very dangerous. Trump wants to wage war against China. And when one looks at the way Germany is arming itself, it is right in the middle of it all. I am very afraid I will end up having to go back into the bunker.

She spoke emotionally about how her family had to flee the former Eastern territories to the German town of Neuruppin in 1945. As a young girl, she also witnessed how the Jews were rounded up and taken away. It was horrible, she said. In Neuruppin, she remembers the SS soldiers and later the Russian soldiers. The latter treated the children well and gave them food.

When representatives of the IYSSE spoke to her about the effort at Humboldt University to rewrite history and to portray the Eastern Front as a reaction to the warfare of the Soviet Union, Annaliese reacted with shock. It is criminal that something like that is taught, she said. The students cannot know what it was like then. Students definitely have to read about how it really was and oppose any repetition.

Details on the Tsar to Lenin showing in Leipzig here (in German)

Order the centenary edition of Tsar to Lenin here
On March 15, Sally McManus, 45, was appointed secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the peak trade union body in the country. Her predecessor, Dave Oliver, retired on January 31, citing an intention to spend more time with his family.

From the outset, McManus has feigned a posture of concern over the decades-long decline in workers rights and conditions. In sections of the media, she is being promoted, not only as the first female ACTU secretary, but as a militant firebrand, intent on reversing the attacks on working-class living standards. The purpose of such coverage is to sow illusions in the largely discredited union apparatus.

The Guardian Australia, for example, published an adulatory feature last Wednesday, entitled, Sally McManus, the ACTUs new leader, vows to take on corporate greed. In her interview with the Guardian, McManus declared: If you dont put limits on greed it just gets out of control... Weve got to inspire a whole generation who are sick of so much wealth at the top. The system is at breaking point, people dont accept that its right and fair. I want to change all of that and build a movement that everyone who feels the same can join.

On March 15, McManus appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporations 7.30, where she claimed to oppose the current draconian industrial relations laws and their far-reaching anti-strike provisions. It shouldnt be so hard for workers in our country to be able to take industrial action when they need to, she insisted, adding that the unions would be prepared to break the industrial relations laws. I believe in the rule of law, when the law is right, she said. But when its unjust, I dont think theres a problem with breaking it.

These comments predictably triggered furious denunciations from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls Liberal-National coalition government and the media, led by Rupert Murdochs Australian newspaper. Liberal Defence Minister Christopher Pyne labelled her comments anarcho-Marxist claptrap.

Both McManus and her critics conveniently left out the most obvious fact about the current industrial laws: namely, that they were imposed by the former Labor government of Kevin Rudd, with the full support of the ACTU.

The Rudd governments Fair Work Australia (FWA) legislation made it virtually impossible for workers to strike legally. The FWA regime incorporates, virtually unchanged, the main anti-strike provisions contained in the former Howard governments draconian WorkChoices laws, against which the unions campaigned during the 2007 federal election, under the banner of defending your rights at work (see: Fair Work Australia: a union-imposed straitjacket on workers).

Having supported and helped introduce FWA, the unions have insisted that workers accept its terms. This has meant preventing their own members from striking in defiance of the legislation and forcing them to accept the dictates of the industrial courtsincluding attacks on jobs, wages and conditionswhich the unions absurdly call the independent umpire.

The enforcement of such legality flows from the very nature of the trade unions. Unionism is not, and never has been, aimed at ending wage labour and exploitation, but at negotiating the terms of this exploitation within the framework of the capitalist private profit system. Over the past decades, under conditions of the globalisation of world economy and the drive for international competitiveness, i.e., the never-ending drive of employers everywhere to slash wages, jobs and conditions, the unions have become nothing but an industrial police-force for the employers and the state. Their role now is to guarantee to employers that the workers will abide by the courts rulings, and to collaborate with the state against any workers who dare defy the law and insist on fighting for their rights.

If the leader of the ACTU now claims that aspects of the very FWA legislation that it imposed on the working class should be opposed, it is because the unions are fearful of the enormous anger that is building up among workers throughout the country. An onslaught of job destruction is underway, particularly in manufacturing, while a series of major employersincluding the Loy Yang power station in Victorias Latrobe Valleyhave directly used the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the court which oversees the FWA laws, to carry through outright wage cuts.

A certain division of labour is involved. For example, McManus, dubbing herself a unionist first, second and third, has vowed to put pressure on both parties to commit to reversing a recent FWC decision to cut penalty rates (a higher wage) for employees who work on Sundays and public holidays. The Turnbull government, under intense pressure from business, has publicly backed the ruling. The opposition Labor Party, despite the fact that it initiated the four-year review into penalty rates in the first place, has decided, in order to revive its own collapsing support base, to oppose the courts decision.

Following the line of her counterparts in 2007, McManus intends to use this political charade to lead a campaign, over the next two years, that will channel workers hostility to the assault on their conditions back behind the election of a Labor government. Opposition leader Bill Shorten responded to the media and government hysteria against McManuss comment by declaring that we believe in changing bad laws, not breaking them and that the answer was not defiance, but voting for Labor.

Since the age of 19, when she became student union president at Sydneys Macquarie University, McManus has climbed her way up the rungs of the union apparatus. In 1994, she trained alongside Shorten as a union official in the ACTUs Organising Works program, under then-ACTU secretary Bill Kelty. She was later state secretary of the Australian Services Union in New South Wales from 2005 until 2015.

In an interview with the Australian newspaper last Friday, McManus revealed that she met with Kelty ahead of her appointment as ACTU secretary. She described him as a master strategist and once-in-a-generation fighter in terms of his ability to organise a disparate movement.

McManus went on to repeat what Kelty had told her. He said, look we were never popular when we achieved some of the really big things like Medicare and universal superannuation. It was not like the whole of the public was onside and always loved us. They didnt, but we had to think through and be smart about how we were going to achieve things and just be determined about doing it.

Kelty was ACTU secretary from 1983 to 2000. Under the Hawke and Keating Labor governments (19831996), he played a key role in imposing Labors Price and Incomes Accords and its enterprise bargaining regime which were used to drive down workers wages and conditions and destroy thousands of jobs. In 1996, after the Labor government suffered a landslide electoral defeat, particularly in working-class areas, Kelty worked overtime to shut down the political and industrial opposition that erupted to the budget cuts brought down by the newly elected Liberal-National government of John Howard. Upon his retirement, Kelty was hailed by the corporate elites and both sides of the political establishment for services rendered (see: Australian trade union leader resigns).

McManuss identification with Kelty reveals infinitely more about her attitude to the working class than her empty rhetoric about defying unfair laws. Perhaps more than any other figure in trade union history, Kelty personifies the unions transformation, from the 1980s onwards, in the era of globalisation. Under his leadership, workers were instructed to give up past gains in order to allow their employers to achieve international competitiveness. Numerous strikes were sabotaged, union militants victimised and entire unions, such as the Builders Labourers Federation, smashedwith the active support of the ACTU.

The result of the ACTUs open collaboration with the employers and government was a historic collapse in union membership, which fell nationally from approximately 48 percent in 1983, to barely 15 percent in 2015, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. By the 2000s, strike levels, likewise, had fallen to historic lows.

McManus has attempted to deny that the policies of the unions played any part in this process. She told the Guardian Australia: The reason union membership has declined is due to the destruction of regular work, its in decline all around the world. Steady, secure jobs are being contracted out, outsourced, people are put on rolling contracts or forced to get outall things that have taken power away from workers and made it much harder to organise.

In fact, hundreds of thousands of workers were driven from full-time unionised jobs as a result of union-brokered "restructuring." Millions voted with their feet by leaving the unions, refusing to pay for the privilege of being lied to, sold out and betrayed by corrupt and indifferent bureaucracies.

With the collapse of dues-paying members, the union apparatus turned its attention to developing new forms of parasitism to shore up its income base. As the World Socialist Web Site has documented, the findings of the 2015 royal commission into trade union corruption, published in 2016, revealed that the unions have established medical and life insurance companies covering their own members from which they draw millions of dollars, as well as training companies and bogus charities and not-for-profits, into which employers donate money. In many cases, companies paid the union the membership dues of workers who did not even know they were union members, in exchange for cuts to workers conditions.

The trade unions are well aware that the majority of workers view them with distrust and disgust. In the final analysis, McManus has been installed in a desperate attempt to provide the ACTU apparatus with a face-lift. Her major remit is to, once again, promote the election of a Labor government, as a lesser evil to the conservative parties.

McManus has form in this regard. She served as director of the ACTUs Save Medicare campaign during the 2016 federal election. The campaign promoted illusions that Labor, if elected, would prevent the destruction of what is left of Medicare, the subsidised public health insurance scheme that has become nothing but a shadow of its former self. It did not take long for the fraud of McManuss campaign to be revealed. During the election, Labor leader Shorten quietly dropped any opposition to the Turnbull governments more than $57 billion in cuts to hospital funding over the next decade.

Most tellingly, McManus has raised no objections to the ACTUs promotion of nationalism and anti-immigrant chauvinism through its campaigns against foreign workers entering Australia on temporary 457 visas. Nor has she differed with the peak union bodys full support to the Labor Partys alignment with the United States in the military build-up against China in Asia and the return under the Coalition government of Australian military forces to the Middle East.

McManuss left rhetoric is so much hot air. Under the guise of a progressive, fighting posture, she will continue with the reactionary nationalist, anti-working class program of her predecessors. The essential lesson that the working class must draw, after well over a century of experiences with the Labor Party and the trade unions, is the need for a complete and conscious political break from them all. At workplaces throughout the country, workers need to begin building rank-and-file committees, completely independent of the unions, that will launch a genuine fight to defend jobs and conditions by seeking to unify with their counterparts in other workplaces and industries who face the same attacks.

Such a fight requires the development of an independent, socialist perspective, based on the fight for the international unity of the working class of all countries against the danger of war, the rise of unprecedented levels of social inequality and the ongoing assault on democratic rights. This entails the development of the struggle for a workers government and the socialist re-organisation of society on the basis of social need, not private profit.
In the wake of US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons trip to China, the US is focussing mounting pressure on China to force North Korea to bow to Washingtons demands to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. In the background, as Tillerson stated last week, all options, including military action against Pyongyang, are under consideration.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer told the media on Monday the administration continued to urge China to step in and play a larger role in deterring both the ballistic and other missile threats that North Korea plays The president and the secretary of state have an expectation that China employed [sic] multiple points of pressure on North Korea.

Spicers comments came as a senior US official told Reuters the Trump administration was, as part of its review of American strategy toward Pyongyang, contemplating sweeping sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system. The sanctions would go hand in hand with a military build-up by the US and its allies, Japan and South Korea.

The unnamed administration official said Tillerson privately warned Chinese leaders the US was preparing broader secondary sanctions that would target banks and other companies doing business with North Korea, most of which are Chinese. Washington has repeatedly accused China of not doing enough to implement UN sanctions by using its muscle as North Koreas top trading partner.

Another US government source told Reuters the Trump administration could also opt to escalate cyber attacks and other covert action aimed at undermining North Koreas leadership. The New York Times has already reported that the Obama administration mounted cyber attacks on North Korean missile systems. The first official said none of the options were stand-alones, adding: Its going to be some form of all of the above, probably excluding military action.

During his trip to Asia, Tillerson told a reporter from the right-wing Independent Journal Review that the administration would adopt a staged approach to give the North Korean government time to make decisions and adjust Its not our objective to force them into some brash action. No one should place any faith in such reassurances. Crippling economic sanctions, cyber attacks and regime-change intrigues, not to speak of repeated threats of military attack, are all provocative actions that deliberately raise tensions and risk retaliation.

The Trump administrations recklessness is underscored by Tillersons suggestion to the Independent Journal Review that the US could encourage Japan to develop its own nuclear weaponsa move that would lead to a dangerous nuclear arms race in Asia. Asked whether this option was under consideration, Tillerson repeated that all options are on the table, adding: We think its 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.

According to Reuters sources, the Trump administration is in the final stages of working out its North Korean strategy. The policy recommendations being assembled by President Donald Trumps national security adviser, H. R. McMaster, are expected to reach the presidents desk within weeks, possibly before a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in early April North Korea is expected to top the agenda at that meeting, Reuters reported.

A rising drum beat against North Korea in the American and international media is setting the stage for rash and provocative US action. Speculation is rife that Trump, who previously declared that unpredictability would be a watchword of his foreign policy, could authorise some form of military action.

Speaking to Fox News last Sunday, House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes threw his weight behind military strikes against North Korea. The closer that the North Korean regime gets to being able to deliver a nuclear weapon were going to have to be in a position to take some type of pre-emptive strike, he said. At the end of the day here, something may have to be done because we cant afford to let a nuclear weapon go off in Seoul or Tokyo or the United States for that matter.

International Atomic Energy Agency head Yukiya Amano added further fuel to the mounting confrontation. Supposedly based on satellite imagery, he claimed that North Korea had doubled the size of its uranium enrichment facility. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, he downplayed the possibility of a negotiated agreement akin to that reached with Iran. This is a highly political issue, he said. A political agreement is essential. We cant be optimistic. The situation is very bad.

The growing concern in world capitals about the danger of war in North East Asia provoked by a US attack on North Korea was expressed in a Financial Times comment on Monday by columnist Gideon Rachman, entitled Bombing North Korea is not an option. He declared: The idea of bombing the North Korean nuclear program is dangerous folly. For the past 20 years, the US has repeatedly considered the idea and repeatedly dismissed itfor good reason.

Rachman pointed to the very real danger of an escalating war that would claim millions of lives on the Korean Peninsula and Japan, where the US has large military bases. It could also draw in China, which is both a neighbour and a formal treaty ally of North Korea, he warned. It is worth remembering that the last time American and Chinese troops fought each other was on the Korean peninsula in the 1950s.

The North Korean regimes belligerent response to mounting US threats is reactionary and plays directly into the hands of the Trump administration. Pyongyang released a video this week showing a US aircraft carrier being consumed by computer-generated balls of fire, with a commentary declaring that North Korean missiles will be stabbed into the throat of the carrier.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman issued a statement on Monday saying it would continue to develop its nuclear weapons, describing them as the most reliable war deterrence to defend the socialist motherland and the life of its people. These remarks are false on every level: the oppressive Stalinist regime, mired in Korean chauvinism, has nothing to do with socialism and its blood-curdling rhetoric divides North Korean workers from those in South Korea, Japan and internationally.

Pyongyangs nuclear weapons, far from protecting the North Korean people, only heighten the danger of war. Last month, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with an effective and overwhelming response. A single US strategic bomber is capable of delivering enough nuclear weapons to obliterate most of North Koreas military and industrial capacity.

The Associated Press yesterday cited US military officials as saying that increased American surveillance of North Korea had revealed signs it was preparing to test another missile in the coming days. Such a move would intensify the clamour in Washington for action against Pyongyang. At the time of posting, the media is reporting sketchy US and South Korean claims of a failed North Korean missile launch this morning. If true, it will intensify the clamour in Washington for action against Pyongyang.
In the wake of Mondays hearing before the House Intelligence Committee, in which FBI Director James Comey confirmed that his agency is investigating claims of Russian intervention into the 2016 US presidential election, the New York Times has stepped up its campaign to paint the Trump administration as a tool of Moscow.

An editorial in the newspapers Tuesday edition demands the appointment of an independent counsel by the Department of Justice to probe the alleged connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian governmentfor which zero evidence has been produced so faras well as the consolidation of several different congressional investigations into a single special committee on the model of those which investigated the 9/11 attacks, Watergate and the Iran-Contra affair.

It bears repeating that the Times, like the Democratic Party for which it speaks, has chosen to focus its opposition to Trump on the most reactionary possible grounds. It does not speak for persecuted immigrants and Muslims, those who will lose healthcare, education or home heating because of Trumps proposed budget cuts, or those who will become victims of his drone strikes and other military assaults. Instead, the Times attacks the fascistic Trump administration from the right, advocating an even more aggressive foreign policy, directed first and foremost against Russia, an approach that carries with it the risk of a world war with nuclear weapons.

The Times editorial describes Comeys acknowledgement of the ongoing investigation into the possible connections between the Trump campaign and alleged Russian hacking as a breathtaking admission, although the FBI director was merely admitting publicly what the Times and other newspapers have been reporting for months, based on leaks from the intelligence agencies.

The editorial then cites the possibility of political interference with the FBI investigation by Trump appointees in the Justice Department, calling for appointing an independent prosecutor, who would not take orders from the administration. The purpose of this proposal is not to produce evidence of a Trump-Russia connection that does not exist, but to create a political mechanism that can be used, like the independent counsel investigation into President Bill Clinton, to destroy an administration.

The editorial was accompanied by a hysterical column by David Leonhardt, given a headline, All the Presidents Lies, deliberately meant to evoke a comparison to Watergate. Leonhardt declares that Trump lies in ways that no American politician ever has before, as though Trump was an interloper into a political system characterized by honesty, fair play and other Boy Scout virtues.

Trumps lying may be different in style (tweets) and perhaps volume, but he stands at the head of a political system permeated with lies; from the ceaseless invocations of a war on terror as the basis of US foreign policy, to the claim that the United States is the worlds leading defender and propagator of democracy.

In fact, the Times, when it sees fit, has been a willing conduit for the lies of countless presidencies, most notoriously parroting the bald-faced fabrications of the Bush Administration about weapons of mass destruction as a justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Leonhardt declares, Russias interference in the 2016 presidential campaign was an attack on the United States. Its the kind of national-security matter that a president and members of Congress swear to treat with utmost seriousness when they take the oath of office. No one would guess, reading this fevered language, that Leonhardt is referring to alleged Russian hacking of two Democratic Party-linked servershousing emails of the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chairman John Podestanot to the 9/11 attacks or Pearl Harbor.

That is the substance of the claims of Russian interference in the US elections. No ballots were stuffed, no election office computers were ransacked, no gunmen threatened voters going to the polls. Instead, unknown individuals obtained emails and supplied them to WikiLeaks, which revealed efforts by the DNC leadership to help Clinton at the expense of Bernie Sanders, and efforts by Clinton to curry favor with Wall Street audiences. No one has challenged the veracity of these emails. The interference, whoever was responsibleand no convincing link to Russia has been demonstratedamounted to giving American voters a small glimpse of the rotten underbelly of capitalist politics. What a terrible crime!

The Times is by no means the only media purveyor of anti-Russian hysteria and warmongering. The Washington Post, for example, carried a news article Tuesday that quoted the presidential historian Douglas Brinkley declaring, referring to Trump, Theres a smell of treason in the air. It also published a column by former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson suggesting that the impeachment of Trump was the only constitutional mechanism that would remove the taint of larceny from the 2016 election.

But the Times sets the tone for a campaign of such unrelieved political filth, whose aim is to divert the growing popular opposition to Trump into the most reactionary possible course, towards bolstering the efforts by the US military-intelligence apparatus and powerful sections of the ruling elite to foment a conflictpotentially leading to full-scale warwith Russia.
By Press Trust of India: Coimbatore, Mar 21 (PTI) The RSS today accused the Mamata Banerjee government of encouraging "jehadi" groups and anti- national elements in West Bengal due to what it called TMCs Muslim vote bank politics. It also expressed concern over the "declining" Hindu population in the state.

A resolution adopted at the three-day meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the RSS top policy making body, condemned the extremist violence.

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"This (decline in Hindu population in West Bengal) is a matter of serious concern to the unity and integrity of the country," RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said while briefing reporters about the deliberations.

The resolution said the ABPS strongly "condemns the violence by extremists and the Muslim appeasement policy of the state government and calls upon the countrymen to create awareness against the Jehadi violence and the communal politics of the state government."

Hosabale said after partition, the Hindus from East Pakistan were forced to seek refuge in West Bengal.

It was not surprising that due to such large influx, the Hindu population in the state, which constituted 78.45 per cent in 1951 had declined to 70.54 per cent as per the 2011 census, he said. According to 2011 census data, Hindus constituted 70.54 per cent of the population compared to 72.47 per cent in 2001. Muslim population rose to 27.01 per cent from 25.25 per cent during the period under comparison.

The meeting also called upon the state government to rise above "petty vote-bank politics" and discharge its constitutional obligations, Hosabale said.

Hosable urged the Centre to ensure firm action against the anti-national jehadi elements within the state in the interest of national security.

Listing out several incidents of bomb blasts, arson, violence and "molestation of women" reported in West Bengal in the past few years, Hosabale said the worst sufferers of these atrocities on the Hindu society had been the members of Scheduled Castes.

"The Hindus were subjected to a pre-planned attack resulting in horrid incidents of arson, looting and molestation of womenfolk at Dhulagadh on December 13 and 14, 2016," he alleged.

"While on the one hand the state government is threatening to close down the schools which are instilling the spirit of patriotism, on the other hand it is turning a blind eye to thousands of institutions like the notorious Simulia Madrasas where Jehadi and fundamentalist training is being imparted," Hosabale charged. On the RSS allegation of increasing attacks on Hindus in West Bengal and on the BJP workers in Kerala, Hosabale accused the state government of supporting jehadis in West Bengal.

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Dubbing the situation in Kerala too as "worrisome," he said that after LDF victory in the assembly elections, there had been sudden increase in the attacks on activists and organisations associated with the RSS. PTI NVM VS TVS GSN GSN

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TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Writers unite! The Capital City is gearing up for the 2017 Tallahassee Writers Conference!

Organizers say it's an opportunity for aspiring writers to network with authors, writers, and publishers through hourly workshops.

The all day conference is held in partnership with Florida State University's School of Information.

It all kicks off Saturday, April 22 from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the FSU Conference Center.
Krishna was very miffed with Congress as he felt he was sidelined by the party high command and also with the governance by the Congress in Karnataka where his expertise as a senior party leader was not being utilised.

By Rohini Swamy: Veteran Congress leader S M Krishna is all set to join the BJP later today. Krishna will be inducted into the BJP in the presence of party chief Amit Shah and Karnataka state president B S Yeddyurappa at the party's headquarters in Delhi around 4 pm.

Krishna was very miffed with Congress as he felt he was sidelined by the party high command and also with the governance by the Congress in Karnataka where his expertise as a senior party leader was not being utilised.

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Karnataka state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa has played a pivotal role in convincing SM Krishna to join the BJP.

RESIGNING FROM CONG A PAINFUL MOMENT: KRISHNA

While announcing his resignation from the Congress, SM Krishna had termed the move 'a very painful moment' adding, 'a situation has now come wherein I have to leave the home in which I resided peacefully for the last 46 years'.

This move will definitely affect the image of the Congress and hurt Siddaramaiah's efforts to show that his party is united especially when assembly elections in Karnataka are to be held in 2018.

Also read | SM Krishna hits out at Congress, says party wants managers not mass leaders like him

WATCH VIDEO

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Jeff Gillespie, the Yakima County Sheriffs Office lead detective in the investigation of the murder of Deborah Bailey, points to areas on a map while testifying in a Yakima County Superior courtroom Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Gillespie says he and the defendant Barry Beckford, who is on trial for a count of first-degree murder and two counts of witness tampering, drove a route to where Baileys car was found in the days following her death. (SHAWN GUST/Yakima Herald-Republic)
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The minister directed the doctors to refer only rarest of the rare cases which require tertiary care at top hospitals.

This action has been taken by the minister after Mail Today reported that, on an average, 50 trauma, MLC and dog bite cases in government hospitals in the city are referred to Safdarjung Hospital.

By Priyanka Sharma: Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain has written to all department heads of government hospitals in the Capital asking them, 'not to refer trauma cases to Safdarjung Hospital anymore'.

The minister directed the doctors to refer only rarest of the rare cases which require tertiary care at top hospitals. Treatment for trauma cases is also available at state government hospitals, he said.

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This action has been taken by the minister after Mail Today reported that, on an average, 50 trauma, MLC and dog bite cases in government hospitals in the city are referred to Safdarjung Hospital. A copy of circular is with the Mail Today, in which health minister has said, "Patients of Delhi government hospitals are being referred to Safdarjung Hospital for which the treatment is available at other hospitals too."

FOLLOW PROTOCOL, URGES SATYENDRA JAIN

"When the treatment already exists in our hospitals and dispensaries, there is no reason to refer such cases to Safdarjung Hospital. It is therefore, to refer those cases for which the treatment is not available at Delhi government hospitals/dispensaries," noted the circular.

All accident, poisoning, unnatural deaths, homicide, suicide, are to be considered as medico legal cases. Whenever they are reported to any hospital, whether private or government, it is the responsibility of the hospital to provide immediate treatment and inform the local police station regarding any foul play.

"However, this protocol is not being followed by most of the Delhi government hospitals," informed sources. Sources also said, "Delhi government hospitals such as DDU, Sanjay Gandhi, Ambedkar, Madan Mohan Malviya etc are referring at least 15 medico legal cases to Safarjung Hospital. Dr AK Rai, medical superintendent at Safdarjung, told Mail Today, "Even AIIMS refers patients to Safdarjung Hospital after primary treatment. Our hospital is already overburdened with our own indoor patients."

Also read: Delhi: Safdarjung Hospital condemns transfer of trauma patients by others to cut load

Also read: 3 Idiots moment at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital: Doctors perform surgery under torchlight

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By Amarnath K. Menon : Sculptor Harsha Vardhan Durugadda, 28, has bagged the prestigious 50,000 Australian dollar Rio Tinto Sculpture Award at the 13th annual Sculpture by the Sea show at Cottesloe, Perth.

Harsha's work, 'Column of Sound', is based on the visual dynamics of an audio wave. The prize winning work was picked from among 70 works from across the world, including that of renowned sculptors like Zadok Ben- David (Israel) and Sir Tony Cragg (England).

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"Sound-- temporal and ephemeral-- translates to tactile and eternal in a paradigm shift of our sensory experience," explained the sculptor. ''As a young artist, this is going to be a huge stepping stone in my career and I would want to use the funds to procure tools and setup my studio.''

Also Read:Dance is the rhythm of life for this young Kathak dancer from Delhi

Lauding Harsha's work, David Handley, founding director, Sculpture by the Sea, said, ''I was greatly impressed by its originality, form and how elegantly it was crafted-- especially considering the use of two quite contrasting materials: steel and marble.''

"My journey has been like that of a flowing river. My ideas seem to all turn into a river creating new pastures and lakes as I move ahead. I am unearthing new paradigms in my own work which were not present earlier. This could also be a result of the conversations with the artists I meet during these travels," Harsha Vardhan told India Today Digital about his origin and growth as an artist.

A dominant theme in Harsha Vardhan's work is the idea of whirling or spinning, which springs from striking impressions he has of Turkish dervishes. He has evolved steadily, working across sculpture, performance and installation art. His early works have been more about form, volume, and material. In recent years he has been interested in an aesthetic which involves conceptual engagement with the viewer. His 'Whirling Man' was a life-size wooden work which could be spun by the viewer, enabling viewer's participation. "This element of deeper engagement with the work enables 'Column of Sound' to be personal and monumental at the same time," said Harsha.

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WASHINGTON 

Earlier this month, for about an hour, America watched with astonishment as President Trump addressed the two Houses of Congress and kept The Donald well-hidden. While he spent most of the time talking about his favorite thing, himself, he occasionally snuck in a few sane and appeasing comments about the need to work together and to cooperate, which made even his biggest critics in the hostile media note with admiration that this was the day in which Trump became a responsible and restrained president.

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It was a delightful night in the American capital. On the right and on the left, there was suddenly a sense of elation ahead of some kind of promise. But as the morning arrived, the glimmers of hope cleared away with the mist. The great Donald woke up to a morning of nervous tweets.

After the brief illusion that the boss had calmed down, his fans were able to breathe with relief: The Donald started kicking again, accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping his phones during the election campaign, kept insulting the media and returned to his administration, which is being run in circles of insanity, lies and a world of alternative facts.

Trump and Netanyahu. His predecessors failed and he wants to show that hethe great Donaldis the only one who can do it (Photo: AP)

Within this chaos, as if in a bubble, the White House is doing extensive work on one issue that has to do with us: How to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table and fulfill Trumps grandiose ambition to reach a historic peace agreement that would echo throughout the region and the entire world. He seems obsessed with this issue, perhaps because his predecessors failed and he wants to show that hethe great Donaldis the only one who can do it.

Through secret channels and indirect paths, Trump is negotiating with Saudi Arabia, which he sees as a key state for the creation of a Sunni front against Iran. Obama approached the issue with a sense of mission, with a world view, an aspiration for justice and ideals: He wanted to put an end to the Palestinian suffering and save Israel and help it retain its status as a Jewish democratic state. Israelis saw him as an enemy. Now, with Trumps activeness, the Israeli Right will likely miss Obama. Because Obama approached the issue with the composure of a leader searching for a solution, while Trump is bursting forth restlessly, and its not exactly clear why he is so obsessed with this issue, when he hasnt even started picking up the pieces of torn America.

Trump is looking at the map of the Middle East through the eyes of a real estate mogul: He will parcellate the West Bank, measure lands, draw borders, and he is the one who will cut the ribbon. The man who is unable to read an intelligence document with more than nine paragraphs is not interested in the details, in the history, in the complexity and in the drives of the regions people. His vision is to see towers rising on both sides of the Green Line, with water fountains and marble everywhere. Thats what hes familiar with.

Diplomats from Washington briefed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of his phone call with Trump: Dont fight him, dont argue and dont you dare whine that he is on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus side. All he wants is to receive love and recognition, because he is the admired Donald. Abbas took the advice to heart, and the conversation yielded both an understanding and an invitation to the White House.

The talks will continue, and the aim is to make a bombastic move of organizing a regional conference. The formula that would make it possible, according to the working plan at the White House, is that Trump will get Netanyahu to avoid building new settlements, give Abbas his word that the American embassy will not move to Jerusalem, make Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan partners in the talks, and will try to do what he believes he canbring about a peace agreement.

Why is Trump gambling on this issue? Because he needs a foreign policy achievement, and not because he really cares. He wants a grandiose deal, and he is approaching the issue with no sentiments whatsoever. As far as hes concerned, failure means a bleeding wound to his ego. He wont let that happen. He will try to subdue not only Abbas, but also Netanyahu, because as he learned in the business world: friends get no discounts.

Netanyahu, who cant and doesnt want this, will try to play for time, because he knows that when Trump fails to do something his way, he turns away and goes looking for a different toy. Although the White House wants this very much, its hard to believe that the time has arrived for history to be made in the region.
Britain has introduced restrictions on carry-on electronic goods on direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia for the safety of the public, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday.

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Earlier Tuesday, the United States imposed similar restrictions on planes coming from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

File photo (Photo: Shutterstock)

"Direct flights to the UK from these destinations continue to operate to the UK subject to these new measures being in place," the spokesman told reporters. "We think these steps are necessary and proportionate to allow passengers to travel safely."

New ban on carry-on electronics ()

X

Passengers would not be allowed to bring phones, laptops or tablets over 16 cm in length, 9.3 cm in width and with a depth of over 1.5 cm into the cabin. These items would have to be in checked-in hold luggage, he said.

The decision was made following fears of bombs being planted on airplanes. The United States warned Tuesday that terrorist groups are planning to attack passenger planes with bombs docked in electronic devices, and therefore it decided to prohibit the use of devices larger than a mobile phone on flights from 10 different airports in the Middle East and Africa.

According to US officials, the airlines were given 96 hours to enforce the ban.
Yair Katz, 36, son of Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz (Likud), was arrested Wednesday morning along with another suspect as part of the police's investigation into suspicions of corruption, fraud and breach of trust at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

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Katz has been a member of the IAI workers' union over the past four years and allegedly used his position to political ends.

"(Katz) made people register for the Likud party though intimidation and extortion," claimed police representative Slava Maron.

Yair Katz (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Maron added that since the investigation was made public, attempts were made by the younger Katz and other suspects to obstruct procedures.

"The workers' union cast fear on IAI workers. As someone in a senior position (Katz), who was supposed to help employees with their problems, he instead exploited his positionalong with the other suspectsto instill fear in the workers and promote his personal interests," the police representative said.

Chairman of IAI's technicians' workers union David Peretz is also suspected of conducting political activity through extortion.

David Peretz (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"When an organization such as this or a person representing it asks an employee to register to the Likud party, it's a problem for him to refuse," the representative said, adding that "people registered to the Likud even though it didnt represent their political views because they felt threatened."

The suspects' remand was extended by five days at the police's request. Ten additional suspects were held for questioning. Police also searched the homes of the suspects.

The investigation will examine whether employees who registered to the Likud party received promotions at the IAI.

Minister Haim Katz is expected to be summoned in the next few days to give testimony concerning the allegations against his son.

Photo: Avi Mualem

The corruption investigation initially focused on suppliers providing bribes and kickbacks to company officials in order to win various tenders.

So far, 16 suspects have been arrested, including several senior board members and a bank manager.

Among those arrested is former senior IDF officer Brig. Gen. (res.) Amal Asad, who is believed to have received bribes from the company DruzNet, which allegedly transferred funds to him through his relatives so he would help them keep their IAI contract.

Another suspect is Eli Cohen, a senior member of the IAI workers' union, who is suspected of receiving and giving benefits to senior officials in the government company its suppliers.

Eli Cohen (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

In one glaring example, an as-of-yet unidentified northern Israel company allegedly provided illicit favors in exchange for several IAI contracts. In direct contravention of regulations, the same company was also given clear preference over others in tenders.

According to information from police, the unnamed contracting company was awarded "rolling" orders, meaning, each time payment for a particular service was concluded, an additional service contract would be provided.

"This is a complex and extensive investigation, which involves a number of different actors being suspected of a variety of offenses including bribery, aggravated fraud, money laundering, theft by a public servant and breach of trust," police said in a statement.

Police also added that the undercover investigation uncovered "systematic criminal conduct and deep suspected corruption that is apparently the norm in IAI.

"This case includes a large and diverse amount of people involved, including board members, executives, managers, junior staff; all those who were gatekeepers (to IAI), in addition to service providers and consultants for the company."

(Translated & edited by Yaara Shalom and Lior Mor)
IDF sources addressed an incident in the Gaza Strip border area in which an 18-year-old Palestinian was allegedly killed.

According to military sources, three Palestinians were identified near the security fence in a prohibited area.

In response, an armored force fired in their direction.

The IDF is checking whether they tried to place an explosive device in the area.
The police are currently deployed in Jabel Mukaber and in the surrounding region in order to carry out the sealing operation of the house of the terrorist who committed the attack on January 8, 2017 on the East Talpiot Promenade. In the terrorist attack, four IDF soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded.

Police and Border Police forces under the command of the Jerusalem district commander, Yoram Halevy, are working to maintain order and security and prevent acts of violence in order to allow the forces to follow through with the sealing of the terrorist's house.
An IDF's Skylark drone that crashed in Syria on Sunday likely went down due to human error made by the Artillery Corps troops who were flying it, according to initial findings from the army's investigation into the incident.

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The investigation, carried out by the Ground Forces and Northern Command, also found that the complex nature of the activity the drone was performing led to its eventual crash.

"The drone wasn't shot down, it crashed," a senior IDF officer told Ynet. "There is no concern of an information leak as the aircraft itself does not keep classified information (in its memory banks). The little technical information the drone contained was immediately erased (upon crashing)."





Hezbollah released photos of a drone late Monday with stickers in Hebrew, identifying it as an IDF Artillery Corps drone manufactured by Elbit Systems.

This is the third time a Skylark drone, the smallest among the drones the IDF uses, crashes in enemy territory. A week ago, a drone crashed in Gaza . In January, an IDF Skylark drone crashed in Lebanon

The Artillery Corps' Skylark drone unit operates alongside other battalions both in times of war and in times of peace to provide a live and quick visual of the situation on the ground for the battalion and brigade commanders. This helps troops in capturing wanted suspects in the West Bank, or when fighting in Gaza or Lebanon.

"About three years ago, we increased the unit's operational activity a great deal in light of its capabilities, operational successes and the great demand for its work," the IDF officer explained.

"Most of the malfunctions that caused the drones to crash were technical. In the new version of the system, which we introduced about six months ago, we greatly reduced the communication problems that caused some of the malfunctions and crashes," he continued.

"When we purchased the Skylark, our initial expectations were for malfunction that causes a crash once every 200 hours of flight. In reality, it happened once every 400 to 500 hours. We, of course, are hoping to improve that too, but this is a relatively small and cheap drone."
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot determined Wednesday that while the Gaza tunnel threat is a serious threat, it is nevertheless not an existential or a strategic threat.

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Speaking in front of the Knesset's State Control Committee, Lt. Gen. Eisenkot explained that "The underground threat is very serious, and this is how we treat it. But I don't think it's correct to define it as an existential or strategic threat, all the while terrifying ourselves and the residents (near the border fence)."

He said that while he was a commander in the West Bank "suicide bombers were a threat that caused a lot of casualties, but we succeeded in figuring out the pattern and thwarting the threat for years. I say the same thing about this threat as wellit's a very serious threat, but definitely not existential."

Eisenkot speaking in front of the State Control Committee (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The State Control Committee was meeting to discuss State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's report about the failings of Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Eisenkot, who was the deputy IDF chief during the war in Gaza, told the committee that he "sees great importance in this report, which helps the IDF learn and improve."

The IDF chief explained that Operation Protective Edge was the first time in its history that the Israeli military encountered tunnels so deep underground and so extensive. "We were dealing with over 30 offensive tunnels, about a third of which infiltrated Israeli territory. As a result of this capability, Hamas managed to kill 13 soldiers and operate in our territory coming from underground," Eisenkot said.

State Control Committee discusses comptroller report (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Eisenkot noted that "since Protective Edge, we've diverted great resources (to dealing with the tunnel threat), we put the mission of the underground threat on high priority in the IDF... in 2016, the defense establishment spent NIS 1.2 billion to work on a better response to the threat."

In addition to that, Israel has invested NIS 3 billion in building an obstacle on the Gaza border, which will serve as an underground cement wall that would make it harder on tunnel diggers to get across the border.

These funds, Eisenkot said, are invested in "an underground obstacle, an over-ground obstacle, a radar system, an intelligence collection system," adding that "none of this is part of a future plan; these are plans ongoing today on the ground to provide a better response to the threat."

To further emphasize how seriously the IDF is taking the threat, the IDF chief spoke about a surprise exercise for two divisions, which was conducted several months ago in the Gaza border area.

Speaking about the IDF's improved capabilities since the operation, Eisenkot said that "the State of Israel is currently at the forefront of technological advancements in the world vis-a-vis the underground challenges. Following talks with world powers, I can say that, to my knowledge, there aren't more advanced capabilities than those of the IDFand I say this with modesty, while knowing what other countries have."
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon was angered by the timing chosen by the heads of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) to announce their pick for leading news anchor, arguing they were trying to foil a compromise agreement on the future of the broadcaster.

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Journalist Geula Even-Sa'ar, who was chosen to anchor the state-funded channel's main news broadcast, is the wife of Gideon Sa'ar, a former Likud minister and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rival.

Netanyahu, who is currently in China on a state visit, was also angered by the announcement, which came as his representatives and Kahlon's were working to reach a compromise on the matter.

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Photo: Zvika Tishler)

"The heads of the IPBC want elections," Kahlon said in private conversations. "As far as they are concerned, this is the preferred option, because then, the IPBC will launch as it is."

Netanyahu has withdrawn his support for the IPBC, which is due to start broadcasting at the end of April, deciding instead to fight to keep the existing Israel Broadcast Authority (IBA) on air by combining the two public broadcasting bodies.

In a meeting on Saturday with Likud ministers, Netanyahu declared that he will stand against establishing the IPBC, adding, "If we don't reach an agreement with Kahlon, we will hold elections."

The prime minister asserted that restructuring the IPBC would not require further spending and that "the cost of keeping the IBA running is tens of millions of shekels cheaper than erecting the IPBC"assertions Kahlon and the Finance Ministry have rejected.

As part of compromise negotiations, Netanyahu demanded the dismissal of the IPBCs heads, CEO Eldad Koblenz and Chairman Gil Omer, something Kahlon hasn't objected to.

And while he had no problem with Even-Sa'ar leading the IPBC's news broadcast, Kahlon said on Tuesday that the timing of the announcement was problematic. "Talks have been going on for weeks," he said, "and for some reason, the announcement of her appointment only came out now."

"I have no doubt that the heads of the IPBC sat for a few months, shuffled things around, examined, reviewed," Kahlon said cynically at a conference in Tel Aviv, "and finally made the decision to announce the appointment.

Sources close to Kahlon said Tuesday that after the heads of the IPBC realized that the prime minister was "walking all over them," they decided to escalate the confrontation.

In addition, Channel 2 News reported that in a recent conversation with senior officials at Army Radio, Kahlon made it clear that he was not committed to the heads of the IPBC.

"I'm only interested in the IPBC going live on time," he was quoted as saying. "What do I care who the managers are? What, are they my brothers-in-law?"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to go to elections. Even if he does sign a compromise , with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, as expected; even if a few people are dismissed because he imagines they are against him. Like in the Book of Esther, on that Shabbat the king could not sleep, his advisors could not sleep, rumors began circulating and the current crisis was born.

What did the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) and its heads ever do to him or to his associates? Nothing. It takes a considerable amount of shamelessness to argue that this is a dispute between the Right and the Left. If there is a dispute, its between the different shades of the Right: Between those who are willing to nod at every word Netanyahu says and those who, God forbid, support Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and other right-wing people.

According to Netanyahus perception, promises vanish at the beginning of every new term (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem)

The IPBC is just an unconvincing excuse. Netanyahu couldnt care less about the employees who will be dismissed. On the contrary. According to Netanyahu, there are people who should be fired under the new agreements. Controlling the media is another spinits difficult to control the media even if one succeeds in meddling in the managers appointment. What we have is a rational decision, and if it wont be implemented now, it will be implemented in the next crisisand by then, the excuse will be more convincing.

The Likud members are stressed out by the option of elections, even the yes men. That may have been enough to convince Netanyahu to end the crisis, but it doesnt end anything. The decision he made on Saturday to create the crisis in the first place is the important move. Netanyahu thought it over, hesitated, changed his mind and then made a decision. Not about shutting down the IPBC, but about the real thingthe elections. Whoever creates a crisis with his most stable partner in the coalition is taking a gamble on its existence. And whoever takes a gamble on its existence intends for it to be dissolved.

No one understands the logic behind the decision, including Culture Minister Miri Regev, who was sent to give confused interviews in favor and against it. Elections mean losing what already exists: A stable right-wing government with small ideological differences and important governmental processes that have begun.

Elections are also a violation of Netanyahus promise to build a new community for the Amona evictees (because no one deals with sensitive issues during an election campaign), a dissolution of the idea to apply Israeli sovereignty to Maale Adumim (because no one deals with policy in such a situation) and, most importantly, the establishment of the IPBC (which is allegedly the official reason for this entire crisis). Add to that a huge waste of public funds, and youll get a series of losses.

But what seems like a loss could turn, with thick cynical glasses, into a profit. Apart from the investigations that are disrupting the agenda, the fear of an indictment and of the subversives seeking to take his place, Netanyahu seems to have a strong desire to avoid dealing in the coming months with promises he has no desire to keep.

What was expected did, in fact. happen. Israel failed to tell the new US administration what it wants in the absence of peace, so the new administration decided to say whatever it wants. Without elections, Netanyahu will have to deal with the justified disappointment of the Amona evictees, with the disappointment of his partners from the Bayit Yehudi party, with the disappointment of all those who expected him to keep the promises he made to everyone.

According to Netanyahus perception, such promises vanish at the beginning of every new term. He created a public broadcasting corporation, and then decided that he didnt want it. He was against two states for two people, and then in favor. He promised a change in the governmental system, and then left it as it was. If he promised a dramatic change vis-a-vis the Trump administration before the elections, nothing will happen after the elections.

Granted, there is a huge risk in going to elections. History shows that Election Day surprises do not repeat themselves two times in a row. This was experienced by parties like Shinui, the Pensioners, Kadima and Yesh Atid. The Likud was the big surprise of the last elections. The chance that Netanyahu will manage to regain 30 Knesset seats is not high. So why, then? Just for the sake of it.

Between the risk involved in going to elections and his desire to erase his personal debts to the voters and to postpone the police investigations by several months, Netanyahu has decided to take the second option. The current crisis will be solved with more acrobatic phrasing, as heads will role (an outcome that is a scandal in itself). Whatever the outcome, though, it's impossible to uproot the seed of thought planted in Netanyahus mind. We are heading towards elections, with or without the crisis.
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned. The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

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Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as US-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse. Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP. Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."





Trump with Paul Manafort (Photo: Reuters)

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign. Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russian interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manafort's ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests."

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests. US diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as "among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad." In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008at least three years after they began working togethersaid Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer AP's questions.

Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putin's interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manafort's work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manafort's work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the US intelligence investigation of Trump's associates and Russia, according to a US official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential. Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manafort's activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No US criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

FBI Director James Comey, in confirming to Congress the federal intelligence investigation this week, declined to say whether Manafort was a target. Manafort's name was mentioned 28 times during the hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, mostly about his work in Ukraine. No one mentioned Deripaska.

Paul Manafort (Photo: AP)

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday that Manafort "played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time" in the campaign, even though as Trump's presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Manafort and his associates remain in Trump's orbit. Manafort told a colleague this year that he continues to speak with Trump by telephone. Manafort's former business partner in eastern Europe, Rick Gates, has been seen inside the White House on a number of occasions. Gates has since helped plan Trump's inauguration and now runs a nonprofit organization, America First Policies, to back the White House agenda.

Gates, whose name does not appear in the documents, told the AP that he joined Manafort's firm in 2006 and was aware Manafort had a relationship with Deripaska, but he was not aware of the work described in the memos. Gates said his work was focused on domestic US lobbying and political consulting in Ukraine at the time. He said he stopped working for Manafort's firm in March 2016 when he joined Trump's presidential campaign.

Manafort told Deripaska in 2005 that he was pushing policies as part of his work in Ukraine "at the highest levels of the US governmentthe White House, Capitol Hill and the State Department," according to the documents. He also said he had hired a "leading international law firm with close ties to President Bush to support our client's interests," but he did not identify the firm. Manafort also said he was employing unidentified legal experts for the effort at leading universities and think tanks, including Duke University, New York University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Manafort did not disclose details about the lobbying work to the Justice Department during the period the contract was in place.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the US on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.

Deripaska owns Basic Element Co., which employs 200,000 people worldwide in the agriculture, aviation, construction, energy, financial services, insurance and manufacturing industries, and he runs one of the world's largest aluminum companies. Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.2 billion. How much Deripaska paid Manafort in total is not clear, but people familiar with the relationship said money transfers to Manafort amounted to tens of millions of dollars and continued through at least 2009. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secret payments publicly.

In strategy memos, Manafort proposed that Deripaska and Putin would benefit from lobbying Western governments, especially the US, to allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine. He proposed building "long term relationships" with Western journalists and a variety of measures to improve recruitment, communications and financial planning by pro-Russian parties in the region.

Paul Manafort (Photo: MCT)

Manafort proposed extending his existing work in eastern Europe to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, where he pledged to bolster the legitimacy of governments friendly to Putin and undercut anti-Russian figures through political campaigns, nonprofit front groups and media operations.

For the $10 million contract, Manafort did not use his public-facing consulting firm, Davis Manafort. Instead, he used a company, LOAV Ltd., that he had registered in Delaware in 1992. He listed LOAV as having the same address of his lobbying and consulting firms in Alexandria, Virginia. In other records, LOAV's address was listed as Manafort's home, also in Alexandria. Manafort sold the home in July 2015 for $1.4 million. He now owns an apartment in Trump Tower in New York, as well as other properties in Florida and New York.

One strategy memo to Deripaska was written by Manafort and Rick Davis, his business partner at the time. In written responses to the AP, Davis said he did not know that his firm had proposed a plan to covertly promote the interests of the Russian government.

Davis said he believes Manafort used his name without his permission on the strategy memo. "My name was on every piece of stationery used by the company and in every memo prior to 2006. It does not mean I had anything to do with the memo described," Davis said. He took a leave of absence from the firm in late 2006 to work on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Manafort's work with Deripaska continued for years, though they had a falling out laid bare in 2014 in a Cayman Islands bankruptcy court. The billionaire gave Manafort nearly $19 million to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable, according to legal filings by Deripaska's representatives. It said that after taking the money, Manafort and his associates stopped responding to Deripaska's queries about how the funds had been used.

Early in the 2016 presidential campaign, Deripaska's representatives openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him. After Trump earned the nomination, Deripaska's representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.
Sebastian Vettel always gives his single seater F1 car a female name, and continuing his tradition, this year his 2017 Ferrari will be known as 'Gina'.

By Asian News International: Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has continued his tradition of naming his Formula One car for the upcoming season. (Latest F1 stories)

The 29-year-old driver always gives his single seater F1 car a female name, and continuing his tradition, this year his 2017 Ferrari will be known as 'Gina', reports Sport24.

According to a German newspaper, the name of the car is Latin and is short for 'Regina', which means Queen.

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The 2017 F1 season is slated to begin with Australian Grand Prix from March 26.

--- ENDS ---
Micah Avni, whose father Richard Lakin was murdered in the East Talpiot terrorist attack in October 2015, couldn't believe his ears when he heard terrorist Baha Aliyans father speak at the UN Human Rights assembly.

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According to Avni, Muhammad Aliyan is an Israeli citizen and he couldnt understand why Israel wasnt doing anything to stop the damage he was causing. "The terrorists father is inciting to terrorism and hatred amongst the children of east Jerusalem, yet he's wandering around freely?" said Avni in an interview to Ynet.

On October 13, 2015, two terrorists, Baha Aliyan and Bilal Abu Ghanem, boarded bus number 78 in Jerusalem. They opened fire in all directions and stabbed some of the passengers. Two of them, 78-year-old Haviv Haim and 51-year-old Along Govberg, were killed instantly. Avni's father, the 76-year-old Richard Lakin, died of his wounds two weeks later at the hospital. Aliyan was liquidated and Abu Ghanem was wounded.

Micah Avni and his father, the late Richard Lakin

Since then, the terrorist's father has been conducting a campaign to commemorate his murderous son by actively pushing to name schools after him and introducing his legacy into the curricula.

This week, Aliyan Sr. attended a Human Rights Council meeting at the UN, where he decried the sufferance of his family at the hand of Israel.

"After the attack I spoke at the UN and asked the organization and the UN secretary-general to condemn it, but they did not. Theyre consistent like that, Avni said. "This week, the UN hit rock bottom by inviting the father of the terrorist who murdered my father to give a speech as the representative of a delegation of families of terrorists and say how much they are suffering. Its just unbelievable. One would expect the State of Israel to raise its voice in objection, the UN is a platform for anti-Semitism."

Muhammad Aliyan

Much as Avni doesnt mince his words when it comes to the UN, he criticizes the State of Israel as well. "Muhammad Aliyan is a serial instigator of violence. He is an Israeli citizen with a blue ID card, who has been instigating on a daily basis ever since the terrorist attack, he said. "He made schools bear his sons name, established cub scouts, reading programs, met with just about everyone on the planet, and has been consistently inciting to violence. And so I ask, how is it possible that this man is wandering around freely? The same is true of Omar Barghouti, who runs BDSboth citizens with a blue ID card, who harm us every day, and no one is stopping them or the damage they are causing."

Lakin was a human rights activist. "My father would say that everyone should be treated with respect and love, respect everyone and treat everyone equally," said his son. "Terrorism is not human rights, it's exactly the opposite, and the organization that operates under the name of the UN Human Rights Council is no less than a platform for terrorism. This is simply a platform for anti-Semitism and the fact that they invite terrorists, respect them and give them a stage, proves that.

(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completed a five-day visit to China on Wednesday and boarded the plane on his way back to Israel. In reference to the ongoing talks with US officials regarding the settlements, Netanyahu said, "The talks are not over, but there is progress." Prior to boarding the plane back to Israel, Netanyahu and his wife Sara took a tour of the Great Wall of China.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu on official visit to China (: ")

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During his visit, Netanyahu participated in a business-economic forum with more than 600 Israeli and Chinese businesspeople. "There has been a dramatic change since my first visit to China more than 20 years ago. The streets were full of bicycles, there were very few cars, and mostly old buildings. The tremendous power and progress China has made is palpable, despite all of its challenges and problems," Netanyahu said. "During this period, Israel has not remained stagnant; it has become one of the leading centers of global innovation, a global technological powerhouse."

Photo: Haim Tzach, GPO

"I think China has an incredible ability to claim its rightful place and so it does, on the global stage. We are the perfect little partner for you in this endeavorand we are eager to be working with you, added Netanyahu. "In the coming days, we will sign a series of agreements with the government in order to promote collaboration between us and examine how we could assist China in its plans, and how China could of course allow us to participate in its large projects. I believe it is a match made in heaven.

The prime minister's official visit to Beijing marked the 25th anniversary of China-Israel diplomatic relations. On Monday, he received a festive welcome at the People's Hall in the Chinese capital. "This is an opportunity to exchange points of view and see how we can work together to promote security, peace, stability and prosperity," Netanyahu told the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang, who replied: "The Jewish and Chinese people are two of the world's greatest nations."

Photo: Haim Tzach, GPO

The Palestinian issue was also discussed at the press conference. "China has no personal interest in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, but we would like to see the conflict resolved in a proper and expedited manner," said Deng Li, director general of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, adding that the solution would have to be "coordinated with the UN and the international consensus."

Deng was then asked if the Iranian issue came up in conversation with Netanyahu, and what was China's position on Israel's call for imposing sanctions on Iran and canceling the nuclear agreement between it and the superpowers. Deng replied, "The issue of Iran came up in the conversation, and China's stance has always been clear: The nuclear agreement between the powers regarding the Iranian nuclear program should be applied, and the starting point is containing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Implementing the agreement will contribute to world peace."

(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
Merav and Herzl, whose daughter Lt. Shir Hajaj was murdered in a vehicular terror attack in East Talpiot two months ago, joined police forces on Wednesday in Jabel Mukaber to watch them seal off the home of the terrorist who carried out the attack.

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"It won't bring Shir back, but it might stop future attackers," Shir's father, Herzl, told Ynet.

Police deployed forces in and around the east Jerusalem neighborhood early Wednesday morning to secure the operation.

Sealing off the terrorist's home (Photo: Reuters)

The terrorist's father and brother were detained by the police for several hours ahead of the operation to prevent them from coming near the house while forces were sealing it.

Jerusalem District Police Commander Yoram Halevy granted the parents' unusual request to personally oversee the operation.

"I have to praise the Jerusalem Police and the district commander who really embraced us today and accompanied us throughout the entire process," Herzl Hajaj said. "They took us to his home in the village and explained to us how it will be sealed off and supported us during the difficult moments."

"I can't say I'm happy, and I'm not really satisfied," he added. "Perhaps if this policy of demolishing homes was implemented quicker, I wouldn't have become a bereaved father."

Police forces in Jabel Mukaber (Photo: Police)

The Hajaj family was at the forefront of the legal battle to have the terrorist's home sealed off after his family petitioned the High Court of Justice against it.

Four IDF soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded when terrorist Fadi al-Qanbar deliberately rammed his truck into a group of soldiers on the East Talpiot promenade in Jerusalem.

Prior to the house sealing operation, Halevy met with the families of the attack's four victims to give them an update on the police's activity in Jabel Mukaber following the attack as well as on the findings of the investigation into the attack.
BEIRUT -- Russian forces went to a Kurdish-controlled area of northwestern Syria that was shelled by Turkey on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Kurdish YPG militia said.

"Russian forces headed to the Jandaris area where the Turkish shelling is," YPG spokesman Redur Xelil told Reuters, adding they were the same Russian forces that deployed to the Kurdish-controlled Afrin area earlier this week.

The YPG said the Russian forces deployed to the Afrin region under a deal that would include training for its fighters. Russia said a branch of its "reconciliation centre", which negotiates local truces in Syria, had been located to Afrin.
BEIRUT -- US aircraft ferried Syrian Kurdish fighters and allied forces behind Islamic State lines Wednesday to spearhead an assault on a strategic town belonging to the extremist group outside its de facto capital, Raqqa, the Pentagon said.

The airlift was part of what Pentagon spokesman Eric Pohan described as a large, high-priority offensive to secure the area around Tabqa and the associated Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River.

"This is a significant strategic target," said Pohan. If successful, the operation would "basically cut ISIS off" from the western approaches to Raqqa.
China's envoy for the Syria crisis says the "momentum of peace dialogue will not be stopped" as U.N.-mediated talks are expected to resume.

Xie Xiaoyan spoke to reporters a day before Syrian government and opposition delegations were set to convene for a fifth round of talks in Geneva. He urged the two sides to give up the "illusion" that battleground gains could influence the political process.

Xie also said Wednesday that the United Nations should remain the "main channel of mediation," and he expressed concern about a recent upsurge in fighting.
In 2016, the Israeli government is continuing to use detention as a means of deporting migrants and asylum seekers from Israeli borders, according to a report by Israeli NGO The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants (HRM).

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According to HRM, Israel continues to employ this method despite statements by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) referring to the practice as being an "exceptional measure that can only be justified by a legitimate purpose."

Holot detention center (Photo: Herzl Yosef)

Most of the detained migrants and asylum seekers are from Eritrea and Sudan, countries which Israel is prevented from deporting their citizens due to commitments to international law.

Detainees are held in four facilitiesHolot, Saharonim, Giv'on and Yahalom.

The report, which also includes interviews and testimonies from migrants and asylum seekers, claims that there are currently some 3,000 detainees. Many have been detained for months or even years.

According to figures from HRM, at least 33 people have been held for more than two years, 25 people more than three years, 18 more than four years, 10 more than five years and 5 people have been held for more than six years.

African migrants after crossing the Israeli border (Photo: Yair Sagi)

Additionally, the report describes inadequate translation and medical services, a shortage of hygienic products and pressure by the Population and Immigration Authority for the migrants to leave.

The report however, also highlights positive developments, including an improvement in general conditions such as food, accommodations and religious observance.

The report advocated a series of recommendations, including the prevention of detention, prioritizing humane treatment, and preventing the detention of torture survivors and refugees suffering from post-traumatic stress or other mental disorders.

In response to the HRM report, the Israel Prison Service said, "In regards to the claims made concerning the holding conditions of migrants and asylum seekers, the issues are dependent upon four legal petitions scheduled to be discussed next week in court. All answers were given by the state a few months ago."

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
A law barring foreigners from entering Israel if they back boycotts against the country is causing alarm among liberal American Jews and others who perceive it to be an attempt to suppress critical political opinion.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government has long campaigned against the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, describing it as anti-Semitic and an attempt to erase Israel's legitimacy.





Photo: Shahar Azran

BDS protest (Photo: citizenside.com)

On March 6, Israel's parliament passed a law stating that any individuals or representatives of groups supporting BDS-type boycottsexcluding Israeli citizens and permanent residentswould be barred from entering the country.

Before the law was published and took effect on March 14, some foreigners were denied entry, including a British activist from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

This week, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) went further, calling for a database of all Israelis involved with BDS, including tracking their activity on social media.

In a further sign of a crackdown, one of the founders of the BDS movement, Qatari-born Palestinian Omar Barghouti , who cannot be banned under the law because he is married to an Israeli-Arab and is a permanent resident of Israel, was arrested this week on suspicion of tax evasion, local media reported.

American Jews who frequently visit Israel say they are alarmed by the law. While they may not support BDS, they oppose Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalemwhich most of the world regards as illegal under international lawand support pressure on the government to end it.

"I was horrified by the ban because it seemed to announce that people would be excluded from Israel because of political views," said Rabbi Arthur Green, a well-known scholar of Jewish mysticism at Hebrew College in Boston, who visits Israel regularly. "I feel it emboldens extremists on both sides."

Green and other prominent Jews abroad published an open letter in the Israeli press last week denouncing the ban and challenging the government to arrest them when they arrive.

Others see the legislation as an attack on free speech and question what it says about the right-wing government's openness to criticism. Internally, Israel tolerates a large diversity of opinion, but commentators say it appears not to accept it so readily from the outside.

This can put the nation in conflict with Jewish communities abroad that might normally be natural defenders of Israel.

"I would map it within deep divisions among Jewish and Israeli communities about where Israel should be and is going," said Moshe Halbertal, a professor of philosophy at Hebrew University and a leading authority on ethics.

"It really harms the case of Israel in a serious way, and the idea that it's a country that invites open debate and discussion."

One of the chief concerns about the law is that it does not distinguish between general boycotts of Israel and boycotts targeting Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want for their own state.

Several European Union countries, for example, label products made in Israeli settlements. Israel calls this a boycott of settlement goods. The countries involved say it is about identifying where the goods come from and clearly separating between Israel and the land it occupies.

Jennifer Gorovitz, vice president of the left-leaning New Israel Fund, a U.S. non-profit group, said the new law seemed to erase the line between Israel and the Palestinian territories, making all criticism, including of settlements, unacceptable.
The Be'er Sheva Magistrates' Court officially convicted MK Dr. Basel Ghattas on Wednesday of fraud, breach of trust, providing means to commit an act of terrorism, smuggling electronic contraband and breaking prison ordnances.

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MKs Hanin Zoabi and Juma Azbarga (Joint List) appeared in court in support of Ghattas during the ruling.

Ghattas in court (Photo: Herzl Yosef)

During the hearing, the prosecution said, "The plea bargain is correct, appropriate and reasonable both in terms of the offense and the punishment."

During the course of the hearing, a copy of the original indictment against Ghattas was presented, which included more serious charges. The current, amended indictment was submitted to the court as part of the plea bargain.

During the hearing, Ghattas admitted to receiving mobile phones and smuggling them into the prison, because he knew he would not be checked due to his parliamentary immunity.

Ghattas passing the smuggled phones (Video: Channel 10) ( 10)

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Ghattas' attorney, Avigdor Feldman, said, "Imprisonment is neither easy nor simple. His entering into prison will be difficult and traumatic, especially because he was a Knesset member and had to give that up."

Feldman was also against the imposition of a fine on Ghattas, saying, "We do not think that a fine should be imposed in this case because there was no financial gain for his actions."

Ghattas himself also spoke during the hearing, saying, "I want to say we took the plea with heavy hearts. From the first moment, I said I did not do this with the intent or thought to hurt another person or aid a terror organization. My feeling is that from the beginning I have not been up against a system seeking justice, but rather one trying to destroy me."

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
31-year-old Rasha Uthmani from the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye is the first Muslim woman to be accepted to the Foreign Ministry's cadet course. Uthmani is currently nominated to be Israeli Embassy in Turkey's spokesperson. She had previously represented Israel in a delegation to the United Nations.

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Uthmani passed the cadet course's rigorous selection process and was accepted together with 21 other cadets. In the past, Israeli Christian Arabs and Muslim men have been accepted to the course, which is considered to be akin to the IDF pilot's training course in terms of difficulty, selectiveness and prestige. Rania Joubran, the Christian daughter of Surpreme Court Justice Salim Joubran, was accepted to the course, but quite after three and a half years. Muslim men have previously served as Israeli ambassadors, though never a Muslim woman.

Uthmani

Uthmani (Center) as part of the Israeli UN delegation

As a young cadet, Uthmani wrote in her blog that "The term 'UN' enchanted me, and though at the time I didn't know much about the organization, I did know that for me, a girl who grew up in Baqa al-Gharbiyye and experienced firsthand the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Jewish conflict, I believed, and still and forever will believe in peace among the world's nations. I signed up for the Model UN, and over time discovered that it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life.

"Out of the three months I spent in the UN, one turning point will always stay with me: one day, I sat down in my usual seat in the human rights committee, and listened with great interest to a discussion taking place on women's rights violations.

"At this point, I had gotten used to the continuous barrage of accusations leveled against Israel by many countries on the council, much like (US Ambassador to the UNed) Nikki Haley had recently described in the pres s. The discrimination against Israel in the UN is very obvious and disappointing. But this time it was different. This time I listened to speeches by Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Egypt, all decrying the 'systematic women's rights violations' by Israel, while I, an Arab, Muslim Palestinian origin, represent Israel at the UN Human Rights Council."

Uthmani continued by saying, "that day at the UN made me desperately disappointed and pushed me to take matters into my own hands, to try and at least object in thought to the systemic conduct carried out in the international arena against Israel. I believe in peace in part because I believe that people are able to create positive change in the world. I want to be a part of that change, and I started doing this by choosing to join the Foreign Ministry's cadet course."
Over 11 million leaked documents revealed that a Panama law firm, Mossack Fonseca, helped more than 500 Indians to set up offshore companies in tax havens around the world.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: Actor Shah Rukh Khan is not under investigation in the Panama Papers leak case, an Income Tax department source has revealed to India Today.

"The information was factually incorrect as Shah Rukh Khan was not named in the Panama Papers leak case," an Income Tax department source told India Today. However, the actor is under the department scanner for his other investments in offshore destinations.

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In the financial year 2016-17, actor Salman Khan leads the pack in Bollywood by paying an advance tax of Rs 44.5 crore, whereas, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan paid an advance tax of Rs 29.5 crore and Rs 25.5 crore respectively.

Over 11 million leaked documents revealed that a Panama law firm, Mossack Fonseca, helped more than 500 Indians to set up offshore companies in tax havens around the world.

--- ENDS ---
Nebraskans know a thing or two about drought.

Brutally hot and dry conditions pounded Nebraska in 2012 in one of the most dramatic droughts in recent memory.

Lake McConaughy shrank to only 54 percent full, with an additional decline in 2013. Many ag producers saw groundwater levels fall, in some cases in dramatic fashion.

Theres good news of late, though.

Groundwater levels in much of the state have made major progress from 2012 due to robust precipitation.

The Platte River valley, the Panhandle and the eastern third of Nebraska have seen significant groundwater gains, the University of Nebraska- Lincolns Conservation and Survey Division recently reported.

Not that all is well.

Water stress returned in 2016 to some areas of central and western Nebraska, the UNL scientists reported, based on survey results from nearly 5,000 wells statewide.

A few days after the UNL researchers issued that report, another institution on the UNL campus  the National Drought Mitigation Center  put forward its inaugural annual report.

The center, now in its 22nd year at UNL, works closely with institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The report describes 24 drought-focused projects and 76 events the center has pursued either within our country or abroad.

Monitoring and early warning projects spearheaded by the center have focused on the needs of specific geographic areas, including U.S. regions, tribal areas in South Dakota, the Caribbean, a set of Middle Eastern nations and a long list of countries including the United Kingdom, Egypt, India, Vietnam and Australia.

These Nebraska-based institutions are making laudable contributions to local and global understanding of drought and options for coping with it.
Republican governors in Nebraska have become accustomed to relying on support from voters who live in the sun-dappled, wind-swept fields of farm country.

This year its much different. When it comes to tax reform, farmers are engaged in a stare-down with Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Both the Farm Bureau and the Farmers Union, and their ally, the Nebraska State Education Association, want the governor to focus on property tax relief. The governor is pushing for income tax cuts, with an accompanying proposal for modest property tax relief.

The governors proposal for changing the valuation method for agricultural land was termed smoke and mirrors by Bruce Rieker, Farm Bureau vice president of governmental relations at a meeting at the Schuyler fire station last month.

After talking to Ricketts I came to the conclusion that he will never do anything major on property taxes, and furthermore, I no longer believe he cares to, wrote Dennis Schuster of Steinauer, a retired farmer and member of the Lewiston School Board (LJS, Local View, Feb. 26).

This uncustomary face-off has some people scratching their heads. The complexities of modern farming can be baffling, considering the interplay between taxes, commodity prices, government programs, crop yields and the vagaries of weather.

Perhaps it would help to focus on just a few sets of figures.

First, take a look at recent changes in the valuation of agricultural land, according to the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market survey by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In 2011 the weighted average of agricultural land went up 22 percent. In 2012, it was up 32 percent; 2013, 25 percent and 2014, 9 percent.

Finally, there was a reversal. In 2015 the average went down 2 percent. In 2016 the average went down 4 percent.

Next take a look at the prices that farmers get for the grain they sell to pay the bills. Starting in 2011, farmers had three great years. In 2011 the calendar year average price for a bushel of corn was $6.01. In 2012 it was $6.67, and in 2013, $6.14. Then the price fell back to earth, $4.11 in 2014, $3.71 in 2015 and $3.48 in 2016, about 52 percent of the high in 2012.

Soybean prices went through a similar cycle: $12.53 in 2011, $13.96 in 2012, $14.07 in 2013 and $12.47 in 2014. Then prices dropped to $9.49 in 2015 and $9.40 in 2016, about 67 percent of the high in 2014.

So when farmers say they are being squeezed in a vice, they have a valid point. The increase in the price of their land, and the taxes they must pay on it, are not even remotely close to the changes in the price of the products they sell.

To the uninitiated, a rise in the value of land means the owner has become wealthy. However, to access that wealth, the owner has to sell. Most farmers want to keep farming, and the high taxes are just another cost of production.

Now that many farmers think the governor is standing in the way of property tax relief, the mere fact that he has an R behind his name doesnt provide automatic protection.
YORK  Erica Jenkins, who is serving life in prison for murder and 80-100 years for weapons counts, was supposed to be brought to York County Court Wednesday afternoon on charges of assault by a confined person with a weapon and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

The York County Sheriffs Department went to the Nebraska Center for Women (where Jenkins is incarcerated) to transport Jenkins to the courthouse  but she refused to be transported for the hearing.

The first count is a Class 2A felony that carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and the second count is a Class 2 felony that carries a possible maximum sentence of 50 years in prison, upon conviction.

Jenkins is accused of attacking another inmate at the womens prison last September.

And it wasnt just another inmate  the alleged victim is Christine Bordeaux, 42, who helped law enforcement authorities convict Jenkins.

The 27-year-old Jenkins is the sister of infamous killer, Nikko Jenkins. She was convicted in the killing of Curtis Bradford in which her brother shot Bradford after luring him out on the pretense of the trio committing a robbery. Testimony in that case included that Erica Jenkins yelled at her brother for taking my first kill.

Besides the murder conviction, Jenkins is also serving 40-60 years on two counts of robbery in the Aug. 11, 2013, deaths of Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge Cajiga-Ruiz (the murders of which were committed by her brother).

Jenkins has also been convicted in the past of assault on a law enforcement officer and two counts of assault on a health care worker.

In this most recent case, it is alleged that Jenkins beat Bordeaux with a padlock in a sock, causing facial injuries and a broken arm.

Judge Linda Caster-Senff presided over Jenkins first appearance in this case.

A special prosecutor has been appointed to this case, which is George Welch, an assistant Attorney General with the state of Nebraska.

The case was investigated by a certified law enforcement investigator employed by the Nebraska Department of Corrections.

During Wednesdays court proceedings, Judge Senff indicated that because Jenkins refused to appear, she would appoint an attorney to represent her and set a preliminary hearing date. Welch agreed that April 26 could be set for the next court date.
84-year-old Krishna changing ship at this stage of his political career raises questions for BJP as well.

By India Today Web Desk: Dealing a blow to Congress, former Union minister SM Krishna joined BJP in the national capital today. However, 84-year-old Krishna changing ship at this stage of his political career raises questions for BJP as well.

Just a day after BJP registered historic victory in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a road show to the BJP headquarters here. In his speech, he said India is a country where 65 per cent of the people are under the age of 35. He further said it is now an India of dreams for the youth, of the youth.

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Modi has been reiterating the focus on youth. He even changed the rule for seniors who would be kept out of ministry. In an unwritten rule, those above 75 years of age were not to get ministerial berth either at the Centre or in the BJP-ruled states.

To that end, just after winning the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, senior party leaders such as LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Shanta Kumar were rested. They were not included in Modi's Council of Ministers.

MARGDARSHAK MANDAL - BJP'S HOME FOR 'OLD' LEADERS

Instead, a new cell - Margdarshak Mandal - was created to accommodate Advani and Joshi along with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Prime Minister Modi has stuck to the unwritten rule. After she crossed the age of 75 years, Najma Heptullah resigned as Union minority affairs minister. She was given a gubernatorial assignment and sent to Manipur.

Similarly, senior minister in Madhya Pradesh Babulal Gaur was dropped from Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Council of Ministers.

However, inducting Krishna goes against BJP's current thought and at a time when the arclight of the party and Centre is on youth. The party it seems would have to increase the size of its Margdarshak Mandal.

However, electoral gains seem to have taken primacy over principles in Krishna's case. BJP wants to strengthen its base in Karnataka which goes to polls in 2018. The party wishes to send a message that Congress was a sinking ship and its senior leaders were jumping on to BJP's bandwagon. Senior Dalit leader Srinivas Prasad has also joined BJP.KRISHNA'S ENTRY AIMED AT WOOING VOKKALIGA VOTERS?

Secondly, Krishna is a Vokkaliga leader and BJP wants to woo this caste voters ahead of the Assembly elections and weaken Deve Gowda led JD(S). Third, the former Karnataka chief minister belongs to Mysuru region which is BJP's Achilles' heel.

Krishna is likely to give a boost to BJP's chances in Karnataka but his entry into the party would also be seen as a contradiction of PM Modi's principle of promoting youth.

ALSO READ:

Former Karnataka CM S M Krishna to join BJP tomorrow

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SM Krishna hits out at Congress, says party wants managers not mass leaders like him

--- ENDS ---
Speaking at a conference in Sydney on Monday, Wayne Byres, chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), made it clear that tighter restrictions on Australian property investors may be on the way.

Byres told Bloomberg that a combination of rapidly rising property prices in major cities (particularly the southeastern capitals), record household debt, anemic wages growth, and competitive pressures among the lenders was creating an environment of heightened risk.

Byres singled out Sydney, the nations largest and most expensive housing market, as being particularly high riskan assessment that aligns with recent data from CoreLogic, which shows that the median dwelling price in Sydney had risen by close to 19% over the past 12 months.

Many analysts believe the growth of investor activity in Sydney, and to a lesser degree in Melbourne, were partially responsible for the sharp increase in house prices.

Rather alarmingly, lending for housing investment rose by 4.2% to $13.7bn in January this year, the largest monthly increase since May 2015, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. January 2017s figures were 27.5% higher than the levels of a year earlier, and had the strongest growth since January 2015, the month after APRA imposed its 10% annual cap on investor borrowing.

Separate data from the Reserve Bank of Australia said that housing investor credit rose by 6.6% in the year to January. While this is below APRAs annual 10% cap on investor lending, it is still a significant acceleration on the levels reported in mid-2016.

In response to the lift in investor activity over the second half of 2016 and in early 2017, Byres said APRAs role was to make sure the banking system is resilient and that lending standards are sensible in an environment of heightened risk.

When asked what form a potential crackdown on banks would take, Byres referenced his 2014 letter to lenders, which identified investment loans, interest-only mortgages, and buyers with high loan-to-value-ratio loans as potential targets.

These are the things that remain on the radar, Byres told Fairfax Media.

Related stories:

RBA Wants To Impose Even Heavier Restraints On Lenders

Are Foreign Investors Really To Blame For Sydneys House Prices
Brisbanes high-end residential market saw a positive shift toward the end of last year, according to real estate agency Ray White, which brokered the 2014 sale of an Aaron Avenue home to Gina Rinehart, the wealthiest person in Australia, for $14m.

Last week, Brisbane set a record in residential property with the sale of a Kangaroo Point mansion for a jaw-dropping $18.48m. Overall, the city registered a record number of transactions in homes above the million-dollar threshold last year.

Demand for Brisbane property is particularly strong among Chinese buyers. The city is now the third most searched state capital in Australia on the international Chinese-language property portal Juwai.com. Aside from China, demand for Brisbane homes stems from investors from the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

We see the gap between Sydney and Melbourne closing in the next couple of years, said Patrick Hunt, manager at Indigo Building Group. Hunt noted that interstate investors from the southern states had begun their northern migration, drawn in part by Brisbanes more affordable median house price and stronger yields.

People cant afford the yield that theyre looking for in other cities; their returns arent there, said Mitch Koper, media manager at CoreLogic. In Brisbane, you can buy a house for [$600,000] and get a return of 7 or 8 percent in some cases. Its a very reasonably priced market.

For all its attractions, growing investor demand has alarmed the Queensland government, which has seen house prices reach unsustainable levels in Sydney and Melbourne. In June, the state government levied a 3% surcharge on foreign purchases, hoping to keep the market from overheating.

Related stories:

Property Investors Are Less Willing To Invest In Sydney And Melbourne

QLD Excerpt From The 2017 March Market Report
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By Press Trust of India: From Gurdip Singh

Singapore, Mar 22 (PTI) A Singaporean woman inseminated with a stranger Indian mans sperm in a fertility treatment mix-up cannot be compensated in full for raising the child, the city-states top court ruled today.

The Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by the woman against an earlier High Court decision, which ruled that she was not entitled to bring the claim for upkeep costs against Thomson Medical, its fertility centre and the centres senior embryologist and chief embryologist.

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In 2010, the woman and her husband went to the centre for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

A strangers sperm - instead of her husbands - was used to fertilise her extracted eggs. The mistake resulted in her giving birth to a baby girl with her genetic make-up but not her husbands.

A blood test showed that Baby Ps blood type could not have been a combination of both parents. Further investigations revealed that the womans egg had been fertilised with the sperm of an unknown Indian donor, instead of her husbands.

In a long-running lawsuit that started in 2012, the woman sued a private hospital, its fertility clinic and two fertility doctors after she was inseminated with the wrong sperm.

In 2015, the High Court disallowed the claim, citing policy considerations which view the birth of a healthy child as a blessing. The woman appealed.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court on the issue of upkeep costs, ruling it would be against public policy.

A negligence suit has been filed against Thomson Medical Clinic after an IVF mix-up in which a woman gave birth to a child conceived with a strangers sperm.

"Given that the appellant and her husband have accepted Baby P as their own (and assumed the status of parents), they must be taken to have accepted the responsibility of maintaining Baby P (financially and in all other respects)," the court explained.

But the court also decided that the woman has suffered a loss of "genetic affinity".

"This loss of affinity can also result in social stigma and embarrassment arising out of the misperceptions of others, as was the case here."

As for how much the woman can claim, the court considered that it should be set at 30 per cent of the financial costs of raising Baby P, with the precise quantum to be determined by the High Court.

The Court of Appeal said it would be preferable for the parties to arrive at an amicable settlement in order that closure might be achieved, reported the Singapore daily. PTI GS NSA

--- ENDS ---

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The move is being seen as an attempt to oppose the separatist faction's proposed election boycott campaign.

By Shuja-ul-Haq : Keeping in mind the upcoming parliamentary polls in Kashmir next month, security forces have taken preventive measures targeting the state's separatist faction.

According to information received, around 30 leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have either been placed under preventive custody or have been detained.

While senior leaders have either been jailed or placed under house arrest, the lower-rung leadership is on the run as police have started conducting raids on their houses.

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The move is being seen as an attempt to oppose the faction's proposed election boycott campaign. The Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency is going to polls on April 9 while the South Kashmir Assembly seat will see election being held on April 12.The police crackdown on resistance camps comes at a time when mainstream parties, including PDP, National Conference and Congress, have stepped up their campaign activities.

According to a statement issued by Geelani's Hurriyats group, police is continuously raiding the houses of its middle rung leaders, placing many of them have been arrested.

Geelani himself continues to remain under house arrest. while Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik was arrested outside his office in Lal Chowk and has been shifted to the Srinagar central jail a 12-day remand. Mirwaiz, on the other hand, has been placed under house arrest.

Leaders like Nayeem Khan and Shahid ul Islam were arrested today. Both of them were scheduled to fly to Delhi to attend the March 23 Pakistan National Day celebrations invitation of the Pakistan High Commission.

ALSO READ: JKLF chief Yasin Malik arrested

Separatists strike affects normal life in Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
From simple breadsticks to puddings, there's a lot you can do with old bread.

By Shreya Goswami: So you bought a packet of bread, and then didn't feel like eating any toast or a boring sandwich. That's okay, it happens a lot--especially if you're a busy millennial or a working mom. But before you regret the waste and throw the stale bread out, remember one thing.

You can make some of the most delicious dishes with stale bread.

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Stale bread absorbs a lot more flavour than fresh bread, so there are quite a few things you can do with them. Some of them are very easy to make--like breadsticks and croutons. Others, like puddings and meatloaf, seem a tad bit more complicated, but really aren't. Don't believe us? Just give these recipes a try.

Also read: 5 ways to give stale biscuits and cookies a jazzy makeover

Breadcrumbs

The easiest thing to make with stale bread is breadcrumbs. Once prepared, you can use it for anything--as a topping for macaroni and cheese or as the crispy coating for kebabs and tikkis. You can also use them to make your soups and curries thick, and more wholesome. To make Italian flavoured breadcrumbs, you'll need: 5 slices stale bread; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1/2 tsp salt; Ground black pepper, to taste.

Breadcrumbs are very easy to make, and have multiple uses. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Naive Cook Cooks Breadcrumbs are very easy to make, and have multiple uses. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Naive Cook Cooks

Just cut the slices of stale bread into small pieces, and whiz them up together with the dried herbs, salt and pepper. You should get a coarse mix of breadcrumbs. Transfer them into an airtight jar, and store it in a cool place. These will come in handy, so make sure you make a good batch.

Croutons

Croutons are just delicious, whether you're having them with soups or as a crispy snack. Most of us end up buying these from stores, but making them at home is the easiest thing there is. And you can actually make them better at home with a little addition of some more ingredients. You'll need: 5 slices stale bread; 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 tsp garlic paste; 1/2 tsp chilli powder; Salt, to taste.

Croutons make a great addition to soups and salads. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/natasha's kitchen

Chop the bread slices into small squares, and place them on a baking tray. In a separate bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, chilli powder and salt to make a light paste. Brush this paste on all the surfaces of the croutons, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 degrees. The croutons will turn golden-brown, crispy, and absolutely delicious.

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Breadsticks

Now these breadsticks are the smartest way to use up stale bread--they're economical snacks that can be made in both savoury and sweet forms, and you can serve them to your guests. You'll need: 5 slices stale bread; 2 tbsp melted butter; 5 tbsp sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon. Alternatively, you can use grated cheese isntead of the sugar, and chopped coriander instead of the cinnamon to make the breadsticks savoury.

These easy breadsticks will change your life. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Jessie Kirwan

Cut the slices of bread into long pieces, and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the butter on top and toss them till they're evenly coated. Now add the sweet (sugar and cinnamon) or savoury (cheese and coriander) toppings, and toss the breadsticks again. Spread them out on a greased baking tray, and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 degrees. You can store them till they're crispy.

Also read: 6 veggie and fruit peels that can be reused in yummy ways

Pudding

This classic British recipe always calls for stale bread, and there's no reason why you shouldn't make it more often--because it really is very easy to whip up. The best bit is, you can easily scale down the recipe, and use a single slice of bread to make a smaller, personal-sized portion just for yourself. You'll need: 4 cups bread, chopped; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 cups milk; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon.

Make this bread pudding, and your dessert is sorted. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Jamie My Baking Addiction

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Place the chopped bread in a greased baking dish. Whisk together the other ingredients in a large bowl, and pour the mix evenly on top of the bread. Put the dish in a preheated oven, and bake for 40 minutes at 200 degrees. Once you nail this basic recipe, you can branch out by adding almonds, cashews and raisins to it. Serve it with a good chocolate or caramel sauce, and there you have it--dessert sorted!

Meatloaf

A meat-lover's ultimate delight, meatloaves are filling enough to be a meal, and not just another snack. In case you're a vegetarian, you can make the same recipe by replacing the meat with sweet potatoes or potatoes. You'll need: 1 cup bread crumbs; 1 cup minced meat; 1 cup milk; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1 egg; 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste; 1 tsp ketchup or spicy chutney; 1 tsp red chilli powder; Salt, to taste.

Stuff your meatloaf with cheese, and it'll be tastier still. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Monique Volz

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Mix all the ingredients, except the ketchup or chutney, together in a large bowl till you get a smooth and thick paste. Pour it into a greased baking tray, and slather the top with the ketchup. Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes. Take the meatloaf out, slice it up and serve.

If you've been unable to use a packet of bread, just whip up some of these treats. They're just the sort of effortless dishes that you should be indulging in every day.

--- ENDS ---
Well, the Government of Delhi has finally woken up and taken notice of the depleting Ozone layer and banned the use, sale and storage of plastic bags. Bio-degradable bags, they say, will now be encouraged. <br><br> It was in the reckoning for long, but the followers of laws and rules that we Indians are, I guess the government must have considered quite a lot before enforcing the ban. We actually have a crack code for every law or rule that comes in our way. The declaration is that anyone caught carrying plastic bags will be at a risk of facing a five-year jail term or a fine of one lakh rupees, or both. Sounds good, doesnt it? I think it does for those who care for the environment that ultimately boils down to caring for oneself. <br><br> Now we have to carry a cloth bag or paper bag, when we go out shopping for groceries or at the dairy outlets for milk. All the shops and the shopping malls will have to provide their customers with paper carry bags too. <br><br> All the ban and penalty seems pretty cool for the cause of the environment, but will it actually be followed? I ask that question because, honestly, I havent seen many follow the traffic lights or use the subway for crossing the roads or even get their driving licenses made through the legal procedures. There is a <i>jugaad </i> to anything and everything in our country. I might sound blunt, but this is how it is and one would realize it if some unbiased thought is given to these things. <br><br> There was so much hype and hoopla about the smoking ban. But now it seems as if it was only a rumour. There was supposed to be a fine of Rs 200 on the person found smoking in public places. As far as I remember only 80 <i> challans</i> were issued on Day 1 of the ban. And after that, I never saw any news regarding the same. Well, Im sure there arent only a hundred or so smokers in our country that has the second largest population on this planet. <br><br> I just hope that the same is not the case with the ban on the plastic bags, considering the deteriorating environmental condition in the world. Global warming has been on a rise since forever now. Thanks to the negligence by the people world over. The attitude that prevails is nothing-will-happen-with-just-one-charger-plugged. But that one unplugged charger or a fan or a light switched off actually makes the difference. And one person starting to carry bio-degradable bags is bound to make a difference. One plastic bag will burn less and the environment will be affected 0.0000001% lesser. There is a difference, without a doubt. <br><br> The point here to ponder over is the hefty fine, leave alone the imprisonment. Can a daily wage earner pay a fine of one lakh rupees if caught carrying a plastic bag? There are murderers roaming free in this country, or should I say some corrupt citizens even running this nation. So is it practical to impose these punishments? The fine for over speeding is about four hundred rupees. We generally get away with handing over a Rs 50 or a maximum of Rs 100 note to the policeman. As stated above, a <i>jugaad</i> for everything here. <br><br> So how much do we pay for a fine of Rs 1 lakh? 200 bucks? I dont think so. The same 50 or 100 rupee note would do. Something better than nothing (in case they issue the <i>challan</i>) for the concerned authorities. <br><br> The citizens will have to put their foot down and support the governments steps for a better environment. We need to fight for a universal cause of Global Warming, which seems a petty issue to most of us. That can be done to some extent if we dump the plastic bags for bio-degradable carry bags rather than finding <i>jugaads</i> of evading the penalty.
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In the Bhagavad Geeta, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that whenever there arises danger to, He (Krishna) will incarnate to eradicateand re-establish righteousness. People believe that Adi Shankarabelieved to be an incarnation of Lord Siva- appeared on earth to propagate the ancient Vedic Dharma in the form of Advaita or the philosophy of non-duality, when the practice of Dharma was on the decline.Shankaras father died when he was five years old. Soon after, he joined a nearby Gurukula on the banks of River Poorna and completed his studies in the next eight years. He left home promising his mother to come to tend her in the last part of her life. Visiting many pilgrim centres, in Kashi (Varanasi), he experienced the Advaita doctrine, surprisingly through a pariah. Shankara wrote many philosophical treatises to establish the concept of Advaita, with commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Ten principal Upanishads and a few other works and poems in praise of various Vedic deities. He left commentaries on the trilogy of Vedantic scriptures, i.e., major Upanishads (about ten in number, including " Brihadaranyak Upanishad ", "Chandogya Upanishad" and "Mandukya Upanishads"), "Brahma Sutra", and "Bhagavad Gita". He is also said to have written, among others, "Vivekachudamani (Discrimination of Jewel)", where he fully expounded Vedantic principles, and "Atmabodha (Self-Knowledge)", where he exclusively discusses the identity between Atman and Brahman. A sub-commentary on the "Commentary by Vyasa on Patanjali`s Yoga Sutras" is also attributed to him. Shankara during his conquests defeated several Acharyas across length and breadth of the country: among them were Mandana Mishra and his wife of Ubhaya Bharat in Mahishmati and Ugra Bhairava--a notorious in Tantric field, in Srishalila. Reaching the banks of River Narmada, he met Govinda Bhagavatpada--a Mahayogi, and accepted him as his Guru. He also paid a visit to Sharada Nilaya in Kashmir known as Sarvajna Peetha (the seat of the all knowing). Scholars in religious philosophies of Jainism, Buddhism, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Vaisheshika confronted him, all of whom he defeated in debate before entering through the Southern gate, a privilege reserved for someone superior to the sect heads. In Shankaras view the entire Bharat was a holy land, therefore its welfare and unification was to be based on Dharma only. He established four centres in four corners of India for spreading Vedanta. At Shringeri--situated on the bank of River Tunga in Karnataka, he established the first Vedanta Jnana Peetha and installed the idol of Sri Sharada (Goddess of Learning) placing Sureshwara as the head of the Peetha. He also established Govardhana Peetha in Jagannath in the East, the Kalika Peetha in Dwaraka in the West, and the Jyotir Peetha in Badarikashrama in the North. These Peethas are called Amnaya Peethas. In Kashi too there is a Shankara Math, known as Sumeru Math and as Paduka Math, presided over by an Advaita Dandi Sanyasi. It is said that Shankara completed his mission in 820 AD and passed away at the age of merely 32 years in the mountainous region of Kedarnath. It cannot be said definitely where the Acharya spent his last days. People claim the signs of Shankaras Mahasamadhi in the holy towns of Kanchi, Trichur and Kedar. If his samadhi is in Kedar, it only signifies that his personality had extended over the whole of Bharat.Though Shankara is attributed to have remodeled Kanchi city and got reconstructed three principal temples there with the assistance of Rajasena, ruler of Kanchi., the other four Mutts established by Shankara do not recognise the Kanchi Peeth. Even the Supreme Court in its directive in Swami Parmatmanand Vs Ramji said, Adi Shankarachaya established only four Mutts. On the contrary, Kanchi Peeth claims that Shanakara established the fifth Peeth here and gave it upper hand over the four others. It also propagates that Shankara even died at Kanchi not at Kedarnath, besides establishing Sarvarga Peeth at Kanchi and not at Kashmir. In 1940s renowned scholar Sir C P Ramaswami Aiyyar wrote that there is nothing like Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham. It is believed that one branch of Shringeri was established in Kumbhakonam, where a seal (originally in Kannada) was discovered describing it as the Sharada Mutt. Goddess Sharada was worshipped only in Shringeri, while Goddess Kamakshi was venerated at Kanchi showing that Kumbhakonam Mutt did not come from Kanchipuram. With passage of time, the Kumbhakonam Mutt declared independence from Shringeri. Some enthusiasts at Kumbhakonam even propagated a theory that Adi Shankaracharya was born in 477 B.C. They also prepared a list of Mathadhishas as per which Jayendra Saraswati is the 69th Shankaracharya. However as per records, the head of Kumbhakonam in 1839 sought permission for the Kumbhashikam of Kamakshi temple in Kanchi from the then British Collector. In 1842, the East India Company had appointed the then head of Kumbhakonam as the lone trusty of Kamakshi temple. Thus the history Kanchi Mutt as an institution goes back to only 1842. The credit for bringing prominence to the Kanchi Mutt goes to late Chandrashekharendra Saraswati. Prior to him, the headquarters was in Kumbhakonam and the seers used to visit Kanchi to express their authority over Kamakshi temple from time to time.Besides Kanchi Peeth, there are four other Shankara Mutts. Shankar Mutt at Dwarka, also known as Sharada Peeth, is presently headed by Acharya Swami Swarupanand, but he also claims the headship of two more Peeths. Besides him, there are three more names, that of Swami Vasudevanand, Swami Madhwashrya and Swami Madhwanand. Of these, one lives at Varanasi, another at Haridwar but the third one at Delhi has been acknowledged by the Vishwa Hindi Parishad as the Shankaracharya. Among the most controversial Mutts is the Badrinath, where once Mahesh Yogi put forth his claim of becoming Shakaracharya, but had to withdraw as he was not a Brahmin. The belief is that after 1780s, there was no Sanyasi Shankaracharya for the Jyoti Mutt or Badrikashram, as the priests used to look after the responsibility of the Peeth. In 1941, Swami Brahamanand Saraswati again started the practice and himself became the Shankarachraya. The Bharat Dharma Mahamandal in Varanasi anointed him as the Shankaracharya. He tried to revitalize the Mutt, which prospered under his tutelage, but after his death in 1953, the system was once again disturbed. Among his four disciplesSwami Karpatri, Swami Krishna Bodhshrya, Swami Swarupanand and Dwarka PrasadKarpatri left his claim, but among the other three the dispute is still believed to be sub-judice. At Puri Peeth, Acharya Swami Niranjandev Tirth chose Swami Nischalanand Saraswati as his heir. But when the latter took over as Shankarcharya of the Peeth, one 16-year-old Sanyasi Swami Adhthtjanand put forth his claim. Scholars did not take him seriously, but nobody challenged him either. Besides, there are two more claimantsone Swami Rameshwaranand in Varanasi and another is Govindanand. In order to sort out the dispute at Badrinath, Dwarkas Shankaracharya Swami Abhinav Sachidanand Tirth took initiative and appointed Swami Swarupanand as his heir expecting that the latter would leave his claim over Badrinath. But after his death Swami Swarupanand took over the charge of Dwarka Peeth, but continued to be the Acharya of Badrinath. Thus accession to this Peeth too is still mired in controversy. Though there is no dispute at Shringeri Peeth, due to its orthodox practices it has always been in discussion.
Sunny Leone is busy having a ball of a time in Mexico.

By India Today Web Desk: Sunny Leone is basking in sun, sand and beaches in Mexico. The Jism 2 actor, who will be next seen in a cameo in Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Noor, has taken a break from her hectic schedule, and flew off to Cancun to enjoy a mini-break.

Sunny is raising the temperature in Mexico as she busy having a ball of a time in Mexico. The 35-year-old actor shared a few pictures from her beach vacation and they are sure to make you go green with envy.

So nice to finally be on a beach vacation Cancun Mexico!! A post shared by Sunny Leone (@sunnyleone) on Mar 21, 2017 at 3:19pm PDT

Tan tan tan!!! Yay! Love the sun here! cancun Mexico!! A post shared by Sunny Leone (@sunnyleone) on Mar 21, 2017 at 3:39pm PDT

Finally getting some sun and a tan!!! So so nice! A post shared by Sunny Leone (@sunnyleone) on Mar 21, 2017 at 3:37pm PDT

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Sunny is joined by her husband Daniel Weber and his parents in Mexico.

This is not the first time that Sunny has chosen Mexico for vacation. She was with her family at the same spot two years.

ALSO READ: Sunny Leone's father caught her secretly making out with her boyfriend!

ALSO READ: Sunny Leone's bathtub pictures with Daniel Weber are too hot to handle

ALSO WATCH: Sunny Leone's Ek Paheli Leela breaks the internet

--- ENDS ---
Bollywood has faced a number of upheavals and transformations, but one remarkable change in the recent times is the experimentation with techniques and themes. <br><br> The early years had a lot of restrictions in terms of presentation, handling and theme of the movie from the directors point of view. They could not take up challenging horror or action sequences because it demanded special effects, the result was a gapingly scant collection of horror flicks, and in the name of action the viewers had to do with adoring Dharmendras power-packed fists that floored the villains in one thunderous punch and a the roar: "Kuttey! Mein tera khoon pee jaunga!!!(along with a legendary dishum in the background). <br><br> There were some potential substitutes like Dara Singh, who promised some drum-centric-music-enhanced (read overshadowed) action sequences, where an army of goons was hurled about in all directions by him. Then we had Amitabh Bachchan in the Angry Young Man avatar and after him the action mantle fell to Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Suniel Shetty, and Akshay Kumar. With time, action sequences became considerably better, with slow-motion punches adding to the overall action effect of the pow-wow. <br><br> In the same era, Hollywood churned out a hair-raising thriller-horror The Wind (1987). This movie became hugely popular due to the sheer simplicity with which the horror was built-up. It was chilling, scary, violent and gripping. It used no effects other than some high voltage fans to create the windstorm in a deserted village. And its background music was self-effacing, yet adding to the chill. <br><br> A novelist (Meg Foster) retires to a crumbling villa in a village to complete her book, and is hounded by the caretaker, who has a fancy of killing with a scythe  pretty dumb and cliched storyline. No extraordinary props, no high-tech, hard-to-get gadgets that were a dream for our Bollywood procurers. Nico Mastorakis created a timeless and ingenious example of making viewers start in dread. It was frightening for an adult then; it still is for his son now. <br><br> Recently, we have seen an explosion of new age technologies giving our cinema an unusually updated look. (They have even mastered The Matrix 3-D effect after copying it in n number of movies!). Drona, Krrish, A love Story-2050 are all effects-based flicks, using the latest technologies. Even animation has reached its adolescence and films like Roadside Romeo are at par with regular feature films. Sometimes the animated characters look plastic but new-age children are used to it so they dont mind much. After all, they practically live in a world overflowing with polymer. <br><br> Of course, there has never been a dearth of romance in Bollywood. (The audience gets a chance to let their imagination run amok, fuelling Bollywood gossip). They actually started with a good guy in white kurta-pyjama (not the night-dress, it was the over-loose dress of those times!) serenading his lady love, looking at the metaphoric Moon, without a glance at that well made-up, simpering, dupatta-biting lass standing beside him. That was love. Then they held hands (and a leaf or a branch) and danced, then they hid behind trees in gardens (with a close-up of two flowers!), then they let the lass dupatta slip, then it disappeared altogether. But now our directors have a wide variety of romantic options from bed-scenes to kisses landing smack on the mouths. <br><br> Almost all versions of romance seem to have been exploited in the present cinematic period, but we can always expect from creative directors, who always discover a new kind of romantic instance for youngsters to moon about. <br><br> Having exhausted the expected lot of genre, Indian cinema is also extending shoots towards parallel cinema. Out of league movies are rising in number, and doing good business despite targeting a niche-audience. The success-secret is the capitalistic metropolitan approach of distributors. They make a movie for one segment of audience; take the urban thinking ones. Then they release it only in PVRs, multiplexes that charge a ten to twenty percent more than the small-town halls. They earn as much on selling a hundred tickets as they would in a small place selling a thousand. The film is a success - the trend becomes popular. Bheja Fry, Slumdog Millioanaire and A Wednesday become a rage! <br><br> Talking of A Wednesday, the horrifying attacks in Mumbai, and before that the sporadic incidents across the country have sent shock waves through Bollywood. The upper class has been hit this time, so, the fight against terrorism has spread across all the sections of society. Only a few days have passed, and the inspiration has hit the scriptwriters and filmmakers hard. In a recent Bollywood news update, twenty titles based on the Mumbai attacks have been submitted for approval. Another burst of trend changers? Welcome to contemporary Bollywood!
The decision on whether LK Advani and other BJP and VHP leaders will face conspiracy charges in the 1992 Babri demolition case is now expected to be pronounced tomorrow.

The SC has indicated it is not in favour of conspiracy charges being dropped in the Babri demolition case

By Anusha Soni, India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court was today expected to decide whether senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, among others, should face trial in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case. The hearing has now been postponed until tomorrow due to the non availability of Justice Rohinton Nariman.

Justice Nariman is the same judge who, on March 6, had expressed concern over the delay in the trial against the BJP leaders.

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KK Venupgopal, who appeared for Advani and others, today sought more time from the apex court to filed documents relating to the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is prosecuting the case, urged that the matter be taken up tomorrow itself.

The apex court's is hearing an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation against an Allahabad High Court order quashing conspiracy charges against Advani, Joshi, Bharti, then UP Chief Minister and present Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh and other BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders.

There are two cases going on the matter relating to the 1992 demolition of the 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhya - one in Lucknow and the other in Raebareli.

A Raebareli court had earlier acquitted Advani and a dozen others off the conspiracy charges, which were filed the CEntral Bureau of Investigation in a supplementary charge sheet.

The CBI, which is prosecuting both the Lucknow and Raebareli cases, appealed the Raebareli decision to the Allahabad High Court, which upheld the lower court's verdict. The premier investigative agency then took the matter to the Supreme Court. On March 6, the apex court indicated it was not in favour of the conspiracy charges being dropped and also suggested that it would order clubbing of the two trials.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices PC Ghosh and RF Nariman had also expressed concern over the delay in trial against Advani and others while posting the case for today.

Today's hearing would have come just a day after the Supreme Court recommended an out-of-court settlement in the Ayodhya land dispute.

ALSO READ | Babri Masjid demolition: Supreme Court wants trial against Advani, Joshi, Uma, other accused expedited

ALSO READ | Supreme Court suggests out-of-court settlement of Ayodhya dispute, calls Ram Mandir matter of sentiment

ALSO READ | Ayodhya dispute: 6 questions on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute answered here

WATCH | SC to hear conspiracy charges against BJP top brass in Babri demolition case

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: strikes: Govt

New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Terror attacks and ceasefire violations have relatively declined in Jammu and Kashmir after army carried out surgical strikes across Line of Control (LoC) in September last year, Parliament was informed today.

During the question hour, which saw a heated debate between opposition and treasury benches, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the ceasefire violations by Pakistan have come down post-surgical strikes.

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"There were 228 ceasefire violations at the LoC in 2016 and 221 at the IB (International Border). However, till February 2017, there have only been 22 ceasefire violations till now and six on the IB," he said said while replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha.

Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad criticised the minister for not giving a proper reply and said he had never "witnessed butchering" of such an important issue during his 36 years of his Parliamentary career.

However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh came to the rescue of his junior minister and rejected the charges of Azad saying that appropriate answer had been given to the question.

He read out a statement which was similar to a written reply given by Ahir in Lok Sabha today which showed that terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have come down after the surgical strikes were carried out by the Indian Army on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

In his reply, Ahir said that during the three months prior to the September 29 surgical strikes, there were 110 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 34 security personnel and seven civilians were killed.

But during three months, post-surgical strikes, there were 87 terror incidents in the state in which 19 security personnel and six civilians were killed, he said.

The surgical strikes were carried out by the Army after the terror attack at Uri in North Kashmir on September 18 last year in which 19 soldiers were killed.

The government had said that during the strikes, many terror launch pads were destroyed and several militants killed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

"The government has continuously encouraged to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy," Ahir said. PTI RSN ACB SKL GSN

--- ENDS ---
Seeking the truth, even if it hurts, in the depressingly dank Cave of Adullam
YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and the European Union initialed the new agreement on comprehensive and enhanced partnership, Armenian MFAs spokesman Tigran Balayan said.

The MFA told Armenpress on March 21 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian held a meeting with Luc Devigne, Director for Eastern Partnership, Russia, Central Asia and OSCE at European External Action Service and Petros Sourmelis, Head of DG Trade Unit at the European Commission.

Minister Nalbandian welcomed the guests visit to Armenia aimed at initialing the Comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement and expressed confidence that the document will open a new page in the relations of Armenia with the EU and its member states.

FM Nalbandian stated that the agreement will be signed during this year, adding that it will reflect the depth, level and volume of relations between Armenia and the EU. He emphasized that the document highlights the importance Armenia attaches to its cooperation with the Union.

The meeting was followed by initialing the Comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement between Armenia and the EU. On behalf of Armenia it was initialed by Deputy Foreign Minister Karen Nazaryan, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Garegin Melkonyan. On behalf of the EU the document was initialed by Luc Devigne and Petros Sourmelis.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and President of the European Council Donald Tusk on February 27 announced in Brussels on ending Armenia-EU talks over comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement.

This new agreement will expand our cooperation framework by taking into account new global political and economic interests that we share and the challenges we want to overcome together. We expect closer cooperation in spheres like energy, transportation and environment, trade and new investment opportunities and further expanded movement for the benefit of our citizens, Donald Tusk said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Germany for the 11th times within the last 5 months rejected applications for arms exports to Turkey, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs said in response to a question by left-wing MP Jan van Aken, Suddeutschen Zeitung reports.

The German side rejected the arms sales to Turkey with a concern that the weapons will be used as a means of pressure inside the country. The situation of human rights in Turkey also had an impact on Berlins such decision.

MP Jan van Aken said this is a first step, adding that as a further step must be considered the suspension of arms sales to Turkey.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. While on a working visit in the United Arab Emirates, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on March 22 took part in the Armenia-UAE Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, press service of the Presidents Office told Armenpress.

The Forum was organized under the auspices of President Serzh Sargsyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The Forum, which was organized by the Development Foundation of Armenia and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, aims at boosting the economic ties between Armenia and the Arab countries, the contacts between businessmen, presenting Armenias investment environment and mutually beneficial investment programs in various fields.

The Forum is attended by over 300 participants, including officials, heads of funds, representatives of international organizations, foreign investment companies operating in Armenia.

After welcoming remarks of UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori,President Sargsyan delivered speech at the Forum.

"Armenpress" presents the full text of his speech.

***

Distinguished Mr. Minister,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am extremely delighted, and it is also of symbolic significance that only four months after my previous official visit I am hosted once again at this friendly land. I salute you cordially in this wonderful hall: such an exceptionally representative event comes to attest to the mutual desire and commitment of the highest authorities of our countries to elevate to a qualitatively new level the economic relations between Armenia and UAE. Only months ago, this was merely an idea, whereas today it has become a reality, of which we expect a lot. I would like to express my particular gratitude to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and especially to the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for bringing this idea to life.

Dear Colleagues,

The Armenian-Arab friendship withstood the test of time and, in our days it has become a solid foundation for the relations between Armenia and many Arab states.

It was on this foundation, during the reign of the blessed memory Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Emirates, that the official cooperation between the Armenia and the United Arab Emirates took root. And today it is our wish and also our duty to strengthen and deepen the precious legacy we received.

Throughout its history Armenia, was at the crossroads of the East and the West, and because of that the Armenian people were recognizable in both these worlds. At the same time the East and the West had mingled on our soil which is reflected in the mindset and lifestyle of our nation. This means that if you come to Armenia, you will not only discover the environment conducive for doing business, but will also find familiar features the most characteristic of which, perhaps, is traditional Armenian hospitality and warmth, so typical for our fraternal Arab people as well.

Naturally, some of you have your own perception of Armenia, though many yet have to discover it, especially as a country with economic potential. But before you do, let me highlight some aspects of doing business in Armenia, some important prerequisites from the perspective of a mutually beneficial partnership.

It is incontestable that perhaps the most crucial factor for the mutually beneficial partnership is trust. In this rapidly changing competitive world, long-term partnerships may be forged and investments may be made only if there exists the atmosphere of trust. This is something we do share in earnest. Our peoples know each other historically, and by virtue of history having lived side by side with the Arab people and being exposed to the Arab civilization, we appreciate the value of trust very well.

Despite the hard time that befell upon us throughout our history, we never gave in, spread all over the world and became successful businessmen. We are not intimidated by constraints imposed upon us, and we do our best to turn them into competitive advantages. Having no fossil fuel, we develop human resources; subjected to a double blockade, we build integration bridges; being a landlocked country, we open up to the world through our Armenian communities spread all over the world, we communicate setting up alternative ways and taking advantage of the state of the art technology.



This is best testified to by the fact that Armenia today has turned into a country offering sophisticated turnkey technological solutions and services, taking up its specific niche on the mainstream global ICT map. You have the opportunity to see for yourself through your own experience that Armenia has created a conducive framework for doing business and a free investment environment protected by law.

This is attested to by the World Bank 2017 Doing Business Report in which Armenia ranks the 38th among 190 countries; moreover, it ranks the 9th with regard to simplicity of starting a business. As for the economic freedom indicator, this year marked unprecedented progress: our country currently is the 33rd, which means we have improved our standing over last year by 21 notches.

Our government has created investment packages which I keep in the focus of my immediate attention. We shall welcome and support investors from the United Arab Emirates in various sectors of the Armenia economy.

There are great opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and food processing. Organic and greenhouse farming is growing in Armenia day by day, the produce of which, I believe, is in great demand in your country as well. Armenia has earned itself a reputation in canning and drying fruits and vegetables, producing juices, and drinking water from our springs has long been the countrys showpiece. One of the worlds tastiest fruits - sun-drenched apricot, is indigenous to Armenia, in academic taxonomy it is called Prunus Armeniaca.

Armenias free economic zones may serve as an effective platform for cooperation in these sectors. Alliance, geared towards high-tech and innovative production, as well as Meridian for jewelry, precious stones and watchmaking; operation within these zones enjoys an almost total exemption of taxes and duties. Another one is in the pipeline, a free economic zone with a broader scope, to become an effective platform for entry to the markets of the EAEU, EU and the Middle East countries. Armenia offers to the UAE businessmen a continually increasing market as Eurasian integration has expanded Armenias economic boundaries to nearly 1/7th of the worlds mainland.

Along with that recent negotiations between Armenia and the EU on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership have been completed. It creates a new level of our economic relations with the European Union, new opportunities for trade and investments. Armenia had already been benefiting from the GSP+ regime with the EU, which allows to export to Europe more than 6,400 products made in Armenia on preferential terms.

I am certain that working together we will register substantial accomplishments. This is best witnessed by the unprecedented growth of trade turnover between our countries: almost 2.5 times, as of the end of last year. Whereas this year there has been an exponential increase of more than 8 times, and we intent to keep up the pace.

I have to mention tourism here - the best medium for friendship and people to people contacts, intercultural dialogue and getting acquainted with each other. I will acknowledge with pleasure that the number of tourists visiting Armenia from the United Arab Emirates is growing progressively: it increased by 44% just in 2016. I am certain that this is far from being the limit, especially considering that today, as we speak, a visa free entry regime to Armenia takes effect for the UAE citizens. Services available for tourists improve in Armenia consistently. The service sector in Armenia is the fastest growing sector in general, and our country stands out advantageously in the region in this respect.

Incidentally, I would like to reflect on one more circumstance: within recent years Armenia has received 20,000 people of the Armenian descent, who are equally bearers of the Armenian as well as Arab identity and culture. The presence in Armenia of such a solid cohort of bilingual individulas with remarkable entrepreneurial traditions, may directly and significantly facilitate the activities of the UAE investors in our country.

Dear Colleagues,

I hereby invite every one of you to discover Armenia, with its remarkable mountainous landscape, delicious cuisine, traditional Armenian hospitality, and, certainly, educated, hardworking and knowledgeable workforce, fit for contributing to any long-term project.

Thank you for your attention, and I once again express my gratitude to the leadership of the Emirates for organizing this splendid event.



Thank you.
ABU DHABI, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. A significant growth is seen in the volume of trade turnover between the United Arab Emirates and Armenia. The total trade volume between the states, including free zones, comprised 102 million USD in 2015, whereas in the first 9 months of 2016 the indicator reached 88,3 million, UAE minister of economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori said at the Armenia-UAE investment forum in Abu Dhabi.

The opening ceremony of the forum was also attended by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori said the growth of trade turnover volumes is proof of expansion of economic partnership between the two states.

Nevertheless we think this indicators do not comply with the level of political relations, dont reflect the potential and achievable opportunities and cannot satisfy the aspirations of the peoples and leaderships of the two states, the UAE minister said.

According to him, in the reality of international economy full of challenges the Emirates were the first oil producing country in the world to highlight the diversification of the economic and began to work on diversifying its economic foundation and development of stable sectors of the economy, instead of focusing on oil exports as source of income. By this, the UAE reached its non oil sector share to almost 70% of its GDP.

The government of UAE intends to provide favorable environment for economic activity, exercising laws which boost economic growth and continuously striving for improvement of the investment environment, working in the direction of developing the more stable sectors of the economy. Through this strategy the Emirates succeeded in having leading positions as both the second largest Arab state economy and a regional and international investment, finance, tourism and logistics center, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori said.

He invited Armenian businessmen to benefit from wide incentives of development, stressing SMEs, industry, tourism, financial programs, real estate, construction, trade as most important sectors of investments.

As we stress that the Armenian investors will be welcomed in the Emirates and will enjoy full assistance and cooperation for achieving success, we continue to support Emirati companies, which are willing to depart to the new, active and profitable sectors of Armenias economy, being confident that they will find the tools necessary for economic activity and expanding investments in a friendly country, he said.

The UAE minister welcomed President Sargsyan and said it is a great honor to be present at this innovative forum, which is an important platform in the development of economic ties between Armenia and the UAE.

On the occasion of sponsoring the event, he thanked Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, who has the honor of hosting President Sargsyan.

The presence of the two sides and worthy sponsorship are proof of the friendly bilateral Armenia-UAE relations and reflect the joint desire of the two leaders on raising the level of those relations to a new level, the minister added.

According to him, since the establishment of Armenia-UAE diplomatic ties, 1998 June, the bilateral relations underwent significant growth and progress, being based on mutual respect.

On the path of development our relations had several key points, a more significant one being the 2016 visit of President Sargsyan to UAE and the private conversations held during the visit, where issues of economic development and strengthening bilateral relations in the investment sector and expanding trade exchanges were discussed, he said.
As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, terrorist attacks on security establishments and army camps since the surgical strike have been slightly impacted with an approximate decline of 25 percent in such incidents.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The "surgical strike" conducted by the Indian Army on 29th September last year proved to be slightly detrimental in containing Jihadi modules launching terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, terrorist attacks on security establishments and army camps since the surgical strike have been slightly impacted with an approximate decline of 25 percent in such incidents.

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THE CHANGE IN NUMBERS POST SURGICAL STRIKE

The three month period between July and September last year saw 110 terror related incidents in the strife torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. During which, 34 security personnel and 7 civilians were killed.

11 days after the Lashkar terrorist struck Uri Headquarters, India launched a surgical strike deep inside POK destroying terror camps.

In the three months post the surgical strike, there was a marginal dip in terror strikes.

From October 1 to December 31, MHA states that 87 terror incidents took place, which were 23 less from the earlier quarter.

The number of security personnel killed in the last quarter was 19 which was significantly less but the civilians killed remained almost unchanged at 6.

MoS Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir's answer was in response to a question raised by Sukhram Singh Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP.

Ahir said that there were reports of local people in certain pockets coming out during cordons and pelting stones on security forces to disrupt the operation to flush out militants in the area. However, a figure on such incidents wasn't released.

He also informed the upper house that the government is taking several measures to bring the youth into the mainstream.

These measures include employment for youth in Jammu and Kashmir, besides skill development for school and college dropouts.

SECURITY STRONGER UNDER MODI REGIME

In a response to a question raised by Prabhat Jha, the MoS Home Affairs also told the Parliament that the internal security of the country had become stronger in the last two and a half years ever since Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister of the country.

The efforts of the Central and State governments was stated as the reason behind the stronger security scenario of the country.

Ahir also listed figures of the Left Wing Extremism to prove part of this claim as demanded by a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha.

"There has been improvement in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) scenario in the country. Comparison of violence data of 2013 with 2016 reflects that there has been an overall 7 percent reduction in violent incidents ( From 1136 down to 1048) and 30 percent reduction ( from 397 in 2013 to 278 in 2016) in LWE related deaths. Over the same period, there has been a 43 percent reduction (115 to 65) in casualties among security personnel and 122 percent increase (100 to 122) in elimination of armed Maoist cadres."

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Also Read:

Post surgical strike: India changes posture, continues operation

From Myanmar to Iran to Pakistan: 10 surgical strikes that rewrote historyAlso Watch:

Watch: Blow-by-blow account of how the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes in PoK

--- ENDS ---
ABU DHABI, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources and Ocean Holding LLC of the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding on 100 million USD investments within the framework of the ongoing Armenia-UAE Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, reports Armenpress.

Ocean Holding plans to invest 100 million USD in Armenia to build and operate solar power plants by using the best available technologies of the field. The Ministry will facilitate Ocean Holdings activity in Armenia. The investments will be made at several stages.

Hayk Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources, said after various examinations and discussions it was decided that the company will build solar power plants in Armenia in the upcoming 3 years. The investment program will launch this year, and nearly 100-120 megawatts power plants will be constructed in phases which will produce 3-4% of countrys electricity demand. We have ready programs which were developed within the last 2 years aimed at presenting them to investors. They cover in-detail all technical data, all pieces of lands. The proposal was also submitted to this company, but they can select other lands, the Deputy Minister said.

He considered the renewable energy and in particular solar energy field as a prospective investment field and said he expects positive results from the Investment Forum. A wide circle of investors gathered who are widely interested in the renewable energy field, and this is just the first step, the Deputy Minister said.

While on a working visit in the United Arab Emirates, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on March 22 took part in the Armenia-UAE Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi. The Forum was organized under the auspices of President Serzh Sargsyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The Forum, which was organized by the Development Foundation of Armenia and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, aims at boosting the economic ties between Armenia and the Arab countries, the contacts between businessmen, presenting Armenias investment environment and mutually beneficial investment programs in various fields. The Forum is attended by over 300 participants, including officials, heads of funds, representatives of international organizations, foreign investment companies operating in Armenia.








YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenias President Serzh Sargsyan on March 22 had a meeting with Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Abu Dhabi, press service of the Presidents Office told Armenpress.

President Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and stated that not so much time passed since his last meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He warmly remembered his recent official visit in the UAE and stated with satisfaction that it raised the bilateral inter-state relations to a new qualitative level.

The Armenian President said Armenia attaches great importance to the high-level political dialogue, as well as mutual partnership development with the UAE.

He expressed confidence that the results of todays Investment Forum and the agreements which will be reached within the frames of it will have a full bilateral support and their significant contribution to the further development of the Armenia-UAE trade-economic ties.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for inviting Armenia to take part in Dubai Expo-2020. He emphasized that the development of relations with the Arab world is among Armenias foreign policy priorities.

The sides agreed that the presence of diplomatic representations in both capitals contributes to the development of bilateral ties. Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that the establishment of Armenias Consulate General in Dubai will give new impetus to the development of economic ties between the two countries.

During the meeting the sides also discussed the implementation process of agreements reached by the results of Serzh Sargsyans recent official visit to the UAE. In this context, they talked about the Armenian Governments decision on issuing visa-free regime for the UAE citizens which is already being applied. President Sargsyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum considered this as an important step for further strengthening and development of bilateral ties.








YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Under the high patronage of Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, on March 22, 2017, the Development Foundation of Armenia and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce organized the UAE  Armenia Investment Forum 2017 at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE.



The agreement to hold the conference was reached during the RA President's official visit to the UAE at the end of last year. The event serves to promote economic ties between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates, to provide a forum for government officials and business executives to present their vision regarding the growth of trade and investment between the two nations, and to discuss a number of investment opportunities in Armenia. President Serzh Sargsyan attended the Investment Forum. The forum brought together around three hundred participants including governmental officials, heads of international organizations and institutional funds, top executives from multinational corporations, as well as representatives of companies with foreign investments established in Armenia.



The agenda includes presentations on agriculture and animal husbandry, energy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, IT & Engineering, tourism and real estate, success stories of foreign companies operating in Armenia, as well as a number of investment projects, the Development Foundation of Armenia told ARMENPRESS.

Forum participants also have the opportunity to learn about Expo 2020 Dubai and the activities of the Armenian-Emirati Businessmen Association.



In relation to opportunities for doing business in Armenia, many presenters refer to the countrys ability to offer Middle Eastern investors access to the markets of Eurasian Economic Union and European Union through Armenia, The Government of Armenia has adopted an accelerated program of reforms aimed at creating a highly favorable climate for foreign direct investment. Further efforts to build a highly transparent, efficient and stable business environment, legal and regulatory frameworks, and a streamlined investment facilitation regime stand high on the agenda of the Government. The UAE and other Arab countries will find highly skilled and inexpensive human capital, a liberal and open economy, and access to major regional markets through Armenia," as noted in the presentation by the CEO of the Development Foundation of Armenia, Garen Mikirditsian.

Within the framework of the forum, potential investors, project owners and business executives from both Armenia and the UAE will hold B2B meetings aimed at developing further economic cooperation between Armenia and Arab countries.



Memorandum on Investments of USD 100 Million Signed



A Memorandum Of Understanding was signed between the RA Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources and Ocean Holding LLC. This cooperation will work toward developing the renewable energy sector in Armenia and will provide Ocean Holding an opportunity to make investments in solar energy projects.



Starting this year, Ocean Holding intends to invest 100 million USD in solar photovoltaic power plants in Armenia and operate them using the most bespoke technology available to the sector. In return, the Ministry aims to create favourable conditions for Ocean Holding. The investments will be carried out in several phases.




YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Health condition of Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin, who is arrested in Azerbaijan, continues deteriorating, his wife Yekaterina said, reports Armenpress.

Yekaterina said if during March 17 phone conversation Lapshin talked about deterioration of his health condition, the phone talk on March 21 created more serious concerns. In addition to headache, yesterday evening he had a nose bleeding. Asked what the doctor says on this, he said in general nothing, Yekaterina said, adding that she informed the Consulates and the Red Cross on Lapshins health condition and expects they will assist Lapshin to undergo medical examination.

Alexander Lapshin, the Russian-Israeli blogger who was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan on February 7, has been placed in the isolation cell in Azerbaijans state security service.

The Belarus Supreme Court denied Lapshins appeal on the extradition verdict issued by the General Prosecutor of Belarus.

Lapshin faces up to 5 years imprisonment in Azerbaijan, under charges of public calls against the state, and unauthorized crossing of borders.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. The national security service of Armenia gathered preliminary intelligence in March 2017 on Armenian citizens smuggling an IGLA man-portable surface-to-air missile system from Georgia to Armenia.

The national security service told ARMENPRESS as result of tactical-recon and investigation actions the firing tube and the missile itself have been discovered and confiscated.

A criminal case has been initiated on March 22.

Two suspects have been arrested.

Investigation continues.

Notice  Suspect is innocent until proven guilty by the Court of Law.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. On March 22, Speaker of Armenias Parliament Galust Sahakyan received Head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission Ambassador Jan Petersen and the political analyst of the mission Daniela Diaconu, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress.

Welcoming the guests, Galust Sahakyan highlighted the activities of the observation missions in the phase of preparation and holding of the elections in Armenia. He said they promote the development of democracy and the improvement of the electoral system.

We conscientiously study the remarks and evaluations of the observation missions and try to make real the recommendations, which the observers present, Speaker Sahakyan said.

He stated that Armenia permanently cooperated with the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR in the elaboration of the Electoral Code, as well as in the works aimed at raising the quality of the elections. In this context the Parliament Speaker highlighted the contribution made by the EU to the organization of the elections and thanked the international structures, which had their contribution to the improvement of the electoral system in Armenia.

Highlighting the political dialogue between the power, the opposition and the civil society, Galust Sahakyan stated that the improvement of the Electoral Code is aimed at not only upgrading the electoral system, but also to the rise and strengthening of public trust towards the electoral process.

In his word, Galust Sahakyan has underlined that the authorities of Armenia are ready to cooperate with all observation missions in order to hold elections in accordance with international standards, and they expect detailed and unbiased observation, as well as impartial evaluation of the elections.

Jan Petersen thanked for the reception and said it had already been four weeks that the mission worked in Armenia, deploying teams in Yerevan and in the provinces. As Jan Petersen assured, the members of the mission had meetings with the President of Armenia, the CEC Chairman, the representatives of the political parties and the citizens. Jan Petersen has affirmed that in all countries being observed the mission holds the observation with standard methodology and highlights the way of observation everywhere.

According to the Head of the mission, the legislation, the legislative field and the very electoral campaign of the country is thoroughly studied. Next week 250 short-term observers and 110 parliamentarians from different countries of the world will join the mission.

Jan Petersen has noted that they cooperate with all observers and after two months the final report will be issued.

The Head of the observation mission stated that they will have a press conference next day of the elections, summing up their observations and giving a united evaluation, but they will stay in Yerevan until April 14.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. One of major goals of Armenias Embassy in Russia is to carry out multilateral works aimed at making Armenia attractive for Russian investors, Armenias Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Vardan Toghanyan said at a meeting with reporters on March 22, reports Armenpress

Within the framework of President Serzh Sargsyans recent Moscow visit, an agreement was signed between Armenias SME Investments UCO CJSC and the Russian Direct Investment Fund according to which the Armenian-Russian investment fund will be established. By this common Fund new interesting investment programs will be developed aimed at attracting investors. The Russian Direct Investment Fund is very important and has a great international experience, it worked with many countries, the Ambassador said.

He informed that Business leaders group of Strategic Initiatives Agency in Russia will visit Armenia in coming days.

Over 30 businessmen of medium enterprises are included in the group which is led by Artyom Avetisyan. A plenary session jointly with the Strategic Initiatives Center will be held. The group will visit Armenias various enterprises, as well as a number of investment programs will be discussed, the Ambassador said, adding that the Embassy is actively cooperating with the Russian Economy, Agriculture and other Ministries on this path.

On March 10 President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Vardan Toghanyan Armenias Ambassador to Russia.

On March 16 Vardan Toghanyan presented his credentials to Russias President Vladimir Putin.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. In order to make the paperwork of Armenian citizens in the central and eastern parts of Russia, Consuls travel to remote regions from time to time, Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Vardan Toghanyan told reporters on March 22.

In the central and eastern parts of Russia, Armenian citizens have difficulties in obtaining some documents. In some cases it takes 9 hours for a citizen to get some kind of a document. Therefore we work with the ministry of foreign affairs of Armenia in the direction of opening the institution of visiting consular services. Meaning, Consuls will visit those remote regions for some time in order to carry out work regarding documents, he said.

According to him, it isnt planned to open new consulates anytime soon.

According to the Ambassador, he personally will make visits to different parts of Russia, especially to the Ural region.

Big prospect of economic cooperation exists here, therefore it is very important to display our culture, traditions and opportunities in those areas, he said.

We will do what we have done in the past. The Armenian-Russian relations are on a high level in all sectors  military-political, commercial-economic, cultural. Our cooperation is close also in the expert, diplomatic and civil platform, he added.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. The delegation of the University of Defense of Serbia led by Rector, Dr., Professor, Major General Mladen Vuruna visited the National Defense Research University (NDRU) of Armenias Defense Ministry, the NDRU told Armenpress.

Head of the NDRU, Doctor of Political Science, Professor, Lieutenant General Hayk Kotanjian received the guests. He presented the NDRUs establishment process, its mission, goals and main tasks. The guests were also welcomed by Deputy Head for Research of the NDRU, Head of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), PhD in History Benyamin Poghosyan, who briefly presented the research activities of the University. Head of the Center for National Security Policy and Information-Communication Technology of the NDRU, INSS Arman Grigoryan in detail presented the studies conducted in the NDRU on the areas of cyber-security, information-communication technologies, as well as cyber-digital resource management.

Lieutenant General Hayk Kotanjian said based on the research conducted in the NDRU strategic assessments and recommendations are presented to the military-political leadership of Armenia.

The guests highly appreciated the NDRUs activities and expressed satisfaction with the familiarization visit. They also expressed hope that the visit of the delegation of the Defense University of Serbia to the NDRU will initiate cooperation between the two institutions.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia dynamically develops the relations with the European Union, Armenias Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan said at a meeting with reporters on March 22, reports Armenpress. He said he is not familiar with either-or policy.

Anyway, there is no such policy and it hasnt been in our foreign policy agenda. Our relations are quite consistently developing. On March 21 new framework agreement with the EU was initialed, and its final signing will be held in summer. This speaks about the fact that the relations are dynamically developing, mainly, in trade-economic field where we have very interesting privileges for our goods in the EU, the Ambassador said, adding that the new agreement with the EU doesnt contradict to or directed against any union or country.

Tectonic phenomena on changing the international relations are taking place in the world, thus, Armenia must develop relations in line with this and strengthen its interests, Vardan Toghanyan said.
By India Today Web Desk: Menstrual taboo i.e social stigma attached to menstruation is a staple of the major religions in the world, be it Islam or Hinduism, Christianity or Judaism, Sikhism or anything else.

Now, Padman, produced by Twinkle Khanna and starring Akshay Kumar, is aiming to question the taboo surrounding menstruation. In Padman, Akshay Kumar plays Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man who invented a machine which can make low-cost sanitary napkins. His invention went on to spread awareness among women about indigenous, unhygienic practices of dealing with menstruation across rural India.

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Twinkle Khanna in a recent interview to Times of India expressed her bewilderment regarding the taboo surrounding menstruation, periods, etc.

Speaking on her intent to make Padman, Twinkle said, "It is a subject I believe in. It's a subject that I have written extensively about. Menstruation is a taboo not just in our country but all over the world. It's not something which is openly discussed and I really don't see the logic in it. It's a biological function, why should there be shame around it. That is what I am trying and hoping to describe through Padman."

Twinkle Khanna added the "shoot is going really well" and that she is glad to be part of the project.

Directed by Paa and Cheeni Kum director R Balki, Padman also stars Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor in important roles.

ALSO READ: Twinkle Khanna slams TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar in a strongly-worded blog post

OPINION: Why Mrs Funnybones Twinkle Khanna is the rising star of fiction writing

WATCH: I faced it too, says Twinkle Khanna on Mumbai masturbation incident

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian media outlets have spread varying information about former Defense Minister of Artsakh, Defense Army ex-Commander Samvel Babayan. Some of the media outlets report about his detention, others report about his arrest. Its not yet clear whats going on over this case.

Armenpress is trying to obtain official confirmation.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. There are reports of shots being fired outside the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster is reportedly in lockdown.

Politicians and journalists have tweeted about hearing loud crashes outside the buildings, Witnesses also said they saw people being treated for injuries. Witnesses have reported seeing a man with a knife within the palace grounds. A police officer has also told the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg that someone has been shot outside Portcullis House.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. The House of Commons has been suspended following reports of a terrorist attack outside Parliament, Armenpress reports, citing The Independent.

Parliament was under lockdown after a police officer was stabbed by an assailant, who was then shot by police. Officers said police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby.

David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told MPs: "The alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties.

"There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate it would be wrong for me to go into further details until we have confirmation from the police and house security authorities about what is going on.

"I shall endeavour to do the very best I can, both at the dispatch box and by communicating with my opposite numbers in other political parties to ensure members are kept aware of what is happening.

"But at the moment the very clear advice from the police and director of security in the house is that we should remain under suspension and that the chamber should remain in lockdown until we receive advice that it is safe to go back to normal procedures."

A witnesses on the bridge said a vehicle struck several people, and photos showed a car ploughed into railings. Witnesses in Parliament reported hearing sounds like gunfire.

Eyewitness video has shown five people being mown down by a car on Westminster Bridge.

Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard Centre for European Studies, said he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being mown down by a car.

I heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress, he told the BBC.

Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely.

Police have said they are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Ahead of the parliamentary elections in Armenia scheduled on April 2 the President of the European Peoples Party Joseph Daul has released a footage in support of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. Armenpress reports in his message Daul particularly wished the voters to continue to trust the responsible forces like the Republican Party of Armenia and to avoid from any populist divergences.

Honorable President Sargsyan,

Honorable comrades of the Republican party of Armenia,

I am glad to address my warm wishes for success during the April 2 parliamentary elections.

These elections will be the first following the Constitutional referendum in Armenia in 2015 transforming Armenia into a parliamentary country. These elections will also be the first to be held under the new Electoral Code initiated by the Republican Party.

Meanwhile, these elections give an important opportunity to test the strength of democracy in your country. Its important that they pass fully freely and transparently, peacefully and in line with international standards. I am convinced your leadership will do its best to organize such elections.

And it will be done not for the purpose to satisfy your international partners but for the benefit of your country and citizens.

Its beyond doubts that free and fair elections are a precondition for further deepening of relations between Armenia and the EU which will be propelled by the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement initialed recently.

The citizens of Armenia will be the first to derive its benefits since an established democracy can make Armenia stronger, Joseph Daul said, adding that all political forces are responsible for the success of the elections but first of all the Republican Party, since its the ruling party.

EPP President noted in his message that populist and extremist parties have progressed in Europe in the recent years. Fortunately, the populists were unable to success in the Netherlands but numerous important electoral processes are still ahead, including in my country, and I even do not want to imagine the disasters Marie Le Pens victory can bring to France and Europe.

I wish that voters in your country continue to trust the responsible forces such as the Republican Party of Armenia and to avoid from any populist divergences. But for that you must be able to hear them and react to their concerns and expectations.

Dear comrades, I wish success to your candidates, so that the Republican party of Armenia is able to lead your country by the right path, he concluded.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. The casualties of the terror attack near the parliament of Great Britain reaches at least 20. Armenpress reports, citing BBC, two of the injured died later while some are in a critical situation. The Police of Great Britain continues the works to clarify the number of the casualties.

The House of Commons has been suspended following reports of a terrorist attack outside Parliament.

Parliament was under lockdown after a police officer was stabbed by an assailant, who was then shot by police.

David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, urged the MPs no to leave the hall.

Police have said they are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.
Deutsche Bahn is one of the world's largest transport firms with 300,000 employees

German rail giant Deutsche Bahn on Wednesday named finance director Richard Lutz as its new chief executive, replacing a boss who quit unexpectedly after contract talks broke down.

A Bahn man since 1994, Lutz is little known to the public but deeply familiar with the workings of the publicly-owned rail operator -- a political and business institution in Germany with its 300,000 employees.

The 52-year-old new chief will remain in charge of finances after taking his seat at the head of the executive board.

Federal government ministers in Berlin last week confirmed that Lutz would take over permanently after filling in since the spectacular resignation of Ruediger Grube from the driver's seat at Deutsche Bahn.

The boss walked away after supervisory board members refused to extend his contract beyond 2019, which would have seen him outlast a decade in the role.

Deutsche Bahn is expected to unveil annual results for 2016 Thursday showing it returned to profit, after making a deep loss -- its first in 12 years -- the year before.

As it grinds through a programme to improve service quality, the rail firm remains the butt of frustrated but fond jokes about its punctuality among the German public.

The publicly-owned company also said Wednesday that it would soon name two new board members, one responsible for digitisation and technology and another for its struggling freight division.
Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem says he regrets the uproar over a comment he made about loose-spending southern European countries

Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women" but rejected calls to resign.

Dijsselbloem faced a firestorm with Portugal's prime minister and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi calling for his immediate departure, and the head of the European Parliament condemning the "racist and sexist" remarks.

"I regret it if anyone is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness," Dijsselbloem said in a statement to AFP.

Monday's gaffe by Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, and the resulting backlash exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone.

"If Europe were serious, Dijsselbloem would be already sacked," said Portuguese premier Antonio Costa at an event in Portugal.

"It is unacceptable that someone who behaves ... with such a racist, xenophobic and sexist attitude towards some European countries remain as head of the Eurogroup," the socialist Costa said.

"The sooner he goes the better," Italy's Renzi said in a post on his Facebook page that reflected criticism from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who is also from Italy, said the remarks were "unacceptable."

- 'Unacceptable' -

"To say these racist and sexist comments is wrong, for me it's unacceptable, especially when one has an important role to play," he told AFP in an interview in Brussels.

But Dijsselbloem, already reeling from his party losing heavily in last week's Dutch election in a result that puts his role as finance minister at risk, said he had "no intention to step down" as Eurogroup head.

In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Dijsselbloem stressed the importance of eurozone members obeying the bloc's strict rules on spending.

Story continues

Dijsselbloem said that while committing to financial rescues for poorer nations in the eurozone was important, "I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help."

These words were misinterpreted, Dijsselbloem said.

"The sentence referring to alcohol and women was about myself. I said that I cannot expect that if I spend my money in a wrong way that a can then ask for financial support," Dijsselbloem said.

But the words stung in Mediterranean countries Portugal, Greece and Cyprus that have all received eurozone bailouts in recent years -- as has Ireland in northern Europe -- while Spain's banks have also received support.

"I regret that my message was misunderstood and I regret that it emerged as north against south," Dijsselbloem added.

Dijsselbloem, 50, holds one of Europe's most influential positions, chairing the meetings of finance ministers from the 19-country eurozone.

Although the fate of his job as finance minister has been thrown in the air by last week's Dutch elections, his mandate as head of the Eurogroup lasts until January 2018.

- 'Clogs, tulips and windmills' -

The row was a top story on Italian news bulletins Wednesday as commentators rounded on a politician already regarded with suspicion because of his views, seen as hawkish, on the application of EU budget rules to Italy.

"One would have thought that in Amsterdam they know a thing or two about pubs and brothels, even spending their loose change in their coffee shops," the Corriere della Sera daily said in a reference to the Netherlands' legal cannabis cafes.

La Stampa also mocked the Dutch politician's use of what it termed tired old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to apologise, the Turin daily said Dijsselbloem "then pulled on his clogs and went back to his marvellous windmill in a field of tulips".

Dijsselbloem has won praise for steering the eurozone through part of its seemingly never-ending debt crisis, but there have long been tensions in the single currency area between austerity-pushing northern countries and the debt-hit south.

"Knowing him well, what Dijsselbloem seems to have said does not reflect his most sincere beliefs," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also Dijsselbloem's predecessor as Eurogroup chief.

Waiting in the wings to replace Dijsselbloem is Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos, who is both from a southern country and a member of the European People's Party, the party of Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble, the most powerful minister in the Eurogroup.
Jeroen Dijsselbloem (L) is struggling to move on from the gaffe

Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women", but rejected calls to resign.

Dijsselbloem faced a media firestorm over his "racist" comments with Portugal's prime minister and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi calling for his immediate departure.

"I regret it if anyone is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness," Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, said in a statement to AFP.

Dijsselbloem's gaffe on Monday and the furious backlash exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone.

"If Europe were serious, Dijsselbloem would be already sacked," said Portuguese premier Antonio Costa at an event in Portugal.

"It is unacceptable that someone who behaves ... with such a racist, xenophobic and sexist attitude towards some European countries remain as head of the Eurogroup", the socialist Costa said.

"The sooner he goes the better," Italy's Renzi said in a post on his Facebook page that reflected criticism from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries.

But Dijsselbloem, already reeling from last week's election setback in his homeland, said that he had "no intention to step down".

In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Dijsselbloem stressed the importance of eurozone members obeying the bloc's strict rules on spending.

Dijsselbloem said that while committing to financial rescues for poorer nations in the eurozone was important, "I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help."

These words were misinterpreted, Dijsselbloem said.

"The sentence referring to alcohol and women was about myself. I said that I cannot expect that if I spend my money in a wrong way that a can then ask for financial support," Dijsselbloem said.

Story continues

But the words stung in Mediterranean countries Portugal, Greece and Cyprus that have all received eurozone bailouts in recent years -- as has Ireland in northern Europe -- while Spain's banks have also received support.

"I regret that my message was misunderstood and I regret that it was emerged as north against south," Dijsselbloem added.

Dijsselbloem, 50, holds one of Europe's most influential positions, chairing the meetings of finance ministers from the 19-country eurozone. But his job was already up in the air after his party lost out in elections last week.

Dijsselbloem first refused to apologise. "No, certainly not," he told a European Parliament lawmaker when asked if he would say sorry on Tuesday.

- 'Clogs, Tulips and Windmills' -

The row was a top story on Italian news bulletins Wednesday as commentators rounded on a politician already regarded with suspicion because of his views, seen as hawkish, on the application of EU budget rules to Italy.

"One would have thought that in Amsterdam they know a thing or two about pubs and brothels, even spending their loose change in their coffee shops," the Corriere della Sera daily said in a reference to the Netherlands' legal cannabis cafes.

La Stampa also mocked the Dutch politician's use of what it termed tired old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to apologise, the Turin daily said Dijsselbloem "then pulled on his clogs and went back to his marvellous windmill in a field of tulips".

Dijsselbloem is set to lose his job as Dutch finance minister in the coming months after his Labour party suffered heavy losses in the Netherlands' general election.

But his mandate as head of the Eurogroup lasts until January 2018.

Dijsselbloem has won praise for steering the eurozone through part of its seemingly never-ending debt crisis, but there have long been tensions in the single currency area between austerity-pushing northern countries and the debt-hit south.

"Knowing him well, what Dijsselbloem seems to have said does not reflect his most sincere beliefs," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also Dijsselbloem's predecessor as Eurogroup chief.

Waiting in the wings to replace Dijsselbloem is Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos, who is both from a southern country and a member of the European People's Party, the party of Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble, the most powerful minister in the Eurogroup.
By Press Trust of India: From Aditi Khanna

London, Mar 21 (PTI) The UK today imposed a ban on carrying laptops as part of cabin baggage on Britain-bound passenger flights from six Muslim-majority countries, hours after US introduced a similar move citing terrorism concerns.

The ban will cover around 14 airlines that operate direct flights from largely Muslim countries ? Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia.

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The UK restrictions also apply to tablets, DVD players and phones over certain size.

"Direct flights to the UK from these destinations can continue to operate to the UK subject to new measures being in place. Travellers are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] travel advice and to check online with their chosen airline for further information," a UK government spokesperson said.

Under the new arrangements, passengers boarding flights to the UK from the countries affected will not be allowed to take any phones, laptops or tablets larger than a normal sized mobile or smartphone (Length: 16.0cm, Width: 9.3cm, Depth: 1.5cm) into the cabin of the plane.

Any such devices will need to be placed into hold luggage and checked-in before going through central security.

"The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be tomaintainthe safety of British nationals," the spokesperson said.

"The safety and security of the travelling public is our highest priority. That is why we keep our aviation security under constant review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate," he added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a number of meetings on aviation security over the last few weeks, including this morning, where the new aviation security measures were agreed.

The government said it has also been in close touch with the Americans to "fully understand" their position.

The British airlines affected include British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson.

The foreign airlines hit by the new ban include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.

They have been informed about the changes and will begin implementing the ban immediately.

The attempted downing of an airliner in Somalia last year was linked to a laptop device, and some media reports have claimed that the new security precautions are an attempt to stop similar incidents. PTI AK/AKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---

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It might have been just a coincidence in the raging battle of threats and displays of military might in and around the Korean Peninsula. But the U.S. military may have sent North Korea a not-so-subtle message.

On Sunday, Pyongyang released a clumsily doctored video purporting to show the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in flames. The Vinson is central to the ongoing war games being conducted by U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces, and its F-18 attack jets represent a serious threat to the North Korean military.

Related: Tillersons Asia Trip Could Signal the End US Soft Diplomacy

The annual exercises always elicit a fiery response from North Korea, but this year the reaction has been more radical than usual: On Mar. 6, the North fired four missiles whose threatened targets were said to be American military bases in Japan. They landed in the Sea of Japan, but some of the missiles came as close as 190 miles from the Japanese coast.

Then on his first visit to Asia last week, new U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered some of the toughest talk about North Korea in recent years, going so far as to say that if Pyongyang does not give up its nuclear weapons, all options, including military strikes, are on the table.

Let me be very clear, Tillerson said, this policy of strategic patience has ended ... North Korea must understand that the only path to a secure, economically prosperous future is to abandon its development of nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and other weapons of mass destruction.

Tillerson made that statement on Friday during his visit to South Korea. North Korea released the video two days later while Tillerson was in Beijing meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Related: Why Spending $1 Trillion a Year on Defense Wont Make Us Safer

But if one intention of the video was to demonstrate how North Korea could disable the launch pad for American air strikes, the U.S. military signaled five days earlier that it doesnt need a carrier for its latest fighter to be a threat.

Story continues

On Mar. 14, an F-35B Lightning II attached to a Marine fighter attack squadron based in Iwakuni, Japan, was successfully refueled over the Pacific - its first in-air refueling in that region. South Koreas Yonhap News Service noted that the refueling vastly extends the fighter jet's ability to stay in the air, enabling it to carry out key missions over the Korean Peninsula if the need arises.

Correction: The story has been corrected. An earlier version stated that the USS Carl Vinson is equipped with F-35 aircraft, but the F-35 is not scheduled for deployment on U.S. aircraft carriers for several more years.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Travis Kalanick, CEO and Co-Founder of Uber will remain in the driver's seat at the scandal-tainted on-demand ride service

Uber chief Travis Kalanick will remain in the driver's seat as the scandal-tainted on-demand ride service tries to plot a friendlier course with workers, riders and drivers.

Board member Arianna Huffington joined executives Tuesday to update journalists on efforts to steady the wheel at the San Francisco-based firm, with help from a second in command to be brought on as a "partner" for Kalanick.

Uber has been rocked by disclosures about a culture of sexism, cut-throat workplace tactics and covert use of law enforcement-evading software.

"It is clear that Uber and the whole ride-share industry would not be what it is today without Travis," Huffington said while fielding questions on a conference call.

"He started as a scrappy entrepreneur, and now he needs to bring about the changes in himself and the way he leads that are appropriate to a big company."

Bloomberg cited a person familiar with the matter as saying investors have proposed trying for candidates such as former Walt Disney chief operating officer Thomas Staggs, AOL chief Tim Armstrong and Time Warner chief executive John Martin.

But Huffington insisted there has been no discussion on the board about Kalanick stepping aside.

She acknowledged that there has been no shortage of Uber news in recent months.

Kalanick made a hasty exit from a business advisory panel for President Donald Trump after a consumer boycott campaign fueled by concerns that he was aiding a leader with divergent values.

"Going forward, there can be no room at Uber for brilliant jerks and zero tolerance for anything but totally respectable behavior in an equitable workplace environment," Huffington said.

"I've told Travis and the management team I will be holding their feet to the fire."

- 'Cult of the individual' -

Uber is seeking a chief operating officer with significant experience who can thrive at the fast-growing company.

Uber's workforce doubled last year and was on a similarly hot pace for growth this year, according to executives.

Story continues

While identities of candidates were not disclosed, Huffington said "the best of the best are coming to the table."

Kalanick did not take part in the briefing, with the company saying he was occupied interviewing COO candidates.

Training and internal changes are taking place inside Uber to promote diversity and fair play, along with teamwork, according to chief human resources officer Liane Hornsey.

"Uber is disruptive -- and disruption demands the confidence to be bold," Hornsey said on the call.

"What I have seen though, is that this has translated internally to what I would call a cult of the individual."

Uber's first diversity report is expected in the coming weeks, and an investigation into allegations of sexism at the company could be completed by the end of April.

Meanwhile, Uber is making changes to its smartphone application and support network to improve conditions for drivers, according to the company's US and Canada business chief Rachel Holt.

Despite a #DeleteUber campaign that got traction on social media as the firm hit controversies, growth is accelerating, with new riders joining and existing users taking more trips, according to Hornsey.

Ridesharing giant Uber has seen a number of executives depart in recent weeks, most recently president Jeff Jones, who had worked there just six months.

Kalanick is known for taking a hard line in battles with regulators and taxi operators in markets opposing the entry of a new kind of competitor.

But he has been humbled by recent events, which included the release of a dash-cam video showing him berating and cursing at one of Uber's drivers.
BIRMINGHAM, EnglandErotic Trade Only, a trade magazine that covers adult in the United Kingdom, announced it will not produce a dedicated trade event this summer.

This is a very painful decision for us to make. We have many loyal exhibitors who have been with us since the show began but it would have been difficult to stage an event this year without the support of all the main U.K. players, show organizer Jonathan Kirk said in an announcement on EroticTradeOnly.com. We were aware that the cost of exhibiting at the NEC was an issue, which was one of the reasons we tried to source an alternative venue which could offer exhibitors better value for money. Reducing the show down to a single day duration would have also helped in this regard. However, it appears that the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and the impact it has had on currency rates, has resulted in some key exhibitors being reluctant to commit to any form of U.K. show this year and without their support it would be impossible to stage an event of which the industry could be proud.

The ETO Show, which traditionally takes place in July each year, is considered the U.K.s premier trade-only event for the erotic market. Regularly attracting more than 1,300 visitors there is no better place to showcase your company and its product lines to the majority of active buyers in the U.K. and Europe.

The ETO Show was set to be replaced this year by an event dedicated more toward business, at a new venueit has been at the NEC in Birmingham, England, since 2005at a new venue in the Midlands.

It is obviously very disappointing to cancel the U.K.s only dedicated trade event with just a couple of months to go, and we are sorry to let down all those exhibitors who had booked space at this years show, as well as all the visitors who get so much from attending, ETO Publisher Lee Schofield said in the statement. We had to decide whether to continue with a 2017 show which would have been missing some key exhibitors, or take a sabbatical for a year and come back with a new proposition in 2018. After much discussion we have chosen the latter. We would rather have no show in 2017 than a lacklustre one.

The ETO Awards traditionally take place during the annual show, but the announcement made no mention of whether or not the awards would still be presented this year. ETO officials were not immediately available for comment on the ETO Awards.

Since its launch in July 2003, ETO has become an essential tool and reference source for every company trading in the U.K. adult sector. ETO is an independent publication, and has no links or connections with any other adult business. It is published monthly and is available via subscription only to qualifying individuals or companies.

For more, visit EroticTradeOnly.com.
By Hadeel Al Sayegh and Tom Arnold DUBAI (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc has agreed in principle to buy Dubai-based internet retailer Souq.com, one of the best-known names in the Middle East's online shopping market, sources familiar with the deal said on Wednesday. Souq.com, which sells consumer electronics, fashion, household items and other goods, lays claim on its website to being the largest e-commerce site in the Arab world. For Amazon, Souq.com offers expertise and a foothold in a region where e-commerce is expanding quickly thanks to a young and tech-savvy population. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the top markets worldwide for mobile phone penetration. Amazon declined to comment, and a spokesperson for Souq.com did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sources did not disclose the price of the deal. The company has raised $425 million since its founding in 2005, according to CrunchBase. It was reported to be valued at $1 billion at the time of its latest funding round last year, but sources said the deal was worth less than that. Still, the deal is large for Amazon, a company that has preferred building its own operations to making acquisitions. Its largest deal was for live-streaming gaming network Twitch, which it acquired for $970 million in cash in 2014. Scott Jacobson, managing director of Madrona Venture Group and formerly a senior manager at Amazon, said Amazon did not have a lot of personnel or infrastructure in the Middle East to serve as the backbone of a retail operation, which could make an acquisition more appealing. That is in contrast to India, where Amazon already had offices and large teams of engineers prior to launching its e-commerce operations in that country. "Mobile device penetration is quite high" in the Middle East, particularly for smartphones, Jacobson said. "Pair that with a significant population and healthy GDP per capita in countries like Saudi Arabia and in the UAE, and those factors make it an interesting market." HIGH SHOPPING PRICES Goldman Sachs acted as adviser for Souq.com and helped to arrange the deal, two sources told Reuters. There has been speculation about deal talks for months. A Bloomberg report in January said possible buyers including Amazon and India's Flipkart had walked away. One of the sources close to the deal said it gave Amazon a foothold in the region without having to deal with bureaucratic hurdles such as getting regulatory approvals from each country and signing up vendors and suppliers. Another benefit may be the high price of some of the imports sought by wealthy Middle Easterners. "Western products and brands which are big in the United States and the UK sell really well," said Guru Hariharan, a former Amazon manager and now chief executive of retail technology company Boomerang Commerce. Shoppers "are ready to pay a 50 percent to 100 percent premium on an average basis (particularly) for the high-end brands," he said. Souq.com initially launched as an internet auction site and has developed into a retailer and marketplace for third-party vendors. Interest is growing in the region's e-commerce market, estimated to be worth $20 billion in 2016. Last year Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar teamed up with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other private investors to launch a $1 billion Middle East-focused e-commerce platform. "Amazon acquired the Chinese e-commerce company joyo.com to establish a beachhead in China in the early days of online shopping, and we believe can take lessons from that experience to better manage the growth opportunity in the Middle East," Baird Equity Research analyst Colin Sebastian said in a note. "Amazon is clearly interested in tapping into growth in emerging markets." (Additional reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Las Vegas; Editing by Greg Mahlich, Jonathan Weber and Bill Rigby)
Editor's note: Our three-part series this week on what to look for in financial advice, by Morningstar contributor David Aston, continues today with a detailed look at mutual-fund dealers and robo-advisors, the most accessible advice-givers for small investors. The series began on Monday and concludes on Friday.

Small investors have traditionally had limited choice for investing with an advisor. While mutual funds have been criticized for high fees, that was often the only way to go if you didn't have much money and wanted to work with an advisor. However, new options are emerging. In particular, robo-advisors offer a way to invest wisely with lower fees and limited advice. Now robo-advisors are showing signs of evolving to create new low-cost models with more extensive advice.

The largest group of advisors who are licensed to sell investment products are the 82,900 mutual-fund representatives. They sell mutual funds on a non-discretionary basis, but can't sell individual securities like stocks and bonds, and very few are able to sell exchange-traded funds. They work in bank branches, with insurance company-owned mutual-fund dealers, or with independent mutual-fund dealers, and they generally advise investors with small- and medium-sized accounts. Many of them -- especially those that work for insurance companies -- also have an insurance licence that permits them to sell insurance products, including annuities and segregated funds. Mutual-fund advisors are self-regulated by the Mutual Fund Dealers Association, subject to oversight by provincial regulators.

The requirements to be licensed to sell mutual funds are fairly basic, but many fund advisors have financial-planning designations. If you have at least $100,000 to invest, you should be able to find good choices for establishing a relationship with a qualified advisor. However, if you have less than $100,000, finding that relationship is liable to be hit or miss. That's because many of the advisors with the higher-level investment credentials in bank branches and elsewhere "are hunting for clients with between $100,000 and $500,000 in investable assets," explains Keith Sjogren, managing director of consulting services at Investor Economics.

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If you have smaller sums, you can of course still buy mutual funds, but you may have difficulty finding the same level of advice. In many cases, you're liable to be steered toward mutual funds in "portfolio solutions" offered by most of the major institutions. These are pre-packaged but professionally constructed portfolios of individual mutual funds that can be more efficiently sold by staff who lack the time or skills required to construct customized portfolios. The portfolio components are rebalanced automatically. Often the fees are no more than you would pay if you bought the funds individually from an advisor.

What you pay: The management-expense ratios (MERs) for a balanced portfolio of mutual funds are typically about 2% per year. The trailer commissions that go to the advisor and the advisor's company are typically a little less than half that total. Lack of transparency on trailer fees has been heavily criticized and was a major catalyst for the recent initiative by Canadian securities regulators to require more transparent reporting of advisor fees under an initiative known as CRM2 . Along with collecting trailer commissions, some dealers may also charge front-end loads, or in the case of the deferred-sales-charge option, investors may be subject to redemption fees.

What to look for or avoid: Mutual funds have traditionally been the only major channel whereby smaller investors can get access to full-service financial advice, although advice is liable to be limited for the smallest accounts. While qualifications vary, look for fund advisors who hold the designation of certified financial planner (CFP) or personal financial planner (PFP).

With mutual funds charging relatively high fees as a percentage of assets, many investors find they "outgrow" mutual funds when their account balances become large enough to attract other types of advisors like brokers and investment counsellors, who tend to cost less in total fees on a percent of assets basis. For small investors who are satisfied with limited advice, robo-advisors provide a cheaper option.

An obviously beneficial option would be for fund advisors to sell low-cost passive ETFs alongside mutual funds, but they have been effectively precluded from doing so with rare exceptions. While there is no rule that says mutual-fund dealers can't offer ETFs, there are immense practical barriers from having different transactions, self-regulatory regimes, compliance requirements, systems and training. Advisors under the purview of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association (MFDA) "have been handcuffed when it comes to passive solutions," says Chuck Grace, a lecturer at Western University's Ivey Business School, industry consultant and former chief operating officer at Quadrus Investment Services Ltd., a mutual-fund dealer with more than 3,700 licensed representatives. "Most investors would have a more optimized portfolio if they had a combination of active and passive investments."

Robo-advisors simplify investing

Robo-advisors provide an investment approach based largely on online access and contact. They automate and simplify investment processes where skilled human assistance isn't considered essential, and they use low-cost ETFs as the investment building blocks. They also generally provide access to a qualified financial advisor by phone, email or text where there is a particular need, but human access is limited. Their approach is essentially discretionary, where you agree on the portfolio design up front, and they manage it on a day-to-day basis after that. The robo-advisor ranks include small independent firms, but an increasing number are either owned or have other tie-ins with major financial institutions.

While advisor contact is limited, many advisors are well qualified and have high- level credentials such as the chartered investment manager (CIM) or chartered financial analyst (CFA) designations.

What you pay: Fees vary based on the size of your investment. If you have $50,000 to invest, robo-advisors typically charge 0.5% to 0.7% of assets per year. With ETF MERs on top of that, total fees usually come in a bit under 1%. So generally they're around half the cost or a bit less compared to mutual funds that come with full-service advice.

What to look for or avoid: Robo-advisors provide a solution for anyone who doesn't need a lot of human advice and who is content turning over day-to-day management of their investments to a proven, low-fee passive approach. It is liable to work particularly well for small investors with limited choices.

For now, robo-advisors don't generally provide much human support, so for the most part are not well suited to investors who need full-service advice or want a strong advisory relationship. However, robo-advisors are starting to expand the human-advice side of their offerings and thus evolve to compete more directly with full-service advisors. For example, WealthBar provides some basic automated financial-planning assistance. Wealthsimple also offers a service called Wealthsimple Black, which offers a little more extensive assistance at a slightly lower fee for investors with $100,000 and up.

But the most intriguing innovation may be the marriage of robo-advisor platforms with full-service financial-planning advice by external providers. Both Nest Wealth and Wealthsimple have developed versions of their platforms to support this. In the case of Wealthsimple for Advisors, the robo-advisor manages the investments, allowing the advisor to concentrate on financial planning or other areas of advice. "We believe in the value of advice," says Michael Katchen, CEO of Wealthsimple. "We just think great technology can make that even more enhanced."

Wealthsimple charges 0.35% for managing the portfolio and the advisor can charge up to an additional 1.15% for their services. That provides the potential to offer full-service financial advice with investment management for even small accounts at a total cost of no more than 1.5% of assets per year, significantly less than the MERs of a balanced portfolio of mutual funds with full-service advice.
If you fly to these countries, you will no longer be allowed to use an electronic device on an airplane

Today we learned the new presidential administration will be issuing travel directives and will ban large personal electronics on flights to the U. S. from 10 international airports early Tuesday morning. Flights from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates will be affected, requiring all electronics larger than a cell phone be placed in checked baggage.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the new rule, writing on its website:

The U.S. Government is concerned about terrorists ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt, the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia, and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul.

Only flights from the 10 specified airports will be affected, but anyone traveling to the U.S. from those locations wont be able to bring laptops, tablets, games consoles, cameras, or portable DVD players on the plane in their carry-on luggage or personal item.

The US has imposed an electronics ban on  from major Middle Eastern and African airports. What you need to know: https://t.co/Sb6v0LQL9Z pic.twitter.com/vEpj3Awshk  CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2017

The U.K. will reportedly issue a similar directive for flights from specific Middle Eastern countries, but there has been no official announcement yet, and its unclear if the potential ban will affect the same airports.

Trumps initial travel ban, prohibiting non-U.S. citizens from entering the country from seven Muslim countries, created immediate chaos at airports, as the executive order wasnt clear how airport security officials should enforce it. The Department of Homeland Security gave airports and airlines 96 hours to comply with the new electronics rule. The biggest expected problem will be getting through security at the affected airports, as people carrying the now-banned electronics probably wont want to throw away a laptop like a large bottle of shampoo. Bloomberg reports that electronics will likely be transferred to the hold or stored at the airports to be picked up later.

Stay tuned for more news.
The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.

The attack took place on the first anniversary of attacks by Islamist militants that killed 32 people in Brussels.

By Reuters: Five people were killed and about 40 injured in London on Wednesday after a car ploughed into pedestrians and a suspected Islamist-inspired attacker stabbed a policeman close to Britain's parliament.

The dead, in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack," included the assailant and the policeman he stabbed. The other three victims were among those hit by the car as it sped across Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings just outside parliament.

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Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the attack as "sick and depraved".

"The location of this attack was no accident," she said in a statement outside her 10 Downing Street office late in the evening.

"The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech."

Any attempt to defeat those values through violence was "doomed to failure", May said.

Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, told reporters the attack started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring members of the public and three police officers.

"A car then crashed near to parliament and at least one man, armed with a knife, continued the attack and tried to enter parliament," Rowley said.

He said the police's "fast-paced investigation" was working on the assumption that the attack was "Islamist-related terrorism". Police believed they knew the identity of the attacker but would not provide details at this stage, he said.

It was the deadliest attack in London since four British Islamists killed 52 commuters and themselves in suicide bombings on the city's transport system in July 2005, in London's worst peacetime attack.

Actually upon having a closer look at the picture of the suspect of #London terror attack, I can see 3 knives on the ground. Look! @akhbar pic.twitter.com/dJwOv1XwUN- Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) March 22, 2017

It took place on the first anniversary of attacks by Islamist militants that killed 32 people in Brussels.

Reuters reporters inside parliament during Wednesday's attack heard loud bangs and shortly afterwards saw the knifeman and the stabbed policeman lying on the ground in a courtyard within the gates of parliament.

The dead police officer was identified as Keith Palmer, 48, with 15 years of service.

LAWMAKERS CAUGHT UP IN CHAOS

A Reuters photographer saw at least a dozen people injured on the bridge. His photographs showed people lying on the ground, some of them bleeding heavily and one under a bus.

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A woman was pulled alive, but with serious injuries, from the Thames, the Port of London Authority said. The circumstances of her fall into the river were unknown.

Three French schoolchildren aged 15 or 16 were among those injured in the attack, French officials said.

Several members of parliament (MPs) and senior officials were caught up in the chaos. Tobias Ellwood, a junior Foreign Office minister, was pictured attempting to resuscitate a man lying unconscious, reported to be the stabbed policeman.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said there would be additional police officers on the city streets to keep Londoners and visitors safe.

"We stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will. Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism," he said.

Parliament's lower House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside the building for several hours.

May said parliament would convene as normal on Thursday in a sign that the attack would not disrupt life in the capital.

However, a visit by Queen Elizabeth to officially open the new headquarters of London's police force, which had been planned for Thursday, was postponed "in light of today's events," Buckingham Palace said.

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In a telephone call with May, President Donald Trump offered Britain the full cooperation and support of the United States, the White House said. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned the attack as "horrific acts of violence".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg were among foreign leaders who expressed shock and solidarity.

"NO SIGNS OF LIFE"

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic during the attack.

"I just saw a car go out of control and just go into pedestrians on the bridge," said Bernadette Kerrigan, who had been on a tour bus on the bridge, in an interview with Sky News.

"As we were going across the bridge, we saw people lying on the floor, they were obviously injured. I saw about 10 people maybe. And then the emergency services started to arrive. Everyone was just running everywhere."

Former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who witnessed the attack from a taxi as he crossed the bridge, said he saw five victims and made a video of the scene.

"I heard something that sounded like a small car crash. Then I looked out of the window and saw that there was one person lying on the asphalt," he told Reuters.

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"I did not see the face of the person lying on the asphalt, but the person was not moving, it was not showing any signs of life. One of the men I saw, his head was bleeding very badly. But the person I filmed -- no, that person was not showing any signs of life."

Journalist Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail newspaper told LBC radio that he had witnessed the stabbing of the policeman and the shooting of the assailant from his office in the parliament building.

"He (the assailant) ran in through the open gates ... He set about one of the policemen with what looked like a stick," Letts said.

"The policeman fell over on the ground and it was quite horrible to watch and then having done that, he disengaged and ran towards the House of Commons entrance used by MPs and got about 20 yards or so when two plain-clothed guys with guns shot him."

In Edinburgh, the Scottish parliament suspended a planned debate and vote on independence as the news from London came in.

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

The most recent deadly attack in London to be treated as a terrorist incident was in May 2013, when two British Islamists stabbed to death soldier Lee Rigby on a street.

Also read: Afghanistan asks US to send more troops to help defeat Taliban, ISIS

Also read: Not a Trump effect: You can't fly with laptops in cabin to US and UK from these countries

Watch the video here

--- ENDS ---
Two words from Washington, DC scorched James Lees pot payday.

With eight states now declaring marijuana legal for recreational use, Lee, a Virginia entrepreneur, launched plans to charter a cruise ship this October for a cannabis cruise that would help businesses learn how to cash in on the legal-marijuana industry, which by some estimates could mushroom from $6 billion in annual spending now to $50 billion by 2026. By mid-February, Lee had recruited sponsors and participants for the trip, lined up investors willing to commit $7.5 million to finance the venture, and outlined a contract with Royal Caribbean to charter a ship for the weeklong round-trip between Miami and Jamaica.

Then Sean Spicer spoke. On Feb. 23, the White House press secretary said the Trump Administration was considering greater enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana than President Obama had pursued, portending a big change for the legal-weed industry. Weed is officially a controlled substance banned by federal law, which supercedes state law. As states such as Colorado, Washington and Massachusetts began to declare pot legal during the last few years, Obama signaled hed look the other way and essentially decline to enforce federal law on the matter. But President Trump, who doesnt smoke or drink, ran on a law-and-order theme, and his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is firmly opposed to legal marijuana. Theyd be legally justified in cracking down on growers, sellers and users in the so-called legal states.

Spicers comment spooked the cannabis cruisers. The comments didnt go into much detail, Lee tells Yahoo Finance, but it was enough to scare anybody. Companies and sponsors that were going to be participating didnt want to put themselves out there any more. With participants fleeing, Lees investors pulled out as well. That was enough to sink the cannabis cruise. Lee says it will cost him millions in forgone income.

Lee voted for Trump in November, hoping hed apply the deregulatory bent he has expressed toward other businesses to the legal-marijuana industry, and yank the government out of the way of private-sector profits. I definitely understood from the beginning that he is what we would call straight-edge, says Lee. I think theyre still going with the reefer-madness theory that was bred into them at a young age.

Story continues

After canceling the cruise, Lee sent a letter to Trump at the White House, arguing that legalizing marijuana would shift $40 billion in annual spending from criminal syndicates to the regulated economy, increasing tax revenue for governments. So far, no response. But Lee isnt bitter. He plans to stay in the marijuana business, focusing on offshoot products such as hemp that are closer to becoming mainstream. Hes sticking with Trump too, saying hed vote for him again.

Read more:

Trump might be coming for your weed

Trump now owns Obamacare

Exclusive: How The Apprentice boosted Trumps incomeand tax bill

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman
pharmaceuticals 16-9

Last week, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX) got hit yet again, as billionaire investor William Ackman from Pershing Square sold his 18.1 million shares, racking up a loss of $3 billion and sending the stock falling to new lows as hope continues to fade for the company.

Dangerously high debt levels, declining revenues, and pricing pressure are a lot to deal with, and this is clearly evident with Valeant, as we have seen the stock fall from highs of over $330 per share to under $15 today. The risk/reward relationship is not a good one; there?s too much risk.

The healthcare industry has one big thing going for it: an aging population. So, where do investors go for exposure to this industry? One place to look is CRH Medical Corp. (TSX:CRH), which is a healthcare products and services company that focuses on the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Here are three reasons to own CRH Medical.

Strong revenue growth

A couple of years ago, CRH Medical entered the anesthesia management market with the acquisition of Gastroenterology Anesthesia Associates. In 2016, the company saw a 70% revenue growth rate, fueled by acquisitions as it continued its strategy to get into this new business and have organic growth.

Acquisition opportunities

As the anesthesia market is a fragmented one, there remain plenty of opportunities for expansion. Three acquisitions in the anesthesia business were completed in 2016, and in March 2017, the company acquired another Florida anesthesia practice, which has estimated annual revenue of US$2.2 million and will be immediately accretive to EBITDA and cash flow. Furthermore, the company announced that it will be pursuing a new opportunity to assist gastroenterology practices to transition to monitored anesthesia care.

The company is maintaining a strong balance sheet, as these acquisitions have been largely funded by its strong cash flow. For example, in 2016, the company generated $33 million in cash flow, of which it used $30 million for its acquisitions.

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Strong margins and returns

The company?s margins have been strengthening nicely over the last years, and the company has been posting strong returns. In 2016, the company?s operating margin was a strong 31.6%, it generated an ROE of 19.5% and a return on investment of 15.9%

While the stock is not cheap, it has a lot of attractive qualities that make it a good buy for investors looking for exposure to the healthcare sector.



36-Year Old CEO Bets Over $300 Million on 1 Stock

Iain Butler, Lead Adviser of Stock Advisor Canada, recommended this little tech darling to thousands of loyal members last March... and those that followed his advice are up 127.7% (they've already made 2X their money!).

Not to mention this tiny Eastern Ontario company has already been recommended by both Motley Fool co-founders, David and Tom Gardner, because of its amazing similarity to an "early stage" Amazon.

Find out why Tom Gardner was recently on BNN's Money Talk raving about this company, and how you can read all about it inside Stock Advisor Canada. Click here to unlock all the details about his Canadian rule breaker!

More reading

Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool owns shares of CRH Medical and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. CRH Medical is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.





36-Year Old CEO Bets Over $300 Million on 1 Stock

Iain Butler, Lead Adviser of Stock Advisor Canada, recommended this little tech darling to thousands of loyal members last March... and those that followed his advice are up 127.7% (they've already made 2X their money!).

Not to mention this tiny Eastern Ontario company has already been recommended by both Motley Fool co-founders, David and Tom Gardner, because of its amazing similarity to an "early stage" Amazon.

Find out why Tom Gardner was recently on BNN's Money Talk raving about this company, and how you can read all about it inside Stock Advisor Canada. Click here to unlock all the details about his Canadian rule breaker!

Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool owns shares of CRH Medical and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. CRH Medical is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.


2016 was one of the worst years for initial public offerings (IPOs) in Canada. Only clothing company Aritzia ( ATZ ) listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and it's down about 15% since it went public. 2017 promises to be somewhat more exciting, with popular salad bar chain Freshii ( FRII ) listing in February; winter coat maker Canada Goose ( GOOS ) going public last week; and other companies, such as Hootsuite, Vision Critical and D2L, expected to follow. In the United States, which also had a slow 2016, social media company

Snap ( SNAP ) raised US$3.4 billion on March 2, becoming the largest American IPO since 2014.

This renewed activity has many investors chomping at the bit; newly listed companies mean new opportunities for stock pickers and fund managers. However, buying a fresh-to-market operation isn't the same as purchasing an already established business. It's risky, it's uncertain, and it's easy to get caught up in the IPO hype. Remember that

Facebook ( FB ) went from US$38 to US$18 in four months following its May 2012 listing, and only returned to its IPO price 18 months later. While it's now trading at US$139, its social media counterpart

Twitter ( TWTR ) still hasn't recovered, having declined 63% since listing in November 2013.

How should investors treat IPOs? With an open mind and an abundance of caution, says Jeff Mo, a portfolio manager with Mawer Investment Management and lead manager of Mawer New Canada. An IPO can be good and bad for investors, he says. "It introduces investors to a new company, but there's always an inherent level of risk you're assuming given the limited financial history disclosure you're getting."

In theory, investors should approach buying at IPO the same way they would approach any company: review financials, determine a valuation, assume future growth and then decide if the share price will indeed climb. In reality, assessing a not-yet-public operation can be tricky, says Mo. These businesses tend to share only a few years' worth of financial information, and some companies calculate data differently as a private company than a public one.

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For instance, private companies usually want to minimize taxable income, while public companies want to maximize net earnings to show higher earnings per share (EPS). "Because of that, they'll often highlight metrics such as adjusted EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] or adjusted EPS," says Mo. "Often, the gap between adjusted profitability and actual profitably is quite large, and investors don't know which number they should be going with."

Technology companies, in particular, can be difficult to assess. Their financial statements typically reveal massive losses and many don't have a clear path to growth. Snap's financial details, for instance, showed a US$514 million net loss in 2016, adding that there's a chance the company will never turn a profit. "These are businesses that aren't profitable and don't have a clear plan to get there," says Bob Sewell, CEO and president of Oakville's Bellwether Investment Management. "Then what are you buying? You have to believe there's something inherent in the business strategy that will allow them monetize."

IPOs are also not for queasy investors. They tend to get priced below market value to create demand and then get hyped up, resulting in a huge early rise. Especially hot stocks attract speculators looking to make money off those initial gains. Once they sell, the stock can plummet, says Sewell.

According to a study done by the University of Florida's Jay Ritter, between 1970 and 2010, IPOs underperformed similar stocks by 4.8% in year one, 8.1% in year two and 3.3% through the first five years. Over the long-term, though, they can do well. Wealthfront looked at 653 technology IPOs listed between 1998 and 2013 and found they returned 9.5% annualized over that time. However, they experienced far more ups and downs than the benchmark.

While buying an IPO may be a risky proposition, if someone can brave the ups and downs, and if they believe in the company, then the IPO price can offer a cheap entry point. Facebook's share price is up 264% since listing, making its US$38 IPO price look pretty attractive today. Patience is important: Stocks tend to stabilize when the company can prove that it's able to execute on its business plan, but that could take some time, says Sewell.

However, investors do need to assess whether a company will do what it says. Mo wants to invest in companies that create wealth, which Mawer defines as earning a return on investment capital greater than the cost of capital. Mo specifically looks for companies that can generate wealth over a 15-year period. To make that determination, he looks at whether it can remain competitive for over a decade and if future growth plans are realistic, among other things.

In the case of Freshii, up 14% since listing in January 2017, Mo decided to pass because it couldn't meet his criteria for wealth creation. While its established Chicago and Toronto stores have done well, he wasn't able to determine whether future locations in places like the Southern U.S. will have the same appeal. "I don't have a good idea and I don't know if anyone has a good idea," he says. "And you're paying more for store growth in all these new markets."

It can make sense to wait until a business has a longer track record as a public company, says Bob Stammers, the CFA Institute's director of education. Some people wait three to five years, which is typically how long it takes to see if a company can make it or not. Stammers suggests waiting at least a year, after the lockout period, when insiders can sell more stock. When that period ends, he advises paying attention to whether management is selling. If they are, be careful. "What insiders do is a good indication on how people feel about the future of the company," he says.

Ultimately, buying an IPO comes down to whether you think the company can execute on its plans and deliver value to its shareholders. Whether you buy now, purchase later or avoid a company forever, have no regrets. "We might look at Freshii three years out and say that was a very good investment and that management did exact as it said it would," says Mo. "But we felt the IPO was already pricing that in. It's still on our watch list. We can wait."
A street sign for Wall Street is seen outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. December 28, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Patrick Rucker and Brett Wolf

WASHINGTON/ST LOUIS (Reuters) - U.S. banks should not cut ties with foreign clients over money- laundering worries unless officials have concrete cause for concern, a leading U.S. regulator is telling staff and lenders.

The message has come through phone calls, speeches and an uncommon notice from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the top regulator for national banks, banking and regulatory sources said.

A four-page memorandum sent to bank examiners last month said foreign lenders and their customers are hurt when Wall Street turns its back.

"Customers that cannot make alternative banking arrangements elsewhere may effectively be cut off from the regulated financial system altogether," according to the "supervision tips" memo obtained by Reuters.

The OCC typically issues only a few such memos each year to help examiners navigate complex banking issues.

Policymakers have become increasingly concerned that banks are ejecting broad swaths of customers from the financial system out of fear of being penalized over money-laundering violations.

For example, customers with ties to Yemen or Syria have a harder time maintaining accounts and banks have ended such relationships, according to a senior compliance officer at a major U.S. bank.

To steer clear of violations, JPMorgan Chase & Co stopped doing business with 18,000 customers in 2015 and pulled back from 500 foreign partner banks, CEO Jamie Dimon told investors in a letter last year.

Regulators want to prevent terrorists from swapping cash through U.S. banks or their foreign partners. Banks must file a "suspicious activity report" when they encounter a transaction that could be criminal - like a series of small-dollar transfers.

But the rules can hamper ordinary money transfers or charitable giving.

U.S. firms have warned that they cannot vouch for the customers of their foreign partner banks.

That is one reason fewer banks will handle transfers of funds Somalis living in the United States want to send to relatives at home.

Story continues

More Somalis live in Minnesota than anywhere else in the United States and Rep. Keith Ellison of Minneapolis is among leading Democrats who have called for easing banking rules.

The "know your customer" standard expects banks to understand their clients' business. But there are limits.

"There is no general requirement to know your customers' customer," Thomas Curry, the OCC chief, said in September.

The OCC conveyed that message to examiners in a January conference call, as well as the "tips" memo.

On the call, "we were told we would no longer be asking for customer lists for foreign correspondent banking relationships for the banks we oversee," said one official who was on the call but not authorized to speak to the media.

Foreign firms that partner with U.S. lenders are known as "correspondent" banks.

A spokesman for the OCC declined to comment on the examiner phone call or the "supervision tips" sheet.

Banks waste billions of dollars each year satisfying money- laundering rules, a leading Wall Street trade group said last month, asking for a complete overhaul of the "know your customer" rules.

The number of special activity reports rose to almost a million last year from 669,000 three years earlier, according to the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which collects such data.

(This version of the story corrects to add dropped word "suspicious" in paragraph 9)

(Additional reporting by Joel Schectman in Washington; Editing by Dan Grebler)
dine-restaurtant 16-9

Before you shrug off Cara Operations Ltd. (TSX:CARA) as an investment due to its recent underperformance, you should hear its story.

The story of Cara Operations

On an initial look, it would seem that Cara has only traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since 2015 ? a short history. In reality, the company had traded on the exchange as early as 1968.

In 2004, it was taken private by the founding family, which refocused Cara as a branded restaurant company. Unfortunately, the proceeds from non-core-asset sales were used to expand the business instead of paying down debt. By 2012, the company was swimming in a lot of debt ? with its leverage ballooning to 6.4 times net debt to EBITDA.

That said, in the eight-year period, Cara?s system sales still managed to increase from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion, which shows that there is value in its brands.

In 2013, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and its affiliates recapitalized the company, deciding to use Cara Operations as a platform for their restaurant investments. Fairfax then appointed new management, which transformed the company for the better.

Excellent management

Cara?s transformation has been led by Bill Gregson, who has been the company?s CEO and president since October 2013 and chairman since April 2015.

He is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in retail operations. He led the turnaround of The Brick and served as the company?s CEO and president from 2009 to 2012, which ultimately led to the sale of the company to Leon?s Furniture.

chicken dinner

The multi-year transformation is going well

From 2013 to 2016, Cara?s operations swung from a net loss of -$42.2 million to net earnings (before tax) of $96 million. In the same period, its assets more than doubled to $1.3 billion. As well, its system sales grew 48.8% to a little more than $2 billion.

This is thanks to the efforts of Cara management?s successful execution to focus on growing its sales, consolidating restaurant brands in the industry, driving synergies, controlling overhead costs, and maximizing earnings.

Story continues

Cara?s acquisitions of St-Hubert and Original Joe?s last year are expected to boost its system sales to $2.8 billion this year. Moreover, they are expected to be accretive to earnings per share (EPS) on a full-year basis.

The business

Cara is Canada?s oldest and largest full-service restaurant company. It grows by acquisitions and franchising its operations.

In the past month, you might have eaten at its restaurants, including Swiss Chalet, Harvey?s, Milestones, Montana?s, Kelsey?s, East Side Mario?s, Casey?s, New York Fries, Prime Pubs, Bier Markt, Elephant and Castle, State & Main, and Landing restaurants.

At the end of 2016, Cara had 15 brands and 1,237 restaurants, of which 83% were operated by franchisees. It had 55% of its locations in Ontario.

Last year, Cara generated sales of $463 million and net income of $67 million, which led to EPS of $1.22. As well, its operating margin was north of 22% and its return on equity (ROE) was north of 17%.

Going forward

Gregson expects the company to do more acquisitions in the future and to grow its system sales to $3.7 billion by 2020-2022. It would be great if Cara could maintain an ROE north of 15%.

Investor takeaway

The recent drag on Cara?s share price has partly been due to its exposure to resource regions: Alberta and Saskatchewan. It has 12% and 2%, respectively, of its locations in these provinces.

At about $26.50 per share, Cara Operations trades at an attractive price-to-earnings ratio of about 15.5 for a company that has double-digit growth potential.

An analyst at Bank of Nova Scotia has a one-year price target of $33 on the stock, implying an upside potential of 24%. Additionally, the stock offers a sustainable yield of 1.5% that will add to returns.

36-Year Old CEO Bets Over $300 Million on 1 Stock

Iain Butler, Lead Adviser of Stock Advisor Canada, recommended this little tech darling to thousands of loyal members last March... and those that followed his advice are up 127.7% (they've already made 2X their money!).

Not to mention this tiny Eastern Ontario company has already been recommended by both Motley Fool co-founders, David and Tom Gardner, because of its amazing similarity to an "early stage" Amazon.

Find out why Tom Gardner was recently on BNN's Money Talk raving about this company, and how you can read all about it inside Stock Advisor Canada. Click here to unlock all the details about his Canadian rule breaker!

More reading

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of CARA OPERATIONS LIMITED and FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD. Fairfax Financial is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.



36-Year Old CEO Bets Over $300 Million on 1 Stock

Iain Butler, Lead Adviser of Stock Advisor Canada, recommended this little tech darling to thousands of loyal members last March... and those that followed his advice are up 127.7% (they've already made 2X their money!).

Not to mention this tiny Eastern Ontario company has already been recommended by both Motley Fool co-founders, David and Tom Gardner, because of its amazing similarity to an "early stage" Amazon.

Find out why Tom Gardner was recently on BNN's Money Talk raving about this company, and how you can read all about it inside Stock Advisor Canada. Click here to unlock all the details about his Canadian rule breaker!

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of CARA OPERATIONS LIMITED and FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD. Fairfax Financial is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.


The Ontario government's new climate-change plan kicks into high gear Wednesday, but the opposition leader is vowing to scrap the program if he wins next year's election.

The province holds its first-ever auction of greenhouse gas emission permits under its new cap-and-trade program this afternoon. Fuel companies, natural gas distributors, auto makers, steel mills and chemical factories are among the firms purchasing the permits.

Companies have already been passing on the costs to Ontario drivers and homeowners by charging extra for fuel and home heating since Jan. 1, when the program took effect.

Wednesday's auction  one of four to be held this year  could generate $513 million for the province if all the carbon allowances are sold at the minimum price. The government is estimating the program will raise $1.9 billion annually and by law must put the money into projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as public transit and home energy retrofits.

PC leader Patrick Brown said Tuesday he would "withdraw" the province from the Western Climate Initiative, the joint cap-and-trade program bringing together Ontario, Quebec and California.

Brown prefers carbon tax

"I would dismantle cap and trade," Brown said in response to a question from CBC News. "It makes Ontario less competitive and if it was really about the environment it would not be a revenue tool for government."

Brown called the program "a $1.9-billion cash grab."

He is promising instead to implement a carbon tax to cut emissions and make it revenue-neutral by providing rebates of some combination of income tax, sales tax, or small business taxes. "We're still going through our policy process on that," Brown said.

The Liberals reject the "cash-grab" claim. "Our approach guarantees greenhouse gas reductions at the cheapest price possible, unlike Brown's carbon tax which would cost families four times more," said a statement from the Liberal caucus.

Story continues

The most recent auction involving California and Quebec's joint carbon market sold just 18 per cent of the available permits. That result was labelled "disastrous" by Chandan Kumar, chief economist for Climate Connect, a company that monitors carbon markets around the world.

Analysts expect Wednesday's Ontario-only auction will be far more successful and sell most of the 25 million allowances available.

"In the next year or so, we can expect a bunch of action in the Ontario auction," said Dave Sawyer, head of the consulting firm EnviroEconomics, in an interview Tuesday with CBC News.

Under the terms of the auction, Ontario industries must pay at least $13.57 (US) for each allowance, equivalent to one tonne of carbon emissions.

There is some uncertainty about the future of California's participation in the cap-and-trade program. The California Chamber of Commerce is challenging the program in court, arguing that it's a tax that should have required a two-thirds majority in the state legislature. A lower court rejected that argument, but the business group is appealing.
World saw record temperatures in 2016  and it's getting warmer: study

The world experienced its hottest year in 2016, a trend that contributed to the wildfires that decimated parts of Alberta and appears to already be worsening, according to a global analysis released Tuesday.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) found that temperatures increased consistently around the globe last year  hitting 1.1 C above the pre-industrial era  with even higher fluctuations in the Arctic.

And the early data for 2017 shows that the earth continues to get warmer.

Those temperature spikes in the Arctic region contributed to Canada's comparatively balmy winter months last year. Combine that "polar equivalent of a heat wave" with the influence of El Nino and the world saw an increase in melting sea ice and the second-warmest year for its oceans, the study found.

The ripple effect of that stretches beneath the surface of the Coral Sea, off Australia's eastern coast. Mass coral bleaching continued there this year, something Australian scientists blamed primarily on climate change, Thomson Reuters reported in March.

About 35 per cent of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef has already been lost, according to that report.

Still a human problem

But while the WMO study found El Nino contributed to the record-breaking temperatures, the organization's secretary general said manmade carbon emissions remain the driving force behind the earth's warming.

"With levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere consistently breaking new records, the influence of human activities on the climate system has become more and more evident," Petteri Taalas said in a statement Tuesday.

To put that in perspective, carbon dioxide levels sat at 285 parts per million in 1880, the inaugural year of NASA's GISS temperature record.

They climbed steadily, however, alongside industrialization.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air hit 400 parts per million in 2016  a jump of roughly 40 per cent since 1880  and those levels are unlikely to fall "for many generations to come," the study said.

Story continues

"Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for hundreds of years," WMO spokesperson Claire Nullis told CBC News. "It stays in the oceans even longer. So this really does underline the imperative need that if we want to act on climate change, if we want to keep temperature increases to a manageable level, we really have no time to waste."

The connection to Alberta

And while the study focused on the consistent temperature increase around the world, it noted that climate change has upgraded the severity of natural disasters.

The wildfires that raged in Fort McMurray, Alta., from May until July 2016 are an example.

The area saw its driest recorded winter and spring; when combined with the record early May temperature of 33 C, it created the perfect condition for the natural disaster, the WMO study said.

The two-month long wildfire remains Canada's most expensive insured disaster with a price tag of $3.58 billion for insurers alone, according to an estimate from the Insurance Bureau of Canada last July.

More than 80,000 people fled their homes as the blaze jumped highways and damaged or destroyed an estimated 30,000 properties.

Haiti, meanwhile, is still recovering from Hurricane Matthew, which killed more than 1,000 people after it made landfall in October 2016. It was the first Category 4 storm to touch down on land since 1963, the study noted.

A UN climate change panel will discuss the results on Thursday in New York City.

"We need to bear in mind that the [UN's] Paris climate change agreement commits us to keeping temperatures well below two degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era," Nullis said. "We are already halfway there and this is indeed very worrying."
A car crash took out part of the bridge above this wedding party moments after they posed for this photo. (Photo: Cassandra Zetta)

This could have been a story about how a wedding party photo shoot in Cincinnati on March 17 turned into a tragic accident. Were happy to write about how  along with some good luck  it turned into a good deed instead.

Photographer Cassandra Zetta took grooms Ryan Fultz and Sean Johnson, along with their wedding party, to a beautiful spot under the concrete Victory Parkway Bridge in Walnut Hills, Ohio, on Friday afternoon, hours before their wedding. The structure of the bridge makes a striking background, and it sheltered everyone from the rain.

Car that crashed into the railing of the Victory Parkway Bridge. (Photo: Amanda Perini)

Then, according to Fox 19, an 18-year-old woman driving over the Victory Parkway Bridge lost control of her car and crashed into the bridge railing. Her car knocked a huge chunk of concrete onto the ground below.

We knew something was up, Fultz tells Yahoo Style. The sound of the car slamming against the concrete was undeniable.

Some of us were under the bridge, and some of us were already out from under the bridge, and we just heard this large crash and started seeing concrete fall, Amanda Perini, Fultzs sister and matron of honor, tells Yahoo Style. They had just been walking down the hill where the concrete had fallen, and Perinis sister had suggested they walk back along a different route to avoid slipping in the wet grass and mud. Had they chosen just to walk back down that hill  they were walking when this happened, so it could have been super-tragic.

Piece of the Victory Parkway Bridge. (Photo: Amanda Perini)

Judging by how deep the piece is embedded into the ground, it could have easily killed someone. Perini says at first they feared more of the bridge would collapse.

The tires of the car were still spinning, and we didnt know if the car was going to go completely over, she told local station WLWT.

While Fultz made sure everyone was safe, Johnson turned his attention to the driver.

Sean ran over to the stairs, ran up to the top of the bridge, and was checking on the driver, called 911, and requested that the driver of our bus come up and around and close enough that we could bring the driver onto the bus and wait with her for the police and her dad to arrive, Perini tells Yahoo Style. She was so young, and honestly it had been raining, and it was probably inexperience, because she said she had started to slide. She probably over-corrected or something.

Story continues

Fortunately, the rest of the day went smoothly, and Fultz said the accident helped put things in perspective.

After the initial shock passed, we realized just how fortunate we were that we all walked away from the incident, including the driver, he says. There was definitely someone looking out for us.

Fultz adds: So, if anything, it made us more grateful to celebrate the rest of the day! And lets be honest, its going to make any other mistake on your wedding day seem trivial. Oh, its raining?!? At least we didnt get crushed by a piece of a bridge!'

Read more from Yahoo Beauty + Style:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and@YahooBeauty.
Uma Bharti says it's okay for ministers to delay traffic and flights when they're on duty.

By India Today Web Desk: Union Minister Uma Bharti believes that if a minister is on duty, it's completely legit for him/her to stop traffic and delay a flight if need be.

Reacting to the ban on lal battis in Punjab, the water resources minister told journalists, "if a minister is out on duty, he can use a red beacon and even delay traffic. If the minister is going for a meeting, even a flight can be delayed for 5-7 minutes," she said.

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Bharti said she wanted to address "the trend started by Arvind Kejriwal." She said a meeting being postponed results in decisions being put off 6 months and losses worth 'crores' if a project is delayed.

Defending VIP culture, Bharti said that ministers have to give in writing (to the government) about the nature and purpose of their travel. So, if he/she is not on duty, but going for a personal visit, using a red beacon or delaying traffic should not be allowed. "But if the person is doing official work, all provisions should be made," she said.

Watch:

#WATCH: Union Minister Uma Bharti reacts on no red beacons for Punjab, Uttar Pradesh Ministers. pic.twitter.com/ZDAbHX5PMj- ANI (@ANI_news) March 20, 2017

Someone tell Uma Bharti, instead using the power of lal battis, our ministers need to learn the concept of time.

Also read: Uma Bharti's supporters stop train at Jhansi station

--- ENDS ---
WEDNESDAY, March 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Loss of smell even in your 40s and 50s is linked to an earlier death -- and dementia isn't the culprit, a new study suggests.

The Swedish study found that in middle age and beyond, people with a poor sense of smell had about a 20 percent increased risk of dying within 10 years, said study co-author Jonas Olofsson.

"The sense of smell seems to be a good indicator of aging brain health," said Olofsson, an associate professor of psychology at Stockholm University.

"We see smell function as the 'canary in the coal mine,'" he added.

Although dementia previously had been linked with diminished sense of smell, the researchers found that "dementia could not explain any part of the link between smell loss and mortality risk," Olofsson said. "So there has to be a different, yet unknown, biological explanation for the link."

As many as 7 out of 10 older people have an impaired sense of smell -- a condition called anosmia -- compared to 15 percent or less of younger people, the researchers said in background notes.

Earlier research has suggested that seniors who perform poorly on smell tests are likely to die sooner than their scent-detecting peers. The researchers wondered if this connection might apply to middle-aged people as well. And, could dementia play a role?

The Swedish team tracked nearly 1,800 adults aged 40 to 90 for a decade, looking at results of initial smell tests and health conditions, including mental decline. During that time, more than 400 participants died.

The study showed a significant association between lower scores on identification tests of smells and a higher risk of death.

The researchers couldn't actually prove that an inability to detect common odors predicted an early death. Still, "this effect persisted after we adjusted for education level, health status and mental functioning, variables that might otherwise determine how well we age," Olofsson said.

Sensory impairment researcher Carla Schubert praised the study, saying it was well-designed. Research like this relies on the ability to detect and identify what are usually easily smelled scents, said Schubert, who is with the University of Wisconsin.

"Participants are asked to smell the odor and then identify what the odor is by selecting the correct name or picture from a set of choices," said Schubert, who wasn't involved in the research.

This particular challenge involved 13 odors and four possible answers.

What can you do if you think your own sniffer is no longer up to snuff?

Schubert suggested talking to your doctor. "There are many reasons a person may lose their sense of smell -- injury, infection, medications -- and some smell loss may respond to treatment," she said.

Don't panic if your sense of smell has diminished, said Dr. Jayant Pinto, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Chicago. He wasn't involved in the study.

"If their doctor thinks it's indicated, smell testing can be performed," said Pinto, who specializes in sinus and nasal problems. "But many people think their sense of smell is worse than it actually is when tested. Flavor is mediated by smell, so if food tastes good, then things are probably OK."

Smell "training" sometimes helps, Pinto said. "This is where you try to smell odors twice a day. Over time, the sense of smell can improve. Whether this makes you live longer is not known," he added.

Olofsson said people might boost their sense of smell by, say, trying to recognize spice odors in the kitchen and by improving their general health.

"Overall, social and mental activities help the aging brain, as do physical exercise," he said. "Many people would be able to increase their healthy life span through healthy lifestyle changes."

The study appears March 22 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

More information

For more about smell disorders, try the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
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New York, March 22, 2017Bahraini authorities should immediately release Mohammed al-Shaikh, a photographer who worked for Agence France-Presse, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Al-Shaikh was arrested at Bahrain International Airport in the capital, Manama, yesterday and was transferred to the countrys Criminal Investigation Unit, according to Bahraini journalist Nazeeha Saeed and a statement AFP emailed to CPJ.

Al-Shaikh, an award-winning Bahraini photographer who was arrested on his return from a vacation in India, has not been allowed access to a lawyer or told the reason for his arrest, according to Saeed, who says she spoke with al-Shaikh.

The photojournalist worked for AFP until last August, when authorities refused to renew his press license, AFP said in its email.

Bahrains draconian journalist licensing law has already cost Mohammed al-Shaikh his job. Now hes been robbed of his freedom, said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. It is outrageous that he should be detained on his return from vacation and denied access to a lawyer. The authorities should free him immediately.

When CPJ contacted the Embassy of Bahrain in Washington, D.C. via telephone for comment about al-Shaikhs arrest it was told to contact the Bahraini ambassador. The ambassadors office did not immediately respond to CPJs request for comment via email.

Al-Shaikh covered Bahrain for AFP for four years and won the 2014 Bayeux-Calvados prize for his coverage of protests that began in the country in 2011. He left the agency last year when authorities did not renew his license. Bahrains press and publications law requires all journalists working with international media to obtain a license from the Information Affairs Authority. The license has to be renewed annually.

The Ministry of Information has refused to renew licenses for at least four journalists, including al-Shaikh and Saeed, according to a January statement by the nonprofit Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy. The journalists worked for Reuters, AFP, and The Associated Press, the institute reported.

Seven journalists were imprisoned in Bahrain at the time of CPJs most recent prison census. The government crackdown on the press began in the wake of the 2011 protests. In January, CPJ documented how authorities shuttered the independent Bahraini outlet Al-Wasat for inciting division, jeopardizing national unity, and disrupting public peace. CPJ issued a joint statement last year calling attention to the kingdoms continued repression of journalists.
2017_Annual_Meeting_of_Shareholders_6.JPG

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Wednesday that the company's decision to hire 10,000 refugees was rooted in compassion, not politics, after shareholders booed a conservative critic who questioned the coffee giant's plans.

Justin Danhof, the general counsel for the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank and Starbucks shareholder, took his time at the microphone during the Q&A portion of Starbucks' annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday to ask some pointed questions.

Danhof implied it was partisan and hypocritical of Starbucks to criticize Trump's initial executive order barring refugees and people from seven-majority Muslim countries from entering the US.

"Why were you willing to have Starbucks' reputation take a beating when you spoke out against President Trump's travel ban, when you lacked the courage to speak out against the Obama-Clinton travel ban?" Danhof asked.

Lawyers and former Obama administration officials have noted there are differences in scope and intent between Trump's executive order and Obama's 2011 immigration restrictions.

Starbucks shareholders at the meeting could be heard audibly boo-ing Danhof after he asked his question.

"When I was sitting in the auditorium today, and this young man was talking about his concerns with this population of [refugees]... it was a challenge not to leap from my seat," Matt Zeller, a veteran who co-founded No One Left Behind, an organization working with Starbucks that assists refugees who served as translators for American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, told Business Insider.

"Those of us who actually served with these people, we would tell you, to a person, these people  they are the true veterans," he said.

Danhof cited a Business Insider article from February, which reported that the coffee giant's consumer perception levels fell by two-thirds after Schultz announced plans to hire refugees and openly criticized the president's immigration ban in late January, based on YouGov BrandIndex data. Many criticized Starbucks based on the belief the company was hiring refugees instead of veterans, despite the fact the coffee chain announced plans to hire 10,000 veterans in 2013  a goal the company announced it had met on Wednesday.

Weiterlesen

In response to Danhof's question, Schultz said that Starbucks' decisions are based on the company's values of "humanity and compassion," not politics.

"I can unequivocally tell you  and we all know this from the research we have done  is there is zero, absolutely no evidence whatsoever that there is any dilution in the integrity of the Starbucks brand, reputation, or our core business as a result of being compassionate," Schultz said.

Schultz also disputed Danhof's claim that the company would have to spend extra money to vet refugee workers, saying that the hiring of refugees would not result in any additional costs to Starbucks. Zeller emphasized that refugees, including those who previously worked with the American military as interpreters, are already heavily vetted prior to entering the US.

Speaking with Business Insider after the meeting, Danhof said as a conservative, he "did not feel comfortable sitting in the shareholders meeting," and that he believed any conservatives working at Starbucks would feel similarly stifled.

"From an investment standpoint, having hostility... to conservatives and conservative leaders  they're diminishing half of their potential customer base," he said.

Meanwhile, Schultz has maintained that Starbucks is not anti-Trump, despite his own support for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

"I don't think on any level that Starbucks or the brand is at odds with Trump or his supporters," Schultz said on CNBC in December. "One of the values we feel very strongly as a company is to demonstrate a level of social impact to the community that we serve."

Here's the video of the showdown between Starbucks' CEO and a conservative shareholder:

This article has been updated with additional context.

NOW WATCH: We went inside a JCPenney and saw why the company is struggling





More From Business Insider


Karachi: Pakistans parliament on Tuesday amended the constitution to reinstate secret military courts that try civilians charged with terrorism offences, something activists have warned will lead to human rights abuses.





The government and Pakistans powerful military say the countrys civilian judicial infrastructure is ill-equipped to deal with such cases, partly as judges fear becoming victims of revenge attacks by militants.





Military courts were first set up by the parliament in early 2015 in response to an attack by Pakistani Taliban fighters on a military-run school that killed 134 children.





Under the system, defendants are not allowed to hire their own lawyers, instead being assigned one by the military. There is no access for the media and the venue and timing of the trials is withheld until a verdict is announced by the military.





The courts have delivered 275 convictions, including 161 death sentences, and carried out 17 executions. These courts do not allow the right to appeal and judges are not required to have law degrees or provide reasons for their verdicts.





Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs office said in January that it would seek to keep them in place after the two-year legal mandate expired.





However, Sharifs ruling PML-N was not able to extend the courts tenure on its own as it does not have the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, leading to two months of consensus building between the major parties.





The bill has been adopted today, our suggestions including the parliamentary oversight of the military courts have been included in the bill, Senator Saeed Gani, from the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, told journalists.





Judicial experts have argued that the courts do not address the problem, with a criminal justice system badly in need of reform, and instead act as a stop-gap measure.





The worrying thing is the conviction rate and the lack of representation for people being tried. It fails every single test of natural justice, Furkan Ali, a lawyer, said.

 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com



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Source: Gulf News, Agencies, March 22, 2017
The government realises that very soon this moral policing or vigilantism has the potential to embarrass the government in a big way and that is the reason why it was at pains to dispel any doubt about their real intentions.

By Brijesh Pandey: On the backfoot over cases of vigilantism, be it anti-Romeo squad or illegal slaughterhouse, the new Uttar Pradesh government today clarified that the purpose of the anti-Romeo squad is not to harass anybody or couple but just to make sure that no girl is subject to any kind of harassment. Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said anybody who is sitting with their friends and others will not be harassed at all.

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"The purpose of the squad is that womenfolk should feel safe and if anybody teases them then they should be booked. Not those who are sitting in the park. They can be brothers and sisters also. This anti-Romeo squad will be created at the police station level," he said.

The government realises that very soon this moral policing or vigilantism has the potential to embarrass the government in a big way and that is the reason why it was at pains to dispel any doubt about their real intentions.

When asked about three meat shops being torched in Hathras, Siddharth Nath Singh said nobody will be allowed to take law in their own hands and we will definitely look into it. He also added that no illegal slaughterhouse will be allowed.

However the government also made it clear to the government employees that they should adhere to the timings which can increase efficiency of the government. The new ministers also said that the government is mulling over installation of bio-metrics and CCTV cameras to catch erring workers.

On the issue of red beacon and hooters, ministers were requested to not use the hooters as it adds to noise pollution.

Also read:

Yogi Adityanath gets cracking: 3 days, 5 big decisions of new Uttar Pradesh chief minister

Romeos must die: On Yogi Adityanath's orders, UP police forms squads to crack down on eve-teasers

Also watch:

Anti-Romeo squads to check eve-teasing in Uttar Pradesh: Pitfalls

--- ENDS ---
Travelucion Records Monthly Sales in February 2017 of over $192,000



Sen. Jerry Moran (Rep) Introduces Legislation to Restore Trade with Cuba

Alfredo Manresa Appointed as Director

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) (OTCBB:MPSFF) (the Company) is pleased to announce that the companys CEO Steve Marshall has signed an exclusive agreement with Tyrval, a world supplier to the hotel and hospitality industry. Republican Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran introduces legislation to lift the Cuban embargo. The travel division of the company had a very strong month in February, usually Cubas low season, of $192,000. Alfredo Manresa joins the board of directors.

Cuba Ventures signs exclusive agreement with major Hotel industry supplier Tyrval

The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive agreement for the Island of Cuba with Tyrval, the world eminent supplier to the Hotel & hospitality industry, currently represented in USA, Panama, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Aruba, Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Bahamas, St Martin, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cape Verde, France and Spain. Tyrval is an exclusive supplier of LG Electronics, Hotel room equipment and decoration, industrial restaurant equipment, including dining room fittings and fixtures, indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting and other hotel related hardware. Cubas hotel infrastructure is experiencing a major upgrade due to the advent of increased tourism, with over 4 million arrivals in 2016. Cuba Ventures' consulting division has identified a need for such synergies to assist its Cuban hotel partners with the upgrade of partial or complete hotels, common areas and guest accommodations. Tyrval is the preeminent company for offering turnkey solutions and one-stop purchasing for partial or complete interior and exterior upgrades of Cuban hotels. The company anticipates providing Tyrval with a minimum 1 USD million dollar turnover by 2018 under a contracted minimum of a 5% commission structure. Steve Marshall, the companys CEO commented, Due to our positioning in the Cuba travel industry we have our finger on the pulse for planned hotel upgrades across the island. Furthermore, the unprecedented decision taken by the Cuban government to allow Iberostar Hotels to freely import goods for their hotels in Cuba is a trend that is likely to spread across the whole hotel management sphere on the island. Previously, all imports to Cuba were administered by the Cuban government. The hotel equipment industry in Cuba is potentially a billion dollar industry and, as tourism continues to increase, existing hotels need to be modernized and new hotels are built. Tyrval CEO Jordi Tomas Romero stated, Tyrval has long considered an entrance into the Cuban hospitality market, having supplied extensively to hotel chains in the Caribbean region since 1993. The travel division of Cuba Ventures Corp, Travelucion, works alongside all hotels in Cuba on a day-to-day basis, therefore, key market intelligence is gleaned, allowing Cuba Ventures to gain a head-start when proposing our products to hotels looking to upgrade or, for complete hotel refurbishments or, as new hotels come on line. As our exclusive partner in Cuba, we consider Cuba Ventures Corp as the sole alternative.

Monthly Sales in February 2017:

The Company booked over CDN $192,000 in unaudited net sales for the month of February 2017. January's sales show the strength of the Company's robust travel services, even in the historically slow Cuban travel month of February. Increased interest in Cuba, along with heightened media attention in the United States surrounding the Companys Cuba-centric digital media platform, including 432 websites focused upon Cuba, is stimulating these increased revenues. Visitors to the Companys websites from the United States now represent 36.8% of the approximately 37 million annual page views, up from 6% in 2014.

Sen. Jerry Moran (Rep) Introduces Legislation to Restore Trade with Cuba

In an unprecedented move, on March 13th Republican Senator Jerry Moran introduced legislation to the US senate known as; The Cuba Trade Act of 2017 (S. 472) to Lift the Cuba trade embargo and allow U.S. financial institutions the freedom to extend credit to Cuba.

http://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/3/sen-moran-introduces-legislation-to-restore-trade-with-cuba

http://krvn.com/agricultural/video-sen-moran-introduces-legislation-to-restore-trade-with-cuba/

Nearly 150 U.S. organizations have voiced their strong support for common sense reforms to U.S.-Cuba relations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers, Engage Cuba and the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC). The senator from Kansas is keen to see U.S farmers sell agricultural commodities to Cuba as the U.S farm belt states suffer the worst economic crisis since the great depression.

Another key Cuba trade proponent Sonny Perdue was chosen by the president as the Agriculture Secretary position. Sonny Perdue, the then governor of Georgia visited Cuba in 2010 to promote free trade with the island nation. The companys CEO Steve Marshall visited Capitol Hill earlier this month, meeting with key supporters of this legislation Engage Cuba and the office of congressman Adriano Espaillat (R).

Alfredo Manresa Appointed Director

The company is pleased to announce that Alfredo Manresa Ruiz has joined the board of directors. Mr. Manresa has served as a key advisor to the company since March 22, 2016. Alfredo is a seasoned banking professional and manager. Alfredo worked for Spains CAM Bank (now Sabadell) between 1989 - 2012 in varied high level positions, including branch and regional management positions in Europe and Latin America. Alfredo was the founding manager of CAM Bank in Havana, Cuba. During his tenure as Regional Bank Director in Havana, Alfredo handled over 80 million Euros annually in loans and investment and was certified for financial operations by the National Bank of Cuba. Alfredos extensive knowledge of the Cuban banking and financial system brings an important addition to Cuba Ventures board of directors. Under the helm of Alfredo, the Havana branch he managed earned the award of best CAM Bank International Branch in 2003, 2004 and 2005, surpassing notable national branches in Miami, London, Paris and Mexico. Fluent in Spanish and English, in addition to an accomplished career in the corporate and private banking world, Alfredo will be a strong advisory asset for upcoming financial dealings and investments in Cuba, employing his knowledge and experience of the inner workings of Cubas financial system and banking regulations.

Resignation of Donald Huston

The company announced today that Donald Huston has resigned from Cuba Ventures board of directors effective March 16, 2017. Donald Huston has provided valuable insight and assistance as the company has acquired assets and expanded as a company. Cuba Ventures Chairman, Jim Petitt, said, "We thank Mr. Huston for his service to the company and wish him success in his future endeavours."

Cuba Ventures in the Media

Cuba Ventures CEO Steve Marshall Interviewed on Telemundo news Washington DC (Spanish):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc48Z2AGpUQ

About Cuba Ventures Corp.:

Cuba Ventures Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company capitalizing on the growth and unique opportunities in the USD $3.5 billion per year Cuban travel and tourism industry. Travelucion, a wholly owned subsidiary, is a digital media and marketing company which owns a vast portfolio of Cuba related websites and online portals providing travel information, featuring individual web assets for Cuba's popular cities and towns, online booking solutions and online reservations through proprietary software, catering to international visitors to Cuba. Travelucion's online travel division is a duly licensed retail travel supplier handling millions of dollars in sales annually.

Travelucion's 432 Cuba focused multilingual websites generate over 30 million page-views per year, directing traffic to the company's online booking and e-commerce sites. These online websites cover all facets of Cuba including over 80 travel destinations, hotels & resorts, bed & breakfast, tours, car rentals, restaurants, as well as Cuban culture, history, music, celebrities, sports, medical treatments and more.

Travelucion's revenues have been rapidly growing in the wake of the notable shift in American policy towards Cuba. With diplomatic relations now normalized and restrictions on qualified American travel to Cuba relaxed, opening of the multi-billion dollar travel market to the Caribbean nation is becoming a reality. Travelucion's continued media dominance over the past two decades has provided Cuba Ventures with a competitive advantage in the burgeoning Cuba travel and online media space. With the relaxing of rules for American travelers to Cuba and the potential of further easing, growth and investment opportunities are on the rise in Cuba.

Cuba Ventures consulting division harnesses over 60 years of combined advisor experience in submitting and, obtaining approval, for joint ventures, joint production agreements and import/export permits for foreign enterprises. More recently the company has taken a royalty approach for future agreements between third parties anxious to begin comercial operations with Cuba and, the companys Cuba Consulting Unit.

For further information on Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) or Travelucion visit the Companys website at www.cubaventures.com or www.travelucion.com. The Company has 72,412,487 shares issued and outstanding.

CUBA VENTURES CORP.

STEVE MARSHALL

______________________________

Steve Marshall

CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Nick Findler

Cuba Ventures Corp.

Telephone: 604-639-3850

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@cubaventures.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.




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BJP MLA Brijesh Singh has renamed Deoband as Deovrind in posters thanking voters after the party's recent victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly election.

By Anand Patel: BJP MLA Brijesh Singh's posters thanking voters for the recent astounding victory have created a stir in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh after they named Deoband as Deovrind.

While Deoband is known for its historical significance and Darul Uloom Deoband has been a centre of Islamic learning since the Mughal era, Brijesh Singh had demanded that the city be renamed Deovrind after BJP came into power.

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"I have no such intention that can connect it to any Islamic institution. All I want is to rename Deoband to Deovrind. It is all about development", said Singh when asked about the posters.

Singh's supporters too articulated his demand to rename Mughal structures.

"We not only want Deoband to be renamed as Deovrind, but also want all those places to be renamed which were once under the Mughal rule. We want this to be done under the BJP government," said VHP leader Vikas Tyagi.

However, the MLA's move has not gone down well with the Muslim community that forms a sizeable part of the population in Deoband, which is one of the five constituencies in the district.

"It doesn't matter even if you change the name a thousand times. Deoband will always be known because of Darul Uloom," said Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamat Ulema-E-Hind.

Due to the eminence of Darul Uloom, Deoband sees an influx of students who come here in pursuit of Islamic learning. The BJP MLA's claims have visibly irked the students too.

FOR WHOSE SAKE?

"Is renaming Deoband the country's biggest issue? Will it aid in development anyway? Can this improve roads and provide better education?" asked a student.

Posters have been put up in different parts of Deoband. Singh, in his defence, had earlier said that the region has been extant since the time of Mahabharata. According to him, even the Pandavas worshipped here.

Singh said that it was in Deoband where Yaksha asked crucial questions to Yudhishthir. Places like Rankhandi Jakhwala and Jadoda Panda bear testimony to Deoband's historical connections, he added.

Deoband has voted BJP to power after 21 years. Singh had defeated BSP's Majid Ali and SP's Mavia Ali by 1, 02,244 votes.

Watch | UP: BJP MLA renames Deoband as Deovrind in posters, irks Muslim population

Also read:

Yogi Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh: Meat traders, butchers feel the heat, shut slaughterhouses in panic

Hindi Yuva Vahini to intensify their agenda under Yogi Adityanath's government

--- ENDS ---
Posters hailing the victory of Brijesh Singh as Deoband's new MLA from the saffron party embody his campaign to rename his borough Dev Vrind.

By Anand Patel: A placid town in Uttar Pradesh famed throughout the Islamic world for its 150-year-old Darul Uloom has woken up to a surprise sight. Its streets, ornamented with temples and mosques, have been overnight bedecked with large billboards calling the town Dev Vrind, meaning the grouping of Hindu gods in English.

For a century-and-a-half, Deoband and Darul Uloom, India's best-known Islamic seminaries, have remained synonymous.

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"The day of Thursday, Muharram 15, A.H. 1283 (May 30, 1866), was that blessed and auspicious day in the Islamic history of India when the foundation stone for the renaissance of Islamic sciences was laid in the land of Deoband," notes Darul Uloom on its website. "Seeing the simple and ordinary manner in which it had been started, it was difficult to visualise and decide that a madrasah beginning so humbly, with utter lack of equipments, was destined to become the centre, within a couple of years, of the Islamic sciences in Asia," it says.

But within a week after the BJP's rise to power in Uttar Pradesh, a rare debate has gripped the historical town, where Hindus and Muslims have peaceably co-existed since the country's independence. Posters hailing the victory of Brijesh Singh as Deoband's new MLA from the saffron party embody his campaign to rename his borough Dev Vrind, his first effort after winning the recent elections.

Singh has even vowed to moot a formal proposal for replacing Deoband with Dev Vrind in the first session of the new Assembly. "The issue is not about Deoband or Dev Vrind," remarked Singh, surrounded by supporters chanting Vande Matram. "Development has always been the main focus of our campaign. But when I was campaigning, the people demanded that Deoband be called Dev Vrind," he said.

Singh insisted he was only voicing "public demands."

Darul Uloom teaches Deobandism, named after Deoband. Practitioners of the Deobandi form of Islam in India have embraced the country's secular constitution as opposed to their counterparts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, who advocate fundamentalism.

The centre in Deoband is known worldwide for its secular and democratic traditions. But Singh's campaign for renaming the town appears to have split it vertically over its nomenclature.

Advocates of Dev Vrind say the proposed title is appropriate for a town associated with the Hindu faith. Deoband is also home to the famous shrine of Bala Sundari Peeth. "Deoband is not known for Darul Uloom," claimed Vikas Tyagi, a local resident. "Darul Uloom is just 150-year-old. Deoband is known for Bala Sundari. It was originally called Dev Vrind," Tyagi said.

CRITICS DISAGREE

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"The BJP has swept to power with a landslide on the plank of development. Was it a mandate for as small thing as changing some name?" asked Saibul Islam, another resident.

Deoband has voted for the BJP after 21 years. Not everyone both from Hindu and Muslim communities - was supportive of the new MLA's plan to rechristen the town. "Development of Deoband should be a priority," argued Saraswat. "Let it be first designated as a district. Only then will we support the BJP's proposal for a name change," he said.

"Tell me of one advantage from changing the name. Is it a national issue? Will it help build roads and improve school education? If it does, there's no issue in changing the name. But is there any real gain?" wondered Abuzar.

Some Muslim elders, however, believe Darul Uloom would always stand as an iconic landmark regardless of how the town is referred to. "No name change will lower the reputation of Darul Uloom," said Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. "No name change is going to affect our health. The place will still be identified with Darul Uloom."

Also read: BJP MLA's posters naming Deoband as Deovrind create stir in Uttar Pradesh

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Also read: Muslims in Uttar Pradesh have mixed feelings for Yogi Adityanath as chief minister

WATCH | Dev Vrind posters surface in Deoband: Hindutva Raj under Sabka Yogi?

--- ENDS ---
Soon after taking charge, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met state DGP Javeed Ahmed and asked him to prepare a blueprint to tackle crime in the state.

Soon after taking charge, UP CM Adityanath asked UP top cop to prepare a blueprint to tackle crime in state. (File Photo/PTI)

By India Today Web Desk: Yogi Adityanath, the new Uttar Pradesh chief minister, seems to be a man on a mission. From ordering shut down of 'illegal' slaughter houses to forming anti-Romeo squads to check eve-teasing, the chief minister has initiated multiple steps since taking charge of the state on March 19.

HERE ARE THE 5 BIG DECISIONS OF YOGI ADITYANATH SO FAR:

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1. ANTI-ROMEO SQUADS: Keen on delivering on its promise of checking eve-teasing to ensure safety of college-going girls, UP CM Adityanath has ordered state administration of anti-Romeo squads.

Work has started in this regard and anti-Romeo squads are being formed in every district of the state. The UP Police has issued orders to form anti-Romeo squads in 11 districts of the Lucknow zone. These squads will be monitored by the IG, Lucknow.

2. STAY ON UPPSC RESULTS: The new state government has ordered a stay on Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) results after complaints of massive irregularities.

The government has directed UPPSC to halt all exams and interviews till further orders.

3. CLOSURE OF 'ILLEGAL' SLAUGHTER HOUSES: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used the issue of slaughter houses in a big way during election campaign and now it want to deliver on the promises made.

Soon after taking oath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had made it clear that closure of 'illegal' slaughter houses in the state is on top of his agenda. Since March 19, several slaughter houses have been sealed in Ghaziabad, Allahabad and other parts of the state.

4. BLANKET BAN ON COW SMUGGLING: In keeping with the BJP's manifesto, the CM ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows and said zero tolerance would be exercised in this regard.

5. 25 ACRE LAND FOR RAM MUSEUM: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday met Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma and is learnt to have discussed the construction of a huge Ramayana museum in Ayodhya.

The Centre has already allocated a fund of Rs 154 crore for the ambitious project.

Apart from these, Adityanath has also directed the state police to adopt a zero tolerance towards crime and take immediate steps towards improving law and order in the state.

The CM had also met state DGP Javeed Ahmed on Monday (March 20) and asked him to present a blue print to tackle crime in the state.

WATCH: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha: Full speech

ALSO READ:

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Romeos must die: On Yogi Adityanath's orders, UP police forms squads to crack down on eve-teasers

Yogi Adityanath's father has an advice for him: Muslim women voted for you, respect all religions

Yogi Adityanath in Parliament: At 44, I came in between Rahul who is 45 and Akhilesh, 43

--- ENDS ---
Shirish Kunder has been trolled on Twitter yet again. This time, for his comments on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

By India Today Web Desk: Shirish Kunder is famous for going out on a limb and attracting trolls on Twitter. More or less, that is. This time around, the filmmaker invited the wrath of a certain section of Twitter for his comments on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

When Yogi Adityanath was announced as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, writer Chetan Bhagat tweeted, "#YogiAdityanath as UP CM. Because when you make the naughtiest guy in class the class monitor, he behaves the best."

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Shirish Kunder's tweets on the UP Chief Minister were probably in response to Bhagat's 'logic'.

In the now-deleted tweets, Kunder wrote, "Hoping a goon will stop rioting once he's allowed to rule is like expecting a rapist to stop raping once he's allowed to rape."

And the next tweet read, "Going by the logic of making a goon as CM so that he behaves, Dawood can be CBI director. And Mallya - RBI Governor."

Even though Yogi Adityanath's appointment as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has raised several eyebrows, Shirish Kunder's tweets were not spared. The Joker director was burnt on the micro-blogging platform for his anti-Yogi tweets. And for the uninitiated, Kunder has more often than not been roasted on Twitter for his views on politics.

ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan asks Twitter to block Shirish Kunder. NOT

ALSO READ: Is Shirish Kunder's Kriti copied from Nepali short film BOB? Kunder tweets clarification

WATCH: Shah Rukh beat up my husband, says Farah Khan

--- ENDS ---
This includes developing a pre-emptive first strike capability and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Reuters reports.

Reuters, quoting a senior U.S. official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Koreas nuclear and missile threat.

I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and ChinaWe of course are not afraid of any act like that, Choe told Reuters.

Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference.

He called existing sanctions heinous and inhumane.

North Korea has been under sanctions for half a century but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or self-sufficiency, he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime.

He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticized remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week.

All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK, Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said.

In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programs and missile programs. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea.

PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE CAPABILITY

We strengthen our national defense capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centerpiece, Choe said.

Asked to comment on Choes remarks, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoricand to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.

Choe declined to give technical details of North Koreas latest rocket engine test on Sunday  seen as a possible prelude to a partial ICBM flight  calling it a great historical event that would lead to fruitful outcomes.

I can tell you for sure that the inter-continental ballistic rockets of the DPRK will be launched at any time and at any place as decided by our Supreme Leadership, Choe said, recalling leader Kim Jong Uns pledge in a New Years address.

Analysts say North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an ICBM and may show it off soon, but is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States.

The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea, Choe said. And we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks on the part of the United States.

We would utilize every possible means in our hands and the inter-continental ballistic rocket is one of them.

It should be recalled that Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the US to remain cool-headed over North Korean tensions during Rex Tillersons visit. In South Korea, Tillerson said a US military response would be on the table if North Korea threatened South Korea or US forces.
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 ...
Google introduced new features for some of its smartphone apps at an event in Brazil today.

The first is support for making audio-only calls with the Duo Messenger. Up until now you could only use Duo as a simple video messaging app, although I suppose you could block videos by placing your finger over the camera.

The second is an update to the way Google Photos saves automatic backups of your photos.

Googles Allo messenger app also has a few new features.

And the fourth is a Google Maps update that lets you share your arrival time with others.

One thing to note is that the Duo voice calling feature is only available in Brazil at launch, but it should roll out to additional countries soon.

New features for Allo include the ability to share files through the messenger and support for Smart Smileys in Portuguese.

The new Google Photos backup features should begin rolling out to Android and iOS users starting today.

Heres how it works:

If you snap a picture while connected to a 2G network, Google will save a small preview image to the cloud.

When youre connected to WiFi at a later time, Google will replace the preview with a higher-quality photo.

That way youve got at least some backup immediately. If something happens to your phone, you wont lose your photos. But you dont have to wait for large files to upload over a slow network.

Using the same technology, Google makes it easier to share photos over slow internet connections. When you share a picture, Google can first show the low resolution preview before making the higher-quality versions available when users have access to a faster internet connection.

Finally, Google Maps now lets you share your location with specific people for a specific period of time. This is something that other mapping apps have offered for a while, but its a welcome addition to the default Maps app for most of the worlds smartphones.
This stylistic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). The chromosome is X-shaped because it is dividing. Introns are regions often found in eukaryote genes that are removed in the splicing process (after the DNA is transcribed into RNA): Only the exons encode the protein. The diagram labels a region of only 55 or so bases as a gene. In reality, most genes are hundreds of times longer. Credit: Thomas Splettstoesser/Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0

A group of researchers has found that three siblings born with cleft lip and palate share a common gene mutation associated with the birth defect.

The gene intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88) ensures transportation antennae (cilia) on embryonic cells travel to the right place, enabling the development of cartilage, bone and smooth muscle in the face and skull.

"Finding this birth defect in every single child in a family is like catching lightning in a bottle because it allowed us to pinpoint the gene mutation that is probably responsible," said Yang Chai, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. "Our finding that the gene IFT88 is involved in cleft lip and palate is unlikely to be mere coincidence."

However, because this study involved only three children, Chai said more investigation is needed to find a causal relationship.

The studya collaborative effort between the Ostrow School of Dentistry, the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the nonprofit Operation Smilewas published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics in January.

Operation Smile, an international nonprofit that provides free facial surgeries in developing countries, found and provided support to three siblingstwo boys and a girlin Mexico who were born with cleft lip and palate. Their mother did not have the congenital disorder, but their father did. Surgeons at CHLA repaired the orofacial abnormality.

In America, cleft lip and palate is the most common birth defect, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 7,000 children are born with cleft lip and palate every year.

"Although most people are not familiar with cleft lip and palate, it is a common congenital anomaly that impacts survival, feeding, speech and has long-term implications if not repaired early and correctly," said Pedro Sanchez, a co-author of the study, a medical geneticist at CHLA and an assistant professor of clinical pathology and pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine. "It occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 live births.

"Understanding the underlying causes of craniofacial disorders can one day lead to an intervention that can reduce the severity of this birth defect, thereby lessening the social, emotional and financial burden that these families face."

Genome sequencing locates a key gene mutation

Researchers went through 32,061 unique gene variations to identify IFT88.

"If someone carries this mutation, they may have a higher chance of giving birth to children with cleft lip and palate," said Chai, associate dean of the Ostrow School. "Doctors can provide consultations to these patients before they give birth, so parents can have surgery lined up and seek out proper care for their newborns."

The study of IFT88 may eventually have far-reaching implications. Other congenital diseases tied to a genetic disorder of cilia on embryonic cells include retinal degeneration, hearing defects, polydactyly (extra fingers or toes at birth) and brain malformations.

Animal model supports genome sequencing data

Genome-wide association studies usually use the data of hundreds or thousands of patients to identify a gene mutation, yet it is still an association study.

"In our study, however, the animal model and the human mutation match," Chai said. "In the animal model, there is no doubt. We have shown that 100 percent of the mice who have a single mutation in IFT88 have cleft lip and palate."
(HealthDay)It's spreading via social media: A "dare" where kids use erasers to rub away the skin on their arms, often while reciting the alphabet or other phrases.

Players compare the resulting injuries, and the most injured player is the "winner."

The so-called "eraser challenge" has been circulating for about a yearbut it's no joke, doctors warn.

"The eraser challenge may cause pain, burns to the skin, scarring, local infections," said Dr. Michael Cooper, who directs the Burn Center at Staten Island University Hospital, in New York City.

With such injuries, "in severe though rare cases, life-threatening sepsis, gangrene and loss of limb may occur," he noted.

According to USA Today, East Iredell Middle School in Statesville, N.C., recently posted a warning on Facebook about the eraser challenge.

"Kids are rubbing an eraser across their skin while having to do or say something," the school said in its post. "It's causing serious burns and we've seen several cases of this."

Cooper concurred.

"The eraser challenge may appear harmless and an innocent show of bravado," Cooper said. "However, the consequences may be lifelong disfigurement and even death, and like other 'challenges,' should be avoided."

Dr. Robert Glatter is an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, also in New York City. He stressed that the risk of severe infections from the eraser challenge is a concern.

"Bacteria and dead skin cells can colonize erasers which have been rubbed on skin," he explained. "Erasers, which can be made of synthetic materials such as vinyl, plastics and synthetic rubber, have crevices that provide a warm and moist environment for bacteria to thrive. People also put erasers in their mouths, making them a set-up for polymicrobial infections that may be challenging to treat."

What to do? Glatter says parental monitoring and intervention is key.

"Parents need to have a frank discussion with their children about the dangers associated with the eraser challenge," he said. "If you find unexplained abrasions or wounds on your child's arms or legs, it's vital to ask them if they have been engaged in this challenge."

And Cooper noted that the eraser challenge isn't the only harmful social media trend out there.

"The advent of social media, and the endless search for recognition and attention has made posting videos while performing dangerous and senseless acts both commonplace and widespread," he said.

"The 'fire challenge' causes self-inflicted, life-threatening flame burns from igniting lighter fluid or alcohol poured on the skin," Cooper explained. "And, recently, a teenager was severely injured when he jumped into a lake he knew contained alligators."

As for the eraser challenge, Glatter said, "it's simple: erasers belong on papernot on your skin."

More information: There's more on skin infections at the There's more on skin infections at the American Academy of Dermatology

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
(HealthDay)If you've got a family history of colon or rectal cancers, you probably need to start screening for these conditions before you turn 50, a cancer expert says.

People with a close relative who has had colon or rectal cancer have a greater risk of being diagnosed with these cancers too, said Dr. Walter Koltun, chief of colon and rectal surgery at the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center in a hospital news release.

"A significant portion of the population does have those risk factors," Koltun said. "And their risk goes up significantly depending on who has been affected."

If more than one close relative has had colon or rectal cancer, your risk of getting such a cancer is 12 times greater, he added.

People who are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancers at a young age are more likely to have a genetic trait that could increase their risk for the disease. Doctors are still working to identify the exact genetic factors that trigger the diseases, Koltun noted.

Other factors that can up your risk of colon or rectal cancers include:

A family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer.

Undergoing radiation for prostate cancer.

Having inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.

Having colon polyps.

A family history of colon polyps.

Colon and rectal cancers are usually considered diseases that affect older people. A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society reveals a surprising increase in rates of these forms of cancer among young and middle-aged adults, Koltun pointed out.

"You should talk to your doctor sooner rather than later," Koltun recommended.

Genetic and environmental factors can play a role in the development of cancer. But Koltun cautioned that assessing family history for colon and rectal cancers and undergoing routine screening for these diseases based on known risk factors and current guidelines is important.

More information: The American Cancer Society provides more information on The American Cancer Society provides more information on colorectal cancer risk factors

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Alberto Espay, MD, MSc, a neurologist at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute, eyes a new era of Parkinson's research founded in systems biology. Credit: Cindy Starr

Two landmark publications with one or more co-authors from the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute outline a transformative approach to defining, studying and treating Parkinson's disease. Rather than approaching Parkinson's disease as a single entity, the international cadre of researchers advocates targeting therapies to distinct "nodes or clusters" of patients based on specific symptoms or molecular features of their disease.

Alberto Espay, MD, associate professor of neurology at the UC College of Medicine and director of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, is lead author of the publications, which recently appeared online in the journals Nature Reviews Neurology and Movement Disorders.

"The time has come to ask what we should be doing differently," Espay says. "Medical science has made a global investment of $23 billion in therapies with the promise to slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease, and the 17 completed phase III clinical trials have yielded little more than disappointment. We need to ask whether the growing number of failed trials might be explained by our single-target and single-disease approach to drug development."

Espay and his colleagues theorize that Parkinson's is not one disease but rather several diseases when considered from genetic and molecular perspectives. They acknowledge that viewing Parkinson's as a single disorder that predominantly involves dopamine-neuron degeneration has been useful in the development of treatments for symptoms, such as tremor and unstable walking, that touch the vast majority of patients. At the same time, this view has yet to deliver a therapy that is effective in slowing, modifying or curing Parkinson's. One important reason, Espay says, could be that promising molecular therapies have been tested in large clinical trials of people who share the diagnosis of Parkinson's, but not to the specific disease subtype most likely to benefit.

The researchers advocate a "precision medicine" approach that is rooted in systems biology, an inter-disciplinary study that focuses on the complex interactions of biological systems.

"Looking at the disease from a systems biology perspective allows us to recognize that our patients can be divided into subtypes based on genetic, biological and molecular abnormalities," Espay says. "As a result, they will respond differently to different therapies."

Neurologists have long observed the many faces of Parkinson's in their patients. Some progress rapidly in their disease, some slowly. Some develop dementia relatively early, while others do not.

Tests have also revealed that patients develop deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein, to varying degrees in the brain, colon, heart, skin, and olfactory bulb. But while these deposits have been thought to be common denominators in most individuals with Parkinson's, they may represent byproducts of a range of biological abnormalities and may not be the best targets of therapy. "Chasing this tail could prove an elusive target," Espay says.

Toward an Ideal Set of Biomarkers

Espay and his colleagues say the field must work to develop an ideal set of biomarkers. Their sobering conclusion comes after an investment of $45 million by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Espay, the site leader for Cincinnati's portion of the 33-site study, had hoped the effort would help researchers discover biomarkers that would pinpoint underlying disease processes.

The ideal approach, Espay and his co-authors write, would start with "an assessment of biological processes" in large populations of aging individuals. The assessments would capture brain scans, genetic profiles and other biological measurements of healthy and unhealthy individuals over time. Abnormal signals within each of these biological measurements would then be traced to the group of people from which they emerge. In so doing, the field would develop "unbiased biomarkers" that drive the creation of specific disease subtypes.

"This process is the reverse of what we have today, with biomarkers being validated by anchoring them to the patient's observable clinical features, or phenotypes," Espay says.

Espay has likened the situation to an earlier period in oncology, when researchers sought "the cure for cancer." Over a period of decades, cancer researchers evolved away from that blanket focus to an understanding of cancer's profound complexity. They learned to assess a cancer's molecular profile and to target its unique mutation or vulnerability. In so doing they ushered in the age of precision medicinethe matching of drugs to disease subtypes.

"The neurologist of the future would look very much like the oncologist of the present," Espay says. "The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease will be complete only when a biomarker profiling is capable of identifying the molecular subtypes of disease and suggest a disease-modifying treatment to apply."

More information: Alberto J. Espay et al, Precision medicine for disease modification in Parkinson disease, Nature Reviews Neurology (2017). Journal information: Nature Reviews Neurology Alberto J. Espay et al, Precision medicine for disease modification in Parkinson disease,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.196
Dunhill Early Morning Pipe Tobacco, 1990's Murray. Credit: Sjschen/Wikipedia

Despite worldwide progress since the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) came into effect in 2005, not all key demand-reduction measures have been fully implemented at the same pace, but doing so could reduce tobacco use even further.

The global tobacco control treaty has increased the adoption of tobacco reduction measures around the world, which has led to a 2.5% reduction in global smoking rates, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health.

The treaty obligates the 180 countries committed to it to implement strong evidence-based policies, including five key measures: high tobacco taxes, smoke-free public spaces, warning labels, comprehensive advertising bans, and support for stop smoking services.

The study - conducted by a team of researchers from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, based at the University of Waterloo in Canada and the World Health Organization in Geneva - noted that although progress in combatting the global tobacco epidemic has been substantial, this progress has fallen short of the pace of global tobacco control action called for by the treaty.

One of the authors, Dr Geoffrey Fong, from the University of Waterloo, Canada, said: "The study provides strong evidence that the FCTC has led to a significant increase in the implementation of tobacco control measures. Further, the study shows that the objectives of the WHO-FCTC in reducing tobacco use can be met through adoption of key demand-reduction measures at their highest level and strong implementation of these measures. The WHO-FCTC has been a success in reducing tobacco use in countries that engaged in strong implementation and saw their smoking rates decline - at a level much greater than those countries that did not."

The study analysed WHO data from 126 countries (116 parties and 10 non-parties), tracking strong implementation of the five key demand-reduction measures from 2007 to 2014, and examining the association between the number of measures fully implemented and country's smoking rates from 2005 to 2015.

Those countries fully implementing more of these measures experienced significantly greater reductions in smoking rates. Overall, each additional measure implemented at the highest level was associated with a reduction in smoking rates of 1.57 percentage points, which corresponds to 7.1% fewer smokers in 2015, relative to the number of smokers in 2005.

On average, smoking rates across the 126 countries went down from 24.7% in 2005 to 22.2% in 2015 - a reduction of 2.5%. However, the trends varied across countries, with smoking rates decreasing in 90 countries, increasing in 24 and remaining the same in 12 countries.

For example, from 2007 to 2014 countries in Northern Europe and South America implemented a significant number of key demand-reduction policies and experienced large reductions in smoking prevalence (7.1% and 6.8%, respectively) between 2005 and 2015. Meanwhile, countries in the African region introduced very few of these policies and experienced increases in smoking rates (3.4% in Western Africa, 12.6% in Middle Africa and 4.6% in Northern Africa).

The most frequently implemented measure by 2014 was smoke-free public places (28%, 35 of 126 countries implemented the measure, 28 of which did so between 2007 and 2014), which reduce smoking-related disease and death by protecting people from second-hand smoke and also encourage smokers to quit. The least frequently implemented measure was advertising bans (13% of countries, 16 of 126, 12 of which did so between 2007 and 2014), which have been shown to reduce the number of people starting smoking, especially among young people.

By 2014, support for stop smoking services had been adopted by 16% of countries (20 of 126) and a quarter (25.4%, 32 of 126) had implemented health warnings on cigarette packaging. A fifth of countries (22.2%, 28 of 126) had implemented high taxation on tobacco - the most effective measure for reducing smoking, especially in low- and middle-income countries where smokers are more price-sensitive.

Since the treaty came into force, a number of countries have made dramatic advances in their efforts to reduce tobacco use, including some low- and middle-income countries. Panama introduced a complete smoke-free policy and a complete ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship in 2008, and established a strong quit assistance program in 2009. Nepal introduced a complete smoking ban and a complete tobacco marketing ban. More recently, it also introduced the world's largest pack warnings, taking up 90% of the front and back of the pack, with strong graphic images of the harms caused by cigarettes.

"While the progress of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been remarkable, there are still far too many countries where domestication of the treaty and its implementation has fallen short," said Dr Fong. "One important cause of this is the tobacco industry's influence, particularly in low- and middle-income countries."

According to WHO, tobacco use causes nearly six million deaths a year globally. It also poses a huge burden on the global economy through healthcare and lost productivity costs of more than US$1 trillion each year.

The study was not a fully global analysis as only 65% of countries could provide the data needed for the study, but it did include countries from all income classification levels, WHO regions and UN sub-regions.

As the study is observational the lower smoking rates could be influenced by other factors. The researchers were unable to account for how well enforced the policies were, meaning their impact could be underestimated if taking into account countries where the measure was not actually implemented properly. In addition, as many countries implement tobacco control policies together or shortly after one another, it is difficult to distinguish which measures have the largest overall impact.

"The data did not allow a detailed analysis of the impact of individual policies," said Dr Fong. "Thus, there is a need for other studies that are specifically designed to evaluate the impact of all the WHO-FCTC policies and not just the key demand-reduction measures. Such studies can provide guidance to countries about what policies may offer the greatest benefits, and can support the strong emphasis that the WHO-FCTC Conference of the Parties is placing on mobilizing efforts to accelerate and strength the implementation of the treaty."

Writing in a linked Comment, Dr Kenneth E. Warner, University of Michigan School of Public Health, USA, said: "No study can do it all. The present undertaking is remarkably ambitious, examining, as it does, five distinct policy areas in well over 100 countries over a period spanning a decade. The authors deserve ample credit for reinforcing, with solid empirical evidence, the core message in the FCTC: tobacco control policy matters. The authors cite evidence that the FCTC has accelerated implementation of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship bans, smoke-free laws,and pack warning labels. Let us hope that this study increases adoption of all of the core evidence-based demand-reduction policy interventions, especially including raising taxes, the highly effective intervention that has lagged in terms of adoption."

More information: The Lancet Public Health, www.thelancet.com/journals/lan  (17)30045-2/fulltext
Credit: Virginia Commonwealth University

E-cigarettes are touted as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, but they could pose alarming risks to children in utero, Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have found.

According to results from a two-year study and collaboration between faculty from VCU's Biomedical Engineering and Biology departments, using e-cigarettes (also called vaping) while pregnant could cause craniofacial birth defects. These birth defects are abnormalities of the face and head that form in utero.

The study is one in a series of seven projects by research universities across the United States that look into the potential health impacts of e-cigarettes on parts of the head, face and oral cavity. Each study is funded with part of a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health.

VCU researchers aim to educate the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes and produce results that would compel tighter government regulation, said primary investigator Rene Olivares-Navarrete, D.D.S., Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

"We're not going to be able to stop everyone from using e-cigarettes," Olivares-Navarrete said. "But at least we can tell them this is your choice and give strong evidence about what can happen."

Co-investigator Amanda Dickinson, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Developmental Biology, said the VCU study is one of the first to investigate how certain chemical compounds found in e-cigarettes could be linked to orofacial disorders.

"There's no real study showing why vaping during pregnancy isn't safe, or when it's most dangerous during development," she said.

Olivares-Navarrete and Dickinson plan to publish the study and release numerical data on their findings this summer.

Dickinson said many smokers believe vaping isn't harmful because e-cigarettes expose the body to fewer compounds than contained in tobacco cigarettes. This does appear to make e-cigarettes less dangerous, she notes, but it's still best to stay awaythose who vape inhale carcinogens, such as formaldehyde and benzene. These are some of the same chemicals found in tobacco cigarettes. There's also no long-term research about the damage vaping could cause to the body over decades of use.

Allyson Kennedy, a researcher in Amanda Dickinson's biology lab, works with frog embryos under a microscope. The embryos are used to model human pregnancies during testing. Credit: Leah Small, University Public Affairs

Various researchers and health regulatory organizations are in agreement with Dickinson. The Federal Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of e-cigarettes to consumers under 18 earlier last year, and now requires manufacturers to submit ingredients for approval.

A December 2016 report from the Surgeon General cautioned against the widespread use of e-cigarettes by youth, but it acknowledged e-cigarettes are less hazardous than tobacco cigarettes. The report stated research shows use of any nicotine products by minors is unsafe.

Olivares-Navarrete said one of the reasons e-cigarettes are so popular is because young people mistakenly don't associate their use with smoking.

"The part that is amazing to me about e-cigarettes is that if you ask people who use them if they are smokers, they will say no, because for them, it is not smoking," Olivares-Navarrete said.

The Centers for Disease Control found 3 million teenagers used e-cigarettes in 2015a number 10 times greater than four years prior.

There is also no hard evidence that e-cigarettes help standard cigarette smokers quit the habit, and vaping is strongly correlated with other tobacco use, according to the Surgeon General.

But some official opinions differ. The Royal College of Physicians, the United Kingdom equivalent to the Surgeon General, said e-cigarettes should be encouraged as a healthier substitute to standard cigarettes. Last year, the organization released a report stating e-cigarettes rarely led nonsmokers in the U.K. to take up smoking of any kind.

Building strong evidence

Dangerous compounds are found in a variety of e-cigarette flavors, which range from bright fruit tastes to smooth cremes. These flavors are blended with mixtures of nicotine, glycol and vegetable glycerin to form e-liquidswhich fuel electronic cigarettes.

Suraj Kandalam, a biomedical engineering graduate student, works with a pump to infuse e-liquid vapor with saline to use during experimentation. The pump, which he created by modifying an apparatus that mimics smoking tobacco cigarettes, is meant to realistically simulate vaping. An atomizer heats up the e-liquid, turning it into vapor, which is then sucked through a syringe before it is infused with the saline. Credit: Leah Small, University Public Affairs

Determining which compounds are most harmful is a feat when there are literally thousands of flavors on the market, researchers said. Finding culprit compounds becomes even harder when e-liquids are heated while vaping, because this results in chemical reactions that produce additional compounds.

Lab teams led by Olivares-Navarrete and Dickinson theorize certain e-liquid compounds could contribute to orofacial birth defects such as cleft palate, which is a gap in the skin of the upper lip and upper gum bones.

To gauge the risks of developing such disorders, both labs used animal models to simulate human pregnancies. The subjects were exposed to a solution created by infusing saline with e-liquid vapor.

The solution was created with an apparatus that simulates vaping. When e-cigarettes are used, e-liquids are heated and turn into vapor during each "drag." The vapor is inhaled and chemical compounds are absorbed into tissues throughout the body. The apparatus mimics this process by using an atomizer to heat the e-liquid, turning it into vapor, which is then sucked through a syringe before it is infused with the saline. The end result is the solution used in experimentation.

Suraj Kandalam, a biomedical engineering graduate student in Olivares-Navarrete's lab, created the apparatus by modifying a pump used in previous studies on tobacco cigarettes. The updated machine is calibrated to mimic metrics such as the timing between puffs and puff duration for e-cigarette users. Kandalam said successfully modifying the machine was a way to contribute to a project with wide-reaching impacts.

"The reason I chose this project is that it's practical and easy to verbalize to the community because they already know what electronic cigarettes are. Vaping is in everyday life," Kandalam said. "I thought, maybe I can prove that e-cigarettes do have an impact. All of the research is still really new. There is still a story that needs to be told."

Using the solution Kandalam made, Allyson Kennedy, a postdoctoral researcher in Dickinson's lab, found incidences of cleft palates in frog embryos exposed to specific compounds in e-cigarette flavors during a key orofacial developmental stage.

"I found certain flavors are worse [resulted in more clefts] than others. There's one called 'Nutz' and it smells like coffee. In trials with this e-liquid, we did see some clefts," Kennedy said. "It has a buttery taste that's warm, like drinking coffee. The clefts could be caused by any number of chemicals but one possibility may be diacetyl, a compound that results in the buttery taste, but is shown to be bad for humans."

If diacetyl is indeed one of the e-liquid compounds that causes clefts, it would not be its only danger when inhaled, researchers said.

E-cigarette vapor rises from a beaker while researcher Suraj Kandalam demonstrates the use of a pump meant to simulate e-cigarette smoking and to create solutions used in testing. Credit: Leah Small, University Public Affairs

About a decade ago, major popcorn manufacturers stopped using the chemical after workers who inhaled diacetyl developed bronchiolitis obliterans, known as "popcorn lung." The disease causes a scarring of the lung's air sacks, which results in a thickening and narrowing of airways.

The compound is still used to flavor popcorn, caramel and other foods, but with greater safety regulations. Diacetyl was banned from use in e-cigarettes in the U.K. last year.

Olivares-Navarrete said his lab also found that high concentrations of nicotine present in some e-liquids may not only impact facial development, but could also negatively affect pregnancy term and viability. Researchers discovered that when pregnant mice were exposed to the e-liquid, the size of their liters was reduced. This could indicate that egg fertilization is inhibited, or that some fertilized eggs don't reach full term.

"Because we are funded by the NIDCR, we mostly focus on development in the head, but it is also important to tell people [vaping] can affect the chances for you to have a baby," he said.

Genes, environment and compounds

If granted additional funding, the researchers aim to embark on new studies to further document the health hazards of e-cigarettes. They plan to learn if certain genetic predispositionscombined with the environmental stimulus of vapingresult in higher incidences of craniofacial disorders.

A next step would be to map exactly which tissues in the face are affected by e-cigarette compounds during development. Researchers plan to answer practical questions, such as how long a woman who has just quit vaping should wait to conceive. They would also continue to uncover which compounds in e-liquid could contribute to craniofacial birth defects.

"This is never-ending science, it's a continuum," Dickinson said. "What we are trying to do is tease apart mechanisms and get a little deeper into what is regulating the face, and thinking about gene and environment interactions."
Women in burqa have also voted for him. He needs to respect all religions, win their hearts, Yogi Adityanath's 84-year-old father Anand Singh Bisht said.

By India Today Web Desk: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath may be busy in deciding portfolios for his ministers in hectic consultations with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership in New Delhi but his 84-year-old father has an important advice for him.

"He will need to take everyone along. Women in burqa have also voted for him. He needs to respect all religions, win their hearts," The Times of India quoted Anand Singh Bisht, as saying.

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Bisht, a former forest ranger, asserted that his chief minister son now has a huge responsibility on his shoulders and that it was important for him to take people of every section of the society along for overall growth of his state.

He pointed out that Muslim women voted in favour of the BJP in support of party's stand on the issue of triple talaq. "People from all faiths believe BJP and Adityanath can take them on the path of progress. That has to be kept in mind," Bisht said.

MY GOVT WILL WORK FOR ALL: YOGI ADITYANATH

Speaking in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister vowed to work for development of all sections by creating a "new structure" of progress.

"In Uttar Pradesh, the new model of development will be based on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," emphasised Adityanath, who is known for his firebrand Hindutva image.

"My government will be for everyone, not specifically for any caste or community ... We will work for development of all sections and castes and create a new structure of progress," said the chief minister of the country's largest state.

He said his government in the state will create a "new model" of development under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Adityanath, the head of Gorakhpur math who was a surprise pick for the post of UP chief minister, said his government will try to create a situation where no riots take place.

The five-time MP asserted this while citing the example of his constituency Gorakhpur."Of the 304 riots that took place in Uttar Pradesh, not a single riot took place in Gorakhpur," he said.

WATCH: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha: Full speech

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--- ENDS ---
Credit: National Cancer Institute

A new vaccine for rotavirus was found to be 66.7% effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis caused by the virus, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Epicentre, Paris. Rotavirus is responsible for about 37% of deaths from diarrhea among children younger than 5 years of age each year, or about 450,000 children, with a disproportionate effect in sub-Saharan Africa.

The study will be published in the March 23, 2017 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute diarrhea, or severe gastroenteritis, in children. Unlike other causes of diarrhea, improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene do not prevent rotavirus transmission, therefore vaccination is essential to prevent death and complications from childhood diarrhea.

To make a difference in countries where the rotavirus burden is highest and access to health care is low, vaccines need to be affordable, as well as safe, effective, and heat-stable. Currently there are two rotavirus vaccines, but they are expensive and refrigeration must be maintained throughout the supply chain. In resource-poor countries such as Niger, electricity and refrigeration are often unreliable. The new vaccine is heat-stable, the first of its kind for rotavirus prevention.

"This trial brings a vaccine which is adapted to African settings to those who need it most," said first author Sheila Isanaka, assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard Chan School. "When the vaccine becomes widely available in Africa, it will help protect millions of the most vulnerable children."

For the trial, researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Niger to evaluate the efficacy of BRV-PV, a low-cost, heat-stable vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. The researchers recruited 3,508 healthy infants to receive three doses of the vaccine or placebo at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. All children included in the trial are monitored in local health centers and receive free health care for two years.

The vaccine has been licensed in India, but approvalknown as prequalification by the World Health Organization is needed before it can be purchased by the United Nations and government agencies. "After the successful clinical trial of this new vaccine, we hope that it can be made available as soon as possible to children in Niger and across Africa," Isanaka said.

More information: "Efficacy of a Low-Cost, Heat-Stable Oral Rotavirus Vaccine in Niger," Sheila Isanaka, Ousmane Guindo, Celine Langendorf, Amadou Matar Seck, Brian D. Plikaytis, Nathan Sayinzoga-Makombe, Monica M. McNeal, Nicole Meyer, Eric Adehossi, Ali Djibo, Bruno Jochum, and Rebecca F. Grais, New England Journal of Medicine, March 23, 2017, Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine "Efficacy of a Low-Cost, Heat-Stable Oral Rotavirus Vaccine in Niger," Sheila Isanaka, Ousmane Guindo, Celine Langendorf, Amadou Matar Seck, Brian D. Plikaytis, Nathan Sayinzoga-Makombe, Monica M. McNeal, Nicole Meyer, Eric Adehossi, Ali Djibo, Bruno Jochum, and Rebecca F. Grais,, March 23, 2017, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1609462
Credit: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid., CC BY-NC-ND

Acute famine in the Horn of Africa, an impending food crisis in Yemen and ongoing civil war in Syria are among the main causes of today's global refugee crisis. Currently there are more than 65.3m people displaced across the globe and over 5,000 refugees died or went missing in the Mediterranean in 2016 on their way to Europe, making it the deadliest year on record.

While humanitarian organisations struggle to cope, it seems to be standard and accepted practice for the media to bash them for their work. Criticism is varied and extensive, but what the media seems to agree on is that humanitarian NGOs, charities and UN organisations are all inefficient and expensive. They are accused of disappointing efforts to come up with better aid programmes and ultimately failing to provide any results for their work.

Dangerous work and constant rotations

But it is a risky job to deliver aid in crises environments. In 2015, the Guardian reported that it has rarely ever been more dangerous to be an aid worker. And the statistics speak for themselves. In 2015, 148 attacks on aid workers were recorded with 109 people killed, 110 injured and 68 kidnapped.

In order to protect their staff, many organisations operate a strict rotation policy, which means that staff members have to leave an acute emergency operation after every three to six months or every second year. Such policies ensure that people can alternate between more and less dangerous posts, allowing them to rest and recover. OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, for instance, has an emergency response roster with staff deployed to crises outbreaks usually for six to eight weeks.

Other organisations such as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, works with roving positions. To respond immediately to crises and subsequent displacement, roving staff can be deployed to any emergency operation within 72 hours to assist local offices. A roving staff member whom I met during my research told me she sleeps next to her suitcase packed and ready, always on the move.

Little long-term memory

Such rotation policies are necessary, but they obviously present a challenge to the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian work. Emergency relief needs to be extremely fast paced, setting up camps, providing food, water and health services to thousands of displaced people in a matter of a few days.

In such context, staff should ideally rely on lessons learned and a good institutional memory of the local operation, but constant turnover makes information sharing difficult and the development of a long-term institutional memory is hard to achieve. And while new staff members in other organisations learn from colleagues who have been doing the same job for a few years, frequent staff rotations between Rwanda, Syria or Yemen make personal handovers almost impossible. So humanitarian workers often find themselves thrown in at the deep end.

Passing on knowledge

In order to deal with these challenges, humanitarian organisations need to be creative. The UN Refugee Agency, for instance, is currently piloting a global platform on good practices for staff assisting urban refugees, highlighting ways of addressing sexual violence or employment assistance that proved successful in other countries. The aim is to disseminate lessons learnt and best practices online. Humanitarian workers can proactively search for examples that might work in their own contexts by searching and filtering the database, instead of relying on personal handovers.

Another charity, Engineers without Borders, often working in the aftermath of a first emergency response, publicly celebrates failures through its annual Failure Report. Its purpose is to give others the chance to learn from failures faster. Meanwhile, Save the Children is investing heavily in online learning courses. Staff members are trained on general operational systems or security procedures online before being sent to an emergency. Other training courses are designed to foster a better understanding of the organisation's values and ways of doing things in order to develop a more global institutional memory.

Humanitarian organisations can easily be dismissed as inefficient and not effective, but they are operating in a challenging environment, constantly on the move to tackle global emergency and refugee crises.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: Cancer Research UK

For decades, scientists and doctors have looked for ways to stop the damage that viruses cause to humans.

But in recent years, certain safe, modified viruses have emerged as potential allies to tackle cancer.

And our scientists are among those searching for new forms of cancer-killing viruses.

Previous studies have shown that some viruses naturally kill cancer cells, but how they do this has never been fully understood.

Professor Len Seymour's lab, at the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre, has been focusing on one particular cancer-killing virus that operates under the code name of Enadenotucirev (or EnAd for short).

And a new study, published in Molecular Therapy  Oncolytics, has revealed EnAd to have a rather unusual method of killing cancer cells.

Caught at the scene of the crime

Arthur Dyer, a researcher in Professor Seymour's lab, and the team have installed their own version of 'cell CCTV' to catch the act of cell-killing on camera.

The footage below was recorded using a normal light cell microscope, commonly found in a lab that takes a snap every minute.

"Each frame is one photo taken every minute and then we've stuck all the photos together as a video," says Dyer. The end result is the clip below:

Dyer explains: "Here we've got human lung cancer cells in a dish and we've infected them with a virus that's trained to kill cancer cells."

This lab technique has given researchers valuable intelligence as to how EnAd kills cancer cells.

"When the cells are infected with the virus they balloon up, blister and then die," says Dyer, adding that it was a cause of cell death he'd never seen before.

"When I first saw it I thought I was going mad. It's such a weird cell death, it seems to use up the energy in the cell which then causes it to swell."

Ways to kill a cancer cell

One of the ways in which viruses survive in the human body is by hijacking healthy cells' internal machinery.

EnAd takes over the cancer cells' machinery, using up the cell's energy to such an extent that it has no more strength left to live.

"This virus needs cells that are already hyperactive," adds Dyer, explaining that as the metabolism of cancer cells has gone haywire they make the perfect victim.

Cells normally die in a very controlled way, but these cancer cells balloon up to 2 or 3 times their size, giving the appearance of blistering.

And it's this precise effect that gives EnAd potential to be a great cancer cell killer.

Cancer cells can disguise themselves from the body's immune system, but when EnAd destroys cancer cells in the lab it leaves the 'crime scene' upturned, with lots of evidence carelessly left behind. Seymour's team believe this could encourage the immune system to ring the alarm for other immune cells to come and investigate the scene.

And to test this further, they've been putting lots of versions of the virus to work in the lab.

Credit: Cancer Research UK

How to train a virus

Seymour's team has made sure they've got the deadliest of cancer cell killers by using a tough training programme.

"Viruses are naturally good at killing cancer cells so even harmless ones have some ability to attack them," says Dyer.

"But to find the best virus, we grow them repeatedly in cancer cells and compare them all head to head."

It's important that the virus can tell the difference between healthy tissue and cancer cells. So the team also tests them on healthy cells to make sure the viruses can't grow in them.

"So at the same time we also look for the ones that are least able to infect normal cells," says Dyer.

This tough selection process leaves the viruses with only one mission: to infect and destroy cancer cells.

The future's bright for cancer-killing viruses

EnAd has passed these lab examinations and is now being tested in an early stage clinical trial in a very small number of people.

"These trials are making sure the virus is safe and to find the best way to give it to the patient. Ideally we'd like to use an injection so the virus can get into the bloodstream and reach cells that have gone to other parts of the body," says Dyer.

Some cancers can also become resistant to the ways in which treatments destroy them. But because EnAd has a different method of destroying cancer cells, Seymour's team believes the virus might also be able to kill cancers that have become resistant to treatment.

Ultimately, the team hopes to test how it performs with other drugs and in specific types of cancer, bringing it that little bit closer to becoming a new ally for targeting cancer.

More information: Arthur Dyer et al. Oncolytic Group B Adenovirus Enadenotucirev Mediates Non-apoptotic Cell Death with Membrane Disruption and Release of Inflammatory Mediators, Molecular Therapy - Oncolytics (2017). Arthur Dyer et al. Oncolytic Group B Adenovirus Enadenotucirev Mediates Non-apoptotic Cell Death with Membrane Disruption and Release of Inflammatory Mediators,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2016.11.003
Credit: Lynn Greyling/public domain

Day of the week did not affect the survival chances of people undergoing emergency surgery, research has found.

The findings challenge the results of previous studies, which had suggested that those who undergo elective surgery at the end of the week are at a greater risk of dying.

Researchers looked at more than 50,000 emergency surgery cases in Scotland over a three-year period between 2005 and 2007.

They tracked patients' outcomes until 2012 and found that after adjustment for other risk factors, the day a patient received surgery had no effect on their short or long-term survival.

Patients who were admitted over a weekend were more likely to be operated on sooner, the study found.

More than a third of all surgical procedures in the UK are classified as emergencies. Emergency patients are eight times more likely to die than those who elect to have surgery as they are more likely to experience complications.

Previous research has pointed to a 'weekend effect' in which patients who undergo elective surgery on Saturdays or Sundays were more likely to die than those operated on during the week.

Commentators had suggested that restricted access to expertise and resources at the weekend - particularly senior staff - were key factors.

The new study found no evidence to link day of the week to an increased risk of death for those undergoing emergency operations.

Researchers say their study involved a smaller number of cases than previous research but that theirs is the first to report analysis of a complete national dataset.

The study, published in the British Journal of Surgery, was funded by the Chief Scientist's Office of Scotland.

Dr Michael Gillies, a Consultant and Associate Medical Director who works in the University of Edinburgh's Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, said: "Emergency surgery is associated with far greater risks than elective surgery so it is reassuring to find that patients in Scotland are receiving the same high standards of care throughout the week."
LONDON  Akzo Nobel, the Dutch paint and chemicals company that makes Dulux paint, said on Wednesday that it had rejected a second takeover bid from PPG Industries, turning away a $24 billion deal that would have created an industry behemoth.

However, Elliott Management, an American hedge fund with a stake in Akzo Nobel, called on the company to engage with PPG and explore a sale at a higher price, and also suggested it would support efforts to replace the companys board if it failed to do so.

Akzo Nobel, which also produces Eka bleaching solutions and Interpon powder coatings, said that the second unsolicited offer from PPG still substantially undervalues it and is not in the best interests of shareholders. It also said there was a significant culture gap between the companies.

The latest bid came nearly two weeks after PPG, which is based in Pittsburgh, offered to acquire Akzo Nobel for $22 billion in the hope of creating a giant in the paint and chemical industry.
This is the scenario: youve had your new fitness band for 11 months when it stops working. It came with a 12-month warranty, though, so youre not worried.

When you take it in to be repaired or replaced, you are informed that you are out of luck  the warranty is no longer valid.

The manufacturer of your gadget has gone bust and was stripped for parts, which were sold to the highest bidder.

If you think this sounds unlikely, think again. This happened to Pebble customers a few months ago when Fitbit acquired parts of the company, following its descent from riches to rags.

Suddenly, warranties were declared invalid and Pebble owners were warned not to expect any software updates for their smartwatches.

While Pebble and Fitbit are overseas companies, this kind of thing can happen in South Africa. For example, at the beginning of 2017, local smartphone brand AG Mobile was liquidated.

Youre stuffed

If a company declares bankruptcy there is not much you can do, said Nicholas Hall, an attorney at Michalsons.

For practical purposes, the legal entity which you are contracted with no longer exists so there is no longer a person to try and enforce the warranty against.

Hall said it is important to remember that a warranty is a contractual clause and is subject to the normal laws of contract.

When a company is acquired, things are more complex.

If the actual legal entity got sold, then in theory the warranty is still valid. If the business gets sold, then possibly not, said Hall.

The manufacturer could have the ability to unilaterally change the terms of the agreement, including the terms of the warranty.

If that is the case, there is not much the consumer could do.

If the warranty is a statutory provision  like the 6-month implied warranty in the CPA  then you could still enforce it against the company, as they do not have the power to contract out of their legislative responsibilities.

Switching off essential cloud services

In addition to cancelling its warranties, Pebble also warned that functionality of its smartwatches may decrease over time.

Fitbit will keep Pebbles software and services running through 2017, but its cloud services will eventually be switched off.

Fortunately, it has promised to reduce Pebbles dependency on its patchwork of cloud services.

If a company decides to shut down a cloud service that is essential for its devices to work, there is also not much consumers can do.

The key point here is that it is a service, said Hall.

While most services may have an uptime warranty, that warranty will be limited to while the service is still being provided.

If they choose to no longer provide the service, then the warranty would fall away.
The United States and the United Kingdom have banned laptops and other large electronic equipment as carry-on luggage on certain inbound flights.

The temporary ban applies to flights from a handful of predominantly-Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

It follows unspecified security threats, and an incident in Somalia last year where a bomb hidden in a laptop caused serious damage to a plane.

The US Government said it is concerned about terrorists ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years.

Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items, it said.

Travellers will be allowed to put their laptops and large electronic devices in their checked-in baggage, according to reports.

According to the BBC, nine airlines are affected by the US ban:

Royal Jordanian

EgyptAir

Turkish Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines

Kuwait Airways

Royal Air Maroc

Qatar Airways

Emirates

Etihad Airways

The UK restrictions apply to direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

The British regulations affect the airlines listed below:

British Airways

EasyJet

Jet2

Monarch

Thomas Cook

Thomson

Atlas-Global

Pegasus

EgyptAir

Royal Jordanian

Middle East Airlines

Saudia

Turkish Airlines

Tunisair

Now read: ISIS uses commercial drones to drop bombs
The Dell Firelord 7567 gaming laptop is now available in South Africa, offering powerful gaming performance at a relatively low price, said Dell.

The Firelord features an Intel 7th-Gen processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti graphics cards.

Dedicated thermal vents on the front and rear of the device and dual-cooling fans keep the hardware cool and efficient, and it is powered by a 74Wh battery.

With the Firelord 7567, Dell confirms its commitment to the PC gaming market, said Dell.

Often users would like to start gaming but find it just too expensive  with the Firelord, this is no longer the case.

Recommended pricing for the Firelord ranges between R17,999 and R26,999, depending on hardware configuration. The three Firelord configurations are detailed below.

Configuration 1

Dell Firelord Configuration 1 Display 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 LED Processor Intel Core i5-7300HQ 3.5GHz RAM 8GB DDR4 2,400MHz Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 4GB Storage 1TB HDD, 8GB SSHD Price R17,463

Configuration 2

Dell Firelord Configuration 2 Display 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 LED Processor Intel Core i7-7700HQ 3.8GHz Memory 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Storage 1TB HDD, 256GB SSD Price R21,995

Configuration 3

Dell Firelord Configuration 3 Display 15.6-inch 3,840 x 2,160 IPS LED Processor Intel Core i7-7700HQ 3.8GHz Memory 16GB DDR4 2,400MHz Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Storage 512GB SSD Price R26,351

This article first appeared on MyBroadband and is republished with permission.
President: UAE is a responsible energy supplier as long as the world needs oil and gas

EU has serious concerns about US inflation reduction act

Head of IMF: The global surge in consumer prices may be close to the high point

Germany wants EU to resume trade talks with US as soon as possible

Pashinyan's closed meeting with MPs of ruling Civil Contract faction is over

Hungary will not support EU efforts to help Ukraine with joint funds

Greece to soon ban sale of spyware

U.S. military delegation arrives in Turkey

German industry calls for postponement of global minimum corporate tax

Podolyak: Ukraine has never refused to negotiate

Elon Musk calls on 'independent-minded' voters to vote for Republicans

Bezos Earth Fund pledges $1 billion by 2030 to protect carbon stocks and biodiversity

7 people killed in collision between truck and passenger bus in Turkey

Nikol Pashinyan holds closed meeting with members of ruling party faction

Qatar's foreign minister calls criticism of West 'arrogant' and 'racist'

Algeria officially applies to join BRICS group

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
YEREVAN.  Not us or Karabakh or Azerbaijan, but international organizations have decided on the precepts for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

First President of Armenia, and opposition Armenian National Congress Party Chairman Levon Ter-Petrosyan, stated the aforesaid on the air of Public Television of Armenia.

In his words, this matter is not between the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis, but it is a geopolitical issue.

The Karabakh [conflict] settlement process is not an abstract platform, but a body vested with specific powers, and which is entrusted to handle this matter, added Ter-Petrosyan. It is the OSCE Minsk Group, which has received the UNs blessing, too.

As per the First President of Armenia, all proposals that were made have been these international organizations proposals to the Armenian and the Azerbaijani parties to this conflict.

According to Ter-Petrosyan, no one has any argument with respect to the precepts for resolving this conflict.

Talks are conducted so that the parties make the solution as beneficial as possible for them, he added.

And when asked whether Azerbaijan is ready for the settlement of this conflict, the First President of Armenia responded: If Azerbaijan were not ready for mutual concessions, it would not have participated in the activities of the Minsk Group; the international platform decides this. Azerbaijan will not define Karabakhs status; the Minsk Group will define the status.
The UP Police has already issued orders to form anti-Romeo squads in 11 districts of the Lucknow zone.

By India Today Web Desk: Barely days after Yogi Adityanath took charge as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the government has started cracking down on illegal slaughterhouses, a promise made in the BJP's election manifesto Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra.

The Yogi Adityanath government is now keen to deliver on another of its promise--creating anti-Romeo squads near colleges to check eve-teasing and ensure safety of college-going girls.

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Work has started in this regard and anti-Romeo squads are being formed in every district of the state. The UP Police has issued orders to form anti-Romeo squads in 11 districts of the Lucknow zone. These squads will be monitored by the IG, Lucknow.

"Through this squad, we are not trying to harass people but we are trying to take action against those who are harassing others," said Javeed Ahmad, DGP, Uttar Pradesh.

ANTI-ROMEO SQUADS TAKE OFF

In Pilibhit, the anti-Romeo squad arrested five alleged eve-teasers on Tuesday. In Meerut too, alleged eve-teasers were detained by police who were conducting an awareness drive about the squad outside schools and colleges.

The UP police is conducting campaigns across schools and colleges regarding these anti-Romeo squads.

"In a bid to check incidents of eve-teasing and passing of comments on women and girls, anti-Romeo dals will be constituted at the police station levels and action under the Goonda Act will be taken against wrongdoers," said IG (Lucknow Zone) A Satish Ganesh.

The BJP's election manifesto talks about taking measures for women safety.

IS IT JUST ABOUT ROMEOS?

While campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, BJP President Amit Shah had said in Meerut that the BJP, if voted to power, would form anti-Romeo squads to check eve-teasing.

"In Uttar Pradesh, every college would be provided with anti-Romeo squad. Our girls would be safeguarded. These anti-Romeo squads would allow girls to study without fear in college campuses," Amit Shah had said, while promising a better law and order in the state under a BJP government.

Yet, the jury is out on whether the anti-Romeo squad's objective is only restricted to taking action against eve-teasers.

BJP's national co-convenor Sunil Bharala, in the run up to the election campaign, was quoted by ABP as saying that these anti-Romeo squads will also take action against love jihad. "In love jihad, innocent girls are targeted and lured. To ensure their safety, anti-Romeo squads will be formed," Bharala was quoted as saying.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister had listed love jihad as one of the key issues for the BJP in the election. However, on anti-Romeo squads, the five-time MP from Gorakhpur had said the force would work towards restoring the pride of women.

Anti-Romeo drive in Uttar Pradesh. Photo: ANI Anti-Romeo drive in Uttar Pradesh. Photo: ANI

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UP POLICE TURNS MORAL POLICE?

Many against whom the anti-Romeo squad has acted have alleged that such actions are nothing but examples of harassing people and moral policing society.

According to a Times of India report, a boy who was standing outside a college in Meerut to meet a friend was given a warning by the police. The boy was quoted as saying that the police did not know why he was waiting outside the college and that "for them (UP police) any young boy on a bike is a majnu".

A father who got a call from the police about his son loitering around said it was not for the police to decide where boys can stand and where they cannot.

ALSO READ:

3 reasons why BJP's promised Anti-Romeo Squads in Uttar Pradesh is plain wrong

Kairana exodus, love jihad key issues for BJP: Adityanath

ALSO WATCH

--- ENDS ---
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group is important because it is the only way to prevent war.

US Ambassador to Georgia, Ian Kelly, who used to be the US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, told the aforementioned to Jnews.

When asked to what extent the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible, the ambassador said the most important thing is that there would not be a war because if it resumes, it will be very difficult to predict what will happen.

But most importantly, in his view, starting a war is not in the interests of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

As per Kelly, the Minsk Group is important in this process, since it is owing to this group that there is discourse between Yerevan and Baku.

And to the remark that, nonetheless, both the Minsk Group and this discourse are considered passive and inactive, the American diplomat responded that as long as the parties to the conflict do not wish to resolve this matter, there will be very little progress toward settling this conflict.
Armenia today has turned into a country offering sophisticated turnkey technological solutions and services, taking up its specific niche on the mainstream global ICT map.

President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday stated the above-said in his address at the UAE-Armenia Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

I am extremely delighted, and it is also of symbolic significance that only four months after my previous official visit I am hosted once again at this friendly land, Sargsyan noted. I salute you cordially in this wonderful hall: such an exceptionally representative event comes to attest to the mutual desire and commitment of the highest authorities of our countries to elevate to a qualitatively new level the economic relations between Armenia and UAE. Only months ago, this was merely an idea, whereas today it has become a reality, of which we expect a lot. I would like to express my particular gratitude to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and especially to the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for bringing this idea to life.

Dear Colleagues,

The Armenian-Arab friendship withstood the test of time and, in our days it has become a solid foundation for the relations between Armenia and many Arab states.

It was on this foundation; during the reign of the blessed memory Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Emirates, that the official cooperation between the Armenia and the United Arab Emirates took root. And today it is our wish and also our duty to strengthen and deepen the precious legacy we received.

Throughout its history Armenia, was at the crossroads of the East and the West, and because of that the Armenian people were recognizable in both these worlds. At the same time the East and the West had mingled on our soil which is reflected in the mindset and lifestyle of our nation. This means that if you come to Armenia, you will not only discover the environment conducive for doing business, but will also find familiar features the most characteristic of which, perhaps, is traditional Armenian hospitality and warmth, so typical for our fraternal Arab people as well.

Naturally, some of you have your own perception of Armenia, though many yet have to discover it, especially as a country with economic potential. But before you do, let me highlight some aspects of doing business in Armenia, some important prerequisites from the perspective of a mutually beneficial partnership.

It is incontestable that perhaps the most crucial factor for the mutually beneficial partnership is trust. In this rapidly changing competitive world, long-term partnerships may be forged and investments may be made only if there exist the atmosphere of trust. This is something we do share in earnest. Our peoples know each other historically, and by virtue of history having lived side by side with the Arab people and being exposed to the Arab civilization, we appreciate the value of trust very well.

Despite the hard time that befell upon us throughout our history, we never gave in, spread all over the world and became successful businessmen. We are not intimidated by constraints imposed upon us, and we do our best to turn them into competitive advantages. Having no fossil fuel, we develop human resources; subjected to a double blockade, we build integration bridges; being a landlocked country, we open up to the world through our Armenian communities spread all over the world, we communicate setting up alternative ways and taking advantage of the state of the art technology.

This is best testified to by the fact that Armenia today has turned into a country offering sophisticated turnkey technological solutions and services, taking up its specific niche on the mainstream global ICT map. You have the opportunity to see for yourself through your own experience that Armenia has created a conducive framework for doing business and a free investment environment protected by law.

This is attested to by the World Bank 2017 Doing Business Report in which Armenia ranks the 38th among 190 countries; moreover, it ranks the 9th with regard to simplicity of starting a business. As for the economic freedom indicator, this year marked unprecedented progress: our country currently is the 33rd, which means we have improved our standing over last year by 21 notches.

Our government has created investment packages which I keep in the focus of my immediate attention. We shall welcome and support investors from the United Arab Emirates in various sectors of the Armenia economy.

There are great opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and food processing.
YEREVAN.  President of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Galust Sahakyan, on Wednesday received the head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) election observation mission, Ambassador Jan Petersen, and political analyst of the mission, Daniela Diaconu.

Sahakyan highlighted the activities of the observation missions in the phase of preparation and holding of the elections in Armenia. In the NA Speakers words, they promote the development of democracy and the improvement of the electoral system, the NA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Galust Sahakyan noted: We conscientiously study the remarks and evaluations of the observation missions and try to fulfill the recommendations which the observers present.

The NA Speaker documented that Armenia permanently cooperated with the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR in the elaboration of the Electoral Code, as well as in the works aimed at raising the quality of the elections. In this context, the NA Speaker highlighted the contribution made by the EU to the organization of the elections and thanked the international structures, which had their contribution to the improvement of the electoral system in Armenia.

Highlighting the political dialogue between the power, the opposition and the civil society, the NA Speaker has stated that the improvement of the Electoral Code is aimed at not only upgrading the electoral system, but also to the rise and strengthening of public trust towards the electoral process.

Galust Sahakyan underlined that the authorities of Armenia are ready to cooperate with all observation missions in order to hold elections in accordance with international standards, and they expect detailed and unbiased observation as well as impartial evaluation of the elections.

Ambassador Petersen, for his part, noted that it had already been four weeks that the mission is working in Armenia, deploying teams in Yerevan and in the provinces. He assured that the members of the mission had meetings with the President, the Central Electoral Commission Chairman, the representatives of the political parties and the people. Petersen has affirmed that in all countries being observed the mission holds the observation with standard methodology and highlights the way of observation everywhere.

According to the Head of the Mission, the legislation, the legislative field and the very electoral campaign of the country is thoroughly studied. He added that 250 short-term observers and 110 parliamentarians from different countries will join the mission next week.

Jan Petersen noted that they cooperate with all observers, and that the final report will be issued in two months.

The Head of the Observation Mission stated that they will have a press conference the next day of the elections, summing up their observations and giving a united evaluation, but they will stay in capital city Yerevan until April 14.

At the end of the meeting the Speaker of the National Assembly answered in detail the questions concerning the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission, Ambassador Jan Petersen, and political analyst of the mission Daniela Diaconu, and which related to the Electoral Code, the contribution to the parliamentary system of government and regional representation electoral system in Armenia.
Ever since Yogi Adityanath took over as UP CM, it was clear that the BJP and the new government were in for a big surprise in the form of support from the Muslim community, if the central and state governments follow their slogan 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' honestly and impartially.

By Siraj Qureshi: With Yogi Adityanath assuming the post of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on March 19, while a large part of the population appears to be ecstatic and is even terming it as a return of power in the hands of the 'Hindus', quite a significant part of the population is also worried about the possible increase in animosity between Hindus and Muslims - the two largest religious communities in the state.

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Ever since his elevation as a saffron leader, Yogi Adityanath has been known as a firebrand leader who has given several objectionable statements in the past concerning the minorities, although most of his focus has always been on developing nationalistic ideals. It is this fact that the Muslim intelligensia is trying to make the rest of the community realise as they believe that the new Uttar Pradesh regime will not practice partisan politics and there will be no difference between 80 per cent and 20 per cent of the people in the state.

When India Today talked to this select group of Muslims, it was clear that the BJP and Yogi Adityanath government are in for a big surprise in the form of support from the Muslim community, if the central and state governments follow their slogan 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' honestly and impartially.

Talking to India Today, Hindustani Biradari Secretary Ziauddin said that it is often seen that when they are out of power, politicians use strong words, but when they are given the responsibility of the state, they mellow down. He said that the Muslims should not be worried about Yogi Adityanath gaining the throne of UP as the chief ministerial post is a very responsible position and whoever assumes this post, has to think about the welfare of the entire state's population. He said that it was the belief of Muslims that Yogi Adityanath's government will take Uttar Pradesh on a path of development.

Amir Qureshi, a tour guide by profession said that the overwhelming majority of 325 seats with which the BJP has won in the UP assembly elections is a clear indicator that not only the Hindus but the Muslims and other communities have also voted for the BJP. He added that with Yogi Adityanath becoming the chief minister, there was a high hope that he will work on an inclusive development plan for the entire population of the state.

SABKA SAATH SABKA VIKAS

Qureshi said that Muslims were scared that the new chief minister could begin implementing the agenda he had spoken of in his public meetings before he was tasked with this key UP post. "If that happens, then certainly it will be a difficult position for Muslims, but at present, it appears that Yogi Adityanath is going to stick to PM Modi's 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" formula, which includes Hindus, Muslims and all other communities."

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Qureshi added "Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had dreamt of a developed India by 2020. All citizens of India should strive towards achieving this goal and defeat the enemies outside India and within, who could slow down this growth. He said that it is time now, for PM Modi to begin implementing the developmental plans he had promised for India instead of just focusing on controlling money flow in the country."

Social activist Mohd Kamran said that in a democracy, whatever the majority decides, has to be acceptable to all and to comment on someone without first observing his work is not correct. He said, "Whoever may be the chief minister, he has to govern the state according to the established law of the land and the Constitution and Muslims should wait and watch before reacting to Adityanath's elevation as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

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Watch the video here:

Also read: Full list of portfolios: UP CM Adityanath keeps home, finance; Keshav Prasad Maurya gets PWD

Also read: Romeos must die: On Yogi Adityanath's orders, UP police forms squads to crack down on eve-teasers

--- ENDS ---
STEPANAKERT. -- The Azerbaijani side stopped the flights of unmanned vehicles along the contact line after March 4, when the UAV violated the airspace of Artsakh, commander of the Karabakh Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan said in an interview with Hetq.

Perhaps they conducted training flights, but after that case, no drones violated our airspace, Mnatsakanyan said.

Without going into details of destroying ORBITER drone, Mnatsakanyan only noted that not all the armies are capable of destroying such a UAV.

Speaking about the surveillance cameras, Levon Mnatsakanyan noted that the adversary also places such cameras, mainly in the central direction of the line of contact.

We also undertake countermeasures. The other day, we eliminated two cameras in one day. The enemy has not yet been able to eliminate any of our cameras, the general emphasized.
The April events showed that the gene of the Armenian people is active: everyone saw how the Armenian guys can be in action and what feats they are able to make.

Candidate of the Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc, Raffi Hovannisian, said the aforementioned at the meeting with the voters in the Armenian village of Agarak on Wednesday.

In his words, the soldiers, who defended the borders during the April events, demonstrated incredible courage. They were then joined by volunteers and they all defended the homeland together regardless of who is in power and how these people gained power.

Hovannisian also added that after the April events Armenia should learn lessons and take necessary steps for there to be no more victims in Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Referring to the ways of solving the Karabakh conflict, Hovannisian noted that the peaceful solution of the conflict is, of course, preferable, but at the same time considering the rights of the Artsakh people to self-determination. It is also necessary to recognize the independence and territorial integrity of Artsakh.

''The person who took part in the war will strive for peace. Of course, we would like a peaceful solution to the conflict. We liberated our homeland. Artsakh became a republic: it has its constitution and borders. When the independence and territorial integrity of Artsakh are recognized and when Artsakh joins Armenia, it will already be possible to hold trilateral talks between Baku, Stepanakert and Yerevan in order to decide the other questions related to refugees, demilitarization, etc.,'' Hovannisian stressed.
YEREVAN. - Leaders of Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) bloc, Seyran Ohanyan, Raffi Hovannisian and Vartan Oskanian, have disseminated a joint statement on the detention of former Karabakh defense minister Samvel Babayan.

The statement reads as follows:

''Former commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) Defense Ministry and Defense Army, Artsakh hero, Lieutenant General Samvel Babayan has today been detained by the National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of Armenia.

This step of the authorities was predictable. The apparent provocation organized against the ORO bloc in Jrarat village of Armavir province, as well as the massive repressions against the bloc headquarters and deputy candidates aimed to create a climate of fear and hinder our work. Today they have already come to apply other methods.

It is noteworthy that the step against Samvel Babayan was prepared for many days on by certain figures, as well as media outlets providing obvious and concealed support to the authorities.

We assess this conduct by the authorities as a step aimed at creating a climate of fear in our country and influencing the results of the elections through illegal means.

''Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian'' bloc continues its regular work. We won't succumb to provocations. Our institutions, deputy candidates and supporters continue their work with triplicated enthusiasm.

We call on the international community, observation missions and diplomatic representations to keep the case related to S. Babayan in the center of their attention, since it has obvious political implications and is aimed against the free expression of will by our citizens.

We call on the political forces, human rights organizations, civil society, as well as our Artsakh and Diaspora compatriots to give assessment to the occurrence.

We urge the society and every citizen to make corresponding conclusions after this case, actively participate in the electoral processes, jointly support the changes and form new government on April 2.''
Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on Wednesday paid a working visit to the country's Ararat province.

Karapetyan visited International Masis Tabak LLC, the press-service of the Government informed Armenian News  NEWS.am. The PM got familiarized with the manufacturing process of the company, which employs 580 people with average salary of 40,000 AMD.

In 2016, 705 ha raw material of tobacco was grown in Armenia and Artsakh, as a result of which 8.5 thousands tons were sold, this being 10 percent more as compared to last year. Besides, the company production increased by 10 percent last year.

The tobacco of local production is exported to two dozens of countries, the volume of export having grown by 40 times during the recent 6 years.

Karapetyan also visited the ''Golden axe'' Armenian-Iranian slaughter house in the town of Masis. It has 100 employers, who can slaughter up to 650 heads of sheep and lambs in one shift.

Furthermore, the PM had meetings with the heads of rural organizations during which he discussed issues related to the sales process, company programs and existing issues. Karapetyan urged to increase the volumes of production and implement new programs.

Apart from this, the PM got familiarized with the activity of Ararat gold extraction plant. The investment volumes of GeoProMining make up $140 million. Albion technological bloc has been constructed in the plant, which now has 1058 employees, whose average salary in the manufacturing sector constitutes 233,000 AMD.

Afterwards, the PM visited the Greenhouse greenhouse facility established in 2014, where tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and beetroots are grown. In fact, instead of the original 22,000 tons, the harvest reaches 40,000 tons here.
President of the European People's Party (EPP) Joseph Daul has released a video message supporting the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) in the run-up to the parliamentary elections to be held in the country.

In the message, Mr Daul in particular wishes the voters to continue to trust the responsible forces like the RPA and avoid all populist divergences. According to him, these elections will be the first following the Constitutional referendum in Armenia in 2015, which transformed Armenia into a parliamentary country. They will also be the first to be held under the new Electoral Code initiated by the RPA.

''Meanwhile, these elections give an important opportunity to test the strength of democracy in your country. It's important that they pass fully freely and transparently, peacefully and in line with international standards. I am convinced your leadership will do its best to organize such elections.

And it will be done not for the purpose to satisfy your international partners but for the benefit of your country and citizens.

It's beyond doubt that free and fair elections are a precondition for further deepening of relations between Armenia and the EU, which will be propelled by the Comprehensive and Expended Partnership Agreement initialed recently.''

The citizens of Armenia will be the first to derive its benefits since an established democracy can make Armenia stronger.''

According to the EPP President, strengthening of the rule of law, fighting corruption, ensuring the independence of the judicial system and guaranteeing the political stability of the country are not merely fair goals but also means, which can make Armenia more attractive for international investors and foreign enterprises.

''I wish that voters in your country continue to trust the responsible forces such as the RPA and avoid any populist divergences. But for that you must be able to hear them and react to their concerns and expectations.

He also wised success to all the candidates ''so as the RPA is able to lead your country by the right path.''
Minnesota OSHA Sets First-Ever Excavation Safety Stand-Down

The statewide stand-down is taking place April 17-21. Since 2015, three workers in the state have died in trench collapses, according to an agency fact sheet.

Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA), for the first time ever, will promote and participate in a statewide excavation safety stand-down April 17-21. MNOSHA, part of the state Department of Labor & Industry, is working with safety professionals in the state on it.

The stand-down's goal is to raise awareness among employers and workers about preventing excavation accidents, which have resulted in three Minnesota workers deaths since 2015 in trench collapses.

During the stand-down, construction employers and workers are asked to pause their work day to talk about excavation safety and discuss topics such as how to properly slope, shore, or shield workers to protect them from hazards during excavation projects. The agency is encouraging employers to make plans to protect workers and prevent accidents and says the stand-down is part of its ongoing emphasis on excavation and trench safety.

After they participate in the stand-down event, employers can submit a photo of the event to MNOSHA by emailing it to [email protected], along with the number of employees involved, and will receive a personalized certificate of participation from Minnesota OSHA.

Cave-ins are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities, according to the agency, which points out that Minnesota law requires employers to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death, and the trenching and excavation requirements are found in 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652.

General trenching and excavation rules include these:
Since 1997, according to The LaCrosse Tribune, at least 12 people in LaCrosse died from alcohol-related incidents. Most of them drowned.

The high number of deaths in LaCrosse stems from the fact its a "college town" where more than 26 percent of the students reported they were excess drinkers to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Population Health Institute. This is one of the highest percentages in Wisconsin.

Consequently, as originally reported by Radio 620 WTMJs Jeff Wagner, The La Crosse City Council is considering banning "all you can drink" (AYCD) specials that are common in LaCrosse bars.

Such specials charge a set amount of money  usually $10-$20  and then patrons imbibe as much as they want of certain beverages, which usually include inexpensive beers and / or rail spirits.

In Milwaukee, few bars offer AYCD nights anymore. Adam "Hawk" Griffin, owner of Fire on Water, 518 N. Water St., offered it at his bar every Thursday night for years, but got rid of it in 2016.

"Marquette kids ruined it," says Griffin. "And I know it was Marquette kids because I talked to some of the other customers from Marquette, who are great."

Griffin says he was told that Marquette students were organizing outings to his bar through Facebook groups.

"Theyd come in and take advantage of the special," says Griffin. "Then theyd steal stuff, pool balls, and it just got to be too much. Now we have $1 off Miller products on Mondays."

Will other local bars continue to offer "aycd" specials? We shall see.
"Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee is brought to you by Miller Brewing Company, calling Milwaukee home since 1855. For the entire month of March, we're serving up fun articles on bars, clubs and beverages  including guides, the latest trends, bar reviews, the results of our Best of Bars poll and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!

Previously, I wrote about some of Downtowns dead and buried rock clubs. But because there were so many places you wanted me to mention that were outside the geographical constraints of that article, I present this East Side edition...

As always, add your memories using the Talkback feature at the bottom or on Facebook.

1. Avant Garde

2111 N. Prospect Ave.



(PHOTO: MilwaukeeRockPosters.com)

Mostly a hipster beat coffee house in the 1960s, the Avant Garde hosted folk and blues gigs, but also appearances by rock outfits like the experimental Velvet Whip. Read more here.

2. Bretts

1501 N. Jackson St.

Brett Mazzone used to own this lower East Side place that is now home to Points East Pub. The small back room had a stage tucked into one corner and the black light ensured that you instantly regretted it if you had prematurely stopped using Head & Shoulders. For a while, in the mid-90s my band used to practice on the stage on off-nights and store our gear upstairs in the apartment occupied by Summerfest talent buyer Scott Ziel.

3. Celebrity Club

2203 N. Prospect Ave.

Though it was open during the years I trolled live music venues on the East Side, I never stepped inside Sherman's Celebrity Club. But I do recall that in the 1980s it was extremely popular with the college set, which would crowd in to see Pat McCurdy in the heyday of his solo career, as well as his years fronting the Men About Town and the Confidentials. Later it became Vox and then Vintage.

4. Century Hall

2340 N. Farwell Ave.



(PHOTO: Mark Spieth)

The East Side's favorite gathering place, Century Hall  on Farwell Avenue, where a mini-mall now stands  was more than a club. It was a place for East Siders of all stripes to meet, have a beer, eat some food and catch a wide range of music. Bands included everyone from the R&B Cadets, Kojo and Semi Twang to Husker Du, The Cramps, Fishbone, The Fall, Johnny Thunders, Dead Milkmen and reggae gigs with the likes of Freddie McGregor and Michigan & Smiley. When it burned to the ground on April 24, 1988 it seemed that all of the East Side was gathered outside looking on in tearful horror. A similar scene played out shortly afterward when the original Beans and Barley caught fire.

5. The Globe/Boardwalk

2020 E. North Ave.

(PHOTO: Ted Leo)

Mention The Globe to any Milwaukee music fan over the age of 20 and you will probably get yourself a response combining the phrases "best show ever" and "for five bucks!" Whether they were booking biggies like Jimmy Eat World, packing them in for The Promise Ring or even opening up mid-afternoon for an all-ages show, The Globe was a music scene staple that can never be replaced. It took over the Boardwalk, which also hosted live music. Ask anyone over 40 about that one. Nowadays, its home to The Hotel Foster.

6. Harpos

1339 E. Brady St.

(PHOTO: MilwaukeeRockPosters.com)

Now home to Club Brady, my abiding memories of Harpos are of sitting behind the drum kit during Semi-Twang gigs in the mid-80s learning what I could from the inimitable Bob Schneider, and the fact that my band The Yell Leaders played its first gig here in 1992.

7. Humpin Hannas/O'Brads/East Village Other

827 E. Locust St.



(PHOTO: MilwaukeeRockPosters.com)

Now nothing more than a grassy lot in Riverwest, 827 E. Locust St. was once home to the underground OBrads and later Humpin Hannas (later simply Hannas), where you could catch the likes of Lou Reed, Spirit, Canned Heat and the MC5. Hannas was also a regular venue for the nascent Cheap Trick. In 1974, In A Hot Coma opened for Cheap Trick here, arguably providing the spark for Milwaukees punk rock scene. Believe it or not, Sunday was a Penny Beer Night, which, youll be unsurprised to hear, was very, very popular.

O'Brads in 1965. (PHOTO: Gary Myers)

"The Shag  East Side Layton School of Art guys  were the house band (at OBrads) in '67, maybe earlier," remembers Bob Dickey. "They moved to San Francisco in spring of '68 and the Racquet Squad  mostly Marquette guys  took over for a while then the house band days seemed to end. I was too young to get in, but by '69, maybe '70, OX and Hound Dog Band and Short Stuff were playing there from time to time and so I got in by virtue of being with the band. It was probably Hanna's by that point. For a brief period it was East Village Other. It was a dank basement dive that reeked of stale beer and always had a slight hint of vomit lingering."

8. The Jazz Gallery

932 E. Center St.

(PHOTO: MilwaukeeRockPosters.com)

Jazz fans and punks will recall Riverwest's Jazz Gallery as the scene of many early Violent Femmes gigs (they did a residency there). It was also the club that saw Bill Cosby  who was in town performing at State Fair in the mid-'70s  sit in on drums with organist Jimmy Smith. Avant jazz saxophonist Fred Anderson recorded his "The Milwaukee Tapes" disc in 1980 there. Other greats like Sam Rivers also played in the small corner bar.

9. The Landing/The Tasting Room

1100 E. Kane Pl.

I played The Landings back room (which is the focus of the photo above, with the stage door in the foreground) numerous times with The Blowtorch and saw bands like the Squares there, too. The Blowtorch even opened for Billy Bragg there in 1985 (there's video of all of us out on the Humboldt bridge). Later, it became the Tasting Room and continued to host live local music, but the building has been shuttered for a very long time now.

10. L.A. Freeway

1806 E. North Ave.



(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)

Long before Cush, and right before Matisse  in the 1980s  the L.A. Freeway was a neon-lit, plastic palm tree adorned lounge where boys in pink oxfords, rockers and random East Siders drank beers in bags for $1. At the time, it was rumored to have one of Milwaukee's best jukeboxes, featuring tunes by Golden Palominos, XTC, Talking Heads and more, thanks to bar manager and local musician Mike Benign (Blue In The Face, Umbrella Man, Arms & Legs & Feet). They also featured live bands. The building was demolished after the fire that destroyed it and Pizza Man.

11. Shooters

1905 E. North Ave.

(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)

Before it became Goth Central, the walk-down space below Beans & Barley was home to Shooters Nightclub. Remember the neon sign with the shooting star? Although predominantly a dance club, which meant plenty of white lines in the loo, Shooters also hosted tons of live bands. The crowd was an interesting mix of New Wavers, generation "Me" people and guys with gold chains and hairy chests still hanging on to the '70s. Later, the club became Esoteria, then Eso, then Mantra.

12. Teddys

1434 N. Farwell Ave.

(PHOTO: MilwaukeeRockPosters.com)

Teddy Macchis club, where Shank Hall is now located, had a little something for everyone at some stage. Early in the 70s it was, according to the Milwaukee Journal, "the hot blues and jazz club of the East Side," but by 1975 it was drawing a new, dance-oriented crowd that was "rewarded with the chic decadence of New York." Machi was still into jazz, but when, in 1976, he booked Eddie Harris, Nat Adderley and Les McCann, he brought them to jazzman George Pritchetts subterranean club up the street (in Landmark Lanes), rather than in his own. By the time I got to Milwaukee in the early 80s, Teddys was booking local rock and roll and you could see Plasticland or Wild Kingdom there, for example.

13. Thai Joes/Bangkok Orchid

2239 N. Prospect Ave.

While I was a big fan of the Thai food at Bangkok Orchid, I wasnt part of the part-reggae, part-hippie, part-DJ scene that was bumpin at Thai Joes in the lower level of the Prospect Mall during the 1990s. But I bet a lot of you were. It was popular and it was varied and was happenin. Many who played there left a stick behind as evidence and some of those endured well into the construction phase of the mall's conversion in recent years.

14. Zaks/The Spruce Goose

2249 N. Humboldt Ave.

Zak's, run by Damian Zak, was on Humboldt and North. It hosted the Dead Boys, Devo, Television's Tom Verlaine, The Professionals (the post-Sex Pistols band of Steve Jones and Paul Cook), The Dream Syndicate and former New York Doll Johnny Thunders before becoming the Spruce Goose in the '80s and that's when the likes of 10,000 Maniacs and Translator played there.
Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released a new engineering report on the state of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory  commonly called the Domes  that the trust says "demonstrates a more comprehensive and cost-effective path forward for preserving the Domes."

As importantly, the trust also today declared the Domes to be a National Treasure. Tell us something we dont know!

The report and the declaration arrived in advance of todays meeting of the Milwaukee County Task Force on the Domes. That meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.

You can read a variety of reports and other background data on the Domes and their condition here. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Domes here.

"Anyone who has visited the Milwaukee Domes can appreciate what a stunning and absolutely one-of-a-kind place they are," said Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in a statement. "From our work at other icons of modern architecture, like Houstons Astrodome or Philip Johnsons Glass House, we also know that inspiring, innovative architecture often requires equally creative solutions. Rather than risk losing this iconic piece of Milwaukees heritage, we need a thoughtful, long-term preservation solution for the challenges facing the Domes."

The Domes have long captured the publics interest, beginning in 1958 when Milwaukee architect Donald Grieb won a national design competition for a new horticultural conservatory in Mitchell Park.

His design for a trio of the worlds first conoidal (cone-shaped) domes would replace the more traditional iron and glass conservatory that Henry C. Koch designed in homage to Londons storied Crystal Palace.



(PHOTO: Courtesy of Friends of the Domes)

Kochs greenhouse was built in 1898 and local ironmaster Cyril Colnik designed the green palaces gates, which can still be seen in the Show Dome. Kochs conservatory was demolished in 1955.

Construction on the Domes began in 1959 and work was completed eight years later. The Domes were an immediate Milwaukee landmark, popping up on Milwaukee postcards and posters  and in more unexpected places  for years to come.



(PHOTO: Courtesy of Friends of the Domes)

In February 2016, the Domes were closed when construction materials began to fall to the floor. They began to reopen in stages a couple months later. Last October, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Domes to its list of Americas 11 Most Endangered Places.

"Despite the Domes significance and their continued role in the community, the Domes remain threatened," said a National Trust statement. "Milwaukee County, which owns the buildings, is considering demolition of one or more Domes, along with other options ranging from partial restoration to full reconstruction of the buildings."

That led the trust to work with the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance to drum up public support to repair, rather than raze, the Domes. Hence, the report "identifies a comprehensive rehabilitation approach for the Domes that would be approximately $18.6 million, around one-third the cost of the full rehab option developed by GRAEF Consulting for the County," according to the statement.

The new peer review of GRAEFs cost estimates was completed by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE), an engineering firm that has undertaken projects at the Washington Monument, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art.

"Based on our observations and experience with similar structures, it is our opinion that the Domes can be preserved and restored," WJEs report stated. "The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Domes are unique, architecturally significant structures that have performed well during their first 58 years of service and can be preserved. The condition of the precast concrete framing and glass cladding are repairable, and replacement of these systems is not necessary at this time."

Peter Zanghi, president of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance (MPA), supports repair over replacement for the Domes.

"MPA sees the meeting tonight as a way to provide a second opinion to the public about what is possible, as it relates to the rehabilitation of the Domes, and it is our hope that everyone comes away more informed," Zanghi says. "We think it is prudent to offer a peer review of Graef's report so that stakeholders have multiple expert opinions to consider. As the Wiss, Janney, Elstner report states, we believe it is possible to rehabilitate the Domes for one-third the cost of the rehab option recommended in the Graef report.

"We look forward to additional discussion tonight as we look for a way to save the Domes."

UPDATE: After this story was posted, a reader sent this 1924 image of her grandmother, Lucille Pauer, standing in front of the original conservatory in Mitchell Park and she agreed to let us share it here...
The meteorites being studied were collected in Oman by a team coordinated by Beda Hofmann from the Natural History Museum Bern. Credit: Hofmann / Natural History Museum Bern

When a meteoroid travels in space, solar radiation leaves distinctive imprints on its outer layer. Together with colleagues, ETH researcher Antoine Roth has developed novel analytical techniques to detect these imprints, allowing the team to reconstruct meteorites' space journeys.

The inconspicuous, small stone that was analysed with high-tech equipment is named Jiddat al Harasis 466. It travelled a long way before it entered the Earth's atmosphere and landed in the desert of Oman. "We think that Jiddat al Harasis 466 was formed 4 million years ago as a remnant of a crash of bigger blocks in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter," explains Antoine Roth from the Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology at ETH Zurich. Then, after a rapid transfer from the asteroid belt to Earth, it heated up intensely during atmospheric entry and lost a lot of material. What was originally a stone with a radius of two centimetres ended up as a one centimetre meteorite.

Jiddat al Harasis 466 is one of 25 small meteorites that Roth chose for his study, which is now to be published by the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science. In order to find out more about the history of the samples, he was looking for neon: a noble gas that can be produced by energetic solar radiation, for instance when it splits the magnesium atoms that are part of the rocky material. Knowing the amount of neon produced by solar cosmic ray allows scientists to figure out how far from the sun and how long a meteorite travelled in space. "It's like being able to tell whether your friends spent their holiday at a sunny beach or in a cold place because of their tan," says Roth, who is also a member of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS.

Photomicrograph of Jiddat al Harasis 466 (thin-section). Credit: A.Roth / ETH Zurich

Previously, neon produced by solar cosmic rays had been found in Martian meteorites, but not in ordinary "chondrites" originating from the asteroid belt. "This may be the result of a sampling bias," Roth says, "because neon produced by solar radiation is better preserved in meteorites with small pre-atmospheric radii  and these specimens are often studied only if they belong to unusual or rare classes." Since the solar cosmic rays penetrate only a few centimetres into the rocky material, with bigger samples the neon gets lost when the meteorite is ablated during its entry into Earth's atmosphere. But in small samples, the noble gas can be preserved in the centre.

Samples from OmaniSwiss project

Looking for small meteorites, the scientist found a rich collection at the Natural History Museum in Bern, which coordinated several meteorite search campaigns in Oman. Using an infrared laser and a mass spectrometer at the University of Bern, the researchers were able to extract the neon from the samples and measure its isotopic concentrations: this allows them to determine the proportion of the noble gas that originated from solar cosmic rays rather than galactic cosmic rays. To analyse the measured data and calculate the actual production rate, Roth and his colleagues developed a new physical model that also predicts the average distance to the sun at which the meteoroid has been irradiated.

As a result, Roth found neon produced by solar radiation in 4 of the 25 chondrites that were studied. Some of the samples that didn't show the sought-after noble gas were probably part of a bigger stone that first fell apart during entry into Earth's atmosphere. "Our data indicate that neon produced by solar cosmic rays is by no means limited to Martian meteorites," summarises the PlanetS member. In an upcoming study he will analyse meteorites collected by NASA in Antarctica. Since he needs small samples that weigh less than 10 grams each, it was not too complicated to get appropriate material  although the chondrites are destroyed during the analysis.

More information: Neon produced by solar cosmic rays in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. DOI: 10.1111/maps.12868
At left is a photograph of the Orion Nebula from page 396 of the June 1905 Astrophysical Journal  without coordinate labels to fix its celestial position and orientation. Astrometry.net was able to recognize the star pattern, after which the image was rotated more than 180 to put north up and placed in context on the sky in WorldWide Telescope. Credit: American Astronomical Society, NASA/SAO Astrophysics Data System & WorldWide Telescope.

A new citizen-science project will rescue tens of thousands of potentially valuable cosmic images that are mostly dead to science and bring them fully back to life. Called Astronomy Rewind, the effort, which launches today (22 March 2017), will take photographs, radio maps, and other telescopic images that have been scanned from the pages of dusty old journals and place them in context in digital sky atlases and catalogs. Anyone will then be able to find them online and compare them with modern electronic data from ground- and space-based telescopes, making possible new studies of short- and long-term changes in the heavens.

"There's no telling what discoveries await," says Alyssa Goodman (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, CfA), one of the project's founders. "Turning historical scientific literature into searchable, retrievable data is like turning the key to a treasure chest."

Astronomy Rewind is the latest citizen-science program on the Zooniverse platform, which debuted at Oxford University a decade ago with Galaxy Zoo and now hosts more than 50 active "people-powered" projects across a variety of scientific disciplines. After going through a short exercise to learn what they're looking for, users will view scanned pages from the journals of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) dating from the 19th century to the mid-1990s, when the Society began publishing electronically. Volunteers' first task will be to determine what types of images the pages contain: photos of celestial objects with (or without) sky coordinates? maps of planetary surfaces with (or without) grids of latitude and longitude? graphs or other types of diagrams?

The images of most interest are ones whose scale, orientation, and sky position can be nailed down by some combination of labels on or around the images plus details provided in the text or captions. Pictures that lack such information but clearly show recognizable stars, galaxies, or other celestial objects will be sent to Astrometry.net, an automated online service that compares astrophotos to star catalogs to determine what areas of sky they show.

Modern electronic astronomical images often include information about where they fit on the sky, along with which telescope and camera were used and many other details. But such "metadata" are useful to researchers only if the original image files are published along with the journal articles in which they're analyzed and interpreted. This isn't always the casethough it's becoming more common with encouragement by the AASso some electronic journal pages will eventually be run through Astronomy Rewind and Astrometry.net too.

Thanks to these human-assisted and automated efforts, many thousands of "new old" images will ultimately end up in NASA's and others' data repositories alongside pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. They will also be incorporated into the Astronomy Image Explorer, a service of the AAS and its journal-publishing partner, the UK Institute of Physics (IOP) Publishing, and viewable in WorldWide Telescope, a powerful data-visualization tool and digital sky atlas originally developed by Microsoft Research and now managed by the AAS.

The scans of pages from the AAS journalsthe Astronomical Journal (AJ), Astrophysical Journal (ApJ), ApJ Letters, and the ApJ Supplement Seriesare being provided by the Astrophysics Data System (ADS), a NASA-funded bibliographic service and archive at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), part of the CfA.

Astronomy Rewind is built on a foundation laid by the ADS All-Sky Survey, an earlier effort to extract scientifically valuable images from old astronomy papers using computers. "It turns out that machines aren't very good at recognizing celestial images on digitized pages that contain a mixture of text and graphics," says Alberto Accomazzi (SAO/ADS). "And they really get confused with multiple images of the sky on the same page. Humans do much better."

Accomazzi's CfA colleague Goodman, who runs a collaboration called Seamless Astronomy to develop, refine, and share tools that accelerate the pace of astronomical research, helped bring ADS and Zooniverse together. According to Zooniverse co-investigator Laura Trouille (Adler Planetarium), 1.6 million volunteers have made about 4 billion image classifications or other contributions using the platform over the last 10 years. "This isn't just busywork," says Trouille. "Zooniverse projects have led to many surprising discoveries and to more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications."

If Astronomy Rewind attracts volunteers in numbers comparable to other astronomy projects on Zooniverse, Trouille estimates that at least 1,000 journal pages will be processed daily. Each page will be examined by five different citizen scientists; the more of them agree on what a given page shows, the higher the confidence that they're right. It shouldn't take more than a few months to get through the initial batch of pages from the AAS journals and move most of them on to the next stage, where the celestial scenes they contain will be annotated with essential information, extracted into digital images, mapped onto the sky, and made available to anyone who wants access to them.

"You simply couldn't do a project like this in any reasonable amount of time without 'crowdsourcing,'" says Julie Steffen, AAS Director of Publishing. "Astronomy Rewind will breathe new life into old journal articles and put long-lost images of the night sky back into circulation, and that's exciting. But what's more exciting is what happens when a volunteer on Zooniverse looks at one of our journal pages and goes, 'Hmm, that's odd!' That'll be the first step toward learning something new about the universe."

Provided by The American Astronomical Society
Deep below the seabed, drilling revealed thick layers of salt, precipitated out during past warm, dry periods. In this specimen, transparent crystals (left) formed on what was then the bottom during winter; finer white ones (right) formed on the water surface in summer and later sank. Credit: Yael Kiro/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Nearly 1,000 feet below the bed of the Dead Sea, scientists have found evidence that during past warm periods, the Mideast has suffered drought on scales never recorded by humansa possible warning for current times. Thick layers of crystalline salt show that rainfall plummeted to as little as a fifth of modern levels some 120,000 years ago, and again about 10,000 years ago. Today, the region is drying again as climate warms, and scientists say it will get worse. The new findings may cause them to rethink how much worse, in this already thirsty and volatile part of the world.

"All the observations show this region is one of those most affected by modern climate change, and it's predicted to get dryer. What we showed is that even under natural conditions, it can become much drier than predicted by any of our models," said lead author Yael Kiro, a geochemist at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. The findings were just published in an early online edition of the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

The landlocked Dead Sea, straddling Israel, Jordan and Palestinian lands, is earth's lowest spot on land. Its current shoreline lies about 1,300 feet below sea level, and its floor extends down another 900 feet. Fed mainly by the Jordan River drainage, which extends also into Syria and Lebanon, it is a dead end for water, and so is extremely salty; its Biblical name in Hebrew is Yam ha-Melah, the sea of salt. In recent years, its level has dropped about four feet a year. But hot, dry weather is not the main cause yet; rather, booming populations in the region need more water than ever, and people are sucking so much from the watershed, very little reaches the Dead Sea, where evaporation is outweighing input.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that much of the region already has per capita water availability only a tenth of the world average. Rainfall has declined about 10 percent since 1950, and existing climate models say it could sink another 20 percent this century, even as population continues to grow. Israel is meeting demand by desalinating Mediterranean seawater, but poorer, landlocked Jordan and the Palestinian territories are desperate for more. In adjoining Syria, a record 1998-2012 drought likely stoked by climate change is believed to have helped spark the ongoing civil war, which has now claimed more than 500,000 lives and infected neighboring nations.

The landlocked Dead Sea is shrinking rapidly. A new study suggests it has largely dried up in the past during natural warm periods, suggesting that human-influenced climate change could make the surrounding region much more arid than it already is. Credit: David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons

In 2010, scientists from a half-dozen nations drilled 1,500 feet into the deepest part of the seabed, bringing up a cross section of deposits recording 200,000 years of regional climate historythe longest such archive in the Mideast. (Around-the-clock drilling went for 40 days and 40 nightsperhaps a respectful bow to the rainfall of the Biblical Flood.) The cores revealed alternating layers of mud washed in with runoff during wet times, and crystallized salt, precipitated out during dry times when the water receded. This instantly made it clear that the region has suffered epic dry periods, but the core was not analyzed in great detail until now.

The new study shows that the salt accumulated rapidly?an estimated half-inch per year in many cases. The researchers spotted two striking periods. About halfway down they found salty layers some 300 feet thick, indicating a long-term drop below the sea's current level. This came in a period between ice ages, 115,000 to 130,000 years ago, when variations in Earth's orbit brought temperatures about 4 degrees hotter those of the 20th century?equivalent to what is projected for the end of the 21st century. The lake refilled when glaciers readvanced in sub-polar regions and the Mideast climate cooled and became moister. The cores show a similar drop in lake level just 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, following the most recent ice age, when temperatures were probably a bit cooler than now.

The chemistry of tiny fluid bubbles within the salt allowed the researchers to extrapolate rainfall and runoff patterns of these periods. They calculated that runoff to the Dead Sea generally declined 50 to 70 percent compared to today, dwarfing current projections for this century. In the most extreme periods, it went down 80 percent, and this lasted for decades to centuries at a time. The declines are probably linked to broader shifts in atmospheric flow patterns. Storms coming in from the Mediterranean could have slackened, as they appear to be doing today; and then as now, higher temperatures increase evaporation of moisture from the land.

To alleviate growing water shortages, Jordan plans to break ground next year on a canal to bring in water from the Red Sea for desalination; leftover brine would be dumped into the Dead Sea, possibly stabilizing its level. But the project is controversial, because it could cause drastic environmental changes in both seas, and could still leave much of the rest of the region with inadequate water.

"The Dead Sea is wasting away today because humans are using up all its fresh water sources," said Steven Goldstein, a geochemist at Lamont-Doherty and coauthor of the paper who helped oversee the 2010 drilling. "Our study shows that in the past, without any human intervention, the fresh water nearly stopped flowing. This means that if it keeps getting hotter now, it could stop running again. This time, it would affect millions of people."
Credit: University of Arkansas

New research by University of Arkansas biologists suggests that supplementing the numbers of a threatened species with individuals from other locations might not be as effective for some species as previously thought.

The technique, known as translocation, is a valid conservation measure and offers the potential of increasing genetic diversity in small, isolated populations threatened with extinction. Examples of its use include the European adder, bighorn sheep, the Florida panther and the greater prairie chicken in Illinois.

But a recent study of the prairie chicken using modern DNA genotyping indicated a translocation program that took place in the 1990s temporarily increased the populations of birds in two Illinois counties but did not increase overall genetic diversity.

"We can now look back and say they faded again very quickly," said Michael Douglas, a professor in the Biological Sciences Department. "It really wasn't a rescue; it was an enhancement."

Douglas co-authored the study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, with his wife Marlis, also a U of A biology professor, and U of A graduate student Steven Mussmann, who was the lead author. Colleagues at the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources were also co-authors.

Prairie chickens once numbered in the millions in Illinois, but the populations dwindled to just 46 birds by 1998, primarily due to habitat loss. A translocation program in the mid 1990s moved birds from Kansas, where they are not threatened, and was thought to have rescued the Illinois population from harmful effects of low genetic diversityinbreeding.

U of A biologists extracted DNA from 1,831 shed feathers gathered in six "leks," or breeding areas, in two Illinois counties. They found little evidence that genetic diversity had improved in the established populations, indicating that many of the translocated birds may not have extensively interbred with the local birds or may have simply wandered off.

"It didn't have the genetic rescue effect," said Marlis Douglas. "That doesn't mean translocations are wrong. They bought time."

Augmenting habitat suitable for prairie chickens by conserving natural prairie and rehabilitating farmland would help increase population and genetic diversity, she said. "The best way to maintain a genetically diverse population is to increase population size. To do that you need more habitat."
Cuba is ahead of the curve in Latin America in terms of its increasingly aging population. Credit: Pexels

A plummeting birthrate and scarcity of resources have left Cuba facing a demographic dilemma.

Within a few decades, experts predict that more than 40 percent of the Cuban population will be older than 60, according to a New York Times story, which noted that young couples are increasingly reluctant to have children, given the average monthly salary of $20. The resulting strain on Cuba's health care system, not to mention the growing burden on families and communities, is daunting.

But thanks to a slight thawing of the icy relationship between the United States and Cuba under the Obama administration, researchers from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work might be able to share some solutions.

"They are very receptive to our work," said Maria Aranda, an associate professor who holds a joint appointment with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. "They understand the demographic shift and their need for programs that leverage the health care and social sectors. Because we have experience working with Spanish-speaking communities and families, we have the needed expertise to be able to mount these programs in Cuba."

New models tested

An expert in the interplay among chronic illness, social support and psychological well-being in low-income minority populations, Aranda has been testing several new models designed to support older adults and their family members. Cuban officials learned about her work and reached out to discuss the potential for collaboration.

During a recent conference in Havana, Aranda and other leading experts in aging from USC and the University of California, Davis discussed those evidence-based programs and other models that could be replicated in Cuba.

"As a result of our participation in this international scientific meeting, we ignited a tremendous amount of interest in geriatric mental health and family caregiving," she said. "The Cuban government has asked about three separate programs I have tested or am testing now."

Those models focus on reducing depression among Spanish-speaking Latinos with medical conditions, increasing the ability of older Latinos to manage their health care and chronic diseases and improving the well-being of family members who provide informal care to a loved one with an injury, illness or disability.

"They are very interested in the models of intervention we are developing, especially the more complex self-management care models," said Provost Professor William Vega, who also serves as the Cleofas and Victor Ramirez Professor of Practice, Policy, Research and Advocacy for the Latino Population and executive director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging. "On the health side, they are trying to be progressive and take the best ideas they can get from the developed world."

A unique context

Cuba is ahead of the curve in Latin America in terms of its increasingly aging population. Many other countries in the region are just starting to experience the consequences of lower birth rates, whereas these demographic changes have been accelerating in Cuba for decades now.

Vega attributed the island's unique demographic issues to a lack of resources linked to both the U.S. embargo and political inflexibility.

"Aging places a greater burden on the health care system and families," he said. "In the past, families had to do it all, but they are having a difficult time because they just don't have the resources and space. They certainly don't have facilities for aging people."

However, loosening governmental restrictions have led to an influx of tourists and outside investment, Vega said. If that kind of development continues, Cuba might have the resources needed to expand social and health programs in the community.

Two-way street

Cuba is already a leader in Latin America in terms of community-based medicine, pharmacology and physician training, and the USC team is eager to point out that any collaboration will be mutually beneficial.

"I'm looking forward to understanding what parts of their social programs are working well and perhaps that can inform the development and delivery of social programs for older people here," Aranda said.

"Sharing ideas with us for our low-income communities is critical," Vega added. "We have no real answers right now. We have a really fragmented system and nothing coming out of the federal government in terms of models or financing to deal with this."

To encourage further interaction, Vega and Aranda extended an invitation to Cuban health officials to attend a conference at USC in September on aging in the Americas. They are also waiting for clearance from Cuban leaders to conduct trainings and share materials related to evidence-based support models for older Latino adults.

Political uncertainty

Looming over these discussions is the unpredictable political atmosphere in both Cuba and the United States, Vega acknowledged, especially given the contentious approach of the Trump administration toward Latin America. However, he expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries will continue to improve, allowing scientific partnerships to move forward.

"At this point, it is a question of the stability of the situation and what kind of aperture we have for continuing to work in Cuba," Vega said. "This is a pregnant moment right now."

If initial efforts to exchange knowledge are successful, Aranda said she is also interested in designing a research component to test the effectiveness of various interventions in Cuba.

"We do understand there should be cultural, linguistic and political adaptation of these programs," she said. "I'm curious how Cuban culture can shape and improve these models."
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

You may soon see faster connections on your cellular service. But your Wi-Fi connection may pay the price.

Thanks to a recent regulatory decision, wireless companies like Verizon and T-Mobile will soon be transmitting data in the same part of the public airwaves that's used by Wi-Fi. The move will give the carriers more spectrum to play with, which should lead to faster speeds for their customers. But those cellphone signals may interfere with Wi-Fi transmissions.

"There could quite possibly be a significant disruption of Wi-Fi hotspots," said Michael Calabrese, the director of the wireless future project at New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, a public policy think tank.

That's a concern because a huge portion of internet traffic depends on humble hotspots. On mobile devices alone, some 80 percent of the data they transmit is carried over Wi-Fi, Calabrese and others have estimated.

The potential conflict between cellular signals and Wi-Fi has to do with a wireless protocol dubbed LTE-U.

You're probably at least passingly familiar with LTE. Short for long-term evolution, it's the standard networking technology used by cellular companies to send and receive data between their own wireless networks and smartphones.

Wireless carriers have exclusive rights to big chunks of the airwaves. Only AT&T - and companies it authorizes - can send transmissions in parts of the spectrum it owns; only Verizon can send transmissions in its spectrum; and so on.

But there are other parts of the spectrum that are unlicensed. Anyone can use them as long as they have authorized, compatible equipment. Wi-Fi operates in parts of the unlicensed spectrum.

With the amount of data being sent through mobile networks surging, wireless carriers would love to have more spectrum to use, particularly if they don't have to pay for it. LTE-U was developed to meet that need. It would allow the carriers to send LTE signals over the unlicensed bands - specifically over the same 5GHz spectrum used by most of today's Wi-Fi access points. That could greatly increase the download speed you see on your smartphone, because it would effectively widen the pipe used to transmit data, allowing carriers to send more to you at once.

"People will talk about it in terms of pure speed. We think about it as a way get you on and off (our) network quicker," said Mike Haberman, a network vice president at Verizon.

The idea to tap into the Wi-Fi spectrum to send cellular signals has been in the works for years now. And as you can imagine, companies in the Wi-Fi industry - as well as consumer advocates - weren't too pleased about it. They worried that allowing the wireless carriers to move into the space used by Wi-Fi would be bad for consumers and for companies that rely on the technology to connect to the internet as well as for companies, municipalities and organizations that offer internet access over Wi-Fi.

Seeing the budding controversy and likewise worried about how LTE-U might affect Wi-Fi, the Federal Communications Commission under its former chairman encouraged representatives of the cellular and Wi-Fi industries to get together and try to come up with a solution.

Last fall, those industries reached a compromise. The carriers and their partners would design and test LTE-U equipment to ensure that it can coexist with Wi-Fi devices. Problem solved, right?

The wireless carriers and the FCC seem to think so. Last month, the FCC gave its stamp of approval for the first time for LTE-U devices, allowing them to be deployed.

"This is a significant advance in wireless innovation and a big win for wireless consumers," agency chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement announcing the equipment authorizations.

Verizon expects to start offering service over LTE-U later this year, initially in urban areas where it already has compatible equipment. T-Mobile likewise has plans to roll out LTE-U this year.

"No one" needs to worry that their Wi-Fi will networks will be affected by LTE-U, said Haberman.

"The issues have been addressed," he said.

But not everyone is convinced.

Calabrese and other critics note the testing that LTE-U equipment will undergo looks at how it will interact with relatively strong Wi-Fi signals. There's concern that LTE-U transmitters won't "see" and will therefore ignore weaker ones, said Rob Alderfer, vice president of technology policy at CableLabs, a research and development organization that serves the cable industry.

The classic example is a case where a cafe has Wi-Fi inside its shop. The signal outside the cafe may be weak, but today customers sitting out there may still be able to get online. But in the future, an LTE-U transmitter may not see that weak signal and will effectively block it, meaning cafe customers would only be able to use Wi-Fi inside.

Another concern has to do with how the interactions between LTE-U equipment and Wi-Fi devices are being assessed. The tests generally are looking at how a single LTE-U transmitter might interact with a handful of Wi-Fi networks

But those tests may not reflect the real world, Alderfer said. Multiple wireless carriers could transmit LTE-U signals in a particular area. Meanwhile, in the dense urban environments where LTE-U will be first deployed, there are often dozens of Wi-Fi networks already sharing the 5GHz band.

The cellular carriers are supposed to take into account existing Wi-Fi networks when transmitting signals over the unlicensed airwaves. But unlike Wi-Fi, there's nothing built into the LTE-U protocol that requires it to detect other networks before transmitting.

"The technology has the potential to do harm to Wi-Fi," Alderfer said.

The wireless industry is working on a standardized version of LTE-U that is supposed to detect Wi-Fi networks before sending transmissions. But that standard hasn't been finalized yet and the U.S. carriers are going forward without it.

Edgar Figueroa, CEO of the Wi-Fi Alliance, the industry's trade group that struck the deal with the wireless carriers to test their LTE equipment, thinks most of the concerns have been addressed. But he couldn't guarantee that LTE-U won't have any affect on Wi-Fi users.

"The impact that LTE equipment may have depends highly on how broadly deployed LTE-U is and how broadly used it is," he said. "To some extent we'll have to wait and see how those deployments proceed."

2017 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Tom Cwik, the head of JPL's Space Technology Program (left) and Allen Farrington, JPL Deep Space Atomic Clock Project Manager, view the recently integrated Atomic Clock Payload on Surrey Satellite US's Orbital Test Bed Spacecraft. Credit: Surrey Satellite Technology.

No one keeps time quite like NASA.

Last month, the space agency's next-generation atomic clock was joined to the spacecraft that will take it into orbit in late 2017.

That instrument, the Deep Space Atomic Clock was developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. On Feb. 17, JPL engineers monitored integration of the clock on to the Surrey Orbital Test Bed spacecraft at Surrey Satellite Technology in Englewood, Colorado.

Timekeeping plays a critical role in spacecraft navigation and will be especially important for future deep space missions. This clock will be smaller, lighter and magnitudes more precise than any atomic clock flown in space before.

Most spacecraft are tracked using "two-way" methods: the ground-based antenna 'pings' the spacecraft and waits for the signal to return. By measuring how long the signal takes to travel, the distance to the spacecraft can be calculated. A navigation team then processes this information to determine the spacecraft's flight path and determine if any course corrections are required.

The Atomic Clock, GPS Receiver, and Ultra-Stable Oscillator which make up the Deep Space Atomic Clock Payload, following integration into the middle bay of Surrey Satellite US's Orbital Test Bed Spacecraft. Credit: Surrey Satellite Technology

The clock enables "one-way" tracking, where the spacecraft doesn't need to send the signal back to Earth. The tracking measurements could be taken onboard and processed with a spacecraft-based navigation system to determine the path and whether any maneuvers are needed to stay on course.

This will be a key advance for safely navigating future human exploration of the solar system by providing astronauts with their position and velocity when they need it. It will lighten the load on the antennas in NASA's Deep Space Network, allowing more spacecraft to be tracked with a single antenna.

The Deep Space Atomic Clock would also improve the precision and quantity of the radio data used by scientists for determining a planet's gravity field and probing its atmosphere.

Employees at Surrey Satellite US in Englewood, Colorado recently integrated JPL's Deep Space Atomic Clock payload on to their Orbital Test Bed Spacecraft. Credit: Surrey Satellite Technology

More information: For more information about the clock, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/clock/index.html

Provided by NASA
Some Google Street View cars have been specially equipped with methane analyzers to detect methane lakes from natural gas lines. Credit: EDF

A set of Google Street View mapping cars, specially equipped with cutting-edge methane analyzers, are allowing Colorado State University researchers to "see" invisible methane leaks from natural gas lines beneath our streets.

The technical and computational challenges of measuring methane, and the complex methodologies used to collect, analyze and publicize the data, are detailed in a new paper in the journal Environmental Science and Technology March 22.

The groundbreaking project is led by Joe von Fischer, CSU associate professor in biology, in partnership with the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Google Earth Outreach. von Fischer's CSU co-authors include researchers from statistics (Dan Cooley), atmospheric science (Russ Schumacher), and soil and crop sciences (Jay Ham), as well as experts from University of Northern Colorado and the nonprofit science collective Conservation Science Partners.

Data from the project are helping utilities, regulators and advocacy groups reduce wasteful and environmentally damaging leaks faster and more cost effectively.

Besides being the main ingredient in natural gas, methane is also a potent greenhouse gas, with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe. Growing awareness of this climate risk has spurred new interest in finding and fixing low-level leaks throughout the natural gas supply chain, including local utility systems, where many low-level leaks can persist for many years. That need has spawned a new kind of science.

"This is a huge challenge that almost nobody had been thinking about. Now we're finding out just how widespread these leaks are," von Fischer said. "The faster you fix them, the bigger the environmental benefits are. But utilities and regulators didn't have the data to focus their efforts. That's where we come in. Our goal is to make it faster, cheaper and easier to find and measure methane leaks from natural gas lines to help accelerate crucial repairs."

For the Google project, von Fischer and colleagues were especially eager to identify and quantify methane leaks from the nation's urban areas, where natural gas distribution pipelines lie several feet below the ground. Their EDF Google Street View project is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive inventory of methane leak sources within cities. The goal is to shine a powerful light on this previously invisible, hard-to-define problem.

A chief motivation of the project is to help utility companies and governments prioritize leak repairs based on the magnitude of emissions. The researchers calculate that fixing the largest 8 percent of leaks would cut pipeline methane emissions by 30 percent. The New Jersey utility company PSE&G has approved almost $1 billion worth of upgrades directed in part by the CSU researchers' data.

The baseline technology that's allowed the project to bloom is an infrared laser methane analyzer. These mobile instruments, which didn't even exist a decade ago, can identify plumes of methane gas in real time, without the need for a gas chromatography analysis in the lab.

This is Colorado State University researcher Joe von Fischer with a laser-based methane analyzer, similar to the ones being used in the Google Street View cars. Credit: Colorado State University

"The air contains gases that make it look foggy in the infrared spectrum," von Fischer explained. "The laser can scan through colors of infrared light and 'see' how much methane is present."

At the core of the effort is a set of algorithms and protocols that provide accurate accounting of methane leaks, including the size of the plumes.

Before they took their technology into Street View cars, the researchers first ran preliminary tests with research vehicles driven around campus and on the tarmac at the Christman air field. This included controlled releases of methane in both open and urban environments.

The project has involved designing optimal routes for the Google drivers, while keeping the drivers' interaction with the equipment passive and simple. The researchers have also developed methods for screening out false positive readings - for example, how to tell the difference between a true methane leak, and a wayward reading from a landfill or nearby power facility.

For von Fischer, a classically trained ecosystem ecologist, the project has stretched him as a scientist and has catalyzed interactions with a dizzying array of disciplines. "I regularly talk with lawyers, industry people, statisticians, computer scientists, atmospheric physicists, Google....this is just a part of my life now," he said.

At present, there are four Google Street View cars in various cities carrying the CSU methane analyzers, as von Fischer and colleagues' work continues. The drivers are instructed to drive all the roads in a predetermined area to capture leak data that the CSU researchers download, analyze, and upload to a public website hosted by EDF.

To deal with the enormous streams of data the project produces - about 2,000 data points per minute - CSU computer science researcher Sangmi Pallickara is creating a cloud-based platform to manage, store and present the data.

So far, the CSU methane analyzers have provided leak maps of Boston; Burlington, Vermont; Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Mesa, Arizona; Pittsburgh; Staten Island, New York; and Syracuse, New York.

Among other things, they've reported that, on average, Boston, Staten Island and Syracuse - cities with old, corrosion-prone distribution lines - had leaks that released 25 times more methane per kilometer of road (2 liters of methane per minute per kilometer) than Burlington and Indianapolis (0.08 liters of methane per minute per kilometer).
Almost half of the carbon dioxide that humans release into the environment is taken up by the world's oceans and the terrestrial biosphere. In this manner, greenhouse gases are partially extracted from the atmosphere, which alleviates the process of global warming. But will the land and the seas be able to continue storing carbon dioxide in the future? Researchers aren't sure. Changes in ocean circulation, woodland clearances and stress reactions in forests could reduce their capacity to act as carbon sinks.

On land, plants and trees take up carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis. Carbon later returns to the soil in the form of plant matter, which is why large quantities of it are stored there. When the climate heats up, however, the soils can emit this stored carbon again by means of microbial decomposition. Researchers are trying to find out which process will gain the upper hand in future  and Switzerland is one of the sites for their analyses.

Tree-line topsoil

How much carbon lies in the ground, and how might this change? Frank Hagedorn is based at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) in Birmensdorf, and he's been engaged in numerous projects to find out the answers. It's the topsoil that's decisive, because it contains carbon that can be broken down especially easily. In one of their projects, Hagedorn's team was able to demonstrate that this degradation process is particularly relevant in the areas around the tree line. They flushed an ecosystem with CO2 at the tree line above Davos, marking it with special carbon isotopes so that they could trace how the materials cycles changed. The soils of alpine ecosystems are particularly rich in carbon, and it transpired that they can emit a correspondingly large amount of CO2 when the temperature rises. This process has already begun on account of man-made climate change.

In order to be able to draw conclusions about CO2 sinks on a European or worldwide scale, researchers need standardised measurements. These can then be extrapolated for larger geographical areas, using computer models. In the European consortium project 'ICOS Research Infrastructure', measurement instruments and data processing are currently being standardised. The project began officially in 2015 and Nina Buchmann of ETH Zurich is coordinating the Swiss end of it ('ICOS-CH'). Two measurement locations are participating here in Switzerland, she says: one in a spruce forest, also near Davos, and one at the Jungfraujoch research station.

Unreliable forests

Many years of measurements have already proven that forests absorb a lot of CO2. In the forests outside Davos, CO2 flows were actually measured as far back as 1997, though other instruments were used back then, says Buchmann. "The ecosystem has been a CO2 sink the whole time", she says. The same is not true of every forest in Switzerland, however. Replanted areas, for example, can be a source of CO2 at the beginning, because the soil there loses a lot of carbon. This only changes when the trees are bigger and the forest has become established, at which point it becomes a CO2 sink. The older the forest, however, the less carbon is found in the soil, and the more is found in the wood and leaves of the trees. That was proven by National Research Programme 68 'Sustainable use of soil as a resource' (NRP 68).

But will the forests also store CO2 in the future? Buchmann sees two fundamental factors of uncertainty: climate change and forest exploitation. A forest's storage function can be impaired by droughts, by changes in the way it is used, and by changes in the area it covers.

Nevertheless, forests are neither the only source of uncertainty, nor the biggest such factor. Many researchers, including those at Agroscope (the Swiss Federal Centre of Excellence for agricultural research), are concerned about the reduction of the topsoil on account of agricultural usage. In global terms, however, the most sensitive land areas with natural carbon sinks are in the far North. Methane is an especially potent greenhouse gas that is emitted by the permafrost soil as it warms up. According to Hagedorn, the amount emitted depends primarily on whether the soil warms up under humid or dry conditions. The higher the humidity, the greater the amount of methane that is released; when conditions are drier, more CO2 is emitted.

Expedition to the Antarctic Ocean

The oceans also absorb huge amounts of CO2. At present, the most important marine sink for CO2 is the Southern Ocean that stretches around Antarctica. In December 2016, the Swiss Polar Institute (coordinated by EPFL) set out on a research voyage in the Southern Ocean as part of the international Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition (ACE).

One of the expedition's projects is devoted to studying phytoplankton, because its photosynthesis plays a significant role in the CO2 absorption capacity of the Southern Ocean. When these algae die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean, taking carbon with them. Samuel Jaccard from the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern is one of the participating researchers. During the expedition, the team want to retrieve seawater samples from different depths down to 1,500 metres. They'll bring these samples to the surface in bottles and then subject them to geochemical tests in the lab. The data they hope to gain should explain how carbon is delivered to the ocean depths, and how quickly this occurs.

The amount of CO2 absorbed by the Southern Ocean also depends on the wind that drives the ocean currents. Cold water is good at storing CO2, but in the past, cold, deep water that is rich in CO2 has been driven to the surface by specific wind conditions  and it is at the surface where temperatures are warmer. As a result, the Southern Ocean released CO2 into the atmosphere. But we hardly know anything about the natural fluctuations of wind movements. In order to determine when the Southern Ocean has absorbed and released CO2 in the past, a further ACE project is endeavouring to reconstruct past wind movements. The director of the Oeschger Centre, Martin Grosjean, is participating in this project.

The way the wind blew

During their research voyage, Grosjean's project partners will be drilling on several sub-Antarctic islands to collect sediments from lakes. These will subsequently be analysed in the lab by Grosjean and others. Algae that used to live in these lakes are today found fossilised in this sediment, and they can provide us with information on wind intensity during the Holocene period.

Reconstructing these winds means drawing complex conclusions from the data. The salt content of the island lakes is influenced by the wind intensity, for example. Strong winds drive more spray into the air and more salt into the lakes than do lighter winds. This has an impact on the algae, as Grosjean explains: "Algae vary in their sensitivity to salt". So the species composition of the algae in the sediments can allow the researchers to determine the former salt content of the lake, and thus also the strength of the winds at the time.

In recent years, says Grosjean, the wind has become more intense around the Antarctic. No one yet knows why this has happened. It could be a result of the hole in the ozone layer, or it could be connected to global warming. So it is also difficult to make any prognosis about how much CO2 the Southern Ocean will be able to store in future.

All the same, several studies have already demonstrated that a little more CO2 has been absorbed in recent years than was earlier the case. The same is true of the land biosphere. But we cannot rely on this trend continuing. In order to estimate the danger of CO2 absorption coming to an end, the materials cycles have to be investigated more precisely  both on land and in the seas.
Materials scientists deep in concentration: Dr. Enrico Bruder, doctoral candidate Paul Braun and Prof. Dr. Karsten Durst (from left to right). Credit: Katrin Binner

Materials scientists at the TU Darmstadt are imprinting nano-patterns in metals, a technology that could give metallic surfaces permanent functionality, like a lotus effect or reduced frictional properties.

A baker specialising in the spiced Spekulatius biscuits eaten in Germany around Christmas time and Paul Braun, a doctoral student at the Physical Metallurgy group in the Department of Materials and Earth Sciences at the TU Darmstadt have one thing in common: they both spend some of their time imprinting designs into materials  the one into biscuit dough; the other into metal. However, whilst the animals, figures, and windmills typically stamped into the Christmas cookies are readily identifiable, Braun's imprints are too small to be invisible by the naked eye. They are formed into the metal using a tiny stamp made of diamond no bigger than the point of a needle. "Diamond is perfect for the task", Braun explains, "as it is an extremely hard material that is all but impervious to wear and tear."

To be able to be used for embossing, the diamond is clamped in a special device, a so called nanoindenter. Actually, the materials scientists at the TU Darmstadt usually use the nanoindenter for complete different purposes, such as testing the hardness, fracture behaviour, and other properties of various materials. These tests all involve the use of a diamond stylus that is pressed into the material being tested, whereby a force is applied and the indentation depth is measured on the nanoscale. In addition, the device can be used in combination with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study cracking of thin coatings during the indentation process. Braun's doctoral supervisor Dr. Karsten Durst, Professor of Physical Metallurgy at the TU Darmstadt, explains: "The diamond tip is pressed less than 100 nanometres into the sample during such tests, so that the nanoindenter can be used to explore gossamer-thin layers."

For many years he has been driving the development of this method for materials testing purposes and is now using it to address novel problems. He now plans to use it for the nano-scale imprinting of metal surfaces. This technology, which experts refer to as nano-imprinting, is already being used in conjunction with polymers, for example in the manufacture of plastic chips which include microscopic channels and other structures. Nor is the embossing or imprinting of metal anything new in principle, but it has only ever been used at far larger scales to date for things such as minting coins. According to Durst: "We're right at the beginning of the nano-imprinting of metallic surfaces, and are still looking at the basic principles of this technology".

Hard and finely structured stamps

The first step is the development of suitably hard and finely structured stamps. Doctoral student Braun has already succeeded in creating several of these by re-purposing the diamond tips of a nano-indenter, to which end he travelled to Brno in the Czech Republic to meet with the microscope manufacturer Tescan, who have developed a special ion beam technology. This is usually used for the preparation of samples for examination by electron microscopy. Braun, on the other hand, used the focused ion beam to cut off the top of the diamond probe, to carve a pillar out of the remains of the diamond, and to mill the desired pattern into its top surface. After final ion beam polishing, the stamp was ready for use.

The next question is: what properties does a piece of metal need to have so that it precisely forms the desired surface structure. As every Spekulatius baker knows, the success of the biscuit depends on the consistency of the dough. The same applies, in principle, to the nano-imprinting process: the microstructure of the metal has to be just right to ensure that it "flows" well into the mould. The scientists in Darmstadt want to be able to imprint structures of just 50 nanometres  that's around 1500 times thinner than a human hair! The problem: any metal or alloy will consist of a multitude of tiny, tightly packed grains. For most conventional metals and alloys the diameter of these grains measure well above 1000 nanometres. This means, however, that conventional grain sized metals will resist being pressed into the form of the stamp due to their large grain size. This is why Durst and his colleagues are researching the production of more finely-grained metals, which will fit perfectly within the hollow spaces of the stamps.

More information: Verena Maier et al. Microstructure-dependent deformation behaviour of bcc-metals  indentation size effect and strain rate sensitivity, Philosophical Magazine (2014). DOI: 10.1080/14786435.2014.982741 Hamad ur Rehman et al. Nanoindentation studies of the mechanical properties of the  phase in a creep deformed Re containing nickel-based superalloy, Materials Science and Engineering: A (2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2015.03.045 Karsten Durst et al. Dynamic nanoindentation testing for studying thermally activated processes from single to nanocrystalline metals, Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science (2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.cossms.2015.02.001
An international team of scientists led by the University of Leicester has discovered a new 430 million-year-old fossil and has named it in honour of Sir David Attenborough - who grew up on the University campus. Credit:  Siveter et al

An international team of scientists led by the University of Leicester has discovered a new 430 million-year-old fossil and has named it in honour of Sir David Attenborough - who grew up on the University campus.

The fossil is described as 'exceptionally well preserved in three-dimensions' - complete with the soft-parts of the animal, such as legs, eyes and very delicate antennae. The fossil has been determined as an ancient crustacean new to science - a distant relative of the living lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There are about 40,000 crustacean species known today.

The find comes from volcanic ash deposits that accumulated in a marine setting in what is now Herefordshire in the Welsh Borderland.

Professor David Siveter of the Department of Geology at the University of Leicester made the discovery working alongside researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale, USA.

Professor Siveter said: "Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record, and so we can establish it as a new species of a new genus."

"Even though it is relatively small, at just nine millimetres long, it preserves incredible detail including body parts that are normally not fossilized. It provides scientists with important, novel insights into the evolution of the body plan, the limbs and possible respiratory-circulatory physiology of a primitive member of one of the major groups of Crustacea."

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on University College Leicester campus (the forerunner of the University), in celebration of his 90th birthday. Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough; while 'ravitis" is a combination of Ratae - the Roman name for Leicester - 'vita', life, and 'commeatis', a messenger.

Professor Siveter said: "In my youth, David Attenborough's early programmes on the BBC, such as 'Zoo Quest', greatly encouraged my interest in Natural History and it is a pleasure to honour him in this way."

Sir David Attenborough said: "The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment. I was once a scientist so I'm very honoured and flattered that the Professor should say such nice things about me now."

Professor Siveter added: "The animal lived in the Silurian period of geological time. Some 430 million years ago much of southern Britain was positioned in warm southerly subtropical latitudes, quite close to a large ancient continent of what we now call North America, and was covered by a shallow sea. The crustacean and other animals living there died and were preserved when a fine volcanic ash rained down upon them."

The fossil specimen has been reconstructed as a virtual fossil by 3D computer modeling.

More information: A new crustacean from the Herefordshire (Silurian) Lagerstatte, UK, and its significance in malacostracan evolution, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, rspb.royalsocietypublishing.or  .1098/rspb.2017.0279 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
A conceptual animation depicting a satellite using lasers to relay data from Mars to Earth. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA is developing a trailblazing, long-term technology demonstration of what could become the high-speed internet of the sky.

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will help NASA understand the best ways to operate laser communications systems. They could enable much higher data rates for connections between spacecraft and Earth, such as scientific data downlink and astronaut communications.

"LCRD is the next step in implementing NASA's vision of using optical communications for both near-Earth and deep space missions," said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which leads the LCRD project. "This technology has the potential to revolutionize space communications, and we are excited to partner with the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate's Space Communications and Navigation program office, MIT Lincoln Labs and the U.S. Air Force on this effort."

Laser communications, also known as optical communications, encodes data onto a beam of light, which is then transmitted between spacecraft and eventually to Earth terminals. This technology offers data rates that are 10 to 100 times better than current radio-frequency (RF) communications systems. Just as important, laser communication systems can be much smaller than radio systems, allowing the spacecraft communication systems to have lower size, weight and power requirements. Such capability will become critically important as humans embark on long journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond.

An engineer examines the gimbal and latch assembly component of one of LCRD's two optical module assembly. The optical module, when combined with the modems and controller electronics, make up the LCRD's flight payload. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Sandra Vilevac

"LCRD is designed to operate for many years and will allow NASA to learn how to optimally use this disruptive new technology," said Don Cornwell, director of the Advanced Communication and Navigation division of the Space Communications and Navigation program office at NASA Headquarters, which leads the development of the instrument. "We are also designing a laser terminal for the International Space Station that will use LCRD to relay data from the station to the ground at gigabit-per-second data rates. We plan to fly this new terminal in 2021, and once tested, we hope that many other Earth-orbiting NASA missions will also fly copies of it to relay their data through LCRD to the ground."

The mission builds upon the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD), a very successful pathfinder mission that flew aboard the Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer in 2013. While LLCD was first to demonstrate high-data-rate laser communications beyond low-Earth orbit, LCRD will demonstrate the technology's operational longevity and reliability. The mission will also test LCRD's capabilities within many different environmental conditions and operational scenarios.

"We've learned a lot over the years about radio-frequency communications and how it works to make the most of the technology," Dave Israel, LCRD's principal investigator, said about the current communications system. "With LCRD, we'll have the opportunity to put laser communications through its paces to test the performance over different weather conditions and times of day to get that experience."

LCRD is designed to function between two and five years. Two ground terminals equipped with laser modems located in Table Mountain, California, and in Hawaii will demonstrate communications capability to and from LCRD, which will be located in an orbit that matches Earth's rotation, called a geosynchronous orbit, between the two stations.

Engineers are currently testing the optical module assemblies on the Goddard-built optical test bench to ensure pointing accuracy during the upcoming mission. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Sandra Vilevac

The LCRD payload consists of two identical optical terminals connected by a component called a space switching unit, which acts as a data router. The space switching unit is also connected to a radio-frequency downlink.

The modems translate digital data into laser or radio-frequency signals and back again. Once they convert the data to laser light, the optical module will beam the data to Earth. To do so, the module must be perfectly pointed to receive and transmit the data. The controller electronics (CE) module commands actuators to help point and steady the telescope despite any movement or vibration on the spacecraft.

LCRD recently successfully passed a key decision point review and has moved on to the integration and test stage of development, during which engineers will ensure each component will behave as intended after the instrument launches. Launch is scheduled to occur in summer 2019.

The LCRD team is led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Partners include NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and MIT's Lincoln Laboratory.

LCRD is a project within NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate's Technology Demonstration Mission, which performs system level demonstrations of cross-cutting technologies and capabilities and bridges the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions like LCRD.
Palestinian and Israeli Arab farmers, from Northern Samaria, smiling while holding a Barn Owl in a joint seminar in Israel. Credit: Hagai Aharon

Loss of biodiversity is a major challenge in today's world as is the quest for peace in regions engaged in conflict. But scientists writing in a Review published March 22 in Trends in Ecology & Evolution say that efforts to conserve natural resources present an opportunity to find common ground between communities at odds, building trust and renewed hope for peace.

"Nature can build bridges between nations," said Alexandre Roulin of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. "We use nature conservation to favor communication between communities in conflict. Although we've developed efforts in the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan, and the Palestine Authority, we hope that our work will become a platform to stimulate similar initiatives around the world."

Roulin says it all started about 35 years ago when co-author Yossi Leshem from Israel's Tel-Aviv University noticed that Israeli farmers were using poison to kill rodents. The trouble was that the rodents' natural bird predators were also dying from poisoning. It took years, but they ultimately convinced farmers and the Israeli government to eliminate the use of the pesticides and begin building nest boxes for barn owls and kestrels instead.

The effort helped to protect wildlife without any increase in crop loss. That's because each pair of owls can produce 11 offspring in a year. Those owls, in turn, consume thousands of rodents per year.

But there was more. The scientists began to realize that farmers in Jordan and the Palestinian Authority faced similar challenges, which needed to be addressed on a regional scale. They also began to realize that the project could unite Jordanians, Israelis, and Palestinians for a common cause despite their religious and political differences. Roulin recounts many examples in which people engaged in the project over the years have laughed and joked together, visited each other's places of worship, and more.

Muslim and Jewish school girls birdwatching together at a joint educational project of Tel Aviv University and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Credit: Effi Sharir

Roulin says it's best to start small. By documenting small-scale successes, you can begin to identify committed partners in other places. Ultimately, programs such as their "Birds know no boundaries" effort can be expanded to reach a national and international scale.

"The combination of nature conservation and peace-building is not only important, but it also brings a new message of hope that our society is looking for," Roulin said. "We hope to persuade the international community to consider such projects as diplomatic tools to pave the road to peace."

Their project in the Middle East has continued undeterred despite the conflict. There's already interest in their example from the Swiss and Chinese armies. There's also hope that a similar effort could be a starting point for bringing people from North and South Korea together.

"Unexpected ideas, such as working scientifically with barn owls, can be the source of great inspiration for issues that are far bigger than our scientific questions," Roulin said.

Roulin says he and his colleagues now hope to launch an educational program in Europe, to encourage connection between children from Europe and the Middle East and raise awareness about the interdependence of nature on a global scale.

More information: Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Roulin et al.: "'Nature Knows no Boundaries': The Role of Nature Conservation in Peacebuilding" www.cell.com/trends/ecology-ev  0169-5347(17)30057-5 , DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.02.018
"Technophobes"people who fear robots, artificial intelligence and new technology that they don't understandare much more likely to be afraid of losing their jobs to technology and to suffer anxiety-related mental health issues, a Baylor University study found.

More than a third of those in the study fit its definition of "technophobe" and are more fearful of automation that could lead to job displacement than they are of potentially threatening or dangerous circumstances such as romantic rejection, public speaking and police brutality, according to the study.

"If you're afraid of losing your job to a robot, you're not alone," said researcher Paul McClure, a sociologist in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences. "This is a real concern among a substantial portion of the American population. They are not simply a subgroup of generally fearful people."

Previous research has found that employees with little job security suffer from poorer mental health and that unemployment and job insecurity are often linked to heart disease and mortality rates.

McClure's study found that:

37 percent of participants fit the definition of a "technophobe"someone who is either afraid or very afraid of such automation as robots in the workforce, decision-making robots, technology they don't understand, artificial intelligence and people who trust artificial intelligence to do work.

Those in historically marginalized groupswomen, non-whites and the less educatedreport being most fearful of technology.

Technophobes are three times more likely to be fearful of unemployment when compared to others, and nearly three times more likely to fear not having enough money in the future.

Technophobes have 95 percent greater odds of not being able to stop or control worrying when compared to others, and 76 percent greater odds of feeling as if something awful might happen.

The study"'You're Fired,' Says the Robot: The Rise of Automation in the Workplace, Technophobes, and Fears of Unemployment"is published in Social Science Computer Review, a peer-reviewed publication in its 35th year.

Billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted recently that "Automation is going to cause unemployment and we need to prepare for it." Meanwhile, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates made headlines when he called for a tax on robotsto be paid by their owners or makersto compensate for losses due to automation and to help fund retraining so workers can transition to other fields.

For his study, McClure used data from Wave 2 of The Chapman Survey of American Fears, an annual national random survey. In it, 1,541 respondents were asked about their fears and worries about politics, crime, natural and man-made disasters, technology, mental health and unemployment.

They also were asked about their anxieties, worries, sleep patterns, restlessness, inability to relax, susceptibility to irritation and feelings of dread.

Anxiety about job loss to automation is nothing new, McClure said, noting that 19th-century textile workers in England destroyed new machines to protest against employers who used inventions that allowed for faster and cheaper labor by less-skilled workers.

But some researchers in economics caution that the impact of robotics and artificial intelligence in the next several years will be much more rapid than job displacement of the pastparticularly for those with routine job responsibilities. Those potentially could span the blue- and white-collar divide, from truck drivers and warehouse workers to loan officers and paralegals, rather than manual laborers in non-routine jobs or workers in creative fields, McClure said.

While technology visionaries contend that new markets with new job opportunities have emerged and that developing countries will benefit economically, "many people in the United States suspect that technology will not deliver widespread financial security, nor will it be a panacea for the world's underprivileged," McClure said.

"People in certain occupations may legitimately fear losing their jobs to robots and software that can work for cheaper and for longer hours than any human."

While a transformation would most likely be gradual, it could trigger a major social unrest among those who are displaced from their jobs, McClure said.

"Anticipating the individual and social outcomes is a matter worth pursuing," he said. "If these fears are misplaced, more research needs to be done to dispel technophobia as a legitimate social concern.

"Regardless of whether technology might lead to certain people's jobs becoming obsolete, the fear itself is real."
Credit: Charles Rondeau/public domain

Dozens of scientific journals appointed a fictive scholar to their editorial boards on the strength of a bogus resume, researchers determined to expose "pay to publish" schemes reported Wednesday.

One journal snared in the sting operation offered the imaginary applicant a 60/40 split60 percent for the journalof fees collected from scientists seeking to publish their research.

Universities have famously become "publish or perish" ecosystems, making many academics desperate to get their work into print.

Several publications assigned the phantom editor to an unpaid, top-level position.

"It is our pleasure to add your name as our editor-in-chief for this journal, with no responsibilities," responded one within days.

"Many predatory journals hoping to cash in seem to aggressively and indiscriminately recruit academics to build legitimate-looking editorial boards," Katarzyna Pisanski, a social scientist at the University of Wroclaw, Poland, wrote in Nature.

In this case, the publishers padding their mastheads failed to notice that their new recruit's nameAnna O. Szusttranslates as "Anna, a fraud" in Polish.

Despite this inside joke, the probe of academic integrity at hundreds of science journalssome reputed, others already on a blacklistwas dead serious.

"Although pranksters have successfully placed fictional characters on editorial boards, no one has examined the issue systematically," Pisanski noted.

"We did."

Pisanski and three colleagues concocted the fake applicationsupported by a cover letter, a CV boasting phony degrees, and a list of non-existent book chaptersand sent it to 360 peer-reviewed social science publications.

In the peer-review process, journals ask outside experts to assess the methodology and importance of submissions before accepting then.

Predatory journals

The journals were drawn equally from three directories: one listing reputable titles available through subscriptions, with a second devoted to "open access" publications.

The third was a blacklistcompiled by University of Colorado librarian Jeffrey Beallof known or suspected "predatory journals" that make money by extracting fees from authors.

The number of these highly dubious publications has exploded in recent years, number at least 10,000.

Indeed, 40 of the 48 journals that took the bait and offered a position to the fictitious Anna O. figured on Beall's list, which has since been taken offline.

The other eight were from the open-access registry.

No one made any attempt to contact the university listed on the fake CV, and few probed her obviously spotty experience.

One journal suggested "Ms. Fraud" organise a conference after which presenters would be charged for a special issue.

"Predatory publishing is becoming an organised industry," said Pisanski, who decided not to name-and-shame the journals caught out by the sting.

Their rise "threatens the quality of scholarship," she added.

Even after the researchers contacted all the journals to inform them that Anna O. Szust did not really exist, her name continued to appear on the editorial board of 11including one to which she had not even applied.

None of the journals from the most select directory fell in the trap, and a few sent back tartly worded answers.

"One does not become an editor by sending in a CV," came one reply.

"These positions are filled because a person has a high research profile and a solid research record."

 2017 AFP
Rare earth oxides (red/orange) react with gaseous organic compounds from the ambient air to form carbonates and hydroxides (grey/white). Through this reaction, the surface develops water-repelling properties. Credit: University of Basel, Department of Physics

Surfaces that have been coated with rare earth oxides develop water-repelling properties only after contact with air. Even at room temperature, chemical reactions begin with hydrocarbons in the air. In the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of Basel, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the Paul Scherrer Institute report that it is these reactions that are responsible for the hydrophobic effect.

Rare earths are metals found in rare earth minerals. They are used today in, among other things, automotive catalytic converters and batteries, in the production of screens and lamps, and as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging. Their broad range of applications means that there is a high demand for rare earths, and this demand is constantly increasing.

Additional uses for rare earths were opened up after American researchers reported in 2013 that surfaces that have been coated with rare earth oxides become water-repellent.

Scientists from the University of Basel, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the Paul Scherrer Institute have now worked with the company Glas Trosch to examine these hydrophobic properties more closely.

Water-repellency develops only after chemical reactions

The researchers coated glass pieces with rare earth oxides, nitrides and fluorides and analyzed how well they could be wetted with water.

They could not detect any hydrophobic properties when the coating was freshly deposited. It was only chemical reactions with gaseous hydrocarbons found in the ambient air that increased the surfaces' roughness and reduced wetting by water.

The gaseous organic compounds from the ambient air are first adsorbed by the surface and then react with the oxides to form carbonates and hydroxides until the surface is completely covered with these compounds. This process takes place even at room temperature.

"We were surprised that the hydrophobic effect was caused by the surface aging," says Professor Ernst Meyer, from the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, commenting on the results of the project supported by the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI). These conclusions are very revealing from a scientific point of view because catalytic processes also frequently take place at room temperature, which makes it important to understand the surface's physical properties.

The examined materials are, however, unsuitable for the industrial production of water-repellent glass surfaces, because the glass requires a sophisticated storage process before it shows the desired hydrophobic characteristics.
Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

A new study of the believability of information received via Twitter and the intention to pass on a tweetwhether news or rumoris influenced by the number of times the information has already been retweeted. Number of retweets can serve as a normative cue that leads a person to presume that an unverified rumor is true, increasing the likelihood that they will share it with others, according to the study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

In the article entitled "Normative Mechanism of Rumor Dissemination on Twitter," Hyegyu Lee, Handong University, Pohang, and Hyun Jung Oh, CHA University, Pocheon, South Korea, describe an online experiment that included 639 Twitter users. The results indicated that users viewed both news and rumors shared in tweets as uncertain information. They determined the believability of the information based on how others viewed it. If the information had been highly retweeted it was more likely to be considered as believable.

"Whether by word-of-mouth, email, or Twitter, rumors proliferate quite easily. We must remain adamant in our use of critical-thinking skills to evaluate information and avoid equating popularity with plausibility," says Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
Evolution of RSL at Garni Crater, Valles Marineris, Mars. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2017). DOI: 10.1038/ngeo2917

(Phys.org)A team of researchers from France and the Slovak Republic has proposed a theory to explain the water-like streaks that appear seasonally on the surface of Mars, which do not involve water. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the team describes their theory as instances of sand avalanches caused by sunlight with resulting changes to shadowing.

Back in 2011, finger-like marks were first noted on the surface of Mars. After study, it was determined that the streaks changed in a way that appeared to resemble flowing water and that the changes were seasonaloccurring during times when it was hottest. Some scientists suggested that there might be a type of brine just beneath the surface causing the streaks as a result of melting ice, but other studies have suggested the water theory is unlikely because if ice were there, it would likely sublimate rather than melt and evaporate. In this new effort, the researchers suggest the streaks have nothing to do with ice or water but are instead more of an optical illusion.

The researchers suggest the streaks come about due to the heat that is generated during certain times of the year on Marsit causes the top layer of dirt and sand to heat up while particles underneath remain cool. The difference in temperature causes changes in pressure to very small pockets of gas trapped between the sand particles causing the gas to move upwards. Doing so jostles the sand particles, causing them to slip downhill slightlylike tiny avalanches. The result is recurring slope lineae that originate only on sloping, rocky landscapes. The difference in color is due to the newly fallen particles as they move under shadows cast by boulders or outcrops, mostly during the afternoon as the angle of sunlight would be more pronounced.

More testing will have to be done, of course, before the theory can be proved true, but if it turns out to be the correct explanation, it is likely some in the space field might be disappointedwater just under the surface might have led to the discovery of a form of life, and it might also have proved useful to future astronauts trying to survive on the barren planet.

More information: Frederic Schmidt et al. Formation of recurring slope lineae on Mars by rarefied gas-triggered granular flows, Nature Geoscience (2017). DOI: 10.1038/ngeo2917 Abstract

Active dark flows known as recurring slope lineae have been observed on the warmest slopes of equatorial Mars. The morphology, composition and seasonality of the lineae suggest a role of liquid water in their formation. However, internal and atmospheric sources of water appear to be insufficient to sustain the observed slope activity. Experimental evidence suggests that under the low atmospheric pressure at the surface of Mars, gas can flow upwards through porous Martian soil due to thermal creep under surface regions heated by the Sun, and disturb small particles. Here we present numerical simulations to demonstrate that such a dry process involving the pumping of rarefied gas in the Martian soil due to temperature contrasts can explain the formation of the recurring slope lineae. In our simulations, solar irradiation followed by shadow significantly reduces the angle of repose due to the resulting temporary temperature gradients over shaded terrain, and leads to flow at intermediate slope angles. The simulated flow locations are consistent with observed recurring slope lineae that initiate in rough and bouldered terrains with local shadows over the soil. We suggest that this dry avalanche process can explain the formation of the recurring slope lineae on Mars without requiring liquid water or CO2 frost activity. Journal information: Nature Geoscience

 2017 Phys.org
The picture above shows pit latrine workers in Bangladesh who collect and transport human waste to a site where it is processed into fertiliser. Image: Neil Palmer (IWMI). Credit: University of Leeds

Developing countries struggling to cope with huge volumes of human waste may finally get some relief  and a new business opportunity.

A new study has found that spreading the cost of waste removal over a series of monthly payments could make it more affordable for poor households and help kick start the conversion of this waste, known as fecal sludge, into profitable by-products such as fertilisers and bioenergy.

Published this week in the journal PLoS ONE, the study focuses on a rural area of Bangladesh, where the government is looking to pilot an innovative local service for sludge management. Professor Barbara Evans, from Leeds' Faculty of Engineering, is the study's co-author.

Currently, households struggle to pay a lump sum of US$13 every three to four years to empty their pit latrines. This is approximately 14 per cent of their monthly income.

Instead, the study found they could pay small monthly payments of as little as US$0.31 per month  about what they spend each month on a mobile phone service  over the same period.

"The way sludge is currently collected is both inefficient and unsafe," said the study's first author Dr Soumya Balasubramanya, a scientist with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), which leads the CGIAR global research program on Water, Land and Ecosystems.

"Our study re-imagines the economics of waste collection, disposal and reuse from the ground up. Rather than collecting waste on an ad hoc basis, our system would build a strong, guaranteed consumer base and a steady flow of capital, which would allow waste collection businesses to invest in improving their equipment and services."

Despite Bangladesh making rapid progress in rural sanitation, having built about 40 million pit latrines, a financially viable solution for emptying these pits and transporting the sludge to a central location for treatment has not yet been found.

"When pits fill up, households currently hire someone to empty them, but this service creates health and environmental problems by dumping the sludge close by, as no central treatment plants exist yet," said Rizwan Ahmed, a co-author of the study with Bangladesh NGO Forum for Public Health.

"If sludge removal could be offered on a subscription basis, the cost would be more manageable for households, and critically it would help streamline the logistics of taking the sludge safely away for treatment, preventing contamination of groundwater and the spread of infections."

"Emptying the fecal sludge is not only hazardous but is also a very low-grade occupation," said Professor Evans, who is a member of the Water@Leeds research team and is based in the University's Faculty of Engineering.

She added: "Our strategy is to focus on finding ways of making this a worthwhile business proposition and professionalising the management of waste. We also want to see a shift from seeing human excreta as a 'waste' to recognising its potential as a 'resource'."

The study concludes that households are willing to cover at least half the costs of the proposed system, while the remainder may initially need to be funded by the government.

However, revenue from the sale of waste by-products such as fertiliser and energy may offer another potential source of funds in the future. Early experiments into producing compost is already showing promise, especially for large-scale plantations growing non-edible commodities like rubber or cotton.

The study's results have already helped bring the issue to the attention of policymakers, and influenced the development of Bangladesh's first regulatory framework for fecal sludge management.

"It's very encouraging to see the government now turning its attention to the challenge of managing the fecal sludge that on-site sanitation generates," said Jeremy Bird, director general of IWMI. "Our research has shown that a very simple concept like cost-spreading can put the critical transportation link in the sanitation chain on a firm financial footing."

"Until this study, we knew next to nothing about those costs and people's willingness to pay them in rural areas," said Dr Balasubramanya.

"The proposed system would offer clear benefits for individuals  convenience, privacy and better health  and that's why they're willing to pay," explained Rizwan Ahmed. "But the benefits to society  reduced health risks and less environmental pollution  would be even greater."

The release of the study, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, coincides with World Water Day on 22 March, which this year focuses on the pressing issue of wastewater management.

According to UN-Water, 80% of all wastewater, including fecal sludge, gets dumped without treatment, leading to a range of health and environmental risks. The problem is especially grave in the expanding cities and overpopulated rural areas of low-income countries, where only 8% of wastewater is treated.

The research paper Towards Sustainable Sanitation Management: Establishing the Costs and Willingness to Pay for Emptying and Transporting Sludge in Rural Districts with High Rates of Access to Latrines was published in PLoS ONE on Tuesday 21 March.

More information: Soumya Balasubramanya et al. Towards sustainable sanitation management: Establishing the costs and willingness to pay for emptying and transporting sludge in rural districts with high rates of access to latrines, PLOS ONE (2017). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171735 Journal information: PLoS ONE
Ask any young science faculty member what keeps them up at night, and you're likely to get the same response every time: funding research. It is no secret that modern scientific research depends on receiving sufficient funding. In fact, grants have become so essential that the entire trajectory of one's career in academic science is tightly linked with the ability to obtain funding. Readers who can identify with this struggle have probably asked themselves how science ended up like this, or more importantly, what, if anything, can be done about it. How to address these questions remains an ongoing conversation among those in the fieldone that has become exponentially more complicated in light of recent and alarming reports in the news concerning the future of federal funding for biomedical research.

Eleventh hour blog post renovations

When I first began writing this post, my goal was to address how the current atmosphere of scarce grant funding is shaping the outlook of scientists in training, for better or worse. However, the day prior to its publishing, major news emerged from Washington in the form of President Trump's 2018 budget proposal, which outlined wide-ranging cuts for most federal government agencies. Among the biggest casualties is Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the NIH division, which will see a $5.9 billion reduction from its 2017 budget, roughly an 18% decrease.

Without question the news signifies a devastating blow for those in science, specifically biomedical research. But while the proposal is a clear indicator of the president's priorities, there is some consolation in knowing that the current proposal is merely a blueprint; Congress still has to prepare a formal budget which may not precisely duplicate the proposed cuts. This leaves at least some latitude for scientists to mount opposition to the current budget (ASBMB, for example, is circulating a petition to voice support for biomedical research funding). In addition, as NPR notes, it is unclear how much of the NIH cuts will directly translate into reductions in grants available for investigators (some of the cuts may target NIH employees). Nevertheless, it seems likely that research funding is destined for some considerable belt-tightening in the coming years.

Given the profound implications of this news for grant-supported research careers, any future discussions of the current state of funding will need to incorporate this development into the mix. Hence, after some late-in-the-game reworking, this post now includes my initial thoughts on the role which grants play in shaping young scientists, with added reference to the impacts of this recent news for the ECR community.

Grant accrual as a barometer for success

Scientists must have a strong track record in funding to survive in academic science; this means that the overriding task of many scientists today is, to put it bluntly, asking for money. Last fall, an editorial in Vox highlighting the seven greatest challenges facing science today found that, among the 270 scientists surveyed, "a huge money problem" was first overall. Number seven on their list is "life as a young academic is incredibly stressful" a problem no doubt related to the scarcity of funding.

Since demand for grants far outweighs supply, only those researchers with proven records of grant awards can expect to obtain faculty jobs and promotions in academic research. Thus, grant histories are routinely used as the measuring stick to assess the proficiency of a scientist, instead of evaluating them on the quality of their work. Of course, these factors are somewhat intertwined, as good science begets grants. But nevertheless, career success is still disproportionately dependent on this singular consideration.

From the perspective of ECRs, the situation is particularly troubling. We are developing our scientific worldviews in an era that values grantsmanship as much as scholarship, if not more. Grant writing, now virtually an art form, is stressed as the definitive task for achieving success in a science career. It is almost as if the purpose of science is to support grant writing and not the reverse. Despite these concerns, using this metric to gauge scientific aptitude is unlikely to fade. Indeed, the emphasis placed on this factor by promotion and tenure committees will only be intensified by the recent NIH budget reduction, as cash-strapped universities seek to ensure that their research faculty members are able to reliably maintain independent funding support. For up and coming scientists to prosper, the task of soliciting grants is simply the cost of doing business in academic research. However, accepting this reality doesn't mean that the situation can't be improved.

Making the most of the hand you're dealt

In reality, the emphasis placed on grant accrual as a requirement for career success is secondary to the larger problem of inadequate funding supplies. So any attempt to resolve the issue should first address the gap in funding. Simple economics stipulates two approaches to the funding shortfall: increasing the supply or decreasing the demand. Although the former might seem unrealistic in light of the proposal slashing billions of NIH dollars, applying some creativity to the search for funding will turn up sources that are frequently overlooked. For example, there are many local and state resources that can help subsidize research costs, as well as philanthropic organizations and nonprofits. These entities may be less well-endowed and less prestigious than federal institute awards, but they are also less competitive. During a funding famine, these organizations can be a lifeline for young researchers trying to make ends meet. Notably, there is no mention of budget cuts to the NSF as of yet, so scientists whose work might be suited for grant support from NIH as well as NSF might find better luck applying to the latter of these in the future.

On the demand side, the simplest remedy is to lower the effective cost of doing research. If fewer grant dollars are needed to run a lab, more labs can be funded with the same pot, thereby lowering competition for funding. One promising way to lower costs is greater use of data mining. Vast improvements in technology in recent years have enabled the large-scale collection of data in bulk, yielding enormous volumes of information that is generally accessible to investigators at little or no cost. In my personal experience, the UCSC Genome Browser, Oncomine, and cBioPortal have all been invaluable resources; I would recommend them to anyone looking to use bioinformatics to supplement their research.

In addition, we can de-escalate competition for funding by continuing to discredit any idea that leaving academia for industry or other fields somehow signifies failure. While this stigma is far less prominent than in the past, most ECRs considering leaving have probably gotten this impression from a mentor or faculty member at some point. Young scientists should feel free to exit the academic arena if it's not the right fit; remaining won't serve anyone's purposes. The outcome for those remaining in academia will be improved funding rates, following the reduction in numbers of investigators seeking grant support. When alternate career paths are more openly promoted, it makes everyone involved in science better off. Since the upcoming NIH funding cuts will no doubt make this trend even more frequent, it will correspondingly become more important for academia to view alternate career paths as less taboo.

Expectations for the future of funding science

With more researchers chasing fewer grant dollars, the requirement for ECRs in academia to be adept at obtaining funding while simultaneously overseeing laboratory research and meeting personal and institutional responsibilities will be a formidable task. If balancing all these obligations seems daunting, that's because it is. To quote Matthew McConaughey in HBO's True Detective, "Life is barely long enough to get good at one thing." Given these realities, ECRs in academic research can expect to enter a field where the procurement of funding will continue to be a key factor for career evaluation and promotion, a fact that is highlighted by the recent and dire NIH budget forecast. Regrettably, the ebb and flow of funding dollars is currently inclined towards its ebb. But even if this is reversed in future years, it will not eliminate the key role which grantsmanship serves in making a successful career in academic science. Therefore, chasing grants will always be a priority. To keep up, future researchers will need to be more resourceful and imaginative than their predecessors. But by sharpening these faculties, acclimating to the ever-changing landscape of academic research will no doubt prove to be both an attainable and worthwhile task.

Provided by PLOS Blogs

This story is republished courtesy of PLOS Blogs: blogs.plos.org.
These line graphs plot monthly deviations and overall trends in polar sea ice from 1979 to 2017 as measured by satellites. The top line shows the Arctic; the middle shows Antarctica; and the third shows the global, combined total. The graphs depict how much the sea ice concentration moved above or below the long-term average. (They do not plot total sea ice concentration.) Arctic and global sea ice totals have moved consistently downward over 38 years. Antarctic trends are more muddled, but they do not offset the great losses in the Arctic. Credit: Joshua Stevens/NASA Earth Observatory

Arctic sea ice appears to have reached on March 7 a record low wintertime maximum extent, according to scientists at NASA and the NASA-supported National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado. And on the opposite side of the planet, on March 3 sea ice around Antarctica hit its lowest extent ever recorded by satellites at the end of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, a surprising turn of events after decades of moderate sea ice expansion.

On Feb. 13, the combined Arctic and Antarctic sea ice numbers were at their lowest point since satellites began to continuously measure sea ice in 1979. Total polar sea ice covered 6.26 million square miles (16.21 million square kilometers), which is 790,000 square miles (2 million square kilometers) less than the average global minimum extent for 1981-2010 - the equivalent of having lost a chunk of sea ice larger than Mexico.

The ice floating on top of the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas shrinks in a seasonal cycle from mid-March until mid-September. As the Arctic temperatures drop in the autumn and winter, the ice cover grows again until it reaches its yearly maximum extent, typically in March. The ring of sea ice around the Antarctic continent behaves in a similar manner, with the calendar flipped: it usually reaches its maximum in September and its minimum in February.

This winter, a combination of warmer-than-average temperatures, winds unfavorable to ice expansion, and a series of storms halted sea ice growth in the Arctic. This year's maximum extent, reached on March 7 at 5.57 million square miles (14.42 million square kilometers), is 37,000 square miles (97,00 square kilometers) below the previous record low, which occurred in 2015, and 471,000 square miles (1.22 million square kilometers) smaller than the average maximum extent for 1981-2010.

The March 7, 2017, Arctic sea ice maximum extent was a record low, due to warmer-than-average temperatures, winds unfavorable to ice expansion, and a series of storms. Antarctic sea ice also broke a record with its annual minimum extent on March 3. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

"We started from a low September minimum extent," said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "There was a lot of open ocean water and we saw periods of very slow ice growth in late October and into November, because the water had a lot of accumulated heat that had to be dissipated before ice could grow. The ice formation got a late start and everything lagged behindit was hard for the sea ice cover to catch up."

The Arctic's sea ice maximum extent has dropped by an average of 2.8 percent per decade since 1979, the year satellites started measuring sea ice. The summertime minimum extent losses are nearly five times larger: 13.5 percent per decade. Besides shrinking in extent, the sea ice cap is also thinning and becoming more vulnerable to the action of ocean waters, winds and warmer temperatures.

This year's record low sea ice maximum extent might not necessarily lead to a new record low summertime minimum extent, since weather has a great impact on the melt season's outcome, Meier said. "But it's guaranteed to be below normal."

Arctic sea ice hit a record low wintertime maximum extent in 2017. At 5.57 million square miles, it is the lowest maximum extent in the satellite record, and 455,600 square miles below the 1981 to 2010 average maximum extent. Credit: NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio/L. Perkins

In Antarctica, this year's record low annual sea ice minimum of 815,000 square miles (2.11 million square kilometers) was 71,000 square miles (184,000 square kilometers) below the previous lowest minimum extent in the satellite record, which occurred in 1997.

Antarctic sea ice saw an early maximum extent in 2016, followed by a very rapid loss of ice starting in early September. Since November, daily Antarctic sea ice extent has continuously been at its lowest levels in the satellite record. The ice loss slowed down in February.

This year's record low happened just two years after several monthly record high sea ice extents in Antarctica and decades of moderate sea ice growth.

Operation IceBridge, NASAa aerial survey of polar ice, flies over a lead, or opening in the sea ice cover, near the Alaskan coast on March 11, 2017. Credit: NASA/Jeremy Harbeck

"There's a lot of year-to-year variability in both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, but overall, until last year, the trends in the Antarctic for every single month were toward more sea ice," said Claire Parkinson, a senior sea ice researcher at Goddard. "Last year was stunningly different, with prominent sea ice decreases in the Antarctic. To think that now the Antarctic sea ice extent is actually reaching a record minimum, that's definitely of interest."

Meier said it is too early to tell if this year marks a shift in the behavior of Antarctic sea ice.

"It is tempting to say that the record low we are seeing this year is global warming finally catching up with Antarctica," Meier said. "However, this might just be an extreme case of pushing the envelope of year-to-year variability. We'll need to have several more years of data to be able to say there has been a significant change in the trend."
Empa's artificial fruit sensor  here in the Braeburn version. Credit: Empa

On the long journey from the fruit plantation to the retailer's shelf, fruits can quickly perish. In particular, the refrigeration inside the cargo containers is not always guaranteed and existing methods for measuring the temperature are not sufficiently reliable. A sensor developed at Empa solves this problem. It looks like a piece of fruit and acts like a piece of fruit  but is actually a spy.

Mangos, bananas and oranges have usually travelled long distances by the time they reach our shops. They are picked, packaged, refrigerated, packed in refrigerated containers, shipped, stored and finally laid out on display. However, not all the cargo makes it safely to its destination. Although fruit is inspected regularly, some of it is damaged or may even perish during the journey. This is because monitoring still has significant scope for improvement. Although sensors measure the air temperature in the freight container, it is the core temperature of the individual fruit that is decisive for the quality of the fruit. However up to now, it has only been possible to measure this "invasively", i.e. by inserting a sensor through the skin and into the centre. And even this process has drawbacks. To carry out the measurement, the technician usually takes a piece of fruit from a cardboard box in the front row of pallets in the container, which in turn distorts the result. Fruit that is closer to the outside of the transport container is better refrigerated than fruit on the inside.

Sometimes whole container loads have to be destroyed because the temperatures on the inside of the container did not meet the prescribed guidelines. The USA and China, in particular, are extremely strict regarding the importation of fruit and vegetables. If the cargo has not been stored for three weeks at a certain minimum temperature, it is not authorised for sale in the country. Not only does refrigeration serve to maintain the freshness and quality of the fruit, it also kills any larvae, such as moth larvae, which can nest in the fruit. It is therefore essential to prove that the refrigeration has actually penetrated all the fruit in the whole consignment for the required period of time.

The mango sensor amongst other (real) mangos during transport. Credit: Empa

The sensor travels with the fruit

In order to guarantee and monitor the temperature within the fruit, researchers at Empa have now developed an artificial fruit sensor. It is the same shape and size as the relevant fruit and also simulates its composition, and can be packed in with the real fruit and travel with it. On arrival at the destination, the data from the sensor can be analysed relatively quickly and easily. From this, the researchers hope to gain information about the temperature during transportation.

This is important information, primarily for insurance reasons: if a delivery does not meet the quality requirements, the sensor can be used to establish the point in the storage and transport chain at which something went wrong. Initial results are certainly very promising: "We analysed the sensors in the Empa refrigeration chamber in detail and all the tests were successful," explains project leader Thijs Defraeye from the Laboratory for Multiscale Studies in Building Physics. Field tests are currently under way at Agroscope in Wadenswil.

Up to now, a fruit had to be sliced up and a sensor be placed inside. The "spy fruit" is then stuck back. However, this distorts the results as the fruit is damaged. Credit: Empa

An artificial fruit sensor for Braeburn and Jonagold apples

However, the same sensor does not work for all fruits, as Defraeye explains. "We are developing separate sensors for each type of fruit, and even for different varieties." There are currently separate sensors for the Braeburn and Jonagold apple varieties, the Kent mango, oranges and the classic Cavendish banana. In order to simulate the characteristics of the individual types of fruit, the fruit is X-rayed, and a computer algorithm creates the average shape and texture of the fruit. From the literature or based on their own measurements, the researchers then determine the exact composition of the fruit's flesh (usually a combination of water, air and sugar) and simulate this in exactly the same ratio in the laboratory, although not with the original ingredients, instead using a mixture of water, carbohydrates and polystyrene.

This mixture is used to fill the fruit-shaped sensor mould. The mould is produced on a 3-D printer. The researchers place the actual sensor inside the artificial fruit, where it records the data, including the core temperature of the fruit. Existing measuring devices on container walls only provide the air temperature, but this is not sufficiently reliable because the fruit can still be too warm on the inside. Although such fruit core simulators already exist in the field of research, they are not yet sufficiently accurate, explains Defraeye. One such example that has been used is balls filled with water with a sensor inside. "We have conducted comparative tests," says the researcher. "And our filling provided much more accurate data and simulated the behaviour of a real piece of fruit much more reliably at different temperatures."

Not (yet) wireless

Initial field tests on the sensors are currently under way and the researchers are now looking for potential industrial partners to manufacture the fruit spies. The investment is certainly likely to be worthwhile. It is estimated that the cost of such a sensor is less than 50 Swiss Francs. The data would only have to be analysed if something was wrong with the delivered goods. This would then make it possible to efficiently establish where in the process an error had occurred.

Another desirable feature would be to be able to receive the data from the cargo container live and in real time, so that appropriate countermeasures could be taken in the event of abnormal data  thereby potentially saving the fruit cargo. That would require a wireless or Bluetooth connection. "However, our current fruit sensor cannot do that yet. And the price of the product would, of course, go up," says Defraeye. But the profits for the companies would probably also go up if the fruit sensors enabled them to supply more goods in perfect condition.
The dark regions show very dense dust clouds. The red stars tend to be reddened by dust, while the blue stars are in front of the dust clouds. These images are part of a survey of the southern galactic plane. Credit: Legacy Survey/NOAO, AURA, NSF

Consider that the Earth is just a giant cosmic dust bunnya big bundle of debris amassed from exploded stars. We Earthlings are essentially just little clumps of stardust, too, albeit with very complex chemistry.

And because outer space is a very dusty place, that makes things very difficult for astronomers and astrophysicists who are trying to peer farther across the universe or deep into the center of our own galaxy to learn more about their structure, formation and evolution.

Building a better dust map

Now, a new study led by Edward F. Schlafly, a Hubble Fellow in the Physics Division at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), is providing a detailed, 3-D look at dust on a scale spanning thousands of light-years in our Milky Way galaxy. The study was published March 22 in The Astrophysical Journal.

This dust map is of critical importance for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a Berkeley Lab-led project that will measure the universe's accelerating expansion rate when it starts up in 2019. DESI will build a map of more than 30 million distant galaxies, but that map will be distorted if this dust is ignored.

"The light from those distant galaxies travels for billions of years before we see it," according to Schlafly, "but in the last thousand years of its journey toward us a few percent of that light is absorbed and scattered by dust in our own galaxy. We need to correct for that."

This animation shows a 3-D rendering of space dust, as viewed in a several-kiloparsec (thousands of light years) loop through and out of the Milky Way's galactic plane. The animation uses data for hundreds of millions of stars from Pan-STARRS1 and 2MASS surveys, and is made available through a Creative Commons License. Credit: Gregory M. Green/SLAC, KIPAC

Just as airborne dust in Earth's sky contributes to the atmospheric haze that gives us brilliant oranges and reds in sunrises and sunsets, dust can also make distant galaxies and other space objects appear redder in the sky, distorting their distance and in some cases concealing them from view.

Scientists are constantly developing better ways to map out this interstellar dust and understand its concentration, composition, and common particle sizes and shapes.

Once we can solve the dust problem by creating better dust maps and learning new details about the properties of this space dust, this can give us a much more precise gauge of distances to faraway stars in the Milky Way, like a galactic GPS. Dust maps can also help to better gauge the distance to supernovae events by taking into account the effects of dust in reddening their light.

"The overarching aim of this project is to map dust in three dimensionsto find out how much dust is in any 3-D region in the sky and in the Milky Way galaxy," Schlafly said.

A 3-D rendering of space dust in the Milky Way. It is compiled from data for hundreds of millions of stars from Pan-STARRS1 and 2MASS surveys, and is made available through a Creative Commons License. Credit: Gregory M. Green/SLAC, KIPAC

Combined data from sky surveys shed new light on dust

Taking data from separate sky surveys conducted with telescopes on Maui and in New Mexico, Schlafly's research team composed maps that compare dust within one kiloparsec, or 3,262 light-years, in the outer Milky Wayincluding collections of gas and dust known as molecular clouds that can contain dense star- and planet-forming regions known as nebulaewith more distant dust in the galaxy.

"The resolution of these 3-D dust maps is many times better than anything that previously existed," said Schlafly.

This undertaking was made possible by the combination of a very detailed multiyear survey known as Pan-STARRS that is powered by a 1.4-gigapixel digital camera and covers three-fourths of the visible sky, and a separate survey called APOGEE that used a technique known as infrared spectroscopy.

A compressed view of the entire sky visible from Hawaii by the Pan-STARRS1 Observatory. The image is a compilation of half a million exposures, each about 45 seconds in length, taken over a period of four years. The disk of the Milky Way looks like a yellow arc, and the dust lanes show up as reddish-brown filaments. The background is made up of billions of faint stars and galaxies. Credit: D. Farrow/Pan-STARRS1 Science Consortium, and Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

Infrared measurements can effectively cut through the dust that obscures many other types of observations and provides a more precise measurement of stars' natural color. The APOGEE experiment focused on the light from about 100,000 red giant stars across the Milky Way, including those in its central halo.

What they found is a more complex picture of dust than earlier research and models had suggested. The dust properties within 1 kiloparsec of the sun, which scientists measure with a light-obscuring property known as its "extinction curve," is different than that of the dust properties in the more remote galactic plane and outer galaxy.

New questions emerge on the makeup of space dust

The results, researchers found, appear to be in conflict with models that expect dust to be more predictably distributed, and to simply exhibit larger grain sizes in areas where more dust resides. But the observations find that the dust properties vary little with the amount of dust, so the models may need to be adjusted to account for a different chemical makeup, for example.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope used by APOGEE. Credit: SDSS

"In denser regions, it was thought that dust grains will conglomerate, so you have more big grains and fewer small grains," Schlafly said. But the observations show that dense dust clouds look much the same as less concentrated dust clouds, so that variations in dust properties are not just a product of dust density: "whatever is driving this is not just conglomeration in these regions."

He added, "The message to me that we don't yet know what's going on. I don't think the existing (models) are correct, or they are only right at the very highest densities."

Accurate measures of the chemical makeup of space dust are important, Schlafly said. "A large amount of chemistry takes place on dust grains, and you can only form molecular hydrogen on the surface of dust grains," he saidthis molecular hydrogen is essential in the formation of stars and planets.

This animation shows a 3-D rendering of dust, as viewed from a 50-parsec (163-light-year) loop around the sun. The animation uses data for hundreds of millions of stars from Pan-STARRS1 and 2MASS surveys, and is made available through a Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. Credit: Gregory M. Green/SLAC, KIPAC

Filling in the blanks

Even with a growing collection of dust data, we still have an incomplete dust map of our galaxy. "There is about one-third of the galaxy that's missing," Schlafly said, "and we're working right now on imaging this 'missing third' of the galaxy." A sky survey that will complete the imaging of the southern galactic plane and provide this missing data should wrap up in May, he said.

APOGEE-2, a follow-up survey to APOGEE, for example, will provide more complete maps of the dust in the local galaxy, and other instruments are expected to provide better dust maps for nearby galaxies, too.

While the density of dust shrouds our view of the center of the Milky Way, Schlafly said there will be progress, too, in seeing deeper and collecting better dust measurements there as well.

The planned APOGEE-2 survey area overlain on an image of the Milky Way. Each dot shows a position where APOGEE-2 will obtain stellar spectra. Credit: APOGEE-2

More information: E. F. Schlafly et al, Mapping the Extinction Curve in 3D: Structure on Kiloparsec Scales, The Astrophysical Journal (2017). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa619d Journal information: Astrophysical Journal
A holotype of the new hard coral species Cyphastrea salae. Credit: Prof. Andrew Baird

The discovery of a new species of hard coral, found on Lord Howe Island, suggests that the fauna of this isolated location in the Tasman Sea off south eastern Australia is even more distinct than previously recognised.

In a recent paper in ZooKeys, Prof. Andrew Baird and Dr. Mia Hoogenboom from James Cook University, Townsville Australia and Dr. Danwei Huang from the National University of Singapore, describe the new species Cyphastrea salae.

"The animal itself is quite non-descript from a distance, although it is beautifully symmetrical up close like most corals," says Dr. Hoogenboom. "But we believe this is the first of many new hard coral species to be found in this World Heritage-listed marine protected area."

Lord Howe Island is famous for its many unique plant and animal species, known from nowhere else on Earth, including at least four species of palms, nine reef fish and 47 algae. However, the coral fauna remains largely unexplored, particularly using modern genetic techniques.

While some of the earliest work on coral reef ecology was done on Lord Howe Island, the species lists were compiled using a morphological taxonomy that has since been revised.

"On my very first dive in the lagoon at Lord Howe I knew I was looking at something very special," says Prof. Baird. "Twenty years of diving all over the globe had not prepared me for what I saw. I could hardly put a name on any coral!"

A view from the study site, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, Australia. Credit: Tane Sinclair-Taylor

Now, six years later, and largely due to the molecular skills of colleague Dr. Huang, the team is ready to name its first species.

"Interestingly, Cyphastrea salae looks almost exactly like other closely-related corals. However, its gene sequences are distinct and there is no doubt it is a species that is new to science," says Dr. Huang.

The team now have hundreds of specimens to work through, but they are confident that there are more new coral species left to describe.

"The Acropora, in particular, look highly promisingly," says Prof. Baird. "There are at least five species that look unlike anything I have seen anywhere else in my travels".

Lord Howe Island lies over 900 km south of the next major area of coral diversity, the Great Barrier Reef, and therefore the populations on Lord Howe are highly isolated. Such isolation creates the potential for speciation, however, C. salae is the first new local coral species described to date. The discovery of this new species greatly increases the conservation significance of Lord Howe Island and reinforces the need for strong management measures to protect this unique fauna.

A view of the study site in Lord Howe Island's lagoon. Credit: Prof. Andrew Baird

More information: Andrew H. Baird et al, Cyphastrea salae, a new species of hard coral from Lord Howe Island, Australia (Scleractinia, Merulinidae), ZooKeys (2017). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.662.11454 Journal information: ZooKeys
A new species of frog, the Ecuadorian rainfrog, has been discovered in Ecuador's cloud forests. Credit: Juan M. Guayasamin/Universidad San Francisco de Quito

It's not every day someone gets to say, "I've discovered a new species."

It's a claim that Colorado State University biologist Chris Funk can happily make. Funk and his collaborators, who've spent years exploring the tropical climes of South America to study the region's dizzying biodiversity, have documented a new species of rainfrog they've named the Ecuadorian rainfrog (Pristimantis ecuadorensis). The name, the researchers write, honors the "overwhelming beauty, and cultural and biological diversity," of the Republic of Ecuador, where the frog makes its home. The work is described in the journal PLOS ONE, publishing online March 22.

The discovery sprouted from a field campaign, headed by paper lead author Juan M. Guayasamin, a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), that was primarily intended to study a similar, threatened frog called the ornate rainfrog (Pristimantis ornatissimus).

"[Guayasamin], other Ecuadorian and U.S. collaborators, and I were characterizing the genetic differences among populations of the ornate rainfrog, which was thought to be a single species of frog until we uncovered one population that was strikingly different from all others and turned out to be a distinct species," said Funk, director of the Global Biodiversity Center in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) and an associate professor in the Department of Biology. The new species is considered "endangered" based on International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines, primarily due to its extremely small range, rarity, and habitat loss from agriculture and logging.

Funk and Guayasamin have been collaborators and friends for 20 years. In 2009, they discovered a species of frog in the eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador that they named Pristimantis bicantus, and they are currently involved, with other colleagues, in large-scale projects comparing temperate and tropical diversity patterns.

The tropics are known to contain many more distinct species per unit area than temperate zones like the U.S. and Canada, which together have about 110 described frog species. Ecuador, about the size of Colorado, has 570 described frog species, and counting.

A new species of frog, the Ecuadorian rainfrog, has been discovered in Ecuador's cloud forests. Credit: Juan M. Guayasamin/ Universidad San Francisco de Quito

For their study, the researchers performed genetic sampling of frogs from sites crisscrossing the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. The country boasts a Pacific coastline, the Amazon basin in the east, and the Andes mountains in its middle. DNA sequencing allowed the scientists to uncover the new frog species, which hails from the Las Pampas region, located in the Andes. In Ecuador, wildlife species tend to have extremely small ranges, the researchers say, due in part to the diversity of habitats and climates across the impressive altitudinal gradient formed by the Andes.

"We know that there's lots of undescribed biodiversity in Ecuador, so you could think this discovery is not a big deal," said Guayasamin, who has had a hand in identifying several frog species. "But this species, first of all, is spectacular-looking; secondly, it's restricted to a single site which once again emphasizes range-restricted, highly threatened biodiversity in the tropics. And lastly, its namethe Ecuadorean rain frogwill hopefully draw local and international attention to the endangered species and ecosystems of Ecuador."

A variety of processes can lead to speciationthe breaking off of new species from one lineage. One traditional theory is that a population experiences a geographic split, such as a river or a mountain range, which limits gene flow, and allows species to evolve new traits over millions of years, like size, shape and mating calls.

If the old species and the new species become different enough over time, they can become reproductively isolated, or unable to produce viable offspring. Reproductive isolation is one of the traditionally accepted taxonomic distinctions between species, Funk said. But the Ecuadorian rainfrog appears to have become a distinct species in the absence of geographic barriers, possibly due to environmental differences between low-elevation habitats, where the ornate rainfrog is found, and high-elevation habitats, where the new frog is found.

Funk is a conservation geneticist who studies evolutionary processes using new advances in genomics to inform conservation strategies. And doing research in the tropics is like "being a kid in a candy store," he said. "There is so much diversity in the regionit's the reason we get into the field. We want to make sure this diversity persists into the future. This is what gets us up in the morning, and gets us excited about what we do."

The Global Biodiversity Center in SoGES acts as a central node connecting biodiversity researchers from many colleges and departments across CSU. It also connects CSU biodiversity researchers to international conservation organizations so that CSU's expertise in biodiversity can be harnessed to improve conservation policy. The center's website includes a map that illustrates many CSU researchers doing such work, all over the world.

"There are CSU researchers doing biodiversity research across the globe, discovering species, and doing research to conserve species," Funk said. The collaboration between CSU and Universidad San Francisco de Quito is one such example. "Our work is based on mutual interests, which include research, faculty and student exchange, and long-term studies aimed to describe and protect tropical biodiversity," Guayasamin said.
For a couple of minutes in a small, nondescript T-Mobile US conference room, the future of wireless is here.

Two phone-book sized pieces of equipment stand about 8 feet apart, one representing a cell tower, the other the smartphone of the future. A nearby screen shows the transceiver is beaming download speeds that peak at 2,208 megabits per second - fast enough to grab a high-definition film in about 10 seconds - and much faster than the 12 megabits-per-second standard for LTE smartphones now.

The breakthrough is brief, though. An engineer holds up a pane of glass, positioning it between the receivers while keeping out of the way himself. The download speeds on the screen dial drop significantly; much of the signal can't pierce modern reflective, double-paned glass.

Wireless carriers and their suppliers will likely spend billions to develop fifth generation, or 5G, wireless technology, a coming update to cellular standards that's designed for superfast delivery of internet data. The technology will let users stream video to their heart's content and experience virtual reality from their phones.

Early signs are promising, T-Mobile is finding from extensive testing in its Innovation Lab tucked in an office park outside Seattle. But it's also clear how far 5G has yet to go.

T-Mobile, the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers, is a cornerstone of the wireless industry in the Seattle area, which decades ago was home to pioneering companies that went on to form components of all four major U.S. wireless carriers. T-Mobile employs about 5,500 people in the region.

The company is growing its business, pairing an aggressive marketing campaign with a build out of current-generation 4G LTE wireless technologies that have helped the wireless carrier come closer to the service quality of its larger rivals. That's important in the mature cellphone market, where the primary way for a carrier to expand is by drawing subscribers away from competitors.

To spur even more growth, T-Mobile is expanding the size and head count of its technology lab, hosting 5G trials, doing more device testing, and also setting up office space to relieve some of the crunch at the company's crowded campus down the road.

T-Mobile kept its lab, about 4 miles from its headquarters, largely closed to outside eyes over the years - and only recently added a sign to mark that the lab was there at all.

"Little old T-Mobile has actually produced and launched some global firsts," said Neville Ray, the company's chief technology officer since 2010.

"With the pace of growth that's coming from our success, we're driving capabilities that two to three years ago I think folks would have thought would be very, very difficult to achieve."

T-Mobile in February said it would aim to be the first U.S. carrier to deploy cell service relying on LTE-U - technology that uses broadcast frequencies typically meant for Wi-Fi signals.

Another of T-Mobile's recent lab inventions is the Digits feature, which allows a single phone number to ring across many devices. It also lets one phone hold multiple phone numbers.

Inside the lab's 78,000 square feet are a series of server rooms and testing pods where more than 100 employees run trials on every technology that makes its way to T-Mobile's network, from phone calls to upcoming gigabit (1,000 megabits) download speeds.

At the 5G demonstration lab, tightly controlled behind three layers of doors that require key-card entry, T-Mobile engineers and counterparts from Nokia - the builders of the hardware - test the interference created by various materials.

Drywall? The large display dial opposite the engineer holding the piece of material shows a slight dip, but the download speeds hold strong.

Less so when the engineer steps between the two receivers himself. The radio waves are almost entirely absorbed by his body.

"There's a lot to learn," said David Jones, T-Mobile's director of 5G systems architecture, including how to keep the connection strong through any material.

5G likely won't become a widespread reality until after 2020, said CTO Ray. Hurdles remain, from radio-wave spectrum allocation to 5G-capable hardware to the consistent performance of the technology.

AT&T will test a version of 5G technology, without the promised peak speeds, in Austin, Texas, and Indianapolis this year.

Verizon has also moved into the testing phase, and recently announced it will conduct 5G field trials in a few cities, including Seattle, this year. The tests will be for fixed wireless - essentially a replacement for home broadband internet.

T-Mobile is taking a different approach. Fixed wireless and 5G, Ray said, are "not a match made in heaven." It's too limited, he said, and 5G could be better used to transform how people use their mobile phones.

"We're far more excited about what 5G can do for mobile consumers," he said. The company envisions people experiencing virtual reality and other applications that require superfast data speeds on the go.

That vision is partly a result of T-Mobile's status as a wireless-only firm. In contrast, Verizon and AT&T, the top two U.S. wireless network operators, also have invested in areas such as home broadband as well as television and original content.

T-Mobile, majority owned by Germany's Deutsche Telekom, can be more focused in its 5G trials, but it also has less cash to work with. U.S. wireless companies don't break out their outlays for research and development initiatives, but spending on buildings, machinery and other assets offers a clue.

T-Mobile shelled out $4.7 billion in such capital expenditures in 2016. AT&T spent $22 billion, and Verizon laid out $17 billion.

Grant Castle, a vice president at T-Mobile who oversees the lab, says the company has built a reputation as a fast follower, quickly latching onto promising new technologies developed by others and helping bring them to market.

Often that requires troubleshooting and software work with the likes of Nokia and Ericsson, the Nordic companies that build much of the hardware that makes up the backbone of wireless networks.

"A lot of these technologies that companies bring to us don't work at all - we co-develop a lot of it," Castle said. "We push it forward as quickly as we can."

Ray emphasizes there's still a lot of progress to be made with current LTE technology.

Gigabit download speeds over LTE could be coming in a limited fashion later this year, when upgraded phones are released.

It's already working in one of T-Mobile's testing pods, which resembles a large walk-in refrigerator without the chill.

Principal engineer Dinesh Kumar controls the signals being beamed into a handset locked inside a metal box. The shielding protects against extraneous radio signals that might interfere with the lab tests, as well as prying eyes. The smartphone model inside hasn't been revealed to consumers.

Slowly turning knobs, he activates four antennas, transmitting a signal to four antennas within the phone. A screen indicates that download speeds have reached 996 megabits per second, just short of a gigabit.

"We're not sitting around crunching numbers," Ray said. "We're pushing forward."

-

T-Mobile US

Headquarters: Bellevue, Wash. (outside Seattle)

CEO: John Legere

Local employees: 5,500

Total employees: About 50,000

Subscribers: 71.5 million

2016 revenue: $37.2 billion

2016 profit: $1.5 billion

Source: T-Mobile US

-

What's in a G

G, which stands for "generation," is used to identify different periods of cellular-connection standards.

1G: Handled phone calls, used when cellphones still looked like bricks.

2G: Text messaging is added. And teenagers rejoiced.

3G: Users can finally download pictures and surf the web. Smartphones are now a reality.

4G LTE: Might even be faster than a home Wi-Fi connection.

5G: Coming around 2020, blazing fast speeds.

2017 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
These are Muriqui monkeys inhabiting a federally-protected reserve in southeastern Brazil, called RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala. UW-Madison Professor Karen Strier, has studied the critically-endangered muriqui monkeys in this patch of Brazil's Atlantic Forest since 1983. A recent and unprecedented outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, yellow fever, has killed thousands of monkeys in the region, including nearly all of the muriqui's main competitors, brown howler monkeys. Credit: Carla Possamai, Muriqui Project of Caratinga

In a vulnerable forest in southeastern Brazil, where the air was once thick with the guttural chatter of brown howler monkeys, there now exists silence.

Yellow fever, a virus carried by mosquitoes and endemic to Africa and South America, has robbed the private, federally-protected reserve of its brown howlers in an unprecedented wave of death that has swept through the region since late 2016, killing thousands of monkeys.

Karen Strier, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of anthropology, has studied the monkeys of this forest since 1983. She visited the reserveher long-term study site near the city of Caratingain the state of Minas Gerais, in January of 2017. "It was just silence, a sense of emptiness," she says. "It was like the energy was sucked out of the universe."

Using what in some cases are decades of historical data, Strier and a team of Brazilian scientists focused on studying primates in Brazil's patchwork Atlantic Forest are poised to help understand and manage what happens next. They have never seen monkeys perish in such numbers, so quickly, from disease.

With her Brazilian counterpart Sergio Lucena Mendes, a professor of animal biology at the Universidade Federal de Espirito Santo, and their former postdoctoral researcher, Carla Possamai, Strier is ready to census the monkeys that remain at the reserve, comparing the new data to prior censuses performed in the forest. They also plan to study how the surviving brown howler monkeys regroup and restructure their societies, since their existing social groups have been destroyed.

Strier's study forest, just 4 square miles in size, is a land-locked island of green surrounded by agricultural and pasture lands. How yellow fever showed up here is a mystery, and the monkeys in the forest have nowhere else to go. Less than 10 percent of Brazil's Atlantic Forest remains intact and much of it exists only as small patches in a fragmented landscape.

"I am very surprised at the speed with which the outbreak is advancing through the landscape and by how the virus can jump from one patch of forest to another, even if they are hundreds of meters apart," says Mendes. "It is also surprising that it is spreading across such a large geographic region."

The way yellow fever has spread also concerns Brazilian health officials. As of mid-March 2017, they have confirmed more than 400 human cases of the disease, mostly in Minas Gerais, causing nearly 150 human deaths. The Brazilian Ministry of Health is investigating another 900 possible cases and concern is mounting that it will spread to cities, threatening many more people.

Brazilian authorities also want to protect the monkeys from people who fear the animals may be spreading the disease. "We need to show that they help inform when the virus arrives in a region, because being more sensitive than humans, they die first," Mendes explains.

A dead monkey is like a canary in a coal mine, alerting public health officials that a pathogen may be present, mobilizing preventative and precautionary efforts. So, what does it mean when so many have perished?

In the first segment of this video, a brown howler monkey displays his or her guttural call in a federally-protected reserve in southeastern Brazil called RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala. In the second segment, muriqui monkeys roam the forest floor. Credit, part 1: Jefferson Cordeiro, Muriqui Project of Caratinga. Credit, part 2: K.B. Strier, Muriqui Project of Caratinga. - See more at: http://news.wisc.edu/yellow-fever-killing-thousands-of-monkeys-in-brazil/#sthash.wREtuBXr.dpuf

"No one really knows the consequences for the other primates or the forest when nearly the entire population of an abundant species dies from disease in just a few months," says Strier. "We are in a position to learn things we never knew before, with all the background information that we have collected."

Nearly two decades ago, Strier helped expand and secure protection for the primates at her study forest, which include four monkey species: the brown howler, the black capuchin, the buffy-headed marmoset and, Strier's animal of interest, the critically-endangered northern muriqui.

It is too soon to say whether the howler monkey population can recover but Strier remains optimistic, in large part because of a career spent studying and helping conserve the brown howler's main competitor, the muriquis. "The muriquis have shown us that it's possible for small populations of primates to recover if they are well-protected," says Strier.

When she first arrived at her study forest, known as RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, there were just 50 muriquis. By September 2016, there were nearly 340, representing one-third of the species' total known population. The animals reside in just 10 forests in southeastern Brazil and nowhere else in the world. Strier's efforts and those of her colleagues have helped restore their numbers.

She is relieved that, so far, the muriquis appear to be less susceptible to yellow fever. "It was really tensescaryto go into the forest, knowing the howlers were gone but not knowing how bad things might also be for the muriquis," Strier recalls.

Her long-term studies have revealed that muriquis have a lifespan of more than 40 years and she has known some of the individual muriquis in the forest their entire lives. Strier can recognize individuals based on natural differences in their fur and facial markings.

Now, in the face of ecological tragedy, she and her colleagues have an opportunity to study how the muriquis adapt in a forest nearly devoid of their competitors.

"It's like a controlled natural experiment, but one you would never plan to do," Strier says. "My happy hypothesis is that the muriquis are out foraging, feasting on all the best fruits and leaves that the howlers used to eat. Will they eat more of their favorite foods, or travel less? Will their social order change? Will they form smaller groups?"

She has documented that kind of behavioral flexibility before. In the late 1980s and early 90s, the muriquis began splitting into smaller groups. In the early 2000s, as their population grew, they began spending more time on the ground, rather than in the trees, often consuming fallen fruits and even half-eaten "leftovers" under the trees.

"I feel like I am 20 years old again" she says. "I have so many questions that are important to answer, for the primates, their Atlantic forest habitat, and for the people that share their world."
Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether 

Read more
(Bloomberg) -- China Southern Airlines Co., Asias biggest carrier by passengers, is in advanced talks to sell a stake to American Airlines Group Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

The negotiations focus on an investment of about $200 million by Fort Worth, Texas-based American in China Southerns Hong Kong-listed shares, said the people, asking not to be identified as talks are confidential. The sale likely would take place through a private placement, one of the people said. China Southern has a market value of about $10 billion.

Bringing in the worlds largest carrier as a partner will help the Guangzhou-based airline expand its network through code-sharing as it adds more destinations. The tie-up will help American strengthen its presence in a market that the International Air Transport Association predicts will surpass the U.S. to become the worlds biggest in terms of passenger numbers by 2024. Delta Air Lines Inc. acquired a minority stake in China Eastern Airlines Corp. in 2015.

Under the discussions, American would nominate an observer without voting rights to the Chinese companys board, the people said. Details of a deal are subject to change and a transaction could still fall through.

A spokesman for American Airlines declined to comment. China Southern representatives couldnt immediately comment. Trading in the shares of the Chinese carrier was suspended in Hong Kong and Shanghai Thursday, pending an announcement of a possible major strategic cooperation, according to an exchange filing.

Beyond Beijing

China Southerns stock has gained 35 percent this year in Hong Kong, compared with an 11 percent advance in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.

The deal would allow China Southern and American Air to expand their presence in each others home markets without being constrained by the limit on air rights, said Su Baoliang, an analyst at Sinolink Securities Co. in Beijing. With the partnership, American Air can reach beyond Beijing and Shanghai to cities like Chengdu and Urumqi, he said.

Story continues

For a Gadfly piece dissecting the transaction, click here.

A China Southern stake sale would represent the Chinese governments efforts to diversify ownership of state-controlled enterprises. Authorities have urged firms in industries including power, energy, defense and aviation to take measures this year to broaden ownership.

Shares of China Eastern and flagship Air China Ltd. rallied Thursday on optimism efforts to allow more private investors will intensify, Sinolinks Su said. China Eastern jumped as much as 6.9 percent in Hong Kong, the biggest intraday gain in three months. Air China rose 5.1 percent, the best intraday performance since June 20.

Plane Orders

China Southern needs to boost its presence in the nations main hubs like Beijing and Shanghai as Guangzhou may not get as many international passengers, Su said. The airline and its subsidiaries have ordered more than $15 billion of new aircraft from Boeing Co. and Airbus Group SE since 2015 as more people fly in the worlds most populous nation.

China Southern and Delta are members of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. American is in the competing Oneworld group, which doesnt have a China-based partner. Such alliances make it easier for passengers to fly around the world by combining schedules through one carrier and allowing travelers to accrue and use frequent-flier miles across airlines. China Eastern also is a SkyTeam member. A Delta spokesman declined to comment.

American closed little changed at $40.35 in New York on Wednesday, leaving the shares down 14 percent this year.

Viable Slots

China Southern is the last of the nations top three airlines to bring in a non-mainland Chinese strategic investor. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., which is based in Hong Kong, owns about 18 percent of Air China. Besides Delta, Shanghai-based China Eastern also counts online travel-services provider Ctrip.com International Ltd. among its shareholders.

American recently received a six-month extension, until September, to begin flights between Los Angeles and Beijing because it was unable to secure viable slots from the Chinese government.

The airline connects 350 destinations in 50 countries, mostly in North America, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. It has flights from major U.S. cities to Beijing and Shanghai. China Southern -- with a fleet of 684 aircraft as of June 2016, the largest in Asia -- flies to 208 destinations across 40 countries and has been expanding on routes to Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

(Updates with rally in Air China and China Eastern in ninth paragraph.)

--With assistance from Mary Schlangenstein and Michael Sasso

To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Dong Lyu in Beijing at dlyu3@bloomberg.net, Steven Yang in Beijing at kyang74@bloomberg.net, Jonathan Browning in Hong Kong at jbrowning9@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sam Nagarajan at samnagarajan@bloomberg.net, Jessica Zhou at jzhou75@bloomberg.net, Ben Scent at bscent@bloomberg.net, Tony Robinson, Bruce Rule

2017 Bloomberg L.P.
By Jonathan Saul and Keith Wallis LONDON/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has ordered top executives from several container shipping lines to testify in an antitrust investigation over practices by an industry that is the backbone of world trade, the companies said on Wednesday. The world's biggest container group, Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk , together with second largest line MSC of Switzerland, Germany's Hapag Lloyd , Taiwan-based Evergreen and Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) said their executives were among those who had been subpoenaed. None offered details on what exactly was being sought by the U.S. authorities, although OOCL said its subpoena called for the production of documents. The subpoenas were issued during a meeting of top container shipping executives last week in San Francisco. They are members of the International Council of Containership Operators, commonly known as the Box Club. "We can confirm that we conducted an operation," an FBI spokesman in San Francisco told Reuters on Wednesday. "It is part of an ongoing investigation and we are unable to release any additional details at this point." The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment. Container lines, which transport everything from TVs to bananas, have tried to save money by setting up alliances to pool their ships' sailing schedules and port calls. Critics say this can lead to reduced services and increased prices for customers. The U.S. inquiry follows ones by other jurisdictions including South Africa and the European Union. These have examined pricing practices by the sector, which is still struggling with its worst slump and has seen companies going to the wall due to a glut of ships and sluggish global economic growth. Such investigations could result in large fines at a time when the firms are still struggling to cut costs. In July last year, EU anti-trust regulators accepted an offer from Maersk and 13 competitors to change their pricing practices in order to stave off possible fines. Previous inquiries by the U.S. Justice Department had looked into price fixing within the shipping industry, which has resulted indictments of various executives. Sydbank analyst Morten Imsgard said such investigations had become "almost everyday life" in the shipping industry and lines had to take them seriously, given the risk of fines. "What can be severe is that every time authorities dig into this it might result in tighter regulation," Imsgard said. "The industry needs co-operation and alliances. So, if a tightening of the possibilities to form partnerships across the industry makes it harder to consolidate, it will be more difficult to get a more profitable industry." Shares in Hapag dropped 6 percent to 28.5 euros earlier on Wednesday, while Moller-Maersk shares declined 3 percent to 11,390 Danish crowns. South Korea's Hanjin Shipping was declared bankrupt in February after it collapsed last year, sending sent shockwaves through the container industry. In September South African authorities raided some of the worlds biggest container lines on suspicion of colluding to inflate rates on shipping routes. GLOBAL TRADE The United States is concerned that the proposed alliances of several major companies, covering about 45 percent of all global shipping capacity, could lead to anti-competitive behaviour. This could slow global trade as about 90 percent of the world's traded goods by volume and over 60 percent by value - $4 trillion - is transported by sea on container ships. The rest is on other vessels such as oil or gas tankers. Spokesmen for Maersk Line and Hapag Lloyd said that the subpoenas did not set out any specific allegations, adding that the companies would fully cooperate with authorities. MSC said several lines including itself received subpoenas last week from the Department of Justice, declining further comment at this stage "due to the ongoing nature of the investigation". OOCL and Evergreen also confirmed they were involved. "OOCL has received a subpoena from the Department of Justice Antitrust Division calling for the production of documents. OOCL intends to comply fully with the subpoena," said Stephen Ng, OOCL Director of Trades. The Evergreen spokesman said: "We are cooperating with the authorities in this matter. Evergreen's policy is to conduct business in compliance with applicable competition laws. The Hapag Lloyd spokesman said its planned merger with United Arab Shipping Company would not be affected by the inquiry. ALLIANCES IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Justice Department has raised concerns over possible anti-competitive behaviour by container shippers with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) after shippers sought approval to form the Ocean and THE alliances. The proposed Ocean Alliance involves CMA CGM with APL, China Cosco Shipping, Evergreen and Orient Overseas Container Lines while THE alliance is planned between Hapag Lloyd-UASC, Yang Ming Marine, Mitsui OSK Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and NYK Lines. In a letter to the FMC in September, Renata Hesse, acting assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's antitrust division, urged it to prohibit or insist on changes to the Ocean Alliance agreement. "The parties to the proposed agreement are seeking to undertake joint activities that are likely to reduce competition and also may be inconsistent" with the U.S. shipping act, Hesse said in the letter, which was published on the Justice Department website. The Hong Kong Shippers' Council, which represents manufacturers and exporters, said it welcomed the inquiry. "We look forward to hearing their result, chairman Willy Lin said. (Additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Matthias Inverardi in Duesseldorf and Komal Khettry in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Pullin, Anna Willard and David Stamp)
By Emily Chow

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Reuters) - Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd, a Malaysian palm plantation operator, is in talks with several companies, including Chinese firms, to establish partnerships to expand its distribution networks and finance facilities.

Felda Global Chief Executive Officer Zakaria Arshad told Reuters on Wednesday that the company was looking for a partnership rather than investors, without naming any company.

A local Malaysian newspaper reported on Monday that state-run China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) and Malaysian business tycoon Syed Mokhtar Albukhary were keen on buying stakes in Felda Global. The company's shares soared 14 percent following the report.

"We are looking for a business partner for a long term partnership. However if this partner wants to buy a stake in the open market, there is nothing I can do," Zakaria said.

He said the Felda Global was "currently talking to a few Chinese companies" but that he was also eyeing India, Middle East and North Africa.

A partnership is expected to be finalised in the next one to two months, he said.

Felda Global Ventures, the world's third-largest palm plantation operator, has lost about 60 percent of its value since it listed on the Malaysian stock market in 2012.

Zakaria said he is looking for ways to improve the profitability of the company's products through a partnership.

"We are seeing how we can distribute products, how we are going to establish facilities in the consumers' country," said Zakaria.

"We want them (partners) to input money, to build tanks for example. We want to invest and grow together," he said. (Editing by A.Ananthalakshmi and Christian Schmollinger)
The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to crush the jihadists Wednesday at a meeting overshadowed by an attack in London and civilian deaths in Syria. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed his counterparts from the mainly Western and Arab 68-nation alliance to Washington with a promise to hunt down IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. But he also warned the coalition is "not in the business of nation-building or reconstruction," amid concerns President Donald Trump is preparing to slash the US foreign aid budget. Meanwhile, even as the ministers gathered at the State Department, news was breaking of the latest coalition air strike to have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in northern Syria. Then, as the delegates talked, reports came in from London about an attack on pedestrians and police outside the British parliament. Four people were killed and 40 injured in the assault that police attributed to "Islamist-related terrorism." Tillerson met with Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson after the coalition summit, but a joint press appearance was cancelled at the last minute. In a statement released after the meeting, the 68 partners underlined their "determination to intensify and accelerate... efforts to eliminate ISIS" in Iraq, Syria and beyond. They hailed progress by US-backed local forces against the group's main strongholds in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian capital of its so-called "caliphate," Raqa. And, as they predicted victory on the battlefield, they vowed to prevent the group's fleeing fighters from spreading instability or from setting up a propaganda base in cyber space. - 'Increase pressure' on IS - Tillerson said the US and its allies would help clear mines and establish stability in the aftermath of the fighting, but warned Iraq must lead its own reconstruction. The strategy he outlined did not differ much from that in place under the previous US administration of president Barack Obama, but he did suggest a new plan for regional truces in Syria. He admitted that "a more defined course of action in Syria is still coming together." But he added: "The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability through ceasefires to allow refugees to go home." Under Trump, the United States is seeking to ban refugees from Syria, which would increase pressure on Syria's neighbors, already all but overwhelmed by millions fleeing the carnage. Some in Washington want "safe zones" to be set up to house those fleeing both the war against the IS group and the bloodier civil conflict between rebels and Bashar al-Assad's regime. But little detail has emerged as to how these might work. On the battlefield, things are clearer, for now. As US-led special forces and planes, Iraqi forces and Syrian militia groups close in Mosul and Raqa, the talk is of tracking down the Islamic State's mysterious leader. "Nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson told delegates. "It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate," he vowed. - 'Global force of evil' - This month, a US defense official told reporters that Baghdadi had fled Mosul -- which has been encircled by Iraqi forces -- and is cut off from day-to-day command of his fighters. "The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasize the word commitment," Tillerson said. Trump has ordered his generals to craft an accelerated strategy to "eradicate" the IS group, and the allies hoped to learn more during the closed-door discussions and follow-up talks. But Trump's plan to slash more than a quarter from the US budgets for diplomacy and foreign aid has raised eyebrows, suggesting fewer resources for post-conflict stabilization. The allies are also impatient for Washington to decide on which force will be used to take Raqa. US forces have been training and supporting a group called the Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia alliance dominated by the Kurdish YPG that has proved effective north of the city. But key US ally Turkey regards the YPG as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which it dubs "terrorist," and wants to use a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel force instead. Diplomatic wrangling over which unit will take the lead has held up the offensive, despite US reinforcements heading to the area to provide special forces and artillery support. "I know it's a difficult choice. The Americans are asking their allies for more time," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after the meeting. "I hope the answer won't take too long. It's urgent," he added. - 'Obliterate' - Shortly after taking office in late January, Trump gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress in the anti-IS fight and develop a comprehensive plan to "totally obliterate" the group. So far, he has largely stuck with the previous strategy of using US-led forces for surveillance and strikes on jihadist targets, while training and equipping local ground combat forces. But Trump has made some tweaks, including granting commanders broader authority to make battlefield decisions. Military officers had complained of micromanagement under Obama, but critics worry the military may now risk actions with a greater likelihood of civilian deaths. On Wednesday, a suspected coalition air raid hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families between Raqa and Tabqa, an IS-controlled town further west. Some 33 civilians are feared dead, and the Pentagon promised to investigate whether US-led forces were at fault.
By Saad Sayeed ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan will punish social media companies that fail to take action against online blasphemy, the interior minister said on Wednesday, adding that he had requested a meeting with Facebook. Pakistan's government wants social media networks to remove material deemed insulting to Islam or the Prophet Mohammad, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week warned those posting such content would be "strictly punished." "(Blasphemy) is not only a problem for Pakistan. This is an issue about the honor of every Muslim," said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is also seeking to meet ambassadors from other Muslim countries to tackle the problem. "If we do not get a response from social media, I do not care about anyone, there is nothing greater than our faith. If social media and especially international social media stays on this route then we will have to take strong action regarding social media." He did not specify what action might be taken. Those convicted of blasphemy can face the death penalty under Pakistani law. Right groups say the law is frequently abused in a country where Islam is a highly sensitive subject, and where even rumors of blasphemy have sparked deadly riots. Facebook is the most popular social network in Pakistan. Khan said the company was "ready to send a delegation to Pakistan" and would do so once a date was agreed. Facebook could not be immediately reached for comment. However, a report by the company on Pakistani government requests for data lists 25 pieces of content being restricted between January and June 2016. "Based on legal requests from the Pakistan Telecom Authority, we restricted access to content for allegedly violating local laws prohibiting blasphemy, desecration of the national flag, and condemnation of the country's independence," reads the Facebook page on Pakistan. According to analytics data from Facebook's website, the social media app has about 25-30 million active users in Pakistan, where internet penetration remains poor. Facebook's Instagram unit and rival Twitter are also popular. The ruling PML-N party's tough talk against blasphemy will appeal to its conservative voter base ahead of elections likely to take place next year. At least 65 people, including lawyers, defendants and judges, have been murdered over blasphemy allegations since 1990, according to figures from a Center for Research and Security Studies report and local media. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Edited by Vin Shahrestani)
The world's biggest watch fair will open in Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a market rebound. Global exports of Swiss watches slid 10 percent in February to 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion, 1.4 billion euros), the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) said Tuesday. The news cast a shadow over the looming Baselworld trade fair, which opens its doors to the media on Wednesday and to the public a day later. The giant gathering in the northern Swiss city of Basel is the highlight of the year for watch and jewellery makers, with hoards of retailers looking to fill their showcases with pricey bling. Investors had been hoping this year's 45th edition would open on a more positive note amid signs that the market was stabilising and even on the verge of a rebound after two years of deep crisis. Citigroup analyst Thomas Chauvet described Tuesday's export numbers as a "reality check". He said the figures showed there was "no underlying improvement" in the industry, despite a more "upbeat mood" from senior watch executives, and a more optimistic tone from the FHS in its January release. Exports to Hong Kong, the biggest market for Swiss watches, slumped 12.1 percent last month. And exports to the United States, the second biggest market, plunged 26.2 percent. Most European markets also fell, and sales to Japan tumbled 17.3 percent. Exports to China, however, rose 6.7 percent year-on-year in February. That represents some much-needed good news for the industry -- China was the main driver of several years of euphoric growth for Swiss watches, with Chinese consumers' thirst for luxury goods sparking a production boom. But the market suffered a severe hit after Beijing in 2013 began cracking down on corruption by banning extravagant gifts like expensive watches to public officials. And since then the storm clouds have multiplied, with the pro-democracy Umbrella protests in Hong Kong also chipping away at sales, followed by a range of deadly terrorist attacks in European cities frightening off luxury-seeking Asian tourists. In 2016, Swiss watch exports shrank 9.9 percent, after contracting 3.3 percent a year earlier. But in recent months, there were some indications the market was stabilising. Exports to China gradually inched back into positive terrain during the second half of 2016, and a number of markets around the world put on a healthy glow during the holiday season at the end of the year. Watch makers themselves have also been making increasingly soothing sounds about the health of the market and justifying production hikes. Swatch Group chief Nick Hayek told reporters last week that he was now aiming for "healthy growth", driven particularly by China's growing middle class, which he said once again appeared hungry for consumption. With uncertainty abound, Baselworld, which each year draws around 1,500 exhibitors and some 150,000 visitors, should help gauge the actual state of the luxury watch market.
A fifth round of UN-backed Syria peace talks begins Thursday in Geneva with scant hope of a breakthrough against a backdrop of fighting in Damascus and no sign of compromise. The last session in February may have produced a "clear agenda", according to UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, but the regime and rebels oppose each other on all its points. The talks aim to find a solution to end a six-year conflict that has killed more than 320,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. This round's agenda includes the issues of governance -- a political transition -- the constitution and elections, as well as counter-terrorism at the request of Damascus. The United Nations said on Tuesday that all sides who had already attended the last round of negotiations in February had confirmed their attendance for this week. "These will be 'proxy talks', direct talks have been excluded," a Western source close to the negotiations told AFP. De Mistura, who wants the three main topics to be discussed "in parallel", will be in charge of mediating, the source said. But his task will be tough as, according to analysts and diplomats, neither the opposition nor the regime is likely to make concessions. The opposition has since 2011 called for Assad to step down, but the president refuses. And the Damascus regime, which describes the rebels as "terrorists", wants the issue of "counter-terrorism" to be given priority at the negotiations. - 'Tough' talks - "There's no hope in my view," Syria specialist Thomas Pierret said. "The regime continues to gain ground... There's no reason for it to make the slightest concession." Since Russia's military intervention in support of Assad in 2015, the regime has gained the upper hand, claiming a series of victories against the rebels and jihadists. Noah Bonsey, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, said this made Damascus unlikely to make concessions. "The regime, unwilling to compromise when it was losing ground militarily, is even less likely to do so now that it has momentum," he said. Regime troops retook the whole of Syria's second city Aleppo in December, in a major blow to the rebels and in what analysts described as a "turning point" in the war. "These negotiations are tough," a French diplomatic source said. "The opposition is fractured and over the past months we have seen a slow deterioration of the balance of power to its disadvantage." Both sides accuse each other of a lack of commitment to finding a solution. Yehya Aridi, one of the advisers to the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) main opposition group, said the regime was being "stubborn". "There's little hope due to the stubbornness of the other side, which doesn't really want to find a solution," he said. He accused the regime of using a strategy of years of bombing and siege to obtain the surrender and "submission" of fighters in rebel-held areas. But Bassam Abu Abdallah, an analyst who is close to the regime, said the regional allies of the opposition were the ones hindering the peace talks. - No US involvement - "For the first time there is a clear agenda. But each time there's any political progress, fighters linked to regional powers carry out new attacks," the head of the Damascus Centre for Strategic Studies said. He was referring to rebels and allied jihadists pressing an attack since Sunday in east Damascus in one of the most violent offensives on the capital in two years. Delegations from both sides are due to arrive in Switzerland on Wednesday, to be welcomed by de Mistura's deputy, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy. The Syria envoy is currently visiting key powers shaping the conflict -- including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey -- before returning to Geneva to lead the talks. Moscow and Ankara brokered a fragile Syria ceasefire in force since December 30 last year. During the last round, Russian pressure on the Syrian regime seemed to have paid off when Damascus for the first time publicly announced it was prepared to discuss de Mistura's three key talking points of governance, constitution and elections. But on the opposition side, the new administration of US President Donald Trump has so far not given any sign of being involved in seeking a solution to the Syrian conflict. "The vision of the United States is not yet clear... and a solution in Syria will only happen on the back of a deal between Russia and the US," said Abu Abdallah of the Damascus Centre.
Turkey Wednesday stepped up its objections to US restrictions on large electronic devices on flights from some airports in the country and other regional hubs, saying it punished travellers instead of tackling the problem.

"It would be better to take measures together against those who are a threat instead of punishing normal passengers," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a visit to Washington.

"If there are concerns over security, our departments should come together and take the necessary measures. This work cannot be done with bans," Cavusoglu added, quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu.

Britain and the United States on Tuesday banned laptops and tablet computers from the passenger compartment of flights from Turkey as well as several Middle East and North African nations.

Cavusoglu stressed these "temporary" measures should instead be replaced by "permanent and the most effective" measures, without giving detail.

"America's or other allies' concerns are our concerns," he added.

The US ban affects eight countries including Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Morocco.

His comments come after Turkish Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said Ankara would ask the US to reverse the ban.

Arslan sent a letter to his US counterpart Elaine Chao, local media reported on Wednesday, in which he urged Ankara and Istanbul airports to be removed from the ruling.

"Turkey adheres to international rules on security," Arslan wrote, NTV broadcaster said.

US officials warned that terrorists are seeking "innovative" ways to attack airliners with smaller explosive devices hidden in consumer electronics larger than smartphones.

Although no US carriers are affected by the ban, airlines hit include flag-carrier Turkish Airlines, the country's largest exporter by foreign sales volume, whose profits have already been hit by a series of terror attacks last year.

The British ban affects all the airports in six countries -- Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.

raz/sjw/ric
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
By Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi and Michael Georgy LONDON/ANKARA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is sending advanced weapons and military advisers to Yemen's rebel Houthi movement, stepping up support for its Shi'ite ally in a civil war whose outcome could sway the balance of power in the Middle East, regional and Western sources say. Iran's enemy Saudi Arabia is leading a Sunni Arab coalition fighting the Houthis in the impoverished state on the tip of the Arabian peninsula - part of the same regional power struggle that is fuelling the war in Syria. Sources with knowledge of the military movements, who declined to be identified, said that in recent months Iran has taken a greater role in the two-year-old conflict by stepping up arms supplies and other support. This mirrors the strategy it has used to support its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in Syria. A senior Iranian official said Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force - the external arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - met top IRGC officials in Tehran last month to look at ways to "empower" the Houthis. "At this meeting, they agreed to increase the amount of help, through training, arms and financial support," the official said. "Yemen is where the real proxy war is going on and winning the battle in Yemen will help define the balance of power in the Middle East." Iran rejects accusations from Saudi Arabia that it is giving financial and military support to the Houthis in the struggle for Yemen, blaming the deepening crisis on Riyadh. But Iran's actions in Yemen seem to reflect the growing influence of hardliners in Tehran, keen to pre-empt a tougher policy towards Iran signalled by U.S. President Donald Trump. Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, spokesman for the Arab coalition fighting the Houthis, told Reuters: "We don't lack information or evidence that the Iranians, by various means, are smuggling weapons into the area. "We observe that the Kornet anti-tank weapon is on the ground, whereas before it wasn't in the arsenal of the Yemeni army or of the Houthis. It came later." A Houthi leader said coalition accusations that Iran was smuggling weapons into Yemen were an attempt to cover up Saudi Arabia's failure to prevail in an intractable war in which at least 10,000 people have been killed and the country is on the brink of famine. "The Saudis don't want to admit their failings so they are searching for false justifications ... after two years of the aggression that the United States and Britain are involved in," the Houthi leader, who declined to be named, told Reuters. Iran's activities have alarmed Sunni Muslim countries in the Middle East, with one senior official from a neighbouring country saying: "We want Iran to stop exporting Shi'ism in the region, whether in Yemen or elsewhere." Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to back President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after he was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Houthis. Government forces in the south and east hold most of Yemen's territory, while the Houthis control most population centres in the northwest, including Sanaa. A former senior Iranian security official said Iran's hardline rulers planned to empower Houthi militia in Yemen to "strengthen their hand in the region". "They are planning to create a Hezbollah-like militia in Yemen. To confront Riyadh's hostile policies ... Iran needs to use all its cards," the former official said. A Western diplomat in the Middle East agreed: "Iran has long been trying to cultivate portions of the Houthi militias as a disruptive force in Yemen. "This is not to say that the Houthis are Hezbollah, but they do not need to be to achieve Iran's goals, which is to encircle the Saudis, expand its influence and power projection in the region and develop levers of unconventional pressure." A spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office said it was "concerned by Iranian support to the Houthis, including reports that Iran has transferred weapons to Yemen which would be contrary to a UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and the Security Councils embargo on the export of weapons by Iran". SHIPPING SUPPLIES Sources say Iran is using ships to deliver supplies to Yemen either directly or via Somalia, bypassing coalition efforts to intercept shipments. Western sources say once the ships arrive in the region, the cargoes are transferred to small fishing boats, which are hard to spot because they are so common in these waters. Favoured areas are believed to include fishing coves around the port of Mukalla, even though that would require smuggled men or equipment to make a long risky journey to the main Houthi-controlled districts. The coalition ejected al Qaeda from the area last year, but still cannot prevent the smuggling of weapons and people, according to sources familiar with the waters. The Arab coalition's General Asseri acknowledged the difficulties of policing 2,700 km of coastline around Yemen. "You cannot observe this length of coast even if you bring in all the navies of the world," he said. "If we stop movement of those small boats, this will affect fishing by normal people." From September 2015 until March 2016, the French and Australian navies frequently intercepted weapons which officials said were most likely bound for the Houthis. A U.S. defence official said Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis had continued apace since March last year, when the seizures stopped. The equipment included long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into Saudi Arabia. "There is no plausible explanation for these weapons' appearance other than outside assistance. We assess that assistance has likely come from Iran," the U.S. official said. Nic Jenzen-Jones, a military arms specialist and director of Armament Research Services, which has tracked Iranian equipment ending up in Yemen, also said quantities had increased. "We have seen some more success in sea-based transfers over the last few months and I suspect the general uptick in the frequency of Iranian arms that we are documenting is partially a result of more successful deliveries by sea," Jenzen-Jones said. DEVASTATING IMPACT In a study of Iranian technology transfers to Yemen released on Wednesday, Conflict Armament Research (CAR) said it had evidence showing that the Qasef-1 UAV drone was made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction in contrast to Houthi statements. The drones were used by the Houthis and forces aligned to ex-Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh to target coalition missile defence systems in kamikaze attacks, the monitoring group said. It said this showed the Houthis' ability to use cheap technology against the coalition's sophisticated military assets. Evidence of the kind of equipment suspected of being used by the Houthis has emerged in recent attacks. On Jan. 30, a Saudi frigate was attacked near the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, in an operation that Saudi official media blamed on the Houthis. The U.S. Navy said an unmanned remote-controlled boat laden with explosives rammed the Saudi vessel in the first known strike by a "drone" attack boat, and the Houthis had likely used technology supplied by Iran. In another development this month, a Yemeni government source told Reuters a coast guard boat was destroyed near al-Mokha by mines laid by the Houthis. Jenzen-Jones said the quality of Iranian munitions had improved of late. "Recent transfers of arms and munitions have also included Iranian Ababil series UAVs (drones), fitted with high explosive warheads and used by Houthis to engage high-value targets, such as radar and Patriot missile batteries," he said. Anti-ship and man-portable missiles were also suspected to have been transferred, he said. In addition to the weapons, Iranian and regional sources said Tehran was providing Afghan and Shi'ite Arab specialists to train Houthi units and act as logistical advisers. These included Afghans who had fought in Syria under Qods Force commanders. Reuters has reported this same covert approach was used in Syria in 2014 before Iran took a more open role in that war. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi and Jonathan Saul, additional reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Sanaa and William Maclean in Dubai; editing by Giles Elgood and Anna Willard)
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
FILE - This May 8, 2014 file photo shows Emirates passenger planes at Dubai airport in United Arab Emirates. The U.S. government is temporarily barring passengers on certain flights originating in eight other countries from bringing most types of electronics in their carry-on luggage. A U.S. official tells The Associated Press that the ban beginning Tuesday, March 21, 2017, affects airports in 10 cities of Cairo in Egypt; Amman in Jordan; Kuwait City in Kuwait; Casablanca in Morocco; Doha in Qatar; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Istanbul in Turkey; and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

CAIRO (AP)  The Latest developments related to the U.S. government move to bar passengers in eight Muslim-majority countries from bringing laptops and other electronics onboard direct flights to the United States (all times local):

10:15 p.m.

Jordan's national carrier says it will begin to restrict most electronics equipment, including laptops, on direct flights to the U.S., in line with new rules set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, starting Friday.

Royal Jordanian flies from the Jordanian capital of Amman to New York, Chicago and Detroit.

Homeland Security announced Tuesday that passengers on U.S.-bound flights at 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa will not be permitted to keep electronics bigger than a cellphone in their carry-ons and will have to check them with their luggage.

The airlines have until early Saturday to implement the rules or face being barred from flying to the U.S.

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9:15 p.m.

An official at Beirut's Rafik Hariri Airport says passengers heading to Britain will be prohibited from carrying electronics other than mobile phones as of Saturday.

The official says Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, and British Airways will implement the ban as they are the only carriers that fly between Beirut and London.

The official spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

There are no direct flights between Beirut and north America.

--Bassem Mroue in Beirut

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6:40 p.m.

Royal Air Maroc says it is analyzing new rules set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security restricting electronics onboard some flights.

The airline, Morocco's national carrier, is one of many affected by the Trump administration's tightening of security measures.

The carrier added in a statement Tuesday that it would further communicate on the "terms and date of entry into force of these new provisions."

The Moroccan government did not formally react Tuesday to the U.S. decision.

Story continues

Casablanca airport is a major hub in Africa and Morocco's busiest airport, serving some 8 million passengers a year.

The U.S. government is barring passengers on U.S.-bound flights from eight countries from bringing some devices on board in carry-on bags.

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6:15 p.m.

Britain's government has banned electronic devices in the carry-on bags of passengers traveling to the U.K. from six countries, following closely on a similar ban imposed by the United States.

The government says in a statement that Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting on aviation security earlier Tuesday in which it was agreed that new aviation security measures on all inbound direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The statement says that Britain has been in touch with the Americans to fully understand their position.

Under the new arrangements, passengers on the flights "will not be allowed to take any phones, laptops or tablets larger than a normal sized mobile or smart phone," into the cabin.

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5:50 p.m.

Turkey's transportation minister says his country is in talks with United States authorities to "stop or soften" the U.S. restriction on electronics for flights bound from Istanbul to the U.S.

Minister Ahmet Arslan objected to the restriction on Tuesday, saying it would reduce both the comfort and number of passengers, the private Dogan news agency reported.

Arslan urged the U.S. to "not confuse Istanbul with other places," saying that Turkish authorities already take every possible security precaution. He added Turkey expects the issue to be resolved in the coming days.

Turkey's main carrier, Turkish Airlines, posted a notice on its website informing passengers to not bring on board "any electronic or electrical devices larger than a cellphone or smartphone (except medical devices)" to flights arriving in U.S. destinations.

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5:15 p.m.

Britain's Department for Transport says it will make an announcement later about electronic devices on airplanes.

The department would not disclose details on the measure expected later Tuesday.

Britain's Sky News and the and BBC report that Britain will announce a ban on carrying devices larger than phones in airplane cabins on flights from some countries.

The U.S. government has moved to bar passengers in eight Muslim-majority countries from bringing laptops and other electronics onboard direct flights to the United States.

Some airlines in the Middle East began notifying passengers early Tuesday that they had instructions to bar passengers from bringing iPads, laptops and other electronic devices on U.S. bound planes.

It was unclear whether Britain's order would mirror that of the U.S.

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4:45 p.m.

Qatar Airways has issued a travel alert to passengers about the new U.S. security guidelines prohibiting them from carrying electronics other than mobile phones onto its U.S.-bound planes.

The government-backed carrier said Tuesday it has "made special arrangements to assist passengers in securing their devices in the aircraft's baggage hold," without elaborating.

Qatar Airways flies to multiple American cities from its hub in Doha, Qatar, including New York, Atlanta, Miami and Chicago.

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4 p.m.

A former Jordanian aviation security official says requiring airline passengers to place most electronics, including laptops, in the cargo hold means "one less headache" for security agencies.

Jamil al-Qsous said Tuesday that he supports a new U.S. regulation that bars passengers on nonstop, U.S.-bound flights from eight countries, most in the Middle East and North Africa, from bringing electronic devices on board in carry-on bags.

Al-Qsous says security measures at Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport are among the most stringent in the region. He says that nonetheless "it's the right decision" to keep most electronics in the cargo hold and have "one less headache to be concerned" about.

He says he believes the U.S. has the right to set the rules for flights landing on its territory.

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3:30 p.m.

EgyptAir says it has received instructions from U.S. authorities to prevent passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, cameras and other electronics on board direct flights from Cairo to the United States.

The state-run carrier said Tuesday that the new instructions received from JFK airport will be applied on its next first direct flight to New York on Friday and that all passengers will be informed in due time.

Before receiving the new ban details, EgyptAir's New York-bound flight departed on Tuesday allowing passengers to take their laptops and other electronics on board in their carry-on luggage.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri was among the passengers on board the New York flight.

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1:15 p.m.

The Mideast's biggest airline is confirming that U.S.-bound passengers will be prevented from carrying electronic gadgets larger than cellphones on its planes.

Dubai-based Emirates said on Tuesday that the ban is based on a security directive from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and that it will take effect on Saturday.

That guidance differs from the information provided by senior Trump administration officials, who have said the ban will be in place as of Tuesday.

Emirates says the new rules apply until October 14 and apply to all U.S.-bound passengers, including those transiting from other departure cities.

Government-backed Emirates flies from Dubai to a dozen U.S. destinations, including New York, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles.

___ 10:05 a.m. Egyptian officials at the Cairo International Airport say they have not received any instructions on banning passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, cameras and some other electronics on board direct flights to the United States.

The officials say that a New York-bound EgyptAir flight departed on Tuesday and that passengers were allowed to take their laptops and other electronics on board in their carry-on luggage.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri was among the passengers on board the New York flight.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Maamoun Youssef in Cairo; ___ 10 a.m. The United Arab Emirates' national carrier says it has not changed its policies regarding electronics in aircraft cabins, suggesting it has not received new directives from American authorities.

Etihad Airways said in a statement on Tuesday that it will continue to work closely with American officials in the U.S. and at its base in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, but for now its "policies have not changed."

It says it will update passengers if travel guidelines are revised.

U.S. border officials stationed in Abu Dhabi carry out passport and customs screenings before passengers board U.S.-bound flights under an existing pre-screening program.

___

9:45 a.m.

A spokesman for Royal Jordanian says the airliner has not yet started to enforce a new U.S. regulation that prevents passengers on U.S.-bound flights from eight countries, including Jordan, from bringing laptops and most other electronics in their carry-on luggage.

Basel Kilani has told The Associated Press that the airline is still awaiting formal instructions from the relevant U.S. departments, which could possibly come later on Tuesday.

Kilani says the new rules were not applied to Royal Jordanian's direct flight that already departed on Tuesday from Jordan's capital of Amman to New York.

A Royal Jordanian statement on Twitter late Monday was among the first to reveal the ban. Kilani says the airline later deleted the tweet, preferring to wait for written instructions from the United States.

The reason for the ban was not immediately clear.

___

9:35 a.m.

The Middle East's biggest airline says it is not aware of any restrictions on electronics in aircraft cabins on U.S.-bound flights.

Dubai-based Emirates said on Tuesday that it would comply with any new operational or regulatory policies but it so far has "not received any notification of changes to cabin luggage restrictions on U.S. flights."

The government-backed airline operates daily flights from Dubai International Airport to multiple American cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington.

Dubai International is the world's busiest airport for international flights. Airport operator Dubai Airports refused to discuss the reported U.S. policy changes. It referred questions to the UAE's civil aviation authority, which did not immediately respond to questions.

___

9:10 a.m.

The U.S. government is temporarily barring passengers on certain flights originating in eight Muslim-majority countries from bringing laptops, iPads, cameras and most other electronics in carry-on luggage.

The ban, which seeks to bolster airline security, is to go into effect on Tuesday after the Transportation Security Administration informs the affected airlines.

The ban is indefinite and will affect nine airlines in total.

The reason for the ban was not immediately clear. U.S. security officials would not comment. The ban was revealed Monday in statements from Royal Jordanian Airlines and the official news agency of Saudi Arabia.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press the ban will apply to nonstop flights to the U.S. from 10 international airports serving the cities of Cairo in Egypt; Amman in Jordan; Kuwait City in Kuwait; Casablanca in Morocco; Doha in Qatar; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Istanbul in Turkey; and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Want to increase your businesss sales? You could probably learn a thing or two about perseverance in the sales process from a 15-year-old Girl Scout in Oklahoma.

Katie Francis has sold more than 100, 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies since joining her current troupe seven years ago, making her the top seller in the whole country.

Business Sales Tips from the Top-Selling Girl Scout

And she has some tips for entrepreneurs and anyone whos looking to sell more. According to Francis, the most important ingredients to making sales are time, commitment and asking everyone you see.

You can learn even more business sales tips from this top-selling Girl Scout in the video below.

From CNN:

A lot of people will say no to cookies throughout the year, says the pint-sized snack maven, but youve got to keep on moving and keep on getting those yeses.

Girl Scout cookies are pretty irresistible to a lot of buyers. But that doesnt mean Francis is any stranger roadblocks in her sales efforts. The important part is that she keeps going and keeps asking more people to get to those who say yes.

And thats a lesson that you can apply to your small business as well.
America is the home to ingenuity and small business success. Meet the founders of Ginjan Brothers, LLC, a Harlem-based beverage company that specializes in traditional African beverages. It is a small business that develops, markets and sells a delicious Ginger juice called GINJAN.

Two entrepreneurial brothers, Mohammed and Ibrahima Diallo, run the company. Originally from West Africa, they both live in New York City today. They won the grand prize in the 2016 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.

I was granted a video interview with them recently (embedded below). When asked about winning the grand prize Ibrahim said, Its amazing, to be honest with you. Beyond just the actual winning, its the messaging that it comes with. The fact that we competed, with so many people in so many industries across the nation, and being selected the Grand Prize winner, its quiet humbling, and it feels great.

Ginjan Brothers also shared the social media Facebook strategy they use to help propel their successful campaign to win the big prize. According to Ibrahim, they created a Facebook page just to put their friends on it so that they could message them directly and ask for their votes. We did everything from the ground up with a lot of love, of course Mohammed said.

Through the $25,000 grant and support of FedEx shipping services, Ginjan Brothers are now able to ramp up production to fill their current orders and produce enough inventory to support expanded distribution.

They also contributed a portion of the cash prize to securing organic and GMO-free product certifications. Part of the prize money would also go towards opening new accounts to help the brothers sustain growth.

They also plan to expand their eCommerce business, especially now that they understand the resources FedEx offers to help small businesses with packaging and logistics. What they have walked away with after being a part of the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest has been life changing for these young entrepreneurs.

You could be the next big $25,000 grand prize winner, registration is now open at http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com

Watch the FULL interview with the Ginjan Brothers:
HR experts say shortage of labour will continue to be the main labour market challenge.

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More information about the Slovak labour market Please see our Career & Employment Guide. This years edition was published also thanks to support from the general partner of the guide, the executive search firm - Amrop.

The Slovak Spectator spoke about current trends on the labour market and the challenges that employers are facing when seeking people to fill their vacant job positions with Sergio Duarte, general director of Adecco Slovakia, Martin Krekac, chairman and owner of Jenewein Group and a senior partner of Amrop, Mario Fondati and Igor Sulik, both partners with Amrop, and Lubos Sirota, chairman of the board and general director of McROY Group.

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The Slovak Spectator (TSS): What are the main challenges for the Slovak labour market in general and for employers in particular in 2017?

Sergio Duarte (SD): The labour market is changing and most of the companies are already preparing their new investments, meaning they already have new needs and a hiring plan to respond to these investments. Areas like IT, shared services and automotive are the main drivers and will continue to grow in 2017. There is a major investor coming in the automotive sector and this is a challenge for the country. It will attract other new investors, sub-suppliers and many other companies that will invest in infrastructure and provide outsourced services. So employers will hold on to their staff by improving their working environments. Mainly, we might see an increase of salaries in general. The main challenge will be with the retention of talented people in Slovakia  how the country and the government will lead in regard to future needs and what investments will be made in education and the integration of students into the business environment. Speaking of blue-collar workers, we see an increase in migration from among the regions and even from other countries. To respond to this movement, the country will need to adapt its infrastructure and create solutions to Slovakias dynamic business environment.

Martin Krekac (MK): To put it simply  a shortage of labour. For many years now employers are pointing out that there is a problem with finding and hiring qualified candidates for many technical positions. With the new investments coming to Slovakia this problem will only escalate.

Lubos Sirota (LS): The main challenge for the market, as well as for employers, remains the same: how to cope with the increasing lack of a qualified labour force. The result is growing pressure on higher salaries, rising turnover of employees and higher costs for their training since companies are forced to hire people without adequate experience. Employees are thus able to pick from a higher number of job offers and companies need to figure out how to attract and keep them.

TSS: Employers are pushing for less stringent rules for employing foreigners in Slovakia, arguing that migrants could fill the gaps in the availability of labour. Are workers from abroad the solution to the lack of qualified labour on the Slovak market? Which sectors could most benefit from less stringent measures for foreigners to work here?

SD: It makes sense to have exceptions if the country does not respond to the needs of business. We need to respond to the investments made in Slovakia and to prepare the country for other new investments coming in. But the solution cant be just looking for people abroad as general policy. You can use it for a special project, for activities that require a foreign language, for a special temporary or seasonal need or even in a transitional programme, but the country needs a medium and long-term strategy to respond to the needs of business. The field of shared services is more likely to use foreigners for their needs but that is not taking the jobs, for example, of those who dont meet the requirements for a foreign language. There is also an opportunity for employees to invest in their skills and get better jobs and promote their careers. In general we have a sense of a lack of resources during this part of the year and this sense might increase in 2017-2018 with the expected reduction of unemployment, affecting all sectors.

Mario Fondati (MF): Workers from abroad could only solve the problem on a short-term basis. Especially the automotive and industrial sectors could benefit from such a measure. It is necessary to look into what kind of graduates the schools are offering to the labour market, and based on that to reshape the portfolio of programmes and curricula of the schools.

LS: It would definitely help employers if the labour market was at least partially open for workers outside the EU. There are vacant positions even now that cannot be filled only with Slovaks. For instance, about 30,000 IT specialists are missing from the labour market, and it is not possible to simply train people from other professions for those jobs. Even if university IT programmes doubled their number of graduates, it would take decades to fill this gap. Similarly, the market has started lacking people for qualified and less-qualified blue collar positions. It would thus help if the market opened at least for some specific qualifications, for instance for workers from Ukraine, Belarus, or Serbia. It is hard to get enough people from EU countries, where there is automatically an open market. They are rather attracted by countries further west where they can earn more and where the demand for qualified labour is also high.

TSS: Apart from migrants, what are other potential sources of labour? Where should employers look to employ people for positions they have problems filling?

SD: Other countries have already started investing in training centres connected with companies and specialised by sector. The method has to be aligned with retention of talent in the country and the career path the company can give to its workers. So we need to look to the future in a different way and prepare an investment plan. Schools are also the major source of employees and job fairs are the main events for discovering great opportunities.

Igor Sulik (IS): Employers are forced to train and develop people so they can do the jobs needed. Employing people without the exact qualification, attracting people who are maybe retired, but open and willing to work, might provide some people for the open positions.

LS: At the moment, it can be a combination of several sources. One of them is the unemployed, but in some regions there is a lack of people with the appropriate qualifications and the willingness to work. That is why it is also important to seek people in regions with higher unemployment and motivate them to move for work. In addition, they also need to be trained for the jobs. Then there are those who are already employed, but there tends not to be enough in these regions as well, so therefore they need to also be sought elsewhere. And again, one needs to count on training them and dealing with their mobility. The result is that some companies must limit their development due to a lack of workers and reject some new orders because they would not be able to supply them in a timely way.

TSS: Recent reports say the attempt to introduce a six-hour work day in Sweden failed, as it proved too costly. What is your view of experiments with six-hour work days or four-day work weeks and do you see any of this as applicable in Slovakia?

SD: I only see it applicable in areas where companies need flexibility as much as their employees. There are jobs more suitable for this type of schedule, but employees need to compromise in some cases on the weekend, so it is not possible to respond to all the requirements from employers and from employees all the time.

IS: Any experiment can be tested but at the moment this is not a solution. When you have to fight with finding people, it would be counterproductive to introduce measures that would somehow limit those that already are working. Hopefully in the long run we will have a situation that our welfare state will have the privilege of trying a measure like this. At the moment I find it of no use in our country.

LS: When they started testing this model in Sweden we warned that it would not be applicable in Slovakia in the wider context  mainly due to increased costs. It would be the same with a fixed four-day work week. That does not mean that such a model is to be ruled out, but it cannot be applied directly and flatly. For instance, one of our clients has absolutely flexible working hours. If employees prefer to work two days a week, they work two days a week; if they want to work six days, they will have days off later on, etc. This could be a way, but it always comes down to preserving flexibility on the basis of agreement between the company and its employees.
The elections would be won by Smer, though with only 27 percent of the vote.

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Eight political parties would make it to parliament if the general election took place in mid-March.

It would be won by Smer, supported by 27.5 percent of the vote. This would represent 44 seats in parliament, according to the poll carried out by Polis for the SITA newswire between March 11 and 17 on 1,209 respondents.

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Second would be the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) with 14.5 percent of the vote and 23 parliamentary seats. The Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO-NOVA) and the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia (LSNS) would both come third, supported by 12.2 percent of respondents. This would represent 19 parliamentary seats for each.

Read also:

Read also: Poll: Support for non-systemic parties rises Read more

The Slovak National Party (SNS) would be supported by 10.3 percent of respondents (16 seats in parliament), followed by We Are Family and Boris Kollar with 7 percent (11 parliamentary seats), the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) with 5.5 percent and Most-Hid with 5.4 percent (nine seats each).

The preferences were counted based on a 61-percent turnout. As many as 16 percent of respondents would not vote, while 23 percent were undecided, SITA reported.
Parliament overrode presidents veto of the amendment to the election act.

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Despite President Andrej Kiskas disapproval, two-round regional elections will be changed into single round contests, as parliament overrode the presidents veto and passed an amendment to the election act for a second time on March 21.

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Kiska vetoed the bill because he believes that it will undermine free competition between political forces in regional elections. He recommended that lawmakers should omit passages introducing single-round elections, the TASR newswire reported.

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Read also: Kiska vetoes single-round regional elections Read more

Smer and Most-Hid MPs point to the fact that mayors are also selected in one-round elections.

The position and responsibility held by mayors of large regional towns and cities is comparable to the position and responsibility held by regional governors, the MPs said, as quoted by TASR.

The change is also expected to bring savings, according to the MPs. They noted that in the regional elections in 2013 a second round took place in five regions. If this had not been the case, 2.4 million would have been saved.
The judge is expected to issue a verdict in early April.

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The Slovak pilot who was found drunk on a plane at the Calgary airport in Canada confessed before the court that he boarded the plane which was to carry 99 passengers and a further six crew members to Cancun.

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According to the prosecutor, Sunwing pilot Miroslav Gronych (37) was so drunk when he stumbled onto the airplane he was supposed to fly from Calgary to Regina that his wing pin was on upside down and he appeared to pass out in the captains chair.

The prosecutor is now asking the judge to sentence Gronych to one year in prison, the Canadian station CBC reported on its website.

Gronych, who lives in Canada on a work visa, pleaded guilty on March 21 to having care and control of an aircraft with a blood alcohol level three times higher than the limit. He was arrested and charged on December 31, 2016.

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Read also: Drunken Slovak pilot sacked Read more

The pilot Gronych flew into the Calgary airport at night and was scheduled to report back in the morning. He staggered onto the plane about an hour later. Airport and airline employees he had passed along the way had already tracked down the first officer to voice their concerns after noting the pilot was slurring his words and could not walk in a straight line, according to CBC.

He then passed out in the cockpit, where he was later found. When he woke up, his co-workers told him to leave on his own or be forcibly removed by police. Gronych walked off the airplane, and gate agents held him at the end of the bridge until police arrived.

A bottle of vodka was found in the pilots hotel room.

This was a crime of dramatic proportion, said prosecutor Rose Greenwood, as quoted by CBC. The last thing the public should have to do is question the sobriety of pilots.

Gronychs lawyer said before the court that he is addicted to alcohol and had already begun treatment in Saskatoon, where he had been living.

I feel very ashamed, said Gronych, as quoted by CBC. I feel a lot of remorse.

He added that he has not had a drink since the day of his arrest.

The judge is expected to issue the ruling on April 3.
MPs addressed the Interior Ministry with a request following the criticism of Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko.

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Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko has criticised President Andrej Kiska not only for his reluctance to appoint missing Constitutional Court judges, but also for using the governments special plane to fly to his hometown Poprad every weekend.

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MPs subsequently turned to Interior Minister Robert Kalinak, asking him to inform the parliament about using the aircraft by senior state officials.

Danko first claimed that people suffer from Kiskas decision not to appoint the missing judges, adding that as a result the Constitutional Court cannot deal with many topics. While in 2013 one proceeding at the court lasted nearly seven months, last year it was nearly a year, he added, as reported by the Pravda daily.

The president responded he wants to wait for the court to decide on the complaints of the refused candidates, Pravda wrote.

Danko continued in his criticism with pointing to Kiskas recent visit to Poland where he tapped the foundation stone of a building constructed by a Slovak company in which Kiskas daughter works, the speaker of parliament claimed.

He also questioned the presidents use of the special plane to fly home and the distribution of his salary to poorer families.

Smer MP Martin Nemky later submitted a proposal to make Kalinak explain the planes use. It was endorsed by 128 legislators, the TASR newswire reported.

According to reports on the Aktualne.sk website and in the Pravda daily, the president is using state aircraft for trips that arent always working trips, Nemky said, as quoted by TASR.

He thus requested that this should be reviewed and that a report on the use of the aircraft by the president and other top officials should then be presented to parliament.
The verdict may help in similar cases in the future, the plaintiffs representatives hope.

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The district court in Zvolen has issued a long-awaited verdict in the case of court expert in forestry Viera Petrasova who has sued her previous employer, the National Forestry Centre (NLC).

The court now decided that the notice she received in 2009 is invalid, due to discrimination, the non-governmental organisation Citizen, Democracy and Responsibility (ODZ) which represented her before the court informed in a press release.

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The verdict however still is not final as NLC may appeal it.

Its important for me that after so many years the court finally decided to deal with what I took to the court in the first place  discrimination, Petrasova said, as quoted in the press release.

She hopes their effort will not be in vain and will help to achieve justice in other similar situations.

Janka Debreceniova of ODZ, who has been representing Petrasova, considers the verdict a decision which sensitively and convincingly reflects many forms of discriminatory behaviour women in Slovakia face every day from the side of various employers, including public institutions.

Though the case of Mrs Petrasova is far from over, we hope the Zvolen court ruling will be one of the signals that the discriminatory behaviour of employers doesnt pay off and the state can deal with it, Debreceniova said, as quoted in the press release.

The case

The dispute goes back to 2008 when Petrasova prepared two project ideas for projects approved by the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA). She subsequently prepared both projects worth altogether more than 4 million Slovak crowns. After she completed them, NLC simply did not submit them to PPA.

This happened shortly after a new head of NLC was appointed. It was a man whom Petrasova substituted for at the forestry department at the Agriculture Ministry in 1999. Nobody explained to Petrasova why the projects had not been submitted.

Moreover, NLC has repeatedly changed the reasons for not submitting her projects during the court proceedings. Rather than Petrasovas projects, the centre submitted a project from her colleague who had lower education and less experience, the press release reads.

Following other incidents, NLC proposed Petrasova to change her working contract, explaining that she did not have any projects she would coordinate. With such a change, her salary would drop and her career progress would be restricted.

Petrasova considered the change discriminatory and refused to sign it. She was subsequently dismissed, with her employer claiming that due to organisational changes she was made redundant. This happened despite the fact that the NLCs collective agreement stipulates that in case of organisational changes, employees are considered based on their experience and results.

Petrasova however had excellent results, the press release reads.

The court in Zvolen issued a verdict making the notice invalid already in 2012, but it refused to state discrimination as a reason. The Banska Bystrica Regional Court confirmed the ruling in 2013.

It was, however, dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2015, which returned the case to the district court and ordered it to deal with the complaint that the notice was discriminatory, ODZ informed.
SaS points to the increasing influence of the financial group Penta in the health sector; the company says it is only trying to improve the quality of health care.

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Slovakias health care sector is being privatised on the quiet in a process overseen by the governing Smer party. This is how opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) describes the increasing influence of the financial group Penta in the sector.

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The party claims that while before 2006 the group controlled only one hospital, since 2006 when the Smer party first took power it has acquired control of more than 12 hospitals.

[Robert] Fico has been lying to the nation for 10 years, SaS chairman Richard Sulik told the press on March 13, as quoted by the SITA newswire. He referred to the prime ministers statements about harmful privatisation or plans to ban profits in the health care sector.

Penta, however, currently controls not only hospitals via its Svet Zdravia network, but also private health insurer Dovera, over 240 pharmacies running under the brand Dr. Max, and a network of outpatient clinics ProCare. SaS representatives call it an enormous conflict of interest.

According to SaS, the year 2006 was no coincidence, as it was in that year that both Smer chairman Fico and Penta co-owner Jaroslav Hascak reportedly visited an apartment on Vazovova Street in Bratislava which was mentioned in the notorious Gorilla file.

Penta, however, denies such accusations, which it sees as a senseless attack against one of the few things in the Slovak health care sector that is positive and actually works.

Steep increase after 2006

SaS singled out the recent takeover by Penta of the hospital in Topolcany (Nitra Region), as a move that was okayed by the Antimonopoly Office in early March. Penta pays annual rent of 100,000 to the region, which the party regards as being out of keeping with the hospital's annual profits of more than 1 million.

It is outright misleading and borders on lying to compare the profits of individual hospitals and rentals in a situation when our investments in hospitals are reaching tens of millions of euros, Gabriel Toth, spokesperson of Penta Investments, wrote in a statement provided to the media.

The group plans to invest 9.7 million into the hospital in Topolcany over the coming years. To date, Penta has spent over 75 million on hospitals that it has acquired, said Toth, urging SaS to direct its attention to the enormous ineffectiveness at state-owned hospitals instead.

Moreover, governor of the Nitra Self-Governing Region Milan Belica has objected to the SaS claims, saying they are misleading. The region does not rent the Topolcany hospital on its own initiative, but rather following several court proceedings and subsequent distrainment.

Belica disagreed with closing the controversial agreement and has refused to sign the resolutions adopted by the regional deputies, regions spokesperson Olga Prekopova told TASR.

The current agreement with Svet Zdravia approved last May, however, is still more advantageous than the original one, she added.

Dusan Zachar, analyst with the economic think tank INEKO, admits that though it may seem that the total number of hospitals belonging to Svet Zdravia is big, regarding the total revenues of the facilities, they are lower than those of the state-run University Hospital Bratislava.

Involvement questioned

Penta claims that its investments in the hospitals constitute a commitment in the long run to radically improve the function and quality of health care, the company claimed, as reported by TASR.

Also Smer disagrees with SaS' claims, calling them outrageous.

Its disgusting on the part of SaS to implicate Smer with Pentas business activities in the health care sector, said the partys spokesperson Lubica Koncalova, as quoted by TASR. It is this very party (SaS) that employs Rudolf Zajac, who made it possible, surreptitiously as health minister, for Penta to enter the health care sector.

Though Fico criticises Penta often, the decisions made by his governments have benefitted the group rather than harmed it. During the rule of his second government (2012-2016), the financial situation of the company was better than during the rule of Iveta Radicova's cabinet (2010-2012), the Sme daily reported.

Though the first Fico government banned health insurers from earning profit back in 2007, when Dovera merged with Apollo in 2009 artificially increasing its assets in order to pay dividends to its shareholders, nothing was done to prevent it. The process could have been stopped by the Health Care Surveillance Authority (UDZS) whose chair is nominated by the health minister. At the time, Richard Rasi of Smer held the post, while the authority was chaired by Richard Demovic, Sme wrote.

The daily also pointed to the fact that current Health Minister Tomas Drucker worked for Penta at the time the insurers merged. He has repeatedly claimed that he knew nothing about increasing the assets.

Moreover, former health ministers in the second Fico government Zuzana Zvolenska and Viliam Cislak both had links to Penta, Sme wrote.

Private investments in health care

Meanwhile, also Peter Visolajsky, chair of the Medical Trade Unions Association, expressed concerns about Pentas dominant position in the health sector.

Such ownership is not possible in developed countries, Visolajsky said, as quoted by Sme.

Penta, however, claims it does not have any monopoly or dominant position in the sector. Dovera controls 27 percent of the market, with the biggest player in health insurance being the state-run insurer Vseobecna Zdravotna Poistovna.

Moreover, Dr. Max operates some 240 of the approximately 2,000 pharmacies in Slovakia, which represents a 10-percent share.

Though we have the biggest private network of regional hospitals, regarding their number and size we are not a dominant provider in the sector, which is the role of the state-run and the biggest hospitals, Penta claimed in an open letter sent to the media.

Slovakia would benefit from more private investors willing to enter the market as the proper competition may result in better quality and a more effective health sector, Zachar said.

Currently, the state has the strongest influence on Slovak health care, Zachar told The Slovak Spectator, adding that it is not good for the sector.

If any private subject obtained such a dominant position in the market, it would pose a threat of abusing this position and creating a monopoly. The regulators and supervisory bodies should monitor the situation and get involved if there is such a risk, he added.

However, if there is competition and quality regulations in the market, including measurements and ratings of quality and effectiveness of provided services, vertical integration does not have to post a big risk to the society, Zachar said, adding that instead it could result in several innovations.

Disclaimer: The Penta financial group has a 45-percent ownership share in Petit Press, a co-owner of The Slovak Spectator.
She pointed to unlawful conduct of police officers and lack of wheelchair access at several facilities.

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The parliament acknowledged the last report presented by outgoing Ombudswoman Jana Dubovcova on March 22.

It was supported by 78 of 129 MPs present, the SITA newswire reported.

Dubovcovas office dealt with 3,045 motions in 2016. Of the 892 motions that were within the competence of the Ombudsman, the office dealt with 591, and found 97 violations of fundamental rights and freedoms.

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Dubovcova spoke in her report about the unlawful conduct of police officers. She supports the establishment of an independent body that would be charged to investigate police practices that the Interior Ministrys inspectorate currently examines.

The police inspectorate is not independent, she insists.

Today, police officers are checking police officers, she said, as quoted by SITA.

The problem is also that parliament has failed to take note of her previous extraordinary report on grave violations of basic rights by wilful police actions, Dubovcova added.

The public defender of rights could not have sent a clearer message that there is something wrong in the police, the ombudswoman said, as quoted by SITA.

She considers the approach of the government, which closes its eyes to serious problems, to be obsolete. In democratic states it is common that if the public defender of rights reveals state violations of fundamental human rights, it tries to correct them, as reported by the TASR newswire.

And not to sweep them under the carpet, the ombudswoman said, as quoted by TASR.

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Dubovcova also demands that public buildings and buildings where public administration authorities are seated are wheelchair accessible. She surveyed the situation at schools, hospitals and police stations. Police stations had the best disability access where they did their best to enable people to get there without problems.

Nevertheless, hospitals are completely neglected in this regard, while the situation is the worst in schools, she said, adding that our schools are still living in the previous century, SITA reported.

Dubovcova also said that her office was established 15 years ago and it should not be as neglected as it is now. Slovakia still has not created any conditions to secure the full operation of the public defender of rights office. There is no separate building for the office and the ombudsperson also lacks a chapter in the budget.

She hopes that her successor Maria Patakyova, nominated by the ruling coalition, will have better conditions for work. She thinks the ombudsperson should not be a friend of the government.

If they are on good terms with the government, they dont fulfil their monitoring function, Dubovcova said, as quoted by SITA.

She also claimed that the previous one-party government of Smer has not acknowledged several of her reports, nor did it adopt the measures she recommended. They behaved as if there were no violation fundamental rights, according to Dubovcova.

She appreciated the current ruling coalition for observing the law and dealing with her report.

As for the areas her successor will have to deal with, she mentioned the inappropriate use of police power, the problems with socio-legal protection of children and discrimination in education, TASR reported.
(Adds Amazon, Massimo Zanetti, Generali, FMO, Advent International)

March 22 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1315 GMT on Wednesday:

** Japanese trading company Mitsubishi Corp may sell stakes in Australia thermal coal mines as it presses on with a switch to core assets such as coking coal after slumping to its first-ever annual loss last year, a spokesman said.

** Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd, a Malaysian palm plantation operator, is in talks with several companies, including Chinese firms, to establish partnerships to expand its distribution networks and finance facilities.

** Indian e-commerce marketplace Snapdeal denied it was in talks for a potential sale, after newspaper Mint reported that the company was in discussions with domestic rivals for a potential sale.

** Korea Electric Power Corp is in talks to buy a stake in the Toshiba-Engie British nuclear joint venture NuGen, chief executive of the South Korean utility said.

** Tokyo Electric Power Co plans to seek the cooperation of domestic nuclear operators to improve the safety of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in an attempt to restart it and help meet the costs of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

** Lactalis said it extended a buyout offer on Parmalat for a further five days, after the French dairy group failed to reach a 90 percent stake it needed in the Italian food company to request its delisting.

** Norway's Statkraft will in June begin a formal process to sell its stakes in the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms offshore Britain, with a goal of completing the transactions by the end of the year, the company said in a statement.

** Riyadh-based ACWA Power said it expects the first of four power generation companies owned by Saudi Electricity Co will be offered to the market by the year-end, as the kingdom presses ahead with its overhaul of the state sector.

** Austrian property group CA Immo expressed frustration at the slow progress towards a planned merger with Immofinanz, calling on the other side to complete a precondition for the deal this year or risk its collapse.

Story continues

** China's Sinopec, will pay almost $1 billion for a 75 percent stake in Chevron Corp's South African assets and its subsidiary in Botswana to secure its first major refinery in Africa, the companies announced.

** Four foreign investors are expected to bid for a majority stake in Greece's Thessaloniki Port, on Friday, the offer deadline, the port's top executive said.

** Canadian oilfield services provider Trican Well Service Ltd said it would buy smaller rival Canyon Services Group Inc in a C$637 million deal, as it seeks to strengthen pricing power amid a revival in shale drilling in North America.

** Kenya's Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) will focus on integrating Habib Bank Kenya and will only start looking to make further acquisitions from next year onwards, its chief executive told Reuters.

** Maersk Line, the world's biggest container shipping firm and part of Danish conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk, TCWhas offered concessions to EU antitrust regulators in an attempt to get approval for the takeover of German rival Hamburg Sud.

** Investment firm Starwood Capital Group slightly raised its offer to buy Canada's Milestone Apartments Real Estate Investment Trust, weeks after proxy advisory firm ISS recommended unitholders to vote against the C$1.7 billion ($1.3 billion) deal.

** Amazon.com Inc has agreed in principle to buy 100 percent of Middle Eastern online retailer Souq.com from its shareholders, sources familiar with the deal told Reuters.

** Private equity firm Warburg Pincus is paying 300 million Swiss francs ($300 million) for a stake in banking software and services provider Avaloq in what the group described as a first step towards a potential public listing.

** Brazil's antitrust watchdog Cade approved BM&FBovespa SA's takeover of rival Cetip SA Mercados Organizados, and will not require any antitrust measure beyond those the exchange and clearinghouse proposed for themselves.

** Italian coffee roaster Massimo Zanetti aims to boost its presence in the Brazilian market by acquiring a local coffee brand, Chief Operating Officer Pascal Heritier told Reuters.

** FMO, the Dutch development bank, has sold its remaining shares in Georgia's TBC Bank, the country's largest by loans and deposits, TBC said.

** U.S. private equity firm Advent International Corp has withdrawn from a bidding process to acquire Pfizer Inc's Brazilian generic drugs joint venture, leaving rival Bain Capital LP as the only contender for the company, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

** Generali has asked advisory bank Rothschild to find a new owner for its subsidiaries in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama, sources told Reuters, as Italy's biggest insurer seeks to leave markets where it lacks scale. (Compiled by Divya Grover and Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru)
DGAP-News: SYGNIS AG / Key word(s): Financing





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Press Release SYGNIS anounces change in guarantee for Spanish government soft loans Share loan from Dr. Heikki Lanckriet guarantees government soft loans Madrid, Spain and Heidelberg, Germany, March 22, 2017 - SYGNIS AG (Frankfurt: LIO1; ISIN: DE000A1RFM03; Prime Standard) today announced that Dr. Heikki Lanckriet, Co-CEO and CSO of SYGNIS, will guarantee soft loans from the Spanish government with 500,000 of his SYGNIS shares. The guarantee secures the EUR 1.9 million non-dilutive R&D funding SYGNIS received from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) in 2016. Pilar de la Huerta, Co-CEO and CBDO, commented: "We appreciate the strong commitment of Heikki Lanckriet and highly value his support." For further information, please contact: SYGNIS AG

Dr. Heikki Lanckriet

Co-CEO/CSO

Phone : +44 1223 873 364

Email : heikki.lanckriet@sygnis.com



Pilar de la Huerta

Co-CEO/CBDO

Phone: +34 91 192 36 50

Email: pdelahuerta@sygnis.com



MC Services AG

Raimund Gabriel

Managing Partner

Phone: +49 89 210228 0

Email: raimund.gabriel@mc-services.eu About SYGNIS AG: www.sygnis.com SYGNIS AG is specialized in the development and the commercialization of proprietary technologies and offers a wide range of different commercial products addressing key challenges in molecular biology. With the acquisition of Expedeon Holdings, Ltd. based in Cambridge, UK, SYGNIS has added a complementary proteomic product portfolio. Resulting from this significant expansion, SYGNIS' product portfolio now covers the entire workflow of molecular biology. The products are sold through a direct sales force and several distribution partners in Europe, the US and Asia. SYGNIS AG has offices in Germany, Spain and the UK, production sites in the UK and the US as well as sales offices in Asia. The company is listed on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt in the Prime Standard segment (Ticker: LIO1; ISIN: DE000A1RFM03). ### This publication is intended for information only and constitutes neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to buy securities. Some statements included in this press release, relating neither to proven financial results nor other historical data, should be viewed as forward-looking, i.e. not definite. Such statements are mainly predictions of future results, trends, plans or goals. These statements should not be considered to be total guarantees since given their very nature they are subject to known and unknown risks and imponderability and can be affected by other factors as a consequence of which the actual results, plans and goals of SYGNIS AG may deviate greatly from the established conclusions or implied predictions contained in such statements. SYGNIS does not undertake to publicly update or revise these statements in the light of new information or future results or for any other reason.###

22.03.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


(New (KOSDAQ: 160550.KQ - news) throughout, adds details, union comments; adds byline, changes dateline, previous SANTIAGO)

By Felipe Iturrieta

ANTOFAGASTA (Other OTC: ANFGF - news) , Chile (Stuttgart: 704599.SG - news) , March 22 (Reuters) - Leaders of the striking union at BHP Billiton (NYSE: BBL - news) 's Escondida mine in Chile will meet with the rank-and-file before making any additional decisions about negotiations, a union spokesman said after exiting a meeting with BHP on Wednesday.

BHP and leaders of the 2,500-member union at Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, left the meeting in the city of Antofagasta without offering additional comment, or saying when the parties would next sit down.

"No comment, we're going to meet with the base," union spokesman Carlos Allendes told reporters.

Since workers walked off at the massive deposit on Feb. 9, copper production has been stopped, sending global copper prices higher amid supply concerns.

Talks have since been tense, and various attempts to return to the negotiating table have failed. The two parties finally returned to the table on Monday for the first time in weeks, and met again on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier on Wednesday, BHP decided to suspend work indefinitely at projects linked to Escondida, such as construction work at its Coloso desalinization plant and its Los Colorados concentrator, citing continued blockades by the union.

Throughout the process, workers have maintained three core demands: that the benefits in the previous contract not be reduced; that shift patterns not be made more taxing; and that new workers get the same benefits as those already at the mine.

The union has also said in recent days that it could invoke an article of Chile's labor code that would stop the current negotiations and send the miners back to work for 18 months under the previous contract. They said that would allow them to start negotiations again under new labor laws set to go into effect in Chile in April, strengthening their hand.

Escondida is majority controlled by BHP, with minority participations by Rio Tinto (Hanover: CRA1.HA - news) and Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Corp (LSE: 7035.L - news) . It produced slightly more than 1 million tonnes of copper in 2016. (Reporting by Felipe Iturrieta; Writing and additional reporting by Gram Slattery in Santiago; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Goran Tomasevic LOIYANGALANI, Kenya (Reuters) - Villagers in northern Kenya have begun to burn piles of animal carcases, hoping to head off an outbreak of disease as their livestock starve to death in the region's worst drought in five years. The smell of death hangs heavily over Lake Turkana and dried animal corpses dot the cracked mud where the lake has receded, leaving boats stranded on the dry land. Nomadic communities store their savings in animals rather than banks and each carcass is a major loss. The Kenyan government said 2.7 million people are affected by the drought. It estimates 20 percent of livestock has died in the arid and semi-arid counties, an area comprising about 80 percent of Kenya's landmass. "It is the worst drought since 2011," said James Oduor, head of Kenya's National Drought Management Authority. The government is running a "destocking" program, which pays herders for animals they would struggle to sell. It pays 2,000 Kenya shillings ($20) for a goat or a sheep, and 15,000 Ksh for a cow. That's half of the price of a healthy animal. "If they are in good condition, they can be moved to graze elsewhere. When they cannot be moved, the animal is slaughtered so the community can benefit from more food," said Oduor. Villager Lokuukwi Achembe said his village lost around 2,000 goats. "This is our food and our way of living," he said sadly. On the southern short of Lake Turkana, famed for the harsh beauty of its landscape, residents are burning carcasses to stop the bodies from infecting water supplies if the rains come. Village elder Lowake Alishu said, "We are collecting the goats around the manyatta (group of thatched huts) to stop the spreading of disease." (Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld; Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Storyful

Clashes broke out when a rally for the re-election of New York Governor Kathy Hochul was disrupted by protesters on Saturday, November 5.Hochul, the first female governor of New York, is currently running against the Republican partys Lee Zeldin.This footage, taken by Leeroy Johnson, shows a clash that happened at a rally for Hochul at the Stone Wall Inn, which Zeldin supporters disrupted.In the footage, a person is seen grabbing a woman by the neck before stopping and arguing with protesters.The NYPD got involved with no one getting arrested, Johnson said.In the footage, the woman can be seen climbing into an emergency medical services vehicle.The woman then speaks to the camera while holding a sign saying Vote Red and Vote Them Out, featuring pictures of Hochul and Antonio Delgado,Lieutenant Governor of New York, with blacked-out eyes and horns.A woman  a very large, heavyset woman, might have been a man  came and took my sign, she said. As I was trying to retrieve my sign, there was another man that came and choked me, and there were two other people there who were coming in and preventing me from trying to get my sign.I never wanted to get physical with anyone, she added. I was just there, just peacefully holding my sign, and, yknow, they didnt want to hear what I had to say. Credit: Leeroy Johnson via Storyful
Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, center right, walks with former presidential candidate Maryse Narcisse outside the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday March 20, 2017. Judge Jean Wilner Morin is questioning Aristide as a witness about the case of Jean Anthony Nazaire who's implicated in money laundering. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Haitian police on Tuesday rejected claims by ex-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's lawyers and associates that the twice-elected, twice-ousted former leader was the target of an assassination attempt.

Shots were fired at the former president's motorcade Monday as it passed through an intersection in downtown Port-au-Prince. Aristide ally Yvon Feuille and lawyers have described the incident as an "assassination attempt" and allege the shooters were police.

But in an interview with The Associated Press, Deputy Commissioner Jean Alix Pierre-Louis said Tuesday that the chaos was caused by partisans of two political factions who hurled rocks and fired guns when Aristide's motorcade passed by following his testimony at a court hearing.

A cellphone video made public by Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas political movement doesn't capture the full incident, but shows rocks raining down on police officers, who take cover behind cars. At least two officers are clearly seen firing their weapons toward the opposite side of the intersection.

Police Inspector Prenel Duval said that officers with the Motorized Intervention Brigade fired live rounds, but he asserted the intention was to disperse people. He said there was considerable panic among the crowd and "a lot of shooting from different directions." He acknowledged that the officers with the unit do not have training to deal with crowds.

The officers appeared to be taken by surprise by the confrontation between roughly 20 partisans of President Jovenel Moise's Tet Kale party and a much larger crowd of Lavalas faithful surrounding Aristide's motorcade.

Two people standing in front of Aristide's car were wounded during the violence, including a security guard who was shot in the wrist. Investigators say it is not clear who shot them.

"I can assure you the guys traveling in that motorcade had guns. They had more guns than we did," said Duval.

Story continues

The incident is under investigation, Pierre-Louis said at his office a few blocks from the intersection where the violence took place. But he flatly rejected the assertion that Aristide was the target of an "assassination attempt."

"That is nonsense. It was nothing like what they are saying," Pierre-Louis said.

Aristide's U.S. lawyer, Ira Kurzban, has said the shots were "fired by uniformed police directly at the vehicle in which President Aristide was a passenger."

The incident occurred after Aristide appeared as a witness in a court hearing involving an associate who is facing a money laundering probe.

Although he hasn't been in power since 2004, Aristide remains a highly divisive figure in Haiti, popular with some and reviled by others.

He emerged as a leading voice for Haiti's poor and became the troubled country's first democratically elected president in 1990, despite opposition from the army, Haiti's elite and the United States following the 29-year Duvalier family dictatorship.

Aristide was toppled twice from power, his second term ending amid a violent rebellion and allegations of corruption. He spent seven years in exile in South Africa.

The former Roman Catholic priest insisted he wouldn't get involved in politics upon his return to Haiti in 2011. But he actively campaigned for Maryse Narcisse, the Lavalas presidential candidate who finished fourth in a presidential election redo in November. Moise won in the first round with over 50 percent of the votes.

___

David McFadden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dmcfadd
The Islamic State killed and then dumped the bodies of hundreds, if not thousands, of Iraqi men and women into a sinkhole known as Khafsa outside Mosul in 2014 and 2015, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday, March 22.

Based on the testimony of local shepherds and other witnesses, the NGO believes that the mass killings occurred weekly at the Khafsa sinkhole over a two-year period. The natural sinkhole is now surrounded by landmines and impossible to inspect. Locals said that they regularly heard screams and gunshots in the area, with one saying the water from a nearby well became polluted with human remains.

Human Rights Watch said Khafsa may be the largest mass grave uncovered in Syria and Iraq, and called on Iraqi authorities to cordon off the area and begin careful examinations, so that the families of victims might have their loved ones remains returned to them.

At time of publication, Iraqi forces had advanced into Mosul, with the Iraqi Federal Police saying their forces had moved 100 meters along the river bank and 200 meters in the Bab al-Bayd area. The continued efforts to clear IS fighters from the area is focused on the retaking of the historic Great Mosque of al-Nuri. The mosque is an important target for Iraqi forces: It was there that the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi delivered a speech in 2014 declaring the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in Iraq and appointing himself as the Caliph or ruler of the proclaimed state.

Islamic State fighters have had a vice grip on Mosul since 2014. Credit: Human Rights Watch via Storyful
A man rests in an abandoned warehouse that has served as a make-shift shelter for hundreds of migrants trying to reach western Europe, in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Thousands of migrants have been stranded in Serbia looking for ways to reach western Europe. Many have tried several times to cross to Hungary or Croatia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

TOMPA, Hungary (AP)  A year after the European Union struck a deal with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants into Europe, asylum-seekers are still finding their way into Hungary  and the country's populist government is doubling down protection of its border with Serbia with a new fence and controversial asylum rules.

Hungary first built anti-migrant fences on its borders with Serbia and Croatia in late 2015  at the height of the migrant flow on the Balkan route, when sometimes thousands of people passed through Hungary each day on their way to Germany and other destinations in Western Europe.

While the country has since seen a significant reduction in the influx, Prime Minister Viktor Orban insists that the new security measures are justified because Turkey has threatened to terminate the migrant deal, and large numbers of migrants may soon head toward Hungary again.

A new, second fence to be loaded with surveillance equipment running along the Serbian border is almost complete at Tompa, a southern town of 4,400 residents where every corner bears a reminder of where you are: the Border Inn, the Border Food Store and the Green Border Pub.

Local resident Laszlo Tatar says the fence hasn't stopped the occasional migrant passing through the nearby forests after dark.

"Through the wires or by cutting the wires, I don't know, but they keep coming," Tatar said. "Poor people, they just want to go to Budapest."

Authorities are also expanding a container camp on Tompa's outskirts, where a handful of asylum-seekers a day are allowed to file their asylum claims. A new Hungarian law ordering the detention of all asylum-seekers in one of two camps  the other is in Roszke, 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the east  has prompted stern criticism from United Nations agencies and human rights advocates, which accuse Hungary of gradually dismantling refugee protection.

Orban insists that stopping the flow of mostly Muslim migrants into Europe is the only way to increase security and preserve the continent's Christian culture and identity.

Story continues

"The aim of the law is to put a full stop to illegal migration, close the Balkan route, lower the security risk and protect Europe's borders," the government said about the new asylum rules coming into effect next Tuesday. "The tightening is particularly needed as Turkey is threatening to terminate the Turkey-EU deal, which means a new flood of migrants could set off toward the European and Hungarian border."

In the March 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey, Ankara agreed to take back migrants crossing illegally into Europe in return for 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in aid by the end of 2017 and a promise for visa-free travel within much of the EU for Turkish citizens. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week threatened to scrap the deal over the reluctance of some EU members to allow Turkish ministers to hold campaign rallies in their countries.

Over the past months, far fewer migrants seem to be getting past Hungarian authorities, partly because of intensive police and army border patrols and the summary expulsion back to Serbia of most migrants found in Hungary without proper documents.

Between March 17 and 19, border patrols prevented 13 border crossings and sent 19 migrants back to Serbia. So far this year, 1,147 asylum applications have been filed, compared to over 5,500 in the same period last year.

"This will be a fence that will be able to block the path of even the largest crowds arriving from Turkey," Orban said on Hungarian state radio. "So in Austria and Germany people can sleep soundly, because Hungarians will be protecting Europe's external borders."

Across from Tompa on the Serbian side of the border, farmhand Jozef Pataky used a wheelbarrow to gather a mattress, a sleeping bag and other items left behind on a rye field by migrants who had reached the border fence and likely failed to get across.

"Earlier there were times when they used to come in groups of 30 or 40," said Pataky, 62. "Since the fence was built, they reach the fence and go back."

Pataky, an ethnic Hungarian who watches over farm plots in the town of Kelebija, said that he had packed his wheelbarrow four times over the weekend with the migrants' abandoned possessions.

"I have to clean up before the owner gets here," Pataky said. "It's better if she doesn't see this mess."
FILE PHOTO: Newly recruited Houthi fighters ride on the back or a truck during a parade before heading to the frontline to fight against government forces, in Sanaa, Yemen January 3, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo

Thomson Reuters

LONDON/ANKARA/DUBAI (Reuters)  Iran is sending advanced weapons and military advisers to Yemen's rebel Houthi movement, stepping up support for its Shi'ite ally in a civil war whose outcome could sway the balance of power in the Middle East, regional and Western sources say.

Iran's enemy Saudi Arabia is leading a Sunni Arab coalition fighting the Houthis in the impoverished state on the tip of the Arabian peninsula  part of the same regional power struggle that is fuelling the war in Syria.

Sources with knowledge of the military movements, who declined to be identified, say that in recent months Iran has taken a greater role in the two-year-old conflict by stepping up arms supplies and other support.

This mirrors the strategy it has used to support its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in Syria.

A senior Iranian official said Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force  the external arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  met top IRGC officials in Tehran last month to look at ways to "empower" the Houthis.

"At this meeting, they agreed to increase the amount of help, through training, arms and financial support," the official said.

"Yemen is where the real proxy war is going on and winning the battle in Yemen will help define the balance of power in the Middle East."

Houthi militants ride on the back of a patrol truck as they attend a tribal gathering held to show support to the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Thomson Reuters

Iran rejects accusations from Saudi Arabia that it is giving financial and military support to the Houthis in the struggle for Yemen, blaming the deepening crisis on Riyadh.

But Iran's actions in Yemen seem to reflect the growing influence of hardliners in Tehran, keen to pre-empt a tougher policy toward Iran signaled by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, spokesman for the Arab coalition fighting the Houthis, told Reuters: "We don't lack information or evidence that the Iranians, by various means, are smuggling weapons into the area.

"We observe that the Kornet anti-tank weapon is on the ground, whereas before it wasn't in the arsenal of the Yemeni army or of the Houthis. It came later."

Story continues

A Houthi leader said coalition accusations that Iran was smuggling weapons into Yemen were an attempt to cover up Saudi Arabia's failure to prevail in an intractable war in which at least 10,000 people have been killed.

"The Saudis don't want to admit their failings so they are searching for false justifications ... after two years of the aggression that the United States and Britain are involved in," the Houthi leader, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

Yemenis at the site of the January 29 US military attack

AP

Iran's activities have alarmed Sunni Muslim countries in the Middle East, with one senior official from a neighboring country saying: "We want Iran to stop exporting Shi'ism in the region, whether in Yemen or elsewhere."

Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to back President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after he was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Houthis. Government forces in the south and east hold most of Yemen's territory, while the Houthis control most population centers in the northwest, including Sanaa.

A former senior Iranian security official said Iran's hardline rulers planned to empower Houthi militia in Yemen to "strengthen their hand in the region."

"They are planning to create a Hezbollah-like militia in Yemen. To confront Riyadh's hostile policies ... Iran needs to use all its cards," the former official said.

A Western diplomat in the Middle East agreed: "Iran has long been trying to cultivate portions of the Houthi militias as a disruptive force in Yemen.

"This is not to say that the Houthis are Hezbollah, but they do not need to be to achieve Iran's goals, which is to encircle the Saudis, expand its influence and power projection in the region and develop levers of unconventional pressure."

Shipping supplies

Sources say Iran is using ships to deliver supplies to Yemen either directly or via Somalia, bypassing coalition efforts to intercept shipments.

Western sources say once the ships arrive in the region, the cargoes are transferred to small fishing boats, which are hard to spot because they are so common in these waters.

Smoke rises from the community hall where Saudi-led warplanes struck a funeral in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen on October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo

Thomson Reuters

Favored areas are believed to include fishing coves around the port of Mukalla, even though that would require smuggled men or equipment to make a long risky journey to the main Houthi-controlled districts.

The coalition ejected al Qaeda from the area last year, but still cannot prevent the smuggling of weapons and people, according to sources familiar with the waters.

The Arab coalition's General Asseri acknowledged the difficulties of policing 2,700 km of coastline around Yemen.

"You cannot observe this length of coast even if you bring in all the navies of the world," he said. "If we stop movement of those small boats, this will affect fishing by normal people."

From September 2015 until March 2016, the French and Australian navies frequently intercepted weapons which officials said were most likely bound for the Houthis.

A U.S. defense official said Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis had continued apace since March last year, when the seizures stopped. The equipment included long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into Saudi Arabia.

"There is no plausible explanation for these weapons' appearance other than outside assistance. We assess that assistance has likely come from Iran," the U.S. official said.

Army soldiers man a checkpoint in the historical town of Baraqish in Yemen's al-Jawf province after it was taken over by pro-government forces from Houthi fighters April 6, 2016. REUTERS/Ali Owidha

Thomson Reuters

Nic Jenzen-Jones, a military arms specialist and director of Armament Research Services, which has tracked Iranian equipment ending up in Yemen, also said quantities had increased.

"We have seen some more success in sea-based transfers over the last few months and I suspect the general uptick in the frequency of Iranian arms that we are documenting is partially a result of more successful deliveries by sea," Jenzen-Jones said.

Devastating impact

Evidence of more sophisticated equipment suspected of being used by the Houthis has emerged in recent attacks.

On Jan. 30, a Saudi frigate was attacked near the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, in an operation that Saudi official media blamed on the Houthis.

The U.S. Navy said an unmanned remote-controlled boat laden with explosives rammed the Saudi vessel in the first known strike by a "drone" attack boat, and the Houthis had likely used technology supplied by Iran.

saudi arabai navy houthi yemen strike

Abbas Almutwkel via YouTube

In another development this month, a Yemeni government source told Reuters a coast guard boat was destroyed near al-Mokha by mines laid by the Houthis.

Jenzen-Jones said the quality of Iranian munitions had improved of late.

"Recent transfers of arms and munitions have also included Iranian Ababil series UAVs (drones), fitted with high explosive warheads and used by Houthis to engage high-value targets, such as radar and Patriot missile batteries," he said.

Anti-ship and man-portable missiles were also suspected to have been transferred, he said.

In addition to the weapons, Iranian and regional sources said Tehran was providing Afghan and Shi'ite Arab specialists to train Houthi units and act as logistical advisers. These included Afghans who had fought in Syria under Qods Force commanders.

Reuters has reported this same covert approach was used in Syria in 2014 before Iran took a more open role in that war.

(By Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi and Michael Georgy; writing by Parisa Hafezi and Jonathan Saul; additional reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Sanaa and William Maclean in Dubai; editing by Giles Elgood)

NOW WATCH: DAVID MILIBAND: Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis and it's not getting enough attention

See Also:
FILE PHOTO: Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads

Thomson Reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - As Islamic State loses ground in Iraq and Syria, the Sunni militant group which once held territory amounting to a third of those countries is turning to sabotage to ensure its enemies cannot benefit from its losses.

As the Syrian army and allied militias advanced under heavy Russian air cover on the ancient city of Palmyra three weeks ago, Islamic State leaders ordered fighters to destroy oil and gas fields.

"It is the duty of mujahideen today to expand operations targeting economic assets of the infidel regimes in order to deprive crusader and apostate governments of resources," an article in the group's online weekly magazine al-Nabaa said.

The strategy poses a double challenge to Baghdad and Damascus, depriving their governments of income and making it harder to provide services and gain popular support in devastated areas recaptured from the militants.

The March 2 article said operations by Islamic State in the area around Palmyra "prove the massive effect that strikes aimed at the infidels' economy have, confusing them and drawing them ... into battles they are not ready for."

It's not just oil wells the group has targeted. Twice in the last two years it has taken over Palmyra, about 200 km (130 miles) northeast of Damascus, and both times destroyed priceless antiquities before being driven out.

A Syrian antiquities official said earlier this month that he had seen serious damage to the Tetrapylon, a square stone platform with matching structures of four columns positioned at each corner. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing.

In their earlier occupation of the city, the militants ruined an 1,800-year-old monumental arch and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin.

However, the article in al-Nabaa suggested Islamic State sees the destruction of tangible economic assets as a greater weapon against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, who is from Syria's Alawite minority.

Story continues

"In the first days of the second conquest of Palmyra, where fighters secured the city and other vast areas to the west that include the Alawite regime's last petrol resources ... the Alawite regime and its allies rushed to the depth of the desert to reclaim them," Islamic State wrote.

"But the caliphate's soldiers had beaten them to the punch and destroyed the wells and refineries completely so that their enemies could not gain from them and so that their economic crisis goes on for the longest time possible."

oil wells isis iraq

Reuters/Muhammad Hamed

'Mass destruction policy'

Islamic State, which declared a caliphate across large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, has lost much territory and many fighters as it comes under attack from a U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive in Iraq and three separate ground forces in Syria.

Iraqi troops have recaptured most of Mosul, the largest city to be taken by the group and the base from which its leader proclaimed the caliphate. In Syria, the group has lost Palmyra and its main stronghold, Raqqa, is surrounded.

As well as destroying resources before they pull out, the militants have stepped up insurgent attacks in areas beyond their control, especially in Iraq.

"Any harm to the economic interests of these two governments will weaken them, be it an electricity tower in Diyala, an oil well in Kirkuk, a telecommunications network in Baghdad, or a tourist area in Erbil," the article in al-Nabaa said.

It said those attacks would further stretch the group's enemies by forcing them to defend economic interests, weakening their readiness for the battles to come.

Islamic State has caused about $30 billion in damage to Iraqi infrastructure since 2014, an adviser to the Iraqi government on infrastructure told Reuters.

"Daesh has used a mass destruction policy on factories and buildings with the aim of causing as much economic harm to Iraq as possible," said Jaafar al-Ibrahimi, using an Arabic acronym for the group.

"Over 90 percent of infrastructure that has come under their hands was destroyed. Daesh burned all oil wells in the Qayyarah field south of Mosul."

They also destroyed sugar and cement factories and transported the equipment to Syria, he said.

In Syria, the militants destroyed over 65 percent of the Hayan gas plant, the country's oil minister told the state news agency. The Hayan field, in Homs province where Palmyra is located, produced 3 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.

(Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Dominic Evans and Mark Trevelyan)

NOW WATCH: Heres why flights take longer than they did 50 years ago

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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, damaged and blocked street where clashes erupted between the Syrian government forces and rebels, near the Abbassiyin square, east Damascus, Syria, Monday March 20, 2017. Syrian government forces on Monday regained control of parts of Damascus that were attacked and captured by rebels and militants the previous day, with the two-day fighting leaving dozens dead on both sides, the military and an activist group said. (SANA via AP)

BEIRUT (AP)  Airstrikes and artillery fire shook Damascus on Tuesday as government forces tried to repel a second rebel attack on the Syrian capital in three days.

The military deployed tanks along the city's leafy Fares al-Khoury Avenue leading to the eastern Jobar and Qaboun neighborhoods, where opposition forces have been pinned for years, and the cracks of gunfire could be heard from Abbassin Square.

Government jets pounded the areas behind rebel lines, according to footage released by opposition factions, and fighters scrambled between rubble and burning buses to take up positions. Smoke clouded the skies.

Syrian state media said 15 people were wounded in rebel shelling across the capital. State-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV said government forces had killed and wounded several "terrorists" and arrested several more.

A broad federation of insurgent factions renewed their assault on Damascus on Tuesday after their first attack launched Sunday stalled. That attack marked the most serious infiltration of the capital, seat of President Bashar Assad's power, in years.

On Tuesday, as on Sunday, the rebels detonated a car bomb in the eastern parts of the city before launching their attack. On Sunday, the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for two car bomb explosions.

The campaign brought together a number of rival factions, including the Levant Liberation Committee, two ultraconservative factions  Ahrar al-Sham and the Islam Army  and the Free Syrian Army-affiliated Failaq al-Rahman.

Assad's armed opponents are divided over strategy, with the al-Qaida-affiliated groups preaching a confrontational, military approach against the government, and others  including the Islam Army  agreeing to political discussions.

But the government's own intransigence  ratcheting up military pressure against its opponents across the country despite peace talks in Europe and Asia  appears to have brought the factions closer together.

Story continues

Mohammed Alloush, the rebels' chief negotiator with the government at technical talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, said his group, the Islam Army, was prepared to send further reinforcements to the Qaboun front in Damascus.

"Opening the Jobar front had a major effect in reducing the pressure on us and other fronts in Ghouta that have not calmed down in more than a year, and has contributed to scattering the Assad gangs," said Islam Army military spokesman Hamza Beirakdar, in a Twitter posting.

Jobar has been besieged by government forces since 2013.

The Syrian government holds authority over most of the country's population, after an overwhelming Russian intervention in 2015 turned the tide against advancing rebel forces. The government now controls the country's five largest cities.

Still, the parties to the U.N.-mediated Geneva peace process, including various rebel factions, are expected to attend the resumption of talks on Thursday, a U.N. spokeswoman said.

Alessandra Vellucci said the focus of this round will be governance, constitutional issues and elections, as well as counterterrorism, security and confidence-building measures.

Sunday's rebel blitz, spearheaded by Syria's al-Qaida branch, was the most serious insurgent incursion into Damascus since 2012.

The Levant Liberation Committee said through social media midday Tuesday it had reclaimed the points it had lost the day before. Syrian state media said the government forces had repelled the advance.

The government has been trying to pressure the rebels to surrender the pockets they hold in Damascus following victories in the northern city of Aleppo, the central city of Homs and other Damascus suburbs.

Tens of thousands of fighters, dissidents, and their family members in long-besieged areas have accepted exile to the country's rebel-held northwest, in what opposition figures have termed "forced displacement."

___

Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Mexico Nayarit soldiers police crime scene killing

(AP Photo/Chris Arias)

Deadly violence in Mexico declined from January to February this year, with homicide cases falling from 1,941 to 1,838 and homicide victims falling from 2,156 to 2,098.

The month-to-month respite may be little relief, as the first two months year have continued a string of violent records, both exceeding their counterparts last year in terms of homicides.

Moreover, the first two months of this year are the deadliest such period on record.

January's 2,2156 homicide victims were 38.8% more than recorded in the same month last year, and February's 2,098 homicide victims were a 30% increase over the second month last year.

The number of homicide cases, which can contain more than one victim, were up in January and February by 34.6% and 24.3%, respectively, over January and February 2016.

The 3,779 homicides cases recorded over January and February are a 29.4% increase over the same period in 2016 and the most experienced in Mexico over that period since the government started releasing statistics in 1997. (It didn't start releasing data for homicide victims until 2014.)

The first two months of 2011, amid the climax of the "war against narco trafficking," had a similar number of homicides, 3,554, though, as Mexican news site Animal Politico notes, that is still well short of what was seen over the first two months this year.

Mexico marines police Monterrey crime scene homicide violence

REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Despite the decrease in monthly homicides between January and February this year, last month's figures continue the increase in violence that's been seen in Mexico over the last two years of President Enrique Pena Nieto's term.

Pena Nieto, who took office in December 2012, presided over two years of declines in deadly violence. The government was quick to take credit for those reductions, but 2015 saw an 8% increase in homicides over 2014, and 2016 had a 22% spike in killings over the year before.

Mexico annual homicide cases by sexenio 2000 2016

Mexican government data/Christopher Woody

Story continues

"It seems like there was a point about two years ago, a year ago, where the government seemed to be making progress against the drug cartels, but it seems like there's a resurgence of them," Howard Campbell, an anthropology professor at the University of Texas at El Paso who studies Mexico and drug trafficking, told Business Insider.

That resurgence appears likely to have been caused, in part, by the ongoing fragmentation of once powerful criminal groups, in addition to jockeying by remaining criminal groups for territorial control, especially in northwest Mexico.

Even as deadly violence churns upward in Mexico, some parts of the country  typically areas with high levels of organized-crime activity  have seen pronounced spikes.

The north-central state of Chihuahua saw a jump in homicides in the latter half of last year, going from 595 in the first half of the year to 875 over the last six months.

The state also jumped from 152 homicide victims in January to 175 in February.

Ciudad Juarez, the biggest city in Chihuahua and a major border city, also saw a jump in the latter half of the year that has continued into this year.

The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, generally considered the two most powerful cartels in Mexico, are thought to be contesting Juarez's lucrative trafficking routes.

Mexico Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua crime scene homicide killing victim

REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Farther west, the high level of homicides seen Baja California over the final months of last year has been sustained this year, with January and February recording 139 and 137 homicides, respectively.

Tijuana, another major border crossing, registered its only triple-digit-homicide-victim month of last year in December, with 112. January recorded 103 and February saw 108. Tijuana is also the site of Sinaloa-Jalisco New Generation competition.

In many areas of Mexico, state-level homicide numbers ticked down from January to February, but violence-prone areas of the country saw increases.

Homicides in Guerrero rose from 165 to 175; Michoacan went from 130 to 138; Sinaloa went from 118 to 124; Veracruz jumped from 119 to 142.

Much of southwest Mexico, including Guerrero and Michoacan, has been wracked by drug-related violence.

Mexico homicides Pena Nieto December 2012 February 2017

Christopher Woody/Mexican government data

Nearby Colima, which has the smallest population in Mexico, has seen a surge in homicides as cartels compete for its valuable port. Though between January and February this year the number of homicide victims in the state fell by more than half.

In Veracruz, long a battle ground of the Zetas and Gulf cartels, the Jalisco New Generation cartel has reportedly joined the fray, and 300 skulls have been found in mass graves there over the last week.

While violence over the last two years has not reached the level and nature of the worst cartel-related violence between 2008 and 2012, it has led many to believe the anti-crime strategies of Pena Nieto and his predecessor have failed and that the country is unlikely to see relief in the near term.

"So this is a not a threat to the overall Mexican economy or to the national political structure as far as an overthrow of the government or a destruction of the economy," Campbell told Business Insider.

"But it's the kind of nagging, persistent problem that's very similar to Colombia during the worst of the civil war, where you had an effective, functioning country and economy but with this endless violence in very specific areas that was hard on the tourist industry and made it hard for local businesses and hurt the image of the country."

NOW WATCH: 'Mexico does not believe in walls': Mexico's president rejects Trump's push for a border wall

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By Axel Bugge and Andrei Khalip LISBON (Reuters) - Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem rejected calls for his resignation led by Portugal's prime minister on Wednesday, but said he regretted comments suggesting southern European countries had squandered their money on "booze and women." Prime Minister Antonio Costa described Dijsselbloem's remarks as "racist, xenophobic and sexist" and said Europe would lose credibility if the Dutchman did not step down. The spat has reawakened simmering anger in southern Europe over the harsh austerity some of their countries went through under bailouts during the euro zone debt crisis, pitting creditor nations in the north against the poorer indebted south. "Europe will only be credible as a common project on the day when Mr. Dijsselbloem stops being head of the Eurogroup and apologises clearly to all the countries and peoples that were profoundly offended by his remarks," Costa said. Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi and a Spanish lawmaker in the European Parliament, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, echoed Costa. The Spanish legislator called the remarks "a racist and male-chauvinist insult to the southern countries, and their women". Renzi said: "If he wants to offend Italy he should do it at the sports bar under his house, not in his institutional role." In the weekend interview, Dijsselbloem said that wealthier northern European countries had showed solidarity with the south during the euro zone crisis by giving them financial aid. "But whoever demands it, also has obligations. I cant spend all my money on booze and women and then ask you for your support. This principle holds at personal ... and even European levels," he was quoted as saying. Dijsselbloem said on Wednesday that he had no intention of quitting. He said that he regretted any offence caused by the comments but they could be explained by "strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness." "I understand that this is not always well understood and appreciated, elsewhere in Europe," Dijsselbloem said. "That is another lesson I take on board." "COMPLETELY MISGUIDED" Dijsselbloem has been Eurogroup head since 2013 and his term ends in January next year. Euro zone finance ministers are however due to discuss whether he should stay in the post until then after his centre-left party suffered heavily in this month's Dutch elections. A new formal coalition is yet to be appointed and he could lose his job as finance minister. A senior ally of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Dijsselbloem still had the government's backing. A spokeswoman for German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble sought to play down the remarks. "We expect, so long as this (Dutch) government is in office, that we will have a fully functioning Eurogroup chair," she said, adding: "I don't award marks for style in interviews." Europe's debt crisis started with a bailout for Greece in 2010. Portugal, Cyprus and Ireland also received emergency loans, while Spain sought rescue funds for its banks. Greece has still not recovered and is currently seeking new loans. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said the comment was "completely misguided, it adopts stereotypes that widen the chasm between north and south and lays out the carpet for extremist views, not to mention sexist overtones." European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Dijsselbloem's comments were "wrong." Austerity measures unleashed anger and frequent protests in southern Europe during the crisis, often directed at Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel. In Greece this week several booby-trapped packages, intended for euro zone officials including Dijsselbloem, were intercepted by authorities. Dijsselbloem has been in trouble previously for his outspoken comments. In 2014, he called European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker a heavy drinker and smoker. He also spooked markets in 2013 when he said the Cypriot bank rescue plan, in which depositors with more than 100,000 euros faced losses along with shareholders and bondholders, would be the new template for euro zone bank rescues. (Reporting by Andrei Khalip and Axel Bugge, additional reporting by Jan Strupczewski in Brussels, Karolina Tagaris in Athens, Paul Carrel in Berlin; Editing by Richard Lough)
By Axel Bugge and Andrei Khalip LISBON (Reuters) - Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem rejected calls for his resignation led by Portugal's prime minister on Wednesday, but said he regretted comments suggesting southern European countries had squandered their money on "booze and women." Prime Minister Antonio Costa described Dijsselbloem's remarks as "racist, xenophobic and sexist" and said Europe would lose credibility if the Dutchman did not step down. The spat has reawakened simmering anger in southern Europe over the harsh austerity some of their countries went through under bailouts during the euro zone debt crisis, pitting creditor nations in the north against the poorer indebted south. "Europe will only be credible as a common project on the day when Mr. Dijsselbloem stops being head of the Eurogroup and apologizes clearly to all the countries and peoples that were profoundly offended by his remarks," Costa said. Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi and a Spanish lawmaker in the European Parliament, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, echoed Costa. The Spanish legislator called the remarks "a racist and male-chauvinist insult to the southern countries, and their women". Renzi said: "If he wants to offend Italy he should do it at the sports bar under his house, not in his institutional role." In the weekend interview, Dijsselbloem said that wealthier northern European countries had showed solidarity with the south during the euro zone crisis by giving them financial aid. "But whoever demands it, also has obligations. I cant spend all my money on booze and women and then ask you for your support. This principle holds at personal ... and even European levels," he was quoted as saying. Dijsselbloem said on Wednesday that he had no intention of quitting. He said that he regretted any offense caused by the comments but they could be explained by "strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness." "I understand that this is not always well understood and appreciated, elsewhere in Europe," Dijsselbloem said. "That is another lesson I take on board." "COMPLETELY MISGUIDED" Dijsselbloem has been Eurogroup head since 2013 and his term ends in January next year. Euro zone finance ministers are however due to discuss whether he should stay in the post until then after his center-left party suffered heavily in this month's Dutch elections. A new formal coalition is yet to be appointed and he could lose his job as finance minister. A senior ally of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Dijsselbloem still had the government's backing. A spokeswoman for German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble sought to play down the remarks. "We expect, so long as this (Dutch) government is in office, that we will have a fully functioning Eurogroup chair," she said, adding: "I don't award marks for style in interviews." Europe's debt crisis started with a bailout for Greece in 2010. Portugal, Cyprus and Ireland also received emergency loans, while Spain sought rescue funds for its banks. Greece has still not recovered and is currently seeking new loans. Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said the comment was "completely misguided, it adopts stereotypes that widen the chasm between north and south and lays out the carpet for extremist views, not to mention sexist overtones." European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Dijsselbloem's comments were "wrong." Austerity measures unleashed anger and frequent protests in southern Europe during the crisis, often directed at Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel. In Greece this week several booby-trapped packages, intended for euro zone officials including Dijsselbloem, were intercepted by authorities. Dijsselbloem has been in trouble previously for his outspoken comments. In 2014, he called European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker a heavy drinker and smoker. He also spooked markets in 2013 when he said the Cypriot bank rescue plan, in which depositors with more than 100,000 euros faced losses along with shareholders and bondholders, would be the new template for euro zone bank rescues. (Reporting by Andrei Khalip and Axel Bugge, additional reporting by Jan Strupczewski in Brussels, Karolina Tagaris in Athens, Paul Carrel in Berlin; Editing by Richard Lough)
Syrian rebels have launched a new attack on east Damascus, seizing a strategically important road junction leading into the heart of the capital.

The attack came two days after an initial strike on the city was repelled by government forces.

The second wave of the assault started when a large explosion, thought to be a car bomb, was reported around dawn between the districts of Jobar and Qabun, in the northeast of the capital.

Fierce fighting broke out between the rebels and Syrian government forces and dark smoke was seen rising over the east of the city as the rebels shelled the nearby Abbasids and Tijara neighbourhoods.

A spokesman for the main rebel group behind the attack, Failaq al Rahman, said they had retaken all the positions they lost to the Syrian army on Monday.

He told Reuters they had "fire control over the Abassiyin garages" and had started storming them.

Syrian state media confirmed the rebels had re-entered parts of Damascus, but said the army was bombing their positions and was repelling the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 72 people were killed in the clashes on Sunday and Monday, including 38 government forces members and 34 rebels and jihadists.

Sunday's rebel attack came as a surprise to government forces and was the rebels first large scale operation inside the capital in over four years.

During the attack the rebels briefly made it as far as Abbasid Square - just over a mile from Damascus' Old City - for the first time in two years.

The rebels have suffered a steady succession of military defeats over the last year and a half at the hands of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his army, supported by Russian, Iranian and Shi'ite militia forces.

The fighting comes just two days before further UN peace talks in Geneva, aimed at ending the civil war.
ANKARA (Reuters) - The Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Ankara after Norway granted refuge to four Turkish asylum seekers blamed by Turkey of being involved in a July coup attempt, the spokesman for the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "It is saddening and unacceptable that an ally country supported the efforts of individuals, who have been called back from their state duty, to take advantage of the political, social and economic resources of their country of residence instead of returning to Turkey," the spokesman said in a statement, and added Turkey's efforts on the matter would continue. Since the failed coup, which Ankara says was orchestrated by U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, some 40,000 people have been arrested in Turkey and more than 100,000 sacked or suspended from the military, civil service and private sector, while others have sought asylum abroad. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Toby Chopra)
NASA x-57 electric plane

NASA

An electric-powered flight could launch from London to Paris in the next ten 10 years if a US startup gets the greenlight.

Wright Electric said on its blog that it has been speaking to airlines for the past few weeks about its electric 150-seater concept  called "Wright One"  which would carry passengers on journeys of less than 300 miles.

"Were excited to report we have a potential partnership with one airline," the company said. "Also: A high-net-worth individual wants our electric 150-seater as his fifth private jet."

According to the BBC, British low-cost airline Easyjet has expressed interest in the technology, while it remains unknown which individual is interested in building an electric private jet.

"Easyjet has had discussions with Wright Electric and is actively providing an airline operator's perspective on the development of this exciting technology," Wright Electric told the BBC.

Electric planes could result in much cheaper travel due to absence of jet fuel, according to Wright Electric, a company which is backed by start-up incubator programme Y Combinator, which has supported to the likes of Airbnb and Dropbox.

Electric planes could also be "less loud" than a fuel plane, and since batteries could be charged separately, the need for planes to sit on the tarmac while fuel is added would be removed.

A mock-up of the Wright One is shown in the tweet below:

Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/844483916346130432

Are electric #shorthaul passenger #aircraft really this close? Wright Electric says so. Lots of engineering to sort! https://t.co/LJMkXkm3Qe pic.twitter.com/MEBBN2xegW

Wright Electric's goal is to make all short-haul flights electric-powered within the next 20 years, according to the BBC, which would account for around 30% of all global flights.

However, the company is relying on innovation in battery technology to continue improving at its current rate, the BBC reported. If it doesn't, the Wright One won't have the power it needs to travel.

Story continues

The company is currently working with American inventor Chip Yates, owner of the world's fastest electric aircraft, the Long-ESA.

Meanwhile, European company Airbus has been developing the electric two-seater E-Fan plane since 2014, and has also discussed plans to build a 90-seater short haul electric plane.

NASA is also investing heavily in electric planes. In 2016, the US space agency said it had committed $43.5 million (35 million) over the next 10 years to design and build its X-Series line of environmentally-friendly planes, which have the potential to be sold commercially.

NOW WATCH: Here's the surprising reason highways have those concrete walls alongside them

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SEE ALSO: NASA has an ambitious $43 million plan to make electric planes a reality
Students and alumni of the University of North Georgia (UNG) have the opportunity to meet and network with more than 100 recruiters and employers at the 2017 Career Fair and Job Fair, held on the university's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, respectively.

There will also be a Summer Job Fair on UNG's Oconee Campus on April 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Resource Center, as well as a Teacher Recruitment event on March 28 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room, above the Dining Hall on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

The state unemployment rate is 5.5 percent, which is .1 percent higher than this time in 2016, and .7 percent higher than the federal unemployment rate. The fairs offer students and alumni the chance to fit weeks' worth of job-searching and informal interviewing into just a few hours' time.

Planned for March 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Recreation Center, the Career Fair on UNG's Dahlonega Campus will help attendees connect with a wide range of employers seeking to fill internships as well as part-time, seasonal and full-time positions.

"Local and state employers recognize the skills and leadership that our students and graduates offer their organizations, which is why these events continue to be highly anticipated and well attended," said Diane Farrell, director of Career Services at UNG. "The extraordinary level of interest from recruiters helps make the events great opportunities for our students, because the recruiters already know they will be interacting with high-caliber applicants during their time here."

The semi-annual Gainesville Campus Job Fair is set for April 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Robinson Ballroom, and is also open to students and alumni looking for part-time, seasonal and full-time positions.

"In the modern job market, opportunities to network with dozens of employers at a time as well as physically put your resume and other qualifications into their hands are very rare," said Edward Wai-Ming Lai, associate director for Career Services. "I strongly encourage all students and alumni who are either currently unemployed or interested in learning about other employment options to attend these events, and to come as prepared as possible. We can also help students and alumni prepare for any job search event; those interested can schedule an appointment with a career counselor at www.ung.edu/careers."

For more information about the Career Fair or Teacher Recruitment event on the Dahlonega Campus, contact Career Services at 706-864-1951. A list of recruiters attending is available here. Professional attire is required for this event.

For more information about the Job Fair on the Gainesville Campus, contact Career Services at 678-717-3964.

For more information about the Summer Job Fair on the Oconee Campus, contact Career Services at 706-310-6310.
The University System of Georgia (USG) has launched a system-wide health challenge, inviting all institutions to participate. Dubbed HealthTrails, the initiative officially began at the University of North Georgia (UNG) with a Kick-off Walk on March 20 on all five campuses.

UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs led the walk on the Dahlonega Campus, beginning at Price Memorial Hall and making a loop around the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field. That same afternoon, Dr. Richard Oates, vice president of UNG's Gainesville Campus, Jerry Sullivan, interim CEO of the university's Oconee Campus, Sandy Ott, director of the Blue Ridge Campus, and Lyne Hitt of UNG's Cumming Campus also led walks on their campuses. So far, 352 faculty and staff at UNG have signed up for the challenge. More than 120 participated in the Kick-off Walk across the university.

"We are all excited about this event; we know that when we are well and fit, we are more productive," Jacobs said prior to leading the Kick-off Walk. "This is a great new initiative, especially considering the opportunity for participants to progress in small steps."

The six-week HealthTrails Challenge is a competition between all USG institutions. All benefit-eligible employees are able to compete by logging steps, water consumption, and acts of kindness. Participants from the winning institution will be treated to lunch and presented with the USG Well-being Traveling Trophy.

Participants have the option to use Fitbit or Jawbone to track daily steps, and sync their device with their HealthTrails account or the app; participants can also log their progress manually. A Fitbit subsidy of $44 is available for the first 5,000 employees who do not currently own a tracking device and have not previously received a USG Fitbit subsidy. Employees eligible for the Fitbit subsidy will receive an email on the Monday following their registration.

"UNG is honored to be participating in the HealthTrails Challenge; its holistic design benefits both the body and the mind, and I'm excited to see the event boost the physical and mental well-being of our campuses and university," Oates said. "The benefits of exercise on a workforce are well researched. Physical activity lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and depression. The act of doing good deeds for others is part of our university's DNA, and positively impacts campus morale. I look forward to contributing, and encourage all UNG faculty and staff to participate, whether officially or unofficially."

The challenge also includes choosing a "trail" to travel; as participants log activity, they will travel their chosen trail and learn about captivating attractions throughout the world.

Important dates for the competition include:

Monday, March 20: Start logging activity and begin recording health habits

Monday, April 3: Team formation deadline, last day to form or join a team of 4-10 people

Sunday, April 30: Program ends, but backlogging is allowed until Wednesday, May 3

Online registration and more information is available at https://usgwellbeing.healthtrails.com.
Iran

At approximately 4.10 pm EST, Trump told the delegation from Iraq that nobody knew why President Barack Obama signed a nuclear agreement with Iran.

He also mentioned to Abadi that his team, including Defence Secretary James Mattis, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, want to discuss with the Iraqi delegation, the Iranian Regime and the threat it poses to the middle east and the world as a whole.

This would include their terror attacks, the murder of American citizens, and their terror training camps, which were recently revealed by the Iranian Resistance group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

ISIS and the Iraq War

This meeting came as Trump is preparing to host a 68-nation meeting regarding the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and how best to counter its influence and destruction in the middle east and around the world.

It is part of Trumps campaign pledge to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism and increase the efforts to fight ISIS.

The White House are also concerned about the vacuum of power that was created when the Islamic State claimed Iraq, after the withdrawal of American troops (under President Obama) who had been sent there during the second Iraq war, under President George W Bush.

He hinted that it may be necessary to deploy more ground troops in Iraq in the coming months.

During the meeting, Trump said that the US shouldnt have gone [into Iraq] in the first place. Despite claiming that hed always opposed the Iraq war over the course of the election (which was debunked by numerous fact checkers including Snopes, Politifact and Fact Check), it is possible that Trump is now saying in hindsight that the invasion was wrong which many US politicians (and members of the public) now agree with.

Trump pledged to help war-torn Iraq, but with reports of significant proposed budget cuts for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), it remains to be seen how helpful, Trump will be.

This was Abadis first visit to the White House since Donald Trump took office on January 20.
WASHINGTON  President Trump spent Tuesday selling the Republican health-care overhaul to skeptical House members, warning his party that failure would endanger his legislative agenda and their own political careers.

But more than two dozen GOP lawmakers remained firmly opposed to the legislation amid the high-stakes persuasion campaign led by Trump and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.)  more than enough to block the bill ahead of a planned Thursday vote.

House passage would represent a powerful, if symbolic, achievement for both men  and failure would send leaders back to the drawing board on a key issue that Trump and congressional Republicans promised voters they would address. Even if the House approves the package, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate.

The holdouts are mainly hard-line conservatives who believe the bill, known as the American Health Care Act, does not do nearly enough to undo the Affordable Care Act passed by Democrats in 2010. But they also include moderates who fear the bill will imperil their constituents as well as their partys prospects at the ballot box.

In a morning address to a closed-door meeting of House Republicans, Trump used both charm and admonishment as he made his case, reassuring skittish members that they would gain seats in Congress if the bill passed.

He singled out Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, which has led the right-wing opposition to the bill.

Im gonna come after you, but I know I wont have to, because I know youll vote yes, Trump said, according to several lawmakers who attended the meeting. Honestly, a loss is not acceptable, folks.

Trumps remarks  which Meadows said he took as good-natured ribbing  reflected his mounting urgency to secure a major legislative victory in the early months of his presidency and fulfill a central campaign promise by repealing the signature domestic achievement of President Barack Obama. Passing a health-care measure is key to unlocking momentum for the presidents other legislative priorities such as tax reform and infrastructure spending.

He wants to get this bill done, said Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), a Trump ally. I dont hear that as a threat. Its a statement of reality.

In interviews, more than two dozen lawmakers said they were either firmly opposed to the bill or leaning toward voting against it. Ryan can lose only 21 members of his own party for the bill to succeed, as no Democrats have pledged to support the package.

Several Republicans privately said Tuesday that the Thursday vote could be postponed if leaders are unable to secure enough firm votes for passage beforehand.

One top Republican not authorized to speak about the whipping process said the leadership remained confident it will collect enough support but is weighing scheduling options.

The White House is engaged, the leadership is engaged, everyone is working together, the Republican said. But this is the House GOP, and you cant assume that its going to go perfect. You leave options, meaning a vote on Friday or even the weekend.

A second Republican, also not authorized to discuss internal deliberations, said others in the leadership orbit were eager to bring the bill to the floor even if the count is narrow because they would like opponents to take ownership of their position and the consequences of what it would mean for the president.

Addressing reporters Tuesday, Ryan played down the possibility that the bill could fail Thursday and argued that conservatives should be pleased that many of their demands would probably be in the legislation. Adding further changes, he said, could jeopardize the legislations chances in the Senate.

If you get 85 percent of what you want, thats pretty darn good, he said. We dont want to put something in this bill that the Senate is telling us is fatal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sounded a cautiously optimistic note Tuesday, promising that the Senate would forge ahead with plans for votes on the measure  if it passed the House first.

If the House passes something, I will bring it up, McConnell said. Well try to move it across the floor next week.

On Tuesday afternoon, Trump hosted more than a dozen members of the Tuesday Group, a moderate House faction, in the Oval Office for a lower-key lobbying session that involved Trump asking each person to relay their concerns about the bill.

On Friday, a similar meeting helped Trump win converts among members of the Republican Study Committee, a key conservative bloc. But on Tuesday, Trump found more resistance.

Going into the White House meeting, Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) described himself as a strong lean no, citing a variety of concerns. My views are based on fundamentals in the legislation, he said. I dont see the lower premiums in this bill.

After the meeting, he said his views had hardened: Im a no, he told reporters.

The meeting came less than 24 hours after GOP leaders released changes to the bill that they believe are sufficient to win a House majority.

Many of the changes were made to placate conservatives, including giving states the option to take a fixed Medicaid block grant and to impose work requirements on childless, able-bodied adults covered under the program. Others responded to broader concerns about the sufficiency of the tax credits offered to help Americans purchase insurance.

One revision was more narrowly targeted  added at the behest of a group of Upstate New York Republicans who wanted to end their states practice of commandeering local tax revenue to fund state Medicaid benefits.

That compounded the concerns of Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-N.Y.), a Tuesday Group member who represents parts of New York City that would be hurt by the change.

I have four hospital systems in my district; they are my biggest employers, he said. All of them have grave concerns about how they are going to survive if this gets passed.

After the White House session, Donovan said he welcomed the meeting with Trump but had not reached a final decision: Well know on Thursday. Some of these things have to be addressed.

One surprising holdout was Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), who was among the first House members to endorse Trump and has emerged as one of his most stalwart backers. But he is a hard-liner on illegal immigration and cited the issue Tuesday in opposing the bill.

The tax credits offered under the GOP plan, he said, could be claimed by an individual who is not lawfully in this country and eligible to receive them.

I would have a hard time explaining to families in the 11th District . . . why they should be helping to pay for the health expenses of someone who broke the law to get here and has no right to those federal dollars, he said.

But it was Trumps warning to Meadows that sent the sharpest message Tuesday. He was kidding around  I think, said Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), a bill supporter.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said later in the day: Mark Meadows is a longtime, early supporter of the president. He had some fun at his expense this morning during the conference meeting.

Asked whether Trump believed that Republicans who opposed the bill would be damaged at the ballot box, Spicer answered: I think theyll probably pay a price at home.

Spicer explained that statement was not a threat but a political reality.

Meadows told reporters that he had a sincere and deep friendship with Trump and appreciated the many hours of negotiation that were involved in the package. But he remained firmly against the bill absent major changes that Trump and Ryan have now ruled out.

This is not a personality decision; this is a policy decision, Meadows said. It wont lower premiums, and until it does, Im going to be a no, even if I sends me home.

The Freedom Caucus has not taken a formal position to oppose the bill, but it appeared on Tuesday that the bulk of the caucuss roughly three dozen members stood ready to vote it down.

Two caucus members who said they could support the bill  Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.)  both serve on the committees that wrote it.

The others insisted the Freedom Caucus would hold fast. I personally know of more than 21 House members who are pretty strong nos, said Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa). So when [GOP leaders] say theyve got the numbers, they dont have the numbers.

Blum said he was not concerned by Trumps implied threat that he could face an electoral challenge next year if he opposed the bill: Trump won his northeastern Iowa district by three points, but Blum won it by eight points.

I outperformed the president, so Im not worried about that, he said. They know who I am, and they know that I care about them, and they know Ill stand up to my own leadership. Ill stand up to the president of the United States, Ill stand up for what I think is right.



The Washington Post sDavid Nakamura, Juliet Eilperin and David Weigel contributed to this report.

  
Federal agents raided Caterpillars headquarters in Illinois this month, storming the office to collect company documents and digital records.

The warrant did not say what the agents were looking for, but the investigation could be connected to the billions in unpaid taxes and penalties that the Internal Revenue Service says Caterpillar owes, according to the company. The firm has been keeping profits in Switzerland, out of the reach of U.S. authorities, congressional investigators reported in 2014.

According to that investigation, Caterpillar gave its Swiss subsidiary legal ownership of all the replacement parts it sells to foreign customers. As a result, the profits from selling those parts piled up in Switzerland, not in Illinois.

Now the IRS wants a cut of that money, saying the company was dodging taxes owed to the federal government. Caterpillar disputes the accusation, maintaining that its practices are legal.

Under a plan Republicans are pushing to overhaul the nations tax code, the companys strategy would no longer be necessary. The GOP plan, known as a border adjustment, poses essential questions about fairness in U.S. taxation, and analysts say the proposal could give Caterpillar a big new break.

Currently, U.S. corporations such as Caterpillar owe taxes on the income they receive, regardless of where their products are sold.

Sales to foreign customers and domestic clients are all subject to federal tax. Corporations can put off paying those taxes only if they find a way to keep the money overseas, rather than bringing it back to their U.S. headquarters. In Caterpillars case, the profits stopped in Switzerland.

Under the GOP plan  known as a border adjustment  U.S. firms sales to foreign customers would not be taxed. As a result, Caterpillar would not need to rely on aggressive legal maneuvers to avoid taxes on those profits.

Proponents of the plan argue that companies should not have to pay taxes on sales they make outside of the United States, and that a system that exempted those exports from taxation would be simpler, more efficient and more transparent.

Theres two different philosophical approaches to dealing with problems like this. One is to come up with regulations and penalties, said Alan Auerbach, an economist at the University of California at Berkeley and one of the plans most vocal supporters. The other is to just change the rules so that you no longer have to worry about what companies are doing.

Supporters also point out that with a border adjustment, manufacturers would be rewarded for relocating their factories to the United States. Many foreign countries tax companies based on where they produce goods. Companies producing in the United States could avoid those taxes, without paying taxes on the exports back overseas.

Detractors say that because U.S. companies rely on domestic public services and infrastructure to educate their workers, maintain public safety and carry their products to international markets, U.S. exporters should bear some of the burden of taxation, as well.

For its part, Caterpillar is backing the GOP proposal. Caterpillar is part of an industry group calling itself the American Made Coalition and consisting of multinational corporations with lucrative foreign markets.

Caterpillars support for the plan is galling for the companys critics  particularly after the company found itself the target of a federal raid.

Caterpillar appears to have elevated international tax avoidance to an art form, said Matt Gardner, the former director of the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. From that perspective, this plan is exactly backward. It would leave the barn door wide open for companies like Caterpillar to continue shifting their profits on paper offshore.

A newly enacted border adjustment, however, would not free Caterpillar from the controversy over what the IRS describes as unpaid taxes under the current system.

According to the 2014 report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Caterpillar used accounting maneuvers to shift its profits from selling replacement parts to foreign customers to Switzerland, where Caterpillar had negotiated a tax rate of 4 percent to 6 percent. To avoid federal taxes, Caterpillar set up a Swiss subsidiary as the legal supplier of replacement parts for its customers overseas. Caterpillars third-party suppliers manufactured the parts  predominantly at U.S. factories  then sold them to the Swiss subsidiary. That entity in turn sold the parts to Caterpillars independent dealers around the world, and the company said that the profits from its parts should be taxed in Switzerland.

The IRS has asked Caterpillar for $2 billion in back taxes and penalties related to the Swiss operation, according to the companys filings, but the company insists that it didnt step out of line.

Caterpillar takes very seriously its obligation to follow tax law and pay what it owes, the company said in a statement. We are compliant with tax laws and stand by our financial reporting.

Critics are unmoved. Its ludicrous for them to say theyre paying everything they owe when the IRS, the tax agency of record, says very clearly that theyre not, Gardner said.
The states largest community college could have a little foreign flair this fall.

Central New Mexico Community College for the first time can enroll international students thanks to a newly granted federal certification. The tentative goal is to have 50 such students on campus when the fall semester starts in August.

Officials say international students could bring new revenue and additional educational relevance to the Albuquerque-based institution.

Global competency (is) a 21st-century skill, said Diane Burke, executive director of CNMs new Global Education office.

She said CNMs traditional student population, 84 percent of which comes from the Albuquerque metro, can now learn alongside  and from  peers from around the world.

This is an opportunity to have (international students) in their class, this is an opportunity to have them on their teams, said Burke, adding that local CNM students will also now have study-abroad opportunities.

Most of the international college students coming to New Mexico wind up at the states four-year colleges, but some of CNMs community college peers have been attracting them, as well.

Santa Fe Community College has accepted foreign students for about 25 years, though the school, with about 6,100 total students, gets only about 20-25 of them per year. San Juan College in Farmington also is federally certified to take international students, but currently has none attending on a student visa.

American community colleges had about 95,000 international students in the past academic year, according to Open Doors data from the Institute of International Education.

CNM has spent the past two years working toward this point, developing more English proficiency courses and talking with faculty about internationalizing classes with more global context and discussions.

CNM, which can enroll those on F and M student visas, also developed an application process for international students. It is also working with the University of New Mexico to possibly utilize some spare dormitory space for them.

CNM recruitment efforts were on hold until it received the federal OK from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this month, but Burke said hundreds of people started expressing interest earlier.

The school has 350 international inquiries  many from Albuquerque-based immigrants asking on behalf of other family members who still live outside the U.S. Burke said she aims to have around 50 actually enrolled this fall, though she said predictions are difficult.

CNMs new certification arrives amid possibly troubling trends. A recent study found that 39 percent of U.S. universities had seen a decline in international applications, particularly from the Middle East. UNM said last week that its international grad school applications are trending 16 percent lower than this point last year.

Burke said she is not overly concerned, partly because she never anticipated great interest in CNM coming from the Middle East. She expects the most activity from Latin America.

Plus, she said, CNM should be attractive based on its lower price point and its culture.

I think we have access, support and costs in our favor, she said.

International students would pay out-of-state tuition and fees, which total about $10,000 annually to attend all three terms, or $6,800 for two terms, not including living expenses.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
WASHINGTON  With Russia-tinged investigations swirling around his administration, President Donald Trump has yet to fulfill a campaign pledge of closer cooperation with Moscow. A planned trip by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Russia could test if detente proves anything more than talk.

In a move alarming U.S. allies, Tillerson plans to skip a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Belgium next month, according to U.S. officials. The top American diplomat almost always attends such gatherings, and Tillerson will follow up his absence in Brussels by traveling to Russias capital shortly afterward.

The juxtaposition of the trips  one taken and one avoided  has reinforced concerns about Americas commitment to NATO, which Trump has repeatedly fueled by dressing down allies as deadbeats who arent paying enough for their own defense and who take U.S. help for granted.

Trump will take part in a meeting of NATO heads of state in Brussels on May 25, the White House announced Tuesday. Spokesman Sean Spicer said the president looks forward to discussing issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATOs role in the fight against terrorism.

As far as the U.S-Russia relationship, Trump has yet to make any major steps as president to bring the two nations closer together.

As a candidate, Trump opened the door to potentially rolling back the sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Ukraines Crimea region in 2014, a move Democrats and Republicans in Congress oppose. But as president, Trump has tamped down such suggestions as long as Russia fails to live up to its various commitments to end the fighting in Ukraine.

His administration also has resisted Russias calls to join forces against the Islamic State group in Syria, where the former Cold War foes have long backed opposing sides in a civil war. The Pentagon is continuing only what it calls U.S.-Russian deconfliction contacts, designed to ensure their forces dont accidentally collide on Syrias crowded battlefield and contested skies.

But Trumps biggest roadblock to a new Russia approach may be the political realities at home.

In a remarkable public disclosure Monday, FBI Director James Comey said the bureau is investigating whether Trump campaign associates coordinated with Russian officials as Moscow sought to sway the U.S. presidential election. Several congressional committees are also investigating, ensuring the allegations of Russian meddling  and questions about Trump campaign collusion  stay in the spotlight for months to come.

Trump has denied any collaboration between his campaign and Russia. As a candidate, he spoke frequently of his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and said improving relations with the traditional U.S. adversary would be positive. He argued that Russia shared Americas goal of defeating IS extremists.

Thats about as far as the new relationship has gone.

Tillerson will need to publicly outline what he hopes to accomplish when he visits Moscow and what is the basis for U.S. policy toward Russia, said Heather Conley at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The prospect of Washington and Moscow teaming up, given Russias recent actions in Ukraine, has sent chills through much of Europe. Candidate Trump exacerbated concerns by calling NATO obsolete and suggested the U.S. might not defend allies if they arent paying enough for collective defense. As president, Trump has insisted the U.S. is fully committed to NATO.

Few are convinced. Western diplomats and some U.S. lawmakers expressed alarm Tuesday with Tillersons decision to skip the upcoming NATO meeting and travel shortly afterward to Russia. Some Europeans see the decision as a U-turn from Vice President Mike Pences pledges about safeguarding the alliance in Munich last month.

While other NATO countries send their foreign ministers  who include an ex-prime minister, top parliamentarians and several former defense chiefs  to Brussels, the U.S. will dispatch Tom Shannon, a career diplomat serving as the State Departments No. 3 official. (The No. 2 slot of deputy secretary is among dozens of unfilled posts.)

Well take care of the representation. This is something to be worked out, no problem, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters Tuesday.

The State Department wouldnt provide details Tuesday about the purpose of Tillersons trip to Russia or whom he would meet there.

Spokesman Mark Toner said Tillersons schedule would not allow him to attend the NATO meeting, saying the U.S. proposed alternative dates. He didnt elaborate, but Trump is expected to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a highly anticipated meeting around the same time.

In any case, Tillerson is meeting with almost every NATO countrys foreign minister in Washington this week, officials said. Yet that gathering is focused on fighting the Islamic State, not on NATOs key concern: Russia.

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2-ranked House Democrat, said Tillerson was sending a dangerous signal to our allies and adversaries.

Vladimir Putins Russia has not done anything to merit such engagement, Hoyer said.

___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee and Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.

___

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
Fix, Dont Fight!

This was the slogan raised by a thousand American citizens across the country on March 1 and 2 in Washington, D.C. Clad in bright blue NoLabels T Shirts, they rallied north of the Capitol building while being addressed by a dozen senators and representatives who are active members of the No Labels Problem Solvers Congressional Caucus.

NoLabels.Org aims to be the voice for the New Center, for the tens of millions of Americans who feel abandoned by both the Democratic and Republican parties.

An analysis of the composition of our current national parties indicates that each party is controlled by a minority of its constituents. For the Democratic Party, the far left component is a minority compared to the moderates making up its membership. Yet the minority seems to dictate the partys agenda. Equally so, the Republican Party agenda seems to be dictated by its far right component, which is also a minority compared to the moderates that comprise its membership. Taken together, this means that the moderates of both parties are the great majority and yet are not exercising the influence that would be expected by their numbers. Is it time for them to band together and make their voices heard? This is what the No Labels movement is aiming to do.

It is a movement of problem solvers who believe being principled and pragmatic are not mutually exclusive ideas, who may tilt right or left, but who wont be held hostage to ideology or party dictates. No Labels members are registered Republicans, Democrats and Independents, but consider themselves Americans first.

From the Capitol rally, the No Labels members marched to the congressional office buildings and proceeded to enter all 535 senators and representatives offices to deliver the No Labels Compact with the American People and to encourage their state delegations to join the Problem Solvers Caucus.

Today, there are 40 members of the Problem Solvers Caucus, equally divided among Democrats and Republicans. These are the brave souls who are putting America first and seeking progress through compromise and consensus. These are the stalwarts that do not blindly follow a party line, but rather conduct open dialogue and encourage debate. They are respectful and conduct themselves in a manner that would make their parents and children proud. They are governing by focusing on fixing problems, not by attacking those who might not agree with them.

Established in 2010, the No Labels movement has published its vision, principles, books, and introduced several bills that have been enacted into laws. All of these activities have been with the singular purpose of moving America forward with dignity, respect and non-partisanship. Now more than ever, this movement is critical to securing the future of the nation and the planet in uncertain times.

The No Labels movement does not ask anyone to give up their party affiliations or their passion for issues dear to their heart. However, it does urge the placement of ultimate loyalty to the country as a whole and to pursue ones interests with an open mind, knowing that a solution built with consensus is ultimately the most sustainable.

Here in New Mexico, we are blessed to have a political composition not wholly dominated by one political party. We have learned to compromise and seek consensus. Our senators and representatives exhibit respectful behavior and understand the need to move forward through dialogue and debate. New Mexico is the perfect example of a governing environment that fits the No Labels vision and values. We should seize the opportunity to lead in this movement and have 100 percent of our delegation join the Problem Solvers Caucus.

Please peruse the https://www.nolabels.org web site and join us. It is a growing and critically important movement. Our voices need to be heard. We can either stand still separately, or we can move forward together. The time is now to make the right choice for America.

Francisco A. Figueroa is a retired executive with Lockheed Martin and Sandia Labs, a community leader and a New Mexico No Labels representative.
It is a story oft-repeated and, at first, quite moving. It is the story of Marty Bannon, father of the chief White House strategist, Stephen Bannon, and how he lost much of his nest egg when the financial system cratered in 2008. He had worked for AT&T for 50 years, buying the stock when it was safe as gold  only gold paid no dividend  and was now watching it go south at such an alarming rate that he decided to sell it. In a flash, the system turned on Marty and a lifetime of savings was gone. For his son Steve, it was an unforgettable lesson. It made him the revolutionary he is today.

The story reappeared last week in The Wall Street Journal. The only net worth my father had beside his tiny little house was that AT&T stock, Bannon was quoted as saying. And nobody is held accountable? All these firms get bailed out. Theres no equity taken from anybody. Theres no one in jail.

That day, that October day when Marty Bannon panicked and took Jim Cramers advice from the TV and sold his AT&T stock, was when Steve Bannon had an epiphany: Everything since then has come from there, he said.

This could be Bernie Sanders speaking. This could be the indignant writers of the 2015 movie The Big Short, which ended by noting that almost no one went to jail for the giant scam. It happens to be how I feel about New York City taxi drivers, many of them immigrants, who leveraged themselves for three generations to buy a cab and now have had their investment gutted by Uber. This is the human cost of disruption, which, if you dont happen to be poor and drive a cab, is supposedly a wonderful thing.

At some point in the Steve Bannon story, I started wondering: If his father got fleeced, if nobody [was] held accountable, how can the remedy be less regulation? If Wall Street picked his old mans pocket, why has President Trump appointed tycoon after tycoon who thinks the fairest tax is none at all and, in some cases, got immensely rich by collapsing companies and squeezing employees?

Where is the Trump appointee who cares about Steve Bannons father? Why dont they go down the halls of the White House to reassure Bannon and tell him it will never happen again? Why dont they name an executive action after his father: The Martin Bannon You Will Never Lose Your Nest Egg Act of 2017? The government will see to it.

Maybe Bannon is right. Maybe someone should have gone to jail for selling junk wrapped in the American Dream to people who only wanted to buy a home like his fathers. But that would have taken some new laws. As it happened, the reason almost no one went to jail is that no laws were broken. Sometimes theres frustration because the things that have happened dont rise to the level of criminal conduct, Preet Bharara, the just-fired Manhattan U.S. attorney, said back in 2014. People are being jerks and stupid and greedy and negligent, but you cant pin a criminal case on them.

But the Trump administration is not for new laws and tighter regulation. It wants to roll back the Dodd-Frank financial reform, which, among other things, created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, whose name tells you all you need to know about its purpose. The president wants to hack nearly one-third out of the Environmental Protection Agencys budget and he appointed an administrator, Scott Pruitt, who hates the very agency hes supposed to run.

Why cut the EPA budget? Is our water too pure? Is the air too clean? Shall we go back to where we once were? Look what Volkswagen did. It cheated on emissions standards and allegedly lied about it until the EPA outed them. Shall we leave these matters to the private sector?

Let them breathe nitrogen oxides.

I have heard too many people in business and finance complain about excessive regulation not to think there is something of a problem there. Maybe Dodd-Frank is too burdensome. Maybe class-action suits need to be limited. Maybe Obamacare really was a fiasco. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

But Bannons administrative state boogeyman is not what flattened his fathers nest egg. It was not excessive regulation that fleeced his father or, for that matter, changed AT&T from Ma Bell into just another business behemoth. Go home, Steve. You need to think.

Email: cohenr@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.
At least half of Albuquerque Police Department vehicles will be equipped with anti-overdose naloxone kits by Sept. 30, with the remaining vehicles getting them by the end of the year, under a resolution adopted by the City Council on Monday.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilor Diane Gibson, was adopted by an 8-0 vote. Councilor Brad Winter was absent.

The measure now goes to Mayor Richard Berry for his consideration.

The resolution speeds up the deadlines for implementing the naloxone program the council previously approved in October. It also sets aside $10,000 to purchase naloxone rescue kits for APD.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a drug that blocks the effects of opioids like heroin. It is sprayed in the nose of individuals who are overdosing.

The city already requires that naloxone be kept in first-aid kits in city buildings. Police officers in Rio Rancho and Santa Fe already carry it.

Ultimately the risk is relatively low, the cost is relatively low, but the potential to save a life is high, Rio Rancho police Lt. Joel Holt told city councilors.

Capt. James Lamb, with the Santa Fe Police Department, said his department launched its naloxone program in November. Since then, he said, officers have used naloxone 16 times and were able to save 15 of those people who were overdosing.

In Bernalillo County, the prescription opioid overdose rate has been 185 per 100,000, and the heroin (overdose rate) has been 153, said Dominick Zurlo, manager of the state Department of Healths Harm Reduction Program.

He said naloxone isnt harmful if administered to someone who isnt on opioids.

_standing_head_page_2>Consolidation study: Despite concerns from one city councilor that the city had not reached out to Bernalillo County leaders, the council voted 7-1 to a adopt a resolution authorizing $50,000 for a study of the feasibility of consolidating APD with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and city and county fire departments.

The bill was sponsored by council President Isaac Benton and Councilors Dan Lewis and Ken Sanchez.

Voting against it was Councilor Trudy Jones, who questioned whether the council was putting the cart before the horse by not first reaching out to the Bernalillo County Commission and manager on the study.

To me, its about getting data, Benton said. We do not need to get permission from the county to do a study.

Sanchez called the study a step in the right direction.

When someone calls 911, and its a Priority 1 call, they do not care if its a county truck or a city truck. They just want that response to be immediate, he said.

_standing_head_page_2>Civic Plaza renaming: Three city councilors want to name the stage and buildings at Civic Plaza the Al Hurricane Sr. Pavilion at Civic Plaza in honor of the man considered the godfather of New Mexico music.

The resolution was introduced during Monday nights council meeting but no action was taken. The measure is sponsored by Sanchez, Benton and Councilor Klarissa Pena.

The councilors say they want to honor Hurricane for his dedication and commitment to our great city and state and for his remarkable six-decade music career.

Al Hurricane, also known as Alberto Nelson Sanchez, is perhaps best known for his contributions to New Mexicos unique style of Spanish music.

Martin Salazar: msalazar@abqjournal.com.
Eder Ortiz-Parra, one of three men suspected in a quadruple shooting that left two dead last summer, has been charged in yet another killing.

Court records filed in Metropolitan Court on Thursday show Ortiz-Parra is facing an open count of murder for an incident that appears to have happened in December.

The complaint has been sealed, and an Albuquerque police spokesman did not respond to questions about which slaying Ortiz-Parra was linked to.

The new murder charge comes two weeks after Ortiz-Parra was arrested in a SWAT raid for his alleged role in killing two men and wounding two in August.

Juan Carlos Saenz-Ponce, 23, and Daniel Chumacero, 24, were found shot dead in Saenz-Ponces home on General Marshall NE the night of Aug. 8, according to officials and court records. Two other men  Jorge Hernandez and Jose Hernandez  were taken to a hospital and survived.

Ortiz-Parra and two other men  Rafael Gonzalez-Parra, 25, and Edwin Edsel Ortiz-Parra, 26  were each arrested on double murder charges March 7, according to court records.

The criminal complaints in those cases have also been sealed.

But search warrants filed Monday that were not sealed provide some new details about the August quadruple shooting case.

One of the shooting victims who survived told officers that Saenz-Ponce and Chumacero had sold $7,500 worth of bad cocaine to a man. That man got upset and called Saenz-Ponce Aug. 8 saying he was coming over to get his money back.

About an hour later, a group of men whom the victim did not identify arrived and shot the men who were at Saenz-Ponces house. The warrants dont say who the shooter or shooters were, or explain why investigators believe Eder Ortiz-Parra, Rafael Gonzalez-Parra and Edwin Edsel Ortiz-Parra are at fault.

The search warrants also show that detectives found multiple vehicles in the yard of Saenz-Ponces home that had added compartments to hide drugs.

These compartments are consistent with that of a drug trafficker, a detective wrote in the search warrant.

Its unclear why Eder Ortiz-Parra or the other suspects werent arrested in the quadruple shooting until March. A public defender said in a detention hearing for the shooting that the FBI gave local authorities information on the suspects in 2016.

Eder Ortiz-Parra has a detention hearing for the new murder charge scheduled for today. Prosecutors are asking that he be held without bail.
WASHINGTON  With President Donald Trumps administration proposing deep cuts to federal funding for the arts, Sen. Tom Udall on Tuesday introduced a bill that he said could help stimulate New Mexicos robust arts economy.

Udall, D-N.M., teamed with Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., on a bill that would direct the U.S. Small Business Administration to work with microlenders, traditional lenders and regulators to ensure that artists and entrepreneurs have access to microloans.

The bill would also establish a law allowing artists to claim tax deductions for charitable contributions based on the sale value of a piece of artwork, rather than the value of the materials used to create the artwork. It would also direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to assist artists with grant writing, marketing and financial planning, among other initiatives.

With more artists per capita than any other state, New Mexico is home to one of the most vibrant artistic communities in the nation, and our artists play a vital role in shaping our culture, attracting tourists and creating jobs, Udall said in announcing his bill at an event on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Udall is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over arts funding.

A 2014 report by the University of New Mexicos Bureau of Business and Economic Research found that the arts and cultural industries in the state were a primary source of employment for 43,031 New Mexicans  roughly equal to the states construction industry and 50 percent larger than the manufacturing industry.

The White House last week proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts budget, which totaled $148 million in fiscal 2016. But the ultimate decision about funding rests with Congress. The NEA helps finance nearly 200 arts projects around New Mexico, according to New Mexico Arts.

We are disappointed because we see our funding actively making a difference with individuals of all ages in thousands of communities, large, small, urban and rural, and in every congressional district in the nation, National Endowment for the Arts Chairwoman Jane Chu said of the White House proposal.

Although public funding for arts and humanities sometimes comes under fire from conservatives, Udall said he remains confident that despite Trumps budget proposal, money for the arts will remain in the federal budget.

I really believe there is a vast well of support out there for the arts, Udall told the Journal on Tuesday. Ive been through this before and  there is such a wide network of support that people just come back like gangbusters. Generally, Republicans have been very supportive of the arts.
Albuquerques mayoral election is more than six months away, but you wouldnt know it by the standing-room-only crowd that showed up at the North Valley Senior Center on Tuesday evening to hear the declared candidates views on everything from public safety and the economy to immigration and controversial public works projects.

It was the first mayoral forum of the campaign and the unofficial kickoff to the city election season. And for Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden, it was a warning that his days as the citys top cop may be numbered.

All of the mayoral candidates identified crime and problems with the police department as a top priority, and eight of the 11 candidates who showed up said they would replace Eden if elected.

The election is on Oct. 3.

We need to create a safe city, said candidate Brian Colon, an attorney and former state Democratic Party chairman. He said he had already told the chief that, if he becomes mayor, Eden would be fired.

Our city is defined as dangerous, said City Councilor Dan Lewis. Were defined by criminals right now, and we can change that. We have to be brutally honest to change that. I want to make Albuquerque No. 1 for the worst place to be a criminal.

Crime in Albuquerque is out of control, said candidate Stella Padilla, a retired Old Town resident.

I think we need a new chief, she said. Crime is the situation we have to get a hold of immediately.

Other candidates agreeing that Eden needs to go were former County Commissioner Deanna Archuleta; Rachel Golden, who has worked as a security guard; Gus Pedrotty, a University of New Mexico undergraduate; Jacob Morgan Shull; Susan Wheeler-Deichsel, founder of the civic group Urban ABQ; and Lewis.

Wheeler-Deichsel pledged to conduct a nationwide search for a new police chief, someone who can get behind the goals of the settlement Albuquerque entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2014.

The agreement was reached after a DOJ investigation found Albuquerque police had a pattern or practice of using excessive force, which included police shootings. The settlement mandates a series of reforms, policy changes and training that officers must complete over several years.

But not everyone agreed that the DOJ settlement is a good thing.

I think we all agree (that APD) is understaffed and under siege, said candidate Wayne Johnson, a Bernalillo County Commissioner. I think (the DOJ settlement) was a mistake. He said trying to run a law enforcement department with a 106-page consent decree, a court monitor and a federal judge watching makes it nearly impossible for the department to respond to the public safety concerns that come up.

Candidate Elan Colello, meanwhile, criticized the city for wasting money on large capital purchases, saying that money would have been better used for public safety.

Our community is falling apart, he said.

While crime and Chief Edens future with APD took center stage at the forum, candidates also seized the opportunity to try to set themselves apart.

State Auditor Tim Keller described himself as a maverick.

Ive stood up against the status quo every chance Ive had, he said.

Archuleta touted her experience as a former two-term county commissioner and as an appointee of the Obama administration.

What I bring to this that others dont is experience, Archuleta said.

Pedrotty said the community needs to attack its problems holistically rather than just reaching for Band-Aids. He said the community needs to figure out a way to solve those problems rather than looking to the federal government for solutions.

I am the candidate who has offered myself as completely nonpartisan, Wheeler-Deichsel said.

Shull said he is in favor of making recreational marijuana legal. He noted that Colorado has brought in significant tax revenue by doing that.

The forum was sponsored by the Greater Gardner Neighborhood Association in the North Valley. A representative of the association asked candidates their stance on a controversial solid waste transfer station planned for Edith and Griegos.

Im opposed to the waste transfer station, Colon said, adding that he has even contributed to the communitys legal defense fund. Lewis said he would start the process on the project over.

Colello said he would stop the project.

Im not sure the waste transfer station is needed, he said.

Johnson said he thinks the city failed to involve the public in the process on both the transfer station project and the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project on Central Avenue.

Asked their opinions on immigration and raising the minimum wage, Golden and Johnson said they dont support sanctuary cities, and both said they are against raising the minimum wage.

Keller said he supports immigrants and refugees, and is in favor of raising the minimum wage.

I was the commissioner that made sure that (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was taken out of the jail, Archuleta said. Second, I want to make sure everyone understands I agree the minimum wage is something we need to increase.

Candidates must gather at least 3,000 signatures each by April 28 in order to appear on the ballot. If no candidate gets at least 50 percent of the vote on Oct. 3, the top two vote-getters will go head to head in a runoff election in November.
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Police are looking for a man accused of sexually assaulting someone on the University of New Mexico campus Tuesday night.

The reported sexual assault happened on the southeast corner of Johnson Field around 11:30 p.m.

The victim was not a student, according to an emergency alert sent out by UNM. The email did not say what gender the victim is.

The suspect was described as a Native American man between the ages of 27 and 30. He is about 5 feet 8 inches and weighs between 160 and 170 lbs.

He was last seen running behind Coronado Hall to Girard. He was wearing a gray beanie, black T-shirt with white lettering and a backpack.

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times, and report suspicious behavior to the UNM Police at 277-2241, officials said in the emergency alert.
The story of Sister Blandina Segale is well on its way to making it to TV.

Saint Hood Productions is filming the pilot for At the End of the Santa Fe Trail.

The series follows the life of Sister Blandina, a 19th century nun who resided in New Mexico and has a deep history in the state.

In 1873, she had a directive to move to Santa Fe to help in religious settlement. While there, she built several schools and orphanages and collected funds to build St. Vincent Hospital. She visited and cared for Billy the Kid and other prisoners confined in the main prison in Santa Fe.

The pilot production employs 145 New Mexicans in the cast and crew members.

Tomas Sanchez and Mark Steinig, and Albuquerque company Maleko Grip & Rigging, are co-producing the pilot. Sanchez is directing the series, and Robert Young is the writer.

Sanchez said what makes this project unique is that it is a New Mexico story, funded in New Mexico and has a cast and crew that is about 90 percent New Mexican.

This task requires lots of attention to history and demands that we hire the best New Mexican cast and crew to execute some very technically challenging film sequences, he said.

Production has been taking place in Chama, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

I am honored to tell Sister Blandinas story with an incredibly talented cast, Sanchez said.

Starring as Sister Blandina is Alma Sisneros. Jerry Hardin portrays Mark Twain.

Diane Hill Hardin is also collaborating as the production acting coach.

The cast also includes Steven Schub and Kristen Kollender, as well as local talent Luce Rains, Vic Browder, Jason Coviello and David Midthunder.

Allen Sanchez, president of CHI St. Josephs Children, petitioner for the cause of canonization of the Servant of God, Sister Blandina Segale, said, Sister Blandina is well-known to the Catholic Church for her extraordinary life. I am thrilled that now Saint Hood productions will share her miraculous achievements with the whole world. Sister Blandina is a nun that interacted with everyone from Billy the Kid to Mark Twain. Blandinas love and compassion touched everyone she met. She was noteworthy in her own time, and I am excited that her exemplary story will come to life in this television series.

Last year, the Vatican confirmed that Sister Blandina is being considered for canonization.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
SILVER CITY  An undocumented immigrant is being held at the Grant County Detention Center on an open count of murder.

Isaias Lobato Rodriguez, 61, was arrested Friday, March 17, along Hwy 9, in Grant County near Hachita. He is being held at the Grant County Detention Center.

According to a police report, a Border Patrol agent came across a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica parked along the side of Hwy 9 at around 4 p.m., Friday, March 17. He found Connie Lopez, 57, of Lake Placid, Florida, deceased in the drivers seat with a leather belt tied around her neck.

The report stated that the agent was traveling to Hachita to get acquainted with the area as he just transferred there. He was about two miles east of Hachita when he first came across the vehicle that was parked on the side of the road. On his way back he noticed the same vehicle still parked there but this time the doors were open and he saw an individual slouched on the drivers seat.

As the agent turned his vehicle around, he noticed it was a female with a belt around her neck.

Rodriguez then came out and approached the agent as he was calling dispatch to report the incident and told him that he was an undocumented immigrant. According to the report, Rodriguez mumbled he killed her because she was going to kill his family. Rodriguez further stated that there were other people traveling with him and they were hiding in a berm in the desert.

An agent went to look for tracks, but found those only of Rodriguez. Documents inside the vehicle showed that Lopez had a drivers license from Florida.

Documents also showed that Rodriguez lived in Florida as well. Some of those documents also pointed to them staying at a hotel in El Paso, Texas, on the same day.

The vehicle was a rental.

New Mexico State Police took over the investigation and is handling the charges.



2017 the Silver City Sun-News (Silver City, N.M.)

Visit the Silver City Sun-News (Silver City, N.M.) at www.scsun-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____
WASHINGTON  The Republican health-care overhaul spearheaded by House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wis.) and backed by President Donald Trump hung in the balance Wednesday, as the White House signaled at the 11th hour a willingness to rework the measure to mollify conservatives.

After insisting for weeks that the changes sought by hard-right members would render the bill unable to pass the Senate, White House officials and GOP House leaders appeared to shift their thinking  and opponents agreed to keep working on a deal with the goal of holding a floor vote in the House by Thursday night.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he had taken personal calls Wednesday from Trump seeking a resolution, though he said no formal offer had been extended by the White House.

We are working very diligently tonight to try and get there, Meadows said Wednesday.

The president has been profoundly engaged, said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz. I think things are going in a very good direction right now.

More than two dozen House conservatives remained opposed or leaning against the effort to revise the Affordable Care Act, even as a handful of moderates decried the current proposal as harming the elderly and poor. Both the president and vice president made personal appeals throughout the day to secure the votes needed to pass the House.

Pence huddled with members of the Freedom Caucus in his Eisenhower Executive Office Building office early in the day, while Trump met with 18 House Republicans at the White House, but these efforts appeared to produce just one definitive aye vote from the conservative camp: Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.

GOP leaders can afford only 22 defections, given that one Democrat is expected to be absent Thursday. A Freedom Caucus spokeswoman said that more than 25 members of the group oppose the bill.

The days events laid bare party leaders struggle to muster enough votes for one of their defining goals: to roll back the 2010 health-care law that helped galvanize conservatives in the years since to wrest control of both the legislative and executive branches from Democrats.

If Republicans fail this initial test of their ability to govern, Trump and Capitol Hill Republicans may face a harder time advancing high-priority initiatives on infrastructure, tax reform and immigration. They might also find themselves navigating strained relationships among themselves.

For much of Wednesday, the Freedom Caucuss message, spokeswoman Alyssa Farah tweeted, was: start over.

At the same time, four more Republican moderates  Reps. Charlie Dent (Pa.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), Daniel Donovan (N.Y.) and David Young (Iowa)  announced their opposition Wednesday, increasing pressure on leaders to win over the conservatives.

Ryan summoned more than a dozen members of the moderate Tuesday Group to his office late Wednesday in an apparent bid to curb further defections. One participant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private meeting, said Ryan and other House leaders described the potential deal with the Freedom Caucus, which would strip essential health benefits but leave other ACA mandates, such as those dealing with preexisting conditions and coverage of adult dependents, in place.

People got to say their piece and react to the proposal. Its safe to say people had concerns about stripping out essential health benefits, especially at this late hour, the Tuesday Group member said. I think theyre short [of votes], and I think theyre considerably short. . . . Im not sure where all this goes tomorrow.

Conservatives are seeking to eliminate more of the ACAs insurance mandates, known as essential benefits, which require plans to cover specific medical benefits, such as mental health care, prescription drugs and preventive care. That, conservatives argue, is the only reliable way to force down premiums.

Ryan warned in an interview Wednesday with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that fulfilling those GOP demands would violate Senate budget rules and leave the bill vulnerable to a blockade by Democrats.

Our whole thing is we dont want to load up our bill in such a way that it doesnt even get considered in the Senate, the speaker said. Then weve lost our one chance with this one tool we have.

That stance appeared to shift late Wednesday, when separate aides in the White House and the House GOP leadership said a new interpretation of Senate rules had raised the possibility that acceding to the Freedom Caucuss request might not threaten Senate consideration of the whole bill. But both aides said the provision could still be stripped out once the bill reaches the Senate.

Democratic Senate aides insisted that would be the case. What the proponents arent telling conservative House Republicans is that the plan to repeal essential health benefits will almost certainly not be permissible under Senate reconciliation rules, said Matt House, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

In fact, the new negotiations late Wednesday raised the possibility that the challenge would only grow at the other end of the Capitol. There are at least a dozen skeptics of the bill among Senate Republicans, who maintain a slim 52-to-48 advantage in the Senate, and many of them want to maintain some of the Affordable Care Acts more generous spending components. Republicans can afford to lose the votes of only two senators, assuming Pence would step in to cast a vote for the health-care rewrite in the case of a tie.

In addition to conservatives, who do not think the proposal does nearly enough to undo the ACA, some moderates fear it will harm their constituents as well as their partys prospects at the ballot box.

Were not there yet, Meadows said Wednesday, but were very optimistic that if we work around the clock between now and noon tomorrow that were going to be able to find some common ground. Tonight is an encouraging night, and yet I dont want to be so optimistic to say that the deal is done, but I do think that there is a framework to work with our leadership and the leadership in the Senate and certainly the administration to find some common ground.

He continued: The overall impression of the Freedom Caucus is were willing to jump through unbelievable hurdles to hopefully get to a point where this bill is better for the American people.

An additional potential hurdle facing the bill is the updated analysis still to come from the Congressional Budget Office, which will reflect changes to the measure that were issued on Monday. That analysis could be rendered inaccurate if further changes are made before the vote.

Earlier in the day, even as opposition appeared to persist, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the measure would pass the House, adding that there is no Plan B if the proposal goes down.

There is Plan A and Plan A, said Spicer, who described Trump as the closer for the deal. Were going to get this done.

Complications stemming from the bills last-minute tweaks appeared to add yet another political headache Wednesday, as veterans groups discovered that the latest draft might make them ineligible for a tax credit. A change made to ensure the measure would comply with Senate rules created a separate consequence  that individuals would qualify for the bills tax credits only if they are not eligible for other types of coverage, including those provided by Veterans Health Administration.

In an email, House Ways and Means Committee spokeswoman Lauren Aronson said the issue would be fixed in subsequent legislation. This amendment makes no change to veterans health care. In working with the administration and the Veteran Affairs Committee, we will continue to ensure that Americas veterans have access to the best care available.

Carlos Fuentes, legislative director for Veterans for Foreign Wars, said veterans want the issue resolved before any bill becomes law. It would be a huge impact on veterans if this were not corrected, he said.

In another example of last-minute changes, Illinois GOP delegation announced late Wednesday night that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services director Seema Verma had assured them that Illinois will have the opportunity to accurately report its 2016 Medicaid payment information to CMS. The state has long been disadvantaged by below average Medicaid reimbursements, the lawmakers said, and this adjustment will ensure that the state would receive more federal funds when the government shifts to allocating Medicaid dollars on a per-capita basis under the bill.

Elsewhere in the Capitol Wednesday, GOP leaders were working to clear the bills final procedural hurdle. House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said the measure would allow Americans to make their own health-care decisions and create the kind of competitive insurance market that will expand health-care coverage without excessive government mandates.

But Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., questioned why lawmakers would move it to the floor when the CBO had not yet issued a new analysis of the bill. Also unknown were the additional impacts on coverage and federal spending of the provisions still being negotiated on Wednesday.

I dont think we should be meeting on a bill when we dont even know how many people it will hurt, said McGovern, whose motion to adjourn was defeated by a vote of 7 to 2.

Trump made a public pitch for the measure Wednesday during a panel in the Roosevelt Room with Verma and female medical professionals.

When a reporter asked whether he would keep trying to overhaul the ACA if the House bill failed, the president replied, Well see what happens.

During the Rules Committee session Wednesday, Republicans acknowledged the legislation would undergo even more changes before it reaches Trumps desk.

This isnt a once and forever bill, or vote, or anything of the kind, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. What we do today isnt going to be the final word.

Many of the changes made to the bill so far were aimed at placating conservatives, including giving states the option to take a fixed Medicaid block grant and to impose work requirements on childless, able-bodied adults covered under the program. Others responded to broader concerns about the sufficiency of the tax credits offered to help Americans purchase insurance.

One revision was more narrowly targeted  added at the behest of Republicans from Upstate New York who wanted to end their states practice of commandeering local tax revenue to fund state Medicaid benefits.

That concerned Donovan, who said a day after meeting with Trump in the Oval Office that he would oppose the bill.

In an op-ed for the Staten Island Advance, he said the change gives our district short shrift and also said the GOP bill would disproportionately harm older Americans.

Seniors on fixed incomes would likely see a big jump in their healthcare expenses without a near-term reduction in premiums, he wrote. We cant burden seniors who deserve better from us!

  

The Washington Posts Abby Phillip and Lisa Rein contributed to this report.

  

Video: ACA vs. AHCA: How the Republican plan stacks up against Obamacare

The American Health Care Act falls far short of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, but there are some big potential changes. (Daron Taylor / The Washington Post)

Short URL: http://wapo.st/2mkOBLm
Heres where things stand heading into Day 62 of the Trump administration:

Subtlety might not be President Donald Trumps strong suit  but that may be a good thing on Capitol Hill.

Trump traveled down Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday morning to again pitch the GOP health-care plan to members of the House Republican Conference.

With just two days until the House is expected to vote on the Obamacare revision bill, the president worked to persuade recalcitrant lawmakers to help bring his first major policy project over the finish line.

He did this with his signature mix of charm and rebuke. Singling out the chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus for his opposition to the bill, Trump suggested there would be consequences for members who do not vote yes on the health-care bill.

Im gonna come after you, but I know I wont have to, because I know youll vote yes,  Trump told Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., according to several lawmakers who attended the meeting.

Meadows is one of several conservative holdouts who oppose the bill and are pressing for changes. Some adjustments were unveiled Monday night, but members of the Freedom Caucus, which has led opposition to the bill from the right, say some of their big concerns remain unaddressed.

Trump said at a Republican fundraiser Tuesday night that passing a new health-care bill would clear the way for action on really fantastic tax reform.

I think were going to have some great surprises. I hope that its going to all work out, he said.



GORSUCH VOWS INDEPENDENCE FROM TRUMP

Across Capitol Hill, Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court faced his second day of questioning from senators keen to suss out his legal philosophy.

Tuesdays questions from Democrats tended toward one prevailing concern: Will Neil Gorsuch allow pressure from Trump to affect his rulings if he is confirmed?

Gorsuch, who sits on the Denver-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, said no. Without specifically naming Trump, he also rejected attacks on the independence of the judiciary or the integrity of individual judges  a nod to criticisms that the president has made in the past year.

The confirmation hearings will resume Wednesday morning and are expected to last into Thursday.



WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR TRUMPS LABOR NOMINEE?

Trump failed to see his first Labor Department nominee confirmed. Could there be problems in store for his second?

That nominee, Alexander Acosta, is facing questions about why he cut a non-prosecution deal with billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein a decade ago, when Epstein was facing allegations that he sexually abused more than 40 underage girls.

Acosta, a former Miami U.S. attorney, is a player in a court battle over why he agreed not to pursue federal charges against Epstein at that time. In 2011, Acosta said he backed off from pressing charges after an aggressive legal campaign by Epsteins defense team.

This is likely to come up Wednesday, when Acosta comes to Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing.



DOCUMENTS RAISE NEW QUESTIONS FOR MANAFORT

Did Trumps former campaign chairman conceal payments from the party of the ex-leader of Ukraine, who was backed by Moscow while in power and is in hiding to escape corruption charges?

Thats what new financial documents reveal about ex-Trump aide Paul Manafort, according to a Ukrainian lawmaker and journalist who released them Tuesday.

If they are legitimate, the documents show that Manafort laundered money from the party of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych through accounts in Belize and Kyrgyzstan. A spokesman for Manafort called the claims baseless.

Manafort, as a reminder, resigned from Trumps campaign in August after his name surfaced in connection with secret payments totaling $12.7 million by Yanukovychs party. He denied receiving them.



SOME TRAVELERS TO U.S. MUST CHECK DEVICES

The administration has unveiled another travel ban  this time, on carry-on electronics.

Passengers traveling to the United States from airports in eight Muslim-majority countries can no longer bring laptops, tablets or similar devices into the cabin when they fly.

The ban was designed to address concerns that terrorism suspects have redoubled efforts to hide bombs inside electronic devices. It will last until Oct. 14 and could be extended for another year.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer landed Maryland in the middle of the nations emotionally charged debate over immigration policy Tuesday, decrying the reported rape of a Rockville High School student, allegedly by two undocumented immigrants, and urging state and local officials to reexamine laws and procedures to reduce the likelihood of such an incident happening again.

The president recognizes that education is a state-run and a local-run issue, but I think it is cause for concern what happened there, Spicer said in response to a reporters question about the case. And I think the city should look at its policies, and I think that this is something authorities are going to have to look at.

Spicer called the alleged rape of the 14-year-old girl in a boys bathroom on Thursday shocking, disturbing, horrific and whatever other words that someone can think of. He also characterized the victim as an immigrant who had come to this country legally. But Montgomery County officials said she had no immigrant status of any kind.

The two suspects, Henry Sanchez-Milian, 18, and Jose O. Montano, 17, who was charged as an adult, are being held without bail. Montgomery Schools Superintendent Jack Smith told reporters that both suspects had been in a special program for non-English speakers at the high school and not in classes with the victim.

Smith pushed back hard against questions about whether the rape case should affect local efforts to comply with federal law, which guarantees a free public education to any child living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status.

Its totally inappropriate to suggest that were going to deny a 14-year-old, a 16-year-old, an 18-year-old an education because of a horrible thing that happened in our schools last Thursday, Smith said. Some have tried to make this into a question and issue of immigration . . . but we serve every student who walks through our doors.

The incident is also affecting the political debate in Annapolis, where Gov. Larry Hogan, R, has vowed to veto legislation that would limit the ability of state and local officials to cooperate with federal immigration agents in enforcing the nations immigration laws. The Trust Act passed the House on Monday and is awaiting action in the Senate.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Hogan called on Montgomery to fully cooperate with federal authorities during investigation of this heinous crime.

The public has a right to know how something this tragic and unacceptable was allowed to transpire in a public school, Hogan wrote.

The comments incensed Montgomery officials, who said they already have a policy of cooperating with federal authorities in any serious criminal case. They accused Hogan of stoking public fears of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

What hes feeding into is this Trump energy against immigrants in a manner that I think is totally irresponsible, said Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner, D-Potomac-Bethesda. It has inflamed what was already a tinderbox.

The suspects were unknown to county law enforcement before the rape and have no known gang connections, officials said, adding that the assault occurred in a remote area of the school.

There was nothing that could have come to the attention of our local authorities where they could have acted, said County Executive Isiah Leggett, D.

Montgomery police are barred from asking about national origin during traffic stops or other activity. Immigration status comes into play only if a person enters the county correctional system. All prisoners fingerprints are placed in a database that federal authorities can use. If they identify someone who is in the country illegally, they can issue a detainer  a request that the county hold the prisoner until he or she can be placed in federal custody.

Since 2014, Montgomery has honored detainers when they involve those who have committed serious crimes or if they come with a federal court order or a warrant containing probable cause.The Trust Act bill being debated in Annapolis would codify those procedures into state law.

State Sen. Victor Ramirez, D-Prince Georges, the lead Senate sponsor, said the legislation is intended to protect the vast majority of undocumented immigrants, who are law-abiding after arriving in this country, not those who commit heinous crimes. We all should take in consideration the hard-working Maryland residents who . . . have children, have ties to the community and dont have a criminal record, he said.

The bill passed the House 83-to-55, two votes short of the minimum needed to override a gubernatorial veto. The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is expected to vote on both the House and Senate versions this week.

Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, said the bill is reasonable, and he accused Hogan of misinterpreting what the statute would do.

The state of Maryland is not going to become a sanctuary state, Miller said. But what it does say is that if you are on your way to church, on your way to court, if you are walking down the street, people shouldnt come up to you randomly and ask you what your name is or where you live solely for the purposes of seeking to deport you.

Parents in Montgomery have reacted to the rape with alarm. Many came to Rockville High Tuesday night for a meeting with local officials. The session was closed to reporters. Patricia Spigner, who lives in Gaithersburg and has three grown children, came to the school to protest what had happened. She held a poster that said Safety not sanctuary!

Its just gotten to the point where illegals are more protected than our own children, she said.

At the news conference earlier in the day, Smith noted that there are nearly 160,000 students in the school system and said this horrible incident shouldnt change anyones mind that schools are safe for our students. He said the district was reviewing every single aspect of its safety plans and will make sure any gaps are closed.



The Washington Posts Josh Hicks contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Defeating the Islamic State is the top U.S. priority in the Middle East, but other countries will be expected to contribute more to stabilize Iraq and Syria once the militants are expelled, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday.

The United States will do its part, he said, speaking at the State Department at the start of a two-day strategy session of more than 60 countries and international organizations in the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State. But circumstances on the ground require more from all of you. I ask each country to examine how it can best support stabilization efforts.

Although President Donald Trump said during the campaign that he had a secret plan to defeat the Islamic State, Tillersons remarks suggested that the Trump administration strategy closely mirrors the approach of former president Barack Obama.

Both have centered on the extensive use of airstrikes and support for local allies on the ground. Other aspects include stopping foreign fighters from entering the battle zone or establishing outposts elsewhere; addressing humanitarian needs and stabilizing liberated areas; and blocking recruitment via social media.

Obama also emphasized stopping terrorist financing, a goal that Tillerson indicated had been addressed in depth.

To me, this is very similar, said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. Its important that the new administration supports that.

To the extent that a revised Pentagon plan presented to Trump last month differs, it calls for a significant increase in U.S. trainers and advisers in Syria who will operate closer to the front lines in the upcoming offensive to seize the militants Syrian capital of Raqqa, and more decision-making on the ground.

U.S. Special Operations and conventional forces will operate Apache helicopters and wield artillery batteries in the offensive, U.S. officials said, and provide equipment to a joint Syrian force of Arabs and Kurds.

Tillerson said defeating ISIS is the United States number one goal in the region, using an acronym for the Islamic State. But he stressed that after putting what he said was three-quarters of the military resources toward expelling Islamic State forces from Iraq and Syria, the United States would look to others to pick up a larger share of an estimated $2 billion needed for stabilization and reconstruction this year.

The session signals that the new administration intends to maintain leadership of a sprawling diplomatic effort that Obama began in 2014 against the Islamic State, despite Trumps characterizing his predecessors strategy as weak and ineffectual.

The gathering coincided with the first anniversary of terrorist attacks in Brussels. While the ministers met, news broke of what British police called a terrorist attack in London.

Five people were killed and at least 20 injured when a man ran down pedestrians in a vehicle and stabbed a policeman near the gates of Britains Parliament. The dead included the assailant and the policeman. The attack was not immediately claimed by the Islamic State.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he was had been expecting some further clarity from the United States on the upcoming Raqqa offensive, and on how the city will be stabilized and governed after the Islamic State is ejected.

I was hoping for more specifics from the Trump administration, he said of the gathering. While France understood that the administration was still getting organized, weve been asking . . . for a couple of weeks, Ayrault said.

He said he had warned his U.S. interlocutors that it was important to deal with all aspects of the Syrian crisis, not just the military situation. The Americans also need a clear idea of what they expect from Russia  which Trump has said could work together with the coalition on counterterrorism tasks  and how much pressure Moscow will put on Iran to end Syrias six-year civil war.

Russia is not a member of the diplomatic coalition, although it is a dominant military presence in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assads forces. Diplomats attending the meeting have warned against leaving a vacuum in Syria akin to that in Libya after the NATO-led campaign there in 2011.

At the conference, Tillerson said the coalition will seek to establish interim zones of stability in Iraq and Syria and allow refugees to return home safely.

Rather than the safe zones protected by U.S. air cover that the Syrian opposition and some allies have long demanded for civilians besieged by Syrian and Russian bombing in the separate civil war against Assad, Tillersons interim zones of stability refer to areas cleared of the Islamic State by the coalition and Turkey.

The Turkish military, with some assistance from rebels, the United States and Russia, has pushed the Islamic State from a zone of several thousand square miles inside Syria along the Turkish border. Turkey has declared this a safe zone, and indicated that it may begin sending Syrian refugees back inside. Other areas in Syria, participating in a partly successful cease-fire between Assad and the rebels, orchestrated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, are now also considered safe.

In areas being cleared of the Islamic State by the coalition in both Syria and Iraq, the United States plans to install interim local governance during an upcoming stability phase.



The Washington Posts Karen DeYoung contributed to this report.
Once again, Shepard Smith is doing cleanup on aisle Fox.

Moments after President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano had validated the baseless claim that President Barack Obama had recruited British agents to bug Trump Tower during the campaign, Smith stepped in to say otherwise.

Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitanos commentary, said Smith, the networks chief news anchor. 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.

And perhaps to drive home the point, Smith added, Full stop.

It was a rare bit of record-correcting for Fox, which enabled Napolitano to pass off his bogus wiretapping thesis for several days before British officials complained that it was rubbish. (As a result of Napolitanos faulty reporting, Fox suspended him for an indefinite period this week.) And it was perhaps no coincidence that the correcting came from Smith, whose off-message comments about Trump have made him an apostate to the Fox News conservative orthodoxy.

Smith, for example, opened the same afternoon newscast on Friday with a sly aside about Trumps claims: Of course, the president could learn firsthand whether the building in which he (lived) was wiretapped. All hed have to do is ask the intelligence services. They work for him.

Not blunt enough? In mid-February, following Trumps freewheeling news conference, Smith labeled Trumps responses absolutely crazy.He even  horror of horrors!  defended CNN, Foxs mortal enemy, when Trump blasted it as fake news during another news conference. CNNs reporting was not fake news, Smith said. Its journalists follow the same standards to which other news organizations, including Fox News, adhere.

Smiths persistent fact-mongering has made him persona non grata among some parts of the Fox News faithful, in an echo of the hostile reaction to former Fox anchor Megyn Kellys tough questioning of Trump during the campaign. For weeks, Fox fans have stormed social media with demands for Smiths firing and boycott threats if the network doesnt get rid of him.

Shep Smith has gone full Rachel Maddow, ranted Paul Joseph Watson, contributing editor of the conspiratorial InfoWars, on Twitter after Fridays dunking of Napolitano. MSNBC irrelevance is his calling.

Some have posted an unflattering photo of Smith, 53, above the caption, If youre sick of this guy spewing his liberal tripe and his constant criticism of President Trump on a supposed news show, let Fox News know!! It includes a number for Foxs viewer comment line.

Theyve memed him, too; one depicts Smith wearing one of the pink wool hats that became the symbol of the Trump-bashing womens march in January.

The mini-hysteria grew so loud earlier this month that a hoax website reported that Rupert Murdoch, Fox News chairman, had fired Smith for being too controversial. It was fake news, of course, but so widely disseminated that Snopes.com stepped in to debunk it.

The hubbub around Smith, who also is Foxs managing editor of breaking news, has drawn silence from Fox. After initially offering an interview with Smith, the network changed its mind without explanation last week and has declined any comment. Smith himself didnt reply to interview requests sent to his work and personal email accounts.

Two rival network sources say Smith is a short-timer at Fox and thus is feeling free to speak his mind on air. But that may be more rumor than fact; Smith has been at Fox since the network began in 1996 and has stayed on through multiple management changes, most notably the ouster last summer of co-founder Roger Ailes, whom Smith says he loved like a father.

The counter-theory is that Fox has purposely loosened its leash on Smith in order to carve out a modicum of independence from Trump.

If Im Fox News, I would view (Smiths commentary) as a good thing right now, said Dan Cassino, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. It builds the credibility of a news organization, a goal of Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, who now run Foxs parent company.

Besides, the network is at little risk of losing viewers because of Smith, said Cassino, the author of Fox News and American Politics, given that there are few cable news alternatives for conservatives. Where would they go? Theyre not going to watch One America Network (a small competitor). Fox isnt worried about its ratings.

However, Tim Graham, director of media analysis for the conservative Media Research Center, buys the buzz that Smith is ready to bolt: His aggressive defense of the liberal media suggests hes looking at Greta Van Susteren and saying, Yeah, I could do that.' Van Susteren left Fox last summer and joined MSNBC.

Added Graham, To me, it sounds like hes advertising to other networks. It just seems bizarre for him to be sticking up for CNN and MSNBC. Its like Jif Peanut Butter taking an ad sticking up for Skippy.

In fact, David Shepard Smith Jr. has flashed his independent streak before, often diverging from the networks playbook and occasionally inciting outrage from viewers.

When Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage during the 2012 campaign, Smith, who has been out about his sexuality, said on-air that the president was now in the 21st century.

Amid the Baltimore riots of 2015, he scolded the hosts of the Fox discussion program The Five for blaming perpetrators actions on absent or indifferent parents (We dont know whose fault it is, he said).

That same year, he asserted that human activity was responsible for climate change and compared the studies cherry-picked by climate-change deniers to those of the tobacco industry to downplay carcinogens in cigarettes.

Perhaps most strikingly, he has generally declined to buy into Trumps demonization of Muslims in the wake of terrorist attacks. In the face of terror, will we panic or be calm and deliberative in approach? he asked after the attacks in Paris in late 2015. Confronted with those who want to change our way of life, will we abandon our freedoms and the rights granted to us by the Creator, or will we welcome huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

Unlike Kelly, who endured a irregular drumbeat of attacks from Trump, Smith has largely escaped Trumps wrath. Trump has tweeted criticism of him just once, during the campaign in 2015: Boy is this guy @ShepNewsTeam tough on me. So totally biased. As a reporter, he should be ashamed of himself!

Maybe he hasnt been watching Smith lately.
LONDON  An assailant fatally stabbed a police officer at the gates to Britains Parliament compound Wednesday after plowing a vehicle through terrified pedestrians along a landmark bridge. The attacker was shot and killed by police, but not before claiming a total of four lives in what appeared to be Europes latest high-profile terrorist attack.

In a late night statement, the London Metropolitan police said that they believed they knew who the attacker was, but did not provide a name. They also said that their working assumption is that he was inspired by international terrorism.

Police said the man traced a deadly path across the Westminster Bridge, running down people with an SUV, then ramming the vehicle into the fence encircling Parliament. At least 40 people were reported injured.

Finally, the attacker charged with a knife at officers stationed at the iron gates leading to the Parliament grounds, authorities said. The police named the fallen officer as Keith Palmer and said that he was unarmed.

The dead and injured were left scattered on some of Londons most famous streets.

Crumpled bodies lay on the Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, including at least two people killed. Outside Parliament, a Foreign Office minister  covered in the blood of the stabbed police officer  tried in vain to save his life.

The location of this attack was no accident, said British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday evening, after chairing COBRA, the governments emergency committee. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

But she said that any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure. Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal, she said.

The scene at Parliament earlier in the day was one of confusion while the Parliament chambers and offices were put on full lockdown for more than two hours.

This is a day that we planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly, it has now become a reality, said the assistant Metropolitan Police commissioner, Mark Rowley, outside Scotland Yards headquarters.

As he spoke, the bells of Big Ben tolled six times to mark the hour.

Even before full details emerged, the apparent attacks and chaos were certain to raise security levels in London and other Western capitals and bring further scrutiny on counterterrorism measures.

We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise, said a Twitter message from London Metropolitan Police.

The attack occurred on Parliaments busiest day of the week, when the prime minister appears for her weekly questions session and the House of Commons is packed with visitors.

The Palace of Westminster, the ancient seat of the British Parliament, is surrounded by heavy security, with high walls, armed officers and metal detectors. But just outside the compound are busy roads packed with cars and pedestrians.

The attack  a low-tech, high-profile assault on the most potent symbol of British democracy  fits the profile of earlier strikes in major European capitals that have raised threat levels across the continent in recent years.

It was apparently carried out by a lone assailant who used easily available weapons to attack and kill victims in a busy, public setting.

British security officials have taken pride in their record of disrupting such attacks even as assailants in continental Europe have slipped through. But they have also acknowledged that their track record would not stay pristine, and that an attack was inevitable.

When it happened, it was shocking nonetheless. Cellphones captured scenes of carnage amid some of Londons most renowned landmarks.

The target  Westminster  was heavily guarded. But the weapons of choice  an SUV and a knife  made the attack one of the most difficult kinds to prevent, requiring the assailant neither to acquire illegal weapons nor to plot with other conspirators.

Rowley said investigators believe that just one assailant carried out the attack, but he encouraged the public to remain vigilant.

Britain has been on high alert for terrorist attacks for several years. But until Wednesday, the country had been spared the sort of mass-casualty attacks that have afflicted France, Belgium and Germany since 2015.

Among those providing emergency aid was Tobias Ellwood, a senior official at the Foreign Office and a British military veteran. Photos showed Ellwoods face streaked with blood after attempting to revive a police officer who had been stabbed just inside the gates of the parliamentary compound.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that among those wounded in the vehicle attack were members of a group of French students. News media in France reported that three of the students, on a school trip from a high school in Brittany, were in serious condition and that their parents were being flown to London immediately.

In Washington, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said President Trump has been briefed on the London attack and spoke by phone with Prime Minister May.

We condemn todays attack in Westminster, Spicer told reporters. He pledged the full support of the U.S. government in responding to the attack and bringing to justice those who are responsible.

Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the rapid response suggested that police were expecting that an attack was highly likely for some time.

Images from the bridge showed a man dressed in a suit lying on his back, his legs splayed to either side, as pedestrians huddled around him administering first aid. The shoe was off his right foot, and blood stained the sidewalk beneath his left.

In another image, a woman with long blond hair and running shoes lay in a pool of blood on the bridges sidewalk. Blood stained the corner of her mouth as another pedestrian cradled her head.

Other photos showed people sitting on the sidewalk looking dazed amid broken glass and bits of automotive debris, with Big Ben looming beyond.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority said a woman was pulled alive from the River Thames, and he confirmed reports that she had serious injuries.

As police investigated, much of the activity in the area around Westminster came to a standstill.

A nearby hospital was put on lockdown and the London Eye  the enormous Ferris wheel above the River Thames  was stopped and visitors were slowly let off hours later. Those who were locked inside the Eyes capsules at the time of the attack were kept there, hovering above as emergency responders swarmed the scene below.

A witness, Kirsten Hurrell, 70, said she first heard the crash of a car hitting the fence outside parliament before hearing noises that could have been gunshots.

There was a lot of steam from the car, Hurrell told the Guardian newspaper. I thought it might explode.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation. It noted that U.S. security threat levels remained unchanged.

A year ago to the day, attackers carried out three coordinated suicide bombings in Belgium, killing 32 civilians and injuring more than 300 others in two blasts at Brussels Airport and one at a metro station in the Belgian capital. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, in which three perpetrators were also killed.

As the aftermath of the attack unfolded in London, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament both suspended their sessions. Scottish lawmakers had been due to debate legislation authorizing a new referendum on independence.

Specialists said the London attack Wednesday appeared to be in line with an emerging model of strikes involving simple, everyday instruments but carried out in locations sure to draw global attention.

Terrorists rely on a lot of people watching  it can be even better than having a lot of people dead, said Frank Foley, a scholar of terrorism and counterterrorism at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London.

Within a few hours of the attack, there were signs that normalcy was returning to London.

At the London Eye near the Westminster Bridge, a large crowd of tourists gathered by the ferris wheel.

Charles Thompson, a 21-year-old chef from Canada, wondered if there would be more attacks. Usually its a chain-reaction thing, he said.

His friend, Enrique Cooper, a 32-year-old officer manager originally from Italy, said he would not let the days violence change his view of London. Im here all the time, he said. You cant let something like this ruin your perspective.

  

Witte reported from Madrid. Adam Taylor and Isaac Stanley-Becker in London, James McAuley in Paris and Brian Murphy, William Branigin and Mark Berman in Washington contributed to this report.



What we know about the attack near Britains Parliament

http://wapo.st/2mUP72O
This season on the spy drama The Americans, the Cold War hinges on a few insects.

Just as the shelves in Soviet grocery stores are becoming barren, Russian agents Elizabeth and Philip Jennings (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) stumble onto a terrifying American plot. It looks like the United States is breeding an insect capable of either destroying Russias wheat supply or poisoning the wheat the U.S. exports to the Soviets. Either way, it would be a devastating blow to Elizabeth and Philips motherland, so the pair get to work thwarting lab experiments (and killing some innocent bystanders along the way).

So how realistic is any of this? Its hardly plucked from thin air.

University of Wyoming professor Jeffrey Lockwood wrote a book about entomological warfare, Six-Legged Soldiers: Using Insects as Weapons of War, and he weighed in on where the story line might have come from.

The U.S. was indeed accused of entomological warfare during the Cold War  but not by Russia.

There were a number of accusations made by the Cubans that we had used insects to spread dengue fever and a whole bunch of crop pests, Lockwood said. But the accusations, which were mainly lobbed during the 1960s every time Cuba had an issue with its crops, were never proved.

North Korea and China also accused the U.S. of spreading germs using flies and mosquitoes during the Korean conflict, but no documents ever turned up to support the claim.

And decades later, in 1996, Russia filed charges on Cubas behalf  Cuba wasnt a signatory to the Biological Weapons Convention, which is why Russia got involved  and a committee investigated. But it couldnt confirm nor deny the charges.

The truth is entomological warfare is pretty difficult to prove.

You dont really notice the infestation until its well underway, Lockwood said. Distinguishing accident from intention, especially with something like a crop pest, is darn near impossible.

Speaking of crop pests, the U.S. was on the receiving end of an infestation in 1986, but no foul play was proved. Russian wheat aphids did considerable economic damage, though the bugs were apparently imported accidentally along with the wheat.

So those are some events that most closely align with this seasons Russia-vs.-America story arc on The Americans. But the United States history of entomological warfare since the 1950s is fascinating in general, especially considering the country started out as an underdog.

During World War II, the United States lagged behind Japan, which was a powerhouse in the field, in part because it wasnt above experimenting on humans. The Japanese army killed hundreds of thousands of Chinese by dropping bombs that unleashed cholera-infected flies on the population, and the mastermind was Japanese surgeon general Shiro Ishii. He managed to avoid being charged with war crimes by agreeing to divulge his research to the American government. And just like that, the U.S. caught up to its former enemy.

In the years that followed, the U.S. conducted insect research at Fort Detrick, and developed powerful weapons, including yellow fever-carrying mosquitoes that could infect on a massive scale. (A test using noninfected mosquitoes was even conducted on American citizens.)

It could have been devastating, but the public wasnt really concerned, preoccupied as it was with the threat of a nuclear attack.

We had the impression in the U.S. at that time that we had pretty much mastered disease-carrying insects, Lockwood said. This was the era of DDT, when yellow fever and malaria had been eradicated in the States, and Lyme disease and Zika hadnt yet become an issue.

Whether or not the United States government knew it, the Soviet Union wasnt particularly invested in entomological warfare at the time. According to Lockwood, they were more interested in using aerosols to deliver pathogens.

The idea coming out of World War II into the 50s was technology was going to master the day, Lockwood said. Using insects kind of seemed primitive compared to stainless steel vats filled with bacterial pathogens that you could load up in a bomb or spray out of an airplane.

Entomological warfare eventually fell out of fashion. Under the Biological Weapons Convention, signed in 1972, the U.S. is prohibited from developing those kinds of offensive weapons.

But it doesnt preclude small scale biological warfare or entomological warfare methods as a way of defending ourselves, Lockwood said. In other words, you have to figure out what the enemy is capable of in order to defend yourself. And that line between defensive research and offensive production is pretty blurry.

And, as we saw with the biological weapons story line on last seasons The Americans, defensive research can be just as deadly.
[March 21, 2017] Chelsio Adapters Achieve Windows Server 2016 And Software-Defined Datacenter (SDDC) Certifications

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chelsio Communications, Inc., a leading provider of high performance Ethernet adapters for storage networking, virtualized enterprise datacenters, cloud service installations, and cluster computing environments, today announced that its line of Terminator 5 & 6 (T5 & T6) 1/10/25/40/50/100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) iWARP (RDMA/TCP) enabled Unified Wire adapters have achieved "Certified for Windows Server 2016" and "Certified for Microsoft Software-Defined Datacenter (SDDC)" hardware certifications. The iWARP standard enables building very efficient, high performance, Microsoft Cloud deployments very quickly. iWARP works with any legacy Ethernet switch, thereby enabling incremental Windows Server 2016 installations without requiring a concurrent forklift upgrade of the switch infrastructure, or the entire datacenter. This ability to work with any non-DCBX switch, allows use of the most cost effective new or existing switch infrastructure with the least amount of support, while enabling an immediate plug-and-play deployment. In addition, Microsoft's support of iWARP protocol since Windows Server 2012-R2 release, has allowed for years of testing for a very robust, tested, deployment with iWARP. As a long-standing partner of Microsoft, Chelsio invests heavily in joint engineering resources and expertise to test and validate upcoming versions of Microsoft Windows software on Chelsio networking infrastructure. Continuing on this long tradition of cooperative engineering, Chelsio is committed to delivering broad high-performance iWARP networking adapter support for Windows Server 2016 environments as well as for Windows 10 Enterprise. Chelsio iWARP enabled Unified Wire adapters power a range of Microsoft Windows capabilities including Storage Spaces Direct software-defined storage, Storage Replica for disaster recovery, SMB Direct for high performance file access, Network Direct for Windows HPC deployments, hardware offloaded iSCSI initiator for SAN applications, Nano Server for cloud applications and Client RDMA for bringing RDMA benefits to Windows 10 deployments. "Chelsio's T5 & T6 based solutions enable high-performance networking solutions for Windows installations without requiring a concurrent upgrade of the switch infrastructure and help customers to efficiently and cost-effectively scale their Microsoft Cloud environments to deive the full benefit of cloud computing," said Kianoosh Naghshineh, CEO at Chelsio Communications. "This announcement represents the enormous value derived through joint collaboration to help customers transform and accelerate their journey to the cloud."



"iWARP is the preferred high performance RDMA over Ethernet solution for Microsoft private clouds, and allows leveraging existing Ethernet infrastructure without the limitations, complexity and costs of other RDMA protocols," said Daniel Weissenborn, Enterprise Architect at ClearPointe, a Gold level Microsoft datacenter partner. "Chelsio adapters have proven to be zero fuss, high throughput and low latency, exactly what you need to fully leverage and scale high performance Software-Defined Datacenters." Storage Spaces Direct Throughput Performance Demonstration

Chelsio in conjunction with Microsoft demonstrated Windows Server 2016 Storage Spaces Direct operation using the Chelsio T6 100GbE iWARP RDMA adapters in a high-performance storage solution.

The demonstration utilizes a 4-node Storage Spaces Direct hyper-converged configuration, NVMe SSD technology, and DRAM connected across an iWARP RDMA-enabled fabric. iWARP is the preferred high performance RDMA over Ethernet solution from Cluster to Cloud scale, and allows leveraging existing Ethernet infrastructure without the limitations, complexity and costs of other RDMA protocols. Chelsio iWARP RDMA adapters have also been proven to deliver the highest IOPS (input/output per second) and low latency needed to fully leverage high performance Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct. Additional information regarding the Storage Spaces Direct throughput demonstration is available in a Microsoft published blog post and twitter message, and a Chelsio Technical Brief. The Storage Spaces Direct throughput demonstration announced today follows an earlier demonstration of Windows Server 2016 Storage Spaces Direct using the Chelsio T5 40GbE iWARP RDMA adapters conducted in conjunction with Microsoft which showed Chelsio T5 cards enabling 6 million IOPS performance for a storage solution. Additional information is presented in an earlier-issued Chelsio Press Release and video collage of pertinent Microsoft sessions at Ignite 2016. Chelsio Windows Solution Server 2016 SMB Direct Offload

Storage Spaces Direct Offload

Network Direct Offload

Packet Direct

iSCSI Initiator Offload

Windows 10  Client RDMA Offload for client-server applications

Nano Server

Storage Replica

NVGRE, VxLAN Offload support

SR-IOV support

vRSS, VMMQ support

DCB

Azure Stack Certified for all Adapter SKUs

Server 2016 and 2012-R2 Certified for all Adapter SKUs

Windows 10 Certified for all Adapter SKUs

1/10/25/40/50/100Gb Hardware Adapter options About Chelsio Communications

Chelsio is a recognized leader in high performance (1Gb/10Gb/25Gb/40Gb/50Gb/100Gb) Ethernet adapters for networking and storage within virtualized enterprise datacenters, public and private hyperscale clouds, and cluster computing environments. With a clear emphasis on performance and delivering the only robust offload solution, as opposed to simple speeds and feeds, Chelsio has set itself apart from the competition. The Chelsio Unified Wire fully offloads all protocol traffic, providing no-compromise performance with high packet processing capacity, sub-microsecond hardware latency and high bandwidth. Visit the company at www.chelsio.com, and follow the company on Twitter and Facebook. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chelsio-adapters-achieve-windows-server-2016-and-software-defined-datacenter-sddc-certifications-300427148.html SOURCE Chelsio Communications

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Trying to place President Trump in a political category that offers insight into what hell mean for our democracy  is Trump a fascist, totalitarian, authoritarian or sort-of populist?  has led both to spirited debate about political taxonomy and to the ransacking of European history for precedents and analogies. Lately, commenters have turned to Europes early 20th-century fascist interlude, including the rise of Nazi Germany, for signs. While conservative columnist Robert Kagan stated in The Washington Post that Trumps presidency would bring fascism to America, David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, suggested Trumps electoral victory was surely the way fascism can begin. And in the New Republic, Jamil Smith claimed that, yes, Donald Trump is a fascist, adding that as Trump lingered on the American political scene, the probability of him sounding like a Nazi increases.

The stress on the history of fascism to understand Trumpism is indeed useful, especially given that American neo-Nazis do in fact support him. But it is also misleading. Although it presents echoes of fascism, Trumpismo has not destroyed democracy. And whatever his desires might actually be, the American caudillo does not rule a totalitarian dictatorship, even an incipient one. Though Trumps style shares many features with interwar fascist leaders, his practice is far more similar to the Latin American founders of modern populism, specifically that of General Juan Peron of Argentina.

In postwar Latin America, former fascists like Peron decided that if dictatorship could no longer be successful or globally accepted, democracy could still be undermined, stripped of its liberal features and repackaged as authoritarian populist democracy. In the populist formulation, electoral results lead to the full delegation of power to a single figure who incarnates the people. While more institutional forms of democracy conceive electoral results as specific moments of choice where politicians are elected to represent the citizens will, populism envisions the people as one, and their will as summed up in the figure of the leader. Populists hold elections as show trials against diversity, turning complex society into the old fascist notion of one people, one nation and one leader. But they historically have done this without establishing dictatorships or high levels of political repression and violence.

In his successful electoral campaign for the presidency in 1945 and early 1946, Peron accused the United States of supporting the oligarchy and the traditional political class against him and the people. For Peron, politics was a war between the real Argentine people (whom he incarnated) and the enemies of the people, foreign and domestic. Peronist posters around Buenos Aires posed the dilemma Braden or Peron, pitching Spruille Braden, the U.S. ambassador to Argentina, against Peron. This was a way of presenting classic arguments of fascism  that powerful outsiders must be stopped from oppressing the authentic, common people of a country  but now shaped in electoral terms.

Peron also positioned himself as a law-and-order leader who could knit together a divided public balanced on a fragile peace. In doing so, he valorized the police and the armed forces against imagined enemies of the people both inside and outside Argentina, who compromised not only the countrys safety, but its identity. Referring to himself in a 1945 speech, Peron said, let Colonel Peron be the link of union that would make indestructible the brotherhood between the people, the army and the police. Let this union be eternal and infinite so this people will grow in that spiritual unity of the true and authentic forces of nationality and order.

Trump, too, has mixed us-versus-them alarmism, jingoistic statements and the idea of law and order with the fiction that he is the messenger of the people. In his inauguration speech on American carnage, he said the American people had defeated a minority of politicians: For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government, while the people have borne the cost. Trump has also claimed that the country is beset by crime, stating falsely on the campaign trail that the murder rate is the highest its been in almost half a century, and that the police are the most mistreated people in America.

Meanwhile, Trumps Make America Great Again slogan suggests that the American character is in decline, and his repeated observation that ours is a divided nation that he intends to unify underscores the sense of alienation and danger that fuels his populist message. By representing himself as the embodiment of the American spirit and its everyday people (despite the fact that he lost the popular vote), Trump has invented himself a popular mandate to turn the country upside down.

The lesson here is that countries political systems can be corrupted without being replaced with a fascist one. In Perons case, this meant vastly altering the character of Argentinas democracy without eliminating it. In contrast with fascism, Perons Argentina remained an authoritarian populist democracy that expanded social and economic rights and never violently repressed critics. Under Peron, Argentina experienced a strong redistribution of income, with wages rising and jobs increasing. Thus Peron did not have to install himself as a dictator; instead, he relied on the votes of the Peronist masses to keep him in power. In turn, he delivered for them, including paid vacations, more rights to farm and urban workers, fully funded state retirement, basically no unemployment and a substantial increase in state support for public health care and public education. Because of these gains, Peron never needed to crack down on his regimes critics. His popularity and these material gains created a consensus that neutralized critics without needing to resort to violence. While Peron famously said that there was a moment when political adversaries became enemies of the nation and thus snakes that one can kill in any way, these sort of statements were not coupled with high levels of dictatorial repression.

Trump has also promised Americans that they are going to be richer and enjoy more social and economic rights, though his current budget proposals in fact portends further increase in income inequality, reflecting a record representation of billionaires in his Cabinet. Nonetheless, Trump is emphatic that he wont let down the voters who elected him, saying that Republicans proposed health-care changes will take care of our people or they wont receive his signature. And, like Peron, Trump seems to be counting on these promises to keep him in office. Though he has denounced the media as the enemy of the American people and threatened the candidate of the opposition, telling her that youd be in jail if he became the president, Trump hasnt made legal moves against the media or Clinton so far. A Peronist populist at heart, so far Trump seems much more interested in staying in office thanks to the affection of his base than through intimidating the opposition.

And it just may work, which is the problem. Trumps rise lends credibility to a new global trend in authoritarian populism  one that is more nationalist and xenophobic than classical Latin American populism from the postwar era. We already see signs of this authoritarian wave in countries such as Turkey, India, Poland and Hungary, and possibly in France and Germany. In the mid-20th century, Peron and his wife and political partner, Eva Evita Peron, played a similar role in bolstering international recognition of populism. Peron demonstrated for the first time in history that a populist could reach power and create a regime. Populist regimes in Brazil, under Getulio Vargas, or Venezuela, under Romulo Betancourt, also earned temporary recognition internationally. But Argentina and Brazil were not the most powerful countries in the world; America is. Even if Trumpism remains an authoritarian response within democracy  one that doesnt dissolve the institution altogether, as it has been the historical case in Latin America  an intolerant xenophobe holding the greatest megaphone on earth threatens the integrity of other representative democracies and may yet usher in more Trumps.



Dirk Moses is professor of modern history at the University of Sydney. Finchelstein is professor of history at the New School and the author of five books on fascism, populism, and dictatorship, including his forthcoming book From Fascism to Populism in History. Piccato is professor of history at Columbia and author of the forthcoming book A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth and Justice in Mexico.
WASHINGTON  Private communications of Donald Trump and his presidential transition team may have been scooped up by American intelligence officials monitoring other targets and improperly distributed throughout spy agencies, the chairman of the House intelligence committee said Wednesday  an extraordinary public airing of often-secret information that brought swift protests from Democrats.

Republican Rep. Devin Nunes comments led the committees ranking Democrat, Adam Schiff, to renew his partys calls for an independent probe of Trump campaign links to Russia in addition to the GOP-led panels investigation. Schiff also said he had seen more than circumstantial evidence that Trump associates colluded with Russia.

In back-to-back news conferences at the Capitol and then the White House  where he had privately briefed the president  Nunes said he was concerned by officials handling of the communications in the waning days of the Obama administration.

He said the surveillance was conducted legally and did not appear to be related to the current FBI investigation into Trump associates contacts with Russia or with any criminal warrants. And the revelations, he said, did nothing to change his assessment that Trumps explosive allegations about wiretaps at Trump Tower were false.

Still, the White House immediately seized on his statements in what appeared to be a coordinated public display.

Moments after Nunes spoke on Capitol Hill, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer read his statements from the White House briefing room podium. The California congressman quickly headed up Pennsylvania Avenue to personally brief the president and to address reporters outside the West Wing. Nunes decision to brief the president was particularly unusual, given Trump almost certainly has access to the information from his intelligence agencies.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said Nunes disclosure could be a weapon of mass distraction in light of allegations of coordination between Russians and the Trump campaign during the 2016 campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

This could be a lot of theatrics, said Speier, also a member of the House intelligence committee.

This is a bizarre situation, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said in an interview on MSNBC. Im calling for a select committee because I think this back-and-forth shows that Congress no longer has the credibility handle this alone.

Outside the White House, Nunes said, What Ive read bothers me, and I think it should bother the president himself and his team.

Trump said he felt somewhat vindicated by the Republicans revelations. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found, he said.

The disclosure came two days after FBI Director James Comey publicly confirmed the bureaus own investigation into the Trump campaigns connections with Russia and rejected Trumps explosive claims that President Barack Obama wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election. Comeys comments came during the intelligence committees first public hearing on Russias election interference, an investigation being overseen by Nunes.

Nunes briefed reporters on the new information without consulting with Schiff, and that did not sit well with the top Democrat on the committee.

Schiff declared he now has profound doubt about the integrity and independence of the committees probe. He said that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way.

Later, in an interview with MSNBC, Schiff said evidence that is not circumstantial and is very much worthy of an investigation exists of Trump associates colluding with Russia as it interfered in last years election. He did not outline that evidence.

Nunes said he believed the Trump teams communications were caught incidentally. But he suggested the contents may have been inappropriately disseminated in intelligence reports. He left open the possibility the communications were spread for political reasons. Nunes would not disclose how he received the new information.

It was unclear whether Trumps own communications were monitored. Nunes initially said yes when asked if Trump was among those swept up in the intelligence monitoring, but then said it was only possible.

Its common for Americans to get caught up in U.S. surveillance of foreigners, such as foreign diplomats in the U.S. talking to an American. Typically, the Americans name would not be revealed in a report about the intercepted communications. However, if there is a foreign intelligence value to revealing the Americans name, it is unmasked and shared with other intelligence analysts who are working on related foreign intelligence surveillance.

Schiff disputed Nunes suggestions that there was improper unmasking. He said that after speaking with Nunes, it appeared that the names of Americans were still guarded in the intercepts though their identities could be gleaned from the materials.

Obama administration officials disputed the suggestion that the outgoing administration was improperly monitoring its successors. Ned Price, who served as spokesman for Obamas National Security Council, said Nunes assertions were nothing more than an attempt to offer a lifeline to a White House caught in its own netting following President Trumps baseless tweets.

Matthew Waxman, a national security law professor at Columbia University, said Nunes actions in this case are contributing to, rather than alleviating concerns, about politicization of intelligence.

Nunes said the information on the Trump team was collected in November, December and January, the period after the election when Trump was holding calls with foreign leaders, interviewing potential Cabinet secretaries and beginning to sketch out administration policy. He said the monitored material was widely disseminated in intelligence reports.

Asked whether he believed the transition team had been spied on, Nunes said: It all depends on ones definition of spying.

Nunes did not identify any of the Trump associates he said were unmasked, but they are believed to include Michael Flynn, who was fired as White House national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials about his contacts with Russias ambassador to the United States.

___

AP writers Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Deb Riechmann at http://twitter.com/debriechmann
CAIRO  What does Kuwait have in common with Alabama?

Beauty and the Beast has been banned from theaters there.

The international blockbuster, Disneys live-action remake of the animation classic, is under fire for a scene widely seen as alluding to homosexuality. In Kuwait, censors have pulled the movie from all theaters, and in a rural corner of Alabama, a drive-in theater has banned the film.

The movie, which has earned more than $350 million worldwide, stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. It opened in Kuwait last Thursday with a PG-13 rating, but by this week, the nations government-owned cinema company, which runs 11 out of the 13 theaters in the Persian Gulf country, announced that all screenings had been canceled and offered a full refund to anyone who had purchased a ticket.

One board member of the National Cinema Co. told the Associated Press, We were requested to stop the screening and further censor the movie for things that were deemed offensive by the Ministry of Informations censorship department.

At issue, apparently, is a scene in which a supporting character, LeFou, is depicted as having a romantic fascination for Gaston and is shown dancing with another man in a ballroom scene said to be three seconds long. The movies director, Bill Condon, told a British publication that LeFou, played by Josh Gad, has a nice, exclusively gay moment.

The treatment of gays and lesbians in the Middle East is mixed. In Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is criminalized and can lead to fines, lashings and imprisonment. In Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen, it can also lead to the death penalty. But in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq, homosexuality is not illegal.

Even beauty and the beast has been banned from Kuwait cinemas. This is ridiculous

Kuwaits decision followed an effort by censors in Malaysia to edit out controversial scenes from the movie. But after Disney decided to stop the films release there, rather than agree to cuts, Malaysian authorities decided to allow the film to be released next week in its entirety. The Malaysian censorship boards earlier push to censor the film had been widely condemned both at home and abroad, including by the countrys tourism minister.

According to the Malay Mail, the minister said gay people exist in the world, even if the film did not have a gay character, adding that I dont think it is going to influence anyone.

The movie has also stirred controversy in Russia. Vitaly Milonov, a lawmaker, tried to get the film banned. But it was allowed to be screened uncensored, accompanied by a warning that it was not suitable for children younger than 16.
The Federal Council

Bern, 22.03.2017 - The Federal Council has conferred the title of ambassador on Benno Laggner, who is currently Deputy Head of the Swiss Delegation for security policy issues at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna with the title of minister, to allow him to carry out his new function as the chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) during Switzerlands membership of the NSG troika (1.4.2017 to 30.6.2019).

In June 2017 Switzerland will assume the chairmanship of the Nuclear Suppliers Group for one year. The group of 48 states seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and components of nuclear explosive devices through harmonised export control lists and the exchange of relevant information.

Benno Laggner was born in 1963 in Cooma/Australia and is a citizen of Tuggen in the canton of Schwyz. Following a degree in international relations at the University of St Gallen he joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1994. Having completed his training periodin Bern and Ankara, he was posted to the Political Affairs Division II. In 2000, he was transferred to the Swiss Mission to the UN in New York, and in 2004 to the Embassy in Berlin. In 2007, he returned to the Departments offices in Bern to head the team coordinating UN relations in the position of Deputy Head of Political Affairs Division III. From September 2010, he was the Deputy Chef de Cabinet of the President of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. From October 2011, Mr Laggner bore the title of ambassador in his function as the Head of the Task Force for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-proliferation , and from May 2012 as Head of the Division for Security Policy at the Directorate of Political Affairs in Bern. Since August 2016, he has been Deputy Head of the Swiss Delegation for security policy issues to the OSCE in Vienna with the title of minister.

Address for enquiries

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General Secretariat FDHA

Bern, 22.03.2017 - Federal Councillor Alain Berset, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and vice president of the Federal Council, received the vice president of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai, for a meeting in Bern on Wednesday, 22 March. The talks focused on bilateral relations between the two countries and in particular on migration, justice and the economy  areas in which closer cooperation is sought.

Both parties welcomed the intention to further strengthen relations. After the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation handed its projects in Liberia over to a Liberian partner at the end of 2016, Switzerland has been represented since March by an Honorary Consulate General in Monrovia.

The talks on Wednesday also covered economic relations. Currently, Switzerland's main import from Liberia is gold. Mr Berset referred in that

respect to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights', which Switzerland was actively involved in drafting and which serve as guidelines for companies in the mining and oil sector. Liberia is not yet a member of the initiative, but has expressed an interest in joining.

Mr Berset and Mr Boakai also discussed issues relating to justice and migration. Liberia and Switzerland do not have a readmission agreement, but they carry out annual identification missions. The number of new asylum applications per year is in the low double-digit range and is following a downward trend. Efforts to establish closer judicial cooperation will focus on mutual assistance.

Democratic consolidation

Liberia is one of the West African states showing signs of democratic consolidation. The upcoming elections in October will be of crucial importance. In addition to bilateral relations between Switzerland and Liberia, talks on Wednesday also focused on the situation in the greater West Africa region. Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf currently chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Android O could be adding theme support to the Android software as it appears that a new option has shown up in the Display settings menu. Just under the Ambient Display option where you can toggle that particular feature on and off, Android O users will now notice a new option that is labeled device theme which would let you change the theme out for the device. At the moment there are only two themes available to choose from which include Pixel: and Inverted, though if this becomes part of the software natively then more are sure to make their way into the system at some point, or at least it would make sense for Google to incorporate them, and at the very least make it so that developers can design their own, similar to the way they can for Xperia Themes.

With native support for themes appearing to be part of the stock Android software this would be one more feature where Google is finally catching up to manufacturers. Over the last couple of years various OEMs have already implemented support for device themes into their own handsets, including Samsung and HTC, and of course, Sony, who has been doing it for longer than most other OEMs. For now, the themes that are included only seem to change the color of the notification tray, and the Pixel option is the exact same color that youll see on a standard Pixel thats running on Android Nougat, so the only real change here is with the inverted theme that essentially changes the notification tray to white.

As with any and all features that are present in the the developer preview software, Google could choose to end up doing away device themes in a future preview, or keep them all the way through and eventually scrap the idea once a final public build of the software goes out to user. That being said, this is sure to be one feature that users are hoping will stick around, but ultimately that decision will be up to Google and even if they choose to keep it there could always be something that gets in the way and causes them to have to remove it.
Square engineer Pierre-Yves Ricau has now created a completely new way to complete business transactions using only voice input. Citing inspiration from jobs that require complex, hands-on work  in particular, the work of a barista  he decided now was the time to create a system that doesnt require users to press any buttons or tap on a screen. His creation uses nothing more than public API, a Google Home device, a Square reader, the popular If This Then That (IFTTT) application, and of course a customer device. Ricau specifically uses Apple Pay in his example to show how the system works across platforms, but it seems as though it could easily be adjusted to suit users across all platforms and be used with either the NFC or card reader offered by Square.

As Ricau explains at the source, the premise of the problem seems as though it would be easy enough to solve. However, the reality of creating a program to solve that problem is generally more complex than the simplicity of the problem would appear to imply  especially when considering the key differences between the devices and platforms used. First, the merchant needs to instantiate the program by asking Google to charge the appropriate amount for the service or product. This is done with pre-determined phrasing so that other components of the system can pick out key variables from the other words. Then, Google Home contacts IFTTT, which in turn gets and sets the amounts and associated purchase notes as required. Those values are sent to the Square servers, setting the transaction there, before sending data back allowing the reader  in this case, an NFC reader  to activate. The perspective customer taps his or her device to send the appropriate data back to the servers so that the transaction can be processed. Finally, the money shuffles around between Square servers and the associated bank accounts before the customer finally receives what theyve paid for. All of that complexity may seem to be a bit much, but the idea and the resulting code really highlights how more legacy-based means of bridging the gap between differing standards can be used in new and meaningful ways. Moreover, it shows that such feats can be accomplished with publicly available API and hardware.

Truthfully, it doesnt happen very often that a new technology or device is released and not followed up almost immediately by the development of some previously unrecognized potential. In this case, whether or not Ricaus solution gains any kind of traction may be limited by several factors, such as the reliability of picking up a workers voice amidst the bustle inside a busy coffee house. In the end, this may just be one of those experiments that could work but isnt ever used, even if it does get everybody thinking.
Google released the first developer preview for Android O today, and many users may be looking to flash it onto their compatible device. Well heres how to do it. Its actually quite simple, and since the Android Beta Program isnt yet set up for Android O (it should be within the next few days), the only way to get Android O is by flashing the entire factory image. Google is supporting the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel, Pixel C and Pixel XL with this developer preview. First off, youll need to have your bootloader unlocked, before you can flash the factory image onto your device.

Youll need to get a USB-C cable and plug it into your device and into your computer before you get started. Youll need to get into fastboot mode, and then open a command prompt window on your computer. In there youll need to type ./fastboot devices. From there you should see your device appear. If you do, then youre all set and ready to move on. Now youll need to type the command ./fastboot flash bootloader [bootloader-file-name]img. Once the bootloader has been flashed, type in ./fastboot reboot bootloader. Next, youll type in ./fastboot flash radio [radio-file-name].img and followed by the ./fastboot reboot bootloader command. Now the next command will clear the data on your device, which isnt needed but is definitely recommended. Use the command ./fastboot -w update [image-file-name].zip.

After youve done all of that, you should be all set to reboot your device. Now keep in mind that it will take some time for the device to reboot. This is common after updating to a new version of Android, as the cache needs to be rebuilt and everything put into place before it finishes booting up. So if it takes longer than normal to boot up, dont worry too much. You can download the factory images from the link below. Be sure that you download the appropriate image for your device, or you could end up bricking your smartphone, which is something that you definitely dont want to do or deal with.
The Samsung Desktop Experience (DeX) Station for the Galaxy S8 has apparently been leaked online by an industry insider Roland Quandt who also uncovered the alleged price tag of the device. According to the report, the DeX Station will be priced at 149.99 in Europe, which translates to approximately $162. Rumors about the accessory have been circulating the industry for several months after Samsung filed for a related trademark back in January. According to the source, the DeX Station will be compatible with both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus and will allow users to connect their flagship smartphones to a computer or an external monitor and control them using a keyboard and a mouse.

The same source reveals that the DeX Station will feature an ethernet port, two USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port, and a single HDMI port capable of outputting 4K videos in 30 frames per second. Finally, the Samsung-made accessory for the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus will apparently sport a cooling fan. The first alleged render of the device can be seen above. Like all of the other official accessories for Samsungs upcoming Android flagship duo, the DeX Station is expected to be unveiled on March 29 when Samsung is holding the so-called Unpacked event in New York City. Theres still no word on a firm release date of the DeX Station, but presuming that the dock wont hit the market any later than the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus do, it will likely launch in the second half of April. Finally, consumers in the United States probably wont have to pay more for the accessory than Europeans will.

While its unlikely that Samsung will advertise an optional, 150 dock as one of the main selling points of the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus, the accessory still has the potential to drastically change the way consumers interact with their smartphones on an everyday basis. While phone-to-PC concepts arent a novel idea by any means, no tech company has yet managed to commercialize them, so it remains to be seen whether Samsungs upcoming accessory will manage to turn the Galaxy S8 into a truly versatile mobile computer.
LG Pay mobile payments service will launch in South Korea in June, the Seoul-based tech giant said on Wednesday. The company signed an agreement with Dynamics Inc, a U.S. firm that will license its Wireless Magnetic Communication technology to LG and help it launch its service thats already been delayed on several occasions. LG Pay will allow consumers to use their compatible smartphones to make payments on conventional card terminals by simply tapping them against the devices, which is similar to how Samsung Pay works despite being based on a different technology. Due to the fact that its simple to use and doesnt require retailers to implement new and expensive hardware, LG is hoping that its mobile payments solution will be well-received by consumers.

The LG G6 already fulfills the necessary hardware requirements for being compatible with LG Pay, the company said. LGs latest Android flagship that was unveiled at this years Mobile World Congress (MWC) will likely be the first device to support the service, though the firm has yet to confirm that. Regardless, the South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer did say that LG Pay will be added to the LG G6 via a software update thats scheduled to roll out later this year. Other LG-made smartphones will also receive the ability to use the upcoming mobile payments platform, though no specific models have yet been named. Still, its reasonable to presume that the LG V30 is another device that will support LG Pay once it launches in the second half of the year. On the other hand, its currently unclear whether the Seoul-based company is looking to expand the availability of its upcoming service to other countries and if it is  when such an expansion might start.

For the time being, LG only confirmed that the service will debut in its home country in June and said its currently negotiating with eight credit card companies, seven of which are apparently already keen on supporting it. Regardless of how many credit cards LG Pay ends up supporting in the end, it seems that the solution will definitely be powered by the technology developed by Dynamics which the company is now referring to as a strategic partner.
[March 21, 2017] Huawei and SUSE Announce SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Support for KunLun RAS 2.0

HANNOVER, Germany, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (CeBIT) -- Huawei and SUSE today announced SUSE Linux Enterprise Server as the preferred standard operating system (OS) for Huawei's KunLun RAS 2.0. Based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 2, the OS supports the unique Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS 2.0) features of Huawei's KunLun Mission Critical Server. The RAS 2.0 features enable customers to add or remove CPU and memory resources without shutting down the system. These features combine to make KunLun "Always Online." SUSE Linux Enterprise Server provides broad support for mission-critical workloads such as databases and middleware. The Huawei KunLun is ideal for carrying mission-critical services of enterprises and delivers 24/7 business continuity, minimizing service loss that would result in the case of system crash. Leveraging Huawei's innovative RAS 2.0 technologies, KunLun supports CPU and memory hot swap and has surpassed UNIX servers by some reliability indicators. As a pioneer at the forefront of the open source software industry, SUSE has grown a wealth of kernel technology know-how and enterprise technology implementation practice in the Linux open source community. SUSE has been leading the industry by delivering superior RAS support for the x86 platform. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server runs on the KunLun underlying firmware and perfectly merges the Linux kernel ACPI driver module, memory/CPU hot swap module, and kernel and memory management subsystem. In this way, the OS allows customers to physically add or remove core components, such as CPUs and memory modules, without disrupting services. "Huawei and SUSE have been collaborating for a long time in the mission-critical computing space," said Wang Zhen, vice president of the Huawei Server Product Line. "We have jointly released KunLun, the world's first 32-socket mission critical server, at CeBIT2016. Now we bring our partnership to a new level by releasing the industry's first standard Linux OS that supports KunLun RAS 2.0. The OS will help KunLun deliver reliability that is parallel to, and even surpasses, that of traditional UNIX servers. These benefits will translate into better return on investment for our customers."



Ralf Flaxa, SUSE president of Engineering, said, "KunLun is the result of deep collaboration between Huawei and SUSE. SUSE leads the industry by releasing the preferred standard OS that supports KunLun RAS 2.0 features, including CPU and memory hot swap. In addition, soon the OS will come with the in-service kernel upgrade feature provided by SUSE. These features will enable KunLun to be 'Always Online.' This benefit isn't currently available with other Linux operating systems." Huawei has collaborated with the best partners along the industry chain to build KunLun, implementing vertical consolidation and joint optimization from the bottom-layer chip level all the way up to the OS and the application layer. KunLun perfectly addresses the high reliability, performance, and scalability requirements of mission-critical environments and, at the same time, embraces the x86 ecosystem. This is an epic advance because KunLun liberates enterprises from the longstanding restrictions of costly, enclosed architectures, fully unlocks the innovation capabilities of the enterprises, and helps them better compete and succeed in the mission-critical computing arena of today and tomorrow.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solution provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices, and cloud computing. Huawei's 170,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises, and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products, and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com. About SUSE

SUSE, a pioneer in open source software, provides reliable, interoperable Linux, cloud infrastructure and storage solutions that give enterprises greater control and flexibility. More than 20 years of engineering excellence, exceptional service and an unrivaled partner ecosystem power the products and support that help our customers manage complexity, reduce cost, and confidently deliver mission-critical services. The lasting relationships we build allow us to adapt and deliver the smarter innovation they need to succeed  today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.suse.com. Copyright 2017 SUSE LLC. All rights reserved. SUSE and the SUSE logo are registered trademarks of SUSE LLC in the United States and other countries. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huawei-and-suse-announce-suse-linux-enterprise-server-support-for-kunlun-ras-20-300427286.html SOURCE SUSE

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A new Samsung smartphone bearing model number SM-J530 has been spotted on popular benchmarking website, GFXBench. Speculations in the online tech media seem to suggest that Samsung will eventually market this device as the Galaxy J5 (2017), although the South Korean company is yet to confirm that officially. Meanwhile, the listing reveals some of the key hardware specs of the upcoming handset including, the screen size, the processing chipset, RAM, internal storage and the cameras. The device received its Wi-Fi certification last month and has also popped up on Geekbench this week. With things shaping up the way they are, it probably shouldnt be too long before the handset is launched officially, although, theres still no definitive word on exactly when that might happen.

Taking a quick look at the hardware specs of the upcoming handset, the GFXBench listing seems to suggest that the SM-J530 will be an entry-level device with a compact form-factor. The smartphone will apparently feature a 4.8-inch 720p display panel, which is well and truly on the smaller side in the modern scheme of things. The listing also reveals that the handset will be powered by an Exynos 7870 SoC, which is designed and manufactured in-house by Samsung Electronics. The chip comes with an integrated 1.5GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU alongside an ARM Mali-T830 GPU. The device is also expected to come with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, but its not immediately clear whether there will also be a microSD card slot for capacity expansion.

On the imaging front, the upcoming smartphone will apparently carry 12 or 13-megapixel cameras on both front and back, which would be keeping in line with the growing importance attached to the front-facing selfie-cams these days, thanks largely to the popularity of social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat. The GFXBench listing doesnt give away too much more, but the recent Geekbench listing apparently suggests that the device will come with Android Nougat out-of-the-box. Either way, it will be interesting to see when Samsung will announce the Galaxy J5 (2017), but seeing as its predecessor was unveiled last March, it probably wont be too long before this one is made official.
It is no secret that Samsung Electronics, maker of the Galaxy Note 7, lost a huge amount of money and goodwill last year with the exploding battery fiasco, brought on by defective batteries supplied from Samsungs SDI division. The two have been in ongoing talks to discuss the amount of compensation that the SDI group should payback to Samsung Electronics to help cover their losses. Samsung SDI is claiming the defective Galaxy Note 7 batteries have already contributed to their operating loss of $826.90 million  some caused by the Galaxy Note 7 problem and others resulting from slow sales of automotive batteries. Because of this, Samsung SDI is asking for a reduction in the amount of compensation they must pay back to Samsung Electronics. Although sister companies, each is run as an independent unit, each with their own profits and losses. Samsung Electronics does not want their division to look bad because of a mistake caused by Samsung SDI.

Samsung SDI has set aside about 95 billion won toward the settlement for its faulty batteries and is hoping that Samsung Electronics will settle for that amount  and it is likely that they may be willing to settle since it is another Samsung company. There were no comments from either side as this is an ongoing negotiation, but we do know that Samsung SDI supplied about 70-percent of the batteries in the Galaxy Note 7 while Chinas ATL provided the remainder. Tensions cannot be too high as it is the SDI division that was chosen to supply the batteries for the upcoming Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus that will debut on March 29. It is also a rumor that Chinas ATL is being replaced with Japans Murata Manufacturing as the backup battery supplier for the Galaxy S8 series. Hopefully, the talks will resume so that both companies can put the Galaxy Note 7 incident behind them and move forward.

Samsung had a rough 2016 with their flagship Galaxy Note 7, which ended up with two recalls, with the second one a final recall and Samsung just scrubbed the entire model for the year. Immediately the rumor mills started that there would be no more Galaxy Notes, but fortunately, Samsung has assured us there will be a new Galaxy Note 8 later this year. Samsung began a new advertising campaign that resurrected the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, with the model selling well all year, helping to sustain Samsung through their Galaxy Note 7 losses. Everybodys eyes are now focused on March 29 as Samsung unveils their new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus models with new and improved batteries.
Samsung Pay, the mobile payment platform of South Koreas largest conglomerate, has finally launched in India after opening for Early Access registrations a couple of weeks earlier. The company claims that the platform is compatible with a whole host of banks and payment gateways in the country, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paytm, UPI (Unified Payments Interface), Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and Standard Chartered. The company also pledged to include support for Citibank going forward. While Samsung Pay had support for Visa and MasterCard in India right from the get-go, the company has now also added compatibility with American Express cards. Also new, is the support for the federal governments Unified Payments Interface, which can now be accessed from right within the Samsung Pay app.

One thing to note here, however, is that the UPI integration is still in its beta phase, and Samsung says that it will take a couple more weeks for the final roll out. Either way, the UPI ID for Samsung Pay happens to be @pingpay, and users are free to create their own user ID ([email protected]) for financial transactions. In case youre wondering how to get started with Samsung Pay, all youll need is one of the newer NFC-enabled handsets from the South Korean manufacturer. The platform is compatible with a number of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A7 (2016), Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017). Samsung Pay is also expected to be available on the Gear S3 smartwatch in the near future.

With its launch in India, Samsung Pay is now available in twelve countries around the world, including South Korea, the U.S., China, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia, Thailand and Malaysia. Samsung is offering a number of exclusive offers for early birds in India, including a 20% discount on Pizza Hut orders, a 15% discount on Barista orders and varying discounts on select combos at Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) outlets for MasterCard users. The company is also offering 100% cashback to Paytm users, as well as significant cashback offers for credit and debit card users of the aforementioned banks. In case youre interested, you may click through the source link below to get more details about how to use Samsung Pay in India.
While streaming videos is great theres one aspect of it that can be not so great. It requires a constant data connection. This isnt a huge issue for the most part these days as most people have data plans for their smartphones and theyre connected most of the time, but once in a while you might come up on an area where you lose connection to the network or where its too slow to simply stream at the desired quality, or without interruptions. In these cases it would be beneficial to just download the videos you wanted to stream. This is where an app like KeepVid Android would come in handy as it allows you to download videos from YouTube directly to your phone so you can watch them while offline. More than that though, it lets you download videos from other sources too, like Vimeo, Tumblr, Funny or Die, Facebook, and even Instagram. How does it stack up though and is it a simple way to get the videos that you wanted? Lets take a closer look.

Before you can go about downloading all of the videos you want to watch later on, youll need to head to the KeepVid Android website and download the app. This isnt an app which is available in the Play Store so you need to grab the APK straight from the site. Once thats done and you have the app installed you can jump into using it.

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As soon as you open up the app it dumps you right onto the home screen, but it does so with a mask over the display with a couple of helpful tips that point out what a couple of the buttons do. This makes it easy to know how to access the main functions. When you open the app youre right on the home screen so you have access to all of the different video sources at your fingertips. KeepVid Android doesnt just let you download videos though as you can use it to download music too which can be grabbed from places like SoundCloud.

While some sources like YouTube and Vimeo will let you access the main websites and start downloading videos right away, other sources like Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr will require you to sign into your accounts first.

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If youre not sure where you want to search for videos but you do know what types of videos it is that youre looking for, you can easily cast a wide net by tapping on the search button and just typing in a search query to look for what is you want. This will bring up a variety of videos that fall under your criteria and bring them in from whatever sources has them.

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Of course, another way you can quickly download the videos is by knowing the exact URL of the video, and to enter this and start the download you just need to press the floating action button at the bottom of the screen to add the link.

If you tap the overflow menu you can find the settings, and inside the settings menu you can adjust all kinds of things from the download path (which is where your downloaded videos will be stored on your device) to the max amount of downloaded videos that can be going at once. You can also adjust various other settings like only allowing videos to download via Wi-Fi or setting the default video and audio players.

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Next to the overflow menu is the download button. This takes you to the menu where you can see all of your downloads that are happening in the queue.

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There is also a second tab where you can see all of the downloaded videos that have actually completed so you know what it is that youve already downloaded. This way you dont actually download the same video(s) and have duplicates taking up precious storage space.

If for any reason you need to pause your downloads, in the downloads menu you can access a pause option by hitting the overflow button in the top right corner. There is also an option to resume all when youre ready to finish the downloads, or you can also batch delete a number of items.

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When you find the video that you want to download, after hitting the download button which will be the floating action button from the video screen, youll have a series of options that pop up before the download actually starts. These will let you select the video quality for the download, which will also dictate how large the download file is. This is where you can also select whether you want to download to be in an MP3 audio format instead of in a video format, and youll also have the option to share the video from here.

KeepVid Android is a pretty simple app to use and its straightforward with what it does. There are not a whole lot of extra functions and features and there doesnt need to be. The app provides a simple and fast way to download videos and music that you wouldnt otherwise be able to download without the use of a website or other software, and it does it on your Android device no less, when normally this is something you would have to do on a desktop.

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Ratings

Speed (5/5)  The app opens quick, and it works quickly, though the download speed itself will depend on the internet connection and not the app.

The app opens quick, and it works quickly, though the download speed itself will depend on the internet connection and not the app. Features (4.5/5)  A decent amount of features and just enough for what the app is supposed to do for the user.

A decent amount of features and just enough for what the app is supposed to do for the user. Theme (4.5/5)  A nice looking UI design that shouldnt disappoint as its easy to navigate and it utilizes some material design.

A nice looking UI design that shouldnt disappoint as its easy to navigate and it utilizes some material design. Overall (4.5/5)  A well-rounded app with just what you need to download videos and music that you want to watch later on or for when you want to watch them offline.

Pros

Easy to use

Decent UI

Multiple sources for videos and music

A way to share videos with others

Ability to check your download queue and completed downloads

Ability to search for videos by URL

Cons

Logging in to grab videos from social feeds like Facebook and Instagram doesnt automatically log you in if you have those apps installed, and actually requires you to physically enter your credentials.

While not everyone is going to have a need or a desire to download videos from places like YouTube and Vimeo, if you like watching videos from these sources but dont always have internet to stream them, this app will provide a easy way for you to still watch the videos you want. Its definitely a nifty tool to have installed especially since you have control over various factors like how much space the downloads take up based on the video quality.
There are loads of little new features in Android O, with the first developer preview being released today, theres plenty of little things still being found. One of those is the change to the status bar when you pull down the notification shade. In Android Nougat, you simply got the time in the upper-left corner and then a few toggles below it. Now in Android O, you get a whole lot more available to you there.

As you can see in the picture below, you now see the time as well as the date on the left side, along with the Wi-Fi icon, network status, battery percentage and a shortcut to the settings menu, in the status bar. Thats a pretty big change compared to what was there on Android 7.0 Nougat. Now this is also a change that most users will likely not even notice, but it is a nice change. However, when you expand the quick toggles, some items are overlapping. Now this is something that Google will likely fix before the final release, so its nothing to get too upset about, but its still worth pointing out. You also get an additional toggle in the first row of toggles in the notification shade, which is also pretty handy. These are still customizable, like they were in Android Nougat.

Google announced Android O today, and released the first developer preview. They will be releasing three more developer previews before the final release, which is slated for the third quarter. The Android O developer preview is available for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel, Pixel C and Pixel XL. This is likely going to be Android 8.0, but that has not yet been confirmed. The same goes for the name of this new version of Android. Its currently just Android O. Google will likely be making the name official sometime this summer, like they did with Nougat last summer. Many people are betting that itll be Android Oreo, but that wont happen without Google striking some kind of branding deal with Nabisco, similar to what they did with Nestle for KitKat and Android 4.4 a few years ago.
T-Mobile has reportedly launched a new software update on the HTC One M9, bringing the OS version up to Android Nougat. Although the smartphones official software page on T-Mobile doesnt mention any details about a new update at the time of writing, it would appear that some HTC One M9 users have already received the new update, bringing the software version up to 4.27.531.6.

Judging by a couple of screenshots passed along by Android Police, T-Mobiles HTC One M9 is now making the jump to Android Nougat. The entire update weighs a hefty 1.09 GB and includes the Android security patch launched by Google in February 2017. Additionally, the update promises system performance enhancements, which are generally a part of the Android Nougat experience along with improved battery life and a reworked user interface. However since the HTC One M9 carries its own proprietary user interface over the operating system, visually the update might not bring too many changes, and most improvements will likely take place under the hood. In any case, the update will be launched in phases and only a small number of HTC One M9 owners might receive the notification today. The updates availability should expand gradually and hopefully, T-Mobile will officially confirm the updates release soon and modify the smartphones software update page accordingly. Either way, HTC One M9 users who may have already received the update notification are advised to download the package over a Wi-Fi network to avoid unwanted charges on the monthly bill or to avoid slow transfer speeds. Users who havent received the update notification can try to trigger the process from the Software updates menu within settings.

The HTC One M9 was released running Android 5.0 Lollipop and T-Mobiles variant was updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow a year ago in February 2016. Earlier this month T-Mobile began testing Android 7.0 Nougat for the device, and needless to say, it would now appear that the carrier is ready for a more widespread release. The HTC One M9 carries a 5-inch Super LCD3 display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 System-on-Chip, and 3 GB of RAM along with 32 GB of on-board memory.
Perhaps not surprisingly, considering all of the legal turmoil surrounding Uber right now, yet another high-ranking employee just left the company. The most recent departure is that of Brian McClendon, Ubers former Vice President of Mapping. According to one Uber spokesperson, McClendon is leaving the firm on good terms and will still be an adviser to the company. The same representative said that McClendon is actually moving back to his previous state of residency, Kansas, in order to indulge in politics, adding that he has been planning to leave for some time, which indicates that he might not be leaving as a result of the recent scandals involving Uber. McClendon will officially leave the company on March 28.

Although the representative did seem to hint that McClendons departure has little to do with the claims of sexual harassment and sexism that have been troubling Uber, he was recently named in the lawsuit filed by his former employer against the company. McClendon previously worked in Googles mapping department for nearly a decade. The suit Alphabet filed against Uber alleges that several former employees stole parts of the design of Alphabets self-driving system when they left to join Uber. According to one witness testimony, Uber was interested in buying the team responsible for the LiDAR that was developed at Google. While his departure is not necessarily tied directly to the lawsuit, his specified date of departure is also set just after the date Uber is expected to conduct employee reviews and give out appropriate pay bonuses. According to some sources, many other employees may also leave the company once those bonuses have been handed out.

Uber is currently under immense pressure to ensure that their self-driving car efforts continue to advance. Following trouble with Alphabet, allegations of sexual harassment, and even some trouble with Californias DMV, it isnt surprising that many employees are seeking to distance themselves or that the company may be seeking to distance itself from some of those employees. However, no less than nine top employees have left the firm over the past couple of months. That, at the very least, signifies that a significant restructuring is on the horizon.
Following the US ban on tablets and larger electronic devices in the cabin of flights originating from six Middle Eastern countries, the UK has issued a similar restriction. Tablets, DVD players and laptops  essentially any electronic device larger than a smartphone in size  cannot be carried into the cabin on flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. More specifically, the British government says that any device larger than 16cm long by 9.3cm wide by 1.5cm deep must be placed in checked luggage prior to going through airport security.

The ban affects six British airlines and eight overseas airlines with flights originating from the six named Middle Eastern countries to the UK. The new rule says that it will be up to the airlines to decide when the ban will go into effect, and passengers should consult with their airlines for additional information. The British airliners include British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while the overseas airliners include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia. While US officials noted that terrorists could conceal explosive devices in consumer electronics devices as justification for its ban, the UK government didnt specify if its ban was in response to any intelligence or terror threat. A big difference between the US and UK ban is that the US ban does not apply to any domestic airlines.

Critics of the ban claim that forcing people to place electronics in checked luggage will make screening even harder. According to the BBC, the Islamic State hid a bomb in the hold  the place where tablets and laptops will be stowed with checked luggage  that was used to blow up a Russian passenger plane over the Sinai peninsula. Additionally, it will make air travel less convenient, however Downing Street said that the ban was necessary, effective and proportionate. There are concerns in US and UK intelligence circles that terror groups want to blow up a passenger plane mid-flight. Its unclear if other European Union nations will follow the US and UK with similar bans.
[March 21, 2017] Military Embedded Systems Market Forecast 2017-2027

NEW YORK, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Details

Developments in military embedded systems have had a significant impact on the embedded systems market. This market is estimated by visiongain to be worth $73bn in 2017. Visiongain's report on this sector gives a detailed overview of the market, creating an accurate picture that will offer clarity to anyone involved in the aerospace and defence industry. Importantly, the report also delivers a forecast of the market, giving you an insight into the future opportunities that exist in the military embedded systems market.



This report offers a global forecast, which is then broken down by the following national markets:

- US

- Canada

- Germany

- France

- UK

- Russia

- Japan

- China

- India

- Rest of Europe

- Rest of APAC

- Rest of the World



As well as the following submarkets:



By application:

- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)

- Communication

- Computer

- Cyber Security

- Combat







By architecture:

- Software

- Hardware, which is broken down further as follows:

- Processor

- GPU

- DSP

- IP-Chip

- Others



By platform:

- Land Based

- Airborne

- Sea Based





In order to offer an accurate snapshot of the current market, visiongain has also profiled the following leading companies:

- Advantech Co. Ltd.

- Curtiss-Wright Corporation

- Kontron AG

- Mercury Systems, Inc.

- Microsemi Corporation

- Radisys Corporation

- Xilinx, Inc.

- North Atlantic Industries, Inc.

- Concurrent Technologies PLC

- Eurotech S.p.A



With 300+ tables and charts and a total length of over 200 pages, this report is a fantastic opportunity to increase your knowledge of this sector. Analysis of trends as well as the drivers and restraints for the overall market concisely informs you of the major factors affecting this market, whilst visiongain's data-rich approach provides greater insight into this market.



Visiongain is a trading partner with the US Federal Government

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04781963-summary/view-report.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



http://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/military-embedded-systems-market-forecast-2017-2027-300427416.html SOURCE Reportlinker

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[March 21, 2017] AdsNative Partners With Fraudlogix to Fight Online Ad Fraud

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AdsNative, a white label monetization platform that specializes in helping publishers to monetize their sites with visually integrated ads, has partnered with ad-fraud detection company, Fraudlogix to fight fake traffic. AdsNative is using Fraudlogix's IP Block List solution to filter out online ad traffic generated through fraudulent means, such as bots, malware-infected devices, data centers and click farms. Ad fraud affects both advertisers and publishers. For publishers, fraud wastes resources on their ad servers and can make a publisher liable for make-goods. The presence of fraudulent ad traffic also lowers the credibility and quality of publishers, hindering them from getting new ad dollars from potential demand partners. "As a monetization platform, protecting the interests of our publishers is of paramount importance," said Dr. Xuening Sun, Vice President of Data Products at AdsNative, "which is why we've partnered with Fraudlogix to combat these challenges." The partnership allows AdsNative to integrate Fraudlogix data, which updates hourly, directly into its ad server, giving the monetization platform pre-bid blocking capabilities for mobile, display, video, in-app and desktop environments. "The major advantage of working with Fraudlogix is that we leverage the entire data set collected by heir pixel footprint, giving AdsNative the ability to see and detect malicious actors that are affecting any part of the digital marketing ecosystem," said Sun. "While the state of online ad fraud is very dynamic and unpredictable, our partnership with Fraudlogix serves as a stronger foundation to detect and block malicious activity on the web."



"We are very happy to be working with AdsNative," said Fraudlogix CEO, Hagai Shechter. "As a publisher-focused vendor, they know how important it is to have and maintain high-quality ad traffic and we're happy to help them achieve that." ABOUT ADSNATIVE: AdsNative is a white label monetization platform for publishers and app developers to maximize revenue, reduce costs and deliver better advertising experiences. Unlike other offerings, AdsNative licenses its software monthly based on volume instead of taking a share of revenue. The company is focused exclusively on publisher monetization. AdsNative powers monetization for thousands of sites and apps and helps publishers like Politico, Edmodo, Viber and Axios maximize revenue across billions of ad impressions daily. Visit www.adsnative.com for more information.

ABOUT FRAUDLOGIX: Fraudlogix is an online advertising fraud detection company founded in 2010 by industry veterans with a deep understanding of the digital ad ecosystem. It is the first of its kind to cater to the unique challenges faced by the supply side (ad networks, ad exchanges, and SSPs) and DSPs within the online advertising marketplace, providing them with pre-bid fraud solutions for desktop, mobile, in-app and video environments. Today, Fraudlogix monitors data from over 390 million unique users, 90 billion impressions, 8.2 million websites and 1.2 billion unique devices monthly. Visit www.fraudlogix.com for more information. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.png Related Links Fraudlogix IP Block List Information This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adsnative-partners-with-fraudlogix-to-fight-online-ad-fraud-300427354.html SOURCE Fraudlogix

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The reported inquiry was opened on March 15th, after the countrys consumer affairs ministry has referred the case to the court system. At this time, the case has not been publicly disclosed, but a spokesperson for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed that the automaker has taken note of the probe.The representative for the Italian-American automaker has also specified that the diesel-engined models sold by the corporation fully comply with emissions regulations, Automotive News remarks.Italys Transport Ministry has confirmed the statement of the automaker, and French inspectors will have to take that into account.Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will continue to work with the French prosecutors on all inquiries, and the representatives of the conglomerate are confident that the situation will be fully resolved. Evidently, they hope to be cleared of all charges, as they claim that their diesels comply with all legal and applicable emissions norms.Opel, FCAs German rivals, was cleared of any emissions wrongdoing last week by French authorities. The French also examined the brand from Russelsheim, but all charges were dropped. Most likely, if Fiat Chryslers representatives were truthful, the Italian-American company will also get the same verdict.Even after a company is found not guilty of charges like these, it may suffer from a financial point of view. A rumor that presumably links a brand with cheating or emissions problems can bring down the price of stocks of that business, which can have potentially devastating effects on a firm.Because of these risks, all automakers that are examined by government authorities of possible irregularities with emissions for any of its engines or products respond as quickly as they can to the situation.Failure to do so could raise suspicion, which may lead to the risk described above. Hopefully, we do not have another dieselgate on our hands.
Authorities are trying to convince senior citizens who do not feel that they can drive anymore to stop getting behind the wheel. Voluntarily giving up their drivers license is not something easy for any driver, even if he or she is in their eighties, and that is why authorities had to draw up an incentive scheme.What could someone possibly offer to a person who is too old to drive safely? Well, a restaurant chain offered discounts on ramen menus , and it was not the only deal of this kind in the country. We do not know if that worked out in a satisfactory manner, but we now have a fresh report from Japan that brings another incentive.The latest one involves discounts for funeral services for those who give up their driving license. The offer was made by the Heiankaku Company, which is a ceremony service firm in the Aichi Prefecture in Japan.According to prefectural police, drivers aged 75 or older accounted for 13.2 percent of fatal traffic accidents in Aichi last year. That is a 5 percent increase from 2007, which has gotten authorities desperate.Senior citizens who voluntarily give up their licenses, or have already done so starting March 1, 2017, will get a 15% discount in any of the 89 funeral homes operated by the company.While it may seem morbid or strange for someone to attempt to get a discount on funeral services, the idea is not that bad if you consider the incredible costs that can come to a family in a time of grief. According to Japans national daily since 1922, The Mainichi , the discount applies to their family members and close relatives.Offers like these seem to work in Japan, which has registered a steady drivers licens e return rate in the Osaka Prefecture. That particular area has offered discounts for goods and services to all senior citizens who voluntarily give up their drivers permit.
Without mentioning whom they were referring, a spokesperson for Lamborghini stated that the entire scandal began after the Italian make was suspected of reportedly rigging its video to trick people to think it beat the Porsche 918 Spyder lap record.The reason why the controversy started, Lamborghini s representative believes, is because of the bloggers business model of paying for clicks.He referred to the pay-per-click advertising model used in many areas on the Internet. Those who get more clicks will earn more from advertising. It sounds simple, but it turns many to click baiting and to create fake news altogether.The statement was made in a discussion with Autoblog , and we believe that the officials of the Italian brand were referring to Bridge to Gantry, one of the several Nurburgring enthusiasts in the car world who called out the automaker to explain the lap time.At the time, Lamborghini was accused of either speeding up the frame rate of the video, or presenting incorrect speed data on the display meant for the viewers. This aspect was also observed by YouTuber Misha Charoudin, known to most of you as Boosted Boris.Eventually, the Italian company came to the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, where it presented VBOX data to back up its claims. Moreover, the company admitted to using optionally-available tires, in the form of Pirelli Super Trofeo R. The latter is a street-legal slick tire that has a minimal amount of grooves to create a thread, which helps offer control at reasonable speeds on damp roads.Audi Sport development chief, Stephan Reil, also insists that Lamborghinis ring time is entirely legitimate. He says that aerodynamic elements made a significant difference in the corners, where the Huracan Performante was faster than the 750 HP Aventador SV Brand officials from the Sant'Agata Bolognese marque say that active aerodynamics helped the Performante to get a better lap time even if it did not reach speeds as high as the Aventador SV in the long straights, on corner entry, or on exit.Company officials explained that much of the German track involves partial throttle and long corners, where the Huracan Performante had a technical advantage thanks to the active aerodynamics.
Until this point in time, we know that the car codenamed BP23 will make it to production with a three-seat layout as a nod to the road-going model that put McLaren on the map: the F1. And just like the F1, the BP23 promises stellar performance. It wont be an out-and-out hypercar like the F1 and P1, though.McLaren underlined from the very beginning that with the BP23, the company intends to create a luxury-oriented mile muncher that can go the distance with as little effort as possible from the driver. Its a sort of grand tourer, if you will, Hence the hyper-GT' handle McLaren employs to describe the future model.Today, the Woking-based outfit released a teaser sketch of the BP23, which reveals the general lines of the car from a rear three-quarter perspective. Its easy to notice that the rear end is all about aerodynamics, while carbon fiber will be used a lot to make the vehicle as light as possible. The extremely slim taillights, meanwhile, are a design trademark of all modern McLaren vehicles The release of this teaser is joined by a bit of additional information, including the announcement that all 106 examples of the breed have been pre-sold. Its quite a feat considering the MSO division is hard at work developing the three-seat model, which is due to arrive in customers hands at some point in 2019.Oh, and another thing: expect a hybrid powertrain that will offer the most powerful setup ever used by McLaren for a road-going car, as well as the most aerodynamic trickery the British automaker is capable of. Reading between the lines, Im betting a tenner that the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that debuted in the 720S will act as the exciting half of the hybrid powertrain.The BP23 is the second Ultimate Series product after the P1. A replacement for the P1, on the other hand, is due  before 2023 .
HP

The first example of the second-generation of the mid-sized model from the German brand has left the factory in Russelsheim after a ceremony that involved the development team, company employees, and the CEO of the firm.The first Mk 2 Opel Insignia made is an "abalone white" Grand Sport model with a 2.0-liter diesel engine that develops 170. The order books for the second-generation Insignia were opened in the middle of February, and the first cars will reach Poland, Denmark, and Germany. European dealers will have the new Insignia in showrooms this summer.Opels leaders are confident that the all-new Insignia will be a successful product, and they hope it will exceed the first generations results. The latter was sold in 940,000 units, which made it the fourth best-selling model from this brand. The Mk 1 Insignia also won the 2009 European Car of the Year title, which is a cherished distinction for the marque.As we previously reported, the second-generation flagship from Opel is built on a new platform, which led to a weight reduction of up to 200 kilograms when compared to the first generation.The company has also equipped it with an all-wheel-drive system that comes with torque vectoring, but the regular models have a front-wheel-drive configuration.Other technologies that make this model the pride of the brand include the second-generation IntelliLux LED matrix headlights, active lane assist, and adaptive cruise control. This announcement has also brought us the German spelling for flagship, which is written Flaggschiff in the company's native language.Opel and Vauxhall, the last brands of General Motors in Europe, were recently acquired by the French at Groupe PSA. While the transaction has not been done yet, the two brands will be in the portfolio of PSA in the future.
SUV

It appears that Skoda will sell a Kodiaq Coupe along with the regular Kodiaq in China. For the moment, it is unclear whether that model will be offered in other markets, but it should not be ruled out.The Czech brand was reportedly considering this for several months, and it looks like the management team has selected a winner between a four-door coupe and a coupe-styled SUV The coupe version of the Skoda Kodiaq will come with five doors, just like the regular model, but it will be distinguished with a more sloped roofline. Its rear hatch could also be modified, and we would not rule out design changes to the front end of the vehicle. It is at least two years away from production, but not further than 2020.The other two leaked plans from the Czech brands future include the Model Q and the Model K. While their names might not be definitive, and just used for setting them apart in presentations and discussions, they still leave room for speculation.The other sheet from the conference reveals that the New Yeti will be a separate product from the CUV, and that the company wants to launch an "A+." Right next to the latter term, the word Coupe is written, but a single covered vehicle is placed underneath the writing visible in the image leaked by Autohome This could mean two products in one, or it might be a reference to the Kodiaq Coupe, especially since the names were placed near the regular Kodiaq in the range. Skoda is also expected to launch an SUV or crossover that would be smaller than the next Yeti. The latter is presumably one of the products that are being referred to as the Model K or Model Q.Either of them could be built on the Volkswagen Polos platform, and fight for supremacy with the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport, Renault Captur, and their other competitors.




First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

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[March 22, 2017] ECI to Demonstrate New Packet Capabilities at MPLS + SDN + NFV World Congress in Paris

PETACH TIKVA, Israel, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI, a global provider of ELASTIC Network solutions, for service providers, critical infrastructures, and data center operators, announced today that it will showcase new Neptune packet capabilities at MPLS + SDN + NFV World Congress in Paris this week, March 20-24, 2017. These capabilities are particularly important to the future evolution of Metro networks. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141117/158923LOGO)

Jimmy Mizrahi, EVP of Global Portfolio, said, "The growth of traffic in the Metro already outpaces that of the network core. Businesses are moving from legacy services to Gigabit Ethernet, 10GE and beyond. Long term Metro solutions will require additional agility to keep up with the tidal wave of data, as 100GE interfaces permeate the Metro Edge. To support this evolution, Metro Edge networks will require a refresh in order to provide more intelligent, open aggregation of Layer 2 and Layer 3 services." Mr. Mizrachi continued, "ECI's Neptune family of packet solutions enable service providers to meet these evolving service needs. The Neptune (NPT) 1800 provides 100GE to the service edge with all the layer 3 capabilities required to efficiently support L2 and L3 services. An embedded NFVI blade gives service providers the agility to rapidly support new services and capabilities such as vSR, firewalls etc. In total, the Neptune portfolio has been architected to scale efficiently with in-service expansion units and an optical extension shelf is available where OTN and ROADM are required." ECI demonstrated Neptune's cpabilities successfully in the Interoperability Showcase organized by EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center). Interoperability is in line with ECI's ELASTIC Network Strategy which seeks to provide open, vendor agnostic and secure tailored solutions, which are flexible enough to adapt as needs change.



Every year, vendors meet at the interoperability showcase to participate in a variety of tests and schemes dedicated to attest to the interoperability of networking solutions. This year ECI participated in tests that best highlighted this openness and interoperability, namely the Remote Loop Free Alternative Fast Reroute (LFA FRR) test and device configuration via NETCONF/YANG. ECI's solutions will be displayed at EANTC's interoperability showcase during MPLS + SDN + NFV World Congress in Paris. ECI experts will be on hand at booths 211/212 to further explain about ECI's packet solutions for the metro and beyond. ECI's Jonathan Homa, Sr. Director of Portfolio Marketing will be speaking about ""Orchestrating Security Services in a vCPE Architecture" on March 23rd, and Sarit Tager, VP R&D SDN, LSO & APPS will be speaking on "MEF's Open Initiative: From Specification to Implementation" at the MEF seminar held on March 21st.

About ECI ECI is a global provider of ELASTIC network solutions to CSPs, critical infrastructures as well as data center operators. Along with its long-standing, industry-proven packet-optical transport, ECI offers a variety of SDN/NFV applications, end-to-end network management, a comprehensive cyber security solution, and a range of professional services. ECI's ELASTIC solutions ensure open, future-proof, and secure communications. With ECI, customers have the luxury of choosing a network that can be tailor-made to their needs today while being flexible enough to evolve with the changing needs of tomorrow. For more information, visit us at http://www.ecitele.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. ABOUT EANTC EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center) is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading independent test centers for telecommunication technologies. Based in Berlin, Germany, the company offers vendor-neutral consultancy and realistic, reproducible high-quality testing services since 1991. Customers include leading network equipment manufacturers, tier-1 service providers, large enterprises and governments worldwide. EANTC's proof of concept, acceptance tests and network audits cover established and next-generation fixed and mobile network technologies. http://www.eantc.com. Press contact:

Marjie Hadad - MH Communications

On behalf of ECI

+972-54-536-5220

[email protected]

SOURCE ECI

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[March 22, 2017] Samsung and eSilicon Taped-Out 14nm Network Processor With Rambus 28G SerDes Solution

Samsung (News - Alert) Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced a successful network processor tape-out based on Samsung's 14LPP (Low-Power Plus (News - Alert)) process technology in close collaboration with eSilicon and Rambus. This achievement is built on Samsung's cutting-edge foundry process and design infra for network applications, eSilicon's complex ASIC and 2.5D design capability with its IP solutions, and Rambus' (News - Alert) high-speed 28G SerDes solution. Samsung's 14LPP process technology based on 3D FinFET structure has already been proven for its high performance and manufacturability through mass production track record. The next generation process for network application is 10LPP process which is based on 10LPE (Low-Power Early) of which mass production was started from last year for the first time in the industry. 10LPP process' mass production will be started in this year end. Additionally, Samsung named its newly developed full 2.5D turnkey solution, which connects a logic chip and HBM2 memory with an interposer, as I-CubeTM (Interposer-Cube) solution. This 14LPP network process chip is the first product that Samsung applied I-CubeTM solution together with Samsung's HBM2 memory. The I-CubeTM solution will be essential to network applications for high-speed signaling, and it is expected to be adopted into other applications such as computing, server and AI in the near future. "This successful 14nm network processor tape-out was combined with eSilicon's proven design ability in network area and Rambus' expertise in SerDes and Samsung's robust process technology along with I-Cube solution," said Ryan Lee, Vice President of Foundry Marketing Team at Samsung Electronics. "Our collaboration model will have a great influence on a network foundry segment and Samsung will keep developing its network foundry solution to be a meaningful total network solution provider aligned with its process roadmap from 14nm and 10nm to 7nm."



"This project was a true collaboration between Samsung, Rambus and eSilicon. eSilicon is proud to bring its FinFET ASIC and interposer design skills along with our substantial 2.5D integration skills to the project," said Patrick Soheili, Vice President of Product Management and corporate development at eSilicon. "Our HBM Gen2 PHY, custom flip-chip package design and custom memory designs also helped to optimize the power, performance and area for the project." "Networking OEMs are looking for high-quality leadership IP suppliers that can bring 28G backplane SerDes in advanced FinFET process nodes to market," said Luc Seraphin, senior vice president and general manager of Rambus Memory and Interfaces Division. "Our success with Samsung and eSilicon is a testament that these industry-leading solutions are attainable when you bring leading companies together. This is the first of several other offerings we plan to bring to networking and enterprise ASIC markets around the globe."

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005947/en/

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Published On Mar 22, 2017 10:49 AM By Rachit Shad for Lamborghini Huracan

The newest addition to the Huracan family is also the most hardcore

A couple of weeks back, Lamborghini took the wraps off the Huracan Performante at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. News has now come in that the Italian super-carmaker will now be launching it in India on April 7, 2017. This is no ordinary Huracan though. It is the undisputed King of the Ring as it went around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany in just 6 minutes and 52.01 seconds. Thats faster than any other modern day, road-legal, mass-production car in the world. Just to put that in perspective, the Huracan Performante is nearly five seconds quicker than the Porsche 918 Spyder and seven seconds faster than its performance-driven elder sibling, the Aventador SV.

So what powers this rampaging baby bull? In essence, it is the same naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine that does duty in the rest of the Huracan family. In the Huracan Performante, it packs more punch. The 10-cylinder petrol engine belts out 640PS of power and 600Nm of torque. That makes it the most powerful Huracan ever built. Transmission duties are handled by a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and with 70 per cent of the engines torque available at just 1,000 rpm, the car can crack the naught to 100kmph sprint in just 2.9 seconds. Thats exactly the same as the Lamborghini Aventador S, which was recently launched in India. The Italian carmaker claims that the Huracan Performante can reach a top speed of 325kmph.

It is not just power that the Italians have worked on. To bring the overall weight down by 40kg, the Huracan Performante is built on a hybrid aluminium and carbon fibre frame. The body itself is made out of aluminium and Lambos forged composite.

Prices for the current range of Lamborghini Huracan variants start at Rs 2.99 crore and go all the way up to Rs 3.89 crore (ex-showroom Delhi). We expect the Performante spec to cost around the Rs 4 crore mark.

Read More on : Lamborghini Huracan india
The British Heart Foundation has said it will change its social media advertising policies after its advert appeared next to a video glorifying gun violence.

A rap video on YouTube featuring a Birmingham gang member boasting about shooting rivals was found next to promotions for the BHF.

In response, BHF director of marketing and engagement Carolan Davidge said her charity had added new exclusions to prevent this happening again.

She said the charity already does everything it can to prevent its adverts appearing alongside inappropriate content.

She said: We regularly review and amend the types of websites in which our advertising appears, however in this case, the advert had been placed on a site that the user had visited and our exclusions had not prevented it from appearing.

In response, we have added additional exclusions to reduce the risk of this happening again.

We will continue to regularly review all the ways we can prevent the BHF being associated in any way with this type of content.

Yesterday YouTube-owner Googles chief business officer Philipp Schindler published a blog including an apology for recent cases where brands ads appeared on content that was not aligned with their values.

In Fundraising Magazine

Were taking a tougher stance on hateful, offensive and derogatory content," he said. "This includes removing ads more effectively from content that is attacking or harassing people based on their race, religion, gender or similar categories.

This change will enable us to take action, where appropriate, on a larger set of ads and sites.

Marie Curie recently suspended all YouTube advertising after finding its adverts placed next to inappropriate YouTube content in recent months.
[March 22, 2017] New GFI Software Solutions Help Sysadmins to Protect Companies from the Constantly Rising Number of Cyber-Attacks

AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today GFI Software launched GFI OneGuard and GFI OneConnect, two powerful platforms aimed at bringing enterprise-class IT management features to small and medium-sized businesses all around the world. GFI OneGuard enables IT administrators to easily manage, secure and monitor networks of any size, while GFI OneConnect brings enhanced email security, continuity and archiving to companies in the SMB segment. "In these platform products, we are combining two decades of experience in creating network and email management solutions with the latest security technologies, as key weapons in the constant fight against cyber-threats," explains Andre Muscat, Senior VP and Chief Product Officer at GFI Software. Andre adds, "Research done by our partner Kaspersky Lab* shows that the number of ransomware attacks on businesses has increased by 300% in first ten months of 2016, and that they are now being attacked as often as every 40 seconds. With our two new products, sysadmins can efficiently fight the main cybersecurity threats of today  software vulnerabilities, viruses, malware and spam." As a platform, GFI OneGuard incorporates several key components: vulnerability detection, patch management and asset tracking, driven by the award-winning technology from GFI LanGuard, and antivirus endpoint protection, powered by the highly-acclaimed Kaspersky Lab engine. By combining all these features, GFI OneGuard enables IT administrators to centralize and automate processes, prevent security incidents, and protect their networks. It also enables simpler hardware, software and network inventory management, facilitating legal compliance and modern IT infrastructure concepts, such as Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD). GFI OneConnect addresses three critical business functions: email protection, continuity and compliance. Its two antivirus engines and the latest spam-detection technologies stop over 99% of spam and protect employee inboxes and IT infrastructure from all types of malware. In the case of a failur of the on-premises Microsoft Exchange server, GFI OneConnect takes over and continues to send and receive emails until the service is restored, providing email and business continuity. Also, it handles archiving of all emails, delivering powerful search capabilities for simpler handling of eDiscovery requests.



Both these new GFI products can be downloaded as free and fully-functional 30-day trials, and are available for purchase through a wide global network of GFI's distributors and resellers, with competitive pricing starting from 15 EUR for an annual license plan for GFI OneGuard Plus Edition, and 12 EUR for GFI OneConnect Plus Edition. To find more information on these two new GFI Software platforms and download free trial versions, please visit www.gfi.com/products-and-solutions/network-security-solutions/gfi-oneguard and www.gfi.com/products-and-solutions/email-and-messaging-solutions/gfi-oneconnect

* Data points taken from the Kaspersky Lab's annual Kaspersky Security Bulletin for 2016 About GFI Software GFI Software, part of the ESW Capital group of companies, develops right-sized, smartly engineered IT solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our solutions enable IT administrators to easily and efficiently discover, manage and secure their business networks, systems, applications and communications, regardless of their location. GFI Software is a channel-focused company with a network of thousands of partners worldwide. We have received numerous awards and industry accolades, and are a longtime Microsoft Gold ISV Partner. For more information about GFI Software, our products, and success stories of our customers from over 120 countries, please visit www.gfi.com Media contact: For all media inquiries, please send an email to [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.png image3.png Related Links GFI OneGuard Product Page GFI OneConnect Product Page This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-gfi-software-solutions-help-sysadmins-to-protect-companies-from-the-constantly-rising-number-of-cyber-attacks-300427843.html SOURCE GFI Software

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KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.
One expert suggests allowing extra time before a flight just to offset any hiccups

Once upon a time flying used to be fun and kind of glamorous, but the pandemic and the airlines' struggle for profitability sucked the life out of the experience. Even though COVID-19 seems like a fading vapor trail, air traveler satisfaction with North American airports cant seem to get airborne again.

According to the J.D. Power 2022 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, overall satisfaction with airports is down 25 points this year as travelers encounter fewer fl...
The Norwegian Getaway has no less than 14 galleys, one behind each restaurant, plus preparation galleys downstairs to keep Executive Chef Ricardo Pinheiro busy. Reporting to him are 235 chefs, six sous chefs, and one secretary.

Speaking with Cruise Industry News aboard a December cruise, Pinheiro added: In addition to cooking, we have a lot of paperwork, complying with public health, safety and environmental regulations, controlling and handling waste, in addition to continuous training.

With more than 4,000 passengers onboard, the challenge is not how many people that need to be served every night, but how many want to dine at the same time, he said.

Another challenge Pinheiro faces is keeping the crew happy for up to eight months at a stretch. I want to keep them motivated and keep their taste buds alive.

With crew from some 70 different countries aboard, ethnic foods are prepared for the larger national groups, like the Filipinos, Indians and Indonesians. In addition, more general European or South American dishes are served.

Also onboard were several Chinese crew being trained, including 14 in the galley, in preparation for the Norwegian Joy entering service in China.

Each cruise is planned in advance, with the executive chef and his team receiving a breakdown of the guests eight weeks out. On the next cruise, we will have 2,124 non-U.S. guests, he said. And I can plan for Europeans to eat more fish than Americans, and they prefer more white wine. Latin Americans are late diners and go after more red meat and red wine. Americans tend to eat early and want more starch  more potatoes. This all affects our ordering and preparation.

This is my engineering at the back of the house for every cruise. We order three weeks out, but since we are based in Miami, we are able to order more frequently if we run low on something, given 72 hours notice.

Pinheiro said that Norwegian uses the same food qualities across the fleet, including sea bass from Chile, lamb from Australia and mussels from New Zealand, all available in the U.S. market so they are FDA compliant.

As for beef, he only uses certified Angus. It has very good marbling. All we do is salt and pepper it a little and then straight on the grill. We have infrared grills that give the steaks a charred flavor.

Pinheiros recommendation? I come from a town in India where we eat fresh fish every day, and for our Ocean Blue restaurant we buy fresh fish, lobster and oysters. The quality of what we serve there is a notch above the rest of our restaurants. Of course, if you want a good steak, Cagneys is the place to be. The Haven is also one of our top restaurants.

Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2017


Navigating the complex web of environmental regulations governing the maritime industry may be simplified with Ocean Guardian, a new tool created by Total Marine Solutions, according to a statement from the company.

The product launched to fanfare at this week's quickly-expanding Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) event.

Total Marine Solutions said its new system "simplifies a shipboard operators ability to comply with marine environmental regulations by taking the guesswork out of determining which regulations apply to a specific area."

There are numerous governing bodies which regulate emissions and discharge for each country and region. The regulations are updated and modified regularly, making it difficult for onboard operators to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date rules and guidance, said Total Marine Solutions President Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons. Ocean Guardian is an easy-to-use program that provides operators with immediate access to the latest regulations at the click of a button.

Todays heightened regulatory environment has resulted in greater challenges for the maritime industry. Enforcement agencies are taking stronger action to hold those who violate environmental regulations accountable for marine pollution, said Anagnostis-Irons. In the last several years we have seen record-breaking fines imposed. Ocean Guardian is designed to help companies facilitate consistent compliance throughout their fleet.

Designed for the international maritime industry, Ocean Guardians database not only is updated by experienced marine professionals, but further verified and vetted by a third-party, independent maritime law firm to give clients the confidence of knowing that the information they have is the most up-to-date possible.
Jamaica has outlined ambitious cruise initiatives designed to grow its position as a leading cruise destination in the Caribbean.

Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, and Paul Pennicock, director of tourism, said plans calls for upgrading and expanding Jamaicas cruise ports to accommodate more and larger ships, while also enhancing the guest experience.

Falmouth, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are already major cruise ports. In addition, Bartlett said he wants to develop Kingston as a major port and destination, while expanding Port Antonio to receive more calls from smaller cruise vessels.

Other efforts include spending several million dollars over the next five years to strengthen the communities around the ports, including safety and security.

He said another objective is to have more Jamaicans work aboard the ships and that he is committed to working with the cruise lines on training facilities on the island.

In addition, Jamaica is preparing for new and emerging markets, Bartlett said, such as China. Cuba was also described as a game changer, and Jamaica has signed a tourism agreement with Cuba to develop a collaborative approach to tourism rather than competitive, he noted.

The bottom line is that Jamaica has set itself a five-year target, according to Bartlett, to reach 2.3 million to 2.5 million passengers, from nearly 1.7 million last year, while seeing the direct employment of some 125,000 Jamaicans in the cruise industry.

Jamaica recently had six large vessels in port on the same day  in Falmouth, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston with more than 20,000 passengers.
President Trump has the power to remove CFPB Director Richard Cordray now and does not have to wait for a federal court to rule on the whether the agencys structure is constitutional, three conservatives told a House subcommittee Tuesday.

Please do not wait for the courts to fix Dodd-Frank, said Adam White, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, a think tank.

The president has the responsibility to protect the Constitution and not enforce an unconstitutional law, Theodore Olson, an attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher told the House Financial Services Oversight Subcommittee.

Olson represents PHH, a mortgage company that has filed suit against the CFPB challenging the constitutionality of the agency because the president can only remove the director for cause. A panel of the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia has sided with PHH, but the full appeals court has agreed to consider the case.
A medical team has developed a way to effectively provide a large group of people with basic knowledge and skills to locate and use bleeding control equipment to stop life-threatening bleeding in severely injured people. This effort comes amid the national push to train the U.S. civilian population in hemorrhage control techniques. The research team from UnityPoint Health, Des Moines, Iowa, reported their results in an "article in press" appearing on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication.

In response to active shooter and mass casualty incidents such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, the Hartford Consensus and the White House's Stop the Bleed campaign have sought to train civilians in hemorrhage control techniques so that bystanders can serve as immediate responders in the case of uncontrolled hemorrhage. One result of these efforts is the Bleeding Control (B-Con) course, a joint product of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians' Prehospital Trauma Life Support. The B-Con course consists of a two-and-a-half hour educational course with didactic lectures and hands-on training.

In line with the efforts of the B-Con course, the researchers at UnityPoint Health wanted to see if they could take the important information from the course and make it available to a wider population that may not otherwise have the time or resources to undergo a full B-Con course.

"We are trying to take the principles from B-Con and get that knowledge in a package that is efficient for a larger scale," said Richard A. Sidwell, MD, FACS, lead author and a trauma surgeon at UnityPoint Health.

In May 2016, the research team launched an educational module to train 5,800 full-time employees of a city-wide health system in hemorrhage control techniques. The eight-minute module was developed to inform staff members where bleeding control bags were located and demonstrated how to apply direct pressure to a wound and how to apply a tourniquet.

Participants were administered a pre-test to assess their knowledge of hemorrhage control techniques. The same test was then administered after the module to gauge the effectiveness of the training. Dr. Sidwell and his fellow researchers noted that although there is emerging attention on efforts to educate the public in hemorrhage control techniques, this effort is the first attempt to assess whether an electronic module can be effective in educating a workforce. Fifty-seven percent of the questions on the pre-test were answered correctly by the 4,845 participants who completed the module and answered all of the questions, and 98 percent of the questions were answered correctly on the post-test. "Results suggest that we were able to successfully and efficiently provide basic knowledge of hemorrhage control to more than 4,800 hospital employees," the researchers wrote in the article. "Notably, the module was equally effective for clinical and nonclinical staff."

Of the 4,845 employees who responded, 55 percent had direct patient care responsibilities, 20 percent provided ancillary care service, and 25 percent had nonclinical roles. Further, 30 percent of respondents had no first aid training and 17 percent held a high school degree or lower. Dr. Sidwell said the people who participated in the module found it interesting and engaging, and the overall feedback in the hospital has been very positive.

Because of their success at UnityPoint Health in this regard, Dr. Sidwell said that they believe this sort of module can be easily adapted to large groups in other settings. "It is imperative that the general public is knowledgeable in the basic tenets of hemorrhage control. These results demonstrate that a brief electronic educational module could effectively educate employees in a large workplace on the basics of hemorrhage control," according to researchers.

Dr. Sidwell and his team acknowledged certain limitations of the study, noting that it is unclear how much of the information is retained by respondents over time, and that the module does not include hands-on training, meaning they were not able to verify the skills of respondents in hemorrhage control techniques. To address this issue, Dr. Sidwell said that the next step they are working on is to reinforce knowledge, assess retention, and add in a skills component beyond the computer module.

###

Other participants in implementing the training include James R. Hegvik, MD, Sarah K. Spilman, MA, Sherry D. Olson, RN, BSN, and Carrie A. Gilchrist, RN, BSN.

"FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Previous versions of this manuscript were presented by Dr. Hegvik at the Iowa Committee on Trauma resident research competition in Iowa City, Iowa, November 2016, and at the Region VII Advances in Trauma meeting in Kansas City, December 2016.

Citation: Effective Hospital-Wide Education in Hemorrhage Control. Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. The American College of Surgeons Foundation was established in 2005 to provide philanthropic support for the research, education, and patient safety programs of the American College of Surgeons. For more information, visit http://www.facs.org.
When it comes to health, a person's sex can play a role. More women in the U.S. have autoimmune diseases than men, for example, whereas boys are more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than girls. Yet biomedical research on disease and possible new treatments often studies only one sex. The cover story in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores efforts to change this practice.

Michael Torrice, deputy assistant managing editor at C&EN, notes that biomedical research has a long history of including only one sex of lab animals in studies, with males being the choice in many fields. Historically, some researchers have assumed that males and females don't differ much in their basic biology. Others have worried that females' estrous cycles would introduce too much variability, so they stuck with studying males. But, as an Institute of Medicine report pointed out in 2001, every cell has a sex, and sex differences start in the womb.

To try to account for the differences between males and females in biomedical research, the U.S. National Institutes of Health in 2016 started to require funding applicants to consider sex as a variable in their proposed research. Supporters of the policy say it's a step in the right direction. But some scientists are concerned that the policy will add to the cost of research, ignore the role of social and psychological variables, and lead to subpar data.

###

The article, "Are biomedical researchers forgetting females?" is freely available here.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With nearly 157,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

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A survey of more than 17,000 parents of hospitalized children, conducted by the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Quality Measurement at Boston Children's Hospital, gives mixed responses about the quality of the inpatient experience at 69 U.S. children's hospitals. The analysis, the largest to date in pediatrics, found much variability from hospital to hospital. The findings are reported online today in the journal Pediatrics.

"Patient and family experience is one of the core aspects of quality healthcare, and has been associated with improved health outcomes," says lead author Sara Toomey, MD, MPhil, MPH, MSc, medical director of patient experience at Boston Children's and assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. "This large data set gives us a much-needed overview of how well hospitals are doing in providing positive pediatric patient and family care experiences."

Although adult patients have been surveyed through the Adult Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (Adult HCAHPS) Survey for more than 10 years, this is the first large-scale survey in the U.S. capturing the hospital care experience of children and their families.

Parents of hospitalized children completed the Child HCAHPS survey from December 2012 to February 2014. The survey asked about 18 measures of patient experience in five categories: communication with the parent, communication with the child, attention to safety and comfort, hospital environment and overall experience during the hospital stay.

The average hospital rating was 73 percent overall, but scores varied from measure to measure. For example, the average hospital scores were lowest for "preventing mistakes and helping you report concerns" (55 percent) and highest for "keeping you informed about your child's care in the emergency room" (84 percent).

There was substantial variability among hospitals on each of the 18 measures. For example, scores on "involving teens in their care," ranged from 53 to 96 percent; "how well doctors communicate with your child," 55 to 91 percent; "communication about your child's medicines," 70 to 96 percent; and "paying attention to your child's pain," 59 to 94 percent.

"These ranges suggest that we can do better at involving families in patient safety and empowering them to speak up when safety concerns present themselves," says Toomey.

Dedicated children's hospitals tended to score somewhat better than children's wards within general hospitals. Teaching hospitals performed better than non-teaching hospitals in most categories, but got lower scores for quietness.

"The fact that we see variation across participating hospitals, with some doing very well and some lagging, suggests that there is an opportunity to try to help hospitals improve and learn from each other how they can do better," says senior author Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of General Pediatrics at Boston Children's and professor of pediatrics at Harvard.

###

The study was supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Harvard Catalyst/Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center.

About Boston Children's Hospital

Boston Children's Hospital is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 1,100 scientists, including seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Boston Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Boston Children's today is a 404-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care. Boston Children's is also the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more, visit our Vector and Thriving blogs and follow us on our social media channels @BostonChildrens, @BCH_Innovation, Facebook and YouTube.
BINGHAMTON, NY - Instead of oil, coal, or even solar energy, self-sustaining bacterial fuel cells may power the future.

Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed the next step in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with the first micro-scale self-sustaining cell, which generated power for 13 straight days through symbiotic interactions of two types of bacteria.

"This concept of creating electricity through synergistic cooperation is not new. However, much of this work is still in its nascent stages," said Binghamton University Electrical and Computer Science Assistant Professor Seokheun Choi, who is one of the co-authors of "Self-sustaining, solar-driven bioelectricity generation in micro-sized microbial fuel cell using co-culture of heterotrophic and photosynthetic bacteria," along with PhD candidate Lin Liu.

"The evolution of this technology will require additional exploration, but we, for the first time, realized this conceptual idea in a micro-scale device," Choi said.

In a cell chamber about one-fifth the size of a teaspoon--90 microliters--researchers placed a mixed culture of phototrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. Phototrophic bacteria uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make its own energy, while heterotrophic bacteria must "feed" on provided organic matter or phototrophic bacteria to survive - think of cows grazing in a grassy field.

While the cell was exposed to sunlight, an initial dose of "food" was added to the chamber to stimulate growth of the heterotrophic bacteria. Through cellular respiration, the heterotrophic bacteria produced carbon dioxide waste, which was used by the phototrophic bacteria to kickstart the symbiotic cycle.

After that cycle was established, researchers stopped adding additional "food" sources for the heterophic bacteria, and there was enough phototrophic bacteria to sustain the metabolic processes of the heterophic bacteria. Those metabolic processes generated an electrical current--8 microamps per square centimeter of cell--for 13 straight days. The power was about 70 times greater than current produced by phototrophic bacteria alone.

"Heterotrophic bacteria-based fuel cells generate higher power, while photosynthetic microbial fuel cells provide self-sustainability. This is the best of both worlds, thus far," Choi said.

The breakthrough is promising, but it is an early step in the development of bacteria-generated power. Overall, the miniature size of the cells allows for a short start-up time and small electrical resistances to overcome. However, a common 42" high-definition television takes about half an amp of electrical current to function which would, theoretically, require roughly 62,500 cells from the experiment. In reality, these cells will be used to provide power in remote or dangerous locations for low-power items like health monitors and infrastructure diagnostic sensors.

"There are some challenges of using this technique," Choi said. "Balancing both microorganisms' growth to maximize the device performance and the need to make sure that this closed system will permanently generate power without additional maintenance are two we have found. Long-term experiments are needed."

The current work is the latest in a series of battery-related and microbial-based power studies Choi has worked on. Last spring, researchers connected nine biological-solar (bio-solar) cells into a working bio-solar panel for the first time ever. The bacteria used in that experiment were phototrophic. That panel generated the most wattage of any existing small-scale bio-solar cells: 5.59 microwatts. Choi has also developed an origami-inspired microbe-based paper battery, a microbe-based battery that can use human saliva as a power source, a battery that can be printed on paper and battery designs inspired by Japanese ninja throwing stars.

###

The paper will appear in the Journal of Power Sources on April 30.
Loss of biodiversity is a major challenge in today's world as is the quest for peace in regions engaged in conflict. But scientists writing in a Review published March 22 in Trends in Ecology & Evolution say that efforts to conserve natural resources present an opportunity to find common ground between communities at odds, building trust and renewed hope for peace.

"Nature can build bridges between nations," said Alexandre Roulin of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. "We use nature conservation to favor communication between communities in conflict. Although we've developed efforts in the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan, and the Palestine Authority, we hope that our work will become a platform to stimulate similar initiatives around the world."

Roulin says it all started about 35 years ago when co-author Yossi Leshem from Israel's Tel-Aviv University noticed that Israeli farmers were using poison to kill rodents. The trouble was that the rodents' natural bird predators were also dying from poisoning. It took years, but they ultimately convinced farmers and the Israeli government to eliminate the use of the pesticides and begin building nest boxes for barn owls and kestrels instead.

The effort helped to protect wildlife without any increase in crop loss. That's because each pair of owls can produce 11 offspring in a year. Those owls, in turn, consume thousands of rodents per year.

But there was more. The scientists began to realize that farmers in Jordan and the Palestinian Authority faced similar challenges, which needed to be addressed on a regional scale. They also began to realize that the project could unite Jordanians, Israelis, and Palestinians for a common cause despite their religious and political differences. Roulin recounts many examples in which people engaged in the project over the years have laughed and joked together, visited each other's places of worship, and more.

Roulin says it's best to start small. By documenting small-scale successes, you can begin to identify committed partners in other places. Ultimately, programs such as their "Birds know no boundaries" effort can be expanded to reach a national and international scale.

"The combination of nature conservation and peace-building is not only important, but it also brings a new message of hope that our society is looking for," Roulin said. "We hope to persuade the international community to consider such projects as diplomatic tools to pave the road to peace."

Their project in the Middle East has continued undeterred despite the conflict. There's already interest in their example from the Swiss and Chinese armies. There's also hope that a similar effort could be a starting point for bringing people from North and South Korea together.

"Unexpected ideas, such as working scientifically with barn owls, can be the source of great inspiration for issues that are far bigger than our scientific questions," Roulin said.

Roulin says he and his colleagues now hope to launch an educational program in Europe, to encourage connection between children from Europe and the Middle East and raise awareness about the interdependence of nature on a global scale.

###

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Roulin et al.: "'Nature Knows no Boundaries': The Role of Nature Conservation in Peacebuilding" http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(17)30057-5

Trends in Ecology & Evolution (@Trends_Ecol_Evo), published by Cell Press, is a monthly review journal that contains polished, concise, and readable reviews, opinions, and letters in all areas of ecology and evolutionary science. It aims to keep scientists informed of new developments and ideas across the full range of ecology and evolutionary biology -- from the pure to the applied, and from molecular to global. Visit: http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution. To receive Cell Press media alerts, please contact press@cell.com.
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO - It's not every day someone gets to say, "I've discovered a new species."

It's a claim that Colorado State University biologist Chris Funk can happily make. Funk and his collaborators, who've spent years exploring the tropical climes of South America to study the region's dizzying biodiversity, have documented a new species of rainfrog they've named the Ecuadorian rainfrog (Pristimantis ecuadorensis). The name, the researchers write, honors the "overwhelming beauty, and cultural and biological diversity," of the Republic of Ecuador, where the frog makes its home. The work is described in the journal PLOS ONE, publishing online March 22.

The discovery sprouted from a field campaign, headed by paper lead author Juan M. Guayasamin, a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), that was primarily intended to study a similar, threatened frog called the ornate rainfrog (Pristimantis ornatissimus).

"[Guayasamin], other Ecuadorian and U.S. collaborators, and I were characterizing the genetic differences among populations of the ornate rainfrog, which was thought to be a single species of frog until we uncovered one population that was strikingly different from all others and turned out to be a distinct species," said Funk, director of the Global Biodiversity Center in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) and an associate professor in the Department of Biology. The new species is considered "endangered" based on International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines, primarily due to its extremely small range, rarity, and habitat loss from agriculture and logging.

Funk and Guayasamin have been collaborators and friends for 20 years. In 2009, they discovered a species of frog in the eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador that they named Pristimantis bicantus, and they are currently involved, with other colleagues, in large-scale projects comparing temperate and tropical diversity patterns.

The tropics are known to contain many more distinct species per unit area than temperate zones like the U.S. and Canada, which together have about 110 described frog species. Ecuador, about the size of Colorado, has 570 described frog species, and counting.

For their study, the researchers performed genetic sampling of frogs from sites crisscrossing the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. The country boasts a Pacific coastline, the Amazon basin in the east, and the Andes mountains in its middle. DNA sequencing allowed the scientists to uncover the new frog species, which hails from the Las Pampas region, located in the Andes. In Ecuador, wildlife species tend to have extremely small ranges, the researchers say, due in part to the diversity of habitats and climates across the impressive altitudinal gradient formed by the Andes.

"We know that there's lots of undescribed biodiversity in Ecuador, so you could think this discovery is not a big deal," said Guayasamin, who has had a hand in identifying several frog species. "But this species, first of all, is spectacular-looking; secondly, it's restricted to a single site which once again emphasizes range-restricted, highly threatened biodiversity in the tropics. And lastly, its name -- the Ecuadorean rain frog -- will hopefully draw local and international attention to the endangered species and ecosystems of Ecuador."

A variety of processes can lead to speciation -- the breaking off of new species from one lineage. One traditional theory is that a population experiences a geographic split, such as a river or a mountain range, which limits gene flow, and allows species to evolve new traits over millions of years, like size, shape and mating calls.

If the old species and the new species become different enough over time, they can become reproductively isolated, or unable to produce viable offspring. Reproductive isolation is one of the traditionally accepted taxonomic distinctions between species, Funk said. But the Ecuadorian rainfrog appears to have become a distinct species in the absence of geographic barriers, possibly due to environmental differences between low-elevation habitats, where the ornate rainfrog is found, and high-elevation habitats, where the new frog is found.

Funk is a conservation geneticist who studies evolutionary processes using new advances in genomics to inform conservation strategies. And doing research in the tropics is like "being a kid in a candy store," he said. "There is so much diversity in the region -- it's the reason we get into the field. We want to make sure this diversity persists into the future. This is what gets us up in the morning, and gets us excited about what we do."

The Global Biodiversity Center in SoGES acts as a central node connecting biodiversity researchers from many colleges and departments across CSU. It also connects CSU biodiversity researchers to international conservation organizations so that CSU's expertise in biodiversity can be harnessed to improve conservation policy. The center's website includes a map that illustrates many CSU researchers doing such work, all over the world.

"There are CSU researchers doing biodiversity research across the globe, discovering species, and doing research to conserve species," Funk said. The collaboration between CSU and Universidad San Francisco de Quito is one such example. "Our work is based on mutual interests, which include research, faculty and student exchange, and long-term studies aimed to describe and protect tropical biodiversity," Guayasamin said.

###

The PLoS One paper also includes collaborators from the University of Kansas, Tropical Herping, Universidad Tecnologica Indoamerica, and The George Washington University.
A set of Google Street View mapping cars, specially equipped with cutting-edge methane analyzers, are allowing Colorado State University researchers to 'see' invisible methane leaks from natural gas lines beneath our streets

A set of Google Street View mapping cars, specially equipped with cutting-edge methane analyzers, are allowing Colorado State University researchers to "see" invisible methane leaks from natural gas lines beneath our streets.

The technical and computational challenges of measuring methane, and the complex methodologies used to collect, analyze and publicize the data, are detailed in a new paper in the journal Environmental Science and Technology March 22.

The groundbreaking project is led by Joe von Fischer, CSU associate professor in biology, in partnership with the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Google Earth Outreach. von Fischer's CSU co-authors include researchers from statistics (Dan Cooley), atmospheric science (Russ Schumacher), and soil and crop sciences (Jay Ham), as well as experts from University of Northern Colorado and the nonprofit science collective Conservation Science Partners.

Data from the project are helping utilities, regulators and advocacy groups reduce wasteful and environmentally damaging leaks faster and more cost effectively.

Besides being the main ingredient in natural gas, methane is also a potent greenhouse gas, with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe. Growing awareness of this climate risk has spurred new interest in finding and fixing low-level leaks throughout the natural gas supply chain, including local utility systems, where many low-level leaks can persist for many years. That need has spawned a new kind of science.

"This is a huge challenge that almost nobody had been thinking about. Now we're finding out just how widespread these leaks are," von Fischer said. "The faster you fix them, the bigger the environmental benefits are. But utilities and regulators didn't have the data to focus their efforts. That's where we come in. Our goal is to make it faster, cheaper and easier to find and measure methane leaks from natural gas lines to help accelerate crucial repairs."

For the Google project, von Fischer and colleagues were especially eager to identify and quantify methane leaks from the nation's urban areas, where natural gas distribution pipelines lie several feet below the ground. Their EDF Google Street View project is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive inventory of methane leak sources within cities. The goal is to shine a powerful light on this previously invisible, hard-to-define problem.

A chief motivation of the project is to help utility companies and governments prioritize leak repairs based on the magnitude of emissions. The researchers calculate that fixing the largest 8 percent of leaks would cut pipeline methane emissions by 30 percent. The New Jersey utility company PSE&G has approved almost $1 billion worth of upgrades directed in part by the CSU researchers' data.

The baseline technology that's allowed the project to bloom is an infrared laser methane analyzer. These mobile instruments, which didn't even exist a decade ago, can identify plumes of methane gas in real time, without the need for a gas chromatography analysis in the lab.

"The air contains gases that make it look foggy in the infrared spectrum," von Fischer explained. "The laser can scan through colors of infrared light and 'see' how much methane is present."

At the core of the effort is a set of algorithms and protocols that provide accurate accounting of methane leaks, including the size of the plumes.

Before they took their technology into Street View cars, the researchers first ran preliminary tests with research vehicles driven around campus and on the tarmac at the Christman air field. This included controlled releases of methane in both open and urban environments.

The project has involved designing optimal routes for the Google drivers, while keeping the drivers' interaction with the equipment passive and simple. The researchers have also developed methods for screening out false positive readings - for example, how to tell the difference between a true methane leak, and a wayward reading from a landfill or nearby power facility.

For von Fischer, a classically trained ecosystem ecologist, the project has stretched him as a scientist and has catalyzed interactions with a dizzying array of disciplines. "I regularly talk with lawyers, industry people, statisticians, computer scientists, atmospheric physicists, Google....this is just a part of my life now," he said.

At present, there are four Google Street View cars in various cities carrying the CSU methane analyzers, as von Fischer and colleagues' work continues. The drivers are instructed to drive all the roads in a predetermined area to capture leak data that the CSU researchers download, analyze, and upload to a public website hosted by EDF.

To deal with the enormous streams of data the project produces - about 2,000 data points per minute - CSU computer science researcher Sangmi Pallickara is creating a cloud-based platform to manage, store and present the data.

So far, the CSU methane analyzers have provided leak maps of Boston; Burlington, Vermont; Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Mesa, Arizona; Pittsburgh; Staten Island, New York; and Syracuse, New York.

Among other things, they've reported that, on average, Boston, Staten Island and Syracuse - cities with old, corrosion-prone distribution lines - had leaks that released 25 times more methane per kilometer of road (2 liters of methane per minute per kilometer) than Burlington and Indianapolis (0.08 liters of methane per minute per kilometer).

###
Montreal, March 22, 2017 -- Climate change is wreaking havoc on the environment. While the main culprit is carbon emissions, urban heat islands -- exacerbated by dark roofs and pavements -- make the effect of global warming even worse on the urban dwellers.

One solution to the problem is cool roofs: surfaces made of light, reflective materials. By keeping buildings cool, these roofs lower energy use, while at the same time reflecting sunlight away from buildings and cities.

But like anything exposed to the elements, cool roofs age and become dirty over time. This natural wear and tear causes them to lose some of their reflective abilities. The question is, how much are they affected? And can this loss of performance be slowed?

An engineering team at Concordia has collaborated with researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California to simulate the weathering of cool roofs in the lab. In just a few days, they can now reproduce three years of aging for roofing products in order to test their solar reflectance.

ASTM International, a widely referenced standards body, recently approved this new method as a standard practice for the industry. It was also published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.

"What we've created is essentially a cool roof time machine," says Hashem Akbari, professor in Concordia's Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

"By reducing the product rating time to three days from three years, our new ASTM standard practice will speed the introduction of high-performance cool roofs not only in Canada and the United States, but around the world."

The laboratory practice involves putting a piece of the roof material in a commercial weathering apparatus, which exposes the material to cycles of heat, moisture and ultraviolet light for one day. This process conditions the material to behave as if it has been exposed to the elements for a much longer period of time.

Next, researchers use a soiling apparatus to spray a specially calibrated soiling mixture of dust, soot, particulate organic matter and salts onto the roof material for about 10 seconds. After it dries, the material goes back into the weathering apparatus for another day to simulate the cleaning effects of dew and rain.

This method was applied to 25 different roof products, including single-ply membranes, coatings, tiles and asphalt shingles.

The researchers also devised different soiling mixtures to mimic site-specific features of three environments: a hot and humid climate (to mimic Miami, Florida), a hot and dry climate (Phoenix, Arizona) and a polluted atmosphere in a temperate climate (Cleveland, Ohio).

A fourth soiling mixture was devised to replicate the solar reflectance averaged over all three sites.

"For every location, we found that our new process is about 400 times faster than natural exposure, costs about 80 per cent less for testing a single product, can facilitate rapid prototyping and can avoid three years of lost sales worth $4.5 million to $9 million per product," says Akbari. "It's a time-saver and a cost-saver."

The Cool Roof Time Machine was recently recognized by R&D Magazine, which awarded the project one of its R&D 100 Awards, given to the 100 most significant technologies and services introduced in the previous year, as judged by an independent panel.

###

Partners in research: Akbari worked with a team of of Berkeley Lab scientists and research associates, including Mohamad Sleiman, Hugo Destaillats, Sharon Chen, Thomas Kirchstetter, Haley Gilbert, Paul Berdahl and Ronnen Levinson, as well as the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) and more than 40 industrial partners, to develop the protocol. Funding for this research was provided by the US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office.

Related links:

Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering http://www.concordia.ca/encs/bcee.html

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory http://www.lbl.gov/

Hashem Akbari http://www.concordia.ca/encs/bcee/faculty.html?fpid=hashem-akbari

Media contact:

Clea Desjardins

Senior advisor, media relations

University Communications Services

Concordia University

Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 5068

Email: clea.desjardins@concordia.ca

Web: http://www.concordia.ca/now/media-relations

Twitter: @CleaDesjardins
Berkeley Lab-led research raises new questions about properties of dust in local and distant reaches of Milky Way

Consider that the Earth is just a giant cosmic dust bunny -- a big bundle of debris amassed from exploded stars. We Earthlings are essentially just little clumps of stardust, too, albeit with very complex chemistry.

And because outer space is a very dusty place, that makes things very difficult for astronomers and astrophysicists who are trying to peer farther across the universe or deep into the center of our own galaxy to learn more about their structure, formation and evolution.

Building a better dust map

Now, a new study led by Edward F. Schlafly, a Hubble Fellow in the Physics Division at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), is providing a detailed, 3-D look at dust on a scale spanning thousands of light-years in our Milky Way galaxy. The study was published March 22 in The Astrophysical Journal.

This dust map is of critical importance for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a Berkeley Lab-led project that will measure the universe's accelerating expansion rate when it starts up in 2019. DESI will build a map of more than 30 million distant galaxies, but that map will be distorted if this dust is ignored.

"The light from those distant galaxies travels for billions of years before we see it," according to Schlafly, "but in the last thousand years of its journey toward us a few percent of that light is absorbed and scattered by dust in our own galaxy. We need to correct for that."

Just as airborne dust in Earth's sky contributes to the atmospheric haze that gives us brilliant oranges and reds in sunrises and sunsets, dust can also make distant galaxies and other space objects appear redder in the sky, distorting their distance and in some cases concealing them from view.

Scientists are constantly developing better ways to map out this interstellar dust and understand its concentration, composition, and common particle sizes and shapes.

Once we can solve the dust problem by creating better dust maps and learning new details about the properties of this space dust, this can give us a much more precise gauge of distances to faraway stars in the Milky Way, like a galactic GPS. Dust maps can also help to better gauge the distance to supernovae events by taking into account the effects of dust in reddening their light.

"The overarching aim of this project is to map dust in three dimensions -- to find out how much dust is in any 3-D region in the sky and in the Milky Way galaxy," Schlafly said.

Combined data from sky surveys shed new light on dust

Taking data from separate sky surveys conducted with telescopes on Maui and in New Mexico, Schlafly's research team composed maps that compare dust within one kiloparsec, or 3,262 light-years, in the outer Milky Way -- including collections of gas and dust known as molecular clouds that can contain dense star- and planet-forming regions known as nebulae -- with more distant dust in the galaxy.

"The resolution of these 3-D dust maps is many times better than anything that previously existed," said Schlafly.

This undertaking was made possible by the combination of a very detailed multiyear survey known as Pan-STARRS that is powered by a 1.4-gigapixel digital camera and covers three-fourths of the visible sky, and a separate survey called APOGEE that used a technique known as infrared spectroscopy.

Infrared measurements can effectively cut through the dust that obscures many other types of observations and provides a more precise measurement of stars' natural color. The APOGEE experiment focused on the light from about 100,000 red giant stars across the Milky Way, including those in its central halo.

What they found is a more complex picture of dust than earlier research and models had suggested. The dust properties within 1 kiloparsec of the sun, which scientists measure with a light-obscuring property known as its "extinction curve," is different than that of the dust properties in the more remote galactic plane and outer galaxy.

New questions emerge on the makeup of space dust

The results, researchers found, appear to be in conflict with models that expect dust to be more predictably distributed, and to simply exhibit larger grain sizes in areas where more dust resides. But the observations find that the dust properties vary little with the amount of dust, so the models may need to be adjusted to account for a different chemical makeup, for example.

"In denser regions, it was thought that dust grains will conglomerate, so you have more big grains and fewer small grains," Schlafly said. But the observations show that dense dust clouds look much the same as less concentrated dust clouds, so that variations in dust properties are not just a product of dust density: "whatever is driving this is not just conglomeration in these regions."

He added, "The message to me that we don't yet know what's going on. I don't think the existing (models) are correct, or they are only right at the very highest densities."

Accurate measures of the chemical makeup of space dust are important, Schlafly said. "A large amount of chemistry takes place on dust grains, and you can only form molecular hydrogen on the surface of dust grains," he said -- this molecular hydrogen is essential in the formation of stars and planets.

Filling in the blanks

Even with a growing collection of dust data, we still have an incomplete dust map of our galaxy. "There is about one-third of the galaxy that's missing," Schlafly said, "and we're working right now on imaging this 'missing third' of the galaxy." A sky survey that will complete the imaging of the southern galactic plane and provide this missing data should wrap up in May, he said.

APOGEE-2, a follow-up survey to APOGEE, for example, will provide more complete maps of the dust in the local galaxy, and other instruments are expected to provide better dust maps for nearby galaxies, too.

While the density of dust shrouds our view of the center of the Milky Way, Schlafly said there will be progress, too, in seeing deeper and collecting better dust measurements there as well.

###

Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Harvard University also participated in this work.

APOGEE is a part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III), with participating institutions including Berkeley Lab, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the National Science Foundation. PanSTARRS1 surveys are supported by the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy; the Pan-STARRS Project Office; the Max-Planck Society and its participating institutes in Germany; the Johns Hopkins University; the University of Durham, the University of Edinburgh, and the Queen's University Belfast in the U.K.; the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network Inc.; and the National Central University of Taiwan. Pan-STARRS is supported by the U.S. Air Force.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. For more, visit http://www.lbl.gov (http://www.lbl.gov).

DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov .
Salmon lead a fairly varied life. The adult fish live in the sea but swim upstream into rivers to reproduce and lay their eggs in gravel beds in the upper reaches. This is where the young hatch, grow for a while in the clean, oxygen-rich water, and then set off towards the sea. To breed the popular edible fish, farmers have to provide different living conditions depending on the age of the fish.

Chilean fish farmers base their approach on the natural life cycle of the salmon. In the clear rivers which flow from the central ridge of the Andes towards the Pacific, they have installed a few hundred hatcheries for the eggs and the youngest animals. Slightly larger salmon live in cages in the lakes of the South American country, and the adults then move into similar accommodation anchored in the sea just off the coast. In 2012, Chile's aquacultures used this method to produce some 820,000 tonnes of salmon with a total value of just under five billion US dollars. For years, the country has been ranked second behind Norway in the list of key salmon producers worldwide.

However, this has not been without an impact on the environment. The cages for the medium and larger fish leak excrement, food residue and other substances into the country's seas and coastal waters. The companies also draw water for their hatcheries from some of the extremely clean, natural rivers. They pump it through the tanks for the young salmon before reintroducing it to the river further downstream - where it is certainly not in good condition.

Rather than clear water, it is more like a fishy broth which flows downstream from this kind of facility - which is a burden for residents, tourists and aquatic organisms. "Completely turbid water is no longer allowed to re-enter the river," reports Dr Norbert Kamjunke, a biologist at UFZ. The number of particles contained in the water must be below certain limit values. The aquacultures are now using sedimentation tanks and rotary filters to clarify their waste water. However, there are no such regulations for dissolved substances which simply flow into the water as before without any treatment or monitoring. And in huge quantities.

In an earlier study, Norbert Kamjunke and his colleagues discovered that, in facilities of this kind, around 40 tonnes of dissolved organic substances end up in the rivers for every 50 tonnes of farmed salmon. These substances, which chemists group together as Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM), include the liquid excretions from the salmon, and dissolved residues of food and excrement. "It also contains disinfectants and antibiotics," he explains. But what compounds does this cocktail contain exactly? And what impact does it have on the water? Researchers have recently investigated this in detail for the first time.

To do so, they used state-of-the-art methods of chemical analysis. Using fluorescence measurements, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the researchers studied the waste water from four Chilean aquacultures and samples taken from sections of the river both upstream and downstream of the farms. They worked with colleagues from the Universidad Austral de Chile in Valdivia to take samples, with the subsequent measurements carried out at the Helmholtz Centre in Munich. "We were able to determine exactly what DOM molecules were present in the water and in what concentration," explains Norbert Kamjunke.

The investigation showed that each of the rivers naturally has a slightly different chemical fingerprint. If it flows through heavily forested areas, the water will contain a large amount of humic matter. By contrast, water in volcanic regions tends to have a high proportion of sulphur compounds. However, there are also similarities. Natural sections of river generally contain less dissolved organic material. And this limited load consists of compounds which are difficult for bacteria to break down. "Those areas are predominantly low in nutrients," summarises Norbert Kamjunke.

However, the picture changes when waste water from aquaculture is introduced. These facilities release large quantities of readily biodegradable compounds. In particular, much higher concentrations of carbohydrates, proteins and their building blocks, and lipids are present downstream of the facilities. The aquacultures therefore provide the low-nutrient rivers with a kind of fertilizer boost.

But what does this entail for the water and its inhabitants? The researchers also investigated this issue in their study. They used laser scanning microscopes to examine the slippery film that grows on stones on the river bed. Upstream of the aquacultures, these biofilms contained a large amount of microscopic algae. These organisms were much less abundant downstream, where there were many more bacteria. "But this changes the entire ecosystem," explains Norbert Kamjunke.

The algae on the bottom of the natural waters play a key role for several reasons. Firstly they produce oxygen, and secondly they provide food for countless minute grazing organisms. Gastropods, mayfly and stone fly larvae all graze this film. And they in turn are eaten by fish. "The basis of the entire food web would disappear if this algae didn't exist," explains Norbert Kamjunke. But this is not the only way in which the waste water from the aquacultures alters living conditions in the river. The bacteria downstream of the facilities use up a large amount of oxygen to break down the dissolved organic matter. Excessively low oxygen concentrations can spell the end of many species which have adapted to life in clean flowing water.

However, the high level of bacterial activity that the team measured downstream of the salmon hatcheries also cleans the water. "Nevertheless, rivers should not be misused as natural sewage treatment plants," emphasises Norbert Kamjunke. For one thing, clean and unpolluted waters and their inhabitants deserve special protection. For another thing, the water downstream of the facilities has to flow quite a distance downstream until it is clean again. The length of this stretch depends on the external circumstances. The miniature water purifiers work most effectively at high temperatures and low flow rates. An earlier study by researchers from Magdeburg showed that the bacteria had broken down the pollution around 2.7 kilometres downstream of the facility. "In winter, however, they need a much longer section of river," says Norbert Kamjunke. And this is not always available to them in the short rivers of the Andes.

The researchers therefore advocate the introduction of limit values for the DOM concentrations entering the river. Their findings in relation to the activities of the bacteria could help to specify these values in order to avoid overloading the river. The aquacultures would then have to clean their waste water more effectively before re-introducing it to the river - for example using biological filters. In principle, these are large pipes filled with stones on which biofilm grows. The waste water enters at the top and leaves at the bottom, having been clarified by the bacteria in between. "Our results also show how large these facilities would have to be," explains Norbert Kamjunke. The measured degradation rates can be used to calculate how much stone surface area is required for the desired purification efficiency.

The researchers also draw another conclusion from their study. They do not consider it advisable to install any further aquacultures on Chilean rivers. The authorities have already imposed a moratorium on new salmon farms in the country's lakes. Operators are now considering the option of moving the farming of medium-sized salmon from the lakes to the rivers. "In theory that could work," believes Norbert Kamjunke. "But from an ecological perspective, it would not be a good idea."

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Boston, MA - A new vaccine for rotavirus was found to be 66.7% effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis caused by the virus, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Epicentre, Paris. Rotavirus is responsible for about 37% of deaths from diarrhea among children younger than 5 years of age each year, or about 450,000 children, with a disproportionate effect in sub-Saharan Africa.

The study will be published in the March 23, 2017 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute diarrhea, or severe gastroenteritis, in children. Unlike other causes of diarrhea, improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene do not prevent rotavirus transmission, therefore vaccination is essential to prevent death and complications from childhood diarrhea.

To make a difference in countries where the rotavirus burden is highest and access to health care is low, vaccines need to be affordable, as well as safe, effective, and heat-stable. Currently there are two rotavirus vaccines, but they are expensive and refrigeration must be maintained throughout the supply chain. In resource-poor countries such as Niger, electricity and refrigeration are often unreliable. The new vaccine is heat-stable, the first of its kind for rotavirus prevention.

"This trial brings a vaccine which is adapted to African settings to those who need it most," said first author Sheila Isanaka, assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard Chan School. "When the vaccine becomes widely available in Africa, it will help protect millions of the most vulnerable children."

For the trial, researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Niger to evaluate the efficacy of BRV-PV, a low-cost, heat-stable vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. The researchers recruited 3,508 healthy infants to receive three doses of the vaccine or placebo at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. All children included in the trial are monitored in local health centers and receive free health care for two years.

The vaccine has been licensed in India, but approval--known as prequalification-- by the World Health Organization is needed before it can be purchased by the United Nations and government agencies. "After the successful clinical trial of this new vaccine, we hope that it can be made available as soon as possible to children in Niger and across Africa," Isanaka said.

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The study was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres Operational Center in Geneva and the Kavli Foundation. Epicentre receives core funding from Medecins Sans Frontieres.

"Efficacy of a Low-Cost, Heat-Stable Oral Rotavirus Vaccine in Niger," Sheila Isanaka, Ousmane Guindo, Celine Langendorf, Amadou Matar Seck, Brian D. Plikaytis, Nathan Sayinzoga-Makombe, Monica M. McNeal, Nicole Meyer, Eric Adehossi, Ali Djibo, Bruno Jochum, and Rebecca F. Grais, New England Journal of Medicine, March 23, 2017, doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1609462

Visit the Harvard Chan School website for the latest news, press releases, and multimedia offerings.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives--not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health.
Optogenetics, the approach to use light to control key processes, has revolutionized how researchers investigate cellular signaling pathways, cellular behavior and the function of large and interconnected tissues such as the brain. This highly successful combination of optics and genetics is powered by light-sensitive proteins, many of which have been engineered to bind to each other upon light stimulation. New research by scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) expands this optogenetic protein toolbox. In the study by the group of Harald Janovjak, driven by first author and PhD student Stephanie Kainrath, and colleagues at the Children's Cancer Research Institute in Vienna, published today in Angewandte Chemie, the authors demonstrate the release of binding when exposed to green light.

The application of light as a stimulus has allowed researchers to manipulate cellular behavior in defined spaces and real-time and thereby opened doors for new types of experiments. The method has, however, flourished in those cases where light-sensitive protein parts, called protein domains, responded to light by binding to each other. Binding activates signaling. To ensure that signaling remains turned on, the cells, tissues or animals under study need to stay in the light. But constant exposure to light carries risks: bleaching and toxic side effects of light are commonly observed.

Kainrath and colleagues offer a way out as they re-purposed light-sensitive domains that release their interaction in response to light. As a consequence, researchers can now leave their study object in the dark to induce signaling, and move it into light at a precise timepoint to interrupt signaling. First author Stephanie Kainrath explains the significance of the research: "Our work was inspired by the desire to imitate biological signals that are always on, such as those that drive the growth of certain cancers. With our new tool we can also rapidly switch off such signals. This allows for new approaches in both cell-based and animal studies."

The newly engineered tool is especially versatile as it responds to light in the green part of the visible light spectrum. This is possible as the re-purposed domains, called cobalamin (vitamin B12)-binding domains (CBDs), utilize Vitamin B12 for their light response. It was only recently realized that Vitamin B12 is not only essential for human body function but also used in bacteria as a light sensor. Kainrath and colleagues demonstrate the use of these domains by linking them to a vertebrate receptor protein called fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). Normally a part of these receptor reaches to the outside of cell where it can capture fibroblast growth factors, causing two receptors to bind to each other and activate signaling on the inside of the cell. The engineered optogenetic FGFR1 proteins bind to each other in the dark via the CBDs and activate signaling. Only in green light, the binding is released and signaling stops.

Experiments in zebrafish embryos showcase the potential of this new approach for animal studies. Zebrafish embryos modified to produce the engineered receptor and kept in the dark show the same developmental defects as embryos in which signaling is always active, a situation that resembles human disorders. By contrast, embryos that were allowed to develop in green light were normal, without any developmental defects. For Martin Distel, co-author and group leader at the Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, the receptor is a useful tool for addressing oncogene addiction, the Achilles heel of some cancers: "CBD mediated and green light-controlled dissociation of protein complexes is a useful asset in the optogenetic toolbox. For potential applications in cancer research one might think of oncogene addiction. Aberrant activation of signals such as those linked to FGFs can now be shut down rapidly and from the outside by light to investigate consequences on cell behavior."

Harald Janovjak and his group work in the new field of synthetic physiology, which tackles complex biological problems with the approach to "build it to understand it". Stephanie Kainrath joined IST Austria's PhD program in 2015. Having passed her qualifying exam in December 2016, Stephanie now pursues research for her doctoral degree in the group of Harald Janovjak.

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People who lose a partner to suicide are at increased risk for a number of mental and physical disorders, including cancer, depression, herniated discs and mood disorders than those in the general population, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research suggests.

The study, believed to be the first large-scale examination of the broader impact of losing a partner to suicide, underscores the need for support systems for bereaved partners and others who've lost loved ones to suicide, since interventions addressing complicated grief could help mitigate some of the effects. More than 800,000 people around the world die by suicide each year, and the suicide rate in many countries, including the United States, is on the rise.

The study, published online March 22 in JAMA Psychiatry, followed 4,814 Danish men and 10,793 Danish women bereaved by partner suicide for up to 35 years, from 1980 to 2014, and compared them to the general population of Denmark.

"It is an exceedingly devastating experience when someone you love dearly dies suddenly by suicide," says study leader Annette Erlangsen, PhD, an adjunct professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Mental Health. "We were able to show that being exposed to such a stressful life event as the suicide of your partner holds higher risks for physical and mental disorders and is different from losing a partner from other causes of death, such as illness or sudden accident."

Using Denmark's Cause of Death Registry, the researchers identified everyone in the country age 18 or older who died by suicide since 1970. Using national records on the entire population, the team then identified surviving partners, including spouses, registered partners or those with whom the deceased cohabitated and studied these over the years after the loss.

The researchers compared this data to two groups: Denmark's general population age 18 or older living in the country between 1980 and 2014 and people in the general population who were bereaved by partner death due to causes other than suicide.

Those who lost partners to suicide were at increased risk of cancer, cirrhosis of the liver and spinal disc herniation than the general population. After long-term follow-up, there was an increased risk of sleep disorders and, for women only, chronic respiratory disease. Like earlier research, the study found that the risk was particularly elevated during the first five years after the loss. The study found that suicide bereaved had an increased risk for mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, alcohol use disorder as well as self-harm compared to the general population.

"The suicide rate in the United States is increasing which makes this research even more relevant," says another study author, Holly C. Wilcox, PhD, associate professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Mental Health and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry. "Health care providers, friends and neighbors often do not know how best to support those bereaved by suicide."

While the researchers were not surprised by the thrust of the findings, there were some things that were unexpected, such as the finding of an increased risk for a herniated disc. Also, they found that partners who had lost a loved one to suicide and who remarried had a lower chance of divorcing than the general population. At approximately 44 percent, the divorce rate in Denmark is comparable to other developed countries, including the United States. "Maybe people who have experienced such a traumatic loss might be more selective when they choose a new partner and as such are less likely to experience a divorce," Erlangsen says.

The research highlights the need for both personal and professional interventions for people whose lives have been impacted by the suicide of their spouse or partner.

"This is a population in need of support and outreach," Wilcox says. "Surviving a family member's suicide is often a very isolating experience. Often friends and family of the bereaved are afraid of saying the wrong thing so they don't say anything at all. The stigma associated with suicide can lead survivors to suffer in silence alone."

The researchers say they chose Denmark because it has such a rich data set. Sweden has comparably rich databases for large-scale studies. The U.S. does not. The findings, the researchers say, are applicable to other countries.

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"A longitudinal and nationwide register-based study of the association between spousal suicide and mental, physical, and social health outcomes" was written by Annette Erlangsen, PhD; Bo Runeson, MD, PhD; James M. Bolton, MD; Holly C. Wilcox, PhD; Julie L. Forman, PhD; Jesper Krogh, DMSc; M. Katherine Shear, MD; Merete Nordentoft, DMSc; and Yeates Conwell, MD.

The research was funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Danish Health Insurance Foundation.
At today's dialogue forum at the German National Academy of Science Leopoldina in Halle (Saale), Germany, the science academies of the G20 states handed over recommendations to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. The document is published in preparation of the G20 Summit consultations in July under the leadership of the Leopoldina and contains strategies and tools to improve global health. For the first time, the G20 science academies contribute to the Summit preparations with jointly developed recommendations.

The recommendations include strategies and tools to combat diseases and to strengthen global health. A particular emphasis lies on the correlation between communicable diseases and noncommunicable diseases, for example virus-related cancer. The science academies demand to provide reliable and resilient health systems and to better apply existing knowledge for prevention. Social, environmental and economic factors that affect health should be in the focus. The scientists recommend stronger efforts to ensure access to vaccination and medical devices, to reduce antimicrobial resistance and in the global surveillance of diseases.

The Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Group of Twenty (G20) will be held on 7 and 8 July 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. For the first time, the science community is involved within the newly established "Science20" dialogue forum. Under the leadership of the Leopoldina, the national science academies of the G20 states have drawn up recommendations on improving global health. Since more than ten years, the science academies also contribute to the G7/G8 Summits.

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The full statement for download under: http://www.leopoldina.org/en/global-health
New Rochelle, NY, March 22, 2017--A new study of the believability of information received via Twitter and the intention to pass on a tweet--whether news or rumor--is influenced by the number of times the information has already been retweeted. Number of retweets can serve as a normative cue that leads a person to presume that an unverified rumor is true, increasing the likelihood that they will share it with others, according to the study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking website until April 24, 2017.

In the article entitled "Normative Mechanism of Rumor Dissemination on Twitter," Hyegyu Lee, Handong University, Pohang, and Hyun Jung Oh, CHA University, Pocheon, South Korea, describe an online experiment that included 639 Twitter users. The results indicated that users viewed both news and rumors shared in tweets as uncertain information. They determined the believability of the information based on how others viewed it. If the information had been highly retweeted it was more likely to be considered as believable.

"Whether by word-of-mouth, email, or Twitter, rumors proliferate quite easily. We must remain adamant in our use of critical-thinking skills to evaluate information and avoid equating popularity with plausibility," says Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.

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About the Journal

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly online with Open Access options and in print that explores the psychological and social issues surrounding the Internet and interactive technologies. Complete tables of contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Games for Health Journal, Telemedicine and e-Health, and Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801-5215 http://www.liebertpub.com Phone: (914) 740-2100 (800) M-LIEBERT Fax: (914) 740-2101
CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Scientists have long believed that the central amygdala, a structure located deep within the brain, is linked with fear and responses to unpleasant events.

However, a team of MIT neuroscientists has now discovered a circuit in this structure that responds to rewarding events. In a study of mice, activating this circuit with certain stimuli made the animals seek those stimuli further. The researchers also found a circuit that controls responses to fearful events, but most of the neurons in the central amygdala are involved in the reward circuit, they report.

"It's surprising that positive-behavior-promoting subsets are so abundant, which is contrary to what many people in the field have been thinking," says Susumu Tonegawa, the Picower Professor of Biology and Neuroscience and director of the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory.

Tonegawa is the senior author of the study, which appears in the March 22 issue of the journal Neuron. The paper's lead authors are graduate students Joshua Kim and Xiangyu Zhang.

Driving behavior

The paper builds on a study published last year in which Tonegawa's lab identified two distinct populations of neurons in a different part of the amygdala, known as the basolateral amygdala (BLA). These two populations are genetically programmed to encode either fearful or happy memories.

In that study, the researchers found that the neurons encoding positive and negative memories relay information to different parts of the central amygdala. In their new work, they set out to further clarify the connections from the two BLA populations to the central amygdala, and to determine the functions of the central amygdala cells that receive information from the BLA.

First, the researchers analyzed the genetic profiles of the central amygdala neurons and divided them into seven groups based on the genetic markers they express and their anatomical location. They then used optogenetics, a technique that allowed them to control neuron activity with light, to investigate the functions of each population.

The researchers found that five of these populations stimulate reward-related behavior: When the mice were exposed to light, the mice repeatedly sought more light exposure because these neurons were driving a reward circuit. These same populations all receive input from the positive emotion cells in the BLA.

Another population of neurons underlies fear-related innate and memory behaviors, and the last population was not required for either fear- or reward-related behavior.

This finding contradicts the consensus that the central amygdala is involved primarily in fear-related behavior, the researchers say.

"Classically people have generalized the central amygdala as a fear-related structure. They think it's involved in anxiety and fear-related responses," Kim says. "However, it looks like the structure as a whole mainly seems to participate in appetitive behaviors."

The researchers cannot rule out the possibility that some yet-to-be-discovered cells in the central amygdala control negative behavior, they say. "However, the cells that we have identified so far represent more than 90 percent of the central amygdala," Tonegawa says. "If there are some other cells for negative behavior, it's a small fraction."

Surprising circuits

In another surprising finding, the researchers discovered that the fear-linked neurons they identified in the central amygdala do not send messages directly to the part of the brain that is believed to receive fear-related input from the central amygdala. This part of the brain, the periaqueductal gray (PAG), is located in the brainstem and plays a role in responding to pain, stress, and external threats.

Still unknown is where those central amygdala cells send their output, and whether it eventually gets to the PAG after stopping somewhere else. Tonegawa's lab is now trying to trace these circuits further to find out where they go.

The researchers are also studying the role of BLA neurons in fear extinction, which is the process of rewriting fearful memories so that they are associated with more positive feelings. This approach is often used to treat disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the JPB Foundation.
NASA is developing a trailblazing, long-term technology demonstration of what could become the high-speed internet of the sky.

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will help NASA understand the best ways to operate laser communications systems. They could enable much higher data rates for connections between spacecraft and Earth, such as scientific data downlink and astronaut communications.

"LCRD is the next step in implementing NASA's vision of using optical communications for both near-Earth and deep space missions," said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which leads the LCRD project. "This technology has the potential to revolutionize space communications, and we are excited to partner with the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate's Space Communications and Navigation program office, MIT Lincoln Labs and the U.S. Air Force on this effort."

Laser communications, also known as optical communications, encodes data onto a beam of light, which is then transmitted between spacecraft and eventually to Earth terminals. This technology offers data rates that are 10 to 100 times better than current radio-frequency (RF) communications systems. Just as important, laser communication systems can be much smaller than radio systems, allowing the spacecraft communication systems to have lower size, weight and power requirements. Such capability will become critically important as humans embark on long journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond.

"LCRD is designed to operate for many years and will allow NASA to learn how to optimally use this disruptive new technology," said Don Cornwell, director of the Advanced Communication and Navigation division of the Space Communications and Navigation program office at NASA Headquarters, which leads the development of the instrument. "We are also designing a laser terminal for the International Space Station that will use LCRD to relay data from the station to the ground at gigabit-per-second data rates. We plan to fly this new terminal in 2021, and once tested, we hope that many other Earth-orbiting NASA missions will also fly copies of it to relay their data through LCRD to the ground."

The mission builds upon the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD), a very successful pathfinder mission that flew aboard the Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer in 2013. While LLCD was first to demonstrate high-data-rate laser communications beyond low-Earth orbit, LCRD will demonstrate the technology's operational longevity and reliability. The mission will also test LCRD's capabilities within many different environmental conditions and operational scenarios.

"We've learned a lot over the years about radio-frequency communications and how it works to make the most of the technology," Dave Israel, LCRD's principal investigator, said about the current communications system. "With LCRD, we'll have the opportunity to put laser communications through its paces to test the performance over different weather conditions and times of day to get that experience."

LCRD is designed to function between two and five years. Two ground terminals equipped with laser modems located in Table Mountain, California, and in Hawaii will demonstrate communications capability to and from LCRD, which will be located in an orbit that matches Earth's rotation, called a geosynchronous orbit, between the two stations.

The LCRD payload consists of two identical optical terminals connected by a component called a space switching unit, which acts as a data router. The space switching unit is also connected to a radio-frequency downlink.

The modems translate digital data into laser or radio-frequency signals and back again. Once they convert the data to laser light, the optical module will beam the data to Earth. To do so, the module must be perfectly pointed to receive and transmit the data. The controller electronics (CE) module commands actuators to help point and steady the telescope despite any movement or vibration on the spacecraft.

LCRD recently successfully passed a key decision point review and has moved on to the integration and test stage of development, during which engineers will ensure each component will behave as intended after the instrument launches. Launch is scheduled to occur in summer 2019.

The LCRD team is led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Partners include NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and MIT's Lincoln Laboratory.

LCRD is a project within NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate's Technology Demonstration Mission, which performs system level demonstrations of cross-cutting technologies and capabilities and bridges the gap between scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them, enabling robust new space missions like LCRD.

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For more information about NASA's Technology Demonstration Mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/main/index.html

The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program office at NASA Headquarters in Washington provides strategic and programmatic oversight to enable the mission. These capabilities form the backbone of all NASA missions, including LCRD, providing critical connectivity from spacecraft to ground.

For more information about SCaN, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/index.html
The discovery of a new species of hard coral, found on Lord Howe Island, suggests that the fauna of this isolated location in the Tasman Sea off south eastern Australia is even more distinct than previously recognised.

In a recent paper in ZooKeys, Prof. Andrew Baird and Dr. Mia Hoogenboom from James Cook University, Townsville Australia and Dr. Danwei Huang from the National University of Singapore, describe the new species Cyphastrea salae.

"The animal itself is quite non-descript from a distance, although it is beautifully symmetrical up close like most corals," says Dr. Hoogenboom. "But we believe this is the first of many new hard coral species to be found in this World Heritage-listed marine protected area."

Lord Howe Island is famous for its many unique plant and animal species, known from nowhere else on Earth, including at least four species of palms, nine reef fish and 47 algae. However, the coral fauna remains largely unexplored, particularly using modern genetic techniques.

While some of the earliest work on coral reef ecology was done on Lord Howe Island, the species lists were compiled using a morphological taxonomy that has since been revised.

"On my very first dive in the lagoon at Lord Howe I knew I was looking at something very special," says Prof. Baird. "Twenty years of diving all over the globe had not prepared me for what I saw. I could hardly put a name on any coral!"

Now, six years later, and largely due to the molecular skills of colleague Dr. Huang, the team is ready to name its first species.

"Interestingly, Cyphastrea salae looks almost exactly like other closely-related corals. However, its gene sequences are distinct and there is no doubt it is a species that is new to science," says Dr. Huang.

The team now have hundreds of specimens to work through, but they are confident that there are more new coral species left to describe.

"The Acropora, in particular, look highly promisingly," says Prof. Baird. "There are at least five species that look unlike anything I have seen anywhere else in my travels".

Lord Howe Island lies over 900 km south of the next major area of coral diversity, the Great Barrier Reef, and therefore the populations on Lord Howe are highly isolated. Such isolation creates the potential for speciation, however, C. salae is the first new local coral species described to date. The discovery of this new species greatly increases the conservation significance of Lord Howe Island and reinforces the need for strong management measures to protect this unique fauna.

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Original source:

Baird AH, Hoogenboom MO, Huang D (2017) Cyphastrea salae, a new species of hard coral from Lord Howe Island, Australia (Scleractinia, Merulinidae). ZooKeys 662: 49-66. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.662.11454

Additional contact:

Dr. Danwei Huang

Email: huangdanwei@nus.edu.sg
With as many as 140 species, Atractus is the most diverse snake genus in the world, even though it can be found exclusively in Central and South America. However, these colubrid ground snakes seem largely under-researched, since there have been thirty-three species discovered in the last ten years only.

As concluded by a team of scientists, led by Alejandro Arteaga, Tropical Herping, Ecuador, this is the result of a lack of DNA information in the original descriptions of many of these species. Consequently, there have been a lot of specimens sitting in museum collection that remain either misidentified, or anonymous.

To address the issue around the problematic identification of these snakes and their correct placement in the tree of life, the scientists have studied the hereditary molecular differences in the genus using both newly collected specimens, as well as previous publications on the species occurring in the Pacific lowlands and the adjacent Andean slopes.

Their research results in a new paper, published in the open access journal ZooKeys, which describes a total of three new species from Ecuador. The authors also propose a new species group and a redefinition of a previously established one.

Interestingly, one of the new species is to be referred to as Cerberus Groundsnake, while in the books it will appear under Atractus cerberus. It is predominantly brown in colour with faint black longitudinal bands, and measures about 21 - 31 cm in length. The biologists justify the curious name of this species with the peculiar location where they spotted the first known specimen. Found at the gates of the newly formed "Refineria del Pacifico", a massive industrial oil-processing plant, the authors were quick to recall the multi-headed monstrous dog Cerberus, known to be guarding the gates of the underworld, according to Greek mythology.

In terms of their conservation status, the scientists have proposed the Cerberus Groundsnake to be listed as Critically Endangered, according to the IUCN criteria, since its single known habitat is highly likely to be the only one, being isolated from any other similar habitats. Moreover, it comprises a relatively small patch of land, which in turn is declining in both size and quality due to deforestation. According to the IUCN criteria, a Critically Endangered status is given to a (group of) species whenever the best available evidence indicates that it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The other two new species, the Indistinct (Atractus esepe) and the Pyron's (Atractus pyroni) ground snakes are to be listed as Data Deficient as the information about them is currently insufficient for their risk of extinction to be assessed.

Having increased the number of Atractus species in Ecuador to twenty-seven, the authors expect that the count is yet to rise. "We hope that the novel genetic and morphological data provided herein will promote future researchers to examine species boundaries in Atractus, as additional work clearly is waiting," they add.

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Original source:

Arteaga A, Mebert K, Valencia JH, Cisneros-Heredia DF, Penafiel N, Reyes-Puig C, Vieira-Fernandes JL, Guayasamin JM (2017) Molecular phylogeny of Atractus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae), with emphasis on Ecuadorian species and the description of three new taxa. ZooKeys 661: 91-123. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.661.11224
Guidelines to help paramedics make the right decision for older people who have fallen are safe, cost-effective and help reduce further 999 calls, according to new research led by a team at Swansea University Medical School.

Falls are a very common problem in older people, with severe consequences. Many 999 calls are made for older people who fall. Many callers fall more than once.

Approximately 30% of people over 65 living at home fall every year

In the UK, falls account for almost 1 billion of the NHS budget

Around 8% of 999 calls in the UK are for falls

If the person who has fallen is not injured they may be left at home by the ambulance crew, rather than taken to hospital. On average this happens in around 40% of cases currently. In some places ambulance services have made local links with community falls services. However, there is not enough evidence to show whether this is safe, effective for patients or worth the cost.

This is where the Swansea research comes in, part of a project called SAFER 2 (Support and Assessment for Fall Emergency Referrals). The team carried out a large-scale trial to test new guidelines - known as a protocol - for paramedics to use to assess people following a 999 call for a fall. The protocol helps them decide whether they should take the patient to hospital, or leave them at home with a referral to a community-based falls service if appropriate

The trial involved105 paramedics based at 14 ambulance stations, across three UK ambulance services. The team monitored over 4000 people who called for an ambulance after falling.

The research showed that the new protocol:

Was safe and inexpensive

Led to an 11% decrease in further 999 calls by people who have fallen - so there would now be 8 calls for every 9 made previously

Left fewer people without continuing care after their fall

Did not have any wider effects on Accident and Emergency admissions or death rates

Had limited effects on patients' quality of life or satisfaction

Was not used as much or as consistently by paramedics as expected

Professor Helen Snooks of Swansea University Medical School, who led the project, said:

"The findings show that this new way of assessing patients who fall is safe. Ambulance services can introduce it knowing that it does not increase the risk of harm to patients.

We also showed that the protocol was associated with a small reduction in 999 calls from patients who had fallen previously. As costs and pressures are so high in emergency care, even a small reduction can make a big difference."

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Heroin use is associated with excessive histone acetylation, an epigenetic process that regulates gene expression, and more years of drug use correlate with higher levels of hyperacetylation, according to research conducted at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. The study provides the first direct evidence of opiate-related epigenetic alterations in the human brain, indicating that the drug alters accessibility to portions of DNA to be either open or closed, thereby controlling whether genes implicated in addiction are switched on or off.

The Mount Sinai study focuses on epigenetics, the study of changes in the action of human genes caused, not by changes in DNA code we inherit from our parents, but instead by molecules that regulate when, where, and to what degree our genetic material is turned on and off. Histone acetylation of DNA-linked proteins is an essential process for gene regulation by which an acetyl functional group is transferred from one molecule to another, thereby activating gene expression.

To uncover the molecular underpinnings of heroin addiction, the Mount Sinai study team focused on the striatum, a brain region implicated in drug addiction because of its central role in habit formation and goal-directed behavior. Studying postmortem human tissue from 48 heroin users and 37 controls, they found acetylation changes at genes that regulate the function of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that regulates the drug reward system and controls drug-seeking behavior. Specifically, changes were identified at the glutamate receptor gene GRIA1, which has previously been implicated in drug use.

"We hypothesized that the epigenetic impairments uncovered in our study reflect changes that would increase accessibility to DNA that is required to enhance gene transcription that subsequently plays an important role in addiction behavior," says Yasmin Hurd, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of The Center for Addictive Disorders at the Mount Sinai Behavioral Health System, who led the study. "Because epigenetic impairments are physical alterations to the DNA that do not change the sequence of a gene, they have the potential to be reversed, so our next step was to address this possibility."

Using a rat model of heroin addiction, researchers allowed rats to self-administer heroin and observed the same hyperacetylation alterations that were found in the postmortem human brains. The study team then treated the heroin-addicted rats with JQ1, a compound originally developed against cancer pathology, which inhibits the readout of acetylated epigenetic proteins thereby reducing accessibility to the DNA that was previously induced by heroin. The drug reduced heroin self-administration among study rats. Importantly, JQ1 also reduced drug-seeking behavior after abstinence from heroin, suggesting it might be beneficial for long-term heroin users.

"Our findings suggest that JQ1 and similar compounds might be promising therapeutic tools for heroin use disorder," says Dr. Hurd. "Furthermore, the animal model we created that displayed analogous epigenetic impairments related to heroin use will be useful for future studies looking to identify addiction-related changes that translate to the human brain."

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Researchers from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, contributed to this study.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services -- from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.

The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is in the "Honor Roll" of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals."

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Egyptologists at the University of Bonn discovered rock art from the 4th millennium BC during an excavation at a necropolis near Aswan in Egypt. The paintings were engraved into the rock in the form of small dots and depict hunting scenes like those found in shamanic depictions. They may represent a link between the Neolithic period and Ancient Egyptian culture. The discovery earned the scientists the award for one of the current ten most important archeological discoveries in Egypt from the Minister of Antiquities in Cairo.

For more than 100 years, Qubbet el-Hawa (English: hill of wind) has been a magnet for archeology. Over 80 burial mounds have been uncovered on the hill near Aswan in Egypt during countless excavations. The history of this necropolis for the provincial capital Elephantine extends from around 2200 to the 4th century BC. It was an important trading base for Egyptians in Nubia, and their nobles were buried in the burial mounds. Prof. Elmar Edel from the University of Bonn investigated and documented the necropolis from 1959 to 1984. "The majority of the objects in the Egyptian Museum in Bonn come from these field campaigns," reports Prof. Ludwig Morenz, who heads Egyptology at the Bonn alma mater.

A completely new aspect at Qubbet el-Hawa has now been uncovered during an excavation begun at the necropolis in 2015. The team led by Prof. Morenz with Amr El Hawary, Andreas Dorn, Tobias Gutmann, Sarah Konert and David Sabel discovered much older Neolithic rock art from the 4th millennium BC. "Style and iconography provide solid clues when dating these," says the scientist. "It opens up a new archeological dimension". Some of these engravings on the rock wall are clearly Egyptian in terms of iconography and stylistics, while others are clearly pre-Egyptian as regards the presentation method and motif.

The images were pecked into the rock with a hard point and are now barely perceivable due to their considerable age. Only the archeologically precise recording of the traces and the drawing of the outlines revealed the images with noteworthy iconography. The initially confusing-looking arrangement of dots allows three figures to be seen upon closer inspection: a hunter with bow, a dancing man with raised arms and, between them, an African ostrich.

"The archer clearly shows hunting for the large flightless bird, while the man with raised arms can be identified as a hunt dancer," reports Prof. Morenz. The dancer apparently wears a bird mask. The scene is reminiscent of the conceptual world of hunting, masks and shamanism, as known from many parts of the Earth - including of ostrich hunting by what are known as San (bushmen).

Such hunting and dancing scenes are new in Egyptology

"This social practice and the associated complex of ideas have barely been looked at in Egyptology," says Prof. Morenz. Small painted female figures with dancing, raised arms and a bird mask also come from the 4th millennium BC, and some clay masks were discovered a few years ago in the Upper Egyptian Hierakonpolis. These finds show astounding consistency with the rock paintings of Qubbet el-Hawa.

They may represent a link between the ancient Near Eastern and even southern European Neolithic period and Ancient Egyptian culture. "This opens up new horizons for research," says Prof. Morenz. However, the finds need to be investigated more closely. The much older rock art clearly has nothing to do with the necropolis directly and is probably linked to a prehistoric network of trails that also needs to be researched more intensively.

###

Award from the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities

Despite the comparably short excavation time, the discovery by the team of scientists at the University of Bonn has already earned an award: to mark Egyptology day in Cairo, the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Prof. Khaled El-Enany recently honored this mission with the award for one of the current ten most important archeological discoveries in Egypt.

Contact:

Prof. Ludwig D. Morenz

University of Bonn

Department of Egyptology

Tel.: +49-228-735733

E-mail: lmorenz@uni-bonn.de
Many people choose their spouse based on shared values and interests. But in China, another important, relatively unknown factor plays a role: hukou, and it may be contributing to growing socioeconomic disparity in the country's largest city, according to a new UBC study.

Hukou is a household registration system in China that limits access to social benefits largely based on the birthplace of the holder. A UBC-led sociology study, published this week in the Chinese Sociological Review, examines the effect of hukou and education on heterosexual marriage patterns in China's largest city, Shanghai. Residents with Shanghai hukou, for example, have better access to jobs, schools, housing and other opportunities in that city compared to migrants, who are effectively treated as second-class citizens. For migrants, obtaining Shanghai hukou is challenging and rarely successful.

The researchers found that, in Shanghai, local hukou shapes individual marital choices and is considered a valuable attribute in the marriage market.

"When we think about marriage, we often think about love and romance," said Yue Qian, the study's lead author and assistant professor of sociology at UBC. "But in reality, marriage choices are usually filtered by other factors. In this study, we found that hukou has a significant effect."

The researchers used data from a 2013 population survey in Shanghai that asked respondents who were born in the 1980s about their own and their spouses' hukou and education when they first got married. The sample included 1,247 couples.

In cases of hukou intermarriage-- where one spouse has Shanghai hukou and the other is a migrant--couples were more likely to involve a Shanghai husband and a migrant wife (14 per cent) than a Shanghai wife and a migrant husband (six per cent), the researchers found.

Education also proved to be an important factor in marital decisions, with the probability of a migrant marrying a spouse with Shanghai hukou increasing with the migrant's education level.

"It's a bit of a tradeoff," said Qian. "If someone with Shanghai hukou marries a migrant, then their migrant spouse needs to at least have the same or a higher education level. Otherwise, it seems they have nothing to gain economically from marriage."

The findings are important because they reveal how China's hukou system is widening resource inequality between migrants and locals and between the educated and less educated, said Qian. This is especially true in Shanghai where nearly half of the population is made up of migrants.

Qian is now studying Asian immigrants to the United States. Since hukou is similar to citizenship status, she is interested in seeing if similar marriage patterns emerge.

###

The Shanghai study was co-authored by Brown University sociology professor Zhenchao Qian. The researchers began the study at Ohio State University.
Ever wondered what your exes have in common, and how they differ from people you never dated?

The people one dates share many similarities - both physically and personality-wise -- a new University of California study has found.

For observable qualities like attractiveness, similarity emerges because attractive people seduce other attractive people. But, researchers said, for qualities that vary greatly depending on where you live (like education or religion) similarity emerges because educated or religious people tend to meet each other, not because educated or religious people actively select each other.

"Do people have a type? Yes," said the study's primary author, Paul Eastwick, associate professor of psychology. "But sometimes it reflects your personal desirability and sometimes it reflects where you live."

The study was published online this month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology of the American Psychological Association. The article can be found here.

The article, which comprises three slightly different studies, looked at the characteristics of people in more than 1,000 past and present heterosexual relationships. The information was provided voluntarily through social media sites and live interviews in recent years, culminating in 2014.

In one of the studies, researchers found that people's past partners have similar physical qualities. This was true even when the partners were short-term or casual relationships. "...during the partner selection process, people may have difficulty differentiating between partners that prove to be casual and short-term versus committed and long-term," the study said.

While intelligence or educational level also played a role, Eastwick said, it was often related to where the people went to school or the field in which they worked.

"A second study examined the ex-partners of several hundred young adults sampled from schools across the United States. The exes of a particular person tended to be very similar on variables like education, religiosity, and intelligence, but this type of similarity was entirely due to the school that people attended. Within their local school context, people were no more or less likely to select educated, intelligent, or religious partners."

The study differs from most other research on relationships because this study surveys people's relationships over time, not just one committed relationship, Eastwick said.

###

Co-authors were K. Paige Harden, Jennifer A. Shukusky, and Taylor Anne Morgan, of University of Texas, Austin; and Samantha Joel, University of Utah. The research was supported in part by a grant from National Science Foundation.
More than a century of theory about the evolutionary history of dinosaurs has been turned on its head following the publication of new research from scientists at the University of Cambridge and Natural History Museum in London. Their work suggests that the family groupings need to be rearranged, re-defined and re-named and also that dinosaurs may have originated in the northern hemisphere rather than the southern, as current thinking goes.

For 130 years palaeontologists have been working with a classification system in which dinosaur species have been placed in to two distinct categories: Ornithischia and Saurischia. But now, after careful analysis of dozens of fossil skeletons and tens of thousands of anatomical characters, the researchers have concluded that these long-accepted familial groupings may, in fact, be wrong and that the traditional names need to be completely altered.

The classification of dinosaurs dates back to Victorian times. Dinosaurs were first recognised as a unique group of fossil reptiles in 1842 as a result of the work of the anatomist, Professor Richard Owen (who later went on to found the Natural History Museum in London). Over subsequent decades, various species were named as more and more fossils were found and identified. During the latter half of the 19th century it was realised that dinosaurs were anatomically diverse and attempts were made to classify them into groups that shared particular features.

It was Harry Govier Seeley, a palaeontologist trained in Cambridge under the renowned geologist Adam Sedgwick, who determined that dinosaurs fell quite neatly into two distinct groupings, or clades; Saurischia or Ornithischia. This classification was based on the arrangement of the creatures' hip bones and in particular whether they displayed a lizard-like pattern (Saurischia) or a bird-like one (Ornithischia).

As more dinosaurs were described it became clear that they belonged to three distinct lineages; Ornithischia, Sauropodomorpha and Theropoda. In 1887 Seeley placed the sauropodomorphs (which included the huge 'classic' dinosaurs such as Diplodocus and Brontosaurus) together with the theropods (which included T. rex), in the Saurischia. The ornithischians and saurischians were at first thought to be unrelated, each having a different set of ancestors, but later study showed that they all evolved from a single common ancestor.

This new analysis of dinosaurs and their near relatives, published today in the journal Nature, concludes that the ornithischians need to be grouped with the theropods, to the exclusion of the sauropodomorphs. It has long been known that birds (with their obviously 'bird-like' hips) evolved from theropod dinosaurs (with their lizard-like hips). However, the re-grouping of dinosaurs proposed in this study shows that both ornithischians AND theropods had the potential to evolve a bird-like hip arrangement- they just did so at different times in their history.

Lead author, Matthew Baron, says:

"When we started our analysis, we puzzled as to why some ancient ornithischians appeared anatomically similar to theropods. Our fresh study suggested that these two groups were indeed part of the same clade. This conclusion came as quite a shock since it ran counter to everything we'd learned."

"The carnivorous theropods were more closely related to the herbivorous ornithischians and, what's more, some animals, such as Diplodocus, would fall outside the traditional grouping that we called dinosaurs. This meant we would have to change the definition of the 'dinosaur' to make sure that, in the future, Diplodocus and its near relatives could still be classed as dinosaurs."

The revised grouping of Ornithischia and Theropoda has been named the Ornithoscelida which revives a name originally coined by the evolutionary biologist, Thomas Henry Huxley in 1870.

Co-author, Dr David Norman, of the University of Cambridge, says:

"The repercussions of this research are both surprising and profound. The bird-hipped dinosaurs, so often considered paradoxically named because they appeared to have nothing to do with bird origins, are now firmly attached to the ancestry of living birds."

For 130 years palaeontologists have considered the phylogeny of the dinosaurs in a certain way. Our research indicates they need to look again at the creatures' evolutionary history. This is simply science in action. You draw conclusions from one body of evidence and then new data or theories present themselves and you have to suddenly reconsider and adapt your thinking. All the major textbooks covering the topic of the evolution of the vertebrates will need to be re-written if our suggestion survives academic scrutiny."

While analysing the dinosaur family trees the team arrived at another unexpected conclusion. For many years, it was thought that dinosaurs originated in the southern hemisphere on the ancient continent known as Gondwana. The oldest dinosaur fossils have been recovered from South America suggesting the earliest dinosaurs originated there. But as a result of a re-examination of key taxa it's now thought they could just as easily have originated on the northern landmass known as Laurasia, though it must be remembered that the continents were much closer together at this time.

Co-author, Prof Paul Barrett, of the Natural History Museum, says:

"This study radically redraws the dinosaur family tree, providing a new framework for unravelling the evolution of their key features, biology and distribution through time. If we're correct, it explains away many prior inconsistencies in our knowledge of dinosaur anatomy and relationships and it also highlights several new questions relating to the pace and geographical setting of dinosaur origins".

###

The research was funded through a NERC/CASE studentship.

Matthew Baron et al: A new hypothesis of dinosaur relationships and early dinosaur evolution Nature, 23 March 2017 http://nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature21700

10.1038/nature21700

A short video guide has been prepared by the Natural History Museum to accompany this paper: https://youtu.be/BRlktNwTRjE

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/phcw5bjzr4hy9ln/AAC8bfADK0D1bHX9l3c9Najna?dl=0">Drob Box

Paul Seagrove

Research Communications Officer,

University of Cambridge

Tel: +44 (0)1223 765542

Mob: +44 (0)7739 160561

Email: paul.seagrove@admin.cam.ac.uk

About the University of Cambridge

The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 96 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize.

Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, which admit undergraduates and provide small-group tuition, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions.

Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America.

The University sits at the heart of one of the world's largest technology clusters. The 'Cambridge Phenomenon' has created 1,500 hi-tech companies, 14 of them valued at over US$1 billion and two at over US$10 billion. Cambridge promotes the interface between academia and business, and has a global reputation for innovation. http://www.cam.ac.uk

About the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum welcomes more than five million visitors a year and is a world-leading science research centre. Through its unique collection and unrivalled expertise it is tackling the biggest challenges facing the world today.

It helps enable food security, eradicate disease and manage resource scarcity. It is studying the diversity of life and the delicate balance of ecosystems to ensure the survival of our planet. http://www.nhm.ac.uk
CINCINNATI -- Two landmark publications with one or more co-authors from the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute outline a transformative approach to defining, studying and treating Parkinson's disease. Rather than approaching Parkinson's disease as a single entity, the international cadre of researchers advocates targeting therapies to distinct "nodes or clusters" of patients based on specific symptoms or molecular features of their disease.

Alberto Espay, MD, associate professor of neurology at the UC College of Medicine and director of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, is lead author of the publications, which recently appeared online in the journals Nature Reviews Neurology and Movement Disorders.

"The time has come to ask what we should be doing differently," Espay says. "Medical science has made a global investment of $23 billion in therapies with the promise to slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease, and the 17 completed phase III clinical trials have yielded little more than disappointment. We need to ask whether the growing number of failed trials might be explained by our single-target and single-disease approach to drug development."

Espay and his colleagues theorize that Parkinson's is not one disease but rather several diseases when considered from genetic and molecular perspectives. They acknowledge that viewing Parkinson's as a single disorder that predominantly involves dopamine-neuron degeneration has been useful in the development of treatments for symptoms, such as tremor and unstable walking, that touch the vast majority of patients. At the same time, this view has yet to deliver a therapy that is effective in slowing, modifying or curing Parkinson's. One important reason, Espay says, could be that promising molecular therapies have been tested in large clinical trials of people who share the diagnosis of Parkinson's, but not to the specific disease subtype most likely to benefit.

The researchers advocate a "precision medicine" approach that is rooted in systems biology, an inter-disciplinary study that focuses on the complex interactions of biological systems.

"Looking at the disease from a systems biology perspective allows us to recognize that our patients can be divided into subtypes based on genetic, biological and molecular abnormalities," Espay says. "As a result, they will respond differently to different therapies."

Neurologists have long observed the many faces of Parkinson's in their patients. Some progress rapidly in their disease, some slowly. Some develop dementia relatively early, while others do not.

Tests have also revealed that patients develop deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein, to varying degrees in the brain, colon, heart, skin, and olfactory bulb. But while these deposits have been thought to be common denominators in most individuals with Parkinson's, they may represent byproducts of a range of biological abnormalities and may not be the best targets of therapy. "Chasing this tail could prove an elusive target," Espay says.

Toward an Ideal Set of Biomarkers

Espay and his colleagues say the field must work to develop an ideal set of biomarkers. Their sobering conclusion comes after an investment of $45 million by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Espay, the site leader for Cincinnati's portion of the 33-site study, had hoped the effort would help researchers discover biomarkers that would pinpoint underlying disease processes.

The ideal approach, Espay and his co-authors write, would start with "an assessment of biological processes" in large populations of aging individuals. The assessments would capture brain scans, genetic profiles and other biological measurements of healthy and unhealthy individuals over time. Abnormal signals within each of these biological measurements would then be traced to the group of people from which they emerge. In so doing, the field would develop "unbiased biomarkers" that drive the creation of specific disease subtypes.

"This process is the reverse of what we have today, with biomarkers being validated by anchoring them to the patient's observable clinical features, or phenotypes," Espay says.

Espay has likened the situation to an earlier period in oncology, when researchers sought "the cure for cancer." Over a period of decades, cancer researchers evolved away from that blanket focus to an understanding of cancer's profound complexity. They learned to assess a cancer's molecular profile and to target its unique mutation or vulnerability. In so doing they ushered in the age of precision medicine -- the matching of drugs to disease subtypes.

"The neurologist of the future would look very much like the oncologist of the present," Espay says. "The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease will be complete only when a biomarker profiling is capable of identifying the molecular subtypes of disease and suggest a disease-modifying treatment to apply."

###

Co-authors of the Nature Reviews publication are Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD, of the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Anthony Lang, MD, of the University of Toronto. Co-authors of the Movement Disorders article include Aristide Merola, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology and a member of the UC Gardner Center, and Daniel Woo, MD, professor of neurology and a member of the UC Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Espay and co-investigator Hilary Perez, PhD, clinical instructor and research coordinator at the Gardner Center, will lead UC's future efforts in biomarker development in collaboration with the Parkinson Study Group, the largest not-for-profit scientific network of Parkinson centers in North America.
Ancient relative of the lobsters and crabs complete with soft-parts is new to science

An international team of scientists led by the University of Leicester has discovered a new 430 million-year-old fossil and has named it in honour of Sir David Attenborough - who grew up on the University campus.

The fossil is described as 'exceptionally well preserved in three-dimensions' - complete with the soft-parts of the animal, such as legs, eyes and very delicate antennae. The fossil has been determined as an ancient crustacean new to science - a distant relative of the living lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There are about 40,000 crustacean species known today.

The find comes from volcanic ash deposits that accumulated in a marine setting in what is now Herefordshire in the Welsh Borderland.

Professor David Siveter of the Department of Geology at the University of Leicester made the discovery working alongside researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale, USA.

Professor Siveter said: "Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record, and so we can establish it as a new species of a new genus."

"Even though it is relatively small, at just nine millimetres long, it preserves incredible detail including body parts that are normally not fossilized. It provides scientists with important, novel insights into the evolution of the body plan, the limbs and possible respiratory-circulatory physiology of a primitive member of one of the major groups of Crustacea."

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on University College Leicester campus (the forerunner of the University), in celebration of his 90th birthday. Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough; while 'ravitis" is a combination of Ratae - the Roman name for Leicester - 'vita', life, and 'commeatis', a messenger.

Professor Siveter said: "In my youth, David Attenborough's early programmes on the BBC, such as 'Zoo Quest', greatly encouraged my interest in Natural History and it is a pleasure to honour him in this way."

Sir David Attenborough said: "The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment. I was once a scientist so I'm very honoured and flattered that the Professor should say such nice things about me now."

Professor Siveter added: "The animal lived in the Silurian period of geological time. Some 430 million years ago much of southern Britain was positioned in warm southerly subtropical latitudes, quite close to a large ancient continent of what we now call North America, and was covered by a shallow sea. The crustacean and other animals living there died and were preserved when a fine volcanic ash rained down upon them."

The fossil specimen has been reconstructed as a virtual fossil by 3D computer modeling.

###

The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, and was supported by The Natural Environmental Research Council, together with the Leverhulme Trust, English Nature, Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History Invertebrate Paleontology Division. Professor Siveter's coauthors of the paper are Professor Derek Briggs (Yale University), Professor Derek Siveter (Oxford University), Dr Mark Sutton (Imperial College London) and Dr David Legg (Oxford University).
Polymer scientist Alfred Crosby at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is part of a team that recently received a highly competitive three-year, $1 million grant from the France-based Human Frontier Science Program

AMHERST, Mass. - Polymer scientist Alfred Crosby at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is part of a team that recently received a highly competitive three-year, $1 million grant from the France-based Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), which supports teams of scientists from different countries.

Crosby and two others will each receive $350,000 over the three years to explore "universal surface patterning mechanisms in plants and animals," which refers to how the development and growth of tall and narrow nanoscale wrinkles in plants and animals may be related for all living organisms.

Crosby will collaborate with plant scientist and team leader Beverley Glover at the University of Cambridge, U.K., and evolutionary and developmental biologist Michel Milinkovitch of the University of Geneva, Switzerland, an expert in mechanisms underlying life's complexity and diversity. Together they will experimentally study the roles of materials properties and other factors on the growth of wrinkle patterns in both plants and animals.

Glover will focus on measuring patterns on flowers, Milinkovitch will focus on emergent topography in an animal model and Crosby will develop synthetic physical models to help relate and understand the findings from Glover and Milinkovich.

They hope to develop new models that can describe how frictional properties and surface patterns, which play a large role in the display of color, grow and are influenced by both internal and external constraints.

Crosby says, "What an honor it is to receive this and how exciting to work with top scientists in the U.K. and Switzerland to discover new knowledge about possible links in growth mechanisms in both plants and animals and to think about how this new knowledge can help inform the development of bio-inspired materials."

The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is awarding some $30 million to support the top 3 percent of grant applications it receives. Organizers say the 30 winning teams of the 2017 competition for its research grants went through a rigorous year-long selection process in a global competition that started with a record 1,073 submissions in more than 60 countries.

HFSP's collaborative research grants support a broad range of projects with the theme, "complex mechanisms of living organisms," including particular emphasis on cutting-edge, risky projects. The HFSP grant program is the only international program that encourages bottom-up applications from teams worldwide, says Warwick Anderson, HFSPO secretary general.

He emphasizes that "international collaboration in frontier research stands out as a driving force for breakthroughs across the entire life sciences and even beyond which will ultimately turn into benefits for mankind."

In 2012, Crosby and Duncan Irschick, with Walter Federle of the University of Cambridge, U.K., received an HFSP research grant to investigate anatomy and physical mechanisms in animals including geckos who climb smooth surfaces. This research was directly inspired by the theories and principles that were used to develop the new, reusable and very powerful adhesive technology called Geckskin.

###
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Producing sustainable yields in harmony with conserving the rainforest: a win-win for the people of Belize and the world as a whole. This is the lofty goal of a new project led by faculty with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the University of Florida.

As part of the highly competitive Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, faculty with the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the UTIA Office of International Programs will recruit 14 undergraduate Research and Extension Fellows over three years to explore agro-ecological farming. The goal is for the Fellows to increase their understanding of farm and natural systems through the investigation of wildlife, crop, economic, forest and social interactions and to suggest methods for producing sustainable agricultural yields in harmony with conservation.

The faculty involved include Drs. Adam and Emma Willcox, John Stier, David Butler, Don Hodges and Tom Gill of the UT Institute of Agriculture as well as Drs. Bill Giuliano and Michael Andreu, of the University of Florida. The group was awarded more than $281,000 by the US Department of Agriculture to pursue the effort. The funding will provide undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct agriculture, forestry and wildlife research and outreach with farmers and forest managers in the lowland tropical rainforests of western Belize.

Faculty mentors and students will work with farmers in and around the Vaca Forest Reserve, an area of tropical rainforest that is part of the Maya Mountain Massif, the largest continuous forest in Central America and a hotspot for tropical wildlife and biodiversity. The team will be working hand-in-hand with local partners such as the Friends for Conservation and Development, Friends of the Vaca Forest Reserve, Cayo Women for Conservation, the Belize Zoo Tropical Education Center and the Belize Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Ultimately, the research and extension projects will empower local forest and wildlife stewardship. Concurrently, the undergraduate Fellows will learn invaluable skills to become leaders in agricultural and conservation efforts at home in the U.S. and abroad. The Fellows also will increase their intercultural competency, facilitating their participation in the global workforce needed to feed the 7 billion inhabitants of planet Earth in a sustainable and responsible manner. More information is available online at this link: ag.tennessee.edu/international/Pages/NIFA-Belize.aspx.

After the initial faculty mentor visit to Belize in March 2017, Adam Willcox stated, "I am excited to share the vibrant culture and biodiversity of Belize with our undergraduate fellows. It is our sincerest hope that our research and extension can contribute positively to the incredible efforts of our local partners and friends to manage the Vaca forest by supporting local livelihoods concurrently with conservation."

###

This project is supported by the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2016-06392.

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu.
In a vulnerable forest in southeastern Brazil, where the air was once thick with the guttural chatter of brown howler monkeys, there now exists silence.

Yellow fever, a virus carried by mosquitoes and endemic to Africa and South America, has robbed the private, federally-protected reserve of its brown howlers in an unprecedented wave of death that has swept through the region since late 2016, killing thousands of monkeys.

Karen Strier, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of anthropology, has studied the monkeys of this forest since 1983. She visited the reserve -- her long-term study site near the city of Caratinga -- in the state of Minas Gerais, in January of 2017. "It was just silence, a sense of emptiness," she says. "It was like the energy was sucked out of the universe."

Using what in some cases are decades of historical data, Strier and a team of Brazilian scientists focused on studying primates in Brazil's patchwork Atlantic Forest are poised to help understand and manage what happens next. They have never seen monkeys perish in such numbers, so quickly, from disease.

With her Brazilian counterpart Sergio Lucena Mendes, a professor of animal biology at the Universidade Federal de Espirito Santo, and their former postdoctoral researcher, Carla Possamai, Strier is ready to census the monkeys that remain at the reserve, comparing the new data to prior censuses performed in the forest. They also plan to study how the surviving brown howler monkeys regroup and restructure their societies, since their existing social groups have been destroyed.

Strier's study forest, just 4 square miles in size, is a land-locked island of green surrounded by agricultural and pasture lands. How yellow fever showed up here is a mystery, and the monkeys in the forest have nowhere else to go. Less than 10 percent of Brazil's Atlantic Forest remains intact and much of it exists only as small patches in a fragmented landscape.

"I am very surprised at the speed with which the outbreak is advancing through the landscape and by how the virus can jump from one patch of forest to another, even if they are hundreds of meters apart," says Mendes. "It is also surprising that it is spreading across such a large geographic region."

The way yellow fever has spread also concerns Brazilian health officials. As of mid-March 2017, they have confirmed more than 400 human cases of the disease, mostly in Minas Gerais, causing nearly 150 human deaths. The Brazilian Ministry of Health is investigating another 900 possible cases and concern is mounting that it will spread to cities, threatening many more people.

Brazilian authorities also want to protect the monkeys from people who fear the animals may be spreading the disease. "We need to show that they help inform when the virus arrives in a region, because being more sensitive than humans, they die first," Mendes explains.

A dead monkey is like a canary in a coal mine, alerting public health officials that a pathogen may be present, mobilizing preventative and precautionary efforts. So, what does it mean when so many have perished?

"No one really knows the consequences for the other primates or the forest when nearly the entire population of an abundant species dies from disease in just a few months," says Strier. "We are in a position to learn things we never knew before, with all the background information that we have collected."

Nearly two decades ago, Strier helped expand and secure protection for the primates at her study forest, which include four monkey species: the brown howler, the black capuchin, the buffy-headed marmoset and, Strier's animal of interest, the critically-endangered northern muriqui.

It is too soon to say whether the howler monkey population can recover but Strier remains optimistic, in large part because of a career spent studying and helping conserve the brown howler's main competitor, the muriquis. "The muriquis have shown us that it's possible for small populations of primates to recover if they are well-protected," says Strier.

When she first arrived at her study forest, known as RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, there were just 50 muriquis. By September 2016, there were nearly 340, representing one-third of the species' total known population. The animals reside in just 10 forests in southeastern Brazil and nowhere else in the world. Strier's efforts and those of her colleagues have helped restore their numbers.

She is relieved that, so far, the muriquis appear to be less susceptible to yellow fever. "It was really tense -- scary -- to go into the forest, knowing the howlers were gone but not knowing how bad things might also be for the muriquis," Strier recalls.

Her long-term studies have revealed that muriquis have a lifespan of more than 40 years and she has known some of the individual muriquis in the forest their entire lives. Strier can recognize individuals based on natural differences in their fur and facial markings.

Now, in the face of ecological tragedy, she and her colleagues have an opportunity to study how the muriquis adapt in a forest nearly devoid of their competitors.

"It's like a controlled natural experiment, but one you would never plan to do," Strier says. "My happy hypothesis is that the muriquis are out foraging, feasting on all the best fruits and leaves that the howlers used to eat. Will they eat more of their favorite foods, or travel less? Will their social order change? Will they form smaller groups?"

She has documented that kind of behavioral flexibility before. In the late 1980s and early 90s, the muriquis began splitting into smaller groups. In the early 2000s, as their population grew, they began spending more time on the ground, rather than in the trees, often consuming fallen fruits and even half-eaten "leftovers" under the trees.

"I feel like I am 20 years old again" she says. "I have so many questions that are important to answer, for the primates, their Atlantic forest habitat, and for the people that share their world."

###

To raise awareness about and funds for her muriqui project, Strier is working with the Brazilian non-profit that administers the reserve, called Preserve Muriqui, and Global Wildlife Conservation, a Texas-based non-profit dedicated to conserving the diversity of life on earth.
Treatment in the nation's Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) save millions of infants born prematurely every year. But this treatment is not without cost. Painful procedures such as needle pricks can impact early brain development.

In a multi-institution study conducted researchers for the first time have quantified a reduction in electrical activity in the part of the brain that responds to light touch in premature infants in the NICU compared with infants born full-term.

But when premature infants were given more "supportive touch" experiences, including skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding, their brains responded more strongly to light touch, according to an international research team from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Monroe Carell's Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, and Lausanne University in Switzerland.

Their findings, published in the journal Current Biology, suggest ways to support healthy brain development in premature infants in the NICU.

"Parents should know that every minute they hold their baby counts," said first author Nathalie Maitre, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pediatrics, medical director of the NICU Follow-up Program and a principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

In addition, "it is absolutely essential to minimize exposure to painful procedures that infants can often experience during hospitalizations," added Mark Wallace, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School at Vanderbilt and the study's co-senior author with Micah Murray, Ph.D., of the University of Lausanne.

Exposure to painful procedures can impact brain development even when sedatives and analgesics are used. "Until new research can prove which medications work at preventing these changes in brain function, we need to focus on effective non-pharmacological alternatives," Wallace said.

Wallace, an internationally known authority on how the brain processes multi-sensory information, is the Louise B. McGavock Professor in the departments of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychology in the School of Medicine and an investigator of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development.

Sensory processing enables young children to learn from their experiences, and provides the foundation for developing higher-level perceptual and cognitive abilities.

The somatosensory system perceives temperature, the body's position in space, movement and all degrees of touch, from the lightest to most painful. It develops before all other senses. Disruptions in the normal trajectory of somatosensory development including painful experiences can affect socio-emotional development.

"Touch is a critical building block of infant learning," explained Maitre, adjunct professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences and former assistant professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt. "It helps babies learn how to move their bodies, how to discover the world around them and how to communicate with their families."

She and her colleagues have applied methods for objectively measuring sensory processing, including event-related potential (ERP), a type of electroencephalography (EEG), to predict cognitive and communication functioning during early childhood.

In the current study the researchers compared the cortical responses to light touch among 125 premature and full-term infants at Vanderbilt. They found that preterm infants exhibited decreased responses to light touch when they were discharged from the NICU compared to full-term infants and that the decreases were greatest among the most premature.

Promoting optimal development and function may help keep these newborns' brains on track to establish the sensory building blocks of cognition, behavior and communication, the researchers concluded.

###

Other co-authors were Alexandra Key, Ph.D., and James Slaughter, Dr.P.H., at Vanderbilt, Olena Chorna, CCRP, at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Pawel Matusz, Ph.D., at the University of Lausanne.

The study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants HD074736 and HD081120, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Paul Mercier Foundation and Carigest SA.
Urgent economic modelling work should be carried out due to David Davis' statement that the UK Government has done no economic assessment of crashing out of the EU with no deal, the Farmers Union of Wales has warned.

Giving evidence to MPs (Wednesday, March 15), Mr Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, insisted it was not possible to calculate the impact of the Brexit talks failing  adding: I may be able to do so in about a years time.

The Brexit Secretary dismissed the Treasurys pre-referendum forecasts of an economic crash if Britain left the EU with no fresh trade agreement.

However, when he was asked by the chairman of the Brexit select committee, if a new assessment had been carried out, Mr Davis replied: Under my time, no.

The admission came despite Mr Davis ordering Cabinet colleagues to prepare for what is widely seen as the growing prospect of negotiations with EU leaders breaking down.

'Extremely worrying'

FUW President Glyn Roberts said Mr Davis' statement is 'extremely worrying'.

Roberts said: We are about 2 weeks away from triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and our UK Government has no plan as to what will happen if we dont strike a positive deal with the European Union.

If the status quo remains and we continue to have tariff-free access to the EU, then of course there is not much the agricultural sector has to worry about from a trade point of view.

However, if things dont go to plan, and we know that Prime Minister Theresa May has already said she would walk away with no-deal, rather than a bad deal, we will find ourselves operating under World Trade organisation (WTO) rules.

And thats where it gets difficult, as we could face tariffs of up to 40%. Nobody knows what will happen if we dont get a deal. Of course, we can fall of the cliff edge and operate under WTO rules but what will that mean for our economy?

Urgent modelling work

The FUW is advocating 'urgent' modelling work to be carried out to assess the potential impact on how many businesses will go out of business, how many jobs will be lost and how much money the rural economies will be losing out on.

Roberts continued: Both the UK and Welsh Government must do some spade work to assess the situation and explore different options. We have asked for this work to be undertaken even before the referendum result was announced. Comments like those made by David Davis are in that sense extremely unhelpful.

The recent Annual Farm Business Survey tells us that the average farm business income dropped by 23% to 22,000 in 2015-16 compared to the previous year. If we have the nightmare scenario of no access to EU markets that means that, for example, sheep meat producers will lose 35-40% of their market overnight.

That can only cause severe pain to both the farmers concerned and also to other rural businesses. We must develop models to understand that impact. The economic and social cost of some scenarios could be enormous.
In January, the University of Illinois leader of a multi-state soybean research project put out a call to farmers to help gather data for the project. Few participants have signed on, so he is putting the call out again.

We only need two or three producers in each soybean-growing county in Illinois to get the job done, says U of I crop sciences professor Emerson Nafziger.

Nafziger and his team are asking producers to provide information for up to four soybean fields on a simple form (one per crop year, 2014 to 2016), located at http://go.illinois.edu/soy-survey. The form requests about 20 pieces of information for each field, including field location, planting date, variety, and seeding rate. Most farmers will be able to record information for a field in 10 or 15 minutes.

To provide an incentive, anyone who fills out information forms and returns a gift card request form along with the information sheets will receive a $50 gift card.

This project can be described as a search to find what we should work on next with regard to soybean research. The goal is to have thousands of fields in a large database, then to see how soil, weather, and management interact to produce yield, Nafziger explains.

Nafziger encourages FFA and college students to participate, giving them experience with scientific studies and a reward for their efforts.

The more fields were able to get information on, the more useful this effort will be, Nafziger explains. As the largest and best state for soybean production, we are hoping to produce the largest and best set of information of all states involved in this effort.

Farmers who want to participate can fill out the form posted at the link given above, or can contact Nafziger at ednaf@illinois.edu or soyncsrp@illinois.edu to have forms sent by email. The project is also described on the Bulletin.

For more information on University of Illinois Extension programming in Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties, visit our website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ccdms/index.html or call us at 217-345-7034.
Princess Anne has said she would be open to growing genetically-modified (GM) crops on her own land as they have 'important benefits' for providing food.

The Princess Royal also said GM livestock 'would be a bonus'.

Her beliefs puts her against brother Prince Charles, who has long opposed GM food and has said it will cause the biggest disaster environmentally of all time.

Some environmental groups have also remained staunchly against the use of GM crops.

'We have to accept'

Anne, who has farmed on her estate in Gloucestershire since the 1970s, told BBC Radio 4's Farming Today "we have to accept" the process could help production and livestock health.

GM crops are grown widely outside Europe, covering 180m hectares in 2015

She said: GM is one of those things that divides people but surely if we are going to be better at producing food of the right value, then we have to accept that genetic technology is going to be part of that.

I do think that in the future gene technology has got real benefits to offer, which will maybe have an occasional downside, but I suspect not very many, she also said.

Most of us would argue we have been genetically modifying food since man started to be agrarian, but everybody would say it doesnt happen so quickly via conventional selective breeding.

Gene technology has got real benefits to offer," said Princess Anne, who is a working farmer and patron of nearly 50 countryside organisations.

She said gene technology would "maybe have an occasional downside but I suspect not very many".

'Long-term investment'

On the subject of GM livestock, the Princess Royal said: I have rare breed livestock so genetic modification would be a bonus if I could just find a way of making them a little more robust in terms of survivability. In a way that's long-term investment.

GM crops are grown widely outside Europe, covering 180m hectares in 2015, with the US, Brazil and Argentina the leading producers.

In the UK, there have been several trials, including GM wheat, but nothing has ever been licensed.

However, Brexit may open the door for British farmers to grow GM crops, according to plans being drawn up by ministers.

Agriculture minister George Eustice said in a written parliamentary answer that as part of preparations for the EU exit, the government is considering possible future arrangements for the regulation of genetically modified organisms.

But the National Farmers Union has said the UK needs to be 'very, very careful' in developing a policy on GM crops post-Brexit.

NFU's Vice President said: "If the UK takes a pro-GM attitude, where are our exports going to go? If we start to develop a different policy to the rest of the EU, those issues will raise their heads and we need to be very, very careful."
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has told MPs and Peers at Parliament that livestock worrying remains a 'major concern' for the industry.

Farmer and NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe explained the concerns at the APPG Animal Welfare meeting at the House of Lords.

Mr Sercombe outlined how irresponsible dog ownership could have a devastating effect on farmers; livestock, businesses and families.

After the meeting, he said said: We were pleased to be representing farmers views at the APPG meeting.

Livestock worrying is a major concern for our members, from the suffering that is caused to their animals, the stress and upset for the families and the high costs associated with it.

As part of our Love Your Countryside campaign, we have been working with various organisations such as the Kennel Club and Natural England to provide guidance to the wider community about the need to keep dogs under control.

Closing legal loopholes

Mr Sercombe added that the NFU and its members would welcome the new initiative set out by North Yorkshire Police  aimed at closing legal loopholes against dog attacks.

We are fully behind the initiative launched by North Yorkshire police and hope it can identify areas where the law is insufficient and ultimately make sure the police have the tools to address livestock worrying; and to introduce penalties that deter irresponsible dog ownership, he said.

Mr Sercombe added that he believed there was a big issue with under-reporting of the problem and urged farmers to report incidents to police  and for police, in turn, to take them seriously.

Stress and anxiety

Livestock worrying has led some farmers to warn walkers that they will shoot any loose dog which poses a risk to their livestock.

Sheep worrying is causing around 85% of affected farmers to experience elevated levels of anxiety and stress, a survey conducted by the National Sheep Association (NSA) says.

In worst case of sheep worrying in recent history happened in Gloucestershire, when more than 100 sheep were killed in a dog attacked, with polcie describing it as the UK's worst case of sheep-worrying in living memory.

Sussex Police said the sheep, many of them pregnant, had been herded into a tight group against a fence and gate bordering woodland
Following the news that Brazilian meat processors are selling rotten meat, NFU Scotland believes that the integrity of meat being sold in the European and UK market must be protected.

The farming union says Scottish farmers produce beef and poultry to the highest standards.

It says the supply chains can be traced back to the point of production, meaning consumers can be confident of the meat they buy is the freshest and of the highest quality.

It has been claimed this week that some of Brazils biggest meat processors have been selling rotten beef and poultry for years. Much of the meat produced by the companies is exported to Europe and other parts of the world.

NFU Scotland said that countries with lower food production standards must not be given 'unfettered access' to the UK market, particularly as Brexit negotiations move forward.

'Buy fresh, buy quality'

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: The fact that the worlds largest red meat exporter is home to this scandal is a reminder that the best way for consumers to ensure they are buying fresh, quality, and tasty food is to buy food from Scotland which is clearly labelled as Scottish.

Our farmers work hard to meet high quality production standards, and our supply chains are fully traceable. It is important that food is not being imported into our market that is not produced at standards that are equivalent to, or better than, our own.

Looking forward to Brexit, Scottish farmers and crofters need reassurances from the UK Government that it will not negotiate trade deals which trade away our high standards of production and welfare and we will remind them of this at every opportunity.

Equally, we need Brexit to drive the success of our high-quality food. Currently, two thirds of Scottish red meat turnover comes from sales in the rest of the UK because of the high assurance standards associated with Scottish production.

The Ulster Farmers Union has said Brazilian meat imports into Europe should be blocked.
MEPs in Brussels have been warned against 'over-zealous' and 'ill-considered' banning of important pesticides in the European Parliament.

The EU's Agriculture Committee heard the message from one of Britain's leading growers at a hearing on Sustainable Plant Protection.

John Chinn, chairman of the UK's Centre for Applied Crop Science, said the EU was not performing well when approving or banning plant protection products.

He told the hearing: "A failure to distinguish between hazard and risk is an essential part of the confusion about perceived threats from or to our environment; in general hazard identification is easy and often speculative; risk evaluation is generally complex and demanding.

"Rational responses are not invariable. There is an extraordinary disregard for well documented risks while others, of marginal significance, distort public and private spending decisions.

"These factors, coupled with a perverse preference for natural toxicity over synthetic safety, lead to an indifferent performance in risk management in the community."

'Low opinion'

After the hearing, West Midlands Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre said: "It was really good to hear from someone with a wealth of first hand experience, a detailed grasp of the subject and a great deal of common sense - a commodity often in short supply here!

Ms McIntyre said Mr Chinn was very polite and very scientifically precise in his language - but said he made no secret of his low opinion of some large parts of the EU's performance in this area.

"His basic warning was that effective and low-risk products were being denied to farmers when using them would improve food security and benefit the environment," she said.

"He concluded by telling the Committee that with new technologies we can achieve the twin goals of increased agricultural production and an enhanced environment.

"I was pleased that his message chimed so closely with my own recent report on Technological Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture which emphasised the need for innovation, new techniques and scientific advances to be adopted across all sectors of agriculture in order to feed a growing population without damaging the environment."
EFFINGHAM -- Lake Land College is offering two-day Introduction to Concealed Carry classes at Accuracy Firearms in Effingham on April 1 and 2 and May 5 and 6. All classes will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Instructor Dwayne Beccue has designed this class to educate the student about handguns best suited for personal defense, how to carry them safely and how to deploy and use them efficiently in the context of a Dynamic Critical Incident. The class will also cover the laws pertaining to the appropriate and lawful use of carrying handguns in public.

The class satisfies the 16-hour training requirement to be eligible to obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry permit. After completing the class, the student will pay a $150 fee to the state for a five-year period.

The cost is $150 for the two-day class. To register, go to www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn, choose the class date and enroll. Students can also call Admissions & Records at 217-234-5434.

Drop date for a refund is five business days prior to the class. For more information, contact Vivian Bales at 217-234-5087 or email vbales@lakelandcollege.edu.
Grove Township center cancels dance nights

MONTROSE -- Due to health issues, the Grove Township Community Center Dance Nights have been officially canceled.

The Grove Township Community Center Committee would like to thank the members of the Bugger Boys group for the music that they provided. They would also like to thank everyone who came out and attended the dance nights.

If there is any music group that would like to resume the dance nights at the Grove Township Community Center, contact Kim Will at 217-683-2688 or at grovetownshipcommunitycenter@gmail.com.

Embarras Volunteer Conservation Day set

CHARLESTON -- The Embarras Volunteer Stewards will hold a Conservation Day at 9 a.m. Saturday at Lakeview Park for pulling and digging bush honeysuckle and other invasives. Parking for Lakeview Park is at the end of McKinley Avenue in Charleston.

All are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary. Sturdy footwear and gloves are recommended. Tools are provided, but extra loppers and shovels are welcome.

Visit www.embarrasstewards.org for more information. Updates are posted on the group's website. To receive email notifications, contact thorsenhutton@gmail.com.

Professional engineers to sponsor scholarship

DECATUR -- The Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers is sponsoring a $1,500 scholarship to a qualified central Illinois high school senior.

To be eligible, the candidate should be accepted into an engineering college or a junior college with an equivalent engineering academic schedule and are encouraged to have a minimum ACT score of 28 or SAT equivalent. The candidate must reside within the counties of Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, and the southern parts of DeWitt and Logan. The southern parts of DeWitt and Logan counties are defined as including the cities of Clinton and Lincoln and those parts south of Illinois Route 10 east of I-55 and south of 1550th Street west of I -55.

There is no formal application form. Interested high school seniors should submit a brief resume including: interests, organized activities, officer positions, and awards; their school transcript with national testing results; college acceptance notification; a one-page composition describing their interest in engineering; and telephone and email contact information.

The scholarship committee will determine which applicants will be selected to be interviewed for the scholarship. Arrangements will be made for a personal interview with each qualified applicant during the early part of April.

Interested students should submit his/her application to: Willard T. Sudduth, PE, 2360 South Taylor Road, Decatur, Illinois 62521 prior to March 31.




Haiti - Croix-des-Bossales : Fire of the market, a crapulous crime according to Danton Leger





Monday, following a violent fire that devastated the section "fabrics, clothing and meat" of the Croix-des-Bossales market https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20410-haiti-flash-the-clothing-market-of-the-croix-des-bossales-destroyed-by-fire.html a delegation of the Municipal Administration of Port-au-Prince, composed among other of Deputy Mayors: Kettyna Bellabe, Bernard Joseph and the Chief of Staff, Paulson Pierre-Philippe, went to the site for the second time, to assess the extent of the damage.



The Municipal Administration took this opportunity to thank the town councils of Carrefour, Delmas came in reinforcement, and the immediate intervention of the Minustah, which deployed 88 agents, 45 military and five water trucks to contain the spread of this fire.



The delegation expressed its sympathies to the victims, while giving them the assurance that they would stand by their side in these difficult times and that they would do everything possible to accompany them once the extent of the damage had been evaluated.



Of merchants who during a good part of the day, walked through the smoking ruins of the market, with tears in their eyes, not believing for a moment the promises of the officials of the Port-au-Prince Town Hall to accompany them, reminding that it was not the first time that this market was burning and that they were never compensated.



While deploying this tragedy that will affect many merchants of market, the City of Port-au-Prince urges the police and judicial authorities to investigate the fire in order to determine the cause...



A case qualified as criminal, by the Commissioner of the Government Jean Danton Leger, who speaks of "crapulous crime". He announced that he had initiated the public action, noting that warrants had been issued against various market officials and security agents to be questioned at the Public Prosecutor's Office in Port-au-Prince as part of the instruction of the investigation.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20410-haiti-flash-the-clothing-market-of-the-croix-des-bossales-destroyed-by-fire.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - NOTICE : Vandalism and theft to the National Presses of Haiti





Monday, Ronald Saint Jean, the Director General of the National Presses of Haiti notice that "Following the acts of vandalism perpetrated by a group of employees such as boycotting the computer system and the disappearance of thousands of contravention books ordered by the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI), the Directorate General of Haiti's National Press is in the obligation to inform the public in general and its staff in particular that provisional measures are being taken to protect and safeguard sensitive files that it manages for the Republic from its databases.



Pending the completion of the prosecution and administrative and judicial inquiries relating to these cases, and the normal resumption of work, the Genberal Directorate is asking all its employees to stay at home.



In addition, all administrative provisions are taken to ensure the regular publication of the Official Gazette of the Republic 'Le Moniteur' and the safeguarding of the interests of the Institution."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Wyclef Jean arrested briefly in Los Angeles (USA)





On Tuesday, Wyclef Jean was briefly detained by Los Angeles by the police authorities after being mistaken for a suspect in a robbery case. Nicole Nishida, spokesman for the Sheriff's office, explained that Wyclef Jean's car and clothing matched the description of a suspect [a black man] author of a robbery at a gas station...



A check that Jean very badly taken, reacting strongly on his twitter account



"Why am I in Handcuffs!!!!!????? This is what I said to the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department] after they put me in Handcuffs [...] I was asked by the police to Put my hands up. Then I was told do not move. I was instantly hand cuffed before being asked to identify myself.



Nor was I told why I was being cuffed. In the process I said my name and told them they have wrong person.



They proceeded to ignore me and I was treated like a criminal until other police showed up and pointed out they had wrong person.



I am sure no father wants his sons or daughters to see him in Handcuffs especially if he is innocent. As some one who has law enforcers in my family, I was appalled by this behavior of the LAPD. LAPD another case of mistaken identity," ending by specifying "LAPD another case of mistaken identity. Black man with red bandana robbed a gas station as I was in the studio working but im in handcuffs..."



On Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department apologized to Wyclef "It is unfortunate that Mr. Jean was detained for six minutes during this investigation, as he had no involvement whatsoever in this violent crime. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is apologetic for any inconvenience this process caused Mr. Jean."



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Colon Broom Tailored quiz to help get the best recommendations for you and your needs Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, non-GMO All
New Delhi : BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday suggested a plan on the controversial matter of Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid.

The Ram temple should be built at Ram Janambhoomi (birthplace of Ram) while the Masjid (mosque) on the other side of Sarayu river to resolve the Ayodhya issue, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy suggested.

We were always ready. Mandir and Masjid should be built but Masjid should be built on other side of Sarayu river. The Ram Janambhoomi should be entirely for Ram Mandir, he told reporters.

His response came after the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Ayodhya dispute must be settled amicably and all parties must hold discussion out of court to find an amicable solution.

Swamy argued that in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations, mosque is regarded as the place where Namaaz (prayer) is offered and prayer can be offered at any place.

My suggestion is that Masjid be built on other side of the Sarayu river and Ram Janambhoomi be handed over for Ram Temple. We cannot change the birthplace of Ram, but Masjid can be made anywhere, he said.

The BJP leader said he wanted the apex court to suggest the name of a mediator on the issue and hoped that the decision in this regard would be made by March 31.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said that such religious issues can be solved through negotiations and offered to mediate to arrive at an amicable settlement.

The observation came after Swamy sought urgent hearing of the issue.

The Parliamentarian had stated that it has been over six years and the matter needed to be heard at the earliest.

He told the court that he had approached the Muslim community members who told him that judicial intervention was required to solve the matter.

On February 26 last year, the apex court had allowed Swamy to intervene in the pending matters relating to the Ayodhya title dispute against his plea seeking construction of Ram temple at the site of the demolished disputed structure.

Source : Zee News
405 Room Hotel Nikko San Francisco Opens

Hotel Nikko San Francisco, located steps from Union Square in the heart of the city, unveils a sweeping $60 million renovation commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. Following a three-month renovation, spearheaded by Hirsch Bedner Associates, the contemporary and sophisticated interior design elevates the entire guest experience, complemented by the genuine and intuitive service Hotel Nikko San Francisco has long been known for. The new design, which takes inspiration from the Nikko's Japanese heritage and the fluid lines of a traditional kimono, encompasses 405 of 533 guestrooms and suites, structural upgrades to the lobby, public areas, third floor ballroom and meeting spaces, as well as large-scale improvements to the hotel's overall infrastructure and technology.

"We are thrilled to bring travelers a completely reimagined and elevated hotel experience in the center of San Francisco," said Anna Marie Presutti, vice president and general manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco. "When Hotel Nikko San Francisco first opened, it represented the most advanced technological and architectural hotel design available of its time. We are happy to continue that legacy into our 30th year."

Since its launch in 1987 under the ownership and leadership of the Takenaka Corporation, one of Japan's largest architecture and engineering firms, Hotel Nikko San Francisco has embodied a modern Asian-inspired aesthetic taking a nod from its Japanese heritage, while constantly evolving to provide its guests accommodations that service the requirements of today's traveler. In February 2016, the hotel's revamped indoor pool with glass atrium and adjoining outdoor terrace reopened to include an outdoor grass dog run on its fifth floor, making the hotel one of the most pet-friendly properties in not only San Francisco, but also the United States.

As a familiar part of the skyline, Hotel Nikko San Francisco re-emerges as the city's newest destination in time for the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love  the city of San Francisco's biggest cultural movement  making the hotel the ideal accommodation choice for travelers that want to be in close proximity to all of the festivities taking place throughout the year.

Advertisement



The 405 new residential-styled guestrooms and suites are airy and bright with an understated color palate of earthy neutral tones, extending an urban refuge to visitors and creating an elevated contemporary hotel experience in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Living spaces will embody the core of the in-room experience allowing guests to feel at ease with deep seated sofas, plush carpets and quality fabrics throughout. Marble bathrooms with parquet flooring, deep soaking bathtubs and separate oversized showers will create another sanctuary for guests.

The revamped 6,652 square feet ballroom on the hotel's third floor offers a striking new space for large scale gatherings, conferences and events. Focal points include tall metal-cut wall screens with modern Japanese design features, emphasizing the height of the space, and crystal glass drop light chandeliers anchored from the ceiling. The spacious pre-function space offers ample natural light and contemporary art-inspired fixtures and furnishings such as copper finished tables, grey marble worktops and cozy armchairs.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco also offers 20 flexible meeting rooms on its 25th floor overlooking the city with expansive views of the San Francisco Bay. As part of the renovation, the meeting rooms feature the latest in audiovisual equipment for presentations. Additional hotel amenities include a 10,000 square feet health club and fitness center with indoor pools, steam rooms and dry saunas, as well as a 140-seat live music venue and bar.

The hotel's signature restaurant ANZU, led by award-winning Swiss chef and food and beverage director Philippe Striffeler, is also now open. Serving the best in California-inspired Japanese cuisine since 1999, the restaurant is a go-to address for East Asian cuisine enthusiasts. Signature dishes include thinly sliced Wagyu beef cooked tableside on a sizzling Japanese river stone and Misoyaki black cod served with purple yam dumplings, edamame, baby shitake mushrooms and ginger dashi broth.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection. Hotel Nikko is also one of only five hotels in San Francisco on the list of 4 Star Hotels, rated and ranked by the Forbes Travel Guide.
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.
What can an HR director do in this situation? Jose, an engineer for one of the Silicon Valleys fastest-growing tech companies, walked into his company's HR office last week to resign. Hed been anxious and moody the entire week, but the HR director, Stephanie, was shocked when he announced his resignation. After the CIO and the CEO called in a panic, Stephanie finally urged Jose to admit why he wanted to leave: he was planning to move home to Mexico due to fears about the Presidents plan to deport illegal immigrants. While Jose knows his visa affords him a certain amount of security, he said his family members are not as secure, and he cannot risk one of them being deported. He would rather see his family be safely together in Mexico than risk being split up suddenly in the U.S. He was terrified at President-elect Trumps plan to build a wall, and concerned about his familys well-being. While the details were murky, Stephanie sensed that Joses wifes visa had expired or somehow the family was at risk. As anyone in the Bay area knows, retaining talent is one of the key mandates of a fast-growing tech firm. Joses role was vital, and everyone from the CEO to the CIO was panicked at the thought of losing him. Yet like Jose, many employees are fearful of the new administrations plan to deport up to 3 million illegal immigrants and significantly tighten legislation on immigrants. ...
April 5 - 30, 2017World PremiereSan Jose Stage Company and Dublin City Arts OfficeInternational Co-Commissioned Co-ProductionTHE MEMORY STICKBy Donal O'KellyDirected by Tony KellyTickets: https://sjstage.vbotickets.com/event/The_Memory_Stick/14624 Cultures collide when Bridget, a young Chicagoan, meets a Lakota Sioux and a fellow American from New Jersey on an army base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. But it isn't long before they discover they have more in common than expected as secrets are revealed that ultimately turns one of them into a whistleblower suspect. Mystical Native American and Irish history blends magic, politics and realism in this suspenseful examination of the 1916 Easter Rising.Featuring Lyndsy Kail*, John R. Lewis*, Joseph Valdez*.Directed by Tony Kelly, Scenic/Lighting Design by Michael Palumbo, Costume Design by Abra Berman, Sound Design by Steve Schoenbeck, Stage Manager Cirby Hatano*.*Actors appear courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.San Jose Stage Company490 S 1st St.San Jose, CA 95113(408) 283-7142
In His Own Words: Albert Woodfox interviewed by Amnesty Intl. UK by Amnesty UK quotes Albert Woodfox

Amnesty International UK has released a new interview with Albert Woodfox of the Angola 3. Accompanying the podcast interview is a post on Amnesty UK's blog that features an extended statement by Albert Woodfox, entitled: It's a human right to agitate the 'injustice' system. Albert's full statement is featured below.
Proof. Germany tried to overthrow Erdogan

by Arda Demirci Wed, Mar 22, 2017 12:50AM

Some of the previous weeks have been highlighted by a new wave of tensions between Germany and Turkey. Actions of the German government raise a lot of questions, but even now it is clear that they are not just ready to use all the possible options against Turkey  they are already actively doing so.
Update 1.05pm: Wreckage of the rescue 116 helicopter has been found off the county Mayo coast.

The Coast Guard confirmed that the wreckage was found after dives this morning on the sea bed on the Eastern side of Black Rock, at a depth of around 40m.

More dives are being planned for later this afternoon, weather permitting.

A remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) sent down into the water to film a specific area of seabed has confirmed the aircraft is lying about 60m off Blackrock island, off the coast of Co Mayo.

The Sikorsky S92 is believed to have hit the island before crashing into the sea over a week ago.

The remotely-operated vehicle was not able to confirm if the three missing crew are with the wreckage.

A statement from the AAIU said: "The AAIU in consultation with An Garda Siochana, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the GSI and the Marine Institute wish to advise that following initial Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations the wreckage of R116 has been positively located on the sea bed on the Eastern side of Black Rock, at a depth of approx. 40m. Operations are continuing but are weather dependent."

Update 10.25am: A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been deployed again this morning in the continuing search for Rescue 116 and its missing crewmembers.

The ROV was used briefly last night off the County Mayo coast.

Several teams and vessels involved in the operation were on the scene from 5am in preparation for the day's work.

Coast Guard Manager Declan Geoghegan is hopeful the dive teams can begin by tomorrow.

He said: "We decided to deploy shortly after 9am. The weather has moderated and the forecast is looking better for tomorrow and indeed Friday.

Coast Guard members searching the coast last week. Pic: Keith Heneghan

"So, hopefully we will be able to get some information from the ROV and maybe later tomorrow and Friday look at putting a dive team in situ."

Mr Geoghegan said the last two days involved detailed analysis of sonar and scans, weather, sea and swell patterns to build up a picture of the target area.

"They are looking at a specific area. They feel they have identified it from the best signals in relation to the hydrophone and the signals from the black box," he said.

The Granuaile is using Holland I and Holland II ROVs from the Marine Institute and the Irish Naval ship LE Eithne is coordinating the recovery operation with the support of the Irish Coast Guard, gardai, the RNLI and fishermen with local knowledge of conditions.

The Irish Lights Vessel is primarily used to place and service the 150 buoys offshore Ireland.

It has a heavy-lifting crane as well as dynamic positioning technology, which allows it to remain in the same spot on the surface, much like an aircraft would hover, so divers or remote operated vehicles can be put into the ocean.

The underwater terrain, part of the lighthouse rock and dangerous underwater currents in the area are adding to difficulties around Blackrock but the forecast is for fair to moderate until the weekend with swells easing.

The ROV will be attached to the ship by cables and has the ability to send back live pictures.

Dive teams remain on standby but currents in the area around the island will determine how long the ROV can stay in the water and whether divers can be deployed.

The search site is a 100m by 100m of ocean beside Blackrock which was scanned over the weekend using sonar.

Signals from the black box are still being emitted from the area.

the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has said it believed the tail of Rescue 116 hit rocks on the western end of the island, about 13km off the Mayo coast as it returned from supporting a rescue mission to refuel at Blacksod.

There was no indication of any danger moments before the Sikorsky S92 vanished, with the crew's final transmission: "Shortly landing at Blacksod."

Relatives of the missing crew and local people and others involved in the search mission held a candlelight vigil down on the shoreline near Blacksod on Tuesday night.

Update 8.05am:Search teams looking for the crew of Rescue helicopter 116 will meet this morning to decide their next move.

It is after they managed to get a remotely operated vehicle into the water off Mayo last night to gain a better view of the crash site.

On Monday the Air Accident Investigation Unit confirmed the helicopter had struck Blackrock Island.

Manager of the Irish Coast Guard Declan Geoghegan has said it is slow progress - but progress nonetheless.

We're meeting this morning and then we will deploy both teams, the naval team and the Marine Institute. The Granuaile should be out there in a couple of hours.

We will hopefully have a better result with the weather abating today.

Earlier: The Coast Guard have said their search efforts to find their missing helicopter are working.

Three crewmen are still missing since the Rescue 116 helicopter crashed off the coast of Mayo on March 14. Captain Dara Fitzpatrick died in the crash and was buried last week.

Poor weather has hampered search efforts but late last night rescuers managed to get a remotely operated vehicle into the water off Mayo to gain a better view of the crash site.

Manager of the Irish Coastguard Declan Geoghegan outlines what happened.

Late last night we got to deploy the ROV(remotely operated vehicle) just off Blackrock with Granuaile, the naval team and the Marine Institute. The current was quite strong there and we didnt deploy it for a long period but it proved that the operation is working.

It comes after the Air Accident Investigation Unit confirmed on Monday the helicopter had struck rocks around Blackrock Island.
In Person Mon State Speaker: Our Challenge is That Parliamentarians Only Have Pen and Paper

Mon State parliament speaker Daw Tin Ei at her office in the state parliament in Moulmein, Mon State. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy

MOULMEIN, Mon State  Mon State parliament speaker Daw Tin Ei told Irrawaddy reporter Nyein Nyein what the regional parliament had achieved in its first year, and what it will be working towards in the new parliamentary session.

With regards to the Moulmein-Chaungzon bridge, the Union Parliament approved the new namethe Gen Aung San Bridgedespite local objections. Do you think the bridges name should reflect the desires of local people?

I prefer not to answer that question. I have listened to peoples voices throughout the region every day. In the meantime, the Lower House proposed [and debated and approved] the name. I would not like to comment on it.

The people of Mon State have submitted an objection letter to both state and Union parliaments with regards to the bridge. Is there anything you can do for them?

Their letters of objection on renaming the bridge arrived before it was discussed in the Lower House. At that time, our parliament was in recess and we could not do anything. Then the Lower House approved the motion and thus we could not do anything about it.

Is there anything you can do within the law?

Regarding this issue, there is no legislation. Locals have the right to demonstrate. So we, the state parliament, will not favor either sidethe people or the government.

What challenges have you faced as speaker of the parliament?

Our parliament has three key responsibilities: to legislate, to oversee the governments activities, and to listen to the people. We have served to the best of our abilities since the Mon State parliament started in February 2016.

Our township representatives have listened to the voices of locals, on what they need and what they want the government to do. We have parliamentary affairs committees to tackle their complaints, as well as six other committees on ethnic affairs, legislation, economic projects, budget assessment, environmental preservation and protection, and a lawmaker scrutiny committee. We have a total of 21 lawmakers, including the speaker, deputy speaker, and military appointees, in the Mon State parliament. We all have different tasks at the parliament. The committee dealing with complaints has the most work to do.

In our area, land disputes are a major problem. Cases have occurred in the last decade or two in which people said things like: our land was confiscated to build a hospital, but nothing was built and our land was never returned. We have to solve these issues one by one.

Our challenge is that parliamentarians only have pen and paper, we do not control the ministries and departments. We have to go to the areas and investigate whether the claims are true. We listen to both sides and categorize the issues and send that to the state government. But most of the time we do not receive a reply from the state government. They may have reasons for this, but we cannot serve the people fully. This is our challenge.

We also regularly urge the government to answer our questions; which is one of their pledges they made to the parliament. For the last year, the state government has been weak in following the parliaments rules. Therefore, we cannot serve our public one hundred percent.

What motions and bills are scheduled to be discussed in this parliamentary session?

We sent our proposed motions and bills to the state government 15 days before parliament resumed on March 15.

In this session, we will focus on our budget proposal. The state government will propose the state budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. We will discuss and pass a bill to approve the budget.

The government will also submit proposals related to other local projects. I think they will also submit a bill on salt farming and the Mon State auditor general will submit its report. As stated in the Constitution, the Mon State government will also submit its bi-yearly report to the parliament.

What bills is parliament drafting at the moment?

Our parliament passed the small- and medium-project electricity law in early 2017.

We are now drafting the Mon State Municipal Law [amendment bill], which was originally enacted on Dec. 29, 2015. We reviewed whether it is still relevant and how much it has benefited people. We have been reviewing it for almost nine months. We listened to people from all ten townships in the two districts of Mon State, including the perspectives of civil society groups.

We gave it time, as we wanted a strong law. We also listened to the state chief of justices view on the punishment section of the bill regarding the actions municipal officers can take against those who do not comply with the regulations.

What is the state parliament doing to help to protect the victims of child rape?

Regarding the protection of women, children, and migrants, we do not have specific state laws. But we cannot ignore these issues. While the police take control of security, civil society groups, political parties, and parliamentarians need to keep our eyes on the situation. We are trying to prevent these cases as well as improve protection.

Is the parliament working on any draft bills to do with the economy in Mon State?

We are in the process of reviewing the existing laws, to decide whether they really are benefiting the public. Currently, we are following previous legislation. In our second parliamentary session, we enacted an [economy] bill, but we are still working on the municipal bill.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

All the elected parliamentarians in Mon State are trying to fulfill the needs of the publicto let them live peacefully as well as create more job opportunities. We always listen to the peoples voices, so any future laws will also be centered on the publics needs.
Asia Beset by Delays, Burma-China Oil Pipeline Nears Start-up

A jetty for oil tankers in Kyaukpyu Township, Arakan State in 2015. / Reuters

RANGOON & BEIJING, China  Nearly a decade in the making, a project to pump oil 770 kilometers (480 miles) across Burma to southwest China is set for imminent start-up, with a supertanker nearing the port of Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, marking the opening of a new oil trading route.

Dogged by sensitive relations between Naypyidaw and Beijing, the US$1.5 billion oil pipeline has been sitting empty for two years, but the two sides are now close to a deal, said Burma-based government and industry sources, despite some last-minute tensions.

An agreement between Chinas PetroChina and Burmas government will allow the state energy giant to import overseas oil via the Bay of Bengal and pump it through the pipeline to supply a new 260,000-barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery in landlocked Yunnan province.

The new oil gateway fits with Chinas One Belt, One Road ambitions, linking it with central Asia and Europe, and will provide a more direct alternative route to sending Middle Eastern oil via the crowded Malacca Straits and Singapore.

It would also be a rare win for China in Burma after a diplomatic offensive aimed at forging better ties with its resource-rich neighbor, which has often been wary of Beijings economic clout.

Aung Myat Soe, deputy director of planning under the state-owned Burma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), said the project was awaiting a final sign-off by the Minister of Electricity and Energy.

Major issues including transport tariffs and Burmas tax take on the oil have been settled, but port fees have yet to be finalized, said a Burma-based industry source familiar with the matter.

The two sides are working to finalize the terms and sign the contract, the person said, declining to be named as the information is not public.

I cant say for sure when the deal would be sealedit could be in a couple of days or early April.

The pipeline will have an eventual capacity of 400,000 bpd, about 5 percent of Chinas daily import demand, but the start-up of the Yunnan refinery has been held up as PetroChina and Burma negotiated final terms for delivering the oil.

PetroChina plans to start test production at the refinery in June, aiming to expand its foothold in Chinas fuel-short southwest which has so far relied largely on rival Sinopec for supplies, said two Beijing-based oil officials familiar with the Yunnan refinery.

Before then, PetroChina is expected to purchase another 7 million barrels of crude for the pipeline, to stock up fuel for about one months production at its new refinery, said one of the officials.

Squabbling Neighbors

While the deal is still to be finalized, oil is already on its way to supply the pipeline, straining relations with Burma.

Shipping data in Thomson Reuters Eikon shows the oil tanker United Dynamic, carrying one million barrels of Azeri crude, is currently off the coast of southern India and expected to unload its cargo at Kyaukphyu this week.

A Burma government official said there had been a big argument with the Chinese over the move to ship in crude before the contract was finalized, while a second official said the entry of the tanker was pending approval from Burmas navy.

PetroChina did not respond to requests for comment.

Any delay would be costly for the oil shipper, which is carrying crude worth over US$50 million and which has a daily tanker charter cost of nearly $20,000, excluding fuel and crew costs.

The deal is also controversial in China as it has been tainted by a graft probe into PetroChinas ex-chairman Jiang Jiemin, a supporter of the project.

Critics have raised concerns about the economic viability of the project, which also includes a natural gas pipeline, which was touted as providing strategic new channels for Chinas energy needs.

At the same time, the prolonged squabbling over key features of the deal, first discussed back in 2004, has soured Chinese enthusiasm for the project.

There are open questions about the economics and future cooperation with Burma, given the repeated delays and under-utilization, noted a senior PetroChina official who requested anonymity as hes not authorized to speak to press.
Asia Burma Praises China for Suspending Rebels Bank Account

The logo of the Agricultural Bank of China is seen inside a business building in Beijing, China. / Reuters

RANGOON  Burmas government praised China on Wednesday for suspending a Chinese bank account used by ethnic rebels fighting the Burma Army, in a move to prevent potential damage to diplomatic ties.

Reuters has revealed that an ethnic rebel armed group fighting government forces near the Chinese border had been openly soliciting funds via Chinas giant state-owned lender Agricultural Bank Of China (AgBank).

Burmas peace process  started under the previous semi-civilian administration  has lost momentum after Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in 2016, with some of the militias accusing her of a one-sided approach and refusing to join a major peace conference.

Relations with China have been strained by the ethnic conflicts spilling over the border, and some observers say Beijing uses ethnically Chinese insurgent groups as a means of leverage over Burma.

The decision to suspend AgBank was welcomed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government.

We appreciated this action. Stability and peace in border area is common interest for both sides, Burmas presidential spokesman, Zaw Htay, told Reuters. [It was a] very positive move from China.

Zaw Htay shared the Reuters story on his widely-followed Facebook page and Twitter accounts, tagging key negotiators in Burmas peace process.

Over nearly two years, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) raised more than US$500,000, deposited directly in an AgBank account or sent it via two mobile payment services  Tencent Holdings WeChat Pay and Alipay, part of Ant Financial, which is affiliated with US-listed Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

The account was suspended over the weekend, shortly after Reuters had sent AgBank a list of questions regarding the transactions, which compliance experts said could point to a weakness in controls aimed at stopping the global financial system being used to fund terrorism or facilitate crime.

There is no evidence that Agbank, or other financial entities that handled transactions for the MNDAA, have broken Chinese law.

Earlier this month, insurgents from the predominantly ethnic Chinese MNDAA attacked government troops in northeastern Burma. Some 20,000 people fled across the border to China to escape the fighting, prompting Beijing to call for a ceasefire.

In a rare move, Burma army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing disclosed on his official Facebook page that he had summoned the Chinese ambassador and defense attache on Tuesday to discuss the conflict, and how to cooperate to bring about peace and stability.
Burma Analysis: State Medias Untold Stories

Mondays newspapers: private dailies (top) run the bridge name protest in Mon State on their front pages, and state-run papers (below) do not / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  When asked last year about new policies to be put into practice under his ministry, Burmas Information Minister U Pe Myint was quite upbeat. He said that the state media would no longer solely provide information about the government but would also publish and broadcast the publics responses and views.

There are many different points of view among the public. There are some who agree with government policies and some who may not. If we can make space for them, the government media could hopefully be as interesting as private media. We are planning to do that, the minister said in June of last year, regarding his ministrys 100-day plan. It was two months after the National League for Democracy (NLD) had taken office after a landslide electoral victory in 2015, with the campaign slogan time to change.

But U Pe Myints mission for change has not been completed, even as the NLD government is about to complete one year in office at the end of this month. The three state-run newspapersThe Mirror, Myanma Alinn Daily and The Global New Light of Myanmarunder U Pe Myints control have still failed to report on some major news events that made national headlines in private dailies.

When thousands of local people in Mon State took to the streets on Sunday to object to the governments plan to name a bridge there, none of the governments media outlets reported the news. The protest may have been the biggest so far to against the elected government.

A few days prior to the Mon State demonstration, several hundred students from Rangoons University of Nursing staged a protest against the governments policy of issuing nurse and midwifery licenses only after years of public service post-graduation. As the largest student-led demonstration under the NLD government thus far, the health minister was required to fly back from an overseas trip to settle the case.

But readers woke up to find nothing about the protest in the government newspapers next day. Were it not for social media and private dailies, people across Burma would not have even known it had occurred.

There are many more stories which have been neglected by the Ministry of Informations media outletsincluding labor strikes, protests against the issuing of National Registration Cards in northern Arakan State, and the State Sangha Councils ban on sermons by nationalist monk U Wirathu.

U Khin Maung Kyaw Din, the editor-in-chief of The Mirror, told The Irrawaddy that an editorial board decides the content of the paper. He said news of both recent protests in Rangoon and Mon State was omitted but because the reporters filed the stories late, and not because they were about protests against the government.

When they filed, the stories had [already] been splashed across the front pages of private dailies. Thats why we left them out, the chief editor said on Tuesday.

He also defended the state medias practice of prioritizing news related to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Htin Kyaw.

When asked why government newspapers had failed to reform as Minister U Pe Myint had promised, U Khin Maung Kyaw Din blamed it on low capacity.

We also have to inform [the public] of what the government is doing. At the same time, we lack human resources, and the reporters lack capacity as well. We are upgrading them. There will be more change.

Irrawaddy reporter San Yamin Aung contributed to this report.
Burma By-Elections Stir Up Regional Controversy

An election campaign in Mon State in 2012. / Reuters

RANGOON  By-elections around the country scheduled for April 1 have highlighted regional power imbalances and differences between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and local ethnic parties.

Nineteen seats are up for grabs nationwide: eight in Shan State; five in Rangoon; one each in Chin, Mon, Karenni and Arakan states; and one each in Pegu and Sagaing.

The NLD staged an election campaign in Mon State on March 21-22, where recent protests saw thousands of Mon locals in opposition to the Union governments naming of a local bridge after independence hero Gen Aung San, ignoring the wishes of many in the local ethnic community.

An NLD candidate from Mon States Chaungzon Township says he is confident in a win.

When I look at the faces of my supporters, I am sure that I will win, he said, adding that he did not think the recent dispute would affect election results.

There are three other candidates, two from different Mon political parties and one from the Union Solidarity and Development Party. They are contesting a seat in the Lower House.

The region is ethnically divided: the northern part of Chaungzon Township is a majority ethnic Mon, while the south is a mixture of Burman and Mon people.

Nai Win Thut, a Chaungzon candidate from the All Mon Regional Democracy Party said the result could not be predicted at this point.

It is a matter of balancing power in the region, he said, adding that he expected to receive more Mon votes due to the ill will the NLD had stirred up during the bridge controversy.

He added that even local NLD members were unhappy because the NLD headquarters selected a different candidate than the one proposed by locals.

They are divided within the NLD, said Nai Win Htut.

But, locals say that ethnic Mon have divided the votes as well by putting forward two separate Mon candidates.

Some community leaders, including leading youth from the Mon Youth Forum, encouraged locals to consolidate the ethnic vote behind Nai Win Thut.
MATTOON -- The City Council heard a report Tuesday night about the Mattoon Police Department receiving a donated dog for its new canine unit.

Police Chief Jeff Branson said the new canine unit has been necessitated by the upcoming retirement of one of the department's canines, a German shepherd named Goro whose handler is Sgt. Ryan Hurst.

Branson said Springfield area dog trainer John Haubersburk, who is a retired canine unit officer, has stepped forward to donate a dog to the Mattoon Police Department. He said Officer Devin Patterson will serve as the handler of this dog, a Malinois named Bane.

The Mattoon Police Department's new dog is valued at approximately $9,000. Branson said the donation of Bane will enable the department to put money that had been set aside for purchasing a dog toward new uses in equipping the canine unit.

In addition, Branson said the Charleston Police Department has arranged to have one of its canine handlers, Sgt. Heath Thornton, train Officer Patterson and Bane. He said this move will reduce costs for the new canine unit, which would otherwise need to travel to a training site outside of the area.

"Canine units are an outstanding asset," Branson said after the council meeting.

The canine units carry out law enforcement tasks such as searching buildings and sniffing out illegal drugs during traffic stops, Branson said. These well-trained and well-behaved dogs also help with community outreach by going with their handlers to visit children at local schools, he said.

Bane is scheduled to arrive in Mattoon next week and begin training soon afterward for replacing Goro following his May 1 retirement, Branson said. He added that the Mattoon Police Department's other canine unit, Officer Ryan Koop and Brix, will remain on duty.
Burma Despite Ban, U Wirathu Vows to Continue Silent Sermons

U Wirathu sits with tape covering his mouth during his silent protest in Einme Township on Saturday evening. / The Irrawaddy

MANDALAY  Despite an official one-year ban on delivering his public sermons, nationalist Buddhist monk U Wirathu has said he will continue his silent protest, which he believes does not violate the gag order put forward by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee (Ma Ha Na).

On March 11, U Wirathu livestreamed a video to his Facebook page of him sitting on a plinth in Irrawaddy Divisions Thee Kwin village with tape over his mouth, while a recording of one of his older sermons played from a CD player for a crowd of some 500 people.

The rules of the statement say I must not give sermons in public. The silent sermons didnt break any rules or laws, because I didnt speak or give a sermon. I can carry on the silent sermons in the future, U Wirathu said, in reference to the order from Ma Ha Na, which was handed down in order to halt religious hate speech.

The Mandalay divisional Buddhist authority officially informed U Wirathu on Sunday of the statement banning him from public sermons for one year. He said monks from the religious authority did not mention if action would taken against him for his silent sermons.

There are news reports which said that Ive been warned by the divisional Sangha Nayaka and that a notice would be given if I carry on the silent sermons. None of it is true, he said. The monks just informed me about the statement and read it out at our meeting.

The statement was released on March 11, but U Wirathu was traveling at the time, and was therefore officially informed of the ban later.

The nationalist monk has held three silent protest events in Irrawaddy Division, Kachin State and Mandalay Division. Condemnation and criticism of the events flared on social media, as netizens questioned the silence of the national Buddhist authorities and urged government authorities to take legal action against U Wirathu in order to stop spreading hate speech.

U Wirathu heads the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion and is known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric.

U Aung Ko, the Union minister of religious affairs, told media representatives in Naypyidaw last week that the matter of U Wirathu would be handled carefully, and said that taking pre-emptive action could stir up problems.
Burma Myanmar Now Journalist Faces Another Lawsuit

Myanmar Now chief correspondent Ko Swe Win. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  A Rangoon resident filed a lawsuit against Myanmar Now chief correspondent Ko Swe Win on Monday  the second he has faced this month  accusing the reporter of insulting Buddhism.

Kyimyindaing Township resident Ko Thet Myo Oo, who described himself as an active nationalist and Buddhist in The Standard Time Daily, asked Kyauktada Township court to charge Ko Swe Win under a suitable provision of Burmas Penal Code.

Ko Thet Myo Oo accused Ko Swe Win of insulting Buddhism during a press conference at the Myanmar Now office on March 8, according to Ko Swe Wins legal advisor U Khin Maung Myint.

The reporter held the conference to address another charge brought against him under Article 66(d) of Burmas Telecommunications Law on March 7 by Mandalay resident U Kyaw Myo Shwe, a follower of ultranationalist monk U Wirathu, who claimed the chief correspondent insulted the monk in a Facebook post.

From the press conference, local media quoted Ko Swe Win as saying: They say [my post] is defamatory, but does [U Wirathu] have the dignity to be defamed? He is endlessly cursing across the country. Does this person have dignity?

On his Facebook, Ko Swe Win shared a Myanmar Now news story that stated that U Wirathu was no longer in the monkhood as he had thanked the assassins who killed National League for Democracy legal advisor U Ko Ni.

The Myanmar Now story quoted a senior abbot who said thanking and encouraging murder was an unforgivable offense in the monastic practice.

According to local media, Ko Thet Myo Oo said, I sued him because he deliberately said those things about Ma Ba Tha [the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion] to damage Buddhists respect for those senior monks and to lead followers of other religions to look down [on Buddhism].

Ko Thet Myo Oo attempted to file a complaint at Kyauktada Township police station on March 19, but police told him to file the lawsuit at a court.

Kyauktada Township court accepted the complaint, assigning the police station to verify the accusations and report back on April 3.

The judge will either dismiss the case or issue an arrest warrant for Ko Swe Win depending on the police report, explained U Khin Maung Myint. If he is charged, the case doesnt allow Ko Swe Win to apply for bail so he will have to face trial in custody.

The legal advisor added that he reviewed Ko Swe Wins words at the press conference and found nothing that insulted Buddhism. He has submitted a report to the Myanmar Press Council about his findings, he said.

Ko Swe Win has hired lawyer U Kyi Myint to prepare for the possible trial.

The latest lawsuit follows an incident on the evening of March 14 in which three men in Rangoons Sanchaung Township threatened Ko Swe Win, who then opened a case against the assailants in Sanchaung court.
Burma New Mon State Party Likely to Sign NCA

The New Mon State Party meets with civic leaders in Moulmein, Mon State. / Minmin New / Facebook

RANGOON  The New Mon State Party (NMSP) is likely to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) despite waning enthusiasm for the agreement in the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), of which the NMSP is a member.

We are considering whether to sign the NCA and are collecting ideas from [local] people, said NMSP spokesperson Nai Win Hla after a meeting between NMSP members and community leaders, including Buddhist monks, in the Mon State capital Moulmein (Mawlamyine) on Wednesday.

He said the NMSP would continue to stand together with other ethnic armed groups to move forward with political negotiations with the central government in order to solve conflict. The Burma Army has long pressured the NMSP to sign the NCA.

The UNFC, however, is divided on the NCA: armed groups in the north of Burma, including the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Army-North, and the Northern Alliance, have denounced the agreement; while the NMSP and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) further south have made steps towards signing.

The UNFCs Delegation for Political Negotiation previously issued a nine-point proposal, including eight demands, which, when met, would lead to the ninth pointthe signing of the NCA.

In February, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) led a call to shun the NCA after hosting a three-day meeting of seven ethnic armed groups in Panghsang, capital of the Wa region in eastern Shan State.

The UWSA instead put itself forward to head a political team tasked with negotiating with the central government directly, outside of the NCA framework.

The NMSP also relies on good relations with larger ethnic armed group neighbor the Karen National Union, which signed the NCA in October 2015.
Burma Parliamentary Committee Contests Full Citizenship for Maungdaw Muslims

Sittwe residents protest against immigration officials in Arakan State on Sunday. / RPL / Facebook

RANGOON  A seven-member investigation committee from within the Arakan State parliament criticized the township level National Verification Card (NVC) securitization body, for, as they said, wrongly issuing full citizenship to Muslims in Maungdaw District.

The body reportedly issued pink ID cardsdenoting full citizenshipto 22 Muslims, and offered naturalized citizenship to 37 others.

There are an estimated 1 million Muslims in the region who self-identify as Rohingya and who are today largely stateless.

In early 2017, the state parliament received complaint letters on the issue of citizenship verification in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships, and formed an investigation committee to look into the allegations.

The investigation committee is led by the Arakan National Partys (ANP) regional parliamentarian U Tun Aung Thein, of Buthidaung Constituency (2). Only one member of the committee is from the ruling National League for Democracydivisional legislator U Win Naing of Thandwe Constituency.

The team spent three days in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in February, but U Win Naing did not join the trip, according to U Tun Aung Thein. The investigation committee submitted their findings to the Arakan State parliament on Monday, with members denouncing the pink cards handed out as invalid. Parliamentary debate on the issue is scheduled for Thursday.

Burmas current citizenship law, established in 1982 under the former military regime, recognizes three categories of citizenship, each with diminishing rights: full, naturalized and associate. The law states that applicants whose families were already in Burma on Jan. 4, 1948the day of Burmas independence from Britainwould be recognized as Burmese citizens.

Yet U Tun Aung Thein maintained that the 1982 law does not state anything about full citizenship, in reference to the Muslim community in question. Many within the Buddhist Arakanese community, and in Burmas government, describe the self-identifying Muslim Rohingya as Bengali, implying that they are migrants from Bangladesh.

Another ANP committee member, U Kyaw Zaw Oo of Sittwe Constituency (2), said that Maungdaws Muslims who can demonstrate that their families were in Burma prior to its establishment as an independent state in 1948, could apply to the central body for naturalized citizenship with evidence as such. Yet this documentation can be difficult to come by, and this level of citizenship does not allow individuals to own land, form political parties, or act as civil servants.

Applications for associate citizenshipfrequently described by critics as a second-class form of citizenshipare examined by the central body. It is typically designated to residents who had previously applied for citizenship under the Citizenship Act of 1948, prior to the introduction of the 1982 law.

U Kyaw Zaw Oo said they had observed a reckless sign-off on approval of full citizenship pink cards to Muslim applicants in Buthidaung. He and U Tun Aung Thein alleged that the orders came from the national level.

The Union government is responsible for this project, U Tun Aung Thein said.

Hundreds of Buddhist Arakanese residents of the Arakan State capital of Sittwe staged a protest on Sunday against the issuing of full citizenship to Muslims in Maungdaw.

In June 2016, in order to accelerate the issuance of NVCs in Arakan State, the Union government formed a body with six officials and ministers; led by U Thein Swe, minister of Labor, Immigration and Population.

The ANP repeatedly accused the previous ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party of granting citizenship documents to more than 900 naturalized citizens, and full citizenship to nearly 100 Muslims in Arakan States Myebon Township.

The ANP again criticized immigration officials last August, when, out of 31 Muslim applicants from Buthidaung, two to three were granted full citizenship.

Representatives from the immigration offices could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

NVCs have been delivered to around 6,200 of nearly 397,500 people who returned the white cards they once held. White cards had denoted temporary citizenship and were abolished by ex-President U Thein Seins government in 2015.
Burma Police Hunt Suspects of Violent Robbery in Downtown Rangoon

The New Wave Services Co. office in downtown Rangoon / Naing Lin Soe / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Police are searching for two suspects in connection with a violent robbery at a company office on 50th Street in downtown Rangoons Botahtaung Township at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

U Min Swe, the 60-year-old owner of New Wave Services Co., was stabbed in his arm and thigh as robbers made off with cash and jewelry from the office.

Neighbors were made aware of the incident by U Min Swe shouting from the veranda of the office at 8 a.m.

We only knew about it when [U Min Swe] shouted for help at 8 a.m.; he was covered in blood and tied up, said a neighbor living opposite the office on the lower block of 50th Street, who requested anonymity.

U Min Swe didnt suffer fatal wounds, said a police officer from Botahtaung Township Police Station. Were still looking for two suspects, he added.

According to police, robbers took a gold ring, 200,000 kyats ($150), two bank passbooks, and a wallet with U Min Swes national ID card.

The office has CCTV cameras but we switched the lights off when we left the office on Monday, so Im afraid they didnt record anything, said Ko Myo Khaing Tun, director of New Wave Services Co.

U Min Swe is a retired Burma Army colonel and is currently receiving treatment at Rangoon Peoples Hospital.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Southeast Asian Ride Hailing Firm Expands to Burma

A Grab motor driver is seen in a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 13, 2017. / Reuters

RANGOON  Ride hailing firm Grab, the main Southeast Asian rival of Uber Technologies Inc., launched services in Burma on Tuesday, expanding operations to a seventh country in the region.

Grab was working with a small group of taxi drivers in a trial in Rangoon and would scale up gradually, the company said in a statement. Uber is currently unavailable in Rangoon.

Grab is already operating in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The expansion into Burma comes as authorities are trying to improve the public transport system, having for the first time introduced regular bus lines, timetables and salaries for drivers.
News Chinese Bank Suspends MNDAA Account

A man walks past a branch of the Agricultural Bank of China in the town of Nansan, Yunnan province, China in March 2017. / Reuters

RANGOONOne of Chinas biggest state-owned lenders has suspended an account used to fund ethnic rebels fighting government troops in Burma, halting an arrangement that could have stoked diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Burma.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which clashed with government forces this month, said Agricultural Bank Of China (AgBank) was no longer accepting funds into an account it used to receive donations from supporters.

Reuters was unable to confirm what prompted AgBanks move. It came after Reuters sent AgBank a list of questions regarding the transactions, which compliance experts said could point to a weakness in controls aimed at stopping the global financial system being used to fund terrorism or facilitate crime.

AgBank declined to comment on Reuters specific questions about the MNDAA account, citing client confidentiality. It said in a statement that it paid high attention to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing work, and diligently obeyed relevant laws, regulations and regulatory requirements.

There is no evidence that Agbank, or other financial entities that handled transactions for the MNDAA, have broken Chinese law.

The MNDAA is not designated as a terrorist organization by any government or transnational body.

Still, several compliance experts contacted by Reuters said acceptance of the groups funds could leave the bank exposed to questionable or potentially illegal activities.

The MNDAA has refused to disarm or play an active part in Burmas peace process, and defense analysts say it continues to acquire weapons.

Its leader, Peng Jiasheng, has been identified as a major drugs trafficker by the US. Drug Enforcement Agency, according to US diplomatic cables, dated 2009, released by Wikileaks.

Yan Zhen Kun, an MNDAA representative who oversees donations for the group, said he was informed by AgBank of the account shutdown at the weekend.

We were told by the bank that we need to finalize some procedures, he told Reuters. It did not tell us how long this might take.

Military Pressure

The MNDAA attacked troops in northeastern Burma this month, sending more than 20,000 people fleeing across the border to China. It said it was responding to continued military pressure from the army.

Burma says it accepts Beijings assurances it is not supporting the MNDAA.

U Zaw Htay, director general of Burma leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyis office, said Burma was fully convinced by assurances from Chinas leadership that it was not backing ethnic armed groups on the border. Still, Burma had complained to Beijing about low-level Chinese officials it believed were helping the rebels for their own gain, he said.

Records on the MNDAAs website show it collected more than half a million dollars over nearly two years after making a crowdfunding appeal for donations.

Donors either deposited the money directly in an AgBank account or sent it via two mobile payment servicesTencent Holdings WeChat Pay and Alipay, part of Ant Financial, which is affiliated with US-listed Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Ant Financial declined to comment specifically on Reuters questions about the MNDAAs use of its Alipay platform, but said it was investing a lot in risk management.

There are a lot of bad actors out there who try to take advantage of these accounts so weve built a pretty good system at detecting those early and then enabling ourselves and our partners to stop transactions, said Douglas Feagin, head of Ants international strategy.

Tencent did not respond to Reuters emailed requests for comment.

Reputational Risk

Some compliance experts believe the deposits ought to be enough to raise red flags within financial institutions that follow global counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering guidelines.

Financial contacts with an organization linked to drug trafficking or the arms trade pose a regulatory and reputational risk to firms even if they have not themselves done anything illegal, experts say.

If I handed this case to an internal committee there is absolutely no way they would do anything other than shut the account down immediately, said an anti-money laundering officer at a global bank.

Banks and financial firms in China, as elsewhere, are required by know-your-customer rules to check the identity of people or companies using their systems.

Compliance experts said global financial firms typically use a number of automated tools to screen for individuals or groups that may even loosely be linked in media coverage or other publicly available information to potential criminal activity, and would view any such connections as a reputational risk.

Some bankers working in China said it was very difficult to police cash flowing through their system, given the network was less mature than in the West and criminal and armed groups were increasingly sophisticated.

They added that the sheer volume of transactions on mobile platforms made it impossible to monitor them all, so smaller payments were effectively invisible to banks and regulators.

Diplomatic Tensions

Insurgents openly raising tens of thousands of dollars from mainland supporters through Chinese platforms risks straining Chinas relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has made ending decades of ethnic war her top priority, according to people who have studied Burmas border conflicts.

Beijing says it follows a policy of non-interference in domestic affairs of other countries.

But some analysts such as Rangoon-based Richard Horsey, a former United Nations diplomat in Burma, have long suggested China uses ethnically Chinese insurgent groups such as the MNDAA as a means of leverage over the government in Burma.

In 2015, after another bout of fighting between the MNDAA and government forces, a Burma official accused China of meddling in the peace process, which Beijing denied. An MNDAA spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

Allowing the MNDAA to fundraise in such an open manner within China will inevitably damage relations with Burma, Horsey said.

The MNDAA says it is fighting for the rights of the Chinese-speaking ethnic Kokang people.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Reuters emailed request for comment. Beijing called for a ceasefire earlier this month after 30 people were killed in clashes between the MNDAA and troops in the Kokang region.

MNDAA has gathered money online since 2015, according to records on its website. It made a crowdfunding plea in mid-January, as it was being increasingly outflanked by the Burma Army in the hills straddling the border.

The plea was ostensibly for money to support refugees from the conflict, but Li Jian Hua, listed on the website as the holder of MNDAAs account with AgBank, told Reuters it was used to sponsor the groups offensive.

The money is not meant for refugees. Its used to support MNDAA, said Li.
Guest Column Burmas National Dialogue: Where Now?

Delegates attend the 21st Century Panglong peace conference in in September 2016 Naypyidaw. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy

While this is the first time in 70 years that various armed groups have been able to organize formal dialogues as large public events, it is important to acknowledge that Burmas current political dialogue framework still presents serious challenges.

Non-state armed organizations have, it is noted, been able to consolidate positions on various issues, including those concerning federal principles, by consulting with a wide range of stakeholders. In addition, this has proven to be a rare opportunity for ethnic groups to organize dialogues simultaneously.

But national dialogues should be able to address the issues imminently affecting respective states, or those strategically important regarding democratization, reconciliation, federalism, and civilian safety and wellbeing. The current framework effectively does not allow thisif any meaningful talks on federalism are to take place, they must occur at the state or regional level, given the current state- and region-centric territorial arrangements.

Since February, there have been six national dialogues in Burma: three were based on ethnicity and included the Karen, Chin and Pa-O; two were regionally focused, in Pegu and Tenasserim; and one thematic dialogue, known as the Civil Society Forum, took place.

The proposals that came out of these dialogues will continue onward to the 21st Century Panglong conferenceoriginally scheduled for late February, but now postponed until late April or Maythrough the 50-member Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC). It is possible, and even likely, that results from national dialogues will constitute parts of decisions made in the Panglong peace conference.

Also in February, a third ethnic conference was held in the Wa-administered area of Shan State, calling for the dismissal of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), as well as for a new Wa-led political negotiation process. Various observers claimed that this move weakened the NCA process, yet some saw the outcome of the Wa conference as having in fact strengthened the NCA, assuming it could force some non-signatory organizations to join the signatories cohort. Similarly, those with a more optimistic view point to recent national dialogues as having fortified the process of the NCA, stating that no better option has yet been put forward.

But an accurate analysis of to what extent this national dialogue will sustain peace talks and deliver a federal systemor even another political settlementmust begin with an examination of the composition of the UPDJC secretariat.

The team of secretaries is composed of 15 membersfive from the government and Tatmadaw, five from ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), and five from political parties.

The governments delegation has two former military officers, one serving Maj-Gen, one National League for Democracy parliamentarian, and one civilian. This representation appears stronger in comparison to those of the EAOs and political parties, which face challenges regarding organizational dynamics, raising questions about their level of influence over the government.

The title of national dialogue is itself confusing in the first place. Here, national does not signify the entire country. Neither does it mean the sub-national level, as in the Karen State dialogue. It partly means ethnicity, or national race, as in an ethnically Pa-O-based dialogue. Still, even this interpretation does not fully make sense, because thematic dialogues by civil society organizations (CSOs) are also part of the national dialogue. Region-based dialogue does not necessarily, or always, refer to existing states or regional boundaries, either.

In short, what this typology means is unclear. What is apparent, is that national dialogue, in this sense, means the elimination of state-based dialogues, in which multiple competing stakeholdersincluding those with various ethnic, religious and institutional affiliationsdebate and find common solutions in, and for, each state or region.

What the national dialogues enable are exclusive, ethnically based dialogues, such as those between the Karen, Shan, Pa-O, and Chin.

Such dialogues might enable each group to identify key issues and solutions. But the absence of a platform that engages multiple stakeholders and is designed specifically to suit the local context of each state or region, ironically reinforces ethnic enclaves, instead of bringing groups together.

Political dialogues will focus on five thematic issues: politics, economics, security, society, and land and the environment. While these are crucial topics, the mainstreaming of these five themes actually escapes interethnic dialogue and a political environment in which a range of religious and ethnic nationalisms are on the rise across the country.

Each participating organizations positions have already been endorsed by their respective constituencies. Should they negotiate their positions with other groups later, they wont be able to make necessary compromises or negotiate for anything less then what has already, perhaps prematurely, been endorsed by the masses.

Outcomes from national dialogues are set to go to the UPDJC through five thematic working committees, which have 15 members each.

The composition of the committees also raises questions regarding the practicality of the process. Expertise on thematic issues aside, what qualifies committee members to make decisions about people who they may not represent politically, geographically, or ethnically?

For instance, how will a political thematic committee that does not have any Pa-O delegates make decisions about a Pa-O proposal for a Pa-O State? Similarly, how will the committees populated by people of Burmas plains and hills make decisions for people on the coasts? Should there be a situation where the committee members are required to confront the mighty military, will they do so on behalf of people they neither represent nor are held accountable to?

In short, current national dialogues are unlikely to deliver appropriate outcomes without actual state-based dialogue.

Advisors supporting EAOs, political parties, the government and CSOs since 2012 have suggested three-phase federal negotiations. The first phrasevertical negotiationis aimed at forming an agreement on broad principles and rights for the entire country.

The second phase, horizontal negotiation, is state-based dialogue in which stakeholdersincluding the government, EAOs, Parliament, CSOs, and so onwithin each state/region negotiate among themselves for specific federal arrangements for their respective state/region. Each states own arrangements would be unique, due to differing contexts, interests, and needs.

Once they find common positions and form a proposal, their representatives at the state and regional levels would negotiate their proposals with the Union government. The third phase is then the Union event where negotiated settlements for each state or region are formalized.

Such an approach is neither new nor impossible. Civil society groups in Mon, Karenni and southern Shan states have already developed vibrant state-based dialogue frameworks since 2014-2015. Moreover, there are existing initiatives such as the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU), Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC), Karenni National Conference and alike in other states/regions that have already brought together conflicting groups and have done crucial groundworks for dialogue. Those leading the peace process should utilize, strengthen and support them in an effort to make political dialogue more practical instead of ignoring them to invent a whole new wheel. The current framework, by design, is centralized and impractical in delivering political outcomes.

There remains a fundamental question to ask: Whether the current national dialoguesat least the structure, dialogue agenda, sequencing and timing, if not the national dialogues as a wholeare the right mechanism at all at this point in time, or are mere distraction. The immediate life-threatening conflicts are in Kachin, northern Shan and northern Arakan states involving deadly military clashes and human rights abuses. But hundreds of people are busy with meetings, workshops, trainings, seminars and conferences on less immediate topics in Rangoon, Naypyidaw, and various other places.

Burmas own peace process presents complex issues and challenges, not unlike other such processes elsewhere. Positive energy is both sacred and scarce in overcoming looming fears and conflicts, but optimism should not lead people both inside and outside the peace process to assume that inherently systemic errors will automatically disappear. This mechanism, with some errors, may be the best option put forward so far, but it is still a matter of life or death for many.

Dr. Sai Latt received PhD from Simon Fraser University in Canada. He researches violence, securitization, displacement, development and regionalization.
Guest Column Dazed and Confused: The Future of Rangoons Urban Direction

New buildings in downtown Rangoon. Floor to ceiling windows in some new construction attracts strong heat from the sun, suggesting a lack of attention to local climatic conditions. / Reuters

Rangoon, like most Southeast Asian cities, is no stranger to the torrential monsoon downpours and dry summer spells. Yet, for a city that has historically faced the same weather challenges again and again each year, both private developers and city planners have been terrible at managing this key element.

Sunshine and rain alike are treated as natures challenges, and often neglected are the actual potential advantages that they bring to the city: essentially free water, heat and solar energy. Despite the presence of several solar companies, they are not yet very visible, and efforts to use heat-capture technology are mere school science-fair mockups at the moment.

The citys management of the monsoon waters, which should have been solved long ago since the rain is not a surprise, is unbelievably still a continued battle against nature. The engineers of the infamous YCDC (Yangon City Development Committee) municipal departments have spent decades trying to build a proper drainage system, only to have their efforts be in vain due to the lack of proper technical expertise and management.

On Thanlwin Road, workers toiled hard on construction, and yet it was a sad sight to see that the engineers responsible for overseeing this had not consulted a proper design for V-shaped drains. Rather, they stuck to the old tested and failed rectangular shapes, which collect sediment as fast as they are built and will surely be clogged by the next monsoon.

For years, the YCDC has been caught in a stagnant quagmire on this issue of creating and managing a well-functioning public infrastructure. In their defense, having only manpower and simple bricks and mortar meant that they lacked the proper equipment, yet it does bring to question if they have indeed learned anything at all after this time of trial and error.

Most of the citys drainage systems and underground water pipelines date back to 1888 during the colonial era, and many have fallen apart after years of neglect and rising usage. Originally designed by British engineers to cater to just six townships of around 40,000 inhabitants, the sewers now serve about 350,000 or 9 times more than their original capacity. Because of repeated mistakes, the YCDC continuously repairs and patches the tattered system rather than implement actual improvements. In the face of the citys growth and rising number of residents, it is simply not viable to keep relying on these old sewers and pipes. There have already been casualties from old, faulty and neglected public infrastructure such as electrocution in downtown streets.

To add further headache to this issue, much of the citys natural landscape was artificially altered by the previous military government, which failed to properly consult the geographical topography in Rangoon before issuing drastic changes. Many of the natural ponds, streams, reservoirs and waterways that were key in directing and evacuating excess water during the monsoons were victims of imposed landfills by the junta administration. This is one of the primary reasons why Golden Valley and other areas throughout the city flood with every rain. Many of these alterations most likely involved heaps of corruption that we may never hear about, and yet the blame goes to natural phenomena, as is the usual scapegoating.

Many of the traffic intersections in Burma have also been undergoing some confusing changes, with some having multiple traffic lights that are not only confusing for road users, but also highly unsafe. The city has had multiple traffic islands being built and removed repeatedly, a process that is costly and damaging to the citys shifting facades. A clear, comprehensive, well thought-out urban plan that can stand the test of time is said to be in the works but has yet to be released by the public administration.

Private developers too have been overly keen on bringing the latest touch of contemporary, cosmopolitan designs, and the most recent fashion has been to imitate high-rises in cities of the likes of Manhattan, complete with immense floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Not only are the design ideas for these buildings imported, the same goes quite often for the costly building materials as well. By totally neglecting the natural conditions of strong sun and heavy rain, the developers are faced with a constant battle against the tides of nature and are forced to install costly and environmentally unfriendly air-conditioning units. Health-wise for the residents, heatstrokes and colds are often induced from the extreme temperature differences between indoors and outdoors. Most ironic of all is to see thick curtains being installed to block out the sun. After all that effort, the residents who have paid an arm and a leg cannot even properly enjoy the view.

By marketing these imported concepts and emulating development in the westernized sense, private developers end up offering unrealistic and costly housing options. The design language itself has not been an organic evolution from our traditions and techniques, and thereby fails to adhere to the local conditions. These costly consumptions lead to a larger impact throughout the country as well, where smaller towns and communities are left without functioning access to electricity because of the citys big appetite for it, roughly half of the countrys available output.

By comparison, many of the old and historic buildings that are scattered around town have managed to navigate around these problems through old-school techniques. Old monasteries, for example, are often just two or three stories high, with very high ceilings and louvers installed for natural ventilation. This keeps the space inside under cover and shade, creating a flowing current of natural air and minimizing temperature fluctuations through the day. The use of wood as the primary material for the future helps mitigate the heat by absorbing temperature and regulating humidity levels.

The cases above are just a few of the many examples of bad architectural approaches and poor city planning that have plagued Rangoon in recent years. Any architect, engineer, urban planner or city authority that has some common sense will see that the city needs some serious urban realignment before properly moving forward. Efforts to truly modernize the city have been impeded by the constant failure of existing infrastructure against the test of time and nature. With each monsoon season, Rangoon goes through a period of destruction and repair. With each step in building anew, we take two steps back in degradation after the monsoons.

This article only captures a small fragment of the larger problem of the lack of a comprehensive outlook for urban development. It is because of this root cause that not only are the roads of Golden Valley littered with potholes, so are the main roads and highways all over the city and beyond.

These challenges are basic issues, but nonetheless must be overcome, for any effort towards progress will otherwise just be the equivalent of running in quicksand, or perhaps more fittingly in Buddhist terms, a vicious cycle of repeated repairs and not a lot of real progress. With the escalation of global climate change, the situation can only become more dire.

A first step to tackling this issue is to embrace nature as a welcome advantage, not as a hindrance, in our progress towards development. The YCDCs battles with nature can simply never be won, and city planning should fully take this into account and incorporate both elements of the dry-season and the monsoon, with a clear objective to utilize and harness the potential advantages to the full extent. Rangoon should steer away from the mistakes of other Southeast Asian cities that have sacrificed their greenery to become vast concrete jungles. Attempts like those led by FREDA (Forest Resource Environment Development and Conservation Association) that launched last year with plans to plant around 50,000 trees in the Rangoon region should have further reach into the heart of the city center as well.

All efforts for Rangoons development will rely on the rigidity of the public infrastructure and private projects of today, thus it is in the interest of everyone to rightfully correct this flimsy balance. If the foundations of the city are not secured, its future will not be either.

Aung Khant is from Rangoon, Burma, and holds a Masters degree in Urban Studies at Sciences Po in Paris, France. He obtained his B.A. in Political Science and Asian Studies, also from Sciences Po Paris.

This article originally appeared in Tea Circle, a forum hosted at Oxford University for emerging research and perspectives on Burma/Myanmar.
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By Babak Mohammadzadeh | (The Conversation) |  

Capital cities across Asia spent the last month rolling out the red carpet for a rarely seen visitor: Saudi Arabias ageing King Salman, accompanied by a hundreds-strong diplomatic entourage including senior princes, businessmen and ministers. Taking in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives, the king spent March leading a concerted effort to strengthen Saudi Arabias commercial links with Asias fast-growing economies.

The House of Saud doesnt usually go in for long state visits, and no Saudi king has visited Indonesia for half a century. So the fact that the Saudi king committed to a full month away in this part of the world speaks volumes about his governments mood after a series of strategic miscalculations.

Saudi rulers have always worried about the prospect of diplomatic isolation, and stronger relations with Asia are in some ways part of the usual agenda. But theyve now become a lifeline with which to save the kingdom from its bad bets in the Middle East. Saudi Arabias recent efforts to settle its incessant rivalry with Iran have not paid off, and after flooding the market with cheap oil and engineering a fall in the oil price to Irans detriment, the Saudis are now themselves faced with a festering budget deficit, forcing them to slash spending on infrastructure and reduce civil servant perks to get finances under control.

Elsewhere, the devastating war in Yemen is exposing Saudi Arabia to both military pressure and severe international condemnation for the humanitarian catastrophe the campaign has caused. Recent decisions taken in Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), meanwhile, forced Saudi Arabia to swallow a big hit on its oil production, suggesting that it can no longer afford an aggressive anti-Iran policy in Yemen without new allies and partners to shore it up.

In these squeezed times, South-East Asias growing economies have much to offer to the Saudis.

Finance diplomacy

Historically, the pilgrimage from Asia to Islams holy cities of Mecca and Medina has been an important revenue source for the kingdoms volatile budget, but King Salmans failing regional fortunes and financial problems have placed renewed impetus on moving the kingdom away from its traditional dependence on oil.

King Salman has found a receptive audience in the Asian capitals. Malaysia is already making a strong turn to the Saudi fold; in early 2016, it joined military exercises in northern Saudi territory involving around 150,000 soldiers, 2,540 warplanes, 20,000 tanks, and 460 helicopters. The exercise has been fuelling rumours that Malaysia might be swayed to join Saudi Arabias military campaign in Yemen, which already benefits from the support of several other Muslim-majority states.

This is not a strange expectation. Personal relations between Prime Minister Najib Razak and the Saudi royal family are reported to be strong, and the Saudis played a key role in helping to save Razaks political career from a major scandal. By publicly confirming Razaks claim that an unaccounted US$681m in his bank accounts was a donation from the Saudi royal family, the Saudis helped to counter accusations that he had in fact siphoned the money from heavily indebted state investment fund 1MDB.

Economic opportunities abound. Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur in late February, national oil and gas company Saudi Aramco signed a US$7 billion agreement with Malaysian oil company Petronas. The deal will pump Saudi investment into a Malaysian petrochemical project valued at US$27 billion, making Aramco the single largest investor in Malaysia. The deal is also expected to improve Malaysias chances to compete in oil refining and energy storage, an industry currently monopolised by Singapore in South-East Asia.

Indonesia, too, hopes to attract billions of dollars in Saudi investment. The two countries have signed more than ten memorandums of understanding, building on cultural and religious projects, promoting educational exchange and intensifying trade. Together with Indonesias Pertamina, Saudi Aramco has committed to expand Indonesias biggest refinery in Java. The total value of the agreements stretches into the billions.

The Saudis are highly skilled in this sort of fast-paced finance diplomacy. Like estranged family members coming home with presents, they bring in their wake large sums of money for development finance and the promise of several billions of dollars of investment opportunities for the relations they hope to cultivate.

And beyond pure financial interests, its worth remembering that these joint investment ventures create the sort of long-term partnerships that give external partners a stake in Saudi Arabias own security and development. These sorts of financial patronage projects extend far beyond trade and commerce  since the 1970s, Saudi oil money has persistently found its way to foreign schools, charities, mosques and nonprofits to promote a religious ideology which is at odds with the traditional brand of moderate Islam practised in South-East Asia. Donations by dozens of Saudi waqfs (Islamic charitable endowments) all fuel the elites drive to project itself as the leader of Sunni Muslims the world over.

Investment with the heft the Saudis offer is too tempting to pass up, but King Salmans visit will only help export his countrys hardline doctrine to places where that could do without it. Both Malaysia and Indonesia urgently need to ease tensions between restive religious communities, but Saudi Arabia aims to open more Islamic schools across South-East Asia, increasing not only literacy in the Arabic language but also Saudi religious teaching and influence. That could be a heavy price tag indeed.

Babak Mohammadzadeh, PhD Candidate in Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Saudi King Salman Arrived in Indonesia (US$25 billion worth of investment)
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations issued its annual report on the climate on Tuesday, making a full and final assessment of 2016.

It was not good news.

It was big news, but it wasnt good news. Also, surprise, it wasnt reported on most television news, otherwise known as babysitting for adults.

1.

Warming continued in 2016, setting a new temperature record of approximately 1.1 C above the pre-industrial period, and 0.06 C above the previous highest value set in 2015.

Last year was the warmest year on record in North America. What was strange about the unusual warmth of 2016 was, moreover, how widespread it was over the globe. And it hit the oceans, as well. In fact, the heat in the seas actually literally killed fish around Fiji! And it killed off a lot of coral.

The average global temperature is about 2 degrees Fahrenheit higher than it was in 1750 before the industrial revolution and modern agriculture spewed so many billions of metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere! CO2 is a greenhouse gas that interferes with the earths ability to radiate back out to space the heat it receives from the sun, trapping it. The more heat that is trapped, the hotter the earth will get over time on average.

2 degrees F. is more than it sounds, because it is a global average, including the very cold oceans and the arctic and Antarctica. In some places, the increase has been more.

Even worse, the rate of increase is speeding up. Thats alarming, that 2016 was 0.06 C. hotter than just the year before!

Scientists are concerned that if we get much beyond a 2 C./ 3.6 F. increase, the climate could start to become dangerously unstable. It could result in much less rainfall in some places and megastorms in others. Not to mention that some gigantic glaciers will plop into the ocean that all by themselves could raise sea-levels rapidly and significantly. But at the rate were going, the likelihood of us halting the increase at 3.6 F. is ridiculously low. On the other hand, the lower we can keep the increase, the better off we and our descendants will be.

Wed like to avoid a 4 C. / 7 F. world at all costs. But the average increase could go on up to 12 F. if Rex Tillerson gets his way and we burn up all the fossil fuels. That would be inconvenient in the extreme for a lot of people on earth.

All this is because:

2.

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reached new highs at 400.0  0.1 ppm in the atmosphere at the end of 2015.

I know most people dont read print newspapers anymore, but in the old days we would say that this should have been a massive headline above the fold. What would you say now? It should have dominated peoples social media feeds? It is more important than Russian fake news and cute kitten videos?

We have surpassed 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere! In 1750 it was like 280 ppm. Thats why the temperature has gone up 2 degrees F. since then! Lots more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There is no known way to get the CO2 back out of the atmosphere artificially! A lot of it will go into the ocean, which is a carbon sink, but that will vastly increase the acidity of the ocean and kill off half of marine life. 10% of the 7.4 billion human beings mainly live on marine life. The rest will get washed out of the atmosphere by binding with igneous rock. That will take at least 100,000 years. Its going to be hyper-tropical for a long time. Maybe we can splice into ourselves some genes from tropical fauna to make it more bearable. That wont help with the megastorms, though. And we cant really do that gene splicing thing anyway, at least so far.

3.

Global sea-ice extent dropped more than 4 million square kilometers below average  an unprecedented anomaly  in November.

Ice shelves in the ocean already dont contribute to sea level rise when they melt, but if it is melting so is the surface ice. And you really dont want surface ice melting if you live anywhere near a seashore.

Another site explains,

In November 2016, Arctic sea ice extent averaged 9.08 million square kilometers (3.51 million square miles), the lowest November in the satellite record. This is 800,000 square kilometers (309,000 square miles) below November 2006, the previous lowest November

And just in case youre wondering, yes, this is something we are doing with our gasoline, natural gas and coal emissions.. It may be exacerbated by weather cycles, but were causing the maximum weirdness of it.

4.

Global sea levels rose strongly during the 2015/2016 El Nino, with the early 2016 values making new records.

The report notes, Globally, sea level has risen by 20 cm [about 8 inches] since the start of the twentieth century, due mostly to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of glaciers and ice caps.

But when we come to just last year the WMO says, Global sea levels rose strongly during the 2015/2016 El Nino, rising about 15 mm [over half an inch] between November 2014 and February 2016, well above the post-1993 trend of 3 mm  3.5 mm per year, with the early 2016 values reaching new record highs.

Since 1900, the oceans have gone up about 2/3s of a foot, but in just last year they rose half an inch!

There are other things in the report, such as the natural disasters that have a component of human-caused climate change, including typhoons and hurricanes and droughts. You figure at least 20% of any of these is likely driven by the greenhouse gases weve all been belching into the atmosphere.

So there we have it, folks. We live in a country where the head of the EPA can lie about what is going on and why it is going on without fear of accountability.

The onus is now on us as individual Americans to do the right thing by the earth and reduce our carbon footprint. Heres some ways we can resist Pruitts anti-EPA and help save the planet.

-

Related video:

Antarcticas Record-Breaking Heat Studied By WMO | Video
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 21, 2017) - Rockcliff Copper Corporation ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:RCU) (FRANKFURT:RO0) (WKN:A142TR) is pleased to announce that its recently completed surface geophysical survey has identified a large untested conductive plate below the historical Pen Zinc Deposit that is partially located on the Company's 100% owned Penex zinc property (the "Property"), Snow Lake, Manitoba. The Property is strategically located approximately 4.5 kilometres southwest of Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s ("Hudbay") high-grade Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Lalor mine and less than 200 metres from Hudbay's up-dip near surface portion of the historic high grade unmined Pen zinc deposit. The Property hosts the down dip continuation of the Pen zinc deposit and is part of the Company's Snow Lake Project, one of the highest grade base and precious metals property portfolios in North America.

Ken Lapierre, President and CEO of Rockcliff commented, "In exploration, geophysics is crucial in discovering buried conductive plates that could end up becoming high grade base metal mines in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake mining camp. We are fortunate to have acquired 100% interest in the Penex Zinc Property by staking. The Property covers the down dip continuation of the high grade Pen Zinc deposit where it crosses onto our Property at approximately 300-350 metres vertical. With our geophysical survey identifying a strong untested conductive plate immediately below the known deposit and continuing to at depth of at least 800 metres vertical bodes well for high grade zinc mineralization to continue on the Property. We will continue to explore and prepare the Property for a planned drill program in 2017."

The high grade Pen zinc deposit hosts multiple zinc-rich lenses, strikes northeast-southwest and dips/plunges northwest. The deposit is located less than 200 metres on surface from the Property's southern boundary. All lenses of the Pen zinc deposit dip towards the Property's southern boundary and at least one of the zinc-rich lenses dips and plunges onto the Property at a vertical depth of between 300-350 metres. The deepest historical drill hole (CPen-03) on the Property intersected the deposit at approximately 475 metres vertical. The hole assayed 6.7% zinc equivalent across a down the hole thickness (not true thickness) of 2.6 metres within a much thicker zinc envelope of a down the hole thickness (not true thickness) of 7.6 metres grading 4.0% zinc equivalent. Bore hole geophysics completed in drill hole CPen-03 and now in surface geophysics have confirmed that the deposit's conductivity continues downward on the Property below the hole and was strengthening at depth where the deposit remains untested by drilling.

The following Pen zinc deposit longitudinal section outlines the depth potential of the Pen zinc deposit above and below drill hole CPen-03:





Ken Lapierre P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release.

Please visit our website at www.rockcliffcoppercorp.com for additional information about the Company.

About Rockcliff Copper Corporation

Rockcliff is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the discovery, advancement and consolidation of the highest grade unmined metal deposits in the prolific Flin Flon - Snow Lake (FF-SL) greenstone belt specifically centered on Snow Lake, MB. The Snow Lake Project, totalling in excess of 45,000 collective hectares is located in and around the Snow Lake mining camp and hosts the highest grade unmined NI 43-101 copper deposits (the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit and the Rail copper deposit), the highest grade unmined historical zinc deposits (the Lon zinc deposit, the Bur zinc deposit, the Morgan zinc deposit and the down dip continuation of the Pen zinc deposit). The Snow Lake Project also includes a high grade former lode gold producer (Laguna gold property), a Net Smelter Royalty on the Tower property (the T-1 copper deposit) and additional properties with precious metal and VMS potential. Located near Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, Rockcliff owns the near surface MacBride zinc deposit. Additionally, Rockcliff owns a zinc-silver rich NI 43-101 Resource (the Shihan deposit) in Ontario and a royalty on two gold properties in Colombia, South America.

Rockcliff is well funded with approximately CDN$1.5 million in its treasury and no debt.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 22, 2017) - Ashanti Gold Corp. (TSXV: AGZ) ("Ashanti" or "AGZ" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the remaining 13 drill holes from its recent 20 hole, 2,000m reverse circulation ("RC") drill program on the Anumso project, Ghana (first 7 holes announced on March 8, 2017). Assays from these thirteen holes continue to confirm the presence of gold mineralization in Banket conglomerate consistent with previous drilling.

Ashanti's CEO Tim McCutcheon said "We are delighted with these results as they demonstrate the presence of gold over exciting intervals while confirming and validating work of previous explorers. More importantly, they set the stage for Ashanti to undertake further exploration on the Banket conglomerate within the Anumso Mining License. With evidence of gold occurring along 2.6 km of Banket conglomerate, we are eager to assess the remaining ~8.4 km of un-explored or under-explored Banket conglomerate occurring within the Anumso Mining License."

Ashanti Gold's drill program was designed to verify and confirm gold mineralization along 2.6 km of Banket conglomerate as identified in historic drilling. Banket conglomerate is the key gold-bearing strata within the Tarkwaian suite of rocks that overlie Birimian volcanic rocks of the Ashanti Belt, Ghana. Banket conglomerate consists of quartz pebbles and cobbles set in silt and mud matrix along with gold. This is the same rock unit that hosts the famous Tarkwa, Iduapriem, Teberebie, and Damang deposits approximately 135 km to the southwest where AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields Ltd are currently producing gold.

Ashanti has undertaken this initial drill program to assess that portion of Banket conglomerate which has been previously tested by historic exploration. This represents 2.6 km of a total of ~10 km of strike length of Banket conglomerate occurring within the Anumso Mining License. The remaining portion of Banket conglomerate has only been tested with a few isolated historic drill holes. Ashanti wishes to investigate further the opportunities posed by these rocks.

All samples were collected over 1 metre intervals and were collected from dry RC cuttings. Samples were collected from the drill site and transported to the Company's secure camp and preparation facility where they were split using a standard universal splitter into lab samples of approximately 2kg. Remaining material is retained for later resampling or checking. Samples were transported by the company to ALS Laboratories in Kumasi, Ghana where they were prepared and assayed using standard 50g fire assay technique.

Drill hole From (m) To (m) Interval* (m) Au (g/t) AGZ RC001 1 3 2 0.39 24 30 6 1.15 39 74 35 0.46 incl. 53 56 3 0.99 incl. 62 66 4 0.83 incl. 68 74 6 0.61 86 92 6 0.35 95 97 2 0.99 AGZ RC002 1 3 2 0.38 16 32 16 0.44 37 49 12 0.60 incl. 37 39 2 1.10 60 71 11 0.51 AGZ RC003 7 9 2 0.57 16 47 31 0.66 incl. 16 28 12 0.81 incl. 21 23 2 1.51 incl. 42 47 5 1.14 71 79 8 0.26 AGZ RC004 4 12 8 1.46 incl. 4 6 2 4.44 4 22 18 0.80 30 47 17 0.64 incl. 30 34 4 1.84 53 57 4 0.29 AGZ RC005 4 7 3 0.87 29 35 6 2.11 27 36 9 1.60 38 72 34 0.64 45 50 5 1.31 66 70 4 1.38 78 79 1 1.05 83 87 4 0.40 AGZ RC006 0 46 46 0.35 0 35 35 0.40 65 68 3 0.86 78 81 3 0.38 87 89 2 1.01 93 95 2 0.59 AGZ RC007 3 4 1 1.09 16 19 3 1.28 28 60 32 0.33 incl. 28 29 1 1.36 incl. 58 59 1 1.03 85 100 15 0.45 incl. 88 94 6 0.64 incl. 88 90 2 1.04 incl. 97 98 1 1.30 AGZ RC008 12 13 1 2.62 23 26 3 0.57 32 44 12 0.80 incl. 32 34 2 1.41 30 45 15 0.73 incl. 32 34 2 1.41 incl. 38 39 1 1.12 incl. 43 44 1 3.22 63 66 3 0.40 AGZ RC009 32 35 3 0.51 43 56 13 0.47 incl. 43 48 5 0.50 69 75 6 0.50 AGZ RC010 4 6 2 0.95 13 21 8 0.84 incl. 16 18 2 1.55 30 36 6 0.36 AGZ RC011 17 24 7 0.84 incl. 17 20 3 1.57 69 79 10 0.83 incl. 74 78 4 1.73 AGZ RC012 16 19 3 0.30 30 34 4 0.42 40 62 22 0.58 incl. 40 48 8 0.70 incl. 46 48 2 1.13 60 62 2 1.94 68 72 4 0.30 78 80 2 0.60 AGZ RC013 10 18 8 0.61 incl. 16 18 2 1.72 48 64 16 0.39 incl. 48 50 2 0.68 incl. 61 64 3 0.75 76 79 3 0.39 AGZ RC014 67 69 2 1.04 84 93 9 0.76 99 100 1 1.30 AGZ RC015 53 59 6 0.45 53 65 12 0.42 77 83 6 0.42 81 83 2 0.81 incl. 95 97 2 0.90 AGZ RC016 39 40 1 2.17 45 47 2 5.22 45 46 1 9.63 incl. 69 72 3 1.11 AGZ RC017 59 64 5 0.69 66 67 1 0.87 AGZ RC018 7 11 4 0.52 23 26 3 4.95 47 49 2 0.76 AGZ RC019 9 12 3 0.57 19 21 2 0.70 AGZ RC020 2 4 2 0.27

*Drill holes are oriented to intersect stratigraphy at an optimal angle, however true widths cannot be determined as detailed information on the true orientation of stratigraphy at the point of intersection of the drill hole is not available.

Figure 1. Overview of the northern block of the Anumso Mining License where Ashanti drilled twenty RC holes (green dots) along a portion of exposed Banket conglomerate outlined with the dashed red lines.





Figure 2. Detailed view of part of the Banket conglomerate drilled by Ashanti. See Figure 1 for location within the Anumso Mining License.





Figure 3. Shaded relief map of the northern and southern Anumso Mining License blocks showing the extent of "East" and "West" Banket conglomerate as expressed by topographic highs (outlined with dashed red line). Ashanti new drill holes reported in this press release are shown as green dots. Historic drill holes are shown with red dots.





ABOUT ASHANTI GOLD

Ashanti is a gold-focused, exploration and development company with projects in the northern Ashanti Belt of Ghana and the Kinieba Belt of Mali. The Company targets projects where it has a competitive advantage due to past work experience of the team and specific project know-how.

Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Dr. Paul Klipfel, CPG (AIPG certification #10821), Ashanti's COO and Chief Geologist is a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101 and has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Dr. Klipfel is responsible for all aspects of the work including the Quality Control/Quality Assurance programs. Dr. Klipfel is not an Independent Person, as he is a shareholder of Ashanti.

Quality control is monitored by the insertion of blind certified standard reference material and blanks at a rate of 1/20 samples. Blind duplicate splits are inserted into the sample stream at the rate of 1/50 samples. All samples have been analyzed by ALS Laboratories in Kumasi, Ghana, an internationally known testing company.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Portola Resources, Inc. (TSX VENTURE:PZ) ("Portola" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that pursuant to a resolution passed by the board of directors on March 17, 2017, the Company changed its name to Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. ("LEXI") (TSX VENTURE:LEXI). In addition, the Company has completed the previously announced acquisitions of all the issued and outstanding share capital of Lithium Energi Argentina, S.A. ("LEA"), Antofalla North, S.A. ("AN"), and Antofalla South, S.A. ("AS"), which together hold a combined portfolio of projects comprising 128,367 hectares of lithium brine assets in the Argentina Province of Catamarca in the heart of the lithium triangle.

All documentation submitted has been accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange and common shares of the Company will resume trading on Friday March 24th, 2017 under the symbol "LEXI". The new CUSIP number is 53680T102 and the new ISIN number is CA53680T1021. There is no consolidation of share capital.

The acquisition was completed pursuant to a Letter of Intent executed by the Company, LEA, AN, and AS, as announced in the Company's news release dated December 6, 2016.

LEA, AN, and AS are wholly-owned subsidiaries of LEXI. LEA owns mining rights to eight (8) concessions representing 17,759 hectares ("Laguna Caro Project"); AN owns mineral rights to thirteen (13) concessions representing 41,496 hectares ("Antofalla North Project"); and AS owns mining rights to eighteen (18) concessions representing 69,112 hectares ("Antofalla South Project"). In consideration for all of the outstanding share capital of LEA, AN, and AS, the Company issued 1,000,000, 8,450,000, and 11,550,000 common shares of the Company, respectively and finder's fees of 1,150,000 common shares issued in relation to the acquisitions. In addition, the Company will assume the respective obligations of LEA, AN, and AS in respect of the three project areas. In order to complete the acquisitions of the Laguna Caro, Antofallo North, and Antofalla South Projects, the Company will be required to complete cash payments of US$650,000, US$761,000, and US$1,267,000, respectively payable over a twelve (12) month period and the Company will reimburse (as down payments and other expenses) a total of $313,444.

Located in close proximity to each other, all three Projects represent almost 130,000 hectares located in the lithium-prolific, northwestern quadrant of Catamarca Province. Located less than 10 km northeast of the Laguna Caro Project, FMC Corp. operates its Fenix mine at Salar de Hombre Muerto - Argentina's largest lithium extraction operation and one of the largest such operations in the world.

The Antofalla North and South Projects are located just west of the Laguna Caro Project, in the northern and southern portions of the Salar de Antofalla, covering approximately 110,000 hectares. On September 12, 2016, Albemarle Corporation, the world's largest lithium supplier, announced it had entered into an agreement with Bolland Minera, S.A. for the exclusive exploration and acquisition rights to a lithium resource in the central portion of the Antofalla salar. In Albemarle Corporation's news release it stated their belief that the Salar de Antofalla lithium resource will be certified as the largest lithium resource in Argentina.

About Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc.

Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. is an exploration company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of lithium brine assets in Argentina. The Company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and has offices in Dallas, Texas and Catamarca, Argentina. The common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE:LEXI). The Company recently completed the acquisition of Lithium Energi Argentina, S.A., Antofalla North, S.A., and Antofalla South, S.A., which together hold a portfolio of projects comprising 128,000 hectares of lithium brine assets in the Argentina Province of Catamarca in the heart of the lithium triangle.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Starcore International Mines Ltd. (TSX:SAM) ("Starcore" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the sale of its San Pedrito Property, a non-core asset located in Queretaro, Mexico for C$13.50 million* (MXN$ 192,784,331).

As reported on March 9, 2016, the Company entered into a sale agreement of the San Pedrito Property, receiving a deposit of $50 million pesos. The sale agreement was subject to various confirmations, including compliance with state and municipal regulations and confirmation that the property was in good standing so conveyancing could proceed. Various requirements have been met, whereupon the buyer has removed several subject conditions and has made the first parcel payment to the Company of MXN$ 137,671,371 (C$ 9,640,852)* plus interest on this amount from March, 9, 2016, of MXN$ 7,576,445 (C$ 530,563)*, for a total payment of MXN$ 145,247,816 (C$ 10,171,415)*.

Details of the transaction are as follows:

Total surface area sold covers 74.0831.544 hectares (740,831.544 square meters) sold at $250 pesos per square meter. Payments are staged as follows:

Surface Area in hectares (ha) Equivalent in square meters (sm) Mexican Pesos Canadian Dollars* Status 55.068 ha 550,685.485 sm MXN$ 137,671,371 C$ 9,640,852 Interest Received MXN$ 7,576,445 C$ 530,563 MXN$ 145,247,816 C$ 10,171,415 Payment received Parcel of 12 ha1 120,000.000 sm MXN$ 30,000,000 C$ 2,100,840 Pending clearance Parcel of 2.014 ha1 20,146.059 sm MXN$ 5,036,515 C$ 352,697 Pending clearance Parcel of 5 ha1 50,000.000 sm MXN$ 12,500,000 C$ 875,350 Pending clearance

1 The remaining three parcels await various confirmations from different local and federal authorities. As Starcore receives these confirmations, the buyer will immediately remit the corresponding payment for each parcel of land. It is expected that these clearances will be confirmed within the next 18 months.

The San Pedrito property was part of Starcore's original acquisition in 2007, when the Company acquired the San Martin Mine from Goldcorp for US$26 million. Management, having determined that the San Pedrito property would not be a viable mining operation alongside the San Martin Mine, embarked on a focused effort to amend San Pedrito's zoning from its industrial classification to a residential zoning, a process which took over six years.

"The closing of this transaction is another landmark in Starcore's focused efforts to grow the Company and increase shareholder value," said Robert Eadie, President and CEO of the Company. "We are extremely grateful to our management team and our staff who were relentless in their efforts to obtain the various governmental and ministerial clearances to enable conveyancing to be completed."

* Based on exchange rate of 14.28 Pesos/CAD$ as at close of March 21, 2017.

About Starcore

Starcore is engaged in exploring, extracting and processing gold and silver through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Compania Minera Pena de Bernal, S.A. de C.V., which owns the San Martin mine in Queretaro, Mexico. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Altiplano Goldsilver S.A. de C.V, Starcore also owns and operates the Altiplano concentrate processing facility for precious metals in Matehuala, Mexico. Starcore is a public reporting issuer on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Starcore is also engaged in owning, acquiring, exploiting, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint venturing or developing these properties further. Starcore has interests in properties located in Mexico, Canada and the United States. For more information concerning Starcore, see documents filed under its profile on SEDAR, or visit its website at www.starcore.com.
TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - RNC Minerals (TSX: RNX) ("RNC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint venture arrangement (the "JV Arrangement") with Waterton Precious Metals Fund II Cayman, LP and Waterton Mining Parallel Fund Onshore Master, LP (collectively, "Waterton").

Pursuant to the terms of the JV Arrangement, Waterton has agreed to acquire 50% of RNC's interest in the Dumont Nickel Project for US$22.5 million (C$30 million) in cash, implying a value of C$60 million for 100% of the asset. RNC and Waterton will also inject US$17.5 million (for a total of US$35 million) into a newly established limited partnership (the "JV Entity") that will own Dumont, support its advancement to development, and acquire high quality nickel assets globally.

The JV Arrangement provides for a unique structure within the resource sector and sets forth a partnership between an innovative mining private equity firm and a leading nickel executive team to create and unlock value within the nickel industry. The JV Entity's objective is to establish a pure play nickel company with multiple projects operating in stable jurisdictions.

Mark Selby, President and CEO of RNC, commented, "This transaction clearly highlights the value of the Dumont Nickel Project and will allow us to continue to advance Dumont. RNC is very pleased to partner with Waterton Global Resource Management, Inc. ("WGRM"), a leading mining private equity firm with exceptional in-house mining and investment expertise. WGRM's unique approach combines proprietary expertise and patient capital over the course of the mining cycle and provides our joint venture with the ability to advance nickel projects on an opportunistic timeframe. Our team has identified a number of targets to pursue through this JV Entity with minimal or no dilution to existing RNC shareholders."

Mr. Selby continued, "In addition to the nickel acquisition strategy with WGRM, RNC Minerals is poised to create value for shareholders through multiple platforms: the ongoing ramp-up of gold production at the Beta Hunt Mine in Australia with the added option potential of our recently announced agreement with Westgold, the contribution of cash flow from the Reed Mine in Canada in 2017, and the recently announced spinout of our Qiqavik and True North Nickel assets into a separate entity. Today's announcement of the JV Entity represents both a significant recognition of value in our Dumont project, and an opportunity to capture further value in the nickel market."

Isser Elishis, Managing Partner and CIO of WGRM, commented, "We are very pleased to have reached a JV Arrangement with RNC on the Dumont project. This arrangement provides the foundation for us to collaborate on future opportunities to acquire and develop high-quality nickel assets. We look forward to working closely with and combining our expertise with RNC's management team and board of directors."

Benefits to RNC Shareholders

RNC believes this partnership with Waterton will benefit shareholders in the following ways:

Commitment to advance Dumont and provide ongoing nickel exposure, while minimizing potential dilution to existing RNC shareholders and its precious metals business;

Immediate value realized for Dumont of C$60 million (based on RNC's 100% interest), or approximately C$0.20 share, which is not currently reflected in RNC's market valuation;

(based on RNC's 100% interest), or approximately share, which is not currently reflected in RNC's market valuation; Immediate US$5.0 million cash payment to RNC and US$17.5 million cash contributed to the JV Entity on behalf of RNC to pursue the nickel acquisition and Dumont development strategy;

cash payment to RNC and cash contributed to the JV Entity on behalf of RNC to pursue the nickel acquisition and Dumont development strategy; Further capital commitments from Waterton to the JV Entity of an additional US$17.5 million to pursue this strategy. A total of US$30 million of cash will be available immediately to pursue the nickel acquisition and consolidation strategy

Overview of the JV Entity

The JV Entity will implement a strategy to unlock value within the global nickel market by acquiring attractive and undervalued nickel assets. Backed by RNC's team with over 100 years of combined experience in nickel, and WGRM's long-term view of the nickel and base metals business, RNC and WGRM believe that now is the time to acquire high quality, undervalued assets.

The JV entity will contain:

100% interest in the Dumont nickel project

US$35 million in cash or binding capital commitments US$5 million to continue to advance Dumont US$30 million to acquire additional nickel assets. RNC and WGRM have identified a transaction pipeline with a number of short, medium, and longer-term opportunities.

in cash or binding capital commitments

Terms of the JV Arrangement

Under the JV Arrangement, RNC and Waterton have agreed to create and jointly own the JV Entity. RNC will contribute Dumont to the JV Entity. As consideration for contributing Dumont, RNC will receive a 50% interest in the JV Entity, US$5.0 million at closing and the benefit of US$17.5 million in capital contributions to the JV Entity made on its behalf, US$2.5 million of which will be applied to fund RNC's proportion of the JV Entity's operating expenses related to the development of Dumont, and US$15.0 million of which will be applied to fund RNC's proportion of the JV Entity's costs of acquiring and developing additional nickel projects.

The US$5.0 million in cash paid to RNC at closing will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes.

On closing, RNC and Waterton will be equally responsible for the costs and expenses of the JV Entity and its business. As noted above, the first US$17.5 million of RNC's share of Dumont and acquisition-related costs and expenses will be funded at closing.

RNC and Waterton have agreed to terms under which the JV Entity will be governed and among other matters, the day-to-day management and operations of the JV Entity, project financing, capital distributions, voting and veto rights, dilution, liquidity and such other matters as are consistent with arrangements of this nature.

The JV Entity will be operated by RNC and shall be governed by the terms of a limited partnership agreement (and certain other agreements) and a four person board of directors made up of two appointees from each of RNC and Waterton. Certain matters pertaining to the JV Entity and its assets will require the unanimous approval of both RNC and Waterton.

Closing of the JV Arrangement is anticipated to occur during the second quarter of 2017 and is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including in relation to the permitting status of the Dumont project.

Dumont Nickel Project

RNC's Dumont Nickel Project is one of the world's largest undeveloped, permitted and shovel ready nickel sulphide deposits. Dumont is located near the town of Amos, in the municipalities of Launay and Trecesson, in the established Abitibi mining camp in the mining-friendly Canadian province of Quebec. When in production, Dumont is expected to rank as the fifth-largest nickel sulphide operation in the world by annual production and contains the third largest nickel reserve in the world.

Beta Hunt Update - Westgold Purchase Option and Toll Processing Agreement; Extension to Copper Prepayment Arrangements with Auramet

In order to take advantage of the lower cost toll processing agreement with Westgold that RNC recently announced, and to finance the build-up of mined gold inventory from Beta Hunt in advance of the start of tolling at Westgold's Jubilee gold mill beginning July 1, 2017, RNC has entered into new working capital facilities and a US$2.5 million extension of its copper prepayment agreements with Auramet International LLC. RNC expects to begin making shipments of ore to the Jubilee mill before month-end. The US$2.5 million copper prepay facility will be repaid through 75,000 pounds of copper production from the Reed mine from June to December 2017 and 300,000 pounds in each of January and February 2018. RNC also granted call options to Auramet on 1.5 million pounds of copper with a strike price of US$3.30 per pound and expiration dates from January through May, 2018. The US$4 million in-process gold facility has identical terms to the facility currently in place for the existing tolling arrangement and bears interest at LIBOR+4.5% when drawn (see RNC news release dated October 4, 2016).

The ramp-up at the Beta Hunt mine is continuing but at a slower pace than previously anticipated as initial grades from the first Western Flanks stope was lower than expected and equipment availability issues slowed throughput and development rates during the first quarter. These issues are being addressed and annualized production rates of 60,000 ounces of gold are now expected by mid-year. The ramp-up is expected to continue during the year to achieve previously announced guidance of 65-70,000 ounces per year at an all-in-sustaining-cost of US$900-1,000 per ounce.

The disclosure of scientific and technical information related to the Beta Hunt Mine operations contained in this news release has been approved by Kevin Small, Director, Mining Operations of RNC, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Financial Advisor

Haywood Securities Inc. has acted as financial advisor to RNC in connection with the JV Arrangement.

Conference Call

RNC will be hosting a conference call today beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).

Live Conference Call and Webcast Access Information:

North American callers please dial: 1-888-231-8191

Local and international callers please dial: 647-427-7450

A live webcast of the call will be available through CNW Group's website at: www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/index.cgi

A recording of the conference call will be available for replay for a one week period beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 22, 2017, and can be accessed as follows:

North American callers please dial: 1-855-859-2056; Pass Code: 83329745

Local and international callers please dial: 416-849-0833; Pass Code: 83329745

About Waterton

Waterton is a leading private equity firm dedicated to developing high quality resource assets in stable jurisdictions. Waterton's founding team has a successful track record of originating, structuring, managing and exiting investments through acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships, across a range of sectors and asset classes. Waterton's core strength is its cross-functional, fully-integrated, in-house team of professionals who possess significant mining, financial and legal expertise. Waterton's team employs a proactive approach to asset management, leveraging significant sector knowledge and extensive industry relationships to support the firm's investment activities. Waterton's two current active private equity funds, Waterton Precious Metals Fund II and Waterton Parallel Fund closed with capital commitments in excess of U.S. $1.725 billion in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

About RNC

RNC is a multi-asset mineral resource company focused primarily on the acquisition, exploration, evaluation and development of base metal and precious metal properties. RNC's principal assets are the producing Beta Hunt gold and nickel mine in Western Australia, the Dumont Nickel Project located in the established Abitibi mining camp in Quebec and a 30% stake in the producing Reed Mine in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake region of Manitoba, Canada. RNC also owns a majority interest in the West Raglan and Qiqavik projects in Northern Quebec. RNC has a strong management team and Board with over 100 years of mining experience at Inco and Falconbridge. RNC's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol RNX. RNC shares also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol RNKLF.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE:FSM)(TSX:FVI) is pleased to present an update of preliminary results of the optimization work being conducted on the feasibility study ("Feasibility Study") prepared in 2016 on the company's 100% owned Lindero gold Project located in the Province of Salta, Argentina.

Jorge Ganoza, President, CEO and Director, commented, "We are extremely pleased with gold recovery results to date as they are supportive of our initial view that the Lindero project presents significant opportunities to reduce recovery time and improve gold extraction." Mr. Ganoza continued, "The long lead item in this optimization plan is the metallurgical process. With metallurgical tests almost completed, our engineering team is now in a position to initiate basic engineering activities on several fronts. We plan to have the project ready for a construction decision in the third quarter of 2017."

Mineral processing optimization highlights:

Preliminary tall-column leach tests consistently above 76% gold extraction for the four metallurgical types of ore

Cyanide cure during agglomeration allows over 70% gold extraction in the first 30 days of leaching for the four metallurgical types of ore

Copper concentration in solution amenable to treatment with sulfidization, acidification, recycling and thickening ("SART") plant technology

Agglomeration with modest cement addition to achieve heap heights of approximately 80 meters for 9 millimeter high pressure grinding rolls ("HPGR") crushed ore

In September 2016, Fortuna started a pre-construction review of the project with the objective of optimizing certain components of the Feasibility Study. This review includes the validation of the geological model and resource/reserve estimates, optimization of the mine design, review of the metallurgical process including key metallurgy laboratory tests, and an update of the infrastructure basic engineering.

Metallurgy

Based on existing project information and preliminary results of ongoing metallurgical tests, Fortuna believes that significant improvements can be achieved in gold recovery and leach time compared to the Feasibility Study's average gold extraction of 68% over 240 days.

Optimization of the process design has confirmed the benefit of the use of a HPGR crusher, the inclusion of cyanide cure of ore, and copper removal/ cyanide recovery with a SART plant. Results to date indicate that these components could allow for improved gold leaching kinetics and effective extraction of copper from the pregnant solution.

The table below compares preliminary gold extraction figures obtained by Fortuna as of March 20, 2017 with the Feasibility Study results. These results, estimated from solution assays, are for 10-meter tall column leaching tests that have been running for 72 days.

Met Type Preliminary*

Gold Extraction Feasibility Study

Gold Extraction 1 80.9% 68% 2 76.9% 74% 3 77.3% 69% 4 76.2% 62%

(*) Results are based on solution assay only and are therefore preliminary in nature and final results need to be adjusted when tails assays are completed at the end of the test. Also a deduction of approximately 4% needs to be accounted for in gold extraction figures for design purposes when going from a laboratory test to commercial operation.

Final results are expected in April when assaying of tails material from the columns is completed.

Metallurgical Tests

In August 2016, samples were collected from existing drill core at Lindero and sent to Base Metals Laboratory (BML), located in Kamloops, British Columbia, for preparation which included crushing with a HPGR mill at the University of British Columbia. All preparation and tests are being carried out individually for the four metallurgical types identified in the resource as shown in the following table:

Met Type Met Type

Description Met Type Percentage

in Resource Estimation 1 Fresh intrusive 67% 2 Oxide porphyry 10% 3 Fresh porphyry 4% 4 Sediments 19%

A portion of the prepared material was sent to the laboratory of HydroGeoSense in Tucson, Arizona, for hydrodynamic column testwork with the purpose of evaluating permeability characteristics to determine maximum heap heights. As a result of the low to medium values obtained, agglomeration with cement is recommended to reach heap heights of approximately 80 meters. Testwork also confirmed that cement addition was sufficient for pH control during leaching, therefore no lime is required. Maximum cement consumption per metallurgical type is shown in the table below:

Met Type Maximum

Consumption (kg/t) 1 4.5 2 4.5 3 1.5 4 0.0

Once optimum conditions for agglomeration were determined, leaching column testwork was initiated. The first step was a set of 32 scoping short column tests to determine the optimum leaching conditions (cyanide strength, irrigation rate, etc.) to run the 10-meter tall columns.

The company has collected core samples from a diamond drill program carried out in the third quarter of 2016 for confirmatory fresh ore column leach tests. These samples have been delivered to BML for the respective metallurgy testwork.

Mineral Reserves and Resources

The Feasibility Study was prepared as at October 23, 2015 in accordance with NI 43-101, and defines a Mineral Reserve totaling 82.5 million tonnes averaging 0.63 g/t Au and containing 1.7 million ounces of gold with a projected life of 12 years (see Fortuna news release dated February 27, 2017).

Fortuna has conducted a validation program which included relogging of all available drill core, heterogeneity testwork to establish the variability of the mineralization and subsequent sampling protocols, drilling of 4,461 meters to increase confidence in the geological interpretation, a geotechnical review of pit slope angle design parameters, and a re-estimation of reserves and resources. The work completed has not identified any significant changes with respect to the reserves and resources stated in the Feasibility Study.

Mining

A tradeoff analysis evaluating different fleet size equipment has been completed. Results indicate that the mine can accommodate different truck and shovel options, ranging from 150 ton to 50 ton trucks, with varying impacts on CAPEX and OPEX. Final selection of fleet equipment is expected in the third quarter of 2017.

Infrastructure

Basic engineering for the infrastructure is being updated to reflect changes from the optimization in mineral process design, project layout, and economic parameters in Argentina since the publication of the Feasibility Study in early 2016.

Lindero gold Project

In July 2016, Fortuna completed the acquisition of Goldrock Mines Corp. whose principal asset was the Lindero Project (see Fortuna news release dated July 28, 2016). In addition to the Feasibility Study, Lindero has an approved environmental impact study and has been granted all major permits for the construction of an 18,750 tpd open pit, heap leach gold mine. The Feasibility Study considers a life of mine average annual production for the first nine years of approximately 108,000 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cash cost of US$715 per ounce of gold.

Qualified Persons

Geoff Allard, Professional Engineer (Arizona Registration Number 49711), is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Metallurgical testing has been under the direction of Mr. Allard who has reviewed the metallurgical statements in this news release and concludes that they are an accurate representation of the metallurgical work to date.

Eric N. Chapman, M.Sc., Vice President of Technical Services, is the Qualified Person for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Chapman is a Professional Geoscientist of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia (Registration Number 36328) and is responsible for ensuring that the information contained in this news release is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Fortuna Silver Mines.

About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Fortuna is a growth oriented, precious metals producer focused on mining opportunities in Latin America. Our primary assets are the Caylloma silver Mine in southern Peru, the San Jose silver-gold Mine in Mexico and the Lindero gold Project in Argentina. The company is selectively pursuing acquisition opportunities throughout the Americas and in select other areas. For more information, please visit our website at www.fortunasilver.com.
By Choi Ha-young

Shin Yeon-hee

Leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in lodged a complaint with police against Shin Yeon-hee, the head of the Gangnam-gu office in Seoul, Wednesday, for spreading malicious rumors about him.

Shin, a member of the conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP), recently shared a story and video about Moon she obtained from an acquaintance with some 150 Kakao Talk messaging service users.

The story said people should not vote for Moon in the upcoming presidential election because he is a "communist" and his friend former President Roh Moo-hyun killed himself to help pro-North Korean groups seize power.

"If Moon is elected, the Republic of Korea will collapse," it read.

Shin encouraged users to distribute the story.

As an elected public servant, she is obliged to stay neutral in elections under the Public Official Election Act.

"Along with a police investigation, we also urge the election watchdog to examine this case," a Moon aide told reporters.

Later, Shin apologized for her behavior, saying she forwarded the messages carelessly, but had no intention to slander him.

Shin was previously at the center of controversy when she gave a hearty welcome to the disgraced ex-President Park Geun-hye when she returned home to Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, March 12, after being removed from power. She even delivered flower bouquets to the scandal-hit Park.

Regarding her loyalty to Park, the DPK described Shin as "Park's private secretary," in a statement issued March 16. "She is a public official for Gangnam-gu residents, not for one person in Samseong-dong," DPK vice spokeswoman Kim Hyo-eun said.

Shin made headlines for her thorny relationship with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, a DPK member. When Hyundai Motor purchased land in Gangnam in 2014 from Korea Electric Power Corp. The Seoul Mayor claimed the company's expenses should be used for all citizens while Shin urged Park to invest the money for Gangnam residents' interests only.

"Why don't you separate Gangnam-gu from Seoul, by establishing the Gangnam Special Administrative Region?" Shin's "declaration of independence" showed the conflict between the rich borough and others, over the allocation of tax revenue.

In 2015, Shin was questioned over the allegation about her orchestrating vicious online comments against Mayor Park, by mobilizing Gangnam-gu officials. However, the prosecution dismissed the case saying their online activities didn't violate the Public Official Election Act, since they were not an election campaign.
SY Panel CEO Hong Young-don

By Lee Hyo-sik

SY Panel, a maker of sandwich panels and other construction materials, has decided to build a plant in Nepal to capitalize on the nation's ongoing reconstruction work following a 2015 earthquake.

The company, listed on the tech-heavy Kosdaq market, said Tuesday that it plans to complete the construction of the envisioned manufacturing facility this year. Korea's No. 1 sandwich panel producer also plans to use the Nepalese plant as a base to enter India, Pakistan and other South Asian countries.

"We will build a plant in Nepal as quickly as possible to supply sandwich panels and other construction materials to facilitate the nation's recovery efforts from the devastating earthquake," a company spokesman said. "In the near future, we will also tap into India, which is the largest construction market in the region."

In February, SY Panel, headed by CEO Hong Young-don, acquired a 30-percent stake in a consortium that has been building a steel processing plant in Vietnam, for 5 billion won ($4.5 million). The envisioned facility will process steel plates for a wide range of household appliances and construction materials.

"Our sandwich panels have gained huge popularity among businesses and consumers across the globe for their high quality," the spokesman said. "We operate panel plants in China, Indonesia and Vietnam to meet growing demand there, fueled by booming real estate markets."

The demand for panels that are effective insulators will increase at a robust pace as people prefer to live in energy-efficient homes, according to the spokesman, who said the company will continue to invest more on research and development activities.

SY Panel has also begun shifting its focus to other more value-added building materials, according to the spokesman.

"Investing in the steel processing plant in Vietnam is part of such efforts. We will continue to build plants abroad and tap into more foreign markets," he said.

Founded in 1994, SY Panel earned 310 billion won in sales with a 9 billion won operating profit in 2016. The enterprise operates 11 plants in Korea, employing 700 workers.
St. Louis, MO The latest The latest talcum powder lawsuit tried in a Missouri court found in favor of the defendant, which tallies three wins for plaintiffs and one for J&J.

Nora Daniels, a Tennessee woman, filed the talc lawsuit against the drug giant claiming its baby powder contributed to her ovarian and uterine cancer. Imerys Talc, a supplier of talcum powder, was also sued. Daniels had used talc from 1978 through 2013, like the other three plaintiffs who won their cases. According to Daniels lawyer, Jim Onder, there may have been a difference in the verdicts because this jury didnt think the talcum powder contributed to Daniels specific type of cancer. One juror said the jury didnt think the evidence linking talcum powder with ovarian cancer even warranted warning labels on the products.This jurys decision is similar to two cases thrown out last September in New Jersey, when the judge found insufficient scientific evidence to back plaintiffs claims.The jurys decision is consistent with the science, research, clinical evidence and decades of studies by medical experts around the world that continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc, said Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich. And Imerys Talc spokesperson said the jury followed the science that establishes the safety of talc, according to theBut all the plaintiffs claim that their ovarian cancer is a direct result of regularly applying talc-based powders to their genital area. They also claim that the pharmaceutical company was aware of research findings in the 1970s that demonstrated this link, and that J&J ignored this and did not warn customers because they wanted to protect their sales revenues.In the three previous lawsuits, plaintiffs were awarded $72 million, $70 million, and $55 million, all of which appeals have been lodged by J&J. The company reported in a recent filing to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission that it is facing at least 3,100 product liability suits in various multi-district cases. Because most of the cases have been filed in Missouri, Johnson & Johnson has appealed to have most of them spread out nationwide.
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets.

Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

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Do you ever feel like some people's sole purpose in life is to make anything they can more complicated?

And do you find that most of those people excel if they work in government?

I say, keep it simple. Life is complicated enough on its own. But the Florida Department of Agriculture, for example, appears to be one entity that doesn't know how to do this.

Court: Florida dairy's skim milk is skim milk, not imitation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A small, all-natural dairy isn't being deceptive when it calls its skim milk "skim milk," a federal appeals court ruled Monday in a victory for the creamery that's fighting the state's demand to label the product "imitation" because vitamins aren't added to it.

The ruling overturns a decision last March when a federal judge sided with the Florida Department of Agriculture, which said the Ocheesee Creamery couldn't label it's skim milk "skim milk" because the state defines the product as skim milk with Vitamin A added. The state instead said that if the creamery wanted to sell the product, it should label it as "imitation" skim milk.

That didn't sit well with a dairy whose whole philosophy is not to add ingredients to natural products. So instead of complying, the creamery has dumped thousands of gallons of skim milk down the drain rather than label it as an imitation milk product.

"The State was unable to show that forbidding the Creamery from using the term 'skim milk' was reasonable," the three-judge, Jacksonville-based panel wrote in its ruling.

The court said the state disregarded far less restrictive and more precise ways of labeling the product, "for example, allowing skim milk to be called what it is and merely requiring a disclosure that it lacks vitamin A."

The Institute for Justice is representing Ocheesee Creamery owner Mary Lou Wesselhoeft in the lawsuit against the state.

"All Mary Lou wants to do is sell skim milk that contains literally one ingredient  pasteurized skim milk  and label it as pasteurized skim milk," Institute for Justice lawyer Justin Pearson said in a press release.

The creamery, about 50 miles west of the state capital, has offered to put on its label that it doesn't add vitamins to the product, but the state hasn't accepted the compromise. It was selling between 100 and 300 gallons of skim milk a week for $5 a gallon before the dispute. The product made up about 25 percent of its profits.

The dictionary definition of skim milk is simply milk with the cream removed. But the Department of Agriculture says under state and federal law, skim milk can't be sold as skim milk unless vitamins in the milk fat are replaced so it has the same nutritional value as whole milk.

The department didn't immediately return phone calls and an email seeking comment.

***

What can be more simple than selling a product as-is, without adding vitamins or anything else, and labeling it as such? This creamery seems to have been doing something that ought to be a no-brainer.

And they didn't try to milk the situation for all it's worth -- pun intended. They didn't use the publicity to sell more skim milk. No, Wesselhoeft actually had principles and poured the product down the drain rather than add a vitamin and sell it to fit the state's ill-thought-out definition of "skim milk."

When's the last time you ran across a company with real principles these days -- principles that they stuck to even though it cost them money? That's a real rarity.

And speaking of making life much more complicated than it needs to be ...

Bill would bar discrimination toward climate change doubters

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  A Republican lawmaker in Maine says the state should protect people from being discriminated against based on their beliefs about climate change.

Rep. Larry Lockman has introduced a bill that would limit the attorney general's ability to investigate or prosecute people based on their political speech, including their views on climate change. It would also prohibit Maine from favoring or disfavoring a person based on their "climate change policy preferences."

Lockman says "skeptics" of climate change need to be defended because they get treated like "heretics."

The bill says the new rule would apply to grants, contracts and employment.

Peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists say that the world is warming from man-made forces.

Lockman's bill is scheduled for an April 6 hearing.

***

Really? This is necessary?

Free speech is already, you know, a constitutional right. How many laws do we need to duplicate that basic tenet of the fabric of America?

Perhaps we should have enshrined in statute the right to be stupid. After all, from what I hear and read a lot of people say and do, there are a lot of stupid human beings out there.

Maybe I'm one of them and I'm too stupid to realize it. Hm.

The "keep it simple" philosophy could rid America of a number of unnecessary laws. Let's take the you-can't-talk-on-your-cellphone-while-driving kind of restriction. Just why isn't that covered under general "distracted driving" rules? A cop ought to be able to pull over a driver talking on a cellphone under a distracted driving prohibition, just as police should be able to ticket someone painting her toenails or trimming his sideburns while driving for being a danger to themselves and others.

I don't see the real point in having a specific law for every possible scenario when a general statute will do the trick.

One of the dumbest tickets that cops give, and that always makes me chuckle, is "failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident." Talk about a "no kidding!" kind of ticket. I guess if we have that, we ought to have "failure to acquire the necessary intelligence to operate a motor vehicle" tickets, or a citation for "failure to utilize the necessary level of brain power when driving."

Oh, I got a million of 'em.

But, suffice it to say, sometimes skim milk is just skim milk, and sometimes free speech is simply free speech. We don't have to legislate the snot out of every tiny aspect of life.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly hungry for milk and cookies. But a cookie isn't just a cookie -- it might be an Oreo, or a chocolate chip cookie, or a snickerdoodle, or ...

Whoops! Here I am doing it too. Maybe sometimes it does pay to specify.

Now I've managed to confuse myself. Just hand me my milk and I'll shut up.

There's not a thing complicated about that.
The Pirates, Astros and Braves are among multiple teams still showing interest in White Sox lefty Jose Quintana, Yahoo Sports Jeff Passan reports. Pittsburgh and Houston have been widely linked to Quintana on the rumor mill all winter long, while connections between Quintana and the Braves have been largely quiet since December, when Atlanta reportedly balked at Chicagos very high asking price for the southpaw. Several evaluators tell Passan that the Braves arent a great trade fit for the Sox, as while Atlantas farm system is very deep, its top prospects (Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies and Kevin Maitan) are all middle infielders, and Chicago already has Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada slated as their up-the-middle combo of the future. In short, not much has really changed on the Quintana front, as the Sox are in no rush to make a deal unless someone meets their price. The White Sox have dispatched more scouts than usual to minor league camps, Passan writes, in a sign of due diligence should a good trade offer suddenly emerge.

Heres more from both the NL and AL Central
Beauty and the Beast will be released in Malaysia without any cuts, Disney says, days after it rejected censors demands for a gay scene to be removed.

The blockbuster would be released on 30 March with a PG13 rating, Disney said.

Two major cinema chains have confirmed the new date, two weeks after the postponed opening on 16 March.

The film has offended social conservatives for making LeFou, sidekick to villain Gaston, the first openly gay character in a Disney film.

Homosexual activity is illegal in Malaysia under both secular and religious laws. It is punishable by a prison sentence or corporal punishment.

Gay characters can be shown in films, but only if they are portrayed negatively or repent.

The film, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, has taken more than $350m (282m) around the world.

Director Bill Condon says Le Fou is confused about his sexuality and that the film shows a brief gay moment.

The head of Malaysias Film Censorship Board, Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid, told the Associated Press on 15 March that the scene in question was inappropriate because many children will be watching this movie.

The board asked for cuts  something Disney rejected. Local distributors then asked the board to review the decision to block the film.

The move had also sparked ire on social media and the tourism minister, Seri Nazri Aziz, had said banning the film was ridiculous.

There was no immediate comment from the board on the apparent reversal.

Beauty and the Beast has also raised hackles elsewhere.

In neighbouring Singapore, where sex between men is technically illegal, the Anglican Church has issued a warning to parents over the film. In Russia, it has been given a 16+ rating and, most recently, it has also been pulled from Kuwaiti cinemas.


Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once again topped the Forbes magazine list of the world's richest billionaires, while US President Donald Trump slipped more than 200 spots.

Gates, whose wealth is estimated at $86 billion, led the list for the fourth straight year.

He was followed by Berkshire Hathaway chief Warren Buffett  with an estimated wealth of $75.6billion, before a bevy of American tech giants dominated the rest of the top ten.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was number three with a net worth of $72.8billion, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg was fifth with $56billion, and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison came it at number seven with $52.2billion in the bank.

The rest of the top ten included Amancio Ortega  Inditex fashion group founder and the richest non-American  at number four with $71.3billion, Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim at six with $54.5billion, Republican mega-donors Charles and David Koch in eighth and ninth with $48.3billion, while Michael Bloomberg rounded it out with $47.5billion.

Trump's plummet down the list to number 544 with an estimated net worth of $3.5billion was the result of $1billion being slashed from his valuation in the same list last year.

Forbes attributed Trump's drop to sluggishness in the Manhattan real estate market which is responsible for a disproportionate amount of his wealth.

'Forty percent of Donald Trump's fortune is tied up in Trump Tower and eight buildings within one mile of it,' Forbes said.

1. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder: $86billion

2. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway CEO: $75.6billion

3. Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO: $72.8billion

4. Amancio Ortega, Inditex fashion group founder: $71.3billion

5. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO: $56billion

6. Carlos Slim, Mexican telecom mogul: $54.5billion

7. Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder: $52.2billion

8. Charles Koch, Koch Industries CEO and chairman: $48.3billion

9. David Koch, Koch Industries CEO and chairman: $48.3billion

10. Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg co-founder: $47.5billion

11. Bernard Arnault, LVMH CEO: $41.5billion

12. Larry Page, Google co-founder and Alphabet CEO: $40.7billion

13. Sergey Brin, Google co-founder and Alphabet president: $39.8billion

14. Liliane Bettencourt, L'Oreal heiress: $39.5billion

15. S. Robson Walton, Wal-Mart heir: $34.1billion

16. Jim Walton, Wal-Mart heir: $34billion

17. Alice Walton, Wal-Mart heiress: $33.8billion

18. Wang Jianlin, Dalian Wanda Commercial Property chairman: $31.3billion

19. Li Ka-shing, Cheung Kong Holdings CEO: $31.2billion

20. Sheldon Adelson,Las Vegas Sands Corporation CEO: $30.4billion 'Lately, the neighborhood has been struggling (relatively speaking).'

Trump had steadfastly refused to release his tax returns, which would prove how much he is truly worth, however the Forbes figure is substantially lower than the president has claimed.

During the campaign, then-candidate Trump boasted he was worth, 'in excess of $10billion', the Guardian reports.

Trump was in fact tied with 19 other people at number 544, including disgraced former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and Texas billionaire Robert McNair.

However, the president will perhaps take some comfort in outranking Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on the list, who has an estimated net worth of $3.4billion.

Overall, the global billionaire population jumped 13 per cent from last year to 2,043, the biggest annual increase in the 31 years since the magazine began compiling the list, Forbes said. Including in the 195 newcomers to the list are 15 self-made women.

The new arrivals took the total number of women ranked by Forbes to 227. The US led countries with the most billionaires with 565, while China was second with 319 billionaires, and Germany was third with 114.

This year it took at least $3.7 billion in wealth to make it onto the list, but only in a tie for 501st place, a group that included Hollywood director Steven Spielberg.

The total worth of the names on the list was about $7.67trillion  or about 46 per cent of the US' GDP.

Forbes explained how it creates its 'snapshot' ranking as part of the list.

'The Forbes Billionaires list is a snapshot of wealth taken on February 17, 2017; we used stock prices and exchange rates from around the world to calculate net worths,' the magazine said. '

We list individuals rather than multi-generational families who share large fortunes, though we include wealth belonging to a billionaire's spouse and children if that person is the founder of the fortune.'

-3news
Paris (AFP) - Prosecutors in Paris have called for the case to be dropped against French soldiers facing allegations they raped children in the Central African Republic while on a peacekeeping mission, judicial sources told AFP Tuesday.

What happens next is up to investigating judges in France, but as no one has been charged a trial appears unlikely.

France opened a first probe into the child rape allegations in 2014 concerning French soldiers deployed in Central African Republic to restore security after months of violence between rebels and militia fighters.

The prosecutor believes sexual abuse may have occurred during the 2013-2014 deployment but "differences in the testimonies" meant it was not possible to establish guilt among the French troops, a source close to the case told AFP.

British daily The Guardian first revealed the accusations to the public in April 2015, reporting that six children aged between nine and 13 had said they were abused in a camp for displaced people in CAR's capital Bangui.

Since then, other reports have emerged about troops' alleged involvement in sexual attacks and giving children food and sometimes small amounts of money for sexual services.

Six French soldiers were questioned but none were charged and all denied committing any sexual abuse.
Ghana has been cited as one of the countries in the world where money laundering activities grew in 2016 and has recorded two money laundering convictions in the same year, a recent report from the US State Department has said.

The International Narcotics Strategy Report found that although Ghanas Anti-Money Laundering Law (AML), is largely compliant with international standards, these laws are not often applied.

This development among others put Ghana at the risk of being blacklisted in the West African sub-region. The country is required to take drastic measures to mitigate the high level of money laundering activities and financial crimes in the country.

The Ghana has been blacklisted in the past. In 2012, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklisted Ghana for failing to meet international standards. But by October 2012, Ghana was removed from the blacklist when the country started working with FATF to address the issues leading to the blacklist.

In an exclusive interview with ghanabusinessnews.com, Dr Buno Nduka, Director for Programmes and Projects for the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), noted that when a countrys evaluation report is subjected to discussions at the international levels and it is discovered that the country is not making considerable effort to reduce or stop money laundering activities, that country will be put on an intensive programme called Enhanced follow up process.

Dr Nduka made the remarks on the sidelines of a workshop organized by the GIABA in collaboration with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

With the enhanced follow ups, the identified country will be reporting regularly on the progress it is making to counter money laundering.

Dr Nduka explained that, if the country still does not progress and fails to address those challenges, the issues are escalated to a higher dimension where a country can now be put on public notice.

A public statement can be issued that the country is not complying with international standards with regards to dealing with money laundering and that other countries should be weary of doing business with them, he added.

Additionally, Ghanas money laundering activities report has now been evaluated but has not been discussed yet. The report will be discussed in May and if Ghana is found guilty, the country could be blacklisted.

The workshop which brought together experts from the West African sub-region sought to train assessors in compliance monitoring.

The compliance monitoring, first of all, evaluates the countries on the progress it has made towards combating money laundering to ascertain the efforts member states are making.

GIABA is the umbrella organization for West Africa in dealing with money laundering but now has other members outside of West Africa. GIABA is helping member states to put in place programmes to be able to implement effective and robust measures through capacity building, compliance, and monitoring.
MATTOON -- On Wednesday, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency officials toured a prospective historic district that would encompass Lumpkin Heights and Elm Ridge.

The tour was part of plans by the Coles County Historic Preservation Advisory Council and the Wabash Avenue Neighborhood Association to nominate the two subdivisions as a district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Andrew Heckenkamp, a National Register coordinator with IHPA, said observations that he and his colleague Amy Hathaway, a National Register specialist, made during the tour will supplement preliminary application documents they have already received for the prospective district.

"It's always good to be on site and see things in person," Heckenkamp said.

The IHPA officials walked along Wabash and Lafayette avenues in Lumpkin Heights and along Elm Ridge, accompanied by county Historic Preservation Advisory Council members Steve Thompson and Carolyn Cloyd. They looked over the historic architectural integrity of the houses there.

Hathaway said she was impressed by the variety of architectural styles in the two subdivisions, ranging from a post-Civil War, Second Empire-style house to early ranch style houses. She also noted the brick road surface on Lafayette and the large yards with deep setback in much of Lumpkin Heights.

"We think there is a historic district here. We are just hashing out the boundaries," Hathaway said.

If IHPA staff end up giving an advisory opinion that the two subdivisions are are a likely candidate for the National Register, local supporters of the prospective district will then submit a completed nomination form and additional supporting materials to this state agency.

The state Historic Sites Advisory Council will review the nomination at a public meeting. If they recommend historic designation, IHPA's historic preservation officer will then evaluate this proposal for possible National Register nomination. This registry is a National Park Service program.

During a Feb. 22 local public meeting, Thompson noted that the National Register listing is honorary in nature and would not place any regulations on the use of properties within the two subdivisions.

Thompson has said National Register historic district status does bring opportunities for federal income tax incentive for rehabilitating income-producing places and for property tax assessment freeze incentives for rehabilitating single-family, owner-occupied residences.

More information about National Register historic districts is available by contacting Thompson at at skthompson@mchsi.com or 217-254-1524, or by visiting https://www2.illinois.gov/ihpa/Preserve/Pages/Places.aspx.
The Hague (AFP) - Judges at the International Criminal Court may Friday award the tribunal's first monetary sums to victims of war crimes, with lawyers estimating some $16.4 million in damages were caused by a 2003 attack on a Congolese village.

Friday's order for reparations for 304 victims of former Congolese warlord Germain Katanga is set to be a landmark step for the world's only permanent war crimes court.

"Reparations should place the victim in a situation as close as possible to that before the crime was committed," Fidel Nsita Luvengika, the legal representative for victims, argued in a 2016 filing to the court in The Hague.

Fidel Nsita Luvengika represents the victims of a 2003 attack in the DR Congo that left some 200 people dead

Katanga was sentenced by the ICC to 12 years in jail in 2014, after being convicted on five charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the February 2003 attack on Bogoro village in Ituri province.

Some 200 people were shot or hacked to death with machetes in the attack.

Legal representatives have estimated a minimum of $16.4 million in damages was caused, and it may be as high as $24.7 million, even if the "victims are not demanding this sum".

'Justice not just in courtroom'

Katanga, 38, now on trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo on other charges of war crimes and insurrection in the mineral-rich Ituri region, is liable for any compensation.

The judges could decide to order collective reparations for projects to help the community, as well as individual damages to victims.

"It may bring the prospect of some redress for the victims," said Pieter de Baan, director of the Trust Fund for Victims, arguing it was important to show justice "doesn't stop in the courtroom".

"For the system as a whole, it's really important to spend time building a process in which you don't only get convictions, but you also get decisions which go to the benefit of the victims," he told AFP.

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) is an independent body set up under the ICC's founding guidelines, to support and implement programmes to help victims.

If Katanga cannot pay any reparations then the TFV could decide to dip into its funds, accumulated by voluntary contributions from member states. But it only has $5 million available, of which one million has been set aside for the case of Thomas Lubanga.

The 2016 filing on behalf of Katanga's victims sets out a detailed list estimating cost of the loss of life, goods and property, as well as for services such as counselling.

A total of 228 homes were destroyed in Bogoro, most made of sticks and worth about $600 each. A new school is needed at a cost of $22,400.

Seventy-nine people each lost between 10-15 cows worth $400 each: total cost between $316,000 and 474,000.

Lawyers have also sought to place a monetary value on the loss of a parent or relative, on whether a victim was raped, maimed or robbed of their livelihood.

Money won't bring them back

"The reparations regime of the court is without real precedent," said De Baan. "It's not science. It's basically trying to reach an estimation of what the harm has been in relation to the crimes."

The case of Lubanga, another Congolese warlord sentenced in 2012 to 14 years for conscripting child soldiers, was the first to see some kind of ICC compensation award.

In October, judges approved "symbolic reparations" to create a "living memorial" to remember and raise awareness about child soldiers.

But a final decision on collective reparations for Lubanga's victims is still awaited.

"The money won't bring back the victims," said local tribal chief Salomon Kisembo Byaruhanga.

He told AFP the local Hema community would rather one of the hearings in Katanga's current trial in the DRC "be held in Ituri and that a public apology is made."

Katanga's "brothers in arms continue to commit atrocities in the region," he said, adding: "For us the biggest reparation of all, would be if Germain and his men would stop carrying out murders, massacres and pillages on the population."

Aid workers say they hope some money will go towards long-term projects such as building roads, health centres and schools.

"Given that today the victims and the executioners are living together, we must help people reach a real reconciliation," said Jean Bosco Lalo, coordinator for the local group, the Ituri Civil Society.
The President on Tuesday met the Ghanaian community in Geneva, Switzerland, where is attending the Africa CEOs Conference.

Nana Akufo-Addo told the gathering of Ghanaians that his government has a firm plan to fulfill the promises the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made during the elections.

The future for Ghana is one which is limitless in its possibilities are far as I am concerned. This is going to require dedicated work and a lot of hard work, but nothing gets down easily, he said.

We have to sweat our way there and it is all of us, we have to sweat our way there. That Ghana we want, we can get to that Ghana. I believe we can all do that, Akufo-Addo said.

The President said he had heard concerns that his government had made so many promises and will not be able to deliver on them, but according to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has a record of making do all promises it made to Ghanaians and his NPP government will not be an exception.

You say we are making a lot of promises, but we are not making just promises but we have a plan. Those who continue to mock our views; when NPP people we are talking about our promises, people should take us seriously because our track records are there, of making the plans come true.

I have a big plan for Ghana and Im going to make sure that the plan works, the President assured.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his belief that Ghana can develop local solutions to its many problems and create prosperity for its citizens.

According to him, Ghana, like many other African countries, is endowed with a lot of natural resources that can help it develop.

Speaking at the 5th African CEO Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, the President said Africa must use its own programmes and analysis to devise a strategy to get out of poverty.

We are required to have our own programme, our own analysis of how we can get out from poverty to prosperity. Our country has enormous natural resources, bauxite, iron ore. They remain untapped and underdeveloped. I am exceptionally optimistic about the future of Ghana because the resources are there, he said.

Akufo-Addo admitted that corruption is a major challenge militating against the progress of the continent, assuring that his government is addressing it.

We are taking the issue of corruption head-on, he told the business leaders.

He said his government aims to build an economy that will not rely on aids and hand-outs from the West, but will be self-reliant.

We want to build economies that are self-reliant, have the capacity to compete and generate prosperity for our peopleThe attitude of the government is to begin to take Ghana beyond aid.

He said African countries should not look to external or western support to address their issues of business competitiveness, productivity, and stability of local currencies, but rather look within and develop local solutions in that regard.

He said in doing so, the continent will be able to become a giant economic force in the world.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @jnyabor
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Telecom users are demanding improved service delivery from service providers at a time that competition in the industry is becoming keener.

The consumers, some of whom have been speaking to Citi Business News have also made a case for class action if the situation remains unchanged.

It also appears that the consumer dissatisfaction cuts across all the six telecom operators in the country.

The complaints, equally center on a wide range of issues such as call drops, poor quality of voice, high cost of data, among others.

Some of the customers of the telecom companies who spoke to Citi Business News couldn't help but pour out their frustrations.

My greatest worry is about the rate at which the data gets used up. Even though there are adverts about bundles, I seem not to benefit from that either. Almost all the networks the data is very expensive, one customer remarked.

Another also said, The challenge I face most is when it is difficult to reach someone via voice call. It even gets irritating when you know that the other customer is within reach.

For my network, I hardly subscribe to voice call because of the rate at which my credit get exhaustedI always have to complain about the unsolicited messages which also drain my credit, a third concerned consumer decried.

The calls by the consumers come at a time that the telecom operators are intensifying moves to improve their service delivery and stay relevant in the highly competitive industry.

The industry regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has also given a month's ultimatum by which time all the mobile network operators should submit a roadmap for solving all network challenges.

The NCA among others has also cited quality of service as one of the main challenges within the telecom industry which requires utmost consideration.

Telecom Analyst, Fouad Chalabi describes the regulator's intervention as necessary though not a novelty.

He however stressed the need for stricter compliance to bring defaulters to book.

With the one month period for the Mobile network operators to solve the technical challenges is a good timethe Telcos have challenges yet they have to be up to the task. But it would be better to have a few subscribers with better services than to have a lot with poor services, he said.

Despite the concerns, some customers seem to be content with their network operators.

But Mr. Chalabi also offers some solutions to sustain the interest of the apparent dissatisfied consumers.

The telecom industry has been here for about twenty-five years and now a whole generation knows what is happening with people subscribing to at least one mobile network or the other. So definitely to be up to the challenge, the operators need to provide good quality of service. It is the obligation to serve the good service all over the country, beyond the national capital.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
Experts at the Ghana Water Company have warned that the country risks importing water for consumption unless illegal mining activities stop.

As the country joins the rest of the world to mark the WHO World Water Day, the experts say the spate of water pollution in Ghana is approaching alarming levels.

According to the Accra West Regional Director of the Ghana Water Company, Ing Peter Deveer, illegal mining activities (galamsey) has badly polluted water bodies in the country resulting in the excessive cost of treatment.

Mr. Deveer made the revelations on the sidelines of a community dialogue programme at Chorkor in Accra.

World Water Day, which is marked on March 22 every year, is about taking action to tackle the water crisis.

Today, there are over 663 million people worldwide living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.

This year's theme, Why waste water? is in support of SDG 6.3 on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater.

Globally, the vast majority of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused  polluting drinking and bathing and irrigation and losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials.

Citing a report on the spate of water pollution in the country, Ing Deveer told Joy News, "the rate at which things are going we could be importing water in the next ten to 20 years."

Meanwhile, researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has said Ghana has no problem with water sources, however, potable water sources are diminishing at such a fast rate that the country faces a looming water crisis by the year 2030 if conditions continue to persist.

Scarier is the fact that there would be no treatable water source, either surface or ground water by 2030, should the rate at which the countrys water sources are being polluted continue, the Water Research Institute (WRI) of CSIR warns further.

Water purification challenges

Last year, Director of Water Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) called for a review of the countrys water purification system, revealing that the current system fails to remove harmful toxins produced by algae in freshwater sources.

Dr Joseph Addo Ampofo said although the current water purification mechanism by the Ghana Water Company meets the WHO standards, it fails to clean hazardous planktons in Ghanas water sources.

If you look at the Weija water for instance, gradually the water is increasing in blue-green algae. With such waters, if you want to treat and drink, you must also take into consideration removal of the algae because the algae toxins can cause kidney problems, liver problems, nervous system problems, heart problems.

Photo: The Weija dam contains high levels of algae, says Dr Ampofo

Because we do not have that technology with our water treatment now, it means if there are a lot of algae in the water from a treatment point. You will be drinking these toxins and that is the danger we are facing now, he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | [email protected]
The Right Alliance-Ghana has noted with alarm developments that may have contributed in no small way to the Kintampo waterfall disaster that claimed about 20 lives and left several others severely injured.

The Chief of Kyeremankoma where the tragedy occurred, Nana Effah Guarkuro, in an interview with the media, disclosed that following the declaration of the 2016 Election results on December 9 last year, the local chapter of the Invincible Forces, a New Patriotic Party vigilante group, stormed the waterfall and took over its administration, driving away the District Assembly officers in charge.

It may therefore be a situation of inexperienced, unskilled neophytes managing the place that led to the disaster.

While condoling the families of the deceased and wishing the injured speedy recovery, the Right Alliance-Ghana condemns the action of the Invincible Forces that has obviously deprived the tourist site of competent and skilled management.

Under the circumstances, we cannot hide our utmost disgust at the immediate past administration of the National Democratic Congresss failure to supervise the complete and effective disbandment and disarming of the Invincible Forces as well as all other vigilante groups even though the Police administration made a lot of noise about it under their watch. It should be noted that during the incident in front of the then NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addos residence, one of them actually pointed a gun in the face of the Commander of the anti-terrorism squad and got away with it.

This may have emboldened them and made them more brazen, hence the violent and unlawful takeover of public property including the Kintampo Waterfall in the wake of the Partys electoral victory. Considering that members of the Invincible Forces have taken over the School Feeding programme in some districts and are occupying some other public facilities and even state bungalows it may not be long until their nefarious activities lead to another national disaster.

The Right Alliance-Ghana therefore fervently appeals to President Akufo Addo to, as a matter of urgency, see to the complete disbandment and disarming of all vigilante groups in the country including the Invincible Forces. After all, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which is the supreme law of the land, stipulates in Articles 200 (2) and 210 (2) that no person or authority shall raise any private army, police force or militia except by or on the authority of an Act of Parliament.

We of the Right Alliance-Ghana believe a total disbandment of all vigilante groups is in the best interest of the nation and should be done without further delay.

#Long Live the Right Alliance-Ghana!

#Long Live the Fourth Republic!

#Long Live Ghana!

Signed

Dr. Khadel Mahama

Chairman, the Right Alliance-Ghana

020 9456533

King Khorby

Director of Communications, the Right Alliance- Ghana
Accra, GHANAFrom March 21-22, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met with the Government of Ghana and partners working to advance food security goals under the U.S. governments global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future. Over the course of two days, the Feed the Future partners and the Government of Ghana examined the progress made over the last year and discussed potential plans for improving nutrition and food security, as well as building a more inclusive agriculture sector in Ghana. Kwesi Korboe, advisor to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and USAID/Ghana Mission Director Andrew Karas delivered remarks and reaffirmed their commitment toward a shared vision for a food-secure future.

The meeting included a series of panel discussions on innovation, health and nutrition, as well as the use of information and communication technology in agriculture. Feed the Future partners shared their successes and challenges to drive poverty reduction and economic growth. Other topics discussed were the promotion of public-private partnerships to sustain results and scale impact; enhancing the competitiveness of key value chains, particularly maize, rice and soybean; and understanding the constraints within Ghanas seed sector to make high-yielding seed varieties accessible to rural farmers.

Since Feed the Future started in 2013, our progress has been very encouraging. In the Northern Region, we have made significant progress with poverty and nutrition goals. Vulnerable families are accessing economic opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. I cannot overstate that these achievements would not have been possible without everyone here today. remarked Mr. Karas. USAID is committed to working with the Ghana government and our Feed the Future partners to accelerate agricultural growth and improve the nutritional status of women and children.

This meeting was hosted by USAID, in partnership with Feed the Future. In Ghana, Feed the Future works to to spur economic growth and trade, boost the income of farmers and reduce hunger, poverty and undernutrition.
Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, March 21, 2017  The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved on March 15, 2017, the conversion of the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF)  established in 2014 with 4.725 million from the Government of Germany  to a multi-donor trust fund. This conversion brings two new partners to the Fund, the governments of Italy and Flanders (Belgium), who are contributing 4.7 million and 2 million, respectively. It further opens the door to new partnerships with other donors interested in supporting African countries in their transition to low-carbon, climate resilient development and green growth.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the founding donor of the ACCF, expressed pride that the Fund, which was established with the vision of eventually attracting other donors, has achieved this milestone, demonstrating the success of the initiative. BMZ further showed its gratitude to the German Development Agency (GIZ) for executing the agreement on its behalf.

Anthony Nyong, Director of AfDBs Climate Change and Green Growth Department, remarked, the ACCF plays an important role in supporting African countries to scale up their access to climate finance to advance the ambitious targets they have set in their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The contributions of Italy and Flanders are testament to the good work that the Fund has done so far, and the potential that exists to scale it up. The partnership with our donors will be instrumental in scaling up the Banks climate finance to advance climate resilient, low carbon development across the continent.

Only 3% of the global climate finance currently flows to Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a recent study by the Climate Policy Initiative, despite the fact that region is the most vulnerable to climate change. Simon Calcoen of the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the government of Flanders is convinced that the ACCF is key to resolving the current tension between unmet climate needs in Africa and available international climate finance.

About the Africa Climate Change Fund

The ACCF was established in April 2014 with a 4.725 million contribution from Germany with the objective to scale up climate smart development in African countries by increasing the mobilization of international climate finance. The ACCF currently has eight projects under implementation which are supporting six African countries  Mali, Swaziland, Kenya, Cabo Verde, Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Cote dIvoire  to strengthen the capacity of their institutions to access and manage climate finance and to develop impactful projects and programs that will attract climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other sources. Two regional projects are supporting access to updated climate information and building resilience into transboundary infrastructure projects. The ACCF is also actively engaged in promoting coordination, partnerships, knowledge exchange and south-south learning around climate finance readiness, and has co-convened outreach events on this topic. Moving forward, the ACCF plans to launch a new call for proposals in the coming weeks to attract new and innovative projects in support of African countries INDCs.
3G Media celebrates two US based Neurosurgeons who have made Ghana proud in 2017. Nancy and David, We say; "Ayekoo", Well Done.

Nancy Abu-Bonsrah has become the first black woman to be trained as a Neurosurgeon at top US university, Johns Hopkins Medical School. According to http://baltimore.cbslocal.com , she moved to the US from the Ghana at the age of 15, attended Hammond High School in Columbia, MD before studying; Biochemistry at Mount St. Marys University in Emmitsburg, Md.. She eventually went on to complete her medical degree at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. ( http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/20/johns-hopkins-accepts-its-first-black-female-neurosurgery-resident )

Her match to Johns Hopkins Hospital for neurological surgery is a dream come true for her. She says she wants to be remembered for serving her community either through providing quality surgical care or mentoring the next generation of surgeons.

From here Facebook wall;

"What a way to begin the Sabbath! I still haven't processed it yet but this is such an honor and a privilege to join the department at Hopkins to begin this next phase of my career. I'm so fortunate to have the continued support of my husband, family, friends and mentors. Kwabena and I are excited for what's ahead! #match2017 #glorytoGod #wemadeit#sevenmoreyears #Neurosurgery #firstfemaleAAatHopkins"

For further information please click on this link; https://thisisafrica.me/meet-ghanaian-nancy-abu-bonsrah-first-black-female-neurosurgeon-johns-hopkins-hospital/

David Dadey, graduating from Washington University School of Medicine as a Doctor and Medical Scientist (MD PhD) in May 2017, has been marched with Stanford University Medical Center in California to specialize in Neurological Surgery. He went to the United States at the age of 14 and attended Paint Branch High School in Maryland. David is 28 years old and the son of two retired Ghanaian diplomats, Ambassador Samuel Kofi Dadey and Mrs. Eleanor Dadey.

He thereafter graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biology and Chemistry at Morehouse College in 2010, and emerged winner of all three academic prizes at stake in his field of study - the Frederick E. Mapp Prize in Biology, the C.M and Y.E Yang Award in Chemistry, and the Hugh M. and Yvonne Gloster Pre-Medical Prize. He entered Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2010 and graduated MD PhD in 2017.

Congratulations to both
Ghanaians has recently experienced rampant deaths from committing suicide to waterfalls disaster taking more than 50 lives ( I stand to be corrected) within this short time from January to March 2017.

This has raised a lot of concerned and some Ghanaians especially the opposition NDC are accusing the new government of these disasters.

It hurts and pain to hear this noblemen and leaders like Joseph Yamin, Alhaji Bature, Mahama Ayariga and their colleagues associating this tragedies to the Nana - Bawumiah government.

Leaders are great not because they are powerful but their ability to inspire others. _Does this propaganda inspire others?_

*UNLESS GOD CONDEMNS YOU, THE CONDEMNATION OF MAN IS NOTHING*

Brethren in Christ, let us open our Bible to the book of Exodus chapter 23 verse 1. For better understanding, the Roman Catholic should open to the Fante version, Presbyterians should open to the Akwapem version,. Pastor Chris Christ Embassy worshippers should open to the New International Version, but I will join Prophet Francis Kwarteng House of Power Ministry to read the King James Version. And it reads .....

_"Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteousness witness._

*WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE .......*

This a man who is God fearing and seek God's intervention in all his campaign. Remember his campaign theme _"THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS"_ and till now _"THE BATTLE IS STILL THE LORDS"_

This is a man whose headline song for his campaign was _"Asem papa bi"_ a motivational and touching Christian song that inspires while you were twisting your waist around dancing onaaapo.

This is the man who in his first three months of office has cut - sod for a national cathedral.

As Moses told the Isrealist in Exodus not to raise false report .... Ghanaians should not raise false report just for their cheap propaganda and the disease of opposition. Don't be a victim of unrighteous witness by supporting the NDC deceived messages. We are not worthy of these lies.

TO YOU NDC ..... Take a quick look at Mathew 7:3....

It reads ... _"And why worry about a speck in your Friend's eye when you have a log in your own._

Uptill now, we don't have a medical report on what took the life of one of your own and our ex - President Prof. Mills (May his soul rest in Peace).

Look at what is happening to kwasi Botchwey committee. _Think about yourself_

TO THE DOUBTERS ......

Let's read John 15:13 ... It says _"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his Friends "._

Through the Greater love His Excellency has for this country ..... Abolishment is the order of the day but not sole sourcing and it is raising the hopes of Ghanaians again.

God is with Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo. With God all things are possible.

Enemies will be put to shame. _Insha Allah!!!_

*The thought of a patriot NOT a spectator*

Yeboah Benjamin ( write up)

* yebenjamin.blogspot.com *

Member, Crusaders
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Most believers underestimate the powers and existence of the dark kingdom in our contemporary world.

Truth be told, the devil and his agents do not need the consent of believers to operate. Satan and his formidable forces rule the unsaved world except believers who have vowed to obey God's commandments.

It is public knowledge that there is an ancient battle between God and Satan for the eternal destiny of mankind and of planet earth.

This conflict does not only involve God and Satan but it also involves the moral decisions of believers.

It involves the total submission of believers to Gods Holy will which is love and mercy.

As believers, we have choices to make in this battle. Are believers going to disobey God and allow Satan and his agents win this battle or believers are going to denounce sin, girdle their loins, put on the full armour of Christ and stand by God throughout this battle?

Revelation 12: 7-8 confirms this battle.

"And there was war in heaven:Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Angel Gabriel confirmed the existence of territorial spirits when he told Prophet Daniel that the Prince of Persia(a demon)delayed him from delivering Daniel's prayer request.

Daniel 10:13

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days.

Prophet Isaiah also confirmed the existence of a spirit in the Sea in Isaiah 27:1

"In that day the LORD will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent. He will kill the dragon of the sea".

Again, Apostle John in his prophesy on the Greek Island of Patmos also confirmed the existence of these water spirits in the book of Revelations.

Revelation 13:1 says

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy".

According to Colossians 2:18, the main objective of these water spirits is to prevent believers from worshipping the true God who is the creator of the universe. They deceive believers by introducing them to false doctrines and philosophies.

Places and people affected by the manifestation of water spirits have the following characteristics.

There is excessive gratification and egotism in persons possessed by water spirits. People who have been inhabited by water spirits always want others to bow to them and worship them. They always want to boast over achievements and get honoured.

When Pharaoh arrogated to himself the powers of creation and being a god in Exodus 5:2 and 1st Corinthians 8:5-6 , this is what God told Prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 28:2

"Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, `Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, `I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas'; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God"

Again, *churches of error* usually dominate in areas affected by the manifestation of water spirits.

Revelation 16 :14 says "For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

These water spirits attack men of God who preach "holiness" in their territory by leading them into promiscuity and other embarrassing behaviours. Juvenile delinquency, prostitution, immorality are some of the common sins found in areas where these water spirits operate.

They forbid the people they possess from getting married, they cause broken homes etc. They somestimes abuse their victims sexually in dreams.Those possessed by these water spirits usually find themselves swimming or crossing the river in their dreams.

Also, these water spirits lock up the material wealth and financial breakthrough of their victims. They make sure their victims remain poor and helpless so they can rely on them for protection through charms and amulets.

Nahum 2:6 says, "The river gates are opened, and the palace erodes away".

Furthermore, these water spirits reveal hidden secrets to their followers and devotees thereby encouraging the practices of divinations, witchcraft, necromancy, sorcery etc

Ezekiel 28 :3, Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Moreover, Ezekiel 28:4 talks about how rulers and traders who consult these water spirits get rich and powerful.

"by your wisdom and your understanding

you have made wealth for yourself,

and have gathered gold and silver

into your treasuries".

After they are consulted, they sow seeds of corruption, heartlessness, deceit etc in their followers and devotees.

Additionally, water spirits impact on their victims the tendency to go nude. They alter the personality of the people they inhabit. That is, a decent person will all of a sudden see nothing wrong with exposing certain parts of his or her body in public. The person doesnt mind going nude at the beach.

That is the spirit behind people who go nude at naked beaches and naked temples..

Ezekiel 23: 3 says

"They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed."

Besides, these water spirits incite their victims to cause mayhem as these spirits are themselves violent.

In Mark 5:7-13, we are told how the legion spirits in the Gardarene demoniac drove the pigs violently into the sea and drowned them.

Nahum 3:1-3 says Nineveh was situated near the sea and it was said to be a bloody warlike violent city.

Last but not least, these water spirits strengthen themselves through human blood so they cause air, water and road accidents.They sometimes cause civil wars , ritual killings, sicknesses etc.

Revelation 17:6

"And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly".

Numbers 23 :24

"Behold, a people rises like a lioness, And as a lion it lifts itself; It will not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain."

Ezekiel 39: 18

"You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as though they were rams, lambs, goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan".

Beloved, always remember the devil does not require your signature to capture.

The idea of Children of God acknowledging the existence of water spirits is not a lazy mentality as some apostles of philosophy want us to believe.

The onus lies on believers to put on the full armour of Christ in this end time and refrain from putting the devil and his agents to test.

Written by: Nana Ama Asantewaa Kwarkoh

(Evangelist)
Now that Ghana has two Veterinary Medical Schools to train Veterinary Surgeons, one may perhaps have hopes that this will herald the new era of solving the problem of inadequate veterinary surgeons. The irony is that, this is not the case. Many of budding Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Medical Students do not know their fate after graduating from the Veterinary Medical School.

The normal trajectory for them is to be posted by the Veterinary Medical Council to do their housemanship after graduation under the supervision of qualified and experience Veterinary Surgeon. However, for the past seven months the immediate graduate veterinary surgeons have not received their posting. These graduates are totaling 18, 10 from University of Ghana and 8 from KNUST. And those who have graduated 2015 have not been engaged. As it stands now, there are 12 and 8 veterinary medical students expected to graduate from UG and KNUST respectively. The necessary authority to do the posting has not made an effort to post them.

It is on record that there is huge deficit of Veterinary Surgeon with sufficient clinical and scientific knowledge, and skills needed to respond to animal health and zoonotic challenges of Ghana as well as emerging and re-emerging diseases of economic and zoonotic importance. The short term measure of re-engaging retired Veterinary Surgeons is inadequate and even negligible in addressing the situation.

Given the essential service of Veterinary Surgeons and the alarming deficit, it will be expected that the Necessary Authorities act appropriately, post these graduate Veterinary Surgeons, license them afterwards and subsequently post them to serve in their capacities as veterinary surgeons. Nothing of these has been done. This may be cumulating towards one thing; the authority does not care about developing the younger generation of veterinary surgeons, animal health and the health of the Ghanaian population.

The final year veterinary medical students that have less than five month to graduate are worried and do not know what is at stake for them after graduation. According to a 3rd clinical year student of University of Ghana Veterinary Medical Student We dont really know what the council is doing about our housemanship. The council is supposed to take charge, process and post us accordingly and spearhead our remuneration as house officers.

The pertinent questions to ask are; are they also going to add up to the graduates who have not being posted for housemanship? Why is there no posting for the House officers? Does the authority appreciate the relevance and contribution of these House Officers? Does the authority appreciate the effect of the deficit in the country? Is the authority not interested in registering graduate veterinary surgeon as Veterinary Surgeons to serve Mother Ghana? These are questions that need to be answered.

It will be in the interest of Ghana for the Veterinary Council to work accordingly toward the posting of graduate Veterinary Surgeons and act proactively to prevent any future undesirable situation of graduate veterinary Surgeon not posted for housemanship. There is evidence to show the impact of the Veterinary House Officers.

The first batch of Veterinary house officers who were posted served in capacities such as providing medical care to food animals, carrying out meat inspections, carrying out laboratory analysis, disease surveillance in wildlife and inspecting animals to prevent diseases, safeguard public health, support livestock farmers and contribute to protecting the good will of the Ghana in tourism and international trade in animal and animal products.

A Veterinary Surgeon who graduated in 2015 when contacted had this to say I identified and confiscated an anthrax carcass during my routine meat inspection as a House Officer saving farmers and the public from the lethal and economic effect of anthrax. The rippling impact of the Veterinary House Officers cannot be under estimated.

Their housemanship is required for their development, the future of veterinary medical practice, the protection against diseases of animal origin and the promotion of holistic public health.
The world will only come to appreciate Africa when we learn to celebrate our own. These are the words of Managing Director of Babu Global, Sandra Appiah, the company behind the prestigious Ghana Legacy Honors launching on March 25th at the MovenpickAmbassador Hotel.

In 2013, Sandra Appiah and partner Isaac Boateng were the first Ghanaians to be featured in Forbes Thirty Under 30: Africas Best Young Entrepreneurs, an annual list which profiles exceptional young Entrepreneurs of African descent around the world. Since launching in 2011, their media company Face2face Africa has served as a leading voice for the pan-African generation, helping to change the narrative on Africa in the West.

The Ghana Legacy Honors is an initiative that is very close and near to our hearts. Ghana, for us, represents the legacy of Africa, and there have been so many people since our independence who have blazed the path for Ghana to be the distinguished nation that it is today. We launched this initiative to help tell the stories of these individuals and inspire the next generation to also become vanguards of Ghanas legacy.

This year, the Ghana Legacy Awards will honor six distinguished pioneers and trailblazers of African descent, including business magnate Sam Jonah, renowned tech innovator Herman Chinery-Hesse, African human rights and anti-corruption leader Anna Bossman, and distinguished corporate executive Lucy Quist. Two of the honorees, David Adjaye and Ozwald Boateng are Ghanaian descendants who reside in the UK.

Ozwald Boateng is a renowned UK-based Fashion designer who has had a transformational impact on mens fashion-wear for almost 3 decades. He was the first Black designer to open a shop on the popular Savile Row in London, and previously served as Creative Director of Menswear for French fashion house Givenchy.

David Adjaye is currently one of the most sought-after architects in the world, having designed some of the worlds biggest monuments, including the new Smithsonian Museum of African American History, which officially opened last year with a ceremony officiated by president Barack Obama.

It is very important to celebrate these individuals who have broken glass ceilings and blazed a path for Ghanaians and Africans around the world, and use their stories to inspire the next generation. We have been fortunate to meet so many of these people,and through this platform, we hope to expose to the world the talent, creativity, and passion that lives in Ghana.

The Ghana Legacy Honors will provide the opportunity for these pioneers to invest in the younger generation through various meet and greets, seminars and workshops where they can share their stories and inspire them.

The awards gala is taking place this Saturday at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel. Top local and international business leaders as well as Ghanaian and African dignitaries are expected to attend. For corporate tables or tickets, please visit Ghanalegacy.com, email [email protected] . or call 0 506556661
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Did I not promise you that I shall be back to continue with my discussions of Ghanaians absurd infatuation with spoken English in my previous publication? Yes, I did, hence this follow-up publication.

I have never at all been enthused over the Ghanaians silly fondness for spoken English where they have that shameless attitude of laughing at others who lack the vocabularies, fluency and accent to discourse in English.

Like the proverbial last straw that broke the camels back, the recent unnecessary subjection of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern region, Ms Mercy Adu Gyamfi, alias Amma Sey, to demeaning mockery because of her inability to discourse in standard English on the floor of parliament, has so much disgusted me that I have not only decided to reprimand all those into the habit of making fun of those unable to speak good English but also, to educate them.

Most of the highly advanced countries that we see today of whose enviable prosperity, technological knowhow, social lifestyles and whatnot that we (comparatively less developed Ghanaians and Africans) are aspiring to emulate, once had many different dialects/languages in their various individual countries and were made up of different tribes same as we currently do have in Ghana. However, the farsightedness of their forefathers, who could see the benefits of having one language, well ahead of time, came together to select or impose one of their variously many dialects/languages on the nation(s).

In the United Kingdom, the Scottish, the Welsh and the English as well as the Irish had, and probably still do have, their own languages. However, after coming together to form the union called the United Kingdom, they all agreed to use English, one of their many, but dominating language, as their national language.

When you go to France, those in the Southern part of the country, from Toulouse to Marseilles etc. and those in the North-west e.g. Normandy had their own dialects/languages. In the same way as in the United Kingdom, they chose French out of their many dialects as their national language. This established fact is explained away by the heavy accents with which some of the people in other parts or regions within the same country speak the chosen national language.

The Scottish, Irish and Welsh speak English with heavy accent emanating from their previous dialects; a vivid indication that English language was not their original mother tongue. Until today, the Welsh speak their language but not as a national language but restricted to Wales. In France, the other dialects are dying out as all the new generations after choosing French as a national language refuse to speak the other dialects which are dying away with the old people of the various regions that used to speak them.

With one national language selected from their variously spoken dialects, there has been unity among them with all seeing themselves as say, English or French, without any open prevalence of that sort of tribal animosity culminating in seeing some people as inferior as otherwise pertains in Ghana.

Some people may be tempted to tell me that in the global world commerce is dealt in English so it is imperative that Ghanaians speak the adopted English language than to choose one of our many local dialects as our official/national language. It will sound an understatement for me to say that is complete bollocks!

The Chinese currently do more global business than any other country in the world in spite of the inferior quality of their goods; however, they speak their Mandarin, Cantonese, Southern Min, Hunanese, and Gan etc. with Mandarin being the dominant language spoken by about 1.3 billion of the Chinese population. From my research to justify why Ghanaians at the age of sixty, need a national language chosen from one of our own many dialects to be spoken in both parliament and at official functions within the country, I came across this. Mandarin is spoken by possibly more people than any other language: over 1.3 billion. It is the main language of government, the media and education in China and Taiwan, and one of the four official languages in Singapore

Why cant Ghana copy any of these great nations but continues to stagnate in ignorance same believing that ones knowledge of English is an indication of their great learning and command of respect? I find this philosophy of the Ghanaian the mother of all stupidity and inferiority complex.

I quite remember once rebutting a publication on Ghanaweb by a Ghanaian of Ewe origin residing in London. This is a few years back. He said, he went to a certain workplace and a Ghanaian lady she met asked if he was a Ghanaian and as soon as he answered yes, the woman started speaking Twi to him. He wrote that article saying the fact that he is a Ghanaian does not mean he understands Twi since there are many dialects in Ghana. From his write-up, he was trying to insult Ghanaians and especially the Ashantis for always speaking Twi wherever they go. He was slandering the Ashantis notion of superiority and questioning why they should think every Ghanaian must speak their Twi language.

Whether people like it or not, it is a fact if not an open secret that Twi, is the dominant dialect in Ghana that stands a 100% chance of ever becoming the national language if and only if, our parliamentarians, will have the balls to put forward a bill for one of our many dialects to be used as a national language, or if we should decide by referendum which local language is to become our national language.

I remember some parliamentarians teasing Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central region for not being conversant with spoken English. However, what Kennedy has done for Ghana surpasses what 100 MPs put together have done for the country with all their perfect knowledge of both spoken and written English.

Kennedy has exposed the gargantuan corruption that former President Mahama, his family, cronies and government were perpetrating to the detriment of the nation. When these acts of nation-ruining corruption were going on, all the fluently English-speaking MPs were sitting on their bloody arse doing nothing but concurring.

Leave Hon. Mercy Adu Gyamfi alone. The people of Akwatia knew the good in her that was why they voted to elect her to represent them, although a hairdresser as some people claim she is. Is she not better than Baba Jamal, a lawyer, who requested NDC people to lie about saying, If President Mills gives you a hen, tell the public he has given you a goat. If he gives you an old banger, tell them you have been given a brand new 4x4 car and if he gives you a sheep, tell the public you have been given a cow, etc.?

I stand solidly by Hon. Ms Mercy Adu Gyamfi. I shall assist her to ensure Twi is spoken in Ghana parliament whether the Speaker, the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader likes it or not. We must grow up as a nation and be proud of our own identity.

Yes, accuse of being controversial, for that I care! The son of Kumawu/Asiampa has spoken his mind. The best anyone can do is to agree to disagree with me but I shall prevail by the grace of God.

Anyway, let me go. I shall be back!

Rockson Adofo

(Written on Tuesday, 21 March 2017)
Its not cool when you wake up in the morning to a headline like this: A 10-Year-Old Girl Commits Suicide. Naturally youd feel worried. But thats euphemism for devastated, because she could be a neighbour, a friend or a relation. And if this is not troubling then I dont know what else. What really would make a 10-year-old child to take her own life?

Sure, it begs the question. It sets the mind to think harder and wonder whats in the world. Indeed this is the problem Ghana is facing now--- the outbreak of suicide deaths in our society.

In the wake of this development we have been bombarded with horrific images. Were greeted with sights of dead bodies and foamed mouths hanging in trees and above ceilings --something we are not accustomed to. Such images make me cringe. They make my heart bleed. And with heavy heart Ive been brooding and lamenting over the loss of these precious ones. Think about it, a 10-year-old girl

Where did she get the idea from? How long did she conceive the idea? Why the thought and why such an action?

It sounds weird isnt it? But this phenomenon is fast creeping into the Ghanaian society---breaking hearts and devastating homes. The news of 14 suicide deaths within three months across country has shocked many Ghanaians. And most people think that Ghana is in trouble given the fact that minors and youngsters are choosing to go this way.

The West-African nation has in recent times witnessed a number of suicide cases countrywide. And the wave of its occurrence is an indicative that probably our society is losing its ethos of close-knit family element to a more individualistic culture. Clash of cultures is making nonsense of cherished values and societal norms. And crave for economic parity has seemingly dismembered families.

I dont know if the old saying, it takes a village to raise a kid exists any more. Yes used to be, but I am tempted to believe that urbanisation has dwarfed that tapestry society. My child is your child which implies that if my parents are not home Kofis parents take custody of me (to put it loosely) till my parents return.

Studies have shown that the most common situations or life events that might cause suicidal thoughts are grief, sexual abuse, relationship breakup, remorse, rejection, financial problems, and unemployment. Psychiatric factors linked to a higher risk of suicidal ideation include adjustment disorder.

Also depression, anorexia (eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat) and substance abuse can cause suicidal thoughts.

What are suicidal thoughts?

Suicidal thoughts also known as suicidal ideation are thoughts about how to kill one self which can range from a detailed plan to a quick consideration and does not include the final act of killing oneself. It is understood that the majority of people who experience suicidal ideation do not carry through their plan. However, studies again have shown that some may make suicide attempts. Also some suicidal thoughts can be deliberately planned to fail or to be discovered, while others might be carefully planned to succeed.

According to a Finish study over one fifth of people who actually died by suicide had discussed their aim with a doctor other health professionals during their last session.

In Ghana available statistics show 68 persons comprising 28 males and 40 females attempted suicides in Ashanti region in 2016. The Ashanti Regional Mental Health Directorate describes it as unacceptable the tendency for people to end their lives instead of confronting their challenges and seeking help.

The Regional Coordinator of Mental Health in the region Ms. Faustina Nyarko said she was worried about the young people on the list and said the trend is scary as well as disturbing.

Since the beginning of this year (2017) the country r has recorded 14 suicide cases in three months, the figure is unprecedented. Last week eight persons committed suicide in various parts of the country the youngest was a -10 year- old child and two university students ending their lives without any considerable reasons.

Ms. Nyarko has appealed to the public to be each others keeper to support depressed individuals from committing suicide. In the meantime, the directorate has intensified its public education to support individuals opting for suicide to end their challenges in life.

Let me underscore here that suicidal tendency is a global problem. In the United Sates there are about 30,000 suicides each year, an annual incidence of 0.01 per cent. 80 per cent of suicides are among males according to Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). And its third leading cause of death among 15-24-year-olds.

Roughly 4 in 5 American suicide victims are males. Studies also indicate that people who have guns are more likely to complete suicide. Again suicides outnumber homicide by almost 2:1. And nearly all completed suicides are among individuals with mental illness.

Elsewhere in the United Kingdom the National Health Service (NHS) reports that during the last 20 years suicide rates have been steadily dropping. In 2006 there were 5,554 completed suicides among people aged at least 15 years. Three quarter of all UK suicides are in males, with the highest risk among those aged 25 to 34 years followed by 35 to 344 years. After accidental death suicide is the second most common cause of death in males aged 15 to 44.

The following are countries with the highest suicides rates, Guyana 44.2, (four times higher than the global average) South Korea 28.9, Sri Lanka 28.8 and Lithuania 28.2

Globally, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds which translates into 800,000 suicides every year.
22.03.2017 LISTEN

I will take this opportunity to welcome you as the new Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority and to congratulate you not only for the appointment, but for what you bring to the table: your honesty, tenacity of purpose and commitment to our mother Ghana. Your close associates have a high level of confidence in you and they think you are the right person for the job. By way of support, I have few suggestions to make. Suggestions that I believe, if pursued, will help achieve the goals and objectives of the GRA and help the government fulfil its promises to the citizens.

In the first place, you will not achieve much without a functioning national identification system, and a reliable address system in Ghana. You may also need a legal cover to pursue some of the programs I am proposing. However, I will point to ideas within your reach that you may deal with immediately to impact government revenue. The suggestions below may be key, coming in the wake of the various VAT, and import duty abolishment by the government. The government must get its revenue from somewhere else, and I believe it must be income tax.

The first is based on the age-old concept of widening the tax net. Getting all Ghanaians, particularly from the informal sector, who earn income to pay income tax. Those who are not paying at all and those who are not paying the right amount should pay up. To this extent, filing tax returns must be made mandatory for all income earners. Anybody who works or performs service, whether directly or indirectly, and earns revenue, or income should be required to file income tax returns. Income by way of rent, sale of home and other properties must be reported. Head porters, consultants, and several others must all be required to file tax returns and pay tax as appropriate. Other income earners including market women, street hawkers, drivers, car owners, drivers mates, construction workers must all file tax returns. It should also include even those in the formal sector who have jobs to be educated to report all income. They should be made to file their tax returns whether they make profit or not. They will only pay taxes however, if they make profit (with few exceptions) above the required threshold. The filing requirement will even aid collection of property taxes and payment of health insurance premiums. For this requirement to be implemented successfully, there must be repercussions for violators. In the same way that the GRA made Tax Identification Number mandatory for clearing goods at the various ports of entry, Ghanaian workers must be compelled to file their tax returns before they can enjoy specific government services and programs. They and their family may not be enrolled in public school system especially the universities, cannot own nor occupy a store or shed at our market centers, cannot register any real estate property and cannot be allowed to enjoy other similar government services.

In addition, I will encourage you to introduce a third-party reporting system. Any employer who pays workers as employees or contractors must report such salary and wages on a form that will be reported to the GRA and a copy given to the employee or the contactor. This will form the basis of these workers, filing their own tax returns. Since employers in Ghana report income to SSNIT but most report different information to the GRA, the GRA must collaborate with the SSNIT to receive the same report for tax liability determination. In the same vein, salary and wages expense on the employers profit and loss statement can only be accepted if supported by this income report. There are so many other forms that you could introduce or simplify to aid tax filing and collection.

An area that will be difficult to deal with, but if managed efficiently could increase government revenue almost immediately and significantly is GRA audit. Corruption in this area is so enormous, I am surprised Anas has not visited them yet. It is common that employers connive with GRA staff to deny government of expected revenue. What makes it difficult to deal with this is that most of these employers have political heavyweights behind them, or are political party financiers themselves. The GRA auditor will not be forthcoming if he does not see the political will at the top. Meaning if they see commissioners and supervisors allow power brokers, business executives, politicians and other leaders get away with not filing and paying taxes, to protect their own jobs and safety, the GRA auditor will end up playing along. That is how corruption gets entrenched. Addressing this problem will require the support of the president himself. A note of caution from him to all politicians and other power players, will go a long way to address this problem. I know the president will provide you with that support and cover.

This is my recommendation though, get a private international audit firm to audit the GRA auditor. Get them to pick few GRA audits at random, from various categories of taxpayers or businesses and audit them. This move alone will increase revenue. If any auditor is found to be fraudulent, the punishment must be steep and without favour. They should either be fired, have their entitlements revoked, huge penalties levied, or the officers property(ies) confiscated to pay for the penalties as the law will require. Government revenue is a life and death situation and must be treated as such. This move will direct all political pressure on you, and this is where your training, values, tenacity of purpose and selfless commitment to mother Ghana will come to play. May God, bless you.

The above policies, if pursued successfully, will get all income earners to file tax returns, which will increase government revenue. It will also create a lot of jobs, meeting government promises of job creation. A lot of jobs created for tax preparers, accountants, GRA officers, software providers, office managers, tax professional schools and others will be needed to support the system. This could lead to the expansion of postal service and other areas of the economy. Credit management and metropolitan and district assembly financial management will all be enhanced.

Mr Kofi Nti, there are numerous other programs you may pursue to help government achieve its goals and promises, but please we may start from here. I wish you success.

By Enoch Okine, MSA, EA

([email protected])

Tax Accountant, USA
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 22 March 2017 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The global oil and gas industry is undergoing a period of unprecedented change and disruption. Falling crude oil prices have put immense strain on the entire oil value chain, while the increasing availability and affordability of renewable energy sources means oil & gas is no longer the de facto choice for energy generation.

An African perspective on oil & gas

In Africa, where the oil and gas industry drives the economic engine of several of its largest economies, the need for innovation in the oil and gas value chain is critical to its continued growth and success. By the end of 2013, Africa was estimated to have 228 billion barrels of oil-equivalent, with oil making up 56% of this and gas accounting for the remaining 44%, according to EY .

The US was until recently the largest buyer of African crude oil, but exports dropped from a high of 1.8m barrels a day in 2005 to only 274,000 in 2015. There is hope that the new administration's policy changes could herald an era of renewed oil exports to the North American market.

According to PwC , one of the key areas oil and gas companies should focus on if they are to weather the storm is in exploiting new technology to innovate, minimise costs and extract further value from existing infrastructure. And of all the emerging technologies, IoT presents the greatest benefit to the oil and gas sector.

The Internet of Oil & Gas

The oil and gas industry has long been at the forefront of automation and technological disruption. However, IoT is poised to completely revolutionise the industry, from extraction to operations to customer engagement. Connected devices open opportunities for oil and gas companies to improve safety, increase efficiency and ensure visibility across the value chain.

A Morgan Stanley report estimates that there's a global market of $100bn for autonomous vehicles in the trucking and logistics industry. With only a 50% penetration of IoT, the global manufacturing industry can see a potential cost saving of $500bn. In fact, IDC estimates that IoT revenue in Africa and the Middle East will reach $114bn by 2020.

Oil and gas companies have taken note of the potential of IoT and are investing vast sums into IoT to achieve improved uptime, ensure predictive maintenance, reduce the cost of compliance, and transform business practices. Asset uptime and maintenance has emerged as the key initial driver of interest in IoT: an ARC strategy report found that 60% of respondents named reduced asset downtime as the catalyst for their interest in IoT.

Fleet management stands to benefit greatly from IoT: construction contractor Essar Projects uses GPS and RFID systems to monitor equipment movement, fuel levels and consumption, achieving a 5% saving on maintenance and a 10% saving on fuel costs. The ability to use sensors to track equipment performance and proactively manage maintenance is helping oil and gas companies to ensure optimum equipment uptime.

Making IoT work for oil and gas companies

As sensors and connected devices continue to permeate every aspect of the oil and gas value chain, companies will start generating unprecedented volumes of data. SAP solutions powered by the SAP HANA platform enables companies to extract valuable insights from this data. Oil and gas companies can get real-time information from multiple locations, including information on location awareness, project status, environmental factors and safety. Environment, health and safety management professionals can mine employee data - including social media - to identify key risks to operations, while public information that forms part of the big data lake can be used to determine public sentiment on oil and gas operations.

Caution must be taken in terms of data security, as recent malware examples have shown control systems can be attractive targets for intruders wishing to harm or interrupt production. It is equally important that the correct technology partner is chosen: IoT brings together data from hardware, sensors, devices, apps, telematics and connectivity to the cloud. The software vendors that connect and process all this data need to have the depth of experience to reshape business processes to allow oil and gas companies to fully enjoy the benefits of IoT.

However, the real value of IoT for the oil and gas industry lies in connecting operational infrastructure to broader business software. In-memory computing combines IoT data with business transactional data in a single shared database, in real time. This allows oil and gas companies to gain real-time insight into key operations and asset performance indicators, equipping business leaders with better decision-making capability and opening the door to streamlined business processes and entirely new business models.

For oil and gas companies ready to transform their operations through IoT, the benefits are unquestionable. Choosing the correct technology partner that has the depth of industry experience and the robust cloud-based in-memory platform needed to bring the benefits of IoT to life is essential to their success
Matthew Opoku Prempeh  Minister of Education

22.03.2017 LISTEN



In a bid to create an enabling environment for children to be attracted to school, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced an outright ban on the use of canes in both private and public schools.

Director General of GES, Mr. Jacob Maabobr Kor, who announced this argued that creating enabling environment for school means students should not be threatened or not feel they are under siege by school authorities.

The GES, he said, has been supported with an alternative punishment manual from USAID which will be made available for all heads of institutions to apply. As such, henceforth, the GES will not support any teacher who is put before court for caning students.

Mr. Jacob MaabobrKor made the statement as an invited guest at the 86th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Accra Academy Senior High School in Accra last Saturday.

The colorful event which was held under the theme: Making Secondary Education Relevant-The Role of Information and Communication Technology was sponsored by the 1986 year group which brought together past and present Bleoobii locally and abroad.

Mr. Jacob MaabobrKor explained that there are different ways by which pupils or students could be punished, citing for instance, giving such students assignments while their mates were playing during break time.

The Headmaster, Samuel Ofori-Agyei in his report recounted contributions of committed 'Bleobii' (Old Students) to projects, scholarships, professional advice and financial support and commented that it was in that spirit that the mantle of sponsoring the 86th event was being done. As a birthday gift, Bleoo '86 is providing a fully equipped computer laboratory he informed the gathering and commended the group for their support.

The Group Committee Chairman of the Bleoo '86, Nii Adotey Mingle said We are proud old students of this great institution and in our deliberations and social gatherings over the years, we harbored the dream of giving back to Accra Academy, he disclosed adding that the group settled on supporting in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT) since the use of ICT today impacts on the lives of every living being on earth.

Bleoobi Group Captain Joshua Mensah-Larkai was honoured with a citation by the sponsors of the event, Bleoo 86. He was the Commanding Officer of the UN Operations in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) GHAV.19. In addition to distinguishing himself and holding the flag of Ghana high, he was also the Parade Commander during the 60th anniversary parade at the Independence Square on 6th March, 2017.


TENSION IS brewing high at the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region between a water supplying company in the area, VICO Ventures and residents over a 100 percent hike in the price of water.

The Assembly Members of the Ada West District Assembly had been battling with the management of the water company over the increase in the sale of water from GH.05p to GH.10p per bucket.

The hullabaloo started somewhere in February 2017 when VICO Ventures sought the endorsement of the Ada East District Assembly on the new rate of GH.05p to GH.10p per bucket to enable them undergo some repair works for a better service and got the approval from the Assembly.

The water vendors in the Ada West District (Sege area), that was the standing pipe operators, upon hearing the new rate, quickly increased the price without any approval from the Assembly.

The development angered the Ada West Assembly members and they consequently asked members of the area not to pay the new price until agreement is reached with the water company.

The Assembly Members argued that VICO Ventures did not seek their consent as an Assembly or briefed them about their challenges before taking the decision. Two later attempts by the Assembly to resolve the impasse between it and the VICO Ventures did not yield any fruit.

Interestingly, the water company was said to have halted supply to the district resulting in water crisis in the area. This was said to have infuriated the residents who went on rampage to destroy properties of the company.

But the intervention of an extension services specialist of Community Water And Sanitation Agency of the Greater Accra Region, Madam Joyce Maku Appiah brought peace between the two parties.

The Assembly had, however, asked the water company to fix the problems and restore water supply to the area before they will approve the new rates.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema


Daniel Adjei looking on as his men disconnect the illegally connected pipes

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) says it will soon storm some parts of the country today to check illegal connections.

The move, according to the Accra North District Manager of GWCL, Daniel Adjei, forms part of activities marking the World Water Day Celebration being observed today, March 22, 2017.

Mr. Adjei disclosed this to BUSINESS GUIDE yesterday at Nima, a suburb of Accra, where some tenants in a house owned by a certain Prince were found to be using GWCL's water illegally.

The landlord, according to Mr. Adjei, who ordered the disconnection of the said house, has for many years illegally connected to GWCL pipes and supplied water to his tenants at a fee of GH80 per month without making payment to the water company.

The landlord absconded upon seeing the GWCL's team, said Mr. Adjei, who vowed to lead his men this morning to the Accra North District to disconnect all pipes illegally connected to those of GWCL.

As at the time of filing this report, Mr. Adjei and his team were heading to the Nima Police Station to report the matter and cause the arrest of the landlord in question.

He said the crackdown on illegal connections today would be massive, warning residents to desist from the illegal acts.

By Melvin Tarlue


Dr Michael Kyeremanteng left with the Indian High Commissioner and Yaw Buabeng Asamoah launching the Health Insurance Scheme

The C4C Homeopathic Hospital has launched an insurance scheme to mitigate the financial challenges patients go through while seeking treatment at the health facility.

The insurance scheme is designed to cover the cost for consultation, diagnostics, examination, physiotherapy services and fifty percent of medication, among others, for patients.

The President of C4C Homeopathic Hospital, Dr. Michael Kojo Kyeremanteng, addressing the audience at the launch of the scheme in Accra, disclosed that more than 200 people had registered with the hospital's Health Insurance Scheme since its introduction a few months ago.

He averred that it costs GH100 and GH50 for adults and children respectively to subscribe for the scheme annually.

Homeopathic is a form of treatment methodology which allows medical pluralism and is being practised in India, Britain, Mexico, Brazil, US and a number of countries worldwide.

While appealing to government to give recognition to homeopathic practice in the country, Dr. Michael Kojo Kyeremanteng also called for representation of a homeopathic practitioner on the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) council.

He explained that such a move would help create the needed awareness of homeopathic practice and also help demystify public perceptions.

Dr. Kyeremanteng appealed to the FDA to reduce the registration fee for each homeopathic drug presented to it.

He said it costs $3,600 or GH18,000 at present to register a single drug.

The Indian High Commissioner in Ghana, Birender Sengh Yadav, said about 10% of Indian population solely depends on homeopathic treatment for their healthcare needs.

The practice, which is more than a century old since its introduction in the country, has blended so well into the roots and traditions of the country and has been recognized as one of the National System of Medicine playing a very important role in the country's healthcare delivery, he stated.

According to Mr Sengh Yadav, homeopathic practice ensures wellness and that India's National Health Policy (NHP) for 2017 fully approves of it as a practice and that it has fewer complications for the patient.

Dr. Philip Arthur Gborsong, Chairman, C4C Group of Companies, reiterated that homeopathic remedies do not have any recognized side effects and are applicable to people of all age groups with a very high rate of success.

The chairman, who is also the Head of Communication Department of University of Cape Coast, stressed that the national health policy of Ghana moves beyond orthodox and herbal medicines to homeopathic treatment, which has been proven to be of high efficacy.

Dr Michael Kojo Kyeremanteng later told DAILY GUIDE that C4C Homeopathic Hospital was established barely two years ago but has made significant impact in the country.

He was happy that the hospital now has branches throughout the country and a medical college with specialty in Homeopathy.

By Solomon Ofori




Access Bank Ghana has presented an amount of GH500,000 to the [email protected] Anniversary Committee.

The presentation was in response to calls by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the private sector to support activities marking Ghana's 60th anniversary celebrations.

The donation is expected to support landmark projects that have been earmarked to mark the year-long anniversary celebrations.

Ken Amankwah, the Chairman of the Committee, who received the donation, thanked Access Bank for the kind gesture and assured the team of prudent utilization of the funds.

Group Head of Personal Banking, Stephen Abban, who led the Access Bank team to present the cheque, indicated the bank's readiness to support Ghana's socio-economic growth.

He added, The banking sector plays a critical role in supporting the financial aspirations of the over 28 million Ghanaians and as one of the key players in this industry, Access Bank is using this historical period to reinforce its commitment to Ghana's economic growth through social investments.

A Business Desk report


Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - At least four suicide bomb blasts rocked a camp for migrants fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in restive northeastern Nigeria Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding 20, officials said.

The blasts triggered fires which burned down tents in the vast Muna camp on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri, camp coordinator Tijjani Lumani told AFP.

"There were four explosions inside the camp. The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am."

The emergency services put the number of bombings at five.

"A total of five suicide bombers, all male adults, were involved in the incidents, killing three persons," Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the region told AFP.

He said 20 people were wounded and taken to hospital.

Muna camp is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Islamist group has continued to target the internally displaced people (IDPs) and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near the Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.

Camp vulnerable'

"The camp is vulnerable and this worries everyone of us in the camp which is the last settlement on the outskirts of the city from the north," said Lumani.

"We are the first settlement one reaches on entering the city. And the fact that several suicide attacks have occurred near the camp in recent months adds to our unease," he said.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who in March has made his first appearance in months

"We are vulnerable to Boko Haram. They can strike in the camp at anytime. All the suicide bombers who attacked the Muna garage just across the road from the camp and surrounding areas came in through the city gate only hundreds of metres from the camp," he said.

Wednesday's blasts were the latest blamed on suicide bombers, who continue to pose a threat to civilians despite military claims of success against Boko Haram.

Four people were killed on Saturday when suicide bombers blew themselves up in a village near the city.

The Borno state capital of Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group that has killed over 20,000 people and forced 2.6 million from their homes since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009.

The violence has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region, which has also been hit by the conflict.

Nigerian troops, with the help of regional forces from Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as Benin, have since early 2015 managed to claw back most of the territory lost to Boko Haram in 2014.

Boko Haram's elusive leader Abubakar Shekau made his first appearance in months earlier this month, claiming responsibility for a spate of suicide bombings.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated on March 21 every year. This years theme is: racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration.

In Sharpeville, Transvaal in Apartheid South Africa, on March 21, 1960 police killed sixty nine people after they opened fire on over five thousand black South Africans who were demonstrating in front of a police station against the apartheid pass laws. Later in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on all nations to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination  thus the celebration.

According to the UN Human Rights Council, racial and ethnic profiling is: reliance by law enforcement, security and border control personnel on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin as a basis for subjecting persons to detailed searches, identity checks and investigations, or for determining whether an individual is engaged in criminal activity.

Globally, people are subjected to all forms of racial discrimination  South Africa was in the news for xenophobic attacks.

In Ghana, Fulanis are one group of people who are racially profiled at police barriers and border posts due to the stereotype that all Fulanis are criminals and foreigners. If, Fulanis have been involved in one criminal act or the other, does it mean that all Fulanis have been involved in crime? Theres no justification for any form of racial or ethnic profiling against them.

On Wednesday, March 15 2017, I witnessed a typical situation as I travelled from Tatale to Tamale. Some Fulanis  a man and his son were also passengers aboard the vehicle. Throughout the journey from Tatale to Yendi the driver took either GHS 10.00 or GHS 15.00 from the Fulanis. Sometimes, the driver mounted pressure. This he gave to the policemen.

Upon arrival at a police barrier before we got to Yendi town, this happened and a friend of mine and I asked the driver why he had taken money from the Fulanis all these while? Evasively, he got off the vehicle and walked to the policeman to report us. The policeman walked angrily towards the vehicle and demanded that those who were questioning their authority get off the bus and meet them.

After some resistance, another police officer walked to the vehicle and calmly asked that all passengers get off the vehicle. The police officer then asked us to come along with the Fulanis for the explanation we had sought earlier. In his explanation, the officer gave the impression that, the Fulanis were migrants, and probably didnt have money to be able to get the right documents and as such, detaining them wouldnt be beneficial  so collecting the money was more beneficial.

After that incident, no money was taken from the Fulanis at any police barrier from Yendi to Tamale. The action of the driver and the police officers right from Tatale was based on ethnic stereotype. The notion is Fulanis are usually criminals and foreigners and as such, they have to be discriminated against at the least opportunity.

Stereotyping people leads to all forms of discrimination. Racial Discrimination is against human rights of all people  Fulanis inclusive. There may be bad Fulanis but, as much as possible stereotyping them isnt the answer to the many crimes reported about their alleged involvement.

This situation is widespread at police barriers and borders across the length and breadth of the country; however, should human rights abuse continue arbitrarily on the basis that these are known facts, yet we keep ourselves aloof from the situation? Weve aided and abetted in this human rights abuse.

The writer is a freelance journalist. [email protected]/[email protected]
22.03.2017 LISTEN

The environment is where we live, breathe, eat, raise our children, build our dreams, etc. Our entire life support system is dependent on the well-being of the species on earth. How do we have these when some section of foolhardy mankind have decided to destroy the very support system that supports our existence? How do we live in a peaceful environment when we destroy the support system- perhaps, watching of various animations where the "animal" is seen to be protecting his environment has still not opened some people's eyes to the fact that even animals, protect and shield their support system.

I heard a very shameful news this morning; a report from the Environmental Protection Agency warning Ghana of the probability of her importing water few years to come due to illegal mining. Are we not feeling ashamed already at 60 importing toothpicks and tissue papers? So is the old woman still bankrupt in her brains even in retirement? Has our quest for individual satisfaction of our needs eroded our sense of nationalism and love for this old and wrinkled woman? Hey, Mr. Foolhardy, so when will you jump out of your bullheadedness and think of the nation first. Have you ever thought of where the next potable water could be coming from and whom it could be saving? Recently, the Abessim and Kyebi water treatment plant were shut down due to illegal mining activities and Ghana warned of "Galamsey" posing a threat to Cocoa Production. So when at all will we learn and retrace our steps.

Not long ago, we sat in this country for China nationals to kill and batter our nationals who were protesting against their illegal mining activities and destroying their farm lands and water bodies. "Illegal Mining" indeed which involves the black suited politician who was elected to fight such menace and a richly adorned chief who claims he has the interest of his nation at heart- Illegal mining indeed. Where did we go wrong as a country? Are we waiting to be destroyed by own hands before we act? Or are we just interested in making the headlines in news with images exposing the stupidity of some who have only decided to destroy the environment without acting on them? Are we so careful who next will be voting for us that instead of taking drastic measures to end certain life threatening menace?

I guess our Journalists might be focusing more on the irrelevant news about things we should treat with disdain instead of tackling issues of national interest. I got so excited when I saw the Joy News report on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital issue; these are the things our Journalists should be looking into instead of who bought what car or house and who bought a first class ticket- For God sake, what has that got to do with us as a nation? Doesn't it rather put pressure on people to keep up with living lives to please and end up engaging in illegal acts? We have so many so called celebrities pushing drugs, defrauding and doing a lot of socially unacceptable things just to maintain their lifestyles in front of the camera. Instead of pushing people into bad acts and wrecking marriages, can't the media research into and tackle issues of national interest?

What can you the ordinary citizen also do to safeguard your environment? It's unfortunate that we live in a country where citizens can't do much because when they even draw attention to these, it yields nothing. Money mostly exchanges hands and cases thrown backdoor making the informant an "enemy" to the society. I remember reporting an illegal connection in the electrical system of a house which nearly burnt down due to that to the ECG and it's been months and I still don't know when they will be showing up. So pathetic!

If only Mr. Foolhardy will know that this nation belongs to all of us and generations unborn, he will act wise. If only Mr. Foolhardy will be arrested and prosecuted, it will serve as a deterrent to others. If only Mr.Foolhardy will know that the environment is our support system and not his money making venture at the detriment of the lives of others, he will stop being a fool for once and act wise!

I am *Mercedes Rowe Asamani, an author, a blogger and a columnist at ghanaweb and modernghana.* I write on national issues and I hope you log onto my blog, www.yaagh.com to read more.

*Share to Save*

*Ghana is our only motherland*

[email protected]
One in four of the worlds children will be living in areas with extremely limited water resources by 2040 as a result of climate change, the UN has warned.

Within two decades, 600 million children will be in regions enduring extreme water stress, with a great deal of competition for the available supply. The poorest and most disadvantaged will suffer most, according to research published by the childrens agency, Unicef, to mark World Water Day on Wednesday.

Drought conditions and conflict are driving deadly water scarcity in parts of Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. Unicef anticipates that more than 9 million people will be without safe drinking water this year in Ethiopia alone. Nearly 1.4 million children face imminent risk of death from acute malnutrition in South Sudan , Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen.

The report, Thirsting for a Future: Water and Children in a Changing Climate , looked at the threats to childrens lives and wellbeing caused by depleted sources of safe water and the ways in which climate change will intensify these risks.

As industrialisation and demographic shifts increase consumption, areas of south Asia and the Middle East will be particularly affected, according to one of the reports authors, Nicholas Rees. Where demand is extremely high then water stress will increase. It will go up in areas of rapid urbanisation, and we are already seeing that throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, he said.

Another report published on Wednesday warned that Iran is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis, and faces a greater threat from its environmental challenges than those arising from regional political issues or terrorism. The study , from London-based NGO Small Media, said that shortages could transform vast swaths of the country into near-uninhabitable areas in the coming decades.

Iran is facing a water crisis that is unparallelled in its modern history. Lakes and rivers are dying, droughts are increasing in frequency, and even Irans deepest groundwater reserves are being sucked dry by Irans growing population and its thirsty agricultural sector, the report said.

Resultant soil erosion is accelerating the destruction of forest ranges across the country, and contributing to a sharp increase in dust storms and air pollution.

It warned that ecosystems were collapsing, with some species of wildlife on the brink of extinction. Lake Urmia, the countrys largest lake, is a biosphere reserve recognised by Unesco: the report says it has shrunk to 12% of its size since the 1970s, owing to frequent droughts, and aggressive, poorly implemented water management policies upstream.

Across the world, the UNs report says that 36 countries are facing extremely high levels of water stress, which occurs when demand far exceeds the renewable supply available. Warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, increased floods, droughts and melting ice affect the quality and availability of water, as do sanitation systems.

The impact of climate change on water sources is not inevitable, according to the report, which made a series of recommendations designed to help curb the impact of climate change on the lives of children. These include calls for governments to prioritise access to safe water for the most vulnerable children above other water needs, and for communities to diversify water sources.

We want to reduce child deaths. That is the goal. But we are not going to end child deaths without addressing environmental threats that they face, said Rees.

We focus on their susceptibility to disease but if we dont also address the broad environmental risks we are going to fall short. Climate change is often felt through a change in the water  whether its a flood, rising sea levels or something else  and the effect of a changing climate is often felt by children through water first.

The NGO WaterAid published findings on Tuesday of how vulnerable rural communities struggles to access clean water were being compounded by extreme weather events and climate change.

India, one of the fastest growing economies and home to almost a fifth of the worlds population, was ranked in an annual WaterAid survey as having the greatest number of people living rurally without access to clean water: 63 million.

In terms of those making progress, the report said, Paraguay has achieved the biggest improvements in getting water to rural dwellers. More than 94% of its rural population now has access to safe water, compared with 51.6% in 2000.

Women carry water home to the village of Miarinarivo, Madagascar. About 65% of the countrys rural population live without access to clean water. Photograph: Ernest Randriarimalala/WaterAid

Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and Mozambique were among the worst performing countries for rural access to clean water.

WaterAids chief executive, Barbara Frost , said many of the countries featured in the report were already being hit regularly by severe cyclones, floods and drought. Rural communities  which are marginalised by their remote location and a continued lack of funding for basic services  often bear the greatest burden of these events, she said.

WaterAid is calling on international and national leaders to deliver on promises to meet the sustainable development goals, including a goal to ensure access to safe water and sanitation.
The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Kennedy Kankam has opined that with the enormity of challenges met by the current government, he would have appointed more ministers if he were the President. Questioning what Ghana and Ghanaians at large have benefited from the lean government under previous governments.

Asempa, if I were the President I would have appointed more ministers and deputies. What is the result of lean government since Kwame Nkrumah as being argued by some, I want someone to tell me the benefits? If the so called lean governments were successful, would we have the problems that are facing the country currently? We will appoint more ministers to do the work and that is more important than those who feel we are running a bloated government.

Criticism greeted President Nana Akuffo Addos appointment of 110 ministers and deputies, with some saying the number will have pressure on the national purse.

But in his response, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said he appointment the 110 ministers to help him govern the state. He explained that the problems facing the country, with the persistent decline in the agricultural sector, low growth rate, major issues of corruption and leakage of revenue, demanded bold and ambitious measures to address them.

However, the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has described as senseless the justification of President Akufo-Addos 110 ministerial appointments, adding that the argument that the economy is so destroyed that they need a bigger team to do work also doesnt make sense.

But responding to these criticisms on Onua Fm morning Show Yen Nsem Pa Kennedy Kankam said Ghana is faced with enormous challenges in all sectors of the country and those challenges needed the number and the expertise to deal with them. Noting that the past governments who governed with lean size of their government only left the country with traffic jams, broken economy, galamsey menance, prolonged power crisis, broken railway sector et al. So if I hear people especially the NDC making noise about this 110 ministers thing, then I want to ask what have they left the country with?, Look at the challenges even at the EPA, the transport sector, the power issues and the rest, how do we deal with them if we dont have more hands he asked.

The Nhyiaeso legislator told Bright Kwesi Asempa that those who are arguing that the size of the current government will have a toll on the national treasury, I want to tell them that, if we dont have the money to pay them, even if it takes us to get blood money (Sika duro) to pay them to fix our challenges, we will, whether they like it or not, Nana is here to work

If we discover that the NDC has spent all the resources, we will go for blood money to do the work
Figures from the Ghana Water Company Limited has revealed that the Western Region is losing a total of 5.3 millions gallons of water daily due to the increased activities of illegal miners in the Pra River.

This means over half of the company's customer base of 31,327 are denied of portable drinking water on daily basis.

The two major water treatment plant serving the Twin City have had to cut production due to low levels of water in the Pra River.

Speaking to Citi News, the Western and Central Regions Communication manager of Ghana Water Company Limited Nana Yaw Barnie stated that the Daboase Treatment plant has a production capacity of 5.5 million gallons of water per day, but as we speak, it has reduced to 3 million, a lost of 2.5 million gallons.

The Nchaaban Head works which is to augment the supply has had to also cut down its size of 4 millions gallons per day to 1.3 million gallons of water per day. As a result, we have had to ration water in order to sustain susply, if not, only the people on lowlands will have water if we decide not to ration.

The Ghana Water Company Limited have had all its sources for the Axim, Bonsaso, Daboase and Nchaaban all polluted by illegal miners. The turbidity levels of the Ankobra River which serves the Axim treatment plant, River Bonsa which serves the Bonsaso Treatment Station and Prah for the Daboase and Nchaaban stations have increased substantially over the past few years prompting the application of more chemicals for treatment.

Other minor rivers which supply small towns and villages in the middle belt of the region have also not been spared from the pollution. It is projected that Ghana may be importing water by 2025 if the spate if pollution does not change.



By: Obremopong Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana
22.03.2017 LISTEN

The developments that have characterized President Nana Akufo-Addo's almost three months governance are too glaring to be ignored. It was initially his seeming silence on the post-election violence until his inauguration, the speech gaffe and now the appointment of 110 Ministers.

To say the latest decision is inappropriate will be an understatement. It is highly disappointing and a non-starter for a President who came on the back of zero tolerance for corruption, open governance and transformation of leadership to bow to pressure of pleasing cronies. That the President has power to appoint members of the Cabinet is not in doubt -there has been a long-held debate about decoupling the executive from the legislature, thus minimizing the risks associated with having the same people making the law wielding power to execute them. However, such power should not be abused on the guise of rewarding party adherents.

To begin with, no one is disputing the fact that the President has appointed some of the most competent men and women to serve as Ministers. This also could be looked at subjectively on a case by case basis. President Nana Addo's decision to balloon his cabinet has been defended by none other than himself. The Head of state argued that Ghana was facing huge problems and he needed a huge team to fix them. And the President's Minister for Information, Mustapha Hamid appears to be taking cue from his boss.

The Minister reportedly said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) never promised a lean government during the 2016 electioneering campaign, but the then candidate Nana Addo promised to protect the public purse and offer value for money. This is a mediocre and cheap way of defending the country's largest cabinet since independence. Even if Ghanaians had no problem with the size of the Cabinet, President Nana Addo could have done better by sticking with the competent men and women rather than picking people who are clueless about the specific Ministries they have been appointed to serve under. The President's decision to go by that huge number is largely viewed as succumbing to pressure of putting the party's interest first, while ignoring the essence of competence in the selection process.

Is Ghana financially stable to support this intervention? Ministers of State and Regional Ministers who are Members of Parliament will be paid GH 15,967 cedis while Ministers of State who are not MPs will be paid GH 15, 739 cedis. Also, Regional Ministers who are not MPs will take home GH 15,511. Deputy Ministers who are MPs will take home GH 14,826 cedis while non MPs will receive GH 14, 369. Deputy Regional Ministers who are MPs will be paid GH 14,598 monthly, while non MPs will be paid GH 14, 142. This means government will spend over 1.6 million cedis monthly and over 20 million cedis annually on the 110 Ministers  a huge burden on the already struggling public purse.

And the argument of government sizing down the number as time goes on is not tangible enough. If government will eventually take such a decision by dismissing 'incompetent' Ministers why not select the few competent ones to serve right away? Gratuitous cloning.

There are three ministries responsible for the Agric sector alone; Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and then the Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture. All these could effectively have been sub-sectors under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The creation of a National Security Ministry undermines the efficacy of the National Security Secretariat which can equally operate at such levels without a separate ministry for it. Does this Security Ministry in any way perform duties essentially separate from the Ministries of Defence and Interior? The Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation is another portfolio whose actual relevance most Ghanaians are grappling to decipher.

Every ministry has a monitoring and evaluation unit. Must a separate ministry be created for supposed oversight responsibility? Then we have the Ministries of Regional Reorganization and Development, Special Development Initiative, Minister of Inner cities and Zongo Development and the Minister of Business Development whose function most Ghanaians believe is already being handled by the various Business, Investments and Promotions governmental bodies in the country. Some believe Aviation could fall under the Ministry of Transport, while others hold the view it is a specialized field and deserves its own ministry. Is it all about quantity? Other countries largely viewed as the super powers, including the United States, have even bought into the idea of choosing quality over quantity.

The US, which is economically and financially more stable, as compared to Ghana has approximately 46 Ministers. India, a country with a population of about 1.3 billion has 75 Ministers. So where lies the proof that a larger ministerial team will ensure efficiency? We expect the President to cut down on the numbers and focus on quality than quantity.

The President needs to learn from the century old African adage that says, it is not the size of the dog in the fight that matters but rather the size of the fight in the do. Kenya and Tanzania's Presidents, Uhuru Kenyatta and John Magafuli respectively, present lessons on how to run a lean government. In Kenya, the size of the cabinet is constitutionally capped to not fewer than fourteen and not more than twenty-two excluding the President, Deputy President and the Attorney General.

On the other hand, whereas the Tanzanian Constitution does not limit on the size of the cabinet, President Magufuli deliberately demonstrated change by significantly downsizing the size of his government. In light of the fact that the huge cabinet size will have huge financial repercussions on the struggling economy, besides the inevitable duplication of roles, the President should save both Ghanaians and the bleeding economy by rescinding this decision with immediate effect.

Email:[email protected]

By: Marian Ansah
The imminent threat of Ghana's water resources running dry in a few years time gets scarier by the day.

Water treatment plants are being shut down one after the other almost every time, due to pollution, largely by the activities of illegal gold miners.

The Head of Communications at the Ghana Water Company, Steve Mantey on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, gave an overview of water bodies in the some regions that have been polluted by illegal mining activities.

Western Region

In the Western Region, the main water bodies that have been polluted include the River Pra, Daboase, Obosomase and River Ankobra.

Eastern Region

Rivers in the Eastern Region that have been polluted are Birim , Pra and Densu.

Plants in Kyebi however had to be shutdown due to pollution of water bodies beyond treatment.

Giving a vivid description of the state of the Birim River, Mr. Mantey said We have an old treatment plant in Kyebi which is not automated. Unfortunately the cause of the Birim is diverted and totally destroyed such that we cannot even see the waterway so you can imagine the state of the Birim now.

This challenge has compelled the Ghana Water Company to construct a borehole which will serve small communities.

But according to Mr. Mantey, the greater percentage of the population still do not have access to water.

The problem extends to the Koforidua and new Juaben communities, where water bodies have been polluted as a result of fishing activities.

Formerly we were using very minimal levels of chemicals in treating water from the Volta River but the chemical usage is decreasing gradually which means that pollution is gradually getting higher.

Greater Accra

In the Greater Accra Region, the Densu River which extracts water specifically for Western Accra and situated around the Weija dam is polluted as a result of farming activities and industrial waste.

The Ghana Water Company has resorted to using chemicals to address this problem

Immediately it [waste] is dumped, the pollution is intense so we have had to use a lot of chemicals in our Weija treatment plant to treat water, Mr. Mantey explained.

Upper West Region

In the Upper East Region, the Black Volta is also polluted, forcing the Ghana Water Company to get a new water treatment plant to produce safe drinking water.

In the Upper West Region, we have a new treatment plant that will supply water to the Wa Municipality. The Black Volta is also currently disturbed as a result of galamsey operation. We have a new treatment plant and we are about test running the treatment plant, Mr Mantey said.

Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Region is battling with the same problem.

According to Mr. Mantey, the Enu River in the Ashanti Region which serves residents at Konogo is polluted due to galamsey activities.

He said the Ghana Water Company in a bid to address this problem did some work in the area and it is yielding results.

Mr. Mantey however commended the chiefs in Bari Kese who in his view are protecting the water bodies in the area.

Northern Region

While galamsey activities are polluting water bodies in other regions, the basic activity polluting water bodies in the Northern Region is sand winning.

According to Mr. Mantey, in the Nawuni River, situated at the Northern Region, people are winning sand which is changing the colour of the river.

Brong Ahafo Region

The situation is even worse in the Brong Ahafo Region, where residents have according to Mr. Mantey, blocked the course of the river at certain intervals such that the water is unable to flow into some areas.

Recently we all heard of the lack of water in Sunyani. It was not as a result of equipment but it was as a result of farming activities. They had blocked the river course to irrigate their farms

Central Region

Mr. Mantey revealed that in the Central Region, some water bodies specifically at Cape Coast have been polluted as a result of galamsey activities.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Coming soon to a Hy-Vee store near you: designer clothes.

The Iowa-based grocery chain plans to put F&F clothing boutiques in the Lincoln Hy-Vees at 84th and Holdrege streets and 40th Street and Old Cheney Road later this year, as well as in two Hy-Vee stores in Omaha.

F&F is a British fashion label that offers moderately priced clothing for men, women and children. It got its start in Britain in 2000 and expanded to central Europe in 2008, and then to Asia. It is owned by British supermarket giant Tesco.

Hy-Vee entered into a franchise agreement to sell the clothing last year, and the first F&F boutique opened in a Minneapolis-area Hy-Vee store in June.

There are now five Hy-Vees in Minnesota and two in the Des Moines area that have the boutiques.

Tara Deering-Hansen, a Hy-Vee spokeswoman, said that the boutiques in Lincoln should open later this year.

Hy-Vee filed building permits for the boutiques earlier this week, although Deering-Hansen said construction has not yet started.

She said the stores will be altered to fit the boutiques into their existing footprints. The boutiques will have fitting rooms and their own checkout areas.

Deering-Hansen said F&F clothing pricing is comparable to Old Navy's, with most items from $8 to $45. The clothing styles are comparable to H&M and Forever 21, she said.

The F&F shops are the latest amenities being added to local Hy-Vee stores.

Last year Hy-Vee added walk-in health clinics to the 40th and Old Cheney store and the one at 50th and O streets. The company also plans to put restaurants into the four Lincoln Hy-Vees that don't already have them.

Deering-Hansen said Hy-Vee is looking to make its stores a "one-stop shopping convenience."

"Hy-Vee has a history of incorporating convenient products and services into our stores," she said in an email. "We understand that families today are busy, and weve made it our mission to make their lives easier."
Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - At least four suicide blasts rocked a camp for migrants fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in restive northeastern Nigeria on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding 20, officials said.

The bombings triggered fires which burned down tents in the vast Muna camp on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri, camp coordinator Tijjani Lumani told AFP.

"There were four explosions inside the camp. The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am," he said.

Emergency services put the number of bombings at five.

"A total of five suicide bombers, all male adults, were involved in the incidents, killing three persons," Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the region told AFP.

He said 20 people were wounded and taken to hospital.

The police said four people were killed while eight were injured.

Muna camp is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Islamist group has continued to target internally displaced people and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near the Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.

'Vulnerable' camp

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who in March has made his first appearance in months

"The camp is vulnerable and this worries every one of us in the camp which is the last settlement on the outskirts of the city from the north," said Lumani.

"We are the first settlement one reaches on entering the city. And the fact that several suicide attacks have occurred near the camp in recent months adds to our unease," he added.

"We are vulnerable to Boko Haram. They can strike in the camp at anytime. All the suicide bombers who attacked the Muna garage just across the road from the camp and surrounding areas came in through the city gate only hundreds of metres from the camp."

Wednesday's blasts were the latest blamed on suicide bombers, who continue to pose a threat to civilians despite military claims of success against Boko Haram.

Four people were killed on Saturday when suicide bombers blew themselves up in a village near the city.

The Borno state capital of Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group that has killed over 20,000 people and forced 2.6 million from their homes since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009.

The violence has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region, which has also been hit by the conflict.

Nigerian troops, with the help of regional forces from Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as Benin, have since early 2015 managed to claw back most of the territory lost to Boko Haram in 2014.

Boko Haram's elusive leader Abubakar Shekau made his first appearance in months earlier this month, claiming responsibility for a spate of suicide bombings.
The St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase in the Koforidua Dioceses has been cleared of allegations that staff of the facility extorted monies from patients under the Operation Walk Syracuse.

In a release by the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) on the findings, it described the allegations by the media, as unfounded and malicious to the integrity, image and reputation of the St Joseph Hospital.

The findings further asserted that no payment or donation of US$ 100,000 was ever made to the St Joseph Hospital towards the surgical operations.

Background

Following media allegations of extortion of monies from patient under the American Charity-Operation Walk Syracuse, by staff of the St. Joseph Orthopaedic Hospital at Koforidua in August 2016, then Minster of Health, Hon. Alex Segbefia, directed the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to conduct full scale investigation.

Consequently, the Chairman of the CHAG Board set up a seven-member Committee which was inaugurated on 24th August 2016, with Mr. Christopher Nartey, a retired Director of Administration at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as its Chairman to look into the matter.

The release signed by Mr. Peter K. Yeboah, further stated that beneficiary patients received free echocardiogram, x-rays and other laboratory tests, all at the expense of the hospital.

The findings noted that patients paid GH1000 each for the procedures, which comparatively cost about GH 55,000 in most hospitals in Ghana.

CHAG also to announced that the Patients who benefitted from the operation are now healthy, happy, and enjoying functional mobility as independent persons.

The release announced that the American Charity-Operation Walk Syracuse is returning to the same Hospital-St Joseph Hospital-Effiduase-Koforidua in October this year, for another batch of humanitarian and restorative surgeries to the poor and needy.

CHAG called on the general public to support CHAG Member Institutions in preserving, promoting and protecting health and healing at all times, anywhere and to every person.

The Association further appealed to stakeholders to appreciate efforts of CHAG Health Facilities, including St Joseph Hospital-Koforidua, that collaborate with Stakeholders to provide such charitable works of mercy for humanity not condemnation.

The Association assured the general public that the Hospitals still upholds Christian ideals of service and sacrifice and maintains their fidelity to the sick and suffering, poor and needy, neglected and marginalized segment of the society.

Meanwhile, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, in a separate interview alongside the World Day of the Sick at the Hospital said the allegation were unfounded and malicious.

He cautioned Journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and do well to investigate the matter to its conclusive end.

Similarly, Mr. Valentine Bruku, Administrator of the Hospital assured patients and clients of the facility that the management and staff of St. Joseph Hospital were committed to delivering quality healthcare to the.

He therefore appealed to all staff and patrons to support the growth of the facility.
The National Communications Authority, NCA, has directed all mobile network operators to disregard notice from Subah Infosolutions requesting data purportedly to be used in anti-Sim Box field operations.

A statement from the NCA and copied to Citi Business News said, Subah Info solutions has requested some mobile network operators, to submit call detail records of some mobile station international subscriber directory numbers, claimed to be SIM Box numbers.

But the NCA cautioned, Dealing or sharing any information in relation to SIM Box field operations with Subah thus violates the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775.

According to the NCA, it is the only institution with the obligation to ensure that no person or entity operates in the telecommunications sphere without Authorisation or License from the Authority.

It would be recalled that Subah Infosolution's contract of monitoring revenue in the telecom industry on behalf of government, has been extended since January this year.



By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA

Takoradi, March 22, GNA - The Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Monday evicted all illegal traders operating around the Takoradi Market Circle of the Western Region.

The exercise, which began early Monday morning, did not take the traders by surprise since they were given prior notice.

Announcement about the decongestion exercise was also made on some radio stations in the Metropolis.

Several wooden structures and all unauthorised objects around the market were demolished and some taken away by the Assembly's city guards.

Prior to the demolition exercise, the market circle was heavily congested as a result of an invasion by hawkers and other traders who were found at every corner of the central business district.

The traders took over the pavements, pedestrian walkways and parking spaces making the market circle untidy, dirty and congested.

They sold a wide range of items, from vegetables, shoes, tissue paper, drinks, jewellery to used clothes.

According to the STMA, the exercise was meant to make pedestrian movement easier, faster and convenient.

The Assembly maintained that it would continue till the traders moved back into their stalls, stores, sheds while those without any shops would be re-located to the Apremdo Market near Takoradi.

A visit by GNA to the decongested areas on Tuesday afternoon revealed that traffic flow had improved considerably compared to what existed before the decongestion exercise.

It was also revealed that the STMA's city guards had been deployed at some vantage points to ensure that sanity prevailed in the area.

The Presiding Member of STMA, Mr John Davies, explained that during the Christmas celebrations last year, the traders appealed to the Assembly to allow them trade on the pavements and promised to leave immediately after the yuletide.

'So the Assembly allowed them, and when the time elapsed for them to leave they did not leave".

"But we thought it was about time to clear them from the unauthorized trading centres and even went further to give them prior notice," he added.

He indicated that the Assembly was however, considering allowing the traders to do business on the pavements after 5pm each day when the main market had closed and also on Sundays.

He said the Assembly was aware of the increase in the population of the city, which had in turn resulted in the heightening pressure on current social infrastructure.

He said it however did not mean that traders could take over the streets with impunity, adding that 'as citizens, we have to know what is right from wrong'.

He pointed out that the Assembly would continue to enforce its bylaws to ensure that sanity prevailed in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis.

GNA
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Fatima Anafu-Astanga

Bolgatanga, March 22, GNA - The Ghana Water Company Limited in the Upper East Region is operating on a deficit water supply of 4,000 gallons per day in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

The Region requires a daily ration of 1.2 million cubic meter of water supply drawn from the Tono and Vea dams, but the Company is unable to meet that presently and the insufficient treated water is being rationed so as to reach all.

Mr Albert Nyeteng, the Regional Operations Manager, GWCL, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, said the Company operated on a 7,200 capacity plant to render treated water supply to the public, but the demand by the Municipality exceeded 8,000 m3.

According to him, the lowest consumption rate was about 8,000m3 but could shoot to 10,000m3 at peak periods.

Mr Nyeteng attributed the challenge to the growing population, regular breakdown of pipe lines, over aged pipe valves and pollution that cost the Company huge amounts of money to treat.

He lamented on the use of the Vea water source as an avenue for car washing, laundry and for moulding of concrete blocks by the communities which had immensely contributed to pollution, adding that it could be detrimental to the health of the people who drunk it.

Mr Kenneth Ennin, the Regional Manager, GWCL, said most of the pipe lines in the Region were old ones, which were laid over 40 years ago and that contributed to the regular break down of the pipe lines.

He said though regular routine maintenance on the lines were being done, current valves made of plastic could not effectively fit into existing concrete pipes and called for a change of the old pipes to fit the current trend of using plastic pipes.

On what GWCL in the Region was doing to correct the challenges, the Regional Manager gave the assurance that plans were afoot to provide 10 boreholes for the Bolgatanga Municipality to augment water supply in the Municipality, while four more boreholes would be drilled for the Zuarungu area to improve water supply.

On preparations towards the World Water day which falls today March 22, under the theme 'Water and waste water', the Regional Manager said a series of activities would be rolled out including a health talk by experts to staff on the need to be healthy and strong.

He said the need for tree planting to protect the water bodies and especially the areas where GWCL drew its water source from could not be over looked and therefore staff would take that serious in future since the current dry weather conditions would not sustain tree growth.

GNA
Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA

Adiembra (W/R), March 22, GNA - The Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Communications (CLEC Ghana) has organised a mentorship programme for some senior high school final year students in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to guide them in career choices.

The CLEC is a non-for-profit organisation that runs leadership and professional development programmes designed to equip unemployed graduates with employable and other requisite skills to enable them to find alternative career opportunities and be relevant to the labour market.

It was also to instill good leadership qualities and help them make the right choices at the tertiary level and build their ego with the 'can do spirit'.

It was on the theme: 'My Career - My Life,' aimed at revealing some challenges that many graduates go through in their careers and how they could be resolved.

Among the challenges are graduate unemployment, fear of starting a business, career neglect, unpaid and unsatisfactory jobs.

Participants were taken through topics like 'What is a Career,' 'Why Should I be Worried about a Career,' What Should I Consider before Choosing a Career,' and 'Vision and Goal Setting and Entrepreneurship.'

Pastor Seth Ameyaw Danquah, the Director of CLEC Ghana, speaking at the launch of the programme at Adiembra Senior High School, said the lack of proper mentoring of students may result in ruining their future careers.

He said the programme would be held in 10 senior high schools in the metropolis to empower students to fulfill their career dreams.

Pastor Danquah said the society had a huge role to play in shaping the future of the younger generation adding: "we need to empower them to develop the confidence in becoming who they want to be."

He urged the students to take a cue from David in the Bible who lived to serve his generation and endeavour to learn new skills.

'Don't look down on yourselves, it does not matter where you're coming from you have great potentials.'

GNA
GNA Feature by Samuel Adadi Akapule

Bolgatanga, March 22, GNA - Elizabeth Atubiga was 14 years old and in in primary four, when her parents forced her from school to marry a man, she was betrothed to before she was born.

Narrating her painful experience at one of the stakeholders' forums on child marriage at Nangodi in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region she said: 'My dream of becoming a lawyer was truncated because of child marriage.

'Born at Binaba in the Bawku West District of the Region, I remember very well in those days when my mother repeatedly told my father to get me out of school because my teachers were praising me for being brilliant.

'She argued that if I grew older I might refuse to be married to the man they had betrothed me to even before I was born.

Ms Atubiga whose testimony sent many of the stakeholders at the programme almost into tears, said as planned by her parents, she was sent to Nyankpala, near Tamale in the Northern Region to stay till she grew up and given out to his nephew in marriage as planned by her parents.

She said her stay at Nyankpala was full of physical and psychological abuse as her male caretaker who had a wife attempted a number of times to rape me.

Sensing danger, I had to flee to Kumasi where I worked under a woman who was a food vendor,' she said.

Ms Atubiga said she worked until she was 17 years- old when the son of her employer returned home from abroad and proposed marriage to her.

According to her, she was convinced by her employer that she would arrange a descent marriage for them.

She became pregnant by her fiancAe who eventually told her he could not marry her because she was an illiterate.

'To cut my story short, I ended up by not marrying. I am now 45 years-old but I take consolation in the fact that my son is now abroad studying medicine.

'My dream of becoming a lawyer has been truncated. I strongly feel that if my parents were educated, I will not have undergone such an ordeal. I want to use this occasion to appeal to all parents never to make such a mistake like my parents did,' she said.

Ms Atubiga's case is not an isolated one. Many of the victims of child marriage I spoke with shared similar sentiments. A good number of girls from 15 to 18 years in the country particularly in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions are forced by their parents into marriage, often against their will.

For instance in an interview with the Nabdam District Girl-Child Education Officer, Ms Elizabeth Atanga, she said the Directorate had to intervene on a number of occasions to prevent some parents from attempting to force their daughters who were in school into marriages.

In spite of the fact that Ghana was the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the 1992 Constitution and the 1998 Children's Act, which set the legal age for marriage at the age of 18, Ghana has one of the highest childhood marriage prevalence in the world.

According to UNICEF statistics, the Upper East Region has the highest child marriage in the country of 39.2 per cent whilst the national rate is less than 10 per cent.

Development partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, World Vision and Action Aid Ghana have supported the Gender Ministry and other local structures to help fight the menace.

At the just ended stakeholders' forum organised by the Gender Ministry, at Nangodi with support from UNFPA, the stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders, Queen mothers, women leaders, and assembly members, passed a resolution to end child marriage.

The resolution was for the stakeholders to team up with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service to deal with perpetrators of the crime, form vigilante groups in their communities to look for the culprits and to report such incidents.

This is highly commendable and must be implemented by other communities where child marriage is rife.

Government must also adequately resource the Gender Ministry to help fight the canker whilst the law enforcement agencies, the traditional and religious leaders must enforce the law on child marriage as well as use their platforms to sensitise their people to stop the menace.

GNA
By Isaac Newton Tetteh

Ashaiman (GAR), Mar 22, GNA - Some residents in the Ashaiman Municipality have been without electricity for the past week because electricity prepaid vendors cannot sell power to them.

The unavailability of the network had made it impossible for customers to purchase power from the vendors accredited by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Miss Mary Akwetey, a prepaid vendor in-charge of Nackel Vendering Point, near Old Tulaku, told the Ghana News Agency that vendors in Ashaiman had been facing network challenges for more than three days making it difficult to serve customers.

Miss Akwetey indicated that efforts to get engineers from the ECG's Community 11 office to improve the network had proved futile.

She lamented that the situation was adversely affecting their sales and causing long queues at the sale points adding that some vendors had even closed their shops.

Mr Kwame Dafeamekpor, an ECG customer, expressed his unhappiness about the network failure and suggested that the Company should be privatized to ensure efficient service delivery.

Mrs Elizabeth Kpoku, another customer, said due to the network challenge, food she had kept in the freezer had gone bad due to her inability to get power at the vendors.

She pleaded with the ECG to rectify the network problem to allow them purchase the needed power.

Madam Theresa Osabutey, Tema Regional Public Relations Officer, ECG, told the Ghana News Agency that the 'issue was an isolated one' and that the challenges would be tracked and rectified as soon as possible.

GNA
By Gifty Amofa, GNA,

Ejura (Ash), Mar 22, GNA - The immediate past Vice President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, the Reverend Dr. Nii Amoo-Darku, has raised concern about the excessive noise making at Christian worship centres and said this has become a health hazard.

The blaring of loud speakers and other noisy equipment during worship, he warned could be detrimental to the health of the worshippers and needed to stop.

'Why should anybody create health problems for people who, God wants us to reach out to with his message of hope and salvation', he queried.

The Rev Dr. Amoo-Darko was addressing the 29th annual refresher course, retreat and business meeting of the Convention's Ministers Conference, held at Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality.

He stated that the nuisance of noise-making should not be confused with spirituality.

He therefore invited his colleague ministers of the gospel to take steps to reduce the noise level in the church.

'Experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit' was the theme chosen for the three-day meeting.

The Rev Dr. Amoo-Darko urged the church to fearlessly speak against all social ills, holding back the progress of the nation.

It should provide strong leadership to purge the society of anything evil, undignified and morally reprehensible, he added.

He encouraged Christians to mirror Christ-like qualities to become good example to the rest of the society.

The Rev Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the decision to build the national cathedral and described it as, a right step.

He called on everybody to give their full backing to the successful completion of project.

The Rev Mark Nti Frimpong, President of the Conference, asked that Christians prayed unceasingly to God for his continued gift of peace, unity and stability.

GNA
By Caesar Abagali, Tamale

Tamale, March 22, GNA - Five hundred and three (503) students of the St Charles Senior High School in Tamale have lost their entire property in a fire that gutted their two-storey dormitory block on Tuesday night.

The fire started at 21:20 hours when all the students were attending preps but due to the extensive nature of the fire, none of them could retrieve anything from their dormitories.

Mr Polycarp Kuusokub Beyelle, the Headmaster of the school told the media that the damage was beyond the school's management and appealed for immediate help to ensure smooth academic work.

He said the entire roof and ceiling of the block including the ground floor had been totally burnt while, property comprising books, food and clothing of the students was also destroyed in the fire.

'This needs the intervention of the public to help restore hope in the affected students.'

Alhaji Mohammed Haroun Cambodia, the Northern Regional Director of Education bemoaned the rate of fire outbreaks and advised schools in the region to ensure proper and constant fire auditing to avert any eventuality.

He advised the students not to give up because of the situation especially the affected final year students but should study hard to pass their examination, 'Since every misfortune can be a blessing'.

Alhaji Cambodia has ordered the Northern Regional office of the Ghana Education Service to release 100 students' mattresses for the affected final year students while plans were underway to source secondhand clothing and exercise books for all the affected students.

Master Julius Yinimi Adongo, a second year Agriculture Student told the GNA that he was in charge of locking and opening the dormitory before and after preps.

He said he was on his way back to open the dormitory around 21:25 hours GMT when he saw smoke coming out of dormitory seven and before he could raise an alarm the flames had spread very fast to other dormitories.

'I am in charge of locking and opening our dormitory and during preps no student is allowed to stay in the dormitory unless that student is sick. Preps end at 21:30 hours GMT and when I was coming to open that I saw the fire and the smoke were unbearable for us to pick our belongings', he said.

Meanwhile, management in consultation with the Parent-Teacher Association has asked the first and second year students to go home immediately and report back on March 28.

The final year students who are also affected and have no examination papers to write on Wednesday are to go home and report the following day.

GNA
A budget-related bill that would freeze state child care subsidy rates for a year, until they can be addressed again in October 2018, advanced Wednesday to a second round of consideration.

Ten senators voted against advancing the bill, citing the difficulty for child care providers who accept low-income children of working or student parents, providers whose expenses increase year to year.

Thirty-one senators voted to advance the bill, which was amended Tuesday to ensure that in the next fiscal year provider pay wouldn't go below the 50th percentile of the child care and development fund market rate survey.

Sen. Merv Riepe, chairman of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee and introducer of the bill (LB335) on behalf of the governor, emphasized the bill would not cut rates to adversely affect vulnerable children.

A market rate survey should be available by the time the bill gets to a second round of debate, and would be evaluated then, Riepe said.

"If we kill LB335 now, we tie our hands in a couple of months," said Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers, referring to the state budget debate.

Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks said annual child care costs for an infant is more than $9,000 a year. A 4-year-old costs nearly $8,000 a year.

Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld said the bill was bad policy that should be killed.

"I hear a lot of words on this floor about caring about working families, about ensuring that Nebraskans are successful, about recruiting and attracting young Nebraskans, retaining them and keeping them here. But I see very little action on it ... except in the reverse," Morfeld said, referring to bills like LB335.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers said the child care subsidy program should not be in the running to be cut.

"They can call it holding steady where they are," Chambers said. "But you all know that in this society, there are certain jobs that you hold, certain government programs that have automatic stair step increases."

All these matters are relative, he said.

"If you stand still and everybody else moves, you fall farther behind without making a move yourself, one way or the other."
Former Municipal Chief Executive for Ejisu has said president Akufo-Addo has not violated any law by appointing over one hundred ministers in his government.

According to Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, president Akufo-Addo has done nothing wrong with regards to his ministerial appointments so far as the constitution allows him.

Yamoah Ponkoh argues, the president has been given a mandate by Ghanaians to government and take decisions in line with the constitution and no one must question the exercise of the presidents powers.

There has been widespread public outcry over President Akufo-Addos appointment of 110 ministers to help him fulfill the plethora of electioneering promises to Ghanaians.

Out of the total 110, 20 are Regional Ministers and their Deputies, 40 ministers for various ministries, with 50 deputies.

By this number, the Nana Addo-led administration would have the highest list of ministers and deputies to serve in any government since the start of the fourth Republic.

Based on this backdrop, critics believe the large number of ministers will be a drain on the state purse  a position government has vehemently disagreed with.

However Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh insists, this is not the matter of defending Akufo Addo, but I fully support him because he has not abused the powers giving to him.

The president can appoint over one thousand ministers and there will be nothing wrong with it because he has the mandate of Ghanaians to do so, he said.

Yamoah Ponkoh charged, Kwame, I say I can Akufo Addo can even appoint ministers for koobi and momoni and no one has the right to question him because Ghanaians have been giving him the mandate to do so.

At the end of his four year tenure, the same Ghanaians that voted for him will evaluate his performance and make a decision on himso lets allow him to exercise his executive powers, the NDC stalwart stressed.
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Yesterday I spoke at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) conference in Dubai. In the past, I have done these speaking engagements in several cities, universities and agencies around the world.

But I have always missed the opportunity to share with you what I shared at those global conferences. Today I have decided to share with you excepts of what I told my audience in Dubai.

It does not take too long for anyone to know me, at a first contact. For instance you will know that I am from Winneba, even before you say fi. You will know that I went to Winneba Secondary School. You will know that I went to the University of Ghana. You will know that I went to the University of Education, Winneba, and you will know that I am a 12th born of my mother, something I have been very proud of.

Amongst all that you will know, you will also know that, like many other children, I had a difficult childhood, and it is because of this difficulty that I founded Challenging Heights.

In the last 12 years, my organisation, Challenging Heights, has rescued hundreds of children from trafficking in the fishing industry in Ghana, children who undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation program at our shelter while we work with their families and communities, to build capacity and support, for re-integration to happen.

It is also because of this that I accepted to chair the Board of Directors of Family for Every Child, which is a global member-led alliance of organizations from 30 countries, headquartered in UK, working together to improve the lives of vulnerable children.

Globally, families face extreme internal and external pressures that challenge their ability to care properly for their children; pressures that push children away from their homes. This is why many children end up living and working on the streets. They are forced into harmful labour or residing in inappropriate institutional care. They are exploited, without access to education or health services or shelter or even food.

This is not only about poverty. Natural disasters and armed conflicts and wars make things worse for boys and girls who get separated from their parents. In the middle of the chaos, these children become vulnerable to all sorts of exploitations in their own country or as immigrants in other countries.

Imagine the impact on the quality of life of boys and girls, on their development and growth, and overall happiness, imagine the impact if we focused our efforts on investing in families, giving them the skills and resources, helping them protect themselves and their children from vulnerabilities. Imagine the world if we considered the family as essential to childrens lives.

Experience, research, and practice, show that healthy and effective parenting have great impact on the success of a child. It provides protection and boosts the emotional development of the child and her ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

I know that some families are not always safe or loving environments for children. This is why child protection systems need to be strong, especially to be able to provide temporary or permanent high-quality alternatives to the children who are not well cared for by their families.

But the point I want to make here, what I want us all to consider is that there is a disproportionate amount of children that are separated from their families unnecessarily; due to poverty, violence, exploitation, emergencies and conflict.

In humanitarian crisis, our focus on essentials is often reduced to basic services. Of course we want children to have food, shelter, safety. These basic services are needed. But they are not enough to prevent children from the many risks they are exposed to. We need to also invest in the family.

A strong family is better prepared in times of crisis to protect its children. It is the first line of defence, an informal system of social protection, a source of safety and resilience for children.

In a recent research conducted by Family for Every Child across seven countries, with children who were living without parental care, on the street, in institutional care, in detention, with extended families, we asked them: what do you want for your future? Many mentioned health and education. But the overwhelming majority expressed one single desire: to have strong, safe and loving relationships with their parents or caregivers, to be cared for and protected, to be treated fairly and with understanding and kindness.

I believe if you strengthen, and protect, the family, then its children have more access to education and health care. Children have more chances to be safe and will engage less in anti-social and criminal behaviours.

I believe if you strengthen, and protect, the family, then you will improve the future prospects of its children. And when these children become adults, they will have more chances to access employment, to overcome poverty, to contribute to peace, reconciliation and progress.

Of course, solutions are complex, just like the problems. At Family for Every Child, a member-led, grass roots-up alliance, we are 30 organizations from across the planet, including the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and Challenging Heights. Our members come from very different contexts, very different cultures, but all work hard and in different ways to strengthen and protect families, addressing the challenges they face.

In Mexico, our member, JUCONI, carries out an intensive therapy, which is focused on the family, to restore healthy parenting, care-giving capacities, to families facing intergenerational cycles of violence. We are now replicating this innovative approach in eight other countries.

In Indonesia, very poor and stigmatized families often place their children in institutions, hoping that they will receive education, food and shelter. Muhammadiyah, our member in that country, is gradually reversing this trend of unnecessary family separation. It connects vulnerable families with needed support and services so as to stop feeling the need to rely on institutional care for their children.

In Ghana, Challenging Heights is re-uniting families by rescuing and rehabilitating trafficked children. We are providing emotional, practical, educational, and livelihood support to parents, children and communities to increase awareness and provide families with self-sustaining futures. Our overall aim is to stop family separation from occurring through trafficking, by providing the support to reduce poverty and increase family stability, as well as bringing home the enslaved children.

In Rwanda, South Africa and Ghana, Family for Every Childs members conducted a study to understand the impact of cash transfers on the ability of families to care for their children. In each one of these countries, the findings showed that even among the most vulnerable of families, good social protection can help millions of children in sub-Saharan Africa grow up in a safe and caring environment. It enables families to care for children who are not their own; and to improve upon the material and nonmaterial well-being of children.

So in the name of Family for Every Child, in the name of Challenging Heights, and in the light of the real progress we can all achieve for children and families, I would like to urge you all, policy makers, decision makers, dream makers and makers of the future, to recognise that a strong family is basic, and essential, for children everywhere.

We must therefore invest in families and support them to be safe, effective, and caring for children regardless of poverty, conflict or adversity.

Whether it is in the Middle-East, in Africa, in Europe, in America, in Asia, families are the bedrock of our society. We need to work together to strengthen and empower them so that they too can take better care of their children. It is by growing up with the love, care and safety of a family that boys and girls around the world will be able to achieve their full potential, to lead a healthy, fulfilled, socially and politically engaged life.

James Kofi Annan
22.03.2017 LISTEN

The decision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. David Asante-Appeatu, to withdraw the leadership of the police security detail at the Flagstaff House has sent shivers down the spines of the junior ranks. Their fear is that they too will be withdrawn after providing security for the President whilst he was in the opposition.

Some of the officers told The Chronicle that information was sent to the IGP to withdraw the police officers and send them back to the headquarters. The morale of the concerned police officers has dipped, due to the fact that they gallantly sacrificed, protected and guarded the President at the time he was an opposition leader and a flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party  a period when virtually everybody was shying away from providing security for Akufo-Addo.

The police officers, who pleaded anonymity, noted that they were expecting that their efforts will be recognised, and that they will be properly commended, rather than maligning them with instructions to the IGP to recall them.



When contacted, a source at the Flagstaff House denied any wrongdoing over the recall of the officers. To the source, the police officers should have spoken to the appropriate leaders, instead of going to the press with the information.

The source admitted that the police officers involved did the right thing, when they voluntarily decided to protect a political party presidential candidate during the electioneering campaign, but insist Flagstaff House had no hand in their recall.
22.03.2017 LISTEN



The Ghana Railway Workers Union (GRWU) has a held it maiden National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the year 2017.

The meeting, which was attended by Union Executives drawn from Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi, was to enable the union take stock of it activities for the year 2016, and also map out strategies to face 2017.

The maiden meeting comes at the time when the challenges confronting the railway industry had not changed. Speaker after speaker at the NEC meeting underlined the importance of rail transport in building a vibrant economy.



The General Secretary of the GRWU, Mr. Godwill Ntarmah, confessed that as workers of Railways, they could not shield themselves from the blame of contributing to the collapse of the company. However, it was important we put the past behind us and forge closer ties with management, the ministry, and the government as a whole, to ensure the comeback of the Railways.

It was in this vein that the GRWU General Secretary said workers of the GRC associated themselves with the task from the Minister for Railway Development to the management of the GRCL to bring out a three-year plan, by which time the company would wean itself from government financial support.

We see this as a very challenging one. It will also put both management and workers on the alert, and ensure that GRCL puts its destiny into its own hands.

General Secretary Ntarmah, however, expressed worry over Railway Act 779, where all assets, hitherto under the GRCL, were now under the care of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), though the GRCL continues to be a going concern.

We are of the view that this situation can no longer continue, and, therefore, there is the need to have a second look at the Act for a possible review.

Present at the NEC meeting were Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, the Minister for Railway Development, Mr. Joe Ghart
22.03.2017 LISTEN

A total of 32 students have been enrolled at the Elubo branch of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) Academy for Diploma courses in Freight Forwarding.

The thirty-two, who hitherto, would have to travel to Accra for classes, would learn in the comfort of Elubo.

This is due to the Elubo branch of the GIFF being accredited to run the Diploma courses for its members. After the course, the students would sit for the Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA) professional paper.

At a short matriculation ceremony held at the weekend, Mr. Jonathan Amanor, Education Manager for GIFF, took the students through the course papers they would be taking, in order to prepare them for the final exams.

He mentioned the courses as Maritime Transport, Dangerous Goods, Customs Procedures and Rail Transport amongst others. Describing the GIFF as a leader in improving careers in the freight society, he implored the students to take their books seriously, and reap the investment made in them by their employers.

He added that FIATA, an international recognised exam body, has approved GIFF courses, and as such, the students should not entertain any fears when it comes to the certificates they would acquire, as the GIFF, Elubo branch, was legally mandated and recognised to run the aforementioned courses.

He explained that the GIFF courses start from Certificate, Diploma to Higher Diploma levels. He said an arrangement has been made with the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where students, who hold both FIATA Diploma and Higher Diploma, could continue further studies to attain their degrees.

He consequently, urged the enrolled students to take the courses seriously, so that you can build yourself, and move up the academic calendar.

Mr. William Amanhyia, Executive Secretary of GIFF, on his part, took the enrolled students through the history of the Academy. He said the GIFF Academy was the architect of transport, because of the proactive role it plays in the management of goods.

GIFF, he said, was not all about custom clearance, but a major service industry to international trade. So, it was essential the Freight Industry was able to rely on the skills and appropriate talents of its members.

To achieve this, according to him, it was important to improve the knowledge of its members who will participate in international trade.

He added that GIFF certificates was internationally recognised, and the courses are validated every three years.

Introduced in 1996, GIFF, he said, had issued certificates to a total of 12,394 members.

Present at the short matriculation ceremony were Mr. Jack Adu, a former Chairman of GIFF, Elubo branch, and Mr. Kwabena Ofosu-Appiah who took the students through their course contents.

By Alfred Adams
22.03.2017 LISTEN

A water crisis has hit the residents of Tumu in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region, following the decision by the Volta River Authority (VRA) to cut power supply to the water treatment plant, because the Tumu Water Board owed it GH80,000.

Intelligence picked by The Chronicle, has it that the Tumu Water Board, a committee that streamlines the Community Water System, which relies on the Volta River Authority (VRA) for power to serve the entire Tumu community water, has failed to honour promises to pay the debt.

The repercussion is that, the Community Water System, which supplies water to the entire community through a reservoir is not running, because there is no electricity supply to the pumps.

The debt, which has been outstanding since 2011, forced the VRA to change the meter to the plant from post-paid to pre-paid, but the Water Supply Board is struggling to by credit to access the power.

Some of the residents lamented that for the past five months their pipes have been dry, and not a single drop of water has come out of their taps. According to them, they only depend on private water tanker services for water, which cost them GH120 a month.

If they (Water Board) think what we are paying is inadequate, then they should let us pay [a] realistic amount for the water, because the private water tanker services are quite expensive, one of the residents told The Chronicle.

Mr Abdul Rahman Yakubu, a resident who also spoke to The Chronicle, said he owes the Water Board GH60, for three months. He, however, vowed not to pay, because they failed to provide them (the residents) with water after he had paid his previous bill.

He stressed: It is better to buy water from the private tanker services than paying water bill which is full of uncertainties.

He said some residents can afford to pay GH40 for tanker water services, or 25 gallons of water for GH15, but for those who don't have the money will have to go far to get water.

A VRA worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Chronicle, said the debt owed by the Water Board was hampering their activities, leaving them no option than to cut power supply to the Tumu township.

The Tumu Town Council Chairman, Bagon Luri, was worried over the water shortage. He further explained that although the District Assembly also bought new pumps to replace faulty ones, the system is still ineffective, because the board can't buy units to power the machines.

Mr. Luri called on Tumu residents to stay calm, and appealed to all stakeholders, the District Assembly, non-governmental organisations, business owners and the public to help fix the problem, because the board alone cannot do it.

From Musah Umar Farouq, Tumu
22.03.2017 LISTEN

After years of closure, Hungary has decided to reopen its embassy in Accra. Addressing Ghanaian businessmen in Accra recently, as part of activities marking the Hungarian Cultural Week celebration, the Ambassador, Mr. Szabo Andras, charged them to take advantage of the re-opening of the embassy to do business with Hungary.

The Ambassador described Ghana, and by extension Africa, as having good natural resources, which, when exploited meaningfully, would have a positive impact on the economy of Africa.



Mr Szabo Andras expressed the readiness of his Embassy to welcome all Ghanaians who wish to travel to Hungary, while promising a smooth a convenient process.

The Ambassador noted that the celebration was also to give the opportunity to Ghanaians who would want travel to Hungary for educational purposes, to be assured that the country had good educational systems.

Evangelist Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, in-charge of the World Miracle Outreach, who had the opportunity to study in Hungary, recommended same to Ghanaians. He said the first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, had some of his economic advisers trained in Hungary, citing that prominent personalities in Ghana also had their education in the country.

He further disclosed that there were many new technologies in Hungary now, which could help boost businesses, while calling on Ghanaian businessmen to grab the opportunity.

Hungary, this year, is even organising a scholarship to Ghana, and I will urge Ghanaians to take advantage of that. The Hungarian community made available 800 million for the African communities, which we call the Southern sector. But because of lack of collaborations, we've not been able to access it. I think if we can take advantage of it, this is money coming from the Exim Bank, he said in the presence of the Hungarian Ambassador.

The Exim Bank of Hungary is under the control of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade of Hungary. Those ministries are joined together, and if the Ghana can access it, it would go a long way to help the country, Dr Lawrence remarked.

By Maxwell Ofori

[email protected]
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Being the Leader and bloc of all institutions and students under greater Accra Region and having the Legon fraternity holding the largest institutional barground as a sabath of our auspices, We were in great shock when the news reached our office on the 16th of March 2017 through our various representatives in the various institutions under his command that it had been alleged that the DSP and his men were involved in a Gold scandal and so have been interdicted since.

The leadership of the various SRC`S under his district have since been trying to reach him in order to hear his side and stand in solidarity with him in connection with the alleged gold saga but to no avail and so it was necessary to issue this statement in solidarity with him in these difficult and trying moments of his career and most especially considering the security threat to the students and residence within the Legon and East Legon areas.

As major and intellectual stakeholders, we decided to probe into the matter since we have the security of our students at stake and to find out what the real issues are on ground because, we have been enjoying some wonderful protection from DSP Emmanuel Basintale and his officers in the execution of their duties especially in safeguarding the interest of our students in and off the various campuses, and hostels around the district.

We must state on record that the DSP has proven beyond all reasonable doubts at all times to be credible and responsible and professional. Since he became the district Commander of Legon in 2013 and his subsequent transfer to East Legon district in 2015 he has always been there for the students right from the conduction of SRC Election issues, the protection of students from criminals and arm robbers around. The resolution of various disputes between students and management and many other security related issues involving the students of his community.

He has been very fair in his dealings and even in times when we thought he could be compromised, he stood firm and at the end won the respect of all students and management.

Due to his hard work and rich reputation, we as student leaders have been following his performance and exploits. It will amaze the public to know that he single handedly mobilised the residents of East Legon (East Legon Executive Fitness Club) to construct the most beautiful police district headquarters building in Ghana. In 2013 he also mobilised the residents of Legon and the student leadership to put up a one storey building office for Legon Police. That is not all; recently through his instrumentality a philanthropist donated a brand new Toyota Hilux Pickup vehicle to the East Legon Police to enhance their patrols and therefore the general security of the whole area.

Recently the student leadership and the community youth were there to express our support and appreciation to him for his hard work and contribution to the stabilization of peace and harmony within the various campuses and hostels and for his professionalism in carrying out his mandate as commander of the district.

Our findings in the case when we contacted the police station revealed that the DSP was the one who arrested the fraudsters, charged them and put them before court to be prosecuted. As intellectuals, it breaks logic to believe that a man of such high integrity and reputation would be accused of such a crime after personally arresting them and putting them before court. We believe there is more into the matter and we would continue to delve into it in finding the truth.

His youthful and welcoming nature was a plus to the student community within his jurisdiction as he understood the challenges of the young boys and girls all around when they had issues and reported to him. He has served as a role model to many students especially when he graduated from the law school whilst working with us and has also always served as a counsellor and advisor to our colleague students as he made his office available to all and created a very friendly ambiance for all those visiting.

We want to appeal to the IGP Mr. David Asante-Apeatu and his officers to look into the matter with all fairness devoid of victimization as we strongly believe in the innocence and integrity of DSP Emmanuel Basintale in this matter. We want to believe that the matter is a clear frame up and an attempt to defame his character but would not last as we stand with him in solidarity till the truth prevails.

Signed:

Yaw Mainoo Yeboah

Regional NUGS President (0205297707)

Prince Asiedu

Regional NUGS Secretary

MAJOR LEGON DISTRICT INSTITUTIONAL REPS.

Derrick Abotsi

NUGS President Legon (0548621590)

Osman Mufida

NUGS President Islamic Univeristy

Eto Gershon

NUGS President UPSA
A group in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), calling itself United NDC, has called on the party's National Organizer, Kofi Adams, to desist from declaring support for a preferred presidential candidate ahead of the party's congress for the polls in 2020.

Prior to the party's plans to hold a Congress in 2018 to elect a flagbearer, the group, United NDC, has accused Kofi Adams of openly declaring support for the re-election of the former President John Dramani Mahama as the best candidate to lead the party.

The group described this as unfortunate from a national executive member, as this could create further divisions in the party, considering that party members are yet to recover from the troubles of their recent electoral defeat.

It is on record that, the party has a 13-man committee led by Professor Kwasi Botwey, with a mandate to determine and report same, as to the reasons for the landslide defeat of the party in the last elections. With the committees work in progress, it is unclear why the haste by Mr. Kofi Adams to move from one media house to the other, trying to force a candidate on the NDC, they stated.

They believe that, to ensure fairness, the National Organizer must play a role of a neutral arbitrator and rather than taking sides.

We wish to put on record that, his position on the fact that Mr. John Dramani Mahama is the best candidate for the NDC in 2020, is not only premature but divisive. As a national organizer of our party, we wish to remind him of his role as a leader and must remain as neutral as possible till the party elects a new leader at congress, at a later date to be determined by the same body of which he is part, the statement added.

The Convener of the group, Nii Eric Lamptey, further advised Kofi Adams to concentrate on his mandate as a party executive and called on the party leadership to call Kofi Adams to order.

We also call on the National Chairman, his team and the National Council of Elders to issue a statement calling on Mr. Kofi Adams, as a matter of urgency, to desist from such utterances, as his current posture is a threat to the rebuilding process and a strong NDC for 2020.

Some NDC MPs including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ras Mubarak who served under the former President, have all endorsed him for 2020, although the family of the former President has stated that he will not contest the polls in 2020.

Calls for Mahama 2020 premature  Yileh Chireh

The Wa West Member of Parliament in the Upper West Region, Joseph Yileh Chireh, has also described calls for the immediate past President, John Dramani Mahama, to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2020 elections as premature and undemocratic.



By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
A section of the Walls of Vea Dam

22.03.2017 LISTEN

As Ghana joined the rest of the world to mark World Water Day, Assembly member for the Vea Electoral Area in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, Baba Timothy, has called on the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari to call the Contractor working on the Vea Dam to order, lest he or she taste the wrath of the youth.

According to Baba Timothy, the activities of the Contractor are rather polluting the water in the Dam with dust from the gravels and human faeces contained in the soil he is dumping on top of the Dam walls.

Today is World Water Day, am sure it is to remind people and their governments to keep their water sources safe and clean, so as to get good water to drink. We cannot say same for ourselves. The Contractor is polluting our water and the annoying part is that, he has refused to introduce himself to the community and just doing what he wants. He doesn't seem to care about the pollution he is causing the water body. Anytime they stir the soil on the walls, the faeces enter the water; unfortunately for us, we don't get the treated water from Vea, like you guys in Bolgatanga, even though we are living close to the water. My people fetch direct from the Dam and use it. Only God knows if they treat it before using or not.

Baba Timothy was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guide, over the state of their water source, as the country marks World Water Day.

Bolgatanga Municipality and its environs are far from the Vea Dam and yet, they rather get treated water from this Dam through the Ghana Water Company, and yet, people living in Vea and other communities in the Bongo district, depend on boreholes, dug-outs and the Vea Dam which they fetch direct for domestic use.

Available information says, the water from most of the boreholes in the Bongo district have high fluoride presence which cause defects on the teeth and bones of the people in the area.

Baba Timothy fears that, if the Contractor is not cautioned to consider the health of the community members in the course of his operations, then there could be a misunderstanding between him and the community, especially when cases of Typhoid start increasing and the people link it to the faeces entering the water.

The Contractor has no Project Sign Post, so no one there knows the Company name, contact number, duration of the contract, Supervising Authority and the scope of work the company is to do on the Dam.

Apart from Vea, many other communities walk long distances to get water from boreholes and dams, unfortunately, many rural people in the region cannot buy treated water in bottles and sachets, as their counterparts in urban centres do.

The theme for this year's World Water Day is Water and Waste Water and meant to get people and their governments to reflect on the need for good water and to avoid wasting water when it is available.

-Ebo Bruce-Quansah
Omaha Sen. John McCollister would like to know the number of offenders who are at or past their prison parole eligibility dates, and who have not received appropriate programming to help them re-enter Nebraska communities.

That number has become an issue with prison crowding and the need to enable offenders to get needed classes.

McCollister introduced a bill (LB562) that would require a monthly report that would provide the number and type of vacant behavioral health positions department-wide and for each prison. And it would give the number of inmates who have achieved community-custody status, but who are still not in a community-custody facility.

The required report would be made available to the Legislature's Appropriations and Judiciary committees, Doug Koebernick, the inspector general for Corrections, and Ombudsman Marshall Lux.

McCollister said programming plays an important role in inmate success  not only when inmates leave prison, but also in their behavior while they are in a prison.

Asking the department to provide data about inmates who are past their parole eligibility dates and have not received the appropriate programming would keep the issue in front of policymakers, McCollister said.

Getting work detail and work release jobs is important for inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences, he said, in order to have a successful transition back into the community.

While I understand we can already request this information from the department on a regular basis, I think requiring them to do this, in state statute, if even for only the next few years, is important," McCollister said.

The bill had a hearing last week in front of the Judiciary Committee.

Koebernick testified at the hearing, saying there's a need for transparency to make senators and the public aware of what's going on in the department.

Until 2015, the department published a monthly data sheet, but then stopped for a while because of a staff shortage, he said. The department later switched to a quarterly report, which was much less extensive than previous reports, and put out irregularly.

The monthly report would assist the Legislature and the public, Koebernick said.

No one at the hearing opposed the bill.

Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes, in a letter to the committee, said the department collects the information the bill would require. He suggested that a quarterly report would provide the same benefit in measuring progress of the department as a monthly report would, at a reduced burden to the department.

Frakes said he was committed to providing senators with the information they needed, to the best of the department's ability.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.
For the first time, candidates contesting the presidential slot in the Ghana Journalists Association elections will take part in a debate.

The debate is part of a major public forum to be organised for all candidates contesting this year's election.

The forum is being organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with the Elections Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The debate or forum has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

A statement issued by the MFWA said the presidential debate will offer candidates the opportunity to sell their vision to the electorate before elections.

The debate will be chaired by Nana Kwasi-Gyan Apenteng, Chairman of the National Media Commission, the statement said;

The following is the full details of the statement;

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with the Elections Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 host candidates contesting the various positions in the Association at a public forum in Accra.

The forum will feature a debate among candidates contesting the presidential slot. Candidates contesting the other positions will also be presented an opportunity to speak to the electorate.

The presidential debate which will be chaired by Nana Kwasi-Gyan Apenteng, Chairman of the National Media Commission will offer a platform for the aspirants to share with the electorate their policies, plans and vision for promoting professional journalism and the welfare of media professionals in Ghana.

The event will also offer the opportunity to the electorate to quiz aspirants on their proposed plans for the Association and other pertinent issues confronting the media in Ghana.

The forum will bring together media experts/practitioners, the diplomatic community, academia and civil society organisations and will be held at the International Press Centre in Accra at 2.30 p.m. prompt.

The MFWA is supporting this event because it is important for the competing candidates to clearly articulate their visions and plans and be interrogated on them. We se e this presidential debate as a crucial moment where the electorate would have the opportunity to scrutinise the policies of all the contestants in order to make informed choices come the Election Day, said Abigail Larbi, Programme Manager, MFWA.

Meanwhile, the GJA elections will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at designated polling stations.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
A Metro Mass bus en route to Cape Coast from Accra caught fire after two of its tyres exploded on the Kasoa-Cape Coast highway Wednesday.

Fortunately, no casualty was recorded in the incident.

A passenger told joy News one of the back tyres of the bus with the registration number GR 5182-15 exploded when they reached Adom City, a community on the highway.

Alarmed by the incident, the driver decided to stop, he added.

According to him, minutes after the bus stopped, the last back tyre exploded causing some other passengers to jump from the window of the bus.

The witness added the passengers numbering more than 30 all escaped unhurt.

Although the Ghana Fire Service was called to intervene, the witness said it took them more than 30 minutes to get to the scene.

But a fire officer said they delayed because the phone call went to the headquarters in Accra before it was transferred to them.

Even though the fire men were able to put out the fire, there was little to salvage from the bus.

Video



Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Government may not be in favour of the current moves underway to enhance interoperability in mobile money transactions across telecommuncations networks, according to indications from the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

A telecommunications company, Sibton Switch Systems, won a controversial bid to oversee this interoperability at a cost of GHc 4.6 billion from the Bank of Ghana, the most expensive tender among the companies that bid for the project.

Initial reports about the deal indicated that the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), was well placed to handle an intermediary role in across-network mobile money transactions.

Before telcos could fully roll-out a form of interoperability, the BoG announced that it had secured the services of the private firm that would handle the interoperability.

The telecom operators in the country subsequently expressed their displeasure wth moves by the central bank to impose a third-party company on them to act as the intermediary in mobile money transactions across different networks.

Veep charges GhIPSS

The Vice President, however appears to be on the side of the GhIPSS as he has challenged it to take a leading role in driving discussions towards making the platforms of telcos and banks interoperable.

Speaking at the Ghana Economic Outlook and Business Strategy Conference on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia threw some weight behind GhIPSS which he said was in a unique position to bring the banks and telcos together to make their platforms interoperable so that you can transfer money between the telcos and the banks and so on very easily.

He stressed that interoperability cannot be forced on the telcos without a prior consensus as he opined that there must be a sound case and people have to see the sense in it.

Chief Executive Officer of GHIPSS  Archie Hesse

Interoperability can be done in 6 months

The process itself is not rocket science, Dr. Bawumia said, as he indicated that government would like to see the realisation of the interoperability in mobile money transactions across telecom networks by the end of 2017.

This is not rocket science; making sure there is interoperability between Ghana link, the E-Zwich platform and the mobile telephone platforms. If you put your minds to it, it can be done in six months.

I think it would be very nice if we all put our minds to it and I think you guys should be talking a bit more for us to get it done. I want to encourage banks and mobile network operators to collaborate to increase the range of services available to customers, he said.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations has raised less than a third of the funding needed to prevent famine in Somalia, a spokesman said Wednesday, ahead of a Security Council meeting on the crisis in the drought-hit country.

The humanitarian crisis is worsening in Somalia with more than 300 deaths from cholera and diarrhea since the beginning of the year, according to UN figures.

About $864 million is needed for Somalia this year and so far only 31 percent has been pledged, said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

The appeal is expected to be revised soon to take into account the growing needs stemming from the risk of famine, he added.

The United Nations estimates that 6.2 million people -- more than half of Somalia's population -- are in need of emergency food aid, including 363,000 acutely malnourished children.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will on Thursday chair a council meeting on Somalia that will focus heavily on stepping up the humanitarian response.

At least 260,000 people died in the 2011 famine in Somalia -- half of them children under the age of five, according to the UN World Food Program.
By Stephen Asante, GNA

Kumasi, Mar 21, GNA - One hundred-and-eighty (180) selected agro-based groups in the Ashanti and Volta Regions have undergone training in 'regenerative farming', an integrated farming system, that seeks to provide the rural population with improved and sustainable income.

They included livestock and vegetable farmers, agricultural students, seed and plant breeders.

They were taught how to use spent mushroom bags and animal droppings as compost for vegetable farming and feeding of rabbits and other animals on the farm on vegetable leftovers.

Mr. Samuel Owusu-Takyi, an agricultural researcher at the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA), said the goal was to substantially boost productivity and returns to the farmer.

He indicated that 'regenerative farming' had emerged as vital tool for assuring farmers' of all-year round income.

The other high point, he noted, was that it would help to also enhance biodiversity.

Mr. Owusu-Takyi announced that the training programme, would last for three years and was being jointly funded by Modular Organic Regenerative Environment (MORE) Institute and Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation - all based in the United States (US).

The Food and Agriculture Ministry (MOFA) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are providing technical support.

He hinted that 1,000 farm stations would be established nationwide for the purpose.

The beneficiaries in addition to the supply of inputs including tree seedlings, mushroom bags, pens, feeding and drinking troughs, rabbits, poultry birds, wellington boots and bicycles would also be exposed to financial management, he added.

GNA
22.03.2017 LISTEN

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA

Accra, March 22, GNA - A woman believed to be in her early sixties is reported to have collapsed at the Circle-Odawna Trotro Station in Accra.

The woman whose name and identity is still unknown because of her condition was taken to the Keneshie Polyclinic where she is currently responding to treatment.

Mr Henry Quansah, General Station Master and Mr Omari-Osei, Welfare Secretary of the Station reported this to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Wednesday, to help get the public to trace her relatives.

According to Mr Quansah, the woman came to the station to board a trotro, but she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

He said, after rushing her to the hospital, the station officers searched the two bags the woman was holding but could not find any documentation with regard to her identity.

Mr Quansah said some medication were found in the bags, which nurses at the Polyclinic have described as a hypertensive drugs.

Madam Millicent Aboagyewaa, a nurse at the polyclinic, told the GNA that the woman's condition had deteriorated into s stroke, explain that the drugs in her possession indicated that she was a hypertensive patient.

She, however, confirmed that her condition was stable and she was responding to treatment.

Chief Inspector Diana Amoako of the Neoplan Police Station also confirmed that a complaint was made to her outfit by Mr Quansah and Mr Omari-Osei on the situation of the woman.

The station officials are, therefore, appealing to the public to inform the relatives of the woman to contact Mr Quansah on 0244 795 b732 and Mr Omari-Osei on 020 8073996.

GNA
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Accra, March 22, GNA - Project Maji continued its service to Ghana this week in honour of World Water Day by opening two new solar powered water kiosks in rural communities.

One was opened at Gaymtutu community in East Gonja District in the Northern Region and the second one was provided at Otuaplem, Amasaman, in the Ga West District, in the Greater Accra Region.

A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency said the organisation had been serving rural communities in need since 2015 and now has six facilities across the country.

Project Maji's proprietary technology allows them to set up a fully functioning, high capacity solar powered water kiosk for about the same cost as a hand pump.

However, the Project Maji solution offers greater capacity and reliability and multiple dispensing taps to ensure the community does not have to form long queues while waiting for water.

This allows children to fetch water efficiently and attend school on time, and for women to use the time saved in collecting water to take up wage earning work.

Project Maji has worked with the Cape Coast University in Ghana to have its sites independently audited so that their impact can be verified, and indeed the results have come back positive every time.

With their test phase now officially complete, Project Maji is in discussions with several Ghanaian and international corporations for large sponsorship deals, as well as the CWSA and Ministry of Water to enable them to expand more widely and more rapidly.

They have also just installed their first facilities in Kenya marking the beginning of their expansion into other needy Sub-Saharan African countries.

GNA
22.03.2017 LISTEN

Accra, March 22, GNA - Stanbic Bank has introduced some new value propositions to make life easier for its executive banking customers in the face of current economic hardships.

The Bank has added new packages such as an educational plan, hospital cash cover and retrenchment cover to its executive banking offerings, in a bid to give customers swifter access to a wide range of products that will enhance their lifestyle.

At the launch of the revamped executive banking proposition, Nana Dwemoh Benneh, Head Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic Bank, said the Bank was dynamic and constantly seeking to offer real time solutions to its customers.

'This is yet another opportunity to prove to our customers our responsiveness to their needs,' he said.

'As a bank, we believe a real banking experience goes beyond just deposits and withdrawals: for us, it is about enriching lives- taking to heart the customer's comfort and giving back to them what is just right for the betterment of their lives, and Stanbic Bank is committed to doing just that,' he added.

The new set of solutions, according to Adjoa Commey, Manager, Executive Banking, Stanbic bank, is in line with the bank's commitment to provide real value to its customers.

'Our clients are key to our business. We go the extra mile each day to ensure that they get the best from this relationship.

'This revised proposition seeks to add great value to the lives of our clients, real game changers in challenging times.'

With the EduPlan, parents will be able to provide uninterrupted quality education for their wards to the highest level.

The hospital cash cover supports clients in case they are hospitalised after an accident. The Bank is also offering a retrenchment cover, which will be paid in three instalments in the instance that an executive banking customer losses his/her job.

Aside these new propositions, Stanbic has also revamped some of the already existing executive banking offerings.

The travel insurance, for instance and there are more attractive packages with regards to the salary overdraft, transactions and saving products, comprehensive Home loan solutions and Vehicle and asset financing.

The new executive banking offers a myriad of cashless payment options through the bank' Gold VISA Card and other payment platforms such as the internet banking platform, Slydepay, E-ZWISH, and mobile money.

Customers will also be able to make withdrawals from Stanbic bank ATMs with no charge.

It also comes with special lifestyle privileges and discounts such as access to higher limits on unsecured personal loans, membership recognition through invitations to special Stanbic sponsored events.

Stanbic bank over the years reiterated its proactivity by coming up with products that offer unrivalled banking solutions to its customers. Such products and offerings in the past include the multi-currency money wallet and unsecured personal loans.

GNA
Editors note: Nicholas Oluwaseyi, the Legit.ng partner blogger, explains the effects of child marriage in the society and proffers its possible solutions.

Nicholas Oluwaseyi is a young medical student whom God has favoured and committed a great vision of seeing mankind turn into eternal HOPE. He could be reached through his e-mail nicholasoluwaseyi6@gmail.com. You can also follow his blog https://hopecitadel.wordpress.com.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

Marriage, as recognised in the constitution (according to the Child's Act 2003, Sections 21 and 22, age of consent in Nigeria is 18 years) is to be undergone by adults from 18 years and above, however, there are marriages below 18 years, and this is referred to as child marriage.

Child marraige

Child marriage is a menace plaguing the entire world, though Africa has the highest incidence of child marriage. According to GirlsNotBrides organization, Nigeria ranks 14th among the 20 countries with the highest rate of child marriages; 16 of them African.

What is child marriage?

Child marriage is a formal marriage or informal union entered into by an individual before reaching the age of 18.

READ ALSO: 4 MAIN barriers stopping girls from going to school in Nigeria (No 2 is most common)

Child marriage affects both boys and girls, though the overwhelming majority of those affected are girls, most of whom are in poor socio-economic situations.

According to United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Africa has the highest incidence rates of child marriage.

Causes and Effects

The critical factor contributing to child marriage in the country is poverty. This is a common reason why parents force their girl children into child marriage. Where poverty is acute, a young girl is typically regarded as an economic burden and her marriage to an older person is thought to be befitting to her and her family both financially and socially.

This economic strategy for survival by such parents means one less person to feed, one less person to cater for and one less room in the house for free. In most North West Nigeria, parents often fix a high bride price for a daughter who is married near puberty. Poverty, this is most critical underlying factor leading to child marriage.

In most prevalent cases, before or immediately after the marriage, the young girl's education becomes totally shut down. Most girls who are academically promising end their prospects days before or after their marriage.

If we can ask from some of these girls, they're human beings like others who have dreams and visions and without education it becomes increasingly impossible to see their dreams come true. This not only leads to another cycle of poverty but also emotionally and psychological traumas.

Illiteracy is another underlying factor for child marriage. From parents not knowing the physical, Heath and social risks involved in child marriage to the young girls not knowing her right under the constitution, illiteracy has played her part too in this widespread 'plague'.

Pregnant girls aged 15 to 19 are twice as likely to die in childbirth as women in their 20s and girls under the age of 15 are five to seven times more likely to die during childbirth. These consequences are due to largely to girls physical immaturity where the pelvis and birth canal are not fully developed.

READ ALSO: Is early marriage good or bad?

Teenage pregnancy, particularly below age 15, increases risk of developing fistula. Married girls also have an increased risk of contracting STDs, cervical cancer, and malaria, compared to their unmarried peers.

Worst still, child marriage does not only affect the mothers health, but that of the child also, mothers under the age of 18 years old have 35 to 55% increased risk of delivering pre-term or having a low birth weight baby than a mother who is above 18 years of age.

In addition, infant mortality rates are 60 years of age. In addition, infant mortality rates are 60% higher when the mother is under 18 years old. Children born to child mothers tend to have weaker immune systems and face a heightened risk of malnutrition.

A newly married couple

Child marriage is also a birth to domestic violence. The young girls are subjected to harshness and bullying from their older husbands who they cannot confront.

Solutions to child marriage

Education opportunities should be provided by the government (Federal, state, and local governments). Free education should be provided most especially at the primary and secondary school levels, thereby, reducing or even totally eliminating child marriage in the country.

This serves to enlighten the girls of their rights and risks involved through topics taught in schools and provide opportunities for girls to continue their education or earn money, while expanding their skills, and available choice in life, is one effective strategy to delay marriage.

1. Proper enforcement of laws on marriage

Laws prohibiting child marriage should be enshrined in the constitution, and there should be punishment for violation of such laws.

2. Provision of free health services and information to young women

The government needs to provide free health care services to young women. These young girls and their parents also need to be informed of the dangers inherent in involving in child marriage and the risk involved in it by so doing, reducing the rate of child marriage in Nigeria.

3. Empowering young women through various programmes

Various educative programmes should be organised by government, relevant bodies and individuals in order to empower young women, by teaching them on how to start a trade teaching them the importance of education, teaching them a skill through various and series of trainings. Such programmes should be encouraged and available not only in schools, but in communities and rural areas as well.

Public education and advocacy projects that target policy  makers could be useful in preventing early marriage and in making visible the problems and risks that the young brides face. Through the programmes, the awareness of parents, community leaders, and policy makers are raised, about the health and rights implication so young girls marrying much older men.

4. Develop social and economic programs for out of school girls

Social and economic programmes should be provided for out of school girls, including non-formal education programmes. For girls who are not in school, these programmes will help build in her a sense of financial independence, as she will be able to develop business ideas.

READ ALSO: Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Child marriage has indeed caused more harm than good as it has stripped many young girls of their childhood, their dreams, their basic human rights and their health, however if we can follow these recommended solutions , then, we can be able to eradicate child marriage in Nigeria.

Nicholas Oluwaseyi is a young medical student whom God has favoured and committed a great vision of seeing mankind turn into eternal HOPE. He could be reached through his e-mail nicholasoluwaseyi6@gmail.com. You can also follow his blog https://hopecitadel.wordpress.com.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.

Legit.ng welcomes writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of noise makers to become a part of our Bloggers network. If you are a seasoned writer or a complete newbie  apply and become Nigerias next star blogger.

Send us some info about your career, interests and expertise and why youd like to contribute to the Blogger Network at blogger@corp.legit.ng Also, please send us the link to your blog and three examples of your work.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.

Source: Legit.ng
The Legislature gave 41-0 initial approval Wednesday to a bill designed to spur statewide economic development by increasing the availability of workforce housing in rural Nebraska.

Affordable housing is needed to help drive economic development in rural areas, Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg said.

Under his proposal (LB518), communities would match dollar-for-dollar grants allocated from the the state's current affordable housing trust fund.

The amended bill would transfer $7 million already in that fund to finance the bill.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse said "every community is desperate for workforce housing" in its quest to spur economic development.

But Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus cautioned legislators to recognize that "the success of rural Nebraska will depend on a lot more creativity" along with acceptance of change.

"It's not a silver bullet," Williams said in arguing for his bill.

The bill provides that competitive grants would be awarded to nonprofit development organizations in areas with demonstrated housing needs, low unemployment and the ability to complete projects within two years.

The Department of Economic Development would administer the grant program.
- Dino Melaye, the senator representing a district in Kogi state, is facing a tough time and doing everything possible to defend himself

- With his colleagues commencing an investigation into his alleged certificate scandal, ABU has indicated it would respond

The management of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state has said it would issue a statement to either confirm or deny Senator Dino Melayes claim of being a graduate of geography from the institution.

Nigerians will know if Dino Melaye truly graduated from the ABU today

This is as the Senate commenced investigation into his certificate scandal after a point of order was raised by former majority leader, Ali Ndume, on Tuesday, March 21.

The Punch reports that the information officer of ABU, Mr Adamu Muhammed, confirmed that the university would issue a formal statement on the status of Melaye on Wednesday, March 22.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye did not get a degree from Harvard - Report

We are gathering all the facts from the faculty and the department concern and we will issue a press statement tomorrow (today), he reportedly said.

SaharaReporters had broken the news that Melaye did not complete his first degree and that he allegedly bribed his way through.

Ali Ndume moved the motion for the Senate to investigate the certificate scandal

On the floor of the Senate, Ndume told his colleagues: In the National Assembly, here in the Senate of the fourth Assembly, Enwerem was accused and it was also investigated. Wabara was accused of collecting a bribe and it was investigated and determined.

So, a lot of precedence had been set. Now, the second matter of privilege affects my colleague, Sheikh Dino Melaye, and it is in The Punch of today (Tuesday) on Page 10; I have the newspaper. In The Punch, it says, Dino Melaye in first degree certificate scandal.

Therefore, accordingly, I will appeal we refer the matter to the Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate so that our colleagues would be cleared and this Senate will stand as it is supposed to.

The matter was referred to the committee on ethics by the deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary.

In his reaction, Melaye who is a member of the committee, said: Im here to respond to the issue raised by the  senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ali Ndume.

"I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development. Democracy is about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and vindictive allegations.

READ ALSO: Senator Dino Melaye in certificate scandal

To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ABU is a very prestigious university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a Masters programme in the university when one did not graduate from a university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.

I want to announce that this is the eighth degree that I am pursuing. I am also a graduate of the University of Abuja, where I did Masters in Policy Analysis.

I am a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science. I am also a graduate of Harvard University. The course I am pursuing now will make it my eighth degree.

I have my admission letters, results, certificate of discharge from ABU. Not only that, I was the Student Union Government President of ABU. On three occasions, I was the most popular student on campus.

Some Nigerians who reacted, expressed sympathy for Melaye with some saying the controversy could end in his favour.

Source: Legit.ng
- Coups and counter-coups are a major feature of Nigeria's political development

- The first military coup, led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, was carried out shortly after independence on January 15, 1966

- A bloody counter coup, championed majorly by northern officers six months later, was a revenge against the first coup

- The bloody 1976 putsch was another of such coups which exposed the power play among the country's military elite that dominated power until 1999 democratic rule

The coup plotters ambushed the late Murtala official car around Ikoyi while he was on his way to the mosque and pumped bullets into the car, killing him instantly

Since the independence of Nigeria from the British fifty-six years ago, a few days hold more significance than one bloody day forty-one years ago. On March 11, 1976, a violent military coup took place in Lagos, the then capital of Nigeria that altered the course of history.

On March 11 2017, the day came and went quietly, like a thief in the night. Not many Nigerians, especially the new generation of our country men knew what happened that led to the assassination of a sitting head-of-state. Precisely on March the 1976 coup led by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Suka Dimka was against the military regime of late General Murtala Mohammed.

The coup which took place on February 13, 1976, led to the assassination of General Mohammed. Although, the coup was aborted, the plotters were arrested by General Olusegun Obasanjo who was the second in command to the late military ruler. Obasanjo was installed as Murtala Muhammed successor after the coup

READ ALSO: SEE the weapon that was used in 1966 military coup and emptied into Ironsi (photo)

While some of those who took part of coup were executed, others, were given various sentences depending on their level of participation. A list of the plotters, shows those executed on March 11, 1976:

1. Major I. D Bisalla

2. Warrant officer 2 Monday Monchon

3. Staff Sergeant Richard Dungdang

4. Sergeant Sale Pankshim

READ ALSO: Declassified CIA file of 1984 reveals real reason Buhari was slow in fixing his cabinet, as lower military officers plot coup (Pictured)

5. Lieutenant Colonel A. R Aliyu

6. Captain M. Parvwong

7. Captain J. F. Idi

The team led by the chief coup plotter, Lt. Col. Dimka were arrested General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military regime

8. Captain S. Wakins

9. Lieutenant Mohammed

10. Lieutenant E. L. K Shelleng

11. Lieutenant Colonel Ayuba Tense

The General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military regime took over power immediately

12. Colonel A. D. S. Way

13. Lieutenant Colonel T. K. Adamu

14. Lieutenant A. B. Umaru

15. Captain A. A. Aliyu

Some of the coup plotters were executed on March 11, 1976

READ ALSO: Pastor arrested while trying to bomb his ex-church in Edo state

16. Captain Augustine Dawurang

17. Major M. M. Mshelia

18. Lieutenant William Seri

Others were given various sentences depending on their level of participation.

19. Major I. B. Ribo

20. Major K. K. Gagra

21. Captain M. R. Gelip

22. Mr. Abubakar Zakari

23. Lieutenant Peter Ggani

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

24. Major Ola Ogunmekan

25. Lieutenant O. Zagni

26. Lieutenant S. Wayah

27. Sergeant Ahmadu Rege

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

28. Sergeant Bala Javan

29. Warrant officer 2 Sambo Dankshin

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

30. Warrant officer Emmanuel Dakup Seri

READ ALSO: Soldiers reportedly kill 17 herdsmen in Southern Kaduna

31. Major J. W. Kasai

Those executed on May 17, 1979, were:

1. Bula Suka Dimka

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

2. Joseph D. Gomwalk

3. Lieutenant S. Kwale

4. Warrant officer H. E. Bawa

5. Colonel I. Buka

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

6. Major J. K. Afolabi

7. H. Shaiyen

Those jailed for life were:

1. S. K. Dimka

2. D. Contulla

3. Gyang Pam

4. Captain C. Wuyep

5. Captain A. A. Maidobo

READ ALSO: Harvard University replies after Dino Melaye claimed he got a degree from the university

6. Warrant officer 2 E. Izah

7. Sergeant I. Bupwada

8. Second lieutenant A. Walbe

1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime

9. Major A. K. Abang

10. S. Anyafodu

11. Helen Gomwalk

12. Captain Peter Tembong

Other prison sentences:

1. Captain I. Gowon - 15 years

2. J. Tuwe - 10 years

3. Lieutenant Colonel J. S. Madugu - two years

Source: Legit.ng
Reports say Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state has witnessed an early morning multiple bombing.

The multiple blasts resulted in the death of eight people, according to Premium Times. Eighteen others sustained injury.

First photos from the scene of the incident. Credit: Sahara Reporter

Reuters report quoted the police as confirming the incident adding that the Borno police commissioner, Damian Chukwu, said it happened at around 4:30 am.

READ ALSO: Meet Nigerian pastor who manufactures bomb: 'Why I planted it in our church'

Three bomb explosions occurred this morning at three different locations near Muna Garage, Maiduguri. Four people were killed and 18 people injured, he was quoted as saying.

According to Chukwu, two of the blasts happened at camps for people displaced by Boko Haram.

Sahara Reporters also broke the news saying the multiple bombing was reported around the Muna garage in Maiduguri.

A victim of the attack and rescue workers at the scene of the incident. Credit: Punch

The Nigerian Army as well as Sani Usman, one of its spokespersons, had not made any formal confirmation of the incident at the time of this report.

READ ALSO: Troops kill 48 suspected terrorists, rescue 7,898

Borno is one of the states in the north-eastern part of Nigeria most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency with thousands dead while millions have become refugees.

Boko Harams leader, Abu Shekau released a video recently claiming responsibility for the bombings in Maiduguri and other towns.

In their reactions, some Nigerians condemned the new attack while others called on the government to remain steadfast and act decisively.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, March 21, summoned the governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal

- The Senate in their summon letter said Emefiele was invited to appear before it for briefing on intervention fund implementation

- Babachir is expected to appear before the Senate over an ongoing investigation of mismanagement of funds mapped out for humanitarian crisis in the North-East

The Senate has summoned the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, March 21, summoned the governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal.

The Senate in their summon letter said Emefiele was invited to appear before it for briefing on intervention fund implementation.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Colleague reveals REAL reasons Dr Allwell Orji killed himself by jumping into Lagos lagoon

Emefiele is expected to throw light on the progress made by the CBN on the use of its intervention facilities to boost the dwindling economy.

There was however, no date fixed for his appearance.

Meanwhile, Babachir,is expected to appear before the Senate on Wednesday, March 22, over discussion on an ongoing investigation on him over claims that funds mapped out for humanitarian crisis in the North-East region were mismanaged.

READ ALSO: Harvard University replies after Dino Melaye claimed he got a degree from the university

The decision of the Upper Chambers, Vanguard reports is sequel to a motion sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party Senator representing Abia North Mao Ohabunwa.

The motion is: the Need for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to Implement its Intervention Funding Programmes to Qualified Nigerian Companies and Exporters.

Lawal's summon was premised on a letter dated March 15 and signed by the chairman, Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East Shehu Sani, an All Progressives Congress senator representing Kaduna Central.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has dismissed insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari is intolerant of critics

- The coordinator of the group, Malam Muhammad Labbo said the president has shocked even his critics

- He noted that the president has been tolerant in the face of extreme provocations

The coordinator of BMSG, Malam Muhammad Labbo has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is too busy to be distracted by the memo written to him by Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

President Buhari has been hailed for being tolerant of his critics

Laboo made the comments in a statement distributed to journalists on Wednesday, March 22.

Laboo also dismissed insinuations that the president is intolerant of critics, stressing that Buhari has shocked his critics with an amazing tolerance in the face of extreme provocations caused by unprintable personal attacks.

According to him, contrary to accusations of President Buharis dictatorial disposition, no critic of his government, his policies as well as those who insulted him personally on social and traditional media have been arrested or harassed.

READ ALSO: Soldiers killed 17 herdsmen in Southern Kaduna - Miyetti Allah

Similarly, Labbo said that President Buhari had shown a thick skin despite cases of deliberate and malicious personal attacks by political opponents, adding that not once did the president go after anybody for criticizing him.

He explained that the president had never tagged any party member as an enemy because the person publicly criticized his policies.

Governor El-Rufai had written a 30-page memo to the president condemning some of his policies and close advisers

Laboo further stated that as a democrat, President Buhari would continue to accommodate dissent, adding that the president had not and would never use the party machinery to fight any perceived critic.

Labbo also said that the president is so focused on his change agenda and how to make life better for Nigerians that he would not allow himself to be distracted by the load of negativites being churned out by critics.

Unhealthy cynicism that constantly focuses on discrediting and playing down the achievements of the Buhari administration is not what our democracy desires, just as praying for the government to fail is not desirable, Labbo said.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye did not get a degree from Harvard - Report

Meanwhile, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on new media, Pastor Reno Omokri has said that Governor El-Rufai poses a threat to Nigeria as a whole.

Omokri also accused the governor of trying to bring President Buharis government down.

Source: Legit.ng
- President Muhammadu Buhari has threatened to deal with any member of APC with fake certificate

- He also frowned at the spate at which public servants and individuals of questionable wealth were being celebrated

- He attributed failure of value system to spate of examination and cheating malpractices among public servants

- For more of the latest news and updates on Buhari News visit https://www.legit.ng/tag/buhari-news.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the menace of examination malpractices and fake certificates in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Punch reports that the president also condemned the spate at which public servants and individuals of questionable wealth were being celebrated with alumni recognitions, honorary degrees, chieftaincy titles and sometimes higher religious titles.

READ ALSO: ABU to release statement on Dino Melaye's certificate scandal today

According to him, cheating in examination and attainment of fake certificates among Nigerians had become a normal thing because of collapse of values in the society.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), expressed this view on Tuesday March 21, in Abuja, during the 65th Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council with the theme, 65 years of commitment to excellence in educational assessment.

He said: Today the attainment of wealth, power or educational influence is the mark of success which is not necessarily a bad thing except we are no longer concerned with the process of attaining success.

Senator Dino Melaye

The end it appears today justifies the means which explains why cheating in examinations and fake certificates simply do not generate the sort of outrage that such conduct would have generated years ago.

Public servants and many in the private sectors who have unexplainable wealth are celebrated in one form or the other, alumni recognitions, honorary degrees, chieftaincy titles and even higher religious titles.

Often, cheating is with the collusion of parents and teachers. This only reflects the failure of values in our larger society. Educational policy within that milieu of collapsed value failure is a totally different type of task when values in society have collapsed.

When values in the society have been upturned, the role of the policy maker is completely different from when values are maintained by and large.

READ ALSO: Senate summons Emefiele, Babachir over funds, economy

The President said Nigerians are no longer concerned about the process of attaining success because the end justifies the means for them.

Such collapse in value, he explained, has made it difficult for policy makers to effect change in the society.

Buhari therefore called for a change in education curricula to reflect modern teaching methods.

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo

He said: It is much more important today to emphasise also how we should teach which will obviously impact how we should examine, what questions we should be asking and what we should be looking for in our students. But regarding what we should teach, it is my respective view, more important now than ever before to redefine success.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye did not get a degree from Harvard - Report

It will be recalled that a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the Senate, Dino Melaye, has been accused of not graduating from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the school authority has also allegedly confirmed that he never finished from the institution.

Source: Legit.ng
Four people who hacked more than 540 credit and debit cards in Lancaster County have been sent to jail and prison.

Carlos Alvarez, 30, of Miami; Elvis Travieso, 37, of Hialeah, Florida; Lisandro Almaguer, 34, of DeWitt; and Yunior Roldan, 25, listed as transient, were arrested in July.

Skimmers were placed on gas station pumps at 56th and Holdrege, 27th and South, 84th and Old Cheney and 17th and South, Lancaster County Sheriff's Capt. Josh Clark said last summer. A skimmer was also found on a pump at U.S. 77 and Saltillo Road.

Almaguer and Roldan were accused of making 58 unauthorized purchases and attempting 20 others. Travieso and Alvarez were accused of making more than $2,600 in unauthorized purchases.

Alvarez was the only man who pleaded guilty. He was given six years in prison for attempted theft by deception and attempted criminal possession of a financial transaction device. A judge also gave him three years of post-release supervision during his March 14 sentencing. He's been ordered to pay $1,935.12 in restitution, according to court documents.

Travieso, Almaguer and Roldan pleaded no contest to a variety of charges.

Travieso was given two years in prison plus 18 months of post-release supervision for attempted criminal possession of four or more financial devices. Almaguer was sentenced on Feb. 1 to 18 months in prison and a year of post-release supervision for theft by deception.

Roldan was given credit for 236 days already served on his 500-day jail sentence for theft by deception and attempted criminal possession of two or more financial transaction devices, both misdemeanors.
The Daura Emirate Youths Coalition has warned Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state to stop making inflammatory comments against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Fayose is known for constantly criticising the policies of the Buhari administration

Alhaji Ali Rabe, the national chairman of the coalition, gave the warning in Daura, the hometown of the president in Katsina state on Saturday, March 18 when he addressed supporters of President Buhari at a rally.

The coalition organised the rally and a prayer session in support of policies and programmes of the current administration.

He described the inciting comments being made by the Ekiti governor as baseless and unguarded, capable of jeopardising the peace and tranquility of the nation.

READ ALSO: Buhari spits fire, threatens to deal with politicians with fake certificates

President Buhari has not really responded to Governor Fayose's criticisms

He advised Fayose to use his position as a leader to offer useful advice when necessary, instead of resorting to inflammatory and defamatory comments.

He said the coalition had respect for the constitution of the nation and constituted authorities, stressing that we dont expect Nigerian leaders to be making such utterances against the president.

He said the coalition would continue to support the anti corruption crusade of President Buhari, adding that we will continue to be law abiding and demonstrate political maturity and tolerance in our deeds.

READ ALSO: 1976 coup plotters and how they were treated by Obasanjo's military regime (FULL LIST, PHOTOS)

Meanwhile, the coordinator of Buhari Media Support Group, Malam Muhammad Labbo has stated that President Buhari is too busy to be distracted by the memo written to him by Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai had written a 30-page memo to the president, criticizing some policies of the current administration and also some senior officials of the government.

Source: Legit.ng
- Senator Dino Melaye is currently battling with certificate scandal

- He was alleged of not graduating from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as he claims

- The management of the institution allegedly said he didn't graduate from the university

The embattled Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye is currently in the eye of the storm over certificate scandal.

The controversial lawmaker was alleged of not graduating from Ahmadu Bello University as he claimed. He debunked the allegation as untrue and boasted that he also had a certificate degree from the Harvard University, the claim that was later debunked by the institution, saying the lawmaker only attended a workshop in the school.

Senator Dino Melaye

It should be recalled that the Senator has been involved in some controversial issues that may be shooting him in the leg now.

These are Dino Melayes political sins:

1. Assault on Tinubu's Wife

Nigerians are not quick to forget the altercation between Senator Melaye and Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Oluremi Tinubu in 2016. Mrs Tinubu alleged that Melaye Denigrated her as a woman and threatened to beat her on the floor of the senate simply because she dared to express an opinion different from his.

2. A major proponent to why EFCC Boss Magu was rejected

For the second time on March 14, The Senate rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the State Security Service, SSS, reaffirmed its position that the nominee lacks integrity to lead the countrys anti-corruption agency.

READ ALSO: Buhari spits fire, threatens to deal with politicians with fake certificates

Mr. Magu's rejection was premised on a DSS report, dated March 14 raised by Senator Dino Melaye.

Likewise in December 2016, Melaye and Senator Ali Ndume engaged in a fierce exchange of words during a pre-sitting meeting in the office of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

It was gathered that while Ndume gave nod to the screening of Magu, Melaye on the other hand, kicked against it, after which they were locked in a shouting match.

3. Removal of Ali Ndume as Senate Leader

Both Senator Dino Melaye and Ali Ndume are not in good terms. Ali Ndume of Borno South was in January 2017 removed as the Senate Leader by APC caucus and replaced with Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North. Thirty-nine out of the 63 All Peoples Congress (APC) senators signed the letter which demanded for the replacement of Ali Ndume.

Dino Melaye was among the Senators that endorsed the 'Notice of Vote of No Confidence/Change of Leadership letter to the Senate. Ali Ndume, after his removal, told journalists that he was removed for insisting that the Senate did not follow the proper procedure before declaring that it had rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

4. Alignment and visitation to Babandiga

The Kogi-born Senator may be joining forces and alliances for 2019 elections as evident in a recent visit to Ibrahim Babangida last Sunday at his Minna residence. Melaye, with Senate president Bukola Saraki, among other top politicians paid the elder statesman a visit.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye shares picture of his MSc

Though the lawmakers are yet to disclose the purpose of their meeting with the former military ruler, some pundits have suggested that the meeting may be connected with Bukola Sarakis strategies for 2019 elections.

5. Arrow head and attacker of Hameed Ali on wearing of Customs Uniform

Just like he opposed the confirmation of Magu as the chief, Senator Dino Melaye also contributed to why Senate sent out the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, after he appeared before the lawmakers in mufti.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Mr Alis appearance without uniform, on Thursday March 16, after his failure to appear on Wednesday, was contrary to the resolution of the Senate which asked that he must wear appropriate uniform to brief them over the now suspended policy on duty payment.

Again, he is expected to appear the Red Chambers today but said he won't honour the invitation. He explained that his decision not to appear before the senate was based on a writ of summons he received on a case filed by a lawyer at an Abuja court, and noted that it would be subjudice for him to appear before the Senate on the pending issues before them which were also part of what was before the court.

6. Supporting Saraki for Senate President

Well, the Flamboyant legislator and self-styled anti-corruption activist, Dino Melaye, is Senate President Bukola Saraki's 'godson'.

READ ALSO: ABU to release statement on Dino Melaye's certificate scandal today

Melaye in 2016 declared that Saraki, despite the allegations of corruption hanging on him, must remain in office for four years. He had also drummed support for his becoming the Senate President, and faulted the APC leaders for attacking Saraki, saying that he had no regrets supporting Saraki, promising to protect and defend the people of his senatorial district and the Nigerian constitution.

Meanwhile senator Melaye has displayed pictures of his MSC certificates.

Source: Legit.ng
Xenophobia in South Africa has led to the killing and persecution of other nationalities including Nigerians. The constant attacks and the underlying hatred have been a source of concern to Nigeria and Africa at large.

About 13 hours ago, on Tuesday, March 21, the Nigeria Union in South Africa said five Nigerians had been attacked in Polokwane, Limpopo Province of that country in renewed xenophobic attacks.

In view of the 2017 Day commemoration, NOIPolls presented a poll, which gauged the perceptions of Nigerians on migration and vital socio-economic attributes relating to migration, as well as the perceptions of Nigerians on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The first part of the poll was aimed at finding out the percentage of Nigerians leaving in foreign countries and the poll result showed that about 61% of Nigerians have relatives living and abroad, and though the highest is the United States of America with 67%, the third is South Africa with 31%.

READ ALSO: Nigeria, South Africa to set-up xenophobia-busting monitor

Surprisingly, Gambia tied South Africa for the country with the highest population of Nigerians

The reason for this migration are the normal ones we all know, ranging from better living conditions, better job opportunities, better opportunities for educational advancement, social interaction and financial stability.

However with the increasing unsafe nature of South Africa, what are some steps the Nigerian government can take? The NOIPolls asked the question and got this result:

The largest percentage of people believe that the best measure is to urge Nigerians in South Africa to return back home

Below is a quick analysis of the steps the Nigerian government can take:

1. Advise citizens to come back home

If the poll was to be followed, then the Nigerian government should encourage Nigerians to return. However, as earlier pointed out, many migrated for reasons that cannot be easily overlooked.

2. Diplomatic dialogue

8 days ago on, Monday, March 13, Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his South African counterpart, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane held a meeting.

The meeting was to diffuse soaring tensions over a recent string of attacks on migrants living in South Africa which has elicited reactions in Nigeria. This is the route 25% of Nigerians are advising.

3. Employment creation

17% of the respondents believe that employment creation in Nigeria would reduce the migration of Nigerians to South Africa.

READ ALSO: Xenophobia: Five Nigerians attacked in S/Africa again, three in critical condition

4. Cut off ties with South Africa

Other Nigerians proposed a total cutting off of ties with South Africa as the appropriate response to the Xenophobic attacks.

5. Provide security

5% of the respondents believed that providing security for Nigerians in South Africa will help.

READ ALSO: XENOPHOBIA: Heartbreaking Photos From South Africa

6. Investigate the actual problem

7. Encourage investment

8. Provide social amenities

Watch a video on Xenophobia below:

Source: Legit.ng
- A community called Magumeri was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists on March 16

- Residents who survived the attack have come out to blame the army

- According to the residents, they warned the army about the impending doom but they were ignored

- You can read more about Boko Haram news here: https://www.legit.ng/tag/boko-haram.html

Th people of Magumeri, a little town in borno state which was attacked by Boko Haram terrorist on March 16, 2017 has said the unfortunate incident could have been avoided.

According to the residents who survived to tell the story, the Nigerian military failed to act on intelligence provided to them by locals who warned them before the attack, Vanguard reports.

The residents claimed that the military troops on ground had ignored all verifiable intelligence provided to them that Boko Haram fighters were gathering around their community.

They made this claim during a stakeholders meeting convoked by the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, to ascertain the veracity of the militarys claims that residents did cooperate with the Boko Haram Sect, and even allowed terrorists live in their houses.

The residents led by the member representing Magumeri local government at the Borno state House of Assembly gave their testimonies on how they had been working with the military in ensuring that peace reign in the agrarian community.

Residents of Magumeri claimed that the military troops on ground had ignored all verifiable intelligence provided to them that Boko Haram fighters were gathering around their community.

READ ALSO: Protesters storm Amnesty International office for the third day running

The testimonies given by both the personnel of the DSS, CIB, and the police, all corroborated by the local civilian-JTF all claimed that the military were aware that the attack was about to take place days before it happened.

The Head of Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Magumeri, Mr. Bello Nuhu Haruna, who led in the giving his testimony said hours to the ill-fated attack, he was in the office of the commander of the military deployment in Magumeri where he informed him of the impending attack.

The commanding officer, a captain invited me to his office some hours before the attack asking for the details of the location where Boko Haram fighters were said to be assembling, and I asked him to bring out the map where I gave him all the necessary information. But I am not sure if anything done in response to that before the attackers came."

Similar the Bureau head of the DSS in Magumeri, Mr Tim Modalla, said he had gathered intelligence four days before the attack that Boko Haram fighters were gathering at a location not quite far away from Maiduguri.

READ ALSO: President Buhari approves appointments of sovereign wealth agency board members

He said received an intelligence that Boko Haram were gathering in some villages around Magumeri, and they and continued to shift their base closer by the day until the eventually stormed Magumeri with about 45 vehicles and large number of motorcycles.

He said: We picked the report and transmitted same to the military telling them that it is possible that Boko Haram would bring attack to either Magumeri, Mobbar or Gubio towns. And as predicted on the 15th of March I was informed by a civilian-JTF that our town was about to be attacked. And I told him to quickly alert the captain, and the civilian-JTF Operative said he was at the military base four times to alert them of the attack."

Another community leader said: On several occasion, despite my age, I would climb telecom masts together with some of our youth to ensure that we keep track of any Boko haram movement. And any information we get are reliably relayed to the military."

"On the day of the attack, some few hours before it happened I got a call in Maiduguri from Magumeri that we were about to be attacked; and I quickly called the military commanders that I have their numbers to adequately inform them. But nothing was done. So how could they have accused us of helping the Boko Haram. That is not fair."

A leader of the civilian-JTF in Magumeri , Mr. also said he got a hint in the morning of that attack that a large number of Boko Haram fighters advancing towards their village. He said he personally relayed the information to the Commander of the Troops.

READ ALSO: Senate goes tough on Hameed Ali over refusal to honour invitation

When I received the information the Boko Haram fighters were about 30km away from Magumeri, I had to run to the soldiers camp to inform the captain who is the commander that this is what was about to take place. Some few minutes later, I ran back to the captain upon receiving the information that the attackers were about 20km away. When they were less than 10 km I still went back to the captain to alert him. On my fourth trip back from the camp, when I was about to mobilise my boys to move into the soldiers camp, the Boko Haram fighters invaded the town, and began to attack the base. That was how all of us, including the soldiers took to our heels. So I still dont know why we are being accused of helping the Boko Haram after all these information we have provided to them."

The Garrison Commander who represented the G.O.C at the meeting described the development as unfortunate but said he would not speak on why the army spokesman had issued the statement suggesting that the resident connived with the Boko Haram. But he did confirmed receiving early intelligence from some of the community leaders informing him about the impending attacks, hours before it happened.

Meanwhile, in the early morning of Wednesday, March 22, multiple bomb blast hit Muna Garage, Maiduguri, Borno state.

The multiple blasts resulted in the death of eight people, while eighteen others sustained injury. The Borno state police commissioner, Damian Chukwu, said it happened at around 4:30 am.

Source: Legit.ng
The Lincoln Independent Business Association PAC, the Lincoln Central Labor Unions and a national progressive organization that supported presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently endorsed Lincoln City Council candidates running for the three at-large council seats in the spring elections.

The LIBA PAC endorsed the three Republicans running for council seats: Brayden McLaughlin, Tom Nesbitt and incumbent Roy Christensen.

The LIBA PAC endorses candidates who promote free enterprise and a robust and favorable business environment for citizens, said Russ Bayer, chairman of the LIBA PAC.

The candidates endorsed by LIBA are interested in growing economic development in Lincoln, assisting job providers and creators, prioritizing high quality outcomes for the community and our children and have concern about the high property tax rates."

The Lincoln Central Labor Union, representing 39 unions, also endorsed Nesbitt and two Democrats running for the council seats: incumbent Leirion Gaylor Baird and Bennie Shobe.

Union members selected Nesbitt, Gaylor Baird and Shobe during a screening forum on Saturday, where candidates were invited to answer questions, said Steve Jones, president of the Lincoln Central Labor Union.

Democracy for America, a national organization that says it raised $1.8 million for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, endorsed Lou Braatz, a Democrat, for the City Council race.

Braatz is one of many city-level endorsements from the national organization, which has over 7,000 members in Nebraska and is committed to investing in progressive city candidates this election cycle, according to a news release.

Eight people are running for the three at-large council seats. Six will move from the April 4 primary to the May 2 general election.
Angered by the refusal of Hameed Ali, the comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to appear before them today, Wednesday, March 22, senators are reportedly contemplating invoking a warrant of arrest against him.

Hameed Ali (right) when he visited Bukola Saraki recently

Ali wrote to the Senate on Tuesday, March 21 intimating the chamber of his decision to shun their invitation because of the legal dimension the issue between him and the legislators has assumed.

Ali was disgraced recently when he honoured the invitation of the senators because he refused to wear the uniform of the customs service which he heads. He was then asked to report today in uniform.

READ ALSO: Dino Melaye did not get a degree from Harvard - Report

The Nation is reporting that the Senate has insisted Ali must appear before it as no court can stop it from carrying out its statutory functions.

One Mohammed Ibrahim, a lawyer is seeking the court for interpretation concerning the issue between Ali and the Senate.

Somebody has sued us. It is subjudice. I have got my writ of summons and they said status quo ante should remain, which means nothing should move until the court makes a pronouncement,.

A private individual sued all of us; he wants an interpretation of the section that is in contention. I dont want to talk so that I am not held in contempt of court.

Based on the advice from lawyers and briefing from the office of the Attorney-General and minister of Justice who is also a party in the suit, I wont be appearing before the Senate tomorrow until the court decides otherwise, Ali had told journalists on Tuesday.

Speaking on the development, the chairman of the Senate committee on media and public affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, confirmed that the AGF indeed sent a letter.

READ ALSO: Hameed Ali reveals why he will shun further invitation by the Senate

There is a communication, although I have not seen the content. So, I wont be able to make any categorical comment on it, he said.

He also insisted that the court had no power to stop the Senate from conducting its constitutional duty.

Source: Legit.ng
- The House of Representatives faults president Buhari for extending the tenure of a retired permanent secretary

- The House says the extension of tenure by the president is against the civil service rules and procedures

The House of Representatives has faulted Buhari for allegedly flouting the civil service rules.

The House of Representatives has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of violating the Nigerian constitution he vowed to uphold.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate demands Ali's resignation Customs boss, declares him unfit to hold public office

The lawmakers made the accusation in response to revelation by the Head of the Civil Service (HOS) of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, that the presidency had further extended the tenure of a retired permanent secretary, Dr. Jamila Shuara for another year (till 2018).

The House had summoned the HOS after discovering that the alleged extension of service, which was for one year, expired on February 17, 2017, Daily Post reports.

During her appearance, the head of service disclosed that the additional one year extension was conveyed to her office in a letter by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

Oyo-Ita, added that the letter dated March 7, notified her that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of Dr. Shuara for an additional one year following the expiration of the first tenure granted her in February.

Dr. Shuara had retired from the civil service as permanent secretary in the ministry of education in 2016, having attained the mandatory age limit and year of service before an extension was granted her to remain in service.

Oyo-Ita, said the presidents action was anchored on Section 171 (2) of the amended 1999 Constitution and is based on special considerations and shouldnt be cited as policy.

READ ALSO: Buhari spits fire, threatens to deal with politicians with fake certificates

But her explanations were rejected by the lawmakers who condemned the extension and agreed that the development was against civil service rules and procedures.

Meanwhile, plenary at the House of Representatives assumed a dramatic turn on Wednesday, March 22, when a lawmaker from Benue state, Hassan Anthony, announced his defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Premium Times, the lawmaker who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu constituency, cited division in the PDP as his reason for decamping.

Mr Hassans defection to the APC has brought the number of APC representatives to 226 and that of PDP to 124.

Source: Legit.ng
- Osun moves to dominate beef market in South West

- Governor Aregbesola blames economic crisis on lack of productivity

Osun state is set to dominate the supply of beef to larger markets in Oyo, Lagos and other parts of the south west of Nigeria.

This was revealed during a tour of Oloba Farm Settlement, Iwo where 1,500 hectares of land has been acquired, and a 78 hectares cattle ranch established for the fattening of Cattles and Goats.

The ranch has the capacity to Produce 10,000 Cattles amongst other animals being raised for meat production.

Recall the state government of Osun sent 40 youths to Germany to acquire modern Agricultural techniques in 2015. Another set of 2,806 Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES cadet were also trained in modern agriculture practices at the OREAP Youth Academy, Odua farmers Academy, and Leventis foundation.

Olumide Ojo, one of the German Trainees now resident at the Oloba Cattle Ranch, said he and other trainees are in high spirit as they have begun the first batch of 45days goat-fattening beef production. Thousands of Cattles are also being raised in the ranch. Other trainees who arrived from German in 2016 are also breeding pigs using modern techniques at Leventis foundation fattening centre, Ilesa.

In addition to the above, the Osun Government has secured a 2,000 Hectares of land for another cattle ranch in Ede and Ejigbo local government areas. A N40M loan support was also granted to registered pig farmers cooperative society in the state to boost their meat production.

The German Trained farmers stated that in a week or two, the first batch of fattened goats will be ready for sale in various markets across the south west.

This comes even as Governor Rauf Aregbesola disclosed that more than 70 percent of the nation's oil resources goes to less than I percent of the total population.

This according to him, leaves large number of the populace living below poverty line.

Aregbesola attributed the nation's economic problem and the poverty ravaging millions of people to lack of productivity.

NGE applauds Aregbesola as governor attributes Nigerias economic woes to lack of productivity

The governor made this known over the weekend in Osogbo, Osun state capital when he inspected state projects across some parts of the state alongside members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate demands Ali's resignation Customs boss, declares him unfit to hold public office

He lamented that the huge resources in the hands of this few was not even channelled to the development of the nation.

He averred that if people still do not cultivate the habit of working and adding values to the economic activities, we will continue to remain poor.

Aregbesola said: "If we have ever paused to ask why we are how we are in this nation, we will discover that lack of productivity is at the root of our economic problems.

"The large chunk of the nation's wealth is in the hands of few while majority wallow in abject poverty. And this resources is not utilised for any development.

"Sadly, work does not pay in Nigeria today as those who work very well are the most poor. Our inability to develop values out of nature brought us to this abysmal level of poverty.

"Therefore, for as long as we don't work for this wealth, it will lead to lack of productivity. Work must be the major attraction for all of us rather than our heavy reliance of rent seeking oil economy of the present."

He cautioned media practitioners on the need to be conscious of the impact of what they write on the society.

The Governor said a serious minded governor would not be averse to criticisms because it serves as signpost for him to watch and be careful of what he is doing.

He however noted that criticism must be constructive and done in good faith.

Aregbesola attributes Nigerias economic woes to lack of productivity

He said: "Criticism is an elixir of life. If you want to get far in life you must be willing to accept criticism.

"But then journalists also must be conscious of what they want to public and be mindful of its repercussion.

"We should not put out something that will cause crisis in the society because when there is crisis there is no discrimination about who is to be victim. We all will stand the risk of being victims of any crisis situation.

Thus journalists must always exercise caution in the way and manner they report events."

READ ALSO: Buhari spits fire, threatens to deal with politicians with fake certificates

Ealier, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Funke Egbemode, described Governor Aregbesola, as a visionary governor who has not only opened Osun to the entire world but has also set the state on the right pedestal of development.

Some of the gigantic projects visited by the NGE team include the 18 kilometre Oba Adesoji Aderemi East By-Pass; 3,000 students capacity Ataoja Government High School, Osogbo Government High School, Nelson Mandela Freedom Park and Atewogbeja Fountain, rehabilitated Nigeria Railway Terminus and park.

She attributed the development and progress of the State to the atmosphere of peace and security being enjoyed in the state.

NGE applauds Aregbesola as governor attributes Nigerias economic woes to lack of productivity

Egbemode, who is also the Managing Director of the New Telegraph Newspaper, said however ambitious any chief executive of a state is, he can only achieve little without peace and security.

She said it is obvious that something has changed in Osun and there has been a significant improvement in terms of infrastructures in the state since the present administration came on board.

She added that it is gratifying to know that the state of Osun especially the state capital is now looking more clean, developed and beautiful.

Mrs Egbemode, who observed that the state has moved forward tremendously under Aregbesola, stressed that she is always impressed by any government who is passionately working to leave the state better than it met it.

The President of the Guild of Editors also commended the Governor for attracting businesses and investors into the state through its various masses-friendly programmes such as the Osun school feeding programme, Osun Youth empowerment scheme among others.

She said: "Obviously so many things have changed in Osun. I am from this state and I come home occasionally and each time I come there is always a new thing to see.

"I am so happy that we now have a cleaner and more beautiful state, it is great to see that there is a lot of improvement in Osun.

"A governor that is able to attract businesses and investors to his state through direct masses-oriented programmes like the O'Meal, Oyes and others has done well."

Meanwhile, Mrs Egbemode also commended the efforts of the Aregbesola administration for making the state one of the safest in the country, noting that it is a pointer to the fact that youths in the state are well engaged.

According to her, "One thing is obvious, weather you are in Osun or you are outside the state reading about Osun, you definitely have a feeling that it is a secured state.

"And one good thing about a peaceful and secured state is that it attracts investors to the state because a peaceful and secured environment helps business to thrive.

"By and large, your government has done well for the people of Osun and we urge you to do more" she said.

Source: Legit.ng
Nancy Hicks Reporter Nancy Hicks reports on Lincoln city government, but shes been following the leaders of local and state government for more than 40 years. Follow Nancy Hicks Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The city hopes to begin building the two-story roundabout at the confluence of 14th Street, Warlick Boulevard and Old Cheney Road in 2020.

But portions of the 14th and Warlick intersection will be under construction for the next two years under a $7.7 million state project.

Yes, some portions of the intersection will be fixed up by the state, then replaced by the city.

The state will be milling and patching and putting an asphalt overlay on these sections of state highway Link 55W, a temporary measure intended to keep the streets drivable until the city begins its roundabout work.

The roads around that intersection are in such bad shape state Department of Roads engineers didnt believe waiting for the roundabout was an option.

"Its a little asphalt to tide us over," said Thomas Goodbarn, District 1 engineer for the Department of Roads.

The state will also put in new concrete in areas that are outside the roundabout project.

That will include new pavement for the entry and exit points of the city project, said Ryan Hobelman, highway project manager for the Department of Roads.

The state manages the highway link between U.S. 77 and Nebraska 2. Work will begin Monday, weather permitting.

There will be lane closures, detours and night-time road closures this year, but no complete closures. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018.

Airbag recall affects city vehicles

The city has been getting the same letters many other car and truck owners have received recently, about the recall of Takata airbags.

The recall, the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history, extends to 19 automakers.

Some manufacturers do not yet have replacement parts and the letters to owners of cars in which the passenger-side airbag is affected recommend no one sit in that seat.

The city has received recall notifications for 43 of the city's approximately 500 trucks and cars, according to Pat Wenzl, police garage manager.

The city will continue using the vehicles until replacement parts are available. Parking them is not a practical solution, he said.

The Takata airbags can improperly inflate and send shrapnel into the front seat. The defect has been associated with high humidity, high temperatures and age of the product.

There have been 11 deaths and approximately 180 injuries related to the problem, according to Consumer Reports.

It is expected the airbag recall will impact more than 42 million vehicles in the U.S. Visit www.safercar.gov to check the recall status of your vehicle.

Labor savings go to road work



The city has decided to spend a $1.17 million bonus  money left over because labor contracts are a little less expensive than predicted  to improve the 84th Street and Havelock Avenue intersection.

The improvements will be finished in time for the 50,000 people expected to come to the Lancaster Event Center for the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2020.

Lincoln will host the Finals Rodeo in 2020, 2021, 2026 and 2027.

The $1.17 million will pay for part of a $2.27 million roads project that will provide better access to the Event Center and better traffic flow in northeast Lincoln, according to Councilwoman Cyndi Lamm, who represents that area of the city.

Impact fees, paid by developers on new construction, will pay the rest.

The project will reconstruct the intersection of 84th and Havelock, adding turn lanes and increasing the length of existing turn lanes. Construction is scheduled for 2019.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on using the $1.17 million for the intersection project at Monday's meeting.

There have been other suggestions on how to use the $1.17 million: adding to the fire and police pension fund, buying fire equipment, putting it into the cash reserve and using it on the Belmont Recreation Center renovation.

Nuances of council resolution

A resolution passed by the City Council on Monday says only that the city will not use the windfall from the revaluation of residential property in next years budget.

It says nothing about new growth, which is the value of brand-new construction in the city. The city has historically taken advantage of new growth revenue, because the city is providing services to those new homes and businesses.

The resolution allows the council to continue taking advantage of new tax revenue from growth.

The council and mayor will also get to define what is an "unforeseen circumstance," or something that could drive up spending.

Councilman Carl Eskridge asked about several potential unforeseen circumstances, including increased costs for the South Beltway and state or federal legislative changes that reduce funding to the city.

How unforeseen does unforeseen have to be? Eskridge asked.

If a majority of the council feels comfortable saying something is unforeseen, they can make the adjustments, said City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick.

It might even be a rec center, which develops a roof leak that forces kids to have to play around buckets, he said.
On Wednesday, March 22, the Nigerian senate called for the resignation of Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The current impasse between the Nigerian Senate and Hameed Ali has been described as a war of egos

The Senate subsequently declared Ali unfit to hold public office as CG and condemned a letter written by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

Below are the senators that called for his resignation and what they said, according to the Twitter handle of the Nigerian Senate:

1. Senator Biodun Olujimi

Senator Biodun Olujimi who represents Ekiti south senatorial district has said that the action of Hameed Ali is a breach of Constitution and a grand display of arrogance. She also said: "Executive is sitting pretty and pretend nothing is wrong."

2. Senator Abaribe Enyannaya

Senator Abaribe Enyannaya representing the Abia south senatorial district said Hameed Ali made an obnoxious policy and it was because of the policy he was invited to the Senate.

He also found fault with Ali's recent actions stating that it makes no sense for the CG to rush to court to secure a deliberate injunction over his invitation by the Nigerian Senate.

READ ALSO: Senate demands Ali's resignation Customs boss, declares him unfit to hold public office

3. Senator Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi west Senatorial District insisted that the Comptroller General of Customs, Hammed Ali must appear before the Senate in uniform. Then he asked:

4. Senator Isah Misau

Senator Isah Misau said: "If the Attorney General can write a letter to the senate, i wonder what advise he gives Mr. President".

5. Senator Aliyu Sabi

Senator Aliyu Sabi urged the Senate to cancel the collection of duty set up by Hameed Ali until a more robust method of collection can be agreed upon.

6. Senator George Sekibo

Senator George Sekibo reacted angrily and said that the letter from the Attorney General undermines the Senate as an institution and must be investigated.

READ ALSO: Fake car documents allegedly the cause of war between the senate and Hameed Ali

7. Ike Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said it is important that the integrity of the Senate must be maintained at all times.

He said: "There's no big deal in asking a public officer to dress properly, people should be proud of what they do

"We as public officers should live an exemplary life and obey laws in accordance of the constitution."

Meanwhile, angered by the refusal of Hameed Ali, the comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to appear before them today, Wednesday, March 22, senators are reportedly contemplating invoking a warrant of arrest against him.

Ali wrote to the Senate on Tuesday, March 21 intimating the chamber of his decision to shun their invitation because of the legal dimension the issue between him and the legislators has assumed.

Ali was disgraced recently when he honoured the invitation of the senators because he refused to wear the uniform of the customs service which he heads. He was then asked to report today in uniform.

The Nation is reporting that the Senate has insisted Ali must appear before it as no court can stop it from carrying out its statutory functions.

One Mohammed Ibrahim, a lawyer is seeking the court for interpretation concerning the issue between Ali and the Senate.

Watch a video below:

Source: Legit.ng
Editor's note: Since Monday, March 20, a civil society group, Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) has occupied the Abuja office of an international human rights organization, Amnesty International (AI).

GOPRI in their protest accused AI of fabricating reports against Nigeria's military and security agencies especially in the North-East, South-South and South-East region. The group also said AI was undermining the efforts and strength of the military.

But in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, one of Nigeria's senior lawyer Femi Falana said AI's office was been invaded by paid protesters,

Falana also advised the president to call the inspector general of police to order over the invasion of AI's office.

Femi Falana in an open letter has asked President Buhari to call the IGP to order on the invasion of Amnesty International's office

22 March 2017

His Excellency

Muhammadu Buhari GCFR

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Aso Rock Presidential Villa

Abuja

Your Excellency,

Re: Request to urgently direct the Inspector General of Police to end the invasion of Amnesty International Office in Abuja by apparently paid for protesters

I am writing to request you to use your good offices and leadership position to direct the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to end the invasion of Amnesty International Office in Abuja, and the harassment of the organizations staff.

READ ALSO: This pretty woman is to spend the next 14 years in prison for defrauding FG of N7m (photo)

I note that Amnesty International (AI) is a well-known international NGO and among other NGOs operating legally in the country.

I recall that upon your election as President you met with the leadership of Al and promised among other things to look into the allegations of serious human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by the military as contained in the reports published by the organization

I am seriously concerned that the police would allow some apparently hired protesters to invade the AI office in Abuja in broad daylight and subject its staff members to intimidation and harassment.

These intruders have impeded the work of the organization and threatened the safety and security of its members of staff who are all Nigerian citizens.

AI should not be harassed and stigmatized simply for exposing the human rights violations and abuses by the military in the North-East of the country.

READ ALSO: House of Reps fault Buhari for flouting Nigerian constitution

To allow that to happen is to endanger and undermine the work of not only AI but also other civil society groups in the country. This will in turn create a climate of fear and send an intimidating message to the human rights movement in particular and the entire country in general.

It is not a crime for AI to expose the serious human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by the military in the North-East. It is in fact consistent with the organizations mandate to defend human rights.

Human rights work is imperative to ensure that millions of marginalized and disadvantaged Nigerians can fully enjoy their entitlements and realize their potential.

Therefore, consistent with UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders, your government should publicly reinstate support for the legitimate work of civil society groups including AI and other international NGO operating in the country, and provide them with protection.

I am therefore calling on your Excellency to urgently direct the Inspector-General of Police to immediately remove the invaders from the AI office in Abuja and allow the organization to carry out its human rights work in a conducive environment.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Hameed Ali, Senate war gets messier as lawmakers consider warrant of arrest on customs chief

I also urge your Excellency to direct Mr Idris to fish out those behind the invasion of AI office and to bring them to justice. It is imperative for your government to publicly condemn acts of intimidation and reprisals against AI and other civil society groups.

Finally, I urge your Excellency to institute an independent investigation into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by the military in the context of the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East of the country.

Yours sincerely,

Femi Falana, SAN

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Source: Legit.ng
The Nigerian Naira on Wednesday, March 22, gained massive 20 points against the American Dollar, Pound Sterling and 15 points against the Euro at parallel market.

According to reports, the Naira now trades at N410 per Dollar from the previous rate of N430.

The local currency also rose to N510 per Pound from the previous rate of N530 and N435 against the Euro as against the previous rate of N450.

Dollar to Naira

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate demands Ali's resignation Customs boss, declares him unfit to hold public office

The massive gain is coming as the Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday, March 20, injected additional 180 million dollars, since February when it started its intervention to meet bids for wholesale auction and requests for invisibles such as medicals, school fees and personal travel allowances.

Traders at the market said that they were happy with the performance of the Naira at the market, adding that it would lead to the fall in the prices of goods and services nationwide.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) on Tuesday, March 21, in Lagos said the new Forex policy had eliminated frivolous demand for dollar.

According to him, frivolous demand for dollar has been responsible for the weakness of the Naira.

READ ALSO: President Buhari approves appointments of sovereign wealth agency board members

Also, Emefiele Godwin, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the bank was optimistic to see the further convergence of the official and parallel market rates.

Emefiele said this while fielding questions from newsmen at the end of the two- day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN in Abuja.

We are determined to see a greater convergence of the official and parallel market rates, Emefiele said.

Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the Naira's gain against foreign currencies at parallel market.

Eze Mark Okafor on Facebook said: "Thanks be to God but it's still not too good to boast of."

Amos Ajabor on Facebook said: "How much was dollar when you take over govt? Shame on APC. Shame to your promise of dollar equal to naira."

Hrp Nwameze Meze O'George on Facebook said: "This is not a good news. It should strong enough to bear at par."

Onuwa Wilson on Facebook said: "Why not #200 as of when Goodluck was president."

Muhammad Junaidu Usman on Facebook said: "This is a welcome development."

Ot Flex Anthony Obi on Facebook said: "Good let's grow up Naija."

Cyril Haruna on Facebook said: "Amen ooo let be like that dooooo."

Abdul Kayode on Facebook said: "Let it go back to 160..."

Sodiq Salam on Facebook said: "I pray it reduse to #300 per dollar."

Nwachinemelu Kitakitah on Facebook said: "Osinbajo is working"

Source: Legit.ng
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, March 22, commiserated with the family of a former General Officer Commanding 2nd Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (retd.), who died at the age of 81.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari also commiserated with the government and people of Kogi state on the death of the former member of the Supreme Military Council and Federal Commissioner for Health.

Buhari mourns General Abisoye who died at the age of 81

READ ALSO: Buhari spits fire, threatens to deal with politicians with fake certificates

According to him, he is mourning the loss of a former colleague in the Nigerian Army, who was greatly admired and respected by his colleagues for his discipline and dedication to duty.

The statement read in part, As one of his predecessors in the 2nd Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, Oyo State, the President recalls with nostalgia the towering role and sterling leadership qualities of the late general in promoting professionalism in the military as well as securing Nigerias borders and territorial integrity during the Civil War.

President Buhari believes that Maj.-Gen. Abisoye, who once headed a panel of inquiry set up in 2009 to resolve the conflict involving Hausa/Fulani indigenes of Plateau State, will be greatly remembered for his outstanding contributions to the unity and peace of the country.

He urges all who mourn the peace-loving octogenarian to honour his memory by upholding the values of discipline, inter-ethnic harmony, reconciliation and justice, which Maj.-Gen. Abisoye passionately promoted throughout his career as a military officer and senior citizen.

The President prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn the elder statesman and grant his soul eternal rest.

General Abisoye was at one time, the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Infantry Division and also the 2nd Infantry Division. He voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Army in October 1979.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Naira rises to N410 per Dollar at parallel market

He was at various times the President General, Keffi Old Boys Association, Pioneer President, Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association Of Nigeria (RANAO); Pioneer Chairman, Kogi State Foundation; Pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Abuja.

He was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2011.

General Abisoye is survived by his beloved wife Ruth, children and grandchildren.

Source: Legit.ng
News Release

Sanat is proud to announce that it recently acquired the Hindustan Herbals Limited (HHL) and has completed the process of 100 percent taking over the manufacturing of all extracts and Phytochemicals.

"Sanats strategy is to maintain leadership in the natural product market. The acquisition of Hindustan Herbals Limited perfectly corresponds this strategy as it complements our existing business and offers our global customers access to a wide range of products and services. Together with our subsidiary, we now hold a strong foothold in the Ayurvedic, Food supplement, Beverage, Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical industries. This is a remarkable platform for further growth in the country and beyond. More acquisitions will follow", says Amit Sharma, Business Head of Sanat Products Limited, India.

Mr. Pradip Burman, Chairman-Sanat Products Ltd, has described HHL as an "unpolished Jewel" with huge potential to expand Sanats line of Business.

"In light of increasing demand for herbal extracts from Sanat, we have acquired HHL, a running company based in Rohtak, Haryana. We now have with us a modern plant and experienced staff that will ensure that we have the infrastructure to deliver a high level of service with good quality products. Sanats customers in over 40 Countries will benefit from the acquisition by having access to HHLs range of botanical APIs, research and development facilities, quality assurance as well as assistance with CTD compilation, including in-house stability testing. I wish Sanat and HHL Team success in this expansion".

"As part of our long term strategy, we have monetized non-core assets and shifted our focus towards inorganic means to expand our global footprint. This resulted in acquisition of Hindustan Herbals Limited (HHL) under our targeted ticket size of USD 5 million without much increase of overall debts in an all cash deal. As of now, HHL is a zero debt company. We would be leveraging our core strengths to implement best financial practices in HHL and focus to generate a payback within the next five years", stated Mr. Goldie Gaba, CFO.

Sanat welcomes all HHL customers on board, and gives the assurance of their full support during this transition period. This take over shall enhance Sanats existing portfolio of nutraceutical products to phytochemicals.

To learn more, visit Sanat's website.
A key Guatemalan official was ordered not to leave the country Saturday as the death toll rose to 39 girls in a fire that began when mattresses were set ablaze during a protest by residents at a youth shelter.

Authorities continued searching over the weekend for answers in the disaster that has put a spotlight on alleged failings in Guatemala's child protective services.

The head of the protective services agency, Carlos Rodas, was ordered not to leave Guatemala by a judge on Saturday while investigations into the blaze continue, according to prosecutors' spokeswoman Julia Barrera.

Authorities at the Roosevelt Hospital where many of the girls were taken for treatment of their burns said Saturday that another girl had died. Nineteen of the adolescents perished at the scene of the Wednesday inferno and another 20 died later in local hospitals.

Various groups have said they plan to gather Saturday to protest the deaths and demand the resignation of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales.

The president has blamed the government's "rigid" and "insensitive" system for dealing with troubled youths and has promised to reform protective services for some 1,500 minors currently living in youth shelters around the country.

Morales blamed the Guatemalan state during a Friday news conference for the tragedy and said that all of the government institutions in charge of minors played a role.

Carlos Soto, administrator of Hospital San Juan de Dios, another hospital caring for many of the burned children, told The Associated Press on Friday that medical specialists had arrived from Galveston, Texas, to help evaluate the condition of several with the intention of having them travel to the United States for treatment.

On Saturday, Soto said that it was hoped that at least four of the girls could travel to the United States this weekend. He said the adolescents had burns on their faces, torsos and legs.

Officials say the fire began when mattresses were set afire during a protest by residents at the shelter housing hundreds of boys and girls. Questions remained over why someone among the girls set the blaze and whether doors remained locked as the girls pleaded for their lives.

Widespread reports by some victims' relatives have said that some of the girls set mattresses on fire to protest their apprehension and return to the facility after fleeing the previous night because of mistreatment, bad food and fears of rape.

Parents and relatives said many of the young people at the shelter had been sent there because of abuse, poverty or family problems. Others were ordered there by judges after run-ins with police, officials said.
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Season 5, Episode 3: The Midges

And on the third week The Americans said, let there be Martha. And there was.

As Oleg Burov left a Moscow supermarket in Tuesdays episode, The Midges, the camera lingered on the back of a shopper in a semi-babushka who was examining the sparsely stocked shelves. As our hopes surged, she turned around, and sure enough it was Martha Hanson, the accidental spy and accessory to bigamy. We saw her for only a moment, but she didnt look defeated by her exile to the Soviet Union. She was shrewdly appraising the goods, like a woman who wasnt going to be fooled again.

Was this a token final appearance by everyones (well, my) favorite character? The closing special appearance credit for Alison Wright wasnt encouraging, but an FX spokeswoman declined to comment Tuesday on whether Martha would reappear. Maybe Oleg will need someone experienced in undercover operations to help him root out grocery corruption!

Now that weve gotten that out of our systems, we can look at how this weeks episode moved the story ahead on two fronts: Paige and wheat.

In one of the episodes two major scenes, Elizabeth and Philip had their version of the talk with their teenage daughter, Paige. It wasnt about sex, but it sort of was  Philip suggested that they talk to her about their current mission as a way to distract her from sex. And really, wouldnt all parents be more comfortable talking to their children about espionage?
Colin Dexter, a British mystery writer whose irascible, poetry-loving detective, Chief Inspector Morse, pursued clues and cask-conditioned ale through 13 novels and a popular television series, died on Tuesday at his home in Oxford, England. He was 86.

The death was announced by his publisher, Macmillan, which did not state the cause.

Mr. Dexter, a former classics teacher, was suffering through a rainy family vacation in north Wales in the early 1970s when, out of boredom, he began sketching out the plot of a mystery about a young woman killed while hitchhiking. The book, Last Bus to Woodstock, was published in 1975 and introduced readers to an updated version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Detective Chief Inspector Morse of the Thames Valley Constabulary of Kidlington was a gruff misanthrope with a sensitive soul, in love with the music of Wagner and the poetry of A. E. Housman, and a fool for almost any attractive young woman chance placed in his way. He was fortunate in his partner, Detective Sgt. Lewis, a working-class family man with his feet on the ground and the patience of a saint. Morse, a cheapskate, often stuck his assistant with bills for food and drink.

In the dozen novels that followed, Mr. Dexter, a fan of cryptic crosswords, planted false clues and red herrings with abandon, presenting Morse, and his readers, with fiendishly difficult puzzles to solve. His sense of mischief extended to the epigraphs at the head of each chapter. The Cameroonian proverb, or the pithy definition attributed to the nonexistent Smalls Enlarged English Dictionary, were phonies, invented by the author.
But he was also a contentious figure in the industry, sharply criticizing minimum-wage laws and other regulations imposed on employers. Under his leadership, CKE paid millions of dollars to settle claims that it failed to pay managers fairly, and the company was accused of understaffing its restaurants and forcing employees to work through break periods.

He was also an unabashed defender of his companys racy television commercials, some of which featured bikini-clad women suggestively mouthing Carls Jr. burgers.

I used to hear, brands take on the personality of the C.E.O., he told Entrepreneur magazine. And I rarely thought that was true, but I think this one, in this case, it kind of did take on my personality.

After Mr. Trump nominated him to lead the Labor Department, which oversees and enforces many of the nations labor regulations, Mr. Puzder admitted that he had employed an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper for several years and failed to pay the required taxes until much later. During the Senate confirmation process, lawmakers also investigated claims of domestic violence that were made by his ex-wife and later recanted.

With Democratic senators and some Republicans expressing opposition to his nomination, he withdrew his name on Feb. 15 and said he would return to leading CKE.
The share ownership system in the United States is fraying. And while its shortcomings have been largely behind the scenes, now they are going to cost some innocent shareholders money.

The problems have become apparent as a result of a Delaware court case over the $1.2 billion buyout of Dole Food in 2013. A $115.7 million settlement was reached after a lawsuit that accused David H. Murdock  Doles controlling shareholder and chief executive  and his lieutenants of conflicts of interest in taking the company private.

Former Dole shareholders will receive $2.74 a share  a nice chunk of change in addition to the $13.50 a share originally paid in the deal. Still, because of the shareholder ownership system, some of those Dole shareholders may not get that money.

The reason is that while shareholders think they own the shares they buy, they dont in a sense.

That may come as a surprise to those who check their online brokerage accounts daily or see traders on a floor of an exchange reacting to price movements. A market that in many ways is open and transparent is underpinned by a system of share ownership that can be anything but.
ALBANY  The governor likened it to an act of war. A Democratic congresswoman called it a brazen case of theft. And a Republican legislative leader suggested it could be a crisis on the level of 9/11.

Even as Congress debated a massive and divisive overhaul of the nations health care system, a late amendment to the bill seemingly singling out New Yorks state government for new financial responsibilities under Medicaid set off a separate political firestorm in the presidents home state, again pitting its Democratic governor against Mr. Trump and his Republican surrogates.

That the national fight over Medicaid has suddenly focused on New York is not entirely surprising: The state has long had one of the nations most expensive Medicaid programs, with a generous and expansive definition of who qualifies for the joint state-federal program. About one-third of New Yorks residents are covered by Medicaid, according to the Empire Center for Public Policy, regularly resulting in more than $50 billion in annual spending.

The states counties currently pick up 13 percent of the total cost of Medicaid, a tab that is expected to top $8 billion in the coming fiscal year, though much of that is in New York City. Some other states also require counties to cover some Medicaid costs. But residents of New York pay far more than those in other states, according to the New York State Association of Counties  something that has been blamed for high property tax rates in many parts of New York.
Because Uber rarely puts together such calls for the news media, the one on Tuesday reflects how the company is working to seize control of its image after a rough start to the year. In recent weeks, Ubers reputation was badly damaged after a former employee published a scathing blog post detailing what she said was a history of sexual harassment and systemic issues in the companys human resources department. Separately, Uber faced criticism for its program to deliberately deceive law enforcement using a software tool called Greyball, The New York Times reported.

Mr. Kalanick, who helped found Uber in 2009, also came under fire for how he had influenced the culture of the company. After a video of Mr. Kalanick arguing with an Uber driver recently leaked on the internet, Mr. Kalanick apologized and said he would seek leadership assistance. Several executives, including president Jeff Jones, have since left the company.

Mr. Kalanick was not present during the conference call. Ms. Huffington, who joined Ubers board last year, was joined on the call by Liane Hornsey, the recently hired head of human resources, and Rachel Holt, the head of Ubers ride-hailing business in the United States and Canada.

In the call, Uber said it expected that Mr. Kalanick would be highly collaborative with any executive hires. Bill Gurley, a venture capitalist and longtime Uber board member, is helping to lead the executive search for the chief operating officer, as is Ms. Huffington.

Asked whether Mr. Kalanick would be willing to step down if asked, Ms. Huffington said the companys leadership has not discussed the hypothetical situation.
Violence in the house, violence in the school and violence in the neighborhood. That is why he is always angry. Because if you have pain when you are young, you are angry all the time.

EMMANUEL DUTERTE, whose brother Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has come under international criticism for his draconian brand of justice.
WASHINGTON  The United States military has begun formally investigating an American airstrike in Syria that officials said targeted dozens of Qaeda operatives at a meeting place that activists and local residents maintain was part of a religious complex where 49 civilians were killed.

United States Central Command has begun two investigations: one to determine whether there is credible evidence that civilians were killed in the strike, and another, broader inquiry into the overall operation and whether the building hit was indeed part of a complex belonging to the Omar ibn al-Khatab mosque.

Defense officials had acknowledged that the building hit in the March 16 airstrike was near a mosque, but they called it an Al Qaeda meeting site in Al Jinah, in Aleppo Province. Military officials said intelligence had indicated that Al Qaeda used the partially constructed community meeting hall as a gathering site and as a place to educate and indoctrinate fighters.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 49 people had been killed in what the monitoring group described as a massacre of civilians who were participating in religious instruction. Residents have described the building as an assembly hall and dining area for worshipers who gathered for religious lessons, and have produced photographs taken at the site after the strike that show a black sign outside a still-standing adjoining structure that identifies it as part of the Omar ibn al-Khatab mosque.
WASHINGTON  Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on Tuesday about torture and presidential power. It was in reference to President George W. Bushs claim in December 2005 that, as the commander in chief, he could bypass a statute in which Congress had tightened anti-torture rules. The recurring questions on this issue at Judge Gorsuchs Supreme Court confirmation hearing renewed interest in an unresolved dispute over the scope and limits of presidential power in national security matters.

What was the dispute about?

After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration set up an interrogation program to torture terrorism suspects in overseas C.I.A. prisons. It relied on secret Justice Department memos that blessed techniques like waterboarding and prolonged sleep deprivation as lawful. After that came to light, Congress enacted the Detainee Treatment Act in December 2005. Its centerpiece, championed by Senator John McCain, a Republican, barred interrogators from inflicting cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment on prisoners anywhere in the world.

Mr. Bush signed the bill. But he also issued a signing statement laying out his official interpretation of the new law. It essentially said the Constitution empowered him to bypass the statute under his powers as commander in chief, a claim that set off legal and political controversy.

What does that have to do with Judge Gorsuch?

In 2005, Mr. Gorsuch was a senior official in the Justice Department, where he dealt with many war-on-terror controversies, including negotiations with Congress about the Detainee Treatment Act. A recently disclosed email chain showed that Mr. Gorsuch was involved in the internal deliberations that led to the signing statement.
Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, elevated a rape case at a Maryland high school in which an undocumented immigrant has been charged to national attention on Tuesday, saying in response to a reporters question that it was an example of why the Trump administration was committed to a crackdown on illegal immigration.

The episode that led to allegations of an attack on a 14-year-old girl happened at Rockville High School last Thursday. Two students, Jose O. Montano, 17, and Henry E. Sanchez-Milian, 18, were charged the next day. Immigration officials said Mr. Sanchez, a native of Guatemala, was living in the United States illegally.

A local television news reporter asked Mr. Spicer at a news briefing on Tuesday whether reports of the attack made President Trump want to issue an executive order that would allow public schools to deny enrollment to undocumented immigrants. He used the opportunity to connect the case to the presidents restrictive immigration agenda.

The president recognizes that education is a state-run and a local-run issue, but I think it is  it is cause for concern, what happened there, Mr. Spicer said in a response that took nearly four minutes. And I think that the city should look at its policies, and I think that this is something that authorities are going to have to look at.
WASHINGTON  Not even a public scolding from Judge Neil M. Gorsuch could get President Trump to stop bashing federal judges.

Hours after Mr. Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court declared during Senate confirmation hearings that he was disheartened about Mr. Trumps unrestrained attacks on the judicial branch, the president was at it again, calling out the federal judges who have halted his second executive order banning travel from certain predominantly Muslim nations.

Somebody said I should not criticize judges. O.K. Ill criticize judges, Mr. Trump said on Tuesday night at a fund-raising dinner for the National Republican Congressional Committee  reiterating his pique at a federal court judge in Hawaii who last week placed a stay on his second travel order.

Mr. Trump was in a loose mood after a day of wrangling votes for the House Republican leaderships measure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He predicted victory in a vote on a revamped bill, scheduled for Thursday, that legislators say is still too close to call.
WASHINGTON  President Trump is a man seriously susceptible to snagging himself in the nettles of obsession. In the last three weeks, no compulsion has so consumed his psyche, and his Twitter account, as the deeply held and shallowly sourced belief that President Barack Obama tapped his phones.

So why cant he just let go?

First, aides say that Mr. Trump, who often says, Im, like, a really smart person in public, is driven by a need to prove his legitimacy as president to the many critics who deem him an unworthy victor forever undercut by Hillary Clintons three-million-vote win in the popular vote.

The Russia investigation is being used by his political opponents to delegitimize his entire presidency and to delegitimize his agenda, said Sam Nunberg, a longtime Trump political adviser who remains close with West Wing aides. He will fight back, and he does it better than anybody in this White House. And that includes all those Republican National Committee guys he hired to defend him.

Second, fighting back  in this case, against Mr. Obama, the F.B.I. director and members of his own party who say his claim about phone taps is false  is an important part of the presidents self-image. The two most influential role models in Mr. Trumps youth were men who preached the twin philosophies of relentless self-promotion and the waging of total war against anyone perceived as a threat.
R. Seth Williams, the embattled district attorney for Philadelphia, was indicted Tuesday on bribery and fraud charges, a remarkable turn for the citys top prosecutor, who was considered a rising Democratic star before he became embroiled in scandal and ethics violations.

A 50-page, 23-count indictment accused Mr. Williams of accepting lavish gifts  including trips to a Dominican resort, Burberry accessories, checks for thousands of dollars and a custom sofa worth $3,212  from businessmen for whom he was willing to do favors. The indictment also accused Mr. Williams of diverting money from a relatives pension and Social Security for his personal use.

Mr. Williams was willing to compromise his position of public trust in exchange for private financial gain, said William E. Fitzpatrick, the acting United States attorney for New Jersey, who announced the charges.

A spokesman for Mr. Williams, Cameron Kline, declined to comment on the indictment. The D.A. is not in the office today because he is spending time with his family, Mr. Kline said.
These three policies were among the most highly supported by the Cubans interviewed in the survey, done by the independent research group NORC at the University of Chicago. Eight of 10 Cubans interviewed felt tourism to the country should be increased, and 95 percent said having a high level of economic growth was an extremely or very important goal.

And yet Cubans seemed to have little faith in their governments capacity to deliver on those goals. Only three in 10 felt the economy would improve in the next three years. And just 13 percent said the current economy was good or excellent. Three-quarters of Cubans believed they must be careful in saying what they think, at least sometimes.

Over half of those Cubans interviewed said they would like to leave the country if given a chance, and 70 percent of those individuals said they would move to the United States if they could.

The interviews were conducted in person in October and November, before the inauguration of President Trump, who has threatened to rescind President Obamas 2014 decision to restore diplomatic ties between the nations.

While Mr. Trump has remained relatively quiet about Cuba since taking office, his administration announced it is conducting a full review of the policy and could decide to cut off ties again.
North Korea is well known for provocative acts aimed at its most immediate adversaries  South Korea, the United States and Japan. But Kim Jong-un, the 33-year-old leader who took over in 2012 after his father died, also has sent increasingly blunt messages of defiance and even hostility to China, the Norths ally, protector and provider, vexing the Chinese as well.

Based on their timing, the North Korean actions  whether they be a missile launch, nuclear test, execution or propaganda campaign  often seem like more than coincidence. Here is a sampling from the past decade:

A July 4 missile launch

As the United States celebrated Independence Day in 2006, North Korea test-fired seven ballistic missiles including the Taepo Dong 2, its longest-range missile, in what the State Department called a provocative act.
He was the consummate politician: tall, dapper and always willing to be trotted out for public appearances, even when someone licked his face. The only problem? Hes made of corrugated paper.

Despite the social media appeal of posing for selfies with a life-size cardboard cutout of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  or perhaps because of it  Canadian diplomats in the United States have been ordered to no longer set up the 6-foot-2 cardboard replica of Mr. Trudeau at promotional events, after researchers from the opposition Conservative Party raised the issue on Monday.

Before they were quietly retired, the sultry, if flat, cardboard cutouts of Mr. Trudeau popped up across the United States, from a Canadian consular event in Atlanta and a Canada Day celebration at the nations Embassy in Washington last year, to the South by Southwest arts festival in Austin, Tex., where the two-dimensional Trudeau, garbed in black suit and brown loafers, was surrounded by revelers with cocktails.

There will be no future invitations. We are aware of instances where our missions in the United States had decided to purchase and use these cutouts, the Global Affairs Canada spokesman, Michael OShaughnessy, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday. The missions have been asked to no longer use these for their events.
PARIS  Frances interior minister, Bruno Le Roux, announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down, after a financial prosecution office said it was opening a preliminary investigation into parliamentary jobs he gave to his daughters.

Mr. Le Roux said he had done nothing wrong as he announced his resignation at a news conference in Bobigny, northeast of Paris. But, he said, he was resigning so as not to distract from the daily fight against terrorism, against crime.

Under French law, it is not illegal for members of Parliament to hire their family members as aides, provided that the work is genuine. It is a common practice, yet it is increasingly perceived as a sign of the widening gap between the political elite and the French people.

A similar scandal has engulfed the campaign of Francois Fillon, a presidential candidate from the center-right Republican Party, since the end of January, after a satirical newspaper reported that he had hired his wife and children as parliamentary assistants over the years and paid them with public money for possibly bogus jobs.
MOSCOW  A lawyer representing the family of Sergei L. Magnitsky, a Russian auditor and lawyer who died in prison in 2009 after uncovering a $230 million fraud targeting an American-born financier, suffered severe head injuries on Tuesday after plunging from his Moscow apartment building.

Russian news organizations said the lawyer, Nikolai Gorokhov, fell while helping movers carry a hot tub up to his fourth-floor apartment. They showed photographs of a shattered tub outside the building.

The financier, William F. Browder, said Mr. Gorokhov was to appear in a Moscow court on Wednesday to appeal on behalf of Mr. Magnitskys mother for an investigation into new evidence relating to the fraud scheme first exposed by Mr. Magnitsky.

Basically, there is a trail of dead and seriously injured people leading from the Magnitsky case, Mr. Browder said in a telephone interview early Wednesday. He said Russias post-Soviet version of the K.G.B., the Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., is doing everything it can to shut down any serious investigation.
ISTANBUL  Turkeys governing party said on Tuesday that it would no longer send representatives to Germany to campaign for a constitutional amendment to drastically strengthen the Turkish presidents powers, raising the possibility of a de-escalation of a dispute between the two countries.

The decision is a change in direction by the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has frequently tried to send surrogates to Germany in recent weeks and subsequently accused Germany of Nazism for refusing to allow them to campaign freely.

About 1.4 million German residents have the right to vote in Turkey in an April 16 referendum on whether to expand Mr. Erdogans powers, but the presidents Justice and Development Party will now no longer try to directly court their votes.

The partys decision follows a stern warning from the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, who on Monday said that Mr. Erdogans Nazi comparisons must stop without ifs or buts.
The roving international spectacle that is Art Basel continues to cement Hong Kongs claim as the capital of the Asian art market. Planners have kept the festival as big as ever, even expanding the scope of its programming and the number of participating galleries, however modestly.

The approach reflects a dual reality: 2016 was a tough year for the art market, with the big auction houses reporting steep declines in total sales compared with 2015; at the same time, China was said to have reclaimed its position as the worlds strongest art marketplace in 2016. Many experts believe that the drop in contemporary art sales that China experienced in the last five years has bottomed out, according to a report by ArtTactic, a market analysis firm.

The fair will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, on Victoria Harbor. This year, 242 galleries from 34 countries will participate.

Alongside the usual big names, 29 are new to the fair this year, 11 from Asia. (Roughly half of all participating galleries have spaces in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.) Public viewing days are from March 23 to 25. (The film program began on March 20.) As with each fair that bears the Basel brand, the offerings are diverse and sprawling. Here are a few highlights.
HONG KONG  Its not every day that you get to take a selfie with Mao Zedongs corpse. So at the fifth edition of Art Basel Hong Kong, which runs through Saturday, spectators were seizing the chance to do just that, posing with an eerily lifelike model of a gray-haired Mao on display in a clear coffin.

The model was part of the 2009 work Summit, by the Chinese artist Shen Shaomin. Arranged beside Mao were several other Communist strongmen: Ho Chi Minh, Kim Il-Sung, Fidel Castro and Vladimir Lenin. The installation, presented by Osage Gallery in the fairs Encounters section, is a stark reminder that in this perfectly lit bubble of expensive art and Champagne, political realities are never too far away.

Ahead of this years fair, dealers from the 242 participating galleries had voiced a number of concerns, like the coming election for Hong Kongs chief executive and the overall global uncertainty stemming from Brexit and last years American presidential election. Another issue was the increasing capital controls in China, currently the worlds third-largest art market, according to a new report released by Art Basel and UBS on Wednesday.

Over the last year, Chinas financial regulators have stepped up scrutiny on foreign exchange transactions and overseas investments by Chinese individuals as part of an effort to stem the depreciation pressure on Chinas currency, the renminbi.
She called the 2014 report a necessary benchmark that gave her colleagues ammunition in salary negotiations. The new data reflects an uptick of 5 percent from three years ago in female directors pay at the biggest museums. But they still make only 75 cents to every dollar earned by their male peers, which lags the national average for working women by 5 percent.

The report, written in partnership with the National Center for Arts Research, attributes the gender gap to factors ranging from the age and gender of the board members hiring directors to the female candidates themselves, who may be opting out of pursuing the biggest jobs for family reasons or because of satisfaction with their current institutions.

Anne Pasternak joined the top tier of the 20 largest museums when she was hired as director of the Brooklyn Museum in 2015. She had previously led the small, innovative organization Creative Time and was widely seen as an unexpected but exciting choice. Sarah James of Phillips Oppenheim, the executive recruiting firm that led the search, said the decision required the Brooklyn board to see beyond the fact that Ms. Pasternak hadnt run a large-scale institution, or an encyclopedic museum, before.

The board was really captivated with how she did so well in building Creative Time, the markets that she played to with that organization and the attention to diversity she paid, Ms. James said. They decided they could hire the management side if she needed help. The vote was unanimous, but it probably didnt hurt that the Brooklyn Museum had a female board chair, a female vice chair and two female search committee chairs.

The study does show that women now run 54 percent of the small and midsize museums with budgets under $15 million and make almost equal pay in those jobs as men, just 2 percent less. It will be interesting to see where those directors go, said Christine Anagnos, executive director of the association, if what were seeing is the building of a pipeline to the larger jobs.
Public trams have been chugging through the steep, winding streets of Hong Kong for more than 110 years. Originally, they ran along the coast of the island, but as land was reclaimed from the sea to build the city outward, they became increasingly concentrated in the interior.

The tramline is now submerged in the concrete jungle of the city, said the Hong Kong artist Kingsley Ng, who sees the trams as a kind of time capsule of local history. He uses them for Twenty-Five Minutes Older, a site-specific conceptual work that takes passengers on a journey through the city to explore the passage of time.

By covering the exterior of a tram and allowing light to enter only through small pinholes, he has turned the vehicle into a mobile camera obscura, in which the outside scenery and street are projected onto the interior walls, but inverted and reversed.

The rider will experience the tram moving forward, but at the same time see a panorama of imagery pass, inverted and reversed in real time, Mr. Ng said. There is a real-time perception of time moving both forward and backward.
Flatwater Shakespeare Company announces auditions for its summer touring production of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor April 13 at the Lincoln Community Foundation.

The 2017 summer touring production, directed by Becky Boesen, is in celebration of the Nebraska sesquicentennial.

Preliminary auditions for the well-loved comedy are 6 to 10 p.m., with callbacks the following evening, April 14.

All casting types are encouraged; no roles have been precast. This is a paid opportunity. The script for The Merry Wives of Windsor is available at many online sites, free of charge to readers.

To reserve an audition time, contact Stage Manager Michelle Zinke at mkzinke@aol.com. Unable to attend either night? Special arrangements may be made through communication with Michelle.

Please bring a list of conflicts for any evenings between April 30 - July 2 to your audition, as well as a photo and resume (if you have one).

For more information about Flatwater Shakespeare, visit www.flatwatershakespearecompany.org.
1. Mayhem in the heart of London.

A lone assailant plowed a vehicle into pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge, killing two and injuring 40 others, before crashing into a railing. One of the injured later died at a hospital.

He then left the vehicle and fatally stabbed a police officer outside Parliament, before he was shot and killed. The police are investigating it as a terrorist attack.

The attackers identity has not been released, but Scotland Yard officials said they believed they knew who he was.
 The Philippine government rebuked The Times for a profile of the countrys president, Rodrigo Duterte, that tracked his personal drug use and the roots of his bloody rule. [The New York Times]

 South Koreas ousted president spent nearly 22 hours at prosecutors offices for questioning as a criminal suspect. [Global Times]

 Salvage workers in South Korea began the arduous task of raising the Sewol ferry, which sank in 2014, taking more than 300 people to their deaths, most of them high school students. [Yonhap]

 The Arctic has less sea ice at winters end than ever before in nearly four decades of satellite measurements. [The New York Times]

 The Boao Forum for Asia runs today through Sunday. The annual gathering of leaders in politics, business, journalism and academia, modeled on the World Economic Forum in Davos, is focused this year on globalization and free trade. [China Daily]

 Prime Minister Li Keqiang of China is spending time in both Canberra and Sydney on a five-day visit aimed at strengthening economic ties with Australia. [ABC]
 For the first time in years, Syrian rebels advanced on the outskirts of Damascus, demonstrating that they could still threaten the capital despite a long string of defeats. It was not yet clear whether the assault had any staying power.

Representatives from 68 nations in the coalition fighting the Islamic State are gathering at the U.S. State Department, their first full meeting in more than two years.
HONG KONG  In 2014, Baidu announced a hiring coup in the world of artificial intelligence: It had brought in the Stanford and Google alumnus Andrew Ng to lead a new research lab in Silicon Valley.

Just under three years later, Mr. Ng said in a blog post on Tuesday that he was leaving the Chinese search engine company.

His departure is a blow to Baidu, which has been betting big on artificial intelligence, a technology that is expected to undergird a range of others, like voice recognition and driverless cars.

In a post on Facebook and Twitter, Baidu said: Andrew Ng joined Baidu with a shared goal, to improve life through artificial intelligence. Today, that goal remains strong. Thank you, and all the best on your new chapter!
The disclosure is a setback for the company and for Edward S. Lampert, the hedge fund manager who engineered the combination of the two legends of American retail 13 years ago. Mr. Lampert has shut down stores, reshuffled the companys organization and pushed to have a greater online presence. Still, Sears Holdings has lost more than $5 billion over the last three years as sales have declined.

On Wednesday morning, in the first day of trading after the disclosure, shares in the company tumbled more than 13 percent.

Sears, through its catalog, has been a fixture of American homes for more than a century. Kmart, which has its own lengthy history beginning as a five-and-dime store in Detroit, became a major national presence in the 1960s as a big-box department store, with Blue Light Special discounts geared toward penny-wise middle-class Americans.
These beauty bloggers have nailed the perfect cat eye and the art of contouring. They help millions of followers navigate the rocky shoals of choosing the best mascara and the longest-lasting foundation. Some now earn six-figure incomes from their adoring audiences, thanks to partnerships with major brands eager to profit from their street cred.

Theyre also guys.

They may not be household names, but they do have huge followings. James Charles, a 17-year-old New Yorker who is the first male face of CoverGirl mascara, has 1.5 million Instagram followers. Manny Gutierrez, who is known online as Manny Mua, has 3.3 million of them; his followers are known as Mannyacs and his Instagram page leads with the slogan: I think boys deserve just as much cosmetic recognition.

Online personalities like Mr. Charles and Mr. Gutierrez represent progressive thinking and a fresh take on an old market, said Neil Saunders, a retail analyst who is managing director of GlobalData. A cutthroat beauty market, where differentiation is vital, has been keen to capitalize on male bloggers, he said.

These bloggers tend to project a very traditionally feminine beauty aesthetic  forget facial hair, think Kardashian-style eyelashes. Many of them are gay and say that their followers virtual embrace offers powerful reinforcement.
DALLAS  Before taking office, Donald J. Trump pledged that his business empire would forgo new deals abroad while he was president. But as the Trump Organization unveils a new brand of hotels, that promise is not preventing the company from bringing foreign deals home.

The company, now largely run by Mr. Trumps eldest sons, Eric and Donald Jr., has been pursuing a downtown Dallas hotel project with a real estate firm that has deep Turkish roots. The hotel, if built, would fall under the Trump Organizations Scion chain, a more affordable alternative to its five-star luxury line.

An examination by The New York Times of records including corporation registrations, private emails and archived websites found that Alterra Worldwide, the real estate firm that would own the hotel and be partners with the Trumps, has business ties in Russia, Kazakhstan and at least two dozen other countries. Ordinarily, such international experience would be a selling point for the firm, but it is a complicating factor when dealing with Mr. Trumps company, where concerns already have been raised internally about some of Alterras foreign connections.

These revelations show that as the Trump Organization rolls out its new hotel line across the country  properties that the Trumps will manage and their partners will own  a partnership with Alterra may invite the foreign entanglements and potential conflicts of interest that the company said it sought to avoid in its international dealings.
After a season that saw temperatures soar at the North Pole, the Arctic has less sea ice at winters end than ever before in nearly four decades of satellite measurements.

The extent of ice cover  a record low for the third straight year  is another indicator of the effects of global warming on the Arctic, a region that is among the hardest hit by climate change, scientists said.

This is just another exclamation point on the overall loss of Arctic sea ice coverage that weve been seeing, said Mark Serreze, the director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, a government-backed research agency in Boulder, Colo. Were heading for summers with no sea ice coverage at all.

Dr. Serreze said that such a situation, which would leave nothing but open ocean in summer until fall freeze-up begins, could occur by 2030, although many scientists say it may not happen for a decade or two after that.
Held in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee, the ball, with 400 guests dressed as allegorical figures (and, crucially, photographed), was the grandest fancy dress ball of the century. Assistant curators for the exhibition spent months tracking down a handful of the original costumes, bringing them together for the first time since the night of the party. Mr. Bowles gasped as he described a Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, gown made by the couturier Jean-Philippe Worth for Louise, the formidable wife of the eighth duke, and arguably the jewel in the displays crown.

So often, Mr. Bowles said, clothing is the most vivid entry point into getting a sense of how people of the past lived and existed in an environment or even a single moment in time. To create this exhibit on the landscape of Chatsworth, where so many legendary lives and moments have unfolded, has just been extraordinary.

Lady Burlington, a former model and fashion buyer, said that her first meeting with Mr. Bowles was less than auspicious.

We met many years ago on an ill-fated fashion shoot for Harpers and Queen, Lady Burlington said, where Hamish was the stylist, I was the model, and thanks to an overly snug Vivienne Westwood corset, I promptly fainted. Mr. Bowles helped revive her, she added, by giving her a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Luckily, their next meeting proved more fruitful. Beyond the historical gems they unearthed, the exhibition is notable for its wealth of contemporary contributions, with garments from modern fashion labels like Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Maison Margiela, Vetements, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci, the exhibitions principal sponsor.
Now, Mrs. Renaud and her son both said, young people usually want to leave this region of about 5,000 residents for several reasons, like looking for a more varied job market or a place where it doesnt snow as much. If you look at a photo of the Vallee de Joux from 50 years ago, it looks the same as today, Mr. Renaud said.

Luiggino Torrigiani, Mr. Renauds business partner, who was along for the visit, added jokingly: Watches are not even really Swiss-made anymore.

The workers now come over the border from France  about 10 miles away, he said. They come here in the morning to get Swiss pay and then drive home across the border at night.

At one point, even Mrs. Renaud crossed the border to live in France. She met her future husband, Michel Renaud, when she went to work at Vacheron Constantin in Geneva. But when he was hired as chief of technical services at the technical center for watches in Besancon, France, the newlyweds moved. Dominique Renaud was born there in 1959, and graduated first in his class at the French national watchmaking school, before moving to Switzerland in 1980, to work at Audemars Piguet in the complications workshop in Le Brassus.

Mr. Renaud has kept the watchmaking notebooks of his parents, grandparents and in-laws, all handwritten and with highly detailed sketches. He credits them with helping his own career, including as a founder of Renaud & Papi, a company known for its complications. That company is now owned by Audemars Piguet and known as APRP. Mr. Renaud recently created a revolutionary watch, the DR01 Twelve First, which sells for 1 million Swiss francs ($990,000).

Part of the reason for the price: He invented a movement that increases a watchs accuracy  one that, ironically, eliminates the hairsprings that his mother worked on for all those years.

I am very proud of my son, Mrs. Renaud said. And not just because of his achievements in watchmaking, but because of what, in her world, really matters: Hes a very kind man.
A public neighborhood gathering to discuss ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 28) in the Westminster Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 27th and South streets.

ADUs are residential dwelling units that come in many forms. Some are essentially an apartment in a basement; others may be an apartment addition sharing a wall with the main home; and still others consist of tiny houses standing alone in the backyard or elsewhere on the property of a single-family home. ADUs are currently not permitted in Lincoln.

The City of Lincoln has assembled a working group of representatives from its Planning Department, the Planning Commission, preservationists, neighborhood associations, and homebuilders to examine the local zone and codes related to ADUs. As a result of the examination, the Planning Department will present a discussion document illustrating the kind of zoning changes that could be adopted to allow ADUs in Lincoln

Many newer residential developments regulate or prohibit ADUs through the covenants that attach to the property from the inception of development, but such covenants are generally not present in Lincolns older and historic neighborhoods.

Those who attend the Tuesday evening meeting are asked to park and enter on the east side of the church.
The French dont have an expression for a company man but, if they did, it would almost certainly describe Laurent Dordet.

The 48-year-old Frenchman has spent nearly his entire career at Hermes, in charge of several metiers, or professions, including textiles, and leather goods and saddlery, the products that initially made the name of that luxury goods purveyor.

Some may ask: Why stay? Mr. Dordet said that, given the diverse experience and the companys focus on first-class craftsmanship, the question is more: Why leave?

As an employee, Hermes offers you a fantastic variety of know-how and possibility, he said. Every four or five years, I have to reset my mind totally.
Still, Congress has an important negotiating tool: a key program that helps low-income individuals with out-of-pocket costs, known technically as cost-sharing reductions. House Republicans brought a lawsuit to stop what it claimed was illegal funding of the program, worth $7 billion to the insurers last year. The lawsuit is suspended, and Congress needs to officially appropriate the money for the program if the insurers are to get all of what they are owed this year or any other year.

Theyve been silent on this, Dr. Molina said. I interpret this as a veiled threat to the industry.

Other groups, including the associations representing the nations hospitals and doctors, have come out strongly against the Republican proposals. The American Hospital Association is airing 30-second television ads urging Congress to protect peoples insurance coverage.

A soft-spoken individual, Dr. Molina, 58, displays a dry sense of humor, as when he recently joked with investors about showing them vacation photos rather than discussing the companys dismal financial results. The companys stock, which traded near $60 a share earlier this year, has lost about 25 percent of its value since Molina announced its 2016 results last month.

But he is the most vocal of his peers about the havoc he says the Republican proposals will mean for customers. I think many in the industry are afraid, said Dr. Molina, who said he decided to speak out after being urged to by two close friends, one a retired insurance executive and another an AIDS advocate. You need to say these things, he said he was told. You cant duck your obligations.

But Dr. Molina was not invited to last months White House meeting with President Trump.

Instead, Dr. Molina has made his case with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and insists they seemed receptive. Our people have very meticulously analyzed this, and we can speak credibly about what all this means, he said.

His concerns are shared quietly by much of the industry. In addition to worrying about adequate funding so low-income people can afford coverage, insurers are increasingly anxious about how to encourage healthy people to sign up, which balances out the costs of those who have high-cost medical conditions and results in lower average premiums.
The story went like this: A Filipino tourist was sitting in a restaurant in Davao City and refused to put out his cigarette despite a strict city smoking ban.

The mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, was called to the scene. Eat the cigarette butt or lose a valuable piece of male anatomy, the mayor said, pointing a pistol at the mans lap. The man meekly swallowed what remained of his cigarette.

It seemed the perfect anecdote for a New York Times profile of Mr. Duterte to illustrate his violent nature and his hands-on style of running the city.

Too perfect.

As with many of the stories that swirl around Mr. Duterte, who is now president of the Philippines, the truth is hard to pin down. He and his supporters promote tales that place him at the center of police raids, brutal killings and other acts of macho violence.
While 97 percent of climate scientists agree that the Earths climate is changing and these changes are likely because of human activities, the general public is more skeptical. In fact, Americans in general are less worried about climate change than much of the world. And these six maps show how divided Americans are in their thinking about climate change.

How should scientists communicate their knowledge with the larger society about the science of climate change? How should they speak about science when this is such a hot-button political issue  when the president of the United States himself has publicly called climate change a hoax and the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, rejects the scientific consensus on climate change?

The article Katharine Hayhoe, a Climate Explainer Who Stays Above the Storm profiles one climate scientist who has been particularly effective in spreading the word about climate change. Students should read the article, write responses to the following questions and then discuss their answers in small groups.

1. According to the author, what qualities make Dr. Hayhoe such a great explainer? In your opinion, which quality is the most powerful in terms of helping to change peoples minds?

2. The author writes, While some climate warriors treat those who are not inclined to believe them as dupes or fools, [Dr. Hayhoe] wants to talk. Have you ever experienced a situation in which someone  perhaps a friend, teacher, doctor or scientist  made you feel like a fool for not knowing something or not agreeing? What did that person do that made you feel that way? What would you recommend to that person in terms of changing his or her approach?

3. The article states, Some in the climate community argue that congeniality like Dr. Hayhoes can be counterproductive, especially when well-funded deniers of climate science spread disinformation and vituperation. What do you think? Can congeniality like Dr. Hayhoes ever be counterproductive? Might a more combative approach ever be warranted? Why?

4. The article ends with Katharine Hayhoe explaining why she does not believe in climate change: Gravity doesnt care whether you believe in it or not, she said, but if you step off a cliff, youre going to go down. Why do you think the author chose to conclude the article with this sentence? What point is Dr. Hayhoe trying to illustrate?

After reading and discussing the article, students should take on the role of a climate scientist trying to address misconceptions about climate change. You can have them identify misconceptions on their own, or choose from the list below:

How can global warming be real if winter this year is so cold?

Isnt this just a normal fluctuation in earths temperature?

Theres nothing we can do about it anyway.

It would hurt our economic interests too much to do anything about climate change.

Its not going to be a problem for a long time, so why worry now?

It wouldnt be so bad to have warmer temperatures!

The weather seems normal today!

The hole in the ozone layer causes climate change.

Scientists still disagree about whether climate change is really happening.

Its not our fault!

Ask students to choose one or more misconceptions and to write a refutation text in which they act as an explainer. Rather than write an entire essay, students should explore the misconception itself  why do some people believe this? Whats their evidence or reasoning? Then, use scientific evidence to refute it.
A few years ago, before my father died, my two brothers and I were going through his things with him. He wanted to have some say in where his belongings went. We agreeably found a home for most of the things: Brother No. 2 has children; Brother No. 3 and I have no children. When it came to my fathers World War II box, which had not been opened for years, we thought it best to give his Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other military decorations to Brother No. 2, so they could be passed down.

My father spoke little of the war until he had been sober for more than 20 years. After the rest of the family left that day, he handed me a belt buckle and said: Do something with this. I dont want it with the other things. It was a belt buckle from a Nazi uniform. I said I would take care of it. I have kept it stashed in my desk. Im now in my 60s and really dont want it in my house, either. I have checked resale sites, and it does have some monetary value, but I do not want it to fall into hands that may use it symbolically for what my father fought against.

What is an ethical way to deal with this piece? Peter Hulit, Los Angeles

I remember once visiting a small antiques shop in Swakopmund in Namibia and being astonished to see a great range of Nazi artifacts  copies of Mein Kampf, Iron Crosses and the like. Namibia was German Southwest Africa until the end of World War I, and there are many Namibians of German ancestry, descendants of the settlers who came to the area when it was a colony. I wondered whether the interest in these legacies of the Third Reich reflected some sympathy with its aims. Either way, there was something creepy about the experience.

Why creepy? Well, we are required not just to act in accordance with morality but also to have the right moral emotions. And having this stuff around suggests that you just might have a problem there. Indifference toward a genocidal regime is bad. Active approval is, of course, worse. In the United States today there are some people who say that they identify with Nazi aims, and they use Nazi symbols and memorabilia to express those sympathies. Because you, like me, are repulsed by this sort of celebration, you naturally dont want to allow this belt buckle  presumably its the kind with the eagle and swastika  to be misused in this way.
We passed over quaint wooden bridges that curled like pigtails and through old stone tunnels that looked, every time, as if they were going to rip off our side mirrors. More than once, I had the feeling that we were driving in a theme park. Each tunnel had been carefully blasted to frame a perfect view of Mount Rushmore. The presidents were watching us come to them. Our daughter screamed when she saw them and made me pull over so she could get a good angle for Snapchat.

I hate pictures, our son said. Your mind is your own picture-taker-thing.

At one point, we passed a roadside cliff that looked vaguely like a face, and we all spent several minutes debating whether it had been carved like that deliberately or if we were maybe going slightly crazy in the snowy, empty woods. Soon everything we saw started to look like a face: rocks, trees, snowdrifts. Theyre haunting me! our daughter shouted. Every rock I look at! I dont understand life!

By the time we pulled into the Mount Rushmore parking garage, after an eternity of winding, everyone was exhausted and starving. The parks restaurant was closed for renovation, so we settled into a sort of triage-unit cafe next door. We ate in tense silence. The food was bad. I drank a beer called Honest Abe Red Ale, the can of which featured a picture of Mount Rushmore below the slogan GET SICK-N-TWISTED. Our son complained, bitterly, that his plastic cup of applesauce was hot. I dont want to be here, he said  and that here seemed to encompass everything: the cafe, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, America, the 21st century.

After lunch we walked outside, to the viewing deck, and there  well, there was Mount Rushmore. That was really the biggest thing you could say about it: There it was. Rushmore is a ubiquitous American image, tattooed on the inside of every citizens eyelids, so it felt disorienting to see it in three-dimensional space, pinned to this particular spot on the earth. We had the viewing deck almost to ourselves, which meant that the presidents and our family faced off. Four of us, four of them.

There was Washington, out front, the leader of the band  noble, aristocratic and smooth, his mouth a grim stone line. A dollop of snow stuck to the bridge of his nose. Peering over his shoulder, like a shy sidekick, was Jefferson, his big nose held high, showing his nostrils to the world. (This was not an artistic choice; the grain of the rock forced Borglum to tilt the head back.) Lincoln stood apart from them, heavy eyebrows frosted with snow, and in the middle, almost swallowed by the mountain, was Teddy Roosevelt, with his wire-rimmed spectacles and Freddie Mercury mustache. They were all looking in slightly different directions, not at us but far over our heads, into the great American distance.

I must admit that, in person, I was not especially moved by the beauty of the sculptures. They were, essentially, traditional busts, distinguished mainly by their insane scale and placement. The novelty of it was stronger than the beauty.
He was very forthcoming with us, Chief Aubry said. He knew what he was doing when he was coming up here, and he relayed all of that information to us.

The attack on Mr. Caughman, who was black, came as cities across the country, especially New York City, are experiencing a rise in hate crimes since the presidential election. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has condemned the attacks, denounced the killing, which he said appeared to be based solely on Mr. Caughmans race.

More than an unspeakable human tragedy, this is an assault on what makes this the greatest city in the world: our inclusiveness and our diversity, he said.

The victim, who lived in a homeless shelter on West 36th Street, and was an avid recycler, according to his Twitter profile, had been sifting through the trash around the corner on 9th Avenue, in front of a row of restaurants, when he was accosted by a man in a dark coat around 11:15 p.m. on Monday, the police said. The assailant argued with Mr. Caughman before stabbing the victim, according to the police, who declined to say what words they exchanged. After the attack, Mr. Jackson, the police said, threw the sword in a nearby garbage can and went into a restaurant restroom to wash the blood off.

Image Timothy Caughman in an image from Twitter.

Mr. Caughman walked two blocks to the Midtown South Precinct, where he arrived about 10 minutes after the attack. Officers summoned an ambulance to take him to Bellevue Hospital where Mr. Caughman was later pronounced dead.
Information revealed in the records provided fodder to both supporters and critics of Officer Pantaleo. He accumulated more misconduct allegations than the average among the 36,000-member Police Department, the documents show, but not so many that the young officer could be fairly branded a cowboy or rogue, police experts said. They also noted that Officer Pantaleo usually worked in a plainclothes unit that focused on violent street crime  the kind of policing that can be a magnet for complaints.

In the cases where the review board found that he had abused his authority, though, the Police Department sent him back out on the street with minimal punishment.

With some questions about Officer Pantaleos past seemingly addressed by the leaked documents, the conversation has shifted to broader questions about policing and transparency, as city officials continue to argue that state law bars them from disclosing information about officer misconduct. Last summer, the Police Department cited the law when it reversed its decades-old practice of regularly posting information in precinct houses and at its headquarters about the disciplining of officers.

Despite the revelations in Officer Pantaleos published records, Cynthia Conti-Cook, a staff lawyer for the Legal Aid Society, said it was still unclear how vigorously the department had responded to what she said were warning signs about Officer Pantaleo that dated from before his confrontation with Mr. Garner.

If this information was universally accessible, we wouldnt need to speculate, Ms. Conti-Cook said. We could compare officers substantiated C.C.R.B. complaints according to their precinct, rank and activity. But because the city insists on keeping this secret, we are left in the dark.
And that is why Im coming to you few good men.

Im not asking you to quit; Im asking you to act  to collectively or individually sit the president down and make clear that you cant effectively advance our national security unless he does the right thing and apologizes to President Obama, and unless he releases his tax returns to eliminate any questions regarding what we now know is already an eight-month-old F.B.I. investigation into possible collusion between the Kremlin and Trumps campaign to hack our last election.

Surely none of you believes its O.K. for a president to smear his predecessor and then stand by the charge even when it is exposed as a lie.

Im now in Paris, after almost a week in the United Arab Emirates. I have to tell you, the world is watching.

I had several young Arabs from around the region tell me that when America lets its own leader get away with lying, hiding information and smearing the press or a political opponent, it is taken as a license by all Middle Eastern leaders, or the leaders of Turkey or Russia, to do the exact same thing and say: See, the American president does it, why shouldnt we?

There is a profound sense of loss in the world today that the optimistic, inclusive, generous, rule-of-law America that so many foreigners grew up admiring is disappearing. A poll by Germanys ARD media group found that the percentage of Germans who think the U.S. is a trustworthy ally dropped from 59 percent in November to 22 percent last month.

Trump inherited a daunting inbox in foreign policy, but unfortunately he is making it much worse, said Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of a valuable new book, A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order. Trumps embrace of protectionism and hostility to immigrants  when the real culprit is new technologies that are eliminating existing jobs and an educational system that is not preparing Americans for new ones  and his rhetoric and policies are increasing doubts overseas about American dependability. Without an urgent course correction, added Haass, we could end up not with America first, but with America alone.
Yet none of them are urging me to take the leap. Its not as if Spinraza is truly a cure anyway. It may slow or stop the progression of weakness in some users, but the underlying condition remains. While approved for every age and for every stage of S.M.A., its apparently most effective with kids (and adults with a recent onset of symptoms). So although it might restore a modicum of muscle tone, I may already be too far gone.

I concede that less deterioration sounds desirable. But what of the risks? Listed side effects include possible respiratory infections, kidney toxicity and blood clots. None of which would faze me if I had nothing to lose, but I do.

Equally daunting, the drug has to be injected directly into the spinal column several times a year. So its a commitment. Its also an enormous investment, costing as much as $750,000 the first year and $375,000 annually forever after.

To be sure, surmounting fears and obstacles like these is how Ive lived much of my life. Even Spinrazas newness  the sense that those who sign on are being guinea pigs  wouldnt stop me if I were hankering for a medical solution to my lifes complications. Furthermore, I recognize that I wouldnt have survived as long as I have without medical interventions. So its not passivity or some kind of technophobia that gives me pause here.

My primary objection comes from my hard-won sense of self-esteem. Long ago I decided that if I was going to like myself, I had to make friends with the disability that was inherently part of me. Living with a disability is not easy. Thats why I became an advocate of fair treatment and equal access: I knew deep in my bones that things could be better. It wasnt that I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps. Rather, society had to change, become more inclusive, more open to and validating of people with disabilities.

If instead Id put my energies into fund-raising for medical development, that wouldve been a betrayal of my core belief  namely, that I and all my brothers and sisters in disability are O.K. as we are.

This resistance to the cure mentality is shared by others and surfaced this month at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Tex., where the title of a panel on neurotechnology  The End of Disability?  angered so many participants that it became a heated topic and hashtag on social media. Some thought it evoked eugenics. Do they have an #EndOfAbleism session? someone wrote on Twitter.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Educators Credit Union announced Wednesday that interim CEO Linda Hoover has been chosen by the ECU Board of Directors to serve as CEO and president, effective immediately.

Hoover was named interim CEO after her predecessor, Educators CEO and President Gene Szymczak, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Dec. 3.

A Racine native, Hoover joined ECU in 1987. Since then she has managed most of the credit unions business at some point.

She was chief operations officer until her appointment as interim CEO in December to lead the credit union which has more than 140,000 members and branches in Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Her professional development has most recently included the CEO Institute of CUES, an international membership association focused specifically on credit union talent development.

ECU Chairwoman Mary Lueneburg stated in Wednesdays announcement about Hoover, Her work ethic is second to none, as is her integrity. As a board, we see in her a leader who can inspire by example as well as by her ability to sort through the minutiae to chart a course forward.

Hoover stated, I believe that the essence of what we are called to do is to create relationships and build trust with our members in order to meet their financial needs.  I had the honor of working with Gene and Harold Kaeding, his predecessor, in this great legacy they created.

I look forward to working with the staff to seek new opportunities and approaches to achieve (our) goals.

Board member Bill Halsey stated, Linda has demonstrated the vision to move Educators forward as a leading Wisconsin financial institution in the constantly evolving credit union industry. She is a consistently innovative team director and problem solver, with an impressive capacity to lead staff in advancing services to our members.

ECU stated that a robust commitment to supporting the community is one of the pillars of its organizational culture. Hoover is a River Bend Nature Center board member, and on the United Way of Racine Countys 2017 Cabinet Committee. At various times, she has also served on the boards of the Racine Food Bank, Family Services of Racine and Focus on Racine.

Board member Mary Ann Smith described Hoover as a continuous learner, always intent upon improving herself and raising the bar for her development. In the years that I have been privileged to know and work with Linda, I have discovered her to be a tireless giver; its never too late to call, too much to ask or too difficult a problem to be solved.

Educators has a history of filling leadership positions from within its own ranks: More than 65 percent of senior management were promoted internally.

This practice ensures that Educators core values  honesty, integrity, fairness, respect and excellence  remain the foundation of decision making through succeeding generations, ECU stated in a release Wednesday.
Mr. Cordray and the bureau have been doing what President Trump pledged to do in the campaign: protecting Americans from a system that has robbed our working class. So why would he want to fire Mr. Cordray? For one, Mr. Trump, despite his populist claims, has promised to dismantle the Dodd-Frank law, with the consumer bureau arguably the laws most visible accomplishment. Second, the move may be part of a bigger power play.

Mr. Cordray is not the only agency head with statutory protections from removal at will by the president. The heads of the Office of Special Counsel, the Social Security Administration, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Reserve, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other agencies are also shielded. Such protection is intended to insulate independent agencies from political interference.

But even if the full appeals court, which is hearing the case, rules that the president cannot fire Mr. Cordray at will, its decision could be appealed to the Supreme Court. The result could be a ruling that, if applied broadly, weakens the independence of agencies across the government.

The arguments against the bureau and Mr. Cordray are weak. But the political forces aligned against them are not.
Mr. Tillerson seemed to rule out negotiations with the North and suggested that the United States might be forced to take pre-emptive military action if the North Koreans elevate the threat of their weapons program to an unacceptable level. This sort of talk is jarring and risky, and even though negotiations are a long shot, there is little hope of moderating the Norths position without them.

En route from Seoul to Beijing, he told a reporter from the conservative-leaning website Independent Journal Review that while all options are on the table, there are a lot of steps and a lot of distance between now and a time that we would have to make a decision like that. He talked of a multistep process in which countries, especially China, would be encouraged to carry out United Nations Security Council sanctions intended to press the North to give up its nuclear program, and he said that even tougher sanctions  ideas under discussion include barring North Korea from the global financial system and penalizing Chinese banks that do business with North Korea  could be considered.

The objective, he said, was not to force them into some brash action. Its our objective for them to understand things only continue to get more difficult if they dont change their path. We want to give you time to change your path. And while the Trump approach seems inclined toward a harder line, there have been positive gestures: President Trump did not block an Obama administration decision to donate humanitarian aid to Unicef for North Korea, and he let visas be issued for North Korean officials to meet with some experts in the United States, until the Norths assassination of its leader Kim Jong-uns half brother in Malaysia made it necessary to cancel the meeting.

Like Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump sees China as the only country with the leverage to get the North to abandon its nuclear program. But the agenda with China also includes trade and other issues and the preservation of a vital relationship that Mr. Trump needs to get right. After Mr. Trumps frequent harsh complaints about China, it was stunning to hear Mr. Tillerson, in Beijing, adopt language that Chinese leaders use to describe their vision for a United States-China relationship built on nonconfrontation, no conflict, mutual respect and always searching for win-win solutions.

American experts say China is likely to view this formulation as American acceptance of its sphere of influence in Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan and the South China Sea while Mr. Trump may see it as the cost of getting Beijing to lean harder on North Korea. If the United States and China can find a path forward on North Korea, the time to announce it is when Mr. Trump and President Xi Jinping hold their first meeting, reportedly in April.
To the Editor:

Re Health Groups Unite to Oppose Republican Bill (front page, March 9):

Like most who genuinely care about access to health care in the United States, I, too, oppose the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and I am happy to see the American Medical Association and other health groups agree.

But lets not forget that the A.M.A. has opposed every major effort to increase access to health care in the United States, going back to President Harry Trumans proposal for national health insurance in the 1940s, the passage of Medicare in the 1960s, and, more recently, including a public option in the Affordable Care Act (though it did support the act itself).

The A.M.A. is a guild that first and foremost supports the financial well-being of physicians and cannot be counted on to act in the best interests of public access to care.

JAY V. SOLNICK, DAVIS, CALIF.

The writer, a doctor, is a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.
But Justice Scalia failed to realize that textualism is actually self-undermining. Nowhere does the Constitution explicitly state that textualism, no less originalism or any other method, is the correct theory of constitutional interpretation. Justice Scalia also failed to realize  or at least admit  that textualism and originalism rarely determine a unique outcome for constitutional questions.

The meanings of many words and phrases in the Constitution are not at all obvious. Examples include right, unreasonable, probable cause, due process, excessive, cruel and unusual and equal protection. Even if we could find clear definitions of these terms in a dictionary, current or historical, applying these definitions to cases that the founders did not anticipate only expands the range of ambiguity (and therefore interpretive possibilities).

The founders would no doubt sympathize. Because they used flexible, open-ended language like cruel and unusual without explaining exactly what they meant, it seems clear that they were deliberately inviting future generations to interpret and reinterpret these words  the very opposite of what textualists and originalists propose.

The founders were not dummies; they knew that society would evolve in unforeseeable ways  morally, socially, politically, technologically  and that this inexorable evolution might well bring about unforeseeable applications of the same words. For example, instead of using the imprecise phrase cruel and unusual to lock in any particular punishment (like the death penalty), it stands to reason that they meant it to lock out whatever punishments future generations deemed unconscionable. So true originalism  genuinely following the founders intent  requires us moderns to interpret constitutional language in light of our own, not their, moral and linguistic norms.
To be fair, many are concerned about the results and want to help more black and Latino students succeed. But their common starting point is trying to determine why more of those students do not score higher on the test. However well intentioned, they are asking the wrong question.

By legitimizing test-only admissions, many well-intentioned people are (perhaps inadvertently) laying blame on the students who are hurt by the policy, implicitly suggesting that they do not work hard, that they need to improve and better demonstrate their academic merit, that the poor admissions results are a byproduct of poverty and failing middle schools and that there are simply not enough qualified black and Latino students to justify more than a handful of admission offers.

The resulting narrative of inferiority has had a paralyzing effect on policy.

While running for mayor, Bill de Blasio criticized the admissions policy and called for change. Many current and former staff members in his administration have denounced it as well. And a number of reports have provided a road map for change. But so far his administration has merely adopted predictable and feckless interventions that not only have been proven ineffective by the latest admissions numbers but also insult the intelligence and dignity of black and Latino students: expansion of test prep courses, outreach to encourage more black and Latino students to take the test, expansion of prekindergarten, making slight changes to the test and administering it on a more convenient day in certain middle schools.

If the administration is truly committed to admitting black and Latino students who deserve to be in specialized high schools, it must find the courage to disrupt the status quo and ask the harder questions. For example, why not ask how the schools could do a better job  not of expanding or improving the applicant pool, but of recognizing the talent we know exists among black and Latino students? What if the school district (still under significant mayoral control) and the State Legislature (which mandates a test-only policy for three of the schools) started from scratch to create an admissions process that rewards those who do well in middle school? What if school officials and the public actually believed there are many talented black and Latino students who can succeed in an elite setting? What if they were willing to create a process that recognized their merit?

These are the big questions. Asking these types of questions will help to shift the false, prevailing narrative that only a few black and Latino students are good enough for the citys best high schools. It will help New Yorkers get to some real solutions and a fairer process  not only for those students, but for everyone.
Donald Trump faces a stark choice. He can tweet, or he can govern.

He can indulge his persecution complex, firing off missives that compare Barack Obama to Joseph McCarthy and American intelligence officers to Nazis, or he can recognize it as a gateway to disgrace and irrelevance.

He can make his presidency about his own viscera, or he can make it about the countrys welfare. He can do what feels cathartic in the moment, or he can do whats constructive in the long run. He can dabble in bright colors and shiny objects, or he can deal in durable truths.

Im focusing on Twitter because it teases out his worst traits. Its the theater for vainglorious, vindictive, impulsive Trump, and it was the realm in which he made the wild accusations that Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower. On Monday, James Comey debunked those charges, certifying them as the gaseous fulminations we more or less knew they were.

And through much of Tuesday, Trumps personal Twitter account essentially went dark. There was nothing from the hours around dawn, which is when he typically visits with his darkest vapors. There was only anodyne stuff later on: a shout-out to the scientists at NASA, a salute to American farmers.
To understand just how devastating a cut of less than 20 percent of an agencys budget would be requires some understanding of how the N.I.H. operates. Very little of its typical annual budget is spent on the agencys administration: The industrious, underpaid government scientists who manage the funding of the N.I.H.s research programs consume less than 5 percent of its budget. Only a bit more, about 10 percent, supports the work of government scientists. In sharp contrast, over 80 percent of its resources are devoted to competitively reviewed biomedical research projects, training programs and science centers, affecting nearly every district in the country.

The N.I.H. awards multiyear grants and contracts, but receives annual appropriations that must be spent that year. This means that at the start of each year most of its dollars are already committed to recipients of awards from prior years. A budget cut of the size that is proposed would effectively prevent the awarding of new grants or the renewal of any that have reached the end of a multiyear commitment. Junior scientists, already struggling in a highly competitive atmosphere, may not get a chance to have an academic career. Senior investigators might need to lay off staff, disrupting research teams and leaving projects unfinished.

A substantial N.I.H. budget cut would undermine the fiscal stability of universities and medical schools, many of which depend on N.I.H. funding; it would erode Americas leadership in medical research; and it would diminish opportunities to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases.

Even if negotiations produce cuts less severe than the president proposes for 2018, it seems likely that he will not be any more respectful of the N.I.H.  or of science in general  in ensuing years. Even this year, he has proposed deep cuts for important science programs in the Department of Energy and other agencies, and his administration has shown a determination to radically reduce or terminate federal studies of climate change. Moreover, he does not appear to get or want advice on these matters from experienced people: He has appointed neither a White House science adviser nor a panel of outside advisers, both of which have been customary for presidents from both parties for decades.

What can be done by those who are appalled by these threats to our scientific enterprise and feel paralyzed by the apparent imperviousness of the administration to learning from others? Speak up, even when other important issues crowd the political horizon, and frame the issue properly: As I have learned from my own time at the N.I.H., this is not about Republicans versus Democrats. It is about a more fundamental divide, between those who believe in evidence as a basis for life-altering and nation-defining decisions and those who adhere unflinchingly to dogma. It is about a conception of national leadership that connects our economic success and our security to the generation of knowledge, and to the arts and sciences, not just to our military strength.
 As Democrats attack Judge Gorsuch as an enemy of regular Americans, we examine a case that he says proves theyre wrong and talk with the plaintiff in that case, Cynthia Orr.

Background reading:

 Highlights from Day 2 of Mr. Gorsuchs confirmation hearings.

 Video from the hearings.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Tweet me at @mikiebarb. And if that isnt enough, we can even text.

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The actress Greta Garbo was probably known as much for her aversion to publicity as she was for her classic Hollywood films of the 1920s and 30s, and it was at her spacious apartment on the East Side near Beekman and Sutton Places where she often took refuge from press and fans.

The seven-room co-op, which she called home from 1954 until her death in 1990, took up the entire fifth floor of the exclusive Campanile at 450 East 52nd Street. It was a perfect place for the elusive Swedish-born movie star to be left alone: ensconced in a quiet cul-de-sac facing the East River and convenient to area airports, which was useful for her frequent jaunts to Europe and the Caribbean.

Its very reminiscent of where she grew up in Stockholm  close to the water and with lots of sunlight, said her great-nephew Derek Reisfield, a business strategist who was a founder of MarketWatch, a financial information website. She liked seeing the boat traffic.

Mr. Reisfields mother, Gray Reisfield, who was the sole heir to Ms. Garbos estate, acquired the residence after the actresss death and left it largely as Ms. Garbo had designed it. She and her husband occupied the apartment from around 1992 to 2013, using it first as a pied-a-terre and eventually as a permanent residence before relocating to San Francisco. Mr. Reisfield also lived there for a couple of years in the mid-1990s.
The applicants nom de plume was not exactly subtle, if you know Polish. The middle initial and surname of the author, Anna O. Szust, mean fraudster. Her publications were fake and her degrees were fake. The book chapters she listed among her publications could not be found, but perhaps that should not have been a surprise because the book publishers were fake, too.

Yet, when Dr. Fraud applied to 360 randomly selected open-access academic journals asking to be an editor, 48 accepted her and four made her editor in chief. She got two offers to start a new journal and be its editor. One journal sent her an email saying, Its our pleasure to add your name as our editor in chief for the journal with no responsibilities.

Little did they know that they had fallen for a sting, plotted and carried out by a group of researchers who wanted to draw attention to and systematically document the seamy side of open-access publishing. While those types of journals began with earnest aspirations to make scientific papers available to everyone, their proliferation has had unintended consequences.

Traditional journals typically are supported by subscribers who pay a fee while authors pay nothing to be published. Nonsubscribers can only read papers if they pay the journal for each one they want to see.
A year ago, when the wraps were taken off Gateway Technical Colleges bold initiative aimed at providing free higher education to financially disadvantaged high school graduates, hopes were high.

Zina Haywood, Gateways executive vice president and provost, admits there were the usual unknowns for the Gateway Promise, a pilot program launching this fall. But she said she is pleasantly surprised by the strong response from prospective students.

The college set a Feb. 1 deadline for graduating high school seniors interested in participating in the program. Haywood, who co-chairs what has become known as the Promise Initiative, said 693 high schoolers submitted applications.

In the months leading up to the deadline, Haywood said 1,048 students, including the 693 applicants, expressed interest in the program.

Im ecstatic, Haywood said of the response. We are very happy with that number, and the support weve had from the community.

The number of students who will actually be admitted into Gateway through the Promise Initiative this fall remains in flux, though estimates hover between 150 and 200 persons.

One reason for the fluidity is funding. By design, the Gateway Promise offers free tuition and fees to graduating high schoolers that might not otherwise be able to attend college after earning their diplomas. The offer to qualifying students is capped at six semesters.

National recognition

The program is modeled after former President Barack Obamas Promise Campaign, and Gateway received national recognition from the White House when the local program was first announced.

Gateway officials have said the goal is to create a $3 million endowment to keep it running into perpetuity. By mid-February of this year, the college secured $1.9 million of that goal.

Although a shortfall from that lofty objective still remains, Harwood said she is optimistic about Gateway Promises longevity and its ability to serve a swath of students.

Several Racine area businesses and organizations have pledged financial support, including SC Johnson, which offered a combined $700,000 donation. Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson pledged more than half of that amount  $400,000  through a personal donation.

Qualifying students

In the months ahead, Gateway officials will review the nearly 700 applicants who asked to attend the college this fall.

From the get-go, the college has set a number of pre-requisites for students entering through the program. While participants do not have to be at the top of their class, Gateway has set a grade-point average threshold. Students need to have attained at least a 2.0 from their freshmen through junior years of high school.

Additionally, qualifying applicants have to take the college entrance ACT exam and earn a minimum composite score of 16. Participants also need to enroll in Gateway immediately after graduating high school.

Lastly, students must either attend school or live in the Gateway district and have an expected family contribution of $3,000 or lower as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

As for the strong response, Haywood credits Gateways strong collaboration with private and parochial K-12 schools throughout the colleges footprint. The partnerships, she said, helped spread the word about the Gateway Promise and its intention.

(The Gateway Promise) has really been an expansion of the partnerships we already have in place, Haywood said.
In the paintings of the 19th-century Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershoi, the color gray achieves a beguiling incandescence. His introspective interiors, which feature the simple, classical architecture of 18th-century Copenhagen apartments bathed in Scandinavias soft northern light, present havens of timeless tranquillity. Entering Oliver Gustavs home is not unlike stepping into one of Hammershois paintings. For one thing, it is in a building quite similar to Strandgade 30, where the painter and his wife lived for 10 years, and which served as a setting for his most important works. But its also the stillness and the way the light softens the sharp angles of each room.

Gustav is best known for his stores in New York and Copenhagen, where he shows the work of contemporary designers  Vincenzo De Cotiis, Rick Owens, Faye Toogood and Michael Verheyden among others  alongside 17th-century antiques and his own line of furniture. But it is here, in the Copenhagen apartment he shares with his partner, that his vision is fully expressed. The first thing you notice is the dramatic slant of the floor. I always fall in love with crooked places, the 38-year-old designer says. Foundations of buildings such as his are oak, he explains, which tend to shift over the course of hundreds of years. The structure, built in 1734, is listed by the government as a building of architectural significance. Danes take their historical preservation seriously; there is virtually nothing you can change about a listed building  not the sloping floors, not the tiny kitchen, not the placement of outlets or switches, nor the moldings or windows. Adjacent to the entrance of Gustavs apartment, for example, is what appears to be a shower door to the only bathroom in the 2,000-square-foot apartment. It is, in fact, no bigger than a shower stall, with a toilet and sink wedged into corners and a drain in the center of the floor. Its wonderful to step back in time, Gustav says with a smile, but its not necessarily very practical.
Ashton B. Carter, former secretary of defense under President Barack Obama, had tapped Mike A. Brown, the former chief executive of Symantec, the cybersecurity firm, to lead the inquiry into the Chinese investments, according to two of the people aware of the white papers contents.

A spokesman for the Department of Defense said it will not discuss the details or components of draft internal working documents.

The size and breadth of the deals are not clear because start-ups and their backers are not obligated to disclose them. Over all, China has been increasingly active in the American start-up world, participating in investment rounds worth $9.9 billion in 2015, according to data from the research firm CB Insights, more than four times the level the year before.

Neither the high-tech start-ups nor their Chinese investors have been accused of wrongdoing, and experts said much of the activity could be innocent. Chinese investors have money and are looking for returns, while the Chinese government has pushed investment in ways to clean up Chinas skies, upgrade its industrial capacity and unclog its snarled highways. Proponents of the deals said American limits on technology exports would still apply to American start-ups with Chinese backers.

But the fund flows fit Chinas pattern of using state-guided investment to help its industrial policy and enhance its technology holdings, as it has recently done with semiconductors. China has also carried out efforts to steal military-related technology.



Still, some start-ups  especially those making hardware rather than money-drawing mobile apps like Snapchat  said Chinese money was sometimes the only available funding. But even a company struggling for money can ultimately come up with a big breakthrough.
President Trump is not fond of regulations. Within weeks of taking office, he and his appointees began to roll back rules that govern the financial industry, guns, the energy business and broadband internet providers.

Last week was the auto industrys turn. In a speech in Ypsilanti, Mich., Mr. Trump said he would alter rules imposed by the Obama administration to raise vehicles fuel standards, which are aimed at curbing greenhouse gases. The rules, Mr. Trump said, are killing jobs. Getting rid of them would prompt a resurgence in the auto industry that would make America the car capital of the world again, he said.

Thats one possibility. We also have to consider another scenario: Loosening the fuel-economy rules could remove a primary incentive for big carmakers to catch up with innovative upstarts like Tesla and leave the American car industry out of step with a future ruled by electric motors rather than the internal combustion engine.

This might happen because the effects of regulation are not as simple as Mr. Trump argues. The presidents view that rules almost always hurt businesses is not supported by history. Researchers who study regulation and its effects on business said there have been numerous instances in which regulation speeds along, rather than impedes, technological progress. It has happened in the energy business, the electronics industry and health care.
Its official. Ubers senior management team is not entirely men.

On Tuesday, the ride-hailing service held a news conference to assure people of a few things: Ubers board of directors still supports the companys oft-criticized chief executive, Travis Kalanick; the company is determined to find a strong executive to become a chief operating officer; and it is very serious about cleaning up what has often been described as a toxic culture.

The news conferences participants  all women in senior roles  also offered a counternarrative to people who believe Ubers bro culture has allowed harassment of women who work there to go unchallenged.

Arianna Huffington, the internet entrepreneur and an Uber board member, was joined on the call by Liane Hornsey, the recently hired head of human resources at the company, and Rachel Holt, the head of Ubers ride-hailing business in the United States and Canada.
In the past two years, after a flurry of terrorist attacks, the French government has begun investing in efforts to shape young hearts and minds. It has given money to schools and other venues that host Jihad, while the Belgian government has spent 50,000 euros (about $54,000) to underwrite tours of the play. Jihad has also been included in the French Education Ministrys school curriculum aimed at preventing radicalization.

Muriel Domenach, who leads the French governments task force on the prevention of radicalization, called Mr. Saidis work both funny and important. Its a well-balanced counternarrative, she said. It shows that of course theres discrimination, lack of prospects for many young Muslims, but at the same time its everyones responsibility, including citizens who are Muslim, to be taking action.

The play, in which three men tell stories of personal humiliation that led them to militant Islam, was seen as prescient when it debuted in Schaerbeek, an area of Brussels with a large North African immigrant population. That happened just weeks before terrorists attacked the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris in January 2015. (Some of the terrorists involved in the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, were from Schaerbeek.)

Mr. Saidi, who was born in Belgium to parents from Morocco, dislikes being told he was prescient.

What pains me is that this is about things weve been living for the past 25 years, he said of Jihad after a performance at a cultural center in Villiers-le-Bel, a Paris suburb with a large immigrant population. Syria is just an excuse, he added. My play is about broken identities.

Its shot through with a quick, self-ironic humor. When the would-be jihadists meet an Arab named Michel, unaware that hes Christian, one tells him not to worry, hes not in Belgium looking for a job so he can use his real name.

The Jihad performance was well received that night. We need the kind of humor you find in Jihad to talk about this topic, said Hamza Irfan, 15, who attended with an after-school program. It speaks to everyone. It doesnt feel boring, or depressing, or too light; it just feels serious.
Indecent is being produced by two veterans, Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots) and Elizabeth Ireland McCann (Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) as well as a relative newcomer, Cody Lassen. Ms. Roth, who has extensive experience producing challenging (and prizewinning) plays as well as deep financial resources as the wife of billionaire real estate investor Steven Roth, was on the board of the Vineyard in 1997 when she saw How I Learned to Drive, and was so impressed that she led a commercial Off Broadway production; last year, she saw Indecent at the Vineyard, and was determined to bring it to Broadway.

I kept thinking of the injustice of Paula not having been produced on Broadway, and I felt she was due this honor, Ms. Roth said. And this play feels as though it wants to be on the Broadway stage.

Sweat has two lead producers  Stuart Thompson (The Book of Mormon) and Louise Gund, an environmentalist who serves on the board of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and whose family made a fortune in the beer, coffee and cereal businesses. Before Sweat was ever staged anywhere, Ms. Nottages agent at Creative Artists Agency sent the script to Mr. Thompson, who had never met her but was so struck by the play that he immediately optioned it for Broadway.

He insisted that a run at the Public Theater be in a small space for a limited period  a time-honored strategy to create appetite for tickets to a Broadway production. And for Broadway, the producers have reconfigured Studio 54, which normally has 1,009 seats, so that it now only has 659, taking advantage of the likelihood that ticket demand will be modest to create a more intimate playgoing experience.

As they prepare to open, both playwrights are mindful of the moment. We always begin with a ritual, which felt really different on Broadway, recognizing our ancestors in the theater, Ms. Nottage said, and just imagine the parade of people who have emoted and felt and lived in that space.

Ms. Vogel, admiring of that gesture, said it is difficult to overstate the significance of getting to Broadway.

Its symbolically more important that two plays be there together, she added. We can hold hands and ram up against the door together, which makes it a little easier.
Michael Solomonov has become an ambassador of sorts for Israeli cuisine. The chef is an owner of five restaurants in Philadelphia, including Zahav, his award-winning flagship, and is the co-author of Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking. He is also the host of the documentary In Search of Israeli Cuisine, directed by Roger Sherman, which just opened in New York and will be shown in many cities in the next few months. Shot in restaurants, home kitchens, farms and markets across the country, the film shows the radical shift in modern Israeli cuisine, as cooks embrace local ingredients and the countrys myriad cultures.

Moments before we spoke, Mr. Solomonov was named a James Beard award finalist for outstanding chef. The day before, he had returned from a trip to Israel. It was like it always is  theres all these places you want to hit, he said. Just as many places that you havent been to that have just opened up. And just as many places that have been there for, like, 300 years that youre just finding out about. I feel like thats the story with Israel. Following are excerpts from an interview with Mr. Solomonov.

The most striking thing about the documentary is the dramatic evolution of Israeli cuisine over the last few decades.
The bill to replace Obamacare is struggling to gain support from House Republicans, but not necessarily because of how the plan would affect their constituents.

Millions could lose insurance coverage under the Republican plan, particularly people in the states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare, or the older, rural and low-income Americans who would receive fewer tax credits. Those issues have driven much of the Republican opposition in the Senate, where the bill is thought to have limited support.

But so far, the House Republicans who oppose the plan arent from the places most dependent on Medicaid or the Obamacare tax credits. Theyre not even among the most vulnerable Republicans when considering the 2018 elections.

Instead, the health care debate is splitting House Republicans along ideological lines, with few signs that members are being pulled off familiar terrain by the effect of the law on their states or districts.
Margot I think this problem really highlights the narrow path to passage for this bill. Changes that would really please the Freedom Caucus  like getting rid of the tax credits altogether  would be nonstarters with moderates. Paul Ryan said that President Trump will close the deal. Does he have enough leverage?

Nate I guess well find out. One thing thats interesting, though, is that most of the no votes are from fairly conservative districts. The primary is the only potential electoral vulnerability for a lot of these representatives, but theyre still saying no. So its hard to look at the defectors and conclude theyre especially afraid of Trump.

As for the Freedom Caucus, who knows what theyll do. But even if it gets past the Freedom Caucus and through the House, the bill will need to make it through the Senate.

Its clear the Senate isnt passing this bill, certainly not as written. How much different do you think the Senate bill would need to be to have a chance? Do they need modest or fundamental changes? At this point, I feel like the best bet for both chambers is to ignore the other and take it to conference.

Margot Even though the House vote count looks tight, the current legislation seems as if it was written with the politics of the House in mind.

The Senate has more of a moderate problem than the House, it appears. There are two senators  Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins  who dont like that the bill defunds Planned Parenthood. There are a few senators from states that expanded Medicaid who are worried about changes to that program. There are also some concerns about the generosity of tax credits, particularly for older Americans.
Mr. Trumps claims may appear to his opponents to have been embarrassingly debunked. But social science research suggests that Mr. Trumps alternative version of reality may appeal to his supporters.

Partisan polarization is now so extreme in the United States that it affects the way that people consume and understand information  the facts they believe, and what events they think are important. The wiretapping allegations could well become part of a partisan narrative that is too powerful to be dispelled.

Mr. Trump, perhaps unconsciously, has grasped a core truth of modern politics: that voters tend to seek out information that fits the story they want to believe, usually one in which members of the other party are the bad guys.

Since the 1980s, Americans have been reporting increasingly negative opinions about the opposing party. Partisanship, and particularly negative partisanship, the rejection of the opposing party, has now become a kind of tribal identity that shapes how people define themselves and others, according to Sean Westwood, a professor at Dartmouth College who has studied partisan polarization. It drives people to support their team at any cost, and oppose the opposing team at any cost, he said.

This partisan polarization affects the way Americans of all political stripes consume information. People are more likely to believe stories that come from their side of the political divide, particularly if an authority figure vouches for them. And they are more likely to share news with their preferred slant as a way of showing they are good members of their political tribe.

Mr. Trumps wiretap claim is particularly likely to appeal to that partisan dynamic. At its core, it is a story about Barack Obama being fundamentally untrustworthy, perhaps even dangerous to the country. Mr. Trumps supporters, who are already more likely to believe that basic narrative, may be more likely to accept his wiretap claims.
BURLINGTON  As the citys Fire Department works toward a new training facility, officials appear to have at least one aspect figured out: the location.

Aldermen at a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday were supportive of the departments plan to create the facility on unused land at the Department of Public Works, 2200 S. Pine St.

The facility would allow firefighters to train in a number of areas, including fire suppression, search and rescue, high-angle and technical rescue, and extrication, officials said.

The training facility offers our department, and others, to be able to work towards that goal of properly training our firefighters, City Fire Chief Alan Babe said.

The department has seen interest in a facility from neighboring departments in the Town of Burlington, Rochester, Lyons and Wheatland, as well as from the city Police Department.

Officials sought a location that wouldnt interfere with the public or response to calls, is secure and accessible for area departments during evening hours, and could handle a limited amount of smoke produced during training.

Space is also a major factor. The DPW site has plenty of room for apparatus parking and could hold a future expansion later, Assistant Fire Chief Eric Jones said.

When you start running a hose out and everything else, you need that extra room, he said.

While no formal vote was taken, no objections were raised, as aldermen agreed the DPW site was ideal for such a facility.

Currently, the department rents spaces or trains in buildings scheduled to be razed. The nearest training facility with some of what the Burlington department is considering is located at the Kansasville fire station, located 9 miles east of Burlington on Highway 11.

Cost projections

The plan is to get a three-story facility with a tower portion to use for training exercises. Having its own structure could be a tool for recruiting volunteer firefighters, Babe said.

Todays volunteer firefighter wants to be associated with a department thats very active, theyre seen as a winner, theyre seen as a top-flight department, Babe said.

Some aspects, including financing, were not discussed Tuesday. Officials have said the department is looking at donations or fundraising for the facility, which could cost between $180,000 and $200,000. Funds from a September pancake breakfast the department held were earmarked for the project.
Gov. Matt Bevin of Kentucky was unrestrained in his praise for President Trump: Opening for him at a rally on Monday, Mr. Bevin, a conservative Republican, echoed Mr. Trumps America First slogan and only gently noted the nagging divisions in their party.

We now have a president and a Congress that are united in party, and yet we still have disagreements among us, Mr. Bevin said, insisting, This is healthy and good.

In private, Mr. Bevin has been blunter about the partys disagreements. Just days before appearing with Mr. Trump in Louisville, he joined a conference call with the presidents budget director, Mick Mulvaney, to protest a White House proposal to defund the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency that spans 13 states and steers millions of dollars in federal money to Kentucky.

Mr. Bevin was not alone in his dismay.

As Mr. Trump and his advisers press for bone-deep cuts to the federal budget, Republican governors have rapidly emerged as an influential bloc of opposition. They have complained to the White House about reductions they see as harmful or arbitrary, and they plan to pressure members of Congress from their states to oppose them.
Senate Republicans, largely those from states that chose to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, so far have not seemed susceptible to pressure from leaders and Mr. Trump, listening instead to governors and constituents concerned about significant reductions in benefits.

Part of the bills problem is time itself. Much has changed in the years since the Affordable Care Act passed, with millions of Americans, many in red states, now getting health insurance as a result of the law, as well as treatment for the prescription drug addictions that have plagued scores of communities.

My goal for this whole process was to help the people the law harmed and not harm the people it helps, said Representative Dan Donovan, Republican of New York. At the same time, a fair number of conservatives would like to see those benefits greatly reduced, the central tension of the Republican debate.

As a result, it remains difficult to imagine a bill that could find its way out of the Capitol to Mr. Trumps desk, given the broad disparities in what Republicans now seek.

Even if they can come together, House Republicans risk making the same mistakes Democrats made in the beginning of Mr. Obamas term, when they pushed through what came to be known as Obamacare. That achievement, monumental at the time, ended up dragging down a once formidable Democratic majority and reducing the ability of Democrats to pass more legislation during his presidency.

Yet if the bill fails, Republicans in the House could end up like House Democrats under President Bill Clinton, who passed a controversial energy tax that was reduced to rubble in the Senate, but remained an albatross for Democrats in the 1994 elections.
POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLY Washington, D.C. - 22 March 2017 1. Devin Nunes, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, walks to microphone 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Devin Nunes, Chairman, House Intelligence Committee: I recently confirmed that on numerous occasions the intelligence community incidentally collected information about U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition. Details about U.S. persons associated with the incoming administration, details with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting. Third, I have confirmed that additional names of Trump transition team members were unmasked. And, fourth and finally, I want to be clear, none of this surveillance was related to Russia, or the investigation of Russian activities or of the Trump team. The House Intelligence Committee will thoroughly investigate surveillance and its subsequent dissemination to determine a few things that I want to read off: who was aware of it, why it was not disclosed to Congress, who requested and authorized the additional unmasking, whether anyone directed the intelligence community to focus on Trump associates and whether any laws, regulations or procedures were violated. Ive asked the directors of FBI, NSA and CIA to expeditiously comply with my March 15th letter, that you all received a couple of weeks ago and to provide a full account of these surveillance activities. I informed Speaker Ryan this morning of this new information and I will be going to the White House to share what I know with the president and his team. Before I get to questions, I want to say that, as you know there has been what appears to be a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom. Obviously very concerned and our thoughts and prayers go out to our strong friends and allies across the pond. 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Devin Nunes, Chairman, House Intelligence Committee: I have seen intelligence reports that clearly show that the president elect and his team were, I guess at least monitored and disseminated out in intelligence, in what appears to be raw ... I shouldnt say raw, but intelligence reporting channels. 4. Zoom in, Nunes speaking 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Devin Nunes, Chairman, House Intelligence Committee: Thats a great question, yeah. Thats a really good question, so. I believe it was all done legally. I think it was all obtained legally. I think the question is, was it, was it masked ... why was it unmasked, if it was unmasked because it appears like we have new information about additional unmaskings and then who was on the dissemination list and why was the dissemination list so far, if it was such specific information about the Trump transition and it appears, just to give you one piece of information that I think might be helpful, it appears most of this occurred, from what Ive seen, in November, December and January. During the transition, that is correct.
Mr. Trump mischaracterized the London mayors remarks. Mr. Khan did not describe terrorism as part of living in a big city, as if bombings and shootings were an inescapable fact of life. He said that terrorism preparedness, including providing sufficient support to the police, was part and parcel of living in a great global city.

That means being vigilant, having a police force that is in touch with communities; it means the security services being ready, but it also means exchanging ideas and best practice, Mr. Khan said in a video interview published by The Evening Standard, another British paper. (For the record, Mr. Khan did say the victims of the Chelsea bombing were in his thoughts and prayers.)

Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe, Mr. Khan added. I want to be reassured that every single agency and individual involved in protecting our city has the resources and expertise they need to respond in the event that London is attacked.

On Thursday morning, Mr. Khan said in an interview on CNN that he would not respond to Mr. Trumps tweet because he had been doing far more important things over the last 24 hours.

What I do know is that the threat level in London and across the country is severe, he said. That means an attack is highly likely. I was in New York last year when there was an attack in New York. And terrorists hate the fact that whether its New York, whether its London, whether its Paris, whether its Brussels, whether its Istanbul, whether its Madrid, we have diverse communities living together peacefully.

Mr. Trumps tweet was not well received by Britons, who were still learning details of the attack when he weighed in. On Twitter, Wes Streeting, a member of Parliament from the Labour Party, accused Mr. Trump of capitalizing on the attack in London and called him a disgrace.
WASHINGTON  Schools may not settle for minimal educational progress by disabled students, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, rejecting a standard that some lower courts have applied, and that the nominee to join the high court, Neil M. Gorsuch, has been criticized for using.

The federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act requires free appropriate public education for all children. In multiple cases, the federal Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver, has held that the law demands little more than de minimis  merely a program intended for a student to show some annual gains.

It cannot be the case that the Act typically aims for grade-level advancement for children with disabilities who can be educated in the regular classroom, but is satisfied with barely more than de minimis progress for those who cannot, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for a unanimous court.

When all is said and done, a student offered an educational program providing merely more than de minimis progress from year to year can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all, he wrote. The IDEA demands more. It requires an educational program reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the childs circumstances.
Mr. Sasse told Judge Gorsuch that family members wanted to know how he could refrain so long at the witness table from asking to be excused to the bathroom. Senator Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, said one of his sons suggested he try to cross up the nominee by posing the vexing question of whether he would rather fight 100 duck-size horses or one horse-size duck.

You can tell him I am very rarely at a loss for words, Judge Gorsuch responded.

A riveting sequel to the drama Advise and Consent it was not.

Mr. Flake also asked the nominee if he had ever served on a jury, a query that caused Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, who had had a tense exchange with Judge Gorsuch earlier and was the only Democrat present at the time, to laugh out loud.

For the most part, though, Democrats were not amused. They pressed Judge Gorsuch for explanations of his past rulings and were often frustrated by the classic response of the Supreme Court nominee  disclosing his view would be unfair if the subject ever came before him again.

I cant comment on specific cases, and I cant get involved in politics, the judge said in a message that he repeated frequently.

Mr. Schumer suggested the conservative jurist was determined to hide his views from the public.

He has bent over backward to avoid revealing anything, anything at all, about his judicial philosophy, or the legal issues that concern the American people, Mr. Schumer said. There is no legally justifiable rationale for not answering the questions he was asked. Hes hiding behind this.

Mr. Schumer said Republicans should slow down the proceedings, given that the F.B.I. has confirmed that the campaign of President Trump is under investigation for possible connections to Russian interference in the 2016 election.
WASHINGTON  President Trumps second pick to lead the Labor Department told senators on Wednesday that he would not allow partisan political considerations or conservative ideologues to shape his department, pushing back against accusations by Democrats that he had looked away as subordinates at the Justice Department stacked his office with ideological allies during the George W. Bush administration.

R. Alexander Acosta, the nominee for labor secretary, also defended his decision as the United States attorney in Southern Florida to offer a lenient plea deal to a wealthy New Yorker accused of paying underage girls for sexual acts.

For nearly three hours in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Mr. Acosta, 48, defended his record, explained how he might deal with budget cuts to the department and dismissed the concerns of several senators who asked how he would avoid any pressure from the president to pass policies based on politics and not on the best interest of workers. Mr. Acosta, who would be the only Hispanic in Mr. Trumps cabinet, promised not to evaluate workers based on their political leanings.

If confirmed, I will work to enforce the laws under the departments jurisdiction fully and fairly, Mr. Acosta said in his opening pitch to senators. As a former prosecutor, I will always be on the side of the law and not any particular constituency.
The clause says that no person holding any office of profit or trust shall accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state unless Congress consents. The word emolument means compensation for labor or services.

Asked about the clause by Senator Leahy, Judge Gorsuch said the Emoluments Clause has sat in a rather dusty corner and is not a clause that has attracted a lot of attention until recently.

But Judge Gorsuch would say no more given what he said was at least potential litigation on the subject. Lawsuits have been filed against President Trump, claiming he has violated the clause.

I have to be very careful about expressing any views, Judge Gorsuch said.

Would Gorsuch recuse himself?

Senator Leahy also asked Judge Gorsuch to say whether he would continue on the Supreme Court to recuse himself from cases involving the Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, with whom he has various ties. Among those ties: Mr. Anschutz was Judge Gorsuchs former client and in 2006, he successfully lobbied the Bush White House to appoint Mr. Gorsuch to the appeals court. Mr. Leahy noted that Judge Gorsuch had left the door open to changing his appeals court practice and participating in cases involving Mr. Anschutzs interests on the Supreme Court.

Judge Gorsuch did not answer directly, saying he would study the law and the practices of his colleagues and the facts before making a decision. But Mr. Leahy pointed out that the law was the same for both appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices, except that justices decisions not to recuse themselves cannot be appealed to anyone.

There is scant precedent about how justices have interpreted whether cases involving former clients raise an actual or apparent conflict of interest because few modern justices had extensive backgrounds in private practice. But Justice Clarence Thomas, who worked as in-house counsel for Monsanto from 1977 to 1979, has participated in cases involving that company.

A nominee with little interest in the wisdom of international law.

Judge Gorsuch echoed earlier Republican Supreme Court nominees when he said American courts should not look to foreign and international law in interpreting the Constitution.
He was placed on a gurney and taken to a medical unit, where a nurse said she thought he was faking and instructed him to get up, according to the investigation. A nurse and an officer removed his clothes and put him in a shower, where for at least 90 minutes he was unable to move, according to the investigation.

He was sent back to the medical unit, where the medical staff believed he was suffering from psychosomatic paralysis and suggested that he be placed in the video-monitored cell. He was not seen by a doctor until Oct. 25, when he was dragged on a blanket into the cell.

There, as seen on the video footage, prison staff members tossed Styrofoam containers of food near Mr. Williams, but he was unable to feed himself. He twisted his arms to dab his fingers into the water, struggling to bring drops to his mouth. Throughout the video, his legs remain motionless.

On Oct. 27, a doctor examined Mr. Williams and recommended he be taken to a hospital, but no immediate action was taken, according to the police investigation. He was discovered dead in the cell less than three hours later.

He died from complications of a broken neck and showed signs of dehydration, according to The Frontier, a local news organization.

I cant imagine something that was more of a nightmare, Mr. Smolen said in an interview on Tuesday.

The family sought $51 million  $1 million for each hour in the video  but was satisfied that $10.25 million would create enough of a deterrent effect, Mr. Smolen said. Tulsa County will pay $10 million, and Stanley Glanz, a former sheriff, is responsible for an additional $250,000, Mr. Smolen said.
GENEVA  The world has only three to four months to save millions of people in Yemen and Somalia from starvation, as war and drought wreck crops and block deliveries of food and medical care, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Wednesday.

The aid agency still needs $300 million to deliver emergency assistance to a total of five million people in Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria as well as areas of South Sudan, where famine has already been declared.

We have probably a window of three to four months to avoid a worst-case scenario, Dominik Stillhart, the Red Crosss director of operations worldwide, said at a news briefing in Geneva. We have kind of a perfect storm now where protracted conflict is overlapped or exacerbated by natural hazard, drought in particular, in the Horn of Africa, which is leading to the situation we are facing now, he said.

More than 20 million people are facing famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria, aid agencies say. Cholera is on the rise in Somalia, where drought is driving people to flee in search of water, said Bruce Orina, the Red Crosss deputy regional director for Africa. At least 300,000 malnourished children are trapped by fighting in Nigeria.
RACINE  A Racine man is facing child abuse charges after he allegedly admitted to squeezing his infant child after becoming frustrated during a crying fit.

Stephen Hesse, 28, of the 3100 block of Rapids Drive, is facing felony charges of physical abuse of a child recklessly causing great bodily harm.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police were contacted Jan. 30 by a Human Services Department agent who was concerned about possible child abuse after Hesse and the child's mother brought their 3-month-old infant to the emergency room with several broken ribs. After speaking to an attending pediatrician and other medical professionals, police determined that the child's injuries were reportedly consistent with the infant being tightly squeezed.

When police met with the infant's parents, the couple initially stated that they had no idea what happened and couldn't think of an incident that could have caused the baby's injuries. The mother admitted that Hesse gets up approximately twice a night to feed or console the baby.

During a subsequent interview, Hesse reportedly admitted that one month prior, while the baby was having a crying fit, he got frustrated and briefly squeezed the child. He then admitted to the child's mother that it may have also happened a second time, possibly three weeks prior.
BANGUI, Central African Republic  The Pentagon is poised to significantly scale back a decade-long mission to capture or kill Joseph Kony, one of Africas most notorious warlords, in a sign that the United States and its African allies no longer see him as a regional threat.

Mr. Kony and his violent guerrilla group, the Lords Resistance Army, gained worldwide attention after the social media video Kony 2012 was viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube. The L.R.A. is notorious for its use of child soldiers but has also carried out massacres, sexual violence, mutilations, pillage and abductions.

The Pentagons Africa Command now wants to shift from a counterinsurgency operation against the guerrilla group to building African defense institutions and a more narrow pursuit of Mr. Kony, whose fighting force has dwindled to about 100 soldiers from a peak of 3,000. That change could free up perhaps dozens of the approximately 150 United States troops now assigned to the effort, allowing them to undertake other Special Operations missions.

A decision on renewing the mission for six more months is scheduled for April, but the Trump administration, even before taking office, signaled its desire for change in a series of questions from its transition team to the State Department.
When you look at our deterrent, it was really built in the 1960s, he said, and was last updated in the 1980s. It should have happened in 2000 and 2001, the general said, but obviously our country was a little bit busy in 2001 based on another horrific act.

Although the Obama administration spoke of its aspiration to eliminate nuclear weapons around the world, it did designate tens of billions of dollars to upgrade nuclear laboratories and prolong the lives of aging warheads.

In 2014, the Pentagon acknowledged it would have to spend additional billions through 2019 to make emergency repairs on missile silos, bombers, submarines and other infrastructure that had been permitted to languish since the Cold War.

General Weinstein, whose career spans four decades, attributed the increased tensions with Russia in large part to its actions under President Vladimir V. Putin, punctuated by Russias annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in 2014.

If you look at the Russian behavior since 2010 to the way they are now, its much more aggressive  much more, Ill say, bellicose, he said. I woke up one day, and the Russians had invaded a sovereign nation, which was not something that was on my scope.
MANILA  The Philippine government sharply criticized The New York Times on Wednesday for an article profiling the countrys president, Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a well-paid hack job for well-heeled clients with shady motives.

Ernesto Abella, a presidential spokesman, said in a statement that the article, which appeared on Wednesday in the Philippines, unfairly tracked Mr. Dutertes rise to power in the context of violence while ignoring his positive accomplishments.

The Times article said that as a mayor of Davao City, and as president of the Philippines, Mr. Duterte had encouraged the police and vigilantes to kill thousands of people with impunity. The article also detailed Mr. Dutertes personal drug use.

Mr. Abellas statement said that The Times deliberately fails to mention the many initiatives the president made when he was Davao City mayor.
Hes told me everything that ever happened to him from the time he was a kid, she said. I dont know whether it is good or bad, but I trust him. I know he will not betray me.

Ms. Huang, the anthropologist, said the women she met in Bangladesh were often happy to engage in telephone courtships with anonymous strangers, and some maintained five or six at once. Phone contact, they told her, was safer because it presupposed physical distance. Also, it forced the men on the other end of the line to listen to them for long stretches.

Its one of those boundary-expanding experiences that allow you to think about opportunities that were not previously available, she said. Young women, she said, described these relationships with kind of a fearful excitement.

For the young men, she said, dialing random numbers is like playing the lottery and seeing what comes up. Often, she said, they approach it almost as a competitive sport, vying to see who is more skilled at keeping a woman on the phone for a long time.

As for Ms. Padhan and her boyfriend, 11 months have passed and they still have not met in person.

Her roommates roll their eyes at her naivete.

But when their shifts are finished, they, too, retire to stairwells and corners of the rooftop for the covert nightly call. From there, it is possible to look across the rooftops of other boardinghouses and see figures hunched over their cellphones, in all directions, a wide-angle shot of young India in pursuit of love.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea fired a missile off its east coast on Wednesday, but the test apparently failed, South Korean and American military officials said.

North Korea launched the missile from near an air base in Wonsan, a port city, the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a brief statement. We believe the test was a failure, the ministry added, providing no further details, such as the type of missile launched.

Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for the United States Pacific Command, said in a statement that the missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch.

The United States has been conducting a covert cyberwarfare program aimed at sabotaging North Korean missile tests in their opening seconds. But it was impossible to determine whether that program was a factor in the apparent launch failure Wednesday.
Belgians of all political stripes and backgrounds united in their small, divided country on Wednesday to commiserate and remember the coordinated suicide bombings that struck Brussels one year ago, killing 32 people and injuring more than 320. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The first two blasts ripped through the Brussels airport on the morning of March 22, 2016, turning a busy travel hub in the heart of Europe into a scene of carnage. Then, while bloody-faced passengers were being evacuated from the airport, a bomb went off miles away in the Maelbeek subway station at the peak of rush hour, disfiguring some commuters so badly that coroners struggled to identify them.

Befitting a cosmopolitan capital where the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are based, the victims in the attacks came not just from Belgium but from a number of other countries as well, including China, India, Morocco and the United States. Among them were a Belgian filmmaker, a Swedish illustrator, a Congolese business school graduate and father of two young girls, a Chinese entrepreneur, a Belgian Muslim teacher and mother of three, and a couple from the United States who had come to Europe in search of adventure.
What We Know

 The police on Thursday revised the death toll to four from five. The victims were Kurt W. Cochran, an American tourist in his 50s; Aysha Frade, 43, a British teacher; and Police Constable Keith Palmer. . About 40 others were wounded.

 The London police identified the assailant, who died in the attack, as Khalid Masood, 52, who had an extensive criminal history but no terrorism convictions. Mr. Masood was born in Kent, in southeastern England, and recently lived around Birmingham, the city where the car used in the attack had been rented.

 Eight people were arrested in London and Birmingham after searches at six properties around Britain. The police said that a full counterterrorism investigation was underway.

 The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, describing the assailant as a soldier.

 The casualties included 12 Britons, at least four South Koreans, three French children, two Romanians, two Greeks and citizens of several other countries.

 Parliament Square and its immediate vicinity remained cordoned off to the public Thursday morning, but lawmakers have resumed their normal business.

What We Dont Know

 Whether the authorities shared information about Mr. Masood. The London police said that Masood was not the subject of any current investigations, and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack. But Prime Minister Theresa May said earlier that MI5, the domestic counterintelligence agency, had looked into the assailant in relation to concerns about violent extremism.

 The severity of the injuries among the 40 or so wounded.

 The veracity of the Islamic States claim, and the extent to which the group was involved in planning and carrying out the attack.
That has not been the case in all the cities the Five Star Movement runs. In the northern, well-functioning city of Turin, where another Five Star candidate, Chiara Appendino, 32, was also elected last year, things are running much more smoothly.

But this is Rome. It is a measure of the dire state the city has languished in for years that Ms. Raggi and her supporters argue that her administration is still better than any other partys before her. She has simply been dealt an impossible hand, they say.

In Italy these days, rage comes before any hope for change, said Marco Damilano, a political commentator and deputy editor of LEspresso magazine. Its not the capital of trust to be dissipated, but that of distrust that remains intact, especially in Rome.

No one, critic or supporter, would say running Rome is easy. The depths of the citys malfeasance were amply exposed in 2014 by what is known as the Mafia Capitale investigation, which showed corruption and tainted bidding for a wide variety of city services, including refugee shelters, sanitation and public housing.

We are cooking with the ingredients that we have, Ms. Raggi said, referring to the citys managers  many of whom were hard-working, she was quick to add.

Romes administrative machine was stuck or worked under a flawed logic known to everyone, Ms. Raggi said, explaining that her staff is trying, almost from scratch, to restore a law-based system for public bids and other municipal services. Legality needs time.

Ms. Raggi won 67 percent of votes last year, drawing support from across the political spectrum. Yet even now that she is in power, her erstwhile protest movement remains hard to categorize. Neither Ms. Raggi nor her party fits traditional left-right categories, a fact that has provoked both criticism and confusion.
KASTAMONU, Turkey  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey warned Europeans on Wednesday that they would no longer be able to walk safely in the street if Western politicians continued with perceived provocations against Turkish leaders.

Mr. Erdogans warning turned out to be awkwardly timed, coming hours before a deadly attack outside the British Parliament.

In a Twitter post written in English, Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, quickly condemned the assault in London, noting that Turkey had suffered similar attacks many times.

Mr. Erdogans comments were a response to restrictions placed on his surrogates in European countries including Germany and the Netherlands, where they have been barred from holding political rallies in support of a referendum in which Turks will decide whether to expand their presidents powers.
Kirsten Hurrell, 70, who owns a newsstand opposite Big Ben, said she had seen a car swerve across a bicycle lane and into a fence around Parliament. She saw a body lying on the ground and called emergency services. At first I thought it was an accident, but then I was told the car had already mowed down quite a number of people on Westminster Bridge, she said, adding: Now that it is a terrorist incident, it is a bit more daunting.

Robert Vaudry, 52, a fund manager from Stratford-upon-Avon, said he had emerged from the Westminster subway station around 2:40 p.m. for a meeting with a lawmaker when he realized that something was amiss.

I came out of the Tube and there were two armed policemen, he said in an interview. One grabbed my arm, pushed me to the left and said, Get out of here, he said. They were shouting at everyone to get away. As he spoke, police officers were cordoning off the area. One officer shouted, We need everyone to move back past Downing Street.

Radoslaw Sikorski, a former foreign minister of Poland who was in the area, was in a taxi on Westminster Bridge when the pedestrians were hit by the other vehicle. I didnt see the impact, I heard it  it sounded like a car hitting a sheet of metal, he said. I saw these people lying on the tarmac, on the pavement. I saw five people down, one unconscious and one bleeding heavily from his head. He was not moving. The taxi driver rang the emergency services, and people rushed to help.

Andrew Bone, the executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council, an industry standards group, was on a bus heading toward Victoria Station when it was stopped at the edge of Parliament Square. Seeing the commotion, he initially thought an action movie was being shot, but quickly discerned the gravity of the situation as the bus was evacuated and he saw the vehicle that had crashed into a railing.

We had a front-row seat as the first responders arrived, Mr. Bone said. I am of the generation who remembers I.R.A. bombs in London during the Troubles, he said, referring to the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. We are not indifferent, but police have reacted with calm. I saw no panic.

Britain has not suffered a large-scale terrorist attack since July 7, 2005, when bomb attacks on subway trains and on a bus killed more than 50 people. Political violence is relatively rare in Britain, where gun ownership is stringently restricted.

Jo Cox, a Labour member of Parliament, was assassinated in her constituency in northern England on June 16, a week before the contentious referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union.

In 1979, a lawmaker was assassinated near the Parliament building. Airey Neave, a Conservative Party member, was killed when his car was blown up.

Jeremy Shapiro, a former State Department official now at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that the London attack was consistent with the recent pattern of attacks in which a vehicle was used to kill people, citing assaults in France, Germany and Israel.

Weve seen a gradual movement away from terrorist attacks on the West to attacks on softer and softer targets with more improvised weapons, he said. In a way, its a sign of desperation and a demonstration of the effectiveness of counterterrorism in the West. Its spectacularly easy to kill a bunch of people with a car or a truck if you dont care who they are.
WASHINGTON  On the campaign trail, Donald J. Trump falsely accused President Barack Obama of founding the Islamic State. He said Mr. Obama did not get it, in terms of fighting the extremist group that is based in Iraq and Syria, and vowed to obliterate them on the battlefield.

But in the Trump administrations first major announcement of its still-nascent plans to defeat the militants, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson on Wednesday closely parroted Mr. Obamas strategy. His comments came as talk of fighting the Islamic State was overshadowed by an attack in London that killed four and injured 40. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, or if the Islamic State was linked to it.

The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil, Mr. Tillerson said at the start of a conclave of the 68-nation coalition to defeat the Islamic State that was held at State Department headquarters.

In his 20-minute speech, Mr. Tillerson noted that over the past year, the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria had dropped more than 90 percent, and that 75 percent of the Islamic States online propaganda had been eliminated. Both gains occurred largely on Mr. Obamas watch.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  At least 30 Syrian civilians were killed in an airstrike by the United States-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in a rural area of Raqqa Province early Tuesday, according to residents, activists and state television.

The coalition said it had no indications that an airstrike hit civilians, but in its daily report on coalition strikes, the United States military acknowledged that strikes were carried out in the area. It said that coalition warplanes carried out 19 airstrikes on Tuesday  an unusually high number for a single day  on a range of Islamic State facilities near the city of Raqqa.

The attack, which hit a school in the town of Mansoura, where civilians had taken shelter on Tuesday night, was the second time in a week that Syrians had accused the United States of involvement in a strike that killed dozens of noncombatants.

Forty-nine people died last week when American warplanes fired on a target in Al Jinah, a village in western Aleppo Province. United States officials said the attack had hit a building where Qaeda operatives were meeting, but residents said the warplanes had struck a mosque where hundreds of people had gathered for a weekly religious meeting.
Thousands of Christian pilgrims and members of the clergy gathered at a modest shrine in Jerusalems Old City on Wednesday to celebrate the completion of a monthslong effort, hundreds of years in the making: the restoration and repair of Jesus tomb.

The shrine, known as the edicule and in danger of collapse, had been propped up by an unsightly iron cage since the 19th century. Constructed by the Roman emperor Constantine I in the fourth century, the shrine covers the cave in which, the faithful believe, Jesus was buried before his resurrection.

The edifice, contained in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, is one of the faiths holiest sites. It was worn down by centuries of water damage, fire, candle smoke, humidity, bird droppings, human visitors and disputes among feuding denominations, which were previously unable to agree on plans to fix the shrine.
WASHINGTON  Hundreds of Syrian fighters and their American military advisers, backed by American artillery and attack helicopters, have begun a major operation to cut off the western approaches to Raqqa, the city the Islamic State has proclaimed as its capital, officials said Wednesday.

It was the first time that the United States had carried out an air assault with Syrian fighters in its campaign against the Islamic State, and the mission, which began Tuesday, reflected the leeway the Trump administration has given its commanders to carry out operations without prolonged review in Washington.

In a significant commitment of American forces, American helicopters ferried fighters across enemy lines while Marine Corps howitzers, Army Apache attack helicopters and American warplanes provided firepower for the operation. Army surface-to-surface Himars rockets, which are based in northern Syria, are also part of the mission. American Special Operations forces were advising the Syrian fighters on the ground, although a military spokesman said they were not involved in direct, front-line combat.

The mission represented a new stage in the broader offensive to cut off and seize Raqqa. Its objective was to take control of the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River near Lake Assad, the nearby town of Tabqa and a local airfield. An immediate goal was to take the dam intact, but the structure was still under the control of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and officials said that the fighting was intense.
The House narrowly passed a replacement of the Affordable Care Act along party lines. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that an earlier version of that legislation would lead to 24 million fewer people having health insurance. What would a repeal of the A.C.A. mean for you and your family?

We may use your responses in a coming feature, but your contact information will not be published. We may contact you to follow up with you about your story.
President Trump has proposed a $54 billion increase in defense spending, which he said would be one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.

U.S. defense spending 1981 Reagan 1989 Bush 1993 Clinton 2001 Bush 2009 Obama Trumps 2018 proposal $700 billion Supplemental war funding 500 300 100 2009 Obama 1989 Bush 2001 Bush Trumps 2018 proposal 1981 Reagan 1993 Clinton $700 billion Supplemental war funding 500 300 100 Source: Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (in 2017 dollars)

Past administrations have increased military spending, but typically to fulfill a specific mission. Jimmy Carter expanded operations in the Persian Gulf. Ronald Reagan pursued an arms race with the Soviet Union, and George W. Bush waged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Trump has not articulated a new mission that would require a military spending increase. This has left analysts wondering what goals he has in mind. Erin M. Simpson, a national security consultant, called Mr. Trumps plans a budget in search of a strategy.

Military spending by country Proposed increase +$54 billion Russia 66 Britain 55 United States $596 billion France 51 China 215 Japan 41 Saudi Arabia 87 India 51 Russia 66 Britain 55 United States $596 billion China 215 France 51 Japan 41 Saudi Arabia 87 India 51 Proposed increase +$54 billion Russia 66 Britain 55 United States $596 billion China 215 France 51 Japan 41 Saudi Arabia 87 India 51 Proposed increase +$54 billion

United States $596 billion Next 7 countries 567 Rest of the world 514 Totals may not add up due to rounding. | Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2015)

The United States has higher military spending than any other country partly because its foreign policy goals are more ambitious: defending its borders, upholding international order and promoting American interests abroad.

Our current strategy is based around us being a superpower in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, said Todd Harrison, the director of defense budget analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Weve sized our military to be able to fight more than one conflict at a time in those regions.

Some of Mr. Trumps statements have suggested a reduced footprint for the United States military.

He criticized Americas role as a global military stabilizer. Last month, in his first address to a joint session of Congress, he said the United States had defended the borders of other nations while leaving our own borders wide open.

He also called for defusing tensions with Russia, the United States chief military competitor.

But Mr. Trump has also taken positions that point to a more aggressive military posture.

He has advocated challenging China and Iran more directly.

He wrote on Twitter that America must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability.

These statements have left analysts unsure about the role Mr. Trump wants the United States military to play in the world.

The following is a closer look at Mr. Trumps proposed upgrades to four crucial aspects of the military  troops, air power, naval power and nuclear weapons  and what his new spending might achieve.

1 Troops

The United States has approximately 1.3 million active-duty troops, with another 865,000 in reserve, one of the largest fighting forces of any country.

Largest active armed forces China 2.2 India 1.4 U.S. 1.3 million troops North Korea 1.2 Russia 0.8 Pakistan 0.7 South Korea 0.6 Iran 0.5 Source: International Institute for Strategic Studies

The United States also has a global presence unlike any other nation, with about 200,000 active troops deployed in more than 170 countries.

Active American forces deployed outside the contiguous U.S. South Korea 23,468 Germany 34,805 Japan 39,345 Britain 8,479 Italy 12,102 Afghanistan 9,294 Pacific Ocean Germany 34,805 Britain 8,479 South Korea 23,468 Japan 39,345 Italy 12,102 Pacific Ocean Afghanistan 9,294 Afghanistan 9,294 Germany 34,805 South Korea 23,468 Japan 39,345 Britain 8,479 Italy 12,102 Pacific Ocean Afghanistan 9,294 Includes Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. | Source: Defense Manpower Data Center

Many are stationed in allied nations in Europe and northeastern Asia. Mr. Trump has criticized these alliances, saying the United States does too much to defend its allies. It seems unlikely, then, that Mr. Trump intends his spending increase to bolster those deployments.

The general concept of readiness often happens without a conversation about what the forces are for, said Benjamin H. Friedman, a research fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington. They dont know exactly what they want to do, except that they want a bigger military.

Mr. Trump wants to increase the number of active-duty military personnel in the Army and Marine Corps by about 70,000  a rise of about 11 percent over the current total of 660,000.

Number of active Army troops and Marines U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War President Trumps proposal Marines 1.5 million Army Iraq war 1.0 0.5 1956 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006 2016 U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War President Trumps proposal 1.5 million Marines Army Iraq war 1.0 0.5 1956 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006 2016 Source: Defense Manpower Data Center

The United States increased troop levels in the early 2000s for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but has scaled down as it has withdrawn from those conflicts. Mr. Trump has been critical of those missions, suggesting that he does not plan to ramp up operations in either conflict.

Gordon Adams, a former senior White House national security budget officer, said, Unless you decide youre going to war  and going to war soon  nobody keeps a large military.

2 Air Power

The United States has around 2,200 fighter jets, including about 1,400 operated by the Air Force. Mr. Trump wants to add at least 100 more fighter aircraft to the Air Force.

Air Force fighter aircraft by generation 2nd gen. 2nd generation 3rd gen. 3rd generation 4th gen. 4th generation 5th gen. 5th generation U.S. 1,226 1,226 193 Russia 275 275 855 855 1 China 484 484 509 509 India 245 214 214 311 311 France 259 259 Japan 217 217 Britain 146 146 1 Includes only active and non-training aircraft. | Source: FlightGlobal and Teal Group

Analysts informally categorize fighter aircraft by generations as a way to compare capabilities. While there is some variation among analysts on how planes are classified, there is a broad consensus that American aircraft are more advanced than those of other nations.

While Mr. Trump has focused on the overall number of aircraft, this is an imperfect metric for either air power or cost.

The military already has plans to spend an estimated $400 billion on new F-35 fighter jets, a fifth-generation plane. But Mr. Trump has not provided any details on which programs he would expand.

Because different warplanes serve different roles at different costs, it is difficult to know what problem Mr. Trump is trying to address by adding 100 fighter aircraft.

3 Naval Power

The United States Navy has 275 surface ships and submarines. Mr. Trump wants to increase that number to 350, including two new aircraft carriers.

The new carriers would add to Americas already overwhelming advantage: More than half of the worlds 18 active aircraft carriers are in the United States Navy.

The worlds 18 active aircraft carriers, by country United States 10 supercarriers Trumps proposal +2 Italy 2 China France India Russia Spain Thailand United States 10 supercarriers Trumps proposal +2 Italy 2 China France India Russia Spain Thailand Trumps proposal +2 United States 10 supercarriers Italy 2 China France India Russia Spain Thailand Source: International Institute for Strategic Studies

In early March, Mr. Trump said that the United States Navy was the smallest it had been since World War I.

Most analysts reject this comparison. Technological advances mean that individual ships are far more powerful and versatile than they were a century ago, allowing a single ship to fulfill capabilities that would have once required several ships.

Mr. Trump has not specified new missions that would require additional carriers, which could take years and billions of dollars to build.

Size of principal naval vessel fleets Cruisers, frigates, destroyers Subs* Submarines* Amphibious U.S. 93 93 ships 54 54 31 31 China 78 78 52 52 4 4 Russia 32 32 49 49 0 India 28 28 14 14 1 1 France 23 23 6 6 3 3 Britain 19 19 7 7 6 6 *Attack/guided missile submarines. | Source: International Institute for Strategic Studies

Expanding the fleet size could come at significant cost. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that building a fleet of around 350 ships could cost about 60 percent more per year than average historical shipbuilding budgets, with a completion date of 2046.

But a larger fleet could help reduce pressure on the Navy, according to Brian Slattery, a policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Theyve had to push those deployments longer and longer because the Navy needs to be in all the same places in the world, and there are fewer ships to do it, he said.

Others argue that the Navys resources are stretched because they have too many deployments and that a more modest strategy around the world would alleviate the strain. To the extent that they are not in great shape, its because they have too many missions, Mr. Friedman said.

4 Nuclear Weapons

After Mr. Trump tweeted his pledge to expand Americas nuclear capability, he told the talk-show host Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC: Let it be an arms race. We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.

He has not specified whether he hopes to build more warheads or develop new weapons systems for delivering them.

The United States and Russia possess the vast majority of the worlds nuclear warheads, although both have reduced their arsenals under a series of treaties.

Estimated number of nuclear weapons 40,000 United States U.S.S.R./ Russia 30,000 20,000 10,000 Total for seven other countries 50 60 70 80 90 00 10 40,000 U.S.S.R./ Russia U.S. 30,000 20,000 10,000 Total for seven other countries 50 60 70 80 90 00 10 Source: Federation of American Scientists

Mr. Trump criticized the latest of those treaties, a 2010 agreement with Moscow called New Start, as just another bad deal, according to Reuters.

He has not clarified whether he will consider abrogating the treaty, which could open the way for the United States and Russia to expand their nuclear arsenals and capabilities.

Analysts say Mr. Trumps call for a nuclear arms race could potentially cost billions. But as with other spending plans, he has not articulated a strategic goal.

While Mr. Trump has said that he wants to defeat the Islamic State, he has not explained how increasing the size of the military would accomplish that.

Mr. Trumps focus on big-ticket items is mainly useful in more conventional military campaigns, said Michael C. Horowitz, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies military leadership. The kind of investments you would make if you were primarily focused on counterinsurgency campaigns are very different.
From Elizabeth Warren Website

WHEN JUSTICE Antonin Scalia died last year, giant corporations and their right-wing buddies spent millions of dollars to keep the Supreme Court seat open so that Donald Trump could fill the vacancy. It was only the latest step in their campaign to tilt our courts in favor of big corporations and the wealthy. Now, the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court is their reward. Anyone who believes in a neutral Supreme Court guided by equal justice for all should oppose this nomination.

Over the past three decades -- as the rich have gotten richer and middle-class families have been left behind -- the scales of justice have been weighted further and further in favor of the wealthy and the powerful. That tilt is not an accident. It's the result of a deliberate strategy by powerful interests to turn our courts over to the highest bidder.

Its effects have been devastating. Recent court decisions have let giant corporations that cheated their consumers off the hook, unleashed a flood of secret money into the political process, and made it easier for businesses to abuse and discriminate against their employees.

At the core of this strategy is an all-out attack on fair-minded, mainstream judges. A prime example is the unprecedented blockade of Judge Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court -- a consensus nominee praised by Republicans and Democrats alike as a thoughtful, intelligent, and fair judge. None of that mattered for powerful right-wing groups that decided that Garland's record did not reflect a sufficient willingness to bow down to the interests of the wealthy few. So they poured millions into a public smear campaign to stop his confirmation and leave the seat open.

During his campaign, Trump promised to nominate a Supreme Court justice selected exclusively from a list drawn up by far-right groups with ties to these same wealthy interests. As president, Trump kept that promise when he nominated Gorsuch last month to fill the vacancy.

Even before his elevation to the bench, Gorsuch's right-wing, pro-big business views were clear. For example, he wrote an article arguing that liberals are too addicted to the court system and should keep important social issues like gay marriage, physician-assisted suicide, and school vouchers out of the courts. Notably absent was a similar critique of conservatives who pursue their interests in the court system. And Gorsuch has advocated for making it harder for investors and shareholders to bring lawsuits when companies commit securities fraud.

On the bench, his judicial decisions show a remarkable ability to shape and re-shape legal arguments in ways that benefit large corporations and disadvantage ordinary people seeking justice. In the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores case, when he had to choose between the "rights" of corporations and the rights of women, Gorsuch sided with corporations. In consumer protection cases, when he had to choose between the "rights" of corporations and the rights of swindled consumers, Gorsuch sided with corporations. In discrimination cases, when he had to choose between the "rights" of corporations and the rights of employees to be free from harassment and abuse, Gorsuch sided with corporations.

Gorsuch has taken positions that are even more extreme than his extremely conservative colleagues. When it comes to the rules that protect public health and safety, Gorsuch is more radical than Scalia was. Gorsuch believes that courts should not be required to defer to expert agency interpretations of their governing laws. If he had his way, he'd make it even easier for corporations to challenge health and safety rules that prevent them from polluting our air and water, poisoning our food, undermining public safety, or cheating people out of their hard-earned savings.

Big companies and rich right-wing billionaires are spending top dollar to help a judge like Gorsuch get over the finish line. But that's not how our court system is supposed to work. Our courts are supposed to be neutral arbiters, dispensing justice based on the facts and the law -- not the party with the most money or political power.

Gorsuch is charming and intelligent. He has an impressive legal pedigree. But this is not a Miss Congeniality pageant or a contest for the nominee with the fanciest degrees. This is a vote for a justice who will sit on the highest court in our nation for the next generation and decide cases that will touch every human being in this country. Cases about a woman's right to choose, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, secret spending in our political system, and freedom of speech and religion. The next Supreme Court justice will help determine whether our courts will serve the interests of all of us or bend to the will of the powerful moneyed few who helped place them on the court.

There is only one question that should guide us in that decision: whether the nominee will defend equal justice for every single one of us -- rich or poor, black or white, female or male, gay or straight, popular or unpopular. Gorsuch's record shows that he is not that nominee.

At a moment when the awesome power of the presidency is in the hands of someone who has shown contempt for our Constitution, our independent judiciary, our free press, and the principles that make our nation a beacon of democracy, this decision is more consequential than at any time in recent history. We cannot stand down when the president of the United States attempts to hand our highest court over to the highest bidder. And that is why I believe Judge Gorsuch's nomination should be blocked.


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On the weekend of March 3, The International Human Rights Art Festival was held in New York City. Presented by The Institute of Prophetic Activist Art, it was co-sponsored and housed at Dixon Place.

Tom Block, who wears a number of hats including activist, writer, and artist, was the producer of the event. His goal was to bring together various art forms in the service of activism.

I reached out to him, to learn more about the objectives of the event.

What is the mission of the International Human Rights Art Festival?

"The International Human Rights Art Festival was conceived to offer a salving balm to our raw and injured society, using art as the impetus. As Lao Tzu said: 'Nothing is as soft and yielding as water, but for dissolving the inflexible, nothing is more powerful.' We looked for art that would use its gentle power to dissolve the inflexible hatred, divisions and anger that is currently so prevalent in our land."

How did you choose the participants?

"The artists were chosen for the quality of their artwork, their heart and soul, their passion and sincerity, and their honest assessment of the issues they were dealing with. In all cases, they were driven by the 'I should' instead of the 'you should.' We were very careful to keep a positive and gentle atmosphere, even more so in light of the tremendous divisiveness in our society at this time."

The Festival covers topics ranging from the death penalty to the environment to disability identity. What is the connective thread?

"All of the work is sincere, beautiful and often very raw. It takes art to its highest level: At that knife's edge between pain and beauty. Here, resides truth. Here can be found the answer to the anger and divisions in our society."

With the Trump administration on the cusp of disenfranchising the human rights of many groups in our country, how does this event speak to that concern.

"By softening hatred, opening conversation, expanding ideas of 'us' as opposed to 'them,' and using soft power to heal wounds rather than exacerbate them."

Are you concerned about the fate of the arts and creative expression during this administration?

"Many dictatorships have tried to kill artists and control creative output, putting it in service to the state. All have failed. I have no doubt that Donald Trump will fail, as well. Art will still be here when he goes."

A top highlight of the festival was the presence of Chinese dissident Wei JingSheng, who served as an Honorary Co-Sponsor for the event. He is a renowned human rights activist, a key player in the movement for democracy in China. In 1978, Wei Jingsheng wrote the essay, Fifth Modernization. He posted it in Beijing on what became called the "Democracy Wall. As a result, Wei JingSheng was arrested and found guilty of "counter-revolution propaganda and agitation." He remained in jail from 1979--1993. Upon release, Wei Jingsheng resumed being proactive. Speaking to foreign journalists led to his reincarceration the following year (1994), which lasted until 1997. After eighteen years in various prisons, Wei JingSheng was exiled due to "medical parole." He came to America in November of 1997.

The testament to his time in prison, The Courage to Stand Alone: Letters from Prison and Other Writings, was released in 1997.

Mr. Wei gave this speech at the opening festivities of the event:

"What is the relationship between art and human rights? As if it were two completely different areas, but it is not so. In countries where human rights are not guaranteed such as in China, where all the spiritual activities are controlled by autocratic government, human rights and art definitely have a very close relationship. In Beijing in 1978, my friends and I launched a Democratic Wall movement. The reason the democratic wall caused a stir in the Chinese society then, was because I and many of my friends published political essays to oppose the one-party dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party.



Interestingly, meanwhile this political movement also gave birth to an artists' movement. A large number of painters who were repressed in the past and had no place to publish their works, exhibited them on the wall of democracy. They soon formed a new school of painting, called the Star Exhibition. There appeared a large number of famous artists, such as painters Ai Weiwei, Huang Rui, Qu LeiLei, Ma DeSheng; sculptor Wang Keping, and so on. Thus was created a new look of Chinese art since then.



In the many publications on the Democratic Wall, there were two famous literary journals. One was by the famous poet Bei Dao (North Island) who hosted the "Today," and another called the "Fertile Soil" which gathered a large number of famous writers. They were the pioneers of the new literature of the 1980's in China, which broke the monotonous style of propaganda by the Communist Party. It created a flourishing situation of various styles, like hundreds of different flowers blooming at the same time. It produced a large number of famous poets and writers, such as Huang Xiang, Shi Zhi, Mang Ke, Gu Cheng, Lao Gui, and so on, as well as a lot of novelists who wrote anonymously. They were all participants of the Democratic Wall movement.

Why is the movement of literature and art needed to be combined with the political movement that rebel against an autocratic system? This is because we are all rebels of the Communist system that suppresses human rights. The protection of human rights, freedom of speech, publication, assembly and association are the common need of all. It is like people are indispensable to the air and water"--"everyone is indispensable to the air and water.



Chinese people and Chinese artists are still under the oppression of the Communist autocracy. It is the responsibility of all of us to appeal and strive for their human rights.

Human rights are the common ideals of all of us, and the necessities of those who are still struggling under oppression. Let us fight for the legitimate rights of all the people."
From Consortium News



Pablo Alvarado, Executive Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

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There is "widespread fear" in the undocumented community, says Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), whose work in the first two months of the Trump administration has focused on keeping people from panicking while informing them of their rights and how to defend themselves if U.S. immigration agents show up at their workplace or home or intercept them on their way to work or while taking their children to school.

Alvarado is often compared to Cesar Chavez in terms of his leadership and organizing power in the undocumented community. NDLON represents tens of thousands of day-laborers. I spoke to Alvarado on March 10.

Dennis Bernstein: Help us put a face on what it looks like now at ground level. What are the discussions like in the community? Give us a sense of how people are responding to this first salvo, or series of salvos from this anti-immigrant administration.

Pablo Alvarado: Yes, well, there is widespread fear. And, because of the aggressiveness nature of the Trump's immigration policies, the bans, the executive decisions that he's made. And the fact that ICE agents are going all over the country picking people up. They claim that they were going to go after people who have had previous criminal convictions, and violent criminals. That's what they said, but it's not true.

A lot of people who don't have any convictions have been detained. And some people who have had previous convictions like DUIs, dating 15 - 20 years ago are coming back. These folks don't represent a threat to public safety, but yet they're being targeted. They are being separated from their loved ones.

DB: Just to keep the human face on it, in that regard. There was, in fact, a dad who was here 20 - 22 years who was taking, I guess, his kid... he had three or four kids, but he was taking his kid to school, he was separated from his kid, on the way to school?

PA: Correct. It's one of the cases that our organization is assisting with. Romulo [Avelica-Gozalez] essentially was taking his kids to the school when he was actually followed by ICE agents. Who, by the way, were not wearing their uniform. Their jackets said that they were police. So, anyway, this type of situation is sending a wave of fear in our community. So, oftentimes, people see white vans driving in the neighborhoods and everyone freaks out. And they start posting on social media. "We saw ICE agents, the vans, ICE vans in such and such location."

And all of us feel this widespread fear. And people are staying inside. So, the good thing is that a lot of allies, immigrants' rights organizations, churches understand that there is this fear. So there is an effort to suppress that fear, and ensure that whatever notification goes out of ICE presence in the neighborhoods, that it's real. That it's not based on the fear.

So, there is no way, absolutely no way, that our community can defend without removing that fear. You cannot fight back when you're fearful, or when you hate somebody, when you're angry. So, our defense has to be very rational, and well thought out. And there is no way we can fight back effectively from a perspective of anger, hatred or fear. And that's why it's essential that we remove that fear.

DB: Alright, and last we spoke you were beginning to set up structures, networks that people could communicate across states, across the country. And so, really I guess, the way to counteract fear is with knowledge and with an approach that's methodical. So, how is that going? How is the community organizing? How is that coming together? If it is.

PA: Yeah. Well, let me elaborate more about the fear, the strategy of fear. Because it's important that Americans understand what this is about. So, it's important to recognize this small segment of nativism, xenophobes, that are promoting this fear, and, who, by the way, are now in power. Who have the power of the federal government, at their hands. We're talking about Steven Bannon, Jeff Sessions, Kris Kobach. These are the main advisers of President Trump. And these folks have been the leaders of these efforts to create that fear. Because they have never been interested in fixing the so-called broken immigration system. They've never been interested, in that.

What they want to do is bring down the non-white, foreign-born population. It's been very clear. They know that realistically speaking, logistically speaking they cannot deport 11 - 12 million people. They're not interested in that. What they want is they want to create so much misery that people will pack their bags, and leave on their own. This is the idea, attrition through enforcement strategy.

And they've never forgotten that strategy. And the main proponents of that strategy are now in power. So that's what it comes from. And obviously creating that fear is not just directed towards immigrants.

So, obviously what they want is they want to create this state of fear so that people do not fight back for their rights, that we give up our rights. And we say "Okay, Mr. Trump we're going to deport ourselves. Because the circumstances of living in the United States are unbearable. So I'm going to pack my bags and leave on my own." This has always been their strategy. And that's precisely what they want to create, the wave of fear through this new enforcement policies that Mr. Trump is implementing aggressively.

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New Haven, CT, Charlottesville, VA, and Montgomery County, MD, have passed resolutions opposing the Trump budget's moving of money from everything else to the military, urging that money be moved in the opposite direction.

Pittsburgh and Ann Arbor have denounced the "cuts" in the Trump budget without ever mentioning the existence of the U.S. military.

There are no cuts in the Trump budget proposal. There is the moving of money from everything else to the military. This matters for a number of reasons.

When advocates of "small government" hear nothing but opposition to supposed cuts, they come out in favor of the cuts. This happened at the Charlottesville city council meeting where its resolution was passed. A member of the public spoke up in favor of all the cuts and Trump's supposedly smaller budget.

Trump has proposed the same size budget as last year's. If its opponents want to stop it, they will have to admit as much and stop misinforming people that the Trump budget is smaller.

In addition, refusing to oppose any military spending no matter what is, of course, a license for infinite military spending, already topping 60% of discretionary spending in Trump's budget proposal, not counting future supplemental bills off-the-books likely to take it to 65%. We haven't seen that since Ronald Reagan lived in the White House.

That military spending endangers us, creates blowback, drains our resources, erodes our rights, destroys our natural environment, and takes funding away from all the good things Trump is proposing to take it away from.

Your town or city or county should get this right. Here are steps you can take:

Contact worldbeyondwar.org to ask for help Form a coalition of local groups concerned about the cuts, the military increase, or both Find out how to speak publicly at local government meetings and how to submit a proposal or get one on the agenda for a vote; or ask council members/ aldermen / supervisors to sponsor it. Collect organizations' or prominent people's or lots of people's names on a petition Hold rallies, press conferences Write op-eds, letters, go on radio, tv Use tofwar.com to calculate local trade-offs Revise the draft below:

Resolution Proposed for __________, ___



Whereas President Trump has proposed to move $54 billion from human and environmental spending at home and abroad to military spending[i], bringing military spending to well over 60% of federal discretionary spending[ii],



Whereas part of helping alleviate the refugee crisis should be ending, not escalating, wars that create refugees[iii],



Whereas President Trump himself admits that the enormous military spending of the past 16 years has been disastrous and made us less safe, not safer[iv],



Whereas fractions of the proposed military budget could provide free, top-quality education from pre-school through college[v], end hunger and starvation on earth[vi], convert the U.S. to clean energy[vii], provide clean drinking water everywhere it's needed on the planet[viii], build fast trains between all major U.S. cities[ix], and double non-military U.S. foreign aid rather than cutting it[x],



Whereas even 121 retired U.S. generals have written a letter opposing cutting foreign aid[xi],



Whereas a December 2014 Gallup poll of 65 nations found that the United States was far and away the country considered the largest threat to peace in the world[xii],



Whereas a United States responsible for providing clean drinking water, schools, medicine, and solar panels to others would be more secure and face far less hostility around the world,





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Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch didn't invent "corporate personhood," the shorthand term used to describe the ludicrous decisions by U.S. Supreme Courts to sanctify corporate entities with inalienable constitutional rights intended exclusively for human beings.

As a federal judge, however, Gorsuch contributed to its expansion by applying it in creatively delusional ways in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby1. That 2014 case established that a "closely held"2 for-profit corporation, apart from the human beings connected to it, possesses religious rights.

Corporations were originally subordinate to We the People

Supreme Court Justices began more than a century ago twisting existing constitutional doctrines into a pretzel to justify with straight faces that, indeed, legal documents issued by the federal and individual state governments possessed constitutional rights.

As followers of the Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy (POCLAD) are well aware, corporate entities were not intended originally at the nation's founding to possess inalienable constitutional rights. They were granted charters, or licenses, one at a time by We the People via legislatures that precisely defined their actions. These included, among many others, limited charter durations and purposes, limits on the amount of land ownership, and stipulations of who could be corporate directors

Corporate charters were deemed to be democratic tools wielded to ensure public authority and control over subordinate corporate creations by the public. The corporate charter conferred "privileges," not "rights." Corporations were designed to be publicly accountable. If a corporation violated the democratically determined terms of its charter, state legislators or courts often revoked its charter with its assets distributed to those negatively impacted.

In a 1900 ruling to revoke the charter of a dairy corporation, the Ohio Supreme Court stated:

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In the latest round of saber-rattling between the US and North Korean governments, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson laid down the well-worn line. "All options," he said during a visit to South Korea, "are on the table."

If he's serious, here's an option that never seems to get much discussion lately:

US president Donald Trump should send Tillerson to tell Yun Byung-se, his counterpart in Seoul, that the US is withdrawing its troops from the Korean peninsula by a specific date, and that after that date the US will cease to guarantee, or accept responsibility for, the South's security.

If the Korean War was a person, it would be old enough to collect Social Security benefits. It began on June 25, 1950 when the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ("North Korea") invaded the Republic of Korea ("South Korea").

Coming up on 67 years later, it continues. The two Korean regimes still consider themselves at war, the US government still keeps nearly 30,000 US troops deployed along the ironically named "Demilitarized Zone" separating the two countries, and the situation remains as tense and sporadically violent as ever since 1953 when a temporary ceasefire was signed.

Today, South Korea is twice as populous and 35 times as wealthy (in terms of Gross Domestic Product) as the North, boasting the 11th largest economy in the world (North Korea ranks 113th).

In what universe does it make sense for American taxpayers to continue picking up a substantial portion of the check for South Korea's defense from its smaller, poorer, less industrially advanced neighbor?

Once upon a time, at least briefly, this was a Republican talking point. In 2004, president George W. Bush announced his intent to withdraw thousands of US troops from South Korea over several years.

He did so in a campaign speech in New Mexico -- a state he lost in 2000 by fewer votes than Libertarian Harry Browne received, during a visit intended to prevent a similar performance by 2004 Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik. For an ever so brief moment, Bush faked a peacenik end run around both Badnarik and Democratic candidate John Kerry on the subject of North and South Korea.

Of course, it was back to business as usual, and to North Korea as all-purpose bogeyman, once Bush managed to get re-elected that November. But at least he was willing to broach the subject. Trump and Tillerson should do likewise -- and then follow through.


Muslim Ban

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The United States has banned laptops, e-readers, cameras, tablets, printers, electronic games, and portable DVD players on flights from eight Muslim countries. Passengers on flights originating in eight Muslim countries are now prohibited from carrying any electronic device bigger than a mobile phone, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The move comes days after President Donald Trump's second bid to curb travel from a group of Muslim-majority nations was blocked by the courts.

The New York Times quoted officials as saying that the new directive was not based on information pointing to a credible, specific threat of an imminent attack. Instead, it reflected a new consensus among American intelligence agencies that terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and the Al Qaeda franchise in Yemen are increasingly trying to find ways to smuggle explosive devices hidden in electronic devices, like laptops.

The DHS said the ban was necessary as "terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.

"Based on this information, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure airports to the United States," the statement said.

The ban will apply to nonstop flights to the US from 10 international airports serving the cities of Cairo in Egypt; Amman in Jordan; Kuwait City in Kuwait; Casablanca in Morocco; Doha in Qatar; Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Istanbul in Turkey; and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, until the threat changes.

The procedures will affect nine airlines: Royal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad Airways.

In all, an estimated 50 flights each day into the United States would be affected, according to the New York Times. One of the world's busiest airports, in Abu Dhabi, already requires American-bound passengers to undergo strict screening by United States customs officials before boarding flights. Abu Dhabi is one of 15 airports in the world to employ the Homeland Security preclearance techniques.

The new procedures, which came into effect on March 21, will remain in place until the threat changes, according to the DHS officials.

Electronic devices will continue to be allowed on all flights originating in the US, whether domestic or international, according to the statement. Approved medical devices may be brought into the cabin after additional screening.

Britain followed the United States in banning carry-on electronic goods from passenger cabins on inbound flights from Middle Eastern and North African nations. Prime Minster Theresa May's office announced on Tuesday (March 21) that laptops and other larger electronic devices would be banned on direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

Security Experts doubt

Erroll Southers, director of the Homegrown Violent Extremism Studies Program at the University of Southern California, told the New York Times that the new guidance would do little to enhance security. "This does little to minimize the threat of a remote-controlled I.E.D.," he said, referring to improvised explosive devices hidden in checked baggage.

Brian Jenkins, an aviation-security expert at the Rand Corp, was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying that there was concern about inadequate passenger screening or even conspiracies involving insiders - airport or airline employees in some countries.

Trevor Jensen, an aviation consultant and former airline captain, told Al Jazeera that keeping a large number of computers with lithium batteries in the hold also presented safety issues. "I hope that we are not just knee-jerking here and that this is a credible threat - that the safety issues have also been very carefully thought through."

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Palmyra-... with Tiyas-Airbase (T4): War-Situation-Map in Homs' countryside the day before ISIS unexpectedly assailed: FRI, 9th Dec 2016

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[Related stories can be found in Sputnik...editor.]

Against the background of the Syrian army success, armed opposition field commanders find it difficult to cope with the panic in their ranks. The number of the militants who are continuing to lay down weaponry and surrender to the government forces is daily increasing. Perhaps, their motive is to save life not only of themselves, but also of their relatives.

In addition, on March 18, Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said that all the participants of the armed conspiracy against the Arab Republic were defeated and should voluntarily lay down their weapons.

The same happened in Homs. After a month of tense negotiations, on March 14, the representatives of the Free Syrian Army, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Harakat Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya, who were controlling Al-Waer district of Homs during the last three years, signed a peace agreement with the official Damascus. According to it, the armed opposition has to withdraw its troops to the province of Idlib.

The governor of Homs Talal Barazi said that the main point of the agreement was the withdrawal of 10,000 people from Homs. About 4,500-5,000 of them are militants, and the rest are their relatives and the civilian population.

Now, in cooperation with Russia, the first group of militants and their relatives who left al-Waer, totaled 300 militants and 1,065 civilians. According to the governor, they would be given an opportunity to be amnestied, lay down their weapons, and return to peaceful life.

It should be mentioned that many experts believe that the withdrawal of the militants is a very important tactical step for the Syrian Army. According to them, it is a good opportunity to expand the controlled territory around the liberated Palmyra and level the front line.

In addition, while liberating the area around Palmyra, government troops are preparing to continue the operation to regain control over the oil fields in Homs, which are partially in the hands of ISIS. Let us remind that more than a half of all oil fields of the province is concentrated in the Palmyra area, so it is very important to deprive ISIS of them to use the oil revenues to restore on peace in the province.

Obviously, the military initiative was taken by the Syrian army. Militants are aware of this and intend to integrate into the negotiation process and be included in the amnesty that was extended by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until June 30, 2017.

[Previously published in The International Reporter]
From Empire Burlesque

To mark the anniversary of the onset of the launching of the horrific war crime against Iraq, I'm reprinting a piece I wrote a month after the invasion. The question examined here is still being asked of our leaders; and regardless of party or ideology -- or even Nobel Peace Prizes -- they all keep giving the same answer.

The Karamazov Question

Variation on a theme by Dostoevsky

"They have put too high a price on harmony; we can't afford to pay so much for admission. And therefore I return my ticket."

Ivan Karamazov, The Brothers Karamazov, Book Five, Chapter Four: "Rebellion."

A man appeared in the doorway of the Oval Office. He wasn't noticed at first in the bustle around the desk of the president, where George W. Bush was preparing to announce to the world that the "decapitation raid" he had launched on Baghdad a few hours before was in fact the beginning of his long-planned, much-anticipated invasion of Iraq.

A woman fussed with the president's hair, which had been freshly cut for the television appearance. A make-up artist dabbed delicate touches of rouge on the president's cheeks. Another attendant fluttered in briefly to adjust the president's tie, which, like the $6,000 suit the president was wearing, had arrived that morning from a Chicago couturier. As for the president's $900 designer shoes -- which, as a recent news story had pointed out playfully, were not only made by the same Italian craftsman who supplied Saddam Hussein with footwear, but were also the same size and make as those ordered by the Iraqi dictator -- they had been carefully polished earlier by yet another aide, even though they would of course be out of sight during the broadcast.

In addition to all of this activity, the president's political advisers and speechwriters were also making last-minute adjustments to the brief speech, while giving the president pointers about his delivery: "Keep your gaze and your voice steady. Project firmness of purpose. Confidence, calmness, character. And short phrases, lightly punched. Don't worry, the breaks and stresses will be marked on the teleprompter."

It's little wonder that no one saw the man as he advanced slowly to the center of the room. He stood there silently, until the sense of his presence crept up on the others. One by one, they turned to look at him, this unauthorized figure, this living breach of protocol. He was, in almost every sense, non-descript. He wore a plain suit of indeterminate color; his features and his skin betrayed no particular race. He had no badge, no papers; how had he come to be here, where nothing is allowed that is not licensed by power?

Then, more astonishing, they saw his companion: a two-year-old girl standing by his side. A mass of tousled hair framed her face; a plain red dress covered her thin body. She too was silent, but not as still as the man. Instead, she turned her head this way and that, her eyes wide with curiosity, drawn especially by the bright television lights that shone on the president.

A Marine guard reached for his holster, but the man raised his hand, gently, and the guard's movement was arrested. The aides and attendants stepped back, then stood rooted, as if stupefied, their ranks forming a path from the man at the room's center to the president's desk. The president, brilliant in the light, alone retained the freedom to move and speak. "Who are you?" he asked, rising from his chair. "What do you want?"

The man put his hand tenderly on the back of the girl's head and came forward with her. "I have a question for you, and an opportunity," the man replied. "I've heard it said that you are righteous, and wish to do good for the world."

"I am," said the president. "I wish only to do God's will, as He in His wisdom reveals it to me. In His will is the whole good of the world. What is your question, what is your opportunity? Be quick; I have mighty business at hand."

The man nodded. "If tonight you could guarantee the good of the world -- peace and freedom, democracy and prosperity, now and forever; if tonight, you could relieve the suffering of all those who labor under tyranny and persecution, all those who groan in poverty and disease; if tonight, you could redeem the anguish of creation, past and future, now and forever; if tonight, you could guarantee such a universal reconciliation, by the simple expedient of taking this" -- here the man suddenly produced a black pistol and held it out to the president -- "and putting a bullet through the brain of this little one here, just her, no one else: would you do it? That is my question, this is your opportunity."

With firmness of purpose, the president grasped the pistol and walked around the desk. With confidence, calmness, and steady hand, he pressed the barrel to the girl's head and pulled the trigger. Her eyes, which had grown even wider with her smile at the approach of the nicely dressed man and his rosy cheeks, went black with blood in the instant shattering of her skull. Her body spun round from the force of the shot -- once, twice, three times in all -- then fell, her mutilated head flailing wildly, in a heap on the floor of the Oval Office.

At that moment, the man faded, like a dream, into nothingness. The aides and attendants, unfrozen, stepped back into their tasks. The room was again a whirl of activity, like a hive. The president -- the dematerialized gun no longer in his hand -- strode confidently back to his chair. He winked at a nearby aide and pumped his fist: "Feel good!" he exulted.

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From Reader Supported News



Donald Trump and Sebastian Gorka.

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Sebastian Gorka is one of those cases. He is President Donald Trump's deputy assistant for counterterrorism, the National Security Council's "Terrorism Czar." He is also, apparently, a sworn member of Hungary's neo-Nazi Vitezi Rend, or "Order of Heroes," a group that the State Department says was "under the direction of the Nazi Government of Germany during World War II" and which continues to be neo-Nazi in its orientation. Gorka only became an American citizen in 2012, and membership should have disqualified him not only from citizenship, but even from entering the United States in the first place.

A Jewish newspaper, The Forward, initially broke the news of Gorka's membership in Vitezi Rend. It said that the group's own leaders confirm that Gorka took a "lifelong oath of loyalty." Gorka has ignored multiple email requests for comment. Bruce Einhorn, a retired immigration judge and current professor of nationality law at Pepperdine University, told The Forward that Gorka's "silence speaks volumes." Einhorn continued that Gorka's "failure to disclose a material fact," his membership in a racist organization that promotes violence, could undermine the validity of both his immigration status and his claim to U.S. citizenship. No statute of limitations exists for such a violation.

To make matters even more revolting, according to The Forward, men who have sworn allegiance to the Vitezi Rend are permitted to take a lowercase "v" as a middle initial and as a secret symbol of brotherhood. Gorka used the "v," signing his name in both his 2008 doctoral thesis and in his testimony before Congress in 2011, as "Sebastian L. v. Gorka."

Americans have put up with a lot of nonsense during Donald Trump's first 60 days in the White House. His first National Security Adviser, Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, lasted only 30 days because of his previously undisclosed conversations with Russian diplomats. Trump seemingly can't stop himself from tweeting treasonous allegations against former President Barack Obama. And even Republican members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees have said publicly that much of what the president says is simply untrue.

But let's not lose sight of the more immediate issue here. Gorka is a monster. He has to be stopped. In the not-too-distant past, when Bill Clinton's first two choices for Attorney General disclosed that they had inadvertently hired illegal aliens to work in their homes, the press went crazy, the public demanded a head, and the nominees withdrew from the process.

Have we become so desensitized to scandal that we're now willing to have an avowed neo-Nazi in charge of American counter-terrorist operations? Are we so politicized in this country that one side cries foul when the other side points out that the likes of Gorka shouldn't have a seat in the White House Situation Room? What has become of our country? We can't blame everything on 9/11.

Trump could do the right thing here by firing Gorka posthaste and calling for an investigation. He won't. It's up to the rest of us. We have to put our foot down on this. A Nazi is, by definition, the enemy of the United States and the enemy of the American way of life. We can't let this stand. Gorka has to go.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
From Reader Supported News



Director James Comey dismisses Trump's wiretap tweets

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"I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts. As with any counterintelligence investigation, this will also include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed." -- FBI Director James Comey, before Congress, March 20, 2017

Don't make the mistake of believing that yesterday was just another day in Washington. It was anything but. You may think you know who James Comey is or Mike Rogers is, or what the Democrats or Republicans will ultimately do, but it cannot be known at this stage. Normal is off the rails, big time.

For context, go back and listen to Comey's testimony, and every time the Democrats ask him if he has evidence of coordination between the Trump campaign and the Putin government, he says, "I can't answer that." That most likely means "yes." In fact there is little doubt that substantial evidence of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives in the run-up to the election does exist, in abundance. So much so that analysts are wondering why the Russians did not do more to conceal their incursions.

Democratic House members Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell, and Jackie Speier were brutal. Each asked detailed, precise questions citing specific communications and events involving Donald Trump, his closest supporters and Russian functionaries in the lead-up to the November 8th, 2016, U.S. presidential elections. Each time they asked, Comey was forced to say, "I can't answer that." A full list of questions Director Comey declined to answer appears below.

Schiff, a former federal prosecutor, looked the part and pressed his case relentlessly. There were no witnesses and no responses, but he left no doubt that if there had been, he had the goods.

Try not to lose sight of the big picture: The FBI is investigating the president of the United States and his closest advisers for ties to to the Russian government. Specifically, to determine if the president won the election with the aid of Russian actors. That is, in political terms, a nuclear bombshell and foreshadows the very real likelihood of a constitutional crisis.

Cautionary Takeaways

Anti-Russian demagoguery ran rampant during yesterday's proceeding. Russia was defined as an adversary, an armed invader of Crimea, and a suppressor of democratic institutions worldwide, among other things. For such accusations to be leveled by American members of Congress invites well deserved counter-accusations from nations around the world. Beware the new red scare. It appears to be coming.

The confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch could factor into this equation. If confirmed, Gorsuch could potentially participate in any cases related to the Trump administration or its Russian entanglements that might come before the court. If it comes to that. So yes, the Gorsuch hearings matter.

Fasten your seat belts, folks. This has the potential to get very wild and crazy. We live in interesting times.

List of questions Comey declined to answer via CNBC:

[Be aware that this list of questions does not by any means encompass the entire scope of alleged (often documented) contacts between Trump, Trump associates, Trump officials, Trump family members, and Putin government players. It merely recaps the questions that were asked at yesterday's hearing. -- ma]

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.: "Was there any request made by the FBI or Justice Department to wiretap Donald Trump, turned down by a court?"

Schiff: "Are you aware that [Roger Stone] was a partner of Paul Manafort?" (Stone has been an adviser to Trump. Manafort was the Trump's campaign chairman until he resigned in August.)

Schiff: "Do you know how Mr. Stone would have known that Mr. Podesta's emails were going to be released?" (John Podesta was chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.)

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FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Mike Rogers testifying before House Intel Committee, March 20, 2017

In case you missed it, there's a video and transcript of FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Admiral Michael S. Rogers testifying as "witnesses" before the House Intelligence Committee hearing on "Russia's active interference campaign waged against our 2016 presidential election." [1]

To say this whole hearing is beyond the pale is an understatement. Unsubstantiated allegations and assertions aplenty. Verifiable, factual evidence? Zero.

Here's the tell tale sign of this McCarthyesque hearing as told by Admiral Rogers regarding the intelligence "community's assessment on assessing Russian activities and intentions in the recent U.S. elections".

"We stand by it as issued. There is no change in our confidence level on the assessment. Of course, the specifics of this assessment need to remain classified to protect the sensitive sources and methods...there are some issues I cannot discuss." But here's the kicker, "I want to assure the committee we take very seriously that obligation to protect US persons privacy". No specific "issues can be discussed and besides it's all classified. Basically it's trust us.

This from the agency that lies as a given. An agency that has utter contempt for the Constitution its members swore to uphold and in particular the 4th Amendment "against unreasonable searches and seizures." An agency that is conducting unlawful electronic surveillance-thank you Edward Snowden- against everyone in the world-much of data mining without justifiable cause of any illegal acts committed- including everyone in the US and all of it conveniently stored in the $1.5 billion Data Center in Bluffdale, Utah.

Well so much for the NSA taking seriously its "obligation to protect US persons privacy".

If this is not Orwellian "Doublespeak" I don't know what is. Lies are presented as the truth and the truth-if it's allowed to come out at all-is a lie.

"Official" Washington has descended into a political abyss where a maze of unsubstantiated accusations are trumpeted as the facts but can't be disclosed because they're classified.

Read the transcript or see the video. It is a sad commentary on where we are in this country. Any country be it Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, actually any country witnessing the travesty of a Committee hearing conducted within the supposed "peoples" Congress should easily recognize the "Doublespeak" of the "witnesses".

Only fools would trust "official" Washington after seeing this latest extravaganza.





[1] "FBI and NSA Directors: Russia is Our Adversary", Video and Transcript, "Information Clearing House", March 20, 2017
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Less than two months into his slapstick farce of a presidency, Trump is reneging on his pledge to steer US foreign policy in a less psychotic direction. Pretty soon those of us who are squeamish about cynical military adventures abroad could be pining for the days of Barack Obama. This is a distressing thought. It was Obama, after all, who decided wrecking Libya was a price worth paying to reassert Western control over the regionsaid control having been attenuated somewhat by the unanticipated Arab Spring. For Libyans who saw their once-stable country reduced to warlordism and Islamist anarchy, Obamas glib expressions of regret after the fact were probably difficult to stomach. Amusingly, histrionic reports about Russian interference in Libya are beginning to surface in Western media, as if Moscow could fuck up that country any more than we already have.

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winners legacy is similarly deplorable in Syria, Honduras, Afghanistan and Yemen. The hapless citizens of these countries might be interestedor perhaps exasperated is the better wordto learn that, here in the West, Obamas foreign policy is routinely derided as hands-off or do-nothing. In other words, he didnt meddle enough, didnt bomb enough, didnt violate international law enough. For those with a dark sense of humor this is comical; for everyone else, its simply depressing.

In Syria, to briefly recap, Obama escalated the crisis by helping our regional allies arm, fund and train moderate rebels fighting alongside al-Qaeda and other terrorist outfits. He stood by while Turkey facilitated the flow of foreign jihadists into Syriathousands of whom joined ISISonly sealing its border when Kurdish militias, much to Ankaras dismay, secured wide swaths of land across northern Syria. Nor did he rebuke, let alone sanction, the Turkish government for buying truckloads of oil from ISIS. In this case, Obama really was observing a hands-off policy in Syria, but of course this is not what the media are referring to when they use that term. Until ISIS started cutting off the heads of Western journalists and aid workers, Obamas priority in Syria was regime change; fighting terrorism didnt factor into the equation at all.

Thanks to a lack of adequate news coverage, many Americans are unaware of the important role played by the Obama administration in undermining democracy in Honduras. That the removal of elected President Manuel Zelaya in 2009 was a military coup is not up for debate. Hugo Llorens, then-ambassador to Honduras, was unequivocal on this point, writing in a cable to the State Department: There is no doubt that the military, Supreme Court and National Congress conspired on June 28 in what constituted an illegal and unconstitutional coup against the Executive Branch.

Far from joining the rest of the world in condemning the extralegal transfer of power, the US State Departmentheaded by Hillary Clintonrefused to even acknowledge a coup had taken place. In fact, they worked to consolidate it. US aid money to Honduras flowed forth while the interim government attacked the media and curtailed civil liberties. When the Organization of American States drafted a resolution demanding Zelayas return to power as a prerequisite for new elections, the US blocked it. Months later, a shoddy electioncomplete with violence and censorshipwas won by right wing candidate Porfirio Lobo, and the horrorshow officially commenced.

As the United Nations, Amnesty International and many other human rights groups have documented, Dana Frank wrote in Al Jazeera, state security forces [in Honduras] have committed vast human rights violations since the 2009 coup and continue to do so with near-complete impunity. Gangs, murders and drug trafficking have flourished given the breakdown of law enforcement.

Since 2010, more than 120 environmental activistspeople who protested destructive mines, dams, logging projects, etc.have been murdered in Honduras. Thousands of people fleeing the violence and repression have attempted to migrate to the United States. Between October 2013 and September 2014, US Customs and Border Protection encountered over 67,000 unaccompanied children along the Mexican border. 27% of them came from Honduras. Good thing Donald Trump is building that wall.

Following his election in 2008, which promised to bring hope and change to America and the world, Obama wasted no time intensifying the war in Afghanistan, sending an additional 30,000 troops into Americas most hopeless military experiment. The infamous surge did virtually nothing to stabilize what Obama called the deteriorating situation. Indeed, the situation continues to deteriorate and the Taliban continues to gain strength, no doubt an expression of the lack of popular support for the government in Kabul. The purpose of 9/11, according to Bin Laden, was to bankrupt the United States by drawing it into a perpetual, unwinnable war in the Middle East. Weve been more than obliging. As Mark Perry wrote in Politico last October, the US has spent over $850 billion on the Afghanistan war, suffered nearly 2,400 dead and the Taliban are not only back in the field, theyve made steady progress in wresting control of the country from the U.S.-backed Afghanistan government. No wonder nobody talks about Afghanistan anymore; its bad for the ego.

In Yemen, since March 2015, a Sunni coalition led by Saudi Arabia has prosecuted a reckless military interventioncosigned by the United Stateson behalf of embattled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who resigned and fled his country before changing his mind and deciding that hed like to return. Various human rights organizations have condemned Western support for the Saudi air campaign, which, according to the UN, has killed several thousand civilians and led to mass famine. Said support is quite direct. Last September, Amnesty International confirmed that a US-made bomb was used in the air strike on a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital on 15 August which killed 11 people and injured 19 others.

The report went on to state: According to independent weapons experts consulted by the organization who assessed photographs of a bomb fin taken by a journalist at the site, a US-made precision-guided Paveway-series aerial bomb was used in the attack.

This is hardly aberrant. Human Rights Watch revealed in December that remnants of US-supplied weapons [were found] at the site of 23 apparently unlawful coalition airstrikes, including more than a dozen attacks involving US-made cluster munitions. Specifically, US-produced weapons were used in two of the wars deadliest incidents so far: the March 15 attack on Mastaba market, which killed at least 97 civilians, and the October 8 attack on a funeral hall in Sanaa, the capital, which killed at least 100 people and wounded more than 500. Both attacks appear to have been war crimes.

Recall that in November 2015, seven months into the Saudi campaign, the Obama administration approved the sale of $1.29 billion in smart bombs to Riyadh. Not bad for a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The conflict in Yemen is almost always described as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthi rebels, we are told, are sustained by economic and military aid from Tehran. But as Patrick Cockburn explains, there is little evidence that the Houthis get more than rhetorical support from Iran and this is far less than Saudi Arabia gets from the US and Britain. In fact, the notion that Iran is providing significant material support to the Houthis defies logic, as Yemen is almost entirely cut off from the outside world by Saudi ground, air and sea forces.

Nevertheless, the Saudis justify their interventionand the US justifies its support for that interventionby citing Iranian aggression in Yemen. And lest you forget, Iran is also the worlds biggest sponsor of terrorism (no evidence required).

This is the narrative underlying Trumps apparent decision to escalate US involvement in Yemen. On March 8, the Washington Post reported that the State Department plans to continue selling munitions to Saudi Arabia, despite the documented atrocities. Well be looking for ways to blunt Iranian malign influence in the region, a senior US official said. In that context, I think you have to look at Yemen. Irans malign influence is presumably to be contrasted with Saudi Arabias benevolent influence, to which starving civilians in Yemen can surely attest.

The disastrous outcome of the Navy SEAL raid in YemenTrumps first big military maneuverhas been well documented. More than twenty civilians were killed, including several children. Killed also was Chief Petty Officer William Owens. Trumps shameless exploitation of Owens death during his February 28 address to Congress was one of the most nauseating things Ive seen in some time. Prior to Trumps speech, the White House had used Owens to shut down criticism of the raid. After John Insane McCain refused to label the operation a success (because an American was killed), Sean Spicer told the press: I think anyone who would suggest its not a success does disservice to the life of Chief Ryan Owens. Naturally, nobody asked him whether describing the bloody raid as a success might do a disservice to the twenty-nine Yemeni civilians who lost their lives as a result.

The raid itself was bad enough. Its broader implications are worse.

It is in Yemen, Cockburn writes, that new policies are beginning to emerge as the Trump administration carries out its first counter-terrorism operation against al Qaedaif that was what it wasleading to the slaughter of civilians and a botched cover-up. Yemen may soon join Afghanistan and Iraq as wars in which the US wishes it had never got involved.

The new policies can be observed in Syria as well. While Trump hasnt yet resurrected the old Western demand that Assad must go, he has argued in favor of safe zones (read: American occupation of Syrian territory) and is quietly placing more so-called boots on the ground. Following the deployment of 400 Marines earlier this month, the number of American troops in Syria stands at 700.

This is more important than it may seem. Speaking to The Christian Science Monitor, Middle East expert Nicholas Heras emphasized that the recent dispatch of Marines is a significant expansion of the US presence in northeastern Syria that entails all kinds of risks and complexities, not the least of which is the very complicated web of actors that are operating in the same space as the US. The foremost danger is the likelihood that, upon helping to capture towns and cities from ISIS, the US will have a mandate to hold and control a large area of eastern Syria. Thats what the government talks about when it talks about safe zones.

Of course, there is also the fact that US military presence in Syria is illegal, a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law, but then American officials cant be bothered with such pedantry. Rules are made to be broken, after all. So too are promises, as Donald Trump continues to demonstrate.

Last year, candidate Trump announced that, with him in the White House, the era of nation building will be brought to a very swift and decisive end. Because of this comment and others like it, he was ridiculed by the foreign policy and media establishments as an isolationist who doesnt understand Americas indispensable role in the world. The war evangelists, in other words, were getting nervous. But given what weve seen thus farescalations in Yemen and Syria, renewed hawkishness toward Iran, a $54 billion increase in military spendingit appears they had no real cause for concern. They can breathe easy. The Empire is alive and well.
Last weekend, round-trip flights to Portugal and Spain beginning at $321 were announced on Thrifty Traveler. Flights will be leaving from most major East Coast cities: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York City and Philadelphia. If you want the best dates, look for flights in either October or November, but also consider browsing deals in the last weeks of summer.

Earlier this year Thrifty Traveler compiled deals for flights from New York and Boston to Madrid. Flight dates and ticket prices are subject to change depending on the flight, but you do have the option of visiting practically any city in Spain, Portugal or even the Spanish Islands.

Spring is the perfect time to plan a summer or fall vacation, so dont miss the deals, folks.

Grace Williamson is a travel intern with Paste and a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.
Public displays of affection, also known as PDA, can be tricky territory for travelers to navigate when in an unfamiliar culture. What is acceptable in one country is frowned upon in another and downright illegal in yet another.

The confusion isnt limited to couples or kissing and touching. From hugs and handshakes to smiles and hand gestures knowing what is accepted behavior when greeting and showing affection is an essential element of mindful travel. For example, while hugging comes fairly naturally to Americans, especially Southerners like me, reaching for an embrace in Italy, Thailand, and many other countries, even with someone you consider close, can produce awkward results.

Intercultural communication expert Ryan Foley remembers visiting his family in Australia after living in the U.S. for almost a year. When Foley saw his uncle, he instinictly went for a bear hug. (My uncle) turned red, stiffened up, and nervously mumbled, Okay, then, says Foley. He had been expecting a handshake and my aunt a single kiss on the cheek. We all learned something and had a good laugh later about it later.

Foley and the other experts agree that understanding intention and expectations is key to engagement in public. Becoming familiar with a destinations unique rules, behavior patterns, and norms rewards a traveler exponentially with a deeper understanding of social context and culture.

Yet with so many avenues for taking a wrong turn where PDAs are concerned, how can travelers get it right? These tips should send you in a good direction.

Ask Questions, Seek Context

Any guidebook worth its weight will include a section on behavior norms when interacting with locals and travel companions as well as provide specific information for LGBT travelers. In addition, use forums such as Lonely Planets Thorn Tree to better understand behavioral nuisances from fellow travelers and local experts.

The U.S State Department also provides important country specific information. For example, when it comes to public behavior in United Arab Emirates, the guide cautions travelers saying: U.S. citizens have been arrested in the past for obscene hand gestures, using inappropriate (foul) language with a police official, and for public displays of affection, such as kissing.

To combat unintended taboo behavior, Sheryl Hill, the executive director of Depart Smart, advises travelers to have command of a few key phrases in the local language to ask for permission or apologize can get you out of a jam or awkward situation. And Foley recommends using an anthropologists approach by asking questions about why certain behaviors exist. Being genuinely curious and asking those who you meet about their greeting customs will provide you with rich understanding while allowing your hosts to talk about something they know very well, he says. Seek out their feedback as they watch you interact with others.

Follow Local Lead

Max Robinson of We Swap Euros says the biggest mistake travelers make is trying to initiate greetings. Wait for the local to decide how you should greetit could be an air kiss, or a handshake, or even just a smile, he says. Dont dive in unless you know exactly what that person is going to do, otherwise you risk offending them.

Personally, I have experienced an uncomfortable number of cheek-kisses gone wrong. From not knowing which direction to start (usually left) and whether to double or triple kiss to appropriate level of cheek contact, whether a light brush or air kiss, its a delicate art that can trip up even a savvy traveler.

If your kiss is a misfire, dont worry, Foley says. Laugh at yourself and ask for help in getting it right. Most people love to teach newcomers to a culture how to get greetings right. And remember, youre seen as a visitor and not a native, so your genuine efforts will typically be appreciated.

For example, in Kenya, Robinson says social kissing usually consists of a brush of the cheek. This is actually considered to be more acceptable than a handshake in many instances. However, if youre a visitor in the country then always wait for the local to initiate this. Also, avoid making any kissing noises (like mwaah) while doing this (harder than it sounds!)

Temper Passionate Kisses

Couples of all orientations should be aware of acceptable behavior when it comes to kissing in public, especially open-mouthed kissing. While even today most Americans would find public French kissing inappropriate, young lovers are much less likely to hold back in the streets of Paris, Rome and Barcelona, says Foley. However, give your sweetheart a peck on the lips in Punjab, India, and risk provoking local ire at your indecency, as this report in The Atlantic details.

Social rules and norms related to public kissing can be harder to navigate for same sex couples. As gay travel expert Adam Groffman writes for Nomadic Matt, There are still plenty of places around the world where being gay isnt safe, nor is it comfortablefor locals or for tourists  Its frequently just a matter of having to know where and when one can disclose ones sexuality through words or actions, and also the dangers or consequences (if any) for doing so, says Groffman.

Best course of action is to observe the behavior of locals and do as they do. In almost every country, rules are likely different in touristy areas versus local parks or traditional neighborhoods.

Grasp the Language of Hands

A firm handshake earns you respect in the U.S. but comes across as rude in Turkey. A lingering handshake is expected in the United Arab Emirates but will make French people uncomfortable, says Foley. He suggests learning the local handshake as early as possible.

Pay attention to nuances such as knowing when to shake hands, who is responsible for initiating contact, any rules based on gender, the length of hold, tightness of grip, as well as what to do with your eyes, and what to say during the shake, he says.

Hill agrees the simple gesture of shaking hands has high stakes in some areas. In some cultures men shake mens hands and women shake womens hands or kiss, and it is custom to start eldest to youngest first, whereas in Asian cultures we show respect with a greeting and a bow. In some cultures, shaking hands or touching members of the opposite sex when not related is a religious and cultural taboo, while in others which hand is used for shaking comes down to sanitary issues.

Different countries also have different norms when it comes to the simple act of holding hands. Although the custom is changing today, in many Arab countries its typical to see male friends holding hands yet not acceptable for couples of the opposite sex to engage in the same act.

Hill says travelers should also be aware of the cultural nuisances of using hand gestures as greetings. Okay, thumbs up, can be offensive in some cultures, she says. Avoid hand signals and gestures unless you are sure you know the meaning.

Be Aware of Personal Space

Its not uncommon for travelers in Western Europe and other expressive cultures to comment on feeling their personal space was often invaded by close talkers. Crossing uninvited into personal space typically makes people of every culture uncomfortable; but the personal space boundary tends to be much closer in more expressive cultures, and even in certain contexts in less expressive cultures, says Foley. Italians and Venezuelans are well-known for their touchy-feely communication style where personal space is smaller, touching is the norm, gestures are bigger, and eye contact is more direct, says Foley.

He once again recommends taking an anthropologists approach. When we feel uncomfortable, our brain says That person is making me feel uncomfortable, rather than, The way Im interpreting this is making me feel uncomfortable. Setting out to match your interpretation of the behavior with the intention of the other person by taking cultural context into account corrects this.

Main photo courtesy of Antonella B/ Flickr CC BY 2.0

Lead photo courtesy of allenran 917/ Flickr CC BY 2.0

Jess Simpson is a full-time digital nomad, grateful and giddy for bylines in Paste, Mental Floss, Bustle, UAB magazine, Birmingham magazine, and more. Follow her travel secrets and tales at Paste as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
The Decemberists dont have any new music on the horizon, but the bands still been plenty busy. Colin Meloy and company are working on a board game called Ilmat, prepping a massive vinyl box set to pay tribute to The Crane Wife, undertaking a 10-show East Coast tour with Julien Baker and, on top of all that, curating their first festival.

Travelers Rest will take place from Aug. 12-13 in Missoula, Mont., and include more than 15 artists such as Belle & Sebastian, Real Estate, Sylvan Esso, Charles Bradley, Julien Baker and The Head and the Heart, with more acts to be announced.

Meloy, who grew up in Montana and attended the University of Montana in Missoula, says that one impetus for the festival was that many national touring bands skipped Montana altogether. Meloy then views the bands curated festival as a chance to bring more music to Big Sky Country.

Passes for Travelers Rest go on sale this Friday, March 24, at 12 p.m. EST, starting at $79.50find those here. One dollar of each ticket sold will go to ACLU Montana and the band is looking to include other local progressive organizations in the festival proceedings.
Since the day that Donald Trump was elected president, seven high-level Russian officials have died as well as a high-raking NATO officer, and at least three others have been charged with treason along with a fourth who works outside the purview of the Russian government. Some of these deaths seem innocuous, like Alexander Kadakintheir ambassador to Indiawho died of a brief illness that is confirmed by multiple independent reports. Others seem much less so. A perfect example of the lifecycle of the conflicting reports surrounding these deaths comes in the form of the recently released autopsy of Mikhail Lesin.

Lesin is a former aide to Vladimir Putin, and he died in November 2015. At the time, Russian media claimed his death was due to a heart attack, yet the medical examination that was just released determined that the cause of death was actually due to blunt force trauma to the headso yeah, definitely an understandable mix-up by the Kremlin over someone whose mind was no doubt in possession of highly sensitive material.

This section will be the least certain of the five due to the fact that we are heavily relying on Russias media to provide much of the informationand given the example of Lesin, they clearly cannot be trusted as a primary source. Most news like that doesnt make it out of Russia, and the main reason we are enlightened about the circumstances surrounding Lesins death is because it occurred in our nations capital. This also helps demonstrate that when we do see a flurry of activity from Russian state media, its instructive of a larger message that the Kremlin is trying to send. It was certainly no accident that we heard from a litany of Russian sources about the arrests of alleged traitors to their cause.

In early December, FSB agents walked into a meeting, put a bag over Sergei Mikhailovs head, and dragged him out of the room. This sensationalist image was confirmed by Sergei Markova member of the Public Chamber in the Russian parliament and adviser to the Kremlinas he told The Daily Beast:

In early December, FSB Colonel Sergei Mikhailov, who was responsible for cyberwars and cyberattacks was arrested by the FSB; yes, with a bag over his head.

Mikhailovs deputy Dmitry Dokuchayev was accused of treason for passing confidential information to the CIA as well. Ruslan Stoyanov, a manager at Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, is the third known person arrested and charged with treason in this short time span.

Initial reports out of Russian media tied Mikhailov to a group of hackers in Ukraine and Thailand called Shaltay Boltay, which means Humpty Dumpty. The group is reportedly affiliated with Anonymous, who released damaging documents on high-level Russians in 2014, and the Kremlin alleges that the arrests are related to this act, as Markov told The Daily Beast that Mikhailov:

definitely controlled Shaltay Boltay, which cooperated with the Ukrainian SBU [security service], which is the same as working for the CIA; he worked with them, which is obviously treason.

The fourth person arrested is journalist Vladimir Anikeev, who is reportedly a key figure in Shaltay Boltay. Ivan Pavlov, a defense lawyer specializing in treason cases, told The Daily Beast that there are more than four suspects in this case and he denies the Kremlins narrative that this is connected to the 2014 hack. Novaya Gazeta claims that as of January 31st, there are six charged with treason. Sadly, despite the heroic efforts of Pavlovs during his career taking on the Kremlin, this may be all we ever find out about this saga, as the main propaganda arm of the Russian governmentRThighlighted in their story on all this:

The treason charges also mean any trial will not be public due to its sensitive nature.

In other words, it was Krivovs job to make sure US intelligence agencies didnt have ears in the building.  Ali Watkins BuzzFeed report.

When police found Krivovs motionless body on the floor of the Russian consulate at 7 am on Election Day, one of the first things they noticed was an open wound on his head. Initial reports were that he fell to his death from the roof, but Russian consular staff told the BBC that he died of a heart attack. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what Krivovs role in the consulate was due to the shadowy nature of Russian communique, but working off of legal documents from Zakonbase, BuzzFeed was able to learn about some of Krivovs responsibilities as a consular duty commander:

The duty commander would also have had access to the consulates crypto-cardthe top secret codebreaker used to encrypt and decrypt messages transmitted between the consulate and other Russian channels. It was likely Krivov who helped transmit cables in and out of the heavily guarded building.

Watkins dove into public records to find any trace of Krivov, and it turns out that he was a ghost even before his spirit left the Earth:

Despite being described as a Manhattan resident by the NYPD, Krivov is a phantom in public recordswhen BuzzFeed News went to Krivovs address, listed in the NYPDs files, at 11 E. 90th St., it wasnt a residence. Its a Smithsonian-owned office building for its neighboring Cooper Hewitt design museum. Its located a block behind the Russian Consulate, which is at 9 E. 91st St. One of the consulates public entrances is 11 E. 91st St. Asked about the discrepancy, the NYPD insisted that 11 E. 90th St. was the address they had been given for Krivov, apparently by Russian consular officials.

The New York Medical Examiners office claimed that the cause of death was natural, but the NYPD closed the case without specifying a cause of death, and in a curious move, denied BuzzFeeds request for the incident report, as Michael Morisy, the founder of MuckRock told BuzzFeed:

The incident report, after an investigation is closed, typically that is releasable. Its really weird that they would categorically state that was rejectedincident reports are not broadly exempt from public records law.

There is almost no other information publicly available pertaining to Krivovs death aside from BuzzFeeds one article. The Russian state version of Breitbart, Sputnik, claims that violent death was ruled out as a probable cause and makes no mention of Krivovs head wound.

Michael Best filed a Freedom of Information request citing the multitude of news reports about his death while providing a link to the BuzzFeed article as one such example, and his application came back denied because A website link in itself does not satisfy the proof of death requirement. At best, his submission was not properly reviewed, and at worst, welllets not go there without any evidence. On March 14th of this year, Best provided a copy of Krivovs obituary to satisfy this requirement that he already satisfied, and it remains to be seen as to whether this will uncover any additional details on this strange case that the authorities have quickly rushed off the publics radar.

On December 16th, the auditor general of NATO was found dead in the back of his car 62 miles away from where he lived and 87 miles away from his work in Luxembourg, and according to the prosecutor, Vincent Macq, he left a suicide note:

We cannot go into details on the content of the note but we can say that it is linked to some investments [which had] gone wrong that Mr. Chandelon had done with some friends. The family was not aware of these investments.

What raises questions about this death is not the giant flashing red light that is the death of a high-ranking NATO official who was about to audit the agency for terror financing, but the fact that Chandelon had three guns registered to him, yet the one he allegedly committed suicide with was not one of these three. Even more bizarrely, local reports say it was found in his glovebox.

Another report asserts that this gun was actually found in his right hand, yet Chandelon is left handed. Either way, the gun that he did not own which ended his life was found in an unlikely spot. Chandelons family rejects the conclusion that this was a suicide, and unfortunately, few reports exist outside the prosecutors assertion and his familys subsequent denial to corroborate any side of this tale. The Daily Express also claims that it has been reported that Chandelon had complained of getting strange telephone calls before he died and felt threatened.

Three days after Chandelons death, on December 19th, Russias chief adviser to the Latin American department at the ministry was found dead in his apartment with a bullet wound to the head. Ren TV, a federal TV network in Russia was the first to report the death, although they did not identify Polshikov as the victim, simply saying:

The head of one of the departments of the Russian Foreign Ministry found shot dead in Moscow, according to the source of journalists of REN TV. Officially, this information is not confirmed in the department.

The only other details they provide come from an unnamed source who said that empty shells were found and that his wife was in the apartment. Later reports named Polshikov as the unnamed diplomat, and even asserted that unconfirmed reports claim that he had left the Foreign Ministry altogether. Casting further confusion on this saga, Metro contacted the Russian government, and a Kremlin official told them:

We dont know any official with this name. We havent seen anything about this in the Russian news either, and so we have no statement to make about it.

Polshikovs death came just hours after the on-camera assassination in an art gallery of Andrei KarlovRussias ambassador to Turkeyby Mevlut Mert Altintas, a member of the Ankara riot police.

Altintas claimed his act was payback for Russia's actions in Aleppo before pulling the trigger, and so far, no one has been able to tie him to any organized groups. It would be irresponsible to speculate on his motivations outside of his own words, which demonstrate exactly zero connection to Russia outside retribution for their atrocities in Syria. But I will say that if the Kremlin wanted Karlov dead, an unaffiliated, disaffected, ideological, foreign, young man is pretty much the archetype of who they would select to carry out a clandestine assasination. Karlov's death isn't very suspicious outside the fact that it occurred in rapid succession to Polshikov's, which is shrouded in mystery.

On December 26th, Erovinkin's body was discovered by his driver in the back seat of a company Lexus. Erovinkin was a former general in the KGB and last served as the chief of staff to President Igor Sechin of Rosnefta Russian state-owned oil company. For what it's worth, Sechin is a central figure in the infamous dossier put together by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, and subsequently leaked by BuzzFeed. Rosneft Press Secretary Mikhail Leontiev told The Moscow Times that Erovinkin had problems with his heart. It's quite the coincidence that so many high-level Russian officials died all due to their heart problems in such a short time span.

Life.ru, a notorious Kremlin mouthpiece, initially ran with the headline Sechin's Chief of Staff killed in Moscow before quietly changing it to The Chief of Staff of Rosneft's President found dead in Moscow. Most reports said that Erovinkin was found in the back seat of his car, however there are some that claim he was found in the driver's seat. Some local media have also asserted that he died as a result of foul play, and not of heart-problemsas Rosneft's Press Secretary alleged.

Christo Grozev, an expert on Russian security at the Bulgarian think-tank Risk Management Lab, wrote that IF Steele's direct source was truthful, it is extremely highly likely that the ultimate source had been Erovinkin.

Not much is known about the death of the head of the head of the consular department at Russia's embassy in Greece. Malanin was found dead on the bedroom floor of his Russian embassy-owned apartment on January 9th. Police said that the door was locked from the inside, that there had been no signs of a break-in, and no foul play was initially suspected as the police official said at first sight, we are talking about natural causes. There is nothing obviously suspicious about this one, save for the fact that other deaths of similarly high-ranking officials were also due to natural causes, and there has been enough contradiction surrounding those circumstances to cast doubt on any related claims.

On February 20th, the New York Post reported that Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, became sick outside the Russian Embassy on East 67th Street at around 9:30am withyou guessed itheart problems. No reports indicate foul play, but what happened after his death is what raises suspicions. An autopsy was conducted, the initial tests seemed like it was a heart attack, but they were ruled inconclusive, and further testing has been ordered. We will never know what determination they come to, as Julie Bolcera spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner's officesaid it will keep the cause of death a secret because Ambassador Churkin's diplomatic immunity survives his death.

MSNBC's Chris Hayes asked his followers on Twitter if this was standard operating procedure, and a reporter for the New York Times reached out with an anecdote from his reporting.

@chrislhayes Ex-NYC lawyers told me they couldn't recall a similar case. But, city official said autopsy showed heart attack, no foul play.  Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) March 11, 2017

A former State Department official also questioned this practice.

Just sent this to a former State Department official, their response: "I've never heard of diplomatic immunity surviving after death" pic.twitter.com/6ZPuYo5jIz  Yashar (@yashar) March 10, 2017

Coming to any firm conclusion about these deaths is impossible given how little we know about them, but when you put all of them in a row and stack up the few facts that we do know, the picture becomes quite oddespecially in light of the charges of treason to at least four (and likely more) cyber-security officers. Mark Galeotti, a Russia expert at the Institute of International Relations in Prague told the New York Times:

It was always pretty obvious that they [U.S. intelligence community] had more than just the computer evidence, Mr. Galeotti said. The arrests are a big deal.

Its also not a stretch to imagine a wide-scale mole hunt given that American intelligence services have come to the unanimous conclusion that Russia did interfere in the 2016 election, and its highly likely that they could come to that firm conclusion based off of human intelligence, as the story in the Times continued:

But one current and one former United States official, speaking about the classified recruitments on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that human resources in Russia did play a crucial role in proving who was responsible for the hacking. The former official said the agencies were initially reluctant to disclose their certainty about the Russian role for fear of setting off a mole hunt in Moscow.

Further adding to the drama around all this, just yesterday it was reported that Nikolai Gorokhov, the lawyer representing murdered Russian political activist Sergei Magnitsk, was hospitalized after falling four floors from his apartment in Moscow. His spokesman, William Browder, said he was thrown out of his building, while Russian media alleges he fell while trying to lift a jacuzzi into his apartment. Gorokhov was due to testify in New York City on May 15th in USA v. Prevezon, the largest tax fraud case in Russian history centering around a Cyprus-based real estate company. The lawyer who was supposed to be representing the United States in that trial? Recently fired attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara.

Russia is a nation of laws insofar as those laws resemble whatever agenda the Kremlin is currently pursuing. The infamous dossier compiled by a former British secret agent must have some semblance of truth within itotherwise why would three separate intelligence agencies include it in briefings to two presidents? Its certain that the dossier is not 100% fact but it is equally as clear that it is not 100% fiction either, as CNN reported that some of it has been confirmed by U.S. intelligence officials.

Anyone who has read the dossier can see that it reflects poorly on the Kremlin, as it is defined by various factions competing to rein in or expand this operation to influence our election, and given that high-level people like Rosneft president Igor Sechin are explicitly named in the dossier, one cant help but wonder how his Chief of Staff who reportedly met with one of Donald Trumps advisors wound up dead just a few weeks before this widely known document leaked to the general public. There are far more questions than answers surrounding these deaths and arrests, and that would still be the case even if we had any concrete answers at all.

Part four tomorrow: The FISA story that riled Donald Trump up on a fateful Saturday morning.

Part two: How Donald Trumps Businesses are Financed by Russian Cash

Part one: How Donald Trumps Own Words Connect him to Russia

Jacob Weindling is Pastes business and media editor, as well as a staff writer for politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling.
As if traveling to the U.S. from halfway across the world werent mundane enough, travelers to the U.S. from eight countriesall Muslim-majority, mind youin the Middle East, North Africa and Europe will have to do it without the assistance of any electronic item larger than a cell phone.

The latest edict rolled out by the Trump administration forbids all passengers, traveling from the 10 affected airports, from bringing laptops, tablets, that old DVD player from 2002, large cameras, even a god-forsaken Walkmen or any other electronic item larger than a cell phone into the airplane cabin.

Instead all such electronics must be checked.

The moves come as the U.S. government is concerned about terrorists ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated. Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items [like your iPad Mini].

Incidents like the armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul, along with the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt and the attempted 2016 downing in Somalia, have played a role in instituting the ban, according to DHS.

The ban begins March 25 and will remain in place until the threat changes, according to the DHS, and more airports may be added in the future.

In total, the measure will affect nine airlines in 10 airports in seven countries.

The inflicted airports include:

Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco

Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo International Airport, Egypt

Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan

King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kuwait International Airport

Hamad International, Doha, Qatar

Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates

Dubai International, United Arab Emirates

The carriersRoyal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airwaysserve the U.S. about 50 times per day and have until Friday to adopt the new policy.

The electronic travel ban is not-so-surprising considering the Presidents rhetoric concerning Muslim-majority countries. What is surprising, though, is that this move directly impacts the travel habits of long-time U.S. allies. Turkey is perhaps the countrys most important ally in fighting the Islamic State. The U.S. was the UAEs third ever ally, and 50,000 Americans currently reside in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And Morocco was the first country to recognize U.S. independence in 1777one of our nations first allies

This isnt just a ban on nations with whom the U.S. shares a tense relationship. Its a ban on friends. And its a ban that largely affects Muslims.

Tom is a travel writer, part-time hitchhiker, and hes currently trying to imitate Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? but with more sunscreen and jorts.
Calling the Clock with Dan OBrien Sponsored by KO Watches

March 22, 2017 PokerNews Staff

Beginning as a cutting-edge brand active in design, manufacturing and distribution of quality-finish watches from young Mexican entrepreneurs, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches works to distinguish itself with its quality and clean design, allowing people to use time they have as they wish and without interruption. With our sponsor, KNOCK OUT -KO- Watches in mind, we're now going to "Call the Clock" on Dan OBrien.

PokerNews Sarah Herring called the clock on Dan OBrien, giving him two minutes to answer as many questions as he can. This week's segment comes from a previous interview with OBrien on the PokerNews Podcast.

Game night: Whats your favorite game?

Balderdash.

Oh me too. If you could invite three people to game night, who would you choose?

Do you have to know them?

No.

Its not even fun if you dont know them. Ill pick people you know. Alan Berry, Jason Mercier, Brent Hanks.

Good one. If you had to walk the runway to any song, what would it be?

Probably Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees

Whats the website you visit most frequently?

Amazon.

Yeah, me too. What are your dogs names?

Gatsby and Scout.

In three words, describe your podcast with Cate Hall.

The worst podcast.

Whats your favorite podcast?

Either Tim Feriss or Sam Harris.

Have you used Tinder?

Yes.

What is the hardest thing about being a poker player?

Finding people who want to hear you complain about shit.

What was your favorite subject in school?

It was math.

What was your least favorite subject?

Probably history.

What is the worst trend in poker?

I dont know.

You can skip it. Pass. What is one word you would like to remove from the cultural zeitgeist?

GTO.

Whats the coolest thing about living in Las Vegas?

The weather and the pool parties. Eh, theres so many I know  and the affordability. So many things.

When the clocks stops, time comes to life. Get your hands on a Knock Out -KO- watch right here.
Edinburgh Prepares for a 100,000 Guaranteed GUKPT Event

March 22, 2017 Matthew Pitt Editor

The third leg of the 2017 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour begins on March 26 at the Grosvenor Maybury Casino in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is the fourth consecutive season that the Scottish capital has hosted a GUKPT festival.

It may have taken the tour eight seasons before it headed north of the border but it was worth the wait as 192 players turned out for the inaugural GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event in 2014. Andrew Teng was crowned champion in Season 8 and won 26,000 for his 550 investment.

The following year, former Irish Open champion James Mitchell topped a field of 234 to get his hands on the 33,930 first-place prize, which is still the largest GUKPT Edinburgh prize to date. Last year, Tommy Le returned home 25,000 richer than when he arrived when he triumphed over 183 opponents.

Past GUKPT Edinburgh Champions

Season Buy-in Entrants Prize pool Champion Prize 8 550 192 100,000 Andrew Teng 26,000 9 550 234 117,000 James Mitchell 33,930 10 550 184 100,000 Tommy Le 25,000

Like previous editions of the GUKPT Edinburgh festival, there is a 100,000 guaranteed Main Event costing 550, which is the showpiece of the stop. Complementing the Main Event are a range of side events including a 10,000 guaranteed Mini Main Event costing 110 to enter, a brace of no-limit holdem tournaments, a six-handed event, Win The Button, and a bounty and pot-limit Omaha tournament, plus several satellites feeding into the Main Event.

It is still possible to qualify for the GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event online at Grosvenor Poker. If you download Grosvenor Poker via PokerNews and deposit 25, you receive 100 which includes a 50 bonus bag; the welcome bonus is a 200 percent match up to 700.

2017 GUKPT Edinburgh Schedule

Date Time Tournament March 26 12 p.m. 100+10 NLHE Mini Main Event Flight 1 March 26 7:30 p.m. 20+6 Super Satellite to Main Event March 27 4 p.m. 20+6 Super Satellite to Main Event March 27 6 p.m. 100+10 NLHE Mini Main Event Flight 2 March 28 4 p.m. 20+6 Turbo Satellite to Main Event March 28 6 p.m. NLHE Mini Main Event Final March 28 7:30 p.m. 150+15 No Limit Holdem March 29 4 p.m. 20+6 Turbo Satellite to Main Event March 29 6:30 p.m. No Limit Holdem Final March 29 7:30 p.m. 100+10 No Limit Holdem 6-Max March 29 9 p.m. 75+7 Super Satellite to Main Event March 30 1 p.m. 500+50 GUKPT Edinburgh Main Event Day 1a March 30 4 p.m. 20+6 Turbo Satellite to Main Event March 30 6 p.m. 75+7 Pot Limit Omaha 4/5/6 ROI March 31 1 p.m. 500+50 GUKPT Main Event Day 1b March 31 9 p.m. 100+10 NLHE Bounty April 1 1 p.m. GUKPT Main Event Day 2 April 1 6 p.m. 100+10 NLHE Win The Button April 2 12 p.m. Main Event Final Day April 2 4 p.m. 75+7 No Limit Holdem

As mentioned, the Edinburgh festival is the third stop on the 2017 GUKPT. The tour opened in London where 435 players turned out for the 1,100 buy in Main Event, smashing the 200,000 guarantee by 435,000. Michael Zhang won on that day, leaving the Poker Room, formerly The Vic, in February with 113,000.

More recently, at the beginning of March, Andrew Hills won 46,988 after a five-way chop before claiming the winners trophy in the GUKPT Manchester Main Event.

Perhaps Hills will be in Scotland in an attempt to become the second player in the GUKPTs history to win back-to-back Main Event titles, a feat only achieved by Priyan de Mel who won the 2009 season-ending Blackpool Main Event and the 2010 opening Bolton tournament.
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
Oliver Ratzesberger, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Teradata

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 10:37:55

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Dubai, UAE  March 22, 2017  Teradata (NYSE: TDC), a leading analytics solutions company, announced a new and important contribution to the open source community that will deliver unprecedented efficiencies for companies creating data lakes. Teradata is introducing Kylo, a data lake management software platform built using the latest open source capabilities such as Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark and Apache NiFi. Kylo is a Teradata sponsored, open-source project that is offered under the Apache 2.0 license. Kylo evolved from code harvested from proven data lake engagements led by Think Big Analytics, a Teradata company, which will provide services and support for Kylo.With substantive experience creating business value from data lakes, Teradata is contributing Kylo to help organizations address the most common challenges they face in data lake implementation efforts. These include the central problem that data lakes simply take too long to build, and in the average 6-12 month build cycle, users find that use cases can become out of date and less relevant to quickly evolving businesses. Second, despite the lower cost of software, engineering costs quickly mount. Finally, a data lake, once created, may fail to attract users who find it difficult to explore, and so little value is realized.Derived and developed from data lake deployments across industries, Kylo can easily help resolve these challenges, because it integrates and simplifies pipeline development and common data management tasks, resulting in faster time to value, greater user adoption and developer productivity. With Kylo, no coding is required, and its intuitive user interface for self-service data ingest and wrangling helps accelerate the development process. Kylo also leverages reusable templates to increase productivity.Many organizations find that implementing big data solutions on the Hadoop stack is a complex endeavor. Big data technologies are heavily oriented to software engineering, developers and system administrators, said Nik Rouda, senior analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). Our research found 28 percent of organizations still struggle to staff teams with enough BI and analytics talent, much less big data and open source solution expertise. 77 percent of those surveyed say new big data initiatives will take between seven months and three years to show significant business value. It doesnt have to be that way. I commend Teradata for open sourcing Kylo  an innovative and meaningful contribution. Encapsulating extensive experience from over 150 data lake engagements, Kylo helps organizations address the most common challenges they face in data lake implementation efforts, including:- Skill shortage for experienced software engineers and administrators.- Learning and implementing best practices around data lake governance.- Driving data lake adoption beyond engineers.When these challenges are overcome, high impact business outcomes are realized. In fact, Teradata has already helped many organizations save money and create new revenue streams from data lakes:- A semiconductor manufacturer increased the yield quality of wafers; reducing waste, saving time, boosting output and thus increasing value to the business.- An industrial equipment manufacturer enabled new service models, service-level agreements, intervention processes, and, notably, new revenue streams.- A world-renowned research hospital reduced patient prep times, allowing doctors to treat more patients.Kylo is an exciting first in open source data lake management, and perfectly represents Teradatas vision around big data, analytics, and open source software, said Oliver Ratzesberger, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Teradata. Teradata has a rich history in the development of many open source projects, including Presto, and Covalent. We know how commercial and open source should work together. So we engineer the best of both worlds, and we pioneer new approaches to open source software as part of our customer-choice strategy, improving the commercial and open source landscape for everyone. Teradatas vision for the blend of commercial and open source is recognized by customers, who continue to use Teradata to unleash their potential.At Discover Financial Services, we are focused on leveraging leading-edge technology that helps us quickly bring products to market while providing exceptional customer service. Kylo has a unique framework that has the potential to accelerate development and value on new data sources that leverage Apache NiFi, said Ka Tang, Director, Enterprise Data Architecture, Discover. Kylo may provide an opportunity to leverage open source innovations while allowing the opportunity to give back to the open source community. "Open source software has an appeal to users seeking independence, cooperative learning, experimentation, and flexibility for customized deployments, said Rick Farnell, President of Think Big, a Teradata company. Our contribution is all about helping companies build a scalable data lake foundation that can continuously evolve with their business, technology data and analytical goals. We are removing impediments to use data to solve complex business problems and encouraging analytical users to contribute to the growing Kylo community. Going forward, our primary focus as a company is to help our customers create business value through analytics, rather than commodity capabilities. Kylo, along with our Teradata Everywhere approach to software and services, is a great example of our innovative strategy for the future." To this point, a major telecommunications company implemented Kylo after a large team of 30 data engineers spent months hand-coding data ingestion pipelines. Using Kylo, one single individual was able to ingest, cleanse, profile, and validate the same data in less than a week. Kylo not only improved data process efficiencies, it allowed those additional engineers to focus on multiple major business priorities.Kylo software, documentation and tutorials are available now, via the Kylo project website: www.kylo.io - or the GitHub web site: -- https://github.com/Teradata/kylo On request, Think Big offers these optional services, if required:- Kylo support- Kylo implementation services- Kylo training- Kylo managed servicesKylo provides tooling on top of Apache NiFi to make it faster and easier to get data into your data lake, said Scott Gnau, Chief Technology Officer, Hortonworks. Hortonworks is pleased to announce Kylos certification with Hortonworks DataFlow and our expanded joint support relationship for NiFi. Teradata will play a leadership role in the governance, stewardship and community-building around open-source Kylo.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 18:06:57

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Tappy is a pioneer in contactless wearable payments and a Global Wearable Program Partner of many leading banks and financial institutions. Its fully integrated technology can instantly transform any watch, piece of jewellery or accessory into a payment device. Tappy provides the highest level of security for payments and transactions and plays a strategic role in developing the wearable payment Ecosystem that bridges FinTech, banks, card networks and regulators.1. Official Watch Launch Partner - TED BAKERTED BAKER is one of the fastest-growing leading lifestyle brands in the UK. Today TED BAKER offers a wide range of collections including: Menswear, Womenswear, Global, Endurance, Pashion, Langley, Accessories, Fragrance, Skinwear, Footwear, Eyewear and Watches. Ted Baker has a portfolio of stores in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai & Taiwan. By integrating Tappy's contactless payment technology into its watches TED BAKER intends to target the new generation clientele which is both fashion conscious as well as tech-savvy.2. Official Watch Launch Partner - MondaineThe partnership with the Swiss brand Mondaine will see Tappy's flexible payment tags embedded inside Mondaine watches. These payment enabled watches are considered for launching in the United Kingdom, USA and China.The simple design, the unmistakable easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and the famous red seconds hand have made Mondaine timepieces uniquely recognized the world over. Ingenuity and simplicity are the combined elements that distinguish and define a truly iconic design classic. The Mondaine Official Swiss Railways SBB watches embody these elements and proudly exemplify excellent 20th century design.3. Official Watch Launch Partner - TechnosTappy has established partnership with Grupo Technos to enable contactless payment capabilities in "Technos" watches. Grupo Technos is one of the largest watch company's in Latin America and the Technos brand is synonymous for quality and excellence. Currently Grupo Technos has a portfolio of twenty brands. With this partnership Tappy aims to establish itself as the premier contactless wearable payment solutions provider in Latin America.4. Official "Connected Hybrid Watch" Launch Partner - NEWATCH Designed by MEIZUNEWATCH is the first connected hybrid watch available with Tappy's Payment Technology. NEWATCH wearers can now enjoy the convenience of simply waving their arm at payment terminals to finalize transactions instead of pulling out their phone or wallet. NEWATCH is designed by MEIZU, one of the leading Smartphone brands. NEWATCH is way ahead of the competition boasting some of the slimmest and smallest hybrid watches having notifications and activity tracking features.5. Official Watch Launch Partner - SAGASince its establishment in US in the year 1950, SAGA has evolved to become the preferred choice for the connoisseurs of quality watches in Far East. By signing this strategic agreement with Tappy, the brand continues on its path of innovation to achieve technical excellence. With unrivalled expertise in craftsmanship & empowered by Tappy's technology, SAGA is confident of rolling out unmatched timepieces.Mr. Wayne Leung, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tappy, said, "We are delighted to have world class brands like TED BAKER, MONDAINE, TECHNOS, NEWATCH and SAGA as our official Launch Partners. At Tappy, we endeavour to create new opportunities for businesses to join and explore the ever expanding contactless payment landscape. Tappy provides secure, trustworthy and convenient global contactless payment solutions as well as complete hardware solutions for traditional industries like watches and jewellery." About Tappy TechnologiesTappy Technologies Limited is developer of the 'Flexitag' and 'Payment Module', which can be used in designing any type of contactless payment wearable for traditional watch and jewellery brands. Meeting Europay, MasterCard, Visa (EMV) & UnionPay Standards, Tappy's wearables can settle transactions with pre-paid, or tokenized payments using the Gemalto solution. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Tappy has offices in Beijing and San Jose as well as an R&D center in Guangdong, China. www.gotappy.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 09:03:02

Diligent Earns Level Four Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Certification

Affect

Brittany Bevacqua, 212-398-9680

bbevacqua@affect.com

Diligent Corporation, the leading provider of secure online collaboration and document-sharing solutions for boards, committees and leadership teams, today announced that it has achieved level four certification in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).

B-BBEE is a set of policies created by the South African government to empower previously disadvantaged groups and to foster economic transformation, growth and prosperity in the region. With level four certification, Diligent is recognised as achieving 100 percent compliance, meeting the rigorous standards required to conduct business with organisations in both the public and private sectors.

As a multinational company, it is critical that we create opportunities that enable all members of our workforce to build their skill sets, develop within the organisation and advance as the next generation of business leaders, said Gregory Prinsloo, Country Manager South Africa, Diligent. The B-BBEE certification further demonstrates our commitment to having a lasting, positive impact on the employees, customers and communities our business reaches in South Africa, and worldwide.

Diligents recently opened Johannesburg-based office provides direct support for an increasing number of customers locally and throughout Africa. To learn more about Diligent, visit www.diligent.com or http://diligent.com/blog.

About Diligent

Diligent is the leading provider of secure corporate governance and collaboration solutions for boards and senior executives. Over 4,700 clients in more than 70 countries and on all seven continents rely on Diligent to provide secure, intuitive access to their most time-sensitive and confidential information, ultimately helping them make better decisions. The Diligent Boards (formerly Diligent Boardbooks) solution speeds and simplifies how board materials are produced, delivered and collaborated on via any device, removing the security concerns of doing this by courier, email and file sharing. Visit www.diligent.com or follow us on Twitter @diligentHQ to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703220050
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 14:00:09

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Erin Ventures Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Victoria, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture:EV). has issued a press release with the following headline:Erin Ventures in Due Diligence Process with Potential PartnerTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Erin Ventures Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Erin Ventures Inc.Source: Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture: EV, WKN: A0CAFT, ISIN: CA29570H1010)Date: March 22, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Erin Ventures Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Klondike Gold Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Klondike Gold Corp. (TSX Venture:KG). has issued a press release with the following headline:Klondike Gold Announces Increase in Previously Announced Private PlacementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Klondike Gold Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Klondike Gold Corp.Source: Klondike Gold Corp. (TSX Venture: KG, ISIN: CA4989033010, WKN: A119BJ)Date: March 22, 2017Time: 9:10 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Klondike Gold Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 14:03:01

First-Ever Data at ACC.17 Confirms Safety and Efficacy of New Self-Expanding, Recapturable Heart Valve at 30-Days with High Survival, Low Stroke and Minimal Paravalvular Leak

DUBLIN - March 22, 2017 - Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and U.S. launch of the CoreValve(TM) Evolut(TM) PRO valve for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis for symptomatic patients who are at high or extreme risk for open heart surgery. The approval comes on the heels of new 30-day clinical data that was unveiled at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 66th Annual Scientific Session, which showed high survival, low rates of stroke, minimal paravalvular leak (PVL) and excellent hemodynamics for the self-expanding valve.

The Evolut PRO device features a unique valve design with an outer wrap that adds surface area contact between the valve and the native aortic annulus to further advance valve sealing performance. The biocompatible porcine pericardial tissue wrap, in addition to other design elements, is incorporated to address the occurrence of blood leaking through the sides of the valve.

"Based on my experience implanting the Evolut PRO valve during the clinical study, I've been impressed by the clinical outcomes achieved in our patients," said Mathew Williams, M.D., chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery and director of Interventional Cardiology and the Heart Valve Program at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "This innovation represents an important advantage over previous generations of this device, as it can help assist with adequate sealing even in complex cases."

The Evolut PRO Clinical Study (N=60) met its primary endpoint at 30 days with high rates of survival (98.3 percent) and low rates of disabling stroke (1.7 percent). The Evolut PRO valve also showed strong hemodynamic performance with large aortic valve areas (2.0  0.5 cm2) and mean gradients in the single digits (6.4  2.1 mm Hg) at 30 days. The majority of study subjects (72.4 percent) experienced no/trace PVL and no incidents of severe PVL were observed at 30 days. Additionally, improving on the already low rates seen in Evolut R clinical studies and real-world TVT and FORWARD registries, the rate of new pacemaker implantation was 10 percent.

"The 30-day clinical outcomes presented at ACC demonstrate the Evolut PRO valve to be an outstanding treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at a high or extreme risk for surgery," said John Forrest, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., who presented the data at the meeting.

Built on the proven platform of the recapturable CoreValve Evolut R System, the Evolut PRO valve includes a self-expanding nitinol frame with its supra-annular valve position that helps achieve excellent hemodynamic performance.

"Medtronic remains committed to working with interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to deliver solutions that address patient needs with the safety and performance profile they expect from Medtronic," said Rhonda Robb, vice president and general manager of the Heart Valve Therapies business, a part of Medtronic's Cardiac and Vascular Group. "We are excited to introduce the next evolution of our Evolut TAVR platform to provide physicians with a comprehensive portfolio to address their patients' needs."

The Evolut PRO System is delivered through the EnVeo(TM) R Delivery Catheter System and is indicated for vessels down to 5.5 mm. The EnVeo R system features an InLine Sheath that makes it the lowest delivery platform currently on the market. It also provides a greater opportunity to treat patients with smaller vessels through the preferred transfemoral access route.

The 23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm sizes of the Evolut PRO System are available for use in the United States. It is not available for use in countries outside of the United States.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

About Medtronic

Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 88,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in approximately 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results

-end-





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Medtronic plc via Globenewswire


PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 08:46:02

Meet Tinyclues Action, the Revolutionary AI That Enables Marketers to Put Their Ideas into Action

Tinyclues

Caroline Tailleferd, +33 6 11 64 87 37

caroline.tailleferd@tinyclues.com

Yes, weve seen Artificial intelligence (AI) beating a top human player at Go, the complex board game. But while AI will be behind a new generation of self-driving cars, thats still considered to be several years off in the future. But when it comes to B2C marketing and Tinyclues, AI is very much a present-day reality.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703220051

Tinyclues Action (Graphic: Business Wire)

Today, Tinyclues is thrilled to announce the launch of a revolutionary, next-generation marketing solution thats unseen so far in the market. New Tinyclues Action is an AI-driven customer engagement solution with the wow factor.

Tinyclues Action enables marketers to be more creative, more agile, and to create more value for B2C businesses. This exciting and unique solution combines Tinyclues deep AI targeting capability (already adopted by Fortune 1000 companies, with massive performance gains) with a new, AI-augmented, interactive campaign planning experience. In just a few clicks, its now possible for marketers to orchestrate consistent and effective marketing agendas over multiple days and weeks, engaging customers in the most effective manner and driving revenue at all stages of the purchase funnel.

Tinyclues Action is the go-to interface where marketers can input their campaign ideas and turn them into a comprehensive action plan. In the past, the path from ideas to actions was paved with copious amounts of guesswork and grind. Marketers had to second-guess which demographic segment to activate on each campaign, which cross-sell opportunities would work well, and whether or not different items would combine well in a single message. Building weekly or longer-term plans meant maintaining them in separate spreadsheets, with no possibility of knowing in advance whether the plan would actually perform. Tinyclues Action replaces all that by interacting with users and giving them feedback in real-time about what marketing messages will and wont work, while also making suggestions about what can be improved.

While powered by serious, deep AI technology, Tinyclues Action is a joy to work with. It delivers a new experience that is both intuitive and pragmatic, thanks to its highly visual and user-friendly interface. Marketers no longer have to rely on preconceptions; they are assisted throughout the decision process by data-driven, quantified insights. Of course, marketers still have the last say on which campaigns they run. They are empowered to focus on content and strategy and what really creates value, becoming increasingly skilled and effective in the more creative aspects of their job.

Put very simply, Tinyclues Action does three things very smartly. Firstly, it predicts ANY customers likelihood to buy ANY item (or brand, or category) in the next few days, even in the absence of a prior intent. This deep targeting capability outshines intent-driven rules (which rely on retargeting customers based on their past behavior and become ineffective after a few interactions.) Secondly, it gives instant feedback on the right volume or pressure to put behind a campaign. And thirdly, it offers intelligent planning capabilities which enable marketers to build a comprehensive marketing agenda over the next days and weeks, activating customers on all channels (email, mobile, social  even print), while making sure that everyone receives the best messages and that the overall plan is balanced and consistent. In other words, it combines intelligent targeting, intelligent pressure management and intelligent planning.

Tinyclues Action is designed to be used by marketing teams in their day-to-day operations and has a focus on productivity and enablement. Users are presented with an integrated calendar view of their marketing plan, key indicators of planned campaigns, and a vision of the audience campaign by campaign. But for all that on-the-surface simplicity, the solution is performing highly complex tasks only made possible by AI.

The solution assists with strategic decision-making, offering optimized weekly and daily pressure management. Instead of the old first come, first served approach to campaign prioritization, it provides a dynamic, user-by-user arbitrage of the best opportunities that will maximize value, without relying on predetermined arbitrary rules. This is where the pragmatism comes in. Tinyclues Action feeds back on how the arbitrage is impacting the different campaigns, and offers metrics on how successful each campaign is likely to be. And it gets even smarter: by detecting audience conflicts that would penalize business performance, it provides real-time suggestions to reschedule certain campaigns for greater effect.

With Tinyclues Action, marketers get more control. Theyre free to plan for the long term, but also to navigate on a day-to-day basis as new marketing opportunities pop up. Theres always room for maneuver, as any audience conflicts get easily resolved based on feedback from the program. When this information is shared between stakeholders, it means less planning conflicts and the highest possible revenue from a customer base.

Marketers will also be able to generate more revenue with a single click. With Tinyclues Action, its quick and easy to compare the trends of the current and previous weeks campaigns and take any necessary action. For example, actions such as extending successful campaigns to more people who look likely to purchase, merging and sending out campaigns that work well together.

Olivier Cuzacq, Tinyclues VP Product, explained the benefits: Were really reinventing the customer activation experience for those B2C marketers that have massive customer databases and who want to grow their repeat business. Tinyclues deep AI technology has a unique ability to predict each customers individual preferences, even in the absence of a recently expressed intent. With Tinyclues Action, were complementing this technology with an intuitive AI layer that assists marketers throughout the process of planning, targeting and orchestrating any number of customer activation campaigns. Dont be fooled by Tinyclues Action ease of use: it is a true productivity powerhouse, enabling marketers to put their marketing ideas into action and maximize revenue and engagement among all existing customers, at all stages of the repeat-purchase funnel.

David Bessis, Tinyclues founder and CEO added: AI will redefine how B2C marketers interact with their customers. We believe that by 2020, theyll be able to simply input their contents and business goals in an AI-driven solution that will predict and perform the best customer engagement strategy for maximum business impact, in a smooth and quantified manner. By blending our deep AI capabilities with a unique, AI-assisted planning experience, Tinyclues Action is a major step in this direction. It further demonstrates our technology leadership and product vision, and were thrilled by the markets reception.

Some of Tinyclues clients have already been involved in the journey by testing Tinyclues Action and the feedback has been very positive. Sebastien Robles, Marketing Director at Brandalley said: Tinyclues Action transformed the way we plan our campaigns, enabling us to work much faster and be more profitable. We rely on the AI in Tinyclues Action to intelligently manage pressure and optimize the arbitrage between campaigns. Our workflow is now much more proactive, with Tinyclues Action giving us strategic insights on the potential of our marketing ideas, and helping us to spot any audience conflicts early. Were excited to see their roadmap unfold, with Tinyclues Action and its AI inventing new ways to activate our customers, maximize our reach and ultimately drive more revenue.

And Brandalley arent alone. Clemence Bussiere, Director Relationship Marketing at Voyages-sncf.com, concluded: Beyond generating a 115% increase in our campaigns revenue within the first three months of use, Tinyclues enabled us to reinvent the way we orchestrate our marketing agenda.

So, while AI developments may be a slower and gradual process for many industries, Tinyclues new solution illustrates how AI is already pushing the boundaries for todays B2C marketers. Get ready to embrace the opportunities.

About Tinyclues

Tinyclues is the leading, next generation AI-driven SaaS marketing platform enabling B2C companies to generate additional revenue through intelligent campaign targeting and planning. Marketers can leverage Tinyclues Action easy-to-use, AI augmented interface to efficiently activate customers and orchestrate their marketing agenda to drive revenue and engagement. Tinyclues ground-breaking solution uses Artificial Intelligence to predict the likelihood of any customer to buy any promoted item, even in the absence of recent intent. As a result, marketers can deliver smart, targeted messages to everyone in their database. Companies like Brandalley, Cdiscount, ClubMed, Fnac, La Redoute, PriceMinister, Rue du Commerce, vente-privee.com, Sarenza, Vestiaire Collective, VeryChic, Voyages-sncf.com and more are using Tinyclues to orchestrate more than 400 million messages per month across channels such as email, mobile notifications, direct mail, call centers or Facebook to generate quantified and sustainable incremental revenue.

For more information, visit http://www.tinyclues.com.

Twitter: @tinyclues

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703220051

PRODUCT LAUNCH: New Tinyclues Action is an #AI-driven customer engagement solution with the wow factor
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 09:02:01

45 percent of organisations have as many as 8 different ways of provisioning DNS

72 percent of organisations reported regularly suffering from critical issues that impact website and application availability

Neustar Research Reveals 92% of UK Organisations Unaware of Impact DNS is Having on Internet Users

Neustar

Laura Cahill

laura.cahill@axicom.com

+44 207 559 5632

Neustar, Inc. (NYSE:NSR), a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information services, today released findings from new research into how UK businesses are provisioning domain name system (DNS) servers and services, finding that 92 percent have limited visibility of the impact DNS performance is having on their internet users and visitors to their online resources. Although DNS is a fundamental utility supporting the internet and relied upon by all businesses, visibility is hampered by complexity with 45 percent of organisations having as many as 8 different ways of provisioning their DNS infrastructure.

The report, titled Winning the domain game: the business case for a specialist DNS provider, commissioned from independent analysis firm, Quocirca, presents new UK-focused research into how businesses are provisioning DNS servers and services in the interests of both their internal and external internet users. The full report from Quocirca can be read here: https://hello.neustar.biz/2017-quocirca-dns-resear

The internet is now a core utility for all businesses, as essential as electricity and water supply. However, unlike these utilities, internet use is bi-directional; outward, for employees and other internal users to engage with the world, and inward for customers and other visitors to find an organisations online resources. Its also reliant on its own fundamental utility, the domain name system or DNS, explains Bob Tarzey, Analyst & Director, Quocirca. At its most basic, DNS is an address book which matches websites to internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Our research reveals that many organisations have yet to realise that DNS can be so much more than that; sitting on the frontline in the online security battle, maximising use of backend resources, ensuring governance and providing a rich source of data for marketing teams.

Key findings from interviews with 100 senior IT decision makers at UK-based businesses in a variety of sectors reveals:

Critical Issues  72 percent of organisations reported regularly suffering from at least one of 6 critical issues that impact website and application availability (including Distributed Denial of Service [DDoS] attacks, network access issues and web server downtime), and 61 percent revealing the same for performance  any of these internet problems are potentially DNS-related.

72 percent of organisations reported regularly suffering from at least one of 6 critical issues that impact website and application availability (including Distributed Denial of Service [DDoS] attacks, network access issues and web server downtime), and 61 percent revealing the same for performance  any of these internet problems are potentially DNS-related. DNS Complexity  Despite being relied upon by all businesses, only 8 percent of respondents claim to have full visibility across all areas of DNS, including frequency of dropped requests, cache poisoning, latency and overall load on DNS infrastructure, rendering it impossible to ensure a consistent service to internal and external Internet users. DNS complexity is a major reason for lack of visibility with 45 percent of organisations having as many as 8 different ways of provisioning their infrastructure.

Despite being relied upon by all businesses, only 8 percent of respondents claim to have full visibility across all areas of DNS, including frequency of dropped requests, cache poisoning, latency and overall load on DNS infrastructure, rendering it impossible to ensure a consistent service to internal and external Internet users. DNS complexity is a major reason for lack of visibility with 45 percent of organisations having as many as 8 different ways of provisioning their infrastructure. Room for improvement  89 percent of respondents claim to be using a specialist DNS service provider, but just 15 percent have committed to using it for both internal and external DNS purposes to provide advanced features such as mitigation against DDoS attacks, reducing infrastructure load and central management tools to improve visibility. With so few benefiting from advanced features, it would suggest a lack of knowledge about the value add that can be provided via DNS, and what could be achieved by using a specialist DNS service provider.

When complexity starts to prevent the delivery of efficiency and security benefits, businesses need to sit up and take notice. The report found that the majority of organisations use ISPs, managed hosting providers and internet registrars as way of provisioning some of their DNS needs. Such suppliers provide DNS services as a spinoff from the other things they do. On the other hand, 92 percent of organisations polled maintain some in-house DNS capability to cover recursive DNS (for internal internet users) and/or authoritative DNS (for external internet users) requirements. However, this unfocused approach to DNS management has its own drawbacks. Advanced DNS provision and management, as performed by a specialist DNS service provider, can deliver a number of valuable features to address these issues and provide significant value-add for businesses.

DNS has been called the most important part of the internet that people dont know about and its time IT managers woke up to what a professional DNS service can deliver to business, said Rodney Joffe, SVP and Fellow at Neustar. As the report highlights, DNS can be so much more than a website address directory. Provisioned correctly, by a reputable specialist DNS service provider, it can defend the frontline in the fight against cyber-attacks, maximise the use of backend resources, ensure governance and be a rich source of marketing data.

About Neustar

Every day, the world generates roughly 2.5 quadrillion bits of data. Neustar (NYSE: NSR) isolates certain elements and analyzes, simplifies and edits them to make precise and valuable decisions that drive results. As one of the few companies capable of knowing with certainty whos on the other end of every interaction, were trusted by the worlds great brands to make critical decisions some 20bn times a day. We help marketers send timely and relevant messages to the right people. Because we can authoritatively tell a client exactly who is calling or connecting with them, we make critical realtime responses possible. And the same comprehensive information that enables our clients to direct and manage orders also stops attackers. We know when someone isnt who they claim to be, which helps stop fraud and denial of service before theyre a problem. Because were also an experienced manager of some of the worlds most complex databases, we help clients control their online identity, registering and protecting their domain name, and routing traffic to the correct network address. By linking essential information with people who depend on it, we provide 11,000+ clients worldwide with decisionsnot just data.

###

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703220050
Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 07:44:59

Press Information

Future Market Insights

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,



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United States



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# 635 Words

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: www.futuremarketinsights.comAbhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531

According to a latest report published by Future Market Insights titled Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.8% between 2016 and 2026 in terms of value.Portable oxygen concentrators supply oxygen to patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The concentrator separates nitrogen and oxygen from air in the environment and then supplies 95% pure oxygen to patients. POCs are easy to carry as they are smaller in size compared to stationary concentrators. Moreover, POCs are of great use to mountaineers and travellers in places where oxygen is inadequate.According to Future Market Insights, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is likely to witness substantial growth owing to increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, growing consumer awareness for oxygen therapy devices, and a changing consumer lifestyle. Further, adoption of new technologies in medical devices, increasing government expenditure towards healthcare and medical devices development and production, and a rise in investment by companies manufacturing homecare products is likely to boost the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period (2016  2026). However, high product costs and stringent FDA regulations pertaining to medical devices are some of the factors likely to restrain the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period.Segmentation highlightsThe global portable oxygen concentrators market has been segmented on the basis of Product into Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator and Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator; and on the basis of End User into Hospitals, Homecare, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, and Travel Agents.Request For Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1061 The Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator product segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1890.3 Mn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast periodThe Homecare end user segment is projected to be valued at US$ 1820.5 Mn by 2026 and is likely to witness a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast periodRegional market projectionsThe global portable oxygen concentrators market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Growing geriatric population consequently increasing the requirement for homecare settings particularly in high income countries with increasing number of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is expected to result in significant growth of the North America portable oxygen concentrators market. The North America region is expected to report incremental opportunity of US$ 781.7 Mn between 2016 and 2026. Evolution of health insurance system is expected to contribute largely to the revenue generation potential and attractiveness of the Eastern Europe portable oxygen concentrators market. Rising adoption of portable oxygen concentrators in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients for better care is expected to fuel revenue growth in the Japan portable oxygen concentrators market over the forecast period. High product cost of portable oxygen concentrators is expected to hamper sustainable adoption in the APEJ region. Lack of product awareness is expected to hamper market growth in the APEJ and MEA regions.Send An Enquiry@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1061 Vendor insightsThe report profiles some of the top companies operating in the global portable oxygen concentrators market such as Koninklijke Philips N.V., Inogen Inc., Chart Industries Inc., Resmed Inc., Invacare Corporation, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, Precision Medical Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., Oxus America, Inc. (Oxus), Foshan Keyhub Electronic Industries Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts LLC, and GCE Group. Key strategies adopted by leading market players in the global portable oxygen concentrators market include product approvals and commercialisation, efficient entry into markets in emerging countries, and adoption of latest innovative technologies in healthcare, thus strengthening regional proficiency and addressing customer needs effectively. New product launches, product innovation, and geographical expansion are anticipated to form the core of these strategies during the forecast period.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 14:06:02

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences ("ProMIS" or the "Company"), a company focused on the discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that it has appointed Daniel E. Geffken to the position of Chief Financial Officer.

"We are pleased to welcome Daniel Geffken as his broad skill set and experience will contribute significant value to the ProMIS team," said Eugene Williams, ProMIS Executive Chairman. "In particular, Daniel's well-recognized expertise in building science-based companies and track record in strategic fundraising are key capabilities that fit perfectly with the developing needs of ProMIS."

Daniel Geffken is a Founding Managing Director of Danforth Advisors, LLC and brings more than 25 years of experience in the life science industry to his work with ProMIS.

"I am delighted to join ProMIS, a rapidly developing company at the forefront of precision medicine treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and ALS," said Geffken. "I look forward to working with the executive team to assist the company in achieving these important objectives."

About Daniel Geffken

Daniel Geffken is a Founding Managing Director of Danforth Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm providing finance, operations and strategic support to life science companies. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the life science industry to his work with ProMIS, ranging from start-ups to publicly traded companies with $1 billion+ market capitalizations. He previously served as COO or CFO of four publicly traded and four privately held life science companies, in addition to his consulting clients. Daniel has been chief financial officer of Homology, Inc, GenePeeks, Inc., Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc., Cidara, Inc., Apellis, Inc. and Stealth BioTherapeutics, Inc. He has raised more than $1 billion in equity and debt securities for life science companies. Daniel holds a B.S. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

The mission of ProMIS Neurosciences is to discover and develop precision medicine therapeutics for effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease and ALS.

ProMIS Neurosciences' proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two, complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platforms - ProMIS(TM) and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique "precision medicine" approach, ProMIS Neurosciences is developing novel antibody therapeutics and specific companion diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The company has also developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample. In addition, ProMIS Neurosciences owns a portfolio of therapeutic and diagnostic patents relating to misfolded SOD1 in ALS, and currently has three preclinical monoclonal antibody therapeutics against this target.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release may contain certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please consult the Company's website at:

www.promisneurosciences.com

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on LinkedIn

or contact

Dr. Elliot Goldstein

President and Chief Executive Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

Tel. 415 341-5783

Elliot.goldstein@promisneurosciences.com

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: ProMIS Neurosciences via Globenewswire


PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-22 14:23:08

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# 401 Words

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Quantum International Income Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Quantum International Income Corp. (TSX Venture:QIC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Quantum International Income Corp. Announces Acquisition in the Georgia Gaming MarketTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Quantum International Income Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Quantum International Income Corp.Source: Quantum International Income Corp. (TSX Venture: QIC, TSX Venture: QIC.U, ISIN: CA74766M1005)Date: March 22, 2017Time: 9:23 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Quantum International Income Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
By: MISSIonLINES

'The best hope of any nation lies in the education of its youth' Erasmus, 1506

End

-- By first funding a project in Liberia, 'America's 51st State,' the Foundation for Women envisions "making education fun" by establishing a network of public skateboard parks throughout Africa.MISSIonLINES had donated key web address support to help this U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation deliver their message: TrustedBest.com recorded some 2,500 'likes' on Facebook between March 19th and 21st. SkateboardBest.com is a direct link to the skateboard project. ContributeToTheBest.com invites a tax-deductible contribution of $60 which will benefit as many as a dozen boys and girls. LiberiaBest.com introduces 'Awesome Without Borders,' a U.S. charitable foundation which has helped kick-off this fundraising. ArtForTheUSA.com has established a Facebook group which invites artists, worldwide, to post images, and everyone, everywhere, to contribute comments. The proposed U.S. budget threatens to slash funding for overseas development, international arts exchange and domestic education. These pages will be shared with U.S. legislators.
The neighboring Dodecanese islands in Greece have taken the biggest piece of the total volume of blue cruise charter sales this season.

Contact

Emma Taylor

***@miryayachting.com Emma Taylor

End

-- An industry that has been around for over 2 decades, blue cruise holidays have been the top choice in better value luxury sailing vacations on the turquoise coast. Turkey has been and still is the capital ofdrawing thousands of blue voyage enthusiasts for many years.In the last two years there has been a decline in charter sales from ports in Turkey. Despite this decline, there are still healthy bookings numbers for 2017, according to Mirya Yachting Turkey. "There is a positive outlook for 2017 and we are not only receiving bookings for itineraries in Turkey from local tourists but also from old and new clients from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe - who know that it is still safe to enjoy a gulet holiday in Turkey", explains Mr. Baris, official at Mirya Yachting Turkey.The neighboring Dodecanese islands in Greece have taken the biggest piece of the total volume of blue cruise charter sales this season. As an established blue cruise destination, gulet travellers have already been on many different itineraries in Turkey. Now they are looking to try out different routes, according to Mirya."Most of the charters will begin from the ports of Kos and Rhodes. Guests will have the choice to either travel in the North Dodecanese all the way up to Patmos, or sail in the southern islands as far down to Halki. We even have a few charters from Samos. The Greek island ports will be super busy this summer, right until October we expect and this is excellent news for the Turkish gulet industry and also good news and more business for the vendors in the Greek islands", says Ms. Melissa from Mirya Yachting Canada."Gulet holidays continue to retain strong interest and the preferred holiday style because it caters to all budgets, all types of groups, great for children and families, and one of the best ways to enjoy the treasures of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas", says Mr. Baris.Just when the industry thought to experience a slow season, between continued charters sales in Turkey and recording breaking bookings for the Greek islands, it looks like it's just another successfulseason for 2017.Visit http://miryabluecruise.com
Milk Venom

End

-- Jodde Maree has been writing short stories, poems and lyrics since the age of thirteen. Due to traumatic circumstances she did not have the time to fully focus on writing until, about two months before the publication of this book, when she decided that the time had come for her to express herself through poetry, stories and lyrics writing. A publishing contract offered by Paramount Music was declined as the company requested all copyrights, and Jodde Maree decided to get herself published through an independent publisher.Jodde Maree grew up in the inner suburbs of Sydney, later on moving to the north of the town. There, she was inspired into creativity by her non-biological mother (an orchestra conductor) who had a profound influence on her creative energy. Through her writing, Jodde Maree intends to address the human condition as, according to her, everyone deserves validation through her words. Words that, she hopes, will resonate in people's inspiration.Published by AquillrelleTo order: http://www.lulu.com/ shop/jodde-maree/ milk-venom/paperback...
HELPS has already helped over 5000 people with just one site in Boise, Idaho  Our goal is to roll out their online resource center sites in 400 cities throughout the USA..

By: HELPS Resource Center, Inc.

HELPS logos 6 C

Contact

Director Larry Hunter

***@econopublishing.com Director Larry Hunter

End

-- Thedirectory is a localized online resource which connects disadvantaged or disenfranchised people with individuals and organizations who offer support, assistance, guidance, counseling and help.Director Larry Hunter said the organization wanted to "empower" its service users to "make lasting changes in their lives by helping them take control of their day to day life and the problems they encounter."He added that the faith based, nonprofit organization have developed a range of programs and information resources designed to "meet the basic needs of individuals and families within their local community in need of help".Founded by a diverse mix of people, the organization holds its Christian faith at the heart of everything it does."The primary role of the organization is to devote our time, faith and resources to transforming lives and giving people the confidence and ability to make a positive lasting impact on themselves and their community" said Larry.Our goal is to roll out their online resource center sites in 400 cities throughout the USA.Larry explained: "Our directories website has been designed so that it can be replicated in any city or geographical areas to include all the resources in that area to make it easy for anybody needing help to find it in one place."Each of the resources and services on the list are also connected to Google Maps for easy access. Our goal is to find an organization or ministry in each city or geographical location that can assist in fulfilling the on the ground aspects of their local website." Visit http://www.helpsresourcecenter.com/ for details.
I AM BATTLE COMIC, a thought-provoking documentary about stand-up comedians entertaining our troops in the Middle East, will have its Las Vegas Premiere at a special red carpet benefit event at The AMC Town Square 18.

By: Battle Comics

1 2 3 The Las Vegas Premiere Of I Am Battle Comic - May 31st At AMC Town Square Battle Comics Getting Ready For The Commute To Afghanistan Battle Comics Visiting With The Troops After The Show

End

-- It has been said, "Laughter is the best medicine." It also turns out that comedy can be a preventative medicine as well. Since 1992, Battle Comics have been entertaining the troops in war zones and around the world, and the new documentary I Am Battle Comic goes first hand and shows the importance of bringing laughter to those serving on the front lines.The Las Vegas Premiere of I Am Battle Comic is May 31st, 2017, 9:30PM -11:30PM at The AMC - Town Square 18."I AM BATTLE COMIC" follows comedians (touring the frontlines performing for our U.S. Troops stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq. Heartfelt interviews with top professional comedians () are woven in with the filmmaker's boots on the ground reality.A hysterical Q&A features directorALL of the money raised benefits For Veterans Sake Foundation whose main focus is providing service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD.calls"An excellent heartfelt film that pays tribute to our troops  and the comedians who travel the world to make them laugh."is sure to spark conversation and create a deep appreciation for our military non-profits and families. In March of 2016, comedian/filmmakertraveled to the frontlines with four professional comics to perform for our military men and women. The camera follows the comics confronting the highs and lows facing them and our brave men and women in uniform while weaving in current events such as the brutal terrorist attacks in Brussels, Turkey, and Iraq. The dangers faced at the front and around the world underscore the mission to provide laughter for the men and women serving in our military.100% of the proceeds will benefit For Veterans Sake Foundation. For Veteran's Sake Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 Non-profit organization. Their main focus is dealing with PTSD that veterans are suffering from. This is done by using highly trained service dogs that are trained to their specific needs and a mixture of Hypnosis with some interrogation techniques. All this is done at NO COST to the veteran or their immediate family.Battle Comics702-449-1763
Global life sciences trade show operator to bring flagship healthcare conference to the leading healthcare trade fair in the region

By: Informa

Asia Health Exhibition

End

-- Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, the global life sciences trade show operator, has announced the launch of the flagshipconference at the upcoming Asia Health Exhibition & Congress taking place from 3-5 April 2017 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition. The addition of the flagship conference to the region's premier healthcare trade fair is seen as a vital opportunity for C-suite healthcare executives to gather to discuss the future of healthcare strategies across Asia.With the unprecedented growth in population (expected to reach 625 million people by 2040), and with some analysts estimating that Asia will need an additional 180 million new hospital beds by 2023, both the public and private sector will be increasingly looking to invest in robust strategies to increase operational efficiency, improve clinical outcomes, and boost profit margins.The Leaders in Healthcare conference will highlight the issues surrounding governance in healthcare in Asia , international patient safety goals, healthcare delivery strategies and tools, public health strategies for an ageing population, implementing integrated care and the future of hospital management, among others.According to Simon Page, Managing Director, Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions:"We are excited to bring the successful Leaders in Healthcare conference series to Asia, as part of the inaugural Asia Health Exhibition & Congress. The theme of the conferences has been carefully chosen in collaboration with our industry partners in order to directly address the future of healthcare strategies across the region."The conference will feature contributions from world-renowned speakers including Thomas W. Kozlowski, Principal Consultant, Joint Commission International, Singapore; Dr Rustico Jimenez, President, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines;Dr Nor'Aishah Abu Bakar, Senior Public Health Physician, Head of Patient Safety Programme, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Fredrik Nyberg, CEO, Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), Singapore, and other healthcare leaders from across the region.Another addition to the conference and seminar programme for Asia Health is the three-day Dealers & Distributors (D&D) Spotlight which will offer solutions and guidance on finding the right D&D to expand your network and strategies to increase your network and customer base. With a market size of close to $500 million, the Asia Pacific healthcare market represents 29% of global revenues, and is still the fastest growing region globally representing huge opportunities for deeper engagement and market penetration.Asia Health brings together more than 4,000 healthcare professionals with 150 of the world's leading healthcare suppliers , manufacturers and service providers, from 25 countries, all under one roof, to find the latest industry innovations, network and do business. Co-located with MEDLAB Asia Pacific  Asia's largest annual meeting for the IVD and medical laboratory industry  Asia Health is the perfect opportunity to discover first-hand the best the healthcare industry has to offer, and to expand business associations with personal, one-on-one connections.
Bimstec member states agree to combat security challenges

The first meeting of national security chiefs of Bimstec member states concluded here on Tuesday, underlining the need to address conventional and non-conventional security challenges to harness economic prosperity and human security in the region.
I Like Local launches a crowdfunding campaign on Start Some Good to take their innovative travel concept to the next level. It doesn't only respond to a new travel trend, it also creates direct benefits for local communities in Asia and Africa.

Contact

Sanne Meijboom

***@i-likelocal.com Sanne Meijboom

End

-- "While tourism in Africa and Asia is on the rise, most local people don't sufficiently benefit from the tourism economy," says Sanne Meijboom, the founder and CEO of I Like Local. "For every $100 spent by tourists in a developing country, only $5 remain in the host community. At the same time there are more travelers looking for immersive travel experiences with social impact. This is where we come in." - she continues.A few years ago, Sanne quit her job and invested all of her own savings into building the I Like Local platform. Through this platform you can directly connect with locals in Asia and Africa and book stays and experiences. For example, you can stay on an organic farm in Nepal, fish with a local fisherman in Sri Lanka or have a home dinner with a family in Kenya.Not only can travelers connect and get a peek into local life, they directly support them. 100% of the money asked by the locals for the experiences is directly paid to them.We believe in the transformational power of travel and want to bridge the gap between cultures and bring people together to create deeper connections and lasting memories. What we have accomplished so far is wonderful, but we need to scale our impact further and engage more travelers. By supporting I Like Local on Start Some Good, people can create a positive impact for people in Asia and Africa and be part of a new travel movement."Visit I Like Local's https://startsomegood.com/ travelwithpurpose to see their crowdfunding project, hear the founder's message and learn more about the service that is changing the way we travel.I Like Local platform was founded by Sanne Meijboom and is currently headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is offering authentic local travel experiences in 18 countries in Asia and Africa, supporting over 1,300 locals and serving more than 14,500 travelers. It has been acknowledged on BBC, Forbes, Travel + Leisure and many more outlets. For more information visit http://www.i- likelocal.com/
It has been on the cards for some time and the proverbial writing has been on the wall: in 2017, the so-called 'nexus of forces' will impact business operations in a major way  and companies will either be ready or go out of business.

By: Assimilated Information Systems

End

-- That is the reality facing all industries today says Ernest Kleynhans, MD of local specialist software and IT services provider Assimilated Information Systems Pty Ltd. (AIS).Kleynhans acknowledges that 2016 has been a challenging and volatile year, and it is really challenging to make any predictions with any level of certainty. However, he does believe 2017 will be the year where connectivity will make all the difference, where undersea fibre cable systems and last mile connectivity will truly count."Most businesses have already begun with the migration to digital, transforming their core systems and leveraging technology like the cloud, big data, analytics and the Internet of Things. This transformation will become more and more entrenched in the future," says Kleynhans.2017 is likely to be a land-mark year for service providers and solution developers. If they keep ahead of the growth curve, tailor their offerings and engage the market effectively, there is little to stop them from capitalising off digital transformation and the rollout of third platform technologies.The AIS MD says that spin-off results of this convergence of technology is the advent of M2M (machine-to-machine) connectivity, the widespread integration of sensors and the opportunity to benefit from the multitude of connected 'things'.According to Kleynhans, businesses will increasingly adopt the hybrid cloud model to streamline ICT infrastructure management and ensure cost efficiency, as well as take heed of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as influences like robotics, smart technology and platforms grow in significance and are applied at various levels of society."Make no mistake next year is going to be a game-changer, to coin a very over-used expression, but it will be businesses, no matter what focus or direction, or size for that matter, will have the same opportunity and this coming year can be the make or break for most operations, depending on their digital transformation strategy," he adds.For more info, go to http://www.aissa.co.za
Affordable Dental Solutions has brought affordable dental implants to the Philadelphia area.

By: Affordable Dental Solutions

ADS in Exton has brought affordable dental implants to the Philadelphia area.

End

-- Residents of Philadelphia no longer have to suffer from the effects of missing teeth simply because they cannot afford the astronomical prices city dentists charge for solutions like dental implants. Affordable Dental Solutions (ADS) in Exton is seeking to make treatment more accessible by offering affordable dental implants.Starting at only $2,000, a price that includes the abutment and crown, dental implants from ADS are an affordable and seamless solution to missing teeth. During a dental implant procedure, a prosthetic implant is placed into the jaw bone. After several months, the bone integrates with the implant. The abutment and crown are later added to deliver a finished, more natural looking smile."When the procedure is complete, our patients have healthier, more natural smiles they cannot wait to show off," says Dr. Michelle Bernreuther, a graduate of the renowned Misch International Implant Institute who's been helping patients at ADS reclaim their smiles since 2011.With four offices throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, ADS has already helped thousands of patients and looks forward to helping even more achieve fuller, more beautiful smiles.For more information on affordable dental implants in Exton, schedule an appointment with ADS: http://extondentures.com/ schedule.html About Affordable Dental Solutions: Based in Eastern Pennsylvania, Affordable Dental Solutions is a provider of full dentistry services. For nearly a decade, Affordable Dental Solutions has offered patients procedures such as dental implants, crowns, and dentures at rates much lower than area competitors by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and by negotiating discounts with implant manufacturing companies. Learn more at http://www.affordabledentalsolutions.com/
The upcoming Agritech Expo Zambia in Chisamba from 27-29 April will feature a record number of six international pavilions from strong farming countries Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe.

By: Agritech Expo Zambia

Agriculture key in the diversification of the Zambian economy

Media Contact

Agritech Expo Zambia

annemarie.roodbol@ spintelligent.com

+27217003500 Agritech Expo Zambia+27217003500

End

-- The upcomingin Chisamba from 27-29 April will feature a record number of six international pavilions from strong farming countries Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe, each showcasing their own specialised products and services to the agri community."For four years now the German Agricultural Society has been involved in" says Martin Botzian, Head of Communication at DLG International GmbH. He adds "since 2016 the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture has organised a German Pavilion and DLG supports this strategic investment, bringing German companies to the No 1 open air expo in Zambia. We see this fair constantly growing from year to year, attracting more and more exhibitors as well as professional visitors and small scale farmers from all over Zambia. It continues to be the gathering place for the agricultural business sector and delivers a very professional platform to meet all the different types of needs. Well done to all of you -we know how hard you have had to work to deliver this!"New atthis year are official country pavilions from the UK, the Netherlands, France and the Czech Republic."The Zambian market is exciting because it is diverse, booming and very professional"says Aude Roelly, Sub-Saharan Africa Area Managerat ADEPTA, an organisation of 240 French companies specialised in agriculture and agri-food processing, and convenors of the French pavilion at Agritech Expo.She continues: "we know that agriculture is and will be key in the diversification of the Zambian economy. The vision that is being presented by the Zambian authorities for the development of the sector relies on the private sector (investment, innovation) and the improvement of productivity. Those are very good signs for equipment and machinery providers. The shift in subsidiary, from consumption to production, is also a very good sign that Zambian companies will focus on innovation and value adding and therefore may look into French technologies and know-how."The Holland Pavilion atis hosting 18 Dutch companies, mainly active in the poultry and dairy sectors, accompanied by several Dutch knowledge institutions that are leaders in their field of expertise in agriculture.According to Joost van Dam, director NEC (Netherlands Export Combination)and organisers of the Holland Pavilion "Zambia will need to acquire resources such as capital, expertise and equipment in order to realise its full potential. Dutch companies can provide some of the required inputs owing to the strong position of the Netherlands in global dairy and poultry value chains."He says the Netherlands has had long standing involvement in Zambian agriculture. "For example, it previously supported agriculture training colleges (e.g. dairy and horticulture). Through various business support instruments, the Netherlands is currently supporting an irrigation scheme that primarily benefits small scale outgrowers."The United Kingdom's Department of International Trade has acknowledged the immense trade and investment potential that exists in Zambia's agricultural sector, says Jelena Duza, Trade and Investment Adviser, Southern Africa, Agri-tech & Healthcare at the Department for International Trade. She adds: "this year, we have chosen Agritech Expo as an important platform to allow UK companies to access this potential and make an important contribution to the industry in Zambia. The UK Pavilion will be showcasing the best of British agricultural technologies. Visitors can expect to meet with exhibitors with a focus on livestock, mechanization, seed and crop protection, and agro-processing."Last yeardrew a record-breaking number of 17 605 visitors. This year even more small-scale, emerging and commercial farmers are expected to descend on the GART research farm in the heart of Zambia's agri-hub, where the latest farming products and services will be showcased.The eventwill also offer free workshops again, as well as live machinery and product demonstrations and crop trials. New for this year will be specialised agri-sector industry zones and mowing and baling demonstrations.As in previous years, Agritech Expo enjoys extensive support from the agri industry with well-known suppliers AFGRI and John Deere returning as platinum sponsors again. Confirmed gold sponsors are Action Auto, Agricon, BHBW, Case Construction, Case Agriculture, Gourock and SARO.Agritech Expo Zambia is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known agri events by Spintelligent include Agritech Expo Tanzania and Agribusiness Congress East Africa.Agritech Expo Zambia 2017:Dates: 27-29 April 2017Location: Gart Research Centre, Chisamba, ZambiaWebsite: http://www.agritech- expo.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ Agritech_Expo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agritechexpozambia/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477169Media contact:Senior communications manager: Annemarie RoodbolMobile: +27 82 562 7844Office: +27 21 700 3558Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com
By: Cushman & Wakefield

Contact

Caryl Communications

***@caryl.com Caryl Communications

End

-- Mike McCurdy has joined Cushman & Wakefield as Managing Principal for the firm's Philadelphia Regional offices, including Central PA, the Delaware Valley, and Southern New Jersey, bringing more than 25-years' experience and his track record of growing businesses to the firm.John Derham, who has successfully led the firm's Philadelphia operations for the past 16 years, and been with Cushman & Wakefield for 20 years, has decided to step down, effective March 28."John has been a significant asset to the firm and has led a tremendous group of professionals  there are too few words to thank him as he starts a new chapter of his career," said Roberta Liss, Regional Managing Principal, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions for Cushman & Wakefield. "Mike has a solid foundation to build on as he brings the firm's full range of services to the region  enhancing service lines and introducing new solutions to our clients."McCurdy led the growth and expansion of JLL in the Philadelphia area for over nine years, with both occupier and investor clients. He has developed a wide range of expertise over his career: from asset management, project management, property development, and leasing. He has held senior leadership positions with JLL, where he was selected as an International Director, and at Trammell Crow, where he managed some of the firm's top clients in the Northeast."Cushman & Wakefield has a tremendous amount of momentum right now  and I'm excited to join the firm and lead this great team," said McCurdy. "The culture of client service and collaboration really attracted me to Cushman & Wakefield and this role. I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with this great team in this wonderful city, and to be a part of our industry's most exciting growth story."McCurdy earned an M.B.A. in International Business from Drexel University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University in Civil Engineering. He is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson and a Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, McCurdy has been actively involved in the community through a number of professional and community organizations and boards. He is a frequent public speaker on panels throughout the area.Prior to working in Commercial Real Estate, McCurdy directed construction projects for Bechtel Corporation and held positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Department of the Navy.###Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global real estate services firm that helps clients transform the way people work, shop, and live. Our 43,000 employees in more than 60 countries help investors optimize the value of their real estate by combining our global perspective and deep local knowledge with an impressive platform of real estate solutions. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest commercial real estate services firms with revenue of $5 billion across core services of agency leasing, asset services, capital markets, facility services (C&W Services), global occupier services, investment & asset management (DTZ Investors), project & development services, tenant representation, and valuation & advisory. To learn more, visit or follow @CushWake on Twitter.
Best selling author, Anne Lamott, will be appearing at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, April 8.

Contact

Kimberly Raley-Kimes

Communications & Learning Coordinator

***@cpcatlanta.org Kimberly Raley-KimesCommunications & Learning Coordinator

End

-- Central Presbyterian Church, an historic church located in downtown Atlanta, is pleased to welcome back best selling author Anne Lamott, to discuss her latest book,Event sponsors, Charis Books, the nation's oldest independent feminist bookstore, it's non-profit programming arm, Charis Circle, and Central Presbyterian Church will host An Evening with Anne Lamott at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.Bestselling author ofAnne Lamott offers a powerful exploration of mercy, its limitless (if sometimes hidden) presence, why we ignore it and how we can embrace it in her latest book,Full of Lamott's trademark honesty, humor, and forthrightness,is profound and caring, funny and wise  a hopeful book of hands-on spirituality.Tickets are $20-$30 depending on option and doors open at 6 p.m. Included in your ticket is the price of Anne's book,General parking will be available at the State of Georgia Department of Public Safety Garage located at 180 Central Avenue, SW.For more information about this upcoming event please contact Elizabeth Anderson with Charis Books at info@chariscircle.org or visit charisbooksandmore.com or cpcatlanta.org.# # #About Central Presbyterian ChurchCentral Presbyterian Church is an historic church located at 201 Washington Street SW in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1858 and was added to the National Register in 1986. During the 1930s, it became known as "the church that stayed" as other churches relocated to the suburbs. Today Central's ministries place an emphasis on social justice through advocacy, local and global mission work, and education.
If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity.

PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move.
Furthering its focus on the US, video-on-demand (VOD) provider SPI International/FILMBOX Channels has engaged Eutelsat Americas to distribute ten HD and one Ultra HD channel to homes across the Americas.





From 1 March, SPI International will use two Eutelsat satellites to take its channels to a broad audience. EUTELSAT 113 West A will be used to distribute channels in the United States and Spanish-speaking Latin America, while the premium reach of the new EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite will enable SPI to serve regionalised content to operators in Brazil. United Teleports in Miami will provide playout and uplink services along with the technical management of the platform.The SPI offer will feature many of the companys reference channels, including DocuBox HD, 360Tunebox HD, FashionBox HD, Fast&FunBox HD, FightBox HD, Filmbox Art House, Gametoon and NatureVision TV. SPI will also offer FunBox UHD, marking the launch of one of the first Ultra HD channels in Latin America.Commenting on the deal, Loni Farhi, president of SPI International , said: We look forward to further partnering with Eutelsat and to enriching their video neighbourhoods with SPI/FILMBOX HD channels while also offering homes across the Americas the highest quality native Ultra HD content on our FunBox UHD network.Added Patricio Northland, CEO of Eutelsat Americas: Eutelsat has accompanied the stellar growth of SPI across multiple markets and is proud to work hand-in-hand with them to accelerate the penetration of HD and Ultra HD content in the Americas. This new package reiterates our commitment to promoting the newest technologies in order to advance the availability of quality content worldwide.The new satellite offer comes weeks after SPI International/FILMBOX Channels Group announced a deal with Dish Networks Sling TV over-the-top (OTT) streaming service to carry its channels.
South Africas broadcasting signal distributor Sentech has bolstered its deal with global satellite operator Intelsat for content distribution services across Sub-Saharan Africa.





The company currently offers signal distribution services to many of South Africas licensed broadcasters, including public broadcaster SABC, commercial and community broadcasters. The deal will add to the Ku-band services Sentech already utilises from the Intelsat 20 satellite, located at 68.5 East, which currently deliver direct-to-home (DTH) and digital terrestrial television (DTT) services in South Africa.Sentech is always exploring avenues and pursuing relationships that will ensure quality broadcast services for South Africa. The contracting of these additional services with Intelsat will allow Sentech to expand quality media services to the rest of the African continent, said Mlamli Booi, CEO, Sentech Brian Jakins, Intelsats vice president, Africa said: Intelsat will continue to support Sentech in its efforts to be the leading distributor of content in Africa. Satellite remains the best means for African broadcasters to reach the widest possible audience, and this agreement will enable Sentech to continue connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.
Total sales dipped 79 percent in March 2020 with 3,697 units sold, down from 17,201 units sold in March 2019

Honda Cars finished 6th among automakers in India in terms of sales in March 2020. It noted domestic sales of 3,697 units in the past month, down 79 percent as against 17,201 units sold in the same month of the previous year.

Even as every model noted de-growth in the past month, Honda Amaze was the best selling model in the company lineup. Total sales stood at 2,744 units, down 63 percent as against 7,419 units sold in March 2019. Honda Amaze, in the sub 4 meter sedan segment, competes with Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, and Ford Aspire. It has consistently been in second position on the monthly sales charts.

Also Read  Honda Launches Online Car Booking

Honda Jazz failed to see any sales in the past month even as sales in March 2019 has stood at 1,078 units. The Jazz facelift has been teased ahead of launch and gets several sportier updates as compared to its earlier counterpart. It could be powered by the same set of petrol and diesel engines in BS6 format and could see its price hiked by Rs.50,000 as compared to BS4 Jazz which falls within the range of Rs 7.45 lakhs to Rs 9.4 lakhs.

Honda Car Sales  March 2020

No Honda Mar-20 Mar-19 Diff % 1 Amaze 2,744 7,419 -4,675 -63.01 2 City 786 3,432 -2,646 -77.10 3 WRV 86 2,552 -2,466 -96.63 4 Civic 67 2,291 -2,224 -97.08 5 CRV 14 104 -90 -86.54 6 Jazz 0 1,078 -1,078 -100.00 7 BRV 0 325 -325 -100.00  Total 3,697 17,201 -13,504 -78.51

The 10th Gen Honda Civic which was launched in March 2019 noted sales of 2,291 units in that month which dipped to just 67 units in March 2020. Sales of the Honda WR-V stood at just 86 units, down from 2,552 units sold in March 2019, a dip of 97 percent. Bookings have opened for the 2020 WR-V which comes in with BS6 compliant petrol and diesel engine options and design upgrades.

Also Read  Car Buyers Will Not Get Test Drives Post Lockdown

Honda City has also noted de-growth of 77 percent to 786 units sold in March 2020 as compared to 3,432 units sold in the same month of the previous year. The new 2020 Honda City will be launched soon in India. It will be offered in three variants: V, VX and ZX. It will be presented with two engine options of a 1.5 liter petrol and 1.5 liter diesel. Launch date will be finalized once the nationwide lockdown has been lifted.

Honda BR-V failed to note any sales in the past month while sales of the CR-V clocked 14 units, down 87 percent as against 104 units sold in March 2019.

The entire auto industry has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as has been every other industry in the country. Recovery remains a point of concern especially considering the extended lock down period and no announcements being made by the Government of India regarding opening up of industries in the immediate future.
Tropical rainforests are one of the most species-rich areas on earth. Thousands of animal and plant species live there. The smaller microbial protists, which are not visible to the naked eye, are also native to these forests, where they live in the soils and elsewhere. A team of researchers formed by Micah Dunthorn, University of Kaiserslautern, examined them more closely by analyzing their DNA. They discovered many unknown species, including many parasites, which may contribute to the stability of rainforest ecosystems. These results have now been published in the scientific journal "Nature Ecology and Evolution."

Insects and other arthropods such as spiders represent the largest and most diverse group of organisms in tropical rainforests. "However, the results of our study question this," says Micah Dunthorn of TU Kaiserslautern, whose research is funded by the German Research Foundation's Emmy Noether Programme. "There may be hundreds of thousands of different insects in a single hectare of rainforest, but the number of protists is likely to be even greater." Protists are microbial eukaryotic organisms, which can be found all over the world.

Dunthorn collected soil samples in lowland rainforests of Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador. Together with colleagues Alexandros Stamatakis, Lucas Czech, and Alexey Kozlov from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the scientists isolated and analyzed the DNA of the microorganisms in Germany.

"We analyzed a total of over 130 million DNA sequences which posed a grand bioinformatics challenge," states Lucas Czech. An initial direct comparison of the sequence data to already known species quickly showed that the majority of the tropical data belonged to completely new, still unknown species.

Via a more detailed analysis of the genetic material, the researchers were able to most probably correctly classify the new species into different types of protist groups. To achieve this, they adapted an existing approach. "Using the so-called phylogenetic placement method, we identified almost all sequences," continues the Kaiserslautern biologist. "These phylogenetic placements allow to better characterize the protist sequences by taking their evolutionary history into account," says Alexandros Stamatakis. In order to analyze the many millions of sequences using the phylogenetic placement method, the team used the "SuperMUC" supercomputer at the Leibniz Rechenzentrum in Munich.

In the rainforest soil samples there were mostly protists. "Most of them belong to a group of single-celled animal parasites, the Apicomplexa," Dunthorn said. The researchers suspect that these parasites may contribute to the biodiversity of the animals in these forests. "They could limit the growth of animal populations by infections," says the biologist. The results also show how complex the connections in the ecosystem of tropical rainforests are. Not only mammals, birds, insects, but also a variety of microorganisms play an important role here.
The University of Strathclyde's proud track record of innovation with impact continues in the form of CuanTec, a start-up company with a positive and practical solution to the disposal of seafood waste, which exacts a heavy cost, both financially and environmentally.

Food spoilage costs the seafood sector 60 million annually in Scotland alone, while food sent to landfill produces environmentally harmful gases such as methane and ammonia.

CuanTec's initial mission is to retrieve the inedible parts of shellfish -- and, specifically, a biopolymer they contain known as chitosan -- and convert them into durable, antimicrobial, biodegradable food packaging for seafood.

It was the initial brainchild of Dr Ryan Taylor, an analytical chemist and alumnus of Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, who is now CuanTec's Chief Operating Officer. He received support in establishing the company from his alma mater through the Strathclyde Entrepreneurs Fund, which invests in business ventures by the University community.

He has been joined at CuanTec by Chief Executive Officer Dr Cait Murray-Green, who gained a PhD in Crystallography and has varied and extensive experience in molecular modelling, computational chemistry, product management, sales and business development.

The company is now rapidly developing after securing equity investment from the Scottish Investment Bank and the Strathclyde-hosted Gabriel Investments, plus Scottish Enterprise innovation grant funding for a feasibility study. The funding has enabled the company to open its laboratory at MediCity in North Lanarkshire.

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Dr Murray-Green said: "Chitosan is the second most prolific biopolymer in the world and is known to have biodegradable and antimicrobial properties. It's highly versatile and is used in a wide range of industries including herbicides and pesticides."

"What we're working on is preventing it going to landfill and putting it back into use. We see that as a real opportunity and a way of contributing to the circular economy.

"There's enough chitosan in shellfish alone for the whole world to use chitosan-based food packaging -- current petroleum based versions are not recyclable but a chitosan-based product will be biodegradable and can be disposed of, along with food scraps, into composting.

"Scotland can be a leader in this area, with a large fishing industry and, for example, a high langoustine population in the North Atlantic -- we are working with fisheries and seafood processors. We are also aware of allergies to seafood and our products will be tested to ensure no rogue allergen is present in them."

The packaging developed by CuanTec will be made of starch-based biopolymers, and mixed with chitosan. Chitosan production at present is not commercially available in the UK and traditional chemical methods are energy intensive and not environmentally friendly.

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The methods the company uses will eliminate costly production and waste management processes, which make it difficult for chitosan products to be manufactured in Europe with conventional systems.

CuanTec aims to expand into packaging for other foodstuffs in the future and also has the potential to explore applications in medicine and healthcare. It intends to support the extension of its activities through the recruitment of sponsors and a crowdfunding campaign.

"Products based on chitosans could potentially be useful in dealing with oil spillages and other types of pollution," said Dr Murray-Green.

"We are looking to work with industry on this and are developing novel, useful, innovative products to create jobs and for a healthier environment."

Wendy Hanson, Innovation Team Leader at Scottish Enterprise said: "CuanTec is doing something hugely innovative that could disrupt the market, while making excellent use of a Circular Economy approach to exploit waste products from the fisheries industry.

"We support and encourage exactly this kind of business innovation as it leads directly to new products and services that meet customer needs and open up entirely new sources of revenue for companies.

"CuanTec is a great example of a start-up embracing innovation to drive its future global growth and we wish it every success."
The silence of an immense desolate land in which to search for reverberations coming from the time at which everything began. The Simons Observatory will be built in the Chilean Atacama desert at an altitude of several thousand metres for the purposes of studying primordial gravitational waves which originated in the first instants of the Big Bang. The SISSA research group led by Carlo Baccigalupi and Francesca Perrotta will take part in this international project which will lead to the realization of an ultra-modern telescope project. Their role will involve studying and removing 'signal contaminants', emissions from our galaxy and other astrophysical objects which interfere with the analysis and study of primordial gravitational waves.

"Studying and measuring these waves, which originated just a few instants after the Big Bang means getting even closer to that zero-moment when the universe began." This is how cosmologists Carlo Baccigalupi and Francesca Perrotta explained the importance of the research which will see them involved in an international project funded by the Simons Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation. "It is one of the great astrophysics and cosmology themes on which a lot of work is being done and which is bringing us important new scientific discoveries and challenges thanks to the progress made with the Planck probe. The Simons Observatory, for which 40 million dollars have been set aside, will make a great contribution to this," continued the researchers.

Gravitational waves are distortions of the space-time curvature which propagate like waves. Foreseen by the theory of General Relativity but not by Newton's theory of gravity, these are phenomena which have only been directly observed extremely recently, in 2015, as a result of the work of the LIGO interferometer team, as emissions resulting from the collision of two black holes dozens of times bigger than the sun. This extraordinary discovery gave a further powerful boost to the scientific community's research into gravitational waves generated by the Big Bang.

The realization of the huge telescope project which will enable scientists to study these waves should begin in around two years' time. All of the research groups involved will be meeting up in California this summer to decide on the technical characteristics of this ultra-sophisticated tool. The first observations are expected by the end of the decade. In a joint project involving the United States, Japan and Europe, SISSA -- for now the only Italian partner -- will be playing an important role.

In the words of Baccigalupi and Perrotta: "Our research group, involving also Davide Poletti, Nicoletta Krachmalnicoff and Giuseppe Puglisi, together with european institutions such as the Paris Laboratory of Astrophysics and Cosmology and Imperial College, London, we will study signal contaminants, i.e. the emissions coming from our galaxy, such as dust or gas, which can interfere with the analysis of primordial gravitational waves. What we will do is to attempt to measure polluting signals and eliminate them by means of applying mathematical models to the data. The Simons Observatory will be the focus for a study which will play a part in an already well-established research line for the Trieste group. Also related to this, the SISSA team is a participant in RadioForegrounds, a project which is part of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 and of which Francesca Perrotta is the Italian lead.

The Atacama desert, with an area of more than 100,000 km2, is considered one of the driest places in the world and experiments are already under way there, with pre-existing telescopes such as that used in the POLARBEAR experiment (at an altitude of 5200 metres) in which SISSA's scientists are playing an active part studying the cosmic microwave background. Two further telescopes, called the Simons Array, are already being built in the same area. These will now be joined by the larger Simons Observatory telescope program.
"For more than 100 years, inland water and marine research have largely developed in parallel to each other. Now it's time to reunite both," says IGB researcher Jens Nejstgaard, who leads the new EU project. In AQACOSM scientists from both disciplines are building an integrated, international network of experimental infrastructures. Their aim is to significantly improve the quality of experimental data for all types of water. "We want to better coordinate international large-scale experimental research projects, develop good practices together, and open up the freshwater and marine mesocosm research infrastructures for a broader international, interdisciplinary collaboration," says Jens Nejstgaard.

Mesocosms are containers in which large volumes of water including the natural organisms is experimentally enclosed and manipulated. In this way effects of individual and combined stress factors can be tested on entire ecosystems over weeks to years.

Within the project AQUACOSM researchers will examine how different aquatic ecosystems react to environmental impacts caused by global climate change and the increasing pressure by the growing world population. "The impact of these stress factors can vary widely within different ecosystems and seasons," emphasizes Nejstgaard. Therefore they have to be investigated in different climatic and geographic regions, using comparable mesocosm experiments and measurement methods. AQUACOSM offers the necessary research infrastructures to do experimental research in a range of different European water types, in climatic and geographic zones stretching from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.

The experimental infrastructures of the 21 partner institutions include, for example, tank systems and flow channels on land, such as in Lunz am See (Austria) and large free-floating open-ocean facilities such as The Kiel Offshore Mesocosms (KOSMOS). The IGB-LakeLab in Lake Stechlin also set a new benchmark in experimental freshwater research with its unique dimension (24 mesocosms with 1,270 m3 each).

Launched in January 2017, the AQUACOSM project runs until December 2020 and is unique in size and approach. It is supported by the European Union H2020-INFRAIA Project No. 731065 with a budget of  9,999,807.

Further information is available at www.aquacosm.eu
For many men newly diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, concerns about potential quality-of-life issues often guide treatment decisions. A new study led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers identifies distinct patterns of side effects that patients could use to guide their choices.

In the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study examines quality-of-life outcomes for the treatment choices most patients will face. Those choices include active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation treatment, and brachytherapy, a treatment that involves inserting radioactive seeds into the prostate. "Patients diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer -- and that's the vast majority of patients with this disease -- face many treatment options that are thought to be similarly efficacious," said Ronald C. Chen, MD, MPH, UNC Lineberger member and associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology. "Therefore, the quality-of-life differences among these options become an important consideration when patients are trying to make their decisions."

The study is needed as prostate cancer treatment technologies have advanced, and as active surveillance has emerged as an important strategy for sparing low-risk prostate cancer patients unnecessary side effects. Active surveillance involves regular testing to check for cancer growth rather than immediate treatment, and many patients with low-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance may be able to avoid treatment for several years or altogether. The American Society of Clinical Oncology has endorsed active surveillance for most men with low-risk prostate cancer.

"There has not been a large-scale comparison of the quality-of-life impact for these modern options, until now," Chen said. "Existing quality of life studies have studied older types of surgery and radiation that are no longer used, and patients need updated information regarding the impact of modern treatment options so they can make informed decisions about the choices they face today."

For the study, UNC Lineberger researchers surveyed 1,141 men who were diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer between January 2011 and June 2013. They compared patients' self-reported quality of life related to bowel, urination, and sexual function across four strategies: active surveillance; prostatectomy; external beam radiotherapy; and brachytherapy. Almost all prostatectomy patients received robotic surgery, and almost all external beam radiotherapy patients received intensity-modulated radiation, reflecting modern treatment technologies.

Prostatectomy was linked to higher sexual dysfunction and urinary leakage than the other options. At two years after treatment, more than 57 percent of men who had normal sexual function prior to treatment reported poor sexual function after surgery, compared with 27 percent who reported poor sexual function after external beam radiation, 34 percent after brachytherapy, and 25 percent after active surveillance. "With modern robotic surgery, sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence continue to be some of the side effects that surgery can cause," Chen said. "While we do see improvement over time, even at the two-year point, surgery still causes more of these issues than other treatments."

Meanwhile, other treatment choices were linked to worse scores for other side effects. External beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy caused more short-term urinary tract obstruction and irritation, while external beam radiotherapy was linked to more short-term bowel symptoms.

For the group of men who chose active surveillance, urinary issues and sexual function worsened over time. This is likely partly due to aging, and partly due to some men who experienced cancer progression that necessitated treatments that caused these side effects.

"At the two-year time point, patients who chose radiotherapy or brachytherapy actually had quality-of-life results similar to patient who chose active surveillance, and that may be surprising to some patients," Chen said. "With advances in treatment technologies for both surgery and radiation, patients and physicians today must base their decisions on the quality-of-life results of modern treatments, not on results for outdated treatment modalities that caused much more side effects historically." Overall, Chen said the data can help patients weigh their treatment options based on their own baseline health and on their priorities.

"With all of the modern treatment options, patients should have accurate and realistic expectations about the frequency of side effects from treatment," Chen said. "We found that the different treatment options have trade-offs in side effects. Each patient can look at these data to see what they care about most."
The before and after images are stunning: A prostate cancer patient riddled with metastatic tumors that disappear after just three, potent treatments.

"Two patients underwent these treatments and they were cured," said Cathy Cutler, director of the Medical Isotope Research and Production Program at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. "Their cancer was gone.

"This is what we want to do -- supply this material so that more patients can get this treatment," she said.

The material is a molecule tagged with Actinium-225, a radioactive isotope. When designed to specifically bind with a protein on the surface of cancer cells, the radiolabeled molecule delivers a lethal, localized punch -- alpha particles that kill the cancer with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.

Actinium-225 can only be produced in the large quantities needed to support clinical applications at facilities that have high-energy particle accelerators.

"This is why I came to Brookhaven," Cutler said in a recent talk she gave to highlight her group's work. "We can make these alpha emitters and this is really giving doctors a chance to treat these patients!"

Radiochemistry redux

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Brookhaven Lab and the Department of Energy Isotope Program have a long history of developing radioisotopes for uses in medicine and other applications. These radioactive forms of chemical elements can be used alone or attached to a variety of molecules to track and target disease.

"If it wasn't for the U.S. Department of Energy and its isotope development program, I'm not sure we'd have nuclear medicine," Cutler said.

Among the notable Brookhaven Lab successes are the development in the 1950s and 60s, respectively, of the Technetium-99m generator and a radioactively labeled form of glucose known as 18FDG -- two radiotracers that went on to revolutionize medical imaging.

As an example, 18FDG emits positrons (positively charged cousins of electrons) that can be picked up by a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. Because rapidly growing cancer cells take up glucose faster than healthy tissue, doctors can use PET and 18FDG to detect and monitor the disease.

"FDG turned around oncology," Cutler said. Instead of taking a drug for months and suffering toxic side effects before knowing if a treatment is working, "patients can be scanned to look at the impact of treatment on tumors within 24 hours, and again over time, to see if the drug is effective -- and also if it stops working."

Symbiotic operations

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While Tc-99m and 18FDG are now widely available in hospital settings and used in millions of scans a year, other isotopes are harder to make. They require the kind of high-energy particle accelerator you can find only at world-class physics labs.

"Brookhaven is one of just a few facilities in the DOE Isotope Program that can produce certain critical medical isotopes," Cutler said.

Brookhaven's linear accelerator ("linac") was designed to feed beams of energetic protons into physics experiments at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), where physicists are exploring the properties of the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces through which they interact. But because the linac produces the protons in pulses, Cutler explained, it can deliver them pulse-by-pulse to different facilities. Operators in Brookhaven's Collider-Accelerator Department deliver alternating pulses to RHIC and the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP).

"We operate these two programs symbiotically at the same time," Cutler said. "We combine our resources to support the running of the linear accelerator; it's cheaper for both programs to share this resource than it would cost if each of us had to use it alone."

Tuning and targets

BLIP operators aim the precisely controlled beams of energetic protons at small puck-shaped targets. The protons knock subatomic particles from the targets' atoms, transforming them into the desired radioactive elements.

"We stack different targets sequentially to make use of the beam's reduced energy as it exits one target and enters the next in line, so we can produce multiple radionuclides at once," Cutler said.

Transformed targets undergo further chemical processing to yield a pure product that can be injected into patients, or a precursor chemical that can easily be transformed into the desired isotope or tracer on site at a hospital.

"A lot of our work goes into producing these targets," Cutler said. "You would be shocked at all the chemistry, engineering, and physics that goes into designing one of these pucks -- to make sure it survives the energy and high current of the beam, gives you the isotope you are interested in with minimal impurities, and allows you to do the chemistry to extract that isotope efficiently."

Cutler recently oversaw installation of a new "beam raster" system designed to maximize the use of target materials and increase radioisotope production. With this upgrade, a series of magnets steers BLIP's energetic particle beam to "paint" the target, rather than depositing all the energy in one spot. This cuts down on the buildup of target-damaging heat, allowing operators to increase beam current and transform more target material into the desired product.

Meeting increasing demand

The new raster system and ramped up current helped increase production of one of BLIP's main products, Strontium-82, by more than 50 percent in 2016. Sr-82 has a relatively long half-life, allowing it to be transported to hospitals in a form that can generate a short-lived radiotracer, Rubidium-82, which has greatly improved the precision of cardiac imaging.

"Rb-82 mimics potassium, which is taken up by muscles, including the heart," Cutler explained. "You can inject Rubidium into a patient in a PET scanner and measure the uptake of Rb-82 in heart muscle to precisely pinpoint areas of decreased blood flow when the heart is under stress. Then surgeons can go in and unblock that coronary artery to increase blood flow before the patient has a heart attack. Hundreds of thousands of patients receive this life-saving test because of what we're doing here at Brookhaven."

BLIP also produces several isotopes with improved capabilities for detecting cancer, including metastatic tumors, and monitoring response to treatment.

But rising to meet the demand for isotopes that have the potential to cure cancer may be BLIP's highest calling -- and has been a key driver of Cutler's career.

Driving an 80-ton semi truck into a tumor

"We want to go beyond imaging to therapy," she said, noting the promise of designing molecules to deliver cancer-killing radiation with extreme precision.

"This is where I started as a chemist at the University of Missouri -- designing molecules that have the right charges, the right size, and the right characteristics that determine where they go in the body so we can use them for imaging and therapy," she said. "If we can target receptors that are overexpressed on tumor cells, we can selectively image these cells. And if there are enough of these receptors expressed, we can deliver radionuclides to those tumor cells very selectively and destroy them."

Radionuclides that emit alpha particles are among the most promising isotopes because alpha particles deliver a lot of energy and traverse very small distances. Targeted delivery of alphas would deposit very high doses -- "like driving an 80-ton semi truck into a tumor" -- while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy cells, Cutler said.

"Our problem isn't that we can't cure cancer; we can ablate the cancer. Our problem is saving the patient. The toxicity of the treatments in many cases is so significant that we can't get the levels in to kill the cancer without actually harming the patient. With alpha particles, because of the short distance and high impact, they are enabling us to treat these patients with minimal side effects and giving doctors the opportunity to really cure cancer."

Making the case for a cure

One experimental treatment Cutler developed using Lutetium-177 while still at the University of Missouri worked favorably in treating neuroendocrine tumors, but didn't get to a cure state. Actinium-225, one of the isotopes that is trickier to make, has shown more promise -- as demonstrated by the prostate cancer results published in 2016 by researchers at University Hospital Heidelberg.

Right now, according to Cutler, DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) makes enough Ac-225 to treat about 50 patients each year. But almost 30 times that much is needed to conduct the clinical trials required to prove that such a strategy works before it can move from the laboratory to medical practice.

"With the accelerator we have here at Brookhaven, the expertise in radiochemistry, and experience producing isotopes for medical applications, we -- together with partners at ORNL and DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory -- are looking to meet this unmet need to get this material out to patients," Cutler said.
An international team of scientists led by the University of Leicester has discovered a new 430 million-year-old fossil and has named it in honour of Sir David Attenborough -- who grew up on the University campus.

The fossil is described as 'exceptionally well preserved in three-dimensions' -- complete with the soft-parts of the animal, such as legs, eyes and very delicate antennae. The fossil has been determined as an ancient crustacean new to science -- a distant relative of the living lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There are about 40,000 crustacean species known today.

The find comes from volcanic ash deposits that accumulated in a marine setting in what is now Herefordshire in the Welsh Borderland.

Professor David Siveter of the Department of Geology at the University of Leicester made the discovery working alongside researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale, USA.

Professor Siveter said: "Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record, and so we can establish it as a new species of a new genus."

"Even though it is relatively small, at just nine millimetres long, it preserves incredible detail including body parts that are normally not fossilized. It provides scientists with important, novel insights into the evolution of the body plan, the limbs and possible respiratory-circulatory physiology of a primitive member of one of the major groups of Crustacea."

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on University College Leicester campus (the forerunner of the University), in celebration of his 90th birthday. Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough; while 'ravitis" is a combination of Ratae -- the Roman name for Leicester -- 'vita', life, and 'commeatis', a messenger.

Professor Siveter said: "In my youth, David Attenborough's early programmes on the BBC, such as 'Zoo Quest', greatly encouraged my interest in Natural History and it is a pleasure to honour him in this way."

Sir David Attenborough said: "The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment. I was once a scientist so I'm very honoured and flattered that the Professor should say such nice things about me now."

Professor Siveter added: "The animal lived in the Silurian period of geological time. Some 430 million years ago much of southern Britain was positioned in warm southerly subtropical latitudes, quite close to a large ancient continent of what we now call North America, and was covered by a shallow sea. The crustacean and other animals living there died and were preserved when a fine volcanic ash rained down upon them."

The fossil specimen has been reconstructed as a virtual fossil by 3D computer modeling.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine's Special Issue on Dementia has found that the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids in the brain are associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which causes impaired memory, executive function and language. It accounts for 60 -- 80% of total dementia cases worldwide, with over 46 million people suffering from the disease worldwide. The number of patients is estimated to rise to 131.5 million by 2050.

Currently it is thought that the main reason for developing memory problems in dementia is the presence of two big molecules in the brain called tau and amyloid proteins. These proteins have been extensively studied and have been shown to start accumulating in the brain up to 20 years prior to the onset of the disease. However, there is limited information on how small molecule metabolism in the brain is associated with the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

In this study, researchers from King's College London and the National Institute on Aging in the United States looked at brain tissue samples from 43 people ranging in age from 57 to 95 years old. They compared the differences in hundreds of small molecules in three groups: 14 people with healthy brains, 15 that had high levels of tau and amyloid but didn't show memory problems and 14 clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's patients.

They also looked at three different areas in the brain, one that usually shows little tau and amyloid, one that shows more tau and another that shows more amyloid. The main molecules that were different were six small fats, including omegas, which changed in abundance in different regions of the brain.

They found that unsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in Alzheimer's brains when compared to brains from healthy patients.

Co-lead author of the study, Dr Cristina Legido Quigley from King's College London said: "While this was a small study, our results show a potentially crucial and unexpected role for fats in the onset of dementia. Most surprisingly we found that a supposedly beneficial omega3, DHA, actually increased with the progression of the disease.

"It is now important for us to build on and replicate these findings in a larger study and see whether it corroborates our initial findings."
A California State University, Fullerton faculty-student study shows evidence of abrupt sinking of the wetlands near Seal Beach, Calif., caused by ancient earthquakes that shook the area at least three times in the past 2,000 years -- and it could happen again, the researchers say.

The paleoseismology study reveals that the wetlands at the National Wildlife Refuge Seal Beach, a nearly 500-acre area located within the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and next to the communities of Seal Beach and Huntington Harbor, are susceptible to rapid lowering in elevation during large -- over 7.0 magnitude -- earthquakes.

"Imagine a large earthquake -- and it can happen again -- causing the Seal Beach wetlands to sink abruptly by up to three feet. This would be significant, especially since the area already is at sea level," said Matthew E. Kirby, CSUF professor of geological sciences.

Kirby and colleague Brady P. Rhodes, CSUF professor emeritus of geological sciences, and CSUF alumnus Robert J. Leeper, whose master's thesis is based on the research findings, led the study. The researchers mentored numerous CSUF geology students and collaborated with geologists and earthquake experts, including those from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The researchers' study, "Evidence for Coseismic Subsidence Events in a Southern California Coastal Saltmarsh," was published in Scientific Reports, an open-access, peer-reviewed Nature research journal.

Leeper, now a doctoral student in Earth sciences program at University of California, Riverside, is the lead author of the paper, and CSUF co-authors are Kirby; Rhodes; Joe Carlin, assistant professor of geological sciences; and 2016 geology graduate Angela Aranda, who for her master's thesis analyzed sediment cores from the wetlands. Other collaborators and co-authors are Katherine Scharer and Scott Starratt of the USGS; Eileen Hemphill-Haley, consulting micropaleontologist; and Simona Avnaim-Katav and Glen MacDonald from UCLA.

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Located off Pacific Coast Highway between Belmont Shores and Sunset Beach, the Seal Beach wetlands likely formed due to complex, lateral movement of the Newport-Inglewood fault, said Leeper. The wetlands straddle a segment of the fault system, which extends from Beverly Hills in the north to the San Diego region in the south.

The study identifies three previously undocumented earthquakes in the area over the past 2,000 years, noted Leeper, who earned his bachelor's degree in 2013 and master's degree in 2016, both in geology, at Cal State Fullerton. The last big quake to cause the land to abruptly drop occurred approximately 500 years ago, he pointed out.

"These research findings have important implications in terms of seismic hazard and risk assessment in coastal Southern California and are relevant to municipal, industrial and military infrastructure in the region," added Leeper, a former USGS geologist whose work focused on natural hazards. He recently left the scientific agency to concentrate on his doctoral studies.

This new study stems from National Science Foundation-funded research on past occurrences of tsunamis along Southern California's coastal wetlands that Kirby and Rhodes began in 2012. As an undergraduate, Leeper joined their study, which turned up no evidence of previous tsunamis in Orange County or the region.

Soil samples analyzed in Kirby's lab from mud cores collected from the Seal Beach wetlands, combined with the study of microscopic fossils to identify the past environment, pointed the researchers in a new direction. The analyses revealed buried wetland surface layers, signaling evidence of sinking in the area from past massive earthquakes.

"Since that epiphany in 2013, our research evolved and has involved many other collaborators, each providing a skill or expertise that helped to develop our conclusions," Kirby said.

CSUF's Carlin, his students and Leeper are continuing to study the Seal Beach wetlands to further investigate potential seismic hazards, as well as the poorly understood Newport-Inglewood fault system.

"We're looking to identify other past earthquake events in the sediment record from other cores from the wetlands," Carlin said. "The goal is to get a better understanding of how often earthquakes may have occurred in the past, the hazards associated with this fault -- and the probability of the next earthquake."
Body of missing NA soldier found

Security personnel on Wednesday found the body of a Nepal Army soldier four days after he went missing in the Narayani river at Bharatpur, Chitwan district.
Treatment in the nation's Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) save millions of infants born prematurely every year. But this treatment is not without cost. Painful procedures such as needle pricks can impact early brain development.

In a multi-institution study conducted researchers for the first time have quantified a reduction in electrical activity in the part of the brain that responds to light touch in premature infants in the NICU compared with infants born full-term.

But when premature infants were given more "supportive touch" experiences, including skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding, their brains responded more strongly to light touch, according to an international research team from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Monroe Carell's Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, and Lausanne University in Switzerland.

Their findings, published in the journal Current Biology, suggest ways to support healthy brain development in premature infants in the NICU.

"Parents should know that every minute they hold their baby counts," said first author Nathalie Maitre, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pediatrics, medical director of the NICU Follow-up Program and a principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

In addition, "it is absolutely essential to minimize exposure to painful procedures that infants can often experience during hospitalizations," added Mark Wallace, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School at Vanderbilt and the study's co-senior author with Micah Murray, Ph.D., of the University of Lausanne.

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Exposure to painful procedures can impact brain development even when sedatives and analgesics are used. "Until new research can prove which medications work at preventing these changes in brain function, we need to focus on effective non-pharmacological alternatives," Wallace said.

Wallace, an internationally known authority on how the brain processes multi-sensory information, is the Louise B. McGavock Professor in the departments of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychology in the School of Medicine and an investigator of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development.

Sensory processing enables young children to learn from their experiences, and provides the foundation for developing higher-level perceptual and cognitive abilities.

The somatosensory system perceives temperature, the body's position in space, movement and all degrees of touch, from the lightest to most painful. It develops before all other senses. Disruptions in the normal trajectory of somatosensory development including painful experiences can affect socio-emotional development.

"Touch is a critical building block of infant learning," explained Maitre, adjunct professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences and former assistant professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt. "It helps babies learn how to move their bodies, how to discover the world around them and how to communicate with their families."

She and her colleagues have applied methods for objectively measuring sensory processing, including event-related potential (ERP), a type of electroencephalography (EEG), to predict cognitive and communication functioning during early childhood.

In the current study the researchers compared the cortical responses to light touch among 125 premature and full-term infants at Vanderbilt. They found that preterm infants exhibited decreased responses to light touch when they were discharged from the NICU compared to full-term infants and that the decreases were greatest among the most premature.

Promoting optimal development and function may help keep these newborns' brains on track to establish the sensory building blocks of cognition, behavior and communication, the researchers concluded.
Of all pets, cats are often considered the most difficult ones to medicate. Very small minitablets with flavours or flavour coatings can help cat owners commit to the treatment and make cats more compliant to it, while making it easier to regulate dosage and administer medication flexibly.

In her dissertation, Jaana Hautala, MSc (Pharmacy), is seeking solutions for facilitating the medication of cats. In order for the oral medication of pets to succeed, the animal must enjoy the taste of the medicine and find it appealing. Palatability is essential both in acute cases and in the treatment of chronic illnesses which require regular, constant medical treatment. Successful treatment of pets is also necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of humans, communities and the environment.

"Improving palatability through minitablets and synthetic flavourings and coatings tailored for animals improves both the owner's commitment to the treatment and the cat's compliance. They also facilitate the dosage of the medicine and make the administration of the treatment more flexible in the treatment of cats and other pets," says Hautala.

Cats place many demands on their medicine

Of all pets, cats are often considered the most difficult ones to medicate. Both cats and dogs are popular pets, but there are many differences between the two. In terms of oral medication, the most important difference has to do with the preferred foods, eating habits and taste preferences of the two animals. While dogs are omnivores, cats are almost exclusively carnivorous.

Another factor making the treatment of cats more difficult is the fact that few registered drugs have been tailored and made palatable specifically for cats. This means that veterinarians often have to resort to canine drugs to treat cats, and adjusting the dosage to suit the much smaller animal may be challenging for the pet owner. In addition, if cats find the taste, smell, shape or mouthfeel of the drug unpleasant or repulsive, they will refuse the medication, making the administration of the drug more difficult and possibly leading to the complete failure of the treatment altogether.

In search of the optimal taste and smell

In her research, Hautala sought a solution for commercially manufactured, palatable minitablets for the oral treatment of domestic cats in a convenient, flexible manner. The goal was to improve the palatability of the treatment as well as the comfort and treatment compliance of the animals and to boost the commitment to the treatment.

At first, Hautala studied how palatable different types of placebo tablets were to cats. The results were encouraging, particularly since the study involved typical domestic cats and their owners, and the administration of the tablets took place at home, meaning it corresponded to a real-world treatment situation. The study established that domestic cats found the minitablets more palatable than food that was known to be disliked by the pet. However, the results indicate that the flavour and odour of the minitablets must be improved. The fact that the cat owners found the minitablets easy to handle is also significant.

In the second part of the study, synthetic flavourings were used to improve the taste and smell of the minitablets. In the study, Hautala found that potential flavourings for further studies on minitablets could include amino acids, which are known as meat flavour precursors, as well as vitamin B, which is plentiful in yeast extract.

Hautala also studied new flavour coatings and the suitability of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for coating minitablets and improving their palatability. Of the flavourings in the study, substances commonly used as synthetic meat flavours could be considered particularly appropriate for further studies on minitablet coatings. ALD is a promising method, but its use as a pharmaceutical coating is challenging, so further research is required.

Hautala's results are hoped to support cost-effective research and the development of palatable feline medications.
Our genome is made up of 6,000 million pieces of DNA that combine four "flavors": A, C, G and T (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine). It is our Alphabet. But to this base we must add some regulation, just like the spelling and grammar of that alphabet: this is what we call Epigenetics.

In epigenetics, there there are "accents," called DNA methylation, which means having a C or a methyl-C. The first one usually means that a gene is expressed and active, while the second one implies that a gene is silent and inactive. Our DNA "speaks" when it produces another molecule called RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). Until very recently, it was believed that this molecule was only a poorly regulated intermediate capable of producing proteins (such as insulin, hemoglobin and others) under DNA's orders.

Today, an article published in Cancer Discovery by Manel Esteller, Director of the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program of Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), ICREA Researcher and Professor of Genetics at the University of Barcelona, explains that this RNA also has its own spelling and grammar, just like DNA. These "epigenetics of RNA" are called epitranscriptome.

"It is well-known that sometimes DNA produces a RNA string but then this RNA does not originate the protein. Because in these cases the alteration is neither in the genome nor the proteome, we thought it should be in the transcriptome, that is, in the RNA molecule," Dr. Esteller explains."In recent years, we discovered that our RNA is highly regulated and if only two or three modifications at the DNA level can control it, there may be hundreds of small changes in RNA that control its stability, its intracellular localization or its maturation in living beings."

In human cells, this field did not start to be studied in depth in the last five years. "For example, we now know that RNA can be methylated just like DNA and in a highly specific way," says Dr. Manel Esteller, "and even more recently we observed that these epigenetic modifications of RNA may be key in the regulation of "guardian" RNAs, also called non-coding RNAs."

The article also points out that the epitranscriptome could be altered in some human diseases, while alterations in genes responsible for cancer are also being discovered. "It will definitely be an exciting research stage for this and the next generation of scientists," concludes the researcher.
Instead of oil, coal, or even solar energy, self-sustaining bacterial fuel cells may power the future.

Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed the next step in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with the first micro-scale self-sustaining cell, which generated power for 13 straight days through symbiotic interactions of two types of bacteria.

"This concept of creating electricity through synergistic cooperation is not new. However, much of this work is still in its nascent stages," said Binghamton University Electrical and Computer Science Assistant Professor Seokheun Choi, who is one of the co-authors of "Self-sustaining, solar-driven bioelectricity generation in micro-sized microbial fuel cell using co-culture of heterotrophic and photosynthetic bacteria," along with PhD candidate Lin Liu.

"The evolution of this technology will require additional exploration, but we, for the first time, realized this conceptual idea in a micro-scale device," Choi said.

In a cell chamber about one-fifth the size of a teaspoon -- 90 microliters -- researchers placed a mixed culture of phototrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. Phototrophic bacteria uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make its own energy, while heterotrophic bacteria must "feed" on provided organic matter or phototrophic bacteria to survive -- think of cows grazing in a grassy field.

While the cell was exposed to sunlight, an initial dose of "food" was added to the chamber to stimulate growth of the heterotrophic bacteria. Through cellular respiration, the heterotrophic bacteria produced carbon dioxide waste, which was used by the phototrophic bacteria to kickstart the symbiotic cycle.

After that cycle was established, researchers stopped adding additional "food" sources for the heterophic bacteria, and there was enough phototrophic bacteria to sustain the metabolic processes of the heterophic bacteria. Those metabolic processes generated an electrical current -- 8 microamps per square centimeter of cell -- for 13 straight days. The power was about 70 times greater than current produced by phototrophic bacteria alone.

"Heterotrophic bacteria-based fuel cells generate higher power, while photosynthetic microbial fuel cells provide self-sustainability. This is the best of both worlds, thus far," Choi said.

The breakthrough is promising, but it is an early step in the development of bacteria-generated power. Overall, the miniature size of the cells allows for a short start-up time and small electrical resistances to overcome. However, a common 42" high-definition television takes about half an amp of electrical current to function which would, theoretically, require roughly 62,500 cells from the experiment. In reality, these cells will be used to provide power in remote or dangerous locations for low-power items like health monitors and infrastructure diagnostic sensors.

"There are some challenges of using this technique," Choi said. "Balancing both microorganisms' growth to maximize the device performance and the need to make sure that this closed system will permanently generate power without additional maintenance are two we have found. Long-term experiments are needed."

The current work is the latest in a series of battery-related and microbial-based power studies Choi has worked on. Last spring, researchers connected nine biological-solar (bio-solar) cells into a working bio-solar panel for the first time ever. The bacteria used in that experiment were phototrophic. That panel generated the most wattage of any existing small-scale bio-solar cells: 5.59 microwatts. Choi has also developed an origami-inspired microbe-based paper battery, a microbe-based battery that can use human saliva as a power source, a battery that can be printed on paper and battery designs inspired by Japanese ninja throwing stars.

The paper will appear in the Journal of Power Sources on April 30.
In his famous experiment, Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov rang a bell each time he fed his dogs. Soon, the dogs began drooling in anticipation when they heard the bell, even before food appeared.

Now, a UCLA study has traced the Pavlovian response to a small cluster of brain cells -- the same neurons that go awry during Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Tourette's syndrome. Published March 22 in the journal Neuron, the research could one day help neuroscientists find new approaches to diagnosing and treating these disorders.

"Species survive because they've learned how to link sensory cues like specific sounds, smells and sights to rewards like food and water," said Sotiris Masmanidis, the study's senior author and an assistant professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "We wanted to uncover the brain circuitry that encodes reward-based learning and behavior."

The UCLA team focused on cellular activity in the striatum, a part of the brain associated with reward, movement and decision-making.

In a modern version of Pavlov's experiment, Masmanidis and colleagues repeatedly exposed mice to the unfamiliar scent of banana or lemon, followed by a drop of condensed milk. Eventually, the mice learned that the fragrances predicted the arrival of a sweet reward and began fervently licking the air in anticipation.

"The mice learned to associate the new scent with food, just like Pavlov's dogs," said Masmanidis, who is also a member of UCLA's California NanoSystems Institute and Brain Research Institute. "Our next step was to uncover what happens to the Pavlovian response when we silence different groups of cells in the striatum."

Based on clues from earlier studies, the team zeroed in on a tiny group of cells that support the principal neurons in the striatum. Although these supporting players comprise fewer than 2 percent of the cells in the region, the scientists were surprised to discover that they play a disproportionately important role.

"When we switched off the support cells, the mice licked the air in anticipation of the milk only half as often as normal," Masmanidis said. "We suspect that the support cells enhance the brain circuits that encode Pavlovian response."

The support cells' influence appeared strongest when the mice were first learning to pair the unfamiliar scents with a reward. The change was less dramatic in mice who had already mastered the connection.

"These cells were most essential to inexperienced mice who hadn't yet mastered the Pavlovian response," Masmanidis said.

The findings suggest that malfunctioning support cells could lead to neurological disorders, and that restoring the cells' function could eventually help people with these diseases.

More than a century after Pavlov's classic study, there is still much to learn about Pavlovian responses. "Our findings open up exciting opportunities for further studying the roles of different types of neurons in health and disease," said joint first-author Kwang Lee, a UCLA postdoctoral researcher in neurobiology.
Satellites have been mapping the upper part of the Earth magnetic field by collecting data for three years and found some amazing features about the Earth's crust. The result is the release of highest resolution map of this field seen from space to date. This 'lithospheric magnetic field' is very weak and therefore difficult to detect and map from space. But with the Swarm satellites it has been possible.

"By combining Swarm measurements with historical data from the German CHAMP satellite, and using a new modelling technique, it was possible to extract the tiny magnetic signals of crustal magnetization with unprecedented accuracy," said professor Nils Olsen from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), one of the team of scientists behind the new map that has just been released at a Swarm Science Meeting in Banff, Canada.

Most of the Earth magnetic field is generated at depths greater than 3000 km by the movement of molten iron in the outer core. The remaining 6 percent -- including the 'lithospheric magnetic field' -- is partly due to electrical currents in space surrounding Earth, and partly due to magnetised rocks in the upper lithosphere -- the rigid outer part of Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Swarm is a constellation of three identical satellites launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) to track and study the Earth's magnetic field.

Possible meteorite impact

The new map shows detailed variations in this field caused by geological structures in Earth's crust. One of these anomalies occurs in Central African Republic, centred around the city of Bangui, where the magnetic field is significantly sharper and stronger. The cause for this anomaly is still unknown, but scientists speculate that it may be the result of a meteorite impact there some 540 million years ago.

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Evidence of flipping poles

The new map also reveals more details about the Earth's magnetic field that has flipped its polarity many times over the millennia. The magnetic field is in a permanent state of flux. Magnetic north wanders, and every few hundred thousand years the polarity flips so that a compass would point south instead of north.

When new crust is generated through volcanic activity, mainly along the ocean floor, iron-rich minerals in the solidifying magma are oriented towards magnetic north, thus capturing a 'snapshot' of the magnetic field in the state it was in when the rocks cooled.

Since magnetic poles flip back and forth over time, the solidified minerals form 'stripes' on the seafloor and provide a record of Earth's magnetic history.

"These magnetic stripes are evidence of pole reversals and analysing the magnetic imprints of the ocean floor allows the reconstruction of past core field changes. They also help to investigate tectonic plate motions," said Dhananjay Ravat from the University of Kentucky in the USA.

"The new map defines magnetic field features down to about 250 km and will help investigate geology and temperatures in Earth's lithosphere."

ESA's Swarm mission manager, Rune Floberghagen, added:

"Understanding the crust of our home planet is no easy feat. Measurements from space have great value as they offer a sharp global view on the magnetic structure of our planet's rigid outer shell."

Earth's magnetic field can be thought of as a huge cocoon, protecting us from cosmic radiation and charged particles that bombard our planet in solar wind. Without it, life as we know it would not exist.
Using video microscopy in the living mouse lung, UC San Francisco scientists have revealed that the lungs play a previously unrecognized role in blood production. As reported online March 22, 2017 in Nature, the researchers found that the lungs produced more than half of the platelets -- blood components required for the clotting that stanches bleeding -- in the mouse circulation. In another surprise finding, the scientists also identified a previously unknown pool of blood stem cells capable of restoring blood production when the stem cells of the bone marrow, previously thought to be the principal site of blood production, are depleted.

"This finding definitely suggests a more sophisticated view of the lungs -- that they're not just for respiration but also a key partner in formation of crucial aspects of the blood," said pulmonologist Mark R. Looney, MD, a professor of medicine and of laboratory medicine at UCSF and the new paper's senior author. "What we've observed here in mice strongly suggests the lung may play a key role in blood formation in humans as well."

The findings could have major implications for understanding human diseases in which patients suffer from low platelet counts, or thrombocytopenia, which afflicts millions of people and increases the risk of dangerous uncontrolled bleeding. The findings also raise questions about how blood stem cells residing in the lungs may affect the recipients of lung transplants.

Mouse lungs produce more than 10 million platelets per hour, live imaging studies show

The new study was made possible by a refinement of a technique known as two-photon intravital imaging recently developed by Looney and co-author Matthew F. Krummel, PhD, a UCSF professor of pathology. This imaging approach allowed the researchers to perform the extremely delicate task of visualizing the behavior of individual cells within the tiny blood vessels of a living mouse lung.

Looney and his team were using this technique to examine interactions between the immune system and circulating platelets in the lungs, using a mouse strain engineered so that platelets emit bright green fluorescence, when they noticed a surprisingly large population of platelet-producing cells called megakaryocytes in the lung vasculature. Though megakaryocytes had been observed in the lung before, they were generally thought to live and produce platelets primarily in the bone marrow.

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"When we discovered this massive population of megakaryocytes that appeared to be living in the lung, we realized we had to follow this up," said Emma Lefrancais, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in Looney's lab and co-first author on the new paper.

More detailed imaging sessions soon revealed megakaryocytes in the act of producing more than 10 million platelets per hour within the lung vasculature, suggesting that more than half of a mouse's total platelet production occurs in the lung, not the bone marrow, as researchers had long presumed. Video microscopy experiments also revealed a wide variety of previously overlooked megakaryocyte progenitor cells and blood stem cells sitting quietly outside the lung vasculature -- estimated at 1 million per mouse lung.

Newly discovered blood stem cells in the lung can restore damaged bone marrow

The discovery of megakaryocytes and blood stem cells in the lung raised questions about how these cells move back and forth between the lung and bone marrow. To address these questions, the researchers conducted a clever set of lung transplant studies:

First, the team transplanted lungs from normal donor mice into recipient mice with fluorescent megakaryocytes, and found that fluorescent megakaryocytes from the recipient mice soon began turning up in the lung vasculature. This suggested that the platelet-producing megakaryocytes in the lung originate in the bone marrow.

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"It's fascinating that megakaryocytes travel all the way from the bone marrow to the lungs to produce platelets," said Guadalupe Ortiz-Munoz, PhD, also a postdoctoral researcher in the Looney lab and the paper's other co-first author. "It's possible that the lung is an ideal bioreactor for platelet production because of the mechanical force of the blood, or perhaps because of some molecular signaling we don't yet know about."

In another experiment, the researchers transplanted lungs with fluorescent megakaryocyte progenitor cells into mutant mice with low platelet counts. The transplants produced a large burst of fluorescent platelets that quickly restored normal levels, an effect that persisted over several months of observation -- much longer than the lifespan of individual megakaryocytes or platelets. To the researchers, this indicated that resident megakaryocyte progenitor cells in the transplanted lungs had become activated by the recipient mouse's low platelet counts and had produced healthy new megakaryocyte cells to restore proper platelet production.

Finally, the researchers transplanted healthy lungs in which all cells were fluorescently tagged into mutant mice whose bone marrow lacked normal blood stem cells. Analysis of the bone marrow of recipient mice showed that fluorescent cells originating from the transplanted lungs soon traveled to the damaged bone marrow and contributed to the production not just of platelets, but of a wide variety of blood cells, including immune cells such as neutrophils, B cells and T cells. These experiments suggest that the lungs play host to a wide variety of blood progenitor cells and stem cells capable of restocking damaged bone marrow and restoring production of many components of the blood.

"To our knowledge this is the first description of blood progenitors resident in the lung, and it raises a lot of questions with clinical relevance for the millions of people who suffer from thrombocytopenia," said Looney, who is also an attending physician on UCSF's pulmonary consult service and intensive care units.

In particular, the study suggests that researchers who have proposed treating platelet diseases with platelets produced from engineered megakaryocytes should look to the lungs as a resource for platelet production, Looney said. The study also presents new avenues of research for stem cell biologists to explore how the bone marrow and lung collaborate to produce a healthy blood system through the mutual exchange of stem cells.

"These observations alter existing paradigms regarding blood cell formation, lung biology and disease, and transplantation," said pulmonologist Guy A. Zimmerman, MD, who is associate chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and was an independent reviewer of the new study for Nature. "The findings have direct clinical relevance and provide a rich group of questions for future studies of platelet genesis and megakaryocyte function in lung inflammation and other inflammatory conditions, bleeding and thrombotic disorders, and transplantation."

The observation that blood stem cells and progenitors seem to travel back and forth freely between the lung and bone marrow lends support to a growing sense among researchers that stem cells may be much more active than previously appreciated, Looney said. "We're seeing more and more that the stem cells that produce the blood don't just live in one place but travel around through the blood stream. Perhaps 'studying abroad' in different organs is a normal part of stem cell education."
It's not every day someone gets to say, "I've discovered a new species."

It's a claim that Colorado State University biologist Chris Funk can happily make. Funk and his collaborators, who've spent years exploring the tropical climes of South America to study the region's dizzying biodiversity, have documented a new species of rainfrog they've named the Ecuadorian rainfrog (Pristimantis ecuadorensis). The name, the researchers write, honors the "overwhelming beauty, and cultural and biological diversity," of the Republic of Ecuador, where the frog makes its home. The work is described in the journal PLOS ONE, publishing online March 22.

The discovery sprouted from a field campaign, headed by paper lead author Juan M. Guayasamin, a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), that was primarily intended to study a similar, threatened frog called the ornate rainfrog (Pristimantis ornatissimus).

"[Guayasamin], other Ecuadorian and U.S. collaborators, and I were characterizing the genetic differences among populations of the ornate rainfrog, which was thought to be a single species of frog until we uncovered one population that was strikingly different from all others and turned out to be a distinct species," said Funk, director of the Global Biodiversity Center in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) and an associate professor in the Department of Biology. The new species is considered "endangered" based on International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines, primarily due to its extremely small range, rarity, and habitat loss from agriculture and logging.

Funk and Guayasamin have been collaborators and friends for 20 years. In 2009, they discovered a species of frog in the eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador that they named Pristimantis bicantus, and they are currently involved, with other colleagues, in large-scale projects comparing temperate and tropical diversity patterns.

The tropics are known to contain many more distinct species per unit area than temperate zones like the U.S. and Canada, which together have about 110 described frog species. Ecuador, about the size of Colorado, has 570 described frog species, and counting.

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For their study, the researchers performed genetic sampling of frogs from sites crisscrossing the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. The country boasts a Pacific coastline, the Amazon basin in the east, and the Andes mountains in its middle. DNA sequencing allowed the scientists to uncover the new frog species, which hails from the Las Pampas region, located in the Andes. In Ecuador, wildlife species tend to have extremely small ranges, the researchers say, due in part to the diversity of habitats and climates across the impressive altitudinal gradient formed by the Andes.

"We know that there's lots of undescribed biodiversity in Ecuador, so you could think this discovery is not a big deal," said Guayasamin, who has had a hand in identifying several frog species. "But this species, first of all, is spectacular-looking; secondly, it's restricted to a single site which once again emphasizes range-restricted, highly threatened biodiversity in the tropics. And lastly, its name -- the Ecuadorean rain frog -- will hopefully draw local and international attention to the endangered species and ecosystems of Ecuador."

A variety of processes can lead to speciation -- the breaking off of new species from one lineage. One traditional theory is that a population experiences a geographic split, such as a river or a mountain range, which limits gene flow, and allows species to evolve new traits over millions of years, like size, shape and mating calls.

If the old species and the new species become different enough over time, they can become reproductively isolated, or unable to produce viable offspring. Reproductive isolation is one of the traditionally accepted taxonomic distinctions between species, Funk said. But the Ecuadorian rainfrog appears to have become a distinct species in the absence of geographic barriers, possibly due to environmental differences between low-elevation habitats, where the ornate rainfrog is found, and high-elevation habitats, where the new frog is found.

Funk is a conservation geneticist who studies evolutionary processes using new advances in genomics to inform conservation strategies. And doing research in the tropics is like "being a kid in a candy store," he said. "There is so much diversity in the region -- it's the reason we get into the field. We want to make sure this diversity persists into the future. This is what gets us up in the morning, and gets us excited about what we do."

The Global Biodiversity Center in SoGES acts as a central node connecting biodiversity researchers from many colleges and departments across CSU. It also connects CSU biodiversity researchers to international conservation organizations so that CSU's expertise in biodiversity can be harnessed to improve conservation policy. The center's website includes a map that illustrates many CSU researchers doing such work, all over the world.

"There are CSU researchers doing biodiversity research across the globe, discovering species, and doing research to conserve species," Funk said. The collaboration between CSU and Universidad San Francisco de Quito is one such example. "Our work is based on mutual interests, which include research, faculty and student exchange, and long-term studies aimed to describe and protect tropical biodiversity," Guayasamin said.
Brazil meat scandal: Hong Kong joins import ban

Hong Kong has joined China is suspending meat imports from Brazil.
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Every ticket helps ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all they should worry about is helping their child live. We won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
The Chinese military is experimenting with identity tags (dog tags) for troops that use a variety of more efficient data technology, including QR (Quick Response) Codes and data chips. These experiments include the use of fitness bands for monitoring pulse and smart phone type software for collecting this data. QR Code is a type of bar code that has become more popular because smart phones can scan it. QR type bar codes uses an array of blocks to hold from 400 to 2,000 bytes of data. QR codes have become very popular in China and over thirty other nations are experimenting with QR codes and data chips for soldier ID tags.

Since the 1990s the American military has been gradually making more use of bar codes for tracking equipment. Because the greater use of automation and self-service was also enthusiastically accepted by the troops it was found that there was little resistance to bar code tracking. The greater use of PDAs (at first) then smart phones and bar code scanners for collecting data was much appreciated, as constantly entering all those numbers into logbooks was never very popular. In the navy this meant smaller crews and that left more space for everyone, which has been well received.

During this time the U.S. Army has been trying, without much success so far, to replace the dog tags with an electronic device. Bar codes could not be easily modified, but small chips could. The main problem has been the difficulty designing and building a device that was able to survive the harsh battlefield conditions. The army thought they had a suitable design in 2006 and tested this credit card size device by having some 13,000 troops carrying the bulkier prototype. These "smart dog tags" did not survive in the combat zone and a new prototypes are still in the works.

When a workable smart dog tag is built medics treating a soldier would hold the scanner near smart dog tag and get all the essential medical data. The smart dog tag would get updated as treatment continued. Thus the soldier would always have his complete medical history with him. That data would include allergies (especially to some medicines) and previous treatments. The Chinese are willing to have QR Codes that simply hold more basic medical information about the soldier.

By 2006 the U.S. Army had computerized medical information on 9.2 million troops and their dependents. Thousands of medics in Iraq and Afghanistan had electronic devices that could access that data as needed. Quick access to this data is one of the many factors that has brought down the death rate in the combat zone. Having all that data in an electronic database also makes it much easier to find useful patterns in treatments, injuries and diseases. This, in turn, makes it easier to find and fix problems. For the moment, that is the future of the dog tag but there is still the problem of designing a compact and rugged enough electronic storage device.

Meanwhile there were some simpler dog tag problems that were solved, In 2015 the U.S. Army finally agreed, after more than a decade of growing complaints, to remove the social security number (SSN) from the metal dog tags all military personnel must wear at all times. The SSN was added in the 1970s, replacing the unique ID number troops had been assigned on entering service. By the 1990s troop complaints were growing that the SSN was increasingly used by criminals to commit fraud. Thus in 2007 the military began studying how to replace the SSN with a more secure ID number.

In most armed forces every soldier gets issued two ID Tags and a chain hold the tags as they are worn around the neck. These "dog tags" have been with the U.S. Army since 1906. Early on, soldiers found that if you need access to something important and didn't want to have to dig through your pockets to get it, you could hang it on the same chain you had your dog tags on. In World War II, Korea and Vietnam the most prevalent item on a GI's dog tag chain was the P38 can opener for the small cans C-rations came in (for feeding troops in combat or field exercises). This P38 disappeared in the 1980s as MRE rations (no cans, just plastic bags) replaced C-rations. In the late 1990s the USB thumb drive or "memory stick" appeared and troops began to add one of those to the dog tag chain. Troops kept their email from home, digital pictures and all manner of stuff on these USB devices. Some officers tied to forbid the practice, as you are not supposed to take such documents with you into a combat zone (lest you be captured and the data prove useful to the enemy.) But the troops still carry the memory sticks around with them. The terrorists also liked to schlep data around on memory sticks. But it took time to find the useful secrets, though, as you first have to plow through all the porn and MP3 files.

The security of medical data stored on future ID tags is also an issue but so far no one has developed an electronic ID tag that can survive a combat zone.
There is another major famine situation in Somalia and the government is appealing to the international community for emergency food shipments. Not many foreign donors are responding and those that are demand assurances that the food will get to those who need it. Some donors, like Malaysia, are willing to send aid as long as they can also send soldiers to ensure the food is not looted. In Somalia food aid rarely reaches the hungry. This has been documented. In 2015 UN investigators reported detailed evidence of massive theft of aid money sent to Somalia. Often over 70 percent of the aid money was stolen, using false documents created in Somalia and Kenya to deceive UN officials. These incidents occurred between 2010 and 2013, the last major famine period during which over 250,000 Somalis died from hunger and related diseases. The auditors were not able to gain access to bank data so could only estimate the amount stolen. The UN is criticized for not doing more auditing inside Somalia but the UN has to deal with the fact that the people doing the stealing (local aid officials, gangsters and Islamic terrorists) have killed persistent auditors in the past and will do so again. As a result recruiting qualified people for this work is difficult. The persistence of this corruption is the main reason why fewer countries are willing to provide aid money for Somalia. The new government says it will be different this time but donor nations have other, safer, places to send their aid.

There are some hopeful signs, especially the increased willingness of Moslem nations to help out. Since opening its new embassy in Mogadishu in mid-2016 the Turks have gone on to build a military compound between the capital and the airport. The new embassy compound is near the beach and is the largest Turkish embassy in the world. Since 2011 Turkey has provided more than $900 million in aid for Somalia and the new military base will be used to train Somali soldiers as well as troops from other parts of Africa. Turkey is making a statement; that is will help Somalia and will not be driven out by threats. Turkey has always provided Turkish security personnel for its embassy. The local outlaws and Islamic terrorists quickly found that the Turks were as tough as their reputation implied. Al Shabaab still makes threats against the Turks in Somalia, but usually chooses a less dangerous target.

Al Shabaab cannot make as many attacks as it used to and suffering defeat going after the Turks makes little sense, even to Islamic radicals. The new embassy and military base are part of a growing Turkish presence in Somalia. Turkey has been a major provider of aid to Somalia from Moslem nations. Western countries still provide most of the aid to Somalia and Turkey is trying to encourage wealthy Moslem nations to change that, at least when it comes to Moslem nations in need. Turkey established an embassy in Somalia in 2011 (one of the first nations to do so) and a Turkish airline was one of the first to establish regular commercial service to Somalia in 2012. Senior Turkish officials (including the president) have visited Somalia, despite al Shabaab threats, and that gave other potential investors and aid donors encouragement. Encouraged by the Turkish example non-Moslem nations are now reopening their embassies. In 2013 Britain did so. British diplomats were withdrawn in 1991 and had been gone ever since. But embassies are one thing, massive food or economic aid that must be sent all over the country is another.

The new (as of February 22nd) president has a lot of popular support, especially in the security forces. The new president has been fighting corruption for years and made progress in reducing the incidence of corrupt officials (often senior officers) stealing payroll and other money meant for the soldiers and police. The new president also called on al Shabaab to make peace, but that was promptly rejected by the al Shabaab leaders. The new president formed a new government in record time and so far so good.

March 21, 2017: In Mogadishu the government announced the 26 cabinet ministers of the new government. The new president and several of the new officials are Somalis who spent much time in the West and are expected to be more efficient and less corrupt. Several hours later two separate suicide car bomb attacks in the city left ten dead and at least fifteen wounded. Al Shabaab took credit. The Islamic terrorists cannot hold territory like they used to but they can still make and set off bombs in public places. If al Shabaab cant control territory they can still lay claim to a lot of headlines.

March 19, 2017: In the north the Puntland government fired the head of the counter-piracy department for failing to prevent the recent piracy incident where a coastal tanker was taken and held for four days by Puntland based pirates. Puntland has largely eradicated Puntland-based piracy by unofficially regulating it. Coastal shipping, which is essential for all coastal towns and cities in Somalia, is protected by bribes and understandings with local clan leaders and gangsters. Some things you can do (like smuggle goods and people to and from Yemen and attack certain foreign ships) and some things, especially piracy against protected ships, are forbidden. Those responsible must be punished.

There are still occasional attempts to take large commercial ships. In October 2016, for the first time since mid-2013, pirates attempted to take a large ship. Some 600 kilometers off the Somali coast a 51,000 ton (DWT) British chemical tanker was attacked by a speedboat containing armed men. The armed guard on the tanker fired on the speedboat as it approached the tanker and the men in the speedboat fired back. The tanker increased speed, changed course and got away. These large ships still carry armed guards and crews who know how to deal with Somali pirates.

There were problems with pirates in the north for a while, but these seagoing brigands were mainly preying on foreigners and the foreigners with navies responded. The pirates were largely out of business in 2012, the last year they captured a large ship that could yield a multi-million dollar ransom. The few pirates still in business now try to grab the smaller foreign fishing ships. Even that became more difficult because the international anti-piracy patrol was still off the coast and during the first six months of 2016 pirate activity off the Somali coast reached its lowest levels since 1995. Since then much of the foreign anti-piracy patrol has been disbanded but the large foreign ships stay away from the coast and keep their armed guards.

March 18, 2017: In the south (Bay region) soldiers clashed with a group of al Shabaab gunmen and killed seven of them. Several soldiers were wounded during the nighttime incident.

March 17, 2017: In the south, outside Kismayo, Somali special operations forces carried out a raid that caught six al Shabaab leaders who had assembled in a remote location for a meeting. The six leaders, and several of their followers, were killed.

In the north, near the Yemen coast a Yemeni smuggler boat carrying Somalis was attacked at night by a helicopter and a warship as it moved near the coast with its lights out. The attackers were apparently from the Arab Coalition blockade off Yemen, established in 2015 to prevent Iran from smuggling weapons and other military supplies to the Shia rebels in Yemen. Soon after the smuggler boat came under fire passengers waved flashlights to indicate that the boat was full of illegal migrants not Iranian weapons. The helicopter gunship and warship went away and the shot up smuggler boat returned to Yemen with survivors. At least 42 people on the crowded boat were killed. The smugglers said they were trying to reach Sudan. Until the Yemen civil war broke out in 2015 people smuggling from Somalia (Somaliland) and Djibouti was a major criminal enterprise with over 10,000 foreigners arriving each month and then being moved north. The smuggling gangs had arrangements, especially with tribal leaders, throughout Yemen to allow the movement of the smuggled foreigners, for a fee. After 2015 the traffic began to go both ways with thousands of Yemeni refugees reaching Somaliland (often on smuggler boats that had carried African refugees to Yemen) each month. Somaliland is very poor itself but it is the cheapest foreign destination to get to. Few of these Yemeni refugees move south into Somalia but these refugees are a burden for Somaliland. Meanwhile the movement of Somalis (and other Africans) to Yemen continued with 100,000 arriving in 2015 and 115,000 in 2016. The civil war keeps most of these illegal migrants in UN supported refugee camps. Those with money can hire smugglers to take them across the Gulf of Aden to Sudan and from there to the Mediterranean coast and another boat to Europe.

March 15, 2017: In Mogadishu a night time raid on an al Shabaab hideout resulted in the arrest of several al Shabaab members and the death of their leader, who refused to surrender and fired on the soldiers.

March 13, 2017: For the first time since 2012 Somali pirates seized a large ship (a 1,800 ton coastal tanker headed for Mogadishu). The eight Sri Lankan crewmen and the ship were taken to the port city of Bosaso in Puntland. The pirates had reinforcements waiting but the Puntland security forces also showed up, surrounded the tanker and after four days persuaded the pirates to surrender. The crew and ship were sent on their way. The pirates and local fishermen participated in taking the tanker and later demanded a large ransom and the elimination of illegal fishing by foreign trawlers. No ransom was paid. The problem is that there is no one in Somali who will enforce any ban on foreign fishing trawlers. Instead there is always a local Somali gang or government official willing to take a bribe and ignore the illegal fishing. Somalis have found it more difficult to deal with the local corruption and prefer to blame foreigners for their problems.

In Mogadishu two al Shabaab car bombs left six dead and about twenty wounded.

March 12, 2017: In Mogadishu a local journalist was wounded when a bomb planted in his car went off. Al Shabaab regularly threatens journalists who accurately report what the Islamic terrorists are doing in Somalia. Elsewhere in Mogadishu hundreds of Somali soldiers demonstrated demanding that the new government deal with the continuing problem of pay for soldiers arriving late or never because senior officers or government officials have stolen it. The new president said he would deal with that.

March 7, 2017: In Baidoa (250 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu) al Shabaab leader Hussein Mukhtar surrendered.

Further south, near the Kenyan border Kenyan peacekeeper patrols encountered two roadside bombs leaving one soldier dead and five wounded. The losses would have been worse but in one incident the troops were travelling in an armored vehicle that was heavily damaged while protecting the troops inside.

March 2, 2017: Some 30 kilometers northwest of Afmadow (620 kilometers south of Mogadishu) Kenyan peacekeepers raided an al Shabaab camp. Nine Kenyan soldiers were killed and many more wounded. The Kenyans were assisted by artillery fire and air support. Al Shabaab lost at least 57 dead as they fled the hidden camp. Five al Shabaab trucks were also destroyed and much equipment was seized. It is believed that Kenyan aerial surveillance spotted the large group of al Shabaab assembling in the camp. Afmadow is a major trading center inland from the port of Kismayo and al Shabaab has been desperate to maintain some presence in the area because they can extort money from local merchants.

Further south, across the border in northeastern Kenya, al Shabaab gunmen went to a school in a refugee camp for Somalis and kidnapped three Kenyan teachers and took them back to Somalia, to be held for ransom.
The U.S. Senate just voted 52-47 to allow barbaric hunting tactics such as killing hibernating bear families in their dens - and now the lives of countless animals on 76 million acres of federal wildlife refuges in Alaska are in President Donald Trump's hands.

Before the vote, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) said the bill contained "some of the most cruel and inhumane savage killing of animals."

Dodo Shows Wild Hearts Guy And Wild Shark Have Been Best Friends For Decades

Now the government is set to overturn previous U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulations that were put in place to protect our wildlife, allowing hunters to lure grizzly bears with food to shoot them at point-blank range. They will be able to legally enter bear and wolf dens to kill mothers and their young cubs and pups. Hunters will also be allowed to shoot bears from airplanes. Steel-jawed leghold traps and wire snares will be allowed on these national lands. The resolution, S.J.Res.18, was introduced by U.S. House Representative Don Young (R-AK), a former trapper. Even though a 2016 poll of Alaska voters showed that most people agree that these cruel hunting practices should be banned, the measure passed through the House 225-193 last month, with some congressmen citing states' rights as the reason for their vote in favor, despite the resolution being about federal lands.

"What the Senate did today should outrage the conscience of every animal lover in America," Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), said on Tuesday, after the Senate passed the resolution. The regulations came from the Obama administration, but received some bipartisan approval at the time. "Inhumane hunting methods have caused the overkilling of native Alaskan predators; this rule takes a balanced approach allowing for traditional, permit-based hunting," then-Representative Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said last year after the cruel practices were banned.

But special interest groups have been seeking to strip the federal government of its authority over these lands. "Special interest groups are quietly working at the federal and state level to lay the groundwork for federally managed lands to be handed over wholesale to state or even private ownership," Dan Ashe, then-FWS director, wrote last year in an op-ed. "Unfortunately, without the protections of federal law and the public engagement it ensures, this heritage is incredibly vulnerable."

Now that these protections are being overturned, animal lovers all over the country are worried. "There are many many people of both 'parties' that love animals and oppose this," one commenter wrote this week. "This is inhuman, it's inhumane," Booker said. "It is wrong."
Folks at the University of Houston, in Texas, are mourning the death of one of the college's most recognizable and beloved figures  not a popular student or faculty member, but rather a friendly white-tailed squirrel who called the campus her home.

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This week, the University of Houston made the sad announcement that the cute creature, known simply as the white-tailed squirrel, had been found dead from what appears to be natural causes. Using an official channel to announce the passing of a wild animal might seem a little odd to some people, but this squirrel was not just a random critter  she was a legend. "She stuck out from the others and was also more friendly and approachable," junior Robert Comer told The Dodo. "She became a part of campus lore, and it was believed that if you saw her before an exam, then you would make an A." Still, no one could have guessed what happened next.

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Alessandra Amaral

Within hours of the discovery that the white-tailed squirrel had died, a makeshift memorial began to emerge near the spot on campus where her body had been found. And it just keeps on growing.

Daniel Oatman

For architecture student Daniel Oatman, this memorial for the squirrel is evidence of just how much she meant to everyone who knew her. "She was pretty much a legend. When I first got here three years ago I heard of a white-tailed squirrel. It took me a while to find her but when I did I was pretty excited," Oatman told The Dodo. "I think it is an appropriate reaction due to her fame on campus. She will definitely be missed."

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The outpouring of love for that legendary animal doesn't end there. A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise money to hold a service for the white-tailed squirrel, and to have her body preserved in a permanent memorial on campus so that future generations of students can benefit from the good luck that comes from seeing her. "We think a memorial would help canonize her as a part of UH's history. We think that preserving her body and creating a memorial would do just that," said Comer, who's helping to arrange those plans. "It would be a celebration of what she meant to us."
Campaign to begin in Province 2 soon: UML

The CPN-UML is preparing to organise an electoral campaign in Province 2 soon.
Moonpie is a baby miniature cow, but it's quite possible that she's having an identity crisis. For the past six weeks, she's lived at Rocky Ridge Refuge, a sanctuary in Arkansas that cares for special needs animals. But instead of hanging with other cows, Moonpie lives with 12 dogs. "She accepts them as her buddies," Janice Wolf, the sanctuary's founder, told The Dodo. "Babies like that - they don't know a whole lot about what it's supposed to be, so they kind of just accept things."

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Before Moonpie lived with dogs, someone was trying to sell her at a livestock auction house. "These auctions are huge - millions and millions of animals are auctioned off everyday," Wolf said. "I stay away from them because they kind of make me crazy. Many of the animals aren't being treated that well." Since Wolf couldn't handle going to the auction, her friend went in her place to see if she could help any animals. Her eyes quickly fell upon Moonpie.

Moonpie after she was rescued | Rocky Ridge Refuge

"She was a mini, and you don't see a lot of those go through the local auctions," Wolf said. Wolf's friend secured Moonpie's release by purchasing her. Then she transported her to the sanctuary. Moonpie was still a young, milk-dependant baby, so Wolf knew she couldn't keep her outside with the other rescue cows.

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Rocky Ridge Refuge

"I don't have a lot of room here, and it was cold and rainy, and that wasn't good for a little calf," Wolf explained. "All my heated buildings were occupied with other critters, so that's how she ended up in my bedroom. I figured it would just be for a few days, but the weather just kept going whacky, so she's been in there for the last six weeks."

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Wolf's rescue dogs live inside Wolf's house as well, so Moonpie acquired several canine housemates. "They were all thrilled to see her," Wolf said. While all the dogs loved Moonpie, one took a special liking to the calf - a deaf white terrier named Spackle.

Spackle and Moonpie relaxing together | Rocky Ridge Refuge

"The picture with the white bull terrier - that was Moonpie's first day here," Wolf said. "Spackle loves babies, and immediately became her protector and buddy. She wouldn't leave that calf's side. They instantly bonded." The dogs wanted to play with Moonpie, cuddle with her and clean her.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

"[The dogs] are her surrogate moms," Wolf said. "They clean her face, the way her mother would have. They love to do that."

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Moonpie even learned how to "use the bathroom," according to Wolf, the same way as the dogs, holding it until she can go outside.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

"She does what the dogs show her, so she learned how to do that," Wolf said.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

Now that the weather's getting nicer, Moonpie has been able to spend more time outside - and she got to meet the sanctuary's other miniature calf, Sooner. "At first she wasn't sure what to think, and then she just like, 'OK, a bigger dog,'" Wolf said. "But they started hanging together, too. She now knows she's a cow, I think." Moonpie has a lot more growing to do before she can meet the other animals at the sanctuary, which includes an emu, a water buffalo, a zebra, capybaras, pigs, dogs, goats, chickens and other cows, all rescued from abusive and neglectful situations. While Moonpie waits for that to happen, she has a big family of dogs to keep her company.

Rocky Ridge Refuge

"It's all just a matter of who's in your space," Wolf said. "You love the ones you're with. I think she just knows that there's a lot of different friends in the world."

Rocky Ridge Refuge
Chaudhary worlds 1,567th richest person

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Fake driving licence racket busted

Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested two persons allegedly operating a fake driving licence racket from Lalitpur.
LONDONMohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all look so easy.

To a pan full of sizzling chicken he adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, coriander, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredients between his fingers as his only measure. After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at the Taste of India in London.

Haques deft touch isnt easy to replicate  and thats a problem for Britains curry houses, which are shutting down at a rate of two a week, in part because there arent enough chefs and kitchen staff.

Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed. Theyre angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave only to have the government fail to deliver on promises to help save their industry. Rather than easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the situation worse by cutting off the flow of East European workers who have increasingly filled the gaps in recent years.

Whats happening since Brexit is even more restaurants are closing; we cant get people from anywhere, said Oli Khan, the senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK and a celebrity chef. Curry houses are in danger.

Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the South Asian restaurant industry in a country where chicken tikka masala is as much the national dish as fish and chips. In addition to a chef shortage, Britains 12,000 curry restaurants are struggling with competition from prepared supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and rising food prices from a lower pound.

Though casually called Indian food, most curry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants and their offspring who fused South Asian flavours with British tastes to create a new cuisine worth an estimated $5.6 billion to the economy annually.

For example, the humble pappadum isnt traditionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accustomed to being served bread when they sat down. The onion bhaji was adapted from onion rings.

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What is at stake, Ali says, is not the heritage of Bangladesh, but the heritage of Britain.

Ive given my life in the curry industry and I can see with my own eyes that it is disappearing, Ali said. I really feel the government should intervene before it is too late.

The unease of the curry houses is replicated in ways large and small across Britain, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the legal process of leaving the EU next week. High-tech companies in search of engineers, farmers in need of fruit pickers and builders looking for construction workers have all raised concerns about possible staff shortages.

The hospitality industry is particularly worried. An analysis from the Oxford Migration Observatory shows some 89,000 people from many of the EUs new entrant countries in the east are working in food and beverage services.

May has taken a tough stance on immigration after anger about high arrival numbers fuelled last years vote to leave the EU. While exiting the bloc will allow Britain to eventually limit European immigration, the government has so far refused to relax the rules for migrants from non-EU countries.

Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system, the Home office said in a statement. We are working across government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.

The rules now require migrants from outside the EU to have a job paying some $43,600 a year  more than many nurses make in Britain. Curry houses, which mostly sell food at reasonable prices, cant meet that standard.

The curry owners have in recent years filled the gap by hiring Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles and Romanians. Between 5,000 and 6,000 curry house workers are East Europeans out of a total 150,000.

These workers sometimes have had trouble communicating with chefs, who found themselves learning the Romanian words for green pepper and onion. And many of the workers had never even seen a curry, unlike earlier migrants from South Asia who often aspired to open curry houses of their own.

But the Eastern Europeans didnt balk at long hours chopping vegetables and washing dishes.

Take Aga Pozniak, a qualified teacher form Lodz in central Poland. Though she now serves customers in front of house at Taste of India, she started out as a kitchen assistant.

I had never been in an Indian restaurant in Poland so I had no idea about the Indian kitchen, she said. So I learned everything here. ... When you are a kitchen assistant, you do some cleaning, you prepare food, you cut food. It doesnt matter when you cut pepper if you cut pepper for Indian food or Polish food. You cut pepper.

The lack of prospects for advancement, however, often means that the Eastern Europeans soon move on to other jobs.

And the restaurants, some of which have been in the family for decades, can no longer look to the next generation to fill the gaps. As mothers and fathers have prospered and become part of British society, many of their children have moved into professions such as law and medicine rather than cooking. And with no new influx of onion choppers in the pipeline, even those that want to stay in the business are having a tough time.

Sayem Ahmed, for example, wants to transform the Taste of India into a Michelin-starred eatery, and hes studying business at Middlesex University to make that dream come true.

But the 19-year-old finds himself increasingly pulling shifts at the family restaurant  time that takes him away from his studies.

Id say the whole industry is in danger, he said. They really need to think of something for us.

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Canada wants to avoid a Brexit cliff-edge too.

The government is pushing for its trade deal with Europe to be ratified by Britain before it leaves the European Union to secure the crucial agreement. It also has its eye on deeper relations with the U.K. once Brexit is complete.

Canada wants to preserve any preferential access that businesses or investors currently have, High Commissioner to the U.K. Janice Charette said in an interview from her office overlooking Trafalgar Square on March 20. Thats the idea of avoiding some kind of a cliff-edge, she said. Also, well be interested in seeing what we can do to enhance the bilateral arrangement after the U.K. is out.

Prime Minister Theresa May will start formal divorce talks with the EU at the end of the month. While Britain cant officially negotiate new trade accords until it has finished leaving, it has held preliminary discussions with several countries. The prospect of leaving the bloc without alternative arrangements in place is commonly referred to as the cliff-edge, which businesses say would be the most destructive outcome.

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Canada, Europe cheer new EU trade deal as challenge to isolationism

Canadas efforts to remove trade barriers with the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement come at a time when protectionist sentiment is increasing globally. U.S. President Donald Trump has been ratcheting up rhetoric against free trade, while Group of 20 finance chiefs removed a line to resist all forms of protectionism in their latest communique.

Charette said the Canadian government has been successful at expanding trade while maintaining public confidence by engaging its provinces, territories, and industries, as well as reforms to help the middle class. Various different pieces of this are put together, really with a view to supporting the interests of Canada as an open market, free-trading country, she said.

Trudeaus finance chief, Bill Morneau, will release his second federal budget on Wednesday.

When it comes to Trump, we are their closest neighbor, so people are curious to see if we have any insights to share, Charette said. Were all comparing notes in terms of how best to make sure that the interests of our countries are well understood.

The CETA agreement could provide some guidance for modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has pledged to renegotiate, Charette said.

Canadas deal with Europe is set to boost trade with the EU by about a quarter, according to government estimates. The U.K. is Canadas biggest partner within the bloc, and Charette sees further opportunities.

If you look at just one-to-one, the area of financial services is huge for the U.K., and that will be of interest for Canada for going beyond what is in the CETA agreement today, Charette said. Trade in services more broadly could be improved and the countries could discuss how to build on CETA arrangements for intra-company transfers or the movement of professionals, she said.

Technical discussions to preserve CETA with the U.K. after Brexit have begun. Francois-Philippe Champagne, appointed Canadian trade minister this year, has met with U.K. Trade Secretary Liam Fox several times already, Charette said.

CETA will be enacted provisionally later this year, reducing tariffs on products like maple syrup and fresh Canadian lobster. Other parts of the agreement, like investor-state dispute settlements, will only come into effect with the consent of domestic parliaments. The sooner that happens the better, because the longer that goes on, the bigger the chance is that you have change in political leadership, she said.

She also stressed that Canadas experience negotiating with Britain in the face of Brexit doesnt mean it will be so easy for everyone.

Theres a difference between countries now that have a trade agreement with the EU and countries that dont, Charette said. If both countries put a priority on it, and they have the capacity, they can move quickly -- but thats a lot of countries to deal with, and you cant do them all at the same time.

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Discount footwear chain Payless ShoeSource reportedly may seek bankruptcy court protection in the U.S., and close as many as 500 stores as the Kansas-based company joins other retailers struggling with a consumer shift to online shopping.

Payless initially plans to shut down 400 to 500 stores as part of its latest reorganization plan. That number is fewer than the projected 1,000 locations eyed earlier, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the issue.

Company spokeswoman Cristi Allen in an email Wednesday declined to comment on the report.

Founded in Topeka in 1956, Payless offered a new retailing experience, enabling customers to self-select footwear with affordable prices. The company says it now is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 4,000 locations in 30 countries and nearly 22,000 employees.

The company is owned by Golden Gate Capital and Blum Capital Partners, San Francisco-based private equity firms that took over the retailer in 2012 as part of the $2 billion (U.S.) breakup of Collective Brands. The transaction included the assumption of Collective Brands debt.

The report of the potential bankruptcy filing comes amid grim financial news for other major retailers.

Sears Holdings, the company that operates Sears and Kmart stores, warned Tuesday it faces substantial doubt about its ability to stay in business unless it can borrow more and get cash from more of its assets.

Payless last year tried to boost profits with a new master plan based on opening more of the companys Super Stores  larger locations with deeper stocks of footwear brands and styles, as well as an added focus on shopping experienceaccording to a Footwear News report. That plan called for closing 350 to 500 smaller stores within three years, the report said.

Company officials also said Payless was undertaking aggressive moves to deal with consumer shifts to e-commerce.

I recognize that we have to deliver omnichannel capabilities with a sense of urgency, Payless CEO Paul Jones told Footwear News. Almost every IT (internet technology) capital project underway at Payless relates to some sort of capability that the project will unlock for us.

As shoppers increasingly buy online, Payless in January worked with debt-restructuring legal experts on plans to deal with roughly $665 million in company debt, Reuters reported.

Moodys Investors Service in February downgraded a Payless debt rating, saying the decision reflected weaker than anticipated operating performance.

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Ontarios cap-and-trade system aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions begins in earnest Wednesday with its first auction, which other provinces said they will be watching closely as they consider their own carbon pricing plans.

The provincial Liberal government hopes the auction  held every three months  will bring in $1.9 billion a year, or $8 billion by the end of 2020, to be invested in programs that reduce emissions and help businesses and consumers adapt to a low-carbon economy.

Under the plan, businesses will have limits  or caps  on the amount of pollution they can emit. Companies that exceed those limits, which will be reduced each year, can buy permits or allowances through auctions or from other companies that come in under their limits.

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The cap-and-trade system, which came into effect Jan. 1, added 4.3 cents per litre to the price of gasoline and about $80 a year to natural gas home heating costs, in addition to indirect costs that will be passed onto consumers.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have been critical of those added costs and party leader Patrick Brown said Tuesday he would instead bring in a revenue negative carbon tax, with which any increased costs to consumers would be more than offset by tax cuts.

A government-commissioned analysis showed that a carbon tax would achieve more emission reductions  almost half through businesses leaving Ontario  but cost more, and an unlinked cap-and-trade model would be the most expensive option.

Ontario plans to link its cap-and-trade system with a joint Quebec-California market next year. But when that happens, an estimated $466 million will leave the Ontario economy over three years, because it will be cheaper to buy allowances in those jurisdictions, the auditor general has said. Both the environmental commissioner and the auditor have said that means greenhouse gas emissions wont actually be cut in Ontario.

The most recent Quebec-California joint cap-and-trade auction saw just 18 per cent of allowances sold, with previous results of 88 per cent, 35 per cent and 11 per cent. Since 2014, the linked market has sold 74 per cent of its credits at auction.

Ontario Environment Minister Glen Murray couldnt comment on his provinces expected results so close to the auction, but has previously said he didnt think Ontarios market would see the same problem of oversupply, because the number of available allowances will decline at a more aggressive rate.

Ontario is capping emission allowances at roughly 142 megatonnes this year, declining about four per cent each year to 2020, when the Liberals hope to have achieved a 15-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over 1990 levels.

As the emissions cap declines, the government hopes companies have more incentive to invest in technologies that cut their emissions.

Carbon market expert Nicolas Girod said he expects the first auction to be close to fully subscribed. However, some businesses may sit this one out and some may be waiting until the market is linked with the California-Quebec one, he said.

There will be ... excess allowances in California, so they may be cautious about buying in this first auction, or they may not be willing to buy (at) too high a price in this first auction because they know that there will be excess allowances from California coming next year, said Girod, responsible for trading and research at Clear Blue Markets.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said all provinces must set up a cap-and-trade system or impose a price on carbon of at least $10 per tonne starting next year. In Ontario, the floor price on carbon is expected to be set for auctions at between $17.50 and $18 per tonne, though demand could push the price higher.

Provinces without a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system are weighing their options and some say they will be closely watching Ontarios results.

Nova Scotias Liberal government is proposing a cap-and-trade system but isnt currently planning to link its market. It is opting instead for trading of credits among emitters within the province and proposing to not make polluters pay the full cost for the greenhouse gas emissions that are over the capped limits.

Jason Hollett, the executive director of Nova Scotias climate change division, said the plan is to distribute credits for free to carbon emitters, because the province has already met Ottawas targeted emission requirements due to changes to its electricity generation.

Most large emitters in Ontario will receive allowances for free until 2020, which the government says is meant to prevent them from moving to jurisdictions without carbon pricing.

Newfoundland and Labrador will watch what happens in Ontario and may consider a cap-and-trade system in the future, said Perry Trimper, the minister responsible for the office of Climate Change. Emissions caps are being set in that province and emitters who go over them will be required to invest in a low-carbon technology fund being run by the government, or find ways to reduce their emissions.

I must say Im hoping for the best for them and we see an opportunity in the future to join jurisdictions like Ontario and Quebec in a cap-and-trade system, Trimper said.

Ontarios results will be made public on April 3.

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WASHINGTONThe Trump administration says liberalizing cross-border online shopping is one of its trade priorities with Canada, according to a document that provides new clues on the administrations plans entering NAFTA renegotiations.

The statement comes in an exchange of letters between the administrations nominee for trade czar and the top congressional committee that handles trade, which is considering his nomination.

Canada has one of the lowest allowances in the developed world for online duty-free shopping  Canadian consumers are allowed to purchase $20 worth of goods online from Amazon, eBay or other retailers before duties kick in, compared to $800 in the U.S.

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Trade nominee Bob Lighthizer was asked about that by a member of the Senate finance committee, which is one of the congressional bodies that by law must be consulted before, during, and after the U.S. holds trade negotiations.

He received written questions about wine, dairy, softwood lumber and pharmaceuticals, in addition to oral questions and answers at a public hearing this month where lawmakers made it clear they want important changes in NAFTA.

In his written responses, he said the duty-free level, known as de minimis, would be an issue.

I believe that increasing Canadas de minimis level could be a significant issue in our overall bilateral trade engagement with Canada, as well as in our engagement with Canada in multilateral trade forums, Lighthizer wrote back, in a 124-page exchange of letters obtained by Inside U.S. Trade.

I will consult with Congress and domestic stakeholders to develop a strategy that seeks to address concerns with Canadas low de minimis level.

That debate has also begun in Canada. Its pitted online retailers against the lobby group for bricks-and-mortar stores, the Retail Council of Canada which represents 45,000 stores including some giants like Walmart, Best Buy and Lowes.

Lighthizer dropped hints on other priorities, without committing himself.

Pharma: A U.S. drug company, Eli Lilly, has just lost a major lawsuit it launched against the Canadian government and been ordered by a NAFTA tribunal to pay millions in court costs. A lawmaker urged Lighthizer to demand stronger patent protections, which have been repeatedly invalidated in Canada. He replied that intellectual property was a high priority.

Wine: Asked about restricted access to Canadian grocery shelves, which has already prompted U.S. action, Lighthizer said he would address unfair barriers to U.S. exports.

Dispute settlement: A lawmaker complained that the dispute settlement process in NAFTAs Chapter 19 had been used to weaken punitive actions against the dumping of Canadian softwood lumber. Lighthizer said he would work with Congress and industry on Chapter 19.

Supply management: Several lawmakers have asked about Canadian controls over dairy and poultry imports. Lighthizer promised, without getting specific, to enhance export opportunities.

Before opening NAFTA talks, the Trump administration must consult with Congress for at least 90 days.

The president has said hes eager to start. Donald Trump wants to turn to an economic agenda of tax cuts and trade, after a bruising few weeks marked by scraps over health care, Russian hacking, and partisan delays to nominations like Lighthizers.

Its unclear whether the White House can even start the 90-day NAFTA consultation without Lighthizer in place. Its his legal role to consult with Congress. But his nomination is being held up in a round of intra-party horse-trading that could take weeks to resolve.

The finance committee chair said Tuesday he could start NAFTA now: Were ready to roll, Orrin Hatch said. He added, however, that it would be easier if Lighthizer was in place: Its gonna be hard to do it without him.

Hatch is tied up with other issues.

Hes among the senators considering the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, and said, Thats where my mind is right now. He would also have a role in health-care reform, if a controversial health bill gets approved by the House of Representatives.

Hes got issues with the health bill: The whole thing gives me heartburn, he joked.

A nail-biter of a vote is coming up in the U.S. capital on Thursday, with potential consequences on the Trump agenda. It appears votes for health reform might fall short, and the president made a trip to Capitol Hill to plead his case Tuesday.

Donald Trump has warned lawmakers that if health reforms fall apart, that could affect tax and trade reforms. In a closed-door speech to Republicans, he personally singled out some of the conservatives threatening to stall the health bill.

Trump made a joke that some interpreted as a threat  to launch 2018 primaries against lawmakers who block him.

Some were unswayed.

I have a conservative district, said Walter Jones of North Carolina. My calls (from constituents) are running 10 to 1 against this bill.

In a few weeks, lawmakers could get their chance to confirm Lighthizer with a short-term spending bill up for review. It appears destined to become an omnibus negotiation. A West Virginia Democrat hopes to advance a personal priority  a bill involving coal miners pensions.

Lighthizer is a bargaining chit.

I have nothing personally (against him) whatsoever, said Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat. Bottom line is  hes the only vehicle I have (to get a pension deal).

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The Show:Band of Brothers, Season 1, Episode 7

The Moment: I withstood it well, but . . . 

The Second World War U.S. paratroopers of Easy Company just fought a hellish winter battle in Bastogne, Belgium: freezing cold, constant shelling, trees and bodies blown to splinters. One of the real men who endured it, now a white-haired senior, speaks in a to-camera interview.

You dont have a chance when your friends go down, you know, to really take care of them as you might, he says. As he speaks, his voice thickens. His eyes fill with tears. He has to keep licking his lips because his mouth dries up. I withstood it well, but I had a lot of trouble in later life, because those events would come back. A barely contained sob fills his voice as he adds, And you never forget them.

HBOs older series are available on demand right now, so I was happy to catch up with this 10-parter from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, based on Stephen Ambroses book.

It took me a few hours to realize its genius: its not about individual characters. The men who speak to camera arent identified until the final episode. The actors playing them are hard to tell apart.

But thats the point. This show is about the idea of comradeship  about throwing your person into service for the collective, about making all bodies into one body, about caring for others more than yourself.

Thats a rare idea in our age of hyper-individuality, even rarer now than it was in 2001 when this show was made. The modesty is the heroism.

Band of Brothers is available via TMN GO and CraveTV. Johanna Schneller is a media connoisseur who zeroes in on pop-culture moments. She usually appears Monday through Thursday.

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TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA-Throw away all your preconceived notions of Transylvania (vampires arent real, people) and discover this mountainous Romanian region thats so steeped in history and natural beauty itll make your head spin  but not in a creepy, supernatural sort of way.

Sibiu: Holy Trinity Cathedral

The first written record of Sibius existence dates back to 1191, when Pope Celestine III formally acknowledged the German settlers who had made Transylvania their home and Sibiu their cultural hub. Ancient fortified walls encircle this mid-sized city, which sits near the countrys geographical centre, giving it a fairytale quality thats common in Siebenburgen (seven citadels, the German name for Transylvania). The citys Byzantine-inspired Romanian Orthodox basilica boasts some must-see early 20th-century murals. More info: romaniatourism.com

Sibiel: Zosim Oancea Museum

This quaint country museum holds the largest collection of Romanian Orthodox glass icons, with more than 600 brightly painted panes. Fr. Zosim Oancea, a former professor and political prisoner, made it his lifes mission to rescue these works of art from attics and obscurity. Farmers and shepherds adorned the glass in the 18th and 19th centuries as a way to worship their sacred saints at home (going to church wasnt always an option when tending crops and chattel). More info: sibiel.net

Sighisoara: Hotel Sighisoara

Youd be hard pressed to find a prettier Transylvanian village than Sighisoara, especially in wintertime. Narrow cobblestone streets weave around a hilltop that has held humans since at least the third century BC, when Dacians settled in the area. With a skyline decorated with 16th-century towers, ornate church spires and red-tiled rooftops, the town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its heart sits Hotel Sighisoara, an ancient noble familys home converted into a lodge-like retreat. Stop by next door to taste local organic wines at Teos Cellar. More info: sighisoarahotels.ro

Viscri: Viscri fortified church

Another must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site (sensing a pattern here?) is the fortified church and fortress of Viscri in Brasov County. An unpaved road lined with mistletoe-covered trees and Roma hamlets leads to this Transylvanian village. Saxons built most of its multi-coloured houses between the 1600s and 1800s, creating the effect of a lived-in time capsule. Viscris charm is undeniable  Prince Charles even bought two houses as his personal retreats  but the jewel in this towns crown is the preserved 12th-century church. More info: viscri-info.ro

Zarnesti: Libearty Bear Sanctuary

On 69 hectares of fenced oak and hazelnut forests in Transylvanias Carpathian Mountains, 88 European brown bears are living the life  one thats very different from their years in captivity. While ownership of wild bears was made illegal in 2005, many remained caged and kept as attractions at hotels, restaurants, private zoos and even gas stations. (One young bear was blinded so people could take flash photos without startling him.) Seeing these magnificent creatures thrive outdoors is thrilling. More info: ampbears.ro

Bran: Bran Castle

When visiting the castle author Bram Stoker used as Draculas home base, skip the touristy stalls selling Kiss Me, Im Type AB tees; its real history is much more interesting. German Teutonic Knights built Brans first fortress in 1211, but it wasnt until 1918 (when Transylvania became part of Romania and gave the castle to its newly adopted royal family two years later) that it flourished. It was Queen Marias personal residence, and she supposedly rode in the woods for hours with her handsome cavalry guards. More info: bran-castle.com

Emma Yardley was hosted by Exodus Travels, which didnt review or approve this story.

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BRASOV COUNTY, ROMANIA-While trekking through a snowy, shadow-filled forest in Transylvania, I begin worrying about being bitten  but not by who you might think.

The wolves here are quite small, says Thomas Oyntzen, a local Saxon-Romanian guide and hiking expert whos taking our 10-person party along a trail at the base of the Carpathian Mountains in central Romania.

For the past hour, weve been sharing the path with a single track of fresh-that-morning wolf prints. The 38-year-old former army officer and rugby player puts my mind at ease.

Im not afraid of one wolf, says Oyntzen, whos been expertly guiding our group through the region on an eight-day Exodus Travels tour titled Winter in Transylvania. I could take it on.

Related story:6 things to do in Transylvania

Yet as he points out the slightly smaller and more sporadic fox prints and the triangular form of rabbit prints in the deeper drifts, he raises the spectre of another toothy predator  and no, its not a vampire.

I often see bears 20 or 30 metres away, says Oyntzen, who regularly leads groups up these spectacular, unspoiled peaks that stretch up to 2,500 metres high.

Suddenly, a pair of tiny roe deer streak across our path, as if fleeing a predator. No wolves or bears follow their frantic footsteps, but Oyntzen does start sending a warning whistle echoing down the slopes every few minutes.

This mountain range gives Transylvania  a name derived from Medieval Latin, meaning the land beyond the forest  a natural border inside Romania, and a unique cultural identity. Saxons settled the region in the 12th century, bringing with them the German language, universal education and the construction of iconic fairytale towns, each built around a fortified church.

Prior to joining Romania after the First World War, Transylvania was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and quietly went about its business of blending German, Hungarian, Turkish, Ukrainian and Roma cultures and trades  including back-shed moonshine-making and year-round sheepherding  into everyday modern life.

Wed tasted the delicious results of this cultural continuity earlier in the week, while sitting around the welcoming dinner table at the Pensiunea Andrei Sibiel guesthouse in Sibiel, a charming village where peoples fortunes are based on the size of their flocks.

The guesthouse is run by Andrei Gheorghe Danut, 62, whose own grandfather used to move his 3,000 sheep all over this mountainous region.

There have been shepherds here for 2,000 years, said Danut, through Oyntzens translation, as he and his wife served up slices of salty sheep cheese, piping-hot pork cabbage rolls and jugs of fortified wine (all homegrown, all homemade).

Danut pointed to an embroidered black-and-white felt jacket and a tightly woven wool throw hanging on the wall: My father gave that to my mother when they got engaged  and she wove him the blanket to keep the rain off while out in the fields with the sheep.

This was no spontaneous gift exchange; its one of many local traditions that go back centuries. Another takes place from May to September, when shepherds move their flocks (and massive Carpathian sheepdogs) into the mountains to graze. The advent of cellphones has made tracking down each shepherds location much easier, but they still travel by horse and cart, since horses are easier to fix.

Danut introduced us to Ioan Rosia, 79, whos been a shepherd since he was a little boy, back when boys of 10 or 11 were sent to neighbouring farms to learn the trade and receive an education. Rosia was wearing a cojoc, a thick, wooly coat constructed from five whole sheepskins that not only protects shepherds from snow, but also their sheep from predators.

Shepherds sleep out with sheep, and bears will take the biggest sheep at night, said Danut. It will go for the shepherd (who looks like a juicy ewe), not the sheep . . . and they have a stick to fight them off, to make the animals scared.

Rosia, no taller than five-foot-five, told us with a laugh that there are weekly wolf and bear attacks  but the wild boars are actually most dangerous. He then opened his cojoc, pulled out a 100-year-old rosewood pipe and played a lively set of traditional reels, all learned by ear over a lifetime of listening to his fellow shepherds.

Back on the mountain trail, as we descend towards the valley floor dotted with the outlines of grazing sheep, I discover the sharp whistles Oyntzen sends out into the snowy wilderness arent aimed at predators  theyre for the shepherds and their dogs.

If the dogs come, stay close and let me sort them out, says Oyntzen, weaving our flush-cheeked group in and out of the ice-speckled trunks of ancient oak, hazelnut and silver birch trees. Theyre trained to protect the sheep from bears and wolves, but they can see us as a threat, too.

Sure enough, three dogs spot us and start barking up a storm. Luckily, a loud sendoff is all we get and we remain bite-free by the time we enter the medieval village of Vulcan  just in time for coffee, cake and shots of 60-per-cent moonshine with the local Saxon priest.

It turns out that in Transylvania, you need to be much more wary of a growing waistline than Draculas bite.

Emma Yardley was hosted by Exodus Travels, which didnt review or approve this story.

When you go

Get there: While there are no direct flights from Ontario to Romania, its easy to get to Bucharest through other European cities, such as Frankfurt, Warsaw or Vienna.

Do this trip: The next Exodus Travels Winter in Transylvania tour (from $1,895, excluding flights) run this December through March 2018. Exodus also offers summer tours of Transylvania from April to September. More info: exodustravels.com

Good to know: Romania is part of the European Union but uses its own currency (Romanian leu). Most businesses (except for hotels) deal with cash only and rarely have exact change. Its a smart idea to order the amount you think youll need in small bills through your bank before leaving Canada.

When to go: Romanian winters can be Ontario-level cold, so pack thermal underwear. Sure, it will be chilly but being the only tourist in an entire town makes it so worth it.

Do your research: exodustravels.com, romaniatourism.com

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Davis McCardle/iStock/Thinkstock(LONDON) -- A member of British parliament is being hailed as a hero after he was seen aiding a victim of a terror attack near London's Westminster Bridge.



MP Tobias Ellwood, a foreign office junior minister, was pictured with a bloody face after he attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on an injured police officer on the bridge, the BBC reported.



Photos show Ellwood, 50, crouched over the victim as first responders surrounded them.



Four people are dead, including the possible assailant, and at least another 20 are injured from the attack, which authorities have called an act of terrorism.



The attack began when a car struck pedestrians and three police officers on the Westminster Bridge, a popular tourist destination in London near the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament.



The car then crashed nearby, and at least one man armed with a knife attacked an officer who was guarding Parliament, police said.



The suspect, who is believed to have acted alone, was shot and killed by police.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Eight arrested for gambling from Thimi

A team from the Metropolitan Police Range Bhaktapur on Tuesday arrested eight persons from the New Unique Restaurant for gambling.
ST. CATHARINES, ONT.The search is over for an Ontario man accused of fatally injuring his seven-year-old stepson moments before attempting to kill a local bank employee.

Niagara police Chief Jeff McGuire says 43-year-old Justin Kuijer was arrested by provincial police Tuesday in northern Ontario.

McGuire says the arrest in Kenora, Ont., came after a tip from a citizen.

Read more: Canada-wide warrant issued against St. Catharines man wanted in death of 7-year-old stepson

A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued Monday for Kuijer on charges of second-degree murder in the death of his stepson, Nathan Dumas, 7, as well as attempted murder in the stabbing of a woman working at a St. Catharines RBC branch.

Police mentioned that the stabbing incident wasnt a robbery, and that Kuijer had a professional relationship with the bank employee.

Dumas was found critically injured at his home on Friday. The boy was rushed to hospital, where he died of his injuries the next morning.

Police alleged that Kuijer had been on the run in his ex-girlfriends van ever since the two grisly scenes unfolded on Friday.

In a news release, Niagara regional police say the 2009 Pontiac Montana van was located in a parking lot with Kuijer alone inside.

Police say Kuijer was arrested without incident and that he will be returned to the Niagara region, where the matter will go before the courts. He was able to travel almost 2,000 kilometres to northwest Ontario before being found.

We would like to thank the public, the media, and our law enforcement partners for their continued support over the last few days, said Niagara police Homicide Det. Sergeant Brian Bleich in a release. Their efforts have led to the capture of Kuijer and some small semblance of closure for the victims and their families.

Friends of the boy and his family have shifted their focus to supporting his relatives, after a GoFundMe campaign started by friends raised more than $21,000 dollars by Tuesday night. The original target was $10,000.

The page suggests Nathan died just a week shy of his 8th birthday, and that two young siblings are struggling with the loss of their brother.

Nathan was an energetic, loving, and caring little boy who will never have his first girlfriend, graduate school or get married and have children, the page also reads.

Nathan would have made a big difference in this cruel world.

With files from Salmaan Farooqui and Brennan Doherty

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OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeaus controversial holiday to the Aga Khans private island cost Canadian taxpayers at least $127,000, newly released documents show.

Most of the bill is related to security for the prime minister and his family. The RCMP detail that travelled with the Trudeaus cost at least $71,988.87  including more than $18,000 in overtime wages and $53,000 in per diems for the RCMP members  according to the documents released to Parliament on Tuesday.

Further costs included $32,000 for the use of the governments CC-144 Challenger jet, and roughly $15,000 for the transportation, accommodation and per diems of staff from Global Affairs Canada.

Read more:7 things you wanted to know about the Aga Khan controversy, but were afraid to ask

The PMO has previously said that security rules bar him from flying commercial, but that he and his family reimburse the equivalent cost of commercial tickets when they travel for personal reasons on government planes.

There was also a $6,300 bill for the travel costs of a tour technician from the Privy Council Office, the arm of the bureaucracy that supports the PMO.

Ottawas ethics commissioner is currently investigating whether Trudeau broke Parliamentary rules by accepting a private helicopter ride from the Bahamian capital to the Aga Khans island.

Outside the House of Commons Tuesday, Conservative MP Gerard Deltell told reporters that he found the cost of the trip to be extremely high.

The Prime Minister should take that into account when he speaks on behalf of Canadians, he said.

Speaking during question period, Conservative MP Blaine Calkins denounced the price for food and beverages on the Challenger plane, which the documents said were $1,720.37.

Just what in the world was the Prime Minister eating on that plane ride? Calkins asked.

Bardish Chagger, the Government Leader in the House of Commons, responded that its normal for police to travel with the prime minister for security.

RCMP have always accompanied prime ministers whether on personal or business travel, she said.

Just after Christmas, Trudeau and his family went on vacation to the Aga Khans private Bell Island, in the Bahamas. At first the Prime Ministers Office refused to say where Trudeau was vacationing, but later revealed he was staying at the billionaire religious leaders tropical isle.

In the face of media pressure, it was also later revealed that Trudeau travelled to the island with Liberal party president Anna Gainey and her husband, a former campaign operative and head of an Ottawa think tank. Newfoundland MP Seamus ORegan and his husband were also on the trip.

Trudeau also admitted that he took the Aga Khans helicopter to-and-from the Bahamian capital to Bell Island, prompting accusations that he broke Parliamentary ethics rules by accepting travel on a private aircraft.

The prime minister has repeatedly justified the trip as a family vacation to visit a longtime friend. But the vacation has come under close scrutiny because of the Aga Khans foundation in Canada, which has landed more than $300 million in government aid contracts since 2004 and actively lobbies public officers in Ottawa.

Trudeau has also said he took a private helicopter to the island in 2014, when he was an opposition MP.

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Wednesdays budget will be about the middle class and innovation. Maybe itll even be helpful! That would be nice. Unfortunately, the Trudeau governments handling of both files so far has left them in something close to a shambles.

I wrote here, somewhat quizzical, after Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos gave a presentation to reporters about The State of the Middle Class. In retrospect, I was probably too kind.

When a tenured academic turned senior cabinet minister delivers a presentation on the middle class that (a) never defines the term middle class; (b) never depicts the effects of the governments actions to date on the plight of the middle class, however you want to define it; (c) offers no hint about future efforts to help the middle class  well, thats a fiasco.

The Liberals used to promise that Canadians would be able to track their own progress, using large numbers of publicly available indicators, on marvellous websites that would be part of a governing philosophy called deliverology. That philosophy is, by all the evidence, deader than electoral reform. These days, we get Duclos telling us how polls say we feel.

Read the latest news on the 2017 federal budget

But let no one criticize any Liberal emphasis on feelings. Bloomberg put the question to Bill Morneau, the finance minister, this week, and he was staunch in defending a politics of mood.

We look at whats gone on around the world (translators note: this is every western politicians preferred euphemism for the election of Donald Trump) is there anybody who questions that we should be focused on how people feel? Morneau asked. What are the outcomes if we dont? So I think were going to stay on that message.

OK then. I feel worried when I read Ducloss former colleague, the Universite Laval economist Stephen Gordon, pointing out in the National Post what the NDP has been saying all along: that few Liberal measures for the middle class have done much for the middle class. Take what Justin Trudeau likes to call his middle-class tax cut. Says Gordon: The tax cut for the median tax filer  someone reporting total income somewhere around $45,000  is either negligible or non-existent. But if you make triple that income, you get the maximum tax benefit. This is policy for people in the Rideau Club and those working hard to join it.

I feel suspicious when I start to think the problem of definition and the problem of policy targeting are closely linked: that if nobody will tell me what the middle class is, nobody will have to tell me Im right when I say tax policy doesnt touch it. And then I start to feel the way I feel when a reader tells me Im cynical. I dont feel cynical; I feel hopeful that things will change, and disappointed when they dont.

I feel like maybe we should move on to innovation. This government is the first with a minister for innovation! Hes Navdeep Bains. He frequently posts photos of his meetings on Twitter, with the hashtag #innovation. Thats how you know there is innovation going on.

A year and a half after he became the minister for #innovation, its not clear what Bainss plans are. Its pretty clear that within the government he has less than complete control over #innovation. Theres an advisory council on economic growth, chaired by the McKinsey guru Dominic Barton, which periodically reports to the government urging more #innovation.

Theres a science advisory panel, chaired by former University of Toronto president David Naylor, that delivered a report to Science Minister Kirsty Duncan more than three months ago. That report has vanished. One presumes thats because it offered some advice.

Whatever Bains proposes, it will have company. Kevin Page, the former Parliamentary Budget Officer who now runs a policy shop at the University of Ottawa, found that there are already 147 programs and tax credits, worth a combined $22.6 billion, designed to spur #innovation. Thats right now. Today. Already. The accumulated detritus of every former government. I have covered four new #innovation policy papers from previous governments since 2000.

In his budget, Morneau will probably reveal new details of $800 million that was set aside a year ago to spur the creation of clusters in Canadas regions to support new technologies. One thing to note about $800 million is that it is much smaller than $22.6 billion: that, in other words, new effort cannot make a huge difference compared to the stratified layers of the fossilized remains of previous efforts, lying unexamined at the bottom of the policy ocean. I have feelings about all of this, too. Its a big time for feelings in Ottawa.

Paul Wells is a national affairs writer. His column appears Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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OTTAWAThe Liberal government plans to spread a limited envelope of new money over a wide array of programs with its new emphasis on skills development and innovation.

Finance Minister Bill Morneaus 2017 budget commits less than $4 billion over five years to new and existing research, business development and training programs.

Including previously announced funding and expected government revenues, the total comes to $8.2 billion over five years.

Read more on the federal budget

Morneau said the dizzying pace of technological change requires Ottawa to help Canadians learn new skills and businesses adapt to new markets.

As we create the jobs of tomorrow, we will support a culture of lifelong learning and skills training to help workers and their families adapt to the changing demands of our time, Morneaus speech to the House of Commons read.

The biggest-ticket item under the skills and innovation theme is a renewed agreement with the provinces for workforce development funding, coming in at $200 million this year and totalling $2.07 billion over the next five years. The agreement folds together four existing labour market agreements with the provinces under one umbrella.

The Liberals are also extending their youth employment strategy for the next three years, with $150 million this year and $396 million in total. The government expects this will help nearly 50,000 youth get a job or learn new skills.

As expected, the 2017 budget changes the rules around parental leave. New parents claim employment insurance over 18 months rather than the current 12, at a lower rate of 33 per cent of their average weekly earnings.

Read more:

Federal budget features more money for affordable housing, child care

Winners and losers of the 2017 federal budget

Highlights from the 2017 federal budget

For a 278-page document that mentions some variation on innovation 311 times however, there is not a lot of new dollars forthcoming.

Hassan Yussuf, head of the Canadian Labour Congress, said Ottawa is moving in the right direction with the new labour market agreement, but said the budget plan is not clear at all on the actual plan.

Theyre spending a lot of money in the transfers to the provinces, (but) the reality is theres a huge gap in terms of peoples skills and the jobs that are out there, Yussuf told the Star. And Im hoping this new structure will lead to them getting the right advice from both employers and unions.

Others were more skeptical of the governments focus on innovation.

James Moore, who served as industry minister in Stephen Harpers cabinet, took aim at the Liberals $950-million plan to spur the growth of superclusters  areas with things such as high-tech jobs, research jobs and post-secondary institutions crammed into a small area.

The word innovation has been beaten to death, and nobody really knows what it means anymore, Moore said.

Interesting concept  superclusters  but what are they? Are we talking aerospace in Montreal, engineering in Toronto, health sciences in British Columbia . . . (Innovation Minister) Navdeep Bains says hes going to consult on it for another few months. I thought thats what the last 15 months was for.

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MONTREALAn article in Macleans that described Quebec as a pathologically alienated and low-trust society with a glaring absence of solidarity burst into the political sphere Tuesday, with politicians of all stripes denouncing it.

The piece by academic Andrew Potter states the events surrounding the recent massive snowstorm that saw 300 cars stranded overnight on a major Montreal highway reveal a malaise that is eating away at the foundations of Quebec society.

Compared to the rest of the country, Quebec is an almost pathologically alienated and low-trust society, deficient in many of the most basic forms of social capital that other Canadians take for granted, wrote Potter, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.

Read more:

In wake of Quebec mosque attack comes amazing gesture with rings of peace: Paradkar

Cringe-inducing videos capture massive pileups in Quebec

He said that clashes with the generally held belief that Quebec is a more communitarian place than the rest of Canada and is more committed to the common good and the pursuit of collectivist goals.

But you dont have to live in a place like Montreal very long to experience the tension between that self-image and the facts on the ground, he wrote. The absence of solidarity manifests itself in so many different ways that it becomes part of the background hiss of the city.

That prompted Premier Philippe Couillard to lambaste the article.

Its deplorable, its very poor quality, he said in Quebec City. Essentially it is based on prejudice and artificial impressions. Some aggressivity, I think even, toward Quebecers.

Couillard countered Potters remarks about the absence of solidarity in the province by citing the reaction of Quebecers to the deadly mosque shooting in Quebec City last January and to the fire that killed 32 people in a seniors home in LIsle-Verte in 2014.

They are very good examples of a society that is extremely rich in solidarity, he said.

The premiers comments and the outpouring of indignation from other politicians prompted Potter to then apologize for his errors and exaggerations.

An article that I wrote for Macleans magazine...makes a few assertions that I wish to retract, he wrote on his Facebook page. It also contains some rhetorical flourishes that go beyond what is warranted by either the facts or my own beliefs, for which I wish to apologize.

In Ottawa, federal Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who represents a Montreal riding, called Potters article a shortcut that is totally absurd.

Bloc Quebecois MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said he felt ill when he read the story and described it as intellectual fraud.

Its Quebec-bashing, he said. Its Quebecophobia. Theres no other way to describe it.

McGill tweeted that the views expressed by Potter in the article do not represent those of the university.

Tuesdays controversy isnt the first time Macleans has been in the news for articles that ruffled feathers in the province.

In 2010, the publication had a blazing front-page headline that read The Most Corrupt Province in Canada.

That same edition also triggered widespread outrage in Quebec with a photo of the beloved Bonhomme Carnaval snowman clutching a briefcase stuffed with cash.

Quebecs press council blamed the publication in 2011 for the headline and a lack of journalistic rigour.

The council concluded that Macleans did not prove Quebec was the most corrupt province and that the article was based on perceptions.

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HALIFAXSix male teenagers in Nova Scotia pleaded guilty Wednesday to sharing intimate images of high school girls without their consent, concluding one of Canadas largest prosecutions involving a relatively untested but high-profile law.

The six were charged in July 2016 after police in Bridgewater, N.S., wrapped up a yearlong investigation by alleging the youths  all local high school students  had distributed intimate images of at least 20 girls.

We hope that the notoriety of this case produces more awareness across the country that this type of conduct isnt simply boys being boys  and its not simply a school disciplinary problem, said Peter Dostal, a senior Crown attorney with the provinces special prosecutions office.

Read more:

Nova Scotia judge hears arguments about media access in intimate photo-sharing case

Nova Scotia intimate-image case serves as cautionary tale for young people: prosecutor

Many instances of this type of conduct reaches the level of criminal activity and needs to be treated as such.

At the time the charges were laid, four of the accused were 15 years old and the other two were 18. However, all were under 18 when the offences were committed, which means their identities are protected from publication under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Dostal said the boys conspired to trade the images amongst themselves. They will be sentenced July 31.

The majority of the victims were also students at the high school, Bridgewater police said at the time.

This type of activity has been on the radar of schools and law enforcement for quite some time, and now that were better equipped with the intimate image charge, were able to have law enforcement address these concerns, he said. This is often very troubling, very serious conduct that has devastating consequences upon many vulnerable young persons.

The case is one of the first in Canada involving legislation introduced in late 2013 after the death of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons, which captured national attention amid a heated public debate over cyberbullying.

The 17-year-old attempted suicide and was taken off life support after a digital photo  of what her family says was a sexual assault  was circulated among students at her school in Cole Harbour, N.S.

The intimate images bill became law in March 2015.

Wayne MacKay, a law professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, said the outcome of the sentencing in the Bridgewater case will be important because there have been few similar cases dealing with this type of charge.

He said that under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, jail sentences are unlikely. However, given the scale of the offences, MacKay said the court may be inclined to send a strong message to deter other young people from doing the same thing.

I would hope that would be the case, that they would take this opportunity to send a message that this is not only unpleasant and hurtful and bad behaviour, its criminal behaviour with some pretty significant consequences, he said.

MacKay, an expert on cyberbullying, said the six accused may face court-ordered restrictions, including a prohibition on access to the Internet, which could be quite a big deterrent to young people.

However, the guilty pleas mean the justice system will not receive greater clarity about what kind of evidence in such cases constitutes lack of consent.

Thats the down side, MacKay said.

MacKay said the guilty pleas, which came after a series of pre-trial conferences, werent expected. But he added that all of the lawyers involved were keen to speed up the court process.

The six youths were also charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, but Dostal confirmed those charges are expected to be dismissed when they are sentenced. The pornography charges werent needed because the intimate image charges best fit the allegations, he said.

That satisfied us as far as what we were hoping to prove at trial, Dostal said.

After complaints came in from Bridgewater school officials in 2015, investigators seized a number of electronic devices  mainly cellphones  and handed them to the RCMP Technological Crime Unit for analysis.

Court documents released in December confirmed police had uncovered up to 75 intimate images of teenage girls placed in two online Dropbox accounts. At least one photo was taken without a girls knowledge while she was changing.

The documents said one of the boys provided a statement to Bridgewater police describing how the group functioned, saying, the girls sent the photos willingly but did not know they were being shared.

According to the allegations in a police application, the sharing went on between Dec. 1, 2014, and May 12, 2015.

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There are the usual suspects: turkey, chicken, quinoa, mushroom. But now theres a new twist to the starring ingredient in the almighty burger: alpaca

Torontonians like to discover new textures, new flavours, new spices, says chef Martin Ore, of this new, exotic choice for between-the-buns.

Its different.

While it doesnt look dissimilar to any regular fancy burger youd find around town, just the name of the dish  Hamburguesa de Alpaca  has been inspiring epicurean curiosity and luring customers to Mochica at 614 College St., between Clinton and Grace Sts.

Since opening late last year, the restaurant, appointed with art and artifacts imported from Peru, has seen a lot of interest in the burger ($16) thats served with a salad and side of cassava fries.

While the restaurants Peruvian ceviches are a sure draw, chefs at Mochica have been spicing and grilling alpaca meat into dozens of sandwiches every week.

Ore might just be the only chef in Canada to sell such a dish, he says, and he chuckles lightly when he considers the burgers popularity.

In his native Peru  Ore was born in Trujillo, in the countrys northwest, and immigrated to Canada 36 years ago, he says  alpaca meat is eaten only during celebrations, such as birthdays, holidays, special events.

But, these days, Ore, who has two restaurants in Peru, has noticed that the meat is growing in popularity as an every day food possibly because of its heart healthiness, he says. Alpaca meat, tender and mild, is also low in cholesterol, Ore says.

Peruvian cuisine is the best balance between pleasure to eat and health.

When he put alpaca on the menu at his restaurant in Montreal, Mochica cultural gastronomica Peruana on rue St. Denis, it was a hit. After finally giving in to relentless requests from customers to open a restaurant in Toronto, Ore brought the famous burger along.

With alpaca farms in Ontario and Quebec, sourcing the meat was easy, he says.

The burger is simply prepared. The raw alpaca meat, ground in house, is spiced with imported limo chili, a hot Peruvian pepper, and imported oregano, which add excitement and a touch of heat. Then, the alpaca is shaped into a patty and seared on the grill. Prepared medium rare, it is lightly charred on the outside and left perfectly pink in the middle.

Cradled inside a Portuguese bun thats fresh and crusty and baked down the street at Golden Wheat Bakery & Pastry, the patty is topped with creamy slices of avocado and a cool cilantro and red onion slaw.

The raw alpaca meat, which I got to sample, is a bit exotic with the texture of tuna tartar, tender and mild. The burger, on the other hand, with the toppings and bun, is fresh and tasty and well spiced. Not weird or scary at all. Really, it just tasted like a really good burger with a hint of intrigue. Id eat one any day.

Watch Martin Ore spice and grill an alpaca burger at Mochica on the star.com.

Got an idea for Sourced? Email mhenry@thestar.ca .

Correction  March 23, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said alpaca meat is cholesterol-free.

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After VICE Media reporter Ben Makuch published three stories about accused terrorist Farah Shirdon in 2014, the RCMP demanded he hand over all his communications with Shirdon.

The ensuing legal battle that set press freedom against the interests of law enforcement reached the Court of Appeal, which on Wednesday upheld a lower courts decision not to quash the order to produce the documents.

The ruling is being criticized by press freedom and civil liberties organizations for putting a chilling effect on public interest reporting and free expression.

The message this sends is that the police can use journalists to gather evidence and information for a criminal investigation, says lawyer Iain MacKinnon, who represents VICE Media. This may in fact encourage police forces to issue more of these production orders or search warrants against the media. The court had an opportunity to make clear that this should be an absolute last resort and they chose not to do that.

The Court of Appeal panel of three judges found that Superior Court Justice Ian MacDonnell took into account the special position of the media and specifically considered concerns about the chilling effect of requiring the media to produce material for the police.

MacDonnell found that the material  primarily screenshots of messages between Makuch and Shirdon  sought by the RCMP provides the best and most reliable evidence of what Shirdon said, that the information was not available from any other source, that Shirdon was not a confidential source, that much of the material was published by Makuch, and that the material could provide important and highly reliable evidence to support very serious criminal charges.

Shirdon has been charged with terrorism-related offences in absentia.

It was reasonable, on this record, to find the balancing of the competing interests favoured making the production order, Justice David Doherty wrote.

The court also rejected the argument made by VICE that Crown must show that the material sought is essential to the prosecution since it would be impossible to accurately assess what the Crown needs at the early stage of a production order.

If journalists cannot protect their sources, then the information they provide will dry up, leaving Canadians uninformed and democracy impoverished, said Tom Henheffer, executive director of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), in a statement that criticized the production order as little more than a fishing expedition.

Makuch has previously said he had published all information relevant to the public.

The CJFE and a coalition of media organizations including Reporters Without Borders and News Media Canada, are calling on the government to change the laws governing the use of production orders to create more protections for journalists and their sources. They also urge the RCMP to withdraw the production order.

VICE Media intends to seek leave to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court of Canada, according to a statement from Ryan Archibald, the president of VICE Canada.

This isnt over, he said. VICE Media is prepared to do whatever it takes to support and defend our reporter, and our friend, Ben Makuch. His investigations into the complex world of cyber terrorism and digital security matter more now than ever.

The statement also calls out the lack of shield laws in Canada that would provide specific protections to journalists, including from having to reveal the identity of confidential sources or share unpublished information gathered during reporting.

That kind of legislation is long overdue, says MacKinnon, noting there are various different shield laws in place in the U.S. and other countries. Frankly, it is embarrassing that Canada, and a government that claims to believe in a free press, hasnt taken any steps to protect journalists.

While the odds of getting leave to appeal are stacked against them given that the Supreme Court of Canada agrees to hear only a limited number of cases, MacKinnon says it has been more than two decades since the top court looked at these issues.

Technology has changed and the internet has become such a critical component of journalists work, he says, adding that the protection of press freedom is an issue of national and public importance.

Should leave to appeal be denied, VICE Media and Makuch will be left to decide whether they will comply with the production order. If they do not, the Crown could pursue a criminal charge. The penalty is a fine of up to $250,000 and/or six months in jail.

With files from The Canadian Press

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OTTAWA The Trudeau government reined in new spending in a wait-and-see budget that touts support for ordinary Canadians but hedged its bets in the face of a still weak global economy and unpredictable fallout from the Donald Trump administration.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveiled the Liberals second budget Wednesday, billing it as a long-term plan to lead job growth and give Canadians the confidence and optimism to adapt and prosper in the face of change.

Our plan is ambitious but its responsible, Morneau told reporters.

Read more about the 2017 federal budget

Senior government officials conceded however the budget is a hold-the-course document. New investments outlined in this budget total only $1.2 billion with big-ticket investments in several areas pushed back for years.

The Liberals boasted that the budget included a gender analysis of its measures that highlighted how investments in areas such as child care, caregiver assistance and affordable housing would benefit women.

Still, the budget package got a mixed reception from stakeholders, with criticism coming from both the left and right.

Titled Building a Strong Middle Class the 278-page document is essentially a sequel to last years Growing the Middle Class, with page after page reminding voters what the government did in its first big-spending, deficit-ballooning budget.

This is an update on Budget 2016. Its not a Budget 2017. I think Budget 2017 comes in the fall when they have a better idea of how the country is doing, said James Moore, a former Conservative cabinet minister.

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More money for affordable housing, child care in federal budget

Highlights: EI premiums, Canada Savings Bond program and public transit tax credit

Canada Without Poverty praised investments in affordable housing and childcare as key steps to helping reduce poverty. Environmental Defence cheered measures on climate, including new energy efficiency standards for buildings. CARE Canada head Gillian Barth criticized the government for not making new commitments for international assistance. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce urged the Liberals to move faster to improve competitiveness.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose took aim the budgets tax measures.

This budget grows the size of government. It raises taxes all over the place to find a way to pay for the spending. It even taxes Uber, Ambrose said.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said the budget defers many things, some until 2019, an election year.

That is a theme that you will see in looking at this budget, that there's a lot of stalling, a lot of things are being shovelled forward, Mulcair said.

The $330-billion spending plan says while several economic indicators such as employment numbers and tax revenues are up, and this years deficit will likely be lower than expected  there are risks ahead: oil prices are expected to remain low; Canadian exports may remain flat; and possible U.S. policy actions affecting trade could restrain exports to the U.S. even further, the budget says. On the domestic side, the budget flags the high level of Canadian household debt as a key risk to housing and consumer spending, especially if the economy were to face slower income growth.

As a result, the Liberals have penciled in a $3-billion contingency fund to draw on if growth falls flat.

Overall, this budget adds new details about how Ottawa will spend some of the $93 billion in new money the Liberals had already set out for infrastructure  $11.2 billion will go to affordable housing over the next 11 years, less than the $12.6 billion over eight years the Federation of Canadian Municipalities says was needed.

Although cities didnt get exactly the levels of funding they were hoping for social housing, the fact that Ottawa is providing cash for housing is significant, said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, chair of the big city mayors caucus.

It should provide some relief to municipalities and some provinces that have been carrying the freight on their own, Iveson said in an interview.

Though the money is backloaded, we'd like to see if there are opportunities to move some of the timing of the investment up to create jobs in the shorter term, and deal with the backlog, he said.

The government will tweak the employment insurance program to boost training of unemployed workers and support what a senior government official called a nascent innovation agenda.

In the name of innovation, Ottawa will renegotiate labour market agreements with provinces to develop more Canadian skilled workers, and will invest in so-called superclusters  business-led initiatives to bring together innovators and potential customers to work on research and development, and pursue commercial opportunities for creative new products or services.

We know theres more we need to do to better protect Canadian intellectual property and to support Canadian talent coming out of universities, Morneau said. He suggested the budgets allocation of $950 million toward innovation  none of it new money  was just a start.

Morneau said the government wants to support a culture of lifelong learning with targeted help for unemployed youth looking for work, indigenous peoples with funding to assist with the cost of post-secondary education and adult students seeking to enhance their skills.

The budget underscores the Liberals attempts to refashion Canadas economy in rapidly changing times, betting on those areas they think offer the best prospects for growth.

We need to focus our strengths  areas where we can lead globally, Morneau said in his budget speech to the Commons. The finance minister pegged six sectors  digital, clean technology, agricultural and food, advanced manufacturing, bio-sciences and clean resources  as key areas for enhanced boosted support.

Were going to make a difference in those sectors, Morneau said.

Other budget highlights include:

$7 billion over the next decade to create up to 40,000 new daycare spaces, part of the social infrastructure funding announced last year.

$11.2 billion earmarked for affordable housing, infrastructure cash that had been set aside last year.

$691 million over five years for a new employment insurance (EI) benefit of up to 15 weeks for caregivers. This complements existing benefits to cover a broader range of situations where individuals are providing care to an adult family member.

More flexible parental leave. Parents will be allowed to get lower EI benefits over an extended period of up to 18 months.

Revised maternity benefits. Women will be allowed to claim EI maternity benefits up to 12 weeks before their due date, up from eight weeks now.

The budget offers no new money for the RCMP, CSIS or border services to deal with border security  beyond a $143-million package already announced. There is no new funding either for a military stretched to the limit and under pressure from the U.S. to increase its defence spending. The government says instead it will detail its plans for defence investments after it reveals its new vision for the Canadian Armed Forces in the coming months.

That will show our level of ambition to making sure we play our part internationally, Morneau said.

To help the bottom line, the federal government promises to review departmental spending to find savings and to scour its cupboard to see if it should sell off federal assets, and will continue to study the possible privatization of Canadian airports.

The budget proposes minor tax changes. It eliminates the tax credit for transit riders effective in June, imposes modest price hikes for alcohol and cracks down to ensure ride-sharing services such as Uber charge passengers the GST. And Morneau notes that the government continues its review of the tax system with the prospect of more changes to come.

The fiscal picture has improved slightly since the fall economic update  this years deficit is forecast to be $25.4 billion, down slightly from the $27.8 billion expected last fall. But the deficit worsens in later years, and the budget offers no timeline to balance the books.

We have shown in this budget a very responsible approach, he said, adding that the debt-to-GDP ratio, a measure of the debt to the size of the economy, will continue to decline.

With files from Alex Boutilier

Recap: 2017 budget

Clarification  March 28, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version to clarify that the $691 million over five years for employment insurance benefit of up to 15 weeks for caregivers complements existing benefits, not, replaces an existing benefit, to cover a broader range of situations where individuals are providing care to an adult family member.

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Don Dutton, the former Star journalist who won two National Newspaper Awards for his incredible photography and mentored many during his storied career, died in his sleep March 17. He was 88 years old.

Known for being a compassionate and gifted journalist, Dutton began reporting in his hometown at the Simcoe Reformer. He went on to complete stints at the Oshawa Times and Guelph Mercury before becoming a reporter and photographer at the Toronto Star in 1960.

Throughout his decades-long career at the Star, Dutton authored many front page stories, captured stunning photographs and received many awards for both his writing and photography.

Dutton won his first National Newspaper Award in 1973 for his photos of the aftermath of a bank robber being blown to bits by his own bomb in Kenora, Ont. Dutton, who happened to be in the northern Ontario town for a different story, was crouched behind the wheel of a police car when the deafening blast went off.

I huddled against the cruiser as debris rained down, Dutton wrote in his NNA submission, describing how blood and bank notes descended on the scene.

Dust and thick blue smoke blocked my view. Behind me people were screaming and running away. I began taking photos as soon as I could see the outlines of buildings and parked cars but there was no one where the robber had been standing.

The following year, Dutton won another NNA, this time for his photo of an eight-year-old boy fighting back tears at the funeral for his father, one of two Moncton, N.B. policeman slain during a kidnapping investigation.

Keith Beaty, a former Star photographer who worked alongside Dutton, called him an inspiration.

Those of us who were strictly photographers had a bit of an attitude that you couldnt be both a good writer and a good photographer. But he was truly great at both, Beaty said.

A principled and generous journalist, Dutton brought those same attributes to his home life. Dutton was happily married for more than 66 years to his wife Gloria. He had three children, four grandchildren and one-great granddaughter.

As a father, I couldnt have asked for any better, said his son Dave, who followed his fathers footsteps to a career in journalism.

He was a rock. When Id lose my bearings and look up for the north star, it would be him. Everybody in life goes through good things and bad things, and he was always there for you, no matter what.

Whether it was a few kind words of encouragement or driving in a car at a ridiculous hour a few hours away, Dave said there was never a doubt that his father would be there.

After retiring from journalism, Dutton focused on another lifelong passion  flying. He assembled and built an airplane in his own home, and flew it for several years.

He taught me everything, said his daughter Lisa. From her father, she learned everything from how to skate, to how to frame a cottage, to writing in column inches and asking proper follow-up questions.

He was principled, compassionate, generous, kind and funny, she said. In a tribute, she wrote:

It wouldnt be enough to say that he embodied his principles or that he was important to or beloved by many people he helped or whose lives he touched, briefly or over many years. But to me, who he was and what he did better and more of than anything else, was be my dad.

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Fringe parties boycott House to protest threshold provision

Fringe parties boycotted the Legislature-Parliament meeting on Wednesday in protest against the decision to impose threshold provision for political parties.
Ontarios Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 31-year-old man in St. James Town after he fell from the 30th floor balcony of an apartment building.

An SIU release says Toronto polices Mobile Crisis Intervention Team responded to an apartment unit at the 30th floor of 545 Sherbourne St. at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.

At some point in the incident, the man fell to his death from the balcony of the building. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Toronto Police Const. David Hopkinson said the MCIT team, which consists of two officers and a nurse, responds to calls where there is a person in some kind of crisis or mental health situation.

(MCIT is) generally out there to try and get people who are in a crisis the help they may need, said Hopkinson.

The SIU has assigned six investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the incident.

The SIU is an agency that investigates situations involving police where someone has died, been seriously injured, or when there are allegations of sexual assault.

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Holly Kramer, a force in the Toronto harm reduction field and a fierce advocate for those affected by adoption, died on Sunday, at age 58, after a battle with cancer, according to friends.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Taegan, her daughter, Caroline, her birth mother, Janis and her sisters, Maryann and Kellie.

Kramer was someone who told it like it was and stood up against injustice, according to friends and colleagues.

She was working until the end because it was important to her, said Walter Cavalieri, founding director of the Canadian Harm Reduction Network.

Kramer worked for Street Outreach Services from the late nineties until 2002, after which she became coordinator for the Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force. After the task force ended, she became a member of the Canadian Harm Reduction Network in 2013.

During that time, she coordinated the production of two peer manuals, a series of digital stories about harm reduction, a video about methadone maintenance and one about responding to an overdose in the workplace, a research project on the quality of services available to people using drugs, material on how to maintain housing, and more, according to Cavalieri.

She was especially proud, Cavalieri said, of her work with University of Toronto students. Through the Centre for Community Partnerships, Kramer worked with students in the pharmacology and toxicology program, teaching them about harm reduction.

She really made her mark with students in our program by broadening their compassion or empathy for a community that they may not have had much experience with, said Michelle Arnot, an associate professor in pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Toronto.

Arnot  who taught one of the courses Kramer partnered with, which paired students with harm reduction groups  said Kramer would regularly take on 10 or 12 students herself.

She had a big heart and always made time for the students on top of her regular job, who she was supervising out of pure volunteerism, Arnot said. You can imagine the amount of time it took. She would meet them at all places, at all hours. She also took a very personal interest in all the students.

Rebecca Wolfe, coordinator of community development for the Centre for Community Partnerships at U of T, said Kramer dedicated her life to this work and went so far above and beyond the call of duty.

I think shes one of those people who wasnt recognized as much as she could have been or should have been for all that she did, Wolfe said.

Kramers granddaughter, whom she raised, Taegan Perez, said Kramer left the harm reduction field in a better position.

She was a very organized person and made a big difference in helping that field get on its feet a bit more and taken a bit more seriously Perez said.

Kramer was also president of Parent Finders Inc., a non-profit that helped adult adoptees, birth parents and adopted parents search for biological family members.

Kramer, who was adopted, tracked down her birth mother in the 1970s. She helped many others reunite with family members, said Dale Kuehl, a close friend. This included former Ontario MPP Marilyn Churley, who she assisted in tracking down her son.

My family never felt complete until I was able to reunite with my son and thats thanks to Holly, Churley said. She helped people understand that wanting to know about their roots and to reunite with biological family members was human and normal at a time when society as a whole thought it was unacceptable.

Kramers death is the second the Toronto harm reduction community has experienced recently. Raffi Balian, coordinator of the South Riverdale Community Health Centres COUNTERfit Harm Reduction program, died on Feb. 16.

Its been an enormously difficult few weeks for the harm reduction community, Cavalieri said. These are two irreplaceable people who have left. We cant replace them but we have to keep the work going.

Councillor Joe Cressy of Ward 20 will introduce a condolence motion for Kramer at the next city council meeting. A condolence motion for Balian will be introduced by Councillor Paula Fletcher, and seconded by Cressy.

I thought it was critical not just to celebrate their lives and recognize the work they didbut also to use their untimely passing to further the call for action on their lives work which is harm reduction and the health of people who use drugs, Cressy said.

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To Geoff Green, theres no better way to celebrate Canadas sesquicentennial while exploring the issues surrounding our country than by literally travelling around it.

Green will be leading a voyage along Canadas coastline this summer as one of the signature projects of Canadas 150th anniversary celebrations.

Dubbed Canada C3, the expedition will begin June 1 in Toronto and finish 150 days later in Victoria via the Northwest Passage, touching along each of Canadas three coastlines.

We have the biggest coastline of any country in the world, Green said. We have three coasts, three oceans. Were an ocean nation really and were a polar nation  the biggest part of our coastline is the arctic  and it just seemed like a no-brainer.

The project is an initiative of the Students on Ice Foundation. Upwards of 300 Canadians will set sail along the way aboard a 220-foot-long former Coast Guard Icebreaker.

Divided into 15 legs of 10 days each, a different selection of about 25 people at a time will take part in the trip.

Some have already been chosen  politicians, artists, Indigenous leaders, as well as scientists who will be doing research throughout the voyage  while a number of spots are open to average Canadians. Until March 24, those 18 and older can apply to take part in one of the legs of the journey.

Every day is going to be different on board. Theres this cross-section of Canadians on board: scientists, musicians, artists, youth and theyre on board to be the ambassadors, the voices, the eyes, the ears of the country, said Green. Theyre not on board as tourists. Theyre there to play a role, to share the journey with all the millions of Canadians following the journey digitally.

The project will touch on the four major themes of Canada 150: the environment, youth engagement, diversity and inclusion and reconciliation.

Some of the many stops will be in First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. Green says they also plan to have national chiefs and Inuit youth aboard.

C3s trying to strike a balance between celebration, but also reconciliation. Lets be fair and say were not perfect, Green said. I think a big part of reconciliation is just having people share and build trust and tell stories, so were offering a pretty amazing platform to do that.

But he hopes lessons of the voyage will also reach those across the country on dry land as well. The public can sign up online to be virtual crew members to receive daily video content.

C3 hubs will be available at museums in each province and territory and digital classrooms will bring the experiences to students following along.

The power of a floating classroom, that in this case connects not only with nature on the water but also all the different touch points in each of the communities, is such a rich and rewarding experience, said Meg Beckel, president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, who will be participating in one of the voyage legs.

Beckel said one of her contributions will be viewing Canada through other peoples lenses on the expedition.

What I learn about the questions that people have about the nature of Canada and its coastline . . . can be addressed in our museum, she said.

Green said he hopes the journey makes Canadians more aware of the country they live in, noting there are gaps in many peoples knowledge about northern Canada in particular.

Many Canadians dont realize Canada is as high as it is wide, he said. Were hoping to raise awareness about those things, but so much more: showcasing great people, great achievements but also looking at some of the difficult pieces of our past, places where weve made mistakes so that we can, going forward, try to make things better.

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Starbucks, the Seattle-based global coffee chain, has announced plans to hire 10,000 refugees around the world, including 1,000 in Canada over five years.

Wednesdays announcement followed outgoing Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultzs earlier defiance and criticisms of U.S. President Donald Trumps travel bans against Muslim-majority countries and suspension of refugee programs.

In response to the new administrations executive orders, Schultz reaffirmed the companys values by committing to hire refugees, building bridges, not walls, with Mexico, and supporting undocumented youth and former U.S. president Barack Obamas affordable health care plan.

We see the role Canada plays in accepting refugees. These newcomers need jobs to resettle successfully. We believe in their potential. They have tremendous skills to contribute to our company and to our country, said Luisa Girotto, Starbucks Canadas vice-president, public affairs.

All they need is the first opportunity to kick-start a new life in Canada. We have thousands of jobs to fill and enough opportunity for every segment in society.

Girotto said the company will work with Hire Immigrants  an agency out of Ryerson University that supports best practices to integrate newcomer workers  to recruit, train and retain refugee employees through its local community networks in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.

The refugee hiring initiative will build on Starbucks Opportunity Youth program, which focuses on training and hiring young people as a response to high youth unemployment.

Mark Patterson, executive director of Hire Immigrants, said he was not surprised when approached by Starbucks to be a partner of the refugee employment initiative.

Here is a company that understands the diverse population it serves. Diversity is part of its values. We hope we can get the message out to show the economic values of being diverse and inclusive, and to spur other employers to do the same, said Patterson.

Yusra Zein-Alabdin, whose family came to Canada last July via Turkey under the Syrian refugee resettlement program, said social and professional networks are a key to securing employment.

It is not easy to go out and ask someone if they have an available job, said the mother of two, who has a degree in English literature and used to teach English to impoverished children back home.

We were not welcomed in Turkey. Im surprised and very happy that not only the Canadian government wants to help refugees, but everyone, businesses and employers also want to help us.

Like New York-based Chobani yogurt, which was attacked on social media by Trump supporters for hiring refugees, Schultzs refugee hiring speech also drew threats of boycotts against the coffee chain by anti-immigrant groups.

Ontario independent Senator Ratna Omidvar, who founded the Global Diversity Exchange at Ryersons Ted Rogers School of Management, said the conversation in the United States on refugees is very different from Canadas.

When the community flourishes, the company flourishes. Here we have an enlightened employer, Starbucks, taking a positive stand, saying we need to build bridges, not walls, said Omidvar. The company may have to take a risk, but it is a statement that many would agree with.

Starbucks has more than 1,300 outlets and 19,000 employees in Canada. Staff who work a minimum of 20 hours a week are eligible for medical and dental care, as well as up to $5,000 a year in mental health support and tuition reimbursements.

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One out of five foreign workers becomes permanent residents, twice the rate from two decades ago, says a groundbreaking study that examines an immigration system increasingly geared toward temporary migrants.

Only nine per cent of temporary foreign workers who came in the mid-1990s successfully obtained permanent resident status, while some 21 per cent of them did by the end of 2014, according to the new Statistics Canada report.

It was the first study ever that examined Canadas national policies around attracting and retaining temporary foreign workers as immigrants.

Under the former Conservative government, Canada shifted toward an immigration system that absorbs migrant workers who first come to the country on temporary status to meet labour market needs, compared to the old nation-building model that let migrants in immediately as permanent residents.

The new approach was adopted to ensure the employability of newcomers and address the doctor-driving-cab immigrant conundrum, but has fuelled concerns that it creates a two-tiered system, where migrant workers dont have the same protections as others and can be trapped in abusive and exploitative conditions in pursuit of permanent status.

The Statistics Canada report was released before Wednesdays federal budget, which is expected to include further reforms to Canadas temporary foreign worker programs.

The number of temporary residents entitled to work in Canada, including migrant workers and those under the international mobility program such as intra-company transfers, has tripled since early 2010s to more than 500,000, surpassing the 260,000 permanent residents settling here per year.

However, the share of higher-skilled foreign workers declined dramatically from 67 per cent in the late 1990s to just 40 per cent in the late 2000s.

Ottawa has rolled out a number of immigration programs such as the Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that favour immigration candidates with Canadian education credentials and work experience, turning foreign workers into a pool of prospective immigrants.

It was a smart move by Canada. It has definitely helped eliminate immigrants integration costs for taxpayers because they are already here studying or working, said immigration policy analyst and lawyer Richard Kurland.

I expect the new Express Entry system that favours applicants with Canadian credentials and work experience will further amplify the outcomes of this study.

However, critics charge that for most temporary foreign workers  some 79 per cent of them  the pathway to permanent residency is still elusive.

Canada provides a revolving door policy of just-in-time labour when needed and disposability when not, said Chris Ramsaroop of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, a coalition of national migrant worker advocacy groups.

To break this cycle, Canada must provide equal opportunity to all migrants by granting them permanent residency on arrival to end this inhumane and unjust system.

The transition rate from temporary to permanent status varies dramatically for various classes of foreign workers, with live-in caregivers enjoying the greatest success despite a drastic drop from 83 per cent to 56 per cent in the last decade.

Among other groups, 31 per cent of low-skilled workers who arrived between 2005 and 2009 successfully became permanent residents compared to 23 per cent among their counterparts in higher-skilled occupations. The transition rate was less than 3 per cent among seasonal agricultural workers.

Temporary foreign workers from less developed countries were also more inclined to seek permanent residence in Canada, given expected increases in their standard of living.

Those from countries with higher gross domestic products per capita, such as the U.S., U.K., France and Japan had much lower transition rates than workers from the Philippines, India and China.

Four out of five of low-skilled workers obtained their permanent residence through the PNP program that allows provincial governments to select its own immigration candidates to meet local labour market needs.

About 38 per cent of higher-skilled workers got their status through the PNP program and half through the federal skilled workers program. The only option available for migrant farm workers is through marriage with Canadians.

Yuanyue Geng, 30, has been on a work permit as a social worker at an Ottawa community health centre since she graduated from Carleton Universitys masters of social work program last year.

While the two-tiered pathway to permanent residency has allowed her to test the water to explore if Canada would be the right place for her and could offer her the job opportunities she is looking for, she said living in limbo on temporary status can be unsettling.

I have a work permit for three years but you dont know what would happen to you after three years. Its hard to do long-term planning with my employer because I dont know if I would still be here, said Geng, who came here from China in 2014.

When you dont have permanent resident status, you dont have the same rights. I went to an (immigrant) agency for help, but they turned me away because I was not a permanent resident. There are jobs like government jobs that only permanent residents or Canadians can apply.

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A Tory MPP is in hot water for suggesting a female nominee to the Ontario Energy Board do something about this coffee at Queens Park.

Randy Pettapiece (Perth-Wellington) made the comment Tuesday morning during a standing committee meeting where Rumina Velshi, an engineer who has two masters degrees, was also present.

Liberal MPP Daiene Vernile said she and other MPPs were in disbelief.

I was compelled to jump in, added Vernile (Kitchener Centre). This is a woman with incredible academic and professional credentials, and that he would order her to go to the kitchen  go to the kitchen, he said  and do something about the coffee was demeaning, degrading and, I think, sexist.

Velshi is the mother of Alykhan Velshi, Tory leader Patrick Browns new chief of staff.

She told the Star via email that Pettapiece apologized to her after the meeting, and that she was not offended.

It was a clumsy attempt at humour, she said. During the committee meeting, his comments about my qualifications were entirely positive.

In a statement, Pettapiece said he was sorry about what was said. They were made in the spirit of previous comments I, and other members, have made regarding the quality of the coffee. Nevertheless, I apologize to anyone I may have offended. Immediately following the committee proceedings, I apologized to Mrs. Velshi about the regrettable remarks.

The exchange began after MPPs were asked to discuss a motion regarding Velshis appointment.

Maybe with her background, she could go to the kitchen and get them to do something about this coffee? Pettapiece said.

Vernile responded: You want a woman to get coffee for us, is that what you are saying?

To which Pettapiece replied: No, do something about it, the taste of it, later adding he said it because of her scientific background.

Vernile said while the coffee is not good in that committee  however to put that in front of Ms. Velshi is insulting . . . . It was just inappropriate.

I have to wonder about the bigger picture, too, Vernile added. This is not the first time that this caucus has had an issue with inappropriate remarks being made about female colleagues.

She was referring to MPP Jack MacLaren, who took sensitivity training after telling a crude joke aimed at a female MP during a charity fundraiser last March.

Vernile is expected to raise the matter when the committee meets next week, and is looking for a formal apology from Pettapiece to the committee.

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LONDONBritain has been targeted anew by what authorities are calling a terrorist incident. A look at other attacks on the country in recent years:

March 22, 2017

An attacker stabbed a police officer at Britains Parliament before being shot by police, while a vehicle ran over pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge at around the same time. One woman was killed, others injured.

Read more: At least two dead and 10 injured after apparent U.K. terror attack

June 2016

Far-right supporter Thomas Mair shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox who had campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union, one week before Britains referendum on its EU membership. The attack shocked the country and focused attention on homegrown far-right extremism in Britain.

Dec. 5, 2015

An Daesh-inspired taxi driver tried to behead a passenger in the east London Underground station of Leytonstone. Somali-born Muhiddin Mire was sent to a high-security mental hospital to serve a life sentence. The judge ruled that Mire had been motivated by events in Syria. The incident came days after Parliament approved British airstrikes on Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, targets in Syria.

May 22, 2013

Two British-born, Al Qaeda-inspired extremists stabbed off-duty soldier Lee Rigby to death on a busy south London street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death. Images of attacker Michael Adebolajo holding a butcher knife and cleaver with bloodied hands in the moments after killing shocked people around the world and sparked fears of Islamist extremism in Britain. Adebolajo and his accomplice were sentenced to life in prison.

June 2007

Two men were arrested after they drove a Jeep Cherokee into Glasgow Airports terminal in Scotland and set it ablaze. Authorities said the attack was linked to a failed car bombing a day before in Londons West End, where an ambulance crew outside a nightclub spotted smoke coming from a Mercedes that turned out to be rigged with explosives. A second Mercedes also filled with explosives was found hours later in an impound lot.

July 7, 2005

In the worst peacetime attack on Britain this century, four Al Qaeda-inspired bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other emigrated from Jamaica.

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CHICAGOThe mother of a 15-year-old girl who authorities say was sexually assaulted in an attack streamed live on Facebook said Wednesday that her daughter has received online threats since it happened and that neighbourhood kids have been joking about it and harassing her family.

The woman was reunited with her daughter on Tuesday, two days after the girl went missing and a day after police learned of the attack. She said her daughter is staying with a relative and is scared to come home, and that she shares that fear.

This is just disturbing and to think the kids think it is funny, the mother, 32, told The Associated Press. The AP isnt naming her to protect the identity of her daughter.

She said that since the attack, people have threatened on Facebook that they are going to get her daughter and that neighbourhood children have been laughing about the incident and ringing the familys doorbell looking for the girl. She said shes shocked by the callousness people have shown since the attack, which was viewed live by about 40 people on Facebook Live  none of whom reported it to the police.

I cant stay here, she said of Lawndale, the West Side neighbourhood where her family lives. I have other kids, too. I let them walk to school and now I have to take them.

Police have questioned several people but havent named any formal suspects or made any arrests in the attack, which involved five or six men or boys, said department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. He said the girl knows at least one of her attackers and that investigators are making good progress identifying those involved. He also said investigators have begun looking into the mothers claims about the threats and harassment, and that the head of the police department, Superintendent Eddie Johnson, reached out to the family to check on their well-being.

Police only learned of the attack on Monday afternoon, the day after the girl went missing. Her mother went to a Lawndale police station and filled out a missing person report, then spotted Johnson outside the station and approached him. She told him her daughter had been missing since Sunday and showed him screen grab photos of the assault that friends of her daughter had sent her.

Guglielmi said Johnson immediately ordered detectives to investigate and the department asked Facebook to take down the video, which it did.

Andrew Holmes, a local activist, said a friend of the girls mother called him Monday asking if he could help find the video online and get it to the police, which he did. He said to him, the video showed that the girl was frightened and trying to get away.

You could see where she was fearful. ... You could see the look of fear and where she is resisting, pushing back, he told the AP. It looked like ... she was in total shock.

Holmes said the video shows someone pulling the girl to a bed as she struggled to get away. He said he was struck by the indifference of the others who were there.

Other individuals were there standing around and talking and someone says, Cut the lights off, he said, adding that the lights kept going on and off during the video, which was several minutes long.

The mother said her daughter was still terrified after police found her.

She went to the hospital, but she was so scared she didnt want anybody to touch her, the mother said. She said her daughter had bruising on her neck but she was told of no other significant bruises or cuts by the doctors.

The mother said she thinks the attack happened Sunday night, and that she learned of it from friends of her daughter who saw the video, recognized her daughter, a high school freshman, as a basketball player they know, and called her, the mom.

They couldnt send me the video so they sent screen shots, she said.

A spokeswoman for Facebook, Andrea Saul, declined to comment on the girls case, specifically, but she said the company takes its responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook very seriously.

Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook, she said.

The video marks at least the second time in recent months that the Chicago Police Department has investigated an apparent attack that was streamed live on Facebook. In January, four people were arrested after a cellphone footage showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.

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LONDONA knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britains seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on Londons Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament.

Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a sick and depraved terrorist attack.

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just metres from the building itself and not far from the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had catastrophic injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip and two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were among the injured.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism Chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on.

Islamist extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailants identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was highly likely.

The location of this attack was no accident, May said Wednesday evening after chairing COBRA, the governments emergency committee. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

But she said that any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure. Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal, she said.

Londoners and visitors will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a marauding terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 metres away lay the assailant.

I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive, but I think he had lost too much blood, Ellwood said. He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back.

The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a grey SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.

Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard something like a car hitting (a) metal sheet and then saw people lying on the pavement.

I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured, Sikorski told Polands TVN24.

Ambulances arrived within minutes to treat people who lay scattered along the length of the bridge. One bloodied woman lay surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.

The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 metres from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.

The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben, said witness Rick Longley. A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just cant believe what I just saw.

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.

As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plainclothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell, Letts told the BBC.

The attacker fell just yards from the entrance to 1,000-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the parliamentary complex, busy with visitors and school groups.

The prime minister was among lawmakers near the Commons at the time of the attack, and was quickly ushered away by security officers and driven back to Downing Street.

The attack unfolded near some of the citys most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.

London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and eight who were less seriously hurt.

Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas Hospital said some of the wounded had catastrophic injuries.

The French Foreign Ministry said that three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured. Two Romanians were also among the injured, the countrys Foreign Ministry said.

Trump spoke with May by telephone and applauded the quick response of British police and first responders, spokesperson Sean Spicer said.

London has often been the target of terrorist attacks, from IRA campaigns in the 1970s and 80s to more recent Islamist plots.

On July 7, 2005, four Al Qaeda-inspired British bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

British security forces say they have thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but in recent years the U.K. has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker claiming to be motivated by Syria stabbed three people at a London subway station.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.

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LOS ANGELESThe police chief of Los Angeles, a city that is half Latino, found himself in the middle of the national immigration debate on Wednesday after saying theres a correlation between the Trump administrations call for stiffer immigration policies and a drop in the number of Hispanics reporting sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Imagine your sister, your mother, not reporting a sexual assault for fear that their family will be torn apart, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said Tuesday.

Since the beginning of this year, sexual assaults reported by Latinos in Los Angeles have dropped 25 per cent, and domestic violence reports by Latinos have decreased by 10 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Read more:

Trump, tighter air travel rules behind surge of refugees at Canada-U.S. border, experts say

Why does Trump keep running into legal trouble with his travel ban?

Crime statistics show there were 164 sexual assaults reported by Latinos in the first two months of 2016, compared to 123 in the first two months of 2017. There was also a decrease of 118 reports of domestic violence during the same periods among Latinos.

Beck said there was a strong correlation between the timing of the decreased reporting and fears about President Donald Trumps efforts to crack down on the estimated 11 million immigrants living illegally in the U.S.

However, Jessica Vaughan of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which lobbies for less immigration to the U.S., said it is extremely speculative to draw a connection between the drop in crime reporting and fears regarding accelerated efforts to round up and deport immigrants. She questioned Becks reasoning for announcing the figures.

This seems to be somehow politically motivated to try to get people to think increased enforcement is causing problems in the community, Vaughan said. I think it is really a stretch to connect this decline with perceptions of increased immigration enforcement.

Los Angeles breaks down its crime statistics by the ethnicity of victims, but some other large-city police departments do not keep the same types of reports. In Philadelphia, police statistics showed 50 less reports of violent crime, including homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults, made by Latinos in January 2017, compared to the year before.

Immigrant advocates counter that the unease of those living in the U.S. illegally is forcing victims of violent crimes to fear that any interaction with police could cause them or their loved ones to be deported.

My sense is that people are terrified and that is not an exaggeration, said Marisa Cianciarulo, a law professor who runs a domestic violence clinic for immigrants at Chapman University. These are historically under-reported crimes and there are even fewer of them being reported.

Cianciarulo said victims have not only said they fear reporting the crimes to the police could land them on the radar of federal immigration officials but also are afraid that their attackers will report them as living in the U.S. illegally.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell told The Associated Press earlier this month that gang members have also been preying on immigrants and telling them they will be deported if they report crimes to police.

Jorge-Mario Cabrera, with the advocacy group CHIRLA, said the organization has seen immigrant families potentially being so afraid of the ultimate punishment, which deportation represents, that they may forego their chances of justice.

Cianciarulo says outreach events, like the LAPDs community forums focusing on immigration, are necessary to combat anti-immigrant rhetoric and restore faith in immigrant communities. In St. Paul, Minnesota, police have posted videos online in several languages, including Spanish, to let people know they should not be afraid to call police if they need help.

Beck, a native of the Los Angeles area whose father was a deputy police chief, has repeatedly reiterated that the Police Department will not act as de-facto immigration agents.

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Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREANorth Koreas latest missile launch ended in failure on Wednesday as the United States sent a supersonic bomber streaking over ally South Korea in a show of force against the North, officials said.

The reported launch failure comes as the North angrily reacts to ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

The American military detected what it assessed as a failed North Korean missile launch on Wednesday morning, the U.S. Pacific Command said in a statement. It said the missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch.

South Koreas Defence Ministry said it also believes the launch from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan ended in failure. It said it was analyzing what type of missile was launched.

The failure might mean that the missile is a newly developed one the North has not deployed, according to South Korean media. Last year, the country suffered a series of embarrassing failed launches of its new medium-range Musudan missile before it successfully test-fired one.

Read more:

U.S. ready to take military action against North Korea if necessary, Tillerson says

North Koreas latest rocket test coincides with U.S. Secretary of State visit to China

North Korea tests new high-thrust engine, hails historic day

Also Wednesday, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber and South Korean fighter jets conducted joint training exercises that displayed strong deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats, South Koreas Defence Ministry said. The U.S. military said the training was held after the bomber staged a similar exercise with Japanese fighter jets.

The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which remains in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 U.S. soldiers are deployed in South Korea.

North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with what it calls U.S. hostility. Many weapons experts say the North could have a functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental U.S. within a few years. North Korea carried out two nuclear tests last year.

American defence officials had said Tuesday that the U.S. military was expecting another North Korean missile launch in the next several days. The officials said the U.S. had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

On Sunday, the North claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development program, saying it had conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine. Washington, Seoul and others view the Norths space program as a cover for its banned long-range missile development program.

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Brussels International Airport, where 16 people died in two bomb attacks on March 22, 2016, looks shiny new. The Maelbeek subway station, where another 16 died from a backpack bomb, processes commuters much as it always has. And tourism is recovering, despite Donald Trump calling the Belgian capital a hellhole to be avoided at all costs.

One year after the attacks, the citys physical scars may have healed, but the pain is apparent beneath the surface. Still, the citys residents and authorities are determined to find a way to forge ahead, without changing the character of one of the worlds most international cities.

Confronted by doubts and fears, you have shown courage and a magnificent will to reconstruct, King Philippe told a remembrance service.

Read more:

At least two dead and 10 injured after apparent U.K. terror attack

In Brussels, home of NATO and European Union, many feel down on Trumps rise

It comes under difficult circumstances. Surveillance is up almost everywhere. The city and Belgium as a whole continue to live at the second-highest terror level, meaning there is a serious threat of an attack.

The fear of an attack is widely shared across Europe, underlined at Britains parliament Wednesday as an attacker stabbed an officer and was then shot by police, and witnesses said a vehicle struck several people on the nearby bridge.

Even if locals in Brussels are mostly oblivious to heavily armed paratroopers patrolling the citys landmarks, visitors still stop in their tracks when they notice the camouflage dress and the machine-guns.

At the airport, authorities have taken a lot of additional security measures that go well beyond the European regulations, Arnaud Feist, Brussels Airport CEO, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Normality is still far off on the anniversary of the attacks, which also wounded more than 300 people.

The social fabric is still especially frayed in the rundown Molenbeek municipality in the centre of the city, where several of the extremists who were involved in the Brussels attack or the November 2015 Paris attacks had lived or grown up. The area, which has a large immigrant community, was portrayed as jihadi central and Europes hotbed of fundamentalism, and is still far from recovering from the stigma.

Its a fact that there really was Molenbeek-bashing after the Paris attacks, said the districts mayor, Francoise Schepmans. The facts about rampant crime on some streets and unfettered religious extremism in some mosques and a Quran school were laid bare. The mayor, with help from national authorities, has started a long cleanup operation.

She has closed some mosques for incendiary language and found that 102 non-profit organizations had links to illegal activities, some to religious radicalism.

The work is going to take years before Molenbeek gets a positive image again, she said.

When a huge, mysterious mural appeared, showing Caravaggios Sacrifice of Isaac of a struggling child with a blade to his neck awaiting slaughter, it struck a chord.

A super-violent beheading scene on the edge of Molenbeek, said Brussels alderwoman Ans Persoons. We didnt want it to raise tensions, and the debate is still continuing over whether to paint over the mural.

Overall, it makes it tough for a city to bounce back, especially one that relies on its tourism industry.

Before the attacks, said Patrick Bontinck, CEO of the Visit Brussels tourist office, tourism was growing approximately 10 per cent each year since five years. We were in a really good situation.

The devastation that destroyed the main arrivals hall at the airport and ripped through the Maelbeek subway line had an immediate impact. We had a drop of approximately from 30 to 40 per cent in just two or three days after the attack, Bontinck said.

Hotels and restaurants were hit hard, and despite help from the authorities, some were pushed into bankruptcy.

It took a ripple effect for people to come back. First, tourists from the neighbouring countries returned, then other Europeans, and now tourists from across the world are starting to see Brussels as a viable destination again.

It took us about six months to get the traffic back as we normally had, airport CEO Feist said. We had traffic records in November, December and even January this year.

For Bontinck, it is important not to lose the global feel of the city. The International Organization for Migration says 62 per cent of the population of Brussels is foreign-born, second only to Dubai. After the Paris attacks with its Brussels connection, Trump described the city as like living in a hellhole right now because of its lack of integration.

Bontinck still bristles.

We are the second-most cosmopolitan city in the world and we want to keep our value of sharing, people of all nationalities living together, he said. Maybe Mr. Trump doesnt like this, but this is our value and we want to continue to share this with all of the world.

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WASHINGTONDonald Trumps personal communications were picked up by U.S. intelligence operations that were monitoring foreign espionage targets, a top Republican said Wednesday in a major twist in the real-life spy drama unfolding in Washington.

Devin Nunes, the senior congressional watchdog on U.S. intelligence agencies, made that announcement to the news media, then went straight to the White House to brief the president on what hed found.

Nunes said he had seen dozens of intercepted communications from November, December, and January between the Trump transition team and foreign targets who were under U.S. surveillance by legally obtained security-court orders.

Read more:

Fox pulls legal analyst Andrew Napolitano from air after Trump wiretap claims

FBI investigation of Russian links to Trumps team could take a long time, director James Comey says

But he suggested the material was then improperly spread.

He offered a crisp one-word answer when asked whether Trumps own communications were picked up: Yes, he said. Later in a news conference, he elaborated only slightly: It was clear who was in those reports.

The dramatic events came just after the FBI announced that it had launched a criminal investigation into illegal email hacking and collusion between Russian government entities and the Trump campaign team.

For some Trump fans, this latest event was something to celebrate. To them, it proved the presidents claim that he was illegally monitored by the previous president and unfairly targeted by political enemies.

Trump himself appeared to agree when asked whether he felt vindicated: I somewhat do.

The alleged illicit activity, however, was not the intelligence collection itself, Nunes said  but the way it was subsequently spread around with the names of American citizens included in the reports.

I think the president is concerned  and he should be, Nunes said. Theres additional unmasking of names  which I think is totally inappropriate.

Yet this isnt necessarily good for the administration.

It was this kind of dissemination of names from intercepts that cost Michael Flynn his job. He resigned as Trumps No. 1 national-security official after reports of undisclosed communication with Russias ambassador to the U.S.

Flynn has subsequently been immersed in even hotter water.

The House intelligence committee has asked for materials related to undisclosed paid work for agencies linked to Russias Putin government  and that news comes on the same week as reports Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, hid millions in revenues from political work for Putin.

Nunes himself shot down the idea that the revelations prove Barack Obama tapped the new presidents phone.

That never happened, he said, adding in a later CNN interview: Hes not right about that.

It looks like it was legal collection (from espionage targets). Incidental collection ... Theres nothing criminal (about the collection itself) ... But then it made itself into intelligence reports.

Nunes added other wrinkles to the spy story at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

He confirmed that he saw details that might have intelligence value. He also publicly revealed that there were multiple warrants granted by U.S. intelligence courts for surveillance targets.

Heres how American officials obtain those warrants: by convincing a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that their espionage target is either a foreign power or the agent of a foreign power  and when its a U.S. citizen, that he or she may be involved in a crime.

But Nunes also added that in the dozens of documents he read, None of the surveillance was related to Russia, or the investigation of Russian activities, or of the Trump team.

Its unclear who selected which documents to show Nunes, and who provided them.

In the U.S., politicians are responsible for keeping a check on spy agencies. The system was created after multiple revelations of abuses of power at home and abroad by agencies like the CIA  foreign assassinations and domestic spying on political opponents caused 1970s scandals that led to the creation of intelligence committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Nunes is the chairman of the House committee.

Its a different system from Canadas. In Canada, the checks on potential abuses are undertaken by a citizens body appointed by the government. Several prominent people, including former prime ministers, have called for Canada to create a parliamentary body  which exists in many countries, including the U.S.

Defenders of the U.S. system say it keeps power in a variety of hands, by involving politicians from different parties. But detractors say the system creates its own risks  one of them is the possibility that espionage oversight becomes tangled in partisan politics.

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WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned.

The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success, Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.

Manaforts plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates co-ordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign.

Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russias interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manaforts ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement t o the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as inappropriate or nefarious as part of a smear campaign.

I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments, Manafort said. My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests.

Deripaska became one of Russias wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlins interests. U.S. diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis and a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putins trips abroad.

In response to questions about Manaforts consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008  at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer APs questions.

Manafort worked as Trumps unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraines ruling pro-Russian political party .

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putins interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manaforts work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manaforts work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the U.S. intelligence investigation of Trumps associates and Russia, according to a U.S. official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential. Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manaforts activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No U.S. criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

FBI Director James Comey, in confirming to Congress the federal intelligence investigation this week, declined to say whether Manafort was a target. Manaforts name was mentioned 28 times during the hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, mostly about his work in Ukraine. No one mentioned Deripaska.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday that Manafort played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time in the campaign, even though as Trumps presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Manafort and his associates remain in Trumps orbit. Manafort told a colleague this year that he continues to speak with Trump by telephone. Manaforts former business partner in eastern Europe, Rick Gates, has been seen inside the White House on a number of occasions. Gates has since helped plan Trumps inauguration and now runs a non-profit organization, America First Policies, to back the White House agenda.

Gates, whose name does not appear in the documents, told the AP that he joined Manaforts firm in 2006 and was aware Manafort had a relationship with Deripaska, but he was not aware of the work described in the memos. Gates said his work was focused on domestic U.S. lobbying and political consulting in Ukraine at the time. He said he stopped working for Manaforts firm in March 2016 when he joined Trumps presidential campaign.

Manafort told Deripaska in 2005 that he was pushing policies as part of his work in Ukraine at the highest levels of the U.S. government  the White House, Capitol Hill and the State Department, according to the documents. He also said he had hired a leading international law firm with close ties to President Bush to support our clients interests, but he did not identify the firm. Manafort also said he was employing unidentified legal experts for the effort at leading universities and think tanks, including Duke University, New York University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Manafort did not disclose details about the lobbying work to the U.S. Justice Department during the period the contract was in place.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the U.S. on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.

Deripaska owns Basic Element Co., which employs 200,000 people worldwide in the agriculture, aviation, construction, energy, financial services, insurance and manufacturing industries, and he runs one of the worlds largest aluminum companies. Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.2 billion (U.S.).

How much Deripaska paid Manafort in total is not clear, but people familiar with the relationship said money transfers to Manafort amounted to tens of millions of dollars and continued through at least 2009. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secret payments publicly.

In strategy memos, Manafort proposed that Deripaska and Putin would benefit from lobbying Western governments, especially the U.S., to allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine. He proposed building long term relationships with Western journalists and a variety of measures to improve recruitment, communications and financial planning by pro-Russian parties in the region.

Manafort proposed extending his existing work in eastern Europe to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, where he pledged to bolster the legitimacy of governments friendly to Putin and undercut anti-Russian figures through political campaigns, non-profit front groups and media operations.

For the $10 million contract, Manafort did not use his public-facing consulting firm, Davis Manafort. Instead, he used a company, LOAV Ltd., that he had registered in Delaware in 1992. He listed LOAV as having the same address of his lobbying and consulting firms in Alexandria, Virginia. In other records, LOAVs address was listed as Manaforts home, also in Alexandria. Manafort sold the home in July 2015 for $1.4 million. He now owns an apartment in Trump Tower in New York, as well as other properties in Florida and New York.

One strategy memo to Deripaska was written by Manafort and Rick Davis, his business partner at the time. In written responses to the AP, Davis said he did not know that his firm had proposed a plan to covertly promote the interests of the Russian government.

Davis said he believes Manafort used his name without his permission on the strategy memo. My name was on every piece of stationery used by the company and in every memo prior to 2006. It does not mean I had anything to do with the memo described, Davis said. He took a leave of absence from the firm in late 2006 to work on John McCains 2008 presidential campaign.

Manaforts work with Deripaska continued for years, though they had a falling out laid bare in 2014 in a Cayman Islands bankruptcy court. The billionaire gave Manafort nearly $19 million (U.S.) to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable, according to legal filings by Deripaskas representatives. It said that after taking the money, Manafort and his associates stopped responding to Deripaskas queries about how the funds had been used.

Early in the 2016 presidential campaign, Deripaskas representatives openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him. After Trump earned the nomination, Deripaskas representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.

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The first wave of migratory birds is back in Ontario. For the next three months, thousands will be arriving every day, some from as far away as Chile and Argentina. These migrants face many perils on their long and arduous journeys but there is one preventable danger that humans have created right here in our cities.

Every year an estimated one million birds die from internal bleeding after colliding with windows in Toronto. These birds are fatally attracted to the reflected images in windows of trees, vegetation or sky  which they perceive to be safe havens. The annual death toll across Canada is an estimated 25 million birds.

These deaths are completely unnecessary.

Environmental and community groups had hoped the Government of Ontario would act to address this tragedy after a 2013 court ruling of the Ontario Court of Justice. In that ruling, the court found that light reflected from building windows undoubtedly contributes to many thousands of otherwise avoidable bird deaths every year and that such reflected light is a contaminant under Ontarios Environmental Protection Act.

Despite this finding, the government failed to enact regulatory measures to deal with reflected light. The governments official, and surprisingly flippant, response was that it was satisfied that not proceeding with compliance activities for the emission of reflected light is appropriate. In short, the government was prepared to do nothing.

Our hopes were raised again in 2015 when the issue was highlighted in the annual report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, who chastised the government for ignoring its responsibility to regulate reflected light. The report received widespread attention.

Once the issue was in the public eye, the response from Glen Murray, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was quick. He admitted he hadnt been paying much attention to bird deaths until the commissioner shined a light on the topic. He agreed with the commissioners findings and said he didnt think his own governments response was adequate. He promised to look at a more complete response to the issue.

However, since that promise was made nearly a year ago, the ministry has done nothing to protect the birds. Ministry staff claim it is not practical to develop a regulation  a strange statement given that several jurisdictions including Cook County, Ill., San Francisco and the State of Minnesota have all passed laws or ordinances aimed at reducing bird kills from building collisions.

Meanwhile, millions of birds have needlessly died from window collisions in Ontario since 2015. Over the coming three months, tens of thousands more will join the ranks of the fallen, dead or badly injured in window collisions.

This is another example where government has been called out for failing to protect wildlife, issued some platitudes and promises and then waited for the issue to fade. In other words, another example of all talk, no action.

There is, however, a solution. The government needs to regulate light reflected from commercial and institutional buildings that is likely to cause harm to birds. There are remedies available  UV glass, opaque awnings, sunshades and various visual markers to alert birds to the presence of glass  that are proven to effectively address this hazard.

It is not that difficult, especially compared to the perilous journey each migratory bird undertakes every spring and fall as it flies thousands of kilometres to and from its nesting grounds here in Ontario. Birds need our help more than ever as other threats, ranging from climate change to habitat loss and predation by domestic cats, are decimating migratory bird populations across Canada.

As is often the case, the only thing missing is political will. Birds risk their lives twice a year flying between Canada and the tropics. But government officials dont seem willing to lift a finger to pass a simple regulation to give the birds added protection.

In the meantime, this spring will see dozens of dedicated volunteers up before dawn patrolling the streets of Toronto to pick up dead and injured birds lying at the base of the citys skyscrapers. This heartbreaking work, organized by the Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada, has been going on for a quarter century.

Do these volunteers need to deliver the birds lifeless bodies to the doorsteps of Queens Park before the government will finally act?

Dr. Anne Bell is the director of conservation and education for Ontario Nature. anneb@ontarionature.org . Michael Mesure is co-founder and executive director of Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada. executivedirector@flap.org . John Swaigen is staff lawyer for Ecojustice.

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Large 2-liter bottles of Pepsi and Mountain Dew, made by Pepsico (PEP) , are disappearing from the shelves of Philadelphia stores to counter a so-called soda tax that charges based on ounces, and being replaced with smaller bottles and cans of the drinks.

Coca-Cola (K) has also been reportedly doing the same.

"Because of the costly Philadelphia Beverage Tax, hard-working, value-oriented families are less able to afford larger package sizes and multi-packs, where the tax burden is the greatest," said Pepsico in a statement to TheStreet Wednesday. "We are offering the products and package sizes working families are more able to afford because we believe this will give our retail and food-service partners the best chance to succeed in this challenging environment and will minimize the chance of product going out of date. Our full portfolio of beverages in all package sizes will still be available outside the city."

The tax went into effect Jan. 1 of this year and adds 18 cents to the cost of a 12-ounce drink, $1.08 to a six-pack or $1.02 to a two-liter bottle, and aims to raise $91 million annually in revenue to be used for pre-K expansion, community schools, reinvestment in parks and recreation centers and beef up Philadelphia's general fund.

Pepsico told TheStreet that its beverage sales were down 40% in the city, and sales of its larger packages down more than 50% and as much as 80% in many grocery stores.

According to in Philly.com, sales of the larger Coke products have been down, too. Meanwhile, Coke's mini can sales grew 9% last year, and the 1.25-liter bottle saw sales rise by 9%.

The tax also applies to many low- and zero-calorie beverages.

"Our diverse portfolio includes 800 different beverages -- 250 are reduced, low and zero sugar options in the U.S. And, we've been doing that not because of a tax, but because it's what consumers want," a Coca-Cola spokesman said via email to TheStreet.

He added, "The bottom line is this tax is not helping consumers: people are leaving the city to shop, they can't afford everyday purchases in the city, small businesses are getting hurt, consumers are mad and people are losing their jobs."

Pepsico is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells PEP? Learn more now.

Editors' pick: Originally published March 22.
Jack Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba (BABA) , is one step closer to completing his ambitious plan of global free trade.

Hangzhou, China-based Alibaba signed a bilateral deal with the state-run Malaysia Digital Economy Corp. on Wednesday for the country to host the first overseas e-hub for what Ma calls the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP).

Alibaba's public-private partnership deal with Malaysia includes a fulfillment center based near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which will function as a customs clearance, warehousing and fulfillment center for the region. The deal will also help facilitate e-payments and financing for business-to-business trade for small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia.

To cater to the company's fast-growing business in Malaysia, Alibaba's Cloud division will build a cloud-computing platform in Malaysia to support businesses, while also offering training to potential engineers in the country. Alibaba's finance arm, Ant Financial as well as Malaysia's largest financial services providers - CIMB Bank and Maybank will look to offer payment services to Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia.

"This is an exciting development for the country, and to be an early participant in eWTP will provide a plethora of opportunities for Malaysian organizations," said Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak about the pact.

First proposed by Ma at the G20 summit in Hangzhou last year, the concept envisions a future where small and medium-sized enterprises can easily practice e-commerce in digital free-trade zones with lower trade barriers and equitable access to global markets.

"I laid out the vision for eWTP last year, and we as a company have taken on the responsibility to make this a reality. The first e-hub under the eWTP outside of China will go a long way towards making global trade more inclusive and provide much needed support to a hugely important constituent: SMEs and the younger generation," said Ma in a statement released on Wednesday.

Ma views the eWTP as complementary to the World Trade Organization, which he believes has fostered a more integrated global economy through agreements that lowered trade barriers during the last two decades. The Chinese billionaire also said at the Davos World Economic Forum in January that "a trade war would be a disaster for the world."

Alibaba's collaboration with Malaysia follows its recent partnership with the Danish government to launch Denmark Pavilion on one of its main online shopping sites Tmall Global that now includes more than 20 Denmark fashion, lifestyle, household and food brands.

Besides gaining another governmental support, Alibaba's boosted presence in Malaysia adds to its chest of conquests in Southeast Asia, a region with 620 million population and in particular, 250 million smartphone users who are digital-savvy and eager to use mobile technology to shop online.

Ma already signed in December last year an agreement with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to help the country's small- and medium-sized businesses succeed in e-commerce. Last April, Alibaba made its largest overseas investment totaled at $1 billion for a majority control of Singapore-headquartered Lazada, which operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, six of Southeast Asia's biggest e-commerce markets. Meanwhile, Alibaba's digital payment arm Ant Financial acquired a 20 percent stake in Thailand's Ascend Money, which offers e-payment services and micro-loans to customers who are underserved by big financial firms. Bangkok-based Ascend Money operates in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.
More and more retailers are inching closer to the edge, as the list of troubled ones grows by the day.

Discount footwear chain Payless ShoeSource is allegedly planning to file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 as soon as next week, and plans to close 400 to 500 stores, according to a report Wednesday morning by Bloomberg.

A Payless spokeswoman declined to comment.

In February, it was reported that Payless would close 1,000 stores, and, in January, the company announced the elimination of 150 employees. Facing $650 million in debt, Payless, which was taken private by private equity firms Golden Gate Private Equity and Blum Capital Partners in a 2012, $2 billion buyout of parent company Collective Brands, is increasingly facing a grim outlook.

Moody's Investor Services downgraded Payless' debts in early February, citing weak liquidity. Payless hired Guggenheim Partners and Kirkland and Ellis after the downgrade to initiate turnaround efforts.

Watch More: 5 Retailers Amazon Could Crush if It Opens Furniture and Appliance Stores

On Tuesday, talk began circulating that teen apparel retailer Bebe Stores (BEBE) is planning to shutter all of its 181 stores and focus solely on e-commerce in an attempt to restructure out of court and avoid bankruptcy. Just last year Bebe, facing diminishing sales, eliminated 45 jobs at its Brisbane, Calif., headquarters to cut $6 million in costs.

And, while this came as no shock to anyone following its situation, Sears Holding Corp. (SHLD) finally admitted it is nearing insolvency. TheStreet broke the news Tuesday night that Sears indicated in its newly filed annual report that "substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern."

Retail is not the business to be in right now, as e-commerce giants like Amazon (AMZN) threaten the life of bricks-and-mortar businesses and consumers continually turn away from malls.

In the words of attorney Hugh Ray, who heads the bankruptcy practice at McKool Smith, to retailers: "find a new line of business."

A typical day at a Sears store

Just in the past few weeks, Wall Street saw bankruptcy filings from sporting goods retailer Gander Mountain, RadioShack successor General Wireless Operations, everyday value price department store operator Gordmans Stores (GMAN) and appliances, electronics and furniture retailer HHGregg (HGG) . Last Wednesday, children's apparel retailer Gymboree cautioned that it was low on cash and may not survive.

The future appears bleak for these three retailers, as well.

Claire's Stores' shaky financial situation suggests no one wants to buy its shoddy accessories.

The business of retailer for lower-priced girl's accessories Claire's is atrocious. The primarily mall-based retailer continues to see dwindling foot traffic, likely because it sells dinky gift shop items with few takers, and has racked up three straight years of losses. As of Oct. 29, Claire's long-term debt stood at an alarming $2.1 billion with its total liquidity at a mere $40 million. For the nine months ended Oct. 29, Claire's saw a same-store sales decline of 4.2% and its revenue fall to $928 million from $1 billion the year before, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Claire's was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Group in 2007 for $3.1 billion.

J.Crew Group just can't generate foot traffic.

Last year, J.Crew's creditors started voicing their concerns that the women's apparel retailer would be unable to pay down its $1.5 billion in secured term debt and $350 million in senior secured debt.

On Tuesday, J.Crew reported that fourth-quarter revenue fell 2% to $695 million and its comparable store sales declined an alarming 5%. For the full 2016 year, the company posted that revenue decreased 3% to $2.4 billion and its same-store sales slipped 7%. J.Crew ended the year with $132.2 million in cash.

And J.Crew also revealed that so far in its 2017 first quarter, same-store sales have fallen 11%.

In a recent research note, Fitch Ratings predicted that J.Crew will continue to see a decline in comparable store sales in 2017 and projected that the company will lose between $50 million and $60 million of free cash flow by the end of the year.

Ascena Retail Group stock keeps plummeting.

Ascenaundefined , the parent company of women's apparel retailers Ann Taylor and Anny Taylor Loft and teen apparel seller Justice, among others, has seen its stock drop 67% in the past year.

Early this month, Ascena reported a 2017 second-quarter loss of 7 cents a share, compared to earnings of 1 cent a share last year. Its total same-stores sales declined 5% in the second quarter, while comparable store sales fell 9% at Ann Taylor and 2% at its Loft stores during the period.

The retailer ended its second quarter with $300 million in cash and a debt load of $1.6 billion. For the full year, Ascena expects its total same-store sales to decline 3% to 4%.

As of Jan. 28, Ascena shuttered 55 stores, leaving its total count at 4,878 locations.

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Iran's aggressive patrolling of the waters around the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf is impeding international navigation and could eventually result in an armed conflict, Rear Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, commander of the Carrier Strike Group 2, told journalists, according to Reuters.

About 30% of global oil exports pass through the strait annually.
Human versus national security

What comes first, human or national security? This has been an enlivening, yet a never-ending debate. In the case of national security, threats are only variants of orthodox-external dimensions.
Customers Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Customers Bank. Customers Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1997 as New Century Bank which operated 5 branches in Southern Pennsylvania. The companys lending portfolio, which was primarily residential mortgage loans, led to the bank's eventual rebranding and hiring of Jay Sidhu as chairman and chief executive officer. The bank changed to a Bank Holding Company after it made a few strategic acquisitions and it now operates 12 full-service branches across 10 states and provides financial services to individuals, and small, and medium-sized businesses. The bank was a troubled asset worth $250 million when Mr. Sidhu took over and now it is worth upwards of $20 billion.

Customers Bancorp, Inc is a super-community bank operating in multiple states across the US. The companys assets topped $20.3 billion in mid-2022 which put it on par with many of the US regional banks. The company sets itself apart by offering dedicated personal service to all its clients and by operating as a digital-first business. This means a single point of contact to help with any needs that may arise and full-service digital banking for all client needs.

Customers Bancorp offers traditional deposit products, including checking, savings, MMDA, and other deposit accounts as well as a full range of loans. Loan products include but are not limited to commercial warehouse loans, loans for multi-family construction, commercial real estate, small business loans, equipment financing, residential mortgages, and consumer lines of credit.

The company also offers traditional and business banking activities including mobile, internet, wire transfers, electronic bill payment, safe deposit boxes, remote capture, courier, payment processing services, and cash management.

Among the many services offered by Customers Bancorp are digital assets. The company supports a wide range of cryptocurrency-related services for individuals and businesses and even uses its own token. The token is used to power instant B2B payments across the TassatPay blockchain network. The companys native token is CBIT (Customers Bancorp Instant Token).

Customers Bancorp is headquartered in West Reading, Pennsylvania, and operates 12 full-service branches, as well as production and administrative offices in several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Illinois, Florida, and North Carolina.
India court urges Hindus and Muslims to talk over Ayodhya row

India's Supreme Court has advised Hindus and Muslim to settle a bitter dispute over a controversial religious site through negotiations.
- Lake Michaelson is one of the most magical places to visit in Kenya

- It stands beneath Africas third highest peak, Point Lenana

- The views from there are completely breathtaking!

Kenya hosts numerous beautiful places all along its geography, but this one is most likely taking the prize for being one of the most gorgeous places of all: Lake Michaelson.

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Michaelson is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters, resting under Point Lenana, Africas third highest peak. It is not within easy reach, being at that height, and surrounded by icy peaks, magical waterfalls and gorges.

Located in the heart of Mount Kenya, this small glacier lake collects the melt water that comes from its impressive heights.

The lake got its namesake from a friend of the first explorer to summit Mount Kenya. Halford Mackinder always commented this person had taken much interest in his 1899 expedition, and thanked him for it in this completely immortal way.

One of its most spectacular features is the infinity pool-like effect on its outlet stream, right on the outer edge of the lake.

READ ALSO: See terrifying moment tourists are pelted with BOILING rocks as volcanic mountain erupts (photos, video)

Its water is also rich in fauna, with plenty of Rainbow Trout inhabiting it. The lake boasts 360-degree breathtaking views. It is so high up, that vegetation is scarce.

READ ALSO: Ecological disaster! Scientists warn that half of all species could be EXTINCT by end of century (photos)

After a group of divers explored the lakes floor, looking for bodies from a plane which crashed inside, it is estimated to be around 70 meters deep.

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- 5,000 Kenyans have lost KSh 850 million that they had invested in UN Sacco which was started 40 years ago

- Part of the sum was lost in the collapse of Chase Bank while the rest has reportedly been misappropriated by the Sacco's board

- Attempts to recover the money have been futile as the board members have infiltrated even the top government agencies

Financial impropriety is not something alien to most Kenyan institutions. But when it runs into hundreds of millions, maybe a billion, it ceases to be something we can brush aside and becomes a matter of urgent national concern

UN Sacco

READ ALSO: Nyamira school names dormitory after Uhuru, but not everyone is happy at all

At the UN, there has been a crippling crisis that has seen over 5, 000 members of the UNSACCO face the worst nightmare of their lives - for the last five years or so.

What started as an innocent brilliant idea in the form of a SACCO 40 years ago has ended up becoming a malignant cancer that has gnawed up the members and is crippling them financially.

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As the Chase Bank saga unfolded, that saw Kenyans lose millions of shillings in one of the nastiest banking disasters in the Country, one entity lost money that amounts to a staggering Ksh 850, 000, 000.

Chase Bank went into receivership in 2016 and with its down, came losses for people who had invested in it.

And that's the UN Sacco.

"We lost close to a billion shillings at Chase Bank. Yes, a billion. I could see people on TV talking of what they lost. We heard the figures and saw them cry. But if only people know the crazy amounts of money that was sucked up by the Chase Bank dragon. All the millions and millions that the UN Sacco board of directors deposited from members savings at Chase Bank. We woke up one day and we had lost close to a billion shillings. Just like that." Says a source from the Sacco

This nightmare didn't even start with Chase Bank as such.

READ ALSO: ODM reacts after government bans mass action

Everything about the Sacco started becoming a huge joke. From the Board Members to the Ministry of Cooperatives and other stakeholders who have vested interests in the sacco.

"For years now, the Sacco Members have seen the Board Members mutilate the Sacco constitution, desecrated it and disregarded it at will. All the By Laws would be broken wantonly and things that had been clearly stipulated in the laws were being disregarded and trashed " the source says.

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"For example, the laws of the Sacco had prohibited acquisition of offices outside of the UN confines but the Board Members went ahead to acquire offices at the expensive Gigiri Square which cost the Sacco a staggering Ksh 98 Million. Imagine that !" the source adds .

"Also,", the source goes on, "There have been frivolous trips abroad recently with a trip to France by the board despite protestation by members on these excesses. The By Laws have been amended without the express approval of members to create loopholes that do not set term limits of office, some of the board directors have been in office for close to 10 years..."

READ ALSO: Jubilee attacks poll result after Hassan Joho was crowned SULTAN

Things got murkier and shadier when, after the members had 'registered' a company to buy land, they then discovered that the supposed company was NOT even registered in the first place and that the land that they had thought they had bought was infact highly inflated.

"We were made aware of the registration of a company called Wanamataifa Company. We were then led to believe that land would be bought for the members through the company and some people even went ahead to purchase land through the said Sacco Company. We later came to realize that the registration of the company was all shady and shrouded in mystery. And that the company which we thought we owned was all a cheap lie - the company never existed. And then the cat and mouse games started again...."

But even after the irate members of the Sacco proposed that the Wanamataifa Company should be wound up and halted, the Board Members ignored their pleas and the company is still alive to date.

The Cooperative Ministry official named are; Lucy Kimani and Patrick Lumumba who are the Westlands Sub-County Cooperatives Commissioners have deliberately worked with the Board of Directors to frustrate and further antagonize them.

READ ALSO: Sonko caught endorsing Peter Kenneth for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat

"These individuals have been the biggest stumbling block to any meaningful development of solving the many issues dogging this Sacco. They've always worked with the Sacco Directors to worsen things and to sway opinion thus creating even bigger trouble and hampering all efforts to break the impasse", the source laments.

The down at the UN Sacco has been likened to the NYS Scandal where KSh 791 million was lost through corruption

And as the AGM comes up this Friday, it remains to be seen whether the issues raised by the members, which largely focus on the streamlining of the Cooperatives Ministry's fishy activities into the Sacco and the BANNING of the three Ministry members accused of partisanship and bias will be effected.

READ ALSO: NASA approaches Sonko and the offer is too GOOD

But as things stand, this Sacco's problems seem to be way far from over, and there doesn't seem to be any effort to settle matters - even though the Courts have ruled in favour of the hapless 5, 000 plus members of the UNSACCO.

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? send to news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
The State Road Agency of Ukraine (Ukravtodor) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) have begun the work on a joint project for the construction of a road bypassing the city of Kremenchuk and the construction of a bridge across the River Dnipro.

Ukravtodor posted this on its official Facebook page. Today, on March 21, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the State Road Agency of Ukraine and China Road and Bridge Corporation was signed. The memorandum envisages the cooperation on designing and financing the construction of the -22/-584 Poltava-Oleksandria road on a section of the highway bypassing the city of Kremenchuk with a bridge across the River Dnipro, reads the statement. Iy
First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmytro Storozhuk has been holding this position since June of last year. He is responsible for a quite important direction - supervision over observance of laws on the part of the Security Service of Ukraine, State Fiscal Service, Customs and National Police. Storozhuk also coordinates work of the Ukrainian investigators working on the case of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down by the Russian Buk missile in July of 2014.

The First Deputy Prosecutor General told in an interview with Ukrinform about the completion of the investigation into this case.

- Does the International Investigation Group have new information on case of shooting down the MH17 flight?

- The General Prosecutor's Office has a field office of the International Joint Investigation Team, where our employees together with investigators from the Security Service and the law enforcement agencies of Australia and the Netherlands are investigating these criminal proceedings.

Our joint work has brought results. We are ready to serve with charges and hand over materials to the court. Why have not we done this yet? The judicial jurisdiction in this case is being determined. Conceptually, it can be the court of the Netherlands. But there are legal conflicts in our legislation and in the legislation of the Netherlands regarding the extradition of suspects for conviction. For Ukraine, it would be better for the hearings to take place within the framework of the international tribunal or in the national court of the Netherlands. This eliminates the possibility of the Russian Federation to accuse us of a politically charged trial in this case.

- How many people are involved in the downing of the plane, who you are ready to serve with charges?

- Based on the results of the investigation, we have identified 120 people who are involved in the case of the shooting down of flight MH17. We plan quite interesting but incredibly complicated operations, which will involve all law enforcement agencies of five countries participating in the International Joint Investigative Group. We want real people to be punished and be brought to the court.

- How do you plan to bring suspects to the court?

- I cannot tell you now, because Russians will read this.

- Does Russia cooperate with the investigation?

- Dutch chief prosecutor and investigation coordinator Fred Westerbeke said that he had already twice applied for international legal assistance to the Russian Federation and had received no response. They deny absolutely everything. Their position is that there are no Russian troops and equipments on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

- Does anybody of the participants of the illegal armed groups cooperate with the investigation?

- Even if somebody does I cannot say this.

- In January of this year, a Dutch journalist discovered a bone fragment belonging to one of the victims of the tragedy. In this regard, Dutch Security and Justice Minister Stef Blok said that Ukraine is expected to renew its search for human remains at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Will new search operations be held?

- We have no confirmation, but, according to unofficial data, this was a "husband" of the man who was killed there. And to get into the crash site, he coordinated with the militants, maybe even paid them big money.

As of today, we do not have the opportunity to check out the scene of the plane crash, as this territory is an area of combat operations and is controlled by terrorists and Russian military officers. And all members of the International Joint Investigative Group are aware of this.

- It has been recently reported that the investigators cannot decode radar data provided by Russia. Did they provide their data scientists?

- The issue is not that it is impossible to decode the radar data, they are decoded, but that the data was provided in an inappropriate format, not in the so-called ASTERIX-STANDART required by ICAO. The data in this format contains not only radar-screen images, but also the data of "protocols" that contain information about the objects detected by the radar, even those that were not indicated on the monitor. So, the most interesting part of data for the investigation was not provided by the Russian side. There is no cooperation.

- Russian representatives say that Ukraine is responsible for the downed plane, because we did not close the airspace...

- There are no rules that would force a country to close the airspace. It is not closed over Syria, as well as over Afghanistan... In such cases, airlines plan a route bypassing dangerous zones and using other air corridors. Ukraine raised the lowest safe altitude for flights to 9,750 meters. Nobody could imagine that there will be weapon equipment on this territory that can shot down the plane.

Alla Shershen, Kyiv
Finance Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyliuk says that the impact of economic blockade in Donbas on the Ukrainian economy will be insignificant.

"Weve almost completed an impact analysis, we have figures, today we will put an end to this issue. Then the issue will depend on the IMF, when they will hold the Board [meeting], but technical inconsistencies have been settled, Danyliuk told journalists, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

According to him, the budget deficit will remain at the level stipulated by the law of Ukraine on the national budget for 2017.

"We proved that the impact [from the blockade] exists, but is nor so significant, our economy will cope with negative consequences," Danyliuk stressed.

iy
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has supported the draft law on ratification of the agreement on economic cooperation between the Governments of Ukraine and the Republic of Croatia and corresponding draft regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

This decision was made at a meeting of the government on Wednesday in a package with other decisions, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Cabinet of Ministers also supported the bill on amendments to the law on state service. In the near future, it will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration.

ish
Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade.
Nepal Police retrieves firearm lost during Kanchanpur clash

Nepal Police has retrieved a Chinese pistol and its magazine that got lost during a clash occurred in Ananda Bazaar of Kanchanpur near the Nepal-India border two weeks ago.
UNICEF/21032017/Anmar

BAGHDAD, 22 March 2017  I leave Iraq at a time when the country is facing significant challenges and opportunities.

Yet everywhere I visited  East Mosul, Baghdad, Fallujah, Erbil  children and their families told me of their dreams and their determination to make them real.

I spoke to a family in East Mosul living near a water distribution point. The family taught their children at home for more than two years.

Their thirst for water was matched by their thirst for education, the key to a better future.

In Fallujah, boys and girls in schools reopened amid the debris of war that still marks that city, said they wanted to be doctors and engineers.

We are working with the Government of Iraq to provide all children in Iraq, with the resources they need to reach those dreams -- whether that means new classrooms, notebooks or accelerated learning programmes.

Because it is these students who, if they have the skills in their heads and healing in their hearts, will move the country from the conflicts of the past towards a peaceful future.

But even as those who are returning to their homes and classrooms are looking forward, 1.4 million children are still uprooted by the violence in Iraq, and some 200,000 children are trapped in Mosul.

UNICEF is working hard to provide children and families affected by the crisis in Mosul with lifesaving supplies of water, access to sanitation facilities, psychosocial support and the opportunity to get back to learning as soon as possible.

Because when the fighting comes to a halt, that will not be an end: it will be the beginning of building an intergenerational peace in a great nation that has seen too little of it.

###
Associate Professor | College of Distance Education

Professor Sexton began teaching at the U.S. Naval War College in 2001 as a military professor in the National Security Decision Making Department. Upon retiring from the military in 2005, she taught as an adjunct professor for the College of Distance Education (CDE) where she taught over 850 students online before returning to campus as a civilian CDE professor in 2014. In 2018, Professor Sexton was named the program manager for online programs and is responsible for the Naval Command and Staff and electives online programs.
One FPTP seat, 3pc PR votes necessary to get recognition as nat'l party

The State Affairs Committee (SAC) of the Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday agreed to impose a threshold of three percent votes under Proportional Representation and at least one seat under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) to secure the status of a national political party.
Given how much we spend on our family dog, Simba, hes like a dependent. Thank goodness he doesnt have to go to college, although we did put him through training school.

All the food, grooming and veterinary expenses add up. As a country, we spend about $63 billion on our pets, according to the American Pet Products Association.

So, as my husband and I prepare our taxes, the thought crossed our minds: Could we claim Simba?

Apparently, were not alone. A survey by software maker Xero of 900 accounting partners found that pets are the most asked-about deduction topic.

But nope, your bulldog Napoleon is not a dependent. In general, you cant deduct expenses for your pooch. (There are a few exceptions, such as for service dogs.)

Of course, my husband and I were only joking. Yet some people do test the agency when it comes to deductions.

I asked members of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants to dish about the crazy deductions clients have tried to get past them.

Here are some of their stories:

My favorite was seeing Victorias Secret listed as a vendor in the uniform expense account for one of my clients, said Andrew M. Porter, a CPA practicing in Lafayette. I could not resist asking what sorts of uniforms his employees wore that came from Victorias Secret. Needless to say, the client did not end up taking that deduction.

Lawrence Pon, a CPA in Redwood City, dropped a shady client who wanted to cheat on his tax return.

Her favorite expression was, How will they know?  Pon said. She didnt let the facts get in the way of the conclusions she wanted. Another favorite expression of hers was What can I get away with? 

The client once chopped down a tree that was blocking her view. Unfortunately for her, the tree belonged to the city, and she was fined $45,000.

She wanted to deduct this as a charitable contribution, Pon said. My office was so glad to get rid of her.

Mitchell Freedman, a CPA in Westlake Village, said numerous clients ask him if they could put money in foreign bank accounts to avoid paying taxes. That would be a no.

Freedman said he has many clients in the performing and creative arts who ask if they can deduct every item of clothes that they purchase as a wardrobe expense.

That would also be a no.

Mary Kay Foss, a CPA in Danville, says she has known folks who create corporations or partnerships so they can report payments to the entities as business deductions.

Janet Lee Krochman, a Costa Mesa CPA, shared two nightmare stories.

Once, Krochman was reviewing a potential new clients prior years return and noticed some funky accounting. Cash from the clients business (on a weekly or biweekly basis) was taken to the bank and turned into cashiers checks, which were then put into a safe-deposit box.

The potential client was attempting to deduct expenses without reporting all of the business revenue. When I asked the potential client if they were aware that they were cheating on their taxes, their answer was yes and that everybody did it. 

She did not take on the client.

Finally there was the day-care provider whose family appeared not to eat.

Krochman had a client whose personal returns she had been doing for years. She was asked to do the business tax return for the clients new day-care center. The client was using an accounting program to keep track of revenue and expenses, and she trusted the figures.

But the return was audited, and the auditor noticed something odd while reviewing the business and personal checking accounts.

He asked, Where is the familys personal food purchases?  Krochman recalled.

The client claimed that his family used only cash to buy food and didnt have receipts. But the food expenses for the day care were very high. The auditor figured out that the client was funneling the personal expenses through the day-care business. The client ended up having to pay $30,000 in fees and penalties.

The audit with this client happened very early in my career and taught me a lesson, which led to my office policy of working with clients on their recordkeeping throughout the year, Krochman said.

Needless to say, that client was let go after the audit.

Before I finished with the client, I asked, Why did you do what you did?  she said. Again, the response was Everybody does it. He just had not planned on being caught.

Readers may write to Michelle Singletary at The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 or michelle.singletary

@washpost.com. To read previous Color of Money columns, go to http://wapo.st/michelle-singletary.
Its at this weird moment in the way the nation interacts with the world that Sulayman Al Bassam arrives in Washington to stage his play. A Kuwaiti with dual British citizenship, he has directed at the Kennedy Center before, an Arabic version of Richard III. But now he returns with his own original drama, Petrol Station, about a dusty refueling oasis set between two desert countries. And, despite the hostility being expressed in some American quarters toward Muslim-majority states, Bassam confesses to being filled with optimism at the prospect of debuting his new work here.

What I find so energizing and reassuring, he said over lunch recently, is the ideas of strong characters and plotting  these are the things that cut across draconian borders.

One of the more ubiquitous traits among people around the globe who make theater happen is what you might call improbable resilience  an unshakable belief that a play can not only create suspense and characterize hope but also speak past suspicion and galvanize a community.

A gaggle of these cockeyed dreamers has been wrangled by Alicia Adams, the Kennedy Centers vice president for international programming and dance, for productions this month and next exploring the work of stage directors around the world  some from places you wouldnt think of as conducive to the barrier-breaking extremes of contemporary theater.

Yet Carlos Diaz, director of Cubas Teatro El Publico, brought his companys Antigonon this week, the first time he had ever been to Washington, and Lev Dodin, head of Russias Maly Drama Theatre, will be at the center in April for Malys first visit to the capital city, with Chekhovs Three Sisters. Robert Lepage, the visionary Canadian imagist, has just been to town with his Needles and Opium. And Britains Peter Brook, the standard-setter for theater that expands the mind, materializes March 29 with Battlefield, an 80-minute distillation of his storied dawn-to-dusk dramatization of the Sanskrit poem The Mahabharata.

Teatro El Publico's "Antigonon, un contingente epico." (Copyright Lessy/Teatro El Publico)

The featured artists in the centers Spotlight on Directors series dont fit easily into an aesthetic subset: Lepages productions are wildly visual, often technology-driven; Diazs Antigonon had a backdrop made out of newspapers pasted to panels. What compelled Adams to gather them together was, as much as anything, the understanding she has gained in some remarkable cultural safaris of the directors impact beyond their nations. And how many institutions are there with the resources to place intellectually diverse arrays of stage artists into a global blender?

I guess some people will see it as an eclectic group of artists and plays, Adams said. And, in a sense, that was the intention  not to focus on a particular country or region, as many festivals at the center have done. This collection of directors was inspired by spring 2014s successful World Stages theater festival, for which the center invited 15 productions, from every continent except Antarctica. During that event, Adams recalled, playgoers spoke of enjoying the dim-sum format, of being able to sample theater dishes as at a major international event, such as the annual Edinburgh Festival.

So this time, too, the link was in the soul, not an atlas.

Chekhov is in the genes of the Russian actor the way Shakespeare is in the genes of English-speaking actors, the Malys Dodin said by phone from Europe, with a translator assisting.

This is Dodins manner of explaining that audiences may get a different sense of one of theater historys greatest dramatists from a Russian company, although he said he has been an admirer of versions performed in English, such as Brooks famous The Cherry Orchard in 1988 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, with a mostly American cast that included Linda Hunt and Brian Dennehy.

Dodin is of the opinion, too, that hes bringing Three Sisters at just the right time. (It will be performed in Russian with English surtitles April 26 to 30 in the Eisenhower Theater.) Today when history presents us with more and more cruel surprises, Chekhov is getting more modern, he said. He had a black belt in unfulfilled promises. He knew what ruined ideals were. And when I say that Chekhov valued and loved life, I mean that he also knew what passion was. His plays are infinitely passionate, infinitely sensual, filled with sexual yearning and sexual hate.

You know, he added, I say with Shakespeare and Chekhov, even a mediocre show is already a miracle.

It feels somewhat miraculous, too, to have theater straight from Havana on the Eisenhower stage. Diazs Antigonon, at the Eisenhower on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, was a robust 85-minute vaudeville of sorts in which five actors took a jaundiced look at Cuban society.

Diaz looks at the Washington visit as an enormous opportunity to get Teatro El Publico on the American cultural map. It has visited Miami and Los Angeles, but the showcase on the Potomac raises the stakes. And hes even speaking the language of the diplomats.

I believe in the possibility of a major interchange and more communication with this, he said. Thats one of the great promises.

Spotlight on Directors, through April 30. Visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.
Once again, Shepard Smith is doing cleanup on aisle Fox.

Moments after President Trump suggested on Friday that Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano had validated the unfounded claim that President Barack Obama had recruited British agents to bug Trump Tower during the campaign, Smith stepped in to say otherwise. Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitanos commentary, said Smith, the networks chief news anchor. 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.

And perhaps to drive home the point, Smith added, Full stop.

It was a rare bit of record-correcting for Fox, which enabled Napolitano to pass off his wiretapping thesis for several days before British officials complained that it was rubbish. (As a result of Napolitanos faulty reporting, Fox pulled him from the air for an indefinite period this week.) And it was perhaps no coincidence that the correcting came from Smith, whose off-message comments about Trump have made him an apostate to the conservative Fox News orthodoxy.

(Deirdra O'Regan,Thomas Johnson/The Washington Post)

Smith, for example, opened the same afternoon newscast Friday with a sly aside about Trumps claims: Of course, the president could learn firsthand whether the building in which he [lived] was wiretapped. All hed have to do is ask the intelligence services. They work for him.

Not blunt enough? In mid-February, following Trumps freewheeling news conference, Smith labeled Trumps responses absolutely crazy. He even  horror of horrors!  defended CNN, Foxs mortal enemy, when Trump blasted it as fake news during another news conference. CNNs reporting was not fake news, Smith said. Its journalists follow the same standards to which other news organizations, including Fox News, adhere.

Smiths persistent fact-mongering has made him persona non grata among some parts of the Fox News faithful, in an echo of the hostile reaction to then-Fox anchor Megyn Kellys tough questioning of Trump during the campaign. For weeks, Fox fans have stormed social media with demands for Smiths firing and boycott threats if the network doesnt get rid of him.

Shep Smith has gone full Rachel Maddow, ranted Paul Joseph Watson, contributing editor of the conspiratorial Infowars, on Twitter after Fridays dunking of Napolitano. MSNBC irrelevance is his calling.

Some have posted an unflattering photo of Smith, 53, above the caption, If youre sick of this guy spewing his liberal tripe and his constant criticism of President Trump on a supposed news show, let Fox News know!! It includes a number for Foxs viewer comment line.

Theyve memed him, too. One depicts Smith wearing one of the pink wool hats that became the symbol of the Womens March in January.

The mini-hysteria grew so loud earlier this month that a hoax website reported that Rupert Murdoch, Fox News chairman, had fired Smith for being too controversial. It was fake news, of course, but so widely disseminated that Snopes.com stepped in to debunk it.

The hubbub around Smith, who also is Foxs managing editor of breaking news, has drawn silence from Fox. After initially being open to Smith speaking for a Washington Post article, the network declined to offer him for comment. Smith himself did not reply to interview requests sent to his work and personal email accounts.

Two people at rival networks say Smith is a short-timer at Fox and thus is feeling free to speak his mind on air. But that may be more rumor than fact; Smith has been at Fox since the network began in 1996 and has stayed on through multiple management changes, most notably the ouster last summer of co-founder Roger Ailes, whom Smith said he loved like a father.

The counter-theory is that Fox has purposely loosened its leash on Smith to carve out a modicum of independence from Trump.

If Im Fox News, I would view [Smiths commentary] as a good thing right now, said Dan Cassino, a political-science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. It builds the credibility of a news organization, a goal of Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, who now run Foxs parent company.

Besides, the network is at little risk of losing viewers because of Smith, said Cassino, the author of Fox News and American Politics, given that there are few cable news alternatives for conservatives. Where would they go? Theyre not going to watch One America Network [a small competitor]. Fox isnt worried about its ratings.

However, Tim Graham, director of media analysis for the conservative Media Research Center, buys the buzz that Smith is ready to bolt: His aggressive defense of the liberal media suggests hes looking at Greta Van Susteren and saying, Yeah, I could do that.  Van Susteren left Fox last summer and joined MSNBC.

Added Graham: To me, it sounds like hes advertising to other networks. It just seems bizarre for him to be sticking up for CNN and MSNBC. Its like Jif peanut butter taking an ad sticking up for Skippy.

In fact, David Shepard Smith Jr. has flashed his independent streak before, often diverging from the networks playbook and occasionally inciting outrage from viewers.

When Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage during the 2012 campaign, Smith, who has been out about his sexuality, said on air that the president was now in the 21st century.

Amid the Baltimore riots of 2015, he scolded the hosts of the Fox discussion program The Five for blaming perpetrators actions on absent or indifferent parents. (We dont know whose fault it is, he said.)

That same year, he asserted that human activity was responsible for climate change and compared the studies cherry-picked by climate-change deniers to those of the tobacco industry to play down carcinogens in cigarettes.

Perhaps most strikingly, he has generally declined to buy into Trumps demonization of Muslims in the wake of terrorist attacks. In the face of terror, will we panic or be calm and deliberative in approach? he asked after the attacks in Paris in late 2015. Confronted with those who want to change our way of life, will we abandon our freedoms and the rights granted to us by the Creator, or will we welcome huddled masses yearning to breathe free?

Unlike Kelly, who endured a drumbeat of attacks from Trump, Smith has largely escaped Trumps wrath. Trump has tweeted criticism of him just once, during the campaign in 2015: Boy is this guy @ShepNewsTeam tough on me. So totally biased. As a reporter, he should be ashamed of himself!

Maybe he hasnt been watching Smith lately.
Alexandria

These were among incidents reported by the Alexandria Police Department. For information, call 703-746-4444 or visit alexandriava.gov.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS

Beauregard St. N., 1400 block, 9:55 p.m. March 12. A sexual assault was reported.

Four Mile Rd., 500 block, 12:46 p.m. March 9. A sexual assault was reported. An arrest was made.

Hopkins Ct., 300 block, 6:05 p.m. March 13. A sexual assault was reported.

Patrick St. S., 100 block, 3:43 p.m. March 11. A sexual assault was reported.

ASSAULTS

Alfred St. N., 400 block, 9:05 a.m. March 10. An assault was reported.

Beauregard St. N., 1400 block, 9:55 p.m. March 12. An assault was reported.

Cloudes Mill Ct., 300 block, 2:01 p.m. March 11. An assault was reported.

Duke St., 4600 block, 10:07 p.m. March 13. An assault was reported.

Edsall Rd., 6000 block, 9:58 p.m. March 10. An assault was reported.

Edsall Rd., 6100 block, 2:30 p.m. March 13. An assault was reported. An arrest was made.

Eisenhower Ave., 2800 block, 4:02 p.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Four Mile Rd., 600 block, 12:58 a.m. March 9. An assault was reported.

King St., 100 block, 3:50 p.m. March 9. An assault was reported.

King St., 1700 block, 8:08 p.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Landover St., 3200 block, 10:42 p.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Merton Ct., 5700 block, 4:11 p.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Old Dominion Blvd., 3900 block, 12:52 a.m. March 15. An assault was reported.

Reading Ave., 5700 block, 12:25 a.m. March 14. An assault was reported.

Reynolds St. S., 300 block, 10:53 a.m. March 14. An assault was reported.

Ripley St. N., 100 block, 11:38 p.m. March 12. An assault was reported. An arrest was made.

Russell Rd., unit block, 12:07 a.m. March 12. An assault was reported.

Seminary Rd., 4900 block, 6:11 p.m. March 11. An assault was reported.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Beauregard St. N., 1400 block, 7:23 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Beauregard St. N., 1400 block, 9:55 p.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

Clermont Ave., 100 block, 1:21 a.m. March 15. A theft was reported.

Duke St., 4300 block, 1:10 p.m. March 11. A theft was reported.

Duke St., 4300 block, 12:56 p.m. March 10. A theft was reported.

Duke St., 5100 block, 6:22 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Edsall Rd., 6200 block, 1:48 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Eisenhower Ave., 4900 block, 12:05 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Fayette St. N., 700 block, 2:30 p.m. March 9. Property was entered.

Four Mile Rd., 600 block, 9:25 a.m. March 10. Property was entered.

Jefferson Davis Hwy., 3100 block, 4:28 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Jefferson Davis Hwy., 3500 block, 4:31 p.m. March 9. An employee theft was reported.

Jefferson Davis Hwy., 3600 block, 5:29 p.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

King St., 200 block, 12:53 a.m. March 11. A theft was reported.

King St., 1000 block, 3:34 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

King St., 3200 block, 4:35 p.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

King St., 3300 block, 1 p.m. March 9. A theft was reported.

Mount Vernon Ave., 3100 block, 6:57 a.m. March 11. Property was stolen.

Mount Vernon Ave., 3500 block, 8:03 p.m. March 8. Property was stolen.

Pickett St. N., 2200 block, 1:25 p.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Pickett St. S., 300 block, 2:22 p.m. March 11. A theft was reported.

Princess St., 1500 block, noon March 13. A theft was reported.

Saint Asaph St. N., 8900 block, 10:15 a.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Seminary Rd., 5000 block, 3:13 p.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

Sheffield Ct., 5400 block, 10:10 p.m. March 13. A theft was reported.

Tennessee Ave., 800 block, 12:12 p.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Mount Vernon Ave., 3500 block, 8:03 p.m. A vehicle was stolen. An arrest was made.

VANDALISM

Duke St., 100 block, 7:27 a.m. March 8. Property was damaged.

Holmes Run Ter., 4100 block, 1:35 p.m. March 13. Property was damaged.

Ingalls Ave., 3700 block, 9:22 a.m. March 10. Property was damaged.

Kenmore Ave., 4700 block, 1:28 p.m. March 8. Property was damaged.

Landover St., 3200 block, 10:42 p.m. March 8. Property was damaged.

Patrick St. N., 100 block, 5 p.m. March 11. Property was damaged.

Roanoke Ave., 5400 block, 12:44 p.m. March 12. Property was damaged.

Valley Dr., 3500 block, 3:35 p.m. March 8. Property was damaged.

Whiting St. S., 100 block, 5:43 p.m. March 11. Property was damaged.

Whiting St. S., 400 block, 9:29 a.m. March 8. Property was damaged.

Arlington

These were among incidents reported March 8-15 by the Arlington County Police Department. For information, call 703-558-2222 or visit newsroom.arlingtonva.us.

ASSAULTS

Aberdeen St. S., 100 block. A harassment incident was reported.

Army Navy Dr., 1100 block. Threats were reported.

Buchanan St. S., 900 block. An assault was reported.

Clark St. S., 2200 block. An assault was reported.

Dinwiddie St. N., 2100 block. A harassment incident was reported.

Garfield St. N., 1200 block. An assault was reported.

Glebe Rd. N., unit block. An assault was reported.

Greenbrier St. S., 800 block, 10:10 p.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Henderson Rd., 4100 block, 7:30 p.m. March 8. Two people fought.

Kenmore St. N., 300 block. A harassment incident was reported.

Oak St. N., 1600 block, 8:15 p.m. March 8. Two people fought.

Old Glebe Rd. S., 100 block, 8:45 a.m. March 10. An assault at a school was reported.

Randolph St. N., 1000 block, 8:58 p.m. March 12. During a fight, a police officer attempted to separate two men. One of the men struck and pushed the officer to the ground. A taser was used when the man advanced toward the officer and when he resisted the handcuffs. After an investigation, it was determined that one of the men was removed from a restaurant and became aggressive when the other man intervened. Two Arlington men, ages 27 and 31, were charged.

Vacation Lane, 4100 block. A harassment incident was reported.

Washington Blvd. and N. Glebe Rd., 3:36 a.m. March 12. An assault was reported.

Yorktown Blvd., 5200 block, 10:30 a.m. March 8. An assault was reported.

Fourth St. N., 4400 block. A harassment incident was reported.

ROBBERIES

Wilson Blvd., 2900 block, 11 p.m. March 10. A robbery was reported.

31st St. S., 4500 block, 5:28 p.m. March 13. Three men and a woman forced entry into a residence, brandished a firearm, robbed the residents of property and fled in a vehicle.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Blvd., 4500 block. Identity theft was reported.

Army Navy Dr., 800 block. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Clarendon Blvd., 2700 block. Identity theft was reported.

Clarendon Blvd., 2700 block, 1 p.m. March 11. A shoplifting incident from a store was reported.

Clarendon Blvd., 3100 block, 10 p.m. March 10. A theft at a bar was reported.

Colonial Trail, 1500 block. Identity theft was reported.

Columbia Pike, 3600 block, 6:44 p.m. March 12. A shoplifting incident from a convenience store was reported.

Courthouse Rd. N., 1400 block. Property was entered.

Crystal Dr., 1800 block. Identity theft was reported.

Crystal Sq., 1600 block. A theft was reported.

Dinwiddie St. S., 1300 block. A theft was reported.

Fillmore St. N., 1200 block. A theft was reported.

Garfield St. N., 1200 block, 6:10 p.m. March 8. A theft from a garage was reported.

George Mason Dr. N., 1700 block. A theft was reported.

Glebe Rd. N., unit block. A theft was reported.

Glebe Rd. N., unit block, 5 p.m. March 11. A theft from a restaurant was reported.

Glebe Rd. N., 900 block, 11:13 p.m. March 9. Property was stolen.

Glebe Rd. S., 2900 block. A theft was reported.

Glebe Rd. S., 3600 block. Identity theft was reported.

Hayes St. S., 1100 block. Four thefts were reported.

Hayes St. S., 1200 block. Two thefts were reported.

Illinois St. S., 400 block. Identity theft was reported.

Johnson St. N., 1600 block. Identity theft was reported.

King St., 4600 block. A theft was reported.

Lebanon St. N., 800 block. A theft was reported.

Lee Hwy., 3100 block, 12:38 p.m. March 10. A shoplifting incident from a grocery was reported.

Lee Hwy., 4300 block. A theft was reported.

Nash St. N., 1800 block, 6:03 a.m. March 8. A theft was reported.

Piedmont St. N., 200 block, 1:30 p.m. March 11. A theft from a residence was reported.

Quinn St. N., 1500 block, 6 p.m. March 10 A theft from a residence was reported.

Randolph St. N., 900 block. Identity theft was reported.

Taft St. N., 1400 block, 10 a.m. March 11. A theft from a residence was reported.

Taylor St. N., 900 block. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Thomas St. N., 400 block, 3:28 a.m. March 12. A theft was reported.

Thomas St. N., 400 block, 11 a.m. March 12. Two men entered a building and stole property.

Walter Reed Dr. S., 800 block. A theft was reported.

Wilson Blvd., 1500 block, 9:26 p.m. March 12. A shoplifting incident from a grocery was reported.

Wilson Blvd., 1600 block, 12:16 p.m. March 6. Property was stolen from a building.

Wilson Blvd., 2700 block. A theft was reported.

Wilson Blvd., 3200 block, 1 p.m. March 8. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Third St. S., 4600 block, 3 a.m. March 12. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Sixth St. S., 4400 block, 10:30 a.m. March 12. Property was stolen from two vehicles.

Sixth St. S., 4400 block, noon March 11. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

12th Ct. N., 2200 block, 3:30 a.m. March 11. Property was entered.

15th St. N., 2100 block, 4:05 p.m. March 9. A shoplifting incident from a convenience store was reported.

24th St. N., 2100 block, 4:30 a.m. March 12. A female resident reported that a man who appeared intoxicated forced entry into the residence but fled from the scene when he was asked to leave.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Wilson Blvd., 2900 block. March 11. A black 2016 Infiniti was stolen.

10th St. S., 5000 block. March 12. A gray 2012 Nissan Versa was stolen.

VANDALISM

Army Navy Dr., 300 block. Property was damaged.

Columbia Pike, 4200 block, 5:25 p.m. March 10. Property was damaged.

Glebe Rd. N., 200 block. Property was damaged.

Glebe Rd. N., 600 block, 12:37 a.m. March 9. Property was damaged.

Hartford and N. 13th streets, 10:28 p.m. March 11. Property was damaged.

13th St. N., unit block. Property was damaged.

14th Rd. S., 500 block. Property was damaged.

28th St. N., 6000 block. Property was damaged.

36th St. N., 5200 block. Property was damaged.
Hundreds of parents converged on Rockville High School Tuesday night seeking assurances about student safety in their suburban Maryland school system after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two classmates, during school hours, in a boys bathroom.

Montgomery County school officials discussed security measures at the high school amid a wave of anger and frustration across the 159,000-student school system, Marylands largest, about the brutal attack last week on a freshman girl.

The meeting, which drew parents and community members from far beyond Rockville High, was closed to reporters. School officials posted a recording of the session on Wednesday for the public to hear.

As parents and others exited Tuesday night, many said they were not satisfied with the answers they got from school officials.

I thought it was just a lot of political speak, said Rob Sisco, a parent of three school system graduates who has grandchildren who may attend Rockville High. I felt they really werent addressing the issue, and the crime that happened.

Henry E. Sanchez-Milian (Montgomery County Police)

Sisco, interviewed across the street from the school, said he would have liked more conversation about how the school system places undocumented students - as the two suspects were - in schools and follows their adjustment process.

Some parents complained about the security measures school officials described at the meeting. The school has 105 surveillance cameras, but most are not monitored in real time and are used primarily to view incidents after the fact, officials said. The school, with about 1,300 students, has five non-police security staff and one school resource officer.

Were just appalled that this happened to a girl in the public school system, said Jayne Quilligan, a resident of Rockville who does not have children in the school but said her nieces are of similar age. Where were the normal things you have in a hallway, like hall monitors?

[Rockville High rape case draws attention at White House briefing]

Others focused on the students who were arrested in the attack: Jose O. Montano, 17, and Henry Sanchez-Milian, 18, undocumented immigrants who started at Rockville High this school year. Police have said they have no evidence the suspects are associated with gangs and that they have no past criminal offenses in the county.

It sounds like theyre not looking at the real problem, said Sheldon Sacks, a parent of two Rockville High graduates. You dont really know how many illegal immigrants are in school. If you have a lot of people who are not equipped to be in school, they should have a special school and then they would have individuals the same age. When you have kids who dont know English and you put them in with kids who are trying to learn other things, youre degrading the school system.

Montgomery schools Superintendent Jack Smith said at a news conference earlier in the evening Tuesday that the school system accepts all children who come to its doors, in keeping with U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Patricia Spigner, of Gaithersburg, whose three children are grown, held a poster displaying her views as parents met across the street in Rockville High School Tuesday to discuss an alleged rape at the school. (Donna St. George/TWP)

He said other Maryland school systems, and all, or virtually all, public school districts nationally take the same approach.

After the meeting at Rockville High, a string of parents complained that Smith had at one point referred to the brutal rape as an event.

It was a tragedy, not an event, one parent said as he walked out, echoing several others.

Schools spokesman Derek Turner said the schools chief chose the wrong word, and it does not convey how he feels about the tragedy.

School officials estimated that 600 to 700 people attended the meeting, which was planned as a PTSA meeting. They said PTSA leaders decided to close the gathering to reporters. Security was so tight that reporters were barred from the schools parking lot and directed to stand on the other side of Baltimore Road.

Across the street from the school, a couple dozen people turned out to demonstrate about the case. Some voiced concerns about undocumented immigrants, holding signs with slogans like, Safety not sanctuary!
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), center, speaks in February about what she said were eroding conditions for families under the Trump administration. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a key Democratic leader on education policy, made her case against private-school vouchers in a 20-page memo to her Senate colleagues Wednesday, arguing that school choice sounds good in theory but falls short in practice.

President Trump has promised to pour billions of dollars into expanding choice initiatives, including taxpayer-funded vouchers for private and religious schools. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is a longtime advocate for such efforts, arguing that they provide poor children with life-changing opportunities.

[DeVos tells big-city school superintendents she believes in great public schools  but some remain skeptical]

But voucher programs too often fail to hold private schools accountable for their students performance, fail to serve children in rural areas, and fail to protect the rights of students with disabilities and other vulnerable young people, wrote Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

School choice is a false choice, she wrote, arguing that the way to provide children with a better education is to invest in public schools instead of private alternatives. The only true student and family agenda is one that delivers on the idea that every child, parent, and family should have the choice to attend a high-quality public school.

Murray, a former preschool teacher, has a strong record as a dealmaker who knows how to reach across the aisle, and she worked with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to negotiate a bipartisan revision of the nations main education law in 2015.

But that spirit of compromise in education has evaporated in recent months with Trumps election and his nomination of DeVos to serve as education secretary. Murray accused Alexander of ramming DeVoss nomination through the Senate without proper scrutiny. When Republican lawmakers voted this month to overturn an Obama-era education regulation, Murray said they had chosen a retreat from bipartisanship.

Now, the debate over vouchers  stoked by Trumps proposal to invest $250 million in a new federal voucher program, even as he seeks to slash other education programs and domestic spending generally  is shaping up to be the latest in a long list of polarizing issues in Washington.

[Trump seeks to slash Education Department but make big push for school choice]

Democrats generally oppose vouchers, while Republicans tend to support them. Alexander, chairman of the education committee, has said that K-12 vouchers are no more objectionable than the popular G.I. Bill, which helps veterans pay for tuition at the college of their choice, including at private and religious institutions.

DeVos has argued that vouchers are one strategy to make sure that parents have access to whatever school will best meet their childs needs. Every child is different, with varying skills and learning styles. We shouldnt then force all children into a one-size-fits-all education system, she told a gathering of state school board members this week. Our education approaches should be as varied as the students they serve.

Murray argued in her memo Wednesday that vouchers are sold on the premise that parents make the best educational choices for their children. But private schools often do not have to publish the information parents need to make informed decisions, she argued, pointing to states such as Arizona, where private schools do not administer the same tests as public schools, making it impossible for parents to compare performance across all academic institutions.

[How Indianas voucher program soared, and what it says about education in the Trump era]

Without this information about whether students are learning to read, write, do arithmetic, and scientifically reason, schools and parents do not know whether the school is delivering on its end of the bargain, she wrote.

Many voucher programs also do not require teachers to be certified and do not hold private schools to the same financial accountability standards and open-meetings and public-records laws that public schools must follow, Murray wrote.

She said vouchers carry a hidden cost for students with disabilities, who in many states must give up their rights under federal law to receive tuition subsidies. And she argued that for rural communities, far from the nearest private school, vouchers are at best irrelevant.

The better way forward, she argued, is to invest in high-quality neighborhood schools, and to ensure that all schools receiving federal funds meet high standards of accountability and transparency and abide by federal civil rights laws.
PM Dahal to discuss with ex-PMs, China affairs experts before China visit

As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to pay an official visit to China on March 23, the PM is scheduled to discuss the matter with former Prime Ministers and China affairs experts beforehand.
One by one, the teenagers introduced themselves in a crowded library at Eastern Senior High School on Wednesday morning. By all appearances, the student panel had assembled for a college-prep discussion, albeit one watched by a cluster of media.

Last in line was Adonte Yearwood. The 17-year-old, wearing a blazer and khakis, twisted a bit in his chair as he spoke. His dream school, Yearwood said, was George Washington University.

Suddenly, Easterns principal, Sah Brown, appeared in the room, along with Costas Solomou, GWUs dean of admissions, and Steven Knapp, the universitys president.

GWUs mascot was there, too, dressed in his finest Colonial wear.

Solomou said the group was at the school to award a Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship, a full ride to the private university that is given annually to students in the city.

Knapp then said it was his privilege to announce the recipient at the school.

Who is Adonte Yearwood, he said.

In his seat, Yearwood held his hand to his mouth, covering a bright grin. In the crowd, there were cheers and applause. Yearwood shook Knapps hand. The mascot patted the teen on the shoulder, and Yearwood brought him in for a hug. He embraced his mother, Dorene Browne-Louis, who was beaming.

He always says that Im going to make yall proud,  Browne-Louis said before the presentation. This moment definitely exemplifies that.

I was lost, Yearwood said afterward. Honestly, I didnt expect it today. It caught me by surprise. I didnt know what to think. I was just shocked.

GWU officials on Wednesday hand-delivered Trachtenberg scholarships and acceptance letters to nine students, prompting surprises at schools across Washington. Another recipient, who attends National Cathedral School, was notified by phone because she was on spring break.

Its always a thrill to do this, said Knapp, who called it his favorite day of the year.

Soon after, a similar scene unfolded at Dunbar High School as students gathered for a meeting about graduation. When cheerleaders, drummers and the GWU crew filed into the room, a slide about caps and gowns was projected on a screen.

Michael Degaga, who was sitting in the front row, slowly stood up when he was named as the scholarship recipient, though he seemed a bit shy in the spotlight.

His classmates were somewhat less restrained as Degaga made his way to the stage. They whooped and cheered for the 19-year-old, who GWU said in a news release is expected to be his class valedictorian.

I feel overwhelmed, Degaga said later.

GWU, the largest university in the city with 26,000 students, has offered the D.C.-focused scholarship since 1989. The scholarships cover tuition, room and board, books and fees.

The value of that? Priceless, if were counting the relief families could feel without the tremendous financial strain of college bills. In terms of dollars, the estimated value of the award is more than $60,000 a year.

More than 160 Trachtenberg scholars have enrolled at GWU since the program started, and their graduation rate is about 92 percent.

Degaga said he had not yet decided where he will attend college. Yearwood, however, seems set working toward a career in criminal justice at the university.

Definitely! Yearwood said.

The past few years have not been particularly easy for Yearwood. Browne-Louis said that she and her son moved to the Washington area from the Virgin Islands, a change Yearwood was not exactly thrilled about. Last year, Browne-Louiss husband, a firefighter who had not yet relocated with the family, was fatally shot in an unsolved homicide.

She called the scholarship a blessing.

We were very concerned about what we would be able to afford, Browne-Louis said. And so an opportunity like this just speaks to his perseverance and his motivation to do well and to always strive for excellence.

After Yearwoods scholarship was awarded, Ellen Dodsworth, a school librarian, helped shuttle a horde of reporters out the door for interviews. She appeared emotional and acknowledged that the moment got to her.

Its funny because, even though that Ive known for a week and a half that he was getting this, I still had him apply for scholarships, Dodsworth said. I had to keep telling him, dont put all your eggs in one basket, its very competitive.

As she spoke, Dodsworth began to tear up all over again.
Elaine Wheeler (Katie Wanschura) talks with her therapist about her fears and bad memories in Bowie Community Theatres production of Night Watch, closing this weekend at Bowie Playhouse. (Valerie Mikles)

THU 23

Baba Jamal Koram: The Story Man The master storyteller blends traditional and contemporary stories with the music of African and African American cultures in this interactive show recommended for pre-K through second grade. 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301-277-1710. arts.pgparks.com. $5.

#bullyculture Artist Kate Kretzs work explores how entitlement, domination and other forces negatively impact our society. Through April 15. 39th Street Gallery, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301-277-2863. 39thstreetgallery.org. Free.

FRI 24

Little Margie Clark and Friends Vocalist Margie Clark, a.k.a. Little Margie, sings the blues, soul and R&B. 11 a.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301-277-1710. arts.pgparks.com. $10.

Top Dog Bow Wow & Meow Gala The Humane Society of Charles County hosts its annual benefit, featuring live music and comedy, food, a silent auction and more. 7-11 p.m. Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, 3090 Crain Hwy., Waldorf. 301-645-8181. shop.humanesocietycc.org. $75, reservations required.

Laura Dreyer: Manhattan-Rio Connection The saxophonist performs a program of New York-flavored Brazilian jazz, including original compositions. 8 p.m. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. 301-377-7800. lauradreyer.com. $25.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Closing weekend for the Tony-winning comedy about a quirky group of students competing in a spelling bee. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway, Greenbelt. 301-441-8770. greenbeltartscenter.org. $14-$25.

SAT 25

Maryland Day A celebration of the states 383rd anniversary with speeches and free admission to living-history and museum exhibits. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Historic St. Marys City, 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Marys City. 240-895-4990. hsmcdigshistory.org. Free.

Brushstrokes for the Barnyard The Accokeek Foundation sponsors a paint-and- sip event to benefit its agriculture and environmental education programs. Reservations requested. Noon. Muse Paintbar, 122 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill. 301-283-2113. accokeekfoundation.org. $45.

Johnny Seaton and Bad Behavior The 108 Music Series presents this tribute to the music of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. For age 21 and older. 7:30 p.m. American Legion Post 108, 3608 Legion Dr., Cheverly. the108musicseries.com. $20-$25. Spaghetti dinner available for $10.

World Dance Showcase Dance troupes perform in national or regional styles from around the world. 8 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301-277-1710. arts. pgparks.com. $10-$15.

SUN 26

Women in Jazz: From Classrooms to Careers Panelists Candy Shannon of WPFW 89.3 FM, saxophonist Laura Dreyer and trombonist Shannon Gunn will lead a discussion on the circumstances faced by young women pursuing a jazz career. Followed by a wine-and-cheese reception. 2 p.m. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. 301-377-7800. arts.pgparks.com. Free.

Night Watch A woman recovering from a nervous breakdown claims to have witnessed a murder taking place next door, but no one believes her. Closes Sunday at 2 p.m. Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Dr., Bowie. 301-805-0219. bctheatre.com. $17-$22.

Rebirth of the Cool: Jazz From 1959 Through the 1960s A performance by Marianne Matheny-Katz & the M2K Jazz Ensemble. 7 p.m. OCallaghan Hotel, 174 West St., Annapolis. 410-263-0777. jazzbeyondborders.com. $25.

MON 27

Fords Theatre field trip A bus trip to the District for ages 12-17 to tour the theater museum and watch the one-act play One Destiny. Reservations required. 9 a.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, Route 193 and Stadium Drive, College Park. 301-405-2787. pgxtremeteens.com. $34-$45.

Spring Sonata  Works by the Han Mee Artists Association An exhibition of ceramics, calligraphy, sculpture and paintings by Korean American artists. Opens Monday. Through May 19. Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington. 301-203-6070. arts.pgparks.com. Free.

TUE 28

Inspiring African American Women of Calvert County Visitors can listen to and share stories about local women who have made an impact in the county, as well as view portraits by Delphine Williams. 7 p.m. Calvert Library, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291. calvert.lib.md.us. Free.

WED 29

Healing Light A multimedia exhibition by members of the Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance. Through March 31. Doctors Community Hospital, 8118 Good Luck Rd., Lanham. 301-699-1148. hcaaonline.org. Free.
In Avital Meets Avital, two unrelated Israeli musicians  Avi Avital and Omer Avitel  collaborate in a quartet. (Andreas Caspari)

THU 23

The Zombies The British Invasion band performs its almost-50-year-old album,  Odessey and Oracle. 7 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. 202-265-0930. 930.com. $40.

Back to Methuselah: As Far As Thought Can Reach Washington Stage Guild presents the final act of George Bernard Shaws five-play cycle, which examines humanity from Eden to the future. Opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Through April 16. Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 240-582-0050. stageguild.org. $25-$60.

Youre Funny But You Dont Look Jewish Jewish comedians of Italian, African, Indian and Vietnamese descent share their experiences. 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100. sixthandi.org. $15-$18.

Thomas Anders and Modern Talking Band The German pop star performs hits such as Youre My Heart, Youre My Soul and Cheri Cheri Lady. 8 p.m. DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and C streets NW. 202-628-4780. dar.org . $40-$130.

FRI 24

Richard II The Rude Mechanicals stage Shakespeares history play, based on the life of King Richard II of England. Opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. Through April 1. DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. 202-462-7833. rudemechanicals.com. $15-$20.

The Blind Boys of Alabama The original members of this gospel group first sang together at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 30s. 8 p.m. The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com. $35-$70.

Dash Berlin with Vicetone The Dutch DJs perform. 9 p.m. Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE. 202-503-2330. echostage.com. $30-$40.

SAT 25

DC SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day Guillotine Theatre and Women in Film & Video present a family-friendly art potluck (bring an object to share in a collaborative art project) with short films, script readings and poetry readings 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hickok Cole Architects (1023 31st St. NW), plus staged readings and interactive theater

2-6 p.m. at Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW). georgetowntheatre.org . Free.

SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration The days events include taiko drumming, Japanese music and dance, face painting, cherry-blossom-themed craft activities and a scavenger hunt as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000. wapo.st/saamcherry. Free.

Rising Appalachia with Lowland Hum Folk band Rising Appalachia is led by sisters Leah and Chloe Smith. 6 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. 202-265-0930. 930.com. $20.

Architecture of an Asylum: St. Elizabeths 1852-2017 The exhibition explores the architecture and landscape architecture of St. Elizabeths Hospital as it changed over time. On display are architectural drawings and plans from the 1850s through the 1980s, medical instruments, patient-created art, photographs, scrapbooks, furnishings, and paintings on loan from museums and archives. Through Jan. 15. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org. $7-$10.

Avital Meets Avital: Avi Avital & Omer Avital Washington Performing Arts presents the two unrelated Israeli musicians in a jazz quartet collaboration. 8 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 202-408-3100. sixthandi.org. $30.

SUN 26

EL Squad Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with this troupe of Japanese street dancers, known for performing in Tron-like glow-in-the-dark suits. Presented by Joy of Motion Dance Center. 7 p.m. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. 202-488-3300. joyofmotion.org. $20-$30.

Environmental Film Festival The 25th annual event, the countrys largest environmental film festival, closes with four screenings at the Carnegie Institution for Science and one at the National Museum of Natural History. dceff.org. Free-$13.

MON 27

Pike St. In Nilaja Suns one-woman play, a New York City neighborhood unites in the lead-up to a storm. Opens with pay-what-you-can-previews Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. Through April 23. Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW. 202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net . $20-$93.

TUE 28

Cameristi della Scala The chamber orchestra from Milan performs a program in honor of the 150th anniversary of the birth of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini. 6 p.m. Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-289-1908. unionstationdc.com. Free.

Hamburg Ballet: The Little Mermaid The company performs the Washington premiere of a dark, fairy-tale-inspired ballet by artistic director John Neumeier. Opens Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Through April 2. Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org. $29-$125.

WED 29

Peter Brooks Battlefield The directors latest play was inspired by the civil war in Syria. Opens Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Through April 2. Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org. $35.

Blood Knot Mosaic Theater stages Athol Fugards play about two brothers in South Africa. Pay-what-you-can preview Wednesday at 8 p.m. Through April 30. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. 202-399-7993. wapo.st/bloodknot. $20-$60.
Loudoun County

These were among recent cases reported by the Loudoun County Department of Animal Services. For animal shelter hours and location, and information on adoption, licensing, rabies clinics and low-cost neutering, call 703-777-0406.

Injured skunk: Shaw Rd., Sterling, March 11. A caller reported an injured skunk. An animal control officer found the injuries to be severe. The skunk was euthanized.

Raccoon tale: Woodland Rd., 45000 block, Sterling, March 12. An employee at a business found a raccoon in a warehouse. An animal control officer located the raccoon, but it evaded capture by crawling through a hole in the ceiling and escaping outside.

Jumping to a conclusion: Hanbury Ct., 300 block, Leesburg, March 1. The Leesburg Police Department contacted Animal Services to assist with a deer trapped inside an area with a 7-foot-high fence. An animal control officer tried to open a gate to allow the deer to leave. The deer was frightened by the gate, jumped over the fence and ran away.

Up, up and away: Westlake Dr., 46000 block, Sterling, March 16. A caller reported finding a Canada goose that had an injured leg. When a responding animal control officer approached the goose, the apparently uninjured bird flew off.

Hawk rescued: Southland St., 43000 block, Ashburn, March 15. A caller reported finding an injured hawk. The caller used protective gloves and gently covered the hawk to limit its stress. The Animal Services Department does not encourage the public to handle wildlife, but in this case, it helped save the hawk. An animal control officer took the hawk to a veterinarian; it was to be transferred later to a wildlife rehabilitator.

 Compiled by Sandy Mauck
THE DISTRICT

Man attacked, stabbed

in head on bike path

A man was stabbed in the head along a Washington bike path Tuesday afternoon, police said, and suffered life-threatening injuries.

The incident happened about 2:30 p.m. along a bike path in Kenilworth Park in Northeast Washington. U.S. Park Police said they received a call for a report of an assault.

When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds, including one to the head, said Sgt. Anna Rose, a Park Police spokeswoman. He was flown in a medevac helicopter to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, she said.

Rose said officers searched the area for two hours with a K-9 unit but did not find the attacker. The investigation is continuing.

 Dana Hedgpeth

Sex-abuse hearing

for ex-teacher delayed

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday for a former D.C. elementary school teacher charged with sexually abusing three of his students was delayed until next month after prosecutors offered the teacher a plea deal.

Manuel Fernandez, 35, who was a teacher at Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, was arrested Feb. 24 on charges of child sex abuse. Fernandez has remained in the D.C. jail since his arrest.

According to court records, Fernandezs attorney, Bernard Grimm, told the D.C. Superior Court judge overseeing the case that prosecutors offered his client a a pre-indictment plea agreement offer late Tuesday but that Grimm had not been able to discuss the offer with Fernandez. Judge Judith Bartnoff granted Grimm until the next hearing, on April 5, to discuss the deal with his client.

The incidents allegedly occurred between August 2016 and February 2017, according to police.

 Keith Alexander

MARYLAND

Fracking ban advances

with Hogans support

A bill to ban hydraulic fracturing in Maryland cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, days after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) surprised advocates by endorsing the ban.

The state Senates environmental committee voted 8 to 3 in favor of the House bill, with one of the panels four Republicans joining all seven Democrats.

The measure, which has 23 sponsors, now advances to the full Senate, where it needs at least 24 votes to pass.

If Maryland bans fracking, it would be the third state to do so, joining New York and Vermont.

 Josh Hicks


Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan enters the House chamber before delivering his third State of the State address in Annapolis on Feb. 1. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans stratospheric approval rating has slipped in a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll for the first time since the Republican took office, while voter skepticism of President Trump and his party threatens to complicate the governors bid for reelection next year.

Hogan holds a 65 percent job-approval rating, down from a high of 71 percent last September, but still above the highest mark in Post polls for each of the states three previous governors.

Yet Hogans support for reelection lags far behind his approval rating, with 41 percent of registered voters saying they would support him for a second term and 37 percent preferring a Democrat.

The margin has narrowed since September, when Hogan held a 46 to 30 percent edge over a generic Democrat. No Democratic candidate has entered the 2018 race so far, though several have said they are considering it.

[Read full poll results | How it was conducted]





[Md. legislature takes action on immigration, drug bills ahead of key deadline]

The survey underscores Hogans challenge in satisfying a blue state electorate that vaulted him to an upset victory over then-Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) in 2014 but that favored Hillary Clinton over Trump by 26 percentage points in November. Hogans decision not to endorse Trump earned him widespread support, but he has faced continued pressure this year to buck the 45th president and bend to residents liberal leanings on big issues in Washington and Annapolis.

Even with such high approval ratings, hes at risk of suffering from . . . whats going on with the Republican Party, said Michael Hanmer, an associate professor at the University of Maryland and research director of its Center for American Politics and Citizenship.

Hanmer said Hogans reelection is going to depend on who the Democrats put forward and how much they can attach [Hogan] to whats going on in national politics.





Paul Walczyk, a self-described liberal Democrat who voted for Brown, says Hogan has won him over by breaking with his party to distance himself from Trump and vowing to fight to protect the polluted Chesapeake Bay. But he plans to keep a close eye on how the governor responds to the White House in coming months.

If he continues to provide the kind of leadership he has and also comes out strongly against what the administration is doing on health care and immigration and other topics, I would obviously support him, said Walczyk, a 53-year-old Bel Air resident who works in advertising. If he doesnt, it could severely impact my impression of him.

Nearly 6 in 10 Democrats approve of Hogan, but much of that support is soft and cant guarantee protection from an anti-Republican backlash at the polls in 2018.

Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., the states last Republican governor, maintained a 55 percent job-approval rating just weeks before he lost to Democrat Martin OMalley in 2006, a year that showcased how Marylanders frustrations with the national GOP can undermine a popular governors standing.

Immigration provides a window into how perceptions of state and national politics can become intertwined.

By a 65 to 33 percent margin, the poll finds more Marylanders oppose than support Trumps revised executive order to temporarily block travel from six Muslim-majority countries, exempting U.S. citizens and those who received visas before late January.

Hogan has resisted pressure to weigh in against the order, saying his focus is on Maryland issues. Nearly half of Maryland residents both oppose Trumps executive order and say it is absolutely necessary that Hogan speak out against it.

Over 8 in 10 Republicans  83 percent  support Trumps order, although the number falls to 36 percent among independents and 13 percent among Democrats.





The poll finds that Marylanders are cool to local agencies cooperating with federal immigration authorities. A 56 percent majority doubts that increased local involvement in deportations would improve compliance with immigration laws, while three-quarters say it would make undocumented immigrants reluctant to inform police of crime.

But Hogan has vowed to veto what he called an outrageously irresponsible bill passed by the House of Delegates that would limit the ability of state and local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The bill is awaiting action in the Senate.

Bob Bajefsky, a 75-year-old retired attorney from Potomac, is among the Democrats who consider Hogan a reasonable and not overly partisan governor. But he said he has been horrified by Trumps behavior in office and would like to see Hogan stand up to the president and refuse to assist in rounding up immigrants.

In todays environment, with where the Republican Party is, Im probably more strongly inclined toward Democrats than Ive been in the past, said Bajefsky, noting that he last voted for a GOP governor in 1966, when Spiro Agnew ran against a segregationist Democrat. But it would depend on who is running against him.

Democrats who are considering challenging the governor include Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, U.S. Rep. John Delaney, former NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (Baltimore) and state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (Montgomery).

Hogan will probably have a formidable war chest. He had $5 million available for his reelection bid before the legislative session began in mid-January, about 18 months before the June 2018 gubernatorial primaries.

[Maryland Democrats grumble Hogans stealing their thunder]

As governor, Hogan has pursued a moderate agenda focused on growing the economy and reducing regulations and fees, while steering clear of social issues such as abortion and gun rights.

Last week, he backed a ban on fracking, a position overwhelmingly favored by the states heavily Democratic electorate.

He also has proposed his own version of paid-sick-leave legislation, which would require that employers with 50 or more employees provide at least five days off, while offering tax credits to smaller businesses as an incentive for them to provide leave. He has threatened to veto more generous legislation working its way through the General Assembly, including a bill that would require businesses with 15 or more employees to provide five days.

In the poll, 84 percent of respondents favor requiring paid sick leave for businesses with at least 15 workers. There is also strong support for requiring businesses with 50 or more employees to offer the benefit, and 78 percent of respondents said they would support tax benefits for businesses with fewer than 50 workers that provide paid sick leave.

Hogans popularity outpaces that of the Maryland legislature and both major parties in the state. Residents give him the highest marks for his handling of the economy, with 6 in 10 approving. His approach to taxes and education had about half of residents in favor and a third disapproving, while approval for his response to the states heroin and opioid crisis climbed 12 percentage points in the last year, to 47 percent.

Elizabeth Ryan, a conservative Democrat and stay-at-home mom of two school-age daughters, backed Hogan in 2014 because she preferred his stances on education and transportation. His order for Maryland schools to start the year after Labor Day cemented her support ahead of his reelection bid.

Everyone was always afraid to do it, and I dont think they wanted to go up against the teachers or local school boards, but he just did it, said Ryan, 56, who lives in Frederick County.

Ryan said she voted for Clinton in the presidential race and is reeling from Trumps victory. But unlike other Democrats, she isnt itching for Hogan to denounce the president. Its not going to change anything, Ryan said. Hes his own man, and hes going to do whats best for Maryland.

Another challenge for Hogan heading into 2018 is solidifying support in suburbs that tilted Democrat in the presidential election, including Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties.

Together, voters in those jurisdictions favored Hogan by 22 points in 2014 but supported Clinton by 16 points over Trump last year. And his support among them for a second term is eroding: Voters in Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties said they would back Hogan over a generic Democrat by a margin of 34 points  59 to 25 percent  last fall but by 14 points in the new survey.

Michael Psenicska, a 73-year-old math teacher in Baltimore County, opposed Hogan in 2014 but says hes open to voting for him, because he doesnt see any strong Democratic challengers and he appreciated Hogan coming out in favor of the fracking ban.

I do think he will win reelection, and I wont be totally upset with it. I dont agree with everything, but hes trying  said Psenicska, who was raised in housing projects with government assistance. He said Hogan would more likely get his support if he shows me that he has a little more compassion for people who dont have money.

The poll, conducted Thursday through Sunday among a random sample of 914 Maryland residents reached on landline and mobile phones, has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.

Emily Guskin contributed to this report.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer wasnt the only government official to conflate some issues when answering questions about the two undocumented immigrants charged with raping a fellow student at Rockville High School.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), answering questions from a television reporter after touring a police station in Annapolis, made a series of questionable comments about the case, which involved a 14-year-old victim.

According to an audiotape provided by the governors spokeswoman, Hogan blamed the Obama administration for the presence of the two suspects in the United States.

It appears as if this was part of the Obama unaccompanied minor kind of amnesty program where they allowed these kids to come in, he said. They sent them to Montgomery County with no one being provided information.

More than 150,000 unaccompanied minors from Mexico and Central America have crossed the border illegally over the past three years. But those who arrived during that period do not qualify for the deferred-deportation relief that President Barack Obama provided to minors who arrived in the country by 2007, or tried unsuccessfully to provide to those who arrived by 2010.

One of the two rape suspects, Henry Sanchez-Milian, 18, was caught by a Border Patrol agent in Texas seven months ago and was issued a notice to appear before a federal judge. Federal officials have declined to comment on whether they have requested a detainer for the other suspect, Jose O. Montano, saying they could not discuss his case because he is a juvenile, even though he is charged as an adult. According to court records, Montano was born in El Salvador, lived there for 16 years and also arrived in Montgomery County last year.

Hogan also lashed out at the school system for educating the two suspects, apparently unaware that federal law requires it.

We have questions about what the individuals were doing in the school, what their status was, he said. Id like to know when the Montgomery County School System knew  what they knew and when they knew it.

A landmark 1982 Supreme Court decision, Plyler v. Doe, held that states must offer a free public education to all students regardless of immigration status. We serve every student that walks in our door, Montgomery Schools Superintendent Jack Smith said at a news conference later Tuesday afternoon.

Police noted that neither suspect had any criminal charges or contact with law enforcement in the county prior to the rape.

Hogan also asked: We want to know exactly how this was allowed to happen. Why is an 18-year-old man in a ninth grade class with 13- and 14-year-old girls?

As Smith told reporters at the news conference, 18-year-olds, 14-year-olds and 13-year-olds are quite often under the same roof in high schools that go from ninth through 12th grade. Smith said both suspects had been in a special program for non-English speakers at the high school and had not been in classes with the victim.
Sasha (13308/809) is a 7-year-old female Maltese who was surrendered by her owner. She is friendly and good with kids, cats and other dogs. (Prince William County SPCA)

Sasha (13308/809) is a 7-year-old female Maltese who was surrendered by her owner. She is friendly and good with kids, cats and other dogs. Dottie (13099/619) is an 11-year-old female domestic shorthair who was surrendered by her owner. She is good with kids, dogs and other cats.

The Prince William County Animal Shelter, 14807 Bristow Rd., Manassas, makes animals available for adoption by residents of Manassas and Manassas Park and Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Stafford counties. If the animal is spayed or neutered, adopters may live outside these areas. Additional animals can be seen at pwcshelter.petfinder.com. Viewing and adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The shelter is closed Mondays and holidays. Adoptions end a half-hour before closing. For information, call 703-792-6465.
Prince William County

These were among incidents reported by Prince William County police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-792-5123.

DUMFRIES AREA

ROBBERY

Chesapeake Dr., 3100 block, 1:10 a.m. March 10. Two gunmen demanded money from a man. They hit him in the head with a weapon and robbed him of cash, a wallet and a cellphone.

THEFT/BREAK-IN

Tallowwood Dr., 4900 block, 5:15 a.m. March 13. A man entered a residences garage and began punching a large bag. When a resident confronted him, the two argued. The man entered a vehicle that had been left with the engine running and drove it down the driveway. The man exited the vehicle and chased the resident, who fled into the residence and called police. A Dumfries man, 29, was arrested.

MANASSAS AREA

ROBBERIES

Parkland St., 8600 block, 12:24 a.m. March 12. Two men assaulted a male pedestrian and searched his pockets. Nothing was reported stolen.

Sudley Manor Dr., 10400 block, 5:40 p.m. March 10. During an argument in a vehicle, a woman ordered a male acquaintance to exit the vehicle. When he refused, she attempted to call the police. The man threw the womans phone out of the vehicle. He then fled on foot. A Manassas man, 32, was arrested.

THEFT/BREAK-IN

Festival Lane, 10200 block, 1:50 a.m. March 9. A business was entered by breaking a glass front door with a hammer. A TV was damaged in an attempt to remove it. Nothing was reported stolen.

TRIANGLE AREA

ASSAULT

Bradys Hill Dr., 4000 block, 9:35 p.m. March 10. A man assaulted two women and a female juvenile. He also kicked a cat. He destroyed the womens phones when they tried to call police.

ROBBERY

Graham Ct. and Graham Park Rd., noon March 9. Three men assaulted an unknown man and robbed him of a backpack.

WOODBRIDGE AREA

ASSAULTS

Bobster Ct., 16500 block, 11:15 p.m. March 8. During an argument, a man assaulted a male acquaintance. A Woodbridge man, 49, was arrested.

Eagle Ridge Dr., 3200 block, 1 p.m. March 7. During an argument, a man assaulted a female juvenile acquaintance. A Woodbridge man, 19, was arrested.

Minnieville Rd. and Cardinal Dr., 12:58 p.m. March 7. A man riding in an Uber vehicle driven by a female motorist refused to exit the vehicle when the woman determined that he was in possession of drugs and a large amount of money. He forced the woman to drive to several locations. The woman contacted an acquaintance who contacted police. A Centreville man, 26, was arrested.

CHILD NEGLECT

Cinnamon St., 12100 block, 6:18 p.m. March 13. A child was found walking alone in a parking lot. A Woodbridge woman, 43, was arrested.

ROBBERY

Smoketown Rd., 13700 block, 11:08 a.m. March 13. A man robbed a bank of cash.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Hickory Fall Ct., 12100 block, 4 p.m. March 9 to 1 p.m. March 10. Copper was stolen from a residence under construction.

Walnut St., 1500 block, 10:30 p.m. March 14. Cash and shoes were stolen from a residence entered through a rear window.

Manassas

These were among incidents reported by Manassas police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-257-8000.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Liberia Ave., 8800 block, March 12. A man took electronics from a store. Employees confronted the man outside the store, and the merchandise was recovered. The man fled.

Portner Ave., 9000 block, 9:35 p.m. March 8. Two men wearing masks entered a residence through a rear door. They fled with a TV when residents saw them. The TV was recovered.

Manassas Park

This was among incidents reported by Manassas Park police for this edition of Local Living. For information, call 703-361-1136.

VANDALISM

Scott Dr., March 8. A vehicle was scratched.
PMs party eyes statute revision sans boundary

The CPN (Maoist Centre) Parliamentary Party on Tuesday discussed the possibility of endorsing the constitution amendment bill by dropping the proposal to redraw the provincial boundaries.
Henry Sanchez Milian, one of two suspects charged in the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a bathroom at a Maryland high school did not do what he is accused of, his defense attorney said Wednesday.

Based on everything we know, we think hes innocent, said Andrew Jezic, who has been retained by Sanchez Milians family. This appears to have been a consensual encounter.

Jezic said his 18-year-old client is confident he will be exonerated.

An arrest warrant filed against Sanchez Milian and signed by a police detective  as well as a similar warrant against a co-defendant, Jose Montano, 17, who has been charged as an adult  describe a brutal series of sexual assaults inside a bathroom stall at Rockville High School on Thursday morning by the suspects, both 9th graders at the school.

Montano pushed the girl into a boys bathroom and pulled her into a stall as she tried to resist by grabbing a sink, according to the affidavits. Sanchez Milian then entered the stall, according to the affidavit, and the two took turns raping the girl, according to the affidavits, as she cried out in pain and repeatedly told them to stop.

Henry Sanchez Milian (Montgomery County Police)

In court Friday, while describing evidence in the case, a prosecutor cited specific physical injuries the girl suffered. The crimes were the most serious of sex-assault allegations, said Assistant States Attorney Rebecca MacVittie.

This was a brutal attack, Montgomery Police Chief Tom Manger said Wednesday. I am confident that we have a strong case.

In their arrest warrant for Sanchez Milian, detectives said they interviewed him after the alleged rape. He initially stated nothing happened, detectives wrote. Then changed his statement multiple times and admitted to having sex with the victim with his friend Montano.

Montano is being represented by Ron Gottlieb, an experienced attorney in the public defenders office in Montgomery County. Allen Wolf, the head of that office, declined to comment.

Each suspect is charged with one count of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sex offense.

The reported rape has made international headlines and become part of the U.S. debate over immigration policies.

[Rockville High rape case draws attention at White House briefing]

Rockville High School (The Washington Post)

Sanchez Milian entered the country illegally about seven months ago, according to immigration officials and Montgomery County District Court records.

He came from Guatemala, according to the court records. Jezic said he was fleeing from gang threats and gang violence in his home country. It took him about four weeks to get to the U.S., Jezic said.

It was a courageous trek, the attorney said.

Sanchez Milian was picked up Aug. 12, 2016 in the southern tip of Texas by the U.S. Border Patrol, and held by federal officials until Aug. 25, 2016, said Matthew Bourke, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sanchez Milian was released on his own recognizance, Bourke said.

[Suspect in rape at Maryland school was stopped 7 months ago by Border Patrol]

During conversations with the border control, Sanchez Milian provided the name of a family member living in Maryland, Bourke said. Bourke said that immigration officials could find no known gang-affiliations with Sanchez Milian.

Jezic that his clients father told him his son was held for closer to 18 days in Texas. The father said he then picked his son up at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport, and that his father paid for the flight, according to Jezic.

The attorney said Wednesday he couldnt find any indication that a court hearing on Sanchez Milians immigration case has been set. Jezic said that if there is a hearing set, Sanchez Milian will claim asylum because he was fleeing gang violence and threats.

Jezic said he had no indication Sanchez Milian himself was associated with a gang.

Sanchez Milian had arrived in Montgomery County by September, according to court records and to county school officials. He moved in with his father, according to court officials and Jezic. He was enrolled into Rockville High School on Sept. 21, and placed in 9th grade.

Montgomery Schools Superintendent Jack Smith told reporters at a news conference Tuesday night that both suspects had been in a special program for non-English speakers at the high school and not in classes with the victim.

The suspects were unknown to county law enforcement before the reported rape, police officials said.

His familys retention of Jezic puts Sanchez Milian in the hands of a well-respected criminal defense lawyer. A former prosecutor, Jezic is co-author of Maryland Law of Confessions and an attorney at his firm, Himedes Vladimir Chicas, is chair of the Maryland State Bar Associations Immigration Law section.

There has been a rush to judgment, Jezic said. The significant media attention given to the case, he added, has led to his client being caught up in national political debates.

I think that he is being used as an unjust scapegoat by the opponents of recent immigration practices, Jezic said.
A three-alarm fire hit a vacant house in Northwest Washington on Wednesday morning, officials said.

The fire occurred about 6:15 a.m. in the 5800 block of Colorado Avenue NW in the Brightwood neighborhood.

Firefighters reported heavy fire at the two-story house. At one point, a firefighter was reported to be in distress, according to a Twitter message from D.C. Fire. But the firefighter was later accounted for and safe, officials said.

The firefighter was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered serious, officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Roads in the area including Georgia Avenue, Military Road and 13th Street NW had major traffic jams as a result of the fire response.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.), left, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) at the Capitol last spring. Comstock, a Ryan ally who represents a district carried by Hillary Clinton, has not said how she will vote on Ryans health care overhaul that is opposed by all Democrats and some Republicans. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Barbara Comstock was not saying Wednesday how she planned to vote on the big legislative question looming before Congress: the GOP plan to remake the Affordable Care Act.

And with good reason. The second-term Republican was in the hot seat  she is a lawmaker who represents a Northern Virginia district that voted for Hillary Clinton  but she is also an ally of Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), the architect of the House bill.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) predicted Republicans such as Comstock would face threats from the left in 2018 if they vote for the health-care overhaul and from within their own party if they vote against it.

We think they may lose their seats if they vote for it, and Trump was threatening if they dont vote for it theyll lose their seats, Hoyer told reporters Tuesday.

For the bill to pass, Ryan can afford only 21 GOP defectors, and as of Thursday morning at least three Virginia Republicans and Marylands one Republican were firmly against the bill.

President Trump and Vice President Pence continued to press members of the conservative Freedom Caucus on Wednesday, including Rep. Thomas Garrett, a freshman from central Virginia, who said he remained opposed to Ryans bill.

House leadership, the White House and the band of dissenters are all on the same page of wanting to see the best product possible. We just disagree on what that best product possible is, Garrett said in an interview.

He would like to see the House pass a straight repeal of the Affordable Care Act with an enactment date, forcing lawmakers to come up with a compromise everyone can agree on.

Right now the strategy treats the people who have been loyal to the team as enemies and those who have been disloyal as friends, he said, referring to Republicans who voted for dozens of repeal votes in previous sessions.

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), a moderate who may challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine next year, shocked many when he announced last week that he could not support the bill, and he maintained his opposition Wednesday, according to his office. He declined further comment.

Marylands only Republican member of Congress, Rep. Andy Harris, is also a no vote.

This legislation simply wont lower premiums as much as the American people need, and lowering the cost of coverage is my primary goal as Congress and the administration work to repair the healthcare system, Harris, an anesthesiologist and member of the Freedom Caucus, said in a statement.

Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) strongly opposed the bill. Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), also in the Freedom Caucus, has not taken a public position.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the senior Republican in the Virginia delegation and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is a dependable yes, his spokeswoman said.

But these lawmakers come from heavily Republican districts, and their positions do not come at a political cost.

Only Comstock  and to a lesser extent Rep. Scott W. Taylor (R-Va.)  represent districts where a competitive Democrat could conceivably pose a threat. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is officially targeting their districts.

The conservative group American Action Network, aligned with Ryan, is airing ads in Comstocks district telling constituents to thank her for fighting for a quality, affordable health care plan. Urge her to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act now, and then flashes her image and phone number.

Taylor, a Virginia Beach freshman and former Navy SEAL, supports the bill.

I believe 85 percent of something in the right direction is much better than nothing, he said in a statement Tuesday.

An earlier version of this story misidentified House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer. This story has been updated.


Rick and Veda Woosley raise cattle and grow crops such as tobacco in Clark County, just outside Lexington, Ky. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

A soon-to-be father whose wife is getting prenatal care through the Affordable Care Act . A woman whose mother would have been bankrupted by her cancer diagnosis had she not had ACA coverage. An older self-employed couple, insured under the law, who for the first time in our lives can afford to see doctors and buy medicines.

This month, they and nearly 1,200 other people responded when The Washington Post asked readers how they thought the health-care debate on Capitol Hill would affect them: Do you or someone you know have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act? What do you think of the proposed changes by Congress? Are you concerned about a specific part of the plan? Share your story.

With the House poised to vote Thursday on the first potential changes, these replies offer a window on whats at stake for many Americans.

The vast majority of people voiced anxiety, apprehension, even fear. Several doctors weighed in, warning that the countrys most vulnerable citizens would be put at risk by the House GOPs legislation.

[A question about the impact of the ACA and beyond elicits almost 1,200 answers ]

But a small fraction of people said they would be glad to see the law go. Some have watched their insurance premiums soar. Others have been staggered by their plans annual deductibles.

And there are those who still feel deceived, with one woman in Tennessee invoking President Barack Obamas promise that people would be able to keep their plans and doctors going forward. The first day of the ACA I was notified that my insurance was canceled, she wrote.

Here are five of their stories.



Rick and Veda Woosley on the farm where they live and work in Clark County. (Luke Sharrett/For The Washington Post)

When enrollment in the ACAs insurance marketplaces opened in fall 2013, it had been two decades since Rick Woosley had seen a doctor. Not only did he feel pretty healthy, but as a tenant farmer raising cattle and growing crops such as corn, beans and tobacco, he also didnt exactly have the money to buy health coverage.

Nevertheless, he signed up for his states expansion of Medicaid under the ACA. He begrudgingly submitted to a physical and got a nasty shock: He had early-stage colon cancer. Surgery followed.

I felt normal and didnt really want to go take the physical, but if I hadnt I dont even know if I would be here now, Woosley, 55, said late last week, talking by cellphone, surrounded by cows from one of his fields east of Lexington.

The story was similar for his wife, Veda, who went about 15 years without a doctors visit despite persistent breathing problems, he said. After getting on Medicaid, she was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease and put on a nebulizer.

She sees the doctor now once every three months, he said.

The relief the two felt soon gave way to nervousness as conservatives sharpened their attacks on the health law. In late 2015, a pro-ACA governor, Democrat Steve Beshear, left office and an anti-ACA governor, Republican Matt Bevin, succeeded him.

Five hundred Today, 500 miles away in Washington, Trump and House Republicans have proposed changing Medicaid to curb federal spending on the program and give more flexibility to states. The result would be less generous for beneficiaries and could lead many states to kick people out.

Woosley and his wife would be affected.

The farmer, who earned $17,695 last year, suspects that he may not be able to hold on to his health care much longer. He thinks theres little chance of affording insurance on his own  a particular concern for his wife, who continues to suffer from respiratory problems.

Theres not anything you can do, he said. If they say no, its no. Its the government.

(Courtesy of Travis Smith)

Travis Smith has spent much of his adult life without health insurance. That hasnt really worried him over the years, and it doesnt bother him now  even though, at 32, he has a wife and two small children.

Maybe Im a risk-tolerant person, said Smith, a personal-injury attorney who decided to pay the ACA penalty for being uninsured.

When his first son was born two years ago, he and his wife paid cash for the prenatal expenses and birth  a total of about $12,000, he said. It struck him as a reasonable cost.

When their next boy arrived last year, the couple had health insurance purchased through the laws federal exchange. Smith estimates he and his wife paid about $7,000 in premiums and $6,000 out of pocket for the actual birth. It was a wash financially, he thought, but in other ways it was worse. They had to change hospitals because the one theyd used for their first child would not accept their new insurance. They had to change pediatricians, too.

It was sort of like we paid the same amount of money and had no choice, Smith said. What is the point of even having insurance absent a catastrophic thing?

Smith says he would eagerly purchase a catastrophic health plan, which would offer low premiums in exchange for high deductibles. At one point, he found a private plan he liked that cost $400 monthly for a family of four, and included good disability coverage and a generous lump-sum payment in case of an emergency.

Yet the plan did not meet the ACA requirements, which include minimum coverage standards intended to ensure a baseline level of quality. So he would have faced paying a tax penalty  perhaps about $2,000, depending on how much he earns this year.

He decided not to sign up.

We have better use for 10K every year than to blow it on premiums, he wrote to The Post.

(Courtesy of Shelley Powers)

Shelley Powers remembers vividly the low-level fear that was always with her in the days before the ACA. Without health insurance, she worried that a slip or a car crash would send her to the emergency room and into bankruptcy because of the enormous bills.

I was so afraid of making a misstep or breaking something or getting into an accident  just these sudden things that happen and suddenly your life is ruined, said Powers, 62.

Initially, the problem wasnt that she couldnt afford coverage. She was a successful technology worker who spent time in Silicon Valley, starting her own consulting business after the 2000 dot-com bust. But she hesitated to apply for insurance on the individual market because she was overweight, which she thought could be viewed as a preexisting condition and disqualify her from getting covered again.

Eventually she lost the weight. But by then cost loomed as a barrier because, burned out on the tech field, she had retreated to a friends home in the St. Louis area to write computer books. Last year, Powers said, she made $4,000 for that work; the year before, she earned $22,000.

The health-care law not only got rid of the preexisting-condition hurdle but also granted Powers a subsidy that helped her afford her insurance premiums. Every year since, her coverage has gotten more affordable. This year, to her delight, she was able to sign up for a plan that costs $80 monthly with a $2,100 annual deductible.

She worries that the House GOPs legislation will again render insurance unaffordable, in part because it would allow companies to charge older customers as much as five times more than younger ones.

With nearly three years to go before she becomes eligible for Medicare, Powers wonders if shell be able to maintain coverage. The House bill would give her a $4,000 insurance credit, nearly half her ACA subsidy.

Could she get another job? Powers wonders. Not in her field at her age, she figures.

Its not a good place to be, she wrote in her reply to The Posts query. 62 years old and without any health- care coverage.

(Courtesy of Joe Blanchard)

As a severe diabetic, health insurance is a must for Joe Blanchard. Indeed, his entire work career has been shaped by the need to find and keep good employer-sponsored health benefits.

So the 52-year-old computer programmer panicked a few years ago when his company downsized and he was let go.

The company let him keep his coverage until 2014, when the first ACA marketplace plans kicked in and the laws insurance changes went into effect. Those included the rule that insurance companies could no longer deny a person insurance because of preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes.

The changes came just in time for Blanchard, who had started working independently as a consultant. It is a job that suits him, he says, but a career path that would not have been possible before the ACA.

I really enjoy the freedom, he said last week. You have complete autonomy to do what you want to do.



Blanchard earns about $100,000 a year and is paying $767 per month for his health plan. It covers insulin, which costs $285 per vial, but covers only part of the cost of his $9,000 insulin pump. He has paid $1,500 out of pocket this year for the pump and supplies.

In some ways, he may fare better under the House proposal, which would continue to require insurers to cover people with preexisting conditions. And although Blanchards high salary precludes him from qualifying for any premium subsidy under the ACA, he would get a modest tax credit under the GOP plan  about $500 a year.

Still, his age is a factor given the increased age differential in the Republican legislation. He also worries about lawmakers renewed interest in states forming high-risk pools, programs that save insurance companies the financial hardship of covering very costly care.

This is all a guess at best, said Blanchard, his anxieties kindling once again. In my head Im wondering, should I start making this transition . . . and try to find a full-time position solely for the health care?

(Courtesy of Andey Riffle)

Andey Riffle doesnt blame his employer. The small company was doing its best under difficult circumstances, he said, when the rising cost of insurance under the ACA finally led it to stop offering health benefits for its workers.

Things were good until the health-care debacle stepped in and made them bad, Riffle said.

The 44-year-old computer programmer and father of two was forced to turn to the federal marketplace, where he said he discovered that the cheapest plan for his family cost $900 a month and carried a $14,000 deductible. Given his familys $71,000 salary  a sum he and his wife earn working four jobs  he opted to go without health insurance.

Its a risky proposition for the Riffles, who live outside of Tulsa. He has a benign brain tumor that affects his hormones, and the medications he uses to keep the symptoms at bay can run $1,000 per month. He uses online coupons to cut the cost. That brings his charge down to about $500 when the coupons are particularly generous.

If I had insurance, I could get [the tumor] removed and be done with it, he said.

When his 8-year-old daughter had an ear infection last week, the family paid cash  $90 for the appointment and $50 for the medications.

Pricey for sure, but he and his wife have concluded that its cheaper than buying health insurance.

He is not particularly optimistic that the Republican plan to replace the 2010 law will be much better for him and his family. Until the raw costs of health care are brought down through regulation, he does not think anything will make coverage more affordable. Unless, of course, members of Congress are required to use the insurance exchanges themselves.

If they were forced to participate in the system they created, they would make it work, Riffle said.

VIDEO: Two Americans: One saved by Obamacare, the other left behind
As he prepared to travel west, Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke got a letter from a coalition of tribes in Utah on Friday. The group had filled the seats on a commission to manage the new Bears Ears National Monument, the letter said, and Zinke was invited to discuss its future.

But the future of Bears Ears monument status, which the tribes pushed for and President Barack Obama granted just before leaving office, is uncertain. Utahs Republican lawmakers have launched an intense lobbying effort to persuade President Trump and Zinke to rescind the designation.

Management of Western land, with its teeming wildlife and vast mineral riches, will be Zinkes greatest challenge at Interior, and conflict over land is particularly acute in Utah. Its second only to Nevada among the Lower 48 states with the most federally owned land  more than two-thirds  and officials there were still smarting over the 1.9 million acres set aside for the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument by President Bill Clinton nearly two decades before Obama created Bears Ears.

The secretary hasnt commented publicly about Bears Ears, but a statement from Interior about his position on public lands echoed the concerns of Utah Republican officials, who complain that a massive amount of acreage was set aside for the monument without their consent.

Zinke, an avid hunter and fisherman, supports the creation of monuments when there is consent and input from local elected officials, the local community, and tribes prior to their designation, Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said in the statement. Zinke believes monuments are beneficial, but careful consideration is required before designating significant acreage.

The Lockhart Basin in the Bears Ears region in southeastern Utah. (Francisco Kjolseth/Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

Conservationists are worried not only about Bears Ears but also about the future of other monuments. They are concerned that Obamas recent expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument on land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and his designations of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine could be targeted for reduction by the Trump administration.

Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert (R) and members of Utahs congressional delegation say careful consideration didnt happen when Obama set aside 1.3 million acres to create Bears Ears in December.

Herbert vowed to fight the new monument. We know how to challenge this action appropriately through the many administrative, legal and legislative avenues available to us. We will aggressively pursue these options.

He put his states money where his mouth is during a tense phone call last month with leaders of the Outdoor Industry Association. The group demanded that he end his support for a state resolution urging Trump to rescind the monument or lose two annual events that the group holds in Utah. Together, the outdoor-gear trade shows bring about $50 million to Utah.

If youre giving me an ultimatum here on the phone, then the answer is, I guess, were going to have to part ways, Herbert said, and the group decided it would move its trade shows.

Theres going to be litigation if you rescind Bears Ears, said Amy Roberts, the executive director of the association, whose 1,200 members include the Patagonia and North Face brands. The Sierra Club and the Wilderness Society are two of the conservation groups that are against rescinding the monuments designation.

The law appears to be on their side, according to legal experts who study public lands. The president does not have the authority to rescind based on the vast weight of legal opinion, said Bob Keiter, a law professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah.

He has the authority to create monuments, but not un-designate them. Its never been tried by a president before. Congress has rescinded a handful of public monuments. There is precedent for presidents and Congress shrinking national monuments. He could shrink it, but there would be a court case.

[Coal in the Trump era: Industry has a pulse but job prospects are weak]

A coalition of the Navajo, Hopi, Ute and Zuni tribes supported the Bears Ears designation, said Mihio Manus, a spokesman for the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President.

I think that the coalition of tribes that supported the Bears Ears designation did so because there is cultural and historical interest in that area, Manus said. It is those areas were trying to protect.

Mark Wintch, vice president of the Utah Cattlemens Association, said he respects that decision but that a 1.3-million-acre monument is too much. The hikers have access, the ranchers do not. It has become a very personal thing with the large overreach of the government telling ranchers what we can do out here.

A poll released in January appears to show that Utahs residents want their monuments to remain as they are. Sixty percent of respondents said designations should be kept in place. Ninety-five percent said opportunities for outdoor recreation in the state were good or great and 83 percent supported promoting the outdoor economy, according to the Conservation in the West poll by Colorado College.

National parks such as Zion and Arches are a boon to Utah. According to the Park Service, they generated nearly $850 million per year in visitor spending and created 14,000 jobs that paid $435 million in 2015.

The $1.3 billion economic impact of parks and monuments is so important that the state stepped in during the 2013 government shutdown and paid the Park Service to keep them open.

Despite the popularity of federal lands, said State Sen. Wayne L. Niederhauser (R), Utah should control more of the land for both mineral excavation and cattle grazing for its many ranchers.

[Zinke: National parks repair should be part of Trumps infrastructure plan]

Herbert delivered that message to Trump at this years winter gathering of the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. The governor had an opportunity to talk to Trump, and he also has a relationship with Mike Pence, said Niederhauser, the state Senate president. So he has a connection, and were making those connections.

The resolution to fight Bears Ears designation originated in the Utah State Legislature. I dont believe any one person should have that kind of power, Niederhauser said, referring to presidential authority to create monuments. We should make sure this never happens again.

The Outdoor Industry Association says Utahs hostility toward the national monuments and public lands is a threat to its industry. If the group follows through with its decision to remove its trade shows from Salt Lake City, events that brought nearly a billion dollars over the past 20 years would be lost.

Roberts said the association faced a rebellion from its ranks if it remained and that about 10 to 20 retailers said they would pull out of the summer show the association is obligated to hold July 26 through 29. The ones that would stay said they would stay for one more show for us to look for another place.

Patagonia joined forces with two of the shows other marquee brands, REI and North Face, to move the association to action.

Were competitors, but were very united on this issue, said Corley Kenna, a spokeswoman for Patagonia. We think its very important to make this stand on public lands. We see them as under threat.

Conservationists are at a disadvantage with Zinke and know little about his decision process. Hes a former Republican House member from Montana whose votes on environmental issues scored poorly with the League of Conservation Voters.

At his confirmation hearing, he said park recreation is important for all Americans, and he said he has no intention of turning federal land over to the states. But he also said states have a right to revenue from coal and mineral resources buried in their lands.

During a recent weekend trip to Yellowstone National Park, he appeared to enjoy his romp on government land, according to several tweets.

The crews at Yellowstone . . . put me to work today helping clear roads for the spring season, he tweeted under a picture of a snow-clearing bulldozer.

He also signaled his reverence for parks and the need to attack the systems $12 billion maintenance backlog. Looking forward to that infrastructure bill, he said in a message to Congress. Funding repairs in our parks is an investment, not solely an expense.
SC quashes govt decision to promote Chand as IG

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday quashed a February 12 government decision of appointing DIG Jaya Bahadur Chand as the inspector general, paving the way for DIG Nawaraj Silwal to become the chief of Nepal Police.
Mark Webb, the senior vice president of corporate affairs for Dominion Energy, wants readers to believe that the 2015 legislation that allowed his company to lock in an estimated $1 billion in excess profits doesnt hurt consumers [An electric rate freeze is good for Virginia, Local Opinions, March 19].

At the time, Dominion claimed the federal Clean Power Plan would impose new costs on ratepayers that the legislation would shield them against. That thin excuse evaporated completely with President Trumps plan to scuttle the Clean Power Plan, yet Dominion continues to defend its windfall. The Virginia law was always a bad deal for consumers, as it took away regulators authority to examine the utilitys books and order refunds when appropriate.

The legislation should be considered Exhibit A for why corporations, particularly public utilities with monopoly power, should not be allowed to give unlimited campaign contributions to the very legislators who vote on their bills. Dominion Virginia Powers parent company is the largest corporate donor to Virginia politicians, giving almost equally to Democrats and Republicans, and to nearly every member of the General Assembly. When it comes time to vote, there is no one left to call foul.

Ivy Main, McLean

The writer is a volunteer with the

Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Regarding the March 17 news article Science and medicine leaders say spending plan would be dire for U.S.:

Katie Tubb of the Heritage Foundation said government funding of research can crowd out private funding and harm innovation. This raises the question of where and how bright researchers in the private sector obtain their professional training and develop skills and knowledge that form the basis for innovative ideas. Without government grants and fellowships, far fewer students will be able to pursue post-graduate and postdoctoral training programs. University and government laboratories will wither without sustained government funding; we will be eating our seed corn.

Thomas W. Chapman, Washington
Editors note: House Republicans plan to vote Thursday on an Obamacare replacement plan, called the American Health Care Act. On Tuesday, Post Opinions writer Jennifer Rubin and Alice Stewart, former spokeswoman for Sen. Ted Cruzs 2016 presidential campaign, discussed how passage of the bill would affect the GOPs political fortunes. The email discussion was moderated by Post Opinions digital editor James Downie and has been edited for style and clarity.

James Downie: Jen, you said to me before we started this debate that the Republican Party might be better off if the American Health Care Act doesnt pass Congress. Why?

Jennifer Rubin: Thanks for asking me to do this. On the substance, Alice knows better than anyone that the legislation is a dogs breakfast. Its a bill that does not repeal Obamacare and does not address the most acute issue, namely rising premiums. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) keeps promising that will be addressed in the third prong of legislation, but as Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) points out that is never happening (since there are not eight Democratic votes). If the GOP passes this, it will be stuck with the worst of all worlds  a highly regulated insurance market with skimpier tax credits than were available under Obamacare. That, plus the roll back on Medicaid expansion, explains why so many conservatives and moderates oppose it.

The bill was so unworkable Ryan had to come up with a last minute managers amendment to, for example, try to improve support for rural, older voters who are badly hurt. But there is no legislative language laying that out. Those who vote for this literally wont know what is in the bill. In short, its bad legislation that will hurt people, many of whom voted for President Trump. If it passes, the problems with the bill and the hard luck cases will be on the heads of Republicans.

[Republicans four-point plan to help the poor get poorer]

As for the politics, it has already split the party and pitted Republicans against one another. It gets a pitiful level of support. Voters, as opposed to politicians and political insiders, rank health care relatively low on their priority list. Voters really are not clamoring for this. Rather than get mired down in an endless negotiation back and forth with the Senate and be responsible for a lousy outcome, Republicans would be wise to move on to jobs, just as the president said he wanted to do.

If the GOP is convinced this is a winning issue, they can run on it in 2020 and ask for a filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

Alice Stewart: I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on this important issue. As I heard all along the presidential campaign trail in 2012 and 2016, the Affordable Care Act is unaffordable for millions of Americans. Republicans in the House and Senate campaigned on repealing and replacing Obamacare. President Obama promised the American people if you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor and that average premiums would go down $2,500 a year, neither of which turned out to be true.

The current House plan is a good start, but changes need to be made for it to pass. As Jennifer knows, the sausage making of legislation is hard work. I applaud the administration for sitting down with people on all sides of the issue. The Republican Study Committee and the House Freedom Caucus are instrumental in passage of a bill. They need 216 votes to pass in the House and both groups need to come together.

I support the Freedom Caucus and their conservative measures. They want a bill that guarantees lower premiums, an immediate roll back to Medicaid expansion and reasonable work requirements for able-bodied people without dependents. These are measures that Senate conservatives, like my former boss, Sen. Ted Cruz, will support. They are aware that if they dont deliver lower premiums, they are not delivering on their promises to their constituents. They will hold out for a bill that is right, and not just one that is right now.

[How to save the GOP health-care plan]

Rubin: Im not hearing from Alice  because she is an honest person  an argument for this bill. Obamacares faults dont make the case for this particular bill. Significant numbers of Freedom Caucus members are saying the bill does not do what it is supposed to. Perhaps they have internalized the real lesson of Obamacare: Dont pass a bad bill, take responsibility for peoples health care and hope it gets fixed later. Right now, Sen. Cruz wont vote for the bill. And hes right. It should die in the House.

Stewart: President Trump said Tuesday that the GOP will lose seats if the bill fails. The reality is, they will lose seats if they pass a bad bill.

I would imagine, some are probably wishing they had listened to Jennifers earlier suggestion that they should have stuck to jobs and the economy in the first year. However, ignoring Obamacare is not an option, and failure is not an option. These members of Congress go back to their districts each weekend and hear the stories of constituents who have lost coverage, had their premiums skyrocket and have limited choices. Its one thing to be in the minority and point out the problems; now that we have the majority, there is no reason the GOP cant compromise and work towards a bill that delivers on their promises.

Downie: Will the GOP base punish those who vote against the bill?

Rubin: Well, I definitely share Alices concern that if you pass a bad bill the voters will punish you. The House effort seems to be the very definition of a bad bill. I would urge, as Sen. Tom Cotton and others have, to slow this down. No one is asking that health care be fixed today. There are lots of other ways to proceed. One would be to break this up into parts, as many Republicans previously suggested. Try a Medicaid reform bill, for example, using the plan four GOP governors submitted recently to House and Senate leaders. Use another bill to try to address the regulations that are keeping premiums in the exchanges artificially high.

Its tempting to squish this all together in reconciliation but as we discovered it leaves a Swiss cheese bill that no one likes. The outcome will be much more to Republicans liking if they proceed the way I suggest.

[Democrats should offer solutions, not silence, on health care]

And yes, it does involve dealing with the Democrats. Again, the problem (one of them) with Obamacare was in making it the effort of just one party. Unless we are going to rip up health-care legislation every four years, maybe we should see what can be done on a bipartisan basis. If Democrats are intransigent Rs can run on the issue in 2018.

Stewart: Look, Im not convinced that the GOP base is sold on the bill yet. And the fact that Trump is still engaging in The Art of the Deal with House members, indicates its still a work in progress until Thursday. If the final piece of legislation is acceptable to the base and their congressman votes against it, then yes, they will suffer the consequences. They will be the dog who caught the car and didnt know what to do.

Downie: What do you think the fallout will be if the bill passes the House but fails in the Senate? Or will Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) make sure it gets through (and if so, how will the bill change)?

Stewart: Its no secret, the Senate is rarely in a hurry to go anywhere, especially down a dead end road on a health-care overhaul.

While you have Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) saying if they pass it, we will pass it, there are many others, such as Cotton, Cruz and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) who have made it clear they will not support a bill that does not address rising premiums and deductibles which make insurance unaffordable for Americans. They want to keep their campaign promises on repealing and replacing Obamacare.

These Senate members want the House to slow down and get a bill that is right, and not just right now.

[The real world of Obamacare repeal]

Rubin: The Senate sure does slow things down, which is by design. McConnell is the savviest legislator in either party. If the bill comes over from the House, it will spend a long time in committee while he builds support. Hell only bring it to the floor if convinced it can make it through reconciliation and get 51 votes. I dont think that is going to happen anytime soon.

Downie: Lets get final thoughts and predictions. Will the House bill stay largely unchanged, and how many votes will it get?

Rubin: In the Trump era I try whenever possible to avoid prognostication. That said, some news organizations now are reporting there are enough votes to defeat the bill in the House. As a result, I would expect Ryan to pull the bill and announce productive conversations will continue. Trump will try not to mention health care for the next month.

Stewart: Freedom Caucus members will not walk the plank on a bill that doesnt lower premiums. Without that voting block, the bill will not pass the House.

I expect Speaker Ryan will wisely give in to the demands of the conservative House members and put forth a bill that he knows will have the votes needed to pass in the House and be a lot more palatable to Senate Republicans.

This does not mean its smooth sailing in the Senate. Many live by the Pottery Barn rule  You break it, you own it. If they repeal Obamacare, they want a viable replacement on the table. Many are demanding a full repeal or there is no deal in the Senate.
Seeking and winning the presidency has been a magical voyage of discovery for Donald Trump.

Tuesday night, he divulged a most remarkable finding: Abraham Lincoln was  are you sitting down for this?  a Republican.

Most people dont even know he was a Republican, Trump told a group of Republicans. Right? Does anyone know? A lot of people dont know that.

Its possible that somebody doesnt know that Lincoln, the first Republican president, was a member of the Republican Party, also known as the Party of Lincoln. But it has not been for lack of effort on Trumps part. He has repeatedly tried to educate the populace on this little-known fact.

August 2016: Most people dont know this. The Republican Party is . . . the party of Abraham Lincoln.

September 2016: A lot of people dont realize that Abraham Lincoln, the great Abraham Lincoln, was a Republican.

October 2016: A lot of people dont know that its the party of Abraham Lincoln.

[Judges shouldnt ignore what we all know Trumps travel ban is really about]

Beyond this Lincoln revelation, Trump has happened upon many other things that people didnt know. Such as the complexity of health care: Nobody knew health care could be so complicated, he said recently. And the existence of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who died in 1895: Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody whos done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice.

Later, touring the new African American history museum in Washington, Trump discovered that slavery was bad. Spying a stone auction block, Trump said, according to Alveda King, a part of his entourage: Boy, that is just not good. That is not good. King also told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that upon seeing shackles for children, Trump remarked: That is really bad. That is really bad.

Who knew?

Trumps discoveries of seemingly obvious things raise two possibilities: 1) He thinks people are awfully stupid, or 2) he is discovering for himself things the rest of us already knew. Which is true? Nobody knows. But we do know that there are many other things Trump thinks people dont know about.

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See what President Trump has been doing since taking office View Photos The beginning of his term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. Caption The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Sunday school: I talk about Sunday school and people dont even know what Im talking about anymore. Its true.

That Bill Clinton signed NAFTA: A lot of people dont know that.

What a value-added tax is: A lot of people dont know what that means.

That we have a trade deficit with Mexico: People dont know that.

That Iraq has large oil reserves: People dont know this about Iraq.

That war is expensive: People dont realize it is a very, very expensive process.

That the country is divided: People dont realize we are an unbelievably divided country.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Trump, in his bid to educate the public about things he has learned, takes on a professorial tone. Talking about the Johnson Amendment on church-state separation, Professor Trump told an audience that its something people dont know in the kind of detail and depth that I have explained it to you today. Trump had just explained to them the Johnson Amendments provenance: This was Lyndon Johnson in the 1970s.

The Johnson Amendment was passed in 1954. Johnson retired in 1969 and died in 1973.

Trump claims that a lot of people dont know that U.S. taxes are the worlds highest and that nobody knows the U.S. murder rate is the highest in 45 years. For good reason: Those things arent true. Conversely, just about everybody knows that Russia was behind the election hacking, but Trump long asserted that nobody knows if its Russia.

While Trump has said nobody knows everything, he claims to come pretty close. In his own words:

Nobody knows health care better than Donald Trump.

Nobody knows the tax code better than I do.

Nobody knows politics better than I do.

Nobody knows the politicians better than me.

Nobody knows the system better than me.

Nobody knows more about debt. Im like the king.

[Susan Rice: When the White House twists the truth, we are all less safe]

By contrast, Trumps list of things other people dont know about is extensive: the heroin problem in New Hampshire, Ben Carsons performance in the primaries, President Obamas record on deportations, the number injured in the Paris terrorist attacks, the hikes in Obamacare premiums, eminent domain, the existence of two Air Force One planes, Afghanistans mineral deposits, Hillary Clinton flunking a bar exam and the authenticity of Trumps hair.

Trump may be correct when he says most people dont know how much hes worth and dont know that hes a nice person. But hes surely wrong when he says people dont know how bad things are.

A lot of people dont know it, but our countrys in trouble, he has said.

If we didnt know it before, we do now.

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Watching the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, one might easily find oneself wishing Gorsuch were president of the United States.

Alas, hes not. But Gorsuchs selection to replace Antonin Scalia is the sanest act committed by a president whose first 60 days have left him with an approval rating under 40 percent and persistent questions about his stability.

President Trump should be sending champagne to Gorsuch  for life  for projecting enough grace to benefit those who havent a knack for it. This, obviously, would include Trump, whose fitful Twitter tantrums tend to overtake any noble aspirations he might pretend to. But then, I delude myself.

The week has not been kind to Trump, though he alone has earned the text that will follow him into history books. Imagine knowing that future generations will read about the Twitter-fevered illusionist who invented stories to distract the crowds, accusing his predecessor, Barack Obama, of wiretaps in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Imagine knowing what the world now knows  that Trumps paranoid fantasy was just that. Testifying Monday before the House Intelligence Committee, FBI Director James B. Comey said there is no evidence to support the presidents claims. He also said that the FBI is actively investigating whether the Trump campaign had any connection to Russian operatives responsible for the hacking of the Democratic National Committees computers, the contents of which were delivered to WikiLeaks.

(Jenny Starrs/Photo: Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

Comeys remark that Vladimir Putin hated Hillary Clinton so much that he was trying to hurt her  and if it benefited Trump, fine  seemed to dispel suspicions that Trump himself had anything to do with Russias blatant interference with U.S. elections. But who knows? Comey was careful to reveal as little as possible about the bureaus findings.

So that was Monday.

Most of the focus Tuesday turned to Day 2 in Gorsuchs confirmation process. Amid much bluster and box-checking by senators on both sides of the aisle, Gorsuch continued to remind everyone why his peers, especially other judges, consider him as qualified as anyone could possibly be. Calm and unflappable throughout, Gorsuch wore the face of someone accustomed to listening intently without betraying any predisposition or bias.

Democrats naturally had to set out their arguments for their base and spent most of their time questioning Gorsuchs independence and fairness, repeatedly trying to get him to signal whether he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Gorsuch said nothing to appease or agitate, pointing instead to his record of participation in 2,700 rulings. He also made assurances that he takes precedent seriously, noting that Roe has been reaffirmed multiple times.

Gorsuchs stubborn (and ethical) refusal to offer opinions on precedent spoke directly to his independence. To express an opinion, he said, would damage his credibility and perception of fairness with future litigants. It didnt seem that there was any question that would throw Gorsuch off, which is what usually happens when one is secure in the truth and confident of ones convictions.

But, importantly, all got to make their points, including the repellent Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), whose own record, frankly, should disqualify him as an arbiter of judicial integrity. Here is a man who committed one of the most craven betrayals of his generation  not sex with an intern, nor trafficking with prostitutes, but stealing valor.

How does a man who embellishes his military career  implying that he fought in Vietnam when, in fact, he received five deferments before serving stateside  consider himself worthy to prosecute the qualifications of one of the nations most brilliant jurists? When he did serve in the military, Blumenthal was able to secure a cushy position in the Marine Corps Reserve (which is not to impugn his ability to meet the Corps rigid physical requirements), where he was given such jobs as refurbishing a childrens campground and running a Toys for Tots drive.

Not that those arent important.

Blumenthal did issue a public apology in 2010, saying he had meant that he had served during the war, which was and is nonsense. Blumenthal, nonetheless, has found the courage to hit the airwaves and bray his intention to become Gorsuchs fiercest opponent by promising to filibuster.

Gorsuchs hearing should reassure Americans that there are still grown-ups around who are willing to serve. It was also heartening to hear him say that no man is above the law, no man.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla.

March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

The beginning of his term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

The beginning of his term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

The House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday marked the end of the opening installment of The President, the must-watch reality/horror show that has transfixed the nation and the world. Now the plot gets more serious, perhaps darker, with some new characters likely to emerge in key national-security roles.

President Trump should be less of a stage hog going forward, and his Twitter storms less intense. He is often described as a narcissist, but hes not suicidal. He knows he has been rebuffed in a public hearing that he cant ridicule as fake news. With his approval rating below 40 percent, he needs to broaden his base. Trump wants to disrupt, but he also wants to succeed.

Trump and the nation would be well served if his two leading Cabinet secretaries, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, played more prominent roles. Trump needs the solid outriggers that Mattis and Tillerson can provide. This presidency is wounded at a time of potentially serious crises.

Mattis and Tillerson are stabilizers. They have both led big organizations under pressure, and they know what command is. Both have been moving cautiously in the early weeks, feeling their way and mostly keeping their mouths shut in public. They dont like talking to the press, but in that theyre hardly alone among former chief executives and military leaders.

Mattis and Tillerson arent communicating much with the public, but theyre talking to Trump and to each other, while they figure out the strategic positions this administration will take on key issues. The two Cabinet secretaries try to have breakfast once a week, talk frequently by phone, and hash out common positions before each big meeting in the Situation Room.

These two know how to say no to Trump. Mattis famously did so on torture, and Tillerson did the same rebutting a presidential musing about abolishing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Mattis and Tillerson have three paramount tasks  matters of war and peace on which their advice will be crucial for a beleaguered president with big ideas but limited experience.

The first test is eradicating the Islamic State. Trump claimed during the campaign he had a secret strategy, but in office he has sensibly expanded the approach recommended by Gen. Joseph Votel, the Central Command leader, which focuses on capturing Raqqa, the Islamic State capital in Syria. Centcom favors using a militia known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, which is multiethnic but led by Syrian Kurds from a group known as the YPG.

U.S. commanders rightly argue that while the Kurdish warriors are anathema to Turkey, theyre the only hope for quickly seizing Raqqa. Turkeys claims about an alternative Sunni militia known as the First Corps arent credible. Raqqa is an urgent priority: Terrorists there are hatching plots targeting Europe and the United States.

The message to Turkey should be blunt: Let the United States work with the Kurds to clear Raqqa now (and get them out afterward), or Russia, Iran and the Syrian regime will seize the initiative.

A second crisis is building in North Korea. Here, Mattis and Tillerson have combined in warning Pyongyang that strategic patience is over; the United States will not permit the erratic regime of Kim Jong Un to develop a nuclear strike capability targeting the United States. The key to avoiding war is to bolster allies, in Japan and South Korea, and to enlist Chinas cooperation.

Tillerson was in Beijing over the weekend for talks with President Xi Jinping about joint action. I wish Tillerson had taken reporters with him, but it was the right destination and message.

Trumps third challenge, perhaps the trickiest, is to repair the dangerously strained relationship with Russia. Thats complicated by President Vladimir Putins reckless covert action against the U.S. presidential election last year and by Trumps courtship of Putin and his oligarchs, which was foolish at best.

The FBIs counterintelligence investigation must run its course. Until it is completed, there will be a big gray cloud over the administration, as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said Monday. But this doesnt mean that diplomatic dialogue with Moscow and, where possible, cooperation, should cease. After all, detente and nuclear-arms control began in the dark days of the Cold War.

Tillerson, who knows Putin from his ExxonMobil days, is planning to visit Russia next month. Tillerson should attend the NATO summit, too, countering reports he might skip it. But he is the right messenger to Moscow.

As Mattis and Tillerson work on these complex problems, they need to communicate their strategy to America and the world. The United States is facing big questions, and the answers cant be conveyed in 140-character tweets.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Susan E. Rice was national security adviser from 2013 to 2017 and U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013.

Last week, the British intelligence agency GCHQ took the rare step of debunking as utterly ridiculous the Trump administrations insinuation that Britain spied on Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign. On Monday, FBI Director James B. Comey testified plainly that I have no information that supports President Trumps accusations that his predecessor ordered the wires tapped at Trump Tower. These false statements from the White House are part of a disturbing pattern of behavior that poses real and potentially profound dangers to U.S. national security.

The foundation of the United States unrivaled global leadership rests only in part on our military might, the strength of our economy and the power of our ideals. It is also grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust. So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to Americas global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.

First, U.S. power is frequently a function of our ability to rally other countries to join our cause. President George H.W. Bush famously gathered some 30 countries to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in 1991. President George W. Bush enlisted NATO and other countries to fight al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after 9/11. President Barack Obama built broad coalitions to combat the Islamic State; impose sanctions on Iran after the discovery of a secret nuclear facility at Fordow; punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine; conclude the Paris climate agreement; and halt the Ebola epidemic.

For the United States to mobilize collective action, other nations must accept the validity of our facts and the seriousness of the challenge. Often, U.S. requests are costly and politically difficult for other nations to heed. They do so only when convinced that the cause we champion is legitimate and that their interests are served by publicly aligning with the United States. Thus, should America someday determine that Iran is violating the nuclear accord, we may struggle to convince other nations to re-impose sanctions if they doubt our intentions or the evidence we present.

Second, our treaty allies and closest partners depend on the United States to back them against enemies. For decades, they have trusted our commitment because the United States has honored its obligations. Yet when Americas word is frequently found to be false, doubts arise and allies may hedge their bets by reducing their reliance on the United States and seeking improved relations with traditional adversaries. This potential dynamic may be exacerbated by recent flip-flops on foundational, bipartisan U.S. policy  such as our commitment to NATO and Asian allies, the one-China policy and the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict  that leave U.S. partners off-balance and questioning our reliability.

Third, our friends must be able to trust the word of the U.S. president. For example, when Edward Snowden in 2013 disclosed reports of eavesdropping on the personal communications of the leaders of Germany, France, Brazil and other countries, the United States faced crises in key bilateral relationships. It was essential to repairing those ties that fellow leaders accepted as truthful Obamas personal assurances that he was unaware of such alleged activity and that such surveillance would not happen in the future.

Fourth, adversaries continually seek to divine our intentions, limits and ambitions. They may be more prone to miscalculate, thus risking conflict, when they doubt whether the United States means what it says. Is Russia certain we will defend every NATO ally at all costs? Does China think we want a trade war or stable economic relations? Does Kim Jong Un fear we may use force preemptively to counter his nuclear and missile capabilities? The United States words matter. Critical calculations are based on our perceived credibility.

Finally, many Americans, not just the broader world, recoil in anxiety and confusion when a U.S. administration fosters counterfactual assertions and projects unpredictability. When the American people question the commander in chiefs statements, his ability to harness public support to confront a national crisis is undermined.

First impressions matter, and an unsettling pattern has already been established. Still, it is possible to mitigate the long-term effects of this vacation from veracity  if the White House and the president quickly and convincingly return to the tradition of endeavoring to tell the truth from the Oval Office and the White House briefing room. If they do not, one is left to wonder whether the damage inflicted on U.S. global leadership is the deliberate derivative of the deconstruction of the administrative state or simply the lasting consequence of compulsive mendacity. Either way, the United States national security will suffer.
Torture victims compensated

The government has provided compensation to two persons who were tortured in police custody in Banke district.
Correction: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly reported Germanys trade surplus. The correct figure for last year was 8.25 percent, down from 8.5 percent in 2015.

PERHAPS THE best that can be said about the meeting between President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week, and the parallel session of the Group of 20 finance ministers in Germany over the weekend, is that everyone got through them. German-American relations are at a low ebb, in part due to Mr. Trumps excoriation of German trade surpluses, which his aides have attributed to currency manipulation and other purportedly unfair practices. Mr. Trump compounded the bad atmosphere by blasting Germany on Twitter for allegedly owing the United States and the Atlantic alliance vast sums for its defense.

Before this gets totally out of hand, it is probably worth reviewing what is legitimate about Mr. Trumps critique and what is not. Ms. Merkels own defense minister has acknowledged that Germany can and should do more to meet the NATO defense spending target of 2 percent of economic output per year. Thats true even if it is bogus, legally and economically, to speak of a German debt to the United States. Why Mr. Trump would have spread his mistaken concept on Twitter, in bullying language to boot, after the Germans had spoken in conciliatory terms on this point is no clearer than the rationale for any of his other outbursts on social media.

On the matter of trade, however, Germany has been less inclined to acknowledge the reasonable views of critics  even when the questions emanate from far cooler heads than the Trump administration. Indeed, it was the Obama administration Treasury Department that first took aim at Berlins chronic huge surpluses (about 8.25 percent of gross domestic product last year) in its October 2013 semiannual report on international trade, stopping just short of a direct currency-manipulation accusation against Germany. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have all repeatedly called upon Germany to import more and export less  on the grounds that this would help its European partners find more markets for their goods and grow out of their respective debt crises.

Germany has increased reliance on growth through domestic demand since the 2013 Obama administration report  slightly. One cause of greater spending on goods and services, as it happens, was Ms. Merkels decision to house, feed and educate nearly 1 million asylum seekers in 2015  something Mr. Trump might have considered before condemning her during his campaign. But there is more, much more, that Germany could contribute to the cause of intra-European and global economic rebalancing, in particular by investing in infrastructure. Berlin nevertheless resists, fiercely, out of a stubborn, almost dogmatic commitment to budget-balancing and trade surpluses.

Frustrating as U.S.-German dealings on this point were for his predecessor, Mr. Trumps attempt to bludgeon Berlin into submission has proved counterproductive. Even if it were not an election year, Ms. Merkel could not capitulate to an American president who is profoundly unpopular among her voters. Instead, she is portraying Germany as a defender of free trade and trying to rally Japan and China to the cause, a job made easier by Mr. Trumps embrace of openly protectionist thinking. Sometimes in international politics, what counts is not the argument you make, but how you make it, and Ms. Merkel is proceeding accordingly. Smart lady.
DERMALOG scientists continuously develop Biometric Identification Systems. Here it is possible to highlight Fingerprint Recognition, Face Recognition and Iris Recognition. Used combined in one project, multi-biometric solutions provide a crucial contribution against identity fraud. (Jaysonphotography/Dermalog Identification Systems Gmbh Via Associated Press)

Alvaro Bedoya is the founding executive director of Georgetown Laws Center on Privacy and Technology and co-author of The Perpetual Line-Up: Unregulated Police Face Recognition in America .

You probably remember the day you got your drivers license. You went to the department of motor vehicles, took a driving test, stood for a photograph and then got your license. What if you  and most other teens in the United States  were then asked to submit your fingerprints for criminal investigations by the FBI or state police?

It sounds absurd, even Orwellian. Yet, one by one, over the past 15 years, 29 states have done something similar with our faces: They have allowed police or the FBI to use face-recognition technology to scan and search drivers faces for investigations  much like they would the fingerprints of criminals. In this way, most American adults can find themselves in a criminal face-recognition network.

In 1892, Sir Francis Galton published a treatise in which he argued that the patterns on our fingers were an incomparably surer criterion of identity than any other bodily feature. Today, fingerprinting is ubiquitous. But the limits of the technique are clear: Fingerprinting is a targeted, one-off process whereby a single person is identified, typically through an in-person or on-site interaction.

Advanced face recognition, on the other hand, lets police identify people from far away and without interacting with them. It also lets them remotely identify groups of people. Picture police using telescope-like cameras to surreptitiously photograph and identify organized-crime figures at a meeting. Imagine a street surveillance camera that scans the face of every person walking by. Now, picture a world in which body-worn police cameras are equipped with real-time face-scanning software.

This is real technology  on sale, in use or coming soon. These tools will catch dangerous criminals, but, left unchecked, they also create profound questions about the future of our society.

Will you attend a protest if you know the government can secretly scan your face and identify you  as police in Baltimore did during the Freddie Gray protests? Do you have the right to walk down your street without having your face scanned? If you dont, will you lead your life in the same way? Will you go to a psychiatrist? A marriage counselor? An Alcoholics Anonymous meeting?

In the future, will you call the police if, seconds after seeing you, an officers body camera will scan your face and search it against various government databases? What if you have a criminal record? What if you have overstayed your visa?

In scope, law-enforcement face-recognition systems recall the National Security Agencys call-records program, which logged all of our calls in the form of metadata. Face-recognition technology already scans some 125 million adult faces. This has never happened before  not with DNA or fingerprints, which are kept in smaller national networks made up mostly of known or suspected criminals.

Yet law-enforcement face-recognition systems have received a fraction of the NSAs oversight. No federal law governs face recognition. No court decision limits it. On Wednesday morning, a hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will mark only the second congressional hearing on the subject.

Over 4 years, the FBI searched drivers faces more than 36,000 times  without warrants, audits or regular accuracy tests. Maryland and Ohio enrolled all of their drivers faces into criminal face-recognition networks without telling them. In Florida, the oldest and perhaps most frequently used system lets police search someones face even if that person is not suspected of a crime. In fact, officers are encouraged to use face recognition whenever practical.

This rules-free environment is made worse by the fact that face-recognition technology makes mistakes  far more than fingerprints. A 2012 study co-written by an FBI expert found that face recognition makes more mistakes when searching for the faces of African Americans, women and young people. Depending on how a system is configured, these errors could result in innocent people being investigated.

You may brush off modern privacy invasions. Perhaps you have nothing to hide. But do you resemble someone who does?
Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Manafort, who joined the Trump campaign in March, served as campaign chairman from May until his resignation in August. (Matt Rourke/AP)

New corruption allegations lodged in Ukraine against President Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, have thrust Manafort back into the forefront of ongoing scrutiny over whether the Trump team coordinated with the Russian government to influence the U.S. election.

The allegations were disclosed Tuesday at a news conference by a Ukrainian lawmaker who said he had obtained documents showing that Manafort had attempted to hide payments he had received from the party of Ukraines former president, who is living in Russia and wanted on corruption charges in his home country.

A spokesman for Manafort called the claims baseless and said some of the documents released Tuesday appeared to be fabricated because the letterhead and signatures did not match those belonging to Manafort.

The spectacle in Kiev came just hours after FBI Director James B. Comey confirmed the existence of a federal probe into possible connections between Trumps campaign and the Kremlin.

It also followed an apparent effort by the White House to distance Trump from the man who helped lead his campaign during five critical months into last summer, with White House press secretary Sean Spicer declaring Monday that Manafort had played a limited role for a very limited amount of time in the campaign.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Manafort, 67, a longtime lobbyist and Republican strategist, was hired by the Trump campaign in March 2016, a time when Trump was winning primaries but feared he could still lose the nomination if his team failed to properly master arcane convention rules and wrangle votes from Republican delegates. In May, he was named the campaigns chairman.

From the start, there was focus on Manaforts ties to pro-Russian figures, given Trumps repeated calls to forge closer relations to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russias emerging role over the summer in seeking to meddle in the U.S. election.

U.S. intelligence officials have said that the Kremlin orchestrated the politically damaging hacks of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta.

Manafort had done business with Putin-aligned business titans and worked in Ukraine for former president Viktor Yanukovychs political party starting in 2004. Yanukovych fled the country in 2014 amid violent street protests.

The issue of Ukraines relationship with Russia was a point of contention during the campaign, with Trump expressing openness to consider easing U.S. sanctions on Moscow that had been imposed after Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Manafort resigned as Trumps campaign chairman in August, after the New York Times reported that his name appeared in a black ledger that showed he was paid $12.7 million in secret cash payments from Yanukovychs party. Manafort has denied receiving the payments and said he is the victim of political infighting in Ukraine.

Now, Manafort has come under scrutiny in an FBI investigation into possible foreign corruption involving Ukrainian politics, according to people familiar with the matter. The Ukraine corruption investigation is related to the broader counterintelligence investigation into alleged contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russian officials, these people said.

But Manafort vehemently denies any involvement in the Russian efforts and has told people close to him that he is eager to testify before congressional committees investigating Moscows intervention in the election.

In a statement, Manafort said he was the victim of a blatant attempt to discredit me and the legitimacy of the election of President Trump.

I had no role or involvement in the cyberattack on the DNC or the subsequent release of information gained from the attack, and I have never spoken with any Russian Government officials or anyone who claimed to have been involved in the attack, he said. The suggestion that I ever worked in concert with anyone to release hacked emails or sought to undermine the interests of the United States is false. Despite the constant scrutiny and innuendo, there are no facts or evidence supporting these allegations, nor will there be.

[Inside Trump adviser Manaforts world of politics and global financial dealmaking]

The new allegations against Manafort were leveled by Serhiy Leshchenko, a lawmaker and journalist, who on Tuesday released a copy of what he said was an invoice on letterhead from Manaforts consulting company, based in Alexandria, Va., dated Oct. 14, 2009, to a Belize-based company for $750,000 for the sale of 501 computers.

On the same day, Manaforts name is listed next to a $750,000 entry in the black ledger released by anti-corruption investigators in August. The list was found at the party headquarters in the turmoil after Ukraines 2014 revolution.

Leshchenko alleged that Manafort falsified an invoice to the Belize company to legitimize the $750,000 payment to himself.

Nazar Kholodnytskyi, a deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine whose department specializes in corruption cases, said in an interview Tuesday that the documents hadnt been confirmed by law enforcement or, to his knowledge, submitted for examination. There is an ongoing investigation into the black ledgers, he said, but Manafort was not a target of that investigation.

Manaforts spokesman, Jason Maloni, said the new documents released Tuesday appear to be fabricated. We have seen some of the new documents and they are not Pauls letterhead or Pauls signature, he said.

Maloni added that Leshchenkos claims should be summarily dismissed.

Leshchenkos name has emerged separately in a cache of more than 285,000 personal messages apparently stolen from the iPhone of Manaforts daughter, Andrea Manafort, 31, and dumped in February on a website used by cyberhackers.

Maloni said Manafort has confirmed that his daughters phone was hacked and that some of the texts are authentic, but he has declined to authenticate the entire cache. Maloni said Andrea Manafort declined to comment.

The posted texts show Manafort had received a blackmail email purportedly from Leshchenko in August, threatening to release information about Manaforts work in Ukraine. Leshchenko has said he did not send the email. Maloni said Manafort did not know who was behind the threat but had turned the matter over to his lawyer.

In her texts, Andrea Manafort dismissed the idea that her father would have taken cash as described in the Ukrainian ledger. Its just a bunch of hogwash, she wrote a few days after he resigned. My dad is a lot of things but he isnt stupid.

But she also apparently expressed deep reservations about his work overseas.

Dont fool yourself, she wrote to her sister in 2015, according to the posted texts. The money we have is blood money.

Andrea Manafort also portrayed her father as being at the center of Trumps campaign, texting a friend in April that he was Trumps right hand man, one posted message said.

Hes super tight w the trumps. All the kids call him all the time, she wrote, according to the messages posted online.

Roth reported from Kiev, Ukraine. Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously raised the bar for the educational benefits owed to millions of children with disabilities in one of the most significant special-education cases to reach the high court in decades.

The opinion rejected a lower standard set by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and used in a subsequent case by President Trumps nominee to the high court, Neil Gorsuch, during his tenure on the appeals court. The high courts ruling quickly became the focus of questions Wednesday at Gorsuchs confirmation hearing.

In its unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court said that a childs educational program must be appropriately ambitious in light of his circumstances and that every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives even if the child is not fully integrated into regular classrooms.

[Court to decide: What do schools owe children with disabilities?]

The court stopped short of setting a bright-line rule, deferring to the expertise and judgment of school officials and acknowledging the unique set of circumstances of each child with a disability.

But the justices sent a strong, clear message with their unanimous decision that the 10th Circuit standard was too low.

Any standard, the court said, that is not centered on student progress would do little to remedy the pervasive and tragic academic stagnation that prompted Congress to act when it passed the 1975 law that provides federal funds to help states cover the cost of educating students with disabilities.

When all is said and done, a student offered an educational program providing merely more than de minimis progress from year to year can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all, wrote Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who wrote the 16-page opinion. For children with disabilities, receiving instruction that aims so low would be tantamount to sitting idly . . . awaiting the time when they were old enough to drop out.  

Lower courts have been split on what level of educational benefit is guaranteed under the federal law known as the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act, or IDEA. The majority of appeals courts, including the 10th Circuit, say that students are owed some benefit, which courts have interpreted to mean just more than trivial. Two appeals courts established a higher bar, calling for a meaningful benefit.

The Supreme Courts decision more clearly defines a uniform nationwide standard for the more than 6 million children with disabilities who qualify for services under IDEA. Advocates said that the ruling would not only affect decisions in the relatively few special-education disputes that go to court but would also more broadly shift the balance of power between families and school officials, pushing schools to set more ambitious goals tailored more carefully to each students particular needs.

Gary Mayerson, a board member of the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, said that the timing of the decision couldnt be better, as it comes just before the spring season when many schools draw up individual education plans for students with disabilities.

School districts will have the perfect opportunity to do the right thing and create programs that are consistent with the new clarified standard, Mayerson said.

The court did not raise the bar as far as some advocates had hoped, to call for substantially equal opportunities for students with disabilities  a standard that critics said could have significantly increased costs. Francisco Negron of the National School Boards Association said the decision was measured and set an expectation that school districts will be comfortable with and reflects in many ways how theyre already operating.

The justices released their decision Wednesday morning as Gorsuch was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the third day of his confirmation hearings.

Almost immediately, he was asked about his application in 2008 of the lower 10th Circuit standard. He said that standard was set in a 1996 decision, which determined that services have to be more than de minimis or, in other words, result in at least minimal progress by the student.

I was bound by circuit precedent, Gorsuch told the committee, saying that ruling against a child with autism and his parents was heartbreaking.

He added that his circuit was unanimously taking the same position in all such cases. Now that the Supreme Court has said that is the wrong standard, he said, Fine, I will follow the law.

[Gorsuch hearings Day 3: Democrats press judge on his independence from Trump]

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said Gorsuch had read the law the wrong way and made the precedent worse by adding the word merely to the standard.

In response to a series of follow-up questions from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gorsuch rejected her suggestion that he was anywhere out of the mainstream in applying the standard rejected by the Supreme Court. He noted that several other appellate courts had relied on the same standard.

Scheduled to testify at Gorsuchs hearing later this week is Jeff Perkins, the father of the child with autism whom Gorsuch ruled against in the 2008 case.

The case decided Wednesday involves Endrew F., a Colorado boy who was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

His parents pulled him out of a public schools in Douglas County, south of Denver, after his behavior deteriorated dramatically and he made what they said was almost no academic progress. They placed him in private school, where he made rapid progress, and they sought reimbursement for tuition. They are entitled to that reimbursement if they can prove that the public school failed to provide a free appropriate public education under federal law.

The 10th Circuit ruled in 2015 against Endrew, finding that he had made enough progress under his education plan to satisfy the merely more than de minimis standard. Gorsuch was not part of the panel that decided that case. The Supreme Courts decision on Wednesday sends the case back to the appeals court to decide in light of its decision.

William Trachman, a lawyer for the Douglas County schools, said the district is confident that its work already meets the Supreme Courts standard and looks forward to proving it.

Colorado lawyer Jack Robinson represented both Endrew and the Perkins family in the 2008 case. Robinson said that until now, too many schools have treated parents dismissively, understanding that  because of the 10th Circuits rulings  they would not be held accountable for failing to adequately serve a child with a disability.

The Supreme Courts decision changes the equation for schools, he said, giving parents a posture of greater strength in negotiating for what they believe is best for their children.

Robert Barnes contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday debated whether law enforcement officers can be held liable for using excessive force when their actions provoke a violent confrontation.

The case comes at a time of heightened public concern about police-involved shootings and arose after sheriffs deputies barged into a shack and shot a homeless man the officers mistakenly thought was pointing a rifle at them.

There is broad legal agreement that police facing a threat can shoot to save their lives. In this case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit found that the shooting itself was constitutional. But that court held the Los Angeles County deputies liable for provoking the shooting because they did not have a search warrant, and upheld $4 million in damages.

Through their questions, the justices appeared to be trying to balance the need to compensate injured victims with legal protections for police, who often must make split-second decisions in dangerous situations.

When does the police officer pay the victim who is suffering . . . if the victim had nothing to do with causing the loss? Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked the deputies attorney, E. Joshua Rosenkranz.

The high court has suggested recently that an officers actions before a shooting should not be considered in determining liability, but Leonard J. Feldman, the attorney for the homeless man and his then-girlfriend, urged the court to consider all of the circumstances that gave rise to the encounter.

The deputies  Christopher Conley and Jennifer Pederson  were dispatched to a home in a Los Angeles suburb in 2010 to help track down a fugitive and assigned to search the back yard where officers suspected the missing parolee might be hiding.

When Conley pulled back a blue blanket shielding the doorway of a run-down plywood shack, the deputies saw the silhouette of a man who appeared to be pointing a rifle at them. Gun! Conley shouted before the deputies fired into the windowless shack.

The man inside was not a fugitive, but Angel Mendez, who was living with his pregnant girlfriend, Jennifer Lynn Garcia. The firearm was a BB gun, and Mendez was not pointing it at the deputies, but shifting his position on the futon.

The bullets hit Mendez in several spots and required the amputation of a portion of his right leg. Garcia, now married to Mendez, was hit in the shoulder and left hand, but delivered a healthy baby.

The 9th Circuit ruled that the entry without a warrant violated the couples Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches. Even a reasonable use of force by law enforcement becomes unreasonable, the court said, if an officer intentionally or recklessly provokes a violent confrontation by committing a separate Fourth Amendment violation.

The oral argument on Wednesday was dominated for a time by an extended exchange between Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Elena Kagan about whether there would have been a different outcome had the deputies obtained a warrant before entering the shack.

Kagan and Sotomayor seemed to agree with the Mendezes view that the shooting was foreseeable because the deputies entered the shack without a warrant. Kagan suggested that violence was more likely to ensue when officers do not tell homeowners before entering that they have a warrant.

Kagan pressed Rosenkranz: Why wouldnt it be that a death or injury that results when somebody barges into, goes into somebodys home without legal authorization, that one of the things that foreseeably can result from that is a shooting?

Roberts repeatedly rejected the 9th Circuits finding that the failure to obtain a warrant created the circumstances that led to the shooting because the deputies were not obligated to announce their entry in advance.

Why and in what way did the failure to get a warrant cause everything that followed? Roberts asked the Mendezes attorney several times. The failure to get a warrant did not cause the entry.

Feldman responded: If the officers dont have a warrant and they enter, they are trespassers.

Nicole A. Saharsky, an assistant to the solicitor general, joined the countys attorney in urging the justices to reject the 9th Circuits ruling that she said requires officers to second-guess their actions in the face of a threat.

The case is County of Los Angeles v. Mendez.
The U.S. Secret Service requested $60 million in additional funding for the next year, offering the most precise estimate yet of the escalating costs for travel and protection resulting from the unusually complicated lifestyle of the Trump family, according to internal agency documents reviewed by The Washington Post.

Nearly half of the additional money, $26.8 million, would pay to protect President Trumps family and private home in New Yorks Trump Tower, the documents show, while $33 million would be spent on travel costs incurred by the president, vice president and other visiting heads of state.

The documents, part of the Secret Services request for the fiscal 2018 budget, reflect the costly surprise facing Secret Service agents tasked with guarding the presidents large and far-flung family, accommodating their ambitious travel schedules and fortifying the three-floor Manhattan penthouse where first lady Melania Trump and son Barron live.

Trump has spent most of his weekends since the inauguration at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and his sons have traveled the world to promote Trump properties with Secret Service agents in tow.

The documents reviewed by The Post did not show how the new budget requests compare with the funding needs for past presidents, and such figures are not public information. The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency, declined to provide cost breakdowns and have said in the past that such figures are confidential, citing security concerns.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

A person familiar with internal Secret Service budget discussions said the requests for additional funding, prepared in late February, were rejected by the Office of Management and Budget, an arm of the White House. That means the agency will probably have to divert other spending to handle the additional burden. While best known for protecting the president, Secret Service agents also investigate cybercrimes, counterfeit-money operations, and cases involving missing and exploited minors.

The Secret Service declined to respond to questions after The Post provided a summary of the documents. The service referred questions to DHS, which also declined to comment. The White House referred questions to the Secret Service and the Office of Management and Budget, which did not initially respond to requests for comment. After the article was posted online Wednesday, an OMB staffer issued a statement to The Post saying that the Secret Service is continuing to refine its budgetary estimates. The staffer also said that the claim that OMB denied the $26.8 million request for Trump Tower and family expenses was outright untrue and that OMB supported its funding.

The budget requests reflect a potentially awkward contrast between Trumps efforts to cut federal spending in many areas and the escalating costs of his travel itinerary. Trump jetted to Mar-a-Lago on Friday for his fifth post-inauguration weekend trip, one day after the White House released a federal budget proposing deep cuts to many government programs.

[Hes baaaack!: Trumps visits to Mar-a-Lago are stretching Palm Beachs budget and locals patience]

Former agents said the requests indicate that the agency had to adapt to offer full protection for a president and first family who appear to have placed few limits on their personal travel and living arrangements.

The Secret Service cannot dictate the lifestyle of the protectee. They have to work around it, said Jonathan Wackrow, a 14-year Secret Service employee who is now executive director of the risk-mitigation company RANE. I dont think they expected him to go to Florida so often.

This was an unanticipated reality, he added, for which the Secret Service had to quickly readjust operations.

Banke International director Niraj Masand, far left, poses for a photo with Eric Trump, Banke International director Porush Jhunjhunwala, Donald Trump Jr. and DAMAC Properties Chairman Hussain Sajwani during festivities marking the formal opening of the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai on Feb. 18. (AP)

Some of the public funding could potentially become revenue for Trumps private company, the Trump Organization, which owns the Trump Tower that agents must now protect. The Defense Department and Secret Service have sought to rent space in Trump Tower but have not said how much space theyre interested in, or at what cost. Neither the Secret Service nor the Trump Organization have disclosed how much public money, if any, is being spent toward Trump Tower space or other costs.

The Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment.

The Secret Service would not provide any details on the typical budget for protecting the first family. The agency requested $734 million for its fiscal 2017 operations and support protection budget, which would include the expenses for all protected individuals and foreign heads of state, DHS budget documents show.

The $26.8 million funding request says the money is needed for residence security operations at the presidents private residence in Trump Tower, with roughly $12.5 million earmarked to cover personnel related costs in New York.

The money would also go toward protective assignments for the presidents children and grandchildren, as well as costs for protective advances and protective intelligence activities. The request also sought six additional full-time-equivalent positions for the Trump security details.

The $26.8 million budget item is marked as $0 in previous years, which former Secret Service agents said probably meant that the costs were part of a new budget category designed to encapsulate the unusual expense of protecting the first lady and the presidents youngest son because they live outside the White House.

There were also additional undisclosed costs, spent in fiscal 2017, to install equipment and infrastructure to secure Trump Tower, according to the request.

[Trump familys elaborate lifestyle is a logistical nightmare  at taxpayer expense]

W. Ralph Basham, a longtime Secret Service employee who served as director under President George W. Bush, said that the agency clearly had no crystal ball to predict Trumps victory and, thus, had not accounted for the price tag of his presidency.

The expense of taking on a family like the Trumps versus taking on a family like the Clintons, he said. Its a totally different funding scenario.

New York City boasts some of the highest real estate prices in the nation, and Basham noted that the Secret Service does not have the liberty of going out in New Jersey to find cheap rental space. You have to be there, he said, referring to Trump Tower.

Basham said it is difficult to pinpoint exact expenses at this stage in the budget process. But he estimated that the $26.8 million request would probably include costs for command centers, agents room and board, communications expenses and rental space.

Jeffrey Robinson, co-author of the book Standing Next to History: An Agents Life Inside the Secret Service with former Secret Service agent Joseph Petro, said the logistics of protecting Trump Tower are a nightmare because of its easily accessible location on Fifth Avenue.

They have to secure Trump Tower because Melania is there, Robinson said. They protect the first family. They have to protect the grandchildren. This is going to be an expensive operation.

Robinson said the budget request is not surprising, considering that the agency is mandated by Congress to protect the president. They need the money that they need, he said.

A separate travel-funding request seeks $33 million on top of the agencys $74 million fiscal 2018 protection-travel budget. The document justifies the request by saying that Secret Service travel, in general, is extremely variable, difficult to predict and difficult to plan for in advance as many protectees travel plans are unknown with limited time to prepare.

The request does not specifically name Mar-a-Lago, and the travel budget changes year to year based on many factors. The total protective travel budget for fiscal 2015 was about $80 million. That figure climbed to $160 million in the heat of the 2016 presidential campaign, when agents were protecting multiple candidates.

But former agents said that, typically, costs go down in the first year of a new presidency.

Before taking office, Trump repeatedly criticized the cost of President Barack Obamas travel, saying the fact that Obamas trips were costing taxpayers millions of dollars was unbelievable. During the campaign, Trump pledged to save public money by working diligently in Washington and skipping out on expensive travel.

Theres no time for vacation. Were not going to be big on vacations, Trump said at a campaign rally last year. The White House is this incredible place. It represents so much, and youre there for a limited period of time. If youre at the White House and you have so much work to do, why do you fly? Why do you leave so much?

The conservative group Judicial Watch, which closely tracked Obamas family travel, estimated the Obamas vacation expenses totaled nearly $97 million over eight years.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday countered criticism of Trumps frequent travel to Mar-a-Lago, saying: The president is very clear that he works seven days a week. This is where he goes to see his family. He brings people down there. This is part of being president.

Experts say that it is common for incoming presidential administrations to have unique logistical challenges, including George W. Bush, who preferred to spend time at his remote ranch in Crawford, Tex.

Mar-a-Lago has quickly become a capital of Trumps presidency and will play host to Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. On Friday night, the president surprised attendees when he popped into a Mar-a-Lago Club charity event to congratulate honoree Patrick Park, a Palm Beach philanthropist who has said he hopes to be named U.S. ambassador to Austria.

The Secret Services protection costs are a small fraction of the total public spending devoted to safeguarding Trump properties. New York police spent roughly $24 million toward security costs at Trump Tower between the election and inauguration, according to police figures provided to The Post.

The agency is seeking federal reimbursement for the security costs. When the president is in town, New York police expect to spend about $300,000 a day safeguarding Trump Tower. On days when only the first lady and their son are in town, police expect security costs will drop to between $127,000 and $145,000 a day. A police spokesman said the estimates could change based on officer deployments, intelligence and other factors.

At Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach County officials say their sheriffs office has spent more than $1.5 million toward overtime for deputies guarding the exclusive resort Trump has taken to calling the southern White House and winter White House.

County officials have proposed levying a special fee on the resort, saying they would have to otherwise raise local taxes on residents to help cover its high security costs. The Coast Guard has also paid to provide round-the-clock patrols of the resorts two coastlines, including through the use of a gun-mounted response boat that, according to agency budget documents, costs $1,500 an hour.

The Secret Service has struggled through years of budget shortages and low morale. Former Secret Service agents said tightening budgets have hit agents hard and that, unlike other agencies, the Secret Service cant travel less or staff fewer people to keep costs down because full protection for the first family is guaranteed.

Everything will get done, said Wackrow, the former agent who served in Obamas protective detail. But at what pain point does it get done?

Carol Leonnig, Devlin Barrett, Julie Tate and Alice Crites contributed to this report.

This article has been updated.
Truck rams Bolero pick-up truck killing its driver

A person was killed and two others injured in a road accident near Kurin Ghat at Dharechowk of Chitwan on Wednesday morning.
The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday accused U.S. spy agencies of abusing their surveillance powers by gathering and sharing information about President Trump and his transition team, an unproven charge that was quickly embraced by the White House but threatened to derail the committees investigation of possible Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), one of Trumps closest allies on Capitol Hill, said he was alarmed after seeing intelligence reports disseminated after the Nov. 8 election that made references to U.S. citizens affiliated with Trump, and possibly the president-elect himself. He appeared to be referring to relatively routine cases of surveillance on foreign individuals in which they communicated with or mentioned Americans.

What Ive read seems to me to be some level of surveillance activity  perhaps legal, but I dont know that its right, Nunes said to reporters outside the White House. I dont know that the American people would be comfortable with what Ive read.

But Nuness refusal to disclose how he had obtained the documents and his unusual handling of the material  which he withheld from other committee members even while rushing to present it to the White House  were interpreted by some as a sign that his discovery was engineered to help the White House.

Trump said he regarded Nuness disclosures as validation of his widely discredited claim that he was the illegal target of a wiretapping operation last fall ordered by President Barack Obama. Asked whether he felt vindicated, Trump said during a brief public appearance at the White House: I somewhat do. I must tell you I somewhat do. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found.

The timing of Nuness disclosures was politically advantageous for Trump, coming just days after FBI Director James B. Comey testified that the presidents wiretapping claims were groundless and falling on a day when Republicans struggled to muster enough votes to pass a health-care overhaul bill.

Nuness White House visit was denounced by Democrats as a partisan move that severely damaged the prospects of the committee carrying out an impartial probe.

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said that Nuness action casts quite a profound cloud over our ability to do the work, and he called for the formation of an independent commission. If the chairman is going to continue to go to the White House rather than his own committee, theres no way we can conduct this investigation.

Other Democrats suggested that Nunes may have crossed a legal line by publicly talking about secret intelligence work.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said the congressmans statements appear to reveal classified information, which is a serious concern. With regard to the substance of his claims, I have no idea what he is talking about.

Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, would not say whether his information came from a source affiliated with the White House  or whether the reports he had seen simply cited cables between foreign entities or direct communications between Trump or his team and a foreign agent.

Im not going to get into any of this, he said, stressing only that it was very clear to me who the Trump team officials referenced in the report were.

(The Washington Post)

The White House has previously enlisted Nunes, as well as a senior U.S. intelligence official, to knock down politically damaging reports about Trump and Russia. White House officials dismissed suggestions that Trump aides had coordinated with Nunes.

We watched his press conference on the Hill at the same time everybody else did, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders said. We didnt have any information before that.

The developments added to the intrigue and animosity that have so far characterized Trumps relationship with U.S. intelligence agencies, as well as the administrations efforts to fend off reports of Russian ties that forced the resignation of Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and a recusal on Russia-related matters by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Nuness claims raise the possibility that U.S. spy agencies violated long-standing rules that are designed to protect U.S. citizens from surveillance and require Americans names to be stricken from intelligence reports except in rare circumstances. But the lack of detail provided by Nunes, and the ambiguous wording he used in his public appearances to describe the materials, made it hard to determine whether there was any violation.

Nuness statements appear to center on surveillance approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, a secretive panel that authorizes the interception of communications of known or suspected agents of foreign powers  such as ambassadors  or terrorism suspects.

Though it is generally not acknowledged, the U.S. government has for years used FISA warrants to eavesdrop on ambassadors, embassies and others believed to be acting in America on behalf of foreign governments.

While such surveillance aims to gather intelligence about foreign actors, it can often pick up conversations with their American counterparts  such as State Department officials, lawmakers or other Americans who speak to foreign officials. Agencies refer to such monitoring as incidental collection and take steps to minimize the sharing of those peoples names or identifying information within the government, often by masking their names in internal reports about the intercepted communications.

Nunes described the surveillance as apparently legal but nevertheless troubling because it involved the activities of Trump and his aides after he was elected but before he became president.

It looks to me like it was all legally collected. It was a lot of information on the president-elect and the transition team and what they were doing, he said.

Nuness statements were remarkable on numerous levels. He publicly discussed FISA-approved surveillance, something that Comey had refused to do before Nuness committee days earlier. Nunes attributed his information to an anonymous source, after he and other members of his party have bemoaned media reports relying on unnamed people.

Perhaps most significantly, Nunes went to the White House to brief the president on the details of material potentially gathered as part of his panels investigation into associates of the president and Russias interference in the campaign.

Nunes said that none of what he reviewed involved Trump team contacts with Russian officials. He initially said the collection included details of Trumps conversations but then backed away from that claim, saying only that it was possible.

I have seen intelligence reports that clearly show that the president-elect and his team were at least monitored and disseminated out in intelligence, he said, adding that he hoped to ascertain who in the government had sought details about the Trump team and had asked for their identities to be revealed, or unmasked, in the intelligence reports.

Nunes also said that he hoped to have more information by Friday and had asked the FBI, the CIA and the National Security Agency to provide a full account of these surveillance activities.

The directors of the FBI and NSA spent more than five hours Monday being grilled by lawmakers on Nuness committee about the counterintelligence probe looking for any evidence of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the election. Comey was also asked about Trumps claims on Twitter that he had been the victim of an Obama-ordered wiretap. I have no information that supports those tweets, Comey said.

Schiff said that after speaking with Nunes on Wednesday afternoon, the Republican said that most of the names of American citizens were not unmasked in the intelligence reports but that it was still possible to ascertain their identities.

Because the committee has still not been provided the intercepts in the possession of the chairman, it is impossible to evaluate the chairmans claims. It certainly does not suggest  in any way  that the president was wiretapped by his predecessor, Schiff said.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called Nuness actions Wednesday remarkable and bizarre, and said the partisan jockeying from Nunes and Schiff  with no substantiation, McCain added  were turning the House Intelligence Committees investigation into a political sideshow.

He called for either a select committee or an independent commission to look into the matter.

No longer does the Congress have credibility to handle this alone, and I dont say that lightly, McCain said on MSNBC.

He stressed, however, that he believes the Senate Intelligence Committee is doing a good job with its investigation.

John Wagner, Adam Entous, Abby Phillip, Julie Tate and Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report.
The Republican health-care overhaul spearheaded by House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.) and backed by President Trump hung in the balance Wednesday, as the White House signaled at the 11th hour a willingness to rework the measure to mollify conservatives.

After insisting for weeks that the changes sought by hard-right members would render the bill unable to pass the Senate, White House officials and GOP House leaders appeared to shift their thinking  and opponents agreed to keep working on a deal with the goal of holding a floor vote in the House by Thursday night.

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he had taken personal calls Wednesday from Trump seeking a resolution, although he said no formal offer had been extended by the White House.

We are working very diligently tonight to try and get there, Meadows said Wednesday.

The president has been profoundly engaged, said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.). I think things are going in a very good direction right now.

(Bastien Inzaurralde,Sarah Parnass,Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

More than two dozen House conservatives remained opposed or leaning against the effort to revise the Affordable Care Act, even as a handful of moderates decried the current proposal as harming the elderly and poor. Both the president and vice president made personal appeals throughout the day to secure the votes needed to pass the House.

Vice President Pence huddled with members of the Freedom Caucus in his Eisenhower Executive Office Building office early in the day, while Trump met with 18 House Republicans at the White House, but these efforts appeared to produce just one definitive aye vote from the conservative camp: Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

GOP leaders can afford only 22 defections, given that one Democrat is expected to be absent Thursday. A Freedom Caucus spokeswoman said that more than 25 members of the group oppose the bill.

The days events laid bare party leaders struggle to muster enough votes for one of their defining goals: to roll back the 2010 health-care law that helped galvanize conservatives in the years since to wrest control of both the legislative and executive branches from Democrats.

If Republicans fail this initial test of their ability to govern, Trump and Capitol Hill Republicans may face a harder time advancing high-priority initiatives on infrastructure, tax reform and immigration. They might also find themselves navigating strained relationships among themselves.

For much of Wednesday, the Freedom Caucuss message, spokeswoman Alyssa Farah tweeted, was: start over.

At the same time, four more Republican moderates  Reps. Charlie Dent (Pa.), Frank A. LoBiondo (N.J.), Daniel Donovan (N.Y.) and David Young (Iowa)  announced their opposition Wednesday, increasing pressure on leaders to win over the conservatives.

View Graphic How health care amendments appease GOP moderates and hard-liners

Ryan summoned more than a dozen members of the moderate Tuesday Group to his office late Wednesday in an apparent bid to curb further defections. One participant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private meeting, said Ryan and other House leaders described the potential deal with the Freedom Caucus, which would strip essential health benefits but leave other ACA mandates, such as those dealing with preexisting conditions and coverage of adult dependents, in place.

People got to say their piece and react to the proposal. Its safe to say people had concerns about stripping out essential health benefits, especially at this late hour, the Tuesday Group member said. I think theyre short [of votes], and I think theyre considerably short. . . . Im not sure where all this goes tomorrow.

[Americans worry, cheer as Congress moves to upend the Affordable Care Act]

Conservatives are seeking to eliminate more of the ACAs insurance mandates, known as essential benefits, which require plans to cover specific medical benefits, such as mental health care, prescription drugs and preventive care. That, conservatives argue, is the only reliable way to force down premiums.

Ryan warned in an interview Wednesday with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that fulfilling those GOP demands would violate Senate budget rules and leave the bill vulnerable to a blockade by Democrats.

Our whole thing is we dont want to load up our bill in such a way that it doesnt even get considered in the Senate, the speaker said. Then weve lost our one chance with this one tool we have.

That stance appeared to shift late Wednesday, when separate aides in the White House and the House GOP leadership said a new interpretation of Senate rules had raised the possibility that acceding to the Freedom Caucuss request might not threaten Senate consideration of the whole bill. But both aides said the provision could still be stripped out once the bill reaches the Senate.

Democratic Senate aides insisted that would be the case. What the proponents arent telling conservative House Republicans is that the plan to repeal essential health benefits will almost certainly not be permissible under Senate reconciliation rules, said Matt House, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).

In fact, the new negotiations late Wednesday raised the possibility that the challenge would only grow at the other end of the Capitol. There are at least a dozen skeptics of the bill among Senate Republicans, who maintain a slim 52-to-48 advantage in the Senate, and many of them want to maintain some of the Affordable Care Acts more generous spending components. Republicans can afford to lose the votes of only two senators, assuming Pence would step in to cast a vote for the health-care rewrite in the case of a tie.

In addition to conservatives, who do not think the proposal does nearly enough to undo the ACA, some moderates fear it will harm their constituents as well as their partys prospects at the ballot box.

Were not there yet, Meadows said Wednesday, but were very optimistic that if we work around the clock between now and noon tomorrow that were going to be able to find some common ground. Tonight is an encouraging night, and yet I dont want to be so optimistic to say that the deal is done, but I do think that there is a framework to work with our leadership and the leadership in the Senate and certainly the administration to find some common ground.

He continued: The overall impression of the Freedom Caucus is were willing to jump through unbelievable hurdles to hopefully get to a point where this bill is better for the American people.

An additional potential hurdle facing the bill is the updated analysis still to come from the Congressional Budget Office, which will reflect changes to the measure that were issued Monday. That analysis could be rendered inaccurate if further changes are made before the vote.

Earlier in the day, even as opposition appeared to persist, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the measure would pass the House, adding that there is no Plan B if the proposal goes down.

There is Plan A and Plan A, said Spicer, who described Trump as the closer for the deal. Were going to get this done.

Complications stemming from the bills last-minute tweaks appeared to add yet another political headache Wednesday, as veterans groups discovered that the latest draft might make them ineligible for a tax credit. A change made to ensure the measure would comply with Senate rules created a separate consequence  that individuals would qualify for the bills tax credits only if they are not eligible for other types of coverage, including those provided by Veterans Health Administration.

In an email, House Ways and Means Committee spokeswoman Lauren Aronson said the issue would be fixed in subsequent legislation. This amendment makes no change to veterans health care. In working with the administration and the Veteran Affairs Committee, we will continue to ensure that Americas veterans have access to the best care available.

Carlos Fuentes, legislative director for the Veterans for Foreign Wars, said veterans want the issue resolved before any bill becomes law. It would be a huge impact on veterans if this were not corrected, he said.

[There are still enough Republicans opposed to the Obamacare replacement bill to kill it (for now)]

In another example of last-minute changes, Illinois GOP delegation announced late Wednesday night that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services director Seema Verma had assured them that Illinois will have the opportunity to accurately report its 2016 Medicaid payment information to CMS. The state has long been disadvantaged by below- average Medicaid reimbursements, the lawmakers said, and this adjustment will ensure that the state would receive more federal funds when the government shifts to allocating Medicaid dollars on a per-capita basis under the bill.

Elsewhere in the Capitol on Wednesday, GOP leaders were working to clear the bills final procedural hurdle. House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) said the measure would allow Americans to make their own health-care decisions and create the kind of competitive insurance market that will expand health-care coverage without excessive government mandates.

But Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) questioned why lawmakers would move it to the floor when the CBO had not yet issued a new analysis of the bill. Also unknown were the additional effects on coverage and federal spending of the provisions still being negotiated Wednesday.

I dont think we should be meeting on a bill when we dont even know how many people it will hurt, said McGovern, whose motion to adjourn was defeated by a vote of 7 to 2.

The Rules Committee adjourned at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, after Republicans voted to waive a House rule prohibiting the panel from forwarding a bill to the floor for same-day consideration. The move, colloquially known as martial law in the House, will allow GOP leaders to make further changes to the bill and still hold a final vote Thursday.

Trump made a public pitch for the measure Wednesday during a panel in the Roosevelt Room with Verma and female medical professionals.

When a reporter asked whether he would keep trying to overhaul the ACA if the House bill failed, the president replied, Well see what happens.

During the Rules Committee session Wednesday, Republicans acknowledged that the legislation would undergo even more changes before it reaches Trumps desk.

This isnt a once and forever bill, or vote, or anything of the kind, said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.). What we do today isnt going to be the final word.

Many of the changes made to the bill were aimed at placating conservatives, including giving states the option to take a fixed Medicaid block grant and to impose work requirements on childless, able-bodied adults covered under the program. Others responded to broader concerns about the sufficiency of the tax credits offered to help Americans purchase insurance.

[A question about the impact of the ACA and beyond elicits almost 1,200 answers]

One revision was more narrowly targeted  added at the behest of Republicans from Upstate New York who wanted to end their states practice of commandeering local tax revenue to fund state Medicaid benefits.

That concerned Donovan, who said a day after meeting with Trump in the Oval Office that he would oppose the bill.

In an op-ed for the Staten Island Advance, he said the change gives our district short shrift and also said the GOP bill would disproportionately harm older Americans.

Seniors on fixed incomes would likely see a big jump in their healthcare expenses without a near-term reduction in premiums, he wrote. We cant burden seniors who deserve better from us!

Read more at PowerPost

Abby Phillip and Lisa Rein contributed to this report.
Are you getting fleeced on appraisal charges when you buy a house or refinance? Could you be paying as much as double what the appraiser is receiving for actually doing the work, with the excess going to an undisclosed third party?

Many appraisers say yes. And theyre eager to let consumers know that when the appraisal charge is $500 or $800 or $1,000, theyre frequently being paid just a fraction of that. The rest is going to an appraisal management company under contract by the lender to oversee the appraisal process. Management companies hire the appraiser, negotiate fees, review the appraisal and send it to the lender. Management companies often select appraisers willing to work for relatively low fees. In exchange, they make available to appraisers assignments that they might not otherwise receive.

[More Harney: For many millennials, FHA is the place to go for a home mortgage]

Controversy arises when management companies add surcharges of 35 percent to 50 percent  or more  onto the final bill to the consumer. Federal rules do not require disclosure of the surcharges, nor do regulations in the majority of states. Appraisers say management companies often seek to hide the amount of their add-ons by prohibiting the appraisers from attaching company invoices to the report the consumer receives.

Worst of all, appraisers say, is when the consumer blames them for a high fee, unaware that much of it is going into a third partys pocket.

Ryan Lundquist, an appraiser active in the Sacramento market, told me about a recent experience: The house he was asked to appraise had complicated features and was difficult to value, requiring a higher than typical fee  $800. Subsequently, he learned that the management company tacked on an extra $345  a 43 percent surcharge  hitting the consumer with a $1,145 bill. After the homeowner complained, he learned that the management company said the $1,145 was solely Lundquists quote, not theirs, which was a lie.

I was shocked, Lundquist said in an interview. It wasnt honest, it wasnt ethical, and the borrower was being gouged. Forty-three percent extra just seems too much for a middleman service.

Lundquist described his experience in a blog post that drew dozens of responses from appraisers around the country, mainly critical of management companies add-ons to consumers bills.

I got chewed out by the owner of the house, wrote one. Yes, I charged $700. But he [the owner] paid $1,700  a $1,000 add-on. Now that is an excessive fee. Another complained that a management company had hit [the homeowners] credit card three times for the appraisal fee before the work was performed and then tacked on a 45 percent surcharge. The owner yelled at me for the rip-off, he said. The appraiser ultimately declined the assignment rather than work for the management company.

[More Harney: Many mortgage applicants will get a surprise boost in their credit scores]

Richard Hagar, an appraiser in the Seattle area, told me in an email that Im still receiving fee offers (from management companies) below $400, while the borrower is being charged $800.

Carl Schneider, a Tulsa appraiser, said excessive markups are common but consumers usually know nothing about it because the appraiser is prohibited from revealing the actual fee.

I resent forcibly being complicit in this fraud, Schneider said in an interview. Why cant they be transparent?

David Doering, a Jefferson City, Mo., appraiser and president of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, told me that we often dont know whats being charged to the consumer. We only hear about it when people are angry.

I asked the executive director of the appraisal management companies national trade group, the Real Estate Valuation Advocacy Association, for comment about fee add-ons and efforts to conceal charges, but he declined to discuss pricing, noting that I am not a party to any AMC [appraisal management company] contracts.

Jeff Eisenshtadt, president and chief executive of Title Source, whose TSI Appraisal division is a major management company, told me, Theres a tremendous amount of value his industry brings to the table, but we believe the consumer really should be focused on the bottom-line charge for the appraisal, not the split between the appraiser and the management company. Consumers dont care about the individual costs of the pickles and onions and lettuce that go into a hamburger, he said, nor should they when it comes to appraisals.

Maybe hes right. But if you care about where your money is going when you pay for an appraisal, ask the lender or the appraiser. Whos getting what? And why?

Ken Harneys email address is kenharney@earthlink.net.
An assailant fatally stabbed a police officer at the gates to Britains Parliament compound Wednesday after plowing a vehicle through terrified pedestrians along a landmark bridge. The attacker was shot and killed by police, but not before claiming a total of four lives in what appeared to be Europes latest high-profile terrorist attack.

In a late-night statement, London Metropolitan Police said that they believed they knew who the attacker was, but declined to give a name. Speaking outside the Scotland Yard headquarters, Mark Rowley, the acting deputy police commissioner, said: Our working assumption is he was inspired by international terrorism.

Police said the man traced a deadly path across the Westminster Bridge, running down people with an SUV, then ramming the vehicle into the fence encircling Parliament. At least 40 people were reported injured.

Finally, the attacker charged with a knife at officers stationed at the iron gates leading to the Parliament grounds, authorities said. The fallen police officer was identified as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father who was unarmed at the time of the attack.

The dead and injured were left scattered on some of Londons most famous streets.





Crumpled bodies lay on the Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, including at least two people killed. Outside Parliament, a Foreign Office minister  covered in the blood of the stabbed police officer  tried in vain to save his life.

[This British MP desperately tried to save the dying police officer outside Londons Parliament]

The location of this attack was no accident, British Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday evening, after chairing COBRA, the governments emergency committee. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

But she said that any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure. Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal, she said.

The scene at Parliament earlier in the day was one of confusion while the Parliament chambers and offices were put on full lockdown for more than two hours.

This is a day that we planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly, it has now become a reality, Scotland Yards Rowley said during one of his briefings.

As he spoke, the bells of Big Ben tolled six times to mark the hour.

1 of 47 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Police respond to the scene of an attack outside Londons Houses of Parliament View Photos , Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Caption An assailant plowed a vehicle through a crowd of pedestrians and then fatally stabbed a police officer. March 23, 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks in the Houses of Parliament following the attack in London. PA via AP Wait 1 second to continue.

Even before full details emerged, the attack and its chaos were certain to raise security levels in London and other Western capitals and bring further scrutiny of counterterrorism measures.

We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise, said a Twitter message from London Metropolitan Police.

[In Europe, terror fears are now fact of life]

The attack occurred on Parliaments busiest day of the week, when the prime minister appears for her weekly questions session and the House of Commons is packed with visitors.

The Palace of Westminster, the ancient seat of the British Parliament, is surrounded by heavy security, with high walls, armed officers and metal detectors. But just outside the compound are busy roads packed with cars and pedestrians.

The attack  a low-tech, high-profile assault on the most potent symbol of British democracy  fits the profile of earlier strikes in major European capitals that have raised threat levels across the continent in recent years.

It was apparently carried out by a lone assailant who used easily available weapons to attack and kill people in a busy public setting.

British security officials have taken pride in their record of disrupting such attacks even as assailants in continental Europe have slipped through. But they have also acknowledged that their track record would not stay pristine, and that an attack was inevitable. When it happened, it was shocking nonetheless. Cellphones captured scenes of carnage amid some of Londons most renowned landmarks.

The target  Westminster  was heavily guarded. But the weapons of choice  an SUV and a knife  made the attack one of the most difficult kinds to prevent, requiring the assailant neither to acquire illegal weapons nor to plot with other conspirators.

Rowley said investigators believe that just one assailant carried out the attack, but he encouraged the public to remain vigilant.

Britain has been on high alert for terrorist attacks for several years. But until Wednesday, the country had been spared the sort of mass-casualty attacks that have afflicted France, Belgium and Germany since 2015.

[Germanys new strategy for homegrown terror suspects? Deportation.]

Among those providing emergency aid was Tobias Ellwood, a senior official at the Foreign Office and a British military veteran. Photos showed Ellwoods face streaked with blood after attempting to revive the police officer who had been stabbed just inside the gates of the compound.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that among those wounded in the vehicle attack were members of a group of French students. News media in France reported that three of the students, on a school trip from a high school in Brittany, were in serious condition and that their parents were being flown to London immediately.

In Washington, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said President Trump had been briefed on the attack and had spoken by phone with Prime Minister May.

We condemn todays attack in Westminster, Spicer told reporters. He pledged the full support of the U.S. government in responding to the attack and bringing to justice those who are responsible.

Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the rapid response suggested that police were expecting that an attack was highly likely for some time.

Images from the bridge showed a man dressed in a suit lying on his back, his legs splayed to either side, as pedestrians huddled around him administering first aid. The shoe was off his right foot, and blood stained the sidewalk beneath his left.

In another image, a woman with long blond hair and running shoes lay in a pool of blood on the bridges sidewalk. Blood stained the corner of her mouth as another pedestrian cradled her head.

Other photos showed people sitting on the sidewalk looking dazed amid broken glass and bits of automotive debris, with Big Ben looming beyond.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority said a woman was pulled alive from the River Thames, and he confirmed reports that she had serious injuries.

As police investigated, much of the activity in the area around Westminster came to a standstill.

A nearby hospital was put on lockdown and the London Eye  the enormous Ferris wheel above the Thames  was stopped and visitors were slowly let off hours later. Those who were locked inside the Eyes capsules at the time of the attack were kept there, hovering above as emergency responders swarmed the scene below.

A witness, Kirsten Hurrell, 70, said she first heard the crash of a car hitting the fence outside Parliament before hearing noises that could have been gunshots.

There was a lot of steam from the car, Hurrell told the Guardian newspaper. I thought it might explode.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation. It noted that U.S. security threat levels remained unchanged.

[45 years of terrorist attacks in Europe, visualized]

A year ago to the day, attackers carried out three coordinated suicide bombings in Belgium, killing 32 civilians and injuring more than 300 others in two blasts at Brussels Airport and one at a metro station in the Belgian capital. The Islamic State asserted responsibility for the attacks, in which three perpetrators were also killed.

As the aftermath of the London attack unfolded, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament suspended their sessions. Scottish lawmakers had been due to debate legislation authorizing a new referendum on independence.

Specialists said the attack appeared to be in line with an emerging model of strikes involving simple, everyday instruments but carried out in locations sure to draw global attention.

Terrorists rely on a lot of people watching  it can be even better than having a lot of people dead, said Frank Foley, a scholar of terrorism and counterterrorism at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London.

Within a few hours of the attack, there were signs that normalcy was returning to London.

At the London Eye, a large crowd of tourists gathered.

Charles Thompson, a 21-year-old chef from Canada, wondered if there would be more attacks. Usually its a chain-reaction thing, he said.

His friend, Enrique Cooper, a 32-year-old officer manager originally from Italy, said he would not let the days violence change his view of London. Im here all the time, he said. You cant let something like this ruin your perspective.

Witte reported from Madrid. Adam Taylor and Isaac Stanley-Becker in London, James McAuley in Paris and Brian Murphy, William Branigin and Mark Berman in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more:

Watch: Trump cites Paris in warnings on terrorism

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
The 66-year-old conspiracy theorist and former tour guide was undoubtedly eccentric. He dressed in public like an ancient Druid and occasionally traversed his southern German town by Segway. He accessorized his robe with a wooden spear.

Yet the recent arrest of the German Druid highlights the real-world dangers posed by those propagating a global barrage of online hate. Particularly after the terror attack in London this week that killed four and wounded dozens more, public attention remains focused on Islamist extremism. But in Germany  just as in the United States, where three men from India were recently attacked and Jewish centers and mosques have become the targets of bomb threats  right-wing violence driven by hate is emerging as a far more widespread threat.

On his account on VKontakte  a sort of Russian version of Facebook  Burkhard Bangert raged that he wanted to annihilate Jews and Muslims. He shared an image of the Star of David, with text inside calling for the killing of journalists, police officers and bankers.

He also expressed beliefs shared by the Reichsburgers  an expanding movement in Germany with similarities to what are known as sovereign citizens groups in the United States. Its followers reject the legitimacy of the federal government, seeing politicians and bureaucrats as usurpers.

[Ahead of pivotal European elections, rightist websites grow in influence]

In a January raid, a policeman carries documents out of a house at Wittstocker Strasse in the district of Moabit in Berlin. The effort was part of a nationwide operation against what is known as the Reichsburger movement. (Paul Zinken/Picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Prosecutors say Bangerts rage went further than rhetoric. After authorities seized illegal weapons from his home, they charged Bangert and five accomplices with plotting attacks on police officers, Jewish centers and refugee shelters.

Its an international phenomenon of people claiming there are conspiracies going on, people with an anti-Semitic worldview who are also against Muslims, immigrants and the federal government, said Jan Rathje, a project leader at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, which studies right-wing violence.

Weve reached a point where its not just talk, he continued. This kind of thinking is turning violent.

Few places are more sensitive to right-wing violence than Germany  a nation where anti-Semitic hate became the driver of the Nazi ideology that eventually led to the Holocaust.

Yet even here, attacks linked to fringe right-wing groups are surging.

Last week, a Munich court found four defendants guilty of forming a far-right terror squad, dubbed the Old School Society, with the intention of bombing refugee centers. Earlier this month, eight Germans went on trial in the eastern city of Dresden for forming a far-right network that allegedly staged five attacks, including the bombing of a left-wing politicians car and the detonation of explosive devices at two refugee homes.

Preliminary figures for last year show that at least 12,503 crimes were committed by far-right extremists  914 of which were violent. The worst act: the fatal shooting of a German police officer by a Reichsburger member. The preliminary figures roughly compare with levels in 2015, but they amount to a leap of nearly 20 percent from 2014.

The last time numbers surged this high, officials say, was in the early 1990s  when Germany recorded a large but short-term jump in neo-Nazi activity following reunification. Authorities say the current surge has been triggered in part by the arrival of nearly 1 million mostly Muslim asylum seekers to Germany. Last year, there were nearly 10 anti-migrant attacks per day, ranging from vandalism to arson and severe beatings.

Yet officials say the rise of conspiracy theorist websites, inflammatory fake news and anti-federal government/right-wing activism have thrown more factors into the mix.

In Germany, Bangert was linked to the Reichsburger movement  a disparate group of nearly 10,000 individuals who reject the authority of federal, state and city governments. Some claim that the last real German government was the Third Reich of Adolf Hitler.

We see people who are a little mentally disordered, people with economic problems. We see people with conspiracy theories. You also have right-wing extremists, you have esoterics and you have your sovereign citizens. This is the conglomerate of what we call the Reichsburger movement, said Heiko Homburg, head of counterextremism at the Brandenburg branch of Germanys domestic intelligence agency.

While the Reichsburger movement may be uniquely German, its type of fringe thinking is universal. German intelligence officials describe some of the tools used by members  such as fake passports and the documents used to declare their own governments  as being nearly identical to those used by American sovereign citizens groups.

German officials consider only up to 6 percent of Reichsburger members to be right-wing extremists. Instead, the majority are like Thomas Patzlaff, a 59-year-old Berlin resident who makes a meager income by selling homemade filters because he is convinced that public drinking water is unsafe. Like many in the movement, he does not believe in paying taxes or debts, and almost ended up in prison, he said, after refusing to pay hundreds of euros in parking fines to the Berlin government, which he does not recognize.

He also says he believes he is the reincarnation of Thomas Jefferson  but thats a whole other story.

The federal government of Germany does not exist for me, said Patzlaff, who has written to the pope and foreign embassies to declare his own sovereign state. He defines its borders as his cozy flat in north Berlin  a hub of activity where younger right-wing activists occasionally pop up to seek Patzlaffs advice.

I am a German, but the so-called state we live in is just a construct of the elites and the Allies, Patzlaff said.

[As Cold War turns to Information War, a new fake news police combats disinformation]

Yet officials fear surging membership in such groups is fueling more violence, and German intelligence agencies are now in the midst of compiling a database of armed Reichsburger members.

In October, a 49-year-old Reichsburger living near Nuremberg, who had declared his home an independent state, shot and killed a police officer assigned to seize his hoarded weapons. Last August, Adrian Ursache, 41  a former Mr. Germany  and 13 of his supporters in Saxony-Anhalt state tried to prevent his eviction from his sovereign home by shooting at police. Police fired back, severely injuring Ursache. Two officers were also hurt.

The violence has left authorities facing the challenging task of separating the truly dangerous from the merely quixotic. Some  like the Druid  authorities say, have crossed a line.

German officials say their January raid of his and 11 other apartments yielded evidence against Bangert and five other people suspected of having formed a far-right extremist network. They are believed, prosecutors say, to have been planning armed attacks against police officers, asylum seekers and Jews.

The local German broadcaster SWR cited police sources as saying that weapons, ammunition, a pen gun and explosives were found in the raids.

Bangert  who used to give tours of the picturesque Rhon Mountains and lived in the southern town of Schwetzingen  has denied the charges and is fighting them. His family insists the charges are trumped up.

He has always been a bit quirky and done things not everybody would immediately understand, Friedhelm Bangert, a 63-year-old retired farmer, said of his brother.

He liked to talk big and had a big mouth, but what hes accused of, the founding of a terrorist organization . . . from all Ive heard from his circle of friends, thats a big joke, he said.

He said he had last talked to his brother around Christmas, when he confronted him with some of his radical statements.

He told me, if you dont overexaggerate, nobody will pay any attention to you, Bangert said.

Read more:

In the era of Donald Trump, Germans debate a military buildup

For Syrian victims, the path to justice runs through Europe

The rise of Trump has led to an unexpected twist in Germanys election: A resurgent left

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
TTA protocol held up due to govt

The Commerce Ministry has confirmed that Nepal and China will not be signing a protocol to the Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals upcoming visit to Beijing.
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, speaks in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday during the first day of debate on a motion to seek the authority to hold an independence referendum. (Andrew Cowan/AFP/Getty Images)

The Scottish Parliament will vote Wednesday evening on whether to back calls for a second independence referendum, potentially setting the stage for a clash between the British prime minister and the first minister of Scotland.

If the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament does vote in favor of a referendum  as is widely expected  it will mean that advocates for Scottish independence will be able to say they have a parliamentary mandate for a referendum. But they will still need to get the green light from Westminster in order to hold a binding referendum.

During a debate on the issue at Holyrood on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, said that it would be unfair and utterly unsustainable for Westminster to block her request.

Sturgeon, the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party, dropped a bombshell earlier this month when she said that she would seek a new independence referendum.

[Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon to seek second independence referendum]

In 2014, Scotland voted 55 percent in favor of staying in the United Kingdom. At the time, Scottish leaders said it was a once in a generation vote. But Sturgeon has argued that last years E.U. referendum  which saw the majority of Scottish voters opting to remain in the E.U. and the majority of English voters opting to leave  represents a material change in circumstances and that Scotland risks being taken out of the E.U. against its wishes.

The timing of the proposal has come under close scrutiny. Sturgeon has suggested the referendum be held sometime between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 20019, creating a dizzying scenario that could see Britain engaged in Brexit negotiations and an independence referendum at the same time.

Downing Street hasn't refused the request for a referendum, but it has rejected the timetable.

Now is not the time, said Britains prime minister, Theresa May, who next week will trigger Article 50 and start the process of leaving the E.U. Divorce talks between the U.K. and the E.U. are expected to last two years.

Sturgeon responded saying shes prepared to negotiate on the timing of a referendum within reason.

[Populist wave falls short in Brexit capital of Britain, but Labours troubles deepen ]

Pollsters say that support for independence isnt radically different from where it was in 2014, when 45 percent of voters favored independence.

The truth of the matter is, were split down the middle on whether we want a referendum, and on the outcome itself, said Mark Diffley, research director at Ipsos MORI.

When the last referendum campaign kicked off in 2012, support for independence hovered around 30 percent. At the time of the vote two years later, it had climbed to 45 percent.

One of the things the SNP and the yes side will be banking on in any campaign is that that will happen again, said Diffley, who added that the pro-independence party faces the additional challenge that voters are more set in their ways.

On the one hand, the hurdle the SNP has to get over is much smaller this time around, but on the other, opinions are slightly more entrenched, Diffley said. So the hurdle is smaller, but more difficult to get over.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he was unable to make a scheduled April 5 gathering in Brussels. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The State Department and NATO said Tuesday that they were seeking an alternative date for Secretary of State Rex Tillersons first meeting with alliance foreign ministers, after he said he couldnt make the scheduled April 5 gathering in Brussels.

But with little chance that ministers from 27 other member countries can change their schedules in the next two weeks to accommodate him, all sides scrambled to insist that Tillerson, whose president has regularly denigrated NATO, meant no disrespect.

We will find a way to address this, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview. The main thing is Im absolutely confident about his absolute commitment to NATO.

Absolutely, acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. The United States remains 100 percent committed to NATO. Past secretaries had also missed the twice-yearly meeting on occasion, he told reporters, citing one absence in 1999 and another in 2003.

Tillerson, dinged by Democratic lawmakers and the media as increasingly irrelevant after he missed several White House meetings with visiting foreign leaders, reportedly doesnt want to miss President Trumps meeting next month with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida. The date hasnt yet been announced, but it is widely believed to be during the first week in April.

Questions raised about the NATO meeting were compounded by reports that Tillerson plans to travel to Moscow later next month. If reporting is accurate, Donald Trumps administration is making a grave error that will shake the confidence of Americas most important alliance and feed the concern that this administration [is] simply too cozy with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, Rep. Eliot L. Engel (N.Y.), the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement.

Tillerson met last month with many of his NATO counterparts at an economic meeting in Germany. Nearly all of them, along with Stoltenberg, are in Washington this week to attend a broader counterterrorism meeting that the secretary is hosting. Vice President Pence and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis have visited alliance headquarters in Brussels.

But the extent of Trumps commitment has been a recurring NATO nightmare since his election campaign, when he famously called the alliance obsolete, and said its best days were behind it. He would certainly look at getting rid of NATO, Trump said, since it doesnt really help us and were paying too much for it.

More recently, Trump has tempered his remarks somewhat. At a news conference in Washington last week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he voiced strong support for NATO, even though many nations owe vast sums of money . . . and it is very unfair to the United States.

Stoltenberg moved early to bring Trump into the tent, during a call just days after the inauguration. With NATOs new $1.2 billion Brussels headquarters scheduled to open later this year, he set the date for May 25  when Trump was likely to be on his maiden presidential trip to Europe for a summit of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations  and invited Trump to attend along with other alliance leaders.

The building includes an Article 5 Memorial  a piece of the fallen World Trade Center towers, commemorating the only time NATO has invoked the mutual defense provision in its charter  and a Cold War memorial centered on a chunk of the Berlin Wall.

It was clear we wanted very much a meeting with the new president, Stoltenberg said, to send an important message about transatlantic unity and about U.S. commitment to Europe.

No one expects Trump to stop dunning NATO for more money, although his charge that many owe vast sums is misplaced. As Merkels government tersely pointed out following the news conference, member nations contribute capabilities, not cash, to their joint defense.

But the United States has for years pointed out that few members contribute their fair share. In 2014, all agreed they would bring their defense spending up to 2 percent of their gross domestic product within the next 10 years, a target that only five of 28 had met.

In the past two years, NATO has devoted more resources to counterterrorism, expanded a rapid-reaction force and, to meet a Russian buildup, is stationing 4,000 troops to its Baltic members. Decreases in defense budgets have stopped, and it increased overall last year by 3.8 percent.

Weve proven the last couple of years that NATO is able to adapt, to change, Stoltenberg said. Improvements are not only words, but also deeds.

But he agrees with Trump that bigger defense budgets are a high priority, and hes not altogether unhappy with the presidents continued focus on the issue.

As he travels to NATO capitals to meet with defense and finance ministers, Stoltenberg said, Trumps strong message makes my work easier.
Defeating the Islamic State is the top U.S. priority in the Middle East, but other countries will be expected to contribute more to stabilize Iraq and Syria once the militants are expelled, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday.

The United States will do its part, he said, speaking at the State Department at the start of a two-day strategy session of more than 60 countries and international organizations in the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State. But circumstances on the ground require more from all of you. I ask each country to examine how it can best support stabilization efforts.

Although President Trump said during the election campaign that he had a secret plan to defeat the Islamic State, Tillersons remarks suggested that the Trump administration strategy closely mirrors the approach of former president Barack Obama.

Both have centered on the extensive use of airstrikes and support for local allies on the ground. Other aspects include stopping foreign fighters from entering the battle zone or establishing outposts elsewhere; addressing humanitarian needs and stabilizing liberated areas; and blocking recruitment via social media.

Obama also emphasized stopping terrorist financing, a goal that Tillerson indicated had been addressed in depth.

To me, this is very similar, said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. Its important that the new administration supports that.



To the extent that a revised Pentagon plan presented to Trump last month differs, it calls for a significant increase in U.S. trainers and advisers in Syria who will operate closer to the front lines in the upcoming offensive to seize the militants Syrian capital of Raqqa, and more decision-making on the ground.

[Marines have arrived in Syria to fire artillery in the fight for Raqqa]

U.S. Special Operations and conventional forces will operate Apache helicopters and wield artillery batteries in the offensive, U.S. officials said, and provide equipment to a joint Syrian force of Arabs and Kurds.

Tillerson said defeating ISIS is the United States number one goal in the region, using an acronym for the Islamic State. But he stressed that after putting what he said was three-quarters of the military resources toward expelling Islamic State forces from Iraq and Syria, the United States would look to others to pick up a larger share of an estimated $2 billion needed for stabilization and reconstruction this year.

The session signals that the new administration intends to maintain leadership of a sprawling diplomatic effort that Obama began in 2014 against the Islamic State, despite Trumps characterizing his predecessors strategy as weak and ineffectual.

The gathering coincided with the first anniversary of terrorist attacks in Brussels. While the ministers met, news broke of what British police called a terrorist attack in London.

Four people were killed and at least 40 injured when a man ran down pedestrians with a vehicle and fatally stabbed a policeman near the gates of Britains Parliament. The assailant was shot and killed by police. The attack was not immediately claimed by the Islamic State.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he had been expecting some further clarity from the United States on the upcoming Raqqa offensive, and on how the city will be stabilized and governed after the Islamic State is ejected.

I was hoping for more specifics from the Trump administration, he said of the gathering. While France understood that the administration was still getting organized, weve been asking . . . for a couple of weeks, Ayrault said.

He said he had warned his U.S. interlocutors that it was important to deal with all aspects of the Syrian crisis, not just the military situation. The Americans also need a clear idea of what they expect from Russia  which Trump has said could work together with the coalition on counterterrorism tasks  and how much pressure Moscow will put on Iran to end Syrias six-year civil war.

Russia is not a member of the diplomatic coalition, although it is a dominant military presence in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assads forces. Diplomats attending the meeting have warned against leaving a vacuum in Syria akin to that in Libya after the NATO-led campaign there in 2011.

At the conference, Tillerson said the coalition will seek to establish interim zones of stability in Iraq and Syria and allow refugees to return home safely.

Rather than the safe zones protected by U.S. air cover that the Syrian opposition and some allies have long demanded for civilians besieged by Syrian and Russian bombing in the separate civil war against Assad, Tillersons interim zones of stability refer to areas cleared of Islamic State fighters by the coalition and Turkey.

The Turkish military, with some assistance from rebels, the United States and Russia, has pushed the Islamic State from a zone of several thousand square miles inside Syria along the Turkish border. Turkey has declared this a safe zone, and indicated that it may begin sending Syrian refugees back inside. Other areas in Syria, participating in a partly successful cease-fire between Assad and the rebels, orchestrated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, are now also considered safe.

In areas being cleared of the Islamic State by the coalition in both Syria and Iraq, the United States plans to install interim local governance during an upcoming stability phase.

[Dozens dead or missing from airstrike in northern Syria]

Karen DeYoung contributed to this report.
A North Korean missile fired Wednesday morning exploded within seconds of launch, the South Korean and U.S. militaries said, a reassuring sign for those worried about the speed at which North Koreas weapons program has been progressing.

The launch attempt comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with the United States and South Korea conducting joint military exercises aimed at countering the North Korean threat and the Trump administration clearly signaling it is prepared to use force to stop Kim Jong Uns regime.

The missile was launched from North Koreas east coast about 7 a.m. local time Wednesday.

North Korea fired one missile from an area near the Wonsan Air Base this morning but its presumed to have failed, South Koreas Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command said the missile failed within seconds of launch.

It was not clear what kind of missile North Korea had fired. Both the South Korean and U.S. militaries were analyzing the data.

[ As North Koreas arsenal grows, experts see heightened risk of miscalculation ]

Kim has made clear that he wants the capability to strike the U.S. mainland. In his New Years address, he said North Korea had entered the final stage of preparation for the test launch of intercontinental ballistic missile.

In February, North Korea launched its first missile since Donald Trump was elected U.S. president, firing a medium-range missile that appeared to show significant technological advances.

This month, North Korea launched four missiles, three of which landed within Japans exclusive economic zone. Although the missiles werent new, the tactic was, analysts said. The simultaneous firings appeared to be designed to outsmart the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense antimissile battery that the United States is deploying in South Korea, which would have difficulty shooting down four targets at once.

Over the weekend, Kim supervised a rocket engine test of historic significance, according to state media. The North Korean leader declared that the whole world will soon witness what eventful significance the great victory won today carries, the report said, declaring Saturday as the March 18 revolution because of the great leaping forward in the countrys rocket industry.

[How China tried to get the U.S. to negotiate with North Korea]

The test coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillersons visit to neighboring China, where he met with President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Tillerson said in Seoul the previous day that all options, including military ones, were on the table to stop North Korea from developing the ability to attack the United States.

Wang urged him to remain coolheaded about North Korea and not to abandon dialogue.

But from Washington, Trump made clear that he expected China to use its leverage over North Korea. North Korea is behaving very badly. They have been playing the United States for years, he said on Twitter. China has done little to help!

Read more:

China urges U.S. to remain coolheaded on North Korea as Tillerson warns of danger

North Korea says it tested rocket engine of historic significance

China fuming about U.S. deployment of antimissile shield

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Tumultuous chapter in KUKL closes with Basnets resignation

Suresh Basnet, the unpopular board director of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), has finally stepped down, closing a tumultuous chapter in the history of the Kathmandu Valleys sole drinking water supplying company that is gearing up to bring in 170 million litres of water per day from the Melamchi River by October.
Fighters run down a street past a rising plume of smoke from a burning tire meant to disrupt warplanes in Tayyibat al-Imam, in Aleppo province, Syria, on Wednesday. (Omar Haj Kadour/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)

 The U.S. military said Wednesday that it was investigating claims that it had bombed a school in northern Syria where activists said dozens of civilians had been killed.

The strike, which hit a building in the rural north of Raqqa province, marked the second time in a week that U.S. forces have been accused of causing mass civilian casualties in an air campaign against extremist groups.

U.S.-backed troops are also battling Islamic State militants on the ground, after the extremist group made the city of Raqqa its de facto capital during the summer of 2014.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said at least 33 bodies had been pulled from the rubble at the school, which activists from the area said had been used to house at least 50 families fleeing violence elsewhere in the country.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said the United States had been active in the area and was examining whether it was responsible for the strike. But separately, Col. Joseph Scrocca, a spokesman for the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition, said he had received no indication that the bombing raid had killed civilians. Coalition forces work diligently to be precise in our airstrikes, he said.





Dozens of people were killed last week in U.S. strikes on al-Qaeda targets that hit a prayer hall in the town of Jinah, in Aleppo province.

The Pentagon said scores of al-Qaeda militants were killed in the attack, but residents reported that the dead were civilians who had gathered for a religious class.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon said a formal investigation had been opened into the incident.

We are aware of the claims of civilian casualties, said Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman.

The disputed airstrikes come as the White House considers lifting rules put in place by President Barack Obamas administration to avoid civilian deaths, foreshadowing a more aggressive approach to dealing with terrorist threats overseas.

In a significant development in the fight against Islamic State forces in Syria, U.S. aircraft on Wednesday helped open a new front in the campaign to recapture Raqqa.

The Pentagon said it had airlifted a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, behind Islamic State lines outside Raqqa.

Pahon said the airlift was part of a large, high-priority offensive to secure the area around the city of Tabqa and the nearby Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River.

This is a significant strategic target, he told reporters. If successful, the operation could leave Islamic State militants inside Raqqa city entirely cut off from their supply lines, a tactic U.S.-backed forces have used during operations to recapture major cities from the extremist group in Iraq.

But fighting near the Tabqa Dam is not without risks. The United Nations has previously warned of catastrophic flooding if airstrikes or Islamic State sabotage caused its water levels to rise.

Underscoring just how knotty the politics surrounding the battle for Raqqa have become, the SDF said Wednesday that the new operation also aimed to block any advance by Syrian government forces, now stationed to the west in an apparent attempt to retake the city themselves.

Thomas Gibbons-Neff in Washington and Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul contributed to this report.

Read more:

In Syria, aid deliveries tail off to hundreds of thousands in need

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Some of the heaviest fighting in Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 has occurred over recent days. A collection of Islamist and other opposition forces, including a considerable number of fighters from the former al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, launched a surprise attack on eastern neighborhoods of the city on Sunday, gaining some ground.

Even the New York Times, which has championed the overthrow of Assad and the installation of a puppet regime in Damascus, hypocritically noted political concerns about the alliance between a spectrum of rebel groups and hard-line Islamists which conducted the attack.

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched a counter-attack on Monday and recaptured much of the territory taken by the Islamists the previous day, according to Syrian government sources. But a second offensive was initiated yesterday by the rebels with the aim of breaking the government siege of the rebel-held Qaboun district.

Other assaults on government-controlled territory were reported in Hama Province and in western Aleppo.

Syrian and Russian aircraft have launched heavy bombardments of rebel-held areas, with reports of 143 airstrikes since Sundays surprise attack began. The rebels have indiscriminately targeted civilians, including with a recent suicide bombing at a court house in Damascus which killed 30.

While it remains unclear whether the collection of Jihadi forces and other opposition fighters can sustain their attacks and push further into Damascus, the escalation of fighting demonstrates that the ceasefire brokered in December by Russia and Turkey is a dead letter. Observers almost unanimously anticipate that planned peace talks beginning tomorrow in Geneva chaired by the UNs special Syria envoy will produce no concrete progress. Mohammad al-Alloush, designated the head opposition negotiator in the Geneva talks, is also leader of the Army of Islam, one of the groups leading the attack on Damascus.

The fighting also underscores the highly unstable and explosive situation into which the Trump administration is preparing to send a further 1,000 US marines as part of a vast expansion of American participation in the war in Syria and Iraq.

The brutal US-instigated war for regime change in Syria, which entered its seventh year last week, has already claimed the lives of upwards of half a million people and driven a further 11 million from their homes.

Airwars, a group monitoring US and coalition airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, recently noted that since Trump took office, civilian casualties in both countries had undergone an unprecedented increase. Local sources in the Iraqi city of Mosul, currently the target of a US-backed assault to retake control of it from ISIS, reported to Airwars that in the first week of March alone, between 250 and 370 non-combatants were killed by US-led airstrikes.

Over the past three years, Airwars calculates that airstrikes conducted by the US-led coalition have claimed the lives of some 2,590 civilians in Syria.

The latest atrocity reportedly occurred Tuesday in the de facto ISIS capital of Raqqa, when an alleged airstrike struck a school building housing hundreds of civilians. If confirmed, the strike will be the second over the past week to claim a large number of civilian lives, following the partial destruction of a mosque in Idlib province which the US claimed was being used by al-Qaida as a base. At least 42 people were killed in that attack, although reports spoke of many more still trapped in the rubble.

Confronted with a growing number of photos, video footage and eye witness accounts detailing the devastation following last Thursdays strike, US military officials told CNN yesterday that an official investigation into the strike was being launched.

The increased targeting of civilians is part of the Trump administrations drastic escalation of the Syrian war. Trump has given the CIA authorization to carry out airstrikes and requested that the rules of engagement for US forces be loosened to permit targets to be struck even if civilian casualties could result.

The stepping up of the US intervention takes place under conditions of rising regional tensions. Last Friday, Israel launched one of its most provocative air raids in Syria, striking a site near the government-held city of Palmyra. The Assad regime alleged the Israeli strike hit a government military position and fired air defense missiles at the planes, prompting Tel Aviv to shoot one missile down with its Arrow air defense system. Israel claimed it was targeting a weapons shipment destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Russian officials subsequently stated that a number of Russian military personnel were in close proximity to the attack. Moscow summoned the Israeli ambassador for an explanation for the strike.

Israeli politicians have gone on the offensive, vowing to expand similar strikes in the future. Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told Israeli Public Radio on Sunday, The next time the Syrians use their air defense systems against our airplanes, we will destroy all of them without thinking twice.

Israel has also sought to justify its intervention with allegations that Iran is attempting to strengthen its influence over Damascus by establishing a permanent military presence in the country. Tel Avivs hardline stance towards Teheran enjoys the full backing of the Trump administration.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a trip to China, dismissed any talk of tensions with Russia, but insisted that strikes would go on. If there is a feasibility from an intelligence and military standpointwe attack and so it will continue, he said.

Assad, in response to the Israeli airstrike, called on Russia to prevent future attacks. Russia can play a role so that Israel no longer attacks Syria, Assad stated to Russian journalists. I think Russia can play an important role in this regard.

The Kremlin, which intervened in the Syrian conflict in September 2015 with the aim of propping up the Assad dictatorship, is responding to the expansion of US involvement by extending its own presence on the ground. On Monday, a Kurdish spokesman confirmed that the Kurdish YPG militia, the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), had struck a deal with Moscow to establish a military base in northwest Syria where Russian soldiers will train Kurdish fighters. Troops and armored vehicles have already arrived in the town of Afrin, Redur Zelil said. Russia stated that it had no intention of establishing an additional military base on Syrian territory, claiming it already had a presence in Aleppo province.

The YPG is also being supported by Washington, with US troops imbedded with the Kurdish militia to direct the offensive to retake Raqqa from ISIS.

The news of the Russian training initiative prompted a hostile rebuke from Turkey, which intervened into northern Syria last August with the primary goal of preventing the establishment of a contiguous territorial area on its border controlled by Kurdish forces. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus declared that Ankara would not tolerate a region of terror in Syria and added that the ethnic structure of the region had to be kept intact.

Turkish forces have repeatedly clashed with the YPG, which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. Earlier this month, Turkey threatened to attack the town of Manbij if YPG militia did not withdraw. However, it was compelled to back down in the face of opposition from the US and Russia.

The increase in US troops on the ground in this contested region, and the broader escalation of the conflict being pursued by the Trump administration throughout Syria and Iraq, is adding fuel to the fire of a conflict that could rapidly spiral out of control. Even an unintended clash between any combination of the myriad competing military forces operating in Syria would be sufficient to draw in regional and global powers, with catastrophic consequences for the long-suffering population of the Middle East.
Actor Tim Allen recently appeared on episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live and made some controversial remarks about being a conservative in Hollywood.

The Last Man Standing actor told Kimmel, You gotta be real careful around here, you know. Youll get beat up if you dont believe what everybody believes. Its like 30s Germany.

The comedian instantly received a backlash for his glib comparison, with the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect issuing a strong rebuke on its Facebook page.

Steven Goldstein, the executive director of the center, wrote, Tim, have you lost your mind? No one in Hollywood today is subjecting you or anyone else to what the Nazis imposed on Jews in the 1930s  the worlds most evil program of dehumanization, imprisonment and mass brutality, implemented by an entire national government, as the prelude for the genocide of nearly an entire people. Sorry, Tim, thats just not the same as getting turned down for a movie role. Its time for you to leave your bubble to apologize to the Jewish people and, to be sure, the other peoples also targeted by the Nazis. #NeverAgain #Antisemitism

Robert Redford is the latest star to defend NEA, in open letter from Sundance:

Read more from Yahoo Celebrity:
Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to flip the narrative of his ongoing ratings feud with President Donald Trump.

Oh Donald  the ratings are in, and you got swamped, the actor and former Governor of California said in a video posted to Twitter Tuesday morning. Wow. Now youre in the thirties?

The video comes on the heels of the latest gallup polls which put Trumps approval rating at just 37%  a new low since he took office two months ago. Trump and Schwarzenegger have argued over social media in the past. The Terminator actor took over for Trump on The Apprentice, which subsequently tanked in the ratings. Trump has publicly shamed Schwarzenegger for the shows ratings failure, while the new host has called out the presidents continued involvement as an executive producer on the show as a reason why audiences may have tuned out.

But what do you expect? Schwarzenegger asked in the video. I mean when you take away after school programs for children and meals on wheels for the poor people, thats not what you call making America great again. Come on.

He added, I mean, who is advising you? Let me give you some advice: go to a middle school  the Hart Middle School, right in Washington, six miles away from the White House.

Finally, Schwarzenegger concluded with an offer: Ill take you there, so you can see the fantastic work that theyre doing for these children. Lets do it, huh?

The president, who is typically not shy on Twitter, has yet to respond.

Watch Schwarzeneggers video below:

Related:

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A Texas high school science teacher is suspended from her job following her arrest Monday on a felony charge of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old male student, PEOPLE confirms.

Sarah M. Fowlkes, 27, faces a possible punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 if convicted of the second-degree felony, Lockhart, Texas, Police Chief Ernest Pedraza tells PEOPLE.

It was not clear if Fowlkes has an attorney or has entered a plea, and a call to the Caldwell County, Texas, District Attorneys Office was not immediately returned.

Fowlkes has worked for the Lockhart Independent School District since October 2014, according to a statement on the districts website that further confirmed her arrest and suspension.

On the afternoon of Friday, March 10, before the start of spring break, the administration of Lockhart High School received a concerning report and quickly notified district administrators, who immediately reported the information to [Lockhart police], launched an investigation, and contacted Child Protective Services, the district said.

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.

Chief Pedraza declined to elaborate on the alleged relationship between Fowlkes and the student. But he tells PEOPLE there was sufficient probable cause for an arrest warrant.

Police called Fowlkes to alert her, and she turned herself in on Monday, Pedraza says. She was booked and released from jail the same day, after posting $10,000 bond, but she could not immediately be reached by PEOPLE.

Asked to elaborate on the teacher-student relationship, Pedraza declined comment.

In a letter sent Monday to the parents and guardians of students, Lockhart Independent School District Superintendent Susan K. Bohn described the case as very upsetting.

Every day, you trust your children to our care, and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly, Bohn wrote. As a parent of a Lockhart ISD student, I join you in feeling anger and disappointment in what happened. As an administrator, I will always take swift action against anyone who would violate the sacred trust between students and educators.

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Bohn wrote that Fowlkes will not return to the school district, which sent notice of her conduct to the State Board for Educator Certification.

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.

The school district is on spring break and was unavailable for further comment Wednesday.

The superintendent encouraged parents to talk with their students about what happened and to share any knowledge of the situation with Lockhart police.

On behalf of the district and board of trustees, I want to assure parents we do not tolerate this kind of behavior and are fully cooperating with law enforcement and CPS, Bohn said in a separate statement. We will always take swift action to make sure concerns are properly investigated and actions taken to ensure student safety.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com
About $50 million worth of artifacts and antiques were shipped from both Egypt and Turkey to the United States in 2016  the highest annual value from each of those countries in at least 20 years, according to U.S. Census Bureau documents.

The artifacts, totaling about $100 million between the two countries, were imported "for consumption" and not for temporary display in a museum, the documents say. Most of the artifacts were shipped to New York City, where numerous antiquities dealers, auction houses and art galleries are based. It can be difficult to determine whether a shipment of artifacts was recently looted, law-enforcement officials told Live Science.

In addition, the actual resale value of the shipments may be higher, because the values seen in the documents are simply those that importers declared, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Audits are occasionally conducted on shipments, but the spokesperson declined to say how often they occur. [See Photos of the Artifacts from Egypt and Turkey]

Egypt has experienced extensive looting since the country's 2011 revolution. The looting is linked to the deaths of children (they were killed while working in narrow looting shafts) and antiquities guards (who were shot dead while trying to protect sites). An agreement between the United States and Egypt designed to curtail the antiquities trade was signed in November 2016 and went into effect near the end of that year.

Meanwhile Turkey shares a vast border with both Iraq and Syria, two countries that have experienced heavy looting as a result of ongoing wars. Last year, a Live Science investigation revealed that artifact shipments between Turkey and the U.S. increased after Iraq was invaded in 2003, and then increased further after the civil war in Syria started in 2011. Scholars and multiple governments (including the United States) have documented that artifacts are being sent from Iraq and Syria to Turkey before being sold abroad. Additionally, a coup attempt occurred in Turkey in July 2016, although scholars and law enforcement officials declined to speculate on whether the coup attempt is leading to more artifacts being shipped from Turkey to the US.

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Golden deliveries

The documents reveal that the import of "antique" gold coins (defined as being over 100 years old) made up a significant part of the shipments from Turkey and Egypt in 2016.

More than 46 lbs. (20 kilograms) of antique gold coins were shipped from Turkey to the U.S. in 2016, the documents show  nearly the weight of about 9,000 modern-day U.S. pennies. The documents also reveal that more than 22 lbs. (10 kg) of antique gold coins were shipped from Egypt to the United States in 2016.

For comparison, the documents also reveal that between 1996 and 2003, in that entire span, less than 1 lb. (0.45 kg) of antique gold coins was shipped from each of those two countries to the U.S.

A Live Science investigation published in 2016 found that the number of antique gold and nongold coins shipped from Turkey to the U.S. has increased steadily since 2003, when the Iraq War started. A separate Live Science investigation, also published in 2016, revealed that the number of gold and nongold coins being shipped from Egypt to the U.S. increased after the 2011 Egyptian revolution. [See Photos of the Looting in Egypt]

Tracking down looted artifacts

The process of identifying looted artifacts coming into the U.S. can be difficult, law-enforcement officials and scholars told Live Science.

The U.S. Census Bureau documents show that many of the artifacts are shipped under vague headings, such as "antiques of an age exceeding 100 years." Another vague heading simply states that the artifacts in a shipment are Collection and Collectors Pieces of Archaeological, Historical or Ethnographic Interest.

Additionally, in response to Live Science's Freedom of Information Act request, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told us that senders of artifacts or antiques shipments to the U.S. are not required to send photos of the objects they ship, and customs inspectors do not usually take photographs.

Privacy laws prevented Live Science from accessing the paperwork filed with shipments. However, it can be difficult to prove that an artifact was looted based on this paperwork, said Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at the City University of New York.

"Middlemen are experts in making looted and smuggled antiquities look like they are part of the legitimate market by cleaning and restoring them and creating forged paperwork that makes it seem like Egypt gave permission for its export," Thompson told Live Science last year in an email.

In addition to Customs and Border Protection, which patrols the U.S. border and audits shipments, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts investigations into looted artifacts that are already in the country, said Brendan Raedy, an ICE spokesperson. Raedy told Live Science that the agency has an attache in Cairo who sends information about stolen artifacts and looted archaeological sites.

This stolen or looted mummy hand, dating to the eighth century B.C., was brought into the United States from Egypt. John Denmark/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE officials have noticed that those who bring looted or stolen artifacts into the United States tend to hold on to them for years before trying to sell them, Raedy said. "The stuff that you're seeing popping up, that we're getting our hands on now, in a lot of cases was stolen or looted [in] 2007 to 2012," Raedy told Live Science.

This makes it difficult to determine what kind of looted artifacts have been shipped to the United States in recent years. "In terms of really digging into the physical trends  we're probably a little bit away from that at this time, unfortunately," Raedy said.

ICE agents are working with museums and owners of antique stores, teaching them how to detect looted or stolen artifacts, he noted.

Another problem, Raedy said, is that sometimes, looted artifacts are brought in under declarations that have nothing to do with artifacts. For instance, in November 2016, ICE agents returned an eighth-century-B.C. mummy hand to Egypt that Raedy said had been shipped to the United States as a "science fiction movie prop."

Original article on Live Science.

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They build our roads, bridges and homes.

The construction industry is on the upswing after taking a hit during the recent recession. Now, the federal government expects a surge of job openings over the next few years for plumbers, carpenters and other workers in the field. Here are the jobs that received top marks based on factors like salary, expected growth and potential for work-life balance, according to the U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs Rankings.

13. Structural Iron and Steelworker

Median Salary: $50,490

Unemployment Rate: 9.1 percent

Expected Job Openings: 2,700

Structural iron and steelworkers do dangerous work, building the great steel skeletons that support massive skyscrapers or bridges. The need for these workers is expected to increase as the country's infrastructure continues to age. But those who are afraid of heights need not apply -- steelworkers often must work high in the sky as they piece together iron or steel beams. To train for this profession, most workers serve as an apprentice.

Learn more about structural iron and steelworkers.

12. Construction Worker

Median Salary: $31,910

Unemployment Rate: 11.5 percent

Expected Job Openings: 147,400

On the job site, construction workers do it all -- unload equipment, dig ditches and even help with skilled work, like carpentry. Construction workers receive a lot of training on the job and often perform easier tasks, like clearing work sites, when they first start. As they progress in their career, these workers may opt to earn special certification in handling hazardous waste or work as an apprentice to acquire more specialized skills.

Learn more about construction workers.

11. Sheet Metal Worker

Median Salary: $45,750

Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent

Expected Job Openings: 9,400

On a hot day, there's nothing like the cool relief of air conditioning. Sheet metal workers help make that possible. These tradesmen and women create and work with products made from thin metal sheets -- including the ducts used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Other sheet metal workers may install metal siding on buildings or work in industrial mills.

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Learn more about sheet metal workers.

10. Insulation Contractor

Median Salary: $35,040

Unemployment Rate: 9.3 percent

Expected Job Openings: 7,400

Well-installed insulation keeps the elements out, energy costs down and noise pollution at bay. These contractors are specially trained to determine what kind of insulation works best for different buildings. They might also insulate hot water pipes, which helps prevent burns. But this work isn't for people who don't like tight spaces -- insulation workers might need to cram themselves into odd spots so they can properly insulate the space behind walls, in attics or under floors. These workers can earn certifications in areas such as asbestos removal and energy appraisals.

Learn more about insulation contractors.

9. Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Median Salary: $37,830

Unemployment Rate: 11.1 percent

Expected Job Openings: 1,400

Solar photovoltaic installers help homeowners and businesses harness the power of the sun and convert it into electricity. They plan and set up solar panel systems, and might also link the panels to the power grid. As the price of solar panels continues to drop -- and more people become interested in alternative energy sources -- the demand for people who can install these systems is expected to increase.

Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers.

8. Carpenter

Median Salary: $42,090

Unemployment Rate: 6.9 percent

Expected Job Openings: 60,400

It's much more than just hammering nails -- carpentry requires a firm grasp of math and trigonometry to get the job done well. Using wood and other materials, these workers fashion the stairways and rafters of a house, install kitchen cabinets and drywall, build scaffolding, and even help construct large buildings.

Learn more about carpenters.

7. Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher

Median Salary: $37,740

Unemployment Rate: 7.8 percent

Expected Job Openings: 20,300

Level foundations, smooth sidewalks and strong walls are their purview. Concrete finishers know how to work fast as they shape the wet concrete used in roads, sidewalks and foundation slabs. Meanwhile, cement masons focus on finished concrete -- building things like walls -- and may tap into their design skills as they work.

Learn more about cement masons and concrete finishers.

6. Painter

Median Salary: $36,580

Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent

Expected Job Openings: 26,500

Sometimes, all a dreary room needs is a coat of paint to bring it to life. Painters perhaps know this better than anyone. Using rollers, power sprayers and brushes, these workers apply finishes to the outside and inside of buildings. You'll often find painters working for building finishing contractors or in the residential building construction industry.

Learn more about painters.

5. Glazier

Median Salary: $39,440

Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent

Expected Job Openings: 1,900

Love how the sunshine streams through your office window? You may have a glazier to thank. These tradesmen and women cut and install glass windows and other fixtures in homes, commercial buildings and even skyscrapers. Many serve as apprentices to learn the trade.

Learn more about glaziers.

4. Brickmason and Blockmason

Median Salary: $47,950

Unemployment Rate: 9.3 percent

Expected Job Openings: 14,500

These tradesmen and women erect walls, patios and various interior fixtures using bricks and stone. To prepare for this career, brickmasons and blockmasons can enroll in a technical college and go through a yearslong apprentice program.

Learn more about brickmasons and blockmasons.

3. Plumber

Median Salary: $50,620

Unemployment Rate: 5.9 percent

Expected Job Openings: 49,100

Plumbers make sure our water goes where it should -- and doesn't seep into where it shouldn't. These tradesmen and women plan and put in pipe systems that bring water to our faucets, toilets and dishwashers, as well as install the fixtures and appliances themselves. They're also the ones to call when something goes wrong with the plumbing.

Learn more about plumbers.

2. Electrician

Median Salary: $51,880

Unemployment Rate: 5.7 percent

Expected Job Openings: 85,900

These tradesmen and women know how to keep the electricity humming and the lights on in a building. They have the skills to design lighting systems, install intercoms and ensure the wiring is up to code. Maintaining these complex systems can be dangerous, and many electricians receive the training they need at a technical school prior to apprenticing. In most states, electricians must have a license.

Learn more about electricians.

1. Construction Manager

Median Salary: $87,400

Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent

Expected Job Openings: 17,800

Finally, leading the whole crew on a site is the construction manager. This person oversees every piece of the construction project, working with building architects to go over plans, hiring contractors, handling permits and ensuring projects stay on schedule.

Learn more about construction managers.

Whitney Blair Wyckoff is an assistant editor at U.S. News & World Report. Previously, she was the associate managing editor of Scoop News Group, a trade publication group that covers government information technology. Wyckoff has received a National Bronze Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for an article on FDA research into innovative prosthetics testing techniques as well as the organization's Young Leaders Scholarship, an honor recognizing promising young editors. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, NPR.org, the Chicago Tribune, SmithsonianMag.com, Chicago Public Radio and the Los Angeles Times. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Wyckoff is vice president of the local ASBPE chapter, and a member of the Online News Association and the D.C. Science Writers Association.
As the health care sector in the U.S. continues to expand, the field is demanding more recent MBA grads.

"Jobs in the health care sector have become more complex, which require more experienced staff and an MBA is a way to fill that need," says Jeff McNish, assistant dean of career development at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. "The pressure to maintain or manage costs through business practices has become more important than ever and the MBA is in greater demand than ever before."

As a sector, health care represents more than 17 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, according to the World Bank's data. According to the bank's data, the sector has grown by four percentage points over the last 20 years.

The Darden assistant dean says the school has responded by adding more health care electives to match the industry's growth.

"If a student were to engage me about health care, I would enthusiastically encourage them. It's an industry that will offer a lifetime career, and it's dynamic and of strategic importance," McNish says.

Career development experts say b-school grads are in demand across all facets of heath care from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals to health care systems and providers. Here are a few health care careers that usually require an MBA background.

[Learn how to enhance earnings with an MBA specialization.]

1. Corporate development associate: Maniesh Joshi, who finished his MBA last year at the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor's Ross School of Business, took a leadership development rotation program job at Medtronic, an international medical device company.

Under the program, the 29-year-old rotates between product development and business strategy roles. Joshi is currently working in Minneapolis as a downstream marketing manager for patient care products.

Joshi says he picked Ross because it offered a heath care management concentration under its MBA program.

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"I did look at a dual M.H.A or M.P.A at a few schools, but I concluded that the two-year MBA program with the specialization was the best fit for me," the Michigan native says. "I targeted schools with a health care offering."

Joshi says the changes in the health care sector need MBA grads for their analytical skills and to bridge different cross-functional teams.

2. Heath care consultant: Jobs in consulting earn the most among other sectors or fields, career development experts say, even when it comes to health care.

Salaries in the consulting sector offered the highest pay to full-time MBA graduates from the class of 2016, according to data submitted to U.S. News by ranked b-schools in an annual survey. Graduates in consulting received an average salary of $126,919 -- much higher compared with those who took a job with a health care employer, who received $102,296 on average.

[See the 10 MBAs with the highest return for grads earning $100,000-plus.]

"In the last five years, a lot of consulting jobs have grown because a lot of firms need help in advising. More advisory services are definitely hiring our students," says Phil Miller, assistant dean of MBA and M.S. programs at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities, where 25 percent of MBA students pursue a career in health care.

Miller says some recent grads can earn as much $150,000 as a health care consultant and that doesn't include signing bonuses.

3. Strategic project manager: "I didn't want the travel of an external consulting organization," says Denise Bowen, who completed a dual MBA-M.H.A. degree three years ago at the University of Washington and now works as a senior manager for strategic project management at Providence Health & Services.

Bowen says she knew she wanted to work in strategic development for a health care provider as a type of internal consultant, even though nonprofit health care systems typically pay less than for-profit firms. Work-life balance and the culture of an organization were more important to her, she says.

Experts say health care systems and hospitals tend to offer less in pay.

4. Hospital administrator: Career development experts say this role appeals to a certain subset of students who usually have a dual MBA-M.H.A. degree.

"Occasionally you will get a few MBAs in hospital administration," Miller says.

Experts say students interested in hospital systems are more driven to that type of path because of its altruistic nature.

[See how to calculate the return on investment for an MBA.]

"Those students tend to place a lesser value on compensation as opposed to the quality of work they're doing," says McNish from UVA's Darden School of Business.

5. Pharmaceutical brand manager: McNish says the traditional path for an MBA grad entering the health care field used to be as a brand manager at a pharmaceutical company. "And that's still true."

An MBA grad from Carlson School of Management, as an example, can expect to make "anywhere from $110,000 to $125,000 in broad ranges" as a brand or product manager, says Miller, the dean from Carlson. "If you take any interest in the health sciences or human population health, the people who pursue this field find a lot of meaning in what they do."

Searching for a business school? Get our complete rankings of Best Business Schools.

Farran Powell is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at fpowell@usnews.com.
The sense of wanderlust is not only inspired by gorgeous landscapes and picture-perfect beaches. The urge to travel also stems from a desire to savor the world's best food. After all, there's nothing like sitting down to a meal and experiencing bold and palate-changing flavors. Plus, finding yourself at a table with food from the local market or farm can forge lifelong memories of one-of-a-kind meals and settings. If you're ready to sample exemplary cuisine, start planning your next trip around these bucket list-worthy farm-to-table eateries to live and eat like a local.

[See: 15 Best Foodie Destinations in the USA.]

Central

Lima, Peru

Peru lays claim to one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Central, a restaurant and institution in Lima, Peru's capital, prepares a daily array of dishes that celebrates the country's vast culture and natural diversity. The tasting menu takes its patrons on a journey from the Andes Mountains to the waters of the Amazon. Central tries to expand globetrotters' understanding of the connection between cooking and the planet. And it's not just the food that passes a rigorous sustainability standard. The staff uses reverse osmosis to purify the water served on each table. For a true taste of Peru from every altitude, Central will not disappoint.

Daylesford

London

A prominent fixture in London's West End, Daylesford at the Selfridges food hall is the epitome of farm-to-fork cuisine. Carole Bamford, Dayleford's owner, has a love of food that extends back to her family's farm, where she transformed an old-world tradition into an organic cornucopia. Daylesford acts as both an on-the-go eatery as well as an organic food store. Pick favorite staples from their bakery like salted almond butter truffles, or choose a hearty meat or fish dish like the oxtail ragu with crushed root vegetables. This one-stop shop makes it easy to continue the organic trend at home and share it with loved ones.

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Liholiho Yacht Club

San Francisco

San Francisco is at the heart of America's sustainable food movement. It seems like a new, tasty and organic restaurant is popping up weekly. Though there are many excellent choices to pick from, the Liholiho Yacht Club in Lower Nob Hill should be your first stop. Their mantra is "throw a party to allow you to keep doing what you love." And their methodology is simple: Enjoy great food that works for you and the planet. At this forward-leaning eatery, you'll find an abundance of California favorites such as tuna poke, fried oysters and beef carpaccio with butter lettuce and marinated squid. Best of all, the restaurant maintains a strict local and organic product sourcing method. For a true taste of chef Ravi Kapur's concoctions, go for the Ohana table or family-style dinner menu. Why not go organic when you have these diverse and delicious choices?

[See: 8 Under-the-Radar Foodie Cities.]

Maximo Bistrot Local

Mexico City

There's a noticeable theme inside chef Eduardo Garcia's Mexico City eatery. Almost every item on display is local. He sources his food, furniture and kitchen all from local, sustainable properties. And the ingredients he uses are carefully plucked from local markets, which of course informs the ever-changing menu. A sense of community is another important aspect of Maximo Bistrot Local's culture. And for an upscale, world-renowned restaurant, the culture is more akin to a local pub where everyone knows your name. If it's in season, try the swordfish and the chestnut soup for an unforgettable meal.

Narisawa

Tokyo

Many Japanese cultural (and culinary) traditions have long held a deep connection to nature, so it's not surprising that Narisawa, one of Tokyo's most popular restaurants, is also one of its most eco-friendly establishments. Every aspect of the restaurant's dish is curated to maintain and elaborate on the smell, taste and essence of the landscape where it originated from. Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa's philosophy focuses on "the gift of seasons" and organic farm-to-table practices are an essential way to follow through on his mission. Though the menu changes seasonally, past patron favorites include the charcoal Kobe beef and the langoustine.

[See: 10 Top Hotels in Europe for Food and Wine Lovers.]

Sansho

Prague

Cobblestone streets and castles fill the streets of Prague as locals and tourists mix and mingle while drinking Pilsner Urquell pints and exploring some of Europe's oldest and most beautiful sites. Mixed in between the soaring cathedrals and romantic alleyways are gems like Sansho, one of Prague most notable restaurants. It's hard to think about a pan-Asian restaurant in the middle of Eastern Europe, but it's worth the trip. Chef-owner Paul Day not only looks for local and organic markets to source ingredients, but ensures that all his meat is organic. Even better, Sansho makes and serves its own cocktails, a surprisingly rare find in this cosmopolitan city.

Erin S. Block is a freelance travel writer and TV/documentary producer in Washington, DC. Her work has been published by BBC.com, The Huffington Post, Mashable.com and National Geographic's Intelligent Travel Blog. Erin has also worked on specials and programs for the National Geographic Channel, PBS and the Discovery Channels. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, she spent two years with National Geographic Traveler magazine. Erin is currently working on projects for PBS. Follow @erinsblock on Instagram and Twitter to see her full story.
Love Actually will soon be all around again, thanks to NBC's Red Nose Day Special.

The trailer for the special dropped on Wednesday. But NBC is still making us wait until May 25 (or in March 24 if you're across the pond in the UK).

Until then, here are 7 of our dream predictions for the special.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! 'Love Actually' will get a sequel this spring

1. Billy Mack's new hit: 'If you really love Red Nose Day'

Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) feels it in his fingers and in his toes every Christmas. Now we think he'll feel it on a Red Nose Day, NBC Universal's charitable event in the U.S. and U.K. that raises money for global nonprofits like Oxfam and Save the Children.

Because every sequel  even if it's just a short, non-movie movie  needs a theme song.

2. Justice for Laura Linney

Image: screengrab/love actually

Spoiler: Laura Linney's character Sarah doesn't end up finding love (BOO!) with handsome coworker Karl (Rodrigo Santoro).

And while Linney's character Sarah is not seen in the trailer for the special, we're hoping that  even if it's off-camera  the last 14 years brought Sarah true love and happiness. She deserves it all.

3. Sam will seek Daniel's help in proposing to Joanna

Joanna (Olivia Olson) moved to America and became a big Hollywood star. But she and Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) continued to talk, and years later decided to become an official couple.

Now Sam is seeking stepdad Daniel (Liam Neeson)'s help in putting a ring on it.

Daniel's advice (probably): Ditch the 'stache. Oh and propose on Christmas as a band and chorus perform "All I Want for Christmas Is You." It's their song, duh.

4. Speaking of Daniel, he did marry that Claudia Schiffer doppleganger from the school.

Image: love actually/screengrab

And to think, Daniel almost messed up Carol's name backstage at the school show. Don't worry, their love survived.

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5. Natalie and David (sorry, we mean prime minister) are eating chocolate biscuits together

Image: screengrab/love actually

David (Hugh Grant) was a cool prime minister, not like those other prime ministers who eat chocolate-less biscuits.

He and Natalie are still laughing about his "who do you need to screw around here for a biscuit?" joke.

Now they are crazy in love and enjoy eating chocolate biscuits together. David is prepared to stand up to America's new president.

6. Mark realized he's obsessed with love, not Juliet

Image: screengrab/love actually

To most people, Andrew Lincoln is the leader of a group of survivors in the zombie apocalypse

But in the Love Actually universe, he's actually still just Mark.

Now, however, Mark no longer pines for Juliet (Keira Knightley). Instead, he realized shortly after his show-up-at-the-doorstep thing that his love for her was a little over the top.

He is a frequent attendee of "obsessed with love" group therapy.

7. Jamie's book becomes a bestseller

1 week til #rednosedayactually on BBC1. Has he aged? Could he be more handsome? Is she perfect? #justincases pic.twitter.com/1UCWIIRjfT  emma freud (@emmafreud) March 17, 2017

Just in cases you were wondering, Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) are living their best lives. Jamie's book became a bestseller. He and Aurelia decide to escape to France again, this time while he's working on a book about their love. She now makes fun of him as he writes in Portuguese and English.

Mashable staff writers Proma Khosla, Erin Strecker and Aliza Weinberger contributed to this story.




US Admiral Harris calls on PM, FM

Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Harry B Harris on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat separately.
It's now officially spring, and that means it's time to do some deep cleaning around your house.

As warmer weather creeps back into your life, be ready to scrub away the remnants of sidewalk salt left behind from winter, throw away items you don't need and assess what needs repair in your home.

"It's always good to do a really thorough walk-around of the house and just check everything," says Carrie Bonney, director of public relations for Farmers Insurance.

Common spring weather patterns -- from end-of-winter deep freezes to frequent rain storms, high winds, hail and tornadoes -- can cause significant damage to your home. Farmers Insurance compiled historic data for insurance claims from homeowners in different parts of the country and found 60 percent of claims in the south central U.S. were related to hail between March and May. During the same period, the Southwest saw 41 percent of claims relating to water damage, while New England homeowners filed the most claims (32 percent) caused by ice dams and other snow or ice damage.

[See: 8 Ways to Transform Unused Space in Your Home.]

As you shift into spring cleaning mode, ensure your home is ready to take on the next round of difficult weather conditions. But don't stop at the exterior; maintain appliances and internal systems to get your home through spring, as well as summer and next fall.

The biggest question on many homeowners' minds when it comes to routine maintenance and repairs is whether to call a professional -- and all too often that question serves as an excuse to put off maintenance altogether.

A simple rule of thumb for tinkering around: If you have to deal with anything electrical, it's best to bring in a pro, says Chris Granger, vice president and general manager for Sears Home Services. Granger says this is especially true when it comes to appliances connected to plumbing. "When I have water and electricity together, I call a professional," he adds.

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Here are seven repairs to get on top of this spring.

The roof. The roof over your head often takes the most abuse from the weather in winter and spring -- from snow and ice to downpours and wind gusts. Once the snow and ice are gone, take a close look at your roof and note where you see loose shingles or cracks.

Knowing you'll need your roof to be in top shape to keep out potential water damage from future rainstorms makes spring "a really good time for them to get up and look," Bonney says.

The gutters and drains. Being the proactive homeowner you are, the gutters were likely cleared of leaves and debris in the fall, but now is the perfect time to make sure there's nothing there to block water flowing away from the side of the house.

Bonney says you should also consider adding French drains to your property. The drains are a trench with gravel or rock that runs along areas that see a buildup of surface water and will help lead water away from your foundation and toward the street. "That's something that will actually divert the water away from your house," she says.

[See: 11 Popular Home Updates That Are Worth the Cost.]

External vents. The next thing to look at would be vents that lead outside, which connect to your heating and cooling systems, dryer and more. A damaged or missing vent cap could allow birds or rodents in, clogging the vent and potentially releasing toxins into your home.

Dave Lavalle, founder of Dryer Vent Wizard, a national service based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, says the first warm weeks of spring send many birds into dryer vents looking for an ideal nesting spot, particularly when fruit trees begin blooming.

"That's the time when birds are going to immediately want to nest. Couple that with some nice weather, and within a day or two things can change dramatically," Lavalle says.

You can buy a kit to clean the dryer vent from major stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, Lavalle says, but suit up with protective gear, including a full respirator, to avoid breathing in bacteria and other toxins common in bird's nests. When in doubt, call a pro.

The windows. As you do some of your simpler household spring cleaning, take a close look at window glass and casing, keeping an eye out for any cracks or gaps. You want to be sure all windows are properly sealed in anticipation of heavy rainstorms.

The HVAC. Aside from its ability to properly expel exhaust, you should always make sure your heating, ventilating and air conditioning system is functioning properly. Clean or change filters regularly, and if you didn't have a routine check done on the system in the fall, do so now.

Granger recommends calling a pro especially if you're planning to put your home on the market this season. Since the HVAC is an expensive system to replace, it's a major part of a home inspection. A malfunctioning HVAC could cause problems with a pending deal.

"Have a preventative maintenance check done on it to make sure the area around it isn't filled up with junk," Granger says.

The refrigerator. A deep clean of the kitchen is almost certainly in order as part of your spring cleaning to-do list, so don't forget about the refrigerator coils, which are located either at the back of your fridge or beneath it, accessible by removing the panel below the door.

"If they're not clean, the refrigerator has to work harder to cool," Granger says, noting pet hair, food and other dirt collects down there and is neglected by quick sweeps of the kitchen. Simply use the handheld hose on your vacuum to clear the coils -- but take the time to do this more often, not just during spring cleaning.

[See: 12 Home Improvement Shortcuts That Are a Bad Idea.]

The washer and dryer. Wipe out your washing machine and dryer in your laundry room, as laundry detergent, residue from dryer sheets and fabric softener can build up in the drum, detergent dispenser or lint trap and reduce the appliance's effectiveness.

When you do notice a problem -- a dryer that has suddenly stopped drying clothes fully, for example -- check first for other issues. "Most often the consumer assumes the dryer is either broken or that [it's old]," Lavalle says of a bird's nest clogging a dryer vent. Before you replace the washer or dryer, give the appliance a thorough cleaning and check that other factors aren't the cause of the problem.
It seems like the 87-year-old retiree who was surprised by George Clooney at her nursing home on her birthday has a bit of a celebrity crush.

Read: By George, He Is Going to Be a Dad! Clooney and Wife Amal Expecting Twins

Hes a handsome man, isnt he? said Pat Adams, a resident at Sunrise Senior Living in Sonning in Berkshire, England.

Adams has been asking whether the Hollywood star, who lives nearby, would come visit ever since she moved into the assisted living home two years ago, Nandhra-Gourlay Sandeep, an employee at the seniors home, told InsideEdition.com.

She submitted her plea to the homes Wish Upon a Star program, and workers at the home sent a letter to Clooneys public relations representative ahead of Adams' 87th birthday.

Hes got a house here, Adams joked.

Sure enough, a few months later, Clooney showed up unexpectedly at the home with a bouquet of flowers and a birthday card addressed to Adams.

He greeted me, he called me, he put his arm around me, and I thought, Oh, this is all right,' she told InsideEdition.com. I couldnt believe I just shook hands with George Clooney. Hes lovely.

Photos of the encounter, as shared by staff on Twitter and Facebook, quickly gained traction.

Never in a million years did we think that George would actually turn up, said Sandeep, who was disappointed to not be at the home that day. I was so annoyed when I saw the Facebook tags coming up saying that George had just been to see Pat, but I was so pleased for her.

Read: Still Crazy in Love After All These Years: 100-Year-Old Couple Celebrates 77th Anniversary

Andits obvious Clooney has made a lasting impression on his biggest fan.

He can call anytime, I dont mind, said Adams, who said her favorite movie with the actor is Oceans Eleven. Hes gorgeous.

Story continues

Watch: Adele Fans Get Engaged Live on Stage At Concert: 'That Wasn't Planned'

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Photo credit: Courtesy of Starbucks

From Delish

Once upon a time, I worked at a Starbucks while in high school, and just like you have a love/hate relationship with the coffee chain, my coworkers and I had a love-hate relationship with some customers. These questions, in particular, made my fellow baristas and I want to give you whole milk instead of skim.

1. Can you make me ____? It's off the secret menu.

This question by itself is not that bad - if you want a secret menu item (which I hope by now everyone understands is not a real thing), I will gladly make it for you. What's annoying is when you ask for a Captain Crunch Frappucino or a Butterbeer Frapp, and you have no clue what goes into it, because we don't know, either. Our training's intense, but we're not taught what's not on the menu, so we need you to help us break it down (instead of a Churro Frapp, try "a tall vanilla bean with two pumps of cinnamon dolce and white mocha syrup").

Oh, and while we're at it, adding matcha powder and java chips to a Frappucino doesn't make it "mint chocolate chip."

Photo credit: Starbucks

2. Can you make my cappuccino extra dry?

A little-known secret is that making cappuccinos is the worst, because making the foam is so damn difficult. My boss used to joke that being able to make good cappuccino foam was the equivalent of getting a perfect score on your SAT in Starbucks world.

In order to get good foam, you have to steam the milk for just the right amount of time and position the cup at the perfect angle, so that you can get the right current going to create exquisite bubbles. So when you order your cappuccino extra dry, i.e. with extra foam, you're making your barista live their worst cappuccino nightmares not once, but twice (or three times, depending on how much milk they have to steam to get enough foam for your cup).

3. Why are your drinks so expensive?

It's no secret that Starbucks is pretty pricey, but unfortunately, your barista has no control over prices. What would likely lower the price of your latte is if you skipped that extra shot of espresso and three extra shots of vanilla, but that's none of our business.

Story continues

Photo credit: Giphy

4. Why are you charging me for vanilla (or 'insert flavoring here')?

If you read the description for whatever drink you're ordering it will tell you exactly what comes in it. Anything that isn't listed is going to cost extra (that's why they're called add-ons). Again, baristas didn't decide to charge you for that raspberry syrup that you want to add into your Frappuccino, the executives at Starbucks did. Since they control whether we have a job or not, we're going to charge you for that syrup.

If your barista at your regular Starbucks doesn't charge you, that's really cool of them, but they're choosing to risk their job, and I'm not about to do the same.

5. Why aren't your drink sizes just small, medium, and large?

This one is really annoying because it's like asking McDonald's why their chicken tenders are called McNuggets - they're called McNuggets because that's what McDonald's wanted to call them. It's part of their brand! In the same way, sizes at Starbucks are tall, grande, and venti because that's just what the brand wanted to do. It's part of how they pay homage to the way coffee's made in Italy, which apparently inspired the chain. Trust me, it would be a lot easier if the sizes were small, medium, and regular, but since they're not, let's just learn to be okay with that.

6. Can you go any faster?

I am a person who needs coffee to function, so I can understand needing your coffee as soon as humanly possible. But unless you're actually ordering a straight cup of joe, your drink either needs to be blended or steamed, so it won't be magically ready the second you order it.

Photo credit: Giphy

7. Why don't you have Pumpkin Spice Lattes all year?

You would think that given the popularity of the PSL it would be available yearround, but again, the higher-ups decided that this couldn't be (probably because the laws of demand dictate that people wouldn't go as crazy for it if that were the case). Besides, if the PSL were always available, how would we ever know that fall started?

8. Can I get a regular coffee?

This isn't a bad question. I get it, you want coffee. What's annoying is when you then ask the necessary follow-up questions to determine what type of coffee a customer wants, and they respond with an angry "JUST A REGULAR." Starbucks doesn't brew just one kind of coffee; there's generally a blonde roast, dark roast, and house roast all available at any one time. Beyond that, there's also decaf, three different cup sizes, and several milk options. We want to give you what you want; we just need a little more info on what you like.

9. Can you make a vent latte with 1/2 skim, 1/2 whole, 2 pumps of mocha, 1 1/2 pumps peppermint, 1 pump toffee, whipped cream, extra foam and caramel drizzle? (Or some other insane order).

This one should be obvious. While I can make you an incredibly complex, unnecessary, and probably disgusting order (and I will, because "the customer is always right"), that is does't mean I won't roll my eyes into oblivion once I turn around to start your order. Not only are incredibly complicated orders annoying to make, they're baffling. Why do you need all those specific things in one drink? How did you even come up with this formula? Are you a real person?

Follow Delish on Instagram.

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Perhaps 90 is the new 80: A new analysis finds that many Americans who reach age 90 and beyond say they are in good health.

Few 90-somethings in the study showed signs of depression or cognitive problems, although they took a lot of medications and had difficulty getting around, according to the findings, released today (March 20) in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

"These data provide a snapshot of Americans' health at age 90, which will help our health care system prepare for the needs of long-lived adults," said the study's lead author, Michelle Odden, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Oregon State University. [Extending Life: 7 Ways to Live Past 100]

The findings suggest that, despite experiencing chronic diseases and disability, Americans over the age of 90 could adapt to their changing health needs and remain positive about their health, Odden told Live Science.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 90 years or older is expected to more than quadruple by the year 2050.

In the study, researchers analyzed data from about 1,900 men and women ages 90 and older who lived in four different regions of the United States: Forsyth County, North Carolina; Sacramento County, California; Washington County, Maryland; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All of the people in the new study were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a long-running national study of heart-health risk factors in people ages 65 and older.

As part of the study, each participant underwent a physical and mental health examination every year between 1989 and 1999, as well as in 2005 and 2006. Then, researchers collected follow-up data on the participants' health and well-being by telephone interview every six months through July 2015.

Physical and mental health

When the analysis was completed, 35 percent of the nearly 5,900 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study had lived to at least 90 years old. Women tended to outlive men and represented about 65 percent of the group involved in the study.

Story continues

The participants came from a variety of living situations; some lived in the community, while others lived in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, Odden noted.

Most of the women (59 percent) and men (62 percent) rated themselves as being in good, very good or excellent health.

Many 90-somethings said they not only felt physically healthy, but also experienced good emotional well-being: About 77 percent of them reported no symptoms of depression.

Despite this good news, the oldest of the participants also faced health challenges: About one in three of the men and women had cognitive problems, the study found.

And many older adults were coping with chronic diseases. The findings revealed that people in their 90s were taking six medications regularly, on average. The most common types were medications for high blood pressure, heart health and thyroid problems.

"I was surprised by the high number of prescription drugs used in this population," Odden said.

Another common ailment was a problem with mobility; most of the women (75 percent) and men (59 percent) reported that they had trouble walking half a mile (0.8 kilometers).

To ward off mobility issues later in life, the old adage "use it or lose it" certainly applies, Odden said. Staying active throughout life is the best prevention strategy for mobility problems down the road, she said.

Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Originally published on Live Science.

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A woman enters a dentists office in Tijuana, Mexico. Data from a U.S. government survey suggests that 150,000 to 320,000 Americans list health care as a reason for traveling abroad each year. (Photo: Guillermo Arias/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

On almost any weekday afternoon, silver-haired Americans, often with mouths still numb from Novocain, line up at the U.S. port of entry between Nogales, Mexico, and Nogales, Ariz.

Because Medicare offers virtually no coverage for dental work, Mexican border towns like Nogales have become go-to destinations for affordable, quality dental care among seniors and snowbirds from southern Arizona, California, and Texas. Less than 10 miles from the popular retirement hub of Yuma, Ariz., more than 350 dentists have set up shop in the small Mexican town of Los Algodones  earning it the nickname Molar City.

In recent years, rising medical costs compounded by the introduction of stingy federal exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act have begun to force more Americans to follow the path forged by snowbirds and migrate south of the border in search of affordable health care.

As a result, Mexico has quickly emerged as a world leader in medical tourism, luring an estimated 1 million patients each year, many of them from the U.S.  not just with cheap pharmaceuticals and dental services but also a range of procedures, from heart surgeries to in vitro fertilization and cancer treatments. They can receive care by specialists at high-quality hospitals and clinics for a fraction of the cost in the States.

Now, as Congress considers a new federal health care law predicted to leave approximately 24 million Americans uninsured by 2026, Mexicos burgeoning health care industry ironically stands to be among the Republican bills biggest beneficiaries.

Clearly this legislation will set the stage for increased out-of-country care, said Patrick Goodness, CEO of the Goodness Co., a medical tourism marketing and public relations firm that works with a variety of international hospitals, medical centers and dental clinics.

Though difficult to predict exactly how many Americans will travel outside the U.S. for medical or dental care as a result of the Republicans proposed American Health Care Act, Goodness told Yahoo News that hes seen medical tourism from the U.S. steadily increase since 2013, with cost being the biggest driving factor.

Story continues

By nearly all accounts the U.S. medical system is broken, Goodness said. Sky-high hospital bills and staggering prices for pharmaceuticals push many Americans to seek care south of the border.

Two Americans are being helped at a pharmacy in Nogales, Mexico, in 2015. (Photo: Alicia Clark/Cronkite News)

Prior to the enactment in 2003 of the Medicare prescription drug subsidy program, known as Medicare Part D, it was Mexicos inexpensive (and loosely regulated) pharmacies that first drew many Southwesterners across the border. There, they soon discovered an untapped trove of low-cost dental clinics.

Word of mouth travels very quickly in this age demographic, said Ron Vinluan, co-founder of Dayo Dental, a Phoenix-based company that helps connects patients with a vetted network of top dentists throughout Mexico.

Vinluan told Yahoo News that Dayo Dental has seen 20 percent healthy growth per year since the company was founded in 2006. Sixty percent of patients who use Dayo Dental are older than 60, largely retirees living in the Southwest, but it serves Americans of all ages from all states as well as Canada. One study found that, as of 2014, 205 million Americans had no dental benefits.

While dentistry remained the area of largest growth for medical travel from the U.S. last year, Patients Beyond Borders, an organization dedicated to researching international trends in medical tourism, estimated that approximately 1.4 million Americans sought some sort of medical or dental care outside the U.S. in 2016.

Patients Beyond Borders CEO Josef Woodman credits the Affordable Care Act with helping drive this trend by forcing people to make choices about their insurance for the first time, leading many to pick seemingly inexpensive skinny plans that left many underinsured.

Outbound medical tourism is not about rich people, said Woodman. Its really people who are one medical condition away from the streets.

Rising costs combined with limited choices for coverage, he said, create a slippery slope that favors medical tourism, especially if youre in Texas, California, Arizona, on the border.

Anecdotally, Woodman said hes observed a spike in traffic to PBBs website since Republicans seized control of the White House and Congress, promising to repeal and replace Obamacare.

I dont think theres any question that people are going to be pursuing more choices if AHCA is passed, Woodman said.

The way I see it, AHCA is a component of a larger trend toward people seeking global options in their health care, said Woodman, who, along with Goodness and Vinluan, pointed to anecdotal signs of increased interest in their services from a growing number of younger Americans.

Its this tech-savvy sector of the population who, they predict, will usher in the next phase of medical tourism by approaching health care with the same scrupulous, consumer-review-oriented techniques used to shop for airfare, apartments, cars, clothing and virtually everything else. In addition to curated online networks like Dayo Dental and the Goodness Companys LosAlgodonesMedicalGuide.com, and the latest edition of Woodmans Patients Beyond Borders paperback guide to international medical travel, prospective patients are starting to be able to find consumer reviews for Mexican doctors and dental clinics on sites like Trip Advisor and Yelp.

Woodman expects Mexico to continue to benefit from this trend. He said that when he first began researching medical tourism trends in 2005, the Joint Commission International (JCI), the global branch of a nonprofit health care accreditation service, had bestowed its seal-of-quality approval on only 27 institutions worldwidenone of which were in Mexico.

As of March 1, 2017, there were 900 JCI-accredited facilities around the globe, a number expected to reach 1,000 by 2018. Mexico is currently home to seven.

In 1999, the General Health Council of Mexico, a division of the Ministry of Health, decided to align its accreditation standards for hospitals, clinics, rehab centers and other health care facilities with international standards used by the JCI. According to the Medical Tourism Association, 126 private hospitals have since been certified by the General Health Council, with 238 more in the process.

Mexicos move toward American-style hospitals and medical centers, coupled with its close proximity to the U.S. and relatively few restrictions for international patients, make it a desirable destination for American patients.

Americans who go abroad for care  overwhelmingly to Mexico  spend an average of $4,200 on services that cost 36 to 89 percent less than the U.S. equivalent. The Medical Tourism Association also estimates that Mexico generated $3.1 billion in revenue from medical tourism in 2014.

American companies are also getting in on the action. Last spring, San Diegos Scripps Health system announced it was teaming up with Mexican health care provider SIMNSA on the construction of a full-service, binational hospital in Tijuana.

We live in a binational region where thousands of people cross the border between San Diego and Tijuana daily for work, Scripps president and CEO Chris Van Gorder said at the time. Access to high quality health care on both sides of the border is important for our regional economy.

Scripps cross-border venture follows a trend led by other American companies, such as Dallas-based International Hospital Corp. and Christus Health, whose networks both include several hospitals in Mexico.

A medical clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. An estimated 952,000 Californians enter Mexico to receive health care annually, including prescription drugs, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. (Photo: Guillermo Arias/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Binational health care is something thats here to stay, Van Gorder said at the time.

But while proponents of medical tourism are excited about the industrys prospects for growth, not everyone is content to let Mexico become the preferred health care provider of the United States.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., agreed that AHCA will likely lead to increased travel to Mexico for some services that are found there cheaper, including dental work, some types of basic surgery, prescriptions. But, he insisted, its not an easy solution to go to Mexico for senior citizens who may be too old, ill or impoverished to easily undertake the trip.

Already at the forefront of the medical tourism trend, Arizona this year was hit with the biggest insurance premium hikes of any state on the federal Obamacare exchange, with premiums predicted to rise by an average of 116 percent statewide in 2017.

However, thanks to subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act, the hikes actually had little impact on the wallets of most Arizonans with Obamacare plans.

When premiums went up last year, there wasnt much of a rush to Mexico  because [there were] subsidies to match it, said Gallego. If anything, [it was] just political fodder for Republicans.

Shortly before the election, news of projected premium hikes became talking points for the campaigns of Arizona GOPers like Sen. John McCain and newly elected Rep. Andy Biggs, who both pledged to repeal Obamacare. Since then, Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Trump have continued to use Arizonas astronomical premiums as a cautionary tale to promote their proposed ACA replacement.

But its the AHCA, in particular its provision to roll back the ACAs Medicaid expansion, that Gallego fears will drive more older, working, poor people from Arizona, a Medicaid expansion state, to seek alternative health care options in Mexico  or worse, not at all.

Most seniors cant drive that far at this point, and if youre that poor, can you afford trips to Mexico to get surgery [or] to get prescriptions? he asked. He predicted that many of those slated to become uninsured under AHCA will likely avoid any type of medical service until it becomes an emergency and then theyll go to the emergency room, which ends up being more costly to them and to taxpayers.

Less than a block after crossing into Mexico, U.S. tourists are bombarded with billboards touting the dental services in Los Algodones. (Photo: Oscar Avila/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images)

McCain and Biggs have both expressed concerns about the proposed Obamacare replacement bill, though neither responded to requests for comment from Yahoo News.

Even if Republicans manage to revise the legislation in a way that causes less overt damage to their key voter base, it would likely do little to block the migration toward medical tourism already in motion.

Like any industry disruptor, medical tourism is seen by proponents as more than just an alternative to the increasingly unaffordable cost of health care in the U.S., but as a potential force for systemic change.

I truly believe the phenomenon of people going to other countries for affordable care will help deflate rising medical costs, said Vinluan.

Goodness agreed.

The simple truth is this, he said. If Americans could secure affordable comprehensive medical insurance coverage  even with preexisting conditions  there would be a reduced incentive to travel for medical care.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Mexico is home to 900 JCI-accredited facilities, a number expected to reach 1,000 by 2020.
The Daily Beast

GettyAnti-Russia activists and former Russian lawmakers opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin have been gathering in Poland in recent days to discuss what removing Putin from power would look like nearly nine months into his war in Ukraine.Some of the scenarios the anti-Russia group discussed include Russians staging a civil war, taking up arms, and killing Putin, according to Euractiv.A guerrilla fight may be the only way to take down Putin, said opposition activist Viacheslav Maltsev. T
Afghanistan called for an increased presence of U.S. troops in the country to help the government tackle security threats posed by the Taliban and the Islamic State group (ISIS). Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said Tuesday additional forces will help combat military shortfalls.

Currently, there are about 13,300 foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan, of whom 8,400 are from the U.S. Last month, the commander of the U.S.-led military forces in Afghanistan, Gen. John W. Nicholson, said there was a requirement of a few thousand additional troops in the country to train the Afghan soldiers.

Read: Most Dangerous Countries In The World For American Tourists To Travel To

The forces also conduct counterterrorism operations against insurgents in the country that has entered its 16th year of war. A recent deadly attack launched by ISIS with the Taliban on a military hospital in Kabul left almost 50 people dead, raising concerns regarding the countrys training, capabilities on ground and air, and reconnaissance as well as intelligence support, the foreign minister said.

We stand confident that the new U.S. administration under President Trump will remain strategically engaged and continue its support, Rabbani said, during his appearance at the Washington D.C.-based think tank Atlantic Council, according to Military Times. Rabbani was talking about his countys foreign policy priorities and what the recent U.S. presidential election meant for them.

He said Nicholsons call for additional troops was an appropriate decision considering the prevailing security challenges still facing us.

Afghanistans top diplomat also said that Russia was planning to hold a 12-nation conference on the situation in Afghanistan, for which the U.S. had also been invited. It would be a follow-up to the six-nation talks  involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, India and Iran  that were held in February.

The State Department said that while it was aware of the conference, no decision had been taken on whether the country will be participating, Fox News reported.

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KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan authorities expect work on the first phase of a multimillion dollar housing project financed by China to begin within months, as Beijing continues to raise its development profile in the region. The project, originally announced in 2015 during a visit to Kabul by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, is expected to see construction of 10,000 housing units for Afghan civil servants after the project was cleared by both governments last week. The first phase will see 1,400 units built near the old Darulaman palace in the capital Kabul, with China agreeing to provide 500 million yuan ($73 million) in finance. Two further phases are expected to follow, depending on successful implementation of the first stage. "So far, the project is the largest Chinese-supported project in Afghanistan," Hamid Jalil, a deputy minister at the Ministry of Urban Development told Reuters. "We hope that within two to three months, we'll be able to finalize procurement and start," he said. China is investing heavily in the region, with the $57 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project to link its landlocked northwest to the Arabian Sea and projects such as the massive Mes Aynak copper mine in Afghanistan. Although it has been very cautious about taking an active security role in Afghanistan, it has promised to help build up the economy which has been shattered by decades of war. While the housing project counts as development aid and has no direct links to investments like Mes Aynak, which has been hit by wrangling over contractual issues, it underlines Beijing's growing profile as a major player in the region. "For donors what is important is visibility so that people can see their assistance and housing is one of the most visible projects," Jalil said. Past construction projects financed by foreign donors have sometimes run into trouble in Afghanistan, running over budget or failing to match local conditions and requirements but Jalil said he was confident the current project would be a success. The Afghan government will select the main construction contractor from a list of Chinese companies provided by Beijing but he said Afghan authorities and local companies would be closely involved in running the project. "The design is made by us, not by the Chinese government. Supervision will be by us, not by the Chinese government. And also the sub-contractors will be Afghan companies," he said. (Reporting by James Mackenzie and Mirwais Harooni; Editing by Michael Perry)
US and UK ban cabin laptops on some inbound flights

The US and UK are banning laptops from cabin baggage on flights from certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Turkey.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Nearly a third of all children in war-torn Afghanistan are unable to attend school, leaving them at increased risk of child labor, recruitment by armed groups, early marriage and other forms of exploitation, an aid group said Thursday.

Save the Children said more than 400,000 Afghan children are expected to drop out of school this year due to growing instability and the forcible return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, adding to the 3.7 million already out of school.

More than 600,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan in 2016 and around one million more are expected in 2017 after the tightening of regulations by authorities there.

Save the Children said over half of all returnee children do not attend school, often working on the streets because their parents cannot find jobs. Afghanistan has been mired in a growing economic crisis as the Taliban have expanded their reach. Economic aid has meanwhile dwindled alongside the Western military drawdown in recent years.

"My father sells ice-cream and my brother sells plastic bags, so we only earn a little bit of money to eat," Jahangeer, an 11-year-old who returned with his family six months ago, told The Associated Press. "What I can do? I can't go to school."

The boy, who like many Afghans has just one name, pushes an ice-cream cart alongside his father in Kabul. As the current school year begins, he says he wishes he could attend classes.

"Today should be a happy day in Afghanistan, as children go back to class for the first time after a long winter," said Ana Locsin, the country director for Save the Children.

"Instead it is a day cloaked in tragedy for the millions who can't access education and are struggling to survive."
Shanghai (AFP) - Airbnb, the home rentals website, said on Wednesday it would double its investment in China, triple its workforce there and change its name to "Aibiying" in Chinese.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said the name, which translates to "Welcome each other with love", reflected the company's commitment to succeeding in the country.

"Theres a whole new generation of Chinese travellers who want to see the world in a different way," Chesky said at a launch event in Shanghai.

"We hope that Aibiying... strikes a chord with them," he said, according to a company statement.

The statement did not provide figures on the increased investment. The company recently ended a successful $1 billion fundraising drive.

Airbnb currently has 60 employees in China and wants a total of 180 by the end of the year, a spokesperson said.

There have been 5.3 million guest check-ins by Chinese travellers at Airbnb listings around the world, and outbound travel from China grew by 142 percent in 2016 alone, the company said.

Domestically, Airbnb will aim to grow from its approximately 80,000 existing listings in China, where the website became available at the end of 2014.

Airbnb competes in the world's second-largest economy with domestic home rental websites Tujia.com and Xiaozhu.com.

Airbnb is not the first US-based technology firm to make a big push into the Chinese market but not all have found success.

US car-hailing giant Uber agreed last August to tie up with China's Didi Chuxing, ending a ferocious battle between the two for market share.

The agreement left Didi Chuxing with unquestioned control of the ride-sharing sector.

Founded in 2008, Airbnb has become a popular alternative to hotels worldwide, allowing homeowners to rent out their properties by marketing them online for a fee.
Airbnb is making a big play for China.

Not only is the home-rental company doubling investments in the country and tripling its local workforce  it's also got a new name to match.

SEE ALSO: Airbnb continues to push Trips into more Asian countries

Airbnb's Chinese name is Aibiying, meaning to "welcome each other with love."

The company also announced on Tuesday it's bringing Trips to Shanghai.

Trips is an Airbnb feature which allows users to find and book local tours and activities while on holiday. It has recently launched in several Asian cities including Delhi, Singapore and Bangkok.

Some of the activities in Shanghai include dough sculpturing and local cooking classes.

Image: airbnb

"Overall response has been good so far, even friends of mine are asking if they can sign up!" says Vivian Wong, a Shanghai-based host who is offering an Experience in modern Chinese cooking.

"We are frequent Airbnb users, and...while I am not able to share my accommodation, I was really looking forward to [sharing] my slice of Shanghai with travellers."

But she tells Mashable that Airbnb might still take some time to catch on in China.

"Chinese consumers are still big supporters of traditional accommodation. However the younger generation which are more tech-savvy and bilingual, are definitely more receptive to this concept."

One word: Millennials

Airbnb currently has some 80,000 listings in China, which have hosted some 1.6 million guests.

More than 8 percent of Airbnb's users in China are aged under 35  its biggest proportion of millennials globally.

"There's a whole new generation of Chinese travelers who want to see the world in a different way," Brian Chesky, CEO and co-founder of Airbnb said in a statement.

Minimum usage fee is 35 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cultura/REX/Shutterstock (4820324a) MODEL RELEASED, Tourist couple strolling, The Bund, Shanghai, China VARIOUS

Image: Cultura/REX/Shutterstock

"We hope that Aibiying and our Trips product strikes a chord with them."

And the company is making sure that their product reaches Chinese customers.

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It's started to offer popular local payment methods such as Alipay, while letting Chinese users sign up via their WeChat IDs.

And it's no wonder why they're trying so hard  there are already platforms in China that offer services similar to Airbnb's.

Zhu Bai Jia, a Shenzhen based-start up, not only offers short-term rentals but helps guests plan entire trips, with hosts often acting as part-time tour guides.

"When Airbnb launched Trips last year, we laughed," said the spokesperson of Zhu Bai Jia, according to news outlet SCMP.

The joke in our sector is that China used to copy Silicon Valley, but now it is Silicon Valley that copies China."
Airbnb is making a major push into China, with the launch of a new brand name and plans to double their investment into the market.

Called Aibiying, which translates to "welcome each other with love," Airbnb launched the Chinese brand of their short-term vacation rental site this week, along with the travel planning guide Trips and Airbnb Experiences in Shanghai.

Activities include learning about dough figurines, a 4,000-year-old Chinese folk art, and going behind-the-scenes of traditional Kun Opera.

Currently there are 80,000 Airbnb listings in China, which have seen 1.6 million guest arrivals.
Landlords have been among the loudest critics of Airbnb, what with the risks of loud parties and expensive repairs, but the company has a plan to win them over.

Unfortunately, in Australia, the scheme looks a tad half-baked.

Airbnb's director of global multifamily housing partnerships, Jaja Jackson wants to create "solutions that work for the entire community."

In Sydney on Tuesday to roll out the company's Friendly Buildings Program , Jackson claimed the initiative specifically addressed the concerns of apartment renters and owners.

SEE ALSO: Lyft is being mighty elusive about whether it'll finally come to Australia

For owners, the program helps strata committees make rules governing the use of Airbnb in a building, updating them with regular information on Airbnb stays.

For renters, an addendum is added to leases in which their landlord gives express consent for the premises to be hosted on Airbnb.

But only in exchange for an information and profit sharing arrangement that gives a percentage of earnings to said landlord or strata group. "We recommend that the profit share percentage be between five and 15 percent," Jackson said.

This is where things get murky.

Ned Cutcher, senior policy officer for the Tenants Union, said the program looked out of step with what the law allows in the state of New South Wales (NSW).

Under state tenancy law, the landlord is only entitled to receive rent money. Sharing profits made on Airbnb could be seen as a de-facto rent increase, he suggested, adding that a clause in which the landlord promises not to evict someone for renting their home on Airbnb may also be unenforceable.

In a statement, Airbnb said it was "surprised" by the Tenants Union's comments, adding it would continue conversations with industry bodies.

"The Friendly Buildings Program provides tools for their members to potentially negotiate some modest additional income," a spokesperson said. "The Friendly Buildings Program launched in Australia to encourage a constructive conversation about the need for new, fair and progressive regulations."

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A 2016 state government inquiry recommended renters be legally able to offer homes or rooms on the platform. It was a result obviously favoured by Airbnb, which has slowly but surely been lobbying its way to legality across Australia. But the government won't make its final decision until April.

Bodies like the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), for their part, are lobbying regulators to allow strata committees and owners to outright ban Airbnb in their building.

According to chair of the OCN, Stephen Goddard, the concept of the friendly building is a good one. However, he suggested that before you have a friendly building, you must first allow owners to vote on whether their building will participate in Airbnb hosting at all.

"Owners should have a democratic right to decide whether short term letting should come into their domain," he said.

According to Jackson, the program is only rolled out in places where the local regulatory environment supports short term rentals.

Launched in the U.S. in early 2016, the Friendly Buildings Program is now available in most American cities and several in Canada. "More than 5,000 units are now eligible for the Friendly Buildings Program in the United States," Jackson said.

"It simply creates a platform on which responsible hosting can take place."

Nevertheless, Cutcher suggested Airbnb has some work to do before rolling out the program in NSW. What works in San Francisco may not work here.

"Taking that one size fits all approach puts us on a dangerous path," he said.

[H/T Australian Financial Review]
By Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said on Wednesday it would set up a logistics hub in Malaysia, the latest in a string of Chinese investments including in infrastructure and real estate projects, underscoring the close ties between the two countries. The hub will be part of a digital free trade zone that was launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Alibaba's founder and executive chairman Jack Ma in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. The hub, expected to be launched end-2019, "will function as a centralized customs clearance, warehousing and fulfilment facility for Malaysia and the region, to deliver faster clearance for imports and exports," Alibaba said in a statement. Alibaba did not disclose the size of its investment in the hub. Alibaba said the logistics facility was part of an "e-hub" it was setting up at the free trade zone, part of Ma's Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative that aims to remove barriers to trade for smaller firms and emerging nations. The "e-hub" in Malaysia will be the first such facility outside China, and will also include collaboration between Alibaba affiliates and other Malaysian businesses. Ant Financial - the financial services affiliate of Alibaba that includes Alipay - signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia's top banks CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Malayan Banking Bhd to explore collaboration opportunities in e-payment and financing services. The banks will allow Chinese tourists to use Alipay e-wallet services in Malaysia. Ties between Malaysia and Beijing have blossomed in recent months. 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. Beijing also came to Najib's rescue in 2015 with a $2.3 billion deal to buy assets of troubled state fund 1MDB, helping ease concerns over its mounting debt. The free trade zone will also include a digital hub to be developed by Kuala Lumpur-based internet firm Catcha Group, owner of iflix - Southeast Asia's equivalent of Netflix. Investment by Catcha and partners in the digital hub is estimated at $200-$300 million, CEO Patrick Grove told Reuters. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
Those of us in pediatrics have seen the proposed American Health Care Act. We have examined the Congressional Budget Office scoring. So we have reached an inescapable conclusion: The AHCA potentially puts the health care benefits of 30 million children at risk.

How many of those children actually could be affected? Which benefits in particular could children lose? We don't know. One of the many problems of the proposal in its current form is how little attention it pays to the specifics of children's health coverage. It does not protect funds for children. It does not guarantee that children will get medically-necessary care.

[See: How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan.]

This may come as a surprise to people who think of the AHCA simply as a bill that will " repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act (or "Obamacare"). The AHCA goes beyond that. It changes how Medicaid is funded, and in turn, likely reduces the access that children will have to medical care they need.

Medicaid is the single largest insurer of children in the country. The program provides health care coverage for children when their families could not otherwise afford it. Children are able to see physicians and visit hospitals when they are sick because of this coverage. A primary focus of pediatric professionals around the country is keeping children well, and Medicaid allows children to get screenings, vaccines and other preventative care that keeps them from needing additional (and often more expensive) doctor and hospital visits.

Medicaid funding now changes when health care expenses change. If certain illnesses become more or less prevalent, or if new treatments become available, funding adjusts. Medical science advances all the time, and the program as currently constructed recognizes that the health care and medical conditions of 2007 are not identical to the health care and medications of 2017.

[See: What Your Doctors Wish You Knew.]

The new AHCA does not allow Medicaid to fluctuate in that way. Instead, it locks in a per capita cap model based on the health care environment of 2016. It limits funding to the states with the cap model, which likely translates into limiting coverage for children.

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There is a lot we do not know, because the AHCA is not specific enough to tell us. We can, however, make some surmises:

-- Medicaid now provides health coverage to approximately 30 million children, or about 40 percent of all U.S. children.

-- The proposed AHCA will cut Medicaid spending by 25 percent by 2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

-- The AHCA does not specifically protect funding for children, so there is every reason to believe the 25 percent reduction will include a reduction to children's benefits.

-- Because there is no specific protection for children, if adult Medicaid spending runs over its allotment, money intended for children could be diverted to cover the adult gap under the AHCA. That could result in an even larger reduction to child health benefits.

-- The changes start in 2020. That means cuts could both "uninsure" children who now have health coverage and affect children who have not been born.

At a minimum, any change to Medicaid must protect funding for children. It must allow children to receive medically necessary treatment. It must not have a detrimental effect on children who are insured now, and who will need to be insured in the future.

Research shows that children covered by Medicaid have better health, educational and economic outcomes as they become adults, compared to children who have no medical insurance. It is reasonable to think that preserving Medicaid coverage for children actually helps achieve the goal of less health care spending in the future.

From the prospective of people involved in children's health care, this is not a political argument. We have real concerns that our most vulnerable population will be denied access to necessary medical care. Congress must preserve that access through Medicaid.

[See: How to Be a Good Patient Wingman.]

You can let Congress know that you feel the same way. The Children's Hospital Association has created a feature that lets you send a personalized message to your congressional representatives about the issue. The entire process takes just one minute here.

Medicaid is critical to the health of our children, and all of us should be invested in the future of the program. Add your voice while you can.

Dr. Steve Allen has been CEO of Nationwide Children's Hospital since July 2006. He is credited with leading the organization's prominence as an international leader in pediatric health care, research and payment reform. With more than 1 million patients visits each year, Nationwide Children's is a global destination with children referred from treatment from all 50 states and more than 34 countries. He has published over 100 articles and more than 20 book chapters on a variety of medical topics. He is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, awarded an MBA and serves as Immediate Past Chair of the Children's Hospital Association.
By James Oliphant, Emily Stephenson and Caren Bohan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans considering whether or not to back U.S. President Donald Trump's healthcare reforms in a crucial House of Representatives vote this week face a painful choice. If they vote against, they could face the wrath of a vengeful and combative president. If they vote for it, they risk retribution from the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch and other powerful right-wing players whose money can be pivotal in re-election races. As Trump faces the most formidable, high-stakes negotiation of his presidency, the fierce battle in the U.S. Congress over his plan to replace Obamacare is a test of whether Republicans will trust him with their political futures at the risk of alienating deep-pocketed conservative advocacy groups. As Trump and leaders in the House round up support for the bill ahead of a planned Thursday vote, some groups are threatening to retaliate against those who do support it, including the Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation's political arm, and Americans for Prosperity, which is part of the expansive political pressure network established by the Koch brothers. All three groups are keying the vote, which means it will be a factor in determining whether the groups deem a lawmaker to be sufficiently conservative. That opens up the possibility that some Republicans who vote in favor of the bill could face a primary challenge in next years congressional elections and may not be able to count on help from the Kochs and others. Trump himself warned House Republicans in a meeting on Tuesday that their seats will be at risk next year if they do not support his healthcare bill, which would modify but not eliminate Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation passed in 2010. He warned us that there are consequences if we dont come together for us as a party and also for individuals, Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina said after the meeting. He wasnt threatening in any way. He was just giving us a pretty clear warning. Trump also told Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, an outspoken critic of the bill, that he was "coming after" him, according to people in the meeting. Meadows later said the president was joking. 'OUTSIDER' JOINS ESTABLISHMENT Some Conservatives believe the bill does not go far enough in dismantling Obamacare and have not been satisfied by the White Houses attempts to mollify them. NBC News reported on Tuesday that 26 House Republicans oppose the bill, which would leave House Speaker Paul Ryan short of the 216 votes he needs. No Democrat is expected to support the bill. The conflict has created an odd dynamic: Trump, who ran as an outsider candidate siding with the Republican political establishment against the hard-line conservatives who were some of his most ardent supporters. At the same time, Trump has never been a favorite of libertarian conservatives such as the Kochs, or of groups such as the Club for Growth, because, among other things, he has never taken a strong stand on reining in federal spending. They opposed him during the Republican presidential campaign. For them, the healthcare vote is a test of their continued relevance in a party seized by Trump. The Koch network spent an estimated $250 million on last years election. The Koch-run Americans for Prosperity, which has chapters in more than 30 states and boasts that it can deploy 3.2 million citizen activists, spent almost $14 million on the 2016 elections, according to federal records. Freedom Partners, another Koch entity which largely targeted Democrats with attack ads, spent $30 million. Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, would not say directly that Republicans who support the bill will face consequences next year, but noted, Members of Congress know how serious we take a vote like this. James Davis, a spokesman for Freedom Partners, said network organizations will stand with principled lawmakers who will oppose the House healthcare proposal. Davis said the Koch network would spend between $300 million and $400 million ahead of the 2018 elections. KOCH INFLUENCE Last year, Americans for Prosperity and the Club for Growth targeted an incumbent House Republican, then-Representative Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, for being too close with House leadership and not holding the line on government spending. Ellmers lost in a primary fight. House Republicans have been nervous about primary challenges since 2014 when Eric Cantor, then the majority leader, lost to a little-known conservative named David Brat. Phillips said his organization last year was instrumental in getting Republican incumbents Senators Rob Portman of Ohio and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania re-elected. The two leading Koch groups sat out then-Senator Kelly Ayottes tight race in New Hampshire. Ayotte lost by 0.1 percent of the vote. Groups such as the Kochs have been an important part of a coalition of outside Republican money, said Nathan Gonzales, a congressional political analyst in Washington. If that coalition falters, that could contribute to Democratic gains. But several lawmakers interviewed by Reuters were dismissive of the opposition by conservative groups. For me, this healthcare bill is an absolute no-brainer, said Representative Devin Nunes of California, a close Trump ally. Any conservative group who opposes it, I dont even understand how they can categorize themselves as being a conservative group. The bills supporters have argued that voters are more likely to punish Republicans who do not act to replace Obamacare when given the chance. If it fails there are going to be a lot of people who are looking for work in 2018, said Representative Mike Conaway of Texas. The political implications of the bill, though, remain largely unclear. Even if it passes the House, the bill faces a difficult path in the Senate, where several conservatives have declared their opposition. Veteran House members recall in 2009, when then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi forced a vote on a bill that would cap carbon emissions. The bill did not pass the Senate, and many Democrats from coal states lost their seats in the 2010 elections for their votes. (Additional reporting by Susan Cornwall and Steve Holland; Editing by Jason Szep and Bill Rigby)
By Hasmik Mkrtchyan YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenia's national security service arrested an opposition activist on weapon smuggling charges on Wednesday, in a move critics say is politically motivated. Samvel Babayan, who served as a former defense minister of neighboring Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from 1994-2000, was arrested with two others for smuggling Igla anti-aircraft missile system parts, the security service said. "We have gathered trustworthy information that the individuals responsible for the acquisition and transportation of the parts of the mentioned anti-aircraft missile system operated in line with an in-advance agreement with Samvel Babayan and upon his request," it said in a statement. The security service said the system was smuggled from neighboring Georgia and that it was in an operational state. Babayan is an active supporter, but not a member, of opposition bloc "Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan", which is led by Armenia's former defense minister Seyran Ohanyan and two former foreign ministers - Raffi Hovannisyan and Vardan Oskanyan. The group described Babayan's arrest as a "provocation" ahead of a parliamentary election in Armenia on April 2. "This behavior exercised by the government is aimed at spreading the atmosphere of fear and affecting the results of the elections in an illegal way," the bloc said in a statement. Babayan was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2000 for an alleged assassination attempt on Nagorno-Karabakh's former leader Arkady Gukasyan. He was released in 2004 and moved to Russia before relocating to Armenia in 2016. (Writing by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Julia Glover)
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats seized on a Supreme Court ruling handed down Wednesday morning  less than an hour into the third day of the confirmation hearing for nominee Neil Gorsuch  to question the judgment of President Trumps choice to fill the empty seat on the high court.

The unanimous decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District expanded the obligations of public-school districts to provide an adequate education to disabled students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a standard that Gorsuch had used to decide a similar case in 2008, Thompson School District v. Luke P.

Gorsuch wrote then that the Colorado school district must provide an autistic elementary school student with an education that provides merely more than de minimis progress every year  a phrase that means better than no progress. Wednesdays decision in the Endrew case  which Gorsuch was not involved in but that involved the same reading of IDEA  held that merely more than de minimis was not the correct standard.

When all is said and done, a student offered an education program offering merely more than de minimis progress from year to year can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all, Roberts wrote. The IDEA demands more.

The decision came down as Gorsuch was already in the hot seat on the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing to be the next Supreme Court justice, and Democrats on the committee quickly seized upon it.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked Gorsuch to explain why he adhered to a standard the court so resoundingly rejected.

Gorsuch replied that he had just been handed the decision moments before on his way to the bathroom and had not had a chance to read it yet. Nonetheless, he explained his original decision making in the 2008 case.

I was bound by circuit precedent, Gorsuch said. He added that it was fine that the Supreme Court changed the interpretation, but that until then it was up to him as an appeals court judge to follow the precedent.

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If I was wrong, Senator, I was wrong because I was bound by circuit precedent, and Im sorry, he said.

Durbin asked why he used the word merely to describe what the school districts responsibility was to disabled students  a word that hadnt been brought up in any of the precedents Gorsuch cited.

Gorsuch didnt answer, but said that the decision had been unanimous, by a panel that included a judge who was appointed by a Democratic president.

To suggest that I have some animus against children, Senator, would be a mistake, Gorsuch said.

Judge, please, I am not suggesting that, Durbin retorted.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., joined in, asking Gorsuch why he would decide against an autistic student in this case.

I was trying faithfully to the best of my ability to follow Supreme Court precedent in Rowley and the 10th Circuit opinion as I understood it in Urban, he said, mentioning two previous cases that dealt with children with disabilities.

A spokesman for Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chair of the committee, sent a statement to reporters defending Gorsuchs decision, noting that several circuits had relied on a similar understanding of IDEA before Wednesdays Supreme Court decision.

The word merely in Luke P did not change the legal test, the spokesman, Taylor Foy, wrote. Instead, it was simply a description of the very low bar the 1996 precedent set for school districts to meet  the very point Democrats have been making about the unfairness of the law Judge Gorsuch was required to follow.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., said that Democrats should be applauding Gorsuch for being bound by precedent in the case. Senate Democrats have asked Gorsuch whether he will respect the Supreme Court precedent legalizing abortion, for example. I will commend them for highlighting this case as another example of a judge doing exactly that, following precedent, Cruz said.

Read more from Yahoo News:
LONDON (Reuters) - An assailant who stabbed a policeman inside the perimeter of Britain's parliament was shot by police, David Lidington, the leader of the House of Commons, told parliament. "The alleged assailant was shot by armed police, an ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties," he said. "There are also reports of further violent incidents in the Palace of Westminster but it would be wrong of me to go into further details before confirmation from the police." (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Stephen Addison)
The very young life of Baby Dominique is now forever changed.

She was born in the Ivory Coast, with four legs and two spines, the result of a twin who died in utero and was absorbed by Dominique's body.

Read: Separated Conjoined Twins Say Hello for First Time Since 17-Hour Surgery

At 10 months, after flying nearly 9,000 miles, the child underwent a massive, risky surgery to remove two of the extra limbs, which protruded from her neck and were weighing on her spines and overtaxing her heart and lungs, physicians said.

After more than six hours of surgery at Advocate Children's Hospital in Illinois, Dominique is sitting up, laughing and on her way to a much better future.

"She's great," foster mom Nancy Swabb told InsideEdition.com Tuesday as Dominique wailed in the background. "She's doing very well."

Dominique, apparently a little hungry, abruptly piped down when Swabb gave her a bottle.

The baby arrived in Chicago in February, courtesy of Ohio-based charity Children's Medical Mission West, to prepare for an extremely complex surgery requiring a 50-person medical team of surgeons, plastic surgeons, nurses and technicians.

The nonprofit group provides life-changing surgeries to needy children around the globe.

Swabb had never heard of the group before seeing a Facebook post seeking a host family for Baby Dominique while she underwent, and recuperated from, painstaking surgery to remove a parasitic twin.

Swabb "saw a photo of sweet little Dominique and her mother" in Abidjan, and that was it.

She sent an application and letters of recommendation. Her husband felt as she did. In little more than a week, Dominique was in their arms.

The couple have two adopted children, ages 9 and 15, and so had already undergone detailed background checks, Swabb said.

"It's really an amazing story about trust and hope," she said. "Here we are helping another family. They just happen to live on a different continent."

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She sends updates and photos to an advocate at the organization, where they translated into French and sent on to Dominique's parents. As soon as physicians say she is able, Dominique will return the her family, accompanied on the long flight home by an escort.

Read: Youngest Ever Conjoined Twins Separated at Just 8 Days Old

Surgeons left both spines intact because they seem to be functioning, Swabb said. "She has full mobility. She is doing what a 10-month-old can do. She's moving her toes and fingers."

The baby, who has sprouted two teeth and learned to wave since coming to America, may be heading to Africa as early as next month.

"It's got to be unbelievably hard for her mother, being separated from her baby for two months," Swabb said.

But when the time comes, saying goodbye to Dominique isn't going to be easy for the host mother.

"I'm dreading it," Swabb said.

Watch: 4 Formerly Conjoined Twins Who Underwent Separation Surgery Meet Each Other

Related Articles:
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Being the leader of a small nation comes with its perks  like going tuna fishing.

In his farewell speech to lawmakers on Wednesday, former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key recounted the time he visited the Marshall Islands in 2013 for a meeting of Pacific leaders and managed to squeeze in some deep-sea fishing.

Key said then-U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron called him on a satellite phone to talk about Libya. But Cameron wondered what all the noise was in the background.

"Don't get alarmed," Key replied. "It's just that we're on a fishing boat about a mile out to sea in the Marshall Islands and I've landed a big tuna."

Key said there was a long silence before the British leader wistfully replied: "God, I wish I ran a small country."

Key was one of New Zealand's most popular leaders and was widely expected to contest his fourth general election this year before he unexpectedly resigned in December after eight years as prime minister. He said he wanted to leave while he was on top of his game and spend more time with his family.

In his valedictory speech, Key addressed a full public gallery that included his wife, Bronagh, and children, Stephie and Max. Among his achievements as leader, he listed good economic management, completing treaty settlements with indigenous Maori and the construction of bicycle paths throughout the country. He expressed regret at his failed attempt to change the nation's flag.

He also talked about the disasters that happened on his watch, including the 2011 Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people. He said he felt the quake strongly in the capital, Wellington, and thought it must have been centered there, only to find out it had occurred far away.

"The Christchurch earthquakes really hit home to me," he said. "It was my home town and the death toll was so high."

A successful currency trader before turning to politics, Key credited a humble upbringing and his mother for instilling positive values in him.

Key was elected to Parliament in 2002 and enjoyed a quick rise, becoming leader of his center-right opposition National Party in 2006. He won his first general election and became prime minister in 2008. He won subsequent elections in 2011 and 2014 and retained unusually high popularity ratings.

Key's former deputy Bill English has served as prime minister since December.
Brussels (AFP) - Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde on Wednesday led a minute of silence in memory of the 32 people killed in the Brussels airport and metro attacks one year ago.

Silence fell at 7:58 am (0658 GMT), the exact time suicide bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui struck at Zaventem Airport on March 22, 2016.

The royal couple led hundreds of family members, rescue workers and airport staff in a solemn ceremony outside the airport, which was badly damaged in the attack.

The names of the 16 people of seven nationalities who died in the airport bombing were read out.

Later, the king and queen will travel by underground train to Maalbeek station in the city's European quarter where Bakraoui's brother Khalid blew himself up on a crowded train at 9:11 am, killing a further 16 people.

Afterwards, trams and buses will come to a halt and staff will hold a "minute of noise", in which commuters will be invited to take part "to show that they do not forget but they will stay standing against hate and terror", the Brussels public transport company Stib said.

The king and queen will then inaugurate a new steel memorial at the heart of the European Union institutions based in Brussels.
WASHINGTON  Former Vice President Joe Biden rallied Democrats Wednesday against the Republican attempt to pass a health care bill that would replace former President Barack Obamas signature legislative accomplishment. Biden had been keeping a relatively low public profile since Trumps January inauguration.

This is not going to pass, Biden said on the steps of the Capitol, standing in front of a large group of House Democrats.

But Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., both made pointed comments that amounted to an appeal to Republicans to work with them on compromise fixes to the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

We knew there would have to be improvements made, Biden said. The improvements are all doable. Theyre all in our wheelhouse.

Schumer warned House Republicans to wake up.

Work with us to improve the Affordable Care Act and renounce repeal once and for all, Schumer said.

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at an event marking the seventh anniversary of the passing of the Affordable Care Act. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters)

California Gov. Jerry Brown warned that if Republicans are able to pass their health bill replacement, it would cause millions of people to lose their health insurance, a claim backed up by a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the legislation.

Were not talking about a few thousand. Were talking about millions of real people getting hurt, getting diseases that will not be cured, having heart attacks, not being able to go to a hospital or get a doctor, Brown said. This is a dangerous bill. Its written by people who dont know what the hell theyre talking about.

This is not about health care reform. This is about disease, death and suffering, Brown thundered. Mr. Trump, come down from Trump Tower, walk among the people and see the damage that this latest exercise in raw political power will wreck on the women, the men and the children of this country.

Around the same time that the Democrats were speaking at the Capitol, President Trump was hosting a meeting with a small group of House Republicans who continued to oppose the replacement measure that has been crafted by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Story continues

Trump and Ryan still appeared short of having the 218 House members they need to pass the bill on Thursday, when a vote is scheduled. A potentially decisive number of conservative and moderate Republicans have expressed concerns with the legislation, which has been embraced by the GOP leadership.

Getting there, said a House Republican leadership aide midday.

Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told reporters at the White House that the House Republicans were meeting with Trump because he was bringing them to the closer.

Read more from Yahoo News:
A U.K.-based billionaire is raising pointed questions about the most recent in a series of mysterious accidents, illnesses and muggings to befall critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin: lawyer Nikolai Gorokhovs fall from a window of his fourth-floor apartment near Moscow earlier this week.

People dont just go falling out of their apartments, Bill Browder, the American-born CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, told Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga Wednesday. Browder, whose net worth is estimated at around $4 billion, is the grandson of longtime American Communist Party leader Earl Browder, and a former ally turned vocal critic of Putin. He was working with Gorokhov to investigate the 2009 death of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky in a Russian prison.

Gorokhov, who was injured in the fall but survived, was due to appear in court the following day on behalf of Magnitskys family. Magnitsky, who was also a lawyer, was arrested in 2008 after uncovering evidence of massive fraud and corruption by the Russian government.

Browders company was allegedly a victim of the fraud that Magnitsky was investigating. According to Browder, Gorokhov had recently obtained leaked emails and WhatsApp messages containing new evidence of collusion between Russian police and organized crime in the Magnitsky case.

He was planning to present those documents in court on Wednesday, and all of a sudden, a day before that, he drops four stories from his apartment, said Browder, raising the possibility that the fall wasnt quite accidental.

According to the official report by Russian state media, Gorokhov and some workmen were attempting to carry a bathtub into his house when a rope snapped. But Browder claims that other witness accounts place the workmen on the ground with the bathtub at the time of the incident.

What wasnt mentioned in the report was that there was somebody also up in the apartment with him, Browder told Golodryga Tuesday. Thats what were suspicious about, what that persons role was and how he [Gorokhov] ended up going four floors down.

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Theres a lot of unknowns in this story, Browder continued, adding that Gorokhov, who Browder said is now conscious and able to talk, is a big enemy of the Russian regime.

U.S-born businessman William Browder answers reporters during an interview with the Associated Press in Paris March 3. Browder, a U.S-born British investor who made millions in Russia before his lawyer was imprisoned and died, is calling for an international investigation into the killing of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov. (Photo: Remy de la Mauviniere/AP)

Once Russias biggest foreign investor, Browder himself was blacklisted by the Kremlin in 2006 for using his companys investments to expose and interfere in government-sanctioned corporate corruption. Since 2009, hes been on a mission to get justice for the death of his lawyer, successfully pushing for the passage of the Magnitsky Act by the U.S. Congress in 2012. The act was intended to punish those believed to be responsible for Magnitskys death, prohibiting 18 Russian individuals, including several government officials, from entering the U.S. or using the American banking system.

Gorokhovs mysterious fall is hardly the only Russian-related news dominating headlines this week, Golodryga noted, referring to FBI Director James Comeys confirmation of an ongoing investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as recent reports of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manaforts previous work for Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska.

Though Browder said hed never heard of Manafort prior to the U.S. election, he has no doubt about ties between the Russian government and Deripaska, one of the countrys wealthiest oligarchs.

Whatever he was paying Manafort to do, his interests were effectively the same as the Russian governments, Browder said.
By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday about infrastructure and reducing urban crime, calling the sit-down a "positive" first step toward finding common ground. The lawmakers presented Trump with a 130-page policy proposal titled "We Have a Lot to Lose: Solutions to Advance Black Families in the 21st Century," a reference to Trump's repeated query on the campaign trail asking what did blacks have to lose by supporting him. "We think it's a positive first start and we're going to continue the dialogue," Representative Karen Bass, a Democrat from California, told reporters after the meeting. Trump has pledged to improve the lives of African-Americans, who largely voted in favor of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 presidential election. Many black leaders have criticized his depiction of urban areas as crime-ridden war zones and his false claims that the first black U.S. president, Barack Obama, may not have been born in the United States. Trump later admitted he believes Obama was U.S. born. At the start of the meeting, Trump said he was serious about his promise to help African-Americans. "Every American child has a right to grow up in a safe community, to attend great schools, to graduate with access to high-paying jobs," Trump said during the portion of the meeting open to reporters. Since coming to office Trump has held a listening session with some of his black supporters and signed an executive order seeking to boost government support for historically black colleges. Caucus chairman Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana, said that while the lawmakers share many of the same goals as Trump, they often disagree with him on how to actually reach those goals. The lawmakers said the meeting was not "terse," but they did not shy away from addressing contentious issues. "There were many people in my family, many people in the caucus, and many people in churches that suggested we not take the meeting with President Trump because of the rhetoric," Richmond said. "We expressed that to him, because we're certainly very clear of the emotions of African-Americans around the country." (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's government fought Wednesday to save the country's meat industry from getting burned in a corruption scandal that has prompted several countries to pull Brazilian beef and chicken from the menu.

Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi did not mince his words.

"What we are suffering now is a blow, a punch to the stomach," he told the Senate.

"We have to recover, to reorganize our forces, to travel around the world and to show that what happened here was that a few people did wrong but that the system or the industry was not at fault."

Maggi warned that Brazil's chances are dwindling for realizing ambitions to raise market share in the worldwide food trade to 10 percent from the current seven percent.

"It's so bad that when I see this seven percent I start to think that it will be a job to maintain it. I can't imagine getting to 10 percent. It's a shock," he said.

Brazilian meat exports were worth $63 million a day until last week's announcement by police of "Operation Weak Flesh," which revealed that some meatpackers had paid crooked inspectors to pass off rotten and adulterated meat as safe.

That figure plummeted to about $74,000 on Tuesday, the foreign trade ministry said.

- Few bad apples -

Brazil's government appealed Wednesday to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 163 other members not to impose "arbitrary" bans on the country's more than $13 billion meat export industry.

But damage has already been done, with two of the biggest markets, China and Hong Kong, having suspended all imports of beef and chicken.

Other important markets, notably the European Union, have stopped any imports from the 21 businesses under investigation.

Japan, Brazil's third-biggest market for chicken with $720 million in sales, imposed a similar limited ban, while Mexico has stopped imports of chicken produced by the 21 companies under scrutiny.

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In its letter to the WTO, Brazil pressed its message that a few bad apples are at fault for the scandal and that the Brazilian food industry itself is in good health.

It pointed out that of 11,000 employees at the agriculture ministry, 2,300 work as inspectors on animal products and "only 33 individuals are being investigated for improper conduct."

Underlining Brazil's leading position as an exporter of animal products to 150 countries, the letter insisted that the agriculture ministry "is widely recognized for its rigorous and robust inspection service."

Markets analyst Andrei Perfeito told AFP that Brazil's fear is that competitors will try to gain ground while this cloud hangs over Brazilian products.

"It's a very competitive market. The (agriculture) ministry has a huge job ahead of it," he said.

The scandal also broke right ahead of negotiations to seek a free-trade accord between the European Union and several South American countries including Brazil.

France and other European countries are wary about opening up the EU meat market to countries in the South American Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
By Maria Carolina Marcello and Brad Brooks BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A police investigation into alleged unsanitary and corrupt practices has badly damaged the reputation of Brazil's meatpacking industry and could wipe more than 10 percent off its global market share, Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said on Wednesday. Maggi, a former state governor and a billionaire soy farmer, told a Senate Committee that his main concern was that China and Hong Kong have not yet taken a definitive stance on their bans of meat from Brazil, the world's biggest producer of beef and poultry. China and Hong Kong are the top two importers of Brazilian meats, last year buying nearly one-third of the $14 billion worth of meat that Latin America's largest economy exported. Maggi, speaking before a joint Senate committee, told lawmakers that if the government does not take quick action to tamp down the scandal, it could take Brazil up to five years to recoup the global market share it would lose. The minister added that before the police investigation was made public last week, Brazil typically exported $64 million worth of meat a day, but that figure dropped to $74,000 on Tuesday. The two-year investigation dubbed "Weak Flesh" has lodged accusations against more than 100 people, mostly health inspectors, for taking bribes and allowing the sale of rancid products, falsifying export documents, or failing to inspect meatpacking plants at all. The probe by Brazil's federal police comes amid a sprawling three-year investigation into billions of dollars in political kickbacks paid by construction giants to win contracts with state-controlled firms, especially oil company Petrobras. Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland and South Africa have all announced partial or all-out bans on Brazilian meat imports this week, following measures similar to those taken by China, the European Union, South Korea and Chile. The industry took a domestic hit Wednesday, as Walmart Brasil said in a statement that it had suspended the sale of all products from 21 processing plants named so far by police as under investigation. The Brazilian government had already banned exports from those 21 plants - but allowed them to continue production and sales to the domestic market, a move that has angered some watchdog groups. "Is the health of a Brazilian consumer not worth the same as that of a foreigner?" said Sonia Amaro, head of institutional relations at the Proteste consumer protection group. "Brazilian industry has a history of this, of offering inferior or dangerous products to domestic customers while sending better goods overseas." Maggi and other government leaders have aggressively tried to assure the public that this is not the case and that the meat supply does not pose any health risks. They say the problems uncovered by police are isolated events, that those involved will be fired, and that the investigation focuses mostly on corruption, not tainted products. But Rafael Alcadipani, a professor of organizational studies at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, refutes the government's argument. He said too little is yet known about the findings of the ongoing investigation, and that corruption is possibly a worse finding than batches of rotten meat. If inspectors were paid to not do their jobs, it is impossible to know if putrid products entered the market, Alcadipani said. "Because Brazil has the world's biggest meatpackers, those businesses have huge influence with the government, so the government will go to all lengths to protect them," he said. "Officials are clearly trying to focus attention away from the central question, which is whether or not there is systematic corruption in the sanitary system. Only allowing the investigation to play out will answer that." (Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello in Brasilia and Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo; Writing by Brad Brooks; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Lisa Shumaker)
An attack near the British Parliament Wednesday left at least four people dead, including one police officer, and 10 injured. One alleged assailant was reportedly gunned down by police. A London police spokesperson said they were treating this as a terrorist incident until receiving information to the contrary, and put out a statement asking people to avoid a substantial section of London to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.

Commander B.J. Harrington said at a briefing that there is an ongoing investigation by the counter-terrorism command underway and asked citizens to come forward with any information they might have. At present, those who monitor pro-Islamic State channels have seen chatter, but, so far, no claims.

Some 300 Members of Parliament are still on lockdown in the House of Commons. Were huddling around TVs in the voting lobbies to find out what is gong on, Labour MP Clive Efford wrote in a statement from the locked-down building. There is a calm quietness around the place. We all knew a day like could come, he said.

It is as yet unclear whether there is one incident or two  there are reports of a knife attack outside of Parliament and an attack also by Westminster Bridge, where a car reportedly drove into people before driving into the railings of the Palace of Westminster. Short footage of the aftermath was provided by former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was on the scene.

No. 10 Downing Street released a statement saying Prime Minister Theresa May is safe and at work, though it didnt specify where she was.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump spoke on the phone with May and offered her government condolences and full U.S. backing. Spicer didnt add further details on the specifics of the call.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said U.S. domestic security posture remains unchanged in light of the attack.

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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also released a statement after the attacks Wednesday. Whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference, Tillerson said.

Wednesday was a busy day for Parliament, with question time for the prime minister, which means the chambers would have been full. House of Commons business has been suspended.

A Reuters photographer near the incident said large bangs were heard near Westminster and at least a dozen are injured. A London-based journalist said shots were fired and that journalists were confined to the press gallery in the parliamentary building (they were asked to leave the press gallery at 5 pm local time).

Shots fired outside Parliament. Loud explosion then shooting. Man lying shot outside gates to Parliament. Gun shots outside, Frightening.  Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) March 22, 2017

Buckingham Palace also shut its gates following the attack. Queen Elizabeth II is safely inside.

The London Ambulance Service declared a major incident responding to the attack. London Mayor Sadiq Khan released a statement thanking the police and emergency services, and urging his citizens to follow the Metropolitan Police for more information.

Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in Brussels that killed 32 and injured over hundreds.

Check back for further updates as the story develops.

This story is being updated as new information comes in.

Photo credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
By Andrew MacAskill and Anjuli Davies LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Labour party, which has made a long journey leftwards since Tony Blair was leader, is looking to gain political momentum in an unlikely place: the heart of London's financial district. Labour is fighting to break the City of London's centuries-old policy of independence from party politics and end the grip of bankers on Britain's most peculiar local government, hoping for its best ever performance in elections there this week. "The aim is to shift policy in a more progressive direction," said Peter Kenyon, who is running the party's campaign in the tiny district, nicknamed 'the Square Mile'. "The aim is to see if an ancient institution can be used for the common good," said Kenyon, who worked as a political and financial journalist for Reuters until the early 1990s. The City of London, is the oldest, continuous representative local government in the world, running the area that is home to the Bank of England and St Paul's Cathedral for at least a thousand years. It is also very rich, unlike most conventional British councils which are struggling to make ends meet following deep cuts in funding from the Conservative-ruled central government. Britain's main opposition party, which currently has just one member of council, wants to use more of the City's wealth to spend on areas such as social housing and tackling air pollution rather than promoting financial services. The City is older even than the British parliament. Some of its powers, such as spending from the vast pool of cash built up over the centuries, exist outside of parliamentary control because they predate the creation of the modern nation state. The local authority officially declares its job is to reinforce the importance of financial services to the British economy and to promote those services around the world. Elections in the City, held every four years, are unlike any other in Britain because banks and other companies based there get to vote on behalf of their employees. Depending on the size of their staff, they get up to 79 votes each. The remaining voters are the borough's 7,400 residents, who are vastly outnumbered by the several hundred thousand workers who pour each weekday morning into the City, and leave again in the evening to their homes elsewhere in London and beyond. SMALL BUT RICH For most of the 20th century, official Labour policy was to abolish the area's right to govern itself but that ended after Blair became leader and dropped the pledge in 1996. He pulled the party towards the centre and pursued business-friendly policies as prime minister from 1997 till 2007. Since then, the Labour leadership has swung back to the left. The party's finance spokesman John McDonnell has called in the past for the abolition of the City's local government and for its assets to be shared. Under its current leader, veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn, Labour lags far behind the Conservatives in national opinion polls but it has high hopes for Thursday, when it is fielding eight candidates for the lower house of the two-chamber council. Labour began contesting the City's elections after the onset of the global financial crisis. The party failed to take any seats in 2009 or four years later, but won its first seat in a by-election three years ago. Unlike other elections where Labour competes with rival parties, it will be up against independent candidates including bankers, lawyers, accountants and a film producer. The City of London is the smallest, but richest local authority in Britain, according to an analysis by Reuters. It is an autonomous fiefdom governed separately from greater London, with its eight million inhabitants. The area has about 5 billion pounds ($6.2 billion) in reserves, making it six times wealthier than Britain's largest local government in Birmingham, even though the City of London's population is 145 times smaller, an analysis by Reuters show. The City wants to fend off the entry of party politics, arguing that it will make it harder to make long-term decisions in the interests of Europe's biggest financial services hub. A spokesman for the City of London says the wealth it has built up over centuries benefits Britain as a whole. This includes spending on the arts, education and conservation. William Taylor, Labour's first elected councillor in the area, is stepping down after the elections but the party is guaranteed at least one seat - one Labour candidate has no challenger and will be elected unopposed. CITY TO BRING PEACE? If Labour can win any more seats, it will push to form an official opposition in the City's local government for the first time. Taylor said the local authority must learn the lessons of Britain's referendum vote last year to leave the European Union, when growing income inequality led to a protest against the existing economic and political way of life. "Brexit was a vote against London and the economy built around the success of financial services," he said. "The question now is: what can the City do now to bring peace?" In his district of Portsoken, residents can see the Gherkin skyscraper a few hundred metres away from the balconies of their council-owned flats, showing the divide between rich and poor. Taylor says the City's local government finds millions of pounds each year to fund lobbying for financial services and hosting sumptuous banquets for financiers and foreign heads of state, but neglects people living in his district. John Harding, a 74-year-old pensioner on the Guinness social housing estate in the City, points to a blue plastic bucket to catch the rain water coming through the ceiling in his one-bedroom flat. He says there are burglaries, drug dealing and prostitution on the estate that go unchecked. "No one takes our problems seriously," Harding says. A spokesman for the local authority says it takes the needs of residents into account as much as businesses and aims to provide housing and council services to the highest standard. Despite McDonnell's past enthusiasm for abolishing the City's local government, Labour's shadow City minister Jonathan Reynolds told Reuters this is not current party policy. "There's a particular role for the City of London in the Brexit process," he said. "They are a very good ambassador for doing business in the UK. They are an asset to the UK." So the City local government that has survived wars, plagues, fires and a couple of dozen market collapses over the last millennium looks likely to fight off any new attempts to rein in its power. It usually does. ($1 = 0.8030 pounds) (editing by David Stamp)
A top British military official warned foreign fighters and British jihadis Tuesday they will be hunted down and killed if they decide to join the Islamic State group.

If you come to Iraq, if you come to Syria, and you bear arms against the people of Iraq and the people of Syria, against the sovereign forces of this country in Iraq, we will target you, Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones told a news conference in the United Kingdom.

"It does not matter where you are from, we will target you under the laws of armed conflict, and it does not matter whether you come from London or Rome, we will target you, we will find you, and we will kill you."

Read: War On ISIS: Is US Responsible For Syria Mosque Bombing That Killed, Injured Dozens?

In the last two years, 130 British jihadis were killed in Iraq or Syria, with roughly 400 still on the battlefield, Express U.K. reported.

Jones, the deputy commander of the international anti-ISIS coalition, also had a message for ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: If he knew where al-Baghdadi was hiding, "his life would not last long."

Nevertheless, he said he is "reasonably confident" al-Baghdadi will be found "and when he is found, it will not be a pretty end for him."

He said the Islamic State is made up of "highly determined fighters and we should assume that they will adjust and that they will try and continue to spread their message of hatred within Iraq and elsewhere."

"And we see that day in day out, in all of the towns and cities that Daesh [the Arabic acronym for ISIS] controls, he said.

Jones told the Press Association nothing surprises him about Daesh, indicating "they are capable of anything  we have seen that."

"We should never wake up one morning and go, 'Oh look It's another beheading,' or 'Oh look. They've just executed more people.' That should always be shocking. But regrettably, there is no surprise in it."

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Jones expressed confidence ISIS would be defeated but said his attention is on Syria for the interim, the Sun U.K. reported.

"All eyes at the moment are on Raqqa  the self-proclaimed capital of what they like to call the caliphate," he said. "Raqqa is increasingly isolated, both physically and morally. We would expect the attack into Raqqa to start at some point over the coming weeks."

Related Articles
Britain's Foreign Minister battled mightily to save a mortally wounded police offer stabbed in Wednesday's terror attack, but the man bled to death on the cobblestones outside Parliament, authorities said.

Tobias Ellwood, a military veteran whose brother died in the 2002 Bali bombings, valiantly performed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the unidentified victim, surrounded by doctors, paramedics and law enforcement officials.

Read: At Least 4 Dead, 20 Injured After Car Mows Down Pedestrians Outside UK Parliament

The politician's hands and face were bloodied as he tried to stem the flow from multiple stab wounds.

The police officer had served as part of the security team at the Parliament compound. He was one of five killed in the carnage that gripped central London when a driver careened across the Westminister Bridge, which spans the River Thames, mowing down pedestrians before slamming into a Parliament fence, officials said. At least 40 people were injured in the attack.

Ellwood, 50, is a former captain in the Royal Green Jackets who served in Kuwait. His brother, Jonathan, was killed in Indonesia when a series of bombs took the lives of 202 people, 23 of them British.

The Tory Member of Parliament stayed with the officer until an air ambulance arrived, but it was too late. He was later seen with blood on his forehead, hands and shirt cuffs while talking with staff at the Foreign Office.

Read: Did He Have Help? How the Nice Terrorist Prepared for Bastille Day Attack

After photos emerged of Ellwood's efforts, social media lit up with tributes to the lawmaker.

Ex army officer Tobias Ellwood MP, who lost his brother to terrorism in 2002, gave basic life support to the wounded policeman - thank you.  Police Medics (@PoliceMedics) March 22, 2017

We spend much of our time criticising MPs. Today @Tobias_Ellwood restored my faith. Utterly selfless and very humbling #Westminster

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 Michael Collinson (@Mcollinson72) March 22, 2017

Hero MP in #Parliament terror attack: @Tobias_Ellwood, the foreign minister, battled to save life of stabbed officer https://t.co/4sdw8LXy2S pic.twitter.com/dXtZu7XOvD  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 22, 2017

 Sgt Steve Haywood (@SgtSteveHaywood) March 22, 2017

Watch: Police Investigate Berlin Truck Crash as Act of Terrorism

Related Articles:
London (AFP) - Four people died in an Islamist-claimed attack outside parliament in London this week when a British-born killer rammed his car into pedestrians then stabbed a police officer before being shot dead.

Here is what we know so far about the attack, which was the deadliest in Britain since 2005 and was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

- What happened? -

At around 2:40 pm (1440 GMT) on Wednesday, the attacker ploughed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, one of the city's busiest tourist spots for its views of parliament and its famous clock tower.

After crashing into the railings outside parliament, he leapt out with a large knife and ran into the courtyard where he stabbed a policeman before being shot dead by officers.

Policeman Keith Palmer, 48, died of his injuries along with three civilians who were hit by the speeding car: 43-year-old mother-of-two Aysha Frade; Kurt Cochran, an American in his 50s; and 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes from south London who died late Thursday.

At least 50 people were wounded, including tourists from 12 different countries. One person is fighting for their life and two are in critical condition.

- Who was the attacker? -

Police have identified the perpetrator as Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old Briton who was born in the southeastern county of Kent under the name Adrian Russell Ajao.

So far, police have not yet released an image of Masood although media footage of the attacker lying on a stretcher showed a bearded, burly man wearing black clothes.

He ran into trouble with the law in his late teens, chalking up a string of convictions for assault and possession of offensive weapons between 1983 to 2003, but none of them terror related.

According to The Sun tabloid, he married a Muslim woman in 2004 and a year later moved to Saudi Arabia to teach, returning in 2009.

Police said he went by "numerous aliases", including, reportedly, Adrian Elms, while reports suggest he lived all over England, including in Luton and east London.

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Prime Minister Theresa May has said Masood was known to intelligence services as a "peripheral" figure some years ago but there was no warning of his intention to mount an attack.

When he hired the car, he told the Birmingham-based rental company he was a teacher, the BBC said. But an education ministry spokesman told AFP he was not a qualified teacher and had not taught in any state schools.

A former neighbour from Winson Green in Birmingham described him as "a nice guy", telling the Birmingham Mail newspaper he lived next door with his wife and a small child until Christmas and liked to work in his garden.

- Did he act alone? -

The attack was claimed by Islamic State which said Masood was one of its "soldiers" acting on a call to target countries fighting the jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said police were trying to establish whether Masood acted totally alone "or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him".

So far, police have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack. They initially arrested five men and three women "on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts". One of the women was later released on bail.

Two more "significant arrests" were made overnight Thursday.

Police have so far searched 16 addresses, mainly in London and Birmingham, seizing 2,700 items including "massive" amounts of computer data. Five more raids are currently under way, Rowley said.

- What has been the response? -

Following the attack, May said Britain would maintain its terror threat level at "severe" although extra police have been put on the streets and armed officers stationed at the entrance to parliament.

MPs returned to work as normal on Thursday, even as forensic officers worked at the scene.

During the evening, hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square in London with flags, flowers and messages of defiance at a vigil led by Mayor Sadiq Khan who vowed: "Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism."

- Has this happened before? -

The attack had echoes of last year's carnage in Nice and Berlin when lone attackers drove trucks into crowds of people, killing 86 people in the French Riviera city in July and 12 at a market in the German capital before Christmas.

Wednesday's attack was the deadliest in Britain since July 2005 when four suicide bombers killed 52 people on the city's transport system, in a coordinated assault by British nationals inspired by Al-Qaeda.

Since then, there have been other incidents, including the grisly murder of British soldier Lee Rigby in which two Islamic extremists hit him with a car then hacked him to death in broad daylight on a London street.

And last August, a paranoid schizophrenic tried to behead a commuter with a knife at a London Underground station in an IS-inspired attack.

burs-su/hmw/rjm/jm
Brussels (AFP) - Belgium fell silent Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the Islamic State suicide attacks in Brussels that killed 32 people, on a day of emotional ceremonies aimed at showing the heart of Europe is still beating.

A sombre King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with Prime Minister Charles Michel, led ceremonies at Zavantem airport and Maalbeek metro station to commemorate the victims at the exact moments the bombers struck.

But the threat Europe still faces one year on was underscored when three people were killed and 20 injured in a "terrorist" attack using a car and a knife outside the British Parliament in London.

King Philippe said Belgium had stayed united after the attacks on March 22, 2016, and told families of the victims they had responded to the "deadly madness" of the attacks with "dignity".

Watched by relatives and survivors, the royals unveiled a new stainless steel memorial near the European Union's headquarters to the dead and the more than 320 wounded in Belgium's worst ever peacetime attacks.

"It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to make our society more humane and more just," King Philippe said.

"And above all, let us dare to be tender."

In an act of defiance and solidarity, trams and buses ground to a halt across the Belgian capital and commuters and public transport workers applauded during a "minute of noise".

A year on from the attacks led by an Islamic State cell that was also responsible for the carnage in Paris in November 2015, Belgium remains on high alert with troops patrolling the streets and warnings of fresh risks.

- 'Love triumphs' -

But relatives of the victims called for solidarity.

"I would like to speak for all those affected by the blind violence from up close and afar. The 22nd of March is also my birthday -- nothing to celebrate, and yet love triumphs," Kristin Verellen, whose 58-year-old partner Johan died in the metro attack, told the crowd at Maalbeek.

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The prime minister said Belgium, which faced accusations of being a "failed state" for not stopping the terror cell despite several chances, stood strong one year on.

"Today we remember the victims of the attacks. We all remain united," Michel tweeted.

The ceremonies began at exactly 7:58 am (0658 GMT) when suicide bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui struck in the departure hall of Zavantem Airport, killing 16 people.

With hundreds of people gathered, Belgium's king and queen led a moment's silence before an airport official read out the names of the dead.

Musician Eddy Van Calster played a rock ballad in tribute to his sister Fabienne Van Steenkiste, a check-in counter agent who was among those killed.

At Maalbeek, there was another moment of quiet at 9:11 am, the time that Ibrahim's brother Khalid El Bakraoui detonated his bomb on a crowded train and killed another 16 people.

The king laid a wreath before a subway wall scrawled with anguished messages from loved ones and stamped with a red heart.

EU leaders including President Donald Tusk and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker attended the opening of the memorial, which consists of two pieces of curved steel punctured with holes to look like shrapnel.

- Jihadist risk -

Later, schoolchildren from Molenbeek, the largely Muslim area where many of the attackers hailed from, will meet victims of the attacks in a show of solidarity.

Hundreds of people joined a peace march through Brussels to the Place de la Bourse, which became an impromptu shrine to the victims last year.

Children with T-shirts saying "#Jihaddamour (Jihad of Love) led the march together with Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders.

"This shows a positive image of Molenbeek," said Fatima Zibouh, one of the organisers. "What we wanted above all was a way for people to show their solidarity."

The city's most famous landmark -- the Manneken Pis statue of a little boy -- was dressed up in a fireman's outfit to hail the efforts of rescue services.

News of the London attack started to come in as the parades began, prompting an outpouring of solidarity.

"I am really highly emotional today and the fact that exactly the same day (as the anniversary of the Brussels attacks) something similar happened in London, and to London, is really putting me in the sitaution of someone who does not have enough words to express how I am deeply feeling," Juncker said.

The anniversary comes shortly after Belgium's government warned of fresh risks from IS jihadists radicalised in Europe or returning home from Iraq and Syria.

Investigators say the network behind the Brussels and Paris carnage acted on orders from the IS high command.

The shock of the attacks was compounded by accusations afterwards that Belgium, which is deeply divided between French and Flemish-speaking communities, had been unable to track down the terror cell.

Victims and their families have meanwhile complained about the difficulties of getting compensation from Belgian authorities.
Indian police said Wednesday they were not ruling out arson after fire gutted three butcher shops in Uttar Pradesh state, where a firebrand Hindu leader has taken office promising a crackdown on slaughterhouses.

The meat industry is a magnet for religious violence in India, where Hindus consider cows sacred and accusations of beef being sold by Muslims can trigger violent mob reprisals.

Police were investigating the "mysterious" overnight blaze that reduced the three butcher shops to ashes in Hathras district, local police chief Dilip Kumar told AFP.

"We are not ruling out anything," he said.

The fire comes just days after a hardline Hindu priest-turned-politician took control of Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state with a bloody history of violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Yogi Adityanath is known for his polarising and inflammatory speeches against Muslims, and has called for harsher penalties for the slaughter of cows, which is already illegal in most Indian states.

He was chosen to lead Uttar Pradesh after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party swept state polls earlier this month, in part on a pledge to close unlicensed traders and illegal beef outlets.

India is a significant global exporter of meat from buffalos, which are not seen as sacred beasts, with Uttar Pradesh housing half the country's abattoirs.

But most butcher shops in the powder-keg state are run by Muslims, and Hindu hardliners have alleged that beef is being passed off as buffalo.

- Sense of fear -

Since the BJP's thumping election victory less than a fortnight ago, dozens of butcher shops have been sealed off across the state in what authorities say is a crackdown on unlicensed vendors.

Meat traders fear legitimate businesses could be swept up in the hysteria.

"The way the entire issue is being twisted is hurting our business. There is fear in the minds of the public," said Imran Qureshi, whose abattoir in Uttar Pradesh exports buffalo meat to Europe and the Middle East.

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Only eight of India's 29 states allow cow slaughter. The rest have slowly stiffened penalties, including life imprisonment, as Hindu hardliners agitate for a total bans.

Modi's home state of Gujarat Wednesday proposed raising the penalty for cow slaughter to ten years prison.

Millions from India's huge minority populations -- including Muslims, Christians and lower-caste Hindus -- eat beef, although it is not widely available.

India has witnessed a rise in vigilantism by Hindu extremists since Modi -- whose right-wing party is strongly aligned to Hindu nationalist groups -- was voted to power in 2014.

Armed gangs have been known to enforce an unofficial beef ban in some parts, forcibly inspecting trucks for any sign of livestock or carcasses. Drivers accused of transporting cows to slaughterhouses have been lynched.

Even rumours of transgression can spar deadly violence. In 2015 a 50-year-old Muslim man accused of eating beef was dragged from his home in 2015 and beaten to death by a mob. Police later said it was mutton.
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada has tightened security, especially on Parliament Hill, after the deadly attack outside parliament in London, an official said Wednesday.

Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale said Ottawa had taken measures in light of the attack in which least three people were killed and 20 injured when a man mowed down pedestrians with a car then stabbed a police officer outside parliament before being shot dead.

"The appropriate response has been taken by every police and security service in Canada, including those that function on Parliament Hill," he told a press briefing.

"Canadians can be assured that everything that could be done is being done by the appropriate authorities here in Canada," Goodale stressed.

The threat level, however, had not been raised. It is at moderate, he added.

On October 20 and 22, 2014 two self-styled jihadists killed a total of two Canadian military staff in separate strikes; one was in Quebec and one in Ottawa, near parliament.
Montreal (AFP) - A Canadian appeals court upheld Wednesday a ruling ordering a journalist to hand over records of his communications with an alleged member of the Islamic State group to federal police.

VICE Media Canada had appealed the March 2016 order by the Ontario Superior Court obliging VICE News reporter Ben Makuch to turn over records of his online chat with Farah Shirdon.

Shirdon, a Canadian charged in absentia in September 2015 with leaving the country to join a banned terrorist group, threatening Canada and its allies, and related offenses, is suspected of involvement with IS.

The appeals court's decision Wednesday to uphold the order set off an outcry from the reporter's company and press freedom groups.

"VICE Media is prepared to do whatever it takes to support and defend our reporter, and our friend, Ben Makuch," said VICE Canada president Ryan Archibald in a statement, suggesting the case could be taken to the Supreme Court.

"His investigations into the complex world of cyber terrorism and digital security matter more now than ever," he said.

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and a coalition of press freedom groups jointly condemned the ruling.

"If journalists cannot protect their sources, then the information they provide will dry up, leaving Canadians uninformed and democracy impoverished," said CJFE executive director Tom Henheffer in a statement.

Among those protesting the court ruling was international press freedom group Reporters Without Borders. The organization "is deeply concerned by the recent deterioration of the respect for journalists' independence and the confidentiality of their sources in Canada," said Delphine Halgand, RSF North America director.

The decision, if confirmed by the Supreme Court, sets a precedent that could make sources hesitant about communicating with journalists for fear of reprisals, noted the CJFE statement.

Last year, the Ontario Superior Court upheld an order by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police demanding Makuch turn over information, including screenshots of an online chat between him and Shirdon.

In the March 2016 ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Ian MacDonnell said that the information was important evidence in a serious criminal case, in which there is a strong public interest.

The judge noted that Shirdon was not a confidential source and that VICE had published most of the information sought by police, who simply needed proof Shirdon had been in the Middle East in order to prosecute him.
PITTSBURGH (AP)  A Massachusetts man who died saving a waitress from being stabbed by a mentally ill man and a 12-year-old Pennsylvania boy who died trying to save his father from a house fire are among 20 people being honored with Carnegie medals for heroism.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, based in Pittsburgh, announced the winners Wednesday.

George A. Heath, 56, was dining at a Bertucci's restaurant in his hometown of Taunton, Massachusetts, when Arthur DaRosa, who had fatally stabbed an 80-year-old woman at her home earlier that night, walked in and stabbed a waitress. Heath grabbed DaRosa and was stabbed in the head before another restaurant patron, off-duty Plymouth County Deputy Sheriff James Creed, fatally shot DaRosa.

"George selflessly intervened within seconds, without even knowing what was going on," Creed said after the incident on May 10, 2016. "Without George, things would have been very much worse."

Sanford Harling III had escaped a fire at his family's duplex in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2016, when he went back inside to try to save his father. Sanford Harling Jr., 58, was able to drop to the ground from a second-floor window, and his son was later found dead from burns and smoke inhalation.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is named for the late steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who was inspired by stories of heroism during a coal mine disaster that killed 181 people, including a miner and an engineer, who died trying to rescue others.

The commission investigates stories of heroism and awards medals and cash several times a year. It has given away $38.9 million to 9,934 awardees or their families since 1904.

Other winners announced Wednesday, with rescues taking place in the hometown of each winner unless otherwise noted:

Krystal Ashley Salazar, 26, of Burleson, Texas, saved a 76-year-old woman from drowning after her car was caught in a flash flood in November 2015.

Story continues

Robert Hart Morgan, 18, and Connor William Quick, 18, both of Loveland, Colorado, responded when a woman crashed her car into a lake in freezing temperatures in November 2015. Morgan rescued the driver while Quick searched the vehicle in case there were other victims, but found none.

Jeromy E. Richardson, 35, of Whitwell, Tennessee, died trying to save a 23-year-old man from drowning after he was swept over a dam and drowned while fishing in July 2015.

Shane S. Mitchell, 32, and Lisa Missana, 47, of Tampa, Florida, saved a 26-year-old woman from drowning after her car crashed into a retention pond in March 2016.

Steven Michael Paulus, 43, of Madisonville, Louisiana, saved two women from burning after their rear-ended pickup truck caught fire in Metairie, Louisiana, in February 2016.

Jason Barnes, 36, of Westminster, Maryland, helped save a woman whose car was swept away during a flash flood in Ellicott City, Maryland, in July 2016.

Joseph B. Hamblin, 36, of Washington, Utah, rescued a woman from a runaway vehicle in St. George, Utah, in March 2016.

Steven L. Spurling, 50, of St. Charles, Illinois, rescued a woman who was being assaulted by an armed man and subdued him in May 2016.

Timothy Carpenter, 48, of Cincinnati, Ohio, attempted to rescue a woman in a wheelchair who was being stabbed. Carpenter subdued the attacker and was wounded, but the victim died in the January 2015 attack.

Erik Breitweiser, 35, of Manorville, New York, saved a man from burning after his car overturned and caught fire in Southampton, New York, in November 2015.

Justin Sweet, 23, of San Diego, California, helped save a man from drowning in the surf at Coos Bay, Oregon, in September 2014.

Richard David Greeno, 40, of Williamsport, Ohio, and Lisa McNairy, 50, of Circleville, Ohio, rescued a man from a burning home in Circleville in October 2015.

Humberto Sanchez III, 23, of Stockton, California, saved a 4-month-old boy from burning in a vehicle that had been hit by another in August 2015.

Madison L. Williams, 13, of Dublin, Ohio, saved a 2-year-old boy from drowning after he fell through a septic tank hatch in August 2016.

Raul Moreno, 44, of Conyers, Georgia, saved a man from burning after his dump truck crashed into a ditch in June 2016.

___

Online:

http://carnegiehero.org
By Carrie Hojnicki. Photos courtesy of Casper.

For a specific yet sizable market in the United States, Casper is utterly synonymous with the word mattress. Thanks to aggressive early growth in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the sleep company (as it calls itself) has gone from a lean five-founder start-up to an operation with more than 250 employees in multiple cities around the world and hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales, completely dismantling industry norms along the way. Three years in, and with millions of happy sleepers under its belt, Casper shows no signs of stopping, recently releasing a suite of complementary products including sheets, pillows, and even a dog bed. AD sat down with cofounder and Chief Operating Officer Neil Parikh to talk about the companys rapid rise to success, its operational challenges, and how a disruptor of its kind maintains a market advantage.

Architectural Digest: Where did the idea for Casper come from?

Neil Parikh: My cofounders and I saw a couple of interesting problems. We knew the mattress industry was terrible. Going to buy a mattress was oftentimes like buying a used car, a wholly bad experience. Combined with that, we saw that people were focused on being healthy. There was a strong focus on wellness, where people were drinking green juice, tracking their sleep, using a Fitbit, but there wasn't a concrete way for people to think about investing in their sleep. So, Casper was born at the intersection of those two things, thinking about how we disrupt the mattress industry but also having a really holistic focus on sleep and wellness. I think we really struck a nerve with people who are both looking for a better experience with mattresses but also thinking more holistically about their sleep.

AD: What difficulties did you run into when you were first starting out?

NP: Almost everyone said no one will ever buy a mattress online but we set out to prove that that's not true, especially if you offer amazing service and you have the best product. Our hypothesis was that people would actually try it out, love it, and tell other people. At the beginning, because our products were mostly made in America, we ended up running out of inventory very quickly; we actually sold out on the first day. During the first 18 months we were continuously digging ourselves out of a hole to build and acquire more inventory and bring up our factories and train more people to make our product because we were just caught a little off guard. It turned into a positive thing because it taught us the importance of delivering great service to make up for it. I remember this one phone call I had with a to-be father who was about to bring home his wife and kid from the hospital and they needed the mattress same-day. It struck us that what we're doing is really impacting people's lives. So that's when we decided to build out an awesome customer experience team. We've now got 70 people between New York and LA who are really dedicated to serving people, and that has become a pillar of the brand.

Story continues

More: How to Make a Bed Like an Interior Designer

AD: Since you launched, you've gone from being a single disruptorwith traditional mattress companies as your competitionto having quite a bit of start-up competition; has this changed the way you operate?

NP: Not really. In 2014, no one had heard of a mattress start-up. In terms of disrupting the industry, around 90 percent of beds are still bought in-person so there's a tremendous area of growth. And I think that there will be a lot of online mattress start-ups that can put something into a box and can build a pretty website. I think that actually disrupting a category means creating the most innovative productsConsumer Reports just named us one of the best mattresses everhaving a really deep relationship with our customers, and ultimately having a true R&D team. We have a team in San Francisco that has over 50 patents between them so we're really understanding what we call functional sleep, this idea of developing new products that regulate temperature control, humidity, all of these things. It's pretty easy to go to a manufacturer and say hey, build me a mattress that I can sell online. It's really hard to actually disrupt the industry itself. So, it hasn't really changed what we're doing because our goal is still to build the best product, to be the leader.

AD: I want to go back to something you said earlier, this idea that operationally you were able to accomplish a lot, especially doing same-day mattress deliveries. To what extent was Casper's strength in operations responsible for its success?

NP: It's huge. I think that the largest mattress company in the United States has over 3,500 stores and so they're very distributed, but frankly they have huge amounts of infrastructure, thousands of square feet in every store, which is super inefficient. We said, "What if we flip this on its head and leverage UPS for delivery?" Well figure out how to optimize our distribution and we can actually deliver same-day or next-day in the vast majority of the country and dramatically cut down our shipping costs. It costs us probably a fifth to a tenth of what it costs a normal mattress store to ship these products. And then at our core we're a technology company; we've got 60 people who make up our product and engineering team who are really thinking about how we can build technology that's going to get the products to our customer faster, how we track them better, really thinking about the operations side of things. In San Francisco, New York, and LA you can get Casper delivered to you faster than you can get a slice of pizza delivered to you. I think the technology we've built is in many ways responsible for that, and our plan is to grow and scale this over time.

More: 18 Incredible Rooms Perfect for Your Dream Home

AD: To that end, you consider yourself a "tech company" firstwhat does this mean for a mattress manufacturer?

NP: Since the beginning our CTO, Gabe Flateman, has been helping us think about every problem as something that technology can help you get around. We have people in San Francisco, New York, LA, London, and Berlin so that we can be on 24/7 talking to each other. With our foundational technology, which supports our shipping logistics infrastructure, we actually went to most of these contract manufacturers and helped them build technology to get better volume control than they ever had before. So we use technology as a way to get better at every single part of the business.

AD: You have quite a few cofounderssomething start-ups are often advised against. Was this a challenge at any point? Or a competitive advantage in the long-run?

NP: I think in the short- and long-run it was a competitive advantage. There were a lot of times having multiple cofounders was helpful because if you really trust each other, when each has an area of expertise, you can fire on all cylinders very quickly. Our Chief Creative Officer, Luke Sherwin, has a tremendous knack for really building brands and thinking about creative. Our Chief Product Officer, Jeff Chapin, spent ten years at one of the best design firms in the world and knew a ton about physical product design and has 20 or 30 patents himself. This allowed us, from the very beginning, to split up the work. Some people were like, We're going to build the technology, the website, the brand. And the other half of us were living down in South Carolina where we were putting time in on the factory floor after we developed the products. We were able to go from start to launch pretty quickly.

AD: Did you study the practices of any other companies?

NP: The classic design agencies are always inspiring, especially thinking about the IDEO model or other firms that practice human-centered design. In almost everything that we doas opposed to saying, "Let's come up with an idea for a product and hope people like it"everything starts with understanding what the customer wants. When we set out to make sheets, for example, we interviewed tons of people, watched them sleeping, we put sensors on them, and even before we had a hypothesis, we were trying to figure out what goes on in the bedroom. We found that people who were sleeping on high thread count sheets were actually waking up throughout the course of the night. We realized that the idea that you need hotel-collection, thousand-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, which has been said forever, was a myth. Too many threads actually captures air and humidity underneath your sheets, and your bodyin its effort to regulate temperaturekicks your feet out from underneath the sheets so that you can let that heat and humidity go. We realized that if we actually make a 400-thread count but use a super high-quality cotton, it not only feels better but is actually better for your body. We also take inspiration from companies like Apple, where it's just about being the best in class, having an obsession with your products. We have teams that are just focused on the covers of our products, or just the packaging, the way it's presented, making sure every single functional detail is thought of. For example, the Casper tag on our fitted sheet, which people struggle to put on the right way, goes directly in the center of the front of the sheet so it's essentially a guide to putting on the sheet. It's not a huge thing, but the little things, when you add up ten of them, can make a substantial difference in how the product is used.

More: 41 Exquisite Gray Rooms

AD: Thinking about how you used the human-centered design process, what was the strangest thing you learned about the way people sleep?

NP: The most interesting one was about sleep positions. For a long time we've been told that everyone is either a side sleeper, a back sleeper, a stomach sleeper, that's it. Actually, though, as we were watching a lot of people sleep, it turns out that most people shift positions throughout the course of the night. That was fascinating because it was a big insight for us. People had been making very different kinds of products for different kinds of sleepers for a long time, but it turns out that one product works for most people. Insights like that have really helped our design strategy.

AD: Several financial journalists have written about a "mattress bubble" in reference to the Casper-led industry explosionwhat do you make of this? Is this something you're concerned about?

NP: Not really. We're committed to building a brand for the long-term, we're committed to R&D, to owning our relationship to our customer and delivering on our value proposition, but I always like to think about solving hard challenges because those are hard to copy, right? Building a website, taking a photo shoot, that's not hard, but your brand is not a logo, your brand is the way your customer feels about you when they interact with your product, when they open it, when they have an awesome service experience, so that's what we're focused on building. It's not just a marketing company that's putting random stuff out there. And now we're starting to see compounding effects. For the first time now, so many people who have bought a mattress are coming back to buy pillows, and vice versa. I think there will be a ton of online mattress companies, but I think that there will hopefully always be one true sleep company and that will be Casper.

This story originally appeared on Architectural Digest.

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From Delish

Karl Lagerfeld better watch his back - Cheetos is entering the Chanel icon's territory with its own spring fashion line, and it's more groundbreaking than wearing florals in spring. After selling Chester Cheetah-themed adult onesies and bronzer this past holiday season, the brand's partnered with Betabrand, pitching an entire collection of off-the-wall-yet-borderline-genius products for the Flamin' Hot fanatic.

By far, one of the standout designs is the Lapkin pants. If you're wondering, "what the heck does that even mean? Lap napkin pants?" give yourself an honorary degree from a made-up university, because you're right! Essentially. The seersucker pants feature tearaway napkin panels where the pockets should be, so you can wipe your Cheetos-stained fingers on your pants, rip off the napkin panel, and look as fresh as ever.

Photo credit: Cheetos

That isn't the only garment designed to help you with the biggest issue with eating Cheetos (ahem, fluorescent-orange fingers). The brand also came out with snacking gloves - a pair of white gloves that comes in three layers, so when they get dirty from your binge-snacking, you can tear off the top layer, and you've got two more trips to the vending machine before they're dunzo. Plus, they come with a lace trim around the wrist and a pearl clasp, you know, for the classy snackers out there. Pinky up, please.

Photo credit: Cheetos

There's also a series of products designed to help you sneak the snacks wherever you're headed, be it church on Easter Sunday (yup, there's a bonnet for that), a casual walk in the park (a parasol, so you can act like you're living out The Notebook while rowing with a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, which is almost as comforting as RyGos), or a Miami Vice-style '80s party (finally, a use for shoulder pads).

You can't buy any of the products, but Cheetos is letting fans - and the sartorially daring - enter a contest on the brand's Facebook page for a chance to win them. If you aren't one of the chosen few, you can always go all DIY and show your love the way Katy Perry did a few years ago at Halloween.

Story continues

Follow Delish on Instagram.

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Santiago (AFP) - Former Chilean president Sebastian Pinera entered the presidential primary race, as polls show the conservative billionaire stands a solid chance for a comeback.

Pinera, who led Chile from 2010-2014, had gone back to his business empire. Chilean law does not allow immediate re-election.

"Before you and all my fellow citizens, I am announcing my decision to seek the presidency again," he said at a rally in a Santiago park.

"The only reason that I am here, standing again for the presidency, today, is because I want to give the best of myself."

It will be his third go at the presidency. In 2005, he lost to socialist (current President) Michelle Bachelet. In 2009, he ran and won, becoming the first elected conservative since the end of the 1973-1990 Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

At the moment, polls show Pinera with support of about 25 percent ahead of the November 19 election.
By Rosalba O'Brien and Antonio De la Jara SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's left-leaning governing coalition is in disarray ahead of November's presidential and congressional elections, leaving a clear path to victory for the more organized conservative opposition, lawmakers and analysts say. On Tuesday night, Sebastian Pinera, who was Chile's president from 2010 to 2014, declared his intention to run again, representing the conservative Chile Vamos coalition. He launched his bid at a lavish rally broadcast on primetime television. Recent polls make him the frontrunner to win the vote, with around 40 percent of support versus 30 percent for his nearest rival, independent leftist Senator Alejandro Guillier. Whereas the different strands of Chile Vamos appear to be rallying behind Pinera, unity is proving elusive for the left. As a result, the likelihood that Chile will follow other Latin American countries with a tilt to the right in 2017 is rising. The coalition of the left, previously the Concertacion, was formed in 1988 as Chile returned to democracy after the dark years of the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. It has provided every president since then, with the exception of Pinera's first term. "There exists a risk for the first time that (the coalition) could finish, bringing to an end a long 30-year cycle of its grip on power," former center-left minister and political veteran Sergio Bitar said. President Michelle Bachelet's Nueva Mayoria coalition is being pulled in different directions by its component parties, which range from centrist Christan Democrats to Communists. "Pinera's candidate announcement is showing up how the Nueva Mayoria is very divided and how united the right is," Cristian Monckeberg, the president of Pinera's center-right party, told Reuters on Wednesday. Riven by disagreements over policies such as loosening Chile's strict abortion laws and reforming the labor code, and emboldened by a 2015 electoral reform that will potentially make it easier for parties outside a bloc to gain traction in Congress, some on the left are suggesting they should bypass nominating primaries in July. "We Christian Democrats should take our candidate straight to the first round. The (electoral reform) changes reality," tweeted former Christian Democrat leader Soledad Alvear earlier this month. But a split between the socially conservative Christian Democrats and more progressive elements of the bloc would be "the worst idea possible if they want to win the election," said political scientist Kenneth Bunker. The Christian Democrat candidate is Carolina Goic, who in polls is trailing far behind Guillier, a former journalist who entered politics in 2013. Ex-president Ricardo Lagos is also in the running for the center-left vote, although he has struggled to gain traction. Others in the bloc are appealing for unity. "I think that the best thing would be to go with one candidate and not be divided in November's elections," Christian Democrat senator Jorge Pizarro told Reuters this week. "Divided, I think we will ease the triumph of the right." (Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien and Antonio de la Jara; Editing by Alistair Bell)
BEIJING (AP)  China is not building an environmental monitoring station on a disputed South China Sea shoal, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, apparently denying remarks made by a local official last week.

The Philippines, which also claims the shoal, had sought a clarification from Beijing.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said reports about the facility on Scarborough Shoal had been checked and were found to be false.

"That does not exist at all," Hua told reporters at a regularly scheduled news briefing.

The official Hainan Daily newspaper had quoted the top official in Sansha City, which administers China's island claims, as saying that preparatory work on the station was among the government's top priorities for 2017.

Such a move would likely renew concerns among Beijing's neighbors over its assertive territorial claims in the sea. Calls to Sansha government offices rang unanswered Wednesday.

Beijing seized tiny, uninhabited Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels. Manila said Wednesday it had asked for a clarification of the earlier remarks by Shansha Communist Party head Xiao Jie.

Acting Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told Filipino reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting, that his department asked for clarification of the reported planned construction on Scarborough Shoal.

"I think the president has been very clear  we want to have a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of disputes but we will not fail to protect our national interests if necessary," Manalo said.

Asked if a diplomatic protest would be filed, he said Manila will wait for China's reply.

But Manalo said he considered it a good sign that China was interested in concluding a framework for a "code of conduct" with 10 Southeast Asian nations that aims to peacefully manage disputes in the South China Sea. He said there could be progress on the framework when China hosts a meeting in May.

Story continues

China's 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 after Beijing erupted in fury last year following an international arbitration tribunal ruling on a case filed by the Philippines. The verdict invalidated China's sweeping territorial claims and determined that China had violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at Scarborough Shoal.

China has since allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal following Duterte's calls for closer ties between the countries, but it does not recognize the tribunal's ruling as valid.

In her remarks, Hua reiterated Beijing's desire for good relations with the Philippines, a U.S. treaty partner that has been drawing closer to China since Duterte's inauguration last year.

China will "cherish the good momentum of the bilateral relationship and will be committed to pushing forward the sound, steady and rapid growth of the relationship," Hua said.

Scarborough has no proper land mass and any structure on it would likely have to be built on stilts. 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.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have long contested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oil and gas.

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australia does not have to choose between the United States and China, the Australian prime minister said Friday as he announced a new beef export deal with the Chinese.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang oversaw signing of bilateral agreements that will expand their two-year-old free trade pact.

China also agreed to remove a cap that allows only 11 Australian beef exporters to sell 400 million Australian dollars ($300 million) in frozen meat to the burgeoning ranks of the Chinese middleclass.

China will be open to all eligible Australian beef exporters.

"Australia is the only country in the world with this market access," Turnbull told reporters. "This new agreement will drive significant future growth."

Turnbull later rejected arguments that Australia must choose between its most important security partner, the United States, and its most important trading partner, China, as tensions escalate between the world's two largest economies.

"We have a staunch, strong ally in Washington  a good friend in Washington  and we have a very good friend in Beijing," Turnbull told reporters.

"The idea that Australia has to choose between China and the United States is not correct," he said.

Li, who on Wednesday warned Australia against "taking sides, as happened during the Cold War," agreed with Turnbull.

"We believe China-Australia cooperation will bring good to other countries and regions, and this cooperation will not be targeted at any third party," he said through a translator, referring to the United States.

The United States has questioned aspects of the rapidly evolving commercial relationship between the Chinese and Australians, including Australia's decision to allow a Chinese company, Landbridge, to secure a 99-year lease over the strategically important Port of Darwin.

Darwin has become training hub for U.S. Marines in northern Australia.

On Friday, the two witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between China State Construction Engineering Corp. and New Zealand-owned BBI Group to build a AU$6 billion iron ore mine in Australia.
Brussels (AFP) - Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem faced calls to quit Wednesday as a row escalated over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women".

"The sooner he goes the better," former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said in comments that underlined how Dijsselbloem's gaffe has exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone.

"He has missed a perfect opportunity to shut up," Renzi said in a post on a Facebook page that reflected criticism of the Dutch finance minister from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries.

Dijsselbloem's influential position as leader of his colleagues in the 19-country eurozone was already up in the air after his party lost out in elections last week.

And he has lost significant backing from political allies on the centre-left as a result of an interview that appeared in Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday.

"During the euro crisis, the countries of the north of the eurozone showed solidarity with the countries in crisis," he was quoted as saying.

"For me, as a social democrat, I think that solidarity is extremely important. But whose who benefit also have duties," he added.

"I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help."

Dijsselbloem refused to apologise late Tuesday. "No, certainly not," he told a European Parliament lawmaker during a hearing when asked if he would say sorry.

But he faced mounting criticism in Europe.

Manfred Weber, the head of the largest group in the parliament, the centre-right European People's Party, tweeted Wednesday: "Eurozone is about responsibility, solidarity but also respect. No room for stereotypes. @J_Dijsselbloem."

- 'Clogs, Tulips and Windmills' -

"I truly wonder how someone with these views can still be head of the Eurogroup," said Gianni Pittella, the head of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, branding his remarks "shameful" and "discriminatory towards the countries of southern Europe".

Story continues

The row was a top story on Italian news bulletins Wednesday as commentators rounded on a politician already regarded with suspicion because of what are seen as his hawkish views on the application of EU budget rules to Italy.

Corriere della Sera daily said Djisselbloem's comments should cost him his role.

"One would have thought that in Amsterdam they know a thing or two about pubs and brothels, even spending their loose change in their coffee shops," the broadsheet said in a reference to the Netherlands' legal cannabis cafes.

La Stampa also mocked the Dutch politician's use of what it termed tired old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to apologise, the Turin daily said Djisselbloem "then pulled on his clogs and went back to his marvellous windmill in a field of tulips."

Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said in Washington Tuesday that Dijssebloem's remarks were "absolutely unacceptable" and that he was "not fit to remain head of the Eurogroup".

Dijsselbloem is set to lose his job as Dutch finance minister in the coming months after his Labour party suffered heavy losses in the Netherlands' general election.

But his mandate as head of the Eurogroup lasts until January 2018 and EU rules do not specify that the person holding the position must actually be a finance minister.

He has won praise for steering the eurozone through the Cyprus and Greek debt crises, but there have long been tensions in the single currency area between austerity-pushing northern countries and the debt-hit south.
The Department of Homeland Securitys decided to bar larger electronic devices from the passenger cabins of planes leaving from 10 Middle Eastern and African airports because of intelligence indicating Islamic State group associates are working to smuggle explosives onto U.S.-bound flights, DHS said Tuesday.

DHS banned laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, travel printers/scanners, and electronic game units larger than a smartphone from flights headed to and from the United States to 10 airports in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and gave airlines 96 hours to comply. Cellphones and medical devices are exempt from the ban.

Read: What Can I Take On A Plane? Royal Jordanian Bans Most Electronics

The airports affected are:

Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan

Cairo International Airport

Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey

King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kuwait International Airport

Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar

Dubai International Airport, and

Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The banned devices, however, can be placed in checked baggage.

DHS said the ban is risk-based and could change in the future.

Read: US State Department Updates Mexico Travel Warning, Citing Violence In Several States

Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items, DHS said.

ABC News reported the decision was based on intelligence obtained earlier this year that was deemed substantiated and credible. ABC quoted a source as saying the listed airports were not named specifically but analysts determined they were the most likely targets based on other information.

Story continues

Ive spoken a couple times in the last week with the Department of Homeland Security about a new aviation threat," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., told ABC. "We know that our adversaries, terrorist groups in the United States and outside the United States, seek to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner. Thats one of their highest value targets. And were doing everything we can right now to prevent that from happening.

DHS said terrorist propaganda has been highlighting the 2015 attack on an Egyptian aircraft and a 2016 bombing of a plane in Somalia, the first with an explosives-packed soda can and the latter with an explosives-laden laptop.

Britain took similar action against airports in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia, affecting devices larger than 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) in length, 9.3 cm (3.6 inches) in width and 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) in depth.

Related Articles
A zoo in the Czech Republic has started to saw off the horns from its herd of rare rhinoceros, in an effort to protect them from poachers like those who killed and dehorned a rhino in a Paris wildlife park earlier this month.

Dvur Kralove Zoo director Premysl Rabas said on Tuesday that veterinary surgeons had begun operating on their herd of 21 critically endangered black and southern white rhinos, Agence France-Presse reports.

The safety of the animals is our first concern, Rabas said. The dehorned rhino is definitely a better option than the dead rhino.

Although the international rhino horn trade has been banned since 1977, a thriving black market has been fed by demand from China and Vietnam, where many view rhino horn as a cure-all in traditional medicine.

Composed mainly of keratin, the same substance that makes up our hair and fingernails, rhino horns are structurally similar to horses hooves and turtle beaks, according to conservation group Save the Rhino.

On 7 March, intruders broke into Thoiry Zoo in suburban France and shot dead a male southern white rhino before removing its horns with a chainsaw.

[AFP]

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Some dogs are just born to run. And cause their owners headaches.

Or in the case of escape artist Boy, a seven-year old Maltese Shih Tzu, they learn how to catch the train. He's hopped a ride five times, in fact.

SEE ALSO: Fun dad allows family dog to get a very unfortunate haircut

"He is such a big pain in the arse. He is a rotten snot of a dog," Boy's loving, but frustrated owner Janine Ellem told 9 News.

Basically, he repeatedly digs his way under the fences of his home in Queensland, Australia.

Pot plants, barricades, even an electric fence aren't enough to keep him inside. It's no wonder Boy has been compared to Captain Virgil Hilts, played by Steve McQueen in the film The Great Escape.

The nearest train station at Nudgee is only 700 metres away from his home, where he's managed to get a ride all the way downtown; 10 kilometres away.

Now Boy has to carry a tag on him, which has a (hilarious) note for people who might come across the fluffy commuter.

"Hi my name is Boy. I am a d*ckhead. I don't like my home where I get two meals a day and love, so I escape," the tag reads.

Image: 9 news

Ellem thinks Boy is "acting out" after his best doggy friend Ralph had to be put down, and suggests Boy may be trying to search for him. Either that, or he's erm, a bit a unsettled.

"I think he's going to finally have to go to the vet and get neutered. I think he's going to finally lose his manhood," Ellem told the news outlet.

Sorry Boy, but it's for your own good.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  In a story March 22 about protecting pipelines from sabotage, The Associated Press misidentified a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, as Kerry Sundberg. His name is Kelly Sundberg.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Dakota Access pipeline vandalism highlights sabotage risks

The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has reported "recent coordinated physical attacks" on the much-protested line, just as it's almost ready to carry oil

By BLAKE NICHOLSON and STEVE KARNOWSKI

Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has reported "recent coordinated physical attacks" on the much-protested line, just as it's almost ready to carry oil.

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners didn't give details, but experts say Dakota Access and the rest of the nearly 3 million miles of pipeline that deliver natural gas and petroleum in the U.S. are vulnerable to acts of sabotage.

It's a threat that ETP takes seriously enough that it has asked a court to shield details such as spill response plans and features of the four-state pipeline that the company fears could be used against it by activists or terrorists.

Here is a look at some pipeline security issues:

___

RECENT ATTACKS

Authorities in South Dakota and Iowa confirmed Tuesday that someone apparently used a torch to burn a hole through empty sections of the pipeline at aboveground shut-off valve sites.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem said the culprit in Iowa appeared to have gotten under a fence around the facility, but Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Brown said the site in South Dakota wasn't fenced.

The Iowa incident was discovered March 13 and the South Dakota incident Friday.

Pipeline operators are asked to report security breaches to the National Response Center. Data on the center's website show no reports from ETP this month.

The $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline runs 1,200 miles through the Dakotas, Iowa and Illinois.

Story continues

___

HOW DO YOU ATTACK A PIPELINE?

Because pipelines mainly run underground, aboveground shut-off valves are natural targets, according to Jay O'Hara, a spokesman for the environmental group Climate Direct Action. That group targeted valves on pipelines in October in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Washington state, though the pipeline companies said activists didn't succeed because none of the sites were operating when the attacks happened.

Explosives, firearms and heavy machinery also have been used to try to sabotage pipelines.

Securing pipelines is difficult because they often travel long distances through remote and even uninhabited territory, said Kelly Sundberg, a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, who studies energy infrastructure security and environmental crime.

___

THE DANGER

Sundberg said "it's stupid and dangerous" to tamper with pipeline shut-off valves.

Modern oil pipelines are "incredibly sophisticated" systems that move huge volumes of petrochemicals at high pressures, he said. Simply closing a valve can cause the pressure upstream to increase quickly, creating a significant risk of a spill that endangers the environment and anyone in the area where the pipe suddenly bursts, he said.

In response to the October incidents, federal regulators issued a bulletin warning that tampering with pipeline valves "can have significant consequences such as death, injury, and economic and environmental harm."

Sundberg also said that it's ironic for people who say they're concerned about the environment to take an action that could cause an environmental disaster.

But O'Hara said: "The hypocrisy really lies in the pipeline corporations who say their pipelines are safe, say leaks don't happen. They blame activists who are trying to stop global cataclysm by taking action to point out what they do every day, which is leak and spill."

Someone who targets a pipeline facility in the U.S. could face up to 20 years in prison.

___

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT ATTACKS?

No suspects have been identified in either state and no group has claimed responsibility

O'Hara told The Associated Press that Climate Direct Action wasn't involved in any actions against the Dakota Access pipeline.

Attorneys for the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, which are leading the legal battle against the pipeline, said the tribes don't condone acts of violence against pipeline property.

___

HOW FREQUENTLY DOES PIPELINE SABOTAGE OCCUR?

Not very often, Sundberg said. It happens more frequently in Canada than the U.S. It's generally committed by people trying to make an environmental point. It would be "very scary" if terrorist groups tried it in North America, he said.

Some of the worst incidents in the U.S. were on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Vandals blew up a section in 1978, spilling about 16,000 barrels of oil near Fairbanks. In 2001, a drunken man fired a hunting rifle into the pipeline near Livengood, causing more than 6,000 barrels to spray out.

Some of the most notable incidents in Canada happened in the 1990s and 2000s in Alberta and British Columbia. A series of bombings in 2008-09 targeted pipelines in British Columbia. Weibo Ludwig, an Alberta man who crusaded against the extraction of "sour gas" containing high amounts of hydrogen sulfide, was convicted in several of the 1990s acts of vandalism. He was arrested but never charged in the later attacks.

Pipeline sabotage happens with some regularity in war zones. Iraqi insurgents, Colombian rebels and Mexican guerrillas all have claimed responsibility for pipeline attacks in recent decades.

___

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press news researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this story from New York, and reporter David Pitt contributed from Des Moines, Iowa.

___

Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake. Follow Steve Karnowski at: https://twitter.com/skarnowski.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has reported "recent coordinated physical attacks" on the much-protested line, just as it's almost ready to carry oil.

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners didn't give details, but experts say Dakota Access and the rest of the nearly 3 million miles of pipeline that deliver natural gas and petroleum in the U.S. are vulnerable to acts of sabotage.

It's a threat that ETP takes seriously enough that it has asked a court to shield details such as spill response plans and features of the four-state pipeline that the company fears could be used against it by activists or terrorists.

Here is a look at some pipeline security issues:

___

RECENT ATTACKS

Authorities in South Dakota and Iowa confirmed Tuesday that someone apparently used a torch to burn a hole through empty sections of the pipeline at aboveground shut-off valve sites.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem said the culprit in Iowa appeared to have gotten under a fence around the facility, but Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Brown said the site in South Dakota wasn't fenced.

The Iowa incident was discovered March 13 and the South Dakota incident Friday.

Pipeline operators are asked to report security breaches to the National Response Center. Data on the center's website show no reports from ETP this month.

The $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline runs 1,200 miles through the Dakotas, Iowa and Illinois.

___

HOW DO YOU ATTACK A PIPELINE?

Because pipelines mainly run underground, aboveground shut-off valves are natural targets, according to Jay O'Hara, a spokesman for the environmental group Climate Direct Action. That group targeted valves on pipelines in October in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Washington state, though the pipeline companies said activists didn't succeed because none of the sites were operating when the attacks happened.

Explosives, firearms and heavy machinery also have been used to try to sabotage pipelines.

Story continues

Securing pipelines is difficult because they often travel long distances through remote and even uninhabited territory, said Kelly Sundberg, a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, who studies energy infrastructure security and environmental crime.

___

THE DANGER

Sundberg said "it's stupid and dangerous" to tamper with pipeline shut-off valves.

Modern oil pipelines are "incredibly sophisticated" systems that move huge volumes of petrochemicals at high pressures, he said. Simply closing a valve can cause the pressure upstream to increase quickly, creating a significant risk of a spill that endangers the environment and anyone in the area where the pipe suddenly bursts, he said.

In response to the October incidents, federal regulators issued a bulletin warning that tampering with pipeline valves "can have significant consequences such as death, injury, and economic and environmental harm."

Sundberg also said that it's ironic for people who say they're concerned about the environment to take an action that could cause an environmental disaster.

But O'Hara said: "The hypocrisy really lies in the pipeline corporations who say their pipelines are safe, say leaks don't happen. They blame activists who are trying to stop global cataclysm by taking action to point out what they do every day, which is leak and spill."

Someone who targets a pipeline facility in the U.S. could face up to 20 years in prison.

___

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT ATTACKS?

No suspects have been identified in either state and no group has claimed responsibility

O'Hara told The Associated Press that Climate Direct Action wasn't involved in any actions against the Dakota Access pipeline.

Attorneys for the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, which are leading the legal battle against the pipeline, said the tribes don't condone acts of violence against pipeline property.

___

HOW FREQUENTLY DOES PIPELINE SABOTAGE OCCUR?

Not very often, Sundberg said. It happens more frequently in Canada than the U.S. It's generally committed by people trying to make an environmental point. It would be "very scary" if terrorist groups tried it in North America, he said.

Some of the worst incidents in the U.S. were on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Vandals blew up a section in 1978, spilling about 16,000 barrels of oil near Fairbanks. In 2001, a drunken man fired a hunting rifle into the pipeline near Livengood, causing more than 6,000 barrels to spray out.

Some of the most notable incidents in Canada happened in the 1990s and 2000s in Alberta and British Columbia. A series of bombings in 2008-09 targeted pipelines in British Columbia. Weibo Ludwig, an Alberta man who crusaded against the extraction of "sour gas" containing high amounts of hydrogen sulfide, was convicted in several of the 1990s acts of vandalism. He was arrested but never charged in the later attacks.

Pipeline sabotage happens with some regularity in war zones. Iraqi insurgents, Colombian rebels and Mexican guerrillas all have claimed responsibility for pipeline attacks in recent decades.

___

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press news researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this story from New York, and reporter David Pitt contributed from Des Moines, Iowa.

___

Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake . Follow Steve Karnowski at: https://twitter.com/skarnowski .

___

This story has been corrected to show that the AP cited a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, called Kelly Sundberg, not Kerry Sundberg.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Defending champion Jason Day tearfully withdrew from the Dell Technologies Match Play after six holes Wednesday so he could be with his mother when she has surgery for lung cancer.

Day said his mother, Dening, was diagnosed in Australia at the start of the year and told she had 12 months to live. He brought her to Ohio in the last month for more tests, hopeful that surgery would lead to a chance for a recovery.

"It's really hard to even comprehend being on the golf course right now because of what she's gone through," Day said after taking a moment to clear his voice and wipe tears from his face. "I'm glad I brought her over here. And it's been really hard to play golf lately this year. It's been very, very emotional, as you can tell. I've already gone through it once with my dad, and I know how it feels. And it's hard enough to see another one go through it."

His father, Alvin, died of stomach cancer when Day was 12.

Day said he went through a wild streak after his father died until he was sent off to a golf academy, where under the teaching and mentoring of Colin Swatton, he rose to be a PGA champion and reach No. 1 in the world.

His mother took out a second mortgage on the house and borrowed money from relatives to pay for his schooling. After winning the PGA Championship in 2015, Day recalled watching her cut the lawn with a knife because they couldn't afford a lawn mower and using a kettle for hot water to bathe. He once shopped for used clothes at a store where for $5 he could stuff as much as he could into a bag.

"I just need some time away with her to make sure that everything goes well, because this has been very, very tough for me," Day said. "So I'm going to do my best and try and be there the best I can for her because she is the reason that I'm playing golf today."

He did not take questions, leaving the press center for his car with his wife, Ellie.

Story continues

Day lives near Columbus, Ohio, where he met his wife when he was on the Nationwide Tour as a teenager trying to get his PGA Tour card.

His agent, Bud Martin, said Day's mother was at The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State. He said the prognosis is better than what she had gotten in Australia, and doctors now hope that the cancer can be managed.

"I kidded his mother a few days ago on the phone," Martin said. "I said, 'The news seems to be getting better. I want to make certain you are there during his Hall of Fame speech.' She loves it. It's important to her to support him."

Day spoke to the media before leaving to avoid any speculation about his own health. A year ago at the Match Play, he tweaked his back in the opening round and wasn't sure he would be able to continue. Instead, he won his next six matches to capture this World Golf Championships event for the second time.

He said the mass in her mother's lung was 3 to 4 centimeters. The surgery is scheduled for Friday.

"I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for her, and we can get this behind us and she can live a long life," Day said.

He was not expected to play again until the Masters, where he would be considered one of the top favorites. Martin said the only reason he came to Austin for the Match Play was that he felt a responsibility to the fans, and to his mother.

"Truthfully, the most important thing in her world is him playing golf and being happy," Martin said.

Day has not won since The Players Championship last year. He was No. 1 in the world for nearly a year until Dustin Johnson overtook him a month ago. Day started this year with only one top 10, a tie for fifth at Pebble Beach, in five tournaments.

Martin said he has not spoken much about his mother and her ordeal.

"Jason is a gutty guy," Martin said. "You don't accomplish what he's accomplished on the golf course without having resilience."
During his visit to Beijing last weekend, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a strange move  adopting Chinese verbiage to characterize the U.S.-China relationship. Both before and after his meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Tillerson said that the U.S.-China relationship has been guided by an understanding of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation. In using such language, Tillerson adopted wholesale the Chinese definition of U.S.-China relations  repeating nearly verbatim language that Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials have used previously.

China doesnt use these words because they sound nice (in fact they sound very strange to a native English speaker). They use them because they convey a specific definition of Chinas proposed new model of great power relations  of accommodation, non-interference, and spheres of influence. Pressing for them is standard-fare for Chinese diplomats ahead of a high-level U.S.-China meeting. And by adopting them, Tillerson has shown that not only will he acquiesce to their request, but also has assented to the Chinese definition of the relationship  a definition that is not in the U.S. interest. This was not lost on Beijing. Chinas Communist Party-run Global Times newspaper trumpeted that, with the use of those words, Tillerson has implicitly endorsed the new model of major power relations.

This is troubling for a number of reasons.

Trump has been full of bellicose talk on China. But to date, Trumps tough talk has only been followed by accommodation. Tillersons comments did not come in isolation. They follow Trumps threat to reconsider the one-China policy, which ended with him not only reaffirming that policy (the right move, incidentally), but  according to the White House readout of the call, making clear that he did so at the request of President Xi  signaling accommodation. China respects strength. But strength actually requires having a strategy and only using tough rhetoric when committed to following through. Empty bellicose rhetoric that isnt backed by action isnt strength. It signals weakness.

This pattern shows Beijing that it can ignore the administrations words. China will likely test the administrations lines through assertive action  possibly in the South China Sea. Deterrence requires clear and consistent signaling to adversaries about expectations and what is and is not acceptable; the administrations conflicting statements make deterring bad behavior all the more difficult. And an accomodationist definition of U.S.-China relations will be read by Beijing as a permission slip for greater assertiveness.

Our allies carefully watch the words of U.S. officials on China. The flipside of deterrence  reassurance  similarly requires clear and consistent signaling. While Tilllerson said all the right reassuring lines about our alliances in Tokyo and Seoul, our allies may question those commitments given Tillersons words in Beijing. And our friends in Taiwan are now likely to feel doubly burned, believing that the adoption of Beijings definition of U.S.-China relations undermines Washingtons support for Taipei, which it is already questioning after the Trump administrations one-China episode.

All of this will make it more difficult to manage the relationship with China. We do need to be tough on China  in some areas, tougher than the Obama administration was. But we have to be smart about how we do that, which includes ensuring that our allies know our commitment to their security is real. And if Beijing sees the Trump administration as a paper Tiger  all roar and no bite  it will be hard persuade them to refrain from assertive behavior that harms U.S. interests, such as on trade, cyber intrusions, or the South China Sea  not to mention adopting policies that would be in the U.S. interest, such as getting tough on North Korea.

Getting the balance right with China is not easy. I sat through many painful hours with Chinese officials negotiating language for statements and remarks ahead of high-level meetings, often in to the wee hours of the night. Beijing pressed hard for the Obama administration to use the very words that Tillerson uttered. We were conscious that any words we chose to adopt would carry a very specific meaning in the Chinese minds, and thus we chose them carefully. Some may not like the balance that was struck, but it stopped well short of where Tillerson went. In its piece lauding Tillersons comments, Chinas Global Times in fact noted that while China has used the phraseology for some time, there was no record of the Obama administration doing so.

That consciousness was partly based on learning from an early mistake. Ahead of President Barack Obamas first summit with China in 2009, the Chinese prevailed in including the importance to respect and accommodate each others core interests in the Presidential Joint Statement. This was a major misstep that  unintentionally  signaled an accomodationist approach to Beijing, and raised alarm bells in allied capitals that we were abandoning them on key issues where they faced threats from China. It took years and lots of hard work to correct those perceptions.

We dont know the motive behind Tillersons choice of words. Was it inadvertent or deliberate? An optimist would hope that it was the former, and that the Trump administration will learn its lesson. But that would require not just refraining from adopting Chinas problematic definition of the relationship, and halting empty bellicose rhetoric, but adopting a real strategy for dealing with China. Until that happens, Beijing will take all the wrong lessons.

Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP)  A University of Wisconsin-La Crosse police dispatcher who says she was fired for supporting President Donald Trump's travel ban wants a six-figure settlement.

UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow told The La Crosse Tribune (http://bit.ly/2mN3G7P ) that Kimberly Dearman wants a $250,000 settlement. Her attorney, Lee Fehr, told the newspaper that she's winning in the court of public opinion. Gow says the school won't pay.

Dearman was fired earlier this month for using unbecoming and threatening language with an Asian trainee. According to investigators, she told the trainee the travel ban would protect the U.S. and immigrants should go home.

Gow said Dearman wasn't fired for her opinions, even though he sent a university-wide email in January rebuking the ban. Gow offered Dearman her job back last week because she didn't get a hearing.

___

Information from: La Crosse Tribune, http://www.lacrossetribune.com
Going to a doctor's office or hospital can be a scary experience for anyone. But when you're a member of the LGBTQ community, even the most routine questions can seem daunting. It gets even more complicated if you're an LGBTQ minor.

How much of what you share is confidential? If you come out to your doctor, can he or she tell your parents? Do the ground rules change if you're seeing a pediatrician or a therapist? How do you know you can trust your doctor to take care of you without judgment?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions, according to experts. State law variance, compounded with health privacy regulations, present a cascade of complications in what could already be a stressful situation. What's clear is that good communication between parents or guardians, health care providers and LGBTQ children themselves is critical to maintaining healthy provider-patient relationships.

[See: 8 Things You Didn't Know About Counseling.]

Can My Doctor Out Me to My Parents? It's Complicated.

Generally if a child is still a child, parents own the medical record, Vanessa K. Jensen, a pediatric psychologist at Cleveland Clinic Children's, tells U.S. News. That's reinforced in the HIPAA law itself. But the line can be challenging for health professionals when it comes to what's legal, ethical and considered appropriate.

"In practice, what most of us do is make it clear with the parent and the child in the beginning of a relationship ... we lay out the parameters of what we put in the chart and what we are comfortable keeping confidential if the parents are willing to agree to that," Jensen says.

The American Academy of Pediatrics published a statement back in 2013 regarding adolescent sexual health and the role of the doctor in the situation. "Care should be confidential, and it is not the role of the pediatrician to inform parents/guardians about the teenager's sexual identity or behavior; doing so could expose the youth to harm," according to the statement. It further notes that sexual-minority youth deal with mental health issues around depression, substance abuse and suicidality, but also "face alarmingly high rates of verbal harassment and physical violence, including at home and at school."

Story continues

What complicates matters is that legal parameters vary by state. Teenagers can seek out mental health care without parental consent in Ohio, for instance, under very confined circumstances -- i.e. for a limited number of appointments or by going to a free clinic, Jensen says.

In Washington, for example, the mental health age of consent for a minor to admit himself or herself for inpatient or outpatient mental treatment is 13 years old. In Massachusetts, gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender minors requires legal guardian consent. There's currently legislation in the House Committee on Health Care in Vermont that proposes "[allowing] minors to consent to mental health treatment for any condition related to the minor's sexual orientation or gender identity."

A doctor is obligated under HIPAA rules to break confidentiality and tell a child's parents if minors have a plan to hurt themselves or if someone is hurting them. Dr. Cora Breuner, a professor in the department of pediatrics, adolescent medicine division at Seattle Children's Hospital, points out that this doesn't mean a provider has to inform parents of everything you've disclosed, a common misconception -- only details relating to you hurting yourself or if someone is hurting you.

Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, a Boston-based psychiatrist and head of the National LGBT Health Education Center at the Fenway Institute, emphasizes that identifying as LGBTQ is not in and of itself a safety concern.

[See: The 10 Worst Countries for Gender Equality.]

A Tale of Two Health Care Experiences

U.S. News spoke with two 18-year-old transgender men about their experiences with health care professionals -- and they couldn't be more different. Though neither involved concerns about being outed to their parents, they illuminate obstacles LGBTQ children face.

Vincent Alexander Worden, a high school senior living in Plainfield, Illinois, is both transgender and queer (here meaning interested in both men and women). His primary care physician didn't flinch when he came out to him first as queer and later as transgender, both when he was a minor. This experience seemingly informs his advice to LGBTQ youth.

"They just wish to help you and giving maybe [information about your sexual orientation or gender identity] can help them understand you better and then in return, help you more," he says.

But Jaden Prendeau's visit to a psychiatric facility in Los Angeles was anything but helpful. Seventeen years old at the time, he recounted the traumatizing ordeal in a post on the self-publishing platform Medium. The most horrifying part of his experience was when employees made him strip upon intake at the hospital to confirm his gender identity, writing an incorrect big "F" on his chart. Now he's even scared about visiting doctors who have been helpful to him in the past.

It's evident that having a healthy, open relationship with your doctor, or any health care provider, could spell the difference between seeking treatment or forgoing it altogether.

How to Come Out to Your Doctor

If you're ready to talk to your doctor, here's what to keep in mind.

Find a professional you're comfortable with. Patients can look for care on PsychologyToday.com for LGBT-affirming therapist designations, as well as on RAD Remedy, a website that connects trans, gender non-conforming, intersex, and queer people to proper health care. Prendeau, who works part-time at Trans Lifeline and attends Los Angeles City College, adds that if you're not comfortable with your doctor, you should find another one. He acknowledges this can be difficult for people in more rural areas, an ongoing problem.

Talk. It might be scary at first, and you may not know the right words to use, but better out than in if you feel you're speaking to a safe confidant, according to Keuroghlian, who also teaches at Harvard Medical School and trains psychiatry residents at Massachusetts General Hospital. He says you can't put too much pressure on yourself as a patient to express it perfectly or in a certain way.

Remember it's not a race. Patience is key to working through these issues, especially when your parents may not be as accepting of your sexuality or gender identity. Keuroghlian recommends building an affirming LGBTQ community around you and finding role models to support and mentor you. It's important to not isolate socially.

[See: 10 Lessons from Empowered Patients.]

How Doctors Can Help Patients Feel Comfortable

Get educated. Just as the U.S. public has become more comfortable with homosexuality, so too have pediatricians in terms of caring for the LGBTQ population. For example, rather than asking a 17-year-old girl if she has a boyfriend, pediatricians now ask if she's dating someone or which gender she's attracted to, Jensen says. She notes that children are coming out to their pediatricians more and more because they ask questions other adults won't.

Say you are LGBT-friendly online. Aside from websites like PsychologyToday.com, the Cleveland Clinic recently started a program where all medical staff were encouraged to add "LGBT-affirming" to their biographies online if so inclined. This simple message could yield lasting and impactful results. Case in point: One of the hospital's pediatricians recently told Jensen that one of her patients came out to her because of this designation.

Bridge the gap between children and parents. Like Jensen explained, set up a written agreement with parents -- particularly parents of older children -- about what will stay confidential during therapy sessions. For example, parents may agree to receive only general progress reports and notification of dangerous or emergency situations. Alan Nessman, senior special counsel for the American Psychological Association's Practice Organization, says the group recommends including this in the informed consent document to clarify privacy parameters upfront, and to help a child speak more freely, making therapy potentially more effective. This is a common way to help keep conversations about sex and sexual orientation private.

David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com.
Dr. Rawad Obeid had a plan.

In 2009, three years after he earned his medical degree at the University of Damascus, Obeid flew 6,000 miles from his native Syria to the United States, where he'd study pediatric medicine and eventually open his own practice. He'd forge a prosperous career and live in comfort, he figured.

Obeid's vision evolved when he started working as a resident at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Many of the parents of the young patients he treated for injuries from falls, asthma and respiratory infections had low incomes -- they were jobless or underemployed and often had no insurance. "We took care of everybody, regardless of their circumstances," Obeid says. "We signed them up for Medicare or Medicaid if they had nothing. It made me think differently. I started thinking more about serving others than serving myself."

The young doctor changed his career path. Today, he's a research fellow in the neonatology department at Children's National Medical Center in the District of Columbia. Obeid treats babies born with a lack of oxygen, which puts them at risk of developmental problems. He also works with premature infants who suffer from intraventricular hemorrhage -- bleeding in the brain, which can damage nerve cells and lead to impairment in walking, a condition known as cerebral palsy. In his free time, Obeid is studying Spanish so he'll be better able to communicate with the many Spanish-speaking immigrant parents of his patients.

[See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids' Health.]

Rather than launching a private practice, Obeid, who became a permanent legal U.S. resident about a year ago, has accepted a job at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Starting in July, he'll treat kids at risk of developing and who already have cerebral palsy.

Obeid is one of the more than 278,000 doctors with international medical degrees in the U.S., according to the American Medical Association. This includes researchers, teachers, administrators, inactive physicians and doctors who provide medical care in the U.S., and it represents 27 percent of all doctors in the country.

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Flow of Doctors Imperiled

The continued flow of some doctors from overseas into the U.S. is jeopardized by President Donald Trump's executive order to temporarily ban travel from six countries: Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Iran and Yemen. Immigration from these countries poses a security risk, the Trump administration says. Some states and civil rights attorneys are opposing the order in court. In mid-March, a federal judge in Hawaii and another in Maryland issued orders temporarily barring the order from taking effect. The administration could appeal.

If upheld, the travel ban could have a dramatic impact on health care in the U.S.: Annually, 14 million doctor's appointments are provided nationally by physicians from the six banned countries, according to the Immigrant Doctors Project, a collaboration between 10 economists trained at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who wanted to answer the question of how the travel ban could affect the delivery of health services in the U.S. Doctors from the six countries provide 2.3 million appointments a year in areas with doctor shortages, according to the project. For example, in Toledo, Ohio, an area with a doctor shortage, between 30 and 50 physicians from banned countries provide an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 appointments a year.

Shutting down travel from the six countries "would have a huge impact" on health care in the U.S., says Dr. Rick Wilkerson, a West Point graduate who retired as an Army doctor in 1989 and has a private orthopedic practice in Iowa. "There are a number of excellent physicians from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria and other countries who are providing excellent medical care in the United States," he says. Once he retired from the Army, Wilkerson remained dedicated to international medical efforts. In 1991, he went to Peshawar, Pakistan, to treat Afghan refugees. In 2004, at the request of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Wilkerson worked with the U.S. government to conduct an international medical conference in Baghdad. That led to Wilkerson teaming up with six other U.S. doctors who formed a group that returned to Iraq often to treat patients and share their medical knowledge with Iraqi physicians.

[See: 10 Questions Doctors Wish Their Patients Would Ask.]

As part of that group or individually, Wilkerson has been to Iraq 11 times since 2004, performing countless knee replacements and ankle arthroscopies. Since 2009, he's annually hosted a doctor from overseas, typically someone with a tie to the University of Basrah, to share his knowledge of orthopedic medicine. In 2011, Wilkerson and his wife launched Love Takes Root, a nonprofit whose mission is to help needy children worldwide by helping provide shelter, education and health services. The organization's first project is an orphanage in Haiti, a country Wilkerson has visited 25 times since 2010 on medical missions.

One of the key ways that immigration boosts health care services and knowledge in the U.S. and other countries is by spurring innovation, says Dr. Ali Azizzadeh, professor and chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston. "Putting an end to immigration would put an end to innovation," he says.

Immigration Fosters Innovation

Azizzadeh cites his own career to bolster his assertion. Born in Iran, he immigrated with his family to the U.S. at age 13 and studied at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The renowned heart surgeon Michael DeBakey -- widely considered one of the greatest surgeons of all time -- became chairman of surgery at the school in 1948 and transformed it into a respected academic institution. DeBakey, who died in 2008 at age 99, was the son of Lebanese-Christian parents who immigrated to the U.S. to escape religious bias. Immigration also boosted Azizzadeh's skills by allowing him to work directly with a renowned surgeon. During a vascular surgery fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Azizzadeh also worked with Dr. Juan Parodi, an Argentinian physician who in the early 1990s pioneered an innovative, minimally invasive technique to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The technique saves lives. "If the abdominal aorta ruptures, most people die before they get to the hospital," he says. Parodi's innovation "caused a revolution in the field of vascular surgery." After working with Parodi and learning the technique, Azizzadeh in turn has for the past dozen years or so taught that method to other doctors. "I'm training the next generation of vascular surgeons," he says.

[See: 10 Ways to Prepare for Surgery.]

Because he is a naturalized U.S. citizen, a travel ban wouldn't affect him personally, but it could adversely affect clinical care, research and educational training programs in the U.S., Azizzadeh says. "Immigration increases the talent pool and brings in new ideas and people pursuing dreams of doing procedures more efficiently and less invasively," he says. "If some doctors don't apply for our residency programs because they have a hard time getting a visa, it can have a negative impact on our ability to care for our patients."

Ruben Castaneda is a Health & Wellness reporter at U.S. News. He previously covered the crime beat in Washington, D.C. and state and federal courts in suburban Maryland, and he's the author of the book "S Street Rising: Crack, Murder and Redemption in D.C." You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him at LinkedIn or email him at rcastaneda@usnews.com.
The Hague (AFP) - Leading Dutch bank ING is under criminal investigation in The Netherlands due to concerns related to "money laundering and corrupt practices", bank officials and prosecutors said Wednesday.

The Dutch anti-fraud agency FIOD "is leading, under the direction of the Dutch prosecution service, an inquiry into ING Bank N.V," Marieke van der Molen, spokeswoman for the prosecutors, said.

"The bank is suspected of not having notified, or not having notified early enough, unusual transactions," she told AFP.

Among suspect payments are funds from Russian telecoms company VimpelCom to an Uzbek civil servant.

The Dutch daily Financieele Dagblad said investigators are probing what role the Amsterdam-based banking and insurance multinational may have had in the payment of possible bribes.

ING "may not have, or failed to adequately, investigate its clients, which is obligatory" under international laws to counter money-laundering and terrorism financing, Molen added.

ING spokesman Raymond Vermeulen said: "These investigations concern the compliance with various requirements related to the on-boarding of clients, transaction screening and reporting of suspicious activities, all to prevent the facilitating of money laundering and corrupt practices."

The bank was cooperating "with the investigations," he said, but adding he could not comment further as the matter was under investigation.

In its annual report released last week, ING said it has "also received related information requests from US authorities".

"It is currently not feasible to determine how the ongoing investigations and requests may be resolved or the timing of any such resolution," it added. If could also not predict the scope of any fines or penalties.

In 2012, ING agreed to pay a record $619 million to the US authorities to settle accusations that it had violated American sanctions banning transactions with Cuba, Iran, Myanmar and Sudan.

ING has over 52,000 employees and customers in over 40 countries.
A dying dog now gets to spend his final days in a loving home instead of a Virginia shelter thanks to a woman who noticed his heart-wrenching story online.

Read: Animal Shelter Pleas for Adoption of Elderly Dog Before He Dies of Kidney Failure

Warren Barkett, a senior Rottweiler-mastiff suffering from kidney failure, got to go home with Leslie Garrett of Norfolk on Tuesday, after spending more than a year at a Virginia Beach shelter.

Were unsure of how much longer he has, and I hope that possibly by being able to go home with me that he can have a longer life, [whether] he might have a month or he might have a year or longer, Garrett told InsideEdition.com.

A few months ago, Virginia Beach Animal Care learned the dog, who they think is about 10 years old, was in renal failure.

"The condition he has is degenerative, so it does get worse over time, Shelter Operations Supervisor Jessica Wilde explained in a previous interview with InsideEdition.com. Theres no real time expectancy we can give  it could be a couple of weeks or a couple of years.

Wilde explained even though they have put out pleas to get Warren adopted, they posted his story on social media again, hoping his newly developed condition would attract a sympathetic adopter.

Thats when Garrett, who works at the Norfolk Sheriffs Office, decided to reach out.

She explained her last dog, a schipperke named Foxy, had cancer, and she had to put her down last June.

It was horrible, Garrett explained. Ive missed her every day since she was put down.

When she applied to adopt Warren, the shelter deemed her the perfect fit.

He needs a special home because he is not suitable to be around children  he has touch sensitivity, Nicole Barrera, a caretaker from the Virginia Beach Animal Care, told InsideEdition.com. He needs someone who can respect his boundaries, and Leslie is an adult and she doesnt have children in her house [and] she doesnt have other dogs.

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Read: Rescue Dog Saves 3-Year-Old Girl's Life, Finds Her Curled Up in a Ditch

In addition to having experience with dogs with special needs, Garrett proved to be the perfect new family for Warren.

Ive already bought the food for him that is good for a dog with kidney issues, she explained, as she was preparing to take Warren home. Itll just be Warren and I living in my house, and he has a nice backyard, and he already has plenty of aunts and uncles and other family members waiting for him.

Watch: 8-Year-Old Boy With Rare Skin Disease Meets Dog Across the Country With The Same Condition

Related Articles:
Italian researchers examining a medieval painting may have found the earliest visual depiction of dracunculiasis, a horrifying parasitic infection in which a worm up to 3 feet long creeps out of the skin.

Currently endemic to areas in Chad, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan, the disease is transmitted to people who drink water infested with water fleas that are in the Cyclops genus, and that contain larvae of the guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis). One year after the person ingests the contaminated water, a spaghetti-like worm 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 meter) long erupts from a blistered area of the person's skin  usually in the lower part of the leg, according to he World Health Organization.

To relieve the pain and burning feeling that the worm causes when it erupts, the victims seek out water, prompting the worm to discharge its larvae, which starts the whole cycle over again. [The 10 Most Diabolical and Disgusting Parasites]

According to a study to be published in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Infection, dracunculiasis clearly appears for the first time in a 15th-century altarpiece on display at the Pinacoteca di Brera (Painting Gallery), located in southern Italy's Puglia region.

St. Roch was a 14th-century French pilgrim who is said to have healed victims of the plague. Raffaele Gaeta

The artwork is considered a rare example of Late Gothic painting in Puglia and depicts St. Roch, a 14th-century French pilgrim who is said to have healed victims of the plague, and came down with it himself.

"Indeed, St. Roch is typically represented with a bubo on the upper thigh," paleopathologist Raffaele Gaeta, at the University of Pisa, Italy, told Live Science.

The painting in Bari, showing the saint as a bearded man with long, curly blonde hair, is no exception. The anonymous painter portrayed St. Roch with a swelling on the left thigh, made visible by a rolled-down sock.

"However, the altarpiece adds a new, realistic detail: a white, thin filament comes out of the lesion and almost reaches the knee," Gaeta said.

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He noted that art historians wrongly identified this element as a long drop of pus emerging from the infected wound. [25 Grisly Archaeological Discoveries]

"We believe instead that the painter portrayed an ancient case of dracunculiasis, an infectious disease caused by a nematode worm, the Dracunculus medinensis, well known in antiquity," Gaeta and colleagues Fabrizio Bruschi and Valentina Giuffra wrote in their study.

Dracunculiasis has plagued humankind for thousands of years. The Bible's Old Testament, dating to 1450 B.C., refers to the worm, according to the Carter Center. It is mentioned in the Egyptian medical Ebers Papyrus, dating from 1550 B.C., which suggested extracting the worm from the body by winding it around a stick  a method still used today.

Further evidence for the worm's existence in ancient Egypt was provided in the 1970s: A calcified guinea worm was found in the abdominal cavity of a 3,000-year-old mummy.

Parasitologists believe the biblical "fiery serpents" that attacked the Israelites who had escaped Egypt might have been guinea worms. The infection would have been widespread in the Middle East at the time of the exodus, as it was until recently.

"The worm doesn't kill, but leaves the victim in disabling misery," Gaeta said.

"The parasite could have earned its nickname 'fiery serpent' because it causes excruciating burning pain as it bursts through the skin," he added.

Although the disease is not documented in Italy, it is possible that the anonymous painter noticed the parasite in the wound of some traveler who arrived in Bari, which was an important port for people traveling to the East, particularly Syria and Palestine.

"He then added the long and thin white filament that comes out of the leg as a note of extreme realism," Gaeta said.

According to Francesco Galassi, a paleopathologist at Zurich University's Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, the research "offers room for a more general reflection on the importance of prevention of infectious diseases for international travelers in the modern world."

"I find it rather captivating that the authors hypothesize that this disease might have been portrayed on an individual coming to Bari from regions where, unlike the Italian Peninsula, the condition was endemic," Galassi told Live Science.

As a result of a 30-year campaign led by the Carter Center, a charity set up by former president Jimmy Carter, dracunculiasis will likely be the second human disease in history after smallpox to be eradicated. It will be the first parasitic disease to be wiped out and the first disease to be eradicated without the use of a drug or vaccine.

In 2016, only 25 cases of guinea-worm disease were reported globally, down from an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986, according to the WHO's Global Health Observatory.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
The Department of Homeland Security announced a ban on any electronic devices larger than a smartphone on certain flights out of the Middle East and Africa, according to a new security measure implemented Tuesday. Laptops, e-readers, cameras and other portable devices will have to be checked and stowed as baggage before travelers pass through security at certain airports.

The U.S. government is concerned about terrorists ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt; the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia; and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.

Read: NASA Scientist, U.S. Citizen Detained At Airport During Trump's Travel Ban

The indefinite ban affects nine airlines out of 10 airports.

International Airports Affected

Cairo International, Cairo, Egypt (CAI)



Dubai International, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB)



Abu Dhabi International, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (AUH)



Hamad International, Doha, Qatar (DOH)



Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan (AMM)



Kuwait International, Kuwait City (KWI)



Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco (CAS)



King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED)



King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (RUH)

Airlines Affected

Emirates Airlines



Qatar Airways



Turkish Airlines



Egyptair



Etihad Airways



Kuwait Airways



Royal Air Maroc



Royal Jordanian Airlines



Saudi Arabian Airlines

GettyImages-2371708

Photo: Getty Images

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According to officials, the ban was unrelated to President Donald Trumps earlier ban on travel from several majority-Muslim nations and the electronics ban did not target specific nations.

Read: Muhammad Ali Jr. Detained At Airport For Second Time During Trump's Travel Ban

We relied upon evaluated intelligence to determine which airports were affected, officials said, according to a Reuters report Monday. Before the official announcement, the ban was being considered for weeks after government officials learned of a threat.

The DHS announced it would give airlines 96 hours to fully implement the ban which would remain in place until the threat changes.

Related Articles
Struggling retailer Sears Holdings Corp (ticker: SHLD) admitted on Wednesday what the rest of Wall Street has known for a long time: it's quite likely Sears is doomed.

In a 10-K filed late Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, toward the end of a section called "Uses and Sources of Liquidity," Sears's language became unusually dire.

"Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern," the filing says.

This was after it had gone through a long list of asset sales, loans and cost savings initiatives Sears has either previously engaged in, is currently engaged in, or is planning to engage in to shore up its balance sheets and stop the bleeding.

[See: 7 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2017.]

"If we continue to experience operating losses, and we are not able to generate additional liquidity through the mechanisms described above or through some combination of other actions, while not expected, we may not be able to access additional funds under our amended domestic credit agreement and we might need to secure additional sources of funds, which may or may not be available to us," Sears's 10-K filing says.

Translated, Sears is essentially saying that even though it's taken a series of extreme steps to boost its liquidity -- including selling its Craftsman brand, spinning off stores into a real estate investment trust, and vowing to trim costs by $1 billion this year -- it's very possible those efforts leave Sears still cash-strapped and looking for a capital injection ... and it's possible no one will want to help Sears when that day comes.

Sears used to be one of the great American corporate success stories, and for many decades it was a reliable cash cow. However, the company's been woefully unable to adapt to the modern retail environment, and even big-box retailers like Wal-Mart Stores ( WMT) and Target Corp. ( TGT) became a competitive issue for Sears by the 1990s.

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In the 2000s, with Amazon.com ( AMZN) now flexing its e-commerce muscles, Sears started to fall apart. In 2005, billionaire hedge fund guru and Kmart chairman Eddie Lampert, who had a huge stake in Kmart after leading it out of Chapter 11, arranged the Kmart-Sears merger.

Since then, Lampert has been shamelessly stripping Sears to its bones.

In November, Mark Cohen, a former chairman and CEO of Sears Canada and current Columbia Business School professor, described Lampert's actions as outright "asset stripping."

Many of Sears's most valuable real estate has been sold to Lampert's own hedge fund, ESL Investments, only to be leased back to Sears. And when Sears needs capital? It gets ESL on the phone and borrows from them.

In November, Cohen thought that Lampert would eventually strip Sears down to nothing, but he insisted that process could take many, many years, saying, "This is gonna be the longest-running death in the retail industry in its history. He's selling off the fingers, the toes, there's an arm that's come off, there's another one yet to be harvested. The corneas are gone, one of the kidneys is gone -- but it's still got a heartbeat."

[See: 10 of the Worst Performing Stocks of 2016.]

Still having a heartbeat is no consolation for investors in the struggling retailer who watched SHLD stock lose 13 percent of its value in the first hour of trading on Wednesday. Down 47 percent in the last year, 90 percent in the past five years, and 95 percent in the last 10 years, the stock chart has been trending the same direction as revenue and earnings: down.

John Divine is an investing reporter for U.S. News & World Report, where he covers financial markets and the economy, with a focus on individual stock analysis. He has been an investor himself for over 10 years, and has been writing professionally about stocks and investing for the last five years. He previously wrote about the stock market for The Motley Fool and InvestorPlace, and his work has appeared on Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money, and AOL DailyFinance. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in finance and banking. At Appalachian, he was a member of the Bowden Investment Group, a team of students that ran a real-money portfolio worth over $100,000. You can follow him on Twitter or give him the Tip of the Century at jdivine@usnews.com.
Rome (AFP) - The European Union celebrates its 60th birthday on Saturday, the anniversary of its six founder members signing the Treaty of Rome which gave birth to the European Economic Community.

Ahead of the ceremonies, AFP talked to Brigid Laffan, an Irish expert on European integration who is currently director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and the Global Governance Programme at the European Institute in Florence.

Q: This anniversary is happening as the European Union grapples with the aftermath of the financial crisis, Brexit, the rise in populism and a major migration crisis. What happened?

A: Two main things. Firstly the EU became a more powerful institution and had greater impact on its member states, and secondly we had the great recession.

The global financial crisis really tested Europe's capacity to stay together, and just as the EU came out of that crisis -- at least its acute phase -- then it was hit by the refugee crisis.

So, arguably, the EU has faced its most testing period over the last 60 years in its recent past.

Q: Who is to blame?

A: Responsibility lies all over. European institutions, Brussels... but of course, governments must also take responsibility for what they do in Brussels, and quite frequently they don't.

Added to that you had a rise of populism and parties that combine being anti-EU and anti-migrants ... and that's very powerful. It's populist, it's easy politics and blaming the EU is the easiest politics of all.

Q: European integration was driven by France and Germany working together, but the partnership seems to have faltered. Can it get back on track?

A: The Franco-German relationship is the core relationship in the EU, the motor of integration and now there is some bad petrol in the engine and so both sides need to change.

France needs to become serious about its economic reforms, it can't survive unless it is.

Germany, in the way it handled the crisis, was too wedded to a model of austerity, too wedded to a model of cutbacks, imposing adjustments on other countries.

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I think 2017 will a very important year for the EU, and I think it will be a good one.

If someone like (Emmanuel) Macron is elected in France and there is a shift in domestic politics in Germany, there is a new bargain available between France and Germany.

Q: And what if far-right leader Marine Le Pen wins the French presidential election in May?

A: I would be absolutely terrified by a Le Pen win in France. If that happens, then I think the EU would face an impossible future.

But I don't think she will win. One of the impacts of Brexit is that people on the continent and in other member states are beginning to realise we can also lose a lot if the EU disintegrates.

Q: In a 27-member EU, is multi-speed integration inevitable?

A: We already have a multi-speed Europe; some countries are members of the euro and some are not.

I think we'll see more of that -- more integration in the eurozone, but also in the area of defence, security and border controls .... You will see some countries going further than others.

Q: What impact will Brexit have?

A: It is an enormous challenge to the EU. The EU can survive Brexit, I am not sure that the UK can because I think it will end up with a disunited kingdom and a very high cost to the British.

It's far too complicated. They are too dependent and interdependent with the EU. This makes no sense at all.

Q: Without Britain, can the rest of Europe go faster?

I don't see a dramatic transformation of the EU because it's never dramatic. It has always moved quite slowly.

But I do think once you have all of the elections of 2017 completed and a different political complexion in Europe, what you will see is what I would call reformist reform. In other words, movement that is cumulative and will bring the EU to a safer place.

Apart from the UK, I see no other country where a majority of the citizens want to leave the EU.... Look at the Dutch elections (where voters rallied to mainstream, pro-European parties).

But of course there are segments of the population who are sceptical, worried about the EU and the governments have a responsibility to them as well.
By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator spelled out on Wednesday the bloc's conditions for talks, saying securing the rights of some 4.5 million EU and British citizens living abroad was paramount. But Michel Barnier, the European Commission's point man on London-Brussels talks, also warned of the risks if no deal was reached as Britain sought to leave. Barnier said the likes of Polish students and Romanian nurses in Britain and British pensioners in Spain faced great uncertainty over rights to residency and access to the labor market, pensions, social security and education. "Guaranteeing their rights as European citizens, in the long term, will be our absolute priority from the very start of the negotiations," he said in a speech to the Committee of the Regions in Brussels. British Prime Minister Theresa May has also said she wanted the issue to be dealt with as a priority, while insisting a solution should be reciprocal. The British government has been unwilling to guarantee existing rights outside of a broader agreement. Barnier said continuity, reciprocity and non-discrimination should be guiding principles, adding it would take several months to secure such a guarantee. The EU negotiator, a former financial services commissioner used to dealing with London, said there were three conditions to reaching an exit deal within the two years envisaged by EU law after May formally launches Brexit on March 29. The parties should be transparent and tell the truth about what leaving the bloc means, remove uncertainties concerning people, money and borders and negotiate issues in the right order, Barnier said. He said a scenario of the deadline of March 2019 passing with no deal, as has been suggested in London as a possibility, was not one the EU was entertaining. Some hardline eurosceptics in May's conservative government have said that no deal -- which would mean, for example, Britain falling back on World Trade Organization tariffs -- would be better than a bad deal or no clean break with the EU. But Barnier said the absence of a deal could lead to long queues of trucks at British port city Dover, disruption of flights to and from Britain and a shortage of nuclear fuel for Britain's nuclear power plants. He said a transitional arrangement might be necessary. It should be based on EU laws, subject to EU courts, and of limited duration. May has said that Britain's June 2016 vote for Brexit means Britain will be out of the EU, not half in and half out NO BREXIT BILL, BUT MUST SETTLE ACCOUNTS Barnier said the talks should also quickly remove any doubts about funding for programs financed by the EU budget. He noted the 685 billion euros ($740 billion) of EU programs to help people and regions in difficulty and to fund infrastructure projects and research -- all of which had been agreed by the 28 EU members, including Britain. "There is no price to pay to leave. But we must settle the accounts. We will not ask the British to pay a single euro for something they have not agreed to as a member," he said. Separately, European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer said Britain's bill for settling its financial position with the EIB could be very costly, but he called for a "civilized" divorce that could avoid such an outcome. [L5N1GZ4E0] Barnier, meanwhile, said negotiations must quickly dispel any uncertainty regarding the EU's external borders after Britain leaves the bloc, in particular the Irish-British land border. "We will be particularly attentive, in these negotiations, to the consequences of the UK's decision to leave the Customs Union, and to anything that may, in one way or another, weaken dialogue and peace," Barnier said. Barnier said the EU shared May's ambition to reach a "bold and ambitious free trade agreement" to replace current ties, but noted its terms would be less favorable than those now and must take into account EU social and environmental standards. Barnier repeated the EU mantra that a trade deal with Britain could not mean a menu choice of Britain's current privileges and obligations and that such a deal could only come after an agreement on the terms of the divorce. "The sooner we reach a deal on an orderly withdrawal, the sooner we can prepare for the future relationship," he said, adding that leaving difficult divorce issues until the last moment was playing with failure. (Reporting By Jan Strupczewski; editing by Philip Blenkinsop/Jeremy Gaunt)
BRUSSELS (AP)  Portugal led calls on Wednesday for the eurozone's top official to resign for what many saw as derogatory comments about debt-ridden southern nations spending foolishly and relying on their northern partners to bail them out.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonia Costa said he was outraged by comments earlier this week from Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chairs discussions of his peers in the 19-country eurozone.

"I cannot spend all my money on liquor and women and then ask for your support," Dijsselbloem said in reference to European countries that needed bailouts.

The comments, made in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, drew outrage in southern European nations and also from Dijsselbloem's own socialist allies.

"We regard it as absolutely unacceptable for him to stay in his post," Portugal's Costa said Wednesday. "Mr. Dijsselbloem has insulted us. Mr. Dijsselbloem has shown himself to be sexist, racist, xenophobic and an embarrassment for Europe, and because of that he cannot hold any EU post."

And MEP Kathleen Van Brempt said top officials from the EU's S&D group were "unanimous" and that he'd "better withdraw as chairman of the eurogroup."

She added that the "denigrating tone reminds us of the way that people, regions or countries in trouble are increasingly addressed."

The embarrassing spat comes just as Rome prepares to host an EU leaders' summit marking 60 years since the founding of the forerunner of the European Union.

Dijsselbloem's comments also revived a sense of a north-south divide in Europe. Supposedly thrifty northern Europeans have shouldered most of the cost of bailing out eurozone governments, mostly in the south: Greece, Portugal and Cyprus among them. Spain got loans for its banks but also had to impose painful austerity to meet EU deficit limits.

The austerity demanded has bruised their economies, most notably Greece's, which has endured a recession that saw the country lose a quarter of its national output.

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Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Dijsselbloem adopted "stereotypes that widen the gap between north and south and in reality pave the way, one would say, for extremist views."

Tzanakopoulos added that "at a time when Europe is in an intense political quest for its next political steps, statements that expand the gap between north and south are not helpful at all."

Dijsselbloem refused to apologize for his statement late Tuesday and insisted that financial solidarity comes with obligations, including budgetary rigor that sometimes was found wanting.

His failure to apologize irked Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos, who told reporters the remarks were "unfortunate in every way," and that he'd been counting on an apology.

The EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager of Denmark, also made clear she opposed Dijsselbloem's remark. "I would not have said it, and I think it's wrong," she said.

Germany was an exception to the rule, with the finance ministry saying minister Wolfgang Schaeuble "greatly values" Dijsselbloem's work as head of the eurogroup.

Dijsselbloem was in office when Greece almost fell out of the eurozone in the summer of 2015 because of its high debts and difficulties in committing to financial and economic reforms.

Dijsselbloem already faces questions about whether he can hold on to his post after his Labor Party had a disastrous showing in last week's Dutch elections.

___

Associated Press writer Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Elena Becatoros in Athens, Frances D'Emilio in Rome and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.
On Election Day 2016, people vote at a polling place set up at the Kenter Canyon Elementary School in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, file)

LOCAL TALK. A postelection political action committee founded by the email director of the Hillary Clinton campaign to encourage millennial Democrats to run for state and local offices reports that more than 8,000 people have taken the first step toward becoming candidates.

We thought wed have to hustle to get even 100 people whod want to run, the group, Run for Something, reported in a Medium post Sunday.

According to the organization, 8,000 people raising their hand to say they want to run  in just two months  was beyond our wildest dreams. If even 1% of that 8,000 actually end up getting on the ballot at any level of government  what a difference that will make in our country and our party.

Contacted by Yahoo News, Run for Something founder Amanda Litman explained what she thought was behind that astonishing number.

People are angry is the big reason. They are angry and they are committed. They are not letting their outrage die down, she said of the potential candidates, who have found her group through word of mouth, online ads and news stories.

Expressing interest in running for office is only first step, of course. There are many hoops to jump through on the path toward running for office, and Run for Something aims to help light the way. After registering interest in offices ranging from the PTA to city councils to statehouses and state Senates, potential candidates are invited to join an initial conference call, and then, if theyre really serious, to have a one-on-one interview with a political professional affiliated with the group.

So far the organization has conducted more than 500 one-on-one interviews with prospective candidates, which is pretty bananas, said Litman.

Instead of just marching and venting, they are willing to put their lives on the line and alter their careers to do it, she noted. These committed candidates then get added to a Slack group  an online chat program used by business to coordinate internal communications across many different topics or channels. They also are connected to resources and training on topics as diverse as how to launch a website or do a Facebook Live broadcast, as well as how to file to be on their local ballot. They have access to a digital mentorship network of experienced Democratic Party political operatives, including individuals who worked for both Clinton and her rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders  free consulting from experts, Litman calls it.

Story continues

Two months after getting on ballots, the candidates can apply for funding  up to 15 percent of the average cost of the race they want to run  from Run for Something if they meet one of two thresholds: either having already raised 15 percent of the average cost of their race themselves, or presenting a very thorough campaign plan.

It sounds like a lot of money, but  most of these races are pretty cheap  75 percent of school board races cost $1,000 or less, says Litman.

MEETUP GOES RETRO. This went down in February but did not get a lot of attention outside business circles until this Associated Press story over the weekend: Meetup, the group that made its name in 2003 and 2004 when Howard Dean supporters used the then-new technology to organize grass-roots support for his insurgent presidential campaign, is getting political in the age of Trump.

For almost 15 years, Meetup has served as an organizing platform for a wide range of political parties and movements, welcoming everyone from the Howard Deaniacs to the Tea Party, the company announced on Medium, the publisher of choice for the political technology world, in February. Were vital plumbing for democracy, we always said. Before today, our company had never taken a partisan stance. Its not a decision we take lightly. But after Donald Trumps order to block people on the basis of nationality and religion, a line had been crossed. At a time when core democratic ideals felt under attack, we looked at our members response, and were inspired by Meetups like SF Resist. We felt a duty to spark more activity and broaden civic participation.

The group literally stopped Meetup in its tracks  paused operations  to gather for a hackathon. The effort resulted in 1,000 new Meetup Groups under the hashtag #Resist. It announced the new groups to its 30 million members. And it partnered with organizations including Planned Parenthood, the Anti-Defamation League, Amnesty International, the Human Rights Campaign, the Womens March, and many others who are contributing to a library of ideas for making change, reported Fortune at the time.

Its a risky move for a tech company that has helped millions come together to share interests of all kinds, from hiking to languages to President Donald Trump himself. But it reflects an increasing willingness of some major technology firms to push back against the Republican president, observed the APs Steve Peoples.

But theyre not alone in that effort. About 40 technology companies met privately this month in New York City to brainstorm ways to push back against Trump policies on immigration, transgender protections, womens health and arts funding, as well as more traditional technology issues like net neutrality and encryption, he reported.
By Keith Coffman DENVER (Reuters) - A Colorado talk radio host who once chaired the state Republican Party and has accused Democrats of widespread voter fraud has been charged with forging his ex-wifes signature on a mail-in ballot in the 2016 election, court records showed on Wednesday. Steven Curtis, 57, who served as state GOP boss from 1997 until 1999, is charged with one felony count of forgery and one misdemeanor count of tampering with a mail-in ballot, according to a criminal complaint filed in Weld County District Court. The case stems from an inquiry lodged with the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office by Curtis's former spouse, Kelly Ireland, who contacted the agency in October to check on the status of her voter registration after the couple split. Ireland was informed then that a signed mail-in ballot bearing her name and voter information had already been submitted, according to Carly Koppes, an elected Republican who serves as the county clerk. At that point, my office researched the situation further, and the signature was questionable, so we then contacted the District Attorneys Office to start an investigation, Koppes told Reuters. If convicted, Curtis faces a maximum three years in prison for forgery and up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine for ballot-tampering, said Tyler Hill, a spokesman for the district attorney. Curtiss lawyer, Christopher Gregory, declined comment. The former Republican Party boss hosts a morning political talk show on conservative Denver radio station KLZ-AM called Wake Up With Steve Curtis. Curtis spoke about election tampering in a segment titled "Voter Fraud and Other Democratic Misbehaviors" on his Oct. 6, 2016 broadcast. It seems to me, and correct me if Im wrong, but virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats, Cutis said, according to an archived podcast on the stations website. Prosecutors allege that weeks after that broadcast, he forged his ex-wifes ballot. A spokeswoman for Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams said the Curtis case is the only allegation of voter fraud in the state from the 2016 election cycle that has resulted in a prosecution. Curtis on Tuesday made his first appearance in court, where he was advised of the charges. A disposition hearing has been set for May, the District Attorneys Office said. Republican President Donald Trump has claimed, without presenting evidence, that millions of illegal voters cast ballots in the 2016 election. (Editing by Steve Gorman and David Gregorio)
By Yimou Lee YANGON (Reuters) - One of China's biggest state-owned lenders has suspended an account used to fund ethnic rebels fighting government troops in Myanmar, halting an arrangement that could have stoked diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Myanmar. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which clashed with government forces this month, said Agricultural Bank Of China (AgBank) was no longer accepting funds into an account it used to receive donations from supporters. Reuters was unable to confirm what prompted AgBank's move. It came after Reuters sent AgBank a list of questions regarding the transactions, which compliance experts said could point to a weakness in controls aimed at stopping the global financial system being used to fund terrorism or facilitate crime. AgBank declined to comment on Reuters' specific questions about the MNDAA account, citing client confidentiality. It said in a statement that it paid high attention to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing work, and "diligently obeyed relevant laws, regulations and regulatory requirements". There is no evidence that Agbank, or other financial entities that handled transactions for the MNDAA, have broken Chinese law. The MNDAA is not designated as a terrorist organization by any government or transnational body. Still, several compliance experts contacted by Reuters said acceptance of the group's funds could leave the bank exposed to questionable or potentially illegal activities. For a graphic on donations to MNDAA, click http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/MYANMAR-INSURGENCY/0100406E0EK/MNDAA-donation.jpg The MNDAA has refused to disarm or play an active part in Myanmar's peace process, and defense analysts say it continues to acquire weapons. Its leader, Peng Jiasheng, has been identified as a major drugs trafficker by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, according to U.S. diplomatic cables, dated 2009, released by Wikileaks. Yan Zhen Kun, an MNDAA representative who oversees donations for the group, said he was informed by AgBank of the account shutdown at the weekend. "We were told by the bank that we need to finalize some procedures," he told Reuters. "It did not tell us how long this might take." MILITARY PRESSURE The MNDAA attacked troops in northeastern Myanmar this month, sending more than 20,000 people fleeing across the border to China. It said it was responding to "continued military pressure" from the army. Myanmar says it accepts Beijing's assurances it is not supporting the MNDAA. Zaw Htay, director general of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's office, said Myanmar was "fully convinced" by assurances from China's leadership that it was not backing ethnic armed groups on the border. Still, Myanmar had complained to Beijing about low-level Chinese officials it believed were helping the rebels for their own gain, he said. Records on the MNDAA's website show it collected more than half a million dollars over nearly two years after making a "crowdfunding" appeal for donations. Donors either deposited the money directly in an AgBank account or sent it via two mobile payment services - Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay and Alipay, part of Ant Financial, which is affiliated with U.S.-listed Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Ant Financial declined to comment specifically on Reuters' questions about the MNDAA's use of its Alipay platform, but said it was investing a lot in risk management. "There are a lot of bad actors out there who try to take advantage of these accounts so we've built a pretty good system at detecting those early and then enabling ourselves and our partners to stop transactions," said Douglas Feagin, head of Ant's international strategy. Tencent did not respond to Reuters' emailed requests for comment. REPUTATIONAL RISK Some compliance experts believe the deposits ought to be enough to raise red flags within financial institutions that follow global counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering guidelines. Financial contacts with an organization linked to drug trafficking or the arms trade pose a regulatory and reputational risk to firms even if they have not themselves done anything illegal, experts say. "If I handed this case to an internal committee there is absolutely no way they would do anything other than shut the account down immediately," said an anti-money laundering officer at a global bank. Banks and financial firms in China, as elsewhere, are required by "know-your-customer" rules to check the identity of people or companies using their systems. Compliance experts said global financial firms typically use a number of automated tools to screen for individuals or groups that may even loosely be linked in media coverage or other publicly available information to potential criminal activity, and would view any such connections as a reputational risk. Some bankers working in China said it was very difficult to police cash flowing through their system, given the network was less mature than in the West and criminal and armed groups were increasingly sophisticated. They added that the sheer volume of transactions on mobile platforms made it impossible to monitor them all, so smaller payments were effectively invisible to banks and regulators. DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS Insurgents openly raising tens of thousands of dollars from mainland supporters through Chinese platforms risks straining China's relations with Suu Kyi, who has made ending decades of ethnic war her top priority, according to people who have studied Myanmar's border conflicts. Beijing says it follows a policy of non-interference in domestic affairs of other countries. But some analysts such as Yangon-based Richard Horsey, a former United Nations diplomat in Myanmar, have long suggested China uses ethnically Chinese insurgent groups such as the MNDAA as a means of leverage over the government in Myanmar. In 2015, after another bout of fighting between the MNDAA and government forces, a Myanmar official accused China of meddling in the peace process, which Beijing denied. An MNDAA spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. "Allowing the MNDAA to fundraise in such an open manner within China will inevitably damage relations with Myanmar," Horsey said. The MNDAA says it is fighting for the rights of the Chinese-speaking ethnic Kokang people. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Reuters' emailed request for comment. Beijing called for a ceasefire earlier this month after 30 people were killed in clashes between the MNDAA and troops in the Kokang region. MNDAA has gathered money online since 2015, according to records on its website. It made a crowdfunding plea in mid-January, as it was being increasingly outflanked by the Myanmar military in the hills straddling the border. The plea was ostensibly for money to support refugees from the conflict, but Li Jian Hua, listed on the website as the holder of MNDAA's account with AgBank, told Reuters it was used to sponsor the group's offensive. "The money is not meant for refugees. It's used to support MNDAA," said Li. Since April 2015 - when the blog started publishing disclosures of donations - it has gathered $531,853. (Additional reporting Chyen Yee Lee in SINGAPORE, Wa Lone in YANGON, Engen Tham in Shanghai, Michelle Price in Hong Kong and Shu Zhang in Beijing; Editing by Antoni Slodkowski and Alex Richardson)
By Joshua Schneyer and M.B. Pell NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dozens of California communities have experienced recent rates of childhood lead poisoning that surpass those of Flint, Michigan, with one Fresno locale showing rates nearly three times higher, blood testing data obtained by Reuters shows. The data shows how lead poisoning affects even a state known for its environmental advocacy, with high rates of childhood exposure found in a swath of the Bay Area and downtown Los Angeles. And the figures show that, despite national strides in eliminating lead-based products, hazards remain in areas far from the Rust Belt or East Coast regions filled with old housing and legacy industry. In one central Fresno zip code, 13.6 percent of blood tests on children under six years old came back high for lead. That compares to 5 percent across the city of Flint during its recent water contamination crisis. In all, Reuters found at least 29 Golden State neighborhoods where children had elevated lead tests at rates at least as high as in Flint. Its a widespread problem and we have to get a better idea of where the sources of exposure are, said California Assembly member Bill Quirk, who chairs the state legislatures Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. (To see the Reuters interactive map of U.S. lead hotspots, click here http://reut.rs/2h55POf) Last week, prompted in part by a December Reuters investigation pinpointing thousands of lead hotspots across the country, Quirk introduced a bill that would require blood lead screening for all California children. Now, just a fraction of the states children are tested. The newest zip code-level testing data was released by the California Department of Public Health in response to a longstanding Reuters records request and adds to a limited set of numbers previously disclosed by the state. The numbers offer a partial state snapshot, covering tests conducted during 2012  the most recent year for which information was provided  and in about one-fourth of the states more than 2,000 zip code areas. Unlike other states that provided Reuters with results for all zip codes or census tracts, California withheld data from zip codes where fewer than 250 children were screened, calling such results less reliable. So, the available data  encompassing about 400,000 children tested in 546 zip codes  likely omits many neighborhoods where lead exposure remains a problem but fewer children were screened. Californias Public Health Department said comparisons between the states blood lead testing results and those from other states arent warranted. It said the state tests children deemed at risk for lead exposure, such as those enrolled in Medicaid or living in older housing. HOTSPOT IN FRESNO Testing of at-risk children, and not all children, skews California results to higher percentage of children tested showing lead exposure, the state said. Testing that targets at-risk children is common across much of the country, however. And, as Reuters reported last year, many at-risk children in California and other states fall through the cracks of these programs and go untested. Blood tests cant determine the cause of a childs exposure, but potential sources include crumbling old paint, contaminated soil, tainted drinking water or other lead hazards. In Fresnos downtown 93701 zip code, nearly 14 percent of children tested had lead levels at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions current threshold for an elevated reading. No level of lead exposure is safe, but children who test that high warrant a public health response, the CDC says. Once common in household paint, gasoline and plumbing, lead is a neurotoxin that causes irreversible health impacts, including cognitive impairment and attention disorders in children. In all, Fresno County had nine zip code areas where high lead levels among children tested were at least as common as in Flint. The Reuters article in December documented nearly 3,000 locales nationwide with poisoning rates double those found in the Michigan city along the Flint River. The city of Fresno battles high poverty rates and problems with substandard housing, both risk factors for lead exposure. Some locals are also concerned with drinking water, after unsafe levels of lead were detected in at least 120 Fresno homes last year. Fresno Countys lead poisoning prevention program conducts outreach across the city, and a program health educator, Leticia Berber, says exposure remains too common. Still, she expressed surprise at the areas high rate. We havent looked at it that way compared to Flint, Berber said. Eight zip codes in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, had rates equal to or greater than those found in Flint. Other counties containing zip codes with high exposure rates included Los Angeles, Monterrey and Humboldt. The exposure hotspots remain outliers. Around 2 percent of all California children tested in 2012 had lead levels at or above the federal standard, Reuters found. Yet in the worst-affected zip codes identified statewide, more than 10 percent of children tested had an elevated lead level. In scores of others, less than 1 percent of children tested high. Three zip codes reported no high tests in 2012. BAY AREA PLANS ACTION In California, home inspections are required when a child's levels reach 14.5 micrograms per deciliter, the state's formal threshold for a "lead poisoning case." State and local health departments provide services, including educational materials, to some families whose children test at or above 4.5 micrograms per deciliter. Like other states, including Michigan, California rounds its blood lead test results up or down to the nearest whole number. So, a result of 4.5 or higher meets the CDC threshold. In its December report, Reuters tracked California lead exposure rates based on the neighborhood-level data available at the time. The report showed hotspots such as the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, where 7.6 percent of children tested high, prompting media coverage and new initiatives to protect children. Lead exposure is common in other East Bay areas, including large parts of Oakland, and nearby Emeryville and Fremont, the new data shows. In January, Oakland city council members introduced a resolution that would require property owners to obtain lead inspections and safety certifications before renting or selling houses and apartments built before 1978, when lead paint was banned. Emeryville's city council this month proposed an ordinance to require proof that contractors will adhere to Environmental Protection Agency standards  including safe lead paint removal practices  before they renovate older housing. Emeryville Vice Mayor John Bauters said paint exposure isnt the only risk. A long history of heavy industry in the East Bay also left contaminated soil in some areas. In the Los Angeles area, the prevalence of high blood lead tests reached 5 percent or above in at least four zip codes during 2012. Since August, a sampling of children tested from the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Westlake, Koreatown and Pico Union revealed about 5 percent with high lead results, said Jeff Sanchez, a public health specialist at Impact Assessment, which helps Los Angeles run its lead poisoning prevention program. The more you look, Sanchez said, the more you find. (Reporting By Joshua Schneyer and M.B. Pell. Editing by Ronnie Greene.)
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - North Korea has nothing to fear from any U.S. move to broaden sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and will pursue "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programmes, a North Korean envoy told Reuters on Tuesday. This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Reuters, quoting a senior U.S. official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat. (For Monday's story, click http://reut.rs/2n9HZ5a) "I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and China...We of course are not afraid of any act like that," Choe told Reuters. "Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference." He called existing sanctions "heinous and inhumane". North Korea has been under sanctions for "half a century" but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or "self-sufficiency", he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the "legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime". He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticised remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week. "All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK," Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said. "In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programmes and missile programmes. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea." PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE CAPABILITY "We strengthen our national defence capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centrepiece," Choe said. Asked to comment on Choe's remarks, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea "to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric...and to make the strategic choice to fulfil its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks. Choe declined to give technical details of North Korea's latest rocket engine test on Sunday - seen as a possible prelude to a partial ICBM flight - calling it a great historical event that would lead to "fruitful outcomes". "I can tell you for sure that the inter-continental ballistic rockets of the DPRK will be launched at any time and at any place as decided by our Supreme Leadership," Choe said, recalling leader Kim Jong Un's pledge in a New Year's address. Analysts say North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an ICBM and may show it off soon, but is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States. "The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea," Choe said. "And we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks on the part of the United States. "We would utilise every possible means in our hands and the inter-continental ballistic rocket is one of them." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; editing by Ralph Boulton and Jonathan Oatis)
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance, saying it is "strongly in the interests of the United States." In a letter dated March 7 and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, Tillerson argued that Montenegro's membership in the alliance would support greater integration, democratic reform, trade, security and stability among its neighbors. Moscow opposes any further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the delay in U.S. approval of Montenegro's accession has fueled questions about whether President Donald Trump's administration and his Republican Party will stand up to Russia despite Trump's desire for better relations. The letter emerged amid a flap over the new secretary of state's relationship with the alliance. Reuters reported on Monday that Tillerson planned to skip a meeting with NATO foreign ministers next month in order to stay home for a visit by China's president, while planning a visit to Russia later in April. On Tuesday, the administration reversed course and proposed new dates for the meeting, which had been set for April 5 and 6 in Brussels. Montenegro, a former Yugoslav republic with a population of 650,000, hopes to win the required approval of all 28 NATO allies in time to become a full member at a summit in May. By early this month, it had been approved by 24. NATO members see Montenegro's accession as a way to counter Russia's efforts to expand its influence in the Balkans. Objections from at least two Republican senators, Rand Paul and Mike Lee, have blocked a quick vote in the full U.S. Senate for months and Senate leaders have not scheduled a more time-consuming roll-call vote. Paul has questioned the wisdom of angering Russia and taking on the potential expense of approving NATO membership for a tiny country that could not play a significant role in defending the United States. In his letter to the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, and copied to Chuck Schumer, the chamber's top Democrat, Tillerson said it would be "immeasurably helpful" if the Senate scheduled a floor vote to complete ratification procedures in time for Trump's participation in the May NATO summit. "Montenegro's participation in the May NATO Summit as full member, not as an observer, will send a strong signal of transatlantic unity," Tillerson added. "It is strongly in the interests of the United States that Montenegro's membership in NATO be ratified," he wrote. A spokesman for McConnell said on Monday that no vote had yet been scheduled. Montenegro's NATO membership has already been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Paul and Senator John McCain, one of the leading Russia hawks in the U.S. Congress, had a heated exchange about the issue in the Senate last week. McCain said Paul was working for Russian President Vladimir Putin by blocking a quick vote on Montenegro. Paul called McCain "unhinged" and "past his prime." (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Peter Cooney)
(Reuters) - Neil Gorsuch has taken part in more than 2,000 court cases as an appeals court judge. Here are seven that offer insights into his legal views as he faces questioning this week in a U.S. Senate hearing on his nomination to become a Supreme Court justice.

Frozen trucker

Transam Trucking Inc v. Department of Labor, 2016

(http://bit.ly/2aUK2Ub)

This case shows, liberals say, that Gorsuch rules for employers at the expense of workers. In it, he dissented from a three-judge panel that ruled in favor of truck driver Alphonse Maddin. He was fired after he disobeyed a supervisor and abandoned his trailer at roadside after its brakes froze. The panel ruled he was wrongly terminated. Gorsuch disagreed.

'Chevron deference'

Gutierrez-Brizuela v. Lynch (2016)

(http://bit.ly/2bLfVgE)

In an immigration case, Gorsuch criticized the "Chevron deference" legal doctrine that says courts should defer to federal agencies on interpreting the law. Gorsuch said it concentrates federal power "in a way that seems more than a little difficult to square with the Constitution." If the court were to roll back the doctrine, presidents would have less leeway to interpret the law when issuing regulations through agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

'Class clown'

A.M. v Holmes, 2016

(http://bit.ly/29VN4Jy)

Republicans say Gorsuch does not put politics above the law and follows his own path. In some criminal cases, he has come down hard on prosecutors or government officials, while also sometimes defying colleagues on the bench. In this case, he decried the handcuffing and arrest of a seventh-grade "class clown" in Albuquerque who refused to stop burping in class, saying the police officer involved should not have gotten immunity from suit. Paraphrasing Charles Dickens, he said the law is not as much of an "ass" as to allow for that.

'No trespassing'

U.S. v Carloss 2016

(http://bit.ly/2nLGzw3)

Story continues

Standing up for homeowners' property rights, Gorsuch dissented from a decision to admit evidence discovered by police officers who approached, and later entered, a home despite several No trespassing signs outside. He lampooned the idea that the government can knock on anyones door, at any time, saying homeowners might be surprised to learn that No trespassing signs have become little more than lawn art.

Transgender rights

Druley v Patton (2015)

(http://bit.ly/2ntFcEV)

In a ruling highlighted by liberal activists as a sign he may be hostile to gay and transgender rights, Gorsuch joined a ruling against a transgender Oklahoma state prisoner who claimed prison officials violated her rights by denying her adequate hormone therapy and housing her with men. The court rejected her claims, saying she had not proved she would be irreparably harmed without her requested hormone treatment.

Employee rights

Hwang v. Kansas State University, 2014

(http://bit.ly/SsXD8J)

In a case criticized by liberals, Gorsuch wrote the opinion when a three-judge panel ruled against Kansas State University professor Grace Hwang. She got six months of sick leave from the school when she was diagnosed with cancer. When she asked for more time, Kansas State refused. Hwang alleged illegal disability discrimination. Gorsuch said Hwang was a capable teacher and was legally disabled. But he wrote: "Theres also no question she wasnt able to perform the essential functions of her job even with a reasonable accommodation. He said the law was not intended to turn employers into safety net providers for those who cannot work. Hwang has since died.

Religious freedom

Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, 2013

(http://bit.ly/2func5k)

Liberals say this case shows Gorsuch sides with corporations over people and favors religious liberty over other interests, including womens' contraceptive rights. Retailer Hobby Lobby argued it should not have to provide insurance coverage for female employees' birth control, defying a rule by the administration of former President Barack Obama. Gorsuch concurred in an opinion favoring the company and expressed sympathy for evangelical Christian business owners. The Supreme Court later upheld the decision for the company.

(Compiled by Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Lisa Shumaker)
(Reuters) - Financial market concerns are rising about the pace of policymaking in Washington under U.S. President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans in Congress, with investors focused on knock-on effects from any setbacks in Trump's Obamacare rollback plan.

Trump set sky-high expectations on the campaign trail and after taking office, not only for repealing and replacing Obamacare but also for cutting taxes, reducing business regulations and boosting infrastructure.

After eight weeks in power, Trump has not introduced any major legislation or won passage of legislation he favors. The Republican healthcare bill he supports was facing resistance from members of his own party, as well as Democrats, ahead of a vote on it expected in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Market analysts have been expecting Trump and the Republicans to complete confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee by early April; repeal Obamacare by mid-May; pass a budget resolution by late June; and reform the tax code by year-end. Analysts this week expressed doubt about those targets.

Here is a look at key 2017 dates coming up on the Washington policy calendar that could influence Trump's agenda.

March 23: Vote expected in the House on Republicans' Obamacare rollback bill.

April 3: Senate Judiciary Committee expected to vote on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, sending nomination to full Senate.

April 7: Start of two-week congressional recess.

April 18: Early check on U.S. voters' assessment of Trump in special election in Georgia to fill a vacant House seat.

April 28: Spending authority for government under continuing budget resolution expires, requiring congressional action.

May 25: Trump attends NATO summit in Brussels.

May 26: Trump attends G-7 conference in Italy. Congress adjourns for one-week Memorial Day holiday recess.

June 14: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, Chairman Janet Yellen holds news conference.

June 20: Georgia special election runoff.

Story continues

June 30: Congress adjourns for one-week Independence Day holiday recess.

July 7-8: Trump attends G20 summit in Germany.

July 28: Congress adjourns for five-week summer recess.

Sept. 20: FOMC meeting and Yellen news conference.

Oct. 1: Fiscal 2018 starts, requiring a new government spending resolution from Congress or a shutdown.

October-November: Treasury Department's "extraordinary measures" to avoid the federal debt ceiling are projected to run out.

Nov. 7: Election Day for governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.

Nov. 25: Trump expected to attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.

Dec. 13: FOMC meeting and Yellen news conference.

(Reporting by Julia Edwards Ainsley; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Jonathan Oatis)
RENO, Nev. (AP)  Conservative activist and former Nevada state lawmaker Sharron Angle, a three-time candidate for Congress, has announced she is seeking to unseat Republican Rep. Mark Amodei next year.

Angle shot to national attention in 2010 when she attempted to best Nevada Democrat and then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a high-profile challenge from a tea party candidate.

She and Amodei did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Angle touts a far-right platform on her website  consistent with her stances during previous campaigns and eight-year tenure in the Nevada Legislature. Her online announcement Monday indicated she intends to buttress the ideologies of President Donald Trump.

"Trump proved that America wants constitutional, free-market conservatism," her site says. "The reality is the president can lead, but he cannot do it alone. In Congress, we contend with the unpredictable Republicans who support, or do not support, what the American people mandated on Election Day."

Angle, 67, has proven a brash, gaffe-prone fireball willing to test the limits of anti-Washington sentiment in a state that has voted for Democratic candidates in the last three presidential elections.

But the 2nd Congressional District covers the vast, rural northern half of Nevada, where registered-Republican voters held an 11-percent advantage over those identifying with the Democratic Party in the November election.

She tried for the seat in 2006, but lost the Republican Primary to then-Nevada Secretary of State and current U.S. Sen. Dean Heller.

She ran for the Senate in 2016, again unsuccessfully, after Reid's retirement.

No petitions were submitted last year for three ballot measures Angle proposed in Clark County that called for constitutional amendments that sought to unravel Nevada's health insurance exchange, bolster student privacy protections and require voters to provide valid identification to cast a ballot.

Story continues

Angle is a grandmother and the daughter of a potato farmer currently selling books to raise money for her latest political bid.

If elected, her priorities would include stripping Congress of the power to set federal income taxes and cutting corporate taxes, according to her website.

She believes America should refuse to accept refugees for national security reasons, the site says, and gun background checks are a "gateway to gun registration, limitation and confiscation."

On the issue of transgender rights, she says "I will not give government the authority to mandate a man's choice as a higher priority than a woman's right to privacy by allowing men claiming to be women to enter women's restrooms."
(Reuters) - Manchester United should focus on winning the Europa League this season, which would bring the club a trophy they have never won and secure qualification for next season's Champions League, former manager Alex Ferguson has said. United are fifth in the Premier League and sit four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, though they have two games in hand on the Merseyside club. A top-four finish would ensure Champions League qualification but Ferguson, who was in charge at Old Trafford for some 27 years, believes United have a great opportunity to qualify by winning Europe's second-tier club competition. "The thing is, we've never won the Europa League," he told ESPN. "We've never won UEFA Cup, what it used to be. And we've got a great draw. I'm not saying it's a certainty, but they've got a great chance. "It's still a European trophy. And if you win it, you get into the Champions League. The incentive is greater to do that." English clubs have failed to win a European title since Chelsea's Champions League win in 2012. Ferguson, who won two Champions League trophies and a Cup Winners' Cup at United, said success on the European front is cyclical. "In the '70s, Ajax and Bayern Munich; '80s, Liverpool; '90s Italy, AC Milan. And then England had a great spell," the 75-year-old Scot added. "At the moment, the cycle is with the Spanish teams. And they're best, that's why they're winning it. United visit Belgian outfit Anderlecht in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 13 before hosting the return a week later. (Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Immigration Court records indicate changes are emerging in the way deportations are being handled by the Department of Homeland Security, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse said Tuesday.

Cases filed since President Donald Trumps inauguration through the end of February indicate more cases are being filed against individuals who were detained, California is seeing more cases proportionally compared with Texas and New York, and fewer cases are being filed against individuals who entered the country less than a year ago and against juveniles and women with children.

Trump promised to step of deportations of undocumented immigrants and said he would direct immigration officials to concentrate on those with criminal records and in gangs. He has estimated as many as 3 million people fall into that category.

Read: Trump Deportations Include Immigrants Without Criminal Records

The clearinghouse, a nonpartisan, nonprofit data research center, said since Trump took office, 11,040 cases seeking deportation orders have been filed. These notices to appear, or NTAs, constitute official notice the government is seeking to deport an individual. Many of the cases, however, were initiated during the Obama administration since there is a delay between the time a case is filed and an NTA is issued.

Most of the deportation cases were filed in Texas, California and New York, in that order. However, the number of California cases is increasing while Texas cases are decreasing.

Read: Mass Deportations Have Begun, Congressman Says

From 2012 to 2016, 270,574 cases were filed in Texas, 24.2 percent of the total, while 171,139 were filed in California (15.3 percent) and 94,294 were filed in New York (8.4 percent). For 2017, in comparing the number of cases filed before Trump assumed office and those filed after, Texas proportion fell to 21.1 percent and Californias climbed to 17.8 percent.

Though more cases are being filed against people already in the United States rather than those apprehended along the border, the clearinghouse report cautioned that doesnt necessarily imply that interior apprehensions have actually risen. It may simply reflect that cases referred by Customs and Border Protection are down so that the proportion of interior cases have risen.

Story continues

Court records indicate 41 percent of cases filed since Trump took office involve individuals who entered the country within the last year, down from 62 percent in 2016.

More than 90 percent of the cases filed since Jan. 20 used lack of a current visa or being present in the country in violation of the law as their basis rather than Trumps stated preference for criminals to be the main targets. Only 8 percent of the cases were filed on the basis of criminal conviction or behavior, and no cases cited terrorism. Three cases, however, cited a national security violation.

Trump has asked police departments to start detaining undocumented immigrants, a request that has met with opposition in major metropolitan areas where police have said such action is not part of their job description and would make their jobs harder.

Most of the deportation cases have been filed against Mexican immigrants, followed by people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti. More than half of all undocumented immigrants are from Mexico.

Related Articles
This might be the Trump administration's first pro-environment move.

The rusty patched bumblebee is now on the endangered species list, making it the first bee species in the continental United States to be considered endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced this week.

SEE ALSO: Not everyone's thrilled Cheerios gave away 1.5 billion wildflower seeds to save the bees

The species is "balancing precariously on the brink of extinction," the agency said on Tuesday. "Just 20 years ago, the rusty patched bumblebee was a common sight, so ordinary that it went almost unnoticed as it moved from flower to flower, collecting nectar and pollen."

The decision came as a huge relief to environmentalists, who said they worried the Trump administration would scrap the effort.

The FWS had approved the bee's endangered listing in the final days of the Obama administration. Shortly after taking office, however, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping "freeze" on Obama-era federal regulations.

On Feb. 9, a day before the bee order was supposed to take effect, the Trump administration delayed the listing until Feb. 21. The Natural Resources Defense Council quickly filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to stop FWS from "violating the law" by delaying the rule without public comment or notice.

"The Trump administration reversed course and listed the rusty patched bumblebee as an endangered species just in the nick of time," Rebecca Riley, a senior attorney with the environmental group, said in a statement released this week.

Now the real work can begin.

By listing a species as endangered, the FWS is required to devise plans for creating "a healthy and secure condition" in the areas where the species is native. That might mean limiting or redefining development in places that are critical to the species' survival.

Another bee under threat: honey bees.

Image: natalie behring/Getty Images

Story continues

A handful of business groups, including the American Petroleum Institute and the National Association of Home Builders, filed an "emergency petition" asking Trump officials to extend the freeze until Jan. 11, 2018.

Opponents said the Obama administration didn't take enough time to consider how the bee's listing would "profoundly" affect human activities, such as residential development and crop production.

But efforts to protect rusty patched bumblebees had been underway for years.

Once common across the East Coast and Midwest, the bee species has disappeared from about 90 percent of its range in the past two decades. As with many bee types and pollinators, heavy use of pesticides, sprawling real estate development, climate change and other factors have contributed to staggering population declines.

Breakfast with and without pollinators.

Image: fairmont.com

Nectar-loving pollinators play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystems by enabling plants and food crops to thrive and reproduce. As their habitats shrink, however, so do their numbers.

The Xerces Society, which filed the petition triggering the government's consideration of the rusty patched, said it was "thrilled to see one of North America's most endangered species" receive much-needed protection.

"This is a positive step towards the conservation of this species, and we now have to roll up our sleeves to begin the actual on-the-ground conservation that will help it move toward recovery," Sarina Jepsen, director of endangered species at the Xerces Society, said in a statement.
Health-care settings hit hardest by health-professional shortages -- such as rural safety-net hospitals and neighborhood community centers -- are among the most likely to be served by foreign-born doctors and other providers, thanks to visa programs that encourage them to do so. In a new era of proposed travel bans and restrictions, here's a glimpse at the impact of foreign health providers on U.S. patient care.

[See: 11 Ways Rural Life Is Hazardous to Your Health.]

From Baghdad to Richmond

Dr. Jawad Al-Khafaji practices in the U.S. in the health professional shortage area of Richmond, Virginia. He's there through a special visa program to improve care in needy U.S. areas. Al-Khafaji covers the night shift as a "nocturnist" at the VCU Health System. Night shift is always a hard sell for hospitals trying to recruit physicians. And many patients have nowhere else to go.

"VCU is a safety-net hospital, so we serve the majority of central Virginia," Al-Khafaji says. He and the medical residents under his supervision provide care for the internal medicine, hematology, oncology and digestive health services -- about 100 patients a night.

Al-Khafaji also works part-time treating another often-overlooked group -- U.S. military veterans -- in the emergency room at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.

Born in Baghdad, Al-Khafaji went to Weill-Cornell Medical College in Qatar for his training. As part of that Ivy League program, he did clinical rotations in New York City. He took U.S. medical boards and says he had to score much higher than U.S.-born candidates to compete for residency positions. "We just don't have the luxury of failure," he says. "Financially, I can't just get a loan and take a course again. That wasn't an option for me. It's either pass with a high grade or go back to Iraq."

Visa Exchanges

Al-Khafaji practices in Virginia by virtue of his H-1B visa status, fulfilling a J-1 waiver commitment. The J-1 visa is granted as part of an international program to foster global understanding through cultural and educational exchange. On completion, exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country to share their experiences.

Story continues

Foreign physicians training in the U.S. through a visa program must go home for two years. However, some can get a waiver. One avenue is the clinical waiver program offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through it, for example, a physician must work in the most medically needy areas, like a federally qualified health center.

For medical trainees, the long-running Conrad Waiver Program allows states to provide up to 30 medical graduates the chance to work three years in a medically underserved area instead of going home.

"To get accepted into our residency programs, you really have to be in the top of your field," says attorney Sarah Peterson, head of the SPS Immigration law firm in Minneapolis. "Just to get in, they have to be the best and the brightest ... It's a minimum three-year investment. If they're subspecializing it can be seven or eight years. So they're really committed to staying here."

Immigrant Talent Pool

Travel across borders by physicians helps the U.S. medical community provide clinical care to patients, and also contributes to research and training programs, says Dr. Ali Azizzadeh, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston.

"We select the most qualified and talented candidates, regardless of their race, gender, religion or national origin," Azizzadeh says. "This fosters an environment of innovation collaboration and advancement." Born in Iran, Azizzadeh, who came to the U.S. with his family when he was 13, is a naturalized American citizen.

[See: 11 Things Seniors Should Look for in a Health Provider.]

The Immigrant Doctors Project, a collaboration between 10 economists trained at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, used data from Doximity, a social network of doctors in the U.S, to estimate how the most recent proposed travel ban could affect the delivery of health care services. Among their findings:

-- More than 7,000 doctors from the six targeted countries work in the U.S., and 94 percent of Americans live in a community with at least one physician from a country that would be affected by the proposed travel ban.

-- These physicians provide 14 million doctors' appointments annually, including 1.2 million appointments per year in Michigan, 800,000 in Ohio and 700,000 in Pennsylvania.

A comprehensive report published in June 2016 by the George Mason University Institute for Immigration Research and the Immigrant Learning Center summed up contributions in specific professional fields:

-- 28 percent of physicians and surgeons practicing in the U.S. are immigrants.

-- 46 percent of foreign-born doctors pursue internal medicine, where a vast shortage exists. By contrast, 15 percent of U.S medical graduates do so.

-- 15 percent of registered nurses are immigrants.

-- 22 percent of nursing, psychiatric and home health aides are immigrants.

Travel Fears

Security and other issues would make it difficult for Al-Khafaji to travel to Iraq, he says. "My family is back home in Baghdad -- I haven't seen them for six years," he says. "There are a lot of us who are afraid to leave this country to visit our families just because we're afraid we might not be able to come back in."

As executive orders on travel bans take shape, it's unclear whether Iraq will make a final cut. This uncertainty is hard to live with, Al-Khafaji says. "When we come here, we already go through extreme vetting," he says. "I've been in this country for six years. I work in two reputable hospitals in Virginia. I've taken care of thousands of patients. I've taught a lot of medical students and medical residents. You've already accepted me here -- you've let me live here."

His wife, a nurse practitioner, was born in Alaska. However, travel concerns affect them both, Al-Khafaji says: "We couldn't go out for the honeymoon we had planned."

Welcoming Health Workers

Welcome Back Centers assist internationally trained health care workers who have moved to California and are seeking professional credentials. They, in return, can help fill a growing need for linguistically and culturally competent health care in many parts of the U.S.

Community-based health centers in San Francisco, whether in the Mission neighborhood serving pregnant women in a primarily Spanish-speaking population or the center in Chinatown, are just two such essential facilities, says Jose Ramon Fernandez-Pena, director of the Welcome Back Initiative and associate chair of the department of health education at San Francisco State University.

In addition to more nurses, social workers, nutritionists and health educators are also needed to make these centers work. "It's paramount, because without that kind of staffing, they cannot provide comprehensive perinatal services," he says. "If you go to Chinatown and you do not have a nurse, or medical assistant or somebody who can communicate in Cantonese, then you essentially have no services for the community."

Of the health professionals involved with the Welcome Back program, the majority are probably practicing below the training they received in their countries of origin, says Fernandez-Pena, who is a co-author of the 2016 report.

[See: 14 Things You Didn't Know About Nurses.]

American Dream

Al-Khafaji's employers at VCU have worked "diligently" to secure his visa, he says, and next year he'll be promoted. Through his part-time employment at the VA hospital, he says, "We serve a lot of veterans who served in Iraq. We swap stories and bond so well."

However, Al-Khafaji says he and other foreign-born professionals are "collateral damage" when it comes to proposed immigration revisions. "The U.S. is the land of innovation; the land of immigrants; the land of welcoming people," he says. "You're not the same as other countries -- you're supposed to be the American Dream, the No. 1 in the world."

Lisa Esposito is a Patient Advice reporter at U.S. News. She covers health conditions, drawing on experience as an RN in oncology and other areas and as a research coordinator at the National Institutes of Health. Esposito previously reported on health care with Gannett, and she received her journalism master's degree at Georgetown University. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at lesposito@usnews.com.
In the three-and-a-half hour televised debate between five leading French presidential candidates on Monday night (March 21), what is arguably the biggest political minefield was barely discussed: the future of the European Union.

Opponents of the EU have been salivating over the prospect of the far rights Marine Le Pen winning the presidency, given her promise to hold a referendum on Frances EU membership that could swiftly undo the whole project. Europhiles, meanwhile, have been banking on centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron and his staunchly pro-EU agenda.

And yet, little of substance was said on the matter, despite the length of the debate. The best the candidates could muster came down to rhetorical mentions.

Le Pen, for instance, derided the bloc in her opening statement, saying she wanted to be the president of the French republic, not to administer what has become a region, a vague region of the European Union. Alluding to her top competitor Macron, who had met with German chancellor Angela Merkel the previous week, Le Pen said she didnt want to be Mrs Merkels vice chancellor.

While Le Pen spoke broadly of a need for economic patriotism and higher taxes on companies that outsource jobs, other candidates didnt challenge her proposed duties on foreign goods, which contravene EU law.

She went on to make fleeting comments about how the euro had hurt the French economy, and that Brexit had boosted Britains (which prompted laughter from the audience). The European Commission ended up being the one to fact-check her claim on Twitter, asserting that, No, the euro is not responsible of the weakness of French competitiveness.

Francois Fillon of the center right, whose financial scandal has relegated him to third place, said he wanted France to keep the protection afforded by the European Central Bank.

Story continues

The two left-leaning candidates, Benoit Hamon, the candidate for the deeply unpopular governing Socialist Party, and far-left Jean-Luc Melenchon, had very little to say about the EU. When discussing migration, Hamon said France should respect its commitments to the EU when it comes to accepting refugees.

It took Macron nearly three hours of debating to finally remark that, We havent talked much about Europe. He then declared himself the only candidate who has been following our European commitments since the start. But there it ended, with Le Pens fitting retort: You have said nothing.

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More stories from Quartz:
By Madjiasra Nako and John Irish N'DJAMENA/PARIS (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen met Chad's President Idriss Deby on Tuesday to discuss the two allies' cooperation in the fight against Islamist militants in Africa. Le Pen, among the frontrunners in the French presidential election, arrived in Chad on Tuesday and is using the two-day visit to meet French troops stationed in Chad and to outline her policies for the continent. "We have of course discussed the cooperation between France and Chad in the fight against terrorism," the National Front party candidate said after the meeting with Deby in Am-Djarass, near the borders with Libya and Sudan. She said they had also discussed Libya, and she again condemned France's role in helping to oust its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, which she called "a serious mistake ... with serious consequences." Chad has one of the region's most capable militaries and hosts the headquarters of France's 4,000-strong West African anti-militant operation, known as Barkhane. Le Pen also travelled to Lebanon in February to get a sense of the Syrian crisis. Among her foreign policy objectives Le Pen has called for closer cooperation in Syria with President Bashar al-Assad and a rapprochement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. She also wants to increase the defence budget to 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2018, up from about 1.78 percent now, and 3 percent by 2022. (Editing by Tim Cocks and Hugh Lawson)
Several of the five leading candidates in Frances presidential election sparred over whether women should be allowed to cover their bodies at the beach during a Monday-night debate about a month before the first round vote.

The exchange stemmed from a debate over Frances adherence to principles of secularism between far-right Front National party President Marine Le Pen and Socialist Party candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon. Le Pen railed against the escalation of Islamic fundamentalism and the pressure and incessant demands related to the Muslim religions clothing and food requirements, Le Monde reported.

Read: Religious War: France Could Ban Burqas, Yarmulkes And Turbans If Marine Le Pen Becomes President

Le Pen then baited her center-left rival Emmanuel Macron, who recent polls indicated would narrowly trail her in the April 23 first round vote but would beat her by a wide margin if he faced her in the two-candidate May 7 run-off.

You dont want to see the reality of the gravity of whats happening in our country, but it nevertheless remains that several years ago, there were no burkinis on the beaches, Le Pen said to Melenchon, referring to a full-body swimsuit worn by women opting for a modest appearance. I know that you are in favor of Mr. Macron, but there werent any.

Macron retorted that he had no need for a ventriloquist, adding, if I need to say something, I say it, according to Le Monde.

But when Le Pen prompted him as to whether he supported allowing women to wear the burkini in France, Macron did not offer a definitive answer.

I said it very clearly, the former investment banker and finance minister said. It has nothing to do with secularism, its not cultural. Its an issue of public order.

Melenchon interjected, telling Le Pen that she cant go to the point of establishing a clothing police and stop people with green hair or skirts that are too short or too long.

Story continues

Read: Burkini Ban Continues In France With 3 Women Getting Fined On Cannes Beach

Frances highest administrative court ruled at the end of August that mayors in the country did not have the right to ban the apparel from their cities beaches, only for mayors in small municipalities near the southern coastal cities of Nice and Monaco to continue enforcing a ban anyway. The court cases followed incidents in dozens of cities along Frances Mediterranean coast in which police demanded the women pay fines for wearing the full-body coverings.

Related Articles
PARIS (Reuters) - French prosecutors have asked for an investigation into alleged child sex abuse by French soldiers in the Central African Republic to be dropped, a judicial source has said. France intervened in its former colony in 2013 to stem violence between Christian militias and largely Muslim Seleka rebels who had seized power. It withdrew most of its 2,000 troops last year, handing over to U.N. peacekeepers. The initial investigation was opened more than two years ago after the Paris prosecutor decided to look into the matter following written consultation with the author of a United Nations report, which first raised the issue of alleged abuse between December 2013 and June 2014. Investigating judges will now rule on whether to take the case to trial, the source said late on Tuesday. Despite questioning six soldiers, nobody has been placed under formal investigation, which suggests the case is unlikely to move to trial. (Reporting by Gerard Bon; writing by John Irish)
Paris (AFP) - One month before the French cast their first votes for president, mainstream parties are battling for relevance as anti-establishment candidates such as Marine Le Pen come to the fore.

The far-right Le Pen shares pole position in the run-up to the April 23 first round with Emmanuel Macron, who professes to be neither left nor right.

Polls show that Macron, 39, would rout the 48-year-old Le Pen in the decisive run-off on May 7 if the election were held today.

Both have tapped into a deep vein of discontent over politics as usual after successive governments, both left and right, have failed to lift France out of its economic torpor or mend its social divides.

"The French are wondering whether politicians still have any power over the course of events," political consultant Stephane Rozes told AFP.

Only 17 percent of voters questioned in an Ipsos poll last month gave high marks to France's democratic system.

Millions remain undecided and nearly half of likely voters say they could still change their minds.

As Pascal Perrineau, head of political research at Sciences Po university, put it: "The French are not happy with the cast of characters."

- Threat of jihadist attacks -

A re-election bid by former right-wing president Nicolas Sarkozy was thwarted by voters' desire for change, but his Socialist successor Francois Hollande's failure to deliver has made him one of France's most unpopular presidents ever.

Voters are angry over a sluggish economy, fearful over the impact of globalisation and mindful of the ever-present threat of new jihadist violence.

An attack at Paris' Orly airport at the weekend was a stark reminder of the threat, with a man shot dead after he tried to grab a female soldier's rifle.

Hollande said it provided the latest justification for the state of emergency first imposed after the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris.

Since then, the measures giving police extended powers of search and arrest have been renewed several times -- each time raising red flags over civil liberties.

Story continues

The climate of fear has stoked debate over the place of France's large Muslim community in society, crystallised by a controversy last summer over the body-concealing burkini swimsuit.

Hollande, who decided in December not to seek re-election, leaves the traditional left deeply divided between those committed to Socialist ideals and party pragmatists, said pollster Bruno Jeanbart.

In their January primary the party failed to pick a compromise candidate, instead settling on Benoit Hamon, 51, who represents those who "remain attached to idealism", said Jeanbart, of the Opinionway polling institute.

Hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, in fifth place in the polls, has rejected an alliance with Hamon, further dimming hopes that the left can rebuild a viable political force.

On the right, deep legal woes have upended the candidacy of Francois Fillon, previously the hands-down favourite to win in May.

Fillon, 63, was the surprise winner of the rightwing Republicans party's primary after campaigning on his probity.

He was charged last week with misuse of public funds over payments totalling 680,000 euros to his Welsh-born wife Penelope between 1986 and 2013, the most glaring of several scandals dogging the candidate.

- Anything can happen -

The former prime minister sought to shift the focus to his cost-cutting platform in a debate on Monday among the top five presidential candidates.

As election day gets closer, natural Fillon supporters "may say to themselves that he has the better programme," regardless of anything else, Jeanbart said.

A point in Fillon's favour is that he is the only one of the top three candidates who would be able to secure a majority in parliament -- Le Pen or Macron would be forced to negotiate a coalition.

Still, pollsters currently project a second-round landslide for Macron over Le Pen with a margin of more than 20 points.

"But in the next 30 days who knows what else may happen to shake things up?" said Gael Sliman of the Odoxa polling institute.
The prospect of a cheaper funeral is being used to entice elderly Japanese drivers to give up their licences as police step up efforts to prevent accidents caused by ageing motorists.

Deadly accidents involving elderly drivers are a growing problem in a country where the population is rapidly growing older and some 4.8 million people aged 75 or older hold a licence.

In November, a six-year-old boy died and 11 others were injured after an 87-year-old driver's pickup truck hit children walking to school in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

Japan this month introduced a new rule under which drivers aged 75 or older must pass cognitive tests when renewing their licences.

Now, a funeral service company in central Japan has from this month started offering a 15 percent discount to elderly drivers who give up their permits.

"We've been offering funeral services to those who lost family members in car accidents," Shigenori Ariga of the funeral company Heiankaku in told AFP on Tuesday.

"We want to help prevent deaths caused by such accidents," he said.

Ariga said the discount was offered after a request by the local police department in the city of Ichinomiya in Aichi prefecture where the funeral business is located.

It is applied to altars used during funerals, Ariga said, adding that the elderly drivers can end up save a minimum of 56,000 yen ($500).

The discount applies not just when the drivers who give up their licences die but even their close family members as well, he said.

Police in Aichi in November started offering a ramen noodle discount to elderly drivers who give up their licences via a tie-up with a local restaurant chain.
Berlin (AFP) - Fritz Schmehling was just a teenager when he was convicted in 1957 under a Nazi-era law against gays that remained on the books for decades after the war.

Now, as Germany plans to wipe the criminal records of thousands of men and offer them compensation for their suffering, Schmehling and other victims look back on a life led for too long in the shadows.

"Back then, you lived with one foot in prison," Schmehling, now 74, told AFP at his modest top-floor apartment in Berlin.

Gay men were forced to seek intimacy in public toilets, parks and bars that could only be accessed by ringing a doorbell, away from authorities' prying eyes.

Schmehling's earliest sexual experiences came as a youth in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, which was under French occupation.

"After my first time with a man, a member of the French military, I knew: that's what I want," he said with a chuckle, still nattily styled with brightly coloured braces and a handlebar moustache.

His family had given him a swimming pool pass for the summer, unwittingly opening the door to a world of erotic adventure.

Schmehling, then a carpenter's apprentice, said he was the one who initiated the fateful encounter with another older man.

"I was at my work bench when the police picked me up. They asked me embarrassing questions, without my parents or a lawyer, while they showed me pictures of the man," he said.

"They told me I had committed a sexual offence. It was the first time I heard the word 'gay'."

Schmehling was convicted when he was 15 and sentenced to four weekends of juvenile detention.

The man he was caught with spent more than seven years in prison for their "crime". They never spoke again.

- No internet, no personal ads -

As soon as he reached the age of 21, Schmehling escaped his stifling small town in 1963 for the bright lights of West Berlin.

"I repressed the memory of my conviction," he said. "I had a lust for life."

Story continues

Schmehling said for gay men, sex and love were dirty secrets they had to hide from the law, even in Berlin which in the 1920s had been a haven for sexual minorities.

"I was a labourer so I didn't have much time to seek pleasure. You didn't have the internet, you couldn't place a personal ad 'man seeks man'," he said.

Schmehling said a friend with police connections would warn him when there were going to be raids.

"They would take everyone down to the station in a police van and fingerprint them. I was very lucky not to be arrested."

But his previous criminal record effectively barred him from employment in the public sector.

Schmehling eventually embarked on a series of long-term relationships, including with Bernd, a musician and his partner of 28 years who died in 2011.

"We didn't walk hand-in-hand down the high street and we didn't carry a sign saying that we were gay but we lived our lives and we didn't care what the neighbours thought."

After each of them was diagnosed with cancer, they entered into a civil union, which was introduced in Germany in 2001.

It ensured Schmehling would be entitled to Bernd's pension. The flat is still filled with his books and pictures.

Schmehling said his biggest regret was that Germany failed to clear the victims' names before Bernd died.

"He told me, 'I don't think I'll ever see the day these convictions are lifted'. I think he would have been as happy as when the Berlin Wall fell."

- 'It weighed on you' -

While Schmehling can expect modest compensation, Gottfried Lorenz, 76, feels shut out by the long-delayed reform.

Lorenz, a professor in the northern city of Hamburg and a longtime gay rights activist, was subjected to an two-month-long criminal probe in the 1970s but escaped conviction.

"I was studying in Saarbruecken (western Germany) and tried to approach a man, who ended up attempting to beat me up and demanded money and my ID. So I called the police," he said.

Both men were arrested before prosecutors finally dropped the case.

Nevertheless, every gay man in the country had to behave as if he were a criminal.

"The discrimination was even worse -- at work, in your family, in church, political parties, trade unions," Lorenz said.

"You lived in fear that word would somehow get out," with many men entering into sham marriages.

Despite great strides for gay rights, Lorenz said he feared a potential backlash with the new legislation.

"People may say, 'Oh the gays again -- you've already achieved everything you wanted'."
1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process.

2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive.

3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents.

4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance.

Vote

View Results
Berlin (AFP) - Germany is expected Wednesday to approve quashing the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was set to be passed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet before going to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

"We can never completely erase the travesty of justice, but we want to rehabilitate the victims," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.

The measure follows Britain's so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named for World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure drew criticism from campaigners for only automatically pardoning dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

- 'Contrary to nature' -

Germany's Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals".

Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although it dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the law to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

Story continues

But that move didn't include those convicted after the war when article 175 was still in force.

The article was finally dropped from the penal code in East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice.

"I don't want to die with a criminal record," he told AFP in a recent interview at his Berlin apartment.

"I've had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die."

- 'Guardians of virtue' -

Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war.

"The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way," he wrote.

"But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller."

Gay rights groups and the opposition Greens party have long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled.

But until now, their demand had been refused on grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal.
Berlin (AFP) - The German government Wednesday approved plans to quash the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was passed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet and will soon head to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

"Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. "The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice."

The measure follows Britain's so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named after World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure, unlike Germany's, only automatically pardoned dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

- 'Contrary to nature' -

Germany's Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals".

Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although the law dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the legislation to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

Story continues

But that move didn't include those convicted after the war when Article 175 was still in force.

It was finally dropped from the penal code in communist East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

The compensation scheme under the new legislation includes a one-off payment of 3,000 euros ($3,200) for every man convicted and an additional 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison.

If the person in question has already died, his family may put in for the certificate to clear their relative's criminal record.

Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice.

"I don't want to die with a criminal record," he told AFP in a recent interview at his Berlin apartment.

"I've had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die."

- 'Guardians of virtue' -

Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that, although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war.

"The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way," he wrote.

"But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller."

Gay rights groups had long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled.

But until now, their demand had been refused on the grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal.

Justice Minister Maas, a Social Democrat (SPD), spearheaded the legislation and fought for its passage before a September general election.

Merkel's main rival, SPD candidate Martin Schulz, who is enjoying a surge in the polls, has vowed to campaign on a gay rights platform.

Germany has permitted gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions since 2001 but Merkel's Christian Union bloc has opposed same-sex marriage with equal treatment on matters such as adoption.

A poll commissioned by the federal government last month showed that 83 percent of Germans support marriage equality.

Related:

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.
By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday added a year to Jean-Pierre Bemba's 18-year jail term following the former Congolese vice president's conviction for attempting to bribe witnesses during his war crimes trial. After a second trial on the separate charges, Bemba, who was vice president of Democratic Republic of Congo from 2003 to 2006, was also ordered to pay a 300,000 euro ($323,670.00) fine to the court's fund supporting victims of atrocities. Several of the court's cases against prominent and powerful politicians have been weakened by witness bribery. Prosecutors blamed the collapse of a post-election violence case against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on threats against witnesses. The decision to bring bribery charges against Bemba and four members of his legal team was seen by criminal law experts as a sign that prosecutors had decided to get tough on a practice that threatened their ability to prosecute the gravest crimes. Bemba is appealing his conviction last year on charges of having committed war crimes by allowing his forces to go on a murderous rampage through the neighboring Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003. His former lead lawyer, Aime Kilolo, was given a 30,000 euro fine and a two-and-a-half year suspended sentence. Three others were given either suspended jail terms or sentenced to time served. Bemba and his co-accused were convicted of offences against the administration of justice by corruptly influencing 14 defense witnesses and coaching them to present false testimony. Judges gave prosecutors and the defense 30 days to lodge an appeal. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, writing by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Alison Williams and Ken Ferris)
If you're located in certain countries in the Eastern Hemisphere, on Tuesday you may have discovered a colorful flower illustration when you logged into Google. The Google Doodles on landing pages in India, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were joining millions of people in celebrating Nowruz, or the Iranian New Year.

Nowruz, which you pronounce no-rooz, is an international holiday that occurs each year on or around the vernal equinox, according to Vox. A Zoroastrianism tradition that dates back at least 3,000 years, Nowruz is an important time for people in Iran and other countries to welcome the new year.

Read: The History Of Nowruz

Before Nowruz, people clean their carpets and scrub their homes in order to welcome spring. Some also set a "haft seen" table with a number of items representing themes like love, beauty, renewal and wisdom. And adventurous revelers start bonfires and jump over them, singing as they try to secure good health in the coming year, according to the United States Institute of Peace.

As evidenced by the Google Doodle, the cultural significance of Nowruz has only grown over the years. Even the United Nations has designated it as a holiday.

"At a time when violent extremism seeks to destroy diversity and freedoms, Nowruz is a reminder of the power of culture and heritage to build resilient and sustainable societies," Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said on the United Nations' Nowruz website.

If you're observing Nowruz this year, know someone who is or are just eager to learn, read on for some Persian New Year greetings:

Read: How Afghanistan, Turkey And Iran Celebrate Nowruz

"Har ruzetan Nowruz, Nowruzetan piruz," as British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a news release Tuesday. This translates to "wishing you a prosperous new year and hoping every day will be a new start like Nowruz," according to mediareach.

"Navroz Mubarak to all Parsi friends! Praying for a year that is full of happiness, prosperity and good health," as Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi tweeted.

Story continues

"May the coming year take you on the path to glory where all your endeavors become glorious and your life becomes a success story. Happy Nowruz!" as suggested by DekhNews.com.

"Sad Saal be in Saal-ha," as recommended by the Iran Chamber Society. This translates to "wishing you 100 more happy new years."

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WASHINGTON  In letter after letter, Republican lawmakers have reminded their constituents: Obamacare cut Medicare.

Implied, and sometimes stated outright, was that the GOPs own plan should instead bolster the program.

Any reforms must protect Medicare, Congressman Ted Poe, a Texas Republican who represents a district in the Houston area, wrote in a letter last month to one of his constituents about the Affordable Care Acts failures and his partys own plans.

Obamacare took $500 million from Medicare to pay for its infrastructure, Poe continued. That was wrong, and Medicare must be strengthened so that it is still there for future generations.

But the bill now working its way through Congress does not reverse those cuts. Instead, Republicans for now appear committed to keeping this reviled part of the law.

The letters from Poe and other lawmakers were gathered as part of a STAT project with other news organizations, including ProPublica, Kaiser Health News, and Vox, to fact-check claims about the ACA. In those letters, lawmakers echo many of their public statements on Obamacare, but they also make questionable and sometimes false statements about how the health care system works under the law and what their own plan would do.

It is true that the ACA cut Medicare to offset additional spending. By one estimate, the law reduced Medicare spending by $716 billion over 10 years. Most of those cuts came through reduced Medicare payments to health care providers and to the private insurance plans that offer coverage to seniors through the Medicare Advantage program.

The cuts became a popular attack line during the 2012 presidential election, when Mitt Romneys campaign aired television ads blasting President Obama for targeting Medicare in the health care law.

Congressional Republicans have stuck with that critique of Obamacare in the subsequent years, up to the present day.

In a recent letter to a constituent, Congressman Ken Calvert, a California Republican, slammed the law for raiding over $600 billion from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.

Story continues

But in their own bill released shortly thereafter, the American Health Care Act, Republicans have left the Obamacare cuts in place.

Read more: Medicaid cuts, more uninsured: 3 takeaways from new estimates of the GOPs health plan

The AHCA does not repeal the ACAs [Medicare Advantage] or Medicare provider payment reductions, Juliette Cubanski, who studies Medicare at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said in an email. They are retained under the AHCA.

It could be a procedural matter, the experts at Kaiser said. Eliminating those cuts would add to the bills costs, and the legislation cannot increase the federal deficit under the complex procedure being used to avoid a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

Neither Poe nor other GOP lawmakers who criticized the ACA for cutting Medicare responded to requests for comment.

Nevertheless, as their own plan was being drafted, many of them kept slamming Obamas health care law for its Medicare cuts in letters to the people they represent. Those constituents would be forgiven for thinking that, after all this criticism, the GOP planned to undo that part of the law.

With regard to ensuring patients have access to the doctors of their choice, the Affordable Care Act fails again, Congressman Keith Rothfus, a Republican who represents a district in western Pennsylvania, said in one letter last month. The law initially cut $716 billion (now $850 billion) from Medicare, a critically important program for seniors.

Senators Pat Roberts of Kansas and John McCain of Arizona also singled out Obamacares Medicare cuts in recent letters sent to their constituents about the law.

Numerous concerns which I, and many of my colleagues, had during the debate on this bill are ringing true, Roberts wrote. The law cuts Medicare, cost the nation more than two trillion dollars and has created higher premiums, higher taxes, less choice, confusion, delays and problem after problem.

For their part, Roberts and McCain have not committed to voting for the House bill, should it reach the Senate. The House is set to take up the bill on Thursday. Poe and Calvert are expected to vote for it; Rothfuss position is unknown.
Helen Bell, a 59-year-old former hospital worker, suffers from several chronic conditions that often land her in the hospital and require frequent doctor visits and expensive medications.

But health issues arent her biggest worries these days. Its whether she can afford the insurance she needs if the GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act becomes law.

The House is expected to vote Thursday on the Republican bill, known as the American Health Care Act. Its unclear whether the Republicans can muster enough votes, despite a flurry of last-minute changes meant to appease conservative and moderate Republicans. If it does pass, it will move to the Senate for approval or changes.

For Bell and many older Americans, the stakes are especially high, for three main reasons:

People 50 to 64 years old who buy health insurance will face much higher costs under the Republican plan, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Offices recent analysis. Thats because the GOP legislation would dramatically shift how assistance to pay for health insurance is distributed.

The CBOs analysis predicts rising costs will result in fewer older people being insured. Among people over 50 who dont yet qualify for Medicare, the uninsured rate would jump to 30 percent by 2026 from about 13 percent today, the CBO says.

People in this age group are also more likely to have serious health problems, compounding the overall negative impact on them.

Were getting flooded with calls on our help line from people worried about losing their coverage because they cant afford it, says Stacy Sanders, director of federal policy at the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center, which helps older people find affordable healthcare options and transition into Medicare. For some older people, we dont see how theyll be able to pay these kind of prices.

In some states, older low-income people would face premiums that exceed their annual income, according to an analysis by Cynthia Cox of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research group.

Story continues

Consumers Worried About Potential Higher Costs

In a recent nationally representative CR Consumer Voices Survey, 55 percent said theyre not sure they or their loved ones could afford insurance to get quality healthcare.

Senatorssome signaling their own concerns about the laware expected to offer amendments if and when the bill goes to them. For example, they might try to increase the funding for the tax credits that older people receive.

But no tinkering around the bills edges is likely to make much of a difference for Bell, who lives near Asheville, N.C.

She says she suffers from Crohns disease, arthritis, and fibromyalgia and is unable to work because of the pain and fatigue from her conditions.

When Bells husband, an Episcopal minister, now 72, retired from the church two years ago, he went on Medicare. Bell had the option of staying on his employer insurance, but it would have cost nearly $700 a month. So she enrolled in a more affordable ACA health plan.

Bell says her premiums are about $10,000 a year, but because her annual household income is $25,000, she qualifies for tax credits that lower her payment to $1,800 a year, or $150 a month. She also gets additional financial assistance that covers most of her out-of-pocket costs for copays and deductibles.

Under the American Health Care Act, much of that help would go away and premiums would skyrocket. Where she lives in North Carolina, annual premiums would climb to $14,000 by 2020, but she would get a tax credit of only $4,000, leaving her to pay $10,000 a year, according to a tax credit comparison calculator by the Kaiser Family Foundation.



In other words, about three-quarters of Bells family income would go toward paying for her healthcare. By the time she qualifies for Medicare in six years, shed have burned through half of her retirement savings, she estimates.

I am frankly terrified at the thought of not having health insurance I can afford, she says. This is literally about my life.

How the AHCA Changes the Equation for Seniors

As a group, older people who arent wealthy have the most cause for concern.

Under the ACA, tax credits to help pay for insurance were structured so that low- and middle-income people got the most help. But the GOP proposal shifts the way assistance is meted out. It provides a flat credit according to age, ranging from $2,000 for people under 30 to $4,000 for those over 60.

But while older people get larger tax credits, the new bill also would allow insurers to charge them moreup to five times as much as what younger people pay for individual policies. It completely eliminates the cost-sharing subsidies Bell and 3 million other older Americans currently receive, and would no longer tie the amount of financial assistance you get to the cost of health insurance where you live.

On the other hand, the GOP plan could benefit some higher-income seniors, says Christine Eibner, a senior economist at Rand Corp., a nonpartisan research organization. Under the ACA, people who earn more than $48,000 a year arent eligible for tax credits. But under the GOP plan, individuals who earn up to $75,000 would get one.

But that helps just a small slice of the people affected by the proposed changes, says Eibner. For people who need to buy individual health insurance, virtually all older adults will pay more because insurers can charge more, she says.

The CBO estimates that by 2026, insurance premiums for a 64-year-old will be 20 to 25 percent higher vs. 20 to 25 percent lower for a 21-year-old and 8 to 10 percent lower for a 40-year-old.

If youre older and financially strapped, insurance may be out of reach, says Eibner.



Seniors With Employer Insurance May Feel Changes

If the AHCA becomes law, even older people who get insurance through their job, as more than half of Americans do, may feel the impact, says Sanders from the Medicare Rights Center.

The ACA mandates that employers with 50 or more employees must offer insurance to them or face a penalty. While larger employers are likely to keep providing the benefit as a way to stay competitive, smaller ones may discontinue it.

The ACA also gives more freedom of choice to employees who feel chained to their jobs.

The ACA is a safety net. If you need to leave the workforce because youre too sick to work, you need to care for a family member, or just because you want to retire early and pursue other things, you had peace of mind knowing you could get insurance on the individual market, says Sanders.

That was Dolores Garms situation. A database manager and graphic designer who lives near Milwaukee, Garm was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2014, and decided to retire last year because the pain was growing worse. Mornings are devastating. Im stiff till 10 a.m. and only have a few good hours during the day, says Garm, 64. Working part-time wasnt an option.

After researching insurance plans through the ACA, Garm said she was confident she could retire and afford health insurance even though her main source of income is just the $13,000 a year she gets from Social Security. She pays $160 a month for health insurance. If she didnt qualify for the ACA subsidy, Garm says her monthly premium payment would be over $800.

Garm turns 65 in February and hopes that whatever changes Congress makes to the health insurance market wont kick in this year. Im counting the days till I can sign up for Medicare, she says.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc.
Supreme Court nominee Neil M. Gorsuch faced a Senate Judiciary committee on Tuesday looking for answers about his thoughts on landmark court cases, his own rulings, and the limits of constitutional powers.

Senate Judiciary chair Chuck Grassley warned Gorsuch at the outset that he would be asked about many landmark cases, and also about cases where Gorsuch was involved in decisions on the federal bench.

Grassley said that Gorsuch should follow the example of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and not comment on decisions he has made as a federal judge. Gorsuch was also hesitant, at first, to talk about landmark cases that were mentioned by Grassley, such as Roe v. Wade.

I would be tipping my hand and suggesting to litigants Ive already made up my mind about their cases," Gorsuch said. "If it looks like Im giving hints or previews, I think thats the beginning of the end of the independent judiciary.

When asked directly by Dianne Feinstein about Roe, Gorsuch did agree that cases that have been precedents for decades have a different status in our legal system. Gorsuch also didnt comment extensively about two landmark gun cases mentioned by Feinstein.

Orrin Hatch then gave Gorsuch a chance to rebut charges from some Democrats that Gorsuch was beholden to special interests. A judge is there to make sure that every person, poor or rich, mighty or meek, gets equal protection of the law, Gorsuch said. I put my ego aside when I put on that robe and I open my mind and I open my heart and I listen.

When asked by Patrick Leahy, a Democratic, about the failed nomination of Merrick Garland, Gorsuch declined to comment on what he called a political issue. Gorsuch was also asked by Leahy about the Trump administrations immigration ban orders; he declined to comment on what he called an active case, but made a general statement about the free exercise of religion and the First Amendment.

Another Democrat, Amy Klobuchar, asked Gorsuch to comment on the concept of video cameras in the Supreme Court. Its not a question that I confess Ive given a greal deal of thought to, Gorsuch said. Ive experienced more cameras in the last few weeks than Ive experienced in my lifetime.

Story continues

Gorsuch also was asked his thoughts on the concept of Chevron deference, a legal theory hes criticized in past federal court rulings that forces judges to defer in cases where government rules are ambiguous. I think it's a separation of powers question, Gorsuch remarked, again not getting into details about his rulings.

Toward the end of his testimony on Tuesday, Gorsuch did addresses criticism offered by President Donald Trump about federal judges who have ruled against his immigration ban executive order.

"When anyone criticizes the honesty, integrity, the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening, I find that demoralizing, because I know the truth," he said.

Earlier in the day, when asked by Grassley, Gorsuch said politics and political figures wouldnt factor into his thinking on the court.

I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party other than based on what the law and the facts of a particular case require, Gorsuch told the panel. And Im heartened by the support I have received from people who recognize that theres no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge  we just have judges in this country, he said.\

Gorsuch's testimony will continue on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., where he will answer more questions from the Senators, with the questioning period limited to 20 minutes for each committee member.
Southeast Asian ride-hailing powerhouse Grab is now launching in a country where no Uber has driven yet  Myanmar.

Grab, which has expanded rapidly since its launch in Malaysia in 2012  is now in 35 cities across Southeast Asia.

SEE ALSO: Bike-sharing companies are flooding the market, but this one insists its bikes are smartest

Myanmar marks the first new market for the company since its launch in Indonesia in 2014.

The company has launched a trial of its ride-hailing service in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, and it is working with a "small group" of taxi drivers. The trial is expected to scale up "gradually" so Grab can test and improve its service in the city.

Downtown Yangon traffic.

Image: CHAN NAING/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

The move is in line with Grab's desire to be Uber's main rival in Southeast Asia, where the ride-hailing market is projected to grow to about $13 billion and 28.7 million active riders each month by 2025, from $2.5 billion and 7.18 million active riders in 2015.

Uber may also enter Yangon, according to multiple reports from Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, but no timeframe has been given on Uber's entry into the city.

An Uber spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that it will "look forward to introducing" its ride-sharing technology in Myanmar "very soon." It is currently hiring for two positions in the country, according to TechCrunch .

Yangon, has a population of about 5.21 million people and approximately 50,000 taxis.

"In some countries, there has been controversy between taxi associations and Uber, but in Yangon there is no taxi association and it is a good stage at which to start an Uber system," Phyo Min Thein, Yangon's chief minister, was reported as saying.

The city does already have ride-hailing startups of its own, like Hello Cabs and Oway Group. Myanmar has had vibrant growth in its internet businesses after the country emerged from military rule.

There were fewer than 10,000 Internet users in Myanmar before 2007; the country now claims to have over 39 million Internet users.
From Road & Track

The Nissan GT-R is one of the quickest cars that you can buy straight from the factory. It hits 60 in less than three seconds without any modifications. That's crazy.

But what happens when you build one to be the ultimate all-wheel drive dragstrip demon? You get this nutty GT-R from AMS Performance. The goal? Run the quarter mile in the six second bracket. Considering most cars that we consider very quick from the manufacturer run times in the 11 second area, nearly cutting that in half is ridiculous.

Does the AMS GT-R beat the goal? Yes. By the skin of its teeth. Check out the clip below:

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GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Four current and former Guatemalan lawmakers have been detained on suspicion of selling phantom jobs in congress.

Prosecutors say lawmakers Cesar Fajardo and Manuel Marcelino Garcia Chuta were taken into custody as well as ex-lawmakers Alex Castillo and Selvin Garcia.

Chief prosecutor Thelma Aldana says a total of eight arrest warrants have been issued. The four detained suspects are jailed on suspicion of embezzlement and abuse of power.

The suspects said little about the case in court Wednesday. Garcia Chuta says he is waiting to learn details of the accusation but is confident justice will prevail.

Fajardo and Garcia Chuta lost their immunity from prosecution as lawmakers in early 2017.

According to Guatemalan media reports, the phantom jobs scheme involved no-show posts where people drew salaries as workers and advisers.
Nearly half of Canadian adults were for having undocumented immigrants deported from their country, while some opposed the way Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was handling their illegal entry, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday.

Forty-six percent Canadians said they disapproved of Trudeau's stance on undocumented immigrants crossing into Canada through the U.S. illegally, while 37 percent supported the prime ministers decision and 17 percent said to be indifferent. Forty-eight percent said Canada should "send these migrants back to the U.S."

Those who were highly supportive of the deportations were men, older people with higher incomes and adult without college degrees.

Read: Moving To Canada? Refugees Entering Quebec, Manitoba From US Border States Surges

"Refugees are much more welcomed when we have gone and selected them ourselves as a country, as opposed to refugees who have chosen us," said Janet Dench, executive director of Canadian Council for Refugees.

In a separate Ipsos poll in January, studies showed 59 percent of Canadians approved of Trudeaus policies, while 41 percent opposed them.

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada, Trudeau tweeted in January.

Toronto Mayor John Tory also cosigned with Trudeau saying, "We understand that as Canadians we are almost all immigrants and that no one should be excluded on the basis of their ethnicity or nationality," CBS News reported late January.

Also, the poll's findings come as Canada faces a significant increase from undocumented Mexicans, who are leaving the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's stance on immigration. Canadian border authorities detained 444 Mexican nationals between Jan. 1 and March 8, according to the Canada Border Services Agency via Reuters. This years influx surpassed the annual totals of 2014 with 399 detainees, 351 for 2015 and 410 for 2016.

Story continues

As far as security, the poll showed that 41 percent of Canadians said the increased border crossings made Canada less safe, while 46 percent said the influx had no effect on safety.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted in English and French, surveyed 1,001 people 18 years and older.

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Sir David Attenborough has had over nine plants and animals named after him (Picture: REX Features)

Sir David Attenborough has cemented his national treasure status even further  by having an ancient fossil named after him.

The 430-million-year-old fossil, which was found frozen in time, has been named Cascolus Ravitis  with Cascolus being the Latin equivalent to the Old English word for Attenborough.

As he was bestowed with the honour at the University of Leicester, Attenborough said: The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment.

Cascolus Ravitis was named after Sir David (Picture: University of Leicester)

But while its a prestigious honour, its far from the first time that a little bit of the natural world was named after one of its greatest promoters.

Take for example, the newly discovered species of frog which was recently discovered in the Andes Mountains of South America  and named the Pristimantis attenboroughi after Sir David.

MORE: Facebook is rolling out a fact-checking tool in the fight against fake news

MORE: Donald Trump signs law that backs Nasa plans to send people to Mars

And then theres the competition launched last year by the Natural Environment Research Council to name the Governments 200 million polar research ship.

An artists impression of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, which was named last year (Picture: REX Features)

This is the very same competition that Boaty McBoatface eventually won  before it was announced that the ship would be called the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Sir Davids influence also spreads to the plant world too  where a carnivorous pitcher plant was named Nepenthes attenboroughii back in 2009.

Heres the whole list of animals and plants named after Sir David Attenborough.

Blakea attenboroughi  a plant discovered by American botanist Lou Jost in 2007.

Ctenocheloides attenboroughi  a species of ghost shrimp discovered in 2010.

Electrotettix attenboroughi  a species of extinct pygmy locus that is stored at the Ilinois Natural History Survey

Hieracium attenboroughianum  a species of hawkweed found in the Brecon Beacons

Nepenthes Attenboroughi was named after Sir David (Picture: Getty)

Prethopalpus attenboroughi  a tiny arachnid discovered in 2012

Nepenthes attenboroughii  a carnivorous pitcher plant

Pristimantis attenboroughi  a species of frog discovered in the Peruvian Andes in 2017

Sir Davids long-beaked echidna  one of three echidna species living in New Guinea.

Trigonopterus attenboroughi  a species of flightless weevil from Indonesia.

Theyre all thoroughly deserved.
Photo credit: Getty

From Delish

After take-off, you might use an airline's beverage service to settle your upset stomach or just kick back with a simple cocktail. What you don't expect is for your tiny cup of soda to cause an emergency landing in the middle of your flight.

According to Jacksonville.com, an American Airlines flight on Tuesday - headed to Chicago from Miami - was grounded after a spilled soda caused mechanical issues. Aviation officials told the news site that none of the 150 people aboard were hurt after the Boeing 737 landed at Jacksonville International Airport around 4:45 p.m.

The airline faulted one clumsy passenger for accidentally splashed soda onto a power outlet in the main cabin. However the man, 43-year-old Preston Wake says it was a flight attendant who fumbled the soft drink and "drenched him," causing him to change his clothes.

No matter whose fault it is, the lesson is to sip carefully because passengers were stranded in Jacksonville until their journey resumed at 10 p.m.

Follow Delish on Instagram.

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CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois would legalize marijuana for recreational use by adults and tax it to raise at least $350 million a year for the cash-strapped state under legislation introduced on Wednesday.

Two Democratic lawmakers sponsoring the bills said the measures pending before the House and Senate would allow law enforcement to focus on other crimes and enable the state to create a system for regulating and taxing marijuana sales.

Adults aged 21 and older would be able to possess, grow, and purchase limited amounts of marijuana, under the legislation. Businesses cultivating, processing, testing and selling pot would be licensed and regulated by the state, which would also impose labeling requirements and marketing restrictions.

State Senator Heather Steans, one of the sponsors, said money would flow to licensed, taxpaying businesses instead of to criminals.

"It would generate hundreds of millions of dollars per year in new revenue for our state," Steans said in a statement. "Prohibition is a financial hole in the ground, and we should stop throwing taxpayer dollars into it.

The fifth-largest U.S. state is limping through a second straight fiscal year without a complete budget due to an ongoing impasse between its Republican governor and Democrats who control the legislature.

Illinois' unpaid bills, a barometer of its deep financial problems, hit an all-time high of $12.8 billion last week.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but it has been legalized for recreational use in eight states, including Washington, Colorado and California, as well as the District of Columbia. Last year, legal sales reached $7 billion and generated half a billion dollars in sales taxes.

Eleni Demertzis, a spokeswoman for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, said the marijuana measures are under review.

If the legislation is enacted, Illinois could raise between $349 million and $699 million annually based on usage rates and prices in Colorado, which began legalized adult marijuana sales in 2014, according to advocacy group the Marijuana Policy Project.

Story continues

The Illinois legislation would impose a $50 per ounce tax at the wholesale level, while sales to the public would be subject to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax. Marijuana possession would be limited to 28 grams and five plants per adult resident. Nonresidents could possess only 14 grams.

An Illinois law creating a medical cannabis pilot program went into effect in 2013.

(Reporting by Karen Pierog; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Olga Grigoryants LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Mexican immigrant whose daughter appealed to Pope Francis three years ago to stop his deportation from the United States requested asylum at a federal court hearing in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Mario Vargas-Lopez's attorney argued the 45-year-old could be the victim of violence if he is deported to Mexico because of the international attention his case has received. "People in Mexico know who he is, and he might be targeted for ransom and extortion," attorney Alex Galvez said in a phone interview after the hearing. Vargas-Lopez was granted a hearing for Sept. 18 by Judge Rose Peters. He entered the United States in 1999, his attorney said, and had worked in construction in Tennessee and California. In September 2013, he was arrested in Tennessee on a drunken-driving charge and served a six-month sentence. On his release, he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and held in its Louisiana facility. Vargas-Lopez was released on bond in March 2014, three days after his then-10-year-old daughter, U.S.-born Jersey Vargas, made a plea to the pope as part of a delegation delivering letters to the pontiff from children of illegal immigrants. As reported by the Catholic publication "The Tidings," the girl told Pope Francis: "My father is suffering." Vargas-Lopez was subsequently reunited with his family in Los Angeles and has remained free. U.S. immigration officials denied at the time there was any papal intervention. Galvez has argued that Vargas-Lopez's family ties in the country and clean record since his 2014 release from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centre should be taken into account in his request for asylum. A representative for the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the case. Jersey Vargas, now 13, was not at Wednesday's hearing. (Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Patrick Enright and Peter Cooney)
YOKOHAMA (Reuters) - Japan's second big helicopter carrier, the Kaga, entered service on Wednesday, giving the nation's military greater ability to deploy beyond its shores as it pushes back against China's growing influence in Asia. Accompanied by a military band, Maritime Self Defence Force commanders took possession of the 248 meter (813.65 ft) long vessel at the Japan Marine United <5411.T> <7013.T> shipyard in Yokohama near Tokyo, where it was docked next to its sister ship the Izumo. "China is attempting to make changes in the South China Sea with bases and through acts that exert pressure is altering the status quo, raising security concerns among the international community," Vice Minister of Defence Takayuki Kobayashi said at the ceremony attend by about 500 people Japan's two biggest warships since World War Two are potent symbols of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to give the military a bigger international role. They are designated as helicopter destroyers to keep within the bounds of a war-renouncing constitution that forbids possession of offensive weapons. In its biggest show of naval power in foreign waters in more than 70 years, Japan plans to dispatch the Izumo in May on a three-month tour through the South China Sea, sources with knowledge of the plan told Reuters earlier. China claims almost all the disputed waters through which around $5 trillion of global sea-borne trade passes each year. Beijing's growing military presence there has fueled concern in Tokyo and Washington. Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the sea which has rich fishing grounds, oil and gas deposits. Japan has no claims there, but is locked in an territorial dispute with China over a group of islets in the neighboring East China Sea. The addition of the Kaga means Japan will be able to mount overseas operations more often in the future. It will be based in Kure western Japan, which was home to Japan's most famous World War Two battleship, the Yamato. The Izumo operates from Yokosuka near Tokyo, which is also where of the U.S. Seventh Fleet's carrier, the Ronald Reagan is based. The Japanese ships can operate up to nine helicopters each from their decks. They resemble the amphibious assault carriers used by U.S. Marines, but lack their well deck for launching landing craft and other vessels. (Reporting by Nobuhiro Kubo and Tim Kelly)
Japan's trade surplus hit a multi-year high in February, government data showed Wednesday, as exports to China rebounded after a Lunar New Year lull.

The value of Japan's total shipments abroad rose 11.3 percent, the most in two years, on strong demand for vehicle components and electronic parts, while imports grew 1.2 percent.

That resulted in a trade surplus of 813.4 billion yen ($7.3 billion), reversing a January deficit and more than tripling the 235.5 billion yen surplus a year ago.

The latest figures marked Japan's highest monthly trade surplus in nearly seven years.

The export surge was largely due to the Chinese New Year falling earlier than usual this year, resulting in a February rebound. Japan's exports to China tend to fall during the holiday as many businesses close.

Exports to China soared 28.2 percent from the same month a year ago, creating Japan's first trade surplus with China in five years.

Japan also posted its first trade surplus with the US in three months in February.

The figures come at a sensitive time for Japan-US trade relations.

US President Donald Trump has accused Japan of devaluing the yen to boost exports, grouping it with other countries he says are taking "advantage" of the United States.

But Takuji Okubo, chief economist and principal at Japan Macro Advisors, said Trump's talk was unlikely to translate into measures that would seriously hurt Japan-US trade.

"I think this talk about the rise of protectionism, I think theres a lot of hot air," he told Bloomberg News before the trade data was released.

"For now theres no obvious threat to the global economy, so I think its reasonable to expect moderate growth in global trade."

Japan has been struggling to reverse a years-long deflationary spiral of falling prices and lacklustre growth.

The country had slipped into a long spell of trade deficits after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted a move to thermal power generation and pricey fossil fuel imports.

Falling oil prices have taken pressure off Japan's trade balance, and exports are seen as a bright light for the world's number three economy.

But Japan's trade surplus is likely to decline in the coming months, said Marcel Thieliant at research house Capital Economics, as energy prices rebound and the yen is expected to weaken -- making dollar-priced imports more expensive.
Amid the mystery surrounding the assassination of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sources said Wednesday that a North Korean suspect involved in the murder of Kim Jong Nam is the son of a former top North Korean envoy to Vietnam. Ri Ji Hyon, 33, the suspect, apparently persuaded an Asian woman to commit the murder, which took place in Malaysia on Feb. 13, by talking fluent Vietnamese, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Ri had lived in Vietnam for about 10 years, sources said. He previously worked as a trainee diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in Vietnam for more than a year in November 2009. The fluency in Vietnamese language allegedly helped him convince Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese, into killing Kim Jong Nam. Huong and another Indonesian woman, Siti Aishah, allegedly killed him by smearing the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent on his face, according to Yonhap.

Read: After Kim Jong-Nam, Will His Son Be The Next Assassination Target?

Regarding the controversy surrounding the lapse in Malaysia's national security surveillance systems that resulted in Kim Jong Nam's murder, Malaysia's Home Ministry has denied so. Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said in parliament Monday that the government had no clue about Kim entering its soil as he had used a passport with a different name Kim Chol, according to Channel News Asia.

The two woman suspects  Aishah, a mother of one from Jakarta, and Huong, from rural northern Vietnam  face mandatory death sentence if they get convicted for the killing, reports said.

The CCTV footage, which was released after the assassination, allegedly showed two women approaching Kim Jong Nam at Malaysia airport and rubbing a cloth over his face, after which he died within 20 minutes.

Apart from these two women, Malaysian police had also identified eight North Koreans, who were wanted for questioning in connection with Kim Jong Nam's murder. Some of those are hiding in the North Korean embassy. Last week, police said the Interpol issued a "red notice," the closest to an international arrest warrant, for four North Koreans wanted in connection with the murder, reports said.

Related Articles
A knife-wielding man stabbed a police officer to death outside British Parliament Wednesday after several people were mowed down by a car on the Westminster Bridge, authorities said.

At least four people were killed, including Metropolitan Police Constable Keith Palmer, and 40 were injured along the thoroughfare fronting London's Parliament, before the attacker was fatally shot by police.

The slain officer, a husband and father, had served for 15 years and was a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

Read: Brussels Bombing Supect Know as the 'Man in the Hat,' Arrested in Belgium

"Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty - protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life," said London Mayor Sidiq Khan in a statement.

Mark Rowley, acting deputy commissioner at Scotland Yard, praised the 48-year-old officer as "someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift and he had every right to expect that would happen."

I've known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper. A lovely man, a friend. I'm heartbroken. https://t.co/LgF4rQ7Vmg  James Cleverly MP (@JamesCleverly) March 22, 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May was bundled into a car by plain-clothes security officers and whisked from the scene. She later called the attack "sick and depraved."

The attack occurred on the anniversary of last year's terrorist bombing attacks in Brussels that killed 32 people and injured more than 300 others. ISIS later claimed responsibility. British authorities have thus far identified no suspects in Wednesday's violence.

A woman with serious injuries was pulled from the Thames River, authorities said, and may have jumped to avoid being hit by the vehicle speeding down the bridge's sidewalk.

Story continues

Surveillance video shows woman hitting the Thames at about the 12-second mark.

Foreign Minister Tobias Ellwood, a military veteran, performed CPR on the wounded policeman as he lay bleeding to death on the cobblestones outside Parliament.

Parliament members took to social media to praise the slain policeman who guarded the historic compound.

"It is utterly devastating to know that a police officer lost his life protecting us and our Parliament. They are the best and the bravest," said MP Conor McGinn on Twitter.

Scotland Yard reported there were at least 40 injuries, including three police officers. Several tourists were among the wounded, police said.

Residents were told to avoid several central locations including Parliament, Victoria Street and Whitehall, a historic road leading from Trafalgar Square to the national seat of government.

#LondonAttack pictures. pic.twitter.com/kuZzKvaS72

 The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) March 22, 2017

The attacker was able to breach the perimeter of the lawmaking house and was shot several times after stabbing Palmer.

Witnesses described seeing bloodied victims and bodies lying on the pavement and hearing screams from the injured. Police ordered people to run from the heavily trafficked tourist area, also home to Big Ben, during the violence.

Read: Brother of Brussels Suicide Bomber Headed to Rio Olympics

It was horrendous, just horrendous, one woman at the scene told journalists.

A view of the scene outside UK Parliament following a major security incident in London https://t.co/3wwdfm2jEp pic.twitter.com/j8dkX457yY  CNN (@CNN) March 22, 2017

#LondonAttack update: Reports of civilians 'mowed down' on Westminster Bridge; Air ambulance on scene [pics, video] https://t.co/Gq6YvVNZGv pic.twitter.com/sdjeLV6Ne3

 Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 22, 2017

Areas around Parliament remained on lockdown Wednesday night..

Watch: Brave Man Tries to Save Lives By Jumping On Truck of Terrorist in Nice

Related Articles:
Seoul on Wednesday repatriated the remains of 28 Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War, despite a heated row between the two countries over a US missile defence system.

A row of goosestepping Chinese honour guards received lacquered wooden boxes, each containing one set of remains, from their counterparts during a ceremony at Incheon airport.

Beijing deployed millions of soldiers in the 1950-53 conflict, saving the fledging North from defeat by US-led UN forces and South Korea.

More than 180,000 Chinese soldiers are estimated to have died in the war.

"(We) appreciate the friendship and good will that South Korean people and media have shown regarding the repatriation of Chinese soldiers' remains," Sun Shaocheng, China's vice minister of civil affairs, was quoted as saying at the ceremony by Yonhap news agency.

A total of 569 sets of Chinese remains have been repatriated since the two countries reached an agreement on the issue three years ago, he noted.

The latest transfer came even as Seoul and Beijing are at odds over the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to South Korea, which China sees as compromising its own capabilities.

Beijing has imposed a series of measures seen as economic retaliation, including closures of South Korean-owned stores and a ban on tour groups going to its neighbour.

Seoul and Washington say the system is solely aimed at defending against the North's nuclear and missile threats.

The South's defence ministry acknowledged in a statement that there was "difficulty in South Korea-China relations in the process of resolving the North Korean nuclear and missile issue" but said it went ahead with the repatriation from a "humanitarian perspective".
A massive wall of garbage collapsed at a dump in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last Saturday (March 11), killing at least 115 people, with dozens more still missing.

The tragedy isn't the first of its kind, according to a piece on the disaster in the American Geophysical Union's Landslide Blog, but it is the deadliest such incident in years.

"Garbage landslides are particularly horrible events," Dave Petley, a blogger and geoscientist at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, wrote in a 2008 post about the phenomena. "For most people, being buried alive raises an inbuilt fear, but the thought of being buried by garbage is particularly unpleasant. In addition, garbage often releases toxic gas, which means that victims may die from poisoning whilst awaiting rescue. Garbage also generates heat, which means that the victims may die from hyperthermia. In extreme cases, the garbage may ignite." [Managing the World's Waste (Infographic)]

Deadly trash

Petley wrote the 2008 blog post in response to a garbage slide in Guatemala City, in which the deadly conditions were much like those in Addis Ababa: mountains of garbage piled with little regard for stability, picked over by armies of scavengers who make a living by pulling recyclables from the waste.

Rescue workers watch as excavators dig through garbage in search of missing people following the collapse of a mound of trash on an informal settlement at the Koshe garbage dump in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, March 13, 2017. Tiksa Negeri/Reuters/Zuma

The Addis Ababa dump, called Koshe, may have been further destabilized by construction occurring on the site, according to Africa Review. Locals told the news organization that workers building a biogas plant had been packing down dirt with bulldozers, possibly precipitating the slide. An official investigation is underway.

Based on images released by news organizations, Petley wrote that the Koshe slide appeared to be a simple failure of an oversteepened slope. Gravity pulling down an oversteepened slope is the primary reason for any landslide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Causes of disaster

Garbage-dump landslides are a significant problem for countries in the developing world, Petley wrote, but they are also a topic that scientists have not studied widely. One 2011 slide in the Philippines buried 20 houses when rains from Typhoon Nanmadol caused the collapse of a retaining wall. Another garbage landslide in the Philippines in 2000, the Payatas landslide, claimed the lives of at least 200 people and buried a shantytown at the site in up to 33 feet (10 meters) of trash. Gases from the decomposing garbage sparked several fires, hindering rescue efforts, according to an analysis of the disaster.

Story continues

Whereas unstable, overly steep slopes are a risk factor for landslides of both land and garbage, trash slides pose a unique danger because of flammable methane and other decomposition gases, researchers have found. One 2005 garbage slide in Java, Indonesia, killed 143 people and illustrates such dangers. According to a study of that disaster, the garbage pile had a front slope approaching 100 percent  it was basically vertical. Along with heavy rains, methane explosions within the pile helped destabilize it. Plastic bags within the garbage pile gave the mountain of trash a low friction coefficient, meaning that the material within the landslide was particularly slippery. All of this instability combined with a vulnerable population of trash-pickers living at the foot of the precarious trash pile led to the staggering loss of life, the study found.

Huge garbage slides that kill many people get most of the attention, Petley wrote in 2008, but it's also quite likely that smaller, less-deadly slides are common and go unreported.

Original article on Live Science.

Editor's Recommendations
By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Latinos in Los Angeles are lodging fewer reports of rape and spousal abuse to police so far this year amid heightened concerns among immigrants that contact with law enforcement could lead to deportation, police Chief Charlie Beck said on Tuesday.

Beck cited 41 fewer reports of rape - down 25 percent - and 118 fewer domestic violence complaints - a 10 percent drop - among the city's Hispanic residents since January, compared with the same period of 2016.

Those declines, coinciding with President Donald Trump taking office as he vowed to step up deportations of immigrants who entered the United States illegally, were not seen in the crime reporting of other ethnic groups, Beck said.

The trend suggested a growing mistrust of the criminal justice system among Latinos as the Trump administration has pressed state and local law enforcement to assist U.S. immigration agents, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

"While there is no direct evidence that the decline is related to concerns within the Hispanic community regarding immigration, the department believes deportation fears may be preventing Hispanic members of the community from reporting when they are victimized," the LAPD said in a statement.

Beck himself suggested as much at a news conference with Mayor Eric Garcetti to announce new steps to shield immigrants who might be targets of the Trump administration's enforcement crackdown.

"Imagine your sister, your mother, not reporting a sexual assault for fear that their family will be torn apart," the Los Angeles Times quoted Beck as saying at the event in L.A.'s predominantly Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

Los Angeles is one of dozens of municipalities and local governments across the country that have declared themselves "sanctuary cities," overtly refusing to cooperate in federal immigration enforcement.

Like police in many of those cities, the LAPD has barred its officers from checking the immigration status of individuals they arrest or from keeping them locked up longer than otherwise warranted at the request of federal agents seeking to deport them, absent a court order.

Story continues

Garcetti issued a directive on Tuesday extending those policies to airport police, port police and firefighters, while prohibiting all city workers from using public facilities or resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement.

The directive also requires every city facility and service be made available to all Los Angeles residents, regardless of immigration status, and that personal information submitted for enrollment in city programs and services be kept confidential.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman; Editing by Michael Perry)
Paris (AFP) - The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats.

Why this measure now?

Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP.

"Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives."

The new measures "will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups -- in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices," he added.

Has this happened before?

After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said.

"The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery's housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams," he said.

Why Arab countries and Turkey?

"The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities," said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world.

Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added.

Why laptops and tablets?

"These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives," said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security.

Story continues

By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added.

How can explosives be detected at security inspections?

If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector -- a small wipe -- to check for any explosives, Caron said.

If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said.

How can they monitor checked baggage?

In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags.

If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check.

"Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat," Caron said.

"The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine," which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added.

What consequences for travellers?

Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. "Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don't want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It's going to be complicated to manage."
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch: (all times EDT):

6:35 p.m.

Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has some flattering final words for the senators who have been grilling him for two days  and who he hopes will soon vote for him.

Noting he'd spent the last two months on Capitol Hill meeting senators, Gorsuch said Wednesday, "I want to thank you  all of you, each and every one of you."

The federal appeals court judge said that if the American people could see what he has seen, "they'd be much bigger believers in the government."

Senators appeared to eat it up.

"Bless you," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley replied.

___

3:45 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is a "fine individual, a very good human being" and that he's open to voting for him.

Manchin sat in the audience for part of Gorsuch's confirmation hearing Wednesday. Manchin said he's assessing Gorsuch's demeanor, and "he's been pretty solid" so far. He also has a meeting with Gorsuch next week.

Senate Republicans will need the support of at least eight Democratic senators to easily move forward with Gorsuch's nomination. Or they may change Senate rules to assure his confirmation.

Manchin says Democrats should be open.

Noting that Democrats lost the presidential election, Manchin said: "You're not going to get someone of your preference. You get someone you can live with and someone who has good character and good stature."

___

2:40 p.m.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says "it's a little rich" that Democrats are criticizing President Donald Trump's comments attacking the federal judiciary while also criticizing Neil Gorsuch.

The Supreme Court nominee is a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Cruz pointed to comments from several Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who said in February that the Gorsuch nomination was "hostile" and that he was a bad nominee "if you breathe air, drink water, eat food, take medicine, or in any other way interact with the courts."

Story continues

Cruz said "you can't have both at the same time."

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary panel have asked Gorsuch to react to Trump's tweets.

Gorsuch said Tuesday any comments criticizing the federal judiciary are "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

___

12:55 p.m.

Democrats are pressing Judge Neil Gorsuch on a Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday that overruled a standard he'd laid out in 2008.

Gorsuch's opinion said a Colorado school didn't have to pay a private school to educate an autistic boy, saying he had been making some progress and that was good enough under the law.

The unanimous Supreme Court ruling on a separate case requires higher special education standards.

Shortly after the decision, Gorsuch pointed to the case as an example of those where he doesn't like the result, but followed circuit court precedent.

Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin said he was concerned that Gorsuch had gone further than that precedent.

Gorsuch responded: "If anyone is suggesting that I like the result where an autistic child happens to lose, it's a heartbreaking accusation."

___

10:55 a.m.

Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch says his philosophy of originalism means equal protection for all.

Originalism is judicial philosophy focusing on the Constitution's text. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked how that philosophy reconciles with the rights of gays and lesbians.

Gorsuch noted there is precedent on that issue. He says "it matters not a whit that some of the drafters of the 14th amendment were racists, because they were, or sexists, because they were."

Gorsuch added: "the law they drafted promises equal protection of the law to all persons."

Feinstein also expressed concern about the abortion decision Roe vs. Wade. Gorsuch won't say how he'd rule on that or other issues.

Feinstein says "young women take everything for granted these days, and all of that could be struck out with one decision."

___

10:35 a.m.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley is pushing Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch to support putting cameras in the courtroom.

Several members of the committee have sponsored legislation to place cameras in the Supreme Court. Grassley says it would provide Americans with more access to the court and promote a better understanding.

But many Supreme Court justices have opposed the idea.

Asked about the issue Tuesday, Gorsuch said he'd have an open mind. He reiterated that promise to Grassley on Wednesday, saying he'd gotten to know many photographers since he'd been nominated and they're "nice folks."

Grassley joked that former Justice David Souter had said he'd allow cameras in the court over his dead body.

But Grassley noted that Souter is "not on the courts now, so that's one less person."

__

9 a.m.

Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch enters the third day of his confirmation hearing  and his final day of testimony  largely unscathed by Democratic attacks. Republicans are predicting he will win Senate approval despite liberal opposition.

A growing number of Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, are calling for Gorsuch's confirmation to be delayed because of the FBI investigation of ties between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russia.

But Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa dismissed that demand as "ridiculous," and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told The Associated Press: "Gorsuch will be confirmed. I just can't tell you exactly how that will happen yet."
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A year ago, a state law blocked a U.S. citizen born in an Indonesian refugee camp from getting married in Louisiana. A court victory Wednesday means the man and his fiancee are free to make wedding plans.

Viet Anh Vo and his U.S.-born fiancee, Heather Pham, embraced and cried with their attorneys in a New Orleans courtroom after a federal judge blocked the law that prevented them from obtaining a marriage license.

The law, which took effect in January 2016, has prevented other immigrants in Louisiana from getting married for the same reason as Vo: He couldn't provide a birth certificate.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle, who granted Vo's request for a preliminary injunction, said the birth certificate requirement violates the equal protection rights of foreign-born U.S. citizens, as well as the fundamental right to marry.

"It treats him differently from citizens born in the United States or its territories," the judge said.

The lawmaker who pushed the law through the Legislature in 2015 said in an emailed news release that she is drafting legislation to amend it. She plans to provide for a process that would let foreign-born people who are legally in the U.S. get a waiver from a judge if they can't produce a birth certificate.

Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, said that was always her intent with her original bill, which was meant to deter foreigners from gaining visas and citizenship through sham marriages.

"Unfortunately, sometimes bills don't come out exactly like you expect as they go through the process," Hodges said.

Vo, 32, said he planned to take Pham out to dinner Wednesday night to celebrate the ruling. He joked that he might even make another marriage proposal over dinner.

As soon as Thursday, the couple plans to go back to the clerk's office in their Lafayette hometown to get a marriage license. They may even officially tie the knot over the weekend.

Surprised and relieved, Vo said his victory shows "one person can actually make a change in the world."

Story continues

"I just hope others can look at my situation and fight for their rights, too," he said.

Alvaro Huerta, a Los Angeles-based attorney for the National Immigration Law Center, said the ruling enables the couple to immediately obtain a marriage license.

The judge gave no indication from the bench that his injunction applies only to Vo. His lawyers from the law center and the New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice are waiting to see his written ruling.

"We don't know if it's going to extend to others, but we presume so," Huerta said.

Debbie Hudnall, executive director of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, said her office needs to review a written ruling from the judge before it can provide any guidance to court clerks on compliance.

Vo, who goes by Victor, is a U.S. citizen who has lived in Louisiana since he was three months old. He was born in an Indonesian refugee camp after his parents fled Vietnam, and said neither country will certify his birth.

Vo and Pham spent thousands of dollars and invited 350 guests to their wedding before their application for a marriage license was rejected last year. They tried at three separate parishes, but were denied each time by court clerks.

They went ahead with the ceremony and exchanged wedding bands, but their marriage has lacked legal status.

"The couple, greatly disappointed, proceeded to hold a sacramental marriage in their Catholic Church. This marriage, however, is not legally recognized by Defendants or the State of Louisiana," his court papers say.

Vo's lawsuit says he automatically became a U.S. citizen as a child, when his parents became citizens, and he has official U.S. government documents reflecting his birth, refugee status and legal residency. It says he's working on getting a certificate of citizenship and a U.S. passport, but the state law doesn't recognize either document.

Lawyers for the state and parishes noted before the hearing that Vo's complaint didn't say whether he went to a judge for relief from the law. They asked the judge to apply any remedy to Vo alone.

In court, Neal Elliott, an attorney for the state health department, asserted again that Vo's situation is unique. He also said the department has suggested legislation to address the constitutional issues, but acknowledged that there is no guarantee it would become law.

___

Kunzelman reported from Baton Rouge.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A teacher now accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old female student in Tennessee had been investigated by the school system after another student reported seeing the teacher kiss the girl, a lawyer for the missing girl's family said.

Yet according to attorney Jason Whatley and school records, teacher Tad Cummins was allowed to continue working at Tennessee's Culleoka Unit School for two weeks. Culleoka is a community about 60 miles south of Nashville near the state line with Alabama.

Student Elizabeth Thomas was last seen March 13 and is believed to be with the 50-year-old teacher, authorities said.

In late January another student saw the teacher kissing the girl on the lips, school records provided to the AP from Whatley show.

Despite the report from the other student, Cummins was allowed to continue teaching and nobody in the school system bothered notifying the girl's family about the allegations about the kiss, Whatley added. He said the school system must have not believed the student's report of seeing Cummins kiss the girl on the lips.

"This is my client's daughter and she's been taken, she's been abducted and I can't figure out for the life of me why no one believed this middle school student," Whatley said.

The father, Whatley said, only learned of the kissing allegation a week later after a detective with the Maury County Sheriff's Department went to the home to investigate.

The school system didn't suspend Cummins until Feb. 6, the day that a letter from the father's attorney was hand-delivered to Maury County school officials. The letter to Maury County School Superintendent Christopher Marczak demanded that the father be updated on what school officials had learned and that his daughter not have contact with the teacher.

The girl's father, Anthony Thomas, is outraged that officials delayed telling him about the report and let the teacher continue working in the school, according to the lawyer.

Story continues

"My client's position, respectfully, is that Mr. Cummins should have been out the door until the police investigation was completed," Whatley said.

Maury County School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Marczak did not return a call seeking comment.

School officials did send files to the father after the lawyer sent the letter.

The school's investigative files provided to the father show that both Cummins and the girl denied kissing. The teacher, however, acknowledged that the girl was "a really good friend and she does leave her other classes to come see him when she needs someone to calm her down," according to a school investigative report dated Jan. 30.

The report said the allegation could not be confirmed, but recommended that the girl be taken out of Cummins' forensics class and that he be reprimanded to uphold his professional responsibility as a teacher. The report also recommended that the administration monitor Cummins classroom to make sure students weren't there when they weren't supposed to be.

The teacher would later be reprimanded on Feb. 3 by school principal Penny Love after the girl was seen in Cummins classroom for a little more than half an hour that day. In her letter, Love said the girl being in his classroom was "a violation of my director order to you" of Jan. 31.

The teacher was fired a day after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert about the teen.

TBI officials said they remain concerned about the girl's safety because there has been so few sightings reported. The agency has issued two nationwide alerts to law enforcement, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said.
PARIS (Reuters) - A lawyer for the wife of French presidential candidate Francois Fillon denied media reports that false documents may have been supplied to justify work and payments between the couple that are being investigated by magistrates. Lawyer Pierre Cornut-Gentille issued a statement saying he vehemently denied the reports of new documents being seized by the examining magistrates. "Since Penelope Fillon's past activities on behalf of her husband were real, all the documents pertaining to this work are also unquestionably genuine," he said in the statement. A source close to the Fillon investigation said earlier this week that the inquiry had been widened to include suspicions that false documents had been presented to justify work Fillon says his wife did in return for hundreds of thousands of euros he paid to her from parliamentary funds. (Reporting by Brian Love; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
Saint-Raphael (France) (AFP) - Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has won over voters in many parts of France, and on the southern Riviera coast there is little doubt in many minds that she can become president in May.

The 48-year-old daughter of the National Front's pugnacious founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has surged to the top of the poll ratings since conservative Francois Fillon lost his frontrunner status in a morass of scandals.

"This time it's for real, we're going to win. We've had Brexit, Donald Trump was elected and Francois Fillon has had his scandals... the planets are lining up," said Florent Erard, 27, head of the FN's youth wing in the Var, the region between the cities of Marseille and Nice.

The Var is the FN's heartland -- the party scored nearly 45 percent here in the 2015 regional elections, compared with 28 percent in the rest of the country.

In towns like Saint-Raphael, between the palm trees, yachts and glasses of rose wine, Le Pen is preaching to the converted.

The biggest threat to her taking her anti-immigration and anti-European Union message to the Elysee Palace now appears to be Emmanuel Macron, the 39-year-old former investment banker who is pitching to the centre ground.

Polls that currently show the centrist Macron would beat her in the May 7 runoff vote are hotly disputed by Le Pen's supporters.

"Macron has no chance. The French people know where he comes from -- he's the candidate of the world of finance while Marine is the people's choice," said Jean-Marc Micallef, 55, in his business suit and tie.

He and other supporters gathered last week for a campaign rally in Saint-Raphael, where Le Pen was treated as the president-in-waiting.

The FN's traditional rallying cry of "This is our land" rang out in a hall awash with red, white and blue French flags.

Apart from the hardcore of her supporters, others had come out of curiosity -- many disillusioned by both the rightwing opposition and the Socialist government.

Story continues

- 'Can't be worse' -

"The FN has never governed (nationally), we don't know what it's going to produce. Perhaps it won't be better but it can't be worse than what we've got now," a 45-year-old man who gave his name as Philippe said.

Betty, an energetic 68-year-old red-head, said she used to back conservative former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is still dogged by legal cases five years after leaving office.

"I am disgusted by politics. What else is there, apart from Marine? I'm a Gaul," she said, using the nickname of those who consider themselves to be "native French" rather than descendants of more recent waves of immigration.

Betty was keen to stress that she is no extremist.

"I'm a moderate," she said. "Look around you, there are no skinheads here, just people from all walks of life."

Le Pen has gone to great lengths to eliminate the openly racist and anti-Semitic fringe of her party, although critics point out that her remarks attacking Islam still receive the loudest cheers at her rallies.

"The FN electorate today is far more open than a few years ago," insisted Frederic Boccaletti, the FN's head in the Var.

"There are manual workers, office workers and people who have had trouble in their lives, but there are also professionals and heads of companies."

- 'We just want equality' -

The FN's popularity in the south of France has its roots in the party's beginnings in the early 1970s as a refuge for paramilitaries who opposed Algeria's independence from France, granted a decade earlier.

When they left Algeria, many made their home in southern France.

They found a common cause with apologists for the wartime Vichy regime's collaboration with Nazi Germany and ultra-conservative Catholics.

At the picturesque port of Brusc, Le Pen had come to shake the hands of the market traders, and her pledges to cut taxes she says penalise small businesses received a warm welcome.

Yoan Jenais, a 19-year-old who runs a clothing stall, was delighted to have shaken hands with the candidate.

He said he was Le Pen's kind of voter.

"I didn't have a job so I have just set up my own company," he said. "But with all the taxes we have to pay, we can't keep the money we earn. It goes to the state."

And he was not afraid to speak his mind.

"I'm not racist, but when I see our parents working like dogs only to end up with nothing at the end of the month, while unemployed Arabs are walking around with iPhones... We don't want to be better than other people, we just want equality."
By Toby Melville and William James

LONDON (Reuters) - An assailant stabbed a policeman and was shot by police just outside Britain's parliament building in London on Wednesday in what police described as a "terrorist incident".

Amid confusing scenes, it appeared the incident may have unfolded in several locations, including on the nearby Westminster bridge where eyewitnesses said a car had crashed into pedestrians.

Two people died in the incident, according to Sky News, but the total number of casualties was unclear.

"Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The incident took place on the first anniversary of attacks by Islamist militants that killed 32 people in Brussels.

Reuters reporters inside the parliament building heard loud bangs and shortly afterwards saw two people lying on the ground in a courtyard just outside, within the perimeter of the parliamentary estate.

A Reuters photographer said he saw at least a dozen people injured on Westminster Bridge, next to parliament.

His photographs showed people lying on the ground, some of them bleeding heavily and one apparently under a bus.

"I just saw a car go out of control, and just go into pedestrians on the bridge," a woman who gave her name as Bernadette told Sky News. She was on a tour bus on the bridge at the time.

"As we were going across the bridge, we saw people lying on the floor, they were obviously injured. I saw about 10 people maybe. And then the emergency services started to arrive. Everyone was just running everywhere."

"HORRIBLE TO WATCH"

Some people suffered catastrophic injuries in the incident, British news agency the Press Association reported, citing a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital which is located directly across the River Thames from parliament.

Officials said an assailant had stabbed a policeman and then been shot.

Story continues

Witness reports suggested the assailant and the stabbed policeman were the people seen lying on the ground just outside the parliamentary building by Reuters reporters.

The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.

Prime Minister Theresa May was safe after the incident, a spokesman for her office said. He declined to say where May was when the attack took place.

Journalist Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail newspaper told LBC radio that he had witnessed the stabbing of the policeman and the shooting of the assailant from his office in the parliament building.

"He (the assailant) ran in through the open gates ... He set about one of the policemen with what looked like a stick," Letts said.

"The policeman fell over on the ground and it was quite horrible to watch and then having done that, he disengaged and ran toward the House of Commons entrance used by MPs (members of parliament) and got about 20 yards or so when two plain-clothed guys with guns shot him."

Reuters reporters inside parliament saw a large number of armed police, some carrying shields, pouring into the building.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he had been briefed on events in London but gave no details.

In Edinburgh, the Scottish parliament suspended a planned debate and vote on independence as news of events in London came in.

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

In May 2013, two British Islamists stabbed to death soldier Lee Rigby on a street in southeast London.

In July 2005, four British Islamists killed 52 commuters and themselves in suicide bombings on the British capital's transport system in what was London's worst peacetime attack.

(Additional reporting by Kylie Maclellan, Elizabeth Piper, Costas Pitas, Michael Holden, Kate Holton and London bureau, writing by Estelle Shirbon, editing by Stephen Addison and Mark Trevelyan)
"Lord of the Rings" star Ian McKellen is set to revisit his role as the legendary wizard Gandalf in a string of stage productions in London this summer.

McKellen, who starred as Gandalf in all three of Peter Jackson's film adaptations of the famous novel by J. R. R. Tolkien - consisting of "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King" - will reprise the role as part of an exclusive one-man show title "Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You".

The show, will take place over nine nights at the London's Park Theatre, will see McKellen retread moments from his career spanning five decades, while also discussing his work with other actors and directors and offering audiences the opportunity to ask questions and even participate onstage (via The Hollywood Reporter).

McKellen, who has previously won a Tony award and a Golden Globe in addition to other accolades, has also received almost every major theatrical award in the UK, and is widely regarded as a British cultural icon.

"Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You" will run from July 3-9.
Australia is a one ride share company town. Want to take a trip in someone else's depreciating asset? Uber's almost your only option (sorry, GoCatch).

Americans, of course, have an alternative: Lyft. So when director of strategic partnerships, Insiya Lokhandwala, appeared on the schedule of Brisbane's Myriad startup festival in late March, you had to wonder: Was Australia's moment finally here?

SEE ALSO: Uber wants to wean drivers off Google Maps and onto their new system

Lyft's communication director was noncommittal. "Nothing to share at this time," Sheila Bryson said in an email. "FWIW our execs speak all over."

On the phone Tuesday, Lokhandwala maintained the party line: The company is ruthlessly focused on America, despite rumours to the contrary. "There is still a lot of work we have to do in the U.S," she said. "Our investors are happy for us to continue to focus here."

And fair enough, it does have a lot of work to do: Lokhandwala said Lyft completed more than 162 million rides in the U.S. in 2016, but according to Quartz, Uber booked 78 million in December alone. Lyft is shaping up to be extra aggressive in 2017, quickly meeting its goal of expanding to at least 100 new cities by March.

Still, Lyft's America-focused rhetoric obscures a few key deals. Although Lokhandwala couldn't comment on the fine details, Lyft did enjoy international partnerships with some of the largest local ride hailing companies in Australia's region.

In China, it was linked up with famed Uber slayer Didi Chuxing, which also made a small, undisclosed investment in Lyft in 2015. In India, it partnered with Ola, and in southeast Asia, with Grab. This arrangement integrated the apps, allowing users to find rides whenever they travel in those markets.

Once deemed the "anti-Uber alliance," it's all been a bit quiet of late, and Didi and Grab confirmed to Mashable Wednesday the roaming arrangement had been suspended.

Story continues

So any new international partnerships planned? No comment.

You can chalk up the international strategy so far to Lyft's "attitude of partnerships," Lokhandwala was able to say. "That's kind of how we think about scale, to partner with the best partners in the industry in their own field.

"That was really the incentive for our partnership with Didi and Grab ... to give the users the choice of when they go to those markets, to direct them to those services that are the local best."

Lyft as well as Ola have been approached for comment about the end of the deals.

Lokhandwala does hope to share a vision during her visit to Australia, although for the moment it seems unlikely Lyft will be the one to deliver it in Sydney or Melbourne: A future where transport becomes a service.

When cars become fully-autonomous, Lokhandwala thinks people will access them through a fleet of networked cars, like Lyft. "You're used to opening your app and ordering a Lyft car ... so that's how we think cars will be accessed by users," she said.

Lyft has partnered with General Motors since early 2016 to develop autonomous driving technology.

"That's where we think the true disruption of this comes in," she said. "In the world of autonomous, that's the true disruption. There's no need for cars to be sitting idle. That means less cars, less congestion. It's better for the environment and far more affordable."

But given this is a view of the future shared by everyone from Uber to Steve Wozniak, why will Lyft be the one to win? In Lokhandwala's view, its brand will be the trump card.

"Because it has been such a mission driven company, the brand has evolved very organically into this fun, friendly, reliable brand that people trust," she said. "That's not something you can buy in the market, it's just something organic to Lyft."

In the mean time, with Uber working on building its own maps of Australia's cities  a very valuable piece of the self-driving car future that Google and Tesla are also pursuing  Lyft's vision may be on the back foot locally. If it ever comes at all, that is.

UPDATE: March 22, 2017, 6:05 p.m. AEDT Update added from Didi and Grab.
Paris (AFP) - "Neither of the right, nor the left" in his own words, Emmanuel Macron is a 39-year-old former banker hoping to convince the French to take a chance on youth in this year's election.

He has never been elected and only started his party last April, but polls currently show Macron is the most likely winner of the two-stage election in April and May in what would be a sensational shake-up.

After quitting his job as economy minister under unpopular President Francois Hollande in August, he has concentrated on building up his own centrist political movement called "En Marche" ("On the Move").

The accomplished pianist was initially dismissed as appealing to a narrow group of young, urban left-wingers, but his packed rallies around the country point to a wider base of supporters.

"We can't respond with the same men and the same ideas," Macron said as he launched his presidential bid in November at a jobs training centre in a gritty Parisian suburb.

With levels of frustration high with France's political class, Macron appears to have tapped into a desire for wholesale change which has also propelled far-right, anti-establishment candidate Marine Le Pen.

"I'm here because he's young, he's dynamic. It's like a breath of fresh air," 23-year-old shop worker Marine Gonidou told AFP at a rally in Brittany in January.

At 39, Macron would be the youngest leader of France in modern history, upending tradition that has seen voters tend to favour experience in their powerful presidents.

Although positioned as an outsider, he has followed a well-worn path through the elite French universities including ENA, which serves as a finishing school for top civil servants and future leaders.

After going into banking, where he earned nearly 2.4 million euros ($2.6 million) from 2011-2012 at Rothschild, Macron became an economic advisor to Hollande in 2012 and then economy minister two years later.

Story continues

During his time in government, he is best known for a free-market law that bears his name which liberalised the bus sector, allowed large shops to open at weekends and offered investment incentives to farmers.

The legislation was strongly contested by France's powerful trade unions and had to be rammed through parliament using executive powers, but it helped cement his image as an economic reformer.

"I want us to be able to start a business more easily, to innovate more easily" is one of his mantras, repeated at rallies and explained in his pre-election book "Revolution".

As well as wanting to improve the business environment, he stresses the need to improve education in deprived areas and has spoken out against France's strict rules on secularism being used to stigmatise Muslims.

His understanding of tech firms and the "Uber-isation" of the economy, in which people increasingly work as independents rather than as employees, has helped burnish his image as a moderniser.

- Childhood romance -

In his personal life, Macron is anything but orthodox.

The literature and drama lover from a middle-class family in northeast France fell in love with his secondary school teacher, Brigitte Trogneux, in a story that has captivated the French media.

Trogneux, a mother of three children more than 20 years his senior, went on to divorce her husband and marry the young prodigy in 2007.

"At the age of 17, Emmanuel said to me: 'Whatever you do, I will marry you!'," Trogneux told Paris Match magazine last April.

Some have found the relationship difficult to believe despite their numerous appearances on the front of the Paris Match society magazine, forcing Macron to repeatedly laugh off rumours he is gay.

He has a masters in philosophy and once worked as an assistant to renowned French philosopher Paul Ricoeur, helping him to publish his last book before his death.

While at ease among ordinary voters, Macron tends to talk frankly and can sound condescending, whether referring to "illiterate" abattoir workers, "alcoholic" laid-off workers or the "poor people" who travel on buses.

In an infamous exchange, when confronted by a protester in a T-shirt in May last year, he lost his cool, saying: "The best way to buy yourself a suit is to work."
Known for its stunning fjords, cozy ice hotels, and Viking history, Norway edged out Denmark as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Index.

Northern Europe dominated the top-ranked countries, with Norway being followed by Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, and Finland.

The index is a global scientific study that has been conducted since 2012, and this edition looked at polling data collected from 2014 to 2016. While the polling has only been taking place since 2012, the researchers looked at data going back further in time to have a better sense of changing attitudes.

Economic researchers used six factors to determine a country's happiness ranking: GDP per capita, healthy years of life expectancy, a sense of having social support through family or friends, trust in government, a feeling of general personal freedom, and generosity as measured by recent donations to charity.

The United States dropped in its ranking, falling behind Israel and sinking to number 14 on the list. This dip took place despite average incomes and healthy life expectancy having increased in the U.S. in the past ten years. The authors attributed the dip to a decrease of social and personal freedoms as well as an increase in perceived corruption.

It's the human things that matter. If the riches make it harder to have frequent and trustworthy relationship between people, is it worth it? John Helliwell, the lead author of the report and an economist at the University of British Columbia in Canada, told the Associated Press. The material can stand in the way of the human.

Poverty as well as corruption contributed greatly to the low happiness of some of the countries that ranked at the bottom of the list. The Central African Republic came in last, and Burundi second to last.

The chapter defines misery as being below a cutoff value for life satisfaction, and shows by how much the fraction of the population in misery would be reduced if it were possible to eliminate poverty, reads an excerpt from a chapter on the key factors determining happiness and unhappiness.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned. The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse. Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP. Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign. Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russian interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manafort's ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

Story continues

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russia's political interests."

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests. U.S. diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as "among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad." In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008  at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer AP's questions.

When asked Wednesday about Manafort's work for Deripaska, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "we do not feel it's appropriate to comment on someone who is not an employee at the White House."

Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putin's interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manafort's work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manafort's work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the U.S. intelligence investigation of Trump's associates and Russia, according to a U.S. official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential. Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manafort's activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No U.S. criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

FBI Director James Comey, in confirming to Congress the federal intelligence investigation this week, declined to say whether Manafort was a target. Manafort's name was mentioned 28 times during the hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, mostly about his work in Ukraine. No one mentioned Deripaska.

On Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer had singled out Manafort when asked about possible campaign contacts with Russia. He said Manafort "played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time" in the campaign, even though as Trump's presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Manafort and his associates remain in Trump's orbit. Manafort told a colleague this year that he continues to speak with Trump by telephone. Manafort's former business partner in eastern Europe, Rick Gates, has been seen inside the White House on a number of occasions. Gates has since helped plan Trump's inauguration and now runs a nonprofit organization, America First Policies, to back the White House agenda.

Gates, whose name does not appear in the documents, told the AP that he joined Manafort's firm in 2006 and was aware Manafort had a relationship with Deripaska, but he was not aware of the work described in the memos. Gates said his work was focused on domestic U.S. lobbying and political consulting in Ukraine at the time. He said he stopped working for Manafort's firm in March 2016 when he joined Trump's presidential campaign.

Manafort told Deripaska in 2005 that he was pushing policies as part of his work in Ukraine "at the highest levels of the U.S. government  the White House, Capitol Hill and the State Department," according to the documents. He also said he had hired a "leading international law firm with close ties to President Bush to support our client's interests," but he did not identify the firm. Manafort also said he was employing unidentified legal experts for the effort at leading universities and think tanks, including Duke University, New York University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Manafort did not disclose details about the lobbying work to the Justice Department during the period the contract was in place.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the U.S. on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.

Deripaska owns Basic Element Co., which employs 200,000 people worldwide in the agriculture, aviation, construction, energy, financial services, insurance and manufacturing industries, and he runs one of the world's largest aluminum companies. Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.2 billion. How much Deripaska paid Manafort in total is not clear, but people familiar with the relationship said money transfers to Manafort amounted to tens of millions of dollars and continued through at least 2009. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secret payments publicly.

In strategy memos, Manafort proposed that Deripaska and Putin would benefit from lobbying Western governments, especially the U.S., to allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine. He proposed building "long term relationships" with Western journalists and a variety of measures to improve recruitment, communications and financial planning by pro-Russian parties in the region.

Manafort proposed extending his existing work in eastern Europe to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, where he pledged to bolster the legitimacy of governments friendly to Putin and undercut anti-Russian figures through political campaigns, nonprofit front groups and media operations.

For the $10 million contract, Manafort did not use his public-facing consulting firm, Davis Manafort. Instead, he used a company, LOAV Ltd., that he had registered in Delaware in 1992. He listed LOAV as having the same address of his lobbying and consulting firms in Alexandria, Virginia. In other records, LOAV's address was listed as Manafort's home, also in Alexandria. Manafort sold the home in July 2015 for $1.4 million. He now owns an apartment in Trump Tower in New York, as well as other properties in Florida and New York.

One strategy memo to Deripaska was written by Manafort and Rick Davis, his business partner at the time. In written responses to the AP, Davis said he did not know that his firm had proposed a plan to covertly promote the interests of the Russian government.

Davis said he believes Manafort used his name without his permission on the strategy memo. "My name was on every piece of stationery used by the company and in every memo prior to 2006. It does not mean I had anything to do with the memo described," Davis said. He took a leave of absence from the firm in late 2006 to work on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Manafort's work with Deripaska continued for years, though they had a falling out laid bare in 2014 in a Cayman Islands bankruptcy court. The billionaire gave Manafort nearly $19 million to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable, according to legal filings by Deripaska's representatives. It said that after taking the money, Manafort and his associates stopped responding to Deripaska's queries about how the funds had been used.

Early in the 2016 presidential campaign, Deripaska's representatives openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him. After Trump earned the nomination, Deripaska's representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.

___

Associated Press writers Jack Gillum, Eric Tucker, Julie Pace, Ted Bridis, Stephen Braun and Julie Bykowicz contributed to this report in Washington; Nataliya Vasilyeva contributed from Moscow and Kiev, Ukraine; and Jake Pearson contributed from New York.

___

Submit reporting tips to The Associated Press: https://www.ap.org/tips
The UK just announced that it will be banning large electronic devices from the passenger cabins of flights originating in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tunisia. Over the next 12 months the restriction is set to affect 15,432 departures on 53 routes operated by 15 airlines, according to OAG schedule data compiled by PlaneStats.com.

Unlike, the similar US ban announced today, the measure ends up affecting both foreign and domestic-UK carriers including British Airways, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, and Saudia.

The USs restriction covers a different, but overlapping list of locales: flights from the airports of Cairo, Kuwait City, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Casablanca, Jeddah, Amman, Riyadh and Istanbul.

That amounts to 19,619 scheduled flights, on 56 routes with capacity to carry up to 6.75 million passengers over the next 12 months, and represents 2.25% of all international arrivals to the US, and 4.45% of all inbound-US capacity.

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Brussels (AFP) - In a bid to help Molenbeek shed an image as a hotbed of Islamist extremism, schoolchildren led a march to central Brussels wearing T-shirts stamped with "jihad for love."

They were followed by Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders to show solidarity with the broader Belgian society as it mourns the 32 people killed in the suicide bombings in Brussels exactly a year ago.

"This shows a positive face of Molenbeek," Fatima Zibouh, one of the march organisers, told AFP after the group reached Place de la Bourse, which has become the focal point of national mourning.

Culminating in a crowd of several hundred people from all religions, they mingled with relatives of the dead as well as those wounded in the attacks who also spread a message of peace and love.

"What we wanted to do above all is to provide space for citizens to express their solidarity and pay tribute to the victims of the attacks," she added.

The march, she said, was also a way to "turn the page" and allow Molenbeek's citizens to return to ordinary lives after all the negative media and political attention it received after the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks and the March 22, 2016 Brussels bombings.

Many of the attackers hailed from Molenbeek, a large Muslim community that suffers high crime rates.

Molenbeek has long been linked to radicalism, a fact highlighted in media coverage. But it is a community of around 95,000 people from nearly 100 nationalities that lies just a few metro stops from the gleaming headquarters of the European Union.

In 2001, it was in Molenbeek that the assassins of Afghanistan's anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud had stayed.

It was also home to one of the 2004 Madrid train bombers and the main suspect in the 2014 Jewish Museum attack in Brussels, while the perpetrator of a foiled attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train in 2015 stayed in Molenbeek with his sister before boarding in Brussels.

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-'Children are our future' -

Pharred, a Molenbeek shop owner who watched the march gather, hoped for a future where extremism on all sides gives way to a moderate centrism and said the solidarity march would help a little.

"The children are our future," the Belgian-born man of Moroccan origin said.

However, he added, that the divide between Belgium's Muslims and non-Muslims "had worsened" since the attacks because of negative media coverage, expressions of support for armed jihadists and provocative statements about Islam from politicians.

Mustafa, a retired school teacher, said it is now more difficult than ever for people with Muslim names to find jobs and expressed fears a growing extreme right could drive immigrants like him away from Europe.

"We the parents are especially afraid for the future of our children," he told AFP as he marched behind the school children clutching a white rose.

He carried a sign saying "against terror, xenophobia and stigmatisation in order to live together in solidarity."

Mustafa said a dream came true when he moved to Belgium in 1979 from his native Tangiers under the cloud of a Moroccan police state, becoming a citizen of a democratic country that respects the rights of all.

He said he was optimistic his dream would survive the current crisis.

As if to reinforce the point, worshippers from Attadamoun mosque in Molenbeek carried a banner: "Hand in hand to live together in peace."

Mohamed el Bachiri, a Belgian-Moroccan from Molenbeek who lost his wife Loubna Lafquiri in the metro attack, broadcast a message of "jihad of love" over a screen set up at Place de la Bourse.

The message "should be the response to those who seek to divide us and spread violence and terrorism."

Stefaan Plysier, a Dutch-speaking Belgian, said his message and the rally itself were an important starting point in a discussion to dispel the image of Islam and violence.

"We can find some universal values," he said.
Washington (AFP) - The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to crush the jihadists Wednesday at a meeting overshadowed by an attack in London and civilian deaths in Syria.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed his counterparts from the mainly Western and Arab 68-nation alliance to Washington with a promise to hunt down IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

But he also warned the coalition is "not in the business of nation-building or reconstruction," amid concerns President Donald Trump is preparing to slash the US foreign aid budget.

Meanwhile, even as the ministers gathered at the State Department, news was breaking of the latest coalition air strike to have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in northern Syria.

Then, as the delegates talked, reports came in from London about an attack on pedestrians and police outside the British parliament. Four people were killed and 40 injured in the assault that police attributed to "Islamist-related terrorism."

Tillerson met with Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson after the coalition summit, but a joint press appearance was cancelled at the last minute.

In a statement released after the meeting, the 68 partners underlined their "determination to intensify and accelerate... efforts to eliminate ISIS" in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

They hailed progress by US-backed local forces against the group's main strongholds in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian capital of its so-called "caliphate," Raqa.

And, as they predicted victory on the battlefield, they vowed to prevent the group's fleeing fighters from spreading instability or from setting up a propaganda base in cyber space.

- 'Increase pressure' on IS -

Tillerson said the US and its allies would help clear mines and establish stability in the aftermath of the fighting, but warned Iraq must lead its own reconstruction.

The strategy he outlined did not differ much from that in place under the previous US administration of president Barack Obama, but he did suggest a new plan for regional truces in Syria.

Story continues

He admitted that "a more defined course of action in Syria is still coming together."

But he added: "The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability through ceasefires to allow refugees to go home."

Under Trump, the United States is seeking to ban refugees from Syria, which would increase pressure on Syria's neighbors, already all but overwhelmed by millions fleeing the carnage.

Some in Washington want "safe zones" to be set up to house those fleeing both the war against the IS group and the bloodier civil conflict between rebels and Bashar al-Assad's regime.

But little detail has emerged as to how these might work.

On the battlefield, things are clearer, for now.

As US-led special forces and planes, Iraqi forces and Syrian militia groups close in Mosul and Raqa, the talk is of tracking down the Islamic State's mysterious leader.

"Nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson told delegates.

"It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate," he vowed.

- 'Global force of evil' -

This month, a US defense official told reporters that Baghdadi had fled Mosul -- which has been encircled by Iraqi forces -- and is cut off from day-to-day command of his fighters.

"The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasize the word commitment," Tillerson said.

Trump has ordered his generals to craft an accelerated strategy to "eradicate" the IS group, and the allies hoped to learn more during the closed-door discussions and follow-up talks.

But Trump's plan to slash more than a quarter from the US budgets for diplomacy and foreign aid has raised eyebrows, suggesting fewer resources for post-conflict stabilization.

The allies are also impatient for Washington to decide on which force will be used to take Raqa.

US forces have been training and supporting a group called the Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia alliance dominated by the Kurdish YPG that has proved effective north of the city.

But key US ally Turkey regards the YPG as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which it dubs "terrorist," and wants to use a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel force instead.

Diplomatic wrangling over which unit will take the lead has held up the offensive, despite US reinforcements heading to the area to provide special forces and artillery support.

"I know it's a difficult choice. The Americans are asking their allies for more time," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after the meeting.

"I hope the answer won't take too long. It's urgent," he added.

- 'Obliterate' -

Shortly after taking office in late January, Trump gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress in the anti-IS fight and develop a comprehensive plan to "totally obliterate" the group.

So far, he has largely stuck with the previous strategy of using US-led forces for surveillance and strikes on jihadist targets, while training and equipping local ground combat forces.

But Trump has made some tweaks, including granting commanders broader authority to make battlefield decisions.

Military officers had complained of micromanagement under Obama, but critics worry the military may now risk actions with a greater likelihood of civilian deaths.

On Wednesday, a suspected coalition air raid hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families between Raqa and Tabqa, an IS-controlled town further west.

Some 33 civilians are feared dead, and the Pentagon promised to investigate whether US-led forces were at fault.
By Joseph Ax

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The former top administrator of Allentown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal fraud charges, becoming the seventh person convicted in a long-running FBI pay-to-play investigation that includes Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

Francis Dougherty, the eastern Pennsylvania city's former managing director, appeared in U.S. District Court in Allentown and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, according to court filings.

As part of his plea deal, Dougherty admitted to conspiring with Pawlowski, a Democrat, to steer a $3 million street lighting contract to a company whose executives had contributed thousands of dollars to the mayor's political action committee.

Pawlowski, who has not been charged, is not named in court papers, but he matches the description of "Public Official #3" with whom Dougherty allegedly conspired.

In court documents, U.S. prosecutors have described that person as an elected official in Allentown with authority over city contracts and senior officials like Dougherty.

The unidentified official also announced runs for statewide office and federal office on Sept. 8, 2013, and April 17, 2015, respectively, according to court papers. Pawlowski's campaign announcements for governor and U.S. Senate were made on those dates.

The six other people who previously pleaded guilty, including several city officials, also implicated Pawlowski. According to court records, the defendants described Pawlowski's efforts to direct city contracts to companies that had given him campaign funds.

The mayor's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

In January, Pawlowski announced his bid for a fourth consecutive four-year term despite the continuing investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Dougherty resigned as managing director, an unelected position, during the investigation.

Allentown is Pennsylvania's third-most populous city with approximately 120,000 residents.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A Tennessee teen, who has been missing for more than a week, had an inkling something bad was going to happen when she left the house last Monday, further complicating a case that has yet to produce credible leads. Elizabeth Thomas, 15, said she was leaving the house March 13, but that if she wasnt home by 6 p.m., someone should call the police, her brother told HLN news.

She didnt think she was going to be gone that long, I guess, because she did expect to be home by dinner that night, James Thomas told HLN Tuesday.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said they believed Elizabeth Thomas was kidnapped by Tad Cummins, a 50-year-old teacher at her school in Maury County. Cummins was fired from his job at Culleoka Unit School after a student reported seeing him kiss Thomas in a classroom.

Cummins was spotted on surveillance footage at a gas station, after which he picked up Thomas at a local restaurant, police said.

An amber alert was issued for Thomas the same day she disappeared, and police have been actively searching for the teenager ever since.

Our efforts to locate her  and the man believed to have kidnapped her  remain active and ongoing, but to this point have produced no credible sightings or actionable information about their whereabouts, TBI said in a statement Monday. The individuals could be anywhere, and the TBI continues to urge national vigilance in the ongoing effort to locate the missing girl and apprehend her alleged abductor.

Tad, this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this...your family wants their poppy back. Please do the right thing, turn yourself into police and bring yourself home, Cummins wife, Jill, pleaded Friday. I had no idea my husband was involved with anything that could have led to this. Please do the right thing and turn yourself into the police and bring Beth home.

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The TBI said they believe Cummins, who is armed with two handguns, likely took Thomas and fled to Decatur, Alabama, and might be hiding somewhere extremely remote or completely hidden.

The organization has received more than 450 leads. They have urged the public to be on the lookout for a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee license tag 976-ZPT. Any information should be reported to 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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Russia has launched land, air and sea drills in annexed Crimea Monday, in a coordinated training exercise, which involve thousands of troops, making it the first time in Russia's history to have launched three large airborne units simultaneously, officials said Tuesday. The Russian military has launched the exercise at the Opuk training range, in Crimea, Sputnik International reported.

The drills involved over 2,500 airborne personnel and about 600 units of military hardware, Airborne Forces commander Col. Gen. Andrei Serdyukov said. As a part of Airborne Forces' large-scale drills in Crimea, about 300 paratroopers from Russia's Novorossiysk air assault division, landed onto it from Black Sea Fleet warships, according to Sputnik International.

Read: Know All About Crimea, The Territory Russia Annexed From Ukraine

Despite objections from Western countries over Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory, Crimea, which is seen as a blatant breach of international law, Moscow continues to hold its military drills in the peninsula.

"For the first time in the history of the Russian Army within the framework of Airborne Forces exercises, three of our divisions were simultaneously alerted and partially deployed in Crimea with authorized weapons and materiel," Serdyukov said. He pointed out that the primary reason behind such a massive drill in Crimea is the increasing terrorist threat. He said that airborne units would also practice "resolving crisis situation in different parts of the world, Sputnik International reported.

Meannwhile, NATO has expressed its concerns over it not being informed of the exercise and also call it illegal. NATO spokesman, Oana Lungescu, said: "Any Russian military exercises in occupied Crimea are illegal under international law as they do not have the consent of the Ukrainian government," according to the Independent.

Crimea was annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014. Before Russia annexed it, Crimea acted as a semiautonomous territory of Ukraine with its own parliament. When 97 percent of Crimean residents expressed their wish to join Russia in referendum vote polling in 2014, President Vladimir Putin said the substantial figure showed Crimea was an inalienable" portion of Russia.

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Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - At least four suicide blasts rocked a camp for migrants fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in restive northeastern Nigeria on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding 20, officials said.

The bombings triggered fires which burned down tents in the vast Muna camp on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri, camp coordinator Tijjani Lumani told AFP.

"There were four explosions inside the camp. The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am," he said.

Emergency services put the number of bombings at five.

"A total of five suicide bombers, all male adults, were involved in the incidents, killing three persons," Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the region told AFP.

He said 20 people were wounded and taken to hospital.

The police said four people were killed while eight were injured.

Muna camp is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Islamist group has continued to target internally displaced people and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near the Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.

- 'Vulnerable' camp -

"The camp is vulnerable and this worries every one of us in the camp which is the last settlement on the outskirts of the city from the north," said Lumani.

"We are the first settlement one reaches on entering the city. And the fact that several suicide attacks have occurred near the camp in recent months adds to our unease," he added.

"We are vulnerable to Boko Haram. They can strike in the camp at anytime. All the suicide bombers who attacked the Muna garage just across the road from the camp and surrounding areas came in through the city gate only hundreds of metres from the camp."

Story continues

Wednesday's blasts were the latest blamed on suicide bombers, who continue to pose a threat to civilians despite military claims of success against Boko Haram.

Four people were killed on Saturday when suicide bombers blew themselves up in a village near the city.

The Borno state capital of Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group that has killed over 20,000 people and forced 2.6 million from their homes since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009.

The violence has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region, which has also been hit by the conflict.

Nigerian troops, with the help of regional forces from Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as Benin, have since early 2015 managed to claw back most of the territory lost to Boko Haram in 2014.

Boko Haram's elusive leader Abubakar Shekau made his first appearance in months earlier this month, claiming responsibility for a spate of suicide bombings.
By Wa Lone and Yimou Lee YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's government praised China on Wednesday for suspending a Chinese bank account used by ethnic rebels fighting Myanmar troops, in a move to prevent potential damage to diplomatic ties. Reuters has revealed that an ethnic rebel armed group fighting Myanmar forces near the Chinese border had been openly soliciting funds via China's giant state-owned lender Agricultural Bank Of China (AgBank). Myanmar's peace process - started under the previous semi-civilian administration - has lost momentum after Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in 2016, with some of the militias accusing her of a one-sided approach and refusing to join a major peace conference. Relations with China have been strained by the ethnic conflicts spilling over the border, and some observers say Beijing uses ethnically Chinese insurgent groups as a means of leverage over Myanmar. The decision to suspend AgBank was welcomed by Suu Kyi's government. "We appreciated this action. Stability and peace in border area is common interest for both sides," Myanmar's presidential spokesman, Zaw Htay, told Reuters. "(It was a) very positive move from China." Zaw Htay shared the Reuters story on his widely-followed Facebook page and Twitter accounts, tagging key negotiators in Myanmar's peace process. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was not aware of the specifics about the decision on AgBank. "We consistently persevere in not interfering in other countries internal affairs and respect the entirety of Myanmar's sovereign rights and territory. We will not allow any group or individual to use China's territory to undermine China-Myanmar relations and the border regions' stability," she said. "For any illegal activity, we will deal with it according to law." Over nearly two years, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) raised more than $500,000, deposited directly in an AgBank account or sent it via two mobile payment services - Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay and Alipay, part of Ant Financial, which is affiliated with U.S.-listed Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The account was suspended over the weekend, shortly after Reuters had sent AgBank a list of questions regarding the transactions, which compliance experts said could point to a weakness in controls aimed at stopping the global financial system being used to fund terrorism or facilitate crime. There is no evidence that Agbank, or other financial entities that handled transactions for the MNDAA, have broken Chinese law. Earlier this month, insurgents from the predominantly ethnic Chinese MNDAA attacked government troops in northeastern Myanmar. Some 20,000 people fled across the border to China to escape the fighting, prompting Beijing to call for a ceasefire. In a rare move, Myanmar army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing disclosed on his official Facebook page that he had summoned the Chinese ambassador and defence attache on Tuesday to discuss the conflict, and how to cooperate to bring about peace and stability. (Additional reporting by Christian Shepherd in Beijing; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
President Donald Trump's slogan for his campaign and his presidency has been Make America Great Again, a phrase harkening back to some bygone era of U.S. history, but exactly which era Trump meant was unclear.

Since Trump was also running on the promise of job growth and a better economy, however, it was probably safe to assume he wasnt yearning for a time when unions organized strikes in the early 20th century. But since Trumps inauguration, workers have participated in two nationwide strikes  the Day Without Immigrants and the Womens Strike. Yemeni bodega workers in New York City went on strike for a day in February to protest Trumps travel ban.

Read: Equal Pay For Equal Work: Women In Red Protest Trump In NYC

Now food industry unions and service workers were organizing another strike on May 1. In fact, almost 350,000 workers are planning to strike, reported BuzzFeed News last week, on a day that has historically coincided with labor activism.

We understand that theres risk involved in (striking), but were willing to take that risk in order to be able to move forward in this moment, while the most marginalized are in the crosshairs of this administration, said David Huerta, president of western chapter of the Service Employees International Union.

Read: Will Trump Kill Unions? President Pressured To Cut Back Organized Labor-Friendly Decisions From Obama Era

With the resurgence of a classic union tactic, the question now: Do strikes actually work?

Theres no blanket answer to that question. It depends on which strike, the goals of the strikers and outside factors too, like the political sentiment elsewhere.

In 1919, steel workers represented by the American Federation of Labor declared a strike against the United States Steel Corporation, and eventually the strikers numbered an estimated 350,000. Workers protested their pitiful wages and long working hours, and they demanded a fix to these problems as well as union recognition. But company leaders depicted the strikers as Communists  considered dangerous radicals during this time  and the strike failed.

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There have been several successful strikes in the U.S., though. For instance, in 1970, postal workers went on strike to challenge low wages, long hours and unsatisfactory benefits. About 210,000 postal workers went on strike, which began in New York and spread with gusto across the country. Before two weeks were up, the strike ended with a pay raise for the postal workers.

But when it comes to pressuring Trump to rescind his immigration policy decisions, thats a tall order. However, strikes might have backdoor ways to influence the White House or Washington, D.C., in general. For example, strikes and grassroots activism may instead pressure legislators to reject Trumps political stances. And finally, organizers of recent strikes have hoped to change other peoples perceptions of immigration and labor issues, which would be no small feat.

Strike

Photo: Reuters

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Photo credit: Getty

From Esquire

WASHINGTON-Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, had had it up to his eyeballs. He had sat in the Senate Judiciary Committee and listened to Neil Gorsuch, a nominee for the Supreme Court, fielding juvenile questions from his Republican colleagues, most of which centered on pieces of pet legislation-Lindsey Graham's bogus "fetal pain" bill, John Cornyn's worries about religion in the public square-and the essential question of, "Tell us why you're an awesome judge."

(That started on Monday, by the way, when Nebraska's Ben Sasse presented what amounted to a middle-school civics project by way of introducing himself to the nominee.)

Whitehouse also had sat through Gorsuch's folksy-is-as-folksy-does flummery about how a nun had paddled him into being able to read, how ol' Whizzer White had skated through his hearing in 90 minutes, fueled only by unfiltered Camels, and how Gorsuch had "taken a little jog" down to the Lincoln Memorial before meeting the committee in order to Think Big Thoughts. (He got a bit flummoxed between the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural.) He also had sat through Gorsuch's endless pieties about how he was as apolitical as the morning dew, and that was about where Sheldon Whitehouse had stood all he could and he couldn't stand no more.

He was done with the preposterous notion that the political act of nominating judges should contain no politics. And he had a precise example to share.

There's been a lot of talk about how this is outside of politics and how we're above politics but there is a group planning to spend $10 million in which their own press release describes as a comprehensive campaign of paid advertising, earned media, research, grassroots activity, and a coalition enterprise all adding up to the most robust operation in the history of confirmation battles.

Gorsuch, of course, for all his academic achievements and professional accomplishments, is also a product of the conservative movement and the hundreds of luxurious ideological terrariums from which they produce congresscritters, professional pundits and, yes, federal judges. (His ties to longtime wingnut sugar daddy Philip Anschutz are a matter of public record.) And there is a sophisticated and purely political campaign currently underway outside the rarefied air of a Senate committee room. (The sidewalks outside of the Hart Building were thick on Tuesday morning with fresh-faced young people waving very well-produced signs.)

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Whitehouse had him there and, through his questioning, managed to make Gorsuch look ridiculous on the matter of money in politics. Whitehouse kept hammering at Gorsuch about whether Gorsuch thought the anonymous benefactors who are shoveling dark money into his confirmation fight should be identified. Gorsuch kept trying to throw it back on Congress. If Congress wanted this kind of transparency, he argued, it should pass a law requiring it.

(Here is where we pause to note that this argument in relationship to the Citizens United decision is fundamentally moot. As written, Citizens United pretty much preemptively ruled any attempt to limit campaign money to be an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. It also was used almost immediately to demolish state laws on campaign finance. The only real solution to Citizens United in a constitutional amendment to overturn it, but Gorsuch knows that's an almost impossible standard to meet.)

Photo credit: Getty

Whitehouse was having none of it. He pointed out that many of the same people funding the political operation in support of Gorsuch's nomination also were behind a $7 million drive to deny Merrick Garland even a hearing when he was nominated by former president Barack Obama. Whitehouse said:

What's interesting is that this group sees a difference between him [Garland] and you that I don't understandnow we have $10 million going the other way. That's a $17 million delta and for the life of me, I'm trying to figure out what they see in you that makes that $17 million worth the spending. Do you have any answer to that?

Gorsuch suggested that, if Whitehouse wanted to know who they were, he should ask them.

"I can't," Whitehouse said. "I don't know who they are. It's just a front group."

"I don't know who they are. It's just a front group."

For the first time all day, Gorsuch's aw-shucks, lemme-tell-you-about-Oxford demeanor cracked just a little. Whitehouse was calling into question the legitimacy of his nomination because it was produced by a political system the legitimacy of which has been undermined by a flood of uncontrolled anonymous money that was loosed by a series of decisions from the Court that Gorsuch has been nominated to join. This is a genuinely interesting area for exploration that Gorsuch had no intention of entering without a helmet and pads.

Senator, I have no information about anything you just described. I don't know about that.

This is not remotely believable. As Senator Al Franken pointed out later, when he read from e-mails dating back to Gorsuch's days as a high-level Republican lawyer, specifically about his work for the 2004 Bush re-election campaign, Gorsuch has been a political being for his entire adult life and, at the same time, he hasn't spent a second in elected office, so his politics were formed and were exercised almost entirely through the conservative Republican institutional infrastructure.

(Hell, when he was a kid, he was a Senate page. He's been in politics as long as Orrin Hatch.)

He knows what dark money is. He knows where it comes from. He knows the use to which it is put. And he knows what is expected of him when he is confirmed. (Which is not to say we know what he'll do when he's got the robe, although I know pretty well which way to bet.) For the country, it comes down to how much disbelief you're willing to suspend to judge what is produced by this ridiculous shadow play of a process.

Photo credit: Getty

Late in the afternoon, while discussing a fairly famous dissenting opinion Gorsuch had written in the case of Trans-Am v. Administration Review Board, United States Department of Labor, Franken had invoked something called the absurdity rule.

In the case, a truck driver named Alphonse Maddin discovered on the highway that the brakes on his trailer had frozen. He pulled off the side of the road and called for help, which never came. The heater in his cab failed, and Maddin soon began exhibiting the symptoms of hypothermia. His bosses told him to wait with his crippled trailer which, even if Maddin were capable of driving safely, which he wasn't, would have been a hazard to his fellow motorists because the frozen brakes on the trailer would have held his speed down to 15 miles per hour. The company fired Maddin. He sued, and won, but Gorsuch dissented.

Gorsuch knows what is expected of him when he is confirmed.

His dissent was based on the fact that Maddin had driven the vehicle. The driver had sued on the basis of an OSHA regulation that forbade the firing of anyone for refusing to operate an unsafe vehicle. Maddin had in fact "operated" the vehicle so, according to Gorsuch, his firing was justified because of the plain reading of the regulation. Franken asked him whether or not that "plain reading" violated the absurdity rule, an ancient concept that seeks to prevent the literal reading of the law from producing ludicrous results.

It is absurd to say that this company was within its rights to fire him because he made a choice not to-of possibly dying by freezing to death or causing other people to die because he was driving an unsafe vehicle. That's absurd. Now I had a career in identifying absurdity, and I know it when I see it.

So, I suspect, do we all.

Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page.

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Netflix is ready to open up a new world of death and destruction.

The streaming service has debuted the first teaser trailer for Death Note, a creepy horror flick from The Guest and Blair Witch director Adam Wingard.

Based on the Japanese manga series, Death Note follows a young man (Nat Wolff) who comes across a book that allows him to kill anyone in the world, simply by writing their name in the pages.

He decides to use this power to unleash his own brand of vigilante justice, but as the bodies pile up, his actions attract the attention of an mysterious detective known only as L (Lakeith Stanfield).

Death Note hits Netflix August 25.
New revelations reported Wednesday further intensify the spotlight on Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign chair and a longtime friend, who allegedly worked for years to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine and elsewhere.

An Associated Press report says Manafort forged closer ties to the Kremlin and the formerly pro-Russian government in Ukraine than he had previously disclosed, casting another cloud over the White House just two days after the FBI confirmed it is investigating the campaign for possible coordination with Russia.

According to AP, Manafort signed a $10 million-per-year contract with Oleg Deripaska, an oligarch and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to advance Russian interests and undermine anti-Russia opposition movements in former Soviet countries. Manafort and Deripaska, a billionaire aluminum magnate, kept a business relationship through at least 2009, the AP reported.

That report follows allegations reported by New York Times Monday that Manafort tried to mask hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from Ukraines former ruling pro-Russia party. Sergii Leshchenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament released a six-page document that he says is a 2009 invoice of $750,000 for computer parts bearing what appears to be Manaforts signature. Manafort worked as a political consultant for former pro-Russia Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in 2009.

The revelations, if true, would belie repeated claims by Manafort and the Trump administration that he had no ties to the Russian or former pro-Russia Ukrainian government. The disclosure comes hot on the heels of a House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday in which FBI Director James Comey said the bureau began investigating possible ties between Trumps campaign and Russia in July, 2016.

Jason Maloni, a spokesman for Manafort, denied the allegations about the invoice as baseless. Manafort previously claimed Leshchenko tried to blackmail him with compromising information. Leshchenko reportedly tried to contact him, including through his daughters hacked iPhone, with bulletproof evidence of Manaforts financial ties with Yanukovych and a 2012 meeting between Trump and Serhiy Tulub, a Yanukovych ally. Leshchenko denied the allegations as obviously fake.

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In August, 2016, Ukrainian authorities opened an investigation on Manafort over his secret business dealings with the countrys former pro-Russia ruling party. Manafort reportedly received $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments from Yanukovichs political party between 2007 and 2012, according to ledgers the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau obtained. Though Manafort vehemently denied receiving cash payments from the governments of Ukraine or Russia, Manafort left the campaign shortly after the news broke, though he continues to be in contact with the president.

Manafort was an early architect of Trumps presidential campaign, and helped the insurgent presidential candidate outmaneuver the Never Trump movement during the Republican presidential primaries.

The Trump administration denied Trump knew of all of Manaforts business dealings in Ukraine and Russia and downplayed his role in the campaign. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Spicer said Manafort played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time in Trumps campaign, though White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon led the Trump campaign for 83 days, compared to Manaforts 144 days. Other former campaign officials, including top fundraising strategists, challenged Spicers claims.

Spicer tried to clarify his remarks at a White House press briefing Wednesday, but appeared to sow more confusion. When asked if Trump would have hired Manafort if the president knew of his Kremlin ties, Spicer said: I dont know.

When asked if Manafort altered Trumps foreign policy platform to favor Russia, Spicer said: Not that Im aware ofTheres nothing that suggested that was the case.

Manafort, a Republican lobbyist and political consultant with decades of experience, built a powerful lobbying practice that represented controversial world leaders including Mobutu Sese Seko, former dictator of the Democratic Republic of Congo infamous for crushing dissent with a brutal secret police force; former Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose regime was widely criticized for widespread corruption and brutality; and former Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi.

Manafort reportedly doesnt maintain ties with Deripaska anymore. The two had a falling out after Deripaska reportedly gave Manafort $19 million to build a Ukrainian cable company, but seems not to have done so. The dispute came to light after the two duked it out in a bankruptcy court in the Cayman Islands. AP reported Deripaskas representatives stopped discussing the case after Trump became the Republican presidential nominee.

Update, 2:48 p.m.: This article was updated to include remarks from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicers press briefing.

Photo credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
ABUJA (Reuters) - The president of Nigeria's upper house of parliament is to be investigated by lawmakers over allegations that he attempted to evade payment of customs duties on a car, after parliamentarians voted on Tuesday to examine the matter. The allegations, which could lead to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Nigeria's third-ranking official and a member of President Muhammadu Buhari's party, being impeached if found guilty, are the latest in a series of such claims levelled at him. He has denied any wrongdoing. Saraki still faces charges of falsely declaring his assets when he was a state governor from 2003 to 2011, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The car duty allegations relate to newspaper reports that the Senate failed to pay import duties of 74 million naira ($240,650) on a bulletproof car worth 298 million naira. The reports said the car belonged to Saraki. "We refer the matter to ethics and privileges (committee) to investigate, so that our colleagues would be cleared and this senate will stand as it supposed to," said Ali Ndume, a senator who raised the motion to investigate Saraki. The committee of lawmakers is expected to report its findings within four weeks. "The allegation raised today by Senator Ali Ndume linking Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the importation of vehicle lacks basis as it was outright falsehood," said Saraki's spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu. ($1 = 307.5000 naira) (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Additional reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
South Koreas Defense Ministry confirmed that North Korea test-fired a missile from its east coast on Wednesday, but said that the test appeared to have failed.

North Korea fired one missile from an area near the Wonsan Air Base this morning but its presumed to have failed, the ministry said in a brief statement according to South Koreas Yonhap news agency. Our military is prepared for the possibility of North Koreas provocation including an additional missile launch, it added.

The U.S also confirmed the test-firing, Reuters reports. A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch, Commander Dave Benham, a spokesperson for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, adding that a more detailed assessment of the launch was under way.

Wednesdays test comes amid escalating tension between Washington and Pyongyang, and as U.S. and South Korean troops conduct annual joint military drills on the peninsula. These drills are regarded as a rehearsal for invasion by North Korea. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japans northwest coast, and conducted rocket-engine function tests that Seoul said showed meaningful progress.

As a countermeasure to North Koreas nuclear and missile threat, Reuters reported Monday that the Trump Administration was considering imposing deeper sanctions that would freeze Pyongyang out of the global financial system.

However, in an interview with the news agency the following day a North Korean envoy said that the country would pursue the acceleration of its nuclear and missile programs - including developing pre-emptive first strike capability - regardless of the threat of further sanctions.

Referring to the reported sanctions, Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the U.N. in Geneva, told Reuters, I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State [Rex Tillerson] to Japan, South Korea and China We of course are not afraid of any act like that.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
A new North Korean missile test failed on Wednesday, the South and US said, two weeks after Pyongyang launched four rockets in what it called a drill for an attack on American bases in Japan.

The nuclear-armed North is under several sets of United Nations sanctions over its atomic and ballistic missile programmes.

It is on a quest to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with an atomic warhead, and staged two nuclear tests and multiple missile launches last year.

The North fired one missile from an air base in the eastern port of Wonsan Wednesday morning, but the launch "is believed to have failed", Seoul's defence ministry said in a statement, adding it was analysing what type of missile was involved.

The US military said the missile exploded shortly after launch.

"US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt... in the vicinity of Kalma. A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch," said spokesman David Benham.

Earlier this month Pyongyang launched a flight of four ballistic missiles, with three landing provocatively close to Japan in what the North described as practice for attacks on US military bases in Japan.

On Sunday, its leader Kim Jong-Un personally oversaw and hailed a "successful" test of what Pyongyang said was a new rocket engine -- which can be easily repurposed for use in missiles.

Seoul said that experiment showed "meaningful progress" in the North's missile capabilities.

The developments come as Seoul and Washington hold large-scale annual joint military exercises that always infuriate Pyongyang, which sees them as a rehearsal for invasion.

Analysts' opinions are varied on how advanced the North's missile technologies are but many agree that Pyongyang has made significant progress in recent years.

- 'Option on the table' -

Sunday's engine test was apparently timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who warned that regional tensions had reached a "dangerous level".

Story continues

Washington would drop the "failed" approach of "strategic patience" with Pyongyang, Tillerson said, warning that US military action was an "option on the table" if necessary -- a sharp divergence from China's insistence on a diplomatic approach to its neighbour, which it has long protected.

Beijing said it had "taken note" of reports of the failed missile launch and that the US was considering more sanctions, and urged "relevant parties" to show restraint.

"The Korean nuclear issue has very complex dynamics and background," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.

"It lies in the differences between the DPRK and the US and stems from the lack of mutual trust," she added, using the North's official name. "Those who tie the knot should be the ones to untie the knot."

This week the North's state news agency KCNA boasted that Tillerson had "admitted the failure" of US policy to denuclearise the nation.

Pyongyang insists that it needs nuclear weapons for self-defence against "hostile enemies" including the South and its ally the US.

But it has yet to test an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of flying across the Pacific Ocean.

The country's long-range Musudan device has a theoretical range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres (1,500 and 2,500 miles). The lower estimate covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while the upper range would include US military bases in Guam.

The missile was tested eight times last year -- but only one of those was successful, with the others exploding in mid-air shortly after launch.

A Musudan launched in June last year flew 400 kilometres off the east coast of the peninsula and was hailed by Kim as proof of the North's ability to strike US bases across the "Pacific operation theatre".

The New York Times reported earlier this month that under former president Barack Obama the US stepped up cyber attacks against North Korea to try to sabotage its missiles before launch or just as they lift off.
North Korea upped the military ante with another missile test  though this time the test failed. On Wednesday, the Hermit Kingdom attempted to fire another missile that exploded within seconds of launch the U.S. Pacific Command said. Despite the failure, the test indicates North Korea is stubbornly inching its missile program forward, raising tensions with the United States and its Asian allies.

South Korea and the U.S. are aware of the missile launch and to their knowledge North Koreas missile was not successfully launched, the South Korean defense ministry said in a statement Wednesday. The defense ministry did not clarify what type of missile North Korea attempted to fire. The missile launch took place near Kalma, on North Koreas east coast.

The attempted launch Wednesday is the latest in a series of launches Pyongyang used to probe U.S. President Donald Trumps fledgling administration and assert itself in east Asia. Security experts worry the flurry of launches could indicate new advancements in North Koreas missile programs in tandem with its nuclear weapons program.

During his trip to Asia last week, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the United States would consider preemptive strikes against North Korea if Pyongyangs threat to Washington and its Asian allies grew too big. The Trump administration is also considering tightening the sanctions noose around North Korea further to curb its military developments, Reuters reported Tuesday.

On Sunday, North Korea announced it successfully tested a new high-thrust engine that could help the country successfully develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). North Korea made strides in its ICBM program in recent years, but experts believe its still a long way from fully developing one. On March 6, North Korea fired four missiles that fell some 300 miles off the coast of Japan.

This is a direct challenge to the international community and a grave violation, acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn said after the March 6 launch. Id say the consequences of the Kim Jong Un regime having nuclear weapons will be horrible, he added.

Story continues

North Korea conducted two nuclear testes and 24 missile tests in 2016.

Wednesdays launch comes as the U.S. and South Korean militaries embark on a huge annual military exercise in the region that prompted sharp rebuke from the North Korean government. Regional experts say the uptick in missile tests could be in response to the exercise.

The United States began deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile systems to South Korea in late February to counter the threat. The move sparked protest from Beijing, showcasing the complicated security landscape the Trump administration must navigate in Asia.

North Korea reportedly has two types of missiles, the KN-14 and KN-08, that could potentially reach the U.S. mainland. Neither missile has ever been tested.

Photo credit: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
A missile test launch by North Korea has ended in failure, according to reports.

It is understood that a missile launch was attempted on Wednesday morning from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan.

However, the launch was believed to have ended in failure, officials in South Korea and the US said.

South Koreas defence ministry is analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

MORE: Mexican newspaper slams American Spring Breakers for shocking Build that Wall chant

MORE: Rain, rain wont go away! The 10 wettest cities in the UK

The attempted launch comes three days after Pyongyang claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The US military detected what it assessed as a failed North Korean missile launch on Wednesday morning, the US Pacific Command said.

It said the missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch.

The reported launch failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next few days.

The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

A visitor walks by a TV screen in Seoul showing a news report about a recent North Korean missile firing (Pictures: AP)

The Norths state media said on Sunday that it conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the countrys space programme.

Weapons experts say such technology has applications for the Norths ballistic missile programme.

North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with what it says is US hostility.

Many weapons experts say the North could have a functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental US within a few years.

North Korea carried out two nuclear tests last year.
North Korea's weekend test of a high-thrust rocket-engine, purportedly used to launch satellites, raised concerns the reclusive nation was one step closer toward creating an intercontinental missile capable of targeting the United States, South Korea and their allies, analysts said Monday.

Meanwhile, South Koreas Defense Ministry warned the north made "meaningful progress" in learning how to successfully launch a guided ballistic missile Sunday, though further research would be needed to determine what the latest launch test meant for the nations nuclear operations.

Read: America Will Force China To Help Destroy North Korea Missile Threat

North Korea is still a far-shot away from ever accomplishing its goal of attaining nuclear missile launching capabilities, most experts said. But the peninsula conflict intensified in recent months. The country tested at least five missile launches since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016. Each test is in direct defiance of sanctions the United Nations placed against the north during former President Barack Obamas tenure in the Oval Office.

RTX31F75

Photo: Reuters

"Through this test, it is found that engine function has made meaningful progress but further analysis is needed for exact thrust and possible uses," South Koreas Defense Ministry said in a press briefing. A spokesman for the agency declined to comment further on the norths potential threats, though analysts said it was a "dangerous" first step in launching a long-range missile.

Story continues

"This was a comprehensive test for the first-stage rocket for an ICBM and that is why it was dangerous," Kim Dong-yub, an analyst at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies in South Korea, told Reuters Monday.

The news arrived as Rex Tillerson, Trumps pick for secretary of state and former CEO of Exxon Mobile, was on his first mission to Asia. The new head of state rebuked North Koreas missile tests during his trip, warning military action is "an option" for the U.S. if it was provoked. It remained unclear what would trigger a military response, however.

"Certainly, we do not want things to get to a military conflict," Tillerson said Friday. "But obviously, if North Korea takes actions that threatens the South Korean forces or our own forces, then that would be met with an appropriate response If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe that requires action, that option is on the table."

Related Articles
UPDATE: 11:32 p.m. EDT  The U.S. military detected a North Korea missile test late Tuesday, a military spokesman said according to Reuters, adding that the missile exploded seconds after it was launched.

"U.S. Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt... in the vicinity of Kalma," Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement. "A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch."

Original Story:

North Korea's Kim Jong Un may have test-fired several missiles late Tuesday, Kyodo News reported, citing a Japanese government source. While the launches are yet to be confirmed, it comes amid growing tensions in the Korean Peninsular and the West over Pyongyang's nuclear advancements.

The Japanese newspaper reported that the launch is believed to have been carried out from the eastern area of Wonsan. It also claimed that the missile launched may have failed, and that the type missile involved was unknown. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan's northwest coast amid escalating tensions with South Korea and Japan.

South Korea's defense ministry said it was trying to confirm the report of the missile launches, which came just days after the reclusive country vowed to retaliate over U.S.-South Korea military drills.

Read: Do Sanctions Work? North Korea Nuclear Threat Could Be Punished By Trump Administration

North Korea continues to expand its nuclear arsenal and increase the resources in its uranium enrichment facility despite facing several sanctions by the U.N. Security Council, the U.S., South Korea, Japan and the EU. However, tough measures against Pyongyang has not stopped its leader Kim Jong Un from building and testing nuclear and ballistic missiles.

The news about the missile tests come as reports surfaced of a planned meeting between the top envoys of South Korea and the U.S. for Wednesday to discuss their coordinated approach toward North Korea's growing threats.

Story continues

On Tuesday, U.S. defense officials said the military expects a North Korean missile launch in the next several days, the Washington Post reported.

Over the weekend, North Korea conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the countrys space program. Analysts believe that the move brings Pyongyang one step closer toward creating an intercontinental missile capable of targeting the U.S.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that "strategic patience has ended" and that a military response was on the table against North Korea. President Donald Trump also tweeted Friday that North Korea was behaving very badly.

Related Articles
North Korea will hold a rare parliamentary session next month, state media reported Wednesday, as regional tensions intensify following the nuclear-armed state's recent missile tests.

The country's legislative body meets only once or twice a year, mostly for day-long sessions to rubber-stamp budgets or other decisions deemed necessary by the ruling Workers' Party.

The last meeting was held in June 2016 when North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was elected chairman of a new, supreme governing commission -- underlining his absolute control over every aspect of state policy.

"The fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly will be convened in Pyongyang on April 11," the official KCNA news agency said.

As usual it gave no other details, including the session's agenda. Such meetings are carefully monitored by observers for any changes to economic policy or a reshuffle of high-ranking officials.

The upcoming session comes against the backdrop of rising international alarm over Pyongyang's military ambitions.

The impoverished North carried out a series of missile launches and nuclear tests last year, and earlier this month it fired four rockets in what it described as practise for an attack on US military bases in Japan.

Seoul has meanwhile blamed Pyongyang for the death of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother, who was poisoned with the lethal nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 at a Kuala Lumpur airport.

The murder and subsequent row with Malaysia over the handling of the body and several North Korean suspects has sent diplomatic friction between the two soaring.

On Sunday, Kim also personally oversaw and hailed a "successful" test of a powerful new rocket engine, which can be easily repurposed for use in missiles.

The test was apparently timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who warned that regional tension had reached a "dangerous level".
By Conor Humphries LONDONDERRY, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - As the tricolor-draped coffin of former IRA commander turned peacemaker Martin McGuinness was carried to his Londonderry home this week, people across Northern Ireland's sectarian divide were nervously eyeing a new era of uncertainty. The death on Tuesday of one of the dominant figures in the struggle to unite the British province with neighboring Ireland came just weeks after a snap election in which nationalists ended the pro-British unionist majority in Northern Ireland's parliament for the first time. With the impending retirement of Gerry Adams, the last remaining major figure dating to the bloody "Troubles" of Northern Ireland, the burden of preserving its fragile 1998 peace accord amidst the fallout of Britain's exit from the European Union will fall to a new untested generation. "It's a big change and I think there'll be rough waters ahead," said Irish nationalist Edmund Gillespie, 51. "There won't be the steady hand that there had been through all the years since the (1998) Good Friday Agreement...and there will be a lot of people trying to take advantage." Over the two decades since that accord ended 30 years of violence between Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists in which over 3,600 died, hopes rose that a new political generation reared in peacetime would make compromise easier. But many feel cooperation has deteriorated since the 2011 retirement of the late Ian Paisley, the most eminent Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) figure of the Troubles era. A firebrand preacher who many nationalists blamed for helping inflame the conflict, he developed such an amicable partnership with McGuinness in a power-sharing executive under the 1998 deal that they became known as the "Chuckle Brothers". POLITICAL CRISIS But McGuinness toppled the joint government in January for the first time by resigning as deputy first minister, citing the "deep-seated arrogance" of DUP First Minister Arlene Foster. The transition from the 66-year-old McGuinness to 40-year-old Michelle O'Neil as leader of Northern Ireland's largest nationalist party Sinn Fein has not softened opposing positions. The March 2 election saw Sinn Fein surge to within one seat of the DUP and deny pro-British unionist politicians a majority in the regional assembly for the first time since Ireland was partitioned in 1921. Adams said on Wednesday Sinn Fein would block any extension to next week's deadline to form a new government and any attempt to return to direct British rule of the province, though a deal before the deadline was possible. The stakes have been heightened by the Brexit referendum last year in which Britons as a whole voted by a 52 to 48 margin to leave the EU, though 56 percent in Northern Ireland itself voted in favor of remaining. As the only part of the United Kingdom with a land border with the EU, Northern Ireland is widely seen as the region with the most to lose from Brexit. Sinn Fein has called for a referendum on Northern Ireland leaving Britain and politicians across the spectrum have warned that the re-appearance of border and customs controls could stoke nationalist sentiment. UNIONIST FEARS The fears of the unionist minority in Londonderry for the immediate future focus on Sinn Fein gains in the election that slashed the DUP's previous 10-seat advantage. "I have my own ideas about what will happen and I don't think it looks good," said Sheila Ferris, a 75-year-old unionist who said she was "shattered" by the election. "Im afraid in case they (Sinn Fein) take over." Some unionists said the shock of the election was compounded by unease over what they felt was overly positive media coverage of McGuinness' life. "I'm sad for his family, dont get me wrong. And I know he changed in his later years. But he brought this town to its knees," Robert Doherty, 43, said in Waterside, Londonderry's main Protestant district. Some of his earliest childhood memories, he said, were special assemblies for the fathers of Protestant students killed by the IRA. But despite worries about the renewed political tensions in Northern Ireland, Doherty said he saw no risk of a return to sectarian bloodletting as the region's ordinary people now valued peace too much. Across the Foyle River that forms the primary sectarian boundary in Londonderry, the nationalist Bogside district where McGuinness died was a similar optimism the clock could not be turned back. "It's like day and night from when we were kids," said Mick McLaughlin, 76, who remembered McGuinness as a 7-year-old boy with blond curls. "We couldn't even walk up then steps (to the Protestant old town), we'd be chased away" for being Catholic. "There are a few hotheads about, but generally I think people have too much to lose to go back to the bad old days." (Reporting by Conor Humphries; editing by Mark Heinrich)
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Northern Ireland politicians could be given more time or face another election if rival parties cannot agree on a power-sharing arrangement by next week, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Tuesday. The province's main nationalist and unionist parties were given until March 27 to form a government following snap elections earlier this month, or risk decision-making taken back to London for the first time since 2007. Kenny, whose government is co-guarantor with Britain of the two-decade old peace deal that ended three decades of violence and introduced devolved government by power-sharing, said he did not want a return of direct rule from Britain. "If the latter (direct rule) is out, what are you left with - either 1) a functioning executive, 2) further elections or 3) some sort of further extension of time, so I do hope that the politicians come together," Kenny told Ireland's parliament. Britain's Northern Irish minister James Brokenshire has also played down the idea of London taking charge. However he has not indicated that he would consider granting the parties more time before calling a third election in the space of a year. The March 2 election saw Sinn Fein surge to within one seat of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and deny pro-British unionist politicians a majority in the regional local assembly for the first time since Ireland was partitioned in 1921. Among its demands for re-entering government, Sinn Fein insists they will not vote for DUP leader Arlene Foster as First Minister until the scandal that triggered the poll - a botched heating subsidies scheme she established - is cleared up. Foster has resisted those calls, saying she is not prepared to step aside temporarily while a public inquiry that could take six to 12 months is held. Sinn Fein's chief negotiators, party president Gerry Adams and its Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill, spent Tuesday in Londonderry, and not Belfast where the talks were taking place, following the death of former leader Martin McGuinness. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  A group of Turkish military officers based in Norway who had refused to return home after the failed July 15 coup attempt, were granted political asylum Wednesday.

"I can confirm they have gotten political asylum in Norway. We are talking about a number of officers, based in Norway and who had been ordered home after the coup," lawyer Kjell M. Brygfjeld told The Associated Press.

Norwegian justice and immigration authorities declined to comment.

"They had been in Norway for a couple of years," Brygfjeld said, declining to confirm local media reports that there were five men involved.

Newspaper Verdens Gang said the group feared being arrested in Turkey. One of them who was not identified told the daily last month he had been fired, his passport had been canceled and he feared torture if he returned.

"If I return, I will be detained and risk torture and will be forced to make a false confession. People die inexplicably in Turkish prisons," the person who was not identified told Verdens Gang last month.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador to protest the decision to grant the officers asylum.

A ministry statement said it was "regrettable and unacceptable" that a NATO ally had supported the officers' "efforts to abuse the political, social and economic resources" of Norway instead of their return to Turkey.

"This is not an acceptable situation. Europe should not become a safe haven for coup plotters, for terrorists and murderers." Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, told reporters earlier in the northern Turkish city of Sinop.

In 2016, 89 people from Turkey applied for asylum in Norway  with peaks in September and October when 17 and 28 people sought shelter respectively.

___

Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis's heart failure drug serelaxin flopped in a late-stage trial by not cutting cardiovascular death or slowing disease progression, marking the likely demise of a drug hopeful the Swiss firm had promoted as a potential blockbuster. The company's shares fell as much as 2.2 percent following the announcement on Wednesday, as analysts began downgrading their long-term revenue estimates. The failure will put pressure on Novartis to ramp up sales of its Entresto heart failure drug that has got off to a slow start, analysts said. Serelaxin had a troubled trial history, having already failed in 2014 to win the approval of European and U.S. regulators. Novartis pressed on in the hope of eventually gathering enough evidence to change regulators' minds, but Wednesday's announcement that the drug failed dashes those aims. "We are disappointed this study did not confirm the efficacy of RLX030," said Vas Narasimhan, Novartis's drugs development chief, adding he will continue to analyze the results to help determine where serelaxin went wrong. With the failure, Novartis's stable of potential new blockbusters has now been trimmed to 12 medicines. Serelaxin was originally seen as a way for Novartis to fill the gap left by expiries on heart drugs such as Diovan, which lost U.S. patent rights in 2012. An open submission to the FDA is now likely to be put on ice after Novartis said on Wednesday after its RELAX-AHF-2 phase III study did not meet its target of reducing cardiovascular deaths or worsening heart failure in patients with acute heart failure when added to standard therapy. "This is a major disappointment: we viewed Serelaxin as one of the major sources of upside to our long-term Novartis estimates," said one Zurich trader, who estimated the drug could have had 2 billion Swiss francs ($2.01 billion) in sales by 2020. Acute heart failure is a medical emergency where patients become short of breath as the heart struggles to pump blood. The condition is a major cause of hospitalization for people over 65, with around one in five patients not surviving the year following hospitalization. Serelaxin was meant to relax blood vessels to ease the burden on the heart. Analysts said the drug was always a risky proposition, given its previous stumbles with regulators. "The failure of serelaxin will refocus the importance of Entresto to meet consensus long-term sales expectations as well as the importance for management to bolster its pipeline," Deutsche Bank analyst Tim Race wrote in a note to investors. (Reporting by John Revill, additional reporting by Ruppert Pretterklieber; editing by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi and Louise Heavens)
At a brief press briefing on Wednesday, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R.-Calif.) said the intelligence community incidentally collected information on individuals involved in then-US. President-elect Donald Trumps transition team.

Details of U.S. persons involved with the incoming administration  were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting, Nunes said. He said that the identities of additional Trump transition team members were unmasked, or identified by name in intelligence reports. Former National Security Adviser Mike Flynns conversations with the Russian ambassador were caught by surveillance, and his name leaked to the press earlier this year, prompting his abrupt resignation after less than a month in office.

Responding to questions from reporters, Nunes at first said that Trumps personal communications had been collected by U.S. intelligence agencies. Pressed on the issue, Nunes said such collection was possible and that he required additional information from the intelligence community to confirm that Trump had been caught by government surveillance.

I just dont know the answer to that, Nunes said, asked whether the collection included the presidents personal communications.

The ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), criticized in a statement Nuness decision to go public with the information and to brief the White House before sharing it with the committee as a profound irregularity.

Because the committee has still not been provided the intercepts in the possession of the chairman, it is impossible to evaluate the chairmans claims, Schiff said in the statement.

The House Intelligence Committee is currently investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. Schiff said Nuness actions on Wednesday imperiled that investigations credibility.

Story continues

In a Wednesday press conference, Schiff said Nuness actions underscored the need for an independent commission to investigate Russian behavior, the establishment of which appears unlikely in the current Congress.

The allegation, levelled by a close ally of the Trump White House, that American intelligence agencies surveilled the president-elect threatens to further distract attention from multiple congressional investigations into the Trump campaigns ties to Russia and possible coordination with Kremlin operatives in their campaign to influence the 2016 election.

I want to be clear, none of this surveillance was related to Russia, or the investigation of Russian activities, or of the Trump team, Nunes said. Its not clear in what context Trump team officials may have been speaking with foreign agents liable to surveillance.

Nunes said he believed the surveillance was all done legally, and that the information collected appears to be all legally collected foreign intelligence under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The material collected, he said, was widely disseminated among intelligence officials.

Nunes said he spoke with CIA head Mike Pompeo and NSA chief Mike Rogers. He had yet to speak to FBI director James Comey. Press secretary Sean Spicer noted Nunes briefed the media before he did the White House. The media has more information than we do at this point, Spicer said at Wednesdays White House briefing.

Following that briefing, Nunes went to the White House, where he briefed Trump and held another short press conference, and said that some of the intelligence reports he had been supplied with contained information collected under the auspices of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

If that is correct and if the communications of members of the Trump campaign or Trump himself were swept up by American intelligence agencies under the authority of FISA, then those individuals were in contact with a U.S. person determined by a court to be an agent of a foreign power.

Nunes has asked that the CIA, NSA, and FBI provide him with additional information related to this surveillance. There are, he said, dozens of reports containing significant information and proof of the surveillance.

This information was legally brought to me by sources who thought we should know it, Nunes said. He also said he does not believe Trump Tower was wiretapped, per the presidents accusation.

Trump appeared to draw a different conclusion. Asked on Wednesday whether he felt vindicated by Nunes, Trump said, I somewhat do.

On Monday, Comey acknowledged that the FBI has since the summer been investigating the Trump campaigns possible ties to and coordination with Kremlin efforts to subvert the U.S. election. Since then, additional media reports have highlighted what appear to be deeper ties between Trump campaign officials and Russian President Vladimir Putins circle.

Nunes and his Republican allies tried to use Mondays hearing to try to change the focus, zeroing in on leaks of classified information in the media that disclosed ties between Trump advisers and the Kremlin.

It remains unclear under what authority Nunes disclosed on Wednesday that the intelligence community collected the communications of Trump team members. Jack Langer, a spokesman for Nunes, told Foreign Policy in an email that Chairman Nunes remarks did not divulge classified details.

Speaking to reporters, Schiff said that Nuness comments were inappropriate but that he could not determine at this stage whether they had revealed classified information.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  An Oklahoma legislator charged with hiring a 17-year-old boy for sex resigned on Wednesday, saying he didn't want to be a distraction to his fellow lawmakers.

Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey was arrested last week on charges of engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of church. The 35-year-old married father submitted a resignation letter to the Senate and GOP Gov. Mary Fallin that said he would step down immediately.

"I appreciate the service the men and women of the Oklahoma Senate provide, and I recognize the need for the business of the Senate to proceed without distraction for the remainder of the legislative session," Shortey said in the letter.

Oklahoma's most prominent Republican leaders had called for his resignation after he was charged.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, one of those who had called for Shortey to step down, said he accepted Shortey's resignation.

"To ensure justice is not impeded, the Oklahoma Senate will continue to cooperate with all authorities looking into this matter," Schulz said in a statement.

Shortey is out on $100,000 bond but expected to make an initial court appearance on Friday, according to his attorney, Ed Blau.

Acting on a tip from the teenager's father, police in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore say they went to a Super 8 Hotel earlier this month and smelled marijuana coming from a room. They say they found Shortey and the boy.

The allegations led to Shortey's removal from his volunteer position with the Oklahoma City YMCA's Youth and Government program, in which he has been active for 17 years and served as a chaperone on several out-of-state trips, YMCA spokeswoman Brenda Bennett said. She said she was unaware of any allegations of wrongdoing involving Shortey's work for the program, but that the agency is conducting an internal investigation.

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A police report shows a search of the teen's tablet uncovered a series of sexually explicit exchanges in which Shortey referred to the teen as "baby boy" and offered him cash in exchange for "sexual stuff." The conversation had started with the teen messaging Shortey that he needed "money for spring break," police wrote. Officers also found lotion and an open box of condoms inside backpacks in the room.

Police say Shortey and the teen both told officers that they had known each other for about a year, having met through Craigslist and later communicating via the messenger application Kik.

The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16, but Oklahoma's child prostitution statute applies to any person under 18 years old. It's unclear from the police report or charging documents if Shortey and the teen actually had sex. But prosecutor Susan Caswell said her office wouldn't have to prove they did.

In the state Senate, Shortey built a name for himself by pushing bills targeting those living in the country illegally and expanding gun rights.

Shortey faced fierce public criticism earlier this year when he sponsored a bill to stiffen the penalties for drug possession within 1,000 feet of a school or church, even after Oklahoma voters in November voted to make such crimes misdemeanors.

Before his arrest, Shortey was perhaps best known for introducing a bill in 2012 that would have banned the use of aborted human fetuses in food  a measure that drew widespread ridicule and was never granted a hearing in a Senate committee.

Gov. Fallin has 30 days to set the dates for a special election for Shortey's Senate District 44 seat.

___

Follow Sean Murphy at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy
By Jon Herskovitz

(Reuters) - An Oklahoma state senator accused of hiring a 17-year-old boy as a prostitute submitted his resignation on Wednesday, saying felony charges against him have become a distraction and he will defend himself against them.

Republican Ralph Shortey, 35, a gun rights advocate who has campaigned as a champion of family values, made his first statement about the charges since police said they found him on March 9 in a suburban Oklahoma City motel with the teenage boy and drugs.

"My resignation is evidence of my respect for public service and the duties of our elected officials," he said in a statement.

Governor Mary Fallin and other Republican leaders in Oklahoma called on Shortey to resign last week after he was charged with three felony counts, including engaging in child prostitution.

Shortly after he announced his resignation, his name was removed from an Oklahoma Senate website listing members.

Shortey, who was first elected state senator in 2010, thanked his constituents and asked for privacy for his wife and four daughters. He said in the statement that he submitted his resignation, effective immediately, to Republican Governor Mary Fallin and the president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.

"I recognize that the charges against me are a distraction to their (constituents') interests and the remaining legislative session, which should serve all Oklahomans," he said in a statement.

According to an arrest affidavit of the motel incident: "Officers present observed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the room and inside the room at the time of their contact with the defendant," the documents said, adding police also found an opened box of condoms in Shortey's backpack.

Shortey was booked at a local jail last Thursday, a few hours after he was charged. His bond has been set at $100,000 and he was released about two hours after he surrendered.

Shortey made national news in 2012 when he introduced a bill prohibiting the manufacture and sale of food or products that use aborted human fetuses. He provided no evidence to show that such a practice was actually taking place and there are no known food products that contain aborted fetuses.

The bill did not become law.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Gregorio)
Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time on Twitter knows that other Twitter users are really just ravenous, blood-thirsty beasts who are waiting for you to slip up and contradict yourself so they can rub it in your face and taunt you about being a hypocrite.

Ask Mike Pence. And Kellyanne Conway.

SEE ALSO: Twitter's backend is breaking under Trump's tweets

Hell, this goes double if you're President of the United States. He's already had numerous tweets "come back to haunt him."

And here comes another one: a tweet sent by Trump in the days after the election, which insisted he wasn't trying to get security clearance for any of his kids (not even Tiffany!) as it would have created a conflict of interest, especially with regards to the family businesses they control.

I am not trying to get "top level security clearance" for my children. This was a typically false news story.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016

On Tuesday, though, word broke that Ivanka would be getting security clearance, which allows her to see classified documents, and as an added bonus  she will also be given her own office in the White House, even though she won't be officially working for her father's administration.

If it all seems really hinky, it's because it is. It's no less suspicious than when Ivanka sat in on Trump's first meeting with a foreign dignitary, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Trump tower back in November, just one day after Trump's above tweet. And that meeting came at a time when Ivanka was still working on a business deal of her own with a Japanese company that had strong ties to the Japanese government.

Ivanka Trump sat in on her dad's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pic.twitter.com/X1tM4PjV9r  Jack Hillcox (@JackHillcox) November 18, 2016

All of this did not go unnoticed when word of Ivanka's security clearance hit the web on Tuesday.

Story continues

Thisthis is a tweet that definitely did not age well. pic.twitter.com/W4wWz1T8Qf  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 21, 2017

Ivanka Trump has no official title in the WH, no official role, so why is she getting a top security clearance? https://t.co/VdtKx4eWhb  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) March 22, 2017

Ivanka Trump, who is getting a White House office, was involved in building a hotel in Baku plagued by corruption: https://t.co/yui9PXDRF6 pic.twitter.com/ZOwGMmUsS2  The New Yorker (@NewYorker) March 21, 2017

Here's the CNN story on Ivanka's security clearance. https://t.co/KtMkAt5hkJ I defy you to find a clause  a word, even  that explains why.  Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) March 21, 2017

And, according to the New York Times' Maggie Haberman, who has already done plenty of excellent reporting on the Trump White House, this decision wasn't new: it was the plan all along.

Apparently the office Ivanka is taking has been held aside for her since Trump took office, per two ppl briefed.  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 21, 2017

As time went on, it became clear she couldn't do the advocacy work she wanted to do without being there more formally/she went through 1/  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 21, 2017

...process to be able to work there, per one of the people briefed 2/2  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 21, 2017

Now, Ivanka doesn't have a role in Trump's businesses anymore; that role has gone to Trump's two oldest sons, electoral map meme expert Eric and dollar store Brawny man Donald, Jr. But Ivanka has her own companies that have caused a bit of controversy already.

As Politico notes, Ivanka will experience all the access of a White House advisor without being subject to the same ethics rules that officially employed advisors are.

Thus, yet again, Trump has managed an impressive feat of gymnastics by taking one of his previous statements and turning it into the thing he hates the most: fake news.
Donald Trump's frequently misspelled tweets put the increasingly fragile world order at risk. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's, by contrast, pose a far greater danger: They threaten America's comedic leadership in a world increasingly dominated by "funny" reddit photoshops and bad homemade cat GIFS.

Huckabee might have failed to secure his party's nomination for president, but he's determined to stay relevant, no matter the cost to our Twitter feeds.

SEE ALSO: What to do when you're so overwhelmed by the Trump presidency you can barely move

Take a look at his most recent round of tweets and how viral they've become. At first, they might seem impossible to interpret  Huckabee can be inscrutable, like a Jaden Smith of the American right.

But keep trying. There are jokes there  jokes that are often so deeply bizarre we loose the will to even embed them.

What's clearis that the right is undergoing a crisis in comedy. Remember when John McCain appeared on The Daily Show in 1999 and we laughed of our own free will? (Though, to be fair, early Steve Carrell might have had more to do with that than the presidential hopeful.)

Now all we've got for right-wing comedy is scrolling through Ann Coulter's Twitter feed while hoping in vain that she won't dog-whistle white supremacists, or praying that Trump calls Buzzfeed a "failing piece of garbage" again (honestly, that was pretty good).

So that leaves Mike Huckabee as the right's only hope  a hope that, sigh, is founded on colonoscopy jokes.

Here are some of his most viral/terrible tweets, along with our attempts at translation.

You're going with pork sausage? Really?

Breaking News! Jimmy Dean Sausage Co will be renamed GORSUCH SAUSAGE because he's grinding up some Democrat Senators into PURE PORK SAUSAGE!  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 21, 2017

During Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch's Senate confirmation hearing, Huckabee posted this tweet, which seemed to suggest both that Democrats depend on government pork and also that they had gone through a meat grinder.

Story continues

Not only that, Huckabee seems to imply that Gorsuch himself had committed some kind of murder-suicide and heroically pushed himself through a meat grinder, only to come out a sausage himself?

So both Gorsuch and Democrats are now sausage, but Gorsuch is the higher quality Jimmy Dean sausage  a man good enough to eat. Or something.

Fake news  it's hilarious!

CNN launching its own social media platform to rival Zuckerburg's-Zucker vs. Zuckerburg. CNN will call their new site "FakeBook."  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 21, 2017

We've got to give credit to this joke. Sure, it's part of a larger campaign to discredit mainstream media sources and give the right full control of the information cycle but who cares: it's a joke. It's coherent and actually a little bit funny once you get past Huckabee's inability to spell Zuckerberg and weird use of a hyphen.

I Tweet for my amusement and your amazement. To haters trolls and humorless people-you really shouldn't follow me. It's way over your head!  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 21, 2017

Of course he followed that tweet with the one above, so let our earlier assessment be stricken from the record.

A Baha Men throwback is just never a good idea.

Poop Dogg has nephew named Bow Wow; both bad dogs who advocate murder and sex slavery for @POTUS and First Lady;Who let the dogs out?  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 17, 2017

"Who let the dogs out" was created by the Baha men, not "Poop Dogg." Of course, Huckabee has probably filed them both under "music I find threatening," so who can blame his confusion.

No.

At museum in Oslowasn't sure if this was Edward Munch's "The Scream" or Nancy Pelosi at Trump speech last week. pic.twitter.com/0ImsZr2kQz  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 5, 2017

Oh, dad.

Someone spring for Photoshop for Huckabee. Please, we're begging you.

Dems select ticket for 2020. A match made in Transylvania pic.twitter.com/iKLJxPTdVx  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 2, 2017

If there's one advantage the left has, it's this: graphic design.

Who was the poor intern forced to photoshop this photo and use comic sans un-ironically? How did they align the photos? Why did they use the Microsoft Paint on my parents' computer?

Yeah, no.

Choice: Trump or the Grump. the Don or the Con; a Winner or a Weiner; Swamp Drainer or Swamp Dweller; Take No Prisoners or Be a Prisoner?  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 5, 2016

Rhyming barely has a place in poetry, let alone Twitter or *shudders* my Twitter feed. Also, Huckabee endorsed a candidate whose campaign is currently under federal investigation for collusion with a foreign adversary all while calling his opponent a hot dog. So.

Why would you do this?

Breaking news from Hollywood! Sen. Chuck Schumer cast in lead role for remake of "Boys Don't Cry."  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 5, 2017

This movie is based on the true story of a teenager who is brutally murdered for being transgender.

This one's just nonsense masquerading as a sentence.

Dems poured out of the House Chamber as if someone flushed a commode. Where were they in such a hurry to go? Is there a sale at Penney's?  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 1, 2017

I assume he's referring to J.C. Penney, a chain that isn't exactly known for attracting hordes of Washington elites in search of a Jordache sale. But how fast does Huckabee think toilet water flows? How many people in his life run away terrified every time they hear a toilet flush?

I'm forced to approach this tweet like it's abstract art and not try to force "meaning" on it. I encourage you too to sit back and just enjoy the delightful J.C. Penney's reference.

Butt jokes  always classy.

Watch celebs spew ignorant political venom at Oscars?? Nah...think I'd rather have a colonoscopy. Both happen from same location.  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 26, 2017

Does Mike Huckabee get his colonoscopies at the famed Kodak Theater in Hollywood? Please sign me up if that's the case, I'm told they have phenomenal seating and fancy bathrooms.

And to be fair, colonoscopies get a bad rap  they're not nearly as painful as your MSM friends would have you believe.

Which car accident is worse?

Trump may be a car wreck, but at least his car is pointed in right direction. Hillary is a drunk-driver going the wrong way on the freeway.  Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 4, 2016

Forget politics for a second. I will go to my grave trying to understand the logic of this tweet. Doesn't a wrecked car (implying death, destruction) pose the same threat as a drunk driver who has yet to cause any damage? Where is this wrecked car positioned? The side of the road? The median? Why is Hillary drunk? Who let her drive? Perhaps we shouldn't appoint a flaming car wreck to be leader of the free world? Will these questions ever end? Will these thoughts?

Will these tweets?
Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson revealed Monday on "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon" how the Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron broke her heart a decade ago at her first ever "High School Musical Concert."

The 18-year-old model explained how depressed she was at her first concert when she couldn't meet Efron and that she has not gotten over it yet. "The first concert I actively really wanted to see was High School Musical Live. Efron actually wasn't there. I was so bummed. He wasn't there," Paris Jackson said.

"He was filming that movie with the horses," referring to "The Derby Stallion," Paris Jackson said. "He was busy filming it when the tour was going on, so they had some guy replace him  that was, like, the most depressing part about it. ... I was, like, this heartbroken 10-year-old," she continued.

Paris Jackson visited the Jimmy Fallon show for the first time Monday where she discussed a number of her first encounters.

She revealed that her first ever vinyl was The Beatles' 1967 classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and the first CDs she listened to were both from "The Lion King soundtracks," according to E Online.

She also described the time when she was first "starstruck" by Alice Cooper when she met the rocker at his concert last October.

GettyImages-655779966

Photo: Getty Images

"The first time was Alice Cooper, last October," Paris Jackson said. "He played on Halloween with Johnny Depp and Butch Walker and I got to meet him backstage. I was sitting probably this close  like, where you are at is where he was at  and I was like, 'I love you so much. I've always listened to you. I grew up loving you.' I was close to tears. I started watering up, like, 'Oh, my gosh!'" she said. "I'm crying thinking about it. He's amazing."

Story continues

Paris Jackson is the only daughter of Michael Jackson.

"Growing up, I was treated as the favorite because I was the only girl. I was the princess; I was perfect in my dad's eyes," she told the Harper's Bazaar magazine.

"The first 12 years of my life I was homeschooled, which means that the only interactions I'd ever had were with family members or other adults," she added.

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Scientists have found the first example of contagious emotion in a non-mammal after observing a highly intelligent species of parrot that can crack up its friends.

New Zealand's kea parrots live in the mountains and are exceedingly playful. They often chase each other through the air and will even play catch with small objects. But it turns out this playful behavior is contagious  and can be spread through the kea equivalent of laughter.

Read: Giraffe Giving Birth On Live Cam Update: April Piqued New York Zoos Interest A Few Times

Researchers from the Messerli Research Institute in Austria traveled to New Zealand and broadcast a variety of bird calls near wild kea. When kea of both sexes and all ages heard what the scientists believed were kea play calls, the birds exhibited longer, and more frequent, play behaviors, according to a study published Monday in Current Biology.

The parrots didn't just join other kea who were already playing when they heard the call, but also began to play by themselves wherever they were, Raoul Schwing, one of the leaders of the study, told National Geographic.

In many instances, we saw that the kea were immediately animated to play, but not by joining ongoing play already happening, Schwing said. Instead, they spontaneously started to play with the bird next to them, or played solitarily in the air or with an object.

This suggests the call isn't an invitation to play, but a contagious emotion that puts kea in a playful mood, much like human laughter, researchers suggested.

Scientists said that play behavior between adult members of the opposite sex is rare in animal species, and usually is part of a mating ritual. But with the kea, the activity appears to be just for fun.

While kea don't have the ability to mimic human speech like some species of parrots, they are some of the smartest birds on the planet. In one set of problem-solving challenges, the kea outperformed gibbons, apes that are part of the primate family.

Related Articles
Temple University Hospital is marking its 125th anniversary next month with a famous former patient: Grammy Award-winner and Philadelphia native Patti LaBelle.

The legendary performer -- and now cooking entrepreneur -- will give a private concert at the hospital's top annual fundraiser, the Acres of Diamonds Gala, April 29 at the Please Touch Museum.

LaBelle received an honorary degree from Temple University in 2010 and gave birth to her son in 1973 at TUH. Among the Wynnewood resident's most recent honors was the Marian Anderson Award last year.

For more information on supporting the 2017 Acres of Diamonds Gala, visit tuhgala.com.

The annual Acres of Diamonds Gala is one of the oldest charitable events in Philadelphia, with proceeds this year going to enhance patient and family spaces and rooms at Temple University Hospital. A special appeal at this years Gala will benefit the Women and Infants Division at TUH. The evenings program will be emceed by Lauren Hart.

This years Diamond Award Honoree is the president of Temple University, Richard M. Englert, recognized for more than 40 years of service to Philadelphia and the university community.

Founded in 1892 by Russell Conwell, who gave the Acres of Diamonds address from which the Gala gets its name, TUH operated strictly as a charity organization for its first five years, and began accepting payments from patients of means only to subsidize care for those without.

For more information about the 125th Anniversary of Temple University Hospital, visit tuh125.org.

Read more from the Check Up blog 

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Pelosi fields health care questions in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was asked by CNNs Anderson Cooper on Tuesday whom she considers the current leader of the Democratic Party. And Pelosi struggled to come up with one.

Well, President Obama was the president of the United States until a matter of weeks ago. I dont think he can be dismissed as the leader of the Democratic Party, Pelosi said. Hillary Clinton did not win the election but [is] a respected leader. But we have leaders for all different aspects of it. The Democratic Party is a congressional party, and we have leaders in Congress.

That aspect is being tested this week, as Democrats dig in for the fight to save Obamacare and stop the Republican plan to repeal and replace it.

Asked who the leader of the Democratic party is right now, Pelosi names Obama and Hillary. https://t.co/DmaCX8qW77  Dylan Stableford (@stableford) March 22, 2017

Pelosi is doing her part. She fired off a battle plan letter urging her Democratic colleagues to step up the pressure against the President Trump-backed health care alternative. The House vote on the bill  labeled Trumpcare by Democrats, Ryancare by Republican critics  is set for Thursday night.

TrumpCare is a merciless assault on working families across America, Pelosi wrote. If Republicans get their way, children, seniors, Americans with disabilities and people struggling to overcome addiction will be pushed off their health coverage just to hand a massive new tax giveaway to billionaires.

Both Trump and Republican leaders have been scrambling to drum up support for the bill ahead of the vote set for Thursday, exactly seven years after Obama signed his Affordable Care Act into law.

Related: Trump on the health care vote: I hope that its going to all work out

On Wednesday morning, Pelosi will hold a press conference on the House steps with former Vice President Joe Biden to mark Obamacares anniversary. Pelosi is also encouraging members to tape live social media messages about the fight to defeat TrumpCare in a Facebook LIVE War Room that will be held in her Capitol Hill office.

Story continues

The next 48 hours will be all hands on deck, Pelosi continued. Thursdays vote will have life and death consequences for tens of millions of Americans. Our Caucus will be fully engaged in the fight to defeat Republicans monstrous bill.

Pelosi added: Thank you for your leadership.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) - The co-founder of a now-defunct Massachusetts compounding pharmacy was found guilty of racketeering and fraud but cleared of murder on Wednesday for his role in a 2012 meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people across the United States. Barry Cadden, who was a co-owner and president of New England Compounding Center, was convicted by a federal jury in Boston after a two-month trial centered on an outbreak linked to the company's drug that sickened 753 people in 20 states. The outbreak was the largest U.S. public health crisis involving a pharmaceutical drug. It led to new regulations on compounding pharmacies, which mix drugs but had been treated with a lighter hand than registered drug manufacturers. Cadden, 50, was convicted on 52 counts of mail fraud and five other counts, including racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, and found not guilty of 39 other charges. He was one of two people charged with second-degree murder for his role in the case. An attorney for the other murder defendant NECC supervisory pharmacist Glenn Chin, said after learning of the verdict that he planned to seek a plea deal for his client. "I would be willing to recommend that he plead guilty to those mail fraud counts and others but not to the homicides," attorney Steven Weymouth said. A spokeswoman for federal prosecutors declined to comment on the idea of reopening plea talks. Cadden plans to appeal his conviction but was gratified to have been cleared of murder, said his attorney, Bruce Singal. "It was unprovable, unwarranted and unjustified," Singal said of the murder charge. Acting U.S. Attorney William Weinreb expressed disappointment that jurors rejected the murder charges, which carried a potential life sentence. At least three of the 12 jurors had voted to acquit on each of the 25 murder charges. Cadden is due to be sentenced on June 21. The fraud charges he was convicted of each carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Cadden was charged in 2014 with killing 25 patients in seven states who were injected with fungus-ridden steroids produced by Framingham, Massachusetts-based NECC. Prosecutors contended Cadden, NECC's head pharmacist, directed the shipment of 17,600 vials of contaminated steroids often prescribed for back pain despite knowing they were made in unsafe conditions. NECC filed for bankruptcy in 2014. In 2015, it agreed to pay $200 million to victims and creditors, a sum that included funds seized from Cadden. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Scott Malone and Lisa Shumaker)
Federal authorities have charged Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams with accepting more than $100,000 in gifts, travel and cash, often in exchange for official favors, according to a bribery and extortion indictment that was made public on Tuesday.

Williams faces charges on 23 counts, including bribery, extortion and wire fraud, following a nearly two-year investigation into his financial matters. The top attorney, who was reelected into his second term in 2013, received an annual salary of about $170,000, according to court documents. Williams has said he encountered financial issues following a divorce and while paying for private school for his daughters, the Associated Press reported.

Among the gifts described in the indictment are a trip to a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with his then-girlfriend, a 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible, a custom sofa worth more than $3,000, $2,000 in cash and $7,000 in a check. Williams is also accused of spending $20,000 in money set aside for a relatives care in a nursing home.

A spokesman for Williams told the AP he is expected to surrender and be arraigned on Wednesday. His defense attorney Michael Diamondstein said they would defend the charges.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Two major law firms are helping the Kenney administration determine the implications of the push at the state and federal level to cut funding from Sanctuary Cities.

Dechert LLP will be working pro-bono for the city and Hogan Lovells will be paid no more than $25,000 in one year, City Solicitor Sozi Tulante told the citys fiscal watchdog board PICA at its Tuesday meeting. There could be more work for those firms on the horizon.

We wanted people who have the capacity to both do research but also to go to court if necessary, Tulante said, following Tuesdays meeting. Sanctuary Cities have been defined as municipalities that do not honor the requests of federal immigration officials to hold people accussed of violating immigration law who are in local custody.

Tulante said the citys 200 attorneys dont have the capacity to do thorough research and analysis on the impact of President Trumps executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to make Sanctuary Cities ineligible for almost all federal grants and the states pending legislation that would also pull state funding from cities like Philadelphia who dont turn cooperate with immigration officials.

Mayor Kenney has been an advocate of immigrant rights and is opposed to turning over any undocumented immigrants to federal officials without a criminal warrant.

Tulante, however, said that the federal definition of sanctuary cities is different than what the mayor has been professing.

What he understands as Sanctuary City is not the legal definition, Tulante said of the Kenneys view. At the federal level, the definition of a sanctuary city is one that does not share certain immigration information with federal officials. And our view is that we do share information.

Tulante said that it is still not clear what the federal executive order means by sharing immigration information. It is a question of when and how much, information should be provided to the feds, Tulante said. Thats where the outside counsel will help.

Story continues

As far as the loss of funding, Tulante and city finance director Rob Dubow told the PICA board Tuesday that they just dont know yet. They said they dont want to speculate on the amount of money that could be lost. Tulante said that if funding is cut, it would likely be in the public safety realm.

We think as a matter of constitutional law, the funding that is most at risk legally is law enforcement funding, Tulante said, adding that the order might allow some flexibility . The executive order seems to give the Attorney General some discretion to allow funding to go forward to the extent is deemed necessary for law enforcement.

The state bill is more aggressive.

Tulante said that the pending state legislation defines a Sanctuary City, or a municipality of refuge, as any city that releases individuals that are subject of an ICE detainer. In addition to losing state grants, any refuge city would be held liable for any harm, criminal or not, an undocumented immigrant released by that city would commit later in life to any other person.

If someone was released notwithstanding an ICE detainer and that person injured someone They are in an automobile accident 20 years from now in San Francisco, the city is liable for that, Tulante said. The fact that that person was released by the municipality subjects the municipality to liability. Its unprecedented.

Tulante said that city officials are talking to other cities in similar situations.

Legally, the city is not without options, he said.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.

Most Popular on Philly.com
Bangkok (AFP) - The Philippines's tourism secretary urged the media Wednesday to "tone down" coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war, complaining that reports on extrajudicial killings were scaring away foreigners.

On a trip to Thailand accompanying Duterte, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo insisted the Philippines was a safe destination but said journalists were making the country a hard sell because of their focus on the killings.

"Help us because you know, it's really difficult for me to sell the Philippines, especially when extrajudicial killings becomes the topic," Teo told Filipino reporters following the Duterte entourage.

Teo said tour operators abroad were "always" asking her about the issue, citing Asia and Europe as regions where people were particularly concerned.

"I would always say it's safe in the Philippines," Teo added.

"To the media, please tone down a little the extrajudicial killing (reports)," she said.

Duterte was elected last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since he took office nearly nine months ago, police have reported killing 2,594 people in the drug war while rights groups say thousands more have been killed in a state-sanctioned campaign of mass murder.

While most of those killed have been poor people living in slums, some foreigners have also died.

Duterte briefly suspended all police from the crackdown in January after it was revealed anti-drugs officers used the drug war as cover for kidnapping and murdering a South Korean businessman.

But, after describing the police force as "corrupt to the core", Duterte brought it back a month later and vowed to continue the crackdown until all drug traffickers were off the streets or killed.

Duterte has over the past year become a well-known figure internationally because of the drug war and his caustic rhetoric against critics.

Story continues

Duterte this week boasted that calling then-US president Barack Obama a "son of a whore" had made him famous.

He then used more foul language to respond to criticism from European lawmakers of the drug war, and called them "crazies".

The Philippines, despite picturesque tropical islands and spectacular mountains, has long lagged behind its neighbours as a tourist destination.

This is partly due to decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies, as well as frequent kidnappings of foreigners by Islamic militants.

About 5.9 million tourists visited the Philippines last year, compared with 32.6 million for Thailand.
Peek-a-Boris British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson participates in the Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the State Department in Washington. Top officials from the 68-nation coalition fighting the Islamic State group are looking to increase pressure on the group as U.S.-backed forces move closer to retaking Mosul. (Cliff Owen/AP)

A peek at Boris in Washington; members of a Chinese honor guard salute caskets of Korean War dead; heavy snowfall in Northumberland, England; and people embrace during anniversary service for Brussels suicide attacks victims.

These are just a few of the photos of the day for March 22, 2017.

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.
By Timothy Mclaughlin

(Reuters) - South Dakota authorities are investigating an act of vandalism at the Dakota Access pipeline, a day after the project owner said oil could begin flowing through the pipeline soon, officials said on Tuesday.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was alerted on Friday to a small crack near a valve site on a stretch of the pipeline outside Canton, South Dakota, 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Sioux Falls, Lincoln County Chief Deputy Chad Brown said by telephone.

"It was definitely intentional, it wasnt from the pipe flexing or anything like that," Brown said.

The state Department of Criminal Investigations was investigating the incident as an act of "felony vandalism," said Sara Rabern, a spokeswoman for the state's attorney general.

Energy Transfer Partners LP, according to court documents filed on Monday, believes oil could begin flowing through the 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline as early as this week.

The documents cited "coordinated physical attacks along the pipeline," but there were no details provided on where the incidents took place, and many of the documents are sealed. The attacks would not affect preparations for the start of operations, the documents said.

"I am not commenting beyond the information in the filing that was made last night," Energy Transfer Partners spokeswoman Vicki Granado said in an email to Reuters.

In neighboring North Dakota, on Tuesday, a stretch of highway closed by months of protests against the pipeline was to reopen, officials said.

Traffic would be allowed on Highway 1806 from Fort Rice, south of Mandan in the state's southwest, to the Cannonball Bridge near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation starting at noon, the Morton County Sheriff's Department and North Dakota Highway Patrol said in a statement.

The nearly 9-mile (14-km) stretch of highway was closed in October when Native Americans and environmental activists descended on the area in an effort to force the rerouting of the multibillion-dollar pipeline away from a lake upstream from the reservation.

Story continues

The demonstrators said the pipeline could pollute water supplies and destroy sacred tribal sites. Backwater Bridge was the site of clashes between law enforcement and protesters and barricades were erected on it to keep protesters from reaching the site of the pipeline.

Law enforcement swept through the protest camp late last month, clearing the remaining protesters.

Earlier this month, a federal judge denied a request by a Native American tribe for an emergency injunction to prevent oil flowing through part of the pipeline, saying such a move would be against the public interest.

(Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Dan Grebler and Peter Cooney)
STANFORD, Ky. (AP)  Authorities say a 19-year-old Kentucky high school student is facing charges, accused sexually assaulting two younger students on a school bus.

Local news organizations report 19-year-old Ryan Rayburn was arrested Friday on two counts of sodomy involving a 14-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy on a bus in Stanford.

Authorities say a March 16 school bus video shows Rayburn engaging in sexual acts with the juveniles. Officials did not give further details how the attack occurred.

Stanford police spokesman Officer Tim Morris says the investigation began after a parent complained to school officials. Rayburn attended an alternative high school in Stanford.

Lincoln County Superintendent Michael Rowe says the school system is fully cooperating with the investigation.

It wasn't immediately clear if Rayburn has an attorney.
PORTO, Portugal (AP)  I was lost, looking for port wine caves dug into hills across the bridge from Porto. I trudged up a hill and rounded a blind corner, sidling against a stone wall to avoid tour buses flying toward me, when I stumbled on the highlight of my day: a nearly empty tasting room and private wine-cellar tour.

It was a reminder that in Portugal's second city, everything cool seems to be right around the corner, or more likely, just up a hill.

Porto's historic core is set upon two hills, with the rejuvenated downtown between them spilling down to the Douro River. A pedestrian promenade lined with medieval merchant houses and cafe tables runs underneath the two-level Luis I Bridge, which joins the upper and lower sections of Porto and the city of Gaia. On one side is the twin-domed Porto Cathedral, on the other is the circular Monastery of Serra do Pilar. When the sun sets, the colors of the white monuments, stone towers and terra cotta roofs blend together, and the entire city glows orange. It's one of the world's most spectacular cityscapes.

Porto is small enough to walk past the highlights in half a day, but I spent nearly a week hoofing it around, taking in one stunning sunset after the next. Lookout points are labeled on tourist maps as miradouros. Each is unique, though none is a match for Praia da Luz, or beach of light. A historic trolley runs from the center to where the river flows into the ocean in the Foz do Douro neighborhood. A short walk north through a seaside park brings you the rocky beach, where I nursed a glass of vinho verde, Portugal's light, dry white wine, on a plush lounge chair. The sun dipped into the Atlantic where medieval maps once depicted fire-breathing sea serpents.

Fortunately, there's more to Porto than postcard-worthy pictures, with more to come. The thwack of hammers echoing off the tiled facades on nearly every street heralds a tourist boom. Already, the downtown around Avenida dos Aliados, which was seedy as recently as five years ago, has new life.

Story continues

Concept stores run by collectives of crafters have opened along Rua do Almada. Workshop Popup combines four stores into one for cork handbags, locally designed clothes and handmade souvenirs actually worth buying. It also offers private cooking lessons for a bargain at a show kitchen in the back. For nightlife, the string of bars and restaurants around Rua da Galeria de Paris has a range of choices, from sophisticated to rowdy. The bars get busy almost every night of the week but often not until 11 p.m. or later.

One of Porto's best-known sites is Livraria Lello, a bookshop in a grand neo-Gothic 1906 building on Rua das Carmelitas that features a massive curved staircase, elaborate painted plaster ceiling and a stained-glass skylight bearing the Latin phrase "Decos in Labore" (dignity in work). There's a fee to enter (tickets are 5.5 euros online), but the fee entitles you to a discount on purchases.

I waited until the end of my trip to dive into port wines, those supple, fortified dessert wines the city is known for. After dinner at a friend's apartment, my hosts, an architect and an owner of a design studio, pulled out a white port made by Taylor that's typically served chilled as an aperitif. They recommended visiting Taylor's tasting room, one of the biggest, and Croft, the oldest. They also urged me to stay away from the expensive, flashy options along the riverfront.

It was while searching for Croft the next day that I stumbled on Churchill's, which isn't listed on most maps of the port circuit. Their wine was rich and full, and slightly less sweet than others. A guide led me through the "cave," a warehouse dug into the granite hill with a steady temperature in the 60s F (15-21 C). Hundreds of oak barrels were stacked four high, aging port for up to 40 years. Turns out the British commercialized a product the Portuguese had been making for centuries, which explains the Anglophile names.

At Croft, founded in 1588, the charming tasting room with tables and stools made from wine barrels led into an impressive cellar with stone arches and casks the size of small houses. Taylor was the most commercial of the three, but the 10-euro entry fee includes a three-wine sample and self-guided audio tour, so it's a good choice for a novice with time for only one stop.

Sufficiently buzzed, I asked a clerk to recommend somewhere for a quick bite before rushing off to the airport. The five-star Yeatman Hotel hit the mark with a cheese plate, a glass of dry Douro Valley red and an expansive patio overlooking the city. It was just around the corner, and just in time for sunset.

___

If You Go...

PORTO, PORTUGAL: http://www.visitporto.travel . Located three hours by train from Lisbon. Stay near the Clerigos Tower in the Vitoria neighborhood, the center of nightlife and only a 15-minute walk from the higher-priced tourist spots near the river. Also, try francesinha, a Porto specialty that's like a meatier croque monsieur. Cafe Santiago near the Coliseu music venue serves up a gut-buster drenched in a tangy beer sauce, and locals like the francesinha at Cufra on Avenida da Boavista.
American media were rather muted about last weeks visit to Washington by Saudi Arabias Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. They were unswayed by the juicy tidbit in the official statement reporting that the man known as MbS told President Donald Trump that Saudi intelligence confirms  the existence of a plot against the United States of America that had been planned in the six countries whose citizens had just been banned from entering the country. Nor were they moved by the effusiveness of an anonymous Saudi senior advisor who lauded the Oval Office meeting and luncheon with Trump as a huge success, a historic turning point, and a significant shift in relations. The statement went on to describe President Trumps great understanding of the importance of relations and his clear sight of problems in the region.

But its no accident that much of the Arab medias coverage echoed this over-the-top line. The Saudi side was intent on using the visit to reset relations with Washington after the Obama years, as well as to introduce the new administration to the young man who seems destined to be the next king of Saudi Arabia.

The reset mission arguably succeeded. But judgment on the personal coming-out of MbS should be postponed. Inconveniently for the 31-year-old MbS, his older cousin Muhammad bin Nayef (MbN) is crown prince and appears reluctant to let MbS leapfrog over him. The Trump administration must deal with two alternative future Saudi leaders and may  and perhaps should  regard it as premature to decide whom it prefers.

Rivalry between the two men is not a figment of the imagination of foreigners. Last week, the anonymous but seemingly well-informed Saudi blogger who uses the Twitter handle @Mujtahidd re-emerged after several months. He reported that the two Muhammads were trying to avoid any public differences, but each was keen to win the approval not only of the wider House of Saud but also the United States.

On a point-scoring level, MbN probably had the last laugh on MbSs trip. Despite the photo opportunities and honor guards, MbSs departure from the United States was very low-key. No waves to crowds of fawning admirers, but rather a 2:30 a.m. flight to Riyadh a day after meeting with Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, instead of heading to New York for business meetings as had been expected. What happened? King Salman, MbSs father, was returning to the kingdom after cutting short a month-long Asian trip, and the prince needed to be there to welcome him.

But the royal courts claim that the monarchs vacation in the idyllic Maldives had been canceled because of an outbreak of swine flu seemed too diplomatically convenient to be entirely believable. The Financial Times reported that local opposition politicians there were making a stink because of a putative arrangement for a group of islands to be ceded to MbS in perpetuity. The members of the kings entourage who had been hoping to take over two resort complexes and dip their toes in the Indian Ocean found themselves back in Riyadh early  which meant that MbS, whatever his self-appointed mission in Washington, was obliged to be back early, too. That may have been for the best. Despite the notional reset, the photos and video clips in Washington suggested coolness by Trump toward MbS. Perhaps the U.S. president was irritated that the young Saudi showed no apparent deference.

Ultimately, of course, policy differences, not personal ones, will matter most. Everyone in the Saudi leadership shares with the Trump administration a common view on the dangers posed by Iran. But theres a gap in their respective positions on the war in Yemen and how the kingdom can best be extricated from it. The Saudis have made scant progress there in fighting the Iranian-backed Houthis, and bureaucratic Washington is probably regretting its initial profuse support for the war  a political concession to Riyadh to placate Saudi concerns about the nuclear agreement with Iran. The Saudi military persists in demonstrating that it is, in the words of a Pentagon official during the Obama administration, a paper tiger.

As if to underline the problem, as MbS flew back home, news emerged that a helicopter probably belonging to the Saudi-led coalition opened fire on a refugee boat carrying Somalis escaping the Yemen civil war. The death toll was given as 42, but, from Washingtons point of view, the worst part was the report that a U.S.-made Apache helicopter was involved. That means it could have been either Saudi or Emirati, but the United Arab Emirates has issued an official denial. (Doubts about a Saudi role are based on the judgment that its pilots were too incompetent to have carried out the attack, at night and at sea.) The United States was already in a quandary about resuming supplies of bombs to the Saudi Air Force following last years suspension after concerns about Yemeni civilians being hit. Pictures of the dead and rescued refugees will further complicate this policy shift.

If Yemen remains a thorn in the side of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, the two countries seemed to find common ground over economic ties. The Saudi statement said Trumps changes to U.S. policy coincide with the undergoing change in Saudi Arabia through Vision 2030, MbSs blueprint for the kingdoms economic transformation. The official White House readout spoke of expanded economic cooperation [that] could create as many as one million direct American jobs within the next four years, millions of indirect American jobs, as well as jobs in Saudi Arabia. It also mentioned deals worth potentially more than $200 billion in direct and indirect investments within the next four years.

This may be on the conservative side. Gossip in the financial markets suggests that the kingdom was dangling the notion of $1 trillion in investments in the United States over the next decade.

Such a deal may be tantalizing for Trump. But, as always, it comes at a price. As Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih told the Wall Street Journal, the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act stoked tension in U.S.-Saudi relations and threatens to chill Saudi investment in the U.S. Falih also said the law was a consideration in whether the kingdom would choose to list shares of the state-owned Saudi Aramco oil company, the 2018 initial public offering of which is expected to be the largest in history, in the United States.

The law, known as Jasta, came as a consequence of the large number of Saudis who were involved in the 9/11 attacks. It allows U.S. terror victims to file civil suits in federal court against the kingdom, which had been protected by sovereign immunity. Trump was a strong supporter of the measure. The Saudis want to at least neuter the measure but have worked on the issue to no avail, despite a multimillion-dollar lobbying effort.

This twist makes the calculus of what each side got from the Washington meetings more challenging. There is clearly agreement to work together, but Yemen is an immediate problem, skewing the discussion about how to tackle the broader threat posed by Iran as well as the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and other terror groups. Meanwhile, a public reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Israel over their fear of Iran remains elusive. The Saudi statement blamed Iran for obstructing a deal to settle the Palestinian issue but managed to avoid any mention of Israel.

It may fall to Trumps coterie of close advisors to grapple with these difficulties. His chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, and senior advisor (and son-in-law) Jared Kushner were at the Oval Office and Pentagon meetings as well as the White House luncheon. Meanwhile, Trumps lawyer and Israel advisor Jason Greenblatt was in Jerusalem and Ramallah talking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Occasionally, world events have a curious and perhaps prophetic irony. King Salmans trip to Asia concluded last week with a high-profile visit to China, where he and his delegation of Saudi business leaders were received by the top leadership and reportedly agreed to deals worth $65 billion. On March 19, the next foreign leader arrived in Beijing for similar discussions  Netanyahu. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang honored him by saying, The Chinese people and the Jewish people are both great peoples of the world.

The trend lines are obvious. Business can be the key to deeper political alliances, and Saudi Arabia and Israel have more in common than the House of Saud wants to admit. Does a bigger deal await?

Photo credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images
By Gene Emery (Reuters Health) - - Pregabalin, the pain-fighting drug better known by the Pfizer brand name Lyrica, works no better than placebo at relieving the leg pain associated with sciatica, according to results from an Australian study of more than 200 patients. Volunteers tested after eight weeks of therapy and again at the 52-week mark were just as likely to report improvement whether they received Lyrica or a dummy drug. The average pain intensity on a zero to 10 scale, where higher numbers mean more pain, was 3.7 with pregabalin and 3.1 with placebo after eight weeks of therapy. The participants started out with pain levels of 6.3 and 6.1, respectively. After one year, the average leg-pain intensity score was 3.4 with pregabalin and 3.0 with placebo, according to results in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, pregabalin generated more side effects, with 227 adverse events in that group compared with 124 with placebo. Dizziness was the biggest problem. "The lack of benefit and increased risk of harm provides a strong case to not use this medicine in patients for sciatica," chief author Dr. Christine Lin of the University of Sydney told Reuters Health in an email. Pfizer was hoping that if sciatica proved responsive to Lyrica, "this would be a real boon to increase its use," said Dr. Bruce Senter, an assistant professor of orthopedics at Tulane University in New Orleans, who was not involved in the study. "Unfortunately, this study doesn't bear out the usefulness for this." Although tests of Lyrica from 2003 to 2010 showed that it works for other types of pain, controlled trials conducted during the past five years have tended to show either negative results or minimal effects, write Drs. Nadine Attal of the University of Versailles-Saint Quentin and Michel Barrot of the University of Strasbourg in an accompanying editorial. There is no definitive therapy for the radiating leg pain of sciatica, which can also spark back pain, reflex problems, weakness and sensory loss. The condition typically goes away in three quarters of patients within three months. Originally developed as a therapy for epilepsy, most prescriptions for the $5 billion-a-year drug are now for pain relief. Based on Australian data, perhaps 14 percent of pregabalin prescriptions were for sciatica, Lin estimated. In the last year or two, Senter told Reuters Health by phone, more people have been put on it as an as-needed analgesic. This study seems to support that that's not a good use for it. It doesn't seem to work that way." In the study, volunteers from 47 sites in New South Wales were treated for moderate-to-severe sciatica. Patients who reported severe depression or suicidal thoughts were excluded. Since 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required all epilepsy drugs to carry a warning about the risk of suicidal behavior. All volunteers were advised to remain active and were told their symptoms would probably diminish over time. In addition to no difference in pain relief, pregabalin produced no significant improvement in disability, back pain intensity, the amount of time absent from work, the likelihood that a patient would use other pain medications or the quality of life on either a physical or mental scale. "One reason we think that pregabalin does not work for sciatica is that it has different underlying pain mechanisms than other types of nerve pain," Lin said. "Pain mechanisms can be very complex and influenced by a range of pathological and psycho-social factors." Dizziness was three times more common with pregabalin, seen in four out of 10 patients on the drug. Back pain was nearly twice as common in these patients. None of the drug-related adverse events were considered serious, though. The researchers saw no increase in suicidal thinking, but the study wasn't designed to detect that as a risk, they caution in the report. It is important that doctors continue to be cautious with regard to prescribing pregabalin to patients who are susceptible to self-harm, the study team writes. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2mSr1GB New England Journal of Medicine, online March 22, 2017.
In a full-court press to repeal Obamacare, President Donald Trump summoned moderate lawmakers to the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon to try to convince them to support the Republican health care bill.

The president sat with the 15 moderate Republicans in the Oval Office during an intimate meeting, emerging from behind his desk and joining them in a scrum of chairs. He listened carefully to their concerns and gently reminded them of Republicans promises to repeal Obamacare.

He did not change many minds.

I do think we need to go to a different system, but I dont think this bill is good enough, said Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey, one of the moderates who attended the meeting. I am a no.

The clock is ticking for Republicans to pass their Obamacare replacement, called the American Health Care Act. The House is set to vote on the replacement on Thursday, and it is far from certain that Republicans will get their bill passed.

Moderates are concerned that the Republican replacement put forward by House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump would hurt their constituents by causing them to lose health insurance, and would leave current Medicaid recipients uninsured.

Some are pushing for a bill that does not freeze the Medicaid expansion in 2020 or cut Medicaid spending as dramatically, others for more larger tax credits, and still others to remove language defunding Planned Parenthood from the legislation.

So far, President Trump has been unable to lock down the votes needed to pass the bill.

Few moderate lawmakers left the Tuesday afternoon meeting with Trump enthusiastic about the Republican bill.

Nobody jumped up and said Im a no, but now Im a yes, said Rep. Dan Donovan of New York, who attended the meeting with President Trump and is undecided about the bill. Maybe now theyre contemplating what was said in the meeting and now coming to their conclusions.

Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, co-chair of the moderate Tuesday Group, also left the meeting without announcing who he would vote, despite changes made in the Republican bill designed to bring him and his moderate allies into the fold.

Story continues

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump visited Capitol Hill and spoke to the entire Republican House conference, imploring them to repeal the law.

I honestly think many of you will lose your seats in 2018 if you dont get this done, Trump said at the larger meeting in the morning.

But the hard-right members of the House Freedom Caucus went out as opposed to the bill as they were going in.

If the vote were today, it would not pass, said Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, a Freedom Caucus member who is opposing the bill. And it would be a significant comfort zone.

Now the problem is that Republicans from both sides are closing in on the bill, with moderates like Donovan and Lance questioning the bill, as are conservatives. Id say we got roughly 30 conservatives and 20 throughout the conference said Rep. David Brat, who are leaning no, to no.

Theyve done some constructive stuff, he said, but the price [of premiums] has to come down.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
If two of your things are getting manicures and drinking bubbly, then a new edible wine-flavored nail polish could be for you.

Prosecoo Polish is the latest weird and wonderful beauty innovation to hit the market, thanks to Groupon, and it is being hailed as a world-first.

Made using real Prosecco, the sparkly golden polish apparently tastes and smells exactly like our favorite tipple, and, as a promotional video shows, it is designed to be licked off the fingers for a calorie-free slurp. However, despite the potential temptation, the product's small print strongly advises against drinking the polish straight from the bottle.

Unfortunately the polish, which was developed to mark Mother's Day, will not be available for general purchase any time soon. Beauty fans looking to get their hands on a bottle will have to enter a Groupon prize draw to be eligible to win one for free.

Quirky edible nail polishes are becoming something of a niche marketing trend for brands. Last year, KFC exploited its "Finger Lickin' Good" slogan to offer Hong Kong clients two nail varnishes designed to taste like its chicken recipes for "Original" and "Hot and Spicy." The fast food chain is a serial offender when it comes to controversial cosmetics -- in August 2016 it hit the headlines when it debuted Extra Crispy, an SPF 30 sunscreen that allegedly smelled like its famous fried chicken.

For more information on Prosecco Polish, see: www.groupon.co.uk
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  There's a debate in New York over the effects of an amendment to the Republican federal health care overhaul that only applies to the state.

House Republican leaders seeking to lock down votes from New York lawmakers have proposed shifting $2.3 billion in Medicaid costs from the state's counties to the state.

The amendment was a response to complaints that New York unfairly burdens its counties with a share of the nearly $60 billion health care program for the poor and disabled.

Critics are taking rhetorical flamethrowers to the last-minute amendment, calling it the "Buffalo Bribe," ''Poughkeepsie Payola" and worse. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday called it an "absurd" measure that would devastate New York's health care system. A Buffalo-area congressman behind the amendment accused Cuomo of trafficking in "doomsday predictions."

Beyond the rhetoric, here's a guide to what's at stake and what could happen.

___

MEDICAID MONEY

Total Medicaid spending in New York in 2015 was $59.8 billion, second only to California, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. New York also has been measured among the top spenders per-enrollee. Analysts note that costs for many services tends to be higher in New York, which has one of country's more generous Medicaid programs.

In New York, the federal government covers 51 percent of Medicaid costs, the state pays 36 percent, while New York City and counties pay 13 percent. Many county officials dislike that breakdown, claiming the mandate is a reason property taxes tend to be high in New York.

___

THE AMENDMENT

The proposal championed by Republican U.S. Reps. Chris Collins of the Buffalo area and John Faso of the Hudson Valley would alleviate local governments in New York from paying a portion of the state's Medicaid charges. Faso, who developed the language, said the amendment excludes New York City's $5 billion in Medicaid expense because the Democratic stronghold relies on local income taxes instead of property taxes to support the program.

Story continues

Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino said that if the amendment proposed by her fellow Republicans passes, her Hudson Valley county would be able to reduce county property taxes by 56 percent. That would translate into more than $500 saved for average county homeowner, she said.

"This is a unique opportunity to say, 'We're going to actually address property taxes," she said.

___

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

The proposal would leave a state with an already tight budget looking at more than $2 billion in additional Medicaid costs by 2020. That could mean cutting spending or raising state taxes.

"The amendment would make an even bigger hole in the state budget, specifically in the area that serves low-income kids and families, and disabled people and low-income seniors," said Kathy Breslin, president and CEO of the Albany-based Schuyler Center for Analysis.

As an expected Thursday vote on the bill neared, Cuomo projected how the "devastating" cuts would play out for hospitals in the districts of the Republican New York representatives.

Proponents of the switch, echoing the national Republican arguments, suggest cutting program costs and eliminating fraud. Faso's office said a state government that can come up with a "Buffalo Billion" for economic development projects can surely find the resources to manage its Medicaid finances.

But taxpayers' still could be left footing a sizable portion of the bill.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said this week the amendment would force the state to either raise income taxes or have the counties give back the share of sales tax they get in exchange for the state picking up the additional Medicaid costs.

"One way or another, it is still coming out of New York tax payers' pockets," Hochul said.
Beirut (AFP) - Syrian jihadists and allied rebels seized a key town from government forces on Tuesday in a new offensive in the central province of Hama, a monitor and fighting factions said.

The surprise offensive was announced Tuesday by the Tahrir al-Sham alliance, which is dominated by the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front, once linked to Al-Qaeda.

"This afternoon, Tahrir al-Sham began preparing for military operations against (regime) army positions in Hama province," said Tahrir al-Sham press officer Imad al-Din Mujahid.

Tahrir al-Sham published photos of a massive explosion that it said was a suicide attack against a government checkpoint inside Suran.

Hama province is of strategic importance to President Bashar al-Assad, separating opposition forces in Idlib from Damascus to the south and the regime's coastal heartlands to the west.

"Tahrir al-Sham detonated two car bombs as they stormed the town of Suran and other villages," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The British-based monitor said the jihadists and rebel groups seized Suran and eight surrounding checkpoints within hours, despite heavy air strikes by government warplanes.

The town has exchanged hands several times in Syria's six-year conflict, with government forces recapturing it in late October from opposition factions.

The Free Idlib Army, which is taking part in the offensive, said it targeted the Hama military airport and other government positions on Tuesday.

Rebel groups and Tahrir al-Sham were also waging an offensive in Syrian capital on Tuesday in a bid to link two neighbourhoods they control in Damascus.

The violence comes two days before UN-brokered peace talks are set to resume in Switzerland between government officials and opposition representatives.

Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against Assad's rule, but has evolved over the years into a complex civil war.

More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions more displaced by the conflict.
LONDON (AP)  A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip, two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were among the injured.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on." He said an unarmed policeman, three civilians and the attacker died. Forty others, including three police officers, were injured.

Islamic extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailant's identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.

"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

Story continues

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a "marauding" terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

In the House of Commons, legislators were holding a series of votes on pensions when deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced that the sitting was being suspended and told lawmakers not to leave.

Parliament was locked down for several hours, and the adjoining Westminster subway station was shuttered.

Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 yards away lay the assailant.

"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood," Ellwood said. "He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back."

The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a gray SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.

Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard "something like a car hitting metal sheet" and then saw people lying on the pavement.

"I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," Sikorski told Poland's TVN24.

Ambulances arrived within minutes to treat people who lay scattered along the length of the bridge. One bloodied woman lay surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.

The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 yards (meters) from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.

"The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," said witness Rick Longley. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

The attacker managed to get past a gate into Parliament's fenced-in New Palace Yard, a cobbled courtyard in the shadow of the Big Ben clock tower.

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," Letts told the BBC.

The attacker fell to the cobbles just yards from the entrance to 1,000-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the parliamentary complex, busy with visitors and school groups. Beyond that, a corridor leads to the building's Central Lobby, flanked by House of Commons and House of Lords chambers.

The prime minister was among lawmakers near the Commons at the time of the attack, and was quickly ushered away by security officers and driven back to Downing Street.

To get that far, the attacker would have had to evade the armed officers who patrol the Parliament complex in pairs, as well as Parliament's own security staff, who don't carry guns.

The attack unfolded near some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.

London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and eight who were less seriously hurt.

Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas' Hospital said some of the wounded had "catastrophic" injuries.

The French Foreign Ministry said that three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured. Two Romanians were also among the injured, the country's Foreign Ministry said.

Trump spoke with May by telephone and applauded "the quick response of British police and first responders," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said.

London has often been the target of terrorist attacks, from IRA campaigns in the 1970s and 80s to more recent Islamist plots.

On July 7, 2005, four al-Qaida-inspired British bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

British security forces say they have thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but in recent years the U.K. has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker claiming to be motivated by Syria stabbed three people at a London subway station.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.

___

Associated Press writers Sophie Berman, Gregory Katz and Rob Harris in London and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report.
Washington (AFP) - The House of Representatives votes Thursday on long-awaited legislation endorsed by US President Donald Trump that replaces his predecessor's health care reforms.

Supporters hail the plan as a more free-market, patient-centered system.

But how would it work?

Here are key points about the current health care system -- which is credited with helping 20 million Americans acquire coverage but has been blamed for rising premiums and other costs -- and the proposed changes in the Republican substitute.

- No more mandatory coverage -

In the United States, health insurance is primarily private. About half of Americans have coverage through their employers, often at a reasonable cost, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

About a third of Americans are covered by government plans -- either Medicare for those over the age of 65 or Medicaid, the insurance program for the poor.

The rest have to fend for themselves, and either buy insurance on their own or do not have coverage, paying cash for their medical expenses. Costs for these groups can be very high.

Under Barack Obama's reforms, individuals and many companies are required to either have or offer health insurance or pay a penalty.

Forcing younger, healthier people to buy coverage was expected to help defray medical costs for poorer, older, sicker Americans.

The replacement bill scraps those conditions in favor of a system of tax credits aimed at helping people purchase health insurance on the open market.

But Democrats warn that those credits are on average less than the subsidies built into Obamacare's premiums, especially for older Americans who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

- Keeping what's good -

Despite Republican calls throughout last year's election campaign to completely kill off Obamacare, the substitute aims to keep two very popular provisions.

It protects the rule that insurance companies cannot refuse coverage to anyone due to a pre-existing condition, and it allows dependents to remain on their parents' insurance plan until the age of 26.

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- Big changes -

The Republican substitute would repeal some taxes on health care-related expenses that were created by Obamacare. And it no longer will limit the tax break for employer-sponsored health coverage.

Obamacare allowed the expansion of Medicaid, but the new bill would cap federal reimbursements, potentially to the detriment of those living in states that underwent the expansion.

Result: A scoring by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimates the costs of a piece of legislation to the federal government, said 14 million Americans would lose coverage in 2018 under the new plan, and 24 million by 2026, effectively erasing the gains of Obamacare.

Since then, the text has been tweaked and so those totals could change.

- Conservative backlash -

Minority Democrats are expected to unanimously oppose the plan, forcing the Republican majority to nearly unite to get it over the finish line.

But a conservative backlash is underway -- some Republicans have called it "Obamacare Light" and are negotiating. Some concessions have been made ahead of Thursday's vote.

They say they want the tax credits totally eliminated, arguing they are just a government handout like Obamacare subsidies by another name.

Republican governors and lawmakers from states that expanded Medicaid have warned against any measure that disrupts current funding structures and consequently leaves vulnerable citizens without coverage.

If the House passes it, the Senate will take up the measure next week -- with further amendments surely to come.

In the Senate, Republicans hold a 52-48 majority, meaning three Republican defections could sink the bill.
Photo credit: DPCCars / YouTube

From Road & Track

The Concept_One, an electric supercar from a company in Croatia called Rimac, has been making some big waves in the industry lately. It's beaten a Porsche 918 Spyder on a drag strip, and spanked a Bugatti Veyron around the track. How does it pull off all these feats with a heavy battery and a bunch of tech on board? The secret is a very advanced (and very rad) torque vectoring system.

The Rimac, unlike internal combustion-powered cars, doesn't have a central power source from which to draw energy from or lug around. Instead, it has four electric motors-one at each wheel-to distribute power as effectively as possible.

Using its torque vectoring system, Rimac can adjust the power and braking going to each wheel 100 times per second, giving the car unparalleled speed and agility through the corners. Additionally, drivers can adjust the system to fit their preferences, opting for a setup that promotes oversteer, understeer, or neutrality in the chassis.

Watch below as Rimac's engineers explain it below.

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Love a good mojito? You're not alone. Americans are enjoying rum cocktails no matter where they go, from tropical pina coladas to mojitos served on the rocks. Rum sales have grown steadily since 2002, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and remained steady over the past eight years with roughly 25 million 9-liter cases sold each year. But all shades of rum-infused cocktails -- spiced and flavored included -- are popping up on menus and bars dedicated to the largely Caribbean-imported spirit around the country, with a variety of hotels breaking into the rum scene. Here are some fun ways you can partake in the trend and savor rum at hotels around the U.S.

[See: 12 Top Caribbean Beach Bars.]

The Rum Rundown

Americans began drinking rum during the mid-1600s, when exports of molasses, the key ingredient in rum, from the West Indies reached New England. While the spirit's popularity rose and fell over hundreds of years, it gained a resurgence during World War II, when the whiskey supply declined, because distilleries were used to make industrial alcohol for the war. "Rum is the original spirit of our country," says Kelly Railean, owner and master distiller at Railean Distillers, a distributor in San Leon, Texas.

Today, rum is having a revival. Interest in specialty cocktails is on the rise. Americans are also interested in learning about the different types of rum, including spiced and flavored run, where various spices are added to the blend, as well as barrel-aged rum varieties.

The Resurgence of Rum Trails and Bars

Rum-focused bars are cropping up at U.S. hotels, including the JW Marriott Marco Island. As part of their transition to become part of the JW Marriott portfolio in 2016, the property added Kane, a Tiki bar that offers more than 40 varieties of rum from around the world, making it the most expansive collection in the area. The beachside bar was a natural fit for the property, which already features a Balinese-inspired theme.

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Aside from rum tastings, guests can enjoy custom cocktails, like the Turtle Season Lights Out, which includes several rums, coconut liqueur, a homemade grenadine and pineapple, orange and lemon juices. Kane also has a menu filled with modern dishes to complement its drink selection, and offers a view of the hotel's nightly fire dancer performance along the beach.

Strong Water Tavern at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, a Caribbean-inspired property which opened in 2016 at Universal Orlando, is a specialty rum bar that boasts 75 rare and vintage rum varieties, including several from Florida. The bar's own rum "captain" can pour flights and help patrons choose the right rum style to enjoy by the outdoor fire pit, which offers views overlooking a lagoon. Guests can also select cocktails, such as the Planter's Punch or Dark 'N Jumpy, paired with items from the tapas menu.

[See: 10 Top Hotels in Europe for Food and Wine Lovers.]

Meanwhile, at the Intercontinental Boston, you may feel like you're stepping back in time, when rums were all the rage. Rumor has it that even Paul Revere stopped for a sip during his midnight ride. The RumBa, a rum-themed cocktail bar, pays tribute to the bygone era, serving a collection of distilled rums and appetizers while guests listen to Latin and Caribbean music.

You can even find rum bars in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess' Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, in collaboration with celebrity chef Richard Sandoval, serves Central and South American-style small plates with a choice of more than 150 rums, including its own blend, Rum Princesa.

Packing a Punch

Rum punches were popular in the colonial era, and included rum, water, sugar, citrus and often spices. Several hotels are bringing back rum punch varieties as a sweeter option for guests looking to give rum a go. For example, Strong Water Tavern offers several punches that serve four to six people and include flavors such as vanilla and pineapple or apricot. The new YAKU by La Mar waterfront bar and lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami serves handcrafted punch cocktails, which include a rum option.

Meanwhile, guests staying at Renaissance Hotels can sample rum concoctions served in complimentary punch bowls prepared by the hotel's mixologists every evening at more than 80 properties. The Perrier sparkling punch bowls, all featuring Perrier water, include a rum concoction. The punch combines cranberry, pineapple and grapefruit juices along with a locally sourced blend of white and aged rum. "Rum is used in this cocktail, because it is the perfect expression of summer fun and a traditional spirit for punches," says Lynnette Marrero, national brand mixologist for Perrier. "The bubbles of Perrier help bring out the flavors of the rum," she adds.

[Read: Chasing Hamilton from New York City to Nevis.]

Diving Deeper Into the Rum Trend

Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, Florida, boasts the most expensive collection of rum -- from Appleton Estate 50 Year OldJamaica Rum to Pyrat Rum Cask 1623 -- at its RUMba bar, which opened in 2016. Guests can dive further into the resurgence of rum with the property's "Room & Rum" package, which includes a tasting at Key West Legal Rum Distillery along with a cocktail shaker and welcome mojito.

If you would rather visit the island that is home to Bacardi rum, head to Puerto Rico. As part of the Mojito Experience at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, guests are matched with hotel bartenders to take a class and learn the art of mixology.
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  Romanian rail workers have staged a walk-out after unions and management failed to agree about wage hikes.

More than 150 trains were affected by the strike, announced only Wednesday morning. Many trains were running late, with delays up six hours reported.

Employees of the Romanian CFR state rail network are demanding a 25 percent wage increase and better working conditions. Railway bosses say they can afford a 22.5 percent raise.

Transport Minister Razvan Cuc said he would meet trade union leaders later Wednesday.

There was no train service Wednesday morning for the eastern cities of Cluj, Brasov, Iasi and Bacau.

Romania's rail network is in dire need of upgrading, with trains running at an average speed of 80 kilometers an hour (50 mph).
By Maria Tsvetkova GELENDZHIK, Russia (Reuters) - Russia's force in Syria has suffered losses since late January more than three times higher than the official toll, according to evidence gathered by Reuters, a tally that shows the fight in Syria is tougher and more costly than the Kremlin has disclosed. Eighteen Russian citizens fighting alongside Moscow's allies, the Syrian government forces, have been killed since Jan. 29 -- a period that coincided with intense fighting to recapture the city of Palmyra from the Islamic State group. The Russian defense ministry has publicly reported only five servicemen's deaths in Syria over the same period, and its officials' statements have not mentioned any large-scale Russian ground operations in the fight for Palmyra. Military casualties abroad are not as politically sensitive in Russia as in some other countries but send a negative message ahead of a presidential election next year which is expected to give President Vladimir Putin a fourth term. The toll was revealed in interviews with relatives and friends of the dead men, cemetery workers, local media reports of funerals and evidence collected by a group of investigative bloggers, Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT). In each case, Reuters has independently verified information about the death by speaking to someone who knows the dead man. The casualties since the end of January represent one of the highest tolls for the Russian contingent in Syria since the start of Moscow's military intervention 18 months ago. An official with the Russian foreign ministry referred questions about them to the defense ministry. The Russian defense ministry did not respond to Reuters questions about the casualties and about military operations in Syria. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Most of the dead were not regular Russian soldiers but Russian civilians working as private military contractors under the orders of Russian commanders. Moscow has not officially acknowledged the presence of the contractors in Syria. One of the 18 men killed was Yuri Sokalsky, a 52-year-old from the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik who, according to a person close to him, signed up to go to Syria in January with a group of private contractors. In one of his last phone calls home, the person close to him said, he expressed surprise at the large numbers of Russian contractors being despatched to Syria, and relayed what he had been told about the intensity of the combat. "Out of every 100 people, 50 are coming back in caskets," the person recalled Sokalsky as saying. The person asked not to be identified, fearing repercussions for revealing information that is sensitive for the Russian authorities. SYMBOLIC CITY On March 14 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial drawdown of Russian forces in Syria, saying their mission had, "as a whole, been fulfilled." The fight for Palmyra this year tells a different story. The 18 fatalities documented by Reuters include the five regular soldiers whose deaths were announced by the defense ministry, four private military contractors in one unit killed on the same day, seven other such contractors, and two regular soldiers whose deaths the defense ministry has not announced. The period examined by Reuters coincided with the start of a major Russian deployment to the area around Palmyra, according to several people close to the dead fighters. Several relatives of people killed in Syria said they had received phone calls from people involved in recruiting private military contractors warning them not to speak to media. Out of the 18 dead, at least 10 were killed in the region of Palmyra, which Islamic State fighters seized in December for a second time in a year - a major reversal for Syrian government forces and their Russian backers. On Jan. 10, Sokalsky, a land mine specialist, left his home in Gelendzhik and set off for Rostov, in southern Russia, to join a group of private contractors being despatched to Syria. On his one previous tour to Syria, only fighters over 35 were being hired, selected to carry out specialist technical roles or train Syrian units rather than for out-and-out combat. "This time they were taking everyone," said the person close to Sokalsky. Two official documents seen by Reuters show that on Jan. 31, Sokalsky died from shrapnel injuries in Tiyas, in Syria's Homs province about 60 km west of Palmyra. Three other members of his unit, all private military contractors, were killed the same day, according to relatives, friends and cemetery officials. They were Alexei Nainodin, Roman Rudenko, and a third man whose name Reuters was not able to establish. Another private military contractor, Dmitry Markelov, was also killed at Tiyas, site of the Syrian military's T4 air base, on Jan. 29, according to people close to him. Four regular Russian servicemen were killed in the same area on Feb. 16, Russian state media cited a defense ministry statement as saying. The soldiers, described by state media as "advisors" to the Syrian military, were not named. A fifth regular serviceman, Artyom Gorbunov, was killed near Palmyra on March 2, state media quoted the ministry as saying. A further eight members of the Russian contingent were killed since the end of January at unknown locations in Syria, the evidence gathered by Reuters showed. They were contractors Konstantin Zadorozhny, Ivan Slyshkin, Vasily Yurlin, Alexander Sagaydak, Alexander Zangiyev, and Alexander Tychinin, and regular Russian soldiers Igor Vorona, and Sergei Travin. Local media reports and social media posts point to more Russian deaths in Syria since the end of January than the 18 casualties, but Reuters has not been able to verify that information independently. (Additional reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi in AMMAN, Thomas Perry and Angus McDowall in BEIRUT, and Joseph Nasr in BERLIN; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
It may be the largest rally in support of science ever. Hundreds of thousands of people have joined the Facebook group for the upcoming March for Science, and tens of thousands have offered to volunteer. Beyond a march in Washington, more than 400 cities worldwide will host simultaneous events on April 22 to repudiate science policies of the new White House and Congress.

Yet for all the excitement, STAT has found, plans for the march are plagued by infighting among organizers, attacks from outside scientists who dont feel their interests are fairly represented, and operational disputes. Tensions have become so pronounced that some organizers have quit and many scientists have pledged not to attend.

What was billed as science advocates speaking with a unified voice, then, has instead surfaced long-lingering tensions within the scientific community.

Rachel Holloway, a clinical psychologist who chairs the events diversity and inclusion committee, conceded that initially the group was overwhelmed by scientists and activists clamoring for a spot at the table. It was like trying to drink water out of a fire hose, she said.

Things have settled down since January, and organizers have begun to address members concerns. But many are not satisfied.

Jacquelyn Gill, a biology and ecology professor at the University of Maine, told STAT that she quit the organizing committee in recent weeks because of leaders resistance to aggressively addressing inequalities  including race and gender.

We were really in this position where, because the march failed to actively address those structural inequalities within its own organization and then to effectively communicate those values outward, we carried those inequalities forward, Gill said. Some of these problems stem from the march leadership failing early on in its messaging.

At the heart of the disagreements are conflicting philosophies over the marchs purpose. In one corner are those who assert that the event should solely promote science itself: funding, evidence-based policies, and international partnerships.

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In another are those who argue that the march should also bring attention to broader challenges scientists face, including issues of racial diversity in science, womens equality, and immigration policy.

But at the senior levels of march planning, officials say they are concerned about such splintering of the marchs message  even as they combat their own disagreements over what this historic event is meant to accomplish.

A divisive diversity policy

The events official diversity policy, posted just days after the march was announced in January, has undergone repeated revisions, and is now in its fourth version.

The latest, as of Tuesday night, read: We acknowledge that society and scientific institutions often fail to include and value the contributions of scientists from underrepresented groups.  We better serve everyone when we affirm that the labors and achievements of underrepresented communities are foundational to the creation and maintenance of our democracy; engage in difficult conversations; and sustain an open scientific community that celebrates, respects, and includes people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Read more: Im going to #sciencemarch in Washington. Heres why

The statement was designed to be an evolving document, Holloway said, but the massive early interest led to a level of scrutiny the marchs organizers didnt expect.

It was rewritten and expanded in late January, and tweaked again in February to add language about disability and inclusiveness. The official Twitter account said that these changes were in response to feedback and complaints about the policy.

And in the echo chamber of social media, the feedback itself spurred feedback  some of it personal in nature.

For instance, Stephani Page, who has a doctorate in biophysics and biochemistry, tweeted in February that some people critiquing the March for Science online were becoming targets of harassment. Page, who did not respond to requests for further comment, is now a member of the steering committee, and organizers recently added an anti-harassment statement to the website.

Communications missteps

In its short life, the organization has drawn a big social media following  but has also made some high-profile communications missteps.

Many, though not all, of the marchs organizers are newcomers to the world of political activism, and people both inside and outside the group say the leadership has been hesitant to seek help from communications professionals.

And keeping a unified message is even harder when each citys sister march has its own Twitter account and planning committee.

For instance, Australian-based sociologist Zuleyka Zevallos, in an e-mail to STAT, pointed to what she called racist dog-whistling by the Los Angeles march chapter in a Twitter post that was since deleted: some scientists [are] concerned with the march turning into [a] political event and losing its focus. What do YOU pledge to do to keep it peaceful?

The leap from political to violent did not sit well with some minority science advocates.

Read more: What happened when I talked about what others ignore  racism in medicine

The marchs social media has been accused of being insensitive on gender issues as well. A tweet answer to an innocuous question about bathroom facilities at the march used the hashtag #GirlsCanBeScientistsToo with a winky face. In late February, Twitter users were dismayed at how the marchs Twitter account referred to women in engineering as ladies and females and asked why they thought a gender gap existed, when a huge body of research has shed light on that issue. Days later, the Twitter account stirred ire when it left out Rosalind Franklin in a tweet about the discovery of DNA (though Franklin had been mentioned in the tweet immediately before).

Last week, Zevallos published an article about the marchs various diversity problems  a move she made after close to two months of equity missteps, and many scientists were fed up by having offered their volunteering, advice and resources, only to be ignored, she said.

Leaders resign

Disagreements over how to respond to these complaints have led at least two people within march leadership to quit.

Asked about Gills departure, Holloway told STAT that there has been some push by some people to centralize diversity in a way that diminishes science.

Shane Morris, a Nashville-based web consultant, also left the organizing committee after a week  in his case, because he viewed it as too worried about appeasing diversity demands and not worried enough about its legacy.

While Morris acknowledged that he is not a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in science  he is a white man  he said he hoped issues of access and diversity could be resolved after the march with legislation and concrete actions. Im definitely not against talking about equality issues, he said, I just felt it was an inappropriate forum. He would have preferred to see the march building up towards a lobbying effort to pass legislation that could address these and other issues after the march, he said. I think that the [organizers] saw the march as the result.

If youre not interested in passing policy, then why are we walking around? he said. He left after less than a week on the committee.

Others in the scientific community have expressed concerns about the marchs message becoming watered down. When, for instance, the diversity page was briefly removed from the marchs website in January, prominent Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker tweeted that he was glad to see that the March for Science Web site has removed the distractions. Pinker had previously described the march as anti-science for its left-wing political tone.

Read more: Fake news invades science and science journalism as well as politics

In early February, an unofficial poll posted by one Reddit user in the sites March on Science forum found that a majority of respondents said they wouldnt participate in the march if organizers emphasized social justice issues. Several threads on the marchs Reddit community explicitly criticize the march for what they call scope creep.

I really do want the science march to succeed, Morris said, and its unfortunate that there is so much turmoil within an organization that is needed more now than any other time I can remember.

I dont think theres any amount of organization thats going to fix it at this point.

Making a difference

Some remain optimistic that the criticisms levied at the march can be at least partially resolved. Jess Shanahan, an astrophysicist by training and a science communicator, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome  a hereditary disease that can weaken a persons connective tissues  and has been vocal about the need for organizers to consider how accessible the march is for people with disabilities. For example, she noted, organizers should have enough areas for people to rest if they have difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time and set aside a quiet space for scientists and attendees who have diagnoses on the autism spectrum.

Organizers contacted her earlier this week and invited her to give input to make the march in Washington more accessible.

That overture really did influence my decision to attend [the march], she said. Because if I can make a difference and if I can push for some kind of accessibility  even if its something small  then I do want to show up. Because is it enough? Probably not. Is it going to be perfectly accessible? No, she said. But I think that we need to work towards positive change, even if its a baby step.

The next big, public test for organizers: the speaker lineup in Washington, D.C. Organizers havent yet finalized the list and declined to commit to a date when speakers will be announced. Regardless, many people will likely analyze the list to gauge whether it reflects the diversity of the scientific community at large and whether speakers address some of the key barriers people face to joining scientific professions.

The issues and criticisms of the march are indicative of problems in STEM as a whole, Shanahan said, and thats why people are drawing attention to it.
Spring break season is here, and, like a lot of beachgoers, science too is suffering some stings  albeit not of the jellyfish kind.

In the latest ploy, reported Wednesday, a group of researchers at the University of Wroclaw, in Poland, tried to seat a fictional scholar onto the editorial boards of 360 academic publications.

The goal: to test whether, with just a CV  full of fake scientific degrees  and a profile on Academia.edu as well as a fake university, some would accept a scholar named Anna O. Szust (which translates to Anna, a Fraud in English) as a member of their editorial boards.

And many did. The sting, reported in Nature, netted 48 journals  nearly all of which were so-called predatory journals. Such journals accept manuscripts without reviewing them, print them without editing them, and otherwise make a mockery of the scientific literature by pumping out low-quality work.

Some offered Anna potentially lucrative profit-sharing. Others required payment from her.

Read more: Are predatory publishers days numbered?

Not one of the 120 legitimate publications included in the scheme fell for the ruse.

Although the operation was cute, those results werent surprising. After all, this isnt the first such stunt; a top bovine excrement researcher, Hoss Cartwright, has ended up on boards, too. And at legitimate journals, editors are generally very wary of scientists who try to get themselves on editorial boards.

Im suspicious of anybody who applies to be on our ed board, said Elizabeth Wager, editor of Research Integrity and Peer Review. We have had a couple of such applications  and we turned them down.

It is unthinkable that a fictitious individual could be named as an editor at his journals, said Ferric Fang, the editor in chief of Infection and Immunity and the deputy editor of Clinical Infectious Diseases. (Full disclosure, both Fang and Wager are on the board of directors of our nonprofit organization, the Center For Scientific Integrity.)

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In other words, this sting seems to be beating a dead horse.

But another sting against predatory publishers could pack a real punch  and it hasnt yet been done, at least not in a systematic way. Three years ago, two big publishers were forced to retract 120 gibberish papers that they had accepted and published. Whats missing are stings that submit fake papers to journals and include a control group of traditional publishers  not the known miscreants, but the ones cited every day in publications like this one  and then see what happens.

Read more: A famed journal blacklist is dead. Long live a blacklist!

Well withhold judgment until we see the results, but lets just say that wed be surprised, based on the sorts of papers we sometimes see published, if all of them passed the test. Yes, predatory journals do a lot of damage. But without suggesting some sort of false equivalence, we submit that theyre not the only ones.

In the meantime, other efforts also are worth noting. A new paper in BMC Medicine, for example, offers researchers a 13-point, evidence-based checklist for helping them identify and avoid predatory journals. Those red flags include the promise of rapid publication; a mash-up of unrelated research interests, like biomedicine and, say, forestry; lack of a retraction policy; a low per-page publishing fee (less than $150); a bogus but official-sounding metric such as the Index Copernicus; and a website riddled with spelling and grammatical errors.

Those criteria seem a reasonable step now that Bealls List  a controversial but very useful catalog of publishings bad actors  is no longer with us.

But stings still have their place  now lets make sure they help advance science.
Paris (AFP) - For 130 years, dinosaurs have been classified as either bird- or reptile-hipped -- the first and all-important split in the trunk of an intricate family tree.

On Wednesday, a "revolutionary" study threatened to upend what has long been taken as gospel by preschoolers and palaeontologists alike -- that a dinosaur's evolutionary history can be determined by the shape of its pelvis.

"Our study overturns 130 years of dogma," said study co-author Paul Barrett of London's Natural History Museum.

"Our analysis suggests that animals like T. rex were actually more closely related to Stegosaurus" -- dinos once thought to be firmly on either side of the hip divide.

A new dinosaur evolutionary tree, published in the journal Nature, proposes two new base groups, in which bird- and reptile-hipped lizards are now mixed.

It also suggests that dinosaurs arose around 247 million years ago -- some 10 million years earlier than thought -- and in the northern hemisphere rather than the south.

Barrett and a team examined a large sample of features of very early dinosaurs to learn more about the original, common ancestor and its first offshoots.

The first dinosaur, they concluded, was likely a small omnivore that walked on its hind legs and had grasping hands. These aspects have been the subject of much scientific debate.

But the most controversial finding concerns what happened next.

Dinosaurs split into two main groups, but quite unlike those assumed until now, said the team.

- Birds find a home -

Since the Victorian era, dinosaurs have been split into two categories: The bird-hipped (Ornithischia) and reptile-hipped (Saurischia).

The Saurischia group was sub-divided into bipedal carnivores called theropods, which included the likes of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Velociraptor, and the massive, long-necked sauropods such as Brontosaurus.

But under the new classification, bird-hipped dinos such as the three-horned Triceratops and armoured Stegosaurus no longer comprise one of the two basal categories.

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Instead, they are sub-divided into a completely new category, called Ornithoscelida, along with theropods which were removed from under the reptile-hipped Saurischia.

"We have... pulled Theropods out, but the old Saurischia limps on," as one of the two foundational categories, the study's lead author Matthew Baron from the University of Cambridge told AFP.

The new Ornithoscelida category, he proposed, can be described as "bird-limbed". Its members share common hind-limb as well as skull features.

"We propose that the dinosaur family tree actually looks very different from the version that has been accepted by scientists for the last 130 years," said Baron.

For the first time, the ancestors of modern birds, reptile-hipped theropods, are grouped with bird-hipped dinosaurs into a single category.

If the conclusions are correct, said Baron's colleague David Norman, "All the major textbooks covering the topic of the evolution of the vertebrates will need to be re-written."

In a comment on the study, also published by Nature, Kevin Padian of the University of California described its conclusions as "revolutionary".

"It will be interesting to see how palaeontologists receive this original and provocative reassessment of dinosaur origins and relationships," he wrote.

Baron said he looked forward to the debate.

"We expect people in our field to test and retest our hypothesis and seek out new specimens and new data that may prove or disprove what we are proposing," he said by email.

"This is by no means the last word on the subject."

A video explaining the findings can be found here:

https://youtu.be/BRlktNwTRjE
By Ali Abdelaty CAIRO (Reuters) - As Islamic State loses ground in Iraq and Syria, the Sunni militant group which once held territory amounting to a third of those countries is turning to sabotage to ensure its enemies cannot benefit from its losses. As the Syrian army and allied militias advanced under heavy Russian air cover on the ancient city of Palmyra three weeks ago, Islamic State leaders ordered fighters to destroy oil and gas fields. "It is the duty of mujahideen today to expand operations targeting economic assets of the infidel regimes in order to deprive crusader and apostate governments of resources," an article in the group's online weekly magazine al-Nabaa said. The strategy poses a double challenge to Baghdad and Damascus, depriving their governments of income and making it harder to provide services and gain popular support in devastated areas recaptured from the militants. The March 2 article said operations by Islamic State in the area around Palmyra "prove the massive effect that strikes aimed at the infidels' economy have, confusing them and drawing them ... into battles they are not ready for." It's not just oil wells the group has targeted. Twice in the last two years it has taken over Palmyra, about 200 km (130 miles) northeast of Damascus, and both times destroyed priceless antiquities before being driven out. A Syrian antiquities official said earlier this month that he had seen serious damage to the Tetrapylon, a square stone platform with matching structures of four columns positioned at each corner. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing. In their earlier occupation of the city, the militants ruined an 1,800-year-old monumental arch and the nearly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. However, the article in al-Nabaa suggested Islamic State sees the destruction of tangible economic assets as a greater weapon against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, who is from Syria's Alawite minority. "In the first days of the second conquest of Palmyra, where fighters secured the city and other vast areas to the west that include the Alawite regime's last petrol resources ... the Alawite regime and its allies rushed to the depth of the desert to reclaim them," Islamic State wrote. "But the caliphate's soldiers had beaten them to the punch and destroyed the wells and refineries completely so that their enemies could not gain from them and so that their economic crisis goes on for the longest time possible." 'MASS DESTRUCTION POLICY' Islamic State, which declared a caliphate across large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, has lost much territory and many fighters as it comes under attack from a U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive in Iraq and three separate ground forces in Syria. Iraqi troops have recaptured most of Mosul, the largest city to be taken by the group and the base from which its leader proclaimed the caliphate. In Syria, the group has lost Palmyra and its main stronghold, Raqqa, is surrounded. As well as destroying resources before they pull out, the militants have stepped up insurgent attacks in areas beyond their control, especially in Iraq. "Any harm to the economic interests of these two governments will weaken them, be it an electricity tower in Diyala, an oil well in Kirkuk, a telecommunications network in Baghdad, or a tourist area in Erbil," the article in al-Nabaa said. It said those attacks would further stretch the group's enemies by forcing them to defend economic interests, weakening their readiness for the battles to come. Islamic State has caused about $30 billion in damage to Iraqi infrastructure since 2014, an adviser to the Iraqi government on infrastructure told Reuters. "Daesh has used a mass destruction policy on factories and buildings with the aim of causing as much economic harm to Iraq as possible," said Jaafar al-Ibrahimi, using an Arabic acronym for the group. "Over 90 percent of infrastructure that has come under their hands was destroyed. Daesh burned all oil wells in the Qayyarah field south of Mosul." They also destroyed sugar and cement factories and transported the equipment to Syria, he said. In Syria, the militants destroyed over 65 percent of the Hayan gas plant, the country's oil minister told the state news agency. The Hayan field, in Homs province where Palmyra is located, produced 3 million cubic meters of natural gas per day. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Dominic Evans and Mark Trevelyan)
On Wednesday, Scottish parliament was set to vote to give its government a mandate for a second referendum on Scottish independence from Great Britain.

This follows British Prime Minister Theresa Mays declaration last week that now is not the time for a second referendum on Scottish independence, which she believes should not be held until after the completion of negotiations for Britain itself to leave the European Union. While May is set to trigger those talks by the end of the month, theyll likely take until at least 2019 to complete.

Mays comments didnt sit well with Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, and dont seem to have gone down well with the Scottish parliament, either. And since Sturgeons Scottish Nationalist Party has roughly half the seats in parliament and will probably be joined in this matter by the Greens, its likely to vote to back Sturgeons plans for a second referendum before it is too late to choose an alternative path.

Wednesdays vote marks the conclusion of two days of debate. Sturgeon opened it by saying, As a result of the Brexit vote we know that change is now inevitable  the question is what kind of change is right for Scotland and whether that change is made for us or by us.

The first referendum on Scottish independence was held in the summer of 2014, and failed, with only about 45 percent backing independence. Then-prime Minister David Cameron urged Scots to look beyond his unpopularity when voting: a vote to break the 300-plus-year union would be permanent, he argued.

One reason the Scottish no vote prevailed: Scots wanted to stay in Europe, which would have been tougher if they bailed out of Great Britain. Now, the situation is reversed: Scots voted overwhelmingly against Brexit last summer, and many see Scottish independence as they only way to stay inside the EU. (Many in Europe are willing to welcome them with open arms, though Spain  with its own restless regions  is leery of setting a dangerous precedent.)

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Lawmakers suspended their sitting out of respect for their sister Parliament, outside of which there was an attack that Scotland Yard is at present treating as a terrorist incident, delaying their decision as to whether the best way to remain really is to leave after all.

Update, March 22 2017, 12:03 pm ET: This post was updated to reflect that the vote was suspended.

Photo credit: Jeff J Mitchell-Pool/Getty Images
Edinburgh (AFP) - Scotland's leader Nicola Sturgeon is expected to win a vote in the Scottish parliament on Wednesday in support of a new independence referendum, despite opposition from London.

Lawmakers are due to back Sturgeon's call for a second referendum when they vote in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening, following a two-day debate in the devolved parliament.

"For the UK Government to stand in the way of Scotland even having a choice would be, in my view, wrong, unfair and utterly unsustainable," Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, said on Tuesday.

As head of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), Sturgeon has been a champion of independence although she needs approval from London to forge ahead with a referendum.

Winning the Scottish parliament's approval would pave the way for her to ask the British government for the power to call another vote.

Scotland rejected independence in 2014, although the SNP argues Britain's decision last June to leave the European Union warrants a fresh referendum as Scotland voted to remain within the bloc.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday accused the SNP of "divisive and obsessive nationalism" and defended the "precious, precious union" of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The premier has said she aims to get the best divorce package from Brussels for Scotland and the rest of Britain, with formal Brexit proceedings to be started by the government on March 29.

May has insisted "now is not the time" for another Scottish referendum, which Sturgeon has suggested should be held by spring 2019 at the latest.

This would see a vote take place before Britain leaves the EU, although the first minister has let room for negotiation on an alternative timetable "within reason".

The SNP has won the support of the pro-independence Scottish Greens ahead of Wednesday's parliament vote, bringing it the majority needed to defeat opposition from the Scottish Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

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- 'Disastrous hard Brexit' -

Despite Sturgeon's ardent support for a second referendum, current polls show she may not win a vote.

The September 2014 referendum saw Scotland reject independence by 55 percent, while a ScotCen social attitudes study published last week found 46 percent now support independence.

The survey also found a rise in euroscepticism, from 40 percent in 1999 to 67 percent last year, which could prove challenging to the pro-EU strategy underpinning the SNP's referendum campaign.

Sturgeon has warned that leaving the European single market would cost Scotland tens of thousands of jobs, although voting for independence would not necessarily maintain Edinburgh's access.

EU officials have indicated an independent Scotland would have to reapply to join the bloc, rather than inherit Britain's membership once it leaves the union.

Despite uncertainty hanging over Scotland's place in the Brexit era, Sturgeon on Saturday remained unwavering in her fight for a new referendum.

"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," she told supporters in the city of Aberdeen.
EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Scotland's devolved parliament suspended a planned vote on Wednesday to give its government a mandate to seek a new independence referendum after an attack on Britain's Houses of Parliament in London which police said they were treating as a terrorist incident. No date for the debate to resume was given. The Scottish parliament issued a statement saying it would increase security measures, although no specific threat to Scotland had been detected. London's permission for a new Scottish referendum is needed because any legally binding vote on United Kingdom constitutional matters has to be authorized by the UK parliament. Prime Minister Theresa May has not completely ruled out another Scottish independence vote but has vowed to fight for what she has called the "precious union" of the United Kingdom. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who argues that Scotland's vote to keep its EU membership in last June's referendum has been ignored in May's Brexit arrangements so far, is seeking authority for a second referendum from the Scottish parliament, to be held in late 2018 or early 2019. (Reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary; editing by Stephen Addison)
By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York police ramped up security at British sites across the city on Wednesday after an assailant fatally stabbed a policeman outside Britain's parliament and was then shot and killed by police. Heavily armed officers and explosives-detecting dogs were deployed to locations including the British Consulate and the British Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan, senior New York Police Department officials told a news conference. "You'll see a larger presence of the dogs at these locations, as well as (officers) armed with the long guns," said James Waters, the police department's counterterrorism chief. Police Commissioner James O'Neill said that while authorities were concerned about copycat attacks, there was no specific threat to New York City on Wednesday. Outside the British Consulate, officers stood guard wearing helmets and tactical vests and carrying semi-automatic rifles. Several police cars were parked nearby, their lights flashing. Police long-gun teams were also deployed to New York's City Hall and Grand Central Station, the department said. Four people died and at least 20 were injured in London after a car plowed into pedestrians and an attacker stabbed a policeman close to parliament in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack." New York police previously boosted security at prominent sites around the city after large-scale attacks in Paris, Brussels and San Bernardino, California, out of an abundance of caution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it would lend support to Britain's investigation of the attack but that the U.S. security posture was unchanged. "We are in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation," the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Additional reporting by Timothy Ahmann in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Peter Cooney)
It was 252 years ago today that the British Parliament signed the Stamp Act, a move that lit the fuse for a revolution in the American colonies that burned for a decade.

The disgust with the tax peaked on August 14, 1765, when an angry mob in Boston reacted to the first incident of taxation without representation in the colonies, an event that foreshadowed open rebellion 10 years later.

The prolonged violence showed the British government that it had severely miscalculated a taxing effort to pay for nearly 10,000 British troops who remained stationed on American soil after the French and Indian War concluded.

Many of the troops had connections to the British parliament and it was politically impossible to keep such a large standing army back home. Instead, Parliament decided to use the wealth of the colonies to keep its military patronage system intact  a fact not lost on colonial governments that had their own militias and saw military threats from the Indians and the French greatly lessening.

A year earlier, Parliament had passed the Sugar Act, which cut import taxes in half on molasses (which was used to make rum) but also contained strict measures to collect taxes that most colonists had avoided paying. There was also a draft measure circulating about a second tax that could be coming from Parliament.

On March 22, 1765, British Parliament passed the Stamp Tax. The levy required colonists to pay taxes on every page of printed paper they used. The tax also included fees for playing cards and dice.

The reaction in the colonies was immediate and intense. The protests were based on legal principles, that only the colonial legislatures had the power to tax residents who had representatives in those legislatures. Some colonies had official agents to Parliament, like Pennsylvanias Benjamin Franklin, but no colonies had sitting representatives in the British Parliament.

In May 1765, Virginias Patrick Henry wrote the Virginia Resolves, which made clear the taxation without representation argument.

Story continues

That the Taxation of the People by themselves, or by Persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who could only know what Taxes the People are able to bear, or the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every Tax laid on the People, is the only Security against a burdensome Taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of British Freedom, without which the ancient Constitution cannot exist, Henry said.

That summer, Massachusetts called for a meeting of all the colonies  a Stamp Act Congress  to be held in New York in October 1765. Committees of Correspondence were also formed in the colonies to protest the Act.

But by August, the outrage boiled over in Boston. Protesters organized as the Sons of Liberty took to the streets in a very defiant act against British rule.

The Sons of Liberty on the 14th of August 1765, a Day which ought to be forever remembered in America, animated with a zeal for their country then upon the brink of destruction, and resolved, at once to save her, wrote Samuel Adams about that fateful day.

Adams and the Sons of Liberty met under what was known as the Liberty Tree near Boston Common. Hoisted on the tree was an effigy of Andrew Oliver, the citys stamp tax agent. Soon, a mob of several thousand people attacked Olivers office and his home, and the effigy was stomped, decapitated and burned.

News of the protests, the actions of the Stamp Congress, and the publication of Henrys Virginia Resolves fueled anger across the colonies, and many colonies saw their own versions of the Sons of Liberty created.

The Parliament repealed the Stamp Act the following year, facing additional pressure from British merchants who saw their sales to the Colonies plummet. But Parliament then passed the Declaratory Act, which stated its right in principle to tax the colonies as it saw fit.

In the years following the Stamp Act riots, the use of a Congress of the Colonies and the Committees of Correspondence were key components of the independence drive a decade later.

One symbol that didnt survive was the Liberty Tree. British troops felled tree, which hosted the iconic scene of the Stamp Act protests and, later the planning of the Boston Tea Party, in August 1775.
Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Wednesday that the announcement by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., stating that intelligence agencies had swept up incidental communications from the Trump campaign was intended to distract attention from the FBIs investigation.

I think its an attempt to distract from something that clearly makes the administration  and many members of the GOP  very, very nervous: the ongoing investigation that the FBI has acknowledged into contacts between the Trump campaign  and possibly the transition and administration  and the Russian government, Kaine, who ran as Hillary Clintons nominee for vice president against Trump in 2016, told Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric.

They are very, very nervous about that, and every time this issue comes up, theyll come up with some new claim to distract attention, but weve got to get to the bottom of this Russia story, and were not going to let distractions dissuade us, he said.

Couric also asked Kaine why he thought FBI Director James Comey did not disclose the bureaus investigation into the Trump campaign, which began in July, even though he did disclose a reopening of the investigation into Hillary Clintons e-mail server.

I think a lot of us have that question. I dont have an answer for that question. At some point, there should be an answer for that question.
DAKAR (Reuters) - A Senegalese Islamic channel shocked viewers with half an hour of hardcore pornography in the middle of the day, in what the TV station on Wednesday attributed to a "criminal act". Privately run Touba TV generally broadcasts religious programs, including prayer sessions, sermons from prominent imams and in-depth theological discussions. But viewers were horrified on Monday afternoon when its regular transmissions were interrupted with a hard porn movie. The West African country's media watchdog, CNRA, has demanded an explanation. "We have asked Touba TV how this unacceptable mistake could happen for almost 30 minutes," an official told Reuters. In a statement, Touba TV denounced what it called "a criminal act by people with a hidden agenda." It gave no further details on the criminals or how they got access to its broadcasting unit. (Reporting Diadie Ba; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
With Adam Rawnsley

First man. President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago, the APs Jeff Horowitz and Chad Day report.

Manafort pitched a plan to the Kremlin around 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, the story states, quoting a Manafort memo directly: we are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success. Manafort managed Trumps presidential campaign from June to August last year, but was on the Trump team for months before that.

Exclusive. President Donald Trumps son-in-law and principal Middle East advisor, Jared Kushner, tried but failed to get Britain to scuttle a U.N. resolution denouncing Israeli settlements even before Trump took office, FPs Colum Lynch reports in an exclusive get.

His outreach was part of a broader effort to derail the resolution vote but Kushners intervention provided an early test of the neophytes attempt to wade into a Middle East morass that has bedeviled professional diplomats for decades. It also provided further insights into a rare effort by an incoming administration to press Americas closest ally to break ranks with a sitting American president.

Lynch spoke with former Obama administration officials who were angered by the incoming administrations efforts to shift policy before they entered office, writing that Washington began to notice that Britain was becoming an obstacle on other fronts, delaying action on a U.S.-backed resolution threatening sanctions against Syria for using chemical weapons.

This was starting to happen more and more, recalled one former senior U.S. official, who claimed the British were coordinating with Trumps team. It was a strange experience, it was quite unusual during an American transition to have close allies blatantly tell you they need to consult with the new administration.

Story continues

Not how they planned it. The first interview with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is out, and its a doozy. Tillerson tells Erin McPike of the Independent Journal Review that I didnt want this job. I didnt seek this job, but his wife convinced him that Gods not through with you. He said that he and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis are working hard to forge a consensus on policy issues with regard to the Islamic State and other global problems. But while he has accepted the drastic budget cuts the White House has penciled in for the State Department, he doesnt have any plans for where the cuts will hit, or how. We havent gotten that far yet, he said.

Meet and greet. Tillerson is back from his swing through Asia and will host the 68 members of the anti-Islamic State alliance Wednesday and Thursday at the State Department. The group includes all of the major NATO allies, and the meeting may be his only significant NATO exposure for some time. Hell likely skip a NATO summit next month in Brussels in favor of heading to Trumps for-profit Mar-a-Lago resort for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, followed by a trip to Moscow. FPs Robbie Gramer has more on the waves this is causing in NATO capitals.

Welcome to SitRep. Send any tips, thoughts or national security events to paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or via Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley.

Tests. North Korea has, yet again, tested another missile, firing it off from the countrys east coast on Tuesday evening. CNN reports that, while we dont know what kind of missile it was, the U.S. believes that the test was a failure. The U.S. Pacific Command said that the missile blew up just seconds after launching. Tuesdays failed launch follows a recent missile engine test by North Korea as well as the launch of four intermediate-range ballistic missiles, three of which landed in the Sea of Japan.

Sanctions. North Koreas deputy ambassador at its U.N. Mission in Geneva tells Reuters that Pyongyang is rushing to build a pre-emptive first strike capability and a an inter-continental ballistic missile. Choe Myong Nam told the wire service that the North isnt phased by U.S. attempts to sanction it in response to recent provocative acts, saying We of course are not afraid of any act like that.

Casualties. Investigations of Russian casualties in Syria by Reuters and the Conflict Intelligence Team investigative group finds that Moscow has suffered more than three times more casualties than it has admitted to in public. Russia has publicly announced the deaths of its citizens in Syria since the end of January, when the Islamic State recaptured the city of Palmyra but evidence shows at least 18 Russians have died in combat since then. Russian private military contractors account for 11 of those casualties, with five troop deaths admitted by Russias defense ministry and the deaths of two Russian troops passing unremarked upon.

Shocker. Believe it or not, the U.S. Air Force is a big proponent of upgrading the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The New York Times reports on a recent speech by Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the Air Forces deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, in which he calls for a revamp of the nuclear arsenal in response to a much more aggressive Russia. Weintstein says the U.S. arsenal is dated, with its last update taking place in the 1980s. Like other U.S. officials, he has also has accused Russia of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty.

Delete your account. Twitter has been busy suspending terrorism-related accounts, killing around 376,000 of them in the latter half of 2016, according to Recode. The figure represents a dramatic increase over a similar period in 2015, when the social media company suspended 125,000 accounts. Twitter briefly served as a popular platform for Islamic State fans to post propaganda, earning the company a criticism from lawmakers and others concerned about its hosting of terrorist content.

Evacuation. Israel is girding for the possibility that war with either or Hamas or Hezbollah may be on the horizon, drawing up plans for its communities near the borders with Gaza and Lebanon to practice evacuating to safer areas. The AP reports that the evacuation envisioned by the plans would be Israels largest ever, with those fleeing war-hit areas taking residence in whatever housing is available, including hotels and schools. The move comes amid increasing fears of a war between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel growing increasingly wary of Iranian and Syrian arms transfers to the group.

Get it together, Eli. Jeopardy contestant and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Eli Rosenberger whiffs on a question about when the service was founded  on the Navys birthday.
As far as infamous National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden is concerned, the FBI has not presented any real evidence Russia directly interfered with the 2016 presidential election with the alleged intent of propping up President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a technology conference in Hanover, Germany, through a live video feed, Snowden, whos been exiled in Russia for almost four years since he revealed the NSAs massive domestic and international spying efforts on Americans and others, stated that while some private vendors have perhaps found evidence the FBI had yet to officially link President Vladimir Putin and Russias intelligence arms to hacking efforts.

Read: Trump's Conflict Of Interest?

"We haven't seen any real evidence unfortunately out of the FBI from it, they say they have it but they haven't revealed it. We have gotten some out of private vendors, and it's reasonably convincing But the consensus is that this is a plausible case, Snowden said according to Russian state-run news outlet Sputnik.

But Snowden also stated that the accusations, even without "real evidence," had sparked a dialogue about global surveillance.

So now we can start to have a conversation about, is this appropriate? he asked. How do we deal with this? Where is the line between traditional espionage and interfering with elections? How we start to police these things? This is a conversation we cannot have without facts that everyone agrees on, without evidence that is well established and uncontroversial."

Trump and his campaign officials have repeatedly denied the accusations of ties to Russia. In a recent CNN/ORC poll, 65 percent of Americans said they think a special prosecutor should handle the investigation of the Trump campaign's link to Russia.

Snowdens comments come a day after FBI director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee that an investigation was still underway into alleged ties between Trumps campaign and Russia. Comey said the law enforcement agency was investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russias efforts.

Story continues

Read: There's Been Record Breaking Climate Change

RTX2TMYG

Photo: Reuters

Related Articles
Elon Musk has his sights set on going to Mars. (SpaceX via YouTube)

President Donald Trump may be beaming over a newly signed law that calls on NASA to look into sending astronauts to Mars by 2033, but not Elon Musk.

SpaceXs billionaire CEO is aiming to put his fortune behind a push to send up to a million settlers to Mars, starting as early as the mid-2020s.

In a back-and-forth series of tweets with Recodes Kara Swisher, Musk made clear that hes looking for much more than words from the federal government when it comes to Mars missions.

The exchange started with Swishers reaction to Trumps signing of the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, which confirms the space agencys commitment to deep-space exploration and the journey to Mars:

@karaswisher I am not. This bill changes almost nothing about what NASA is doing. Existing programs stay in place and there is no added funding for Mars.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2017

@karaswisher Perhaps there will be some future bill that makes a difference for Mars, but this is not it.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 22, 2017

@elonmusk thx for clarity. I would love to know more  Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) March 22, 2017

Recode says Musk didnt immediately respond to Swishers interest in a follow-up, but its fairly clear where hes coming from.

Story continues

The authorization bill lays out the sense of Congress for Mars exploration. However, it doesnt commit any new funds, or set up any new programs to get there. That would have to come in later legislation thats still little more than a twinkle in a senators eye.

Musk has big plans for Mars: Last year, he laid out a strategy to build giant spaceships to take 100 settlers at a time to Red Planet outposts. He said he expected to spend the bulk of his personal fortune, currently valued at $13.4 billion, on the decades-long effort  but even if thats the case, SpaceX would need NASAs buy-in.

SpaceX plans to start its Mars campaign in earnest with a robotic Dragon mission in 2020, fronted by the company but with NASA as a potential customer. That kind of financial and logistical support could be what Musk is looking for in future legislation.

To be sure, lawmakers made much over this weeks signing of the authorization bill. The most egregious example was a comment from U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, who said the legislation could turn Trump into the father of the interplanetary highway system.

But you cant take everything that a member of Congress says seriously. After all, when Trump noted how risky an astronauts job was, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, helpfully suggested that you could send Congress to space.

What a great idea that could be, Trump replied.

Hmm  on second thought, maybe Cruz better be careful what he says.

More from GeekWire:
By Matthew Miller BEIJING (Reuters) - Global direct-selling company Amway Inc is looking to rebuild its business in China with the help of improvements such as an online ordering platform for its agents and experience centers, as sales in the country have fallen over the past three years. Two decades after entering China, the country remains the biggest global market for the Michigan-based firm, representing about 30 percent of its $8.8 billion in total sales last year. But China revenue has contracted from nearly $4 billion in 2013, to reach 17.7 billion yuan ($2.57 billion) in 2016. "We're struggling a bit here now," Doug DeVos, Amway's president, told Reuters in an interview late Tuesday in Beijing. DeVos said the China business was suffering from "a direct selling cycle" and faced growing competition, with more than 90 direct selling companies now operating in the country. China's direct sales market has doubled in size over the last five years, with the retail sales value, excluding sales tax, reaching 135.8 billion yuan in 2016, according to market researcher Euromonitor. Amway's active sales force has contracted by about half over the past three years to 160,000 agents, while its permanent workforce has declined slightly to 8,000. It operates 250 stores nationwide, fewer than earlier. To revive its business, Amway is turning to the Internet to make improvements for its sales force in China, DeVos said. The company is allowing agents to use an online platform to order and re-order products, while converting stores into so-called "experience centers" designed as both showrooms and clubhouses. About 50 percent of all China sales are now made online, compared with around 10 percent five years ago, said Amway Greater China president Gan Chee Eng. Last month, Amway said its total revenue in 2016 was down 7 percent from a year ago. Asia-Pacific, which also includes Japan and South Korea, remains the company's most important region, representing about two-thirds of total sales. The privately-held company does not disclose its profitability. China is expected to remain the company's biggest market for some time, DeVos said. "China is going to have new markets (internally) for some time," said DeVos. "We're going to work through the current situation, because we have some history with it, and we're going to find our way back." (Reporting By Matthew Miller; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
The following material contains mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.

Teenage suicide is always a tragic event  but a new disturbing trend has emerged. Teens and young people have been killing themselves or making suicide attempts and live-streaming the event via social media. Not only are these acts horrifying, but they may be a trigger to others.

Psychiatrist Dr. Domenick Sportelli joins The Doctors to discuss the phenomenon and how to prevent it.

The fact that live-stream suicides are becoming, in a way, a new norm  very disturbing, says ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork.

Watch: Teen Suicide Rates Double

Dr. Sportelli works in the psychiatric ER, and he agrees. We are absolutely seeing an increase in how these kids are posting their suicides on social media. People will take pictures of the pills theyre about to take, people will take pictures of cutting that theyre doing. Social media is how kids communicate, and when theyre hurting and they have a cry for help, this is what they do.

Online suicides are especially harmful because they can inspire other depressed teens to attempt suicide. It normalizes it, says Ob/Gyn Dr. Nita Landry.

Dr. Sportelli says shes right  cluster suicides are a real phenomenon. From the age of 15 to 19, if someone close to you commits suicide, you have a two to four times more likely chance in the near future to commit suicide.

Watch: Drs. Exclusive: They Lost Their Daughter to Cyberbullying

Dr. Stork points out that a cry for help can be beneficial. Its a chance for people to get help. But live-streaming the actual act of suicide? That idea to me is so disturbing, that someone is going to turn on the camera and announce Im going to kill myself, says Dr. Stork. What can we do so that this doesnt happen anymore?

Fortunately, most social-media platforms now allow users to report alarming posts  ones containing self-harm, threats of suicide, or users talking about hurting themselves or others. Instagram, Facebook, and others will alert the authorities if they review the post and deem it to be a danger.

Story continues

Urologist Dr. Jennifer Berman wonders why a suicidal person would want to end their life in such a public way. Dr. Sportelli explains that it can be a cry for help, an exhibitionistic way to let the world know how bad the pain is, or even an accusation blaming others -- see what youve done!

Watch: Help for Someone Considering Suicide

The bottom line is that anyone displaying suicidal tendencies, online or off, needs immediate help. Its truly an emergency, Dr. Landry. If you believe someone is really suicidal, take them to the emergency room!

If someone had chest pain, youd take them to the emergency room, Dr. Sportelli points out. ERs are staffed with psychiatric emergency personnel  its the best place to get immediate help in a crisis. Your intervention can save a life!

For more information and resources on suicide prevention, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-TALK, or visit The Suicide Prevention Resource Center website.
The world's biggest watch fair will open in Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a market rebound.

Global exports of Swiss watches slid 10 percent in February to 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion, 1.4 billion euros), the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) said Tuesday.

The news cast a shadow over the looming Baselworld trade fair, which opens its doors to the media on Wednesday and to the public a day later.

The giant gathering in the northern Swiss city of Basel is the highlight of the year for watch and jewellery makers, with hoards of retailers looking to fill their showcases with pricey bling.

Investors had been hoping this year's 45th edition would open on a more positive note amid signs that the market was stabilising and even on the verge of a rebound after two years of deep crisis.

Citigroup analyst Thomas Chauvet described Tuesday's export numbers as a "reality check".

He said the figures showed there was "no underlying improvement" in the industry, despite a more "upbeat mood" from senior watch executives, and a more optimistic tone from the FHS in its January release.

Exports to Hong Kong, the biggest market for Swiss watches, slumped 12.1 percent last month.

And exports to the United States, the second biggest market, plunged 26.2 percent.

Most European markets also fell, and sales to Japan tumbled 17.3 percent.

Exports to China, however, rose 6.7 percent year-on-year in February.

That represents some much-needed good news for the industry -- China was the main driver of several years of euphoric growth for Swiss watches, with Chinese consumers' thirst for luxury goods sparking a production boom.

But the market suffered a severe hit after Beijing in 2013 began cracking down on corruption by banning extravagant gifts like expensive watches to public officials.

And since then the storm clouds have multiplied, with the pro-democracy Umbrella protests in Hong Kong also chipping away at sales, followed by a range of deadly terrorist attacks in European cities frightening off luxury-seeking Asian tourists.

Story continues

In 2016, Swiss watch exports shrank 9.9 percent, after contracting 3.3 percent a year earlier.

But in recent months, there were some indications the market was stabilising.

Exports to China gradually inched back into positive terrain during the second half of 2016, and a number of markets around the world put on a healthy glow during the holiday season at the end of the year.

Watch makers themselves have also been making increasingly soothing sounds about the health of the market and justifying production hikes.

Swatch Group chief Nick Hayek told reporters last week that he was now aiming for "healthy growth", driven particularly by China's growing middle class, which he said once again appeared hungry for consumption.

With uncertainty abound, Baselworld, which each year draws around 1,500 exhibitors and some 150,000 visitors, should help gauge the actual state of the luxury watch market.
Photo credit: Sam Yeh / Getty

From Popular Mechanics

The president of Taiwan has announced the conclusion of the nation's disappointing, decades-long search for someone-anyone-to sell the country attack submarines for its defense: Nobody will, and so the island country will build its submarines. USNI News, citing the Japanese Kyodo News Agency, reports that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced the start of the submarine program today at a Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy base.

Lying just 120 miles from mainland China, Taiwan, or the Republic of China, has been under threat of invasion since splitting from Communist China in 1949. As China's military strength has grown in recent years, the threat of invasion has increased and Taiwan has sought to build a fleet of diesel electric submarines. Submarines are an ideal weapon of defense for Taiwan, capable of sinking invasion fleets and breaking any blockade China might impose on what it considers a "breakaway province".

In theory, Taiwan's plan shouldn't be a problem. There is a vibrant non-nuclear submarine industry worldwide, with Russia, Japan, France, and Germany all leaders in diesel electric attack submarine design. Unfortunately for Taiwan, as China's economic power has increased, Beijing has used that power to discourage other countries from selling submarines to Taiwan. Today, no one will sell the country submarines for fear of retaliatory economic action by China.

Photo credit: Benjamin Yeh. / Getty

What about American shipyards? Some, such as the Connecticut-based General Dynamics Electric Boat, produce only nuclear-powered submarines. That is way too much submarine for Taiwan, which doesn't need large ships with the ability to circumnavigate the globe. The long range of nuclear subs would make them offensive weapons, and Washington is committed to selling Taiwan only defensive arms.

In 2001, the Bush Administration promised to build diesel-powered submarines for Taiwan, but that never happened, for a number of reasons. The move would have deteriorated U.S.-Chinese relations. Plus, the U.S. Navy does not want domestic shipyards to produce diesel-powered subs. The Navy prefers an all-nuclear force and is afraid that if local shipyards made the less desirable (but cheaper) alternative, Congress may actually force the American Navy to buy them.

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In the meantime, Taiwan's navy has just four submarines. The two newest subs Hai Lung ("Sea Dragon") and Hai Hu ("Sea Tiger") were ordered from the Netherlands in 1980 and delivered by 1988. Even older are the Hai Shih (ex-USS Cutlass) and Hai Pao (ex-USS Tusk), which were built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The submarines were transferred to Taiwan in the early 70s with their torpedo tubes welded shut. Each is more than 70 years old, making them the oldest submarines in service anywhere. The two geriatric attack boats are too old for frontline service and are instead used to train anti-submarine warfare forces.

Photo credit: Sam Yeh / Getty

This new effort to make homebuilt subs will be a joint project between the CSBC shipbuilding corporation, the Taiwanese government and navy, and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. Taiwan reportedly wants a submarine in the 1,200 to 3,000-ton class, which is a reasonable size considering the main mission of the sub fleet is to defend a relatively small island. The only submarine the U.S. currently builds, by comparison, is the 7,800-ton nuclear powered Virginia-class attack sub.

Taiwan will probably get guided torpedoes such as the Mark 48 ADCAP anti-ship/anti-submarine torpedo, from the United States. According to USNI News, Taiwan expects the process to take ten years to mature consisting of "four years (for design), four for construction and two additional years of testing."

Taiwan will basically start from square one in designing this submarine. The country is so bereft of submarine design experience that in 2015 it was reportedly ready to tear down one of the World War II-era subs to figure out how to build modern submarines. Taiwan will lean heavily on outside help. It was reported in 2015 that "more than twenty US and European companies" have expressed interest in working with Taiwanese companies on the submarine project.

Photo credit: Sam Yeh / Getty

If Taiwan's effort to build submarines is successful, then Beijing's pressure to halt sales from other countries could backfire. Taiwan could build submarines with features other countries might be reluctant to sell, such as vertical launch silos for long-range missiles that could hit the mainland, giving the island country a retaliatory strike capability that Beijing would prefer Taiwan didn't have.

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A married teacher arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a teenage student was smiling in her mugshot because she's innocent, said her lawyer.

"You've got a young lady who was arrested on the statement of a 17-year-old kid with no corroborating evidence," Sarah Fowlkes' lawyer Jason Nassour told NBC 5.

Read: Woman Charged With Rape After Listing Boy, 14, as Father of Her Unborn Baby: Cops

He added that "this isn't a guilty person sitting there like they just got caught. When everything's fleshed out it won't be as it appears."

Cops say she had "sexual contact" with a 17-year-old student. She has been suspended and "will not return to the school district," authorities said. She was arrested on Monday.

Fowlkes is a teacher of anatomy and physiology at Lockhart High School, near Austin, Texas. She once wrote on the school's web page: "I have very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students."

In a photo from her Facebook page, she's pictured dressed in a Playboy bunny costume.

Detectives launched the investigation on March 10 after getting a tip from a school administrator which led them to the student, police said.

Their contact was of a sexual nature, police said in a report.

Police said she had sexual contact with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the student.

While posing for her police mugshot, "she couldn't wipe the smile off her face," according to a report.

Read: Teacher Charged With DUI Allegedly Told Trooper: 'I Feel Like Kissing You'

According to reports, Fowlkes celebrated her birthday with her husband of four years before she turned herself into police.

Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly, schools superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement.

Story continues

Watch: Teacher Charged With Child Sex Abuse After Being Impregnated By Student

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President Trump is busy this week helping to make sure millions of Americans don't lose their health insuran  -sorry, I mean, shutting down a teenage girl.

17-year-old Lucy from San Francisco recently designed a site called Kittenfeed.com (initially called TrumpScratch), where users get to punch Trump's face with tiny little kitchen paws. It seemed like a pretty harmless, anti-Trump site (the kittens don't even scratch!)  until she got a letter from the lawyers of a certain "well known businessman," The Observer reports.

SEE ALSO: People can't stop sharing this cartoon about Trump's 'Muslim ban'

That "internationally known" and "famous" businessman (his lawyers words, not mine) is, of course, Donald Trump. In the letter, Trump's general counsel encourages the teen to cease and desist and shut down the website.

Image: www.kittenfeed.com

After receiving the letter, Lucy decided to change the name of the website to Kittenfeed.com. That wasn't enough for Trump's counsel, who reportedly continued to press the 17-year-old girl. The family is waiting to see their next move.

"Its so sad that his administration is focused more on being liked, burying real news and taking down sites like mine as they supposedly make him look bad," Lucy told The Observer.

Predictably, Trump's lawyers letter had the opposite effect of their intention. After The Observer published the report yesterday, the site's visitors surged from 3,000 to 50,000.

Lesson: you can mess with Trump's lawyers, but don't you ever touch an animated kitten.

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For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Rex)

With the latest claim of a North Korean missile launch, the secretive states military arsenal is once again in the news.

Although Pyongyang is banned from conducting missile tests by the UN, it appears to be breaking that rule increasingly often.

The latest test, apparently carried out on Wednesday, is the fifth time time North Korea has conducted a missile test this month alone.

MORE: Is Trumps laptop ban really about security?

MORE: BBC refuses to talk to the BBC about Brexit

So what is known about North Koreas military capability in a time of increased diplomatic tension between the country ruled by Kim Jong-un, its neighbours and a more belligerent US.

What weapons does North Korea possess?

According to one US think tank, Pyongyang has some 1,000 missiles, some capable of being fired long-range, some almost as far as 5,000 miles, which means weapons could reach deep into Europe.

Barbed wire at the heavily fortified North and South Korea border (Rex)

The weapons with the longest range are known as Taepodong 1 and 2.

It has a number of shorter-range missiles, the Hwasong 5 and Hwasong 6, which could be targeted at neighbouring countries.

It is also thought that North Korea has sold missiles to Iran.

What have the recent tests been about?

As well as North Korea flexing its military muscle, the tests appear to show it is developing longer and more flexible modern-day weaponry.

The latest missile launches have used solid fuel rather than liquid fuel, which experts claim helps reduce the time needed to launch the missiles if they came under attack and makes it harder for enemies to find

North Koreans taking part in a government rally (Rex)

Does North Korea have the nuclear bomb?

That is unclear but the issue is proving increasingly worrying for other countries. What is known is that North Korea has conducted nuclear tests in recent times, the most recent being last year.

However, it is not yet known if it has the capability to make the nuclear weapons small enough to fit onto a missile.

How big is North Koreas army?

North Korea has one of the largest armies in the world. It is estimated that are more than one million active soldiers and almost another eight million in reserve.

Also, the US state department believes that North Korea has a chemical weapons stockpile.


Paris (AFP) - Three French pupils on a school trip were among those hurt in Wednesday's deadly car ramming attack near the British parliament in London, two seriously.

French foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said three students were hurt in the assault that claimed three lives and left around 20 others injured.

Local officials in the western region of Brittany, where the French students are from, said two of them were in serious condition.

French President Francois Hollande sent a message of "solidarity" and "support" for Britons and Prime Minister Theresa May.

"France, which has been hit so hard in recent times, knows what the British people are suffering today," Hollande said in a statement before news of the French injured emerged.

Later he announced that the families of the three injured French students were being flown to London.

France Bleu radio in Brittany said around a dozen students were on Westminster Bridge near parliament at the time of the attack.

Local newspaper, Le Telegramme, also said the students were on the bridge when they were hit by the car, quoting another student who said the force of the impact threw one of them onto the bonnet of the vehicle.

An official at their school in the town of Concarneau said families of the pupils, aged around 14, were in contact with the London hospital where they were being treated.

They were part of a group of 92 or 93 students, the school official said.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: "Solidarity with our British friends, horribly attacked, full support for the injured French students, their families and their friends."
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is reportedly considering skipping a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels next month, in a nearly unprecedented move that baffled many in the foreign-policy community.

Tillerson would miss meetings in Brussels from April 5 to 6 to stay in Washington and travel with President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Trumps private club in Palm Beach, Fla. Xi is visiting the United States for the first time since Trump took office, though Tillerson already met Xi during his visit to China last week.

A State Department spokesperson backtracked after news broke Monday night, saying they may consider working on alternative dates, but nothing was confirmed yet. We are certainly appreciative of the effort to accommodate Secretary Tillerson, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Tuesday. We have offered alternative dates that the secretary could attend. He added the United States remains 100 percent committed to NATO.

A former U.S. official and NATO diplomat told Reuters, which first reported the story, that NATO quietly offered to move the dates to fit what would be Tillersons first Brussels visit on his schedule. The official said the State Department declined the initial offer.

It is highly unusual for a U.S. secretary to skip NATO ministerial meetings, which are held separately for foreign and defense ministers several times a year. The last secretary of state to miss a foreign ministerial was Colin Powell, who canceled his ministerial attendance last-minute during the start of the Iraq war in 2003.

The decision could worry allies already rattled by Trumps NATO skepticism and potential Russia ties. It also starves Tillerson of an opportunity to repair growing rifts in U.S.-European relations after several clumsy diplomatic blunders from the White House.

Another meeting reportedly on Tillersons itinerary could add fuel to the fire: The secretary of state is slated to visit Moscow within weeks of the NATO foreign ministerial he could skip.

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Lawmakers and former officials expressed shock and dismay at the news. This sends a terrible message to Europe, a former senior Pentagon official told Foreign Policy. And yes it signals that [Tillerson] is ready to talk to Russia before he talks to NATO.

The news of Tillersons itinerary emerged a day after FBI Director James Comey confirmed for the first time the bureau was investigating ties between the Kremlin and Trumps inner circle in its Russian election interference probe.

In my many years of working NATO ministerials, any time there was a schedule problem we always worked around it, Jim Townsend, the former top Pentagon official on NATO under President Barack Obama, told Foreign Policy. Not all ministers show up all the time, its not like its unheard of for most countries. But for the United States it is a huge deal because we lead the alliance, he said.

U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D- N.Y.), ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the move an absolute disgrace.

I cannot fathom why the administration would pursue this course except to signal a change in American foreign policy that draws our country away from western democracys most important institutions and aligns the United States more closely with the autocratic regime in the Kremlin, Engel said Tuesday.

NATO has convened defense and foreign ministerial meetings since the early days of the Cold War. The meetings are one of the only semi-regular venues for European ministers to get face-time with their American counterparts. Theyre also a critical mechanism for getting things done in the NATO bureaucracy, Townsend said. It drove us to put down on paper alliance positions and hash out agreements and actions, he said.

And in April, NATO leaders have a lot to hash out: major new troop deployments to the Baltic States to deter Russia, disintegrating European relations with fellow NATO ally Turkey, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and key priorities for NATOs upcoming head of state summit in May.

Tillerson is also grappling with several White House-induced scandals that undermine Washingtons footing with NATO allies. After Trumps rocky meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 17, he took to Twitter to claim Berlin owed NATO and Washington money for its NATO dues. Germany rebuked Trumps claims Sunday, clarifying thats not how NATO defense spending works. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also infuriated British intelligence services after he accused them of spying on Trump at the behest of former President Barack Obama. In an unusual public statement, Britains signals intelligence service slapped down the claims as utterly ridiculous. During congressional testimony Monday, National Security Agency chief Mike Rogers said the White Houses unsubstantiated claims clearly frustrates allies of ours.

Tillersons move was likely a combination of the Trump administration spurning NATO and scheduling errors in an understaffed State Department, Townsend said. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who knows a thing or two about the Herculean task of managing the top U.S. diplomats schedule, agreed. I think its a most unfortunate signal, Albright said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on a separate subject on Tuesday. I would blame it on schedulers. I do think that is part of the problem. He will have met with a lot of ministers in other venues, but given the discussion thats going on about NATO, I think its an unfortunate scheduling problem.

A State Department official told FP Tillerson will be meeting with 26 of 27 other NATO countries foreign ministers in Washington on Wednesday  all but Croatia  to discuss the ongoing anti-Islamic State coalition in Iraq and Syria. The official added Tom Shannon, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, will represent the United States at the NATO meeting in April if Tillerson doesnt attend. (Trump has yet to nominate a deputy secretary of state despite being two months into office.)

But NATO experts say that isnt enough. Meeting with [foreign ministers] at the Anti-ISIS coalition gathering or a G-20 does nothing for NATO, an organization that is earnestly seeking U.S. guidance on how to adjust its agenda, a Republican foreign policy expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told FP.

In February, both Defense Secretary James Mattis and Vice President Mike Pence visited Brussels  though Mattis used the trip to issue a veiled ultimatum to allies to pony up on defense spending.

Update: This article was updated to include the State Department spokespersons comments on new proposed dates for the NATO ministerial.

John Hudson contributed to this report.

Photo credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced a plan to establish safe zones in war-torn countries to allow refugees to return home, setting the stage for a dramatic shift in refugee policy and a greater U.S. and Western military footprint in Iraq and Syria.

Speaking at summit of the 68-member coalition against the Islamic State, Tillerson said the U.S. would set up interim zones of stability without elaborating on the specifics, such as where they would be located or how they would be secured.

Coalition officials told Foreign Policy that the interim zones referred to territory recaptured from the Islamic State across vast swaths of Iraq and Syria that would be held by a yet-to-be determined mix of Turkish, Kurdish and Western forces.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly supported the notion of safe zones as a means of stemming the tide of refugees flooding into Europe and other Western countries. Ill absolutely do safe zones in Syria for the people, Trump told ABC News in January without giving any details.

But the plan has faced criticism from U.S. allies and humanitarian organizations with legal and ethical concerns about forcing refugees back into a conflict zone. We were never close to favoring this solution, Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, whose country is a member of the coalition, told FP.

Our line was always that we should comply with international law on refugees and the protection of refugees, Silva said. You arent complying with the law if you force them to stay in their country when you cannot ensure that they wont be attacked by some of the warring factions, he said.

When asked about humanitarian objections to a safe zone plan, a State Department official told FP, Were looking into those concerns. The official added, however, that the details of the plan have yet to be fleshed out and were unlikely to be resolved at the two-day summit in Washington.

The official said the plan would not resemble earlier proposals for safe zones backed by the Syrian opposition during the Obama years that would have involved U.S. warplanes patrolling the skies to deter Syrian government jets from bombing civilians and rebel forces.

Story continues

Regardless, determining which forces will stabilize which areas is a politically difficult task.

Turkey has repeatedly warned that U.S.-protected areas could become safe havens for Kurdish militants who Ankara considers terrorists. Meanwhile, Westerns government have been wary of dedicating troops to another Middle Eastern intervention, though officials acknowledged that certain ISIS-held areas could not be stabilized by Turks or Kurds and would likely require a Western holding force.

A safe zone in theory assumes some agreement on the part of the Russians, Turks, and possibly Syrians to yield sovereignty, or you dont have agreement, said Brian McKeon, former undersecretary of defense for policy in the Obama-era Pentagon, who left in January. The number of assets it would take to defend against potential attacks would likely be to the detriment of the counter-ISIL campaign elsewhere, he cautioned.

The debate over safe zones comes as the Pentagon is moving more troops and assets into Syria and Iraq. The U.S has dispatched several hundred Marines to a small base outside of Raqqa to bring their artillery to bear on the eventual push by U.S.-trained local forces to expel ISIS from its stronghold there.

On Tuesday night, U.S. helicopters ferried a group of those Syrian Democratic Forces  along with U.S. military advisors  to the town of Tabaq, about 20 miles outside of the city. The Marines are expected to fire in support of those troops, a Central Command official told FP. There are as many as 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria, training and advising Kurdish and Syrian Arabs.

The U.S.-led coalition on Wednesday also denied that it had carried out an airstrike near Raqqa that allegedly killed 30 civilians. The charges come a week after another U.S. strike in Aleppo province is said to have killed 49 civilians in a mosque. The coalition says that it targeted a meeting of al Qaeda operatives near the mosque, but has offered pictures it claims show the mosque itself is untouched. A military investigation is ongoing.

Some U.S. military leaders have signaled an openness to considering establishing a safe zone in northern Syria, however. The idea is a viable concept, Gen. Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. Central Command said last month, especially in areas that have already been secured where weve already got humanitarian and stabilization activities ongoing.

In Iraq, the picture is similar. American military brass are in no rush to leave once Mosul is retaken, and Baghdad is very keen to have U.S. and coalition support going forward, Votel said. The Iraqis are looking for continuing support that allows them to prevent the reemergence of this enemy, and gives then the ability to handle this on their own.

Wednesdays summit is the first such gathering of anti-ISIS countries since Trump took office and is aimed at devising a plan for stabilizing Iraq and Syria after the expected military defeat of ISIS.

In his speech, Tillerson called on U.S. allies to contribute more to the anti-ISIS effort and prioritize the campaign above all other issues facing the Middle East.

I recognize there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating ISIS is the United States number one goal in the region, said Tillerson. When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand.

A key challenge for Tillerson this week will be answering an array of questions from Middle East and European allies who told FP they were confused about the Trump administrations priorities and objectives in the Middle East.

Europeans are still pretty lost in terms of trying to work out where Trump is actually headed on the anti-ISIS front, and as much as anything the summit is seen as an opportunity to get some steer on US policy, said Julien Barnes-Dacey, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Theres real confusion in terms of how the policy is going to unfold, whether it will entail escalation or a more hands off approach, and how exactly Trump plans on squaring the various circles in terms of managing competing ambitions towards ISIS, Iran, Turkey, Russia and so forth, he added.

Some U.S. allies complained about a lack of organization ahead of the summit, and a tight event schedule that did not leave time for substantive discussions. Initially, a Tuesday dinner was planned for the foreign ministers of a core group of anti-ISIS allies: Germany, Italy, Britain, France and the United States. But that was downgraded to a supper with the countries political directors.

Still, diplomats said there was good reason to attend the Washington event, in particular, the chance to get facetime with senior officials of the young U.S. administration and show unity against the terrorist group.
In 2015, three scientists sent an anguished note to the journal Conservation Letters.

Anti-shark paranoia was settling over Western Australia, and the state government had issued a controversial kill order. Scientists said the cull's safety benefits were unproven and could potentially hurt recovering populations of white sharks. Worse, they claimed at least one shark marked for death was located only because it had been acoustically tagged by researchers.

The policy was eventually abandoned, but it highlighted an important point: Fitting animals with transmitters so scientists can track their every movement may also leave them vulnerable. Technology that's ostensibly there to help these species thrive can actually be used against them.

SEE ALSO: What would animals say if tech let them talk? Nothing good, probably.

Steven Cooke, director of the Institute of Environmental Science at Canada's Carleton University, wants researchers to start thinking about these unintended consequences.

The lead author of a recent paper about the potential risks of animal tracking in Conservation Biology, he admitted there's been little data collected on the topic. Nevertheless, the research is a "call to action," Cooke said.

Tracking technology has been good for science, but there are risks, too. Whether it's the government demanding the whereabouts of predators or poachers looking to hunt endangered species, scientists must ensure animal tracking data doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

A satellite-linked transmitter is visible on the dorsal fin of L87, an orca from the southern resident group of killer whales, while swimming in Puget Sound in view of a state ferry west of Seattle.

Image: Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Getting the technology in order

Tracking technology offers a wealth of information about an animal's habits and movements  datasets that might be valuable to poachers as well as scientists.

Advanced Telemetry Systems (ATS) in Minnesota is one of several global companies that makes animal tracking tags.

"We put transmitters on bees, crayfish, just about any kind of fish out there," said Joseph Allen, a sales manager at ATS. "Any kind of bird besides sea birds, large wildlife  anything."

Story continues

At ATS, there are two main tracker types, he explained: VHF tracking and GPS tacking.

The first allows researchers to use a radio scanner to hear and locate an animal that's been fitted with a tag. The second employs satellite tracking to locate animals wearing GPS tags or collars. Typically, this GPS information is stored on a secure website.

Veterinary teams monitor the condition of a tranquilized wild elephant in Kenya so it can be fitted with a GPS-tracking collar to monitor migration routes and to help prevent poaching.

Image: Ben Curtis/AP/REX/Shutterstock

While rare, both forms of tracking may allow animals to be hunted down by people with bad intentions.

"[VHF tracking] would be relatively easy for anybody who has a radio receiver to try and find an animal that way," Allen admitted. "It's not very difficult."

It's so easy, in fact, that Parks Canada banned the use of radio receivers in a number of mountain parks in 2016, CBC reported, after photographers were apparently using them to track down collared elk and bears.

While the GPS information is harder to access, it's not impossible. In one infamous 2013 case, hackers reportedly tried to access the email of one Indian researcher in order to pinpoint the location of an endangered Bengal tiger wearing a GPS collar.

Still, Allen said the hacking of animal tracking data was not something his team was too concerned about. ATS has not been fielding concerned calls from customers about intercepted radio signals, either.

"I'm sure it's probably happened, but we don't know of any particular instances that we've been informed about," he said.

Protecting the data

Once an animal's location has been collected from the field, it's only passed the first safety hurdle.

Just who can see an animal's tracking data is something Rob Harcourt thinks about. He leads the Integrated Marine Observing System's (IMOS) animal tracking facility in Australia. A government-funded group, IMOS assists with "the tagging of any species people want to tag."

He helped author that 2015 letter about the fate of tagged sharks in Western Australia, and at IMOS, the incident prompted the group to take new steps to protect shark data.

Typically, IMOS data is publicly available, but the group recently introduced a "protected" category that keeps that location information hidden from all but a few select people.

A pair of seven and a half week old Golden Eagle chicks sit on their nest after being GPS satellite tagged at a remote nest site near Loch Ness on June 27, 2015 in the Highlands, Scotland.

Image: Getty Images

"It's in the database, but no one can see it apart from the owner of the tags, and that is to protect sensitive species which might be under threat," Harcourt explained. "It's only been enacted once, and that was for the white shark."

"There are certain circumstances where not everybody behaves responsibly," he added. "So we were trying to protect animals from unethical behavior by particular groups."

Ultimately, Cooke wants researchers to start thinking about things like encryption and other forms of data security: "We often demand data be shared and details of study sites to be revealed  this needs to be balanced with risk."

His message is that tagging is a vital research tool for scientists. Cooke just aims to make it safe for animals, too.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A 6,800-ton South Korean ferry emerged from the water on Thursday, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into violent seas off the country's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for the country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever. More than 300 people  most of whom were students on a high school trip  died when the Sewol sank on April 16, 2014, touching off an outpouring of national grief and soul searching about long-ignored public safety and regulatory failures. The public outrage over what was seen as a botched rescue job by the government contributed to the recent ouster of Park Geun-hye as president.

A South Korean group representing the families of ferry disaster victims has issued a statement thanking salvaging crews for lifting the 6,800-ton Sewol from the waters, nearly three years after it sank off the country's southwestern coast in an accident that killed 304 passengers. The group called for the government to come up with more detailed plans to reduce damage to the wreckage during the salvage operation to preserve the remains of the missing passengers that might be inside. The group demanded that it be part of a committee that will further investigate the cause of the sinking, which was blamed on overloaded cargo, improper storage and other negligence.

TOKYO (AP)  North Korea has a criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump he probably wasn't expecting: He's too much like Barack Obama. North Korea's state media, which regularly vilified Obama in the strongest terms, had been slow to do the same with the Trump administration, possibly so that officials in Pyongyang could figure out what direction Trump will likely take and what new policies he may pursue. But his top diplomat's recent trip to Asia, which featured some pretty tough talk, appears to have loosened their lips. In North Korea's first official comments since new Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's swing through the region, a Foreign Ministry spokesman seized on the former oil executive's blunt assessment that Obama's strategy needs to be replaced and U.S.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Salvage workers are slowly pulling the huge, corroded South Korean ferry above the sea surface Thursday, about three years after it sank on a routine voyage to a resort island, killing more than 300 people, mostly high school students. The sinking, the country's deadliest maritime disaster in decades, caused an outpouring of national grief and a rare bout of soul-searching on long-ignored public safety and regulatory failures. A look at developments in the April 2014 ferry disaster and its aftermath: __ April 16, 2014: The Sewol carrying 476 people, mostly students from a single high school on a field trip to a southern resort island, begins sinking off South Korea's southwestern coast.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea's latest missile launch ended in failure on Wednesday as the United States sent a supersonic bomber streaking over ally South Korea in a show of force against the North, officials said. The reported launch failure comes as the North angrily reacts to ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo. The American military detected what it assessed as a failed North Korean missile launch on Wednesday morning, the U.S.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  China's premier has warned against protectionism, saying his country planned to close its $50 billion a year deficit with Australia by expanding the trading the relationship rather than retreating from it. Premier Li Keqiang said in a speech in Australia's Parliament House on Thursday that globalization created "some problems," but that free trade is not to blame. He says China "cannot close our doors" to solve its trade imbalance with Australia, which last year left the Chinese with a $50 billion deficit largely through industrial demand for iron ore and coal. Li and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will on Friday detail an expansion of their two-year-old bilateral free trade pact in the areas of investment and services.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Nearly a third of all children in war-torn Afghanistan are unable to attend school, leaving them at increased risk of child labor, recruitment by armed groups, early marriage and other forms of exploitation, an aid group said Thursday. Save the Children said more than 400,000 Afghan children are expected to drop out of school this year due to growing instability and the forcible return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, adding to the 3.7 million already out of school. More than 600,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan in 2016 and around one million more are expected in 2017 after the tightening of regulations by authorities there.

TOKYO (AP)  Fewer Japanese are taking their own lives, a positive sign in a country with one of the world's highest suicide rates. The Health Ministry said Thursday that 21,897 people committed suicide in 2016, down from more than 30,000 in 2011 and the lowest number since 1994. Of those, 15,121 were male and 6,776 were female. It was the seventh straight year that the number of suicides had declined. Experts say it's difficult to pinpoint a reason for the decline, attributing it to a combination of factors. The government has made a determined effort to tackle the issue, starting with national legislation in 2006.

SYDNEY (AP)  Australian police have made an arrest in the mysterious disappearance of a toddler from a beach nearly 50 years ago, charging a man with the 3-year-old girl's slaying in a case that has baffled officials for decades. A 63-year-old man who was once considered a person of interest in the 1970 disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer was arrested on Wednesday, New South Wales police Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth told reporters. "I'm not going to get into the specifics of the actual detail of the offenses, but I can say that they're quite horrific and they'll be unfolding in court," Ainsworth said.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  About 50 farmers and activists opposed to a cement factory in Indonesia's Central Java province have encased their feet in concrete during a dayslong protest in Jakarta, the capital. Farmers in the village of Kendeng have battled against plans for the factory for years, saying it could taint their water. The factory is now more or less complete and the owner, state-owned Cement Indonesia, has said it will create jobs and boost the local economy. The ongoing protest was overshadowed this week by the death of one of the women involved. A legal aid foundation supporting the protesters said Patmi, 48, died of a heart attack early Tuesday.
Photo credit: SPEEDVEGAS

From Road & Track

Most of the initial buzz regarding the Top Gear America announcement yesterday centered around BBC America's choice of presenters for the program, but for many members of the trackday scene the truly controversial aspect of the new show was tucked into the fine print. As its veteran fans all know, the original UK-based Top Gear uses a makeshift track at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, in Surrey. (The Dunsfold track is currently under threat of destruction, but that's a story for another time.) Although there are plenty of airfields in the United States that could be used in the same way, like the Detroit City Airport that served as the location of our "Motown Mile" in years past, BBC America has chosen instead to select the SpeedVegas track in Nevada as a playground for the stars-and-stripes Stig.

This choice is an implicit endorsement of a facility, and a program, that is still under active investigation from the Nevada OSHA following a crash in a Lamborghini Aventador in which a SpeedVegas customer and instructor were killed. In the days that followed that crash, multiple irregularities were disclosed by various sources to the public. The Aventador had reportedly been modified with an aftermarket wing and, according to one of our sources, a lower-cost brake system that replaced the factory carbon-ceramic discs. There were also reports that the car had been damaged previously in a crash, with the extent and seriousness of the previous damage unknown to everyone but the previous owner and SpeedVegas.

Most seriously, however, an outside expert consulted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal concluded that the track was not safe or fit for its intended purpose, due to limited runoff space at the most dangerous high-speed sections of the track. Another expert stated that the track would only be safe for vehicles that met traditional racing safety standardsthink roll cage, FIA-rated race seats, and the on-board fire-suppression system that might have saved the lives of the two people who died at SpeedVegas.

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Photo credit: SpeedVegas

The most frequent criticism voiced by both the Review-Journal's experts, as well as the deep-background sources consulted by this author in the wake of the SpeedVegas fatalities, has to do with the end of the track's front straight, promoted in marketing materials as "the longest straight in Vegas." Referred to internally by SpeedVegas personnel as the "bunny slope," this half-mile-long part of the track runs parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard. For most of the straight, there's about sixty feet of "runoff" between the track and the barrier separating the facility from the public road. But at the end of the straight, when the speeds are highest, there is a right-left chicane bordered by barriers. The design of that chicane makes it possible that a car with failing brakes will "straight-line" the chicane and hit a barrierwhich very well could be what happened in the Aventador fatality.

Even without a complete equipment failure, however, it would still be possible for a car to lose control and strike a barrier at 150mph or higherand because this is also the point where the track is closest to Las Vegas Boulevard, there appears to be limited space available to put an upgraded or more effective protection-barrier system in place. The internal investigation conducted by SpeedVegas personnel after the crash concluded that the track presented no significant danger to its customers. It must be noted, however, that SpeedVegas touts a $30 million investment into its facilityone that would be adversely affected if they acknowledged a serious fault in the design.

We don't know if BBC America considered all of the above factors when they named SpeedVegas as their racetrack of choice. Moreover, it could be argued that the drivers who portray "The Stig" are typically experienced professionals like F1-racer-turned-raconteur Perry McCarty or touring-car standout Ben Collins. These drivers, just like the less-glamorous club racers with whom they often share an event or a weekend, are more skilled than the average casual supercar-rental customer. They are also typically habituated to older racetracks built decades before the arrival of modern safety standards, so the concerns voiced by the experts regarding the SpeedVegas facility are likely to be less troubling than they would be, or should be, to a first-time driver.

It seems unlikely that BBC America will lose a "Stig" to that final chicane at SpeedVegas, although one has to wonder about the pressure that is put on those drivers by a system in which their times are made public to the world while they struggle in private to obtain that lucrative gig as often as possible. I can tell you that if I took the Stig gig for an episode or twocue a joke about there not being enough fabric in the BBC tailors' shop to finish my race suitthat I would run the car to the ragged edge to make sure that my times compared favorably with any other Stigs who had done the same. That means braking at the absolute last tenth of a second possible and putting the car through that chicane with as much tire slip as I can stand. It's easy to see how that could go wrong.

Photo credit: BBC America

Risk assessment and assumption is part of a professional driver's workload, however. Just ask anybody who drove for Colin Chapman. The larger issue is this: How many completely novice drivers will be inspired to visit SpeedVegas because they want to have the "Stig experience"? And how many of them will be attempting to beat the Stig's time, at a facility that has already been roundly criticized for encouraging inexperienced drivers to achieve the maximum possible top speed on-course?

As I've personally learned to my consternation and frustration many times over the past decade in this autojourno business, the majority of Top Gear viewers don't truly understand the idea of the Stig. They don't realize that it's not meant to be taken seriously, and that the "Stig" is in fact a mid-tier pro driver much like the people that you can go watch in any IMSA race or even the SCCA Runoffs. They think the Stig is a real person who is secretly the world's best driver. I have seen countless emails and Facebook comments where my readers solemnly advise me to "let the Stig try next time" in reference to lap times set by drivers ranging from me to Alex Gurney.

So when you show Top Gear viewers a "Stig" setting times at SpeedVegas, you are implicitly encouraging them to go to SpeedVegas and try their luck "competing" against the Stig. Surely that is why SpeedVegas agreed to work with BBC America. They want the respectability conferred by the show, and they want the business of the show's viewers. If the experts who have criticized the SpeedVegas track layout and business model are correct, however, those Top Gear fans may be setting themselves up for risks that they don't truly understand. We can only hope that BBC America and SpeedVegas work together to address those criticisms and concerns in a safe and responsible manner. That's really what the viewers want, whether they know it or not.

Born in Brooklyn but banished to Ohio, Jack Baruth has won races on four different kinds of bicycles and in seven different kinds of cars. Everything he writes should probably come with a trigger warning. His column, Avoidable Contact, runs twice a week.

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Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil sells more than $10 billion of chicken and beef a year but a scandal over rotten produce and faked inspections has prompted import bans, threatening the world's biggest meat producer.

Here's what we know so far about the fallout from the scandal which police revealed on March 17.

- Banned -

China and Hong Kong have suspended all Brazilian beef and chicken imports.

China was the second biggest chicken importer in 2016 with $859 million in purchases. Hong Kong was the biggest beef client, buying $718 million worth, followed closely by China which racked up a bill of $703 million.

Chile has also suspended all meat imports. Although a relatively small market, Chile is part of the regional Mercosur trade group with Brazil and its decision prompted an angry reaction.

The European Union, which buys almost $650 million in Brazilian beef and poultry, has blocked imports from the 21 businesses being investigated in Brazil. Only four of those companies were eligible to export to the EU.

Japan, Brazil's third biggest market for chicken with $720 million in sales, imposed a similar limited ban, while Mexico has stopped imports of chicken produced by the 21 companies under scrutiny.

- Under inspection -

Meat-loving Argentina and the United States are among countries holding off from banning imports. However, they have increased inspections.

Russia, which has heavily relied on Brazilian imports since banning US and European Union food imports, said it wanted clarifications from Brazil.

- Still buying -

The big shoe yet to drop for Brazil is Saudi Arabia, which is the principal chicken importer to the tune of $1.15 billion and has yet to take any action.

South Korea lifted a temporary suspension on the distribution of chicken already imported from Brazil, after authorities there confirmed that no tainted poultry had entered the country.

- Trade impact -

Brazil exported more than $12 billion in all meat products in 2016, between six and seven percent of total exports. There are clients in more than 150 countries.

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Markets analyst Andrei Perfeito told AFP that Brazil's fear is that competitors will try to gain ground while this cloud hangs over Brazilian products.

"It's a very competitive market. The (agriculture) ministry has a huge job ahead of it," he said.

Brazil's government appealed Wednesday to the World Trade Organization's 163 other members not to impose "arbitrary" meat bans.
NAIROBI  It gets more U.S. foreign aid than any other continent, the largest share of U.S. global health and disaster relief spending, and it hosts nine out of the worlds 16 U.N. peacekeeping operations  and four out of the five most expensive ones.

Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with record levels of displacement and hunger due to conflict and drought, but President Donald Trump is proposing deep cuts to foreign aid that would hit this continent the hardest. According to the U.N., more than 20 million people are on the edge of starvation in just four countries, three of which are in Africa: South Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria.

Trumps skinny budget blueprint, released by the White House last week, aims to slash the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) budgets by close to 30 percent, while eliminating several executive agencies, including the U.S. African Development Foundation, which funds grassroots development projects in 30 African countries. The cuts are supposed to partially offset a $54 billion increase in defense spending.

On the humanitarian side, the demand is as great as it has ever been, including in Africa, Gayle Smith, who ran USAID under President Barack Obama, told Foreign Policy. This in essence calls on us to tie one hand behind our back, if not both, at a time when we are confronting huge challenges as well as huge opportunities.

In addition to gutting Americas most important diplomatic and humanitarian organs, Trump aims to cut funding for the U.N. and affiliated agencies. State Department officials have reportedly been instructed to eliminate more than half of the United States annual $10 billion contribution to the U.N., cuts that would drastically reduce the world bodys ability to fight hunger, disease, and war.

If implemented, President Trumps skinny budget would have a serious impact on Africa, John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, told FP. Most forms of foreign assistance would be eliminated. Contributions to the U.N. system, including peacekeeping, would be much reduced if not eliminated altogether.

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The blueprint leaves intact funding for HIV/AIDS and malaria treatment, both of which are critically important for Africa. But it hints at deep cuts elsewhere in the aid budget, including to initiatives aimed at countering the effects of climate change, which is already affecting parts of the continent through coastal erosion and desertification.

Until the Trump administration submits a more detailed budget proposal in May, its impossible to say which programs will be hit the hardest. Given that much of the State Department and USAID budget is fixed, however, its their discretionary spending on development and humanitarian relief thats likely to get the chop, according to former USAID officials.

Because theyre not going to close down embassies and lay people off, I dont think, the cuts could be more draconian than 28 percent, Andrew Natsios, who served as USAID administrator under President George W. Bush, told FP. If you take it out of the foreign aid budget, which is discretionary, it would be more like a 50 percent cut. We dont yet know how [Secretary of State Rex] Tillerson will allocate that, but I think its worse than it appears.

Trumps blueprint is just the opening salvo in what will be a months-long negotiation with Congress over the spending bill. Already, it has encountered stiff opposition, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling the diplomatic portion of the federal budget very important and Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the subcommittee on state and foreign appropriations, saying the budget proposal is dead on arrival.

Although the budget is unlikely to pass in its current form, it sends a powerful message to one of the worlds most aid-dependent regions that the Trump era will be anything but business as usual. We are entering a new territory here, said a senior Kenyan diplomat who spoke on the condition of anonymity. We dont know yet what will happen, but we are fearing that it will leave a big hole in terms of the aid people are getting.

The State Department and USAID together spent more than $8 billion on foreign assistance to sub-Saharan African countries in 2015, the last year for which there are data. (By comparison, Britain, the worlds second-largest bilateral donor, shelled out a little more than $3 billion.) Of that, they spent more than $1.13 billion on foreign disaster relief, including $717 million on Ebola response and hundreds of millions feeding and securing people in conflict zones like South Sudan, Central African Republic, and northern Mali.

Since then, things have only gotten worse. This month, the U.N. warned that the world is facing the worst humanitarian disaster since World War II, citing crises in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and northern Nigeria. The administration doesnt realize it yet, but they are going to call up AID when there is a major disaster that threatens the U.S., like Ebola, and say, What can you do about this? Natsios said.

Its not just disaster relief that is threatened by Trumps budget. The cuts would wipe out much of the development funding that, at least in theory, should create sustainable economies that are less susceptible to future crises. At $28.2 million, the 2017 budget request for the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is less than the cost of an Apache helicopter. But its provision of small, direct grants to grassroots organizations means that its programs benefit 1.5 million people, mainly in impoverished trouble spots in Africas Horn, Sahel, and Great Lakes regions.

Trumps blueprint eliminates USADF, meaning that dozens of development programs run by its African partners would come to a halt overnight. In South Sudan, where the U.N. recently declared a famine, that would mean terminating four sustainable agriculture programs that are worth a combined $670,000.

The situation now is very critical, with many people depending on these funds, said Albino Gaw Dar, director of the Foundation for Youth Initiative, the USADFs partner organization in South Sudan. The communities we are supporting will be devastated [by the cuts.] Their livelihoods will be devastated.

More than 1,000 direct beneficiaries and between 5,000 and 10,000 indirect beneficiaries  mainly family members of those working on the projects  would be affected if USADF is forced to end its operations in South Sudan, according to Dar.

Peacekeeping is another area that could suffer in the Trump era. The budget blueprint caps U.S. spending on blue helmet operations at 25 percent of the peacekeeping budget, which in 2016 was $7.9 billion. (This year, the U.S. contribution amounts to almost 30 percent.) Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has indicated that her office will undertake a mission-by-mission review of peacekeeping operations, suggesting that those in Africa are especially deserving of scrutiny.

If you look at the peace missions in Africa, it has been devastating to see the sexual exploitation, the fraud, the abuse thats happening, she said during her Senate confirmation hearing. Speaking generally about U.N. peacekeeping, she asked, Do we need to shift and do things differently, or do we need to pull out?

The missions in South Sudan, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been roundly criticized for their failure to protect civilians and for the criminal conduct of their peacekeepers. Last year, at least 311 people were allegedly abused by U.N. peacekeepers, the largest number by blue helmets in Congo. In July, peacekeepers in South Sudan reportedly stood by as civilians were raped in full view of their compound. But part of the reason these missions have performed so poorly is that theyve been deployed to places where there is no peace to keep.

Its more expensive to deploy missions into zones of active conflict and into remote regions which lack even basic infrastructure, said Paul D. Williams, an expert on peacekeeping at George Washington University. Yet it is in precisely such areas where most of the large U.N. missions have been sent by the Security Council.

Cutting funding to these missions, nearly all of which are in Africa, will only make them less effective, Williams said. Trumps budget proposal reveals this administrations slash-and-burn approach to the U.N. is ideological. It is not the product of a thoughtful review process carried out and then implemented to find sensible reforms. This is an attack on an institution based on prejudice and ignorance, he said.

The mission in Congo, which at $1.2 billion is the U.N.s largest and most expensive, will be the first to come up for review during Trumps presidency. Since American interests in Congo are less clear than in a place like Mali, where blue helmets have been drawn into a conflict with al Qaeda-linked militants, it will be something of a bellwether for peacekeeping in the era of Trump.

If the budget proposal is likely to be watered down substantially before it is signed into law, there are more subtle ways in which Trumps administration is already leaving its mark on humanitarian operations in Africa. The presidents temporary travel ban, which caps the number of refugees entering the United States at 50,000, has brought refugee resettlement operations on the continent to a sudden halt. Church World Service, which is contracted by the State Department to run the only resettlement support center in sub-Saharan Africa, laid off more than 500 employees in the wake of Trumps executive order. The organization had set its targets based on Obamas pledge to resettle 110,000 refugees; overnight it found itself with virtually nothing to do.

Others in Nairobis massive aid worker community  the city serves as a hub for operations across East Africa  are feeling jittery about their jobs. Some, USAID contractors especially, are brushing up their resumes.

Trump was supposed be the jobs president, one contractor who works on a USAID-funded project said only half in jest. Looks like hell be the biggest job killer Nairobi has ever seen.

Image credit: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Imag
President Donald Trump will go to Brussels in May to attend a NATO summit, the White House said Tuesday. The announcement comes in the midst of criticism that the Trump administration is facing, after a report revealed that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not be attending the NATO meeting next month.

The president looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATOs role in the fight against terrorism, a White House statement said, referring to the meeting scheduled for May 25.

Read: Secretary Of State Tillerson To Skip NATO Meeting, Visit Russia, Report Says

The meeting was announced by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg earlier Tuesday. Stoltenberg is also set to visit the White House on April 12 to discuss how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security, according to the statement.

Trumps visit to the Belgian capital for the heads of state meeting could be an important diplomatic decision for the administration after it came under fire when a Reuters report revealed that Secretary of State Tillerson will be missing the NATO foreign ministers meeting, his first, in the first week of April.

The reason cited was a scheduling conflict as Tillerson would stay back for a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and travel to Russia the following week, Reuters reported. Russia, however, has not confirmed reports of Tillersons visit.

However, many have criticized the administration of abandoning its traditional alliances in favor of Russia.

Donald Trump's administration is making a grave error that will shake the confidence of America's most important alliance and feed the concern that this administration simply too cozy with Vladimir Putin, U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D- New York, said in a statement.

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WASHINGTON  President Trump, while trying to push a health care bill through Congress, is also trying to overcome a Republican political culture that for years has rewarded saying no to political leaders.

For most of the past decade, many Republicans in Congress who wanted to raise money or their profile have followed an easy playbook. They opposed then-President Barack Obama, resisted any attempts to work with him, and then campaigned for reelection based on the success of their efforts to obstruct him.

Outside groups such as Heritage Action, FreedomWorks and the Club for Growth  who are now opposing Trumps health care replacement proposal, saying it does not go far enough  have followed this arc as well.

The health care fight, then, is about more than just one issue, said Josh Holmes, a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who still advises McConnell from the outside. Its a crucial battle to determine whether Trump will be able to get anything substantive done during his presidency.

If there is the incentive structure to register reservations publicly and not work productively, all it will do is repeat itself in perpetuity. Thats how the Hill works, Holmes said.

In other words, Trumps entire presidency may be at stake if the self-proclaimed master dealmaker cannot find a way to get his own partys members in Congress to follow his lead now.

President Trump (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

A top Republican in Congress, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., called Trump the closer on Wednesday, suggesting that the president would manage to bring reluctant lawmakers over the finish line.

But not only do Republicans have a culture of resistance to following orders, the president and congressional leaders have fewer tools for putting pressure on dissenters now than they had even a decade ago.

Political parties dont have the control over campaign funds that they used to enjoy. Changes to campaign finance law have pushed money away from the political parties and into outside groups that often reward lawmakers for ideological rigidity. Online fundraising has also allowed candidates to raise small amounts from voters directly. In the past, control of money was used by parties to punish or reward members of Congress based on their support for key issues.

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In Congress, budget earmarks had long been a key lever the leadership could use to sway votes, by financing projects in the districts of specific members. The backlash against their abuse, however, led to their elimination in 2011.

After the 2010 tea party wave, McConnell took steps to enforce discipline among candidates running for the Senate. He empowered the National Republican Senatorial Committee to enter primary fights and to take out anyone challenging the incumbents. It was a controversial thing to do, but for the most part, the tactic helped reelect senators loyal to the GOP leadership.

In the House, former Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, had been limited in his ability to punish upstarts in primaries, because his hold on the speakership was always tenuous. The current speaker, Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has been reluctant to play bad cop with his members, although the outside group with his backing, the American Action Network, did get more aggressive in 2016.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks to the media after attending a closed party conference attended by President Trump. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Enter Trump, whose celebrity and whose willingness to publicly berate those who oppose him could potentially substitute for the old-school methods used by leaders in the past. Trump traveled to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, making a semi-serious threat to go after Republicans who opposed the health care replacement bill. In a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, he called out Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., who leads the House Freedom Caucus, a key group opposing the health care bill.

Im going to come after you, Trump told Meadows, according to multiple reports.

Meadows maintained after the meeting that he still opposed the bill, and as of late Wednesday, it appeared that there were still not enough votes to pass the legislation.

Holmes said success may require that Trump follow through on his threat to get the health bill through the Congress. Trump, Holmes said, could very publicly back a primary challenge to key House members who opposed him.

I think a 20,000-person, in-district rally, followed by a public meeting with potential candidates, and a message of, Since we have a Republican who wont repeal Obamacare, Im going to find one who will, does the trick, Holmes said. You dont have to cast ballots to know how that will turn out.

A spokesman for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio  a leadership figure among conservatives who think Trump and Ryans bill isnt good enough  dismissed such a scenario.

We arent worried about that, said Jordan spokesman Darin Miller.

Possibly, Meadows could withstand a frontal assault from the president of his own party. He received almost exactly the same amount of votes as Trump did last fall on Election Day, county-by-county results from his district show.

President Trump addresses the crowd earlier this week during a rally in Louisville, Ky. (Photo: John Sommers II/Reuters)

But other lawmakers were badly outperformed by Trump on Election Day. Take Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., a Freedom Caucus member, who won only 140,000 votes to Trumps 164,000, according to the West Virginia secretary of states website. Mooney said Wednesday he was still undecided on the health care bill, but real public heat from Trump could be hard for him to withstand.

After pressuring House Republicans on Tuesday, Trump talked privately with individual members at a dinner that night and with small groups of lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday.

If he were to go aggressively after recalcitrant lawmakers, it would not be unprecedented. There is a long tradition of presidents barnstorming the country to marshal support for their proposals.

Theres not a president since [George] Washington who has not threatened a member of his own party over something, said Jason Grumet, president of the Bipartisan Policy Institute. The basic theory of political negotiation is that you smile in public and threaten in private. The logic of that, I believe, is it gives people more latitude to engage and respond.

What would be new is that Trumps approach, as he has so often shown, whether on the campaign trail, in tweets or in his dealings with foreign leaders, is more blunt.

If anythings changed between now and the Lyndon Johnson era, it is that now virtually everything is happening live and widely accessible. So one of the things that has defined President Trump is he does things in public that many of our presidents did in private, Grumet said. What is unique about President Trump  and I think this is what people find compelling and repelling  is that its right there for all of us to see.

Yet so far, its not clear whether Trump can be effective with this approach or not. His presidency might hang in the balance.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump was briefed on events in London outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, after reports that a police officer had been stabbed and an assailant shot.

"I was just getting an update on London. Some big news having to do with London," Trump said, as he entered the Roosevelt Room in the White House for a meeting on women's health care.

Separately, the State Department said it was closely monitoring the "concerning situation" and was in particular trying to find out whether any US visitors had been caught up in it.

"Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely, " acting spokesman Mark Toner said.

"We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance should we become aware of any affected US citizens.

"We urge US citizens in London to contact family members and loved ones to notify them that you are safe, to avoid the area and monitor local news."
President Donald Trump signed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition Authorization Act of 2017, allocating $19.5 billion in funding  the first NASA authorization passed by Congress in more than six years, the White House said in a release Tuesday.

With this legislation, we support NASAs scientists, engineers, astronauts and their pursuit of discovery, said Trump during a signing ceremony at the White House, according to the statement. Americas space program has been a blessing to our people and to the entire world. Almost half a century ago, our brave astronauts first planted the American flag on the moon. That was a big moment in our history. Now this nation is ready to be the first in space once again. Today were taking the initial steps toward a bold and brave new future for American space flight.

According to the bill, NASA should stay the course, including plans to send humans to Mars in the 2030s.

Trump signed the bill into law in a televised ceremony at the Oval office. He was accompanied by several NASA officials, including Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, Acting Deputy Administrator Lesa B. Roe, Chief of the Astronaut Office Christopher Cassidy and astronaut Tracy Dyson.

Trump was presented with a NASA flight jacket during the ceremony and he later tweeted about signing the bill along with the pictures.

Here are the key takeaways from the bill:

National Space Council

Vice President Mike Pence announced that he will lead a restructured National Space Council, an advisory board that will serve as the bridge between the White House and NASA. Although there has been no mention of a timeline as to when will it be established, what is interesting is that the National Space Council has not been in operation since George H. W. Bush was president.

Story continues

Asteroid Redirect Mission

Even as the Transition Authorization Act aims to keep the space agency's focus on its ongoing human mission to Mars in 2033, as per the blueprint of the presidents budget, NASA is seeing a cut in the allocation, even though its minimal.

A chunk of the funds, according to the blueprint, would go to Orion crew vehicle and Space Launch System (SLS) jumbo rocket, which, according to NASA, will take people to Mars. However, the proposed budget has also asked NASA to investigate approaches for reducing the costs of exploration missions to enable a more expansive exploration program.

Trump has recently hinted that he is interested in returning astronauts to the moon, perhaps as soon as the first SLS test flight in 2018 as the Washington Post reported earlier.

NASA to charter commercial flights?

The bill directs that NASA cannot acquire space flight services from any foreign entity (unless there are no NASA or U.S. commercial vehicles available). It has also directed the agency to boost the private space industry.

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Washington (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told lawmakers Wednesday that NATO does not track "past money owed," days after President Donald Trump claimed Germany has shortchanged the alliance by massive amounts.

"I cannot give you an accounting for past money owed, because that's not the way we do that in NATO," Mattis said at a Senate hearing in Washington.

After meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House last week, Trump tweeted that 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."

But Mattis told lawmakers that is not how the security alliance works.

Each member country has committed to spend two percent of its gross domestic product, or economic output, on defense by 2024, and does not make direct payments to the United States, by far the largest member.

"We do it through capabilities. That's the commitment each nation makes," the Pentagon chief said.

So far, only five of the 28 members of NATO have met their two percent target: Britain, Estonia, Greece, Poland and the United States, which spends the most -- 3.4 percent of GDP

The defense secretary noted that he expected Germany and three other nations to hit the two-percent mark within a year.

"And we'll see more nations coming online, assuming their economies can hold together the way they are right now or improve," Mattis said.

US defense spending -- approximately $600 billion in 2016 -- accounts for the bulk of the total defense budgets of NATO's members.

But member states resolved to increase defense spending in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula Crimea and began backing separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Mattis, a retired Marine general, has frequently been on the front lines of damage control following Trump's fiery rhetoric -- especially on NATO.

NATO countries were deeply unsettled by Trump's campaign talk in which he branded the alliance as "obsolete."

Though Trump has moderated his stance since, Mattis last month traveled to Brussels to reassure allies of ongoing US commitment to NATO.
Over the weekend, the New York Times ran a thoughtful assessment of what President Donald Trumps approach to combating terrorism looks like. The bottom line: It looks a lot like President Barack Obamas. It is heavy on the use of special operations raids and American airpower, but it relies primarily on indigenous forces to provide the bulk of the ground forces.

To be sure, it is not a carbon copy. It is more open to risk  authorizing more missions than Obama might have, and delegating more decision-making to his subordinate military commanders. But compared to the major alternatives  a large conventional invasion, unrestricted airstrikes, a hands-off approach, or something else  it is more like Obamas 2016 policy than not.

Lets be clear, Obamas 2016 policy was itself a repudiation of Obamas own earlier approach. From late 2011 until late 2014, Obama tried very hard to implement a different kind of global war on terror (GWOT), one much more in keeping with his preferred strategy of off-shore balancing. During this period, Obama emphasized withdrawing U.S. ground forces altogether and relying to an extraordinary extent on local forces to do all the heavy lifting. He also relied quite extensively on drone strikes for any kinetic action.

This phase of Obamas GWOT was optimized to avoid mistakes of commission at the price of accepting more mistakes of omission. Obama judged the risks to be acceptable during this phase because he argued that core al Qaeda was on the run, that the most lethal affiliates (like al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) could be handled primarily by local forces, and that other emerging terrorist groups like the Islamic State could be discounted because they were only junior varsity threats.

This was Obamas off-shore balancing phase, and he was not the first American leader to find off-shore balancing a tempting policy. But, as Hal Brands (a new Shadow Government denizen and my erstwhile Duke colleague) and I have shown elsewhere, the off-shore balancing approach failed him as it failed earlier leaders.

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It failed so badly that at least some advocates of the policy have tried in vain to argue that Obamas approach should not be called off-shore balancing. I found that line of defense curious and so at a recent professional conference I asked the leading proponent of off-shore balancing, Christopher Layne, to adjudicate. He confirmed that Obamas approach to the Syria-Iraq-Islamic State problem during the 2011-2014 phase was, indeed, off-shore balancing. If it walks and quacks like an off-shore duck, it is an off-shore duck, even if it is something of a duck that has trouble staying afloat.

Once the rise of the Islamic State constituted threat powerful enough to destabilize the local balance of power  a destabilization too calamitous to ignore  Obama authorized the gradual shift to an on-shore approach. Initially, Obama tried to keep the shift as light-footprint as possible  to the point of straining credulity, as when the Obama administration pretended the deployment of troops did not constitute boots on the ground. But over time, Obama gradually lifted arbitrary caps on numbers of deployed U.S. troops and gradually allowed for more permissive rules of engagement.

This new approach, call it a medium footprint approach, began to show results. By the end of his tenure, the president could boast with some accuracy that the United States was finally on a path to eventual success against the Islamic State. Obama and his partisan backers were considerably less candid about how their earlier approaches had failed in ways that might have contributed to the problem, but they were right to claim that they had finally found the best-of-the-alternatives approach to hand off to their successor.

Despite his scathing anti-Obama critique during the campaign, Trump seems to have agreed, since he has only modified that approach somewhat. He has stepped up efforts  in keeping with his own campaign rhetoric about being bolder in the fight against the Islamic State  but not in a way that would fundamentally alter the medium-footprint approach.

This leaves the question of what Trump will do if and when the Islamic State, in its current form, is finally defeated. Hal Brands and I tackle exactly that question in a new piece over at Foreign Affairs. (The directors cut version, lovingly rescued from the editors chopping block, is here. Hal writes his own Shadow summary here.)

We argue that the defeat of the so-called caliphate will be an important milestone in the GWOT, but it will not, in fact, end the terrorist threat once and for all. Some form of the threat will remain and U.S. policymakers will have to decide how to confront it.

We assess that Trumps options will look a lot like the range of options Obama and Bush considered before him: a) military disengagement, i.e. a shift back to the off-shore balancing approach Obama tried for in late 2011-late 2014; b) light-footprint counterterrorism, i.e. what Obama opted for in late 2014; c) medium-footprint counterterrorism, i.e. the direction in which Obamas approach was evolving in late 2016 and which Trump has so far extended; or d) a GWOT surge, the maximum approach the Bush administration opted for in 2007.

Each of these policies is tailored to a different understanding of the nature of the terrorist threat, and each has a different set of risks and rewards. In our judgment, none is ideal, but the least-worst is the medium-footprint approach. Assuming the Trump team does the same kind of analysis we do, we therefore expect the future of U.S. counterterrorism policy to look more like the recent past than either Obama or Trump might have promised during the presidential campaign.

Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued belated best wishes to those celebrating the Persian New Year.

In a statement, the outspoken Iran critic sent "best wishes to all those around the world celebrating the wonderful ancient holiday of Nowruz."

This year Persian New Year, or Nowruz, falls on Tuesday, March 21.

President Barack Obama issued such well wishes every year, in a bid to break through to Iranians skeptical about US intentions.

The US and Iranian governments still have no formal diplomatic relations, despite a recent deal that saw Iran curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

The government in Iran often whips up anti-US sentiment, something that Trump has appeared willing to reciprocate.

In its early days in office Trump's administration put Iran "on notice" that the US would take a tougher line against Iranian actions across the Middle East.
A new bombshell report about Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is shaking up the White House.

Read: Eric and Lara Trump Expecting First Child in September

The Associated Press claims in a report that in 2005, Manafort signed a secret contract with a Russian billionaire and was paid $10 million a year as a consultant to "benefit the Putin government."

This was more than a decade before he served as Trump's campaign manager. Manafort resigned from the campaign last August.

In a statement this week, Manafort insisted: "My workdid not involve representing Russian political interests."

Read: See How First Lady Melania Trump Gets That Sun-Kissed Hair Look

The news comes on the heels of the growing question as to whether President Trump has a credibility gap.

An editorial in Wednesdays Wall Street Journal argues that "Trump's falsehoods are eroding public trust, at home and abroad."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that Manafort played a very limited role (in the campaign) for a very limited amount of time.

Legendary Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn said on CNN, Even though its not funny, I have to laugh.

Watch: Why Donald Trump May Prefer Visiting Mar-a-Lago Over Camp David

Related Articles:
Day two of confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch, President Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court, was eventful, as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned the federal judge from Colorado. Return to Yahoo on Wednesday for more live-streaming coverage of the hearings as they happen.

_____

WASHINGTON  Gorsuch said he was never asked by Trump to promise to overturn the landmark Supreme Court case protecting a womans right to an abortion and would have promptly walked out on the president if he had.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Gorsuch on the second day of his confirmation hearing if the president had ever made Gorsuch promise to vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision if he were confirmed to the Supreme Court.

No, sir, Gorsuch replied. Senator, I would have walked out the door. Its not what judges do.

Democratic senators have raised questions about whether Gorsuch passed a litmus test from Trump on abortion and gun rights. While a candidate, Trump promised to nominate an anti-abortion and pro-Second Amendment judge.

Gorsuch repeatedly insisted he was never asked to commit to rule a certain way on any case by the Trump administration and said he would be independent from the president if confirmed. READ/WATCH MORE  Liz Goodwin

Gorsuch testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

_____

Gorsuch: Trumps attacks on courts disheartening, demoralizing

Gorsuch also repeated his earlier characterization of Trumps attacks against the court system, calling the presidents barbs disheartening and demoralizing.

I know these people and how decent they are, and when anyone criticizes the honesty or integrity or motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening and I find that demoralizing, Gorsuch said Tuesday.

Last month, Trump ignited a firestorm by repeatedly criticizing federal jurists who stymied his travel ban executive order. Among other things, Trump accused them of undermining U.S. national security with ridiculous legal logic.

Story continues

The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017

What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with bad intentions, can come into U.S.?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017

After Gorsuch met with U.S. senators ahead of his confirmation hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said that the Supreme Court nominee had called Trumps attacks disheartening and demoralizing  the same words he used during his hearing.

Trump punched back by pointing to Blumenthals history of exaggerating his service during the Vietnam War and accusing the Connecticut lawmaker of taking Gorsuchs comments out of context.

Yet according to former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a leader on the White House team working to confirm Trumps pick, Gorsuch indeed used those words to describe any criticism of a judges integrity, which Trump has indeed done.

Judge Gorsuch has made it very clear in all of his discussions with senators, including Sen. Blumenthal, that he could not comment on any specific cases and that judicial ethics prevent him from commenting on political matters, Ayotte said in a statement. He has also emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary, and while he made clear that he was not referring to any specific case, he said that he finds any criticism of a judges integrity and independence disheartening and demoralizing.  Colin Campbell

_____

WASHINGTON  Gorsuch referred to the Supreme Courts recent same-sex marriage decision as settled law, using a stronger phrase than he has for other legal precedents.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., asked Gorsuch to explain how his views on marriage equality have changed since 2004, when the George W. Bush administration was pushing for ballot initiatives that banned the practice in states.

Gorsuch replied that sharing his personal views would send a misleading signal to the American people that he might be inclined to rule one way or another on future cases that come up on the subject.

Its settled law? Franken interrupted.

Its absolutely settled law, Gorsuch replied. READ/WATCH MORE  Liz Goodwin

_____

Facing his sixth hour of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Gorsuch seemed to get a little unnerved when he was asked by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., about his originalist interpretation of the Constitution  a document, Klobuchar noted, that refers to the president as male.

When the Constitution refers 30-some-odd times as his or he when describing the president of the United States, you would see that as, Well, back then they actually thought a woman could be president of the United States even though women didnt have a right to vote? Klobuchar asked.

Senator, Im not looking to take us back to quill pens and horses and buggies, Gorsuch said. We live in the 21st century.

Klobuchar then asked the 49-year-old federal judge from Colorado to answer her question. READ/WATCH MORE  Dylan Stableford

_____

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., recalled his comedic past in a contentious exchange with Gorsuch during the judges confirmation hearing.

Franken was questioning Gorsuch on the case of Alphonse Maddin, a trucker who was fired after his trailer broke down in subzero temperatures. Gorsuch concluded in a dissent that it wasnt illegal for the company to fire Maddin for seeking safety, writing that it might be fair to ask whether TransAms decision was a wise or kind one, but its not our job to answer questions like that. Our only task is to decide whether the decision was an illegal one.

The Maddin case had been mentioned by a number of Democratic senators during Mondays hearing, But Franken invoked the story more pointedly and in cinematic detail.

It is absurd to say that this company is in its rights to fire him because he made the choice of possibly dying from freezing to death or causing other people to die possibly by driving an unsafe vehicle, said Franken, whose past work included an extended tenure at Saturday Night Live. Thats absurd. I had a career in identifying absurdity, and I know it when I see it. And it makes me question your judgment. READ/WATCH MORE  Christopher Wilson

_____

WASHINGTON  Asked whether it would be legal to apply a religious litmus test to people entering the United States, Gorsuch said he was unable to comment since courts are currently litigating that issue.

Thats an issue thats currently being litigated actively, as you know, Gorsuch responded to Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., declining to answer.

Gorsuch was referring to Trumps travel ban, which critics say is a scaled-back version of his campaign promise to temporarily bar all Muslims from entering the U.S. The revised executive order, which has been blocked by a federal judge, would block visitors from six majority-Muslim countries. Trump has vowed to continue fighting for his travel ban.

Leahy then asked Gorsuch whether a blanket religious test  for example, that no Jewish people could enter the country  would be constitutional. READ/WATCH MORE  Liz Goodwin

_____

WASHINGTON  During his campaign last year, Trump promised to appoint judges who would overturn the court decision legalizing abortion, Roe v. Wade. But how can he be sure which way his nominee, Gorsuch, would vote on such a case?

At his confirmation hearing, Gorsuch said he wasnt asked by Trump how he would rule on abortion, and he would have walked out the door if the president had sought a commitment on the issue. In light of this seeming contradiction, Yahoo News asked White House press secretary Sean Spicer if the president is confident Gorsuch would overturn Roe v. Wade and whether Trump still holds to that as a requirement. Spicer declined to comment directly.

The press secretary cited the list of 21 potential appointees Trump presented during his campaign, which was compiled with the help of conservative organizations. Gorsuch was on the list, and Trump has indicated that any future Supreme Court picks would come from that group as well. READ/WATCH MORE  Hunter Walker

_____

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck? Thats a question Gorsuch couldnt quite muster up an answer to.

Before moving on to more serious topics, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., posed the popular hypothetical question to Gorsuch at the urging of his teenaged son Dallin.

My familys been texting me throughout this process, asking me to ask question that they would ask, Flake said. I asked a few of them for suggestions and my son Dallin, a teenager, said, Ask him if he would rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck. READ/WATCH MORE  Michael Walsh

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Read more from Yahoo News:
Famagusta (Cyprus) (AFP) - With its pristine floor tiles and colourful storefronts, Famagusta's new City Mall symbolises efforts by the northern part of divided Cyprus to encourage investment despite a decades-long trade embargo.

Like many projects in the Mediterranean island's Turkish-occupied north, the mall's backers received tax breaks from a government keen to boost the economy and become less dependent on Turkey.

The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, on land Turkey occupied in 1974 when it invaded after a coup that sought to unify the island with Greece, is cut off from trade with Europe.

Self-declared in 1983, covering a third of the island's land mass and home to just 300,000 people, it has no direct air or sea links with any country except Turkey.

All of its imports, exports and even the post must pass through its neighbour to the north.

Mustafa Besim, a professor at Famagusta's Eastern Mediterranean University, said the territory was keen to reduce its dependence on Ankara, which finances more than a third of its budget.

"People have understood that if you are... so much financially dependent on another economy, it has other implications, both economical and political," he said.

Keen to boost the private sector, in recent years the government has offered investors cheap loans and tax breaks aimed at spurring investment.

"In 2009... there wasn't any programme, any support, nothing related to supporting small and medium enterprises, shopkeepers, no financial programme, nothing," the minister for the economy and energy, Sunat Atun, told AFP.

He said the government began offering interest-free loans to manufacturers and later expanded the programme to other sectors.

"We give them some time and space to ensure they will start to have some returns," Atun said.

The Tarimer family, whose Elektrokur firm invested some $21 million (20 million euros) in the City Mall, took advantage of a tax break on construction materials.

Story continues

- Boosting the autonomy -

"This helped us, given the size of the investment," Hasan Sari, the mall's general manager, told AFP.

Standing outside one of the mall's 45 stores, he said he wanted to encourage Turkish Cypriots to shop locally rather than taking trips abroad to do so.

"The idea was to bring together in one place everything that interests a family, to encourage them to consume here and nurture our economy," he said.

But for other key sectors such as tourism and higher education to attract investment, they must overcome the Turkish Cypriots' isolation.

"The government has been giving a lot of incentives," said Besim. "They include renting land to investors with no charges, exempting them from taxes and funding opportunities given by the development bank."

"Universities are being given subsidies to invite international organisations, to get a reputation."

Officials say the strategy is bearing fruit. In 2016, more than a million visitors came, and tourism revenues topped a fifth of government income.

Luxury hotels and casinos have mushroomed along the island's north coast, attracting both foreign tourists and local visitors.

The territory's student population has also tripled since 2009 -- some 80,000 foreign students now attend its universities.

But the embargo remains a major brake on economic development. It stands little chance of being lifted until Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots reach a peace deal.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who will meet United Nations head Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, said he would convey "the absolute will of Greek Cypriot side to continue a dialogue" after peace talks collapsed in February.

But Besim said the authorities in the north could still take interim measures to support the economy.

"This government should continue paying attention to fiscal discipline," he said.

"Turkish Cypriots are now trying to be more autonomous and to generate revenues that are enough for their expenditures."
By Peter Szekely

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Wednesday rounded up seven mob suspects on charges of robbery and a vendetta arson in which a reputed Bonanno crime family associate was accused of having a car torched because its driver cut him off at a traffic light.

Among the suspects was John J. Gotti, grandson and namesake of New York's infamous "Teflon Don" mob boss. Prosecutors said he robbed a bank and carried out the car-torching. Gotti, 23, is already serving an eight-year sentence after pleading guilty last month to selling oxycodone, an opioid prescription pain medication.

"The defendants are charged with committing an assortment of violent crimes  arson to exact punishment for a perceived slight and robberies to unjustly enrich themselves," said acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Rohde, whose office covers Long Island and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

All seven were arrested early Wednesday and were set to be arraigned at U.S. District Court in Brooklyn after two indictments were unsealed that detail nine charges related to crimes that occurred as long ago as the summer of 2011.

Prosecutors said Vincent Asaro, 81, a member of the Bonanno crime family who was cleared in November 2015 of involvement in the 1978 Lufthansa airport heist that helped inspire the movie "Goodfellas," became enraged when a motorist moved in front of his car at a traffic light in early April 2012.

After chasing the car, Asaro tracked down its owner's address and arranged for a fellow Bonanno crime family associate to set fire to the car, they said. Gotti and Matthew "Fat Matt" Rullan, 26, were recruited and torched the car on April 4, they added.

Also arrested were Michael Guidici, 22, Christopher "Bald Chris" Boothby, 26, Darren Elliott, 30 and Matthew "Mack" Hattley, 26.

Gotti and Rullan are also accused of manning the getaway car after Guidici allegedly robbed Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Association of $5,491 on April 28, 2012 by handing a teller a note saying "I HAVE A BOMB."

Story continues

Boothby and Hattley are charged with robbing a Queens residence on March 12, 2014 of more than $50,000 in jewelry and other items after tying up the homeowner's girlfriend.

Hattley and Elliott are charged with robbing a Long Island jewelry store in Franklin Square of $250,000 in merchandise at gunpoint and attempting to rob two others, all between Aug. 17, 2011 and May 5, 2012.

(This story has been refiled to remove extraneous words in second paragraph)

(Reporting by Peter Szekely; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
By Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean missile appeared to have exploded just after it was launched on Wednesday, the U.S. and South Korean militaries said after detecting the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state that have alarmed the region. The launch attempt was made near the city of Wonsan, on North Korea's east coast, the same place it launched several intermediate-range missiles last year, all but one of which failed. "U.S. Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma," Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an air field in Wonsan. "A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch," Benham said, adding that a more detailed assessment was underway. A South Korean military official also said the missile appeared to have exploded just after it was launched. It was not clear what type of missile it was. The South Korean defense ministry said it was conducting analysis to determine further details. The increasing frequency of missile tests has fueled a growing sense of urgency over how to respond to isolated, unpredictable North Korea, which conducted its fifth nuclear bomb test in September. It launched four ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 6 and this week conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened "a new birth" of its rocket industry. The latest launch came as the U.S. envoy for North Korea policy, Joseph Yun, met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss a response to the North's weapons programs. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Japan, South Korea and China and said that a policy of strategic patience with North Korea had ended, and all options, including a military one, were on the table if North Korea threatened South Korean or U.S. forces. U.S. officials stress however that tougher sanctions will be the likely response for the time being, and a senior U.S. official told Reuters on Monday the Trump administration was considering these as part of a broad review of North Korea policy. North Korea is believed to be working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland, but experts believe it is still several years away from that capability. John Wolfsthal, a senior director for non-proliferation and arms control at the U.S. National Security Council under former President Barack Obama, said it was difficult to pinpoint the cause of the missile test failures, but that North Korea's quality-control limitations were a likely factor. "There are many, many things that have to go right for (a missile) to work," he said, adding that failures nevertheless provided North Korea with vital knowhow and experience that would eventually allow them to develop a working intercontinental ballistic missile. "They will eventually learn ... and no amount of sanctions and isolation will slow them, he said. Eventually they will be able to make it work." U.S. President Donald Trump rebuked Kim on Sunday, saying the North Korean leader was "acting very, very badly" and in a show of force in Tuesday, the U.S. Air Force said it deployed a B-1B Lancer strategic bomber in bilateral training missions in Japanese and South Korean airspace. The United States is also deploying an advanced missile- defense system in South Korea, in spite of objections from China, North Korea's neighbor and only ally. On Tuesday, a North Korean diplomat dismissed the threat of more sanctions and said his government would pursue an "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programs, including a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile. (Reporting by Idrees Ali, Jonathan Landay, Matt Spetalnick and David Brunnstrom in Washington, Kaori Kaneko and Chris Gallagher in Tokyo, Jiwon Choi and Christine Kim in Seoul; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and James Dalgleish)
By Allison Lampert MONTREAL (Reuters) - The United Nation's aviation agency on Wednesday urged regulators to weigh security and safety, after the United States and Britain imposed restrictions on several carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from certain airports in Muslim majority countries. A news statement published by the International Civil Aviation Organization stressed a balance between security risk and safety concerns, because "incidents involving devices containing lithium batteries may be more easily mitigated in the cabin than in checked baggage. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said passengers traveling from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa could no longer bring devices larger than a mobile phone such as a laptop into the main cabin, following reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May later said there would also be curbs requiring electronic items to be transported as checked baggage on flights from six countries in the Middle East. The carry-on ban, while addressing security concerns, has some authorities worried about technical safety risks, such as lithium-powered goods catching fire in the hold. "Finding an effective balance between safety and security approaches is always a priority in global aviation," the ICAO statement said. While Montreal-based ICAO cannot impose rules, it sets safety and security standards for international aviation that are usually followed by the organization's 191 member countries. In 2016, ICAO announced a prohibition on shipments of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger planes. Industry experts are now working to develop new and improved packaging standards that could be used to safely transport these batteries on planes. While lithium-powered consumer items like laptops are permitted in checked baggage, some ICAO staff have shared safety concerns with countries that are implementing or considering the electronics carry-on ban, said a source close to the aviation agency. ICAO has not decided whether to propose turning the carry-on electronics ban into a global standard, a second source said. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media. "ICAO and its member states will continue to review the evolving aviation security environment in the coming weeks," the statement said. (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Bernard Orr)
Senator Lindsey Graham warned Trump that waterboarding could result in impeachment (Picture: REX Features)

A Republican senator has suggested that President Trump is at risk of being impeached if he attempts to bring back waterboarding.

Senator Lindsey Graham gave the stark warning during a hearing for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.

During the hearing, he asked Gorsuch: You have said several times he is not above the law as president, is that correct?

After Gorsuch agreed with the question, Senator Graham also got him to admit that waterboarding is forbidden under the Detainee Treatment Act.

Senator Graham then went on to suggest that President Trump may be watching the hearing, and appeared to address him directly as he said: If you start waterboarding people, you may get impeached.

Donald Trump received the stark warning from Lindsey Graham (Picture: Rex)

His stern address comes after the U.S. leader reaffirmed his belief that waterboarding could prove to be an effective tool in the battle against Islamic State  and claimed that it absolutely worked.

In an interview with ABC News in January, he said: When Isis is doing things that nobody has ever heard of since Medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?

MORE: North Korea missile test launch ends in failure

MORE: Princess Anne has backed GM crops  despite Prince Charles opposition

I have spoken with people at the highest level of intelligence and I asked them the question Does it work? Does torture work? and the answer was Yes, absolutely.

Former CIA director Leon Panetta was among those who criticised the Presidents support for the controversial torture method  and claimed that it would be a serious mistake to take a backward step on torture.

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By Valerie Volcovici and Nerijus Adomaitis WASHINGTON/OSLO (Reuters) - The United States remains committed to the "principles and goals" of the global transparency initiative to fight corruption in managing revenues from oil, gas and mineral extraction, it said on Wednesday. There were doubts about U.S. participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) after Congress killed the "resource extraction rule" that required companies such as Exxon Mobil to disclose taxes and other fees paid to foreign governments, such as Russia. The EITI, which was founded in 2003, and which the U.S. joined in 2014, sets a global standard for governments to disclose their revenues from oil, gas, and mining assets, and for companies to report payments made to obtain access to publicly owned resources, as well as other donations. "The (U.S. Interior) Department remains committed to the principles and goals of EITI including transparency and good governance of the extractive sectors...," Heather Swift, a spokesperson for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, said in an email to Reuters. Industry sources familiar with EITI implementation said the United States was already pulling out in all but name, but could formally remain a member until its progress assessment scheduled to start in April 2018. Azerbaijan left the group in March after the EITI board, chaired by Sweden's former prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, suspended its membership over concerns about limits on civic freedoms. The EITI initiative was primarily aimed at developing nations and most of its members are in Africa. But Britain, Germany and Norway also joined, while France and Australia have also expressed interest. Democratic Senator Ben Cardin and former Republican Senator Richard Lugar, authors of legislation encouraging U.S. participation in EITI, said withdrawal would harm national interests. "Such a retreat is a retreat from our values, which give America its strength and its moral leadership in the world," they said in a joint statement. Jonas Moberg, head of EITI's secretariat in Oslo, said the United States continued to be the part of the global initiative, but if it decided to leave, it wouldn't be the end of the initiative, now being implemented in 51 countries. "Should the administration of President Trump decide to bring an end to EITI implementation, we are not concerned that it would be a decision followed elsewhere," he added in an email to Reuters. The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), which represents 23 leading mining companies, has said companies that work in EITI member countries will still have to abide by strict disclosure rules, despite the recent U.S. legal changes. (Additional reporting by Barbara Lewis in London and Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Uber representatives vowed Tuesday that the company was in the midst of an overhaul, following a pile-up of scandals and shake-ups that have plagued the company for the past several weeks - including allegations of sexism and mismanagement, the departure of the companys president and a flare-up by CEO Travis Kalanick caught on an Uber drivers dash camera.

Uber must change, said board member Arianna Huffington, if it is to be as successful in the next decade as it has in the last seven years. The sole woman on Ubers board repeatedly emphasized that, going forward, there would be zero tolerance for anything but totally respectful behavior in an equitable workplace environment.

Huffington hosted a call with reporters along with the companys new chief HR officer, Liane Hornsey, and Rachel Holt, who heads Ubers business in the U.S. and Canada. All three issued full-throated admissions that the company has big problems that are being rooted out in various areas, including Kalanicks leadership, the way the company operates internally and how the company treats its drivers.

When asked repeatedly if the board had considered asking Kalanick to step down - and whether he would step down if asked - Huffington dismissed that as a hypothetical, saying It hasnt come up and we dont expect it to come up. The Uber representatives also said that Kalanick, who has been as famous for his brash style as for spearheading the growth of the ride app industry, is changing almost week by week.

Going through what weve gone through over the last few weeks, said Hornsey, who was a longtime Google employee before taking up the HR reins at Uber, its absolutely something that would cause individual and personal change. So I think Travis is going to be hugely collaborative going forward.

Hornsey added that Kalanick has accepted responsibility for bringing the company to this point and has acknowledged his mistakes. Earlier in March, Kalanick admitted he had to grow up after a heated argument with a driver was caught on video.

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Among the changes that they floated as cures for what ails the company was a search for a new chief operations officer. While the search is ongoing - Kalanick, they said, was not on the call because he was interviewing COO candidates - they described the position as one that would provide balance to Kalanick in a true partnership.

Though Huffington said that she had personally spoken to hundreds of employees who demonstrated real appetites for change internally, she said she is not formally investigating the companys problems. The ultimate judgment of whether issues such as sexism and lack of diversity are systemic problems, she said, would be revealed through an investigation led by former Attorney General Eric Holder.

His team is collecting information through interviews and anonymous tip lines, with findings expected at the end of April. Huffington vowed that the company would honor the report from Holders law firm, whatever it might contain, and make those findings public.

The Uber representatives said that the company is meanwhile using other means to oust any toxic elements of the company culture: holding one hundred listening sessions, training employees on how to be a good ally, updating recruiting descriptions to eliminate unconscious bias and pushing back against a cult of the individual that had come to define the working environment. Hornsey promised that the companys first report on diversity would be forthcoming.

Holt, the operational expert on the call, described steps the company is taking to be more responsive and fair to drivers - given that many of those relationships are frayed - such as communicating with that vast network in a more human manner. She also emphasized that despite the PR problems and loss of riders who chose to #DeleteUber earlier this year, Uber has continued to experience growth: both attracting new riders and seeing existing riders take more trips.

Still, she repeated the overarching theme of the call along with her colleagues. We know we have a long way to go, she said. Everyone at Uber, including Travis, knows that we must change.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
London (AFP) - Airlines impacted by Britain's cabin ban on electronic devices on flights from some Middle East and North Africa countries have until Saturday to implement the measure, officials said Wednesday.

But passengers "should go to the airport with the expectation that the measures are already in effect", a transport ministry spokeswoman said.

On Tuesday, Britain said it would tighten airline security on direct flights originating from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey by banning laptops, tablets, some e-readers and large mobile phones from hand luggage.

The move came hours after the US government warned that extremists plan to target passenger jets with bombs hidden in electronic devices, and issued a ban passengers carrying such items onto flights from 10 airports in eight countries.

While the US announced that they had given airlines 96 hours to inform travellers before the ban came into force at 3:00am (0700 GMT) on Tuesday, there was some confusion over when the British ban would kick in.

"It will have to be done by Saturday" at 0001 GMT at the latest, another government spokesman told AFP, explaining that some airlines may need longer than others to implement the new measure.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs that while the government hopes the measure is temporary, it will "keep it in place for as long as necessary".

EasyJet announced that it is implementing the measure from Wednesday, advising customers to arrive early as they may face extra security checks at the airport.

"EasyJet can confirm that, in line with new UK government requirements, it will be introducing new security measures on its flights from Turkey and Egypt to the UK from today," the company said in an statement.

British Airways informed customers on its website that it is complying with the new security requirement.

It adds that customers who are part-way through their journey or about to start and feel "unable to immediately comply" with the measure can rebook their flight at a later date.

Stocks in British airlines, like their American and European counterparts, have suffered because of the ban and were on Wednesday among the worst performers on the London's benchmark FTSE 100 index.

IAG, British Airways' parent company, was down 1.96 percent to 549,50 pence at 1330 GMT, while Easyjet had shed 2.43 percent to 984,50 pence.
Paris (AFP) - A man mowed down pedestrians on a bridge near the British parliament and stabbed a policeman on Wednesday, killing three people before being shot and killed by police.

Another 20 people were injured in what police said they were treating as a "terrorist" attack.

Witnesses said they saw a car plough into people walking on Westminster bridge -- a busy traffic route that is also a popular tourist spot with its views of parliament and the Big Ben clock tower.

It then veered towards the parliament building and hit the railings outside. A man then jumped out of the car and stabbed a police officer before he was shot.

Wednesday's attack was not the first in Europe where a terror suspect used a vehicle to ram pedestrians.

- Berlin -

On December 19, 2016, Tunisian national Anis Amri hijacked a truck, killing its Polish driver, and slammed into a crowd of people at a packed Christmas market in Berlin.

Amri, 24, was shot dead by Italian police in Milan four days later after travelling through several European countries.

The rampage was claimed by the Islamic State group, which released a video in which Amri is shown pledging allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Twelve people were killed, including seven Germans and five foreigners, and injured 56.

This week, Turkish authorities detained three Germans of Lebanese origin at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, saying they had intelligence linking them to the attack.

A German citizen of Jordanian origin allegedly linked to Amri and believed to be an IS member was caught in the Aegean city of Izmir on March 11, according to Turkish media.

- Nice -

On July 14, 2016, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Tunisian, ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a Bastille Day crowd leaving a fireworks display in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais, the famous palm-lined street overlooking the Mediterranean.

The driver travelled two kilometres (over one mile) through the crowd in the French Riviera city, crashing through barriers and then mowing down people in his path.

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After the driver fired at police, officers fired some 20 rounds into the front of the lorry, killing Bouhlel.

Eighty-six people from 19 different countries lost their lives and more than 400 others were injured.

IS later claimed Bouhlel as one of its followers.

Six people were charged over alleged links to Bouhlel, and three others for allegedly helping to arm him.

- Glasgow -

On June 30, 2007, Kafeel Ahmed, a 28-year-old aeronautical engineer from the Indian city of Bangalore, drove a jeep full of gas cannisters into the main terminal of Glasgow airport where the car erupted into flames.

Hundreds of travellers fled in terror.

Passenger Bilal Abdulla, a 29-year-old doctor born in Britain but raised in Iraq, managed to escape from the burning vehicle, but was arrested at the scene after throwing petrol bombs and fighting with police.

Abdulla admitted during his trial that he was a "terrorist," but claimed he only intended the incident as a protest against the British government and to draw attention to the plight of Iraqis.

Abdulla was jailed for at least 32 years in December 2008 for plotting to murder hundreds of people.

Ahmed suffered third-degree burns on 90 percent of his body and died a month after the attack.
London (AFP) - Four people were killed and 40 injured after being run over and stabbed in a lightning attack at the gates of British democracy on Wednesday attributed by police to "Islamist-related terrorism".

The attack unfolded across Westminster Bridge in the shadow of Big Ben, a towering landmark that draws tourists by the millions and stands over Britain's Houses of Parliament -- the very image of London.

The attacker's car struck pedestrians on the bridge before crashing into the railings surrounding the heavily-guarded Houses of Parliament, sowing first shock then panic in the seat of British power.

The assailant then ran through the gates brandishing a knife and stabbed a 48-year-old policeman to death before being shot dead by another officer.

Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as "sick and depraved" and said that "the terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city" in an attack on Britain's democratic values.

Standing outside her Downing Street residence after an emergency cabinet meeting, May voiced defiance and said parliament would meet as normal on Thursday, while Britain's alert level would be kept unchanged.

"We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart," said May, who was dressed in black.

- 'Islamist-related terrorism' -

Britain's top counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley said the four victims included a policeman guarding parliament and three members of the public.

"Islamist-related terrorism is our assumption," Rowley told journalists, adding investigators believe they know the identity of the assailant who was shot dead by police.

The attack came a year to the day after Islamic State jihadists killed 32 people in twin bomb attacks in Brussels and after a series of deadly assaults in Europe that had hitherto spared Britain.

Parliament was locked down for several hours and hundreds of lawmakers and visitors were later evacuated to nearby Westminster Abbey and the headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police.

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An air ambulance flew in and police cordoned off a large area, while tourists on the London Eye, a popular visitor attraction, were stuck up to 135 metres (443 feet) in the air for more than an hour during the incident.

"I saw three bodies lying on the ground and a whole lot of police. It was pretty terrifying," said Jack Hutchinson, 16, from the United States, who was stranded on the observation wheel with his parents.

Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood, whose brother Jonathan was killed in the 2002 Bali bombing, was pictured with his face smeared with blood helping to give first aid to the fatally wounded police officer.

- 'We Are Not Afraid' -

Britain's last terror attack was the assassination of MP Jo Cox by a pro-Nazi sympathiser in her constituency in northern England.

The worst previous attack in London was in 2005 when four British suicide bombers inspired by Al-Qaeda attacked the transport system, killing 52 people.

Britain's allies reacted with shock and vowed to stand with London in the fight against terror.

US President Donald Trump and French President Francois Hollande both spoke to May and Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood with Britons "against all forms of terrorism".

Lights on the Eiffel Tower in Paris were switched off at midnight in solidarity with victims of the attack.

Social media users shared an altered image of a London Underground sign reading "We Are Not Afraid" and the hashtag #PrayforLondon trended on Twitter.

May was in parliament at the time of the attack and was seen being ushered away in a silver car as what sounded like gunfire rang out, British media reported.

Three French pupils on a school trip were among those hurt and a seriously injured woman was rescued from the River Thames following the incident.

Five South Korean tourists were wounded, the Yonhap news agency reported, while the Romanian foreign ministry said two Romanians were also injured.

A doctor at nearby St Thomas' Hospital said they were treating people with "catastrophic" injuries.

Press Association news agency photos believed to be of the attacker lying on an ambulance stretcher showed he was wearing black clothes and had a beard.

- 'Real sense of panic' -

British lawmaker Mary Creagh told AFP there was "a real sense of panic" as the attack unfolded.

Polish former foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski was in a taxi on the bridge and said a car "mowed down at least five people... one of them bleeding profusely".

Pictures of what happened next showed two people being attended to on the ground inside the vehicle entrance gates of parliament, with a knife visible on the cobblestones.

Three shots were heard on video footage.

Jason Groves, the Daily Mail newspaper's political editor, said he saw the officer firing "with a handgun, and then gets closer to him and shoots him again from over him and he doesn't get up".
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres travels to Jordan next week to attend an Arab summit following a row over the release of a UN report accusing Israel of being an apartheid state.

Guterres arrives in Amman on Monday for talks with King Abdullah II and to visit a refugee camp ahead of the Arab League's annual summit near the Dead Sea on Wednesday, said a UN spokesman on Wednesday.

Last week, Jordanian diplomat Rima Khalaf resigned in protest after Guterres asked her to withdraw a report accusing Israel of imposing apartheid on the Palestinians.

Khalaf was head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), a Beirut-based UN body comprised of 18 Arab countries, that released the controversial report.

The United States had expressed outrage over the report's findings and demanded that it be scrapped, but Guterres' spokesman has denied that the request to Khalaf to withdraw the study was made under US pressure.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the report had been taken off the ESCWA website at Guterres' request because it was done without consultations with the UN secretariat.

Guterres will hold a round of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Arab summit that are expected to focus on the wars in Syria, Yemen, Libya and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

- Easing tensions over settlements -

During a meeting Wednesday with the UN chief, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said a group of Arab ambassadors expressed their dismay at "some people who are trying to inject bullying tactics and intimidation" at the United Nations, in a veiled reference to the United States.

But Mansour said the Arab group had agreed with Guterres to "move on."

Guterres' envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, on Friday will present the first report to the Security Council on implementation of the controversial resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements construction.

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Mladenov will give an oral report, despite objections from the Palestinians who requested a written document to ensure the findings can be used as a reference.

A Security Council diplomat said the UN envoy will seek with his report to "dampen down the excitement about settlements" to avoid "a spike in tension between the UN and the US".

The council adopted the resolution in December after the United States refrained from using a veto to block the measure in a break from its usual practice of shielding its Middle East ally.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley has branded as a "terrible mistake" the decision by the previous US administration not to use its veto to block the settlements resolution.
The UN rights chief on Wednesday condemned Sri Lanka's persistent failure to probe war-era atrocities, suggesting the government was afraid of punishing soldiers who committed abuses during the conflict.

The criticism from Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein is the latest volley in an escalating war of words between the United Nations and Sri Lanka over impunity for crimes committed during the 37-year civil war, which ended in 2009.

"The consistent failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish serious crimes appears to reflect a broader reluctance or fear to take action against members of the security forces," Zeid said in a speech to the UN rights council.

Zeid and the council have called for international judges to help investigate possible war crimes to guarantee impartiality.

But earlier this month, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena rejected the appeal, saying he would not "allow non-governmental organisations to dictate how to run my government", nor heed calls to "to prosecute my troops."

Colombo has also asked the UN for two more years to set up a war-era probe, after Sirisena's government agreed to the terms of an October 2015 UN resolution calling for an inquiry to be formed within 18 months.

Zeid said any justice mechanism set up by Colombo would need foreign judges in order to be "credible".

At least 100,000 people were killed during the separatist war between government forces and rebels from the Tamil Tigers group, with atrocities recorded by both sides.

Sirisena, a member of the majority Sinhalese community, received the support of the Tamil minority after promising accountability for excesses carried out by the largely Sinhalese military.

But Sri Lanka's main opposition Tamil party has accused Sirisena of failing to deliver on accountability.
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - US authorities plan to file criminal charges against a businessman suspected to be at the centre of a major corruption scandal that has embroiled Malaysia's prime minister, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Allegations that huge sums were misappropriated from the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB have triggered a scandal which has buffeted Prime Minister Najib Razak, who founded 1MDB, though the leader has denied any wrongdoing.

Najib is a family friend of Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, against whom the US plans to file criminal charges of wire fraud and money-laundering, according to the report published on Tuesday.

The planned charges against Low will be separate from civil proceedings filed by the US Justice Department to seize more than $1 billion in assets believed bought with funds siphoned from 1MDB, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter.

Speaking at a global business forum in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Najib did not mention the 1MDB scandal or the Wall Street Journal report, but accused his political opponents of creating "false propaganda" that the country is on the verge of bankruptcy.

"This running down of Malaysia is nothing less than economic sabotage for selfish, personal political gain," he said.

"If it affects perceptions abroad, it won't be opposition politicians who will suffer. It will be ordinary Malaysians."

Global investigators from about 10 countries believe that billions of dollars were extracted from 1Malaysia Development Bhd, set up by Najib in 2009.

- Billions moved globally -

Whistleblowers say Low helped establish 1MDB and made key financial decisions, even though he had no official positions in Malaysia. Low has denied any wrongdoing.

Huge sums are believed to have moved through Singapore, Switzerland and other wealth centres in order to buy art and real estate and to invest in Hollywood movies.

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Singapore and Switzerland have also launched investigations into the cross-border flow of allegedly stolen 1MDB money through the global financial system.

A US Justice Department team has just visited Singapore "to conduct interviews related to Mr Low and other aspects of the 1MDB matter," the Wall Street Journal said, quoting two people with knowledge of the trip.

Singapore, a regional financial centre known for its tough stance against corruption, was the first country to hand down criminal convictions related to the 1MDB investigations.

The city-state's courts have jailed four private bankers so far, including Singaporean Yeo Jiawei, who was sentenced last December to 30 months in prison.

It was revealed during Yeo's trial that he had worked closely with Low, who has not been charged in Singapore.

Singapore has also closed the local branches of two Swiss private banks -- BSI and Falcon Private Bank -- used in the transfer of illicit funds.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore last week banned a former Goldman Sachs banker from working in the country's financial industry for 10 years after he was linked to the 1MDB scandal, and said it plans to impose bans on three more people.
Beirut (AFP) - At least 33 people were killed in a US-led coalition strike on a school used as a centre for displaced people near a jihadist-held Syrian town, a monitor said Wednesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike south of Al-Mansoura, a town held by the Islamic State group in the northern province of Raqa, "took place in the early hours of Tuesday."

"We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

The Britain-based monitor -- which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information -- says it determines what planes carried out raids according to their type, location, flight patterns and the munitions involved.

"Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, also reported the raids.

"The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," the collective said.

The US-led coalition has been bombing IS in Syria since 2014 and is backing an offensive to defeat the group in Raqa city, the de facto heart of the group's so-called "Islamic caliphate".

Earlier this month, the coalition said its raids there and in Iraq and unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians.

But other monitors say the number is much higher.

More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions more displaced since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.
Washington (AFP) - The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria faces "tough decisions" on how much it should support Kurdish fighters in an offensive to reclaim Raqa from the jihadists, a senior US lawmaker warned Wednesday.

Senator John McCain, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Trump administration is weighing the thorny issue of giving the Kurds heavy arms and a major role in the upcoming battle, which would infuriate key ally Turkey.

"The conundrum is that if you don't use the Kurds, (the battle) takes a lot longer," McCain told reporters.

"But if you do, you have an enormous challenge as far as relations with Turkey are concerned, including things like the use of Incirlik," he added, referring to the Turkish air base used heavily by the coalition to hit IS targets in northern Syria.

McCain said he met recently with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the two spoke about the Kurdish issue.

On April 16, Turks must decide whether to approve constitutional changes that would abolish the post of prime minister and could see Erdogan stay in power until 2029.

According to McCain, Erdogan is less interested in fighting IS than he is ensuring Kurdish forces do not expand their influence over the border region in northern Syria.

"There's going to be some tough decisions made here," McCain said.

"Erdogan is about to be elected virtual dictator of Turkey, and his ... first priority is the Kurds."

In August, Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield inside Syria targeting IS and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are dominated by YPG Kurdish fighters that Ankara says are "terrorists."

The SDF is the primary ground force encircling Raqa, which IS views as its capital, and an offensive on the city proper is only a matter of time.

The Pentagon on Wednesday said it had provided airlift and artillery support for primarily Arab components of the SDF in a battle for Tabqa, a key town near Raqa.
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's communications may have been swept up in intelligence gathering on suspected foreign agents, according to explosive allegations made by the Republican head of the House intelligence committee.

Devin Nunes -- who worked on Trump's transition team and is now leading an investigation into possible links between that campaign team and Russia -- said Trump's communications may have been intercepted late last year.

Nunes however said there was no evidence that then-president Barack Obama ordered the surveillance -- as Trump has claimed -- or that the Republican billionaire was the target.

Rather, Nunes suggested, Trump's communications were picked up during court-approved targeting of suspected foreign intelligence operatives.

The communications were not linked to Russia, he said, adding that they appeared to have "little or no intelligence value."

"The president himself and others in the Trump transition team were clearly put into intelligence reports," Nunes told reporters in front of the White House after briefing the president on the situation.

The information collected -- spanning the November-January period between Trump's election victory and his inauguration -- was "widely disseminated" in US intelligence circles, he said.

US intelligence community rules dictate that information on Americans picked up incidentally in surveillance must be scrubbed or masked in intelligence reports.

Nunes suggested those involved in the surveillance had violated those rules.

As for Trump, he indicated he felt vindicated by the revelation.

"I somewhat do. I must tell you I somewhat do," he said during a separate White House meeting.

"I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found."

Trump was less circumspect Wednesday night, as he retweeted a post from conservative radio host and ardent Trump defender Bill Mitchell.

"Trump always ends up being right. It's almost a little freaky," Mitchell said.

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On March 4, Trump implied his predecessor had broken the law in targeting him.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!" he tweeted.

The claim has snowballed into a political scandal that has called Trump's credibility into question and damaged relations with foreign intelligence partners.

- Reverberations -

Nunes's revelation also threatened to upend a bipartisan investigation into alleged Russian interference in the November election and Moscow's possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on Nunes's committee, voiced anger that the Republican had taken the information to the president -- and the media -- before the committee had been consulted.

The chairman, he said, "shared this information with the White House before providing it to the committee, another profound irregularity," he said.

"I have expressed my grave concerns with the chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

Schiff added "it certainly does not suggest -- in any way -- that the president was wiretapped by his predecessor."

He later told MSNBC "there is more than circumstantial evidence now" of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Bradley Moss, a leading national security lawyer, told AFP that Nunes could be in trouble because he "released what appears to be classified information."

"Disclosure of the fact that an individual's communications were collected, even incidentally... is a closely held classified fact. You can't just go around spilling that information," he said.

The lawmaker's statement came amid revelations that one-time Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had, more than a decade earlier, secretly worked for a Russian oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin on a plan to "greatly benefit the Putin Government," according to The Associated Press.

It also came days after the heads of the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation repudiated Trump's claims that his Trump Tower in New York had been wiretapped under Obama's orders.
US-based streaming service Sundance Now has announced its expansion into new territories, with Canada first on the list.

The move by the company, which specialises in documentaries, movies and nostalgia TV, marks its debut outside the US since its launch there in 2014, but it is not the first to use Canada as a stepping-stone to the world market, with rivals Netflix, Amazon, AMC's Shudder and Fandor already established there.

The service will cost $6.99 a month in Canada after a free preview, with George Schmalz, Sundance Now's curator, revealing that there are "discussions" in play regarding additional moves into international markets.

While he offered no specifics on future target markets, he said: "We're still in the United States, and paying special attention to Canada now. It will be a targeted launch into whatever territory we're going into." (via The Hollywood Reporter)




It's quite a godly year for Neil Gaiman, bard of myth, nerd hearthrob and the lucky bastard who got to marry Amanda Palmer.

The appropriately outlandish TV version of Gaiman's bestseller American Gods premieres on Starz at the end of next month  while his Norse Mythology has been in the top echelons of the New York Times bestseller list since it came out five weeks ago. Both star Odin the All-Father, played in the show by Ian McShane.

SEE ALSO: 'American Gods' trailer is pure fantasy  in the best way

I'm not here to tell everyone they should buy a copy of Norse Mythology and read it cover to cover. It's a simple and straightforward abridged modern retelling of myths first put down by a 13th century writer named Snorri Sturluson. Gaiman himself has called it a "covers album, trying to get them to sound contemporary using electric guitars."

What I am here to tell you is that you should listen to the audiobook of Norse Mythology, read by Gaiman himself. And that you should specifically listen to it outside, in the cold, feeling the full blast of winter in your face.

Gaiman's storytelling and subject matter  the simple, accessible shenanigans of Odin, Thor, Loki, Freya and all the Asgard gang  pairs particularly well with walking long distances in winter weather. Much of it is set in this kind of landscape, and Odin in particular seems enamored of going off on quests over snowy mountains.

So if you're a lover of audiobooks, and live where the white stuff is still falling, take advantage of the epic weather while it lasts. (Given global warming, who knows how long the snows will last before our own heated version of Ragnorok, the end of the world, arrives.)

You don't have to snowshoe up a mountain by Lake Tahoe while listening to Norse Mythology as I did. But if you do, I guarantee you'll have the easiest climb possible.

Yeah, this'll do.

Image: chris taylor / mashable

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It's no exaggeration to say Gaiman is the modern Charles Dickens when it comes to really performing his stories. Famously, the New York Public Library had him perform A Christmas Carol dressed as Dickens; it's hard to imagine any other 21st century author stepping into the big guy's shoes.

Over the years Gaiman has cultivated a deliberate, unhurried, almost hypnotic style of speech and an absolute commitment to the tale he's spinning. He disappears within it, effortlessly becoming his conception of each character.

You may start your journey thinking of the Marvel Comics iterations of these characters, but you'll end it with Gaiman's versions unshakably lodged in your noggin. (The author first encountered them in their Marvel iterations too.)

Thor in these stories sounds less like a heroic Chris Hemsworth and more like a bluff old general; often obtuse, he considers his famous hammer the only solver of problems he needs, except for the times he requires Loki's help.

SEE ALSO: Tom Hiddleston delivers a Chicago weather report, blames Thor for thunderstorms

Loki is no all-powerful Tom Hiddleston, but merely the smartest and most danger-prone of the gods: alternately shrewd, afraid and extremely condescending. You love him and hate him in equal measure, which is exactly the idea of the trickster god. And then there are the evil mountain giants, whom Gaiman invests with blood curdling roars.

This is the stuff only good storytelling could do. You'd be hard-pressed to make a movie of Norse Mythology  the giant grandmother with 96 heads would be enough of a CGI challenge by herself, let alone her kin and a multitude of shape-shifting gods. But it's perfect for creating images in your own head with the help of a mellifluous voice.

"As I retold these myths," Gaiman writes in the introduction, "I tried to imagine myself a long time ago, in the lands where these stories were first told, during the long winter nights, perhaps, under the glow of the northern lights, or sitting outside in the small hours, awake in the unending daylight of midsummer, with an audience of people who wanted to know what else Thor did, and what the rainbow was, and how to live their lives, and where bad poetry comes from."

The answer to the bad poetry question (spoiler alert!) is that Odin produced it in a "splatter wet fart" after stealing the magic mead that first made men poetically inclined. That should give you a sense of the earthiness and deadpan humor Gaiman has uncovered in these ancient tales.

It's probably for the best that no one else was around to hear me cackle with laughter during my walk up the mountain  or that doing so did not induce an avalanche.

Image: chris taylor/mashable

There is one thing that ancient myths and walking in nature have in common: they make you forget the ephemeral concerns of everyday life and connect you with the eternal. In the winter of 2017, we needed that like never before.

Left to its own devices, my brain tends to tangle itself up in present-day politics; indeed, it was on a previous snowshoeing-up-a-mountain adventure in January 2016 that I first experienced a serious bout of anxiety at the prospect of a President Trump.

But Norse Mythology is about as far away from our modern world as we can reasonably expect. Only one story betrayed any sort of connection to current political concerns: a mysterious, duplicitous stranger arrives at Asgard and offers to build a giant wall before the first day of summer arrives.

The gods plan to execute the stranger rather than reimbursing him if he's a day late on the project, which I suppose is their version of making Mexico pay for it. But when the wall is on track to be constructed, there's only one way out, and that's for Loki to indulge in sex with a horse. (Seriously.) I'll leave it to you to find a political analogy for that; my brain, mercifully, simply quit trying.

The way the world ends in Norse Mythology has a weird, dreamlike quality to it, with all of reality a slate wiped clean  as smooth and blank as the several feet of virgin snow I was tramping through.

But that's the way it begins, too, and after five hours of listening I simply went right back to the start and settled in for another round of storytelling from the endless arctic summer night.
Fourteen-year-old San Min Hteik had worked at the steel factory for less than a week when his hand got caught in a machine, a casualty of the economic boom driving more children into Myanmar's factories.

Two of his fingers were lost after the rod-cutter sliced them down to the bone and weeks later doctors are still unsure whether they will be able to save the others.

He is one of thousands of young factory workers fuelling Myanmar's rapid growth as foreign investors pile into the country after the end of half a century of military-governed isolation.

With one in five kids aged 10-17 in work, impoverished Myanmar is one of the worst countries in the world for child labour.

Many support their families sweeping shop floors, serving in tea shops or working as domestic helpers.

Others labour in the increasing number of foreign-owned factories that has made Myanmar one of the fastest-expanding economies in the region, with growth expected to average about seven percent in the coming years.

"I cannot do what I want to do, so I feel depressed," San Min Hteik told AFP, staring at his bandaged hand inside his home in Hmawbi township outside the commercial capital Yangon.

"I want my family to have a decent standard of living. I want my family to be able to eat enough... to be able to wear the same clothes as other people."

He was paid 2.5 million kyat ($1,800) by the Chinese-owned 999 Iron processing plant in the Myaung Dagar industrial zone as a settlement for his injury.

His mother Tin Tin Htay said they took the money to pay for his medical bills and to make sure his two siblings could stay in school.

"When we were given the cash I felt sad, as if we were buying my son's hand with this money," she said.

AFP journalists were unable to enter the 999 Iron processing plant when they visited. An employee reached by phone they said no one was available to comment.

San Win, a local union leader who helped negotiate San Min Hteik's settlement, said many parents push their children into work to help support the family.

Story continues

"We have no stomach to ask them not to send their children to work. They have their difficulties," he said.

- 'Totally accepted' -

Legally children can start working at 14 in Myanmar, although they are meant to be restricted to four hours a day and are barred from hazardous industries.

But experts say there is little awareness of the laws and many children are sent to work even younger in a country where one in four people live below the poverty line.

The issue is problematic for reputation-conscious Western companies looking to take advantage of Myanmar's cheap labour -- the minimum wage is equivalent to around 33 cents an hour, below Thailand, Cambodia, China and Indonesia.

Zinmar is just one of many young girls and boys in Myanmar who used fake documents to circumvent the law and land a factory job at age 12, washing and ironing clothes for eight hours a day.

But the owners cut her shifts in half once they found out her real age.

"I want to work full-time like before," said the now 14-year-old, who asked AFP use a different name to protect her identity.

"I can work a full day because I am healthy but the law doesn't allow me."

Ei Thae also started working aged 12 for a factory that supplies garments for Swedish clothes retailer H&M.

"I left this factory to search for a new job, but I could not find any as I was underage and had to come back," said the now 15-year-old.

"I want to go to back to school but it's not possible, so I still work. My dream is to be a clothes designer."

A spokeswoman for H&M said the company was working with suppliers and industry experts to ensure young workers are employed according to the law and treated with "respect".

The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association last week disputed allegations child labour is rife in the sector.

Selim Benaissa from the International Labour Organisation said children working outside factories often end up in more dangerous jobs, such as rubbish collecting or sex work.

"Children will work anyway... this is something that is totally accepted, even by the children," he said.

"Removing children from a workplace without appropriate support and follow up may push them to more exploitative or hazardous forms of child labour."
WIMBERG, Germany  The village of Wimberg, population 1,800, is on the northeast edge of the Black Forest. In 2015, with great trepidation, it absorbed 300 refugees  one refugee for every six people.

At a meeting in July 2014, several months before the newcomers arrived, hundreds of residents of Calw, the district where Wimberg is located, gathered to hear how their towns would soon welcome thousands of asylum-seekers from the Middle East and North Africa. There was significant opposition, said Ralf Eggert, the mayor of Calw. Residents feared that their lives would change drastically, crime in their quiet villages would increase, and their streets would be less safe.

About 20 to 30 people at our initial meeting were very opposed, Eggert recalled. They said, OK, they are suffering, and we should help, but not here. Many people were afraid because these people are from a place that was foreign to them, with different religion, different culture, different language.

Now, two years after the first refugees arrived, those fears are gone, Eggert said. Residents saw that they are just normal people.

Germany is amid a social experiment on a vast scale. Ever since a wave of humanity hit Europe like a tsunami in 2015, bringing nearly 1 million asylum-seekers to Germany that year alone, almost every town in the country, from big cities to rural villages, has absorbed refugees. Many at the time predicted that social tensions would soon follow.

It was perhaps in the rural villages like Wimberg where anxiety ran highest, where officials were most concerned about how an influx of newcomers would fit into small, close-knit communities unused to foreigners. Residents voiced concerns for their safety; others were more worried about the safety of those settled in these towns and the potential for anti-refugee violence.

But two years into the experiment, in Wimberg, at least, residents appear determined to ensure that new arrivals are integrated into their new home.

Story continues

Small-town Germany is likely to emerge from the refugee influx a very different place from what it was two years ago. But residents and refugees in Wimburg agree: So far, their new arrangement is working.

* * *

Thaar, a former university student, didnt want to leave Syria. Even after his neighborhood in Damascus suffered a chemical attack perpetrated by the government, he and his family simply moved to another town. Then, after speaking out against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, he was arrested and taken to Branch 235, one of the countrys most notorious underground prisons. He was tortured every day and forced to sleep next to the dead bodies of other prisoners. Only then did he accept the fact that he wouldnt survive if he stayed.

In October 2014, Thaar followed the path of millions of other Syrians, crossing the border to Turkey. I thought Id stay there just a little while and then go back to Syria, said Thaar, 26, who requested that only his first name be used, to protect his family members still living in Syria.

He eventually realized that peace in Syria would not come soon, and that he couldnt obtain refugee status in Turkey. In June 2015, after a month of dangerous boat rides and hundreds of miles by foot, Thaar came to Germany. Arriving with nothing but the clothes on his back, he was sent by German immigration authorities to live in Wimberg.

The culture clash wasnt just about moving from the Middle East to Europe. I went from a city of 2 million people, and then I come here. I was in shock, said Thaar, speaking to me at his home, which is attached to the village church, and where we can hear bells ring as we speak.

Piet Schaber, 52, lives in the house where the author Hermann Hesse was born and raised, in the town of Calw, population 23,400. Wimberg is a village situated within Calw, but Thaar, a bookworm who had read Hesse back in Syria, didnt know the author had resided there until he visited his friend Mohamad, a refugee who was living in a room at Schabers house. Recently, Thaar took me on a walking tour of Calw, where he made sure to point out Hesses childhood home and even sought to get us an impromptu tour.

Ill check if my friend Piet is home, he said, as if visiting an old buddy. Schaber opened the door and showed us around, pointing out the floorboards of the bedroom where Hesse was born. Theyve been here since this house was built in 1690, he said with pride. Mohamad no longer lives there, because he got a job in another village. But we meet every now and then for dinner, Schaber said.

When refugees began pouring into Germany, the government instituted a policy to ensure proportional distribution of refugees throughout the country. The federal government assigns a certain amount of refugees to live in each of Germanys 16 states. The distribution system is based on a combination of tax revenue and population. The states then determine how many refugees will be sent to each district, and from there the districts decide which towns and villages will house the refugees. Because the distribution isnt handled by a central agency, its difficult to obtain numbers on how many refugees have been settled in small towns, but almost every town has received some. For the time being, theyre there to stay. Last year, as part of a sweeping new integration law, Germany introduced a system that both penalizes refugees for moving away from their assigned location and gives governments more power to decide where they can live in an effort to prevent migrant ghettos in big cities like Berlin and Munich.

The district of Calw, in which the town of Calw and the village of Wimberg are located, has a population of 160,000 people in 25 towns. It has taken in nearly 5,000 refugees since 2014, housing them in 12 accommodations that were either newly built shelters or previously abandoned buildings. Half are Syrian and the rest are from Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, and elsewhere, said Norbert Weiser, the districts head of refugee integration.

Throughout our conversation, Weiser, a Wimberg resident, refused to call Germanys current situation a refugee crisis. His parents moved from Poland to Germany after World War II. Now that was a crisis, he said of the 5 million immigrants who flooded Germany when the economy was in shambles and the nation had just been bombed by Allied forces.

This is not a crisis, he said. The number of volunteers helping refugees have far outnumbered the people speaking out against them.

* * *

Not everyone was so positive at first. In 2015, many tranquil, picture-book towns and villages braced for massive disruption. Meetings were taking place in cities and towns across Germany. In Gechingen, population 3,800, Bettina Schoettmer, a volunteer who led efforts to help the refugees there, said she received calls from neighbors who were worried about their wives or daughters walking around town at night. Some asked if they could still place items for sale outside of their shops out of concern they might be stolen. Sumte, which has a population of 102, made headlines when it was assigned 750 asylum-seekers.

Eggert said one thing that calmed Wimberg residents from the start was having volunteers bring refugees to neighbors homes to have tea and break the ice. Volunteers also told the refugees to be friendly. If you take the first step to smile at people and say hello or good morning in German, it makes such a difference, he said.

Gunter Stricker, a 71-year-old retiree, leads the group of volunteers who help refugees in Calw. If I show that we take care of the people and show that I dont have to fear them, then other people see that we dont have to fear them, he said. It encourages everyone to have a feeling of security.

He believes that being kind to refugees will make Germans safer. I think its necessary for the people here to live in peace together, he said. Its important for our security that these people here do well.

Schaber, who lives in Hesses house, where he loans his spare rooms out to newcomers like Mohamed, agrees. If people close themselves and become nationalistic, we then have these parallel societies, and that is not the way to go. This is what happened with the suburbs of Paris, he said.

Like Schaber, authorities have been preoccupied with ensuring that the refugee crisis doesnt produce parallel societies. As a result, many view Germanys small towns as a more promising environment for resettlement than big cities, said Katharina Stamm, who heads European migration policy at Diakonie Deutschland, the social welfare organization of Germanys Protestant churches that assists refugees throughout the country.

The cities are more anonymous so its not so easy to get into society. So the refugees stick together, and then learning the language is more difficult, Stamm said. Ive had the experience where refugees coming from rural areas in Bavaria speak better German than in the cities.

In small towns, volunteers have more personal contact with refugees because the ratio of refugees to volunteers is higher, Stamm said. In cities, that ratio is lower because there are so many more refugees, and the interactions between volunteers and refugees are much more limited. This family feeling you have in the villages, youre not going to find that in an urban area, she said. That is the positive impact of coming to a small town. City people dont have as much time. Urban people are always in a rush.

But small towns come with their own problems, Stamm said. The racism was worse at first, and the resettlement initiatives met with more opposition and suspicion. People are more afraid of something new, she said. The new arrivals often prefer to be placed in cities.

Wimberg and Calw are typical West German small towns, tidy and prosperous. The local economies, centered around an automotive parts supplier and the wood and furniture industry, are a thriving mix of modern and traditional. The state of Baden-Wurttemberg, in which Calw is located, has an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent. Here, overcoming opposition seems to be about prolonged exposure. Those who initially feared how the newcomers would reshape their towns have become less anxious over time.

But in East Germany, where standards of living are lower and unemployment is higher, the situation has been very different. All small towns struggle with retaining young people, but East German small towns in particular have seen the widespread flight of young people to the cities. Mostly older people remain. Older people are a little bit more racist than younger people, Stamm said. Some of our volunteers in the east cant even tell their friends that they work with refugees, or theyve had fights with their families because they help refugees.

* * *

Thaar used to live in a shelter with nearly 100 other refugees. The village priest invited him to live in the house attached to the church when it became vacant. The two had come to know each other after Thaar gave talks at the church  in German, his fifth language  about Islam, refugees, and the war in Syria. One time, he spoke at the church after the Paris attacks in November 2015 by invitation from the priest. Samir, another Syrian refugee I met in the neighboring village of Gechingen, has also given presentations, typically at schools, so that children can learn about the refugee situation.

The most crucial aspect of the integration in Calw, however, involves day-to-day life. All refugee children attend school with German children as part of federal requirements. We dont want to separate them, Eggert said. Adult refugees, like Thaar, attend German courses five days a week, four hours a day. After classes, Thaar, along with Samir and other refugees, works as an unpaid intern at the local university. Stricker, the volunteer, helped them get these trainee positions at the university to improve their German and learn how Germans work. Once they are fluent, he said, they can seek paying jobs. Schaber also employs two Afghan refugees at the clothing shop he owns in Calw as part of his efforts to ensure that new arrivals feel integrated into Germany society.

The cost of this welcome has been steep. Eggert said the district of Calw has spent about $25 million on refugee integration in 2015, a sum that will be reimbursed by the federal government. Most of that money was spent on new personnel and infrastructure. Yet Eggert believes it was well worth the price. The refugees will eventually contribute to the economy through taxes, consumption, and their own work, he said. Like many towns in Germany, the population of Calw is aging  the average age of residents in the district is 43.5  and regional officials have high hopes that an influx of refugees can help keep the town vital. Many young people in rural towns like Calw move to cities after school, Eggert said. Once the refugees become fluent in German, they can fill the jobs that will soon be vacated by older workers and work as apprentices until then. But these new young people will have to stick around. If they do, theyll have to think of Wimberg as home.

There remain those in Wimberg and nearby towns who arent so happy about the embrace of refugees. The same 10 percent of people who were loudly opposed to it from the beginning, said Weiser, referring to the initial meeting in 2014, are still opposed to it. Most dont do anything about it, but a few do. Schoettmer, the head of volunteers in Gechingen, said she used to get calls and emails from a man who threatened to attack refugees or torch the local shelter where many of them live. The man was arrested and sent to prison after Schoettmer showed his emails to police. Schoettmers concerns were validated by statistics recently released by Germanys Interior Ministry, which showed that there were more than 3,500 attacks on refugees and refugee shelters in 2016.

Thaar and Samir say they understand the fears that pervaded the town before they arrived. Its sensible that people might be afraid, because they dont know about refugees. Its like strangers coming into your house, said Samir, 32, who requested that I use only his first name in order to protect relatives still in Syria. And so he gives presentations in town in the hope of winning over his new neighbors. We cannot continue life here without connecting with the people, he said. Its important for people to know more about us.

Samir and Thaar told me theyve never had a problem with any of the locals, not even so much as a suspicious glance. I was skeptical of this at first. Yet walking the streets of Wimberg, Gechingen, and Calw with Samir and Thaar, not only did people not look at them suspiciously but German passers-by exchanged smiles and greetings with them just as they did with other locals.

Thaar admits, however, that he felt stupefied by boredom during his first weeks in Calw. As we walked around town at about 5 p.m., most shops were starting to close and the streets were quiet. Most of the time he read or watched movies at home. Eventually, though, he said he came to love the silence and serenity of his life here  something he wouldnt have if he lived in a city.

Samir also felt the initial shock, but came to love the close friendships with locals that are nurtured by living in a small community. He said most of his friends here are German.

People make us feel great here, Samir told me. They push us to learn and succeed and give us a bridge to walk on. In fact, the day I watched in awe as Thaar knocked on Schabers door unannounced and was welcomed with a hug, I saw Samir do the same with Schoettmer. The mother of three said she considers Samir a part of her family. She also told me that she was afraid in the beginning, especially as a woman.

But it didnt take long until I said to my husband, The safest place for me in Gechingen is this house, she said, pointing down the street toward the shelter where some refugees still live.

Before leaving Calw, I asked Thaar, who was shocked when he was first sent to quiet Wimberg, what he thinks of his new home and if he ever wishes that he lived in a more exciting place, like Berlin. He took a deep breath of fresh air and waited a few seconds so we could hear the sound of silence. Its just calm here, he said as he exhaled. After the war, thats really nice.

Photo credit: Yardena Schwartz
WASHINGTON  On Wednesday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer sought to put additional distance between President Trump and his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. Yahoo News asked Spicer about an Associated Press report that Manafort crafted a plan to advance Putins interests in 2005 for a billionaire client with ties to the Russian president. Spicer stressed that the report did not directly involve Trump or White House staff and noted that it concerned activities from last decade.

Nothing in this mornings report references any actions by the president, the White House or any Trump administration official. I think thats got to be clear from the get-go, Spicer said, adding that the report is entirely focused on actions that Paul took a decade ago.  Hes a former adviser to the campaign, and the actions that came to light this morning are about a client that he had last decade.

The Associated Press report, which was written by Jeff Horwitz and Chad Day, detailed how, in 2005, Manafort pitched a plan to billionaire Oleg Deripaska to influence media and politicians in the U.S. and abroad. According to the AP, Manafort wrote a memo saying this strategy would greatly benefit the Putin Government. Manafort reportedly signed a $10 million annual contract with Deripaska, a Putin ally, that began in 2006, and he remained involved with the billionaire until at least 2009.

The Trump administration has faced extensive scrutiny over possible links to Russia in the wake of a U.S. intelligence community report that concluded Putins government intervened in last years presidential election to boost Trumps chances. Yahoo News asked Spicer about comments he made on Monday dismissing Manafort as having had a limited role in Trumps campaign. Manafort was Trumps campaign chairman, and Yahoo News asked how spending months as the campaigns top official is a limited role.

I commented on this the other day and, clearly, I should have been more precise with respect to Pauls role. So let me clarify this, Spicer said. Paul was hired to oversee the campaigns delegate operations. He had played a significant role in the convention and delegate operations of four previous Republican nominees.  To be clear, he got the job done on the delegates. The president won the Republican nomination after months of speculation [about] a potentially contested  convention, Spicer said.

Story continues

Manafort was initially hired to work on delegate wrangling, but he became the Trump campaigns top official following the departure of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski late last June.

In total, he was involved with the campaign for a total of just under five months, Spicer said of Manafort. He was first hired on March 28 to oversee delegate operations. He was made the chief strategist and campaign chairman on May 19, and his relationship with the campaign ended on Aug. 19.

Manafort is a veteran lobbyist who has represented a wide array of clients, including the dictators Ferdinand Marcos and Mobutu Sese Seko. Spicer pointed out that Manafort had many different business relationships and argued that his lobbying is similar to the work done by the brother of John Podesta, who chaired the campaign of Trumps Democratic rival in last years election, Hillary Clinton.

To place it in context, Paul represented many foreign clients according to publicly available data, in the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Europe. His representation of foreign clients is public and is similar to the work of Tony Podesta, a Clinton campaign fundraiser whose brother, John, chaired Hillary Clintons campaign last year, not last decade, Spicer said.

Spicer, who was reading from a script at points in his response, went on to argue that Clinton had far more extensive connections to Russia. Among other things, Spicer cited Clintons effort to launch a reset in relations between the U.S. and Russia during her time as secretary of state, and speaking fees collected by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Spicer framed this as a double standard.

So an individual who worked for  the campaign for five months of the presidents two-year-long campaign, who worked with a Russian entity a decade ago, is the subject of rampant media speculation all day long even though the Clintons had much more, he said.

Spicer also said Trump has no meaningful business ties to Russia. Trump, who is a billionaire with extensive business interests, has broken with past presidential tradition by not publicizing his tax returns. Because of this, it is impossible to verify details of his personal finances.

To be clear, the president has no personal financial dealings with Russia. His ties are limited to hosting a [beauty] contest in Russia once and selling a Palm Beach home to a businessman in 2005. Thats it, Spicer said.

Paul Manafort (Photo: Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Later in the same briefing, Axios national political reporter Jonathan Swan asked if Trump knew before he hired Manafort that he had worked to advance Putins interests. Spicer said Trump was not aware of Pauls clients from last decade. Swan pressed him on whether this lack of knowledge was a problem. Spicer responded that it was a bit insane to suggest that Trump should have known about the deal with Deripaska.

What else dont we know? I mean, where he went to school, what grades he got, who he played with in the sandbox? Spicer asked sardonically. To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from a decade ago is a bit insane.

Spicer was also asked why Trump ultimately fired Manafort last August. The press secretary suggested that earlier headlines about some of Manaforts foreign ties had become a distraction and that there were also issues with the campaigns performance under his leadership.

There were some issues coming up with his ties to Ukraine that were becoming a distraction, Spicer said of Manafort. Secondly, [Trump} was, I think, 16 points down at the time and he was down in the twenties in women. And I think the president recognized that he needed to make a change for those two reasons.

There were reports that Manafort advised Trump about Cabinet picks during the transition between his election and the inauguration in January. Spicer said he had no knowledge of this and that there is nothing that suggests Manafort pushed Trump to take pro-Russia positions during the campaign.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Jonathan Allen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A white man who police said traveled to New York City to harm black people turned himself in with knives in his pocket at a Manhattan police station on Wednesday, a day after authorities say he fatally stabbed a black man on a city sidewalk.

James Harris Jackson, 28, told police he left his home in Baltimore on Friday and took the bus to New York "because it is the media capital of the world and he wanted to make a statement," Bill Aubrey, a deputy chief at the New York Police Department, told reporters.

On Monday night, Jackson crossed paths with Timothy Caughman, a black man who was rummaging through garbage on a sidewalk in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, according to police.

A few minutes later, Caughman, 66, staggered into a nearby police station, bleeding from stab wounds to his chest and back. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Jackson turned himself in at a police station in Times Square soon after midnight on Wednesday and was arrested for murder, police said. He had seen images circulated by police from surveillance cameras showing him at the scene, dressed in a black coat, his blond hair combed to one side, police said.

"He said that 'I'm the person that you're looking for,' and he had knives in his pocket," Aubrey told a news conference. "It was revealed that the attack on Timothy Caughman was clearly racially motivated. It is believed that he was specifically intending to target male blacks."

Jackson served as a specialist in the U.S. Army until 2012, and was deployed in Afghanistan for nearly a year beginning in December 2010, an Army spokeswoman said. He was awarded several medals for his conduct, the spokeswoman said.

Jackson was in police custody awaiting a court appearance and could not be reached for comment.

(Additional reporting by Gina Cherulus; Editing by Andrew Hay and Peter Cooney)
Do you ever feel tired for no reason? When it happened to viewer Kaeche one time too many, she reached out for answers.

The Doctors are joined by Pfizer's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, who explains when being tired might be more than just fatigue and possibly related to an underlying health issue.

Visit the Get Healthy Stay Healthy website for more information on diseases and conditions that could be related to fatigue, including symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. There you can also sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Sponsored by Pfizer
The widow of a slain police officer received a gift from her late husband when she gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday.

Dechia Gerald, the wife of Matthew Gerald, a Baton Rouge officer who was killed in an ambush shooting while on duty in July, reportedly conceived five days before her husbands murder.

Read: NYPD Officer Dies After Being Shot in the Head During Gunfight in East Harlem

Falyn Matthew Gerald was born at 4:31 p.m. on Tuesday weighing 6 lbs, 8 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long. During his mom's interview with WAFB, Falyn grabbed onto his late dads wedding ring, which Dechia has worn around her neck since his passing.

I can just feel his presence. I don't have to worry about the anxiety or worry where's he's at or what he's doing because at this moment, he's here with us, Dechia, who also has a daughter, told the station.

Her husband, who was known to his fellow officers at the Baton Rouge Police Department as Buttons, has already passed down the name to his son in spirit.

"Baby Buttons, that's no choice. I don't have a choice in that matter, said Dechia. BRPD pretty much already said that.

Matthew, 41, was gunned down along with two other officers on July 17 after receiving a call about an armed man inside of a store.

The gunman, who also injured three other officers, had allegedly traveled to Louisiana from his native Missouri with the goal of murdering police officers. He was shot and killed during a shootout with police.

Read: Sheriff's Deputy Shot and Killed While Investigating Rape: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'

Matthews mother, Tish, said she knows her son is still with them.

We all feel daddy with us, she said. Very bittersweet, just more than I can express. Just touches my heart more than I can express. It's like having him all over again.

Watch: Officer Gunned Down Exactly One Year After Delivering Baby On Side Of The Road

Related Articles:
China's "I Am Not Madame Bovary" won the award for best film at the Asian Film Awards held in Hong Kong Tuesday.

At the 11th edition of the awards, director Feng Xiaogang took to the stage to accept the award for best film, as did the movie's leading lady Fan Bingbing for best actress.

Another big winner was the erotic thriller from South Korea "The Handmaiden," which took home four awards including best supporting actress for Moon So-ri and best newcomer for Kim Tae-ri.

The AFA moved to Hong Kong this year after a three-year run in Macau, to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China.

Here are the winners:

Best Film: I Am Not Madame Bovary

Best Director: Na Hong-jin, The Wailing

Best Actress: Fan Bingbing, I Am Not Madame Bovary

Best Actor: Asano Tadanobu, Harmonium

Best Supporting Actress: Moon So-ri, The Handmaiden

Best Supporting Actor: Lam Suet, Trivisa

Best Newcomer : Kim Tae-ri, The Handmaiden

Best Editing:Apprentice

Best Production Design: The Handmaiden

Best Costume Design: The Handmaiden

Best Sound: Crosscurrent

Best Original Music: The Age of Shadows

Best Cinematography: I Am Not Madame Bovary

Best Visual Effects: Shin Godzilla
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - A Wisconsin man who wrote on his Facebook page and told several others that he planned to kill then-U.S. President Barack Obama has lost his appeal of his conviction and three-year prison term for threatening the president.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago on Wednesday rejected Brian Dutcher's request that his January 2016 jury conviction be set aside because of a lack of evidence.

Dutcher, 56, of Tomah, said he had been unable to carry out his threat, having been armed only with a slingshot, and no one took him seriously. He also challenged the jury instructions.

Stephen Meyer, a lawyer for Dutcher, said the decision "disappointed the defense by selectively reciting the facts of Mr. Dutcher's case and deflecting the issues presented on appeal."

Dutcher had written on Facebook that he planned to attend a July 2, 2015 event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where Obama was giving a speech, and hoped to "get a clear shot at the pretend president. Killing him is our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY!"

According to the decision, once in La Crosse, Dutcher repeated his plan to the Secret Service, police, a doctor and nurse, and a security guard he knew, telling him "I'm here to kill the President, the usurper, tomorrow at his speech."

Writing for the appeals court, Chief Judge Diane Wood said the federal law against threatening to harm the president required a reasonable belief that a listener would consider a threat serious, not that the speaker can carry it out.

"Dutcher told investigators that he used his slingshot to hunt small animals, and (actually comparing himself to David) that he could kill a man with it," Wood wrote. "The jury was entitled, based on this evidence, to find that Dutcher was capable of injuring the President with his slingshot."

The case is U.S. v. Dutcher, 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 16-1767.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
Mansplaining is the worst. Even in 2017, men are still "explaining" things to women in a condescending and patronising manner. Not cool.

SEE ALSO: Government report finds that employers routinely use illegal, sexist dress codes

Host of the "Another Round" podcast at Buzzfeed, Tracey Clayton, asked women to share their everyday experiences of mansplaining and  somewhat depressingly  the responses flooded in.

women, what's the most infuriating thing you've had mansplained to you?  Tracy Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) March 21, 2017

From women being told how to pronounce their own name, to men explaining women's jobs to them; these stories will make your blood well and truly boil.



One woman described her experience of being simultaneously whitesplained and mansplained by a younger man. And, during this "explanation" he made racial slurs about Michelle Obama.

@brokeymcpoverty the election, by a white boy who's younger than me (a sophomore, i'm a junior) & started w/ "let me explain this to you"   burake (@its_burake) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty he continued to call michelle obama a gorilla, & tell me that hillary clinton is incompetent   burake (@its_burake) March 21, 2017

One woman had her sexual assault explained to her.

@brokeymcpoverty my own sexual assault  Rachel LaBruyere (@raylab) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty honestly not even sad about it at this point. just angry. and now i mostly feel pit for the dude...  Rachel LaBruyere (@raylab) March 21, 2017

Apparently reproductive healthcare is also a topic that men enjoy explaining to women.

Story continues

@tamerra_nikol @brokeymcpoverty I was told there was "no such thing as an accidentally pregnancy" because birth control exists.  AliciaMelville-Smith (@alicia_ms) March 21, 2017

One woman was even mansplained while she was in labour.

@brokeymcpoverty Obstetrician disagreed that my baby was about to come. Mansplained & left for soda. 3 mins later: Baby born, no doc in room  Amy Duncan (@amydunc) March 21, 2017

And some men took it upon themselves to explain pregnancy to women who'd been pregnant on multiple occasions.

@brokeymcpoverty I recently had a guy mansplain pregnancy to me & 3 other women, 1 of whom has 4 kids. Miraculously he's still alive.  Lauren Abramo (@LaurenAbramo) March 21, 2017

It seems that menstruation isn't off limits when it comes to mansplaining.

@brokeymcpoverty how to correctly insert a tampon. no, this person was not a doctor.  Charleyy Hodson (@CharleyyRachael) March 21, 2017

Writers and journalists also shared their experiences of being mansplained about stories they've written and topics they specialise in.

@lizzieohreally @biocuriosity @brokeymcpoverty once a man tried to explain an article to me. An article I wrote.  Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty whenever i publish an article critiquing a superhero comic or movie (ie. my job), i'm told i haven't read "the comics."  Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty in college my friends and i ran an indie mag out of our editors apartment and a guy said i was using the word "indie" wrong  Anna Fitzpatrick (@bananafitz) March 21, 2017

Women also shared experiences of having their jobs explained to them. Wow, so helpful!

@brokeymcpoverty The number of men who have explained to me how the television and movie businesses work is literally too large to count.  Linda Holmes (@nprmonkeysee) March 21, 2017

@karengeier @kyliesturgess @brokeymcpoverty how2do my job, by boyfriend who works in different field: "engineering is just applied physics"  Kathleen Gray (@Capable_Kat) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty how a computer works, since Ive built and maintained them since I was about 12  Worth Wild Li'l Tree (@karengeier) March 21, 2017

Seemingly some women just don't know how to pronounce their own name.

@brokeymcpoverty I once had a friend mansplain to my roommate how to ~correctly~ pronounce her own name bc he thought she was doing it wrong  Aja Romano (@ajaromano) March 21, 2017

One non-profit worker recounted something that happened to her at the White House while she was waiting to meet with President Obama because of her work.

@brokeymcpoverty True story. I was WH waiting meet w/Pres. Obama. Man explains to me: "If you want to succeed you sd learn abt sports.  Angela Blanchard (@CajunAngela) March 21, 2017

@brokeymcpoverty I'm a grown ass woman waitin to meet w POTUS because of my work & this knucklehead is giving me "how to get ahead" advice  Angela Blanchard (@CajunAngela) March 21, 2017

Ugh. Please stop mansplaining.
Trump hugs a U.S. flag at a rally in Tampa in October. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

President Trump is clinging to his wiretapping claim like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, the Wall Street Journal said in a scathing editorial published Tuesday night. And that claim, floating in the presidents seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods, is severely damaging his credibility, both at home and abroad.

If President Trump announces that North Korea launched a missile that landed within 100 miles of Hawaii, would most Americans believe him? Would the rest of the world? Were not sure, the paper said.

The Journal slammed Trumps evidence-free assertion that former President Barack Obama ordered the wiretapping of Trump Tower before the 2016 presidential election. Trump leveled his explosive charge on Twitter on March 4, and the White House has refused to back down, even after FBI Director James Comey dismissed the allegation as unfounded.

He has offered no evidence for his claim, and a parade of intelligence officials, senior Republicans and Democrats have since said they have seen no such evidence, the papers editorial board wrote.

The president has plenty of media critics, and the Journals editorial board was not particularly supportive of his candidacy. But the editorial is striking, given the papers traditionally conservative tone. Its owner, Rupert Murdoch, also owns Fox News, Trumps favorite cable news network.

Two months into his presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trumps approval rating at 39 percent, the editorial continued. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesnt show more respect for the truth, most Americans may conclude hes a fake President.

The paper also pointed out how Trumps refusal to back off his evidence-free claim has co-opted what could have been a positive news cycle.

This week should be dominated by the smooth political sailing for Mr. Trumps Supreme Court nominee and the progress of health-care reform on Capitol Hill, the editorial said. These are historic events, and success will show he can deliver on his promises. But instead, the week has been dominated by the news that he was repudiated by his own FBI director.

Story continues

The Journal wasnt the only paper to publish a Trump takedown Tuesday. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice warned that false statements from the Trump White House are part of a disturbing pattern of behavior that poses real and potentially profound dangers to U.S. national security.

First impressions matter, she wrote, and an unsettling pattern has already been established.

The foundation of the United States unrivaled global leadership rests only in part on our military might, the strength of our economy and the power of our ideals, Rice explained. It is also grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust. So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to Americas global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.

Following Comeys testimony, the New York Times published an op-ed titled All the Presidents Lies.

The ninth week of Donald Trumps presidency began with the F.B.I. director calling him a liar, the Times David Leonhardt wrote. Comey didnt use the L-word in his congressional testimony Monday. Comey serves at the pleasure of the president, after all. But his meaning was clear as could be.

Ive previously argued that not every untruth deserves to be branded with the L-word, because it implies intent and somebody can state an untruth without doing so knowingly, Leonhardt continued. But the current president of the United States lies. He lies in ways that no American politician ever has before. He has lied about  among many other things  Obamas birthplace, John F. Kennedys assassination, Sept. 11, the Iraq War, ISIS, NATO, military veterans, Mexican immigrants, Muslim immigrants, anti-Semitic attacks, the unemployment rate, the murder rate, the Electoral College, voter fraud and his groping of women.

He tells so many untruths that its time to leave behind the textual parsing over which are unwitting and which are deliberate, Leonhardt added, as well as the condescending notion that most of Trumps supporters enjoy his lies.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Some of America's biggest advertisers are joining their British counterparts in boycotting Google.

AT&T, car rental giant Enterprise, and pharmaceutical company GSK have each decided to suspend all YouTube ads after The Times of London reported that the brands had appeared alongside videos with hate speech and extremism.

The companies are among the first in the United States to join what's become a full-scale revolt among advertisers in the UK this week.

SEE ALSO: Google finally gives brands more ways to keep ads off hateful Youtube videos

The decisions all come the day after Google announced a handful of new tools meant to give advertisers more control over where their ads appear. The search giant has also apologized repeatedly and vowed to beef up the staff dedicated to sussing out extreme content.

Apparently the company's assurances weren't convincing enough.

We are deeply concerned that our ads may have appeared alongside YouTube content promoting terrorism and hate," an AT&T spokesperson said in an email statement. "Until Google can ensure this wont happen again, we are removing our ads from Googles non-search platforms."

Enterprise took its statement a step further with an indictment of automated digital ads as a whole.

"Programmatic buying is a relatively new advertising 'science,' and has only become mainstream within the last four or five years," an Enterprise spokesperson said. "It appears that technology has gotten ahead of the advertising industrys checks-and-balances.There is no doubt there are serious flaws that need to be addressed."

GSK said it was encouraged by Google's "first steps" towards solving the problem but would pull ads from all Google platforms until the issue is resolved.

"The placement of our brands next to extremist content is completely unacceptable to us and we have raised our concerns directly with Google," a company spokesperson said. "We are encouraged by Googles steps over the past few days to take action and will continue to work with them to make further progress in developing adequate safeguards to ensure that advertisers are not placed in this position."

Story continues

The companies join British advertisers like HSBC, the Royal Bank of Scotland, L'Oreal, ad agency Havas UK, and others that have pulled their spending from Google this week in the wake of reports that ads were appearing on videos from former KKK leader David Duke, a homophobic preacher who praised the Orland nightclub shooting, among other extremists.

Google wouldn't comment on the decisions but reiterated that it was working towards fixing the issue.

"We don't comment on individual customers but as announced, weve begun an extensive review of our advertising policies and have made a public commitment to put in place changes that give brands more control over where their ads appear," a spokesperson said Wednesday. "We're also raising the bar for our ads policies to further safeguard our advertisers brands."

Speaking at the Advertising Week Europe conference in London this week, Google's head of European operations acknowledged that the problem wasn't confined to the UK.

It appears he was right.

Update March 22, 6:30 p.m. ET:

Johnson & Johnson has reportedly pulled its YouTube ads as well.

Just in: Johnson & Johnson tell us they will "pause all YouTube digital advertising globally". More to come #googleads  James Dean (@JamesDeanTimes) March 22, 2017

WATCH: Robotic glove lets people with limited hand mobility perform daily tasks
Harare (AFP) - A coalition of Zimbabwean opposition parties on Wednesday staged a protest ahead of next year's polls, demanding the disbanding of the state-appointed electoral commission they accuse of hindering free-and-fair elections.

A group of around 200 protesters gathered at an open space outside the central business district after police banned a planned street march to the electoral commission head office.

"Having failed the fundamental test of impartiality and independence required of an election management board, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must forthwith be disbanded and dismantled," the parties said in a petition

Riot police armed with truncheons and water cannons patrolled the central business district to prevent the protest march that had been organised by a loose coalition of more than 10 parties that are demanding electoral reforms in the run up to next year's general election.

The parties include the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-vice president Joice Mujuru's National People's Party (NPP).

"This country cannot be a country that every time we go for an election it is contested and there is dispute," Tsvangirai told the protesters before representatives handed over the petition to the electoral commission.

"Why should we have a character of an election which is violent and which is always dependent on coercion and intimidation?"

Previous elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by violence against opponents of President Robert Mugabe as well as intimidation and alleged fraud including the stuffing of the electoral roll with phantom voters including names of long-deceased people and children too young to vote.

Former finance minister and leader of the People's Democratic party Tendai Biti called on opponents of veteran leader Mugabe to join forces and forge a coalition to fight his ZANU-PF party in next year's elections.

Story continues

"We are demanding fundamental electoral reforms," said Biti.

"We are sending a message that we as political parties can work together, as political parties we will put the interest of Zimbabwe first."

Zimbabwe's opposition parties are in talks to form an alliance to face ZANU-PF in next year's general elections.

Mugabe,93, who has been in power since independence in 1980, has been endorsed by his party to stand again in the polls.

His ZANU-PF party is entangled in bitter factional fights over who should succeed him.

Mugabe's wife Grace and vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa have been named as possible successors.

Among other reforms the opposition parties want biometric voter registration to rid the electoral roll of phantom voters, fair media access to all political parties and the deployment of international observers to monitor the 2018 elections.
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean opposition parties demanded on Wednesday that presidential elections next year be conducted by a committee set up by the United Nations and African Union because they had lost confidence in the neutrality of the local election agency. President Robert Mugabe, 94 and in power for 30 years, is due to run again. Leaders from several political parties, including Movement for Democratic Change's Morgan Tsvangirai, told a few hundred supporters during a protest rally in the capital that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had failed to be partial and should be disbanded. Police deployed water cannon and anti-riot officers on the streets of the capital throughout the day after confining the protesters to an open space on the edge of the city center. The opposition parties, who were united under a National Election Reform Agenda (NERA), were protesting against changes to the voter registration process and said they would rally behind Tsvangirai to face Mugabe in the presidential vote. Anti-government protests in August descended into some of the worst violence seen in the southern African nation for two decades as anger over economic hardship boiled over. NERA chairman Farai Mbire said the United Nations, African Union and the Southern African Development Community "must immediately establish an independent, tripartite election management body to take over the full functions of ZEC." The opposition parties also said Mugabe's government should back off from its decision to take over the purchase of biometric voter registration kits from the United Nations. They fear this will make it easier for Mugabe's ZANU-PF to skew the list of eligible voters in its favor. Mbire did not say what would happen if Mugabe's government rejected their demands. ZANU-PF legal secretary and Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the state-run Herald newspaper that it was ZEC's constitutional right to run elections. Anti-riot police allowed a handful of NERA officials to present a petition to the offices of ZEC. Zimbabwe is due to hold its next presidential and parliamentary election by July 2018. Mugabe has been endorsed as the ruling party's presidential candidate. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Ed Cropley/Jeremy Gaunt)
By Ronnie Cohen (Reuters Health) - - Did your date check his email just as you were about to deliver a punch line? Did your friend reply to a text while you were describing your boss broadside? Is your child so engrossed in whatever shes doing on her iPhone that you must ask her multiple times to please pass the salt? And do you find yourself incapable of controlling an incessant urge to look at your smart phone or other electronic device? Youve got company. Nearly nine out of 10 Americans report being so tethered to their digital gadgets that they constantly or often check their email, texts and social media accounts, a new poll shows. While we know that technology can be helpful in many ways, this need to be constantly connected could have negative consequences to our physical and mental health, said Vaile Wright, a psychologist and a member of the team that designed the American Psychological Association survey. The information overload and notifications actually impair our ability to concentrate. They make us less productive. They make us feel not really present. So people report feeling disconnected from others, she said in a phone interview. Nearly one-fifth of Americans identified technology as a significant source of stress, according to the survey of more than 3,500 adults living in the U.S. Even when those who described themselves as constant checkers were with family members, 44 percent reported feeling disconnected. Nearly two-thirds of those polled strongly agreed that periodically unplugging from digital devices would boost their mental health. But only 28 percent said they actually took digital holidays. The problem may stem from the addictive nature of digital devices. Our access to our technology, particularly our mobile technology, is very positively reinforcing, Wright said. You ask a question, and the device immediately answers. And so we keep going back for more, she said. She recommends regular digital breaks. If the idea of leaving your cellphone at home for a day causes panic, thats important data that you might be more constantly connected to your device than youre aware, she said. People who feel as though theyre going through withdrawal when they disconnect should consider a temporary physical separation, psychologists recommend. Its actually important to not just rely on willpower, Wright said. If youre out to dinner with your friends, keep your cellphone in your pocket or your purse. Psychologist Ethan Kross, a professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, said in a phone interview that the old adage, out of sight, out of mind, fits mobile technology well. If the cell phone is tempting you to check your email, take it out of your field of vision, said Kross, who was not involved with the new study. I wouldnt underestimate the visual power of it. Smart phones instantly activate the desire to check, he said. Turn off sound notifications as well as vibrations and put the device into a desk drawer, or somewhere else you wont see it, he suggested. Though the pollsters only questioned adults, the double-edged sword of digital technology touches children as well. Almost half of surveyed parents reported that regulating their childs screen time fueled a constant battle in their homes. Wright recommends that parents consider low-tech options for amusing children in restaurants and on airplanes. One of our pieces of advice is dont always reach for technology solutions to obtain good behavior, she said. You can bring a coloring book or a puzzle. The survey highlights how quickly Americans have become dependent upon mobile technology, Kross said. The real challenge is to figure out what are the healthy versus the harmful ways of interacting with these technologies. The hope is that we optimize how they influence peoples well being, he said. Times are rapidly changing, he said. Things are evolving very quickly, and I think in some ways the science is playing catch-up here. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2nePubi American Psychological Association "Stress in America: Technology and Social Media," online February 23, 2017.
A ban on most electronics in the cabins of some U.S.-bound flights may be aimed at thwarting terrorist attacks, but it also raises questions about the safest place to stow devices with lithium-ion batteries on airplanes.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that laptops and other large electronic devices won't be allowed in the passenger cabins of nonstop flights to the U.S. from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The move is in response to intelligence reports that terrorists are looking for new ways to place explosives in electronic devices on airplanes.

Passengers on these flights will now be required to pack devices in their checked luggage. Yet because the lithium-ion batteries in laptops occasionallythough rarelyburst into flames, the new rule raises the question: Is it dangerous to store hundreds of laptops in suitcases in the hold of an airplane?

The issue has been studied extensively by aviation safety experts over the past few years. And there is an emerging body of opinion that, yes, it is somewhat safer if laptops and similar devices are kept in the passenger compartment rather than the cargo hold.

Why? For one thing, if a laptop catches fire in the cabin, it will be noticed immediately and steps can be taken to put it out. And though there are fire safety systems in the hold of an airplane, they aren't well-equipped to deal with the type of fire that lithium-ion batteries generate.

Theres a balance here, says John Cox, a former pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems, an aviation consulting firm. As we put lithium-ion batteries in cargo holds, they are no longer in an area where the crew can deal with them if they do catch fire. And the fire suppression systems using only [the common extinguishant] halon have not proven to be effective on lithium-ion fires.

If a battery-powered device were to catch fire in the cargo hold, the halon in the onboard suppression system might extinguish the flames, but the battery would continue to heat up, potentially causing other fires.

Story continues

If you have a cargo hold with numerous lithium batteries, once one goes and starts that heating process, it can propagate to further devices, Cox says. You have this reignition.

Cox adds that the Federal Aviation Administration "is in a very, very difficult situation. He acknowledges the challenge in weighing the threat of terrorism against the threat of an in-flight battery fire. I would like to see the risk analysis, but, at this point, I think that weve mitigated some risk and introduced some other.

In a briefing Monday night, senior administration officials acknowledged that moving lithium-ion batteries from the passenger cabin to an airplanes hold did create some hazard.

DHS declined to explain why it believes storing these devices in checked luggage will improve safety. "Were not able to talk about the specific details of security requirements," a spokesman said.

Lithium-ion batteries are a known safety risk, says Karen Walker, editor-in-chief of Air Transport World, an airline industry trade publication. If they catch fire, its a very intense heat. And fire and aircraft dont mix very well.

When a battery malfunctions, according to Consumer Reports chief scientific officer James Dickerson, its usually because the membranes that separate the charges in the battery are breached, which creates a short circuit and generates a sudden release of energy. That violent burst of energy causes the battery to reach temperatures approaching 1,000 F, potentially destabilizing nearby batteries, creating a condition known as thermal runaway.

Lithium-ion batteries have been in the news in recent months, with spectacular videos popping up on YouTube of various devicesranging from hoverboards to a pair of headphonesbursting into flames. Last fall, the FAA banned the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone from U.S. flights after it was recalled because of reports of fires and explosions.

But it's important to keep the dangers in perspective, given that millions of devices powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are put to use every day.

The frequency (of fires) is quite small compared to the number of batteries in use, but it still is a potential hazard, says Dickerson, an expert on battery science. He adds that nonrechargeable batteries, such as the AA and AAA cells you might find in a remote control, do not pose the same threats for consumers.

Last year the FAA warned that transporting pallets of lithium-ion or nonrechargeable lithium-metal batteries in the cargo holds of planes could cause a catastrophic explosion if a single cell were to catch fire. Although stopping short of an outright ban, the agency warned against packing large numbers of batteries togetherbecause of the dangers of thermal runawayand cautioned that the batteries should be kept separated from other hazardous materials.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), affiliated with the United Nations, last year banned the shipping of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft because of the safety concerns. As with the FAA's restrictions, the move dealt only with commercial cargo, not the electronics devices carried onboard or stowed beneath the plane by passengers.

Though passengers on domestic flights are currently allowed to pack devices containing lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries in carry-on or checked luggage, the FAA requires that spare batteriesthose not installed in a devicebe limited to carry-on bags because of the potential for a battery with unprotected electrodes to come in contact with a loose metal object and short out, causing it to ignite.

The FAA on Tuesday deferred comment to the DHS. The ICAO issued a statement acknowledging the need to continually address emerging threats, citing the importance of "finding an effective balance between safety and security approaches."

According to administration officials, the DHS is working with the FAA and airlines to determine the best way to implement the new travel restrictions. The State Department has been in contact with the eight countries with airports affected by the measures.

Smartphones and medical devices belonging to passengers and electronics devices carried by a planes crew are exempt from the ban. Officials say theres no end date for the restrictions. They are continuing to evaluate intelligence, leaving the door open for the new security measures to expand to other airports.

The move currently affects flights coming from specific airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Nine foreign airlines and about 50 flights daily to the U.S. will be affected. No U.S.-based airlines are on the list because none currently offer nonstop service from the affected airports to the U.S.

Britain announced a similar ban Tuesday.

The U.S. changes officially went into effect at 3 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday, and airlines have 96 hours to comply. Those who dont could see their clearance to land in the U.S. revoked, the officials said.

Update: This article has been updated with additional information from the Department of Homeland Security.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 10:00AM

The First in a Series of Sermons on the Book of Daniel

We know that Daniel was young man of noble Hebrew descent living in Judah in 605 B.C. That was the year when, in the providence of God, King Nebuchadnezzar sent his armies to lay siege to Jerusalemonly to destroy the city and its temple eighteen years later in 587 BC. Along with a number of Jewish youths, Daniel was taken from his home and family in Judah, and exiled to Babylon, where he lived out the balance of his long life as a believer in YHWH in the capital city of a pagan empire. Although an exile far from home, Daniel rose to such prominence in the Babylonian royal court that eventually he became a confidant of Nebuchanzezzar himself. Little did Daniel know that the terrible day when he was taken captive and removed from his home and family was just the beginning of a amazing lifea life which, through a series of dreams and visions given him by God, led to the production of a book of the Bible which reveals some of the profound mysteries of Gods sovereign plan for human history, by taking us on a panoramic sweep from Israels patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) to the coming messianic age, all the way to the end of time and day of final judgment. The Book of Daniel is also the story of a faithful Jewish exile, in a pagan land, serving in a pagan royal court, all the while living his life in such an exemplary way that he may indeed have been used by God during the reign of the Persian king Cyrus (in the 530s) to help secure the freedom of those Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem (in a second Exodus) as recounted in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Book of Daniel is not only an important guide to redemptive history, it is also the remarkable story of a faithful life lived in exile.



We begin this series on the Book of Daniel with a word of caution. One of the most capable commentators on the Book of Daniel warns us that this book has often defeated even the most skilled of expositorsa warning not to be taken lightly. One reason why Daniel is difficult to interpret is that Daniel predicts the course of world empiresalthough still future to him, are ancient history for us. To interpret Daniel correctly one needs a fair bit of knowledge of ancient near-eastern history, which most moderns simply do not have. Covering this ground is hard to do in the context of the typical sermonand frankly, a sermon should not be a mere history lesson. Yet as we saw in our series on Ezra-Nehemiah, the situation on the ground, so to speak, far too often gets left behind by those interpreters looking for practical application, and who instead focus upon things like Nehemiahs leadership skills, while ignoring the historical circumstances behind the book, circumstances which are far more interesting and relevant than turning Nehemiah into an ancient motivational speaker or strategic business plan expert.



We did not do that in our study of Ezra-Nehemiah and we cannot do that with Daniel if we expect to understand the true meaning of his prophecy and get something truly useful from our time spent studying this book. So, any series on Daniel will be challenging because even though Daniel will offer a panoramic vision from Israels past to the end of time, much of his prophecy has to do with the great empires of the ancient near east (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman) from 600 B.C. until the coming of Jesus and the dawn of his messianic mission (30 AD). So, we will proceed slowly at the beginning of our series, lay the necessary historical groundwork, but we will pick-up speed as we go along.

To read the rest of this sermon: Click Here
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ANGOLA  Sen. Todd Young of Indiana will deliver the commencement address at Trine University in May before what will be the largest graduating class in Trine history.

We are privileged to welcome Sen. Todd Young to deliver the keynote address for Trine Universitys commencement ceremony, said Earl D. Brooks II, Trine president. As someone who has served our nation both as a distinguished military officer and now in the United States Senate, Sen. Young is a shining example for our graduates and for all of us.

Young is scheduled to speak during Trines 132nd commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center on the main campus in Angola. Trines 2017 record-setting class of 978 students also includes the first graduates from the universitys Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Young, a Republican, was elected in 2016 to the U.S. Senate after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2010.

The son of a small business owner and a nurse, Young grew up in Indiana and graduated from Carmel High School, mopping floors at the family business after school. He earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated with honors.

He then accepted a commission in the Marine Corps, serving as an intelligence officer specializing in counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism. Later in his service he led recruiting efforts for Chicago and northwest Indiana, during which time he attended night classes and earned his Master of Business Administratioin degree with a concentration in economics from the University of Chicago. He received an honorable discharge as captain after 10 years of service.

Before returning to Indiana, Young worked briefly in Washington, D.C., for the Heritage Foundation and on the staff of Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar. Upon returning home to Indiana, he worked as a management consultant during the day while putting himself through night classes to earn a law degree from Indiana University. He also worked for the 2004 campaign to elect Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Following Sen. Youngs graduation from law school, he and his wife, Jenny, worked at the small law firm started by her grandfather, giving back to the community by offering free legal services to couples looking to adopt. From 2007 until his election to Congress, he served as assistant deputy prosecutor in Orange County in southern Indiana. When not in Washington, D.C., he and his wife live with their four children in Bloomington.

The public is welcome to attend Trine Universitys commencement. For more information, visit trine.edu/commencement.
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The reality of Halina Bieciuk Lewis parents lives are more than cautionary tales. They are sagas; stories of survival, pain and resiliency.

Jan and Maria Bieciuk lost everything during the rise and fall of the Nazi party. Lewis shared their pain during her March 16 talk at the La Crescent Public Library.

I think its therapeutic, Lewis, who now lives in Onalaska, said. You know, I hold guilt for my parents. I think if enough of us talk about it ... It was like pulling teeth for information but Im talking for them.

Lewis parents did not meet until the war was over. The two were placed in a displacement camp in Germany after they refused to return to Russian-controlled Poland.

Her father, Jan Leonard Bieciuk was born in a small town in Poland. He came from a Roman Catholic family of farmers. At a young age, he lost both his parents and his five siblings. As a result, he spent most of his childhood in a convent orphanage.

At age 14, he joined the cavalry. In 1939, when the Germans invaded Poland, he fought the frontline at the Battle of Brzesc. Jan was captured and brought to a prisoner of war camp where he stayed for five years. He eventually escaped with nine other soldiers.

After he was recaptured, Jan was sent to a concentration camp. Although he was moved around, he spent the majority of his time at Sachsenhausen outside of Berlin. Jan survived as a gun smith in the camp.

Dad would tell stories, Lewis said. They would sneak out of their beds at night and would steal whatever bread that the Nazis were throwing away. They would burn it and use the bread as medicine. We werent allowed to have toasters in our house growing up. It was too much of a memory for my father ... Rats were no problem. Theyd eat almost anything. Cannibalism wasnt unheard of. I look at the pictures of my parents right after and they look like shells of people.

Jan was freed on liberation day as the Nazi officers moved him to another concentration camp.

After the Americans liberated them, the meal they served them made them sicker than the entire time they were in the camp, she said. It was just too rich. It was soup. My father thought for sure he was going to die.

Maria spent the majority of the war in a German ghetto as slave labor in the homes of the elite.

Born in Russia in 1921, Maria Lewandowski grew up wealthy in what is now Baku, Azerbaijan. Her father, who was originally from Poland, owned a meat-packing company. Her Christian family grew up with servants and a governess.

Maria spoke Arabic, Russian, German, Polish, French and some English.

When the communists made their way down to Baku, they physically and psychologically attacked Marias father, eventually driving the family out of the country.

Without any path, the family found themselves immigrating to Germany in 1931.

My grandfather was optimistic, Lewis said. He started another business and at first made a good living. He had to prove that he wasnt Jewish because of the large amounts of Russian Jews immigrating to Germany. Luckily, he found the birth records of his father born in Poland.

Being Catholic and foreign, the family were considered outsiders, and Maria was forced into slave labor when she was 19.

After the war, the couple along with Lewiswho was born in 1946 in the displacement campimmigrated to the United States.

I can kind of relate to the refugees today, Lewis said. We had to go through extreme vetting. They had to prove that they were not Nazi sympathizers or communists. We had to prove that there was someone here waiting for us and that there was a job lined up.

The Bieciuks journey to the U.S. only happened because of President Harry Trumans Displaced Persons Act of 1948.

We came through Ellis Island. I remember New York City because it was Christmas and the whole city was lit up, she said.

The family eventually settled in New Jersey.

Jan found work as a machinist and Maria worked at a sewing factory for a while. She had dreamed of becoming a fashion designer.

In America Jan and Maria remained registered aliens, while Lewis became a U.S. citizen in 1985.

Paranoia

Although the Bieciuks survived the war; the torture they faced never left them.

Living with my parents, I would always compare them to Donna Reed and Father Knows Best. I remember thinking something is different here, Lewis said.

After joining a group called the Children of Survivors of the Holocaust, Lewis learned that the paranoia was not just her parents burden.

I applaud people who write books and have the courage to share the things they saw, she said. We werent allowed to have the T.V. on past 9 p.m.We didnt get a telephone until I was 13, and it was only because I begged for it. My parents were scared to tell me things, because the way they were raised you dont trust your children...They were scared I would tell on them.

The S.S. might hear you was a common phrase in the Bieciuk household.

Lewis found out only when her mother was sedated in the hospital that she had had five abortions.

I was floored, she said. How could someone do that to my mom? She was so frail but she must have been much stronger than I thought.

To emphasize the paranoia her parents experienced, Lewis read a part of a letter her mother wrote in 1994, 55 years after she had been placed in the ghetto.

The letter talked about a woman living upstairs, and Marias belief that the woman was listening. She expressed worries over a salesman trying to sell her an adjustable bed.

She was distraught over a bed, Lewis said. My mom was so unhappy. It was like someone pulled the plug on her.

Jan passed away in the early 1980s at the age of 74. Maria passed away in 1998 at the age of 79.

Lewis urged the audience to take the lessons of their lives to heart.

I think that everybody should listen hard when theyre listening to the T.V., she said. Whats going on right now is so close to the things that my family was put through. You know when people cry out that things could have been avoided. That is right now. Dont listen too late. Be aware.
Papier-mache volcanoes, pop rocks mixed with soda and potato light bulbs were not the projects of choice for the eight state finalists heading to the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair.

They were so fantastic and unique this year, La Crescent-Hokah seventh-grade teacher Patty Gurholt said.

Following Januarys annual La Crescent-Hokah seventh-grade science fair, 32 students qualified for the March 2 annual Southeastern Minnesota Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Winona State University. Of those students, eight qualified for the state competition; seven students will actually go to the Marriott Hotel City Center in Minneapolis on March 25- 27.

The eight finalists are Kira Boyer, Braeden Fields, Parker Howland-Davis, Owen Johnson, Kiara Keip, Jenna Langen, Meghan Steffes and Sadie Treptow.

It varies how many students go every year, Gurholt said. A third of them normally go to regionals. Thats pretty consistent. With state sometimes its only two of them. Last year it was 12. This year it was eight ... Im incredibly impressed with the kids.

The student projects chosen for the state competition questioned real world problems: the effects of liquids on apples, reducing Styrofoam in landfills and an alternative to road salt. All projects debuted at the January science fair.

All of our projects are trying to help people and solve problems that we have, seventh-grader Meghan Steffes said.

Steffes project examined rain water and whether or not it was safe to drink.

A couple of years ago, me and my family went to vacation in Jamaica, she said. I remember all the poverty we saw when we drove around. I remember wondering if they could drink the rain water.

After putting together her research, and working with a micro-biologist at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to do bacterial experiments, Steffes concluded that rain water was safe to drink.

The projects start the second week of school in September. Thats when the students come up with their project topic.

From there the project bounced between classes.

I wish it didnt have to be called a science fair, Gurholt said. Its interdisciplinary. It encompasses all the subjects.

In English, the students learn how to find proper sources for their project. In math, they learn how to put together equations to test their hypothesis.

I did my project about blue lights effect on your sleep quality, seventh-grader Jenna Langen said. I always use a phone at night, and I wanted to know if it affected the way you sleep or if it didnt.

Langens results found that blue light does affect someones quality of sleep.

My favorite part was learning about the topic, she said.

She has not quite kicked the habit though and still uses her phone at night.

The two-night stay in Minneapolis will give the finalists time to prep their projects before presenting them. There will be awards the second night and the grand awards will be the morning before the group heads back to La Crescent.

The lucky seven are currently preparing for the state competition.

I might try to answer some of the questions that the judges asked me at regionals, seventh-grader Owen Johnson said. If I have time, I might make a new board to look nicer.

Johnsons project looked at effective alternatives to road salt.

I came up with it because of where we live. We see a lot of ice around, he said.

Johnson spent four hours outside of class working on his project.

My favorite part was presenting, he said. I liked presenting in general. I like getting to connect with others.
Women in Agriculture Network (WAGN) is excited to announce its April seminar, Becoming a Preferred Employer.

The event will take place April 4, 2017, at the Heintz Center in Rochester, Minnesota, 1926 Collegeview Rd E, Rochester, MN 55904. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program runs from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fee is $20, which covers the cost of lunch. Payment can be made the day of the event.

Finding and keeping employees is a challenge for agricultural employers. We hear about this issue often, said extension educator Betty Berning. Farmers are also concerned about employee safety and managing employee risk on their operation. This program will cover all of these topics. Participants will leave with ideas on how to attract and retain employees. Well also spend some time on talking about how an employee handbook can help retain employees, increase employee safety, and manage a farms risks.

The Women in Ag Network offers more information about the program, including registration details at: http://z.umn.edu/AprWAGN.

To learn more about Women in Ag Network, please visit: http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/business/women-in-ag/.
George Paul Apfel passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, on the first day of Spring. He went peacefully surrounded by family after nearly a two-year battle with cancer. He was born in La Crosse to Billy Apfel and Kathe Hoeft Oct. 5, 1949.

He was a classic car enthusiast and his 1957 Chevy frame-off restoration was lovingly called his third child! His attention to detail was evident in this and everything he did in life, as a job worth doing was worth doing well.

George is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 46 years, Annette (Anderson) Apfel; son Paul and Stacy (Hundt) Apfel of La Crosse; daughter, Jessica Apfel-Miller and husband, Jerry Miller; grandchildren, Jada and Justice Miller and Kendall, Corbyn and Caleb Apfel. He is also survived by his mother, Kathe Hoeft; and sister, Roberta Butterfield.

He was a 1967 graduate of the last class from Old Central High School. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Luke AFB, he formed many life-long friendships. He returned to Wisconsin and joined the Army National Guard, later working at the Onalaska Armory for over 20 years. After his retirement, he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming an over-the-road truck driver.

We wish he could have stayed with us longer but we were blessed to have the time we were given. George will be missed by the many people who were touched by his love and friendship. As he said many times lately, We had a good ride.

Coulee Region Crematory is assisting the family. There will not be a visitation or service; a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
A week after she was fired, a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse police dispatcher was back on the job Monday.

UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow and the dispatchers lawyer, Lee Fehr of Onalaska, said Kimberly Dearman resumed her duties in the campus police department. While she may be back at work, Fehr said Tuesday the dispute with the university over her termination is not over.

It is important to know what this is really about, Fehr said. When the government can fire a person without due process for their free speech, it should be frightening to everyone.

Gow said that the universitys position on the whole matter has been that the university erred in its procedure in firing Dearman, and now that she has come back to work, the matter should be put to rest. Gow says the university would have been justified in terminating Dearman, which he said included a history of poor work performance as well as making offensive comments to an employee she was supervising.

For us, this is the end of the situation, Gow said. She didnt express an idea in her speech  she expressed an insult.

The story so far

The dispute between Dearman and UW-L came to light March 13 when Fehr sent a letter to the UW System Board of Regents accusing UW-L of punishing Dearman for political comments she made at work in support of President Donald Trumps travel ban. Fehr accused the campus of showing favoritism to the chancellor, saying Gow should face similar scrutiny for opinions he shared in emails about the travel ban that sparked Dearmans comments.

The letter to the regents included a copy of the letter UW-L Human Resources Director Madeline Holzem sent Dearman on March 13, offering her the choice of resigning or being fired. The letter said the decision was based on an investigation that found Dearman violated workplace policies about unbecoming conduct and threatening and abusive language.

UW-L defines unbecoming conduct as conduct, on or off the job, that adversely affects an employees ability to continue to perform assigned duties or the universitys ability to carry out its assigned mission, or that tends to promote mistrust or embarrassment of the university. Threatening or abusive language directed toward a supervisor, fellow employee or any other person is not allowed, and that includes offensive language, regardless of whether its directed at anyone in particular and regardless of the intent.

Reached on March 14, Fehr stated he was only interested in getting his client her job back. He also brought up concerns about the climate of political speech on campus and said he hoped the regents would investigate the matter.

I want to be very clear, Gow said the same day. We would never let someone go based on their political beliefs. We always follow due process and policy if anyone is let go.

The next day, March 15, Gow reversed course, saying UW System attorneys had advised UW-L to offer Dearman her job back. Staff involved in firing Dearman had made due process errors, Gow said, including not giving her the opportunity to have a hearing and he added that all further firings would be reviewed by his office.

During the rest of the week, Dearmans lawyer said he and his client were considering the universitys offer. On Saturday, he sent another letter to the regents, saying Dearman wanted to go back to work but was still concerned about the state of free speech on campus and Gows comments in regard to the dispute.

Details about the original incident trickled out over the weekend and Monday. It wasnt until Monday that the full four-page investigation report was released by the university.

According to the report, Dearman was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation into the incident, which took place Feb. 1. According to a March 10 interview with Dearman, she told investigators she only told the student employee that she thought the travel ban was a good idea and repeatedly denied saying anything more.

According to the complaint submitted to UW-L police Sgt. Jordan Schaller, the student said Dearman, who was her supervisor and training her in on her first day of work, reacted to a series of emails in which Gow first commented on the travel ban signed by President Donald Trump and then apologized for any political tone in the first email. According to the complaint, Dearman initiated the conversation about the emails, saying Gow deserved the backlash he got. During the conversation, the student asked Dearman her opinion of the travel ban, to which Dearman said people should respect the president and that people who dont belong here should leave.

The complaint further states that the student debated with Dearman about the countries included on the travel ban list, and Dearman spent several minutes saying immigrants dont belong here, that she wasnt a racist and she wasnt trying to offend the student. The complaint said the student, who Gow said was of Asian descent, didnt know what to say in response, so she sat quietly until she left for class before subsequently resigning her position.

In multiple interviews, Fehr never disputed that Dearman made these comments to her subordinate. Instead, he argued that her statements were not racist. There is nothing racial about being an immigrant, he said, as immigrants come from all over and the university was punishing her client for sharing an opposing view over the travel ban.

It was the chancellor who initiated this whole political discussion, Fehr said during one interview. If anyone should be fired, it should be him.

According to the investigation, during one of the conversations Police Chief Scott McCullough had with Dearman, she asked why she was being investigated and said, It was nothing. She better get used to it cuz it could happen to her the rest of her life.

According to the conclusion of the report, university staff were concerned this behavior occurred between a direct supervisor and subordinate on the employees first day of work, escalating the situation to a level that caused fear and intimidation in someone who had no recourse.

The investigators concluded this behavior was not acceptable to the mission and values of the university and its police department. The investigation report also mentioned previous disciplinary actions Dearman has received, including a performance improvement plan, and stated McCullough made the decision to terminate Dearman.

A copy of the performance improvement plan could not be provided for at least 12 days in accordance with state disclosure laws, system counsel informed the Tribune on Tuesday. System staff also clarified that public employees are not considered at-will and cannot be fired without just cause, notice and the opportunity to respond to allegations in a pre-disciplinary hearing.

On Monday, Gow stated Fehr had asked for a $250,000 settlement from the university. Fehr disputes this, saying he asked the university to propose a number then threw the $250,000 suggestion out when the university wouldnt respond. Gow has repeatedly said the university will not pay any amount to Dearman or her lawyer.

We did not start this, Gow said. But when someone questions the integrity of the university, we are going to respond.
Wisconsins voter turnout in the November presidential election ranked fifth in the nation, the states worst showing in 20 years, and declined the second-most from 2012, according to a new report by Nonprofit VOTE and the U.S. Elections Project.

The report doesnt mention the potential effect of Wisconsins voter ID requirement, but in an interview, report author George Pillsbury noted Wisconsin and Mississippi, which introduced a voter ID requirement in 2014, had the biggest decline in turnout since the previous presidential election, even as national turnout increased.

I think that says something, Pillsbury said. When youre among the two states with the biggest drop in voter turnout, theres something behind that.

Another reason for Wisconsins reduced turnout was distaste for both presidential candidates, particularly among Milwaukees African-American voters, Pillsbury said. Republican Donald Trump received about 2,700 fewer votes than 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, while Democrat Hillary Clinton received almost 239,000 fewer votes than President Barack Obama, with much of the decline coming in Milwaukee.

UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden noted that while Wisconsin turned out to be a close contest, it received less attention from the presidential candidates than in previous elections  Clinton didnt visit the state at all  which could be another factor.

High turnout has been maintained by a combination of three factors: a strong culture of civic participation, supportive election laws and competitive elections, said Burden. The participatory culture probably did not change substantially since the last election. The more likely culprits are changes in election laws and the competitiveness of the 2016 campaign.

The study focused on other factors that could be driving increased voter turnout, such as same-day voter registration, all voters receiving a mail-in ballot, nonpartisan redistricting and ranked-choice voting. Pillsbury said it didnt look at voter ID because there are conflicting studies on its impact on voting, something that could clear up over time, and also because Nonprofit VOTE tries to stick to less-partisan issues.

Wisconsins 2011 voter ID law was put on hold until last year due to legal challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the law, leaving an appellate courts ruling upholding the law in place. Republicans supported the law as a safeguard against voter fraud, while Democrats said it discouraged minorities, students and seniors from voting.

Lowest since 2000 election

Wisconsins 70.5 percent turnout among eligible voters was the lowest since the 2000 election, when a 67.6 percent turnout ranked third in the nation. In each of the next three presidential elections the state ranked second nationally as turnout ranged from 74.8 percent in 2004 to 72.4 percent in 2008.

In 1996, the states 58.4 percent turnout ranked 13th. Last years turnout was still higher than presidential contests between 1980 and 1992, when participation ranked between third and fifth nationally.

While Wisconsins participation dipped last year, the national turnout of 60.2 percent was up from 58 percent in 2012, though down from 61.6 percent in 2008. It was the third highest national turnout since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971, according to the report.

Minnesota, with 74.8 percent turnout, continued its streak of having the highest participation in the country dating back to 1992. Hawaii, with 43 percent turnout, ranked worst in the country for the fifth straight presidential election.

The report found the 14 states, including Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia that have same-day voter registration had turnout rates seven points higher than states that dont offer that option. Oregon, the first state to implement automatic voter registration when residents renew their drivers licenses, saw the biggest improvement in voter participation since 2012.

The report also found battleground states such as Wisconsin continued to have higher turnout than non-battleground states.

The states with the lowest turnout  Hawaii, West Virginia, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas  werent battleground states and ended voter registration three to four weeks before Election Day.

The report recommended ranked-choice voting, in which voters can express support for multiple candidates, as a way to improve voter turnout after Maine became the first state to implement the system. Its turnout improved the second-most from 68.2 percent in 2012 to 72.8 percent last year.

Turnout, as calculated by the U.S. Elections Project, measures the number of ballots divided by the voter-eligible population, a figure that excludes non-citizens and convicted felons in states that prohibit them from voting.
It is the stories of hardworking Wisconsinites that have been on the forefront of my mind when reviewing the Congressional Republican bill to repeal and replace the ACA.

Wisconsinites like Jessie, a mom from Amherst, who has a 6-year-old daughter with a heart condition. The ACA gave her the certainty that her daughter wont be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition. However, with the repeal of the ACA, there is an open question as to whether or not she will be able to keep her health coverage, and if so whether her costs will skyrocket. Jessie has enough worries hanging over her head. The last thing she should be concerned about is Congress taking away her daughters access to health care.

Or Deb from Chippewa Falls. Before the ACA, she didnt go to the doctor for checkups because she wanted to save as much money as possible to make sure that she could afford to take her daughters. The ACA has ensured that she got catastrophic health care insurance that doesnt preclude pre-conditions and allows for her to go in for periodic preventative health checks. When the ACA started covering annual checkups, she finally went to the doctor after avoiding it for 10 years.

Sadly the Congressional Republican bill seeks to turn back the progress we have made for people like Jessie and Deb. Their bill will put Medicare in jeopardy, raise insurance premiums for Wisconsinites, jeopardize access to care in rural areas, and make drastic cuts to BadgerCare.

Their bill will do all of this while giving insurance companies huge tax breaks, providing the wealthiest citizens an average yearly tax cut of over $190,000 at the expense of many Wisconsinites who will end up paying more for less coverage, and discouraging people on Medicaid from seeking a job.

Instead of rushing forward a bill, without hearings or debate, that will negatively impact the lives of thousands of Wisconsinites; we need to recognize what works in health care, fix what doesnt, and seek to lower health care costs for all Americans.
Author and Parkinsons disease caregiver Jean Larson will speak at the next Parkinsons Support Group meeting from 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 at Tomah Memorial Hospital.

In 1990, Jeans husband, Milton, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. For over 24 years, they walked an intense and emotional journey with the chronic disease.

Larsons book, Hope on the Journey: Walking with Chronic Disease, is a compilation of poems and reflections along with a bit of friendly advice, written between January 2014 and February 2016, during the last part of their journey. The Falcon Heights, Minnesota, resident has described receiving the diagnosis of a chronic disease as an overwhelming feeling like being told to climb a mountain and not being at all equipped.

After spending nearly 20 years teaching with her husband on the island of Madagascar and raising her four children, Larson worked on grants from the National Institutes of Health at the University of Minnesota. She was the coordinator for the successful Steger International Polar Expedition to study the North Pole in 1986. Jean also was the coordinator for a national study on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, after which she retired to be with her husband and continue on their journey with Parkinsons disease. Today she spends her skills and time in church activities, volunteering, writing, fund-raising for Parkinsons causes, and public speaking.

Tomah Memorials Parkinsons support group meets the first Tuesday of each month to provide support for patients and family members, treatment options and social time. For more information, contact Tomah Memorial speech pathologist Kristen Gerke, MA, CCCSLP at 608-374-6602, or hospital community outreach health educator Whitney Sanjari, CHES, CWWS, at 608-374-0211.
Theres nothing like being born and raised on a cranberry marsh to know what kind of technology the cranberry industry needs.

More than 400 cranberry operations use CranTrak software developed by Paul Potter, who was raised on a cranberry marsh near Warrens.

CranTrak is everything from the field to the consumer, Potter said.

Potter is director of technology for the Tomah Area School District. He maintains and updates his CranTrak business separate from his day job along with his wife, Michelle, who handles the accounting. Most of Potters CranTrak clients are cranberry growers in Wisconsin, but his clients include growers on the east coast and Canada and blueberry farms in Mexico.

Among his local clients is the Copper Road Receiving Station near Wyeville. Owner Kurt Rutlin processes cranberries from 43 local growers and said the user-friendly program is a result of Potters cranberry background.

Paul has been right there in the trenches with us, Rutlin said. He clearly understands all the different procedures of growing the crop. Its a huge asset.

Potter conceived the idea of CranTrak as a software engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1994. At the time, Potter said there wasnt a computer record-keeping program specific to cranberry production.

I had some family and friends in the cranberry industry say, Why dont you write something for us? he said.

He developed the software just as the internet was becoming commercially viable. Once his system was online, it empowered growers, receiving stations and buyers to track almost every facet of their business. The program gives growers a tool to manage their water and pesticide usage, measure soil moisture and maintain their equipment.

It also tracks cranberries through the production process.

Traceability is very important to anyone buying fruit, Potter said. People want to know exactly where that fruit comes from. Tracing from beginning to end has become a complex process.

That starts at the receiving station, where Rutlin uses CranTrak to monitor every load that comes in.

Part of the binning operation ... is to track the fruit effectively so that we are able to follow the fruit from the marsh all the way through our cleaning facility into the bin, Rutlin said. They know exactly whats in that bin and everything thats applied to that fruit.

A big part of tracing fruit involves fertilizer and pesticide applications. Rutlin said CranTrak is indispensable in tracking the chemical history of a cranberry load, complying with government regulations and ensuring the fruit is safe to eat.

Some compounds are very toxic, and you have to wait 60 to 90 days before you can consume that fruit, Rutlin said. Other compounds are soft and gentle and a more organic product where you can eat the fruit immediately.

Rutlin remembers when Potters technology was first developed.

At that point, it was pretty basic  like a database, he recalled. It was helpful, but it wasnt quite what I as a grower truly needed. From there it evolved into a web-based application, and once it did that, it opened up the doors. Then we were able to access it from any computer  from your Smartphone, from a tractor while youre applying the fertilizers to the marsh.

It seems like every year, Paul takes CranTrak to the next level and improves on it.

Because Potter lives in the heart of cranberry country and still has family in the cranberry business, he gets face-to-face feedback on how the software is working. He said the feedback is mostly positive and always honest.

When your family and friends are giving you feedback, its pretty blunt, he said.

Rutlin also operates a cranberry marsh, where he uses CranTrak to measure soil moisture and nutrient inputs. He said programs like CranTrak have become an indispensable part of agriculture.

I embrace technology, he said. In order to be effective and operate your business effectively, you have to be up with the times. Without a doubt, Pauls software makes my life a lot easier.

Because Paul Potter lives in the heart of cranberry country and still has family in the cranberry business, he gets face-to-face feedback on how the software is working. I had some family and friends in the cranberry industry say, Why dont you write something for us? Paul Potter, CranTrak software developer
University of Wisconsin-Richlands International Club will be hosting their annual Feast of Nations event, Thursday, April 6, at 6 p.m. in the Roadrunner Cafe at UW-Richland. There will be a dinner featuring dishes from around the world. A silent auction will also be available during the dinner, with souvenirs and items from students home countries.
The Trump administration says some American law enforcement agencies have failed to help the federal government detain undocumented immigrants.

The administration has released a list of local agencies it says did not cooperate with federal immigration agents.

This is the first of what the United States Department of Homeland Security says will be weekly reports. The first report is for the week from January 28 through February 3.

President Donald Trump asked for the reports as part of an executive order on illegal immigration. Trump signed the order on January 25, five days after he became president. (What is an executive order?)

In the first weekly report, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it asked local government agencies for help 3,083 times. ICE wanted them to detain people who it believes could be expelled from the country for violating immigration law. The report said local police failed to act on 206 of those requests.

About two-thirds of the cases are from Travis County, Texas. Travis County includes Austin, the state capital.

The countys new sheriff, Sally Hernandez, announced last month that she would not act on all federal requests to hold people in the local prison.

Major Wes Priddy works for the Travis Countys Sheriff Department. He said the county decided to hold only people jailed for major crimes, such as murder, sexual assault, human trafficking or crimes against children or old people.

Priddy said that Sheriff Hernandez believes people accused of a crime have a right to a trial and that victims have a right to see the people responsible brought to justice.

That explanation does not satisfy Texas Governor Greg Abbott. He said what Sheriff Hernandez is doing puts the lives of our citizens at risk.

The other agencies listed as turning down the largest number of detention requests are Clark County in Nevada, New Yorks Nassau County and Cook County in Illinois.

In a statement, ICE said a refusal to act on its requests to hold prisoners hurts the agencys ability to protect the public safety.

But some local government officials questioned the accuracy of the new report.

Nassau County officials told the New York Times that they act on requests from ICE to hold prisoners for deportation.

New York City was listed as turning down four requests to hold detainees at its prisons.

Nisha Agarwal is New Yorks Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs. She said the city accepts requests from ICE to hold people who are a serious threat to the safety of all New Yorkers, immigrant or otherwise.

But it does not hold people in jail for minor offenses or people who have not been given a trial, she said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has said his city does not want immigrants to be afraid to report crimes for fear they might be subject to deportation.

Montgomery County, Maryland is just outside of Washington D.C. It, too, is included on the ICE list for refusing a request to hold a person charged with assault.

Montgomery County said it provides information to ICE about people on federal lists for immigration violations, but only after they are found guilty of a major crime and have completed their prison sentences.

On Monday, County Executive Ike Leggett spoke about the policy and how it would affect the arrest of two people last weekend. They are accused of raping a student at a high school. Both are listed by the federal government as being in the United States illegally, Leggett said.

He added that if the two men are found guilty of the rape charges, they will serve their sentences in Montgomery County. After the sentences are completed, the county will work with ICE to see that the two are deported back to their native countries, he said.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for Learning English. His report was based information from VOANews.com, the Department of Homeland Security and other sources. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

update - n. a report that includes the most recent information about something

assault - n. an attack

custody - n. to hold someone in prison or a similar place

accuracy - n. information that contains no mistakes

deportation - v. to remove people from a country

otherwise - adj. in all ways except the one mentioned
While the biggest names in a movie tend to score top billing, a film's overall success often depends on the chemistry of the entire ensemble rather than just one or two stars.
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On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
LEXINGTON - More than 400 area students attended Dawson County Exploration Day on Wednesday, March 15, at the Dawson County Fairgrounds.

The annual event was organized by representatives with the Nebraska Department of Labor and Dawson Area Development, in collaboration with the fairgrounds and guidance counselors from area schools.

Kelsey Miller, a regional manager with the Nebraska Department of Labor, said 430 students from six schools - Lexington, Gothenburg, Sumner, Cozad, Elm Creek, and the Lexington Alternative Education attended the event.

Miller said 20 businesses had 30 representatives and 23 colleges had 42 representatives at the Exploration Day.

We heard the event was great and definitely worth their (representatives) time. Some students need help with starting the conversation with employers or colleges so those who were provided sample questions interacted the most, Miller said.

Business represented at the event included Tyson Fresh Meats, Lexington Police Department, Paulsen Inc., U. S. Postal Service, Nebraska Public Power, LandMark Implement, Lexington Regional HealthCenter, Downey Drilling, YMCA, Dawson Public Power and Proteus.

Colleges represented at the event included Northeast Community College, Western Nebraska Community College, Colby Community College, Central Community College, Hastings College, Chadron State University, Wayne State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Mid-Plains Community College, Josephs, Doane College, College of Hair Design, Southeast Community College, University of Nebraska-Kearney, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Midlands University and North Central Kansas Technical College.

Jayden Ford, a junior from Elm Creek High School who attended the event, said it was beneficial for him as he plans for his career as a teacher.

It was helpful, so I dont have to go to a bunch of cam

pus visits. You can get the cost of classes and the majors offered at schools, Ford said.

Troy Davis, a design instructor with Central Community Colleges Hastings Campus, promoted careers in advanced manufacturing.

He said students majoring in advanced manufacturing design technology at both the Hastings and Columbus CCC campuses set themselves up for careers in designing products, building new components, new products in manufacturing, aerospace and agriculture fields.

These are great careers in high demand. Great pay, great benefits with demand steadily increasing. Companies need highly qualified individuals. We (at CCC) feature the greatest technology in modern manufacturing, Davis said.

Greg Howard, owner and school director of the College of Hair Design in Lincoln, said it was very helpful for him to attend career fair events like the one in Lexington on Wednesday.

Its important to have that exposure, to try to help students create a vision for their future and to add value to what they are doing in high school, Howard said.

Howard, who has run the college for 34 years, said it is the only school in the state to offer training in barbering, cosmetology and esthetics, which include skin care, wax, exfoliation and makeup.

A lot of students know they want to do hair, but they dont always see the big picture, Howard said.

Alex Leyva, an admissions counselor with Doane College, based in Crete, said it is vital for him to meet with students face-to-face and establish a personal touch.

These events are enjoyable. It gives me a chance to meet students and attach a face to a name, Leyva said.

He said common questions students ask are what majors are offered, admittance requirements and requirements for scholarships.

Its all about human interaction, it makes the process more enjoyable. This event provides an opportunity for college representatives to show students why they love their schools, Leyva said.

Maggie Schneider, an admissions counselor for Colby Community College in Colby, Kan., said meeting students in person and having interested students fill out informational cards and keeping in touch allows her to cultivate prospective students.

Schneider said she touts her colleges low tuition rates, 60-acre farm and four days of school per week, when talking with high school students.

Common questions from students include the cost of attending, popular programs offered and where Colby is located, she said.

Schneider said it is gratifying to see a high school student take the next step in planning their future career.

Its rewarding when students come for campus visits. Its nice to meet with them again, Schneider said.
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The U.S. government is ordering passengers on nonstop, U.S.-bound flights from a handful of mostly Middle Eastern and North African countries to pack electronic devices other than cellphones in their checked baggage.

Senior Trump administration officials said that starting today [Macau time] airlines flying directly to the United States from 10 airports in eight countries starting passengers that only cellphones and smartphones will be allowed in the passenger cabin of U.S.-bound flights. Other electronics, including laptops and tablets, will be indefinitely banned from the passenger cabin.

The officials said the airlines will have 96 hours to implement the security order or face being barred from flying to the United States. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the security ban despite President Donald Trumps repeated insistence that anonymous source should not be trusted.

The electronics ban affects flights from international airports in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. About 50 flights a day, all on foreign carriers, will be impacted. The officials said no U.S.-based airlines have non-stop flights from those cities to the United States.

The officials said the decision was prompted by evaluated intelligence about ongoing potential threats to airplanes bound for the United States. The officials would not discuss the timing of the intelligence or if any particular terror group is thought to be planning an attack.

The ban would affect laptops, iPads, cameras and most other electronics. Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted about the ban Monday, telling passengers that medical devices would also be allowed onboard with passengers.

Details of the ban were first disclosed by Royal Jordanian and the official news agency of Saudi Arabia.

In its statement, Royal Jordanian said the electronics ban would affect its flights to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal.

Across the Atlantic yesterday, problems and confusion ensued.

Egyptian officials at the Cairo International Airport said they had not received any instructions on banning passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, cameras and some other electronics on board direct flights to the United States. The officials said a New York-bound EgyptAir flight departed and that passengers were allowed to take their laptops and other electronics on board in their carry-on luggage.

A spokesman for Royal Jordanian says the airliner has not yet started to enforce the new U.S. regulation. Basel Kilani has told The Associated Press that the airline was still awaiting formal instructions from the relevant U.S. departments, which could possibly come today.

Brian Jenkins, an aviation-

security expert at the Rand Corp., said earlier that the nature of the security measure suggested that it was driven by intelligence of a possible attack. There could be concern about inadequate passenger screening or even conspiracies involving insiders  airport or airline employees  in some countries, he said.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly phoned lawmakers over the weekend to brief them on aviation security issues that have prompted the impending electronics ban, according a congressional aide briefed on the discussion. The aide was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The administration officials who briefed reporters about the ban said foreign officials were told about the impending order starting Sunday.

A U.S. government official said such a ban has been considered for several weeks. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose the internal security discussions by the federal government.

The ban would begin just before Wednesdays meeting of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Washington. A number of top Arab officials were expected to attend the State Department gathering. It was unclear whether their travel plans were related to any increased worry about security threats.

Another aviation-security expert, Jeffrey Price, said there could be downsides to the policy.

There would be a huge disadvantage to having everyone put their electronics in checked baggage, said Price, a professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He said thefts from baggage would skyrocket, as when Britain tried a similar ban in 2006, and some laptops have batteries that can catch fire  an event easier to detect in the cabin than the hold.

Most major airports in the United States have a computer tomography or CT scanner for checked baggage, which creates a detailed picture of a bags contents. They can warn an operator of potentially dangerous material, and may provide better security than the X-ray machines used to screen passengers and their carry-on bags. All checked baggage must be screened for explosives. Alicia A. Caldwell, Washington, AP
BMW AG hinted it may shift production of the quintessentially English Mini car to mainland Europe, a harbinger of the cultural tremors that may follow Brexits economic fallout.

The German automaker is preparing for different scenarios in response to the U.K.s planned exit from the European Union, and has the leeway to move output elsewhere if necessary, according to a statement yesterday. While most Minis are made in Oxford, England, some of the urban brands models are already produced in the Netherlands and other facilities could also handle assembly.

Our production network offers us flexibility, CEO Harald Krueger said at BMWs annual press conference in Munich. Nevertheless, the U.K. remains an important location for us. Much will depend on how Brexit is ultimately negotiated.

Carmakers are concerned that Brexit may lead to costly trade barriers, hampering the free movement of components and vehicles between production sites and end consumers across Europe. Production of the Mini could move to BMWs plant in Born, Netherlands, where some versions are already being made, or to Leipzig, Germany, where 1-Series compact autos are rolled out based on a similar platform.

BMW has owned Mini and its other iconic British brand, Rolls-

Royce, for about two decades. In addition to the Oxford site it also has facilities in Goodwood and Hams Hall. The Munich-based manufacturer employs about 18,000 across the U.K. and exports about 2.4 billion pounds (USD3 billion) of vehicles and parts from the country.

While its too early to change operations there since Brexit terms are still being negotiated, the company is hoping for a tariff-free environment and a legal equilibrium, BMWs head of sales Ian Robertson said at the press conference.

The Brexit comments come as the German carmakers overseas operations become increasingly vulnerable to a possible clampdown on free trade. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized BMW for planning to make cars at a $1 billion factory its building in central Mexico, and threatened the automaker with a 35 percent duty on its imports to the U.S.

Despite these threats, BMW is pushing ahead with plans to roll out 3-Series models at the San Luis Potosi plant starting in 2019, Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter said at the event. Construction at the site is proceeding according to plan, he said.

Krueger was among the German business leaders who accompanied Chancellor Angela Merkel during her first visit with Trump at the White House last week. During the meeting, Trump reprised his complaints that the U.S. had been treated very, very unfairly by its German trade partners and poured loaded praise over European officials for besting their American counterparts.

BMW has sought to defuse conflict with Trump by noting that it also has a factory in the U.S., its biggest worldwide, and that the new site in Mexico will make vehicles for global customers and not just Americans.

The meeting with President Trump was a great opportunity to show BMWs commitment and activities in the U.S., Krueger said, noting that Trump was particularly impressed by the companys apprenticeship program. The CEO said they discussed the importance of free trade to maintaining BMWs exports from the U.S., and described the encounter as successful all-round.

The German luxury brand plans to increase capacity at its site in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which makes X Series sport utility vehicles, to 450,000 annually from 410,000 currently. BMW has said its the largest exporter on a net basis from the U.S., with goods worth $10 billion per year, and that it helps support 70,000 jobs in the country.

The U.S. is our second home, and I told the President that too, Krueger said. Dalia Fahmy, Elisabeth Behrmann, Bloomberg
Regional politics makes for strange bedfellows, and at first glance, it is hard to imagine more of an odd couple than tempestuous Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his cerebral de facto Myanmar counterpart, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who met this week in Myanmars capital, Naypyitaw.

After his arrival in Myanmar on Sunday, Duterte rejected European criticism of his deadly war on drugs with his usual profanity, insisting that more people will die.

I said I will not stop, he declared. I will continue until the last drug lord in the Philippines is killed and the pushers out of the streets.

Suu Kyi has just as little time for critics, but her crisp Oxford-

accented speech is more like a dagger to her guests blunderbuss. The Philippines hard man thrives on press coverage, while Myanmars leader barely conceals her contempt for the media. She is the ice to Dutertes fire.

The main purpose of Dutertes visit to Myanmar is to complete visits to nine fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which the Philippines is helming this year.

While their meeting is said to have included the usual pro forma talk about trade and investment, it had a tangible result when Duterte promised USD300,000 in humanitarian aid for Myanmars Rakhine state, where communal conflict has displaced more than 100,000 people, mostly Muslims, from their homes.

Here is a look at two Southeast Asian leaders who have made a name for themselves worldwide:

AUNG SAN SUU KYI

As the daughter of Myanmars martyred founding father, Gen. Aung San, she is the closest thing the country has to aristocracy. Many would say her manner is aristocratic  imperious and uncompromising. For those around the world who admired her as a democracy icon, her governments lack of transparency and less-than-wholehearted embrace of remedying human rights problems have been a disappointment.

BACKSTORY: Suu Kyi had spent most of her life abroad as an academic until she found herself in Myanmar  then called Burma  during its 1988 pro-democracy uprising against military rule. When she stepped up to support the unsuccessful rebellion, her fresh face, name recognition and eloquence rocketed her to the leadership of the pro-democracy movement. It cost her 15 years under house arrest, won her a Nobel Peace Prize, and brought her National League for Democracy party to power in 2015.

CHALLENGES: Suu Kyis biggest problem is probably meeting the expectations of her supporters in Myanmar and abroad. Myanmars economy lagged badly behind most of its neighbors after five decades of military rule. Widespread prejudice against the countrys Muslim Rohingya minority has led to deadly communal violence, posing a political threat to Suu Kyi while earning international opprobrium. Other minorities are restive, seeking greater political autonomy promised since the nation became independent in 1948. All the while, provisions in the military-drafted constitution restrict Suu Kyis ability to make any reforms affecting the armys considerable influence.

RODRIGO DUTERTE

A foul-mouthed, crime-busting mayor credited with turning the southern Philippine city of Davao into an oasis of relative tranquility and economic vibrancy in an insurgency-

pestered region, he expanded his brutal anti-drug crackdown when he rose to the presidency last June. Supporters cheer his anti-establishment and populist mindset but critics regard him as a human rights calamity.

BACKSTORY: A former government prosecutor who dealt with rogue policemen, outlaws and insurgents, he parlayed that background to build a name in politics as a tough and hands-on overseer of a city who dealt harshly with law breakers, especially drug dealers and addicts, hundreds of whom ended up dead in Davao. His expletive-

ridden speeches, often spiced with sex jokes, are adored by his followers but have unnerved the predominant Catholic church and the intelligentsia and upended Philippine politics and foreign policy.

CHALLENGES: While seen as a tough and unorthodox leader who could break through an anemic bureaucracy and tradition to spark radical reforms, he faces the same deep-seated problems that have stymied his predecessors: crushing poverty that afflicts a fourth of more than 100 million Filipinos, decades-old Muslim and Marxist insurgencies, and often-turbulent politics. He is also unwinding his countrys traditional ties with the United States, while jousting with China over its rival territorial claims in the South China Sea. AP

Duterte wraps up SE Asia tour in Thailand

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is in Thailand for a two-day visit rounding out his nine-country tour of southeast Asia. Duterte has visited members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which the Philippines is helming this year. He met with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday. They are expected to sign agreements involving agriculture, education, energy, and science and technology. Today, Duterte will hold a roundtable discussion with business executives and meet the Filipino community in Bangkok. There are about 16,000 Filipinos living and working in Thailand. He is scheduled to return to Manila tomorrow.
A proposal by lawmaker Leong Veng Chai that aimed to bring representatives of the government to the Legislative Assembly (AL) to justify the increase in fees for traffic violations, as implemented by the Transport Bureau (DSAT) was yesterday voted down by the members of the plenary  with 14 votes against, 10 votes in favor and 2 abstentions  disappointing several lawmakers that wanted further explanations from the government on the case.

In the debate, lawmaker Ma Chi Seng, against the proposal, noted that although it is true the measures generated a reaction from society, in his opinion there are many others that think that such measures are actually helping to release parking spaces [for general use].

I think we should let the measures be implemented and produce results so we can evaluate it at a later stage, Ma concluded.

Also against the motion was lawmaker Vong Hin Fai, who questioned the legality of such a proposal since the lawmaker had already presented an enquiry to the government that was answered.

Vong also remarked that, since the implementation of the rate hike, there has been a significant decrease in these types of infringements.

On the other hand, Pereira Coutinho queried to understand the reasons that led the government to raise the fees in this way. He noted that the government has said other fees would be raised too, and wanted the government to discuss them with the legislature and during a public consultation period prior to implementation.

In agreement were also Au Kam San, Ng Kuok Cheong, Kwan Tsui Hang, Ella Lei, Song Pek Kei and Angela Leong, among others, all claiming that the topic deserved to be debated and the government needed to provide an explanation.

The issue has already caused several demonstrations in the streets of the region. RM
Secretary for Administration and Justice Sonia Chan made a speech at the opening ceremony of the 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA), according to a statement published by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) and in her speech she praised the efforts of Macau authorities in augmenting the food safety regulations.

The session, which is led by the mainlands National Health and Family Planning Commission and Codex Committee on Food Additives, is being held in Macau.

As the saying goes, People view food as their primary need. Thus food safety is the first priority [of the MSAR government], said Sonia Chan during her speech, according to GCS.

The Macau SAR Government attaches great importance to safe consumption and healthy eating of every resident. In view of this, we formulated the Food Safety Law in 2013, added the Secretary.

Macaus Food Safety Law sets a number of standards that aim to provide a legal means for regulating and supervising food production and consumption. It includes standards for drug residues, radionuclides, pathogenic microorganisms and mycotoxins in food.

Chan also pointed to a cooperation mechanism signed with authorities in Portugal that helps to coordinate surveillance of food activities.

Through the co-operation mechanism, the information exchange, supervision and contingency ability in food safety are raised, said Chan. This is beneficial to [] raise the management level of food safety in Macau [and] attain international standards.

The CCFA is an international organization that seeks to promote international food safety and protect the health of consumers worldwide. In 2006, China was elected as the host country of CCFA and is responsible for organizing and convening the relevant meetings. This year it is being held in Macau.

Last years session of the CCFA was held in Xian, Shaanxi Province, and it welcomed over 260 representatives from 55 member countries, including representatives of the European Union. DB
Taiwan will build its own submarines to get around Beijings efforts to prevent it from purchasing such craft from overseas and ensure an adequate defense against Chinese threats, President Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday.

During a visit to the navys main base in Tsoying, also spelled Zuoying, Tsai oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the construction of submarines.

Under the strategic concept of effective and multilayered deterrence, sub-surface combat ability is what Taiwans defense is most in need of strengthening, Tsai said. This is a problem that everyone is aware of but which in the past we were never able to resolve.

Taiwans navy presently has just two combat-ready subs, versions of the Zwaardvis-class subs purchased from the Netherlands in the 1980s in a deal that led to a major diplomatic rift between Bejing and The Hague.

Although George W. Bushs administration had pledged to help Taiwan procure more submarines, the U.S. no longer makes the diesel electric craft that Taiwan needs and has apparently been unable to enlist foreign makers in providing their expertise.

Earlier reports have said Taiwan was seeking eight new submarines, although Tsai gave no details other than to say that sub production would be the most challenging aspect of Taiwans development of an upgraded indigenous defense industry.

The craft will be built through a joint venture between the governments Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and the formerly state-owned ship maker CSBC Corp.

The announcement comes weeks after Tsai announced a USD2.1 billion investment in the production of air force jet trainers to be designed and manufactured on the island.

China has successfully used its diplomatic and economic clout to prevent many overseas military purchases by Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

Most of Taiwans military hardware is either produced domestically or bought from the United States, which is legally bound to ensure Taiwan can defend itself, despite having only unofficial ties with the island. AP
A Taiwanese community college manager and member of Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party has allegedly disappeared  possibly in Macau  while en route to Guangdong Province, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA) who reported the story after getting in touch with the friends and relatives of the missing person.

Lee Ming-cheh, who was traveling to mainland China to seek medical treatment for his mother-in-law, was last known to be traveling to Macau on Sunday morning. He was reported to be on-board an Evergreen Airlines flight from Taipei to Macau that was scheduled to land in the MSAR at 10:40 a.m.

However, a friend who was due to meet him at the Macau International Airport said that, even after four hours of waiting, Lee never showed up.

He is incommunicado, RFA was told by Cheng Shiowjiuan, who heads the Taipei Wenshan District Community College where Lee works. We havent been able to contact him since he got on the plane [and] a friend who went to meet him at the airport waited for four hours, but he never showed up.

Lees disappearance has prompted concerns that Macau immigration officials have detained or arrested him, possibly because of the community college managers links with Taiwans ruling party, which Beijing views as harboring separatist tendencies.

An official from Macaus Public Security Police Force refused to comment on the issue, citing privacy concerns. Because this case is a private case, we cannot comment on it, he told the Times.

Another official contacted by the Times confirmed that there is no record of him on our system and that she only knew of the case through the media. Asked if the lack of a record means that Lee had not been detained, the official maintained, we have no comment about that.

Other reports suggest that Lee in fact entered mainland China. These accounts are potentially inconsistent with that of his friend waiting at the Macau International Airport.

A representative for the Taiwan governments Mainland Affairs Council said that the Straits Exchange Foundation had been privy to immigration records showing that Lee entered the mainland just before midday on Sunday.

The Straits Exchange Foundation, a government non-profit organization that coordinates minor diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the mainland, was contacted by Lees wife after her husbands disappearance. According to RFA, she was advised to file a missing persons report with mainland police authorities.

There are no records of him having been formally detained by police, nor of him having checked into a hotel, a spokesperson for the Mainland Affairs Council told RFA.

Meanwhile, a border official at a checkpoint between Macau and Guangdong Province, also refused to comment on the matter.

You may think [he was detained], but we cant tell you anything about this, the official said, according to RFA. If law enforcement really did take him away, then we wouldnt be allowed to tell you anyway.

The person in question is a former secretary of Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party and has a history of involvement in democratic activism, human right advocacy and non-government organizations (NGOs).

These connections fuel speculation that his disappearance might be linked to the mainlands crackdown on NGO activities, including a recent ruling that prevents such organizations from accepting funding from international benefactors.

I think we can rule out the possibility of ordinary criminal proceedings, said Lees colleague, Cheng. We think a more political explanation is possible.

The alleged disappearance could

be only the most recent of a series of operations conducted by Beijing agents outside

mainland China.

Between October and December 2015, five staff of a Hong Kong publishing house and bookshop went missing, with some of the individuals reportedly detained in China, while others disappeared in Hong Kong and Thailand.

The apparent violation of Hong Kongs Basic Law in the suspected abductions shocked residents of the two SARs and, to some, represented an undermining of the One Country, Two Systems policy.
During his brief tenure as Uber Technologies Inc.s president, Jeff Jones toured far-flung offices in India, the Netherlands and other key markets for the global ride-hailing giant. In meetings with local staff, Jones professed that one of his biggest apprehensions was working with Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick, according to a person familiar with the gatherings.

Six months after joining Uber, his misgivings were apparently confirmed. Jones, the most senior member of Kalanicks executive team, resigned as president of ride sharing on Sunday. He joins three other senior executives who have left in the last month as the company grapples with a long succession of scandals. Without naming his boss, Jones chastised Uber management: The beliefs and approach to leadership that have guided my career are inconsistent with what I saw and experienced at Uber, he wrote in an email.

The ugly split with Jones further complicates Kalanicks attempts to navigate Ubers crises. Along with fulfilling his promise to seek leadership help by hiring a chief operating officer, Kalanick must fill new holes in his top ranks and prove that Ubers culture isnt beyond repair. Startups that lose people, that happens, said Bill Aulet, a senior lecturer on entrepreneurship at MIT. But startups that lose people in such a bitter way that they dont believe in the companys existence? Thats toxic.

Before joining the adolescent San Francisco startup, Jones was chief marketing officer at Target Corp. The 49-year-old quickly found that his younger supervisor lived up to his reputation for being headstrong, pugnacious and hard-

partying, said a person familiar with Joness thinking. Jones advocated for major changes favored by Uber drivers, such as adding the ability to tip within the app and a more cautious approach to the companys auto leasing and safety programs, the person said. However, the CEO was resistant to some of the proposals, and Joness team of Kalanick loyalists often bristled at taking direction from a new leader, said multiple people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

Kalanick, 40, has acknowledged his weaknesses as a manager. He apologized after Bloomberg published a video of him berating an Uber driver. His plan to hire an operating chief was seen internally as an effective demotion for Jones, insiders said. In an email to employees obtained by Bloomberg, Kalanick wrote: After we announced our intention to hire a COO, Jeff came to the tough decision that he doesnt see his future at Uber.

Bill Gurley, a venture capitalist who sits on Ubers board of directors, is helping lead the COO search, along with executive recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles, people familiar with the process said. Possible targets floated by investors include Thomas Staggs, the former COO at Walt Disney Co.; Tim Armstrong, CEO of Verizon Communications Inc.s AOL; and John Martin, CEO of Time Warner Inc.s

Turner, said a person familiar with the matter. The three men declined to comment.

Kalanick has turned to some Silicon Valley bigwigs for advice on the search. Hes sought input from Facebook Inc.s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg, as well as Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co.s Meg Whitman, two people familiar with the matter said. Kalanick and Zuckerberg were recently photographed together at a Breakfast at Tiffanys-themed ping-pong party called Babes and Balls.

Uber, a worldwide ride-hailing gargantuan that once seemed unstoppable, has been rocked by tumult this year. It was the subject of a boycott in January dubbed #DeleteUber for appearing sympathetic to Donald Trump, which led Kalanick to step down from the presidents business advisory council. In February, it faced explosive allegations from a former employee that her boss sexually harassed her and that the human resources department protected him, prompting the company to hire the former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder to investigate. Alphabet Inc.s Waymo sued Uber for allegedly stealing trade secrets. This month, the New York Times reported that Uber used a tool called Greyball to help drivers evade government regulators and enforcement officials.

If not for the maelstrom at Uber, the COO job might be one of the Valleys most appealing job openings. The privately held company was valued at USD69 billion by investors last year, making it the worlds most valuable technology startup. But the company risks setting expectations for this role too high, said Robert Siegel, a lecturer at Stanfords Graduate School of Business: Is an outsider coming in going to fundamentally overhaul the culture in and of itself? No.

Is an outsider coming in going to fundamentally overhaul the culture in and of itself? No.

Theres also the question of whether Kalanick will entrust his new deputy to operate unimpeded. In order to attract a top candidate, Uber may offer the person an expanded role beyond operations to suit his or her area of expertise, people familiar with the matter said. For example, Uber doesnt have a chief financial officer.

Several more vacancies opened up amid the recent tumult. Amit Singhal, a former Google executive, was asked to resign as senior vice president of engineering last month when Uber learned of a previously undisclosed sexual harassment claim from his time at the search giant. Singhal denied the allegation. Ed Baker, vice president of growth and product, left this month. And hours after Joness exit became public on Sunday, Brian McClendon said he was leaving amicably to return to his hometown in Kansas. McClendon was a vice president overseeing mapping projects.

The four men who left in the last month sat on a senior leadership team of about two-dozen. Raffi Krikorian, a director in Ubers self-driving car division, also quit this month.

In Joness short stint at Uber, he positioned himself as a voice for drivers. He held question-and-

answer sessions on his Facebook page, which were frequently flooded by complaints from Uber drivers. He promised them better support, clearer communication and improvements to the app. From all I heard and experienced, one thing is clear: we have a lot of work to do, Jones wrote in a blog post.

Behind closed doors, Jones was a vocal proponent for allowing customers to tip within the app, a top-requested feature by drivers, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Although other executives have privately expressed support for in-app tipping, Kalanick has long held what hes called principled opposition to it. He believes restaurants and taxicab companies have used the prospect of tips as a way to underpay workers, the people said.

However, Kalanick may be softening on this stance. During a recent call with employees, he suggested he would reconsider his views on driver earnings and tips, one person said.

Among Joness objections, he thought the company should have pursued a path to profitability, which it had set in some developed markets last year, said one of the people. As he argued for more careful spending, the mandate from the top was for aggressive expansion. Bloomberg reported last year that Uber was on track to lose $3 billion in 2016 based on performance from the first three quarters. Uber was on pace to generate more than $5.5 billion in revenue. Jones joked to at least one group of people that when he came to the company, he expected a P&L, meaning a profit and loss statement, but hed found only an L, said a person at the meeting.

Despite expressing strong views, Jones failed to make sweeping organizational changes during his time there. By contrast, Rachel Whetstone quickly restructured her policy and communications team after coming onboard. Jones had outlined some plans for changes in his group before his abrupt resignation, another person said.

Jones also expressed concerns that Ubers auto leasing program could attract reckless drivers and that options to pay for fares in cash, mainly outside the U.S., put drivers in danger, one person said. Riders who pay in cash can avoid registering their names with Uber, making it easier for criminals to remain anonymous, and drivers who collect cash can be lucrative targets. But the cash option has helped the app grow in places where people dont usually have credit cards.

Uber was rolling out cash payments more broadly in Latin America when Jones joined last year. At the time, Andrew Macdonald, the regional general manager, dismissed concerns about dangers associated with tipping: If theyre worried, its a bit emotional. He later apologized and committed to making improvements to how Uber handles cash.

Jones had mostly resisted accepting cash in the U.S., along with Rachel Holt, who runs the region, a person familiar with the matter said. With Jones gone, Holt and Macdonald will report to Kalanick until he hires an operating chief. Eric Newcomer, Bloomberg
TAIWAN will build its own submarines to get around Beijings efforts to prevent it from purchasing such craft from overseas and ensure an adequate defense against Chinese threats, President Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday.

PHILIPPINES-MYANMAR Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his Myanmar counterpart, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, held talks in Myanmars capital. Duterte promised USD300,000 in humanitarian aid for Myanmars Rakhine state, where communal conflict has displaced more than 100,000 people from their homes. More on p12

MALAYSIA Walt Disney Co.s Beauty and the Beast will open in Malaysia later this month without removing gay scenes as demanded by local censorship authorities.

JAPAN-EU The European Union and Japan have pledged to get to a free trade at the earliest possible opportunity. As they met for bilateral talks, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said a deal was on the horizon, while EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker suggested it should be clinched within the next nine months.

INDIA Two of Indias most iconic rivers, considered sacred by nearly a billion Hindus in the country, have been given the status of living entities to save them from further harm caused by widespread pollution.

PAKISTANs National Assembly has passed a constitutional amendment that would continue the practice of trying terrorism suspects in military courts. The measure was approved by the lower house yesterday, but has yet to be voted upon by the senate.

RUSSIA A Russian group of reporters say they have uncovered details of a complex system in which USD21 billion were allegedly transferred illegally out of the country through a network of banks.

SYRIA Government forces launched a counter-attack against rebels in Damascus yesterday, following a rebel suicide car bombing and another insurgent assault earlier in the day in the countrys capital, media reports said. It was the second attempt by rebels in three days to penetrate Damascus defenses.

SOMALIA A car bomb exploded yesterday at a military checkpoint near Somalias presidential palace in the capital, killing at least five people, police said.

FRANCE The French financial prosecutors office opened a preliminary investigation Tuesday into a report that Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux hired his two daughters for 24 temporary parliamentary jobs.

BRAZILs president said yesterday that a scandal over sale of expired meat is an economic embarrassment. President Michel Temer sought to downplay the scandal, calling it a fuss and noting that only three of the more than 4,000 meatpacking plants in Brazil have been forced to close.
TWIN FALLS  The Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce wants to recognize residents who have notably enriched the quality of life in the Twin Falls area.

Now is the time to nominate someone you feel is deserving of the Person of the Year or Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations should be sent to Megan Fleshman at megan@twinfallschamber.com by April 3.

Person of the Year nominees should have contributed toward improving the business climate or community spirit of Twin Falls within the past year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to someone who has lived here for at least 10 years and demonstrated volunteerism, service and dedication in his or her career or personal life.

The written nominations should include a primary reason for why this individual is deserving of the award, as well as biographical information and a listing of volunteer work and community involvement. The person making the nomination should also include his or her name and contact information.

Recipients will receive awards at the Business Day Breakfast, April 27 at Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center, 330 Canyon Crest Drive.

Information: Contact the Chamber office at 208-733-3974.
FILER  A Utah man ran a stop sign and caused a crash last June that killed a Filer woman, mangled the Ford Mustang he was driving and sent a pickup slamming into a home, police said.

Sean David Rees, 22, of West Valley City was charged Tuesday in Twin Falls County Magistrate Court with a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter.

Police say Rees never attempted to slow down June 14 at the intersection of 2500 East and 3800 North  despite a stop sign and a sign warning of a stop sign ahead  causing the crash that killed his passenger, Ashley Webb, 23, of Filer.

At the crash scene, Rees told police he was not from around here and he did not see the stop sign, court documents said. In a statement given later that night, he said the stop sign was obscured, and when he saw the sign at the last moment, he slammed on his brakes.

But an Idaho State Police crash reconstruction concluded the stop sign was not obscured, and Twin Falls County Sheriffs Deputy Stacy Gorrell found no evidence of skid marks indicating Rees has applied his brakes.

Rees and Lydia Buffington, the driver of the Ford F-350 that he hit, both went to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center to be treated for their injuries, while Webb was flown to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. She was pronounced brain dead and taken off life support June 16, two days after the crash.

Rees is in custody at the Twin Falls County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. He faces up to a year in jail and a fine up to $2,000 if convicted. He also faces a license suspension and could be ordered to pay child support if Webb had any children. An online fundraising page said Webb had a 5-month-old son when she died.

Rees is set for a pretrial conference May 31.
BOISE  Idaho House lawmakers once again revealed a growing division inside their chamber on Tuesday over a dicey community college budget debate.

Earlier this year, state budget writers settled on allocating the state's three community colleges nearly $40 million, or a 6.7 percent funding boost for next fiscal year. Budget bills seldom change once making it out of the appropriations committee, but they still need the approval of the full House and Senate.

Lawmakers in the House ultimately passed the budget on a 48-22 vote, but not before spending the majority of Tuesday's morning floor session criticizing some line items in the funding proposal and the budget-setting process. The body spent more time debating the relatively small $40 million community college budget than they did the day before debating the $1.7 billion public schools budget  which faced minimal opposition and no questions on Monday.

"It was disappointing to hear that (the budget committee) declined to hear public input. They only got testimony from agencies, who are special interest groups who want that funding," said Republican Rep. Ron Nate, of Rexburg. "So citizen input is left to us. If there's even one questionable line item, we should reconsider this bill. "

Rep. Maxine Bell, co-chair of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee, says her panel used to hold hearings allowing the public to submit testimony on budgets but stopped after attendance dwindled.

"We serve state agencies, it's the state agencies who serve the public," said Bell, a Republican from Jerome.

The community college budget for fiscal year 2017-2018, which starts July 1, includes new funding for summer outreach programs at the College of Southern Idaho; advisers for special student populations at the College of Western Idaho; and a Title IX coordinator to ensure compliance and training at North Idaho College.

"We cut the budgets for community colleges and universities during the downturn in 2008 and we haven't given them that money back," Bell said. "This was our time to help them out."

The House has been plagued this session by Republican infighting, with some members unhappy over how legislative leaders steer the chamber. However, so far, detractors have failed to gain enough momentum to kill a budget proposal or squash major policy bill.
BOISE  The Idaho Senate could move Wednesday on some major tax and transportation funding bills that are among the last big pieces of work left before lawmakers go home.

With no controversy, the Senate voted Tuesday afternoon to amend a major transportation funding package and a bill to eliminate both the sales tax on groceries and the accompanying tax credit.

After being amended to remove a local option sales tax and a tax exemption for roads materials, the transportation bill would now take out $300 million in bonds for new construction that would be paid back with federal highway funds; shift the roughly $17 million a year the Idaho State Police get from the fuel tax to road funding and making ISP whole with sales tax money; and extend, for another five years, the surplus eliminator that shifts some excess state revenues into transportation.

Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said he expects to take up the transportation and tax bills Wednesday.

The transportation bills have only been in the Senate so far. The grocery tax cut, though, started life as an income tax cut that passed the House in February. When it came to the Senate last week for amendment they voted to radiator cap it, which is when a bill is amended to become an entirely new bill.

The idea of abolishing the grocery tax has support in the House, although it remains to be seen how the bill will fare or if the House will attempt to amend it. Assuming the bills pass the Senate on Wednesday, that leaves two more days for them to make their way through the House if the Legislature is going to both pass them and hit its goal of adjourning on Friday.
WENDELL  Promoting agriculture is a multi-generational task  even in rural Idaho.

Farmers now make up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population, compared with 90 percent of the population 100 years ago.

Fewer young people are deciding to become farmers, and thats a concern for organizations such as the Farm Bureau Federation. Local Farm Bureaus are initiating ways to reintroduce agriculture into classrooms.

Last week, Farm Bureau volunteers brought the organizations interactive Moving Agriculture to the Classroom trailer to teach Wendell Elementary students about dairy.

Grandma Bev Taber and Tessa Wisniewski introduced a mechanical milk cow Thursday to Lisa Halls first grade class. Students took turns milking the cow, renamed Holly Holstein for the demonstration, before making ice cream in class.

Im a retired nurse and I grew up on a dairy farm, said Grandma Bev. And Im a grandmother, so kids this age dont bother me.

She quizzed students about the dairy industry.

How many people does it take to care for a cow? she asked.

Fifty, said one boy.

Maybe so, she said, as she named some of the occupations involved in getting dairy products to the store, from alfalfa growers and dairy workers to veterinarians and truck drivers.

Then Grandma Bev, who lives in Shoshone, moved on to milk production.

How many stomachs does a cow have? she asked students as she described how a cow digests grass. Cows need four stomachs because grass is so hard to digest, she explained.

After students chewed on that idea for a while, she announced it was time to milk Holly Holstein.

Were going to milk Holly the old-fashioned way, she said.

Grandma Bev explained how to squeeze and release when a few of the students jumped in to explain modern milking technology. Their fathers are milkers in local dairies, they said.

Most kids wouldnt know how to milk a cow, said Judy Woody, chairwoman of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Womens Leadership Committee.

I think its important to know where our food and fiber comes from, said Woody, whose committee focuses on agricultural education.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation supplies three educational trailers with dairy, wheat and water modules, she said. Volunteers take the trailers to classrooms and county fairs.

The kids really enjoy it, Woody said.

After Holly was milked, Grandma Bev and Wisniewski, who raises beef cows, handed out small bags of milk, sugar and vanilla, inserted inside larger bags of ice and salt.

Salt will lower the temperature of the ice, so the ice cream will freeze faster, Grandma Bev said. Thats science.

Shake the bag for eight minutes, thats all it takes, she said, as the students jumped and wiggled around the room.

My hands are cold, proclaimed 17 little voices, seven minutes later, before the first ice cream was declared.

It tastes good, Jesus Zermeno said with a new appreciation for dairy cows.
November 11, 1949  March 19, 2017

She graduated from Hardin High School in Montana and went on to earn her bachelors degree in elementary education at the University of Montana and her masters from Boise State University. She married Loren Holmes on June 18, 1977 in Idaho Falls. She taught special education, fourth grade and English as a second language in Montana and Idaho for 34 years. She was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Filer. She was also an avid quilter with a generous heart. She love learning about and meeting people from other cultures. She was always ready for an adventure and she loved to laugh.
The visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Australia starting on Wednesday is a time to reflect on the importance of the Sino-Australian economic relationship to the region and the world and how that may play out in the "age" of US President Donald Trump.

China is now Australia's top trading partner, taking over from Japan which had held that position for more than 40 years. China and Australia have a free trade agreement, support each other in institutions like the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and are generally strong partners on the world stage.

Over the weekend, the G20's financial ministers failed to make a commitment against rising protectionism because of the United States' reluctance, arousing concerns about the Trump administration's stance on free trade.

Trump has said he is not against trade but just against "bad deals", and abandoned the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. He has also spoken against China, calling it a "currency manipulator", threatened to hike tariffs against Chinese imports and warned that the US could withdraw from some multilateral institutions.

However, the tariff-hike threat could also be counterproductive and I expectbefore anything like that happenswe'll see a trade policy by tweet, using the bully pulpit to cajole US companies to stay at home, and surf the pick-up in employment steered through by US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen.

It is important to remember the golden rule of US trade policywhich is made by the Congress not by the White House. So the Trump administration will see the limitations to executive orders in trade, as it already has in the case of immigration.

So what can Australia and China do against this great disruption? In some ways, China will be a beneficiary; it can promote regional trade arrangements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and play more of a regional leadership role. On Australia's part, unlike the Trump administration, it can be seen as a reliable trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

Similarly, Australia's credentials as a tourist and higher education destination will improve if it can attract more and more international students, who can get quality education and work experience and possibly a job. Such higher credentials will put Australian institutions at a premium in the age of Trump. And both Australia and China have a lot to gain.

But the election of Trump as US president has exposed some fault lineswhich snagged Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, as it did the "remainers" in Britain's referendum vote on leaving the European Union and other pro-globalization supporters. There is inequality in the world, and many voters are blaming trade for that. So the case for open trade and social protection has to be made anew.

In Australia, research at the University of New South Wales shows that exporters pay higher wages, provide better health and safety benefits and equal employment opportunity, and open trade does not necessarily widen inequality. On the world scale, overall open trade has been associated with growing global prosperity and the reduction of absolute povertyfrom 40 percent in 1981 to less than 10 percent today.

Open trade has been one of the world's greatest anti-poverty programsespecially in the Asia-Pacificwith China being a classic case in point. In the age of Trump, both China and Australia can cooperate and play a bigger role in promoting the case for globalization.

The author is the JW Nevile Fellow in economics at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Climate change invokes images of rising ocean levels and suffering polar bears, but the harm hits much closer to home than many realize. The last three years were the hottest in human history, and 16 of the hottest 17 years ever recorded occurred since 2000. This trend affects Idaho in many key respects, and the results are only going to become more severe. Unless we act decisively, Idahos average temperatures are projected to rise 5-10 degrees over the next century, transforming our state profoundly.

To address these impacts, I brought a bill this session calling for the Legislature to assess expected effects in light of scientific evidence and develop a plan to protect Idahoans from the worst harms. I was rejected outright  GOP chairmen proclaimed climate change a hoax and would not allow the bill to be heard or printed. I then asked for a simple informational session so the Environment Committee could at least hear from scientists. GOP leaders said no way. Given the stakes, I could not take no for an answer, so I held a hearing anyway. I asked scientists, economists, businesspeople, even clergy, to speak on climate change, and invited the public to listen. Boy did they come! An estimated 650 people attended the March 15 hearing, filling the Capitols largest auditorium plus four overflow rooms, making it the biggest event of the session. Here is some of what you should know.

Due to climate change, our fire seasons are now 70 days longer than a few decades ago  dry, fire-prone conditions that once arose in August now start in May. An estimated 16,000 square miles of forest burned in the Northwest since 1984 is attributed to human-caused climate change. This has contributed to Idaho having Americas second worst air quality. These fires are costly and worsen our quality of life. Idahoans want to enjoy the outdoors, not cower indoors because the air is unsafe to breathe.

Impacts to Idaho reach far beyond fire. Our water supply depends on gradual snowpack melt throughout summer, into fall. Early high temperatures mean rapid early snow melt, leading to soil erosion and flooding, such as the massive flooding just experienced in eastern Idaho in early February (not a historically typical time for flooding).

When snowpack is depleted by mid-summer, expect worsening irrigation shortages. Summer water flows are expected to drop so much that some riverbeds may dry up entirely, devastating affected fish populations. The effects on agriculture and other aspects of Idahos economy could be severe. One economist projected at the hearing that costs to Idaho due to climate change could be over $200 per acre  totaling over $11 billion.

As to the cause, Idaho professors confirmed there is no genuine dispute in the scientific community that climate change is happening, its accelerating, and its caused by human activity  specifically the burning of oil, gas and coal. They squarely debunked any notion that global warming can be explained by tilt of the earth or other natural causes. Human activity worldwide is generating the heat of 400,000 Hiroshima bombs per day, and we are pumping 10 billion tons of carbon per year into the atmosphere that traps that heat. We can track atmospheric carbon and temperature over the past 650,000 years, and since humans started burning coal and oil in earnest in the 1880s, both metrics have skyrocketed to levels never seen in human history.

What is Idaho doing about this threat? Zilch. What could we be doing? Lots. Other states are studying and addressing impacts, implementing incentives for lower-carbon transportation and renewable energy as well as mitigation strategies to address water supply, fire vulnerability and more. Idahos plan is simpler: Dig hole in sand, insert head. Indeed, the only action the Legislature took on climate change this session was to strip all climate change references from school curriculum standards. This compounds the damage done by the Legislatures own inaction by ensuring the next generation will also lack the knowledge and motivation to address the problem.

While Idahos GOP leaders may adhere to a strict climate change denial agenda, the people of Idaho showed last week that they oppose the stifling of science  they want facts and action. The good news is that because climate change is caused by humans, we can rein it in by changing our activity, but there is no time to lose. If we delay until accelerating triggers occur, the effects will likely become irreversible. Many steps we could take, like increasing renewable energy, would likely economically benefit Idaho, which has geothermal, wind and sun but no oil or coal.

Mitigating climate change requires collective action, ideally at national and international levels, but also at the state level. We cannot afford to have the Republican Party that dominates our state (and federal government) refuse outright to acknowledge the issue. There is no other government or major political party on Earth that denies human-caused climate change. We need the GOPs help  they must set aside allegiance to the fossil fuel industry and listen to scientists. There have been recent glimmers of hope in the form of Republican leaders bucking party orthodoxy to take a responsible stance. Notably, a group led by Reagan staffer James Baker has proposed carbon curbs, encouraged by Mitt Romney. But we need more. The current administration plans to gut existing carbon-reduction efforts and move back to a coal-oil economy, while Idahos only plan is to keep kids in climate ignorance. This path must change or our children will bear terrible consequences.

Please write your state and federal leaders and tell them to plan responsibly and support policies that reduce carbon emissions. The fossil fuel industry uses its vast lobbying dollars and clout to manufacture false uncertainty on climate change in order to keep us buying oil and coal. Only the voice of the American people, speaking forcefully, can counterbalance their power. Be that voicethe stakes are too high for silence.
This appeared in Tuesdays Washington Post:

A House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday produced the remarkable spectacle of FBI Director James Comey publicly testifying that there was no information that supports tweets by President Donald Trump alleging wiretapping of his New York headquarters on the order of President Barack Obama.

It saw National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers agree with the British government that it was utterly ridiculous for the White House to suggest that such surveillance had been undertaken by Britains signals agency. And it produced official confirmation by Comey that the agency is investigating Russias interference in the U.S. presidential election, including possible coordination with members of the Trump campaign.

Youd think that all of this would be of surpassing concern for Republican members of Congress. The president who leads their party has been officially reported to have made false statements alleging criminal activity by his predecessor. Whats more, his campaign is under scrutiny for possible cooperation with a dedicated and dangerous U.S. adversary in order to subvert American democracy.

Yet to listen to Republican members of the Intelligence Committee, the most pressing problem to arise from Russias intervention and the FBIs investigation of it is that reports of contacts between Russias ambassador and Trumps designated national security adviser were leaked to The Post. The priority of Chairman Devin Nunes, Calif., and other Republican members, judging from their statements, is not fully uncovering Russias actions but finding and punishing those who allowed the public to learn about them.

Nunes and Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., could not have been more zealous in their outrage over the exposure of Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign as national security adviser after reports in The Post exposed his lies about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Flynn accepted nearly $68,000 in payments from Russian companies, including the state propaganda outlet, before advocating greater cooperation with Moscow during his brief White House stint. Yet Nunes and Gowdy would have it that hunting down the sources for the disclosure that Flynn discussed the lifting of U.S. sanctions with Kislyak is more urgent than learning the full extent of the contacts he and other Trump aides had with Moscow.

The Republicans seem to be slavishly following the cues of the president, who, while failing to retract his accusation against Obama, is seeking to direct attention elsewhere. The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information, he tweeted Monday morning. Such a diversion, like anything else that distracts attention from Vladimir Putins support for his election, would be to Trumps advantage.

Congressional Republicans ought to consider larger national interests. Russias intervention in the election was not incidental and haphazard, but part of a concerted campaign to disrupt Western democracy. Putin is even now attempting to interfere in ongoing election campaigns in France and Germany. Given Trumps refusal to acknowledge the threat, it is essential that Congress discover the truth about Russias activities, take steps to defend against similar intrusions in the future and help allies protect themselves.

The first useful step would be to fully inform the public. Instead, Nunes and his followers appear bent on silencing anyone who would do so.
North Korea's test of a rocket engine Sunday showed "meaningful" signs of progress, according to South Korean officials.

"Through this test, it is assessed that (North Korea) has made meaningful progress in engine performance, but further analysis is needed for exact thrust and its possible uses in future," said South Korean Defense Ministry deputy spokesman Lee Jin-woo.

He said the equipment tested "appears to have one main engine with four auxiliary engines connected to it. We believe this was an attempt to develop a new engine."

Two US defense officials told CNN the engine could possibly be used in an eventual intercontinental ballistic missile, but it was unclear if that was its eventual purpose.

Pyongyang, for its part, touted the test as a "great leap forward" in its rocket program.

Many analysts linked the timing of the test to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's first visit to north Asia, which ended in Beijing Sunday.

Space program

According to the official North Korean news agency KCNA, the test measured the thrust power in the combustion chamber, the structural safety and reliability of the engine, and the movement of the turbine pipe.

The KCNA statement mentioned only civil, rather than military, purposes for the new engines, saying it would "help consolidate the scientific and technological foundation to match the world-level satellite delivery capability in the field of outer space development."

The engine was tested at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a major space facility on the country's northwest coast, from which North Korea successfully launched its first satellite into orbit in December 2012.

North Korea insists its space program is peaceful and focused on putting scientific satellites into orbit. However, analysts have long accused Pyongyang of using the program as a covert weapons testing scheme.

As aerospace engineer John Schilling wrote in January, North Korea's primary space launch vehicle, the Unha-3, "could be pressed into service as a crude ICBM."

"An ICBM variant of the Unha could be sufficiently similar to the space launch vehicle in that it would be very likely to succeed, making it a good candidate for a political demonstration even though the Unha would make for a poor missile."

China followed a similar path with its space and ballistic missile program beginning in the 1960s. Engines used in the Long March 2 satellite launcher were later repurposed for the "development of the DF-5 ballistic missile -- China's first true intercontinental range missile," according to David Wright, co-director of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

However, in a recent paper published in the journal Korea Observer, weapons experts Markus Schiller and Theodore Postol wrote that the potential for North Korea to repurpose a space rocket to deliver an ICBM "does not mean that North Korea has the ability, or is likely to have the ability, to use this postulated ICBM to materially threaten the United States with a nuclear attack."

"It is unlikely that North Korea now has a nuclear weapon that weighs as little as 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). It is also unlikely that such a first-generation nuclear weapon would be capable of surviving the unavoidable 50 G deceleration during warhead reentry from a range of nearly 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles)," they wrote.

"This engine produces enough thrust for the first stage, possibly even the second stage, of a large ICBM," Michael Elleman of the US-based International Institute for Strategic Studies told CNN.

Elleman said that the engine appeared "too large" for the ICBM prototypes that North Korea has demonstrated during military parades, but added "we think they could shrink it down and fit it onto either of the prototypes that they have paraded to date."

Rocketing forward

While in the past North Korea has been largely dependent on existing -- mostly Soviet and Chinese technology -- Schilling pointed out last year that "we have now seen that North Korea can build large rockets using both solid and high-energy liquid propellants, to their own requirements."

Space and security analyst Markus Schiller suggested on Twitter that the effusive press release put out by KCNA could indicate that "they are finally running their first indigenous engine."

Euan Graham, director of international security at Australia's Lowy Institute, said the North Korea's twin civilian and military rocket programs may have "become so sophisticated they're moving on separate tracks."

He cautioned against underestimating the country's capabilities, pointing to recent submarine launches. "I think a lot of people would have scoffed at the idea that a country of threadbare means like North Korea would be able to test (submarine-launched ballistic missiles)," he said.

Display of force

The rocket engine test came hours before Tillerson met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and a day after America's top diplomat warned that all options -- including military action -- remained on the table when it came to dealing with North Korea.

Sunday's test was a "precisely-timed spectacular," said Peter Hayes, director of the US-based Nautilus Institute, "the kind we've come to expect from Kim Jong Un."

"(The test) was clearly aimed to put pressure on China and to expose the fecklessness of Tillerson's threat to somehow stop the regime," he said.

Graham added that the value of such testing for internal propaganda purposes should also not be ignored.

North Korea operates on a military-first principle, which Kim has increasingly shifted towards nuclear and weapons technology, and away from the traditional standing army.

"Let's not forget the ideological aspect of this," Graham said. "It's important to them to have this ability to demonstrate technological prowess."

CNN's Taehoon Lee contributed reporting from Seoul and Barbara Starr contributed reporting from Washington.
At least three people died and 20 were injured when an attacker rammed a car into crowds of people before stabbing a police officer in the grounds of the UK Parliament.

One woman was pulled alive from the River Thames amid chaos in the area, the heart of political life in Britain. The assailant also died, police said, announcing a "full counter-terrorism investigation".

Parliament was placed on lockdown and lawmakers were forced to remain in the main debating chamber of the House of Commons as firearms officers responded to the incident outside.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the incident was "being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise."

Pictures showed scenes of carnage in the aftermath of the attack, which happened as parliament was in session. One member of the British government gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one of those injured.

Latest developments

Three people are confirmed to have died during the incident.

Police officer stabbed in the grounds of the UK Parliament.

Attacker was also killed in the incident.

Large section of central London in lockdown.

Gates to Buckingham Palace closed.

Social media video shows bodies strewn on Westminster bridge.

Witnesses describe pedestrians mowed down by car.

Incident began near Westminster Bridge

London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter they were called at approximately 2:40 pm to reports of a firearms incident. Proceedings in the House of Commons were suspended with dozens of MPs locked inside.

Images emerged of a car crashed into the perimeter gate of Parliament, and witnesses later told CNN that they saw the vehicle mow down pedestrians.

Police soon put the Westminster area on lockdown, securing roads, Parliament buildings and the Westminster underground station. But that zone soon expanded to a larger part of central London.

The London Eye, popular with tourists, was among areas in lockdown.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise.

"I have spoken to the Acting Commissioner. The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is underway. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.

"I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Police said in a statement that a full response unit had been sent to the scene, along with ambulance crews and air ambulances.

"We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible."

Police appealed for anyone with photos or video of the incident to pass them on to police.

Commander BJ Harrington said "There are a number of casualties including police officers."

Parliament on lockdown

Leader of the House, David Lidington, told MPs in session that a serious incident had taken place "within the estate."

"It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police," he said.

"An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties. There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate that it'd be wrong of me to go into further details here until we have confirmation from the police and from the House security authorities about what is going on."

Members of parliament were asked to keep away from windows.

They were later due to be evacuated in groups of 20, MP Simon Danczuk told CNN by telephone from inside.

Around half an hour after the attack, former Cabinet minister Anna Soubry said on Twitter she and Security Minister Ben Wallace were ordered into the Parliament lobby at gun point by police.

"Colleagues taken out of the library at gun point by counter terrorist armed police officers," she tweeted.

Parliament was in the middle of a vote when the incident occurred, MP Sir Gerald Howarth said the House of Commons said. "It appears to be very, very serious indeed," he said.

"The Leader of the House has told us it's been confirmed that one police officer here has been stabbed. It appeared that a car was coming towards the House of Commons mowing down pedestrians on the way and the driver then got access to the parliamentary estate stabbed a police officer and was shot."

Eyewitnesses report chaotic scenes

People were photographed running in a panic from the scene.

An eyewitness told CNN that he heard a car collision at Westminster Bridge and saw at least five people on the ground.

"I heard -- rather than saw -- what I took to be a collision, like a car hitting a sheet of metal, and then I looked again and I saw people down on the streets, on the tarmac," witness Radek Sikorski told CNN by phone.

"I saw in all, five people down by a car, including one person bleeding heavily from the head, and another person lying unconscious."

"I saw them seconds after impact, but there's also a hospital right there by Westminster Bridge."

Richard Poet, 62, who was visiting London from Brighton and his partner were leaving the Tate Britain gallery when he heard "great crashes."

"I thought it was a wrecking ball. It didn't sound like guns or anything."

Craig Meichan, 20, a student from Ormskirk near Liverpool, was on a field trip with around 15 others and had left Parliament just a moment before. He was shaking as he told CNN his part was separated into three groups.

"It sounded like a car backfiring, police began shouting and they started cordoning off the area," he said, adding that he believed his tutor was still locked inside.

"I'm a bit shaken up, you never expect this to happen to you. When it does it's an indescribable feeling."

US President Donald Trump at a Women in healthcare panel told reporters he was getting updates from London.

"Some big news having to do with London just happened," he said.

Mark Toner, acting spokesperson for the US State Department. said officials were closely following the situation.

"Our hearts go out to those affected. We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful," he said.

Member of Parliament gives assistance

A member of the government, Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood, was pictured giving assistance to a victim in New Palace Yard, a courtyard within the grounds of Parliament,

A fellow Conservative Party MP, Maria Miller said he had "given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim," the Press Association said.

Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson, a 21-year-old student from High Wycombe, posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding, but saying "he looked to be fine", the Press Association said.
THE Court of Appeals dismissed the petition filed by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption seeking to stop the conversion of the Army and Navy Club in Manila into a boutique hotel and a casino gaming facility.

In a six-page resolution dated Feb. 28 but released to media only on Wednesday, penned by Associate Justice Ramon Garcia and was concurred in by Associate Justices Leoncia Dimagiba and Jhosep Lopez, the CAs Fifteenth Division dismissed VACCs petition for certiorari and prohibition for violating the principle on hierarchy of courts.

This means the Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp. will continue the conversion of the facility.

The CA explained the petitioners violation of the principle on hierarchy of courts that while it has concurrent jurisdiction with the Regional Trial Court in issuing the writ of certiorari, direct resort is allowed only when there are special extraordinary or compelling reasons that justify the same.

Unfortunately, the present petition for certiorari is bereft of any compelling reason or circumstance to warrant an exception to the rule, the CA explained.

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The appellate court also noted the decision of the Manila City government to enter into an agreement with private entities for the development of the Army Navy Club and the approval of the development by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines could not be considered a judicial, quasi-judicial or ministerial action that could be a subject of a petition for certiorari.

The City of Manilas execution of the lease contract with Oceanville Hotel and Spa does not fall within the ambit of judicial, quasi-judicial or ministerial function as the same is within its prerogative, powers and authority in the exercise of its executive function. On this court alone, certiorari and prohibition will not lie, the CA ruled.

The groups petition primarily seeks the nullification of the agreement among respondents Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the city government of Manila, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corporation and Vanderwood Management Corporation for the development of the Army Navy Club and to enjoin them from converting the said property into a boutique hotel and casino game facility, VACCs proper remedy is to file a civil action for annulment of contract which falls under the jurisdiction of the trial courts.

Neither certiorari nor prohibition is the remedy in the present case. Wherefore, the instant petition for certiorari is hereby dismissed. Accordingly, this case is considered closed and terminated, the CA decision read.

Named respondents in the petition were the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the city government of Manila, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corporation and Vanderwood Management Corporation.

In 2014, the Manila city government entered into a lease contract with Oceanville for 25 years. The contract also allows Oceanville to sublease any part of the Army and Navy Club.

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By Albert R. Hunt

President Donald Trump is a reckless bully with authoritarian leanings and a craving for attention. Kim Jong-un is a reckless bully with dictatorial powers and a craving for attention. Oh yes, and both have fingers on nuclear triggers. Thats why so many national security experts of both political parties struggle to think of a scarier pair.

Its not just that Kims outlaw North Korean regime has accelerated its nuclear weapons capacity and delivery capability, or that Kim sees nuclear weapons as his insurance policy against adversaries.

Its also that Trump has displayed little appreciation of history or knowledge and a compulsion to show that hes tough.

Trump has called Kim a madman, one of the few things he has gotten right about North Korea. Dealing with him, though, requires measured patience and smart diplomacy not Trumps forteand a reliance on alliances and relationships that he has dismissed.

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On his current Asia trip, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that diplomacy with North Korea hasnt worked and that thered be a new approach. That sounds like just talk. More important, Defense Secretary James Mattis impressed Asia experts during his visit last month to Japan and South Korea, in essence assuring the allies that US commitments were unchanged despite Trumps America First oratory.

There are few Asia specialists in this slow-to-form administration. But if Trump listens to Mattis and H.R. McMaster, his national security adviser, there will be a sense of relief in Tokyo, Seoul and Washington about the approach to North Korea. Lets hope the president doesnt revert instead to his penchant for relying on gut instincts or his nationalist Svengali, Steve Bannon.

Trump did advocate a greater nuclear presence in Asia during the 2016 presidential campaign. He declared that China has total control over North Korea and has hinted that hes going to tell Chinas President Xi Jinping to bring the North Korean dictator to his knees or else.

But China doesnt have anything close to total control over Kim Jung-un. It has contempt for his recklessness and alarm at his nuclear development. Above all, Beijing fears collapse of the regime, which would bring millions of refugees pouring across the border and possibly created a unified Korea that isnt a strategic buffer for China. The Chinese want to tamp down Kim, but their interests arent the same as Americas.

Chinas influence is limited, but it has practical leverage if it chooses to use it, said Tony Blinken, deputy secretary of state in the administration of President Barack Obama. For example, the Chinese did suspend coal imports from North Koreathat accounts for about a third of its exportsin line with a United Nations resolution. But the or else Trump has suggested he could punish China on tradewont scare Beijing.

The dilemma on what to do is compounded by political instability in South Korea, whose hard-line President Park Geun-hye was just thrown out of office in a corruption inquiry. A new leader will be elected in May, possibly someone more inclined to compromise over relations with the North.

A fear expressed by some experts is that Trump, who fancies himself a masterful negotiator, would agree to offer less resistance to Chinas ambitions in the South China Sea in exchange for a promise by Xi to bring more pressure on North Korea.

The other fear is that the megalomaniac North Korean dictator could goad Trump into a mano-a-mano exchange that starts on Twitter and ends who-knows-where.

Economic sanctions are hurting North Korea. Cyber attacks may temporarily impede its nuclear-weapons program. And to Chinas consternation, the US is deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea. But over a quarter century, with Republican and Democratic administrations alike, neither carrots nor sticks have effectively constrained the outlaw regime. With no good solution, the least bad approach would be to try to negotiate some interim agreement in cooperation with China, Japan and South Korea that freezes North Koreas nuclear weapons programs, with guaranteed verification, in return for lifting some economic sanctions while seeking a longer-term deal.

There is a parallel: The nuclear treaty Obama negotiated with Iran, which Trump called the worst deal in history.

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King Abdallah II of Jordan is expected in Rabat this Wednesday on a three-day state visit at the invitation of King Mohammed VI.

The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks on their countries bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of shared concerns.

King Abdallah whose country is hosting the Arab league 28th Summit March 29-30 is reportedly going to invite personally the Moroccan monarch to attend the forthcoming Summit in Amman, press reports say.

Last year, Morocco declined to host the summit citing the many divisions cracking the Pan-Arab organization. Rabat argued that the moment was not conducive to host the summit at a time the Arab world was challenged by the conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Palestine, in addition to terrorism-related issues.

Mauritania was awarded the organization of the 27th summit but many leaders, including King Mohammed VI, chose not to attend. The summit was by and large rated as a fiasco by many analysts.

The Wednesday visit to Morocco is the fifth by the Jordanian monarch who enjoys good ties with King Mohammed VI. He last visited Morocco in March 2015. Both leaders ascended to throne in 1999.

Morocco and Jordan are both close partners of the Gulf Cooperation Council, mustering Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
About 18 people were crushed to death in Ghana last weekend when a huge tree run off the top of a water fall, descending on revellers who were swimming beneath the fall.

The deceased are believed to be Geography students of Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, who were there on an excursion. Others are students from the University of Energy and Natural Resources.

The incident is the most catastrophic domestic tourism accident in Ghana in the last few years.

President Nana Akufo-Addo who was outside the country has tweeted to express his condolences to the bereaved families

He added that he was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident.

The former President John Mahama in a Facebook post on Monday also expressed condolences to the victims families.

The Ghana Fire Service has dispatched more personnel to the Waterfalls to intensify the search for possible trapped bodies.
The runner-up in Congos election last year, Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, has launched his political party in the central African nation on Sunday, local media reported.

According to Kolelas, the party called the Union of Humanist Democrats (UDH-Yuki), aims to cut the bridge with the Congolese Movement for Democracy that was created by his late father Bernard Kolelas.

Today we have witnessed the birth of the Union of Yuki Humanist Democrats. The UDH-Yuki was born largely from the ashes of the political party founded by Bernard Kolelas and his companions, Kolelas told supporters on Sunday.

We will have many challenges in the short and medium term to contribute to the return and consolidation of peace in our country, he said.

He pledged to work for the return of real peace in the Congo.

The former minister Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas was second in last year election in the oil-rich nation, with 16.8 percent.

He had called on his supporters to accept the official results of the violence-tainted poll that returned longtime president Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, served as president from 1979 to 1992, returning to power in 1997 following a civil war and won three successive terms.
A new industrial city will be built in the Moroccan Northern city of Tangiers in partnership with Chinese group HAITE.

In this regards, King Mohammed VI chaired Monday at the Marchane Royal Palace in Tangiers a ceremony on the new industrial city dubbed Mohammed VI Tangiers Tech City during which several accords related to the project were signed.

This new city, to be built by the Chinese group HAITE, in cooperation with Moroccan BMCE Bank and the Tangiers-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region will give a boost to economic activities in Tangiers and in the entire northern region of the Kingdom.

The project, one of the yields of the royal vision to diversify Moroccos economic partnerships, is expected to create 100,000 jobs and host 200 Chinese companies.

Industry Minister Moulay Hafid El Alamy said in a presentation at the ceremony that the new city will be ready in 10 years, and that the hub will include multiple industrial zones specializing in sectors including aeronautics, automobiles, electronics, telecommunications, renewable energy, and transport equipment.

For his part, President of HAITE group, Li Biao, underscored the attractiveness of Morocco for Chinese investments, saying that Morocco boasts a stable society and open economy that is well integrated in the international value chain. He also underscored the strategic location of Tangier at the crossroads between Europe and Africa as well as its developed infrastructure, notably Tangier Med port and associated facilities.

The Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City will be built over 2,000 hectares in a first stage for $1 billion, while the investments to be injected by the Chinese companies to settle in the new city will amount to some $10 billion over 10 years.

The promoters of the project want to make of it a new international smart city where industry and innovation respect ecology requirements.
Discount Week continues in Black Sea region - Get great offers on hotel bookings in Batumi and Kobuleti

'Discount Week continues in Georgia, with the countrys Adjara region inviting domestic and international travelers to enjoy the best travel deals in some of the Black Seas resort towns.During Discount Week  an initiative organised by the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)  Adjara will welcome tourists seeking great vacation deals.Discount Week in Adjara will continue from March 11-26, where tourists can check out special offers and get discounts on bookings at about 10 hotels in Batumi and Kobuleti.The GNTA started Discount Week in Georgia in February of this year in order to stimulate off-season travel.Georgias wine region of Kakheti was the first region to implement Discount Week.
Public Defender appeals to Govt over harmful toys

By Messenger Staff

The Public Defender of Georgia, Ucha Nanuashvili, addressed the Government of Georgia with a recommendation to take measures to ensure the safety of toys on the Georgian market and protect the health of minors.He said he was informed that the Centre for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia purchased dolls of ten different brands at Georgian shops and sent them to Germany to check their safety in an accredited laboratory. According to the results received from Germany, large amounts of harmful substances were found in nine out of the ten dolls.Unfortunately, it is planned to bring Georgian legislation closer to the new EU Toy Safety Directive only in 2019. The Public Defender considers that, given the results of the examination carried out by the Centre for Strategic Research and Development, it is necessary that the Government takes effective measures immediately and implement the EU Toy Safety Directive before September 1 2019 in order to protect the health and safety of the minors, Nanuashvili said.It should be noted that the international legal acts and the national legislation impose positive and negative obligations on the state to take effective measures in order to protect the health and life of children, which may be endangered by the lack of control.The Public Defender addressed the Government with a recommendation to respond to the results of the examination carried out by the Centre for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, to plan measures for regulation of legislative and institutional frameworks under the Toy Safety Directive obligations before 2019 and to take effective steps for supervising the market in order to protect the minors rights to life and health.The issue is of the utmost importance as it is related to the health of children. Until the government takes effective measures, it is very important that the public be informed about the possible harm of low cost and sometimes about the high cost toys.The Government must ensure the strong control of those companies which import or make toys in Georgia and seize toys that are harmful.Businesses must understand that making money at the expense of childrens health will be clamped down on.
The News in Brief

Parliament Speaker Joins Progressive Alliance Board



Georgian Parliamentary Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze was elected into the 35-member Board of the Progressive Alliance, a global network of social-democratic parties.



The decision was made on March 12 at the Progressive Alliance Convention in Berlin, Germany.



It is a great honor to be elected as the board member of the organization, Kobakhidze said and added that the appointment will enhance the international contacts of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) and facilitate better representation of the country.



Kobakhidze will serve as a Board member for a period of two years.



The Progressive Alliance was established in 2013 as an international network of progressive, social democratic, socialist and labor parties and organizations, unifying more than 130 organizations worldwide today. The Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia is one of the founding members of the Alliance.



The Alliance partners with various regional party networks, including the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament and the Party of European Socialists. The Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia is an observer member of the Party of European Socialists. (civil.ge)







We fully respect European structures, Vice Parliament Speaker says



We fully respect the European structures and therefore, we act as a worthy member of the Council of Europe, Deputy Chairman of Parliament Tamar Chugoshvili said in response to Minister of Economics Giorgi Gakharias statement on the Strasbourg Court's decision on the Rustavi 2 case.



"The Court made a decision similar to which had already been made. In particular, the suspension mechanism had not been used in relation to these articles of the Convention earlier. This, of course, caused some questions. I had the opportunity to talk to various individuals on this issue. I can not say anything, as it is a court of very high reputation. We fully respect the European structures and therefore, we act as a worthy member of the Council of Europe and obey the decision," Chugoshvili said.



Economy Minister Giorgi Gakharia said that he could not understand why there were questions with regards to freedom of expression in a country where the registration of a TV channel was possible in 10 days and that the property rights might be endangered due to the suspension mechanism. (IPN)







Hungarian, Ukrainian foreign ministers coming to Georgia



The Georgian capital of Tbilisi is getting ready to host two high-profile guests this week, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.



Szijjarto will arrive in Georgia on Thursday. While here, he will meet with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, several Cabinet Ministers and Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze.



During the visit, a grant program will be signed between the Hungarian Government and the Georgian Red Cross Organisation, providing financial aid for those affected by the flash flood of 2015 in Tbilisi.



Meanwhile, Klimkin will arrive in Georgia on Friday, meeting with senior Georgian officials as well as the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Ilia II.



He will travel to the occupation line as well, dividing the breakaway Tskhinvali region from the rest of Georgia.



Both officials will leave Georgia on Saturday, March 18. (Agenda.ge)




THE TRUE COST OF ALL THAT 'CHEAP' LAOR THAT DESTROYED AMERICA THE BIG SECRET DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW: Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute has testified before a Congressional committee that in 2004, 95% of all outstanding warrants for murder in Los Angeles were for illegal aliens; in 2000, 23% of all Los Angeles County jail inmates were illegal aliens and that in 1995, 60% of Los Angeless largest street gang, the 18th Street gang, were illegal aliens.


@PatriciaMazzei

Alex Acosta, President Donald' Trump's labor secretary nominee, got questions Wednesday at his Senate confirmation hearing about the sordid underage sex-ring case involving Palm Beach billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

As U.S. attorney in Miami, Acosta -- now dean of Florida International University's law school -- signed off on a plea agreement that attorneys for Epstein's victims called a "sweetheart" deal.

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democratic member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions committee, asked Acosta if he approved the deal despite opposition from prosecutors in his office.

Acosta called his office's involvement unusual, given that Epstein was charged by state prosecutors following a grand jury's recommendation.

"We deemed it necessary to become involved, and we early on had discussions within the office," Epstein said. "We decided...that Mr. Epstein should plead guilty to two years, register as a sexual offender and concede liability so the victims could get restitution. If that were done, the federal interest would be satisfied and we would defer to the state."

Acosta's office drafted a 53-page indictment that was never used. Declining to discuss specifics of the case, Acosta called it "pretty typical" to write up an indictment that "often does not consider the strength of the underlying case."

"'These are all the places we can go,'" Acosta said, describing a draft indictment. "Yet at the end of the day, based on the evidence, professionals within the prosecutor's office decide that a plea that guarantees that someone goes to jail, that guarantees that someone register generally, and that guarantees other outcomes, is a good thing."

Kaine asked again: Did his staff agree with cutting the deal?

"It was a broadly held decision, yes," Acosta said.

Acosta was introduced Wednesday by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Cuban-American Republicans like Acosta. If confirmed, Acosta would be the only Hispanic on Trump's Cabinet.

Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, asked Acosta about his time heading the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division -- particularly his foray into an Ohio voting-rights case days before the 2004 presidential election. Acosta sent an unsolicited letter to a judge siding with Republicans who challenged the eligibility of thousands of African-American voters.

"I want to ask you if you regret the decision to send that letter in 2004," Murray asked.

Acosta argued the letter was misinterpreted: "We were not taking a position on what was being done in Ohio specifically," he said. Murray called his response "a very legal answer" and pressed him again.

"As an attorney to the Department of Justice, sometimes you have to do things that are unpopular but are legally correct," Acosta said. "The letter is legally correct. I wish the letter was not interpreted the way it's interpreted."

"As secretary of labor, I want to know if you will bow to political pressure -- which I have seen, under this Trump administration, a tremendous amount of political pressure," Murray said.

"I have prosecuted UBS, the international bank, and as a result of that prosecution, they changed Swiss law," Acosta said. "I've prosecuted major drug cartels for 200,000 kilos -- the heads of the Cali cartel -- for 200,000 kilos of cocaine. I have been in public service the better part of my professional career, and I've seen pressure, and I don't for a second believe that senior officials would or should bow to inappropriate pressure."

"We work for the president. He is our boss," Acosta added. But, citing the confirmation hearing of former Bush Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, he concluded: "We all will ultimately follow his direction -- unless we feel we can't. And if we can't, we resign."

Photo credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press


@PatriciaMazzei

Jeb Bush has joined the board of directors of Vertical Bridge, a communications-tower company based in Boca Raton.

In a statement released by the company, the former Florida governor and 2016 presidential hopeful praised Vertical Bridge's growth "and the smart capital deployment" of its parent Company, Digital Bridge.

"I have long been a strong proponent of the role that improved telecommunications infrastructure can and should play in enhancing our quality of life in so many diverse ways," Bush said. "I look forward to contributing to the continued progress at Vertical Bridge."

The company, which is three years old, says it's the largest private owner and manager of telecommunications assets in the country. It's looking to Bush's expertise as the federal government moves to expand infrastructure for an integrated communications network for first responders, said Marc Ganzi, Vertical Bridge's executive chairman and co-founder.

"Public safety is going to be a big growth area," Ganzi said. "Having a public servant like the governor on our board -- who understands public safety, first responders and public agencies -- that was the real, strategic push for why we brought him in."

Ganzi's relationship with the Bush family dates back decades. (Ganzi even interned in then-President George H.W. Bush's White House.) Jeb Bush also sits on the board Dock Square Capital LLC, a Miami-based merchant back whose affiliate, Dock Square Communications LP, is investing in Vertical Bridge now that Bush is one of its directors.\

This post has been updated to correct Ganzi's title.

Photo credit: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
One by one, Republican lawmakers delivered dreary news at the Florida Chamber of Commerce's "Capitol Days" Tuesday in Tallahassee. On issue after issue, pro-business bills are stalled, from curbing growing abuses in property insurance claims to changing the workers' comp system. Business is battling a lawyer-friendly bill to require courts to add interest payments in cases won by plaintiffs.

"Trial lawyers are on the march," Steve Knopik, CEO of the Bealls clothing retailer, told Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, who didn't argue. "It feels like we're just getting trampled on."

The news didn't improve when Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, described a legislative response to court-ordered workers' comp rate hikes as "a reasonably okay bill."

Interest groups like the Chamber sometimes create doom-and-gloom scenarios to rally members or raise money, but this session looks bleak for business. Despite overwhelming Republican majorities in both chambers, key Senate committees include trial bar-friendly Republicans. Senate President Joe Negron wants to abolish a decades-old tax break for the insurance industry. Some Republicans want to repeal no-fault auto insurance that could drive up accident lawsuits and legal costs. Under Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, who like Negron is a lawyer, the House has dismantled most statewide economic development programs.

That brought denunciations from Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, who said it's "just wrong" for Corcoran to force House members to go on record on such a controversial issue when it has no chance of passage because a similar bill isn't teed up in the Senate.

"We made all those House members, including my son (Rep. Chris Latvala), who I love very much, take a very tough vote because the speaker made them, even though he knew there was not a bill to match up to in the Senate, and that's just wrong," Latvala told Chamber members. "That's putting personal ambition before the body that you are the presiding officer of."

Latvala said it's the first time in his 15-year Senate career that business has to "play defense." He blamed term limits -- championed by Republicans three decades ago -- for a system in which most lawmakers want to be career politicians and have no business experience. "We have a constant stream of people who get elected who were aides in the legislative process," Latvala said. "They've never run a business. They've never had those responsibilities."

"Capitol Days" continues Wednesday in the capital with a panel discussion that asks: "Is Florida closed for business?"
Glacier Symphony and Chorale will launch a new three-concert series called the Easter Festival, running on April 6, 8 and 9.

Patterned after the great spring Easter Festivals held annually in Europe and around the world, the festival will focus on the varied and rich repertoire of music written for orchestra and chorus.

Among the many works performed will be Beethovens grand Choral Fantasy in C minor and Lux Aeterna, an American masterpiece for orchestra and chorus by Morten Lauridsen. Opening the festival will be a solo piano recital featuring pianist Ketevan Kartvelishvili performing works by Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel and a 20th century piece by Paul Aurandt (Paul Harvey Jr.).

Artistic director and conductor John Zoltek, who will conduct both the Saturday and Sunday concerts, says he is excited to present this inaugural event. Three distinctly different concerts each night means there will be something for everyone. My hope will be for the audience to hear the synergy that comes from the masterful coupling of vocal writing with symphonic writing, he said.

The festival opens with a free concert on Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 pm featuring the internationally acclaimed pianist, Ketevan (Keti) Kartvelishveli. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, near the Caucasus mountains, Keti began playing at age 5 and made her debut performance with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra at age 12. She has won first place in numerous international competitions in the US most recently the American Protege International Concerto Competition in NYC, in 2014.

Over her career Keti has become acquainted with American composer and concert pianist, Paul Harvey Jr., the son of radio personality Paul Harvey and his wife, broadcast producer Angel Harvey, who began their now-legendary radio and television career in Missoula. As a journalist it was Paul Harvey Jr. who wrote and produced The Rest of the Story series for books, television, and radio. But as a composer he adopted the family name Aurandt and, among other works, wrote the formidable Sonata in B-Flat Minor for piano. Keti will play the 3rd movement from this lengthy work.

Eternal Light is the title of the Saturday, April 8, 7:30 pm concert. The Glacier Symphony will begin the program with Wagners transcendental Good Friday Spell from his opera Parsifal. The Glacier Chorale will join the orchestra for Morten Lauridsens sacred work Lux Aeterna. The concert will conclude with Mendelssohns Symphony No. 5 in D (The "Reformation"), which was composed in 1830 to commemorate an important Lutheran event in Berlin.

Choral Fantasy Finale, at 3 pm on Sunday, April 9, will complete the Easter Festival. The program will offer a diversity of musical styles and will include the orchestra performing Berlioz Hungarian March. Kartvelishvili will then return to the stage as soloist in Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb for piano and orchestra, a demanding, virtuosic work by the legendary 19th century composer, Franz Liszt. The second half will employ the orchestra and chorale in Faures popular Pavane. The piano soloist will return and join in for Beethovens Choral Fantasy, providing the thrilling finale.

All festival concerts will be held at Flathead High Performance Hall, 644 Fourth Ave W. in Kalispell. General admission single tickets are $25 and youth through grade 12 are admitted free. The Thursday concert is free to all. Purchase concert tickets online at gscmusic.org. Special lodging packages for out of town visitors that include discounted tickets to attend Easter Festival are offered on the website discoverkalispell.com/packages-listing.
BILLINGS  A bill to increase the number of some hunting licenses for nonresidents would add $147,000 in annual revenue for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as well as pump money into the coffers of businesses servicing those out-of-staters, proponents argued during a Tuesday hearing.

I dont think the fiscal note reflects the true impact, said by Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, who sponsored House Bill 568.

The bill proposes to guarantee out-of-staters 10 percent of the elk, deer, antelope, mountain lion, or black bear licenses issued for those species. The measure was supported by the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association.

This bill generates significant revenue, said Jean Johnson, MOGAs lobbyist. The nonresident supports that (FWP) agency across the street with 70 percent of their budget coming from nonresident license sales.

FWP receives no money from the state general fund.

Opposing the measure were representatives from the Montana Wildlife Federation and Montana Bowhunters Association who argued that season setting should be done by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, not the Legislature.

Our main concern is that it is taking away authority from the FWP Commission for season setting, thats a dangerous precedent, said Jerry Davis, president of the MBA.

Davis and Nick Gevock, conservation director for MWF, also argued that it would take tags away from resident hunters.

I have to advocate for resident hunters and anything that sees a decrease we would be against, Davis said.

Mac Minard, executive director of MOGA, said Montana is in a national market to lure out-of-state hunters and needs every edge it can get to attract those people who may otherwise go to other western states.

I do not believe this reduces the opportunity for resident hunters, White said. Resident hunters have the ability to go to another area and hunt elk.

Gevock disagreed, saying based on figures he received from FWP that residents could receive 10 fewer coveted elk tags in the Elkhorn Mountains near Helena, which is managed as a trophy elk hunting district.

The bill was amended to remove a section that would have created two archery-only subseasons for nonresident elk hunters in the Missouri River Breaks.

Information at the hearing suggested that out of 17,000 nonresident hunters who visit Montana, less than one-third use an outfitter.

No action was taken on the bill.
HELENA  Led by former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, Congress in 2009 peppered the Affordable Care Act with several health insurance reforms specific to Native Americans.

They expanded access to care, brought more local control and funding to Indian Health Service facilities, and ultimately provided guarantees that the federal budget will pay the full cost for most Native users of state-managed Medicaid expansions.

In Montana and across the country, tribes are reporting significant improvements as a result of the reforms. It became easier for patients to sign up for insurance and seek health care at off-reservation hospitals. Tribal health programs, urban Indian centers and the Indian Health Service were able to collect more insurance revenues and reinvest those into expanding services.

Health leaders saw the changes as key to reversing health disparities among Native Americans that cause Montana tribal members to die an average of 20 years sooner than other residents.

Now, state and tribal leaders fear much of that progress could be lost if the House GOP proposal to replace Obamacare passes as currently written.

We would not be able to continue to build the capacity that the Affordable Care Act was allowing us to do, which essentially took care of the underfunding of the health care system for Indians in the first place, said Northern Cheyenne President Jace Killsback, who had previously worked as health director and served on a federal committee to advise enrollment efforts in Indian Country. It essentially stops the momentum, the progress and growth. ... Our tribes will continue to have some of the highest health disparities and the most negative health outcomes.

For decades, Native Americans have typically accessed health care in a system separate from the rest of Americans. In exchange for ceding their lands and agreeing to peace, hundreds of tribes signed treaties with the United States that promised health care in exchange.

Today, the Indian Health Service provides care to more than 560 federally recognized tribes. But Congress does not consider IHS an entitlement program, so funding varies and falls short of need.

Medicare and Medicaid, as well as health programs for veterans, are funded at a higher level per patient than IHS. Even to match the care guaranteed to federal prisoners, Congress would have to nearly double the Indian Health Service budget, according to an analysis by the National Congress of American Indians.

The Affordable Care Act included incentives for IHS facilities to bill insurance policies and encourage patients to enroll, such as guaranteeing for the first time that those collections would stay at the local unit and not result in diminished federal appropriations. Improvements driven by that reform might diminish under the GOP health plan.

Nationally, the rate of uninsured Native Americans dropped from 24.2 percent in 2010 to 15.7 percent in 2015 even though almost half of states with significant Native populations did not expand Medicaid, according to federal figures. In Montana, Native Americans are about 20 percent of the new enrollees under last year's Medicaid expansion. About 40 percent of Native Americans were uninsured in 2015.

The GOP proposal would cut funding for these expansions.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that expand Medicaid receive a permanent 100 percent federal match for care provided to enrolled tribal members through IHS or tribal programs, including outside referrals. For all other newly enrolled clients, that federal match will drop to 95 percent in 2017 and 90 percent in 2020. Before expansion, Congress paid just 65 percent.

That extra funding has helped keep Medicaid expansions viable in states with large Native American populations, experts say, but it is unlikely to be enough to save expansions from rollback under pressure from the GOP plan.

Although the current proposal preserves the 100 percent federal reimbursement for tribal clients, Anna Whiting-Sorrell noted that might still mean Native Americans could lose coverage or see benefits reduced.

After years leading the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and then the Billings Area Office of IHS, she works for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department and serves as an adviser to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on tribal issues.

You can only provide services that go to everybody,"she said. "Lets say they decide that in Montana because they no longer have that funding, that theyre going to eliminate some kinds of dental care. Indian people would also be eliminated from that care even though the state might be reimbursed at 100 percent."

Several Montana tribes have launched Tribal-Sponsored Health Insurance Programs, which pay out-of-pocket costs from insurance purchased by tribal members. TSHIPs operate on the theory that it will cost less to pay for coverage than the full cost of care outright.

The affordability of private insurance as well as the cost-benefit ratio making TSHIP programs possible hinge in large part on special no-cost sharing provisions for members of federally recognized tribes.

Tribal health insurance programs also could be hit hard by a 30 percent enrollment penalty for people who buy insurance after a long gap in coverage  particularly common among Native Americans who, for instance, might drop private insurance if they move back to the reservation where IHS must provide care regardless of coverage status.

The net result of those premium and tax credit changes will be more need for TSHIPs but less funding to make them sustainable.

If people arent covered by Medicaid or cant afford to purchase a plan, the need for us to purchase some kind of insurance for them is going to increase. And the money is not going to increase, Whiting-Sorrell said. We know what happens in that case. People die. Thats why this is so frustrating to me. These are really life and death decisions. Why would you penalize people that are trying to get insurance?

The all-too-serious quip in many tribal communities has long been, Dont get sick after June. With so little funding, IHS hospitals have only been able to offer some basic preventive services and could not afford to hire or retain medical specialists. Referrals to off-reservation hospitals had for years been limited to Priority Level 1 or "life and limb."

In effect, tribal members often had to wait for care until they were so sick their life was at risk. In many cases, patients were prescribed pain medications as a holdover while they waited years for enough funding to treat the underlying cause.

A request first made in January to interview the Billings area director of the Indian Health Service, which oversees facilities in Montana and Wyoming, was unscheduled as of publication.

***

An increased number of Indian Health Service patients reported insurance coverage since Montanas Medicaid expansion, according to IHS figures shared with the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The number of uninsured patients dropped from 17,000 to 13,000 as the number covered by Medicaid increased from 17,000 to nearly 21,000 in 2016.

Self-governed tribes like the Confederated Salish and Kootenai as well as the Chippewa Cree reported similar or even higher coverage rates to Lee Newspapers last fall. Hospitals and clinics have told the state that they have seen a decrease in the amount of uncompensated care they provide, often through the emergency room, where many uninsured Native Americans had turned after being denied a referral by IHS facilities.

With more people covered by insurance  and with expanded billing departments  tribal and IHS facilities have collected millions more in revenue, which law requires them to reinvest in health services.

The nonprofit Helena Indian Alliance, which operates the Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic, tallied 1,118 more visits in 2016 than it did in 2014, an increase of 27 percent that coincided with a dramatic shift in the number of patients who had some form of coverage.

Those increased revenues led the clinic to add behavioral health and substance use disorder services to its existing slate of primary care offerings. Today, about 70 percent of their clients are Native American, including many members of the Little Shell tribe who are not eligible for IHS services or the insurance discounts afforded by the ACA to federally recognized tribes.

Faced with the possibility of clients losing coverage  as well as potential cuts to the federal grants that support community health centers  Director Tressie White said the Leo Pocha clinic might have to scale back to "a limited number of patients with a limited number of providers.

Killsback said he has urged fellow tribal leaders to defend the Affordable Care Act as a whole because the improvements seen in Montana and around the nation rely on more than just the provisions specific to American Indians.

Tribes are continuing to think or believe its OK to sacrifice the Affordable Care Act to save the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is part of the overall bill that passed. That cant be our stance. We have to protect both, he said. We will lose a lot of protections, we will lose the Indian provisions in the Affordable Care Act that allow us to increase our billings and become self-sufficient and self-determined.

Whiting-Sorrell said she personally is torn about how to think about the GOP health plan. So many details remain in flux that she cautions against alarmism, partly because she just cannot believe coverage would be rolled back so extensively for so many people  even though thats what she fears.

Meanwhile, she continues her daily work.

People need to have confidence that they will have health care. Thats exactly whats hard for me. Were out promoting that youve got to get good preventative health care and youve got to go see your doctor earlier, she said. Now, we have this whole narrative out there saying we just dont know what the future holds.
The Decemberists will headline a new, curated two-day music festival at Big Sky Brewing Co. Amphitheater this August, according to a Wednesday announcement.

The inaugural Travelers' Rest on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 12-13, will feature the Portland band, led by Helena native and University of Montana alum Colin Meloy, playing both days.

As a whole, it's the largest festival of its kind in Missoula, featuring nationally touring acts like veteran Scottish indie-folk group Belle and Sebastian and newer bands like the Head and the Heart, Sylvan Esso, Shakey Graves, Real Estate and Julien Baker, plus soul belter Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires. Bands will start playing each day at 3:30 p.m.

In a news release, Meloy said, Growing up, it drove me crazy how many national touring bands skipped Montana altogether. I'm glad we can do our small part to bring more music to the area."

More bands will be announced this spring for a total of 15 acts at the festival, presented by Big Sky, Knitting Factory Presents and the Trail 103.3.

Weekend passes will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 24, at bigskybrewconcerts.com, at the brewery, Rockin' Rudy's or 866-468-7624. They run for $79.50. VIP weekend passes are $149.50.

For more information, go to travelersrestfest.com.

One dollar of each ticket sold will go to ACLU Montana, and other state organizations will be spotlighted during the festival.
A rock the size of an outhouse smashed one end of a pack bridge deep in the Idaho wilderness, portending potential maintenance headaches throughout the snow-laden Rocky Mountains this spring.

The 348-foot Stoddard suspension bridge across the Salmon River just below the mouth of the Middle Fork was wrecked sometime around March 15. It was the only horse-stock bridge access from Salmon River Canyon to the deeper portions of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness west of Salmon, Idaho.

I think theres going to be quite a bit of that, especially over in Idaho, National Weather Service hydrologist Ray Nickless said Tuesday. The Salmon area is 130 percent of average precipitation. Here in Missoula, were at the second-highest precipitation water-year from October to now. Kalispell is having its first-highest.

Precipitation differs from snowpack, which is running around average in most areas along the Montana-Idaho border. Last October got the record started with heavy rains before the weather turned cold enough to snow. And this February and March have seen a lot of rain-on-snow events that soak the landscape without moving the snow depth.

The resulting waterlogged ground has produced landslides, mudslides, streambank erosion and damage to roads and railroad lines. Nickless said numerous roads in the Clearwater Basin west of Lolo Pass have been damaged, and Montana Rail Links main line through northern Idaho washed out last Friday, derailing 52 empty coal cars along Lake Pend Oreille.

The Clark Fork River at Bonner was running 2,230 cubic feet per second, well above the median 976 cfs for March 21. The Bitterroot was even livelier, pushing 5,980 cfs compared to its median 1,210 cfs for this date (see related story). And up Flathead County, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River was 10 times normal flow at 6,630 cfs and the North Fork of the Flathead was five times bigger than usual at 4,780 cfs.

The Lochsa and Selway river basin snowpack stands at 113 percent of average, giving hope to rafters and kayakers in search of long-season whitewater. However, a runoff surge over the weekend wiped out the popular Jerry Johnson hot springs soaking pool when the Lochsa jumped from 4,500 cfs to more than 20,000 cfs. Salmon-Challis National Forest spokeswoman Amy Baumer said the Salmon River was running strong at the Stoddard bridge location and the backcountry road there occasionally was limited to one lane of travel because of rock and snow slides.

In the Bitterroot National Forest, spokesman Tod McKay said the usual May 15 opening date for the Magruder Corridor Road probably was going to get pushed back because of at least 60 snow slides along its 100-mile length.

Even though the calendar says it's spring it's certainly still winter back in the forest, McKay said. It all depends on the next couple of months. If we get some warm, moist windy weather on that above-average snowpack the avalanches, rock slides and tree falls will obviously rise.
Mineral County Sheriff Tom Bauer said a 56-year-old woman found dead in the Fish Creek area Tuesday succumbed to exposure.

Debra Ann Koziel made a call to 911 on Friday, the sheriff said.

She said, 'I need help and Ive climbed a hill above where my car was towed,' and then her phone died, Bauer said.

Dispatchers pinged the phone but it appeared to only have made contact with a single cell tower, leaving authorities with a large area to search. Koziel had not described her vehicle before the call was cut short, Bauer said.

Because Koziel was from Colorado, Bauer's office sought information from that state about the make and model of her car, but didnt hear back, he said.

What my deputies did is started searching for a needle in a haystack, Bauer said.

It wasnt until noon Monday that a man who lived in Fish Creek called to say a vehicle had gone off the road around mile marker eight. A license plate check showed the vehicle was Koziel's.

The car wasnt towed, it was in the ditch, Bauer said.

Another neighbor said he found a piece of luggage nearby that had Koziel's name on it.

Bauer called in the Mineral County Search and Rescue team, which was joined by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The group began to search to the west of the car, with Bauer saying that if she had gone east she would have had to cross the creek, which is raging right now.

The search continued into Tuesday, when FWP found human tracks about a mile north of the vehicle, Bauer said. They also located medication bottles with Koziels information on them. Her body was found atop a hill, about 600 feet in elevation above where her footprints were found.

The Montana Army National Guard had been called in to help search with a helicopter, and offered to use it to recover the body, but weather conditions prevented that. Bauer said the search team carried Koziels body off the hill back to the road.

The sheriff said there were no suspicious factors in Koziels death, and that the cause was determined to be exposure to the elements.

Bauer said he wanted to thank all of the groups that helped in the search, including a Fish Creek resident, despite the unfortunate end.

Without everyones help we might still be searching up there, he said.
The 2017 Western Montana Fair will have a few more helping hands with the appointment of a new fair advisory board by Missoula County commissioners, a full 10 years after the last panel disbanded.

Emily Bentley, director of fairgrounds development, sat in on interviews and said she was impressed by board members' creativity and energy looking at the future of the fair.

The board plans to meet for the first time in April, when theyll start getting involved in planning this summers fair, Bentley said.

Some of the decisions are already made, but theres definitely lots of things we need creative input on, she said. We want to strike a balance between having that historical agricultural piece  and bringing in new acts and new demographics.

Many fair and fairgrounds-related decisions, including the recent request for new contracts for carnival and rodeo vendors, will go through the advisory-only fair board.

As we develop the fairgrounds, theres so many growing pains in the sense that space is limited during construction, she said. Having them help navigating those turns will be beneficial.

County Chief Operating Officer Chris Lounsbury said the new committee is based off the Western Montana Fair Board, which disbanded in 2007.

The fair board planned the fair, balanced the fairgrounds budget and made spending decisions.

Although the fair board statutes were removed from Montana Code Annotated in 2007, stripping fair boards statewide of final decision-making powers, Lounsbury said the new event boards recommendations will be heard and often acted upon.

Typically the commissioners are pretty deferential to advisory boards, he said. While they do deviate sometimes  they do take that piece pretty seriously.

County staff will attend every meeting to take notes and minutes and keep the commissioners abreast of the boards decisions, Lounsbury said.

The board will exist in perpetuity, though bylaws or responsibilities could shift depending on membership and their decisions on the groups focus and scope, according to Lounsbury.

Members will serve staggered terms, which began March 14. The terms are staggered in one, two or three years before the position is up for reappointment.

Its definitely a really hands-on role with the fair itself, Bentley said. I think its a great group thats really looking forward.
Craig Flint and his son, Jackson, cleared out a concrete ditch that runs behind homes in a high falutin' neighborhood in Houston, where on the weekends, the father and son skateboard together.

Jackson, 15, films their adventures and puts them on YouTube.

His son tells him "I love you," this teenager who left Missoula a year and a half earlier to get away from his father's addiction to meth.

Wednesday, Flint marked 110 days sober, a record in his book.

In Missoula this week on a work trip from Texas, the former owner of Computer ER here talked about the reason his veins are still intact, the way Open Aid Alliance saved his life, and the relationship he's rebuilding with Jackson.

"If I'm using, we have no chance together, him and I," Flint said.

The IT professional used to walk into Open Aid to get clean syringes, but this week, he was running cable at the office at 1500 W. Broadway, setting up a kiosk computer, and doing analysis of the data the nonprofit collects.

"This is my place. This is the best place. It's the best place on the planet."

Open Aid Alliance is dedicated to "empowering people living with HIV, hepatitis C, and other health disparities and preventing new infections through testing, education and outreach."

The last time Flint had been with the Open Aid crew, he was high and telling his story of addiction at a fundraiser.

That was on Dec. 1, and sometime before he boarded a flight from Missoula the following day, Flint injected his last bit of meth.

He'd spent his 401(k) and he'd run out of money.

On Dec. 5, a bank would foreclose on his house, and he planned to head to rehab in Houston, where he has family.

"It wasn't a decision to stop using," he said. "It was a decision to not be homeless in the middle of winter in Montana."

***

Flint started using at the age of 14 to fit in with his peers.

When he realized he could numb himself with meth, his drug habit grew, and he landed in jail in California after embezzling money to pay for it.

Later in Missoula, he shot up even as a business owner responsible for as many as six employees, even with a good job for a high-profile nonprofit.

When he threw his messenger bag over his shoulder and walked downtown into the Open Aid Alliance office, then on the north end of Higgins Avenue, Flint figured anyone looking at him took him for an IT guy.

He'd walk in the door and put clean syringes in his bag, with no one on the outside the wiser, and maybe more importantly, no one on the inside condemning him for addiction, a disease.

"I can open up here as a user," Flint said. "So it's one less thing I have to hide about my identity or my personality. Once I leave those doors, I am whatever I need to be to get through the day."

Eventually, he lost his big job, got a $40,000 severance in a lump sum, and started pumping it into his veins. He landed in the psych ward, spent time at the Missoula Recovery Center, had a clean spell of 95 days, but fell off the wagon again.

The only place he didn't feel shamed was Open Aid Alliance, where he had started providing some tech support. Last fall, when the head of Open Aid asked him to tell his story at the December fundraiser, he was floored.

"Why are you asking this freakin' drug addict to speak on your behalf?" Flint thought.

He also agreed right away. Flint talks about the nonprofit the way John Muir talked about mountains and Mother Teresa talked about faith.

"I will do anything I can for Open Aid Alliance in my power," he said.

***

The day after the fundraiser, Flint struggled to get on the plane.

He smashed belongings at home while his wife waited to take him to the airport.

He gave her the silent treatment.

But he couldn't stay in Missoula, where he was embarrassed to run into colleagues who knew him when he was a business owner, so he boarded.

He flew alone, and his friends and family wondered if he would choose to make his connection in Salt Lake City. He himself didn't know.

"I'd said I wanted to go to this place, but when the time came, I was so scared," he said.

He was hungry and without money, and he asked his parents, Jack and Anne Wallace, to bring food to the airport when they picked him up. Meanwhile, he hoped for his own demise, anything that meant he wouldn't have to face a new life.

"I was too afraid to go, but too afraid to not go. I was just hoping an accident would happen, and I would fall out of the sky, just anything that wasn't going to be my fault," Flint said.

He boarded, though, and when the plane landed, he paced the terminal in Houston, wondering to himself if he could avoid his parents, knowing he couldn't live in the airport.

Finally, he walked out. He doesn't remember the encounter with his parents well, but his dad may have been supporting his mom, giving her strength.

His mom handed him a burger, and he scarfed it down. Flint hadn't looked at himself in the mirror for a long time, but his mom's expression confirmed he looked horrible, sallow, thin.

"She was just so sad. And we didn't hardly talk. I didn't know what to say."

They dropped him off at a halfway house called the recenter.

***

Flint has gotten clean before, and he knew that if he could get through the first week to 10 days, he'd make it. So he slept while the poison worked through his body.

When he felt suicidal, he contacted Open Aid Alliance, the place that provided him everything from a drink of water to a counselor when he needed one, and above all, a haven that offered safety, lack of judgment.

He survived the detox, began a 12-step recovery plan, and started fixing things in his life.

He sees his parents every weekend.

He's rebuilding a relationship with his son and trying to help him return to Missoula.

"My son deserves anything and everything he would ever want for the rest of his life, in my eyes, for what he has put up with. He wants to be back up here. He grew up in Missoula."

He works remotely for Open Aid at his father's office, and he's saving money.

This week, he's back in Missoula finishing work for the nonprofit.

"I would have fired my ass a long time ago, and I would have said, 'Please just don't come back.' But these guys don't do that," Flint said.

He's forgiving himself for his lapses by staying clean and being there for his son, skating together in the ditch behind his parents' house. Eventually, he'd like to make it back to Missoula for good, but he doesn't have a deadline.

***

Stephanie Cole, director of programs at Open Aid, said the team never even talked about firing Flint.

"At this point, we have such a lovely relationship," Cole said. "There's been a lot of highs and lows. We've kind of gone through it all together."

Joked Flint: "I will have to fire myself."

The compassion at Open Aid comes partly from breaking down some of the stereotypes about people with addiction, Cole said. Wednesday, Flint wore a collared button-down shirt with a sweater, and he looked much the same as when he was coming in for syringes.

"Society at large looks down on people who use drugs, especially people who use injection drugs, and people who have mental health illnesses," Cole said.

The compassion comes, too, in the way Open Aid reminds all its volunteers and staff to be human with clients.

Part of the training is a simple personal exchange, Cole said: "If you do nothing else, make eye contact and smile with everyone who walks in the door."

Flint had wanted to work at a syringe exchange program in Houston, but such a harm reduction program doesn't exist. He ran into a friend who had used with him years ago, and his friend's veins are shot from using syringes sharpened on matchbooks for three months on end.

"If he has to go to the hospital or if he's in a serious accident and they have to give him an IV, they have to go through the bottom of his foot to find a vein," Flint said. "So his veins are all screwed up, and that's the result of not having access to what you need."

A clean syringe costs a dime, Cole said. On the other hand, she said the lifetime treatment for HIV is some $300,000, and Hep C is some $90,000.

The exchange also means dirty needles stay out of garbage cans, off the streets, away from sanitation workers, away from police officers doing pat- downs, away from children and pets. Some 1,292 people are enrolled in the program, just one of the services at Open Aid, and they come from as far away as Billings, Helena and Spokane.

When Flint returned to Open Aid to finish the work he'd meant to complete months ago, Cole told him the wait wasn't as big a deal as he was making it out to be. Another friend told him he could forgive himself for his shortcomings as a father.

So he's working on it, working on being a better human, and for certain, he has role models, like the people at Open Aid who offer dignity and respect to all who come through the door.

"It's like being like these guys here," he said.

"... I thought I was special the way they treated me, but they treat everybody this way."
In wildness is the preservation of the world.

Henry David Thoreaus words are more relevant now than when he wrote them at the onset of Americas industrial revolution. Quite suddenly, a very real threat now exists from members of Montanas congressional delegation and from the Trump administration, in that our states most precious, unprotected public assetsour roadless federal wildlandswill be sacrificed for resource extraction, motorized and mechanical recreation, and other private interests who stand to profit from their release.

Our roadless lands span several national forests and BLM lands and are the backbone of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem, the last intact forested ecosystem in the lower 48, thus making the last best place truly the last of what is best. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex encompassing the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem is especially rugged, with a core of designated wilderness surrounded by several ecologically significant inventoried roadless areas (IRAs). One of the most biologically rich areas is the Monture-North Fork Blackfoot IRA providing an unbroken wild linkage from the high country of the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall wildernesses all the way down to the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area.

Recently, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester introduced a new bill (S. 507: Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act of 2017) that would permanently alter this proposed wilderness area by creating motorized and mechanized recreation areas for snowmobiles and mountain bikers. In addition, the legislation calls for a 10-year schedule of forest restoration and management projects, in cooperation with local collaborative interests, to supply commercial forest products to Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company.

Although the bill does designate 79,000 acres of new wilderness on the Lolo National Forest, 48,000 acres of lower elevation roadless areas are left unprotected and subject to logging, roadbuilding and new motorized uses, including a 9,000-acre section on the scenic Swan Front. To the detriment of its wild character, it establishes activities and uses that are not appropriate given their past management. Pitched as a collaborative compromise, this bill has serious flaws that undermine the Lolo National Forest plan, alters long-standing management area designations in IRAs, and sets a dangerous precedent for local control of our national forests.

From our perspective, this bill muddies the waters around both federal forest policy and wilderness policy, and will create conflicts of interest and commercial incentives that erode ecological values and backcountry hunting and recreation opportunities. Further complicating matters, the bill establishes a snowmobile recreation area and a mountain biking area in a grizzly bear primary conservation area and elk winter range.

From an analysis of the proposed legislation, all three IRAs affected in the bill are currently protected in the Lolo NF forest plan, and the agency has recommended them for wilderness. The Monture-North Fork Blackfoot IRA in particular gets dissected with the northern half designated for wilderness while the Otatsy Lakes and Spread Creek areas are turned into play areas for snowmobiles and mountain bikers. Its inconceivable that these uses would be allowed given their wildlife values and wilderness characteristics.

Wilderness advocates should be upset with both the process and the substance of this legislation. Our senior senator owes us an explanation: why are these IRAs being given away to commercial and special interests, whose practices are incompatible with keeping them in a wild, natural state? A mountain bike play park inside occupied grizzly habitat? A snowmobile corridor up to the border of the Scapegoat Wilderness through elk wintering range? Certainly, these areas deserve full wilderness protection. Barring that, it is imperative that they be managed for their wilderness characteristics and wildlife values. Montanans should settle for nothing less.
The Trump administration has released its 2018 budget proposal. As expected, the proposed budget would cut a number of domestic programs, including all funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). That would be a mistake. LSC exists to aid exactly the lower-income working people who have fallen behind in our economy and whose votes helped elect President Trump. Civil legal aid fosters self-reliance and ultimately saves money.

As a nation, we have a wide and persistent justice gap. According to the World Justice Project, the U.S. ranks dead last (36th out of 36th) among high-income countries in access to basic legal services. The situation in Montana is particularly dire. A 2014 study commissioned by the Montana Supreme Courts Access to Justice Commission found that an estimated 167,000 Montanans with low and moderate incomes have at least one civil legal problem per year that they do not address. Those legal problems overwhelmingly arise in areas that affect working families the most: navigating the parenting issues in a divorce, drafting a will, finding decent housing, or dealing with a medical crisis.

This is not a new problem. The LSC was created to address the justice gap in 1974. Designed to be nonpartisan and nonprofit, it distributes funding through a competitive grant process to 134 independent legal aid programs across the country. Those programs provide legal services for people at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level, a category that encompasses about 1 in 5 Americans.

In Montana, funding from LSC supports the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. MLSAs 13 attorneys handle between 2,000-3,000 cases each year, while also coordinating pro bono servicesfree representation provided by practicing attorneysand maintaining a self-help website providing legal information on a wide range of civil legal issues. MLSA is the linchpin in our states efforts to provide basic legal services for the almost 200,000 low-income Montanans eligible under the federal guidelines.

At first blush, abolishing federal support for legal services seems consistent with the Trump administrations objective of reducing the scope of government. But legal aid lawyers do not create dependency on big government. To the contrary, they help ordinary people navigate the complexities of modern society in ways that promote self-sufficiency. Legal aid lawyers help level the playing field. To paraphrase President Trumps own rhetoric, the system is rigged if only the rich and powerful have legal representation.

Because of the work MLSA and similar organizations do, fewer elderly people are taken advantage of, fewer veterans lose their homes, fewer children are stuck in foster care, and fewer victims of domestic violence are trapped in destructive relationships. The beneficiaries of those services are then better able to be productive members of society, ultimately reducing the cost of social services.

To be sure, federally funded legal services are just one way to provide civil legal aid to underserved populations. Private attorneys can and should continue to give of their time, and other organizations provide assistance for those in need. The University of Montanas Blewett School of Law is one such organization, delivering free legal services through its clinics and pro bono programs and maintaining one of the two law libraries in our state open to the public. But federal support remains essential. Without that support, the justice gap will only grow, and more working people will find themselves without the resources to handle their own legal problems.
The Frenchtown School District feels it is necessary to correct several inaccurate facts that have been reported or used on social media to exacerbate an already difficult situation in our district.

Two years ago, a parent told a junior high counselor that her daughter felt uncomfortable around Troy Bashor. This parent wanted to remain anonymous. To be clear, this parent did not report any contact of a sexual nature or that her daughter was distressed at school. District administrators talked to Bashor about contact with students, specifically hugs, and directed him not to have that kind of contact with students.

This directive to Bashor was reported to the parent through the counselor and she indicated that she was satisfied with that result. That was the last the district administrators or its counselors heard on this issue from this family until January of this year and only when asked directly about it by the high school principal in the course of a Title IX investigation.

The high school principal initiated contact with the student and her mother based on second-party information received during the investigation. Contrary to what has been reported, the student has never reported to school officials that Bashor assaulted her.

In January, another student came forward with allegations that Bashor had touched her inappropriately and a third party contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement contacted the district and the student and her family and the district began cooperating with law enforcement immediately.

Due to the nature of the allegations, Bashor was placed on leave immediately and the district began an investigation under Title IX as is required by law. After discovering a significant discrepancy in the information that the student provided to the school, district administrators attempted to interview her to clarify this significant discrepancy. The student refused to participate in the investigation, and would not provide any clarifying information to the district.

The student whose parent reported to the counselor two years ago did participate in the investigation and she talked about specific issues that she was raising against Bashor. Those issues did not include conduct of a sexual nature.

Following the districts investigation, which substantiated boundary issues (specifically hugs, texting, etc.) but did not substantiate the inappropriate touching alleged by the student, Bashor was disciplined for the inappropriate boundary issues.

After the district administration concluded its investigation, they spoke to a representative of the sheriffs office, who stated that he did not expect any criminal charges from the law enforcement investigation. In a subsequent conversation with district administration, this same representative of the sheriffs office confirmed that he had spoken to the county attorney and that he did not expect any charges would be filed against Bashor. Based on that representation and the districts own investigation, Bashor returned to school.

Since that time, the student filed for a restraining order against Bashor. Based on what has been reported so far, the allegations in the restraining order are not consistent with the information provided to the district administration by the student. In addition, the recent statements attributed to the parent of the first student are not consistent with the information she or her daughter provided to school officials at any time.

The justice of the peace granted a permanent order of protections based on the students allegations, but made it clear that Bashor was free to return to work and both he and the student are present at Frenchtown High School.

Since that time, however, there have been ugly personal attacks on both parties using social media, and flood of misinformation being provided by individuals who claim to have special knowledge of the situation. None of those individuals has accurate knowledge, and [they] do a great disservice to all the parties by claiming otherwise on social media.

The district will not tolerate any retaliation against individuals who file complaints, participate in the complaint procedure, or are the subject of a complaint.
It has been my privilege and the highest honor of my professional career to serve as Montanas United States Attorney since 2009. Over eight years ago, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and then-Sen. Max Baucus placed their trust in me to serve as the highest federal law enforcement officer in the District of Montana when they recommended to President Obama that I be named the 39th United States Attorney for this great state. I thank both men.

Prior to my being sworn in as the United States Attorney in December 2009, my predecessor, President Bush appointee Bill Mercer, held over for the first 10 months of the Obama administration, continuing to serve as Montanas United States Attorney. In the months after I was sworn in, I served alongside 92 United States Attorneys from both parties, with over 40 Bush appointees still holding office well over a year after President Obama took office.

The transition from one administration to the next was gradual and orderly. President Obama and Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch impressed upon us throughout that we were the peoples United States Attorneys; we did not belong to the president. Our sworn duty was to serve as independent representatives of the Department of Justice, and to act in all matters toward the ends of justice without partisanship or bias. This I and my colleaguesDemocrat and Republican alikehave done, in accordance with the oath we have all taken.

On March 10, 2017, the 46 Obama United States Attorneys remaining in office were summarily informed by telephone or learned via the internet of our immediate ouster at the express order of President Trump. We were given three hours notice to vacate our offices, without thanks for our service and without Trump appointees in place to succeed us.

There was no orderly transition such as I enjoyed, which allowed me to spend hours with my predecessor discussing the transition, pending investigations, and sensitive classified matters just after I came on board. Instead, having been characterized by Trump surrogateswithout a shred of evidenceas subversives and saboteurs of President Trump, we were ordered to immediately resign, our loyalty to our country impugned. These allegations of subversion are patently false. The 92 United States Attorneys with whom I have served are among the finest and most loyal persons in the nation.

As of now, there are fewer than a handful of vetted and experienced United States Attorneys in office in the entire country, and it could well be a year or more before these important offices are finally filled. Respectfully, this abrupt mass termination was unjustified and short-sighted, and it has needlessly thrown the Department of Justice into disruption.

I am nonetheless extremely thankful for every day of the seven-plus years I was allowed the opportunity to serve as Montanas United States Attorney. This was the best job I have ever had and I miss it. But I have every confidence that the attorneys and staff serving in our office, Montana men and women, will continue to carry out our mission professionally, competently and diligently. I thank them all, as well as the many federal agents, tribal, state and local law enforcement officers and civil servants with whom we have worked, for their dedication to their country, communities and their careers in public service. Your loyalty and hard work will be forever appreciated. Thank you, Montana.
George Ochenski, in a recent piece in the Missoulian (Feb. 20), criticized the Park Board for misleading the public by claiming how badly we need money for Parks while at the same time having a large ending fund balance. If Ochenski knew more facts regarding the ending fund balance, he may not be so quick to criticize.

As Ochenski knows, no one can spend money in state government unless the legislature authorizes it. That is our problem.

The Parks Division has being frugal and penny wise. We also slightly increased camping fees to keep up with growing demand and use. However, we could not get the Legislature to authorize the spending of this extra money. Worse, requests to use this money were turned down by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department  we are an integral part of that department and they manage our money and hire and fire our administrator. I personally know of at least four requests to use some of this money which have all been turned down before it even got to the Legislature, two by the department and two by the Budget Office.

Still worse, the FWP Department, who manages all our money, did not help us figure out what to do about the lack of authorization to use this money. In fact, they did not even tell us about the problem until August of 2016, less than five months before the Legislature met.

None of our money comes from the general fund. Other than a little bed tax money, some coal trust fund interest and a few miscellaneous funds, our biggest revenue comes from camping and similar fees, plus the $6 car registration fees. In exchange for car owners paying $6 when they register their car every year, people paying the $6 car registration are allowed to visit each of our 55 state parks without charge. Thus, Montanans pay fees intended for parks and we cant get access to all of it.

And now it is getting still worse. Preliminary action by the joint appropriations subcommittee has diverted the entire $11 million ending fund balance to the pet projects of a few legislators. If this action is allowed to stand, the greatest ghost town in America  Bannack  is in serious danger of burning up and the 70-year-old electrical system at Lewis and Clark Caverns will continue for another two years as a safety hazard for the thousands of visitors to the caverns.

Both an upgrade of the fire protection at Bannack and an upgrade of the cave lights at Lewis and Clark Caverns were in the infrastructure bill that was defeated in the 2015 Session and are currently in House Bill 5 of the current session. But the money for these two, plus badly needed roads in Makoshika, $5.9 million, was to come from the ending fund balance which has now been taken for a few pet projects of a very few legislators. If the old buildings at Bannack burn because we did not upgrade the fire protection, who will be responsible?

Additionally, what has previously been said is still true. A recent engineering study shows that we need $22.5 million in the next 10 years in maintenance just to preserve what we have. With 2.8 million visitors a year - a 42 percent increase over just the last six years - there is no way we can provide adequate attention to all 55 parks without more money. Please dont play games with park money.
Montanas district courts have been carrying too heavy of a caseload with too few judges for too long.

A bill that appears headed for easy legislative approval would chip away a fraction of the problem by adding a fraction of the number of judges needed to fully staff the states busiest district courts  but only if legislators also agree to fund them. Even then, legislators should consider their work on this matter incomplete at best.

Montanas 22 judicial districts cover all 56 counties, with one district court located in each county. However, the state has only 46 judges, and six of them are in the states busiest district, the 13th district, comprising Yellowstone County. Missoula and Mineral counties share four judges and two standing masters in the 4th district.

Due to population increases and other factors, including a steep rise in criminal drug cases and related child neglect, many of Montanas district courts have seen growing caseloads. According to the Judicial Redistricting Commissions final report, released in August 2016, district courts weathered an increase of about 3,000 cases in 2015, for a total of 56,229 cases statewide.

Montana Judicial Courts Judicial Need Model shows that the 4th district saw 6,362 cases, and concluded that in order to handle a caseload of this size, the district would need to add 2.70 judges.

Meanwhile, the district in Yellowstone County would need to add at least six more judges, and six other districts are in need of at least one additional judge. In all, the model found that Montana would need to seat more than 21 additional judges to handle the current caseload.

Yet the only proposal to add more district court judges, which originally called for a modest five new judges, was amended in the Legislature to add only three additional judges: two in the 13th district and one in the 4th district. Thats not nearly enough, but its better than nothing  which is what Montanas district courts will get if legislators fail to appropriate funding for the additional judges and their staffs.

Rep. Jeff Essmann, a Billings Republican, introduced HB 44 at the request of the Montana Supreme Court. It has received almost no opposition and passed on a 97-2 vote on its third reading in the House. It received unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee and, it is hoped, will receive similar support from the full Senate.

However, it will take more than votes to turn this bill into law. It will also take money.

The bill contains a line specifying that if the legislature does not provide funding to support the additional judges, the bill will be void.

The state and individual counties both cover district court expenses, with counties providing offices and the state paying judges salaries and travel expenses. Missoula County already has space to accommodate an additional judge, so HB 44 will not substantially increase Missoulas costs.

And voters wont elect these new judges, who will serve six-year terms, until the general election in November 2018, meaning they wont be seated until Jan. 2, 2019. Thats when the state would need to kick in about $843,000 to cover the operating costs of three judges plus three court reporters, three assistants and two clerks. Costs for the following year would be about $1.37 million, and $1.39 million the year after that.

While those are significant amounts of money, consider the cost of allowing district court cases to pile up. Some cases may drag on for years, delaying justice. Those charged with serious crimes may commit more crimes while awaiting court action. And children involved in child neglect cases, which are often the most time-consuming and should receive the swiftest action possible, will remain in limbo until the courts can reach a decision regarding their care and custody.

The budget bill, House Bill 2, approved by the House and scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee on March 28, does currently include the necessary increase in funding for district court operations from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2019.

Montanas senators should support both HB 44 and the related appropriation in the budget bill, knowing full well that Montanas shortage of district court judges remains a deep concern.
I find it interesting that some folks are concerned about sharia law being imposed on us as citizens of Montana. At the same time, those same folks are imposing their Christian beliefs on us.

That was brought to the forefront when the House Judiciary Committee refused to allow Montanans who had driven many miles to testify against House Bill 536, "an act providing that consent to physician aid in dying is not a defense to the charge of homicide." Those supporting this bill suggest that only God (their God) can determine when someone dies.

My wife passed away of pancreatic cancer in 2009 prior to the Baxter Supreme Court decision; had her diagnosis been after that, we would have utilized the assistance of a physician to end life when Linda's pain became unbearable. Instead, I had to watch her suffer for weeks. Finally Linda passed because palliative care, sufficient morphine to alleviate pain, additionally stopped her breathing.

If this bill is passed it will affect all palliative care, as physicians will not be sure that someone will accuse them of homicide. Hopefully Rep. Brad Tschida will not have to sit and watch a loved one suffer because he cant find a physician willing to risk a homicide conviction for prescribing palliative care.

Tom Heyes,

Missoula
In these contested political times, it is not often that a bill to cut waste and put money in the pockets of the public can find broad bipartisan support. Even more rare is the emergence of something in Helena that almost everybody agrees will create jobs, increase the value of your home, and will involve no government spending or mandates.

All of these goodies are made possible by a bill known as the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act. The bill would make available to Montanans what is essentially a funding mechanism for home energy improvements. If done properly, the PACE mechanism allows you to pay for these energy improvements over time by means of the very savings the improvements will create.

Montanas Legislature has to agree to make this tool available to us. In so doing, Montana would join states as different as Texas, Rhode Island, Florida, and Ohio in having the PACE mechanism available.

There will be a hearing on PACE in Helena on March 28. Find out more about PACE at www.mtpace.com. Then let members of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee know that this is a bill we can all get behind.

Christopher J. Preston,

Missoula
Having been involved in wildland fire since the mid-1960s, and being currently on the Missoula Rural Fire Board of Trustees, I'm really disgusted with the Republicans on the House Business and Labor Committee who voted to "table" the vote on Senate Bill 72, which would give workers' compensation coverage to firefighters who develop job-related cancer.

Several legislators offered meaningless "feel good" comments about firefighters, like Rep. Steve Gunderson of Libby, who said, "I take my hat off to firefighters," and Bigfork Rep. Mark Noland, who called firefighters "courageous..... so grateful for your service." But then Noland went on to say "but they do know. They do enter this with their eyes open. This is what they chose."

Maybe we should extend that logic to state legislators: Politicians like John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, George Wallace, Ronald Reagan and Gabby Giffords were killed and/or wounded doing their jobs. So, if a Montana legislator should suffer a similar fate, we just tell them and their families that "they entered politics with their eyes open"?

Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect lives and property. State legislators should walk a mile in their fire boots.

Dick Mangan,

Missoula
I am the assistant principal at Bozeman High School, a national board-certified social studies teacher, and an advanced placement government teacher with the Montana Digital Academy. Im also a product of K-12 education in Bozemans public schools and the Montana University System.

Im proud of the innovation in Montanas public schools. For example, our BioMedical Sciences program at Bozeman High allows students to tackle real-world issues with the same tools used by hospitals and labs across the Montana and the country. Students collaborate to solve problems while expanding their medical knowledge in preparation for a career in the medical field.

This program offers students the opportunity to explore potential careers while providing them real-world skills that are applicable for any career. The BioMedical Sciences program helps students learn how to solve complex problems under authentic circumstances.

This is the kind of exciting innovation taking place in public schools all across Montana. Our public schools offer a tremendous amount of choice. Private and charter schools dont offer the wide range of choices available to students in Montanas public schools.

And unlike private schools that can pick and choose which children to accept, our public school programs are open to all children.

Its another good reason to keep public funds in our public schools.

Erica Schnee,

Bozeman
HELENA  A Montana lawmaker has revived an attempt to outlaw physician-assisted suicides, this time with a twist: There's no mention of physicians or suicides.

But Republican Sen. Albert Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon from Kalispell, acknowledged that the bill he introduced this week is a replacement measure for one that died in the House in a 50-50 vote. The measure needed at least half of all votes cast to advance.

"It died because one person mistakenly pushed the wrong button on the House floor," Olszewski said. "If that's true, then we'll give her an opportunity to redeem herself."

He was referring to Republican Rep. Peggy Webb of Billings, who had earlier voted in favor of the initial bill but accidentally, she said, cast "no" on the final vote.

The proposal is scheduled for a hearing Friday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Olszewski's bill would insert an additional definition of "deliberate homicide" in the state code. The bill seeks to rule out consent from a victim as a legal defense.

The earlier measure was explicitly directed at doctors. They could have faced homicide charges if they helped a patient die.

A 2009 state Supreme Court decision shielded doctors from prosecution if they help terminally ill patients die.

While opponents of physician-assisted suicide argue that the court's ruling did not give blanket immunity to doctors, they are pushing a revision to state law to remove any ambiguity.

"We hear so much about freedom issues around here, but so much for freedom," said Sen. Diane Sands of Missoula, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. "So a person at the end of their life suffering from debilitating pain is being prevented from ending their life."

Olszewski introduced the bill as a revenue measure to meet Legislative rules that prohibit non-revenue bills from being introduced in the second half of the session. Anyone convicted of a "mitigated deliberate homicide" could face up to 40 years in prison and be fined as much as $50,000. A more serious non-mitigated charge could lead to life imprisonment.
A blog that focuses on our unique program that teaches natural horsemanship, heritage breed conservation, soil and water conservation, and even folk, roots, and Americana music. This blog discusses our efforts to prevent the extinction of the Corolla Spanish Mustang. Choctaw Colonial Spanish Horse, Marsh Tacky, and the remnants of the Grand Canyon Colonial Spanish Horse strain.
DEER LODGE  A district court judge on Tuesday denied a request that Bruce Anderson  convicted of rape and other charges last week  be released on bail pending his sentencing.

For nearly two hours, Judge Ray Dayton heard testimony regarding Andersons flight risk, potential threat to society and to himself.

A jury of seven women and five men on March 15 issued a unanimous verdict finding Anderson guilty on three felony counts of burglary, sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault.

Friends, employees and a business associate testified on Andersons behalf Tuesday. They said Anderson posed no flight threat, explaining that he has no place to go and everything he has is in Deer Lodge  home, business and real estate.

Ron Kelley, a banker, and Anderson have been longtime friends and business associates. Kelley owns four airplanes and Anderson knows how fly three of them, but primarily uses one. If Anderson were released on bond, Kelley said he would disable the plane, secure the keys and change the lock on the hangar.

All agreed Andersons business, Deer Lodge Asphalt, will fail if he is not there to manage it. The employees know various aspects of the business and the equipment, but it is Anderson who does the payroll, contract bidding, and knows how to run the new high-tech asphalt plant.

They also said he is not a danger to the community, adding that they had never seen Anderson do anything unkind to anyone.

Pat Dixon has worked part-time for Anderson since 1999, except for 18 months when he was deployed to Iraq. He said after returning home he had nowhere to go and Anderson took him into his home for a year and a half, until he was able to adjust to society and become a productive worker again.

Mike Grey praised Anderson for taking care of Greys sister-in-law, Cheryl, who lived with Anderson following her divorce. She suffered from ALS and Grey described the personal care Anderson provided as the disease progressed, adding that he even took her on a cruise because that is what she wanted to do.

Asked about Anderson ever threatening to fly the plane into a mountain or threatening to take his life, none said he had. However, after Anderson was arrested on the charges, Dixon took guns from the home and Kelley has them in a safe place.

Powell County attorney Lewis Smith asked each friend if they knew about an incident on June 8, 2003, when Anderson allegedly threatened to kill himself when his girlfriend said she was leaving. They said, no.

The law enforcement report from the June 8, 2003, incident, presented by Smith, stated that Anderson threatened to kill his girlfriend, her son and himself, if she left.

Sheriff Scott Howard was asked about his concerns if Anderson is released.

I always have concerns when someone his age is convicted and faces a long sentence; he has nothing to lose. He has the connections and abilities to be a flight risk. A lot of equipment could be disposed of for cash and he can fly planes giving him the ability to leave the state and country.

Howard said he thinks Anderson is also a danger to society, victims and witnesses in this trial and in another pending trial; Howard said he is always concerned about the defendant doing self-harm.

The victim of the trial said she will flee if he is released, Howard said. The complainant in another trial is afraid for her safety and that of her family. Threats have been made in that matter.

Smith presented a copy of a note left in the alleged victims vehicle that contains threats to her, her child, brothers kids, parents, their business and rentals.

Howard said he tried to get DNA off the note, but it was too contaminated by the time he got it.

When Anderson is in prison, he will not be able to run his business. People need to be working harder to get his affairs in order than getting him out on release, Howard said.

Andersons lawyer, Karl Knuchel, asked Howard if there is technology to monitor Anderson on release, and if there were reports of his drinking, any altercation or contact with the victims while on bail previously. Howard said there is monitoring technology if ordered by the court and that he had no report of violations of conditions of release.

Judge Dayton said he understood the issue, but does not want future proceedings in this case complicated any further and is satisfied with the testimony presented by the defense and state.

I never forecast any sentencing decision, but wait for the pre-sentence investigation, he said.

Looking at Anderson, Dayton said, You are in a lot of trouble and you know it."

There is always a potential for flight and the seriousness of the crime is very important to the court, Dayton said. You have the means of flight more so than most individuals, and the dangerousness of evidence heard during testimony of guns and previous threats of self-harm and in a threatening note referring to Bruce Anderson and legal proceedings left in a victims car.
The British government announced on Tuesday a cabin-luggage ban on large electronic devices on flights originating from locations in the Middle East and North Africa, following a similar move by the United States.

Turkish Airlines aircrafts are stationed at Ataturk International Airport covered in snow, in Istanbul, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Heavy snow continued to clog roads, shipping traffic in Bosphorus and forced hundreds of flight cancellations in the Turkish metropolis. [Photo/Agencies]

A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters that new "necessary, effective and proportionate" security measures will affect passengers on direct flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Passengers will not be able to board a cabin with phones, laptops or tablets that exceed 16 cm in length, 9.3 cm in width, and 1.5 cm in depth.

The UK airlines that will be affected by the ban include: British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson Airways. Foreign carriers that will be affected include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Atlas Global, Egypt Air, Tunisair, Royal Jordanian and Saudia.

The announcement follows on from a similar ban outlined by the United States Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday.

The US ban affects nine Middle East and North African carriers from 10 international airports in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.

Passengers destined for the US on certain airlines from these airports - that include one of the worlds busiest, Dubai International Airport - may not bring large electronic devices such as laptops, DVD players and tablets into the cabin.

Passengers are allowed to carry small electronic devices such as phones, though the announcement did not specify dimensions, leaving some to wonder whether large phones or so-called phablets will fall under the ban.

A statement from the US government read: "Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items."

In the statement, the US government cited the downing of a plane in Somalia in 2016 as well as attacks on airports in Brussels and Istanbul and the downing of a Russian aircraft in 2015 after it left Sharm-El-Sheik.
ALLEGED FRAUDSTER EXTRADITED

A man arrested last year for bank fraud who failed to appear in Butte District Court was extradited from Texas on Monday to the Butte jail. Travis Ammermann, 47, was arrested at Glacier Bank on Harrison Avenue last August after allegedly trying to pass bad checks. Charged with felony forgery, police said Ammermann skipped bail and was arrested in Texas on a felony criminal contempt warrant. He remains in jail on a $100,000 bond, and is also facing misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from his August arrest.
HELENA  A Montana lawmaker has revived an attempt to outlaw physician-assisted suicides, this time with a twist: There's no mention of physicians or suicides.

But Republican Sen. Albert Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon from Kalispell, acknowledged that the bill he introduced this week is a replacement measure for one that died in the House in a 50-50 vote. The measure needed at least half of all votes cast to advance.

"It died because one person mistakenly pushed the wrong button on the House floor," Olszewski said. "If that's true, then we'll give her an opportunity to redeem herself."

He was referring to Republican Rep. Peggy Webb of Billings, who had earlier voted in favor of the initial bill but accidentally, she said, cast "no" on the final vote.

The proposal is scheduled for a hearing Friday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Olszewski's bill would insert an additional definition of "deliberate homicide" in the state code. The bill seeks to rule out consent from a victim as a legal defense.

The earlier measure was explicitly directed at doctors. They could have faced homicide charges if they helped a patient die.

A 2009 state Supreme Court decision shielded doctors from prosecution if they help terminally ill patients die.

While opponents of physician-assisted suicide argue that the court's ruling did not give blanket immunity to doctors, they are pushing a revision to state law to remove any ambiguity.

"We hear so much about freedom issues around here, but so much for freedom," said Sen. Diane Sands of Missoula, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. "So a person at the end of their life suffering from debilitating pain is being prevented from ending their life."

Olszewski introduced the bill as a revenue measure to meet Legislative rules that prohibit non-revenue bills from being introduced in the second half of the session. Anyone convicted of a "mitigated deliberate homicide" could face up to 40 years in prison and be fined as much as $50,000. A more serious non-mitigated charge could lead to life imprisonment.
OFFICER ASSAULTED

A Butte man was arrested late Tuesday afternoon for shoving one officer and forcing two others to wrestle him to the ground at a Town Pump on South Montana Street, police said.

Police say John Lawrence Zagranis Jr., 33, of Butte was in the convenience store at 531 S. Montana St. with a female he had allegedly punched in the chest at a nearby residence.

When officers arrived shortly before 5:30 p.m. and tried to arrest Zagranis, he resisted and shoved one officer, causing him to stumble backwards and fall. Two other officers took Zagranis to the ground and he was taken to jail.

He was booked on felony complaints of assaulting a peace officer and partner/family member assault and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

MAN PEPPER SPRAYED

Police were on the lookout Wednesday for a man who allegedly sprayed another man in the face with pepper spray.

The victim told police that a man was knocking on the door of his residence in the 300 block of Virginia Street shortly after noon Tuesday. The victim was approaching the front porch from the outside when the man sprayed him with pepper spray, police said.

The man got in a car and fled the scene, but the victim was able to give police a description of the vehicle and officers were searching for the suspect.

RUNNING FROM PONY EXPRESS

Police are searching for someone who was caught stealing a welder from a garage in the 600 block of Pony Express Lane early Wednesday morning.

The victim said he surprised the suspect, who nevertheless made off with the welder and fled the scene around 4 a.m. Police got a description of the vehicle and found it  empty  and located the welder on a walking trail near Ramsay.

They were still looking for the suspect as of late Wednesday morning.

DRUG PIPE FOUND

A Butte man was jailed after police found him with a drug pipe at the Venus Rising coffee shop on West Granite Street early Tuesday afternoon.

Police say they received a call about a man acting suspiciously in the coffee shop and found Jesse Lee Gulbro, 38, of Butte inside the bathroom with a pipe used to smoke drugs.

He was arrested on a misdemeanor complaint of possessing drug paraphernalia and was released later Tuesday after posting $585 bail.
Wednesday, March 22

AUTHOR PRESENTS

The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives at 17 W. Quartz will continue its Brown Bag Lunch series at noon with a presentation by Tess Fahlgren of Missoula. She is the third writer in residence in the Mining City Writing Project. Guests are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Coffee and water will be provided. Details: 406-782-3280.

MASS AT ST. PATS

To enrich the Lenten experience, St. Patricks Church announces the visit of guest speaker Father Harry Clarke of County Mayo, Ireland, who will speak at Masses at 12:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, and at all Masses Saturday-Sunday.

TECH TALK

Montana Techs Restoration Seminar Series continues at 4 p.m. in the Chemistry and Biology Building on the Montana Tech campus. Guest speakers will be Loren Burmeister of Atlantic Richfield Co., and Mike Borduin of Pioneer Technical Services.

CLUBS AND MEETINGS

BUTTE

Bingo will be played at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, Montana and Galena. Players are urged to come early to get a good seat.

Xi Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will meet at 7 p.m. at the home of Diane Chuprinski.

Preceptor Beta, Beta Sigma Phi, will hold its meeting at 7 p.m. in the home of Mary Lou Fitzpatrick, 1901 Roberts Ave.

Chapter AC of PEO meets at 7 p.m.

Butte Sunrise Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant. Guest speaker will be Kelley Klamp, owner of For Heaven's Cakes bakery in Uptown Butte.

The Warped Weavers meet 6 to 8 p.m. at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library, third floor, 226 W. Broadway St. Curious about weaving? Come watch, ask questions; there may be a loom for you to try. Details: 406-782-5784.

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6:15 p.m. at the Gold Hill Lutheran Church, 934 Placer St. Details: 406-533-5454.

ANACONDA

Anaconda Sportsmans Club meets at 7 p.m. at AOH Hall. Discussion will cover pending bills in the state Legislature.

Anaconda Central High School Class of 1965 will have a planning meeting at noon in Peppermint Pattys for the summer picnic and 70th birthday party. Details: Bob at 406-563-2689.
On November 28, 2016, 10,000 migrating snow geese landed in the Berkeley Pit, the nations largest toxic lake. At least 3,000 geese have succumbed to the toxic brew of copper, iron, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc with a PH of sulfuric acid. Those overseeing these toxic waters  the Environmental Protection Agency, Montana Resources, and Atlantic Richfield  are wondering what can be done to prevent future disasters.

Realistically, not much. The fate of humans and wildlife was decided by ARCO executives on Earth Day 1982 when an expedient decision was made to shut off the custom pumps located at the 3,800 foot level of the Kelley Mine. That financial decision has had a lasting environmental impact on the residents of Butte, as well as an incalculable cost to the corporation responsible. Without the pumps the toxic groundwater has flowed into the 10,000 miles of underground workings beneath Butte, ultimately spilling into and filling the Berkeley Pit.

As a consequence ARCO and Montana Resources will have to operate an $18 million water treatment plant in perpetuity. The short-term financial decision in the spring of 1982 will have enormous implications for the future.

An article by Butte native, Ed Dobb, in Harpers in 1996 puts the issue in perspective: the Hill contradicts some of our most cherished beliefs: that history is necessarily progressive, that any problem is fixable, given enough goodwill and technical ingenuity; and closest to home, that it is possible to consume immense quantities of raw materials without creating ethical and environmental dilemmas of immense consequence. Not one of these notions will survive the corrosive waters of the Berkeley Pit.

Given the election of Donald Trump and his desire to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency, we cannot expect any resolution of this type of problem anytime soon.

 Brian Shovers, Helena
Montanans could choose to get a drivers license that complies with federal REAL ID requirements or one that doesnt under a bill proposed by a state lawmaker.

Montana has bucked a mandate for enhanced drivers licenses since the federal Real ID Act passed in 2005, arguing the demands are too intrusive and raising concerns about the security of information collected.

The state has been granted extensions to allow residents to board planes or enter federal buildings using their state-issued drivers licenses, but a final extension was denied last year. As it stands now, starting Jan. 1, 2018, to board a plane Montanans will need a passport.

Here in Montana we dont like REAL ID but its gotten to a point because we didnt get that last waiver that we need to do something, said Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, who is carrying the bill. This doesnt go against what Montana has said, but on behalf of Montanans we have to do something about this.

Under the bill, Montanans would have a choice to get a Real ID-compliant license for an extra $25 when their current license expires. It costs $40 now for a license that lasts eight years. Noncompliant licenses would stay the same price.

So-called early implementers would pay an extra $50 to get a compliant license before their current one expires. Cohenour estimated 20,000 would switch their licenses early.

For perspective, it costs $110 to get or renew a passport. Montana has 799,389 unexpired drivers licenses, according to the Motor Vehicles Department.

Cohenour's bill would also repeal part of a state law that forbids Montana from implementing the Real ID Act, a law that passed in 2007.

The change would take effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Compliant licenses would be available in the seven largest counties in Montana -- Yellowstone, Missoula, Gallatin, Flathead, Cascade, Lewis and Clark and Ravalli. A traveling service would issue new licenses in other communities, or residents could travel to one of the larger counties.

Cohenour estimates it will cost $2.5 million to implement the bill in its first and second years, and about the same in the third. She said it would take another 25 employees to process applications, which require two-person verification and scanning birth certificates.

Montanas governor, attorney general and U.S. senators all oppose Real ID mandates. The state is without a representative in Congress after the resignation of Ryan Zinke, who is now U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Gov. Bullock continues to stand by Montanans in opposition to implementation of REAL ID, spokeswoman Ronja Abel said Tuesday. The act, which amounts to a mandated but unconstitutional national identification system, violates states rights and jeopardizes the privacy rights of the law-abiding citizens in Montana.

In January Montana's U.S. senators, Republican Steve Daines and Democrat Jon Tester, introduced a bill to repeal the act.

The REAL ID Act infringes on Montanans privacy and civil liberties and is not what most Montanans want, Daines said Tuesday.

Tester has met with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and asked for an emergency waiver, but has not heard back.

On Tuesday Tester said he was open to a solution.

We have to take a common sense approach on this. Im asking for an emergency waiver because Montanans shouldnt have to choose between privacy, added costs or a disruption of our travel plans and I am open to any solution that can fix this problem and respects our constitutional right to privacy.

Attorney General Tim Fox is still pushing for a rollback of the federal mandate.

The best remedy here is something to happen at the federal level. Whether its a change in the law or Department of Homeland Security recognizing we have taken steps to improve the security of our drivers licenses and allow us to come into compliance, said spokesman Eric Sell.

Sell said while it was too early to estimate the cost of implementation, it will be expensive and the states budget is tight this year.

What is really gained with the state of Montana coming into compliance with Real ID and the Legislature spending all this money and passing this law versus the federal government allowing us to be in compliance under the status quo?

Cohenour said her bill is a bipartisan effort and has support from Senate majority leader Fred Thomas, a Republican, and will be carried by Republican Rep. Jeff Essmann in the House.
HELENA  A Kalispell attorney faces censure for buying the properties of two clients after filing liens for failure to pay attorney's fees.

David G. Tennant must appear before the Montana Supreme Court on April 18 for a public censure over his debt collection practices.

The court on Tuesday also ordered him to return the title to one of two residential lots that he purchased at a Flathead County sheriff's sale to his former client, John Ray, along with any money he makes from the sale of the other lot that exceeds the $34,000 default judgment.

The lots near Columbia Falls were initially priced at $80,000 each and are now on the market for $65,000 each, court records said.

Richard and Debbie Harshman were able to redeem their property near Hungry Horse by paying an $8,100 judgment, plus interest.

Ray and the Harshmans filed complaints with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel arguing that Tennant's law firm assigned Ray's judgment to a limited liability company half owned by Tennant and assigned the Harshman judgment to a collection agency owned by Tennant. The Tennant-owned companies purchased the properties at auction.

The Commission on Practice found that Tennant violated provisions of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct by representing his law firm in collecting the fees while acquiring an ownership interest in a client's property.

The ODC also argued, and the Supreme Court agreed, that Tennant acted unethically in collecting the judgment from the Harshmans because he learned of the existence of the couple's property as part of his representation of them as they sought to evict a tenant.

The commission recommended and the Supreme Court agreed that in the future Tennant must provide clients and former clients with copies of any attorney's liens filed against them by him or his firm and for the next three years he must notify the ODC when he takes such action.

The Supreme Court also ordered Tennant to pay about $2,200 for the cost of the proceedings.

The ODC had recommended Tennant's law license be suspended for seven months.
At least three people died and 20 were injured when an attacker rammed a car into crowds of people before stabbing a police officer in the grounds of the UK Parliament.

A woman was pulled alive from the River Thames amid chaos in the area, the heart of political life in Britain. Among the dead were a police officer and the assailant, police said, announcing a "full counter-terrorism investigation."

Parliament was placed on lockdown and lawmakers were forced to remain in the main debating chamber of the House of Commons as firearms officers rushed to the scene outside.

Pictures showed scenes of carnage in the aftermath of the attack, which happened as Parliament was in session. One member of the British government gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one of those injured.

"This is a day that we had planned for -- that we all hoped would never happen -- but sadly it is now a reality, said Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terror police officer.

Latest developments

MPs locked in House of Commons into the evening.

Prime Minister Theresa May to chair emergency Cabinet meeting.

US President Donald Trump speaks with May by phone.

Large section of central London closed off.

Gates to Buckingham Palace closed.

Social media video shows bodies strewn on Westminster bridge.

Mayor of London says city 'will not be cowed by terrorism.'

Incident began near Westminster Bridge

The attack began when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge and plowed into a crowd.

It hit and injured members of the public and three police officers, Rowley, the national lead for Counter-Terrorism Policing, told reporters.

"The car then crashed near to Parliament and at least one man -- armed with a knife -- continued the attack, trying to enter Parliament," he said, confirming three people and the attacker were killed.

A police officer was killed as he was defending Parliament from the attack, he said.

London's Metropolitan Police were called at approximately 2:40 pm to reports of a firearms incident. Proceedings in the House of Commons were suspended with dozens of MPs locked inside.

Police put the Westminster area on lockdown, securing roads, Parliament buildings and the Westminster underground station. The zone was soon expanded to a larger part of central London, including the London Eye ferris wheel, which was halted for hours with people still on it. They have since been let off.

The London Ambulance Service treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected," he said, paying tribute to the emergency services.

He announced the deployment of additional armed officers on the streets of the British capital. "We stand together in the face of those who would seek to harm us and destroy our way of life," he added. "Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism."

Police appealed for anyone with photos or video of the incident to contact them.

Prime Minister Theresa May called a meeting of COBRA, the UK's emergency Cabinet committee.

US President Donald Trump spoke with May on the phone after learning of the attack, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Mark Toner, acting spokesperson for the US State Department, said officials were closely following the situation.

"Our hearts go out to those affected. We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful," he said.

Eyewitnesses report chaotic scenes

People were photographed running in a panic from the scene, while witnesses told CNN they saw the car ram into a crowd.

Robyn Lyon, 34, from Rugby, said he was walking along Westminster Bridge when he saw the vehicle.

"I saw a car, the crunch of car, hitting the curb. I kind of thought the guy had maybe had a heart attack or something," he said.

"The accelerator suddenly picked up so you had that revving. I expected it to hit the bridge wall and then stop, and then turn back carry up the pavement. It hit several people. I jumped out the way into a road."

"I stood in shock and saw carnage around me and the car carrying on up the bridge."

Another witness, Radek Sikorski, said he saw one of the victims bleeding heavily from the head and another lying unconscious.

Richard Poet, 62, who was visiting London from Brighton and his partner were leaving the Tate Britain gallery when he heard "great crashes."

"I thought it was a wrecking ball. It didn't sound like guns or anything."

Craig Meichan, 20, a student from Ormskirk near Liverpool, was on a field trip with around 15 others and had left Parliament just a moment before. He was shaking as he told CNN his part was separated into three groups.

"It sounded like a car backfiring, police began shouting and they started cordoning off the area," he said, adding that he believed his tutor was still locked inside.

"I'm a bit shaken up, you never expect this to happen to you. When it does it's an indescribable feeling."

Chaos in Parliament

As the incident unfolded outside, Leader of the House of Commons, David Lidington, told MPs a serious incident had taken place "within the estate." Proceedings were suspended and MPs were locked inside the main debating chamber.

Lidington told MPs that it appeared a police officer has been stabbed and that the assailant had been shot by armed police.

Conservative MP Damian Collins told CNN that he was walking through an underground tunnel from his office to vote in the chamber with about 30 other MPs when he heard shouting followed by two gunshots. Police shouted for the MPs to get down on the ground.

"Clearly something serious had happened but no one was being told what was going on," he said. "The instant response from the police was incredible -- they seemed on top of the situation straight away."

Chris Doyle, Director of Council for Arab-British Understanding, who was at a restaurant at Parliament at the time, described a moment of sudden panic.

"We were in the terrace restaurant when there was a serious of panicked male shouts. Everyone started getting under tables. Under the sofa by me was a small child. Only after several minutes did people get up. It became clear it was the police," he said.

"We still did not know what had happened, if there was a bomb, a gunman a fire. The police directed everyone -- MPs, Lords, cooks, waiters, visitors and schoolchildren -- to the central lobby.

Members of parliament were locked in and asked to keep away from windows.

Hundreds were later evacuated from the Parliament buildings after hours locked inside. Labour MP Barry Sheerman posted an image on Twitter showing lawmakers in the House in the evening with food and drink.

Member of Parliament gives assistance

A member of the government, Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood, was pictured giving assistance to a victim in New Palace Yard, a courtyard within the grounds of Parliament.

A fellow Conservative Party MP, Maria Miller said he had "given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim," the Press Association said.

Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson, a 21-year-old student from High Wycombe, posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding, but saying "he looked to be fine."

CNN's Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Luke McGee, Laura Smith-Spark, Schams Elwazer, Stephanie Halasz, Elizabeth Roberts, Mark Oliver and Matt Wells contributed to this report.
Residents opposed to the Butte Rescue Mission moving its homeless shelter to a vacant school in their neighborhood have organized quickly and will urge the countys Zoning Board to reject the plan next week.

Butte-Silver Bow Commissioner Bud Walker said he is backing those constituents who dont want a shelter at the vacant Madison School at 45 W. Greenwood Ave. on the Flat. He said as many as 200 residents could show up at Mondays board meeting.

Its totally inappropriate for that area, and we will do everything we can to keep it from coming there, Walker said Wednesday. I have been on the phone (with residents) since 8:30 this morning and I have never seen anything like it before, and Ive been on the council 10 years. This is really a united front.

Fire officials have given the Mission until April 3 to stop using a house at 1204 E. 2nd St. as a homeless shelter because of code violations and safety hazards, so the nonprofit group is seeking a new building.

Opponents say a homeless shelter will bring noise, loitering and crime to their nice, quiet neighborhood and drive down property values, among other things. Those were among concerns cited by Uptown businesses and residents when the Mission had hopes of moving to a vacant building there.

Butte-Silver Bow planning staff, however, is recommending the board grant a special-use permit that would allow the old school  located two blocks from the intersection of Rowe Road and Montana Street  to be used as a shelter. But they say numerous conditions should be met first.

They include floor plans, construction of a kitchen and landscaping that must pass muster with various county departments and an operations plan that details how the Mission will run the shelter and work with law enforcement, local agencies and nearby residents to address any problems or complaints.

Assistant Planning Director Lori Casey said Wednesday that many of the conditions are stringent and will require a lot of work, and she stressed that the Zoning Board has final say on the permit.

A message was left Wednesday with Rocky Lyons, the Missions executive director. She said earlier that the one-story school building, with some improvements, has ample space to provide bedding, meals and programs for the homeless.

The school has been closed for years and is owned by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, but Lyons said it hasnt held service there for five years and has offered to sell it to the Mission for $100,000. The church and the Mission are seeking the special use permit from the Zoning Board.

The board is set to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the Courthouse to consider the requested permit.

Walter Garner, who lives on Dakota Street just across from the school, said he and many others will be there to voice opposition. About 80 residents met at his house Saturday to get organized and there are now about 250 people in the group, he said.

They plan to meet again Friday night to gather more input and organize for Monday to ensure all their points are made to the Zoning Board. It wouldnt be possible, he said, for everyone to speak that night.

If everyone that shows up has a chance to talk, we will be at that meeting for two days, Garner said.

Garner said he and others only found out about the proposal last week, and since then, he has met with county officials and Mission board members to relay their concerns.

We have almost zero crime problems here  , he said. This is a residential neighborhood. We have got a couple of daycare centers here for kids. The elementary school picks up children right on the corner."

Garner said homeless shelters in other residential areas around the country have driven property values down significantly.

Me and my wife moved here six years ago and we have put tens of thousands of dollars into redoing our house, he said. I can name younger couples who have put a ton of work and money into their houses and they want to start their families here.

County planning staff, in their analysis to the Zoning Board, said a shelter at the school could mean more people loitering around the neighborhood and possibly panhandling at nearby businesses and homes.

But it said Mission employees could deal with any of its clients doing that and management says they would no longer be welcome at the shelter since clothing, hygiene, food and shelter are provided for them.

At their current location, the analysis said, mission staff calls police if those not permitted inside are hanging out, and there is drug and alcohol testing for all clients staying at the shelter.

But several residents who live near the current shelter have criticized the Mission for the transients it attracts, often leaving neighbors to deal with unruly behavior, crime and drug needles and whiskey bottles left about.

Mission officials told county staff they were in the process of reaching out to surrounding property owners about their proposal. Staff says at the time the report was written, it had received one call from a neighbor expressing concern about real estate values and the suddenness of this proposal.

But Garner and Walker say many residents have since learned of the proposal and are strongly opposed. Both say they support the Mission for helping the homeless, but Garner said the entire community needs to be involved in finding a suitable location.

Walker said he doesnt know where that would be, but the Madison School is just a poor setting.

He noted that Zoning Board decisions cannot be appealed to commissioners, they have to go to district court. Several of his constituents are ready for that if necessary, he said.
MUSCATINE, IowaA surprise birthday party will be held for JoAnn Murdock for her 80th birthday from noon to 4 p.m., on Sunday, March 26, 2017, in the multi-purpose room north at the Muscatine Community YMCA, 1823 Logan St., Muscatine.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  The Muscatine City Council hearing on the removal of Mayor Diana Broderson will be broadcast live. The hearing starts at 8 a.m. in council chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore St., and will be broadcast on Government Access Channel 2.

The hearing is open to the public, however, no time for public comment is listed on the agenda. Here are six things to know about the hearing:

1. A vote on Broderson's removal is not listed on Thursday's agenda.

The agenda for Thursday's special hearing only lists a call to order, the removal hearing, and adjournment.

2. The hearing will be broadcast live on Muscatine's Government Access Channel.

City officials confirmed the hearing will be televised live on Channel 2, the local Government Access Channel. The decision was made Wednesday afternoon. Officials said Tuesday the hearing would not be live broadcast. No reason was given for the initial decision or the change. Reporter Emily Wenger also will be live tweeting from the hearing, using the hashtag #musmayor. Those tweets will be fed onto the homepage of Muscatinejournal.com for readers who do not use Twitter.

3. Lawyer to argue Broderson's defense, a retired judge will serve as prosecutor.

According to a statement issued by the city of Muscatine  written by City Attorney Matthew Brick  Mayor Diana Broderson's lawyer is William J. Sueppel of Meardon, Sueppel & Downer. Retired judge and mediator/arbitrator John A. Nahra has been retained as special counsel to the city and will act as prosecutor. Brick will advise the City Council.

Council members will listen to the arguments, and both sides will be given the opportunity to file written briefs and proposed decisions. After those are reviewed, the council will vote. The timing of that vote is unclear, and calls for comment were not returned.

Broderson can only be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council, according to state and city code.

4. State and city code give instructions on removal process.

Muscatine City Code Section 1-7-6, says charges must be prepared and filed by the city attorney, but it does not explicitly state if, how or when the mayor must receive the charges. It states only that if the council decides to proceed with a hearing, notice must be given by personal service on the mayor at least 10 days before the hearing.

State code allows municipalities to provide, by ordinance, "the manner of preferring and hearing such charges."

State and city code give seven possible reasons to remove an elected official from office:

For willful or habitual neglect or refusal to perform the duties of the office

For willful misconduct or maladministration in office

For corruption

For extortion

Upon conviction of a felony

For intoxication, or upon conviction of being intoxicated

Upon conviction of violating the provisions of chapter 68A

5. Broderson is accused of misconduct, maladministration and neglect.

In the Statement of Facts section of the Charges for Removal  filed by Brick  Broderson is alleged to have violated the city's Code of Ethics more than 15 times since she began serving as mayor.

The document accuses Broderson of making baseless complaints and claims about council members, city staff and members of the public, actions the charges allege constitute willful misconduct and maladministration of office.

The charges also list her failure to comply with the city code, a breach of fiduciary duties, misuse of power and neglect to perform within the scope of her duties in office as reasons for possible removal.

Broderson is accused of "making baseless complaints that cost the city as much as $100,000 in legal fees and staff time to investigate, including asking for an investigation into whether she had been discriminated against on the basis of her gender and requesting investigation into actions of the city that were later determined to be unfounded.

6. Little precedent for removal of a mayor in Iowa.

Indianola Mayor Kelly Shaw, a lecturer in the political science department at Iowa State University, said he and his students were unable to find contemporary examples of a mayor being removed in Iowa.

"We hadnt found any other instances in which somebody had been removed," he said.

Brick also is employed by the city of Indianola.
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Louisa County Supervisor Brad Quigley has been convinced the proposed U.S. Highway 61 Bypass around Wapello should run west of the city.

During the supervisors' meeting Tuesday, Quigley said he, Louisa County Engineer Larry Roehl and Wapello City Clerk Mike Delzell had met with Iowa Department of Transportation District 5 Engineer Jim Armstrong in Fairfield on Mar. 15 to discuss the bypass and the Iowa River bridge on County Highway 99 in Wapello.

DOT officials plan to build the bypass to the west of the city, but had considered and rejected alternatives that passed through Wapello and to the east of Wapello. A group of area citizens continued to press for the eastern route, arguing it was more sensible because of its economic development potential and other issues.

Quigley, who began serving his first term in January, agreed the east route needed to be re-examined, especially since he had never heard cost comparisons.

During Tuesday's meeting, Quigley said Armstrong had provided figures that showed an eastern bypass would cost around $200 million to complete, almost double what the western route is expected to cost. That's because a second bridge would be necessary north of the Iowa River where the proposed eastern route of the bypass would run through a valley near 105th Street. It also would require higher roadbeds because a levee in that area is not certified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Quigley said the DOT would hold a public meeting on the western plan in late April or early May.

Armstrong also plans to contact state DOT officials and request a loan be arranged from the Farm-to-Market Road Fund, Quigley said. If that request is approved, the loan, which would be repaid through smaller annual fund disbursements to Louisa County, would cover most of the estimated $3 million to $4 million shortfall to replace the County Highway 99 bridge.
MUSCATINE  The Muscatine Fire Department will be conducting a training burn on Saturday, March 25 at the former Beach Lumber Company on Hershey Avenue. The training session will close the portion of Hershey Avenue from Ash to Green Streets for most of the day.

Muscatine Fire Department Captain Gary Ronzheimer is coordinating the training session that will involve between 70-80 firefighters from Muscatine, Blue Grass, Durant and West Liberty, among others. The main building closest to the street and a garage on the property will be used in the training session.

Safety is our primary concern, for the firefighters, for the equipment and for the public, Ronzheimer said. Hershey Avenue will be blocked off starting at 7 a.m. and the training fire will begin at approximately 1 p.m.

Local residents and local businesses will have access to their homes and businesses until the time of the fire. The area will be cleared and a space for residents to view the training fire will be established at the intersection of Green Street and Hershey Avenue.

The fire department distributed door knockers this week to alert residents in the surrounding neighborhood of the upcoming training exercise.

Muscatine Fire Department will also have units standing by in case embers from the fire would spread and cause unintended fires.

Weather conditions will play a large part in how the smoke moves up and out from the fire, Ronzheimer said. Anyone that lives in the area and could be affected by the smoke should find somewhere else to be until the burn is completed.

Detours for the training exercise will be the same as the flood detour, with signage posted around the affected area to direct motorists. Traffic will be diverted to Main Street, to West 8th Street and to Iowa Avenue.

The hydrants that will be used in the training burn are located on the opposite side of Hershey Avenue which means the fire departments big five-inch lines will be running across the roadway.
Last November, voters in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada legalized recreational marijuana. These states joined Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska in approving the psychotropic drug for non-medicinal use. In Florida, North Dakota, Montana, and Arkansas, the voters opted to legalize marijuana for medical use only. Taken together, these new ballot measures mean that marijuana is now legal in some form in 28 states. Opponents of legalization measures correctly observe that random legalizing is creating the popular notion that cannabis is good for your health. Latest polls indicate that 60% of Americans now approve legalization, despite hard evidence that the plant itself contains more than 400 known chemicals, many of which are toxic to the human body.

The amount of tar and carbon monoxide inhaled by those who smoke "weed" is three and five times greater respectively than among tobacco smokers, regardless of the tetrahydrocannabinol content. And unlike alcohol, where the ethanol is eliminated within a few hours, marijuana residues can remain in the body for weeks. Usage can also cause serious damage to respiratory and cardiovascular health; causing chronic coughing, wheezing, and bronchitis. Smoking a relatively small amount of marijuana has a similar impact to smoking five-to-seven times the amount in cigarettes, one after another.

Conservative clergy have long opined that if the Creator had intended for the human race to smoke, then all babies would be born with chimneys in their heads.

Wendell E. Carr

Ottumwa
I have followed the struggles between the mayor and City Council in the Muscatine Journal and most recently read the editorial in the March 19 edition of the Quad-City Times.

Initially, I questioned the authority of the City Council when the city code was amended to strip the mayor of the appointment power. Later, I read about multiple closed door meetings taking place without the mayor's presence. Fast forward to January, next on the agenda was the vote by council for a hearing to attempt to remove her from office.

At that time, I began watching the televised weekly meetings. The tension between the mayor and the City Council members, including the city administrator, is obvious. As I listened in mid-January, it was apparent the citizens who spoke are passionate and wanted their voices to be heard. The mayor is the only one who recognized each individual, showed respect, practiced active listening skills, and gave her undivided attention. On the other hand, the reaction by the council and administrator was appalling. The opposite behaviors were displayed by showing complete disrespect, making inappropriate comments, holding sidebar conversations, passing notes, and the inability to accept direct challenges or criticism from members of the community.

I have come to the conclusion the administration must not watch themselves on camera to see their unprofessional and unbecoming behavior. The body language displayed is completely unacceptable and many comments are rude and condescending.

On March 16, Jim Merideth was speaking and interrupted on three different occasions. During this time, eyes were rolling, watches were checked, laughs and snickers were heard.

How many employers would tolerate this in a professional workplace setting? The citizens of Muscatine are the employers of the City Council and I, as a citizen, will not support these individuals.

Teresa Anderson

Muscatine
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 []
Days after the release of CCTV footage showing daring gunmen robbing an MPesa shop in Uthiru, Nairobi senator Mike Sonko has announced a monetary reward to anyone who kills the mastermind of the attack.

According to Sonko, one of the gun-toting robbers captured in the footage is believed to be notorious Nairobi gangster known as Kasee.

Kasee is said to be behind most cases of Mpesa shop theft in Nairobis Eastlands area. According to Sonko, Kasee has so far killed more than 21 M-Pesa shop employees and owners out of which 8 were women.

Kasee is a known gangster who has so far killed more than 21 M-Pesa shop employees and owners out of which 8 were women. By the time this video was captured he had killed 6 people but the number has since rose coz he still continues to terrorise residents of Nairobi, said Sonko.

Sonko added that Kasees accomplice, nicknamed Engineer, was recently shot dead in a foiled daylight robbery in Eastleigh.

However, Kasee is still at large and continues to conduct armed robberies and carjackings.

Sonko alleges that Kasee is also a rapist and operates around pipeline, Kabete, westlands, riruta, kayole, Umoja and Mombasa rd.

It is also alleged that whenever he breaks into residential houses, he goes to an extent of raping his women victims at gun point and in presence of their family members. He operates around pipeline, Kabete, westlands, riruta, kayole, umoja and Mombasa rd, said Sonko.

I am offering a reward of 200,000/= for his head. I am also offering another 200,000/= to anybody giving information that will assist the police trail him and do the needful. If you happen to have any information kindly txt details to 0722886600 or call 0735100100 or report to the nearest police station. We shall not disclose your details to any third party.

Watch the video below:


Despite gaps in data and being a work in progress, state education officials have launched a new online tool for parents and the public to gauge how public schools and school districts are performing.

The California School Dashboard provides a color-coded way of judging schools that incorporates not only test scores, but other measurements as well.

The dashboard replaces the Academic Performance Index, which the California Department of Education stopped relying on several years ago because it provided only standardized test results to determine school performance.

With the new dashboard, parents can also see how their childs school is doing as far as absenteeism, suspensions, graduation rates, and more.

Some of these new metrics, however, lack data until state and local officials plug them in.

Nevertheless, County Superintendent of Schools Barbara Nemko was pleased to see the dashboard go live on March 15.

The California school accountability system has improved and now includes more than just academic measures, said Nemko. Its very important that we look at student and parent engagement, graduation and suspension rates and other indicators  all of which provide valuable information on the health of the school.

Nemko and state officials said the new dashboard will help educators zero in on areas that need improvement.

The system itself will need some work, due to the absence of information for such fields as chronic absenteeism, college/career readiness, and local indicators that will gauge implementation of academic standards, parent engagement, and more.

Some of this missing information may not be available until the fall.

This is a field test, Bill Ainsworth, California Department of Educations communications director, told reporters before the system went live. This is a start, he added. It will get better.

The new system uses blue, green, yellow, orange and red to provide a quick assessment of areas being measured, with blue being the highest achievement, red the lowest and everything else falling somewhere in between.

The Napa Valley Unified School Districts dashboard  which one official called a work in progress  showed only one blue area: graduation rates. More than 95 percent of district students graduate from high school.

Other metrics  Suspension Rate, English Learner Progress, English Language Arts, and Mathematics  were coded yellow, meaning they were neither high nor low, just somewhere in the middle of achievement.

The dashboard allows the public to drill down and get more detailed information for some areas.

The NVUSD suspension rate, based on data from two years ago, according to Assistant Superintendent Elena Toscano, showed higher levels for African Americans (10.3 percent) and Hispanics (4.1 percent), but lower rates for whites (2.7 percent) and Filipinos (2.3 percent), a key demographic in American Canyon.

Toscano told the school board on March 16 that the suspension rate was misleading because the dashboard compared data from two prior school years: 2013-14 and 2014-15. The problem with that, she said, was 2014-15 was a bad year for the district, which she said had already taken action to reduce suspensions since then.

She said the improvement wont become apparent until next year when the California Department of Education updates the NVUSD dashboard with more recent suspension rate information.

This is a practice year, Toscano told trustees, saying the dashboard should be viewed as still being under construction.

The work-in-progress status was evident with other metrics, such as English Learner Progress, a particularly important measurement for NVUSD because of its student population. Nearly a quarter of the districts 17,151 students are English learners, and more than half (53 percent) are socioeconomically disadvantaged.

But the dashboard provided no further details on the districts English Learner Progress.

NVUSD Superintendent Patrick Sweeney expressed concerns over how well the public will grasp the dashboard and its color scheme. This will be hard for parents to understand, said Sweeney, and they may make the wrong assumptions about student progress.

For instance, a blue rating is good because it means high achievement. Though when it comes to Suspension Rate, blue means a low rating, which is still good.

Trustee Robb Felder echoed Sweeneys concerns, saying he saw a lot of room for error in interpretation of results on the dashboard.
Napa County issued a ringing endorsement of immigrants at a time when Trump Administration immigration policies are causing dismay in some quarters, but the county stopped short of declaring any new policies.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Alfredo Pedroza read the seven-paragraph document before a packed chamber. He said Napa County aspires to be a model for inclusion and equity for all populations, including immigrants, refugees and other newcomers.

County supervisors on Tuesday presented the proclamation to Melissa Patrino, executive director of Puertas Abiertas, a Latino resource center. Mayors from all five of the countys cities stood next to Pedroza.

It is important for our leadership to make a statement of support to the immigration community and for our county to be a place of trust and safety for immigrants who live and work in our communities, the proclamation said.

Vanessa Robledo with the My American DREAMs foundation, told supervisors her family came to Napa County four generations ago as migrant workers. Her great-grandfather and grandfather lived in a Christian Brothers camp in Calistoga.

Shes dedicated her life to the wine industry. Owners and growers are nothing without the workers, she said.

Their passion and what they are able to contribute to the industry  you cannot have a bottle of wine without recognizing the labor that it took to make that bottle of wine, she said. Every drop is precious because of what they contribute and who they are.

Graciela Rodriguez said she knows undocumented residents who no longer feel safe from deportation. She is a social worker who is now finding herself doing more than helping people who feel anxious because a family death or a divorce.

Now Im being invited to the families to have that difficult conversation of, If mommy gets deported, this is what you need to do the next day,  Rodriguez said. I will say it is very, very difficult to have those conversations.

Nobody came to the microphone to criticize the proclamation or support Trump Administration immigration policies that call for taking such steps as building a border wall.

Pedroza was a driving force behind the proclamation.

My dad came from Mexico in the 1970s, Pedroza said. For his son to be before you today to read these words  it is truly a privilege and an honor.

Supervisor Belia Ramos said her father came as an immigrant from Mexico more than 45 years ago and built a life in Napa County.

Its a really proud moment for me to be able to see all the support that is here before the Board, she said.

Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning said that, although Calistoga has not declared itself a sanctuary city, it has for a decade followed the practices of a sanctuary city. He didnt elaborate.

The term sanctuary city is broad, but generally means a city or county limits its cooperation with federal immigration officials. President Trump wants to strip federal grant money from sanctuary cities.

Sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States willfully violate federal law in an attempt to shield aliens from removal from the United States, a Jan. 25 Trump executive order said. These jurisdictions have caused immeasurable harm to the American people and to the very fabric of our Republic.

But a different mood prevailed in the Board of Supervisors chamber.

As I say to people in Calistoga, if youre going to be a person of questionable immigration situation or documentation, the best place to be is the state of California in the county of Napa in the city of Calistoga, Canning said to applause.

Pedroza after the ceremony said Napa County doesnt need to declare itself a sanctuary county and its cities dont need to declare themselves sanctuary cities.

Thats in our DNA to take care of people, he said.

Napa County in 2014 said its jail wont hold undocumented immigrants beyond their release dates at the request of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a court order. That followed federal court rulings that the holds are not mandatory.

The Napa Valley Community Foundation in 2012 released a study called Profile of Immigrants in Napa County. It estimated Napa County had about 10,500 unauthorized immigrants, about one-third of the local immigrant population. The Public Policy Institute of California put the number at 12,000 to 16,000.

This report makes it clear that one key to Napa Countys future lies with immigrants and their children, the report said. Without these populations, the countys workforce would shrink and economic activity would be reduced.
If a picture is worth a thousand wordsI would like to contribute a picture of what I think of the removal of the Napa Indian from our high school (editors note: the author submitted a photo of a woman, possibly herself, standing on the NHS sundial and pointing to her bottom, but unfortunately it does not reproduce well in the paper. It is included with the online version).

I am now 85 years old; if I could still climb on the sundial in front of the school I would do it to protest the removal of our beloved symbol of pride. While I'm in the mood, I would use the picture to protest making a hotel out of our beautiful Post Office.

What's the matter with this town? Hotels, tourists, expensive restaurants, spas, etc. The Italians, Jews, Mexicans, and Chinese families who built this town are spinning in their graves. Did I forget anyone?

I am disgusted. Where did our town go? We have nowhere to shop, no wonderful "family style" restaurants like the Roma Hotel or the Lombardo -- and don't forget the A-1 Cafe. San Francisco has built North Beach with restaurants like this.

Who's making these plans? Thank God George Altamura didn't make a hotel out of the Uptown Theater, Thank you, George.

Back to the Indian. We were, and are, proud of this heritage. Being in the industry of greeting tourists and giving a bit of history about our Valley, I always tell visitors that the Silverado Trail, as we know it, was laid out by the local Indian population in pre-century, because it was a higher elevation than where Highway 29 is because they knew of the potential of flooding from the Napa River. They were smarter than us.

All the spas were in Calistoga where the thermal action was natural. Just ask Robert Louis Stevenson. I'm going to try to climb onto the sundial before someone removes it.

Barbara Ciapponi

Napa
Six years after it was eliminated at St. Helenas public schools, Spanish/English Dual Immersion is making a comeback  this time at St. Helena Catholic School.

This fall the Catholic school is introducing bilingual classes at the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to second grade level. Students will have half of their classes in English and the other half in Spanish.

Mary Herboth is in her first year as principal of the TK-8 school. She said the Dual Immersion initiative is based on the idea that if students from Spanish-speaking households  which make up about 70 percent of the Catholic schools enrollment  get a deep understanding of their native language early on, theyll have greater academic success in both languages in later grades.

Were finding that students from Spanish-dominant homes are learning their academics in English, but they dont get their academics in their native language, she said. Youre trying to teach them a second language when they dont even know their first language.

Research shows the bilingual brain becomes more flexible, she said. By learning a second language youre not at all taking away from your knowledge of the first language. Research shows that after about four years (of Dual Immersion), youre able to succeed in both languages.

The goal is to turn students from English- and Spanish-speaking backgrounds into fluent speakers of both languages, which will benefit them in high school, in the community, and eventually in the job market, she said.

We felt it would be very good for both communities, Herboth said. Our school and our community are already bilingual, so were just formalizing a strength we already have.

The school is implementing the program under the guidance of the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College, which is helping a network of Catholic schools around the country introduce Dual Immersion programs.

They are mentoring us, Herboth said. Well have resources, training and support from Boston College to help us roll out this project successfully. Our teachers will be going to Boston this summer for training.

Herboth said the school uses STAR testing and Iowa Assessments, which will help measure students academic achievement under the new program. Over the years, Dual Immersion will gradually expand at least up to sixth grade, she said.

The St. Helena Unified School District eliminated its K-5 Dual Immersion classes in 2011, citing varying academic results and uneven distribution of resources among Dual Immersion, the Multi-Age Program, and traditional classes.

Herboth said the Catholic school is capable of making Dual Immersion work, based on consultation with members of the community, including teachers who were involved in the school districts Dual Immersion program.

With only 71 students, the Catholic schools enrollment is much smaller than the elementary schools, and teachers and administrators wont have to worry about juggling multiple programs and getting pulled in too many directions, Herboth said.
The city of St. Helena is modifying its marijuana regulations to comply with Californias Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults.

If approved by the City Council, the amended ordinance recommended by staff would continue the citys ban on marijuana dispensaries and outdoor growing, but would make it clear that the regulations apply to recreational marijuana as well as the medical marijuana identified in the citys 2016 ordinance.

For example, references to medical marijuana facilities will be rephrased as marijuana facilities, and regulations banning commercial cannabis activities would be expanded to include any such activity that could be licensed under Prop 64.

As allowed under state law, adults 21 and older would still be able to possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and cultivate up to six marijuana plants, as long as they are grown indoors and dont create a public nuisance.

On Tuesday the Planning Commission recommended that the council adopt the amended ordinance as recommended, as well as allow the delivery of legal amounts of marijuana. The 2016 regulations prohibit deliveries except if they are performed by the primary caregiver of a qualified medical marijuana patient.

City Attorney Tom Brown noted that marijuana is still listed as a Schedule 1 drug under federal law, and its unclear whether the new presidential administration will change the hands-off enforcement policies of the previous administration.
Three weeks ago, the hosts and Executive Producer of the Ty, Kelly & Chuck Morning Show were in a terrifying car accident as they traveled from Mississippi to Louisiana. While Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford, and Glenn Johnson were able to return to work immediately, thankfully suffering only minor injuries, Chuck Wicks has remained out of commission

Until today.

Buy premarin

Buy strattera

Sporting a neck brace and limited mobility, Wicks stepped foot into his home studio for the first time since the wreck, walking into an area prepared with a bit of love and a lot of humor. Watch the video of Wicks making his return below. We guarantee you will be bubbling over with laughter and wrapped with happiness!

Welcome back, Chuck! Youve been missed!
Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller on Wednesday (22 March) outlined how NATO has continuously adapted to deal with changing security environments. Ms. Gottemoeller was speaking at the NATO Transformation Seminar in Budapest, an event that brings together key figures from across the Alliance to discuss the strategic challenges that NATO will face in the near to long term.

The Deputy Secretary General shared a platform with Mr. Istvan Simicsko, Hungarian Minister of Defence and General Denis Mercier, NATOs Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation. I am confident that this years seminar will inform NATOs policies today, help us to creatively shape tomorrow and keep our edge for many years to come, Ms Gottemoeller said opening the event. NATO has been so successful for almost 70 years because we have continuously adapted and today as we face the biggest challenges in a generation, we must continue to drive that adaptation for generations to come, she added.

In her speech the Deputy Secretary General highlighted key examples of NATO adaptation, such as the Alliances partnership programme which now has a network of forty one partner countries around the world. The Deputy Secretary General praised NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), which organised the event. She remarked how ACT, which has its headquarters in Virginia, was a vivid symbol of NATOs enduring transatlantic bond. Later on Wednesday, the Deputy Secretary General delivered a speech at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade entitled Adapting to a More Dangerous World, setting out how NATO is enhancing its collective defence and projecting greater stability to the South and East.
The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will visit Budapest on Thursday, 23 March 2017. During his visit, the Secretary General will meet with the Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orban, and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Istvan Simicsko.

While in Budapest the Secretary General will also chair a joint meeting of the North Atlantic Council and of the NATO Military Committee, following the NATO Transformation Seminar 2017.

There will be no media opportunities. Still and video materials will be available on the NATO website after the event.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended a meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL at the US Department of State on Wednesday (22 March 2017). Discussions focused on the military campaign against ISIL and progress on the liberation and stabilisation of Raqqa and Mosul. On the anniversary of the Brussels attacks, nations reaffirmed their shared mission to defeat ISIL.

Hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Wednesdays meeting was attended by Coalition foreign ministers. The Secretary General briefed the Coalition on NATOs contributions to the fight against terrorism and how it can do even more, a key focus for the upcoming Meeting of NATO leaders in May. All 28 NATO Allies are members of the Coalition and NATO AWACS flights are helping to enhance the Coalitions air picture and radar coverage.

For many years, the Alliance has contributed to the fight against terrorism. Over 13,000 troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, training Afghan forces to secure their country and defeat international terrorism. Allies are also training Iraqi security forces to better fight ISIL, both in Jordan and Iraq. More broadly, NATO is strengthening its support for partners in North Africa and the Middle East, helping them build more resilient defence and security institutions.

In the margins of the meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Stoltenberg met with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Herbert McMaster and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Memorial recital will honor SIUs David Lyons

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill.  David Lyons was a collaborative pianist at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for nearly a decade. He was also a composer. A memorial recital in his honor will feature his music exclusively as performed by SIU faculty and students.

The recital begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. Admission is free. The program includes a dozen of Lyons compositions and will last about an hour. Lyons passed away in January.

In his capacity as a collaborative pianist, David worked with students and faculty in rehearsals and performances ranging from instrumental recitals to art song, show tunes and opera. He worked with hundreds of students representing every area of specialty within the School of Music, Eric Lenz, interim director, said.

Lyons performed at several important venues, including the Washington International Competition for Pianists, where he was a prize-winner, and the Main Hall of the Kennedy Center. He toured with Daniel Gaede, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who played at Carnegies Weill Hall, among other places. He held music degrees from the University of Michigan, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Indiana University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oregon.

Musicians joining the concert include School of Music faculty members Yuko Kato and Junghwa Lee, piano; Michael Barta, violin; and collaborative pianist Jenny Kirby; School of Music graduate students Emily Dworak, soprano and Jeffrey Chow, viola; and local musicians Reiko Schoen and Maki Ito Pardiec, piano.

The program also includes recordings of live performances made during various public concerts during Lyons years at SIU. Christina Lyons, his widow, assisted with organizing this memorial recital.
Student group, high school partner on backpack drive

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Circle K International, a registered student organization at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, along with faculty and staff at Carbondale Community High School, have organized a backpack drive for the 2017-18 academic year. The Backpacks for Success effort is under way.

Garrett Watts, a junior in civil engineering at SIU, is helping organize the effort for Circle K International, which is the collegiate affiliate of the Kiwanis Club. He said beginning on April 3, people who would like donate backpacks should watch for decorative drop-off boxes and display tables located at farmers markets, various local businesses and Carbondale Community High School, as well as at SIUs Morris Library, Student Center, and Student Services Building.

The drop-off points will remain in place through April 28. The backpacks will be distributed to students through the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale and Carbondale Community High School prior to the start of the school year next fall.

Watts said a teacher at CCHS introduced the student organization to the project.

Since then, Circle K-International has been working closely with her to make the backpack drive happen, he said. We see this project as a great way to combine our members service interests with a need that has been expressed to us by members of the community.

Randy Osborn, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale, said backpacks and other school supplies are a perennial need for local students.

Weve been helping supply these for many years as we have a number of kids coming through of all ages who have this need, Osborn said. Its not expense we can absorb ourselves, so its a wonderful project they are providing.

Watts said the project is a great way to help those who have been less fortunate and need a boost to help their academic career.

I consider myself very lucky to be able to come to SIU for an education and have a strong desire to make sure everyone is afforded the same opportunities that I have been lucky enough to have, Watts said. This project is a great way to provide backpacks  items that are taken for granted by many of us, yet are an essential component of an education  to students who would otherwise struggle to obtain one.
SIU to host annual Math Field Day

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Young mathematicians from throughout the area soon will once again travel to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for day of competitions, comradery and achievement.

The annual Math Field Day competition is set for Tuesday, March 28, at the SIU Arena. Organizers expect students from about 30 schools in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee to attend and compete for scholarships and prizes. A maximum of 36 students per school  nine from each grade  may compete.

The event, which includes a comprehensive test designed, presented and scored by Department of Mathematics faculty, kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until noon. Organizers will present awards beginning at 2 p.m. that day.

Prizes include an academic scholarship for the highest scoring junior who plans to major in a science field. The Partial Tuition Waiver Award is once again offered by the College of Science at SIU and is valued at up to $4,000 over four years.

Top-scoring student teams also will receive trophies or ribbons in three divisions based on school enrollment size. Students also can win certificates for individual accomplishments in each academic division.

SIU also will host a program for math teachers during the event. The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Roger and Sally Tedrick Auditorium at the SIU Arena. A luncheon for sophomores and juniors is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Old National Bank Saluki Lounge at the arena.

For more information, contact Kathy Pericak-Spector, professor of mathematics and chair of the event, a 618/453-6569 or mathfd@siu.edu.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist organisations and praised India for being helpful in the development of his country. Pakistan's reluctance to end its support for terrorism underpins the continuation of violence in Afghanistan and the region, Rabbani said while speaking on Afghanistan's foreign policy priorities and implications for the new US administration at a meeting organised by the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington on Tuesday. The Atlantic Council is a forum for countries to discuss key issues such as peace, security, democracy and prosperity around the world. "Pakistan violates our air-space and frequently shells eastern Afghanistan. These routine violations undermine any prospect of normal bilateral relations, and pose a serious threat to peace and security in our region and beyond," Rabbani said. He said Afghanistan tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad but, "unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan". Rabbani said defeating terrorism in Afghanistan and the region is, fundamentally, dependent on eliminating terrorist safe-havens in countries that harbour terrorists. "They must end their sponsorship of terrorism through continual flow of financial, moral and material aid." The minister said Afghanistan has always chosen cooperation over confrontation and Islamabad should see its neighbour as a sovereign and independent country. "It is not subservient to anyone," he said. Rabbani also called India "an important partner providing support where their means have allowed". He lauded India for the all-round development of Afghanistan. Referring to the series of recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar, the Foreign Minister said these incidents proved that the Taliban did not want to come to the peace table. He said a paradigm shift in Pakistan was needed if any progress has to be made in peace efforts with the Taliban. "Now, we have stopped asking Pakistan to deliver Taliban to the peace table. We want Pakistan to take action against the Taliban leadership. They should not support violence in Afghanistan," he said. Rabbani also urged US President Donald Trump's administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. --IANS soni/ab/dg ( 362 Words) 2017-03-22-15:58:08 (IANS)
Investors based in Hong Kong are putting more money in start-ups and are increasingly looking at India as an investment option due to its strengths in areas such as information technology, a senior official has said. Jimmy Chiang, Associate Director-General InvestHK, told IANS that investors based in Hong Kong, including venture capitalists, private equity companies and family offices, were getting increasingly interested in start-ups. "The start-up ecosystem in Hong Kong is growing quite quickly. Last year, we surveyed close to 40 co-working spaces in Hong Kong and found that there are over 1,900 start-up companies operating which represents a year-on-year increase of 24 per cent," Chiang said. He said local investors in Hong Kong had been traditionally more interested in areas such as real estate. "They are getting more interested in tech-related businesses, more innovative and disruptive business models. We are seeing that becoming a trend. Maybe they will be more interested in investing in India where IT, technology are strong as the business sector," Chiang said. He said they were trying to enhance collaboration with start-up ecosystems in other parts of the world, including India, and attract more start-up entrepreneurs to the city. India is the world's youngest start-up nation with about 72 percent of founders less than 35 years of age and has the world's third-largest start-up base. Chiang said India is also a very significant upcoming market for Foreign Direct Investment for Hong Kong. "The country is growing very fast economically and some sectors such as information technology present a very strong potential," he said. Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) officials said that the city-based companies were seeking alternative manufacturing bases in the region due to rise in land, labour and other production costs in China. They said an HKTDC research team recently visited India and identified Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as states with better potential for industrial relocation and business opportunities. The officials said that India had seen increase in labour productivity and there was a trend among foreign investors to set up production units, particularly in electronics and mobile products. India was Hong Kong's fourth-largest export market in 2015 (after China, the US, Japan) and Hong Kong was India's third largest export market (after US, UAE) in 2015-16. Hong Kong occupied the 16th position in FDI equity inflows into India at $1.976 billion (April 2000 to September 2016). It became a special administrative region (SAR) of China in 1997 after 150 years of British administration. Officials said that India takes part in many international trade fairs held in Hong Kong annually to promote its strengths. These fairs also provide a platform for the buyers and sellers from across the globe to come together and interact. They said that Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, which ended earlier this month, was among the most important shows between India and Hong Kong. India is the world's largest manufacturer of cut and polished diamonds. The 34th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which nearly coincided with the diamond show, also saw participation of Indian jewellers from several cities. The two shows featured about 4,480 exhibitors and attracted over 85,000 buyers from across the world. Chiang said Hong Kong has a big Indian community and there could be better Indian restaurants and better food products and some other consumer products from India. "In these areas we are trying to do more promotion in India," he said. Chiang said Hong Kong was not only a regional trading hub, it had been successful in attracting foreign companies to set up their regional headquarters in the city due to its advantages such as strategic location and strong connectivity. He said any foreign passport holder can set up a Hong Kong-based company within hours and there was no restriction on FDI as long as the business was lawful. Jiang said there is no restriction on nationality of a Hong Kong company's shareholder and director. Rajeev Bhasin, managing director, Mayfare group, which owns and operates several restaurants in Hong Kong, said the city was one of the best places to do business. "Everyone follows rules, the system is very transparent. You show concept feasibility and it works. (It is possible to) set up a company in 24 hours," Bhasin told IANS. (Prashant Sood was in Hong Kong on the invitation of the HKTDC. He can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in) --IANS ps/vm/ky ( 746 Words) 2017-03-22-12:24:07 (IANS)
Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will leave here for China on Thursday to attend the Boao Asia Forum in China's Hainan province during which he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. Prachanda will travel to Beijing to meet Xi. This is his first official visit to China after becoming the Prime Minister in August last year. "The Prime Minister will meet the Chinese President on March 27 (Monday) at the Great Hall of the People where both leaders will discuss matters of mutual interest," the Foreign Ministry said. The Chinese side has already communicated that the meeting between Xi and Prachanda will a brief one -- no longer than 20 minutes -- and Xi had cut short his other engagements to make time for it. As Prachanda's visit to Nepal's northern neighbour will be keenly followed and watched in New Delhi, it is almost official that no accord or understanding will be signed during the visit, announced Prachanda a day ahead of his China visit. "We are not going to sign any deal in this visit," said Prachanda at a CPN (Maoist Centre) Central Office meeting. "My visit will be to lay the ground for the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal and the objective of my China visit is focused on bringing him to Nepal," he said. Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat also said that Nepal is not going to sign any deal with China but will discuss some crucial bilateral issues. He said that discussions would take place on matters pertaining to the China-initiated "One Belt One Road" (OBOR) plan and participation of Nepal in China's flagship foreign policy initiative. Likewise, issues related to Nepal-China Transit and Transportation Agreement, its protocol and expansion of cross-border transmission line in northern border would be discussed. On OBOR, the Foreign Minister said Nepal and China have discussed in length about it and its possible advantage to Nepal, but "we cannot agree on free trade with China as Nepali side is still considering its merits and demerits", he added. Mahat said Nepal had prepared to sign at least five agreements with China on various issues, but they wouldn't be signed this time as Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will not be available in Beijing during Prachanda's visit. The Nepali side had prepared to sign agreements on cross-border transmission line, and allowing the Chinese companies to conduct detailed project reports of railway projects that will connect Nepal-China border to the southern plains and Pokhara via Kathmandu. Other agreements related to harnessing Chinese investment in Nepal on various sectors, establishing cross-border economic zone and capability-enhancing the National Planning Commission. Prachanda will return to Nepal on March 29. --IANS giri/soni/dg ( 470 Words) 2017-03-22-19:16:07 (IANS)
The 'Quantico' star took to her Instagram page and shared a boomerang video of her robot move with her co-stars of the hit-TV series.

She captioned the video, "Breaking it down with @thejohannabraddy and #AunjanueEllis 'coz #Quantico is on tonight at 9 pm on Star World India! #QuanticoOnSW."

In the video, she can be seen in a maroon sequined top with a cropped brown leather jacket and black leggings.

Recently, PeeCee shared an adorable photo with the star-cast of 'Quantico' from the sets.

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra will be soon making her Hollywood film debut with Seth Gordon's 'Baywatch,' alongside Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Zac Efron.

The flick is slated to release on May 26. (ANI)
One of China's most prestigious ensembles, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, will tour the United Kingdom for the first time in May, led by Long Yu, a conductor described as "the most powerful figure in China's Western classical music scene".

Long Yu leads the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra during a concert last year.

Marking both the GSO's 60th anniversary and 45 years of ambassador-level diplomatic relations between the UK and China, the GSO will open on May 14 at London's Cadogan Hall, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The next day, it will play at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, and on May 16, it will perform at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

Richard Hawley, director of artistic programming at Symphony Hall, said: "It's no secret that China has been producing some of the 21st century's most exciting classical musicians for decades, and few Chinese orchestras have as impressive an international reputation as the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, under its music director Long Yu."

The GSO is the only Chinese orchestra to have toured five continents and was one of the first to establish a full domestic concert season. The orchestra's performances at the Xinghai Concert Hall have become a staple of the Guangzhou cultural scene.

Long Yu directs all three of China's leading orchestrasthe China Philharmonic, the Shanghai Symphony and the GSO. The New York Times said he is among the most influential Chinese figures in Western classical music.

Yu will lead at the London and Birmingham performances, while the Manchester performance will be under the GSO's resident conductor, Jing Huan.

Donagh Collins, chief executive of tour managers Askonas Holt, said: "In years to come, we will recall the slow, almost imperceptible, rise of the Chinese symphony orchestra. The Chinese government understands the importance of investment in the artsin this case, in the investment in international touring by one of its leading orchestras."

The GSO will perform Duo, a piece by film composer Zhao Lin originally written for revered Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma. A piece commissioned by the GSO, Ye Xiaogang's Guangdong Music Suite, Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes, and Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird.
The 'Sultan' of Bollywood, today, shared an adorable picture on his Twitter handle where both the stars are seen romantically staring at each other.

The 51-year-old captioned the picture as, "BACK TOGETHER , IN TIGER ZINDA HAI"

While Salman is seen sporting a printed black tuxedo with white shirt and bow tie, Katrina looks gorgeous in an off-shoulder pink dress.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Tiger Zinda Hai' is a sequel to the 2012 spy thriller 'Ek Tha Tiger'. (ANI)
Jubilee Hills Police who interrogated the IAS official since Sunday last suspect that he would have used his son for the disposal of the driver's body.

Police had already booked the civil servant's son S Venkat for allegedly murdering driver B Nagaraju on March 17.

The police official were holding a media conference to divulge details about the case later tonight.UNI SMS CS 1954

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Vowing to work for the all-round development of Uttar Pradesh, new Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that his priorities will be to rid the state of corruption and communal riots. "We will work to make the state free of corruption, rowdyism and hooliganism. We will present a developmental model which will prevent distress migration of youths for jobs," he said. Adiyanath, a long-time BJP member of Parliament from Gorakhpur, told the Lok Sabha that he will curb anti-social elements in the country's most populous state. The leader also took a dig at the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in his state, saying he came between the two to defeat it in the just-concluded assembly elections. Adityanath, who took oath on Sunday, was in Delhi on Tuesday to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several union ministers and BJP leaders. He claimed credit for bringing about changes in Gorakhpur which, he said, did not enjoy a positive image among the people earlier. Now, he said, no trader in Gorakhpur pays "goonda tax", the town does not witness abductions and there are no communal riots in eastern Uttar Pradesh. "We will be successful in brining the same situation in Uttar Pradesh." Taking a dig at the SP-Congress alliance, Adityanath said: "I am one year younger to Rahul Gandhi and a year older to Akhilesh Yadav. Since I came between them, it was the reason for the alliance's defeat in Uttar Pradesh." The BJP won 312 of the 403 assembly seats in the February-March elections. The Chief Minister also accused the earlier UP government of not utilising most funds allocated by the central government and vowed to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of 'sabka saath-sabka vikas'. Thanking Modi for giving him a chance to serve the state, Adityanath said he will try to lead its growth story. Adityanath met Modi and discussed several issues related to the state. The hour-long meeting was held at Parliament House. The precise details of what they discussed were not known but informed sources told IANS that both discussed development-related issues. After the meeting, Yogi Adityanath didn't speak to the media and left for Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence. Earlier, he called on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In his meeting with Rajnath Singh, Adityanath discussed law and order in Uttar Pradesh and sought his support. Rajnath is a former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and presently MP from Lucknow. Adityanath also met President Pranab Mukherjee, BJP President Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and party veteran L.K. Advani. During his meeting with Shah, Adityanath is learnt to have discussed portfolio distribution in his ministry. BJP sources said Adityanath wants to keep Home Department with his himself while his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya is trying to get the portfolio. They said Adityanath is likely to announce the portfolio by Thursday. Besides two Deputy Chief Ministers, his council of ministers has 22 other Cabinet ministers, nine Ministers of State with independent charge and 13 Ministers of State. --IANS bns/tsb/vm ( 515 Words) 2017-03-21-21:34:07 (IANS)
Appearing for the Delhi state election commission, advocate Sumit Pushkarna yesterday submitted before the court that they don't have the power to allot symbols to unrecognized but registered political parties, adding that this power is vested with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Swaraj India, led by Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, approached the Delhi High Court earlier last week challenging the state election commission's denial to their plea for a common symbol in the upcoming civic polls.

Delhi state election commission earlier on March 14 announced April 22 as the date for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls.

The petitioner said the poll panel denied the request for a symbol on March 7 despite a provision in the rules to provide a symbol to a registered but unrecognised political party like Swaraj India which is set to make its electoral debut.

Senior advocate Arvind Nigam mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and V. K. Rao for an urgent hearing.

Swaraj India was floated by Yadav and Bhushan, who were expelled from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after they questioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.

The lawyer argued that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) order, the Election Commission of India itself allows newly registered political parties to have a common symbol for all their candidates for contesting their first election.

The party has claimed that states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Kerala, Sikkim and Tripura follow the rules made by the Election Commission of India (ECI). (ANI)
Earlier this month, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that an open auction of Taj Mansingh Hotel would be done.

Kejriwal, a member NDMC made the announcement following a special meeting of its top decision-making body.

"Important decisions today's NDMC meeting-open auction of Taj Mansingh, cancel Le Meridian Hotel license, 240 days TMR (Temporary Muster Roll) every yr 2 all death cases (sic)," Kejriwal had tweeted.

The apex court, earlier in November last year ordered that the status quo with regard to the Taj Mansingh Hotel be maintained and issued a notice to NDMC to reply to plea against the auction of hotel.

The Delhi High Court had earlier dismissed the Tata Group's appeal for retaining management rights over the Taj Mansingh Hotel, and in all practicality, told the business conglomerate that it will have to participate in the auction process.

The high court gave the green signal to the NDMC to go ahead with the public auction of the Taj Mansingh Hotel located in Central Delhi. (ANI)
Police said here Biswas and an associate were arrested from a village near Bangladesh border around 0400 hours today.

The duo will reportedly be produced before a local court there and Assam Police is expected to get transit remand to bring them to Assam.

Biswas is the president of Nikhil Bharat Bengali Udbasto Samanay Samiti, purportedly fighting for rights of displaced Bengali Hindus.

He had addressed and led a rally of the organisation at Silapathar in Dhemaji district of northern Assam on March 6 last, in support of granting citizenship to persecuted Hindu bengalis from Bangladesh, which is a volatile issue in Assam.

Members of the rally allegedly vandalised the local office of influential All Assam Student's Union (AASU), leading to agitation across the state against the attack.

A police case was filled against NiBBUSS and its head Biswas and others.

Several arrests have already been made in the state, while Biswas, who had fled the state, was held today.UNI SG SJC

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Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Karge, on Wednesday said that former union minister S.M. Krishna is committing a big mistake by changing his principals at this age. Extremely disappointed with Krishna's decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kharge said the former was one of the few Congress leaders facilitated with everything and accorded with all sorts of posts. "The party gave him everything. He was one of the very few Congress leaders, who was provided with all facilities and honored with all kinds of posts. Don't know how at this age he is taking this step," said Kharge. "I have no idea that how did his ideology, which he followed for over 50 years changed. Few days of life are left and he is committing a very big mistake by changing his principles at this age," he added. Krishna in the past had alleged that the grand old party does not want interference in its "hereditary" leadership. "The Congress needs no interference. There is hereditary leadership present. I will go to Delhi and see what happens. The people will have the final say in this matter," Krishna had said. Krishna resigned from the Congress earlier in January this year. Ever since then, speculations had been rife that he would join the saffron party. But, he was reportedly told to wait, in the wake of Assembly elections in five states of the country. The 84-year-old first became a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mandya in 1968. Krishna led the Congress to victory in Karnataka in 1999 and served as the chief minister till 2004. He also served as the governor of Maharashtra from 2004-2008. (ANI)
At least seven people were killed when a tar-laden tanker fell on a SUV carrying them on NH 2 in West Bengal's Burdwan district today, police said. The accident happened around 0900 hours near Rathtolla when the heavy tanker carrying molten tar skidded off the road and fell on the SUV sandwiching it under its impact, police added. Both vehicles were speeding towards Durgapur, the industrial town of Burdwan, about 100 km north of Kolkata. Heavy crane was deployed to pull off the tanker. Eye witnesses said the small vehicle was trying to overtake the tanker, which in a bid to avoid a head-on-collision with a car from opposite direction turned turtle.UNI XC-PC SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1198437.Xml
With one more succumbing to the killer brew,locally called cholai, the toll in the hooch tragedy rose to 13 in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district since yesterday, police and medics said today. All the victims were in the age group of 30-40 and the residents of adjoining villages of Gholabari and Shivnagar in the border areas of Barauipur and Canning in South 24 Parganas. Police and medics said with one death in a local hospital the toll rose to13. The toll might increase as some, admitted after havingnausea and other syndrome, were still in critical condition. Police have so far arrested seven people, accused of running cholai business in the region. Local people agitated over the administration's alleged lackadaisicalattitude said had police taken early action in arresting the bootleggers, manylives could have been saved. Local people also torched shades where brews are made.UNI XC-PC SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1198444.Xml
The city police investigating the alleged extortion and medical negligence by Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals in connection with Sanjay Roy's death last month has summoned private hospital's two top officials, including vice-chairperson and HR, to depose before the Phoolbagan police station on the VIP Road. Sources said the vice-chairperson, whose station is Chennai, has already arrived in the city and is expected to appear before the investigating officers by this afternoon. Ruby Roy, the widow of Sanjoy Roy, filed an FIR with the Phoolbagan police station, alleging extortion and medical negligence on thepart of Apollo Hospital leading to death of her 30-year-old husband. Sanjoy Roy breathed his last on March 23 at the SSKM Hospital, few hours after being shifted from Apollo hospital, which delayed about fivehours to release the patient of accident victim after ensuring deposition of FDs and other fund certificates to clear dues. The Kolklata police earlier quizzed several medics and hospital staff, including the DGM corporate affairs and the head of HR department.UNI PC SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1198480.Xml
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Bihar Diwas. Greeting the people, the Chief minister in a statement said, " We hope Bihar will continue its march towards development and prosperity. People will maintain brotherhood, social and religious harmony. Let us take the state to a new height of development. " A separate province of Bihar and Orissa was carved out of Bengal in 1912, and the Bihar government started celebrating the birth of the state on March 22 after Nitish Kumar came to power in November, 2005. In fact, it was his initiative a few years ago to celebrate the day with great fanfare across the state.UNI IS SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1198490.Xml
As many as 700 MBBS and 221 PG seats in both Government and Private Colleges were increased in the State after formation of separate Telangana, Medical and Health Minister Dr K Laxma Reddy informed the Assembly today. Dr Reddy, during question hour, said that five Medical (MBBS) colleges have been set up with the students strength of 700. The colleges were Government Medical College, Mahabubnagar (150), ESI, Medical College, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad (10), RVM Institute of Medical Sciences, Medak (150), Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Vikarabad (150), Maheswara Medical College and Hospital, Medak (150). The Minister said that the government has taken up for the first time in the country to promote and encourage research activity in the Government Medical Colleges for which Rs 12 crore has been allocated during 2016-17 as Research Fund. About Rs 6 crore has been released so far, he added. He said that the government has been launching Medical Colleges one after another to reach out their target and establish one Medical College in every district in the state. The government was spending Rs 60 crore every year on PG students who were working in rural areas (Mandatory) but not reaching expected targets, Dr Reddy said, adding that the government was planning to appoint permanent PG doctors in place of PG students.UNI VV CS 1518 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1198721.Xml
Founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) Zakir Naik declined to be present at the National Investigation Authority (NIA) Headquarter in connection with a case filed against him under an anti-terror law. The development came after NIA issued a notice asking Naik to appear at the NIA Headquarter. However, Naik's lawyer has stated that his client has not received any summon and hence is not likely to appear before the NIA. "If summons are not served upon him in accordance with law, then there is no service of summons on him till today," Naik's laywer M Solkar said. Earlier on March 14, the NIA had issued a notice to Naik and ordered him to face questioning. Naik, however, did not respond back to the notice. The IRF, headed by Naik, last year moved a petition seeking directions against the ban imposed on it by the Central Government. The Delhi High Court, however, on March 16 dismissed the plea by Naik-led IRF against an immediate ban and freezing of accounts of the organisation. The court said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sufficient material for the immediate ban. Last year on November 15, the Centre had banned the IRF for five years after declaring it as an "unlawful association" under the anti-terror laws, and the NIA followed up with raids on its premises in Mumbai on November 19. The foundation had first come under the scanner after the terrorist responsible for Dhaka attack in 2016, in an online post had said that he was inspired by Naik's speeches. (ANI)
A five-car rally team of Indian Navy's Social Outreach Programme Coast to Coast, arrived at Indian Naval Academy(INA), at Ezhimala in the district after covering 6000 km by road. The rally is part of celebrations to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of INS Valsura. The team was formally received by Captain Sumeet Kapoor, NM, Training Captain (Coord), INA. INS Valsura is a 75 year old establishment of the Indian Navy located at Jamnagar, Gujarat. The establishment is a premier training institute for the Electrical Engineers of the Indian Navy. The establishment boasts of a rich maritime heritage, dating back to pre-Independence India of 1942, when the British Navy set up a Torpedo School on 15 Dec 1942 and named it Val-Sura from the Tamil words Val Sword and Surah Fish. As a part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of INS Valsura, the Indian Navy is commemorating the event with a unique 'Coast to Coast' social outreach programme to connect with the children and youth of the country along both coasts. A mega road trip in five cars will cover a distance of more than 6000 km, touching all major naval establishments and places of maritime heritage enroute. The rally team will interact with local populace, war veterans and naval widows during the course of their road trip and also visit schools and colleges to spread awareness about the Indian Navy. The participants was flagged off at 0700 hrs today, from Indian Naval Academy by Vice Admiral SV Bhokare, AVSM, YSM, NM, Commandant, Indian Naval Academy. The crew would reach Headquarters Southern Naval Command, Kochi after visiting Kozhikode enroute, an INA release said today.UNI AK SDR 1641 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1198829.Xml
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamitoday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securingthe release of 35 fishermen who were arrested and detained by IranianCoast Guard, while they were fishing in Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Ina Demi-Official letter to Mr Modi, he urged him instruct the IndianEmbassies in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in Iran to take effective legal steps to secure the immediate release of these poor innocent Indian fishermen. ''Their prolonged incarceration, who went abroad to earn their livelihood severely affects their families and dependents in India who are suffering economically and also undergoing mental trauma'', he said. The Chief Minister also requested Mr Modi to instruct the Ministry of External Affairs to take speedy action in this matter." He said the fishermen, arrested in three separate incidents, were engaged in fishing in Bahrain, the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on contract basis under the sponsorship of local employers. In the first incident, five fishermen from Kanniyakumari district,who had ventured for fishing in a fishing boat 'Dhanak Tharin' ownedby a local sponsor from Saudi Arabia on August eight last year, hadinadvertently strayed into Iranian waters and were apprehended and detained in Pachar Jail in Iran by the Iranian Coast Guard since August seven. In the second incident, 15 fishermen from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram districts ventured for fishing in three boats owned by three local sponsors from Muharakkh base of Bahrain on September 20 when they arrested and detained in Kish Island in Iran by the Iranian Coast Guard since September 22. It was also reported that the Iranian Court imposed a fine whichhas also been paid by the fishermen through their local sponsors. However, even after remittance of the fine, the fishermen were yet to be released by the Iranian Authorities. In the third incident, 15 fishermen from Ramanathapuram District ventured for fishing in boats owned by local sponsors from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, when they were detained and taken toKrish Island for straying into Iranian waters since December 27,Mr Palaniswami said and sought Mr Modi's personal interventionon the matter and secure their release. UNI GV 1755 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1199096.Xml
Qualcomm Incorporated today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic collaboration with T-Hub, India's fastest growing start-up engine. The announcement comes as a follow-up to Qualcomm's commitment to invest 8.5 million dollar as part of their Qualcomm Design in India program announced in January 2017. As per the agreement, Qualcomm will utilize this association to expand its Innovation Lab's ecosystem in the country by providing access to design, development, and testing facilities at Hyderabad, while T-Hub will provide mentorship and logistics support from in-house experts for start-ups focused on innovation around financial technologies and Smart Cities, a statement here said. Commenting on the partnership, Jim Cathey, senior vice president and president, Asia Pacific and India, Qualcomm International, Inc. said, "We stand committed to enabling the partner ecosystem in India in new areas of technology. Our collaboration with T-Hub, will help us scale rapidly, utilizing their infrastructure and resources and bring path-breaking innovations to India." Commenting on the collaboration, Jay Krishnan, CEO, T-Hub, said, "Given the highly competitive business environment in the country, innovation is a key differentiating factor for start-ups. We are extremely pleased to work with Qualcomm, a global leader in innovation, to support the expansion of their initiatives in India".UNI VV SDR RK1726 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1198957.Xml
Veteran Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday and stated that he would like to rededicate himself to the cause of the nation under the saffron party's banner. "I am deeply humbled that I am joining a political set-up which has given a great glory to the country and I would like to rededicate myself to the cause of the nation under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party," Krishna told the media here. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah while welcoming Krishna in the party said that his contribution is appreciable and that the former Congress stalwart is a great asset of the nation. "On behalf of BJP I welcome him. His contribution will make our position strong in Karnataka," he said. Krishna who joined BJP in presence of Amit Shah had put off his plan last week after the death of his sister. Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with Shah and to join the party, he had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her death. 84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not. Krishna, who was the chief minister Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012. A trusted aide of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Krishna is credited with setting up Bengaluru as the nation's IT hub. Later, he returned to Karnataka, hoping to play a role in state politics. He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister M C Sampath today informed the State Assembly that the state government has notgiven any permission for the hydro-carbon project at Neduvasal in Pudukottai district. Replying to a special call attention motion, he said the government,which was functioning on the path laid out by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa would always stand by the farmers. Listing out the steps taken by the government to allay the fears ofthe locals and the farmers, who staged a massive protest on the issue,the Minister said since the farmers have expressed their opposition to the project and that their livelihood would be affected, the governmentwould not accord any sanction for the project. ''The people of Neduvasal village, farmers need not have any fearsabout it'', he said and promised that the state government would not implement any scheme that affected the farmers. Mr Sampath also recalled the Chief Minister taking up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with New Delhi. During the meeting, the Chief Minister requested him to instruct the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to take any further action in this regard only after adequate consultation with stakeholders and ensuring that the interests of the farmers were fully safeguarded. It will not be advisable for ONGC to proceed with any mining activity in Neduvasal without clearance from the State Government. Earlier, speaking on the issue, Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin (DMK) wanted the government to adopt a resolution in the StateAssembly on the lines of the one passed during the massive Jallikattuprotests and forward the same to the Centre for its approval.UNI GV 1810 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1199150.Xml
Three Indian fishermen were drowned, when an unidentified merchant vessel rammed their mechanized fishing boat on the high seas off Saudi Arabia, at midnight lastnight. Fisheries officials said here today that the fishermen S.Joseph Sugandan (53), D.George Antony (40) and P.Arul Nevil (28) hailing from Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu were working on contract basis for a Saudi-based fishing company. The fishermen along with an unidentified African National were engaged in fishing on the sea near Saudi Arabia, when their fishing trawler was rammed by an unidentified merchant vessel. All the four fishermen on board fell into sea, as the boat sunk due to the impact of the collision. While the African National was rescued by another fishing boat, all the three Indian fishermen were drowned. The body of Joseph Sugandan had been retrieved from the sea by the Saudi Arabian maritime forces. An aerial search is on to trace the missing two fishermen. Based on a communique received from the fishing company, the Kanyakumari district administration has informed the State government about the tragedy. Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased fishermen sought the assistance of Centre to bring back the body of Joseph Sugandan and to find out the two other missing fishermen. UNI GSM CS 1851 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1199198.Xml
BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra on Wednesday said the "basic structure of the Constitution has been tinkered with" by introducing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Participating in a discussion on electoral reforms in the upper house, Misra referred to the 2001 Supreme Court judgment in the Union of India versus Association for Democratic Reforms case. The apex court observed: "Under our Constitution, Article 19(1)(a) provides for freedom of speech and expression. Voters' speech or expression in case of election would include casting of votes, that is to say, voter speaks out or expresses by casting vote." He also referred to a 1978 Supreme Court judgment in Mohinder Singh Gill versus Chief Election Commissioner where the court observed that "with the end of poll, the whole election is not over. Ballots have to assembled." Mishra said: "The amendment to the Act (Representation of People Act, 1951) to bring in EVMs is ultra vires. "We have committed this mistake, Parliament has committed this mistake. We have tinkered with the basic structure of Constitution and Article 19(1)A of Constitution by introducing voting machines." Misra said today anything electronic can be hacked and the EVMs were no exception. "If even one per cent of tinkering (with votes polled) is possible, it is not a free and fair election." Advocating the mandatory use of voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) devices with EVMs, the BSP leader expressed surprise that of 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh, VVAPTs were used only in 20 seats in the latest elections. "Even this system of voters not being able to collect VVPAT slips is not perfect. Most people in our country are not literate or well educated. They cannot quickly read what is on the VVPAT slip. Hence, they should be allowed to collect it and put it in a box themselves after they are satisfied," he said. Misra said that while advanced countries like Japan and Germany are not relying on EVMs for elections, India was insisting on using them. On the anti-defection law, Misra said any elected member who defects to another party must be made to resign from his seat and recontest elections on his new party's symbol. The Bahujan Samaj Party has blamed EVMs for its rout in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election. --IANS mak/mr ( 389 Words) 2017-03-22-19:08:11 (IANS)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved fresh estimates of the project 'Deepening and Widening of Mumbai Harbour Channel and JN Port Channel (Phase-II)'. The project, costing Rs 2029 crore excluding the Service Tax, will be entirely funded through internal resources of JN Port Trust (JNPT) with market borrowing, if necessary. The project includes the existing channel to be widened from presently 370 m to 450 m for straight reach, channel to be extended from existing 33.5 km to 35.5 km. The draft of the channel will be increased from existing 14 m draft to 15 m draft. The estimated quantity to be dredged to the tune of 35.03 million cu.mtr. including 1.73 million cu.mtr. rock dredging. The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further said that work is likely to be implemented by inviting global tenders and to be completed within two years after its award. The present total capacity of JNPT for container handling is 5 million TEUs (Twenty feet Equivalent Unit) however, after the 4th Terminal becomes operational, the capacity will be enhanced to 9.8 million TEUs. Considering the expansion of the container vessel sizes on the main trade routes, it is anticipated that vessels of more than 8,000-12,000 TEU size will call the JN Port. After completion of the proJect, JNPT will attain capacity for handling additional traffic throughput of 1.67 million TEUs. The enhanced capability would help in handling larger vessels upto 12,500 TEUs besides economic benefits like saving in Vessel waiting time and savings on account of transshipment. The ultimate benefit to users will be in terms of lower unit cost, direct and indirect tax benefits in addition to reduction in vessel traffic congestion at JNPT. This would add to the competitiveness of India's EXIM trade. UNI KU RJ 2104 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0348-1199529.Xml
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) organised a GST Outreach Seminar in the city today. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Kolkata Zone appealed to all existing central excise/service tax assessees to migrate to Goods and Services Tax (GST) system at the earliest. As part of the efforts to ensure implementation of the GST, the CBEC has taken steps to ensure migration of taxpayers to the new system in a simple, user-friendly and smooth manner, said, Mr Sharma. However, if they have already initiated the process of migration to GST, they will not need to re-register, he added.Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of Central Excise B K Mallick, requested to the members of the trade and industry and their different associations to be partners in this endeavour and extend their wholehearted support for achieving the objective.CBSE Kolkata Zone has been organising a number of seminars and awareness programmes in different parts of the state to assist tax assessees in migrating to the new GST system. Various kiosks, manned with the dedicated and knowledgeable officers of the department, have been positioned in various places to assist the existing assessees who are yet to migrate and who have been facing difficulties during migration procedure. The department has also opened GST Migration Seva Desk at Kendiya Utpad Shulk Bhavan, and has allocated a dedicated number (033-24427041), whereby queries from the assessees are being received and resolved. Other commissionrates have also opened similar Migration Seva Desks for the benefit of the trade and industry.Chief Commissioner, Service Tax, Kolkata Zone S K Panda, State Commissioner of VAT Smriti Mahapatra, General Manager RBI Dimple Bhandia, Commissioner of Central Excise BK Mallick, Chairman of CII, Eastern Region Umesh Chaudhury were also present among others on the occasion.UNI BM PY RJ 2228 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1199600.Xml
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has decided to launch a major Water Campaign during the current year, covering around one lakh villages in vulnerable/ water stressed areas and more specifically, where the ground water is over-exploited. The decision comes on the heels of a similar campaign undertaken last year which covered some 40,000 villages and received encouraging response at the field level. Since NABARD has been implementing a large number of watershed development projects in various states, the important learnings and successfully demonstrated local technologies for efficient conservation and management of water resources and promotion of climate resilient agriculture through community involvement, will be one of the key inputs to sensitize the rural community during the campaign. The campaign would essentially focus on creating awareness among the rural community about the methods of water conservation, preservation and its efficient utilization at various levels using the modern technologies like micro irrigation (more crop per drop), traditional water management practices, adopting improved package of agronomic practices and others. In an innovative move, NABARD proposes to identify Village Volunteers (Jal Doots) for a localized and more effective approach. These volunteers will increase awareness about various methods of rain water harvesting, efficient water use, recharging groundwater and integrated farming systems besides facilitating creation of water conservation structures and adoption of water efficient practices/ technologies through convergence with the ongoing schemes of the Govt./ banks. Adequate number of Master Trainers in each State will be identified and professionally trained who will be deployed to run the campaign at district/ village level during the campaign period of April to July 2017. Chairman of NABARD Dr H K Bhanwala today launched the pan Indian campaign at NABARD Head Office, Mumbai. Thereafter, the water conservation campaign in West Bengal was formally launched by State Addl. Chief Secretary Dr Sanjeev Chopra, along with Chief General Manager of NABARD, West Bengal Regional Office A K Raybarman in presence of representatives of the State Govt, Partner NGOs, Agricultural Universities, Water Experts and Farmers' Club Volunteers at NABARD Regional Office here.UNI BM PY RJ 2230 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1199601.Xml
Sri Lankan Navy reportedly arrested eight Indian fishermen and confiscated their mechanised fishing boat for allegedly straying into its territorial waters, tonight. Fisheries department officials, quoting preliminary reports, said the fishermen hailing from Nagapattinam district were incarcerated, when they were fishing near the Delft Island. The arrested fishermen were being taken to Kankasanthurai port for onward legal action. This is the second time this week that the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu with fishing vessels, after they resumed fishing activities, subsequent to a week-long protest to condemn the killing of fisherman K Britjo in an alleged firing by the Lankan Navy on March 6. The fisherfolk of Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu had protested the killing and refused to accept the body of slain fisherman, demanding the Centre to given an assurance that hereafter, no such firing incidents would occur. The protest was withdrawn after the leaders of Fishermen Associations held talks with Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Pon Radhakrishnan on March 14. A delegation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at New Delhi on March 21 and appraised her of their grievances. Ten fishermen hailing from Rameswaram, along with a fishing boat, were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday night, on similar charges. UNI GSM PY RJ 2256 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1199631.Xml
Yonhap news agency quoted the military as saying that South Korea and the US were aware of the related issue.

The statement came as a response to reports that North Korea test-fired several missiles at around 7 a.m. from Wonsan on its eastern coast, Xinhua news agency reported.

--IANS in/

( 74 Words)

2017-03-22-09:02:06 (IANS)
The meeting began around 4:15 p.m. at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office and lasted for nearly two hours.

The current political situation and mutual cooperation between the two countries were discussed at the meeting, Shairul Kabir Khan, a press wing staff of BNP chairperson told the Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat called on Khaleda on February 22. (ANI)
Le Roux said he is stepping down so as to not distract from the work of the government, reports the Guardian.

He had offered his resignation earlier in the day to President Franois Hollande, who had accepted it.

The scandal broke a week after presidential candidate Franois Fillon was mise-en-examen - the French equivalent of being charged - over allegations he paid family members from public funds for "fake" jobs.

51-year-old Le Roux has admitted that he paid his daughters 55,000 (48,000) of public money over seven years.

They were given 24 short-term contracts, known as CDDs, between 2009 and 2016 while he sat in the national assembly. (ANI)
U.S. President Donald Trump has proclaimed March 21 as 'National Agriculture Day' and said the efficiency of American agriculture has provided this country with abundance our ancestors could not have imagined. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalAgDay?src=hash">#NationalAgDay</a>, we honor our great American farmers & ranchers. Their hard work & dedication are ingrained in our nation's fabric. <a href="https://t.co/HG9BGCmSmc">pic.twitter.com/HG9BGCmSmc</a></p> Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/844250273740738562">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> "America's farmers and ranchers help feed the world, fuel our Nation's economy, and lead global markets in output and productivity. The agriculture sector of the United States is endlessly innovative. It continuously builds on its centuries of progress through advances in science, research, technology, safety, production, and marketing to meet the demands of changing consumer needs and complex world markets," the White House said in a statement. Trump further said that the agriculture sector provides jobs across the nation, not just for farmers and ranchers, but for foresters, scientists, processors, shippers, firefighters, police, and retailers. "American agriculture is the largest positive contributor to our Nation's net trade balance, generating 10 percent of our exports and millions of American jobs. America's farmers and ranchers provide a safe and plentiful domestic food supply, which is vital to our national security. Moreover, they safeguard our sustainable resource base for future generations. As my Administration fights for better trade deals, agriculture will be an important consideration so that its significant contributions will only increase in the years ahead," the statement added. Asserting that American farmers and ranchers are the heart and soul of America and they represent the determined, self-reliant character of the nation, the U.S. President said they are proud of the American agriculture and recognize agriculture's critical role to the nation's bright future. "NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2017, as National Agriculture Day," the statement said. Trump said that he encourages all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in Americans' daily life, acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to the country's economy, and expressing their deep appreciation of farmers and ranchers across the nation. "IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first," the statement added. (ANI)
The Pakistan National Assembly has passed the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill to reinstate military courts with 255 votes in favour and four against. The bill, presented by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid on Tuesday, states on the outset that "an extraordinary situation and circumstances still exist which demand continuation of the special measures adopted for expeditious disposal of certain offences" as the reasons necessitating the revival of military courts, reports the Dawn. The 28th Constitutional Amendment will now be presented to Senate, where it will need two-thirds approval in order to become law. If the bill is passed, it will reinstate military courts for a period of two years starting January 7, 2017 - the date on which military courts had lapsed under the previous arrangement. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also present for Tuesday's session. Criticising the government at the session, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia MNA Ijazul Haq noted that if the National Action Plan had been implemented in letter and spirit, the need to revive military courts would not exist. Pakistan had legalised military court trials of terror suspects for a period of two years in January 2015 - soon after the terror attack on Peshawar's Army Public School in Dec 2014, in which 144 people, most of them children, were killed by Taliban militants. These courts were given a two-year constitutional cover that ended in January. Military courts were disbanded on January 7 after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired. The controversial special powers empower military courts to try civilian terror suspects. The military courts do not grant convicts the essential components of a fair and free trial, as they lack in transparency and do not allow convicts the option to appeal to civilian courts. This was the primary concern of critics of military court trials. (ANI)
Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Sharif said: "Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007," reports the Dawn.

Sharif's government was toppled by General Musharraf, then the Army Chief, through a coup in 1999 following which many members of the Sharif family including the Prime Minister were forced into exile in Saudi Arabia, where they remained until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

Sharif said that Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past.

"But I declined," he added.

He said that his family did not want to leave their motherland, but were forced into exile by the military dictator.

The Prime Minister noted that the former president was now facing a similar fate and had left the country in disgrace.

"Now, Musharraf is willing to return to the country, but he cannot," he said.

However, Sharif's assertions were disputed by former Musharraf aide and All-Pakistan Muslim League member Ahmed Raza Kasuri. "I have been working with Gen Musharraf for a long time and I have never heard any such thing," he said. (ANI)
"The President looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO's role in the fight against terrorism," the CNN quoted a statement from the White House as saying.

The statement added that, in addition to the Leaders Meeting, Trump will also host Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House next month.

The announcement comes on the heels of a decision by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to skip a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, and instead host Chinese President Xi Jingping later this month, before visiting Russia in April.

State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Tuesday afternoon that the meeting's dates didn't fit in Tillerson's schedule and a NATO official confirmed that the group is still negotiating with the State Department to schedule the meeting. Toner said the agency is "certainly appreciative of the effort to accommodate Secretary Tillerson."

The official added that Tillerson's schedule isn't the only one they're coordinating on. (ANI)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that all the victims of the attack on Monday night were displaced people from other parts of the country, living in a school in al-Mansoura area, the Islamic State's main stronghold in Syria, Efe news reported.

The 33 bodies were taken out from under the debris of the school that was apparently targeted in the air strikes.

Residents from the area told SOHR that about 40 displaced families from the provinces of Homs and Aleppo were living in the school.

SOHR did not rule out a rise in the deaths as there could be bodies still under the rubble.

Since March 8, international coalition warplanes have intensified their attacks against the city of al-Raqqa and areas located east and west the homonymous province, where at least 116 civilians, including 18 minors, were killed during the bombings.

--IANS sm/vt

( 194 Words)

2017-03-22-15:00:08 (IANS)
There is a window of only three to four months to avert mass starvation in Yemen and Somalia, plagued by conflict and drought, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today in an appeal for funding. More than 20 million people in four countries - Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria - face famine. "We have probably a window of three to four months to avoid a worst case scenario," ICRC director of operations worldwide Dominik Stillhart told a news briefing.Robert Mardini, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, said that an ICRC team who provided aid to wounded refugees after a deadly helicopter attack on their boat off the Yemen coast last Friday had collected "evidence" which had been shared with the Saudi-led coalition as well as the Houthi side.REUTERS JW RK1569 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1198802.Xml
Two armed militants on a motorcycle hurled a hand-grenade at the school in Killi Pir Alizai area of district Killa Abdullah, reports the Dawn quoting sources.

No injuries or fatalities were reported from the attack but the glasses of the school were smashed, also no immediate claims of responsibility were made for the attack.

"Fortunately, the girls were inside their classes at the time of attack," Zamarak Achakzai, the parliamentary leader of Awami National Party (ANP) who belongs to the same village told DawnNews

Achakzai further said that he strongly condemned the terror act and demanded the arrest of culprits behind the attack.

Levies personnel reached the girls high school as investigation into the incident went underway.

This is the first attack of its kind targeting an educational institution in the area. (ANI)
London police said they were called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge near the British parliament today."We were called at approx 2:40 pm to reports of an incident at #Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene," the Metropolitan police said on Twitter. REUTERS PY BL2040 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1199472.Xml
BRUSSELS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's scandal-hit prime minister and European Union (EU) chiefs on Tuesday held out hope that the two sides will soon put a seal on a free trade deal and a strategic partnership agreement in the face of a protectionism-prone U.S. administration.

Speaking at a press conference along with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels before their meeting, Abe stressed that it's important for the two sides to "show to the world the flag of free-trade as a model".

However, Abe added that Japan, the EU and the United States "should hand in hand work to maintain and reinforce the free and open international order."

"In this regard, I wish to reconfirm with the EU today that we shall try to aim for agreement in principle for negotiations for the Japan-EU economic partnership agreement and the strategic partnership agreement at the earliest possible date," Abe said.

Echoing Abe, Tusk said that they will in their talks "review progress in our bilateral relations and provide a clear political direction to our negotiators on the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agreement."

Tusk reaffirmed that the EU is "fully committed to concluding the negotiations for both agreements very soon and together.

"I'm sure that we will achieve these two highly ambitious deals. They will strengthen our political and economic strategic partnership." Tusk said.

The negotiations of the two deals are in a "decisive and hopefully final stage," Juncker told reporters.

Despite that "the few remaining issues are the most difficult to solve", Juncker said he is confident to clinch the deals this year.

Brussels is the third stop of Abe's four-day visit to Europe.

The support rate for Abe's cabinet has tumbled recently over a school land deal scandal, according to various media surveys.

Yasunori Kagoike, the president of scandal-hit Moritomo Gakuen in Osaka Prefecture, said last week that he had received a donation from Abe for an elementary school to be built on a plot of land he bought from the government at a substantially reduced price.

Kagoike will be summoned to give sworn testimony in the upper and lower house budget committee sessions on Thursday.

Moritomo Gakuen intended to open a new elementary school next month on the plot of land, but has since withdrawn its application as the scandal has unfolded.

The school was to be named after the prime minister whose name was allegedly used to raise funds for the school, according to its operator.

Abe's wife, Akie, who has given several speeches at a controversy-hit kindergarten central to ongoing scandals involving hate speech and child abuse and also run by Moritomo Gakuen, has since stepped down as the would-be school's honorary principal.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said earlier Friday that Abe's office has checked its records to see if Akie or any third parties connected to the prime minister had made any donations in an individual capacity to the school or its operator.
LONDON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Britain announced a ban on certain electronic devices being allowed in the cabin on Britain-bound flights from six Middle East countries.

The ban will apply to Britain-bound direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia, a British government spokesperson said.

Phones, laptops and tablets larger than 16.0cm x 9.3cm x 1.5cm are not allowed in the cabin on flights to Britain from the six countries. Most smartphones will continue to be allowed on board.

The British restrictions came after a similar U.S. Department of Homeland Security ban.

The spokesperson added: "The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals."

"Direct flights to the UK from these destinations can continue to operate to the UK subject to these new measures being in place."

"Travellers are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest FCO travel advice and to check online with their chosen airline for further information," spokesperson added.
RIGA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Latvia to explore investment and business opportunities in the Baltic country, Latvian public media website lsm.lv reported on Tuesday.

During his private trip to Latvia, Kerry inquired about the success of Latvia's Citadele Bank, which is owned by a consortium of U.S. entrepreneurs, as well as met with Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the Latvian government, the meeting focused on latest developments in the global economy and potential economic cooperation between Latvia and the U.S.

In an interview with Latvian public television, Kerry said he wanted to learn more about Latvia's development plans and how Latvia is going to enhance its business environment.

Special attention during the talks was paid to Latvian-U.S. cooperation in areas like IT, food exports and financial services. The government said in the statement that Latvia is ready to attract large U.S. investors.

In an interview with LETA news agency, Kerry described Latvia as a "great place to invest" and a "place where something is happening".
HARARE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean police have banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in public for the next three months in the capital Harare amid planned demonstrations by the opposition, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported Tuesday.

The police also effected the ban in Gwanda District in Matabeleland South, citing an increase in assaults, murder and robbery cases mostly committed by illegal gold panners.

Opposition parties under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) have planned to stage a demonstration in Harare on Wednesday this week to protest against government's decision to procure biometric voter registration kits for the 2018 national elections without the involvement of the United Nations Development Program.

A group of war veterans will also hold a meeting in the capital Thursday to discuss their welfare.

Police had initially sought to stop the two meetings, which would now go ahead after being cleared by the High Court.

The Herald quoted Officer Commanding Harare Central District Chief Superintendent Jasper Chizemo as saying that the ban was effected under the Public Order and Security Act in the belief that the weapons were likely to occasion public disorder or breach of peace and might also be used to commit serious crimes like unlawful entry.

"The belief is informed by the notification for public demonstrations lined up in my district of jurisdiction on March 22 2017, I hereby issue an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons within my district for three months that is from March 22 to June 22, 2017," reads the notice by Chizemo.

The banned weapons include catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, knives, swords, daggers and any other traditional weapons likely to cause disorder and breach of peace.

Opposition parties last year staged a series of demonstrations in the capital protesting against economic hardships and alleged corruption in government, resulting in police firing tear gas and water cannon to quell the demonstrations. Enditem
WINDHOEK, March 21 (Xinhua) -- President Donald Trump said the United States will work with the government of Namibia to promote peace.

In his message read during Namibia's 27th Independence celebrations held at Rundu (about 700 kilometers from Windhoek) Tuesday, Trump said it is his desire that the United States and Namibia work together to improve the lives of their citizens.

Trump also said that the government of Namibia has the full support of the U.S government in its quest for growth and a promising future.

Apart from Trump's message, Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated President Hage Geingob and the Namibian people on the occasion of the country's 27th Independence Day.

Putin lauded the friendly and constructive nature of the relationship between Russia and Namibia, saying that he has confidence in the continued development and mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Other messages came from the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and the DRC president Joseph Kabila. Sweden too sent its congratulatory message to Namibia.

Mugabe expressed his wish to continue fostering and expanding cooperation with Namibia in all aspects for the benefit of both Zimbabweans and Namibians.

He also said acknowledged that the relationship between the two countries goes back to the days of the liberation struggle.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the Oval Office after returning to the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- No smoking gun was unearthed at Monday's U.S. Congressional hearing on alleged Russian meddling in 2016 U.S. presidential race, but the probe is likely to continue, experts said.

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey acknowledged the existence of the investigation of suspected Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election with hacking to help then Republican candidate Donald Trump win the White House. Moscow has strongly denied the accusation.

Weeks before the Nov. 8 presidential election, WikiLeaks released a treasure trove of hacked emails from then Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign.

They included damning statements made by top campaign officials against Catholics, as well as other materials that were embarrassing to the Clinton campaign.

Controversy over the issue has been building, and Monday's hearing was the first of likely many more to come, experts said.

There was no definitive smoking gun at the hearing, but lots of circumstantial evidence regarding contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

"The FBI director confirmed a formal investigation so this is potentially ominous for the White House. We won't know for sure what the fallout will be until the investigation is concluded and we see if there are any indictments," he said.

If the FBI indicts Trump campaign staff, it would keep this issue on the public agenda for the next year or more, and it would distract the White House from its policy agenda and make it more difficult to pass controversial legislation, West said.

The longer-term ramifications could be negative for the administration, he added.

Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency, told Xinhua there was no smoking gun at the hearing, but the lack of comment on certain lines of questioning by Comey speaks volumes about the wide scope of the ongoing investigation into Russia's alleged interference.

The hearing, and the fact that Comey went so far as to acknowledge that there is an investigation, demonstrates the seriousness with which both the FBI and the Congressional Intelligence Committee take the issue of the alleged Russian interference, Mahaffee said.

As much of the scope remains classified to protect sources and methods, as well as to protect any evidence that may be applied to any potential criminal charges, there was little that could be said beyond the acknowledgement of the investigation, Mahaffee said.

This investigation will be of interest to those who worry about the impact of alleged Russian interference, and those concerned about leaks of classified information coming from within government, he added.
DUBLIN, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Irish President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and other key political figures have all praised Martin McGuinness's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.

McGuinness, Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and an ex-IRA commander, died overnight at the age of 66 after a short illness. He had been diagnosed with a rare heart disease in December.

Higgins led the Tuesday tributes, saying that the world of politics miss the leadership he gave.

"The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland," the Irish president said in a statement.

"As president of Ireland, I wish to pay tribute to his immense contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland -- a contribution which has rightly been recognised across all shades of opinion," he said.

Irish Prime Minister Kenny said McGuinness's passing represents a significant loss, "not only to politics in Northern Ireland but to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond."

Kenny said Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime.

He described McGuinness as one of the chief architects of the Good Friday Agreement, saying that McGuinness worked resolutely in the years that followed it in pursuit of its full implementation.

The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s. The agreement is made up of two inter-related documents, both agreed in Belfast on Good Friday, April 10, 1998.

Other key Irish political figures, including ex-prime minister Bertie Ahern, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, highlighted McGuinness's efforts to stop the violence in Northern Ireland.

A former member of the IRA's Army Council, McGuinness became Sinn Fein's chief negotiator in the peace process. He led the party into power-sharing with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in 2007 and served as deputy first minister.

On Tuesday, hundreds of people gathered in Derry, Northern Ireland to accompany the body of McGuinness on his final journey home. He died at Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital. His funeral mass will be held at St. Columba's Church, Derry this coming Thursday.
TORONTO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock market ended Tuesday with its lowest close of the year, as declines in energy and financial sectors contributed to a triple-digit loss.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite dipped 129.19 points, or 0.84 percent, to 15,313.13 points. Eight of the 10 sub-groups finished the day in negative territory.

For a second straight day, the energy and financial groups had the biggest impact on the index, retreating 1.55 percent and 1.24 percent, apiece.

The TSX energy group was hit hard as the price of crude oil continued to tumble. In London, barrel of Brent delivered in May slid 1.74 percent to 50.93 U.S. dollar. The benchmark crude oil has traded lower in 10 of the past 11 sessions for a combined loss of 8.87 percent.

Subsequently, several Calgary-based energy firms were among the most actively traded stocks on the day.

Encana Corporation was atop the list with more than 14.9 million shares exchanged and closed the day at 14.12 Canadian dollars, a 2.28 percent decline. Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Suncor Energy Inc also contributed to the group's demise, declining 1.44 percent and 1.27 percent respectively.

Financial group ended lower after U.S. markets had their worst performances since in November after investors fear U.S. President Donald Trump will be unable to deliver the promised tax cuts.

Within the group, insurance firms saw the steepest decline, as Manulife Financial Corporation fell 4.04 percent to 23.04 Canadian dollars, while Sun Life Financial Inc. slipped 1.98 percent to 47.96 Canadian dollars.

All of Canada's top banks were also down. Bank of Montreal declined 1.40 percent, while Bank of Nova Scotia lost 1.32 percent. No. 2 ranked Toronto-Dominion Bank slipped 1.16 percent, while top-ranked Royal Bank of Canada closed the day at 95.43 Canadian dollars, a 0.89 percent loss.

The remaining groups to close the day lower were: Consumer Discretionary (1.34 percent), Industrials (1.24 percent), Information Technology (1.03 percent), Health Care (0.99 percent), Materials (0.04 percent), and Consumer Staples (0.01 percent).

On the bright side, telecommunications and utilities groups were able to come out ahead on Tuesday, gaining 0.33 percent and 0.26 percent, respectively.

On the economic slate, Statistics Canada reported that retail sales jumped 2.2 percent in January to 46.0 billion Canadian dollars. Ten of the 11 industries saw increases with Motor vehicle and parts dealers leading the way with a 3.8 percent surge.

By region, sales were up in 12 out of the 13 provinces and territories. British Columbia (2.9 percent), Alberta (2.4 percent), Quebec (2.6 percent), and Ontario (1.7 percent) accounted for more than 85 percent of the total.

The Canadian dollar inched down 0.02 cents to finish the day at 0.7486 U.S. dollars. Enditem
PYONGYANG, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided to convene the fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) here on April 11, the official news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The decision was made Tuesday by the Presidium of the SPA, the KCNA said in a brief dispatch without giving details.

The SPA, the highest legislative body of the DPRK, is convened once or twice a year.

The first session of the 13th SPA, which was held in April 2014, re-elected top leader Kim Jong Un first chairman of the National Defense Commission, and Pak Pong Ju premier of the DPRK cabinet.

At the fourth session of the 13th SPA last June, Kim was elected chairman of the State Affairs Commission, a newly-created institution to replace the National Defense Commission. The session also revised the Constitution.

The SPA, which acts as the DPRK's parliament, has the power to adopt, amend or supplement enactments to the constitution, determine state policies and budgets, and adjust the leadership.

The 13th SPA elected 687 deputies across the country in March 2014, who are set to serve a five-year term.
PARIS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The investigation by France's National Financial Office into Francois Fillon, a right-wing candidate for the French presidential election 2017, and his wife Penelope Fillon, has been widened to include "aggravated fraud, forgery and use of forgeries," the French press reported on Tuesday.

The investigators wanted to determine whether the couple Fillon have established false documents to justify the wages paid to Penelope, according to information confirmed by the French radio station Europe 1.

The judges also seized "sheets, signed by Penelope Fillon, including different calculations of hours worked," Europe 1 said.

The inquiry had targeted the activities of Penelope Fillon's wife and her children in the National Assembly, also concerning the costumes offered to Francois Fillon, according to Europe 1.
SYDNEY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Only one percent of Australian children are receiving quality education in the pre-school system, a study has found.

The research, published by The University of Melbourne on Wednesday, found that while children were well cared for emotionally they were missing out on play-based learning which is vital to development.

Researchers from the Effective Early Education Experiences for Kids project tracked 2,500 three and four year olds from Victoria and Queensland over five years.

The landmark study found that low quality teaching aimed at turning play into learning was present at 87 percent of pre-school services while just one percent had high-quality learning.

Only eight percent of centers were found to have high-quality care and hygiene while six percent had high-quality activities.

Results of the study suggested that even educators at the tertiary level were spending more time focusing on behavior than important higher-order thinking.

Collette Tayler, lead author of the study, said the major fear was that most children were starting school at a disadvantage.

"A lot of the time educators are making sure children are behaving and communicating and supported emotionally but it's not good enough without picking up the learning," Tayler told News Limited on Wednesday.

"Educators should be discussing their play with children, making sure they understand and helping them explore what is going on and why.

"The presence of this learning at three and four makes a difference to children's outcomes later at age eight."

Jenny Mikakos, Victoria's Minister for Families and Children, said the report would "help guide future funding decisions as we reform and improve Victoria's early childhood sector."
NEW DELHI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- An India court in northern state of Uttar Pradesh has given the status of "living human entities" to the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and extended legal rights as a person to both the watercourses.

The court order makes polluting the rivers legally comparable to hurting a person and accordingly will elicit legal action.

Though highly polluted with sewage, industrial wastes, pilgrims' mass bathing and immersion of human ashes as religious rituals, the rivers are considered sacred by majority of Hindu population.

"Exercising extraordinary jurisdiction vested in the court, a division bench of Uttarakhand High Court on Monday declared holy rivers - Ganges and Yamuna to be treated as living human entities," a court official said Tuesday.

"The court ordered that chief secretary and the advocate general of Uttarakhand will act as the 'legal parents' of the holy rivers and work as a human face to protect, conserve and preserve them and their tributaries."

The court ordered that the chief secretary who is also director of Namami Gange project (National Mission for Clean Ganges) will be responsible for cleaning and rejuvenating the river. The Namami Gange is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious plan undertaken to clean and conserve the river.

After assuming power in 2014, Modi pledged to clean up the Ganges, a promise yet to be fulfilled.

The move is seen as an effort to conserve and protect the two rivers along with the faith attached to them.

Last week the Whanganui River in the North Island of New Zealand became the world's first natural resource to be declared as a living entity with full legal rights. The river has special status owing to its importance to the region's Mori people.

The river Ganges stretched over length of 2,525 km originates from icy Himalayan peaks of Uttarakhand called Gangotri and criss-crosses several states before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Yamuna is its largest tributary and originates from Yamunotri in Uttarakhand.

Revered by Indian Hindus, the Ganges during its course is slowly poisoned with industrial wastes and pollution from the population that reside along its banks. Ganges is the third largest river in the world but also one of the most polluted.
YANGON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is stepping up drive on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing as part of the work procedure of Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday.

The drive includes mutual evaluation in the member countries, the amendment of the anti-money laundering law, the formation of a working committee for mutual evaluation in the member countries in 2016, Police Colonel Kyaw Win Thein told a meeting of the Central Committee for Anti-Money Laundering in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, chaired by Minister of Home Affairs Kyaw Swe.

Probes were taken into 93 cases related to money laundering, of which 56 cases were completed, while 15 cases are under investigation in the one-year period of the incumbent government which took office in April last year, the report said.

Myanmar formed the anti-money laundering central committee in August 2014 in a bid to effectively combat money laundering.

Tasked to formulate policies on anti-money laundering and combating financial support for terrorism, the central board is also cooperating with international and regional organizations and neighboring countries in fight against money laundering, exchanging information on financial intelligence relating to money laundering.

Myanmar enacted the Anti-Money Laundering Law in March 2014.

Myanmar has so far cooperated with Thailand, Indonesia and Australia in combating money laundering and financial terrorism.
SYDNEY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- An Australian driver who killed a teenage pedestrian was arrested and released by police twice the day before the fatal incident, a court has been told.

Steven Vasilevski, 35, was sentenced to nine years and seven months imprisonment for a fatal crash and drug-fuelled crime spree in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Vasilevski killed 17-year-old Anthony Nguyen and left his friend Jasmine Vuong permanently injured when he drove through a red light at speed in January 2015.

In sentencing Vasilevski, County Court Judge Carolyn Douglas detailed the 28-hour crime spree that saw the man arrested twice, released both times without charges, before the fatal crash.

Douglas said that Vasilevski was arrested the night before the crash after driving erratically around the western suburbs, narrowly missing a 19-year-old woman at a pedestrian crossing.

On the way to the police station the man asked police officers if they could stop so he could buy drugs and later refused a drug test.

Police released him without charges before he was arrested again hours later for stealing a forklift, an incident he was again released for without charges hours before he killed Nguyen.

Judge Douglas said his behavior was callous and despicable.

"Not only did you not stop (after hitting the teenagers), you didn't contact anyone... you just went home," Douglas told Vasilevski.

Police arrested Vasilevski days after the crash and charged him with culpable driving, a charge that was later reduced to dangerous driving causing death.

Detective Acting Sergeant Trevor Collins told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that police had no power to detain drivers affected by drugs or alcohol such as Vasilevski was when arrested both times before the crash.

"We know what their level of affectedness is, yet they're released pretty much from custody straight away to then go in amongst the community again," Collins said.

"We don't have the power to do anything about it."
SYDNEY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The government of Australia's Victoria State has rejected a proposal by a parliamentary inquiry to lower the state's driving age to 17.

The recommendation by the Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee would have brought driving laws in Victoria in line with laws in Australia's other states, all of which allow teenagers to get their driver's license at 17.

However, support for the proposal from the government was ruled out by Roads Minister Luke Donnellan who said the change would lead to more fatal crashes.

"(Road safety experts) expect if we drop the age to 17 years of age we'd have 10 more sons and daughters, young people, who would lose their lives on our roads. That is simply not acceptable," Donnellan told reporters on Wednesday.

"So let me make it very clear: we do not support the proposition, we will not be lowering the driving age to 17 years of age."

"The State Government has a 'towards zero' road safety policy. We're very serious about that.

"We do not expect anybody in the future to die on our roads and that is very much what we're working towards."

Committee member Fiona Patten refuted Donnellan's claim, saying the report uncovered no evidence that the change would cost lives.

"The major reasons for accidents and deaths is inexperience. It is experience and not age that predicts if someone would have an accident or not," Patten told News Limited on Wednesday.

Under the proposal learner drivers would need at least 20 hours of supervised night-time driving experience before being allowed to take the driving test, double the current amount.

The report said that experience rather than age was the major factor in road trauma.

"A key discussion point throughout the Committee's investigations was the unique risks associated with 17 year-old drivers compared to those aged 18 years," it said.

"The Committee does not believe there is sufficient evidence to indicate a significant difference in the risk levels between the two age groups.

"Victoria is the only jurisdiction in Australia with a minimum probationary driving age of 18 years."

Donnellan also ruled out support for a system of exemptions based on undue hardship proposed by Committee Chairman Geoff Howard whereby 17-year-olds who could prove they needed their license due to a hardship could take the driving test a year early.
TOKYO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may have fired missiles, Japan's Kyodo News reported on Wednesday quoting government sources.
ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's parliament has approved to revive the military courts for the trial of terrorism-related cases, local media reported on Wednesday.

The two-year term of the military courts expired in January and both the treasury and opposition benches late Tuesday joined hands to pass an amendment in the constitution for a two-year extension.

A total of 255 lawmakers in 342-member National Assembly or lower house of the parliament voted in favour of the bill while only four opposed the bill.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the parliament session during the voting and earlier debate on the important legislation.

The military courts were established for the speedy trial of the terrorists after the deadliest attack on an army public school in Peshawar in December 2014. Nearly 150 people, mostly students, were killed in the Taliban claimed attack.

The army said the military courts have so far awarded death sentence to a total of 161 terrorists and 21 of them have been executed.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate, upper house of the parliament for approval.

Earlier taking part in the discussion, Nafisa Shah of the major opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said military courts are working in a number of the democratic countries in the world. She said the PPP supported the bill because extraordinary measures are needed to address the menace of terrorism.

Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of the opposition ANP supported the bill and said that elimination of terrorist mindset is imperative for eradication of terrorism from the country.

Speaking on the bill, Law Minister Zahid Hamid said the military courts are being revived in view of the extraordinary situation and circumstances constituting grave threat to the security and integrity of Pakistan from various terrorist groups.

Winding up the discussion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that after the expiry of the tenure of the military courts on Jan. 7, the government in consensus with all the parliamentary political parties decided to revive it.
BELGRADE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- EU probe concerning the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest project in Hungary will not delay the realization of its Serbian part, because it is in line with Serbian national law and agreements with the EU and China, said the country's Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure on Tuesday.

"Concerning Chinese part of the project, the realization progresses according to schedule and in harmony with all obligations that stem from national law and international agreements that are in effect, and we do not expect any delays during this process," said the ministry in a response to Xinhua.

Serbian authorities said the country regularly consults the EU about the project, and has not been contacted concerning the probe in Hungary.

"We believe that the Hungarian side will find a way to harmonize its goals with the EU, and that the complete railway will be realized in line with the schedule agreed by all three sides," noted the ministry, referring to the probe started by the European Commission in late February.

The probe aims to investigate whether the project for the construction of the around 3-billion-U.S.-dollar high-speed railway in any way violated European laws concerning financial feasibility and public procurement.

The Serbian ministry said in the letter that the country is conducting regular consultations with the European Commission when it comes to its part of the project, which secures its realization in line with all national as well as EU Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) standards in the area of railway transport.

Moreover, "significant efforts have been made so far that reflected on the commercial contract, so as not to harm obligations that Serbia has towards its national law, bilateral international agreements (with China) as well as multilateral agreements (agreement on stabilization and association between Serbia and the EU)."

"Certain suggestions that stem from the agreement on stabilization and association between the EU and Serbia are built into the project and into the commercial contract with Chinese construction companies," said the ministry.

The ministry said it is "optimistic" about the outcome and the differences between all relevant parties will be removed "when it comes to harmonization of procedures between EU members and also in a much wider context of cooperation between China and the EU."
KIEV, March 21 (Xinhua) -- "We've been working on toys for 17 years, and for all the 17 years we've been working with Chinese toy makers, because no other people can give us similar goods," said Inna Georgieva, a co-owner of toy chain shops from southern Ukraine.

The Georgieva family runs the toy chain shops Igrushki-Opt in the Odessa region. She was in the Ukrainian capital Tuesday to attend the 21st international trade fair of children goods held at the International Exhibition Center.

About 70 toy producers from Ukraine and abroad exhibited products during the fair, but Georgieva told Xinhua that she was interested only in toys offered by Chinese producers.

She explained that China-made toys are very competitive on the Ukrainian market because of reasonable price and good quality.

"Speaking of the quality, it is hard to compare, for instance, Ukrainian and Chinese toys, because China produces more interesting, more intellectual toys," Georgieva said.

Besides, China-made toys are much cheaper than those produced in Ukraine or in European Union countries, she added.

Experts estimate China-made toys account for about 90 percent of the Ukrainian market. The playthings are largely imported into the East European country from Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

However, due to consumer spending boosted by an overall economic recovery in Ukraine, more and more Chinese toy makers are seeking to enter the Ukrainian market of more than 40 million consumers.

The trade fair of children goods attracted about a dozen of Chinese makers from Shantou in Guangdong, a global hub of toy making.

They presented a variety of toys, ranging from plastic knick-knacks to remote control cars and even robots.

Zhang Aibing, deputy head of the Shantou Convention and Exhibition Economic Association, said she sees good prospects for Chinese makers to expand their achievements in Ukraine's toy market.

"We are optimistic about the prospects to further advance in the Ukrainian market. We have studied beforehand the products here and the market as a whole. Ukrainians spend a lot of money on goods for children," Zhang told Xinhua.

She was echoed by Chen Xuan, from Shantou-based major block toys maker BanBao. He said China and Ukraine have vast opportunities for cooperation in the toy industry as the two economies are highly complementary.

"We make good toys, while Ukraine is the good market. Therefore we can come together, and we hope to cooperate," Chen said.
COLOMBO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left on Wednesday on an official visit to Russia, the President's office said.

President Sirisena is the first Sri Lankan leader to visit Russia since 1974, when then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow.

The visit takes place as both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the Foreign Ministry said earlier.

During the visit, President Sirisena is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

The official discussions are expected to review progress made in the longstanding bilateral relationship, including the way forward to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Several bilateral agreements in the areas of fisheries, tourism, cultural and education cooperation, including cooperation in the science and technology sector, are scheduled to be signed.

In order to actively promote trade and business linkages between the two countries, a Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum will be held in Moscow, and Sri Lanka will be represented by a delegation of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and five other cabinet ministers are accompanying the president on the trip.
CHONGQING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Isn't a lemon just a lemon? Perhaps, when but when it hits the production line in Tongnan, a district of southwest China's Chongqing city, it can become anything from fruit tea to facial mask to essential oil.

China is not a traditional grower of lemons, but Tongnan dominates the domestic market with nearly 100 processed lemon products, and exports them to nearly 30 countries.

More than 40,000 families plant nearly 13,000 hectares of lemons in Tongnan. The district aims to have around 30,000 hectares of lemon groves generating 30 billion yuan (4.3 billion U.S. dollars) of output value by 2020.

Tongnan's success is an example of agricultural supply-side structural reform in action. The local government has placed much hope in the Huida Group, leader of the country's nascent lemon processing business.

Dai Xiaoping, founder of Huida, believes the company's success lies in what he calls "deep processing," meaning that he makes use of all parts of the fruit.

"The flesh of a lemon can be made into dried lemon slices and drinks, its skin and seeds into fruit tea, and the oil in the skin can be used in cosmetics," Dai said.

Dai did not come up with his zesty business model until suffering a major setback from the traditional "grow-buy-sell" mode. Local farmers started to grow lemons about 50 years ago and sold the fruit to dealers from other parts of the country.

In 2007, Dai returned to Tongnan, his hometown, to start a lemon grove. A bumper harvest came in 2011, but a glut in supply invariably leads to a fall in price and farmers were frustrated at selling their produce for a paltry 0.6 yuan per kilogram. That was when Dai learned that fresh fruit is vulnerable to price volatility. What's more, fruit which looks ugly, nearly a third of the yield, is harder to sell.

"The lesson was that growing good lemons is only half the battle; selling them is the other half," he said.

So he came up with the idea of processing them. "The new business enables us to bypass the risks of the fresh fruit market and it's also a way to deal with the ugly ones."

In 2012, Dai set up Huida, spending heavily on a R&D center. A year later, a production line, at a cost of over 300 million yuan, was launched to produce food, beverages, cosmetics and health care products.

One tonne of fresh lemons sells for 8,000 yuan while dried lemon slices made from them sell for 120,000 yuan, he said.

The production line can handle more than 20,000 tonnes of fresh lemons a year and that capacity will rise when a new production line opens at the end of this year. Tongnan now has 10 lemon processors, providing hundreds of jobs both in the factories and in the fields.

As the largest of them, Huida has contracts with 84 cooperatives to supply fresh lemons.

"Since our products have higher added value, we can offer a higher price for growers. The misery we experienced in 2011 may never happened again," Dai said.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- People's court in Vietnam's northern Hoa Binh province has sentenced nine among 23 drug smugglers to death on charges of "illegal drug dealing, illegal possession of military weapons and no denunciation of crimes."

At the first instance trial that kicked off on Feb. 27 and concluded Tuesday, the 23 defendants were found guilty of trafficking 1,415 heroin cakes weighing nearly half a ton during 2012 and 2015, reported local Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People's Army) newspaper on Wednesday.

As many as nine of them were sentenced to death, other nine were given life sentences, four received 17-20 years in prison and a woman was given 18 months for failure to denounce the crimes.

The defendants were also accused of illegal possession of military weapons and harboring criminals.

According to Vietnamese law, those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine face death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will skip a NATO meeting early April, the U.S. State Department confirmed on Tuesday.

"The Secretary's schedule does not permit him to attend the NATO ministerial on those dates, but as I said, we're trying to accommodate this ministerial in his schedule," said his acting spokesman Mark Toner at the briefing.

Instead, the United States will send Tom Shannon, the acting deputy secretary of state, to the NATO meeting on April 5-6, said Toner.

Though Tillerson would not be the first U.S. secretary of state to skip the NATO meeting, his decision came at a time when U.S. allies in NATO are questioning whether U.S. President Donald Trump would continue to support the 28-nation alliance.

During his presidential campaign and after the election victory, Trump blasted NATO as "obsolete" and demanded other NATO allies to raise their defense spending.

NATO members are expected to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024. So far, only five signatory governments, including the United States, have met the obligation.

However, since his inauguration in January, Trump and his senior officials have repeatedly pledged full support for NATO.

"We have raised concerns, certainly, about NATO allies all reaching their commitments," said Toner. "But that shouldn't in any way speak to our disregard for the alliance or our commitment to the alliance and the security of Europe."
WELLINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government announced Wednesday it is opening up almost half a million square kilometers to oil and gas prospecting this year.

The 2017 block offer was announced as climate change protestors disrupted New Zealand's annual Petroleum Conference in the energy hub of New Plymouth, on the west of the North Island, temporarily shutting down the industry gathering.

Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins, who made the announcement at the conference, was also criticized by opposition lawmakers who said the more than a third of a sanctuary for the world's rarest dolphin was included in the prospecting area.

In a published speech, Collins acknowledged the last few years had been particularly challenging for the industry as global markets experienced an oversupply of oil and low prices.

"This has created an extremely tough operating environment for all in the sector, and New Zealand hasn't been immune," she said.

"The global exploration and production industry is cyclical the low number of permits granted in last year's Block Offer reflects a significant downturn in the sector," Collins said.

"However, activity in New Zealand and globally is expected to pick up as operator margins improve."

This year's block offer included five offshore areas, two onshore areas and one offshore-onshore area, comprising 5,102 square km onshore and 476,632 square km offshore.

"New Zealand's petroleum sector is small by global standards but is nonetheless a significant contributor to the economy. Between 2011 and 2015, oil companies invested 7.7 billion NZ dollars (5.41 billion U.S. dollars) in oil and gas exploration and production in New Zealand," she said.

The opposition Green Party said the government had opened up 35.5 percent of the North Island Maui's dolphin sanctuary for drilling, as well as scenic coastal areas, creating major risks for New Zealand's "clean and green" tourism brand.

"There are only 63 Maui's dolphins alive and drilling for oil and gas in the area that's supposed to be their sanctuary puts every one of them at risk," Green Party energy and resources spokesperson Gareth Hughes said in a statement.

"This is the largest amount of the Maui's dolphin sanctuary ever opened up for oil and gas exploration, ironically at a time when oil companies are giving up on exploring in New Zealand," he said.

On Tuesday, Collins had revealed the government faced liabilities of up to 855 million NZ dollars (601.06 million U.S. dollars) for decommissioning old oil rigs and the next day it was opening up new areas for oil exploration and drilling, said Hughes.
TOKYO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan logged a goods trade surplus of 813.4 billion yen (7.3 billion U.S. dollars) in February, the largest in seven years due to growing exports to China, the government said Wednesday.

According to a preliminary report by the Finance Ministry, the value of exports in the reported month increased 11.3 percent from a year earlier to 6.35 trillion yen, rising for the third straight month.

Meanwhile, imports value increased 1.2 percent to 5.53 trillion yen, up for the second consecutive month, as the value of crude oil imports increased by 69.9 percent.

Regionally, trade with China marked a surplus of 111.77 billion yen, the first surplus since February 2012, with exports up by 28.2 percent to 1.20 trillion yen, and imports down by 17.7 percent to 1.08 trillion yen.

Trade with the United States ran a surplus of 611.3 billion yen, with exports up by 0.4 percent to 1.22 trillion yen and imports down by 0.7 percent to 611.9 billion yen.

Trade with the European Union ran a surplus of 41.1 billion yen, with exports up by 3.3 percent to 700.6 billion yen and imports down by 7.5 percent to 659.4 billion yen.

The figures were measured on a customs-cleared basis.(1 U.S. dollar equals to 111.70 Japanese Yen)
TOKYO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo shares tumbled Wednesday morning, with the Nikkei index dropping over two percent on concerns over implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies and reports on missile launches of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 390.51 points, or 2.01 percent, from Tuesday to 19,065.37.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 29.52 points, or 1.89 percent, to 1,533.90.

Decliners were led by insurance, securities and marine transportation issues.
CANBERRA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on China and Australia to continue to work together and jointly help counter global instability through steady development and cooperation in a signed article published here Wednesday.

"We have seen in practice how the trend of economic globalization has become closely interconnected with, even inseparable from, peace, development and cooperation," said the Chinese premier in the article titled "We want to work with you for progress and peace" carried by the Australian newspaper The Australian, ahead of his visit to the country.

Li left Beijing on Wednesday morning for official visits to Australia and New Zealand, the first such by a Chinese premier to the two Oceanian countries in 11 years.

"We stand ready to work with other countries to support economic globalization and free trade, improve the global governance system and facilitate progress of mankind," he said.

"I am fully confident that China and Australia will continue to move forward in our own way while working with each other, and jointly help to counter global instability with the stability that is created through our steady development and cooperation," said the Chinese premier.

Li also praised the progress made in the development of China-Australia relations.

"Over the past 45 years of our diplomatic ties, rising above differences in national conditions and systems, China and Australia have gradually built up trust and properly managed disagreements in the spirit of equality and mutual respect. Bilateral relations and cooperation, as a result, have made substantial and steady progress," Li wrote.

The Chinese premier stressed it as a shared desire of China, Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific to enjoy stability and order, development and prosperity, and continued regional integration. He called for joint efforts and cooperation between the countries to this end.

"Under the current circumstances, China and Australia should follow the region's trend of peace, development and cooperation, join hands to take concrete actions and send positive signals to stabilize market expectations, convey confidence and contribute our share to the region and beyond," Li said.
Afghans celebrate Nawruz amid ongoing insurgency, praying for lasting peace, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

KABUL, March 21 (Xinhua) -- "The endemic war has destroyed our life, you see, it is more than three decades that the flames of war have been devouring the Afghans and this country. Today my greatest wish is to see ending of the war and restoring lasting peace in Afghanistan," said a jubilant Kabul resident Mohammad Musa.

Attired in new dress and accompanying his family members on the way to Qarga, an artificial lake to enjoy Nawruz or New Year festival in a peaceful environment, Musa, 35 whispered cheerfully that Nawruz is the day to "enjoy" the life.

Nawruz which means new year and falls on March 21 is celebrated in Afghanistan, Iran, central Asian states, parts of Pakistan as the beginning of new year, the year of 1396 in Persian calendar.

Marking Nawruz as celebration of nature's rebirth and first day of spring in new year, according to Afghans, dates back to more than 5,500 years ago and Afghans usually start the year by planting sapling to keep the country green.

Nawruz is a public holiday in Afghanistan during which both the public and private radio and television channels besides airing special programs including music also urge the people to contribute in greening the land.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in his message to congratulate Nawrus also stated that any Afghancitizens should plant at least one sapling to develop greenery in Afghanistan.

Taliban militants fighting the government to regain power had outlawed Nawruz festival as un-Islamic practice during their reign which collapsed in late 2001.

Identically to Taliban and like-minded extremist groups some religious circles are also opposing Nawruz festivities in the conflict-battered Afghanistan.

Like yester years, the war-weary Afghans celebrated Nawruz in Kabul and other cities amid tight security and so far, no untoward incident has been reported. To ensure security during Nawruz festival, the Interior Ministry has deployed police personnel in sensitive areas including shrines and mosques.

Afghans celebrate Nawruz amid ongoing insurgency, praying for lasting peace, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

The big festival was held in northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif where some half million people, according to locals, had gathered at the historic blue mosque to mark Nawruz, the rebirth of nature and pray collectively for the end of war in Afghanistan.

Here in Kabul, thousands of people from across the country gathered in and around a shrine in Karta-e-Sakhi locality to beg for the end of war and restoring lasting peace in their militancy-riddled country.

"Last year, the year of 1395 was challenging in term of security as thousands of people including civilians had lost their lives in the conflicts and thousands others left the country to escape extreme poverty," a Kabul resident Ramazan Ali, 31, told Xinhua.

"I am hopeful the year of 1396 would be the year of peace, economic development and prosperity in Afghanistan," Ali said with optimism.

"It is a good omen that we are celebrating Nawruz in a peaceful environment today and no security incident has been reported," murmured another Kabul dweller Sayed Bashir, 33.

"Since the herald of Nawruz began with peace, I am hopeful for future and I am sure that the new year, the year of 1396, will be the end of war and returning durable peace in Afghanistan," the joyful Bashir said.
WELLINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand lawmakers on Wednesday called for an independent probe into allegations that New Zealand special forces troops killed unarmed civilians in a botched raid in Afghanistan in 2010.

Investigative journalists Nicky Hager and John Stephenson alleged in their book, "Hit and Run," released Tuesday, that the Special Air Service and U.S. forces killed six civilians including a 3-year-old girl in a New Zealand-led raid on two villages.

Another 15 civilians were wounded in the action in Afghanistan's Baghlan province where the SAS mistakenly believed they would find insurgents who had attacked a New Zealand patrol 19 days earlier, killing a New Zealand officer, in neighboring Bamiyan.

The opposition Green Party said New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officials had to front up to answer questions on the operation.

"If there is nothing to hide, then there is nothing stopping (Prime Minister) Bill English from announcing a full, independent inquiry into these allegations today," Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said in a statement.

"Full transparency from the government is the only way we're going to find out exactly what happened. Refusing to comment and refusing to investigate won't make these allegations go away."

Leader of the opposition New Zealand First party Winston Peters said the allegations could not be left to stand without proper investigation.

"What New Zealand must do is appoint a respected and trustworthy individual who the public can have faith in, and get the inquiry under way immediately," Peters said in a statement.

Alison Cole, a New Zealand international human rights attorney and an international criminal law investigator, wrote in an on-line commentary that New Zealand could potentially face war crimes charges in the International Criminal Court.

"The key aspect which could potentially trigger action by the International Criminal Court will be inaction by the New Zealand government," wrote Cole.

"The key way to avoid investigation by the International Criminal Court is for the national political process to kick in and pursue accountability within our own courts."

English told Radio New Zealand Wednesday that he would meet with NZDF officials and Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Tim Keating in the next few days to discuss the previous inquiry into the raid.

The NZDF remained satisfied personnel had acted according to the rules of engagement in a "pretty challenging" environment," said English.

An investigation just after the raid by a joint Afghan Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assessment team, in accordance with ISAF procedures found allegations of civilian casualties were unfounded, but critics say that investigation was a cover-up.

The NZDF and the government have repeatedly denied reports of innocents killed in the raids.

Information in the book was given by present and former New Zealand, Afghan and U.S. military personnel and had been cross-checked, while people from the Afghan villages that were raided had also assisted, said the authors.
CANBERRA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Australia will add strong impetus to China-Australia ties and lift the comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries to a higher level to better benefit the two peoples, a Chinese diplomat said.

Li starts Wednesday an official visit to Australia, during which he will attend the fifth annual meeting between Chinese and Australian prime ministers.

In an article published prior to Li's visit, Chinese ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye spoke highly of the increasingly close China-Australia relationship.

China and Australia have seen leapfrog development of bilateral ties since they established diplomatic ties 45 years ago, especially since the start of the new century, Cheng said, adding that bilateral communication and cooperation have become unprecedentedly deep and broad.

Mutual political trust between the two countries has been gradually strengthened, boosted by frequent high-level contacts, the ambassador said.

In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Brisbane, Australia, and paid a historic visit to the country. Two years later, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited China and attended the G20 Hangzhou summit.

So far the two sides have established more than 40 channels for bilateral talks, including the annual dialogue between the prime ministers, diplomatic and strategic talks, an economic dialogue and defence consultations, according to Cheng.

China-Australia relations have been upgraded from a comprehensive cooperative relationship to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership, laying a solid foundation for the long-term and overall development of bilateral ties, Cheng said.

Facing the current challenges of trade protectionism, both China and Australia advocate a continuous push for globalization, and take a clear stand to support the facilitation of trade and investment and regional economic integration, he added.

The Chinese ambassador also said that the economic and trade ties between the two countries have become increasingly close.

Since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement came into force in December 2015, the two countries have witnessed robust trade in agricultural products and services as well as investment, bringing significant benefits to businesses and consumers.

Bilateral trade value reached 712.4 billion yuan (103.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, making China Australia's largest trading partner for the eighth year in a row. Australia ranked as China's eighth largest trading partner in 2016, Cheng said.

In recent years, China's investment in Australia has increased rapidly over the years. Areas such as finance, services, agriculture and infrastructure have turned into new growth points of cooperation between the two countries, the diplomat said.

The two sides are also actively working to align Australia's ambitious development plan for its north with China's Belt and Road Initiative, Cheng said, adding that an increasing number of Australians have realized the importance of China for their country's own economic prosperity.

The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

People-to-people exchanges between the two sides have also deepened, said Cheng.

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Australia reached a new high in 2016. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics pegged the number at 1.2 million, making China Australia's most valuable source of foreign tourists.

By the end of 2016, there were about 196,300 registered Chinese students studying in Australia, accounting for 27.5 percent of all foreign students.

Meanwhile, China has become the most attractive destination under the Australian government-initiated New Colombo Plan which offers Australian students opportunities to study abroad.

During the Chinese New Year, Sydney's biggest landmarks, including the Harbor Bridge and Opera House, lit up in red, the color of fortune in China, Cheng noted.

Vigorous people-to-people exchanges could further enhance bilateral relations in other areas, he added.

Cheng also said that China and Australia have cooperated in anti-corruption work and national defense. The two sides are expected to expand cooperation in marine exploration, anti-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Despite differences in social system and culture, China and Australia can achieve further progress in bilateral ties as long as they uphold the spirit of win-win cooperation and mutual trust, the ambassador said.
SEOUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's defense ministry said on Wednesday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) failed in its test-firing of a missile that was believed to have exploded in the air.

A South Korean defense ministry official said via phone that the DPRK fired one missile near the Wonsan airfield on its eastern coast and it was estimated to have failed.

According to local media reports, the missile exploded in the air right after blasting off from the ground.

The test-firing was an apparent show of force toward the ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

The Foal Eagle fielding training exercise, which kicked off from March 1, is scheduled to continue by the end of next month, with the Key Resolve command post exercise set to end on Friday.

The DPRK has denounced the springtime war games as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Visitors at Vietnam's first-ever international street food festival will have chance to taste over 1,000 Vietnamese and world dishes, the National Administration of Vietnam Tourism (VNAT) said on Wednesday.

VNAT, the sponsor of the event, was quoted by local Tien Phong (Pioneer) newspaper as saying that the Food Fest 2017 will take place in the capital of Hanoi on April 7-9.

During the three-day festival, over 100 activities will be held, including exploring good dishes of Vietnam, Asia and Europe, joining Vietnam Food Art photo contest, and tasting over 200 wines from eight countries among others.

To be held coincidence with Food Fest 2017, the Vietnam International Travel Mart 2017 is forecast to be attended by some 600 businesses from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and China, and receive some 60,000 person-times of visitors, said the sponsor.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Overuse of toilet paper in public restrooms has forced the ancient Temple of Heaven to adopt new technology.

Facial recognition systems were installed in three of the site's toilets last weekend. Tourists will have their faces scanned before a piece of paper is dispensed, usually 60 to 70 centimeters long. If a person wants more toilet paper after the first piece, he or she will need to wait nine minutes.

"For emergencies, having loose bowels for instance, one could ask for toilet paper from managing staff," said Xing Qixin with the park's media office.

Pictures went viral online earlier this month showing some seniors tearing off lots of toilet paper and taking it away, renewing criticism of the behavior of Chinese tourists.

"Some media also suggested we tighten our management," Xing said.

He told Xinhua that a similar system has been used in other toilets in schools, hospitals and office buildings in Beijing.

"We will see the effect and tourists' response before deciding whether we should install such a system in other toilets at our park," he added.

There are 14 toilets at the Temple of Heaven, and the park started offering free toilet paper in 2007.

Overuse of toilet paper has always been a problem, but Xing noted that the situation is actually improving.

In 2015, the use of toilet paper fell 8 percent from 2014, while last year it dropped 14 percent.

Warning signs and public announcements are also used in the park to remind tourists not to waste.

"Technological measures are auxiliary and the most important thing is raising people's awareness," Xing said. "It is our hope that one day, we don't have to use the facial recognition system and everyone can behave themselves."
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business conferences and forums will be in full swing in September and November, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc was quoted by local Bao Quoc Te (International Newspaper) as saying on Wednesday that the APEC CEO summit and business activities will be chaired by his agency within the framework of the APEC Vietnam Year 2017.

Accordingly, there will be six functions taking place in the two months.

The series of meetings begin with a start-up forum in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 13, on the sidelines of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting, as well as an APEC female business forum in central Thua Thien-Hue province in the same month.

Other events are scheduled to run in Vietnam's central Da Nang in November, including the fourth meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) between Nov. 4-7, the APEC CEO summit between Nov. 8-10, a Vietnam trade and investment promotion forum on Nov. 8, and a dialogue between the ABAC and leaders of member economies on Nov. 10.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the government of the Netherlands on Wednesday co-held a Regional Conference on Food Security in Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference under the theme "Let's get to work. Building a food security future," Vietnamese MARD Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh said Vietnam is an agriculture country with nearly 70 percent of its population living in rural areas. The country has managed to earn much from exporting agricultural products including rice, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, and vegetables among others.

However, the country is among the five nations worldwide hardest hit by climate change. Climate change has affected in numerous regions in Vietnam, the state-run news agency VNA quoted Doanh as saying.

In order to address these challenges, Vietnamese agriculture sector needs restructuring with focus on increasing productivity, quality of agricultural products, response to climate-related risks, and reducing impacts of climate change.

On the two-day event, participants will discuss food safety, innovative seafood growing, climate smart agriculture, and food loss (post-harvest focus).
CHANGSHA, March 22 (Xinhua)-- The world's longest and highest glass bridge, in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, is scrapping the entrance fee for Israeli tourists for the rest of this year.

The move is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Israel and to pay tribute to the skywalk's Israeli designer Haim Dotan.

Israeli citizens carrying their passports are entitled to a free trip across the glass bridge located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, as well as to other parts of the area, from March 21 to Dec. 31.

Dotan, who also designed the Israeli Pavillion at the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, said his work in Zhangjiajie was inspired by Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu.

Opened in late August, the 430-meter long, six-meter wide bridge is paved with 99 panes of three-layer transparent glass and hangs between two steep cliffs 300 meters above the ground. The bridge set 10 world records for its design and construction.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The total volume of wastewater discharged from industrial parks across Vietnam exceeds 3 million cubic meters per day, 70 percent of which are untreated, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Wednesday.

The wastewater is directly discharged into the nature, causing serious consequences and raising public concerns, said the ministry on the occasion of the World Water Day which falls on March 22 annually, reported Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA.

This year, the United Nations chose the theme of "Wastewater" for the day, calling for a reduction in wastewater and reuse of water in a bid to ensure that everyone has access to safe water by 2030.

According to the ministry, Vietnam is currently home to nearly 300 industrial parks and 615 industrial clusters. Some 70 percent of the industrial parks and 5 percent of the industrial clusters have already built concentrated wastewater treatment systems.

More than 23 million tons of household garbage, 7 million tons of industrial solid waste and 630,000 tons of hazardous waste are discharged into the environment each year.

A plan on adjusting orientations for the development of water drainage systems in urban and industrial areas until 2025 with a vision to 2050 approved by Vietnamese prime minister in 2015, stated that the country needs to build safe and sustainable water drainage systems, improve retreatment of wastewater and rainwater and treatment technology, upgrade and repair of eco-friendly and energy-saving pipeline systems, among others.

In industrial parks, it is a must for infrastructure developers to construct concentrated wastewater collection and treatment systems before being authorized to operate.

Master plans and investment projects will be publicized, making it easier for individuals and organizations to give feedback on their impacts on the environment, said the plan.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A UN Security Council resolution on Friday incorporated for the first time China's notion of building a community of shared future for mankind, a latest of China's ideas to be accepted by the international community.

The resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for one year stressed security, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region, and creating a community of shared future for mankind.

The notion, which stresses that countries should promote common development and establish more equitable and balanced development partnerships, was first proposed in a report by the Communist Party of China in November 2012.

Over the years that followed, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated and expounded the notion on various occasions at home and abroad.

The inclusion of the notion in the UN Security Council resolution showed that it has become a global consensus, said Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor with Renmin University of China.

The Friday resolution was not the first time that the notion of a community of shared future for mankind had been incorporated into a UN document.

In February, the 55th UN Commission for Social Development approved a resolution, calling for more support to Africa's economic and social development by embracing the spirit of building "a human community with shared destiny."

"As the most authoritative, representative and universal international organization, the UN recognized the notion, meaning it is the one needed for human development," said Ruan Zongze, a senior research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS).

On Jan. 18 at the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, President Xi delivered a speech, saying "China is ready to work with all the other UN member states as well as international organizations and agencies to advance the great cause of building a community of shared future for mankind."

Following Xi's speech, both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson said the UN was willing to join China in seeking such a goal.

Chen Xulong, a senior research fellow with the CIIS, said the notion of building a community of shared future for mankind is in line with the UN's goals, which has naturally fostered China-UN cooperation.

NOTION INTO REALITY

As a country of action, China has worked relentlessly to translate the notion into reality through its own efforts and collaboration with other countries.

One case in point is the Belt and Road Initiative, which has the participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations since it was proposed by China in 2013.

Friday's UN resolution also highlighted the role of the initiative in advancing regional economic cooperation, urging relevant parties to facilitate the implementation of the initiative by beefing up security, among other efforts.

"The Belt and Road Initiative boosts connectivity, which is key to building a community of shared future for mankind," Chen said.

The world has witnessed heartening results through the implementation of the initiative.

Chinese businesses have helped build 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in 20 countries along the routes, with a total investment surpassing 18.5 billion U.S. dollars, generating nearly 1.1 billion U.S. dollars tax revenue and 180,000 jobs in those countries.

It is important for people to see growth, said Ruan Zongze with the CIIS.

"By sharing the benefits of development, peace and exchanges, people in different countries can accept the notion more easily," Ruan said.

Chen believes the incorporation of the notion into the Friday resolution was only a start.

"The notion may appear more frequently in future resolutions adopted by the General Assembly or the Security Council of the UN," Chen said.
NANNING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A ship loaded with fruit from ASEAN countries arrived at Fangchenggang Port Monday, marking a new shipping route for transporting fruit, local authorities said Wednesday.

The shipping route from Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh to the port city of Fangchenggang in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is operated by four ships from China COSCO Shipping Corporation.

Each ship can carry 1,100 standard containers with a load of 1,800 tonnes. Currently the service runs once a week, but it is expected to run two to three times a week by the end of 2017, according to sources with the Beibu Gulf port administration.

Fangchenggang Port is a fruit import port in southern China. The new route will help boost fruit imports from ASEAN countries, while marketing Chinese farm producce and fruit to the ASEAN.
SYDNEY, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Australia is mourning the loss of its last African elephant in captivity on Wednesday, with the death of "Cuddles", a 46-year old elephant at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Cuddles arrived in Australia from Britain in 1977 and was present when the zoo was opened, passing away on Wednesday morning, much to the dismay of everyone who met her.

"We are all mourning the loss of this beautiful animal, who was much loved by staff, volunteers, and visitors alike." the zoo said.

The almost ancient elephant had been suffering from a number of health conditions, with the "heartbreaking" call made to euthanize her.

"She will be greatly missed and her passing represents the end of an era for African elephants in Australia" the zoo said.

"She loved being the centre of attention and interacting with zoo keepers and had even perfected the art of getting extra treats like banana and lucerne."
MOSUL, Iraq, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Mohamad Arvold, 15, stands alone in a crowded refugee camp in Hamam al-Alil area, 15 km south of the war-wracked city of Mosul, Iraq, watching people passing by around him and trying to find someone in the crowd.

Unlike other teenagers of his age playing together, the boy fled the city of Mosul four days ago. He said he could not find his parents and siblings, who might still be trapped in Mosul.

"I miss my parents, brothers and sisters. I hope to see them soon," said Arvold, who looked despondent.

The boy lived in western part of Mosul, a hustling and bustling old city with a heavy population of 2 million. His family's quiet life was disrupted when the Islamic State (IS) occupied Iraq's second largest city in 2014.

At that time, Arvold was in primary school. He said that the IS terrorists controlled the school and forced the students to accept extremism ideas.

Worse, Arvold said the IS militants killed many people, for simply no reason. The boy hated the IS so much that he quitted school.

The fall of Mosul and the atrocities of the IS shocked the world.

Under pressure both domestically and abroad, the Iraqi army launched in October 2016 an offensive to liberate Mosul, bisected by the Tigris river into eastern and western parts, and gained control of eastern Mosul in January.

On Feb. 19, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the battle to expel IS extremists out of western Mosul. Recently the government said it has retaken around 30 percent of the area from Islamic State militants.

But the battle for the western Mosul is tough.

The area is very congested, making it a challenge for the Iraqi army to avoid civilian casualties in a conflict where rebel fighters took refuge among the civilians and sometimes hid behind them.

As fighting between the Iraqi government forces and the IS militants became more intense, civilians were evacuated by the Iraqi troops.

More than 150,000 people have fled their homes in western Mosul. Two-thirds have found shelter in camps near the city, according to Iraq authorities.

But the UN refugee agency estimated that there are still 700,000 civilians trapped in western Mosul.

Government forces have been besieging the city for several months. The civilians who remain face dwindling supplies of food and fuel. Many of them have already ran out of food.

For them, evacuation to a safe place with food became difficult as the IS militants are holding most of them hostage or as shields. Those who attempt to flee will have their hands cut off or even be beheaded if they are captured.

To escape attention from the IS militants and flee their home safely, Arvold and his family made an evacuation plan and fled separately to safe areas in several batches.

Arvold's elder brother was the first to leave and then Arvold. His parents and younger siblings temporarily chose to stay at home.

"To avoid the IS militants' track, we didn't dare to walk on the city road. Instead, we chose to circle around the outskirts of Mosul into the Gobi desert," Arvold said.

After a nearly four-hour trek, exhausted Arvold fled the IS-controlled area and finally arrived at the government-occupied Hamam al-Alil town.

Here the boy had hoped to reunite with his family, but so far he has found only one of his uncles.

Arvold was told that his parents and younger siblings are still trapped in western Mosul as the IS militants have enhanced their control of the area. Arvold's elder brother successfully fled away and now settled down in a refugee camp 60 km south of Mosul.

As the boy talked to us, raindrops came down.

We follow him to his tent where pans and bowls are put on the ground.

"I really miss my family," Arvold said, sitting on a carpet."But I don't want to go back to Mosul. It's too dangerous there," he added with a bitter smile.

The rain became heavier and beaten against the window strongly.

"I will go back to school to finish my degree in the future. I want to become a teacher to give more Iraqi kids access to education," Arvold said as he listened to the sound of rain outside.

"By that time, I will tell them what the IS had done to us and what we had to suffer," the little boy said, "I hope kids will no longer experience suffering like mine in the future."
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued an urgent circular ordering nationwide inspections of government foster care services, including those outsourced to the private sector.

Civil affairs authorities at all levels should check the qualifications, facilities, services and safety management of all foster care services entrusted by the government, the document said.

It called for the immediate termination of services that do not pass inspection, and proper arrangements for those receiving care in such services.

Those violating laws and regulations will be held accountable and subject to strict punishment.
LONDON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Officials from China and Britain stressed here on Tuesday the importance of enhancing bilateral financial cooperation.

At a conference on China-UK financial cooperation, Guo Kai, deputy general director of the International Department of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said the cooperation of China-UK financial infrastructures will help provide better services for the two nations' financial institutions and lay a solid foundation for further expanding the financial cooperation between the two countries.

Guo said the British financial sector was "open..., sophisticated and visionary" and that it was "no coincidence that the Bank of England was the first major Western bank to sign a swap agreement with the PBOC."

Delegates of the conference also welcomed the opening of the representative office of the Shanghai Clearing House (SCH) in London's financial district.

Katharine Braddick, director general of financial services at the British Treasury, stressed that the government attached great importance to strengthening financial cooperation with China, in which boosting the presence of Chinese financial institutions in Britain plays a key role.

The SCH and the City of London Corporation (CLC) co-hosted the conference with the theme of "The Function of Financial Infrastructures in UK-China Financial Cooperation" at the Banking Hall in the City of London.

Xu Zhen, chairman of the SCH, said connectivity is the trend for the development of global economy and finance. It is the responsibility of all financial infrastructures to provide global financial market participants with efficient and secure network of post-trade services.

The SCH will take advantage of London's leading position in the global financial market to boost exchanges and connectivity among the financial infrastructures in China and Britain, said Xu.

He added that the SCH will make great efforts to reduce trading costs and promote allocation efficiency of global resources in an open market and maintain secure operations.

Close to 100 representatives from government agencies, international organizations, financial and commercial institutions attended the conference to discuss the impact of Brexit on financial infrastructures and post Brexit cross-border cooperation, global financial markets versus local and (or) regional regulations.

Sherry Madera, CLC's special adviser for Asia, told the conference that currency and clearing would play a key role in efficient fund flows as well as deep and liquid markets in the future.

Founded at the end of 2009, the SCH is defined as a qualified central counterparty (QCCP) by the PBOC and the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation.
BRASILIA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Amid massive tainted meat scandal, Brazil is struggling to assure the safety of its meat exports, forcing President Michel Temer to make an impassioned defense of the country's meat quality to a group of foreign investors in Brasilia on Tuesday.

"Brazilian meat is always praised by those with the proper taste to try it," Temer told the 2017 Latin American Cities Conference.

He also acknowledged that the scandal had been an embarrassment for the South American country.

"Clearly that caused, I must acknowledge, an embarrassing situation for Brazil because it led some countries in some way to consider suspending meat purchases."

Revelations of meat adulteration in some of the country's largest meat producers led the European Union (EU), South Korea, Chile, among other markets, to announce full or partial suspensions of shipments of meat from Brazil.

Brazil's meat industry is of vital importance to the country. It is the world's largest exporter of beef and chicken, and fourth-largest of pork. In 2016, Brazilian meat exports to the world brought in around 11.6 billion U.S. dollars and represented 7.2 percent of all Brazilian exports.

However, last Friday, an operation by federal police across the country revealed lower than standard practices among frozen meat companies.

Operation "Carne Debil" or "Weak Flesh" in English, was a two-year investigation by federal police into sub-par standards in the Brazilian meat industry. The scandal was revealed when police found that some of Brazil's largest food companies, including titans of the country's agroindustry, the JBS group and Brasil Foods (BRF), had committed fraud in order to hide and sell foodstuffs beyond their sell-by date.

The frozen meat vendors are accused of hiding the use of expired raw materials, using chemicals to mask the bad smell of rotten produce and of failing to meet standards in their production. Agricultural officials were even paid off to look the other way and release these products for sale.

According to Temer, only three refrigeration plants have been suspended and 19 more are under investigation, among 4,383 nationwide.

Temer was seeking to minimize damage from the corruption probe that alleges meatpackers bribed inspectors. "If there are manipulations, they must be investigated," he said.

Up to now, 27 people have been arrested, including those from JBS and BRF, while 33 agriculture officials have been fired. The 21 plants involved in the case are limited to three states, with 18 in the southern state of Parana, two in the central state of Goias and one in Santa Catarina.

JBS, the largest meat processing company in the world, posted a statement on its website to clarify its stance. "In the last two years, JBS units have received 340 quality audits and acted with the same zeal to ensure an equal commitment from its suppliers."

"JBS is the most interested in strengthening Brazil's sanitary inspections...a rigorous quality control system gives credibility for the consumer and reinforces our export opportunities," it continued.

The company said that none of its management had been targeted by the investigation and repeated its willingness to cooperate with authorities.

The Brazilian government on Monday temporarily suspended exports by 21 frozen meat companies accused of being part of a network which sold tainted or expired meat.

Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said in a statement that despite the operation there was no risk in eating Brazilian meat. "There is no reason to worry. Our system was working. What happened was a deviation and these people have been caught," he said.

However, Brazil's trading partners responded quickly to close their borders. The EU has suspended beef, chicken and other imports from the companies involved. Chile and South Korea similarly slapped restrictions on Monday.

On Tuesday, Mexico followed suit, banning poultry products from Brazil. "Due to the uncertain condition which this market (Brazil) presents at the moment...(we) have decided to restrict as a precautionary measure the introduction of these products into the country," read a government statement.

China on Tuesday also voiced concern over meat quality problems in Brazil and has taken preventive and provisional protection to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers.

A meat scandal in Brazil is nothing new. In 2012, an outbreak of BSE, better known as mad cow disease, in Parana saw meat imports banned by a number of countries, including the United States and China.

It took years for this fallout to be contained. Former President Dilma Rousseff courted a lifting of restrictions personally in the United States but it was only in 2016 that Washington agreed to do so.

It is also a body blow both to Temer's agenda and Brazil's international image. With a two-year recession and investor faith hit by a lengthy corruption scandal, the country was in need of good news.

The credit rating agency Moody's said in a note on Tuesday that "it is far too early to quantify the impact or how long it will last...exports will suffer as importing countries hold off on purchases before learning more about sanitary implications related to specific shipments." Coincidentally, on Monday, a new round of negotiations began in Buenos Aires for a free-trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The European Commission stated the same day that a deal with Mercosur would have to see its countries increase food security standards to match European demands. Enditem
NEW DELHI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A special court of India's anti-terror agency on Wednesday sentenced to life in jail two persons convicted for their role in the 2007 blast at the famous Sufi shrine in Ajmer in the western state of Rajasthan.

The court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) handed down the sentence to Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel, both convicted for their roles in the blast case on March 8, along with another person, Sunil Joshi. While Joshi died during the trial, others involved in the case were acquitted.

The blast took place on Oct. 11, 2007, in the famous shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, in which three pilgrims were killed and more than 15 others injured. Initially local police carried out the probe, but it was later transferred to NIA in 2011.

The NIA had accused Hindu holy man Aseemanand of masterminding the blast, but the court freed him, along with six other accused in the case due to lack of evidence.

Aseemanand is also an accused in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts case and in the Hyderabad Mecca Masjid blast case. While he was granted bail in the first case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in August 2014, trial in the Mecca Masjid case began two months ago.

There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined during the trial.
NEW DELHI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked its ambassador in Saudi Arabia Ahmad Javed to seek release of 29 migrant workers detained there.

The Indian migrant workers hailing from southern state of Telangana have reportedly been held in captivity by a company in Saudi Arabia for the last 12 days without food or basic amenities.

"Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and K T Rama Rao," Swaraj Tuesday night wrote on twitter.

Swaraj's intervention came in response to a letter written by Telangana Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Minister, K T Rama Rao to foreign minister urging workers be repatriated to India.

According to Rao the workers had sought leave from the company to visit their homes in India, which the company denied besides demanding a ransom from them.

Over 3 million Indians are working in Saudi Arabia.

With dearth of jobs and low salaries at home, thousands of Indian workers travel to the Middle East every year for better prospects.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese stocks ended a two-day winning streak to close lower on Wednesday after investors retreated from a previous rally.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.5 percent to close at3,245.22 points. The Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.31 percent to end at 10,553.53 points.

The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's high-growth enterprises, dropped 0.64 percent to close at 1,948.58 points.

Combined turnover expanded to about 545.8 billion yuan (about 79.3 billion U.S. dollars) on Wednesday from 513.4 billion yuan the previous trading day.

The financial and steel sectors led Wednesday's fall. Bank of Nanjing lost 2.38 percent to close at 11.47 yuan, and Fangda Special Steel Technology dropped 3.49 percent to close at 7.2 yuan.

Analysts said that liquidity concerns have curbed some investors' appetite for risk.

In Wednesday's interbank market, the overnight Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate (Shibor), which measures the cost at which Chinese banks lend to one another, climbed 0.3 basis points to 2.6507 percent. The Shibor for one-month loans rose 4.01 basis points to 4.3959 percent.

According to the government work report delivered at the annual parliamentary session, China will pursue a prudent and neutral monetary policy in 2017, with the M2 money supply growing by around 12 percent, one percentage point lower than the 2016 target.
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim launches a medical supply delivery drone at Zipline Drone Project in Muhanga district, southern Rwanda, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua)

KIGALI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Group President Dr. Jim Yong Kim described Rwanda's use of drones to deliver life-saving blood as best example of how governments can tap into latest technologies for benefit of their citizens.

Kim arrived in Kigali on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

He headed to tour Rwanda's drone port project run by U.S. firm Zipline Inc. in Muhanga, southern Rwanda.

In Muhanga, he witnessed demonstration of blood delivery using drones by the Zipline team.

He said the drones could be used to deliver more medical products, including vaccines and other urgently required medicines.

"Using drones to deliver blood is truly a life-saving innovation and a credit to Rwanda's leadership. It'll greatly improve health outcomes," Kim said in a tweet.

After the demonstration he noted that one of the greatest challenges especially in developing countries healthcare systems is that when someone has an emergency requiring urgent attention, it is often difficult to get the supplies where needed.

The drone port project was launched last October. The drones deliver life saving blood to more than 20 health facilities in the western part of the country which were inaccessible by vehicles, according to Rwandan officials.

The use of drones reduced the duration of delivery of blood to about 30 minutes from 4 to 5 hours, officials explained.

Meanwhile, the World Bank Group president affirmed the lender's commitment to support Rwanda's development process in all possible ways.

He said he was very optimistic about the future of Rwanda, despite many obstacles and challenges.

"I am here to say to President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan people that the World Bank Group is ready to help in any way that they can and that we believe in the future of Rwanda and we believe that it will continue to be a model for the entire world," Kim said after touring ICT innovation centre, kLab and Digital Fabrication Lab in Kigali.

He interacted with Rwandan young ICT entrepreneurs.

Kim is expected to address a public lecture at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday and meet Kagame before winding up his visit.
Kunhu Yang, Marketing Director of Global Good Trust Company (GGT) speaks during a donation ceremony by Sino-Africa Firefly Charity in Kibera, Nairobi, capital of Kenya, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese charity organization Sino-Africa Firefly Charity on Tuesday donated food stuffs, sanitary towels and diapers worth over 1,300 U.S. dollars to victims of a fire in Kenya largest slum, Kibera.

Sino-Africa Firefly Charity Founder Professor Lei Wang said in Nairobi that the donations are aimed at alleviating the suffering of the residents who were left homeless as a result of the fire that affected more than 100 households in the informal settlement.

"The assistance by Sino-Africa Firefly Charity is part of our commitment to help improve the lives of Kibera residents," Lei said during a tour of the site of the fire in Kibera slums.

The aid is the fourth donation that the charitable organization has extended to the people of Kibera.

The Chinese organization has so far donated over 8,000 dollars to the Kibera slum.

Sino-Africa Firefly Charity was created as a platform for Chinese donors to donate directly to the less fortunate members of society.

The donation to the fire survivors was made possible through the contributions from Chinese consumer goods manufacturer Global Good Trust (GGT) that currently has operations in 16 African countries.

GGT Marketing Director Kunhu Yang said that his company is committed to improving the quality of life for Africans and especially women and children.

Yang reiterated that everyone is equal, no matter where he or she was born.

"So children in Kibera have hope to grow up happily, receive good education and achieve their goals," he added.

Kunhu Yang and Lali Mwamaka Sharifu (C) present some of the donation items to a fire survivor during a donation ceremony by Sino-Africa Firefly Charity in Kibera, Nairobi, capital of Kenya, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

One of the beneficiaries of the Chinese assistance was Everylne Adege, who used to operate a small food kiosk before it was completely destroyed by the fire.

Adege, who is a mother of four children told Xinhua that the Chinese donation will help her meet the daily needs of her household as she plans how to rebuild her life again.

"I am very grateful to the Chinese whose help comes at a critical time of need," she said.

Another victim of the fire who received Chinese aid was Catherine Ndunge who has lived in the informal settlement over the past five years.

The mother of three children, who currently lives with relatives said that the morning fire that reduced her house to ashes has completely disorientated her life.

"The Chinese assistance will help feed my family as I find a new house," Ndunge said.
File photo shows Chinese peacekeepers patrol at the Protection of Civilians site 1 beside the United Nations House in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Aug. 11, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

JUBA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of the much awaited African peacekeeping force with mandate to restore peace in South Sudan will arrive in the country soon, the United Nations peacekeeping chief revealed Tuesday.

The Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping operations Herve Ladsous told journalists in Juba that the delayed deployment of the protection force was due to hiccups in getting clearance from the government.

"We are sparing no effort to speed up (deployment of protection force). I think I can say that in the next few weeks you will see the first vanguard of the protection force being deployed here in Juba," Ladsous said.

"The deployment of the regional protection force, we are working actively on it. We did lose time because there was a delay in getting clearances and authorization here (in South Sudan)," he added.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued Resolution 2304 in August last year, allowing deployment of more than 4,000 troops to beef up the existing 13,000 UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) force.

South Sudan accepted the deployment of the protection force in November 2016 but later reneged in January this year following renewed clashes in the capital between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar who is in exile in South Africa.

The fighting that left about 300 soldiers dead, also spread near to the UN Juba base in which thousands of internally displaced persons are seeking shelter resulting in the death of some three Chinese peacekeepers.

It further spread to once peaceful Equatorial region with the UN warning of ethnic cleansing leading to genocide in the aftermath of heinous atrocities being visited on largely civilians in the remote town of Yei Southwest of the capital.

"The situation in this country remains a source of many concerns an issue that the Secretary General since he came in the UN in January has put among his chief concerns," Ladsous said.

He added the volatile situation remains under the close scrutiny of the UNSC which failed in it's attempts to impose arms embargo on South Sudan.

The outgoing peacekeepers chief said they were very alarmed by the very serious humanitarian situation, and worrisome security issues of fighting that takes place in many parts of the country.

"In this context it's clear that there can't be military solution but political solution," he said.

Ladsous also revealed that President Kiir vowed after the two held meeting in Juba to support the protection force and protect aid workers that have increasingly suffered from restricted movements while reaching out to those faced with famine.

In late February, the UN declared famine in some parts of the country with 100,000 people starving, and 1 million on the brink of starvation and a further 5.5 million in dire need of food assistance caused by more than three years of fighting since December 2013.

"We have faced a number of impediments in terms of freedom of movement, getting clearances, very importantly the humanitarian actors have been severely impeded in their actions on the ground," he said.

"I think South Sudan is one of the countries in the world where we have had humanitarian workers being prevented from doing their work, being killed or injured on their job," he added.
ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries when multiple suicide attacks hit a camp of internally displaced persons in Nigeria's northern Borno State early Wednesday, a local welfare coordinator told Xinhua.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China's e-commerce giant Alibaba group on Wednesday announced a plan to set up an e-commerce hub in Malaysia encompassing logistics, cloud-computing and e-financial service.

The e-commerce hub will be part of the collaboration between Alibaba and the Malaysian government in the development of a Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) in Malaysia in line with the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) promoted by Jack Ma, Alibaba's executive chairman.

In launching the DFTZ with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ma said the first overseas e-hub would be aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as the younger generation.

Among the cooperation announced on Wednesday, Alibaba's logistic platform Cainiao and its e-commerce website Lazada will lead other Alibaba's subsidiaries and affiliates to development of a regional e-commerce and logistics hub near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Alibaba Cloud, its cloud computing arm, will build a cloud platform in Malaysia to foster the local SMEs, while Ant Financial inked an agreement with Malaysia's leading banks CIMB and Maybank to explore collaboration opportunities in e-payment and financing services in Malaysia.
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a new round of efforts cracking down on fake journalists and news, as well as illegal information and publications.

The nationwide campaign lasts from March to November and targets those falsely claiming to be journalists and using false news stories to blackmail others, according to a statement by the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications.

It aims to uncover people impersonating reporters for blackmail purposes or fraud, foreign journalists engaging in illegal news reporting, as well as illegal news websites and academic journals, according to the statement.

Another campaign for the same period will clean up publications using content that is harmful to minors, such as obscenity, violence, school bullying and suicide, and shut down websites and apps that disseminate harmful literature, games, and cartoons.

Chinese law enforcers will also crack down on the creation, sale and dissemination of pornographic information in live-streaming videos, instant chat services and pop-up ads, the statement said, adding that live-streaming video platforms and websites should improve systems that review content.

In the first two months of 2017, more than 1.3 million illegal publications were confiscated nationwide and over 1 million pornographic items removed.
PHNOM PENH, March 22 (Xinhua) -- An endangered Asian elephant had died after an electrical pole collapsed and electrocuted the animal, Nup Thet, a ranger at Wildlife Alliance in Cambodia, said on Wednesday.

The male-elephant, weighing more than two tons, was electrocuted Tuesday night in a jungle in southwestern Koh Kong province, three km from the Kirirom National Park, he told Xinhua.

According to a Wildlife Alliance statement posted on its Facebook page, the gentle giant is survived by a wife and two calves.

In July last year, a young male-Asian elephant died in eastern Cambodia's Mondolkiri province after sustaining a severe foot wound caused by a snare trap.

Cambodia is home to over 500 wild elephants, according to the forestry administration.
SUVA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has launched a nationwide campaign against the current dengue outbreak, Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar said Wednesday.

In partnership with government ministries and municipal councils, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has organized clean-up campaigns in the Pacific island country's western, eastern, northern and central divisions, Akbar told the parliament.

"Health teams will continue to monitor affected areas and provide advice and interventions to affected communities as needed. The public is advised to ensure mosquito breeding sites are destroyed to combat the current dengue outbreak," Akbar said, urging people with symptoms to visit their nearest health center at the earliest possible opportunity.

In a typical year, Fiji identifies around 400 confirmed dengue cases, and over the last 40 years, the country has recorded dengue fever outbreaks on a 10 yearly cycle, according to Akbar.

However, she said, in the last 15 years, this has reduced to a five yearly cycle.

"Given the current weather conditions, the ministry has noticed a surge in dengue-like and influenza-like illnesses. The health ministry is also urging the general public to take heed of the preventative measures advised and actively support the vigorous clean-up campaigns conducted around the country," Akbar said, adding that the clean-up campaign will progress for the next four weeks around the country.

Fiji recorded over 150 confirmed dengue cases in the first two months of 2017.

Degue, or dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus and the virus is spread from dengue infected individuals to well dengue-free persons by the black-and-white striped female Aedes aegypti mosquito when it takes a blood meal.

Once an individual contracts dengue, the person manifests symptoms of the disease four to 10 days later. The typical symptoms of dengue fever include fever (sudden onset), intense headache (especially behind the eyes), muscle and joint pains, flushed skin or rashes on the arms and legs, and perhaps minor bleeding of the gums and/or nose. The warning signs of severe dengue are: restlessness, fast breathing, persistent vomiting, and unexplained bleeding from the gums.

Although there is no cure for dengue fever, its impacts on individuals can be managed with appropriate medical treatment. \
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of professional social workers in China rose to 760,000 as of November last year, up from 200,000 in 2006, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has said.

China has had over 30,000 social service graduates each year since 2006 and provided roughly 300,000 people with training opportunities annually, the ministry said in a statement.

Professional social services have extended to mental health, elder care and drug prevention and treatment in communities and townships, it said.

The ministry said China aims to cultivate 1.45 million social workers to ensure there will be at least one social worker for each urban community and township by 2020.

China will have 10,000 professional social service agencies by 2020, it added.
RAMALLAH, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian government and Islamic Hamas movement condemned Wednesday the killing of a Palestinian in south of Gaza by Israeli forces.

Palestinian government spokesperson Tareq Rashmawi said in a press release that the Israeli assaults against Palestinians is "a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law."

Rishmawi called on the international community "to put an end for the continued and systematic Israeli assaults against Palestinians wherever they are and oblige Israel to rules of international law and lift the siege in the Gaza Strip."

The government spokesperson slammed the Israeli military activity and maneuvers in the surrounding in the past days.

Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of Gaza health ministry, said in a text message sent to reporters that the two casualties, one dead and the other seriously injured, were brought to Abu Yousefal-Najjar Hospital in the town.

Hamas movement spokesperson Hazem Qassim denounced the Israeli shelling and told Xinhua that Israeli killing of civilians "is dangerous."

Witnesses said the two young men approached the borderline area between the eastern part of the town and Israel, trying to cross the fence into Israel, adding that then they heard a huge explosion after a tank fired on them.

The Israeli army has been carrying out on Tuesday and overnight a military training near the borderline between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Firing on the two Palestinian infiltrators coincided with the Israeli army training in the area.
MACAO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Macao will suspend the application of importing frozen meat from Brazil, the special administrative region's civil affairs authorities said on Tuesday night, after Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR already banned frozen meat from Brazil.

Macao's Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (CMAB) told the press that all importers in Macao will be notified to suspend the application and pay attention to the source of their commodities. The government will test the sample from Brazilian frozen meat already arrived in Macao and keep them quarantined until CMAB has the test result.

Macao Frozen Meat Industry Association's chairman Ye Shaowen said Macao has not found frozen meat produced by Brazilian companies involved in a meat adulteration scandal that shocked the food industry.

The Brazilian police uncovered last week a massive meat adulteration scheme involving some of the country's largest meat producers. According to the police, the adulterated meat was sold in the domestic market as well as exported. The scandal led the European Union (EU), South Korea, Chile, among other markets, to announce full or partial suspensions of shipments of frozen meat from Brazil.

Frozen meat import from Brazil accounted for about 40 percent of Macao's food market. Over 1.4 million kilograms all sorts of frozen meat had been imported from Brazil to Macao since this January.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Animal Health under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) announced on Wednesday that it is proposing the ministry to suspend Brazil-imported meat for risk of food insecurity.

As soon as learning that some meat factories in Brazil have used unsafe substances in production process, the department has urged local animal health authorities in border gates to enhance controlling quality of poultry and cattle meat imported from Brazil.

If any products by major meat-packing companies in Brazil, such as JBS SA and BRF SA, are detected, import quarantine should be suspended, Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA quoted the department as saying.

Since the beginning of 2017, Vietnam has imported around 3,000 tons of meat and related products from Brazil, according to MARD.
HANOI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 1,000 Mercedes-Benz automobiles in Vietnam are likely to be recalled in July 2017 for fear of fire at the starting current limiter, said the German luxury carmaker on Wednesday.

According to the latest statement by the Mercedes-Benz, in some auto models of C-Class, E-Class, GLC and GLA, in certain cases, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.

If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Despite recording no injuries concerning the issue, Mercedes-Benz will still install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge.

At the same time, the manufacturing section of Mercedes-Benz Vietnam has implemented improvement measures for these car types in production line.

The recall will be officially noticed to local authorities and customers in July 2017, when parts to remedy the vehicles are available, said the statement.
ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 18 others injured when multiple suicide attacks hit a camp of internally displaced persons (IDP) in Nigeria's northern Borno State early Wednesday, a local welfare coordinator told Xinhua.

Borno State police chief Damian Chukwu said two blasts were heard at different locations of the IDP camp at 4:30 a.m. local time (0330 GMT) on Wednesday, and another one near a garage in Maiduguri, the state capital.

According to Chukwu, terror group Boko Haram, which has been blamed for more than 20,000 deaths and displacement of 2.3 million people in Nigeria since 2009, is suspected to be responsible for the attacks.

Coordinator of the IDP camp Tijani Lumani told Xinhua the explosions inside the camp triggered fire, burning down many tents.

There might be an increase of casualties as the rescue operation was still ongoing, he said. Security forces had cordoned off the area.

Last Saturday night, a suicide attack in the northeastern state of Borno had claimed four lives and injured eight local residents, police said.

The Nigerian government has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces operating in the restive region dislodging the fighters from the Sambisa Forest, the group's largest training camp in the country, last December.

Government forces are intensifying aerial and ground patrols in the country's northeast.
TAIYUAN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Seven people have been arrested for purchasing and selling drugs, in a joint operation by police in Shanxi and Guangdong provinces, police said Wednesday.

A total of 6.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, a replica gun and over 300,000 yuan (about 43,500 U.S. dollars) were seized during the arrest.

The case surfaced in December last year when police in Taiyuan, capital of northern China's Shanxi caught a drug addict who gave clues to a drug dealer surnamed Guo. Guo planned to purchase drugs in Guangdong.

Further investigation of Guo revealed more drug dealers, with police in Shanxi and Guangdong launching a joint raid, arresting seven drug dealers in Guangdong in early March.

An investigation is ongoing.
by Feng Yingqiu

YANGON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is stepping up fight against money laundering and terrorism financing as part of the work procedure of the Asia/Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering to which Myanmar is a member since 2006.

The drive includes mutual evaluation in the members, the amendment of the anti-money laundering law and the formation of a working committee for mutual evaluation in the members in 2016.

Myanmar formed the anti-money laundering central committee in August 2014, chaired by Minister of Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, in a bid to effectively combat money laundering.

During the one-year period of the incumbent government which took office in April last year, probes were taken into 93 cases related with money laundering, of which 56 cases were completed, while 15 cases are under investigation.

Tasked to formulate policies on anti-money laundering and combating financial support for terrorism, the central committee is also cooperating with international and regional organizations and neighboring countries in fight money laundering, exchanging information on financial intelligence relating to money laundering.

Following the enactment of Anti-Money Laundering Law in March 2014, Myanmar's anti-money laundering central committee has sought international cooperation to combat transnational money laundering cases, seek to sign agreements with more countries and regions in addition to seven nations with which the body already initiated memorandums of understanding (MoU) to exchange information of transnational money laundering and to prevent both inflows and outflows of dirty money.

Myanmar has so far cooperated with Thailand, Indonesia and Australia in combating money laundering and financial terrorism.

Myanmar has not become a member of the Egmont Group, an alliance of 139 Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) around the world formed in 1995.

The Egmont Group is to provide a forum for FIUs around the world to improve cooperation in the fight against money laundering and the financial support for terrorism, and to foster the implementation of domestic programs in this field.

Myanmar is also seeking expertise and technical aids from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) to fight against money laundering and exchange information on financial intelligence relating to money laundering.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar authorities are moving on its process in combating money laundering cases through pilot projects to collect data on money laundering nationwide.

According to reports, over 70 money laundering cases were exposed in the 12 years from 2003 to 2014, amounting to nearly 200 million U.S. dollars mostly from drug related cases.
SINGAPORE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 1.28 percent lower on Wednesday, as investors dumped shares amid growing doubts over Donald Trump's economic growth agenda.

U.S. markets suffered their biggest one day slide since Donald Trump's election victory in November. Investors saw the Trump administration's struggles to push through the healthcare overhaul as a sign he may also face problems delivering promised corporate tax cuts and infrastructure plan. Expectations of his economic stimulus have been a major driver behind rallies in Wall Street and other stock markets.

DBS Group Research said "we see limited short-term upside for the Singapore equity market. Our view remains that 3,200 points is a formidable short-term resistance."

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index fell 40.38 points to 3,118.19 points. Trading volume was 2.46 billion shares worth 1.27 billion Singapore dollars. Decliners outnumbered advancers 364 to 138.

Triyards Holdings plunged 17.5 percent to 23.5 Singapore cents. As the 60-percent-owned subsidiary of beleaguered offshore company Ezra Holdings, Triyards said it is in the midst of assessing the potential impact of Ezra's recent bankruptcy filing on the group. At this stage, it does not have a problem continuing as a going concern.

But it admitted as a result from the Chapter 11 Filing made in the U.S. by Ezra, there may be "certain financial institutions" which provided Triyards borrowings, and could seek to "assert (their) rights." This includes demanding immediate repayment and termination or withdrawal of about 8.5 million U.S. dollars outstanding loan made under an unnamed bank.

Among the top gainers, M1 Limited rose 0.9 percent to 2.17 Singapore dollars, whereas Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 1.9 percent to 65.45 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.40 Singapore dollars)
DHAKA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Three militants of Bangladesh's local banned Harkat-ul- Jehad-al-Islami (HUJI) including its ringleader Mufti Abdul Hannan who were awarded death sentence over the deadly attack on a British diplomat have opted to seek presidential mercy.

Mizanur Rahman, senior jail superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Jail on the outskirts of the capital city, told journalists Wednesday that they would file mercy petitions to the president.

"When the copy of the verdict was read out to the militants they informed that they would seek pardon from the president."

However, Inspector General of Prisons in Bangladesh Brigadier General Syed Iftekhar Uddin told journalists after a program in Dhaka that the authorities are prepared to hang the militants.

A three-member Appellate Division bench of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, on Sunday morning dismissed the final review petition of the militants who are now behind the bar.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told journalists after the apex court ruling that there was no legal bar to execute the militants unless they sought presidential pardon.

The convicts had conducted the grenade attack on Anwar Chowdhury on May 21, 2004 at a shrine of Muslim saint in the country's northeastern city of Sylhet, some 241 km northeast of capital Dhaka, where the Bangladesh-born British high commissioner came to offer prayer.

Three people were killed and over 100, including Anwar Chowdhury, were injured in the deadly attack.

Mufti Hannan reportedly in a statement before a court in Dhaka in 2006 confessed to having supplied grenades for launching the attack.
Liu Yunshan (C, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, views new media products at the People's Daily in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2017. Liu made an inspection tour of the People's Daily on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) leader, on Wednesday called for media integration and creating favorable public opinion for the upcoming party congress.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of the People's Daily.

Liu urged staff on the newspaper to make more new media products and extend their influence to the Internet. He also stressed that new media should shoulder social responsibility and guide online public opinion.

He also had online conversations with readers on the People's Daily website, and said he hoped that the website could help address social issues.

Liu later held a seminar with officials in charge of major state media, where he said that media integration was a major industry trend and more effort was needed to foster it.

"Media integration needs to abide the CPC's ideology and the Marxist idea of the press," Liu said. "Content is the key to the development of media integration, and more new media workers must be trained."

Liu said the most important issue for the Chinese media this year was preparing for the 19th National Congress of the CPC.

He called for strengthening political responsibility, enhancing representation of mainstream public opinion, and providing opinion for the stability of the economy and society.
SINGAPORE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has awarded a contract to Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd for the production and supply of the Next Generation Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV), said the ministry in a statement on Wednesday.

MINDEF revealed the Next Generation AFV will replace the ageing ULTRA M113 AFV, which has been in service since the early 1970s.

According to the statement, the Next Generation AFV will be the mainstay of the Singapore Armed Forces'(SAF) mechanized forces, operating alongside the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle, to fulfil the SAF's operational requirements.

The ministry added the new AFV will "provide the armored forces with enhanced firepower, protection, mobility and situational awareness."

The delivery of the Next Generation AFV will begin in 2019.
by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government has formed a multi-agency committee to vet and approve those vying for posts in the Aug. 8 general elections, officials said Wednesday.

Attorney General Githu Muigai said candidates for elective seats in the county and national government will be required to meet a higher threshold of integrity and academic qualifications before they are cleared to contest.

"We have put mechanisms in place to ensure candidates vying for elective seats are vetted properly on their professional and integrity merit," Muigai told reporters in Nairobi.

Kenyans will go to the polling booths on August 8 to elect a president, lawmakers and ward representatives.

Experts predict the August general elections to be hotly contested and their outcomes will have far-reaching implications on Kenya's stability and economic health.

As part of election preparedness, Kenyan agencies charged with security, law enforcement and war against graft have developed a set of guidelines to be adhered by aspirants in order to ensure the polls are peaceful and transparent.

Wafula Chebukati, Chairman of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), said aspirants are required to prove they are Kenyan citizens, have no criminal record and are of sound mind.
CANBERRA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit.

It is the first trip to the Oceanian country by a Chinese premier in 11 years.
by Peter Mutai

NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya said Wednesday it has set plans to better re-use urban wastewater as its cities grow bigger.

Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Eugene Wamalwa said the country's current water management systems are unable to cope with the faster-growing cities.

"We are set to use multipurpose technologies for water re-use and recovery of useful products," Wamalwa said in a statement to mark World Water Day.

He said the government was determined to keep the Indian Ocean clean by properly using the wastewater that can still be treated for recharge and irrigation purposes.

Wamalwa said the byproducts from the domestic wastewater such as salt, nitrogen and phosphorous have potential economic value ad will be used in improving livelihoods.

He also blamed uncollected garbage, industrial waste and overflowing sewers for the pollution of urban rivers that also spread waterborne diseases to the unsuspecting water users.

Kenya's water supply coverage has improved nationally from 56.9 percent to 58 percent during the 2015/2016 financial year, according to the ministry.

The country is also in the process of marching sewerage coverage by new water supply since sewerage coverage currently stands at 25 percent.

The ministry is constructing larger water reservoirs, boreholes, earth dams and water pans across the country to help raise per capita water storage capacity.

"We are applying water-saving technologies such as drip, sprinkler irrigation for upland crop cultivation and water-saving paddy cultivation," Principal Secretary for Irrigation Patrick Mwangi revealed.

He said that the available water resource for irrigation that currently stands at 22,564 million cubic meters per year is projected to increase to 26,634 million cubic meters per year in 2030.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (3rd L) arrives with his wife Cheng Hong (4th L) in Canberra, Australia, March 22, 2017, for an official visit to Australia at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull. Li and Turnbull will hold the fifth annual meeting of the two prime ministers. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

CANBERRA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit.

It is the first trip to the Oceanian country by a Chinese premier in 11 years.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China's diplomatic ties with Australia. The substantial development in bilateral ties and cooperation has delivered numerous tangible benefits to both peoples, said Li in a written statement upon his arrival.

Li hoped that his visit could usher in new prospects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and push forward the continuous, sound and steady development of China-Australia relations in the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation.

Noting the sluggish global economic recovery and a rising trend of anti-globalization and protectionism, Li said that China and Australia, as two influential countries, have forged consensus, deepened cooperation, jointly sent a positive signal of facilitating trade and investment and fighting agaist protectionism, and yielded more dividends driven by free trade agreement.

It is conductive to better achieving mutual benefit and win-win, and contributing to the stability and development in the region and the world at large, Li added.

During his five-day stay, Premier Li and Turnbull will hold the fifth annual meeting of the two prime ministers. They will also attend a forum on China-Australia economic and trade cooperation.

Both sides are going to discuss their free trade agreement, which took effect in December 2015, and ways to further boost bilateral cooperation in technology, trade and investment, energy, education and tourism.

Li is also expected to meet Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and parliamentary officials.

In a signed article published on Wednesday by The Australian, a local leading newspaper, the Chinese premier called on the two countries to continue to work together and jointly help counter global instability through steady development and cooperation.

"We stand ready to work with other countries to support economic globalization and free trade, improve the global governance system and facilitate progress of mankind," Li said in the article.

China is Australia's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade hit 108 billion U.S. dollars last year. Accumulative two-way investment exceeded 100 billion dollars.

People-to-people exchanges also have soared as the two-way trips between the two countries reached nearly 2 million last year. This year marks the China-Australia Year of Tourism.

"Since coming into effect, the China-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) has yielded continuous dividends, as evidenced by the more than 50 percent year-on-year growth in Australian exports of milk powder, red wine and dietary supplements to China, which are among the most sought-after overseas products for Chinese consumers," he wrote.

Li also said that the two countries may further open up markets to each other to generate greater FTA-driven prosperity and make bilateral economic cooperation and trade more diverse and sustainable.

The Australian prime minister hailed the good momentum of bilateral relations before Li's visit.

"This visit will highlight Australia's strong economic relationship with China and our mutual commitment to encouraging trade and investment in our region," said Turnbull said in a recent statement.

After his Australian trip, the Chinese premier will pay an official visit to New Zealand. This year also marks the 45th anniversary of China's diplomatic ties with New Zealand.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying (Source: fmprc.gov.cn)

BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States reached consensus on developing ties in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation during U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Beijing trip, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wednesday.

"This spirit is the correct way for the two major powers to get along with each other," spokesperson Hua Chunying told a routine press briefing.

She was responding to a question regarding Tillerson's reaffirmation of the principle. Tillerson's move has received criticism from some U.S. scholars and former government officials.

Some media said that having Tillerson reiterate this principle was a diplomatic triumph for China.

"This can not be taken as someone's triumph," Hua said. "The principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation has been a good experience for the stable growth of China-U.S. ties in recent years, and is worth continuing."

"China is willing to enhance communication and understanding with the United States, cement trust, properly handle disputes, expand cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral levels and boost new progress of bilateral ties at a new starting point."

Last weekend, Tillerson paid his first visit to China since taking office last month. He is the first cabinet-level official in the new administration of the United States to visit China.

Related:

Commentary: Cooperation the correct choice for China-U.S. relations
HARARE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Weather experts have warned of possible fresh flooding in some parts of Zimbabwe, which is still reeling from recent heavy rains that left 271 people dead.

"Flood threats have heightened in Manicaland Province (eastern Zimbabwe) as well as Mashonaland provinces (largely northern Zimbabwe), so be warned," the Meteorological Services Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Civil Protection Unit, the recent rain, worsened by Cyclone Dineo that hit the country in February, has damaged nearly 2,600 homesteads.

The worst-affected district was Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North Province, where a total of 859 people were left homeless and are currently in a transit camp and an additional 100 households remain at risk.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority said over 100,000 people were without safe drinking water following the damage to water supply infrastructure.

President Robert Mugabe on March 2 declared a State of Flood Disaster, leading to the launching of a domestic and international appeal for nearly 189 million U.S. dollars to help victims and repair infrastructure.
BERLIN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was sworn in on Wednesday, has called on Turkey to stop comparing Berlin to Nazis in his inaugural speech.

Steinmeier also urged Turkey to release the German correspondent of the newspaper "Die Welt", Deniz Yucel, who was detained in Istanbul over his reports.

On the rising populism trends, Steinmeier said that "a new fascination of authoritarians" has penetrated deep into Europe.

"We must not only talk about democracy, but we have to relearn how to fight against them," he said.

Steinmeier took the oath of office at a joint session of Germany's lower house, Bundestag and the upper house, Bundesrat, before being received at president's residence Bellevue Palace.

Steinmeier, a 61-year-old Social Democrat, was the ex-foreign minister before replaced by Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel in January this year.

He was often referred to as a political veteran and known for his post as chief of staff under former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the late 1990s and his role in passing a package of economic and welfare reforms in 2003, according to Deutsch Presse Agentur.
BUDAPEST, March 22 (Xinhua) -- NATO remains a strong alliance, but needs to adapt itself to face new threats, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller said here on Wednesday.

"NATO faces serious threats, but the alliance can stay strong if it is able to adapt itself to the changes," Gottemoeller said at the opening of a 2-day conference titled "NATO Transformation Seminar".

"The aim of the present seminar is to get a better cooperation between the member countries, so that the alliance can face the challenges in a more efficient way," Gottemoeller explained.

"The security environment is really changing, but NATO had proven many times that is was able to adapt itself to new situations, and its ability to adapt is the key to success," she added.

Gottemoeller stressed that if the neighbouring countries and regions of NATO were stable, it meant a "greater security" for the alliance itself.

She also underlined that NATO needed persistence, unity, innovative thinking and bigger spending for defense purposes. However, she told that the expenditure should not only be bigger, but also wiser, in order to avoid duplication.

General Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation said that the seminar was an excellent opportunity to discuss about how NATO should adapt itself to the ever-changing security environment, and how it could improve its performance.

"A country by itself cannot overcome all of the challenges, that is why a close cooperation is needed between the member states," he said.

The host of the conference, Hungarian Minister of Defense Istvan Simicsko said that NATO was a "guarantee for security", and that the member countries must find the efficient answers to the new threats together," adding that Hungary was interested in a strong and well functioning NATO.

"New security threats can occur unexpectedly in the whole world, that is why the creation and the assurance of stability is of the utmost importance," he said.

About the security of Europe, he said that it had seriously deteriorated in the past years, listing the increase in the number of instable nations, the problems linked to mass migration, the rise in terror activities in Europe's big cities and the Ukrainian conflict.

He also announced that the Hungarian government backed the proposition of the new American President Donald Trump aiming at increasing the part of NATO played in the fight against international terrorism.

The conference is hosted in Hungary, a NATO member since 1999, with close to 350 participants, including military experts, diplomats and the ambassadors to NATO from its 28 member states.

The conference deals with the challenges of the organizations, including ISIS, terrorism and the cyberspace.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang greets journalists at a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)

Hi, here's what you need to know about China.

CANBERRA -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on China and Australia to continue to work together and jointly help counter global instability through steady development and cooperation in a signed article published here Wednesday.

"We have seen in practice how the trend of economic globalization has become closely interconnected with, even inseparable from, peace, development and cooperation," said the Chinese premier in the article titled "We want to work with you for progress and peace" carried by the Australian newspaper The Australian, ahead of his visit to the country. xhne.ws/EDI3T

- - - -

CANBERRA -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Australia will add strong impetus to China-Australia ties and lift the comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries to a higher level to better benefit the two peoples, a Chinese diplomat said.

Li starts Wednesday an official visit to Australia, during which he will attend the fifth annual meeting between Chinese and Australian prime ministers. xhne.ws/BSkNJ

- - - -

TIANJIN -- Forty-eight red-necked kangaroos from the Netherlands are in quarantine in the port of Tianjin before they move to zoos around China.

Kangaroos, native to Australia, are considered exotic animals in China. xhne.ws/gclCy

- - - -

WELLINGTON -- Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei announced Tuesday it is making a massive investment in research and development in New Zealand.

The plans included the building of a cloud data center and establishment of innovation labs in Christchurch and Wellington, Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said in a statement. xhne.ws/Byfmx

- - - -

BEIJING -- China's structural reform has been "really going well" amid rising uncertainties worldwide, said World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva, adding the world needs to think as a community of common destiny.

"In 2016, the world got 2.3 percent growth, very disappointing. More than a third, 35 percent, came from China, and it is particularly remarkable because China is rebalancing its economy," Georgieva told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 2017 China Development Forum, which concluded Monday. xhne.ws/VVVzc

- - - -

SHANGHAI -- Mobike on Tuesday launched its bicycle-sharing service in Singapore, its first expansion overseas.

Bikes are mostly placed around the MRT stations and on university campuses. Users download the Mobike app and unlock the bikes by scanning the QR code on the frame. xhne.ws/G5DA1
Belgian King Philippe (L) attends a commemorative event at Maelbeek metro station on the first anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks, in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Didier Lebrun/ Pool)

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian capital held ceremonies on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of two deadly terror attacks, with the presence of the King and Queen of Belgium, and Prime Minister Charles Michel.

On March 22 of 2016, two separate terror attacks hit Brussels airport and the city's Metro system, which left 32 dead (excluding three terrorists) and 320 others wounded.

These ceremonies are organized by the Belgian government, Brussels Airport and metro system operator STIB, along with the families of victims.

At Brussels Airport, the ceremony began at 7:40 a.m. local time in front of the terminal. A minute of silence was observed at 7:58 a.m. while the commemoration ended at 8:10 a.m.

An official at the airport solemnly spelled out the names of the 16 people, of seven nationalities, who lost their lives that day at the airport, to the grave sound of a cello.

Eddy, who had lost his wife Fabienne Vansteenkiste in the bombing, paid homage by performing a song in English "Stars", which he composed himself.

The ceremony at the airport in homage to the victims ended with the re-inauguration of the statue "Flight in Mind" by artist Olivier Strebelle, which had been damaged during the attack when it was enthroned in The departure hall.

The statue represents not only a tribute to the victims, but also a sign of hope to future generations.

The royal couple and Prime Minister Michel, accompanied by several ministers, then respected another minute of silence for the 16 dead and the many others wounded in the other attack at a metro station.

At the same time, the entire STIB metro network will stop for one minute and the company staff will make a minute of noise.

The royal couple and senior officials arrived at the small Street of la Loi to witness the inauguration of a monument by Jean-Henri Compere, dedicated to all victims of the terrorist acts.

"It is our responsibility, each and every one of us, to make our society more humane and fairer. Let us learn to listen to each other, to respect each other and to correct our weaknesses," King Philippe said in a speech.

"And above all, let us dare tenderness. On this day of gathering and remembrance, our country owes you this commitment," the King said.
ROME, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The idea of a multi-speed European Union (EU), which is being discussed as a way to push integration faster and deeper, is meant to be an ever inclusive path, a prominent Italian analyst has said.

"The idea of a multi-speed Europe is nothing new, but a reality within the bloc," Ettore Greco, director of the Institute for International Affairs (IAI) in Rome, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The scholar mentioned the euro-zone as main example. "We have the single currency area, now counting 19 countries out of current 28 members of the EU (including the UK), as well as other forms of differentiation within the bloc," he said.

"There is nothing wrong in it -- the only issue is to take advantage of such possibility in order to move forward."

Yet, it must be certain -- and it should "be repeated on every possible occasion, and with the strongest determination" -- that any project of deeper integration among some EU countries has to remain open, the analyst stressed.

"Any similar plan should remain always inclusive for other EU countries to join, if and when they decide... As it is with the euro currency."

"Some countries have remained outside the euro since the beginning," Greco explained.

"Yet, the euro-zone remains open, and those countries are always free to join in, provided they fulfil the required criteria, which is crucial to the solidity of the project itself."

Meanwhile, EU officials and sherpas in Brussels have been engaged in drafting a declaration of unity to mark the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding treaty in Rome next Saturday.

The six founding members of the European integration (including Italy), and the EU Commission are endorsing the idea of different groups moving at different speeds within the bloc.

Other EU members -- and especially the four Central European countries gathering in the so-called Visegrad group -- oppose the idea for fear it would be a way to cut out smaller or weaker partners.

The four nations -- also called Visegrad Group or V4 -- are Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. They are in a cultural and political alliance.

Such a row would result in a compromise, and an open mention to the "multi-speed Europe" in the Rome declaration was not likely, according to Greco.

The analyst would rather expect Rome's final statement to contain a soft reference to different paces of integration within the framework of the EU treaty.

All EU member states' leaders will attend the official ceremony in Rome on March 25, but the UK. The British government has in fact announced it will trigger the process to exit the EU on March 29.

Yet, the Brexit is only one of the many challenges the EU was facing today, including relevant changes in the global environment. In this perspective, China's recent endorsement of a deeper European integration was much appreciated, he said.

"We are very satisfied by it, and also by the statements (in support of globalization) Chinese President Xi Jinping made at the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos," Greco said.

The EU was in favor of globalization, provided there were tools to govern such process and avoid its negative side effects.

"Particularly in a phase in which the new U.S. administration puts into question the idea of a system based on free trade, it is even more relevant for the EU to develop cooperation with countries considering free trade as a key point in international relations," he explained.

The analyst recalled there were negotiations on-going to conclude a Sino-EU deal on investments.

"In the future, I hope it will be possible to negotiate a free-trade agreement as well," he added.
ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-three people died and eight others sustained injuries on Wednesday when a van rolled into a ditch and caught fire in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kebbi.

Garba Salihu, a local district official who confirmed the incident to Xinhua, said the incident involved a van full of traders and a motorcycle.

According to him, 22 among the dead were traders returning from a local market.

He said the van hit the motorcycle rider and overturned while trying to avoid a pothole on the Tunga Giwa-Ruwa road in the state's Shanga district.

Kebbi State governor Atiku Bagudu said the injured are receiving free treatment at a state-run health facility. Enditem
ABUJA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian authorities on Wednesday said charges would be pressed against ten drug dealers who were caught distributing hard drugs to refugees in the country.

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the anti-narcotics force of the West African country, said it also arrested 60 internally displaced people for alleged drug abuse in five camps in Maiduguri, the capital of northern Borno State.

Ona Ogilegwu, head of the anti-narcotics agency in Borno State, told reporters that about 84 people are currently in detention for possessing illicit drugs.

Some of the people earlier arrested were caught between January and early March, he added.
MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Moscow expects ample participation of all parties of the Syrian conflict in the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, and hopes they will be able to maintain direct dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

"I hope that all those invited will come to Geneva, and a businesslike talk will take place there, in which all Syrian parties will participate," Lavrov said at a press conference following his talks with United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

"We expect that positive results may be achieved as a result of the Geneva round, which will enable all participants in the process to contact each other directly," Lavrov added.

He said at the talks with de Mistura, the Russian side stressed the necessity to guarantee a comprehensive character of the opposition's delegation at the new round of talks set to start on Thursday, preventing some groups from usurping the right to represent all opposition.

Lavrov said it was also very important to find a solution involving Syrian Kurds in the Geneva process in spite of Turkey's resistance.

He said Moscow would keep working with Ankara in order to persuade it to accept the Kurds' participation and expected the same from the UN envoy.

Russia has reiterated its support of the agreements reached at the previous round to keep discussing at the intra-Syrian talks the four core issues of governance, preparing the constitution, elections and the fight against terrorism, Lavrov said.

"All these topics are of equal importance and there can be no attempts to peg an advance on one of these issues to the progress on another. All of them are important to establish peace and stability on the territory of Syria," he said.

Several rounds of talks have been held in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations for a political settlement of the long-term Syrian civil war, but progress has been difficult to make.

There has been a parallel process since Jan. 23 in Astana, Kazakhstan, with Russia, Turkey and Iran as the mediators.
KIEV, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday passed a resolution, calling on the government of the United States to grant the East European country the status of a major non-NATO ally (MNNA).

The plea was supported by 232 lawmakers out of the 327 present at the parliamentary meeting, said a statement on the Ukrainian parliament's website.

The possible designation of Ukraine as an MNNA of the United States will boost the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries and facilitate the practical implementation of guarantees envisaged by the Budapest Memorandum, the statement said.

Under the memorandum signed in December 1994, Ukraine got security guarantees from the United States, Britain and Russia in exchange for Kiev signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty and surrendering what was then the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal.

The MNNA status offers the ally countries preferences and privileges in military cooperation with the United States, but it does not include a provision for mutual defense.

Ukraine and NATO established their partnership in early 1990s. Ukraine has closely cooperated with the alliance and actively participates in NATO's Partnership for Peace Program.
LONDON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- London police warned people to avoid city center areas on Wednesday after a firearm incident outside the Britain parliament.

"Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube," Scotland Yard said in a statement.

"This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.

"Officers -- including firearms officers -- remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

"We thank the public for their assistance," it said. Enditem
LUSAKA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has started the implementation of a tourism levy as part of efforts to boost revenue for the development of the tourism industry, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The tourism levy is a tourist tax to be charged at 1.5 percent from persons who consume applicable tourism services in designated tourism facilities in the country.

Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda, who launched the levy on state television, said the imposition of the tourism levy will only be on accommodation establishments and events facilities although this will be subject for review in future.

The levy, which came into effect on March 1, 2017, follows years of extensive consultations with stakeholders to arrive at a lasting solution to the challenges experienced in the sector.

"The tourism levy is an intervention created to respond to the need to augment the resources provided by the government treasury for the development of the tourism sector," he said.

According to him, it was acknowledged that development of tourism required much more resources than were being provided for by government alone, hence the need to establish collaborative efforts between the public and private sector to enhance support for the tourism development.

Funds raised from the tourism levy will be channeled to the Tourism Development Fund, a special fund meant for the development of the tourism sector in the country.

It will be channeled to address funding inadequacies in various areas of the tourism sector such as skills development and enhancement, high cost of marketing and promotion and diversification of the tourism product, among others. Enditem
WINDHOEK, March 22 (Xinhua) -- As Namibia's northern central region braces for flood, the water levels in the Cuvelai iishanas (floodplains) are increasing and will increase further, warned the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry's Hydrological Services on Wednesday.

Water levels in the Cuvelai are rising after heavy rains in Angola, causing more floods in the catchments.

According Margaret Kalo, Senior Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, flooding in the Cuvelai basin remains a concern, and communities are urged to be on high alert especially the western part of Ohangwena region.

The magnitude of flood in the northern part of the country is expected to surpass the flood experienced in 2011 in the northern-central region. As such, according to senior hydrologist, Leonard Hango, the flood experienced in the northern part of Namibia is likely to be worse than that of 2011.

The flood coupled with rainfall received in the country has already affected schools and villages in the both urban and rural areas in the northern part of the country.

Recently, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture closed more than 64 schools in Omusati region, as well as in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions as water level rises.

Hundreds of people in northern regions of Namibia have also been displaced by the floodwater rises. In the interim, displaced flood victims have been relocated to temporary camps on higher grounds, accommodated in tents.

In Oshana region, Katarina Kamari, communications officer at the Oshakati Town Council said that more than 570 people, including adults and children have been accommodated in tents at Ekuku residential area. In Ohangwena region, those affected by the flood been relocated to Omafo, in tents erected with the assistance of Namibia Red Cross Society and the Ohangwena Regional Council. Residents of Omusati regions have also been displaced, confirmed Tangeni Haukena of the Namibia Red Cross Society.

In its recent bulletin, Hydrological Services indicated that contingency planning for flood mitigation and recovery must be activated and communities living in flood prone areas must take precautionary measures.

To mitigate the flood impact and for early warning system, local authorities are ensuring that communities are informed on the flow of water. Radio is playing an active role in disseminating information. In addition, civil society and local governance bodies are responding promptly by engaging communities affected.

In the Omusati region, according to Erginus Endjala, Governor of Omusati region, the regional council has in the meantime trained community members on how to use canoes, for them to evacuate to higher grounds once hard-hit by the flood.

"Once hard-hit by floods, we urge people to move to higher grounds, and contact their regional council office for help with urgency," added northern-based senior hydrologist surnamed Hango.

In the meantime, despite the flood and its potential risks, social dynamics are still at play.

Amid flooding comes an opportunity for food in form of fish, and many people in the northern regions are tapping on this opportunity when they are blocked out to access other markets.

"The water has also brought along fish. We urge communities to be cautious when fishing. They should be accompanied by a family member who can swim and save them in case of danger. In risky cases, we urge residents to move to higher grounds, to ensure we save lives," said Hango.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (C) speaks at a national meeting on agricultural production, in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province. The meeting was held there on March 21 and 22. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

SHIJIAZHUANG, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for agricultural supply-side structural reform and improvements to the agricultural development system.

In an instruction made public Wednesday to a meeting on agricultural production, Li urged local authorities to intensify work in the agricultural sector, strengthen development in rural areas and increase rural people's incomes.

Spring is the key season for agricultural production, the premier said.

Local governments should ensure the supply of production materials, improve irrigation projects, be prepared for drought and flood, and enhance weather forecasting, Li said.

The country should also ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products and raise their market competitiveness, Li said.

Vice Premier Wang Yang said at the meeting held in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province that China should provide better technical instruction and information to farmers.

Local governments should accelerate the construction of functional zones for grain production, protected areas for major agricultural products and areas for growing endemic agricultural products, Wang said.

The country should also explore new ways to let farmers share in the growth and earnings of the industrial and service sectors, Wang said.
by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has moved to a higher place in the index of the United Nations' World Happiness Report to rank 104 out of 155 countries topped by Norway in 2017 compared to 120 out 157 in the previous report.

Egyptians are mostly happy with the stability and the improving security conditions their country has achieved after six years of political turmoil and relevant security issues, yet a lot of them voice unhappiness with the recent price hikes included in the country's strict economic reform program based on austerity measures.

"Perhaps happiness increased because Egyptians pin hope on stability for a better future. Egypt managed to maintain stability in a region hit by chaos. In addition, Egyptians are religious and good people who can easily be made happy," Mohamed Shabaan, a businessman in his 40s, said while getting ready to drive his car on one of Cairo streets.

Suffering economic slowdown over the past few years, Egypt started its three-year strict economic reform program including austerity measures, energy subsidy cuts and local currency floatation encouraged by a 12 billion U.S. dollars loan from the IMF, whose first batch of 2.75 billion dollars was handed to Egypt earlier in November 2016.

Sayyid, a 60-year-old doorman who refused to talk in the beginning, expressed his belief that "things are not getting much better financially. I am unhappy with a lot of things including price hikes."

Near crowded Giza square, Ebaid, a microbus driver in his late 30s, was waiting for passengers to start the ride towards Nile Corniche Street when he complained of recent financial conditions and "skyrocketing prices."

"Commodities are getting crazily expensive. Money flies in no time!" the driver said, attributing Egypt's improving happiness rank to the country's stability compared to nearby Arab states. He added that in order to feel content, the people should always look at those whose conditions are worse.

Egypt's happiness rank comes in the 13th place in the Arab world, after the United Arab Emirates whose world happiness rank is 22, Qatar 35, Saudi Arabia 37, Kuwait 39, Bahrain 41, Algeria 53, Libya 68, Jordan 74, Morocco 84, Lebanon 88, Somalia 93 and Tunisia 102.

It's been surprising for many Egyptians that turmoil-stricken Libya and Somalia are way higher in rank than Egypt in the UN World Happiness Report.

"I agree that stability is important, but finance is a major factor. We will be really happy when our incomes improve to contain soaring prices," said Mohamed Abdel-Aal, 34, a gas station worker, arguing that Egypt's progress in the happiness report could be related to the cheerfulness of people despite difficult conditions.

While Norway topped the list as the happiest nation in the world, most Scandinavian states are among the top 10 in this year's report. Regional key states like Turkey and Iran have secured the 69th and the 108th places respectively in the rating. Central African Republic has come last.

According to the 2017 World Happiness Report, rankings are mostly based on six key variables, including the GDP per capita, healthy years of life expectancy, social support measured by having someone to count on in times of trouble, trust measured by a perceived absence of corruption in government and business, freedom to make life decisions and generosity measured by recent donations.

"These six criteria explain how a country may be politically unstable, but with better incomes and financial conditions for the people, can surpass stable countries in the ranking," said Saeed Sadeq, professor of political sociology at the American University in Cairo.

He explained that the Libyan refugees for instance are financially much better than the Syrian ones, because the Libyans get financial benefits from their government, unlike the Syrians.

"Egypt's stability compared to some surrounding regional states is a plus in the ranking of course, yet high corruption rate is one of the reasons for Egypt's general poor ranking in the report," the professor said.
VIENTIANE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A buried bomb exploded on Tuesday in Paek district, northern Xieng Khuang province, killing one child and injuring five adults and seven children, Lao officials said on Wednesday.

Three people were seriously injured and underwent surgery in the provincial hospital to remove the shrapnel. One person remains in critical condition, the head of the hospital's surgical team, Dr Sivay Vongthongchit, was quoted by Lao state-run media Vientiane Times as saying.

The tragedy happened on Tuesday afternoon at the home of a family in Nhotngeum village where relatives and children gathered for a traditional ceremony, Chief of the district Police Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Khamphay Phomchaleun said.

The tragic accident is the first to occur in the province this year. Last year, there were three UXO explosions in Xieng Khuang, injuring seven people and no deaths were reported.

Statistics show that over the past four decades since the war ended in 1975, UXOs have killed and maimed tens of thousands of civilians in Laos, according to Vientiane Times. Enditem
Photo taken on Dec. 17, 2016 shows the House of Parliament in central London, Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- London police warned people to avoid city center areas on Wednesday after a firearm incident outside the Britain parliament.

"Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube," Scotland Yard said in a statement.

"This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.

"Officers -- including firearms officers -- remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

"We thank the public for their assistance," it said.
LUSAKA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A bank in Zambia on Wednesday launched a program aimed at helping women have improved access to finance.

Stanbic Zambia, a member of Standard Bank Group of South Africa, said its program called Anakazi which means women, was a banking solution that will place strong emphasis on women's access to finance and business education.

The new program will deliver the tools women need to succeed in business, including easier access to convenient banking, finance as well as business knowledge.

"This initiative will go a long way in reaching out to women, enhancing their financial knowledge and therefore increasing their ability of accessing credit and formal banking services," said Mwansa Mutati, the bank's Head of Business Banking, according to an emailed press release.

Under the new program, the bank will provide training, mentorship and networking events to build knowledge in business management and access to markets, as well as assistance in business formalization.

According to the press release, it is Stanbic's bold move to boost Zambian women's involvement in business and entrepreneurship since the bank became the first Zambian financial institution to join the Global Banking Alliance for Women (GBA) in February.

The GBA is the only global consortium of financial institutions dedicated to supporting banks as they capture the opportunity of women's market.

With the new program, the bank will serve women as individual customers, targeting students, public workers and women professionals.

According to the bank's market research, most women had inadequate information to be able to formalize their businesses or inadequate access to finance.

The program will also leverage its support to agriculture, an industry that supports more than 70 percent of Zambian households. Enditem
LUSAKA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's cabinet has approved the country's Seventh Development Plan that will guide the country's development agenda in the next five years, starting this year, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Minister of National Development Planning Lucky Mulusa said the strategic goal of the plan was to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and social economic development.

He told reporters during a press briefing at his office in Lusaka, the country's capital that the plan has five development pillars that have been carefully identified to guide the country's development.

These include economic diversification and job creation, reduce poverty and vulnerability, enhance human development, reduce developmental inadequacies and creating a conducive governance environment for diversified economy.

The said plan has been contextualized in the framework of the country's decentralization policy which will allow for bottom-up approach to development, he added.

The plan, he said, has also come up with provincial and sectorial Gross Domestic Products so that each province could fully exploit its potential by utilizing natural resources available there.

The plan, whose theme is "Accelerating Development Efforts Towards Vision 2030 Without Leaving Anyone Behind" calls for a fundamental shift in the way resources were being allocated and has taken into account global and regional trends.

According to the Zambian minister, his ministry has since commenced preparations of an implementation plan which will outline different roles various stakeholders will play in the smooth implementation of the plan.

"In addition, the implementation plan will provide impetus for timely program implementation, monitoring and evaluation," he said.

He further said a new dimension to the new plan includes the inclusion of result-oriented performance management system to hold duty holders accountable to their deliveries.

He added that a national performance framework has been developed to hold institutions accountable while public officers will be signing performance management contracts to account for their development results. Enditem
KIGALI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd anniversary of the genocide against Tutsi due on April 7 will be marked with focus on fighting genocide ideology while building on current country's progress, Rwanda's National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) said on Wednesday.

It will be marked under the theme: "Remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, Fight Genocide Ideology, Build on Our Progress."

Speaking ahead of this year's commemoration, the CNLG executive secretary Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, affirmed his government's commitment to fight genocide ideology.

"The Genocide against the Tutsi was an attempt to break down our potential and rip apart our unity. In 100 days we lost 1 million friends, family members, neighbors, leaders and future leaders," he said.

"To honor the memory of those lost, we will spend 100 days coming together. We will spend the rest of our lives fighting genocide ideology -- with all the tools in our possession. Good governance, continued and sustainable growth and remembering our loved ones are our weapons of choice," he said.

On April 7, events will be held at national and village levels to kick off the national mourning week, the commission said in a Wednesday statement.

It stresses the need for Rwandans to pay tribute to the more than one million innocent lives lost in 1994.

Between April 7 and 13, Rwandans across the country will reiterate their commitment to fight genocide ideology and reflect on the country's journey of unity and reconciliation in the last 23 years, according to the commission.

The mourning week will be concluded on April 13 with an event to pay tribute to politicians who were killed for opposing the inhumane acts of the genocidal regime.

In the 100 days of the Commemoration period, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda will hold discussions on how best to encourage and ensure the current progress in socio-economic growth for the people of Rwanda.

The Genocide against the Tutsi began on April 7, 1994 and lasted 100 days, claiming more than one million Tutsi and moderate Hutus.

On December 23, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution designating April 7, the start date of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.

Annually, on or around that date, the United Nations organizes commemorative events at its New York headquarters and at United Nations offices around the world. Enditem
ROME, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is facing unprecedented challenges, and it cannot afford to delay "appointments with history", Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Wednesday.

"Today we need a united Europe, as much as we did sixty years ago," Sergio Mattarella told a joint session of the Italian parliament.

Europe's need of development and prosperity was inextricably linked to the collective ability to have a say on the global scene, according to the head of state.

"Not even Europe can afford to postpone appointments with history, when they occur, and no solution would come from divisions or splits," he said.

Italian lawmakers gathered in the Chamber of Deputies to celebrate the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which triggered the whole integration process in 1957.

Along with the president of the Republic, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni attended the ceremony.

Major celebrations with the 27 heads of state and government of the EU countries (without Britain) are officially scheduled in the Italian capital on March 25.

As one of the six founding members of the integration process, Italy has always shown a pro-European stance, which was clearly reinstated in Mattarella's address.

"The fathers of Europe, who gave birth to the treaties, were not visionary men, but politicians aware of the challenges and of the risks, and able to face them," he told the assembly.

"Those men were capable to turn weakness and vulnerability of our respective populations into points of strength, building a large and open society."

Currently, Europe appears often aware of the steps required to move forward, but uncertain whether to undertake the necessary course, according to the official.

"As such, today as much as in the past, Europe needs far-sighted visions, and the ability to experience further courageous paths," Mattarella said.

He added that none of the European countries could claim a real independence of choices, nor guarantee peace, security, and prosperity to its citizens, if it stands alone.

"Building the future requires Italy and Europe every possible resource, an extraordinary unity of purpose, and a firm belief in the founding values of the European integration process," he concluded.
A man places a flower under a memorial plaque inside the departure terminal during a commemorative event on the first anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks at Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- One year after the two deadly terror attacks killed 32 people and injured 320 others, fear and withdrawal still gripped the Belgian capital.

Brussels hosted several commemoration ceremonies on Wednesday, for the first anniversary of the terror attacks. The bombings had tremendously impacted Belgium's political and social agenda, placing security as the top priority.

On March 22 of 2016, two separate terror attacks hit Brussels airport and the city's metro system.

DISCONTENT

The last terror victim who was hospitalized after the bombings finally went home on Feb. 15, 2017. A total of 224 people had to be brought to hospital after the attacks at the airport and Maelbeek metro station.

Some of the victims are still under medical treatment in health centers. Some victims are asking to the Belgian government to consider giving them a national recognition of their status as terror victims. Others are demanding a refund for their health expenses and a compensation on a long-term period.

"Families of the victims did not receive any help from the government," complained Anna, whose mother Janina Grazyna Panasewcz died at the age of 61 in Maelbeek metro station.

Panasewicz left Poland in 1998 and move to Belgium in order to provide her children with good education.

Eddy, whose wife died at the airport one year ago, set up an association, V-Europe, for gathering the victims of the bombing attacks.

About 100 wounded and relatives of the victims are members of this association. They offered assistance on insurances procedure and contacting Belgian authorities and administrations.

SECURITY

Belgium's political and social agenda was tremendously impacted since the bombing attacks. Security has become a top priority for the government, and migration came back to the front of the political debate as well.

Belgium adopted a series of measures to improve its security since the attacks. Anyone convicted of terrorist offence can have their nationality withdrawn. Police raids are allowed 24 hours per day for terrorism files.

Border controls have been re-established and over 1,000 military still patrol in the streets of major Belgian cities.

The Belgian parliament had created a database (Passenger Name Record) that contains the itinerary for a passenger in the airlines and travel industries.

In the past two years, the Belgian government had allocated 630 million euros (680 million U.S. dollars) in fighting terrorism.

Belgium is safer than one year ago, said Interior minister Jan Jambon. "Many legal and material resources have been mobilized in the fight against terrorism," he said.

"But our opponent is not stayed still in the meantime. If ISIS remains, we cannot say that this cancer has been eradicated," he warned.

Jambon also admitted that Brussels' Molenbeek district -- regarded as the European capital city of extremism -- "is not entirely under control".

SELF-WITHDRAWAL

For ordinary people, seeing military on the streets or being searched at the entrance of a concert or a shopping mall has become integrated in daily life in Belgian cities.

According to a recent survey, one out of two Belgians thinks that people have to get used to living with a terror threat because no solution has yet been found to eradicate this threat completely.

For Michael Dantine, doctor in criminology at Liege University who spoke to the local newspaper Le Soir, the bombings revealed the many negative aspects already existing in Belgium's society.

In the past, such events would have led to a movement of unity and fraternity, but it doesn't apply to today's situation.

"Instead of becoming the cement of a fragmented society, these events are like water sneaking into a crack rock, enlarging the loopholes," Dantine told the newspaper.

"It is our responsibility, each and every one of us, to make our society more humane and fairer. Let us learn to listen to each other, to respect each other and to correct our weaknesses," Belgian King Philippe said in a speech at a commemorative ceremony.

"And above all, let us dare tenderness. On this day of gathering and remembrance, our country owes you this commitment," the King said.
THE HAGUE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday expressed support to Britain following attacks near the Houses of Parliament in London.

"The British can count on our support. We closely monitor the situation and are in contact with the British authorities," said Rutte.

"We still know very little, but it is certain that there are people injured. The fear is for worse," tweeted Rutte.

Meanwhile, the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) announced that "currently there is no need for additional measures in the Netherlands."

British police shot a suspected attacker outside the Houses of Parliament in London after an officer was stabbed in a "terrorist" incident described by the police. The building was cordoned off immediately. A vehicle struck several people on the nearby Westminster Bridge.

The events take place in London exactly a year after the attacks in Brussels.

Brussels bombings on March 22, 2016 at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station killed 32 people (excluding three terrorists) and injured 320.
OSLO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Four Turkish officers and one Turkish military attache have been granted asylum in Norway after they sought protection following the failed coup attempt in Turkey last summer, newspaper Klassekampen reported Wednesday.

A number of Turkish officers have sought asylum in Western countries since the failed coup in Turkey on July 15 last year. In January it was made public that four officers and a military attache had sought protection in Norway.

The officers' lawyer Kjell M. Brygfjeld has confirmed to Klassekampen that all five had been granted asylum.

The decision "is startling" because Turkey is a NATO country, which means that Norway now protects the officers from their own homeland, also a military ally of Norway, Klassekampen wrote.

Relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) have soured recently after EU members, including the Netherlands and Germany, stopped Turkish politicians from holding rallies on their soil out of fears of tensions among Turkish communities.

If more countries follow Norway's example and provide asylum to former officers who have defected, it could be even worse, the newspaper said.

In January the four officers told Norwegian newspaper VG that they had lost their jobs the previous autumn and had been told to go back to Turkey. They have refused and have chosen to seek asylum in Norway instead.

The four ex-officers and former diplomat now live at a secret address in Norway. Their family members have also received asylum in Norway, according to the newspaper.

"Mine and my family's passports are no longer valid. My saved pension is zeroed out and the new exception after the coup gives the authorities the right to cancel our Turkish citizenship if I do not go home," one of the officers told VG.

A total of 136 Turks with diplomatic passports have also sought refuge in Germany after the coup attempt.

Ankara believes the coup attempt was masterminded by Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in the United States, and has been pushing for his extradition.

Many of the officers who were imprisoned in Turkey after the coup attempt have been accused of having links to this movement.
ST. PETERSBURG, March. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia has decided to join a tax-free shopping system and foreign tourists are expected to obtain a refund of 18 percent value added tax.

"Vesti" channel reported that Russian officials discussed details of this initiative on Wednesday.

To obtain a refund, a foreign citizen will need to spend at least 10,000 rubles (about 175 U.S. dollars) in one store.

The system will be firstly in trial launch in Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and Sochi. The date of its implementation is yet to be announced.

Tax-free shopping services are available in more than 50 countries worldwide, according to local media.
TOKYO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) commissioned on Wednesday one of its largest helicopter-carrying destroyer with the same name as a notorious WWII warship.

The 19,500-ton Kaga, named after an ancient province in Japan, shares the name with an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy which took part in Japan's aggression wars against its neighbors before and during WWII and was scuttled at the Battle of Midway in 1942.

The 248-meter-long warship, the same size as the Izumo destroyer, is equipped with a large flight deck and can carry up to 14 helicopters. It can also carry the controversial Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

The MSDF now has four such "aircraft-carrier like" vessels destroyers, including Kaga, Izumo, as well as the 13,500-ton Hyuga and Ise.

The vessels will notably increase Japan's military striking capability, according to local reports.

Japan's pacifist Constitution has banned the nation from maintaining land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential.

However, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the country has been seeking to improve its military capacity, with defense budget rising constantly and hitting an unprecedented 5.13 trillion yen (around 44 billion U.S. dollars) for the fiscal year starting April 2017.
By David Musyoka

NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua)-- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday appealed for 400 million U.S. dollars to tackle hunger crisis in Somalia, South Sudan, northeast Nigeria and Yemen.

A statement from the charity said the funds will ensure five million vulnerable people receive essential aid.

"We are on the ground and delivering aid in all four countries. We witness the massive suffering. Millions of people are denied the very basics to survive," ICRC director of operations, Dominik Stillhart said in a statement.

Stillhart warned a massive scaling up of aid was needed to avert a further spiralling downwards in these countries.

Earlier this month, the UN announced that more than 20 million people were facing famine in the four countries following three consecutive years of drought. Stillhart said there was still time to avert a famine in Somalia and Yemen.

The UN has also warned that drought in the Horn of Africa is expected to intensify in the coming months, with a delayed start to the rainy season and depressed levels of precipitation forecast for March-May in most of the Horn region.

Stillhart said food, water, shelter and health care is required immediately, noting that the charity's partners are increasing the response and also underlined the need to directly address the root causes of the crisis.

"No amount of aid money will overcome political obstructionism and a failure to abide by the norms of warfare. Ultimately, in these countries, famine is a by-product," Stillhart said.

He said the root cause is the presence of long term, intractable conflict. "It's the conflict that renders agricultural land unusable, that forces people to flee their homes, and that destroys hospitals and other vital services," he added.

The ICRC official called on warring parties to make every effort to abide by the norms of warfare, and said States must better use their influence to make this happen.

"Violations of the laws of war are directly leading to massive suffering so we need to address how war is waged."

In addition to the ICRC appeal, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners in the 4 countries will need at least a further 100 million dollars to fund their response to the crises.

ICRC Africa director Patricia Danzi said decades of conflict and lack of respect for the rules of war have forced many Somalis to flee their homes time and again, and left them extremely vulnerable.

"The severe drought and limited access to essential services only increases the suffering. We must act now to avert further tragedy," Danzi said.
The Chinese Embassy and the Syrian Planning and International Cooperation Commission signed two agreements on Feb. 5, 2017, under which China will provide two batches of humanitarian aid to the Syrian government worth 16 million U.S. dollars. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy donated some medical equipment to a military hospital in the Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, the latest in a string of humanitarian aids China has provided for Syria.

The new aid constitute of 90 wheelchairs and 40 crutches, and were delivered to the military hospital 601 in the Mazzeh neighborhood west of Damascus.

During the event, Chinese Ambassador to Syria, Qi Qianjin, said that the new aid is simple, adding that it's an expression of friendship to the Syrian people.

"The Chinese embassy in Damascus is glad to provide medical aid to the hospital. This is a simple aid but an expression of our friendship to the Syrian people and we are sympathizing with the Syrian people who are suffering losses and big challenges as a result of the war," he said.

The ambassador, meanwhile, stressed China's resolve to carry on with providing aid to the Syrian people and government.

"We will do our job to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and we will continue to provide medical, and economic help to the Syrian people and the Syrian government," Qi added.

For his part, Major-General Morris Mawas said that China's supportive stances are unforgettable.

"We will not forget the stance of China, not only for this aid, but for all previous stances and we will not forget the stance of China when it used the veto in the face of the unjust resolutions against Syria," he said.

Last month, the Chinese embassy and the Syrian Planning and International Cooperation Commission signed two agreements, under which China would provide two batches of humanitarian aid to the Syrian government worth 16 million U.S. dollars.
NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said Wednesday it had repatriated some 57,329 Somali refugees in Kenya since the return exercise begun in December 2014.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in its bi-weekly update released in Nairobi that some 3,970 refugees were supported to return to their home in Somalia between March 1 to 15.

The UN agency said out of the figure, some 17,359 refugees who have been living at the world's largest human settlement in northeast Kenya were supported in 2017 alone.

"Road convoys were organized from Dadaab to Dhobley respectively on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays," it said.

According to UNHCR, flights to Mogadishu have resumed on Feb. 27 after a long suspension due to security restrictions in Mogadishu since December 2016.

The move comes as Kenya is gearing up to hosting a regional summit in Nairobi on Saturday to marshal a comprehensive regional approach to deliver durable solutions for Somali refugees, while promoting sustainable reintegration of returnees in Somalia.

More than two million Somalis have been displaced in one of the world's most protracted humanitarian crises that have now entered its third decade.

An estimated 1.1 million people are internally displaced (IDPs) within Somalia and nearly 900,000 are refugees in the region.

Experts say continuing political and security stabilization progress in Somalia, along with growing pressures in hosting countries, makes this a critical moment to renew efforts to find durable solutions for Somali refugees. Enditem
WINDHOEK, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Namibia official Opposition party DTA on Wednesday has called on government to establish a National Flood Steering Committee to devise ways to harvest flood water for irrigation purposes as flooding persists in the northern parts of the country.

DTA President McHenry Venaani has called on cabinet to, with immediate effect, nominate the committee comprising of environmental and hydro engineers to help devise ways to strategize and promptly implement mechanisms to channel flood water so that it may be used productively for activities such as irrigation.

He said that failure to do so would be negligent and a clear indication that danger is being waited on rather than being anticipated and dealt with to reduce its impact.

"The specific aim is to devise coherent proactive national response strategies to emergency situations such as floods and droughts," he said.

He added that the flood surface water can be diverted to and stored in water reservoirs for farmers to use the water for irrigation as well as exploring hydro culture farming methods.

"There lies significant agricultural potential in ensuring that flood water is kept in a re-usable format in order to help avert and soften the damaging economic blow and reduction in food security that normally goes together with flooding," he said.

Flooding in Namibia has reached alarming levels in recent weeks, with residents being warned to take the necessary precautions in expectation of the worst possible floods experienced in the country in living memory.

Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry's Hydrological Services warned on Wednesday that the magnitude of flooding expected in the northern central regions is likely to surpass that of 2011, which saw the highest level of flooding in Namibia's recent history. Enditem
by Grandesso Federico, Zheng Jianghua

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- "Multi-speed Europe" is the most realistic scenario for the European Union (EU) if the bloc wants to demonstrate the benefits of integration and thus regain citizens' trust in EU institutions, experts told Xinhua in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding treaty.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on March 1 unveiled a White Paper laying out five scenarios for the EU's remaining 27 member states after Britain leaves the bloc.

The third scenario "Those Who Want More Do More," envisaging a selection of willing member states doing more together in specific areas, is widely deemed as a route heading for a "multi-speed Europe," although the White Paper shirked naming it directly.

Leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Spain have voiced their support for "multi-speed Europe" earlier this month during an informal meeting in the Versaile. The idea is also backed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, or the so-called Benelux, a group of the EU's founding members.

However, some eastern member states fear "multi-speed Europe" could deepen divisions to their disadvantage.

The EU-27 leaders are due to meet on Saturday in Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and hammer out a declaration on EU's future.

In an interview with Xinhua, Shada Islam, director of policy at Brussels-based think tank Friends of Europe, argued that "multi-speed Europe" is the most realistic scenario for the EU.

"If the EU countries are going to move forward, this will have to be at different speed," she said, "this is inevitable because we are not all at the same level of development and we have different concerns."

"Our governments are not all of the same political color and they don't have all the same interests," she added.

Regarding areas in which EU member states are likely to do more, Shada Islam singled out the security and defense sector, saying it's in many countries' favor.

On the other side, she expected that EU institutions would curtail some power and transfer them to member states, saying "I would like to see a little bit of repatriations of power: less power in Brussels, more in cities and regions."

Guntram Wolff, Director of the Brussels-based think thank Bruegel, also reckons that the EU will likely head for "several levels of integration."

"I do think we will see more differentiation across the EU and this means several levels of integration. We will see in some areas further advancement, but we will also experience that some responsibilities will be given back to the member states," he said.

Admitting the EU integration is now facing a slew of challenges, Shada Islam stressed that the bloc has made striking achievements in the past 60 years.

"We had a very significant single market, this is a big achievement of the EU. People are able to travel and work wherever they want," Shada Islam said.

"We have a single currency and we are working quite effectively to boost certain aspects that are missing from the EU monetary union project. We had enlargement and we brought former eastern block countries into the EU," she further illustrated.

But she warned against the distancing the EU institutions from the people.

"But people don't realize enough how far Europe has gone in the last 60 years, maybe the story of Europe hasn't been told with enough conviction to persuade people that this is up to now a very successful project," she lamented, adding that there is a disenchantment with the EU institutions that are seen as quite remote and disconnected from the real aspirations of people.

"The integration process is no longer seen as inevitable and irreversible," she said, attributing this partly to euro-zone crisis and Brexit.

Echoing Shada Islam, Wolff said "the slow resolution of euro-zone problems has aggravated the economic situation in Europe, and that has certainly contributed to the fact that parts of the population in many countries felt very disillusioned about Europe."

"Compared to the challenges we are facing in some areas, we probably do not have the appropriate tools to deal with them. The migration crisis and also some aspects of the euro-zone crisis are the proof that we repaired some parts but not others, and the architecture is still incomplete." he explained.

However, Shada Islam underscored that people should cut the EU some slack.

"Here in Europe we always focus on what is going wrong, but if you look at any other country in the world, every leader faces a multitude of different crisis, so we are not exceptional but we talk about them a lot," she said.
WINDHOEK, March 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 4,500 Namibians have benefited from the Challenge TB project since 2015, the U.S. ambassador to Namibia said Wednesday.

The project that is aimed at fighting tuberculosis is being funded by the United States of America through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) as well as the USAID.

About 1,000 people who have benefited are from Windhoek and another 3,500 were drawn from other parts of the country.

The U.S. government helped a clinic in Windhoek's informal settlement to set up a treatment room for TB patients using the DOT-point method.

The project also offers HIV counseling and testing as well as serves as a link to antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.

According to the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Thomas Daughton, USAID has invested about 48 million Namibian dollars (3.8 million U.S. dollars).

Daughton said it is difficult to provide comprehensive TB and HIV treatment services in Namibia since four out of every 10 people who are HIV also have TB.

The project, however, according to Daughton, aims to achieve a 90 per cent target despite the odds.

"Treating someone who has contracted both HIV and TB is far more difficult as both diseases in the same patient can become too strong for the patient to fight," he further said.

The project, Daughton also said, has reduced Namibia's HIV and TB co-infection rate even though current data shows a downward trend in TB cases and an upward trend in the TB-treatment success rate.

"If you doubt that, you should know that in most districts, the levels of HIV testing and anti-retroviral treatment initiation in TB patients co-infected with HIV have already exceeded 80 per cent."

Namibia's health permanent secretary Andreas Mwombola said people should communicate with their bodies and seek treatment the moment they feel unusual symptoms.

He said people should not wait until the last minute when their immune system has been exhausted to seek treatment. Enditem
Emergency services staff transfer an injured person outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain on March 22, 2017. British police on Wednesday shot a suspected attacker outside the Houses of Parliament in London after an officer was stabbed in a "terrorist" incident described by the police. The building was cordoned off immediately. A vehicle struck several people on the nearby Westminster Bridge. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

LONDON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been killed, including the stabbed officer and a male terrorist, and at least 20 injured in an attack on the Houses of Parliament Wednesday afternoon in a terrorist attack, police announced.

Metz Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley confirmed the deaths in a briefing at New Scotland Yard.

The police officer died after being stabbed outside the House of Parliament. Several others are critically injured after a vehicle ploughed into crowd on Westminster Bridge just outside the Parliament.

Mark Rowley, the national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner said in a statement that the attack started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring a number of people and three police officers.

"The car then crashed near to Parliament and at least one man, armed with a knife, continued the attack, trying to enter Parliament," said the statement.

The terrorist who stabbed the police officer was shot by police officers who raced to aid their colleagues.

The terrorist was taken to hospital and died.

The injured officers was also rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Hospital authorities in London said at least 10 people were being treated.

London Ambulance said an injured woman was pulled alive from the River Thames.

Among the injured, three are French students, who were on a school trip in London when the attack happened, French foreign ministry confirmed.

As the incident continued, hundreds of people fled from the scene, fearing a bomb attack on Westminster.

Business in the Houses of Parliament was immediately suspended, with around 500 politicians, staff and visitors moved to a safe area as the building was placed in a security lockdown. Specially trained officers were combing the parliament buildings for bombs or explosives.

Downing Street issued a statement saying Prime Minister Theresa May was safe after security police whisked her from the Houses of Parliament to 10 Downing Street.

May was planning to hold a special meeting later Wednesday of Britain's main security advisors, known as the Cobra committee.

The London Eye, one of the capital's biggest tourist attractions, was shut down, leaving many people spending several hours in the pods high above the River Thames.

Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police said a major terrorist incident had been declared.

"Although we remain open minded to the motive, a full terrorism investigation is underway led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command," said Harrington.

Media in London reported that Foreign Office government minister Tobias Ellwood, a former captain in the British military, ran to the aid of the stabbed police officer.

The attack came just days after the Met staged its biggest ever terrorism exercise on the River Thames, as part of preparations for any attacks on the Houses of Parliament.
LISBON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Wednesday urged Jeroen Dijsselbloem to resign as the head of Eurogroup over his remarks made in an interview with a German newspaper about southern European countries wasting money on "drinks and women."

"In a serious Europe, Mr. Dijsselbloem would have been fired. It is not possible for someone to have a xenophobic, racist and sexist vision to hold the presidency of an organism like the Eurogroup," Costa told journalists at a press conference in Estoril, around 25 km from capital Lisbon.

Dijsselbloem, who's also Dutch finance minister, said in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that southern European countries had wasted money on "drinks and women" in the run up to the eurozone crisis.

Dsjsselbloem has defended his statements, pointing out at a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels on Tuesday that "solidarity" in the eurozone entailed governments sticking to their promises to meet EU rules.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has also condemned the Dutch finance minister's comments and asked him to resign, saying the EU would lose credibility if he didn't step down.
KIEV, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a project to support Ukraine's financial sector, local media reported on Wednesday.

Under the project, the USAID will allocate a total of 23 million U.S. dollars within the next four years to support the transformation of the sector, which was hit by the recent crisis in the East European country, said Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

The project is aimed at increasing public confidence in the banks, improving access to financing in the non-banking sphere and boosting the share of e-finance in Ukraine's financial sector.

The USAID has provided Ukraine with 1.9 billion U.S. dollars of technical and humanitarian assistance since the start of cooperation in 1992.
Mahmoud Saikal, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN, speaks during an interview with Xinhua News Agency, in New York, the United States, March 21, 2017. The notion of "creating a community of shared future for mankind," which for the first time was written in a UN Security Council resolution, is "very relevant" to Afghanistan and the region, said Mahmoud Saikal, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

by Ni Hongmei

NEW YORK, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The notion of "creating a community of shared future for mankind" is "very relevant" to Afghanistan and the region, said Mahmoud Saikal, permanent representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday.

The UN Security Council adopted unanimously a resolution last week to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), seeking to promote security and stability in Afghanistan and the region "to create a community of shared future for mankind." The notion for the first time was written into a UN Security Council resolution.

"It has to do with peace, security, stability, equality, human rights, development and also making sure we have a clean world. All of them are very relevant to Afghanistan," the envoy said in a joint interview with Xinhua and China Central Television.

Afghanistan is facing extremism and terrorism threats and is "in desperate need for peace," he said.

"Peace can only come through dialogue. So we welcome that. We believe the view of President Xi Jinping is very relevant to the life of our country," the ambassador said, adding that collective efforts are needed in addressing global threats.

"When it comes to prosperity, definitely we need to focus on win-win cooperation. Wherever we can, we need to assist each other. Wherever both of us win, we should step forward," he said, adding the world also needs to push for green development together.

"So, as you can see, all of them are relevant to the life of Afghanistan, to life of our region, to the planet Earth," he concluded.

CONNECTIVITY CRUCIAL TO AFGHANISTAN

"As a landlocked country, connectivity for Afghanistan is crucial," said Saikal. "When it comes to the connectivity of Afghanistan with the region, definitely, One Belt One Road plays a key role."

China's Belt and Road Initiative was also included in the UN resolution, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Afghanistan and China has been cooperating under the initiative in a number of projects. In July 2016, direct flights between the Afghan capital Kabul and Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was resumed.

In September 2016, the first cargo train from China arrives in a northern Afghan port. "That's a good sign of connectivity," said Saikal, noting that the cargo train has facilitated both imports and exports for the country. The two countries are also working on railway project, infrastructure plans under the initiative.

"The vision of connecting the region and connecting China with the Eurasia region, is something that is good for China, good for us, good for the region and good for our world. So this is why we work on that," he said.

Meanwhile, he emphasized that security is a key factor in achieving success of such connectivity projects.

"Afghanistan has been compared as the heart of Asia. If the heart does not beat, Asia will not beat," he said, noting that it is very important to secure the region for the success of Belt and Road Initiative.

"We must address the root cause of conflict, as well as that of extremism and terrorism," he stressed.

On the renewal of UNAMA's mandate until March 17, 2018, the ambassador said that "Afghanistan is in need for peace, stability and security. The United Nations as a whole and UNAMA in particular can play a role in facilitating the peace process in Afghanistan."

"The terrorist threat to Afghanistan is a global threat and it's got regional roots. So we have to deal with this collectively. UNAMA can definitely play a role in bringing peace to Afghanistan," he said, noting the political mission can also support the reform of Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary election.
KHARTOUM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's Prime Minister Youssef Chahed on Wednesday arrived in Khartoum for an official two-day visit to Sudan during which he is to hold talks with his Sudanese counterpart Bakri Hassan Saleh.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said that the two countries' prime ministers would hold joint talks which "would review a number of files, while a number of agreements would be signed on Thursday."

Chahed headed a delegation including ministers of agriculture and transport, state minister of foreign affairs and some officials in the Tunisian government, said the minister.

The Tunisian official would chair his country's side in meeting of the joint higher ministerial committee to be held on Thursday.

Chahed is also scheduled on Thursday to deliver a written message to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir from his Tunisian counterpart. Enditem
By Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The 600 year-old Bayezid mosque in the northern Greek town of Didimoteicho was damaged during a fire on Wednesday, Greece's Culture Ministry said.

The extent of the damage caused by the blazes which broke out during restoration works has yet to be determined. According to an e-mailed ministry announcement, General Secretary Maria Andreadaki- Vlazaki heading a delegation of experts has travelled to the site to assess the "wounds."

The mosque's wooden ceiling has been destroyed, local mayor Paraskevas Patsouridis told Greek national news agency AMNA.

The Bayezid mosque, also known as Celebi Sultan Mehmed I mosque, was constructed in the early 15th century AD during the Ottoman rule in Greece.

According to the Greek ministry which has included the mosque in the list of protected monuments over the past 70 years, it is considered as one of the most important Ottoman monuments on European ground.

The latest round of restoration works started with national sources and EU funds in 2010 and is expected to be finished by 2018. The total budget for the period 2013-2020 stood at 5 million euros (5.4 million U.S. dollars), according to the Culture Ministry's announcement.

Didymoteicho is a town of 10,000 inhabitants located only 2 km from the Greek-Turkish border.
KHARTOUM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- On the World Water Day, March 22 each year, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday only 68 percent of Sudan's population have access to basic improved drinking water.

"In Sudan, only 68 percent of households have access to basic improved water, with rural at 64 and urban at 78 percent respectively," said UNICEF in a press release Wednesday.

"There are also disparities between states, with just around a third of households having access to safe water in Red Sea, White Nile and Gedarif compared to 90 percent in Khartoum and the Northern States," it added.

The UN organization further said that lacks of funding, management and community participation are among the main causes.

"Estimated 13 million people are still using unimproved drinking water sources, taking up 32 percent," it noted, pointing out the majority of these water sources are mainly surface water while some are groundwater sources.

It further stated that secondary sources of chemical and bacteriological contamination are seriously degrading the quality of water sources, which are mainly from industrial waste and commercial waste.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Abdullah Fadil said in the release that "for children, lack of access to safe water can be tragic."

"Diarrhoeal diseases linked to unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene are among the leading causes of malnutrition and child mortality in Sudan," he noted.

According to the release, UNICEF is working with the government and other key partners to support increased access to basic improved water supply, with a focus on women and children.

On March 22 each year, the world celebrates the progress achieved in the water field in a bid to achieve global development goals and muster further political support.
SKOPJE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Despite the meetings with visiting EU officials, political gap between the archrival parties in Macedonia is still wide with the conservative party VMRO-DPMNE demanding fresh elections on Wednesday.

It would be better for Macedonia to hold fresh general elections because sooner or later everyone will understand that this is the best way out of the political stalemate, the VMRO-DPMNE said in a press release.

Such statement comes after the meeting between the party leader Nikola Gruevski and the European Commissioner Johannes Hahn along with three MEPs.

"We need to take advantage to hold the early elections alongside the municipal elections and to do so in the shortest timeframe possible, putting finally to rest the long running political crisis," VMRO-DPMNE said in its statement.

Commissioner Hahn called on Macedonian President Ivanov to allow for the creation of a party led by the Social-Democratic SDSM party led by Zoran Zaev, but VMRO-DPMNE declared that it would be unfair to mandate a candidate who presented a platform drafted in another country and that undermined Macedonia's unity.

After the publication of the VMRO-DPMNE press release, the head of SDSM Zaev reacted by saying to reporters that the holding of early general elections was not a way out of the crisis.

He reiterated his call to the President Ivanov, asking the latter to give him the mandate to form the new government and bring normalcy in the country.

According to Zaev, the president will not mandate him even after another elections.

The party said in a press release earlier that all it wanted now was a peaceful transfer of power towards the coalition led by SDSM which has the majority of parliament with 67 seats. Enditem
by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday called for more cooperation between all sides to conclude in April the second review of Greece's third bailout.

"We don't want to have a story with no ending. We all have to work so that we can reach a solution in April. What remains ahead are difficult decisions," the German official said at the start of a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.

According to the initial schedule agreed by Greece and its international lenders in the summer of 2015, the second assessment of the current bailout should have closed in February 2016.

Due to differences regarding IMF's role in the third program and the mix of reforms and austerity measures Athens will accept in exchange of further aid, talks have dragged on.

Gabriel's visit to the Greek capital following Monday's latest inconclusive Eurogroup meeting in Brussels has been perceived by the Greek government as a message of support regarding the ongoing bailout review negotiations and the migrant crisis.

On Thursday, the German official will also have talks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias.

The dilemma is whether European Union countries will regain the social contract and social acquis or whether they will remain stuck in racist slogans, Tsipras said welcoming Gabriel to his office.

"Greece chooses the first category and is determined to work for it," he said.
TRIPOLI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- UN envoys met with Libya's undersecretary of foreign affairs here on Wednesday, discussing the latest developments of illegal immigration and displacement in Libya.

The Libyan undersecretary, Lutfi Al-Maghribi, called on International Migration for Organization (IMO) and the UN Support Mission in Libya to provide assistance to stop the inflowing migrants by monitoring borders, as he met with the IMO director William Lacy Swing and the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Martin Kolber.

Al-Maghribi also said that Libya "does not want to adopt laws that criminalize illegal immigration."

"Libya, once a booming economy which many hopeful migrants viewed as a prized destination, is today a country beset by a grave security situation, a collapsing economy with virtually no service provision which is worsening an increasingly complex migration situation," Swing said.

He also underscored that IMO is enhancing its support to "the most vulnerable people in the country, migrants or Libyans."

Swing said that they came to meet with the government authorities for exchange of views and confirm their priorities in the field of migration, trying to continue support of the detention center.

"We are also here to support with respect to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people who need assistance," he added.

Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe. Smugglers take advantage of the state of insecurity and chaos in Libya to send thousands of immigrants through the sea, many of whom die on the way.
MADRID, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Interior Ministry on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of three people in two separate operations against jihadist terrorism.

Catalan police detained two men aged 26 and 27 respectively in the small town of Roda de Ter, close to Barcelona. The pair face charges of recruiting potential jihadist fighters, as well as using social network sites to publish pro-jihad propaganda.

Meanwhile the operation in Valencia saw members of the Spanish National Police detain a 45-year-old man, who was born in Morocco, but of Spanish nationality.

He is accused of using the internet in order to praise terrorist attacks committed by the Islamic State (IS) in Europe, Syria and other countries, as well as publishing messages teaching combat techniques.

The detainee is described as being well integrated into the local Muslim community and the Interior Ministry insists that his use of social network sites to promote active terrorism meant he had become a "threat to public safety."

Wednesday's arrests bring the total number of jihadist suspects arrested in Spain to 195 since the country was placed on a level 4 (high) anti-terrorism alert in June 2015. Enditem
Modeled image released by U.S. space agency NASA shows a spacecraft capturing a boulder from a larger asteroid. NASA announced on March 25, 2015 that it has chosen to capture a boulder from a larger asteroid rather than move a single smaller asteroid for its ambitious Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) that will test capabilities needed for future human expeditions to Mars. (Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. space agency NASA said Wednesday it's moving ahead with a long-term demonstration of laser communications that eventually "could become the high-speed internet of the sky."

The mission, known as Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and scheduled for launch in summer 2019, "recently successfully passed a key decision point review and has moved on to the integration and test stage of development," NASA said.

Laser communications, also known as optical communications, encodes data onto a beam of light, which is then transmitted between spacecraft and eventually to Earth terminals.

NASA said this technology offers data rates that are 10 to 100 times better than current radio-frequency communications systems.

Additionally, laser communication systems can be much smaller than radio systems.

NASA will build two ground stations, one in Table Mountain, California, and another in Hawaii, to demonstrate communications capability to and from LCRD, which will be located in an orbit that matches Earth's rotation, called a geosynchronous orbit.

The mission built on the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD), a device that flew aboard the Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer in 2013.

While LLCD was first to demonstrate high-data-rate laser communications beyond low-Earth orbit, LCRD will demonstrate the technology's operational longevity and reliability, NASA said.

"LCRD is designed to operate for many years and will allow NASA to learn how to optimally use this disruptive new technology," said Don Cornwell, director of NASA's Advanced Communication and Navigation division of the Space Communications and Navigation program office, which led the development of the instrument.

The NASA team is also designing a laser terminal for the International Space Station that will use LCRD to relay data from the station to the ground at gigabit-per-second data rates.

"We plan to fly this new terminal in 2021," Cornwell said. "Once tested, we hope that many other Earth-orbiting NASA missions will also fly copies of it to relay their data through LCRD to the ground."
RABAT, March 22 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan started on Wednesday an official visit to Morocco few days ahead of the 28th Arab Summit in Jordan.

King Abdullah II was greeted by King Mohammed VI upon his arrival at the Rabat-Sale Airport.

The two leaders held talks in the royal cabinet after the official welcoming ceremony.

During the three-day visit, the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation and topics of mutual interest, on the top of them the Palestinian issue.

The two countries have signed some 60 agreements as they are both part of the Agadir Agreement, which is a free trade agreement that came into force in March, 2007. It consists also of Egypt and Tunisia and is open to further membership by all Arab League members. Enditem
A man places a flower under a memorial plaque inside the departure terminal during a commemorative event on the first anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks at Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

By Grandesso Federico

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- "If there is a positive evolution in Belgium, it is that we have now far more than before a security culture," a senior Belgian official told Xinhua on Wednesday.

On March 22 of 2016, two separate terror attacks hit Brussels airport and the city's Metro system, which left 32 dead (excluding three terrorists) and 320 others wounded.

On Wednesday, Brussels hosted several commemoration ceremonies on Wednesday, for the first anniversary of the terror attacks. The bombings had tremendously impacted Belgium's political and social agenda, placing security as the top priority.

"People are aware that security and investment in security is worthwhile," Jan Jambon, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and Home Affairs told Xinhua.

"This is really a turnaround for Belgium. We decided a package of 30 measures and the government allocated a budget like never before, (at) more than 1 billion Euros until now," Jambon said.

"Now we are working to combine human forces and technology implementing in our airports. For example, in Zaventem (airport) we have a network of intelligent and PR cameras", the Minister said.

"What we learned from Tel Aviv Airport (is to) train police officers in behavior detection so they look at people behavior and if they see something suspicious, they put people aside and do an investigation," he explained.

"We are now putting in place face recognition cameras so the technology is going together with human power. Once implemented it in the airports, we will also extend it in the big international railway stations," he said.

On railway security, Jambon clarified that after the EU directive the authorities is now implementing the Passenger Name Record system (PNR).

Belgium has an agreement with the countries where it has an international train connection -- Britain, France, the Netherlands -- to implement the PNR system on railways Thalys and Eurostar, he said.

Asked on how to eradicate extremism, Jambon said, "We have to sell our own values; we let the door open to ISIS with their proposals. We have to be more convinced in presenting our own values and chances to youngsters who are maybe open for ISIS ideology.

"In the past, we didn't do enough efforts on this. Now there is a complete change, because we are aware of our own values and our system," the minister explained.

On cross-border cooperation against terrorism, Jambon said that there has been much progress on collaboration at EU level, on such things as exchanging data and border control.

Belgium also cooperated with big internet companies like Facebook to have hate preaching sites out from internet. "There is a good collaboration now finally with these companies," Jambon said.

He also expressed worries over how to deal with the 3,000 to 5,000 European ISIS militants still fighting in the Middle East once the ISIS was defeated.

"We, together with all EU intelligence services, are monitoring the situation," Jambon said.

"We know who is in Syria... I'm confident that when they will move again, we can catch them," the Minister added.
MADRID, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China's Ambassador to Spain Lyu Fan said Spain has already been an attractive destination for Chinese investors.

He made this statement at a Tuesday event here called "Trends of the Chinese investments in Spain," which was organized by KPMG, one of the Big Four auditors, and ESADE Business School of Spain.

"Spain is already an attractive destination for Chinese investors," the ambassador said, "because of its natural resources, comparative advantages, sectors and open and free atmosphere for businesses," he said.

Lyu Fan hailed Spain's economic recovery, highlighting the improvement led by the policies of the government.

Spain is the seventh destination of Chinese investment within the European Union, he highlighted.

Meanwhile, he stated China's intention to be more open, create a good atmosphere for foreign investment and trade.

Hilario Albarracin, president of KPMG Spain, emphasized the assets Spain has as an investors' destination.

"The growth of the Spanish economy, above other European countries' growth, the quality of the infrastructures and its strategic role as a platform towards Latin America, allowed it to be an important partner for China," he said.

Spain's State Secretary for Trade, Marisa Poncela, said the Spanish government has supported trade ties between China and Spain.

"China is a priority for Spain in several ways, from the European point of view, but also from Spain's point of view," she said, adding, "we are trying to focus on the sectors with more productivity for Spain."
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Internet economy has brought huge benefits to the world while posing threat to the traditional economy. But the two could progress in good coordination in the Internet age.

This is the idea expressed by Chinese and foreign economy and technology experts in recent interviews with Xinhuanet.

The Internet is one of the major, fundamental innovations in the 20th, 21st century, said Ulf Henning Richter, Associate Professor for Global Business and Strategy at Tongji University.

He said that using smarter solutions, including the Internet economy, is necessary to reach the goals of global and Chinese economy.

Scott McIntyre, interim director of Student Entrepreneurship at the University of Toledo, agreed the Internet enables people to take economic independence more into their hands, rather than relying on the government for traditional jobs.

However, there are challenges that might come with the booming Internet economy.

Dan Steinbock, a global economic and policy analyst, admitted the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics will result in great efficiency.

But they will also reduce the role of labor-intensive activities, which have supported economic development in the poorer nations, Steinbock said.

What we need are innovations that are more useful and support all people, Steinbock added.

The experts pointed out that traditional economy in major countries has to evolve and adapt to the new circumstances of the Internet age.

The Internet companies are reshaping the market landscape and aggressively competing with the traditional giant players, Zhang Zeen, a data management expert, noted.

They are providing cost-effective services, targeting new market segments and creating innovative products, Zhang added.

Zhang indicated that its important to have proper management of the relationship between innovation and regulation, and innovation and tradition.

Innovation is ensured by a stable, open and well risk-controlled environment, " said Zhang.

The experts held that traditional economy is essential to the long-term development of Internet economy.

According to Peter Adriaens, Professor of Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Michigan, the Internet economy is rapidly scalable at a low cost, but it does need traditional economy to survive.

"You cannot have a service economy or an Internet economy without actually having the hard infrastructure underneath it," he pointed out.

The experts agreed that traditional economy and Internet economy may progress in good coordination in todays Internet age.

Alon Melchner, a virtual reality expert, noted that the threats will certainly exist but there will always be solutions for the two to advance together.

Melchner pointed out that we should not be excessively afraid of the potential dangers brought by the Internet, such as information leakage.

This is not the way to think about the future because we will be closed in our fears, in our concerns rather than evolving. I believe in evolving, he explained.
Children settle the eggs to form a pattern of Chinese characters for "Chunfen" in a kindergarten in Changzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 20, 2017, to greet the Chinese traditional calendar date of Chunfen. Chunfen, which literally means Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox, falls on the day when the sun is exactly at the celestial latitude of zero degrees. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)
Two newly arrived polar bears play at Budapest Zoo in Budapest, Hungary, on March 21, 2017. Two polar bears, born on Nov. 28, 2015, arrived from the zoo in Moscow a few days ago. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi)
People visit the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing, southwest China, March 22, 2017. Various kinds of flowers at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute bloom recently, attracting numerous tourists and citizens. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)
Man admits stabbing woman

In the statement, which was read to the jury, Babooram admitted to stabbing Ria Ramlochan but said she had attacked him with a knife. Sgt Azam Hamid was called by the State to tender the statement which he testified he had obtained on August 16, 2005 from Babooram at the Mayaro Police Station.

Ramlochan, 26, with whom Babooram, 41, was having a relationship, lived with her 18-month-old son Ishmael Timothy Ragbir at Solomon Street. Babooram lived at Pierreville and is on trial before a 12-member jury and Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor in the San Fernando High Court.

Hamid told the court that in the presence of Justice of the Peace Sankar Mahabirsingh, Babooram said he had gone to Ramlochans house to talk.

Tendered into evidence and read to the jury, Babooram is quoted as having told detectives that he sat on the bed and it was Ramlochan who approached him with a knife.

She was holding the knife tight. I went blank. She get stab in she chest. I stab she by mistake. The baby was on the bed.

When I see blood I get frightened. The baby was by the door.

I dont know what happened to the knife. Babooram, according to the statement, said Ramlochan was saying something but he could not ascertain what it was.

Hamid then asked Babooram what became of Ramlochan and the child and according to the statement, he replied that his mind went blank.

On August 13, Ramlochans body was taken out the latrine pit by cleaners from the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

A knife was also retrieved. Her child became entangled in a fishing net in the river.

When questioned further, Hamid testified, Babooram told detectives, It have no third party in this.

She say love does cause the quarrelling thing. Ria is my girlfriend.

I live with Ria for six months. The trial continues today.
Man in court for murder of Arima man

Omeaku Barbour, of Spree Simon Drive, Phase 2, La Horquetta, Arima, appeared before Senior Magistrate Gillian Scotland in the Arima First Magistrates Court, charged with the murder of 36 year-old Haniel London, of 16 De Freitas Boulevard, La Horquetta.

He was represented by attorney Clement Daniel and will reappear in court on April 13. He was charged by PC Sean Thomas of Region 2 Homicide Bureau.

It is alleged that London, owner of Yardie MiniMart was at LH Wholesales at Majorie Padmore Avenue, Phase 2, re-supplying his business when he was approached by a man who was armed with a firearm. London was shot several times. He died on arrival at hospital.
TUCO puts Alanas letter in hands of lawyer

Sinnettes issues surrounded the judging of her calypso in the wrong category, and generally how TUCOs business is being run.

She feels, as a calypsonian she and her fellow artistes are being short-changed by the executive, especially if they are not part of the calypso tents operated by TUCO.

Sinnette said on Monday, because of the inaction by TUCO, her lawyer is now on the verge of taking the necessary action to right the wrong where being judged in the wrong category is concerned.

It is TUCOs fault that I wasnt given the opportunity to vie for the Political Monarch and to go further in the Calypso Monarch competition, she said.
Bullying being addressed

The matter is well in hand, Gopee-Scoon said in response to a question on this issue from Opposition Senator Wade Mark.

Gopee-Scoon said the Student Support Services Division of the Education Ministry is actively partnering with staff at the school to address this issue.
Correction

This was erroneous and Newsday. apologises to the officers and recruits. enrolled at the Trinidad and. Tobago Cadet Force, as well as. their parents and guardians.

The Cadet Force has referred to. a release issued by the Trinidad. and Tobago Regiment on March. 17, 2017 which pointed out that. the Defence Force (Regiment). has been investigating a claim of. sexually inappropriate behaviour. involving persons training to become. potential officers (officer. cadets) at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet. Force emphasised that the incident. referred to in the Newsday. story of March 20, 2017 did not. occur at the Trinidad and Tobago. Cadet Force nor did it involve any. of its cadet recruits.
Ramesh and chamber head differ on law faculty relocation

On Monday, students staged a noisy protest demonstration after reports surfaced that enrolment at the south campus would begin from September while another stated that the start-up date would be in January 2018.

However, UWI St Augustine campus president Professor Brian Copeland told students that no date has been set for the start-up of classes at the Penal/Debe campus.

In a media release yesterday, PDCC president Shiva Roopnarine stated that the relocation of the law faculty, while not an easy move, has to be undertaken as quickly as possible.

The Penal Debe Chamber of Commerce has been clamouring to have the south campus open and is pleased with the proposed date for classes to begin, Roopnarine stated.

He said the challenges facing students from south and central Trinidad were well known including high rental apartments and the daily traffic congestion for those students who did not wish to stay on campus.

Students from central and south will now have the luxury of commuting daily to campus against the run of traffic.

From Chaguanas to the campus, driving within the speed limit should take about 25 minutes, he stated, adding, the relocation is not going to be easy but it must happen swiftly. However, former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, in a media statement, voiced his objection to the relocation saying this will have both immediate and future consequences that will injure the student body and the general population. Maharaj said an immediate consequence was placing the faculty away from its existing resource base at the Hugh Wooding Law School with its library resources.

The point made by the students about academic isolation cannot be answered if the faculty is put in a location which does not allow for meaningful cross faculty collaboration, he said.

Maharaj noted that no law faculty could properly develop without the full and closer knit support of sister faculties in arts and the social sciences. I call on the University and the government to reconsider this short-sighted attempt by the last government to gain short-term political advantages at the expense of the national community. However, Roopnarine offered a contrasting view saying the universitys south campus continued to be the pride and joy of south Trinidad with many investment opportunities being created in and around the campus.

Businesses, not only from Penal / Debe but also national franchises invested hoping that the campus would have already been open. Entrepreneurs have taken loans at local banking establishments and developed lands and apartments in anticipation of a return. At a time where the economy is stagnant, many investors are grateful for the imminent opening of the campus, he said.

Roopnarine stated that accommodations to house students could have been similar to those of St Augustine had the university sent clear messages to the business community and was consulting with us on the needs of the campus. It is the belief of the chamber that Penal / Debe and by extension San Fernando will be able to accommodate the housing needs of the campus.

The campus should advise the public and state how many students will be enrolled and seeking accommodation.
EMA police shut down aerobic burnout

Residents, a report said, called in the police just before midnight when they couldnt sleep. The event, Aerobic Rave Burnout was held at Yard Vybz at Fanny Village, Point Fortin.

According to a police report, at about 11.10 am, EMA officers received information of an event taking place in Fanny Village and upon arrival heard loud amplified sounds emanating from beyond the propertys boundary lines. The report further said a sound pressure level (SPL) measurement was taken and the promoter was found to be in breach of the noise pollution rules.

Officers also observed that there was no proper placement of music speakers which were found to be facing the homes of the residents.

The promoter was ordered to end the event. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, one senior officer urged affected residents to continue to notify EMA officers whenever persons in their neighborhood are in breach noise pollution rules.
Call for TTW to be named heritage site in honour of Derek Walcott

In a release issued to media on Monday, the UWI Socialist Student Conference through its coordinator Am?lcar Sanatan, and its public relations officer, Shalinee Bahadur, called on the ministry to honour Derek Walcotts legacy by empowering the youth in arts.

Walcott, one of the regions few Nobel laureates, died on March 17 in St Lucia and he was the founder of the TTW.

The release said, Derek Walcott was the most distinguished poet and playwright the Caribbean has produced. He is internationally recognised as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992 and the T.S. Elliot Prize for Poetry in 2011. He, however, spent a significant part of his professional life in the Caribbean  in Jamaica as a student, in Trinidad as an artist and residence in his native homeland, St. Lucia. In 1959 he was a founding director of the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. We call on the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts to honour the legacy of Derek Walcott by empowering the youth in arts.
Sturge: Pre-Trial Procedure Bill a law for the rich

Listing the names of wealthy people who were accused of crimes but were subsequently determined to be innocent, Sturge claimed, This is his ticket out. Describing Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi as Ramesh Al-Rawi, Sturge also claimed the bill would not allow for the time frame set out in the Pratt and Morgan judgement of the Privy Council to be met, so that the death penalty could not be implemented. Claiming that Al-Rawis predecessor, John Jeremie, brought similar suites of legislation in 2005 and 2007 which worsened the criminal justice system, Sturge predicted, Every bill brought by this AG will fail. Sturge reiterated the Oppositions claim that trial by jury is a constitutional right and the Judiciary should not advise any government about what legislation to put in place. Asking how the criminal justice system would operate if lawyers did not want to practice this type of law because of the risks they face, Sturge claimed that no lawyer wanted to do the Vindra Naipaul- Coolman murder trial.

Government senators Foster Cummings and Daniel Dookie dismissed this claim. This bill does not trample on the rights of the accused, Cummings declared.

Dookie said the Opposition did not want to cooperate with the Government in dealing with the countrys crime problem.

Independent Senator Melissa Ramkissoon said she supported the idea of trial by judge alone but could not support the bill in its present form. Ramkissoon wondered if it made sense to free ten guilty men but convict one innocent man.

Opposition Senator Rodger Samuel argued that the trial of Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate was a classic example of trial by bench and not by jury.
Cops trained to deal with mentally ill people, says Dillon

Responding to a question in the Senate, Dillon said officers receive this training at the Police Academy specifically through a behavioural science course.

There is a specific module in that course which focuses on dealing with the mentally ill and their special needs, Dillon explained.

He also said officers are trained in de-escalation and interactive techniques when interacting with mentally ill people.

Responding to a question from Opposition Senator Wade Mark, Dillon said he did not know whether excessive force was used in an incident where a mentally ill man was killed by a police officer. Dillon also said he has not received any report on that incident. In a written response to another question, Dillon said anti-crime initiatives which have been implemented over the last year include restructuring of the Strategic Services Agency, computerisation of the Forensic Science Centre, an intensified drive to remove illegal arms and ammunition and increased dialogue between the Police Service and communities through town meetings. Dillon said this combination of focused initiatives are based upon the strategic imperatives of prediction, deterrence, detection, prosecution and rehabilitation.

The House of Representatives sits today from 1.30 pm to begin debate on the Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement Bill 2017.
Deyalsingh: Take better care of your health now

We rush to treat, but there is very little emphasis on preventative care, Deyalsingh said.

Speaking yesterday at the formal opening of the Womens Outpatient Clinics and Colposcopy Centre at Mt Hope, Deyalsingh said while there were roles to provide health care for citizens, whether it was cardiovascular, cancers, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the role of the ministry is to strive to get from treatment to prevention.

He said a key component to achieving this was getting the data. To this end, Deyalsingh said money has been allocated to have, not just the cancer registry up and running, but all other diseases including NCDs.

We do not have a functional cancer registry. There is no data so we do not know how many patients we have with cancer  cervical, prostate, breast, lung  so how does Nipdec (National Insurance Property Development Company Ltd) determine how much drugs to buy? How do you forecast for drugs? For the first time, money has been allocated to bring the cancer registry up to date on software and we would have data on all other diseases, he said.

Deyalsingh said they were unable to get a true handle on how many people were ill and with what because there was no data.

He said the $8 billion that was announced as allocated to treat NCDs did not mean that the money was just used for drugs to treat the diseases, but all direct costs provided including hospital beds, physicians, nurses and other needs.

However, he said the real cost went to loss of productivity when people had to take hours off from work to take their loved ones to clinic.

Deyalsingh said too many patients are faced with overwhelming amounts of information on diabetes, cancers and smoking and yet they still continue to not heed the messages.

He said doctors were seeing younger patients with diabetes each year because people were becoming sedentary and need to be more active, watch what they ate and monitor their sugar intake.

I am going to be maligned for saying this, but sugar should be classified as a poison. The way we are currently using it is not good for us. Deyalsingh said the centre would be used as a hub for NCDs and also testing for Zika - the mosquito- borne disease from the Aedes Egypti mosquito - in pregnant women.

The centre, on which construction began in 2012 and cost $79.3 million, began treating patients in December 2016.

It offers pap smears and colposcopy services, neonatology, maternal health, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Dillon: Citizen Security Programme under review

Launched in 2007, she said this social action initiative in 27 highrisk communities is really needed now, when more questions than answers abound. Ameen said the CSP included parenting skills, conflict resolution and community safety, and empowered residents to solve local disputes and gang war. The CSP had let communities carve out youth-friendly spaces such as a play park in Mango Rose, Laventille, and had engaged youngsters in music, drama, sport and life-skills, she said.

Ameen urged Dillon to justify whatever decision he will make on the CSPs fate, to say what it might be replaced with if at all and to mull the fate of CSP staff.

Dillon said the CSP began in 2008 and was extended twice - in 2014 (to 2016) and again in 2016 (to 2017).

After evaluations in 2014 and in 2015 (twice), the CSPs fate will now rely on a review by the Planning Ministry.

He said Cabinet also agreed to a $25 million allocation for existing contractual obligations, plus $15.1 million from the PSIP to fund beyond April 2017.

So the Government, in consideration of the evaluation forward, considers even beyond the April deadline in terms of the termination of the programme. The Government is intent on avoiding any premature announcement, Dillon said. He said the Government is working at a time of tight budgets. Otherwise Tourism Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe, justified the decision to replace the Tourism Development Company by separate entities for each of Tobago and Trinidad.

She replied to a question on the adjournment by Opposition Senator Wade Mark who asked if the TDCs dissolution is a ploy aimed at facilitating the establishment of a Sandals Resort in Tobago. He alleged a lack of consultation on the move, and a flagrant breach of the Industrial Relations Act.

Cudjoe said some $441 million was spent on the TDC from 2007 to 2016. The staff bill had doubled from $21 million in 2006 to $50 million in 2016, but without the 100-strong staff displaying any improved performance.

She said an independent consultant asked stakeholders on the TDCs efficacy. The TDC was found to be incapable of executing its mandate to promote the country, with stakeholders showing dissatisfaction.

Cudjoe cited stakeholders letters saying the TDCs role is best done by two separate entities, one for each island. Those consulted included officials in the Ministry of Tourism, TDC, Invest TT, TT Bureau of Standards, Tobago House of Assembly, Tobago Hotel Tourism and Restaurant Association, and the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association.
Karim: We never intended to close St Augustine Law Faculty

He spoke at a news conference yesterday at the Opposition Leaders Office in Port-of- Spain, with Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh.

Karim justified the need for the Debe campus by saying 40 secondary schools lie in south Trinidad, from Couva to Cedros to Rio Claro to Guayaguarare, even as the St Augustine campus, with 19,000 students, has reached its full capacity.

The Debe campus was intended to have branches of the UWI, Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), Roytec and Arthur Lok Jack School, he said.

The Penal/Debe Campus was not to replace any faculty at the St Augustine Campus but to supplement and complement. Asked if the political momentum still exists to complete the Debe campus, Karim said the PP government had provided $500 million to build it but a lack of activity some 20 months later suggests the momentum is not there.

Saying there is no reason to discontinue this construction, he said the facility is just 81 percent complete.

I want to join my colleagues in calling for this campus to be completed. .

He said the Council for Legal Education, which regulates the training for new entrants to the legal profession, had requested the former PP government to expand the HWLS.

Karim said the Debe campus would facilitate law students who would otherwise have to travel to England to study, including those with non-UWI LLB degress not selected for HWLS to do vocational training.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Baked Goods Cannabis in the Legislative Session Rob M. The Roundhouse wrapped up the 2017 legislative session last Saturday. This year was particularly exciting for those of us in the cannabis community. Not only for the number of bills aimed at positive policy reform, but also for the huge support shown in the community at large and especially in the local media, where a distinct turn in public opinion has become apparent. I have to warn you: There isn't much good news when it comes to the actual legislation. But keep in mind that despite our lawmakers' inability to tailor policy to our needs and wishes, the public outcry against the current state of cannabis laws in New Mexico was loud enough to make it into every corner of local media this year, and our voices can't be ignored forever.

Legalization Bill Goes Belly-Up At the end of February, following more than two hours of debate, House Bill 89which would have legalized the recreational use of cannabis for adults over the age of 21was soundly voted down 9-1 by the House Business and Industry Committee. Let's be honest, here. Everyone knew the bill would fail once it reached Gov. Susana Martinezwho would have likely exercised her power to veto the bill if it had been approvedbut to see it devastated before it even crossed her desk is disheartening, to say the least. I am especially grossed out by our lawmakers' ability to show such a bipartisan distaste for public opinion. Their reasons for shooting it down: They weren't convinced legalization would help to curb illegal trafficking, they were concerned about drug use amongst young people (despite the fact that the proposed bill specified that the law was for adults over 21) and they were worried about the recently clarified anti-cannabis stance taken by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. I bet they're feeling pretty dumb about it right now, though. Get this: Sessions told local, state and federal law enforcement officials in Richmond, Va. last Wednesday that the Cole Memorandum set up some policies under President Obamas Department of Justice about how cases should be selected in those states and what would be appropriate for federal prosecution, much of which I think is valid. (The Cole Memorandum protects states where cannabis has been legalized from prosecution as long as they are following an effective regulation policy.) I wonder if those weaklings in the Roundhouse are moping yet about missing out on a multi-million dollar industry because they were afraid of the Trump bogey man. (I should probably point out that I, too, was afraid of the bogeymanproven by an article I wrote earlier this month. Let's never speak of it again.)

Martinez Vetoes Hemp Bill Without even having the decency to give any reason for the move, Gov. Martinez vetoed House Bill 144, which would have legalized state-regulated industrial hemp. The bill would have authorized the state Department of Agriculture to oversee the production of hemp plants for research purposes. Hemp is the name given to cannabis plants cultivated to have low-THC yields for use in industrial materials like fibers, textiles, insulation materials and animal food. State Democrats have rejected the governor's veto, though, saying it was invalid. They say the governor is legally obligated to explain her reasons behind the veto within a specific time period. She failed to do so. What happens next is anyone's guess, since this is something that's never happened before. If the matter isn't resolved, it will be taken before the New Mexico Supreme Court.

No Luck with Decriminalization SB 258, sponsored by Senator Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, which woud have decriminalized cannabis possession, failed to pass. If it had passed, possession of less than a half ounce of cannabis or drug paraphernalia would have resulted in a (non-criminal) penalty assessment with a fine of $50. I guess we don't mind keeping people locked in cages for the use of a harmless plant that millions of people partake in daily. According to a forecast the New Mexico Sentencing Commission released last summer, the states inmate population will rise from 7,518 in fiscal year 2016 to 7,663 by fiscal year 2018. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is seeing a trend of prison populations decreasing. Ah, progress.
It's been quite a year. And I make no predictions about the one to come. I do know that it will -- at least where we are -- start ou...
As of last week, thats what the native Texan became as he was named to succeed Dirk Petersen.

Ive always wanted to be general manager at a steel mill, he said.

For Troy Brooks, his new position with Nucor is a dream come true.

Major accomplishments

Here are some of the major accomplishments during Dirk Petersens years with Nucor in Norfolk:

 Won the Nucor Presidents Safety award six of eight years.

 Helped Nucor achieve being named an Occupational Safety and Health Administrations Voluntary Protection Program company.

 Major projects completed included a 20 percent capacity expansion in the melt shop; expansion of the rolling mills; creation of a new quality assurance line; and new scale houses for truck and rail.

 Seeing Nucor move to doing higher-level Special Bar Quality steel.

 Completion of the Northeast Nebraska Industrial Highway.

 Selection of Highway 275 to be completed as a four-lane expressway thanks to the work of 4 Lanes 4 Nebraska.

 Nucor being named the Nebraska Diplomats Business of the Year in 2013.

 Being named the Norfolk Area Person of the Year in 2015.

COURTESY PHOTO

DIRK PETERSEN, the longtime vice president and general manager of Nucor Steel in Norfolk (left), is now moving toward his June 3 retirement and focusing on special projects. Last week, Troy Brooks, who had been the general manager of Vulcraft in Norfolk, was named to succeed him at the steel mill.
The Arab Parliamentary Union called on Spain to return the occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in addition to the Mediterranean Chafarinas Islands to Morocco.

The call was made in the closing statement of the 24th congress of the Union, which was held in Rabat. In this regards, Arab MPs underscored the efforts led by Morocco to recover the two occupied cities and islands. They called on Spain to respond positively to the proposal of late King Hassan II to set up a joint committee to consider a peaceful solution to the Ceuta and Melilla issue.

In addition to the issue of Moroccos territorial integrity, the Palestinian issue also featured prominently in the proceedings of the congress. The closing statement called notably for drafting a unified Arab road map at the political and diplomatic level to counter the Israeli occupation.

The Arab Parliamentary Union also urged Iran to refrain from interfering in internal issues of Arab countries and expressed support for the UAE in its efforts to regain the three Iranian-occupied islands.

In the same vein, Arab MPs called on Iran to stop interfering in the domestic issues of Bahrain adding that Iran should also cease igniting sectarian strife in the Gulf country. The closing statement blamed Iran for supporting terrorism in Bahrain.

The closing statement also stressed the need to join efforts and harmonize legislation with a view to drafting a common strategy to counter terrorism and address its root-causes.

In this regard, the closing statement stroke a distinction between terrorism and the right to resistance against the colonizer, noting that Israel practices state terrorism, which is not different from jihadist terrorism.
Mitch McConnell. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Trumpcare may or may not grind out enough votes to pass the House. In the Senate, its hopelessly short of the 50 votes it needs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has laid out a wildly aggressive time frame, under which his chamber would essentially xerox the House bill and pass it into law within a few days  no hearings, no negotiations. A few weeks ago, I suggested the possibility that McConnells plan was not wildly aggressive but actually designed to fail. His latest comments make this scenario seem far more likely.

Were not slowing down, McConnell told reporters Tuesday. We will reach a conclusion on health care next week. And while he is brimming with certainty about the speed of the process, he is hardly confident of its outcome: Well either pass something that will achieve a goal that weve been working on, he said. Or not.

The only possible way a health-care bill could pass the Senate would be a heroic feat of negotiation to bridge the chasm between Republicans who think the House bill provides too much care (Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz) and those who think it provides too little (a group numbering perhaps as many as a dozen, depending on how one interprets various fretting remarks). Republicans can lose no more than two votes in the upper chamber. Whats more, one of their senators, Georgias Johnny Isakson, is out indefinitely while recovering from back surgeries. Isaksons absence in the short term cuts the GOPs margin for error in half, which means  unless he rushes back faster than expected  a vote next week is all the more hopeless.

If this plan were being pursued by a John Boehner or a Paul Ryan, one might chalk it up to terrible vote-counting or wild optimism. But McConnell isnt a hopeless optimist. Hes the smartest political tactician of the modern era. The default assumption on any McConnell plan should be that it rationally pursues a coherent goal. In this case, McConnell has almost certainly sized up his caucus and grasped that Trumpcare stands no chance of resuscitation. A long bleed-out on health care will make Trump and his party even less popular, and chew up precious months during which the Republicans could instead be making use of their full control of government. The plan being pursued by McConnell is that of a man who wants to cut his losses fast.
These people are not sick of winning. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

While running for president, Donald Trump promised to deliver universal health care without cutting Medicaid; lamented that America wastes trillions of dollars on doomed military adventures instead of investing in its schools and infrastructure; decried the influence of foreign governments and international bankers on our political system, while savaging Hillary Clinton for her ties to Goldman Sachs; bewailed the fact that Clinton was allowed to run for president while under FBI investigation; assured the forgotten men and women of rural America that they would be forgotten no longer; predicted that his election would restore the confidence of Americas allies; and explained that his supreme deal-making skills would make him a master of the legislative process  unlike typical politicians, who are all talk, no action.

Since winning the presidency, Trump has pushed a health-care bill that would cut Medicaid and increase the ranks of the uninsured by 24 million; proposed a budget that would raise military spending by $54 billion while slashing funding for education and transportation; appointed five Goldman Sachs alums to top positions in his White House; picked a foreign agent of Turkeys Islamist government as his top national security adviser; acknowledged that the FBI is investigating his presidential campaign; called for gutting programs that provide job training and development to rural America; gotten into diplomatic spats with Mexico, Australia, and the United Kingdom; and failed to pass a single piece of major legislation, while the one bill hes put some muscle behind appears poised for defeat.

Given the discrepancies between Trumps promises and his actions  along with his near-constant affronts to democratic norms and common decency  you might think that a lot of Trump voters would have come to regret the events of November 8.

If so, you would be wrong  and the media would bear some responsibility for your mistake.

The months since the election have produced no small number of regretful Trump voter stories. And these narratives have grown even more prominent as news outlets have sought to dramatize the gap between the health-care plan Trump described on the stump, and the one he is trying to push through Congress.

Last year, a grieving father made financial sacrifices to follow Trump across the country. Now, he wishes he hadn't https://t.co/LLPfziRdec pic.twitter.com/AuEeobSyln  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 22, 2017

But while such #Trumpgrets do exist, they are aberrations: Only 3 percent of Trump voters regret their decision  and fewer than 1 percent wish they had voted for Hillary Clinton last fall  according to a new poll from Penn States McCourtney Institute of Democracy and YouGov.

Whats more, the poll doesnt find all that much ambivalence among the 97 percent of non-regretful Trump backers. When these voters were asked, If you could send a message to President Trump, what would it be? most responded with variations on stay strong, keep it up, or stay the course. Only seven of the 327 (non-regretful) Trump voters surveyed offered a sharply critical message about the presidents performance.

Penn State political scientists Eric Plutzer and Michael Berkman summarized their findings in a Washington Post column:

While his governance has galvanized opposition groups and his overall approval level remains low by historical standards, his electoral base is not only intact but enthusiastic and energized, providing Trump with a significant base of power. Those who fail to recognize this may find themselves underestimating his capabilities in governance in the same way that many underestimated his candidacy.

A new Harvard-Harris Poll lends further credence to that conclusion.

President Trumps baseless allegation that Barack Obama wiretapped his phones has earned him rebukes from the FBI, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, and such conservative stalwarts as Bill OReilly and The Wall Street Journal editorial page.

And yet, per Harvard-Harris, 59 percent of Republicans say they believe Trumps claim.

From all this, one might conclude that, while Trump has an unusually low ceiling of support, he also enjoys an unusually high floor. After all, if the past two months of betrayed promises, ill-tempered tweets, judicial defeats, and legislative impotence havent cost Trump significant support, what would?

But this view is probably misguided. Ordinary voters pay very little attention to the goings-on in Washington. And for all of Trumps radical proposals, hes yet to actually do much of anything that immediately hurts the average Republican voter. Meanwhile, the growing economy that he inherited from Obama is chugging along nicely, providing relatively low unemployment and decent wage gains.

Thus, the real test of the Trump coalition wont come until the president actually enacts one of his many plans to hurt the rural working class  and/or until the economy takes a turn for the worse.

Democrats can win without regretful Trump voters in 2020. And, if the unemployment rate is still less than 5 percent in November of that year  while the uninsured rate in rural, midwestern counties isnt significantly higher than it is today  Team Blue may very well need to win without them.

But those are big ifs. Were still in the morning hours of the Trump presidency: His voters have made their bed, but they havent had to sleep in it.
President Trump meets with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at the White House on March 1. Photo: Bill OLeary/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Though it looks like the American Health Care Act may come up several votes short when the House votes on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has tried to maintain an optimistic tone, promising to bring the bill to the Senate as soon as next week.

I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us from keeping the commitment weve made to the American people for almost ten years now, McConnell told the AP on Tuesday, suggesting that hell find a way to get the AHCA through the Senate.

Well have an amendment process here in the Senate, he said, and at the end of that process, well send a bill to the one person who can sign it into law, and thats the president of the United States.

McConnell has impressive political skills, but that would be a tall order even for the mythical businessman portrayed in The Art of the Deal. GOP leaders can only afford two defections in the Senate, and Six Senate Republicans have given a firm no, with several more say theyre leaning toward opposing the bill.

The issue isnt just the number of nos  its also the groups composition. The senators are against the AHCA for contradictory reasons, and a concession to either moderates or conservatives would still leave at least two people opposed. Plus, the defectors have complex concerns specific to their states, and perhaps even ulterior motives for holding up the repeal of Obamacare.

Here are the AHCA objections McConnell would have to navigate to get it to President Trumps desk.

It Isn't Conservative Enough

Senator Rand Paul speaks about Obamacare repeal while flanked by Senator Mike Lee (R), and Representative Mark Meadows (L) on March 7 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Senator Rand Paul: The Kentucky senator started railing against Paul Ryans plan even before it was released, leading the media on a hunt through the Capitol to find the secret bill. Paul dubbed the AHCA Obamacare Lite, arguing its too generous to people who dont earn enough to pay income taxes, among other issues.

The House leadership Obamacare Lite plan has many problems. We should be stopping mandates, taxes and entitlements not keeping them.  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 7, 2017

In early March, Paul reintroduced the clean Obamacare-repeal bill that passed the House and the Senate with overwhelming Republican support in 2015 (because everyone knew President Obama would veto it). We can honor our promise right away by passing the same language we acted on in the last Congress, Paul said. Then, we can have a separate vote on replacement legislation that will deliver lower costs, better care, and greater access to the American people.

Some believe Paul is purposely sabotaging the AHCA because the Medicaid expansion was popular in Kentucky and gave 400,000 people health coverage. As New Yorks Eric Levitz wrote, By supporting an extreme, unpassable version of Obamacare repeal, Paul can keep his tea-party base happy, while avoiding the backlash that might result from making hundreds of thousands of his constituents lives appreciably worse.

Senator Ted Cruz: Cruz announced on Face the Nation that he wouldnt vote for the AHCA in its original form. He said his biggest concern is that it doesnt lower premiums. Ive got to tell you, if Republicans hold a big press conference and pat ourselves on the back that weve repealed Obamacare and everyones premiums keep going up, people will be ready to tar and feather us in the streets, he said. And quite rightly.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Cruz claimed the AHCA fails to do this because it doesnt repeal all of Obamacares insurance mandates. It appears Cruz is in favor of weakening protections for people with preexisting conditions, but as Salon notes, he wont come out and say that. He also called for freezing the Medicaid expansion immediately, implementing work requirements, and funding the program through block grants to the states.

Senator Mike Lee: In a Daily Signal op-ed, Lee explained that he opposes the AHCA because, rather than fully repealing the Affordable Care Act, it affirms much of Obamacares current structure. He wrote:

It doesnt repeal the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. It doesnt repeal the Obamacare regulations that drive up the cost of premiums. But it does create a brand new spending program whose size and cost are entirely unclear.

Lee co-sponsored Pauls clean repeal bill, and he said that despite the tweaks made to the AHCA this week, hell still vote against it.

I promised the people of Utah I would do everything I can to repeal #Obamacare. The House bill does not do that. I am a no. #FullRepeal  Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 21, 2017

Too Many People Would Lose Their Coverage

Senator Susan Collins. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senator Susan Collins: She was the second senator to announce shes a firm no on the AHCA, which she says really misses the mark. Collins has said that she wants the GOP plan to insure more people than Obamacare. My goal is to expand access to health care and have more individuals covered than in the ACA, and prevent the collapse of the ACA marketplace.

Senator Bill Cassidy: The Louisiana senator said he found the Congressional Budget Offices projection that 24 million people would lose coverage by 2026 awful, though he hasnt said definitively that hell vote against it. Thats not what President Trump promised, he told CNN. Thats not what Republicans ran on.

Cassidy is a physician who spent decades working in charity hospitals, where he saw the effects of allowing people to go uninsured. Society is going to pay for health care whether it is through insurance or not, said Cassidy. Society will pay for it either through cost-shifting to the privately insured, or it will pay for it through enhanced disproportionate payments to hospitals that treat poor patients.

Back in January, Cassidy and Collins released a proposal for a health-care bill that would allow each state to choose whether to keep Obamacare. Right now Republicans and Democrats are not looking to compromise on health care, and few are enthusiastic about the plan.

Senator Dean Heller: The Nevada senator announced last week that he does not support the AHCA due to its Medicaid cuts. He cited a letter Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, along with three other Republican governors, sent to congressional leaders. 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, the governors said.

As the only GOP senator up for reelection in a state won by Hillary Clinton, Heller is one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the 2018 midterms.

Senators Rob Portman, Cory Gardner, Shelley Moore Capito, and Lisa Murkowski: Just before the AHCA was introduced, these four senators sent a letter to McConnell saying, We will not support a plan that does not include stability for Medicaid expansion populations or flexibility for states. All four are from states that accepted Obamacares Medicaid expansion, which the AHCA would phase out starting in 2020.

It Would Defund Planned Parenthood

While its not their primary reason for opposing the bill, Collins and Murkowski are also against the AHCA because it defunds Planned Parenthood. Collins voted against the 2015 Obamacare-repeal effort on the grounds that it defunded Planned Parenthood. Murkowski joined her in sponsoring an amendment that would have preserved money for Planned Parenthood, though she still voted for the bill.

I think that Medicaid funding that goes to Planned Parenthood is important not only for women and men in Alaska and around the country and I will maintain that, Murkowski said on Tuesday.

Another major issue for the Alaska senator: Her state would be the hardest-hit by far because the AHCA doesnt adjust tax credits by geography.

It's a Bad Bill That Could Hurt Republicans

Senator Tom Cotton. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senator Tom Cotton: While Cotton is a far-right Republican, his complaints about the AHCA dont completely align with those of Paul, Cruz, and Lee. His state, Arkansas, has seen one of the biggest reductions in its uninsured rate, dropping from 22.5 percent in 2013 to 10.2 percent in 2016. Cotton is in favor of work requirements for Medicaid, but expressed concerns about poor people being able to afford coverage on the private market. On Hugh Hewitts radio show, Cotton said he thinks the CBOs dire predictions are concerning:

Theyre right that coverage levels will go down in the coming years under the House bill. Theyre also right, Im afraid, that insurance premiums will continue to go up in the near term, for three to four years, before they start perhaps falling in the long term.

But when asked if he supported Pauls push for full repeal followed by replacement, Cotton dodged. Im open to lots of legislative approaches, except for ramming through major legislation in 36 hours in the dark of night, he said.

Cottons attacks have focused on the stupidity of rushing to pass a bill no one likes. Hes called for Republican leaders to slow down and start over, and dismissed the Republicans three-pronged health-care strategy as politicians engaging in spin. Cotton has warned that the AHCA cant pass the Senate, and that if it passes in the House it could endanger the GOP majority during the 2018 midterms.

1. House health-care bill can't pass Senate w/o major changes. To my friends in House: pause, start over. Get it right, don't get it fast.  Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 9, 2017

The House should continue its work on this bill, Cotton said on Tuesday after the AHCA was amended. Its more important to finally get health-care reform right than to get it fast.

Many other Republican senators have questioned the wisdom of pushing through such a seriously flawed bill.

We need to do better, Senator Steve Daines said after the CBO released its report. I want to see costs and premiums go down to make health care more affordable for Montana families.

My Republican colleagues would be making a mistake if they become content with failing to produce the perfect at the expense of achieving good, practical solutions to reform our nations broken health-care system, said North Carolina senator Thom Tillis.

There are at least ten senators who have offered similar criticisms, though theyve been coy about exactly where they stand on the AHCA. Even if they ultimately decide to back the bill, its hard to see how GOP leaders will get the firm nos to come around. Theres no amount of tweaking that can make the AHCA a bill that completely dismantles Obamacare and reduces costs while expanding coverage, maintaining Planned Parenthood funding, and ensuring that the GOP maintains control of Congress.
FYI, Id rather be home with my grandkids. Photo: THOMAS PETER/AFP/Getty Images

Secretary of State Rex Tillersons relationship with the media is so bad that even the one reporter who was allowed to cover his trip to Asia called his press strategy an abject failure. Aside from transparency concerns, the lack of media access means Tillersons stumbles  such as parroting Chinese catchphrases about the U.S.s relationship with the country and blaming an ally for a mistaken report that he was too tired to do his job  have received far more attention than whatever he might be doing behind the scenes.

But one message that Tillerson has managed to put forth is that he doesnt really care what the American people think about him. He underscored this point in a new profile by the Independent Journal Reviews Erin Pike  the journalist who accompanied him to Asia  telling her that he didnt want to be secretary of State anyway.

I didnt want this job. I didnt seek this job. He paused to let that sink in.



A beat or two passed before an aide piped up to ask him why he said yes.



My wife told me Im supposed to do this.



After watching the contortions of my face as I tried to figure out what to say next, he humbly explained that he had never met the president before the election. As president-elect, Trump wanted to have a conversation with Tillerson about the world given what he gleaned from the complex global issues he dealt with as CEO of Exxon Mobil.



When he asked me at the end of that conversation to be secretary of state, I was stunned.



When Tillerson got home and told his wife, Renda St. Clair, she shook her finger in his face and said, I told you Gods not through with you.



With a half-worn smile, he said, I was supposed to retire in March, this month. I was going to go to the ranch to be with my grandkids.

Its no surprise that Tillerson didnt expect to be offered the job, since spending your entire career at ExxonMobil isnt usually how one prepares for a life of government service. Still, its notable that Tillerson wants people to know that while some candidates for the job were humiliating themselves over frogs legs, he had to be talked into bringing his talents to Foggy Bottom.

Tillerson said his wife convinced him that hes supposed to do this, and when asked if he intends to remain in the position for Trumps whole term, he said, I serve at the pleasure of the president.

Tillersons rebellious attitude does not extend to his new boss. The secretary offers plenty of commentary sure to please President Trump, from explaining how the campaign slogan America First guides everything he does, to criticizing the Obama administration for aiming to merely degrade ISIS (though President Obama said on numerous occasions that the goal was to destroy the terrorist group).

But there were some cracks in Tillersons confident demeanor. He said hes fine with the White Houses plan to cut the State Department budget by 28 percent, but he admitted he hasnt talked to the president about what exactly that means:

 even though Tillerson said he talks to Trump daily and has an open invitation to visit him at the White House whenever he chooses, he said they havent yet talked about what a dramatically different State Department will look like or how he will staff it.



His eyes darted down to his desk when he said, We havent gotten that far yet, as though he realized he had been caught.

Tillerson has also pointed out that hes still finding his footing. I would hope that people can maintain their patience in these early days and recognize Ive only been at it six weeks, he said.
President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price (at left) arrive at the U.S. Capitol to meet with the Republican House Conference on March 21, 2017. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Most weeks, New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich speaks with contributor Alex Carp about the biggest stories in politics and culture. Today: Trumpcare, the Comey hearing, and the legacy of Robert Silvers.

With a combination of targeted perks and not-so-veiled threats, President Trump has aligned himself with Paul Ryan and leaders of the House GOP behind the health-care overhaul. Who gets the blame if it fails?

There are so many possibilities for an epic fail built into Trumps promise to simultaneously repeal Obamacare and replace it with better insurance for everybody that its hard to know where to begin. But heres the one thing every scenario has in common: The blame will belong entirely to Trump and the Republicans, who now have exclusive ownership of the federal government.

As of Wednesday morning, no one knows if Ryan can even get the ever-changing bill through the House, thanks to potential Republican defections from the partys right flank. After Trumps Tuesday meeting with recalcitrant members of his caucus, the speaker slobbered over the president in his best collaborationist manner, claiming that he not only knocked the ball of the park but knocked the cover off the ball. Hard to know what that means exactly, since theres no evidence that Trump knows whats in the bill as he tries to strong-arm the resisters  he just makes threats of retribution to the naysayers (Im gonna come after you!) and bloviates about winning (Honestly, a loss is not acceptable, folks), as if realizing complex legislation in the capital was tantamount to a ribbon cutting for an Atlantic City casino.

We have now learned, from the Times Margot Sanger-Katz, that the ramshackle, fast-tracked Ryan bill replacing Obamacare will throw even more Americans off health insurance (24 million, in the Congressional Budget Office estimate) than simply repealing Obamacare (23 million). This is legislative slapstick worthy of the Three Stooges. In any case, if Ryan doesnt deliver in the House, you can bet that Trump, who always blames others for his failures, will knock the cover off Ryans own balls (such as they are), rhetorically at least.

The possibility that Trump might yet strangle his own presidency in its crib is enough to get one out of bed these days.

But lets say this bill does limp its way to the Senate. There, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are lying in wait to trash it as Obamacare Lite and to beat back any attempts by anxious Republican senators in purplish states to moderate its impact on the millions of voters who will lose their health care if its enacted. If anything resembling the House bill does make it through the Senate and on to Trumps desk to be signed into law, its a public-health disaster for America, and most especially for the lower-income and older Americans who voted for Donald J. Trump, whose health care will be disproportionately disrupted compared to Clinton voters.

The other route to catastrophe is happier, in that it wont have the real-life outcome of throwing patients out on the street: If repeal and replace dies after seven years of relentless GOP promises that it was a done deal as soon as the party gained power, so does the credibility of the president and the congressional leadership alike. Forget about Trumps grand plans (actually more boasts than plans) to rebuild Americas infrastructure while rewarding the rich with tax cuts. If a president with a 37 percent Gallup approval rating fails to win his first major legislative test, the blood is in the water. Were in for months of gridlock  perhaps stretching to the 2018 midterms  a miracle in its way for those who want Trump governance (or non-governance) stopped in its tracks. The possibility that Trump might yet strangle his own presidency in its crib is enough to get one out of bed these days.

In his congressional testimony this week, FBI director James Comey confirmed that, despite Trumps repeated claims otherwise, the Bureau is investigating Russian interference in last years election, as well as contact between Russian officials and the Trump campaign. How does this public disclosure affect the power of the Trump White House going forward?

If a health-care defeat doesnt paralyze the Trump White House, this will. Already its clear, as the Watergate survivor John Dean has observed, that Trumps inner circle (or former inner circle) is engaged in a cover-up. That the president is panicked was confirmed when he live-tweeted fictional rebuttals during Comeys televised testimony.

The drip-drip-drip of revelations may well be daily: Witness this mornings AP report that Paul Manafort had been working on Putins behalf as early as 2005, a fact that appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests. It also helps explain why on the day of Comeys testimony Sean Spicer was reduced to lying that Manafort, Trumps campaign chairman over a crucial five months in 2016, played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time that year. And it explains Spicers statement today that it would be inappropriate for us to comment on a person who is not a White House employee.

But for me anyway, the single biggest news break of the Russia-Trump story this week came from Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker, who reported that one of Trumps closest White House advisers flatly predicted that Comey would testify on Monday that there absolutely was no contact, collusion or anything like that between Russia and the Trump campaign. That Comey testified exactly the opposite suggests that the White House isnt only out of touch with reality but is no longer in a position to keep its false narrative (a.k.a., cover-up) straight as it confronts the revelations to come.

Robert Silvers, co-founder and longtime editor of the New York Review of Books, died on Monday. As a contributor to the Review, what are your memories of working with him?

I encourage readers to go to the Reviews site, where many writers of all types and ages, most of them with histories far longer and deeper than mine, have written of what made Silvers an extraordinary figure in both their work and their lives. First-timers will also discover the breadth of the Review, which, with its infinite variety of subjects and multitude of distinctive voices, has long spoken for itself. With all due respect to Spotify and Netflix, Id say there is probably no better use of $69 in discretionary spending than for a digital subscription, which provides access to the entire archive of work published by Bob and, until her death a little more than a decade ago, his partner in editorial brilliance, Barbara Epstein. Its a sweeping history of the past half century, built for permanence.

Over at The New Yorker, Dan Chiasson has perfectly described my own experience of the Silvers editorial process. It sometimes began with the out-of-the-blue delivery of a box of books on a subject, accompanied by a courtly note suggesting a roomy (and flexible) length for the piece, a fee (highish by the standards of its tier of publications), a few thoughts that might be considered in the essay (but could also, like some of the books, be discarded), and a deadline that was more of a polite suggestion than an edict. Once you turned in a manuscript, he did something almost no editors of his stature ever do: He read it immediately, or close to it, and found you on the phone from his office even if it was, say, ten p.m. on a Saturday night. His simple joy at receiving a piece was cheering, and his suggestions for improvements were so gently and charmingly (and often humorously) delivered that you would want to drop everything and execute them on the spot.

As the contents of the Review demonstrated every two weeks, Bob was interested in just about everything and would induce his writers to stretch as he did. I wrote for him about subjects as far afield as Elia Kazan and Bob Hope (both at his instigation) as well as politics. My last conversations with him were prompted by his fascination with Megyn Kelly. But there was beyond all that a loveliness and generosity about him as a person. This was most evident to me in his relationship with the young people who cycled through his office as assistants early in their careers, several generations of writers and editors on whom Bob bestowed rigorous intellectual standards, confidence, and the sense of how one might achieve a career in letters. They can be found in nearly every corner of literature and journalism. For this, too, countless readers who have never picked up the Review or heard of Robert Silvers owe him immeasurable thanks. For those of us lucky enough to cross his path, whether as writers or simply as devoted Review readers, its impossible to imagine our lives and the cultural life of modern America without him.
Ryan cares. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The first major legislation of the Trump era is set to hit the House floor Thursday night. And, as of this writing, Paul Ryan doesnt have the votes to keep it from dying there.

The American Health Care Act has made a lot of enemies in its short time on Earth. President Trumps Obamacare replacement is too liberal for tea-party Republicans and interest groups; too regressive for moderate Republicans and Democrats; and too poorly-thought-out for the American Medical Association, the AARP, the American Hospital Association, and virtually every conservative health-care wonk.

The bills central problem is irresolvable. The Republican Party has spent eight years pretending that it opposes Obamacare because the law failed to make health care affordable for all Americans. In truth, the GOP has opposed Obamacare because the law redistributes the hard-earned capital gains of the wealthy to the undeserving lower orders. Thus, theres no way to achieve the partys true objective without making its official complaints about the American health-care system worse  if you cut the taxes that subsidize the premiums and deductibles of low- and middle-income Americans, youre going to make health care less accessible than it currently is.

This fact  combined with the GOPs eagerness to get this health-care headache over with and move on to passing even bigger tax cuts for the rich  has led the party to push its much-maligned bill toward passage at rapid speed. Even after the Congressional Budget Office found that AHCAs system of health insurance tax credits was so poorly designed it would actually leave more people uninsured than simply repealing Obamacare without a replacement, Paul Ryan barely took time to catch his breath.

The House GOP has put some last-minute lipstick on its pig  throwing in $75 billion in subsidies to be named later and a gift to Republicans in upstate New York. But the partys bill remains, fundamentally, a plan to finance a giant tax cut for millionaire investors by making health insurance less affordable for most Americans.

Its not surprising then, that the bill faces significant opposition in the House. But it is a bit surprising that the opposition is coming almost exclusively from the right.

To secure the 216 votes required for passage, Paul Ryan can only lose 21 members of his own party. Here are the 24 Republicans who say they oppose the bill, as of this writing, per CBS News:

1 Justin Amash, R-Mich.

2 Lou Barletta, R-Penn.

3 Dave Brat, R-Va.

4 Mo Brooks, R-Ala.

5 Rod Blum, R-Ia.

6 Ted Budd, R-N.C.

7 Rick Crawford, R-Ark.

8 Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio

9 Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.

10 Tom Garrett, R-Va.

11 Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tx.

12 Paul Gosar, R-Az.

13 Walter Jones, R-N.C.

14 Jim Jordan, R-Ohio

15 John Katko, R-N.J.

16 Raul Labrador, R-Idaho

17 Leonard Lance, R-N.J.

18 Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

19 Mark Meadows, R-N.C.

20 Scott Perry, R-Pa.

21 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fl.

22 Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.

23 Robert Wittman, R-Va.

24 Ted Yoho, R-Fl.

There are 23 House Republicans who represent districts that Hillary Clinton won last November. Only three  Lance, Katko, and Ros-Lehtinen  are on this list. Brian Fitzpatrick represents a competitive district where Trump barely eked out an advantage over Clinton. The rest hail from Trump country.

The bulk of the opposition comes from tea-party hard-liners in the House Freedom Caucus. And, without question, theres plenty in Trumpcare for fiscal libertarians to hate. The bill is, fundamentally a flat, rancid can of Obamacare lite.

Still, its remarkable how many of the House GOPs vulnerable, relative moderates have lined up behind a heinously unpopular bill that hurts core Republican constituencies. From one angle, you could view that as a promising sign for Paul Ryan and company  theyve already wrangled the hardest votes, and just have to wait for their far-right compatriots to finish their posturing.

But if the House Freedom Caucus stands its ground, Trumpcare may not even make it to the floor: How many Republicans from blue districts are gonna walk the plank for a bill that cant pass?
Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images

On Wednesday, the tiniest little prankster, 3-year-old Estella Westrick, got a chance to meet the pope while she was in town visiting her godfather with her family from Atlanta. Moments after receiving the sacred papal kiss (?), she swooped up and yanked his hat right from his head.

Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN  The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

Pope Francis, who is rumored to be chill, maintained his jolly countenance, despite having momentarily lost his holy zucchetto.
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The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences' Weaver Lecture Series will feature two internationally renowned scientists March 30 and April 11. The series was established in 1996 through an endowment provided by Earl H. and Sandra H. Weaver.

The first lecture of this year's two-part series is by Orlando Rojas, professor of biobased colloids and materials at Aalto University, Finland.

Rojas, in his lecture Nanocelluloses and Multi-phase Systems, will discuss the Finnish vision of the future bio-economy and the importance of forests as a resource for lignocellulose, the biomass of woody plants, as the ideal precursor for material design.

Prior to Rojas' current faculty position at Aalto, he was a professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Forest Biomaterials at North Carolina State University.

Earlier in his career, he was a senior scientist appointed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in the Royal Institute of Technology, a postdoctoral fellow in the Institute for Surface Chemistry, Sweden and research assistant at Auburn University.

Rojas' work is centered on the utilization of lignocellulosic materials in novel, high performance applications and the interfacial and the adsorption behaviors of surfactants and biopolymers at solid/liquid interfaces.

Among his many honors and awards, Rojas was appointed as Finland Distinguished Professor, 2009-14, and was elected a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2013 for his scientific and professional contributions.

Most recently, Rojas was the recipient of the 2015 Nanotechnology Division Technical Award and IMERYS Prize for outstanding contributions that have advanced the industry's technology. He received the Fibrenamics Award, University of Minho, Portugal in 2016, in recognition of his scientific work and impact in the field of advanced materials from lignocellulose.

The second lecture will feature David Fowler, professor at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Fowler's talk, Impacts of Human Activities on the Global Nitrogen Cycle Through the 21st Century, is about the efficacy of the Earth's ecosystems, atmosphere and oceans to globally cycle increased fixed nitrogen from human activity.

Fowler is an environmental physicist with the centre. He trained in environmental physics at the University of Nottingham, earning a doctorate in 1976 for his research on the dry deposition of sulfur dioxide by micrometeorological methods.

His research focuses on the surface  atmosphere exchange processes of trace gases and particulate matter and has been applied to ozone, acid deposition, the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen, emissions of greenhouse gases, atmospheric aerosols and effects of pollutants on vegetation.

Fowler's work has been widely applied in the development of effects-based pollution control strategies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe.

He was awarded an Honorary Professorship at the University of Nottingham in 1991, became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1999 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 2002. In 2005, he was awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his research of atmospheric pollution.

The objective of the Weaver Lecture Series is to bring experts in various research areas relevant to forestry and wildlife sciences to the Auburn University campus to enhance the School's academic programs through public lectures and interaction with faculty and students.

Lectures are open to the public and will take place at the Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building on campus. A reception will be held prior to each lecture. For details, go to http://wp.auburn.edu/sfws/weaver/.

The Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences is a flagship for forestry and wildlife, and natural resources programs in Alabama and beyond. With world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the school offers a range of academic and research programs within the areas of forestry, wildlife, natural resource management, geospatial and environmental informatics, and sustainable biomaterials and packaging.
lol same. I take pride in not being swayed by most celebrity endorsements but any time Oprah touches something I'm all over it. I love her so much.

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Oh my, she's a cutie

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hahhaha perfect

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After how OLTL did her character dirty, I'm happy to see Renee rising in fame and recognition. She needs to nab a good leading role on a show

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she is going to star in "Altered Carbon" on Neflix

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Saaame! The way those assholes wrote her out. I'm forever bitter about it. I love REG and I'm glad she's getting more recognition and roles.



Edited at 2017-03-22 02:12 pm (UTC)

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lol mte...my mom still loves her from OLTL

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yesss love the cover. looking forward to this show.

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I love her. I'd really love for Renee to show up on The Good Fight. Geneva was always underused on TGW

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yes!!!! i wouldnt be surprised at all to see her

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So underused. And they would slide all these white people in as regulars in the DA department rather than just bump her and give her more to do.

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God, she hasn't aged in YEARS! I've loved her for so long. I can't believe I became a fan of hers over a decade ago. Time flies.

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oprah sis leak ur skin regiment, i'm shook!

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I love Oprah so embarrassingly much.



I also low-key keep checking back hoping that there will be a Housewife post. I NEED TO TALK ABOUT ERIKA JAYNE.

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Erika fell off her peddlestool

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i legit found out that erika jayne is in her 40s last night??? like????????? what??????

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She's 45...did you think older or younger?

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im hyped for oprah's new HBO movie

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This movie looks really good

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I don't like Oprah as an actress and I kinda wish she would stop inserting herself in these movies and just work behind the scenes instead with actual actors taking the roles



I'll wait for the reviews before I check this out

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hyped for this movie. I love REG and I loved seeing her do Ham4Ham stuff. She can hit those low notes like no other.

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Its been six months now that oil prices have been reacting to OPEC, first to the possibility of an agreement, and then to the production cut deal itself, forged by OPEC to rebalance the market. The deal--initially aired as an agreement to agree on a deal in September and signed at the end of Novemberwill likely impact the market for at least the next six months.

The agreement clearly states that it is production that OPEC producers are vowing to cut, but Iraqi oil minister Jabbar al-Luaibi has recently claimedrather emphaticallythat it is exports, not production, that serve as the baseline for the cuts. And according to Iraq, the agreed-upon cuts have been all about exports all along.

Of course, exports are the logical by-product of production of oil exporting nations, but each of those producers feels the weight of production cuts differently. Each OPEC nation has a specific domestic demand for oil based on population numbers and the share of oil and petroleum products in the energy mix and electricity generation. Each member has unique buyers of their crude, along with differing agendas in keeping and/or growing market shares in various corners of the world.

To cut exports rather than production would hit hard the bottom lines of those who are heavy exporters, so its quite clear why an oil cartel whose self-proclaimed mission is to secure a steady income to producers chose to cut production instead of exports in its latest supply-cut agreement.

OPEC producersespecially Saudi Arabia, which shoulders the biggest share of cutsare desperately trying to maintain their most important market shares such as those in Asia, while measuring exports bound for other destinations in its attempt to comply with the production cuts. Related: Growing Asian Oil Demand Could Drain The Supply Glut

The cartel would have never used the language exports in a deal to cut supply, because cutting their exports would mean they would hold a smaller market share. Having a smaller footprint globally would, in turn, mean that OPEC would wield less influence over the price of oil. Its doubtful OPEC would ever agree to such an unappealing scenario.

But Iraq is uniquely positioned. First, Iraq must contend with the Kurds, as well as international companies, with which it has production agreements that come with penalties for breeching. For this reason, Iraq does not have as much control over production as, say, Saudi Arabia, who deals only with state-run oil. So using export figures rather than production figures may show that Iraq is complying at a higher rate, even though exports are not entirely under their control either. The mere perception of compliance, regardless of the validity, is important as far as the market is concerned.

Another reason why Iraq may prefer to cite exports is because exports are a bit trickier to nail down. There is always conflicting loading data and shipping schedules to contend with, and its hard to pinpoint precisely how much oil each OPEC nation has heading out the door.

Production, on the other hand, has concise figures (two figures each, we might add) published in OPECs Monthly Oil Market Reportone direct reported figure and one secondary source figure. Exports are even less transparent, especially for Iraq, who has export figures for both the north and the south.



Data compiled by Bloomberg showed that Iraqs February exports of 3.85 million barrels per day were, in fact, 39,000 barrels per day higher than January levels, which doesnt seem so compliant.

In October 2016, Iraqs oil exports were estimated to be 3.89 million barrels per day. So even if the reference basket that OPEC used to craft the deal was based on exports, it doesnt look like Iraqs compliance is particularly noteworthyits just more difficult to pin down exactly how noncompliant Iraq is.



So, for OPEC, its about production cuts, but beyond the wording of the agreement, its the message  we are the ones finally doing something to bring the huge oversupply back to balance. The fine print, of course, is - we wanted the price of oil higher and stable, so that we could plug the gaps in our oil-revenue-dependent budgets.

The market bought the balance message, and oil prices steadied at above $50 for three months. The initial surprisingly high compliance at more than 90 percent, due to Saudi Arabia going the extra mile, instilled further confidence that OPEC was following through its promised cuts. Almost every cartel producer is boasting near full or overcompliance, and those who dont comply, notably Iraq, are claiming the deals baseline is about exports. Related: U.S. Shale Is Pushing OPEC To Breaking Point

The price gains from the OPEC deal have been capped by resurging U.S. shale output at the higher oil prices. But the recent drop in the price of oil wiped out almost all the price increase that the cartels deal has managed to achieve.

The message to OPEC was that it may have underestimated U.S. shale resilience once again, and the cartels previous plans for higher prices may prove ill-conceived.

OPECs playbook currently is 1) urging full compliance from all signatories to the deal, 2) using Saudis to signal they may be fed up with doing the extra heavy lifting for rogue members, and 3) talking prices up from time to time with messages that the supply-cut deal may need to be extended.

Last week, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih told Bloomberg Television that OPEC would extend the deal beyond June if stockpiles were still above the five-year average.

According to OPECs own estimates from earlier this month, OECD commercial oil stocks in January were 278 million barrels above the five-year average.

OPECs deal now is trying to send a unified message that the members are making every effort to rebalance the market, so its unlikely that OPEC will correct Iraqs insistence that the deal was forged over export figures rather than production figures.

The cartel is a diverse group of nations with various bilateral, trilateral and bloc relations among them. OPEC members rarely act in full concert, and seldom keep production-cut pledges. Their game now is playing the market with the possible extension of the cuts beyond June, and they have time until May to try to talk prices up.

If the cartel doesnt extend the deal, the glut may not clear soon, further depressing oil prices and straining the already stretched OPEC producers budgets. If they decide to extend the deal, they risk losing market share and part of their power to sway oil markets and prices.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Over the long run, the oil business is under threat.

There are various arguments about why that might happen. Peak supply people argue we are running out of oil. Peak demanders say that market saturation, efficiency, and new technologies will cause oil demand to peak and decline. Similarly, clean energy proponents argue oil will be undercut by electric vehicles. Another variation of this argument can be found in the stranded assets theory, which posits that low oil prices, cheaper alternatives or strict climate regulation  or some combination of the three  will keep vast volumes of unprofitable oil in the ground.

A shrinking number of people see oil dominating the energy landscape decades from now. Or, even though it will likely still be a major source of fuel in, say, 2040, its growth is capped. Reasonable people can argue about how much oil will be consumed at what date far out in the future, but the bottom line is that there is broad consensus that oils days are numbered.

Even the largest oil companies in the world recognize this looming threat, and are starting to diversify their assets to hedge against a non-oil future. The investments and the commitment to diversification vary by company, but the oil majors are starting to make moves that will, over time, see them become less oily.

For example, Royal Dutch Shell has bet its future on natural gas, or more specifically, LNG. The $50 billion purchase of BG Group turned Shell into the largest LNG exporter in the world, with enormous export capacity in Australia in particular. Shells bet seems to be that as the world cracks down on coal in order to cut carbon pollution, it will benefit from higher gas sales. Natural gas has about half of the carbon emissions impact compared to coal. And if carbon pricing makes oil less competitive, it will be less impacted because natural gas will gain market share. Company executives have said that they see global oil demand hitting a peak by 2030.

ExxonMobil is the largest natural gas producer in the U.S., and holds the largest gas reserves in the country as well. However, that bet on gas  a $31 billion purchase of shale gas producer XTO Energy in 2009  was not made with an eye on future carbon restrictions, but because the company had struggled to make new large oil discoveries. Exxon has had a complicated relationship with climate change, having been accused of covering up climate science and funded climate denying organizations. Officially, it supports a carbon tax, but it is still betting the future on oil and gas. The difference now, however, is that Exxon is dialing back its spending on megaprojects and is focusing on shale drilling, which cuts down on its long-term risk since shale projects can be quickly completed. Related: Are U.S.-Saudi Relations Turning Sour?

Chevron and ConocoPhillips are pursuing similar strategies, stepping up their spending on the Permian and declining to pursue major long-term projects like they did in the past. Conoco has even said that it would abandon new offshore exploration, focusing instead on comparatively lower-risk shale.

BP is going in the opposite direction, increasing spending on large-scale projects such as the Gulf of Mexico and West Africa.

So how will these companies fare 10 to 20 years from now? Its a fools errand to predict what oil prices might do, but it would be a reasonably safe bet to assume that carbon restrictions tighten. The companies that drill in shale today can easily pivot at some point when that becomes less attractive  shale does not tie up cash for years and years like an offshore well or oil sands. ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips recently took oil sands reserves off of their books and Shell said that it would sell off its oil sands assets. Instead they are focusing on short-cycle and cheaper projects.

But, the bulk of the oil majors production will still be oil, even if gas is a growing part of their portfolios. Their risk to low oil prices, peak demand, carbon pricing, or outright restrictions on production remain extremely high. How they deal with this is still very much uncertain. Groups like the Carbon Tracker Initiative argue that shareholders are exposed to imprudent oil investments, investments that might ultimately fail if oil is locked away in the ground.

Statoil, however, is arguably going the furthest to future-proof itself. The Norwegian state-owned oil company, which is credited with helping Norway build up an $880 billion sovereign wealth fund, just announced the results of a stress test, evaluating the companys exposure to a future in which the energy industry is subjected to ever-tightening climate policy.

Statoil assessed a future scenario laid out by the IEA on its portfolio, which assumes the removal of global fossil fuel subsidies combined with a $100 per ton carbon price by 2030. Such a scenario would have reduced Statoils net present value by 5 percent in 2016 if it occurred. However, Statoil is planning to evolve, making large investments in renewable energy while also reducing its own carbon emissions. As a result, its net present value could rise by 6 percent by 2030, even with the carbon price. Related: The Single Biggest Threat To An OPEC Deal Extension

Statoil withdrew from Canadas oil sands in 2016, one of the dirtier forms of oil production. Statoil plans on ramping up spending on renewable energy, so that by 2030 clean energy accounts for 10 to 15 percent of its capex. Statoil already has a handful of offshore windfarms in Europe, and it recently won a lease to develop an offshore wind project off the coast of Long Island, NY.

French oil company Total is probably the other biggest renewable developer among the oil majors. Total purchased solar developer SunPower years ago, and last year the company purchased a French battery maker Saft Groupe SA. For now, Total will spend $500 million per year on renewables.

Statoil and Total might be the farthest along, but the other oil majors will likely move into the renewables space more and more. Royal Dutch Shell is starting to dip its toes into the offshore wind market, leveraging its offshore experience in the North Sea for wind power. Italian oil giant Eni says it has a series of renewable projects in Italy, Egypt and Pakistan.

Decisions made today will have an enormous impact on the financials years from now.

We believe that were in a period of energy transformation over the next decade, said Bjrn Otto Sverdrup, Statoils head of sustainability, according to the Wall Street Journal. The winners in the industry will be the ones that are able to provide energy with the lowest cost and carbon footprint possible.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

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A Saudi logistics company has just opened a Houston office to seize the opportunity to ship increased volumes of oilfield and plant construction equipment to the Port of Houston as the Texas and U.S. drilling activity is gaining momentum.

Bahri Logistics  which had opened its U.S. headquarters in Baltimore back in 1992  is now opening an office in Houston to take advantage of expected higher demand for oilfield equipment, called breakbulk cargo in the shipping industry: these are large items that need to be loaded and shipped individually rather than in containers.

Bahri, or the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, is 22 percent owned by the Public Investment Fund of the Saudi Government, 20 percent by Saudi Aramco Development Company, and the remainder is held as public shares by Saudi nationals. Its 2016 revenues by segment showed that oil shipping accounted for 72 percent of revenues; general cargo for 13 percent; chemicals, 11 percent; and dry bulk, 4 percent.

Ibrahim Al-Omar, Group CEO at Bahri, said in the companys press release:

The Port of Houston is the leading breakbulk port in the U.S. and is consistently top-ranked in terms of foreign waterborne tonnage. Moreover, Bahri is the leading direct RoCon liner service provider between the U.S. and the Middle East.

The manager also spoke to Houston Chronicle, saying:

Whenever you see people running from any business, I think its the time to enter. Related: Are U.S.-Saudi Relations Turning Sour?

Bahris Houston office will help firms export cargo for construction projects in the Middle East, while also helping companies import materials for the construction of LNG and petrochemical plants in the Houston area.

Looking forward, we think its the right time actually to invest here in Houston and to have a very strong presence preparing for the boom that will come in the future, Al-Omar told the Chronicle.

Bahri group plans to bring its Bahri Chemicals business to Houston later in 2017 to monetize on the petrochemical boom, and then its oil division at some further point in the future, Al-Omar said to the Chronicle.

A Saudi company boosting its presence in Texas is nothing new. State oil giant Saudi Aramco  which indirectly owns part of Bahri  is set to become the sole owner of the largest refinery in the U.S., the 600,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur,Texas, refinery, after it splits the assets and liabilities of its joint venture with Shell later this year.

While expectations are for a strong rise in the oil and gas and related facilities industry, the 2014 oil price crash quite naturally affected oilfield equipment cargo transportation.

Shipping of breakbulk cargo amid the oil price rout had suffered, with steel for oilfield equipment transportation to Houston dropping by 39 percent in 2016, the Chronicle reports, quoting Greater Houston Port Bureaus analysis of Census Bureau data.

According to the Port of Houston Authority, facilities owned and operated by Port Houston handled 34.8 million tons of maritime cargo last year, down by just 3 percent over 2015 despite headwinds from reductions in steel.

Steel imports were down as expected for the year, executive director Roger Guenther said in the Port of Houston Authoritys statement.

But the higher and more stable oil prices that have led to a drilling resurgence in Texas are expected to contribute to higher volumes of breakbulk cargo shipping at Houston this year.

Capt. Bill Diehl, president of the Port Bureau, told the Chronicle that he expects Houstons breakbulk traffic to rise this year, as he has heard that energy firms have started asking manufacturers about prices for potential contracts.

Apart from the Saudi logistics firm, other foreign companies are exploring Houston locations to open offices and capitalize on the petrochemical boom, Robert Kramp, director of research and analysis for Texas and Oklahoma at CBRE, told the Chronicle. Related: Trumps Budget: Valuing Military Over Energy



However, theres one big unknown for those foreign firms, and its not connected with the price of oil. Its the potential import tariffs that the Trump Administration could introduce.

So, those companies might be hedging against potential tariffs, according to CBREs Kramp.

Still, the fact that foreign companies are now looking to grow their Houston businesses and operations speaks volumes of the recovery in the Texas oil and gas industry.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Yemens strategic Red Sea port, through which some 4 million barrels of oil flow daily to Middle Eastern markets, is becoming a focal point in the proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and China is the only power with the economic deal-making leverage to keep this from becoming much more than a proxy battle.

The Red Sea port, near the Bab al-Mandab strait, is currently controlled by Yemens Shiite Houthis, and whoever maintains control of it has a strategic advantage. This port is a pathway connection the Middle East (where the worlds largest proven oil reserves are) and Sub-Saharan Africa (a region expected to see a four-fold increase in energy demand by 2040), making it a coveted geopolitical prize for regional powers, but a livelihood-destroying burden for Yemens residents.

The situation reached a new level of tension over the weekend when a helicopter opened fire on a ship en route to Sudan carrying Somali refugees, and killing 42 people. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen denied responsibility for the attack and suggested that the United Nations is responsible for securing the safety of this waterway. The plea, however, fell on deaf ears, with the UN saying that the warring parties alone are responsible for protecting Yemens civilians and infrastructure.

Yemens Oil and Port Spoilage Goes to Civil War Victor

To the victor of the proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iranaka the Yemeni Civil Warwill go the spoils of control of the Bab al-Mandab strait. And a bridge between two of the worlds biggest oil-producing regions is indeed a priceless trophy.

The Sunni coalition fears that if the Houthis gain full and lasting control of this port, they could use it to blackmail their enemies, paralyzing oil trade via the passage.

Holding roughly four billion barrels of oil reserves, Yemen itself makes limited use of the strait compared to the vast potential of the waterway  which sees a thoroughfare of four million barrels of oil a day.

Roughly one year before the civil war began, Yemens oil production topped 127,000 barrels per day, but hostilities have forced the exit of virtually all international producers due to security concerns. Existing fields are close to maturity, and in the absence of new oil discoveries, the countrys crude reserves would be exhausted in less than a decade. Related: Trumps Budget: Valuing Military Over Energy

Yemen shares access to the strait with its massive northern neighbor, but this is not enough for Saudi Arabia, which is threatened by the distribution competition it could face if Iran gets a direct line through the Red Sea port  which is currently in the hands of Shiite fighters.

Since January 2016, Iran has recovered its oil output from the effects of six years of sanctions that left its ports barren. After Tehran agreed to allow international inspectors to monitor its nuclear power program, it reentered oil sector clashes with Saudi Arabian exporters, who had been servicing clients who had to abandon Iran once sanctions prohibited the purchase of the countrys oil resources.

Should Iran and the KSA have an equal hold on Bab al-Mandab, the power struggle would cause competition in Sub-Saharan African markets to intensify as the receiving region builds the infrastructure necessary to accept oil and gas.

The Houthis have repeatedly boasted of missile attacks across the border into Saudi territory, some of them allegedly targeting Saudi oil giant Aramcos facilities.

Last week, Houthi forces again claimed to have launched a ballistic missile in Jizan, targeting Aramco, and purporting to have successfully hit its target. These reports are never confirmed by the Saudis, and no media sources have been able to unquestionably verify these claims.

Enter China, Stage Right (and Left)

China in 2016 offered support for Yemens government, which is backed by a Saudi-led Gulf Arab coalition at war with the Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran and which now controls much of the country.

But this is a tricky balance for China to maintain as it attempts to cut economic and cooperation deals with both sides in this conflict. Beijing is boosting relations right now with both the Saudi royals and Iran.

Some $65 billion in deals signed last week on everything from energy to space with the Saudis may throw Chinese leverage somewhat off balance. Related: Can Big Oil Survive A CO2 Crackdown?

But China, which never takes sides in geopolitics, but instead uses economic deals to secure subtle influence, is also heavily courting Iran. Iran is possibly even more important to Chinas ambitions to create One Belt, One Road-Beijings envisioned string of pearls infrastructure linking the Eurasian heartland to the Middle Kingdom.

China has even urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to resolve the problems that exist between them via equal and friendly consultations and offered to play a mediating role. But as far as China is concerned, whoever comes out on top in Yemen isnt the issueits how much either of them will be dependent on Beijing.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Saudi oil shipments to Egypt have resumed after several months of political crisis between Cairo and Riyadh. Egyptian oil ministry sources stated on 19 March that the first two oil shipments from Saudi giant Aramco have been delivered. No reactions were given by Saudi Aramco or officials until now. Egypt expects to receive two other deliveries on March 26-27.

Analysts have been watching the crisis between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as both Arab leaders were in a brawl based on differences on regional politics, the position of Syrias president Assad and the role of Russia in the region. In April 2016, Saudi Arabia agreed to finance Egyptian imports of refined products from Aramco for five years in a $23 billion deal.

In October 2016, Aramco suspended oil deliveries to Egypt after Cairo supported a Russian backed UN Security Council resolution on Syria. Saudi Arabia is a staunch supporter of the anti-Assad rebels in Syria, while Egypts president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is showing an inclination to be more flexible in his approach. The crisis has heated up due to the blocked handover of two Egyptian Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Even though Sisi supported the handover, Egyptian politicians, a majority on the streets, and the Egyptian courts have been blocking the transaction.

The current situation, perceived by some as a thaw in the relation between Egypts president Sisi and foremost Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is still unclear. The crisis is deeper than currently shown on the surface. Riyadh has been very unhappy with Egypts unwillingness to commit troops to join the Saudi-UAE led coalition war against rebels in Yemen. Mohammed bin Salman is also worried about the growing thaw, at least in the media, between Cairo and Tehran. Related: Are U.S.-Saudi Relations Turning Sour?

From the position of Sisi, support from Saudi Arabia is still key. As long as Saudi Arabia fully opposes the Muslim Brotherhood, Sisis position is not under real threat. To support Cairos fight against terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood, Riyadh has already provided several multibillion dollar schemes for aid and credit since the overthrow of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohammed Morsi in 2013. The influx of Saudi cash is needed still, as the Egyptian economy is struggling to cope with the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, high unemployment rates, and a lack of government revenues. Additionally, investors and tourism have been hit by terrorist attacks in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and the Sinai.

The move by Saudi Arabia to restart oil deliveries to Egypt can be seen as a positive sign for international investors. Politically, it is a very positive step, as it shows renewed confidence by Arab states in Egypts stability and the regime of president Sisi.

There is, at the same time, an ongoing Arab diplomatic offensive going on behind closed doors in Cairo. Egyptian sources have reported that a senior Saudi official has been meeting with Egyptian counterparts in Cairo in the last few days. At the same time, Arab kingmaker, Jordan is again playing its mediation role. Jordans minister of foreign affairs, Ayman Safadi, has been setting up meetings in Cairo to mediate between Cairo and Riyadh. Officially, the latter is to wipe out some of the differences before an Arab Summit which is being held at the end of this month in Jordan. Insiders have, however, stated that there is still a long way to go before all issues are solved between Riyadh and Cairo.

The need for this is clear, as the Amman Arab Summit could be a watershed meeting in Arab regional politics. If rumors are to become reality, Russian president Vladimir Putin could also be attending the Summit. No invitation has been sent to Washington or Brussels. The attendance of Putin could be crucial for the next years in the Middle East. Russias growing influence in the Middle East (Syria, Iran) and possible intervention in Libya, is one of the main reasons for the Summit invitation. This could put the relationship between Riyadh and Cairo under pressure again, if no mitigating measures by other Arab countries are put in place. Egyptian sources also indicated that some high-ranking Saudi officials are expected to be in Cairo soon to prepare the common standpoints for the Arab Summit.

At the same time, both sides are still battling for a power position with the Trump Administration. Sisi and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially after the fall out with regards to Syria and Yemen, have tried to gain the support of the new Washington Administration. This presents Washington with an extremely difficult situation as Trump doesnt want to alienate Saudi Arabia but also cannot ignore Egypts overall strategic position in the region. The meeting between Mohammed bin Salman and Trump last week will be followed soon by the visit of Egyptian president Sisi. Saudi analysts have reiterated that official White House statements were promising, while U.S. newspapers have reported that the Trump team was unimpressed by the Deputy Crown Prince.

For Trump, Egypt is still a very important player in the region. President Trumps first action on January 23, 2017 (his first day in office), was to call Egyptian President Sisi. The two had already been meeting even before Trump became president. Sisis official visit to Washington on 1-4 April will be looked at with anticipation by Saudi Arabian power brokers. For Washington, the Saudi position is one of risks. Riyadhs strong adverse position towards Iran, which is officially being supported by the Trump Administration and most of the Arab states, does not hide that Washington (and Egypt) are not fully impressed by the Saudi approach to the Syrian conflict, and especially, the Yemen war. The U.S. doesnt want to get pulled into these two conflicts by the Saudi-led Arab alliance. The more ambiguous approach shown by Egypt is seen as more appropriate to US strategic interests.

Taking the latter into consideration, Egypts position has increased without even firing a bullet. Washington, based on its assessments that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey are supporting sides in the anti-Daesh wars, which cannot be supported fully, feels that Egypt should be supported to take over in the coming months. Saudi Arabia, without acknowledging the latter openly, has assessed this development, and now is opening up to Cairo again.

For the Arab region, any military or economic venture, looking for long-term stability and prosperity, without having Egypt take a central role, is a nightmare. The option that Egypt could join ranks of the opposition (Russia-Iran) is seen by most Arab states as a possible nail in the coffin for any Arab coalition. Saudi Arabias choices, at present, are weak and constrained. The Syria-Yemen adventure has not been a success, Turkeys power play in the region conflicts with the Arab coalition strategy, and, at the same time, Russia is opening up to major Arab players such as Egypt, Iraq and the UAE. In the past week, news emerged about a possible direct military involvement of Russia in Libya, maybe even from Egyptian military bases. Several intelligence sources stated on March 13 (Reuters) that Moscow reached an agreement with Egypt to deploy Russian military forces in Egypt, towards the Libyan border. News even emerged that a 22-member Russian Special Forces unit had already deployed into Egypt, to be operating from the Sidi Barrani military compound, located about 100 kilometers from the Egyptian-Libyan border.

The presumed Russian forces would be used to assist Russian backed Libyan National Army General, Khalifa Haftar, as well as expand the Russian influence in Egypt and the MENA region. This could be another push for Saudi Arabia to reconsider its Egyptian position. The main outcome seems to be that, for Saudi Arabia, the time for a power play with Egypt is over. Riyadh had to acknowledge that Egypts central power position cannot be beaten. Now the other geopolitical adagio pops up again. If you cant beat them, then join them.

The current rapprochement is one first step. Saudi Arabias willingness to restart oil supplies to Egypt should be seen as a fig leaf offered to Sisi. Both sides will need to come together and restart their military-economic cooperation. Stability in the region is of the utmost importance to both. A stable and strong Egypt, with good relations with its Arab Gulf neighbors, is preferable to Cairo joining the Russian battle plan. Related: Saudi Arabia Tries To Reassure Markets After Oil Price Plunge

Mohammed bin Salman, based on his qualities and political insights, will have recognized that having Cairo onboard will be the most positive outcome at present. Even when looking at Bin Salmans Saudi Vision 2030 project, Egypt will be of vital importance. Investors will be only interested in a multibillion dollar investment spree in Saudi Arabia if the surrounding region is stable. Mainstream economic projects inside of Saudi Vision 2030, such as the development of industrial cities in the west of Saudi Arabia, which will include new ports and infrastructural links to Africa and Europe, will only be viable if the neighbor on the other side of the Red Sea is looking at it positively. Increased trade to and from Saudi Arabia also will have to go through the Suez Canal, Egypts artery to the world. Cooperation could still be threatened, however, as long as another bilateral disagreement is not resolved quickly.

Egypts Cairo based Court for Urgent Matters has announced April 2 as the date to rule on a lawsuit demanding the annulment of the Supreme Administrative Courts final ruling that the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir are Egyptian. The latter decision blocked Sisi from transferring them to Saudi Arabia. If the legal case now reopens the transfer, this could be seen as a watershed in Egyptian legal history. In January 2017 Egypts Supreme Administrative Court rejected the transfer of the islands, stating that the government cannot legally transfer the islands. Saudi Arabia and Egypt also have still the issue to solve of the Egyptian-Saudi maritime demarcation, which is linked to the island transfer agreement also.

For Saudi Arabia, the two islands are a principle issue. In 1949, Saudi Arabia allowed Egypt to occupy the two islands for defensive purposes after the establishment of Israel. The two islands have been an instrument in blocking the Strait of Tiran, which is Israels only maritime gateway from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Red Sea. The islands were captured by Israel in 1967, and returned to Egypt in 1982.

Sources also stated that, in January, Cairo asked Saudi Arabia to mediate direct talks on the annexation of the disputed Halayeb and Shalateen areas with the Sudanese. The latter is a very important political issue for Sisi, as he will not be able to push the Egyptian people to agree to the hand-over of the two islands to Saudi Arabia if the two Sudanese disputes are not resolved. The Saudi-Egyptian maritime agreement also concludes that Halyeb and Shalateen are Egyptian.

The current bilateral economic-strategic relationship between Riyadh and Cairo has slightly improved. Some measures have been taken by both sides to support a thaw and possible rapprochement in the coming months. Still, there is a myriad of obstacles on this road that still could lead to a new collusion. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, leading the Arab world together, would be preferable. Stability is needed to counter economic and social conflicts currently brewing. However, power politics of both, as has been shown the last 70 years, have led mostly to direct conflict or splits. In a bipolar world, both were forced to concur to the leading global power, the U.S.A.. At present, Russia has fully overtaken American power positions in the region, leaving more openings for deviations or regional power politics. To counter extremism, however - Iranian encroachment tactics and possible third party interests (Russia, Turkey) - Riyadh and Cairo need to find a middle ground. Intrinsic interests are there to build an alliance, that is not only based on religion or mutual adversaries, but on economic and strategic interests.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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Following Enbridge Inc.s takeover of Houston-based energy firm Spectra, the company has plans to lay off roughly six percent of its employees, according to a new report by The Globe and Mail.

The 1,000-position cut will reduce the overlap in responsibilities between employees who worked at Spectra and Enbridges current operational structure, the company said.

Calgary is now the combined corporations home base, while Houston has become the center of Enbridges pipeline operations. The cuts will occur across the company, spokesman Todd Nogier said, without giving specific details.

Enbridge CEO Al Monaco previously said that 60 percent of post-merger cost cuts within Spectra would occur within 2017, with an additional 30 percent occurring in 2018.

Houston has lost over 91,000 jobs in oil and gas industry since the end of 2014 when oil prices crashed, starting an industry rut of over two and a half years.

Prices have mostly stayed above $50 a barrel since the Organization of Petroleum Countries (OPEC) announced a production cut of 1.2 million barrels per day in order to reverse excessive oil supply.

There are signs that a rebound for Houstons oil and gas sector is on the horizon. The Dallas wing of the Federal Reserve Bank said that signs of recovery have emerged in the Permian  which includes portions of Texas and New Mexico. Texass oil and gas employment increased in August 2016 a first since 2014suggesting that the worst of the energy crisis may be over.



Related: Why Shells Oil Sands Sell Off Is Great News For Canadian Oil

Houston, which has been hard hit by the bust, saw employment gains in August, the Dallas Fed statement said.

The oil price hike has brought dozens of drills online across the country, to the ire of Saudi Arabia  the de facto leader of OPEC. The increased U.S. shale output threatens to reverse the effects of the blocs production cut strategy.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Russias Gazprom is claiming around $50 billion from Ukraines Naftogaz at an international arbitration over gas pricing contracts, and the claim could potentially swell to $80 billion, according to Naftogaz chief commercial officer Yuriy Vitrenko.

Gazprom and Naftogaz are suing each other over the gas pricing contracts at the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, with each claiming billions of dollars from the other. Gazprom sued Naftogaz in 2014, claiming the Ukrainian company had not paid its dues for gas supplies in 2013 and 2014. Naftogaz, in turn, filed a counter-claim against Gazprom in 2015, demanding retroactive revision of the gas price, compensation for sums overpaid, and removal of restrictions to re-export gas. Naftogaz is also insisting that some clauses in the long-term contract are against Ukrainian and EU antitrust laws.

Now Naftogazs Vitrenko said in an online interview with Novoye Vremia, as rendered in English by Interfax Ukraine:

They demand around $50 billion from us [the sum they believe we were to pay for the relevant volumes of gas and did not pay]. If we look at the future, to the expiration date, this would be an additional $30 billion.

According to Naftogazs first-half 2016 report from August last year, its outstanding debt for gas purchases from Gazprom for the period 2009  2013 was nearly $8 billion as of early 2014.



Related: The Oil Market Is At A Major Turning Point

Gazproms claim as of early 2016 had reached $26.7 billion for the period 2012 to 2014. In addition, Gazprom has proposed that Naftogaz pay $2.5 billion for the third quarter of 2015, the Ukrainian company said early last year, saying that it considers the take-or-pay clause as set out in the gas supply contract with Gazprom not market based, invalid and inapplicable.



According to the Ukrainian company, the Stockholm arbitration court is expected to make its final decision on the gas supply dispute by March 31, 2017.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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UK police to transfer half million pounds to Altaf Hussain: Sarfraz Merchant

LONDON: The UK police are in the process of transferring nearly half a million pounds to Altaf Hussain, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Karachi businessman Sarfraz Merchant.



The money was originally seized in the course of a money laundering investigation by the Metropolitan Polices National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit. The investigation was dropped last year after the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to go ahead with a trial.



Having already had 24,000 transferred to his bank account, on Tuesday, Mr Merchant was handed around 5,000 worth of cash in the form of dirhams and Pakistani rupees. Two plain-clothes police officers gave him the money in a car park in West London as Mr Merchant sat in his 60,000 Range Rover.



It is a success, said Mr Merchant after getting the cash. My money was legitimate.



In the course of their investigation into the murder of 2010 senior MQM leader Imran Farooq, the UK police found 29,000 in Mr Merchants London apartment, 167,525.92 in the MQMs offices in London and a further 289,785.32 in Altaf Hussains home. All those funds are now being returned.



Banking documents revealed that Mr Merchant had made substantial money transfers to the MQM. Mr Merchant told the police that money had been his own and was freely given to the MQM.



The return of the money to Mr Merchant and the MQM marks a humiliating climbdown for the UK police. Sources close to the police investigation always insisted that they would not return the MQMs cash. Asset confiscations require a lower burden of proof than money laundering charges. But it turns out the UK authorities have been unable to meet even that lesser threshold.



The police said that during the course of their money laundering investigation six people had been arrested, 11 others were interviewed under caution and nine premises were searched. Despite all that work, the police said last year: there is not a realistic prospect of a successful prosecution under UK law, therefore the investigation is now complete and no further action will be taken.



Frustrated by the lack of progress in the UK, the Pakistan authorities last year formed a Joint Investigation Team to look at Mr Merchants claims of financial links between RAW and the MQM.



Mr Merchant said he still wanted to expose that issue. I am going to pursue the issue regarding RAW funding because it is my country that is suffering, he said. Mr Merchant said the documents given to him by the UK police showed there was such funding.



The MQM have denied being funded by RAW. India described claims that it funded the MQM or trained its militants as completely baseless.



UK-based lawyers say one of the reasons the money laundering case failed was the UK authorities reluctance to use terrorism legislation as opposed to the Proceeds of Crimes Act. Although the US describes the MQM as a Tier 3 terrorist organisation, neither the UK nor Pakistan has made a similar designation.



The Proceeds of Crimes act requires the UK authorities to prove the criminal provenance of the MQMs funds. Since the UK authorities have no investigative powers in Karachi, it is difficult for them to establish whether there has been criminal activity there without the cooperation of the Pakistan authorities.



The MQM always maintained that its funds were legitimate and came in the form of donations from businessmen in the city.



At the time the money laundering investigation was dropped Mr Merchant said even his own lawyers were surprised by the decision. While I am delighted to have been cleared there appears to have been political interference with the UKs police investigation, he said at the time.



Mr Merchant said he will now seek to recover the money he has spent on lawyers in the UK as he tried to defend his name. I will go for action against the police, he said, adding that his legal costs had been over 1 million.



The UK authorities are still investigating whether some speeches by Mr Hussain amount to hate speech. A previous hate speech inquiry was dropped in 2014 because of fears that the translation of the original Urdu speeches could be contested in the courts. The
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...
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Packing: 15kg bags or According to buyers requirement

Color: light brown ........................... From visual inspection
With the Parallel App, available for Android, users can "clone" the messenger and use two different accounts on the same device; Check step by step Using two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone is something that can be done on Android devices . With different phone numbers, it is possible to use two applications for this: Dual Messenger, in the case of Samsung devices , or the Parallel...
One of my favorite Woody Allen lines is, "I'm not afraid of death. I just don't want to be there when it happens." Death ...
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on March 15, was an original co-sponsor of legislation Reps. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill, and Seth Moulton, D-Mass., introduced to authorize an additional 2,500 visas for the the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, according to the Library of Congress government information web site.

The program provides visas for Afghan citizens that served along side U.S. military and diplomatic personnel as translators, interpreters and in other support roles who wish to immigrate to the United States because of fear of retaliation from the Taliban, Al Queda or ISIS.

The program has a waiting list of 10,000 people, but the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has stopped scheduling interviews because there are not enough visas left, according to a press release that Kinzinger and Moulton jointly issued.

Supporting our troops is vital to our national security, but we must also support those who have risked their lives to serve alongside our American armed forces and personnel overseas in order to advance the cause of freedom, Kinzinger said, in the press release.

The idea that we would turn our backs on these patriots is wrong and un-American, Moulton said, in the press release.

The legislation  HR 1554  had 17 co-sponsors, as of Wednesday  nine Democrats and eight Republicans.

Stefanik is the only co-sponsor from New York.
GRANVILLE  A Granville man was charged with attempted murder early Tuesday when he allegedly stabbed and choked his girlfriend, ambushing her as she left her home before dawn to warm up her car, police said.

The woman, whose name was not released, suffered multiple knife injuries to her hand and was likely saved from more serious injuries when the knife blade broke as she was stabbed, according to Granville Police.

The man accused of attacking her, Jonathan W. Vilbrin, 42, tried to stab her in the abdomen but apparently did not realize the blade had broken from the knife moments earlier, Granville Police Sgt. Ryan Pedone said.

She was taken to Glens Falls Hospital, but her condition was not available later Tuesday. Police said her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Vilbrin was charged with attempted second-degree murder and numerous lesser charges after the 5:56 a.m. incident on Morrison Avenue, authorities said.

Pedone said Granville Police received a 911 call about a possible domestic assault and were met by Vilbrin walking away from the home with his hands up, flagging down police and saying, Im the guy youre looking for.

Police said the woman reported that she was attacked by someone who was hiding on the side of her home, and that her hand was cut and she felt what she believed to be stabbing motions to her torso before the man got on top of her. He is believed to have used a 4-inch steak knife.

It appears he was so amped up, he didnt know the blade had broken off the knife, Pedone said.

What prompted Vilbrin, who was barred from the womans home by an order of protection from an earlier child endangerment case, to attack her was unclear, Pedone said. He was cooperative and consented to being questioned by police.

Based on what we have seen so far, attempted murder is the appropriate charge, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan.

Vilbrin, an East Main Street resident, was arraigned in Whitehall Village Court and sent to Washington County Jail for lack of bail.

He has no prior history of domestic violence in Washington County, but has a pending misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child charge involving a child who lives in the stabbing victims home, officials said. Pedone said he allegedly made a comment of a sexual nature to a 13-year-old.

It was related to the child, but not conduct with the victim in this (stabbing) case, Jordan said.

Jordan praised the work of Granville Police to quickly take Vilbrin into custody without additional injuries and thoroughly interview Vilbrin and witnesses.

Their response time was prompt and they did a very thorough job with the investigation, he said.

Pedone and Granville Police officers Jason Vandenburgh and Thomas Zovistoski handled the case.

In addition to the attempted murder count, Vilbrin was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor counts of criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal contempt, police said.

A Washington County grand jury will consider additional charges against Vilbrin, though when the grand jury inquiry will occur will depend on the victims recovery, Jordan explained.

State Police assisted Granville Police at the home.

Attempted second-degree murder is punishable by up to 25 years in state prison.
The times, they are a changing in Whitehall.

The two incumbents who ran for re-election Tuesday were both ousted by their challengers.

In the mayoral race, incumbent Ken Bartholomew was defeated by Democratic challenger Phil Smith, 217-136.

I feel good about it, Smith said. Im honored that people think highly enough of me to elect me mayor. I think Ken Bartholomew is a dedicated guy and I think he did a pretty good job. I wish him the best.

Bartholomew said he was disappointed in the results, but returned Smiths well-wishing.

Phils a nice guy and an intelligent guy, Bartholomew said.

He said he hopes Smith can take the village in the right direction on important issues, such as the upcoming union contract negotiation and the ongoing infrastructure issues.

Smith said he was concerned about the infrastructure issues but was also going to focus on saving money where possible.

Most people are concerned about taxes and duplication of services between the village and town, he said. Were certainly going to look at the benefits of consolidation, where possible, moving forward.

In the village trustee race, challengers Teresa Austin and Tim Watson won seats on the board, with 225 and 180 votes, respectively. Incumbent Marge Mohn came in third with 135 votes, and Pat Roche was fourth with 115 votes.

The Village Board will now consist of Smith, Austin, Watson, Dave Chaplin and Walt Sandford.

As for the village justice race, incumbent Julie Eagan held off Democratic challenger Mike Putorti, 265-93.

Traver holds seat

In Fort Edward, the board will remain as it was before Tuesdays voting.

Mayor Matt Traver, a 12-year incumbent, earned a fourth term, turning back a challenge from Trustee Darlene DeVoe, 244-121. DeVoe, who has been on the board 11 years, has one year remaining on her trustee term.

The three other members of the Fort Edward Board will remain the same. Tracey Conlon has time remaining on his term, and Peter Williams (244) and Edward Carpenter (251) were running unopposed. Justice Joseph Malvuccio (266) was re-elected.

Other races

In Cambridge, Mayor Carman Bogle, running unopposed, was re-elected with 77 votes. There were eight write-ins.

Incumbent trustee James Sweeney (70) and Ellen Cruz (63) were re-elected as trustees. Ashleigh Morris received 17 write-in votes. Incumbent justice Philip Sica was re-elected with 80 votes

In Greenwich, Maureen Edsforth ran unopposed for a three-year trustee seat, and Kyle Vanderwerker was unopposed in his run for a one-year seat.

In Granville, three candidates were running for two trustee seats. Incumbents Gordon Smith Jr. (71) and challenger Stephanie Munger (57) were elected to four-year terms. Incumbent Frank Caruso got 40 votes and was not re-elected.

In Fort Ann, Russell Blair received 47 votes for mayor in his unopposed run, and Denis Langlois won a trustee seat with 44 votes, over Gregory Lehoisky, who received six votes.

In Argyle, Joanne McDowell (20) and Joe Lohret (18) were elected as trustees.

Hudson Falls did not have village elections this year, and Salem no longer has elections because it has dissolved as a village.
TICONDEROGA  Nine people were arrested Saturday after officers from three police agencies seized drugs and weapons during a raid at a home on Lord Howe Street, arresting suspects from Massachusetts and Texas as well as a number of local residents, authorities said.

Officers from the State Police, Ticonderoga Police Department and Essex County Sheriffs Office were involved in the search at 163 Lord Howe, during which police seized heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs and two guns, including a loaded handgun, and illegal sword.

Police said suspects threw drugs out of a second-floor window to try to hide it from police. Authorities said the charges stemmed from a long-term investigation, but Ticonderoga Police could not be reached Wednesday for more information.

According to State Police, charged were:

Shanna A. Moran, 38, of Ticonderoga, with felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance related to the seizure of crack cocaine with intent to sell, criminal nuisance and tampering with physical evidence. Moran was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail without bail.

Morgan J. Frazier, 50, of Ticonderoga, for criminal possession of a controlled substance related to crack cocaine with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony criminal Possession of a weapon for being a felon in possession of a shotgun. Frazier was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail without bail.

Kemoo H. Paul, 22, of Fall River, Massachusetts, for felony criminal possession of a controlled substance related to crack cocaine with intent to sell and Criminal Possession of a Weapon for possession of a sword hidden in a cane. Paul was arraigned in the town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail without bail.

Claudia L. Pina, 20, of Fall River, Massachusetts, for felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance for alleged possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell and criminal possession of a weapon for having a sword hidden in a cane. Pina was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, or $100,000 bond.

Lisa M. Peters, 51, of Ticonderoga, on a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance crack cocaine) and felony tampering with physical evidence. Peters was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, or $50,000 bond.

Amber L. Pelerin, 33, of Baytown, Texas, on a felony charge of criminal possession of a weapon for alleged possession of a loaded handgun. Pelerin was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, or $100,000 bond.

Melissa S. Card, 33, of Ticonderoga, on a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance for alleged possession of crack cocaine. Card was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail, or $10,000 bond. She is to reappear in the Town of Ticonderoga Court on March 22.

Maxilimiano Mesones, 24, of Crown Point, for misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance for alleged possession of heroin. Mesones was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail, or $10,000 bond. He is to reappear in the Town of Ticonderoga Court on March 22.

Michelle D. Hurlburt, 46, of Ticonderoga, on a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance for alleged possession of crack cocaine. Hurlbut was arraigned in the Town of Ticonderoga Court and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail, or $10,000 bond.
WASHINGTON  The fate of the Republican health care plan appears to rest on centrists like Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and conservative Republicans like Rep. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania.

Barletta, an immigration hard-liner, said he remains opposed to the legislation because it lacks sufficient verification safeguards against subsidies to illegal recipients.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said she wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act but wasnt committing Wednesday to the GOP replacement.

Vote looms

President Donald Trump, Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders spent this week on Capitol Hill trying to round up the 216 House votes needed to approve the bill in a showdown vote expected Thursday.

Trump urged Republicans to unite or face voter backlash, predicting Were going to get a winner vote.

Ryan said the president knocked the ball out of the park in his meetings with the GOP lawmakers.

The GOP holds a 237 to 193 edge over Democrats in the House, but several conservative and moderate Republicans have indicated resistance, although for different reasons.

The conservatives say the bill doesnt go far enough in repealing present law, while moderates fear it will balloon the number of uninsured Americans by several million.

Democrats, to a member, say they will have no part in voting for a bill that would dismantle former President Barack Obamas signature legislative achievement.

Administration officials were pressing hard this week to secure enough votes to pass the GOP plan.

Stefanik, who represents Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties as part of the 21st Congressional District, was supposed to join other moderate Republicans in a meeting Tuesday at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence and Reince Priebus, Trumps chief of staff. But she got tied up in an Armed Services Committee meeting and did not attend, her spokesman, Tom Flanagin, said Wednesday.

No decision

Stefanik said constituents in her district continue to see double-digit premium increases and that nationwide nearly one-third of counties have just one insurer participating in the exchanges.

She believes Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced with common-sense reforms that lower costs and increase access for families. She wasnt committing Wednesday to how she would vote Thursday.

Spokesman Tom Flanagin said Stefanik was reviewing the legislation and working with colleagues to ensure the package includes reforms that will help lower costs for families and businesses in the district, protect coverage for those on their parents plan and for people with pre-existing conditions, help job creators and protect the needs of rural communities.

Gathering input

Flanagin said Stefanik has been reaching out to people across the district for input.

She has also called and held meetings with local elected officials, local hospitals and health-care providers, and has spoken with community health groups in the district, Flanagin said.

On Monday, Stefanik hosted a telephone conference call with constituents.

We are grateful for the feedback we have received and are continuing our outreach, Flanagin said.

We encourage everyone to read the plan at readthebill.gop and to contact our office with their thoughts.

Devastating

The chief executive officers of all the hospitals in the North Country have come out against the GOP plan.

The American Health Care Act, the Republican ACA-repeal bill now before Congress, would have a devastating effect on New York state, health-care providers and individuals in our region, said a letter from the CEOs of the hospitals in Plattsburgh, Malone, Saranac Lake, Elizabethtown and other communities.

Stefanik believes the American Health Care Act is a starting point that will be improved, Flanigan said.

The plan repeals taxes that the Affordable Care Act used to fund the cost of the program, he said, including the medical-device tax and health insurance tax.

Medicaid

Stefanik is also soliciting feedback from constituents on Medicaid, and she is pleased the new legislation takes a multiyear approach to the program, Flanagin said.

She would not support an immediate end to Medicaid expansion, as some have sought.

The per capita Medicaid allotment would represent a better deal for New York than the block-grant proposal in previous discussions, Flanigan said.

We need to prioritize support for the most vulnerable in Medicaid, including the blind and the disabled, and this package continues to provide federal support for this program, Flanagin said on her behalf.

He said she is encouraged that the Congressional Budget Office said the American Health Care Act will lower premiums by 10 percent, reduce the federal deficit by $337 billion and lower taxes by $883 billion, providing significant tax relief for middle-income families and small business owners.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on March 8, co-sponsored legislation Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., introduced March 2 to clarify federal regulations for employers that self-insure employee health insurance benefits.

Also on March 8, Stefanik voted in the House Education and Workforce Committee to advance the legislation, which passed the committee strictly along party lines.

Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said the legislation dovetails with Republican efforts to repeal and replace former President Obamas health care plan.

Under self-insured plans, employers cover costs either by directly reimbursing insurance companies that manage the plans or by directly reimbursing employees for health care expenses.

Most employers with self-insurance plans buy stop-loss insurance, a financial risk management tool that picks up catastrophic costs beyond a threshold.

The federal government does not regulate stop-loss insurance.

The legislation  HR 1304  reaffirms that stop-loss insurance is not health insurance, and prohibits regulators from classifying it as health insurance in the future.

By preserving self-insurance, workers and employers will continue to benefit from a health care plan model that has proven to lower costs and provide greater flexibility, Republican members of the committee said in a fact sheet.

In 2016, 61 percent of all employers that offered health insurance were self-insured, according to the fact sheet.

Democratic committee members, which voted against advancing the legislation, said the legislation would limit state rights and the increase in self-insurance could undermine former President Obamas health care plan, the Affordable Care Act.

Some states have passed laws that attempt to regulate or limit stop-loss insurance, for example, through prohibiting the sale of stop-loss insurance to small groups or by setting a statutory minimum financial commitment level by the employer, a Democratic fact sheet stated.

Infrastructure program





President Trumps proposal to eliminate a Department of Agriculture water and sewer infrastructure loan and grant program would stymie efforts to upgrade infrastructure in the Champlain Valley and St. Lawrence Valley regions of the Adirondacks, said Willie Janeway, executive director of the Adirondack Council, an environmental lobbying organization.

The ag money specifically helps rural areas, especially where they cannot afford the loan funding, he said.

Trumps budget plan calls for eliminating the duplicative program, resulting in a savings of $498 million in federal spending.

Rural communities can best be served by private sector financing or other federal investments, the presidents budget plan states. Janeway said farming communities often are not able to afford infrastructure improvements with just traditional federal Clean Water Act funding.Its not duplicative. Its complementary, he said. Its like the Farm Bill complements the Clean Water Act.

Janeway said eliminating the program would compound the effect of the presidents proposed reductions in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and Clean Water Act programs.If you add this on top of that, thats three hits to different elements of the Adirondack economics and environment, he said.

Empire Trail endorsed





Parks & Trails New York, a nonpartisan political advocacy organization, on Monday announced that national retailer Recreational Equipment Inc., commonly known as REI; The American Heart Association; and the Health Care Association of New York State, a hospital trade group, have endorsed Gov. Andrew Cuomos proposal to establish the Empire State Trail, a statewide system of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting New York City with Plattsburgh and Albany with Buffalo.

The outdoors is a place in which we can all come together regardless of party affiliation. We hope the governor and legislative leaders work together to begin work on the Empire State Trail in 2017, Kurt Feilke, REI northeast regional director, said in a press release.

Chamber honors Stefanik





U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on Tuesday announced the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented her with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Award, recognizing her 96 percent score, out of a possible 100 points, on the chambers scorecard, based on her voting record in 2015 and 16. The Spirit of Enterprise Award recognizes those members of Congress who have done whats right for our friends, family and neighbors running businesses across our country, Thomas Donohue, president of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. We applaud Congresswoman Stefanik for her commitment to free enterprise and economic growth.

Divisiveness in 1859





This is the latest in a series of posts based on news reports in antiquarian issues of the Glens Falls Messenger on file at The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library. The local weekly newspaper was published in the era before the village of Glens Falls dropped the apostrophe from its name.

Sound familiar?

The people of this country for some reason, we hardly know why, have attached themselves to one party or another so zealously that they cannot investigate with the least patience any measure coming from an opposing party, and are ready to denounce it with bitter words, a May 8, 1859 Glens Falls Messenger editorial lamented.Good may grow out of this, yet it is oftentimes unpleasant when all profess to have the greatest good of the country at heart.

The editorial blamed the press, in part, for divisiveness. And the press, too, is so partisan in character that it hardly ventures to view but one side of a question, trying to build up its party at the expense of another, the Messenger, a partisan paper itself, chided. The editorial warned of setting a precedent of divisiveness.

The present fashions the future.  Hence it behooves all to look at the permanent interests of the whole country.
The Chinese military issued a warning to a U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber flying in the East China Sea Wednesday morning amid escalating tensions in the region, two U.S. officials told Fox News.

The Chinese said the U.S. bomber was flying in international airspace. American officials tell Fox News the bomber was flying in international airspace and continued on its mission---albeit without its wingman.













N Korea warns 'inhumane' US that Kim will launch nukes 'at any time & place'

-North Korea has vowed to launch a nuclear strike on the US at any time and at any place if hostile activities against the communist state continue .

Pyongyang has issued the terrifying warning less than 24 hours after senior US officials tabled measures to choke Kim Jong-uns assets.

North Korea's most high profile defector has claimed Kim Jong-un would fire a suicidal nuclear weapon at Los Angeles if he felt his power was being threatened. Thae Yong-ho, the former deputy ambassador in London, and North Korea's most senior defector said the dictator would be prepared to 'press the button' despite the inevitable consequences.

Washington is reportedly considering slapping sweeping sanctions on the totalitarian state should it continue to develop its nuclear capabilities.

The US has announced it will deploy its state-of-the-art THAAD advanced missile defence system in South Korea in eight to 10 months to combat the threat from the North.

Trump has vowed to tackle the North Korean problem once in power.



North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US It wont happen! Trump tweeted last month.

It was not clear what Trump meant: whether he believed North Korea was incapable of developing a reliable ICBM, or that the US would prevent it doing so.













North Korean exporting of missile and other military systems to countries and terrorist organizations around the world directly threatens the Jewish state, Israels Channel 2reported on Monday.

According to Channel 2, Arab media outlets reported over the weekend that an arms shipment on its way to Hezbollah was attacked by the IDF in Syria late Thursday night/early Friday morning. The shipment, according to these sources, included advanced North Korean missiles. Channel 2 added that the nuclear reactor in Syria, which Israel destroyed in September 2007, was built for President Bashar Assad with the aid of the regime in Pyongyang.

As The Algemeiner reported last April, former US Vice President Dick Cheneys national security adviser John Hannah, a senior counselor at the DC-based policy institute the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, penned a piece in the journal Foreign Affairs in which he said about the 2007 reactor-bombing  code-named Operation Orchard  that America dodged a bullet in Syriaall courtesy of the Israelis. Foreign Affairs

Not only did [the Israelis] discover [it] in the nick of time, Hannah said of the North Korean-built, plutonium-producing reactor in the town of Al-Kibar, in the desert east of Damascus. They also carried out the attack that was almost certainly the only means of ensuring the reactor never went hot.

The greatest threat we face from [Supreme Leader] Kim Jong Un is probably not a suicidal attack against the United States or our allies in Northeast Asia with nuclear missiles, he wrote. Rather, the more likely danger is that North Koreas tyrant sells part of his ever-expanding nuclear arsenal to other rogue actors that mean us harm. He then went on to identify Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, as particularly worthy of note and monitoring in this context.













Israeli jets were reported to have carried out airstrikes near the Syrian capital early Wednesday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue hitting weapons convoys and rebuffed claims Russia had ordered the strikes halted.

Syrian opposition news outlets reported that the airstrikes took place in the Mount Qasioun region near Damascus overnight.

The Israeli raids targeted Syrian army posts in the area, the reports said, in the fourth round of airstrikes attributed to Israel in Syria in less than a week.

There was no immediate confirmation from Jerusalem, nor any information on casualties or damage.

Syrian forces have been battling a fresh rebel offensive in the eastern neighborhoods of the capital since Sunday.

Clashes Tuesday raged between regime forces on one side and opposition fighters and allied jihadists from the Fateh al-Sham Front, formerly al-Qaedas branch in the war-ravaged country.

An AFP journalist in east Damascus reported a large explosion at sunrise Tuesday followed by fierce clashes, shelling and government airstrikes on opposition positions.

Tensions escalated between Israel and Syria over the weekend, with Israel said to have struck Syria overnight Sunday-Monday in the third alleged batch of airstrikes. Syria media reported early Monday that Israeli jets took out a number of targets near the Lebanon-Syria border including a Hezbollah weapons convoy and Syrian military sites.

















Having already told Europe "we'll blow your mind" with a threat to unleash 15,000 immigrants per month ,Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan escalated his rhetoric this morning warning Europeans across the world would not be able to walk safely on the streets if they kept up their current attitude.

Tensions have accelerated since Turkey became embroiled in a row with Germany and the Netherlands over the barring of campaign appearances by Turkish officials seeking to drum up support for an April referendum on boosting Erdogan's powers. Today's comments are the most aggressive yet..





"If Europe continues this way, no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets. We, as Turkey, call on Europe to respect human rights and democracy," Erdogan said at event for local journalists in Ankara.





As we noted previously, should Turkey execute on its threat, it is likely that the anti-immigrant, populist wave that has swept Europe in 2015 and 2016, and which has subsided modestly in the subsequent period, will find a second, and very dangerous to the European establishment, wind.




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However, the progress cannot be undertaken outside the shores of our borders, thats coming from the President of the Republic of Ghana.

Speaking at the 5th edition of the Africa CEO forum, President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo expressed dissatisfaction with the over reliance of African countries on countries abroad.

He intimated that over the years, too much of Africas development has been centered on aid which are beyond its borders.

"We have constructed a system of dependence that is making us look up to foreign aid to do for basic things, he stated.

He therefore urged African leaders to put measures in place to move their countries beyond aid. This, he believes will make the continent have a mind of its own.

We must look within ourselves to find solutions to our problems. The reliance on foreign partners creates an avenue for them to intrude in our dealings.

We must aim to mobilize human capital, creativity and the entrepreneurial talent of citizens to take us beyond aid, he noted.

President Akufo-Addo on Africa and globalization

Despite the world being a globalized village, Africa is still not well positioned according to the president of the Republic of Ghana.

Most African countries are raw materials producing economies which are not capable of creating employment among other things for its citizens.

Whatever the external circumstances are, we need to focus on how well Africa can participate meaningfully in globalization.

READ ALSO:5th Africa CEO Forum kicks off on March 20 in Geneva

"Are we in a position to say we have created enterprises that will allow us to sell, to compete? We need to know what we are required to do to be able to produce, to expand, to create work for our young people. We have to find solutions at home to issues of productivity.

President Akufo-Addo on Free Trade area for Africa.

President Akufo Addo also raised concerns about the need for African countries to trade amongst themselves.

This, he stated has the tendency to provide an avenue for the private sector to thrive.

Free trade area for Africa is practical and desirable. We are the people who do less trade with ourselves than anyone on the globe. We must promote the regional market.
$500 million in software and software engineers in 2018.

Flannery said the new employees will be building out a kind of "app store" for Predix, GE's cloud formula. That way, both GE software engineers and other organizations can build medical apps on the platform.

"We'll be hiring software engineers, data analysts, imaging analysts, to develop our own apps, but also to develop the platform and the capability of the platform to host hundreds of other applications," Flannery told Business Insider.

GE is also putting its software engineers to work making hospital IT systems more efficient. The plan is to connect different systems within a hospital to create a "command center."

GE did this for Johns Hopkins, Flannery said, linking about two-dozen systems to help speed up the experience for patients so there's less unnecessary waiting around.
However, many of the eight affected airlines seemed to have been blindsided by the news.

With only four days to comply, it's still uncertain how many of the carriers will be able to work out the logistics of the ban.

In addition, the thought process behind the decision and the intelligence on which the ban has been based remains unclear.

According to senior administration officials, the decision to implement these security measures is a result of intelligence showing a risk for terrorist activity involving commercial aviation.

"Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items," an official said on Monday.

Whatever this intelligence consists of, it was substantial enough for the national security apparatus to act.

However, what is confusing is that the UK issued a similar ban on Tuesday, but excluded four airports  Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Casablanca  featured in the US ban.

In addition, many in the aviation community question whether a ban of this type is even remotely effective in countering a terrorist attack.

It should be noted that Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are major international transit hubs with extensive multi-layered security procedures. In addition, US-bound flights are even screened in dedicated facilities using well-trained security professionals  often with law-enforcement and military experience.

First, the electronics ban is not an outright ban. Instead, it forbids electronics such as laptops, cameras and tablets from being brought into the cabin of the aircraft. This means they will most likely have to be stored inside the cargo hold of the aircraft with the checked luggage.

However, such behavior is explicitly prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"FAA battery fire testing has highlighted the potential risk of a catastrophic aircraft loss due to damage resulting from a lithium battery fire or explosion. Current cargo fire suppression systems cannot effectively control a lithium battery fire," the agency wrote in an alert in February.

When asked, administration officials told journalists on Monday that they are working with the FAA to maintain a safe flying environment, but did not state specifics. Business Insider asked DHS for specifics on Tuesday, but have not yet heard back from officials.

This is particularly concerning for Michael Mo, co-founder and CEO of Kulr Technologies, a company that specializes thermal management systems for batteries.

"Lithium-ion batteries are inherently volatile with an average of one out of five million units expected to blow. It's statistics. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when one of these things blow," Mo told Business Insider in an interview.

"So when that happens, it's better to have humans nearby to react and put out the fire."

Of the 10 airlines affected by the US ban, three  Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways  have been at the heart of a heated rivalry with US carriers American, Delta, and United Airlines. For some, the inclusion of these airlines seem way too convenient to be a coincidence.

"If you squint hard enough, there is some justification on a security basis for this, but the implementation has been haphazard and in manner that is particularly targeted at and does harm to the commercial interests of a set of airlines that has been the source of much competitive hand-wringing from US airlines," Airways senior business analyst Vinay Bhaskara told Business Insider.

When asked about the topic on Monday, a senior administration official denied any relationship between the electronics ban and the feud between the aforementioned American and Middle Eastern airlines.

However, the UK's decision to exclude the Middle East's big three from its ban proves to be particularly troubling. After all, it is believed that the UK government acted on the same intelligence as US officials.

The immediate effect of the ban will likely weaken the Persian Gulf's three mega-carriers along with Turkish Airlines, Bhaskara said. Based on the latest rankings from respected consumer aviation website Skytrax, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad and Turkish Airlines represent the first, second, sixth, and seventh ranked carriers in the world.

Since the US government's ban calls into question the security of their home airports, these airlines will have to contend with the resulting negative publicity and uncertainty among customers.

A new Emirates ad argues that one doesn't need a laptop to have a good time on board its flights.

As a result, they may push some clients toward carriers that are not affected by the ban.

Currently, no US carriers offer nonstop flights into the Middle East. As a result, they won't benefit directly. However, the ban will likely drive lucrative business travelers back towards European hubs such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris. This means US airlines will benefit through joint ventures and alliance relationships with Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and KLM.

That said, not all US carriers will benefit. Airlines like JetBlue and Alaska have partnership agreements with Emirates. A reduction in business for Emirates cuts into the number of passengers who depend on JetBlue's and Alaska's planes to connect them to secondary and tertiary cities in the US.
"[The Russian] controversy is what drove President Trump to accuse President Obama," O'Reilly said on his program Monday night. "Mr. Trump is so infuriated that the media has obsessed on the alleged Russia connection, that he lashed out."

"Problem is, there's no evidence that anything happened at the Trump Tower ... The accusation that President Obama was actively involved in harming the Trump campaign has now harmed the president himself," O'Reilly said.

The controversy stemmed from Trump's now-debunked claim earlier this month that Obama had ordered a wiretapping operation on Trump Tower  a claim that has been rejected by US government and intelligence officials.

Fox News host Shepard Smith also shot down the idea last week, rejecting assertions from former Fox News' senior judicial analyst, Judge Andrew Napolitano, which were later cited by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer as evidence of Trump's wiretapping claims.

"Fox News cannot confirm Judge [Andrew] Napolitano's commentary," Smith said on Friday. "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."

Napolitano was suspended indefinitely on Monday, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times

Trump has yet to back away from his wiretapping accusation.
Five people were dead and at least 40 were injured Wednesday after an apparent terrorist attack in central London.

A lone assailant mowed down dozens of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a 4X4 vehicle before killing a police officer with a knife in the grounds of Parliament just after 2:30 p.m. local time. The attacker was shot dead by the police outside Parliament gates.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley told reporters they have identified the attacker, but will not yet name him publicly. Investigators believe the attack was inspired by Islamist-related international terrorism, he said.

In a statement, UK Prime Minister Theresa May called the attacks "sick and depraved" and thanked the

Rowley told reporters that the police believed there to be only one attacker but that it would be "foolish" to rule out the possibility of more. He advised the public to be vigilant and confirmed that additional officers would patrol the capital Wednesday night and Thursday.

A photo emerged later Wednesday of the man shot by the police:

Journalist Quentin Letts gave an account of what he saw to MSNBC.

"I saw a fairly thick-set man wearing black clothes running through the open gates, the security gates where people drive their cars," Letts said. "He seemed to have something in his hand, maybe a knife, maybe a stick."

Letts continued: "He started beating a policeman who had fallen over on the ground. The policeman managed to shake him off and the attacker then ran towards the entrance of the House of Commons, which is used by our members of Parliament and he got about 15 yards before the authorities responded."

Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood attempted to give mouth-to-mouth to the stabbed police officer before the officer died. The officer was identified as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old veteran with 15 years of service.

Aside from the five dead, others are suffering from "catastrophic injuries" after a car mowed down pedestrians on a packed Westminster Bridge no more than a few hundred meters from the houses of Parliament.

Three of the injured are French students, according to French media.

US President Donald Trump called May, his British counterpart, to express condolences for the attack, the White House said.

"He pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice," the White House said.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. New York Times terrorism correspondent Rukmini Callimachi noted on Twitter, however, that pro-Islamic State channels on the chat app Telegram were talking about the attack.

"Numerous ISIS-linked channels are sharing blow-by-blow updates on events in London," Callimachi said. She went on to note that this pattern followed that of some recent terrorist attacks: "We saw this post-Paris, post-Nice, post-Orlando etc."

"The mode of attack, according to reporters at the scene, includes stabbing and car-ramming, both ISIS signatures," she said.

Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in Belgium's history, in which 32 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in bombings carried out by the Islamic State in Brussels. Callimachi said that "ISIS, like al-Qaeda, loves anniversaries."

Panic and confusion

A witness close to Westminster Bridge has told Business Insider that there were "lots of sirens" and "people running" at the scene.

Steve Voake, 55, a witness on the scene who said he was visiting London for the day, told NBC News that he was walking on the bridge when he heard screaming.

"I thought it was a road accident," he said. "There was lots of panic and confusion. Then I saw a shoe [on the] ground. I [saw] one body on one side of the road and one body face down in the water with blood all around it."

Metropolitan Police Commander BJ Harrington described the attack in a statement.

"We received a number of different reports  which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians, and a man with a knife," Harrington said. "Officers were already in the location as part of our routine policing operation."

A woman was pulled alive from the River Thames shortly after the attack on Westminster Bridge.

All government and civil-service offices were on lockdown, and all inside were told to remain indoors as the situation unfolded.

The Westminster tube station and nearby buildings including St. Thomas' Hospital and the Gherkin building were on lockdown after the attack. Dozens of armed officers were inside the grounds of Parliament.

Facebook activated its safety-check feature to allow those in London to let people know they're safe.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn released a statement after the attack.

"Reports suggest the ongoing incident in Westminster this afternoon is extremely serious," he said. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, their families and friends. The police and security staff have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the public, MPs and staff, and we are grateful to them."

Mayor Sadiq Khan of London also released a statement on the attack.

"There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise," Khan said, adding: "The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is underway. My thoughts are with those affected and their families."

Pedestrians made their way across Westminster Bridge after the attack:

Some victims were hit near the Eye end of the bridge, below, while others were injured closer to Parliament:

Armed police officers were on the scene in minutes to escort people out of the area:

Bystanders tried to help the wounded:

The vehicle appears to have struck several people along the length of the bridge as it headed toward Parliament:

The area around Big Ben, the House of Commons, and the London Eye was brought to a standstill:

Debris littered the bridge:

Here is the scene at Parliament after the car drove into the gate:

An emergency helicopter landed inside the grounds of Parliament:

Here was the scene on Westminster Bridge earlier Wednesday:
The US Department of Homeland Security announced the ban, which applies to nonstop flights originating from 10 airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, on Monday evening. Passengers will have to place all electronic items larger than a cellphone in their checked luggage so the devices cannot be accessed in-flight.

"Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items," a senior administration official said on a call with members of the media.

Ban ignores the realities of terrorist behavior

David C. Gomez, a retired FBI counterterrorism executive and senior fellow at George Washington University's Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, said on Twitter that the ban "ignores the realities of terrorist behavior" because passengers could simply "fly to London, Paris, Amsterdam and switch carriers" to reach the US.

"If truly a threat, why allow devices to be stowed in luggage and then placed in cargo hold?" Gomez asked. "That seems counterproductive."

Andrew Lebovich, a North Africa expert and visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, made a similar point, asking, "Does the administration think terrorists can't take flights on American carriers?"

"Perhaps there's an unknown or secret logic," Lebovich said. "But as presented and reported, this electronics ban makes absolutely no sense."

Lebovich also said the ban was "going to make a number of countries/people whose support we need in various ways very, very unhappy." The US partners to fight terrorism with some of the countries included in the ban.

Paul Cruickshank, the editor-in-chief of the Combating Terrorism Center Sentinel at West Point, said it was "unlikely" that terrorists could get laptop bombs past state-of-the-art detection systems. He pointed to an article published in the CTC Sentinel last year that said "layered state-of-the-art detection systems that are now in place at most airports in the developed world make it very hard for terrorists to sneak bombs onto planes."

Still, the article noted that the "largest vulnerability facing the global aviation sector today" comes from the fact that "many airports in the developing world ... lag in deploying state-of-the-art machines, rigorous training, and best practices" and that terrorist groups could "recruit airport insiders in both the developed and developing worlds who either are likely to receive less scrutiny from fellow airport staff at security checkpoints than passengers or can evade screening altogether."

But Cruickshank said that if a bomb could escape detection in carry-on luggage, it could escape detection in checked luggage as well.

"Trump admin yet to explain why laptops will be allowed in hold but not cabin in new ban," he said. "Same explosive detection tech used for both."

Cruickshank said this suggested that the concern was over devices that manually detonate, though timer devices contained in luggage in an airplane hold could pose a threat as well.

Some speculated that the ban could have underlying effects on business. Tom Pepinsky, a political-science professor at Cornell who focuses on the political economy, said long-haul Middle Eastern airlines that would be affected by the ban, like Emirates and Etihad, were "of course the main threat" to legacy carriers' international business travel.

No new technological breakthroughs make this threat any more serious today

Tech experts also questioned the wisdom of the ban.

Bruce Schneier, a security technologist, told The Guardian that the ban was an "onerous travel restriction."

"From a technological perspective, nothing has changed between the last dozen years and today," he said. "That is, there are no new technological breakthroughs that make this threat any more serious today. And there is certainly nothing technological that would limit this newfound threat to a handful of Middle Eastern airlines."

Nicholas Weaver, a researcher at the International Computer Science Institute at the University of California at Berkeley, also expressed skepticism.

"It's weird, because it doesn't match a conventional threat model," he told The Guardian. "If you assume the attacker is interested in turning a laptop into a bomb, it would work just as well in the cargo hold. If you're worried about hacking, a cellphone is a computer."

Implications on airline business

Business travelers coming from other destinations in the Middle East and Asia and connecting through major hubs like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to get to the US might now want to switch their routes, experts said, which could affect Middle Eastern airlines' business.

"For nearly any int'l destination without direct flights from US (think Jakarta, Nairobi, Islamabad)," these Middle Eastern airlines "are almost always better," Pepinsky said.

The airlines are faster, cheaper, and have much nicer service, Pepinsky said. But he added that "there is no way a traveler will check a laptop on such flights, esp. business travelers."

"This is a major blow to long haul ME airlines' business model, which is obviously not about flying people to Abu Dhabi or Doha," he said.

About 50 flights a day will be affected by the ban.

Ban both necessary and proportional to threat

The Department of Homeland Security cited the attempted downing of Daallo Airlines Flight 159 in February of last year in which a terrorist managed to sneak a "sophisticated laptop bomb" past X-ray scanners in Somalia as an example of the threat the directive is attempting to counteract.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, released a statement Tuesday expressing support for the ban, citing recent intelligence.

"As ranking member on the Intelligence Committee, I am continually briefed on the changing threat climate and the most recent intelligence on how our enemies may attack us and our friends and allies," Schiff said in the statement. "Over the weekend, I received an additional briefing by the Department of Homeland Security, and I fully support the new security precautions implemented by the Department over the weekend."

He continued: "These steps are both necessary and proportional to the threat."

Schiff added that terrorists were trying to use "creative ways to try and outsmart detection methods."

Trump administration officials have acknowledged, however, that the new measures aren't based on any specific or credible threat of imminent attack, according to The New York Times. But there are concerns about gaps in foreign airport security.

Part of this concern is based on "insider threats" at airports  the CTC Sentinel cited the example of the MetroJet flight in Egypt, onto which a mechanic is thought to have smuggled a bomb. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for destroying the aircraft.

Thomas Joscelyn, a terrorism expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, said Al Qaeda had "been experimenting with sophisticated explosives that can be brought on planes, avoiding X-ray detection, for some time."
Asked at the White House if he felt vindicated, Trump said: "I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found. I somewhat do."

Nunes, a California Republican, said during a brief press conference that the collection occurred on "numerous occasions" and was not related to the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in last year's presidential election.

"Details about US persons associated with the incoming administration, details with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value, were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting," Nunes said.

But in a later press conference outside the White House, where he had briefed the president on his findings, Nunes did not stand by Trump's claim that President Barack Obama wiretapped phones at Trump Tower  an accusation he has stuck by without providing evidence.

"No, no, no, no," Nunes said. "That did not happen. I've said this for many, many weeks, including the day after, a couple days after, in front of the press. That never happened."

However, he said he could not be sure whether Obama had ordered any surveillance of Trump during the transition period between November and January. He also said he had "no idea" whether the collection of information about the transition team was intentional spying on behalf of the government.

"We won't know that until we get to the bottom of did people ask for the unmasking of additional names in President Trump's transition team," he said.

In his earlier press conference, Nunes told reporters he believed the information was collected legally under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He said he did not know if the surveillance consisted of phone calls, but that the intelligence reports he had seen "clearly show" Trump and his team were "monitored." He added that the White House was unaware of the information he was providing to the media.

Nunes, who was a member of Trump's transition team himself, is leading the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russia's effort to manipulate the 2016 US presidential election.

During a hearing on Monday, FBI Director James Comey told the committee that the bureau had been investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government since late July. Comey also said the Department of Justice could provide no evidence to back up Trump's explosive claim that Obama wiretapped him.

In his press conference outside the White House, Nunes was asked whether it was inappropriate to brief the president on information that could be related to an ongoing investigation into members of his administration and campaign team.

Nunes said he did not believe so.

"Because what I saw had nothing to do with Russia and nothing to do with the Russian investigation," Nunes said. "It has everything to do with possible surveillance activities, and the president needs to know these intelligence reports are out there, and I have a duty to tell him that."

Nunes did not answer a question about whether he was trying to give the president "political cover" for the unproven wiretapping claim by making his revelations public.

Nunes said he and Trump discussed the concerns "that I had with incidental collection and how it relates to his transition team." Nunes said he hoped to have more information on the subject by Friday.

"I'm not drawing any conclusion," Nunes said. "I'm just telling the president what exists in the intelligence reports.

"What I've read seems to me to be some level of surveillance activity, perhaps legal, but I don't know that it's right," he added. "But let us get all the reports. ... I think the president is concerned, and he should be. I think he'd like to see these reports."

Evan McMullin, a former CIA operative who ran an independent presidential campaign in 2016, said that with Nunes saying the communications were "incidentally collected," the real question was "Who was Trump talking to?"

"If what Devin Nunes says is true, Trump was communicating with persons of intelligence or criminal interest," he tweeted. "This is Devin Nunes doing President Trump and Congressional Republicans a favor by muddying the waters on the Trump/Russia investigation."
In the two months since he took office, though, Trump's Cuba policy  to the extent that it exists  has been far from clear, especially because of Trump's past vacillations on the issue.

A New York Times report about wrangling on Capitol Hill over the Republican healthcare bill indicates that at least one Florida Republican sees the debate as a way to gauge Trump's stance on Cuba.

According to The Times:

still reviewing the recent changes to the bill and continues to negotiate with House Leadership about multiple aspects of the bill, including how the legislation handles older, low income constituents."

While Trump's feelings on Cuba remain unclear, the people who ushered his administration into office are decidedly against the island nation and its isolated Communist regime.

Trump's transition team reportedly ceded the staffing of government positions dealing with Latin America to Cuban-American legislators.
The conservative-leaning editorial board pointed to Trump's ongoing, now-debunked claim that domestic and international entities colluded with the Obama administration to spy on Trump's campaign during the 2016 election.

Trump and his staffers have not backed away from the false allegation, despite having been rebuked publicly by FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Mike Rogers during congressional testimony on Monday.

The Journal painted a stark image of Trump's refusal to back down: "Yet the President clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, rolling out his press spokesman to make more dubious claims."

An example of that came last week when White House press secretary Sean Spicer cited commentary from a now-suspended Fox News commentator, who claimed that US intelligence sources told him that the Obama administration recruited Britain's Global Communications Headquarters for the nonexistent Trump wiretapping operation.

All parties mentioned by the Trump White House in its attempts to establish Trump's wiretapping claims have categorically denied the allegations.

Still, Trump and his White House have persisted, and The Journal wrote that the gravity of Trump's headstrong motivations carry potentially devastating consequences.
She was speaking at a send-off reception held to show gratitude for the works done by Dr Omane Boamah and his team when the NDC was in power.

This is just to appreciate Dr Omane Boamah and those who worked with him to bring the Ministry of Communications and its agencies up to this level to hand the baton over to us, to also do what we can do, she said.

We need to look beyond politics. We've done that and we have hurt ourselves a lot. But in this Ministry, let's set the standard and let people see that yes we can think together, we can work together, we can share ideas and we can do things which can move the nation in the direction that we all want, she added.

Dr Omane Boamah on his part expressed his gratitude to Mrs Owusu Ekuful for organising a time for interactions between the new and old team on the Ministry. He said this showed that the transition was a success and without hitches.

He assured the new team that he and his team will be available to assist them in any way possible if they are called upon because, at the end of the day, we are in the same boat, the boat called Ghana. If this boat sinks, no one is going to be saved. God forbid."

And that is paramount. That is the overriding reason and purpose for which we all engage in the enterprise called politics.

He urged Mrs Owusu Ekuful and her team to take a critical look at some major concerns of the ministry which include the Government's share in Vodafone and Airtel; which he described as very tricky decisions to make.

Those present at the event include George Andah and Vincent Sowah Odotei, both Communications Deputy Ministers designate. The event was attended by both current and former heads of agencies under the Ministry.

Former Deputy Minister of Communications Edward Ato Sarpong, former Chairman, National Information and Technology Agency (NITA) Professor Nii Narku Quaynor, and former Director General, NITA Georta Atta-Boateng.
The program which is ranked second in the United States of America accepts only two to five residents.

Despite its 30 years of existence, it has never accepted a black woman as a resident even though it has accepted some black men.

READ ALSO: Government abandons scholarship students in China

Notable among its alumni is Dr Ben Carson of Gifted Hands fame. He is now the United States secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

In a statement issued by Abu-Bonsrah, she said "I am very much interested in providing medical care in underserved settings, specifically surgical care. I hope to be able to go back to Ghana over the course of my career to help in building sustainable surgical infrastructure."

READ ALSO: Presec wins 2017 robotics championship

"I want to be remembered for serving my community, whether it is through providing quality surgical care or helping mentor the next generation of surgeons. Unique thing: Everything is special about the match. It will be a dream come true," she said.

For her what makes it even better news is that her husband Kwabena Yamoah was also accepted to a Johns Hopkins residency program.
Azeez, 26 and Jablet, 22, whose addresses were not given, are facing a charge of attempt to kidnap.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 7, at No. 10, Obiajunwa St., Okumula Ilasamaja, Lagos State.

He said that the accused, who worked in a sachet water factory, conspired to kidnap a daughter of their employer.

A security guard at the factory heard their plans and informed their employer, who reported the matter to the police.

The accused were apprehended when they were about to carry out the plan,  he said.

The offence contravened Section 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Otitoju, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and both sureties should be gainfully employed.

Otitoju said the sureties should own landed property in Lagos State and they should show evidence of tax payment to the state government.
They were, however, released on N300,000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

The accused  Kareem Jimoh:32; Blessing Adeyeye: 23; Jamie Yusuf: 27; Roselen Owunume: 50; and Mutairu Olugbade, 34,  are standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, housebreaking, receiving stolen properties and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Roman Unuigbe told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences on Jan. 9 and Jan. 14 at No. 6, Davies St., Lagos Island.

According to Unuigbe, the first, second and third accused broke into the shops of the complainants  Song Guohu, Ngozi Ezeh and Lydia Ying  and stole 495 cartons of shoes worth N37.6 million.

He said the fourth and fifth accused, knowing full well that the items were stolen, received seven cartons of the 495 cartons of shoes estimated at N445,200.

The accused were apprehended while waiting for the arrival of receivers of their stolen items following a tip-off, he said.

The offences contravened Sections 287 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, who gave the ruling, said the sureties must be a landlord in Lagos and a blood relation of the accused as well as produce their up-to-date bank statements.
The couple, Dorcas Alimi and Akeem Alimi, residents of Jos, whose marriage on Sept. 7, 2013, told the court, via a document containing terms of out-of-court settlement, that their union had collapsed beyond redemption.

We can no more accommodate each other; we want this marriage dissolved, the couple told the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wife, Dorcas, had dragged her husband before Justice Christine Dabup, of High Court 8, on Oct. 7, 2016, seeking a dissolution of the marriage.

She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

When the case came up for hearing on Dec. 13, 2016 the counsel to the wife, Mr Sunday Lekshak, and that of the husband, Fwangshak Pwul, asked for time to explore the possibility of out-of-court settlement, which was granted.

On their return on Tuesday, the respondents counsel, Pwul, told the court that they were able to settle the matter out-of-court, via terms that both parties had consented to.

My Lord, we have been able to settle the couple out-of-court; we have with us the terms of the settlement, which we wish to present to the court for consideration.

The terms of settlement, dated March 13, 2017 were filed before this court on March 14, 2017 and I hereby call the attention of your Lordship to it.

The parties have amicably agreed to part because they have both agreed that that they cannot stay together any longer.

The two of them have also agreed that the marriage is beyond redemption, he said.

Lekshak, in response, consented to Pwuls statement and also asked the court to look at the terms of settlement and give its judgement.

Justice Dabup, in her judgement, declared the marriage dissolved based on the terms of agreement reached by the couple.

According to the terms of settlement before this court, it is clear that the marriage is broken as posited by the couple.

I hereby declare the marriage dissolved,  the judge ruled.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Michael Adeyemo (APC/Ibarapa-East), gave the directive at the plenary on Tuesday.

Mr Isaac Ishola, the Commissioner in charge of the ministry and his counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, had appeared before the House.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House had on Feb. 16, summoned the two commissioners over incessant noise pollution in the state.

Those guilty of such must be duly prosecuted and jailed; this should not be taken with levity.

How will they perform their jobs effectively, if they cannot enjoy the protection of the state, he said.

Adeyemo said that since all avenues of dialogue and sensitisation had been explored but failed, the ministry should implement the laws by sanctioning and closing down any erring place of worship.

 If you have invited a church since January, 2016 and it refused to honour the invitation and another one signed an undertaking since February, 2016 and has not complied, then seal them.

If some are complying and others are not, you are giving room for impunity, the speaker said.

Ishola had earlier told the lawmakers at the plenary that Churches and Mosques contributed 70 per cent of noise pollution within Ibadan metropolis.

He said that noise from the social gatherings only accounted for 10 per cent.

The telecommunications companies are not left out; they contribute about 10 per cent, while vehicular noise and generator noise constitute three and five per cent respectively, he said.

Ishola said that in spite of the stakeholders meetings with various representatives, the menace of noise pollution still persisted in the area.

According to him, the ministrys officials that go out to enforce the Environmental Laws are either attacked physically or verbally threatened.

Ishola said the defaulters that were invited to the ministry failed to honour the invitation.
Muhammed, a resident of Shonola Street, Agege, Lagos, is standing trial for allegedly threatening violence, impersonation and forgery.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clement Okuoimose, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 11 at Oluwaga, Ipaja, Lagos.

He said that the defendant paraded himself as an Air Force officer by wearing a full camouflage and also armed himself with a dagger in a public, threatening to stab one Mr Oni Balogun.

The defendant wore an air force uniform and was also in possession of a dagger, which he used to threaten a member of the public.

The defendant drove roughly with his motorcycle and he was challenged by Balogun.

The defendant alighted from the bike and brought out a jack knife with the aim of stabbing Balogun.

He was arrested and a signal was sent to Nigeria Air Force Base in Ikeja with his Identity card for sanctioning.

It was discovered that the name of the defendant could not be found as a member of the Nigeria Air Force and that his ID card was fake.

When he was questioned by the police, he confessed to have bought the camouflage at Kantagora Market, Abule-Egba, Lagos, the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offences contravene sections 51, 77, 361(1)(b), 363(2b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 363(2b) prescribes 14 years jail term for forgery, while section 77 prescribes three years imprisonment for impersonating as member of armed forces or police.

The defendant pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000, with two sureties in like sum.
What happened?

In quick succession at around 2:40 pm (1440 GMT) on Wednesday, media reported gunfire outside the parliament and, separately, that several people had been injured in an incident on Westminster Bridge next to it, a busy traffic conduit that is also a popular tourist spot due to its views of parliament and its "Big Ben" clock tower.

David Lidington, a government minister who is the leader of the lower House of Commons, told the chamber that a police officer had been stabbed on the parliamentary estate and that armed police had shot the alleged attacker in response, adding that there had been "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity".

Unconfirmed media reports said the attacker mowed people down on the bridge in a car before veering towards the parliament building and ramming the railings surrounding the grounds. He got out and attacked the police officer before he was shot.

Reports said the attacker was carrying a large knife.

One woman was killed, according to medics cited by local media, and several suffered "catastrophic" injuries.

How did authorities respond?

Parliament was put on lockdown, with lawmakers and staff ordered to remain inside.

Downing Street said Prime Minister Theresa May was safe, and she was seen getting into a car and being driven away from the parliament where she had been holding her weekly question-and-answer session a couple of hours earlier.

Television pictures showed a red air ambulance landing on the grass square opposite the parliament building and other emergency vehicles swarming nearby roads.

Westminster Bridge and the Westminster Underground station which serves parliament and the surrounding political district, were closed off.

What is known about the attacker?

For the moment, very little. Witness reports, which could not be immediately confirmed, described a middle-aged man of Asian appearance who was carrying a large knife.

Has anything like this happened in London before?

London's transport system was hit by four co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks in July 2005 that left 52 people dead, carried out by British attackers inspired by Al-Qaeda terror network. There was an attempted second wave of attacks two weeks later.

In 2013, two Islamic extremists killed soldier Lee Rigby on a London street by hitting him with a car before attempting to behead him.

Last August, a paranoid schizophrenic knifeman who tried to behead a commuter in a London Underground station in an Islamic State-inspired attack was sentenced to life behind bars.

In terms of attacks on parliament, Airey Neave -- the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary and a close friend of Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher -- was killed by an Irish National Liberation Army car bomb in the House of Commons car park.
This is because Madam Akua Donkor said she has intentions to establish a home to cater for abandoned kids in the country.

She, therefore, said such mothers should bring their babies to her home instead of abandoning them at unhealthy places such as dumpsites.

If you are pregnant and dont want the baby please walk to my place, give birth and leave the baby there I will take care of them, she added.

Speaking to journalists after giving evidence in a robbery case in Accra she added that the home will be located at Adieso in the Eastern Region.

She said mothers who are caught throwing their babies away must be killed when caught because it is criminal.

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.
READ ALSO: This Ghanaian is the first black female neurosurgeon resident at John Hopkins

Recalling her ordeal, Harriet's mother, Mrs. Mercy San-Koffie revealed that, they sought help from everywhere but to no avail until Mrs. Akufo-Addo came to their help to save their daughter's life.

Madam Mercy asked for Gods blessings upon the First lady and prayed she continues to help the needy in the society.
The police trainees, who have been granted police bail, are said to have either altered results on their certificates or changed the names on the certificates.

Out of the number, 22 trainees were dismissed from the Puwalugu Police Training School in the Upper East Region, 10 from the Kumasi Police Training School in the Ashanti Region, five from the Police Training School in the Greater Accra Region, two from the Police Training School in Koforidua, Eastern Region, while two were from the Ho Police Training School in the Volta Region.

Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said the process of checking the backgrounds of recruits would continue.

He said the dismissal of the recruits was part of background investigation being undertaken by the Police Administration.

READ MORE: Police administration sacks 105 officers

"We are still doing background checks on the recruits that we have in our training schools and anytime we stumble on any fact that will make someone unsuitable to be a police officer, we will expel the person," he said.
According to him, setting up such an authority will help to build economies that are self-reliant, have the capacity to compete and generate prosperity for our people.

Weve taken the decision that come what may, we are going to bring those resources to play. An integrated bauxite-aluminum development authority is going to be established in the next three months in Ghana which is going to have a task of mobilizing the relevant resources to be able now to have an integrated aluminum industry in Ghana right from the exploitation of the raw bauxite up to the production of the aluminum products, Nana Addo said while delivering a speech at the 5th Africa CEO Forum in Geneva on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Assembly Numo Blafo III.

The structures include those along the Odaw River, Korle Lagoon, Old Fadama, the East Legon Green Belt, Mensah Guinea, Railway Station (around circle VIP Terminal), the stretch from Avenor to the Sikkens Bridge, Agbogloshie ,Glefe and Chemunaa where structures were removed last year and left fallow to enhance the ongoing dredging project to remove them immediately.

READ ALSO: Nana Addo names four Metropolitan Chief Executives

Furthermore, hawkers who have turned footbridges and the underpass of overhead bridges into trading points are to stop these activities now. All those who are selling on pavements and roads in the Metropolis are being reminded that their activities are contrary to AMA Street Hawking bye-laws 2011. While those hawking in the middle of the road are breaking the above-mentioned bye-laws as well as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2008(Act 761) Section 29(2) the statement added.

This is not the first time the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is taking such steps to demolish unauthorised structures within its jurisdiction.

READ ALSO: Open Defecation still ongoing in Greater Accra

Those who live in such structures usually return to put up the unauthorised structure again. These structures are usually made from wood.

Below is the full AMA statement:

PRESS RELEASE

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) wishes to remind the general public especially all those who are putting up structures on government reserved lands such as along the Odaw River, Korle Lagoon, Old Fadama, the East Legon Green Belt, Mensah Guinea, Railway Station (around circle VIP Terminal), the stretch from Avenor to the Sikkens Bridge, Agbogloshie ,Glefe and Chemunaa where structures were removed last year and left fallow to enhance the ongoing dredging project to remove them immediately.

Furthermore, hawkers who have turned footbridges and the under-pass of over-head bridges into trading points are to stop these activities now. All those who are selling on pavements and roads in the Metropolis are being reminded that their activities are contrary to AMA Street Hawking bye-laws 2011. While those hawking in the middle of the road are breaking the above mentioned bye-laws as well as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2008(Act 761) Section 29(2).

All are again being reminded that it is an offence to dispose of refuse, especially e-waste in water ways.

In addition, the unauthorized parking of vehicles on pavements and roads especially by mechanical shops and car garage owners are to desist from such practices and remove all vehicles either on repairs or abandoned from the shoulders of roads. AMA officials will clamp and tow such vehicles and surcharge the offenders for the cost of removal.

Finally, removal of such structures shall commence from WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2017 and they should know that constructing without permit is an offence punishable by law.

NUMO BLAFO III
He said Mahama if re-elected to lead the party into the 2020 elections will be a mess than he did in the 2016 elections.

Supporters of the NDC have called on former president Mahama to consider running for the 2020 elections.

Speaking on Accra-based Kasapa FM, he said "He [Mahama] could be the best material but is he the only person in NDC who could be the best material?... Yes of course! havent you seen Spio Garbrah is going round? didnt you hear that Namaole claims that hes also contesting? so there are people coming seriously."

The lawmaker added that "I dont know whether he may come back or not. He hasnt told me and Ive not discussed that with him. But Im only saying that for now he should hold on."

However, he noted that indiscipline and arrogance of power caused the defeat of the NDC of winning power in the 2016 general elections.

Joseph Bipoba Naabu blamed the partys defeat in the December polls because of the arrogance of some Ministers who were appointed by former President John Mahama.
The Member of Parliament for Yunyoo constituency in the Northern region, Joseph Bipoba Naabu blamed the partys defeat in the December polls because of the arrogance of some Ministers who were appointed by former President John Mahama.

According to him, former President Mahama appointed young boys as ministers of State to help him run the economy knowing very well that they had no experience in politics.

The lawmaker said Mahamas inability to command his ministers reduced the chances of the party.

He said "The arrogance of most of the ministers was very serious and it affected us in the elections. I dont want to mention names. I know a minister told a former MP that that MP was not qualified to be a minister. That was why he was not made a minister, and he was qualified that was why he was made a minister, which was not good."

READ ALSO: Nana Addo accused of weakening Parliament

Speaking to the media in Parliament, he said the defeat of the 2016 election as a result of the arrogant posture of the former Mahamas appointees.

The lawmaker added that "You can see that we lost the Vice-Presidents constituency and that of President Mills constituency. That of the Minister for Education, Prof Nana Jane Opoku we lost her constituency as well. General Mosquito we lost, Mark Woyongo we lost, Baba Jama we lost, because of arrogance.
According to the group, the role of Mr Adams must remain neutral as possible till a new flagbearer of the party is elected at congress.

The remarks comes at the back of comments made by Kofi Adams that former President John Mahama is the best to lead the party in election 2020.

Kofi Adams said "I will be really happy if he puts himself up for re-election but that decision will totally depend on him."

In a statement signed by its convener Nii Eric Lamptey, he said "As the national organizer, we expect him to lead the crusade of the rebuilding towards a more formidable NDC prepared for battle come 2020 and not to act as the spokes person for the Mahama or the campaign coordinator he was for the 2016 elections that failed to win back power."

"It is on record that, the party has a 13-man committee led by Professor Kwasi Botwey, with a mandate to determine and report same, as to the reasons for the landslide defeat of the party in the last elections. With the committees work in progress, it is unclear why the haste by Mr. Kofi Adams to move from one media house to the other, trying to force a candidate on the NDC.

"We wish to put on record that, his position on the fact that Mr. John Dramani Mahama is the best candidate for the NDC in 2020, is not only premature but divisive. As a national organizer of our party, we wish to remind him of his role as a leader and must remain as neutral as possible till the party elects a new leader at congress, at a later date to be determined by the same body of which he is part.

"We also call on the National Chairman, his team and the National Council of Elders to issue a statement calling on Mr. Kofi Adams, as a matter of urgency, to desist from such utterances, as his current posture is a threat to the rebuilding process and a strong NDC for 2020," he added.

He said Kofi Adams should concentrate on his mandate as the national organiser of the party and not to allow the media to use him to foil the progress of the party.

However, Member of Parliament for Yunyoo constituency, Joseph Bipoba Naabu said Mahama is not the only presidential material and therefore should be replaced.
There's no obvious trigger for the drop, but trading in bitcoin has been extremely volatile lately as traders parse through a large amount of headline risk.

On March 10, when the price peaked, sellers slammed bitcoin below the $1,000 level after the US Securities and Exchange Commission rejected the Winklevoss' twins plans for a bitcoin ETF.

The SEC said it was "

Bitcoin quickly recovered those losses, but plunged just four days later after The Wall Street Journal reported that developers were threatening to set up a "hard fork," or alternative marketplace for bitcoin.

The new platform would be incompatible with the current platform, thus creating a split and two versions of the currency. That news sent bitcoin crashing 20% over the weekend to about $950 a coin, its weakest since January.

And thats not all

For most of 2017 a Chinese crackdown on trading has been in the news. With nearly 100% of all transactions coming from Chinese exchanges, Beijing announced it was cracking down on the cryptocurrency. That caused China's three biggest exchanges to first implement a 0.2% transaction fee on all trades before eventually blocking customers from withdrawing their bitcoin.

Chinese regulators have not yet allowed withdrawals to continue. On Tuesday, China's biggest bitcoin exchanges announced they would start asking customers for proof of fund sources and withdrawal destinations. While that might be one of the final steps before allowing withdrawals to continue, it shows further evidence of China looking to reign in the market.
A fierce battle over healthcare reform within the Republican Party is causing Wall Street to sharply reassess its optimism about President Donald Trump's economic policy agenda, as evidenced by the sharpest sell-off in stocks this year.

In related news, bank lobbyists who opened the Trump era with great expectations for sweeping regulatory reform are privately striking an increasingly dismal tone.

Sears just made an ominous prediction about its future  and now the stock is tanking.

Here's what the CEO of Deloitte told her 15-year-old son when he asked if robots will take away his job someday.

CREDIT SUISSE: Here are the "danger signals" we're watching that'll tell us when stocks have put in a top - The global equity strategy team at Credit Suisse thinks the bull market in stocks is not yet over. But that's not stopping them from contemplating what the end would look like.

The US head at one of the top trading firms in the world explains what's going on in the stock market - The US stock market is barely moving.

American Airlines is reportedly investing $200 million in China's largest airline - American Airlines might be spending some serious cash in China.

Nike sinks after missing estimates on an important gauge of future sales - Nike shares fell 6% early on Wednesday after the company reported quarterly profits that topped the most bullish forecast on Wall Street but sales that slightly missed expectations.
Though Trump has been president for more than two months, he has begun campaigning for the 2020 election in a way. His rallies are funded by his 2020 campaign, which collects donations and sells merchandise at them.

Klepper hit a Trump rally in Nashville, Tennessee, last week and spoke to Trump's supporters. The first order of business was finding out why Trump was holding campaign rallies at all.

"This is still happening. Why is this still happening?" Klepper asked one attendee. "He's running for president while he's president without doing presidential s---."

"Don't say that," the man replied. "He's done a lot of presidential s---."

"It feels like old times," said another supporter. "It feels like we're on the campaign trail."

Bitter sentiments from the presidential campaign reemerged. Klepper found attendees in T-shirts with apparent references to Hillary Clinton as "that b----." And when he asked supporters which issues they cared about, he found that people were still focused on locking up Democrats, including Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

When asked what Obama should be "locked up" for, one woman said, "sedition and treason."
Exxon is under investigation by New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman for allegedly misleading shareholders and investors about risk-management issues related to climate change.

Tillerson used the Wayne Tracker alias to communicate with Exxon officials about "risk-management issues related to climate change." Tillerson  whose middle name is Wayne  allegedly used the alias for a period of seven years, between 2008 and 2015, according to Schneiderman's office.

Attorneys for Exxon wrote a letter to the court on Tuesday  highlighted by Buzzfeed's Mike Hayes  describing how the emails were lost. Assistant State Attorney General John Oleske called the letter a "bombshell," in a court hearing on Wednesday, alleging that Exxon failed to comply with the original subpoena in 2016.

The letter describes how Tillerson's "Wayne Tracker" emails were exempted from a "file sweep" that protects personal emails on Exxon's server from automatic deletion. The emails, ranging from September 5, 2014 to September 16, 2015, were classified by Exxon's system as non-personal, and were wiped.

A secondary search, with broader terms, turned up some of the missing "Wayne Tracker" emails, though none from September 5, 2014 to November 28, 2014.

"Tillerson was the only custodian who used a secondary account, and ExxonMobil is aware of no email account, other than the Wayne Tracker account, for which this issue has arisen," the letter reads.

In the Wednesday court hearing, Exxon was ordered by Justice Barry Ostrager to produce all relevant management documents by March 31.

Exxon was further ordered by the court to produce sworn affidavits by April 10 regarding everything the company's lawyers have done to produce the management documents, as well as all the information they know about what was lost. They must also swear that they have produced everything owed to the attorney general's office under the original subpoena.

"16 months after our initial subpoena, Exxon was ordered by the court to finally produce all documents from its management committee, and to provide clear answers to the AGs office about any documents  including those from alias accounts  that were lost,"Amy Spitalnick, the press secretary for the New York attorney general, told Business Insider.

Exxon was ordered to meet with the attorney general's office to figure out what can be done to recover the lost emails.
In a brief press conference, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California said the collection occurred on "numerous occasions" and was unrelated to the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

"Details about US persons associated with the incoming administration, details with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value, were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting," Nunes said.

"I have confirmed that additional names of Trump transition team members were unmasked," he added. "Finally, I want to be clear: None of this surveillance was related to Russia or the investigation of Russian activities or of the Trump team."

Nunes told reporters he believed the information was collected legally under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He said he did not know if the surveillance consisted of phone calls, but that the intelligence reports he's seen "clearly show" Trump and his team were "monitored."

Nunes said the White House was unaware of the information he was providing to the media and that he would meet with administration officials later on Wednesday to discuss the matter. He said he had briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan on what he revealed.

"I'm actually alarmed by it," Nunes said, later adding that he could not confirm whether the collection meant Trump was "spied on."

Nunes, who was a member of the Trump transition team himself, is leading the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russia's efforts to manipulate the election.
But for all his deeds and bluster, Escobar was just one member of a clan of traffickers who helped create the Medellin cartel.

And in terms of narco eccentricities, one Medellin capo stands out: Carlos Lehder Rivas.

Born to a German father and Colombian mother in Armenia, a district in west-central Colombia, in 1949, Lehder spent most of his childhood in Colombia.

But after his parents separated, he relocated to New York City when he was 15, Colombian newspaper El Espectador reported in 2012.

In the US, he got involved in petty crime, working on the US East Coast and in Canada leading a stolen-car ring and moving marijuana He got picked up for car theft in June 1973 and was sent to federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut. His brief stint in jail would forever alter the US and the world.

George Jung, the now famous drug smuggler and subject of the movie "Blow," was Lehder's cell mate and described the Colombian-American as well mannered and well dressed. As Jung told PBS, even while locked up for minor crimes, Lehder had his mind on a more ambitious criminal enterprise:

"It was like destiny" that Jung and Lehder ended up together at Danbury, Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration, told Business Insider.

Jung and Lehder were released in the late 1970s, but they soon hooked up again, setting up an airborne-smuggling operation that moved cocaine from Colombia to the southeastern US.

As their operation expanded in the late '70s and early '80s, Lehder grew closer to the capos back in Medellin, and in the Caribbean, they looked for a way station for their bustling trafficking business.

He knew that Pablo Escobar had turned him in

Vigil, a DEA official at the time, traveled to Marion to meet Lehder upon his return to the US:

"But we were not going to take a chance on him going back to Colombia and getting into the wind again," Vigil said. "But he definitely, definitely wanted to do Pablo Escobar."
Mexico

Suspicions of such complicity have been heightened by the government's seeming inability or unwillingness to mount investigations into mass graves and clandestine burial sites.

A September report from news site Animal Politico found that, over the previous four years, federal police had uncovered only six hidden graves in Veracruz, which has the second-highest number of disappeared people in Mexico, behind Tamaulipas.

Between April and August 2016, however, citizen groups found 90 of them.

One of those citizen groups, Colectivo El Solecito, or Little Sun Collective  formed by mothers of disappeared people  led the effort to unearth the 250 skulls found in Colinas de Sante Fe.

The Mexican government has registered just 13 federal convictions for enforced disappearance. In 22 of the 27 Mexican states with the crime of enforced disappearance, there only been 95 investigations, four indictments, and no convictions.

One of the most prominent cases of forced disappearance was the kidnapping and suspected killing of 43 student-teachers in Guerrero in September 2014.

Local police, military stationed in the area, and the state's then governor have been accused of complicity in the crime, and the government's "historical truth" that the students' bodies were incinerated at a nearby garbage dump have been disputed by scientific analysis.
The test came one day after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the Independent Journal Review: "The threat of North Korea is imminent. And it has reached a level that we are very concerned about the consequences of North Korea being allowed to continue on this progress it's been making on the development of both weapons and delivery systems."

Nuclear-proliferation experts have told Business Insider that North Korea's eventual goal for its weapons program is to create an ICBM with a thermonuclear warhead that can reach the US mainland.

North Korea does not yet have that capability, and likely won't for years, but its latest high-profile tests show steady progress in that direction.

Omar Lamrani, a senior military analyst at Stratfor, told Business Insider that the world would change if North Korea achieved its goal of building a weapon that could threaten Americans on US soil.

"North Korea has been perceived in the past as engaging in a nuclear-weapons program as a way to trade for concessions from the US and South Korea," Lamrani said. "But that paradigm doesn't hold anymore  North Korea decided to invest in a nuclear-missile program not to trade it away, but as the ultimate security guarantee and the ultimate deterrent against outside attacks."

As it stands, the US and its allies would face a tremendously difficult task in disabling the North Korean nuclear-weapons program, as hundreds of mobile missile launchers scattered across secret locations in a densely forested, mountainous peninsula would make it nightmarishly complicated to remove in one swift blow.

But Lamrani said the ability to threaten the US with not just one but a salvo of nuclear missiles would represent a loss for the US and further limit options for outsiders to influence Kim Jong Un's regime. North Korea's latest progress toward this feat has deeply troubled US officials and observers.

"North Korea has made such progress now that the US feels that it does not have time anymore," Lamrani said. He added that an ICBM in the hands of Kim would mean the US could no longer credibly threaten North Korea with nuclear force, representing a "point of no return" in multilateral relations.

But although a war with North Korea would be disastrous and potentially cost millions of lives, the window for US intervention is closing fast.

If North Korea developed credible ICBMs, as it may in coming years, the US would be left with three options, according to Lamrani:

The US currently employs the first option simply because it's the least-worst choice, but Tillerson recently said the US's "strategic patience" with North Korea had ended.

Additionally, recent reports from Arms Control Wonk and Reuters uncovered a complicated network of businesses and obfuscation that the Kim regime uses to rake in millions by selling military radios and other goods, despite sanctions.

Another Reuters report quoted North Korean officials as saying it did not fear or care about US sanctions and that it was planning a preemptive first strike, while its recent tests suggest it's closer than ever to being able to overwhelm US missile defenses.

While the US can build up all the defenses it wants, "missile defense is not a surefire way to negate the threat posed by another country's nuclear-capable ballistic missiles," Kelsey Davenport, the director of nonproliferation policy and a North Korea expert at the Arms Control Association, told Business Insider in January.

The second option would be to cave to perhaps the most brutal regime on Earth and cement the failure of decades of diplomacy.

The third option is patently unthinkable and unacceptable.

"Every single one of them is not a great option," Lamrani said.
"The president was not aware of Paul's clients from the last decade," Spicer told reporters.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Manafort was paid $10 million between 2006-2009 to lobby on behalf of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally, using a "model" that would "greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success."

Manafort's name has been connected to Deripaska's before the AP reported on their lucrative contract. The two were involved in a partnership that went south, and wound up with Deripaska accusing accusing Manafort of "disappearing" with nearly $19 million intended for investments. Deripaska filed a lawsuit against Manafort in the Cayman Islands in 2014, and was still trying to get his money back in August 2015, according to documents obtained by Politico.

When asked if Trump would have hired Manafort if he had known of his relationship with Deripaska, Spicer replied, "I don't know," adding that Manafort filed all of the appropriate paperwork that was required to work on the campaign.

Manafort, who advised Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych before he was ousted in 2014, has been at the center of a media firestorm this week. A Ukrainian member of parliament has accused Manafort of accepting nearly $1 million from Ukraine's pro-Russia Party of Regions, and then laundering it via a company that claims to sell computers. Ukrainian lawyers also want to question Manafort about what role he played, if any, in the 2014 police killings in central Kiev.

Additionally, Ukrainian prosecutors want to know if Manafort played a role in misappropriating government funds by trying to cover up a huge payment to American law firm Skadden, which was allegedly paid millions of dollars to draft a legal justification for jailing Yanukovych's predecessor. The cap on such work, by Ukrainian law, is $12,000.

Manafort has denied all of the allegations against him.
A new initiative called A Place For You aims to help alleviate that problem. The program, created by an advocacy organization called Village Coalition in partnership with students from Portland State University, will house the homeless in tiny pods in the backyards of willing homeowners.

As reported by the Associated Press, the city will pilot the project this summer with four homeless families in Multnomah County, Oregon. Approximately 200 homeowners have expressed interest in putting pods in their backyards. Those who live in the pods will pay a limited amount of rent and will receive social services the county provides to homeless families it houses.

Becca and Kelly Love, Portland residents who are considering putting a pod in their backyard, told the AP they understood the effects of rising rents in the city.

"Just because you don't have housing, it doesn't make you a bad person or more likely to be a bad tenant," Becca Love said to the AP. "In fact, you'd be a better tenant because you'd appreciate it. We've been trying to think of a way to help out in our community because we do have privilege  but we didn't know what to do."

Each 200-square-foot pod will have a unique design by Portland State University students. They'll cost $75,000 each and be financed by a combination of local government funds and private donations. The pods will be able to house one adult and two children  inside, there will be a bed (some have bunk beds), shelves, a toilet, and a desk. They'll all come with heat and full plumbing.

Residents of a Portland neighborhood called Kenton approved a similar pilot project in early March. The 96-square-foot backyard pods, created by the same students, will serve as homes for 14 homeless women.

Estimates suggest that rents in Portland were rising at an annualized rate of 14% in 2015  one of the biggest increases in the US.
This was disclosed by the Chairman, Compliance Institute, Nigeria, Pattison Boleigha in a recent chat with Pulse.

Boleigha said the organisation is committed to helping banks and other financial institutions to enhance compliance culture in the country.

Speaking at a certification workshop organised for compliance officers of banks and other financial institutions in Lagos, Boleigha said, We will continue to build professionals who will propagate compliance culture across the country, and we feel if we do that in the course of a few years, we will have the kind of people who will promote good governance in the country. Then, we can be bold to say that our country is at the state that we want it to be.

As an initial starting point, we started from our catchment areas,which are financial institutions but we actually intend to spread the compliance culture across all sectors of our environment. As time goes on, we are expecting to bring in our compliance colleagues from oil and gas, telecom, manufacturing, aviation and government that is our ultimate objective.

"But for now, we are starting with our catchment area and we believe we will make great impact in financialinstitutions. When we started from Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of banks, we already have it in our minds the kind of problems in financial institutions and so we set up this institute to address the gap in knowledge. What we are doing is to come up with Diploma and Certificate programmes to address these issues in the industry, he stated.

Boleigha further hinted that the institute is out to address the issue of right leadership in enhancing the compliance culture but stressed that it is not a regulatory body but a private effort, which ultimate intention is to apply for a charter.

If approved by the National Assembly, it will then make the institute become a national institution and by so doing, we will be able to manage the compliance professionals and set standards. We are not going to be giving sanctions, but we will ensure that sanction within the institutions are meted out from time to time, declared Boleigha

According to him, the institute plans to extend its training outside Lagos to Abuja and Port Harcourt and other areas.

On his part, the a member of the bard of trustee, Raheem Owodeyi, said the need to instil compliance culture in the citizens has become necessary and relevant, hence the berth of the institute.

Owodeyi stressed that this is the only way to address some of the problems prevalent in the country's financial and other sector.

ALSO READ: Compliance Institute board visit Nigerian Stock Exchange

He also said the compliance institute is geared towards setting, maintaining and promoting best practice standards for the compliance profession.

We need to instil the culture of compliance in the country, because that is the only way we can address some of the problems we are having today in this country such as the issue of corruption, money laundering and others, Owodeyi stated.
ALSO READ: When Eedris Abdulkareem challenged 50 Cent

He said this during an interview with Hip TV, adding that the Mavins boss had been stranded music wise, in London and only had his breakthrough after he returned to Nigeria.

Without the old artistes, the new artistes wont make money, because we fought for the life that they are living right now.

We put food on their table because of what we fought for, and we are very happy, and thats why we are legends, you understand. But if anyone of them tries to disrespect, we will put them back to where they belong.

All of them, from Don Jazzy and all of them, they lived in London, how come the British government never gave them the opportunity, they had to come to Nigeria because we made it happen, he said.

ALSO READ: Ruggedman speaks on how he ended beef with Eedris Abdulkareem

In some sense, this could be seen as true but is there more to this continuous mention of Don Jazzy's name?
The event dubbed Geeks Meet Nollywood was one of the highlights of a 3-day tour of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs on Geeks On A Plane (GOAP). The Lagos tour was facilitated by the African Technology Foundation and 500Startups, to showcase Lagos, as a vibrant technology and creative hub for Africa, with latent investment potential. The event was organized by Stephen Ozoigbo, CEO of the African Technology Foundation in partnership with Chioma Ude the founder of Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF and hosted by Kene Mkparu, the Chairman and CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas.

Oluseye Soyode-Johnson

Kene Mkparu, kicked this knowledge-sharing segment off, by sharing the successes and numbers behind IMAX and 2016s best Nollywood blockbusters, such as the Wedding Party. He also announced their new Television Viewing On Demand (TVOD) platform launching soon that will allow Nigerians to enjoy the cinema-experience on mobile. Chioma Ude asserted the important role that industry enablers such AFRIFF, play in driving content, and creating greater opportunities for creatives to collaborate and share work.
A press conference was organised on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Moorhouse house Ikoyi to officially announce Nigeria's participation in the 57th edition.

The conference kicked off with a welcome address from the project manager, Wunika Mukan after which the official announcement of the country's participation was done by a member of the steering committee, Ade Adekola.

His excellency, Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by Femi Lijadu further explained that the government has an intention to build a museum of international standards in Benin. He said this physical infrastructure will be able to bring back the intangible infrastructure and our cultural heritage.

Indigenes and foreigners will be able to visit, thereby positioning Edo state as an art and cultural pioneer in Nigeria. It is a vibrant opportunity for culture and artistic identity to through reverberate throughout the world.

Ike Chioke, a steering committee member said "To be accepted in the project, we needed an official representative of the government. To that effect, the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki accepted to be made the commissioner of the project".

He described the impact of private sector funding on the project and also added that they have been supportive so far.
Ibe Opara, the accused, whose address is unknown, had pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of dangerous driving, driving without licence and manslaughter.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, who gave the ruling at an Apapa Magistrates Court, told the accused to produce two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a landed property owner in the state.

The prosecutor, Insp. Tony Elibeh, had told the court that the accused drove recklessly and knocked down two pedestrians, Chibuike Ogbonna and Abdulazeez Mohammed, who were walking along the road.

He said that Mohammed sustained injuries while Ogbonna died instantly.

Elibeh said Opara, who drove a Ford commercial bus with Lagos registration number AGL 823 XP, committed the offences on March 5, at Agboju area on Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He said that a team of traffic management officials rushed to the scene and took Mohammed and the lifeless body of Ogbonna to the hospital.

The offences contravened Sections 19, 20 and 28 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, General Manager of LASEMA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos that the body was recovered at about 4.00 p.m. by the Marine Police.

The body was identified by some of his family members, including the driver, in the presence of the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

The body has been handed over to the family while investigation continues, Tiamiyu said.

The general manager expressed his condolences on behalf of the State Government and declared the search closed.

NAN recalls that Orji, a medical doctor, was said to have been driven to the Third Mainland Bridge by his driver on Sunday, alighted and took a fatal plunge into the lagoon.

The deceased, working at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Surulere area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, drowned before help could come.
Ibrahim, whose address is not given, is facing a count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ajaga Agboko, told court that the accused committed the offence sometime this month at No. 56, A. J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The accused indecently dealt with the 13-year-old girl by having sexual intercourse with her, he said.

Agboko said that the offence contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, denied the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Ogunbowale, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused.

The magistrate said that the sureties must be property owners and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Ogunbowale also ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison custody, pending an advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She ordered the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and send to the office of the DPP.
Iroham, who lives in Jabi, FCT, is facing trial on a two-count charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation and theft.

The Upper Area Court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, however, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kagarko also ordered the defendant to produce a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned further hearing in the matter until May 3.

The prosecutor, Mr Joshua Ayanna, had told the court that Joseph Ayuba reported the matter at Apo police station, Abuja, on March 4.

Ayanna said that on same date, the complainant went to a night club at Gaduwa Estate, opposite Oando filling station, Gudu district, FCT.

He said the complainant went to attend to a friend outside the club and when he return, the bouncer refused to allow him in, saying he must pay before entering.

The prosecutor added that Ayuba told the bouncer that he was earlier in the club but went to see a friend outside, and Iroham violently hit him in the mouth.

He noted that as a result, Ayubas lower jaw got broken and was rushed to hospitalfor medical attention.

He also said that so far, the complainant spent N75,000 in hospital as he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.

Ayanna said that while the complainant was on the ground as a result of the hitting, the bouncer searched his pocket and stole his wallet containing N12,000.

He said another item stolen by the defendant was his Itel phone valued at N12,000.
Punch reports that the Victim had visited Ado-Ekiti from his station, and was on his way back with his wife and mother when they were attacked.

An undisclosed source told Punch that the kidnappers collected the phones belonging to the wife and mother of the victim, leaving them in the Toyota Camry vehicle they had been traveling in and led Oke into the bush.

According to sources at the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) in the state, the news only reached the union's secretariat on Tuesday, March 23, 2017, after which it immediately began all efforts to retrieve the victim.

Confirming the development, the Secretary of NUT in the state, Mr. Olugbenga Ajibade, said, We also got the news on Tuesday and we learnt that his Toyota Camry car was not taken away.

His family members and all of us at the NUT are greatly worried, not just because he is a simple teacher, but also because the abductors have not contacted anyone, not even the family and his phone is switched off.

The police have been contacted and they assured that they would comb the area.

Punch also reports that the Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, has confirmed that the report has been brought to the police.

The report of the abduction has been brought to us and we have begun investigations. Action is being taken for the safe release of the kidnap victim.
An Ikeja Magistrates Court which gave the ruling, asked the accused to provide one surety in like sum as part of the bail condition.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davis Abegunde, said the surety should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Abegunde said the case file should be duplicated and a copy sent to the office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The accused, who resides at No. 14, Oniyaomabi St., Mosalashi, a Lagos suburb,had pleaded not guilty to charge of stealing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the accused committed the offence with others still at large on March 15 at about 10.50 p.m. at Kola Bus Stop, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb.

Raphael said the accused with others attacked the complainant, Mr Segun Wolu, and snatched his phone and robbed him of N500 at Kola bus stop.

The accused was apprehended by some security men while the others escaped, he said.

The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.
He expressed interest to work with the World Bank while appreciating its efforts in healthcare so far.

We are particularly appreciative of your efforts so far and we look forward to working with you to bring health to the doorstep of our people who bear witness to the benefits of your service.

You have made very serious impact on our health growth in this state and you deserve to be praised.

We are also impressed with your tactics of bonuses based on output which has worked, and can also work if we adopt it in a few other areas, he said.

Akeredolu said since inception, his administration had been crying for funds to pay salaries and gave assurance that the health sector would not suffer.

Health to me, not only because we say its wealth, is very important and we will put it in the front burner because this maternal and child health is everything, he said.

Earlier, Dr Olalekan Olubajo, team leader and National Project Coordinator, NSHIP, said they had covered the 18 local government areas.

He explained that the project, which started in 2011 in three states, Nassarawa, Adamawa and Ondo, had strengthened primary healthcare delivery using innovative approaches that rewards results.

The essence is focusing on improving maternal and child health indices and also strengthen institutions essentially the states and local governments.

What this project has achieved is to boost delivery of primary healthcare services in states which stand to gain about $500,000 while each local government stands to gain about $50,000, he said.

Also, Dr Oluwole Odutolu, World Bank team leader, and Senior Health Specialist, said the goal of the world bank was to eradicate extreme poverty achievable by 2030.
The UNICEF Chief of Communications in Abuja, Ms Doune Porter, made this known on Wednesday in a report to commemorate the 2017 World Water Day.

The report is entitled:  Thirsting for a Future: Water and Children in a Changing Climate.

According to the World Health organisation (WHO), World Water Day is held annually on March 22.

It is a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources."

Freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)."

The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day, WHO said in its online publication.

Porter said that children would be most affected as climate change worsened the ongoing water crisis.

The report looks at the threats to childrens lives and wellbeing caused by depleted sources of safe water and the ways climate change will intensify these risks in coming years."

Population growth, increased water consumption and higher demand for water largely due to industrialisation and urbanisation are draining water resources worldwide."

Conflicts in many parts of the world also threaten childrens access to safe water."

All of these factors force children to use unsafe water, which exposes them to potentially deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhoea."

Many children in drought-affected areas spend hours every day collecting water, missing out on a chance to go to school. Girls are, especially vulnerable to attack during these times."

The poorest and most vulnerable children will be most impacted by an increase in water stress, as millions of them already live in areas with low access to safe water and sanitation,  she said.

Porter said 260 million children around the world were living in areas where the risk of floods was extremely high and open defecation was widespread, threatening to contaminate water sources with human waste.

She said that no fewer than 800 children under the age of five died every day around the world from diarrhoea linked to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene.

Globally, women and girls spend 200 million hours collecting water every day,  Porter said.

Also, the UNICEF Executive Director, Anthony Lake, was quoted in the report as saying that this crisis would only grow if we do not take collective action now.

Water is elemental; without it, nothing can grow."

But around the world, millions of children lack access to safe water, endangering their lives, undermining their health and jeopardising their futures, Lake said in the report.

He said that in Nigeria, the greatest challenge was the availability of physical infrastructure to harness rainfall and ground water effectively.

Lake said that there were huge variations in rainfall between the Northern and Southern Nigeria, making it all the more important to better plan and manage water resources to minimise the impact of floods and drought.

He said that governments need to plan for changes in water availability and demand in the coming years.

Above all, it means prioritising the most vulnerable childrens access to safe water above other water needs to maximise social and health outcomes."

Climate risks should be integrated into all water and sanitation-related policies and services, and investments should target high-risk populations."

Businesses need to work with communities to prevent contamination and depletion of safe water sources."

Communities themselves should explore ways to diversify water sources and to increase their capacity to store water safely, Lake said.

He said that in a changing climate, there must be changes in the way government worked to reach those who were most vulnerable.
Ambode also said that the Ajah flyover bridge currently under construction would be completed and accessible to the public by the end of May.

Ambode said this when a delegation from Chevron Nigeria Limited led by its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Jeffrey Ewing, paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundabouts to be eliminated include the one by Chevron, Igbo-Efon and the Third roundabout.

The state government had demolished two roundabouts last December to ease traffic congestion in the axis.

The governor said that so much positive impact had been felt with the elimination of some roundabouts in the Lekki-Ajah corridor last year.

Ambode also commended the company for its contribution toward the development of the state in the last five decades.

ALSO READ: Ambode will soon ban danfo from Lagos roads

He said that he was looking forward to more partnership between the state and Chevron in the areas of education, health, infrastructure development and capacity building.

Earlier, Mr Ewing had commended Ambode for the significant improvements the state had witnessed in the areas of road and infrastructure development as well as in security.
This is because he has headed to the court to challenge the propriety of the invitation and his being investigated on the issue.

An ad hoc Committee on humanitarian crisis in the North-East investigating allegations of misappropriation of funds for rehabilitation of the region had invited the SGF to a public hearing on the issue.

The invitation was dated March 15 and it asked the SGF to appear on Thursday.

The SGF was formally invited after his indictment by the committee at the first public hearing on the matter, for which the presidency had said that he (SGF) was not given fair hearing.

In the letter to him, the committee had indicated that the essence of the second public hearing was another opportunity of fair hearing for stakeholders who refused to attend the first hearing.

But, in a letter to the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Sen. Shehu Sani, in Abuja on Wednesday, the SGF said that rather than attend the hearing, he was challenging the invitation at the court.

The letter signed by the SGF read: your letter of invitation to appear before the above committee refers.

I wish to kindly request that you draw the attention of the other members of the committee that I will not be able to appear before the committee primarily because I have gone to court to challenge the invitation among others.

Please find attached the court documents.
The agency made the disclosure via a statement released by spokesman, Tony Opuiyo.

The statement reads:

Recent operations carried out by the DSS in various parts of the country have significantly degraded capabilities of hoodlums, especially kidnappers and terrorists whose activities have continually threatened the peace.

For instance, on March 20, 2017, a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam, was arrested in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State by a Joint Military/DSS operation team. An Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect who is presently undergoing investigation.

Abdulsalam was on the final stages of kidnapping some high level targets in Ekiti, not only to raise funds but to terrorize communities in the State. Prior to this arrest, several other Boko Haram suspects had been apprehended in various parts of Northern Nigeria especially the States of Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi.

Typical cases of arrest include that of 29 year Boko Haram member, Usman Ladan Rawa (a.k.a Mr. X) on March 17, 2017 at Lafia, Nasarawa State. Rawa was discovered to have rented accommodation at Lafia for Abdullahi Isa, known for his notorious terrorist actions.

His plan was to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining States. On March 15, 2017, Nasiru Sani (a.k.a Osama) was arrested at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi. He is a Boko Haram top commander, and discovered to have escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Similarly, on the same March 13, 2017, at Jeka-da-Fari Market, Gombe State, Adamu Jibrin was arrested. He operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule and served as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders especially the one simply identified as Kanumbu. Suspect affirmed his membership of the sect.

On March 1st and 2nd, 2017, at Ngalda Town of Fika LGA, Yobe State and Nagazi area of Adavi LGA, Kogi State, Abdulazeez Umaru and Nuhu Usman a.k.a Okadigbo were respectively arrested. Umaru, who has confessed his membership of the Boko Haram sect was arrested by the Service in concert with the local vigilante. Preliminary investigations have revealed the participation of Usman in several deadly insurgent attacks in Kogi State.

While the Service has ensured a relative peaceful environment in the month of March, it is instructive to note that it recorded many successes in the month of February as can be seen from its operations during the period.

On February 2, 2017, one Suleiman Yahaya who had been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested during a raid in Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, for his role in several terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe States. Similarly, on February 7, 2017, in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State, Mohammed Isyaka (a.k.a Maikwano), was also arrested for his complicity in Boko Haram attacks in the North East.

Meanwhile, on February 9, 2017, at Ayingba, Dekina LGA of Kogi State, the trio of Uwais Abubakar, Abdullahi Umaru and Mukhtar Suleman who are Boko Haram terrorists, were arrested by the Services tactical team.

Suspects were actively involved in series of attacks on select targets in Kogi State such as the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State University and the newly constructed Kogi State Revenue House, Lokoja.

Ali Bukar and Mustapha Umar were also arrested on February 17, 2017 at Zaria Road, Kano State for their involvement in Boko Haram activities. Abdullahi Isah, an indigene of Isari LGA of Yobe State was equally arrested at the Lafia Modern Market, Lafia, Nasarawa State for gun-running to raise funds for Boko Haram operations. He was a suspected armourer of the sect.

In furtherance of sustaining its operations against Boko Haram during the month of February, the Service on February 28, arrested a Boko Haram Commander and food supplier, Ibrahim FULATA and his associates  Shamsudeen Aliyu, Zaharadeen Ibrahim and Suleiman Abubakar at Zaria Clinic, Dustsen Tanshi area of Bauchi LGA of Bauchi State.

Determined to sustain the prevailing peace and stamp out all cases of kidnap in various States where it is taking root, the Service staged vigorous operations which recorded successes.

The duo of Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu were arrested on March 13, 2017 at Nasarawa town, Nasarawa LGA of Kaduna State for their suspected involvement in the kidnap of two German nationals  Dr.Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger  on February 22, 2017 at Pahkogo, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State. They are being questioned to establish other possible members of the network.

On February 9, 2017 at Umuahia, Abia State, Tochukwu Prince Johnson and Madubuike Christopher Iromaka were arrested for alleged threat to abduct two prominent businessmen in the State namely: Obioma Okorie and Chidozie Ohabuchiro. Also on February 12, 2017, a notorious local bandit, Saidu Musa was arrested in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State for terrorizing people of the area. On arrest, a pump action gun and 23 cartridges were discovered in his vehicle, Toyota Carina KRD 523 EZ (Lagos).

In another development, on February 3, 2017, Ashiru Abubakar, a suspected kidnapper, was arrested at Maraban Jos Junction, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. He was a member of the notorious gang that kidnapped 11 travelers along Kaduna-Abuja road, where they extorted several millions of naira from them to buy their freedom.

The Service also arrested some kidnappers in Kaduna, Kogi, and Plateau States. While Bingel Mohammed, Kabiru Lawal, Dahiru Lawal and Shagari Usman were arrested in Maigiginya Village, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State on February 4, 2017, Lawal Abdullahi, a notorious kidnap kingpin was also arrested on February 6, 2017 at Elka, Ohizenyi Okehi LGA of Kogi State.

On February 24, 2017, at Bosso LGA, Niger State, Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Baba Dogo, a notorious kidnapper/cattle rustler was arrested. On the same date at Ankpa Town, Kogi State, 30 year suspected kidnapper, Mallam Idris Baba was shot dead while trying to evade arrest.

Earlier on January 28, 2017, in Wudil, Wudil LGA, Kano State, the Service arrested Ahmed Muhammed, a high profile Boko Haram terrorist, who kept custody of many persons abducted by sect members during their operations. On January 31, 2017, one Yusuf Hayatudeen, a suspected terrorist was arrested by the Service at Oziokutu Adavi LGA, Kogi State. Subject had threatened to bomb a Radio House in Okene, Kogi State before his apprehension.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday, Buhari sympathized with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May,

President Buhari assured the Prime Minister that the government and people of Nigeria stand with Britons at this sad and trying moment in their country.

Terror attack anywhere in the world is condemnable, he said.

According to him, the whole world must join hands to defeat the perpetrators of terrorism.

ALSO READ:All we know about the British parliament attack

Buhari prayed that Almighty God would comfort the grieving families and heal the injured.
Buratai, alongside the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made this known after briefing the President on their operations since his vacation to London.

In his words, Buratai said: I briefed His Excellency Mr President Commander-In-Chief President Muhammadu Buhari on our operations and the general security situation that the army is involved in terms of defending the territorial integrity of the country and the welfare of the troops, the state of our general administration.

The president is happy with the Nigerian army and the military.

We will continue to do our work as enshrined in the constitution and we equally assured him of our absolute loyalty to ensure that we discharge our constitutional responsibility accordingly, he said.

On his part, the Chief of Air Staff said: We are doing everything humanly possible, to ensure that our societies are secured, our communities are stable, so that people can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without any fear.

That is the purpose for which the air force is established and that is what we are working to ensure that we do everything humanly possible, to create such an enabling environment, he added.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina, on Wednesday in Abuja, President Buhari also commiserated with the government and people of Kogi State on the death of their illustrious son.

The President, who joined them in mourning the loss of a former colleague in the Nigerian Army, said the deceased was greatly admired and respected by his colleagues for his discipline and dedication to duty.

Buhari recalled with nostalgia the towering role and sterling leadership qualities of the late general in promoting professionalism in the military as well as securing Nigerias borders and territorial integrity during the Civil War.

He said that late Abisoye, who once headed a panel of inquiry set up in 2009 to resolve the conflict involving Hausa/Fulani indigenes of Plateau State, would be greatly remembered for his outstanding contributions to the unity and peace of the country.

He urged all who mourned the peace-loving octogenarian to honour his memory by upholding the values of discipline, inter-ethnic harmony, reconciliation and justice, which Abisoye passionately promoted throughout his career as a military officer and senior citizen.

Late Abisoye was a former Federal Commissioner for Health and member of the Supreme Military Council during the defunct military regime of late Murtala Muhammed.

Abisoye, then a Brigadier, chaired the military panel which tried late Bukar Dimka and others who participated in a failed coup.

He was also a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army.
Senator Misau stated this on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, while reacting to a letter by the attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami exempting why Customs boss, Hameed Ali from appearing before the Senate today.

Senator Misau said prior to President Buharis return from his medical vacation in London, there were no attacks in any part of the country.

The lawmaker alleged that President Buharis associates do not want him to succeed on his mandate to Nigerians.

His words:

If you look at the kind of advice people close to the government are giving the president, you will find out that they are trying as much as possible to distract the president from working.

Over 50 days ago, the President went for medical vacation and the vice president was made acting president for 49 days. Did you hear about Niger Delta Avengers, Fulani herdsmen, media attack or tension in the country?

Just two week of the presidents return, the people surrounding the president are creating tension in the country. I want Nigerians to know that the enemies of this government are very close to the government and the president.

This tension that they are creating is just to distract the president from concentrating on his good plans for the Nigerian people.

ALSO READ: 10 Missiles El-Rufai fired at President Buhari

It is important for the people to know that the enemies of this government are within the circle of the presidency. I want to call on Nigerians to begin to pray for President Buhari because those that do not want him to succeed are very close to him.

Look at the kind of letter that is coming from the attorney general of the federation? Somebody that is supposed to bring peace and stability between the executive and legislature is trying to create a problem between both arms of government.

If the attorney general can write this type of letter to the Senate, then imagine the kind of advice he will give president Buhari.

Therefore, the people surrounding the president are his enemies, he added.

The lawmaker pledged the commitment of the Senate to the success of President Buharis administration adding that he would continue to expose those who want the APC-led government to fail.

Similarly, Senator Shehu Sani has alleged that friends of President Buhari are making money from the humanitarian crisis in the North-East.
Dambazau said this while addressing State House Correspondents on the new Immigration Policy which the Nigeria Immigration Service was due to implement.

It is possible to monitor all immigrants from the entry point up to where he is going to stay, he said, while reacting to the obvious challenges inherent in the implementation.

According to him, there are immigration personnel up to the ward level; adding that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) would partner the local communities, community and religious leaders therein to achieve the objective.

He said the immigrant had to be registered and that it was important both for the efficiency of the NIS as well as for internal security.

Quite a lot of foreign visitors come into the country without registration and nobody knows who they are, where they come from and that itself is a security risk, he said.

Dambazau said the policy would not be implemented in such a way that it would inconvenience people but that it was done by using the standards of international law.

We certainly will observe the basic standards of human rights, we are going to do what will not scare the person; but for the person to know that it is something that is done all over the world, he said.

The minister said that the NIS would have challenges manning the illegal entry routes in the country with the existence of about 4,500km border lines in land and sea.

He, however, noted that the service would use surveillance helicopters to cover such extensive borders since it would be difficult to physically man them.

He noted that there existed some entry points that could be easy to man in terms of access.

He explained that the NIS had three helicopters that were grounded for some time which would be revived and used before looking for new aircraft in view of the economic challenges in the country.

He said the aircraft would be fitted with monitoring equipment and would work with the existing but abandoned eight ground stations which would also be revamped.

Dambazau said computers were already purchased for the ground stations but abandoned; adding that the ministry was re-negotiating with the contractors to fix and put them to use.

We really need to see how we can use modern technology to monitor our borders. We require the capacity to monitor and also the capacity to respond, he said.

He identified the ECOWAS protocol on free movement, which Nigeria also signed, as another challenge in the implementation of the programme.

According to him, the administration has to be responsive to that protocol but also do it in a way that the country must be concerned about its security.

Part of what we are trying to do now is to go back and see how we can implement the ECOWAS bio-metric identity card which itself is a traveling document and at the same time an identity card.

`With that card you will be able to identify movement, he said.

On how soon the programme would start, the minister said that the ministry was now relying on the budget; but added that it would collaborate with development partners to pull it through.

He hinted that Italy had shown concern on the programme because of the number of Nigerians that migrate to the country mostly through human trafficking.

They (Italian government) are ready to assist in this project in terms of not only returnees but also in preventive measures.

These are the things that we want to do as quickly as we can but we want to pick one stage after the other, the minister noted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister had on Monday unveiled a new immigration policy known as Immigration Regulations 2017 to check the entry of terrorists and other trans-border crimes in the country.

While unveiling the document on Monday in Abuja, Dambazau said that the document would also fast-track the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He explained that the Immigration Regulations 2017 is a vital document that sought to operationalise the Immigration Act, 2015 and provide the legal framework for the dynamic and unfolding migratory realities.

Dambazau said that the new regulation would replace the old and outdated Immigration Act of 1963, which could not take care of modern realities such as terrorism, technology and new immigration challenges.

The objective of this new Immigration Regulations 2007 is to provide the legal framework for the effective implementation of the Immigration Act, 2015 and consolidate existing immigration regulations.

This new document therefore replaces the outdated Immigration Act of 1963, he said.

He explained that the new document empowers the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to properly register all foreigners, protect the borders, enhance internal security and attract foreign investors using the latest technology.

Dambazau said with the policy in place, the NIS would be empowered to register and monitor the entry and movement of foreign herdsmen who come into the country.
According to Vanguard, the Senator filed the suit at the Abuja High Court at 9am on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Melaye also confirmed that he has completed the process of filing the suit, when contacted to comment on the issue.

The Senator, in plenary today, told his colleagues in the Red Chambers that he is an authentic graduate of ABU.

Melaye also dared Sahara Reporters to sue him if he indeed did not graduate from the University.

Harvard University also released a statement saying Melaye did not graduate from the institution.
In a recent report by ThisDay Newspaper, the Nigerias domestic carrier suspended operations to enable its technical crew for simulator training while the aircrafts go for routine maintenance

The management of the airline is yet to give reasons for its suspension of operations, but informed sources from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revealed that the crew and aircrafts are going for routine maintenance.

It should be noted that the NCAA has decreed that the aircrafts in any airline's fleet must be airworthy before the airline would be allowed to operate.
According to the list, Dangote's $15.4billion net worth declined in 2016 by $3.2billion, hence leaving him with a fortune of $12.2billion and on position 105.

Also with a declined net worth but still on the list is the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, whose net worth declined by $4.2bn in the past year.

Unfortunately, the Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, were missing on the list.

Both Otedola and Rabiu, who were worth $1.8bn and $1.1bn, respectively in 2016 and made the world billionaires list, were unable to register their names on the table of world's richest men.
The Senate also resolved on Wednesday, March 22, 2016, that the comptroller general of Customs was unfit to hold any public office in Nigeria.

The Senate had ordered Ali to appear before it in his appropriate uniform over the plan to impound vehicles without import duty.

After several refusals, Ali appeared at the National Assembly in marching White kaftan and a cap. He also told the Senate that no law compels him to wear the Customs uniform.

He was walked out of the Senate and asked to appear in uniform on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

The Customs boss said he would not appear at plenary as the matter was in court.

Reacting to the letter addressed to the Senate by the attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, Senator Dino Melaye described Ali as unfit for the Customs job.

Melaye noted that Malamis letter was an insult on the institution of the National Assembly particularly, the Senate.

He said the attorney general of the federal lacks the power to direct the Senate on its activities.

Hameed Ali is not even fit to be the comptroller general of Customs," Melaye said.

The position of the comptroller general of Customs is a rank. By extension, anyone occupying that position is a Public servant.

According to Section 8 of the Public Service Rule 2004, the compulsory retirement age of everyone in the Service including Customs shall be 60 years of 35 years of service, whichever is earlier.

I put it to you that Hameed Ali is far above 60 years old.

President Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerians that one of the fundamental objectives of his government shall be respect for rule of law. Now, there is a test. The president has the choice to choose between the rule of law or Hameed Ali. We will see what will happen.

The president might so wish to appoint Hameed Ali as Sole Administrator of Customs if he requires his service, he added.

Other lawmakers decried the interference of the attorney general in a matter being considered by the Senate.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe questioned the understanding of Malami on the laws of Nigeria.

"By the attorney general writing to the Senate, it shows an abysmal lack of understanding of what our democracy is aabout.

"We expect that if theres a challenge to the Senate or executive, the best person to go to is the attorney general of the federation. Now, we have an attorney general that doesnt even understand the law.

"What do we do in this circumstance? I leave it to those who appointed him to bail us out of this situation, he added.

The Senate also called on the Customs to cancel the policy which led to Ali's summon.
A statement issued by Mr Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the special tactical force comprised Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Units, Conventional Policemen and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The others, according to Moshood, are Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), detachment of Explosive Ordnance Department (EOD), Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Police Air wing (Aerial Surveillance Helicopters) and other undercover operatives.

He said that the force would have its headquarter in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the State.

The Police Special Tactical Force is led by the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja under the supervision of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations.

To achieve success in these operations, the Police Special Tactical Force will be proactive, work on actionable intelligence already at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force, and carry out 24 hours surveillance and patrol, Moshood said.

He added that the force would also carry out continuous raids on identified and other suspected hideouts of the assailants so as to arrest attackers and their sponsors and prevent further loss of lives and other criminal activities in the area.

According to him, the special force will cover all the communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure and facilities in the area.

He said that helicopters would embark on guided missions and aerial surveillance of the entire area, especially difficult terrains, and will operate in synergy with other Police formations on the ground.

According to him, the Joint Investigation Team attached to the Police Special Tactical Force is made up personnel of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, FSARS, SIP and Intelligence Response Team.

Others include Technical Intelligence Unit and Special Tactical Squad, he said, adding that the team would be headed by an experienced Commissioner of Police.

He said that the investigation team . which is under the supervision of a Deputy-Inspector General of Police (FCIID), was already in Zaki Biam and was making progress in the investigation into the killings of innocent people that occurred on Monday..
Special forces were deployed to the city of Ile-Ife in Osun state following two days of violence that broke out between local Yoruba and Hausa people on March 7, Nigeria's national police spokesman Moshood Jimoh told AFP.

"The casualty figures are 46 dead and 96 wounded in the violence in Ile-Ife. Of those injured, 81 had been treated while 15 are still in the hospital," Jimoh said.

Police arrested 20 suspects following the violence, Jimoh said, adding that they would be prosecuted after thorough investigations.

"Our appeal to people is to learn to tolerate one another. We should encourage peaceful co-existence among the different tribes in Nigeria," Jimoh said.

"We should stop seeing ourselves as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba," he said, referring to the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Bisi Adisa, a retired Yoruba driver in Ile-Ife, told AFP that the uproar started when a Hausa trader in the Sabo area of the city was accused of assaulting a Yoruba woman.

"Instead of showing remorse, other Hausa traders mobilised and killed a Yoruba man and paraded his corpse around the area which angered the Yoruba," he said.

Adisa said that the town was still gripped by terror despite the arrest of some suspects.

Nigeria, an economic giant of 180 million people, is home to some 250 ethnic groups.

Ethnic tensions have long divided the oil-rich west African country, which is almost equally divided between a Muslim north and Christian south.
The judge, Alhaji Ahmed Ado, however, gave the convict N2,000 option of fine and warned him to desist from committing crimes.

The convict had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, that he did it because he was hungry.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Zannah Dalhatu, told the court that one Daniel Amechi, of Piwoyi Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station Abuja, on March 13.

Dalhatu said that the convict and one Abu, now at large, formed criminal intention and stole his Samsung Galaxy cell phone, valued at N35, 000.

During police investigation he confessed to the crime and the said phone was recovered.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Setonji David, gave the warning in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikeja.

He said the warning had become imperative with Lagos getting set for another raining season with the attendant rainstorms and flooding.

David said that the state government would not want to lose any resident to building collapse because of flooding and rainstorms.

The lawmaker described as unfortunate, the building collapse that led to the death of a pregnant woman at Ikola in Alimosho, Lagos on March 20, following a rainstorm.

People must be careful and ensure that they are not living in defective buildings and apartments.

Lagosians should also desist from the habit of blocking the drains with refuse. Such act is like people harming themselves.

I think people are responsible for some of these building collapses and other environment hazards. Many people build without approval from the regulatory agencies.

Many build on flood plains and along drain paths while a host of others never engaged experts in their building projects which are harmful.

The Lagos State Government is doing its best to safeguard lives and property but the rate at which people flout building regulations is alarming.

According to him, the state government has taken several steps to stem the tide of building collapses and government is also determined not to fail in ensuring safety of lives of citizens.

He also advised residents of flood-prone areas of the state to look for alternative accommodations to prevent flood-related hazards.

David, who noted that some residents brought disasters to themselves and their neighbours by blocking water channels with refuse, said that people should also desist from building on water ways.

The lawmaker argued that some residents were flouting governments regulations on physicalplanning while some others often built without approval.

David said that after securing an approval, an intending developer must consult an expert in building.

The lawmaker told the Lagos State Building Control Agency to intensify monitoring of building to ensure standards and prevent disasters.
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The lawyers who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, stressed the need for couples to live up to their responsibilities.

A lawyer, Mr Levinus Chiadikaobi of Equity Chambers, said that the Bible detests divorce, noting that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God.

Chiadikaobi said that couples should look beyond the immediate gains from their union and consider their compatibility in a life- long project like marriage.

He pointed out that couples should learn from each other and appreciate their areas of strength and weaknesses.

He listed some of the challenges in marriage to include, childlessness, interference by members of the extended families, among others.

According to Chiadikaobi, tolerance is required to overcome these challenges.

Tolerating each other on certain issues makes the marriage to be stronger, he stressed.

Another lawyer, Mr Kwadugdu Peters, said that marriage should be rooted in love.

Some marriages are consummated based on educational background, while others look at financial status. When things go wrong in any of these aspects, the marriage is in trouble, he stressed.

Peters maintained that when the foundation of a marriage was faulty couples were bound to go their separate ways sooner than later.

In his submission, another lawyer, Mr Peter Ayodele, said that some men and women fail to understand that love is the foundation of marriage.
THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

Why I won't honour Senate summons by Customs CG

The Comptroller-General (CG) of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) has said he would not appear before the Senate today following a court order, which restrained him from honouring the lawmakers summon.

Mobile subscribers to surpass five billion by year end

The number of unique mobile subscribers around the world will surpass five billion later this year, according to a new Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA) study.The 2017 global edition of the GSMAs Mobile Economy report revealed that the five billion-subscriber milestone will be achieved by mid-year 2017, and will increase to 5.7 billion by the end of the decade. The globe currently has 4.8 billion subscriptions.

Zaki-Biam attack death toll rises to 50

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned last Mondays wicked attack on a market in Zaki-Biam, Benue State, by unknown gunmen resulting in loss of several lives in the area.

THE NATION NEWSPAPER

Senate angry as Customs chief Ali shuns invitation

Customs chief Hameed Ali will not appear before the Senate today.

Senators have been insisting that the Comptroller-General should appear in uniform to explain the planned enforcement of duty collection on old vehicles.

Outrage over arrest of Ile-Ife riot suspects

The Afeniefere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday denounced the police investigation of this months mayhem in Ile-Ife, Osun State describing it as one-sided and predetermined.

Yakubu gets N300m bail

THE Federal High Court, Abuja has admitted a former Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, to N300 million bail with two sureties

VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Senate invites Emefiele, Babachir over funds

THE Senate, yesterday, invited the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over intervention fund implementation, but did not fix any date for him to appear

Senate/Customs CG face-off: Ali wont appear before you today in uniform, Attorney General writes Senate

STRONG indications emerged yesterday that the face-off between the Senate and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, (retd), is getting messier everyday, as the Federal Government has vowed that the Customs boss will not wear complete uniforms as directed by the senators who asked him come back next week Wednesday in complete Customs uniform.

ILE IFE CRISIS: Outrage as Adebanjo, Bode George, Babatope, others fault Abuja parade

THERE was outrage from notable Nigerians from the South West, yesterday against the one-sided parade of Ile-Ife residents over the recent clash between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the ancient city.

__________________________________________________

THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER

Senate invites Emefiele, Babachir over funds

THE Senate, yesterday, invited the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over intervention fund implementation, but did not fix any date for him to appear

Senate/Customs CG face-off: Ali wont appear before you today in uniform, Attorney General writes Senate

STRONG indications emerged yesterday that the face-off between the Senate and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, (retd), is getting messier everyday, as the Federal Government has vowed that the Customs boss will not wear complete uniforms as directed by the senators who asked him come back next week Wednesday in complete Customs uniform.

ILE IFE CRISIS: Outrage as Adebanjo, Bode George, Babatope, others fault Abuja parade
The senator who represents Kogi West in the upper legislative chamber, has had a tough couple of days.

Always full of bluster, a veneer of street credibility, with a sprinkle of invincibility, Melaye will be first to admit that he's suddenly looking vulnerable and flustered.

Melaye has been accused by online news platform, Sahara Reporters, of not possessing genuine school certificates.

Hes been accused of fraud and lying.

Hes been accused of gaming the system.

These are serious allegations considering that they've been levelled against a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Never mind that the hallowed chamberof the national assembly has been reduced to a corruption theater by the band of renegades we elect and re-elect to make laws on our behalf every four years.

Just when Melaye was yearning for some reprieve, a colleague of his, Ali Ndume, asked the Senate to probe allegations that Melaye did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) as hes claimed all these years.

ALSO READ:

Melaye was fuming in his response on the floor of the Senate.

I am here to respond to the issue raised by the Boko Haram suspect (and) senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, Senator Ali Ndume, he bellowed in characteristic attack fashion.

I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development. Democracy is about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and vindictive allegations.

To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ABU is a very prestigious university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a Masters programme in the university when one did not graduate from a university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.

"I want to announce that this is the eight degree that I am pursuing. I am also a graduate of the university of Abuja, where I did Master's in Policy Analysis.

"I am a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science. I am also a graduate of . The course I am pursuing now will make it my eight degree".

Minutes after Melayes denial on the floor of parliament, reports emerged that he had only attended a seminar at Harvard and wasnt at the prestigious institution for studies, like he had parroted and inked on his LinkedIn and other social media pages.

There are also reports that the senate page which had all the school qualifications of all lawmakers had been doctored to accommodate Melaye.

The allegations keep pouring in.

Melaye has accused Sahara Reporters of being obsessed with him.

"They (Sahara Reporters) use me for marketing and whenever their profile and patronage is down they use me to generate traffic. I will not be surprised if by tomorrow Sahara Reporters say that I am not a Nigerian, the lawmaker snarled.

But let's not yield to the temptation of getting distracted by Melaye's little battles with Sahara Reporters when we should be investigating an issue as grave as certificate forgery.

And for the records, Sahara Reporters and Melaye used to be buddies.

It is often said that he who comes to equity must do so with clean hands.

Melaye has called out just about everyone on corruption, accountability and transparency from the bully pulpit of the national assembly, even though he doesnt look clean himself.

Just before he joined the senate, like acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu cleverly pointed out last week, Melaye was an anti-corruption fighter himself.

He utilized every opportunity to rail against corruption and its danger to society.

He marched on the streets and wielded placards against corruption.

Melaye leads a flamboyant, opulent lifestyle. His parking lot is a showroom of all the choice cars ever made by man.

On his social media pages, Melaye takes the time to flaunt his wealth, one racy automobile at a time.

He lives large and apologizes to no one for his ritzy lifestyle.

A former House of Reps member who had his shirt ripped to shreds on the floor of parliament back in the day, no one knows how Melaye made his money and hes never offered an explanation to those who've had the nerve to ask that of him.

During debates in the senate, Melaye is often loud, combative, angry and brash.

He once threatened to beat up and impregnate a female colleague and berated her for having the nerve to attain menopause.

As the accusations bordering on perjury and certificate forgery engulf Melaye, hes got to utilize this golden opportunity to come clean on his many obscure business dealings and his not-too-worthy-of-emulation persona.

He owes the people an explanation about a lot of things, not least why hes an anti-graft fighter one minute and a chaperon of an allegedly corrupt senate president and his wife the next.

In the larger scheme of things, the senates ethics and privileges committee which has been tasked with investigating the alleged certificate fraud as perpetrated by Melaye, owes the Nigerian people a thorough job (which is probably asking for too much from this class of lawmakers).

If Melaye is a fraud, he should be exposed for being so unabashedly fraudulent and publicly shamed.

If he isnt as dodgy as he looks from the outside, the Nigerian people deserve to know either way.

Its time to crack open the shell of mystery surrounding the cult personality of senator Dino Melaye and his shady politics.
Confirming the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Makurdi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Moses Yanmu, said the suspects were picked at various locations in the state.

He said investigation was ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was completed.

He said 17 persons had been killed while 11 others were wounded by gunmen who attacked the village.

ALSO READ: Governor Ortom narrowly escapes death
Nicolet told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was advisable for Nigerians and non-Nigerians seeking visas to Switzerland to always visit the Embassy of Switzerland in Abuja.

We want Nigerians and non-Nigerians to know that the Consulate-General of Switzerland in Lagos is not in the business of issuing visas to persons wanting to travel to Switzerland."

This Consulate-General does not have a visa section, and so, we do not and cannot issue visas. And we do not intend to open a visa section in the near future."

We really want Nigerians and other visa applicants to know that the Consulate-General is charged with promoting economic and cultural relations between Switzerland and Nigeria, he said.

Nicolet recalled that his government had had its Embassy in Lagos since 2004, until it decided to close all its representation in Lagos and moved the Embassy finally to Abuja.

He said that his government later realised the growing presence of Swiss companies and the community in Lagos and had decided to inaugurate the Consulate-General of Switzerland in Lagos in March 2016.

The Envoy also disclosed that his governments decision to inaugurate the representation in Lagos was because of the states economic position, as the most populated city in Africa.

Nicolet said that it was his consulates cardinal objective to continue to facilitate economic and cultural relations between both countries.

He said that that the Swiss Government decided to establish the consulate, after it had closed its representation in Lagos some years ago, to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.

The consul-general also said the consulate was established to attract more Swiss investors to Nigeria, as well as promote the investment and business interest of Nigerians in Switzerland.

The first objective of this consulate is to improve the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Switzerland, as well as try to bring more Swiss investors to Nigeria."
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is releasing the funds to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the hope it will help stave off catastrophe in the civil-war wracked country, just five years after the last famine.

Somalia declared a national disaster last month as the number of people going hungry hit three million, with 6.2 million people in total expected to face acute food insecurity over the next three months.

The Rome-based FAO said the funds would go to helping rural communities that have been hit particularly hard, as crops fail, cattle die and wells dry up.

The head of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Stephen O'Brien, said the loan was "part of the efforts to avert a humanitarian catastrophe".

"The loan will bridge a crucial gap and allow FAO to immediately save lives and the livelihoods of farmers and herders until additional funds from donors are received," he said, amid pessimism from meteorologists about the prospect of rain any time soon.

Somalia is among three nations on the verge of famine, along with Yemen and Nigeria.

In South Sudan, 100,000 people are already in famine conditions. In total the disaster threatens the lives of 20 million people.
We make bold to say nobody can buy the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court cannot be bought, and that the party has implicit confidence in the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen and his colleagues in the Supreme Court, he said.
Fayose however said that he would not join the APC because some members had betrayed party leader, Bola Tinubu.

According to a statement released by his spokesman, Idowu Adelusi, the governor made the comments during a gathering in Ado Ekiti.

Some people have been making overtures to me to join the APC, but I cannot join them. With what have they repaid somebody like Asiwaju Tinubu? He worked and helped the party to secure victory but has been dumped. That is not a party I would be interested in joining, Fayose said according to the statement.

One thing I would not allow is for anybody to rubbish our leaders in the South-West. Our leaders, including Asiwaju Tinubu, must be accorded their due respect, as any attempt to rubbish them will be taken as a slap on the entire Yoruba race, he added.

ALSO READ: I am not interested in PDP chairmanship - Ali Modu Sheriff
Ekweremadu made the plea on Wednesday when the partys Reconciliatory Committee, headed by Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, visited him in Abuja.

He said, The country is in crisis. So our house is also burning. We cannot be chasing rats when our house is burning.

The PDP house that is burning needs to be rescued. Everybody needs to put efforts to ensure that happens.

There is hunger in the land; there is also anger in the land.

So we cannot be struggling over leadership when our people are dying of hunger and starvation; while there is tension all over the place, he said.

He said that the time to act to salvage the situation was now, adding that Nigerians expected all political stakeholders to work for the peace and progress of the country.

There is hope not because we are here, but because Nigerians want us to show that we care for them.

Whatever happens, I believe that surely, PDP will be back in 2019," he added.

Ekweremadu, who commended the committee for its effort at reconciling all aggrieved members of the party,called on members to support the peace process.

Earlier, Gov. Dickson said that the committee was at the Assembly to interact with the National Assembly caucus of the PDP over the crisis in the party.

We are all aware of the unfortunate developments in our party, he said.

He said that the committee had come up with a template to help resolve the crisis, adding that the template was subjected to debate and correction in the overall interest of the party.

Arising from the consensus developed from the various high level interactions of the leadership of our party, we considered a political solution to the ongoing challenges facing our party, Dickson said.

I assure the PDP caucus in the National Assembly that the proposal was made in good faith.

He said there was the need for all PDP stakeholders to agree on a political approach that could lead to resolving the challenges in the party.

PDP is without prejudice to ongoing judicial proceedings, all leaders of our party should shelve their differences and make sacrifices for the greater good of the party and the nations democracy," he added.

Contributing, the leader of PDP caucus in the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said effort by the committee was a step toward the final resolution of the crisis in the party.

We are yearning for peace. I do not know when we got to where we are.

We are determined for Nigeria to succeed so that we can takeover in peace, Akpabio said.

Also speaking, the Minority Leader, House of Representatives and the Leader of PDP in the House, Rep. Leo Ogor said anybody who had genuine reason to lead the party should be given the support.
The two men went into the shop under the pretence of seeking donation, which is a common practice for priests to obtain donations from homes and business.

The pair therefore asked for the owner of the shop Orati Kongmum, who was said to be upstairs getting the air-conditioning repaired.

ALSO READ : What is wrong with the so-called Men of God?

While a worker in the shop went to call Kongmum, one of the monks picked the mobile phone on the table, hid it under his robe and left the shop immediately.

Kongmum came down only to discover that the men had gone with her mobile phone.

She said "That phone is so important to my business as I keep all my customers contact details on it as well as my accounts."

I am so angry about this and am offering a 5,000 Thai baht (about 120) reward." She added.
Istanbul prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Gulen as well as a prominent former prosecutor and three journalists in its probe into the murder.

Gulen, an Islamic preacher residing in exile in the US state of Pennsylvania, is already the subject of multiple arrest warrants related to last year's failed coup which the government has accused him of leading. He denies the charges.

Numerous reports speculated over a possible link between Gulen and the Dink killing after the coup but this is the first time that prosecutors have made a formal connection.

According to the request by prosecutors, the murder of Dink went ahead because of Gulen's influence on the security forces at the time.

Along with Gulen, the warrant targets the former prosecutor Zekeriya Oz who was behind a graft probe of those in the inner circle of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Authorities blamed the probe on Gulen.

Also wanted are journalists Faruk Mercan, Ekrem Dumanli and Adem Yavuz Arslan who wrote for publications sympathetic to Gulen and are now believed to be out of the country.

Dink, a member of Turkey's Armenian minority, was murdered by a teenage gunman on January 19, 2007, near the offices of the Agos newspaper which he founded.

Relations between Turks and Armenians are scarred by the mass killings of the Ottoman Empire's Armenians in Anatolia during the peak of World War I, which Yerevan sees as a genocide, a term Turkey fiercely rejects.

Dink promoted reconciliation between Armenians and Turks, a prospect that remains far off due to the dispute over the 1915 killings and a series of other rows.

Although his assassin, just 17 at the time, was rapidly arrested and sentenced, the trial into the killing still grinds on with Dink's supporters losing confidence on its ability to shed light on the plot.

Turkey meanwhile is strongly pressing for the extradition of Gulen to face trial over his alleged involvement in the coup.
According to a statement from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday, Cameroon has forcefully returned more than 2,600 refugees back to Nigerian border villages against their will.

UNHCR Spokesperson, Babar Balogh, said in the statement that the organisation was particularly concerned as these forced returns have continued unabated.

He said that the forced return of asylum-seekers and refugees was a serious violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention, which he said, Cameroon had ratified.

He, however, commended Cameroon for its generosity in hosting more than 85,000 Nigerian refugees but urged it to honour its obligations under international and regional refugee protection instruments.

The spokesman said that refugees had fled violent attacks from Boko Haram and urged that their access to asylum and protection must be ensured.

Insecurity persists in parts of north-eastern Nigeria and access to basic services remains limited.

Most returning refugees find themselves in situations of internal displacement upon return and are unable to return to their places of origin, he stated.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that the German charge d'affaires in Ankara was "invited" to the foreign ministry to hear a protest from Turkey.

The statement said the link between Gulen and the coup was well established and Kahl's comments showed "the mentality behind Germany's tolerant and protective attitude" towards the group.

Gulen denies any links to the coup.

Tensions are running high between Berlin and Ankara after German authorities refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign in the country for a 'yes' vote ahead of the April 16 referendum on handing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an executive presidency.
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
An Iowa state legislator does not expect a historic education spending bill to pass this year, but Davenport school officials expressed continued optimism that it will.

State Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, said although the per-pupil spending bill, called Senate Fire 455, was approved Wednesday 21-1 in the House Education Committee, he does not think it will pass the entire legislative body.

"It would be nice to implement, but it probably won't happen," said Mommsen, whose district covers part Scott County, including some of the North Scott Community School District.

The bill passed out of the House Education Committee and is now headed to the Appropriations Committee. Mommsen, who is a member of both committees, said he supports the bill.

The Senate approved the bill on a 47-0 vote on March 9, which was before state officials released new revenue estimates that didn't meet earlier projections.

Ralph Johanson, president of the Davenport School Board, reiterated his support for the bill and the process.

"I have faith in the whole Iowa Legislature that they will do the right thing," he said.

Senate File 455 represents changes to the state's funding formula that eventually will fix inequities in per-pupil spending that have forced Davenport schools to spend up to $175 less than what some other districts are allowed.

It sparked a student-led "Worth-Less" campaign in which students tried to convince lawmakers to implement changes, saying they were not worth less than other students.

The bill fixes the inequity by phasing in increases over 10 years for school districts that are not spending the maximum amount allowed per pupil. The cost is estimated at $15 million to $20 million in the first year and increases annually until fully implemented in 2027.

It also addresses issues with transportation costs for districts that span wide areas. Those districts must take money from their general funds to pay for the increased costs of busing students.

The state, however, is faced with cutting programs because of the revenue shortfall, Mommsen said. He suggested the bill has a better chance next year and noted there is momentum for the legislation.

Rep. Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, also cast doubt on the legislations prospects in the House. Thede cited tough conversations under way in the midst of last weeks revenue projections, which came in $131 million less than originally expected.

I dont have much faith in this right now, Thede said. Were in a budget crunch.

Thede said she most likely would support the bill, should it survive the Appropriations Committee and reach the floor. But she and fellow Democrats Cindy Winckler and Monica Kurth, both of Davenport, expressed deep concerns with the legislation because of its 10-year roll-out, which Thede labeled difficult to accept.

Bill proponents in the Senate have said that the decade implementation period was the only politically feasible route.

Winckler said the legislation works only if paired with a short-term fix, such as permitting districts to use rainy day funds to make up the difference during the roll-out. She added that she absolutely would support the equity bill should it reach the House floor, however.

Richard Clewell, also a member of the Davenport School Board and head of the board's Legislative Action Committee, is optimistic the bill will pass.

"We will continue our due diligence on this process," he said.

Legislators might adjust the bill or change its timing, Johanson said.

"Until it's over, it's not over," he said.
DES MOINES  Majority GOP senators advanced a bill Wednesday prohibiting local governments from setting minimum wages higher than the states $7.25 hourly rate, but did not rule out boosting the statewide pay threshold separately this session.

Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said subcommittee testimony had made clear Iowans see a need to raise the state minimum wage. He said that would be dealt with separately from House-passed legislation asserting the states sole authority in setting business and employment standards for Iowa.

I do suggest that at some point we do look at another bill that would increase our minimum wage in this state, Feenstra told members of the Senate State Government Committee, who voted 9-6 to approve House File 295. However, were not there at this time.

The wage issue was last addressed by the 2007 session.

Provisions of the House bill would immediately bar cities and counties from usurping state authority in business and employment matters and the sale or marketing of consumer merchandise, something Feenstra said is needed to ensure uniformity and prevent a patchwork quilt of regulations.

Committee Chairman Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, said there was nothing in the pre-emption bill that would prevent employers from paying more than the $7.25 an hour. He noted many low-payscale employees actually make more than $10 an hour with the help of federal and state earned income tax credits.

Theres nothing in this bill that lowers the minimum wage for anybody. Employers can still choose to pay the higher minimum wage if they like, Smith said.

Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, said he suspected majority Republicans were pressing ahead with the pre-emption bill to beat Polk Countys April 1 implementation date in boosting the minimum wage there to $8.75 an hour. That and other county wage rates higher than the states $7.25 hourly minimum would be nullified once the bill clears the Legislature and is signed by the governor.

These communities that waited and waited and waited nine, 10 years and havent seen any increase have finally taken some action, he said. These cities and counties, theyre desperate because they see the poverty and they see the need.

I would imagine that if this bill passes, the employers in the counties where they have raised the minimum wage will not do a darn thing for the people who work for them, Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines This will be a huge hit, to women in particular working minimum wage jobs.

Minority Democrats who opposed the bill and independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan questioned whether legislation dealing with a minimum-wage increase would actually surface this year, given there is a month left before lawmakers per-diem expense money ends April 18  usually a harbinger of adjournment.

That there is going to be a minimum-wage increase is laughable on its face. It really is. Not with this Legislature and people who are here and the people who will come back next year, Johnson said. If were going to talk local control here, lets get it right. We really should. This is an identity crisis.
DES MOINES  Fireworks enthusiasts launched their effort last week to bring legal pyrotechnics to Iowa on a limited basis, lighting up the Senates vote display board with 34 green lights that were enough to propel the measure to the House and leave 14 opponents doing a slow burn.

Senate File 489 would allow licensed retailers or community groups to sell consumer-grade fireworks to adults in permanent structures between June 1 and July 8 and between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. A similar provision would apply to conforming temporary structures, such as tents, from June 13 through July 8 each year. It also places time restrictions for the display of fireworks.

The measure sets a fee structure for various licensure levels; allows counties or cities that do not want to legalize fireworks to opt out of the use but not the sale; and bars the sale or purchase involving anyone under 18. A violation would be punishable by a fine of at least $250 but no more than $625.

Iowa law currently classifies the possession, sale or use of consumer fireworks without a permit  other than sparklers, caps and snakes  as a simple misdemeanor. Chapman said Iowa is among a small number of states that have those strict fireworks restrictions.

We have been discussing this bill for years, said Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, floor manager for S.F. 489. The bill will allow Iowans to celebrate the Fourth of July in the same manner that Americans all across our nation are permitted to celebrate. Its time we joined the other 42 states and the District of Columbia in allowing Iowans to join in the celebration.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, tried unsuccessfully to bar sales in tents or temporary structures  a provision that prompted several opponents to draw Missouri analogies in not wanting to establish temporary shantytowns or trashy tent cities in poorer or older urban areas.

I dont believe were going to see a tent out at the Jordan Creek mall, said Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, who told his colleagues that backers were selling the bill as the next coming of Bingo for nonprofit organizations that may want to raise money by selling fireworks at temporary locations.

Were going to have Velvet Elvises and fireworks up and down East Fourteenth (Street), which is the gateway into our city. I just cannot think of a more horrible entrance to the city, to the state Capitol. The message that is sent by that is just terrible, said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines.

I think we can do much better than what we see going into Missouri and we see fireworks stands and tents and just really trashing looking facilities, he added. I tell you what, well be back to gravel roads. This is pathetic. We can do so much better than this.

Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan said Iowa is going to end about 80 years without legal fireworks by authorizing tacky operations with their flashing lights and all kinds of other gizmos trying to draw you in to blow your hand off.

In subcommittee, the bill was opposed by firefighters, medical organizations, veterans groups and safety advocates. Bisignano offered an amendment to establish restrictions for shooting off fireworks in close proximity to schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and churches that was turned down.

Backers of the bill also turned down changes seeking to establish penalties and prohibitions for igniting fireworks while intoxicated; beef up training and education; prohibit sales within 500 feet of gas stations; and require that fireworks sold in Iowa be American made.

If were going to make America great again, were going to have to start making things again, said McCoy, not importing them from China or Mexico.

In all, nearly 40 amendments were defeated or withdrawn in what Bisignano called a sick, silly game to reject efforts to improve safety for Iowans confronted with an onslaught of explosives during the limited holiday periods when the products could be purchased and ignited by adults.

We are trying to make a bad bill safer, said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids in opposing the creation of 62 days of explosions authorized by the bill.

"The bill before us will modernize our state law to not only permit the display of fireworks, but puts the framework in place to properly educate and regulate fireworks in the state of Iowa," said Chapman.

The proposed legislation would take effect upon enactment if it clears both legislative chambers and is signed by the governor.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said he believes the Senate bill  with the opt-out local provision and limited dates  is similar enough to what previously passed the Iowa House that it should be approved with bipartisan support, giving Iowans more freedom.
CEDAR RAPIDS  U.S. Rep. Rod Blum on Tuesday finally took a side on legislation put forth by the House Republican leadership on the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, more commonly referred to as Obamacare.

The American Health Care Act doesnt do enough to lower premiums for hardworking Americans. Im a no on current version  need to drive down actual costs! the Republican representative of Iowas 1st District tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

Until Tuesday, Blum had been cautious to reveal his thoughts, telling the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier as recently as Friday that he was keeping an open mind about the bill, and well see what it ends up being.

The AHCA, unveiled earlier in March, would tie tax credits to age rather than income as well as roll back federal funding for the Medicaid expansion starting in 2020 and move the entitlement program to a per capita cap, among other changes.

It has come under fire from a wide range of groups, including Heritage Action and Club for Growth as well as the American Hospital Association and American Medical Association.

Blum is a member of the House Freedom Caucus  a group of hardline conservative Representatives and an emerging thorn in the AHCAs side.
Tyler Read didnt quite know how to react when he learned of his selection as a 2017 Bush Fellowship award winner.

When I got the email, I remember grabbing my face and hyperventilating a little bit, he said.

Heather Dawn Thompson and Vaughn Vargas were also pleased and humbled to learn that they, too, were among two dozen 2017 Bush Fellows age 24 and older announced earlier this week from the Dakotas, Minnesota and 23 Native American nations within those states.

I was just kind of left in awe, said Vargas, coordinator of a cultural advisory committee for the Rapid City Police Department, after learning of his award. Im still soaking it in right now.

Bush Foundation Fellows have between 12 and 24 months to use their 2017 awards of up to $100,000 to augment their leadership skills, according to a release from the foundation.

Read, Thompson and Vargas are all from Rapid City. A total of 639 people applied for the 2017 Fellowship, according to the release.

Thompson, a Harvardeducated attorney assisting tribal governments in economic development, plans to use her fellowship to expand her knowledge of corporate finance.

She said tribal governments have the same responsibilities as other city and state government entities, to provide funding for public needs ranging from roads and schools to trash pickup.

But without a base to collect property tax, sales tax or income tax, tribal government must create their own revenue by competing in the private marketplace, by owning casinos, gas stations and hotels, she said.

We dont have a lot of expertise in finance and business, she said. Im hoping well start to create a lot more of that expertise.

Read, 39, a welder by vocation and graffiti artist by avocation, moved to Rapid City from Seattle in 2004.

Making a living at a number of jobs took up the majority of his time, but painting in Art Alley, a public art space in downtown Rapid City, allowed him to build a personal connection with his new hometown.

Through painting in Art Alley, I started to meet the community, Read said. I had conversations that I didnt have any other place.

Read now serves as community engagement coordinator for the Rapid City Arts Council. He plans to use his fellowship to travel and study other mural art programs in the country to encourage the concept of public art spaces in western South Dakota, particularly on the states reservations.

Public art spaces have this potential to broadcast your voice. Through that I think we need to increase our level of communication, he said.

Vargas, 30, plans to attend a Harvard Extension School for leadership training and study historical Lakota leaders, including George Walks With A Sword, also known as George Sword, a nephew of Lakota Chief Red Cloud.

Sword was an appointed captain of a police force administered by the U.S. government at the time of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, Vargas said.

Vargas hopes his study of past leaders and their approach to find diplomatic solutions will help the department recruit and retain Native American police officers.

Currently four of about 120 Rapid City police officers are Native American, according to department spokesman Brendyn Medina.

I think thats going to help me set the stage for aspiring Native American police officers, how do we meet them, what are their challenges, what are the concerns they have, how do we mitigate those concerns and resolve them, Vargas said.

Thompson describes the monthslong process of applying for a Bush Fellowship as onerous, with two stages of increasingly detailed written applications and a final in-person interview.

It is a difficult process, but there are so many talented people in South Dakota in general and so many talented people in Indian Country in general, I hope more people will look at this, she said.

Its one of the only fellowships of its kind in the country thats so flexible and open, where you really propose to do anything that is helpful to you as a leader and to your community, she said.
A pickup collided with a train in Rapid City early this morning, resulting in minor injuries to the truck driver, according to city police.

Around 4:30 a.m. a Dodge Ram heading southbound on North Lacrosse Street crashed into a train at a railroad crossing, said police spokesman Brendyn Medina. The area had to be closed to traffic for about an hour, Medina said, adding that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Additional details about the incident were not immediately available.

This is at least the second collision between a train and private vehicle in Rapid City this year, Medina said. In February, a 64-year-old local woman was cited for a misdemeanor after she failed to stop at a railroad crossing on Mountain View Road. She is contesting her $120 fine and is set to appear in court in April.
HILL CITY | Prairie Berry Winery and Miner Brewing Co. Tuesday announced the death of co-founder Ralph Vojta, who died last Thursday following a battle with cancer. He was 81.

Vojta grew up picking wild prairie berries with his grandmother in Mound City, according to a release from the company. There he learned his familys tradition of winemaking, handed down from his great-grandmother, Anna Pesa, who arrived in the Dakota Territory from the Czech Republic in 1876.

The entrepreneur began experimenting with winemaking in his Mobridge basement. In 1998, he and his daughter, Sandi Vojta, and her husband, Matt Keck, turned the family winery into a commercial venture. Prairie Berry Winery became South Dakotas second commercial winery.

The business moved to its current Hill City location in 2004. In 2013, the three amigos as they were called, opened Miner Brewing Co. in Hill City. A year later, Prairie Berry East Bank in Sioux Falls opened, the release stated.

My dads inspiration will live on through our wine and beer, Sandi said in the release. Dad made sure our familys traditions were passed down and without it our company wouldnt be where it is today.

Vojtas knowledge of local ingredients and tremendous sense of humor led to some of the winerys best-selling wines, including the winerys flagship and most award-winning selection, Red Ass Rhubarb, as well as Three Red Necks, and Uncle Ralphs Rhubarb.

A celebration for Prairie Berrys guests and friends in the community to honor Vojta is planned for the future. Guests and friends are encouraged to share their comments and stories online at prairieberry.com/Ralph.
The trial date for the Rapid City man charged with killing his girlfriend in 2015 has been moved from June to September.

Brian Duncan, 61, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Helen Wright, 60. Her body was discovered in November 2015 at a Rapid City motel, bearing what police say were signs of an assault. Second-degree murder carries a punishment of life in prison.

Because of a prosecution witness or defense counsel's unavailability between June and August, the 7th Circuit Court reset Duncans trial to Sept. 5 to 14. Meanwhile, Duncan has withdrawn his request to exclude from trial statements he made to local police. Instead, he wants to suppress statements he made to law enforcement in Texas, where he was arrested last year.
Students at Rapid City Stevens High will have to be in class a little longer than normal next year.

The academic day at Stevens High will last about 14 minutes longer next fall following some readjustments to a new academic calendar approved by the Rapid City school board last week as a replacement for early release Wednesdays.

For a high school to receive accreditation through the South Dakota Department of Education, students must spend a minimum of 962.5 hours in the classroom every academic year.

Schools sometimes have to readjust their schedules to meet that state required minimum when an academic calendar is changed, which is what is happening at Stevens.

At Stevens, the new calendar created a deficit of instructional time, requiring two minutes be added to every period. The result is that instead of getting out at 3:10 p.m., Stevens students will be released at around 3:24 p.m. under the adjusted bell schedule.

Rapid City district spokesperson Katy Urban said Stevens was the only school that had to adjust its schedule to fit the new calendar.

Adjustments needed to be made in order to make the recommended calendar work, Urban said. Our students will exceed the instructional minutes set forth by the South Dakota Department of Education."

The school district adopted the practice of releasing students an hour to two hours early every Wednesday in 2012 to provide teachers extra time in the middle of the week to pursue professional development activities. Though liked by some teachers, the arrangement proved clunky and frustrating for parents and was eliminated by the school board on March 13.

Still needing time for professional development, the school board replaced early release Wednesdays with a new academic calendar that sets aside time for teachers to explore additional training before the school year and during spring and winter breaks.

The new calendar will go into effect starting Aug. 30.
Our senior U.S. Senator, Republican John Thune, begged off last week on supporting the Obamacare replacement bill oozing out of the political entrails of a befuddled House of Representatives. Thune told the Rapid City Journal that he and the rest of the Senate could work on a plan that would be "more helpful to people on the lower end."

Good idea, since it's the lower end where many oldsters in South Dakota will be feeling the most acute financial pain if this over-hyped and under-considered fiasco of a replacement bill ever becomes law.

Disheartening as it is, our all-Republican congressional delegation has spent years dissing the Affordable Care Act and voting countless times in a wasted political show of disdain to end it. All that time these reflexive partisan yes-people haven't had a clue as to what a replacement would look like.

So now the House of Representatives, in a show of fealty to President Trump and his reckless promise to repeal and replace ACA immediately upon taking office, has hurriedly trotted out a poorly conceived and politically poisonous replacement. Their hands forced, our elected reps are suddenly paying attention to the details of health-care policy.

Not much has been heard from Sen. Rounds or Rep. Noem, who've long been part of the GOP chorus determined to undo ACA with nary an afterthought about what would occur next. No surprise there as neither has been much of a distinguishing force in Congress.

Thanks to seniority, Thune has advanced far enough in party leadership to grab some attention now and then, though his lock-step voting behavior has been predictably partisan. That he has some public reservations about the bill says much for the growing GOP hostility toward a replacement of its own party's creation. An overhaul is likely now that enough recalcitrant Republicans in both houses may be likely to sink this ship before it's even christened.

That should be welcome news to aging South Dakotans. A study of the replacement bill by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that it would raise health insurance costs for lower- and middle-income 60-year-olds on average by $3,000 a year.

Considering the rapid growth of the aging population of our state (a 2013 South Dakota State University study calls it a "dramatic increase"), our nearly 200,000 residents aged between mid-40s and mid-60s stand to get financially hammered as the years go by if the GOP plan goes into effect. That's the aging group that probably most needs health insurance, just at a time when they're developing penny-conscious retirement plans and budgets.
Supreme Court upholds sentence for ex-student found guilty of attempting to join ISIS

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI)  Russian Supreme Court has upheld a 4.5-year prison sentence for Varvara Karaulova (Alexandra Ivanova), a former student of the Moscow State University, who attempted to join the Islamic State militants in Syria, RAPSI learnt in the courtroom on Wednesday.

Military Commission of the Supreme Court of Russia has dismissed an appeal filed by Karaulova and her lawyers.

On December 22, the court found that Karaulova decided to participate in activities of the Islamic State terrorist group, also called ISIS, an organization banned in Russia. The court noted that she shared organization's ideology. The court refrained from fining her.

During announcement of her sentence the court noted that it based its judgment on confessions made by the defendant, including those made during her first interrogations after the arrest on October 27, 2015. Karaulovas arguments in favor of her innocence were dismissed as inconsistent and aiming to avoid responsibility. The court did not find any aggravating circumstances in this case.

Prosecutors demanded a five-year jail sentence for Karaulova, while defense lawyers asked the court for acquittal.

Karaulova went on trial on October 5, 2016. Her parents, friends as well as teachers of the Moscow State University have been questioned in this case.

The second-year student of the Moscow State Universitys Faculty of Philosophy decided to join ISIS, an organization banned in Russia, and secretly started off for Istanbul on May 27, 2015.

Karaulova, who later changed her name to Alexandra Ivanova, was arrested on June 4 near Turkey's border with Syria along with 13 other Russian citizens when attempting to cross into the territory occupied by Islamic State terrorists.

In October 2015, she was put in jail. She pleaded not guilty.

In October 2016, Karaulova was expelled from the university.
Moscow realtor charged with $500 million fraud to stay in detention till June 22

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  The Moscow City Court had ruled to extend the detention of real estate tycoon Alexander Konstanitnovsky, staying charged with a $500 million fraud, till June 22, the courts press service told RAPSI on Wednesday.

Investigators believe that over 10 years Konstantinovsky, acting in concert with some other unidentified persons and using false documents, could register his ownership of non-residential premises (attics, basements) in the Moscow downtown, often putting pressure on the residents of the buildings.

According to investigators, in 2011 Konstantinovsky in his capacity of a realtor could secure ownership of a mansion located in the central part of the Russian capital for a company he controlled. The mansion had been planned to host a museum of collector Igor Vozyakov, who could later settle the ownership dispute in his favor in a commercial court.

The realtor was arrested in April 2016.

Konstantinovsky has told an appeal court earlier that he had no intention of fleeing as it would have been detrimental to his standing as an established businessman and an owner of properties.
Russian investigators launch one more case against ex-governor Belykh

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI)  The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched one more corruption case against former governor of the Kirov Region Nikita Belykh, RAPSI learnt in the Basmanny District Court of Moscow on Wednesday.

According to the judge, a new bribery case was launched against Belykh on March 9. The new case is to be examined jointly with the first one. Belykh is also suspected of mediation in bribery.

Investigators have asked the court to extend Belykhs detention for three months.

Belykh stands charged with taking 400,000 euros in bribes. Investigators in cooperation with the Federal Security Services (FSB) officers arrested him on June 24 in a Moscow restaurant while he was allegedly accepting 150,000 euros, the third part of the bribe, then Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said earlier. Moscows Basmanny District Court ordered the detention of Belykh.

On October 12, the Moscow City Court overturned seizure of assets owned by Belykh.

Attorney Vadim Prokhorov told RAPSI that a lower court had ordered seizure of a land plot, one third of Belykh familys apartment and other property acquired long before the defendants assignment to position of governor. Therefore, items of property could not be considered as assets gained through crime.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty.

On July 28, President Vladimir Putin removed Belykh from his post of governor because of loss of trust.
Victor residents will vote on a $196,000 operation's levy for the Victor School District.

Ballots will be mailed on April 17th and due back by May 2.

Other districts may hold elections for school trustees.

At this point, Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator, said confirmed mail ballots the Victor levy and an election for Hamilton trustees. Other valley schools may not run an election depending of if their trustee candidates are unopposed. Voters will decide the Hamilton School levy and bond in either a mail in or walk in election on the same day state voters decide on the state's congressional seat in a special election set for May 25.

Victor Superintendent Lance Pearson said the district has never passed an operating levy.

We operate a base budget in Victor which means the state gives us 80 percent and then we can ask for a local levy for the extra 20 percent, Pearson said.

Victor is the only district in the valley that operates at 80 percent.

Pearson said the school has watched their budget drop for the last three years.

We went down $45,000 last year and we went down $35,000 this year, Pearson said. The year before that we were pretty static. Weve been going down and costs have been going up.

Pearson said the main reasons for the budget changes are drop in enrollment numbers and increased cost of insurance. Victor High School has the same number of students but the elementary school numbers are declining.

Over the last six years, Victor school has reduced teachers and staff, mostly through attrition.

When it comes to the rise in insurance over the last few years, weve had huge increases in our insurance bills, Pearson said. We thought it would be a good time to ask our local tax payers for help for our local school.

The Victor school board will use the funds to maintain current staffing and programming levels.

It is not for anything new. its to keep our heads above water, Pearson said. We are just tapped out.

Pearson said the Victor school board is following the rules set by the Commissioner of Political Practices. The board is visiting with the community and spreading the information by word of mouth.

We are a small and close-knit community and were trying to let everyone know what we are doing and why, he said.

Pearson said Victor likes to compete against Darby. He noted that Darby has passed these operating levies in the past and has a stronger financial base to operate from each year.

We like to be competitive with Darby even though we are all friends, Pearson said. If Darby can do this, we can too. This is a local tax for a local school and weve been very frugal in Victor and were at crossroads where we need to ask the local voters for help.

There are two trustee positions open on the Victor School Board. Pearson expects the current trustees to re-apply.

We have a very stable board and a very good board, Pearson said. They are very compassionate and involved in the school. They know what is going on and what is happening. It weights on them to run a levy or make cuts.

Corvallis Schools are not running a levy. The school has three trustee positions open and, if the races are contested, will hold elections by mail ballot. Ginny Hoffman, Adam Sangster and Dan Wolsky currently hold the trustee positions. Hoffman, Michael Hoyt and Becky Anderson are the candidates who have filed.

According to Darby business clerk Lisa Poe, Darby is not seeking a levy this year and has two trustee positions open.

Barbara Burnham Edmunds has filed to run for the trustee position she was appointed to - that opening is for two-years as it is just completing a vacated three-year seat, Poe said. Christina Harrells three-year term is ending. She has also turned in her form to run again.

If the trustee candidates are opposed, School elections in Darby will be held at the high school gym foyer from noon to 8 p.m. on May 2.

Poe said she would know by March 31 if Darby is holding an election.

Florence-Carlton District Clerk Jessica Pyette said Florence is not running a levy or bond and has two positions open, each with three-year terms. Board Chair Tara Zeiler and Jay Dixon currently hold the positions.

Pyette said that as of March 21 no one has filed. If there is an election, it will be held by mail ballot with an additional drop box at the Florence-Carlton District Office.

Hamilton School Board has two trustee positions currently held by Elke Olbricht and Jim Shea.

Olbricht and Shea have filed to run, as have Tim Greek, Jeni Seifert and Jesse Casterson. The school will conduct a mail ballot for these two trustee positions, with a deadline of May 2.

Hamilton Schools are running a $400,000 levy and a $9,750,000 bond. Voters will decide in either a mail in or walk in election on May 25.

We will also be sending ballots in for Florence Fire district trustee and Three-mile Fire district trustee, which is in Lone Rock, Plettenberg said.

Stevensville Business Manager Bill Schiele said the school has four trustee positions two with two-year terms currently held by Sean Lenahan and Lucas McCormick and two three-year terms currently held by Tim Schreiber and Bonnie Coleman.

Four intents are out but they usually dont turn them in until March 23, Schiele said. We have nothing back yet.

The school board is having a special meeting March 23 to decide about running a levy.

Schiele said the school would have elections if trustee candidates are opposed or if the school board decides to run a levy. If Stevensville Schools have an election, it will be conducted by a poll election in the elementary gym, noon to 8 p.m., May 2.

For school elections, the deadline to file as candidate is March 23, the deadline to file as write-in candidate is March 30 and the deadline to withdraw is March 30. The big changes in the school election law is that petition signatures are no longer required on candidate filing paperwork. Voters can request absentee ballots up until May 1 at noon. If a school is conducting a mail ballot, the ballots will be mailed by April 17. Late registration and absentee requests close at noon the day before the election and resume 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, in person at the Ravalli County Election Office, 215 South 4th Street, Suite C in Hamilton.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of US Dollars 78,268, equivalent to approximately Nepalese Rupees 8,335,000 to Ganesh Man Singh Foundation under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan in Japans Fiscal Year 2016. Ganesh Man Singh Foundation, a Nepali NGO in Kathmandu, will implement the Project for the Construction of a Community Center in Baneshwor, Kathmandu.

A Grant Contract relating to this project is scheduled to be signed and exchanged at the Embassy of Japan to Nepal on 23rd March, 2017, between Mr. Masashi Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Prakash Man Singh, President of Ganesh Man Singh Foundation.

This grant assistance will be used to build a community center in the Baneshwor area of Kathmandu.

Baneshwor is a newly developed area where many ethnic groups, castes, and migrants from outside the Kathmandu Valley reside. The community is still underdeveloped and faces many difficulties, particularly unemployment for youth and women, amidst other difficult living situations.

The Ganesh Man Singh Foundation was established in 1997 and aims to provide society-building human resources. This project plans to build a community center in Baneshwor, to provide trainings related to income generation and to operate awareness programs such as public health and government services. With funds from the Kathmandu municipality, the construction of a learning center at the project site (the World Peace Temple compound) is already underway. The community center funded by the Japanese Embassy will be built in the same building on the second and third floors.

The Embassy of Japan in Nepal expects that this project will benefit the unemployed youth and women of Baneshwor and will also enhance the cordial friendship between Japan and Nepal.
Guwahati, March 22 : Aftet 16 days of the Silapathar incident, Assam police finally caught the prime accused of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) office attack in the northern Assam district Subodh Biswas from a bordering village along with West Bengal-Bangladesh on Wednesday wee hours.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam police led by ADGP Mukesh Agarwala had arrested Subodh Biswas, National president of Nikhil Bharat Bangali Udbastu Samanvay Samiti (NIBBUSS) from Bijoynagar area, two kilometers away from Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas district at around 4-30 am on Wednesday.

The sleuths of Assam police had also an associate of Subodh Biswas identified as Subhash Biswas from the area.

Assam police ADGP Pallav Bhattacharya said that, following intelligence input, the sleuths of Assam police with support of West Bengal Police had launched operation at the bordering area and arrested the Most wanted person of Assam police.

"Subodh Biswas had took shelter at a house of Krishna Biswas, a retired teacher since last three days," the top cops said.

Assam police had earlier declared the NIBBUSS president and prime accused of the AASU office attack in Silapathar as Most Wanted and announced a cash bounty of Rs 1 lakh, who to provide information about Subodh Biswas.

On the other hand, Assam police Director General Mukesh Sahay said that, Subodh Biswas and his associate had managed to flee from Silapathar to Dibrugarh and left to West Bengal by train.

"Following the AASU office attack incident, police has arrested over 50 persons in connection with the incident. A case (67/2017) was registered against Subodh Biswas under section 147/148/149/448/325/307/427/153(A) of IPC. Investigation is ongoing and no one will be excused who involved in the incident," Mukesh Sahay said.

Meanwhile, Subodh Biswas and his associate have produced before the district court at Bongaon and Assam police would likely to seek them in transit remand.

Earlier, the Assam police team had carried out operations in search of the most wanted person in New Delhi, Tripura, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andaman, Arunachal Pradesh.

The archivists of NIBBUSS led by Subodh Biswas had vandalised a local office of AASU in Silapathar in northern Assam's Dhemaji district on March 6 last.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday launched initiatives to develop Majuli as India's first carbon neutral district and as a biodiversity heritage site coinciding with the celebration of International Day of Forest at Brahmaputra State Guest House in the city.

While also launching aForests are LivesaA campaign to celebrate the importance of Assam's rich forest and biodiversity, Chief Minister Sonowal stated that only till trees exist can humans live on this planet and he urged the people of the state to take a pledge to conserve its biodiversity to make Assam a pollution free state.

Saying that steps must be taken to generate more awareness among students to conserve nature, Sonowal directed the Forest Department to celebrate the international day of forest from next year in every school of the state.

Underlining state government's goal to make agreen AssamaA, Sonowal said that everyone has to conserve nature and he urged all parents to gift one sapling to their children on their birthdays and inspire them to plant trees at all available spaces in their household premises.

Saying that nature has given us in plenty and while all living beings are promoting biodiversity human beings are worst degraders of nature and ecology. Hence it is a challenge to conserve nature but with continued support from the people government would be able to achieve its goal of pollution-free state, Sonowal added.

Reiterating that tourists visit Assam to see its wildlife and nature, Sonowal said that continuous degradation of its ecology would adversely affect the economy of the state.

"Majuli is facing existential crisis and therefore initiatives like designating carbon neutral district and biodiversity heritage site are needs of the hour to preserve Majulias rich heritage and legacy," Sonowal said.

Underlining the importance of making the people of Majuli aware of these plans and taking them on board for effective implementation of the same, Chief Minister Sonowal also electronically launched a registry on Majuli biodiversity district.

The registry would record and analyse the climate impact of all proposed projects in Majuli.

It is to be mentioned here that the Sustainable Actions for Climate Resilient Development (SaCReD) Initiative is developing pathways to ensure that infrastructure in Majuli is low carbon.

Further declaration of Majuli as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), the first in the state, enforces the rich biological diversity in the wild and cultivated areas of the island and cultural heritage of Majuli and gives it a renewed identity.

The celebration is organised by Care Luit and IORA Ecological Solution with support from Assam State Biodiversity Board and State Forest Department.

Declaring that Assam Industrial Development Corporation and NGO partner Care Luit would organise Green Gold Bamboo Summit 2017 at the end of April this year at Guwahati, Sonowal highlighted the importance of bamboo plantation for the growth of state's economy.

Stating that bamboo plantation is rooted in the state's culture, Sonowal said that the government would invest more in organic sector like bamboo plantation to revitalise the bamboo based industries in the state.

Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Forest and Environment Minister Pramila Rani Brahma also spoke on the occasion along with Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: Patriotic People's Front Assam (PPFA) welcomes Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness The Dalai Lama to the city and expresses hope that his visit would strengthen the pre-historical bond between the people of Tibet and northeast India.

The Nobel peace laureate, who is scheduled to attend the concluding function of The Assam Tribune's platinum jubilee and Dainik Asom's golden jubilee celebration on 1 April before proceeding to Tawang of Arunachal Pradesh. The Dalai Lama will also grace a number of religious functions in the Tibet bordering State during the visit.

It may be noted that the China's Communist regime in Beijing has been opposing his visit to Tawang claiming that it is a disputed locality. However the Union government in New Delhi repeatedly asserted that Arunachal is an integral part of India and as an honoured guest of the country, the Tibetan spiritual leader's visit to Tawang should (must) not irritate anyone.

'We wholeheartedly support the cause of Tibetan freedom movement and sincerely believe that the Tibetan people would soon get their homeland in Lhasa,' said a statement issued by Rupam Barua, Jagadindra Raichoudhity, Anup Sarma, Soumyadeep Dutta, Ujjal Saikia etc for the PPFA adding that the Beijing administration should honour the Tibetan dream without further delay.
Guwahati, March 21 : Security forces had apprehended three Naga militants in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district on Monday, officials said on Tuesday.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, the Longding Battalion and Changlang Battalion under the aegis of DAO division conducted operations in Zedua village and Changlang town and apprehended one NSCN(U) and two NSCN(R) cadres.

Based on specific intelligence about presence of cadre trying to terrorize and carryout extortion in Zedua village, the Longding Battalion swiftly launched an operation resulting in the apprehension of Self Styled Captain Khampai Wangsu of NSCN(U) with a pistol and live ammunition.

"Post spot interrogation he admitted allegiance to NSCN(U), he further divulged that he has been an active part of the banned outfit since Oct 2001 and has received extensive weapons training for six months at NSCN(U) training camp in Nagaland," the Defence PRO said.

In a similar operation launched by the Changlang Battalion based on specific intelligence about presence of cadres trying to terrorize and carryout extortion in Changlang town, Self Styled Captain Kampong, Revenue secretary (Industries) and Self Styled Private Longkam Tunghang of NSCN(R)

were apprehended at Changlang town.

Post spot interrogation both cadres admitted allegiance to NSCN(R).

Self Styled Captain Kampong further divulged that he was previously from NSCN(K) and had defected to NSCN(R) in June 2015 and has been acting as the Revenue secretary (Industries) for the banned outfit, he has under gone weapons training in Myanmar.

The Self Styled Private Longkam Tunghang confessed to joining the banned outfit in August 2016 and has received extensive weapons training for three months at NSCN(R) training camp in Nagaland.

The duo was responsible for extortion activities in Changlang and was planning to extort money from petrol pumps, coileries and tea estates.

The security forces has been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this apprehension has struck a blow to the extortion activities being carried out by the underground cadres of the group in the area.

On the other hand, based on specific information regarding presence of an arms cadre in general area Kohima, Assam Rifles alongwith police representative launched an operation in D Khel village, Kohima on Monday and apprehended a person alongwith one point 22 mm Rifle, one point 22 mm (GSG5) Rifle, one AK-47, one magazine point 32 mm, 87 live round of assorted ammunition and 10 fired cartridges.

The individual was identified as N Kire, resident of D Khel village, Kohima District.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal: The legislative parliament has on Wednesday endorsed the bill related to the political parties amid a protest from the fringe parties.

With the endorsement of the bill any political party will be recognized as a national party only it secure at least one seat under first-past-the-post (FPTP) and three percent proportional vote.

The bill was endorsed amid the protest from the fringe parties. Lawmakers of many fringe parties boycotted the House meeting protesting the threshold provision.

Earlier, State Affairs Committee under the legislative parliament had passed the bill with majority.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepali Congress (NC) has postponed its scheduled Central Working Committee CWC) meeting for three days.

The CWC meeting scheduled for Thursday morning will begin at 8:30 am on Sunday, March 26, NC has informed through a press statement on Wednesday.

Party president Sher Bahadur Deuba had called the CWC responding to the pressure from the party leader Ram Chandra Paudel and General Secretary Shashank Koirala. The CWC meeting is postponed citing lack of preparations.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Minister for Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has made clear that no any bilateral agreement or treaty would be signed with China during the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals visit to the northern neighbor China which is beginning March 23.

Foreign Minister Dr. Mahat has made clear while speaking at the press meet program organized at the MoFA on Wednesday.

In the press conference organized to make clear about Prime Minister Dahals visit to China Dr. Mahat said no any bilateral agreement or treaty would be signed with China during the Prime Minister Dahals visit because both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of China will be in visit to Australia, though Nepal has already prepared for the bilateral agreement.

Minister Dr. Mahat, however said that Nepal would put agendas of bilateral cooperation while meeting with Chinese leaders as almost all preparations have already been over from the Nepal side.

Prime Minister Dahal is going to leave for the northern neighbor China on Tuesday to take part in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017.

Prime Minister Dahal would address the Boao Conference opening ceremony on March 25 in Boao of Hainan.
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UAE to Chair Kimberley Process in 2024 DMCC has announced that the UAE will be appointed Chair of the Kimberley Process in 2024, assuming the role as Vice-Chair in 2023. The decision follows the deliberations at the Kimberley Process Plenary meeting in Gaborone, Botswana that concluded on...

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Sibanye-Stillwaters SA PGMs output dips on power cuts Sibanye-Stillwaters platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E) production from its South Africa Platinum Group Metals (PGM) operations was affected by power curtailment imposed by the national power utility, Eskom during the third quarter...
Karin Sillmann: Estonia has qualification levels for architects

How construction and construction materials production problems are solved in the Baltic country

Karin SILLMAN, Head of Construction and Housing Policy Department of the Ministry of Economy and Communications of the Republic of Estonia, answers questions from the Construction.RU online journal.

 Which agency or department of the Estonian Government is the construction industry regulator? What is it responsible for? In particular, are the issues of legislation and standard technical documents development and price setting in the construction industry included in the scope of its activity?

 In Estonia the Ministry of Economy and Communications, or more particularly the Department of Construction and Housing Policy, is responsible for the construction industry. Its mission is to take part in working out the governmental plan of the construction and utilities development and to provide for their implementation; to participate in the standardisation in the construction sphere and the conformance evaluation of the construction companies.

Additionally, the Department deals with the construction market control coordination and state surveillance in this sphere, plus it develops and maintains the registration of buildings. The Department has the right to take statutory and regulatory decisions on enterprises involved in construction and utilities.

The ministry is focused on the preparation and standardisation of bill drafts, excluding financial management and its control.

 In Russia, self-regulation in the construction industry fails to prove its efficiency. As such, what is the state of things with regard to self-regulation in your country? Are there any trade unions for builders, construction material producers and other such public organisations in Estonia? What are their main tasks, from your point of view?

 There are either no trade unions in the sphere of construction in Estonia, or their influence is very weak.

The most influential are self-regulating professional associations, which coordinate their members activity and the work of organisations and also give advice to governmental structures and develop standards.

 According to the latest data of the Department of statistics of Estonia, in the third quarter of 2016 the Estonian construction enterprises built real estate objects totalling 612 mln euro, which approximately corresponds to the results of the same period of 2015. Following these data can we assert that the crisis in the construction industry of Estonia is over and positive dynamics are setting in again?

 Actually, the growth of construction activisation has been noted, and this points to the fact there has been a lightening of economic pressure.

 What are the terms for issuing residential construction permits (for multi-family and individual houses) in your country? In Russia, one must collect 119 official documents. How many documents are needed in Estonia?

 The terms of issuing residential construction and commissioning permits are determined by the construction law of the Republic of Estonia.               .

The usual response time is 30 days from the date of registration. Establishments and interested parties are given 10 days for the documents approval. Unless the documents meet all the requirements the administrative authority will demand to fill the gaps and the term of the procedure is then prolonged.

 How long does the procedure take on the average?

 We do not have average statistical data concerning the terms of issuing permission in Estonia, but it is likely to be within 30 days. The number of documents to be presented depends on the location of objects and their peculiarities.

 Is there any excessive bureaucracy in this sphere and if there is, how are you coping with it?

 To decrease bureaucracy we have introduced a digital procedure for considering permits since 2016. Recently, the system of getting permits for the construction of objects of low risk and of no public interest was simplified.

 The Estonian construction industry is mainly export oriented: some of your companies supply up to 90% of its production abroad. What are the advantages of the Estonian manufacturer with respect to price, quality, proximity to the market outlets or everything taken together?

 Estonian construction companies successfully export prefabricated modular wooden houses, concrete elements and facades. Construction materials and wooden structures are very competitive on the markets of neighbouring countries due to their price and quality.

I want to remark that western consumers credit for the quality of Estonian products and services is higher than to those from other countries of the former Eastern block. Estonian businessmen are entrusted with complicated tasks, such as design, engineering and main contracting works.

 Once, Estonian producers of crushed stone, kerbs and other construction materials faced the problem of the requirements strictly in compliance with the European standard. What is the situation now when it comes to the work according to the European standards? Did they have to add anything to enhance the quality and competitiveness?

 Estonian products are among the most competitive on the European market as they correspond to all the criteria of the European standards developed and admitted by the EU. There is no statistical data on quality increase but the quality control is undoubtedly high.

 Finland is one of the world's leaders and trendsetters in the field of modern wooden housing. How about Estonia? Do you use your neighbours experience?

 There is a chain of enterprises in Estonia dealing with the production and construction of wooden houses. Our country is one of the chief exporters of wooden structures all over Europe: the export turnover of wooden buildings totals about 300 m euro and is growing rapidly. The advantages of Estonian production are in its quality, the feasibility of the producers policy and a competitive price. For example, a year ago an Estonian enterprise took part in the construction of the highest wooden building in Bergen (Norway).

 How does the housing utilities system work in Estonia? Are there any complaints from citizens about the activities of the managing companies?

 Enterprises render municipal services in accordance with the law.

 What is the status of the chief architect in Estonia? How independent and autonomous is this official in making decisions?

 The Estonian Ministry of Culture is going to organise a round table discussion in the nearest future to consider the idea of creating the position of a state architect. And, presently, architects of the municipal authorities are responsible for spatial planning.

 How is an architects qualification appraised? Is there any ranking?

 The Architects Union of Estonia created a qualification committee which is responsible for the granting of corresponding levels of qualification to architects: a licensed architect being level 7, an authorised architect at level 7 and an authorised architect-expert , level 8.

Alexander GUSEV
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Mar-21-2017 17:02 TweetFollow @OregonNews Reality and the U.S.-Made Famine in Yemen We must continually educate ourselves about the reality of what our nations actions mean to the worlds poor.

Photo credit - UNHCR

(CHICAGO, Ill.) - This week at the Voices for Creative Nonviolence office in Chicago, my colleague Sabia Rigby prepared a presentation for a local high school. Shell team up with a young friend of ours, himself a refugee from Iraq, to talk about refugee crises driven by war. Sabia recently returned from Kabul where she helped document the young Afghan Peace Volunteers efforts to help bring warmth, food and education to internally displaced families living in makeshift camps, having fled the Afghan War when it raged near their former homes. Last year Sabia had been visiting with refugees in the Calais Jungle, who were fleeing the Middle East and several African countries for Britain. Thwarted from crossing the English Channel, a large mass of people were stopped in this refugee camp in Calais, France, from which French authorities eventually evacuated them, defying their careful solidarity and burning their camp to the ground. As part of her high school talk, Sabia prepared a handout to show where refugees are the most welcomed. One detail astonished her. In FY 2016, the U.S. admitted 84,995 refugees, but Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world took in 117,000 new refugees and migrants in 2016, and hosts more than 255,000 refugees from Somalia. Yemen is now beginning to host the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. What's more, the country is regularly targeted by Saudi and U.S. airstrikes. Since we are also planning a week of fast and action related to the tragic circumstances Yemen faces, we were astounded when we realized Yemen is a path of escape for Somalis fleeing the Horn of Africa, refugees of one conflict, stranded in their flight, and trapped in a country where deadly conflict is precipitating into deadlier famine. After years of U.S. support for dictator Ali Adullah Saleh, civil war has wracked Yemen since 2014. Its neighbor Saudi Arabia, itself among the regions cruelest dictatorships and a staunch U.S. ally, became nervous in 2015 about the outcome and, with support from nine regional allies, began subjecting the country to a punishing barrage of airstrikes, and also imposed a blockade that ended the inflow of food and supplies to Yemen through a major port. This was accomplished with massive, ongoing weapons shipments from the U.S., which has also waged independent airstrikes that have killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. Pummeled by airstrikes and fighting, facing economic collapse and on the brink of famine, how could this tiny, impoverished country absorb thousands upon thousands of desperate migrants? Yemen imports 90% of its food. Because of the blockade, food and fuel prices are rising and scarcity is at crisis levels. UNICEF estimates that more than 460,000 children in Yemen face severe malnutrition, and 3.3 million children and pregnant or lactating women suffer acute malnutrition. More than 10,000 people have been killed, including 1,564 children, and millions have been displaced from their homes, but worse is the groundwork laid for the far greater devastation of famine. Iona Craig, in the IRIN publication, recently wrote: In the middle of a vast expanse of grey scrubland, a rapidly growing population of more than 120 families huddle under parched trees. Escaping the latest wave of conflict on Yemens Red Sea coast, they walked two days to get to this camp southwest of Taiz city. But on arrival, the scores of women and children found nothing. No support from aid agencies. No food. No water. No shelter. The elderly talk of eating the trees to survive, while children beg for water from local farmers. A mother cradles her clearly malnourished baby in her arms. Now comes word that on March 16th, forty-two Somali people were killed in sustained gunfire from the air as they set forth in a boat attempting to flee Yemen. "I took cover in the belly of the ship, said Ibrahim Ali Zeyad, a Somali who survived the attack. People were falling left and right. Everyone kept screaming, We are Somali! We are Somali! But the shooting continued for what felt like half an hour. The attack on Yemen traps both Yemenis and fleeing Somalis in the worst of four developing crises which collectively amount, one U.N. official warns, to the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of the U.N. As of this writing, no one has taken responsibility for the strike, but survivors say they were attacked by a helicopter gunship. The boat was carrying 140 people as it headed north off the coast of Yemen. Meanwhile, US weapons makers, including General Dynamics, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin, profit massively from weapon sales to Saudi Arabia. In December, 2017, Medea Benjamin wrote: "Despite the repressive nature of the Saudi regime, U.S. governments have not only supported the Saudis on the diplomatic front, but militarily. Under the Obama administration, this has translated into massive weapons sales of $115 billion." At this critical juncture, all member states of the UN must call for an end to the blockade and airstrikes, a silencing of all guns, and a negotiated settlement to the war in Yemen. The worst malefactors, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, must abandon cynical maneuvering against rivals like Iran, in the face of such an unspeakable human cost as Yemen is being made to pay. U.S. people bear responsibility to demand a radical departure from U.S. policy which exacerbates the deadly tragedy faced by people living in Yemen. Choosing a path of clear opposition to U.S. policies toward Yemen, U.S. citizens should demand elected representatives stop all drone attacks and military special operations within Yemen, end all U.S. weapon sales and military aid to Saudi Arabia, and provide compensation to those who suffered losses caused by U.S. attacks. Our group of activists long functioned under the name Voices in the Wilderness," a campaign to defy U.S. economic warfare against Iraq, a form of war through imposition of economic sanctions which directly contributed to the deaths of over 500,000 children. Lost in a culture of hostile unreality and unbearable silence concerning economic warfare, we were evoking, perhaps unconsciously, the plight of refugees seeking survival. We didn't succeed in lifting the brutal economic sanctions against Iraq, but we surely learned harsh realities about how callous and reckless U.S. policy makers could be. We must ground ourselves in reality and in solidarity with the greater part of the worlds people. As our neighbors around the world flee in desperation across borders or within the confines of their own countries, we must continually educate ourselves about the reality of what our nations actions mean to the worlds poor. Building toward a time when our voices may unite and be heard, we must raise them now in crying out for the people of Yemen. _________________________________________ Kathy Kelly, Contributing Writer co-coordinates Voices for Creative Nonviolence (www.vcnv.org). Contact Ms Kelly at kathy@vcnv.org. _________________________________________

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Articles for March 21, 2017 | Articles for March 22, 2017
Buildings are starting to rise, ground is set to be broken and plans are being approved for the many different pieces of the highly anticipate
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At least three people died and 20 were injured when an attacker rammed a car into crowds of people before stabbing a police officer in the grounds of the UK Parliament.
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Nat Wolff stars in Adam Wingard's version of Death Note, which is heading to Netflix on August 25.

The first, brief teaser has now been released, which you can dissect below.
As ScreenAnarchy's readership is now well aware - thanks to the enthusiasm of our own associate editor, Josh Hurtado, the Indian film industry has been at a very interesting stage for the past decade, with its blooming and varied production. It is now not uncommon to get to see dark and critical films anymore, as well as blockbusters made in Bollywood (see what S.S. Rajamouli did with his epic Baahubali diptych). This of course didn't escape Netflix's gaze, which is now regularly fueling its lineup with Indian films.

Indian short films, however, have yet to receive the attention they deserve, because unless you're a hardcore festivalgoer, you don't have much opportunity to see what's going on in that specific area. And believe me, there are things that are definitely worth your time. The work of Bhargav Saikia for instance embodies another kind of emerging creativity that exists in Indian independent cinema. After having seduced the film festival circuit with Awakenings (2015), Saikia is currently developing a project that looks very promising.

The filmmaker will bring Ruskin Bond's short story The Black Cat to life, thus tackling another literary adaptation - Awakenings was loosely based upon Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. Supported by the well-known Indian author and by a very experienced crew, Saikia will tackle this fantasy story that deals with a witch. Starring Tom Alter and Shernaz Patel, the short will be shot in April in the Himalayan province of Uttarakhand. Post-production is scheduled for June.

So you might want to check the lineup of film festivals around this fall to get a chance to catch The Black Cat. For more information, the full press release is copied below.
New films from Feng Xiaogang and Park Chan-wook shared the spoils in Hong Kong last night, as the 11th Asian Film Awards presented top honours to I am not Madame Bovary, naming the mainland Chinese drama Best Film. Its star Fan Bingbing won the Best Actress prize, while the films unique cinematography by Luo Pan was also rewarded.

Erotic South Korean drama The Handmaiden won four awards in total, including Best Supporting Actress for Moon So-ri, Best Newcomer for Kim Tae-ri, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

Tadanobu Asano was named Best Actor for Harmonium, while Hong Kong favourite Lam Suet won Best Supporting Actor for Trivisa. Na Hong-jin took home the Best Director award for his supernatural thriller The Wailing, and Academy Award winner Asghar Farhadi collected the Best Screenplay prize for The Salesman.

Apprentice (Best Editing), Shin Godzilla (Best Visual Effects), The Age of Shadows (Best Score) and Crosscurrent (Best Sound) also picked up technical prizes at the ceremony, where Tsui Hark was given the Lifetime Achievement Award and Sammi Cheng received the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award. Jelly Lin, breakout star of Stephen Chows The Mermaid, was named Rising Star of Asia.
Four years ago, Evan Katz made his directorial debut with the pitch-black comedy thriller Cheap Thrills, pitting Pat Healy against Ethan Embry in a diabolical, desperate game of survival. Now Katz has returned to the director's chair with Small Crimes, which takes a decidedly more relaxed, though no less diabolical, approach to pitch-black comic suspense.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stars as Joe Denton, introduced as he's released from prison and seeks to establish a new life in a small town where he was born and raised. But his old life casts a long shadow; no one looks happy to see him, not even his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert Forster).

Gradually it's revealed that Joe was a police officer until he was busted for corruption and certain other 'small crimes.' Among his crimes was disfiguring the district attorney and crossing enough other local heavyweights to the point that his future prospects look dismal indeed.

As if that's not enough, his former police superior (Gary Cole) informs him that the aged local crime boss is dying, but before he dies, he appears determined to spill his guts about all his past misdeeds -- and those of everyone else in town. That would send everyone to jail, so the task of silencing the crime boss is given to Joe as a priority order.

In the past, Joe had no qualms about any criminal activity, but since his release from prison he's determined to go straight. Will he be able to hold to his new path when everyone else wants him to remain crooked?

Director Katz began his screen career by writing a series of short films directed by Adam Wingard. After helming Cheap Thrills, he directed a short for ABCs of Death 2 and an episode of Scream: The TV Series. He spent a season as producer on Hap and Leonard, the delightfully bent crime series based on the characters created by the great Joe R. Lansdale.

Small Crimes is based on a novel by Dave Zeltserman, first published in 2008. Katz collaborated with Macon Blair (I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore) to write the screenplay and their joint effort has all the hallmarks of a classic noir: impossible odds faced by doomed characters equipped with gallows humor.

Indeed, the film delivers on that promise, proving to be a gripping daytime noir that packs a sneaky punch. It's not at all what's expected, not only in plot development but in how the awesome cast, including Molly Parker, Pat Healy, Larry Fessenden, and Macon Blair, help dislocate the twists and turns in their characters.

While lacking the visceral impact of Cheap Thrills, the criminal charms of Small Crimes are more insidious, worming their way into the subconscious long after the closing credits have rolled.

The film enjoyed its world premiere at SXSW. It will debut on Netflix on April 28.


Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
 Senate confirms two (holdover) nominees to US Sentencing Commission!! | Main | Tenth Circuit clarifies and emphasizes import and reach of Graham's limit on extreme juve sentences 

March 22, 2017

Interesting letters from and to US Senate about work of federal prosecutors in Trump era

Two new press pieces report on two notable new letters about the work of federal prosecutors in the new Administration. Here are the headlines, links, and leads:

From Politico, "Senators press Sessions on drug policy changes":

Three Democratic senators are urging Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to return to policies that urge prosecutors to pursue long mandatory-minimum prison sentences against low-level drug offenders. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont sent Sessions a letter Tuesday pleading with him not to abandon the Obama administrations Smart on Crime initiative that generally led to earlier releases for those convicted of drug dealing in the federal system. Changes to current drug charging policies that lead to more mandatory minimum penalties in low-level, nonviolent drug cases will not increase public safety and will only increase taxpayer spending on our bloated federal prison system, the senators wrote. We are concerned about a possible shift in the Justice Departments treatment of federal drug cases and the specter that mandatory minimum penalties may once again be used by the Justice Department on a routine basis as tools to prosecute low-level nonviolent drug offenses.

From the Washington Examiner, "Groups urge greater oversight of US Attorney nominees":

Criminal justice reform advocates are urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to exercise greater oversight of United States Attorney nominees. Their letter, sent Tuesday and signed by the American Conservative Union Foundation, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Right on Crime Coalition and R Street Institute, comes less than a month after the Trump administration dismissed 46 U.S. attorneys. U.S. attorneys make up the 93 positions nationwide. After they are nominated by President Trump, the Senate Judiciary Committee must consider them and make recommendations to the full Senate about confirmation. The letter includes questions the four groups think the Senate committee should ask all nominees, noting that prosecutors "are central to the integrity of the entire criminal proceeding."

March 22, 2017 at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Comments

These biased lawyers should all be replaced by robots.

As usual, I am representing the average person from earth to the lawyer fantasy land of rent seeking and theft of tax payer money.

http://www.cbronline.com/news/internet-of-things/cognitive-computing/1-4-believe-robots-make-better-politicians/

Posted by: David Behar | Mar 22, 2017 10:11:14 PM

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An attack that injured an as-yet unknown number of people in London Wednesday has caused San Francisco's airport to increase security, and has San Francisco police monitoring the overseas situation.

As reported by the BBC, the incident occurred at 14:40 GMT, which is 7:40 a.m. in San Francisco. Information on the attack is still being released, but according to the New York Times, police were called to London's Westminster Bridge on reports of a firearms incident. The Independent reports that an attacker "mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, before slamming his car into railings and stabbing a policeman outside Parliament." Gunfire was also reported outside the governmental building, the BBC reports.

There was a loud bang. Screams. Commotion. Then the sound of gunshots. Armed police everywhere.  Tom Peck (@tompeck) March 22, 2017

"One police officer and at least two others" were killed in the melee, the Independent reports, with "at least" 20 more injured, even as other publications say the number killed and wounded is still unknown. The assailant, described as "middle-aged," was fatally shot by police, the Independent reports.

The San Francisco Police Department is monitoring news from London, spokesperson Officer Giselle Talkoff tells NBC Bay Area, "and will be ready to respond in the event that a local threat presents itself." Meanwhile, BART says that their "Critical Asset Protection team is on patrol as part of its regular schedule," and officials with the Golden Gate Bridge say that the agency is "always on high alert at the bridge to keep it safe from threats."

It's SFO that seems most concerned by the London attack, with "an increased amount of uniformed police officers" patrolling the terminals and tarmac, SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel tells NBC. All in all, Yakel says, "a heightened level of vigilance," is in place at the airport, but for now travelers should not expect protocols at the security check or gates to change.
San Francisco school officials and labor organizers are investigating a video secretly recorded by a right-wing group called Project Veritas and released online yesterday. The video and audio, which are edited to an unknown degree, purport to show 2015 conversations with a union representative, United Educators of San Francisco's treasurer and field representative Antonio Mankini, in which Mankini seems to advise teachers against coming forward after hitting students. "Were there any witnesses? Mankini asks. Just keep it that way. Seriously. If there werent any witnesses, its his word against the kids.

Project Veritas operatives posing as an SF teacher and his friend went to discuss matters with Mankini and recorded the video without the union representative's knowledge. In it, Mankini appears to admit that he himself has been violent toward students, "clotheslining" one. And that one still bothered me, he appears to say in the video. "That one, yeah, because I crossed the line. I know, I mean, I made it look like an accident and all the witnesses would have said, No, he ran into my arm."

In light of the video, the United Educators of San Francisco have placed Mankini on administrative leave, the Chronicle reports, though the labor group casts doubt on the veracity of Project Veritas's footage, citing the track record of founder James O'Keefe.

OKeefe and Project Veritas are known for breaking laws, lying, and wrongdoing in pursuit of their political agenda, the statement reads. Nevertheless, the deceptive video clips that OKeefe has posted are troubling and we are committed to a swift, full, and fair investigation so that all appropriate actions can be taken.

Andrew Seaman, chairman of the ethics committee for the Society of Professional Journalists, urges a healthy dose of skepticism. If its cut up or choppy, theres probably something else in there, Seaman told the Examiner. Its one of those things where it may look damning, but you dont know what else happened during that interview.

James O'Keefe was the subject of a 2016 New Yorker piece that profiled his and similar right-wing sting operations, self-directed conservative opposition research with the goal of entrapping liberals in damning admissions (or at least in statements that could be construed as damning when re-cut or edited). Among these efforts was one by a group called the Center for Medical Progress who attempted to frame Planned Parenthood as a harvester of "baby parts" and fetal tissue. Later, a Texas grand jury indicted the Center for Medical Progress and cleared Planned Parenthood of wrongdoing.

To the New Yorker, O'Keefe demonstrated tiny cameras he'd hidden in wristwatches, iPods, and Aquafina water bottles. But O'Keefe's attempts have also backfired: He was caught trying to infiltrate a George Soros group when he failed to hang up the phone after a call and was heard revealing himself. He's also been sued in California, such as in 2009, when a representative from liberal community-organizing group ACORN was ensnared by an O'Keefe video. Although the ACORN official was fired, he collected a settlement in the hundreds of thousands of dollars from O'Keefe, as he hadn't consented to the videotaping, as is required in California.

Regardless of O'Keefe's background, San Francisco Unified School District spokesperson Gentle Blythe wrote in an email to the Examiner that the system found the material "very disturbing."

We have grave concerns about the behavior Mr. Mankini references and encourage any former students, staff or family members who may have experienced mistreatment from Mr. Mankini or any other district employee to report their concerns immediately, Blythe wrote.

Related: SF School Board To Repeal Long Unobserved Rule Segregating Asian Students
Uber offered up a rare conference call for the news media Tuesday with just a few hours notice  ahem, SFist was not invited  in which board member Arianna Huffington tried to make the case that everyone there is still behind CEO Travis Kalanick and everything will be just fine once they hire a COO to help him. As the New York Times reports, Huffington said during the 45-minute call, "The board is confident in Travis, and we are proceeding ahead with the search for the COO. Put very simply, change starts at the top.

Along with two other highly placed women at the company, recently hired human resources head Liane Hornsey and Rachel Holt, who heads up Ubers ride-hailing business in the US and Canada, Huffington laid out a multi-part plan for putting the company back on track after a tumultuous two months of terrible press and internal shakeups.

Kalanick was not on the call, and Hornsey glossed over that by saying, "We wanted to have the people responsible for making things happen on the call."

Huffington further made the statement of confidence about Kalanick that "the whole ride-sharing industry would not be where it is today without Travis," and she said "I have seen, personally, Travis' evolution."

But as CNet notes, Hornsey stepped in to suggest that company would no longer allow Kalanick's freewheeling style to go unchecked, and would soon be releasing its first diversity report.

"Uber is disruptive  and disruption demands the confidence to be bold," Hornsey said during the call. "What I have seen though, is that this has translated internally to what I would call a cult of the individual. We now need to expend genuine effort ensuring the individual is never more important than the team  not ever."

The choice to have just the three women on the call was a calculated one, as VentureBeat points out, perhaps to "send a strong message to the female rank and file at Uber" that the company would no longer be a harassment-filled boys' club.

Recent allegations of widespread sexual harassment from a former employee seem to have directly precipitated the departure of company president Jeff Jones, which he announced Monday. The scandal also led to the firing of vice president of engineering Amit Singhal in February, after it was suggested that he had departed a previous job at Google amid sexual harassment allegations.

Then there were the added troubles posed by the #DeleteUber campaign that erupted amid an immigration-related taxi strike in New York City, and the leaked video of Kalanick berating a driver who was trying to express frustration with the way the company treats its drivers.

Still, Holt said during her portion of the call that business remained very strong, and post-#DeleteUber, the company had its biggest week to date in terms of US trips taken last week. Also, "In our most mature country, weve grown faster in the first 10 weeks of 2017 than in the first 10 weeks of 2016. [And] Looking at less mature regions like Latin America, trips were up 600 percent in February, year on year," Holt said, per the Times.

You can read the complete prepared remarks by the three women here, on Uber's blog.

All previous Uber coverage on SFist.


In 2011, Milwaukee JobsWork President and Founder Bill Krugler retired as managing director of Mason Wells, the largest private equity firm in Wisconsin. Rather than submit to an easy retirement, Krugler intended to use his business acumen to help alleviate poverty in Milwaukee by addressing one of the central citys most pertinent and persistent problems: chronic unemployment. Focused both on the individual and the community, Milwaukee JobsWork is a nonprofit that places motivated, unemployed individuals in jobs in addition to assisting small businesses by facilitating connections with local institutions. Off the Cuff recently spoke with Krugler about helping small businesses, championing the individual and what Milwaukee can do better.

How did JobsWork do in 2016?

We currently have 50 individuals that are actively with us. Most of them, probably 45 of them, are actively working and the other five are either working or are working through some other issues that they need to address before they work. Of those 50 about 10 of them have actually reached the point of having a job that theyve been able to sustain enough to lift them out of poverty. Our goal is to take in approximately 100 new people in the course of a year. One of the things that is a pinnacle of what we do is we say that we work with motivated individuals that are living in poverty that want to change their circumstances. The motivation piece is really key to us and that means that I dont care what you bring to the tableissues youve had in the past or the background you bring  We work with people who are homeless, who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. We work with people who are convicted felons, so whatever youre bringing to the table, its okay as long as you want to change your life.

Stay on top of the news of the day

Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays. SIGN UP

How does JobsWork help small businesses?

We actually have two programs within Milwaukee JobsWork. We have what we call Employee Development, which is focused on individuals living in poverty in the city of Milwaukee. And then the second program we have is called Small Business Development. One of the other challenges in the central city of Milwaukee is that there arent a lot of businesses and that makes it difficult for people living in the city. One of the barriers people have is transportation; they dont have access to an automobile or they may not have a valid drivers license, so getting to businesses in the suburbs is a challenge. Our goal is to actually help create and grow small businesses in the central city of Milwaukee  The way that we do that is we have relationships with what we characterize as anchor institutions that are large organizations deeply embedded in Milwaukee  We try to identify small businesses in the city that could be a supplier to these large anchor institutions and we try to help them grow their business. We provide mentorship to the small business entrepreneur all free of charge to the business.

What can the community do better to help the chronically unemployed?

The other thing I think we need to do as a community is we all need to collaborate more. There are so many nonprofits and unfortunately sometimes they work in their own silos, and theyre very much focused on trying to do everything for the people that they serve and its really impossible to do everything really well. So, what we try to do is link ourselves with other organizations that are really good at what they do so that we dont have to build capability in ourselves.

To learn more about Milwaukee JobsWork visit milwaukeejobswork.org or call 414-249-5948.
 Expand Photo credit: Susan Melkisethian

It is snowing in Washington D.C.strange in early March after an insanely warm winter, but nothing compared to the cold many of the activists and tribal members gathered here endured in North Dakota while fighting against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Kristen Tuske, a 39-year-old Sioux woman from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, stands with several other women in front of the White House, her back to it, fist raised in the air. She has pink hair, sculpted arches for eyebrows and tattoos on the side of her face. She lived at the camp where thousands of water protectors gathered to fight the pipeline for seven months.

The last couple weeks at the camp were sad and everyone was a little angry, she said. A lot of feelings are hurt ... That was our home and we got kicked out. The last protesters left the camp on Feb. 23.

The struggle started last summer when the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes sued the Army Corps of Engineers to stop the construction of the pipeline, claiming it could contaminate their water supply and destroy significant archeological sites. That kicked off months of protests, often pitting camps of indigenous peopleand the environmentalists and veterans that had come to fight with themagainst an increasingly militarized police presence. Obama twice ordered construction stopped, but, after taking office, Trump gave the go-ahead to the pipeline, insisting publicly that it must be constructed of American steel (a stance he quietly reversed this month).

The evacuation of the camp may be a defeat for Standing Rock but, in the eyes of those gathered in front of the White House, it may also signal the beginning of something greater, the possibility of a real environmental movement in America.

The reason I am here is to represent our future generations and be their voice, part of the resistance in decolonizing our minds, said JoRee LaFrance, a member of the Crow tribe from Montana. Protecting our waters should be our number-one priority, and thats why were all here is to unite and protect tribal sovereignty and to protect indigenous people and their waters. People need to realize indigenous people are doing this for all people, not just indigenous people. Were here to protect the water for all people.

As I talk to people at the rally, I hear that sentiment again and again. It is not just about the water at Standing Rock. It is a symbolic battle, a turning point. The indigenous people are stepping forward to save the planetand to save us from ourselves.

Little Thunder, an elder from South Dakotas Rosebud Indian Reservation, is standing apart from the crowd in full ceremonial regalia: a feathered headdress, a circular feather shield, and some mirrored sunglasses. He came all the way to Washington to let people know and let Trump know that this is not just a Standing Rock or a Washington, D.C., or a politics issue. This is for the whole earth. Were trying to save the water because water is life.

Little Thunder says he is a single father of six children, four of them living at Standing Rock. His voice is high and pinched; hes almost singing as he speaks. Once he let [Standing Rock] go through, they think they can destroy the water, which is life every place else on this earth, not just Standing Rock, he says.

David Kenny, a member of the Seneca Nation, is standing with a sign that reads Water is Life. Its not just about Native Americans anymore. Its about everyone, he says. Because you keep poisoning the water, youre going to start paying for it and theyre going to shoot that price up. Youre going to be paying $20 for a bottle of it. Its not just about the tribes anymore.

He turns his attention toward the White House and the man inside. Can you stop this pipeline, please? he asks, his voice soft. Its not about business anymore. Its not just us thats going to fallits you, too. Everybody is going to die if this continues. The earth is dying.

There is no indication that Trump or anyone else in the White House hears this, despite the fact that native nations have spent the last four days with teepees set up on the mall, raising awareness of indigenous and environmental issues. On March 9, the day before the gathering across from the White House, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said he would not agree that climate change caused by human activity is a primary contributor to the global warming that we see.

But as the Native Nations Rise rally went down, thousands of people were calling the EPA to complain about Pruitts disavowal of accepted science. On the very same day as the rally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a study reporting that carbon dioxide levels rose at a record pace for second straight year. The two-year, 6-ppm surge in the greenhouse gas between 2015 and 2017 is unprecedented in the observatorys 59-year record, the report read.

Trumps budget proposal, released a week after the rally, slashed the EPA by more than 30%. NOAA is not included in the final proposal, but a leaked draft showed a 17% decrease in funding.

The snow falls on the demonstrators and the dancers and the speakers on the stage. Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas takes the stage. He is part Shoshone and organized the release of a song recorded by a collection of mostly native artists to bring attention to Native American issues. It is still a strange moment, watching the snow fall as this pop star in a floppy hat sings over a recording of his bands song I Gotta Feeling and people sway and dance and sing along, making it feel, for a moment, more like spring break than a deadly serious fight for the fate of the world. Looking over at the White House, I have a feeling that tonights probably not gonna be a good night. But if we listen to the water protectors, we may still have some good nights left.
Donald Trump is falling into the Scott Walker trap, and his desperate, low-income, small-town, white supporters are once again going to suffer the consequences.

In November, residents of dying small towns and rural communities across Wisconsin and the nation were so enraged, feeling government was ignoring their problems, they voted for an obnoxious, bombastic blowhard who promised to burn down the whole joint.

Now that their amateur president has produced a budget to begin the mass destruction of government services, its not going to create any employment in their towns or reopen their boarded-up storefronts.

Wisconsin has been here before. Just like Trump, Republican Scott Walker ran for governor in 2010 promising tax cuts for everybody while guaranteeing a whopping 250,000 jobs within four years. That was nearly seven years ago, and we dont have them yet.

Through the end of 2016, Wisconsin, under Walker, created 185,208 jobs. In fact, 2016 was Walkers worst year for job creation, adding only 17,200. At the current rate, Walker wont accomplish in two terms what he promised in one. The reason Walker failed so miserably is the same reason Trump will.

Creating jobs and improving wages for working Americans are in direct conflict with the Republican Partys highest priorityslashing the cost of government to give massive tax cuts to the wealthy. They toss a little loose change to the middle class, but the primary goal has always been enormous, satisfying tax cuts of six or eight figures for the wealthy.

When Walker closed a $3 billion state budget gap by destroying union rights and taking it out of the wages of public employees, he crippled his own job creation. He wreaked more havoc by undermining all unions with a wage-lowering right-to-work law. The real job creators in every state are their working men and women. The more money ordinary working people have to spend on goods and services, the more people are hired to produce goods and deliver services. Consumer spending is the driving force for 70% of economic growth.

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Republicans bragging about slashing government spending never mention that its another way to say theyre eliminating jobs and cutting wages for working people. Thats why Trumps massive proposed federal budget cuts are a major attack on U.S. employment.

Cruel Cuts for Trump Voters

Trump cruelly aimed his most vicious budget cuts directly at programs of the Departments of Labor and Agriculturewhacking 21%that aid in development and job retraining for older Americans in small towns and rural areas where the desperately under-employed voted for Trump. In the nations poorest counties in Appalachia, the lower Mississippi delta and New England near the Canadian border, three federal rural development commissions help build roads, sewers and health clinics and provide education and job training.

Correction: They used to.

Trumps budget eliminates all three commissions. That would demolish assistance for 37 million people in 698 counties where the poverty rate is 33% higher than the national average. In November, those impoverished counties voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton by 26 percentage points.

Only the Environmental Protection Agency (cut 31%) and State Department (cut 29%) took bigger hits than Labor and Agriculture. If the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay or other bodies of water, where Trump is eliminating pollution cleanup, become cesspools, people can escape by going off to war against North Korea, Syria, China, Britain or wherever.

Oh, yeah, remember Trumps promise of a trillion-dollar spending program to rebuild Americas infrastructure: roads, bridges, airports and lots of other shiny new stuff? It would put millions of Americans to work, and even Democrats thought it was a good idea.

Thats not in Trumps budget and, just in case Americans havent figured out they cant believe anything Trump says, he also eliminates $500 million in the Transportation Department for road building.

The only infrastructure Trump cares about is his dumb Mexican wall. Trump voters are shocked Mexico refuses to pay for it even though Trump said they would. Trump includes $1.5 billion in his budget to start that baby, which could cost tens of billions of dollars and have absolutely no economic benefit, but its an important symbol of racism for Trump. Trump believes he doesnt really have to produce any jobs in those sad, little towns where his angry, jobless white voters live as long as he fuels their rage against brown-skinned immigrants and other minorities who actually face even more obstacles to employment than many poor whites do. Let them eat hate.

The media try to avoid being elitist by not describing Trumps supporters as ignorant for voting for a totally self-centered billionaire whose cruel budget and massive increases in the cost of health care for older Americans will only make their lives worse. But its Trump, the master of sweeping racial stereotypes, who thinks his white, working class voters are too stupid to notice he keeps kicking them in the teeth.
We have much respect for the recent action of four Republican legislators, Senators Duey Stroebel and Robert Cowles and Representatives Adam Neylon and Jim Ott, who chose to stand up for the average electric ratepayer and for jobs in Wisconsin against the powerful special interests of the utilities. They are introducing legislation (LRB 0600/1) that would give a little more power to the Public Service Commission to hold down the ever-rising electric rates. In their letter to their colleagues introducing and explaining their bill, they start with Wisconsins electric rates are among the highest in the nation, and in the energy-intensive manufacturing sector Wisconsins above-average rates are a barrier to job growth and capital investment. If Wisconsin is to continue to lead the way in manufacturing, a regulatory environment that promotes economic development and protects ratepayers is critical.

Protecting the ratepayers and standing up to the special interests is not the way the Republicans controlling the Wisconsin legislature have been functioning for the past six years, so this is a real breath of fresh air. A bit of history would be helpful. In the early 1980s, when WE Energies was Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO), and they hadnt gotten permission yet from the state to set up their dubious holding companies, their CEO, Charlie McNeer, was very concerned about keeping the electric rates down to keep southeastern Wisconsin competitive and protect our business climate. He created various programs to hold down demand for electricity and avoid the need to build new and expensive power plants. For example, WEPCO would give customers a U.S. Savings Bond if they traded in their old inefficient appliances for new, more energy-efficient ones. At that time, we had either the lowest rates in the Midwest or very close to the lowest rates. McNeer even put up billboards on I-94 in Kenosha County as you approached the Illinois boarder that read something like Mr. Business Owner, why not consider relocating in Wisconsin where your utility rates would be significantly lower?

How Did All This Change?

After McNeer retired, things changed radically. The new leadership misread the obvious signs of the energy future and the fact that renewable energy would become a growing factor in holding down the demand for electricity from traditional power plants. Instead, they invested billions of dollars in traditional power plants and put the ratepayers on the hook for billions of dollars of long-term debt. We now have the highest residential electric rates in the Midwest. Furthermore, if demand goes down and people buy less electricity from the traditional coal and gas plants, the rates will simply increase to cover the debt service on the huge debt they incurred, and also to insure the shareholders get their generous rates of return. The executives responsible for all of this received huge bonuses and are now comfortably retired, and we, the ratepayers, are stuck with some of the highest electric rates in the nation and it will probably continue to get worse as demand goes down. Unfortunately, this makes our business climate in southeastern Wisconsin much less competitive for any electric-intensive industries.

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How could all this happen? Utilities are monopolies, meaning that they have no meaningful competition in their service area. They are regulated monopolies, which means they need permission from the state Public Service Commission to get rate increases. That sounds good in theory, but the utilities have a great deal of money and many employees, so they have political power. Governors appoint the members of the Public Service Commission, and they also get contributions and political pressure from the utilities. Many people who work in this area feel that the regulated monopolies, the utilities, have done a good job of getting compliant individuals appointed to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. As they would say, the fox is protecting the hen house. So when you have weak regulation, the special interests have great control and bad things will follow.

This current bill is a good piece of legislation, but unfortunately it is a symbolic effort. The Republican leadership in the Assembly, for example, will not let this bill succeed since they rely heavily on the utilities to help fund their campaigns. The bill has recently been announced, and there are already eight institutions registered to weigh in on the legislation. All eight are against and all are either utilities or their front groups. Even though this bill does not have a chance in the Wisconsin legislature, it is still nice to see four Republican legislators bucking their leadership and the majority of their GOP colleagues by trying to do what is good for the average citizen and good for Wisconsins future.
Located in a narrow building in the shopping area on the corner of Oakland Avenue and Locust Street, Thai Kitchen (2851 N. Oakland Ave.) is a quiet, homey restaurant with a dozen tables.

The food is plentiful, inexpensive and authentic. Service is quick and friendly.

Curries are the house specialty with red the most popular and massaman a close second, my server said, while the hot jungle curry, free of tempering coconut milk, separates the natives from the tourists.

There are seafood and duck entrees, all the expected appetizers and lots of choices for vegetarians. I thoroughly enjoyed a good-sized cup of Tom Kha Gai, very spicy at #2 of four degrees of hotness, a heaping plate of thick veggie Pad See-Ewlike most of the dishes it also comes with chicken, beef or porkand a pot brimful of creamy, sweet-spicy ginger tea, all for just $14.
Projected record: 80-82

Projected run differential: -12

The Tigers offense will live and die by the bats of Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez. Aside from that quartet, there aren't any hitters projected to be league average or better. Center field is expected to be manned by Mikie Mahtook, who should produce replacement-level results.

The starting rotation is in better shape, with Justin Verlander at the helm. Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd are all viable options behind him. The bullpen returns largely intact from a season ago, with Francisco Rodriguez slated to be the closure. This projects to be a fairly middle-of-the-road club across the board, and knocking Cleveland off its throne would be a surprise.
Jim Drohman was an aerospace engineer at Boeing, but his heart wasnt in it.

When he turned his attention to cooking, it was with a highly technical, extremely thorough mind: How did the French build their classic flavors, each element of a recipe relying upon and enhancing the others?

He went to the source to study, training at LEcole Superieur de Cuisine Francaise Jean Ferrandi in Paris, working at restaurants including Le Boudin Sauvage and the Michelin-rated Le Coq de la Maison Blanche. Upon his return, he helmed the kitchen of Seattles storied, much-missed Campagne. Then, in 2000, he joined forces with business partner Joanne Herron to give us the gift of the restaurant Le Pichet. Later came its sibling, Cafe Presse.

When you see French onion soup on the Pichet or Presse menu  which you will every winter, until the chill is well-dispelled in April  you may rest assured that it is the product of intensive thought. Drohman eschews the common Parisian style, made with beef stock, in favor of the chicken-stock-based mode of Lyon; the lighter flavor of the latter, he maintains, better showcases the taste of the onions. You also may rest assured that it is delicious, with the simple flavors of onion and broth augmented with not just white wine, but also sherry, and garlic, and thyme, and something he and his staff call duck Jell-O  the gelatin-rich duck juices that are left in the bottom of the pot when slow-cooking duck legs for confit, an addition he says is typical of the French bistro kitchen, where nothing tasty is ever allowed to go to waste.

Unless youre making duck confit at home, your version of Drohmans soupe a loignon gratinee wont be quite as rich as the bowlsful youll get at Le Pichet or Cafe Presse. But youll still have the sweet slipperiness of the caramelized onions; the bright, winey-tasting broth; the crispy-edged bread growing marvelously broth-logged; the nutty, creamy cheese pulling in strings from your spoon. And for the Seattle Times reader who wrote in search of vegetarian French onion soup, Drohman was kind enough to share the engineering behind the best vegetable stock for the job.

Whichever way you decide to make it  or if you decide to let Le Pichet or Cafe Presse do the honors  this is a soup that will keep you warm until spring is really, truly here, year after year.
SIOUX CITY | With an eye toward preparing for future growth, Sioux City is in talks with a Chicago consulting firm to begin production of a new comprehensive plan for the city.

City staff have entered contract negotiations with Houseal Lavigne Associates LLC to form the city's first new comprehensive plan in 12 years. Staff say the plan will help the city identify and plan areas for future growth throughout the entire city.

The Sioux City Council voted 4-1 Monday to authorize the negotiations. Mayor Bob Scott cast the lone dissenting vote after questioning whether the plan was worth the cost, and adding that he didn't believe that downtown -- an area that may be highlighted in the new plan -- needs yet another study.

The plan, expected to be developed over a 14- to 18-month process with dozens of public input meetings, will be the first such plan created since 2005. The city has budgeted $300,000 divided over the next two fiscal years to fund it.

"The comp plan will help us to develop and plan for future growth in Sioux City, not just to look at new areas for future development but also to identify infill and preservation areas," Jeff Hanson, the city's community development operations manager, told the council.

That planning process would include local boards and commissions, as well as the general public.

Hanson said the city is adding chapters this year that will include transportation planning, historic preservation and a housing study.

The plan also gives the option to select two sub-areas of the city for a deeper analysis. Hanson said those areas have yet to be selected, but city staff are considering the downtown and a future industrial area.

Scott balked at the idea of another downtown study, citing at least two others that have taken place since he returned as mayor in 2012.

"I'm tired of studying the downtown," Scott said. "Im wondering how many more (studies) we have to do before we determine what the downtown ought to look like because we ignore some of the things they tell us to do anyway."

Councilman Alex Watters said he thinks the new comprehensive plan will help the city create a unified vision for its future. But like the mayor, he said he wants to ensure the study clearly lays out items for the council to take future action.

"I've listened to different speakers and I thought they had great ideas, and I want to make sure that we can take those actionable steps to implement them," he said. "Number one is coming back to us and saying, 'We should do this. This could increase growth. This could increase business downtown and (foot) traffic.'"

Councilman Dan Moore said he agreed that the plans should be actionable, as long as the plan allowed for flexibility.
SIOUX CITY | Peppering his remarks with numerous references to past trips to Sioux City, Terry Branstad on Wednesday may have made his last official stop to the city as governor of Iowa.

"It is an honor and privilege to have represented the state of Iowa, and especially the Siouxland area. This is a critical part of our state and I am very, very honored to have been invited here," Branstad said while speaking to several hundred people at a Siouxland Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Branstad is expected in the near future to resign as governor to become the U.S. ambassador to China.

"I am looking forward to it," Branstad said.

He said there is no set timeline for how soon his Senate confirmation hearing may be held, although there's been talk of it beginning next month. Branstad, the nation's longest serving governor, in December was picked for the ambassador post by President Donald Trump, following his election in November.

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan said Branstad has been an able advocate for the region. McGowan introduced Branstad as visiting for "perhaps the final time in our community" while governor.

"I have been here in good times and in bad times," Branstad said as he began a half-hour speech.

He cited the banquet room at the Hilton Garden Inn as a place where he also got a close look at historic Missouri River flooding in the summer of 2011.

The governor also remembered a Sioux City stop in July 1989, after the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 at Sioux Gateway Airport, where a quick response by local emergency responders helped 184 of the 296 people on board survive.

Branstad cited another plane with hydraulics problems that reminded him of the launch of his political career. In 1978, as a little-known state lawmaker from Lake Mills, Iowa, Branstad was running for lieutenant governor and had plans to attend a campaign event in Sioux City on Oct. 30, 1978.

But he said a problem with the plane had it circling the Sioux City airport area, before a far-from-ideal "belly landing" made for bracing news footage.

"That's a day I'll never forget...That kind of launched my statewide career," Branstad said.

He was elected lieutenant governor a week later. In 1982, he won his first of six terms as governor.

"I never imagined growing up on a small farm in Winnebago County near the Minnesota border in north-central Iowa that I would some day be ambassador to China. Now, I had a dream of being governor some day, I've got to admit that. I had a great eighth grade teacher who got me interested in government and public service," Branstad as some people chuckled.

Branstad also directed a large amount of his comments to his change of occupations ahead.

Branstad has a long relationship with China and the country's president Xi Jinping. Branstad first met Xi while he was still a lower level government official in 1985, during a visit to Iowa in the governor's first term.

"We are the biggest economies in the world," Branstad said.

He said he's been proud of how Iowa has had a great relationship with China, but said that might not be as rosy when he presumably becomes ambassador. Branstad pointed to Trump's strong comments that have called out various nations.

Branstad summarized what he's said to Trump: "I'd say, 'Now don't say anything bad about China.' Well, that didn't work." The crowd also chuckled at that remark.

Branstad said there has been a "horrendous" amount of paperwork associated with officials vetting his possible ambassadorship. He said it will reportedly take 40 days for officials to pore over those materials. A friend who has a place along with Branstad at Lake Panorama shared having an hour-long interview as part of that background checking process.

His departure in 2017 will create a vacancy in the governorship that by state law will be filled by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who will become the state's first female governor.

Also on Wednesday, Branstad toured businesses in Le Mars and Sioux City, and held a farewell event with local Republicans at Country Celebrations in Sioux City.
SIOUX CITY | After reaching its third violation of Iowa's cigarette laws in under a year, the Select Mart at 623 14th St. will have to pull tobacco items from its shelves for 30 days beginning April 3.

The business will also be assessed a $1,500 civil penalty, according to a resolution passed by the City Council Monday.

According to city documents, the violation came Jan. 9 when an underage confidential informant sent by police went into the store to attempt to purchase tobacco. A clerk sold the minor a package of cigarettes and was subsequently cited for selling to an underage person.

The business had accrued two previous violations on March 2 and 25 of last year.

In other business Monday, the council also voted to assess $500 civil penalties against three local businesses for violation of Iowa beer, wine and liquor laws: El Fredo Pizza, 532 W. 19th St.; La Morena Family Restaurant, 1100 Villa Ave.; and Chipotle Mexican Grill, 5101 Sergeant Road.
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa | A Facebook post by the Sioux County Sheriff's Office led to an anonymous tip that helped authorities locate a wanted man Tuesday.

Authorities arrested Peter Bacaam, 22, of Sioux Center, shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday after receiving an anonymous tip on his whereabouts, according to a Sioux County Sheriff news release.

Bacaam was wanted after failing to turn himself in March 13 to be transported to the Iowa Department of Corrections in Oakdale to serve a two-year prison sentence after being convicted of domestic assault causing bodily injury.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office posted a notice on Facebook at 3 p.m. Tuesday, seeking the public's help in locating Bacaam. Following the post, an anonymous person informed a deputy Bacaam was staying at a residence in Sioux Center.

The deputy relayed that tip to the Sioux Center Police Department, who then located Bacaam at the residence, the release said.

Bacaam was arrested Tuesday for failing to appear and a new charge of violating a court-ordered protection order. The person he was in company with at the residence with was listed as a protected party on a court-ordered protection order.

Bacaam is currently being held in the Sioux County Jail.
HAWARDEN, Iowa | A Hawarden man was flown to Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls for medical treatment Tuesday after his truck struck a semi in rural Sioux County.

The crash occurred just before noon Tuesday on Cherry Avenue, four miles northeast of Hawarden, according to a Sioux County Sheriff's Office news release.

According to the release, Dean Jurrens, 55, was driving a 1995 Chevrolet S-10 south on Cherry Avenue, when he struck a northbound 2004 Peterbilt semi that was making a left turn into a field driveway.

Jurrens was transported by Hawarden Ambulance to Hawarden Hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later flown to Avera-McKennan in Sioux Falls for further treatment, the release said.

Bradley Dekkers, 47, of Ireton, the driver of the semi, was cited for failure to yield while turning.

Also assisting at the scene were Hawarden's fire and police departments and Sioux County Conservation.
GALVA, Iowa | Owners of a Galva, Iowa, restaurant-bar say it is a total loss after a fire early Wednesday morning.

Galva Fire Department responded to the scene of the Lumber Inn, 113 W. First St., around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday after reports of a fire on the premises.

Brenda and Chad Segebart had owned the bar-restaurant, which operates out of an old lumber business, for less than a year.

"There's nothing left," Brenda Segebart said.

Chief Randy Vogt said the building was already a loss when crews arrived. The fire also burned down electrical wires, leaving a handful of businesses without power for part of the morning while officials with MidAmerican Energy worked to restore electricity.

Fire crews remained on scene through about 11:30 a.m., Vogt said. No one was injured.

Galva Fire Department was assisted by Holstein Fire Department and Ida County Sheriff's Office. Vogt said a state fire marshal is coming to town on Thursday to investigate the cause.

On Monday, the U.S. Highway 20 detour resumed, bringing thousands of more vehicles into Galva for the upcoming months.
Erwin Scott, 21, was arrested after the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip he would be at a Morningside business. Deputies from the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office and deputy U.S. marshals went to the business, where they located and arrested him, according to a news release. Scott has been booked into the Woodbury County Jail.
It was a very nice story in Mondays Journal concerning the South Sioux City High School students and their community service project building obstacles for the South Sioux City dog park.

What was missing from the story was the dog parks name.

John Douangdara was a Naval special warfare dog handler for Naval SEAL Team Six. John died on Aug. 6, 2011, in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a passenger in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down, killing him, 29 other Americans, eight Afghans, and Johns war dog named Bart. The positive enthusiasm of Johns sister, Chan Follen, rallied community support to have a dog park built as a foundational piece for Siouxland Freedom Park.

I was humbled to be part of a large crowd at the dedication of the John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park. Amongst the crowd were several members of the Navy SEALS. They came to South Sioux City from multiple points to honor the memory of one of their fallen brothers. I had the opportunity to shake their hands, and to thank them for coming. They held me in their vise-like grips a second or two long, stared at me with their fearless eyes, and to a man, all stated, that nothing on this earth could have kept them from coming to honor John.

So it is not just a dog park. It is the John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park. It honors the war dog named Bart. It honors Naval special warfare dog handler for Naval SEAL Team Six John Douangdara who gave the last full measure of devotion in service to the United States of America.

The John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park. Nothing on this earth should keep us from remembering this name. - John Sandman, Dakota Dunes, S.D.
I am deeply disturbed by recent comments Iowa Congressman Steve King of the 4th District made about how the U.S. should not expect to populate the country with the children of "others."

I fail to see how he could think that such a remark should be uttered under any circumstances. I don't know Kings religious beliefs, but the people he represents are largely church-going folks and would be well acquainted with the song most of us learned in Sunday school: "Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."

Unless Mr. King is 100 percent Native American, some of his ancestors were other children at some point, too. I thought that coming to these shores and being able to raise families was one of the things that made America great. Yet, he decries it. Making distinctions about the origins of any of the world's children is deeply un-Christian and hateful. The fact that he is unrepentant for those remarks is incomprehensible.

He either has no faith or no conscience. Either way, he represents what is worst in human nature, and I am ashamed to be one of his constituents. - Joan Curbow, Alta, Iowa
DES MOINES  Fireworks enthusiasts launched their effort Tuesday to bring legal pyrotechnics to Iowa on a limited basis, lighting up the Senates vote display board with 34 green lights that were enough to propel the measure to the House and leave 14 opponents doing a slow burn.

Senate File 489 would allow licensed retailers or community groups to sell consumer-grade fireworks to adults in permanent structures between June 1 and July 8 and between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. A similar provision would apply to conforming temporary structures, such as tents, from June 13 through July 8 each year. It also places time restrictions for the display of fireworks.

The measure sets a fee structure for various licensure levels; allows counties or cities that do not want to legalize fireworks to opt out of the use but not the sale; and bars the sale or purchase involving anyone under 18. A violation would be punishable by a fine of at least $250 but no more than $625.

Iowa law currently classifies the possession, sale or use of consumer fireworks without a permit  other than sparklers, caps and snakes  as a simple misdemeanor. Chapman said Iowa is among a small number of states that have those strict fireworks restrictions.

We have been discussing this bill for years, said Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, floor manager for S.F.489. The bill will allow Iowans to celebrate the Fourth of July in the same manner that Americans all across our nation are permitted to celebrate. Its time we joined the other 42 states and the District of Columbia in allowing Iowans to join in the celebration.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, tried unsuccessfully to bar sales in tents or temporary structures  a provision that prompted several opponents to draw Missouri analogies in not wanting to establish temporary shantytowns or trashy tent cities in poorer or older urban areas.

I dont believe were going to see a tent out at the Jordan Creek mall, said Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, who told his colleagues that backers were selling the bill as the next coming of Bingo for nonprofit organizations that may want to raise money by selling fireworks at temporary locations.

Were going to have Velvet Elvises and fireworks up and down East Fourteenth (Street), which is the gateway into our city. I just cannot think of a more horrible entrance to the city, to the state Capitol. The message that is sent by that is just terrible, said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines.

I think we can do much better than what we see going into Missouri and we see fireworks stands and tents and just really trashing looking facilities, he added. I tell you what, well be back to gravel roads. This is pathetic. We can do so much better than this.

Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan said Iowa is going to end about 80 years without legal fireworks by authorizing tacky operations with their flashing lights and all kinds of other gizmos trying to draw you in to blow your hand off.

In subcommittee, the bill was opposed by firefighters, medical organizations, veterans groups and safety advocates. Bisignano offered an amendment to establish restrictions for shooting off fireworks in close proximity to schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and churches that was turned down.

Backers of the bill also turned down changes seeking to establish penalties and prohibitions for igniting fireworks while intoxicated; beef up training and education; prohibit sales within 500 feet of gas stations; and require that fireworks sold in Iowa be American made.

If were going to make America great again, were going to have to start making things again, said McCoy, not importing them from China or Mexico.

In all, nearly 40 amendments were defeated or withdrawn in what Bisignano called a sick, silly game to reject efforts to improve safety for Iowans confronted with an onslaught of explosives during the limited holiday periods when the products could be purchased and ignited by adults.

We are trying to make a bad bill safer, said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids in opposing the creation of 62 days of explosions authorized by the bill.

"The bill before us will modernize our state law to not only permit the display of fireworks, but puts the framework in place to properly educate and regulate fireworks in the state of Iowa," said Chapman.

The proposed legislation would take effect upon enactment if it clears both legislative chambers and is signed by the governor.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said he believes the Senate bill -- with the opt-out local provision and limited dates -- is similar enough to what previously passed the Iowa House that it should be approved with bipartisan support, giving Iowans more freedom.
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International Relations  March 22, 2017  Caglar Dolek and Gulden Ozcan

The fate of the neoliberal Islamist project of authoritarian restoration in Turkey will be determined by an upcoming referendum on April 16 of this year. The referendum will be held under the conditions of a state of emergency in effect since the July 15 coup attempt last year. The regimes use of the putsch attempt to suppress all forms of dissent has quickly evolved into an overriding choice to make the state of emergency the permanent form of governance in Turkey. In this sense, the April 16 plebiscite on constitutional changes marks a defining stage in the politics of violent polarization and oppression under way for more than a decade whereby President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his cronies have increasingly paralyzed the social and political fabric of the country in their relentless pursuit of the project of a one-man rule.

The question on the ballot is nothing less than a version of Fuhrerprinzip, dubbed the presidential system in the managed and heavily censored mass media discourse in Turkey. A permanent Erdogan presidency is offered as a panacea to the ruling classes to resolve the constitutional and economic gridlock of the neoliberal regime. However, as various polls are now signaling, the swaying of the public opinion toward #NO, the government is increasing the volume of suppression and making moves for a total closure of public deliberation about the real content of the regime change on the ballot. What is more (as vividly experienced in the recent crisis over the politics of the far right in Germany and the Netherlands), the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalknma Partisi, AKP) seems to be panicking about an upset in the referendum, and resorting once again to a vulgar politics of Turkish victimhood, this time vis-a-vis Europe.

The unfolding dynamics of political power and Erdogans claim to majoritarian rule makes the freefall and panic of the regime all the more apparent. While there is a populist push to establish one-man rule through a politics of political oppression from above and mob rule from below, the widening mobilization of a spectrum of opposition groups is forcing the regime to govern through statutory decrees which bypass constitutional and parliamentary checks and balances altogether. This is a systematic, if not novel, resort to measures that attempt to cage the socio-political fabric of Turkish society into a pro-capital, repressive and radical conservative settlement. The mass dismissals from different branches of the public sector are not only directed against the alleged coup plotters, they are also used as the key means of purging progressive, left-wing, and secular cadres from the public institutions. The case of Academics for Peace is one of the most notable examples demonstrating the political motives of the purges and the ideological content of the restoration project being pursued by the AKP.

The Turkish States Encounter with a Demand for Peace

Despite the centre-left arguments about the AKP as an agent for democratization in Turkey in the mid-2000s, the party has always represented an aggressive coalition of neoliberal class rule. The AKP has continually waged a war of position  with much success  for restructuring the entire socio-political matrix within a particular fusion of neoliberal and Islamist political agendas.

In addition to the political demands of the labour and womens movements, the issues pertaining to the political demands of the Kurdish people and regions constitute one of the central challenges to the AKPs quest for complete political hegemony. Erdogans abrupt decision to terminate an already fragile peace process between the government and Kurdish movement early in March 2015 was circumscribed by the conjunctural crisis produced by the AKPs flawed foreign policy (particularly with respect to Syria) and the sudden rise of the Peoples Democratic Party (Halklarn Demokratik Partisi, HDP) as a political project of both Kurdish and progressive social forces mobilized against the government. The electoral successes of the consecutive AKP governments came to a halt when the HDP received 13 per cent of the votes in the June 2015 elections, ending the AKPs parliamentary majority. At the same time, the ongoing war of the state security forces against the Kurdish population accelerated with the ascendency of Kurdish liberation movement in neighbouring Northern Syria. Erdogan resorted to ultranationalist rhetoric to regain an AKP majority in the parliament in the snap elections of November 2015.

As the UN Human Rights Office report

just published documents, state security forces committed massive destruction, killings and other human rights violations in the Kurdish provinces between July 2015 and December 2016. The satellite imagery analysis indicating the scale of the destruction is particularly alarming. As documented in the latest UN report and an earlier Amnesty International report, men, women and children were trapped for weeks in basements without water, food, medical attention and power before being killed by fire, induced by shelling. An estimated 355,000 to 500,000 Kurdish civilians were forcibly displaced. In the meantime, the civil society organizations and activist groups in the western part of the country that dared to show support and solidarity with the oppressed Kurdish population were silenced.

In this context of a humanitarian crisis, Academics for Peace  a civil rights group comprising academics with Turkish citizenship  issued a declaration, entitled We will not be a party to this crime, calling on the government to resume the peace process and stop the atrocities conducted by the state security forces toward civilians in the Kurdish provinces. The peace declaration was released to the press on January 11, 2016 with 1,128 signatures, mostly from academics residing in Turkey.

Immediately following the academics press release, Erdogan launched an intense campaign of intimidation toward the signatories and marked the academics as traitors, accusing them of supporting terrorism. Yet, despite the defamation and harassment of the signatories, the declaration received over 1,000 additional signatures; by the end of January 2016 it was signed by a total of 2,212 academics, most residing in Turkey. Since then, the Turkish (and some others) signatories have faced rights violations with an extraordinary range and degree of repression, including disciplinary investigations, police interrogations, detentions and imprisonment, threats, mobbing, intimidation, bans on leaving the country, dismissals, suspensions from duty, and cuts to their research funding. With the latest waves of statutory decrees under the state of emergency, mass dismissals from public universities, travel bans and bans on conducting any kind of public duty came into effect. It is unlikely that the dismissed Turkish academics will find employment in the private sector either as the state labeled them supporters of terrorism. Academics of Turkish nationality who subsequently found positions at overseas universities were not permitted to leave Turkey; and those already abroad when dismissal decrees were issued remained stranded as the government restricted consular access. (For an updated list, see Rights Violations Against Academics for Peace.)

Turkey has never been a haven for either freedom of speech in general or academic freedoms. The political history of modern Turkey is a history of military coup detats, curfews, states of emergency, and purges toward oppositional forces. Although the purges from the universities conducted under the AKP government are the largest in sheer numbers, they are neither new in form nor content. In his comments to the press on February 7, 2017 following the dismissal of 330 academics by a statutory decree issued by the Turkish state, the renowned Marxist economist Dr. Korkut Boratav articulated this long history of persecutions: In 1948 my father had been sacked from the university, in 1980 I was, and today my assistant is sacked.

The escalating scale and increasing frequency of government decrees since July 2016 point toward an unprecedented stage in the AKPs political intentions to redesign state-society relations along its unique blend of neoliberalism and Islamism under one-man rule. Following the near total silencing oppositional press through the jailing of journalists and harassment of publishers, the academic crackdown portends an authoritarian move to eliminate one of the last bulwarks of independent and critical thought in Turkey.

Building Solidarity and Resistance among Academics

The political and historical significance of Academics for Peace s declaration lies in the expression of truth it articulates within a political moment dominated by the systematic exercise of state violence against the civilian population and the absence of media

coverage of human rights violations under heavy government suppression. Despite the public targeting by the state, criminal prosecutions and disciplinary investigations, dismissals and massive purges, the Erdogan regime has failed in its efforts to coerce academics from withdrawing their commitments to the peace declaration in any meaningful numbers. Despite a hostile political environment for dissent and a normalization of state violence, the Academics for Peace initiative is being taken up by other progressive organizations. The politics of building solidarity by standing up for truth is being embraced by wider segments of society. In the months following the peace declaration, a large number of groups comprising university students, artists, writers, film directors, musicians, and lawyers, have publicly declared their support for Academics for Peace and embraced the discourse of the petition, and stood up to similar kinds of oppression.

The mass purges since the July 15th coup attempt have intensified state oppression, but they have also precipitated solidarity-building efforts by alternative means. The solidarity networks established both within and outside Turkey have expanded the public condemnation of the states crimes against the civilian population. Many international human rights and academic organizations have expressed their support for the Academics for Peace , and called for an end to the ongoing state violence and human rights violations. Various efforts are under way to establish financial solidarity mechanisms among the purged academics with the active participation of left-wing, progressive union, Education and Science Workers Union (EGITIM SEN) and a number of other national and international organizations like Education International. The international academic networks such as Scholars at Risk (SAR), Scholars Rescue Fund (SRF) and Council of at Risk Academics (CARA) have been significant in enhancing solidarity with the threatened academics. It is important to note that these solidarity networks are accompanied by alternative organization and practice of collective processes of scientific production. The examples of Solidarity Academies, Street Academy and Course Cooperatives, have been growing in number. They have been encouraging the seeds for critical scientific inquiry as a collective and transforming practice.

The experience of the Academics for Peace is located in Turkey, but it is also reflective of rights violations over freedoms of expression, of academic enquiry and assembly that are not restricted to Turkey. The democratic rights and freedoms we inherit from previous generations of political struggles of working class people and progressive forces in the history of modern capitalism can never be taken for granted. The struggles for our rights and freedoms have to be perpetual as the capital accumulation with its imperialist tendencies depends on the violations of such rights and freedoms. The current crisis of capitalism continues to generate ever more forceful impositions of neoliberalism, and a proliferation of authoritarian tendencies and regimes. Democratic

rights and freedoms are amongst the first to be sacrificed, and we are now engaged in a perpetual struggle to defend them. 

International Solidarity with the Academics for Peace

There is a lot that can be done to extend international solidarity to Turkish academics facing mass and arbitrary dismissal by the authoritarian regime in Turkey. Here are some suggestions:

Contribute to the solidarity funds: Research Institute on Turkey, Bostonbul, GIT North America and concerned academics in Canada and the U.S. have launched an international campaign to promote solidarity with the Academics for Peace in Turkey. Organized in cooperation with the Education and Science Workers Union (EGITIM SEN) in Turkey, the campaign calls for financial support: youcaring.com/dismissedafpturkey. CUPE 4600 in coordination with the Education and Science Workers Union (EGITIM SEN) in Turkey invites you to contribute to the international solidarity with the Academics for Peace. Investigate whether your institution can temporarily host or hire an academic currently at risk in Turkey. Explore whether your department can prioritize the transfer of graduate students currently at risk in Turkey in their admission processes and find alternative arrangements for funding such as waiving international tuition fees. Check whether your institution is a member of the Scholars at Risk Network. SAR Network Canada Section is quite new. Only 15 Canadian Universities are involved. If your institution is not one of them, organize your colleagues to join the network. Scholars Rescue Fund is another third party organization which helps at risk scholars around the globe. Consider becoming a host partner by only providing with matching support. Consider possibilities of conducting joint research projects, applying for collaborative research grants with at risk academics and graduate students in Turkey in order to resist state-targeted isolation of academic production in Turkey. Invite at risk Turkish scholars to give keynote speeches in your conferences, invite them to submit articles for your journals, blogs, web pages, or contribute to their journals, blogs, or conferences to expand collaboration. Use every opportunity to disseminate knowledge about the plight of academics in Turkey. This could involve organizing talks,

exhibitions, and press conferences, or producing films and publications. Organize and participate in political actions and lobbying campaigns directed at Turkish officials and/or officials in your own government. Turkish embassies and consulates have been taking pro-active measures for some time now to get involved in the academic initiatives at the universities abroad. It is particularly important to urge university administrations not to be a party to the Turkish states crime toward academics through inviting them to academic seminars, opening ceremonies and such. Here is an article listing seven more ways to support academics in Turkey drafted by Chad Kautzer, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Lehigh University.

Thanks to Mete Pamir for his thorough editing and insightful comments on the themes for this essay.
GREENBELT, Md.

(March 21, 2017)U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Travis Lee, age 31, of La Plata, Maryland, today to 75 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft, as well as violating his supervised release in a previous credit card fraud case.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Ebert of the United States Secret ServiceWashington Field Office; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.According to his plea agreement on August 31, 2015, Lee traveled with Kenneth Clifton Williamson to a shopping mall area in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and taught Williamson how to make fraudulent purchases at department stores using the unauthorized debit, credit and gift cards Lee manufactured using stolen credit and debit information obtained from illegal online carding forums. Lee reprogrammed the credit and gift cards with alternate data, which provided access to individuals' bank accounts for fraudulent, unauthorized purchases.Williamson purchased approximately $1,155 in merchandise at a high-end department store in Chevy Chase using two Visa gift card, which Lee had encoded with stolen account information. Lee and Williamson then proceeded to a high-end department store in Washington D.C. and repeated the process, again purchasing approximately $1,155 in merchandise using similar fraudulent gift cards.Law enforcement arrested Lee a few months later and recovered at least 185 gift cards from Lee. A search of the vehicle, which was the same one used by Lee and Williamson to travel to the department stores in August, revealed gift cards, sales receipts, clothing and other merchandise, a laptop computer portable wi-fi device, as well as items used to create gift and credit cards encoded with stolen account information, including an embosser and electronic encoder.On October 31, 2015, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Lee was driving and recovered at least 150 credit and gift cards, an embosser and other materials indicative of the manufacture of fraudulent credit cards and gift cards, including a laptop with a magnetic strip reader/writer.On September 15, 2010, Lee was sentenced to five months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after being convicted of possession of counterfeit access devices in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. In December 2014, Lee's supervised release was revoked and he was sentenced to 14 months in prison, followed by 22 months of supervised release. Lee was serving this term of supervised release when he committed the offenses in Maryland.Kenneth Clifton Williamson, age 21, of Washington, D.C. previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme as was sentenced to four months in prison.United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the U.S. Secret Service and Montgomery County Police Department, Electronic Crimes Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Thomas P. Windom, who prosecuted the case.
Ten years after its world premiere, This House Shall Stand: Songs of My Family, a choral song cycle inspired by the stories of South Florida LGBT families, will be performed by the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF).

The powerful song cycle, composed by Robert Seeley with lyrics by Robert Espindola, resulted from a conversation in Fort Lauderdale in 2006 during a Valuing Our Families conference hosted by SunServe.

Jim Lopresti, the founder of SunServe, was having coffee with Jeffrey Buhrman, a friend and then-artistic director of the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, D.C. Buhrman expressed a desire to commission a new work and Lopresti suggested a work addressing the experiences of gay and lesbian families.

The conference was an attempt to reclaim the term, family, because were happy with our families the way they are, recalled Lopresti. Remember, this was a time when marriage equality wasnt even on the horizon and gay adoption was an issue here in Florida.

Lopresti drafted a concept paper, utilizing the real stories of LGBT families, and the chorus commissioned Seeley and his partner, Espindola, to create the work. Many of the experiences shared at that conference became the raw material, along with stories from across the country. The Washington chorus premiered the work at the Kennedy Center in 2007 and later performed it with the Gay Mens Chorus of Fort Lauderdale two years later in South Florida.

Even after the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized marriage equality and sweeping civil rights advances, Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida artistic director Harold Dioquino said the work is more important than ever.

Its very powerful music, said Dioquino, and especially with this new (Trump) administration, we never expected it to be so relevant.

Dioquino and his GMCSF creative team updated the presentation to include contemporary stories from many current chorus members.

The 150-member chorus will also be joined by Carbonell Award-winner Lindsey Corey, who will sing The Man in My Fathers Life, a song about a daughter reacting to her dads new love. Dance Now! Miami, a new company, will interpret Wall of Glass, the moving story of two partners who are denied visitation during a hospital stay, and Dance One More Time, the song of a widower who asks his deceased husband for permission to pursue a new relationship.

The finale is This House Shall Stand, a defiant chorus Dioquino said captures the desires and tenacity of LGBT families to challenge the legal, religious and societal challenges to the legitimacy of their loving relationships.

Dioquino is particularly excited to perform for the first time in the new Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 24.

The guys went there a couple of weeks to rehearse and see how we sound and were just amazed, he said of the hall, also located in one of the countys most diverse communities.

The program will be repeated on Sunday, March 25 in Fort Lauderdale at the United Church of Christ. Both performances will feature a small eight-piece orchestra, along with video messages from the composer and actress Sharon Gless, an inaugural recipient of the Valuing Our Families national award.

The occasion will be especially poignant, not only as the composer, Robert Seeley, is being presented a Valuing Our Families 10th anniversary award, but because his partner, Espindola, passed away just last year.

Were closing the loop, said Lopresti, who noted that initial conversation 10 years ago ultimately resulted in an important anthem that continues to be heard across the country and around the world.

The Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida will perform We Are Family: A Musical Tribute to the Many Expressions of Family, on Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m. at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, and on Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 2501 NE 30th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $40 at GayMensChorusOfSouthFlorida.org.
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.




Deep Space Atomic Clock NASA

No one keeps time quite like NASA. Last month, the space agencys next-generation atomic clock was joined to the spacecraft that will take it into orbit in late 2017.

That instrument, the Deep Space Atomic Clock was developed by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. On Feb. 17, JPL engineers monitored integration of the clock on to the Surrey Orbital Test Bed spacecraft at Surrey Satellite Technology in Englewood, Colorado.

Timekeeping plays a critical role in spacecraft navigation and will be especially important for future deep space missions. This clock will be smaller, lighter and magnitudes more precise than any atomic clock flown in space before.

Most spacecraft are tracked using two-way methods: the ground-based antenna pings the spacecraft and waits for the signal to return. By measuring how long the signal takes to travel, the distance to the spacecraft can be calculated. A navigation team then processes this information to determine the spacecrafts flight path and determine if any course corrections are required.

The clock enables one-way tracking, where the spacecraft doesnt need to send the signal back to Earth. The tracking measurements could be taken onboard and processed with a spacecraft-based navigation system to determine the path and whether any maneuvers are needed to stay on course.

This will be a key advance for safely navigating future human exploration of the solar system by providing astronauts with their position and velocity when they need it. It will lighten the load on the antennas in NASAs Deep Space Network, allowing more spacecraft to be tracked with a single antenna.

The Deep Space Atomic Clock would also improve the precision and quantity of the radio data used by scientists for determining a planets gravity field and probing its atmosphere.

The Deep Space Atomic Clock project is managed by JPL and funded by the Technology Demonstration Mission in NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). STMD is responsible for developing the cross-cutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities needed by the agency to achieve its current and future missions.

For more information about the clock, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/clock/index.html

For more information about NASAs Technology Demonstration Mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/main/index.html
We can't seem to find the page you are looking for.

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From the street, the only hint that Cafe Gallage exists are two small signs sitting at the bottom of a staircaseone with the shops logo, the other a curious wooden board with the following message on it:

Our coffee is all light roasted. No bitterness but awesome fruity aroma and tastes. Thank you.

Climb the stairs and youll find a plain white door with nothing on itthe entrance to Cafe Gallage. It feels like a mistake, but the doors design has an interesting effect: entering feels like stepping from one world into another.

Inside, the cafe is quiet and intimate. The dimly lit space is decorated with photography, a few tables, and a modest counter space around which a jazz soundtrack swims. The young, stylish baristas deck themselves out in white shirts, black vests, and necktiesthe uniform of the traditional bartender.

It all feels right out of a classic gangster filmyou can imagine a group of thugs talking over cocktails at the bar, or a lonesome private investigator drowning his sorrows with a cup of coffee in the corner. Owner and barista Kenta Tsukada says this is intentionalhe sees Gallage as an expression of his personality, style, and love for coffee.

I wanted to make Cafe Gallage unique, he says. Its about doing things in a different style to everyone else: my style. Its like a kissaten, but with the kissaten theres an image of bitter coffee, you know? For us, thats an entry pointa chance to surprise customers with a fruitier coffee.

Tsukada started in coffee five years ago, when failing a university entrance exam meant a year of extra study before trying again. He began working part-time at Starbucks, and things progressed from there.

I thought coffee was a cool thing to do, he says. I thought baristas were cool. I thought latte art was cool. I went to coffee shops for latte art, and then I went to Paul Bassett. I was like, Paul is cool.

He laughs about it, but that was his entry to specialty coffee. He started visiting more shops, practiced at home, worked at Paul Bassett, and traveled Southeast Asia and Europe. Eventually, he moved to Glitch Coffee & Roasters, where he now spends his time when not at Gallage.

Tsukada, 25, is something of an eccentric character. With his long beard, constant mean-mugging for the camera, and an eclectic mix of English and Japanese, he comes off as wild, free, and goofy. But spend a little time with the young man and youll find hes also obsessed. You can hear it in the way he talks about coffee, and see it in the care he takes to brew itits a drive to get things just right every single time.

The menu follows suittheres something of the academic to it, including long explanations for each coffee on offer. There are only three. From these three coffeescourtesy of Glitchcomes a limited but specialized menu carefully curated by Tsukada himself.

Ive always wanted to run my own place, and do things my way, he says. I always thought of myself as number one, and Ive never wanted to lose to anyone. So, I wanted to try doing it my way.

Thats at the heart of Cafe Gallage: an attention to detail that Tsukada feels appropriate. Its in the way he prepares his ice so it melts slowly, and the way staff pick through the beans before brewing each cup of coffee. Its in the way they sometimes take a moment to simply brew another cup if theyre not satisfiedthe kind of approach you wont find at a place that runs at a faster pace.

The coffee shop is also a chance for Tsukada to indulge in coffee cocktails, a long-time hobby. I guess the cocktails started because I was doing it at home anyway. I have lots of coffee, and I have lots of alcohol. I love them both. I mixed them together a lot.

With all of the cocktails on offerthe espresso gin and tonic Kingsman, the cassis-and-cold-brew soda Michelle, and the whiskey-based DjangoTsukada says the key lies in a mix of balance and respect.

To be honest, I dont like Irish coffee. For me, its just bitter coffee mixed with whiskey. Its kind of an old-fashioned idea. What I aim for is a drink that really expresses the unique flavors of a coffee, and accentuates them. If a coffee has a strawberry sweetness, the alcohol needs to bring that out. Even if I can make something delicious, if it doesnt express that core idea, I wont put it on the menu.

So Cafe Gallage is about a love for coffee and alcohol, and a desire to present them with the appropriate respect for both, as well as the customer. Coming here is one of those experiences that makes Tokyo feel magical; the sort of place you find in nondescript neighborhoods that makes no real attempt to advertise itself, and yet does something you wont find anywhere else.

Hengtee Lim is a Sprudge staff writer based in Tokyo. Read more Hengtee Lim on Sprudge.

Photos courtesy of @kazu_poon.
Ken Wood has seen Soto grow up. And now Wood is watching the five-year-old pacer tangle with the big boys.

Last Saturday (March 18), Soto won his first-round division of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at Yonkers Raceway. Soto defeated a field that included defending Levy champion Bit Of A Legend N, 2014 Levy winner P H Supercam, open-stakes-winners Wakizashi Hanover and Somewhere In L A, plus world champion Always At My Place.

It was a privilege to be in the same race with those horses, said Wood, who owns Soto with Bill Dittmar Jr. and Stephen Iaquinta. There are a lot of horses better than him, but its fun to have him be able to race with them. Hes not the best horse in the world, but hes decent when he gets it his way a little bit.

Wood and his partners bought Soto for $40,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale's Mixed Sale in 2015. Since the purchase, Soto has won 17 of 50 races and earned $234,045 in purses. For his career, the stallion has won 21 of 75 starts and banked $345,575.

Soto won only one of his first six races for his new owners, but eventually worked himself up to the Preferred/Open level of competition at Dover Downs and Yonkers prior to heading to the Levy.



Soto, winning during a snowfall at Dover Downs this past January Soto, winning during a snowfall at Dover Downs this past January

He didnt start off with a boom, but hes gotten a little better all the time, Wood said about Soto, whose family includes Dan Patch Award-winners Sportswriter and Precocious Beauty. He was a nice purchase for the money we gave for him. When youre at the sale, you look at all of them. He showed some :26 last quarters early as a three-year-old, and if theyre doing that well early on, theres speed in there. He had a few little problems, but nothing serious. You know theyre supposed to get better as a four- and five-year-old. Thats what I go by, anyway.

I think somebody else helps me raise my hand once in a while, he added. Were not geniuses, just lucky.

Wood, who also co-owns 2015 Dan Patch Award-winning older male trotter JL Cruze with Dittmar and Iaquinta, uses the profits from his horses to fund his mission to dig wells for safe drinking water in Africa. Since starting his Lifetime Wells project in 2006, his group has put in a total of 1,700 wells in Ghana and Tanzania.

Its going good, Wood said. Weve got one rig drilling every day with the locals. When I go four times a year I drill in Tanzania myself. I spend three months every year over there.

It was upon returning from one of his trips that Wood realized Soto had done a lot of growing up following his season as a three-year-old.

Ive never seen a horse grow from (age) three to four, but hes grown six inches taller, Wood said. He was a little bitty fella. Id been in Africa for a while and when I came back he grew a lot. Hes grown much taller than he was. Ive never had that experience before when they grow at that age, but he sure did.

Soto returns to the Levy Series this Saturday (March 25), where he will compete in the second of four second-round divisions. Soto, trained by Eric Ell and driven by Matt Kakaley, will start from post two. The field also includes Bit Of A Legend N, Rockin Ron, Mach It So, McWicked, Guantanamo Bay, and Blood Brother.

The third division features two first-round winners -- Provocativeprincen and Missile J -- while the fourth division includes opening-round winner Long Live Rock. The series has five $50,000 preliminary rounds followed by a $200,000-added final, which is scheduled for April 22.

Post position helps quite a bit at Yonkers, naturally, Wood said, referring to high win percentages for horses with inside starting spots on the half-mile oval. Luck went our way the first race anyway. Were just hoping he gets checks because we know those other horses are better than he is.

If Soto keeps enjoying success, though, Wood might no longer be able to say that.

I hope I have that problem, Wood said, laughing.

This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.
As part of Moving Ahead: Horse Racing Regulation in Ontario project, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is releasing the following Directives as part of an initial series of rule changes, which will be effective on April 1, 2017.

These Directives update both the AGCOs Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rules of Racing making the updates to the following areas:

 Rule 17.12.01, along with other rules  Standardbred Race Coupling

 Rule 9.15.01  New Approach to Jockey Conflicts of Interest

 Rule 8.04.02 (QH)  Increasing Quarter Horse Jockey Weights

 General Directives Number 2 and 3, 2009  Elimination of Directives for Triactor and Superfecta

 Wagering Field Size Restrictions

 Changes to the Human Alcohol and Drug Program

These reforms were developed following extensive consultation with Ontarios horse racing industry. The AGCO will continue to work with industry participants as these changes are implemented for the upcoming race season.

Directives:

 General Directive No. 1  2017  Superfecta And Triactor Wagering

 Quarter Horse Directive No. 1  2017  Jockey Weights

 Standardbred Directive No. 1  2017  Change To The Human Alcohol And Drug Rules

 Standardbred Directive No. 2  2017  Coupling Provisions

 Thoroughbred Directive No. 1  2017 - Revisions To The Human Alcohol And Drug Rules

 Thoroughbred Directive No. 2  2017  Jockey Conflict Of Interest Provisions

Dans le cadre du projet Aller de lavant : la reglementation des courses de chevaux en Ontario, la Commission des alcools et des jeux de lOntario (CAJO) publie les directives ci-dessous a lissue dune premiere serie de modifications aux regles, modifications qui entreront en vigueur le 1er avril 2017.

Ces directives ont pour effet de mettre a jour plusieurs elements des Regles sur les courses pour les chevaux Standardbred et Thoroughbred :

 Regle 17.12.01 et autres regles  Couplage de chevaux Standardbred

 Regle 9.15.01  Nouvelle gestion des situations de conflit dinterets des jockeys

 Regle 8.04.02 (QH)  Augmentation du poids autorise des jockeys de chevaux de race quarter horse

 Directives generales 2 et 3, 2009  Abrogation des directives limitant la taille du peloton pour les courses a pari trifecta et superfecta

 Modifications au programme de lutte contre les drogues et lalcool

Ces reformes sont le fruit de vastes consultations aupres de lindustrie des courses de chevaux en Ontario. La CAJO poursuivra sa collaboration avec les parties interessees en vue de lapplication des changements pour la prochaine saison des courses.

Les directives:

 Directive generale 1  2017  Courses a pari trifecta et superfecta

 Directive pour les chevaux de race quarter horse 1  2017  Poids des jockeys

 Directive pour les chevaux de race Standardbred 1  2017  Revision des regles sur les drogues et lalcool de consommation humaine

 Directive pour les chevaux de race Thoroughbred 1  2017  Revision des regles sur les drogues et lalcool de consommation humaine

 Directive pour les chevaux de race Thoroughbred 2  2017  Dispositions sur les conflits dinterets des jockeys

 Directive pour les chevaux de race Standardbred 2  2017  Dispositions sur le couplage
Standardbred Canada is looking for an individual to fill an important role of SC Field Representative.

The vacant part-time position is at Georgian Downs for the track's nights of live racing and qualifiers.

Various duties will include, but are not limited to, entering race results on the SC database, the collection of memberships, invoices, eligibility fees, etc., and remit to Standardbred Canada on a regular basis.

Success candidate must:

have a good knowledge of the Standardbred industry

be able to work in a co-operative environment with others

be able to type accurately

be willing to train at a track designated for training

be able to meet deadlines for all responsibilities

If interested, please email your resume to [email protected] with 'GEORGIAN DOWNS' in the subject line, or fax to Valerie Boom at 905-858-8047 by Wednesday, April 5, 2017. No phone calls please.

We thank all those who apply, but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
My crystal ball CB said that the war in Ukraine will end by March 2023. Why? - Ukraine does not want to continue fighting, as most of thei...
Cowlitz Countys $1 million sale of the Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center came with a hidden price.

County commissioners on Tuesday approved terminating a contract two years early with Hillsboro Aviation Inc., an Oregon aviation company that was using a helipad for tourism at the Hoffstadt Bluffs location along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. The early termination cost the county $150,000 for the companys lost revenues, cutting the countys gain from the visitor centers sale by 15 percent.

The county agreed to the 10-year contract with Hillsboro Aviation in April 2009 that provided conditions for early termination. Following the sale of the center, the county negotiated down the termination costs. Commissioner Joe Gardner said the company asked for $335,000 initially, claiming about a years worth of loss in revenues.

The Cowlitz County Conference Center estimated Hillsboro Aviation averaged $375,000 in gross sales annually from its helicopter at Hoffstadt Bluffs, said Mike Moss, director of the conference center.

Cowlitz County Purchasing Manager Matt Hanson said he never would have agreed on the contract that was executed in 2009 and thinks staff has learned from it.

If the county had a stronger contract in place, we would not be going through this process, Hanson said at the commissioners meeting. You will not see contracts like this, that are this disadvantageous to the county, in the future.

Cowlitz County Commissioner Dennis Weber said the county is still cutting its losses. He said the county agreed to the contract at a time when there was still hope the state would develop an link east-west between Spirit Lake Memorial Highway and U.S. 12/White Pass Highway, allowing for more tourists to drive through the visitor center. However, that idea never had any careful study or support, partly because it would have been a massive expense and may have had to cross parts of the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

The county built the visitor center for $3.2 million in 1996, hoping to make it a tourist destination near Mount St. Helens.

I think it needs to be mentioned that those concerns have been part of our discussions all along, Weber said, adding that it was an investment decision that didnt pan out because of extenuating circumstances.

Gardner said the county has had significant maintenance costs from the visitor center. He said ultimately, commissioners sold it because the county needed to improve its existing facilities, such as the morgue and 911 center.

Its certainly concerning and Im hoping that in the future, we can do better jobs on this type of negotiations, Kelso resident Rick Von Rock told the commissioners at Tuesdays meeting.
Domestic violence calls plummeted but police calls to the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso skyrocketed last year, the latter trend a result of an improving economy, Kelso Police Chief Andy Hamilton said Tuesday.

Crime reports at the Three Rivers Mall rose 75 percent last year compared to the year before, according to the Kelso Police Departments annual report presented to the City Council on Tuesday. In 2015 the mall expanded its cinemas from a four- to 12-screen theater. In 2014 new businesses like Sportsmans Warehouse and Planet Fitness moved into the mall.

Last year showed the most reports from the mall that police have seen since 2009, shortly after the recession hit citizens pocket books. In 2011 crime reports from the mall dipped to 262 from 338 in 2010.

Hamilton said more people frequent the mall, and a fuller parking lot means more general calls for service. He said the increased calls for service didnt come unexpectedly.

Those lots Friday nights are just packed, he said.

Then statistics obviously dont reflect any impact from the imminent closure of Macys, a longtime mall anchor tenant that is shutting down March 26.

Offenses at the mall in general became more common, Hamilton said, such as fraud, vandalism, vehicle prowls or shoplifting. Others call police for non-criminal matters, like help finding their car. Hamilton estimated 1,200 calls for service total at the mall last year.

Total criminal offenses citywide last year increased 31 percent, from 1,172 to 1,534.

Were getting more calls, theres no doubt about that, Hamilton said.

Hamilton also discussed balancing increased calls for service with a constant ebb and flow of new hire and departing officers.

While Hamilton said the department is fully staffed with 20 patrol officers, two are still in training and three are off on sick or family medical leave, reducing that number to 15 patrol officers on staff. Four of them are eligible for retirement, Hamilton said.

Kelso police has 28 commissioned officers total, and that includes two drug task force officers, a school officer and administrative staff.

Concealed pistol applications, pistol transfer applications and public records requests all rose last year as well. Hamilton appealed to council members about the public records requests, which rose 11 percent last year compared to 2015, and said they can help by talking to their state legislators about the burden police face from the massive requests.

On the positive side, domestic violence arrests in Kelso decreased 47 percent  from 159 to 84  compared to the year before. Hamilton said there could be a number of reasons that contribute to the dip, such as more awareness and harsher laws to punish the crime. Domestic violence can also often place officers in dangerous situations.

Its the highest priority for officers, Hamilton said. It is a call that officers dont take lightly because it is such a volatile situation.

Hamilton reviewed for the council the most prominent cases his officers responded to last year: The Bernie Altman homicide, officer-involved shootings in West Kelso and Rose Valley, home invasions on First and 12th avenues, a child sexual assault case that resulted in Ronald Cooks life sentence, and calls for service related to homelessness.

Nationwide, law enforcement deaths last year rose to 140 compared to 125 the year before. Hamilton said last year showed an unprecedented number of police ambushes.

In other business Tuesday, City Council members on Tuesday night also approved changes to the citys comprehensive plan and zoning code that allow denser housing development in West Kelso and a recreational marijuana facility on 2200 Talley Way.

They approved using $200,000 for an emergency project to repair a sewer line at Third Avenue and West Main Street. Work began March 15 after the citys Public Works Department discovered a backup in the line.
PTI

A smart safety jacket for BSF personnel that senses imminent attacks on the wearer and communicates the enemy's location in real time has won first prize at a two-day hackathon for product start-ups developing smart solutions for everyday problems. The prototype safety jacket was developed by Ajay Sangwan, Rohit T and Vivek Jose from Kochi s Maker Village electronics incubator under their 'Quick response eco-systems for Border Security Forces' project.

Besides the jacket, the team also developed an IT-enabled hardware device which can be installed along the borders to detect human presence and alert the control room. According to the developers, the device has passive infrared sensors to measure thermal radiations, which help distinguish between human and other presence. The two-day 'Hack2help' event was jointly hosted by the US Consulate General Chennai and Learning Links Foundation, with support of Kerala Start up Mission, Maker Village and Science Society of India, a release said here today.

The hackathon, held at the Kerala Technology Innovation Zone, drew participation from 120 students (30 teams) from colleges across Kerala. A group of students from School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology won the second prize for coming up with technology solution to address the problem of dirty public toilets in India. Samir Dayal Singh, Mayank Raj, Abhinav Gautam and Shantanu Garg were the team members.

Jithin M S, Govindan Nampoothiri, Jobin Joseph and Clinz Stephen of Saintgits College of Engineering bagged third prize for developing a web portal that helps farmers sell their products direct to the end customer. Sivaprasad K, Arshad M P,Manikandan Vijayan and Gokuladas V R of College of Engineering, Cherthala won fourth prize for their 'Augmented Reality-based' dissection tool for learning that eliminates the need for lab dissection of animals.
tech2 News Staff

Update: We spoke to an HDFC Bank spokesperson regarding the issue. The story has been updated with the bank's response.

Have you heard of micro-transactions? They spell profit for game companies and headaches for gamers. The banking world, or at least, one bank in particular, has taken the lesson to heart and taken things a step further.

Karthik Srinivasan, a Digital Marketer from Bangalore was going through his email when he discovered that HDFC Bank had been charging him Rs 100 per quarter for a program he never signed up for.

On delving deeper, he discovered that the service was an opt-out program that had been activate for his account without his express consent. Worse still, the opting out requires a member to actually read their spam-like banking emails, from top to bottom, discover the fine print that states that the offer is an opt-out one and then click on a link to opt-out of the service.

@MystiqueWanderr Planning to. Meanwhile, plan to tweet it *every single day* till end 2017 or till @HDFC_Bank apologizes to all. @kalyansury  Karthik (@beastoftraal) February 1, 2017

But whats Rs 400, right? That still doesnt equate to hundreds of crores of rupees.

Rashmi R. Padhy took to Medium to break down why the money is real and why this is indeed a scam.

Pointing to VAS (Value-Added-Service) fraud that was prevalent some years ago, Padhy notes that telcos used to offer VAS as free trials. After the trial was over, these telcos would charge you for the service and keep doing so until you opted out.

The value of the transactions was small, but scaled up, the telcos likely earned in hundreds, if not thousands of crores. The rising number of complaints caught the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (Trai) attention and the practice was halted.

Day 17: I'm not tired @HDFC_Bank! Just very disappointed. That a bank could be this brazen with customers' money https://t.co/wEbKI13c6x  Karthik (@beastoftraal) February 18, 2017

HDFC Bank appears to be doing the same thing. The bank essentially upgrades you to a free Classic / Preferred Banking trial program without your consent and then charges you Rs 100  plus service tax  per quarter till you opt out.

Since most people would not read the mailer that explains all this and since the price isnt placed up front, most people will not opt-out because they simply dont know.

Padhy breaks down the calculations as follows. Charging 1.2 Cr customers a fee of Rs 400 a year, HDFC is set to earn upwards of Rs 400 Cr a year. For free, without the explicit consent of its members.

The calculation may not be as cut and dried as Padhy puts it and the numbers might be much lower. This doesnt, however, change the fact that the program is inherently fraudulent. And other banks might soon follow suit, if they havent already.

As heinous as the practice might seem, it is currently perfectly legal for it to do what its doing.

Day 50: Thank you for this @OfficeChai. For the 50th time, could you please do the right thing, @HDFC_Bank? https://t.co/GODQnR8bBW pic.twitter.com/euk7nuMgpl  Karthik (@beastoftraal) March 22, 2017

Most people may not even be aware of the service or the charge. A charge of Rs 400 a year can easily get lost in the tens of thousands of transactions that we perform every year. And how many of us actually peruse through our monthly bank statements in that much detail anyway? Many more of us probably delete bank mails the moment they arrive in the first place.

Srinivasan did not take this charge laying down. On discovering the charge, an average person might simply have opted out, vented a bit on social media and left it at that. Srinivasan is, however made of more Gandhian stuff. As Office Chai puts it, Srinivasan is now on an online satyagraha to get HDFC Bank to apologise for trying to scam its customers in such a way.

Srinivasan first explained the whole scam in his blog, where he outlined the steps hes taken, HDFCs official response and his emails to the banking ombudsman and HDFCs Board of Directors. He then vowed to tweet to HDFC Bank every single day for the whole of 2017 with a link to his blog. This effort began on 1 February.

The end goal is simply an apology from the bank for treating its customers like this.

Srinivasans satyagraha is now into its 50th day.

We spoke to an HDFC spokesperson about this issue and did not receive a convincing argument in favour of the bank's practices. The spokesperson basically described the program in question and defended the practice by saying that, "The customer is intimated several times through different means and given the option to exit (opt out) if he chooses to. This includes the 12 monthly statements."

We specifically asked them why the program isn't an opt-in one and what they think of Srinivasan's 'satyagraha' and whether they intend to respond to it. We received no response. Basically, HDFC Bank is saying that the practice is perfectly legal and it's the customers' fault for not reading all mailers and bank statements in full.

For a more detailed perspective on the events, check out Srinivasan's blog here. In the blog, he also outlines how you can fight against HDFCs practices.

Weve reached out to Srinivasan for further comment.
hidden

Baidu Inc chief scientist Andrew Ng said on Wednesday he will resign from the Chinese search engine company after three years of leading its drive into artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) projects. Ng, who announced his departure in a blog post on online publishing platform Medium, did not say where he would be heading to next, but said he would continue to be involved in entrepreneurship and research in the artificial intelligence space.

"As the principal architect of Baidu's AI strategy, I am proud to have led the incredible rise of AI within the company," he said in the post. "I will continue my work to shepherd in this important societal change." His resignation comes as Baidu has been ramping up its focus on cutting edge technology to revitalise the company's shrinking profits, and after the company hired former top Microsoft executive, Qi Lu, to oversee the shift to AI.

Baidu last month reported a second straight drop in quarterly revenue, hurt by a government crackdown on healthcare advertising. The company in 2014 hired Ng, who was a former Stanford University computer science professor and founder of Google's elite Deep Learning team. He also co-founded online learning startup Coursera.

In January, Baidu opened an AR lab in Beijing that was fronted by Ng.

Reuters
tech2 News Staff

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a bill into law that set a goal for the country's space agency Nasa to send humans to Mars by 2033. The bill, known as the Nasa Transition Authorization Act, authorised $19.5 billion budget in spending for Nasa for the fiscal year 2017, Xinhua reported. The bill reaffirmed "our national commitment to the core mission of Nasa ," Trump said, according to a pool report.

"It supports Nasa's deep space exploration including the space launch system and the Orion spacecraft ... It advances space science by maintaining a balanced set of mission and activities to explore our solar system and the entire universe." Under the bill, Nasa was directed to further advance human deep space exploration, including establishing "potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century."

It also ordered the agency to develop a human exploration roadmap for "the long-term goal of human missions near or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s" and specifically asked for a feasibility study of a Mars human spaceflight mission to be launched in 2033. Last week, the Trump administration proposed a budget that would reduce NASA's fiscal year 2018 budget to 19.1 billion dollars.

Nasa has already been preparing for manned missions to Mars in the 2030. In a story for CNN authored by ex US President, Barack Obama Wrote "We have set a clear goal vital to the next chapter of Americas story in space: sending humans to Mars by the 2030s and returning them safely to Earth, with the ultimate ambition to one day remain there for an extended time." The manned mission to send pioneers on the surface of the planet is just one of the many missions to Mars planned over the course of the next few decades.

Nasa wants to send pioneers on the surface, that will be supported by spacecraft from private companies. The first humans to visit Mars are expected to harvest local resources, and live off the land on Mars, as they cannot possibly transport all the materials needed from the Earth itself. The plans include setting up farms on Mars, and 3D printing shelters. Nasa also wants to make Mars more suitable for human explorers by giving the Red Planet an artificial magnetosphere. Elon Musk wants to go ahead and establish the first permanent human settlement on Mars.

The Trump administration has tweaked the budget of the space agency, by reducing funding for environmental research, and focusing more on manned missions which have a symbolic quality in addition to the potential to progress science. "Overall science funding is stable, although some missions in development will not go forward and others will see increases, NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot said in a statement. We remain committed to studying our home planet and the universe, but are reshaping our focus within the resources available to us  a budget not far from where we have been in recent years, and which enables our wide ranging science work on many fronts," Lightfoot said.

Trump has even asked Nasa to put humans on the debut flight of its new Heavy Lift rocket, a mission that Nasa previously did not plan to be a manned one. US President Donald Trumps top spymaster nominee has said he was "shocked" to know that India successfully launched over 100 satellites in one go, asserting that America cannot afford to be seen lagging behind.

With inputs from IANS
hidden

Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have not been advised of any new restrictions on carrying electronic devices on US flights, the Middle East airlines said on Tuesday.

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to announce on Tuesday passengers travelling on certain US bound flights will have to check electronic devices larger than a new cell phone, US officials told Reuters on Monday.

The new rule is in response to an unspecified terrorism threat, the officials said.

A source said the rule would cover around eight to 10 foreign airlines. A separate government official confirmed an Associated Press report that the ban will affect 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

"At this time we have not received any notification of changes to cabin luggage restrictions on US flights," an Emirates spokeswoman told Reuters in an emailed statement.

An Etihad spokesman also said the Abu Dhabi airline had not received new guidance.

Emirates is the largest Middle East carrier operating to the US with daily flights to 12 destinations. Etihad flies daily to six US cities.

Earlier, Reuters reported the ban would include airlines based in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where state carriers Royal Jordanian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) fly to the United States.

In July 2014, the Homeland Security Department stepped up security of US-bound flights, requiring tougher screening of mobile phones and other electronic devices and requiring them to be powered up before passengers could board flights to the United States.

Reuters
PTI

The government today proposed to lower the cash transaction limit to Rs 2 lakh, from Rs 3 lakh announced in the Budget, as it introduced 40 amendments to the Finance Bill in an unprecedented move. As the Finance Bill was taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha, the opposition parties including TMC, BJD and RSP protested against the introduction of these many amendments, saying it was being done as a "back-door entry".

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, overruled the objections raised by the opposition parties, saying the 'incidental provisions' involved in the amendments constitute a 'Money Bill' and therefore can be considered as part of the Finance Bill. The proposed amendments to the Finance Bill include a provision to cap legal cash transactions at Rs 2 lakh. While presenting the Budget on February 1, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to make any cash transaction beyond Rs 3 lakh as illegal with effect from April this year.

A penalty of equal amount would be levied in case of any violation of the provision, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia tweeted after the amendment was moved. Another senior revenue department official said the move was intended to make the law more stringent to clamp down on cash dealings, which was giving rise to black money.

The move to cap legal cash transactions followed recommendations made by the Special Investigation Team on Black Money, which was set by by the government on directions of the Supreme Court. The amendments to the laws like Companies Act, Employees Provident Fund, Smuggling and Foreign Exchange Act, TRAI Act and Information Technology Act, have also been moved to make the functioning of tribunals more efficient by merging the smaller ones and reducing their numbers from 40 to 12.

While defending the move to make amendments, Jaitley invoked the first Lok Sabha Speaker G V Mavalankar. He said if a substantial portion of a bill deals with imposition or abolition of tax, it can be introduced as a Money Bill even even if it has other incidental provisions.

"You cannot have a bill which says government will spend Rs 100,000 crore without detailing how it would be spent. You cannot have a bill where you say there will be 5 per cent without specifying what will be the deduction, what will be the power of assessing officer, appeal provision... No tax can be imposed without reference to courts or tribunals.. These are incidental provisions...," Jaitley said.

The Minister said the opposition's objection is borne out the language in Article 110(1) and ever since the inception, the House has been debating on the word 'only' used there. As Jaitley moved the Finance Bill for discussion, N K Premanchandran (RSP) said the government is pushing the amendments to the House and not following the rules.

"It is being bulldozed... If you conduct the House like this, then there is no need for the Monsoon and the Winter sessions... (Parliamentary) Standing Committee can be curtailed. The supreme right of Parliament is being taken away," Premachandran said. The government is bringing amendments to the Representation of People Act, the RBI Act and the Sebi Act, he observed, while adding, "How can the issue of electoral bond come under Finance Bill? These amendments do not come under the purview of the Finance Bill."

Jaitley said the electoral bond has been proposed for cleansing the political money since a lot of electoral funding, across the spectrum, comes from unknown sources. Jaitley said at present the Representation of the People Act provides for revealing of identity of people making donations above Rs 20,000 and the amendment would provide that if money comes by way of electoral bonds, the identity will not be disclosed.

The Finance Minister also said the amendments proposed in the Post Office Act, the Oil Industry Development Act and the Research and Development cess can be made part of the Finance Bill as these squarely come within the purview of Article 110. Deepender Hooda of Congress said the government should have brought a separate bill on transparency in electoral funding as amendment to the RBI Act was 'consequential' and not 'incidental'.

"Your aim was to bring transparency in electoral funding and that is why you brought amendment to the RBI Act. A separate transparency in electoral funding bill should have been brought," Hooda said.
tech2 News Staff

Its hard to believe, but Scotland Yard has allegedly been outsourcing illegal hacking duties to the Indian Police.

The Guardian reports that a letter was sent to a member of the Green party in the UK with these allegations. The source of the letter remains anonymous.

The source alleges that the unit took advantage of ties developed with members of the Indian Police to illegally access the accounts of hundreds of political campaigners and journalists. Specifically, the letter says that the Metropolitan Unit was involved. The letter listed several passwords that targeted campaigners and activists have confirmed as being tied to their accounts.

The letter was submitted to UKs Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the issue.

The source, who claims to have been working for an intelligence unit that monitors campaigners.

Details are scant and the extent of involvement of Indian Police authorities is unknown. The letter does allege that these Indian Police officials in-turn enlisted hackers  whether legally or illegally is not known  to hack into these accounts. This has been going on for a number of years, apparently.

The letter goes on to allege that shredding of sensitive documents, despite court orders forbidding it, has been going on for years as well. These documents apparently pertain to reports of police officials illegally monitoring protest groups across the country.

A number of Greenpeace staff and Guardian reporters are among the people illegally hacked.

The Guardian was given to understand that the letter alone is enough to initiate a full-scale investigation into the police unit involved.

The whistle blower claimed to have spoken out about these activities because, over the years, the unit had evolved into an organisation that had little respect for the law, no regard for personal privacy, encouraged highly immoral activity and, I believe, is a disgrace. She added that it was a serious abuse of power, reports The Guardian.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung announced the launch of its mobile payment service, Samsung Pay in India. The mobile payment service can be used like a normal debit or credit card to make payments and purchases at all the places where you previously used the plastic money.

Samsung has integrated Paytm and UPI in the Samsung Pay app to increase the reach of the app along with providing additional options to users.

Samsung Pay is currently limited to Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A7 (2016), Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017). In addition to smartphones, the service and app will come to Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch, allowing users to pay using their smartwatches.

Samsung Electronics has not limited their reach to Paytm and UPI as they have teamed up with prominent members from the digital payment ecosystem to expand their reach to conventional financial market. One important thing to note is that this payment ecosystem includes members like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and Standard Chartered Bank. CitiBank will be the next bank to add support for Samsung Pay options.

Samsung explained that to secure the transaction, the company has added three layers of security ranging from fingerprint authentication, card tokenisation and Samsung KNOX, the defence grade mobile security platform, Samsung KNOX.

To get started, the user needs to swipe the Galaxy smartphone select the card and authenticate it using the fingerprint or PIN and bring it near the point of sale terminal. The system works with MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) as well as with Near Field Communication (NFC).

Samsung Pay is an example of how we continue to push the boundaries of innovations to make life simpler and better for consumers. I am confident Samsung Pay will redefine digital payments and contribute to Digital India, adds HC Hony, President and the CEO for Samsung Southwest during the launch event.

Thomas Ko, the VP and Global Manager for Samsung Pay adds that "When we launched Samsung Pay, our goal was to enable consumers across the globe to make payments that are simple, secure and accepted almost everywhere."
Aditya Madanapalle

TeamIndus is hoping to bag the prestigious Google Lunar Xprize by launching a rover to the moon in a PSLV mission by Isro scheduled near the end of the year. TeamIndus will be ridesharing on the rocket with Team Hakuto from Japan, another team to attempt the Lunar Xprize. TeamIndus has organised a competition of its own, where anyone who solves a puzzle will be flown to the launch event, and get to assemble a rover with TeamIndus.

The competition is open only for those who are thirteen and older, and minors will have to get permission from their parents. TeamIndus will only pay for domestic flights. 20 winners will be picked, but the competition has a tight deadline, entries will be stopped after midnight, 24 March. The challenge is to essentially navigate the TeamIndus rover, the ECA, across the surface of the Moon and get the most points.

https://twitter.com/TeamIndus/status/843427017664221184

The rover moves like the knight on a chessboard, and the board has been peppered with various obstacles, and zones for points. The puzzle is educational when it comes to the kind of obstacles that rovers have to navigate on the Moon. Users are not allowed to revisit the same square twice, but can pass over them as many times as they want.

The objective is to get the maximum number of points. More information about the competition is available on a Medium post by TeamIndus. The high scores can be submitted here.
tech2 News Staff

Details of a 4K ready Samsung desktop dock have been leaked online. The dock is meant to extend your smartphone experience to a larger screen.

The dock is called the DeX Station and its images and features were leaked on WinFuture, a German tech site.

Judging by the image, it looks like if you insert the phone into the dock and connect peripherals and a display to that dock. The dock apparently supports 4K rendering at 30 Hz, has two USB 2.0 ports and a 100Mbps Ethernet jack.

Additional cooling fans are present to keep your Galaxy S8 cool. WinFuture has learned that the dock will enable a high-performance mode in the S8  much like the Nintendo Switch  hence the fans.

Taking full advantage of the USB-C standard, the DeX Station will apparently charge a connected Galaxy S8 and transmit data to a connected display via the same cable. WinFuture claims that the device is collapsible as well.

Weve known of the existence of DeX for a couple of months now and various rumours speaking of Samsungs purported Android desktop mode have been circulating.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 itself is expected by around 21 April this year and will feature a new design as well as Samsungs in-house voice assistant, Bixby.
tech2 News Staff

Close on the heels of the United States banning electronics larger than smartphones in cabin baggage, the Department for Transport in the United Kingdom has also issued a similar ban on large electronics. The bans are apparently in response to intelligence reports that terrorists would be disguising bombs as electronics. The US ban affects only foreign carriers, as domestic carriers do not fly to the US directly from the airports in the banned countries. The UK ban affects both domestic and foreign carriers.

The New York Times reports on the passengers who are going to be inconvenienced by the ban, including researchers travelling to conferences who will be unable to use their laptops in flights lasting over 20 hours to prepare for the conference.

Passengers are protesting over the prospect of having to fly long hours without the use of their laptops or tablets. Those flying frequently over long distances, such as professional journalists, are going to be the worst affected by the ban. The sudden ban has taken officials from the affected countries by surprise, according to the report.

Business Insider points out that it is unclear how many carriers will be able to work out the logistics of the electronics ban, considering that the ban has a tight schedule of only four days. The ban may actually be at odds with an FAA policy that prohibits transport of electronics in checked in baggage because of the dangers of fires originating from lithium ion batteries, commonly used in consumer electronics. The reasoning behind the ban also remains unclear.

https://twitter.com/azadessa/status/844103549328015361

According to a BBC report, the ban is because of an "evaluated intelligence" report, which indicates that a the US intelligence has intercepted communication, has been directly made aware of a plot by an informer, or the intelligence agencies have found the evidence for a brewing terrorist plot on their own.

A travel journalist points out in the BBC report that the ban affects British travelers disproportionately because it affects low cost airlines as well, and that passengers who travel light will be forced to use a bag to check in large electronics such as laptops and tablets.

The Guardian has statements from security experts who are befuddled by the ban. If the threat is in the use of these devices as a bomb, then the threat applies to the aircraft equally, irrespective of whether it is in the cabin baggage or the checked in baggage. If the perceived threat is over concerns of hacking with the use of laptops, then a smartphone is a portable computer as capable as larger devices, and can be used for the same malicious purposes. The ban serves no tangible purpose, according to the security experts.

https://twitter.com/emirates/status/844229766341443586

Emirates responded quickly with a tongue-in-cheek advertisement that presented their in flight entertainment options as an alternative to large electronic devices. However, the ad was met with angry responses from journalists, business professionals and users of ebook readers. In fact, the ban may expose the travelers to increased risk, especially those who work with sensitive information on their laptops. Laptops can potentially have unpublished scientific data, rushes of documentary footage, unedited images captured by photojournalists, notes of media workers.

https://twitter.com/mollycrabapple/status/844407217688363011

The US has banned large electronics on flights form Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait and UAE. UK has banned large electronics on flights from Tunisia and Lebanon. Both countries have banned large electronics from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The UK has banned phones, laptops and other consumer electronics larger than 16 cm in length, 9.3 cm in width and 1.5 cm in depth. The UK government has indicated that it is coordinating closely with the US government to better understand the threat.

The ban applies to only in bound flights. Passengers who want to carry electronics larger than the specified dimensions in flights to the US or UK from these countries will have to do so in the checked in baggage. The devices are not allowed to be carried only in the cabin. UK has indicated that it is working closely with the aviation sector to minimise the impact of the ban on the travelers. Passengers are advised to contact the airlines directly for the limitations and information on enforcement of the ban. UK has not issued any travel advisory discouraging people from travelling to and from the affected countries.

https://twitter.com/jonostrower/status/844262550103478272

All laptops, e-readers and tablets are banned in the inbound UK flights, irrespective of their dimensions. The UK ban applies to both foreign and domestic carriers as there are direct inbound flights to the UK by domestic carriers. There are no US carriers with direct inbound flights from the ten international airports in the eight countries banned by the US. While the UK has not commented if the ban is a response to a specific threat, the US has indicated that the ban is not in response to a particular reported threat. Etihad and Emirates have said they have not received any notification of an electronics ban from the US.

Users who are transferring to one of the flights in multi-leg journeys will also be affected by the ban. There is no direct indication from the UK on how long the electronics ban will be in place. An Emirates spokesperson told Reuters that the US ban is in place till 14 October. A spokesperson for the department of homeland security corroborated on the 14 October deadline for the US ban to the Washington Post, and added that the ban could be extended for a year beyond that in case there were no changes in the evaluation of the threat.

https://twitter.com/jonostrower/status/844202014800150528

The items purchased from duty free shops at airports are also affected by the ban. Those unable to fly because of the ban or looking for a refund are advised to contact the airlines directly. The UK has asked the airlines to take a customer centrist approach when handling the situation. The bans in both countries affects all passengers on the designated flights, irrespective of their nationalities.
Afghanistan wants more US help in fight against Taliban, IS

American Marines in Kandahar, Afghanistan after withdrawing from a military complex in Helmand Province, where Afghan forces are now being pressed by the Taliban

AP, Washington :

Afghanistan wants the United States to send more forces to help meet shortfalls in the battle against the Taliban and the Islamic State group, the nation's top diplomat said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani welcomed a recent call by U.S. Gen. John Nicholson, the top American commander in Afghanistan, for a few thousand more troops from the U.S. or other coalition partners to help break the stalemate in the war-torn country.

The Trump administration has not yet said if it will send more forces in response to Nicholson's comments. Some 8,400 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, performing counterterrorism operations against insurgents and training the Afghan army. The war is in its 16th year.

Citing a deadly attack this month on a military hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said Afghanistan needs U.S. help in addressing "military shortfalls," through increased training, ground and air capabilities, and reconnaissance and intelligence support. The attack was launched by IS with the Taliban.

"We stand confident that the new U.S. administration under President Trump will remain strategically engaged and continue its support," Rabbani said at the Atlantic Council think tank ahead of a gathering in Washington of the U.S.-led coalition against IS. He described Nicholson's call as "an appropriate decision considering the prevailing security challenges still facing us."

In a sign of how major powers are vying for influence in the region, Rabbani said Russia is planning a 12-nation conference on Afghanistan. The former Soviet Union engaged in a disastrous decade-long occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Rabbani said the U.S. had been invited but didn't know if it would attend. The State Department said it hasn't yet decided on its participation.

Rabbani said the discussions would follow up on six-nation talks held in mid-February involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Iran. He said he did not think the Taliban would be invited.

In congressional testimony last month, Nicholson said Russia has been publicly legitimizing the Taliban and seeking to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.

Rabbani said Russia and Iran have both told Kabul they have been in contact with the Taliban to encourage a return to the negotiating table. They deny providing the Taliban material support.

Rabbani said terrorism and extremism must be combated through cooperation among governments. He said the Taliban wouldn't seek peace unless Pakistan cracked down on "terrorist safe havens" on its soil - a long-running source of bitterness between the neighboring countries.

In congressional testimony last month, Nicholson said Russia has been publicly legitimizing the Taliban and seeking to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.

Rabbani said Russia and Iran have both told Kabul they have been in contact with the Taliban to encourage a return to the negotiating table. They deny providing the Taliban material support.

Rabbani said terrorism and extremism must be combated through cooperation among governments. He said the Taliban wouldn't seek peace unless Pakistan cracked down on "terrorist safe havens" on its soil - a long-running source of bitterness between the neighboring countries.
Sturgeon warns May against blocking Scottish referendum

AFP, Edinburgh :

Scotland's nationalist leader warned on Tuesday that it would be "unfair" for the British government to block another independence referendum, as she asked the Scottish parliament to support her plans for a vote.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said British Prime Minister Theresa May must not to stand in her way - as she opened a two-day debate on a referendum rematch.

May has insisted "now is not the time" for another referendum, while the terms of Brexit have yet to be negotiated.

But Sturgeon told Scottish lawmakers: "For the UK Government to stand in the way of Scotland even having a choice would be, in my view, wrong, unfair and utterly unsustainable." The Scottish parliament is expected endorse Sturgeon's call for a second referendum in a vote on Wednesday, less than three years after Scots rejected independence in a 2014 referendum.

Sturgeon suggested a re-run could be as little as 18 months away, and by spring 2019 at the latest, before Britain has left the European Union.

Scotland voted strongly to stay in the European Union, as did Northern Ireland, but they were outweighed by England and Wales and the national result last year was 52 per cent for Brexit.

"We will allow people to make a genuinely informed choice between being taken down a hard Brexit path or becoming an independent country, able to chart our own course," she said.

Sturgeon insists she is open to discussion on an alternative timetable "within reason", but said "it will simply not

be acceptable for the UK government to stand as a roadblock to the democratically expressed will of this Parliament".




India may use nuclear option first to pre-empt attack: Expert

There is no universal agreement among nuclear weapon states on the first-use of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

AP, Washington :

There is increasing evidence that India could launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike to prevent Pakistan from using the option first, says an expert.

"India will not allow Pakistan to go first. And that India's opening salvo may not be conventional strikes trying to pick off just Nasr batteries in the theatre," Vipin Narang, an Indian-origin nuclear strategist from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told a seminar in Washington on Monday.

Nasr is a vehicle that Pakistan uses for carrying its tactical battlefield nuclear warheads.

India would launch "a full 'comprehensive counterforce strike' that attempts to completely disarm Pakistan of its nuclear weapons," Dr Narang said.

He explained that policy-makers in New Delhi decided to go for the nuclear option to ensure that "India does not have to engage in iterative tit-for-tat exchanges and expose its own cities to nuclear destruction".

Mr Narang said he was not basing assessment on fringe extreme voices such as those of Bharat Karnad or retired Indian Army officers frustrated by the lack of resolve they believe their government had shown in multiple provocations.

This assessment, he said, was based on what he learned from no less than a former Strategic Forces Command C-in-C Lt Gen B.S. Nagal and from the highly respected and influential former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.

"We may be witnessing  a 'decoupling' of Indian nuclear strategy between China and Pakistan. The force requirements India needs to credibly threaten assured retaliation against China may allow it to pursue more aggressive strategies - such as escalation dominance or a 'splendid first strike'- against Pakistan," Dr Narang said.

The MIT expert argued that the conventional wisdom that a nuclear war in South Asia could start with a terrorist attack from Pakistan may no longer be valid.

The conventional wisdom envisages that a strong Indian reaction to a terrorist attack from Pakistan would lead to Islamabad using its tactical nuclear weapons to slow down the Indian offensive, Dr Narang explained.

"India then promises what most presume is massive counter-value retaliation against Pakistani cities, leaving aside how credible or incredible that might be. This is how nuclear first use would unfold in South Asia," he added.

But Dr Narang argued that this "conventional wisdom" might not be true any longer.

Speaking at the Carnegie International Nuclear Conference in Washington on Monday, he said that India was willing to reverse its stated no-first-use policy if it feared a nuclear attack was imminent. But a pre-emptive Indian strike, however, would target Pakistan's nuclear installations, not urban centres, he added.

But nuclear experts in Washington warned that a strike on nuclear installations could be equally devastating as it would wipe out the adjacent urban centres as well. The experts also pointed out that Pakistan was a thin strip of land where nuclear installations were not far from urban centres.
SAGHATA (Gaibandha): Deputy Speaker Adv Fazley Rabbi Mia MP distributing bi-cycle among the students at Saghata Upazila donated by Mutual Trust Bank Ltd on Monday.
Message

Today, our nation is celebrating the 77th anniversary of the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution of 23 March 1940 with traditional zeal and zest. On this historic day, the Muslims of the subcontinent gathered in Lahore under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and adopted a Resolution, which changed the course of history.

On this day, the people of Pakistan celebrate their freedom. At the same time, it is an occasion for reflection and introspection. Our national objectives include socio-economic development, maintaining cordial relations with other countries, based on mutual respect and promoting peace among nations.

Pakistan is a proud Muslim country of almost 200 million. It straddles traditional routes that link West, South and Central Asia. Pakistan is an ancient civilization and is at the same time, a modern country. The land that constitutes Pakistan has been one of the oldest sites of human habitation. We are proud to be home to the Indus and Gandhara civilizations, spanning a period of 9,000 years.

Pakistan is a land of rich and diverse heritage. Our society is multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious. Geographically, our land encompasses deserts, lush-green plains, mighty rivers and some of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Pakistan can also boast of having the world's first university that is said to have been set up in Taxila, close to today's Islamabad.

Pakistan has achieved numerous milestones. At the same time we are fully cognizant of the challenges that confront us. Pakistan seeks a peaceful environment, and friendly and cooperative relations with all. Economic development is our priority.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a fusion of multiple developments in the global, regional, bilateral and domestic contexts. The ultimate objective is peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of the two countries, the region and the world.

Pakistan's economy could become the 16th largest by 2050 based on its gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP), as repored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), a multinational professional services network headquartered in London and considered among the 'Big Four' auditors. This means the country would overtake Italy and Canada, which currently rank at 12th and 17th places, respectively.

In terms of GDP at real market exchange rate (MER), Pakistan's economy is projected to rise from 28th place (USD 284bn) at present to 27th by 2030 (USD 776bn) and to 19th (USD 2.8tr) by 2050.

Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy a very special relationship. Both are brotherly Muslim countries. The two maintain a cooperative approach at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The people-to-people contact continues with the exchange of visits. Our bilateral trade and investment have registered healthy growth.

Bangladesh in its own right is a natural hub between South Asia and East Asia. Together, we can act as a bridge to bring this whole region into an integrated network of trade and energy corridors. Our close cooperation in SAARC and other international fora provides a firm basis for this partnership. Our bilateral trade is expected to reach almost one billion dollars in the next few years. Pakistan's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh was more than USD 245 million last year. Partnerships in the areas of trade, commerce, health, education and culture have prospered.

Bangladesh is among the leading countries in social development indicators in the region and Pakistan is keen to benefit from Bangladesh's experience.

Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy a special relationship that continues to deepen, encompassing a range of areas of mutually beneficial and cooperative interaction. Our brotherly relations are based on shared aspirations of peace and economic development.

H.E. Mr. Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui

High Commissioner for the Islamic Republic

of Pakistan in Dhaka
Embargo on medicare services to female students of CU

CU Correspondent :

The administration of Chittagong University has imposed embargo on providing Medicare services to female students after dusk, aiming to improve security measure. The decision came after an on-duty doctor was forcibly gone on vacation after an allegation was raised against him. Notably, a female student was allegedly sexually abused by Dr. Mostafa Kamal while going for taking treatment.

A fresh schedule was issued yesterday, signed by acting registrar Professor DrKamrul Huda, notifying that the on-duty doctors wouldn't provide Medicare-services to the female students after 6.00 pm. However, the condition would be relaxed in a special situation, saying if the students need emergency treatment they must have the provost's permission and must accompany by the house tutors of the respective halls. Mohammad Abu Tayeb, chief medical officer of CU medical center said, the decision came with the directives of CU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury. He also said, the female students would be able to take treatment even after 6.00 pm but they have to bring their house tutor.

Mentionable, a female student was allegedly sexually abused by Dr. Mostafa Kamal at evening, on March 10. After the incident the general students went on massive protest, demanding stringent punishment of the 'culprits'. Following their peaceful protest, the agitating students on Sunday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum for bringing the alleged Doctor to book.

The agitating students issued the ultimatum in a press conference, held at Arts bhaban included shanty. In the press conference they alleged that the investigation body failed to submit their findings even six days gone against Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury framed two days to submit initial findings.

They would put a series of protest program including class abstention and all-out strike if Mostafa Kamal is not sacked and the complete investigation report isn't published by two days, they threatened. Mahbuba Jahan Rumi, education and research secretary of Chhatra Union and also a residential student of Pritilata Hall said, we condemned the authority's decision, adding such a worst decision can never be taken.

She also raised question that what the female students should do in an emergence situation while the residential teachers aren't found at the evening or night. Besides, many female students alleged that no house tutor is residing in the dormitories, so how they reach them in emergence situation. They also demanded the withdrawal of the decision and boosting the security measure in medical.


Inter University Badminton tournament begins today

BSS, Dhaka :

The Click Inter University Badminton tournament begins today (Thursday) at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium in the city, said Bangladesh Badminton Federation (BBF) press release.

LGRD Secretary and BBF President Abdul Malek is expected to formally inaugurate the three-day meet as the chief guest.

Alamma Morshed Monem, general manager and head of marketing of Pran RFL, will present as special guest.

A total of 125 shutters from 34 public and private universities so far confirmed their participation, sponsored by Pran RFL and organized by BBF.

The budget of the tournament has been estimated at Taka 5,20,500 to run the meet. In this regards, a press conference was held today at the conference room of Bangladesh Olympic Association to provide all the details of the meet.

BBF senior vice president Amir Hossain Bahar, Pran RFL Group brand manager Salahuddin Al Hossain, Click Pran RFL Group assistant brand manager Ahasan Mahmud and tournament referee SM Zahidul Haque Kochi, were among others, present on the occasion.
Nine human traffickers held in city, 9 rescued

RAB arrested 9 persons for their alleged involvement in human trafficking from near HSIA area on Wednesday. Some equipment used to produce forged passports, visas and cash were seized from them.

Staff Reporter :

A team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rescued nine persons when they were trafficked to Malaysia and Cyprus.

They also detained nine alleged members of an international human trafficking racket from the city's different areas.

In the drives, RAB-3 recovered 100 passports, 32 fake visas and visa-making materials, eight monitors, six CPUs, five UPS, four printers, one scanner, one photocopy machine and six fake rubber stamps, RAB official said.

In primary interrogation, the detainees told RAB that the gang did not have any recruiting licence.

Meanwhile, the elite force claimed that it had been able to rescue 766 victims of human trafficking, and arrested 496 members of human trafficking gang in 156 drives in recent times so far.
33 killed by US-led air strike in Syria

People remove rubble while looking for survivors at a damaged site after an airstrike on rebel-held Idlib city in Syria.

AFP :

A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of a Wednesday meeting of top officials in Washington focused on defeating the Islamic State group.

Rebels and jihadists pressed offensives inside the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open in Geneva.

Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end Syria's raging six-year conflict, which began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad. The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers including the US-led air coalition bombing Syria's jihadists since 2014.

A suspected coalition strike in the northern province of Raqa early Tuesday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said Wednesday that the strike hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of IS-held Raqa city.

"We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. "They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

A Pentagon spokesman on Wednesday said the coalition would investigate the alleged strike. "Since we have conducted several strikes near Raqa we will provide this information to our civilian casualty team for further investigation," he said. "Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed the coalition for the strike. "The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," it said. The coalition is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa-the Syrian heart of the group's so-called "caliphate"-and Mosul in neighbouring Iraq. Top officials from the 68-nation alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real number is far higher. In addition to bombing raids by the coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in the north.

Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between myriad armed groups-rebels, jihadists, Kurdish militia and Syrian government forces. This week, rebels and allied jihadists launched two surprise offensives on government positions in Damascus and central Hama province, opposition groups and the Observatory said.

In Damascus, anti-regime factions are battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbourhood to the north. Clashes continued Wednesday as at least nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory said. Damascus has witnessed heavy fighting since Sunday, when the opposition fighters made their largest incursion yet into the capital's east. On Wednesday, AFP correspondents in the city could hear warplanes buzzing overhead and intermittent mortar fire, as several soldiers were seen loading ammunition into machine guns. The Damascus offensive is being led by the Tahrir al-Sham alliance, dominated by the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front that was once linked to Al-Qaeda.

Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebels launched a fresh assault on Tuesday in the central province of Hama, overrunning the key town of Suran and several other government positions.


New banks, new twists

Default loans growing alarmingly: Banks management pressing BB for relaxing licence conditions

Badrul Ahsan :

The defaulted loans in the country's new generation banks increased alarmingly as they have disbursed significant amount of loans violating rules and regulations, sources at the central bank said on Wednesday.

According to data available with Bangladesh Bank (BB), the defaulted loans in the nine banks increased to Tk 274 crore as of December 31, 2016 from Tk 44.44 crore as of December 31, 2015.

The nine banks are: Meghna Bank, Midland Bank, Modhumoti Bank, NRB Bank, NRB Commercial Bank, NRB Global Bank, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank, The Farmers Bank and Union Bank.

The central bank provided licences to the nine banks on political consideration despite severe criticisms from different quarters.

Most of the directors and chairmen of the nine new banks are directly involved with either the politics of the ruling Awami League or those of its allies.

The BB has recently detected huge anomalies in disbursing loans by some of the banks and the classified loans in the banks increased massively as a result of the wrongdoings.

The central bank appointed observers to The Farmers Bank and NRB Commercial Bank to save the banks from further corruption.

However, authorities of this bank together now came up

with a set of 'irrational' proposals to the central bank for consideration.

"Nine new banks have mounted pressure on BB to withdraw many of the conditions, including expansion of banking in rural areas, under which they were given licences in 2012," a high official of BB told the New Nation preferring anonymity.

To push for their demand, the banks came up with the proposals at a meeting with the BB at its headquarters in the capital recently, he informed.

Under the proposals, the owners of the banks brought pressure on the central bank to allow their banks to open two new branches in the urban area against one new rural branch.

The BB earlier asked all banks to set up one rural branch against one urban branch to speed up financial inclusion in the country.

'Managing directors of the new banks at the meeting with the BB claimed that it was difficult to earn quick profit from the rural branches. They also said the majority of their rural branches have plunged into a loss-making situation, putting an adverse impact on their overall profits,' the BB official informed.

The new banks also demanded that the BB allow them to set up more than one branch a year in the Dhaka city corporation area.

Banks are now allowed to set up one branch in a city corporation or municipal area a year in line with the central bank's guidelines.

The new banks also have pressed the central bank to allow them to disburse 1.50 per cent of their outstanding loans as farm loans, according to a BB document.

The BB earlier asked the fourth generation banks to disburse at least 5 per cent of their total loans and advances as agriculture loans in a year.

The third generation banks have to disburse 2.50 per cent of their total loans as farm loans in a year.

The BB has recently asked banks to distribute at least 30 per cent of their farm loans through their own channel as some banks disburse their whole agriculture loans through their linkage namely non-governmental organisations.

At the meeting, the nine banks also demanded that the central bank give them a waiver from disbursing 30 per cent of their farm loans through their own channel saying that they did not have sufficient number of branches in the rural areas for doing the job.

The BB asked the nine banks to spend at least 10 per cent of their net profit in the interest of underprivileged people under their corporate social responsibility programme.

The new banks requested the central bank to withdraw the provision as such type of condition is not now imposed on older banks.

The BB official also told The New Nation on Wednesday that the central bank might accept some of the demands made by the new banks as the owners of the banks continued to pressurise the central bank in this regard.

Former BB deputy governor Ibrahim Khaled told The New Nation that the central bank should have not given the licences to the nine banks considering the country's business volume.

'The nine banks' demands are irrational and the central bank should take a strict stance on this matter,' he said.

The new banks should go to the rural areas and disburse 5 per cent of their total loans as farm loans following the licensing conditions, Khaled said.


58 cases filed against unfit vehicles, drivers

Staff Reporter :

Fifty-eight cases were filed against unlicensed drivers and unfit vehicles in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area on Wednesday.

The executive magistrates of DSCC and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) also fined Tk 1,14,400 and sent a driver in jail for 20 days.

In drives, DSCC Executive Magistrate Mamun Sardar fined Tk 31,000, filed 18 cases and imprisoned one driver for 20 days in the Kamlapur area in the city.

In the Arambagh area of the city, the court fined Tk 83,400 and filed 40 cases against the unlicensed drivers and unfit vehicles.

DSCC conducted drives from the beginning of March to hunt for illegal drivers, unfit and old vehicles to make the city street free from traffic tailback. The drive will continue till the end of this month, DSCC officials said.


Hawkers block road in city

Staff Reporter :

Street vendors on Wednesday blocked the road in front of National Press Club in the capital city demanding release of one of their leaders who was picked up by police earlier on the day.

The hawkers said that police picked up

Bangladesh Hawkers' Union convener Abul Hashem Kabir from Paltan area around 10:30am.

Abul Hashem was picked up while going to attend a rally organised by Bangladesh Hawkers' Sangram Parishad in front of the Jatiya Press Club, said, Sekander Hayat, adviser of the union.

The hawkers were scheduled to hold a rally around 11:00am and besiege Dhaka South City Corporation afterward. The hawkers, however, kept the city road blocked from 11:30am to 12:30pm and then they moved towards Paltan area in a procession demanding release of Abul Hashem and rehabilitation the hawkers before eviction.
Mufti to seek clemency

Staff Reporter :

The jail authorities are ready to execute convicted militant leader Mufti Abdul Hannan, said Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Iftekhar Uddin.

"The copy of the Supreme Court verdict that upheld Mufti Hannan's death penalty has been sent to the Sylhet court. It will also be sent to the Kashimpur jail. The execution procedure will start once the verdict copies reach both the places," said the IG Prisons in response to journalists' query during a press briefing on Wednesday.

He, however, did not disclose the name of the jail for security reason where the convict would be hanged.

On the other hand, the Huji leader Mufti Hannan will seek presidential

clemency and he informed it to the Kashimpur Jail authorities when the full verdict was read out to him around 10:30am on Wednesday, said Mizanur Rahman, Kashimpur Jail Superintendent.

"Hannan has told us that he will file the petition seeking presidential clemency with due process through his lawyer," the jail super said.

Another death-row convict Sharif Shahedul Alam, Hannan's aide, would also seek clemency, he added.

Mufti Hannan and his cohort Sharif Shahedul Alam sought time for taking decision whether to seek the presidential clemency.

The Supreme Court on March 19 upheld the death penalties High court handed down to Mufti Abdul Hannan and two other HujiB men for the grenade attack on Hazrat Shahjalal shrine on May 21 in 2004.

On February 23, Mufti Hannan filed the petition with the Supreme Court seeking review of an Appellate Division verdict that upheld his death sentence for the murder attempt on former British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury.

Militants tried to assassinate Anwar, the then British High Commissioner in Bangladesh near the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal in Sylhet on May 21, 2004. Three people were killed in the attack which left over 70 others injured, but the High Commissioner escaped.

In December 2008, a Sylhet court sentenced the trio to death, and two others to life imprisonment for the attack. The High Court upheld the sentence in February last year.

A Sylhet court in December 2008 sentenced the trio to death and two others to life-time imprisonment for their roles in the attack. The High Court upheld the sentences in February 2016.

The same month, the death-row convicts appealed to the Appellate Division ,but to no avail. Their review petitions filed challenging the Appellate Division verdict were also rejected.

Hannan was also sentenced to death for the 2001 Ramna Batamul bombing, in which 10 people were killed.

Later, two cases one for murder and another under the Explosive Act were filed in connection with the grenade attack.

After investigation into the case, charges were framed against four persons, including Mufti Hannan, on 31 July 2007.
The Acadian Group of the Sierra Club and the WaterMark Alliance sent a letter to LCG leaders with 10 recommended actions to remedy the recently discovered contamination of the Chicot Aquifer.

The Acadian Group of the Sierra Club and the WaterMark Alliance sent a letter to Lafayette Consolidated Government leaders outlining suggested actions to remedy the recently discovered contamination of the Chicot Aquifer near the Lafayette North Water Treatment Plant.

The letter was sent to Mayor-President Joel Robideaux, LUS Director Terry Huval, LUS Water and Wastewater Operations Manager Craig Gautreaux and all nine Lafayette City-Parish Council members, according to a press release issued jointly by the organizations.

The letter, dated March 22, lists 10 recommendations that the organizations want to see their local leaders pursue, including:

Plan and execute a study of surface contamination within the wellhead protection area of local wells. Include sampling for all contaminants that have been monitored in LUS well water, and for contaminants found at other US rail sites, which are either undergoing or have been remediated.

Where appropriate, partner with other state and federal agencies.

Intensify sampling of well water by increasing the frequency of sampling and adding contaminants for analysis to include all known or suspected contaminants present on the surface or in the surficial aquifer (groundwater just below the surface).

Make all past and current well monitoring and sampling data easily available for public review and analysis.

Begin contingency planning for shutting down all wells in the vicinity of the North Treatment Plant. Abandoning some or all of these wells may be necessitated in the future to allow aquifer remediation through recovery well operation or other groundwater cleaning technology.

Identify responsible parties and methods to recover ratepayer and taxpayer costs.

The abandoned railyard site is a public hazard and should be posted as such. It is known to be contaminated with arsenic, asbestos, lead, and many other contaminants that endanger public health from dust and direct contact.

Public access and parking of any vehicles on the abandoned railyard site should be immediately prohibited.

Determine new protection measures to be fully integrated into policy.

Ordinances based on LDEQ drinking water protection sample ordinances should be drafted and adopted.

Evidence of contamination appearing in LUS drinking water wells was presented in January at a Y49 meeting organized by the Sierra Club.

The measured concentrations are below EPA Designated Contaminant Levels and are measured before treatment. However, contaminants reaching local water wells present a warning to the public and our civic leaders that action is needed, says Harold Schoeffler, chair of the Sierra Club Acadian Group, in the release.

According to the local blog Lafayette Connector Comments, which seeks to collect, archive and make available public comments on the I-49 Lafayette Connector project, a summary of the post titled More Evidence of Chicot Aquifer Contamination: USGS Monitoring, says:

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) established a monitoring well at the Lafayette North Water Treatment Plant in 2001. This well was drilled to a depth to sample the top of the Chicot Aquifer. The water plant and monitoring well are located near known surface contamination. Data collected from this well since 2001 demonstrate that in spite of the existence of a clay confining layer above the Chicot Aquifer, contaminants flowed down into the aquifer, which is the sole source for drinking water in Lafayette Parish. These findings are consistent with other evidence, and support the recommendation that action is urgently needed to protect the Chicot Aquifer.

Attention has been focused on the abandoned railyard in Downtown Lafayette since DOTD has revived their plan to construct I-49 over the railyard site, which is known to be contaminated with toxic substances including some of those being monitored in nearby LUS wells.

Both property and public health require protection, says Schoeffler in the release, adding that he hopes to see a response to these recommendations at future meetings of the council and utility board.
Candyce Perret has more money on hand than her two opponents combined heading into Saturdays Third Circuit Court of Appeal election, but early voting totals from across the district show voter interest in the race bordering on non-existent.

The Perret campaigns March 15 campaign finance report showed that her committee raised $158,000 between Feb. 14 and March 5. Its a stunning amount of money, considering that it was raised during a three-week period in which multiple stories were published questioning her suitability and judgment  among them what seven local attorneys say is a federal investigation into her husband Hunters company, Louisiana Specialty Institute, as well as her arrest on a beach in Florida, in which police reports show that she claimed to be an assistant district attorney, a position she has never held.

More than half of the Perret campaigns money, $79,399, came from individuals and law firms based in Lake Charles. Her former Opelousas law firm and partners at Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett gave her $10,000 combined.

Perrets campaign spent $101,764 during the same period, the bulk of that in television and cable advertising buys and media production.

Perrets committee reported it had $149,351 on hand at the end of the reporting period. Read the campaign finance report here.

Vanessa Anseman Photo by Robin May

Vanessa Ansemans campaign reported raising $25,025 during the same period, which ended before a court hearing on her eligibility, a process that ultimately found her eligible to seek the judgeship.

Ansemans committee reported having $66,958 on hand in to spend in the final 10 days leading up to the primary. Read the report here.

Susan Theall Photo by Robin May

Susan Thealls campaign committee reported raising $14,400 during the three-week period. The report showed the committee had $36,985 on hand at the end of the reporting period. Stories about funding questions related to her successful 2011 race for the Division M seat on the 15th JDC arose after the end of the reporting period covered by the March 15 campaign finance report. Read Theall's report here.

If early voting totals are any indication, voters are indifferent to the candidates and their campaigns.

In Lafayette Parish, 1,142 voters cast early votes in person at the Registrar of Voters office. Another 939 had voted by mail as of Wednesday morning. Registrars can accept mailed ballots from civilians until Friday. Military members have until Saturday to get their mailed ballots counted.

The 2,081 votes (with mail ballots still coming in) constitute less than a third of the early votes cast in the Dec. 10, 2016, runoff election highlighted by races for U.S. Senate and the 3rd Congressional District. In that election, 6,365 Lafayette Parish voters cast early votes. In all, the parish turnout for that election was 29 percent, according to the Secretary of States website.

If early voting is a harbinger of turnout on Saturday, Lafayette could be trending toward the low teens.

In-person early voting totals in the other parishes in the 3rd Circuit district were (mailed ballot totals as of Wednesday morning in parenthesis):

Acadia - 1,614 (538)

Allen - 124 (55)

Evangeline - 252 (87)

Iberia - 429 (333)

St. Landry - 402 (433)

St. Martin - 601 (402)

Vermilion - 762 (263)

UL political science professor and IND contributor Pearson Cross believes low voter interest amplifies Perrets money advantage.

In a low voter interest election, I think the fact that Perret has been on TV longer than the other campaigns could be a difference maker, Cross says. Low turnout elections highlight the importance of chronic voters. In a race like this, voters wont have a lot of information on the candidates. Name recognition could carry the day.

Pearson Cross Photo by Robin May

Cross adds that personal contact with the voters could also prove decisive. Perret and Susan Theall have been campaigning across the district. Anseman has spent much of the past two weeks working to defend her candidacy in the courts.

Theall and Anseman have faced off in a number of forums, which Perret has avoided.

WILL THE LEGAL COMMUNITY DECIDE THIS RACE?

One segment of the population that does have an intense interest in the race and its outcome is lawyers, most of which are concentrated in Lafayette Parish.

The Louisiana State Bar Association has 1,828 attorney members in the eight-parish district, 1,282 of them based in Lafayette Parish, according to numbers provided by Sharon Lessing, LSBAs membership records assistant.

The attorneys constitute a negligible fraction of the 410,377 registered voters in the district based on March 1 numbers from the Secretary of States office, even if those who work in the offices are included.

But let there be no doubt. Lawyers will vote in this election.

[Editor's Note: For more on The IND's coverage of the race, read "Four days out, here's your humdinger of 3rd Circuit roundup," which also links to past stories.]
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St. Nicholas Brewing Co. is joining in on the eclipse mania in Southern Illinois with a new beer, Black Sun, which is being officially released during an event at the brewery on Tuesday, March 28.

Much of Southern Illinois will be in the path of totality of the solar eclipse that will cross the U.S.A. on Aug. 21.

St. Nicholas' commemorative beer is a dark black malt made with citra hops. At the Tuesday event, the beer will be available to taste and purchase for the first time. Fred Isberner, the vice president of the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois, will give a presentation about what exactly will happen during the eclipse on Aug. 21.

The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a commemorative can cooler.

St. Nicholas Brewing Co. is located at 12 S. Oak St. For more information visit stnicolasbrewco.com.

 The Southern
EDDYVILLE  A Pope County judge has remanded the former treasurer of Eddyville accused of stealing a large sum of cash from the tiny village to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services for inpatient mental health treatment.

The defense attorney for Kim Smith, 58, of Eddyville, has argued in court documents that Smith is not fit to stand trial because she is suffering from retrograde amnesia and has no memory of the period of time during which she is alleged to have stolen from the village.

On March 13, Judge Joe Leberman signed a finding of unfitness to stand trial and ordered her to undergo treatment. She is to be held in jail while DHS determines placement for Smith, according to the court order.

A hearing date has been scheduled for May 5 to determine whether a substantial probability exists that, if provided with treatment, Smith will attain fitness within one year.

Law enforcement and others familiar with the case say she forged the name of the mayor on checks that she cashed for herself. A village official, who asked that their name be withheld, said previously that Smith was elected to the part-time position of treasurer in the spring of 2013 and that about $80,000 went missing from that time through her termination in early 2016.

She has been charged with six felony counts alleging theft of between $10,000 and $100,000 from the village of Eddyville; official misconduct; and forgery. On the forgery charges, she is alleged to have signed as co-drawer Darrell Alys name without his knowledge or permission.

An evidence deposition was conducted with Aly in early July 2016, prior to trial, because he faced a serious illness and was not expected to live to testify. Aly served as mayor of the village for seven years until his passing in September. He served as a member of the Eddyville Village Board for more than 50 years.

An investigation into the villages missing money began after a suspicious fire at Village Hall on the night of Jan. 26, 2016. The fire was primarily contained to a room where records were kept. Pope County Sheriff Jerry Suits turned the case over to the Illinois State Police.

A routine annual audit  as required by state law  was scheduled for the next day, on Jan. 27, 2016. Because of the fire, the audit was postponed. But village officials apparently became suspicious, and Smith was terminated on March 4.

A court document filed on her behalf seeking a motion for fitness exam claims she has no memories prior to March 3.

The court documents state that the defendant was hospitalized on March 3 at Harrisburg Medical Center for hypoglycemia. She was admitted again March 4 and discharged six days later, on March 10, with diagnoses of insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes and other physical conditions, as well as memory loss, anxiety and depression.

The documents further state that Smith followed up for a neuropsychological examination on April 9 and April 28 and was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, retrograde amnesia and conversion disorder. She was charged in May.

Retrograde amnesia is a medical condition indicating loss of memory of all events and information taking place prior to the development of the condition. Conversion disorder is a health problem that begins as a mental or emotional crisis.

In Southern Illinois, DHS operates Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center and Chester Mental Health Center.
To the Editor:

I have a friend who has lived and worked in the U.S., paid into Social Security and Medicare for most of her life worried about deportation. I have a Jewish friend who is appalled by the violence against Jewish and Muslim Americans by persons who assume anyone other than Christians are unwelcome in this country. I have both friends and family who may be negatively effected if the ACA is repealed. I have a transgender friend who feels physically threatened in this hateful environment.

I am concerned about proposals in regard to education, deregulation of the environment, protection of endangered animals. I am sickened by the thought of oil exploration and fracking in national wild lands and earthquakes along the New Madrid Fault due to fracking. I am concerned about our national security under a mentally unstable president who is very close to being exposed for his conflicts of interests when it comes to financial and business deals overseas.

I don't respect a man who treats women like trash. I am still shocked that so many people in this country either did not see these things coming or didn't care. I can only hope that the dangers are realized and actions are taken to stop this crazy path we are on before it is too late.

Aggie Paul

Goreville
Sen. Dale Fowler sees the potential in Cairo.

And, hes showing it with his presence in the beleaguered city. And, the Harrisburg Republican is taking that faith one step farther by supporting plans for a potential port on the Mississippi River.

Weve just never had the support that weve gotten as we have with Sen. Fowler, Cairo Mayor Tyrone Coleman said in a story Sunday in The Southern.

On Friday, Fowler, Coleman, Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and other leaders took a tour of Cairo. The purpose of the visit was to check out a spot on the Mississippi River that they hope will someday soon be a thriving river port.

That port could be the economic engine Cairo needs to help get back on its feet again.

In a document produced by the city of Cairo and the Cairo Public Utility, a study on the potential port site 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 next steps are to perform an economic impact study, further site investigations, surveying and getting the necessary permits from several government agencies. Right now, there is no estimated completion date.

But this study goes deeper than a port in this oft forgotten Southern Illinois town. The fact that Fowler, a newly-elected state senator, has taken time to visit the city  six total trips to Cairo since taking office in January  is admirable. Fowlers advocacy for Cairo is something you expect to see from a politician cultivating a constituency, not someone who has already taken a seat in the Senate.

And with his background in business development, Fowlers visits offer Cairo hope.

The fact that Radogno carved out the time to visit shows that some state officials are finally listening to Cairos plight  and seeing the need for change.

The potential should just be smacking people in the face, but its not, Radogno said Friday. The people that I have encountered (Friday) are all born and bred here and they arent giving up.

Over the years, leaders have come to the city with promises. Driving through Cairo, its evident most of those promises were empty.

But, Cairo Public Utility Manager Larry Klein, who said in Sundays story that hes seen at least 50 similar trips by politicians, this feels different.

He saw something that he called a ball of fire in Fowler.

Getting a port built in Cairo isnt going to be easy. Fowler knows that. Coleman knows that. Everybody knows that. But, its a start, its a glimmer of hope  and thats something the city has been looking for.

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.

Everyone agrees that Cairo has potential, thats the underlying theme anytime the city is mentioned.

But, heres the thing: The people of Cairo can no longer afford to see projects talked about and forgotten. Cairo and its citizens need to have a few things go their way.

Will a port be the key to making Cairo what it once was? Who knows, but its a good place to start.

And talk can only go so far. Sooner or later, action needs to be taken if Cairo is to survive.

Its heartening to see Fowler take such an interest in Cairo. Its needed the attention for quite some time.

Dont give up on this, Sen. Fowler. Keep the ball rolling. The people of Cairo need you.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Nu Tau Omega and Eta Nu chapters celebrated their 109th Founders Day with a program on March 11 at Denmark Technical College. The speaker was Sybrenda Holiday of Williston, a member of the sorority.

Holiday praised the chapters for how well they have focused on the sororitys International Program, New Dimensions of Service," which encompasses a variety of community-related targets including: educational enrichment, health promotion, family strengthening and environmental ownership.

She also discussed how Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has expanded its community presence as a result of additional initiatives including International Community Impact Days and the sororitys signature enrichment program, ASCEND Youth Enrichment Program She noted that ASCEND participants were volunteering during the Founders' Day program.

Tonya Otts was recognized as Nu Tau Omega Member of the Year. Otts, a native of Bamberg, is married to Demeatric Otts and is the mother of three and grandmother of one.

She earned a M.A. degree in human resources from Webster University and a B.S. degree in mathematics from South Carolina State University. Otts has been a member of Nu Tau Omega since her initiation in spring 2014.

She is known by others for her punctuality, dependability, honesty and dedication," it was noted.

I am looking forward to using these characteristics to positively influence the chapter, community and sorority, Otts said.

Chantel Chandler, a senior at Voorhees College and member of the Eta Nu Chapter, was presented the Alzena Robinson Leadership Award. This award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate sorority member in a leadership position. Jamilia Burgos, also a senior at Voorhees and member of Eta Nu, received the Alzena Robinson Undergraduate Scholastic Award. This award was presented from the status of Robinson serving in the capacity of a former Cluster VI coordinator for Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Others recognized during the event were Douglas Stokes, Nu Tau Omegas Distinguished Citizen of the Year; Golden Members of the Sorority (those who have been AKAs for 50 or more years), Virginia Bell, Genrose Braye and Willette Williams; Silver Stars, (25- to 49-year members) Deloris Chatman, Carolyn Davis, Valerie Fields, Rosaland Kenner, Lisa B. Stokes, Blossom Thompson, Peggy Tyler, Mollie Williams and Margaret Morris.

Sorority members recognized with AKA life memberships were: Virginia Bell, Genrose Braye, Margaret Morris and Willette Williams.

Nu Tau Omega is currently accepting book bags and school supplies for a school supply drive, canned goods and other non-perishable foods for a food drive and plastic water bottles for one of its environmental ownership causes. To assist with any of these projects, contact Lisa B. Stokes at 803-682-3379 or Antigone Solomon at 803-260-7825.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced that an Orangeburg man who had fought extradition from Colorado since 2015 is back in the Palmetto State to face an armed robbery charge.

Ravenell said 51-year-old Bernard Hill was brought back to Orangeburg on Monday.

He was taken into custody in Colorado less than a week after the robbery of the IHOP here in Orangeburg, Ravenell said. As you can see, time nor distance matter. Well find you and well bring you back from where youre hiding.

During a hearing Tuesday, bond was denied on Hill's armed robbery charge while a bond of $5,000 was set on a weapons charge.

The Main Trail Road man was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals on Oct. 7, 2015  five days after the Orangeburg IHOP was robbed.

Employees said a man entered the North Road business where he spoke with several of the workers for a few minutes. A short while later, he entered an office area where he took cash from a manager.

The robber then fled the building, getting into a vehicle being driven by another man.

Then-IHOP employee Riheam Calloway Jr., 20 years old at the time of the robbery, was taken into custody a short while after the robbery. Employees claimed they recognized him as the getaway driver.

Calloway is out on bond. His charges are still pending.
Without stating proofs that are available in government published reports, I offer the following observations regarding our health care system. Few lawmakers acknowledge that any new health care law has no chance of success unless the fundamental problem with the health care system is fixed. The current system is shot through with institutionalized fraud, collusion and price fixing in overt defiance of existing anti-trust laws.

Because our governments refuse to enforce the 100-year-old Sherman, Clayton and Robinson-Patman acts, the medical system has grown from about 4 percent of gross national product to more than 18 percent of GNP. Over the last 35 years, it has grown at about 8 percent per year. At that rate, it will cause the mathematically certain collapse of our economy in about five years. Even now, people cant afford to get sick. For many, expensive health care and unrealistically high insurance deductibles prevent all but the most urgent doctor visits.

The Supreme Court ruled against collusion by the pharmaceutical companies in the 1979 McCarran-Ferguson case. These practices are illegal under 15 USC Chapter 1, yet they continue because state and federal governments refuse to enforce existing laws. The fact that Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky recently introduced a bill to make them legal proves that lawmakers know these practices are illegal and condone them. It states:

(a) Application of the Federal Antitrust Laws to Health Care Professionals Negotiating With Health Plans. --

(1) In general -- Any health care professionals who are engaged in negotiations with a health plan regarding the terms of any contract under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which benefits are provided under such plan shall, in connection with such negotiations, be exempt from the Federal antitrust laws.

For a century, presidents have had the authority and the means to fix the underlying health care problem without any input from Congress by simply enforcing current law. Doing so would abruptly collapse the cost of medical care by about 80 percent. Many deserving people would go to jail. It would cause a monumental, short-term upheaval in the economy, but recovery would come swiftly due to the reallocation of funds that now flow into the medical system. The short-term political cost to the president would be enormous, but he would emerge with national gratitude and historical greatness similar to or exceeding that of George Washington.

The benefits of fund reallocation will be spectacular and transformative. Some are glaringly obvious.

 Drug costs will diminish by about 85 percent in the USA but will increase slightly in other parts of the world.

 A new health care law would be greatly simplified, with no need for mandatory insurance. People will be able to pay cash for health care since it will cost about the same or less than current insurance deductibles. An optional inexpensive umbrella disaster policy will be their only health insurance need.

 Doctors can practice more effectively without insurance constraints and reduced staff overhead.

 The federal government will run about a $400 billion yearly surplus. It will permanently resolve the federal deficit and the national debt over a period of about 30 years. State and local budgets will get relief, causing property taxes to cease climbing or actually fall.

 It will defuse the entitlement bomb. Medicare/Medicaid costs will plummet. Social Security will be OK.

 Purchasing power will increase by about 2 percent per year, supplanting the current 2 percent loss per year. Living conditions will improve for most people.

 The reduction in business cost will cause domestic firms to return manufacturing to the United States and firms from other nations to flock here. Job creation will rise dramatically, and the tax base will expand.

As long as the president and Congress are unwilling to do their constitutional duty to enforce existing law, a new health care law can only nibble around the edges of the problem. It cannot prevent the government-sanctioned violations of the rule of law enabling the financial rape of citizens by the medical system, or the resulting mathematical certainty of economic destruction at the federal, state and personal levels.
A 46-year-old man from Cross died in a crash on Old Number Six Highway near Eutawville on Wednesday.

Reginald Washington of Old Number Six Highway died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries from the collision, Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle said.

The collision occurred at 7:06 a.m. at the intersection of Old Number Six Highway and Boy Davis Road.

The accident occurred when the driver of a westbound Toyota pickup tried to pass several vehicles and struck a 1994 Acura in the eastbound lane, S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Judd Jones said.

Jones said emergency responders transported the driver of the pickup to the Regional Medical Center to be treated for injuries.

Washington, the driver of the Acura, died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

For several hours on Wednesday morning, traffic remained detoured as the S.C. Highway Patrol, Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office, Eutawville Fire Department and Orangeburg County Office of Emergency Services investigated the accident and redirected traffic.

Jones said the accident remains under investigation by the Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.

It was the second fatal collision to occur in Orangeburg County this week. There have been six fatal collisions in the county so far this year.
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By Azertac





On the occasion of the Novruz holiday, leadership of the Ministry of Defense visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Armed Forces. The leadership of the Ministry honored memory and laid flowers at a monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the territory of the hospital.





Having met with the military personnel undergoing treatment at the hospital, Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov inquired about the health of the servicemen, presented gifts to them and wished them a speedy restoration to health and strength and a return to duty areas.





Then the opening of a maternity department equipped with the modern equipment and devices based on latest technology and that is designed for medical care for family members of military personnel, as well as civilian and military female employees was held.





Having met with the medical staff, the Minister of Defense congratulated them on the holiday, wished them success and also gave appropriate instructions in connection with the provision of high professional services and care to all those who applied for medical assistance.




Leading Chinese 3D printed housing company WinSun said it has reached an agreement with Saudi construction company Al Mobty Contracting Company to lease 100 3D printers and set up a joint venture firm in a deal worth 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).



The announcement for the Saudi jont venture comes following WinSuns recent deal to 3D print 17 office buildings in Dubai, UAE.



With these 3D printers from WinSun, the Saudi construction company will embark on a large-scale project of 30 million sq m of 3D printed buildings, in what should result in up to 1.5 million affordable new homes for the Saudi population, said a statement from the company.



A lease agreement was signed by Ma Yi He, WinSuns chairman of the board of directors, and officials of Al Mobty Contracting Company in the presence of Saudi King Salman, who paid a state visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping from March 15 to March 18. This was the King Salmans first visit to China.



WinSun said it will bring its global, internet-based 3D printing platform to build an online docking of architectural resources in Saudi Arabia.



The joint venture aims to carry out localised 3D printing services within the Middle Eastern nation promptly and efficiently, it stated.



The Chinese group said Al Mobty's decision to use 3D printing technology was a natural one as it resulted in reduction of construction waste, savings on material and labour costs, use of eco-friendly printing materials.



Also a short construction period means that 3D printed construction is a viable option for Saudi Arabias desert climate, an issue that presents frequent problems for traditional construction methods, said senior company officials at WinSun.



The Chinese 3D printing company said it plans to meet these needs with a new business model for green buildings, to be used not only in Saudi Arabia but globally.



It will provide equipment rental, brand use, and other assets in order to help partner companies embrace 3D printing building technology as quickly and seamlessly as possible.



WinSun said it was committed to completing 100 packages of 3D printing equipment for delivery to Saudi Arabia within the next six months.-TradeArabia News Service
UAE-based Utico, a leading private utility in the Middle East, has unveiled a new sustainable farm support programme, the key elements of which includes free water supply to the UAE farmers, guaranteed buy-back of their produce and scientific advisory services.



The programme was rolled out at a recent event held by the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA), Ras Al Khaimah, to mark the International Day of Happiness on March 20, and it also supported the `Year of Giving Initiative launched by the President HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.



The programme is very much in line with ensuring happiness of farmers and will contribute to the UAEs food security initiatives, said Dr Saif Al Ghais, director general of EPDA at the event attended by many farmers.



In its first phase, the programme will span the Northern Emirates catering to an estimated 3,000 farms across Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Qwain, Ajman and Sharjah, said a statement from the company.



Utico said the free water supply and farm support initiatives will be extended to other emirates in the second phase.



Richard Menezes, managing director of Utico, said: The programme will address the water supply issues, and the expert advisory Utico will provide will help farmers increase production through incorporating scientific farming methods that are found to work well in arid conditions.



We are already working with Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) and Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA). The programme can be implemented in any farm location where these networks are available and accessible, he added.



Under the programme, farmers will be categorised into two sections - farms owned and tilled and commercial farms. These sections will be subdivided further to ensure maximum effectiveness, it added.



There are two programme options - free water with produce buy-back, or water purchase which starts with the lowest water tariff in the UAE of 1.8fils/gallon.



Menezes added: Farmers who support and sustain the foundation of food chain in a society need to be supported and encouraged.



Uticos programme will help farmers increase produce, reduce or remove subsidy on the state and increase the farmers income, it stated.



The service will be provided with mutual consents of all parties and can be accessed by farmers by sending a mail to a [email protected], it said.



In a water scarce and starved region as the UAE, it becomes all the more important that in the `Year of Giving, and on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness, we should focus more on the happiness of farmers, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP Worlds group chairman and chief executive officer Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem recently met with the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela to explore logistics and industrial parks and other opportunities relating to the expanded Panama Canal.



The meeting was also attended by Roberto R Roy, Minister for Canal Affairs and Augusto R Arosemena, Minister of Commerce and Industry and other senior officials from the Panamanian government, said a statement from the company.



Bin Sulayem stressed the importance of the Americas to DP World and outlined how its operations in the region from Latin America to the Dominican Republic and Canada are supporting economies and facilitating trade, adding value to the development of logistics capability for the benefit of business.



He noted the Caucedo Logistics Centre in the Dominican Republic, the smart Logistics Centre in Lurin, Peru connected through optical fibres to DP Worlds terminal in Callao and the development of Posorja in Ecuador with plans to build a logistics zone to create a regional trading hub as examples of how connectivity through industrial parks and freezones and multi-modal transport supported growth.



Bin Sulayem said: Panama is central to the development of trade in the region and a vital artery for commerce  serving surrounding nations and connecting oceans.



Its role as an enabler of trade which is key to the development of commerce and economies in the region as well as providing a major global trade route, he said.



The expanded Panama Canal has boosted capability to handle increased cargo and larger vessels so the development of logistics and locations for business to take advantage of its increased capabilities are important for the government there, he added.



Our international experience of developing and connecting marine and inland terminals with logistics centres, industrial parks and freezones is something we are exporting around the world and our discussions focused on how we could contribute to the development of the economy and support the business community, he stated.



Bin Sulayem also underlined how DP Worlds experience elsewhere in freezone and logistics solutions across its international network of 77 marine and inland terminals such as its operations in Jebel Ali, Kazakhstan, Rwanda and London Gateway, were evidence of adding value to economies in very different cultural and regional environments.



He noted that Augusto R Arosemena, Minister of Commerce and Industry, will be visiting Dubai next week on March 26, to experience first-hand the successful model of Jebel Ali port and free zone and to further discuss potential opportunities.



Trade between Dubai and Panama reached over Dh77 million ($20.96 million) in 2016 compared to Dh71.5 million ($19.4 million) in 2015, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
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The ancestors of Yellowstone National Parks bison migrated to North America much later than previously believed, according to newly published research.

The common ancestor for all of these bison is not very old, said professor Beth Shapiro, of the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute. There are some really old dates from fossil assemblages in southern North America. We pointed out that some of these old dates are pretty bad.

Research by Shapiro and University of Alberta professor Duane Froese, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, pulls that date much closer: between 130,000 and 195,000 years ago for the first migration, 45,000 to 21,000 years ago for a second wave of Asian bison.

Theres really no record of bison in North America from more than 150,000 years ago, Froese said.

Tracking DNA

The scientists used new techniques for ancient DNA extraction and sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of more than 40 bison, including the two oldest bison fossils ever recovered  one from the Yukon, and one from Snowmass, Colorado. Mitochondria are passed from the mother to offspring.

Comparing these genomes to additional Siberian and North American bison clarified the earliest parts of the bison family tree. From that information the scientists constructed a bison genealogy establishing that a common maternal ancestor  the mother of all North American bison  arrived during the Illinoian ice age, corresponding with a lower sea level.

Until recently, the fossil records from different parts of North America disagreed with each other, with a few fossil localities suggesting that bison arrived millions of years ago, but most old fossil sites showing no evidence of bison at all, Shapiro said.

Bison species

From about 191,000 to 130,000 years ago, ice covered much of the northern hemisphere. As the ice sheet grew the sea level dropped by 300 feet or more, opening a 600-mile wide land route between Asia and North America known as the Bering Land Bridge. The same route would later be used by humans, possibly about 25,000 years ago, and was a place where those early ancestors were isolated for 10,000 to 15,000 years before glaciers receded and allowed them to venture farther south into North America, migrating down the West Coast, according to the most recent theory.

The second wave of bison migration is pretty coincidental with when humans came across, which isnt surprising knowing that those people were bison hunters, Shapiro said.

The first bison to enter North America from Asia were the now-extinct steppe bison, Bison priscus. This animal was about 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed around 2,000 pounds. Its horns were spread about 3 feet apart.

No Bison priscus fossils have been found south of the Yukon. What have been found in the United States are descendants of B. priscus. The first was Bison latifrons, an extinct long-horned bison that was much bigger: 8 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed about 2,250 pounds with horns that stretched 4 to 7 feet.

They were 25 to 30 percent bigger than modern bison, Froese said. Theyve never been found in the North.

This was the most intriguing part of this study, Shaprio said. I expected them to be so different genetically, but really they were just responding to the enormous amount of resources available to them.

After latifrons disappears from the fossil record, Bison antiquus arrives, which was a bit smaller in stature. Next came the American bison, Bison bison. The two species of modern North American bison that are still present  the American Plains bison like those in Yellowstone, and the slightly bigger American wood bison, found in Canada  are the descendants of the American bison. Earlier studies show these modern species descended from a common ancestor about 15,000 to 22,000 years ago.

Based on the horn and skull morphology, they are all priscus, Froese said. Theyre not that different genetically.

Shaprio agreed. Im a lumper. I believe they are all pretty much the same thing. At one point there were 50 different named species. Genetically, theyre all the same.

Which is not what past scientists had believed. Yet Froese said most of the response hes gotten from fellow scientists about the new dates and genealogy has been positive so far.

The comments weve received from paleontologists are that they are happy to see this get nailed down, he said.

Invasive species

Although initially the first bison would have been blocked from migrating farther south from Beringia by large ice sheets, when they did make it to what is now the United States they found a land very favorable to their species.

The close genetic relationship between maternal lineages found in the earliest northern bison and the earliest continental bison argues for a rapid expansion of bison across the continent in a period of approximately 20,000 years, according to the scientists published research.

After they arrived in Alaska, they spread quickly across the continent, taking advantage of the rich grassland resources that were part of the ice age ecosystem, Shapiro said.

The early bison would have been sharing grazing lands with mammoths and early horses, successful species that had lived on the continent for a million years. They all coexisted together for about 100,000 years before the mammoth and horses went extinct, along with many other large animals present following the last ice age. Somehow, when so many other animals died out, the bison survived and even thrived.

So its probably the most successful invasion of a mammal into North America, except for humans, because of the success they had, Froese said.

He is curious about how that successful establishment of bison on the Great Plains affected the grassland ecosystem that had long been dominated by horses and mammoths. Did the grasslands become more productive? How was the vegetation altered by the many different herbivores?

Nearly extinct

Estimates of North American bison populations before the mid-1800s have ranged from 30 to 60 million animals. They were a key source of sustenance for many American Indian tribes and their early ancestors, who are estimated to have begun exploring what is now the United States more than 15,000 years ago.

In the early 1800s, market and sport killing of bison by Euro-Americans exterminated the animals east of the Mississippi River and nearly pushed the animals to extinction in the West. In Yellowstone less than two dozen animals managed to survive under protection of the U.S. Army. Those few animals were supplemented by introductions of bison from other remnant populations.

Now the Yellowstone bison herd is a victim of its own success. With a population near 5,500 the parks two herds have been the subject of a controversial slaughter program to reduce their numbers to 3,000  an agreed-upon figure by the Park Service and state of Montana meant to limit the animals winter migration north of Yellowstone. So far this winter almost 1,000 bison have been killed at processing facilities with the meat going to participating tribes.
Law enforcement officials in two Wyoming counties say recent changes in federal policy havent affected how they handle immigration issues.

Teton County authorities recently met with federal immigration officials and were told there are no plans to conduct immigration raids in their county or deport people for minor traffic violations, according to a letter published Monday by the Teton County sheriff and the Jackson police chief.

Casper police Chief Jim Wetzel and Natrona County Sheriff Gus Holbrook said Tuesday they havent had direct talks with immigration officials and they dont expect anticipate any changes in the near future.

I have no reason to believe anything has changed and that the assurances received by the Teton County Sheriff and Jackson Chief are valid and accurate, Wetzel said in an email.

Although the letter pertains to Teton County and Jackson specifically, the immigration officials who spoke to the agencies work for the Denver field office, which oversees enforcement of immigration laws in all of Wyoming as well as Colorado, Utah and Montana. The letter is the most in-depth answer to questions about how Wyoming immigration enforcement will change in response to new national policies crafted by President Donald Trump.

Under President Barack Obama, immigration officials were instructed to prioritize the deportation of undocumented immigrants who had committed serious crimes. Five days after his inauguration, Trump used an executive order to widely expand those priorities to include people convicted of any crime, people charged with a crime or those who have committed acts which constitute a chargeable criminal offense. The executive order also gives more power to local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents.

The Teton County Sheriffs Office and the Jackson Police Department jointly published the letter Monday in response to miscommunication in their community about changes in immigration policy and enforcement. The sheriff and police chief said they recently met with officials from the Denver field office, including the acting director for the office, Jeff Lynch.

A spokeswoman for the field office did not answer requests for comment Tuesday.

During the meeting, the immigration officials said they had no plans to conduct raids in Teton County and would let local law enforcement know if that were to change, according to the letter. The ICE officials also said their focus remains on the deportation of people who commit serious crimes and the security of the borders. The officials said in general they would not deport undocumented immigrants for minor traffic violations, unless there is already a deportation order or warrant for that individual or the person has an excessive amount of such violations.

After outlining their discussion with ICE officials, the chief and sheriff asked all members of the community to live law-abiding lives and cooperate with law enforcement.

We have trust in what the regional ICE office tells us and now we only ask that you trust us, the letter states. We encourage you to continue to live, work and raise your families here with the knowledge you can do so without worrying if ICE is going to come knocking on your doors.

Holbrook said Tuesday that changes in national immigration enforcement policy havent had any effect on his offices job.

Its business as usual, he said.

The sheriffs office does not enforce immigration law, he said, but will call immigration enforcement if deputies encounter someone who is undocumented during the regular performance of their job. Immigration agents then take any immigration-related aspects of the case from there, though people detained on immigration issues are held in the county jail.

Holbrook said the sheriffs office sometimes meets with immigration agents regarding specific cases, but the two agencies dont meet regularly. The office hasnt met with immigration officials since Trump used an executive order to change national immigration policy, he said.

Wetzel echoed the sheriffs statements and said that nothing had changed for the police department. He said he had not met with immigration enforcement officials regarding any changes in policy.

He encouraged immigrants in the Casper community to cooperate if they have any contact with law enforcement and to communicate openly.

I have heard that there is skepticism and fear from our local immigrant community, and a resultant hesitancy to report crimes against them to the police, Wetzel wrote. I find that troubling. Productively contributing members of our society should not feel their victimization is subordinated and negated by their immigration status.
1. Hunt-ing Season, McNichols Arena, Denver, 1989. Sean Elliotts final game as a Wildcat was a tearjerker. The 29-3 Wildcats seemed to survive a fierce defensive battle, leading Tarks Rebels 67-65 with 15 seconds to play.

But after a traveling call on Arizona, the Rebels worked the ball to shooting guard Anderson Hunt, who banged into UA guard Kenny Lofton, knocking Lofton to the ground. Or was it a flop? Referee Ed Hightower did not make a call.

Hunt released a 3-pointer as the clock went from 4 to 3 seconds.

The second it went off his hand, Olson said, it looked like it was dead-center to me. It was going in. And it did. UNLV won 68-67.

Olson was asked if it was bitter, the end of a two-year run behind Elliott, the national player of the year, and a 64-7 record.

Bitter? he replied. Lets see a show of hands. How many of you would think it was bitter?
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some March 22 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.
A 22-year-old man wanted in connection to a shooting of a teen in December was arrested on a felony warrant in Las Vegas by federal marshals.

Ivan Alcala was taken into custody March 9 on charges of aggravated assault with a weapon causing serious injury, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, according to a Tucson Police Department Facebook post Tuesday. Alcala is pending extradition to Tucson.

The charges stem from a Dec. 12, 2016 shooting in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant at 4450 N. First Avenue, police said. Shortly before 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting and found a 16-year-old boy with gunshot wounds.

Tucson Fire Department paramedics treated and took the teen to Banner-University Medical Center Tucson with serious injuries.

Detectives determined that the teen was a passenger in a vehicle that was driven by a friend to the restaurant where they were to meet with acquaintances in the parking lot.

The teen remained in the vehicle while his friend went to talk to a man in another vehicle. A fight broke out between the two men, and another man approached the teen and shot him, police said.

The teen's friend ran across the street to escape and shots also were fired at him, police said. He was not struck, but was injured from the fight.

The suspects fled in an SUV, and detectives continued working the case obtaining felony arrest warrants for Alcala, and Jose Luis Gonzalez Ceron, 23, who remains at large.

Ceron is also facing aggravated assault with a weapon causing serious injury, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping. He is considered armed and dangerous, and has ties to Tucson and Douglas, investigators said.

A 2003 Dodge Durango bearing Arizona license plate BYD4703 has been identified as a suspect vehicle. Detectives ask that anyone with information about the vehicle or Ceron's whereabouts call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tipster hotline.
Reintroducing the jaguar into the United States is an idea whose time has come, says a Tucson-based environmental group.

A national conservation group says its at least an idea worthy of more analysis than the federal government has given it.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages endangered species, doesnt agree. It says the best use of its resources is to focus on what it sees as the jaguars core areas in Mexico, not on secondary jaguar habitat in the southwestern U.S.

The debate over bringing jaguars from Mexico to the Southwest comes as part of a larger discussion of the federal governments draft jaguar recovery plan. That plan, released in December, advocates putting the most energy toward jaguar recovery in Mexico, where most borderlands jaguars live.

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Defenders of Wildlife said in their written comments on the plan, and in a separate report by Defenders, that more attention needs to be paid to bringing back jaguars in the Southwest, including possible reproduction.

Reintroduction of predators has always been a hot-button issue here. It took more than a decade for environmentalists and federal biologists to get a Mexican wolf reintroduction program started because of controversy over the wolfs impacts on livestock. It remains controversial today although wolf populations are slowly recovering.

Jaguars are in better shape in the U.S. today than wolves were before reintroduction started. Only seven Mexican wolves remained in 1980 when the last five were pulled out of the wild to be put in captive breeding facilities. About 4,000 jaguars are known to live in Mexico today, but only seven, all males, have been confirmed to be living in Arizona and New Mexico since 1996.

Defenders doesnt advocate reintroduction now, but we are calling on (Fish and Wildlife) to do a scientific, objective analysis and wed like to see their work reviewed by an independent, scientific body, said Rob Peters, Defenders Southwestern representative. The 508-page jaguar recovery plan didnt discuss reintroduction, he noted.

The seven known Southwestern male jaguars are believed to have come from northern Mexico. But I think its very unlikely that natural jaguar migration from Mexico alone will bring this country a breeding population soon, Peters said.

Younger female jaguars set up their home ranges next to mom, and dont disperse at anywhere near the rate of young males, Peters said. In a paper, the late Peter Warshall, a longtime Tucson scientist, calculated that it would take 44 to 200 years for females to migrate north to the U.S., Peters noted. Warshall was science coordinator for the Northern Jaguar Project, which runs a major jaguar preserve in northern Sonora.

Bringing jaguars into Arizona could help the northern Sonora population, which faces threats from poaching, said Michael Robinson, a conservation advocate for the center. Assuming the animals can travel back and forth between the two countries, having a U.S. breeding population could improve the Mexican populations genetic diversity, he said.

The jaguars increased presence here at the top of the food chain could also benefit the overall ecosystem, Robinson said.

They evolved in the United States with all other animals and plants, over many thousands of years and the ecosystem adapted to their presence over that time, he said.

When the recovery team conducted rigorous jaguar population and habitat studies, it concluded resources are best spent in core areas in Mexico, and not to the translocation of jaguars in secondary areas and certainly not in areas outside of where they can most meaningfully contribute to recovery of the species, service spokesman Jeff Humphrey said Tuesday.

The recovery team, including U.S. and Mexican biologists, focused their strategy on sustaining habitat, eliminate poaching and improve social acceptance of the jaguar in Mexico, Humphrey said.

Their rationale is that our limited dollars are best spent on making those populations as robust as possible rather than manufacturing new populations in a range that may no longer be appropriate, Humphrey said.

With the Mexican jaguar population in some jeopardy, it seems like we ought to take care of whats already here first, agreed Bill McDonald, executive director of the Malpais Borderlands Group, which seeks to promote open space conservation and working landscapes for ranchers and others along the border.

The group has no position on reintroduction, but I think you should stabilize the population that gets the occasional male up here, he said. Its ridiculous to hopscotch jaguars hundreds of miles north to try to make that work. Its putting the cart way before the horse.

But Sergio Avila, a longtime jaguar biologist, said while more specific analysis of jaguar behavior is needed for reintroduction to be seriously considered, its one of many tools in the toolbox worth considering.

Because we have open space where they can set up territories, protected areas and environmental laws here, because we have healthy populations of wild prey here, and because we have connections to the south and we have habitat, reintroduction could be worth it ecologically, said Avila, an Arizona Sonora Desert Museum research scientist.
Nearly a decade after Arizona voters outlawed payday loans the lending industry is trying to get its foot back in the door with a new type of high-interest consumer loan.

And theyre getting the help of Republican legislators.

Legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee would legalize what proponents have dubbed a Consumer Access Line of Credit. These would provide for revolving loans of up to $2,500.

But the most significant provision of HB 2496 is it would permit lenders to charge what proponents call a daily transaction fee of 0.45 percent per day, a figure that computes to an annual percentage rate in excess of 164 percent. By contrast, state law caps interest on most other loans at just 36 percent a year.

The 6-4 vote along party lines in the Republican-controlled committee, sends the measure to the full Senate. The House has never considered the measure.

Sen. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said the elimination of payday loans has left a need.

There are people out there that dont have good credit, she said, making it difficult for them to get money in an emergency situation, like ensuring that the power doesnt get turned off.

They have no other options, Lesko continued. They dont have family here that can lend them money.

Thats also the assessment of Michael Kerr who lobbies for Enova International, one of the firms which wants to offer these loans in Arizona. He said about 850,000 Arizonans have a credit score of 599 or less on a scale of 300 to 850, keeping them from getting traditional loans at 36 percent interest or less.

We think that that market is not being adequately served, he told lawmakers.

But Tucson attorney Mary Judge Ryan said the actual language of the bill belies the contention by Lesko and others that this kind of loan is designed to help people with emergency situations. She pointed out that the actual measure itself says the lender contemplates repeated noncommercial loans for personal, family or household purposes.

Joshua Oehler of Childrens Action Alliance said this legislation would create a debt trap for people who would borrow the $2,500 maximum, continue to pay just the minimal amount and then borrow again as they paid down the loan.

And Ellen Katz with the William E. Morris Institute for Justice questioned whether theres really a need. She said the state Department of Financial Institutions has 10 pages of firms willing to lend money to Arizonans under the current interest limits.

But Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said that ignores reality.

These 36 percent loans dont exist for people in these situations, he said. This is a lifeline.

Not everyone who voted for the bill was happy with it.

Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, said she believes people should be able to make their own decisions and be responsible for their actions. She said that includes borrowing money.

But Allen noted testimony from industry lobbyists who said they offer these types of loans in other states for far less than that 164 percent they want to be able to charge here. Allen said she might oppose the measure when it reaches the full Senate unless that cap is reduced.

Katz also pointed out something else.

In 2008, by a 3-2 margin voters repealed an earlier exception to that 36 percent interest cap that allowed what were known formally as deferred presentment loans but came to be called payday loans. Fees for the typically two-week renewable loans amount to 450 percent annual interest.

The industry shut down in 2010.

There was another objection raised Tuesday by some to what Lesko proposed: the process.

Rather than introduce a bill at the beginning of session and have it go through the normal process, lenders got Lesko to graft the language onto an unrelated House-passed bill Tuesday dealing with homeowners associations. Thats not only more than two months since the legislature began its annual session but 72 days into whats supposed to be a 100-day session.

It also means that the new version of measure, if it is approved by the Senate, will not get a hearing in a House committee. Lesko brushed aside those concerns.

I think theres going to be plenty of time for debate, especially since youre reporting it, she responded.
Marguerita Bejarano was eight years old in March, 1961 when she accepted a ride from Cozzie Merrill Jones while walking to Roosevelt Elementary School, where she was a student. Jones was an itinerant musician who showed up in her Tucson neighborhood near North Stone Avenue and and East Grant Road a year earlier.

Jones drove the little girl past the school and up Interstate 10, then the Casa Grande Highway.

He pulled off at the Canada del Oro Wash to let her get a drink from the stream. Marguerita was upset, he would later say.

Marguerita called him a "nasty man." She threatened to tell her teacher and the police.

Then she darted off into the water.

Jones pulled a .22 caliber revolver and shot her. He the little girl into the brush and shot Marguerita again when she moved.

Jones had been doing time in Indiana for killing a 12-year-old girl when he escaped and settled in Tucson about a year before killing Marguerita.

He sat in his car and cried for an hour and a half after the murder, he'd claim later.

It wasn't until a few weeks after the killing that a man jumped off a train at the CDO Wash to get a drink of water and found Marguerita's body. The Pima County Medical Examiner said she had been molested.

"I went to her (Marguerita's) funeral. I am the one who put flowers on her grave every other day," Jones recounted later.

In Dec., 1962  nearly two years after Marguerita's murder  two men prevented Jones from kidnapping a young girl in Tempe. He got away from the men, but drove into a dead end street.

Jones busted into the home of Carl Quast, retired rancher. He kidnapped Quast at gunpoint and forced him to drive him away.

When Quast fought back Jones shot him to death and dumped his body near Casa Grande.

Police arrested Jones driving Quast's car in Gila Bend.

While in jailed in Pinal County, Jones confessed to killing Marguerita. He also admitted killing a hitchhiker in Missouri sometime after escaping from prison.

The ballistics tests confirmed the gun used to kill Quast was the same one used to kill Marguerita.

Investigators also found the car that Jones drove when he gave Marguerita a ride. It had dried blood inside.

Jones was convicted in Pinal County of killing Quast and on April 15, 1963 he was sentenced to death.

Jones took back his confession of killing Marguerita and the hitchhiker.

The Quast murder conviction was overturned by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ordered a new trial.

Jones was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In 1966, the Pima County Sheriff's Department lost the .22 caliber gun used to kill Marguerita and Quast, according to reports.

An indignant Sheriff Waldon Burr was still confident he had enough evidence to convict Jones.

In March 1968, without facing trial, Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Marguerita Bejarano. He was sentenced to a third life term.

Jones died in 1973 while undergoing heart surgery at Maricopa Medical Center.
LONDON (AP)  The Latest on the incident outside Britain's parliament (all times local):

8 p.m.

A French government plane is set to fly to London Wednesday evening to bring the families of three French students wounded in the attacks at the British Parliament to their loved ones.

French President Francois Hollande announced the move in a statement Wednesday night after speaking with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

May confirmed to Hollande that three French high school students from France's western Britanny region were wounded in the attacks, the statement said.

Hollande offered his condolences to May for those who died in the attacks and expressed France's solidarity with Britain "in this tragic ordeal."

"The British and French services are in close contact to conduct the investigation," Hollande added.

London is a common destination for French school trips.

___

7:55 p.m.

Romania's foreign ministry says two Romanians were wounded in a deadly attack in London's Westminster that left four dead.

The ministry said the two had been taken to a hospital for treatment. There were no further details on the identity of the two or how seriously they were injured. The ministry said it had been informed by authorities in London.

A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage near the Parliament, mowing down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the attacker. About 20 others were injured.

___

7:20 p.m.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy condemned the deadly attack in London's Westminster on Wednesday and offered condolences to the British people in a telegram sent to his British counterpart Theresa May.

"An execrable terrorist act like the one that took place today is a reminder that we face complex challenges for the security of our societies," said Rajoy in a transcript of the telegram distributed by Moncloa, the prime minister's palace.

"We must remain united against these type of threats that affect all of us equally and that know no barriers," Rajoy wrote, offering Spain's support to the UK.

Israel, which that has faced a wave of Palestinian car ramming, stabbing and shooting assaults since 2015, also expressed solidarity with the victims of the London attack.

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said in a statement. "Israel expresses its deep shock at the terror attack in London today and its solidarity with the victims and with the people and government of Great Britain. Terror is terror wherever it occurs and we will fight it relentlessly."

___

6:50 p.m.

One British lawmaker was hailed by some as a hero in Wednesday's attack on the British Parliament.

Conservative parliamentarian and Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the police officer who was stabbed and later died. About 10 yards away was the attacker who was shot dead by police after scaling the security wall toward Parliament's grounds.

Ellwood, who served in the British military, applied pressure to the police officer's multiple lacerations.

Photographs showed Ellwood's bloodied hands and face from the police officer's wounds while the alleged attacker was seen nearby.

___

6:20 p.m.

The White House is condemning the attacks in London involving a car rampage and knife attack. President Donald Trump is said to be monitoring developments.

Spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May and said that the White House applauds "the quick response of British police and first responders" and condemns the attacks.

A vehicle mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and the attacker then stabbed a police officer outside the British Parliament. At least four people died, including the attacker and a police officer.

Spicer says that the city of London and the British government have the "full support" of the U.S. as they investigate the attack.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department says the security posture in the United States has not changed in the wake of the attack.

___

6:15 p.m.

The Italian interior ministry says the nation's top security and intelligence officials will huddle in Rome on Thursday for "an evaluation of the terrorist threat" after the attacks in London.

The ministry said minister Marco Minniti convened the Committee of Strategic Anti-terrorism Analyses following "the tragic facts in London," in which a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and the attacker then stabbed a police officer outside the British Parliament. At least four people died, including the attacker and a police officer.

Italian security was already on high alert for a European Union summit bringing EU nation leaders to Rome Friday for a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and a ceremony in the Italian capital Saturday.

Authorities are bracing for possible violence during several marches Saturday, drawing thousands of both pro-and anti-EU participants.

___

6:05 p.m.

The head of counterterrorism at London's Metropolitan Police, says four people have died in the terror incident in London, including an attacker and a police officer.

Mark Rowley says some 20 people have been wounded and Parliament was locked down. A search is underway to make certain no other attackers are in the area  though police believe there was only one attacker.

Rowley said the dead policeman was one of the armed officers who guard Parliament. The other victims were on Westminster Bridge.

Rowley says "We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker. But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on."

___

5:50 p.m.

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have both expressed their support and solidarity with Britain after the attacks at the British Parliament in London.

"We are all concerned with terrorism," Hollande told reporters Wednesday during a visit in Villepinte, outside Paris. "France, which has been struck so hard lately, knows what the British people are suffering today."

Hollande added that countries "must bring all the conditions to answer these attacks" and that "it is clear that it is at the European level, and even beyond that, that we must organize ourselves."

French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said "it is a high place of democracy that has been attacked" and that France is "obviously ready to help."

Merkel said in a statement Wednesday that she learned "with sorrow" of Wednesday's incident and her thoughts were "with our British friends and all of the people of London," in particular those who were injured.

While the circumstances of the attack were still unclear, "I want to say for Germany and its citizens: we stand firmly and resolutely by Great Britain's side in the fight against all forms of terrorism," she said.

___

5:45 p.m.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has expressed sympathy to those injured and condolences to the relatives of those who died in the incident at Britain's parliament, and has underlined the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

"We don't split terrorism into categories; we consider it as absolute evil. At this moment, as always, our hearts are together with the British people, we feel their pain and speak again about the need to confront that evil," she said.

___

5:40 p.m.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was absent from a "family photo" of officials attending a conference on the Islamic State group in Washington, D.C.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was also at the meeting, issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims.

"The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," he said.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. was ready to assist in any way.

"The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of our highest priorities. Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely," he added.

___

5:30 p.m.

Three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph high school in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured, according to the French foreign ministry.

The ministry said it is in contact with British authorities.

___

5:25 p.m.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve says that French high school students are among the wounded in the attack in London.

In a tweet Wednesday, Cazeneuve offered support to the British as well as to "the French students wounded, their families and their schoolmates."

London is a common destination for French school trips.

___

5:15 p.m.

British port officials say they pulled a woman from the Thames River following the incident on Westminster Bridge.

The Port of London Authority says a female member of the public was recovered from the river, injured but alive.

The authority says it has closed the river between Vauxhall Bridge and Embankment while a major security operation is under way after a suspected terror attack at the Houses of Parliament in London.

___

5:10 p.m.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government emergency committee to discuss the response to the terror incident in London.

The emergency committee known as Cobra coordinates the high-level response to serious incidents. It brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

Such meetings are held after serious incidents such at the July 7, 2005, attack on London transport services.

The Wednesday meeting is held in the briefing room of the Cabinet Office on Whitehall.

___

5 p.m.

The London Ambulance Service says it has treated at least 10 injured people on Westminster Bridge after a vehicle hit pedestrians.

It says the first ambulance arrived within six minutes of the first call at 2:40 p.m. (1440GMT).

Ambulances, an air ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team were all sent to the scene.

One woman has been confirmed dead, and a body was seen lying in the yard of Parliament, where a knifeman stabbed a police officer and was shot by police.

People began leaving the Houses of Parliament about two hours after the incident.

___

4:50 p.m.

A senior police commander says the attack at London's Parliament has been declared a terrorist incident and "a full counterterrorism investigation is underway."

Commander B.J. Harrington says "a number" of people have been injured, including police officers.

He says additional police officers, armed and unarmed, will be deployed across London during the evening rush hour as part of efforts to keep people safe.

___

4:35 p.m.

The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh suspended its debate on a second independence referendum after the incident outside the British Parliament in London.

Scottish lawmakers had been planning to vote after two days of debate on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call for another referendum on leaving the United Kingdom.

The debate was suspended after some members said it should be halted out of respect after a policeman was stabbed and his attacker shot in London.

Sturgeon tweeted that her thoughts were with everyone in Westminster "caught up in this dreadful incident."

___

4:30 p.m.

A doctor says a woman has died and about a dozen people are hurt, some with "catastrophic" injuries, after a vehicle apparently hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament.

Colleen Anderson of St Thomas' Hospital says a female pedestrian has died.

Anderson said: "There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries."

She said there might be a dozen injured in all.

___

4:20 p.m.

Poland's former foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, says he was in a taxi leaving Westminster and was checking his email when he heard something like a car crash, "something like a car hitting metal sheet."

"I look up and I see that a person is lying on the pavement. I started my camera and I saw more people lying on the street and on the pavement," Sikorski said on Poland's TVN24.

"People started running up to them. I saw one person who gave no sign of life, another man was bleeding from his head. In all, I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," he said.

"The taxi driver immediately called the emergency number. I heard ambulances within two or three minutes, so the rescue action was really very quick. There is a hospital near there."

"It all happened so fast that there was no time to get scared," said Sikorski who posted his video on Twitter.

___

4:05 p.m.

The U.S. State Department says it is closely monitoring the incident outside London's Parliament and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday: "We stand ready to assist in any way the U.K. authorities would find helpful."

He added that the U.S. Embassy in London is closely following the news and stands ready to help any affected Americans.

He said: "Our hearts go out to those affected."

___

3:50 p.m.

Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britain's Parliament.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out," he said.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Lawmaker Adam Holloway told the AP he saw people running and immediately ran into his offices in Parliament to be with his staff. "A lot of us are locked in with our staff at the moment," he said.

___

3:50 p.m.

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament in London.

Trump himself said during a brief appearance Wednesday before reporters at the White House that he was just getting the news. He called it "big news."

Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, says the U.S. will continue to monitor the situation and update the president.

Britain's Parliament was on lockdown after  according to officials  an assailant stabbed an officer then was shot by police.

London Police also said officers were called to an incident on nearby Westminster Bridge

___

3:40 p.m.

British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

"Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back," he said.

___

3:40 p.m.

The former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski posted a video on Twitter that seems to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Sikorski, a senior fellow at the Harvard Centre for European Studies, says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being "mown down" by a car.

Sikorski told the BBC he "heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress.

"Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."

___

3:35 p.m.

London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise."

The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area.

Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers.

There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.

___

3:25 p.m.

A European security official says there was increased chatter on jihadi networks Tuesday following the UK's adoption of an electronics ban aboard flights from certain mostly Muslim countries.

He said, however, there was no information that the incident was terror-related.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about ongoing security operations.

By Paisley Dodds.

___

3:15 p.m.

The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man attacked a police officer at Parliament and has been shot by police.

David Lidington says the Parliament complex is in lockdown.

He says there are reports of further violent incidents neaby, and police say they have been called to a firearms incident on nearby Westminster Bridge.

Witnesses said a vehicle struck several people on the bridge, and photos showed a car plowed into railings.

___

3:05 p.m.

The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Lidington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity."

London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament.

A session of Parliament was suspended after the incident.

Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related.

___

2:55 p.m.

A session of Britain's House of Commons has been suspended as witnesses reported hearing sounds like gunfire nearby.

The Commons' speaker suspended the session as police responded to an incident.

Journalists at the Parliament building said they were told to stay in their offices.

The Press Association news agency reported that two people were seen lying within the grounds of Parliament.
Help India!

By TCN News

Dr Zafar Mahmood, President of Zakat Foundation of India, has suggested an eight-point agenda to the ongoing issue of Babri Masjid, saying that Muslims can agree to the construction of Ram Mandir at the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya provided the following eight points are accepted, approved and implemented by the Government:

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1. The constituencies of Lok Sabha and state assemblies where the Muslim population is very high while the Scheduled Caste percentage is not among the highest should be de-reserved. Instead, reserve those constituencies where SC percentage is among the highest, as recommended by Sachar Committee.

2. The Alternative Admission Criteria for undergraduate level admission into all universities and colleges of India should be accepted, approved and implemented as recommended by Sachar Committee.

3. To fill the posts of CEO of state waqf boards the central government should accept, approve and implement the launching of Indian Waqf Service as recommended by the Sachar Committee.

4. The RBI proposal of allowing the banks to have a window for interest-less banking should be approved by the central government.

5. The Minority character of Aligarh Muslim University should be accepted, approved and implemented by the central government.

6. Any person who is charged with terror activity and is, after several years of multi-dimensional sufferance, exonerated by the court as innocent should be given Rs 50 lakh as compensation by the government. Later on, this money should be partly deducted from the salary/pension/provident fund/retirement benefits of the officer(s) who wrongly implicated him.

7. Give a proportionate share to Muslims in nominated posts and appointments under the state & central governments.

8. Appoint Equal Opportunity Commission at the centre and in the states as recommended by Sachar Committee.
Help India!

This is the second of the two-part series on the proposed Athirapally dam in the Thrissur district of Kerala, and how it will destroy the livelihoods of thousands of tribals along with having a catastrophic impact on the extremely delicate and important Western Ghats.

By Amit Kumar, Twocircles.net

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In the first part of this series, we looked at how the Athirapally dam could spell disaster for the ecology of Kerala and the Western Ghats in general. This explains why several people, including former minister Jairam Ramesh, CSE director Sunita Narain and others have spoken against the implementation of the project. However, it goes without saying that the biggest resistance to this project has come not from experts but the local Adivasi population of Vazhachal, and they have been led admirably by Geetha, the settlements Ooru Moopathi (the village leader) a 29-year-old who has been at the heart of the struggle for close to a decade.

The Vazhachal Adivasi settlement in which Geetha resides is one of the 9 in the division spread over 70 km. Geethas settlement, also called Vazhachal, houses about 72 families and is at the forefront of the struggle, as they stand to lose their livelihood and their homes if the dam comes up. The other settlements are Thavalakuzhypara, Anakkayam, Sholayar, Pokalappara, Vachumaram, Perumpara, Peringalkuthu and Mukkumpuzhaa. The proposed dam will, however, directly affect only Vazhachal, as it is scheduled to come up just 400 metres away from the settlement.

We meet Geetha at Puliyilpara, a settlement about 7 km from the Vazhachal settlement and the site of the Peringalkuttu dam. Geetha works as at the local Anganwadi and is trying to put six kids to sleep as we walk in. In a free-flowing conversation with Twocircles.net, Geetha talks about how she got interested in working for her people at a young age. All the 9 settlements are inhabited by Kadars . Our tribes were hunter-gatherers and these forests, this river has taken care of us for generations, she says, talking about her ancestry. I assume you have learnt about the ecological damage that the dam will cause, right? I nod, and she adds, Then we will stick to the issues that we are facing in the settlements.

The Kadars are categorised as PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Adivasi Groups), one of the five such tribes in Kerala. After independence, the government attempted to settle the Kadars in government-sponsored homes within the Vazhachal region, but it is no secret that they were settled in a way to facilitate the six dams that came up on the Chalakudy river, and moved accordingly. The current settlement in which I have grown up is the third time we have been settled, says Geetha, adding that earlier, their family was first moved to Itiyani, a place near Charpa Falls, then Athirapally (about 30 kms from Vazhachal) and finally in Vazhachal. Yes, we are thankful to the government that we have concrete houses, good roads and other facilities. But does it mean that we cannot protect what we get? Why should we move because the government wants to destroy this place? she says.

Thanks to these forests, we are able to earn our livelihood. Some of us work with the forest department, while others have found a source of livelihood by selling forest produce like honey. The government in fact has schemes that seek to improve our livelihoods, and help us build sustainable models. How can run schemes likes these and make a dam at the same time? she asks.

Unlike Gram Panchayats, the post of an Ooru Moopathi can continue for as long as the residents wish. Geetha says that much before she became the leader, she had been working on various issues bothering the residents. The Athirapally dam has been an issue for as long as I can remember. I remember as a child, we were told that the dam would not come up. Then a few years later, the issue raked up again, and has continued on and off since, she says, adding, We have made it clear time and again that we will not let the dam come up. But if we the government still goes ahead, we will challenge them in every possible legal way.

Although Geetha has studied only till Class 10, she says that she was always interested in understanding how the government machinery works As Adivasis, the constitution guarantees us a lot of rights, but due to lack of knowledge, the government officials try to fool us, she says. So, Geetha started working on helping the residents complete all government formalities needed to procure the ration under the Public Distribution System, avail medical benefits and ensure good education to the children. It was while working on these issues that she came across the power of Forest Rights Act (FRA), which was passed in 2006.

She also realised, pretty early in her life, that the real change in their settlement could be brought about by the women, not the men. She along with other women in the settlement learnt up on Forest Rights Act, Community Forest Rights Act and ensured that as early as 2012, all the families had been allotted individual forest rights (Pattas) and by 2014, the settlement had also claimed Community Forest Rights under FRA. That was the biggest moment for us, because now even the government had to accept our claims. And this was possible because the women in the village worked on it. When I started, I was the only one who could talk to the media for example. Today, there are close to a dozen women who can answer every question that you pose, she says with confidence. Her efforts were rewarded in March 2014, when she was elected as Ooru Moopathi and supported by all: women, men and the youth.

However, raising voices against the present regime has been slightly more challenging. Ever since she became the leader, various political parties have tried to undermine her authority, often resorting to indirect threats, abuse and slander. They will never call me. Instead, they convey their threats through friends and family. But that is understandable. Most of these political parties are full of men, and they cannot even imagine listening, let alone following, the orders of a Adivasi woman who is younger than most of them, she says with a big smile on her face.

The fight against the Dam has been a long and ongoing struggle, but for Geetha, there are other challenges too where she has had to speak against political parties. One such moment was the last years assembly elections, when each party acted as if they owned these settlements. They would come and spend entire nights here, drinking, shouting and distributing alcohol to the local men. This is when I, with the help of the women here, made a rule that no political party meetings will be allowed after 6 pm, she says. This brought in a lot of backlash from the community, mainly men, but Geetha says there was no other way. People say that alcohol abuse is a big problem in our community and I agree. But can someone tell me where does so much alcohol come from? These political parties want Adivasis to be dependent on them, and free booze is the easiest way to do so. The women in the village stood up to this, and we even sought the help of the Forest Officials and asked them to check each vehicle to see if they were bringing in alcohol, she says.

Coming back to the topic of Athirapally, Geetha reiterates that the governments actions are meant to weaken their resistance by cornering the Vazhachal settlement alone. The government tried to get the settlement around the Sholayar to pitch for the dam since a number of Kadar families living in that settlement have found jobs there, she says. So, what did she do? All the nine settlements have filed collectively for Community Forest Rights, so now if we lose our right, they lose theirs too. So, in short, now they are with us too, she says laughingly. When CPI (M) said it would work towards building the dam, it was at Geethas behest that a case was filed in the Kerala High Court in December 2015, saying it infringed upon their rights under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, and that the government could not proceed with the project disregarding their objections. This petition is currently pending in the High Court but shows that claiming CFR under FRA was the right thing to do. We have laws for all, and they are meant to protect us too. We are not going to give up, and we have faith in judiciary too. The Kerala High Court did rule in our favour in 2001 and 2006, after all, she says.
For the second consecutive year, the Cathedral of Massa confirms reference scenario for photographic exhibitions of absolute pre-eminence, serving now as an increasingly significant crossroads in the international art scene.

The Diocese of Massa Carrara - Pontremoli welcomed enthusiastically, providing the prestigious spaces of the cathedral and offering its valuable cooperation that has asked a group of selected photographers along with Area35 Art Gallery, to grapple with the issue of inclusion: it a cycle is born, "Geographies of the look. For a new inclusion iconography.

"

The event, under the patronage of the Regional Council of Tuscany Region, will be inaugurated by exposure "Humanitas" Paul Topy Lipstick, vernissage on April 8 next, with the participation of Alice Procopio as a curator and includes a succession of multiple events until the end of this year.

The inclusion through #fotografia

'' Inclusion is the principle which has a profound relevance in today's society, subjected to migration impetuous, characterized by cultural rifts that seem to expand, a growing gap between those who are socially and economically integrated and those who are excluded, and where diversity, in any form, go sostanziandosi, it tends to be perceived as a weakness or minus res than the paradigms of reference to which instead, according to what people say, it should assimilate - explained Riccardo Fini, project coordinator -.

Inclusion is a concept that yearns to be characterized as a universal principle: everyone has the right to be included, that is to be welcomed with their differences in the context in which they are called to live, without necessarily involving the assimilation of a cultural mainstream that, as advocated by most, it would be of a higher order, but, instead, as an expression of a specific historical context, assumes a lower ontological relevance to the guiding principle.

"

A location of excellence

The Chapel of the Stigmata, baptistery of our Massa Cathedral, welcomed thousands of pilgrims throughout the year that Pope Francis wanted dedicated to Mercy, the love of the Father. From this same place, it is now proposed a cultural journey, visual, artistic fact of different #mostre photographic joined together by a theme: inclusion.

This word brings us right to the end of the Jubilee, in which Pope Francis has described the inclusion as an "important aspect of mercy." "For God - continues the pope - in his plan of love, do not want to exclude anyone, but wants to include everyone. And we Christians are encouraged to use the same criteria: mercy is the way you act, the style with which we try to incorporate into our lives the other, avoiding too close in on ourselves and our selfish securities.

This aspect of mercy, inclusion, manifested in her arms open wide to welcome not excluding; not classify others according to social status, language, race, culture, religion: in front of us there is only one person to love as God loves.

"The theme of" inclusion "and the Pope's words there help in connecting the current year with the originality of what is past, the images presented in the exhibition with the places where they are placed: the baptistery as a place of welcome for all who seek the Life; the burial ground as meditation in the waiting silence of the Resurrection; the cloister as a journey into the invisible world of the Spirit; the refectory as a place of brotherhood and sharing. This intense artistic itinerary will thus be able to experience the inclusion as a rejection of the "culture of waste", openness to dialogue, overcoming prejudices, looking for what is beyond the visible, then the mystery of the Other.

An important effort and a significant responsibility to Giacomo Marco Valerio, deus ex machina of 35 Area Art Gallery "It 'an honour for Area35 gallery in Milan have been asked to indicate the artists of the event in question.

A theme of profound social thickness, today, and the great interest that imposes strict choices of the quality of works and the skills of the artists. The selection, an internationally recognised, is marked by a rigorous search of the poetic that mark in limited series and refined, a succession of themes presented with quality and maturity that well characterise the resolution of the chosen topic. France, Italy and Japan, each artist will bring to light its response to the issue of social inclusion through photography, a medium that today has entered the language of the multitude, but which, with its long life and history, multi-faceted forms, from film to digital, from the traditional darkroom to the interpretative variety of Camera Lucida, today's "light room".

The variety of responses and the different affinities of the artists are an effective imitation of the topics covered; all of them combine to form a rich and diverse exhibition journey, a formative experience in thickness and an opportunity to understand the role of photography as a tool for art. #duomo mass
It's 17.32 UK time and The Netherlands still has two hours to vote. Europe has been expecting the results for weeks already, afraid of what many can imagine --, that the far-right parties will win.

Not the only one

The Brexit in Britain and Trump winning the elections in the United States do not seem to be enough. The Netherlands is divided between the tolerance that characterized the country over decades, and islamophobia, one of the reasons why the right and far-right parties are winning followers in the country. However, it does end there. The next country on the list is France and French people are upset, annoyed and irritated with the socialists that have been governing the country since 2013.

National identity

National identity is one of the key points in the argument between the second party in the polls, the PVV, whose candidate is Mr. Geert Wilders and the liberals, who said in the national debate that The Netherlands belongs to everyone who works in the country.

In opposition, Mr. Wilders aims to take his country out of the EU's influence, to gain sovereignty, and to ban Islam in The Netherlands, including closing all the mosques.

Turkey - The Netherlands

Mr. Rutte, the current Prime Minister, is not that radical, yet he was called a "Nazi remnant" by the Turkish Prime Minister, President Erdogan, after two Turkish ministers were banned from taking part in a rally organized in Rotterdam.

This dispute stated when, last Saturday, the Dutch authorities banned the Minister of International Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and ended up expelling the Minister of Family and Social Affairs. The Rally in which Mr. Cavusoglu was expected to take part is an electoral rally that is part of the Turkish community residing in The Netherlands (395,302 according to the statistics in 2013), was organized by Ankara, but Mr.

Rutte considered that it was 'too risky' for the public order.

As a result, Erdogan closed the embassy from The Netherlands in Ankara, banning the ambassador from going back to work after his holiday.

Predictions for the elections

12.9 million voters; 28 parties and it is expected that none of them will get more of the 30% of the votes.

So far, it is likely that the elections will be won by the VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, or People's Party For Freedom and Democracy) presided by Mr. Rutte, with 17% of votes, and the PVV (Partij voor de Vrijheid, Party for Freedom, in English), presided by Mr. Wilders, with the 14% of votes, according to the last surveys.
There has been a terrorist attack in London as dozens of people on Westminster Bridge near Parliament have been ploughed into with a 4x4 car. A police officer and a woman have been confirmed to be dead and the supposed attacker has been shot by armed police right on the doorsteps of the Houses of Parliament.

Commons Leader David Lidington made the announcement

David Lidington, the Leader of the House of Commons, explained to a room full of Members of Parliament that a "police officer has been stabbed" and that the injured suspect, whom Lidington identified as the "alleged assailant" who perpetrated this act of terror, has been "shot by armed police." He said that the incident, which took place actually within the confines of the official estate assigned to Parliament, was a "serious" one.

A short time after the incident (but still a good few minutes, which is actually quite a long time, considering it was a full-on terrorist attack on Parliament), an emergency services helicopter arrived to provide immediate medical assistance to any of the many people who were "catastrophically" injured during the proceedings.

Some new information has come to light since

Since the attack on Parliamentary estate soil, new information has been continually revealed. What we have at the moment is that the police officer who was stabbed during a confrontation with the attacker later died, and that had been officially confirmed following Lidington's announcement that the officer had been initially stabbed.

Multiple casualties were caused in addition to the two confirmed deaths of the women and the cop, after the 4x4 car (so 4x4, we're talking about a very big and very heavy car here). According to the Metropolitan police service, their investigation is being carried out under the preconception that this was a terrorist attack, after their initial evidence suggested that that's what it is.

Eyewitnesses have come forward with accounts of the stabbing of the police officer right at the gates of Parliament. One of them said that they "saw a police officer fall to the ground, clutching their arm," and that all of a sudden, they "heard shouting from outside Westminster Hall" on their right side, "quickly followed by at least two gunshots, maybe more."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says that US President Donald Trump has been informed of the terrorist attack on Parliament and briefed on it, and no doubt his first question was: Which race was the attacker?

He'll be like a pig in sh*t right about now, since this gives him another chance to use fear as a tool to manipulate the American people, which works very well because of 9/11, which is probably why people think George W. Bush orchestrated it, although he's not really smart enough to do it, but the combined heads of his Republican administration are, so let's not rule it out entirely.

Theresa May was '40 yards away' from the attack

Prime Minister Theresa May, who's proven highly controversial because she only looks out for herself and her own personal interests in the running of our country, was a mere "40 yards away" from where the attack was happening and there was stabbing and gunfire and people getting mowed down by a giant car.

She's wasted no time in kicking off Brexit, planning to trigger Article 50 next week even though the country is horribly unprepared and we'll be totally out of the European Union officially by 29 March 2019, and today she was very almost shot dead or stabbed or ran over by a 4x4. Almost. Thankfully, she was very quickly evacuated and has been confirmed to be safe. Oh, thank goodness. A House of Commons session at Parliament has been suspended and MPs have been safely evacuated from the area.
There are many people and organisations who are vocally critical of Israel. Whether that be its actions, comments or general policies, Israel has been attacked from all quarters, not only from the European Union but also supposed allies in Europe and the West. As a result, what I would like to focus on here is the reasons why the Jewish state is attacked and whether such attacks are justified. There are two main areas that I will look at.

The settlements

One major area of criticism has surrounded the building of settlements in the 'occupied territories'.

This has been a massively contentious issue that has brought on sticking attacks as a results, most notably from the United Nations (UN). As reported in the Guardian newspaper, Israel responded "furiously" to a UN security resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. However, even more damning was the actions and reactions of its supposed chief ally, the United States (US). Not only did the Obama administration abstain from vetoing the resolution, but the comments from those who at the time worked for the US president was difficult to absorb. In December of last year (2016) the outgoing US secretary of state John Kerry issued a "final warning" that the settlements building being carried out "were destroying hopes for peace" between the Israelis and the Palestinians, as the Telegraph newspaper stated.

In looking back, were the criticism of the said settlement building justified? In many ways I believe that they are. I live in Israel and I can say with certainty that there is ample space for all Israelis to live in. They do not need to live in settlement areas. Furthermore, such building is aggravating and provoking a large number of individuals and groups.

How can we pursue a two-state solution when there is not enough land for the Palestinian People to live in? The Israelis do not need to live in the occupied areas, and although there are those who claim that it is religiously based reasoning, I just see it as simple greed. However, the Israelis may argue, 'we gave up the settlements in Gaza and look what happened'.

Whatever way it does go, what is for sure is that the Israeli government should be focused on appeasing the world around them and not angering them. Then we may be able to secure peace in our time.

Its treatment of the Palestinian people

Another strong criticism of Israel is its treatment of the Palestinian people. Besides the presence of military tanks and personnel in parts of the West Bank, one major issue is that of the 'shoot to kill' policy. This has been recently endorsed by a number of leading Israeli officials who have encouraged soldiers and police officers to kill Palestinians, regardless of whether "lethal force is necessary", according to the Independent newspaper. Such action was illustrated just a couple of months ago as a Palestinian was shot dead at a Jenin camp in the West Bank, according to the Alarabiya website.

Such action was condemned by the Human Rights Watch organisation, who stated that force should only be used by the Israeli government, "in accordance with international force". In looking at the issue, the same question needs to be asked; is this criticism justified? I understand the need to act before being attacked but I just get a sense of the soldier's/police officers being trigger happy. I understand the need to repel threats to the security and safety of the nation but can they act differently? Although they may only have a second to think, do think and quickly evaluate the situation before acting. It will dramatically improve the perception of Israel around the world and essentially stop the criticisms that they are getting.

As one can see, Israel is not a very popular country at the moment. But that can all change if they change the way that they go about their business. Whilst I do believe that some of the criticisms levelled at Israel are unfair, overall I do believe that they are justified.
The government have issued a Ban on certain electronic devices on inbound flights from 6 middle eastern countries, this follows a similar policy by the US recently. It encompasses a cabin ban on all electronics larger than a smartphone, this includes laptops and tablets. Direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia with the airlines British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson and eight foreign airlines effected.

This will not apply to flights where it needs UK travellers to change in Europe, however, it does come in with immediate effect.

What is the ban?

The government have stressed that this has no connection with Donal Trumps Muslim ban and not a ban in response to a specific terrorist threat but a concern over methods by terrorist organisations. The ban itself is over growing concerns that terrorists will target consumer flights using technology that will fit in smaller electronic devices such as laptops and tablets.

However, the US ban is more peculiar than the UKs sweeping ban by the fact that they have targeted nine specific airlines that fly from 1o specific airports, including Dubai International and Abu Dhabi International which do not appear on the UK ban. Canada are considering introducing the same ban as concerns grow.

Does the ban have any merit?

The ban though is pointless with Turkey looking to stop or soften the ban after they claim it is impractical for them to suddenly implement such a ban. But what makes the ban unusual is that if someone wanted to put a bomb in an electronic device, this ban will do nothing to stop its effectiveness.

This is due to the nature of the ban, where it says that electronic devices no larger than a smartphone are permitted in the cabin and must be in the hold with the passengers main luggage. If a terrorist were to place a bomb in one these electronic devices it would work just as well in the hull. Technical experts have considered the ban to not be credible.

professor at the University of California, Berkeley law school, Paul Schwartz said One potential problem with this approach where you single out countries is that you ignore the extent to which the terrorist threat is kind of state-less, he said. The terrorists have cells throughout the entire world. He also pointed out that the 9/11 hijackers had a terrorist cell based in Germany. This premise underlines the issues with the ban and how it is likely to just annoy travellers as opposed to being effective in stopping terrorist threats.
During the 2016 campaign, then-candidate Donald trump was critical of the NATO alliance, which has kept the peace in Europe, except the 1990s conflicts in the Balkans, ever since the end of the Second World War. So the irony that President Trumps first foreign trip will be to Brussels for a meeting in May of all of the leaders of the member states of the alliance was delicious in the extreme. The announcement will likely go a long way toward mollifying the ire of many in NATO over the fact that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not be attending an earlier meeting in April to instead meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago along with Trump.

Tillerson is also scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow later that month.

NATO was the bulwark against Soviet aggression in Europe until the fall of the USSR in 1991. Indeed, had World War III happened it would likely have started with a land invasion of Western Europe across the North German Plain and through the Fulda Gap in Central Germany. However, NATO has only gone to war during the 1990s Balkans conflict against Serbia, one of the successor states of Yugoslavia. Things have gone full circle with NATO, now including countries of the former Soviet-dominated Warsaw Pact such as Poland and the Baltic States, arrayed against Putins imperialist ambitions.

While Trump as president has come to accept the relevance of NATO, he has complained about the tendency of some member states to not live up to their obligations to maintain a large enough defense establishment, thus embarking on a free ride based on American military power.

Trump brought up this issue to German Chancellor Angela Merkel when she visited the White House recently, providing an awkward moment.

Besides the issue of burden sharing, the other source of contention that Trump is likely to bring to Brussels is his desire for a rapprochement with Russia, in part to make that country an ally against Islamist terrorism, among other things. While no doubt such an alliance would be of great use, Putin could ease things by not casting a covetous eye toward the countries of Eastern Europe in his quest to make Russia great again.
The President of the United States is the head of international alliances that form one part of the world political stage. For decades this stage was called the Cold War in the battle between the worlds biggest superpower and the Soviet Union. Now this position is being challenged in three continents as the Oval Office is distracted by domestic issues.

Two capitals

News on Tuesday shows that the activities of the Capitol have taken the White Houses attention away from the world stage.

The reports of a failed missile test by North Korea was a reminder that the Asian dictatorship is a destabilizing force that does not want to be neglected or derided by other world leaders.

In fact, some news agencies such as Reuters speculate that the test was a result of President Donald Trumps statement on Sunday that Kim Jong-un was acting very, very badly.

This incident followed the visit of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Beijing where the two superpowers were unable to find a solution to the North Korean problem that was suitable for all.

The second item involved Secretary Tillerson with news that he will be visiting Moscow next month rather than attending the NATO meeting at Brussels.

This development has fuelled worries of Americas European allies of a change of direction by Washington towards #Vladimir Putins Russia. This change was part of Donald Trumps campaign promises and may have been heralded by his comments about the deadbeats who are not paying their share of NATO expenses.

In recent times a number of European countries have stated their worries about signs of increased Russian aggression and one country, Sweden, has even announced the return of national service to ensure that its armed forced are full prepared for any future eventuality. These worries were not eased by FBI Director James Comeys confirmation Monday of investigations into Russian hacking of the presidential campaign.

Slogan

This situation may be eased once the Administration has finished filling in all the nearly three thousand positions that are still vacant. In the meantime the international stage is not receiving the due attention that it would normally attract in a fully functional White House.

At the same time, the proposed cuts to the State Department may signal the White House's intention to concentrate on the country and to cut its foreign policy commitments.

This would be in line with the campaign slogan to Putting America first as part of Making America great again, but this is a facile argument at a time where the international stage faces a number of challenges in addition to Pyongyang and NATO.

The presence of American troops on the ground in the Middle East is the symbol of the country's struggle against terrorism and the world wide reaction to the proposals to cut Americas commitments to Paris environmental agreements show that any action by the United States has effects on other countries and not just within its borders.

Priorities

As the proud holder of the title of Leader of the free world the United States is the country on which others base their own foreign policies.

The ties between the America and its allies are not simple pieces of paper but the result of intense diplomacy and in many cases the cost had also been in American lives in two world wars and other conflicts where the United States has committed troops.

The United States has shown that it is capable of dealing international politics and well as domestic issues. However, in recent the Oval Office is being increasingly distracted by domestic issues, including dissent within the Presidents Republican Party in relation to policy issues.

The Oval Office must begin to understand that its ever increasing focus on internal affairs is affecting its standing around the world. This standing was the result of many decades of work and if it is lost it may well take even more time to regain. Is the country willing to pay this price?
Linda Preast, a 56 year-old disabled Georgia citizen and Trump voter in a wheelchair who depends upon the partially federally funded program, Meals On Wheels for her basic food rations, was shocked to learn that President Donald Trump, who won the Electoral College votes only because of the swing states, is slashing funding to Meals on Wheels. Preast said she thought Trump "was going to help us," (The Huffington Post, 3/18/17). Preast described herself as having been "under the influence" when she believed Trump and voted for him.

The Meals on Wheels Program

The Meals on Wheels Program was started in England during the Blitz (Second World War), between 1941 and 1945. The primary objectives of the program were to serve the needs of elderly and disabled people who were unable to shop and/or prepare their own meals. The meals were hand delivered to the grateful recipients at their homes by willing volunteers.

The Meals on Wheels Program expanded to Australia in 1953 and to the United States in 1954. In the United States, the program was largely funded through donations and charitable foundations. However, a portion of the program was federally funded as well. It is the federal funding component of the Meals on Wheels program that the Trump Administration is slashing.

The cut is all part of a massive budget cut to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the Department of Education and the State Department, while funding the military an extra $54 billion.

This is all part of the larger GOP plan to slash domestic programs, replace ObamaCare, and leave over 24 million Americans without healthcare.

It is the plan about which House Speaker Paul Ryan said that he was "encouraged."

The Trump Administration's Rationale

According to White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, the Meals on Wheels Program is being cut because it is "just not showing any results," (The Huffington Post, 3/18/17). Mulvaney did not specify the kind of results to which he was referring.

He did not specify if he was talking about monetary results or if he was referring to full stomachs, or to gratitude or to the compassion of the human heart. Those things are hard to measure, especially for a budget director. But are they are any less real?

In the final analysis, has the generosity of volunteerism and self-sacrifice that comprise the essence of the American spirit ever been measured in dollars and sense? Are these things that should be assigned to budget directors and coin counters to measure, or should they be measured by the integrity of the human heart and the generosity of that kindred "neighbor to neighbor" attitude that always has so vividly characterized the American persona?

This observer would suggest that it is only in the spirit of the latter that programs such as Meals on Wheels are to survive and transgress the budget cuts by impervious budget directors.

Senator Cotton's warning to GOP

Meanwhile, GOP Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton warned his colleagues in the House of Representatives not to give up their majority by voting for the current GOP health care bill aimed at replacing ObamaCare. Cotton warned that if members of Congress vote for the bill, that they could end up losing both the House and the Senate to the Democrats in 2018. Perhaps there is but a trickle of light at the end of the tunnel.
Hey, "Bachelor 2017" fans. It's that time, again. Time to give you guys the spoiler skinny on what's about to go down in the upcoming episode 9. It turns out that we're going to get a continuation of the events from the end of episode 8. Then see some very steamy overnight date action before one unlucky chick finds out she's just not the one, and more.

The Andi scene

In the new episode 9, we're going to see them take all the action to Lapland,Finland where Nick and his final three ladies: Vanessa Grimaldi, Raven Gates and Rachel Lindsay, engage in their overnight dates.

Steve didn't give any details about the dates, so we don't have that. However, we do have a little intel from ABC's official press release. It turns out that this episode is going to feature a continuation from episode 8. They're going to show the footage where Nick's former Bachelorette love, Andi Dorfman, shows up at his hotel room to reportedly just give him some advice.

Off to Finland after Corinne gets dumped

This scene will actually go down just before he reveals who he's picking as his final three ladies, or in other words, gives Corinne the pink slip. After all the emotional rose ceremony stuff wraps up, they will then travel to Lapland, Finland to begin their very romantic overnight rendezvous.

ABC describes the trip as being a week of cold, snowy days and warm. romantic nights. Ooh.

More romance

Now, judging from all the past seasons, we know that Nick will end up, taking all these girls on a really romantic date, and then ask them if they want to go to the fantasy suite to spend the night with him. If they accept, it's on for the night.

If not, they can consider themselves eliminated. Just kidding. Of course it's not all about that. There actually isn't any details on who accepts the fantasy suite. It could be all of them or just some of them. Unfortunately, we're just going to have to wait until the show airs to get all that good intel. That's premium stuff, I guess.

It's over for poor Rachel

Then after all the dates are completed, we will get a rose ceremony, so that Nick can reveal who his final two women will be, and Steve was able to dish out who the lucky to women are. They are: Raven and Vanessa. Which, of course, means poor Rachel Lindsay will hit the end of the line. However, don't feel to sorry for her, because ABC already revealed that they've selected her to be the new Bachelorette for the upcoming 2017 edition that's due to air this Summer! So, much congrats to her. We can also confirm that episode 9 is, indeed, set to hit the airwaves next Monday night, February 27th, 2017 at 7pm central time on ABC. Stay tuned.
great britain has announced a ban on laptops in cabin on arriving flights from six countries. The ban will affect passengers from the Middle East and North Africa. It comes amid fears of possible new terrorist attacks.

The ban comes after US authorities have implemented similar restrictions on arriving flights. Liberal Democrats and computer experts have put the new restrictions into question. The restrictions are likely to cause frustration among passengers.

New restrictions target six countries

The new restrictions imposed by Great Britain will target countries from the Middle East and North Africa: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

However, they only extend to direct flights.

The Prime Minister's spokesman has said in an announcement that the safety of travellers is a priority which is why aviation security is under constant review. Due to fears of new terrorist attacks, laptop and iPad use in cabins will be prohibited. This means that all electronic devices, apart from phones, will have to be placed in the hold.

Terrorist threats raised concerns

Last year, a laptop filled with explosives was smuggled onto a flight out of Mogadishu. The attack was plotted by an insurgent group called al-Shabaab. The laptop exploded and blew a hole in the side of the plane, but the pilot managed to land the plane safely. In the recent weeks, it has been revealed that UK security services have stopped 13 potential attacks.

Counter-terrorism units are also running more than 500 investigations.

Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman, Baroness Randerson, has criticized the new restrictions, saying that countries have been singled out based on religious belief. She also emphasized that terrorist attacks come from the unlikeliest sources and questioned the Governments reasoning.

Randerson called for the ban to be explained in detail.

Computer experts question the new restrictions

Nicholas Weaver, a researcher at the International Computer Science Institute at the University of California has put the ban into question. According to Weaver, turning a laptop into a bomb would work just as well in the cargo hold.

The attacker would not have to have direct access to the laptop. When it comes to hacking, a modern cellphone can be used as a laptop.

Air industry consultant John Strickland said that the ban will cause frustration for both the airlines and customers. For example, electronic devices are usually not covered by travel insurance if they are placed in the hold. However, Strickland emphasized that security must be put first.
President Xi Jinping meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Beijing on Tuesday. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

China and Israel will both benefit from cooperation, he tells Netanyahu

The establishment of a China-Israel comprehensive innovation partnership will bring more real benefits to the people of both countries, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while calling for enhanced cooperation in scientific innovation.

"Israel is a world-renowned innovative country, and at the same time, China is also pushing forward innovation-driven development, so innovation has become the common focus of our two countries. It is also the priority for our cooperation," Xi said while meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Netanyahu is making an official visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-Israel diplomatic relations, Xi said a comprehensive innovation partnership between the two countries will push forward such cooperation and make use of the two countries' complementary advantages.

The president called for enhancing political communication, strengthening cooperation at all levels and boosting mutual understanding and trust.

The two countries should connect their development strategies, steadily push forward cooperation on major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and focus on cooperation in such areas as scientific innovation, agriculture, medicine and clean energy, he said.

Netanyahu told Xi, "Your decision to announce a comprehensive innovation partnership between China and Israel is a tremendously important decision, certainly for Israel and, I believe through our cooperation, for China as well."

The Israeli prime minister said his country could be "a perfect partner for China in the development of a variety of technologies to change the way we live, how long we live, how healthy we live, the water we drink, the food, the milk we drink and every area".

Xi, noting that China has close links with the Middle East, said peace and stability in the region are in line with the common interests of all parties, including China and Israel.

The peaceful co-existence of Israel and Palestine can not only benefit the two parties as well as the whole region of Middle East, but also meet the expectations of the international community, Xi said.

Netanyahu said Israel will continue to support the one-China policy.

He also said Israel is willing to play a role in cooperation with China on infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, which Xi proposed in 2013.

Israel would like China to play a bigger role in Middle East affairs, he added.

"We know that you have great scientists, great industries and great capabilities, and we think that by working together, we can make the future better, for both our peoples, but I also think for all of humanity," he added.

"We admire Chinas capabilities, its position on the world stage and its history," Netanyahu said.

China is Israels largest trade partner in Asia and its third-largest overall.

The two countries embarked on their first round of negotiations on a trade pact in September.

More than 100 technology executives have joined Netanyahu on the visit, with meetings planned with Chinese business leaders, according to Reuters.

On Monday, China and Israel also signed a number of agreements for cooperation in the areas of economy, science and technology, commerce and civil aviation.
An expert examines the dead whale at a port in Shanghai on March 21, 2017. [Photo/for China Daily]

A whale that was spotted near Shanghai had been dead for more than 10 days, and its left pectoral fin was possibly cut by people, said an expert after examining it.

The dead animal was a fin whale, a second-class national-level protected animal, said Tang Wenqiao, a professor from Shanghai Ocean University, who checked the whale on-site on Tuesday morning.

The whale measured about 22 meters and weighed about 20 tons. Its body was well preserved, except for its missing left pectoral fin, and some parts had already decayed.

Tang said that judging from the whale's wound, the fin was possibly cut by people, and the whale died more than 10 days.

Lu Haibing, owner of a fishing boat, said he first saw the whale on March 19, and the left fin was already missing.

Fishermen reported the sighting of the whale to police at around 1:00 pm on March 20, and were asked to bring the whale back to port.

Police said the authorities have asked marine biology experts to examine the cause of the death.

Although this was the largest whale, this was not the first sighting of a whale near Shanghai. In 2002, a small whale was found stranded at Dishui Lake area. But rescuers managed to help it return to sea. In 1970, a whale was found dead near Luchao Port.

Last week, a sperm whale became stranded and later died in Daya Bay, Guangdong province. An autopsy showed that it was pregnant, and a 110-kilogram male fetus was found dead.

"It is the first time in the world that an unborn baby has been found inside a stranded sperm whale," said Tong Shenhan, head of the Land and Marine Life Research Institute in Xiamen, Fujian province, who participated in the autopsy.
Huo Yanze, 36, a primary school teacher in Guantao county, Handan, Hebei province donates his bone marrow to a leukemia patient in Shanghai.[Photo/Hebei.com.cn]

A school teacher in a remote county in North China has donated his bone marrow to a leukemia patient in Shanghai.

Huo Yanze, 36, a primary school teacher in Guantao county, Handan, Hebei province, joined the China Marrow Donor Program (CDMP) five years ago.

His bone marrow was found to be a match for a 16-year-old leukemia patient in East China's Shanghai in December.

Huo made a decision to donate his bone marrow without a second thought.

"This is exactly the reason why I joined the CDMP in the first place - to save other people's life," he said.

After a series of physical tests, some of Huo's hematopoietic stem cells were collected at a hospital in Shijiazhuang, capital city of Hebei province, and rushed to Shanghai.

This made Huo the 320th bone marrow donor from Hebei and the 87th from Handan since the CDMP was launched.

Founded in 1992, the marrow bank has registered more than 1 million volunteers, mainly Chinese, in its database, becoming one of the world's largest.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplants can treat a variety of blood diseases such as leukemia and anemia. The larger the number of volunteer donors, the higher the possibility for patients to land a match.

In the United States, there are 344 enlisted donors for every 10,000 people, according to the World Marrow Donor Association which was established in 1988.

By contrast, the figure on the Chinese mainland is only 13 out of every 10,000 people.
Thrill-seekers approach sharks up and close while staying inside the safety of a cage. [Photo/VCG]

When it comes to bucket-list adventures, swimming with sharks is near the top for a lot of adrenaline junkies. Many of the adventures on the list require scuba diving, but at some locations, even non-divers with a desire to get up close and personal with the top of the food chain can jump in and face their fears.

Bahamas

I don't want to scare the non-shark lovers away from the beauty of the Bahamas, but there are sharks out there. From least scary to the most, here's where to get your Bahamian shark fix.

Compass Cay Marina is home to a large number of well-fed, friendly nurse sharks. In case you don't know it, a nurse shark is more like a giant catfish than a great white. You can walk right into the shallow water near the fish-cleaning station and pet these gentle guys.

Stuart Cove's in Nassau has been doing shark dives safely for decades. Caribbean reef sharks feed on fish-on-a-stick as divers kneel in the sand in awe. Reef sharks are some of the least aggressive species of shark.

As your fear subsides and you crave more sharks and more excitement, check out the folks at Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures in Fort Lauderdale. They operate live-aboard dive boats with regularly scheduled shark trips in the Bahamas. Expect to see tigers and hammerheads, as well as the Caribbean reef sharks.

Hawaii

There are several shark species in the Pacific waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Sightings of tigers, hammerheads, blues, and even great whites are not all that uncommon.

And While divers can expect to see these guys almost anywhere while diving in Hawaii, the Oahu's North Shore is the place to be for cage diving. Hawaii Shark Encounters takes shark education seriously and strives to educate customers about the need for shark conservation while providing a thrilling swim with sharks inside the safety of a cage. No diving skills are requiredjust bring your courage.

Fiji

Scuba diving in Fiji is a definite bucket-list adventure for many diversand the fish many hope to see most is shark. Beqa Adventure Divers can make that happen for you. Sharks are protected in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, so no worries about questionable practices. This is an uncaged dive, but per the company's website, it is a carefully managed feed, where participants observe, but do not interact with the sharks.

Guadalupe Island

Home to a large population of great whites, the waters off the Mexico's Baja coast, attract divers willing to brave cold Pacific waters for some time in a cage watching the top fish of the ocean.

Nautilus Live Aboards operates six-day adventures from July to November using submersible cages that descend to about 9 meters for a better opportunity to observe the sharks. You meet the expedition in San Diego, motor to Ensenada, cruise to Guadalupe, then spend three full days in the cages watching the predators. Non-divers are allowed, as air is supplied by hoses attached to the boat, but a minimum of a Discover Scuba course is recommended.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's latest visit to Beijing, with his positive comments on US-China relations, has significantly reduced the uncertainties in bilateral relationship between the two countries and bodes well for the upcoming presidential summit, analysts said.

In his maiden trip to Beijing last weekend, Tillerson said that the US-China relationship had been "a very positive relationship built on non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation", and that it is important for the leaders of the two countries to engage in further talks and develop an understanding to guide the relationship for the next half-century.

Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tillerson was "aware of his word choice" when he twice used that language that was identical to Chinese leaders on the US-China relationship.

"I think the message he is sending or he tried to send in his visit to Beijing writ large was that we want a cooperative, productive, forward-looking relationship with China," he told a news briefing on Monday.

Toner said that dealing with the challenges on the Korean Peninsula is part of an ongoing conversation.

"We're going to see that when President Xi (Jinping) comes to the United States for his visit. So part of this is laying the groundwork for that, so that's a productive, forward-looking, results-oriented visit," he said.

Non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation has long been the core features of developing a new model of major power relations proposed by China, noted Tao Wenzhao, a senior researcher of US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"President Xi elaborated the key features in his meeting with President Barack Obama in Annenberg, Sunnylands in 2013," Tao said on Tuesday, adding that while Obama was somehow short of endorsing "mutual respect", Tillerson has taken a step forward.

"I believe that with all the positive signals given out at Tillerson's visit, the uncertainties haunting the Sino-US relationship would be significantly reduced in the sensitive transitional period in the new administration," Tao said.

"This will help make the bilateral relations more predictable, and pave the way for the two countries to lay out a general direction, a framework, to steer the relations," he said, adding that a favorable atmosphere has thus been created for the Xi-Trump summit.

While what Tillerson said regarding the bilateral relations was "positive", it is way too

early to conclude that the US had accepted the proposal of forging a "new model of major power relations", said Shi Yinhong, director of the Center of US Studies at Renmin University of China.

In issues ranging from trade, South China Sea to Korean Peninsula, the world's two largest economies each have divergent core interests and major concerns, and either side seems likely to make big concessions - easily, according to Shi.

"Tillerson's visit and the upcoming presidential summit will help improve China-US relations, but we must be clear-headed for the ups and downs in such relationship, and be prepared for the complexity," he said.

Shi also said that even as the new administration has settled down, Washington and Beijing would continue to test each other.

But overall, the China-US relationship would continue to forge ahead, both Tao and Shi said.

Nicholas Hope, a China specialist at the Stanford Center for International Development, earlier said he would look to see a rather cautious approach to China-US relations as too little time has passed to reveal how the Trump administration will cooperate with China, or not.

"Although I anticipate that there will be competition between the two countries in many areas, it is imperative that cooperation prevails when it comes to the vital issues of the day, which include dealing with climate change, assuring that nuclear weapons are never used, and combating terrorism and all forms of conflict," he said.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
An award-winning film that tells the story of China's "left-behind children" is expected to bring attention to the social dilemma.

Promise, a 16-minute film by two Los Angeles-based film producers, tells the moving story of a Chinese boy who has to choose between his best friend - a pig - and his gift for his parents - a decent dinner.

The film won the Crystal Bear Award for the best short film at the Berlin International Film Festival last month.

"I took inspiration from my own hometown in Shandong province, where we visited many families and schools and learned about the stories first hand," said Xie Tian, director of the film.

"Though the story takes place in a rural Chinese village, it tells a universal story reflecting the relations between children and parents. It can naturally resonate with international audiences," said Xie, an independent film producer.

He said it took him half a year to write the story, and the team spent more than 10 days in Taohuadao village in Yunnan province to shoot the film. It took them another three months of post production.

The film, made a cost of $5,000 raised by the team, cast local villagers as actors, including the boy, his parents and a mailman.

"We hadn't expected the film to win any award or have any influence," said Xie. "But after the Berlin International Film Festival, we hope more attention, including international attention, can be put on these 'left-behind children' in China."

The so-called "left-behind children" live in China's rural areas without day-to-day care from their parents, who have sought work in the coastal cities as migrant workers.

The 2016 migrant population survey by the National Health and Family Planning Commission found 61 million children left behind in the countryside - more than a third of those were younger than 17. Most of them see their parents no more than once a year.

The children have made headlines that shocked the entire nation. In 2015, four left-behind children from the same family committed suicide together by taking a pesticide in Guizhou province. In 2012, five boys died of carbon monoxide poisoning after starting a fire trying to stay warm inside a dumpster.

"Promise also is a tragedy," said Xia Liang, the film's editor. "The boy's parents promise to come back for the New Year, and the boy has to sell his 'best friend' to prepare a decent dinner for his parents, only to find the promise is not fulfilled."

To enhance the emotions, Xia said he decided a gloomy tone with higher contrast for the entire film.

Xia said they spent a week deciding how the film should end.

In the last sequence - the climax of the film - the boy receives a letter from his mom realizing that his parents will not come back to him. The film ends suddenly with a close-up of the boy's face when he raises his head from the letter and turns back to the dinner.

"It ends with anger and disappointment in the boy's face. It's the last blow and also the climax of emotions," said Xia.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
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Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens.
Minister Dung hosts Simon Matthews, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup in Thailand, Viet Nam and the Middle East in the capital on Tuesday.  VNS Photo

Minister Dung hosts Simon Matthews, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup in Thailand, Viet Nam and the Middle East in the capital on Tuesday.  VNS Photo

HA NOI  Viet Nam needs the ManpowerGroups consultation on completing the legal framework for the countrys labour market and employment services, improving the quality of its human resources and on sending Vietnamese workers abroad.

Minister ao Ngoc Dung delivered this statement at an exceptional meeting of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Soical Affairs (MOLISA) with Simon Matthews, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup in Thailand, Viet Nam and the Middle East in the capital on Tuesday.

Matthews spoke highly of MOLISAs support, adding that the ManpowerGroup was willing to co-operate with the ministry in the reviewed areas.

The ManpowerGroup will continue to bring resources and experiences of the international labour market into the labour market in Viet Nam up to 2018, following the third Memorandum of Understanding inked between the group and MOLISA.

The company will provide the best employment services based on the knowledge and understanding of the labour market and the policy of MOLISA while co-operating with its agencies to organise workshops and programmes to improve the labour productivity of the Vietnamese workforce.

ManpowerGroup is an American multinational workforce expert, creating innovative workforce solution for nearly 70 years. The group connects more than 600,000 people in 80 countries to work across a wide range of skills and industries daily.

Established in 2008 in both HCM City and Ha Noi, ManpowerGroup Viet Nam is the first 100 per cent foreign company working in the countrys workforce consulting industry.  VNS
HA NOI  PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation (PVTrans) signed a contract this month with Tata International Singapore to ship 1 million tonnes of coal to Duyen Hai 3 Thermoelectric Plant in Tra Vinh.

This information was released on Tuesday by the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam)  PVTrans parent group.

The contract is in line with PetroVietnams plan to transport coal domestically to thermoelectric plants in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region, including the supply for coastal thermoelectric plants, as well as Long Phu 1 and Song Hau 1 thermoelectric plants.

The large volume of coal will be transported in a short period from April to August 2017.

With experiences in transport for many years, PVTrans has built a supply chain of coal to deal with difficulties in geographic locations during the transport of coal to thermoelectric plants in the south and the Cuu Long Delta regions.

Therefore, Tata International Singapore has highly appreciated and chosen PVTrans to ship coal to the Duyen Hai 3 thermoelectric plant.

PVTrans has diversified its transport services, besides the logistics services for oil and gas products, to meet the increasing demand to transport bulk cargo for the oil and gas industry, as well as other industries.  VNS
HCM CITY  Twelve food and beauty care businesses from the Republic of Korea (RoK) participated in a conference in HCM City on Tuesday to search for franchisees.

The event, co-organised by Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, aimed to introduce RoKs leading franchise brands, thus promoting trade exchange and opening up co-operation opportunities between enterprises of the two countries, Yoon Joo Young, director of KOTRA in HCM City, said.

He noted that many RoK firms have reaped success doing business in HCM City, which is the largest economic hub of Viet Nam, and hoped the conference would result in new partnerships.

RoK business representatives said food service and beauty care in Viet Nam are expected to rapidly develop in the next 10 years, offering great opportunities for them to expand their branch network and promote products for Vietnamese consumers.

Lee Yong Chan, representative of Yong Woo Dong Fast Food, said a quality management network that ensures food safety, well-trained staff and reasonable franchise fee are strengths of RoK franchise food brands.  VNS
Vu Hoang Ha Thu, Legal Assistant, Indochine Counsel

One of the government policies on the management, provision and use of internet services and online information, under Decree No 72/2013/N-CP dated July 15, 2013, states that only information in accordance with Vietnamese laws may be transmitted to internet users within Viet Nam, even if it is cross-border transmission.

To implement this policy, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) issued Circular No. 38/2016/TT-BTTTT on December 26, 201, detailing the cross-border distribution of public information. The circular came into effect on February 15, 2017.

As defined in Circular 38, cross-border provision of public information refers to any act by offshore organisations/individuals using websites, social networks, online applications, search services and other online methods to provide public information that users, be it organisations or individuals, in Viet Nam may access or use, wherein public information is, as defined in Decree 72, online information of an organisation or individual that is made public to all entities without the need to identify the specific name or address of such entities.

Circular 38 requires that foreign entities providing public information to users in Viet Nam (information providers) shall observe the regulations and laws of Viet Nam and shall cooperate with the MIC in addressing violations, if any.

In cases where an information provider provides illegal public information to Viet Nam, or refuses to cooperate with the MIC in addressing violations, Viet Nams authorised management agencies may take necessary technical measures to block their access from Viet Nam.

Regarding steps taken in case of violations, Circular 38 states that upon detecting illegal public information being provided from outside its borders into Viet Nam, the MIC will notify the information provider of the violation and make specific requests so that the issue is addressed, removing the information or blocking access from Viet Nam (first notification).

The information provider will have 24 hours from receipt of the MICs notification to verify and process the issue. If the information provider does not meet the MICs request within the prescribed time limit, the MIC will issue a second notification, and the service provider will have another 24 hours to comply with the MICs request or give feedback to the MIC.

For implementing this cooperation mechanism, Circular 38 requires that an information provider who rents space in Viet Nam for storing its public information for the purpose of providing service, or has one million or more visitors from Viet Nam per month, shall notify the MIC of its contact details, which includes, for organisations, the registered company name and address, trade name, location of the main server for providing service, and contact persons in the registered country and in Viet Nam. The notification can be sent directly to the MIC, via post or via email to report38@mic.gov.vn.  Indochine Counsel
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue welcomed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a joint business forum yesterday to advocate mutual economic, trade and investment relations between the two nations as part of Rivlins state visit to Viet Nam.

The Deputy PM praised Israels interest in Viet Nams business and economic environment, especially in areas where Israel has an advantage such as high-tech agriculture, animal husbandry, renewable energy and smart grid development.

There are many things Viet Nam can learn from Israel, and I hope Vietnamese businessmen can use this opportunity to its fullest. Israel as the world best startup nation can offer many lessons on this matter, and your entrepreneurs are welcomed here. Bilateral trade has increased six-fold in six years, but we have only begun to tap its potential together. Viet Nam can offer Israel a gateway to the ASEAN market in areas such as high-tech agriculture, water system management and even online security, said Hue.

Hue also promised to create favourable conditions for Israeli businesses with a more suitable legal framework to aid the two sides in signing a free trade agreement and create more partnerships.

President Rivlin emphasised the importance of cooperation with Viet Nam and said he expected businesses from Israel to work closely with their Vietnamese counterparts in many areas from education and technology to fertiliser production.

Viet Nam is a regional power in Asia that can bring added value into partnerships with other countries, and the Vietnamese market economy is growing at a steady pace. Our commercial partnership includes a large variety of goods and services, and there is so much more to do. Our cooporation will let us face global challenges and benefit humanity, but we also need your help on matters such as intellectual property protection and for our free trade agreement to move forward, said Rivlin.

Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI) Chairman, Vu Tien Loc, said he was pleased that the two countries leaders and entrepreneurs were coming together for a better future.

The need for a startup ecosystem in Viet Nam is vital and urgent, as well as investment in the agricultural sector in order to create momentum for development. That is why we need Israels help through technological transfer and shared experience, said Loc.

According to VCCIs data, as of 2016, total trade turnover between Viet Nam and Israel reached more than US$1.2 billion, with Viet Nam exporting $554 million and importing $683 million.

Israel is ranked 54 out of 116 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam with nine foreign direct capital projects, as well as high-tech agricultural and diary farms.

President Rivlin will visit several key projects of collaboration between Israel and Viet Nam on Thursday and Friday.

One such investment is the VinEco project run by the VinEco company as part of Vingroup Corp. and Israeli firms Netafim and Teshuva Agricultural Projects with an investment of more than $38 million in Tam ao, Vinh Phuc Province.

The President will also visit a model dairy farm in HCM City in its fifth year of operation, founded by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the HCM City Peoples Committee.  VNS
HA NOI  The Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC) has proposed to raise its current charter capital from VN2 trillion (US$87.6 million) to VN10 trillion by 2020.

The amount is aimed to enhance the companys financial capacity to buy and sell bad debts at prevailing market prices.

This is one of the proposals in an itinerary of raising capacity to solve bad debts in the 2017-20 period that VAMC has sent to relevant bodies recently.

Other proposals include setting up debt buying and selling market and building provisional funds.

VAMC was established in 2013 with the initial charter capital of VN500 billion, which was seen as modest in comparison with the total non-performing loans that the company has to deal with. In 2015, the Government raised the companys charter capital to VN2 trillion.

In its proposal, VAMC also wanted to issue government-guaranteed bonds worth of about VN45 trillion which will come from domestic and foreign organisations and individuals.  VNS
PHNOM PENH  Products of Viet Nams Binh ien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company (BFC) have contributed to modernising Cambodias agriculture, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An said.

The Cambodian leader made the remark during a ceremony for BFC and Cambodias Yetak Group to sign a strategic co-operation agreement in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

The deputy PM spoke highly of Viet Nams assistance to Cambodias agricultural sector by transferring advanced techniques and providing organic products serving agricultural production.

According to Men Sam An, BFCs fertiliser is widely used by Cambodian farmers, improving efficiency of agricultural production, reducing production costs and raising profit.

She also thanked the firms active contribution to social welfare activities in her country, including support for flood victims and disadvantaged students.

BFC General Director Le Quoc Phong said the firm will continue its price support policy and provision of technical assistance to Cambodia farmers, helping them improve productivity and quality of farm produce and increase profits.

Over the past 15 years, BFCs cooperation with the Yetak Group has been efficient. The volume of Binh iens Dau Trau fertiliser consumed in Cambodia has increased to over 100,000 tonnes per year at present from only 2,000 tonnes in 2000.

The fertiliser has been used in 26 provinces and cities across Cambodia, affirming its position in the market.

Based in HCM City since 1973, BFC engages in the manufacture and trade of fertiliser, cattle-feed and aqua-products. It also produces, processes and packages insecticides. It accounts for some 30 per cent of the countrys NPK fertiliser demand.

With one plant in Long An and four subsidiaries in other provinces, BFC is capable of producing over one million tonnes of fertiliser each year.  VNS
HA NOI  The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private equity arm of World Bank group, has sanctioned an additional US$80 million credit package to Viet Nam Prosperity Bank (VPBank).

With this, the total credit package to VPBank has topped $200 million in the past eight months.

The package includes a syndicated loan worth $58 million with a five-year term, and trade finance support of $25 million. The goal is to step up lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro-scaled businesses, especially businesses run by women and import-export companies that want to tap into international trade opportunities.

In 2016, IFC, Cathay United Bank (CUB) and VPBank signed a co-financed loan of $125 million.

SMEs and micro-scaled businesses make up more than 90 per cent of the countrys total firms, and play an important role, contributing to economic growth and to job creation.

However, most of these companies have difficulty getting bank loans. The IFCs trade finance through VPBank is expected to provide valuable supports to SMEs.

VPBank has used the $125 million credit package to provide active support to projects with commitments towards environmental protection and social benefits.

The IFC is one of the worlds largest financial institutions focusing on offering support to the private economic sector in developing countries. It has followed international principles in credit assessment and approval as well as in choosing partners based on their administration, business strategies, financial healthiness and environmental protection commitments, said Nguyen uc Vinh, general director, VPBank.

Vinh said the IFCs decision to increase its trade finance to VPBank has shown its trust in the banks contributions towards the development of the Vietnamese business community, especially SMEs and micro firms.

The banks integrated financial report in 2016 showed that its total assets were nearly VN226 trillion, posting a 16.5 per cent year-on-year increase. Its pre-tax profit was VN4.9 trillion, a record high level since its establishment. The results made it one of the banks with the most effective operations last year.

In 2016, its total capital mobilisation was VN172 trillion, a 13 per cent rise from the previous year.

The State Bank of Viet Nam has also allowed VPBank to increase its charter capital from around VN9.18 trillion to VN10.7 trillion. The additional charter capital will be used for its business operations, investments in construction and for buying fixed assets under the current laws and regulations.  VNS
IEN BIEN  So far this month, northern mountainous province authorities have detained 56 people allegedly involved in the destruction of 18.6ha of forest in total, Vietnam News Agency reports.

These serial offences took place in ien Bien Provinces Muong Nhe District, an area populated by ethnic minority groups and that is rife with deforestation activities, mostly of the slash-and-burn type.

Out of the 56 detained, police forces and relevant authorities have commenced criminal proceedings against 16 people involved in 15 cases of deforestation.

On March 11 alone, investigations were launched into 4 deforestation cases.

According to existing law, one found to be guilty of destroying over 0.3ha of protection forest will be on trial.

During this period, the authorities have either persuaded and enforced 70 nomad residents from 22 households that have immigrated into the area to return to their previous homes.

ien Bien provincial Peoples Committee has said that the deforestation is getting more and more complicated.

In 14 months, from October 2015 to December 2016, the provincial authorities have discovered 186 deforestation cases causing a total loss of 175ha of forest, including 87ha of protected forest.

To address this situation, starting from the beginning of the month, concerned agencies have started to step up their efforts to curb this serious violation of natural resources. Awareness raising campaigns are also given a boost to educate ethnic groups regarding State laws and regulations concerning forest protection.

Most mountainous regions in the north of Viet Nam are economically challenged, and local authorities will not be able to ensure livelihood and necessity supply for an unexpected number of nomads arriving in their jurisdiction outside of the original plan.

In addition, ethnic groups that have nomadic lifestyle will likely engage in slash-and-burn agriculture, which they might not even know is illegal. Once they have exhausted a places natural resources, they will start to relocate elsewhere, starting the vicious cycle again, the agency reported.  VNS
ONG THAP  The southern province of ong Thap has spared no efforts to preserve local handicrafts and exploit them for tourism.

There are 43 handicraft villages in the province. Both the boat-making trade in Lai Vung District and the rush mat weaving trade in Lap Vo District have been recognised as the national intangible heritages.

Ho Thanh Dung, director of the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said local handicraft villages have created stable jobs for 19,000 people with an average income of VN1 million (US$44.4) per person per month.

The rush mat weaving trade in inh Yen Commune, Lap Vo District dates back 100 years and involves 3,000 households. Each year, millions of mats are made here and sold throughout the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) and Cambodia.

The province has drafted a plan to restore ancient inh Yen Mat Market in a total area of 1.5ha, where locals can sell products and tourists can visit, Nguyen inh To, an official from ong Thap Museum.

The trade of making wooden boats in Long Hau Commune, Lai Vung District, has become a main income source for locals. As many as 150 among total 200 local households live on the trade. An experienced worker can make two small boats a day and earn VN200,000 ($8.8) per day for his/her labour.

The provincial Peoples Committee has recently published a plan to preserve and develop the two traditional handicrafts in the 2017-20 period.

Following the plan, in 2017 and 2018, the province will survey the existing condition of the handicrafts and the market for the products.

The province will also organise a contest among local workers to make the best models of traditional products and newly designed products for tourism. The models will be produced in mass number and sold in and outside the province.

In 2019-20 period, the province will continue to invest in upgrading infrastructure at handicraft villages to develop tourism.

It plans to spend VN60 billion ($2.6 million) to support the development of the villages by 2020.  VNS
From 7pm to 9pm Thursday night, Tranquil will host the 5th episode of its Xoa series  a poetry reading series to shape fresh experiences of language--entitled Musicality of Poetry .

Poetry inherently involves the construction of sounds. Its about the beat, the breath, the rhythm, the dissonants and the consonants. Xoa #5 aims to fetch the genesis of poetry by disassociating sound and meaning and exploring the musicality in language(s).

The event, which will take place at Tranquils 5 Nguyen Quang Bich Street location, will focus on Sound Poetry. A poetry reading workshop hosted by Maryan Captan will also be included.

Captan is an Egyptian-American poet who has been involved in Philadelphias art and literary community since 2008. She is a writer, performer and educator, who has taught workshops in creative writing, performance, and creative placemaking in all over America. She serves as Art Director at the APIARY Magazine, host of The Youthquake Open Mic, and teaches experimental and experiential writing classes at The Head & The Hand Press.  VNS
HA NOI  The Government should tighten its grip on overfishing as the seafood capacity in the Vietnamese sea is nearing exhaustion, a top military official said on Tuesday.

Senior Lieutenant-General Pham Ngoc Minh, Vice Chief of General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army and Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Search and Rescue, raised his concerns over the alarming situation as he commented on the draft of the amended Law on Fisheries during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC).

We used to catch a lot of fish whenever we went out to sea in the old days. But now all the sea  Bach Long Vy, Truong Sa or Phu Quoc - was empty of fish, Minh said.

Vietnamese fishers use all kind of means, from explosives to electricity or toxic substances, to catch great quantities of fish as fast as possible. Thats why now our fishermen have to fish in overseas waters, and get caught, he said.

Since the start of the year, 16 Vietnamese fishing ships detained by neighbouring countries like Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Cambodia for illegal fishing, Minh said.

The Senior Lieutenant-General, with some 30 years spent at sea, asked that the amended Law on Fisheries clearly lay out the States responsibilities in planning and regulating specific areas allowed for fishing. He also asked authorities to issue fishing quotas to manage the overfishing.

National Assembly National Defence and Security Committee Chairman, Senior Lieutenant-General Vo Trong Viet, also expressed concern about overfishing, blaming it on lack of exploitation bans to preserve resources. In other countries, even in China, fishing is banned during breeding season. Any violations are strictly punished, Viet said.

In Viet Nam, meanwhile, the ban is rather unclear, allowing fishermen to sail to sea for fishing even during the (breeding) season. Thats what led to the fish exhaustion,"

Firefighting co-operation

Also yesterday, the NASC agreed to issue a Governmental decree to improve the performance of the firefighting forces following growing fire risks due to rapid urbanisation.

According to the NASC, there were 444,311 incidents including fires, explosions, traffic and labour accidents between 2001 and 2015. At least 177,587 people were killed and 343,340 were injured.

The highest-level legal document regulating the rescue work of the firefighter force is a decision issued by former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2012. However, it falls short of clearly stating specific responsibilities of organisations and individuals in rescue work, leading to confusion and lack of co-operation between different forces, according to the NASC.

Tuesday also marked the close of the NASCs 8th session. The next one is set for April.  VNS
HA NOI  Israel and Viet Nam signed an agreement yesterday on establishing a series of community centres based on an Israeli-developed model. The agreement was signed in the presence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin who is on an official visit to Viet Nam.

The first center will be located in Ha Noi. Having received the blessing and promised support of the capitals Chairman of Peoples Committee, Nguyen uc Chung.

Its great that Viet Nam wants to supplement formal education with informal education, President Rivlin told Viet Nam News. In my meetings with the minister of defence and the general secretary of the Party I explained that Israels military is a peoples army, just as it is in Viet Nam, and it has a central role in bridging the gap for young people who didnt have all the advantages and opportunities.

Rivlin added that Israeli towns that know how to make use of their community centres and to take responsibility for their activities, benefit tremendously, and I hope they will in Viet Nam, too.

o Thuy Duong, a Ha Noi businesswoman and member of the Ha Noi Peoples Committee, recently visited Israel to learn about the community center model and to tour such facilities.

The 700 centres operating in Israel offer after-school activities, lifelong learning courses, social activities for the elderly and disabled, community meeting venues, and much more.

We intend to foster the spirit of community in every Vietnamese person. Unfortunately, our children and the residents of local neighborhoods do not enjoy leisure and enrichment activity within and for their communities, she said.

We are starting in the capital, with its eight million residents, and from here we will reach the whole of the country, she added. Funding will be provided by the city and private companies within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

We are proud to be a pioneer in exporting Israeli social innovation to countries in Asia, said Aviad Friedman, chairman of the Israel Association of Community Centres, The ability of community centres to operate everywhere in a manner compatible with the spirit of the community and its various needs is an excellent model, which can be adapted to many places in order to optimize human capital.

The community centers contribute to a strong and resilient society, said Einat Halevi Levin, a social entrepreneur who facilitated the agreement.  VNS


A pregnant woman reportedly died of a pulmonary embolism after her surgery last Friday in the central province of Quang Tri, according to the provincial health department.  Photo laodong.com.vn

QUANG TRI  A pregnant woman reportedly died of a pulmonary embolism after her surgery last Friday in the central province of Quang Tri, according to the provincial health department.

The department made the report to the Ministry of Health yesterday after the ministry ordered the department to urgently investigate the case and hold a council to assess its entire surgery process.

According to the report, the 34-year-old woman from Lao Bao Town was hospitalised at the Quang Tri General Hospital last Friday morning. She was assigned to give birth by C-section in the afternoon.

She showed no unusual signs after the surgery, thus, doctors decided to move her to a recovery room at 10:30pm of the same day. However, at 6am on Saturday, she began to feel chest pain and then began to suffocate and foam at the mouth. Her heart stopped beating and she stopped breathing, according to the report.

Doctors at the hospital carried out emergency aid, but she died one hour later, the report said.

The hospitals management board is working with relevant investigation agencies to examine the case.

It has suspended the doctors involved in the delivery.

Dental clinic suspended for violations

HA NOI  The Ha Noi Health Department has decided to suspend operation of a health clinic in Nam Tu Liem District after violations.

After examining the Biotis clinic last Friday, department inspectors found that the clinic was providing certain health services without the licence to do so.

The clinic was also found to lack sufficient technical professional processes anti-stroke and emergency regimens, according to the department.

The clinic was licensed in 2014 to provide medical examination and treatment for only patients from the Republic of Korea, but it was discovered to provide health services for Vietnamese people.

HCM City doctors save Singaporean tourist

HA NOI  Doctors in HCM City have saved a Singaporean tourist who suffered from coronary thrombosis while visiting Viet Nam with friends, Deputy Director of the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacys Hospital Truong Quang Binh said.

B.H.B, 59, from Singapore, was moved to the universitys hospital for further treatment after being given emergency aid at the city-based An Binh hospital on Thursday.

His health has recovered, according to Binh. - VNS




HA NOI  The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam on Tuesday night decided to inspect operations at the air traffic control station in Hai Phong Citys Cat Bi International Airport.

The move came after the crew on two flights could not get in touch with the station for more than half an hour on March 9 as the main-duty air controller working on the night shift was sleeping and the sub-duty controller was absent.

Speaking to Zing online newspaper, Pham Van Hao, deputy head of Civil Aviation Authority, said the incident was a threat to air traffic safety.

As per the statement issued by the agency on Tuesday night, the crew on two flights of Vietjet Air - VJC921 departing for South Korea, and VJC292 arriving from HCM City - reportedly failed to contact Cat Bi air traffic control from 10.51pm to 11.24pm and 11.38pm on March 9.

The head of the station and the two air traffic controllers working on the night shift have been suspended for delaying the two flights.

The Northern Airport Authority has also temporary revoked air-traffic-control licences of the two controllers for two months and slapped administrative fines on them, each received a fine of VN7.5 million (US$330).

The inspection aims to prevent a repeat of the incident, the agency said.

In another move, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has asked the Peoples Committee of HCM City for clarification on recent news reports by Viet Nam Television that drivers hired to transport fuel to airplanes in Tan Son Nhat International Airport were allegedly stealing thousands of litres of fuel and selling it in the market daily.

Binh has asked for a detailed report of the case, the violators and the penalties before April 1.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Information and Communication (MoIC) Truong Minh Tuan has asked the US ambassador to Viet Nam, Ted Osius, to encourage internet giants Google and Facebook to open offices in Viet Nam to easily work through issues regarding compliance with Vietnamese law.

The request was amongst the highlights of Tuesdays meeting between MoIC and the US Embassy, held in the capital city. The discussion aimed to promote co-operation, information and communication, and to address lingering issues of mutual concerns.

The meeting came after the Vietnamese Government accused YouTube of promoting and linking to videos that contain anti-government information in mainstream videos. The government therefore called for all companies operating in the country to halt and review their advertisement configurations on YouTube, Facebook and other social media websites.

The US ambassador maintains that its not easy to balance between ensuring internet freedom and enforcing legal compliance in many countries, including the US. He said that a number of nations, such as China and Pakistan, have issued stringent internet regulations that run counter to US-based enterprises values, forcing those companies to do business elsewhere.

However, he shared the view that multinationals like Google and Facebook should be encouraged to boost their investment in Viet Nam.

On the Viet Nam side, Minister Tuan argued that Viet Nam has a different approach regarding internet regulations compared to its neighbour, China. Currently, nearly 80 per cent of the population get access to internet, Viet Nam is committed to beefing up its internet infrastructure, allowing for easier and faster access to online resources, Tuan said.

He said the Governments view is that promoting internet access is essential to ensuring the publics rights to information. However, it is also important to consider the public need to be protected against malicious content that adversely affect morale, traditions, social and public order.

Tuan praised Facebook, which currently enjoys 52 million Vietnamese accounts, as a useful channel for online interactions. However, he also said transboundary social media services make it easier for fake news and other malicious content to spread. Therefore, the MoICs regulation requires foreign service providers operating in Viet Nam to remove violating content as per existing laws.

We dont seek to curb operations of Google or any other foreign service providers into Viet Nam, only the violations, Tuan said, responding to US ambassadors concerns over new regulations, like Resolution 72 or Circular 38, that may restrict freedom of information.

The MoIC claimed that it has identified some 8,000 toxic clips on YouTube and has filed requests to YouTube to block and remove these clips. However, only 40 clips have been handled, it said.

The US ambassador also requested the Vietnamese Government to punish movie-sharing websites  namely, Putlocker, 123movies, and Kisscartoon  that have committed egregious violations of US products intellectual property rights.

Also at the meeting, the US ambassador said the US pledged its commitment to collaborate with Viet Nam to build smart cities in the country, starting with recent and future meetings with officials of Ha Noi, a Nang, HCM City, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong.

The two sides also expect to organise more conferences and workshops to share best practices for online businesses and services in the digital era.  VNS
HCM CITY  A new partnership to benefit 45,000 Vietnamese factory workers has been launched between Marie Stopes International, the Pou Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd and the Australian Government.

The partnership under the Australian Governments Business Partnerships Platform combines social and business objectives to support a healthier, more productive female workforce in Viet Nam.

The initiative will be delivered at Pou Yuens on-site clinic at the Pou Yuen factory in HCM City.

With 95,000 workers, the majority of whom are women of reproductive age, there is a significant opportunity to better address the specific health needs of these workers, a press release on Wednesday said.

Marie Stopes International and Pou Yuen have been working in partnership since 2009 to provide sexual and reproductive health services to Pou Yuens female factory workers in three of the companys factories in Viet Nam.

The availability of sexual and reproductive health services at the Pou Yuen factory clinic, particularly long-term methods of family planning, is limited, contributing to high rates of unplanned pregnancy among workers.

In 2015, nearly half of the female workers resigned after giving birth, affecting their economic independence and ability to financially provide for their families.

Along with the Australian Government, the partners seek to improve the quality and generate demand for the services.

The project is underpinned by an understanding that addressing womens health can contribute to achieving long-term development objectives benefiting women, their families and their communities.

Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Craig Chittick said: When women have access to family planning, their own health and their familys health is improved, offering opportunities for better education, increased employment and greater family savings.

If successful, the demonstration project would be replicated in other factories and industrial settings both in Viet Nam and in the region, he added.

The Australian Government has committed AUD$500,000 (US$382,372) to the project, which will be delivered by the Australian Government aid programmes private sector-linked Business Partnerships Platform.

Australias contribution will be matched by AUD$500,000 from Pou Yuen to directly support improved services provision at the clinic.  VNS
BA RIA  VUNG TAU  At least seven workers were injured after scaffolding at a construction site suddenly collapsed on Wednesday morning on southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces February-03 Street.

The accident occurred when the workers were concreting the top of the gate of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Vocational Training School. The injured were immediately taken to Le Loi Hospital for treatment.

Doctors from the hospital said the most seriously injured worker suffered a spinal cord injury.

Local police are identifying the cause of the incident. Officials from the local authority have rushed to the hospital to visit the victims.  VNS
By Khanh Linh

From the happiest to among the unhappiest?

It is a sobering thought that Vietnam has been ranked 94th of 155 countries in the UNs World Happiness Report 2017.

The ranking is somewhat shocking, considering that it was not too long ago that we were consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world with an optimistic population looking forward to a brighter future.

How did we slip so fast? Have we really slipped so far?

Many people seemed to be surprised by the finding in the latest UN report, which was released on the occasion of the International Happiness Day, observed on March 20.

Visitors and other observers still see Viet Nam as a happy and optimistic country. With significant achievements in poverty reduction, impressive average life expectancy, rapid economic growth, and peaceful living conditions with no conflict, no terrorists, Viet Nam has often been listed among the best places to live in the world.

We were ranked among top five happiest places in the world over the past five years by a UK-based New Economics Foundation.

Whence this discrepancy, then?

Before I delve further into this question, it is worth noting that Viet Nam has taken first step in gauging the happiness index of its own people. Although this study is in a nascent state, some criteria have been set to measure happiness, with family and social relationships being a key element in evaluating if a person is happy or not.

Le Ngoc Van, whos heading the research effort, said happiness is not just a personal feeling. It depends a lot on people surrounding a person, especially loved ones.

I have my doubts. Happiness is a human pursuit for sure, but it is also a very subjective, personal thing, I would have thought.

Lets take an example. Going by the criterial set out in the research project, my mother must be a very happy woman. Shes got everything: a big house, good appearance, a successful husband and two children  a daughter and a son. Shed spent most of her life taking care of the family, and is now enjoying her old age with short-day tours, planting decorative trees, doing yoga and engaging in some social activities. Everybody in my family, including me, assumes shes happy.

Is she, I now wonder. My mothers told me many times that she missed the days of working with her film crew, missed the feeling of working. Being a full-time mum was her choice, but if shed been able to arrange time for both family and career, she would have been much happier.

Then take my cousin, 30 years old, with a high-paid job with a design company. Shes busy working, travelling to all corners of the country, and planning to buy a pickup truck for her future trips. She seems to be content with her life, but her parents are not. They keep urging her to go out on dates, to invite a boyfriend home, get married and settle down.

Honestly, I wish I could be in her shoes sometimes. Born and raised in Viet Nam, I seem to have things covered: a home I love, a career I like, and some peace of mind. Deep inside, however, the question lurks: Am I really happy?

Happiness means different things to different people, obviously. For those suffering poverty and hunger, a full meal, adequate clothing and a stable roof above their heads could be a dream come true. Those who are economically better off, are well-read and enjoy a comfortable living standard, might crave doing something meaningful with their lives.

When, happiness is difficult to measure at an individual level, how can we do this at a national and international level?

So we get back to the International Happiness Day and the latest UN report.

The unanimously adopted UN resolution that launched this day notes: Conscious that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal,[] Recognizing also the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication and the well-being of all peoples...

So there are certainly valid criteria to measure national happiness, a concept presciently introduced by the tiny kingdom of Bhutan more than 30 years ago. Bhutan has backed its rhetoric with action, prioritising GNH (Gross National Happiness) over GDP.

A Guardian newspaper report four years ago noted that the world was taking serious note of what Bhutan was doing. It quoted Thakur Singh Powdyel, as saying: Its easy to mine the land and fish the seas and get rich. Yet we believe you cannot have a prosperous nation in the long run that does not conserve its natural environment or take care of the wellbeing of its people, which is being borne out by what is happening to the outside world."

There are echoes of this approach in recent statements by Vietnamese leaders to the effect that the country will not sacrifice its environment for growth. But is there a real focus on the well-being of the people, instead of unquestioning acceptance that a rising tide lifts all boats?

As citizens, as social beings who identify themselves with a certain nation, culture or community, we want both individual and collective happiness. So, the question we should ask is: Can we be individually happy when our collective is not?

Alfred D. Souza, an Australian writer and philosopher, has said that happiness is a journey, not a destination. Can this perspective be extrapolated from an individual to a national level?

This is not an abstract, philosophical question. Well, it is, but it is one that has a very serious bearing on the path we take, as individuals and as a nation.

The Guardian piece notes that Powdyel believes the world has misinterpreted Bhutans quest.

He should have the last word here.

"People always ask how can you possibly have a nation of happy people? But this is missing the point. GNH is an aspiration, a set of guiding principles through which we are navigating our path towards a sustainable and equitable society. We believe the world needs to do the same before it is too late."  VNS
UNITED NATIONS  France warned on Tuesday that drastic cuts to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo would be tantamount to "playing with fire" as the country faces election turmoil.

"The DRC is at a crossroads," said Frances ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, ahead of a Security Council meeting on the situation in the vast, resource-rich African country.

France has circulated a draft resolution to renew the mandate of the peacekeeping mission, but is facing scrutiny from the United States which is seeking cuts to UN peace operations.

The DR Congos first political transition through elections is scheduled to take place before the end of the year but there are fears of widespread violence.

"We should not be playing with fire when it comes to such high stakes," said Delattre.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the council to boost the UN mission, known by its acronym MONUSCO, by up to 320 UN police and to maintain the current number of military troops.

The United Nations has 19,000 soldiers, police and military observers deployed in the DR Congo, its biggest and costliest peacekeeping mission, with an annual budget of US$1.2 billion.

Delattre said negotiations were under way on MONUSCOs future mandate and its troop levels.

"Reform to make it more efficient, yes. Reform to break it down, certainly not," he said.

The council is scheduled to vote on renewing MONUSCOs mandate during a meeting on March 29.

More negotiations

The United States, by far the biggest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, is seeking cuts to reduce its share of support for the missions.

This year, the United States will be providing nearly 29 per cent of the US$7.9 billion budget for UN peacekeeping.

Following the meeting, British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, who holds the council presidency this month, said there were divergent views on the whether to trim down the mission.

"There was some support for a reduction in numbers, but also some concern that this year, in particular with elections coming up by the end of the year, is not the moment to reduce in any way the ability of MONUSCO to provide protection of civilians," he said.

Russian charge daffaires Petr Iliichev agreed there should be fewer UN peacekeepers in the DR Congo but that those who are deployed should be "more agile, more flexible, more mobile" and that the police contingent should be boosted.

Negotiations were expected to continue until the vote next week.

In his report to the council, Guterres said 2017 will be a "crucial year" for the DR Congo as it heads toward elections.

After months of violence, the influential Catholic Church brokered a deal in late December to pave the way for elections, but the agreement has been bogged down in disputes over the appointment of a new prime minister.

Elections would bring an end to the rule of President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001.  AFP
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
BERLIN  Germany is expected today to approve quashing the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was set to be passed by Chancellor Angela Merkels cabinet before going to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

"We can never completely erase the travesty of justice, but we want to rehabilitate the victims," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.

The measure follows Britains so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named for World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure drew criticism from campaigners for only automatically pardoning dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

Contrary to nature

Germanys Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals". Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although it dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the law to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

But that move didnt include those convicted after the war when article 175 was still in force.

The article was finally dropped from the penal code in East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice.

"I dont want to die with a criminal record," he told said in an interview at his Berlin apartment.

"Ive had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die."

Guardians of virtue

Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war.

"The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way," he wrote. "But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller."

Gay rights groups and the opposition Greens party have long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled.

But until now, their demand had been refused on grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal.  AFP
DES MOINES  Majority GOP senators advanced a bill Wednesday prohibiting local governments from setting minimum wages higher than the states $7.25 hourly rate but did not rule out addressing the statewide pay threshold separately yet this session.

Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said subcommittee testimony made clear Iowans see a need to raise the minimum wage, but he noted it would be dealt with separately from House-passed legislation asserting the states sole authority in setting business and employment standards for Iowa.

I do suggest that at some point we do look at another bill that would increase our minimum wage in this state, Feenstra told members of the Senate State Government Committee, who voted 9-6 to approve House File 295. However, were not there at this time.

The House bill would immediately bar cities and counties from usurping state authority in business and employment matters and the sale or marketing of consumer merchandise, something Feenstra said is needed to ensure uniformity and prevent a patchwork quilt of regulations.

Minority Democrats who opposed the bill and independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan questioned whether legislation dealing with a minimum-wage increase would actually surface this year. Lawmakers per-diem expense money ends April 18  usually a harbinger of adjournment.

That there is going to be a minimum-wage increase is laughable on its face. It really is. Not with this Legislature and people who are here and the people who will come back next year, Johnson said. If were going to talk local control here, lets get it right. We really should. This is an identity crisis.

Sen. Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa, said costs of living vary among Iowa communities and they should be able to adjust to their local needs. Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, questioned the propriety of a ridiculous bill loaded up with a crazy combination of issues that ranged from plastics to paychecks.

Petersen also worried the legislation would roll back pay increases for workers in Johnson, Linn, Polk and Wapello counties where supervisors have voted to raise the minimum levels following years of legislative inaction. The wage issue was last addressed by the 2007 session.

Were moving at a snails pace here. Its impacting peoples daily lives, Petersen said.

I would imagine that if this bill passes, the employers in the counties where they have raised the minimum wage will not do a darn thing for the people who work for them, she said. This will be a huge hit, to women in particular working minimum wage jobs.

However, committee Chairman Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, said there was nothing in the bill that would prevent employers from paying more than the $7.25 an hour. He also noted many low-pay employees actually make more than $10 an hour with the help of federal and state earned income tax credits.

Theres nothing in this bill that lowers the minimum wage for anybody. Employers can still choose to pay the higher minimum wage if they like, Smith said.

Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, said he suspected majority Republicans were pressing ahead with the pre-emption bill to beat Polk Countys April 1 implementation date in boosting the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour. That and other county wage rates higher than the states $7.25 hourly minimum would be nullified once the bill clears the Legislature and is signed by the governor.

These communities that waited and waited and waited nine, 10 years and havent seen any increase have finally taken some action, he said. These cities and counties, theyre desperate because they see the poverty and they see the need.
WATERLOO  Local veterans are helping fellow vets come home.

Sometimes a former servicemember recuperating from an injury in a care facility cant return home without a ramp or other accommodations. Volunteers coordinating with the Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs Commission are stepping up to help. Surviving spouses of veterans also may be assisted.

Its veterans helping veterans. Thats what its all about, said Kevin Dill, executive director.

They may not be eligible for aid, or aid may slow in coming. A ramp can let a veteran return home and save on nursing home expenses.

Donations for the project have been received from Ryder Integrated Logistics and an annual charity barn dance at Electric Park Ballroom, among others. That money pays for the materials. The volunteer labor is lined up by local Vietnam veterans Larry Walters, a former county Veteran Affairs commissioner, and Rick Reuter, a contractor and former Evansdale building inspector. Both have spearheaded similar efforts in the past for individual veterans.

We partner with Kevin and use social media, Facebook to get support, Reuter said. What youre doing is helping veterans and veterans spouses that cant support themselves.

The group may install a ramp at one residence. At another, they replace crumbling steps for a widow who lost her husband in Vietnam. Some ramps are portable and can be moved to another home after a veteran completes rehabilitation.

Walters is encouraged by the response received.

Actually, to me, this is just a whole different feeling about this stuff, even more than what we did just a few years ago, Walters said. Theres a really positive image of the veterans now. Im pretty happy now. Things are looking good.

He credited Dills efforts, as well as Tim Combs of Americans for Independent Living. That organization independently reconditions old homes to house needy veterans using donations and a grant received from President Donald Trumps private foundation before the election.

Dill said the Veteran Affairs office has raised roughly $5,000 for accessibility work on veterans homes. More need is out there, and he expects more donations will be received.

Interested individuals may contact the county Veteran Affairs office at 291-2512 regarding donations or to suggest or request help with projects.
Legion to host

fish fry Friday

GILBERTVILLE  The Gilbertville American Legion will serve a fish fry from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Cost is $8 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 6 to 9 and free for children ages 5 and younger.

There also will be a fish fry April 7.

Legion will host

breakfast buffet

PARKERSBURG  American Legion Post 285 will sponsor a breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the Veterans Memorial Building.

Pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, biscuits and gravy, omelets, fruit, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee are on the menu.

Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 11 and younger.

Seuss, sounds

museum topics

WATERLOO  The Grout Museum of History and Science, 503 South St., and the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, 322 Washington St., will have a Museum Madness day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

At the Grout Museum, people can celebrate the life and times of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and explore some of his classics of childrens literature as well as his days working for the United States Army animation department during World War II.

At the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, learn about the science of sounds with vibration, frequency and the Doppler effect.

These events are included with regular admission. For more information, call 234-6357 or go to www.GroutMuseumDistrict.org.

JDRF fundraising

event scheduled

WATERLOO  The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will have a Helping Hands fundraising night from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill.

JDRF committee members will be there helping bus tables and refilling beverages. Ten percent of the event proceeds will go to JDRF.

WI retirees

set to meet

CEDAR FALLS  The monthly dinner of Waterloo Industries retirees and former employees will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Family Restaurant in North Cedar Falls.

The dinner is always the fourth Monday of the month. All are welcome to attend; call Jerry at 984-6456.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo police officer has been placed on administrative leave after she was arrested in an alleged off-duty drunken driving crash.

Diana Del Valle, 32, was arrested for first-offense operating while intoxicated following a collision on West Third Street. She was also ticketed for failure to maintain control.

Although the crash happened inside Waterloo, the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office was called to investigate, which is standard procedure for incidents involving law enforcement officers. Also, prosecution of the case has been assigned to the Dubuque County Attorneys Office to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest with local prosecutors.

The crash happened at about 11:10 p.m. March 16 on West Third Street when Del Valle was off duty in her private vehicle. Her 2012 BMW was traveling west on West Third and struck a parked Dodge Ram pickup on the north side of the street and then darted to the south, traveling across a lawn and hitting steps to a home at 1721 W. Third St., according to the accident report.

Authorities who responded noticed bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, according to court records. Field sobriety tests indicated intoxication, and a breath test showed a .154 blood-alcohol level, court records state. Paramedics checked her for possible facial injuries, according to the accident report.
WATERLOO  One person has been arrested for allegedly killing a former Waterloo man in Texas last week.

Travis County sheriffs deputies in Austin, Texas, arrested Deandre Eric Conner, 20, for murder in the shooting death of Trevon Fox, 26, recently of Austin.

Fox died March 16, and the sheriffs office released his identity Tuesday.

Details of the crime werent immediately available because of the ongoing nature of the investigation.

According to deputies, witnesses called 911 to report gunfire in the 14100 block of Thermal Drive, Austin, around 5:25 p.m. March 16, and authorities found Fox near a vehicle at the Churchill Crossings apartment complex.

Investigators believe he was shot in the vehicle in the parking lot.

When deputies arrived, CPR was in progress. Attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful and he died at the scene, according to the sheriffs office.

The gunman fled the scene on foot, deputies said.

Conner turned himself in at the sheriffs office at 3 p.m. Friday. He is currently in the Travis County Jail.

This one has quite a bit of work to go. There is still a lot of evidence that needs to be processed, theres still a lot of things that need to be gone through, but this one does appear to be drug related, said Capt. Craig Smith of the Travis County Sheriffs Office during a press conference.

Services for Fox are pending with Sanders Funeral Service in Waterloo.
DES MOINES  State lawmakers are working on a bill to ban video or audio monitoring devices in public bathrooms, locker rooms or showers in locations such as libraries, schools or government offices.

The bill, which won unanimous support in a Senate Government Oversight subcommittee Tuesday, comes after the Iowa City Public Library installed video cameras in public restrooms as a theft deterrent.

That action was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. Lawmakers agreed monitoring devices raise a privacy concern and should not be allowed in government buildings.

I think that people are entitled to assume a certain degree of privacy, and its assumed that you have a certain degree of privacy inside a restroom or public facility, said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines. I think this is a good decision based upon what we know has occurred over in Iowa City, and I think that we should protect the public.

Iowa City Public Library Director Susan Craig said the bathroom cameras, which do not record inside stalls, are a safety feature. She said cameras have helped police make arrests in cases of theft and assault.

Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, said another concern is footage could be subject to open records laws.

Because these recordings are being made by a government entity, they are subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), and so youre talking about naked babies being subject to FOIA requests, and thats just not OK, Sinclair said.

Sen. Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, the bills manager in subcommittee, said the bill requires all government entities using monitoring devices to remove them by July 1.

If youre in a public restroom, you should have an expectation that youre not being videotaped. Any government, whether its a municipality or a public library or a subdivision, should not have the authority or the power to film someone while theyre changing their baby or anything like that in a public restroom, said Pete McRoberts, an ACLU lobbyist.

There are other ways to address theft worries, he said

The bill now goes to the full Government Oversight Committee for consideration.
WATERLOO  Black Hawk County Democrats have elected a new chairperson for the first time in a decade.

Waterloos Vikki Brown was elected Sunday to succeed county chairwoman Pat Sass, who opted against another term after serving since 2007.

This is the beginning of the clock for the two years that its going to take us to get to the congressional midterms, Brown said after her election. Black Hawk County Democrats have got to play a big role in that.

Brown most recently served as the Iowa Democratic Party African-American outreach coordinator in eastern Iowa for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons 2016 bid.

Brown said one of her goals as the new county chairwoman is to unify the party, and she hopes to get local Democrats to stop defining themselves by who they supported in the Democratic presidential caucus.

Weve got to empower our county party, and weve got to listen to our own people. Weve got to mobilize more people, because people arent engaged anymore, Brown said.

She said the county party has to play a more active role in recruiting and training local candidates.

Brown said she also wants to engage younger voters, as well as people newly active since the 2016 election.

We cant leave them out. They need to be included, Brown said. Weve got to do a better job of getting out and talking directly to people. People arent going to come to you. Weve got to go to them.

Browns activism and organizing dates back to 1963, when at the age of 11 she joined classmates in civil rights marches in the South. She has continued ever since.

She has volunteered on local, county and state campaigns dating back to 1973. She had a speaking role at the Womens March in Des Moines in January.

Sass was first elected chairwoman in February 2007 after retiring as Black Hawk County recorder. She said the time is right for a change.

Ive been in there for a long time, and it was time for me to (step down), Sass said. Health issues also played a role in her decision.

She said she has confidence in the new team heading up the county party.

Theyre ready to step forward, and I think theyll do just fine, Sass said.

Sass and other outgoing committee members were feted Sunday after the vote.

The team joining Brown includes vice chairman Nathan Gruber, secretary Jerry Hageman and treasurer Brad Condon.
DES MOINES  Abby Finkenauer woke up Nov. 9 disappointed Donald Trump was going to be president, Republicans would control the Statehouse and Rod Blum still was her congressman.

Now the Democratic state representative is considering challenging Blum, a Republican, who was elected to a second term in November. Both are from Dubuque.

I knew what the election was going to mean for Iowa workers, hardworking Iowans I know, knowing they deserve to be represented by people who understand their lives, not just someone who gets on Twitter and tweets about it, Finkenauer said recently at the Statehouse.

Shes been traveling the 20-county Northeast Iowa 1st District that includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Marshalltown, as well as Dubuque, to visit with Democrats. While Democrats were routed in the election, Finkenauer said, they are anything but dispirited.

They are paying attention and they are mad. Theyre going to want somebody to represent them who gets what their life is like, she said.

Finkenauer sees a disconnect between friends and neighbors looking at how they are going to afford their mortgage payments if they are lucky enough to have one  and Blum.

Look, hes a millionaire. His friends are the ones worried about making those Mercedes or Bentley payments, she said. I believe because of who he is, because of the fact that he doesnt understand what its like to be a working Iowan anymore, thats the reason he doesnt represent this district. I know this district.

A Dubuque native, Blum is the former CEO of Eagle Point Software and has owned Digital Canal, a software company, since 2000. Finkenauer, also a Dubuque native, won the 99th District Statehouse seat in 2014. She was a congressional page and served as former Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphys page, was state coordinator for Joe Bidens 2008 presidential campaign and served as an Iowa House legislative assistant before running for office.

Although Democrats are 33 percent of the active registered voters in the 1st District and Republicans are 29 percent, Blum defeated Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids 54 percent to 46 percent last year after defeating Murphy in an open-seat race in 2014. No-party voters make up 38 percent of the active registered voters.

In 2016, the 1st District flipped from solidly backing Barack Obama twice to voting for Donald Trump.

Now, Finkenauer said, theres buyers remorse.

Ill tell you what, Ive been around the district the last couple of months or so talking to a lot of those hardworking Iowans and many ... have told me they voted for ... President Donald Trump and Rod Blum and were completely disappointed and would never do it again, Finkenauer said. This is not what a lot of people voted for. They thought they were voting for people who were going to stand up for them. But they are seeing every day more attacks on their rights as workers, more attacks on working people and the middle class.

Theyre not happy.

Political handicappers including Inside Elections and the Crystal Ball rate Iowas 1st District likely Republican, which is a change from previous elections.

Regardless of any Crystal Ball, regardless of the fact that hes a millionaire, I believe in the people of Iowa and they deserve better whether thats me or somebody else, she said. It sure isnt Rod Blum.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Senate voted to legalize consumer fireworks Tuesday night on a 34-14 vote.

The bill must still pass the House and be signed by the governor to become law.

The measure allows licensed retailers or groups to sell fireworks to adults from permanent structures between June 1 and July 8 and between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. Temporary structures, such as tents, could be licensed from June 13 through July 8 each year.

The measure sets a fee structure for licenses; allows counties or cities to opt out of the use but not the sale; and bars sales to minors.

Iowa law currently classifies the possession, sale or use of consumer fireworks without a permit  other than sparklers, caps and snakes  as a simple misdemeanor.

We have been discussing this bill for years, said Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, floor manager for S.F.489. The bill will allow Iowans to celebrate the Fourth of July in the same manner that Americans all across our nation are permitted to celebrate. Its time we joined the other 42 states and the District of Columbia in allowing Iowans to join in the celebration.

Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan said Iowa is going to end 80 years without legal fireworks by authorizing tacky operations with their flashing lights and all kinds of other gizmos trying to draw you in to blow your hand off.

The bill is opposed by firefighters, medical organizations, veterans groups and safety advocates. Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, offered an amendment to establish restrictions on shooting off fireworks near schools, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and churches that was turned down.

Backers also turned down changes to prohibit igniting fireworks while intoxicated; beef up training and education; prohibit sales within 500 feet of gas stations; and require fireworks sold in Iowa be American made.

In all, nearly 40 amendments were defeated or withdrawn in what Bisignano called a sick, silly game to reject efforts to improve safety.

We are trying to make a bad bill safer, said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids in opposing the measure.

The bill before us will modernize our state law to not only permit the display of fireworks, but puts the framework in place to properly educate and regulate fireworks in the state of Iowa, said Chapman.

The bill would take effect upon enactment if it clears the House and is signed by the governor.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said he believes the Senate bill  with the opt-out local provision and limited dates  is similar enough to what previously passed the House it should be approved with bipartisan support.
GRUNDY CENTER  An outdoor cooking contest designed to promote Iowa meat is being planned by the Grundy County Farm Bureau and the Grundy County Fair.

The cookout contest is open to any Iowa resident age 13 years or older. Farm Bureau or affiliated company employees are not eligible. The fair is July 18-23.

Contestants can compete in one of the following six categories: beef, pork, lamb, poultry, turkey or combo/specialty. Combo is a recipe combining two or more meats from the eligible meat categories. Specialty includes Iowa domestically raised meats including venison, goat and fish, etc., excluding wild game.

Awards will be given to winners in each category as well as an overall champion. Special recognition will go to winners of the showmanship, youth and team cooking categories.

The contest will be July 22 at the Grundy County Fairgrounds. Exhibitors can begin cooking at any time, but all cooking must be done at the fairgrounds. Judging will be held at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced with the help of BJ Hoffman, the National Pork Checkoffs top chop griller.

To enter contact the county office at 824-5212 by July 7. Detailed information including entry forms and scorecards can be found on the Grundy County Fairs website: www.GrundyCountyFair.com/cookout_contest.
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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 ...

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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 ...

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European approval for Salamanca offtake agreement

21 March 2017

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The Euratom Supply Agency, the nuclear watchdog of the European Union, has approved Berkeley Energia's offtake agreement for the sale of the first production from its Salamanca uranium mine under development in Spain. The mine is expected to enter production in late 2018.

While it is normal for vendors to supply a new reactor's first load of fuel as well as some subsequent reloads, rules in the European Union require all power plants to have more than one fuel supplier in the long term. The Euratom Supply Agency ensures this common policy on fuel supply in the nuclear sector, overseen by the European Commission, which must countersign any significant nuclear fuel contract for it to comply with EU law.

Last November, UK-based Berkeley signed a binding off-take agreement with privately-funded commodity trading company Curzon Resources, formerly Interalloys Trading Limited, for the sale of first output from Salamanca. The agreement is for 2 million pounds U3O8 over a five-year period at an average fixed price of $43.78 per pound of contracted and optional volumes. There is potential to increase annual volumes and extend the contract to 3 million pounds.

According to Berkeley, the agreed fixed price "compares favourably to the current spot price of $25 per pound and establishes a strong cash margin above the steady state production costs of around $15 per pound".

The Euratom Supply Agency has now concluded that the offtake agreement is in accordance with Article 52 of the Euratom Treaty and has countersigned the agreement.

Euratom said, "We particularly welcome the emergence and development of a new EU-based uranium mining project and believe that it will contribute to the security of supply of natural uranium for the Community users."

Berkeley managing director Paul Atherley said, "At full production, Salamanca will be Europe's largest uranium producer accounting for 10% of the total requirement and will be important to the EU's security of supply, which currently relies on Russia, Kazakhstan and Niger for almost 60% of its uranium."

Berkeley said it is in discussions with "other potential off-takers in relation to contracts with terms similar to those outlined in the Interalloys agreement with pricing at or around long-term benchmark levels for term contracts."

Construction of the Salamanca mine began earlier this year. Shipments from the mine, which is expected to produce 4.4 million pounds U3O8 (1692 tU) per year, are expected to begin in late 2018. This, Berkeley says, "coincides with a large number of European and US utilities looking to re-contract at the same time as the Chinese new reactor demand comes on line".

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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Bechtel, GEH team up on European decommissioning

22 March 2017

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USA-based firms Bechtel and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) have today announced the formation of an alliance to offer decommissioning and dismantling services for nuclear power plants in Germany and Sweden.

The alliance will provide a full range of decommissioning services including pre-shutdown planning, licensing, project development and management, dismantling, demolition, waste management and site closeout.

Wilmington, North Carolina-based GEH says it offers comprehensive decommissioning project expertise, including experience gained from reactor internals replacement projects in Japan and segmentation scope for extended power uprate reactor internals replacement projects in the USA.

Virginia, USA-headquartered engineering, project management and construction company Bechtel has more than 30 years of experience in clean-up, decommissioning, remediation and closure at more than 500 contaminated sites across the world, including US Department of Energy sites in five states and at the UK's Sellafield site.

GEH executive vice president of nuclear services Lance Hall said: "The alliance of GEH and Bechtel provides customers a complete offering of decommissioning services that draws upon the comprehensive experience, resources and project management expertise of both companies." He added, "As plants in Germany and Sweden shut down, this alliance will support customers through the end of the nuclear power plant lifecycle."

James Taylor, general manager of Bechtel's environmental business, said, "Bechtel has performed work from design to dismantlement for more than 150 nuclear plants over the last 60 years. This experience will be critical to delivering quality as Germany and Sweden move forward."

In January, GEH was awarded a three-year contract by Sweden's OKG AB to dismantle the reactor internals of units 1 and 2 at the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant. Under the contract, GEH will segment the reactor pressure vessel internals of both units. The work includes dismantling, cutting and packing the reactor internals for final disposal. The segmentation project is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2020.

Various decommissioning partnerships have been announced since Germany and Sweden introduced legislation for the early shutdown of their nuclear power reactors.

In 2015, EOn and Vattenfall signed an agreement to cooperate in the decommissioning and dismantling of their jointly owned nuclear power plants in Germany. The same year, Westinghouse and German construction company Hochtief AG teamed up to offer decommissioning, decontamination and remediation services for Germany's nuclear power plants.

In 2012, Sweden's Studsvik and Westinghouse launched a consortium known as NDCon to offer decommissioning services, initially focused on Germany and Sweden.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Staying out of debt is easier said than done, I know. However, its something you can do, and its something you should be practicing everyday. As Christians, we are in this world, but we are
The firm is committed to obtaining the maximum result for their clients in every case.

ATLANTA, GA, March 22, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Three trial lawyers from the north Georgia-based personal injury law firm, Hasty Pope LLP, have been selected as Super Lawyers. Jonathan Pope has been named to Super Lawyers magazine's list of the Top 100 lawyers in Georgia. Tom Pope III has been selected as a Super Lawyer for the fourth time. Jon and Tom are brothers and partners at Hasty Pope LLP. Associate Dustin Davies has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for the fourth time. The trio were nominated by their peers from among more than 45,000 Georgia lawyers.



Hasty Pope LLP specializes in personal injury, including automobile and tractor trailer collisions, wrongful death, products liability, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation. The firm is committed to obtaining the maximum result for their clients in every case.



Jonathan Pope, a graduate of the Georgia State University College of Law, is on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and has previously been honored as "Legal Elite" by Georgia Trend and as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers. After graduating from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law, Tom Pope III worked for several Atlanta insurance defense firms before changing his focus to his true passion - representing individuals who have been injured and families who have lost a loved one due to the carelessness of others. Dustin Davies is also a graduate of Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. In addition to being selected a Rising Star, in 2015, Dustin was named to the Fulton County Daily Report's "On the Rise 40 Under 40."



Hasty Pope LLP has three convenient locations to serve clients throughout Georgia. Offices are located in Canton, Gainesville, and Atlanta. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a personal injury attorney, call (770)479-0366 or visit www.hastypope.com.



About Hasty Pope LLP



Hasty Pope LLP is a Georgia law firm specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. With offices in Canton, Gainesville, and Atlanta, Hasty Pope's attorneys handle cases involving auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, construction accidents, workers' compensation, traumatic brain injury, medical malpractice, and products liability.



To learn more visit: http://www.hastypope.com



For all media inquiries, please contact:



Allison Reinert

Cardinal Web Solutions

http://www.CardinalWebSolutions.com



# # #
Metal Tech Controls Corp is extremely proud of the fact that the Laser Sentry device is designed and manufactured in the United States.

PUNTA, GORDA, FL, March 22, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With continued emphasis on buying American and bringing manufacturing back to American shores, many companies are searching for ways to make American-made products more affordable. For some, reshoring, or bringing manufacturing back to the United States, is a costly prospect. But for others, being made in America is simply a way of life. Metal Tech Controls Corp., in Punta Gorda, Florida, designed the Laser Sentry press brake safety device in 2003. The device is approaching its 15-year anniversary and is proudly made in America.



It was not always smooth sailing for this American success story. A competitor challenged the concept almost immediately with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA responded by sending a letter of disapproval to Metal Tech, stating that the Laser Sentry did not meet the "safe distance" rule. The rule states that a presence sensing protective device for a press brake must be a minimum of 6 inches away from the nearest pinch point.



Metal Tech Controls Corp. quickly contested the letter. Owner Glen Koedding claimed their Laser Sentry device prevented the press brake ram from closing if a presence was detected; therefore, there is never a pinch point. OSHA representatives performed rigorous on-site testing, on an actual press brake, and determined that laser presence sensing devices were acceptable safety devices for hydraulic press brakes.



Metal Tech Controls Corp is extremely proud of the fact that the Laser Sentry device is designed and manufactured in the United States. All components of the Laser Sentry device, except some board level parts, are manufactured in the USA. Additionally, all of its components are at least UL and CSA listed; some carry a CE mark.



Buying American doesn't always mean that a product or service is more expensive. Koedding, Metal Tech's CEO, explains, "Our products are sold directly to the end user thus keeping our cost down, which is why we are priced about half of the few competitors we have." Sending production and manufacturing overseas was never an option for Koedding and the Metal Tech family. They remain committed to providing high-quality, American-made safety devices for machine operators across North America. There are currently over 400 Laser Sentry devices installed in the United States, Canada and Mexico.



Metal Tech Controls Corp., a family owned business, was founded in 1989. They manufacture, sell, and install machine safety devices for press brakes and punch presses. All of their controls are made in quaint Punta Gorda, FL.



# # #
Mar 22, 2017 | By Tess

A team of researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK is working on the development of a biomimetic forebrain that can be installed in 3D printed robot hands to increase their manipulation skills and applications. The project has received 1 million in funding from the Leverhulme Trust under the Research Leadership Award scheme.

3D printed tactile robot hand on display at the Science Museum in London

(Image: University of Bristol)

Led by Dr. Nathan Lepora from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), the research project is seeking to develop a biomimetic forebrain (the anterior part of the brain) that could help 3D printed tactile robots perform a wider range of manipulation tasks at a higher level of quality. The robotic brain will be based on computer models of a mammal neural system, capable of communicating touch in both humans and animals.

The ultimate goal of the five-year research program will be to provide a 3D printed robot hand with humanistic tactile dexterity through the implementation of the complex biomimetic forebrain. The interdisciplinary project is combining work from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy dealing with the brain.

If a robot having human-like hands sounds a bit off-putting, the advancement could be crucial to realizing many applications that humans see robots doing in the near future. As Dr. Lepora explained, People see a robotics revolution happening but many things wont be achieved if robots dont have hands that they can use to dexterously control the world around them through a sense of touch.

That is, in order for robots to effectively take on interactive jobs in the sectors of autonomous assembly lines, assisted living, food production, healthcare, etc., they will need a sense of touch, so to speak. The response of touch, a crucial part of how humans live their day-to-day lives, will be essential if robots are to take on many advanced tasks and manipulations. At the moment, no one has successfully been able to connect what the robot feels to how it acts.

Of course, thats where Dr. Lepora and his team are hoping to make some headway, though they do recognize the many challenges that are facing them. As he commented: "It's about bringing together tactile hands and algorithms based on how the brain works. Why is it so difficult? The human hand has evolved over tens of millions of years. People's intelligence has evolved in tandem with their hands to give them their unique role in the animal kingdom of being able to manipulate their surroundings so profoundly. So replicating that in a robotic device is both a challenge and an inspiration.

The Bristol Robotics Laboratorys Tactile Robotics research team has already made some significant steps towards its goal of sentient 3D printed robot hands. For instance, the group recently presented TacTip, an innovative and open-source 3D printed fingertip which is capable of feeling things. The 3D printed fingertip even won Harvard Universitys International Soft Robotics Competition. The research group also has one of their 3D printed tactile robot hands on display at the Science Museum in London, in the Robots exhibition.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Mar 22, 2017 | By Tess

Additive manufacturing promotion network Canada Makes has teamed up with Quebec-based FusiA Impression 3D Metal Inc. and communications and information company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) to 3D print a part that will be launched into space this year. Canada Makes provided much of the funding for the project through its Metal Additive Demonstration program, while MDA designed the part and FusiA took charge of 3D printing it.

3D printed spacecraft interface bracket

The 3D printed parts in question are spacecraft interface brackets that can be installed onto antennae and which are optimized for flight. The project, while significant in itself, highlights how 3D printing, as a technology, is disrupting the economics of space. Within the specific Canadian context, the project is part of an effort to promote and expand Canadas additive manufacturing supply chain.

Joanna Boshouwers, Vice President and General Manager of MDA, said of the joint project: We are accelerating our adoption of additive manufacturing for space. The FusiA built part shown will be tested structurally in order to qualify the rest of the batch to fly in space. The support MDA received by Canada Makes program has proved to be valuable, allowing us to explore more complex parts produced with this technique.

As has become clear in recent years, 3D printing technologies have allowed aerospace companies to develop and manufacture satellite parts at a lower cost and in a quicker timeframe than was previously possible. So far, weve seen influential companies such as Boeing and Lockheed use the technology to make satellite parts. Recently, Poland also announced it would be using 3D printing to manufacture its first satellites.

As mentioned, the satellite parts made through the Canada Makes, FusiA, MDA partnership were funded through the NRC-IRAP Metal AM Demonstration Program. According to Canada Makes, this is the third round that it has partnered with NRC-IRAP to push forward 3D printing applications within the Canadian manufacturing industry.

The Metal Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Program itself was set up to bolster 3D printing awareness among Canadian businesses and to showcase the benefits of metal 3D printing. As part of the program, Canada Makes provides expert support to participating companies through its network of partners.

As for the 3D printed satellite parts, they are expected to be launched into space sometime this year, though there are no details on what satellite they will be built onto.

FusiA Impression 3D Metal Inc. is a specialist in metal 3D printing and has worked with clients from the aerospace, space, and defense industries. MDA, which was responsible for designing the 3D printed satellite parts, is a multinational communications and information company that offers operational solutions to various commercial and government groups.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Nick Holdstock at Open Letters Monthly:

Given the restrictions on Krzhizhanovskys work, its unsurprising that people (or sometimes creatures) desperate to find an audience for their tall tales feature heavily in his stories. If there can be said to such a thing as a typical Krzhizhanovsky story  this is, after all, a person who wrote stories in which the Eiffel Tower tries to join the Soviet cause, a man gets lost in a tiny room, and a toad from the River Styx bemoans the lack of exclusivity in the underworld  it would be Someone Elses Theme in which a dishevelled man offers a stranger an entire philosophical system in exchange for dinner. Krzhizhanovskys pessimism about publishing under the Soviets is exemplified by his novella The Letter Killers Club, in which writers gather to tell each other stories under the strict condition that none of them can be written down. Throughout Krzhizhanovskys work there are withering assessments of the kind of literature that did satisfy the demands of the state. In The Bookmark he speaks of the long, bare literary pavement of today, while in Seams he bemoans the fact that If in the past writers looked for themes in their inkwells, close at hand, in and around themselves, now they dont look at all: Themes are assigned.

The tall tale of Baron Munchausen was a perfect fit for Krzhizhanovsky. The real-life inspiration for this purveyor of the fabulous was Baron Hieronymus von Munchhausen, a German nobleman who fought with the Russians against the Turks in the mid-18th century. After his retirement, the Baron threw lavish dinners at which he regaled his guests with exaggerated versions of his military exploits.

more here.
Woody Harrelson, 55, has given up marijuana after decades of what he calls partying too hard.

The actor is one of Hollywood's most well-known marijuana enthusiasts. Harrelson tells Vulture that he hasn't smoked pot in nearly a year.

AARP Members! Save on your favorite movies, books and music.

He cites "30 solid years" of partying for his decision to quit. He also says he felt like the drug was "keeping me from being emotionally available." Still, he has nothing bad to say about marijuana, which he calls "a great drug."

The 55-year-old says he still drinks alcohol in moderation.

Harrelson was arrested in 1996 for planting hemp seeds in Kentucky in order to challenge a state law. Hemp is a relative of marijuana but has a lower concentration of THC, the substance that makes pot smokers high.

Harrelson is currently promoting his new movie Wilson. In it, he plays the title character, a lonely middle-aged man who tracks down his ex-love, played by Laura Dern, who left him 17 years earlier. She tells him he has a teenage daughter. Harrelson is also filming the not-yet-titled Han Solo spinoff movie slated for release in 2018.
Findings from the new study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, also show that for those who are genetically at risk for developing Alzheimers disease, regular tea consumption may cut their risk by 86 percent.

Earlier research, including studies in Norway, China and the United States, has linked drinking tea with better cognitive performance and a lower risk of cognitive decline. The Singapore study looked at both green and black tea consumption, as well as teas effect on people with the APOE e4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimers.

The research team studied the tea-drinking habits of 957 healthy Chinese adults age 55 and older from 2003 to 2005 and then tested their cognitive function every two years until 2010.

What they found is that regular tea drinkers (those who drank at least a cup, and up to three or more cups, a day) had the most benefits in terms of brain health. The benefits were especially strong in those with the APOE e4 gene, according to the study.

Both green and black tea were protective, but they need to be brewed from tea leaves, either loose or in tea bags, lead author Feng Lei, assistant professor at the universitys Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said in an email. The results dont apply to fruit or herbal teas.
Employers take note: Many of your workers are so stressed out about saving and preparing for retirement that its hurting their job performance.

Thats according to the latest annual survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), which has been gauging workers and retirees confidence about retirement for 27 years. This year, for the first time, EBRI asked workers about the anxiety of preparing for retirement.

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Three out of 10 workers admitted to feeling mentally or emotionally stressed. The same number say they worry about their finances on the job, and half of them say they would be more productive employees if they didnt fret about money.

Stressed-out workers tend to be those who live paycheck to paycheck, struggle with debt and havent started taking steps to build a secure retirement, such as saving or calculating how much money they will need, says Craig Copeland, coauthor of the EBRI study.

They are kind of lost when it comes to financial planning, Copeland says. They know they should be doing something, but they really dont know what to do. So they are worrying instead of doing anything.

The EBRI survey polled nearly 1,700 retirees and workers age 25 and up. Among the other findings:
With the United Kingdom (UK) about to notify its intention to leave the European Union (EU), ACI EUROPE today expressed concerns about the prospects of ongoing uncertainty over the rules that will come to govern aviation between the UK and the remaining EU Member States (EU27).



This needs to be quickly resolved to provide clarity for passengers, airlines and airports so as to enable continued investment in growing our collective connectivity. The airport trade association also cautioned about the economic consequences of the UK aviation market not remaining closely integrated within the EU27 aviation market.



Speaking at the 9th ACI Airport Economics & Finance Conference in London, Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said The sequencing of the Brexit negotiations means talks will initially focus on agreeing exit terms for the UK, before they eventually come to define the new relationship between the UK and the EU27 as of 2019. This implies that the aviation industry will be left in the dark for many more months to come about what will happen. Unless quickly resolved, this uncertainty will end up constraining route network development for airports, ultimately affecting air connectivity for their communities. This is due to the fact that airline route planning requires both long lead times and legal certainty.



Furthermore, with Brexit negotiations framed by a strict 2-year deadline, one cannot presume an agreement will be reached on exit terms. Failure to do so would mean the UK exiting the EU without the terms of its new relationship with the bloc being clearly defined. For aviation, this could well result in market access falling back on more restrictive bilateral provisions between the UK and individual EU27 States - with potentially disruptive effects on air connectivity and the economy. In particular, consumers could find themselves having purchased air tickets that airlines might not be able to honour in the absence of an appropriate legal basis for them to fly.



Jankovec commented As responsible businesses, at this stage we simply cannot rule out a cliff-edged scenario for Brexit and aviation. The potential impact of this on air connectivity, consumers and the wider economy needs to be addressed by Brexit negotiators - on both sides. This means that adequate contingencies need to be established promptly in case the UK would exit the EU without any agreement on its future relationship with the bloc.



Calling on the EU and UK negotiators to prioritise aviation and ensure the UK and EU aviation markets remain as closely integrated as possible post-Brexit, ACI EUROPE brought the interdependence of both markets into the spotlight:



- More than one in every two passengers (53.5%) handled by UK airports are flying to/from the EU27.

- More than one in 10 passengers (11.5%) handled by EU27 airports are flying to/from the UK.



UK airports are on average far more dependent on air traffic to/from the rest of the EU than EU27 airports on air traffic to/from the UK. However, there are significant variations within the EU27 in terms of exposure to air traffic to/from the UK. Accordingly, the markets most reliant on air traffic to/from the UK are: Ireland (39.2%), the Slovak Republic (33.2%), Cyprus (31.3), Malta (27.9%),

Poland (20.2%), Lithuania (19.8%) and Spain (17.3%).



Beyond these national markets, air traffic to/from the UK is vital for many individual regional airports across the EU27 - and their communities.



ACI EUROPE further stressed the extent to which the full integration of the UK and EU aviation markets brings crucial economic benefits. It estimates that air traffic between the UK and the EU27:



- Supports 270.000 jobs in the UK and is associated with 15.4 billion of the countrys GDP.

- Supports 285.000 jobs in the EU27 and is associated with 13.7 billion of the blocs GDP.



Jankovec concluded The contribution of aviation to the economies of both the UK and the EU27 is largely conditioned by the full integration of their aviation markets - enabled by the Single Aviation Market. This means that this contribution depends not just on the freedom to fly and unrestricted market access for airlines, but also on a wide range of common rules. These common rules are an essential part of the fabric of European air transport. They avoid costly duplications and conflicting requirements.



Lets be clear: losing this integration between the UK and EU aviation markets is akin to putting an end to a relationship which creates tremendous value and brings extensive mutual benefits.



Responding to Olivier Jankovecs comments on Brexit today, Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of MAG, owner of Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports, said: Negotiators must prioritise the agreement of a framework for air travel that provides early certainty to passengers and airlines about their ability to fly post Brexit. Business travellers and holiday makers alike expect to be able to continue to fly between the UK and Europe, and for this reason it has to be a common goal for both sides to agree during 2017 either a temporary or permanent solution for how aviation will operate after April 2019.


"Perhaps the sentiments put forth here are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor. A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason." --Thomas Paine
The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Special Court on Wednesday sentenced Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel to life imprisonment in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case.

The court also asked for a report on the three men absconding in the case by March 26, 2017. The National Intelligence Agency, on March 8 had convicted three people in the Ajmer blast case. It had also acquitted 7 others, which included Swami Aseemanand.

Acquitted Aseemanand, is also an accused in the Samjhauta Express and Mecca Masjid blasts, and others, giving them the benefit of doubt. Twenty-six witnesses turned hostile during the trial.

The magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on Patel and Rs. 5,000 on Gupta, both of whom claimed innocence.

We are innocent and it is a political conspiracy against us, Gupta told the media while coming out of the court.

Apart from Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel, who received life sentences, was Sunil Joshi. Joshi, the leader of an alleged Hindu extremist group, was shot dead on December 29, 2007, when he was walking back to his hideout at Chuna Khadan locality in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.

Gupta and Patel had been convicted under the IPC for criminal conspiracy and various sections of Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.

The conviction was made under Sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC, 3 / 4 of Explosive Substances Act and Sections 16 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A blast in the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti on October 11, 2007, at the time of Roza iftar, led to the killing of three pilgrims and left 15 others injured.

The case was handed over to the ATS Rajasthan and was later transferred to NIA which re-registered the case with the NIA police station in New Delhi on 6 April, 2011.

There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined and the NIA filed three supplementary chargesheets in the case.








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A business journal that promised to be a welcoming addition to business news and current affairs coverage in Toronto is about to be launched. The Toronto Business Journal has all it takes to give you the very best business news and current affairs coverage in Toronto. The increasing demand for a high quality business journal providing people with up to date business news and current affairs is the motive behind the launching of the Toronto Business Journal.

The era of traditionally printed journals is gradually being brought to an end. The world now craves for news on the go and business journals have simply become the main go-to area where readers can get all the latest trending news both locally and internationally. Various technological developments have led to the hard truth that business news and other related current affairs really have to be delivered to readers as and when they happen and not a day or more later.

Everything that happens in the world nowadays is time-bound and the slightest delay can result in a lot of reprisals for an individual or an organization. Information delivery setup has been transformed drastically and people are always on the lookout for latest news on various business related topics and other current affairs in order to help them make an informed decision. These and many others are the things which came into play to help establish the Toronto Business Journal. The Toronto Business Journal promises to keep its readers at par with the latest developments in the world of business and all other newsworthy bits of information. This is to ensure that a reader does not miss out on any piece of information on current affairs.

The Toronto Business Journal is aimed at providing readers with the chance to be among the first people to read about all business related news in Toronto as well as any current affairs issue. Although there are a number of online business journals, the Toronto Business Journal is solely dedicated to providing readers with a business news platform that is always on its toes to get the latest things happening in the business environment in Toronto. With the Toronto Business Journal, a reader can be assured of never missing out on any business or current affairs news concerning Toronto. This is therefore being regarded as an online business news portal made specifically for Toronto residents.

With the Toronto Business Journal coming into play, there will be no need for you to rush from wherever you are just to get behind your television in listen to the current state of things in Toronto. All that you need is to check out the Toronto Business Journal as business news will be updated the very moment they occur.

The Toronto Business Journal has simply come to provide you with an easier way of accessing all the latest business trends happening in Toronto right from your internet device. Aside the fact that it provides you with latest news about things happening in Toronto, the authenticity of its news updates are never in question as it comes with a team of professionals who are well versed in providing accurate news to the general public.








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Do you have a thoughtful opinion related to business news in Toronto? Get $1 for every approved opinion you submit to the Toronto Business Journal. The launching of the Toronto Business Journal was regarded a welcomed addition to coverage of business news and other related current affairs in Toronto. However, it appears that there is more to the Toronto Business Journal than people anticipated.

Most competitors in the area of business journals tend to ask people to submit their newsworthy opinions for free. However, the Toronto Business Journal brings a new dimension to how opinions of people are used. They are urging each and everyone to submit his or her newsworthy editorials to their team of experts. For every approved editorial opinion, you are assured of getting paid $1 each. Therefore instead of submitting your opinions to other business journal sites without any remuneration, the Toronto Business Journal invites you to submit it to them and when it is approved, you get paid $1 for each opinion.

You can get in touch with the Toronto Business Journal via Skype as AgoraCosmopolite. It is high time you stopped submitting your editorials and letters to the competitors of the Toronto Business Journal for free. Instead, send them to the Toronto Business Journal and you will be paid when your submissions are approved as being newsworthy. This simply means that although TBJ has come to provide you with authentic and up to date business news and current affairs coverage in Toronto, you also stand the chance to earn some few bucks depending on the kind of editorial opinions you submit.

Submitting your opinions to a business journal site should never be free and the practice whereby certain sites tend to use the opinions of people without any form of remuneration is what the Toronto Business Journal seeks to do away with. For taking your time to come up with an opinion that is newsworthy, you should be compensated in a way and the Toronto Business Journal happens to be the right place where your opinions are going to get the appreciation that they deserve. Nothing is really free in this world which is why you should not allow any of the competitors of the Toronto Business Journal to convince you into submitting your opinions and letters for free. Since you are the one who came up with them they are more or less your property and so you do not have to part with them freely.

Get in touch with the Toronto Business Journal today via Skype using contact ID 'AgoraCosmopolite' and start submitting your opinions and letters about business news and current affairs in Toronto and be rewarded for your trouble. The Toronto Business Journal has the vision of keeping people up to date with how things are happening in the business sector as well as any current news in Toronto and also see to it that those who go the extra mile to furnish them with their editorial opinions and letters are compensated.
Despite the obvious dangers of the work, many of Britain's brightest and best offered themselves to the colonial service. One such was Sir Arthur Charles Hamilton Gordon who, after several lesser appointments in places as diverse as New Brunswick, Trinidad and Mauritius, was appointed the first governor of Fiji in 1875.

They often worked in atrocious conditions, with illness, injury and death being constant companions. After four consuls posted to Lagos died of fever in rapid succession, the British Consulate there was accurately described as "a corrugated iron coffin containing a dead consul once a year".

They were, to say the least, a very eclectic group, ranging through idealists, adventurers, carpet baggers and the occasional madman.

I HAVE recently finished reading Stephanie Williams splendid book Running the Show, which details the lives of some of the men who governed the British Empire.

Gordon came from an aristocratic background, was educated at Cambridge and served as assistant private secretary to the prime minister (his father) between 1852 and 1855. He was, in short, superbly well connected to what would now be described as the power elite in Victorian Britain. This was to prove very important during his five years in Fiji.

When Gordon arrived in Fiji, it was in the midst of a measles epidemic that would eventually claim the lives of 40% of the population. Its peoples were in a state of shock at the sheer scale and ferocity of what we now fondly imagine to be an innocuous childhood illness.

One of Gordon's first acts was to recruit Dr William MacGregor as Fiji's chief medical officer to assist in the management and mitigation of the epidemic. Later, this decision would prove to be significant for Papua New Guinea.

Fiji had become a British possession at the request of the Fijian paramount chief Cakobau. He had closely observed the course and outcome of the Maori Wars in New Zealand and realised that Fiji's days as an independent entity were numbered.

With several Western powers (including the USA) already having behaved threateningly towards Fiji, Cakobau wisely thought that it was better to at least choose who would govern you rather than to later have to submit to a conqueror.

Happily for Fiji, the first governor was a man of unusual talents and outlook. He took an instant liking for Cakobau and for the Fijians generally. He made it his business to learn their language and frequently went on long and arduous journeys to visit remote islands and villages.

Gordon was instinctively suspicious of the motivations and ambitions of Fiji's emergent plantocracy, which had made clear its wish to alienate vast tracts of land for commercial purposes. He set about surrounding himself with people who had a real and deep knowledge of the Fijians, their language and their rich culture.

And he got rid of anyone whom he thought favoured a racist based approach to the governance of the colony.

Not surprisingly, the planters came to detest Gordon and worked assiduously to thwart him in his efforts to carry out his duties in a manner that was fair and equitable to the Fijians.

Gordon's most important insight was to realise that the long term interests of Fijians could only be protected if they remained in control of their traditional lands. Naturally, this set him on a collision course with the planters who had claimed in excess of 800,000 acres of Fiji's best agricultural land.

In their view, Fiji was now Crown Land in its entirety and so could be carved up amongst the colonial settlers as had been the case in other British possessions.

There followed a savage political battle, mostly played out in the halls of power in London. Gordon exerted all the pressure he could through his contacts within the government to thwart the attempts of the planters to prevent the recognition of what we Australians now call native title over the land.

In doing so, he flew directly in the face of powerful British political and business interests who were used to getting their way when it came to the commercial exploitation of Britain's colonial possessions.

In the end, against the odds, Gordon was triumphant and a reluctant Colonial Office finally agreed that, in Fiji at least, traditional landholders would have legal title to their land. In this way, Fiji never became a European settler society and, today, over 80% of all Fiji's land remains firmly under the control of its traditional owners.

This decision had huge ramifications for Fiji. Unlike the indigenous inhabitants of so many other parts of the British Empire (including Australia), they were not dispossessed and rendered effectively homeless within their own land.

One consequence of this was that they were not driven by economic necessity to work for the British planters who did manage to secure ownership or leases over the relatively small areas of land that were bought or seized by the colonial power. Thus Fiji's early economic development was seriously constrained by an acute shortage of available labour.

Gordon's solution to the labour shortage was to have thousands of people from the Indian sub-continent brought in to work in the plantations, as well as perform other manual labour. This solved the immediate problem but has left modern Fiji with the difficult task of trying to reconcile the Fijian monopoly over land ownership with the fact that 40% of the population is of Indian origin.

Compounding this problem is the fact that the hard working and enterprising Indian population has, over time, come to dominate the business and commercial affairs of the country.

The succession of political crises that afflicted Fiji during the late 1990s and early 21st century were a direct result of attempts by radical Fijian nationalists to exclude the Indo-Fijian minority from positions of political power.

Eventually, Fijian military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama led a coup which deposed what he saw as a corrupt Fijian nationalist dominated government and instituted a lengthy period of military rule. Subsequently elected as prime minister, Bainimarama appears to have stabilised the situation, but it remains to be seen if Fiji has finally been able deal with its difficult colonial legacy.

The policy reverberations from Gordon's victory were also to be felt elsewhere in Britain's possessions across the Pacific when, in 1888, Dr William MacGregor, Gordon's chief medical officer, was appointed as Administrator of what was then British New Guinea (later the Territory of Papua).

During his time in office, MacGregor instituted many of the same policies that Gordon had applied in Fiji, including those relating to land tenure. Happily, one policy he did not adopt was to permit the large scale immigration of foreign labourers.

This was of profound significance for the future of PNG because it ensured that, like Fiji, it too would never become a European settler society. This is why Papua New Guineans today continue to control almost all of their traditional lands.

There never was a colonial land grab in PNG such as that seen in Africa, nor a huge influx of foreign workers who would turn into permanent settlers like the Indo-Fijians.

PNG's good fortune in terms of those appointed to govern it continued after MacGregor's departure in 1895 when, in 1898, another of Gordon's close confidantes, George Le Hunte, was appointed as Administrator. He carried on in much the same way as MacGregor and, in due course, after he left, PNG had yet another stroke of good fortune when Sir Hubert Murray took up the position.

Murray, who governed Papua from 1908 to 1940, saw his role as being to protect Papuans from the worst excesses of European civilisation and encourage them to adopt peaceful, healthy and industrious habits. Humanity, temperance and enlightenment governed his actions.

He also followed in his predecessors' footsteps and ensured that no amount of agitation by ambitious colonials could ever change the land title laws put in place by MacGregor.

I think that Papua New Guineans ought to quietly acknowledge that, but for the efforts of Sir Arthur Gordon, first Governor of Fiji, their own history might have turned out very differently indeed. It can be argued that a mere accident of history ensured that PNG was not first subsumed and then consumed by the rapacious European colonialism that flourished throughout the whole 19th century and well into the 20th as well.

It seems to me that whatever problems beset modern PNG, their antecedents do not lie much in the colonial past. With rare exceptions, a fundamentally well intentioned and humane colonial administrations acted decisively to protect PNG's long term interests.

Whether Papua New Guineans now can trust their own governments to act in the same manner is another matter.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. Near record high temperatures. High 81F. 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.
A surge in airfreight demand on the Europe-Asia trade has seen IAG Cargo suggest that a capacity crunch in ocean shipping is forcing shippers and forwarders to switch transport modes.

IAG Cargo said that it had seen a boom in demand on key routes from Europe into Asia over the first two months of the year.

It said cargo volumes on the eastbound leg were up by more than 23% year on year during the period, with fashion, spare parts, fresh fish and leather goods doing particularly well.

IAG Cargo commercial director David Shepherd said: This spike in demand comes at a time when constraints on seafreight capacity across Asia Pacific routes have been widely reported.

"While this boost is likely to deliver a short term positive impact, we believe our network makes us well placed to demonstrate the long term value air cargo can offer to forwarders.

Other carriers have also seen a demand spike in recent weeks, although they did not necessarily link this to a shortage of box capacity on the eastbound Asia-Europe trade.

Demand for our air cargo services especially on the lanes between Europe and Asia but also on the transatlantic routes has developed notably in the recent past, said a Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson.

Cargolux added: "Overall, we see strong demand for Asia, both east and westbound. We monitor this weekly to adapt our services to the demand.

"With our flexible freighter capacity, we are able to offer capacity for ad hoc requests at all times, this has been very much appreciated by our customers as it sets us apart from other players.

"For our scheduled services, we have no immediate plans to increase flights, we have already boosted some frequencies during the last quarter of 2016, mainly to Zhengzhou and Taipei."

Shippers have been venting their frustration at the lack of containership capacity on the trade in recent weeks as a result of changes to the major shipping line alliances caused by the bankruptcy of Hanjin, the merger of Japans major three container carriers and industry consolidation.

In a recent circular, the European Shippers Council (ESC) complained that its members faced a shortage of capacity as a result of the alliance changes and associated re-positioning of ships ahead of the start of new services next month.

"Shippers are confronted with heavily damaging situations, ranging from breaching of contractual commitments by some liners to the impossibility of getting boarding slots before May," the ESC said.

"This results in a very fluctuating freight rates situation, with instant hikes up to 45% to firm up a booking. Or this translates into missed sales, stock failure, significant extra costs as some exporters are trying to circumvent these obstacles by using other modes."

However, when asked if the situation would cause a shortage of air capacity, the organsiation said it was unlikely in the short-term but could be the case if the situation persists.

A spokesperson told Air Cargo News: "In the short term it is almost impossible to switch from ocean to air, especially when it comes the volume/weight discussion we have when doing air transport.

"Furthermore, many shippers already have contracts with carriers (and goods are sometimes already stuffed in maritime containers) and some bookings were already placed. Surcharges were imposed after container were brought inside the ports.

"There will be exceptions because the extra cost of airfreight is lower than the total expense, for instance if a factory has to close down.

"If the problems continue, on the longer term, you would see shippers moving more to airfreight, which will eventually lead to a capacity problem in airfreight as well and a price hike. We have seen that in the second half of 2016 with the demise of Hanjin, shippers moving to air leading to capacity issues in air freight from Asia to Europe.

"If the situation goes on for several weeks, then more and more shippers will be forced to shift more and more goods, then problems may arise."

At last weeks World Cargo Symposium, Boeing Commercial Airplanes regional director, airline market analysis marketing & business development Tom Crabtree said that air cargo could benefit from the problems faced by container shipping.

Last year, by our estimates, the container shipping industry lost $4bn and the amount of capacity on order to augment the 5,200 containerships that ply the worlds maritime trade routes is down to about 15% [of the existing fleet] and it has not been that low for about 19 years, he said.

A consequence of that is that our sector stands to potentially benefit over the next two years  how much? I do not know, but it is something we should keep an eye on.

In another blow to container shipping, Reuters today reported that the US Justice Department has ordered top executives from several container shipping lines to testify in an antitrust investigation. The US inquiry follows ones by other jurisdictions including South Africa and the European Union.

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Air cargo supply chain association TIACA is collaborating with UN aviation body ICAO to hold an African air cargo conference in Addis Ababa in June that will coincide with the official opening of Ethiopian Airlines new airfreight terminal.

Air Cargo Development in Africa, the second such ICAO event but the first with direct TIACA involvement, will take place on 27-29 June this year. It will be hosted by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and Ethiopian Airlines.

TIACAs secretary general, Vladimir Zubkov, said that the association will be holding a back-to-back cool chain conference in Addis Ababa to link with the ICAO event, while Ethiopian Airlines  the largest cargo carrier in Africa with a fleet of two Boeing 757Fs and six Boeing 777Fs  will use the opportunity to present its first phase $150m terminal to an international cargo audience.

The ICAO conference will focus on the implementation of the Lome Declaration on Air Cargo Development in Africa, adopted in Togo in August 2014 by participants from 22 States, international organizations and aviation stakeholders.

The key areas agreed in Togo include: liberalisation of market access and air carrier ownership and control, cooperation throughout the cargo supply chain, security and facilitation, funding for infrastructure and intermodal integration.

Zubkov said that the partnership with ICAO would provide an opportunity for TIACA to provide knowledge and information about the association to an audience of African air cargo professionals.

TIACA will supplement its push on the continent in building contacts with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and various African trade development organisations.

For Zubkov, who took up his new TIACA role in January 2017, this marks a further stage in linking up with global trade, aviation and regulatory bodies, plus extending the reach of TIACA to dispel the image of an association centred on North American and European issues.

While he wants to deepen TIACAs footprint in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, he told a briefing in London that Africa and Latin America were key regional targets, adding that TIACA is also hoping to organise a second event with ICAO, to take place in China next year.

In addition to ICAO, TIACA is strengthening relationships with the World Customs Organisation, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), IATA, Airports Council International and SITA, the air transport IT and communications specialist.

The ties with WTO are seen as particularly important because of the global trade facilitation agreement that has significant implications for air cargo.

Zubkov, whose more than 40 years experience in the air transport industry includes senior roles with ICAO and the Volga-Dnepr group of companies, hopes to see a 10% increase in TIACA membership by the end of 2018, building on the current base of 600 members.

The associations springboard for increasing TIACAs industry focus and revenues are the three pillars of advocacy, connectivity & networking, and training, but Zubkov has also identified e-commerce as a key area, recognising the shortcomings of the air cargo industry in meeting this fast growing sector.

He is using contacts within and outside the airfreight industry to approach giant e-tailers Amazon and Alibaba in order to establish direct lines of communication: It is important to show why they should to be associated with us and also the interests and benefits for them.

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March 22, 2017

BAGHDAD  In an attempt to establish a new Sunni political reference, Turkey, backed by Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the United States, hosted closed meetings for Iraqi Sunni figures March 8. Held over two days, the meetings discussed the political road map for post-Islamic State (IS) Iraq.

Participants in the conference included Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi, the leader of the Mutahidoun bloc; former Finance Minister Rafi al-Issawi; former Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq; the leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party Ayad al-Samarrai; Planning Minister Salman al-Jumaili; the leader of the Arab Project Khamis al-Khanjar; former Ninevah Gov. Atheel al-Nujaifi; the head of the Forces Alliance parliamentary bloc Ahmad al-Massari; the head of the Solution parliamentary bloc Mohammad al-Karbouli; Association of Muslim Scholars Secretary-General Muthanna al-Dhari; and a number of lawmakers, tribal leaders and clerics.

However, the participants failed to reach a clear position on contentious issues, especially the national and federal reconciliation project and the agreement on forming a new political bloc to run for the upcoming elections. The Ankara conference seemed to only create a new Sunni division and prompted a fierce reaction from Shiite factions who went as far as to accuse the conference participants of treason.

Mutahidoun bloc member Mutashar al-Samarrai told Al-Monitor, The five countries sponsoring the conference wished to bring the views of the Sunni parties closer on certain issues such as post-IS national restructuring and reconstruction of liberated areas. The participants agreed on the formation of a committee of 25 Sunni figures whose mission is to formulate a unified Sunni stance on political settlement. However, we did not discuss the formation of a new electoral bloc or the regionalization of the country.

He added, With regard to the opposition voiced by some Sunni figures, this should not be construed as a dissent or division within the Iraqi Forces Alliance. The opposition was rather driven by the fact these figures were not invited to the conference.

Samarrai said Turkeys role is similar to that of the sponsoring countries (the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and the United States). He said, Since 2003, the situation in Iraq has been open to all international stakeholders, as these countries wished to help Sunnis. Turkey has its own interests in Iraq and is seeking political stability there to avoid any spillovers due to the current state of chaos.

Some Sunni figures severely criticized the Turkey conference. Badr al-Fahl, a member of the Sunni Iraqi Forces Alliance, announced in a March 10 statement to the NRT channel the formation of a Sunni front opposed to conferences held abroad. Composed of 50 lawmakers, the front was established against the backdrop of the latest conference held by Sunni factions in Ankara. Fahl added, The participant figures were selected by a number of countries.

These figures represent only 25% of Sunni components in Iraq, Fahl said, adding, The majority of the participants in the Ankara conference are deeply involved in IS incubation base.

Member of parliament Abdul-Rahman al-Luwaizi, a member of the Sunni Union, told Al-Monitor, Any conference held abroad will fail to achieve national goals, especially if hosted in a country such as Turkey, with its historical ambitions in Iraq.

He said, Only local political parties can resolve political crises through national conferences and Iraqi political projects.

Considered as an extension for the Geneva Conference of Feb. 21, the latest Turkey conference is part of international efforts led by Washington and with the help of Arab countries and Turkey, according to political and security expert Hisham al-Hashimi. He said, The Trump administration is trying to establish a Sunni coalition in Iraq backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE and Qatar, adding that such a coalition would also be seeking the acceptance of Kurds and Shiites fighting IS.

Hashimi also tweeted: Iran is concerned about these Sunni conferences as it prepares for the unknown amid its waning influence in Syria and Yemen. Irans last deal lies in the allegiance of some of its Iraqi allies. This is why it may counter with pre-emptive media campaigns aimed at thwarting these efforts.

However, the Iranian concerns mentioned by Hashimi wont be limited to such stances and statements. The Shiite outrage at Sunni conferences abroad may lead to contentious Shiite positions in the negotiations for post-IS national reconciliation, especially ahead of the upcoming elections. Moreover, some Shiite parties (mainly political blocs close to Vice President Nouri al-Maliki) have been pushing for a political majority Cabinet that includes Sunni or Kurdish figures close to Shiites, and thus shifting away from partnership and quota-based Cabinets as well as marginalizing large Sunni blocs.

As Sunni political parties move closer to adopting a unified Sunni stance on federalism and national reconciliation, and with Turkey proclaimed as a sponsor for Iraqi Sunnis (just as Iran is sponsoring Shiite parties), sectarian discourse in Iraq is reinforced. Even though some progress was made on the path toward settlement and Irans influence was successfully curbed by the US and Arab countries, the absent role of Iraqi national and civil parties on the political level is likely to serve the current sectarian and ethnic divide. This could mean that a historic compromise, where some parties abandon their long-standing ambitions to instead strive for the greater national interest, will be impossible.
March 20, 2017

Bahrain's Supreme Criminal Court once again has delayed its potentially explosive verdict in the money-laundering case against Shiite spiritual leader Sheikh Isa Qassim, and authorities could be planning to use military courts to prosecute his supporters if violence erupts once the decision is announced.

The court was to issue its ruling March 14, but instead adjourned until May 7. Qassims defense lawyer, Abdul Rahman Khashram, told Al-Monitor he does not expect the May session to be delayed and that so far, there has been no order to arrest Qassim, who has denied all charges. On Feb. 27, the court had postponed the ruling until March 14.

During trial proceedings, Bahraini authorities accused Qassim of establishing groups affiliated with a radical sectarian political group linked to Iran and Iraq, and of misappropriating funds and smuggling them to Iraq and Iran since 2009. The funds in question include $10 million found in an account under his name at the Future Bank in Bahrain.

Qassim's followers have protested his situation for almost a year, gathering in front of his house in al-Daraz village in northwest Bahrain to express solidarity with him. On June 20, the Ministry of Interior stripped Qassim of his nationality, accusing him of promoting violence and sectarianism as well as conspiring with foreign governments.

The protesters have cornered the government in the court of public opinion. The Sunni government cannot take back its decision to prosecute Qassim, but it fears angry Shiite repercussions, such as massive protests or terrorist attacks, if he is imprisoned or exiled. Qassim is protected by hundreds of Bahraini Shiites who have said they are willing to defend their leader until death.

On March 14, violent clashes broke out in al-Maamir, about 6 miles south of the capital, Manama, between Qassims followers and anti-riot police. Qassims representative in Iran, Abdullah al-Daqqaq, predicted in January that the trial would trigger a bloodbath in the region, not just in Bahrain.

Possibly in preparation for such a reaction, parliament recently voted to amend Article 105(b) of the Bahraini Constitution, which addresses military courts' jurisdiction. The article previously stated, The jurisdiction of military courts shall be confined to military offenses committed by members of the Defense Force, the National Guard and the Security Forces. It does not extend to other persons except when martial law is declared and within the bounds prescribed by law.

The amendment removed the term confined." The article now reads, The law organizes the work of the military judiciary and specifies its jurisdiction if the offenses are committed by the Defense Force, the National Guard and the Security Forces, among others.

The change allows military courts to try civilians accused of violence against soldiers, facilities and military equipment. The new amendment won the approval of 32 of the 35 parliament members who attended the session Feb. 21. (There are 40 members total, and they are mainly Sunni.) Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, a Sunni, ratified the amendment March 5.

Still, many Shiite clerics in Bahrain, Iran and Iraq are not as angry about how the amendment affects their followers in Bahrain as they are about their own potential financial losses.

The Bahraini government monitors money collected for religious purposes in the country. Shiite clerics like Qassim collect a "wealth tax" on behalf of the grand ayatollahs from their Shiite followers, be they traders, employees or workers. The clerics then send the money to religious authorities, such as Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Sa'id al-Hakim and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Olamaa Bahrain, a group of Bahraini Shiite clerics close to Iran who oppose the king's rule posted a harsh statement on Facebook Feb. 28. They accused Bahraini authorities of using Qassims trial to target Shiites wealth tax obligations.

However, Bahraini Military Judicial Director Col. Yusuf Rashid Flaifel told parliament during the Feb. 21 voting session, The constitutional amendment aims at fighting terror crimes, not regular ones.

Mohammad Milad, the chairman of parliament's Legislative Committee, said during that session that the constitutional amendment mainly targets civilians who work in military institutions.

The majority of the 13 Shiite members of parliament voted in favor of the constitutional amendment. These 13 members won in the Bahraini parliamentary elections in November 2014 as independents because the main Shiite parties boycotted Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, which considered the elections useless and said they only further entrench the political status quo. Only three Shiite parliament members refrained from voting in favor of the amendment; two of them, Jameela al-Sammak and Ali al-Ateesh, said the amendment needed further study and advised against rushing it  the third, Majeed al-Asfour, said the new text is not clear and could be misused against civilians.

However, one Shiite parliamentarian told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that he voted for the amendment and believes the governments reassurance that it will restrict the amendment's use to terrorists only, rather than peaceful opposition members.

Some of those who agreed to the amendment still have doubts about its real motives and are unsure about the promises of military and security officials not to use the new law against political opposition members," the source said. "Milads statements were not convincing, especially when he said that the constitutional amendment targets civilians who work in military institutions. We had to consult the Bahraini king and obey his wishes to pass the amendment and approve it, although we expect our popularity to suffer in Shiite circles. But if we reject the amendment, we risk facing bigger losses. This is the lesser of the two evils.

With Qassim standing his ground in Bahrain, and with the sit-ins in front of his house and the political tensions between Iran and the Gulf countries, the prospects for the success of Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa's government remain blurry.
March 22, 2017

The US House reintroduced bipartisan sanctions on Syria on March 22 as the bloody conflict enters its seventh year.

The bill from Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., passed the House by voice vote in November and is expected to rapidly clear the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Its fate is less certain, however, in the Senate, where key senators will want to put its own mark on the legislation.

"After six years of brutality, we have to jolt this bloody crisis out of its status quo," Engel, the top Democrat on the foreign affairs panel, said in a statement. "The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act would impose new sanctions on anyone who does business with the Assad regime  going after the money, airplanes, spare parts, oil, military supply chain and Assads enablers that drive this horrific war machine.

The bill is named after a Syrian military photographer who fled the country, taking with him thousands of photographs that appear to document widespread torture and executions by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. House lawmakers and staffers of both parties met with Caesar in Washington just hours before the bill was reintroduced.

The bill would notably slap sanctions on countries that support Assad, such as Russia and Iran. It also encourages negotiations to end the conflict and supports prosecution of war criminals.

The Barack Obama administration sought to delay the bill last year amid negotiations over a Syria cease-fire. The Donald Trump White House has so far stayed out of the fray, House and Senate aides said, either because it doesn't have any concerns with the bill or is unaware of its existence.

The bill largely mirrors last year's effort with several tweaks, notably the addition of a section authorizing reconstruction and transition assistance. The section appears to be aimed at getting buy-in in the Senate, where Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., have filed Syria legislation that authorizes seed funding for a Syria Reconstruction Fund.

It may not be enough, however.

"We're interested in figuring out a way to punish Assad," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told Al-Monitor. "We don't know that what's been laid out is actually the right way to do so."

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., has already endorsed the bill, suggesting rapid action on the House side.

"Last week, I met with Syrian doctors who endured barrel bomb and chlorine gas attacks as they treated thousands of people in eastern Aleppo. Earlier today, I met with Caesar, whose incredible testimony three years ago provided stark evidence of the atrocities being committed by Assad and his backers. Both Caesar and these brave doctors stressed that this slaughter will continue across Syria until Assad and his backers are held accountable," Royce said in a statement. "That is why I am joining Rep. Engel in reintroducing legislation to impose new sanctions on Assads war machine. This bill, which passed the House unanimously last year, will give the US much-needed leverage to help stop the slaughter of more innocent Syrians.
If the Republicans' attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is successful, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says hospitals in central New York would lose millions in funding.

An analysis conducted by the state Department of Health found the six hospitals in U.S. Rep. John Katko's district, which covers Cayuga, Onondaga, Wayne and a portion of Oswego County, would lose $57.7 million if the American Health Care Act is approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The hospital that would be most affected by the legislation is SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, which would lose $37,088,043 in funding. Two other Syracuse hospitals  St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center and Crouse Hospital  would have funding slashed by $8,125,671 and $6,725,611.

Oswego Hospital would lose $2,467,481. Newark-Wayne Community Hospital would have funding cut by $1,983,083.

The lone Cayuga County hospital, Auburn Community Hospital, would lose $1,324,032.

Cuomo has blasted Republican leaders, particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan, for the proposed health care legislation that would repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including the expansion of Medicaid that's benefited many states, including New York.

He also criticized two New York congressmen  U.S. Reps. Chris Collins and John Faso  for an amendment to the health care bill that would prevent the state from receiving Medicaid reimbursements if it continues to require counties to pay a share of the program's expenses.

In New York, the federal government covers 50 percent of the state's Medicaid costs. The state pays 25 percent and county governments pay the remaining 25 percent.

The state has picked up some of the counties' Medicaid costs in recent years. Cuomo said this week that the local government share of the program's expenses is now 13 percent.

If the amendment is adopted, Cuomo warned that New York would lose $2.3 billion. When combined with other cuts that would likely occur if the health care bill is approved, the state could lose nearly $7 billion.

"The radical conservative ideology in Washington has declared war on New York with legislation that will devastate hospitals across the state and hurt New Yorkers," Cuomo said in a statement. "These massive cuts will cripple our hospitals and ravage the health care services on which New Yorkers rely, with $57.7 million in cuts to hospitals in the 24th District alone.

"I urge members of the community to call their member of Congress and demand that they vote 'no' on this unconscionable piece of legislation."

Katko, R-Camillus, has already said he won't vote for the health care bill. He offered some support for the Collins-Faso amendment, but has concerns with other elements of the legislation.

"Hurting New York state to benefit other regions does not sit well with me," he said in a statement Friday.

The House is scheduled to vote on the health care bill Thursday. Most New York House members oppose the measure, including at least two Republicans.

Along with Katko, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, of Staten Island, said he'll vote against the bill.
March 22, 2017

CAIRO  Work is underway to revive the Agadir Agreement on free trade, which has struggled to produce significant results for its members in recent years.

The original pact members  Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco  also welcomed Lebanon and Palestine to the group in April 2016. The agreement is designed to expedite trade among the members and improve their connections with European markets. Other Arab League countries also are welcome to join.

Fakhri al-Hazaimeh is executive president of the Agadir Technical Unit (ATU), which is tasked with following up on the agreement's implementation and providing technical and research support. Hazaimeh met March 5 in Jordan with an EU delegation to update them on plans for the agreement. On March 8, the ATU released a guide for members on anti-dumping measures that also contains reference materials to support the agreement. On March 12, the unit released an export and import measures guide for members.

Farag Abdel Fattah, an economics professor at Cairo University who spoke with Al-Monitor, noted the ATUs flurry of activity came immediately after Egypt finally ratified its accession to the agreement. Egypt is the largest market among the Agadir member states.

In its Feb. 28 session, Egypt's parliament approved decree No. 555, issued a year ago by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to recognize the Agadir authorized economic operator (AEO). The AEO, which was signed March 4, 2016, by the trade ministers of the four member countries at that time, designates the free-trade area among the members, sets a list of products traded, and defines the companies and individuals involved.

The Agadir Agreement's lengthy journey began in 2001 with negotiations in the city of Agadir, Morocco. When the original members signed the pact in 2004, they took a step toward establishing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership EUROMED.

The Agadir Agreement's initial timetable stipulated that as of Jan. 1, 2005, member countries would be fully exempt from customs on industrial goods traded among themselves. Chief among those goods were cars, provided that components from the member companies made up at least 40% of the cars. Also, the members agreed to exempt manufactured agricultural and farming products under a program to be devised later to establish a major Arab free-trade zone, whereby the service sector would also be exempt from customs.

The ATU was supposed to study a project to connect member states through a transport network to increase trade. However, that project lost momentum when member countries failed to actually execute the Agadir Agreement until 2007.

Beginning in 2007, the agreement increased Egypt's exports to member states by 115%, Jordan's by 86%, Tunisia's by 19% and Morocco's by 6%. However, in 2010 the member states trade ministers stopped meeting and implementing agreed-upon projects, and the customs exemption timeline also fell by the wayside. It still isn't clear why all the member countries neglected the agreement, although the Arab Spring revolutions in 2011 might have been at least partly responsible.

Now, it's no surprise Egypt is looking to reactivate the agreement, given the tension between Egypt and some Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia since October 2016, according to Abdel Fattah.

Tension is not the only reason, however, as the economic situation in the Gulf states has been deteriorating due to declining oil prices and the costly war in Yemen, which made the chances of any economic alliance with Egypt weaker. Consequently, Egypt and many other Arab countries are looking for new regional partners through the Agadir Agreement, he said.

The Agadir Agreement has a promising future, and the evidence is that it led to an increase in exports in 2007. Also, it sets the stage for a free and open market with Europe. This increases Egyptian exports and attracts European investors to Egypt, as these would want to take advantage of raw material [prices]. Also, such a free-trade zone reduces the price of European imports, which increases citizens purchasing power, Abdel Fattah added.

Not everyone has been a fan of the pact, however. Azzam Mahjoub, a University of Tunis economics professor, pointed out during a 2008 symposium titled Agadir Agreement: Outcome and Prospects that he did not expect the Agadir Agreement to have positive results. He said trade exchange between member states was very weak and did not exceed 3% of their trade with Europe. He also criticized the lack of diversified traded goods.

Also, when member state trade ministers met in Cairo a year ago, Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil noted the 2015 trade exchange between Egypt and other Agadir members had amounted to only $500 million. He pointed out that trade among the states is not commensurate with the level of available resources.

On the other hand, Cairo University economics professor Ahmed Ghoneim told Al-Monitor the Agadir Agreement should not focus solely on increasing trade, but rather serve as a prelude to reciprocity that increases member states' industrial exports to Europe.

Hisham Ibrahim, another economics professor at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor, Industrial complementarity will be a prelude to attracting many investments to the region because foreign investors will be able to take advantage of cheap labor in Egypt, with raw materials available at a reasonable price, to establish large factories. However, Arab regimes must be aware of how important economic complementarity is for the recovery."
March 21, 2017

CAIRO  Efforts and programs calling for the empowerment of women at all levels, especially the economic level, have become an important part of the statements and plans of international organizations and Egyptian institutions. Hassan Behnam, general manager of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Egypt, delivered a speech on behalf of the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, at The Points of Views of Francophone Women Around the World conference held at the library in Alexandria on March 15, saying that the female labor force participation rate in Egypt stands at 35%.

Behnam called on increasing this rate, giving Egyptian women access to equal opportunities and pumping more funds to support women entrepreneurs and women in leadership positions.

These objectives were also highlighted by Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr at the opening speech of the Business Women of Egypt 21s third annual Women for Success  Leveraging Women Network to Excel conference at the premises of the Arab League on Feb. 19.

Nasr announced that a special office will be established at the Ministry of Investment to facilitate the work of Egyptians and Arab businesswomen who wish to establish investment projects in Egypt.

She also noted that she will see to the allocation of 50% of the ministrys funds and grants for women in coordination with development partners, asserting that the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation will spare no effort to ensure a suitable environment for economic empowerment of women and to provide and facilitate their participation in private sector projects. She also said the ministry will cooperate with all Egyptian, Arab and international partners to ensure the necessary technical support to encourage womens investments.

The conferences outcomes were not limited to the promises made by Nasr. Along with Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali and head of the National Council for Women Maya Morsi, Nasr witnessed the signing of a protocol of cooperation to sponsor the Forsa Initiative to meet the needs of the private sector and the labor market through the employment of women and their economic empowerment, between businesswomen associations and the officials in charge of the Forsa Initiative.

The Forsa Initiative is an educational initiative launched in February 2017 under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, offering educational programs via a partnership between the British Harvest College and Ain Shams University in Egypt.

Calling for the economic empowerment of women raised a question about the ability of women in general and businesswomen in particular to improve the Egyptian economy and pull it out of its crises.

In this context, Anis Aclimandos, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, told Al-Monitor, Womens participation in the business sector in the Middle East is around 30%, while this rate hovers around 50% in developed countries.

The 50% rate is normal because women represent about half of the society, which of course includes leading figures able to establish private investments and brilliant women that may be hired in leading positions in these investments, he said.

Aclimandos added, Encouraging women to work and invest would lead to the highest exploitation of the capacities of half of the society. Marginalizing and neglecting these capacities and not according adequate attention to their exploitation would keep women away from leading positions and entrepreneurial initiatives, and this means wasting, disorganizing or misusing almost half of the societys capacities.

Talking about womens professional practices, he said, Companies where women are part of their board of directors achieve great results, because women are hard workers and perfectionists. This may be seen in a number of fields other than the corporate field, such as in politics where female ministers ... such as Ghada Wali and Sahar Nasr [are excelling]. Another example is the American Chamber of Commerce, where women constitute 85% of its administrative structure.

In turn, Mervat Tallawy, former secretary general of the National Council for Women and director general of the Arab Women's Organization (AWO), told Al-Monitor that AWO set up a roundtable in December 2016 to shed light on women's economic roles and the successful experiences of many businesswomen.

Tallawy said, The roundtable referred to a number of studies that confirmed the positive effect of the active participation of women in the economy as a businesswoman. Positive effects include a 35% rise in bank savings when promoting ownership rights for women. Moreover, institutions run by women are more environmentally friendly. Employing women in leadership positions and other [senior] positions increase labor productivity by up to 25% in some countries.

Head of the Women's Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt Dina Mufti told Al-Monitor that equal opportunity is the most important pillar for maximizing the role of women in economic activity.

The idea of a special office at the Ministry of Investment to empower businesswomen and help them overcome potential obstacles would ensure equal opportunities, while women have been suffering long years of marginalization, especially in the economic field, she said.

Mufti added, Businesswomen hailing from families of economists and businessmen probably do not feel the constraints faced by women in the business world in general. Those who are affected the most are young businesswomen seeking to establish small and medium enterprises. This type of project should be a basis for economic development in Egypt.

Economist and business experts agree on the need to empower women, given the projected positive impact this would have on the Egyptian economy and development plans.

But the success of the Ministry of Investments office for the empowerment of businesswomen depends in general on the seriousness of the adopted strategies.
March 22, 2017

While Hamas continues to accuse the consensus government in Ramallah of failing to fulfill its responsibilities toward Gaza, the Palestinian Authority (PA) maintains its position that Hamas is impeding it from performing its duties in the enclave. Amid still-tense relations, news leaked on March 10 of Hamas forming an administrative committee to manage Gaza. Five days later, on March 16, Hamas members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza officially announced the formation of a committee to manage government institutions there. Headed by Abdel Salam Siam, former secretary-general of Hamas' Council of Ministers in Gaza, the committee consists of seven officials, each assigned to oversee the work of a ministry and in some cases additional institutions.

Salah al-Bardawil, a member of Hamas political bureau, told Al-Monitor, Hamas has not formed a substitute government to replace the consensus government. A governmental administrative committee was formed, not an actual government. [The committee] aims to organize the work of state institutions, and any minister from Ramallah is welcome to come to Gaza and do his job, and the committee will be at his service.

Considering that the committee was formed without consulting the PA and therefore technically does not fall under its jurisdiction, Bardawil is perhaps trying to reassure the PA that the committee members are ready to assist PA ministers in the consensus government.

Ahmed Majdalani, secretary-general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front and a member of the PLOs Executive Committee, told Al-Monitor, Forming an administrative committee to manage Gaza is a political decision made by Hamas new leadership that was elected in February. Through this committee, some Hamas PLC blocs aim to provide legal cover to the work of the Hamas-affiliated de facto government that has been exercising the powers of the consensus government. This also shows that Hamas has abandoned the 2014 Beach refugee camp agreement for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas as well as demonstrates how the Hamas government has turned division into separation in preparation for engaging in regional projects regarding the State of Gaza.

Without further elaborating, Majdalani added, The party behind the decision to form a committee must bear the consequences from the PA.

Walid Awad, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Peoples Party, expressed a position somewhat similar to Majdalani's, claiming in a March 18 article for Amad that the formation of the Gaza committee shelves the possibility of reconciliation, making Gaza a separate entity from the rest of the Palestinian territories.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told a gathering of public sector employees March 12 that he would not allow Gaza to be separated from the West Bank, asserting that there can be no Palestinian state without Gaza or a State of Gaza. A Palestinian minister close to Abbas told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The PA must reconsider the way it is treating Hamas following the formation of the governmental committee, which is in fact a new government in Gaza, although Hamas refuses to call it such.

Yahya Moussa, a Hamas PLC representative and head of the PLCs Oversight Committee, told Al-Monitor, The members of the administrative committee are not ministers, nor is the committee a substitute for the government of consensus.

He further stated, The committee was formed as a temporary [solution] to coordinate between ministries in Gaza and fill in the gap resulting from the consensus governments failure to fulfill its duties. The committee is tasked with unifying the Gaza Strip and the West Bank at the administrative, financial and political levels. As soon as the consensus government delivers on its duties in Gaza, we will no longer need this committee, although we take Ramallahs threats against Gaza, following the committees formation, very seriously.

By threats, Moussa was referring to statements by Majdalani and Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of Fatahs Central Committee, who on March 21 pledged to take practical steps to confront the Hamas committee, though without going into details.

A senior government official in Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, [I] contacted the presidency and the premiership in Ramallah as soon as the committee was established to inform them of its nature and to stress that it does not represent a substitute to the consensus government. He added that he had hoped that Ramallah would understand the committees limited role without assuming more than was intended. Ramallah allegedly did not express a clear stance during the call.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza issued a statement March 13 warning that moves like the one taken by Hamas promote the idea of dissociating Gaza from the West Bank. In a similar vein, Mukhtar Abu Saada, a political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Hamas move lacks a legal, constitutional dimension, but at the same time, the consensus government is not fulfilling its obligations toward Gaza. I may not agree with those who believe the committee will deepen the Palestinian division, but I am afraid the announcement of this committee could find an echo in some regional or Israeli proposals to establish a State of Gaza.

Hamas may believe that the new committee will address the governmental work left undone by the failure to provide for Gazans needs under the consensus government. No one can predict, however, at this point how the PA might act to punish Hamas. For instance, it could impose additional taxes on the fuel needed to operate Gaza's power plant, exacerbating the electricity crisis and further angering the Palestinian street with the aim of forcing Hamas to back away from the committee's formation.
March 21, 2017

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that he will stand up to anyone who refuses to accept the outcome of the upcoming May 19 presidential elections.

In his annual speech on the occasion of the arrival of the Iranian New Year, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke mostly about Irans economic situation as well as the coming polls. The March 21 Nowruz address was held at the shrine of the eighth Shiite Imam Reza in Mashhad, and follows Khamenei's issuing of a brief video message March 20.

Encouraging people to take part in the upcoming polls, Khamenei said, Elections are a pivot of religious democracy. The election process is a source of glory and honor to the nation against foreign claims to the contrary; it is a source of national unity and makes the nation stand in line with a single lofty objective: to defeat the many political and government establishments [opposed to Iran]. The [1979 Islamic] Revolution provided religious democracy, which is based on elections. To participate [in the polls] and a high turnout is important, to which all should contribute.

Warning against refusing to accept election results, the supreme leader added, I would never intervene in the elections, and I wouldnt even say whom to vote for. I would [only] do so when specific people and circles want to undermine the results of elections, as occurred in past elections.

Whoever does not accept the results of peoples votes, I would stand up to them. In 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013 [presidential elections], this happened and I stood up. Some of [my interventions] have been done in front of people, and some other [interventions], people havent become aware, and I was aware and stood up to them, Khamenei said.

In the 1997 and 2001 presidential elections, Reformist Mohammad Khatami won the competitions by a landslide. In the 2005 and 2009 elections, hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared victorious, though in the latter vote, his Reformist rivals alleged vote rigging. 2009 presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who objected to the results, have been under house arrest since 2011, following extensive post-election unrest. In 2013, moderate incumbent Hassan Rouhani defeated his conservative rivals, promising an end to the nuclear crisis: This pledge was fulfilled in 2015, following two years of negotiations with six world powers.

Underscoring the prioritization of domestic production, the supreme leader said, The importing of products which are being produced inside the country must be recognized as haram [religiously impermissible] and illegal. He added, Domestic production should not be offset by imports, as it is unnecessary and a source of humiliation. Since they hit domestic production and deprive it of competition, [only] the most essential goods should be imported." He indicated that many domestically produced goods should not be imported in great quantities.

Expressing dissatisfaction over smuggling, which deprives the government of customs revenues and otherwise damages the economy, the supreme leader said, The responsible officials and [state] bodies should address the major [smuggling] sources and culprits, [and] major bottlenecks should be strictly investigated.  Only a small part of the goods are investigated at the ports. This is to serve foreign goods, and should be prevented; only the great smuggler or smuggling agency should feel unsecure in their corrupting of the economy. Khamenei said smuggling is worth some $15 billion annually, while some speak of $20-25 billion."

Speaking about the broader state policy of forging a resistance economy, Khamenei also called on ordinary Iranians to buy domestically made goods, We should work with more than five or six countries. The security of investments and the national economy should also be protected, [and] the unnecessary paperwork should be removed. The public, however should accept their share of responsibility and contribution [to the economy] as well: They are not only producers, but also they are consumers; the domestic consumer should set a priority to buy national brands, shunning foreign brand names. This is a genuine demand.

In his March 20 video message, Khamenei notably named the new Iranian calendar year of 1396 as the Year of Resistance Economy: Production and Employment."
March 21, 2017

WASHINGTON  As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visits Washington and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosts some 68 counterparts for a counter-Islamic State (IS) summit in Washington on March 22-23, a debate has emerged within the Trump administration about how invested it plans to be after the liberation of Mosul from IS, and how hard it should push on Iran to give space so Iraq can try to reintegrate its alienated Sunni population.

At issue is how to ensure that Sunni communities and territory liberated from IS do not become fertile ground once again for Sunni extremists, as they did in 2012-2014, after the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and after increasingly sectarian policies pursued by the Shiite-led Nouri al-Maliki government in Baghdad alienated Iraqi Sunni communities.

The debate within the Trump administration hinges on how involved the United States should be on the ground after the liberation of Mosul to ensure Iraq is able to sufficiently succeed as a state and reintegrate its Sunni communities, and how much Iranian influence needs to be pushed back to prevent Iraqs failure as a state, said Nicholas Heras, a Middle East expert at the Center for a New American Security.

Fundamentally, the debate centers on the question, To what extent should the US be engaged inside of Iraq in order to stabilize areas of the country that  will soon be conquered from [IS], and in which [there is] very little local support for the [Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Units] or really the Baghdad government? Heras told Al-Monitor on March 21.

The crux of the debate is between those in the military and in the NSC [National Security Council] who believe that the Obama administration lost Iraq, that by not pushing harder for there to be a sort of enduring US presence to help the Iraqi security forces maintain security and progressively combat al-Qaeda  what became [IS]  that in fact the Obama folks lost Iraq, Heras said. And the counter argument to that is, since the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and dismantling of the Saddam Hussein government  the Iranians, due to geography and  extensive social, political and economic connections  that it was natural it would develop enormous influence over Iraqi politics.

The question moving forward is how much does the Trump administration want to invest in the future of Iraq, after campaigning quite extensively on the theme that both Democrats and Republicans had supported a failed policy of nation building half a world away, that didnt support the American people, Heras said.

With the prospect that IS may largely be defeated as a quasi-caliphate in Iraq and Syria within a matter of months, what comes after is extraordinarily important, and Iraq is at the very center of it, former US Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey said March 20.

Some 20 million Sunni Arabs living between Baghdad and Damascus will still be there, and the United States needs to help get the regional political and security dynamics right so they can be integrated into states that can succeed. But it needs to do so with a light footprint and not with another 2007-type surge, he argued.

The larger question of how do you integrate these Sunni Arabs into their states is not something that we [the United States] can do on the ground, Jeffrey said.

It is something that we have to do  by coming up with the security and political solution for the region, Jeffrey said on a call for journalists hosted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he is a senior fellow. And that means convincing the Iranians that it is in their interests to allow governments in Baghdad and Damascus to reconcile with the Sunni Arabs.

You have to get the basic political, diplomatic, security dynamics of the region under control before you can have a solution to integrate these people, Jeffrey said. And I am not so sure the US government is there.

There is a division right now in the Trump administration about how to proceed, Jeffrey said

On the one hand, you have people who want to take a very aggressive position against Iran, Jeffrey said. I have great doubts about that, I dont think they will have the stomach for it, because Iran will retaliate, but we will see.

But then you have others, particularly among the former military people and military people who are essentially caught in a time warp of about 2007, Jeffrey said. And that is  Yeah, we got to get PRTs [provincial reconstruction teams] in there, we have to look into winning hearts and minds, we have to do police training.

Jeffrey said, This is a different situation. We were never very good in coming up with  the bottom up  solutions to these problems of governance and security and state loyalty and unity.

Abadi was positive about his meetings with Trump and other officials at the White House on March 20 and the Trump administrations support for Iraqs fight against IS. But while diplomatic, Abadi also made clear he did not support an expanded US troop presence in Iraq.

I think this administration wants to be more engaged in fighting terrorism, Abadi said in remarks at the US Institute of Peace on March 20. I think they are prepared to do more to fight terrorism, to be more engaged.

But of course we have to be careful here, Abadi continued. We are not talking about military confrontation as such. Committing troops is one thing, while fighting terrorism is another thing. I dont think now public opinion, especially in the US and other places, would encourage sending troops in large numbers.

So I think terrorism, you dont defeat by military force only, Abadi said. There are better ways for defeating terrorism, and I think we can do it.

The Iraqi prime minister also obliquely warned against the temptation by some in Washington to slow the process of defeating IS, possibly under the concern that Iran might benefit.

There may be some tendency to derail our confrontation with [IS] and getting busy with some other conflicts, Abadi said. I would guard against that.

Iraq has a plan for stabilizing Mosul, he said.

We want to establish peace in Mosul, Abadi said. If you want to establish peace  you have to win over the people and you have to be careful not to antagonize people, to polarize the situation. So that is the strategy, to win over the people. People will cooperate with you, then they will rebuild their own region.

I think this is the key: If we can show people they are better off  of course they are better off in security terms, but we have to show them they are better off even in their own living, economical, work circumstances, than they were before, the Iraqi leader said.

Abadi said Iraq wants to stay out of the sectarian tensions inflaming the region, and Iraq would like to have good relations with all its neighbors. He also said he welcomed the recent visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to Baghdad  the first senior Saudi official to visit Iraq since 1990, he said  and hoped to advance the opening to normalize Iraqi-Saudi relations.

Our Saudi friends, probably they used to think that Iraq was under the control of our Iranian neighbors, Abadi said. But we are not. Iraq is governed by Iraqis, and they [saw] for themselves.

We called on Saudis to cooperate with Iraq and work with Iraq like neighbors, he said. They showed that they are interested in helping in providing reconstruction for the areas liberated from [IS]. And this is welcome for us. We want to normalize relations.

Abadi said, Our aim is to stop or to control regional conflict. In Iraq, we dont want to be part of this conflict. We are looking after our own interests. And we think we are the victims of this conflict. What happened in Syria impacted us directly. Look at what happened with [IS] when they crossed the borders into Iraq.

Its tough, Abadi said. We are bordering Turkey, bordering Iran, bordering Saudi Arabia, bordering Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, of course. And we are here. We have to live with our neighbors.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) commander Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai issued a serious indictment of Hamas this week, accusing the movement of abusing aid funds intended for the needy residents of the besieged Gaza Strip. The highly publicized accusation was posted on COGATs Arabic-language website Al-Munasq to send a clear message to the Palestinians that even as they were suffering deprivation and poverty, Hamas was partying at their expense. The post read, "The egotistical Hamas terror organization has robbed funds that are meant for the needy of Gaza from international organizations. Hamas prospers at the expense of the residents of the Strip and uses donations meant for them to finance terror. How long will the world and the Gazan people ignore this?"

About a month ago, Israel detained Muhamad Murtaja, who in recent years headed the Gaza branch of the Turkish humanitarian aid agency TIKA. In a March 21 indictment, Israel accused Murtaja of abusing his position to help Hamas activists. According to the information issued by the COGATs office, Murtaja invented a list of needy Palestinian students residing in Gaza, withdrew $3 million for them from the organizations account and transferred the money to members of Hamas.

Another example of these money-transfer schemes was described by the COGAT as a terrorism wedding. TIKA transferred $4 million to Gaza for a mass wedding ceremony for young Gaza couples. Murtaja is said to have told investigators that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his son, Abdel Salam, together with other senior officials of the organization, made up the list of participants and excluded anyone not a member of the organization.

Mordechai was cautious in formulating his accusations, stressing that the heads of the Turkish aid agency were not involved in the embezzlement and had not known about the theft.

Israeli military officials have long claimed that Hamas planted activists within the various foreign aid organizations operating in Gaza and that they were trained to find loopholes through which to embezzle funds to pay for the lavish lifestyles of its top officials and to buy weapons for its military wing.

Last August, an indictment was submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court against Mohammed Halabi, a Hamas member Israel claimed had managed to insinuate himself into World Vision, one of the worlds largest Christian humanitarian organizations, operating under the auspices of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza. According to the indictment, by virtue of his position Halabi was able to transfer raw materials to Hamas for construction of its tunnels and subsequently large sums of money too.

An Israeli defense source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the Israel Defense Forces are familiar with Hamas' modus operandi. He said its people have infiltrated almost every aid organization operating today in Gaza, and they take a cut for Hamas. The source explained that the organizations are often aware of the theft but turn a blind eye to it out of concern that if they speak out, Hamas would hinder their operations. According to the source, a pattern of silent acquiescence has emerged: Hamas diverts some of the organizations resources for its own needs and in return guarantees the continuation of Gaza aid work. Mordechai's main point in his message, however, was that money taken by Hamas is in fact stolen from the needy people of Gaza.

In the case of World Vision as well as in the alleged TIKA embezzlement, the COGAT passed on to the organizations information obtained during Israeli investigations before it was made public. A spokeswoman for World Vision responded that Israels claims were untrue. Al-Monitor sought reaction from TIKA office in the West Bank city of Ramallah and was told that the details were being studied by organization's heads and they would issue a statement soon. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the organizations employees did say that TIKA is establishing broad infrastructure in Gaza, such as a large hospital in which tens of millions of dollars in Turkish government funds had already been invested. According to the official, even if it turns out that the suspicions are true and large sums of money had indeed been embezzled, it will not reflect negatively on the organization, which is under rigorous supervision. Theres corruption everywhere in the world  in Israel too, he argued.

Hamas is treating the accusations with derision. A Hamas source who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said the Israeli claims were false, like others made by Israel in the past. He said the mass wedding in Gaza has not been a closed event for Hamas members only. Some 200 couples were married and each received a wedding gift of $1,000, he said.

But despite the denials, the residents of Gaza are fully aware that Hamas activists benefit from aid funds by their very proximity to those in power. A resident of the Gaza town of Khan Yunis who asked to be identified as N. told Al-Monitor that preferential treatment of Hamas members over other residents of the Strip is nothing new. During the most difficult days of the siege of Gaza, he said, Hamas members and their families continued to get regular meat supplies, and now theyre getting regular charitable funds in addition to toys and other gifts for their children. N. added that those hired for vacant positions in Gaza government offices are mostly Hamas activists.

"But that doesnt surprise us," he said. "Fatah did the exact same thing [until 2007], taking care of their own people first. We were only the miserable ones who paid the price, and were paying it to this day."

If Israel is right and Hamas has managed to plant its people in all the Gaza aid organizations, could the practice be stopped? Even if all its claims are proven justified, most residents of Gaza survive today thanks to these organizations, and any blows or sanctions against them would result in disaster. This, without a doubt, is the price of the siege.
March 22, 2017

Upon his return from his first meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 15, it was obvious that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be heading back to the US capital in the very near future. The official excuse would be the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in late March, an event that Netanyahu does not like to miss. The second excuse would be that Netanyahu finally found a new buddy in the White House. After almost eight difficult years, in which he was alienated from the US administration under President Barack Obama, Netanyahu now has a good reason to pop over to Washington every Monday and Thursday. If the relationship between the two leaders is really as close as it seems, there is no reason why they would not want to meet each other as often as possible.

But Netanyahu will not be going to AIPAC, nor will he be meeting with Trump. A diplomatic source in Washington told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that it was impossible to arrange a meeting between the two men due to "scheduling conflicts." As of now, it is unclear who really tried to avoid meeting with whom. Was it Trump, who was signaling to Netanyahu not to take him for granted, or was it Netanyahu, who is worried about another meeting with Trump?

Regardless of who was responsible for that, a source in the prime minister's office said on condition of anonymity, "We're not quite there yet, but we will soon start to miss Barack Hussein Obama."

Sources close to Netanyahu confirmed that there were all sorts of concerns in Jerusalem last week following envoy Jason Greenblatt's visit to the region. Anyone who thought that the Israeli right would have it easy during the Trump era was sorely mistaken.

Furthermore, while everything under Obama followed very clear rules defined well in advance, under Trump there is no way of knowing how it will all end. Netanyahu had no qualms about saying "no" to Obama on numerous occasions, and he almost never had to pay for that either  at least until late 2016, when he got hit with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.

Things are different under Trump. There are no rules, no checks and balances, and no restraints. As many people have learned firsthand over the past year, it is not a good idea to upset the president. He can do a 180-degree turnabout at breathtaking speed. According to some of his aides, Netanyahu is terrified of this. There was good reason why he sent his Chief of Staff Yoav Horowitz to Washington on March 18. Horowitz must help Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer to come up with a formula for continued settlement construction that the administration could accept. Dermer never needed this kind of emergency assistance during all the years of the hated Obama administration. Now the situation looks completely different.

Before arriving for his visit to the region, Greenblatt met with several senior members of Obama's peace negotiations team for briefings. He also met with quite a few Palestinian and Arab business leaders in an attempt to learn about the situation on the ground. He even brought Yael Lempert, the senior director for the Levant, Israel and Egypt at the National Security Council, to his meetings in the region. Lempert will apparently remain in her post under the new administration. In Netanyahu's immediate surroundings, this is considered a bad omen.

Greenblatt met with Netanyahu twice, on March 13 and March 16, with each meeting lasting about five hours. Of the roughly 10 hours that Netanyahu and Greenblatt spent together, at least seven of them were private meetings between the two men. Greenblatt also met with President Reuven Rivlin, opposition chairman Isaac Herzog, settler representatives and even with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai. He held a similar round of talks in Ramallah.

Under Obama, Netanyahu would not allow the Americans to meet with senior defense officials. He has now been forced to give up on that informal policy, and allowed Greenblatt to meet with Mordechai (though someone from Netanyahus office was also present in the meeting). In this meeting, Greenblatt tried to find out what Israel could do to improve the situation of the Palestinians. No one is better versed in this than Mordechai.

Greenblatt turned out to be an impressive, courteous, polished and discreet individual. Describing his intentions during this visit, he said he "came to learn." He looks like a Republican but talks like a Democrat. The yarmulke that he wears  but which he removed while visiting Ramallah  and the fact that he is a religious Jew who attended a yeshiva in Israel place a complex burden of proof on him. The fact that the Palestinians came away pleased after their meetings with him proves that he excelled in meeting that burden.

While he was still "learning," Israelis learned that their dream about the impending "arrival of the messiah" (with Trump bringing salvation to the Israeli right) would have to be put on hold for now. No one in Trump's inner circle plans "to throw the Palestinians under the bus." In fact, the opposite may well be true. If talks between the parties until now are any indication, the US administration considers the Palestinians to be equal partners with the same rights as the Israelis, and it is committed to reaching the "ultimate deal." What frightens Netanyahu is that he knows what happens to anyone who gets in Trump's way, when he is trying to reach a deal. He does not want to be that person.

As several people that he met were told, Greenblatt's task is to create a "restart bundle" for the diplomatic process. He has already set the dates for his next two visits to the region. He spent his first visit getting the lay of the land and learning about the two parties, working his way through both with impressive thoroughness. He will now try to reach a "containment formula" to restrain settlement construction and a series of trust-building measures that Israel can adopt toward the Palestinians. When Obama tried to ask Israel for such measures  such as construction permits for Palestinians in Area C  Netanyahu turned him down. On March 22, before getting on the plane back to Israel from China, Netanyahu said that discussions with the Americans on settlement construction advanced significantly. And prevailing assessment in Israel is that a formula for "restrained" construction would be reached in the coming two weeks.

Be that as it may, Greenblatt had another assignment, and a secretive one at that. During his talks in Washington, Netanyahu tried to intimidate the Americans by telling them that he was restrained by politics and his coalition. Given the makeup of his government, he explained that there was little he could do in terms of the Palestinian issue. As such, when Greenblatt met with Herzog and also with Zionist Camp co-leader Tzipi Livni, he asked discreetly and with considerable sensitivity about the current political situation. In other words, he tried to find out whether Netanyahu's analysis of the situation was accurate, or whether he had other political options (which have been written about frequently in Al-Monitor).

Netanyahu is under siege. Police investigations against him are moving ahead quickly, while his promise to establish an alternative settlement for the Amona evacuees still remains unfulfilled. Washington looked into this potential new settlement and found that its location is problematic. It would complete the dissection of the West Bank from east to west and make it extremely difficult to establish a Palestinian state at some point in the future. Given this state of affairs, it is hard to believe that Washington would agree to the establishment of such a settlement. What is also unclear is how Netanyahu will extricate himself from this problem.
March 20, 2017

As Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces consolidate their authority over Syria, the armed factions on both sides of the conflict are now under pressure to bolster their holdings in anticipation of a looming political settlement. As part of the rising trend, regime ally Hezbollah may be looking to secure its influence in western Syria through the negotiation of a new deal, but is struggling to progress with the endeavour.

In a report published by The New Arab on Feb. 10, a Hezbollah official declared Hezbollah's plan to establish a safe zone in Qalamoun, where Syrian refugees could soon be relocated from neighboring Lebanon.

The first draft of the deal proposed 24 terms to be negotiated between Hezbollah and a militia in Qalamoun known as Saraya Ahl al-Sham. Syrian journalist Ahmad al-Quasir, who has been following the situation closely, recently told Al-Monitor that Saraya Ahl al-Sham was established by local opposition forces in 2015 and is linked to the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Under the initial terms of the agreement, Hezbollah and Syrian regime forces would vacate the areas of Qalamoun where Saraya Ahl al-Sham is present. Saraya Ahl al-Sham would also create local committees responsible for the administration and policing of their communities.

Excluded from the deal would be several Christian-majority villages along the M-5 highway. The road, which serves as an important supply corridor for Hezbollah linking Damascus to the groups stronghold in Lebanons Bekaa Valley, would be open to traffic to and from Syria and Lebanon.

The arrangement also would provide major incentives to draw refugees back to Qalamoun. Most notably, returnees would be issued identification documents after screening by local authorities. New papers would be hugely beneficial to the over 70% of Syrian refugees who no longer have valid national ID cards, without which they cannot travel, get married or obtain legal residency in host countries.

Returnees who join Saraya Ahl al-Shams brigade would also be exempt from conscription into the Syrian Arab Army even if they had previously fled Syria to escape the draft. They could return without punishment if they join Saraya Ahl al-Sham.

Quasir said renewed discussions of safe zone initiatives along the Turkish and Jordanian borders, following the recent endorsement of the United States, was a key motivator for the proposed deal. Quasir said Hezbollah first submitted the draft agreement in an effort to beat the international community to the most practical area for a Lebanese-Syrian safe zone, thereby determining the framework for itself.

Hezbollah is trying to establish tailored safe zones in Qalamoun so that things would not spin out of control. In the presence of safe zones, neither the regime nor Hezbollah would be in control. Only the international coalition and the international organizations would be in control. Hezbollah may be anticipating this step, Quasir noted.

However, a source within Saraya Ahl al-Sham who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity in March said the group rejected several terms of the first draft for varying reasons, including a proposed reconciliation with a pro-regime militia.

The agreement was put on hold because Hezbollah took the negotiations to square one and set March 2 as a deadline for the negotiations, the source explained. The terms sent by Hezbollah with the last delegation to negotiate with Saraya Ahl al-Sham dignitaries were refused.

Quasir explained why the deal is now on hold. One of the reasons the initiative was refused is that it stipulates that Hezbollah shall have offices in Qalamoun, that reconciliation shall be achieved and that Syrian regime police stations and recruitment divisions shall be established. Saraya Ahl al-Sham refused this.

In an article from The Daily Star on Feb. 11, Hezbollah parliament member Nawwar Saheli confirmed that the deal would also need to be approved on an international level. It wont be formal until the Lebanese government contacts the Syrian government. For now, its indirectly between Hezbollah and opposition groups, said Saheli.

While Lebanese politicians have largely ignored the issue of repatriation, it could prove to be cause for further division within Lebanons fractious government. Newly appointed Minister of State for Refugee Affairs Mouin Merhebi denied any connection to the Hezbollah plan and called for the group to withdraw from Syria to facilitate refugees repatriation.

We dont have any role and we dont support any issue about this negotiation. It is a problem that Hezbollah went into Syria, Merhebi told Al-Monitor. [Hezbollah] invaded Syria, they burned the houses and cut the trees over there and did some massacres. Those people fled from Syria and came to Lebanon. The main issue [is] that everybody should call Hezbollah to return to Lebanon, so, directly, I hope that the Syrian refugees will go back to their land and their country.

Merhebi added that the Lebanese government would defer to United Nations leadership with regard to any future repatriation of Syrian refugees. We dont trust Hezbollah; we dont trust the Syrian regime. The only trustworthy party is the UN. The UN has to take action about this issue, and we will support the UN in whatever decision it might take.

Given the UNs current position against returning refugees to Syria, Hezbollahs relocation deal would face steep hurdles in negotiations with the Lebanese government. UNHCR spokesperson Dana Sleiman reiterated to Al-Monitor, We dont think conditions are conducive for return at the time being.

Syrian refugee and lawyer Ibrahim Sadek, whose name has been changed for his safety, told Al-Monitor that most refugees hope to return to Syria but remain skeptical of the promises on offer from Hezbollah and the Syrian regime. I go daily around the camps and deal with refugees. Even the towns that were suggested and mentioned by name in this deal, like the villages of Qalamoun  most of them [the refugees from these towns] have security and safety concerns. There is no trust at all with any of the guarantees offered by Hezbollah. People need real guarantees, said Sadek.

What would guarantee for the refugee that the Syrian Arab Army, aka the regimes army, would not arrest them? What guarantees that Hezbollah wouldnt re-enter again and siege people in their own towns? he asked.
March 21, 2017

Members of the European Parliament met with representatives of the European Unions diplomatic and executive branches on March 20 to discuss the future of relations with Morocco. The EU-Moroccan relationship reached a historic low last December, when the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the association and free-trade agreements between the EU and Morocco do not apply to the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

In practical terms, the ruling by the EUs highest court means that products from Western Sahara cannot benefit from the same preferential tariff quotas as products from Morocco. The commercial repercussions of the ruling may appear limited at first, but its political implications have turned the relationship between Rabat and Brussels sour.

Morocco regards any challenge to its sovereignty over what it calls its southern provinces as an attack on its territorial integrity. Although the International Court of Justice and the United Nations have advocated the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi people, Rabat has maintained control over this former Spanish colony and its natural resources since 1976.

Morocco exports primarily agricultural and fishery products from Western Sahara to the EU. By mid-2016, the EU was the destination of 85% of Moroccos fruit and vegetable exports. While the EU remains a crucial market for Morocco, Brussels considers Rabat to be an important partner on key issues, including security, migration and counterterrorism.

Despite EU efforts to maintain good relations with Morocco, the partnership has suffered since the ECJs ruling on the trade agreement. In February, Moroccos Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries announced, Any obstacle in the application of this agreement  risks the resumption of migratory flows, which Morocco has succeeded in containing through a deliberate, sustained effort.

At the same time, initially promising negotiations on an EU-Morocco Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area have stalled, while a number of economic actors in Western Sahara are suffering from the legal uncertainty created by the ECJ judgment. They need Brussels to take a stance on how to implement the courts ruling.

Since the ECJ has ruled that EU trade agreements can only apply to Western Sahara if the legitimate representatives of its people agree to it, the main issue appears to concern how to obtain the consent of the Sahrawi people. If the Polisario Front, representing the Western Saharan independence movement, were to take the EU-Moroccan free trade agreement to the ECJ in the first place, it would be because it also wants to put its issue back on the agenda.

Until now, it is the Polisario Front that is recognized by the UN as the sole representative of the Sahrawi people, while Morocco is not, Bodil Valero, a Swedish member of the European Parliament, told Al-Monitor. Djamal Zakari, Polisario Front representative in Belgium and Luxembourg, assured Al-Monitor, [We have] invited the EU to contact [the] Polisario Front in order to find a viable solution and address the status of European companies in Western Sahara.

The Polisario Front has not yet received an official response from the European Commission, while Morocco continues to export products from Western Sahara into the EU as it did before the ECJ ruling. In January, French customs in the port of Fecamp agreed to unload fish oil arriving from Western Sahara without implementing the court's judgment. Sources from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Al-Monitor, The ECJ ruling does not challenge the legality of such imports. The EU Commission finally challenged that view, however, during a March 20 meeting, underlining that products from Western Sahara should not be imported illegally under preferential tariffs.

Another critical challenge is identifying products transported from Western Sahara by plane or truck that are mixed with products from Morocco. Florent Marcellesi, a Greens Spanish member of the European Parliament, told Al-Monitor, If the EU Commission is unable to distinguish where products come from, it should ban all imports from that particular sector.

Sources from Confederation Paysanne, the French agricultural union, explained to Al-Monitor that they regard Moroccan exports of products from Western Sahara as unfair competition, further harming Europes already struggling agricultural sector. Klaus Buchner, a German member of the European Parliament, told Al-Monitor, Companies making profits in Western Sahara should be exposed.

In practice, however, quite the opposite has happened since the ECJs ruling. The EU's 2017 list of approved exporters from Morocco still includes entities based in Western Sahara. At the same time, an internal EU study obtained by Al-Monitor suggests that avenues for obtaining the consent of the Sahrawi people could be explored in cooperation with Morocco, for instance, through the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, an advisory committee to the Moroccan government on Western Sahara.

According to Polisario lawyer Gilles Devers, however, EU law provides no legal basis for the council to authorize the European Commission to negotiate the inclusion of Western Sahara in the EU-Morocco association with the Kingdom of Morocco. No decentralized or regional Moroccan authority is qualified to express the consent of the Sahrawi people.

The trade debate really underlines the EUs internal division over the issue of Western Sahara. The European Commission, a number of members of parliament, as well as some member states, including France, clearly prioritize Brussels partnership with Morocco. Other European countries, including the Nordic member states and a growing group of members of parliament, insist on taking the Polisario Front into consideration.

While the EU struggles with the implementation of its own judicial decisions, new legal challenges lie ahead in two more cases pending at the ECJ regarding the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA). The agreement secures EU fishing rights in Moroccan and Western Saharan waters in exchange for Morocco annually receiving 40 million euros ($43.2 million), nearly half of which has to be spent on developing Moroccos fishing sector. The EU approves the funding of specific projects, including projects in Western Sahara. This means that Brussels is directly assisting the Moroccan government in developing infrastructure in a territory that according to the ECJ lies outside of Moroccos internationally recognized borders.

The ECJs rulings on the FPA are expected by the end of the year. The current FPAs implementation protocol expires this year, however, and negotiations for its renewal are expected to start soon. This will make further conflict inevitable within the EU and between Brussels and Morocco.

In the meantime, exporting agricultural products into the EU is becoming financially less attractive for economic entities operating in Western Sahara. International companies might also be deterred by the increasing legal risk of investing in the disputed territory. With the ongoing conflicts around EU-Moroccan deals, Rabat is likely to be confronted with the declining economic profitability of its annexation policy.
March 21, 2017

BAGHDAD  Celebrations for religious occasions and holidays in Iraq have lately focused on common grounds of belief among citizens of Iraq. The purpose is to calm tensions caused by ethnic and sectarian conflicts or struggle over power and wealth among political elites.

Nowruz, which represents the new year for Iranians and Bahais and marks the end of a 19-day fast, took place March 21. The Bahais have launched a social dialogue initiative to establish a ground of dialogue and coexistence in all components of Iraqi society.

The initiative stems from the despair felt in the country due to ongoing conflicts and religious intolerance. The initiative encourages and develops social dialogue in a way that enables Iraqis to work together to reach across the aisle, defuse discord and establish grounds of dialogue and coexistence.

This social dialogue initiative is the first overt activity by the Baha'is in Baghdad after a decadeslong ban on their activities. This is the first time in 40 years Bahais could celebrate overtly. Our celebration comes finally after a lifelong ban on our activities under a decree issued by the Revolutionary Command Council during the Baathist era in 1970. Back then, we could not celebrate this holiday with the rest of the components of the Iraqi society, Diaa Yaaqoub, a Baghdad-based Bahai, told Al-Monitor.

Yaaqoub added, By this celebration that comes after decades of an enforced ban, we aim to provide the opportunity to all Iraqis regardless of affiliation. The holiday bridges the gap between everyone despite differences.

On the importance of this celebration, Aseel Salam, a Bahai activist and organizer of the celebration, told Al-Monitor, Nowruz, which starts with Baha month during the March equinox, marks the beginning of the Bahai year. A Bahai year consists of 19 months, each of which consists of 19 days. Nowruz marks the end of the Bahai fast and is also New Years Day for Bahais. We celebrate it on March 21 every year.

According to several sources, Nowruz is one of the old holidays that is common for several peoples of the Middle East, such as Kurds, Persians and Azeris. The holiday comes in line with the natural transformation in climate as we enter spring, the month of fertility and renewal of life in Asian cultures. However, it also bears different nationalistic and religious connotations for these peoples, as Muslim Kurds consider it a national holiday related to their liberation from oppression, according to Kurdish mythology, while Bahais hold it to a spiritual and religious dimension.

Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan celebrate Nowruz on or around March 21 every year, and the Iraqi government considers it an official holiday. The government of Iraqi Kurdistan offers three days of vacation for all official institutions. Since Kurds consider it a national holiday, it is customary to dress in traditional Kurdish costumes and celebrate outdoors with nature as they perform group dances and join the Kurdish dabke dance.

Sarmad Moqbel, the Bahai representative in the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Iraqi Kurdistan, explained to Al-Monitor the nature of difference between Bahais' celebration in Iraqi Kurdistan and that of Muslim Kurds in the same region. He said, At the Bahai Council in Iraqi Kurdistan, we host celebrations on March 21, where representatives of different religious and nationalist components flock into the council. Moreover, the holiday has a nationalistic nature to Muslim Kurds. However, for Bahais, it represents a religious nature, but it is not considered a difference as much as it is a celebration with a dual nature that has two sides  nationalistic and religious.

Some hold that Sabian Mandaeans in Iraq celebrate Nowruz, too, but under the name Parwonaya or Banja. It extends for five days starting March 17. Tarmida is the second highest religious rank in the Sabian Mandaean faith. Tarmida Nedham Kreidi, the deputy head of the Iraqi Mandaean community in Qadisiyah province, where the central temple of the community is situated, told Al-Monitor, If it is an old common holiday shared by Iraqis, it shows how Mandaeans are authentic and have origins that date back to ancient times of our nation.

In his explanation of the religious meaning of the holiday, Kreidi added, During these days, the Great Living created the worlds of light [heaven], through which the followers of the Mandaean faith conducts baptisms as well as other rituals on the sides of rivers. The five days are important days in the Mandaean calendar, which consists of 360 days, along with five appended days of Parwonaya, which are separate from the calendar for their sacredness and uniqueness. According to Mandaean scripture, rituals could be carried out at day or at night, since these days are blessed ones that no dark, whatsoever, does them apart.

The celebration of Nowruz in Iraq is an opportunity to focus on the importance of the common roots of many Iraqi cultures and religions. This opportunity allows Iraqis to bridge gaps by strengthening common bonds and reinforcing dialogue and communication. A key example is when Muslims celebrated Christmas with Christians last year, and Christians fasted with Muslims on the last Sunday of last Ramadan.

Activists have been focusing on different religious occasions that occur at the same time by sending messages and launching campaigns that call for a national unity among Iraqis regardless of affiliation. For instance, Edwin Shuker, an Iraqi Jewish activist, posted on his Facebook page on Oct. 2 a recorded video where he congratulated Iraqis on the Jewish New Year alongside the new Hijri year in the Islamic calendar, as a symbolic indicator on the possibility of reaching a Jewish-Islamic rapprochement after decades of hostility and hatred.
A top Democrat in central New York is hoping U.S. Rep. John Katko keeps his promise to oppose the Republicans' health care bill in Congress.

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner sent a letter to Katko, R-Camillus, Wednesday urging him to vote against the American Health Care Act and any other proposal that would "diminish the quality or affordability of health care for the people of Syracuse."

The letter was released by Miner's office on the eve of the first House vote on the health care bill. The purpose of the legislation is to repeal significant portions of the Affordable Care Act, including the expansion of Medicaid.

"While the (Affordable Care Act) is not perfect, it has made great strides to address America's challenge of delivering affordable access to health care and provided insurance to millions of Americans," Miner wrote.

She added, "This proposed bill would strip health care from 24 million Americans, according to the Congressional Budget Office, including 80,600 here in central New York."

Katko announced that he would vote against the health care bill when it's considered by the House Thursday. His comments followed the release of the Congressional Budget Office's score, which found that 24 million more Americans would be uninsured if the legislation is adopted.

It's likely that the House will hold more votes in the future on health care legislation. Katko acknowledged that Thursday's vote is "the first step of a long process of health care reform." He said it's not clear what will be in the final bill.

"Substantial future administrative legislative action would be needed," he said.

Miner did take issue with Katko's praise for Republican leaders who are spearheading the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In his statement last week, he said the Trump administration and congressional leadership "deserve credit for starting this process."

"I do not believe, nor do I think families worried about accessing health care, think anyone deserves credit for starting a process to take away a person's ability to get health care," Miner said.

She said repealing the Affordable Care Act will have a negative impact for Syracuse, particularly children living in poverty  nearly half of Syracuse's children live in poverty  and for black and Hispanic residents.

"We need a leader in the House standing up for the affordable health care which central New York families rely upon," Miner said. "I urge you to vote against the (American Health Care Act) and any subsequent proposal which would diminish the quality or affordability of health care for the people of Syracuse."
March 21, 2017

When late Palestinian leader Faisal Husseini launched his political career around 1980, he chose to work out of the Orient House in East Jerusalem. According to the Orient House's website, the iconic building was the site of diplomatic meetings including German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm when he visited Jerusalem in 1898.

When Sharif Hussein Bin Ali al-Hashemi of Mecca passed away in 1931, the Hashemites  including King Abdullah, King Ali and Prince Zaid  accepted condolences at the Orient House for their father, who was buried at Al-Haram al-Sharif.

In 1948, Abdel Qader al-Husseini, head of Al-Quds Brigades, for the last time led a group of Palestinian fighters in their effort to hold off underground Zionist groups. He was killed in April 1948, and a month later, on May 14, Israel declared independence and was quickly recognized by the world community.

In 1980, Husseini, the son of Abdel Qader, established the Arab Studies Society and used the Orient House to house it. The center contained a library, research facilities and a map department. Husseini, the son of a Palestinian hero and well respected in Jerusalem and Palestine, quickly gained popularity. Local, regional and international politicians came to visit him at the Orient House.

In time, especially after the first Palestinian intifada in 1987, the Orient House became the undeclared headquarters of the PLO. When the Palestinian delegation left for the Madrid peace talks in 1991, they were ceremoniously sent off from the Orient House building.

Hanan Ashrawi, who along with Husseini was part of the Madrid Peace Conference steering committee, was the spokeswoman of the Palestinian delegation. She told Al-Monitor that international negotiators and Israel had assured Palestinians that no matter what happened in the peace talks, the Orient House and other existing Palestinian institutions would be preserved.

Ashrawi, now a member of the PLO Executive Committee, told Wafa news agency March 14 that Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres had promised in an October 1993 letter to Norwegian Foreign Minister Johan Holst that he would not hamper the activities of the Palestinian institutions. Ashrawi said that Peres also wrote, "I wish to confirm that the Palestinian institutions of East Jerusalem and the interests and well-being of the Palestinians of East Jerusalem are of great importance and will be preserved.

But despite the promises, Israel has closed some major Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem. In a March 14 press release, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat detailed the level of Israeli repression in East Jerusalem. More than 20 Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, notably including the Orient House and the Chamber of Commerce, remain forcibly closed by Israeli occupying orders and raids since 2001, in violation of international law.

Erekat went on, Israel, the occupying power, continues to violate its obligations under signed agreements as well as of its commitments vis-a-vis the international community.

One of the most important parts of the Arab Studies Society was the map department. Headed by Khalil Tufakji, the department moved quietly, with no media attention, out of East Jerusalem and re-established itself in Dahiyat al-Barid, a Jerusalem suburb that is technically outside the city limits.

Tufakji told Al-Monitor that the map department provides technical information and tries to stay apolitical. We work scientifically and provide maps and information about maps to anyone who asks for it.

Because of the technical nature of the department, Tufakji was surprised when Israeli soldiers came to his office to arrest him March 14. The Israeli police presented Tufakji with an order from the Israeli public security minister to close the map center for six months on charges of illegally working with the Palestinian Authority while in Jerusalem. Then they took me to the Mascobia prison and confiscated our computers and equipment, he added.

When the interrogation began, they asked me why I was working illegally in Jerusalem. I told them that my office is outside the boundaries of Jerusalem, specifically in Dahiyat al-Barid, in Palestinian territories  Area C. I also said that I am in regular contact with the civil administration, which is in charge of the West Banks Area C.

Tufakjis answers seemed to surprise the Israeli police, since their order was clearly intended for a location they thought was in Jerusalem. Khalil was detained for some seven hours and released with a promise to be allowed to recover his equipment and return to work.

Tufakjis lawyer Ziad Hedami told Al-Monitor that one possible explanation for the confusion is that while the map department is not in Jerusalem, it is on the Jerusalem side of the security wall, leading the Israeli police to assume that it is within the legal boundaries of the city, which was annexed by Israel.

Sure enough, within two days, Israeli police called Tufakji and told him he could recover his computers and equipment and would be allowed to reopen his office.

Commenting to Al-Monitor, Tufakji was not sure whether it was a mistake or if the Israelis intended to intimidate him. They know that our maps are being used by many to study how the settlement effort is executed on the ground. Maybe they were trying to send a message of sorts.

Regardless of why the mapping center was closed and reopened within 48 hours, it seems clear that Israelis are touchy about any Palestinian connections to the holy city of Jerusalem. Members of the current right-wing Israeli government, which is possibly on the verge of snap elections, are also looking for ways to improve their political portfolios. What better way to do that than to move against Palestinian activists in Jerusalem?
March 22, 2017

Turkeys last-ditch efforts to harness Russian military and diplomatic heft to counter the Syrian Kurds and unravel their alliance with the United States are showing few signs of succeeding, like much else in the countrys ill-fated Syrian policy.

If anything, both the United States and Russia are steadily deepening their ties with the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and its Arab allies who operate under the umbrella of the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF). And viewed from Ankara, they are doing so at Turkeys expense.

The latest blows came from Russia. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cranked up pressure on Turkey today to drop its long-running objections to the participation of the YPGs political arm, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), in the Geneva peace talks. We will continue to look for solutions to this issue with our Turkish partners  but it is not possible to postpone it in the long run, Lavrov said.

On March 20, the YPG declared that Russia is setting up a military base in the northwestern region of Afrin to help train its fighters in modern warfare techniques. YPG spokesman Redur Xelil declared that it was the first agreement of its kind. Russia denied that it is establishing a base.

The facility in question, said Moscow, is a branch of its reconciliation center that helps enforce truces between warring parties in Syria. But Turkey isnt buying it. A Turkish official complained to Hurriyet Daily News that Russia failed to inform Turkey of its plans and that it could have done its monitoring from its large base in Hmeimim.

The official added that Turkish intelligence had spotted four Russian military vehicles making their way to Afrin, though he did not explain the observation's significance.

In any case, Turkey feels targeted, and its suspicions may be justified. An SDF commander contacted via WhatsApp in northern Syria told Al-Monitor, The main purpose of our alliance with Russia is to keep Turkey off our backs. The commander, who requested anonymity, added, They went after us in Manbij and when that failed they began attacking us in Afrin.

He was referring to a spate of Turkish attacks against SDF forces in areas west of the town of Manbij. Turkey has repeatedly demanded that the YPG and the PYD leave the mainly Arab town that was captured from the Islamic State with the help of United States last August. Manbij falls to the west of the Euphrates River, and Turkey insists that the Syrian Kurds confine themselves to the east of the river, calling the matter a red line.

Further Turkish attacks were pre-empted when the SDF struck an unexpected deal to allow Russian-backed Syrian regime forces into areas that were being targeted by Turkey and its Free Syrian Army allies.

At the same time, US special operations forces beefed up their presence to the east of Manbij, sending a stark message to Turkey to back off.

Sam Heller, a Beirut-based fellow with the Century Foundation, told Al-Monitor, The PYD-YPG seems to be surrounding itself with as many powerful international allies as it can to pre-empt a possible Turkish attack. It not clear how long this can work, but at least for now it seems to have left Turkey with very few good options. And as Heller observed, Turkey has been excluded from coalition plans to capture the jihadis so-called capital Raqqa.

While the United States has yet to formally announce its decision to proceed with the SDF, the campaign to conquer Raqqa is already in full swing. The SDF commander said, The operation to capture the Tabqa Dam began last night. Located in central Raqqa province, the dam is Syrias largest. SDF forces are planning to cross the Euphrates River along the dam and seize the eponymous IS-held town, a key point along the road to Raqqa.

US officials confirmed that an offensive to take Tabqa is underway.

The commander noted, Russia and the regime will not be happy because they want to control Tabqa. His comments highlight the YPGs thus far winning strategy of playing the United States against the Russians and the regime and of coordinating with all three when it comes to fending off the Turks.

Turkeys strongest card is its long border with Syria and continued influence over assorted Syrian rebel groups, which it has united under the Euphrates Shield command. Since August, Turkey and its rebel allies have cleared the Turkish border of IS forces and after a bloody and protracted offensive captured the IS-controlled town of al-Bab last month. But firmly hemmed in to the east by Russian, Syrian regime and US forces and now to the west by Russian forces in Afrin, Euphrates Shield appears to have reached the limits of its expansion.

The recent split in Ahrar al-Sham, one of the most powerful rebel factions in Syria, with its top leaders defecting to the Jabhat al-Nusra-dominated and al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, will have further weakened Turkeys hand.

Heller believes so, saying, The split may actually have increased Turkish leverage on post-split Ahrar, which has shed its most difficult members. But the ascendancy of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has, more generally, weakened the non-jihadist opposition  including Ahrar  and thus Turkish influence.

What if in a last reckless gamble, Turkey were to attack the Syrian border town of Tell Abyad, as it has been itching to do for some time?

The mainly Arab town was one of the early prizes delivered with the help of sustained coalition airstrikes to the YPG in June 2015. Controlling Tell Abyad would allow Turkey to drive a wedge inside the wide band of YPG territory running from the Iraqi border all the way to Manbij. That, however, would be a sign of less useful Turkish influence, not more, said Heller.

Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
March 21, 2017

On March 14, the European Court of Justice made a controversial ruling, stating that companies are permitted to ban employees from wearing visible religious symbols such as the Islamic headscarf. The decision from Europes top court came after two women were fired because they refused to take off their headscarves at workplaces in France and Belgium.

Many right-wing political actors praised the courts decision, while human rights groups and liberal media criticized the ruling. While the European court claimed neutrality for not singling out Muslims and argued no direct discrimination, it was impossible to evaluate the courts decision independently from increasingly hostile, anti-Muslim atmosphere in Europe and the fact that ruling was brought after two Muslim women filed complaints.

In Turkey, the European court's decision was condemned as scandalous by the pro-government media and reopened a long-standing wound.

The headscarf issue is one of the most sensitive and politicized issues in recent Turkish history, and one of the most powerful symbols of past secularist authoritarianism and discrimination against religious conservatives.

Turkeys religious conservatives remember another case related to the headscarf from another European court, the European Court of Human Rights. In 2005, that court made a ruling on a lawsuit that medical student Leyla Sahin brought against the Turkish state. She challenged a Turkish law, which at the time banned wearing the Islamic headscarf at universities and other educational and state institutions. To the dismay of Turkeys religious conservatives, however, the European Court of Human Rights sided with Turkeys draconian secularism.

Sahin is now a parliamentary deputy for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party. On March 15, she called the March 14 European Court of Justice decision a political, wrong and unacceptable decision. She said, This is Europes Feb. 28, referring to Turkeys Feb. 28, 1997, postmodern coup era when similar decisions prevailed.

Soon after the European courts ruling, reactions of harsh disapproval poured from numerous Turkish government officials. Among the first to react was Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, who said March 15: To force people to make a choice between their faith and work does not befit the dignity of the democratic state of law. It is of great primitiveness and is a greatly outdated practice. It carries no other meaning but as a resurrection of a medieval mentality in the 21st century at the hand of the courts.

Several ministries, parliamentary commissions and deputies published statements in the media, reproaching what they mostly saw as an unacceptable decision primarily targeting Muslims and as being part of a rising Islamophobic, hypocritical tide of double standards on democracy in Europe.

Among them was Minister of Family and Social Affairs Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, who has been the heart of attention recently after she was blocked from entering the Turkish Consulate in Rotterdam on March 11 and was deported from Netherlands. She said, Europe, which tells us it is the defender of womens rights, and which frequently waves its finger at us on this topic, is now forcing Muslim women in Europe to make a choice between their careers and beliefs.

The Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), a nongovernmental association known for being close to the Turkish government, joined the critics by issuing a public statement in which it argued that Europe has surrendered to xenophobia, Islamophobia, racism, fascism and enmity when it comes to Turks. The group said employers, government and the European Court of Justice should not be deciding the issue. "Women, with headscarves or not, should make their own decisions about how they work, KADEM said.

Turkey was determined not only to condemn the decision, but also to aid those affected by it.

While denouncing the European courts decision, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Turkey would stand behind all those suffering from the ruling and provide legal help. According to information released March 16, Turkey will provide legal support to Turkish citizens living in France and Belgium by assigning a lawyer free of charge if a person is fired as a result of wearing a headscarf. Moreover, Justice Ministry said the citizens in question would be able to benefit from legal aid via Turkish consulates in such cases.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already begun to use the headscarf ban decision as ammunition for his campaign for an April 16 referendum that would give the Turkish presidency far greater executive powers. As Abdulkadir Selvi, a government-leaning columnist in the daily Hurriyet, wrote, Erdogan is a leader born from the ashes of Feb. 28. Will the [religious] conservative voter, unable to forget the headscarf oppression from Feb. 28, not hold Europe accountable for headscarf ban?

At a rally in Sakarya town March 16, Erdogan accused the top EU court of not upholding freedom of religion, adding harshly, 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.

A day later, on March 17, at a public gathering in Eskisehir, Erdogan again slammed the European courts decision. "We are sick of this, Erdogan said loudly. You said, 'There is freedom of religion, freedom of faith!'" he continued, while adding, "I dare you to ban the skullcap!"

It is unclear whether the president was aware or not that the courts decision gives employers the right to ban all visible religious symbols, which would also include the Jewish kippa. (The Conference of European Rabbis condemned the court's decision in a March 14 statement.) But Erdogan consciously emphasized the European courts decision as targeting Muslim women in Europe, thus worsening the familiar pains of many Turkish religious conservatives, whose retribution could result in a Yes vote in the referendum.

From a legal point of view, the decision of the European Court of Justice stands in stark contrast with decisions on similar cases by the US Supreme Court that have upheld religious freedom over an illiberal notion of secularism. The March 14 European court decision, in other words, does not represent the whole Western world, let alone the world of the Cross.

Yet such nuances are easily lost in today's Turkey. What rather resonates is the political propaganda that the West is always unfair to Muslims  which gets vindicated by some real example of unfairness, including this latest European court decision on religious symbols.
March 20, 2017

It sounded dramatic: The leaders of 50 Syrian Arab tribes met in Sanliurfa, Turkey, and announced they would set up the Army of Al-Jazirah and Euphrates Tribes to end Russian and Iranian occupation of Syria and cleanse the Euphrates and Al Jazeera areas of the Islamic State (IS), the Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party/Kurdistan Workers Party (PYD/PKK), Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Sheikh Rafi al Raco Ukla represented the Shaitat tribe. In his opening speech at the March 14 meeting, he thanked Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their assistance and added, The US supports the PYD. The PYD is not different from [IS]. They deported many families from their homes in more than 50 villages.

It's not clear which tribes actually attended the meeting and who some of those 50 representatives really represented. Some of the tribes at Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor have already sent troops to fight with the mainly Kurdish, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as the United States is preparing for an operation in Syria to take Raqqa from IS. On Jan. 17, representatives of 28 tribes around Raqqa had organized a press conference at Haci Ali village to declare their support for the SDF.

Ahmad al-Jarba, the former head of the Syrian National Coalition, has announced he will be participating in the Raqqa operation with 3,000 of his men under the SDF banner. Jarba, who hails from the Shimir tribe, has set up a group he calls Syrian Elite Forces. Several tribes including Shaitats have sent fighters to join this force.

From the outset of the Syrian crisis in 2011, such reports have frequently popped up in headlines along with scenarios predicting Assad would not survive more than two months. Such wishful thinking evaporated. So what is this report of a new army under Turkeys sponsorship all about?

It is not possible to say that those attending the meeting were real Syrian tribal representatives, a local journalist who observed the meeting in Sanliurfa told Al-Monitor. Most of the people introduced as tribal leaders dont even live in Syria. Among them were some who were tried in Turkish courts for smuggling. They did try to look like a powerful, large gathering. But it was no different than the earlier ones. Many observers say intelligence services were behind the meeting. You could see that from the security measures around the meeting.

Sanliurfa province, with its large Arab population, was the staging ground in 2012 for preparations to launch a proxy war against the Kurds when they claimed the Jazeera canton. Arab tribes met on Dec. 23-24, 2012, after declaring they had established the Jazeera and Euphrates Liberation Front, and two months later actually participated in clashes against the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) at Serekaniye. They did try to change the situation on the ground with the support of Turkish intelligence, but it didnt work.

The March 14 meeting of Arab tribes at Sanliurfa is Turkey's most recent attempt to alter power balances, not only with Kurds in Rojava (the Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria), but in all of Syria. It is obvious that the Turkish government, which keeps insisting it will "be in the field and at the table in Syria, maintains its feverish desire to have a say in Syria.

This tribal show of force cannot be analyzed independently of recent developments in Syria, such as:

Turkeys efforts to foil Kurdish plans to integrate the area known as Sheba between Kobani and Afrin to cantonal autonomy and put an end to US partnership with the YPG (the PYD's armed wing) did not succeed. Turkeys moves toward Raqqa were blocked south of al-Bab. When Turkey then turned toward Manbij, its Operation Euphrates Shield encountered US, Russian and Syrian barriers. That was the end of Turkey's idea of moving to Raqqa by sidelining the Kurds.

US President Donald Trump's administration questioned the feasibility of Ankara's proposal to liberate Raqqa from IS by using Turkey's local Syrian allies, which were already participating in Operation Euphrates Shield. The United States decided to work with the SDF, whose bulk is made up of YPG Kurds. On March 9, when the chiefs of staff of the United States, Russia and Turkey were discussing Raqqa at a summit in the coastal Turkish province of Antalya, the United States had already started military deliveries to the SDF.

While Turkey was saying, We will clear Manbij of PYD/YPG and allow its native population to settle there, the local military council of Manbij declared it was setting up self-administration, as was done at Tell Abyad. Of course it was the Rojava Kurds who were behind this move. Members of the Manbij Democratic Administration Assembly, with a presidential system and 13 committees, assumed their duties after taking their oaths in Kurdish, Arab, Turkmen and Circassian languages. Interestingly, there was no reaction to this autonomous governance either from the United States or Russia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could not obtain support against the Kurds from Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met March 10 in Moscow. Erdogan conveyed Putins stance as, He definitely opposes a separate state in Syria. He wants respect for Syria's territorial integrity. Fine, but the issue at hand was not setting up a separate state or the territorial integrity of Syria."

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraqi Kurdistan is cooperating with Turkey and sent its Roj peshmerga militia to Sinjar. But the plan to eliminate the Yazidi forces linked with the PKK didn't work. Not only the Yazidis, but also the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which competes with KRG President Massoud Barzani, and the Gorran Party (Movement for Change) opposed the Sinjar thrust of Barzanis peshmerga.

Two simultaneous developments attracted notice in this complicated atmosphere. First, the Turkish government, which could not attune its demands with those of the United States and Russia, displayed its spoiler effect at peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. Syrian opposition groups that participated in the Feb. 15-16 meeting under Turkeys prodding did not send their negotiators to the March 14-15 meeting. Chief Syrian delegate Bashar al Jaafari claimed Turkey had blocked the opposition from attending.

Second, the tribes were convened at Sanliurfa parallel to the Astana process. The decision to set up a new army was Turkey's warning that it could deadlock the negotiations if its sensitivities are not taken into account. The target of the message was not only the Kurds but also the Americans, who persist in partnership with the Kurds, and Russia, Iran and the Syrian regime they support. Nevertheless, nobody really sees that message changing anything on the ground or making Turkey the playmaker in Syria.

If the tribes had that potential, they would have formed such an army long ago. Last spring, for example, there was an announcement that an "Army of the North" would be set up with Turkey's support. Nothing came of it. Even today, the force of local militants put together for Operation Euphrates Shield hasnt evolved into an army, despite all the command, control and support supplied by the Turkish Armed Forces.
March 21, 2017

Having been refused a role in the liberation of Mosul from the Islamic State (IS), signs are mounting that Turkey will also be excluded from the approaching operation to liberate Raqqa. Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield has been unable to advance farther than the outskirts of al-Bab in northern Syria, after the Turkish army and its Free Syrian Army (FSA) proxies took that town in February from IS.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogans determination to move northeast on to the town of Manbij, which is held by US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and then on to the IS stronghold of Raqqa, in order to carve out a 5,000-square-kilometer (1,930-square-mile) safe zone, appears highly unrealistic at this stage, analysts say.

Meanwhile, Russia has blocked any advance by Turkey and the FSA northwest of al-Bab toward the Kurdish-held town of Afrin. Washington and Moscow appear to have effectively hemmed in the Turkish army in a region along the Turkish border, beyond which it is unlikely to be allowed to move because of doubts about Turkish intentions.

Ankaras reference to a safe zone is widely accepted as a euphemism for a region it wants its Syrian proxies to hold in order to prevent Syrian Kurds from gaining any territory.

Although Ankara was bracing for US opposition to its move on Manbij (also near the Turkish border)  which it has vowed to free from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) operating under the banner of the SDF  the unexpected blow to its plans came from Russia.

Ankara says the YPG and its mother organization, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), are terrorist organizations. PYD representatives nevertheless continue to be welcomed in Washington and Moscow, while both the United States and Russia are cooperating with the YPG in the field.

Following the capture of al-Bab, Moscow announced that Turkish-supported forces had reached the demarcation line south of the town  previously agreed upon with Ankara  in order to prevent clashes between the FSA and the Syrian army, which had moved on al-Bab from the south.

No such agreement had been announced by Ankara, so the news from Moscow  which effectively laid down the limit beyond which Turkey would not be allowed to advance  caught the Turkish public by surprise given Erdogans remarks.

Ankara has offered to participate in the Raqqa operation if the YPG is excluded from it. Hopes were raised in Turkey when Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar hosted his US and Russian counterparts, Gen. Joseph Dunford and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, at the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya earlier this month to present his plan for this.

Ankaras offer, however, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Turkey failed to convince the United States and Russia to allow it to assume active participation in retaking the Syrian town of Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant [ISIL], or Daesh, on the condition of stopping collaboration with the [YPG], Murat Yetkin, a well-sourced political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Hurriyet Daily News, reported. ISIL and Daesh are alternative names for IS.

The Antalya move was, in a way, a final attempt by Turkey to make its point that it was wrong to fight a terrorist organization with the help of another terrorist group, Yetkin added.

Retired Brig. Gen. Naim Baburoglu drew a direr picture, saying the Euphrates Shield mission has failed. The aim was to prevent the YPG-held regions east and west of the Euphrates from connecting, Baburoglu told Al Monitor.

Turkey, however, cant move northeast of al-Bab toward Manbij, where it is blocked by the US, and it cant move on the YPG-held town of Afrin northwest of al-Bab because of the Russian presence there, he added.

Meanwhile, Manbij and Afrin have been connected by road south of al-Bab, Baburoglu said.

A Reuters report earlier this week that claimed Russia was setting up a base near Afrin under an agreement with the YPG caused shock waves in Turkey. Moscow denied the claim but acknowledged the Russian presence in the region.

In accordance with the Russian-Turkish agreement signed on Dec. 30, 2016, the Russian Center of Reconciliation carries out round-the-clock cease-fire monitoring. To prevent the violation of the cease-fire, one of the branches of the center has been set up near Afrin in a spot bordering the territory held by the Kurdish militias ... under the command of the Turkish-controlled [FSA], Moscow said.

This statement did little to assuage Ankaras concerns since any Russian presence in Afrin will prevent the Turkish military from mounting operations against the YPG there.

Baburoglu said Moscow is not prepared to leave the PYD to the US and is therefore courting the Syrian Kurds, too. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has acknowledged that Russia was mediating between the regime and Syrian Kurds, saying, We believe that such intra-Syrian dialog is useful.

Given its need for good relations with Moscow and because of its rapidly deteriorating ties with the West, Ankara is largely silent with regard to these Russian overtures; however, it is clearly not happy.

Turkey is also engaged in an effort with Russia and Iran in the so-called "Astana process," aimed at securing a settlement in Syria.

Like Baburoglu, professor Mesut Hakki Casin of Ozyegin University in Istanbul says the United States and Russia are unlikely to abandon the PYD.

Both powers agree that rights should be given to the Syrian Kurds. In the long run, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad will have to accept that in order to survive, Casin said in a recent interview.

Baburoglu also believes the PYD has become a geopolitical player in Syria, something that was never foreseen by Turkey.

Given its weakening position in Syria, there is speculation that Ankara is now trying to use other means in order to regain lost ground. The fact that it allowed around 50 Sunni Arab tribal leaders from Syria to convene in Urfa recently has merely added fuel to such speculation.

According to the spokesman for the tribes, their aim is to unite in order to not only defeat the Assad regime, the PYD and Hezbollah, but also to end the Russian and Iranian intervention in Syria.

Popular Hurriyet columnist Ertugrul Ozkok noted that this meeting was allowed to go ahead at the very moment that Ankara was co-sponsoring a meeting with Moscow and Tehran in Astana, Kazakhstan, which brought representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition groups together.

Ozkok said mockingly that if there was anyone in the Turkish Foreign Ministry who believes in any advantage to such inconsistent behavior, he was "prepared to slash [his] own wrists.

There is also speculation, fueled by remarks made by Erdogan in the recent past, about a Turkish effort to turn the FSA into Syrias new army. If this were to come about, it would mean a Sunni-dominated, anti-Kurdish and anti-Shiite army. Given the big picture as it stands today, though, such an army is highly unlikely to be formed, since it would be blocked by Russia and the United States.

The bottom line in all of this is that the prospects for Ankaras realizing its aims in Syria appear to be dimming by the day  a fact that is also being increasingly noted by Turkish analysts.
March 21, 2017

When Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan, the spiritual leader of Turkeys Armenians, fell ill in 2008, few would have thought that the debate on how to elect a new patriarch would drag on for years. Yet, ever since then, heated debates and divisions have haunted the Armenian community.

The debate had initially focused on whether the circumstances allowed for the election of a new patriarch at all. According to customs, a new patriarch is elected only when the incumbent one dies or steps down. Mesrob II was seriously ill and unable to perform his duties, but he was still alive.

In time, the debate evolved into whether the community should elect a new patriarch or a co-patriarch. Competing to have their respective solutions adopted, proponents of the two options applied separately to the Interior Ministry for permission to hold elections. The ministry, however, made a decision that further complicated the matter, concluding that the community could elect neither a new patriarch nor a co-patriarch but a patriarch deputy-general. Although such a post was without precedent in the history and traditions of the Armenian community, the Patriarchate complied. In July 2010, Archbishop Aram Atesyan was appointed patriarch deputy-general.

By October 2016, any remaining hope that Mesrob II could recover was gone. Heeding church traditions, the Patriarchates Clerical Assembly had him retired on the grounds he had been unable to perform his duties for seven years. Thus, the process for the election of a new patriarch kicked off.

According to tradition, the Armenians first elect a degabah, or trustee, to officially launch and manage the election process and run the Patriarchate until the new patriarch assumes office. So an election was held March 15, with two candidates running for the post: Archbishop Atesyan, and Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan, the primate of the Armenian diocese of Germany. Eventually, the latter was elected degabah.

Soon, however, an urgent letter from the Istanbul governors office arrived to the Patriarchate, disrupting the process and further entangling things. The letter said the Armenian community was well-aware of the fundamental methods and customs on the election of patriarchs, stressed that a patriarch deputy-general was already on duty and proclaimed that starting an election process was legally impossible.

In short, the governments interference derailed the patriarchs election at the very outset. The Armenian community is now debating how to overcome this new hurdle. In remarks to Al-Monitor, Sebu Aslangil, a lawyer for the community, said Atesyans resignation from the post of patriarch deputy-general could remove the ground for the governments intervention and allow the election process to resume.

This method may indeed prove effective in this particular situation, but it could hardly prevent other interventions on various pretexts down the road. In fact, the interference the Armenian community faces today is only a small reflection of the bigger problems that Turkeys non-Muslim minorities face in general.

The real problem lies in the absence of any law on the institutions of religious minorities and the Turkish government's refusal to recognize those institutions as legal personalities. No doubt, we are speaking of a consciously and deliberately created loophole here. The absence of a legal framework has spawned an atmosphere that allows for all kinds of intervention into the affairs of non-Muslim minorities, as the case of the Armenian communitys patriarch election demonstrates. Without a legal framework, the government is able to create difficulties for the minorities and leave things in limbo as it likes.

On March 20, Garo Paylan, an ethnic Armenian parliament member for the Kurdish-dominated Peoples Democratic Party, submitted a written parliamentary question to the interior minister, asking why the election process was blocked. The Armenian community met the letter [from the Istanbul governors office] with great dismay and deems it to be an intervention into the election process, the document, seen by Al-Monitor, said. Paylan asked what legislation stood as a basis for the letter, who ordered its urgent delivery to the Patriarchate and what required this intervention at a time when the Armenian community had reached a consensus on electing a new patriarch.

In libertarian legal systems, the absence of rules on a certain subject means that full liberty is available there. In Turkey, however, the absence of legal regulations on religious interactions within non-Muslim minorities is being used as a pretext for interventions that make life harder for them and complicate their affairs.

The problem goes well beyond the election of spiritual leaders. It is a far-reaching climate of political and legal ambiguity that affects a long list of issues, including how non-Muslim religious entities can acquire property, how they can bring in clergy from abroad, how they can raise their own clergy in Turkey and what religious titles they can use. It is because of this climate that Ankara is able to claim that the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, represents only the 3,000-strong Greek minority in Turkey and cannot use the ecumenical title. It is because of this climate that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is still unable to reopen its historical seminary on Istanbuls Heybeliada island, which was its main institution for training clergy before being arbitrarily closed in 1971.

In sum, as long as Turkey refuses to openly recognize non-Muslim religious institutions and legislate laws that respect human rights in this realm  something that both its founding document, the Lausanne Treaty, and various human rights conventions require  the climate of political and legal ambiguity will reign on, and Turkish governments using this or that pretext will continue to meddle as they like in the affairs of non-Muslim communities. Unless the giant legal vacuum is filled, the latest snag in the Armenian communitys election saga will remain as only one episode on a long list of interventions that will continue to extend.
Lyft

(Press photo)

Lyft will be available on Thursday exactly two weeks after getting the green light to launch a transportation network in Huntsville.

The San Francisco ridesharing company said it will debut in Huntsville at noon Thursday, allowing residents to request a ride with the touch of a button. Lyft will also begin operating in four other Alabama cities, including Auburn, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.

Lyft was created five years ago as the first peer-to-peer ridesharing service. Jaime Rackzka, head of early stage markets and expansion for Lyft, said Lyft has spent the early part of 2017 working to expand its services across the U.S.

"Today, we are excited about continuing this growth and bringing safe, friendly and reliable ridesharing to new communities," she said in a statement.

Passengers can request a ride through Lyft by using their smartphone app, where they pay drivers automatically. New Lyft passengers can save $5 on their first ride by using the code LYFTLOVE17.

Residents interested in driving for Lyft can apply here.

Lyft, which began offering rides in the Birmingham area in late February, requires drivers to pass a professional background check and a check through the local Department of Motor Vehicles. There are also requirements for cars that Lyft drivers use.

Lyft isn't the first ridesharing option in Huntsville. Uber and Zipcar have been available in the Rocket City since spring 2016.
Shipt coming to Huntsville

Shipt, an on-demand grocery delivery service, is expanding its Florida presence. (Courtesy)

Birmingham tech company Shipt has announced its first retailer partnership with a discount bulk retailer.

Shipt launched a partnership with Costco this week, and Tampa customers now have three retailers to choose from: Costco, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Publix.

This is a whole new kind of retailer for the grocery delivery service, who started their business with a partnership with Publix that has grown to several other similar retailers, like Meijer and Western Supermarkets. And there's more to come, according to Shipt CEO Bill Smith.

"Shipt is becoming a national player and we're building a national brand," Smith said. "Part of what we want to do is expand the selection of retailers that you can shop with Shipt. We want to have a natural foods option, which is Whole Foods in Birmingham, and a wholesale and a mainstream option."

Shipt's app is sort of like Uber, in that a customer opens the app, inputs a shopping list, and a database of independently contracted shoppers are given the option to accept or reject an order. There's a $99 annual membership fee, but there's only a fee on individual orders if they're less than $35 each. Prices are marked up through the app to cover the cost of labor.

Costco, a Issaquah, Washington-based company, normally requires a membership to shop at one its 508 United States warehouses. That annual membership costs $55, though it will go up to $60 this summer. Through Shipt, a membership is not required to buy Costco's goods, but Shipt's markup will be lower for Costco members.

Shipt is launching the partnership in Tampa because Costco identified it as a good initial market, partially because Costco has several warehouses in the metro area, whereas Shipt's hometown of Birmingham only has one. Smith said he hopes to expand the partnership to other cities soon.

"Costco, it fills a different need than a standard, mainstream grocery store," Smith said. "It's kind a bigger shopping event. You wouldn't just pop by Costco two or three times a week."

Offering Costco through Shipt should make more frequent trips to the warehouse retailer more practical, Smith said.

Tampa area residents can get a two-week trial free and a $15 discount on their first order as part of the launch promotion.
L Dames collage.jpg

Speaking at a Women's History Month celebration at Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, Ala., on March 22, 2017, were, from left, Pardis Stitt of Highlands Bar and Grill, Becky Satterfield of Satterfield's Restaurant, Betsy McAtee of Dreamland Bar-B-Que and Andrea Snyder of Urban Cookhouse. (Photos by Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com and courtesy of Satterfield's Restaurant, Urban Cookhouse and the Birmingham Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International)

Many of Birmingham's most influential women chefs, restaurateurs, caterers and food writers were recognized today for their contributions to the food and restaurant industry here.

The informal celebration was held at Highlands Bar and Grill in honor of Women's History Month.

"Birmingham has become one of the great culinary scenes in the Southeast," Mindy B. Hanan of the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association said, adding that many of the women gathered in the Highlands dining room helped make that possible.

Birmingham City Councilor Valerie Abbott also read a resolution honoring the women, "who have and continue to contribute to the advancement of our culture," she said.

The group included several members of the Birmingham Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International, a worldwide society of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industry whose mission is education, advocacy, mentoring and philanthropy, according to the group's website.

Among those attending today's Women's History Month celebration were owners and other representatives from Satterfield's Restaurant, Ashley Mac's, Urban Cookhouse, Homewood Gourmet, Highlands Bar and Grill, Dreamland Bar-B-Que, Iz Cafe, Kathy G. & Company, The Market at Pepper Place and other businesses and groups.

Noting that many of Birmingham's top male chefs and restaurant owners were first inspired by their mothers and grandmothers, Becky Satterfield of Satterfield's Restaurant said their female counterparts have also contributed greatly to the food and dining scene here.

"I do think it's a good time for us to make history, and for (that) history as women in this business in Birmingham, Alabama, to be recognized so that when we go on to glory one day, people will read about us and we will inspire people beyond," Satterfield said.

"Just as the Greeks and the Lebanese and the Italians have made their mark in hospitality in Birmingham, we will always be remembered for what we did."
Death Note.jpg

"Death Note," based on the manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, will begin streaming on Netflix on Aug. 25, 2017. (Netflix)

In development for part of a decade, the long-awaited

"Death Note"

film will finally come to fans' televisions later this year, and now we have our first trailer.

It even has an Alabama tie in its director, go-to horror wizard

Adam Wingard

.

Director of horror movie favorites like "You're Next" and "The Guest," the Tennessee-born Wingard claims Birmingham as his hometown.

Wingard also directed last year's "Blair Witch," a sequel to the 1999 horror hit.

Based on the manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, "Death Note" tells the following story:

A young man comes to possess a supernatural notebook, the Death Note, that grants him the power to kill any person simply by writing down their name on the pages. He then decides to use the notebook to kill criminals and change the world, but an enigmatic detective attempts to track him down and end his reign of terror.

The film will star Nat Wolff, Margaret Qualley, Keith Stanfield, Paul Nakauchi, Shea Whigham and Willem Dafoe.

"Death Note" will become available to stream on Netflix on Aug. 25, 2017. Watch the teaser trailer below:
After another year with hundreds of water main breaks, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is hoping the state will provide significant funding for infrastructure improvements.

Miner, a Democrat, joined with the Rebuild New York Now coalition Tuesday to call for state support of infrastructure projects.

"We need New York state to lead in funding our infrastructure needs," Miner said. "I have been working throughout my entire administration to raise awareness of these issues and I am pleased to be joined by Rebuild New York Now, among other groups, who support this important cause."

Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of Rebuild New York Now, said the state's water infrastructure is in need of improvement. He cited Hoosick Falls, a village in eastern New York, which experienced water quality issues stemming from PFOA contamination.

"Now is the time for a commitment that will not only create jobs but will ensure the safety and well-being of New York families who every day worry about the quality of the drinking water in their homes and in their children's schools," Elmendorf said.

Miner has spoken out before about Syracuse's infrastructure needs and the importance of funding projects across upstate New York. She submitted testimony last week to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which was examining drinking water quality throughout the U.S.

Syracuse has experienced its share of infrastructure woes in recent years. The city has reported hundreds of water main breaks annually, including 322 in 2016.

This year, there have been more than 70 water main breaks in Syracuse.

Miner touted some of the city's work to monitor water systems and determine where the water main breaks could occur. That helps the city plan preventative maintenance, she said.

State officials have proposed plans to invest in water infrastructure. Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants $2 billion for a clean water infrastructure fund. The state Assembly accepted that recommendation in its one-house budget. State Senate Republicans also endorsed the proposal, but added their own $5 billion bond act that could be used by municipalities to fund water system improvements.

"We cannot afford to wait," Miner said. "Our communities depend on reliable, affordable access to clean water, good roads and functional sewers to live every single day. In Syracuse, we have implemented creative new solutions to these old problems but  to continue to do this and for other communities to have these opportunities  we need the support of New York's leaders."
AUBURN  A settlement has been reached between the New York Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists and Cayuga County, the town of Springport, Union Springs Central School District and the village of Union Springs.

The church commenced proceedings against the town's assessor and the county, after the assessor attempted to tax the church's property on 40 Spring St., Union Springs. Real property records show that there are multiple ranch-style cabins and garages on the 111.1 acres of land. The total assessed value in 2016 was $2,648,500.

But the parcel had been tax-exempt before, and the church sued the taxing municipalities in order to restore its full-exempt status. The Springport Town Board voted March 13 to approve the settlement that included refunding the church in the amount of $2,877.02 for the first tax installment. The school and library districts are expected to refund the church $8,479.51.

Cayuga County Attorney Fred Westphal told legislators at the Ways and Means Committee meeting Tuesday evening that the county and school district still needed to pass a resolution accepting the settlement. Legislators on the committee voted to authorize it with Legislator Ben Vitale absent. The full Legislature will vote on the matter during its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 in the Sixth Floor Chambers of the Cayuga County Office Building, 160 Genesee St., Auburn.

In other news

 John Montone, vice chair of the Cayuga County Public Utility Services Agency, informally requested legislators support the organization's plan to pursue a $250,000 Clean Communities grant through the state Energy Research and Development Authority. Montone presented how the agency would spend the funds, including some large-scale solar power initiatives, creating a carbon credit system to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gases and creating rules and regulations around electricity rates.

Montone said the grant funds would help the organization gets to where it wants to be. Keith Batman, chairman of the Legislature, said there's been discussions about other uses for the grant funding, including heating work at the Cayuga County Jail. Montone said the agency was willing to incorporate other projects and possibly scale back some of the goals.

A resolution to support the agency's grant application is expected to be drafted for next month's committee meetings.
About 30 members of the progressive group Indivisible rallied Tuesday outside the Birmingham office of Sen. Richard Shelby, inviting him and new Alabama Sen. Luther Strange to a town hall they organized after the senators were unresponsive to their requests.

The invitation came in the form of an Invisible member dressed as a town crier, who rang a bell and read from a scroll. Shea Rives, the Indivisible member who wore the costume, said the group was holding a town hall April 8 at 3 p.m. at the Carver Theater.

Indivisible 6th District Alabama asking for town hall with @SenatorStrange & @SenShelby outside their Birmingham offices. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/wxR1oXJq9p  Howard Koplowitz (@HowardKoplowitz) March 21, 2017

"The honorable Sens. Richard Shelby and Luther Strange are hereby cordially invited to attend this meeting," he said in character before quoting Bob Dylan. "Should either senator be unable to attend on [April] 8, we will also gladly convene at a time and place of their choosing. So senators, congressmen please heed the call, don't stand in the doorway don't block up the hall. For he who gets hurt will be he who has stalled. There's a battle outside raging, and it'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls for the times they are a' changing."

The group said they made more than 160 phone calls and emails to Shelby and Strange, but received no response, and have held demonstrations at Shelby's downtown Birmingham office for eight weeks seeking a meeting.

Shelby's office said the senator visits all 67 Alabama counties every year, and that his focus of the visits in 2017 is to meet with small businesses and their employees.

"Sen. Shelby visits every county every year and has held more than 2,000 meetings in the state since his election to the Senate," Shelby said through a spokeswoman. "This year, the senator's state-wide tour will consist of meetings with employees and businesses to hear directly from them about the impact of federal policies on job creation and economic growth."

Jason Connell, 22, said he was disappointed in Strange.

"Strange was appointed [by Gov. Robert Bentley], not elected, and he keeps saying to us that he'll talk to us when he settles down and when he gets things figured out," he said. "But figuring out who his constituents are needs to be his first priority, not an afterthought."

A Strange spokeswoman responded to the group through a statement:

"Sen. Strange has regularly met with constituents since being sworn in and will continue to have conversations with Alabamians in constructive environments while serving in Washington and when traveling the state," she said.

Ashfaq Taufique, an Indivisible member and president of the Birmingham Islamic Society, said he would raise his concerns about the political atmosphere in the wake of President Trump's election with the senators if they show up to the town hall.

"I was sincerely praying and hoping that after the very contentious and divisive election we are going to bring this country together in terms of bridging the gaps, which are very, very deep and very, very wide," he said. "And we need elected officials to take this responsibility and make America great by inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness."

Taufique was also critical of the House Republican plan to repeal Obamacare and replace it with the American Health Care Act. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that 24 million people will lose health insurance by 2026 if the Republican proposal is enacted.

"We talk about Christian values, but one of the Christian values is: 'I am my brother's keeper.' And there are so many hidden things in this Trumpcare that would make life for retires, life for seniors and life for poor people very, very hard," he said. "As Christians, Muslims, Jews - all people of faith or without faith - we have an obligation to be there for our poor."

Indivisible member Carole Griffin said the group had a plan if the senators don't attend the town hall.

"If they don't come, then we will provide stand-ins for them. And if they don't mind having stand-ins, we think we may dress them appropriately in chicken costumes," she said. "We have two chicken costumes already ready. So we think it's in their interest to go ahead and get themselves to the town hall. Unless they're O.K. with that - with having two chicken stand-ins."
The shared Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee holiday in Arkansas is no more.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill into law that made the state's holiday honor the slain civil rights leader alone. Now, the state's holiday on the third Monday in January will carry only King's name, while the second Saturday in October, the month of Lee's death, will be Robert E. Lee Day. Lee Day will be commemorated with a gubernatorial proclamation but will not be a state holiday, Arkansas News reported.

Hutchinson has been a proponent of ending the state's 32-year-old practice of combining the two days into one holiday.

"I expected this debate would divide us, but instead during the debate we listened to each other, and the conversation brought us together. This is an education bill in which the discussion educated each of us, and we learned that history needs to be viewed not just from our own lens but through the eyes and experience of others," Hutchinson said.

The change leaves only two states - Alabama and Mississippi - having combined holidays for King and Lee.

Alabama and Mississippi have celebrated Lee's birthday since the 1800s and King's since 1983. The Lee/King holiday is one of three Confederate-related days on Alabama's official holiday calendar. The state also marks Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday in April and the birthday of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis on the first Monday in June.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously raised the bar for the educational benefits owed to millions of children with disabilities in one of the most significant special-education cases to reach the high court in decades.

The opinion rejected a lower standard set by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and used in a subsequent case by President Donald Trump's nominee to the high court, Neil Gorsuch, during his tenure on the appeals court. The high court's ruling quickly became the focus of questions on Wednesday at Gorsuch's confirmation hearing.

In its unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court said a child's "educational program must be appropriately ambitious in light of his circumstances" and that "every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives" even if the child is not fully integrated into a regular classrooms.

The justices said the standard used by the 10th Circuit set the bar too low for students. A student offered such a minimal level of education "can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court's 16-page opinion.

"It cannot be right," he continued, that federal law "generally contemplates grade-level advancement for children with disabilities who are fully integrated in the regular classroom, but is satisfied with barely more than de minimis progress for children who are not."

In Gorsuch's third day of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee, he was questioned about his application of the 10th Circuit standard. That standard was set in a 1996 decision, which said that services have to be "more than de minimus" or, in other words, result in at least minimal progress by the student.

"I was bound by circuit precedent," Gorsuch told the committee, saying that ruling against an autistic child and his parents was "heartbreaking."

He added that his circuit was unanimously taking the same position in all such cases. Now that the Supreme Court has said that is the wrong standard, he said, "Fine, I will follow the law."

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said Gorsuch had made the precedent worse by adding the word "merely" to the standard.

"To suggest I have some animus against children," Gorsuch started.

"Please," Durbin said, no one was suggesting that, but a wrong reading of the law.

Lewis Bossing of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, which opposes Gorsuch's nomination, called the high court's ruling, a "clear unanimous reversal of a standard that Judge Gorsuch has articulated and endorsed."

As a result of the decision, Bossing said, "we'll see schools start to think more carefully about how they can support students with disabilities and how they can make progress and achieve proficiency, and we'll see courts who are reviewing disputes between parents and schools understand that this is a higher standard."

The case before the Supreme Court involves Endrew F., a Colorado boy who was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

His parents pulled him out of public school after his behavior deteriorated dramatically and he made what they said was almost no academic progress. They placed him in private school, where he made rapid progress, and they sought reimbursement for tuition. They are entitled to that reimbursement if they can prove that the public school failed to provide a "free appropriate public education" under federal law.

The boy, known as Drew, is now 17 and continues to attend the private school, where he is learning vocational skills and preparing for life after high school, according to his parents.



More than 84,000 children are served in special education in Alabama's public schools. That includes a wide variety of children who may be severely impacted by their disability to students needing only minimal services. The achievement levels of students in special education are among the lowest in Alabama, on par with children who are just beginning to learn the English language.



Nancy Anderson of the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, said the Colorado district's argument was that it "only had to provide an education that was, really, just better than nothing," which is how they interpreted the standard. "This ruling effectively challenges school teams to have higher expectations for our children and to deliver services that meet those expectations," she added. "These kids can learn. They can become productive and engaged members of our communities if we believe in them and support them."

Authors information: Emma Brown writes about national education and about people with a stake in schools, including teachers, parents and kids. Ann covers legal affairs in the District and Maryland for the Washington Post. Ann previously covered state government and politics in California, New Hampshire and Maryland. AL.com reporter Trisha Powell Crain contributed to this report.
The White House has responded to reports that at least one of two students charged with raping a 14-year old girl at a Maryland high school was in the country illegally.

Press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Tuesday the alleged crime was "horrendous and horrible and disgusting."

"Schools should be a place where a parent puts their child on a bus or drops them off or sees them off and knows that they're safe. And the idea that this occurred is shocking, disturbing, horrific..." Spicer said.

Two teens, Henry Sanchez, 18, and Jose Montano, 17, have been charged in last week's assault in a bathroom stall at Rockville High School in Maryland. The Washington Post reported Sanchez lived in Guatemala until he was 17 and was caught crossing the U.S./Mexican border just months ago. Both men are believed to have outstanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement orders.

Both of the older teens were enrolled in ninth grade, something the school system said it does with many non-English speaking students.

Montano's preliminary hearing is set for March 31; Sanchez's is set for April 14.

While saying the President Trump believes education is a "state-run and local-run issue," the Maryland incident highlights the need for immigration reform, Spicer told reporters at a White House briefing.

"I think part of the reason that the President has made illegal immigration and crackdown such a big deal is because of tragedies like this," Spicer said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned.

The White House on Wednesday acknowledged the AP's revelations had "started to catch a lot of buzz" but brushed them aside, though some members of Congress expressed alarm. Manafort's activities appeared to contradict previous assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in confidential strategy plans as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom he eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer indicated Wednesday that President Trump had not been aware of Manafort's work on behalf of Deripaska. "To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from 10 years ago is a bit insane," Spicer said. He noted the AP's reporting "has started to catch a lot of buzz" but said Manafort's work occurred long before he became Trump's campaign chairman.

"I don't know what he got paid to do," Spicer said, adding, "There's no suggestion he did anything improper."

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosures come as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI investigation and two congressional inquiries. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign, an allegation that Manafort has dismissed as politically motivated.

Manafort confirmed in a statement to the AP he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russia's political interests."

Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the disclosures "serious stuff" and more evidence that an independent congressional committee should investigate the Trump administration. "Other shoes will drop," McCain said. His Republican colleague, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, another frequent Trump critic, called the disclosures "something that needs to be looked at."

"I don't know if he violated the Foreign Agent Registration Act, but it's something I think we all need to know more about," said Graham, referring to a U.S. law that requires people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders or parties to provide detailed reports about their actions to the government.

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests. U.S. diplomatic notes from 2006 described Deripaska as "among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad."

Democrats on the House intelligence committee said the new revelations will feature in their congressional investigations. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said on MSNBC that Manafort should appear before that committee, and he raised the specter of a subpoena should Manafort not come on his own.

Another committee member, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said the disclosure is "not a drip, drip, drip. This is now dam-breaking with water flushing out with all kinds of entanglements."

In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008  at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. An official representative of Deripaska said in a statement Wednesday: "There was an agreement between Mr. Deripaska and Mr. Manafort to provide investment consulting services related to business interests of Mr Deripaska which now is a subject to legal claims."

In the U.S., Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August when Trump asked him to leave after the AP revealed that he had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

Manafort told a colleague this year he continues to speak with Trump by telephone.
Mobile federal courthouse.jpg

Mobile's federal courthouse. (Lawrence Specker/LSpecker@AL.com)

Bridgette Williams Parker, one of two nurse practitioners embroiled in federal prosecution of a pill mill run by two Mobile doctors, has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison.

The sentencing took place last week and was announced Wednesday by the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. It follows a guilty plea by Parker in December 2015, and was influenced by her testimony in the recent trial of Drs. Xiulu Ruan and John Patrick Couch. Two Physicians Pain Specialists of Alabama (PPSA) clinics owned by the doctors were raided during a four-state DEA sweep in May 2015, and in February 2017 they were found guilty on a range of federal charges stemming from improper disbursement of narcotic painkillers.

Thomas Justin Palmer, the other nurse practitioner who figured prominently in the case, has a sentencing set for April 5. Like Parker, he entered a guilty plea in December 2015 and testified in the trial of Ruan and Couch. As in Parker's case, prosecutors have made a motion for Palmer to receive a sentence below the minimum suggested by usual guidelines.

According to information released Wednesday by acting U.S. Attorney Steve Butler, Parker was an experienced operating room nurse who was hired by PPSA after earning her master's degree. At the clinic she "knowingly and intentionally conspired to prescribe various Controlled Substances outside the usual course of professional practice."

"During the recent trial of Dr. Ruan and Dr. Couch, Parker testified that she regularly saw patients on her own without oversight from either doctor," said a statement released by Butler's office. "Parker further admitted that she often went to fellow nurse practitioner and co-defendant Justin Palmer and requested that he forge Dr. Couch's signatures on prescriptions for Controlled Substances. In addition, Parker admitted, and other evidence corroborated, that she was abusing drugs in the office and was frequently impaired while seeing patients."

For her "substantial assistance" in the conviction of Ruan and Couch, Parker received a break of 50 percent from the minimum recommended. She entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance outside the usual course of medical practice; the maximum penalty on the charge would have been 20 years plus a $250,000 fine.

"It is disheartening when trusted professionals like nurse practitioners are engaged in the diversion of controlled substances," DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton said in the statement issued Wednesday. "All DEA Registrants have an obligation to ensure that medications are getting into the hands of legitimate patients. Any registrant who violates or blatantly ignores their obligations will be held accountable. The conviction and sentence of Bridgette Parker is a result of DEA's continued commitment to hold accountable those who participate in illegally dispensing controlled substances in our communities."

Palmer's sentencing is set for April 5. According to testimony in the case, he too had abused painkillers while working at PPSA and had at one point been found passed out with a needle in his arm. He too entered a guilty plea to one conspiracy count; prosecutors have filed a motion asking the court to consider "a 50 percent reduction from the low end of the applicable sentencing guideline range."

Ruan and Couch are to be sentenced in late May. After their convictions, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bodnar declined to speculate on what prison terms they might receive. But based on the verdict, he said, prosecutors likely would ask for prison terms "at the top end" of the sentencing range.
A brawl between two employees of a Waffle House in Auburn was captured on cell phone video on Sunday.

Auburn police confirmed the fight occurred at the Waffle House located in the 1700 block of Opelika Road.

The video of the fight is more than two minutes long and includes graphic language. Another restaurant worker can be heard calling 911.

Robert Payne captured the video of the brawl, which occurred at around 3 a.m. He and his wife stopped in the diner after visiting an area bar, he said.

"(It) all happened so fast," he said.

Payne said the fight started after one worker asked another to move so she could wash dishes.

Capt. Lorenza Dorsey said the incident was over by the time officers arrived at the restaurant and no arrests were made.

"The parties involved, however, do have the option to have the case reviewed and/or pursued in municipal court if either desires to do so," he said.

A representative from Waffle House's corporate office in Georgia released this statement to AL.com: "We are investigating this incident and will take the necessary appropriate actions."

Updated at 1:49 p.m. with statement from witness and Waffle House.
alabama pot eradication photo.JPG

(Photo/Jacquelyn Martin )

Ebony Howard

By Ebony Howard, associate legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Frank Knaack, the executive director of Alabama Appleseed.

In 2015, more Alabamians were arrested for possession of marijuana than for any other drug offense.

Such arrests frequently translate to misdemeanor convictions for first-time offenders, but there were 901 felony convictions stemming from possession charges that year, according to the most recent state data available. That's because in Alabama, a person with a previous possession conviction can be charged with a felony. Records show the state churned out more than 5,000 such felony convictions between October 2010 and September 2015.

Quite simply, Alabama has spent a lot of time - and money - needlessly branding people as felons. In 2010 alone, Alabama spent $13 million to enforce its marijuana possession law, an analysis by the American Civil Liberties Union found.

And what are we getting for our money?

The newly minted "felons" discover they're punished long after paying their debt to society. Job opportunities are lost. The right to vote is lost. The stigma of the conviction, however, is not easily lost. A misdemeanor conviction also takes a toll that far outweighs the offense. A student with a misdemeanor faces, at a minimum, a temporary ban on student financial aid, which can lead to drop out and a chain reaction of negative consequences.

Frank Knaack

In other words, we're creating the next generation of the disenfranchised, the unemployed and the underemployed. And we're wasting tax dollars that could be used for substance abuse programs that would do much more to address drug addiction in our communities.

That's why Alabama lawmakers should pass legislation introduced by state Rep. Patricia Todd. The bill, HB 269, would punish possession of an ounce or less of marijuana with a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. A conviction for possessing less than an ounce also wouldn't result in a criminal record.

It is not a radical proposal. It is a modest step that will save the state money and end the needless criminalization of Alabamians - particularly people of color.

Despite research that shows whites and blacks use marijuana at roughly equal rates, African Americans are more than four times as likely to be arrested for possession in the state, according to arrest data for 2015. Reforming our possession law to prevent people from being saddled with a criminal record will at least limit the damage as we work to eliminate the racial disparity in enforcement.

Reform may be intimidating, but Alabama would not be sailing into uncharted waters by passing HB 269. Thirteen states have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Overall, one-third of the U.S. population - 120 million people - live in jurisdictions where marijuana possession has been virtually decriminalized. New Mexico is currently considering a similar proposal to HB 269. Their bill has already passed the New Mexico Senate with bipartisan support. There's even a bipartisan bill in deeply conservative Texas that would punish possession of small amounts of marijuana with a fine not to exceed $250.

And, of course, eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use - debunking myths about marijuana reform in the process. In Washington state and Colorado, the first states to legalize recreational use, a spike in traffic fatalities and other dire predictions failed to materialize. Surveys in the two states show no significant change in the use of marijuana by teenagers.

Such findings should assuage concerns about the far more limited reform that's being proposed in Alabama.

Our legislators must recognize that the changes we're seeing in marijuana laws across the country are a reflection of a growing number of people, including government officials, realizing that tax dollars have been wasted and lives irreparably damaged by a misguided war on marijuana.

It's time for Alabama lawmakers to recognize that fact and pass commonsense reform.
A year ago today Spencer Collier spoke words that shook Alabama.

I was driving home when I heard them. I slammed the brakes, veered to the curb and desperately grabbed pen and paper. A Whole Foods bag would have to do.

"Can you um - can you say that again?" I asked Collier, because I wasn't sure I heard him right. So he did. Slowly.

Gov. Robert Bentley had an affair, he said. Collier, Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency until that day, said he had seen and heard sexy text messages and audio recordings of Bentley cooing saccharin nothings to his political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason. He said he urged Bentley to break it off, but the governor couldn't bring himself to do it.

The next day -- in one of the worst and most ill-advised press briefings in Alabama history -- Bentley confirmed it was his voice on those recordings:

"But baby, lemme tell you what we're gonna have to do tonight: Start locking the door."

In the span of 24 hours his transformation from family values grandpa to lecherous Luv Guv was underway. Even then it was impossible to foresee what a seismic year would follow.

At times the whole nation sat back and laughed as Alabama covered its face in sheer humiliation.

The governor bought disposable "burner phones" at Best Buy, for Pete's sake. He once forgot his wallet when he stormed from his Tuscaloosa home after a fight with his now-ex wife. So he had a state helicopter bring it to him at the beach.

It's like a bad script. Mason once accompanied him to a Celine Dion show in Vegas. On a state plane. She went as his plus-one to a White House dinner last year, and this year - with her husband - flew with Bentley to a Donald Trump inaugural event.

The money, and audacity, split Bentley's Republican party and bred incredulity on both sides of the aisle.

Of course Alabama was stunned. A year ago the state was already hip deep in the corruption of then-House Speaker Mike Hubbard. He was accused of using his position for personal gain, and even that case tainted the governor. It was Mason frustrating the Hubbard probe, Collier said, that put him at odds with Bentley in the first place.

One by one the dominoes fell. Hubbard would be convicted of a dozen ethics violations. In an unrelated matter Chief Justice Roy Moore was suspended for the rest of his term for violating a federal court order. But Bentley held on.

Barely.

Legislators initiated on-again, off-again efforts to impeach him for misusing money and other charges. The feds asked questions. Even then-Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange began an investigation - though in truth it was begun by his corruption unit and tolerated by Strange.

Strange, who asked the would-be impeachers to hold off in deference to his investigation, decided he wanted to be a U.S. Senator after Jeff Sessions became U.S. Attorney General. Bentley raised eyebrows and suspicion when he appointed him to that job - though new AG Steve Marshall has assured Alabama the investigation will continue.

It has been a long year. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

A year after the earth began to shake, Bentley remains in office, though he quacks a lot like a lame duck.

His plans - prisons this year - fail as miserably today as they did in the past. Fellow Republicans are leading a renewed push to have him tossed out, and some legislators are sure - surer than I - the Alabama Ethics Commission will act against him at its April 5th meeting.

What a year. The consequences of A Year of Living Amorously. It has been a juddering, shuddering 365 days in Alabama, and the state is no closer to honest government or leadership than when it all began.

Collier, who has since been named Selma police chief, said Tuesday he's "glad to put the past year behind me."

The state of Alabama sure would like to say the same.
Patterson.jpg

Rep. Jim Patterson, R-Meridianville, introducing his bill to provide insurance coverage for children with autism.

(Trisha Crain / tcrain@al.com)

Ashlie Walker

By Ashlie Walker, a board certified behavior analyst and Birmingham native. She is the owner of Milestones Behavior Group, Inc., which specializes in integrity-based training on behavior analytic strategies in school settings and applied behavior analysis therapy for children with Autism in their Vestavia Hills clinic.

Alabama is one of only five states left in the country without insurance reform to mandate the coverage of evidence-based Autism therapies. HB284 is the best shot at meaningful Autism insurance reform this state has ever seen.

In his Yellowhammer article, Bill Canary, head of the Business Council of Alabama, claims that cost of this legislation is "unknown" or "being hidden." However, verifiable, fiscal data across 45 other states have shown the cost of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) coverage does not exceed 50 cents per member per month and these numbers were provided by Autism Speaks at the HB284 hearing. The Business Council is refusing to acknowledge verified data on the costs in other states.

Canary claims that Alabama's state government provides health insurance coverage to more than 400,000 public education employees and government workers and retirees, and it currently chooses not to cover all available autism therapies due to the high costs. In the meantime, law makers and their constituents expect teachers to provide a free and appropriate public education of quality to their children; failing to acknowledge that many educators have children with Autism and can't afford the fully recommended amount of therapy based on their teacher salaries. The financial burden of covering these services is already placed on our Alabama schools as they are the primary funding source of ABA therapy at this time.

Canary states that Medicaid is supposed to cover these therapies for their participants, but they elect not to due to the high costs. The fight has begun to enforce the 2014 mandate for Medicaid to cover ABA for children ages 0-21.

Canary claims that The "Riley Ward Act" passed in 2012 requires insurers to offer Autism treatment, not mandate coverage, to large group customers. Based on a survey conducted by the Alabama Autism Society, NOT ONE child in Alabama has benefitted from this law to date.

Canary claims that ABA costs approximately $100 per hour and that children with Autism require 40 hours of treatment each week to produce desired results. That equates to more than $200,000 a year. However, not all children with Autism require 40 hours per week of ABA. it is standard practice in ABA to use a tier delivery model that utilizes the services of Registered Behavior Technicians whose hourly is around $30 per hour or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst's whose rate is often half of the supervising Board Certified Behavior Analyst's.

Canary pokes fun at ABA calling it the "Cadillac of Autism Treatment." ABA is the only scientifically validated treatment for Autism. Half a century of empirical studies demonstrates the effectiveness of ABA for Autism across the lifespan and is endorsed by the US Surgeon General, American Academy of Pediatrics and The CDC.

Canary says that there are no state-licensed or regulated ABA therapists operating in Alabama and this "health tax" would be imposed for a service that cannot be provided. The Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board became law in 2014 and will begin issuing licenses in May, 2017. There are 181 Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Alabama and many states with insurance reform do not require BCBA's to become licensed by a state regulated board as they are already regulated by the Nation Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Canary claims that no hard numbers or rough estimates have been provided on how many individuals in Alabama would qualify for these therapies. BCBS-AL has the most useful and accurate data on file to determine this number. A simple search of claims with the "299.0" diagnosis code would yield these data. The CDC has not conducted a survey of the prevalence of ASDs in several years but they have historically recognized Alabama as having one of the lowest identified populations of Autism in the country.

The Autism community urges the members of the insurance committee to call a vote on HB284.
classroom.jpg

Ryan Thoreson

By Ryan Thoreson, the Yale Law School Robert L. Bernstein International Human Rights Fellow at Human Rights Watch

On March 20, Utah officially repealed an anachronistic provision of state law that prohibited the "advocacy of homosexuality" in public schools.

The repeal is an important milestone, and will make a huge difference for Utah's youth. But in Alabama and at least six other states, similar laws restricting the discussion or "promotion" of homosexuality - or "no promo homo" laws - remain on the books.

Alabama law currently requires public school course materials related to sexuality education to include an "emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state."

Alabama's criminal law against same-sex conduct has been unenforceable since the Supreme Court invalidated it in 2003. But the no promo homo law remains in place, sending degrading and misleading signals to students and teachers alike.

As Human Rights Watch has documented, laws like Alabama's have terrible consequences for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) kids in schools. Last spring, I traveled to Alabama to interview students, parents, teachers, and administrators about LGBT issues in schools, including the impact of these laws.

The most glaring effect is that they keep students from getting factual, accurate information about LGBT topics. In sexuality education, they prevent teachers from making lessons LGBT-inclusive and ensuring that all students know basic facts about their bodies and how to stay safe and healthy. With nowhere to turn for accurate information, students rely on friends, social media, or even pornography for sex education.

Because the laws are so broadly worded, school personnel often assume that they stretch far beyond sexuality education. Students told me that teachers refused to talk about LGBT issues in government, psychology, literature, and other subjects where they might naturally arise. Teachers told me how difficult it was to prepare students for life in a diverse society when they couldn't share even basic information about LGBT topics without risking backlash from parents or administrators armed with the law.

Beyond lesson planning, the people I talked with described other worrying effects of these laws. Students told me how isolating it was to be in schools where they regularly heard homophobic and transphobic slurs but rarely heard adults counter those messages or say anything positive about LGBT people. Teachers said that the fear of running afoul of these laws kept them from intervening in bullying and harassment, and prevented them from voicing support or reassuring LGBT students that there was nothing wrong with them.

Despite the clear evidence of the harm these laws generate, efforts to repeal them have largely failed. Representative Patricia Todd has repeatedly attempted to repeal Alabama's discriminatory provision, but even this simple fix has failed to gain traction in the legislature.

In Utah, it took a lawsuit to make lawmakers and advocacy groups take a hard look at the statute and its effects. Last year, the organization Equality Utah and three students sued the state board of education and school districts, making the case that the law was discriminatory and restrained freedom of speech.

When the legislature reconvened, lawmakers quickly moved to repeal the law, declaring they wouldn't leave it up to the courts but would fix the problems in the law themselves. The effort garnered broad bipartisan support, sailing through the state legislature with a 68-1 vote in the House and 27-1 vote in the Senate. Even conservative groups supported the bill, noting that it made sexuality education and the values it teaches uniform for all the state's youth.

It shouldn't take the threat of litigation for lawmakers in Alabama to do the right thing. The state's no promo homo law is discriminatory and it does real harm to youth who already face bullying and isolation in school. Lawmakers who want to provide the best education to all students should take note of what's proven possible in Utah, and have the courage to stand up for inclusivity and reason in Alabama.
One Kurdish family is speaking out more than a year after their daughter was allegedly killed by Turkish sniper fire.

One of the first things I noticed when walking into the modest home of the Cukurs, is a framed picture wrapped in a patterned brown cloth, prominently displayed next to a plaque emblazoned with Islamic calligraphy in the bare living room.

I soon discovered that behind the cloth, was the familys greatest pride, and now greatest heartbreak  the last school portrait of their 17-year-old daughter, Rozerin.

Rozerins mother has been speaking with a psychologist to help cope with the grief and outrage following her death more than a year ago. The psychologist told her it was best for her not to look at the photo.

I go crazy talking about my daughter. She is always in my heart, says Fahriye Cukur. They did not have the right to do this. They came and stole our child and cut out a piece of our lung. My daughter was not guilty.

The Cukurs are Kurds living in Diyarbakir, Turkeys largest predominantly Kurdish city.

The tension is palpable in Diyarbakir. Hundreds of people such as Rozerin have been killed since a ceasefire disintegrated in July 2015 between the Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK, and the Turkish government.

The United Nations says that at least 355,000 people, mostly Kurds, have since been displaced, and numerous politicians, including the former co-mayors in Diyarbakir, have been imprisoned.

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States, launched an armed struggle against the Turkish state in 1984 for more autonomy. Since then, more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

A ceasefire between the PKK and the state broke down in July 2015 and thousands have been killed in the conflict since then.

We were forced to take security measures and had to establish order. However, we have tried to respect human rights as much as we could, says Abdurahman Kurt, deputy chairman with the ruling AKP party and a native of Diyarbakir.

He says the government tried to make peace with the PKK and was ready to pay the political price for doing so.

READ MORE: Exile in Diyarbakir

The Cukurs never imagined their studious daughter, a pacifist, would become a casualty of the same violence that drove the family out of their burned-out village a generation before.

We have one reason [for her death], says Fahriye Cukur. Because we are Kurds. Because of one language. One name. They kill our children and then call them terrorists.

The Cukurs say their daughter was a student in January 2016 when she was trapped by the violence in Diyarbakir as she tried to retrieve her notes at school and was shot by a Turkish army sniper.

It took the family five and a half months to retrieve her body so they could bury their child.

I have been so distracted by my daughters death, says her father Moustafa Cukur.

It ended half of my life. I say to the [Turkish] state what do you want from me? You took everything from me. Now you should kill me or jail me.

The family says it wont stop speaking out about what they view as the injustice of Rozerins death. But that has risks. Moustafa Cukur says he is now under investigation for aiding and abetting the PKK and spreading propaganda. He says the only thing he is trying to spread is awareness about the plight of the Kurds.
Rather than providing the American people an opportunity to fully examine proposed legislation to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Washington Republicans are attempting to rush their healthcare repeal bill through Congress. Now that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has scored the proposal, we are shocked at its effects on the healthcare delivery system here in New York State. While there are still some elements of the legislation that are unknown, we do know that passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as Trumpcare, would be an assault on New Yorks rural healthcare systems.

According to 2014 Institutional Cost Reports filed with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), New Yorks rural hospitals have a nearly -8 percent profit margin on direct patient care services. Hospitals in rural and underserved areas across New York are often the only provider of care for emergency and non-emergency services operating 24 hours a day seven days a week to all of those who walk through the doors, insured and uninsured. The elimination of federal and state funding under the AHCA, coupled by the loss of reimbursement for the estimated 1 million New Yorkers who will lose insurance coverage, will only worsen the financial viability of these providers and put them at risk of closing their doors.

The House plan would offer tax credits based on income and age, but the net effect would be a drop in federal subsidies for those who are older, lower income and who live in high-premium areas, such as Upstate New York. The proposed age tax would allow insurers to charge older Americans as much as five times more for their care. New York State is home to the third-largest elderly population in the nation and, according to US Census estimates, Upstate New York has a proportionately higher aging population compared to other areas of the state and the country. There are approximately 1.4 million New Yorkers, aged 55 to 64, outside of the New York City area.

Additionally, the AHCA eliminates funding for opioid and heroin treatment. These drug problems are plaguing Upstate New Yorks rural communities at an alarming rate. Upstate has seen a 73.8 percent increase in opioid-related deaths from 2010-2014. Hospitals and health systems in upstate New York are responsible for providing the initial medical and emergency services for these patients, as there are few rehabilitation and treatments centers in rural areas. Further reductions to hospitals that provide critical care will only exacerbate the opioid and heroin epidemic that is prevalent in many rural neighborhoods.

Furthermore, recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare professionals remain one of the top challenges in rural health care delivery. Hospitals and health systems in rural and underserved areas across Upstate New York are often the economic driver within their communities, acting as the largest single employer. The collapse of a rural hospital could mean the collapse of an entire healthcare community. Doctors and nurses, already difficult to recruit and most of whom are employed by hospitals, will simply leave for other states and other opportunities.

Currently, there is a provision of ACHA being negotiated amongst New Yorks Congressional delegation to be included in its final version. On the surface, this proposal appears to offer, optically, New Yorkers a significant cut to their property tax bill. The proposal, spearheaded by Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY 27th District), would require New York state to assume the local share of Medicaid. In its current draft, the proposal only applies to New York state, specifically to counties outside of New York City. This would cost New York state an additional $2.3 billion annually. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul have indicated that this is an unacceptable and unsustainable burden for the state, and, unfortunately, would likely cause the state to pass the cost onto providers. According to the governors office, this would result in the state having no other choice but to reduce payments to Upstate providers by as much as 25 percent. A cut of this magnitude will eliminate a number of rural hospitals and health care providers throughout Upstate New York.

Passage of the AHCA would cripple the ability of rural providers to deliver care to the states most vulnerable populations. Residents of rural upstate New York deserve access to quality health care. With Congressional plans to vote on the AHCA this Thursday, it is imperative that you contact your Congressperson today and ask they vote against this detrimental proposal.
Amman, Jordan  Ahlam al-Tamimi, 37, never imagined that the quiet life she led for several years in Jordan would be turned upside down when the United States Department of Justice filed criminal charges against her demanding her extradition from Jordan and placing her on the FBIs most wanted list.

In an interview with Al Jazeera at her home in the Jordanian capital, Amman, Tamimi said that her ordeal with the US extradition request started last September when she was arrested by the Jordanian branch of Interpol while she was driving to visit her parents. After spending one night in jail, she posted bail and started her legal fight against her extradition through Jordanian courts, which ended last Tuesday, seven months later.

When asked why she thinks the US government decided to go after her after all these years, and after she was tried, convicted and served time in Israeli jails, she said: I was really shocked at the American behaviour.

The US government, who is always trying to solve the problems of the world, especially in the Middle East, has decided to go after one woman for no obvious reasons.

In 2013, the US government filed under seal a criminal complaint against Tamimi based on her assistance in an August 9, 2001, bombing of Sbarro Pizzeria in Jerusalem that killed 15 people, including two American citizens. The criminal complaint was unsealed publicly last week.

Federal prosecutors accuse Tamimi of having agreed in the summer of 2001 to carry out attacks on behalf of the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement and having travelled with the restaurant bomber to Jerusalem. Prosecutors say that she instructed the bomber to detonate the explosive device, which was hidden in a guitar, in the area.

Tamimi told Al Jazeera that she never knew that American nationals were killed in that bombing. She also said the Israeli government never mentioned that during her trial. The first time I ever knew that Americans were killed was when the Interpol in Jordan told me about the charges filed in the US against me, she said.

READ MORE: Ahlam al-Tamimi  Jordan refuses to extradite her to US

Tamimi believes the complaint was a result of pressure from US-based pro-Israel groups. These groups have somehow been able to steer the US government to go after me. even after I was convicted and spent many years in Israeli prisons.

Last year, Jordanian lower courts handed her legal victory when it rejected the US request on the ground that the US-Jordan extradition treaty signed in 1995 was unconstitutional because it was never ratified by the Jordanian Parliament.

On Monday, Jordans Supreme Court agreed with the lower courts decisions making her extradition legally impossible for Jordan. All of the Jordanian courts agreed with our position to reject the American request because it was illegal according to Jordans constitution, Hikmat Rawashdeh, Tamimis lawyer, told Al Jazeera.

The constitution bars extraditing any Jordanian citizen without the due process of the law or proper extradition request, which was not done by the American side, he added.

Rawashdeh also said that Jordans constitution prevents prosecuting an accused person with the same offence twice, similar to the double jeopardy clause in the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution.

Al Jazeera asked the US Justice Department for its reaction to the Jordanian court ruling and whether the US government would review its extradition treaty with Jordan or renew its demand for extradition. As a matter of policy, the Department [of Justice] generally does not comment on extradition-related matters, Peter Carr, a spokesman for the US Justice Department wrote in an email to Al Jazeera.

As a result of Jordans Supreme Court decision, Tamimi is no longer wanted by the Interpol in Jordan. She is still, however, a wanted person internationally by Interpol and could face arrest should she travel outside Jordan.

Tamimi was a 20-year-old college student when she was arrested in Israel and pleaded guilty during her trial. She was sentenced in 2003 to 16 life terms in prison for her role in the bombing. She said that after her arrest, she was held for 43 days, during which was subjected to physical and psychological torture.

I was subjected to cruel treatment by Israeli jailers, and was never allowed to even have proper hygiene or make contact with family or have access to a lawyer, she said.

READ MORE: Ahlam Aref Ahmad al-Tamimi on FBIs Most Wanted list

After spending 10 years in Israeli jails, during which she was rarely allowed to talk to her family, Tamimi was freed from prison in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

She said she was in utter shock that the US government decided to go after her, insisting that she committed no crimes against the US government or on US soil, or that she tried to kill US citizens intentionally.

Tamimi said she witnessed many of her friends and fellow students killed in cold blood by the Israeli army.

In 2000, the Palestinian occupied territories were engulfed in a bloody uprising called the Al-Aqsa Intifada against the Israeli occupation. Between the years 2000 and 2005, Israeli forces killed 3,136 Palestinians while 431 Israelis were killed by Palestinians.

From a Palestinian, as well as international law perspective, it is perfectly legitimate to resist the Israeli occupation, she said. We only wanted freedom for our country, not to kill Israelis or others for the sake of killing.

Since her release from Israeli jails, Tamimi said she has tried to put the past behind her and tries to have a normal life for and her husband. Soon after her release from jail, she got married to Nizar al-Tamimi, 44, a relative, who spent 19 years in Israeli jails for killing an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank and was released at the same time as Ahlam.

I would like the American people to look at the case against me as an unjust case and speak out to stand with me and the truth, she said. I want to lead a normal life, continue my education and raise a family. All l want now is for the US government to just leave me alone.
Athens, Greece  It was just another day for teenage brothers Ismael and Isa Achekzai at the local market in Herat, Afghanistan, where they went daily to sell potatoes from their familys modest plot of land on the outskirts of town. Their earnings from the market were not much, but they were enough to help the family of five just about get by.

But as the brothers pushed their wheelbarrow towards their home, a powerful explosion ripped through the market, leaving behind a cloud of dust and chaos, and a family who would forever be changed.

As the debris began to settle, Ismael stood up and looked to the spot where his brother had been standing just moments before. The wheelbarrow carrying their vegetables was overturned, its contents a splattered mess everywhere. Isa had not survived the blast from the roadside bomb.

Bending down slowly, Ismael started collecting his younger brother, piece-by-bloody-piece. He collected as much of Isa as he could find, placing the pieces in a plastic bag. He then carried the bloodied plastic bag home, placing it on the kitchen table for his mother who was busy making dinner. That was 10 years ago.

Ismael has not been the same since, says his father, Ibrahim Achekzai, who is now in his mid-50s. Neither has his mother, who recently gave birth to a premature baby boy in a camp on the outskirts of Athens, Greece. Though she claims to be in her mid-30s, Bibi Achekzai is missing almost every tooth in her mouth and has the appearance of a woman in her late-40s.

The Achekzais are one of thousands of traumatised refugee families now stranded in Greece since the beginning of the mass influx of refugees to Europe in mid-2015.

They are also one of the many refugee families in desperate need of mental health services, which, though exist in small numbers, are incredibly difficult to access.

Prior to the ratification of the EU-Turkey deal on March 20, 2016, very few refugees who arrived in Greece stayed for more than a few days or weeks. With the EU-Turkey deal, however, followed by the closure of the Macedonia border and the Balkan land route to central Europe, more than 62,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are now stranded in Greece, a large percentage of whom are in desperate need of mental health services.

READ MORE: The dark side of the EU-Turkey refugee deal

The EU-Turkey deal and the sudden closure of the Greek-Macedonian border meant that many people who had planned on continuing onwards to central and northern Europe were forced to quickly reassess their plans. Not only did this cause chaos in the asylum system in Greece  by suddenly overloading it with thousands more cases over night  it created a fresh trauma for many refugees whose futures became instantly uncertain.

It was really abrupt what they did, explains Anastasia Papachristou, who works for Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials MSF). They just stopped their movement and the majority of our patients had to plan their lives all over again. Because of this, she continues, they experienced yet another trauma.

We share patients

Since 2014, MSF has run a joint programme with Babel DC  a local Greek NGO that offers mental health services and support to the refugee and migrant community currently stuck in Greece. We share patients, says Anastasia.

Because we don't have the right social services and psycho-social services available, people are getting severely depressed by Lisa Campbell, manager of the camp in Oinofyta

They [Babel] have a psychiatrist on their team and they provide psychological services to our patients and we cover the holistic rehabilitation of them.

Between the two organisations, refugees and migrants who have access to these services have full support: social, psychological, medical and mental support, says Anastasi.

For the first 10 months in Greece, the Achekzai family lived in a camp in Oinofyta, a small town on the outskirts of Athens.

Despite the camp managers continuous attempts to relocate them to central Athens where they would be able to access mental health services for Ismael and Bibi, and school for the younger son Yacoub, 16, the cries for help fell on deaf ears. For 10 months, the family sat in their tent day after day, with little clarity about their asylum process, and unable to begin a rehabilitation programme  further traumatising the entire family.

Because of the living conditions here in Greece, the lack of safety and clarity about their asylum cases, they [the refugees] are being re-traumatised and rehabilitation takes longer. We have a lot of relapses, explains Anastasia.

WATCH: The refugee crisis and the Greeks: One year on (25:00)

In January 2017, 10 months after their arrival in Greece, the Achekzai family was finally identified as highly vulnerable and moved to an apartment in central Athens where Ismael and Bibi would have access to much needed mental health services.

The UNHCR gave us a list of seven points of vulnerability  these are seven vulnerabilities we are looking for in a person, explains Lisa Campbell, the manager of the camp in Oinofyta where the Achekzai family was living. In the end, in the Achekzai family of five people, there were 20 vulnerabilities  multiple vulnerabilities per person.

The Achekzai family are only one of the many cases that mental health practitioners are now facing in Greece. More and more they are dealing with problems directly caused by the increasingly desperate plight of refugees stranded in Greece.

Because we dont have the right social services and psycho-social services available, people are getting severely depressed. People are turning to alcohol and drugs, spousal abuse and violence, explains Lisa. And the longer they sit in the camps with nothing to do and no clarity about their situations, the worse the problem gets.

For those who have been so traumatised  either by war, by the trip or by sitting here for the last seven, eight, nine months  some of them over a year  in hopelessness without the support system that they need, they are turning to things that are going to be detrimental to society, she continues.

Mental health and rehabilitation services

The most recent case that Campbell referred to a mental health unit in her camp was of an Afghan woman who had been there for several months, was eight months pregnant, and was becoming near suicidal. She was so depressed that she had become violent towards her own family, shouting at her husband and son on a daily basis. Out of pure desperation, the husband reached out to Lisa for help, and she was able to make a referral immediately.

According to Lisa, European politicians may be shooting themselves in the foot by not addressing the mental health issues of the current refugee population in Greece as well as throughout the rest of Europe. They are going to try to integrate into European society and they are not going to have the coping skills to do what they need to do to become productive members of society, she says.

READ MORE: Refugees go from surviving war to fighting PTSD

But, offering mental health support and rehabilitation is complex, time-consuming and expensive, and the challenges that organisations and practitioners face are enormous. There are challenges linked to the specific problems with which they come to us, and these are very complex problems  problems that have come with them from their country of origin, says Nikos Gionakis, president of Babel DC, a Greek mental health unit for migrants and refugees.

Other [challenges], relate to the way they have moved, and many of them are related to the conditions of living here, from lack of perspective and lack of information about their situation, he continues.

There are also cultural challenges relating to the stigma of seeking mental health support. When people come from countries where the mental health system is stigmatised  for example, it is identified with big mental hospitals  people believe many times that if they go to a psychiatrist they will end up in a mental hospital, says Nikos.

They are very reluctant, he adds, and it often take months to build trust to the point that these people are able to open up about the trauma they have experienced or are currently experiencing.

Due to the heavy nature of the work, Babel also offers mental health support to volunteers and professionals working with refugees and migrants. We say that in order to care for someone, someone else must care for you, says Nikos.

Mental health and rehabilitation services will not bring back Ismaels younger brother, Isa. It may not even be able to improve Ismaels condition. But, for Isamel and Bibi  and for the thousands of refugees like them  it may help to prevent further trauma. It may even provide them with better and more effective coping mechanisms.

Its a complex thing for us, says Anastasia. Rehabilitation is not that you can focus on one thing. You need to have a holistic approach, so you need to follow their progress throughout the whole rehabilitation process. You have to focus on their total improvement.
When Malick Jeng, 19, left Banjul, his hometown and capital of Gambia, on March 14, 2016, he never imagined the risks he would face on his way to Europe.

Malick crossed the desert in Mali inside an oil tank where he almost suffocated. He was later held in a Libyan prison, where he witnessed the murder of some of his fellow travellers and only gained his freedom thanks to a payment sent by his family.

On the night of August 1, after a month in Libya, he was transferred by smugglers to a beach near Tripoli, where he clambered into a rubber boat with 120 people on board to cross the Mediterranean. Hours later, the rescue vessel Iuventa, from the NGO Jugend Rettet, rescued them 20 nautical miles off the Libyan coast.

Malick was first transferred to Catania, Sicily, and later to Biella, a city in the north of Italy, where he has lived ever since, in a temporary reception centre called Hotel Colibri  an old hotel that had been closed for 10 years. The hotel was turned into a reception centre for migrants in August 2016. The cooperative that manages it, which has other centres in the area, receives 35 euros ($37.7) per migrant per day from the Italian state. Malick and other migrants receive their basic necessities, including three meals per day and a bed, as well as monthly pocket money of 75 euros ($80.8).

Malick is awaiting a response to his asylum application to find out if he can begin a life in Europe legally, as a refugee, or whether he will be forced to keep fighting for his future.
From a snowstorm that brought millions in the northeastern US to a standstill, to deadly flooding in Burundi, here is this weeks weather in pictures.
Since 2011, several different actors have been vying for power in Libya. Here is a breakdown of who controls what.

After the fall of Libyas President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, several actors  political and military  have been competing with one another for power and hegemony in Libya.

In March 2011, The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution authorising a no-fly zone over the country. It also asked for all necessary measures  code for military action  to protect civilians. Primarily NATO enforced the resolution, with logistical support from several Arab countries.

READ MORE: In Libya, Britains ignorance triumphed over caution

A few months later, Gaddafi went into hiding after his fortress in Tripoli was captured. On October 20, 2011, Gaddafi was presumed dead, allegedly killed after fighters took over Sirte, his hometown.

In August 2012, the transitional government handed over power to the General National Congress (GNC). Two years later, Libya held parliamentary elections. Violence resulted in low voter turnout. Gunmen stormed the parliament in Tripoli, and Libya was left without a central government.

Meanwhile, in 2014, General Khalifa Haftar began his offensive, titled Operation Dignity against what he called Islamist militias. Haftars armed group the Libyan National Army (LNA), managed to capture several key cities, including Benghazi.

READ MORE: The Battle for Libyas Oil

Soon after, fighting broke out at Tripolis international airport between the newly formed Libya Dawn coalition, led by fighters from Misrata and their allies on one side, and Haftar and his coalition  including the Zintan forces, which had controlled the valuable site since 2011.

The fighting wrecked the airport and the Libya Dawn coalition took over the capital. Since the conflict in 2014, two rival governments emerged  one in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk.

The Tobruk-based government led by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinnis was backed by Haftar. Although in November 2014, the Libyan Supreme Court ruled this parliament to be illegal and unconstitutional, it is still recognised by the US, the European Union, Egypt and the UAE.

In December 2015, Libyas two rival factions have signed a UN-backed deal to form a unity government in Morocco. Many members of Libyas competing parliaments did not back the resolution.

READ MORE: Donald Trumps Gaddafi problem

A month later, a new UN-backed national government was announced, even though Libyas two parliaments have not signed on. Headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, the government arrived in Tripoli mid-2016.

Taking advantage of the chaos in Libya, ISIL fighters advanced into Sirte in 2015. A year later, forces aligned to Libyas UN-backed national unity government retook the city from ISIL.

Last September, Haftar took over the countrys oil crescent. He controls ports, such as Ras Lanuf, Es Sidr and Brega. Earlier this month, Haftar forces briefly lost control over the ports to the Benghazi Defense Brigade, an armed group that was formed in an attempt to free the city from Haftar and his allies. A week later, Haftar regained control of the oil fields. Haftar forces have been accused of Benghazi atrocities during the offensive.
Revelations about Israels infiltration of NGOs in the 1970s shocked many, but human rights spies are still out there.

Neve Gordon is a Marie Curie Fellow and Professor of International Law at Queen Mary University of London.

A fascinating expose in Haaretz reveals how, in the mid-1970s  not long after the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights  Israel used university faculty members to infiltrate Amnesty International.

The state thus actively intervened in order to shape human rights activism, just as the rights discourse was becoming one of the most popular forms of political struggle against injustice around the globe.

The Haaretz article discloses how Yoram Dinstein, a renowned scholar of international law and currently a professor emeritus at Hebrew University, served as an agent for the Israeli Foreign Ministry during his tenure as the chair of Amnesty Internationals Israeli branch from 1974-76.

Working with the ministrys Deputy Director Sinai Rome of the international organisations division, Dinstein acted as an informant while manipulating the rights groups activities.

For instance, when an Arab womens association in the United States requested information about Palestinian detainees and prisoners, Dinstein wrote to the ministry, telling them that his inclination was not to reply.

The ministrys deputy director, however, insisted: It seems to us that there is scope for answering the letter and writing that there are no Palestinian prisoners of conscience in the prisons, but rather terrorists and others who have been tried for security offences.'

He also instructed Dinstein to forward all correspondences to Israeli consulates in New York and Los Angeles.

In addition, Dinstein used his position as chairman of the Israel national section of Amnesty to criticise cause lawyers, such as Felicia Langer, who were struggling for the human rights of Palestinians in Israeli courts, thus, in effect, utilising the organisations reputation to undermine human rights.

An ideological and financial exchange





Dinsteins colleague from Hebrew University, Edward Kaufman, who later became the chairman of the board of the Israeli rights group BTselem and continues to this day to be a well-known advocate of human rights, as well as an active member of the peace industry, is also mentioned as someone who was in contact with the foreign ministrys staff.

While he is depicted as a less enthusiastic collaborator than Dinstein, in one of the letters the ministrys deputy director thanks Kaufman for a report he prepared about an Amnesty conference on the subject of torture, which was held towards the end of 1973, following the October War.

The exchange was both ideological and financial. The expose reveals how Dinstein received governmental money for his expenses, disclosing that he was not the only Amnesty staffer to accept governmental remuneration.

OPINION: Portrait of an occupation  Human rights of the settler

These revelations suggest that already during the 1970s, when human rights were still considered by many as a radical weapon for enhancing emancipation and as a tool for the protection of individual freedoms against abusive states, Israel was relatively successful in marshalling the way the human rights discourse was mobilised by the local branch of the most prominent international rights organisation.

They further suggest that state domination and human rights advocacy are not always antithetical.

From covert operations to overt actions

Today, such covert operations are clearly augmented by overt actions. Israel now feels comfortable clamping down on human rights NGOs that denounce the systematic policies of state dispossession and subjugation of Palestinians, presenting them as a national security threat.

Simultaneously, university faculty members continue to take part in the attack against liberal human rights NGOs.

NGO Monitor, for example, analyses reports and press releases of local and international NGOs and investigates the international donors funding them.

While human rights spies are probably still out there, the difference between the 1970s and today is that they no longer need to be undercover. by

Founded by professor Gerald Steinberg of Bar Ilan University, NGO Monitor was the first Israeli organisation to couch its criticism of liberal human rights organisations in security parlance.

His line of reasoning was articulated in an article entitled, NGOs Make War on Israel, and, in a different venue, also claimed that human rights are being exploited as a weapon against Israel.

Steinberg thus tapped into the post-9/11 conservative trend in the US, which began employing the term lawfare  commonly defined as the use of law for realising a military objective  in order to describe the endeavour of individuals and groups who appeal to courts against certain practices of state violations emanating from the so-called global war on terrorism  such as torture, extra-judicial executions, and the bombing of civilian urban infrastructure.

A lawfare campaign

NGO Monitors Anne Herzberg explains that a lawfare campaign is being waged against Israel by NGO superpowers (such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch), who in cooperation with liberal Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups resort to universal jurisdiction to pursue litigation in European, North American or Israels national court.

While these NGOs claim to be part of the fight for human rights, the evidence shows, in Herzbergs opinion, that the core motivation for this activity is to promote lawfare in order to punish Israel for carrying out anti-terror operations.

OPINION: What did the UN apartheid report expose in reality?

Along similar lines, Elizabeth Samson, a lawyer specialising in international law from a right-wing think-tank also based at Bar Ilan University, contends that those who deploy lawfare are not fighting an occupier or challenging a military incursion  they are fighting the forces of freedom, they are fighting the voice of reason, and they are attacking those who have the liberty to speak and act openly.

The interests of these faculty members are completely aligned with the state. They are concerned about the fact that the evidence of systematic violations gathered by local human rights NGOs is exceeding the boundaries of the domestic debate.

They are threatened because the accusations of abuse are piling into an immense archive of state-orchestrated violence, an archive that can no longer be marshalled within the states legal, political, and symbolic space. Therefore, they are continuously attacking liberal human rights organisations.

While human rights spies are probably still out there, the difference between the 1970s and today is that they no longer need to be undercover.

Neve Gordon is a Leverhulme visiting fellow at SOAS, University of London.

Nicola Perugini is a lecturer at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The ex-IRA commander, who eventually played a key role in the Northern Irish peace process, is still dividing opinion.

In death, as in life, Martin McGuinness divided opinion. The Daily Mail called the one-time Northern Ireland deputy first minster who died this week Britains Number One Terrorist. The Irish Times  a newspaper not known for fawning portrayals of Irish republicanism  declared that McGuinnesss place in Irish history is assured.

The former provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander and Sinn Fein leader succumbed to a rare heart condition following a short illness.

But debates over McGuinness life and his legacy  in Britain, in Ireland and beyond  are likely to continue long after his contemporaries in London and Dublin have shuffled off the political stage.

A butchers assistant in Derry





Born into a large Catholic family in the nationalist Bogside area of Derry in 1950, McGuinness came of age in the fevered political climate of the late 1960s.

There were no soixante-huitards on the banks of the Foyle, but, inspired by events in Paris and elsewhere, a new generation were demanding civil rights.

Since its foundation in 1920, Northern Ireland had boasted a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people. The Catholic minority  at the time around a third of the population  were often discriminated against in jobs and housing.

The situation was arguably at its worst in Derry, where extreme gerrymandering ensured a Protestant minority retained political control over an overwhelmingly Catholic population.

In October 1968, McGuinness was an 18-year-old assistant in a Derry butchers shop when local police attacked civil rights marchers.



OPINION: Contending with the past in Northern Ireland

In later years, McGuinness adduced the incident  which he heard about from his father  in explaining his decision to join the growing republican movement a few months later.

On the streets, Northern Ireland was descending into sectarian chaos. Civil rights protests gave way to violence. Loyalists attacked Catholics. Security forces clashed with republicans.

Probably carrying a machine gun

In January 1972, McGuinness was in Derry when British soldiers opened fire on civilians. Fourteen people were killed. The subsequent Saville inquiry found that the then second-in-command of the local IRA was probably carrying a sub-machine gun on the day of the massacre.

The gun has gone from Northern Ireland's politics, but whether the next generation of political leaders - on both sides of the Irish Sea - have the ability, and the willingness, to reach the kind of compromises Martin McGuinness made remains to be seen. by

McGuinness quickly rose through the ranks of the IRA. He was often evasive about his role  demurring when asked directly in 2015 if he had killed British soldiers  and even claimed to have left the IRA in 1974.

But in reality, the young Derryman with the curly Art Garfunkel mop was an integral figure during a period when the IRA were responsible for the deaths of around a third of the more than 3,000 people killed during Northern Irelands Troubles.

At the same time, however, McGuinness was also involved in various stalled ceasefire initiatives.

McGuinness was part of an IRA delegation that met Secretary of State Willie Whitelaw in London in 1972. The following year, he met MI6 man Michael Oatley, beginning a relationship that would last until the secret servicemans retirement nearly two decades later. By the time a peace agreement was finally signed, in 1998, McGuinness was Sinn Feins lead negotiator.

No wonder McGuinnesss death has cast such an ambivalent shadow. Here was a man of violence who became feted, by many, as a peacemaker. A man who led an armed campaign for a united Ireland for three decades, ended his career at the apex of a devolved government within the UK, but never felt that he had conceded his republican beliefs.

McGuinness played a key role in the peace process. That a serious split in the notoriously fissiparous republican movement was avoided in late 1990s owed much to his reputation as hard man in IRA circles.

McGuinness spent months selling the peace deal to at times reluctant rank-and-file. Later, as Northern Irelands deputy first minister, McGuinness decried dissident republicans as traitors to the island of Ireland, a remarkable comment from a one-time IRA chief.

McGuinness will doubtless be remembered for the once unthinkable bipartisan moments. In 2007, he entered into a power-sharing government with his former nemesis, unionist firebrand Ian Paisley. The two struck up such rapport that they became known as the Chuckle Brothers.

McGuinnesss meetings with the Queen appeared genuinely warm, reflecting a man often said to be charismatic and engaging in private, but who also displayed a military ruthlessness.

Master of strategy





For IRA victims, and others, McGuinness will never escape the shadow of the gunman. Former IRA leader, Cathal Goulding, who rejected violence in the 1970s, famously quipped that McGuinness and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams were right, but too late in laying down their arms.

McGuinnesss death leaves a palpable gap in Northern Irish politics. A master of strategy, he used his resignation in January to trigger the collapse of the devolved legislature at Stormont amid the cash for ash scandal.

The subsequent election saw Sinn Feins vote rise sharply under new leader, 40-year-old Michelle ONeill. For the first time in its history, Northern Ireland no longer has a unionist majority.

Northern Irelands future remains uncertain. There is little sign of the power-sharing government being reinstated anytime soon. Brexit raises the spectre of a hard Irish border, and with its fears of economic disruption renewed dissident republican attacks.

Those who fought the Northern Irish war  and the peace  are nearing the end. The gun has gone from Northern Irelands politics, but whether the next generation of political leaders  on both sides of the Irish Sea  have the ability, and the willingness, to reach the kind of compromises Martin McGuinness made remains to be seen.

Peter Geoghegan is an Irish writer and broadcaster based in Glasgow. His most recent book is The Peoples Referendum: Why Scotland Will Never Be the Same Again.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Less dramatic than the barrel bombs and less celebrated than the White Helmets but Syrias green buses are still iconic.

James Denselow is a writer on Middle East politics and security issues and a research associate at the Foreign Policy Centre.

Both in Astana or Geneva, the Syrian regime and the opposition whove attended the talks have failed to talk effectively face-to-face.

This is in contrast to the front lines across the split country, where deals are regularly being brokered. Indeed, some 12,000 opposition fighters and their families started moving out of Al Waer and into rebel-held parts of Aleppo under an arrangement made with the regime in March.

They left in a convoy of nondescript, but now ubiquitous, green buses that have become the final component of a strategy of starve or surrender that has characterised much of the conflict to date.

These green buses have played a critical role in the complex population swaps that have been taking place across the country. Six years into the conflict, the contours of the Syria of the future are beginning to emerge with ethnic-sectarian and urban-rural divides ushering in the birth of a very different country.

This will have huge implications for how the conflict ends and what prospect of returning to their homes there is for the 6.5 million internally displaced and the five million or so Syrian refugees.

Put simply, the Syria of the past has gone and the green buses are ushering in the future of a new, fractured entity. While the regime is on the front foot, it is worth remembering that they still only hold some 34 percent of the countrys territory and less than half of its prewar population.





A seismic shift

The significance of the green buses is that they are symbolic of a seismic shift in Syrias internal population and a strategy of the regime and its allies to consolidate a loyal population.

This shift hasnt happened in one moment, but has rather been a process that has happened steadily over the past six years. Hence, it has neither been fully recognised nor understood in its implications.

Speaking to the Chinese media in March President Bashar al-Assad urged opposition fighters to accept his offer of reconciliation.

So, the choice for those living under siege is between surrender  which could see them potentially land in prison or be conscripted into the Syrian army  starvation, a fight to the death, or a green bus transfer to another part of the country and a whole new set of uncertainties and threats

In recent months, Syrians living in a series of towns  including Darayya, Al Hamah, Qudssaya and Moadamiyah  have chosen the latter and left their homes in green buses for the north of the country.

During the final offensive for eastern Aleppo, regime forces dropped leaflets onto opposition-controlled areas that proposed a choice between death or a green bus.

OPINION: Implications for a Syrian transition under Assad

The Chinese-made buses were reportedly a symbol of modernisation and advancement when they arrived in Syria in 2009, but have now encapsulated the transition of Syrians to a grim present, away from the country of their past and into an uncertain future.

The anger at what they represent, as well as the fragile nature of the population swap deals, saw a convoy of the buses set on fire in Idlib in December, before the dramatic final evacuation of Aleppo itself.

Controlling every inch of Syria

The next major area in the sight of the regime would appear to be East Ghouta where a resident told Syria Direct that if things keep going as theyve been going, soon enough those green buses are going to be pulling up to take us to Idlib or Deraa.

This steady population movement, particularly the concentration in Idlib, has led to real concerns as to the dangers to civilians being boxed in with nowhere to go. A leaked report from the British foreign office expressed fears for some two million civilians being kettled in Idlib.

The infamous Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 is rightly referenced as bequeathing a legacy of inappropriate and unstable borders to the region, yet the maps that they produced preferred to imagine territory, not as a singular homogeneous entity, but rather split between areas of direct control and areas of influence.

The regime is remaking the country in a way that allows it to maintain control, despite the war, and, as the Guardians Martin Chulov reported earlier in the year, population swaps are central to a plan to make demographic changes to parts of Syria, realigning the country into zones of influence.

This realigned country is increasingly taking shape and behind the rhetoric that Assad has repeatedly stated around his ambition to regain control over every inch of the country is the reality of how Syrias green buses are dramatically changing facts on the ground today.

James Denselow is a writer on Middle East politics and security issues and a research associate at the Foreign Policy Centre.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Dozens of people were killed earlier this week in a suspected US-led coalition air raid that hit a school sheltering displaced people near Raqqa, ISILs self-declared capital in Syria, according to a monitoring group.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that its contacts had counted at least 33 bodies at the site near the village of al-Mansoura, west of Raqqa.

The group, which monitors Syrias war via a network of contacts on the ground, said it believed the air raid at the school-turned-shelter had been carried out by the US-led coalition fighting ISIL, which stands for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and is also known as ISIS.

The air raid early on Tuesday morning was also reported by the activist-run Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently group, which said dozens of civilians were dead or still missing after the air raid.

A Pentagon spokesman said on Wednesday that the US-led coalition would ask its civilian casualty team to investigate the allegations.

READ MORE: Syria war  Worst man-made disaster since World War II

The US-led coalition has intensified its aerial campaign against ISIL around Raqqa this month, with numerous civilian casualties reported.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its raids in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians since 2014. But critics say the number is far higher.

Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Beirut, said the school in al-Mansoura housed many refugees who had fled the fighting in Raqqa.

This is an area where the US-led coalition has been launching air strikes to break the defence lines of ISIL in Raqqa, he said.





Some say that more than 30 people were killed in the strikes, others suggest that this number could be even higher.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group of militias backed by the US-led coalition, is fighting to isolate Raqqa ahead of an anticipated assault on the city, which the ISIL group has used as a command node to plan attacks abroad.

In a statement put out on social media on Wednesday, the SDF said the US-coalition had air-dropped US and SDF forces near the town of Tabqah in Raqqa province, expanding its campaign against ISIL in the area.

The operation aims to both capture the strategic area of al-Tabqah across the Euphrates River from the SDFs other holdings, and to curb Syrian government advances in that direction.

What were seeing right now is a race to Raqqa. Which forces are going to try to take on ISIL in that pivotal city? Is it going to by Syrian forces backed by Russia and Iran, or is it going to be US forces? Another big question is what role is Turkey going to play in all of this? said Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane, reporting from the US capitol.

This could be an indication though that this key offensive that weve been waiting for is going to get under way.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon described the the operation as a large, high-priority offensive to secure the area around al-Tabqah and the associated Tabqah Dam on the Euphrates river.

This is a significant strategic target, he said. If successful, the operation would basically cut ISIS off from the western approaches to Raqqa.

The head of the YPG militia, the strongest in the SDF, said last week that the offensive to retake Raqqa would begin in early April, but a spokesman for the US Pentagon said no decision had yet been made.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions more displaced since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

The conflict has since escalated into a multi-front war that has facilitated the rise of armed groups and drawn in international powers, including the US.
Jailed ex-VP of the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced to an additional year in prison for corruption by the ICC.

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have added a year to Jean-Pierre Bembas 18-year jail term following the former Congolese vice presidents conviction for attempting to bribe witnesses during his war crimes trial.

After a second trial on the separate charges, Bemba on Wednesday was also ordered to pay a 300,000-euro ($323,670) fine to the courts fund supporting victims of atrocities.

Bemba was found guilty last year of bribery, and the verdict and sentence are the first of their kind in the history of the ICC.

The chamber imposes on you an additional 12 months, one-year, imprisonment, presiding judge Bertram Schmitt told Bemba, adding a substantial fine was necessary to discourage this kind of behaviour.

Several of the courts cases against prominent and powerful politicians have been weakened by witness bribery.

The decision to bring bribery charges against Bemba and four members of his legal team was seen by criminal law experts as a sign that prosecutors had decided to get tough on a practice that threatened their ability to prosecute the gravest crimes.

Bemba is appealing against his conviction last year on charges of having committed war crimes by allowing his forces to go on a murderous rampage through the neighbouring Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.

His former lead lawyer, Aime Kilolo, was given a 30,000-euro fine and a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence. Three others were given either suspended jail terms or sentenced to time served.

Judges gave prosecutors and the defence 30 days to lodge an appeal.
If unreasonable regulations are standing in the way of the completion of a recreational trail in Cayuga County, we would rather see the regulations changed than the project be canceled.

Many people have been working for many years to create a trail between Cato and Brutus to enhance outdoor recreation such as hiking and snowmobiling. The seven-mile stretch would connect to an existing trail bringing people all the way to Fair Haven.

Over the past 10 years, there have been wetland studies and surveys of bog turtles. Snowmobile enthusiasts have worked out agreements to utilize private property along the way. And the Cayuga County Parks and Trails department has the necessary permits it needs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The county also believed that it had enough money to build three needed bridges along the trail  until it was learned that the bridges need to conform to state Department of Transportation specifications, making the project prohibitively expensive. Backers of the project are now ready to give up.

We understand the value of many state regulations, because some of them do things like protect air and water quality. But people who argue that New York is unnecessarily over-regulated have points to make, too. When responsible people who have done their homework and followed all the rules are unable to get the final pieces together to complete a simple snowmobile trail, something is wrong.

If legislation is needed to pull back some of the state's unreasonable roadblocks to progress, then our representatives in Albany should make that happen. The Cato-Brutus recreation trail shouldn't fall victim to bureaucracy.
Scenes of carnage on Westminster Bridge near London parliament after car-and-knife attack PM calls sick and depraved.

Four people were killed and at least 20 wounded in London on Wednesday after a car ploughed into pedestrians and an attacker went on a stabbing spree with a knife before being shot dead close to the British parliament.

London Metropolitan Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Rowley told reporters a full counterterrorism investigation into the attack was under way.

He said the violence started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring a number of civilians and three police officers on their way back from a commendation ceremony.

The car then crashed close to parliament where at least one man armed with a knife continued the attack and tried to enter the building.

Many people were lying on the ground  some bleeding heavily and apparently unconscious  on Westminster Bridge near Britains parliament.

Some of the wounds suffered by the victims were described as catastrophic. One woman was pulled out alive from the River Thames with serious injuries by port authorities.

Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the attack as sick and depraved.

The location of this attack was no accident, she said in a statement outside her Downing Street office late in the evening.

The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

Witnesses initially reported multiple attacks near parliament.

We saw a black vehicle at full speed and it ran down a number of people. I could see people flying all around, tourist Babi Nagy told Al Jazeera. Immediately it came to mind this was a terrorist attack.

Polish politician and journalist Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video on Twitter of the aftermath on the bridge, showing several injured people lying on the ground.

A car on Westminster Bridge has just mowed down at least 5 people. pic.twitter.com/tdCR9I0NgJ  Radosaw Sikorski MEP  (@sikorskiradek) March 22, 2017

Another witness said he saw victims scattered along the street.

As I was walking up the steps, there was a man who had fallen and medics were taking care of him. There was a lady who was also stabbed or shot. There was a lot of blood, Martin Pearce, visibly shaken, told Al Jazeera at the scene.

Security analyst Afzal Ashraf said extra vigilance by the public and authorities was now necessary.

One of the features of these forms of attacks is a follow-on attack. They like to have publicity. The potential threat is huge, Ashraf said.

The last major attack to hit London was in July 2005, when a coordinated series of bomb blasts targeted its public transportation system during rush hour. The bombings killed 52 people and wounded more than 700 others.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter that an urgent investigation had been launched. My thoughts are with those affected and their families, he said.

International messages of condolence were offered to the United Kingdom.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood by Britain following the deadly attack.

Although the background to these acts are not yet clear, I reaffirm that Germany and its citizens stand firmly and resolutely alongside Britons in the struggle against all forms of terrorism, Merkel said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump offered May the full cooperation and support of the United States in responding to the attack, the White House said in a statement.
Senior senator says Turkey watching as decision must be made on arming Kurdish fighters in the coming battle for Raqqa.

The US-led coalition fighting ISIL faces tough decisions on how much it should support Kurdish fighters in an offensive to reclaim Raqqa from the armed group, a senior US politician warned on Wednesday.

Senator John McCain said the Trump administration is weighing the thorny issue of giving the Kurds heavy arms and a major role in the upcoming battle, which would infuriate key ally Turkey.

The conundrum is that if you dont use the Kurds, [the battle] takes a lot longer, McCain told reporters.

But if you do, you have an enormous challenge as far as relations with Turkey are concerned, including things like the use of Incirlik, he added, referring to the Turkish airbase used heavily by the coalition to hit ISIL targets in northern Syria.

Deadly air raid hits refugee shelter near Raqqa: SOHR

McCain said he met recently with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the two spoke about the Kurdish issue.

Theres going to be some tough decisions made here, McCain said, adding the Kurds were Erdogans first priority.

In August, Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield inside Syria targeting ISIL and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are dominated by YPG Kurdish fighters that Ankara says are terrorists.

The SDF is the primary ground force encircling Raqqa, which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS) group views as its capital, and an offensive on the city is only a matter of time.

The Pentagon on Wednesday said it had provided airlift and artillery support for primarily Arab components of the SDF in a battle for Tabqa, a key town near Raqqa.

In a statement put out on social media on Wednesday, the SDF said the US-coalition had air-dropped US and SDF forces near Tabqa, expanding its campaign against ISIL in the area.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon described the operation as a large, high-priority offensive to secure the area around Tabqa and the associated Tabqa Dam on the River Euphrates.

This is a significant strategic target, he said. If successful, the operation would basically cut ISIS off from the western approaches to Raqqa.
Neil Gorsuch responds to Democratic senators questioning whether he would be willing to hold the president accountable.

US Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch pledged independence from President Donald Trump during his confirmation hearing, as Democratic senators expressed concerns he would be beholden to the man who selected him.

Answering questions during a more than 11-hour session on the second day of his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Gorsuch said Trump never asked him to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalising abortion nationwide, saying if the Republican president had done so, I would have walked out the door.

Trump promised during last years presidential campaign to appoint an anti-abortion justice who would overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, which many conservatives want reversed.

If confirmed by the Senate as expected to fill a 13-month-old vacancy, Gorsuch would restore the nine-seat courts conservative majority at a time when Republicans control Congress and the White House.

But the conservative federal appeals court judge from Colorado repeatedly said he was beyond politics.

When I became a judge, they gave me a gavel not a rubber stamp, Gorsuch said. I am my own man, he added.

Trump attacking judiciary

Trump has assailed the judiciary both as a candidate and since taking office on January 20. He condemned federal judges who put on hold his two executive orders to ban the entry into the United States of people from several Muslim-majority countries, calling one a so-called judge and suggesting that blame for a future terrorist attack should go to the courts.





When anyone criticises the honesty or integrity or the motives of a federal judge, well I find that disheartening, I find that demoralising, because I know the truth, Gorsuch said.

When Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal asked if that included Trump, Gorsuch said, Anyone is anyone.

Trump indicated in a speech on Tuesday night that his approach was unlikely to change.

The courts are not helping us, to be honest, its ridiculous, he said.

Republicans have praised Gorsuch, 49, as highly qualified for a lifetime appointment as a justice.

Democrats, who have slim chances of blocking his nomination, have questioned his suitability, with some portraying him as favouring corporate interests and insufficiently independent from Trump.

Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC, said Gorsuchs testimony may have swayed a number of Democrats. But there are still a substantial number of Democrats who are angry at the fact that former president Barack Obamas choice as Supreme Court judge, Merrick Garland, was never given the opportunity of a hearing by the Republicans last year.

Some of the Democrat senators have made very clear that regardless of Neil Gorsuchs abilities, they will fight every attempt to get him approved, our correspondent said. In the Supreme Court justice appointment, you need 60 votes in the Senate. That means the Republicans need to get a number of Democrats to vote with them if Neil Gorsuch is to be approved.

Republicans hold 54 seats in the Senate.

Nobody above the law

Democrats probed Gorsuch on whether he would be willing to hold Trump accountable. Asked by Senator Patrick Leahy whether a president has the power to violate a law on surveillance of Americans, Gorsuch said, Nobody is above the law in this country, and that includes the president of the United States.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said if Trump resumes the use of waterboarding, a prohibited form of simulated drowning, on detainees, he may get impeached. Gorsuch said he would not speculate on whether Trump could be prosecuted if he authorised waterboarding, but repeated, No man is above the law.

Gorsuch refused to offer his opinion of Trumps travel ban, saying it was an ongoing case.

Democrat Senator Richard Durbin pressed Gorsuch on claims by a former student at the University of Colorado Law School who said Gorsuch implied in a legal ethics class in April that he believes many female job applicants unfairly manipulate companies by hiding plans to begin families. She remembered him saying that many accept job offers but quickly leave with maternity benefits.

Those are not my words and I would never have said them, Gorsuch said. He later said he was trying to teach students about inappropriate questions from prospective employers, not endorsing such inquiries.
South Korean and US officials say they have detected a failed missile launch attempt by North Korea.

A new North Korean missile test appeared to have ended in failure, according to South Korean and US officials.

The reported failed launch on Wednesday came during large-scale annual military drills involving US and South Korean forces that the North has called a rehearsal for an invasion.

Seouls defence ministry said in a statement that Pyongyang fired one missile from an airbase in the eastern port of Wonsan but the launch was believed to have failed.

We are in the process of analysing what type of missile it was, it added.

READ MORE: North Korea vows to pursue nuclear arms amid US threat

The statement came after Japans Kyodo news service, citing an unidentified government source, said the North might have launched several missiles and that they were a failure.

A US military spokesman also said they had detected a failed North Korean missile launch attempt, with a missile exploding within seconds of its launch.

US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt  in the vicinity of Kalma, Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an airfield on North Koreas east coast.

A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch, Benham said, adding that work was being carried out on a more detailed assessment.

The nuclear-armed North is under several sets of United Nations sanctions over its atomic and ballistic missile programmes.

Robert Kelley, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Pusan National University, said Pyongyang often conducts missile tests during the spring military drills carried out by South Korean and US troops.

This is how the North Koreans send us a signal of displeasure, he told Al Jazeera. Thats what we assume, of course, since they dont tell us.

Earlier this month, the isolated country launched a flight of four ballistic missiles, with three landing close to Japan in what Pyongyang described as practice for attacks on US military bases in Japan.

On Sunday, the Norths leader, Kim Jong-un, personally oversaw and hailed a successful test of what Pyongyang said was a new rocket engine  which can be easily repurposed for use in missiles.

Seoul said that experiment showed meaningful progress in the Norths missile capabilities.

The engine test was apparently timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who warned that regional tensions had reached a dangerous level.

Washington would drop the failed approach of strategic patience with Pyongyang, Tillerson said, warning that US military action was an option on the table if necessary  a sharp divergence from Chinas insistence on a diplomatic approach to its neighbour, which it has long protected.

This week the Norths state news agency KCNA boasted that Tillerson had admitted the failure of US policy to denuclearise the nation.

Pyongyang insists that it needs nuclear weapons for self-defence against hostile enemies including the South.
Palestinian officials say one 18-year-old male teen has been killed and two others wounded by Israeli artillery fire.

A Palestinian teen has been killed and two other men wounded by Israeli fire in southern Gaza, according to health officials.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said 18-year-old Yousef Abu Athira was killed before dawn on Wednesday by Israeli artillery fire east of Rafah.





He said two others sustained shrapnel wounds and were taken to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah.

The Israeli army, which had been carrying out training exercises near the border overnight, said it detected three people near the security fence separating Gaza and Israel and fired at them, according to a military spokeswoman.

But Yasser Abu Athira, the killed teens cousin, said the 18-year-old was on the farming land that his family owns.

We heard the noise of about 15 shells that came down. After a while, we found out that it was Yousef. The Israeli army said he was trying to get into Israel, but we completely deny that claim, he told Al Jazeera.

We are very angry and we blame this on the occupation and the Israeli army. He was not armed and he is not part of any faction.

READ MORE: Gazas healthcare crumbling under Israeli siege

Gaza has been under a decade-long siege imposed by Israel following Hamas election victory and subsequent takeover of the enclave in 2007.

Israels military said that some 2,000 reserve soldiers had since Sunday been performing military exercises around Gaza Strip.

Tareq Rishmawi, spokesperson for the Palestinian government, denounced the Israeli armys large-scale exercises over the past few days and called on the international community to end the systematic Israeli assaults.

The continuation of the unacceptable Israeli siege on Gaza, exceeding 10 years, and continuing assaults on our people is a violation of international human rights law, he said.
New service aims to protect female customers from harassment, but some believe its not a budget-friendly initiative.

A new cab service marketed to curb sexual harrassment faced by solo women travellers is set to launch in Pakistans commercial hub, Karachi.

From Thursday, female customers will be able to call the pink taxis  which are driven by women  by phone, a mobile app, SMS or by hailing one on the street.

Our pilots (drivers) wear a pink scarf and black coat as their uniform. They include housewives, young women and students, Ambreen Sheikh, chief executive of the Paxi cab service, told the Reuters Thompson Foundation.

According to a report released by Karachis Urban Resource Center late last year, 55 percent of the women who commute by public buses said that they felt insecure and faced sexual harassment in Karachi, with some districts in the east rated as the most unsafe for female commuters.

READ MORE: The young Muslims finding love via an app

Noor Jehan, a newly recruited Paxi driver, first worked as a maid and then as a driver for her female employer. She said there was a need for such a service as most women think thrice before getting in a vehicle driven by a man.

But Zebunnisa Burki, a Karachi-based journalist, said many women in the city cannot afford to take taxis.

Women-focused transport initiatives are important in that they serve a growing demographic of mobile women, she said by email.

Pink taxi transport 4 women by women @ZarrarKhuhro @ZaraHatKay_Dawn highlighting innovation by women to solve problems of Pakistan #IWD2017 pic.twitter.com/ZL4wCVBQ33  Sadaffe Abid (@SadaffeAbid) March 8, 2017

I do feel, though, that such ventures will still not cater to a large number of working women who go out to work daily  since such women will not be able to afford relatively pricey fares in these private cabs.

The pink taxi service will be extended to the cities of Lahore and Islamabad in the next three to four months, Ambreen said.

In December 2016, Careem, a cab-hailing company, had also added about seven women drivers to their ride-sharing service in the city of Karachi and Lahore.
Teenage victim may have known her attackers, who are believed to be all minors who terrorised her neighbourhood.

Chicago police were questioning several individuals on Wednesday who allegedly gang raped a teenage girl and broadcast the assault on Facebook Live.

The victim was a 15-year-old girl who went missing on Sunday in the crime-plagued city in the US Midwest. She was found on Tuesday and taken to a childrens hospital for treatment.

It was the latest in a series of troubling incidents in which violent acts have been streamed live on Facebook, including two fatal shootings and the kidnapping and torture of a disabled 18-year-old.

Authorities said on Wednesday that they were investigating the incident as a criminal sexual assault.

The live online video of the alleged gang rape attracted as many as 40 viewers at one time, but no one contacted police, according to reports. The video was later taken down.

READ MORE: Gun violence in Chicago peaks in summer months

The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported that at least one juvenile had been taken into custody. Earlier, police said they were looking for as many as six suspects.

Its disgusting. As a father with two daughters, I cant imagine what that mom is going through, Chicagos Police Chief Eddie Johnson said.

City councilor Michael Scott said investigators believe the girl knew the attackers and that they were all minors.

Hideous crime

Johnson became personally involved in the case after the girls mother approached him on Monday with graphic photos taken from a Facebook Live video, showing several young men assaulting the teen, according to US media.

Police would not confirm details of the video, citing the ongoing investigation.





The social networking site declined to comment specifically on the incident, but said in a statement that the company took seriously its responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook.

Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook, it said.

A man identified as the girls uncle told US media that the young men involved were known in the local community.

They are terrorising that entire neighbourhood, Reginald King told Chicago television station WGN.

Chicago sexual assault streamed live on Facebook

He said the group of teenagers number up to 35 to 50.

Chicago has been grappling with a surge in violent crime. Last year, the city endured its highest number of shootings and murders in nearly two decades.

Much of the violence is concentrated in a few impoverished areas, including the one where the teenage girl lives.
US hosts meeting of 68 countries working to defeat ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Foreign ministers from 68 countries are meeting in Washington, DC, to agree on the next steps to defeat ISIL, the first such gathering of the US-led military coalition since the election of President Donald Trump in November.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis are hosting Iraqs prime minister and diplomats from the coalition partners in a two-day meeting at the state department starting on Wednesday.

Trump has vowed to make the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) a priority and directed the Pentagon and other agencies in January to submit a plan for defeating the group.

READ MORE: US-led coalition air raid hits refugee shelter near Raqqa

ISIL has been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, and three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, are advancing on the groups Syrian stronghold of Raqqa.

The meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities, including eastern Mosul, from ISIL last year.

While the armed group is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Iraqi forces, it has been using suicide car bombs and snipers to defend its remaining strongholds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who met Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more US support in the war against ISIL.





A White House statement after the meeting said both Trump and Abadi agreed that terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone. The two leaders also called for deepening commercial ties.

Discussions on Wednesday will also focus on how to help Mosul rebuild and ways to tackle ISIL operations in Libya and elsewhere.

In Syria, the US-led coalition has been working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Its current focus is to encircle and ultimately recapture Raqqa  ISILs main base of operations in Syria.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group of militias backed by the US-led coalition, is fighting to isolate Raqqa before an anticipated assault on the city, which the ISIL group has used as a command node to plan attacks abroad.

In a statement put out on social media on Wednesday, the SDF said the US-coalition has air-dropped US and SDF forces near the town of Tabqa in Raqqa province, expanding its campaign against ISIL in the area.

The operation aims to both capture the strategic area of al-Tabqa, just 45km west of Raqqa, and to curb Syrian government advances in that direction.

What were seeing right now is a race to Raqqa. Which forces are going to try to take on ISIL in that pivotal city? Is it going to by Syrian forces backed by Russia and Iran, or is it going to be US forces? Another big question is what role is Turkey going to play in all of this? said Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane, reporting from the US capitol.

READ MORE: Iran and ISIL top priority for Iraq-US relations

This could be an indication though that this key offensive that weve been waiting for is going to get under way.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon described the operation as a large, high-priority offensive to secure the area around Tabqa and the associated Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates.

This is a significant strategic target, he said. If successful, the operation would basically cut ISIS off from the western approaches to Raqqa.

The head of the YPG militia, the strongest in the SDF, said last week that the offensive to retake Raqqa would begin in early April, but a spokesman for the Pentagon said no decision had yet been made.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran, has said he saw scope for cooperation with Trump, although he has dismissed the US-backed military campaign against ISIL in Syria as only a few raids.
First meeting of international coalition since Trumps election held in Washington on the way forward in defeating ISIL.

The United States will set up interim zones of stability to help refugees return home in the next phase of the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group and al-Qaeda, the US Secretary of State said on Wednesday.

Top US diplomat Rex Tillerson did not make clear where these zones were to be set up. He was addressing a meeting of 68 countries gathered in Washington, DC to discuss the fight to defeat ISIL, also known as ISIS.

The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires, to allow refugees to return home, Tillerson told the gathering at the state department.

READ MORE: John McCain warns of tough decisions on Syrian Kurds

Creating safe zones could ratchet up US military involvement in Syria and mark a major departure from President Barack Obamas more cautious approach.

Increased US or allied air power would be required if President Donald Trump chooses to enforce no fly restrictions, and ground forces might also be needed to protect civilians in those areas.





We checked with the Pentagon and they say they dont have any guidance to create these zones yet, Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane reported from Washington, DC.

In the past when there was talk about safe zones, that meant forces on the ground, to protect civilians, and cover from the air. But that doesnt seem to be what Tillerson is talking about as he mentions doing it through ceasefires.

ISIL has been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, with three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, advancing on the groups Syrian stronghold city of Raqqa.

Defeating ISIL is the number one US goal in the region, Tillerson said, adding the coalition will focus on regional elimination of ISIS through military force.

Wednesdays event was the first meeting of the international coalition since the election of Trump, who has pledged to make the fight against ISIL a priority. He vowed in January to set up safe zones in Syria for refugees.

In a statement released after the meeting, the 68 partners underlined their determination to intensify and accelerate efforts to eliminate ISIS in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

They hailed progress by US-backed local forces against the groups main strongholds in Raqqa and the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

And, as they predicted victory on the battlefield, they vowed to prevent the groups fleeing fighters from spreading instability or from setting up a propaganda base in cyberspace.

Tillerson said the flow of foreign fighters into Syria and Iraq was down 90 percent over the past year.

It is harder for terrorists to get in and more importantly harder for them to get out to threaten our homelands, he said.

He called on coalition partners to make good on financial pledges to help secure and rebuild areas where ISIL fighters have been pushed out.

OPINION: ISIL after Mosul  Insurgency and rivalry

The US will do its part but circumstances on the ground require more, Tillerson said, urging allies to allocate more military, financial resources towards defeating ISIL.

Wednesdays meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from ISIL last year and recaptured eastern Mosul.

We are at the stage of completely decimating Daesh, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL.

He believes reconstruction of Anbar province as well as Mosul, in Nineveh province, will cost about $50bn, US Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday, recounting a Tuesday conversation with the Iraqi leader.
Conflict-hit countries have only 3-4 months before millions are at risk of famine, Red Cross says.

The world has as little as three months to save millions of people from famine in Yemen and Somalia, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

The medical charity needs $300m to bring emergency assistance to a total of five million people in Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria, as well as areas of South Sudan where famine has already been declared.

The funds will ensure that five million of the 20 million people at risk of famine and starvation receive immediate and essential aid, said Red Cross director of operations Dominik Stillhart.

Food, water, shelter, and healthcare is required immediately, he said.

We are on the ground and delivering aid in all four countries. We witness the massive suffering. Millions of people are denied the very basics to survive.

OPINION: Ending famine in Somalia, the Turkish way

Earlier this month, the United Nations announced more than 20 million people were facing famine in the four countries, and it needs to raise $4.4bn in funds by July.

In South Sudan, the UN said about 3.4 million are in need of help after being displaced by fighting between government forces and armed groups loyal to the former vice president Riek Machar.

While several districts in South Sudan are already facing famine, Stillhart said Yemen and Somalia have a three-to-four-month window before it sets in there.

About 300,000 people, meanwhile, face acute malnutrition in northeast Nigeria.

UN and food organisations define famine as when more than 30 percent of children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition and mortality rates are two or more deaths per 10,000 people each day, among other criteria.

Stillhart said that aside from addressing the immediate threat of starvation, the international community must also tackle the root causes of the crisis.
The story of Ali, a young Somali refugee in the US, whos now re-assessing his new life under the Trump presidency.

Filmmaker: Paula Palacios

A Somali in America documents the experience of Ali Warsame, a Somali refugee who gained residency in the United States in 2016, but is re-assessing his new life now that Donald Trump is president.

While in a detention camp in Ukraine, Ali was told hed be moving to the US through the United Nations refugee resettlement programme. Ali remembers getting the official notification on Eid Day in 2013: In my life, I never thought that I will be in the USA, he says, because many others before him had been rejected.

He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2013 and began a new life with his housemates, Prince and Sadik, who had had their own difficult and dangerous journeys getting there.

Ali describes his hopes and dreams of being reunited with his family, while revealing glimpses of his time in Ukraine where he was forced to spend three years before reaching the US. Having travelled illegally through Africa and eastern Europe, Ali was finally able to travel legally to the land of opportunity.





Ali has very mixed feelings about his time in Ukraine but now says it gave him time to mature. It was only supposed to be a transit point  but it delayed his life plans by three years. Spending six months in detention taught him a lot of things from life  it opened my mind, he says. [But] Ukraine destroys peoples lives  it destroyed my life.

Escaping war from Somalia and then I came up to Ukraine and then another war broke out. Im tired of this world with wars  wars in Syria  in Palestine.

His deep faith and resilience helped him overcome his ordeal.

In a Michigan hostel in 2013, he and his newfound friends, Prince and Sadik, form a special bond over sport, school and a shared personal experience, as refugees given a new life as high school students.

Everybody has his own story and most of the people here, they are not here for themselves  most of them represent their families  we are blessed to be here.

With one foot in the US, but another still in Africa, Alis deep love and longing for his family are clear.

As the oldest child of the family, he has the responsibility of making it in the US in order to provide long-term for his younger siblings. He reveals that none of his brothers and sisters have an education.

I wish they were so lucky like me so they could have the chance which I have today to go to school and have a better future.

As a legal ward of the State of Michigan, Ali was supported by a family attorney and Bethany Christian Services. He hoped to complete his courses at a local community college and go on to study filmmaking at Michigan State University.

Trumps travel ban

When the film was first made, Ali hoped to bring the rest of his family from Somalia to join him in the US  but as he now explains in a fresh interview shot in March 2017, the situation has been complicated by Donald Trumps election as US president.

Anti-Islamic sentiment and Trumps two executive orders banning the issuing of visas to nationals of several majority-Muslim countries travelling to the US, including Somalia, have slightly taken the gloss off Alis new life.

He now works part-time as a medical interpreter and enjoys helping other refugees in Michigan but laments something is missing.

Despite having his green card, Alis currently unable to be reunited with his family but says when I become a citizen Im going to sponsor them.

Follow Paula Palacios on Twitter: @paulapalaciosca
There is no greater betrayal of the UN peacekeeping mission than for troops deployed to protect communities to instead perpetrate violence and abuse. For nearly a decade, UN peacekeepers around the globe have faced allegations of rape and sexual exploitation. These vary from one-off attacks on children, women and/or disabled/incapacitated civilians, to larger, more complex operations, including prostitute trafficking and paedophile rings.

Everything I owned of value I sold so that I can feed the child. Sometimes I have this idea of just giving him away to a random person in the streets. by Ovila, UN sex abuse victim

This has greatly undermined the credibility of the UNs peacekeeping missions in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world. Most recently, Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general, confirmed that there has been a total of 145 cases of sexual assault and abuse across all UN peace missions in 2016  up from 99 reported cases in 2015.

The abuse has not only been chronic and unabated: it has been covered up and mishandled at every stage. In many cases, victims have been left without care, or any sense of justice.

The countries with the highest number of reported allegations include: Haiti, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The UN mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, has been plagued by reports of sexual abuse since its establishment in 2004. The number of abuse cases cited by the UN in Haiti are a mere fraction of what independent estimates reflect, with long withstanding allegations of cover-ups by the organisation and unreported rape both playing a part.

Legal battles against the UN mission, from within Haiti and globally, face a legal catch  peacekeepers are given immunity to any criminal liability in the countries they serve. Financial compensation is so rare, that there are fewer than a dozen children worldwide receiving child support from peacekeeper-civilian rape incidents.

Femi Oke traveled to Haiti to meet some of the victims  giving them a platform to address themes of power and powerlessness  and confront those who failed to protect them.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier likes to end his Special Report broadcast with the claim that Fox News is fair, balanced and unafraid. Well, Fox News seems not to be fair when it throws contributor Judge Andrew Napolitano under the bus for linking surveillance of Team Trump to Team Obamas links with British intelligence.

Apparently, Fox News isnt as fair and balanced as it pretends to be. While it endlessly repeats totally unsubstantiated claims of Trump critics of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as repeatedly dismissing Trump claims of Obama administration surveillance of Trump tower, they have dared to take Fox News contributor Judge Napolitano off the air for repeating what three intelligence agents told him -- that the Obama administration in fact had British intelligence conduct the surveillance so as not to leave a trail. As the Los Angeles Times reported:

The former New Jersey Superior Court judge, citing unnamed sources, said that the British foreign surveillance agency, the Government Communications Headquarters, most likely provided Obama with transcripts of Trumps recorded calls. By bypassing all American intelligence services, Obama would have had access to what he wanted with no Obama administration fingerprints, Napolitano wrote in a column on FoxNews.com. White House press secretary Sean Spicer cited Napolitanos charge last week when asked why President Trump continues to stand by his initial claim. The British spy agency sharply denounced Napolitanos allegations, saying they are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

Fox News, along with its brethren MSNBC and CNN, apparently has no trouble endlessly repeating reports from unnamed sources of collusion between Team Trump and Russian operatives. Yet it dumped Judge Napolitano for challenging the mantra of the herd that Team Trump is guilty and Obama is innocent. Napolitano raised the British connection in a Fox News Opinion column on March 16:

Sources have told me that the British foreign surveillance service, the Government Communications Headquarters, known as GCHQ, most likely provided Obama with transcripts of Trumps calls. The NSA has given GCHQ full 24/7 access to its computers, so GCHQ -- a foreign intelligence agency that, like the NSA, operates outside our constitutional norms -- has the digital versions of all electronic communications made in America in 2016, including Trumps. So by bypassing all American intelligence services, Obama would have had access to what he wanted with no Obama administration fingerprints. Thus, when senior American intelligence officials denied that their agencies knew about this, they were probably being truthful. Adding to this ominous scenario is the fact that three days after Trumps inauguration, the head of GCHQ, Robert Hannigan, abruptly resigned, stating that he wished to spend more time with his family.

Of course, American intelligence agencies, as well as the British, are denying the story. Either Judge Napolitano is doing some sloppy reporting or these agencies are lying. They have lied before, particularly about whether the American people were under surveillance by the NSA.

Trump has been skeptical of the conclusions of Clapper and the intelligence community and rightly so. Are we to believe the likes of James Clapper, who once reassured the Congress that the NSA wasnt conducting surveillance of the American people?

As U.S. News and World Report noted, his recent resignation didnt assuage critics who believe that Clapper, like other Obama administration personnel, dodged a perjury bullet when he testified before Congress on the issue of NSA surveillance of American citizens:

Some lawmakers reacted to the long-expected resignation announcement from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Thursday by wishing him an eventful retirement, featuring prosecution and possible prison time. The passage of more than three years hasnt cooled the insistence in certain quarters that Clapper face charges for an admittedly false statement to Congress in March 2013, when he responded, No, sir" and "not wittingly to a question about whether the National Security Agency was collecting any type of data at all on millions of Americans. About three months after making that claim, documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed the answer was untruthful and that the NSA was in fact collecting in bulk domestic call records, along with various internet communications. To his critics, Clapper lied under oath, a crime that threatens effective oversight of the executive branch. In an apology letter to lawmakers, however, Clapper said he gave the clearly erroneous answer because he simply didnt think of the call-record collection.

Critics who say President-elect Donald Trump has no right to disparage our good and faithful intelligence servants or to be skeptical of the intelligence they gather might be willing to accept least untruthful answers but others are not. As Investors Business Daily editorialized in June 2013 after Clappers testimony:

...Director of National Intelligence James Clapper struggles to explain why he told Congress in March that the National Security Agency does not intentionally collect any kind of data on millions of Americans. "I responded in what I thought was the most truthful, or least untruthful, manner by saying 'no,'" Clapper told NBC News on Sunday. Least untruthful? Lying to Congress and the American people is just that, except in Clapper's mind. And it seems to depend on the meaning of "collect," a reminder of President Bill Clinton's defense that charges of his lying depended on the meaning of the word "is." Are blanket collections of data, even just phone numbers, on large swaths of America a good idea? In 2006, when George W. Bush was in office, Joe Biden, in a rare moment of lucidity, told Harry Smith on CBS' "Morning Show" of the pitfalls of what the NSA is doing now. "Harry, I don't have to listen to your phone calls to know what you're doing," Biden said. "If I know every single phone call you made, I'm able to determine every single person you talk to, I can get a pattern about your life that is very, very intrusive. "And the real question here is: What do they do with this information that they collect that does not have anything to do with al-Qaida?"

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the NSA surveillance program was in violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Ironically, it was Judge Andrew Napolitano who noted in Fox News Opinion:

In the first meaningful and jurisdictionally grounded judicial review of the NSA cellphone spying program, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee sitting in Washington, D.C., ruled that the scheme of asking a secret judge on a secret court for a general warrant to spy on all American cellphone users without providing evidence of probable cause of criminal behavior against any of them is unconstitutional because it directly violates the Fourth Amendment. Readers of this page are familiar with the purpose of that Amendment and the requirements it imposes on the government. The Framers intended it to prevent the new government in America from doing to Americans what the British government had done to the colonists under the king. The British government had used general warrants -- which are not based on individualized probable cause and do not name the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized -- to authorize British soldiers to search the colonists wherever they pleased for whatever they wished to seize.

Clapper defended and lied about an intelligence agency unconstitutionally spying on the American people. Shouldnt we be skeptical about his conclusions and those of others on Russian hacking and Team Trumps alleged collusion?

Clapper and others, including, apparently Fox News, may think that the Obama administration is incapable of such an act, the Obama administration that used the IRS in a way Richard Nixon only dreamed of, targeting the Tea Party movement that had arisen in opposition to Obamacare. Such an act would indeed make Watergate look like, well, a third-rate burglary. Clapper forgets as well how the NSA and the Obama administration spied on world leaders, starting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and reporters like Fox News own James Rosen:

President Barack Obama knew of the organizations spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel -- and approved of the efforts, a National Security Agency official has reportedly told a German newspaper. The Economic Times writes the high-ranking NSA official spoke to Bild am Sonntag on the condition of anonymity, saying the president, not only did not stop the operation, but he also ordered it to continue. The Economic Times also reports the official told Bild am Sonntag that Obama did not trust Merkel, wanted to know everything about her, and thus ordered the NSA to prepare a dossier on the politician.

Of course, the Obama administration was not above surveillance of the press and treating respected reporters as, well, criminals. Take the case of Fox News reporter James Rosen, named by the Obama administration as a criminal co-conspirator in a case involving violations of the Espionage Act:

The Justice Department named Fox News's chief Washington correspondent James Rosen "at the very least, either as an aider, abettor and/or co-conspirator" in a 2010 espionage case against State Department security adviser Stephen Jin-Woo Kim. The accusation appears in a court affidavit first reported by the Washington Post. Kim is charged with handing over a classified government report in June 2009 that said North Korea would probably test a nuclear weapon in response to a UN resolution condemning previous tests. Rosen reported the analysis on 11 June under the headline 'North Korea Intends to Match UN Resolution With New Nuclear Test'. The FBI sought and obtained a warrant to seize all of Rosen's correspondence with Kim, and an additional two days' worth of Rosen's personal email, the Post reported. The bureau also obtained Rosen's phone records and used security badge records to track his movements to and from the State Department.

Judge Obama and the intel agencies by their illegal actions and their lying words. Judge Andrew Napolitano by his track record of impeccable credentials and unchallenged integrity. Judge Fox News by their action throwing Napolitano under the bus. Fox News  unfair, unbalanced, and very much afraid.

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.
In his blog, Loonwatch's Torbjorn Jerlerup describes himself as a liberal and adds that he's also a member of the [Swedish] Social Democrats.

Jerlerup seems to be the only writer for of Loonwatch who uses both his real name and allows the website to publish a picture of him. Darios and Garibaldi (Tell Mama's endlessly vicious, supercilious, and smug Nathan Lean?) do neither of these things.

Anyway, we're expected to believe everything Jerlerup says about Sweden because he tells us, twice, that I am from Sweden [I should know]. (That's like saying that everything Saddam Hussein said about Iraq must have been true because he was born and bred in Iraq.)

Torbjorn Jerlerup's piece, 'Trump, Fox News and Swedish Crime Statistics', is virtually an article-long non sequitur. Most his words are on crime and immigration in America, not Sweden. In other words, Jerlerup compares Sweden to the United States, and he does so in many respects.

It's almost that Jerlerup believes that there's some kind of necessary logical/causal link between the situation in America and the situation in Sweden. The most that can be said is this: as well as this article being one long non sequitur, it's also a classic case of whataboutism (as in, whataboutAmerica?). In other words, if Muslims have greatly increased the rate of rape and crime in Sweden, then surely what's happening in the United States is largely ir/relevant.

Importantly, Jerlerup fuses all immigrants together in his piece. At the same time as that, he also pretends that all right-wingers or conservatives do exactly the same thing. Yet conservatives or right-wingers (rather than National Socialists and fascists) have never been against all immigrants. They're in favour of productive and skilled immigrants and against, for example, illegal immigrants and (in the Trump era) Muslims from certain countries.

Donald Trump's Comments

This article itself is largely a response to Donald Trump's reference to Sweden some weeks ago (February 21st). This article must have been written after left-wingers had finally realised that Trump hadn't actually referred to a terrorist act in Sweden; as they, at first, claimed. Instead, according to Jerlerup, Trump talked about the U.S. Migration Ban and justified it by mentioning an 'incident' in Sweden. He goes on to say:

But nothing remarkable happened in Sweden that Friday (I am from Sweden). It is more probable that Trump was talking about a TV segment that aired Friday evening on Tucker Carlson (Fox) about 'Muslim Migration' to Sweden and alleged exploding 'crime rates' in Sweden.

Despite all that, there were indeed riots in Sweden just one day after Trump's tweet. Nonetheless, according to Jerlerup, all Trump's words were designed to scaremonger and fool people to view immigration as something negative and dangerous.

Jerlerup does deign to admit that Sweden surely has problems. (That's nice of him.) However, in classic Marxist manner, these problems are apparently all due to [u]nemployment and alienation among immigrants. In other words, they have nothing whatsoever to do with Islam and Islamic supremacism. Indeed, in the entire article, Jerlerup mentions Muslims only once; which is to miss the point big time. Instead Jerlerup fuses all immigrants together; which I thought was something the far Right and conservatives were meant to do. Indeed, precisely because Jerlerup fuses all immigrants together, and in parallel with that fails to tackle the situation with Swedish Muslims, that enables Jerlerup to make many of the claims he does make. That mental block about Islam and Muslim immigrants makes his words seem almost acceptable... on the surface.

Murder in the United States; Murder in Sweden

As I said, about half (or more) of this piece deals with Swedish-American comparisons. Jerlerup, for example, tells us that Sweden has about 1-1.3 murders per 100,000 inhabitants and the USA has about 5.

Jerlerup then says that there are no No Go Zones in Sweden where police cannot even enter. On the other hand, real 'No Go Zones' are the ones found in the USA. Apparently, only RACISTS (his capitals) refer to No Go Zones. Jerlerup even cites two American no-go zones: Philadelphia and Baltimore. Compared to these American no-go zones, the Swedish suburbs are VERY calm and peaceful.

Well, neither of those cities  nor any other in the U.S. -- is a no go zone. Police may need to enter some neighbourhoods in force, but they enter them at will. This assertion is characteristic of Jerlerup's whataboutisms.

Rape

Jerlerup again dilutes the issue by talking about how different countries define rape in different ways. He tells us, for example, that Sweden has tough laws against rape reports and therefore has many reported cases of rapes in its statistics. What Jerlerup doesn't tell us is that these stricter Swedish definitions of rape were brought in precisely because of the immigrant-induced rape crisis that country was facing at the time.

The other thing is that Jerlerup seems to hint that some rape reports (in Sweden) aren't really about rapes.

Here again we face yet another Jerlerup whataboutism aimed at the United States. According to Jerlerup, a lot of rapes are reported in Sweden: 63,5 rape incidents per 100,000 citizens. The USA with 300 million people has 27.

Jerlerup's upshot is that there are more rape reports in Sweden than other countries; but not necessarily more rapes! And because of this anomaly, this would lead you to think that the numbers of rapes are skyrocketing [in Sweden] but then you look at the figures. Again, rape reports, according to Jerlerup, are not the same as rapes. Indeed the Swedish law considers lots of acts as sexual assault and rape that other countries dont.

(Doesn't Jerlerup's position go directly against decades of feminist doctrine on the subject of rape? That is, that if the woman says she's been raped, then she has been raped?)

Crime

Jerlerup really puts the icing on the cake when he has the audacity to say that in order to lower crime rates the U.S.A., Americans should INCREASE immigration! Yes, you heard that correctly. Jerlerup goes on to say that if Donald Trump wants to decrease the rates of criminality in the USA, then he should open the borders and bring in more immigrants.

Once we -- again! -- realise that Jerlerup has fused all immigrants together, one can see how he's trying to pull off his various sleights of hand.

Jerlerup quotes the New York Times also fusing all immigrants together. The NYT tells us that 'immigrants are far more law-abiding than natives, regardless of race, class or education'. Which immigrants? Islamists? Mexican drug-runners? Somalian rapists? Muslims from certain countries? If Jerlerup and the NYT are instead talking about Indian doctors and mathematicians, or Russian neuroscientists, we can all agree. But they're not! They're both talking about all immigrants lumped together in a conveniently large Leftist/Liberal pile. This, again, is what they accuse the Right of doing. Yet here is Jerlerup doing the same thing in order to score various political points.

So when Jerlerup quotes Ruben Rumbaut (a sociologist) as saying that 'immigrants are less likely to commit serious crimes or be behind bars than the native-born', we can ask, again, which immigrants? Quite simply, the stats about one group of immigrants can be massively at odds with another group of immigrants. And Jerlerup must know that! In addition, is Jerlerup talking about new or second-generation immigrants?

The other point is that right-wingers or conservatives would never deny that the U.S. has a problem with crime. However, in terms of murder, the rates are so high primarily because of black-on-black killings. In addition to that, crime and murder rates are high primarily due to the decades of Democrat/socialist infantilization of certain American communities; though we can't go into that here.

Finally, since Loonwatch's Torbjorn Jerlerup backed up his position with a long quote from the New York Times, I'll do the same with the Gatestone Institute ('Sweden: Rape Capital of the West'). In the following, we have an alternative take on the statistics; as well as alternative statistics:

In 1975, the Swedish parliament unanimously decided to change the former homogeneous Sweden into a multicultural country. Forty years later the dramatic consequences of this experiment emerge: violent crime has increased by 300%. If one looks at the number of rapes, however, the increase is even worse. In 1975, 421 rapes were reported to the police; in 2014, it was 6,620. That is an increase of 1,472%. Sweden is now number two on the global list of rape countries. According to a survey from 2010, Sweden, with 53.2 rapes per 100,000 inhabitants, is surpassed only by tiny Lesotho in Southern Africa, with 91.6 rapes per 100,000 inhabitants...

Interestingly enough, both writers (Ingrid Carlqvist and Lars Hedegaard) are, like Jerlerup, Swedish.
Speaker Ryans approach to repealing and replacing ObamaCare is said to be three-pronged. This seems a muddled conception, because the second prong doesnt involve Congress. Rather, it involves Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Tom Price, who can undo a host of Obamacare regulations all by himself. This second prong shows the weakness of the administrative state: regulations can be undone by the next administrator. So let the deregulations pour forth. You live by the administrative state; you die by the administrative state.

For Congress, there are just two prongs. The first prong is to repeal as much of the ObamaCare as possible through reconciliation, which isnt subject to the filibuster and requires only 51 votes in the Senate. The Byrd Rule dictates that reconciliation can be used only for matters that involve the budget. Of course, the Senate might do away with the filibuster, but Republicans dont want to do that right now. The second prong (formerly the third prong) would involve nonbudgetary items, like tort reform and buying insurance across state lines, items that would need 60 votes. Unfortunately, the Dems arent in a cooperative mood. And Ryans two-pronged approach has its other critics. In Ryancares Fatal Logic Flaw on March 13 at the Mises Institute, Hunter Lewis wrote:

What they ought to do instead is to craft a real Obamacare Repeal and Replace bill, fill it full of logical improvements such as allowing insurance companies to offer policies nationally, then stand back and let the Democrats vote it down and filibuster it. Having got the Democrats on record, they could then go back to bills based on Reconciliation, having put their best ideas forward. That would be easy for voters to understand.

Lewis seems to be urging that the two prongs be combined and drawn up into a bill that details the complete vision and solution of what Republican reform should be. Whilst driving on March 16, I heard El Rushbo float the same idea:

In this bill you load it up with everything you think it really should be. Dont play games with first phase, second phase, third phase. Do a genuine repeal, come up with a genuine replacement, do it as though you had a free rein to do the best you could. Put everything in this bill that you, as a Republican and a conservative, want the health care system to become.

And in The Real World of Obamacare Repeal at NRO, also on March 16, Dr. Krauthammer also critiqued the multipronged approach:

Republicans could forget about meeting the arcane requirements of reconciliation legislation (which requires only 51 votes in the Senate) and send the Senate a replacement bill loaded up with everything conservative -- including tort reform and insurance competition across state lines. That would require 60 Senate votes. Let the Democrats filibuster it to death -- and take the blame when repeal-and-replace fails, Obamacare carries on and then collapses under its own weight.

These ideas have merit; perhaps its not too late to change strategy. But not all of ObamaCare will collapse. The part that will collapse is the so-called Marketplace for private health insurance; that is, the exchanges. The part that wont collapse is Medicaid, which will keep chugging along on autopilot. If trillion-dollar federal deficits couldnt kill Medicaid, a collapsing ObamaCare wont either.

On Dec. 29 last year, I wrote that by using reconciliation Republicans wouldnt be able to repeal the ObamaCare mandates. That appears to have been incorrect, as the second item on the House bills webpage is: Eliminates the individual and employer mandate penalties. One might conclude that since the Supreme Court redefined the individual mandate as a tax that it would now fall under the ambit of the Byrd Rule. Lets hope that the Senate parliamentarian will advise that this is so and that the mandates can indeed be struck down through reconciliation.

In passing ObamaCare, Democrats were united, in lockstep. But Republicans are a diverse crowd, consisting of conservative diehards like the Freedom Caucus, moderates, and libertarians, (and perhaps the odd antidisestablishmentarian). Getting all these folks on the same page is like herding cats, if youll excuse the cliches. Theres the very real possibility that they may not be able to agree on a replacement for ObamaCare, and will come to an impasse. Such a nothing outcome would be a blow to their cause and their reelection prospects. However, there is one thing that most Republicans can agree on. So let me offer an alternative to nothing: pass a bill that does only one thing: repeals the mandates.

And theres your win, Republicans, your ace-in-the-hole should all else fail. Surely all Republicans can agree that the mandates need to go. Such a simple bill would be a boon to business and President Trump could then fire the 16,000 IRS agents hired to enforce compliance with the mandates. I hear the president isnt afraid to fire folks. And no ones going to spend much time feeling sorry for a bunch of canned federal employees if it means the IRS gets downsized.

Jon N. Hall of Ultracon Opinion is a programmer/analyst from Kansas City.
The wise sage from Boston, Tip O'Neill, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, contributed to statecraft that all politics is local. The result of the parliamentary election in the Netherlands on March 16, 2017, while inconclusive, appears to bear this out. It is not a forecast or harbinger for results in other countries. The Netherlands election has shown that the supposed domino process of populism, exemplified in the UK with Brexit, and in the U.S. with the victory of Donald Trump, may have been halted. It is unclear whether that result has resonance and whether populist forces in elections France in April and May 2017 and in Germany in September will be similarly checked.

Has the domino effect of populism ended? Differences in the history, culture, and level of the economy in the different European countries are likely to result in different perceptions of needs and policies, and responses to the demands of globalization.

It is arguable whether the Dutch election result did register substantial populist dislike of the Dutch establishment, approval of Euroskepticism, rejection of multiculturalism and exaltation of national values and culture. Or did the result indicate general acceptance of both the idea of globalism and support for greater European integration?

The uncertainty is illustrated by the fact that the two governing parties got only half as many seats as they got in 2012 election, and that the top three parties got only 45% of the vote. Yet the result does seem to bear out the validity of the concepts suggested by the economist Dani Rodrik that national priorities are preferred if they clash with the international demands of globalization, and that the free market may be a threat to social stability and domestic norms.

The election result might have been different. An unexpected event helped the electoral fortunes of the government party, the moderate conservative VVD, led by prime minister Mark Rutte, multilingual classical music lover, which is still the largest party. He took a nationalistic tough stand in the disagreement with Turkey.

A few days before the election Rutte had condemned the comments of the Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, who had accused the Rutte government of acting like Nazis. His outburst was due to the fact that Rutte refused permission for two Turkish ministers, one prevented from entering the country while the other was expelled, to attend a rally of Turks in Rotterdam to influence the vote in the forthcoming constitutional referendum in April, a vote that seeks to change the Turkish system from a quasi-parliamentary democracy to an executive presidency that will keep Erdogan in power until 2029. About 400,000 people of Turkish origin live in the Netherlands, and they have their own political party DENK which obtained four seats in the election.

The central focus of the Dutch election was on support for or opposition to the fiery Geert Wilders, the leader of the extreme populist party PVV. His fate is of international interest because he shares a similar, though not identical, political agenda of nativism, populism, and authoritarianism, with Marine Le Pen and the National Front in France, Franke Petry and the AfD in Germany, and, as some think, Donald Trump, to whom Wilders has been compared, partly because of their carefully cultivated blond bouffant peroxide hairstyles.

Although Wilders led in public opinion polls for two years until recently, it was always clear, because of the Dutch proportional representation electoral system which means inevitably no party can gain a majority and a coalition of a number of parties is necessary in order for a government to function, that he could not gain power.

Indeed, in 2017, 28 parties ran for election, and the PVV gained only 13% of the vote and 20 seats, a gain of five. In the high turnout of 80% of the electorate, the main rival, the party of Prime Minister Rutte, the VVD, gained 21 % of the vote and 33 of the total 150 seats in the parliament, a loss of eight since the last election.

Three features are noticeable that may be repeated in elections in other European countries. The first is that the very emphasis on the populist issues of immigration drove mainstream parties, such as the Christian Democratic CDA, to adapt the more hardline policies and rhetoric of the right on Islam, the controversial migrant issue, and on national identity in order to check the drift to the strongly anti-immigrant populists. Rutte himself called for a ban on the Islamic full veil in public places. This can be compared to the changing views of Emmanuel Macron in France and Martin Schulz in Germany. The moderate parties put more emphasis on limits to immigration, and on Dutch national values and cultural cohesion. Some advocated the singing of the national anthem in schools, along with mandatory public service.

The second feature is the collapse of the mainstream left, with the PvdA, the Labour Party that had been in a coalition with the VVD, gaining only 5.7% of the vote, and wining only 9 seats, a loss of 29 from 2012. The third is the gain made by new parties, pro-European, of the center left, especially the Green Left, led by Jesse Klaver, the 30-year-old son of a Moroccan father and part-Indonesian mother, which increased its number of seats from 4 to 14 , and did well in Amsterdam and in university towns. It is a party favoring refugees, the environment, social equality, and the EU.

For the U.S. and European countries, the main interest is the apparent check on Wilders and populist support. Prime Minister Rutte in a post-election remark said that good populism had beaten bad populism. Whatever the definition of good populism, the politics of Wilders was probably seen as too extreme.

Wilders, who as a youth at 18 went to Israel and lived for almost a year on a kibbutz and remains strongly pro-Israeli, became active after the murder in May 2002 by an environmentalist of the extreme populist Pim Fortuyn, a few days before the general election. Fortuyn had called for a national debate on immigration.

Wilders shifted from a conservative to a far-right position, influenced by Fritz Bolkestein, who in 1991 brought up the question of excessive immigration and the incompatibility of Islam with Dutch national values. Wilders called Islam a backward culture, and proposed closing the border to Muslims. Other events, including friendships with Ayaan Hirsi Ali and the murder of Theo Van Gogh in 2004, made Wilders more extreme. A fatwa was issued against him and Ali, and he lived under police protection.

Wilders formed his own party in 2006 and formulated his program. He equated the Koran with Hitlers Mein Kampf, and spoke of the EU as a Nazi organization. His campaign called for closing of mosques and Islamic schools, the banning of the Koran, and exit from the EU. His election manifesto called for the Netherlands to be ours again. At the same time, he took liberal positions on domestic issues, advocating tax cuts, and care for the elderly, as well as more spending on defense.

Wilders came in second in the 2017 election. Was this a disaster for him or success? Certainly, Marine Le Pen sees his performance as extremely positive. Yet it remains uncertain whether that performance has helped or injured the populist movement in France, where Le Pen has support of 28%, according to public opinion polls, and in other European countries
The Constitution only allows federal judges to serve during good behavior. This good behavior limitation on judicial tenure derives from one of the oldest and most well-established legal principles of our founding and English legal history. This limitation on appointed officials holding office pervades our founding revolutionary-era state constitutions. Its time for Trump to consider activating the power of the political branches to fire badly behaving judges. Time to drain the judicial swamp.

Recent Obama appointees, including associates of Obama since law school, earned the enmity of a wide range of legal and scholastic critics over their travel ban rulings. How bad was it? Even #NeverTrumpers and liberal lawyers came out in a chorus of condemnation against the Hawaii and Maryland judicial actions. #NeverTrump lawyer David French, lawyers at National Review, and liberal-leaning law professor Jonathan Turley each criticized the decision. Liberal Democratic law professor Alan Dershowitz noted that the judges would have never done this to Obama, even if the executive order was identical. Anti-Trump critic David Frum of the Atlantic criticized the decision. Even five Ninth Circuit judges, sua sponte, amended their prior statements to criticize these judges actions as without precedent.

Why the unison of condemnation? Because, as one law professor noted, much of the Hawaii judges actions were based on judicial acts of misleading. Thats polite, diplomatic, I-might-be-in-front-of-that-judge-someday way of saying that some of these anti-Trump, anti-travel ban judges were not honest. If private lawyers had acted the way these judges did, they could be sanctioned and could lose their license and livelihoods, be thrown out of court, or even charged with a crime. That is why Judge Alex Kozinski authored two amendments to his prior dissent to specifically criticize the basis of the Hawaii judges ruling.

What can Trump or Congress do about it, if they believe these federal judges exceeded their authority and engaged in disreputable conduct?

The Constitution provides two restrictions on the tenure of a federal judge: first, if they misuse or abuse their office, then the Constitution, under Article II, section 4, authorizes Congressional quasi-criminal remedies of impeachment. The impeachment provision applies to the President and all civil officers of the United States whenever their conduct constitutes treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Historically, the latter provision has been rejected for purely private conduct. That is why both Alexander Hamilton and Richard Nixon were not impeached for either tax evasion or financial misdeeds, though both were accused of one or the other. Bill Clinton successfully argued against conviction on the grounds his perjury, though in office, derived from a purely personal matter, rather than a presidential one.

The Constitution provides a second, separate restriction on the tenure of a federal judge: Article III of the Constitution limits a judges tenure to continuous good behavior. This reinforces the democratic side of the Constitution: only elected officials can remove either elected or appointed officials. Congress clearly understood this as they passed a law in 1790 making federal judges automatically ineligible for continued service upon conviction of a crime. The good behavior limitation on appointed officials specifically states: the judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior. It does not say the judges shall hold their offices during their lives nor unless removed by impeachment; it says they keep their judicial powers only during good behavior.

One need not be a conservative or an originalist to see the Constitution this way: no less than two well-respected law professors argued the same interpretation in the Yale Law Journal. History also supports this interpretation. Language of good behavior limitation on office-holding pervaded the revolutionary era, and preceded it in English common law, which our founders adopted. The original latin phrase for good behavior tenure -- "quamdiu se bene gesserit" -- applied to a wide range of English officeholders.

The recommended manner of determining good behavior incorporates procedures akin to an administrative trial process, where each of the political branches plays a role -- the executive in initiating investigation and prosecution, and the legislative in a jury-like function. As fellow scholars note: under any reading of the Constitution, the political branches have the authority to investigate and sanction judges. Judges actually do this to each other for ethical breaches, including removal from hearing cases. The problem is that the judiciary does a lousy job of policing its own. Time for Trump to drain the judicial swamp.

What defines bad behavior? The Code of Conduct for federal judges compel judges uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary, perform their duties fairly, impartially and diligently, and refrain from political activity. This means a judge should not be swayed by partisan interests. The analogous ethical code for lawyers requires that they always disclose and deal with legal authority that is both precedent and disagrees with their opinion; judges frequently lecture lawyers about this ethical obligation. A private lawyer who merely misleads the court about controlling precedent or the factual record can be sanctioned, have his license to practice law restricted, or even be deprived of his occupational office permanently. A private citizen who lies in court, by either omission or commission, can lose the right to be in court, and even lose their liberty, due to applicable criminal punishments and penalties. Shouldnt judges be held to the same standards they impose on private citizens and private lawyers? Wasnt that why our Founders limited the term of a federal judge to good behavior?

For example, as law professor Josh Blackman noted, the Hawaii courts order gave a chronology that was misleading, cited only part of the prior campaign comments of Trump and his surrogates, and engaged in other dubious acts of fact finding. In the law, the federal rules of evidence prohibit this kind of out-of-context quoting: Federal Rule of Evidence, Rule 106 requires a court consider all contextualizing documents, quotes, and comments to properly and fairly consider the entire statement. Equally, the Hawaii judge ignored precedent against his position, including on the legal authority on nationwide bans, the constitutional rights of aliens, and the Constitutional and Congressionally authorized rights of the President to control borders and keep the country safe, as the Ninth Circuit judges also noted. A lawyer or citizen who did this would be sanctioned. Why not a federal judge?

Imagine: Hawaii blocks fruit, vegetables, plants, and animals, but sharia-supporting imam family members are let right in, by judicial fiat. Whens the last time you heard a liberal say: yeah, were taking our summer vacation with the kids this year in Somalia, or Syria these days is a great place for a honeymoon? Long-standing, well-respected former Ninth Circuit chief judge Kosinski was so agitated by the decision, that he authored, with four other judges, a rare public condemnation through amending a prior court dissent on the subject. If a private person or lawyer had done what these anti-Trump judges did, they could be sanctioned, and could be subject to loss of their licensed occupation and even loss of their personal liberty.

These judges disrespected the rule of law they promised to protect. The Constitution says they can be fired. It is time to return the balance to the balance of power the Constitution always intended. Obama hired them; let Trump fire them.

Trial lawyer Robert Barnes can be found @Barnes_Law and www.barneslawllp.com
We learned this week that Sweden is the ninth happiest country in the world.

We also learned this week that happy Sweden is worried about war:

Sweden is reactivating thousands of Cold War bunkers across the country as fears of a military confrontation with Russia build. Shelters on the Baltic Island of Gotland will be prioritized for comprehensive checks after it was identified as a likely target for Russian invasion last year. Sweden's most populous island has been the site of a dramatic buildup of military training more than a decade after being demilitarized. In light of the "special situation," inspections of hundreds of underground shelters in Gotland will be stepped up, according to Swedish Radio.

Am I the only one who sees something weird about these stories? On one hand, we read that Swedes are so happy. On the other hand, they are reactivating nuclear bunkers.

Let me go back to the article:

Back in December, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) urged the country's municipalities to prepare for dislocation, with security heads being ordered to be "better equipped to meet the threat of war and other crisis situations." Preparations to guard against an armed attack from a "qualified opponent," meaning Russia, have been enhanced in recent months, although officials complained that there was no clear cut plan on how to provide vaccines, gas masks or fuel in the event of a crisis.

So let me get this straight. The Swedes told a pollster they are very happy. However, their government is telling them to get ready for an invasion?

It's all very strange to me.

However, we do recall that pollsters told us as late as 5 p.m. on election day that Mrs. Clinton would deliver a winning speech later that night.

Let's revisit that sample in Sweden. Maybe the sample included too many people from the tourism agency!

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
Media analysis of the recent testimony by FBI director James Comey before Congress misses the forest for the trees.

Was Trump Tower wiretapped?

Well, who isn't?

That was the revelation of Ed Snowden in 2013, something NSA director James Clapper perjured himself to cover up.

Had Clapper simply refused to answer the question as to the existence of such a pervasive, intrusive, and probably unconstitutional covert surveillance apparatus, he would have given it away.

Covert is, well, "covert" if it's to be of any use at all.

But that brought up the nature of the surveillance, itself. How can anything of that nature be subjected to public oversight? Concerns of this nature were swept away in the bipartisan interest of national security.

But now, the chickens have come to roost.

When every American is under perpetual surveillance and classified information of an obviously very partisan political nature routinely leaks, we have to ask: is there any reason to trust anyone?

The legacy of Obama is "all politics, all the time," with no law at all. It doesn't matter anymore who is right or wrong. When our major institutions have compromised themselves, the only thing that matters is winning.

That's a dangerous situation for any government.

Did Fox News really discontinue Judge Napolitano for making unsubstantiated claims? Or did the Judge actually dig a little too deep into the swamp? If he turns up at the Ecuadorian embassy seeking asylum along with Julian Assange, that will say a lot. In lieu of that, we just won't know.

Is it a coincidence that the FBI investigation into Trump's campaign associates began about the same time he became the GOP presidential candidate? We'd like to think so. That'd be the easy way out.

But no such luck!

Even worse is that this surveillance hasn't accrued the decisive advantage against the jihad that it was supposed to. Instead, it has worked against public trust in the very regime that assembled it. Undermining public trust is also the very objective of the jihad, Ed Snowden and Julian Assange aside. No one wants a head-on conventional war with America. Since Viet Nam, subversion has proven far more effective, if more time-consuming. But as Islamists put it, "you have the watches. We have the time." That's how Nguyen Giap and "Uncle Ho" won.

All governments dispense the collective power of life and death, but it's only on loan. Public trust is the collateral. When legitimate questions sound like conspiracy theories, money isn't the only thing the government is lacking, although it's actually just more of the same: children in power. A regime that cannot win wars or live within its means and conducts foreign and domestic policy by bribing "good behavior" is in trouble. When it can't even keep its innermost secrets, it has to come up with a good story. When it can't even do that, its options become very limited. It's painted itself into a corner.

Republicans have only two years to prove that they can deliver the goods they've promised for decades: the elections of 2018. They're on thin ice.

It doesn't take a wise man to predict the past, as Reagan's Soviet citizen once said. One need remember only a few months to spot the hypocrisy in both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats are even easier. Just remember thinking like a 12 year old. Republicans, on the other hand, haven't led for so long they don't even know how to follow anymore. Pontificating is a nice pastime, but it doesn't win battles.

Somebody needs to get us all on the same bandwagon before the wheels fall off of all them. No telling when that's going to happen, but that's only because we've been creaking on wobbly wheels for so long that it seems normal.

Maybe that's the real problem in the Swamp, aka Washington, D.C.
The family of a Mexican drug mule who tried to smuggle narcotics across the border received 1 million dollars in a settlement of a lawsuit over the incident.

Cruz Velazquez Acevedo began convulsing shortly after he drank the liquid methamphetamine he'd brought with him from Tijuana, Mexico. The 16-year-old had just crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to San Diego and was going through the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He was carrying two bottles of liquid that he claimed was apple juice. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers told him to drink it to prove he wasn't lying, court records say. The teen took four sips. Then, he began sweating profusely. He screamed and clenched his fists. In a matter of minutes, his temperature soared to 105 degrees, his family's attorney said. His pulse reached an alarming rate of 220 beats per minute  more than twice the normal rate for adults. "Mi corazon! Mi corazon!" Acevedo screamed, according to court records  "My heart! My heart!" He was dead about two hours later.

So what's the problem? In my opinion, drug dealers should be executed. Instead, his family walked away with a million dollars.

The family's attorney, Eugene Iredale, acknowledged that the teen did something wrong when he tried to bring drugs into the United States on Nov. 18, 2013. "But he's a 16-year-old boy with all the immaturity and bad judgment that might be characteristic of any 16-year-old kid," Iredale told The Washington Post. "He was basically a good boy[.]

A "good boy" who was smuggling methamphetamines that could kill Americans. The "good boy" knew what he was being asked to drink. All he had to do was tell the truth. Instead, he decided to do something stupid.

What's outrageous is that the U.S. government paid this amount in a settlement. This "good boy" wasn't even an American. He was a foreign drug dealer. He had no rights under the U.S. Constitution. By other accounts, the "good boy" volunteered to drink the liquid without any prompting.

Acevedo died from the very poison he was trying to peddle to others. How could that be anything other than poetic justice?

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
Two longtime mayors whose villages are both located in the town of Elbridge will continue to lead their respective communities after voters returned them to their seats for another four years in unopposed races Tuesday.

Jordan Mayor Richard Platten will extend beyond 40 years his tenure in the position he has held since 1979 after receiving 56 votes in an uncontested re-election bid. Similarly, Elbridge Mayor Hank Doerr also did not have a challenger and earned 13 votes to renew his tenure to at least 15 years in the seat he has held since 2006.

"Hopefully, we've done a good job and we've earned the trust and the support of the people that we've tried to represent," Platten said of his re-election. "You don't take it for granted."

"We just continue planning along and doing the projects we've identified in the course of the year," Doerr said, noting budget season follows the election. "I have a very good board. ... We all work very hard to help the village survive."

Both villages also held unchallenged elections for trustee seats.

In Jordan, newcomers Tim Stapleton and Karen Simko earned their first four-year terms on the board with 63 and 49 votes, respectively.

Simko and Stapleton replace Trustee Catherine Ferris, who was first elected to the board in 2011 and served as deputy mayor, and Trustee Robert Meixner, who served one term from 2013. Both Ferris and Meixner chose not to seek re-election when their tenures were up.

In Elbridge, voters returned three incumbent trustees to the board. Trustees Chris DeCola and Anthony DeMarco earned another four years with 15 votes apiece.

With 15 votes, Trustee Stephanie Harris received the final year of an unexpired term. She was appointed to the board last year to fill the position formerly held by Elbridge Town Councilor Floyd Duger.

In speaking about their re-elections, both mayors pointed to the challenges that lay ahead for them and their villages in the next four years with regard to budget constraints and consolidation proposals.

"We have some financial challenges," Platten said. "We lost our revenue through sales tax sharing (in 2010), and now we're being squeezed on the top by the tax cap. I don't know how people think we can continue to cope or maybe they don't want us to cope."

In terms of consolidation, Platten said he has no problem making a real evaluation of the services that his village and other villages provide and the cost effectiveness of them. But, he stressed, it's about service to the residents.

"It's not about widgets. We're not making widgets," he said. "If it can be done more economically, by all means we ought to take a very serious look at it. I'm not opposed to looking for better solutions."

In developing the 2017-18 budget, Doerr noted the tax cap comes out to 0.015 percent for the village, which he said poses a threat to the village's ability to survive and maintain the services it provides to its residents.

"I still argue that the best service is at the local level. As you go up, it gets worse," he said. "It's not until you don't have it that you realize how valuable it was."

Pointing particularly to the Consensus Commission's local government consolidation recommendations, Doerr said while the Onondaga County Legislature has said it will not put any consolidation plan to a vote this year, County Executive Joanie Mahoney still could do so in accordance with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to put such plans on November's ballot.

"At the local level, if we wanted to do something, there'd have petitions and all the rest of it, but this streamlines it unbelievably," Doerr said. "That's looming on the horizon."
Poor Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s life is in ruins  an ex-con in the midst of a bitter divorce, claiming 100% disability and unable to pay his bills. If only his father had more juice, he'd be sitting pretty like Chelsea Clinton, rolling in bling and awarded lucrative jobs he'd never get without the parental pull.

Andy Grimm reports in the Chicago Sun-Times:

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. on Tuesday said he and his estranged wife Sandi Jackson are $1.8 million in debt thanks to legal bills from their federal criminal prosecution and mounting fees from an acrimonious divorce playing out in courtrooms in two cities. Jackson Jr. talked to reporters during an at-times rambling question-and-answer session following a brief hearing in his divorce case at the Daley Center, opining on the state of Washington politics and the best way to settle the couple's bills. Neither Jackson nor his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, has worked since their release from prison after serving sentences meted out for misusing campaign funds and tax charges.

Unlike Chelsea, Jesse Junior actually got himself elected to Congress in 1996, replacing Mel Reynolds. There was plenty of string-pulling involved, of course. Reynolds was taken out of a safe House seat when he established a tradition that the occupant of the Second District of Illinois would end up in prison that Jackson faithfully upheld.

J-3 likes the high life and always had a habit of supplementing his salary with amounts of money obtained from friends of various sorts. Some of them, like the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, were identified by a Senate committee as having ties to organized crime. So it was not too surprising that he ended up grifting to pay for Rolex watches among other baubles.

That's not true for Chelsea, who "tried to care about money, but couldn't."
A rock has been turned over in Chicago, and all kinds of revelations are scattering out.

Bill Ruthhart and Hal Dardick report in the Chicago Tribune:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's personal email accounts have served as a private avenue of influence where executives and investors sought favorable action from City Hall, raising questions about whether some of the messages crossed the line into lobbying and violated the city's ethics law, the Chicago Tribune has found. Usually, such requests don't become public. But late last year, pressure from open records lawsuits resulted in Emanuel releasing a trove of emails in which he conducted public business on personal email. The messages offer a rare look at how the mayor operates out of the public spotlight and reveal who has his ear.

Here is where the story becomes either weird or magical, depending on your perspective:

Now, a Chicago Board of Ethics that had long been viewed as toothless is reviewing details on potential lobbying activity it didn't have the wherewithal to uncover itself because it lacked investigative power. The Emanuel-appointed panel, which is evaluating the emails, enforces the city's broad lobbying law that covers many types of contact with government officials. The ethics board determines whether individuals have violated the rules, and it handed out a record $90,000 fine last month in the first case to emerge since the emails became public.

An Emanuel-appointed board resurrecting from the dead its putative function and actually handing out penalties big enough to hurt, not to mention public shaming for unethical behavior! How's that for drama?

Guess who got caught and paid the fine! Not some paving contractor:

Hit with the penalty was former Uber executive David Plouffe for illegally lobbying Emanuel on the city's ride sharing ordinance. Plouffe, who managed former President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, sent an email to one of the mayor's two personal accounts asking Emanuel to help the company on regulations for picking up travelers at Chicago's two airports. Plouffe and Uber argued the size of the fine was "absurd," but the ethics board stood by its ruling, noting the city's lobbying law called for a $1,000 fine for each business day Plouffe failed to register as a lobbyist, starting five days after he contacted Emanuel.

As Ruthhart and Dardick reveal, there is a lot of meat for CBOE to chew on, if it continues on its path of integrity.

Scattered throughout the mayor's emails are messages that could raise questions about whether ethics infractions occurred. They involve issues ranging from Airbnb pushing back against City Hall home rental regulations and American Airlines executives asking for Emanuel's support in Washington for a corporate merger to United Airlines negotiating on expansions at O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts seeking added Wrigleyville security.

Read the whole thing. Chicago is the ultimate expression of Democrat dominance of politics. This may be a story that keeps on giving.
Yesterday, I wrote about the ban on laptops and other devices on flights originating at ten mostly Middle Eastern airports, ordered by the Department of Homeland Security. I speculated that the ban is the result of a specific terrorist threat.

Today, the Daily Beast is reporting that several U.S. intelligence sources are pointing to a successful raid on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Penninsula last January that has led authorities to conclude that AQAP has developed extremely small bombs that can be hidden in laptops and other small devices.

Information from the raid shows al Qaeda's successful development of compact, battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices believed to be strong enough to bring down an aircraft, the sources said. The battery bombs would need to be manually triggered, a source explained, which is why the electronics ban is only for the aircraft cabin not checked luggage. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security publicly cited two attacks on flights in the last two years, the downing of a Russian jet over the Egyptian Sinai in October 2015 and an attempt that nearly succeeded in bringing down a jet that had taken off from Mogadishu, Somalia last year and made an emergency landing after an explosion ripped open its cabin. The insurgent group Al-Shababb claimed credit for getting a laptop onboard the flight that had been rigged as a bomb. "Since they weren't high enough, the explosion wasn't catastrophic to the plane and they were able to land," one source told The Daily Beast. "The bomber got sucked out of the hole, but it was proof of concept." The chief bomb maker for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Ibrahim al-Asiri, has been working on packing even smaller devices, the source added. "You might recall they brought down UPS Flight 6 in 2010 with a bomb hidden inside a copier cartridge," the source said. Intel sources fear terrorist can make bombs as small as computer batteries, provoking the ban on carry-on electronics at sensitive foreign airports. Three intelligence sources told The Daily Beast that the ban on carry-on electronics aboard U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports in North Africa and the Middle East was the result of information seized during a U.S. raid on Al Qaeda in Yemen in January. The United Kingdom joined the U.S. ban Tuesday. Information from the raid shows al Qaeda's successful development of compact, battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices believed to be strong enough to bring down an aircraft, the sources said. The battery bombs would need to be manually triggered, a source explained, which is why the electronics ban is only for the aircraft cabin not checked luggage.

We have to realize that we are in an arms race with the terrorists. Airplanes are not as vulnerable as they used to be, but they still present the best target for terrorists to carry out mass casualty attacks. As governments take ever more stringent security precautions, the terrorists figure out how to defeat those measures.

Then there is the huge problem of airport security in some countries that leaves a lot to be desired. While most of the airports named by DHS in their laptop ban have good to excellent security records, some  like Mogadishu Airport in Somalia  are a joke. Not only is security lax, but terrorists have found it relatively easy to bribe airport workers to smuggle contraband aboard aircraft.

The fact is, the announcement of the ban has probably stopped any planned attack in its tracks. But the ban is temporary, and once things are back to normal, authorities will once again find themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the terrorists.
President Trump, who promised to totally repeal Obamacare, is threatening Republicans with political retribution if they do not support the House bill, which would leave the worst elements of Obamacare intact.

The House bill does a few good things  it eliminates the individual mandate to buy insurance and relieves employers of the costly burden of providing insurance for their workers. But, mostly, the worst parts of Obamacare stay in effect.

1) The expansion of Medicaid. Currently being paid for by the federal government, this massive financial burden continues with the new bill.

2) Redistribution of income. The Obamacare subsidies are replaced with phony "tax credits" that for many people will give back more than they pay in taxes to the federal government. They are the same Obamacare subsidies by a different name and under a slightly different formula, but the enormous redistributive subsidies remain.

3) Expensive regulations remain that keep premiums high.

a) Every insurer must cover pre-existing conditions, meaning people who have not paid into the system who wait to get insurance until they get sick will be subsidized by other policy holders. This one provision raises the costs of premiums for everyone substantially.

b) A cost cap on insurance policies is prohibited. That means that if one catastrophically ill person (who didn't get insurance beforehand) needs $5 million in treatment, everyone has to pay for it with higher premiums.

c) "Children" under the age of 26 are required to be covered by all policies; you have to pay for this even if you don't have children. Similarly, if you are a man, you must pay for a policy that covers the costs of mammograms and childbirth, and so on.

By keeping the Medicaid expansion in place for years (probably longer), and keeping expensive regulations in place that raise premiums, the worst of Obamacare is retained.

And President Trump is threatening any Republican who votes against it.

President Trump on Tuesday turned up the pressure on recalcitrant Republicans to support a sweeping bill to overhaul the health care system, threatening wavering lawmakers in his party with political payback if they failed to get behind a measure that has become an early test of his negotiating power. "I'm going to come after you," Mr. Trump told Representative Mark Meadows, Republican of North Carolina, a prime holdout and the chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus.

Trump is threatening primary challenges to those who do not pass this "Son of Obamacare" monstrosity.

Apologists claim that this is the best Republicans can't do, that they cannot repeal the Obamacare regulations because of Senate rules requiring 60 votes for repeal. But that is a canard; the ultimate arbiter of the Senate rules is the president of the Senate, and guess who that is! Vice President Mike Pence. Mark Levin pointed this out to Pence in an radio interview, but, in Mark's words, Pence didn't sound very enthusiastic about the idea.

Not even this excuse, of course, prevents the Congress from terminating the budget-busting Medicaid expansion. The fact is, as Mark Levin has repeatedly said, there are a number of Republicans who simply want to keep Obamacare in place.

The irony is that while liberals are complaining that fewer people will be insured under the "Obamacare lite" plan, a new study shows that, comparatively speaking, more people would be covered if Obamacare were repealed entirely. This is not surprising, given that if Obamacare were totally repealed, premiums would go way down as insurance companies could fashion basic catastrophic health plans that don't have all the expensive requirements of Obamacare but would still serve the needs of many people.

Even worse, this bill has been watered down to remove protections that would keep illegal aliens from getting Obamacare. This from a Republican Congress.

It is sad that President Trump has put his full weight behind keeping the worst of Obamacare in place, without ever fighting to repeal all of it. In fact, he is fighting on the opposite side, going against people who want to repeal it in its entirety. It is even sadder to see President Trump obviously going back on his campaign promise to repeal Obamacare. Disappointing, but not surprising.

Donald Trump is no Hillary Clinton, but he is also no conservative. Perhaps Levin is right that Trump is a "National Populist Agrarian."

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer is pointing to failed immigration policies as a cause of the brutal rape of a 14-year-old Maryland 9th-grader, who was attacked in a restroom at her school by two much older immigrants, at least one of whom was in the country illegally.

Fox News:

"This is a tragic event," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday. "It is horrendous and horrible and disgusting what the girl in Rockville went through. "From an immigration standpoint, there are so many questions," Spicer said. "[One of the suspects] was 18. How does that person get put into 9th grade?"

Good question, Mr. Spicer. The facts in this case make one incredulous that school administrators could be so stupid.

The two thugs who attacked the child were 17 and 18 years old but placed in a classroom of 9th-graders. That's because they were enrolled in a program for non-English-speaking immigrants who had little or no schooling. The attackers had arrived recently from El Salvador and Nicaragua  two countries far more violent and unstable than the US.

The superintendent of schools in Rockville couldn't understand how the two young men from Central America could commit such a heinous crime:

It is common for that school system to have adults with limited English speaking skills enrolled as freshman, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith told Fox 5 DC. "We have a lot of 18-year-olds in our schools, Smith said. Our student was actually in a METS [Multidisciplinary Educational Training and Support] Program for English learners and that is a program we have across the system, and so, it is not a matter of what grade they were in, but the student was in a program for English learners. At a press conference Tuesday, Smith took aim at concerns raised by critics over immigration policies. "While some have made this into an issue on immigration, we serve every student that walks in through every door," he said. "We want to serve them because we know it would not be good for any child to go without an education."

Got that? The attack was a huge surprise because the animals were in a program. Not our fault.

The fact that the district serves "every student who walks through every door" is precisely the problem  even though it's lost on the clueless superintendent. They are placing these young adults in classrooms full of children even though they don't speak English and may have never seen the inside of a classroom.

The METS program of the Montgomery County Public Schools is designed to meet the linguistic and academic needs of English language learners who have had limited or no previous schooling or significant schooling gaps due to interrupted or disrupted education. Students enrolled in the METS program receive instruction in developing English language proficiency and basic literacy and academic skills. Students also receive instruction and support to facilitate adjustment to both the academic and social school environment. The purpose of the METS program is to develop English language proficiency and literacy while providing the instruction and support with academics that will help narrow students' educational gaps and facilitate articulation to non-METS classes.

Superintendent Smith can't seem to make the connection between the district's policies and the attack:

Smith told reporters the 18-year-old student was enrolled in a class alongside younger students because he was there to get the "best services for his needs," adding there are a "great number" of 18-year-old students enrolled in district high schools with younger students. The school district does not do background checks, criminal or immigration, for students entering the system, according to Smith. "We're not going to paint all students with a broad brush because of a really terrible incident," Smith said.

The "gap" Mr. Smith says he wants to close is more than an academic gap. There is a chasm between the 9th-grade children and the cultural deficit and disturbed emotional state of young men from an ultra-violent culture. The idea that the academic "gap" can be closed by warehousing these violent thugs is loony.

But crazy or not, the policies are not designed to keep children safe. They were created in service to a political agenda. For that, school administrators in Rockville should be fired for putting the needs of politics ahead of their primary job of caring for the district's children.
The Flagstaff Police Department and Flagstaff Unified School District are holding a joint meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Flagstaff High School in the Hurley Theater after two threatening notes were found at the school.

According to Flagstaff police, the first note was found by a student on March 9. The note indicated that a Columbine-type incident would happen at the school during the month of March.

A second note was found on Monday. That note did not have a specific threat but referenced April 20, which is the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.

According to a press release from Flagstaff police, the department has no information that would show that either threat is credible, but the department and the school district are taking the threats seriously. A school resource officer has been assigned to work full-time at Flagstaff High School and the department is investigating the threats as a felony crime.

FPD and FUSD will provide the public, students and parents more information about the threats and answer questions at Wednesday night's meeting. The department is asking anyone with information about the threats to contact Detective Barreras at (928) 679-4055 or Silent Witness (928) 774-6111.
PHOENIX  State lawmakers sent legislation Tuesday to Gov. Doug Ducey that proponents say will give additional protection to medical professionals and hospitals from having to help people die.

SB 1439, approved by the House on a 32-24 margin, spells out it is illegal to discriminate against any health care entity because it does not provide or facilitate in providing any service that results in the death of the individual. That includes assisted suicide, euthanasia and mercy killing.

The Senate already has approved the identical language.

Proponents, led by the Center for Arizona Policy, say this is a simple extension of existing laws that exempt health care providers from any civil or criminal liability for failing to comply with a patient's request or doctor's order that violates the providers conscience.

But Rep. Randall Friese, D-Tucson, who is a doctor, said he believes this will actually interfere with the ability of patients and their families to work with physicians to make decisions about what treatments to seek  or refuse. He said the issue comes down to helping families recognize transition from prolonging life to, in fact, prolonging death.

The objections drew derision from Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley.

He said the United States has a long and recognized history of conscientious objection, where people refuse for moral or religious reasons to take up arms. Finchem said this legislation should be seen in the same light.

This is about compelling somebody, forcing them to do something in the course of their employment, that they might have a religious objection to or an objective moral standard objection to, he said.

Questions remain about how this might affect someone with a living will.

Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, did agree to add language which spells out that nothing in the legislation allows a health care institution to ignore a do not resuscitate order.

But Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said during Senate debate that is insufficient. He argued that there are other provisions in a living will, like a dying patient's request to refuse food.

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said the legislation builds on existing protections for health care providers. It specifically protects those who refuse for moral reasons to go along with a patient's or family's wishes from being discriminated against by their employers.

The legislation comes a year after Barto used her power to kill legislation that would have gone in the opposite direction.

That 2016 measure by Sen. Barbara McGuire, D-Kearny, would have allowed terminally ill patients to request medication that would allow them to end their lives. The measure included safeguards including a finding that the person was capable of making an informed decision and a 15-day waiting period before medication could be prescribed.

McGuire said she sponsored the measure because of watching her father die.

It was terrifying, it was horrific, she said. He shouldn't have had to go through that.

Barto, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to which the bill was assigned, refused to allow a vote.
The purple signs indicating use of reclaimed water that are scattered throughout Flagstaff are a familiar sight for the average Arizonan. If you arent familiar with the purple pipes and signs dont worry  as a transplant from Idaho, a state rich in fresh water resources, I had very little experience with reclaimed water prior to moving to Arizona.

But for the sake of this article, let me bring you up to speed: reclaimed, or recycled, water is treated wastewater. In Flagstaff, the Wildcat Hill and Rio de Flag water reclamation plants deliver treated water for irrigation of public spaces, manufacturing, and a variety of other purposes. Reclaimed water accounts for 20% of water delivered to the community.

In addition to the reclaimed water delivered to its customers, Flagstaff discharges 100 gallons per minute of reclaimed water into the Rio de Flag. The flows provided for the stream by this reclaimed water support wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Arizonans are accustomed to the idea of reusing wastewater, but this is not the case globally. Worldwide, over 80% of wastewater produced by society flows back into the environment without being treated or reused.

And thats why this years theme for World Water Day asks us to consider, why wastewater? This day of action, held every year on March 22nd, is an effort to take on the global water crisis.

But in the arid State of Arizona, reclaimed water use has become necessary to meet our daily water demands. And so, you might be thinking to yourself, Why wastewater?! Well, out of necessity, of course! But the global organizers of World Water Day are challenging you and me to think beyond necessity. What can we do as individuals and a community to address decreasing water supplies and growing water demands?

As an individual, you can reduce your freshwater consumption by irrigating with grey water- wastewater that originates from your washer, bathtub, or sink (but not the kitchen sink, dishwasher, or toilet). Additionally, you can sign up for Conserve2Enhance (C2E) to track your water savings and donate the money you save on your water bill to local environmental enhancement projects.

Make sure to check with the City of Flagstaff regarding the specifics of using grey water, as well as to take advantage of City rebates that support high-efficiency toilets, rainwater harvesting, and xeriscaping.

As a community, we can work together to address two uncertainties associated with wastewater. First, we can support further research on the potential health effects of wastewater on humans and the environment. Second, we can encourage further discussion regarding the 20-year agreement between the City of Flagstaff and Arizona Fish and Game which provides in-stream flows to the Rio de Flag. The agreement will end in 2030, and we need to be proactive in opening these discussions. These flows provide important riparian habitat and create a unique amenity for Flagstaff residents.

Why wastewater? Share your thoughts with us at www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Rio-de-Flag-209983621989/
DUI and drug possession

A man has been arrested for driving drunk while a 15-year-old runaway was in the car.

The driver was pulled over at 5:30 a.m. at the McDonald's located on Butler Avenue. Police reported that the driver stepped out of his car, which had no running lights, and began to stumble. Police also noticed an unopened bottle of vodka in his left pocket.

A 15-year-old girl was in the car during the incident and police asked for her name. She gave a false name, and when pressured to give her real name it was noted that she had been reported missing in New Mexico.

When police searched the girl they saw alcoholic bottles in her pants and a meth pipe, which she was hiding in her bra. Police found two marijuana pipes on the driver.

Damion Lomayesva, the driver, was charged with an aggravated DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to delinquency. He was arrested and sent to Coconino County Detention Facility.

Police attempted to contact the girls family and she was taken to the county jail and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and consuming alcohol under the age of 21.

Shots fired

Multiple gunshots were heard near the Jay Lively Recreation Center. The shots came from Switzer Canyon, according to Flagstaff police. Shell casings were found in the area for a .40-cal. Smith and Weston. A witness said he heard what he thought was a young woman screaming after the shots were fired but said the woman sounded more aggravated than distressed.

The case was forwarded to Flagstaff police detectives.

Brewery burglarized

Historic Brewing Company located at 4366 N. Huntington Drive was burglarized on Sunday. The glass part of the front door had been smashed open by a shovel and the bolt lock opened, according to police reports. The brewery closes at 7 p.m. but the last employee did not leave until 8 p.m.

The owner of the brewery said that an iPad, cash register and safe were all stolen.

Police could not lift any fingerprints from the location and the brewery did not have security cameras or an alarm.

City and county residents who want to report a crime but wish to remain anonymous may call Silent Witness at 774-6111 or (877) 29-CRIME, submit a tip online at www.coconinosilentwitness.org, or text the word Flagtip along with your information to 274637 (CRIMES). Rewards of up to $2,000 are given for information that leads to an arrest.
Gordon Sinclair, Betty Kennedy, Lister Sinclair and Pierre Berton Betty Kennedy

Journalist and television personality Betty Kennedy has died at the age of 91. She was famed for her work on CBCs long-running current affairs game show Front Page Challenge. Betty Kennedys interviewers, heard on CFRB, now NewsTalk1010, charmed audiences. She got her start at the Ottawa Citizen when the papers staff went on strike. She was asked to host a radio show in an effort to keep subscribers from fleeing. She went on to become a national celebrity on Front Page Challenge.

PILOT PLEADS GUILTY

Sunwing pilot Miroslav Gronych left behind an empty 26 oz bottle of vodka in his hotel room when he staggered off to try to fly a Sunwing jet from Calgary to Regina. As he pleaded guilty Tuesday, court heard that his captains wings were on his jacket upside down and he appeared to pass out in the captains chair. Gronych, 37, is a foreign national from Slovakia in Canada on a work. He was arrested when crew members saw his condition. .

TEACHER CHARGED

A biology teacher in Texas was captured smiling in her police mug shot after being accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student. Sarah Fowlkes was seen beaming broadly in two pictures taken by police after she was arrested for having an improper relationship with a teenage student. The 27-year-old was charged after turning herself in to police hours after reportedly celebrating her birthday with her husband of four years.

Birthday with husband Sarah Fowlkes, 27
Europes robot sex brothel provides stiff competition for sex workers

The robots are coming! Well, not yet. But one day they will. The Daily Express says flesh and bone prostitutes have forced a mechanical sex parlour in Barcelona to shut. What the paper calls Europes first sex robot brothel is no longer open for business because women complained that the plug and play sex dolls were ruining their livelihoods.

We hear from Janet, a sex worker in citys Raval district. It is another strategy of the patriarchy that presents us as objects without rights or soul, says Janet. A privilege of the wealthy classes.

For those of you uncertain if you were shagging an on-the-clock polymer sex doll or an on-the-clock woman, the Express tells its readers who have been on Stag dos, rugby club dinners and business trips to the Spanish city that the the house of ill repute was at 2 Baixada de Sant Miquel in the Spanish citys Gothic quarter, north of the cathedral.

The rooms are decorated with candles, the paper noted in a previous story, a single glass of cava and a bowl of strawberries, with pipped music that is similar to Michael Bolton. The TV also plays pornography.

Yeah, that one. The one that shows Keeping up with the Kardashians on loop.

Karen Strike

Posted: 22nd, March 2017 | In: Money, Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
Madeleine McCann: horror in Cyprus and trolling the McCanns in the Sun

Madeleine McCann: a look at reporting on the missing child.

We begin this round-up with news in the Sun that the missing childs parents are posting on their official Facebook page. In BEATING THE BULLIES we read that Kate and Gerry McCann have re-opened their Find Maddie Facebook account amid a huge outpouring of love and support after taking a break from trolls.

You might well wonder how that is news. But social media functions as something nasty for old media to look down on, like a school gates mum gathering her PTA pals around to snipe at the gauche new arrival. As the page administrator switched it back on, were told she vowed to continue to turn the page off if we receive hateful posts.

But you cant turn off the Suns comments section. Beneath the papers story MADDIE PROBE SLAMMED  Good Morning Britain viewers in meltdown over ridiculous 11million bill for the Madeleine McCann investigation as top cop declares it a waste of money, the Suns bleeding hearts offer lots of opinion. These are the comments in order of appearance on the Suns story:

The TOP COMMENTS are:

One sites Bullies and trolls are anothers commenters and readers.

Having made not an inch of progress in finding out what happened to Madeleine McCann, the voracious Press see if they can have any better luck with a new Maddie.

My daughter could have been the next Maddie McCann, says the Mails headline. Mother staying at five-star Cyprus hotel woke to find maid trying to snatch her one-year-old.

The maid did it!

Siobhan Prescott, 25, claims she woke to find her one-year-old daughter Harper crying as a dark-haired woman in her 40s attempted to pick her up out of her cot at the five star King Evelthon Beach and Hotel Resort in Chloraca Bay, Cyprus.

As parents cancel their family summer holiday and eyes dark-haired women (in Greece!) with suspicion, the Mail tells us what happened next:

The horrified mother claims she was powerless to react because she was sleeping naked, so screamed out for her partner Simon Smith who was on the balcony of their room.

Who knew British holidaymakers were so demure?

Anyhow, Simon came running.

He confronted the sheepish woman, who was dressed in a maids outfit, and demanded to know what she was doing. The woman said something in another language, before bursting into tears and trying to flee the room  but stopped to make a phone call from the room phone.

Eh? She made a phone call before legging it? So there are finger prints, a number to track and you got a good look at the would-be abductor. Right now the only thing Madeleine McCann-like about his story is that readers to examine someone elses parenting skills.

I was napping when a maid snuck into the room and tried to snatch my baby, says Siobhan. The only reason I woke up was because Harper screamed out, otherwise she could have been the next Maddie McCann.

Well, yes, aside from the fact that this time both parents were in and the child never did go missing. What the incident could have been is the subject of the thrilling headline, but what actually was it?

We were furious and we made our way down to the reception and demanded the hotel manager immediately, says Siobhan. I was absolutely hysterical, but the hotel management just said she was cleaning the room and picked up my baby to check she was alright. But it was rubbish. That woman had no cleaning products on her and it was the afternoon so our room had already been cleaned. I was naked in the bed, what kind of person walks into a room when a woman is lying naked on the bed? She let herself in with the aim to try and steal our baby.

TOT SNATCH HORROR, thunders the Sun. Brit mum reveals terrifying moment maid tried to snatch her toddler from cot on holiday and says she could have been the next Madeleine McCann.

A TERRIFIED mum said she feared her daughter could have been the next Madeline McCann after she woke to find a hotel maid looming over her cot. Siobhan Prescott, 25, claims the worker was attempting to pick up one-year-old Harper, who was screaming hysterically.

The baby was crying. The woman picked her up. The Sun writes:

The family were on a dream holiday to Cyprus between February 22 and March 1 when the horror unfolded.

It was weird and unsettling, no doubt. But a horror?

They claim they were later told by the hotel that the same maid had been sacked two years previously following an incident but was on her first day back in work.

So the woman dressed as a maid was a maid, which is why she was dressed as one. Is that right?

Siobhan said: I am lucky to have woken up, but if I hadnt God knows what would have happened. Harper could have easily been snatched and we would be in the exact same situation as Kate and Gerry McCann.

What, hated by Sun readers?

Karen Strike

Posted: 22nd, March 2017 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Serbia: diaspora sent home 2.7 bln euros in 2016

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, 22 March - The Serbian diaspora sent home a total of 2.7 bln euros in 2016 - about 8 pct of the country's Gdp said the National Bank of Serbia (Nbs).



As in previous years, most of the receipts came from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France - countries with sizable Serbian diasporas. Private remittances from abroad are traditionally among the most stable sources of income in Serbia, with the annual average in the period between 2011 and 2015 also at around 2.7 bln euros, or about 8.2 pct of Gdp. According to figures released earlier, 23 pct of Serbian citizens have at least one family member who lives abroad, with 11 pct receiving regular or occasional income from relatives around the world. (ANSAmed)
ROME - Medical aid charity Medici senza Frontiere (MSF) has deployed a second ship to beef up its migrant search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean.

The Prudence set sail from the Maltese capital Valletta on Monday evening and reached the operational area on Wednesday. It is a commercial vessel measuring 75 m in length, with a capacity of 600 people and an additional 400 people in extreme emergencies. It has a crew of 17 and 13 MSF staff and is equipped to provide emergency medical treatment on board. The Prudence will operate alongside the Aquarius, which is operated by MSF in partnership with Sos Mediterranee.



MSF has directly rescued or assisted more than 56,000 migrants and refugees since the start of its search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean in 2015.



"For as long as desperate people have no safe alternatives for finding safety in Europe MSF will remain at sea to save their lives and prevent this unjust suffering," MSF search and rescue coordinator Michele Trainiti said.
There was an Africa trade meeting with no Africans because all their visas got denied

When questioned about the sweeping rejection of African visitors, The State Department responded that they could not comment on individual cases

"Mary Flowers, chair of the summit, told VOA that during the previous three summits around 40 per cent of attendees were denied visas."

This year, it was 100 per cent. Every delegation. And it was sad to see, because these people were so disheartened.

"According to Flowers, many who had applied for their visas weeks or months in advance were only called for embassy interviews days before they were supposed to travel.

Prince Kojo Hilton, a graphic artist from Ghana, was due to lead a session on filmmaking, but was denied a visa four days before he was supposed to travel."

"Donald Trump's 'travel ban' only applies to three African countries, Libya, Somalia and Sudan, therefore it's unclear as to why there has been such an increase in rejected visa applications from the continent."

https://www.indy100.com/article/africa-trade-meeting-african-visa-denied-us-travel-ban-global-economic-development-summit-7637666
Small business promotion authorities from APEC member economies are taking next steps to ease bottlenecks hindering women-led exporters and their growth and job creating potential in the Asia-Pacific.

Officials detailed plans for the expansion of efforts to tackle gender bias in trade during a week of small business development policy meetings in Sydney. They include greater cross-border training and technical exchange to enable reform in APEC economies that levels the playing field for women-owned and managed firms, and improves their access to international markets.

The move could increase trade-driven growth and job creation across a range of businessesfrom a successful hand-loomed fabric producer run and operated by women in Philippine villages, to an emerging technology company started by a Peruvian woman that helps disabled people to communicate via instant messaging, to women-managed suppliers of materials and parts in Viet Nam that support manufacturers in Australia, Japan and the United States.

APEC economies are deepening cooperation to break down barriers to the development and competitiveness of women-led businesses, explained Nguyen Hoa Cuong, Chair of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group, which administers regional collaboration within the sector.

Our work to address inequalities facing women entrepreneurs and managers stands to boost trade and growth, particularly among small businesses that account for the majority of employment across the region, noted Nguyen, who is also Deputy Director General of Viet Nams Enterprises Development Agency.

Focus in APEC is on lowering institutional and policy barriers to participation in trade by women-led businesses. Examples include outdated labor laws that fail to sufficiently protect women, a lack of childcare services, limited availability of credit and inadequate or out of reach higher education and skills development opportunities, among others.

To mitigate challenges like these, APEC is increasing public sector capacity to introduce gender-responsive trade promotion policies and programs, in coordination with the business community and civil society. Training and information-sharing sessions for trade promotion officials next month in Ha Noi will take this multi-year, region-wide initiative forward.

Women-led small and medium enterprises can better tap into international business and global supply chains when they are supported by government policy and practices that tackle gender specific constraints faced by female entrepreneurs, explained Cynthia Balogh, Director of Women Going Global, the Chief Trainer leading the team overseeing the project. The incentives for job creation and growth in the region are potentially huge.

This work is complemented by measures taking shape in APEC to widen access and use of e-commerce by women-led micro, small and medium enterprises, helping them reach customers and business partners abroad. Opening up financing avenues as well as branding, intellectual property protection and management support are further areas of emphasis.

Women in the Asia-Pacific are major drivers of small businesses with great exporting potential but may be constrained by unsupportive economic and social policies, said Hoang Thi Thu Huyen, Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy. Reform is key to realizing more gender balanced trade that benefits everyone. It is also critical to transforming attitudes that remain the bigger obstacle to womens economic empowerment, she added.

Hoang, who is also Deputy Director General of Gender Equality at Viet Nams Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, concluded that APECs policy efforts in the small business space will enrich the theme and priorities of the 2017 APEC Women and the Economy Forum in Hue, Viet Nam in September.

APEC Trade Ministers will convene in Ha Noi in May, followed by a meeting of the regions Small and Medium Enterprise Ministers in Ho Chi Minh City in September, to evaluate progress and take additional actions to advance inclusive trade.

# # #

For further details, or to arrange possible media interviews, please contact:

David Hendrickson +65 9137 3886 at [email protected]

Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at [email protected]

More on APEC meetings, events, projects and publications can be found on. You can also follow APEC onand join us onand
The training is provided using the fifth Gulfstream G650 simulator built by FlightSafety. It is installed at the companys Learning Center located at the Farnborough airport in the United Kingdom and is now qualified to Level D by the FAA and EASA.

Gulfstream and FlightSafety work closely to ensure the simulator reflects the exact flying and operating characteristics of the Gulfstream G650 aircraft now and in the future, said David Davenport, executive vice president, commercial. As the only factory-authorised training provider for the G650, our training materials meet Gulfstreams highest standards and include the latest aircraft configuration updates and operating guidance.

The FlightSafety FS1000 simulator built for the Gulfstream G650 is designed to enhance training and maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of FlightSafetys latest innovations in technology. They include the VITAL 1100 visual system, electric motion cueing, and new Instructor Operating Station. The FS1000 features tightly integrated computer hardware and software across subsystems which allow for more accurate and higher fidelity simulation than found in other current and previous generation simulators.
Established in 1979, Bin Ham Travel Group comprises three leading travel management companies: Al Amaan Travel and Holidays, Al Ain Express Travel and Bin Ham Travel.



The Bin Ham Travel Group will leverage Travelports innovative technology through the Travel Commerce Platform to gain access to the fares and ancillaries of approximately 400 of the worlds leading airlines. Also, through Travelport Smartpoint, travel agents have the capability to upsell more hotel rooms and car rentals with access to over 650,000 unique hotel properties and 36,000 car rental locations all through their preferred work flows.



Sheikh Mubarak Bin Ham, CEO at Bin Ham Travel Group, said: We are delighted to have signed this new partnership with Travelport. We have invested in their unique travel technology and wide range of tailor made solutions to strengthen our online presence and provide our travellers with the most travel options and the best traveller booking experience available. Having superior travel booking technology and content is an important part of our growth strategy across the region.



Matthew Powell, managing director, Middle East & South Asia at Travelport, said: This new partnership with Bin Ham Travel Group, a celebrated travel industry leader in the UAE, is a great testimony to how our industry-leading Travel Commerce Platform, which offers unrivalled technology and travel content, is supporting the needs of our customers across the region as they target growth in their businesses. We look forward to partnering with the Bin Ham Travel Group and helping them do exactly this.
14teen rape

Two illegal-alien teenagers who were placed in ninth-grade classes at Montgomery County Schools, Maryland, have been arrested and charged with the brutal rape of a 14-year-old girl, and at least one of the boys had a pending deportation order from ICE.

The boys, identified as Henry Sanchez, 18, of Guatemala and Jose Montano, 17, of El Salvador, approached the young girl in the hallway near the gymnasium inside Rockville High School during school hours about 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The girl refused  twice.Montano asked her for sex.

So the two boys forced her into the boys bathroom and then into a stall.

Montano pushed her into the corner of the stall and began kissing her neck, despite her repeatedly telling him to stop. He unzipped her top, forcibly removed her clothes and the two proceeded to rape her at the same time, then traded positions and raped her again.

She cried out in pain, the report says, but the assault continued. By the time it was over, they had raped her anally, orally and vaginally, according to the police report .

The victim reportedly knew Montano as a friend but did not know Sanchez.

Sanchez had a pending deportation order, which was not carried out while immigration activists tried to block the deportation.

18-year-old criminals set to be deported should not be a freshman in our public schools, stated a post on the website of Help Save Maryland, an organization that opposes illegal immigration.

Maryland is perhaps the most welcoming state for illegal aliens and refugees in the Eastern United States, with Montgomery County the most welcoming county in the state. Maryland gives in-state tuition rates to illegal-alien college students , and its legislature is considering a bill that would declare Maryland the countrys first sanctuary state. Montgomery County is already a sanctuary county, denying 63 ICE requests to turn over illegal-alien criminals last year, Fox News reported.

These policies helped create a culture that allows a young girl to be raped and sodomized in a bathroom stall by two illegal-alien boys, at least one of whom was ordered to be deported, border hawks told WND.
Wall Street Journal: A Presidents Credibility

Trumps falsehoods are eroding public trust, at home and abroad.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-presidents-credibility-1490138920

"Two months into his Presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trumps approval rating at 39%. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesnt show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude hes a fake President."

"Yet the President clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, rolling out his press spokesman to make more dubious claims,"

"Were not sure, which speaks to the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to his Presidency with his seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods."



https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/22/facebook-fact-checking-tool-fake-news

Here Are Some Of Those Fake News Stories You wont believe what youre supposed to believe.

[ In a post on his own Facebook page announcing the changes, Zuckerberg admitted the business has a greater responsibility to the public than the average distributor of news.

Were a new kind of platform for public discourse  and that means we have a new kind of responsibility to enable people to have the most meaningful conversations, and to build a space where people can be informed, he wrote. ]

[ On 16 March, Associated Press published a Fact Check on the so-called Irish slave trade that rejected the false articles, trending on social media. It was billed as part of an ongoing Associated Press effort to fact-check claims in suspected false news stories.

Liam Hogan, a librarian and historian based in Limerick City, Ireland, who had been tracing the Irish slaves meme since 2015, tweeted that Trump supporters ... [were] losing their minds about the alert. ]
If President Trump announces that North Korea launched a missile that landed within 100 miles of Hawaii, would most Americans believe him? Would the rest of the world? Were not sure, which speaks to the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to his Presidency with his seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods.

The latest example is Mr. Trumps refusal to back off his Saturday morning tweet of three weeks ago that he had found out that 

The editorial board concluded: "If he doesn't show more respect for the truth, most Americans may conclude he's a fake president."
By filling their bowls with hot soup, attendees at the Empty Bowls Luncheon helped fill the fridges and pantries of 100 hungry Beatrice families.

Its been 10 years since the Beatrice Backpack Program held its first Empty Bowls Luncheon. Back then, the program would send home 25 backpacks full of food for students to take to their families, but today that number has grown to 100.

Tuesdays Empty Bowls Luncheon at Classics Bar and Grill opened its doors to several hungry people ready to try the 15 different kinds of soup made by local restaurants and businesses and take home a hand-made bowl by local students and artists.

This year, Back Alley Eatery, Runza, Valentinos, Classics Bar and Grill, The Black Crow, The Rail, Knights of Columbus, Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Shanghai Inn, Riskys, Farm Credit Services, Pinnacle Bank, Colleens Catering, 4One8, Pro Start Culinary from Beatrice High School and the Tri-County Board of Realtors all provided soups, ranging from your standard chili and minestrone to a three soups with cheese as their main ingredient.

We come every year, said visitor Soni Blackburn. It's a good cause.

Blackburn and coworkers at Beatrice Community Hospital, Patty Burns and Tammy Schroeder, said they probably werent going to be able to try all 15 soups, but said the creamy chicken noodle and cheesy vegetable were some of the best.

Beatrice High Schools Pro Start Culinary program brought along a student-created soup full of tortellini and tomato. It was junior Brooke Rohrs recipe that the school decided to bring along.

I think it's a great opportunity for the students, said Chelesy Walters, family and consumer sciences teacher at BHS. We have a competition for the students. We make six different soups, and then the teachers get to vote. Then the winner gets to make a big batch and I get to bring the winner.

Scott Young, the executive director of the Lincoln Food Bank, which partners with the Beatrice Backpack Program, said the Empty Bowls Luncheon is a big boost for people who need food. In Gage County alone, he said there are 2,000 people who regularly have to go without food, including 1,300 kids under the age of 18.

This is a great fundraiser and a model fundraiser for the backpack program, Young said. This is one of the models that we talk with other communities about. It's fed thousands of meals to hundreds of families. It's a great event.

One of the founders of the Beatrice Backpack Program, Kristy Thies, said the crowd that showed up for the luncheon had a lot of familiar faces in it. Its a tradition, she said, for people to pick up a new bowl each year. The roughly 300 bowls donated this year were made by Beatrice High School students, Southeast Community College students, Ervin Dixon, Patrick McKinney, retired BHS art teacher Nelson Dungan and Kathleen Grossman of Down Under pottery in Lincoln.

The turnout looks fabulous, Thies said. Just continued, ongoing, steady support from the community.

Another Beatrice Backpack Program founder, Patty Kaufman, agreed, saying the event keeps getting more and more popular.

It's going awesome, Kaufman said. We have a great turnout. Last year our count was 326, and we're definitely heading that way again.

Young, who said the Lincoln Food Bank has been partnered with the Beatrice Backpack Program for 8-9 years now, said he was proud of the work everyone involved has done.

The Food Bank and those involved with it, he said, are always in search of time, talent and treasure. The big three, he called them.

There isn't anybody that can't do something for this effort, Young said. I think we'll have 300-400 people here today. All of those people have said, Yes, we'll help. We have a bunch of yes-sayers here in Beatrice.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces made over 35 ceasefire violations in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, the defense ministry of Artsakh told ARMENPRESS.

The ministry released a statement, saying: On March 21 and overnight March 22 Azerbaijani forces made over 35 ceasefire violations, firing more than 400 shots at Artsakh positions from various caliber firearms, including sniper rifles. Azerbaijani forces opened intense sniper fire in the eastern and northeastern parts, firing 31 shots.

The Defense Army of Artsakh confidently continue their service and take countermeasures only in case of strict necessity.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump will attend a summit of heads of NATO member states in Brussels on May 25, the White House said, reports Armenpress.

During the summit the heads of states plan to affirm the US resolute support to NATO, to discuss vital issues for the alliance, as well as NATOs role in fight against terrorism.

Moreover, on April 12 President Trump will host NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. They will discuss how to strengthen the alliance in order to face the national and international security challenges, the White House statement said.

Photo by AP
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. On March 22 in most of the regions of Armenia, and on March 23 in Syunik province and Artsakh from time to time precipitation is expected, the Ministry of Emergency Situations told Armenpress.

In mountainous regions precipitation will be in the form of snow, in the foothills and valleys  in the form of rain.

In separate places the wind speed may exceed up to 15-20 m/s.

On March 24-26 no precipitation is expected in Armenia. Southwest wind speed is 3-8 m/s.

Air temperature will increase by 3-4 degrees on March 24-25.

On March 22 from time to time precipitation is expected in Yerevan. On March 23-26 no precipitation is predicted.
YEREVAN, MARCH 22, ARMENPRESS. Jesus Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was re-opened after one year restoration works.

The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Nourhan Manougian delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and thanked all governments, organizations and individuals for both moral and financial assistance in the restoration of the tomb.

The legate of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin read the address of Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II during the ceremony.

The tomb that Christians believe was where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected - officially known as the Holy Edicule - has undergone a year-long renovation.

The same Greek team that restored the Acropolis in Athens was chosen to restore it.
In February, the Emperor Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Site Museum in [Xian] accused an amusement park that features replica warriors of violating its registered copyright.  The 5,000-Year Cultural Expo Park in Anqing, Anhui province, contains a large pit of full-scale Terracotta Warrior models. (Are we allowed to see some irony here?)
KIEV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian lawmaker on Tuesday released a document that he said links Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort to attempts to hide a $750,000 payment from a pro-Russia political party  a claim strongly denied by Manafort's spokesman.

Lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko published a 2009 invoice purportedly signed by Manafort that shows a $750,000 payment for 501 computers to a company called Davis Manafort. The money came from a Belize-registered offshore company via a bank in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan.

Leshchenko said the contract was a cover for payments made to Manafort for work he did for the pro-Russian Party of the Regions in Ukraine, which backed former Russia-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country amid anti-government protests in 2014.

The Associated Press was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the document.

Jason Maloni, a spokesman for Manafort, called the allegations "baseless" and said they should be "summarily dismissed."

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which was set up to investigate official corruption, told the AP that it is not going to look into the reports, since Manafort is not a Ukrainian citizen.

Manafort left Trump's campaign in August following revelations about his work for Yanukovych's party. He's one of the Trump associates now under scrutiny for possible contacts with Russia during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. His name came up repeatedly during Monday's House intelligence committee hearing on that topic.

Manafort defended himself Tuesday against suggestions he played a role in Russia's efforts to interfere with the U.S. vote, saying in a statement that he had "no role or involvement" in the cyberhacking of the Democratic National Committee and the disclosure of stolen emails. He also insisted that he's never spoken to any Russian officials or others who claimed to be involved in the hacking attack.

Leshchenko said in an interview with The Associated Press that the 2009 invoice was one of about 50 pages of documents, including private paperwork and copies of debit cards issued for employees, which were found in Manafort's Kiev office by a new tenant.

"This is quite a typical scheme to hide the nature of money using jurisdictions like Kyrgyzstan, because it's in the middle of nowhere (and) it's almost impossible to investigate there," Leshchenko said, speaking in English. "I think it was an international fraud scheme and my sources in the Party of Regions say Kyrgyzstan was regularly used as a jurisdiction for money-laundering."

Leshchenko said the amount and date of the payment  Oct. 14, 2009  matches one of the entries on the so-called Black Ledges, the handwritten accounting books of the Party of Regions, where Manafort's name stood next to several entries as receiving the party's funds.

Leshchenko argued that the documents found in Manafort's office and the invoice in particular show the mechanics of money-laundering that should be investigated by U.S. authorities.

"Paul Manafort is an American citizen. NABU has enough to do with corrupt Ukrainian officials. I think they can be party to a bigger international investigation," he said. "First of all, it's up to American officials to investigate, because we're talking about American citizens. Money (was) transferred to an account in the United States from Belize opened with an account in Kyrgyzstan, so Ukraine is almost not involved in this."

Leshchenko would not say whether he has shared his findings with U.S. authorities.

Alexander Baunov, an analyst with Carnegie Moscow Center think-tank, said Manafort was advising Yanukovych on relations with the U.S. and its Western allies as the Ukrainian leader was maneuvering between Russia and the West. Manafort's job was to "improve Ukraine's relations with the United States, to advise the Party of Regions, which was quite clumsy in international affairs, in dealing with the Europeans and the Americans," he said.
Archived Results for Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017

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Op/Ed by Bob Shead

ASEAN, (the Association of South East Asian Nations), was founded in 1967 to strengthen further the existing bonds of regional solidarity and cooperation. The Philippines was one of the founding member countries when ASEAN was set up in Jakarta, while the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which was implemented in December 2015, has a primary purpose to create one of the largest single market economies in the world, facilitating the free movement of goods, services, and professionals between the 10 member states. As a result, the Philippines relationship and interaction with ASEAN and its members is of key importance to the bloc.

RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

ASEAN Philippines Links

ASEAN is one of the cornerstones of the Philippines foreign and trade policies. This is manifested in the Philippines policy to promote a more peaceful, stable, and free South East Asia, through the pursuit of different initiatives, in the policy making, economic, trading and functional cooperation activities. To illustrate, the Philippines actively participates in the shaping of ASEANs regional agenda that will ensure the blocs relevance and importance in the international arena. More importantly, the Philippines has constantly affirmed that ASEAN centrality should be promoted at all times, both in the groups internal and external dealings, and that ASEAN continues to remain as the driver of regionalism, and act as an interlocutor between competing regional powers. The underlying agenda of this is the Philippines strong support to strengthen a regional order that promotes good behavior, international trade and which adheres to internationally accepted norms and rules for the benefit of the region. This is in line with the development of the AESAN Economic Community (AEC).

ASEAN is not a supranational organization but rather a regional association. The member states remain as the reference point of a regional organization that aspires to be both a political and economic community. ASEAN, as a bloc, does not have a common foreign policy but strives to achieve a common position in issues that affect the region.

The policy direction taken by the respective member-states is shaped by and grounded on their national interests and agenda. This has led to friction between countries in ASEAN. Due to different political, economic, and sociocultural systems of the ten members, there are instances when the member-states take on varying and conflicting positions on issues. Given this context, the Philippines has to maintain a delicate and diplomatic posture in its relations with other member states, in order to push forward its interest, in particular in sensitive issues like protection and promotion of human rights, democracy, economic and trading issues, territorial and maritime issues, plus other complicated relationship problems.

There are instances where there is no alignment of interests and agenda, leading to the Philippines, along with other ASEAN member states, tend to take the lowest common denominator, in order to have consensus on issues so as to arrive at an agreement. Additionally, the Philippines recognizes that there exist differences in the perception and threat analysis that confront the member states. This was last exemplified in the 2012 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting debacle, where there was a failure to issue a Joint Communique.

Alongside the multilateral framework in the conduct of Philippine-ASEAN relations, there is also a strengthening of the bilateral and trading ties with fellow member states that happens in parallel. There is a convergence of national interest, specifically in the traditional security issues, which could be brought about by perceived common threat in the regional environment. For example, the Philippines and Vietnam have elevated their bilateral ties to that of a strategic partnership. In a statement released by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs following the conclusion of the first meeting of Philippines-Vietnam Joint Commission on Concluding a Strategic Partnership, the two sides on the basis of amity, mutual respect and cooperation, the bilateral relations are growing in various aspects, including in political, trade and investment, fisheries, marine and oceanic affairs, defense and security cooperation, among others. The improvement in the relations between the Philippines and Vietnam is worth noting, given the minimal interaction in the past. This was originally due to the fact that both countries were members of ASEAN, with the same problems. Consequently, trading relations between the two countries have also improved.

ASEAN-EU links

The ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the EU Trade Commissioner met on 10 March 2017 in Manila, for the 15th AEM-EU Trade Commissioner Consultations. These Consultations were co-chaired by H.E. Ramon Lopez, Secretary of Trade and Industry, of the Philippines, and H.E. Cecilia Malmstrom, EU Trade Commissioner. The AEM and the EU Trade Commissioner noted the strong trade and investment in 2016, and the EU remained the largest external source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into ASEAN in 2015 with  23.3 billion.

ASEAN-US links

Recently the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Sung Kim hosted a dinner reception at the US Embassy Residence to celebrate 40 years of US-ASEAN relations. In his address, these were the main points covered:

It all began in 1977 when the US started engaging with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a dialogue partner to explore areas of cooperation in terms of trade and investment, technology transfer and other areas for mutual economic growth and development. The partnership is also focused on supporting economic integration, promoting opportunities for women and addressing transnational issues and challenges.

The US, in fact, was the first non-ASEAN nation to name an ambassador to the regional bloc in 2008, after which a dedicated mission to ASEAN was established in Jakarta, Indonesia. In the last five years, some $4 billion has been spent by the US on various development projects aimed at benefiting the constituencies of ASEAN member-nations.

This year also happens to be the 50th year of ASEAN, with the Philippines holding the rotating chairmanship. Certainly, a lot of interest and scrutiny is being placed on the relationship between the US and ASEAN considering recent developments such as the withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Ambassador Kim also said that the US will continue to promote free trade and is looking at bilateral free trade agreements between member countries of ASEAN, including the Philippines.

However, former Philippine Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito has suggested that a bilateral deal between the US and ASEAN as a single party may be preferable, since a number of the member nations do not have an FTA with the US. Many are confident, however, that the relationship between ASEAN and the US will continue to flourish for continued peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Philippines and Indonesia relations  as the HQ for ASEAN

The Indonesia and Philippines relationship have been traditionally close for many years and this relationship has grown stronger during the history of ASEAN, and its established HQ in Jakarta. The two countries are very close allies, and both have supported each of their policies in the region such as democracy and the maritime law in the South China Sea. Since diplomatic ties were officially established in 1949, Indonesia and Philippines enjoy a cordial bilateral relationship. Both countries have established embassies in each capital, Indonesia has their embassy in Manila and consulate in Davao City, while Philippines has their embassy in Jakarta and consulate in Manado and Surabaya. High rank stately visits have been conducted for years.

Additionally, both nations are the founders of ASEAN and the members of the Non-Aligned Movement and APEC. Both countries are members of the East ASEAN Growth Triangle together with Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia in the BIMP-EAGA. Both countries are mainly composed of islands.

Bilateral trade has trended positively in recent years. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, trade has increased from $1.12 billion in 2003 to $2.9 billion in 2009, and $3.89 billion in 2010. Indonesia is currently the Philippines biggest supplier of coal, exporting about 70% of the Philippines coal imports. Although as of June 2016, Indonesian coal exports to the Philippines are currently on a moratorium due to the growing concern of piracy in the Sulu Sea.

BIMP-EAGA

BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines  East ASEAN Growth Area) was launched in 1994 as a co-operation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member countries of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The objective behind the creation of BIMP-EAGA is to accelerate economic development in the four countries focus areas which, although geographically distant from their national capitals, are in strategic proximity to each other, in one of the worlds most resource-rich regions. The BIMP-EAGA initiative is market driven and operates through a decentralized organization structure involving the four governments and the private sector.

BIMP-EAGA co-operation aims to increase trade, tourism, and investments inside and outside the sub-region by:

Facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services

Making the best use of common infrastructure and natural resources

Taking the fullest advantage of economic complementation

BIMP-EAGA covers a land area of 1.6 million square kilometers and has a combined population of 57.5 million.

It comprises the following focus areas  the entire Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the provinces of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, West Papua and Papua in Indonesia; the states of Sabah and Sarawak, and the federal territory of Labuan in Malaysia; the island of Mindanao and the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

This sub-region has exceptional natural resources, encompassing two of the worlds largest rainforests (in Borneo and Papua), and biodiverse marine systems in the South China Sea, Celebes Sea, and, Sulu Sea.

BIMP-EAGA has a long history of participation in the global economy, stretching back to the silk route and spice trade between Europe, China and other parts of Asia. EAGA supplies the export markets of ASEAN, North and South Asia, and the Middle East, following the expansion of its air, shipping, and land transport links, and the development of investment incentives.

Conclusion

The Philippines remains a strong and founding member of the ASEAN grouping, however, the many differing political differences do create problems within the organization. It would appear that trading relations will become the most important aspect of ASEAN and the Philippines relationship.

The group has spurred economic integration, signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies. Yet various experts say that ASEANs impact is limited by a lack of strategic vision, diverging national priorities, and weak leadership. ASEANs biggest challenge is negotiating a unified approach to China, particularly in response to its widespread maritime claims in the South China Sea. Another important aspect is the United States still sees ASEAN as vital to the success of its strategic rebalance and strategic relationship, both politically and economically with Asia. Likewise, other trading groups and nations, the EU, Russia, Australia, Japan etc, also regard ASEAN as essential in maintaining the trading strength of the individual member states of ASEAN.

Foreign investors should especially be on the look out for infrastructure development projects further linking the Philippines to the rest of Asia, while the Philippines itself is positioning itself both as a BPO service center for ASEAN (and to some extent, China) and as a light manufacturing alternative to Chinese based production.



About Us Bob Shead is Asia Briefings Philippines Correspondent and is based in Manila. He has 25 years experience as a diplomat in Asia. Asia Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing throughout Asia. For assistance with foreign investment matters in the Philippines, please email philippines@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. 

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.



An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017 introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment, and taxation. We also include the latest development news for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each.





Human Resources in ASEAN

In this issue of ASEAN Briefing, we discuss the prevailing structure of ASEANs labor markets and outline key considerations regarding wages and compliance at all levels of the value chain. We highlight comparative sentiment on labor markets within the region, showcase differences in cost and compliance between markets, and provide insight on the state of statutory social insurance obligations throughout the bloc.
While Salman looked stylish all suited up, Katrina looked beautiful as she smilingly looks at her co-star in the pic.

The pictures of Salman and Katrina from Austria have been going viral.

Mumbai: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's chemistry in films like 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Yuvvraaj', 'Partner' and 'Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?' has been a hit with the masses and the pair is also going to be seen in Tiger Zinda Hai this year.

The cast and crew landed in Austria few days back and pictures of Salman with fans and one shared by Katrina of herself on Facebook were a visual delight.

Salman has now shared a picture from the sets with Katrina on Twitter, where both are dressed in their glamorous best. While Salman looked stylish all suited up, Katrina looked beautiful as she smilingly looks at her co-star and their chemistry is dazzling.

Salman and Katrina were in a relationship before and there have been reports that the two are rekindling their romance on the sets on the film. There were also reports that Salmans fans have been trolling his rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur on social media by talking about his reunion with Katrina.

Amid these reports, Salmans caption for the picture, BACK TOGETHER , IN TIGER ZINDA HAI, could hold some different meaning as well.

Tiger Zinda Hai is directed by Sultan director Ali Abbas Zafar and is slated for release during Christmas this year.
Producers of the film, Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Singh, are all praises for the actor for his resilience.

New Delhi: It is literally blood, sweat and tears in his comeback film 'Bhoomi' as despite suffering a rib fracture while shooting a sequence in Chambal, Sanjay Dutt decided to not take a break.

Praising the 57-year-old actor, producer Bhushan Kumar said, "We really appreciate that Sanjay has been shooting non-stop despite the excruciating pain that he must be in. He is truly a phenomenal person and actor."

The 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' actor injured himself during the climax scene of Omung Kumar's movie that was being shot in the ravines of Chambal.

Producer Sandeep Singh said, "We were shooting the climax scene in the Chambal ravines and Sanjay was in an action sequence when he hurt himself in the rib cage. He must have been in a lot of pain, but he did not stop. Later when we went to the doctor, the x-ray showed a hairline fracture. We wanted to stop the shoot, but Baba insisted. Really commendable on his part."

Sanjay Dutt has been doubling up in pain but the next day happened to be an off day for the entire crew and he has managed to get some rest. Earlier, in the shoot Sanjay had also hurt his head during one of the action sequences.

The flick, which will hit the theatres on August 4, is a revenge drama that revolves around a father-daughter relationship that will be shot entirely in Uttar Pradesh.
Letter to McConnell and Ryan say American Health Care Act would maintain federal insurance mandates, entice states to adopt unsustainable Medicaid expansion

does not fully repeal Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid access to able-bodied adults and encourages states to expand their programs for two more years.

gives states that haven't expanded Medicaid under Obamacare financial incentives to do so between now and 2020.

gives states that did expand Medicaid incentives to expand the program's rolls, making more people dependent on government for health insurance.

"retains virtually all of Obamacare's federal regulatory regime for health insurance - an area of regulation which had always been the responsibility of states."

Freeze enrollment in Medicaid expansion immediately as a prelude to repealing expansion entirely.

End the enhanced matching rates for new Medicaid enrollees - doctors get paid more to treat those who signed up under Obamacare expansion than they do for the poor, elderly, and disabled recipients who were signed up before Obamacare became law.

Block states that haven't expanded Medicaid from doing so.

Repeal Obamacare's insurance mandates, letting states handle those rules.

Sen. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort

Sen. David Curtis, R-Lincoln

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth

Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Swain

Rep. George Cleveland, R-Onslow

Rep. John Fraley, R-Iredell

Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth

Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln

Rep. Larry Yarborough, R-Person

Saying the American Health Care Act nine Republican members of the General Assembly have urged GOP congressional leaders to make big changes in the Obamacare replacement plan being circulated in Washington.The letter , signed by more than 160 state lawmakers as of March 17, is addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the principal sponsor of the bill. The measure narrowly passed the House Budget Committee March 16 and will go before the full House as early as next week.The bill has faced criticism from conservative House members and senators , and policy analysts . Several of those concerns are raised in the letter.The signers agree with the goal of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act as soon as possible. They "especially applaud efforts to reform Medicaid." But they argue that the AHCA would not unravel the regulatory knots or ease the fiscal burdens on states that have made Obamacare "unsustainable."The letter cites several problems with the ACHA, saying it:The state lawmakers suggest several changes that would improve the replacement bill and give states more flexibility to make changes that reduce costs and improve care:The North Carolina General Assembly members who signed the letter as of press time are:The letter was drafted and circulated by the State Policy Network, a group of state-based, free-market think tanks that advocate increased federalism and limited government. The John Locke Foundation was one of the initial members of SPN.
The blast on October 11, 2007 in the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at the time of Roza Iftaar had left 3 pilgrims dead and 15 injured.

Jaipur: A special NIA court on Wednesday sentenced Bhavesh Patel and Devendra Gupta, 2 accused in the in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case, to life imprisonment.

The magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Patel and 5,000 on Gupta.

The court had on March 8 convicted Bhavesh Patel, Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi and acquitted others including Swami Aseemanand. Joshi has already died.

The conviction was made under Sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC, 3 / 4 of Explosive Substances Act and Sections 16 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The blast on October 11, 2007 in the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at the time of Roza Iftaar had left three pilgrims dead and 15 injured.

The case was handed over to the Rajasthan ATS and was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency which re-registered the case with the NIA police station in New Delhi on 6 April 2011.

There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined. The NIA filed three supplementary chargesheets in the case.
While BJP, VHP and RSS backed the Supreme Court's observation, Muslim groups said out-of-court settlements had not worked in the past.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad said the Centre must bring out a legislation to build the Ram temple. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court's suggestion of an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute on Tuesday reignited the debate on the vexed issue, with political parties broadly welcoming it, but Muslim outfits voicing scepticism.

The ruling BJP welcomed the apex court's suggestion, insisting the parties to the case should keep in mind its "sensitivity", while the Congress was guarded in its response, saying there should be a "consensus-based" solution or the SC adjudicate the matter on merit.

Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Uma Bharti, considered Hindu hardliners in the Modi government, insisted that the temple be built at the disputed site.

Union Minister P P Chaudhary said the government favours talks to resolve the Ayodhya dispute.

"Government is always ready and encourages mediation. We encourage negotiations and mediations, even pre-litigation mediation and post-litigation mediation," Chaudhary, who is Minister of State for Law and Justice, said.

Muslim organisations, who are key to any amicable out-of-court settlement, however, voiced scepticism over efficacy of talks to resolve the long-standing dispute.

"We welcome this step and I believe they should have talks outside the court," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, adding the party will study in detail the observations made by the apex court, which has said the issue is "sensitive and sentimental", and is related to faith of millions of people.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "If all stakeholders on both sides can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus-based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peace, goodwill, mutual respect and brotherhood. Otherwise, Supreme Court should adjudicate the issue on merit."

Muslim organisations, including the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC), which is a party to the case, were sceptical about the Supreme Court's suggestion, saying attempts at out-of-court settlement in the past have been unsuccessful.

"We are ready with Chief Justice (of India) mediating...We trust him. We are also ready we if he nominates a team for hearing the matter. But out of court settlement is not possible. If SC passes an order in this regard, we will look into it," said Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of the committee.

Jilani said that going by the past experience, he feels that the matter cannot be settled outside the court and referred to unsuccessful negotiation attempts made during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar and P V Narasimha Rao.

The Secretary General of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Wali Rahmani, said, "We have trust in the Chief Justice and if he is there we are ready for talks."

"Talks were held earlier also but it can be initiated again. But talks should not be long," he added.

Maulana Khalid Rashid of the AIMPLB alleged that the attempts in the past to resolve the issue were foiled by political parties.

"Negotiation have been made in the past a number of times between the two parties. But each time political parties foiled our attempts...(So), we are of the view that let the Supreme Court decide once and for all," Rashid said.

BJP veteran L K Advani, one of the protagonists of the movement whose 'rath yatras' for construction of Ram temple galvanised and polarised Hindus to the advantage of the saffron party, said all concerned should reach a consensus to resolve it.

"The Supreme Court's observation is a welcome step and I hope in the light of the apex court's advise, all concerned parties will reach consensus and will find a solution to resolve the Ram Temple issue," Advani, who was the flag bearer of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, said.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, whose petition seeking an urgent hearing on the matter led to today's development in the Supreme Court, suggested Ram temple should be built at 'Ram Janmabhoomi' (birthplace of Ram at the disputed site), while the mosque can be constructed on the other side of Sarayu river to resolve the dispute, which has defied resolution.

"We were always ready. Mandir and Masjid should be built but Masjid should be built on other side of Sarayu river. The Ram Janambhoomi should be entirely for Ram Mandir," he said, arguing, "we cannot change the birthplace of Ram, but Masjid can be made anywhere."

Giriraj Singh, known for his controversial comments, asked "If the Ram Temple is not built here, would it be built in Pakistan on Bangladesh?

Bharti, who was closely associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s and an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case along with Advani, insisted that the issue of ownership of the disputed site be settled through talks. She said whosoever owned the land should offer it to Lord Ram as a "gift".

"There can't be a bigger gift than this...we should arrive at a solution which will be remembered for thousands of years," she said.

Yogi Adityanath, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh whose guru and former Gorakhpur MP Yogi Avaidyanath was one of the leading figures of the movement, said aggrieved parties must sit together to resolve it.

Terming the Supreme Court's observation as a "solid" one, Adityanath said, "It is a welcome step."

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia said the Centre must bring out a legislation to build the Ram temple.

The Ayodhya issue should be resolved at the earliest and a temple built with the involvement of all Indians, RSS functionary Dattatreya Hosabale said.

He said, "It (Ram temple issue) is to be decided by the Dharam Sansad as they are the people who organised the entire Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the parties who went to the court.

"RSS will not decide. RSS will go by the Dharam Sansad's decision. The issue should be settled at the earliest and a grand temple should be erected with the involvement of all Indians," Hosabale said.
KT Rama Rao wrote a letter to Swaraj seeking her help to rescue 29 migrant workers from Telangana held in captivity by a company in Saudi.

New Delhi: Soon after Telangana IT and NRI affairs minister KT Rama Rao sought Sushma Swaraj's intervention in rescuing 29 Telangana workers from Saudi company captivity, the External Affairs Minister has asked the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Javed, to initiate action for their release.

"Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao," she tweeted.

Rao wrote a letter to Swaraj seeking her help to rescue 29 migrant workers from Telangana held in captivity by a company in Saudi Arabia.

In the letter, Rao said that the workers, employed by Al-Hajry, were held in captivity at Al-Hassa in Saudi Arabia for the last 12 days without any food or basic amenities.

"However, in the meantime the said company has taken all the 29 employees into their custody and is holding them captive in a room at Allsafaniya Kouqt, Bodar, city Kanji, Saudi Arabia, denying them food / water or medicines and other basic amenities for the last 12 days," Rao said.

He said that when the workers requested for leave to visit home town the company not only demanded $50,000 but refused to provide the expenses for travel.

The workers also approached labour court and subsequently 'Amir Court' for Justice. The Amir Court issued directions to the employer company to bear all expenses and send the said 29 employees to their native places within three days.

Rao said he was contacted by Boragalla Shekhar, a resident of Kamareddy district in Telangana who informed him about the plight he and 28 others were suffering. He also provided Swaraj with the telephone numbers of Shekhar.

He also requested Swaraj to take up the matter with the Saudi Arabia government to ensure that all the 29 workers are safely released and repatriated to India.
But Congress on Wednesday said Mamata Banerjee must ask her scam-tainted leaders to resign from their respective posts.

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday termed the Supreme Court ruling on the CBI probe into the Narada sting operation as a "positive" one.

"Positive. Welcome," the Trinamool Congress supremo told reporters when asked to comment on the apex court ruling.

Hailing the Supreme Court's decision of asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue its probe into the Narada sting operation case, the Congress Party on Wednesday said Mamata Banerjee must ask her scam-tainted leaders to resign from their respective posts.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told ANI that the decision of the apex court was well expected because already the Chief Justice of High Court had snubbed the plea made by the state government of West Bengal in Kolkata.

"Today, again the Supreme Court has not only snubbed but also lambasted the plea of the state government who are exhausting the resources of the state and public money only to save their tainted and corrupted leaders. So, I must appreciate the verdict of the Supreme Court of India. If a modicum of morality is left to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, she should ask all the scam-tainted leaders of her party to resign from their respective posts," he added.

Resonating similar sentiments, CPM leader Mohammed Salim told ANI that the West Bengal Government under Mamata is always trying to cover-up the truth, instead of punishing the culprits.

"Be it the case of bribery or be it a rape case, this Mamata Banerjee's people are involved. The government and administration are busy in protecting the culprits and implicating the whistle-blowers under false cases. This time the High Court has asked for CBI enquiry and Supreme Court has upheld. Now Mamata Banerjee only can rush to the Modi Government," he added.

In a setback for the Trinamool Congress, the apex court yesterday refused to stop the CBI probe into the Narada sting operation.

The three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Tirath Singh Khehar and comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that the CBI investigation would go on against the accused persons in this case.

Kapil Sibal, one of the lawyers for accused persons, pleaded to the top court for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or any other independent investigation but it was rejected by the apex court.

The CBI earlier registered a preliminary inquiry into the case.

As per sources, the CBI also seized laptop and spy cam used by the Narada News in their sting operation.

The investigative agency also named West Bengal Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee, MPs, police officers and ex-MLA in its preliminary inquiry.

Earlier on March 17, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into bribery allegations against top TMC parliamentarians and ministers.

Reacting to the court's order, Mamata said that she will appeal against the court order in a "higher judiciary".

Earlier in April 2016, the court had formed a three-member committee to probe the controversial tapes.

Narada News, led by its editor-in-chief Matthew Samuel, had earlier released three sets of videos of its sting operation, where top TMC leaders were allegedly seen accepting bribes from journalists posing as businessmen.

The ruling party had dismissed the tapes as 'doctored' and said the 'dirty tricks departments' of its political opponents were behind the 'smear' campaign.

The sting operation video was released by the portal on March 14, 2016 just ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Within three days since coming to power, the BJP government has already shut down 3 slaughterhouses in the state.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed police officials to prepare an action plan for closure of abattoirs in the state.

He also ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows.

Earlier, the UP government had said that only illegal cow slaughterhouses in the state would be shut down.

On Tuesday, authorities sealed an illegal slaughterhouse in Varanasi, which they claimed had been operating clandestinely despite being shut down in 2012.

A joint team of Pollution Control Board, municipal authorities, along with administrative and police officials sealed the slaughterhouse and also recovered over five dozen cattle.

Officials said that the slaughterhouse was sealed after the caretakers were unable to furnish valid papers for the cattle.

The caretakers it is learnt told authorities that the cattle had been brought in temporarily and were to be transferred to other places. They also denied that animals were being slaughtered, it is learnt.

However, not convinced, the authorities decided to seal the abattoir.

Earlier, shortly after Adityanath took oath two days back, authorities had sealed two slaughterhouses in Allahabad.

The BJP had announced, in its manifesto titled 'Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra', that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.
Meanwhile, cleric Maulana Suhaib Qasmi while asserting that the issue can be solved through talks vouched for out of court settlement.

Lucknow: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday said it is ready for an out-of-court settlement under the Supreme Court's directives in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid case.

AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali said the Muslim law board is ready for an out of court settlement under the watchful eye of the apex court.

"The observation of Supreme Court is welcomed by Muslim Law board and the law board is ready for out of court settlement under the apex court in Ram Mandir case," he added.

Meanwhile, Muslim cleric Maulana Suhaib Qasmi while asserting that this issue can be solved through talks vouched for out of court settlement.

Qasmi said someone has to lose in the court and in such sensitive cases like the Ram Temple issue, the view of both sides should be taken into consideration before arriving at a conclusion.

"All issues of the world can be solved through talks. Arguments and hatred bring no good. We cannot solve any problem through hatred. When a matter is heard in the court someone has to lose. And I believe that such matter should be dealt with sensitivity by considering view of all sides. So, this issue of the Babri Masjid should be solved through talks," Qasmi told ANI.

The Supreme Court yesterday observed that the Ayodhya dispute must be settled amicably through "a cordial meeting" of all parties, and Chief Justice J.S. Khehar offered his personal mediation to help resolve the matter.

The apex court's remarks came after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy sought an early hearing of his plea seeking permission to build a Ram temple at the site of the demolished Babri mosque.

"These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting," said an apex court bench headed by Khehar.
The RSS called upon the countrymen to create awareness against the jihadi violence and the communal politics of the state government.

New Delhi: Accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government of encouraging jihadi groups and anti-national elements due to Muslim vote bank politics, the RSS on Tuesday expressed concern over the declining Hindu population in the state.

In a resolution on the concluding day of three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) in Coimbatore, the RSS said Hindus are being attacked by fundamentalists, extremists are being encouraged by giving ministerial berths and other prominent political and government positions while the state government is creating obstacles in celebrating religious activities of the Hindu society.

The RSS called upon the countrymen to create awareness against the jihadi violence and the communal politics of the state government.

This (decline in Hindu population in West Bengal) is a matter of serious concern to the unity and integrity of the country, RSS joint general-secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said.

Mr Hosabale said after partition, the Hindus from East Pakistan were forced to seek refuge in West Bengal and it was not surprising that due to such large influx, the Hindu population in the state, which constituted 78.45 per cent in 1951 had declined to 70.54 per cent as per the 2011 census.

According to 2011 census data, Hindus constituted 70.54 per cent of the population compared to 72.47 per cent in 2001. Muslim population rose to 27.01 per cent from 25.25 per cent during the period under comparison.

Urging the Centre to ensure firm action against jihadi elements within the state in the interest of national security, the RSS also listed out several incidents of bomb blasts, arson, violence and molestation of women reported in West Bengal in the past few years.
CBI had chargesheeted Advani and 20 others under the IPC in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

In this file photo, people demolish a structure that was part of the Babri Masjid. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to Thursday a hearing on whether to revive the conspiracy charges against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The apex court will hear the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s plea against Allahabad High Court's order dropping criminal conspiracy charges against the BJP leaders in the case.

There are two sets of cases - one against BJP veteran Advani and others who were on the dais at Ram Katha Kunj in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 when the Babri mosque was demolished.

The other case was against lakhs of 'karsevaks' (volunteers) who were in and around the disputed structure.

The CBI had chargesheeted Advani and 20 others under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between classes), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (false statements, rumours etc. circulated with the intent to cause mutiny or disturb public peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

It had subsequently invoked charges under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC which was quashed by the special court whose decision was upheld by the high court.
The court superseded the right to education act and said that a minority institution could not be forced to admit a student.

Mumbai: The Bombay high court recently held that the Right to Education (RTE) is not applicable to minority institutions. Making a detailed analysis of the two legislations, the HC held that the rights of minority educational institutions were safeguarded by the constitution. The court superseded the right to education act and said that a minority institution could not be forced to admit a student. The order could impact adversely upon students and parents as most education institutes in Mumbai have either religious or linguistic minority status.

The HC, however, held the state responsible for the admission of the student and directed it to admit the student in a school near her house. The order was issued while hearing a petition wherein a girl was denied readmission to a minority school after remaining absent for seven months.

A division bench was hearing a writ petition filed by Dr Vikas Motewar challenging the refusal of Lokhandwala Foundation School at Kandivali from re-admitting his daughter to the school after she remained absent for seven months. The petition sought directions to the state to ensure that the school re-admitted his daughter by enforcing the clauses of the RTE Act that stipulated that once admitted, a student could not be failed or removed till the students elementary education was completed.

According to the petition, Dr Motewars daughter was admitted to the school in nursery and was studying there till class V when due to familial problems he moved to Nanded for seven months during which his daughter did not attend school as a result of which she was removed. Though after approaching the education officer his daughter was allowed to appear for the exam she was denied promotion to class VI. The school held that she could be re-admitted to class V and not VI. The petition alleged that the school did not heed re-admission orders of the education officer or that of the District Child Protection officer and the state did not enforce the clauses of RTE Act, hence he approached the court.

The school said that it was not bound by the clauses of the RTE as they were a minority institution. After hearing both sides and referring to previous orders in similar cases, the HC said that minority institutions had the freedom to establish and administer the school and the state could only ensure that they maintained standards.

The state could not interfere in the administration and hence could not force the school to re-admit the student. The HC while holding that fundamental right of the school could not be subsome said that under directive principles the state was obliged to admit the student in a neighbourhood school. The HC rejected the reliefs sought by the petitioner Dr Motewar.
Modi asks Cabinet secy to ensure setting up of institutes.

New Delhi: Delays in setting up new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has had Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepping in, directing the Cabinet secretary to take over the reigns.

A three-member empowered committee has been constituted under the Cabinet secretary to look into the issues relating to timely establishment of a new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

The newly constituted committee under the Cabinet secretary with CEO Niti Aayog Amitabh Kant, finance secretary Ashok Lavasa and Union health secretary C.K. Mishra at its members, will take decisions on any change modifications so as to ensure timely roll out of these institutions.

We have not been able to operationalise six new AIIMS as we are having problems in getting faculty, particularly at a senior level like additional professors and professors. Out of the 1300 posts advertised, only 300 could be filled, sources said. Adding that the committee set up on Tuesday has been constituted to get on a war footing.

Announced by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his Independence Day speech in 2003, the AIIMS like institutions have been facing concerns since inception of the scheme. While the construction started only in 2009-2010, the delays in construction and procurement of equipment led to massive cost overturns.

Even as the hurdles continue, the Central government is on an announcement spree.

This year, the government has announced two new AIIMS in Gujarat and Jodhpur. Apart from that, AIIMS-like institutions are in pipeline in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Manglagiri (Andhra Pradesh), West Bengal, Rae Bareli.
Two New Mexico brothers on Tuesday admitted federal drug charges in which they were accused of retrieving seven pounds of methamphetamine previously supplied to a Billings drug dealer and giving it to an undercover agent for transportation back to New Mexico.

Omar Cota, 32, and his brother, Tomas, 22, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to charges in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. Each brother requested breaks before deciding to go through with pleading guilty.

On his third appearance, Omar Cota apologized to the court through his attorney for the delays.

The Cota brothers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich said, were supplying Burhan and Denise Mallak, both of whom were convicted on conspiracy charges in a large meth trafficking scheme that brought high-grade meth to the community.

Last year, Watters sentenced Burhan Mallak to more than 11 years in federal prison and Denise Mallak to more than seven years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich said that in early 2015, federal and state drug task force agents got information that the Cotas delivered meth from New Mexico to the Mallaks.

On April 10, 2015, an undercover agent arranged to get seven pounds of meth from the Cotas for transportation to New Mexico, Rubich said. During a meeting, the Cota brothers provided the agent with the seven pounds of meth and $2,100 as the agents transportation fee, the prosecutor said.

Mallak told agents he had received 10 pounds of meth from his two suppliers but had to return seven pounds because the suppliers wanted to sell it for a higher profit in the south.

During Thursdays hearing, Tomas Cota said he was the driver. He and his brother picked up a duffle bag of meth from Burhan Mallak, then drove to a gas station where they met the undercover agent, he said.

Omar and Tomas Cota each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess meth for distribution as part of plea deal in which they face a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.

The brothers were initially indicted on drug charges that carried penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. The indictment is to be dismissed at sentencing if the judge accepts the plea agreements.

Watters set sentencing for July 13 for both brothers, who remain in custody.
Three people were killed and 17 others injured in a blast in Khwaja Moinuddin Chishtis dargah in Ajmer on October 11.

Jaipur: A special NIA court in Jaipur has awarded life sentence to Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh in the Ajmer Dargah blast case.

They were convicted under Sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC, 3 / 4 of Explosive Substances Act and Sections 16 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Three people were killed and 17 others injured in a blast in Khwaja Moinuddin Chishtis dargah in Ajmer on October 11. On March 8, the court had convicted Hindu right-wing activists Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel along with Sunil Joshi, but reserved the judgement on quantum of sentence. On Wednesday, they were given life sentence together with collective fine of `38,000.

The court found them guilty of involvement in terrorist activities and provoking religious sentiments. Bhavesh was declared guilty of planting bomb while Gupta was pronounced guilty of criminal conspiracy and planning the blast. The court said that Gupta was active in the blast conspiracy and to ensure the blast provided mobile SIM that acts as time device.

The third convict in this case, Sunil Joshi, is already dead. He was shot dead on December 29, 2007, when he was walking back to his hideout in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The NIA court had acquitted key accused Swami Aseemanand and six others whereas three have been declared absconding.

Meanwhile, the court has asked the NIA director-general to submit a final report by March 28 because it found that the earlier report against Sadhvi Pragya Singh, RSS leader Indresh Kumar, Samander, Jayanti Bhai and two other accused Ramesh Gohil and Amit was not as per law.
And for travelers who want to see the places depicted in the paintings, theres a companion itinerary for visiting Maine.

Visitors look at paintings from the Marsden Hartleys Maine show at The Met Breuer Museum in New York.( Photo: AP)

A little bit of Maine has come to a Manhattan museum with the opening of Marsden Hartleys Maine. And for travelers who want to see the places depicted in the paintings, theres a companion itinerary for visiting Maine.

The exhibition at The Met Breuer museum includes 90 paintings and sketches, among them Hartleys depictions of Mount Katahdin, the coast, the woods and other Maine landscapes.

Visit Maine, the states tourism agency, has compiled itineraries for Hartley fans curious to see the places that inspired him. In addition to Katahdin, destinations include Penobscot Bay, Vinalhaven and Hurricane Island, Georgetown and Fox Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, Camden Hills as seen from Bakers Island, Lovell and Kezar Lake, Robin Hood Cove and Madawaska. The itineraries come with suggestions for lodging and dining.

Many of Hartleys works incorporate a bold Modernist style and dark palette, including autumn reds and winter scenes, distinguishing them from the light-filled, postcard-perfect summer seascapes that so often represent the states natural beauty.

Ironically, Hartley himself was not a fan of tourism in his home state, writing of Maines nickname, Vacationland, that the word shivers down the spine.The show will be on display in New York through June 18 before a run at the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, July 8-November 12.Hartley, who declared himself The Painter of Maine in an essay, was born in Lewiston in 1877 and lost both his mother and stepmother while growing up.

He spent extended periods of time away from his native state, studying at art schools in Ohio and New York, and later living in Paris, Berlin and elsewhere, keeping company with the intellectuals and artists of his era. A show at Alfred Steiglitzs gallery in New York launched his career.
Suffocation and asphyxiation among others are the most common causes of death

Miami: People with autism are three times as likely to die from an injury than the general population, said a study out Tuesday that pointed to troubling trends among people with the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Deaths among people with autism are up 700 percent since 1999, according to the report in the American Journal of Public Health.People with autism also die at age 36 on average, half the age of the general population's average death age of 72. Suffocation, asphyxiation and drowning were the most common causes of death by injury in people with autism.

In children with autism, drowning was the leading cause of death, said senior author Guohua Li, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.This could be because children with autism tend to wander, and may be drawn in by the apparent serenity of a pool or pond."Our analysis reveals that children with autism are 160 times as likely to die from drowning as the general pediatric population," said Li.

"Swimming classes should be the intervention of top priority," and should begin soon after diagnosis at age two or three, said Li.The study was based on death certificates in the US National Vital Statistic System, including 1,367 people with autism who died between 1999 and 2014.The study did not pinpoint reasons for the rise in deaths. Experts said the matter deserves further research.

"While the numbers are startling, autism as a contributing cause of death is likely undercounted because of the accuracy of information on death certificates filed by coroners varies," said lead author Joseph Guan, a master of public health degree student in epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Li agreed that deaths by injury may be even more common than these figures show.

"Despite the marked increase in the annual number of deaths occurring, autism-related deaths still may be severely underreported, particularly deaths from intentional injury such as assaults, homicide and suicide," said Li. Autism spectrum disorder occurs in about one in 68 children in the United States, and is far more common in boys, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The neurodevelopmental disorder can cause a range of symptoms, from problems communicating to sensitivity to sounds and light, and speech difficulties.About 44 percent of people with autism have above average intellectual abilities.
The culprit told her that her credit cards are being blocked and asked for pin number and other details. She gave the details to him.

Noida: A senior army officer's wife was allegedly duped of Rs 49,990 by a person who impersonated a bank official and called her asking for credit card details.

On March 13, the woman lodged an FIR at Noida sector 20 police station, SHO Anil Pratap Singh said on Wednesday.

Sector 30 resident Bijendra Kaur, in her FIR stated that a man called on her phone and claimed that he was a bank official from State Bank of India, Singh said.

He told her that her credit cards are being blocked and asked for pin number and other details. She gave the details to him.

Soon after, three online transactions were done using her card details.

Two transactions were of Rs 20,000 each and one was of Rs 9,990, police said, adding further investigations in the case are underway.
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh demands CMs immediate resignation.

Kolkata: The Opposition parties on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Courts blow to the Mamata Banerjee government for challenging the Calcutta high courts order of a CBI probe in Narada sting operation.

Welcoming the top courts judgment state BJP president Dilip Ghosh demanded the chief ministers resignation. He claimed, Ms Banerjee is trying to save her governments ministers and her party leaders accused of taking money. Like Saradha, huge amount of public money are spent to fight the Narada case. We feel that the chief minister alongwith her tainted ministers must step down immediately. She is trying to support those who were caught taking money in the sting operation.

Mr Ghosh announced that the BJP will take out a rally demanding resignation of Ms Banerjee and her tainted ministers before meeting governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to demand the Trinamul governments dismissal from power.

Its a matter of deep shame for the Trinamul government that its appeal was rejected by the apex court which also asked it to tender unconditional apology, he added.

He argued, The state government suffered a huge loss of face in the Calcutta high court and the Supreme Court. This will affect state politics. The Trinamul governments condition will deteriorate. I wonder if this government will be able to complete its full term.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Mannan pointed out that the state government and the ruling party were desperate to save the tainted leaders. The SC ruling is a massive win for the democratic values in our country, he noted.

CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said, We welcome the apex courts verdict which upheld the high courts order. The fight for the punishment of the accused will continue. He, however, alleged a nexus between the Trinamul and the BJP contrary to their rivalry. Why was not a single meeting of the Lok Sabha ethics committee convened in the past 11 months? We expect the CBI to work freely without any interference from the BJP, he said.

Forward Bloc state secretary Naren Chatterjee questioned who gave the state government the right to spend the public money to fight cases to protect the leaders of the ruling party. He alleged, The government is paying fees to the lawyers from its exchequer. Did the accused persons get involved in the corruption in connivance with state government?
They will not be able to attend the proceedings of the house till December 31, if the action against them is not revoked.

Opposition members protesting against the BJP government on farmer's issues during the Maharashtra Assembly Budget session in Mumbai. (Photo: AP)

Mumbai: Nineteen MLAs of the opposition Congress and the NCP were on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for nine months for creating a ruckus during the Budget presentation in the House last week.

Nine of the legislators are from the Congress and 10 belong to the NCP.

They will not be able to attend the proceedings of the house till December 31, if the action against them is not revoked.

A resolution moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat seeking suspension of the MLAs was adopted by the house, where the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena have a majority.

Bapat said the Opposition MLAs had conducted themselves in a "disgraceful and unconstitutional manner".

Their suspension was being sought for displaying banners, playing cymbals, shouting slogans and disrespecting the Speaker's directions, he added.

The Opposition disrupted the Budget presentation by Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the Assembly on March 18, demanding that the BJP-led government give an assurance on farm loan waiver.

The MLAs suspended are Amar Kale, Vijay Waddetiwar, Harshwardhan Sakpal, Abdul Sattar, DP Sawant, Sangram Thopte, Amit Zanak, Kunal Patil, and Jaikumar Gore from the Congress, besides Bhaskar Jadhav, Jitendra Awhad, Madhusudan Kendre, Sangram Jagtap, Avdhut Tatkare, Deepak Chavan, Datta Bharne, Narhari Jirval, Vaibhav Pichad and Rahul Jagtap from the NCP.

Reacting to the development, Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress) said the Opposition would boycott proceedings till the suspension was revoked.

Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde, dubbed the suspension of the MLAs as a "murder of democracy".

The farm loan waiver issue rocked the Council as well as the Opposition members kept up their protest, leading to the adjournment of the house for the day.

The farm loan waiver issue has been dominating the Assembly ever since the Budget session began a fortnight ago.

The Opposition wanted urgent relief for cultivators hit by drought, which, they said, resulted in an increase in farmer suicides in the last few years.
Shiv Sena said that Uma Bharti focused more on religious activities than good governance as MP CM.

Mumbai: Taking a dig at the newly appointed chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, the Shiv Senas mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday said his appointment comes as a boost for construction of Ram temple but he will also have to focus on delivering development and good governance in the state. The Shiv Sena also questioned the BJP, asking why it has created posts of two deputy chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh when it had refused to do so in Maharashtra.

Yogi Adityanath, who was sworn in on Sunday, has selected BJPs Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and partys national vice-president Dinesh Sharma as deputy chief ministers of the state.

Rather than performing religious duties, Mr Adityanath should focus on delivering good governance and development. Governing a state as large as Uttar Pradesh will not be as easy as governing a mutt. Appointing Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister will hasten the construction of Ram temple, and new energy will be infused in the Hindutva forces. However, the creation of jobs is also important, and he will have to work hard for that, Shiv Senas mouthpiece Saamana said.

The Shiv Sena even cautioned Mr Adityanath, saying that delivering good governance is not an easy task.

The Shiv Senas mouthpiece also recalled tenure of former Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Uma Bharati, saying, Sanyasi Uma Bharati became the CM of Madhya Pradesh and spent her more worshiping. The whole governance of the state collapsed.

Hurt by the appointments of two chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh; the Sena said, Two Deputy Chief Ministers have been appointed in UP, while for Maharashtra, the BJP says appointing a deputy CM is against their policy. In Jammu and Kashmir, they teamed up with PDPs Mehbooba Mufti to get the deputy CMs post. the Sena said.
Congress, NCP and Sena caught off guard; leaders meet Governor.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution of suspension against 10 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Nine Congress MLAs for creating a ruckus in House during the state budget speech. The disciplinary action came as surprise not only to the two parties in question but also the Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Later, Sena ministers met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to revoke the decision, fearing a strong political backlash given the sensitive nature of the farmers loan waiver issue. Later, the Opposition parties met governor C. Vidyasagar Rao seeking to get the farmers loans written off and the suspension of their members cancelled.

When the House resumed proceedings after four days leave on Wednesday, parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat rose to propose the suspension of 19 MLAs. Citing instances of sloganeering, creating a ruckus, dancing and burning copies of the budget on the premises of the

House, Mr Bapat said, These acts in a way disrespect the emotions of Maharashtra citizens as well as the ethics of the House. They need to be punished for this, and therefore their membership shall be suspended till December 31, 2017."

Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who was present in House, protested strongly against the move.

He attributed the decision to the dictatorial tendency of the BJP government to suppress the demands of farmers in state.

The Opposition was caught off guard, as only six members from the Congress and NCP were present in the assembly at the time of suspension.

On the other hand, the BJPs partner in power, Shiv Sena, was also unaware of its allys cunning plan to suspend the Opposition MLAs and only two of its members were present in the House. Later, Sena ministers Subhash Desai, Divakar Raote and Ramdas Kadam met Mr Fadnavis and asked him to revoke decision. The Sena fears a backlash from farmers across Maharashtra, who are awaiting relief from the government, as it thinks they would be angry to see the Opposition members being expelled for demanding a loan waiver.

Also, a few BJP MLAs from rural areas of the state have begun to feel uneasy over this sudden move, as they were heard murmuring about farmers being outraged over the decision and the sympathy that the Opposition could garner through it.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has decided to boycott the House proceeding and sit in protest on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan.
Opposition boycotts house proceedings, slams dictatorial move.

Mumbai: Legislative Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagade has suspended 10 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Nine Congress MLAs over the ruckus created by them in the House on Saturday.

The punishment came as a shock for the Opposition, which later boycotted the entire proceedings. The BJP with its dictatorial tendencies is trying to suppress the voice of farmers in the state, charged an Opposition leader.

On Wednesday morning, when the Assembly met for special sitting after four days leave, only six Opposition and two Shiv Sena members were present in the House. However, almost every Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA was present. Parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat then rose to propose a resolution of suspension. After naming all 19 MLAs he said, The budget was symbol of the dreams of 12,00,00,000 Marathi citizens. But Opposition members burnt copies of it. This is unconstitutional and action must be taken against them.

Mr Bagade then approved the suspension resolution with a voice vote, after which Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil condemned the decision on the floor of the House. He said, Demanding a loan waiver for farmers was not unethical demand. Our slogans were for the farmers. But if the government is not ready to listen and wants us to keep mum on issues, we will hit the streets. After these remarks were made, the Opposition boycotted the House proceedings.

Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar later demanded that Mr Vikhe Patils words be expunged.

Opposition party leaders including its top brass was in dark about the decision to suspend 19 MLAs on Wednesday morning. It displayed lack of coordination between the opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janta Partys (BJP). The opposition MLAs also met Governor Rao.
Giant volcano Arsia Mons produced one new lava flow every one to three million years.

The last volcanic activity on Mars ceased about 50 million years ago  around the time of Earths Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.

Washington: The last volcanic activity on Mars ceased about 50 million years ago, around the time when large number of Earths plant and animal species, including dinosaurs, went extinct, according to a new Nasa study.

The research reveals that the giant Martian volcano Arsia Mons produced one new lava flow at its summit every one to three million years during the final peak of activity.

The last volcanic activity there ceased about 50 million years ago  around the time of Earths Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.

We estimate that the peak activity for the volcanic field at the summit of Arsia Mons probably occurred approximately 150 million years ago  the late Jurassic period on Earth and then died out around the same time as Earths dinosaurs, said Jacob Richardson of Nasas Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt in the US.

Its possible, though, that the last volcanic vent or two might have been active in the past 50 million years, which is very recent in geological terms, he added.

Researchers mapped the boundaries of the lava flows from each of the 29 volcanic vents and determined the stratigraphy, or layering, of the flows.

They also performed a technique called crater counting  tallying up the number of craters at least 100 meters in diameter  to estimate the ages of the flows.

Researchers, including those from University of South Florida in the US, combined the two types of information to determine the volcanic equivalent of a batting order for Arsia Mons 29 vents.

The oldest flows date back about 200 million years. The youngest flows probably occurred 10 to 90 million years ago.

The study was published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
HELENA  Montana filed three tax liens to collect about $15,000 in back taxes against the Democrat running for the state's only congressional seat, which the political newcomer blamed on health problems that nearly led to his financial ruin.

Popular musician Rob Quist and Republican candidate Greg Gianforte are locked in a heated race to fill the remainder of the term for Ryan Zinke, who stepped down to join President Donald Trump Cabinet as Interior secretary. A Democrat has not held Montana's U.S. House seat in 20 years.

A May 25 special election is drawing outside attention, with a Republican political action committee pledging to spend $700,000 to support Gianforte, a technology entrepreneur who faced a tax lien of his own more than 20 years ago that emerged last fall in his failed bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.

The liens against Quist and his wife, Bonni, were issued in 2015 and cover the 2007, 2011 and 2012 tax years, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. He settled the debt with the Department of Revenue last May.

In an interview Monday, Quist blamed a history of medical issues dating back two decades and costing tens of thousands of dollars in expenses. It started with a botched gallbladder surgery, which led to other related medical problems, he said.

"It's not a case of me not being able to manage my finances. I was doing just fine until I had this health issue," Quist said.

"Quite frankly, this is the kind of stuff that happens to everyday Montanans," he said, pledging to release his income taxes to the AP.

In response to queries about the liens against Quist, Democratic operatives pointed to a $3,600 tax lien issued in 1993 in New Jersey against Gianforte.

Gianforte spokesman Shane Scanlon said that debt was paid about three months later. He declined to comment on Quist's financial issues.

Quist has previously alluded to his personal travails with the health care system and having to do without adequate insurance, which has become a central talking point in his bid for Congress.

During his address at the Montana Democratic Party's annual dinner Saturday, he said he understood "personally what it's like to worry about mounting health care bills."

Quist said he sought to address his family's financial tailspin by trying to sell a portion of his ranch, but a dispute with a bank blocked the sale. Quist said he recently sued the bank and will use a pending settlement to fend off a collection agency seeking about $10,000 because of a defaulted bank loan.

Quist became an immediate Democratic front-runner when former Gov. Brian Schweitzer endorsed him. Democrats seemed drawn to Quist's persona as a soft-spoken political outsider.

But some rank-and-file party members said they knew little about Quist, and some prominent Democrats have privately groused that Quist had not been properly vetted.

Quist said he was expecting his financial woes to come to light but did not expect them to become a central issue in the campaign.

"There is not anybody who's not going to have something in their background that people aren't going to cast dispersions on," he said.
IL&FS has set up a well-equipped fully-computerised operation room for surveillance of vehicles inside the twin tunnels.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation, Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on April 2, which will cut down travel time between the two by two hours.

The Rs 2,519-crore all-weather tunnel is equipped with world-class safety features and has been built in a record four years on the hilly terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said at a press meet in New Delhi.

"This state-of-the-art 10.89-km tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir, an engineering marvel on the most difficult terrain of the Himalayas, was built in a record four years," the minister said.

Gadkari was accompanied by Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, a parliamentarian from Jammu.

"The project will result in a saving of Rs 27 lakh per day based on traffic estimates and would cut the travel distance between Jammu and Sringar by 41 km," Gadkari said.

He said the tunnel will be equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. The project forms part of the proposed widening of NH-44 (old NH-1A) from Jammu to Srinagar.

The longest highway tunnel in India also happens to be Asia's longest bi-directional highway tunnel with fully transverse ventilation system, he said. It also comes with

fully-integrated tunnel control system with ventilation, communication, power supply, incident detection, SOS call box and fire fighting.

Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel will have fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations.

The minister added that very few tunnels in the world have fully integrated tunnel control and the Jammu one is fitted with world-class safety features for detection of accidents and fire with a parallel 9-km long escape tunnel.

Elaborating, Gakdari said it will boost economic activity and tourism in the state, adding that it has precluded large-scale deforestation as tree cutting was not required.

The work on the twin-tube tunnel, which is part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway, had started on May 23, 2011, in the lower Himalayan mountain range.

The tunnel is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres.

Constructed by IL&FS, the tunnel is all set to be handed over to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) soon after its formal inauguration by the Prime Minister.

"The formal trial run was successfully completed for peak and off-peak hours between March 9 and March 15," Project Director, IL&FS, JS Rathore said.

Once the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce traffic jams on National Highway-1A caused by snowfall and avalanches in winter at Patnitop, he said.

Travel will cost an LMV vehicle Rs 55 for one side and Rs 85 for to-and-fro journey and Rs 1,870 for one-month travel.

Bigger vehicles like mini buses will have to pay Rs 90 as one side toll and Rs 135 for both sides.

Buses and trucks will have to shell out Rs 190 as one-side trip and Rs 285 for a two-way journey.

Rathore said Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has set up a well-equipped fully-computerised operation room for surveillance of vehicles inside the twin tubes.
The US Secretary of State said that most of Abu Bakr Baghdadi's deputies as well as those behind the Brussels and Paris attacks were dead.

Rex Tillerson made the comments at the start of a Washington summit for coalition members. (Photo: File)

Washington: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday that Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will inevitably be killed as coalition and local forces continue to pile pressure on the jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

"Nearly all of Abu Bakr Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson said at the start of a Washington summit for coalition members.

"It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate."
The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

In a secret plan, Manafort had proposed in June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the US, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government. (Photo: AP)

Washington: President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics.

The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as US-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a USD 10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign.

Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russian interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manafort's ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests."

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests. US diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as "among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad."

In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008 - at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer AP's questions.

Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putin's interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manafort's work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manafort's work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the US intelligence investigation of Trump's associates and Russia, according to a US official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential.

Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manafort's activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No US criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

FBI Director James Comey, in confirming to Congress the federal intelligence investigation this week, declined to say whether Manafort was a target. Manafort's name was mentioned 28 times during the hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, mostly about his work in Ukraine. No one mentioned Deripaska.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday that Manafort "played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time" in the campaign, even though as Trump's presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Manafort and his associates remain in Trump's orbit. Manafort told a colleague this year that he continues to speak with Trump by telephone. Manafort's former business partner in eastern Europe, Rick Gates, has been seen inside the White House on a number of occasions. Gates has since helped plan Trump's inauguration and now runs a nonprofit organization, America First Policies, to back the White House agenda.

Gates, whose name does not appear in the documents, told the AP that he joined Manafort's firm in 2006 and was aware Manafort had a relationship with Deripaska, but he was not aware of the work described in the memos. Gates said his work was focused on domestic US lobbying and political consulting in Ukraine at the time. He said he stopped working for Manafort's firm in March 2016 when he joined Trump's presidential campaign.

Manafort told Deripaska in 2005 that he was pushing policies as part of his work in Ukraine "at the highest levels of the US government  the White House, Capitol Hill and the State Department," according to the documents. He also said he had hired a "leading international law firm with close ties to President Bush to support our client's interests," but he did not identify the firm.

Manafort also said he was employing unidentified legal experts for the effort at leading universities and think tanks, including Duke University, New York University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Manafort did not disclose details about the lobbying work to the Justice Department during the period the contract was in place.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the US on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to USD 250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.

Deripaska owns Basic Element Co., which employs 200,000 people worldwide in the agriculture, aviation, construction, energy, financial services, insurance and manufacturing industries, and he runs one of the world's largest aluminum companies. Forbes estimated his net worth at USD 5.2 billion.

How much Deripaska paid Manafort in total is not clear, but people familiar with the relationship said money transfers to Manafort amounted to tens of millions of dollars and continued through at least 2009. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secret payments publicly.

In strategy memos, Manafort proposed that Deripaska and Putin would benefit from lobbying Western governments, especially the US, to allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine. He proposed building "long term relationships" with Western journalists and a variety of measures to improve recruitment, communications and financial planning by pro-Russian parties in the region.

Manafort proposed extending his existing work in eastern Europe to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, where he pledged to bolster the legitimacy of governments friendly to Putin and undercut anti-Russian figures through political campaigns, nonprofit front groups and media operations.

For the USD 10 million contract, Manafort did not use his public-facing consulting firm, Davis Manafort. Instead, he used a company, LOAV Ltd., that he had registered in Delaware in 1992. He listed LOAV as having the same address of his lobbying and consulting firms in Alexandria, Virginia. In other records, LOAV's address was listed as Manafort's home, also in Alexandria.

Manafort sold the home in July 2015 for USD 1.4 million. He now owns an apartment in Trump Tower in New York, as well as other properties in Florida and New York.

One strategy memo to Deripaska was written by Manafort and Rick Davis, his business partner at the time. In written responses to the AP, Davis said he did not know that his firm had proposed a plan to covertly promote the interests of the Russian government.

Davis said he believes Manafort used his name without his permission on the strategy memo. "My name was on every piece of stationery used by the company and in every memo prior to 2006. It does not mean I had anything to do with the memo described," Davis said. He took a leave of absence from the firm in late 2006 to work on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Manafort's work with Deripaska continued for years, though they had a falling out laid bare in 2014 in a Cayman Islands bankruptcy court. The billionaire gave Manafort nearly USD 19 million to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable, according to legal filings by Deripaska's representatives.

It said that after taking the money, Manafort and his associates stopped responding to Deripaska's queries about how the funds had been used.

Early in the 2016 presidential campaign, Deripaska's representatives openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him. After Trump earned the nomination, Deripaska's representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.
The Trump administration has been scrambling to reaffirm its commitment to Washingtons military alliances.

Washinton: The White House confirmed Tuesday President Donald Trump will join fellow Nato leaders for a key May summit in Brussels, as the US administration seeks to quash questions about Trumps support for the alliance.

The Trump administration has been scrambling to reaffirm its commitment to Washingtons military alliances - including Nato - after the Republican billionaire called into question their usefulness during the presidential race.

News that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would skip a Nato meeting in April - but travel to Russia the same month - did little to allay concerns.

By confirming Mr Trumps participation in the May 25 summit, the US administration - the leading partner in the alliance - moved to reset the narrative. The president looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to Nato, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and Natos role in the fight against terrorism, said a White House statement.

Likewise, Nato officials struck a forward-looking note, playing down the apparent snub by Tillerson and instead confirming the summit date and announcing that its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg  who was in Washington this week  would return to the US capital for talks with the president ahead of the leaders summit.
Minister Salahuddin Rabbani also praised India for its consistent support to the war-torn countrys reconstruction and development.

Washington: Pakistans reluctance to end its support to terrorism in Afghanistan undermines efforts to ensure peace in the country, the Afghan foreign minister has said and asked the US to put pressure on Islamabad to stop it from using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Minister Salahuddin Rabbani also praised India for its consistent support to the war-torn countrys reconstruction and development.

Terror groups continue to have safe havens in Pakistan and its establishment provides unhindered support to terrorists, Rabbani said. Noting that the Ghani government, soon after coming to power, tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad, Mr Rabbani told a Washington audience, Unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan on the promises they made.
The misappropriated funds triggered a scandal affecting Prime Minister Najib Razak, though he denied any wrong doing.

Kuala Lumpur: US authorities plan to lodge criminal charges against a businessman suspected to be at the centre of a corruption scandal that has embroiled Malaysia's prime minister, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Allegations that huge sums were misappropriated from the Malaysian state fund 1MDB have triggered a scandal which has buffeted Prime Minister Najib Razak, who founded 1MDB, though the leader has denied any wrongdoing.

Najib is a family friend of Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, against whom the US plans to file criminal charges of wire fraud and money laundering, according to the report published on Tuesday.

The planned charges against Low will be separate from civil proceedings filed by the US Justice Department to seize assets believed to have been bought using billions of dollars siphoned from 1MDB, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter.

Global investigators from about 10 countries believe that billions of dollars were extracted from 1Malaysia Development Bhd, set up by Najib in 2009.

Whistle-blowers say Low helped establish 1MDB and made key financial decisions although he had no official positions in Malaysia. Low has denied any wrongdoing.

Billions are believed to have moved through Singapore, Switzerland and other wealth centres in order to buy art, real estate and invest in Hollywood movies.

Singapore and Switzerland have also launched investigations into the cross-border flow of allegedly stolen 1MDB money through the global financial system.

A US Justice Department team has just visited Singapore "to conduct interviews related to Mr Low and other aspects of the 1MDB matter," the Wall Street Journal said, quoting two people with knowledge of the trip.

Singapore, a regional financial centre known for its tough stance against corruption, was the first country to hand down criminal convictions related to the 1MDB investigations.

The city-state's courts have jailed four private bankers so far, including Singaporean Yeo Jiawei, who was sentenced last December to 30 months in prison.

It was revealed during Yeo's trial that he had worked closely with Low, who has not been charged in Singapore.

Singapore has also closed the local branches of two Swiss private banks -- BSI and Falcon Private Bank -- used in the transfer of illicit funds.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore last week banned a former Goldman Sachs banker from working in the country's financial industry for 10 years after he was linked to the 1MDB scandal, and said it plans to impose bans on three more people.
Justice Siddiqui said the court would decide in the next hearing if the social media platform was required or not in the country.

Justice Siddqiui said the court might order the government to conduct a referendum on whether to ban Facebook or not.(Photo: AFP)

Islamabad: Chief Justice of the Islamabad high court Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Wednesday said Facebook could be banned in Pakistan if the social media platform management did not cooperate with the countrys request to remove blasphemous content from its pages.Justice Siddqiui said the court might order the government to conduct a referendum on whether to ban Facebook or not.

Interior secretary Arif Khan said intelligence agencies had been approached in the case and some people arrested for posting blasphemous content. A Federal Investigation Agency official said two to three more arrests had been made.Justice Siddiqui said the court would decide in the next hearing if the social media platform was required or not in the country.
Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that former dictator Pervez Musharraf had offered him a secret deal to return to the country from exile in Saudi Arabia to form a joint government in 2008.

At a meet of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Mr Sharif said, Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007, according to a report in Dawn. Musharraf offered me the deal directly, but I turned it down, he said.

Mr Sharif said General Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past. But I declined.

The revelation about the going-ons in Pakistans polity in 2007 has come for the first time from Mr Sharif, who at the time was living in Saudi Arabia after his government was toppled by General Musharraf in a coup in 1999.

Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

We left the country in a miserable condition and were not allowed to return for a long time, Mr Sharif said, and made it clear he would do the same to General Musharraf, who left Pakistan last year for Dubai ostensibly for medical treatment.

Now, Musharraf cant come back to Pakistan, this is retribution, Geo News quoted him as saying.

However, Mr Sharifs claims were disputed by former Musharraf aide Ahmed Raza Kasuri.

I have been working with General Musharraf for long and I have never heard any such thing, he said.

Mr Kasuri said everyone knew that Mr Sharif went abroad under an agreement for 10 years and there could be no question that Mr Musharraf offered him a deal to form a government.

It was, in fact, Nawaz Sharif who was begging to return to the country in 2007, he said. (The claim is) absolute rubbish and (a) bundle of lies, which has only been propagated for (Sharifs) image-building that was badly affected due to his lies in the Panama scandal, he said.
The numbers are growing. A sense of hopelessness seems to be spreading across the nation. Last year there were over 21 thousand suicides. The investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health. The questionnaire does not ask the "why" one decides to commit suicide.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Nearly 25% of Japanese adults have thought seriously to commit suicide: This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The published data shows that the number of those who think of committing suicide is growing: in 2008 there were 19.1%; 23.4% in 2012; 23.6% in 2016.

The results published yesterday show that a sense of hopelessness seems to be spreading across the nation. It should also be said that the number of actual suicides are decreasing by at least six years. According to the National Police Agency there were 21,764 in 2016.

The research comes from the desire of the Ministry of Health to implement policies to prevent suicide by addressing the deeper problems that put people at risk. Last October, the ministry sent questionnaires to 3 thousand men and women aged 20 and older and received more than 2 thousand valid responses.

The results reveal that 36.7% of respondents who had thought about committing suicide, have overcome their crisis by using more time for their hobbies or work; 32.1% said they had found relief discussing their problems with the people around them. In any case, at least 46.9% say that when they are burdened by worries and stress, they are hesitant to ask for help or talk to other consulting facilities.

A curious fact: The questionnaire did not question "why" one is led to commit suicide.
An ecumenical ceremony marked the reopening of the aedicule. Representatives of the Franciscan community, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Churches spoke at the event. Mgr Pizzaballa also spoke. Pope Francis donated money for the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre and the basilica in Bethlehem. Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople, expressed his gratitude.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews)  The end of the restoration work on the aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre was marked today in a ceremony attended by representatives of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Churches as well as the Custos of the Holy Land.

With the latter in mind, Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, noted that the event provided an opportunity to build a new relationship among us based on trust and respect."

The ceremony took place in the Basilica at 10 am in the presence of Christian religious leaders like the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I as well as diplomats and political leaders like Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

His All-Holiness Bartholomew thanked the honourable scholars of the National Polytechnic of Metsovo headed by the distinguished Prof Antonia Moropoulou for their work. He described the tomb as a minuscule monument but one that is so vast as to contain the entire universe.

In our contemporary, ever troubled and divided world, the Holy Sepulchre before which we stand constitutes the sole source of genuine, substantial and sacred unity among Christians that is not established upon human interests and ambitions, but only upon the Cross that is able to unite what was previously divided.

For Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, the aedicule restoration has an ecumenical significance for the whole human family because this sacred place brings closer all nations, ethnic groups and cultures and is an eloquent testimony of a destiny and shared humanity.

The work is a show of unity that can be an inspiration "for all the peoples of our region, especially at this time of difficulty and confusion for our world."

Theophilos also thanked Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for their donations.

In his address, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francis Patton, expressed hope for peace and joy for the completion of the work in time for Easter, which this year falls on the same day for Catholics and Orthodox. This represents a kind of restoration for "all Christianity" that helps the Churches become closer, and able to work together and feel "as brothers".

Armenian Apostolic Patriarch Nourhan Manougian mentioned the Passion and commandment of love of Jesus who told us that to be his disciples we must love one another.

My dear brothers, he went on to say, we all read the same Gospel, the same words, translated into our language. We have no difference of opinion on this commandment. Christian solidarity is a sign that our love for Christ goes beyond our cultural, liturgical and linguistic differences."

The Armenian Patriarch also mentioned the possibility of allowing, once a year after Easter, other churches to officiate in the aedicule. "I am certain that our Lord Jesus Christ would love it."

Under the current status quo, only the Latin, Greek and Armenian Churches can celebrate services in the basilica.

"This restoration marks not only the achievement of an important technical objective, but also a new stage in our relations, noted Mgr Pizzaballa. The aedicule becomes a concrete symbol of a new restored site, the life of the Churches of Jerusalem. "

For him, the Holy Sepulchre, in which all Christians remember the resurrection of Jesus, is the mirror of what we are. "We want to heal the wounds of a divided history. This restoration sprinkled oil and balm on the wounds of the body of Christ which is the Church. "

The apostolic administrator ended by pointing out that the work is not completed. Restoration will continue in the area around the aedicule.

In a joint press release, the Custody announced that the Holy See contributed a million dollars for the restoration of both the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Keep Federal hands on public lands, but let the locals decide how theyre managed, Democratic U.S. House candidate Rob Quist told a group of Billings supporters Tuesday.

Speaking to about 60 people on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn, Quist said federal lands were too important to recreation and jobs to be transferred to states. He cited recent land-transfer attempts by congressmen from Utah as a concern for the U.S. House. Democrats argue that such transfers to states would lead to land being sold to private buyers.

The transfer and eventual sale of our public lands is nothing more than a theft from our grandchildren and I will oppose this, Quist said.

Western Democratic candidates for state and federal offices made political hay in 2016 with the public lands issue, suggesting that land given to states would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Quist adds a twist, advocating for local input on public lands management decisions.

I will support local collaborative forest management proposals made right here in Montana to expand access and to put more Montanans to work in our forests, Quist said.

Local management of federal land is objectionable to some Democrats nationally. Last spring when former Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., suggested creating local advisory boards to counsel the federal government on coal leasing, House Democrats said doing so would be an extreme overreach.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, is permitted to manage logging on 5 million U.S. Forest Service acres blighted by pine beetles.

Quists opponent, Republican Greg Gianforte said much the same shortly after officially becoming the Montana GOP candidate. He has said he opposes transferring federal lands to states.

People think better decisions can be made here, in Montana, by Montanans, Gianforte said. I dont support deed transfer. I do think we should be starting pilot projects to get increased state management of our federal lands.

Quist followed up his park rally with the opening of a campaign office in the Billings Labor Temple at 530 S. 27th Street, suite 5.

Yellowstone County has as much as an eighth of the vote in most Montana elections. Candidates have won without winning Yellowstone, but at least a close loss has been a minimum requirement for most statewide races.
by Christopher Sharma

The first local elections in 19 years have raised great expectations but also generated a lot of tension. Madhesi parties are protesting, demanding changes to the constitution before the vote. Encouraged by victories in India, Nepals Hindu monarchists want to restore a Hindu monarchy. The government defends the countrys secular nature.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews)  Nepal is getting ready for its first local elections in 19 years. The upcoming poll scheduled for 4 May 2017 has raised expectations among Nepalis, but also generated tensions, which have already led to serious clashes between the Madhesi minority and police.

Nepals Catholic community has called for peaceful elections, an event that will see the participation of four Christian-inspired parties.

"Nepal is to hold local elections after about two decades, we pray for consensus and a peaceful election, said Fr Shilas Bogati, from the General Vicariate of Nepal.

These elections should take place in a peaceful manner for there is No need for any violence. Yet, During the election campaign we have seen violence and clashes, he added. The use of force from both sides has to stop. "

By contrast, the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), the main Madhesi party, continues its protest. The party wants an autonomous province for the Madhesi ethnic group.

Last Sunday, protesters placed seals on all municipal offices and the village council in Saptari (south-eastern Nepal), demanding changes to the constitution before the elections.

For Manish Suman, leader of Nepal Sadbhawana, another Madhesi party, "Not only will we boycott the elections, but we shall also organise disruptive actions if our demands are not met before the election."

For their part, the pro-monarchist Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and other Hindu extremist groups presented parliament with a proposal for constitutional change.

They are encouraged by the appointment of Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu guru, as chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) dismissed the RPPs request as contrary to the countrys secular and democratic constitution.

"We received the RPPs demands but they contradict the present Constitution," said ECN chief commissioner Awadhhi Prasad Yadav. "Ours is a secular constitution. The provisions that contradict secularism are illegal."

Nepali government spokesman Surendara Kumar Karki agrees. "The rise of Hindu Babas in India will not affect Nepal, he said. We have our policies and secularism will not be questioned. Pretty soon we will go to elections to institutionalise the secular constitutional provisions."

The RPP seeks the restoration of the Hindu monarchy that ruled Nepal before Maoists took power in 2008.
The Word of God "feeds a hope that concrete results in sharing in mutual service." "Our hope is not based on our own strength or means, but on the support of God and the faithfulness of His love, that is, on God's strength and consolation of God." "That of migrants is the biggest tragedy since the Second World War".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Protect water as a common good, by evaluating its cultural and religious significance", urged Pope Francis today during the general audience, marking World Water Day, established 25 years ago by the United Nations. The Pope greeted participants at the conference on "Watershed: Replenishing Water Values  for a Thirsty World", promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Argentine Chapter of the Club of Rome, encouraged, he added, the "effort in education, with proposals aimed at children and young people ".

In his greetings Italians Francis, addressing the participants at the meeting for Migrantes encouraged them "to continue efforts in welcoming and offering hospitality to displaced persons and refugees, facilitating their integration, taking into account the rights and reciprocal duties for those who welcome and who is welcomed". "The current migrant crisis  he reiterated - is the biggest tragedy since the Second World War".

Earlier, in his address to 20 thousand people in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, continuing the cycle of catechesis on Christian hope he focused attention on the Word of God.  transmit to us perseverance and consolation (v. 4). In fact, in the first place, the Word of God leads us to turn our gaze to Jesus, to know Him better and to be conformed to Him, to be ever more like Him. In the second place, the Word reveals to us that the Lord is truly the God of perseverance and of consolation (v. 5), who is always faithful to His love for us, namely, that He is perseverant in His love for us, He does not tire of loving us! He is perseverant: He always loves us! And He who takes care of us, covering our wounds with the caress of His goodness and His mercy, that is, He consoles us. He does not tire of consoling us, either.

Understood in this perspective also is the Apostles initial affirmation: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves (v.1). This expression we who are strong might seem presumptuous, but, in the logic of the Gospel, we know that it is not so, rather, it is in fact the contrary, because our strength does not come from ourselves, but from the Lord. One who experiences in his life the faithful love of God and His consolation is able, more than that, has the duty to be close to weaker brothers and take on their frailty. If we are close to the Lord we will have that strength to be close to the weakest, to the neediest and to console them and give them strength. This is what it means. We can do this without being pleased with ourselves but feeling ourselves simply as a channel that transmits the Lords gifts; and thus become concretely a sowers of hope. This is what the Lord asks us, with that strength and capacity to console and to be sowers of hope. And today it is necessary to sow hope, but it is not easy . . .

The fruit of this lifestyle is not a community in which some are series A, namely, the strong, and others series B, namely, the weak. Instead, as Saint Paul says, the fruit is to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus (v. 5). The Word of God nourishes a hope that is translated concretely in sharing, in mutual service. Because even one who is strong finds himself sooner or later experiencing frailty and the need of others comfort and, vice versa, in weakness one can always offer a smile or a hand to a brother in difficulty. And it is such a community that with one spirit and one voice renders glory to God (cf. v. 6). However, all this is possible if Christ and his Word are put at the center, because He is strong. He is the one who gives us strength, who gives us patience, who gives us hope, who gives us consolation. He is the strong brother, who takes care of each one of us: all of us, in fact, are in need of being carried on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd and of feeling enveloped by His tender and solicitous gaze.

Dear friends, - he concluded - we can never thank God enough for the gift of His Word, which is rendered present in the Scriptures. It is there that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed as God of perseverance and of consolation. And it is there that we realize that our hope is not founded on our capacities and our strength, but on Gods support and on the faithfulness of His love, that is, on Gods strength and consolation.
It was launched from the east coast of the country. The missile exploded seconds after launch. The South Korean military is still trying to confirm details. US: "We continue to closely monitor the actions of North Korea."

Pyongyang (AsiaNews) - A missile test carried out today by Pyongyang near Kalma, in Gangwon province (eastern coast of the country) has reportedly failed. This is according to military intelligence sources from South Korea and the United States which are engaged in joint training operations in the Korean peninsula.

"This morning, North Korea fired a missile from an area near the air base in Wonsan, but is presumed to have failed," said the Seoul government in a brief statement, adding that the head "did not release as it should have. "the South Korean military is still trying to confirm details about the failed tests, including the type of arm and if the missile exploded in mid-air or not.

Earlier this month, North Korea had successfully launched four ballistic missiles, three of which fell into the sea near the coast of Japan. On 19 March, Pyongyang also tested a new high-thrust engine type for its missiles. During a visit to Seoul last week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that all options are being considered.
Through special groups, the United Front tightly monitors religious activities on campuses by Chinese and foreigners. Anyone caught engaged in religious activities is expelled or fired.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Religion is under tight control in Chinese universities. Special bodies known as United Front leading groups closely monitor religious activities of students and faculty alike.

Over the years, their grip has grown tighter. Christmas celebrations (including parties) and prayer meetings have been banned. Those caught praying have been expelled.

Such action is informed by negative opinion towards religion in general and Christianity in particular, deemed a spiritual pollution from the West.

The war against religion on campuses is an attempt to plug the holes that have appeared in Chinas academia, as students and faculty show a growing interest in Christianity (60 per cent in Beijing and Shanghai).

The aforementioned monitoring of religious activities also shows how far China has to go in terms of freedom of religion. A Chinese student who asked that his identity be protected describes for AsiaNews readers how control is exercised.

Chinese universities include Religious work leading groups (   ) to monitor religious activities on campuses.

Sometimes, such special bodies are incorporated in the United Front Leading Group. For example, the United Front Leading Group at Renmin University of China (RUC) also operates as a Religious work leading group under the universitys auspices.

The RUCs United Front Leading Group-cum-religious work leading group has:

1. presidents, i.e. the First Party Secretary and the Dean;

2. vice presidents, i.e. Delegated Party Secretary, Deputy Party Secretary, Delegated Deputy Dean and the Deputy Rector;

3. secretary, i.e. the director of the United Front Department;

4. members, i.e. officials in charge of the Organisational Office of the Propaganda Department, the Disciplinary Committee, the Schools for research students, the Education Office, the Research Office, the Human Resources Office, the Student Activities Office, the Foreign Communications Office, the Bursary, and the Security Office.

All members have specific and coordinated tasks. Such a broad monitoring network means no doubt that all religious believers who study or teach in China are closely watched and are surrounded by informants who often act as friendly and helpful students or professors.

Foreign students and faculty are targeted and can be used for ulterior motives. They can for instance be given wrong information to muddle their perception of situations.
Some 18 million people, including 1.3 million children under five, are affected. Average daily food rations are around 300 grams, lower than UN recommendation of 600. UN agency calls for fresh international action.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Nearly 70 per cent of the North Korean population is malnourished, this according to a UN report on the need for humanitarian aid to North Korea.

The report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) notes that some 18 million North Korean people, including 1.3 million children under five, are malnourished because of poor state food rations which lack protein and fat.

The study points out that the North's daily food rations remained at 300-380 grams per person on average last year, just half of some 600 grams that the United Nations recommends as the minimal daily requirement.

OCHA stressed the need for fresh international assistance to the North, as North Korean residents suffer insufficiency in food, sanitation and drinking water because of recurring natural disasters like droughts and floods.
by Sumon Corraya

About half a million migrants from the South Asian country live in Malaysia, many undocumented and working illegally. Those who find honest work are an "economic blessing" for their families. Uzzal Roy and Mohoshin Islam are two such migrants who made it.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Every year, thousands of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia send money home to family and friends, contributing to the prosperity of their homeland.

AsiaNews spoke to some of them about their experience full of sacrifices but also rewards. All agree on one issue: Bangladesh does not offer employment opportunities, so it is best to look for honest work abroad rather than go hungry at home.

Malaysia is home to about 500,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh, employed as construction workers, security guards, shopkeepers and cleaners. Many are undocumented and illegally employed. But those who find an honest and decent work are a real "economic blessing" for their families back home.

This is the case of Uzzal Roy, who has lived in Kuala Lumpur for the past eight years. With the money he earned in Malaysia, "about 1.6 million takas (about US$ 20,000), I bought a small piece of land and built a house."

He is originally from Jessore district and today works at a guest house run by the Church in the Malaysian capital. He returns home every two years to visit his family.

For his boss, Horman Sharsthi, Uzzal "is a faithful employee. He is honest and punctual, an performs his duty perfectly.

Mohoshin Islam, who is from Dhaka, has a similar story. He works at hotel bar in Kuala Lumpur. He says he was forced to abandon his country 20 years ago "because I did not have a job in Bangladesh. I tried Malaysia for a better future. "

Mohoshin remembers that it was not easy to fit in at the beginning. "I suffered a lot, he notes. I had to learn the language and find a job. But now my career is established and I earn a good salary every month. With this money I can maintain my wife, son and parents."

Although leading a dignified life despite his humble origins, he admits with regret that "in Bangladesh there is no work, there are many problems and overcrowding."

Nevertheless, he is aware that Malaysia too is facing an economic crisis that often results in irregular payment of salaries.

"The value of the Malaysian ringgit is collapsing and many employers fail to pay their employees on time." Despite this, "I want to live in Malaysia because it is always better than living in Bangladesh.
The measure will enter into force on 25 March and does not have a end date. Threats from the Yemeni al Qaeda cell behind the ban, ready for new attacks. Experts and analysts raise doubts about its real effectiveness.

Amman (AsiaNews / Agencies) - After the entry ban for immigrants from Muslim-majority countries (currently suspended by the judiciary), the US administration led by Donald Trump has set its sights on computers and tablets. No electronic items in the cabin, excluding mobile phones and medical equipment, on direct flights to the US from eight nations in North Africa and the Middle East.

According to the norm all major mobile technology equipment must be transported in checked baggage. These include electronic games, computers, DVD players and cameras.

A few hours later, London approved a similar measure, which shall apply - unlike the United States - to six countries of the same area. Paris and Ottawa are also considering the possible introduction.

The decision was taken following a warning launched by intelligence agencies, that are high possibilities of terrorist threats on direct flights to US soil.

The nine airlines affected by the new law emanating from Washington are: Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways. The British ban, announced a few hours later apply to other carriers including British Airways and EasyJet and respect of passengers coming from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The airports concerned by the measure are: Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco; Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey; Cairo International Airport, Egypt; Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan; King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, and King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait International Airport; Hamad International, Doha, Qatar; International Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

According US government sources, the ban will come into effect at 7 am on March 25; for now the restrictions will apply for an unlimited period of time. Emirates company sources report instead it will be in force until October 14, 2017.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is hosting a two-day meeting of ministers and senior officials from 68 nations to discuss the terrorist threat posed by Islamic State (IS). The meeting aims to accelerate efforts to defeat the jihadists in the last two strongholds remained in their possession: Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria.

US intelligence sources speak of credible information, under which the militants would be working to carry explosives aboard aircraft, using electronic equipment including computers and tablets. The threats are "substantial" and "credible".

The measure - tied to a threat from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqpa), the Yemeni cell - enjoys the bipartisan support of Republicans and Democrats. Eric Swalwell, Democratic member of the Intelligence Committee of the House, speaks of a "new threat to air travel." Fellow Republican Peter King added that there would be no credible information about already "planned attacks."

However, some analysts and experts question the effectiveness of the measure and advance further problems related to the safety of flights. The electronic means, containing batteries and flammable elements, will be placed in the hold and will need additional measures to prevent cases of fire. Matthew Finn, consultant for the Augmentiq security agency, said that "placing these items in the hold, rather than in the cab, makes little sense." In addition, these electronic means transformed into explosives can also be operated via remote mechanism, including "small mobile phones.

The use of computers on flights became the subject of attention from security departments, following an inident over the African skies. A suspected suicide bomber would detonated explosives contained within a portable pc, on Daallo Airlines flight took off from Mogadishu in February 2016. The explosion would have caused a hole in the fuselage measuring about one meter, which has sucked the bomber out, who was the only victim of theattack and forced the plane to carry out an emergency landing.
The documentary My First 150 Days show the struggles of Melona Banico and her familys adjustments and challenges after they reunite in Canada. The documentary premiers on TVO on April 12 at 9 pm.

After eight years, Melona Banico reunited with her three children and grandson. Like many Filipino women, Melona was forced to leave her family behind in order to support them after coming to Canada. She worked three jobs because she wanted to sponsor her children to have a good future. The family battle homesickness once they are together.

About 250,000 people arrive in this country every year, says Stuart Henderson, producer of My First 150 Days. For Canadas 150th birthday year we wanted to focus on one of them for the first 150 days they are here to see what being a New Canadian can entail.

The Banico children, Judelyn, Jeah, and Jade plus grandson Clyde had culture shock after moving from a rural village to suburban Toronto. The children also have to get used to having their mother back, and they also have to discover winter, language barriers, loneliness, and a future they are not quite certain about. They wonder if they made the right decision to come to Canada?
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HELENA  As Republicans in Congress work to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, state and tribal leaders in Montana are concerned Native Americans might lose improved access and care created under the law.

Led by former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, Congress in 2009 peppered the ACA with several health insurance reforms specific to Native Americans.

They expanded access to care, brought more local control and funding to Indian Health Service facilities, and ultimately provided guarantees that the federal budget will pay the full cost for most Native users of state-managed Medicaid expansions.

In Montana and across the country, tribes are reporting significant improvements as a result of the reforms.

It became easier for patients to sign up for insurance and seek health care at off-reservation hospitals.

Tribal health programs, urban Indian centers and the Indian Health Service were able to collect more insurance revenues and reinvest those into expanding services.

Health leaders saw the changes as key to reversing health disparities among Native Americans that cause Montana tribal members to die an average of 20 years younger than other residents.

Now, state and tribal leaders fear much of that progress could be lost if the House GOP proposal to replace Obamacare passes as currently written.

We would not be able to continue to build the capacity that the Affordable Care Act was allowing us to do, which essentially took care of the underfunding of the health care system for Indians in the first place, said Northern Cheyenne President Jace Killsback, who had previously worked as health director and served on a federal committee to advise enrollment efforts in Indian Country.

It essentially stops the momentum, the progress and growth. ... Our tribes will continue to have some of the highest health disparities and the most negative health outcomes.

IHS

For decades, Native Americans have typically accessed health care in a system separate from the rest of Americans. In exchange for ceding their lands and agreeing to peace, hundreds of tribes signed treaties with the United States that promised health care in exchange.

Today, the Indian Health Service provides care to more than 560 federally recognized tribes. But Congress does not consider IHS an entitlement program, so funding varies and falls short of need. Medicare and Medicaid, as well as health programs for veterans, are funded at a higher level per patient than IHS. Even to match the care guaranteed to federal prisoners, Congress would have to nearly double the Indian Health Service budget, according to an analysis by the National Congress of American Indians.

The Affordable Care Act included incentives for IHS facilities to bill insurance policies and encourage patients to enroll, such as guaranteeing for the first time that those collections would stay at the local unit and not result in diminished federal appropriations. Improvements driven by that reform might diminish under the GOP health plan.

Nationally, the rate of uninsured Native Americans dropped from 24.2 percent in 2010 to 15.7 percent in 2015 even though almost half of states with significant populations did not expand Medicaid, according to federal figures. In Montana, Native Americans are about 20 percent of the new enrollees under last year's Medicaid expansion. About 40 percent of Native Americans were uninsured in 2015.

The GOP proposal would cut funding for these expansions.

More funding

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that expanded Medicaid receive a permanent 100 percent federal match for care provided to enrolled tribal members through IHS or tribal programs, including outside referrals. For all other newly enrolled clients, that federal match will drop to 95 percent in 2017 and 90 percent in 2020. Before expansion, Congress paid just 65 percent.

That extra funding has helped keep Medicaid expansions viable in states with large Native American populations, experts say, but it is unlikely to be enough to save expansions from rollback under pressure from the GOP plan.

Although the current proposal preserves the 100 percent federal reimbursement for tribal clients, Anna Whiting-Sorrell noted that might still mean Native Americans could lose coverage or see benefits reduced. After years leading the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and then the Billings Area Office of IHS, she works for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department and serves as an adviser to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on tribal issues.

You can only provide services that go to everybody," she said. "Lets say they decide that in Montana because they no longer have that funding that theyre going to eliminate some kinds of dental care. Indian people would also be eliminated from that care even though the state might be reimbursed at 100 percent."

Several Montana tribes have launched Tribal-Sponsored Health Insurance Programs, which pay out-of-pocket costs from insurance purchased by tribal members. TSHIPs operate on the theory that it will cost less to pay for coverage than the full cost of care outright.

The affordability of private insurance as well as the cost-benefit ratio making TSHIP programs possible hinge in large part on special no-cost sharing provisions for members of federally recognized tribes. Tribal health insurance programs also could be hit hard by a 30 percent enrollment penalty for people who buy insurance after a long gap in coverage  particularly common among Native Americans who, for instance, might drop private insurance if they move back to the reservation where IHS must provide care regardless of coverage status.

The net result of those premium and tax credit changes will be more need for TSHIPs but less funding to make them sustainable.

If people arent covered by Medicaid or cant afford to purchase a plan, the need for us to purchase some kind of insurance for them is going to increase. And the money is not going to increase, Whiting-Sorrell said. We know what happens in that case. People die. Thats why this is so frustrating to me. These are really life and death decisions. Why would you penalize people that are trying to get insurance?

'Life and limb'

The all-too-serious quip in many tribal communities has long been, Dont get sick after June. With so little funding, IHS hospitals have only been able to offer some basic preventative services and could not afford to hire or retain medical specialists. Referrals to off-reservation hospitals had for years been limited to Priority Level 1 or "life and limb." In effect, tribal members often had to wait for care until they were so sick their life was at risk. In many cases, patients were prescribed pain medications as a holdover while they waited years for enough funding to treat the underlying cause.

A request first made in January to interview the Billings area director of the Indian Health Service, which oversees facilities in Montana and Wyoming, was unscheduled as of publication.

An increased number of Indian Health Service patients reported insurance coverage since Montanas Medicaid expansion, according to IHS figures shared with the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The number of uninsured patients dropped from 17,000 to 13,000 as the number covered by Medicaid increased from 17,000 to nearly 21,000 in 2016.

Self-governed tribes like the Confederated Salish and Kootenai as well as the Chippewa Cree reported similar or even higher coverage rates to Lee Newspapers last fall. Hospitals and clinics have told the state that they have seen a decrease in the amount of uncompensated care they provide, often through the emergency room, where many uninsured Native Americans had turned after being denied a referral by IHS facilities.

With more people covered by insurance  and with expanded billing departments  tribal and IHS facilities have collected millions more in revenue, which law requires them to reinvest in health services.

How to proceed?

The nonprofit Helena Indian Alliance, which operates the Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic, tallied 1,118 more visits in 2016 than it did in 2014, an increase of 27 percent that coincided with a dramatic shift in the number of patients who had some form of coverage. Those increased revenues led the clinic to add behavioral health and substance use disorder services to its existing slate of primary care offerings. Today, about 70 percent of their clients are Native American, including many members of the Little Shell tribe who are not eligible for IHS services or the insurance discounts afforded by the ACA to federally recognized tribes.

Faced with the possibility of clients losing coverage  as well as potential cuts to the federal grants that support community health centers  Director Tressie White said the Leo Pocha clinic might have to scale back to "a limited number of patients with a limited number of providers.

Northern Cheyenne's Killsback said he has urged fellow tribal leaders to defend the Affordable Care Act as a whole because the improvements seen in Montana and around the nation rely on more than the provisions specific to American Indians.

Tribes are continuing to think or believe its OK to sacrifice the Affordable Care Act to save the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is part of the overall bill that passed. That cant be our stance. We have to protect both, he said. We will lose a lot of protections, we will lose the Indian provisions in the Affordable Care Act that allow us to increase our billings and become self-sufficient and self-determined.

Whiting-Sorrell said she is torn about how to think about the GOP health plan. So many details remain in flux that she cautions against alarmism, partly because she just cannot believe coverage would be rolled back so extensively for so many people  even though thats what she fears.

Meanwhile, she continues her daily work.

People need to have confidence that they will have health care. Thats exactly whats hard for me. Were out promoting that youve got to get good preventative health care and youve got to go see your doctor earlier, she said. Now, we have this whole narrative out there saying we just dont know what the future holds.
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Amid a burgeoning crisis in access to justice in Australia, more than 200 lawyers, judges, government officials, and academics have gathered in Adelaide at the sixth National Access to Justice & Pro Bono Conference."The legal assistance sector is currently in crisis," said Fiona McLeod Law Council of Australia president. A steady erosion of government funding over a generation has now produced a situation in which hundreds of thousands of Australians are being denied legal representation when they seek it.The crisis is even more striking given Australian lawyers efforts to step up and help.Australian lawyers are contributing a remarkable 35 hours of pro bono legal services, per lawyer, per year. But this cannot be substitute for a properly funded legal assistance sector, she said. That's why it is so critical for lawyers to gather and to exchange ideas around how the funding crisis might be addressed, but also how to innovate and collaborate to do the very best possible with the meagre resources currently available.McLeod spoke this morning at the opening of the conference, which will last through tomorrow. Delivering the keynote speech, Whats wrong with the legal profession  and how to fix it, is Sheldon Krantz, executive director of the DC Affordable Law Firm and co-director of the US access to justice organisation Justice Lab. He will also deliver the conference dinner address, The rule of law in the new America.The conference, the first to be held in South Australia, is presented by the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Pro Bono Centre in conjunction with the Law Society of South Australia.
A reduction in red tape could create more jobs in the fast growing nature-based tourism sector in Australia, according to a joint media release with the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP.The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have launched a major new project to help boost investment in what Ministers described as the 'vital' nature based tourism sector.The 90 day nature based tourism simplification project is part of the National Business Simplification Initiative (NBSI) and will involve both Governments working together to cut red tape and reduce duplication in legislation at state and national levels.Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy said the project would identify overlapping regulatory requirements across different levels and agencies of government and recommend areas for simplification.'This project will save businesses time and money, allowing them to focus on their business and families, rather than on overly complex government processes and regulations,' he explained.'We are supporting growth in an essential part of Tasmania's economy. By cutting red tape and making it easier to deal with government, owners will have more time to concentrate on growing their businesses and creating new jobs,' he added.According to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo, the project will be of benefit to Tasmania's $1.1 billion tourism industry. He pointed out that last year Tasmania welcomed almost 230,000 international visitors who spent an average of 15 nights on the island.The data also shows that people from Australia spent 2.5 million overnight trips in Tasmania and overall travellers contributed almost three billion dollars to the Tasmanian economy.'The Government supports the tourism industry in Tasmania and this is another example of the Government easing regulatory burden on the Tasmanian nature based tourism industry,' Ciobo added.The NBSI is a landmark agreement to reduce the complexity of regulation for businesses and make dealings with government easier. Among early projects identified as part of the agreement the Tasmanian Government selected the nature based tourism sector as an important area where early practical reforms could be implemented.
Hondas popular adventure tourer will be available with only dual-clutch automatic transmission at an expected ex-showroom price of Rs 13.8 lakh.

Autocar India has received news that the Honda Africa Twin adventure motorcycle will be launched in India in July 2017. However, we are told that only the automatic DCT (dual-clutch transmission) variant will be sold here. While Honda was not forthcoming on the pricing, a source has hinted towards an ex-showroom price of Rs 13.8 lakh. The bike was supposed to be launched in India much earlier, but faced a delay because of an earthquake near Hondas Hamamatsu plant where the assembly kits for the Africa Twin are developed.

According to YS Guleria, vice-president of sales and marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), Our plan to launch the Africa Twin is very much as per schedule. We plan to introduce it with the six-speed DCT tentatively in July.

The CRF1000L Africa Twin was first displayed in India at the 2016 Auto Expo, when HMSI announced its decision to bring the adventure tourer into the country and sell it as a CKD to keep prices competitive. In July 2016, Autocar Professional, our sister publication, confirmed that the bike will be assembled at HMSIs Manesar plant and will hit showrooms mid-2017.

The Africa Twin is powered by a 998cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine and comes with two transmission options globally  a six-speed manual and a six-speed DCT. Renowned for its off-roading prowess, the Africa Twin is built on a semi-double cradle-type frame using high-tensile steel, has high ground clearance with a low seat height option and a long 62-inch wheelbase. The electronics primarily include switchable anti-lock braking system and an advanced traction control system that comes with three modes.

The Africa Twin will be HMSIs second model in the premium motorcycle class that will see local assembly operations. With Honda opting for CKD operations of its popular adventure touring model in India, it is clearly understood that the company acknowledges the rising trend of such motorcycles in our evolving market.

Also read

Honda Africa Twin image gallery

Honda shows Africa Twin at Auto Expo
For the past 15 years of its 152-year existence, the Montana Historical Society has been pleading with the Legislature for funding to expand and renovate its 67-year-old building across the street from the Capitol. In 2013, money for the proposed Montana Heritage Center was in a larger bonding bill that failed by one vote on the last day of the session.

Again this year, partial funding for the center is in Gov. Steve Bullock's infrastructure proposal, and again the bonding bill is stalled. Two years ago, an overwhelming majority of the the Senate and a strong majority of the House voted for the bill with the Heritage Center. But because state law requires bonding bills to garner super-majorities, the proposal still fell short of passage.

Lawmakers unsure of why they should support the Heritage Center should take a fresh look at what the historical society provides Montana. Tens of thousands of visitors stream into the museum every year, including thousands of Montana school children. Space is so limited that most of the historical items held in trust for the people of Montana cannot be displayed.

The museum is renowned for its priceless collection of Charlie Russell artwork, but only about 6 percent of the collection can be on exhibit because of space constraints.

Widely known as "The Smithsonian of the West," the historical society archives draw scholars and researchers from all over Montana and across the nation. Research space is cramped.

From that two-story building in Helena, with a basement full of our history, the Montana Historical Society reaches out to every county in the state. Last year, for example, in Yellowstone County, 935 students used the society's educational footlockers in their classrooms.

The society's Historic Preservation Office has assisted in getting 38 Yellowstone County properties, including historic districts, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, a designation that preserves history and makes the properties eligible for grants.

The 1950 museum structure has had at least one flood and numerous roof leaks. The basement storage area doesn't meet standards for maintaining and protecting fine artwork.

The proposed Heritage Center would solve those problems. The plan also calls for a 300-seat multi-purpose room and adds 93 parking slots in an area where parking now is insufficient during the Legislature.

With the calendar running out soon, the Legislature needs to move forward on the Heritage Center. In the past week, two lawmakers who recognize the need for the center have proposed well-intentioned, but unworkable ideas.

First, Rep. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, introduced House Bill 594, which would require the historical society to sell up to $50 million worth of its collection to pay for the building expansion. This is a non-starter: The art and artifacts and other items are held in trust for the people of Montana. Selling them would violate that trust, violate the historical society's mission, and cause the museum to lose accreditation. It would jeopardize Montana's affiliation with the Smithsonian, and it would cost millions of dollars to have $50 million in historical items appraised for sale. Future gifts would be curtailed as donors could not trust the museum to keep them.

Montana can't sell its historical collection to house it. We urge the House committee to reject this bill at its hearing Thursday.

On Monday, Rep. Jenny Eck, D-Helena, proposed increasing the state lodging tax to pay for the Heritage Center. Eck had not even calculated how much of a tax increase would be needed. Further, the Heritage Center can't be built in annual chunks. It needs enough money at start of construction to finish the estimated $47 million project. The Montana Historical Society is committed to raising $10 million when the state supplies the rest.

One of the first acts of the Montana Territorial Legislature was the creation of the Montana Historical Society. Because of that vision, Montana's story, starting 24 years before statehood, is preserved for us today. It's time for us to pay that gift of early Montanans forward.

The 2017 Legislature should authorize bonding that will allow the historical society to commence this splendid, well-planned addition and renovation of Montana's museum and archives. Don't wait for the urgent building needs to become an emergency -- or a disaster -- with another flood or leaking roof. Let's get started on the Montana Heritage Center in 2017.
A French prosecutor has opened an investigation into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over allegations that the automaker may have cheated in diesel emissions tests, a judicial source told Reuters on March 21, 2017.

The source said the Paris prosecutor had opened the investigation on March 15, after the French finance ministry's consumer affairs and anti-fraud body had referred the case to the courts, according to Reuters.

The Reuters article stated that a Fiat spokesman reiterated that its diesel vehicles fully comply with emission regulations, as confirmed by the Italian Transport Ministry.

Following Volkswagen's admission in 2015 of cheating on U.S. diesel emission tests, Reuters reported that several European countries launched their own tests on vehicle emissions.
OnePlus 5 is now speculated to come out with a matte black variant. Following the successful launch of the matte black variant of the limited edition of its predecessor, OnePlus 3T Colette, new reports push for the upcoming flagship to be released with the same color in May or June.

Due to the successful launch of the OnePlus 3T Colette limited edition, many believe that the upcoming OnePlus 5 will most likely come out with a matte black variant as well. However, the successor will no longer carry the engraved Colette logo, which was done for the limited edition only.

The predecessor, OnePlus 3T first came out with two color variants: gunmetal and gold. It was only now that the Chinese manufacturer decided to launch a classy matte black variant for the limited edition, OnePlus 3T Colette, Nashville Chatter reported.

OnePlus has partnered with Colette, Paris-based concept store, to come up with a limited edition of the brand's third-generation smartphone. The partnership resulted to the release of OnePlus 3T Colette, a limited edition variant of the much-loved OnePlus 3T.

The OnePlus 3T Colette is being offered as the iconic 20th-anniversary smartphone of Colette. This variant will have the same features except that it will have the engraved Colette logo and in the exclusive all-black body.

Only 250 units of OnePlus 3T Colette were produced and sold yesterday, March 21 in Paris. OnePlus took to its official Facebook account a live stream of the successful launch of the special edition where people lined up early to get a copy of the limited edition smartphone.

Meanwhile, the upcoming OnePlus 5 is speculated to run with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. Since Samsung has the exclusive rights to first release products with this latest chip, OnePlus will have to wait a little further to release its new flagship carrying the latest chip.

Reports predict that the upcoming OnePlus 5 will most likely be released in May or June as Samsung is still set to launch its latest flagship, Galaxy S8 on March 29.
Hundreds of people took part on Wednesday in the funeral of Artur Sargsian, an Armenian activist who died last week while being prosecuted on charges of aiding opposition gunmen last summer.

They applauded throughout the funeral procession that ended at a cemetery in Yerevan where he was laid to rest.

Sargsian, 49, drove his car through a police cordon to deliver food to armed members of a radical opposition group that seized a police base in Yerevan in July. Their two-week standoff with security forces left three police officers dead.

Sargsian surrendered to law-enforcement on July 31 along with the remaining gunmen holed up in the compound. He was released from custody in late December but was again arrested last month.

Sargsian, who earned the popular nickname Food Bringer, was again set free on bail on March 6 following a 25-day hunger strike that further worsened his health condition. He died at a Yerevan hospital ten days later, hours after undergoing urgent bowel surgery.

His death sparked a series of angry protests staged in Yerevan by hundreds of opposition supporters. They as well as many Armenian opposition politicians say that Sargsian should not have been kept in custody because he suffered from several chronic illnesses.

Some of those politicians attended a requiem service for Sargsian held at a Yerevan funeral parlor on Tuesday. One prominent opposition leader, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, paid his respects to the activist just before the start of his funeral.

Armenias Investigative Committee is conducting an investigation into Sargsians death under a Criminal Code article that deals with negligent homicides resulting from inadequate medical aid. The law-enforcement body has not charged anyone yet. Hospital doctors insist that they did their best to save Sargsians life.

The deceased activists supporters say that the authorities should punish instead law-enforcement officials and judges responsible for his arrest.
22 March 2017 17:34 (UTC+04:00)

On the occasion of the Novruz holiday, leadership of the Ministry of Defense visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Armed Forces. The leadership of the Ministry honored memory and laid flowers at a monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the territory of the hospital.

Having met with the military personnel undergoing treatment at the hospital, Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov inquired about the health of the servicemen, presented gifts to them and wished them a speedy restoration to health and strength and a return to duty areas.

Then the opening of a maternity department equipped with the modern equipment and devices based on latest technology and that is designed for medical care for family members of military personnel, as well as civilian and military female employees was held.

Having met with the medical staff, the Minister of Defense congratulated them on the holiday, wished them success and also gave appropriate instructions in connection with the provision of high professional services and care to all those who applied for medical assistance.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
22 March 2017 10:02 (UTC+04:00)

Oil output cuts will not be enough to bring prices to a high level, believes Arthur Berman, an independent US geological consultant.

He says a larger issue is the inexorable relationship between stocks and prices.

"In part, this weeks price downturn reflects waning confidence that OPEC production cuts will result in higher prices There seems to be a growing awareness that global oil markets are incredibly complex, and that there are so many moving parts that a single, simple solution is unlikely," Berman, who has about 40 years of experience in petroleum exploration and production, told Trend by email March 14.

The expert says the industry for more than two years has believed that higher prices are possible without extreme reductions in inventories.

"Great expectations were placed in an OPEC production cut to rescue the industry from a weak oil market."

"The fallacy lies in thinking that the problem stems from a simple imbalance between production and consumption and is unrelated to a fragile and debt-dependent global economy. That hope was a dream. It appears that oil markets have woken up from that dream," Berman said.

He noted that the issue is not so much about this weeks change in inventory.

"It is about how much inventory needs to be reduced and how long that will take in the most hopeful scenario."

According to Berman, if OECD stocks must fall by approximately 550 million barrels to support $70 prices, it will take more than a year to get there if production is cut by 1 million barrels per day.

"If the production-consumption balance fluctuates, it will take even longer," he noted.

Noting that OPEC and non-OPEC comply with their oil output cut deal reached in late 2016, Berman said early evidence suggests the agreement has resulted in significant production cuts, nearly half of which are borne by Saudi Arabia.

The expert also said the EIA March Short Term Energy Outlook showed a 1 million per day world production minus consumption deficit, noting that one month does not prove a trend.

"For example, August 2016 showed a larger deficit only to be followed by several months of surplus," Berman said. "But it is a hopeful sign."

In December 2016, OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached their first deal since 2001 to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices.

Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce output by 558,000 bpd starting from Jan. 1, 2017 for six months, extendable for another six months, to take into account prevailing market conditions and prospects.

OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from Jan. 1, with top exporter Saudi Arabia cutting as much as 486,000 bpd.

According to OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report, worlds oil supply decreased in February by 0.21 million barrels per day compared to January to average 95.88 million barrels per day. In November 2016, worlds oil supply was at 96.84 million barrels per day.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
HELENA  A Kalispell attorney faces censure for buying the properties of two clients after filing liens for failure to pay attorney's fees.

David G. Tennant must appear before the Montana Supreme Court on April 18 for a public censure over his debt collection practices.

The court on Tuesday also ordered him to return the title on one of two residential lots that he purchased at a Flathead County sheriff's sale to his former client, John Ray, along with any money he makes from the sale of the other lot that exceeds the $34,000 default judgment.

The lots near Columbia Falls were initially priced at $80,000 each and are now on the market for $65,000 each, court records said.

Richard and Debbie Harshman were able to redeem their property near Hungry Horse by paying an $8,100 judgment, plus interest.

Ray and the Harshmans filed complaints with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel arguing that Tennant's law firm assigned Ray's judgment to a limited liability company half owned by Tennant and assigned the Harshman judgment to a collection agency owned by Tennant. The Tennant-owned companies purchased the properties at auction.

The Commission on Practice found that Tennant violated provisions of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct by representing his law firm in collecting the fees while acquiring an ownership interest in a client's property.

The ODC also argued, and the Supreme Court agreed, that Tennant acted unethically in collecting the judgment from the Harshmans because he learned of the existence of the couple's property as part of his representation of them as they sought to evict a tenant.

The commission recommended and the Supreme Court agreed that in the future Tennant must provide clients and former clients with copies of any attorney's liens filed against them by him or his firm and for the next three years he must notify the ODC when he takes such action.

The Supreme Court also ordered Tennant to pay about $2,200 for the cost of the proceedings.

The ODC had recommended Tennant's law license be suspended for seven months.
Back in 2009, Lisa Miller, a self-declared former lesbian became a hero to the Religious Right for defying legal orders to allow her former partner, Janet Jenkins, to see their daughter. After the couple had separated, Miller had moved from Vermont to Virginia, where she joined Jerry Falwells church, renounced her homosexuality and then refused to allow Jenkins to see the daughter they had had together. During the legal battle, Miller was represented by Liberty Counsels Mat Staver and lawyers affiliated with Liberty University, both of which are connected to Falwells church.

Eventually, due to her intransigence and refusal to follow visitation orders, a judge in Vermont ordered Miller to transfer custody to Jenkins, but Miller refused and disappeared with her daughter.

Eventually, it was discovered that Miller had fled the country and, according to an FBI affidavit, wound up at a home in Nicaragua owned by Philip Zodhiates, a Religious Right activist whose daughter just so happened to be an administrative assistant at Liberty University Law School, where Millers Liberty Counsel attorneys, Mat Staver and Rena Lindevaldsen, both worked. Even more amazingly, Millers attorneys reportedly just so happened to be teaching law students at Liberty University that Christian lawyers handling a case like Millers have a religious duty to counsel their client that they have an obligation to ignore the law and engage in civil disobedience in order to uphold Gods law.

n 2012, Liberty Law School was hit with a RICO lawsuit by Jenkins for allegedly playing a role in Millers kidnapping of their daughter, while Zodhiates was charged with conspiracy and international parental kidnapping in federal court.

Last year, Philip Zodhiates, whose daughter, Victoria Hyden, worked for Staver and Lindavendsen at the Liberty University School of Law, was convicted over his role in the kidnapping, of Isabella as was Mennonite pastor Kenneth Miller, who is not related to Lisa Miller.

In the judges ruling dated 3/20/17 the judge added Staver, Lindevaldsen, Liberty Counsel and Liberty University to Jenkins RICO lawsuit, the court noted that Lindevaldsen had allegedly been asked to collect some belongings that Miller had left behind when she fled the country and did so while insisting to the court that she had no idea of Millers whereabouts [emphasis added]: In their amended pleadings, Plaintiffs assert that Lindevaldsen and Staver are or have been employees of Liberty University and Liberty Counsel in relation to the claims set forth therein, and that Lindevaldsen and Staver were Millers lead attorneys in her family court case regarding Miller-Jenkins. They allege that Zodhiates suggested that he had a personal option for Miller in an email to a Liberty Counsel employee in early 2009 should the family courts involved find against her despite her attorneys efforts to prevent Jenkins from having contact with Miller-Jenkins. Furthermore, Plaintiffs claim that Miller was held in contempt by a Virginia court on August 25, 2009 for failing to comply with its prior orders. According to the pleadings, she failed to appear at the hearing imposing the contempt sanction and instead held a press conference with Staver and Lindevaldsen at her side. In other communications with RUL [Response Unlimited, the direct mail firm run by Zodhiates that Liberty Counsel used to raise money for Millers defense] employees, Zodhiates stated that Lindevaldsen and Staver made representations regarding when they expected the Vermont court would award full custody to Jenkins. The amended pleadings further allege that Miller stated, after arriving in Nicaragua in 2009, that Liberty Counsel had advised her that it would be in her best interests to disappear (presumably through her attorneys or at their instruction, although the pleadings do not specify who at Liberty Counsel provided Miller with this advice). Next, the pleadings claim that Hyden delivered emails from Zodhiates to Lindevaldsen after Miller fled the country regarding Millers needs. Specifically, these emails requested donations for supplies to be sent to Miller and sought to coordinate the removal of items from Millers apartment. According to the amended complaint, Lindevaldsen packed up Millers personal belongings directly. During this time Plaintiffs allege that Lindevaldsen falsely claimed that she was unable to communicate with Miller to the Vermont family court in an attempt to delay contempt proceedings aimed at locating Miller-Jenkins. As a result, Plaintiffs assert in their amended complaint that Miller was able to leave the United States in advance of September 25, 2009 and remain there past January 1, 2010 with the assistance of Lindevaldsen and others. They therefore bring claims against Lindevaldsen and Staver for the intentional tort of kidnapping and for conspiracy to violate the civil rights of Jenkins and Miller-Jenkins based on discriminatory animus against same-sex couples and against Jenkins due to sexual orientation. The court declared that while Staver may or may not have been aware of Millers whereabouts, his leadership roles at both Liberty University and Liberty Counsel implicate him in the commission of the alleged torts stemming from Lindevaldsens alleged actions, which is also the grounds on which Liberty Counsel and Liberty University were added to the lawsuit. BOOM! Source: Right Wing Watch  Back2Stonewall.com

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Mayor Kenyne Humphrey has asked her fellow Casper City Council members to start focusing on the positive despite criticism from some residents about how the Casper Police Department handles reports of sexual assault.

We are starting to tear down a police department that has some amazing employees and we should be lifting them up and giving them the tools to be better educated and be better at their jobs, she wrote Friday in a email to her colleagues.

Humphrey has been one of the police departments strongest defenders since women first began speaking at Council meetings last fall about delays and other problems they say accompanied reports of sexual assault and domestic violence in Casper.

She sent the email after attending the funeral of a close friend whom Humphrey described as a constructive force in her life.

I think we should build people up like she did and look forward to the future, Humphrey wrote. I want to start focusing on the positive. Will you all join me?

Humphrey acknowledged that it mustve taken a lot of courage for women to share their stories with Council and that their goal of bringing awareness to issues regarding sexual assault in Casper was definitely accomplished.

The email caught at least one councilman off-guard.

Todd Murphy said he was unsure what the email was in reference to because he believed Council had been resolute in its support for the police.

Is there something that some people know about that others, like me, dont? Murphy asked Humphrey before Tuesdays Council meeting.

Councilwoman Amanda Huckabay, who was elected in November on a platform that included addressing the womens criticism, said she also felt left out.

Information is not being disseminated to all Council members, Huckabay said. I think its being selectively shared.

Huckabay previously complained that she was being left out of discussions between Council leadership and city staff about addressing sexual assault cases.

Humphrey said the email was not a sign of any secret discussions.

I dont know that theres anything necessarily that were hiding, she said. Im just trying to be proactive.

Humphrey is concerned that criticism of the police, which has been especially pronounced on social media, may make it harder to recruit and retain officers.

I dont want a police force that would say, Why would I want to work here? she said. I just want to make sure we keep that positive outlook.

Huckabay pushes change

Huckabay has appeared less sympathetic to these concerns.

In her first Council meeting she called for a review of how CPD officers spend their time.

We have a problem in our police department, Huckabay said at that meeting.

In November, Casper police Chief Jim Wetzel said Huckabays political origin story was misleading.

Huckabay has said that after a man exposed himself to her daughter, she found other victims and discovered that police had done little despite many other reports of similar behavior in the area where her daughter encountered the man. That spurred her bid for office, she said.

But Wetzel said her assertion that the police had ignored similar reports was false.

I can tell you in that specific case there were zero reports, Wetzel said.

At Tuesdays Council meeting, Huckabay removed the purchase of five new police vehicles from the consent agenda, a group of items approved all at once, and asked for a separate vote.

Huckabay said that because the police department had fewer officers than it was budgeted, she did not understand why officers would need more vehicles.

I would assume that would mean a surplus of vehicles that arent currently being used, she said during the pre-meeting. Why would we be purchasing more on top of that?

After an explanation from city manager V.H. McDonald, Huckabay voted in favor of the vehicle purchases.

One woman spoke during the public comment period of the meeting about being raped 13 years ago and receiving what she said was a lackluster response from police and the district attorneys office.

It just felt like no follow-up was done, she said. I never heard anything back from the police department or the victim services people.

Responding at least partially to a call on social media, an additional 12 or so women attended the meeting to show their support for police reform.

Humphrey asked the women to attend a panel discussion on how sexual assault cases are handled that will be held April 6 at Casper College. The event will be hosted by local organizations including the police department.

She and Huckabay met with the women who attended for about 15 minutes after the meeting Tuesday evening.
Dear Doctor: Sometimes when I awake from a good sleep, one of my hands is asleep, and I have to shake or massage it back to normalcy. It's usually my thumb and the two fingers next to it. Is this normal?

Dear Reader: No, this is not normal. Your symptoms are typical of carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs because of a compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index and middle fingers. It also supplies the muscles that control the thumb and the smaller muscles that control the index and middle fingers.

The median nerve is in real cramped quarters as it makes its way through the wrist. As you look at the palm surface of your hand and move your eyes toward your wrist you can see multiple tendons. The median nerve has to share room with nine of these tendons that are within the carpal tunnel. When there is inflammation in the wrist, or the tendons become inflamed, the median nerve gets compressed.

The first symptoms are often noted during sleep, when we have a tendency to flex the wrists, so that our hands curl. This flexion of the wrists causes greater compression of the median nerve, which leads to the sensation of tingling in the thumb and the index and middle fingers, as if your hands are falling asleep.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is very common and can be caused by repetitive work involving recurrent compression on the median nerve. Studies have been mixed as to the type of work that can cause this. One study showed that recurrent use of a computer mouse was associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, but there has been no consistent association with recurrent keyboard use.

Women are more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome than are men. The rate is 5 percent in the general population, but women have rates ranging from 7 percent to 18 percent. One study, published in Environmental Research, for example, found a greater rate of carpal tunnel syndrome in female butchers and meat cutters.

Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism are diseases that are associated with an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

As for a diagnosis, that can be done through a physical exam or through a nerve conduction study.

For starters, I would consult your doctor. If he or she diagnoses carpal tunnel syndrome, wearing a wrist brace at night would be the likely recommendation. Whether rigid or of a softer variety, wrist braces help because they don't allow the wrist to curl when you're sleeping. In addition, a physical therapist can teach stretches and range of motion exercises that can ease symptoms.

Finally, pay attention to signs of weakness in the hand. This would be noticed mostly in the use of the thumb, such as if you start dropping keys or begin having difficulty holding a cup. These signs suggest additional treatment, such as surgery, may be needed.
A St. Petersburg woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire last July is expected to be released from the hospital soon, according to her family.

Sheron Pasco, 38, has been in the hospital since July 5, 2016

Man who set Pasco on fire set for pre-trial hearing next month

Pasco's five children expected to return home after school ends

Sheron Pasco, 38, has been in the hospital since the horrific incident took place at a St. Petersburg home located at 2800 24th Ave. S., on July 5, 2016. Police said the incident followed an argument between Pasco and her then-boyfriend, John Riggins.

She suffered 65 percent, third degree burns, over her entire body, said the victims mom, Tranda Webb, 62. At that time, the doctors gave her 30 hours to live.



Riggins, 38, was arrested for attempted first degree murder and arson in the first degree. He is being held in the Pinellas Jail on a $1.5 million bond, and has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for next month.



Its just so hard, Webb said. I dont know why he would do something like this.



Pasco has five children under the age of 12, who have been living with their biological dad in Alabama. They're expected to return in May once school gets out.



Webb and her husband, Tony Young, 54, said they spent their limited funds renting a four-bedroom home in Port Richey thats big enough to accommodate the entire family.



Weve exhausted everything that we have, Young said. We got into this house and by the grace of God we were blessed to be able to get here.



The family said they rented the furniture in the home, and it must be returned soon. Webb said they need help getting two bunk beds and a queen bed.



They leased the beds for us, but we cant afford to pay for it. Im on disability, social security disability and so is my husband, she said. Were on a fixed income and we just cant afford to keep paying for the furniture.



Webb said her daughter should be coming home any day. Pasco was scheduled to be released from the hospital earlier this month but came down with pneumonia.



Webb said her daughter was devastated when she saw herself in the mirror.



The first time that she saw herself was not that long ago and she just cried, said Webb. She doesnt have any way to make a living. No way to take care of her children.

Young said it hurts him to see his stepdaughter suffering, and wants to be able to care for Pasco correctly at home.



Were asking for any type of help. Were just in need, he said. I just pray that those people come forward.



The family is providing a phone number and email address for anyone who wants to help: (727)459-1002 or trandawebb2821@gmail.com.
A man accused of deserting the military in 1972 was arrested Tuesday morning and taken to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.



Authorities: Man in custody after being AWOL for 45 years

Linley Benson Lemburg, 65, of Ocala was arrested Tuesday

Lemburg transported to MacDill AFB

Linley Benson Lemburg, 65, was living with his wife in Ocala under an alias, William Michael Robertson, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, and military officials had asked the Sheriff's Office for help in finding him.

U.S. Air Force officials had been searching for Lemburg since he went AWOL 45 years ago.

Lemburg was initially taken to the Sheriff's Office headquarters, where his fingerprints were compared with prints taken when he enlisted.

Military officials then took him to MacDill in Tampa for further investigation.
The Coast Guard is currently searching for a Citrus County man who fell off a Carnival Victory cruise ship Wednesday morning in the Gulf of Mexico near Cuba.

Floral City man reportedly went overboard from Carnival Victory

Ship was 33 miles northwest of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba

Coast Guard air crew, cutter searching for Brandon Paul



Officials said Brandon Paul, 23, from Floral City, reportedly went overboard from the eighth deck of the cruise ship around 3 a.m.

The ship was 33 miles northwest of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba.

The cruise ship and the Coast Guard have launched several searches for Paul.

In a statement the Coast Guard said, "The ships command immediately began taking actions to turn the ship around and begin search and rescue operations."

Cuban search and rescue authorities are also assisting in the search efforts.

The cruise ship is based year round in Miami and was traveling between Key West and Cozumel on a four-day cruise.
A 37-year-old Bismarck woman was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine in Bismarck.

Maisie Barnson was charged in court after police found about one kilogram of meth and $10,000 during a January 2016 search warrant of a hotel room and residence where she was living, according to a release from the North Dakota U.S. Attorney's Office. A plea agreement also says she conspired to bring meth from Utah to North Dakota.

Barnson pleaded guilty to three felony counts of possession, distribution and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland also ordered Barnson to serve five years on supervised release and pay $300 to the crime victim's fund.

The case was investigated by the Bismarck Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
N. Oregon Coast History with a 10K Run and a Hollywood Twist

Published 03/22/2017 at 4:13 AM PDT - Updated 03/22/2017 at 4:14 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Seaside, Oregon)  The final week of March gets especially interesting on the north Oregon coast, with a special 10k run this weekend and then a fun trip down memory lane and how this area was featured in the movies. (Above: Fort Clatsop, where the Lewis & Clark Trail Series happens).



Bid adieu to winter this Saturday with a massive running event along the Lewis and Clark trail on the north Oregon coast, starting in the Astoria / Warrenton area. The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park hosts the first of a trail run series on March 25. With the spirit of the famed explorers behind it, the Lewis & Clark Trail Series includes several different exhilarating events along beautiful trails through forest landscapes, complete with a welcoming and friendly race atmosphere. All three events are open to walkers and runners of all ages and provide the opportunity to experience the northwest coast the way people have done it for thousands of years - on footpaths.

You can run either a 5k or a 10k course that features the Kwis Kwis Trail. The 10k portion will include some long steep sections. The start/finish line will be at the Fort to Sea Trail trailhead off of Fort Clatsop Road.

Organizers advise to give yourself plenty of time to park at one of the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center parking lots, register at the visitor center, and then dig into a half-mile warm-up hike on the Fort to Sea Trail to the start line prior to the 10 a.m. start.

Register that morning from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center. The cost to participate is the purchase of a $20 Annual Park Pass that grants entry into all of the 2017 Lewis & Clark Trail Series Events. Registration is free with any pass that allows entry into all of the United States' National Parks. Participants younger than 18 will also need their parent or guardian to sign the registration.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. 92343 Fort Clatsop Road. Astoria, Oregon. (503) 861-2471.

Then on March 30, dig into north Oregon coast history again, but this time with a Tinsel Town twist. The next History & Hops free local history lecture focuses on Clatsop countys role in the movies. Mac Burns, executive director of the Clatsop Historical Society (which includes the Oregon Film Museum) will share the times and events of movies filmed locally with his unique blend of humor and history at 6 p.m. on that Thursday. It takes place at Seaside Brewing Co., located at 851 Broadway.

Burns was instrumental in creating the Oregon Film Museum highlighting and celebrating movies that were made in Oregon. The museum is housed in the old Clatsop County Jail in Astoria, Oregon, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was used in the opening chase sequence of the 1985 film The Goonies. The museum opened in 2010, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the film.

Burns said he will explore the origins and history of movie making in Astoria and the State of Oregon dating back to 1909 - before there was a "Hollywood" and long before The Goonies.

Before there was Hollywood there was Astoria, he said.

You can even share some of your own stories of when the movies came to town.

History & Hops is a series of local history discussions hosted by the Seaside Museum on the last Thursday of each month, September through May, at Seaside Brewing Co. www.seasidemuseum.org. Lodging in Astoria/Seaside - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour

















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Orange police have arrested a Vidor woman for the robbery of two banks, according to a release.

Eva Renee Powell, 50, was arrested by police on Saturday after robbing the Whitney Bank in Lake Charles, La.
Court officials are urging lawmakers to approve what they called a long-overdue interim study of the states juvenile court system. The proposal follows a study conducted over the past interim on the adult correctional system.

Early contact by children with the juvenile court system does not necessarily improve their chances of keeping them out of the justice system as adults, North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Lisa Fair McEvers said.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4003 would allow North Dakota Legislative Management to consider studying the juvenile court system over the interim. The House Judiciary Committee was largely on board with the concept, giving it a 14-1 do-pass recommendation Wednesday.

A limited study of where to house North Dakotas juvenile probation services was conducted in 1990, and a review of the juvenile courts was done by a commission at the request of the governor in 1986.

A particular concern to McEvers is how in statute North Dakota children as young as age 7 can be referred to juvenile court for a crime. She said a number of cases could likely be dealt with elsewhere, such as social services.

North Dakota is one of five states that does so. One state, North Carolina, has the lower limit set at age 6.

McEvers said 164 North Dakota children between ages 7 and 10 were referred to juvenile court in 2015, of which 20 were age 7.

Of these, 59 were diverted to another agency, while 30 cases resulted in unsupervised probation, another 16 individuals were released with a warning and 10 more received probation. The remaining cases had a series of other results including no further action taken and letters sent to parents.

I dont know what the right age is, McEvers said.

The idea for the proposed study began in 2014, when various stakeholders attended a juvenile justice forum in Austin. From there, the state worked with the Council of State Governments and the group visited North Dakota to go over various topics of concern regarding the juvenile court system.

North Dakota State Court Administrator Sally Holewa said the study would also look at court resources, funding and jurisdiction of various departments. These include the courts, the Department of Human Services and the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Division of Juvenile Services.

Because of the many instances in which one of three systems provides services to juveniles, we think a broader study at this time would be most beneficial to the state, Holewa said.

Supporters called it a logical follow up to last interims adult criminal justice system study. Multiple bills are being considered this session as a result of that study.
As the healthcare industry becomes increasingly competitive and consumer-driven, employing a proactive approach to patient collections will help ASCs remain successful.

Here are eight things to know about patient collections in ASCs.

1. Americans are facing higher deductibles and premiums than past years, leading ASCs to allot more time to patient collections. These payments may constitute a relatively large portion of a surgery center's revenue.

HealthCare.gov plan premiums jumped 25 percent, on average, in 2017. Arizona had the highest average premium hike for 2017 individual plans sold on HealthCare.gov at 116 percent.

2. A 2014 Navicure survey found patient revenue represents nearly $11 billion each year for ASCs.

3. For 38 percent of ASCs, patient revenue represents between 21 percent and 30 percent of total revenue. Only 9 percent of ASCs reported patient revenue comprised more than 41 percent of their total revenue.

4. Patient payment represents a growing percentage of ASC's expected reimbursement. This year it will be common for the patient to be burdened with a $5,000 deductible or more, according to Jho Outlaw, SVP of revenue cycle services for Birmingham, Ala.-based SourceMed.

In some instances the patient may even find themselves responsible for the entire bill, despite being insured. Ms. Outlaw states this cost shift, which removes a large portion of the financial burden from insurers and places it on the patient, has elevated the need for ASCs to organize a robust pre-registration process. This process must include a review of the patient's benefits so that the out-of-pocket expense can be estimated and collected in advance of services being rendered.

5. Price transparency is taking hold in the healthcare industry with more ASCs posting their prices online and being upfront with patients concerning their financial responsibilities.

"Patients must be educated on their financial obligations well in advance of their procedure," Ms. Outlaw says. "Beyond the fact that healthcare organization accrediting agencies requires advance financial counseling for all non-urgent procedures, it just makes good business sense. These discussions should include what the patient's insurance will cover, the patient's co-pay amount and any out of pocket fees. Providing this information early on will eliminate day of surgery surprises which can cause unnecessary delays or even cancellations as well as low patient satisfaction."

6. Employing both a consistent and proactive approach to patient collections will prove beneficial for centers to obtain payment.

"Many ASCs have lenient processes in place [for patient collections]," Ms. Outlaw says. "Simply sending a statement and assuming it will be paid is not enough. Centers must have consistent processes for managing statements, including when to turn accounts over to a collection agency. Consistent processes and thorough follow-through are essential to getting paid."

Ms. Outlaw notes it is nearly impossible to collect from patients a year or more following their procedure. She suggests centers send notifications to patients every 21 days for three months with escalating messages. For instance, the first letter would thank a patient for their business. The second letter would thank the patient again and remind the patient they are late paying the bill. The third message would tell the patient they are at risk of placement with a collection agency.

A couple of weeks before the 63-day cycle ends, Ms. Outlaw says centers should call patients. She recommends after three statements and a phone call, submitting the patient to a collection agency.

7. ASCs leave a significant amount of money on the table when they do not have a strong patient collection policy in place. Ms. Outlaw categorizes the types of centers she works with as either complacent or proactive. On average, complacent ASCs collect 20 cents on every dollar before the center goes to a collection agency. The more proactive centers collect 40 cents on every dollar before they go to a collection agency.

8. Some collection agencies offer a service to identify the patient's likelihood to pay. Ms. Outlaw has worked with collection agencies that use data analytics to stratify the patient's "propensity to pay" based on certain factors such as their credit reports and any prior history of healthcare debt. Based on these findings, surgery centers can quickly work with those patients who may have a lesser likelihood of following through with payments and suggest they participate in a financial assistance program.

Cost shifting has placed a significant burden on the patient and elevated the importance of collection. For those centers unable to effectively manage the process in-house, Ms. Outlaw recommends enlisting the help of an outside partner.

"Patient collection is a challenging job and requires a certain mentality to be successful. There are companies that specialize in the patient aspect of collections. These professionals are trained to work with patients on their financial obligations, including setting up payment plans and offering financing solutions," concludes Ms. Outlaw.
Republican lawmakers introduced several changes to Medicaid through several revisions to the American Health Care Act March 20, 2017. NPR examined the work requirement's potential impact.

Legislators added a provision where state governors could decide whether to require Medicaid beneficiaries to have active employment to qualify for coverage. Lawmakers introduced the provision to attract additional votes from conservative Republicans, NPR reports.

Here are four ways the AHCA could potentially impact Medicaid, if implemented:

1. Policy analysts believe the work requirement would implement another barrier to healthcare, while having little effect on potential savings. Analysts believe "a small subsection of Medicaid beneficiaries that are responsible for a smaller portion of total spending would be affected." according to NPR.

2. More than half of all Medicaid recipients are employed and 78 percent live in households where an adult works.

3. Unemployed people often have medical limitations preventing them from reaching full-disability status. Analysts believe a work requirement would unlikely help them get a job, NPR reports.

4. Elizabeth Lower-Basch, director of income and work supports at the liberal leaning, Washington, D.C.-based Center for Law and Social Policy, referenced welfare reform under former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s as an example of a failed work requirement.

President Clinton implemented a work requirement on welfare recipients that kicked several people off the program and increased the child poverty rate.

More articles on coding, billing and collections:

AHCA puts $370B in Medicaid costs on states: 4 takeaways

Trump tells Republicans who vote against AHCA voters will replace them in 2018

The 4 secrets to scaling your business




538 Editor-In-Chief Nate Silver penned a column examining the American Health Care Act's approval ratings.

Here's what you need to know.

1. In the column, Mr. Silver attributes the recent dip in President Donald Trump's approval ratings to the introduction of the AHCA.

2. Six organizations, including Fox News, Morning Consult, Public Policy Polling, SurveyMonkey, YouGov/CBS News and YouGov/Huff Post, conducted surveys polling the public on their thoughts on the AHCA.

3. On average, 30 percent of U.S. voters favored the healthcare bill while 47 percent opposed it.

4. A Morning Consult survey showed that 48 percent favored the bill and 35 percent opposed it. Mr. Silver attributes that to the survey referring to it as "a proposed health care bill in Congress called the American Health Care Act." He says the formal name is obscure to a majority of possible respondents.

5. When passed in 2010, the ACA had a 40 percent favorable rating and a 49 percent unfavorable rating.
DICKINSON -- Karl Paluck, 13, Dickinson, died March 20, 2017, at CHI St. Alexius, Dickinson. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson. Further arrangements are pending with Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Hospitals, physicians and health systems are operating in a challenging economic environment characterized by ever-changing payer contracts and increasingly complex payment models. To maintain fiscal strength, healthcare organizations must develop and implement an effective revenue cycle management strategy that includes a process to address the unnecessary revenue loss caused by insurance claim denials.

Unfortunately, without the right data and tools, claim denials can be a pervasive and complicated problem for provider organizations to resolve, especially when organizations hold contracts with several health insurers.

This content is sponsored by GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare estimates that payers initially reject about one in every five claims, and that the majority of those denials are preventable. The reasons claims are denied differs year to year and payer by payer, but most denials fall into one of two categories: administrative or clinical.

Clinical and administrative claim denials: The most common culprits

Common administrative claim denials include timely filing  which occurs when a healthcare organization submits a claim for payment outside of the timeframe established in the payer contract  and lack of authorization, when services are provided to a patient without prior approval from their health insurance plan.

Within the clinical category, inadequate clinical documentation and lack of medical necessity are two common reasons payers reject claims. Accurate coding of claims is dependent on correct clinical documentation. If documentation is incorrect or lacking, coders are unable to assign proper codes, which could result in a claim being rejected. Claims are denied for medical necessity when the payer determines there was not an evidenced-based reason for the services, tests or procedures provided to the patient.

The financial toll of a high rate of claim denials

Claim denials can impede cash flow and wreak havoc on a healthcare organization's finances. According to GE Healthcare, a medical technologies and services provider, hospitals lose between 2 percent and 5 percent of their net patient revenue to avoidable claim denials written off to bad debt.

After a payer rejects a claim, provider organizations spend significant resources attempting to correct the claim to resubmit it for payment. On average, it costs a hospital or health system $25 to rework and resubmit a claim after it is denied by a payer. Although the cost per claim is relatively low, a high rate of claim denials can result in a total cost that can take a significant toll on the organization's bottom line.

By developing and implementing an effective claim denials strategy, hospitals, physicians and health systems can strengthen financial performance by recouping lost revenues and improving reimbursement. For example, a $1 billion health system can get a 0.5 to 1 percent lift to its operating margin by reducing claim denials, which amounts to $5 million to $10 million annually, according to GE Healthcare.

Implementing a plan to improve claim denials management

David Gaydosh, managing director at Accenture Health Practice responsible for the North America Revenue Cycle practice, says there are three key components to a successful claim denials management strategy: process, people and technology.

Process

Process is crucial to identifying and resolving problems on the front-end of the revenue cycle that cause adjudication problems downstream. Many insurance claims are denied for simple and avoidable errors that occur during the pre-registration, registration, insurance authorization and the verification processes. Implementing standardized templates across the organization significantly reduces most front-end errors. For example, provider organizations can implement electronic registration forms that flag missing patient data at registration or during scheduling.

Provider organizations can also use standard templates to drive clinical documentation improvement. These templates can help guide what physicians document while providing patient care to help ensure the clinician is capturing the key information payers seek when reviewing claims. Accurate clinical documentation is key to reducing preventable insurance denials, particularly those based on medical necessity.

People

The human component of a process cannot be underestimated. Front-end revenue cycle management staff must take a proactive approach to verifying patient information to reduce insurance claim denials. Insurers reject claims that contain demographic and technical errors, such as the wrong plan code or Social Security number. This type of information is typically collected during the registration process, making it vital for staff to validate information new and returning patients orally communicate. It is also important for organizations to train front-end staff to identify contradictory information entered in the patient's record.

Technology

Hospitals and health systems are increasingly deploying advanced analytics solutions that use complex algorithms and enormous datasets to dig deeper into claim denials. Before hospitals had access to big datasets and analytics tools, hospital staff lacked the ability to discern larger trends and patterns when reviewing claim denials. "It used to be like a paper-based inbox on your desk," said Travis Frosch, director of analytics and cybersecurity at GE Healthcare.

However, with advanced analytics solutions hospitals and health systems no longer have to use this inefficient manual process. Leveraging analytics can help healthcare organizations improve performance by pinpointing the reason a payer denied a claim and uncovering denial trends. GE Healthcare's analytics solution, DenialsIQ, uses a statistical algorithm developed by GE's Global Research Center to uncover trends in claim denials. The tool performs root-cause analysis to uncover the issues that cause payers to reject claims. This insight helps hospitals and health systems appeal and reverse the initial denial and to fix the problem prospectively to prevent future denials.

Analytics can also help identify claims that a payer improperly denied. The contracts between payers and providers dictate reimbursement rates, specify which services require prior authorizations and many other parameters regarding payment. It is vital for provider organizations to ensure incoming payments match the payer contract terms to avoid revenue loss. For example, GE Healthcare analyzed payments from one payer to a healthcare organization and found many improperly denied claims. "When we pulled their data through DenialsIQ, we were able to uncover about 1,200 denials that shouldn't have been denied under the payer contract," said Mr. Frosch from GE Healthcare.

Since GE Healthcare launched DenialsIQ in 2016, the company has helped its customers uncover more than $2 billion in actionable health insurance claim denials. About 30 percent of those denials stemmed from coding issues and another roughly 20 percent were denied due to eligibility discrepancies. Timely filing, prior authorization and credentialing issues were also among the top culprits for claim denials.

Gaining long-term sustainability with support

To realize the full benefits of an analytics solution for denials management, hospitals, physicians and health systems need to know what data to prioritize or how to address the issues causing insurers to deny their claims. Provider organizations also need to implement processes that will allow them to create a sustainable denials management program.

After launching DenialsIQ in 2016, GE Healthcare recognized healthcare organizations needed more than an analytics solution to drive the long-term change needed for an effective claim denials strategy. To address this issue, GE Healthcare partnered with Accenture, a global management consulting and professional services company, to offer provider organizations GE Healthcare's analytics solution as well as advisory and consulting services.

"We partnered with Accenture because we wanted someone with industry leading revenue cycle redesign experienceto leverage DenialsIQ and then take that next step with change management," said Mr. Frosch from GE Healthcare.

A key determinant of a successful claim denials management strategy is sustainability. The GE Healthcare and Accenture partnership helps organizations achieve continuous improvement. After implementing GE Healthcare's advanced analytics solution, "Accenture comes in and deploys process teams to build out training, deliver training, standardize process and build out functioning claims denial strategy," said Mr. Gaydosh from Accenture.

Once a hospital, physician or health system develops and deploys a plan to reduce claim denials, then it is time for individuals within the organization to take ownership of the strategy and accountability for improvement. Claim denials can occur at various points, including the front-end during registration and scheduling, while the service is being provided, or at the back-end of the revenue cycle. Many people are involved in the life cycle of an insurance claim, which means healthcare organizations must establish clear lines of accountability to prevent blame shifting when a claim is denied or needs to be re-worked for appeal, according to Mr. Gaydosh.

Conclusion

Hospitals, physicians and health systems can reduce avoidable denials by deploying the right tools and processes to identify the precise root causes of denials, reverse the denial and put an improvement process in place to ensure the same type of denial does not reoccur.

An effective claim denials management strategy requires standardized processes and the deployment of advanced analytics in key areas of the revenue cycle to pinpoint the cause of the denials and then using that insight to prevent future claims from being rejected. Although technology is a key component, everyone within a hospital or health system, from billing staff to clinicians, plays a role in driving this improvement.
John Noseworthy, MD, president and CEO of Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, spoke to the Economic Club of Minnesota at a luncheon in Minneapolis March 22, according to the Post Bulletin.

The report from earlier today said Dr. Noseworthy was scheduled to "share his perspective on leading the 150-year-old organization through a period of significant growth and innovation while facing external challenges" with members of the club.

The Economic Club, which includes many business leaders in the state, aims "to provide a forum for vigorous, high-level discussions of issues that affect our competitiveness and security," according to the report.

Dr. Noseworthy was scheduled to answer questions from members and the media following his speech.

A longtime leader of the highly esteemed academic medical center, Dr. Noseworthy has recently garnered increased attention from the public and media after a March 15 report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune revealed that he directed caregivers to "prioritize" patients with private insurance over Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries during a videotaped speech. The video was made in late 2016, the clinic verified.

Following the Minneapolis Star Tribune report, the Minnesota Department of Human Services began a review of Mayo Clinic for possible violations of civil and human rights laws, as well as an evaluation of the department's managed care, fee-for-service and integrated health partnership agreements with the health system, according to MPR.
Surgeons at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago successfully operated on a baby from West Africa who was born with two spines and an extra set of legs coming out of her neck, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The surgery on Dominique, a 10-month-old from Cote d'Ivoire or the Ivory Coast, took place March 8. She is doing well in her recovery and has already started sitting up again. The hospital's physicians say she should be able to live a normal, fully functional life.

"Her recovery has been amazing," said Nancy Swabb, who is hosting Dominique in her Edgebrook neighborhood home while she recovers in the U.S., according to the report. "Children are so resilient."

Dominique "was born with a parasitic conjoined twin. The bottom half of her not-fully developed twin's body protruded from her neck and back until her risky but successful surgery last week. She came to the U.S. for specialized medical care and is recovering with her foster family in Chicago while her parents and siblings await her return home," a statement from Advocate Children's Hospital reads.

Only a handful of such cases have ever been documented, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"It's as if the identical twin sort of dove into her body from the back and the only part sticking out were the hips and legs, said John Ruge, MD, who was part of the surgical team on the case, according to the report. The physicians feared that if the parasitic twin wasn't removed, Dominique could eventually become paralyzed. They were also concerned that her heart and lungs wouldn't be able to support the demands of another half body, according to the report.
The following healthcare organizations shared plans to hire workers since March 6, starting with the most recent.

1. Barlow Respiratory Hospital seeks to hire nurses

Barlow Respiratory Hospital, a specialty hospital with three locations in the greater Los Angeles area, will hold a nursing career fair and registered nursing residency information session March 27.

2. Baxter International to add 90 jobs in NC

Baxter International, a hospital and renal product manufacturer, is adding jobs in North Carolina, according to the state's Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. Baxter plans to add 90 jobs at its manufacturing facility in Marion, N.C., and invest more then $7.4 million there.

3. Florida hospitals seek healthcare employees to meet demand

Hospitals in southwest Florida are making efforts to recruit healthcare workers in a number of areas.

4. Indiana hospitals seek underrepresented medical specialties to meet demand

Northwest Indiana hospitals are making efforts to recruit physicians amid a national shortage.

5. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center plans expansion

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center plans to expand its main campus by an additional 625,000 square feet. The project is expected to create up to 600 jobs.

6. PeaceHealth layoffs prompt hiring from other labs

Lab employees who may reportedly lose their jobs at Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth have various other work opportunities nearby.

7. IBM to hire 2k US veterans over 4 years

IBM plans to hire 2,000 veterans over the next four years, as part of its broader commitment to hire 25,000 U.S. workers by 2020.

8. Nationwide Healthcare to purchase Delaware hospital

Brick, N.J.-based Nationwide Healthcare Services plans to purchase Milford (Del.) Memorial Hospital's 22-acre campus and redevelop it. Officials said the redevelopment project would include more than $20 million in capital investments and create more than 300 full-time jobs and hundreds of temporary construction positions.

9. UCare absorbs 150k former Medica members, plans to hire 90 workers

Minneapolis-based UCare said it will hire 90 full-time employees in anticipation of a 150,000 member addition to its state public health insurance business in May.

More articles on human capital and risk:

Hospitals and unions: 5 recent conflicts, agreements

Indiana hospitals seek underrepresented medical specialties to meet demand

PeaceHealth layoffs prompt hiring from other labs: 3 things to know
Septic shock patients treated at a hospital with an insufficient supply of the drug norepinephrine were more likely to die than those treated at a hospital not experiencing the effects of the 2011 norepinephrine drug shortage, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here are seven things to know.

1. The Food and Drug Administration announced a severe shortage of the drug  which raises blood pressure by activating blood vessels to constrict  in February 2011. The shortage lasted a year and stemmed from production issues at three manufacturing sites.

2. For the study, researchers examined data on 27,835 septic shock patients treated at 26 hospitals between 2008 and 2013.

3. Prior to the shortage, about 60 percent of the hospitals used norepinephrine to treat septic shock. Researchers defined any hospital whose use of the drug decreased more than 20 percent in three months as experiencing a shortage.

4. Researchers found norepinephrine was used in about 77 percent of septic shock patients at the hospitals included in the study. By the second quarter of 2011, usage dropped to about 56 percent, according to the report.

5. Septic shock patients had about a 40 percent risk of death during the shortage. Individuals treated at a hospital not experiencing a shortage only had a 36 percent risk. Researchers believe this four-percentage point difference accounts for hundreds of additional deaths among patients with septic shock.

6. While researchers could not confidently conclude why a risk of death was related to the drug shortage, they said it might be related to the drugs physicians used as a replacement for norepinephrine. Furthermore, some patients who were treated with norepinephrine during the shortage may have had to wait longer to receive it.

"You cant come to the firm conclusion that the alternative vasopressor was the problem, but it does point to problems in the system when there are shortages of medications like that," senior author Hannah Wunsch, MD, of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, told Reuters.

7. Julie Donohue, PhD, and Derek Angus, MD, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discussed the shortage and share five broad solutions to stopping drug shortages in an accompanying editorial. Their suggestions included establishing early warning systems, implementing professional guidelines about drug alternatives and requiring drug manufacturers to produce specific volumes of drugs after they are approved by the FDA.

More articles on supply chain:

Do drugmakers profit from price hikes? Eli Lilly's new report says 'no'

Less than 40% of patient advocacy groups have favorable view of pharma industry

Trump calls for drug cost measure in AHCA
Invibio launched PEEK-OPTIMA in 1999 as the world's first implantable PEEK polymer. The implant material is ideal for spinal surgery because PEEK is radiolucent and has a modulus of elasticity close to bone, reducing stress shielding.

However, PEEK is not osteoconductive; the material supports only limited bony ongrowth or osteointegration. As a result, Invibio fully integrated hydroxyapatite (HA), a well-known osteoconductive material, into the PEEK-OPTIMA Natural matrix, to enhance bone apposition. PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced makes Hydroxyapatite available on all surfaces of a finished device to promote spinal fusion.

PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced received the first FDA 510(k) clearance for a cervical interbody fusion Device in 2014 and the first human implantation occurred the next year. Since then devices for cervical standalone and lumbar fusion (TLIF, PLIF) have received clearance with more than 2600 human implantations having been performed overall. Surgeons have reported observing very rapid visible bone fusion in the interbody region in six weeks on plain radiographs, with correspondingly good clinical result.

In a webinar titled, "PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced Devices for Cervical and Lumbar Fusion: Insights from Early Clinical Experience", Invibio's Global Strategic Marketing Manager Michael Veldman discussed the technology while surgeons Timothy D. Bassett, MD, of Tuscaloosa, Al-based Southeastern Spine Specialists, and Brad G. Prybis, MD, of Carrollton (GA) Orthopaedic Clinic, presented case studies using PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced devices.

"It's important to look at the history and literature to understand what has been tried before and better understand what may work in the future," said Mr. Veldman. He outlined three studies examining PEEK-OPTIMA and titanium to demonstrate the strong clinical history of PEEK-OPTIMA in spine procedures.

One study published in the September 2016 edition of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, titled "Is PEEK cage better than titanium cage in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery? A meta-analysis," compared PEEK cages to titanium cages for patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The meta-analysis included data from two randomized and two non-randomized clinical trials evaluating 184 segments from 107 patients who underwent surgery with a PEEK cage and 211 segments from 128 patients who underwent surgery with a titanium cage.

The study authors found both cages produced similar results for:

 Functional status from the Odom criteria

 Fusion rates

 Final local segmental angle

 Loss of correction

The study authors found more subsidence in the titanium cage group and concluded the functional and radiographic performance between patients who underwent ACDF with PEEK and titanium cages were similar.

A separate study published the year before in BMC Musculoskeletal disorders titled "The design evolution of interbody cages in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a systematic review," included an analysis of cage materials comparing PEEK, titanium and carbon fiber reinforced polymers. The researchers found:

 The fusion rate for patients who received titanium cages was 86.5 percent to 99 percent at 12 months after surgery while patients who received PEEK cages reported a 93 percent to 100 percent fusion rate one year after surgery.

 The subsidence rate was 0 percent to 14.2 percent among patients who received PEEK cages and 9 percent to 45 percent among patients who received titanium cages.

 Eighty percent to 96 percent of the PEEK cage patients reported good-to-excellent clinical outcomes, compared to 46 percent to 95 percent of the patients with titanium cages.

The final study he discussed, published in the May 2012 edition of Spine, compared how host bone responded to PEEK and porous tantalum implants for cervical spinal fusion in a goat model. The study authors found the porous tantalum implants were better at supporting the bone growth into and around the implant, but Mr. Veldman noted these results didn't translate to the clinical use in humans and recommended surgeons consider the level of evidence in studies when evaluating new technologies.

Dr. Prybis shared case studies from a series of eight patients who underwent two- or three-level ACDF, with cervical cages made with PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced. All patients reported their arm pain was resolved and five reported their neck pain was resolved; two additional patients reported improved neck pain. All patients reported improved neurological function while three had residual numbness and one reported residual weakness. All patients reported complete fusion at all levels, 6 months post-operatively

Dr. Prybis also shared two cases with PEEK-OPTIMA Natural and demonstrated how PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced improved outcomes.

"In conclusion, the PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced device provided as good or better clinical results when compared to traditional PEEK interbody fusion devices. With consistently good outcomes at early timepoints, I am looking forward to the results of further clinical studies." Dr. Prybis said.

Dr. Bassett then shared his series of nine patients who underwent one- or two-level lumbar fusions using the TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) procedure with lumbar cages made from PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced plus autograft bone with posterior instrumentation. No biologics were used. His patients reported no neurological incidence six weeks after surgery. None of the patients had implant migrations, subsidence or pseudarthrosis. All but one of the patients reported solid fusions at six months after surgery. However, this patient was progressing to fusion and used one pack of tobacco daily, both pre- and post-operative, contributing to the fusion challenge. At 12 months this patient demonstrated solid fusion.

"There was very rapid visible bone fusion in the interbody region in six weeks on plain radiographs and correspondingly good results," said Dr. Bassett. "You typically see the clinical result correspond with rapid growth." Dr. Bassett also reported that some of his patients demonstrated dense bone growth at the implant surface on six month CT scans which may be attributed to the hydroxyapatite.

INVIBIO, PEEK-OPTIMA, and INVIBIO BIOMATERIAL SOLUTIONS are trademarks of Victrex plc or its group companies.

Watch the webinar here.
Healthcare providers continue to seek innovative technology to boost efficiency and ease administrative burden.

Before adopting that next piece of equipment, though, Mark Hollis, CEO of Lincoln, Neb.-based MacPractice, advises physicians to consider three components of technology purchases.

1. Don't be blinded by acquisition cost. Mr. Hollis specifically recommends providers invest in Macs over PCs. Referencing an IBM study, presented at the Jamf Nation User Conference in October 2016, Mr. Hollis relays the following stats:





 PCs cost three times the amount of Macs' management costs

 PCs require eight times the amount of support calls compared to Macs' needed support

 Every PC costs $535 more over four years, compared to a Mac's cost

Based on this study, IBM realized acquisition costs account for a fraction of the total cost of purchasing a business computer.

"One key factor is the concept of cost of total of ownership. Doctors are easily confused and mislead by [IT] people who have it in their own best interest to tell them that a Mac is more expensive," Mr. Hollis says.

He suggests providers consider these questions before purchasing an operating system:

 What are your annual costs for onsite IT services?

 How often does onsite IT support interfere with your day-to-day operation?

 How safe do you feel, and how confident are you that your IT provider can protect your patients' data and your practice's reputation?

2. Avoid and minimize risk. The healthcare industry is witnessing an increasing number of cyberattacks, especially in the form of ransomware.

Mr. Hollis notes employees are often the inadvertent culprits of these breaches when they click on embedded links in emails.

"We try to train employees on how to use email, but the problem with that is it doesn't work," he explains. Instead, he recommends organizations refrain from giving email to everybody, unless it is critical to their jobs.

Additionally, facilities may consider minimizing internet access. "Let them limit their personal internet access to their personal time, device and connection," he advises.

Organizations may also want to consider purchasing macOS, as Mr. Hollis says this operating system has not experienced any ransomware attacks.

3. Is the cloud more secure? Mr. Hollis says the cloud is not inherently more secure, and presents a significant target for cyberattacks.

"So, cloud vendors' claims of greater security are purely based upon the ability of the host (the company that owns the equipment where your data resides) to employ many more and much better cybersecurity experts than you," explains Mr. Hollis.

But he warns that providers can't shift responsibility of protecting electronic protected health information to someone else.

"You share responsibility for protecting ePHI you collect, and you retain sole responsibility for your own network devices, computers and browsers required to access a web-based solution," says Mr. Hollis.
Hotels are bracing for a potential new tourist bed tax, which would be an extra charge for staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast, on top of the basic room rate and VAT charge

Hotels across England may be forced to hike their prices by at least 5 a night as they face the double whammy of a near-800 million business rate rise and a proposed tourist bed tax, experts have warned.

The hotel sector is set to see its rates bills rise by a staggering 798 million over the next five years under April's revaluation, according to b usiness rent and r ates specialists CVS.

They calculate the sector's rates bill will increase from 681.2 million in 2016/17 to 840.8 million a year on average.

This alone could lead to a 5 a night increase in prices for short breaks, holidays and business trips in England on average.

But hotels are also bracing for a potential new tourist bed tax, which would be an extra charge for staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast, on top of the basic room rate and VAT charge.

Councils are already in talks with Sajid Javid, the s ecretary of state for communities and local government, to introduce the new tax as a way to raise income.

The proposals are being led by Councillor Charles Gerrish of Bath and North East Somerset, with the plans also being looked at by other authorities under the Sustainable Communities Act, which allows communities and councils to put forward ideas to government to solve local problems.

This comes on top of the extra funding in business rates they will collect, 100% of which they will be able to retain by 2020.

Mark Rigby, chief executive at CVS, said smaller independent hotels would be hit hardest by the rates rise and warned many were likely to consider raising prices.

He said: "S uch a drastic rise in business rates could also leave small independent owned hotels squeezed and, in severe cases, at risk of closure.

"It's disheartening to see that the budget-friendly hotels, those with a three star rating and which aren't operating as part of a chain will be disproportionately affected."

The figures from CVS show there are 6,764 hotels liable for business rates in England.

The April 1 rates revaluation is the first since 2010 and rising property values have meant many firms are facing mammoth rises, especially those in London and the South East.

Chancellor Philip Hammond sought to allay concerns over the changes with a 435 million relief package in the Budget earlier this month.

But many business leaders have called for an urgent reform of the system, which has been slammed for being unfair and out of date.
Governments around the world are losing as much as half a trillion US dollars (400 billion) a year in tax revenue due to so-called "profit shifting" by multinational companies, according to research.

The research published by the Tax Justice Network found that poorer countries were hardest-hit by the practice, which involves companies reducing their liabilities by moving taxable profits from the country where their real economic activities take place to tax havens, where they may have no more than a nominal presence.

The TJN's figures suggest the UK loses just over a billion dollars (850 million) a year to profit-shifting activities, but this makes up just 0.04% of GDP - lower than all but three of the 102 countries studied.

By contrast, the African state of Chad's estimated loss of around 950 million dollars (765 million) amounts to almost 7% of GDP and is more than the total tax gathered by the country's government in a year.

Pakistan lost the equivalent of almost 40% of its tax revenues to profit shifting and the Indian Ocean island state of the Comoros lost around 36%, according to the figures compiled by TJN chief executive Alex Cobham and Petr Jansky of Charles University in Prague.

Countries including Malta, Argentina and Zambia lost more than 4% of GDP.

Largest loser in cash terms was the US, at 189 billion dollars (152 billion) - almost 6% of the total annual tax take and 1.13% of GDP.

Mr Cobham said: " These findings support the long-held view that it is lower-income countries that suffer the most intensive losses due to tax-dodging by multinational companies.

"The current status quo, in which international tax rules are set at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) where lower-income countries lack any effective voice, is simply untenable.

"Now we need political progress to challenge profit shifting. Governments around the world can legislate today for the publication of multinational companies' country-by-country reporting - revealing the precise pattern of profit shifting to citizens, and giving tax authorities the power to curtail it."
AkzoNobel said PPG's offer failed to 'reflect the current and future value' of the firm (AkzoNobel/PA)

Dulux paint maker AkzoNobel has rebuffed a second takeover tilt from US rival PPG Industries, claiming the approach "substantially undervalues" the firm.

The Dutch manufacturing giant has rejected a new non-binding proposal worth 88.72 euros (76.75) per share in both cash and shares.

It said PPG's offer failed to "reflect the current and future value" of the firm and did not "address significant uncertainties and risks" for shareholders and stakeholders.

It comes after AkzoNobel announced plans last month to build a 12.6 million euro (10.7 million) innovation hub near Gateshead, safeguarding 270 jobs.

The firm is also looking to launch a 110 million euro (93.7 million) Dulux paint factory in Ashington, Northumberland.

Chief executive Ton Buchner said: "This proposal significantly fails to recognise the value of AkzoNobel.

"Our boards do not believe it is in the best interest of AkzoNobel's stakeholders, including our shareholders, customers and employees. That is why we have rejected it unanimously.

"We are convinced that AkzoNobel is best placed to unlock the value within our company ourselves."

The company also warned that a tie-up would trigger "significant job cuts" and create uncertainty for thousands of staff across the globe.

Mr Buchner added: "We are executing our plan, including the creation of two focused businesses and new cost structure, and believe this gives us a strong platform for continued profitability and long-term value creation for all our stakeholders with substantially less execution risks."

AkzoNobel employs 46,000 people in 80 countries and recorded total revenues of 14.2 billion euros (12.2 billion) last year.

It employs 3,000 staff across the UK and has its British headquarters and global decorative paints research and development centre in Slough, Berkshire.
Estate agent Savills saw a 21% reduction in the take-up of leases on City offices

Profits at Savills edged up last year, despite the upmarket estate agent flagging a Brexit hit to UK sales at both its residential and commercial units.

The company said pre-tax profit in the year to December 31 rose 1% to 100 million, helped by a strong performance in continental Europe and China.

Group revenue rose 13% to 1.4 billion, with chief executive Jeremy Helsby hailing a "record performance in 2016 despite the geopolitical distractions".

But Savills also laid bare the impact of the Brexit vote on London, with the estate agent booking a 3% fall in revenue at its UK residential arm to 124.4 million, and contract exchanges falling 5% in the capital.

Savills added that revenue from UK commercial transactions decreased 13% to 86 million against a backdrop of an overall 28% fall in investment volumes.

However, it added that the collapse in the value of the pound helped mitigate the impact, with the top end of the residential market getting a boost and foreign buyers piling into the commercial market.

Savills said: "The weakness of sterling after the Brexit referendum began to catalyse international investor interest over the summer, although there being little distress among owners, there was a significant mismatch between demand and supply of stock.

"Since then, a large majority of the stock traded, particularly in central London, has been acquired by overseas investors, particularly from Asia Pacific and the Middle East."

The central London leasing market also saw a 21% reduction in the take-up of City offices, while the vacancy rate in the Square Mile rose to 5.7% against as rents continued to increase.

Mr Helsby added: "We entered 2017 with a continuation of global macro-economic concerns, rising bond yields, uncertainty over the impact of Brexit negotiations in the UK and continental Europe and a new administration in the US.

"Savills is a strong and diverse global firm and we continue to look at opportunities to develop our business. We have started the year well and our expectations for the full year remain unchanged."
Britain will have to pay a Brexit "divorce bill" which could reportedly reach 60 billion euros (52 billion) because "the price of greatness is responsibility", the European Commission's chief negotiator has said, quoting Winston Churchill.

Michel Barnier declined to put forward an exact figure, but insisted the payment would not be a "punishment" of the UK for leaving the European Union, instead stressing "we must settle the accounts".

He said the UK will have outstanding liabilities arising from various EU programmes which it helps finance, agreed to as a member, and benefits from, including the European social fund, the regional development fund, the Juncker investment plan and the Horizon 2020 research programme.

The issue of an exit bill will be one of the early flashpoints in negotiations as UK Cabinet ministers have indicated they are opposed to a large payment.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has said he does not recognise the 60 billion euros figure, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has publicly urged Theresa May to resist a large payment, and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has dismissed the idea as "absurd".

But at a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, Mr Barnier said: "Each country must honour its commitments to each other.

"When a country leaves the union, there is no punishment. There is no price to pay to leave. But we must settle the accounts.

"We will not ask the British to pay a single euro for something they have not agreed to as a member.

"In the same way, the 27 will also honour their commitments concerning the United Kingdom, its citizens, companies and regions. This is the mutually responsible way to act.

"If I may quote one of the greatest men of European history, Winston Churchill: 'The price of greatness is responsibility'.

"That is true for Britain and for us."

Mr Barnier also said EU nationals in the UK and British ex-pats on the continent will have to wait "several months" before their post-Brexit settlement rights can be guaranteed.

He said removing the uncertainty for both groups would be a "priority" in the exit negotiations, mirroring the Prime Minister's language.

But he warned: "The issues at play are complex, whether they are residency rights, access to the labour market, pension or social security rights, or access to education.

"We will work methodically on each of these points. We will not leave any detail untouched, and we are already working with all member states on this.

"It will take time, several months certainly. We must do serious legal work on this with the United Kingdom.

"But we can and we should agree, as soon as possible, on the principles of continuity, reciprocity and non-discrimination so as not to leave these citizens in a situation of uncertainty."

Mrs May, who will trigger Article 50 to begin the UK's exit on March 29, has made clear she is ready to walk away from negotiations if she deems it necessary, insisting "no deal is better than a bad deal".

Mr Barnier said the UK leaving with no deal would lead to:

:: The reintroduction of customs controls leading to queues of lorries at Dover.

:: "Very severe" air traffic disruption.

:: A suspension of the circulation of nuclear material in the UK as it would be outside Euratom.

:: Supply problems for British industry.

:: "Total uncertainty" for EU nationals in the UK and British citizens in Europe.

The Frenchman said: "The United Kingdom would be seriously affected by this situation: two-thirds of its trade is currently framed - and protected - by the single market and the free trade agreements concluded by the European Union with more than 60 partner states.

"The union would also be affected, even though we will continue to benefit from the single market of 27 and our free trade agreements in all cases.

"This scenario of a non-agreement, a no deal , is not ours. We want an agreement. We want to succeed. Success not against the British, but with them."

Mr Barnier said he was ready to strike a new free trade agreement with the UK, a key plank of Mrs May's strategy, given that she wants to leave the single market to gain control over immigration.

He warned the PM that Britain will "find itself mechanically in a less favourable position than a member state of the union".

He acknowledged that the UK is in a unique position to strike a trade deal as it currently complies with all EU standards and rules "perfectly", but said it will have to continue operating on a "level playing field", indicating it may have to keep some Brussels regulations.

"What is before us, therefore, is not the prospect of regulatory convergence but the risk, the likelihood of regulatory divergence that could harm the internal market," Mr Barnier said.

"We will, therefore, be vigilant that this regulatory divergence does not turn into regulatory dumping."

He went on: "To prevent this, we must ensure a level playing field and enforce them effectively.

"Guaranteeing this level playing field - these common rules of the game - will be essential.

"We agree with Theresa May when she calls for a bold and ambitious free trade agreement.

"Yes to ambition. But this ambition will also apply to the social, tax, environmental and consumer protection standards.

He added: "European citizens are quite rightly keen to preserve all those."

Mr Barnier also indicated that the UK would have to abide by European Court of Justice rulings during any transition phase after the country formally leaves by March 29 2019, but before new arrangements fully come into force.

"A number of transitional arrangements may be required," he said.

"It is too early to say.

"In any case, these possible arrangements would necessarily be governed by European law and the associated judicial system.

"Their duration would be strictly limited.

"And they would not be able to allow any one-size-fits-all market."
The next stage of a 20m revamp of a Belfast office building by developer Gareth Graham has been revealed. Oakland's new Merchant Square project will see Oyster House undergo a series of renovations and extensions, doubling the rates value of the property to 2m.

The first phase of the scheme was granted planning permission at the end of last year for the refurbishment and extension of Oyster House and Royston House, on the corner of Wellington Place and Upper Queen Street.

The proposal will add an extra 2,115sq metres of office space.

Plans have now been revealed to extend the seventh floor, along with two additional floors above, for new office space. They also reveal two new retail units and a reworked entrance.

In a design statement, it says the refurbished building "will provide a grade A standard of office accommodation in the main office area of Belfast city centre".

Referring to the demand for office space here, the report adds that "Belfast as an office location is still one of the most affordable in the UK and offers strong fundamentals for both rental and capital growth".

"Given the increased demand for office space in Belfast city centre, the 70,000sq m required annually is anticipated to increase significantly post-corporation tax cut."

Powers to lower the rate of the business levy are due to be devolved to Stormont by next April.

A spokesman for Oakland told the Belfast Telegraph in December: "We are very excited about this transformative project that has the capacity to lift the whole Wellington Square area.

"There is a need for more grade A office space in the city centre and our project has the potential to eventually house 3,000 employees."

Graham previously took vulture fund Cerberus to court after it assumed control of his companies.

However, last year he used a newspaper advertisement to apologise for criticisms made of the organisation, and in return he regained control of his businesses.

His plans for Oyster House come as Belfast undergoes a series of huge office developments.

That includes the demolition of the Movie House cinema on Dublin Road to be replaced by a 65m 12-storey block capable of holding 3,000 staff. According to developer the Richland Group, it will be the largest office building in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, developer Paddy Kearney has been given planning permission for a 55m office. The Lanyon Central project will be built beside Central Station.

And work will soon finish on City Quays 2, part of the major waterside redevelopment at Belfast Harbour. Tenders have already been issued for the next phase, the 17-storey City Quays 3 building.

Last week plans for a 26.5m office development in Belfast's Titanic Quarter capable of housing 1,500 workers were revealed.
Brantano has been hit hard by the sharp decline in sterling, administrators said

Footwear retailer Brantano has collapsed into administration, putting more than a thousand jobs at risk.

The group, owned by private equity firm Alteri, has struggled following the Brexit-induced collapse in the value of the pound as well as experiencing difficult trading conditions.

Administrator PwC said redundancies would be "inevitable".

Brantano operates 73 stores and 64 concessions across Britain, employing 1,086 staff.

PwC said that despite "sustained efforts and streamlining" to make the business more commercially viable and an attempted sale process, the firm has been placed into administration.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said: "Despite significant improvements in the business and reductions in the cost base, trading has continued to suffer in a depressed and competitive footwear market.

"Like many other retailers, Brantano has also been hit hard by the sharp decline in sterling, the ongoing shift in consumer shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment."

PwC will continue to trade the business while "assessing the trading strategy and any interest in parts of the business over the coming days and weeks".

It has been reported Shoe Zone and Edinburgh Woollen Mill, the retail group run by the billionaire Philip Day, have expressed an interest in parts of the business.

Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work while the business is in administration, the accountancy giant added.
The pair attended the same ballroom dance classes.

Gary Edwards has become the clear favourite to replace Len Goodman as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Gary, who appears on Dancing With The Stars: All Access, a spin-off to the American version of Strictly, is now priced at evens ahead of the shows pro-dancer Anton du Beke.

As a youngster, the Essex-born dancer attended the same ballroom dance classes as Len and now boasts around 30 international titles, including British Open Ballroom and British Open Latin.

Len, 72, bowed out of the BBC1 dance contest at the end of the last series in December and there has been speculation about who will take his seat on the panel.

In February Gary spoke about his hopes of becoming a judge but told ITVs This Morning he had not heard from the BBC.

Bookies William Hill has cut Garys odds from 6/4 to evens ahead of Anton at 2/1, while Australian dancer Jason Gilkison is priced at 3/1.

Brendan Cole (8/1) and Karen Hardy (14/1) are also in the running while Formula One racer Jenson Button is at 2/1 to take part as a celebrity dancer in this years show.

William Hills Joe Crilly said: When betting first opened on this market, we were almost certain that Anton would be taking over from Len.

However, a consistent gamble on Gary Edwards has meant that he is now the clear favourite and while there has been no word from the BBC, we feel that an announcement will come very soon given how much attention this market has received recently.
Adrian Dunbar, who was born in Enniskillen, is one of the stars of Line of Duty

The wait is almost over for the five million-plus fans of Line Of Duty - and series four is set to be the best yet, promises actress Vicky McClure.

"I think it's the most complex case we've ever dealt with," says McClure, who plays DS Kate Fleming in the Belfast-shot police drama. "The forensic side of it is going to give the audience a lot to play with.

"You won't be able to get up and make a cup of tea, you are going to have to listen and pay attention to lots of small details. There's an awful lot going on this year."

Last year, Line Of Duty was crowned BBC Two's most successful series in 15 years, averaging 5.1 million viewers each week. It's now transferring to BBC One and, with new guest stars and a few major storylines tied up, it's the perfect time to start watching.

A new twist on the standard police procedural drama, Line Of Duty follows anti-corruption unit AC-12, run by Kate, who was promoted at the end of season three, and colleagues Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) and DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston).

In the explosive series finale, AC-12's DI Matthew 'Dot' Cottan (Craig Parkinson) was finally exposed as 'The Caddy', the corrupt officer who'd been covering up historic child sex abuse.

The Caddy had already killed Keeley Hawes's character, DI Lindsay Denton, who'd been the target of an AC-12 investigation, and then tried to frame DS Arnott.

"Towards the end of the writing process, it was still in play that The Caddy would elude detection and point the finger at someone else," writer Jed Mercurio explains of the decision to tie up the storyline that had stretched throughout the first three series.

"At the end of writing episode five, there was a possibility that The Caddy would have Steve killed and Lindsay would be blamed for it, but it landed Lindsay back where she was in series two, which was going to prison again. It felt too circular."

Mercurio is excited to be starting "a new chapter" and states: "I'm so grateful to the fans, to be in a position where an audience discusses your series and speculates on what might happen next, that's really why you do this job."

In the first episode, we're introduced to the main "antagonist", DCI Roz Huntley, brought to life by series newcomer Thandie Newton, who follows in the footsteps of Lennie James, Hawes and Daniel Mays as the focus of an AC-12 investigation.

Having been off work to bring up her children, she's under huge pressure to climb back up the career ladder and crack a case called Operation Trapdoor, while coming up against forensic co-ordinator Tim Ifield (played by fellow newbie Jason Watkins).

"One of the higher aims of this series is to look at that theme of what is truth? What is objective reality? If you weren't in the room, and you didn't witness what happened, how can you derive an understanding of what actually happened between those two people?" says Mercurio, who acknowledges his theme uncannily echoes the era of "fake news" and "post-truth".

"Over the years, I've been getting more and more exasperated at the lack of respect for facts and proper research, being able to tell the difference between an opinion and a fact. Unfortunately for the world, that has become a bigger issue now than it was."

The series is shot in Belfast and Mercurio starts the conversation over plot lines with long-standing cast members Dunbar, McClure and Compston long before they get there.

As DS Fleming, Vicky McClure has to go undercover and her all-action turn in series three saw her tipped to play the next James Bond. But the truth is a little different for the actress: "Last year, I'm under the bridge and say, 'I'm too knackered to run'. Jed knew I would be knackered, and I delivered that with conviction every time."

Compston says there'll be some friction between Arnott and Fleming due to her promotion.

"Steve sort of owes everything to Kate, because she believed in him and wanted to get him out. Now they're at a parity career-wise because they're the same rank, but he's also going for a promotion. He is a little smart-ass, he thinks he knows better than everybody, so it's a lot of fun to play."

"Yeah, he is unsettled that she's now the same rank as him," agrees McClure. "We have quite a bit of fun playing around with that. It's important for Kate and Steve to have that realistic relationship, they've got each other's backs, but they've also got to fulfil their own ambitions."

McClure is thrilled to have Thandie Newton and Jason Watkins on board. "I love the fact that the casting is never obvious," she says. "Thandie's character is so far removed from her and any character we've seen her play. And the same with Jason, his character is quite unique, we can't quite work him out. What great additions to the Line Of Duty family."

Newton, who describes McClure as "spellbinding", says: "I had a call from my agent, who's represented me since I was 17, and she said, 'If you ever want to work on British television, this is the best thing you could ever do'."

As DCI Roz Huntley, Newton squares up to forensic co-ordinator Tim Ifield (Watkins), who's responsible for examining the whole series of crimes and murders that are suspected of being grouped together. Newton calls Ifield "a fly in the ointment".

"As a senior investigating officer, the facts are there, but then it's knitting those facts together. It's real Sherlock Holmes territory."
Neil Rooney with his partner, Lyndsey McQuoid, and their children

Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was killed in a work accident in the Belfast Harbour Estate

Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was killed in a work accident in the Belfast Harbour Estate.

Named locally as Neil Rooney, the man was involved in an incident at Stormont Wharf.

It's understood he was working at a building site in the area when a chain fell on top of him and trapped him.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service were called to the incident after 8am yesterday.

A Rapid Response Vehicle, a doctor, an ambulance and emergency crew and a Hazardous Area Response Officer attended.

Mr Rooney, who is from the Ardglass area, and his partner, Lyndsey McQuoid, have a teenage son and daughter.

Online tributes have been pouring in for the workman who was known to friends as Neily and is understood to be aged in his 40s.

One friend said on Facebook: "In total shock. My heart goes out to Lyndsey, your beautiful children and the family circle at this sad time. RIP Neil."

Another posted: "Such a tragedy, thinking of your partner and young kids.

"Another life taken too soon."

Dermott Curran, an SDLP councillor for the Downpatrick area, said: "It came as a great shock to me when I learned of his death.

"It's a very sad tragedy for his family and friends. I offer my condolences to his family at this awful time.

"A young person has lost their life and that is very sad. It's to know what to say when an accident like that happens," he added.

Naomi Bailie, a Sinn Fein councillor for the area, said: "It's shocking that any young person in the community would have such a tragic end to their life.

"It's shocking for the wider Downpatrick community and very sad for family members and it will take time for them to come to terms with his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour said: "Belfast Harbour can confirm that there was an incident on Tuesday morning, on Stormont Wharf and that a fatality has occurred."

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson said: "NIFRS received a call at 8.20am on Tuesday to attend an incident at Stormont Wharf, McCaughey Road, Duncrue, Belfast. Fire appliances from Whitla and Central Fire Stations were in attendance."

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) confirme d it is investigating the incident.
NOME  A 108-year-old church recently bought by an unwelcomed white supremacist burned to the ground Wednesday, March 22, in this small rural town.

White supremacist Craig Cobb was listed on a recent deed as an owner of the church at 295 3rd Ave. in Nome, which is about 70 miles southwest of Fargo. Nome residents said earlier this week it didnt appear as if Cobb had moved in yet.

Cobb has previously tried to establish white supremacist enclaves in two other North Dakota towns, including Leith, southwest of Bismarck.

Cobb told WDAY anchor Kerstin Kealy the fire was 100 percent arson and is offering a $2,000 reward for any information related to the incident. Both gas and electric utilities were off, so he claims the fire was not accidental. He said he planned on delivering furniture to the church earlier that day but never made the trip. He considers the fire a direct threat on his life.

Jerome Jankowski lives directly south of the church in a home that was once the parsonage.

He said he looked about 3 p.m. out of his kitchen window, which has a direct view of the church, and saw that it was on fire. Because of strong south winds, it didnt take long for the fire to engulf the structure.

Its kind of sad that it goes, because its kind of a landmark in this town, Jankowski said, adding that the church was built in 1908, the same year as his house.

He said there were some rumors circulating around town about some people wanting to burn down the church so they wouldnt have to deal with Cobb, but maybe it was just an offhand comment.

First of all, its a church, so its almost sacrilegious for this to happen, Jankowski said.

He said no one was thrilled about the idea of Cobb moving to Nome after that deal in Leith.

Everyone has some form of prejudice, Jankowski said, but this guy is way off the edge and he fell off.

The fire was reported at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the same day a story on the church and its new owner was featured on The Forum's front page.

Randy Langland, a firefighter with the Nome Volunteer Fire Department who was working in Lisbon, said he arrived at the scene about 4:25 p.m. and by that time, the fire had pretty much destroyed the church.

It had been going for quite a while, Langland said.

He said officials have no idea how the fire started. The state fire marshal is expected to be in Nome on Thursday, March 23, to investigate.

All that remains of the structure are the foundation and chimney. Caution tape has been put around the smoldering ashes because of fears about the unstable chimney.

Jankowski said earlier this week that Alexis Wolf and then-boyfriend Kevin Richman bought the church in 2013, intending to remodel it into a home. According to Barnes County Recorder Jody Pfaff, a deed on file dated Feb. 21 that transferred ownership to Paul Cobb, also known as Craig Cobb, also lists Wolf as an owner.

Richman, who sold his portion of the deed to Cobb, said Wednesday he was surprised when he heard that fire had destroyed the church. It was still a good structure, said the rural Tower City resident.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Wolf declined to comment about the fire.

Cobb told WDAY he was considering several options about what to do with the church, including living there, renting rooms or opening a church called "the President Donald J. Trump Church of Rome," not Nome.

The Barnes County Sheriffs Department and Fingal Fire Department also responded to the fire.
John McGeown celebrates his 103rd birthday at Longs yesterday with (from left) niece Geraldine McKenna, daughter Esther Blake, son Ronnie McGeown, daughter Isobel Stuart and niece Marie Osbourne

John with his birthday cake to mark his years as a sheet metal worker, and (above) tucking into his fish supper

One of Northern Ireland's oldest men - John McGeown - celebrated his 103rd birthday yesterday by tucking into a fish supper at a famous Belfast chippy that's the same age as him.

Mr McGeown, who was given a bus tour of Belfast as a birthday treat, attributed his longevity to "clean living".

"I've never had a drink or a cigarette," said the ex-showband musician as he enjoyed his favourite meal at John Long's restaurant in Athol Street.

The former sheet metal worker revealed that another secret of his hitting the ton and beyond was walking.

He lives with his son Ronnie at his home in Twinbrook and is regularly seen out walking - albeit with the help of a Zimmer frame.

"A good walk is the best form of exercise I know. I used to enjoy walking from Twinbrook to Lisburn," Mr McGeown said.

"I still try to do a wee bit from time to time, but it's not so easy."

Friends and family gathered at Long's for what was a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.

"I first came to John Long's when I was a boy and the chip shop was just a short distance away on Durham Street, before it moved to where it is now," he explained.

"They're still the best fish and chips in Belfast."

He was born at Alexander Street West in the lower Falls, where one of his contemporaries was a boy called William Conway, who went on to become the Catholic Primate of Ireland. Mr McGeown's daughter Isobel Stuart has fond memories of visits to the chippy.

She said: "Dad used to bring us to Long's when we were kids and he was a regular here with his workmates."

Mrs Stuart was accompanied by brother Ronnie and sister Esther Blake, who had flown in from her home in Ottawa, Canada, for the birthday celebrations.

Mr McGeown's wife Esther died 12 years ago at the age of 82.

Friends said he cared for her through an illness, refusing to allow her to go into a home.

Yesterday Mr McGeown was presented with a birthday cake that proclaimed - alongside a hammer, a piece of chalk, and pliers all made of icing - that he was 'the best sheet metal worker in Belfast'.

On top of the cake there were also musical notes - a nod to Mr McGeown's past in Billy Pinkerton's Showband, which used to entertain at the legendary Plaza Ballroom in the centre of Belfast.

Mr McGeown was the trumpet and trombone player, and continued his musicianship into his 90s in St Peter's Brass and Reed Band.

He revisited some of his old haunts around Belfast on a bus laid on for him and his guests by Allen Tours.

The sign on the front flashed up a birthday greeting for Mr McGeown, who also had a banner adapted from the front page of the Belfast Evening Telegraph on his birthday, Saturday, March 21, 1914, four months before the outbreak of the First World War.

Mr McGeown had jobs in England and in Dublin before returning to Short and Harland aircraft factory, where he was employed for the rest of his working life.

Long's owner John Copeland said it was pleased to host the birthday bash for their oldest customer.

He added: "The original fish and chip shop opened at the end of 1914, a few months after John McGeown came into the world. We are happy he still rates our fish and chips so highly."
The letter sent to residents

The letter sent to residents

A Belfast nightclub has been criticised for a promotion which circulated a hoax letter to residents in the Queen's University area threatening "eviction" for anti-social behaviour on St Patrick's Day.

The letter was distributed promoting The Foundry nightclub which was styled as though official correspondence from the University featuring a similar logo.

The club has said that the promotion was carried out without their knowledge and apologised for any distress caused.

The letter addresses the tenant and says it is in reference to "anti-social behaviour" on St Patrick's Day.

In recent years the Holyland area of south Belfast has become infamous for large numbers of young people taking part in anti-social behaviour to the distress of residents.

There were 15 arrests in total over the St Patrick's weekend and police said the behaviour in the area had "generally been better than in previous years".

The letter from the club reads: "It has been brought to our attention that during the St Patrick's Day celebrations of this year a number of addresses were taken note of due to continual breach of appropriate behaviour standards whilst at University.

"One of the addresses noted was your own.

"For this reason we have been left with no other choice but to serve you with an EVICTION NOTICE as part of the Residents, Landlord and Community Scheme introduced in September of this year."

"We require you to arrange a meeting with our residential liaison officer in room 7B of the SU within 7 days to discuss your future at University".

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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It then reveals that it is a promotion for the Belfast nightclub.

"Hope we had you for a second, now that weekend of absolute mayhem is over!" and goes on to promote the club night.

South Belfast MLA for the Green Party Clare Bailey called it a "cheap stunt".

She told the Belfast Telegraph: This is a cheap stunt and will cause concern for many people, residents and students alike.

I drew attention to the letter so that people would know its junk mail.

Its junk mail that makes light of issues such as eviction, homelessness and anti-social behaviour.

Ive spoken with many people in South Belfast who have said this is not a clever or funny stunt.

Queen's University said it was made aware of the letter and called it "unacceptable".

Queens University was made aware this morning of the distribution of a hoax letter by The Foundry nightclub to residents neighbouring the University.

"Queens works in constructive partnership with residents, the PSNI, Belfast City Council and other key stakeholders throughout the year and, in particular, over the St Patricks Day period. The distribution of this inappropriate promotional material is unacceptable and we have alerted Belfast City Council.

In response the club said that the promotion was carried out without their knowledge and apologised for any distress caused.

A spokesman said: "This promotion was carried out without our knowledge or consent and Foundry would would like to make it clear we take our place in the community and our duties to tackling anti-social behaviour seriously.

"These have been the actions of an over exuberant outside promoter, however we would still like to extend our apologies to anyone caused any inconvenience or distress by this letter."
The body of Lord Mountbatten is carried ashore after the bomb attack in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, in 1979

Scene in 1990 after Patsy Gillespie was forced to drive a van of explosives to an Army checkpoint

The Queen shakes hands with Martin McGuinness as Peter Robinson looks on at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, in 2012

On BBC Radio Ulster's one o'clock news yesterday, during tributes being paid to the former Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister and IRA chief of staff, Martin McGuinness, one line stood out.

The Queen, a statement from Buckingham Palace informed us, was writing a private letter to his widow.

It was less than a year since the Northern Ireland Office had released a rare video clip of McGuinness walking through a room in Hillsborough Castle, hand outstretched, to greet the Queen, who was on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland in June 2016.

"How have you been keeping", he jovially asked her, as the two shook hands. "I'm still alive anyway," replied the 90-year-old monarch.

Neither of them could have anticipated yesterday's events.

Martin McGuinness died after a short illness in the early hours of yesterday, his family around him.

His journey from 'blue eyed boy from the Bogside' to one half of the eponymous Chuckle Brothers duo with Ian Paisley during their time as First and Deputy First Ministers at the Assembly is the journey of the peace process.

There is no doubt that Martin McGuinness died as strong an Irish republican as he had lived. And I doubt if any other IRA leader could have brought the IRA's 30-year campaign from guns to government without mass death on the streets.

His death is of course a personal tragedy for his widow, his family, his friends and his comrades.

It is also a personal tragedy for the relatives of the more than 3,000 victims of the Troubles, who must have hoped against hope that McGuinness would somehow find the opportunity before his death to give the full and frank disclosure about his activities in the IRA that he had always promised.

My late husband, Liam Clarke (below right), the former political editor of the Belfast Telegraph who died on December 27, 2015, and I had co-written an unauthorized biography of McGuinness. The day before it had been published, it had been serialised in The Sunday Times.

Seamus Treacy, counsel for some of the Bloody Sunday families, raised the book's publication at the tribunal that examined the events of January 30, 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry, when 13 civilians were shot dead by paratroopers. "Yes," replied the inquiry's chair, Mark Saville. "My eyebrows rose slightly when I read the article yesterday."

McGuinness had been busy proclaiming his readiness to give evidence to the Inquiry, saying he was looking forward "to appearing at the tribunal and telling the truth."

His words were belied by his actions. He didn't even sign his draft statement until a month after the first edition of our book, Martin McGuinness: From Guns to Government, had gone on sale, and was one of the last to give evidence in November 2003.

McGuinness took his time to realise the unique opportunity offered him. In giving evidence, he would be offered limited immunity in respect of any of the actions he gave evidence of under oath. It was a heaven-sent opportunity to begin to lay the ghost of his paramilitary past.

In the event, he restricted his evidence to the period surrounding Bloody Sunday until his release from prison in 1974 in the Irish Republic, where he had been serving a short sentence for membership of the IRA. It was a shrewd legal move.

Our book had been the subject of controversy, as we gave an account from multiple sources of what McGuinness had been doing on Bloody Sunday.

He had, we revealed, been armed with a Thompson submachine gun and had intended to detonate explosives in a city centre premises. In the event, these plans came to nothing.

We were vilified for printing these claims, even though we made it clear that nothing McGuinness or any other IRA volunteer might have done or tried to do on the day could possibly justify the actions of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, who shot dead 13 unarmed civilians during a largely peaceful rights march.

On June 15, 2010, Lord Saville's report found that on Bloody Sunday McGuinness was "probably armed with a sub machine-gun." He went on to say, like us, that he had found no evidence that McGuinness had engaged "in any activity that provided any of the soldiers with any justification for opening fire." By the day after Bloody Sunday, McGuinness had been promoted to OC of the Derry Brigade of the IRA at the age of 22. Stories began to circulate about the charismatic young volunteer with the quick turn of phrase and the good looks. International celebrities began to beat a path to his door in the Bogside.

Jill Uris photographed him in Donegal while her husband, Leon, quizzed him about the IRA while researching his novel Trinity. He based the exploits of his hero, Conor Larkin, an IRA man in an earlier phase of the Troubles, on what he had garnered from McGuinness.

Sean MacStiofain quickly spotted the young OC and later in 1972 sent him to Cheyne Walk in London to meet William Whitelaw. He was the youngest member of the secret IRA delegation.

Nothing immediate transpired from the talks, though it was revealed years later that McGuinness had shown early signs of his legendary cool by taking a revolver with him to the talks without the knowledge of the other IRA men.

Also present was Frank Steele, a senior MI6 agent. Like MacStiofain, he was impressed with the young IRA commander. He was, decided Steele, a man the British could do business with. Soon, Steele had begun a dialogue with McGuinness that would continue when Steele was replaced by Michael Oatley in 1974 right up until the time of Oatley's retirement in 1991.

He continued to rise through the ranks of the IRA and by 1978 had replaced Gerry Adams as chief of staff after Adams was arrested for questioning about the La Mon massacre.

Yesterday afternoon I did an interview with BBC London around the theme of 'Martin McGuinness, saint or sinner?' Could we differentiate between the IRA who gave warnings and the ISIS or Daesh of today?

I reminded the interviewer that during his time as chief of staff, McGuinness was determined to establish a 'liberated zone' along the border of Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic. In August 1979, he also personally sanctioned the murder of Earl Mountbatten.

Since 1969, Earl Mountbatten and his family had spent every August in Sligo. He had been warned that he was a prime target for the IRA, most recently by Sir Maurice Oldfield, who had just resigned from his post as 'C' - the director general of MI6. Oldfield had been warned that the IRA were planning an attack.

To the IRA, Mountbatten was a symbol of British imperialism. As a cousin to the Queen and uncle to Prince Charles, the Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment, his death would give the IRA the propaganda victory that McGuinness dreamed of.

On the morning of August 27, 1979, two Irish plainclothes detectives were watching through binoculars as Mountbatten's boat, the Shadow, silently sailed past them. Suddenly, the silence was shattered when a massive explosion ripped the boat to pieces. The dead included Lord Mountbatten, his nephew, Nicholas Knatchbull, Paul Maxwell, a 15-year-old schoolboy from Enniskillen who was helping as boatman, and the Dowager Lady Brabourne.

Naturally, security forces were put on the highest possible alert after the attack.

That afternoon a convoy of two trucks of the Parachute Regiment drove to an Army base at Newry. Their route took them past Narrow Water, on the shore of Carlingford Lough, marking the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic. As the rear vehicle passed by a trailer, an IRA team detonated an 800lb bomb. Simultaneously, an IRA unit on the southern side of the border opened on the troops, who returned fire. A civilian, Michael Hudson, was killed in the crossfire. Six soldiers were killed in this explosion.

Several more Land Rovers and two helicopters arrived to help in the rescue effort. As a Wessex helicopter took off to ferry injured soldiers to hospital, a second 800lb bomb was detonated, killing 12 more soldiers. It was the Paras' biggest loss since Arnhem in World War Two.

But even before that, the real significance of this major coup by the IRA had been scrawled all over gable walls in Belfast and the Bogside.

"Thirteen dead and not forgotten, we got 18 and Mountbatten."

It was an echo of the graffiti that appeared after Bloody Sunday, when British soldiers had boasted, "We got one, we got two, we got 13 more than you". It was payback.

A caller told BBC London that the use of human bombs and suicide bombers differentiated contemporary terrorists from the IRA.

Tell that to the family of Patsy Gillespie, the first IRA 'human bomb' victim forced to drive a van load of explosives to a British Army checkpoint on the border in Derry in 1990 where an IRA unit, watching from the safety of Donegal across the Irish border, detonated it.

That was another 'innovation' introduced by the IRA under the command of Martin McGuinness. Five British soldiers and Mr Gillespie died in that attack.

Martin McGuinness had told BBC Real Lives: At the Edge of the Union in 1985: "We don't believe that winning elections and winning any amount of votes will win freedom in Ireland.

"At the end of the day, it will be the cutting edge of the IRA which will bring freedom."

Yet by 1994 the 'cutting edge' had had its effect, the IRA had declared a ceasefire and the peace process had begun.

In 2002, Martin McGuinness told the BBC's Nick Robinson in an interview that "the IRA have done things in the past which were wrong and I have spoken up on countless occasions about that and so has Gerry Adams, but I haven't done anything that I'm ashamed of."

The families of some of the victims would dispute that.

The family of Franko Hegarty, for instance, the IRA quartermaster who McGuinness suspected of giving information to British intelligence in 1984 which led to the discovery of weapons. McGuinness met his widowed mother, Rose Hegarty, and he promised her, "on bended knee, that her son was safe to return from exile". "A few boys would question him and he'd be free to go," he said.

Believing him, Hegarty's sister unwittingly drove Hegarty to the appointed place where he would meet his death. He was shot and his body unceremoniously dumped, his eyes bound back into his head by gaffer tape after they had been blown out by the close velocity shots that killed him.

When questioned about Hegarty's death in The Long War, a BBC film, McGuinness said: "If a republican activist who knows what the repercussions are for going over to the other side in fact goes over to the other side, then they, more than anybody else, are totally and absolutely aware of what the penalty for doing that is."

"Death?" asked the interviewer. "Death certainly," replied McGuinness.

Could any other Sinn Fein or IRA leader have taken the IRA on the long road from guns to government? It is unlikely that anyone else would have had the respect to bring the IRA to a cessation of violence without admitting defeat.

At the end of the day, history will record how Martin McGuinness is remembered.

There is no doubt that he was the most ruthless and formidable IRA man in the history of the Troubles.

Had he taken the opportunity to record, as he often promised, full and frank disclosure of his activities in the IRA, the families of the more than 3,000 victims of the troubles would have cause to be grateful to him.

As it is, he is likely to have taken his secrets with him to the grave, and history is the poorer for it.
A farmer's daughter has won a High Court battle to stop imminent bank repossession of his land

A farmer's daughter has won a High Court battle to stop imminent bank repossession of his land.

Louise Robinson was granted a stay on any move by the bank to sell the 67-acre farm in Co Down which she says was promised to her by her father.

A judge ruled in court yesterday that her claim to have an equitable interest in the lands should be decided at a future trial.

HSBC Bank had secured an order for possession of the site at Ravara Road, Ballygowan over an unpaid loan to her father, Ivan Robinson.

She mounted a High Court appeal after failing in a previous legal bid to have that process put on hold.

Ms Robinson stated that she acted to her own detriment on the understanding that she would be given the land in due course.

The 33-year-old, whose mother died in 1987, helped her father on the farm from the age of 10, the court heard.

Later she attended agricultural school in Shropshire in a bid to be better equipped to take over its management.

Following her return to Northern Ireland Ms Robinson got a job at a livestock market and continued to work on the farm for no payment.

She used her income to pay some bills and took out a 10,000 loan to help her father repay his debts.

Since 2013 she has paid all farming expenses totalling 8,000 to 10,000 a month, according to her evidence.

Ms Robinson stated that her father repeatedly told her the farm would be given to her.

Her lawyers argued that she had spent money and time on the farm, directing her education and career to being in a position to take over its running.

Counsel for the bank described her claim as hopeless.

He contended that the application for a stay was being mounted because enforcement of the possession order on the farm was imminent.

However, Madam Justice McBride held there were real triable issues on whether Ms Robinson has an equitable interest in the lands, acted to her detriment and was in actual possession.

She stressed that she was not ruling on whether the farmer's daughter would ultimately succeed.

Granting a stay, the judge pointed out that it delays rather than ends the bank's right to possession of the land.

"In contrast, if the stay is not granted the appellant's claim to the lands would be extinguished as the bank will sell the lands and the appellant will not be able to obtain the relief she seeks," she added.

"Therefore the prejudice to the appellant is not capable of remedy if a stay is not granted."
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (R) and Northern Ireland leader, Michelle O'Neill (L) speak at a press conference in the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry on March 21, 2017. AFP/Getty Images

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said that his party is opposed to any extension of the talks deadline.

The deadline to form a new Stormont Executive and save the power-sharing institutions is Monday.

The party leader said "there cannot be continuous negotiation and re-negotiation of agreements already made".

Mr Adams was speaking in Newry on Wednesday night at one of a series of townhall meetings being held by the party across the island.

He said the Sinn Fein view is that the current negotiations are an implementation process.

Mr Adams said: There is only a very short time to form the Executive for the northern Assembly. So far there is no agreement to do this. Sinn Fein has made it clear that there can be no return to the status quo.

Led by Michelle ONeill our negotiating team has been in daily dialogue with all of the parties and the two governments. There is clearly a desire among the majority of the parties for a step change in how business is done in the political institutions. There is also a consensus on the need for better and transparent good governance on behalf of all of the people and for the full implement of the Good Friday Agreement.

It is possible for agreement to be reached in the coming days. I and others spent today at Stormont trying to find a resolution to the outstanding issues.

From our point of view this is about an implementation process. There cannot be continuous negotiation and re-negotiation of agreements already made. So Sinn Fein is opposed to any extension of Mondays deadline or a return to British Direct Rule.

In 2006 the British and Irish governments agreed in a joint statement that the restoration of the political institutions would see the British governments power to suspend the Assembly lapse for good.

They also agreed, if the Executive was not formed, to begin detailed work on British-Irish partnership arrangements to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is actively developed across its structures and functions.

While the governments have not developed the British-Irish partnership arrangements envisaged if the Executive was not formed at that time, the British governments power to suspend the Assembly is gone. Of course this legislation could be reintroduced at any time but this would be a very serious step, which the Irish Government would be compelled to oppose. We look to the Taoiseach to make that clear.

As Martin McGuinness said in his letter of resignation; Successive British governments have undermined the process of change by refusing to honour agreements, refusing to resolve the issues of the past, while imposing austerity and Brexit against the wishes and best interests of people here.

The Irish government is the co-equal guarantor of the Good Friday and subsequent Agreements. The Taoiseach needs to make it clear by deed as well as word that the government will implement in full its obligations and hold the British government to account for its obligations, internationally if need be.

Next week the Tories will trigger Article 50. The DUP position on Brexit is entirely wrong and will have huge consequences for the people of the North, and especially the border communities. It is already clear that Brexit will mean a hard border, will cost jobs, and have a devastating impact on our agricultural and agri-foods sectors.

That is why Sinn Fein opposed Brexit and that is why we developed our proposal The Case for the North to achieve Designated Special Status within the EU and went on a major diplomatic offensive to build support for it.

The position of Special Status is now supported by Fianna Fail and Labour in Leinster House and by the majority of parties and MLAs in the Assembly.

There is an urgent imperative for all parties and independents who share this view to form a coalition to combat the consequences of Brexit.

Regardless of any other issue Sinn Fein is totally committed to this approach. We will support all of the sectors who will be disadvantaged by this unfair refusal by the Tories in London to accept the democratic will of the people of this part of Ireland and across the island.

So, we will bury our friend Martin McGuinness tomorrow and move directly from his graveside to urgently do our utmost to get the Executive and the Assembly restored and working. The election pointed the way forward. Unionist rule failed and ended.

Direct Rule failed and ended. Martin McGuinness made it clear that the way forward is through respect, equality, and integrity. Sinn Feins approach is not about majorities and minorities, it is about rights for all.
Scene in 1990 after Patsy Gillespie was forced to drive a van of explosives to an Army checkpoint

The checkpoint at Coshquin where five soldiers and Patsy Gillespie died in 1990 Pacemaker Belfast - Archive

A woman whose husband was strapped into a van loaded with explosives and ordered to drive to an Army checkpoint while she and her children were held at gunpoint says the death of Martin McGuinness has robbed her of the truth over why her husband was killed.

Patsy Gillespie, a civilian cook in a Londonderry Army base, was strapped into a van loaded with explosives in October 1990. His family were held hostage and he was forced to drive to Coshquin checkpoint on the Donegal border where the bomb was detonated by remote control.

He died along with five soldiers.

His widow said their captives told them her husband father would be home as they left her house. Moments later they heard the explosion. It was not until a day later a piece of clothing confirmed Mr Gillespie was killed in the blast.

His death was on his eldest son's 18th birthday.

At the time, the IRA said they did not regard the 42-year-old as a civilian but rather as what they called a part of the British war machine because he worked at the Army base. Bishop Edward Daly described the incident as one of the worst ever in the history of the Troubles in Derry.

Martin McGuinness always denied being involved in the October 1990 incident, however, his widow Kathleen said she blamed him.

"He said specifically my husband was a legitimate target of war and I wanted to know why," she told the BBC.

"Never once did I come face to face with Martin McGuinness, I feel robbed of the opportunity to have conversation, I would have liked to have put that question to him.

"I didn't want to fight him, or berate him, I had gone past that stage. I am past all the anger and hurt now, I just wanted for him to explain to me why.

Expand Close Patsy Gillespie and his wife Kathleen / Facebook

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"But that's a part of my life that has gone now. So I have to live with the fact I didn't get the opportunity."

She continued: "I don't know how he could have come to terms with what he did. Did he ever show any remorse?

"There is no forgiveness in my heart. I had to learn to find a way to look after my family. They all turned out great I have five grandchildren and Patsy would have idolised them.

"I don't feel any better Martin McGuinness is dead. I feel sorry for his wife. If she loved him as much as I loved patsy, I know what she is missing.

"Patsy was a great family man. I loved him and all his children missed out. When his daughter was married he should have been there to walk her down the aisle.

"I miss him every day and talk about him every day. We met when I was 16 and I never got to say goodbye the way he was killed. His last words to me were 'don't worry girl I'll be all right'."
Irish prison officer Brian Stack was shot and murdered by the IRA in 1983

Johnathan Ball (left) and Tim Parry were killed in an IRA bomb attack on Warrington in 1993.

Mary Travers was shot dead in 1984 by IRA gunmen in Windsor Avenue, Belfast. Murdered while walking home from Mass with her father Judge Tom Travers

Samuel Gault who was killed in no warning explosion at a Remembrance Service held at Enniskillen Cenotaph in1987.

Mother-of-10 Jean McConville (left) with three of her children before she was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by a Provisional IRA gang in 1972. Photo: PA

Kathryn Eakin who was killed in the Claudy Bomb of 1972 aged 8

A man whose eight-year-old sister was murdered in the 1972 Claudy bombing has revealed that Martin McGuinness apologised for the "indefensible" IRA atrocity.

Mark Eakin witnessed the carnage that resulted in nine deaths when three car bombs when off in the Co Londonderry village.

He spoke several times to the former Deputy First Minister about the terror attack - and came to believe Mr McGuinness's sympathy was genuine.

"He was very sympathetic to the cause of Claudy," said Mr Eakin, who was just 12 when his sister Kathryn died.

"He told me it should never have happened, and basically apologised for the fact it had.

"I felt he did mean it, and he went on to do a lot of work to genuinely try to sort things out.

"We wouldn't be sitting in the position we are now in Northern Ireland if himself and Ian Paisley hadn't got together to try to make the peace process work."

But father-of-two Mr Eakin stopped short of forgiving the former IRA chief.

"I wouldn't say I do," he added. "I wouldn't forgive anyone for committing or condoning murder.

"But I don't despise the man. Everybody's got their chequered past, and at least he took a step forward in the right direction.

"We spoke a few times on the phone and I felt like I'd made peace with him. We were supposed to meet after an event a couple of years ago, but he was called back to Stormont because of some incident in Belfast.

"I understood, but the next day he called me up to apologise that our meeting hadn't happened. I appreciated that sentiment from him, it was very civilised.

"There were never any bad feelings or bad words. He was very civilised in my experience, and seemed genuinely sympathetic. That gave a slight degree of comfort."

Unfortunately, Mr Eakin (57) and the other Claudy families did not get the answers they were looking for from Mr McGuinness.

"He never said he was involved in Claudy, and we don't know what exactly he knew about which incidents," added Mr Eakin.

"But he had to know something that could have helped some people who have carried on suffering. Once we spoke for a full hour, and I asked him if he could try and get an answer about why a place like Claudy was targeted.

"It was a Monday in the summer, and Catholics and Protestants died there, little children - everyone was affected.

"Not just my sister, but my best friend's father, who was a Catholic, and so many others.

"He didn't do that, though, he didn't give what he knew was so important." However, said Mr Eakin, who works in the building trade in London, the door has not closed yet on victims getting to the truth about IRA attacks and the other atrocities of the Troubles.

"Mr McGuinness wasn't the only man with information," he added.

"There were a lot of people involved and a lot of folk knew what went on. It torments us still.

"Other victims still ring me for support now and again, when the dark days come.

"There is one gent in particular, a man nearly 70, who lost someone at Claudy. He calls me up in hysterics about it still because he is so troubled by what happened.

"Without the truth, that terrible toll lies very heavily with people.

"If Martin McGuinness wasn't able to give us answers, I just hope some of the people still left who have information will come forward.

"I truly believe we can still get to it - and our governments have a big part to play."

Let this spur parties on to get act together

The son of one of the Disappeared said he hoped Martin McGuinnesss death would give politicians at Stormont a much-needed kick to fix the current stalemate.

Jean McConville was abducted, murdered and buried by the IRA in 1972.

Her son Michael does not believe the former Deputy First Minister had any involvement in the case of his mothers disappearance and killing, but he feels he  and other politicians  never did enough for victims of the Troubles.

I dont feel any anger towards Martin McGuinness, said Mr McConville, who was one of 10 children left behind when his widowed mother was taken away by the Provisional IRA.

I dont think he had any dealings with my mothers case so I have nothing to say about forgiveness. I have nothing to forgive him for.

But what did come to my mind when I heard he died were the other families, like the woman who asked him if her son could come home. When he said yes, her son came back, only to be shot.

Yes, maybe he didnt have as much influence as people thought. But, personally, I think he did.

Im not saying McGuinness knew exactly who did what, but Sinn Fein as a party must have the ability to get that information.

He could have done more, as could the whole party.

In saying that, though, I dont think any of the parties have done enough. They say they care, but why is it then that so many people are

left without the answers? With the Executive in meltdown and just a matter of days left until the deadline for negotiations runs out, Mr McConville said he hoped the news could spur politicians into action.

All of this has been difficult to deal with, he added.

Its hard to see so many people painting pretty pictures of his life  but I dont like to see anybody dying.

He did some good things for the peace process, and I was glad to see that.

Now his death might give them a kick up at Stormont to get back together.

They need to address the past properly. It seems to be that once again the victims are forgotten.

McGuinness didnt do enough for us, so its up to the rest of them to do better.

Any real chance of justice is now gone

Poppy Day survivor Stephen Gault, whose father was killed in the 1987 blast, said he could not forgive Martin McGuinness for his IRA past because he had never shown any remorse.

Mr Gault said it was difficult to watch dignitaries across the UK and Ireland praise him for his peace work.

Martin McGuinness didnt publicly seem to be sorry for his part in terrorism, said Mr Gault. Maybe he did feel it in the lead-up to his passing or even on his death bed, I live in hope. But I cant help but feel that any chance of justice is gone now hes dead.

Its been upsetting to see him hailed as a great peacemaker, with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and different officials talking about all the great things he did.

To me, he was no different from the man he was during the IRA terrorist campaign because he never sought forgiveness.

He wasnt sorry, and he did nothing to help the victims get justice for what they went through. I didnt see him as a peacemaker, and certainly not as a statesman. He didnt show any repentance  in fact he justified the violence of the past.

To see him held up in such high esteem has made me sick to the pit of my stomach. I was in the same room as him about two years ago with the victims forum when he eulogised about his days in the IRA.

It was extremely hurtful and saying that in front of a room full of victims was a very strange choice.

Mr Gault was just 18 when he was caught up and dreadfully injured in the Enniskillen bomb that killed his retired RUC-man father Samuel.

Mr McGuinness was once accused in a TV documentary of knowing in advance about the bombing.

And Mr Gault said he hopes some information might come to light following the former Deputy First Ministers death.

It could be that some information was held back while he was alive, added Mr Gault.

It could have been part of the Good Friday Agreement protect Mr McGuinness for the sake of the peace process.

I dont know, but thats a possibility. And unless he disclosed information in the time before his death, that is my main hope for getting to the truth.

Many secrets have been taken to grave

The sister of a young teacher murdered by the IRA said she was sorry Martin McGuinness had passed away without helping victims find the answers they were looking for.

Mary Travers was shot dead by IRA gunmen as she walked home from mass with her magistrate father in 1984.

Her sister, Ann, said: Its a difficult day, but Martin McGuinness was a father and a grandfather and Id like to pass my condolences to his family.

But as well, my thoughts are with the victims of the IRA who havent yet been able to find the answers theyve been looking for and the justice they deserved.

Its a shame that even when he knew he was gravely ill, Mr McGuinness couldnt have taken the opportunity to reach out to those people  even by dictating letters  to help them get the information that they need. Now hes brought it to the grave with him.

I believe desire for peace was sincere

Colin Parrys son Tim was just 12 years old when he was murdered by the IRA in the Warrington bombing. He died alongside three-year-old Johnathan Ball in the 1993 atrocity.

Mr Parry yesterday paid tribute to former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who visited the Cheshire town in 2013 to deliver a speech on peace.

Forgiveness never comes into it, said Mr Parry.

I dont forgive Martin. I dont forgive the IRA  nor does my wife, nor do my children. But setting aside forgiveness the simple fact is I found Martin McGuinness to be an easy and pleasant man to talk to  a man who I believe was sincere in his desire for peace and maintaining the peace process at all costs.

I dont think anything in his most recent life can atone. That said, he was still a brave man who put himself in some risk in some elements of his own community in Northern Ireland.

We must remember all aspects of past

The son of an Irish prison officer murdered by the IRA has urged people to remember Martin McGuinnesss past alongside his peacemaking.

Austin Stack, who has fought a public campaign to find the Provo gunmen who shot his father Brian Stack in 1983, said he felt reflections about the Sinn Fein negotiators life were being skewed by his influence on the peace process.

He said: People should remember the totality of his legacy. I think there are two very different legacies in relation to Martin McGuinness, lets not just focus on the latter part.

Martin McGuinness never reconciled with victims. He reconciled with unionism but not with victims.

Mr Stack added: Martin McGuinness had questions to answer in relation to the Claudy bomb, and there were also questions over the Enniskillen bomb.

He was opaque and selective with truth

The younger sister of an IRA bomb victim has claimed the truth has died with Martin McGuinness. Julie Hambleton said relatives of many of the terrorist groups victims were still waiting for truth and justice.

She claimed: He was very opaque and selective with the truth. With him the truth has died and thats the big problem.

Ms Hambleton, whose older sister Maxine was killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, offered her condolences to Mr McGuinness family.

She said many relatives of IRA victims were still waiting for answers about what happened to loved ones.

She added: People are piling the praise on him but it isnt valid. He didnt come forward with the truth.

Ms Hambleton, who leads the Justice4the21 campaign, said she hoped former IRA members would speak about what happened during The Troubles.

She said: I hope lips will be looser, not just for our loved ones but for everybodys sake.
Five people - including a prison officer - have been arrested as part of an investigation into the smuggling of banned items into Maghaberry Prison

Five people - including a prison officer - have been arrested as part of an investigation into the smuggling of banned items into Maghaberry Prison.

Class A and B drugs and 10,000 in cash were also seized.

The 50-year-old prison officer was arrested yesterday morning at Maghaberry Prison on suspicion of conveyancing prohibited articles into a prison, misconduct in public office, possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He was taken to Musgrave police station for questioning.

Three women - aged 26, 50 and 55 - and a 28-year-old man were also arrested, and three properties were searched in Newtownabbey, Belfast and Kinallen.

Chief Superintendent Tim Mairs said: "This operation is a good example of how collaborative working can disrupt crime and also demonstrates our commitment to keeping people safe by removing harmful drugs from society."
Police have said an explosion in Strabane was an attempt to kill officers.

The alert began on Tuesday night in Townsend Street.

Police said a device exploded while three officers were on patrol in the area after 8.30pm.

In a statement the PSNI said: The investigation is at an early stage and we have had to ask some residents to leave their homes while we carry out our enquiries. While we are unable to go into specifics of the incident at this stage, I am confident in saying that we are incredibly lucky that the lives of officers and other members of the community were not lost last night.

We appreciate the understanding and patience of local residents while we carry out our enquiries and would appeal for anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact us.

Sinn Fein councillor Karina Carlin said a loud bang was heard in the area at around 8pm.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank and file officers, condemned the attempt as a "reckless and mindless act".

Chairman Mark Lindsay said: "The people who detonated an IED near a Police patrol have nothing to offer. They are fixed firmly in the past with nothing to offer a community that is trying to build a better here and now and a more positive future.

"They pedal in misery. They are a throwback to bad times. They oppress and brutalise people and deserve to be ostracised, caught, convicted and given tough prison sentences.

"Last night, our Officers escaped unhurt in a clear attempt to murder and maim. On or off duty, officers are at high alert and that situation will remain the case for the foreseeable future."

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said condemned the attack.

He said: "Those who planted this explosive device intended to kill or cause serious injury. Their actions put all of our community in harms way and their murderous intent is not reflective of wider societys desire for peace.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland has our unstinting support and I urge anyone with any information to contact the PSNI."

DUP MLA Tom Buchanan condemned attack saying those behind it had a "clear determination to drag Northern Ireland back to a time of violence and fear".

He said: This is the latest attempt to murder police officers in Strabane. Over the last few years there has been a number of such attempts as well as a series of other security alerts where the components for explosive devices have been uncovered.

"We are all thankful that no one was injured in this latest incident, but there is a clear determination from those behind these attacks to drag Northern Ireland back to a time of violence and fear.

"There must be a united and resolute stand from right across the political spectrum to such activities. They can never be justified and that should be the message emanating from all those in a position of leadership within the Strabane area.

Alliance Justice spokesman Trevor Lunn urged anyone with information to contact police immediately.

He said: This type of attack achieves nothing except putting police officers, who are trying to protect the local community, in danger and diverting vital resources from other areas that might need them.

There is no justification for this attack. Any act of violence against police is an assault on the rule of law and everyone in our society.

I urge anyone with information to contact police with it immediately.
File photo dated 29/07/2002 of a laptop being used on a plane as airline passengers are to be banned from carrying laptops in cabin luggage on inbound direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, Downing Street said.

The UK's c abin baggage ban on laptops and tablets must be implemented by Saturday, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

It was announced on Tuesday that passengers will no longer be able to carry large electronic devices on inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The ban covers devices larger than a typical smartphone and means that all bigger gadgets, including Kindles and other e-readers, will have to go in the luggage holds of aircraft.

A DfT spokeswoman said airlines have been told to implement the rules "over the coming days and no later than March 25".

She added that passengers "should go to the airport with the expectation that the measures are already in effect".

Low-cost airline easyJet said it introduced the new regime on its flights from Turkey and Egypt to the UK on Wednesday.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs in the Commons that the UK faces a "constantly evolving threat from terrorism and must respond accordingly".

Matthew Finn, managing director of aviation security consultancy firm Augmentiq, questioned why the rules only apply to some flights.

He told the Press Association: "If there is indeed reliable intelligence of a credible threat that an improvised explosive device can be concealed within a consumer electronic device, then the question has to be how do we mitigate that risk for all aircraft leaving all destinations right across the board?"

The ban will theoretically stop a terrorist on an affected flight from physically triggering a bomb concealed in a laptop and would ensure any explosion takes place in the hold, away from other passengers.

Mr Finn suggested the regulations were not properly considered before being announced.

"Just banning a laptop from the cabin makes little sense if it's still available in the hold and could be detonated remotely using any manner of triggering device," he said.

The restriction covers any electronic device measuring 16cm (6.3in) by 9.3cm (3.7in) by 1.5cm (0.6in).

This includes laptops, e-readers and tablets, as well as some gaming systems and large smartphones.

The move was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday in the latest of a series of meetings on aviation security, although it was not immediately clear whether the move was introduced in response to a general terror threat or a specific attack from the likes of al Qaida.

It follows a similar measure announced on Tuesday by the US authorities affecting flights originating in a longer list of eight mainly Muslim countries.

UK airlines operating direct flights which are being hit by the new measures are British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson.

Overseas airlines affected are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.

Travel trade organisation Abta warned that laptops and tablets are not typically covered by travel insurance policies for loss, damage or theft if they are placed in the hold.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: "Passengers travelling to the countries affected may wish to consider leaving their electronic devices at home, although this may be difficult for many, especially business travellers and families travelling with children."

Mark Shepherd, of the Association of British Insurers, said: " Passengers travelling from the affected countries with laptops and tablets should check their policy and speak to their travel insurer to double-check what cover they have for valuables placed in the hold."

He added that s ome travellers may have additional cover under a household contents policy for gadgets outside the home and that some insurers take a "flexible approach" to claims if a passenger has been forced to put items in the hold by circumstances out of their control.
The Lord Chief Justice has strongly criticised Lord Chancellor Liz Truss for failing to publicly defend judges involved in the landmark Brexit case.

Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, who was one of the High Court judges who ruled that Parliament, not the Prime Minister, had the final say on triggering Article 50, said Ms Truss had been "constitutionally wrong" not to stand up for the judiciary in the face of fierce press criticism.

The Lord Chief Justice criticised the stance taken by Ms Truss that it was not her role to tell the media what to write.

He told the Lords Constitution Committee: "T o my mind, she was completely and absolutely wrong.

"And I am very disappointed.

"I can understand how the pressures were on in November but she has taken a position that is constitutionally, absolutely wrong.

"In short, I believe the Lord Chancellor is completely and utterly wrong in the view she takes."

Lord Thomas said reaction to the Brexit case led him to seek police advice on protection, something he had never felt the need to do while presiding over terrorism trials.

He told the committee: " There is a difference between criticism and abuse, and I don't think that that is understood.

"I don't think it is understood either how absolutely essential it is that we are protected because we have to act as our oath requires us without fear or favour.

"It is the only time in the whole of my judicial career that I have had to ask for the police to give us a measure of advice and protection in relation to the emotions that were being stirred up.

"And I think that it is very wrong that judges should feel it.

"I have done a number of cases involving al Qaida, I dealt with the airline bombers' plot, some very, very serious cases. I have never had that problem before."

Lord Thomas said it was the Lord Chancellor's "duty" to defend judges.

Referencing a Daily Mail headline branding the High Court judges in the Brexit case as "enemies of the people", the Lord Chief Justice told the committee: "The circuit judges were very concerned.

"They wrote to the Lord Chancellor because litigants in person were coming and saying 'you're an enemy of the people'."

Lord Thomas said he was making his views known now because Ms Truss had given an interview to the Financial Times last week in which she said judges would face much greater scrutiny after Brexit.

"It really is absolutely essential we have a Lord Chancellor who understands her constitutional duty," he said.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "An independent judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law and it is the duty of the Lord Chancellor to defend that independence.

"The Lord Chancellor takes that duty very seriously.

"She has been very clear that she supports the independence of the judiciary but that she also believes in a free press, where newspapers are free to publish, within the law, their views."

Defending her stance on the reaction to the Brexit case, Ms Truss told the Lords Constitution Committee earlier this month: "I think it is dangerous for a government minister to say 'This is an acceptable headline and this isn't an acceptable headline' because (while) I am a huge believer in the independence of the judiciary, I am also a very strong believer in the free press."

Responding to Lord Thomas's comments, a Downing Street source said: "On the number of times this issue has been raised, Liz Truss has been very clear that she supports the independence of the judiciary.

"We have also been very clear that she is not going to tell newspapers what to write."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said Ms Truss had "failed in her duty" and called on her to apologise to the House of Commons.

"That the Lord Chief Justice had to seek police protection for the first time after the Justice Secretary didn't stick up for judges shows that she has failed in her duty," said Mr Farron.

"The Lord Chief Justice didn't feel he needed protection when he was dealing with al Qaida, but such was the level of Brexit bullying, Britain's most senior judge felt threatened.

"This extraordinary public criticism by Britain's most senior judge shows, regrettably, that Liz Truss has lost much of the confidence of the legal profession."

A spokeswoman for the Supreme Court said she could not comment on security issues, but the body had "worked closely with the Met Police on arrangements for the Article 50 hearing" when judges considered an appeal against the High Court ruling.
Thames Water has been fined a record 20.3 million for polluting the River Thames with 1.4 billion litres of raw sewage.

The company allowed huge amounts of untreated effluent to enter the waterway in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire in 2013 and 2014, leaving people and animals ill, and killing thousands of fish.

The fine, which amounts to about two weeks' profits for the privatised utility, is 10 times the previous largest fine for a water company for an environmental disaster.

It followed a Court of Appeal ruling in March 2016 that big commercial organisations which cause environmental pollution can be ordered to pay fines running into tens of millions of pounds.

Ordering Thames to pay 20,361,140 at a sentencing hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Francis Sheridan criticised the utility for presiding over a "shocking and disgraceful state of affairs".

He condemned the firm's "history of non-compliance", saying: "It should not be cheaper to offend than to take appropriate precautions."

He added: "Logbook entries reflected the pathetic state of affairs and the frustration of employees.

"Thames Water continually failed to report to the Environment Agency despite (managers) being fully aware of the issues and reporting governance."

He said the firm's managers had on several occasions ignored warnings and "risks identified by employees and others". In some cases, staff recorded a "failure waiting to happen".

Passing sentence, Judge Sheridan took into account the length of the offending period, inadequate site management and "a continual failure to report incidents".

The firm previously admitted 13 breaches of environmental laws over discharges from sewage treatment works in Aylesbury, Didcot, Henley and Little Marlow, and a pumping station at Littlemore.

It also pleaded guilty to a further charge on March 17 over a lesser discharge from an unmanned sewage treatment plant at Arborfield in Berkshire in September 2013.

The judge also took into account seven further incidents at sewage sites on the Thames in 2014.

Thames's previous record fine for pollution was 1 million, paid in January 2016.

Speaking outside the court on Wednesday, Richard Aylard, Thames Water's external affairs and sustainability director, said: "We have failed in our responsibility to the environment and that hurts both personally and professionally because we do care.

"We've also failed in our responsibility to our customers, who pay us to provide an essential public service all the time, every day, and not just some of the time, and we apologise for all of those failings.

"But in the three years since the last of those incidents we have learnt our lesson - there have been sweeping, far-reaching changes across the waste water business.

"That has included more people, more and better systems and more investments, and that is beginning to pay off.

"Our performance has improved considerably and we're also doing a lot of work which we're proud of in partnership with environmental groups across our area, working to improve rivers and not just get them back to where they should be."

He insisted customers would not face an increase in prices, adding: "This fine will be paid in full by shareholders only."

Anne Brosnan, the Environment Agency's chief prosecutor, said: " Thames Water was completely negligent to the environmental dangers created by the parlous state of its works.

"Our investigation revealed that we were dealing with a pattern of unprecedented pollution incidents which could have been avoided if Thames Water had been open and frank with the Environment Agency as required by water company industry protocol."

The agency's chief executive Sir James Bevan added: "This case sends a clear signal to the industry that safeguarding the environment is not an optional extra, it is an essential part of how all companies must now operate."

Consumer groups and charities welcomed the fine.

Sir Tony Redmond, the London and South East chairman of the Consumer Council for Water, said: "These were extremely serious and unacceptable failings by Thames Water which had a devastating impact on the natural environment.

"We believe a fine of this magnitude sends a very clear message to the company that it needs to take seriously its environmental responsibilities.

"Thames Water says it has learned lessons and we'll be watching closely to make sure it acts on these."

Rose O'Neil, water policy manager at WWF, added: "This ruling and fine is welcome and needs to focus the minds of all water companies and their shareholders as it is not an isolated issue.

"This case highlights the need for water companies to invest in solutions that manage the whole local catchment area such as green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems.

"They simply can't continue treating our rivers as their dumping ground."
Education Secretary Justine Greening has already been warned by Tory backbenchers in areas set to lose out that the plans will not make it through the Commons

Theresa May has been forced to defend the controversial shake-up of school funding in England after a respected economic think tank warned it would create "significant winners and losers".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the Prime Minister of focusing on the "vanity project" of a new generation of grammars rather than ensuring existing schools have the funding they need.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May acknowledged there would be a "number of views" about the proposals for a new national funding formula (NFF) but insisted "it's not a vanity project to want every child in this country to have a good school place".

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the Government's proposed plan to change the way money is distributed is "broadly sensible", but warned some schools could face "protracted cuts" as a result of the shift from 152 different local authority formulae to a single national method of allocating funding.

Education Secretary Justine Greening and the Prime Minister have already been warned by Tory backbenchers in areas set to lose out that the plans will not make it through the Commons in their current form.

As she clashed with Mr Corbyn in the Commons, Mrs May said: "The national funding formula is a consultation and obviously there will be a number of views."

The consultation closes on Wednesday and the Department for Education will respond "in due course".

She said the NFF addresses a long-standing concern that funding arrangements are "unfair".

Mr Corbyn claimed a squeeze on the overall schools budget, which has been protected in real terms but faces increased costs and a rising number of pupils, could see class sizes increase and subject choices diminish.

He highlighted the 320 million allocated in the Budget for new free schools, including "divisive" grammars, and told Mrs May she was "betraying a generation of young people by cutting the funding for every child".

"Children will have fewer teachers, larger classes, fewer subjects to choose from and all the Prime Minister can do is focus on her grammar school vanity project that can only ever benefit a few children," he said.

Mrs May said the Government's record had seen "protected school funding, more teachers in our schools, more teachers with first-class degrees in our schools, more children in good or outstanding schools".

She also launched a personal attack on Mr Corbyn and his senior allies, pointing out that he sent his child to a grammar school and attended one himself, while shadow home secretary Diane Abbott and shadow attorney general Baroness Chakrabarti had chosen private education for their children.

"Typical Labour: take advantage and pull up the ladder behind you," she said.

The IFS analysis said the proposals a re the most ambitious reform to the school funding system for more than 25 years and would ensure similar schools in different parts of the country receive a similar level of funding per pupil.

But it warned: "Implementing this reform at a time when there is already considerable pressure on school budgets will inevitably be difficult."

The analysis also found that the formula " diverts funding away from schools with the most deprived student population and towards those with average levels of deprivation".

As part of the plan, the Government has promised protections until 2019-20 to ensure no school can lose more than 3% funding per-pupil in cash terms and no school can gain more than 5.6%.

The National Governors' Association (NGA) backed a change in the way money is allocated, but argued there should be more cash overall.

NGA chief executive Emma Knights said: " The case for changing the way schools are funded should not be confused with the broader argument for more money for schools because, ultimately, it will mean pupils get a fairer share of not enough."
People are evacuated from around the Houses of Parliament

The Westminster attacker is treated by paramedics as the knives he used in his attack (ringed) lie nearby in the street. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

A total of four people, including the attacker, have died and around 40 others have been injured after a man mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and stabbed a policeman before being shot by armed officers.

The police officer who died was named by Scotland Yard as 48-year-old husband and father Keith Palmer.

The attacker, armed with two large knives, mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge, including schoolchildren, then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing the policeman before being shot dead by other officers.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the man approached a second officer.

Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said the two other fatalities were on the bridge when the terrorist struck. At least 20 other people were injured.

Mr Rowley told reporters outside New Scotland Yard, just yards from the scene of the attack: "This was a day we've planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it is now a reality."

Paramedics fought to save the officer's life and that of his attacker on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament, with Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.

Expand Close Handout photo issued by Metropolitan Police of PC Keith Palmer who was killed during the terrorist attack on the Houses of Parliament, London. PA PA / Facebook

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The police officer was wheeled away on a stretcher with his face covered.

Mr Ellwood, who lost his brother in the Bali bombing, could be seen pumping the officer's chest then standing above him, his hands and face smeared with blood.

Other armed officers, some in plain clothes and wearing balaclavas, swarmed around the yard just feet from where MPs had earlier attended Prime Minister's Questions.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A woman holds a placard up during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: A letter is left amongst candles during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Members of the public light candles during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: People gather during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan looks on during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: A man looks on during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: People write messages of support on the ground during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. Four People were killed in Westminster, London, yesterday in a terrorist attack by "lone wolf" killer Khalid Masood,52. Three of the victims have been named as PC Keith Palmer, US tourist Kurt Cochran from Utah and Mother of two Aysha Frade. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor at the top of the frame as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PA PA British police officers work on Westminster Bridge, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Handout photo issued by Metropolitan Police of PC Keith Palmer who was killed during the terrorist attack on the Houses of Parliament, London. PA PA British Police officers guard the entrance the The Mall, as the roads leading to Parliament Square in central London on March 22, 2017, remain cordonned off in the aftermath of a terror incident at the Houses of Parliament. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A picture obtained from the Twitter account of James West, shows a car stopped on the sidewalk in front of the Palace of Westminster which houses the Houses of Parliament in central London on March 22, 2017 during an incident. James West/Getty AFP/Getty Images People leave after being evacuated from around the Houses of Parliament and Parliament Square in Westminster, central London on March 22, 2017 during an emergency incident. Three people were killed and 20 injured in a "terrorist" attack outside the British parliament Wednesday when a man mowed down pedestrians, then stabbed a police officer before being shot dead. The car struck pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, a popular spot with tourists because of its views of Big Ben, before crashing into the railings outside the heavily guarded parliament building in the heart of the British capital. / AFP PHOTO / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A Metropolitan Police superintendent addresses the crowd from the pulpit at Westminster Abbey to some of the hundreds of people that were evacuated from Parliament during the terrorist attack. PA PA Police forensic officers close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PA PA LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer has been stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard report they have been called to an incident on Westminster Bridge where several people have been injured by a car. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images Armed officers attend to the scene outside Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer has been stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard report they have been called to an incident on Westminster Bridge where several people have been injured by a car. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Police and forensic officers at the scene of a terrorist attack in which a number of pedestrians were mowed down on Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. Four people including a police officer and his attacker have been killed in two related incidents outside the Houses of Parliament and on Westminster Bridge in what Scotland Yard are treating as a terrorist incident. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: An armed police officer stands guard outside the Ministry of Defence on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer has been stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard report they have been called to an incident on Westminster Bridge where several people have been injured by a car.(Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Police officers block access to the southern entrace of Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. Four people including a police officer and his attacker have been killed in two related incidents outside the Houses of Parliament and on Westminster Bridge in what Scotland Yard are treating as a terrorist incident. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images Emergency services' vehicles are pictured on Westminster Bridge, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident. A police officer was among three killed Wednesday in a suspected terrorist attack outside Britain's parliament by an assailant who was then shot dead by armed police, Britain's top anti-terror officer said. Mark Rowley said the two other victims died on Westminster Bridge in London after the attacker mowed down pedestrians in a car, leaving at least 20 people injured in total. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Ambulances are pictured outside St Thomas' Hospital in central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident at Parliament. A police officer was among three killed Wednesday in a suspected terrorist attack outside Britain's parliament by an assailant who was then shot dead by armed police, Britain's top anti-terror officer said. Mark Rowley said the two other victims died on Westminster Bridge in London after the attacker mowed down pedestrians in a car, leaving at least 20 people injured in total. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: A Police boat patrols the river Thames by St Thomas' hospital and Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer has been stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard report they have been called to an incident on Westminster Bridge where several people have been injured by a car. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images British Police officers stand betwen the pods of the London Eye, during the evacuation of passengers, in central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident at the Houses of Parliament. At least three people were killed and 20 injured in a "terrorist" attack in the heart of London Wednesday when a man mowed down pedestrians on a bridge, then stabbed a police officer outside parliament before being shot dead. Police guarding the iconic House of Commons building shot the man but several people were left with "catastrophic" injuries on Westminster Bridge, a busy traffic junction popular with tourists with views of Big Ben. / AFP PHOTO / Joel FordJOEL FORD/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images The Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament, are pictured in Westminster, central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident. At least three people were killed and 20 injured in a "terrorist" attack in the heart of London Wednesday when a man mowed down pedestrians on a bridge, then stabbed a police officer outside parliament before being shot dead. Police guarding the iconic House of Commons building shot the man but several people were left with "catastrophic" injuries on Westminster Bridge, a busy traffic junction popular with tourists with views of Big Ben. / AFP PHOTO / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Ambulances are pictured outside St Thomas' Hospital in central London on March 22, 2017, in the aftermath of a terror incident at Parliament. A police officer was among three killed Wednesday in a suspected terrorist attack outside Britain's parliament by an assailant who was then shot dead by armed police, Britain's top anti-terror officer said. Mark Rowley said the two other victims died on Westminster Bridge in London after the attacker mowed down pedestrians in a car, leaving at least 20 people injured in total. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Ambulances, police vehicles and emergency services seen on Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer was stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard also reported an incident on Westminster Bridge where one woman has been killed and several people seriously injured by a car. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Ambulances, police vehicles and emergency services seen on Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer was stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard also reported an incident on Westminster Bridge where one woman has been killed and several people seriously injured by a car. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Police officers seen on Westminster Bridge on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer was stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard also reported an incident on Westminster Bridge where one woman has been killed and several people seriously injured by a car. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images Emergency personnel on Westminster Bridge, close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 22, 2017. See PA story POLICE Westminster. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire PA LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police makes a statement outside of New Scotland Yard on March 22, 2017 in London, England. A police officer has been stabbed near to the British Parliament and the alleged assailant shot by armed police. Scotland Yard report they have been called to an incident on Westminster Bridge where several people have been injured by a car. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA A member of the public is treated by emergency services near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on March 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA An armed police officer stands guard near Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on March 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 22, 2017. See PA story POLICE Westminster. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside Westminster Abbey, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA MP's in House of Commons, London after a major security alert at the Palace of Westminster after a man apparently carrying a knife charged through the gates into the front yard of the parliamentary compound. PA Wire PA David Lidington, the Leader of the House of Commons speaking in the House of Commons, London after a major security alert at the Palace of Westminster after a man apparently carrying a knife charged through the gates into the front yard of the parliamentary compound. Photo credit should read: PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Yui Mok/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside Westminster Abbey, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said. Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A woman holds a placard up during a candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square on March 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

The knifeman drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

His attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.

One woman hit by the attacker's car before he reached Parliament was confirmed dead by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital. She said others on the bridge suffered 'catastrophic injuries'.

Expand Close A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor at the top of the frame as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PA PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A policeman points a gun at a man on the floor at the top of the frame as emergency services attend the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. PA

Another woman who apparently fell into the Thames was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge.

A party of French schoolchildren were among those targeted on the bridge, with three injured.

Expand Close A picture obtained from the Twitter account of James West, shows a car stopped on the sidewalk in front of the Palace of Westminster which houses the Houses of Parliament in central London on March 22, 2017 during an incident. James West/Getty AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp A picture obtained from the Twitter account of James West, shows a car stopped on the sidewalk in front of the Palace of Westminster which houses the Houses of Parliament in central London on March 22, 2017 during an incident. James West/Getty

Downing Street said Prime Minister Theresa May, who was ushered away from Parliament after the attack, was chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee.

Mrs May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar in the grounds of the palace as what sounded like gunfire rang out at around 2.45pm.

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the attack.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

An air ambulance landed in Parliament Square and a regular ambulance came in through the front gates as medics rushed to help.

Armed police cleared the area around the incident and Parliament Square and surrounding streets were closed to traffic while Parliament went into lockdown.

Prime Minister Theresa May describes the Westminster attack as "sick and depraved" https://t.co/ZQBJ3y8ACu pic.twitter.com/9U3v25sJg6  ITV News (@itvnews) March 22, 2017

As the sitting in the House of Commons was suspended, Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs: "What I am able to say to the House is there has been a serious incident within the estate.

"It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police."

Witnesses described seeing a heavy-set man carrying a knife and running towards the Houses of Parliament.

My thanks to the police and all who responded so bravely to the shocking attack in Westminster. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. pic.twitter.com/593IYZlewD  Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) March 22, 2017

Jayne Wilkinson said: "We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

"And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

"He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt.

"He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him."

Frazer Clarke, 25, from Burton-on-Trent, one of a group of young boxers who witnessed the attack, said: "We heard a loud bang and screaming and then I noticed some smoke. I thought it was a car crash.

"I looked towards the front gate and people were running, a police officer and a fellow coming to the gate with two knives.

"He was stabbing the police officer with the knives.

"He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black or grey top and what looked like work boots.

"The police officer was stumbling and fell on the floor.

"Another police officer walked toward the guy with the knives and shot him twice."

Another witness, from South Africa and living in Ireland, said she and two friends went towards the palace gates and saw a man lying on the floor inside.

She said: "I saw a body, they were working on the floor. They were just inside the gates.

"He had one gunshot wound to the right side of his chest. I don't know if he was dead or alive, but people were working on him.

"I saw that needed medical attention and I asked if I could help because I am a doctor, but they said they were fine."

French teenagers injured on school visit

Three French teenagers on a school visit to London were among those injured on Westminster Bridge.

Le Telegramme reported the students, aged between 15 and 16, were wounded in the attack with one ending up on the roof of the car.

The pupils from a school in Concarneau, Brittany, had arrived in London on Sunday evening.

A spokeswoman for the Lycee Saint-Joseph de Concarneau confirmed three students were injured but said she could give no further information.

France's prime minister confirmed French students were among those injured on bridge.

Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: "Solidarity with our British friends, terribly stricken, full support to the injured french students, their families and their comrades."

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said: "Terrorism concerns us all and France knows how the British people are suffering today.

"We are doing everything to find out if French nationals have been involved."

Edge Hill University students injured

Four university students were injured as they were caught up in the attack on Westminster Bridge.

They were among a group of 13 students and a lecturer from Edge Hill University, in Ormskirk, who were on the first day of a two-day educational visit to the Houses of Parliament.

The students had just left Parliament and made their way on to Westminster Bridge after they had watched Prime Minister's Questions and met with MPs.

Among those injured were Owen Lambert, 18, from Morecambe, Lancs, who needed stitches to a head wound, and Travis Frain, from Darwen.

Dr John Cater, Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University, told BBC North West Tonight: "They had just actually finished their session, were leaving the Parliament building and in the Westminster Bridge area where we understand ... they were involved in the incident.

"We understand that two students have been taken to hospital but as walking wounded - one with a head wound and one with a wrist injury. There are two other students who have minor injuries who are with police and acting as witnesses.

"The good news is that the other nine students are now back in a hostel receiving support and will return to the North West tomorrow."

He added: "The details are invariably hazy I guess.Our assumption is that they were either knocked over by other people or struck by the vehicle. Obviously all of them will be somewhat traumatised by what they have seen as well."

Earlier, the university tweeted: "All students and lecturer in Westminster have been accounted for and are being supported by the university."

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Theresa May ushered away

Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar in the grounds of the palace as what sounded like gunfire rang out at around 2.45pm.

A Downing Street source confirmed she was "OK".

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the attack.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise.

"I have spoken to the Acting Commissioner. The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is under way. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.

"I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

"For the latest information please visit news.met.police.uk."

An air ambulance landed in Parliament Square and a regular ambulance came in through the front gates as medics rushed to help.

Armed police cleared the area around the incident and Parliament Square and surrounding streets were closed to traffic while Parliament went into lockdown.

As the sitting in the House of Commons was suspended, Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs: "What I am able to say to the House is there has been a serious incident within the estate.

"It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police."

Witnesses described seeing a heavy-set man carrying a knife and running towards the Houses of Parliament.

Jayne Wilkinson said: "We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

"And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

"He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt.

"He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him."

Her partner David Turner added: "There was a stampede of people running out.

"You saw the people and you thought 'what the hell is going on'."

A witness, who did not want to be named, saw Mrs May and her undercover police detail near the area of Parliament where ministerial cars are parked.

He said there were undercover officers in a 4x4 vehicle in the car park.

"We just heard gunshots inside Parliament," he said.

"It looked like they are taking her away."

Another witness, from South Africa and living in Ireland, said she and two friends went towards the palace gates and saw a man lying on the floor inside.

She said: "I saw a body, they were working on the floor. They were just inside the gates.

"He had one gunshot wound to the right side of his chest. I don't know if he was dead or alive, but people were working on him.

"I saw that needed medical attention and I asked if I could help because I am a doctor, but they said they were fine.

"Then the police moved us back."

Daily Mail political editor Jason Groves witnessed the incident from his office window.

He said: "I heard a bang coming from Westminster Tube station, looked out the window, there's a commotion, armed cops were running, the crowd of people outside were running as if for their lives.

"A guy comes through the vehicle entrance wielding something, towards a copper, the copper tumbles.

"The man's running towards Westminster Hall, and then you've got a plain clothes copper comes running out.

"Not from the gate, but from the inside, shoots him once from maybe 10 or 15 yards away with a handgun, and then gets closer to him and shoots him again from over him and he doesn't get up."

Mrs May's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister was brought back to Number 10 from Parliament. She is currently monitoring the situation."

Cobra meeting

Prime Minister Theresa May has chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the bloody incident at the Palace of Westminster.

The 45-minute meeting brought together senior ministers as well as senior police officers, representatives of the security agencies and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mrs May ordered flags to be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent people who lost their lives at Westminster.

Among ministers attending this evening's meeting were Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, security minister Ben Wallace, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and foreign minister Sir Alan Duncan.

Absent were Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who was away on an official trip to Pakistan, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in the US for a summit of nations involved in the fight against the Islamic State terror group.

The meeting in Whitehall was addressed by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior anti-terrorist police officer.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergencies committee, Mrs May paid tribute to the "exceptional men and women" of the police force who responded to the attack.

She confirmed that a single attacker drove a car into pedestrians walking on Westminster Bridge, killing two of them, before running with a knife through the front gates of the Palace of Westminster, where he killed a police officer before being shot dead.

She vowed that "the forces of evil" would never be allowed "to drive us apart".

Mrs May said that any attempt to defeat the values that Parliament stands for was "doomed to failure".

And she vowed: "We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

The UK's terror threat level would remain at "severe", Mrs May said.

She praised the bravery of the police officers "who keep us and our democratic institutions safe".

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected, to the victims themselves and to their families and friends, who waved their loved ones off but will not now be welcoming them home.

"For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.

"Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger, even as they encouraged others to move the other way."

She said Parliament would "meet as normal" on Thursday.

"We will come together as normal and Londoners and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city will get up and go about their day as normal."

Mrs May said that the UK's security threat level, which has stood at "severe" for some time, will not be raised as a result of the incident.

The exact details of the "sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our capital this afternoon" were still emerging, she said, adding: "Having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers.

"This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament, where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us and our democratic institutions safe.

"Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead.

"The United Kingdom's threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change.

"Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening."

She said Parliament would "meet as normal" on Thursday.

"We will come together as normal and Londoners and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city will get up and go about their day as normal."

Mrs May said that the UK's security threat level, which has stood at "severe" for some time, will not be raised as a result of the incident.

The exact details of the "sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our capital this afternoon" were still emerging, she said, adding: "Having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers.

"This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament, where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us and our democratic institutions safe.

"Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead.

"The United Kingdom's threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change.

"Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening."

The Cobra committee brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

Meeting in a briefing room of the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, Cobra co-ordinates the high-level response to serious incidents, and has previously gathered after terrorist atrocities, including the July 7 attacks on the London transport network and the murder of soldier Lee Rigby.

The White House said US President Donald Trump spoke with Mrs May to "offer his condolences on today's terror attack in London and his praise for the effective response of security forces and first responders.

"He pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States Government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice."

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: "On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families.

"The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom.

"We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference."

Cobra is named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, in which it often meets. In recent times, Downing Street has begun referring to it as COBR, as it sometimes meets in Briefing Room B.

Politicians describe chaotic scenes

Tory peer Pauline Neville-Jones, a former security minister, told the Press Association from the locked down office of an MP: "I was coming in from the dedicated entrance at Westminster Tube station into Parliament and as I was going in to the entrance I was faced with a large number of people running in the opposite direction shouting 'get out get out'.

"So I went out went upstairs where I saw the car which appears to have carried the assailant.

"On the pavement on the opposite side of the road, crushed up against the railings, you could see two people, one of them under the wheels of the car the other further away, who had clearly been hit by it.

"There were already people kneeling down and treating them when the police arrived and ambulances arrived, so it was very prompt.

"I must have been there only three or four minutes after the assailant left the car.

"There were a lot of people but by then the street scene was quite calm, although there were people tending those who had obviously been injured.

"We came around the corner into Whitehall and then back into Parliament.

"I did conclude, on the face of it, that this was a terrorist incident.

"And it's the kind of terrorist incident that's very hard to deal with because, as we now know, this is the kind of incident that can be mounted without necessarily leaving any kind of trail which the police and security services and intelligence services can actually pick up to prevent it.

"It's very simple to organise, it appears to be one individual with a car and with a knife."

Ms Neville-Jones said the police will have trained to respond to such an incident.

She said: "Yes. It's very hard to prevent, what the police and blue light services do plan for is very quick recovery, and that's to say moving in extremely fast in order to capture as much information as is available straight away, not allowing any assailants to get away, and keeping the people who are being attacked, and whatever institution it is, keeping the people in it safe.

"All of that worked."

UUP peer Lord Empey: British people will not be cowed

Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has said that the British people will not be cowed by any terror threat and will stand together as a United Kingdom.

Speaking from Westminster, Lord Empey said: "Todays shocking attack on the Palace of Westminster will be condemned by all right-thinking people.

"My deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends and colleagues of three innocent victims  including an extremely brave police officer - who have lost their lives and I hope that the injured can make a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected.

"History demonstrates that the British people do not frighten easily. This was an attack on the Mother of Parliaments, the seat of our democracy, our nation's Capital City.

"If anyone thinks that this type of attack will frighten or intimidate our citizens, they are badly mistaken. London has faced terrorism before and life defiantly carried on. The British people will face down any threat that comes our way. Our democracy and our nation will endure, as one United Kingdom."

SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie: Reminder of the threat that police officers face

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has said her thoughts are with victims. Ms Ritchie has been in Westminster throughout the attack. The SDLP all three of the party's MPs as well as their staff are safe.

Ms Ritchie said: "The events at Westminster today are a tragic reminder of the threat that police officers and public representatives face simply for doing their jobs. My thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims of this attack. Many are injured and a number have already lost their lives. A tragedy has unfolded here today.

"I am extremely grateful for the dedicated professionalism of House of Commons staff and police who have taken control here and ensured the safety of others at the scene including many tourists and children."

President of Ireland condemns attack

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has sent a sympathy message over the Westminster terror attack.

The Irish Republic's head of state is to write to the Queen and London Mayor Sadiq Khan to express the sympathy "of the Irish people with the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who have been injured".

President Higgins said he wanted to express "the sympathy, condolences and solidarity of the Irish people with our neighbours at this difficult time".

Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan also extended sympathies.

"I wish to extend my condolences and on behalf of my Government, my support to the people of London and the UK. Terror and violence will never triumph over democracy," he said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny took to Twitter to express solidarity and condolences.

"On behalf of Government I send our support to PM May & British people. Condolences to the families of the victims and thoughts with the injured," he said.

No Irish are believed to have been caught up in the attack.

Echoes of attacks in Europe

Investigations into the emergency at Westminster are in their infancy, but the early details echo terrorist incidents in Europe and chime with warnings from security chiefs about possible attack methods.

Although Britain has until now remained unscathed amid the recent flurry of atrocities on the continent, senior figures have repeatedly cautioned that the UK remains a major target.

Earlier this month it was revealed that 13 potential attacks have been foiled since the murder of Lee Rigby in 2013, while counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 live investigations at any time.

The official threat level for international terrorism has been at severe - meaning an attack is "highly likely" - for more than two years.

And the events at Westminster appear to tally with warnings about the threat posed by more rudimentary tactics, such as lone or small numbers of assailants carrying out knife attacks or using vehicles as weapons, in addition to more large-scale bomb or firearms plots.

The possibility that vehicles could be used to inflict multiple casualties were confirmed in horrifying fashion in the Nice attacks in July last year when dozens of people were killed when a lorry ploughed into a large crowd watching a fireworks display to mark the Bastille Day holiday.

Months later an attacker drove a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing several people and injuring dozens more.

Both Islamic State and al Qaida have previously urged followers to use vehicles to carry out attacks.

A report published in December by Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, said the bloc was facing a range of terrorist threats and attacks including the use of bladed weapons and vehicles.

In January former terror laws watchdog David Anderson spoke of a "realisation on the part of the terrorists that they don't need sophisticated explosives plots to take great numbers of lives".

He added: "People using automatic weapons, heavy goods vehicles, even knives, machetes, and securing all the publicity they could possibly want from deploying relatively simple weapons such as that."

Scotland Yard counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said earlier this month that police are concerned about "everything from fairly simple attacks with knives or using vehicles all the way through to the more complex firearms attacks".

Security services and police will be starting to piece together the possible motivations behind the attack on Wednesday, but the location - the heart of British democracy - will be seen as highly significant.

It comes days after the Metropolitan Police staged a mock "pleasure boat" attack on the Thames to test the emergency response to such an emergency.

Casualty bureau

A casualty bureau has been set and people in the UK worried about loved ones should call 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010.
The reported failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting annual military drills

A new missile launch by North Korea appears to have ended in failure, South Korea has said, three days after Pyongyang claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The reported launch failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

Earlier this month North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

On Wednesday morning, the North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan, but the launch was believed to have ended in failure, Seoul's Defence Ministry said.

It said it was analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next few days.

The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

The North's state media said on Sunday that it conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the country's space programme.

Weapons experts say such technology has applications for the North's ballistic missile programme.

AP

The American military detected what it assessed as a failed North Korean missile launch on Wednesday morning, the US Pacific Command said.

It said the missile "appears to have exploded within seconds of launch".

North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with what it says is US hostility.

Many weapons experts say the North could have a functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental US within a few years.

North Korea carried out two nuclear tests last year.
Mr Erdogan has slammed European countries for not letting his ministers campaign on their soil for the April 16 vote on expanding his powers. (AP)

Europeans across the world will not be able to walk the streets safely if they keep up their current attitude towards Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned.

Turkey has been mired in a diplomatic row with Germany and the Netherlands after they banned Turkish officials from campaigning in support of an April referendum on boosting the Turkish President's powers.

"If Europe continues this way, no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets," Mr Erdogan told journalists in Ankara.

He added: "We, as Turkey, call on Europe to respect human rights and democracy."

Turkish government officials are still participating in events for expatriate Turks across Europe, but are not campaigning for the referendum, the Turkish deputy prime minister has said.

Numan Kurtulmus said the row had helped Turks in Europe better understand the constitutional changes proposed in the referendum.

He said the "footsteps of neo-Nazism and extreme racism" were being heard in Europe.

Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier used his first speech as president to accuse Mr Erdogan of jeopardising everything Turkey has achieved in recent years.

"The way we look [at Turkey] is characterised by worry, that everything that has been built up over years and decades is collapsing," Mr Steinmeier said in his inaugural speech in the largely ceremonial role.

"President Erdogan, you are jeopardising everything that you, with others, have built," he said, adding he would welcome "credible signs" to ease the situation.

Nato ally Turkey has repeatedly accused Germany of using Nazi tactics and has caused anger by holding German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel.

"But end the unspeakable Nazi comparisons!" Mr Steinmeier added. "Do not cut the ties to those people who want partnership with Turkey! Respect the rule of law and the freedom of media and journalists! And release Deniz Yucel."

Mr Erdogan has previously branded the Netherlands "Nazi remnants" and accused Germany of "fascist actions."

He has said his country may review its ties with Europe after the referendum, which he hopes will give him sweeping new powers, and has described Europe as "fascist and cruel," saying it resembles the pre-World War Two era.

European leaders have made repeated calls for Turkish officials to avoid Nazi comparisons and the head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany accused Mr Erdogan of disrespecting the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

"The comparisons between today's Federal Republic of Germany and National Socialism, which we have heard in recent days, are not only insulting and absolutely false  they also relativize the Nazis' rule of terror," Josef Schuster said, German newspaper Die Welt reported.

"The comparison is monstrous and denigrates the suffering of the victims of the Shoah."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey should stop Nazi comparisons "with no ifs or buts."

The controversy deepened last week when a Turkish pro-government newspaper depicted Ms Merkel as Adolf Hitler on its front page, branding her "Mrs Hitler."

The right-wing tabloid accused the German chancellor of attempting to lead a fascist movement against Turkey.

It came days after Germany's biggest-selling newspaper Bild attacked Mr Erdogan for threatening the stability of Europe through his "lust for power."

Bild tells the truth to Erdogans face  you are not a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not welcome here! the German newspaper said.

Turkish hackers also spread Nazi accusations across high profile Twitter accounts, posting pro-Erdogan messages from accounts including Amnesty International, BBC North America and Forbes.

While tensions between Turkey and Europe have boiled over in recent weeks, acrimony over Turkey's belief some European countries are harbouring suspected terrorists has festered for years.

Europe has questioned whether fugitives would get a fair trial in Turkey and said free speech laws and other rights protect many dissidents.

A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, told the Associated Press Turkey will ask the Netherlands to extradite a Turkish leftist militant.

Mr Erdogan criticised Germany for allowing a weekend rally of Kurds, some of whom expressed support for a jailed rebel leader in Turkey.

In January, Turkey condemned a Greek court ruling granting asylum to eight Turkish military servicemen allegedly involved in a failed coup to oust Mr Erdogan last year.
Sinn Fein for Belfast City Council Emma Groves signs the book of condolence at Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, following the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A woman leaves flowers at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Floral tributes left at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast following the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A black flag and the national flag of Ireland referred to as the Irish tricolour, fly at half mast at Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast following the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday March 21, 2017. Mr McGuinness stood down in January in protest at the DUP's handling of the 'cash for ash' energy scandal, triggering a snap election. See PA story DEATH McGuinness. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A black flag and the national flag of Ireland referred to as the Irish tricolour, fly at half mast at Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast following the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A general view of the bogside area of Londonderry after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Murals in the bogside area of Londonderry after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

A woman carries a child past a Republican mural in the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry in Northern Ireland on March 21, 2017 near the home of former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, whose death was announced this morning. Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, has died aged 66. His Sinn Fein party, which opposes British rule in Northern Ireland and was long considered the political arm of the IRA, announced the death in a statement on March 21, 2017, expressing "deep regret". / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITHPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images

A floral tribute left at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast following the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

William Cosgrove signs the book of condolence in remembrance to Martin McGuinness at Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A passer by stops at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast to read a message from Gerry Adams after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Lilies left in remembrance to Martin McGuinness at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Constituency staff of Belfast West MLA Alex Maskey tie lilies to the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Constituency staff of Belfast West MLA Alex Maskey placing a message from Gerry Adams to the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Constituency staff of Belfast West MLA Alex Maskey tie lilies to the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Constituency staff of Belfast West MLA Alex Maskey tie lilies to the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A passerby stops at the gates of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast to read a message from Gerry Adams after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A Derry Country GAA flag flies at half mast in the bogside area of Londonderry after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

A flag flies at half mast in the bogside area of Londonderry after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

A flag flies at half mast in the bogside area of Londonderry after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is placed on a stand as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill, stand over the coffin of former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry by his wife Bernie McGuinness (front right) after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The sons of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness , Fiachra (left) and Emmet, carry his coffin to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Sinn Feins president Gerry Adams

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Sinn Feins president Gerry Adams Presseye

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Presseye Stephen Hamilton

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Martin's wife Bernie pictured during her husband's removal. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Martin's wife Bernie pictured during her husband's removal. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Martin's wife Bernie pictured during her husband's removal. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Mourners pictured at the removal of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness to his home in the Bog side. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The sons of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness , Fiachra (left) and Emmet, carry his coffin to his home in Derry after he died aged 66. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Well wishers carry the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness past the murals at Free Derry corner on March 21, 2017 in Derry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Well wishers carry the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness past the murals at Free Derry corner on March 21, 2017 in Derry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Well wishers carry the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness past the murals at Free Derry corner on March 21, 2017 in Derry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Bernadette McGuinness (R) carries the coffin of her late husband Martin McGuinness on March 21, 2017 in Derry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

An Irish Flag flys at half mast in the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry on March 21, 2017 as a mark of respect after the death of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. AFP/Getty Images

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (R) and Sinn Fein Northern Ireland leader, Michelle O'Neill (L) carry the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness past Free Derry corner on March 21, 2017 in Derry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams (R) and Sinn Fein Northern Leader, Michelle O'Neill (L) comfort a mourner as they await the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness on March 21, 2017 in Derry (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (R) and Northern Ire;and Leader, Michelle O'Neill (L) adjusts an Irish flag on the coffin of the late Martin McGuinness watched by his wife Bernadette McGuinness (C) on March 21, 2017 in Derry (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The wife of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Bernie (R), helps to carry the coffin of her late husband in procession through the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry to his family home on March 21, 2017. AFP/Getty Images

Message placed on the wall of Connolly House, Andersonstown, Belfast, from Gerry Adams after the death of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness aged 66. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is placed on a stand as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill, stand over the coffin of former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness as it is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry after he died aged 66. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Londonderry by Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill after he died aged 66. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (R) and Northern Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill (L) lay the Irish flag on the coffin of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness before it is processed through the Bogside neighbourhood of Derry to his family home on March 21, 2017. AFP/Getty Images

The US State Department has paid tribute to Martin McGuinness following his death.

Mr McGuinness passed away early on Tuesday following a short battle with illness at the age of 66.

Spokesman Mark Toner said that Mr McGuinness "worked to end violence and promote cross-community reconciliation".

He said: "First, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Martin McGuiness. As deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, McGuiness worked to make the power sharing in government a cornerstone of consolidating peace and building prosperity in the region.

"In making difficult decisions to move away from militancy, McGuiness worked to end violence and promote cross-community reconciliation.

"McGuiness will also be long remembered as a pivotal negotiator and architect of the U.S.-brokered Good Friday Agreement, helping Northern Ireland to transition from decades of violence to a more stable and peaceful future."

Books of condolence have been opened for Mr McGuinness at Stormont, Belfast City Hall and in the Guildhall.

The Northern Ireland Assembly was recalled on Wednesday to gather MLAs to pay tribute to the Sinn Fein veteran.
McGuinness with a portrait of the Queen last year. Photo credit should read: Jeff Spicer/PA Wire

While the undoubted contribution of Martin McGuinness to the peace process is being celebrated, the fact is that the current political crisis has arisen because that approach had run its course - or he thought it had.

Some voices from unionism have generously acknowledged that McGuinness made big strides towards them. But at the start of this year McGuinness and the Sinn Fein leadership decided that those efforts had not been reciprocated and that the relationship between republicans and the DUP had to be renegotiated.

Now that he is dead and his legacy is being widely endorsed, this presents the prospect of Sinn Fein casting around for ways of continuing with his approach.

The question the party might ask now is: "What would Martin do?"

And past experience suggests the answer might be that he would stretch himself to make devolution work.

This week the party is facing a deadline to reach a difficult accommodation with the DUP and the British Government, a deal that seems to be slipping out of reach because of the complications around the legacy questions.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said that funding will not be released for crucial, long-delayed inquests until an overall resolution has been reached.

This is using the families of some of the dead as chips in a game against Sinn Fein, which isn't quite decent, but that is the nature of the challenge on the table right now.

And it may be that a McGuinness approach, which was strong on the symbolic gesture but did not deliver key party demands, wouldn't work in this situation.

McGuinness won some unionist and Protestant hearts with his charm and civility, his willingness to go where no republican had gone before, even to shake hands with the Queen.

Unionists might like another republican to come forward who has the same generosity, the same sense of mission.

They might feel, logically, that if they still had Martin, they would get a better deal than from Michelle O'Neill with Gerry Adams standing at her shoulder.

But even if such a replacement was at hand, the problems now seem far more complex than any that could be resolved just by goodwill and an open hand.

There is no doubt that McGuinness astonished some unionists and some Protestant leaders with his easy manner and his willingness to listen. Adams has had nothing like that impact on them.

Those who speak of Martin's geniality and openness tend to regard Adams as a cold and aloof man.

They feel that republicanism may have been playing the old routine of 'Good Cop, Bad Cop' with them.

But now the 'Good Cop' is dead and the diplomacy and charm that softened the exchanges between the two big parties is gone.

However, it is well to remember that we are in this crisis because many in the republican movement felt that McGuinness had conceded too much.

Before Christmas he posed beside a portrait of the Queen, looking as pleased to be beside her image as he had been to meet her in person.

This scored no real points for him within unionism, but it brought excoriating remarks from republicans. He thought he was cutting Arlene Foster some slack by asking her to stand aside while others insisted she resign. She didn't see it that way, and the party grumbled behind his back that he had gone soft.

The very willingness to compromise for which he is now being congratulated was exhausted, and the party decided to bring down the institutions to present an unprecedented challenge to the DUP.

And today republicans see that reversal as having paid off. They have increased their representation in Stormont to the point that nationalism is almost on a level pegging with unionism.

That wasn't achieved by doing things Martin's way, but by calling a halt to his genial and patrician manner, by deciding it was time to put manners on the DUP.

He had bigger problems at the end than seeing his strategy expire. A former IRA leader who went as far as McGuinness did was inevitably going to come under suspicion, not just of weakness, but of actual betrayal.

The risk he took in his work was that men who had taken orders from him inside the IRA over the years would come to regard him as a traitor who had sent them to war for a compromise he had outwardly refused.

People like that had killed before.

Some of his critics were not in the dissident groups. They included people who had been on the blanket and hunger strike protests and they believed they had been sold out.

The question has been raised routinely in recent years on social media whether he was actually working for the British side from the early days.

It can be very dangerous to have that sort of thing said about you by members and past members of the IRA.

And that kind of cruel whispering is what a successor in the McGuinness mould would suffer.
National Geographic on their upcoming episode of Explorer, which features His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This special episode of Explorer airs on Monday, March 20th.

In a rare interview, National Geographic sits down with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his largest event of the year, the Kalachakra, in Bodh Gaya, India. Journalist Michael Ware and the Dalai Lama have an intimate conversation as they discuss peace in a world gripped by violence. In studio, guest host Nick Schifrin sits down with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku and theologist Candida Moss to discuss the intersection between science and religion.
20th Century Fox

Some films dont leave you at peace.

Some place upon you a burden, one that youll carry over the coming weeks and months. Even years later, a sight or a smell or a sound will bring this type of film to mind, and for the space of a moment, youll feel the weight of it, the discomfort of a world that is not as it should be. It is within this kind of film that art strips down the barriers between man and God, allowing us a chance at redemption by pushing us to find our purpose.

Logan is one of these films.

"In Logan, there is no icon of courage. There is no font of comforting wisdom. There are only flawed, hurting people, just as naked to time as we are."

Directed by James Mangold, Logan is a far cry from the primary colorsboth emotional and physicalthat mark the typical superhero blockbuster. Audiences grown used to films like Avengers, or even Mangolds previous stab at the X-Men universe, The Wolverine, are in for something very different with Logan. This is a film that looks more like Mad Max: Fury Road than Superman, and feels more like Shindlers List than X-Men.

Logan begins at the bottom. Hugh Jackman plays the films titular characteralso known as Wolverineas he is in the year 2029. But this isnt the Wolverine we remember from the X-Mens glory days. Nothis Logan is old. His powers barely function. Hes living in poverty and driving a limo to make ends meet. The warrior mutant who was once able to completely heal from all but the gravest of wounds in seconds now walks with a limp, is covered in scars, and is wracked by ominous coughing fits.

The films name is meaningful. Wolverine, the superhero, is gone. Logan, the man, is come.

Its hard to see him this way. Wolverine is an icon, the epitome of the warrior who rushed headlong into every battle, claws out. He represented the courage that so many of us wish we had, and we like to think that this sort of courage is immortal, that it will always be there to inspire us.

It isnt, and it wont. Courage arises only from humanity, and like the cherry blossom, humanity blooms for a time, only to fall from the branch shortly after. And in acknowledging this, Logan does something no other superhero film has ever done.

It tells the truth.

There is a good reason why audiences love fantasy. We live in a fallen world, yet we yearn for something more, something higher, something better. C.S. Lewis once wrote that If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. For Christians, this other world Lewis wrote of lies in Heaven.

Yesthere is a bridge between Logan and God, and that bridge is art. Mangolds film isnt a Christian movie. But in telling the truth through fantasy, the art of Logan gives a glimpse of the divine.

Superheroes are commonly beings of singular purposethey are here to protect and defend, amidst other great deeds. But in the beginning of the film, Logan is without purpose. Hes barely getting by, living in a shed just across the Mexican border. He harbors some vague desires for the future, but its clear he doesnt believe hell reach them. The man wants to die.

And its here that we are introduced to another major character. Logan features not only its namesake, but another beloved member of the X-Mennone other than its powerful, telepathic founder, Charles Xavier, masterfully played by Patrick Stewart.

Charles, too, is brokenmoreso even than Logan is. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the most powerful telepath on the planet, a man who can control other people, wipe minds, and locate people all over the globe, were to suffer from dementia?

In Logan, you find out. And youll wish you hadnt.

If it hurts to see Logan in a state of age and infirmity, it is utterly heartbreaking to see the fatherly Charles Xavier so, to listen as this once-great man babbles, to watch tears slide down his cheeks as he continually realizes, forgets, and re-realizes that his diseased mind is out of control, having hurt and killed all of the people he loves the most. Logan does his best to keep things under control by providing Charles with medication, but it is a losing battle against time and disease.

In Logan, there is no icon of courage. There is no font of comforting wisdom. There are only flawed, hurting people, just as naked to time as we are. This is the baseline of life. We live in a fallen world, subject to death and decay since our expulsion from Eden. We wander the Earth, seeking purpose, seeking something in the dust, and filling that void with anything we can get our hands on.

This is the point where much of Christian art fails. Too much of the time, it tends to zoom in on the aftermath of a life touched by God, and even then, only on the stories that continue to go well after this point. The abusive father gets saved and is re-accepted by his family. Or the promiscuous guy gives up his sex life for God. Everythings okay. Everything continues upward.

But these arent truthful stories, and youll be hard-pressed to find God there. NoGod is most present in those stories which start at the bottom, and sometimes return there over and over. Look at the history of the Israelites in the Old Testament. Reallygo look at their story as a whole with open eyes, and youll see a natural patterns of ups and downs, of falling away from God and drawing back to Him, of rock-bottom death to beautiful life.

Thats actually a pretty good description of Logan. This is a world of negatives. This is a world that allows room for heroism, and depicts it as the beautiful rarity that it is.

Our clawed hero may begin at the bottom of this curve, but doesnt remain without purpose for longwithout spoiling an important plot point, purpose comes for him in the form of a very special young girl. He doesnt recognize it. And at first, he rejects it. But in the end, he realizes it was what hes been searching for all along.

Logan has always been an outsider amongst outsiders, but one who is constantly in search of redemption. In Logan, Hugh Jackman perfects the character that hes been playing for nearly two decades, and does it so well, perhaps, because it is a struggle he is familiar within a 2015 interview with Parade Magazine, Jackman candidly asserted his Christianity, as well as the relationship between his art and his God. The man knows the synergy between sin and redemption.

And that knowledge seeps out in Jackmans performance as Logan finally pieces together a place where he belongsa family, of sorts. Without spoiling some major plot points, it is here, in this family, that Logan finally finds his purpose, and through that purpose, his redemption.

Logan's moments of redemption, found while protecting this family, are made so much the clearer because of the film's dark and gritty worldthey're like fireworks in the night. He finally finds a reason to put someone else before himself, and it makes a difference in his life that makes things no better, in a way, yet makes them perfect in another.

In doing so, the film does something that Christian filmmakers should learn from. While never professing to be Christian, or spiritual, while never resorting to preaching or propaganda, Logan communicates its themes through actions, and through audiences recognizing that these actions were rightnot because anyone says they're right, but by the effects of these right actions. Each one of Logans redemptive moments clearly shows the good that comes from making a moral choice, yet is realistic in the fact that these moral choices are never easy, and in a world that just doesnt work right, may not even necessarily make things better.

Its this last that truly breaks the mold of superhero films, leaving audiences uncomfortable. But theyre only uncomfortable because theyre suddenly aware that things arent right in their own world. It's broken. It is in need of change.

Logan doesnt leave you at peace. That is its strength, for it is often as a result of discomfort that we change and create change. Like Logan, we rot from the inside out when we stagnate. Were not meant for thatwere meant for something more.

And like Logan, we simply have to say yes when that something comes along.

Wesley Baines is a graduate student at Regent University's School of Divinity, and a freelance writer working in the fields of spirituality, self-help, and religion. He is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. You can catch more of his work at www.wesleybaines.com.
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Pope Francis, head of the worldwide Catholic Church, and spiritual leader to over 1.2 billion Christians, has highlighted the fact that many feel that it is better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Christian. But despite recent headlines, the Popes message isnt what it seems.

While delivering a sermon on Vatican Radio on February 23rd, Pope Francis accused Catholics who observe religious ritual, but do not apply scriptural values in everyday life, of the scandal of saying one thing and doing another.

Pope Francis went on, saying that There are those who say, I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass, I belong to this association and that one; but my life is not Christian, I dont pay my workers a just wage, I exploit people, I am dirty in my business, I launder money.

And then he comes to the line that has made so many headlines.

There are many Catholics who are like this and they cause scandal. How many times have we all heard people say if that person is a Catholic, it is better to be an atheist.

Several news outlets, including The Guardian, the CNN, and Reuters, have picked up on that last statement, and have run articles with titles like the Washington Posts Pope Francis suggests its better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Catholic.

The problem is, though, that these titles are grossly misleading.

Dont let these headlines fool youPope Francis isnt in the business of uplifting or praising atheism, which he believes to end in spiritual deathas all Christians do. Hes in the business of spiritual guidance in accordance with his Catholic faith.

Lets take a closer look at the Popes statements within the context of the rest of his message.

How many times have we heard  all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere  but to be a Catholic like that, its better to be an atheist. It is that, scandal. You destroy. You beat down. And this happens every day, its enough to see the news on TV, or to read the papers. In the papers there are so many scandals, and there is also the great publicity of the scandals. And with the scandals there is destruction.

"The Popes statements reveal the true price of Christian hypocrisyan ineffective ministry, a discredited Catholic Church and a subsequent risk of increased atheism."

Within Catholic theology, scandal is a sin that occasions anothers spiritual ruin. It is a sin that causes more sin. And that is the true crux of Pope Franciss messagenot that it is better to be an atheist than a corrupt Christian, but that corrupt Christians drive people to atheism, and thus to spiritual ruin.

The Popes statements reveal the true price of Christian hypocrisyan ineffective ministry, a discredited Catholic Church and a subsequent risk of increased atheism.

A major part of the Catholic Churchs overall mission, according to the catechism, is to shine out before men in the worldto bring ideas of what the Church considers Godly and correct ways of living to all. Pope Francis, in his sermon, is simply making the observation that the Church is not effective in propagating this way of life if its members do not live that life out, if they do not show it to be a better way.

Pope Francis has good reason to comment on thishis papacy has been marked by outreach and accessibility from the very beginning. Traditionally, newly elected popes bless the crowd that gathers in St. Peters Square to recognize the new pope, but Pope Francis didnt do this. He broke the formula. Instead, he asked the crowd to pray for him. And once he took office, rather than living in the lavish papal apartments, above the people he swore to spiritually shepherd, he chose to reside in his Vatican hotel suite.

Pope Francis is not a man of ritual and ornament. He knows the ends that these empty practices bring. He is, rather, a man of empathy and action and consistency. And he cares deeply about the spiritual welfare of the world around him.

In the Catholic view, those who do not accept Christ as their personal savior, and thus, have not attained salvation, cannot enter heaven and go to be with God upon death. This, in theological terms, is the ultimate bad end, the worst thing that could possibly happen to a person.

When Pope Francis warns against scandalagainst sins that drive others away from Godhe has this in mind. Pope Francis care deeply for the worldfor the saved and the unsavedand in his statements, he shows this by condemning the hypocrisy that is driving the masses away from Christianity and away from the arms of God.

This is a far cry from the aforementioned Pope Francis suggests its better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Catholic. The existence of such headlines is a testament to Pope Franciss wordsso many are so eager to see the Catholic Church capitulate and admit the superiority of non-faith that articles like this are simply accepted. And why is the public eager for the Churchs capitulation? Because they have tired of its hypocrisy, of child sex abuse scandals, of organized crime, of financial corruption and abuses of power.

The public is tired of all of this, and rightly sothese things are evil, and they are hurtful. And so the Popes message is timely, and his call to end hypocrisy, relevant. If his past actions are any indication of his future, Pope Francis is going to pursue this particular scandal with dogged determination through his writing, his speech, and his leadership.

And hell do this not because he thinks the Catholic Church deserves respect or awe or more tithe money. Hell do this because hes afraid for the souls of the billions of non-Christians who closely watch the Catholic Church, making their decisions based on how the Church conducts itself. He wants the Church he leads to shine out to the world, to be a beacon of what is good and holy and beautiful about the faith and the God he holds so dear.

Wesley Baines is a graduate student at Regent University's School of Divinity, and a freelance writer working in the fields of spirituality, self-help, and religion. He is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. You can catch more of his work at www.wesleybaines.com.
Police officers flank Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami leader Abdul Hannan (center) as they escort him at a court in Dhaka, June 23, 2014.

A Bangladeshi militant leader and an associate who face imminent execution for an assassination attempt on a British ambassador both indicated Wednesday they were leaning toward seeking presidential clemency to save them from the gallows, a prison official said.

In related developments, the British High Commission in Dhaka told BenarNews on Wednesday that the United Kingdom remained opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. Meanwhile, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Bangladesh to spare the condemned men from execution.

On Sunday, the appellate division of Bangladeshs Supreme Court rejected a petition by Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) leader Mufti Abdul Hannan and two of his associates to review their death sentences stemming from the attempted assassination on the British High Commissioner in May 2004  setting in motion final formalities before their likely execution.

Anwar Choudhury, the British ambassador at the time, survived the attack but it killed three police officers and injured dozens of other people.

Hannan and one of his two associates, Sharif Shahedul Alam (alias Bipul), are on death row at Dhaka Central Jail while the third man, Delwar (alias Ripon), is incarcerated in the northeastern city of Sylhet, where the attack occurred.

Clemency from Bangladeshs president would represent the condemned mens last opportunity to avoid execution.

They [Hannan and Bipul] hinted that they would seek mercy from the president, Mizanur Rahman, the superintendent at Dhaka Central Jail told reporters Wednesday after the appellate courts full verdict had been to the condemned men.

Md Shafiullah, senior superintendent at Sylhet Central Jail, said the verdict was read to Ripon but he had not decided whether to apply for clemency.

We are ready to execute him; we will implement the order (hang) whenever the government executive order reaches us, Inspector General of Police Brig. Gen. Iftekhar Uddin, told a news conference in Dhaka, referring to Hannan.

Moving in the wrong direction

In an emailed response to questions about the case, the British High Commission in Dhaka said the attack on the Dargah-e-Shah Jalal mosque in May 2004, in which the former high commissioner was injured, was deeply shocking.

It is right that the perpetrators of terrorist crimes such as this are brought to justice, the embassy told BenarNews. The UK reiterates its longstanding opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.

On Tuesday, global rights watchdog HRW issued a statement demanding that Bangladesh halt the imminent executions of the three men, saying there was evidence that their confessions had been extracted through torture.

Criminals need to be punished, but Bangladesh is moving in the wrong direction by invoking the death penalty, Brad Adams, HRWs Asia director, said in the statement.

Bangladesh should instead initiate an immediate moratorium on capital punishment because it is inherently cruel and irreversible, and should never be used, regardless of the crime, he said.

The statement from Human Rights Watch drew an angry response Wednesday from the head of Bangladeshs National Human Rights Commission.

This is not accessible to me why Human Rights Watch opposes Mufti Hannans execution. He has been awarded the punishment, exhausting a transparent legal process, Commission Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque told BenarNews.

I do not find any meaning [in the HRW position] when the whole world is united against terrorism and militancy, he said, adding that the apex courts verdict must be implemented.
Delegates to the Meeting of Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS pose for a photo in Washington, March 22, 2017.

Updated at 5:27 p.m. ET on 2017-03-22

Malaysia and 67 other members of a U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State pledged to accelerate collective efforts to crush IS as they ended a one-day meeting in Washington on Wednesday.

During the meeting Malaysias foreign minister announced that his country would contribute U.S. $1 million (4.4 million ringgit) in humanitarian assistance to former Islamic State (IS)-held territories in Iraq and Syria.

The one-day conference of foreign ministers was the first high-level meeting of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS  another acronym for IS  hosted by the Trump administration.

The conference wrapped up with top diplomats from the 68 partner states reiterating their nations commitment to an integrated, multidimensional, and comprehensive approach to defeat ISIS and its global networks, fully recognizing this will require sustained, focused efforts.

We recognize that returning ISIS fighters may pose a threat to their home countries and that we must address the issue by various means that may include reintegration and rehabilitation, as well as monitoring, investigation, and prosecution, the ministers said in a joint statement.

They said the coalition would also intensify its efforts to confront IS in cyberspace and reshape the public narrative around ISIS to one of failure, and that members would continue their collaboration to discredit ISISs propaganda, emphasizing credible, authentic voices that provide alternative narratives to challenge ISISs world view.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson opened the meeting by vowing that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi would end up like the planners of IS-claimed terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels who were killed by coalition forces.

It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate, Tillerson said.

Ready to share our expertise

Malaysia and Singapore are the only two Southeast Asian members of the coalition, which was formed in September 2014 under the Obama presidency. Afghanistan is the only coalition member in South Asia.

Announcing Malaysias donation for humanitarian assistance, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said, Malaysia fully supports the global coalitions call for urgent funding for the newly liberated areas in Iraq and Syria.

Anifah highlighted Malaysias emphasis on understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and inclusiveness in countering the global threat posed by IS.

These are very noble values that are non-existent in the wayward ideology of Daesh, Anifah said, referring to IS by another name. Retelling the narrative of true Islam that embraces these virtues is as vital in countering extremism as it is in putting a stop to the barbarities perpetrated by these misguided people.

Authorities in Malaysia have warned of a threat posed by the extremist group on its soil, where IS claimed a grenade attack that injured eight people at a nightclub near Kuala Lumpur last year. Since 2013, local police have arrested at least 278 people with suspected IS links, according to government figures.

The Malaysian foreign minister also touted de-radicalization as an indispensable component of Malaysias counter-terrorism strategy.

We subscribe to the belief that those who have been convicted under our terrorism-related laws had been misled into embracing a completely objectionable version of Islam, Anifah said, according to a copy of his speech, noting that Malaysia had a 97.5 percent success rate in de-radicalization and rehabilitation.

Malaysia is ready to share our expertise with other countries.

Counter-messaging centers

A fact-sheet from the coalition states that counter-terrorist messaging is vital to its effort to defeat IS, and such online content is more prevalent as pro-IS content declines.

This is a terrorist group that is increasingly struggling in the face of an increasingly organized and sophisticated set of initiatives by the coalition, said the fact-sheet released by the U.S. State Department.

The coalitions communications working group, led by the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the U.S., convenes more than 30 member countries with media and tech companies to share information and strategies to counter violent extremist messages online and present positive alternative narratives, according to the fact-sheet.

Malaysia, a coalition member since September 2016, has established regional and national counter-messaging centers.

The country is home to an online counter-extremist messaging center overseen by the Royal Malaysia Police and the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Counter-Terrorism, operated under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with assistance from the U.S. State Department.

A third center is set to open this spring. The King Salman Center for International Peace will take an academic approach to conducting research into and countering ideology spread by IS and other extremist groups.

We have countered terrorism messaging with creative digital end-products which cover a range of themes that are highly relevant to countering violent extremism, Anifah said in his remarks.

These include  from raising awareness among parents of youth that could be vulnerable to radicalization, to attacking the myths of masculinity associated with the romanticized notion of jihad  and to using figures from popular culture as well as traditional poetry to satirize and undermine the efforts of Daesh.

Scale of effort

Along with de-radicalization and counter-messaging efforts, the coalition reported that 33 of the 68 member states had more than 9,000 troops in Iraq and Syria, as part of a military campaign to defeat IS, whose Iraqi and Syrian strongholds are now under siege by opposing forces.

Malaysia is not among countries that have contributed troops to that campaign.

Coalition operations have liberated 62 percent of the terrain ISIS once controlled in Iraq and 30 percent in Syria, including key cities in both countries. The number of ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria is at its lowest level since the group declared its caliphate, down by more than half since its peak in 2014, the fact-sheet said.

In addition, coalition members have provided more than $22.2 billion (98.3 billion ringgit) in economic support and humanitarian aid in Iraq and Syria.

Hard-fought victories in Iraq and Syria have swung the momentum in our coalitions favor, but we must increase the intensity of our efforts to solidify our gains in the next phase of the counter-ISIS fight, Tillerson told the conference, which took place at the State Department.

Degradation of ISIS is not the end goal, we must defeat ISIS, the chief U.S. diplomat said.
A bid from Pulte Homes to rezone and add 465 residences and possibly a school near Sandy Run Creek on Jedburg Road wasn't met with open arms at a Oct. 26 community meeting on the part of local homeowners seeking to preserve the area's rural characteristics. Read moreJedburg Road residents tell Pulte Homes: 'Keep it rural'
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Celebrating the diversity symposium awards were (front row, left to right) Kandann Coleman, Alexis Kieffer, Priscilla Perez, Haley Perkins and Krista Weaver; and (back row, left to right) Cordula Mora, Christopher Carter and John Fischer.

Diversity was the operative word March 21 at a ceremony honoring the winners of the 2017 second annual Undergraduate Symposium on Diversity. Students had conducted research on wide-ranging topics, from how Medicare affects life satisfaction among the elderly to how perceptions of black womens hairstyles impact their job prospects. Four presentations were recognized for outstanding excellence: two group projects and two individual winners.

The symposium was an impressive event, said Dr. Cordula Mora, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS), which hosted the event. There were 45 posters presented by 85 students. This is such an important topic, especially right now. We need to take every opportunity to teach about diversity, because ignorance breeds fear. We need to champion diversity and use education to provide insight into the lives of others.

Winning for their independent studies were Kandann Coleman, a senior and McNair Scholar majoring in nutrition and chemistry, for Secure Your Bobby Pins and Secure Your Job: The Relationship Between Natural Hair and Job Security, mentored by Tracy Tabaczynski, McNair Scholars Program; and Christopher Carter, also a senior McNair Scholar, majoring in education and minoring in music, for The Journey to a New World: Uncovering Realities of First-Generation College Students, mentored by Dr. Tim Murnen, School of Teaching and Learning.

The winning group presentations, both from classes with Hee Soon Lee, social work, were Current Bullying Prevention Programs and Policies in Schools, by DeAndra Grant, Emily Kalman, Alexis Kieffer and Kaitlin Pohlman; and Medicare and Life Satisfaction, by Krista Weaver, Priscilla Perez and Haley Perkins.

Each winning presentation garnered a glass award created by Joel ODorisio, School of Art.

Dr. John Fischer, vice provost for academic affairs, said that, in designing the symposium, it was decided to not attempt to define diversity or restrict the presentations but let the participants decide how broad the definition should be, and the results bore out that instinct.

The symposium is part of the Universitys growing commitment to diversity and inclusion, he said, adding that now substantial summer fellowships are available to students who wish to pursue further studies.

Research projects did not have to be connected to coursework, as in the case of Colemans study of black womens hair and employment. She intends to go on to a degree in health communication and eventually medical school, but was curious about other womens experiences in the workplace. Does wearing natural hair evoke prejudice among employers? Must women straighten their hair or wear it in braids or in a more sleek style?

As I begin to transition from school to the real world, I realize that hair is a very big issue for black women and other women of color, she said. I wanted to know how hair plays into us getting and keeping jobs. I did a 10-question survey of women about their feelings and looked at jobs in the five sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Labor.

About the hair bias, Coleman said, Its something everyone is scared about; we know its true but we dont talk about it. You want to make the right choice, you know youre talented and you can do the work but women experience fear, guilt and anger about how society views them and how they respond. I found many are refusing to take jobs where they cant be themselves.

Carter in his study interviewed first-generation college students and the faculty who teach them. What was so powerful to me was that I really found no common thread, but very distinct experiences. Some reported having an identity crisis, others struggled financially, some felt guilt for breaking away and being the first to go to college.

I think educators really need to be flexible and respond individually to meet the needs of these students to make education achievable for all and for them to be successful.

Although all are social work majors, the three students on the study of Medicare and Life Satisfaction have different career goals. Perez, a sophomore who is in a dual program with gerontology and plans to go into long-term care administration, said the group found a correlation between senior citizens who had both Medicare Part A and Part B, which cover both doctor visits and other out-of-pocket expenses, and being most content. You need a little bit of everything, she said.

Weaver, a senior from Columbus, plans to work with people 65 and older who are in prison serving life sentences or on Death Row. They are such a vulnerable population, she said, and many would not receive such long sentences today for their crimes. Helping meet their medical and social needs is what she aspires to work toward.

Perkins, a senior from Cincinnati, is exploring work with older adults with Alzheimers disease or younger people with autism. Inspired by family members who have the conditions, she will have an internship working with people with autism and has worked with the elderly.

I want to do work that is meaningful and impacts others, she said.

The CURS diversity experience had an impact on Kieffer, who said she has been considering various aspects of social work but the bullying question her group tackled is tilting her toward working in a school settling.

Its reaffirmed my interest in school counseling, she said. Bullying is one large, gray area. There are so few guidelines for teachers and administrators. Teachers can see physical bullying, but cyber bullying and emotional bullying are harder to tackle. Its especially hard for pre-adolescents who are at a very vulnerable stage of life and very impressionable. What happens can affect their confidence and self-esteem for the rest of their lives.
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!
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For Immediate Release, March 21, 2017 Contact: Patrick Sullivan, (415) 517-9364, psullivan@biologicaldiversity.org

Kern County Judge Halts California Plan to Stop Oil Waste Injections Into Protected Aquifers BAKERSFIELD, Calif. In response to a lawsuit by several oil industry trade groups, a Kern County judge yesterday temporarily halted efforts by California oil regulators to shut down hundreds of oil company injection wells dumping toxic fluid into aquifers that should be protected under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The wells affected by the ruling are in at least six California counties: Fresno, Kern, Monterey, Orange, Santa Barbara and Ventura (see map). Yesterday's ruling put on temporary hold a plan by the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources that would have shut down those wells but allowed 1,650 other oil industry injection wells to continue violating water-protection rules. The public is paying a predictable price for state regulators' slow, half-hearted attempt to protect California's water from oil industry injection wells, said Hollin Kretzmann of the Center for Biological Diversity. If regulators had moved quickly when this problem was discovered, this dangerous issue could have been resolved years ago. The state must protect our aquifers from oil waste dumping, and it needs to take a much more careful look at the aquifer-exemptions applications from oil companies that would permanently sanction this pollution of our underground water. The illegally permitted wells were brought to light in 2011, after an audit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revealed major problems in DOGGR's underground injection program. Two years ago DOGGR officials promised that all illegal oil-industry injection activities would be halted by Feb. 15, 2017. But the state backtracked on that promise in January. Oil industry trade groups initially supported DOGGR's plan in public statements and legal filings, only to file suit in January to halt its implementation. Emboldened by Trump's election, oil companies went from praising the Brown administration's weak efforts to close some of these wells to attacking even those small steps, Kretzmann said. Now, nearly all of these illegal wells are still contaminating our protected aquifers. Oil industry injection wells continue to dump oil waste into scores of protected underground water supplies in Monterey, Ventura, Kern and other counties (see this interactive map). California state officials are also moving forward with plans to exempt as many as 40 of these aquifers from water-protection laws. If the aquifer exemption applications are approved by the EPA, the oil industry would be allowed to make permanent use of these water supplies for the disposal of contaminated waste fluid. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
For Immediate Release, March 22, 2017 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Records Sought on Possible EPA, State Collusion to Gut Wetlands Protections EPA Meeting With States Suing Agency Seeking Weakened Water Regulations WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity today requested U.S. Environmental Protection Agency public records after the agency admitted it has begun closed-door meetings with states and stakeholders to develop a weakened regulatory framework for protecting wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Today's Freedom of Information Act request seeks records to determine if those meetings, concerning which wetlands should be protected, are legal. The EPA was ordered to weaken protections for wetlands by Executive Order 13778, signed by President Trump Feb. 28. If EPA officials think they can let special interests write the rules for our wetlands behind closed doors, they're deeply mistaken, said Brett Hartl, the Center's government affairs director. It's outrageous for EPA to bend over backwards for the same states that have repeatedly sued to allow more pollution of our air and water. The agency should be following the law and the best science in deciding how to protect our wetlands, not making sweetheart deals with polluters. Trump's executive order required the EPA to notify the Department of Justice about potential changes to the Waters of the United States wetlands rule and how they might affect ongoing litigation over the regulations. The Center's Freedom of Information Act request also asks for all information relating to whether EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is involved in these new efforts to weaken protections for wetlands, which would directly impact Oklahoma, in violation of his ethics agreement. During his confirmation hearing, Pruitt promised to recuse himself from all litigation matters in which the state of Oklahoma is a party. Administrator Pruitt was right there next to Donald Trump when the executive order gutting protections for wetlands was signed. Who knows what else he's doing behind the scenes to ram through this massive giveaway to polluters? said Hartl. Pruitt seems far more interested in serving special interests than meeting his ethical obligations or protecting our air and water. This FOIA request comes on the heels of another Center action against Pruitt. The Center yesterday filed a complaint with the Oklahoma Bar Association seeking an investigation into whether Pruitt lied to Congress while under oath for using a personal email address for official business during his tenure as Oklahoma attorney general. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
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
The licences of 54 broadcast stations in Nigeria have been revoked over failure to pay mandatory fees, according to the Media Foundation for West Africa.

 NejroN via 123RF

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Is-had Modibbo, who announced this at a press conference in Abuja on March 13, 2017, said the decision followed the expiry of a 60-day grace period given to the owners of the affected stations.

The decision means the frequencies of the affected television and radio channels are no longer available for their listeners and viewers.

The situation could become worse with the head of the NBC warning of similar sanctions against 120 other stations who have failed to start operating after receiving their licenses two years.

"There is another list of over 120 licences that were paid within the mandatory period but were unable to come on air within the mandatory two years; they are also being processed for revocation, Modibbo said.

Given the heavy loss of revenue that a station will incur when it is shut down, the MFWA believes it is unlikely that any media owner would deliberately risk such sanctions.

Incidentally, the NBC boss disclosed that some of the stations do write to complain that the fee is too high and to indicate how much they are willing to pay and even adding the time they are going to pay such sums. The MFWA encourages the NBC to respond to positively to these overtures and to try to find a common ground with the affected stations.

The closure of the 54 stations is a major blow to citizens' right to receive information about local, national and international issues concerning their lives. A prolonged period off air will compound the already precarious finances of these stations and keep hundreds of media professionals out of work. We therefore appeal for dialogue leading to the eventual reopening of the stations concerned.

This statement was originally published on mfwa.org on 14 March 2017.
KIGALI, Rwanda - The first ever Africa Regional Internet and Development Dialogue to identify synergies and create opportunities for coordination and collaboration across the continent, will be held by The Internet Society from 8-9 May 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with UNESCO and Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Youth and ICT.

The two-day meeting will bring together experts including government and inter-governmental organisation officials, business and educational leaders from throughout the continent to discuss how Africa can use the internet to advance education, innovation and job creation.

The event aims at gathering various organisations working on internet and development across the region to identify synergies and create opportunities for coordination and collaboration.

One of the key topics of discussion will be what needs to be done for Africa to benefit from the transformational opportunities of the internet for the benefit of the African economy and education, explains Dawit Bekele, regional bureau director for Africa at the Internet Society.

While there are many challenges, we know it can be done. Countries such as Kenya and Rwanda have created policy environments that enable innovation and they are now seeing the benefits of the internet economy. Universities throughout the continent are also using e-learning opportunities to increase their reach as well as to give flexibility for their students.

Unstoppable

Africa is on an unstoppable move toward digital transformation. However, the room for increasing speed and impact is limitless, says Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Rwandas minister for youth and ICT. This can only be achieved if we are able to harness effectively the power of partnerships. We therefore welcome and are pleased to co-host this dialogue which is a great platform for advanced partnerships ahead of the transform Africa Summit that Rwanda will host from May 10 to 12, 2017.

The Africa Regional Internet Development Dialogue is an opportunity for key stakeholders to:

Discuss not only the challenges, but also the achievements in building the internet economy and education in Africa.

Review the successes and setbacks of various initiatives throughout the region and share lessons-learned.

Identify the next steps different stakeholders need to take to build the internet economy and improve education in Africa.

I am honoured to participate in this very meaningful event. UNESCO is committed to working with all stakeholders to harness ICTs in a way that serves the interests of learners and the larger teaching/learning community, said Indrajit Banerjee, director, knowledge societies division, communications and information sector, UNESCO.

This conference is part of a global series of internet development conferences organised by the Internet Society with the aim of furthering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that aim at tackling the worlds main development challenges by 2030.

Regional Internet Development Dialogues were held last year in Asia Pacific, hosted by UNESCAP, and in Latin America and Caribbean in partnership with Inter-America Development Bank and hosted by the Government of Argentina.

For more information on the conference, please visit: www.InternetSociety.org/ridd/africa/2017.
Facebook says it has met with some of SA's banking and insurance groups in the past week to explore how the social network can help them market and distribute their products to the right customers.

Facebook is collaborating with financial services companies across the globe in a move that has enabled targeted marketing but has also raised privacy concerns.

Facebook ads target users of the social network based on their use of websites and apps based on Facebook's technologies that include Instagram and WhatsApp. For example, individuals who visit fashion websites will see ads on their Facebook feed for online retailers.

"Marry our data with that of banks"

"We can marry our data with that of the banks to provide relevant advice to customers," said Neil Hiltz, global head of financial services strategy at Facebook.

Banks and insurers could use Facebook's data on its users to more effectively segment their customers, ensuring the right products were marketed to the right people, Hiltz said.

Mobile phones enabled one to "have a banker or an insurance agent in your pocket at all times", he said.

Of the 15 million total monthly active users of Facebook in SA, 14 million access it via mobile phones. Vuyo Mpako, head of digital banking and e-commerce at Standard Bank, confirmed that the bank had met with Hiltz. "As consumer expectations continue to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important for financial services brands like ours to be able to engage within their mobile, social and digital worlds," Mpako said.

Nedbank had not met with Hiltz, but had expressed an interest in partnering with Facebook, said Vanessa Singh, head of marketing for the bank's retail and business banking franchise.

Privacy concerns

"Digital marketing and advertising is key to our strategy," Singh said.

However, there are privacy concerns over the sharing of data. Under the Protection of Personal Information Act, Facebook was prohibited from sharing data that could be used to identify an individual without specific permission from that individual, said Alison Treadaway, director at software company Striata.

"[Facebook] certainly could share aggregate data [with financial services companies] about demographic groups, as long as personally identifiable data is removed," she said.

Telesure, the insurance group that owns Auto & General, Dial Direct and 1st for Women, has used Facebook to identify potential customers and then guide them from awareness to conversion through the use of, for example, real-time leads that are passed on to sales representatives.

Facebook had enabled companies such as TransferWise and Visa to execute international payments via its chat service, Facebook Messenger, Hiltz said.

It processed payments for more than 4-million advertisers, mostly small businesses.

For the year to December 2016, advertising contributed 97% to Facebook's $27.6bn revenue figure.

Source: Business Day
One of the phrases I hate most in a marketing, and media context is: content generation. It's so soul-less. What's wrong with story telling? Too analogue for you?

For my entire career I have been a reporter, telling peoples stories. I still love doing it. But over the years, I have seen journalism evolving, through necessity.

The most extreme manifestation of that, these days, is in the proliferation of fake news. Some of it is obvious, but some is very well put together (disinformation has been around since the 1800s  look at the Brits and the Boer War; Lenin and Trotsky; and Hitler and Goebbels).

In the marketing sector, the content generation mantra has been king for a couple of years now, and particularly in cyberspace, where no-one can really hear you lie

However, one of the phrases that has crept over from digital into print is native advertising. On the web, this tends to be out-and-out shameless promotion: content with a direct marketing plug for an advertiser, although not declared as such upfront.

Print has always been more subtle  and I, for one, think the concept can have a win-win result: good for advertiser and good for reader. When a brand allows a newspaper, for example, to tell its (the brands) stories in an honest, entertaining way, or whether it acts as the facilitator behind a good story, I do not see a problem.

Its where the lines become blurred that worries me.

And that is what is happening at the moment with a programme on Kyknet called Nasie in Gesprek  Nation in Conversation.

It is a comprehensive, professional and, I must say, interesting and entertaining show, which focuses on the agricultural and related industries. Its a great vehicle for sponsors and advertisers, so in a pure marketing sense, the creators of the concept, ad agency Brand Republic, do deserve an Orchid for doing top-class storytelling, which puts the sponsor brands in a good light.

However, I am uncomfortable that it may be a sophisticated spin factory for some controversial brands and industries.

On last weeks show, there was an insert on the sugar industry and the spokesman for that industry was given the softest ride I have ever seen anyone being allowed on a TV interview. He was allowed to go on  to approving nods from the presenter  to say the industry creates a lot of jobs and that there is no credible science linking sugar consumption to obesity. (That is simply not true and to allow him to get away with it shows the intention behind the programme, I think.)

It was interesting, too, that one of the sponsors is Monsanto, the company which sells Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)s, which are a massive part of our food industry. No doubt they would also be given a nice smooth ride by any presenter on Nasie in Gesprek.

The fact that Nedbank is a sponsor is interesting too, given its image as the Green Bank does that mean it endorses Monsanto? Your clients might like to know, Nedbank

Now, please understand, I have no position either way on GMOs, but I do know the sugar industry spokesman was allowed to get away with talking rubbish. So I worry about the rest of the content and how it may be nothing more than a platform for agri-business to burnish its sometimes tarnished image.

So, on a marketing level, a well-deserved Orchid for Brand Republic, because the concept is good. I dont have enough evidence on the negative aspects of the programme, so I will hold off on handing out an Onion at this time, though. Mind you, I do find it interesting that, as far as I know, the programme is only in Afrikaans. Granted, the target market in the platteland and in the farm sector is mainly Afrikaans-speaking. But could it also perhaps be because most of our Green activists are English-speakers?

What do you think? Let me know  moc.liamg@4snoinodnasdihcro.

Everybody seems to be gushing over the new Nedbank TV, A Tale of Note, which started flighting recently. By everybody, I mean all the news outlets which used the press release and the commentators who accepted the releases premise that the ad was pushing new boundaries by portraying money in a whole new light.

And by everybody, I also mean everybody who would have been applauding the Emperors new clothes. The sort of people who love the sound of their own, echoing, opinions.

The point about the ad is that it jars because everybody involved seems to have gone out of their way to make it appear as the ad is set somewhere else, but not here. Maybe it is a sort of middle America  who knows?

But the story is interesting, although hardly the revolutionary concept the gushing PR-speak makes it out to be. It follows the life of a bank note as it goes through many different hands (and touches many different lives)  all inviting you to see money differently. I remember a very similar movie made for school kids back in the then-Rhodesia

What I do know is that, to the trained (or should I say cynical) eye, you cant hide the fact that the ad was shot here in South Africa. I recognise the decayed environs of the Turbine Hall in Joburg; I know what the main, grand staircase at the Rand Club in Joburg looks like (even if you tart it up with neon lights and sexy dancers); I know what the streets of Cape Town look like (even if your continuity people do an excellent job in putting in enough American vehicles and publications to make it look like New York.)

The simple question is  to Nedbank and to its agency, Joe Public: Why?

The banks main business and the customers it is trying to win are in South Africa. Why does it not tell an authentic South African story? Too afraid youll offend someone; too afraid youll not look sophisticated enough? Too difficult to tell a real South African story?

Whatever your reasoning, I find it downright silly. If you want South African customers for a South African product, then given them a South African-themed ad.

So Onions to Nedbank and Joe Public.

*Note that Bizcommunity staff and management do not necessarily share the views of its contributors  the opinions and statements expressed herein are solely those of the author.*
LONDON, UK: Google, which has seen a slew of companies withdraw ads after they appeared alongside extremist content, said on Tuesday it was introducing new tools to give firms greater control.

"We know advertisers don't want their ads next to content that doesn't align with their values," Google's chief business officer Philipp Schindler said in a post on the internet giant's blog.

"So starting today, we're taking a tougher stance on hateful, offensive and derogatory content."

The move came a day after an apology by a senior Google executive following the British government and a handful of top firms including Marks and Spencer and HSBC bank pulling their adverts after they appeared alongside extremist content on its internet platforms, particularly its video-sharing site YouTube.

The British arm of Havas, one of the world's top advertising agencies that manages the accounts of numerous leading firms, suspended such advertising last week. Others to pull the plug, temporarily at least, are the BBC, Guardian newspaper group and McDonalds UK.

The British government put its YouTube advertising on hold on Monday, saying "it is totally unacceptable that taxpayer-funded advertising has appeared next to inappropriate internet content -- and that message was conveyed very clearly to Google."

A Marks and Spencer spokesman said: "In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through."

The Times reported last week that BBC programmes were promoted alongside videos posted by American white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan member David Duke as well as videos by Wagdi Ghoneim, an Islamist preacher banned from the UK for inciting hatred.

The newspaper said an analysis it conducted found more than 200 anti-Semitic videos, and that Google failed to remove six of them within the 24-hour period mandated by the EU when it anonymously signalled their presence.

Schindler said in his post that Google "is taking a hard look at our existing community guidelines to determine what content is allowed on" YouTube, and will tighten safeguards to ensure that ads show up only against legitimate creators.

A boycott by firms worried about damaging their image could cause serious harm to Google as advertising makes up the overwhelming majority of the internet giant's revenue.

Unaudited figures from Google's parent company Alphabet indicated that advertising accounted for nearly 86 percent of the company's $26.1 billion in revenues in the final quarter of last year.

Schindler said Google acknowledged that companies have brand guidelines which dictate where and when they want their ads to appear, and that it wants to give them more control to do that.

"In the coming days and months, we're introducing new tools for advertisers to more easily and consistently manage where their ads appear across YouTube and the web," said Schindler.

He pledged Google would hire significant numbers of people and harness its latest developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning to review questionable content for advertising.

He added the firm would be able to resolve cases of advertising appearing alongside inappropriate content "in less than a few hours".
The Media Shop's Johannesburg office moved premises Wednesday, 22 March after 20 years at its previous location in Morningside. The new address is Building B, The Main Straight Office Park, corner of Main and Portman Roads in Bryanston.

Johannesburg-based freelance journalist for Bizcommunity, Danette Breitenbach attended the opening of the new space, where she interviewed Group MD Chris Botha on the move, which he says is just as much a change for the business as it is a physical relocation.

Were very excited as a business about how were going to grow, how were going to develop and where were going to go from here. The new location is literally a new head space for all of us, and we look forward to all our staff being committed to being better, to being greater than what weve ever been before and growing, learning and evolving every day.

Commenting on the space itself, Botha says they put a lot of thought into what they were looking for for the team, and their clients and media owners. "This building has it all: great modern spaces, its more social than our current environment, it has a canteen and a lot of space for creativity to thrive.

"Other positives include loads more parking and its a better commute for many of our team which will make life easier for a lot of people," he adds.

A video of the interview is embedded below:
Are the demarcation regulations a means for the department of health to erode the private healthcare system in preparation for NHI, or is opposition to its implementation merely an attempt by insurance companies to protect their bottom line?

The Free Market Foundation (FMF) supports the theory of the former, using the argument that come 1 April, when the regulations kick in, 2m poor people will lose the only healthcare cover they can afford, namely primary healthcare insurance products.

The final demarcation regulations show a blatant disregard for ordinary peoples right to access healthcare and are based on the unsubstantiated claim that health insurance products are harmful to the medical schemes industry, it says in a statement.

Drawing a line in the sand between medical insurance products and medical schemes the regulations come into force on 1 April 2017 and eliminate existing policies from 1 January 2018.

Limited gap cover and hospital cash plans will still be allowed, but primary healthcare insurance policies will no longer be available.

Destroying the private healthcare sector

Drip by toxic drip the government is destroying the private healthcare sector to prepare the ground for the full introduction of NHI. With the demarcation regulations, the government is making a concerted effort to attack the medical insurance sector by marginalising the funding vehicles as a means of removing lower income earners access to insurance. These products were created specifically to provide a means for poorer people to access private medical cover after the introduction of the Medical Schemes Act in 1998, says Jasson Urbach, FMF director.

The demarcation regulations are government interference in mutually agreed private contracts between freely consenting adults and insurers to minimise their risks of huge medical bills when catastrophe strikes, the FMF says.

Despite clear evidence that SA cannot afford NHI and that government infrastructure, medical practitioners and the ability to effectively manage NHI are badly lacking, Health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi is pressing ahead in the face of industry opposition.

Treasury is struggled to raise an additional R28bn in this years budget so the estimated price tag for the NHI of R200bn is pure fantasy. Yet the private sector continues to be marginalised.

Two-year exemption

The department of health has requested that the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) grant a limited two-year exemption period for primary healthcare providers who submit themselves to regulation under the Medical Schemes Act before existing primary healthcare insurance policies are banned so that the department can conduct further research into the development of low-cost medical scheme benefit options (LCBOs). However this is a 10-year old discussion and further delays are expected, the statement explains.

Michael Settas of KaeloXelus, a healthcare insurance provider, posed questions for the architects of NHI including why is the right to primary healthcare being abolished and why is NHI being driven through without waiting for the outcomes of the Competition Commissions Healthcare enquiry?

Not only does NHI face formidable challenges in funding, there is a severe shortage of healthcare providers, a massive disease burden and a blundering bureaucracy, says Settas and that by extrapolating existing conditions, under NHI, you will have to wait to see a dentist once every 16 years.

Government should not attempt to provide free cover for all citizens but should focus on those who cannot afford medical insurance and leave those who can to the private sector, the statement concludes.
Thomas Elliot Stafford.jpg

Thomas Elliot Stafford, wanted on capital murder for the killing of a 65-year-old Latimer man.

(JCSO photo)

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The 2001 Cadillac stolen from the victim in a Latimer capital murder case was located by law enforcement in Mt. Vernon, Ala., Wednesday morning, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said.

The vehicle belonged to Jerry Floyd Kirkendall, a 65-year-old resident of Latimer whose decomposed body was found in a freezer inside a Latimer rental home. The man he shared the home with, Thomas Elliot Stafford, has been charged with capital murder in the case.

Ezell said Stafford sold the vehicle to a relative in Mt. Vernon, Ala., located about 20 miles north of Mobile. The relative, who thus far has not been charged, told investigators he bought the car for cash and a 9mm Taurus handgun.

Stafford should be considered armed and dangerous, Ezell said, and anyone seeing him or with information on his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement.
Marie Claire South Africa has announced the winners of the Prix d'Excellence de la Beaute Awards 2017. The glittering event, held at the Westcliff Four Seasons hotel in Johannesburg, celebrated the world's great beauty brands, including Elizabeth Arden, La Mer, Smashbox, Chanel, Dior and Lancome. The winning products set the industry's standard, as the best in skincare, make-up and hair.

Judging panel and process

Jackie May, editor of Marie Claire, says, The Awards celebrate the latest and best products on the market, selected by the jury. The task is to judge innovation, efficacy and pleasure-to-use. The judging was not easy but we focused our minds on these criteria, giving comments and allocating points to the same criteria for each product.

Jackie May, Kelly Khumalo and Bronwyn Botha. Image credit: Marie Claire SA via Twitter

Besides the Marie Claire editor, the 2017 South African judges were beauty expert Elsa Kruger, model and beauty influencer Yoliswa Mqoco, radio talk show host Anele Mdoda and beauty director Juana Parathyras.

Hundreds of products were entered into the competition late last year. During the ensuing summer months, the judges were hard at work sniffing, trying and testing piles of bottles, tubes and pots. The weeks of trials and tests ended with a shortlist and followed by an intense day of debate and discussion by the panel of judges. The finalists were selected by a point scoring system.

Smashbox (Best Makeup Product winner) and La Mer (Best Skincare Product winner): Caroline Nzimandi, Kerry Hochfelden and Courtney Williams from Smashbox and La Mer.

And the winners are...

Best make-up product

 Winner - Smashbox Insta-Matte Lipstick Transformer

 Runners Up  Lancome Juicy Shaker Pigment Infused Bi-Phased Lip Oil and Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Eyeshadow Palette

Best Hair Care

 Winner  MoroccanOil

 Runners Up  ghd Platinum Professional Styler and Gary Rom True Colour Shampoo

Best Local Product

 Winner - Biomedical Emporium

 Runners Up  Skinderm Pure Exfoliating Glow Pads and Placecol Illumine Retinol Serum

Best Skincare Product

 Winner  La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Lotion

 Runners-up  Dior Hydra Life Jelly Sleeping Mask and Bioderma Hydrabio Smoothing Care Radiance Booster

Special Jury Award

 Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All-Over Miracle Oil

International winners

 Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation

 Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel

 Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recover Ampoules, Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Wake up Balm & Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask

 Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo

 Filorga Scrub & Mask Reoxygenating Exfoliating Mask

 MAC Pro Beyond Twisted Lash

 Phytodensia Fluid Plumping Mask, Plumping Shampoo & Plumping Serum

1st runner up for Best Hair Product: Emily Grey, David Bolon and Cindy Van Niekerk from GHD

Dis-Chem partnership

A Prix award not only brings the winning products prestige but acts as a must-have product shop window, says May.

This years Prix was made possible by a partnership with Dis-Chem. The companys World of Beauty offers its customers a one-stop, one-shop experience for everyone, therefore partnering with Marie Claire as the title sponsor on the 2017 awards, where we could celebrate these brands and products was a natural fit for us, says Lynette Saltzman, Dis-Chem director and head of beauty.

View the event gallery.
Independent South African wine and spirit producer, DGB , has been announced as the Best South African Producer at the annual wine award and trade tasting event, Mundus Vini International Award and Spring Tasting . In line with this award, DGB - producer of iconic wine brands such as Boschendal, Bellingham, Brampton, Franschhoek Cellars, Douglas Green, Tall Horse, The Beachhouse, amongst others - was honoured among the world's greatest on the first day of wine trade fair ProWein in Dusseldorf.

Group winemaker, JC Bekker, accepted the certificate on behalf of the wine and spirit producer for Best Producer South Africa presented by the Board of Mundus Vini, in the company of top wineries from Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and Australia.

JC Bekker

DGB cinched this award following a rigorous tasting conducted by 200 international wine experts from 44 countries, of almost 6 200 wines, from more than 150 wine growing regions. According to the organisers, this was the highest number of wines ever tasted at Mundus Vini.

Award winning wines

Wineries honoured with Best Producer-status, receive this accolade based on achieving the highest overall results, per country, in the competition. A total of twelve wines from DGB achieved individual medals, including gold medals for the Bellingham Homestead Sauvignon Blanc 2016 and the Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2015, respectively. Additionally, DGB also received 10 silver medals, representing close to 20% of the total award tally presented to wines from South Africa.

Wines in the competition are evaluated according to product category, origin, quality level and flavour, and only the best 40 percent of submitted wines receive medals  making these awards even more valuable and meaningful.

According to Becker, this is a major achievement for DGB and its international reputation: The MMundus Vini International Wine Award tasting is considered as one of the majorly important trade tastings where international buyers and consumers compare the quality of wines from all over the globe. To be acknowledged at this forum is massively exciting and important to how our individual wine brands are positioned abroad. Its association with what is largely considered as one of the worlds most important trade shows, ProWein, adds additional weight and importance.

He added: Personally this award also serves as a barometer of where we are standing in terms of our own work standard, and performance, and we are very happy it reflects that we are indeed on the right track when it comes to international quality standards.

Full results from DGB:
ZURICH, Switzerland - The world's biggest watch fair will open in Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a market rebound.

Life Inspired TV via Wikimedia

Global exports of Swiss watches slid 10% in February to 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion, 1.4 billion euros), the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) said on Tuesday. The news cast a shadow over the looming Baselworld trade fair, which opens its doors to the media on Wednesday and to the public a day later.

The giant gathering in the northern Swiss city of Basel is the highlight of the year for watch and jewellery makers, with hoards of retailers looking to fill their showcases with pricey bling. Investors had been hoping this year's 45th edition would open on a more positive note amid signs that the market was stabilising and even on the verge of a rebound after two years of deep crisis.

Citigroup analyst Thomas Chauvet described Tuesday's export numbers as a "reality check". He said the figures showed there was "no underlying improvement" in the industry, despite a more "upbeat mood" from senior watch executives, and a more optimistic tone from the FHS in its January release.

Exports to Hong Kong, the biggest market for Swiss watches, slumped 12.1% last month. And exports to the United States, the second biggest market, plunged 26.2%. Most European markets also fell, and sales to Japan tumbled 17.3%. Exports to China, however, rose 6.7% year-on-year in February.

That represents some much-needed good news for the industry  China was the main driver of several years of euphoric growth for Swiss watches, with Chinese consumers' thirst for luxury goods sparking a production boom. But the market suffered a severe hit after Beijing in 2013 began cracking down on corruption by banning extravagant gifts like expensive watches to public officials.

And since then the storm clouds have multiplied, with the pro-democracy Umbrella protests in Hong Kong also chipping away at sales, followed by a range of deadly terrorist attacks in European cities frightening off luxury-seeking Asian tourists.

In 2016, Swiss watch exports shrank 9.9%, after contracting 3.3% a year earlier. But in recent months, there were some indications the market was stabilising. Exports to China gradually inched back into positive terrain during the second half of 2016, and a number of markets around the world put on a healthy glow during the holiday season at the end of the year.

Watch makers themselves have also been making increasingly soothing sounds about the health of the market and justifying production hikes. Swatch Group chief Nick Hayek told reporters last week that he was now aiming for "healthy growth", driven particularly by China's growing middle class, which he said once again appeared hungry for consumption.

With uncertainty abound, Baselworld, which each year draws around 1,500 exhibitors and some 150,000 visitors, should help gauge the actual state of the luxury watch market.

Source: AFP
Durban businessman Ray de Vries believes that a solution to the Cape Town water crisis may be in the air around us.

Water from Air technical director, Paul Raglan-Smith and CEO Ray de Vries with a mobile 1,500 litres per day machine designed and manufactured in South Africa.

De Vries is the CEO of Water from Air, a company that manufactures, assembles and markets machines that harvest the humidity from the air and convert it into pure drinking water. The smallest machine makes up to 32 litres per day and the largest machine up to 1,500 litres per day. The machine not only harvests its own water from the air, but also passes it through a filtration system as well as a UV sterilisation process.

De Vries, who is in Cape Town to meet with city officials, hoteliers and restaurateurs as well as for a FEDHASA congress, said: "We have relied on government and municipalities to provide us with potable water forever. The question we are faced with is: what if there is no water, or worse still, what if the water that we have is not drinkable, toxic or even fatal?"

It is time, he says, that we take charge of our own potable water drinking supply so that we know what we are drinking. "We cannot control climate change, pollution, poor water management and the many other factors that affect the availability and access to potable water."

The company has sold over one thousand machines and is selling over a dozen a day to the greater Cape Town region. "Cape Town is in uncharted territory right now  never before have the dams been this empty. Never before has there been less than 100 days of water left. The 'what if' question might be too terrible to think about but we need to face reality."

The only immediate way to get water is to take charge and secure your own supply  from the air. Make rain while the sun shines he said.
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has announced that applications for the 2017/18 South African Blue Flag season are open. The 2016/17 Blue Flag season is drawing to a close at many Western Cape beaches, but the current season runs until 31 October at many other beaches, Blue Flag marinas and sustainable tourism boating operators.

Sustainable marine tourism boat operator

Blue Flag is an international, voluntary eco-label that focuses on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats, and is designed to provide environmental education, raise awareness and promote sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations, and beach managers. It has become a global symbol of quality for beaches, boats, and marinas that meet high standards of excellence in a number of criteria. The programme is managed by WESSA in South Africa, in partnership with participating coastal municipalities.

The Blue Flag programme is now in its 30th year and continues to grow both locally and abroad. A total of 45 South African beaches were awarded Blue Flag status for the 2016/17 season, along with five marinas and eight sustainable tourism boats. Internationally, almost 4,300 beaches, boats, and marinas were awarded Blue Flag status for the current season.

The United Nations have declared 2017 as the year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, and the Blue Flag programme offers an ideal means for guiding beaches, boats, and marinas towards achieving sustainability.

WESSA and Blue Flag have strengthened their commitment to sustainable tourism through a number of initiatives over the past year:

 In October 2016, the Tourism Blue Flag coastal tourism project was launched in South Africa. The project, which is being managed and implemented by WESSA in partnership with the National Department of Tourism, has provided employment, education and training opportunities for more than 200 youths. Employed in the role of Beach Stewards, these youths are being hosted by local coastal municipalities at Blue Flag beaches across South Africa. Although in its early stages, the project is already resulting in improvements of the tourism facilities and services offered at these beaches.

 Last year Blue Flag international introduced new criteria for sustainable tourism boats, recognising the growing need for operators to implement sound and responsible practices to ensure that marine mammals are never at risk or stressed by surrounding boats. South Africa was among the first countries in the world to award this eco-label to sustainable tourism boats locally.

 More recently, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)  the international custodian of the Blue Flag eco-label  has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), the worlds largest partnership working to protect the cetacean group of marine mammals which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This partnership will see the two organisations work hand-in-hand towards sustainability within the cetacean-watching industry and recognises Blue Flag and WCAs existing work and expertise in their respective fields.

Applications from beaches, sustainable tourism boating operators and marinas for Blue Flag accreditation in the 2017/18 South African Blue Flag season are open until Friday, 28 April 2017. Visit WESSA for details.
Global online real estate investment marketplace Wealth Migrate has announced its entry into the South African property market through its online investment platform.

Artist impression of Zero2One

"This is the first time that both local and global investors can invest in a premium South African destination with our new development in Cape Town," says chief digital officer, Jay Thomson.

Scott Picken, Wealth Migrate founder and CEO says, This is an extremely exciting development for South Africa. Billions of dollars have been invested in real estate through the new use of technology in the USA, UK and other leading markets in the last three years. Now these same benefits and opportunities are finally available to South Africans in their own market. Being born in Durban, I am so excited to finally be able to bring these benefits of technology to my fellow countrymen. When technology disrupts an industry it does three things. It cuts out the middlemen, reduces costs and increases trust, transparency and accessibility. Think Uber, AirBnB, or Apple with music etc. Now technology is doing the same thing to real estate investing.

Zero-2-One

For its South African launch, Wealth Migrate looked to Cape Towns City Bowl. Cape Town is often cited as one of the most popular cities in the world and the City Bowl is Cape Towns blue chip property sector. Zero-2-One has been earmarked as the first property on the new SA platform. Comprising 42 stories, the building will stand at over 148m tall and be used as a multi-use retail and residential lifestyle space. Construction is scheduled to commence later this year and will be completed in 2020.

Wealth Migrate is moving with market trends to facilitate a lower barrier to entry, now offering a minimum investment from R1,000 for South Africans. "Previously the best opportunities were only available to the 1% and thanks to technology disruptions, were excited to be able to assist HNWIs, institutions and a new market who want to invest in the same opportunities as the ultra-wealthy, says Denise Hardman, GM for South Africa.

Most people would love to play global monopoly and invest in the best opportunities in South Africa and First World markets. Well now they can. We have made it a reality, she concludes.
Education is a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which other rights are built on. Without education, an individual cannot realise their full potential. Basic education is one of the focus areas identified by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in order to fulfil its mandate of promoting, protecting and monitoring the realisation of all human rights in South Africa effectively.

UNESCO outlines, Education promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields important development benefits. Yet millions of children and adults in South Africa have been deprived of educational opportunities.

SAHRC published its Charter of Childrens Basic Education Rights in 2012, which was created to provide a benchmark of where South Africa was in terms of fulfilling the right to a basic education and where the country needs to be to ensure that every child receives a quality education.

The right to a basic education is a constitutionally protected right that is unequivocally guaranteed to all children in South Africa. It is considered a central facilitative right that is not qualified by expressions such as available resources, progressive realisation or reasonable legislative measures, which are applicable to other socio-economic rights enshrined in our Constitution, wrote Commissioner Lindiwe Mokate of the SAHRC in the foreword of the charter.

While the intent of this charter is admirable (and necessary), many educational authorities have wondered how this charter will encourage schools and educators to take their responsibilities more seriously. It will take many years for learners to be provided with a decent, solid education while the charters ambitions for literacy and numeracy take root.

It has been five years since the charter was published, yet matriculants continue to enter the workforce with very limited literacy skills - virtually illiterate without the skills to pursue either a tertiary education or an artisan career successfully.

Corporate responsibility

With this shortfall, responsibility has fallen on corporates and big business in South Africa to train and educate current or prospective employees who are equally deserving of their human rights.

Several blue chip businesses and multinationals in South Africa have realised that Adult Education and Training (AET) is the only way currently to bridge the gap between what should have been achieved at school and what needs to be learned to function as an employee, contribute to the economy and society.

Catastrophically, the majority of those who have completed matric are being placed on AET levels that are below Grade 9, with low levels of literacy, which means there is significant work to be done. The role of businesses in providing proper bridging education to their staff can be seen as corporate citizenship and indeed one of the only ways that many South Africans will be able to function successfully in the workforce.

By corporates providing skills and undertaking training programmes, they are assisting employees in realising their human right to a decent education.

AET includes life skills

An established AET service provider is an ideal solution for a corporate citizenship programme. Employees are individually assessed for their specific capabilities and areas for improvement with a variety of multimedia tools being employed. Locally developed courses with culturally sensitive content understand the needs of South African learners and often yield the best outcomes.

Learners should be equipped with improved literacy and numeracy but also the life skills necessary to apply their newfound knowledge to their working environment. Special AET courses are now also available for those with vision or hearing impediments  the right to an education is not just for a select few and can be attained whatever the restrictions one may face.

South Africa is not yet providing every child with a substantial education; however, there are moves towards improving the state of education, as can be seen in SAHRC charter.

It is only through decent education that the country will see a significant amount of social change and a decrease of poverty. A literate workforce is an empowered and more valuable society with fires in their hearts, food on their tables and their right to an education fulfilled.
JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. -- An indictment was handed down by a Mobile County grand jury on Tuesday charging 33-year-old Steven Obrien Mason with the murder of Ke'lei Morris, 24, back in February of 2015.

Assistant Mobile District Attorney Jennifer Wright presented the indictment during a press conference held at the district attorney's office Tuesday morning.

"It was an indictment of two years of a long dedicated investigation by the Mobile Police Department and the District Attorney's Office jointly," said Wright. "This is one step closer for Ke'lei Morris' family receiving justice for what happened to her."

Mason was taken into custody by police on Monday in Jackson County and currently remains in jail with a no bond order in place.

Morris, worked as a respiratory therapist at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, was found outside the Arlington Park Apartments located in the 7000 block of Grelot Road around 11:30 p.m. on February 2, 2015.

Police said she was suffering from injuries sustained from a shooting at the location. Morris, later died from her injuries at the University of South Alabama Medical Center.

Wright said she could not give specifics as to what evidence was presented to the grand jury, but said that Morris was an innocent victim in this crime.

"As outlets have reported she was a totally innocent victim and it was important for everyone to make sure this case was solved," said Wright.

Mobile County jail records contained a photo of Steven Obrien Mason from 2003 during his arrest in the homicide of a woman.

Mason had been released from prison after serving a sentence for a homicide involving 17-year-old Mesha Anglin, who was shot once in the head at close range, back in 2003.

In a Press-register article from June 2002, it stated that on Monday, June, 3, Mobile police believed that Mason cut through a bedroom window screen and shot Anglin at close range.

Further investigation revealed that the shooting did not appear to be a random act of violence. Investigators believed Kesha's twin sister, Mesha Anglin, was the intended target.

Mason served a three year prison sentence under the youthful offender status since he was 18-years-old at the time of the homicide.

That ruling by Mobile County Circuit Judge Joseph "Rusty" Johnston, led to a huge court brawl between family members and supporters of Mason and family members of Anglin.

Wright said at the time the ruling in 2002 the district attorney's office opposed the outcome.

"The state at that time was opposed to the youthful offender status being given," said Wright.

Aside from his arrest in that homicide, Mobile County jail records only showed one other arrest of Mason on December 3, 2014 for third-degree criminal mischief. Mason posted bail on that charge.

Wright said that the case will now head to Circuit Court and be assigned at judge.

"Once it is assigned a circuit court judge it will go forward with an arraignment, a status hearing and then a trial date," said Wright.

Recently, Mason has been employed as a nurse with the Singing River Health System for about a year, SRHS spokeswoman Georgia Storey told the Mississippi Press.

SRHS released the following statement regarding Mason on Tuesday.

"We can confirm that Steven Mason has been employed at Singing River Health System for about a year as a nurse, having passed a comprehensive criminal background check required of all new employees prior to being hired. Given the nature of these charges, he has been placed on administrative leave and will not be working on our premises pending the outcome of this case."
Whistleblowers are a key element of anti-corruption measures within the workplace, as they are most likely to witness incidences of fraud, corruption and unlawful conduct first-hand and possess sufficient information to report the incident. The Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill (Bill) creates additional safeguards for whistleblowers and an environment in which whistleblowers may freely disclose information.

According to the Corruption Perception Index 2016, an annual publication by Transparency International, which ranks countries according to the perceived levels of corruption by surveys and assessment, South Africa scored 45 points out of 100. This suggests that South Africa is perceived to be a generally corrupt country.

Taking Protected Disclosures Act further

Prior to the Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000 (the Act), South African law did not make provision for procedures in terms of which employees may, without fear of reprisals, disclose information relating to a suspected criminal or other irregular conduct by their employers.

The Act, which commenced on 16 February 2001, created the legislative framework in terms of which employees in the private and public sector may disclose information regarding unlawful conduct by their employers or other employees and provides for their protection.

This is of particular importance, as every employer and employee has a responsibility to disclose criminal or other irregular conduct in the workplace.

Disclosures made in the following circumstances are protected disclosures:

Any disclosure made to a legal practitioner in the course of obtaining legal advice.



Any disclosure to an employer, in good faith, in accordance with any prescribed procedure.



Any disclosure, made in good faith, to a member of Cabinet or the Executive Council of a province, provided that certain employment criteria be met.



Any disclosure, made in good faith, to the Public Protector, Auditor-General and other prescribed persons or bodies, in respect of which the employee reasonably believes that the relevant impropriety falls within the ambit of such body.

The objects of the Act are to provide for procedures whereby a whistleblower can disclose information regarding improprieties by his or her employer, protect whistleblowers from occupational detriment on account of having made a protected disclosure, and provide remedies where whistleblowers are subjected to occupational detriment.

The Act stipulates any dismissal because of having made a protected disclosure be deemed an automatically unfair dismissal in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

New Bill extends Acts protection

The Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill (the Bill) was introduced to the National Assembly in December 2015. The National Assembly passed the Bill on 22 November 2016 and submitted it to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. On 15 February 2017, the National Council of Provinces Committee on security and justice heard submissions on provisions contained in the Bill from The Open Democracy Advice Centre and Corruption Watch.

The Bill seeks to extend the application of the Act to individuals, who previously worked for the state. This is impactful, as such individuals will not be as fearful of the reprisals associated with such disclosures and, importantly, are no longer financially reliant on their previous employers. Correctly marketed, this could be utilised as a tool for corruption watchdogs to encourage whistleblowers to report irregular conduct that occurred during their employment, as such employment relationship and loyalties have terminated.

The Bill creates a legal obligation on the recipient of the protected disclosure to consider the disclosed information and decide whether it will be investigated or referred to another body for investigation, within a short turnaround time of 21 days.

Theoretically, this aims to promote a culture of ethical compliance and internal governance. However, challenges may be encountered in both the public and private sector, in instances where insufficient mechanisms are in place to effectively deal with complaints emanating from the anti-corruption space or insufficient funds exist to have the matter investigated by another body.

The Bill introduces immunity to a whistleblower from civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings, where the disclosures made show that a criminal offence has been committed, is being committed or is likely to be committed, and such disclosures are prohibited by any law or confidentiality agreement.

Eliminating threat of costly litigation

While such a disclosure may still result in occupational detriment to the whistleblower, it would eliminate the deterrent of costly looming litigation faced by whistleblowers in reporting irregular workplace conduct.

The Bill criminalises the intentional disclosure of false information, and such offenders will be liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment of up to two years. While engineered to deter the intentional disclosure of false information, this may discourage whistleblowers from disclosing information that, while not verified, could be useful in investigating the matter.

The Bill also imposes joint liability on employees and their clients in the event that an employee is subjected to an occupational detriment.

The Bill creates additional safeguards for whistleblowers and an environment in which whistleblowers may freely disclose information. This reflects progression in the law, in particular pertaining to the anti-corruption and anti-bribery space, which is welcomed in the public and private sector to minimise the economic loss posed by unlawful and unethical conduct in the workplace.
Three men arrested in connection with the recent burglary at the offices of the Chief Justice in Midrand will appear in court in Mamelodi today, 22 March 2017, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane, said on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters on the investigation into the break-in and theft at the office of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng in Midrand on Saturday, Phahlane said the three, who are already in custody, face charges related to other crimes they were positively linked to pending further investigation in this matter.

As the South African Police Service, we record our confidence in the criminal justice system and in particular, the courts of this country. We believe that the seriousness of this crime and the stature of the Office of the Chief Justice will be considered in the further processing of the cases the apprehended people are linked to, Phahlane said at a briefing in Pretoria.

In the days following the early morning burglary on Saturday, the men were arrested in Mamelodi where they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and fake identity documents that were seized during the police operations.

These items are considered as evidential material, which will be presented in court. We are also pleased to report that a vehicle, which was possibly used as a getaway car for the committing of the crime, has been seized. Further interviewing of those who were arrested revealed the identity of a person with critical information required to solve the crime and the recovery of the stolen IT equipment.

Phahlane called on the individual in question to approach the investigating officer or report to the nearest police station to assist in this matter.

Responding to a question from the media as to whether the break-in was an inside job, Phahlane said the police are not in possession of such information.

We do not at this stage have information on whether or it was an inside job because not one of the three men arrested is a staff member The investigation is still at a preliminary level, he said.

The SAPS could not say much on what is stored in the 15 computers that were stolen during the burglary.

What we know is that 15 computers were stolen. Ours is to work hard to ensure that they are recovered. We are concerned that there was a security breach at the offices of the Chief Justice, Phahlane said, adding that a motive for the crime is yet to be uncovered.

Constitutional mandate

Meanwhile, the SAPS expressed concern at misplaced and irresponsible utterances and allegations that have been doing the rounds. Phahlane said these allegations, that State agents are somehow involved in the burglary, undermine the mandate of the South African Police Service provided for in the Constitution of the country to prevent, combat and investigate crime.

These statements are demoralising to the hard working members of the South African Police Service and are not assisting in the investigation process. We call upon responsible citizens and leaders from all walks of life to take up their rightful positions and contribute positively and constructively to the fight against crime.

Phahlane said baseless and unfounded allegations against any individual or leaders in government are not helpful.

Casting a shadow of doubt on the capability of the South African Police Service to investigate any crime committed is not assisting. Anyone with credible information relating to this crime or any other crime must feel free to approach the investigating officers and deposit such information to enable the resolution of such crimes.

He said the significant breakthrough in the cases of baby Siwaphiwe in KwaZulu-Natal as well as the OR Tambo International Airport heist bears testimony to the fact that the SAPS remains committed to prioritising and thoroughly investigating serious crimes.

SAPS has also sanctioned a security assessment to enhance security at the offices of the Chief Justice.

"We are extremely pleased that our members are working tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to book. I am urging the people of South Africa to continue to work closely with our members to ensure that incidents, which seek to undermine our Constitution, do not have a place in our society, said Phahlane.
The East London Magistrate's Court has issued a warrant of arrest for eight people facing charges of fraud and corruption, the Hawks said on Monday, 20 March 2017.

The suspects include government officials and company directors, who failed to hand themselves to the Hawks Task Team members last Friday.

Company directors and senior municipal officials are not above the law and no one deserves preferential treatment in the spirit of equality before the law. The Hawks are a law enforcement entity and we will not delay to execute our mandate without fear or favour, National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said.

The Hawks have ordered that the suspects surrender themselves to the task team members to avert further embarrassment.

The suspects are wanted in connection with a case in which alleged the Buffalo City Municipality lost almost R15 million for services not rendered.

It is alleged that Ndodana Consulting Engineers Pty (Ltd) allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices to the municipality.

The directors of the company and some senior officials at the municipality allegedly benefited out the alleged fraudulent transaction, the Hawks said.

Monde Webster Ndodana, 63, and owner of Ndodana Consulting Engineers complied and handed himself to the team on Friday morning.

Ndodana is the ninth suspect in the case. He appeared in court briefly on the same day and was granted R30 000 bail. The matter was postponed to 2 May.

Instead of appearing in court, the eight suspects chose to send their legal representatives to appear on their behalf.

The Hawks said the suspects, who are subject to a fraud and corruption investigation, were duly informed last week and given ample time to present themselves.

Respect for the rule of law would be ferociously undermined if the accused were to send a message to the public that they do not value court orders.

We have given them another chance that they surrender to the task team. If not, we will not hesitate to search for them wherever they are to answer to the serious charges they are facing, said Ntlemeza.
South African businesses are wary about employees roaming while working abroad, with data costing up to R500 per MB. There are ways, however, businesses travellers can stay connected without breaking the bank.

HONGQI ZHANG via 123RF

It is completely understandable that companies are wary of employees running up bills of tens of thousands of rands for data roaming. Even with special data roaming packages, it remains the most expensive way to stay connected while you travel. While many businesses would most likely prefer just to ban roaming for their employees, they know its just not viable. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to stay connected while you are travelling abroad for business without running up exorbitant data expense claims, says Michelle Jolley, marketing manager for Corporate Traveller.

Jolley says one of the most important things that business travellers need to remember is that they need to activate international roaming at least seven days before leaving South Africa. So the decision as to whether to roam or not is not something that can be made at the last minute; travellers need to make a decision about data usage and roaming well in advance so as to figure out the best roaming package for their destination. Even just opting to use SMS roaming requires you to activate it before departing from South Africa, she points out.

Using a local SIM

Jolley says business travellers who want to use a local SIM need to ensure their phone isnt locked, meaning their network provider allows the use of their phone on other networks. Buying a SIM card is uncomplicated in most major destinations. Simply pick your package from the airport vending machine or kiosk, and youre good to go. You should also test the card before you leave the kiosk so that the vendor can assist you if necessary, she says.

Jolley adds that while companies can buy global SIM cards online from specialist service providers in South Africa, this is more expensive than buying a SIM card in their destination country. The downside to a local SIM is that youll have a new number, and you may need to buy a new SIM every time you cross a border. The advantage is that youll be paying local rates for your calls and data bundles.

Free Wi-Fi, the obvious alternative

Jolley says the best way to keep cellphone bills and data expense claims low while travelling abroad is to use free Wi-Fi.

Free Wi-Fi is the obvious alternative to roaming, and with most hotels, restaurants and conference venues offering free Wi-Fi these days, theres no reason not to stay in touch. Skype, Google voice, Whatsapp, and Facetime are great alternatives to voice calls. Its not free, but the rates are low and the quality is excellent.

Jolley warns though that people need to be aware of the dangers of using public Wi-Fi, especially when it comes to confidential business matters. Dont do anything sensitive or confidential on a public Wi-Fi network like those provided at restaurants or airports that do not require a passphrase. Use a virtual private network if you have to do business when using an unsecured connection, like a hotspot, or use SSL connections by enabling the Always Use HTTPS option on websites that you visit frequently, she says.

Corporate Travellers top tips for staying in touch without breaking the bank are:

 Download the apps and maps you need before you leave. After video and audio streaming, maps eats up the biggest chunk of your data.

 Dont stream video or music while roaming internationally.

 Make sure that your travel apps are available offline.

 Set your mail settings to fetch rather than push mails to you.

 Reset your cellular data stats so that you can accurately track your data usage.

 Disable automatic updates and downloads.

 Beware of accidental roaming when youre close to a border and your phone picks up a network in another country.

 Skype, Google voice, Whatsapp, and Facetime are great alternatives to voice calls

 SMS sent from overseas are not free and can cost anything from R1 - R7.50 per SMS so rather Whatsapp or if you have Wi-fi available

 Disable voicemail or register for services that allow you to access voicemail over the internet
African countries account for 16 of the 20 biggest fallers on the annualover the last decade. The 2017 edition of the index indicates that the continent as a whole suffered the most dramatic decline in travel freedom.

With its nationals able to access 98 countries without a visa, South Africa, which dropped one position from 2016, is ranked 55th on the 2017 index. In contrast, citizens of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Spain, the US and the UK have unrestricted access to 173 or more countries  and Germans, whose country retains its top spot on the index for the second year running, have access to 176 countries. The highest ranking South Africa has achieved in the last decade was in 2008 and 2009, when it occupied the 35th position.

Nigel Barnes, managing partner of Henley & Partners recently launched South African office, points out that the majority of the countries to which South Africans can travel unhindered are to be found in Africa and South America: This means we have freedom of movement to predominantly developing regions. For South Africans who travel frequently to the UK, US and EU, this is very restrictive.

The country ranked third in the African region, with its Indian Ocean island neighbours, the Seychelles and Mauritius, taking first and second positions respectively. The Seychelles, whose nationals enjoy visa-free access to 137 countries worldwide, achieved the 29th position on the index, while citizens of Mauritius, which ranked 33rd overall, have unrestricted access to 131 international countries.

With visa-free access to 69 countries, Kenya takes the fourth spot in Africa and is also the continents biggest climber, moving up two positions since last year to rank 68th. On the other hand, losing four places in one year, Ghana, which now ranks 77th, recorded the most negative movement on the index as a whole. And, over the last decade, Sierra Leone has suffered the indexs largest individual decline, losing 29 ranks overall.

There is still a huge disparity in the levels of travel freedom between countries, despite the world becoming seemingly more mobile and interdependent, says Barnes. Generally, visa requirements are a reflection of a countrys relationship with others, and take into account diplomatic relations between countries, reciprocal visa arrangements, security risks, and the dangers of visa and immigration regulation violations, he explains.

Global overview

Even after losing visa-free admission to one country, German nationals still enjoy the greatest travel freedom in the world. Sweden also remains static in second place, with its citizens able to access 175 countries (just one less than Germans) without a visa, and Denmark, Finland, Italy, Spain and the US jointly rank third, enjoying unrestricted access to 174 countries. The UK, however, has slipped down yet another position this year to fourth, having shared first place with Germany for three consecutive years from 20132015.

Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan sit at the very bottom of the 2017 Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, each with visa-free access to less than 30 countries worldwide. This shows a slight change from last years ranking, with Somalia rising out of the bottom four with access now to 30 countries, and Syria dropping into it with only 29. In total, 48 countries lost ground over the past year, dropping between one and three ranks, and only 42 countries showed no movement at all.

Barnes explains that, although the size and make-up of the Top 10' remain the same as last year, the changing geopolitical climate could well affect the rankings over the next 12 months. We have recently witnessed several major events - including Brexit and the election of US President Donald Trump - that are likely to have an impact on global mobility. These can be interpreted as steps toward restricting movement and creating barriers to entry. This trend towards curbing travel freedom is already apparent in the shift in rankings on this years index.

Peru was the highest individual mover in this years index, gaining 15 places. Island nations also made a strong showing, with the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Kiribati and Tuvalu all gaining over nine places. The fortunes of the emerging economies of the BRICS nations, however, were varied. Brazil and China both increased their standing on the index, moving up three and two ranks respectively. The remaining three, South Africa included, all lost ground - Russia dropped three places and India two.

Citizenship-by-investment programmes

In contrast to 12 years ago, when the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index was first published, there are now many more residence- and citizenship-by-investment programmes available to those who wish to enhance their travel freedom. More and more governments are embracing these programmes as a means of stimulating economic development and growth, and there is an increasing number of wealthy and talented individuals looking to diversify their citizenship portfolios in order to give themselves and their families greater international opportunity, stability, freedom, and security.

Barnes points out that the countries offering the most important citizenship-by-investment programmes in the world continue to perform strongly on the index. Malta offers the top-ranked investment migration programme globally and scores very highly with the worlds 10th most powerful passport and visa-free access to 167 countries. Austria is also in the top 10 with a total of 173 countries, and Cyprus is not far behind at 16, with 158 countries accessible without a visa.

Likewise, countries that offer citizenship-by-investment programmes in the Caribbean have performed well. Grenada is ranked at 37th place and offers successful applicants visa-free access to 124 countries, including China, Europes Schengen area, Singapore, Brazil, and other key markets. Antigua and Barbuda, and St Kitts and Nevis share 30th place on this years index, with visa-free access to 136 countries, and St Lucia, which is ranked 36th, offers its citizens unrestricted access to 127 countries worldwide.

For individuals who hold passports of countries with fewer visa-waiver agreements, such as South Africa, a second or even third citizenship can open up travel opportunities to countries previously restricted by time-consuming visa application requirements and processes, says Barnes. The Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index is relevant to individuals interested in improving their mobility and the quality of their nationality, as well as to governments focused on improving the local, regional and global opportunities inherent in their passports.

The Visa Restrictions Index is published by leading global residence and citizenship advisory firm, Henley & Partners, and produced in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the worlds largest and most authoritative database of travel information.
Telkom and Business Connexion have announced the launch of BCX, described as Africa's premier end-to-end information communication technology (ICT) solutions provider.

 across via 123RF

The launch of BCX is truly the beginning of a new chapter of digitalisation for Africa, said Isaac Mophatlane, CEO of BCX. This new brand is the culmination of the vision my late brother and I had when we started Business Connexion over 20 years ago.

BCX is built on the foundation of Telkom Businesss knowledge of infrastructure and Business Connexions expertise in providing customised ICT solutions for customers.

It provides a clear roadmap for companies throughout Africa to embrace digitalisation and be prepared to serve both their current and future customers.

Address the technology and telecommunications needs

Said Sipho Maseko, Telkom Group CEO: BCX will address the technology and telecommunications needs of companies operating in Africa, both within their domestic market and as they expand into the rest of - and beyond - the continent. It will leverage the companys expertise to further address the technology and telecommunications requirements of companies across Africa.

BCX will continue to fall within the umbrella of Telkom Group, but will operate as its own business arm serving the enterprise space. All employees fall under the purview of the new brand and all physical office spaces will reflect the new brand name. Additionally, all existing customer contracts will be covered by the new BCX entity.

Moving forward, the company will continue to offer solutions specifically for cloud computing, unified communications and collaboration, converged connectivity and business mobility, security, internet of things, and big data analytics.
According to the recently released Deloitte's Global Automotive Consumer Study, South African consumers are more likely to desire advanced automation technology when choosing cars compared to consumers in the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Mexico, and South Korea.

However, willingness to pay has decreased over the past two years. Younger South Africans are more willing to pay when compared to older generations.

When we look at the future of mobility, the younger generation is much more likely to show an interest in fully self-driving vehicles, and they are also more willing to pay for in-vehicle technologies when compared to older generations. When compared to the UK and Germany, were also seeing a higher proportion of consumers in South Africa who are willing to pay for advanced vehicle technologies, with safety remaining their biggest concern, said Karthi Pillay, Africa Automotive leader at Deloitte.

Basic vs advanced automation

Basic automation allows the driver to be in complete control with the vehicle performing specific automated tasks, while advanced automation combines at least two functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane centring technology. Limited self-driving allows the vehicle to take over all driving functions under certain traffic and environmental conditions, compared to full self-driving where the vehicle takes over all driving functions for an entire trip.

Almost 7 in 10 consumers consider travelling in self-driving cars to be a positive experience and are willing to try them if they show an established safety record. When asked about connected cars, 83% of consumers fear data hacking, which could compromise their personal safety, but 79% would share personal information with car makers in return for significant benefits.

Tech companies vs traditional car manufacturers

However, South Africans are divided on who they trust the most to bring self-driving technology to market, with half of consumers preferring tech companies and the other half choosing traditional car manufacturers. This is an interesting finding as a new ecosystem takes shape said Adheesh Ori, chief of staff for Deloitte Africa Automotive.

Ride-sharing does not yet threaten South Africas culture of car ownership, with only 21% of consumers using ride-sharing services at least once a week, and 42% saying they never use such services. In this study, ride-sharing was defined as a car sharing service where consumers hire a car or driver over the phone or using an app. Interestingly, more than a third of the younger consumers who use ride-sharing services question their need to own a vehicle in the future.

In South Africa, 73% and 74% of consumers want basic and advanced automation technology, respectively, compared to other markets. However, consumers in China, Mexico and South Korea are more likely to want limited or full self-driving vehicles.

Only 47% of South African consumers want limited self-driving technology, and just 39% are interested in full self-driving. Over the past two years, the desirability of advanced automation has increased from 67% to 74%, while desirability of other automation levels has remained stagnant.

Although the desire for advanced vehicle technologies has increased, fewer people are willing to pay, compared to 2014 levels. In 2014, local consumers were willing to pay an additional R19 149 for these features on average, but in 2016, they would pay only R18 370. Just as in developed economies, South Africans are starting to expect some of these features to come as standard when purchasing a vehicle, said Ori. Only when they derive significant additional benefit are they prepared to pay extra.

South African consumers are most interested in safety and cyber security features, while convenience and service enabling technologies resonated the least with consumers.

Top ten most desired features

The top ten most desired features were technologies that:

Recognise objects on the road and avoid collision

Take steps in medical emergencies or accidents

Enable remote shutdown of a stolen vehicle

Inform the driver of dangerous driving situations

Block the driver from dangerous driving situations

Prevent theft by restricting unauthorised access

Diagnose and send maintenance notifications

Help enhance fuel efficiency

Prevent hacking into vehicle systems

Enables vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications



The automotive industry is experiencing a period of intense disruption, and consumers are starting to make their voices heard as to which innovations they value most. It will be interesting to see how the industry develops as advanced technology becomes more widespread, said Pillay.

For more, read the full report.
With nineteen 2017 Bookmark Awards nominations in total, the Hellocomputer team stepped into the Galleria in Sandton last week (Thursday, 16 March) with fingers and toes crossed and a desire to bring home another round of Pixel trophies to line the office walls.

They were not disappointed: with a total of 10 Bookmark Pixel trophies in the bag across a wide range of categories, Hellocomputer left the awards with wide smiles and tired arms.

Its Testi-monials campaign with FCB Cape Town for CANSA proved yet again to be a judges favorite adding five Pixel trophies to its tally, including Silver for its social media campaign.

Other campaigns that brought in metal were Decoding The Glenlivet Cipher, the Lexus Website v2.5 and the Toyota The Toughererest VR Test Drive, proving that Hellocomputer continues to push the boundaries of digital campaigns beyond what is deemed possible.

Each win at the annual event, which celebrates all things amazing in the local digital space, is worth that much more given that the level of quality digital work in South Africa is growing significantly each year.

Group Managing Director, David Moffatt, said: The Bookmarks remains an important benchmark for us as it values efficacy as much as creativity. We stand by producing work that has a quantifiable and positive impact on our clients businesses. So, we are thrilled to have been recognised with 10 awards across multiple categories.




The investigation by the tax ombud into tax refunds will determine whether the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has been withholding refunds to boost tax revenue artificially.

Deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas has given tax ombud, Judge Bernard Ngoepe the go-ahead to investigate.

Tax practitioners have raised a red flag over delays in the payment of tax refunds for some time, but Sars strongly rejects the allegations that it is doing this deliberately. It has also denied claims that its administrative deficiencies contributed to the R30bn shortfall in tax revenue in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Concern about the shortfall was raised by the finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, in a briefing ahead of his budget speech in the National Assembly and he has had engagements with senior Sars executives about the matter.

The tax ombud has seen a spike in complaints about delayed payment of tax refunds by Sars, which CEO, Eric Mkhawane, said on Tuesday represented about 50% of all complaints. This was why Ngoepe asked Gordhan for permission to conduct an inquiry into possible systemic reasons for the delays.

Mkhawane said the delays, some lasting months, occurred even when taxpayers had complied with all the requirements of Sars. The negative financial consequences for the taxpayer could be severe, he added, noting that there had been a "public outcry" over the delays.

Mkhawane expected the probe to be completed in one or two months.

While the tax ombud had helped solve individual cases of delayed tax refund payments, it had not been able to address the issue systemically, he said. The investigation would allow it to deal with the problem in a holistic way and look at the underlying causes.

"We want to bolster confidence in the tax administration and to have an accountable, responsive revenue authority," Mkhawane said.

The ombud conducts investigations emanating from complaints by individuals or companies, and investigations into systemic problems or issues at Sars, which require Gordhan's approval.

Sars has been informed by Jonas about the investigation.

Sars spokesman, Sandile Memela, said the tax authority welcomed and would fully cooperate with the investigation, which would bolster taxpayer confidence in its systems. It would also bring "finality and closure" to the issue.

Memela noted that as of January, Sars had paid out R155bn in value-added tax (VAT) refunds, which was R12.6bn more than the same period in the previous year. A total 89% of tax refunds were paid within 72 hours, with the remaining 11% being identified by the risk engine as requiring detailed audits. Difficulties in getting the right documentation sometimes delayed the process of dealing with these cases.

Regarding personal income tax, payments were made within 72 hours in 98.2% of cases.

"Much of the current taxpayer complaints pertain to VAT refunds. It must be highlighted that Sars has an obligation to ensure both service and compliance, which includes complying with the legislation and ensuring that all incorrect activities are managed correctly, which could include fraud," Memela said.

Due to an increase in fraud, SARS had to tighten "risk rules".

"We remain confident about the strength and 'robustness' of the Sars systems and processes. In fact, Sars is determined to ensure that our systems and processes simplify the process of meeting one's tax obligations," Memela said.

DA deputy finance spokesman, Alf Lees, welcomed the investigation, which he hoped would be "swift and thorough". The tax ombud needed to look into issues with the system and process, he said.

"The DA has been reliably informed of backlogs across the board, which is an indication of weak administration and technology at SARS," Lees said.
This #BrandManagerMonth, we find out what's really going on behind the selfie with technophile Pierre Heistein, former journalist now independent macroeconomic consultant specialising in sub-Saharan Africa.

Technically not a selfie, here is Heistein in a makeshift boardroom, studying sustainable development in rural Nepal.

1. Where do you live, work and play?

Heistein: I live  mostly  in Argentina when I am not travelling for work. Most of my writing is done from my office there if I am not stationed on a project elsewhere. Play is a part of everyday life, but at any given opportunity you'll find me trying to get off the beaten track in a far-flung, unknown destination such as the rivers of Myanmar, mountains of Iran or jungles of Ecuador.

2. Whats your claim to fame?

Heistein: I worked alongside the Angolan Ministry of Finance to help them restructure their financing plans after the oil price crashed.

3. Describe your career so far.

Heistein: Exciting. It never sits still, jumping from Bitcoin to agriculture to East African railways to drought to renewable energy and back to African monetary policy.

4. Tell us a few of your favourite things.

Heistein: Innovation, creativity and decoding uncertainty. The world is in a constant state of disruption and navigating this space is exciting. It forces you to drop all assumptions and perpetually seek new ways of looking at the systems around you.

5. What do you love about your industry?

Heistein: We're on the forefront of change. We're the first to be called to the scene when the water gets murky and the first to get insight into where the world is going.

6. What are a few pain points your industry can improve on?

Heistein: Consulting services are still too rigid. While structure is needed to be efficient, old models of solution development are leading to inappropriate results in a rapidly changing global landscape.

7. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

Heistein: I'm up early. Before work I take time to build a strong base in my personal life and read widely on topics unrelated to the project I'm working on. Thereafter the project defines my routine. The challenge of working project-by-project is to keep up with changes and innovations beyond that single task. Seeing the unexpected links and relations is what defines good insight and analysis.

8. What are the tools of your trade?

Heistein: My networks. In an age where public information is abundant, true insight comes from learning from the experience and exposure of people directly involved in the topic.

9. Who is getting it right in your industry?

Heistein: There are a number of small boutique consulting companies who are adapting quickly to the new industry environment.

10. What are you working on right now?

Heistein: Helping General Electric write up their new work processes after a recent M&A in the tech space.

11. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself.

Heistein: Consulting changes buzzwords like models change shoes. It's a constant challenge to see through  and not adopt  old ideas dressed in new clothes.

12. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

Heistein: Mountains and deserts are my most creative spaces.

13. Whats your secret talent/party trick?

Heistein: For a few months every year I put the business world aside and film documentaries.

14. Are you a technophobe or a technophile?

Heistein: Closer to the technophile side of the scale but with a strong  and frequent  ability to turn it all off and think in quiet.

15. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone?

Heistein: Photos, photos and more photos, mostly of natural beauty. I'm a minimalist when it comes to apps and noisy tools but my photos are my memory bank.

16. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry?

Heistein: Beware of fashions in signaling. The top 10 tips today are the bottom 10 tomorrow as the quick fix punters peddle their trade. Stick to basic principles and never get caught in a single doctrine.

Simple as that. Click here for more from Heistein and be sure to follow him on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for more.

*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.
Globalism has both opened new doors and created new challenges for startups all over the world. Digital technology, new trade agreements, the trend towards cultural assimilation and other factors have enabled businesses to reach customers in other countries. Even the United States, which is the world's largest economy, only accounts for 17% of global GDP

(c) Achmad Fahmi Rosyad - 123RF.com

However, penetrating new markets is rarely easy. Brands must understand the cultural, regulatory and economic differences between these regions to successfully engage with new customers. Here are some questions startups must ask before marketing to customers in new countries.

What advertising laws must my company comply with?

Marketing laws are far from universal. Brands must understand the regulations in every market they serve.

Strict privacy laws are among the biggest differences US-based companies must prepare for when marketing the customers in the European Union. Brands must warn customers if they use cookies or other software to track their activities. They must also comply with the right to be forgotten law and other policies that protect customer privacy.

Certain products are also banned or restricted in different regions. For example, gambling and certain forex advertisements are prohibited in United States, while they are perfectly legal in many other countries. There are also different policies on monitoring customer credit in different regions as well. If there are restrictions on your product in other regions, it's important to know them to avoid facing civil or criminal penalties.

What are the psychological differences between people of different nationalities?

When you create marketing campaigns, it's easy to base them around your own references and expectations. These biases are programmed into us based on the culture we grew in.

This means that the selling points that work best for people in your own or similar cultures won't necessarily be ideal elsewhere. Here are some significant cultural differences to be aware of:

Individualism vs collectivism

Some cultures are more individualistic, such as the United States and Japan. Other cultures, such as most smaller European countries tend to be more collectivist. Color differences

In most parts of the world, the color black is associated with death and the color white is associated with life. This relationship is reversed in India, so marketers must keep this in mind when using these colors in their campaigns. However, Mashables Erica Swallow reports this is changing in many ways, so you should be mindful of these trends. In most of Europe and the Americas, for example, white is associated with purity and marriage. In Japan, China and parts of Africa, though, white is traditionally the color of mourning. But don't be fooled  in Westernized Asian cities, white weddings are becoming more common. Views on beauty In many cultures, men are more attracted to blonde and petite women. In other cultures, they tend to be more attracted to larger women with darker hair. This difference is particularly significant for marketers promoting dating sites. However, it is also relevant to any company using women in their advertising creatives.

Take the time to research the psychographics of your customer base in every region you intend to serve. You may be surprised by how different customers think and how you can improve your ROI by appealing to their own intrinsic desires.

Understand the best mediums for the local market

Many brands make the mistake of using the same mediums to reach customers in every geography. The problem is that customers in other countries use different sources of information. While Google is ideal for reaching customers in virtually every country, the preferred television networks, news sites and blogs differ from country to country.

You will need to research the channels customers go to for information in every region. This will help you decide where to place your ads to reach your target demographic.

When in Rome

Marketing to people in different cultures isnt easy, but it is a great way to expand your company. You just need to know how to engage with local customers without running afowl with the regulators.
GENEVA, Switzerland  The urgency to rethink the African 'business model' because of the declining growth in African economies and to remain relevant in a changing and competitive environment, set the tone for the opening of the fifth edition of the Africa CEO Forum, a Jeune Afrique Group initiative, organised in partnership with the African Development Bank.

Amir Ben Yahmed, founder and president of the Africa CEO Forum.

In his keynote address, Amir Ben Yahmed, founder and president of the forum, explained the urgency to overhaul Africa's business model because of the declining growth in African economies. "Even more alarming is the fact that the two biggest economies in Africa - Nigeria and South Africa - which produce 32% of the continent's production, have been very badly affected".

He also announced the launch of the African CEO Barometer, an initiative aimed at measuring the confidence in African CEOs and the expectations and prospects of key leaders in the African private sector. Published on the occasion of the Africa CEO Forum, the Barometer is based on a survey of more than 1,000 active African CEOs across the continent and will be renewed annually.

Ben Yahmed went on to share some interesting data compiled by the barometer, the first being that 61% of African business leaders believed their activities have been negatively impacted by the global economic downturn in the past few months.

The two main demands respondents had for governments are to improve the business climate (83%); and to fight against fraud and corruption (65%), which they consider more important than building infrastructure (51%).

With regard to global economic downturn, the barometer further identified three groups of emerging countries:

1. Countries that were not affected by the economic decline and are optimistic about the future (Senegal, Morocco).

2. Countries that were affected but remain optimistic (Nigeria, Cameroon).

3. Countries that were not affected but are pessimistic about the future (Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, DRC).

Also worth noting is that 93% of respondents said they are prepared to commit to ensuring greater representation of women in leadership positions, thus sharing the vision of the Women in Business Initiative launched at last year's forum and which is geared towards the promotion of the role women play in business.

In a speech read on his behalf by AfDB vice president in charge of the private sector, infrastructure and industrialisation, Pierre Guislain, President Akinwumi Adesina challenged Governments to fully embrace, incentivise and unleash the potential of the private sector in order to boost Africa's economic growth and lift millions out of poverty.

"Like a bird flies with two wings, so must economies: public and private sectors must be in a synchronous balance," Adesina said.

Preceded by an expert briefing by the director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund, Abebe Aemro Selassie, participants witnessed a high-level panel discussion on this year's theme with engaging remarks from panelists including Saran Kebet-Koulibaly from the International Finance Corporation, Mo Ibrahim of the Eponymous Foundation and Naguib Sawiris of OTMT Investments.

Drawing on their vast knowledge of business growth and experience in helping run successful business structures, the speakers further set out the tools needed to ensure a more consistent, predictable and stable business environment for the private sector which included ensuring good governance and transparence, educating the youth, and supporting agriculture.

Over 1,100 participants from 42 countries, including 40 ministers and two heads of state, are participating in this year's edition of the Africa CEO Forum.

Set up in partnership with the African Development Bank, the AFRICA CEO FORUM is an event organised jointly by Groupe Jeune Afrique, publisher of Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, and Rainbow Unlimited, a Swiss company specializing in the organisation of economic promotion events.
BADEN-BADEN, Germany - 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.

 sedat seven via 123RF

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".

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.

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.

Source: AFP.
Get Published founder and Two Oceans Vibe radio presenter, Nadia Hearn, will be hosting a series of workshops on how small businesses can utilise Facebook to grow their brands. The Facebook 101 for Small Business Roadshow starts on 23 March 2017 and ends on 28 April 2017 and will be making stops in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape as well as Namibia.

During the three-hour workshop sessions, attendees will be expected to participate in practical work exercises and the creation of actual Facebook content.
The outbreak began on February 20 and has so far affected around 30 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Camp officials are calling for emergency aid, including medicine, to be provided in order to prevent dehydration fatalities as well as to stop the spread of any infection. The Hpapun township camp is home to some 3,000 displaced persons.

Children under two-years-old have been suffering from diarrhea since last month until now. They have had both diarrhea and vomiting. It is difficult for us to treat them since we dont have any medicine, said Saw Mya Ku, a camp official responsible for health care.

The Ee Tu Hta IDP camp normally receives a delivery of medical supplies every six months from the Karen Department of Health and Welfare, which is under the umbrella of the Karen National Union (KNU). But Saw Mya Ku said that no medicine has been provided since last July.



As the number of people affected by diarrhea began to increase in the camp, local organizations came and provided information and sanitation and hygiene on March 8.
It all started out as the bridges proposed name became known when the Ministry of Construction sent a letter to Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of the Mon State parliament, announcing a celebratory opening ceremony for it on February 13, the 102nd birthday of Gen Aung San. Locals were outraged by the decision and the opening was canceled, according to the Irrawaddy report of March 15.

On March 2, some three thousand Mon population, including the Mon State deputy parliament speaker protested against the naming of the bridge, which was endorsed without the consent of the people.

On March 14, however, Speaker Win Myint put it to a vote after 15 Hluttaw representatives spoke on the bridge name, the motion to name it Bogyoke Aung San Bridge was approved with a majority vote from NLD representatives. Accordingly, the proposal resulted in 217 lawmakers voting in favor, 43 against and 116 abstaining.

On March 18, the UNA, which consists of a dozen ethnic political parties, issued a 5 point statement underlining that the parliamentarians of the ruling NLD party should not use their majority vote to override the desire of the local Mon State population.

Furthermore, the statement warned that this act of using majority vote could harm the life security of the ethnic peoples in the future.

Sai Nyunt Lwin, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), whose party is also an UNA member elaborated to the Radio Free Asia recently, regarding the statement: In any issues they [the National League for Democracy (NLD)] could decide according to their desire, as they have the majority in lower, upper and union parliaments. They should avoid taking measures that could hurt the minorities and pay attention to the minorities desire. And if issues would be decided neglecting the minorities concern, a lot of worries could arise. (For example), we wont be able to do anything if they want to change the name of Taunggyi (the Shan State capital).

On March 19 Sunday, over twenty thousand people, involving Mon, Pa-O, Karen and locals, staged a demonstration in Mawlamyine, also known as Moulmein, strand road against the naming of the bridge as Bogyoke Aung San, chanting slogans that they rejected the parliament endorsed name.

The combined demonstrator groups also issued a statement to acknowledge the local peoples desire; perpetuation of national unity; national reconciliation; emergence of a genuine democratic country and federal union that is anchored in the rights of self-determination.

Difficult choice of name?

According to Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin: Whoever you ask  local resident, monk, historian or politician  you will get a different answer. There was a suggestion to name it Thamein Bayan Bridge. Another person preferred the name Thanlwin Bridge, reported the Myanmar Times of March 17.

If you ask a local from Mawlamyine, they would reply Mawlamyine Bridge and if you ask a local from Chaungzone, it would be Chaungzone. If you name it Mawlamyine-Chaungzone-Thanlwin Bridge, that may satisfy residents on both banks, said the Ethnic Affairs Minister.

But March 14 report of the Irrawaddy said that residents favored naming the bridge linking Moulmein and Chaungzon townships Yamanya, meaning Mon State in Mon language, or Salween Bridge or Thanlwin Bridge.

Whatever the case, one thing is sure and that is the rejection of the parliament approved name that is given after the independence struggle hero Bogyoke Aung San Bridge.

Minority right in jeopardy?

As it is, even though there is already an endorsement by the parliament to go ahead, nothing has yet been decided.

But alarm bell has been rung, especially in the ears of the ethnic population, that the NLD is ready to bully with its majority votes to achieve its desire, whether such a generalization is logically valid or not is, of course, debatable.

It is true that the country is still not a full fledged federal union, but the NLD should make use of its majority vote cautiously where the minorities are involved, so that minority rights could be protected, has been the main concern of the ethnic states.

The argument goes that if such a small matter of even naming the bridge could be bullied, how would it look like when hardball political bargaining would come into play.

It should be noted that this episode is viewed by the non-Bamar ethnic as the NLD catering to Bamar ethnocentrism, no different from the successive military regimes, and is pushing the ethnic states population to accept assimilation and acculturation, at the expense of diluting their own identity and culture.

In the same vein, in February, the locals in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and Mon States Mudon Township have raised objections to planned statues of Burmas independence hero Gen Aung San in the two locations.

Construction has already begun on plinths for the statues in the town centers of Myitkyina and Mudon but civil society groups complained that they cannot accept the statues while there is ongoing conflict in Kachin State and the federalism and equality pledged by Gen Aung San in the Panglong Agreement of 1947 remains unfulfilled, according to the report of the Irrawaddy on February 8.

Although polite arguments were being given, in reality the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities consider all these moves to be a camouflage assimilation or Burmanization scheme, which they must resist. But this is not to say that they dont respect Aung San. They still consider him  then in 1947 and also now  to be a great statesman and Bamar national leader, whom they could trust and work together for ethnic harmony. But unfortunately he was assassinated before the achievement of independence from the British, in 1947. Subsequently, all the promises made by him as a Bamar national leader were watered down during the constitutional drafting, which has left the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities at disadvantage, leading to the constitutional crisis that isnt able to be resolved, up to these days.

For now, it seems the NLD is confronting in Mon State A bridge too far  meaning: A step or act that is regarded as being too drastic to take  sort of scenario, which it has lightly thought out that it could be overcome easily.

Given such controversy and emotionally charged atmosphere, the NLD and its boss State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi should be cautioned and reminded that a withdrawal from such confrontation would be a wiser way to go than pushing it stubbornly through, if the gradually depleting trust of the ethnic nationalities is to be restored.
She Used Her Phone And It Killed Her Kids! Life oi-Syeda Farah

The moment we wake up, the first thing that most of us do is to check our phones for the latest mails and messages. We humans are so dependent on this device that we use it for every damn thing.

From finding the route to ordering food, we have our cellphones ready. But do you realise that it can kill us? Well, it can in any possible way!

You May Also Like To Read: Everyone Thought She Was Pregnant But That Was Not The Case



This is an incident that happened in Mexico where a mum cooked meals for her kids, but eventually ended up killing them accidentally due to one silly mistake.

Also Read: Witness The Cutest Baby Spa Pictures!

Check out the sad story of the woman who lost her kids after her kids died in a freak accident.

It Was A Usual Day! It was a regular day and the woman was making breakfast for her kids. Everything was perfect and she was making the kids' favourite fresh orange juice and egg scramble. The Kids Had Their Food The kids had their breakfast and took along their boxes to school and the mother was all busy with her routine until she got a call from the kids' school. They Had A Bad News! The school authorities called to inform the mother that both her kids had fallen ill and were being rushed to the hospital. The reason they thought was due to food poisoning. The Kids' Condition Was Critical! The kids were rushed to the hospital when they complained of high fever and were shivering due to sudden illness. Their condition just got worse, as the little bodies were not able to fight the bacteria that caused the infection. But, Why Did This Happen? The doctors confirmed with the reports that the cause of infection was a bacterial strain called Salmonella. The lady frequently used her phone in between while cooking and serving food, due to which the food got infected with the bacterial species present on the mobile phone.

GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 22:45 [IST]
PR Newswire

NEW YORK, March 21, 2017

NEW YORK, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Wefering has joined Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI), an engineering and construction services firm, as Director of Sustainability in its Babylon and Manhattan, NY offices.

In his new position, Mr. Wefering is responsible for developing a new service line centered on sustainability planning and transportation. Mr. Wefering brings a new perspective to project management and planning to GPI, which is based on his international experience in sustainable transportation and urban mobility planning. He will complement existing GPI service lines and develop new projects which account for the rapid and fundamental changes currently observed in the transportation field, especially in relation to mobility in cities. Mr. Wefering complements GPI's knowledge portfolio in areas including road safety/Vision Zero, transportation and health, mobility and access, smart cities, automated and connected vehicles, and integrated/sustainable urban mobility planning. He is also responsible for exploring international business and project opportunities for GPI in the wider field of sustainable transportation.

Mr. Wefering has more than 20 years of professional experience as a sustainability consultant, an urban mobility planner, and an economist. He has supported national and local governments as well as businesses worldwide in transportation planning. An internationally-experienced project manager, he has been focused on implementing innovative transportation solutions and improving quality of life in cities.

Prior to joining GPI, Mr. Wefering had his own consulting practice specializing in sustainable mobility and transportation for various public and private sector clients. His consulting assignments included strategy advisor to the NYC Department of Transportation and senior consultant to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Some of the GPI's recent transportation planning and design projects in the New York metropolitan area include the Ronkonkoma Hub for the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Wyandanch Plaza for the Town of Babylon, Green Infrastructure Design Services for NYC Economic Development, Select Bus Service (SBS) and Vision Zero Infrastructure Requirements Contract for NYC Dept. of Design & Construction; Citywide Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Projects for NYC Dept. of Transportation, numerous traffic engineering projects for the Port Authority of NY & NJ and bridge design projects for New York City Dept. of Transportation, among many others.

Mr. Wefering earned his Economic Graduate Degree from Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat in Munster, Germany, and his Master of Economics Degree from North Carolina State University. He currently resides in Bay Shore, New York with his wife and two children.

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. is an engineering firm that provides comprehensive services in the areas of civil design, structural/bridge design, transportation planning and design, traffic engineering, construction management and inspection, mechanical/electrical/plumbing design, sustainable design, municipal engineering, site planning, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, coastal and marine engineering, geographic information system (GIS), and asset management services.

GPI maintains offices in Babylon, Manhattan, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Montebello, NY; Lebanon, Ocean View, Red Bank, and Morris Plains, NJ; Wilmington and Southbridge, MA; Norwalk, CT; Jericho and White River Junction, VT; Portsmouth, NH; Portland, ME; Scranton, Mechanicsburg, and North East, PA; Newark, DE; Elkins, WV; Berea and Dublin, OH; Kentwood, MI; Louisville, KY; Annapolis Junction and Rockville, MD; Fredericksburg, VA; Greensboro, NC; Braselton, GA; Tallahassee, Mariana, Jacksonville, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, Fort Pierce, Pompano Beach, and Gainesville, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; Yacaipa, CA; and Portland, OR.

Media Contact:Anita GarrahanPhone: 631-761-7320Email: [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frank-wefering-sustainability-specialist-joins-gpi-300427471.html

SOURCE GPI - Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
Canada NewsWire

TORONTO and NEW YORK, March 22, 2017

Poorest children will be most affected as climate change worsens an ongoing water crisis

Photos and video are available for download here: http://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFDMEO9

TORONTO and NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Nearly 600 million children  or one in four children worldwide  will be living in areas with extremely limited water resources by 2040, according to a UNICEF report released on World Water Day.

The report, Thirsting for a Future: Water and children in a changing climate, looks at the threats to children's lives and well-being caused by depleted sources of safe water and the ways climate change will intensify these risks in coming years.

"Clean, safe water is essential for children to grow and develop into healthy and productive global citizens," said UNICEF Canada President and CEO David Morley. "Yet today, we're failing a quarter of the world's children by not ensuring the most basic component of their well-being. Clean water affects everything from a child's health to their education and to their safety. Providing access to clean, safe water must quickly become a global priority before it's too late."

36 countries at extreme risk

According to the report, 36 countries are currently facing extremely high levels of water stress, which occurs when demand for water far exceeds the renewable supply available. Warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, increased floods, droughts and melting ice affect the quality and availability of water as well as sanitation systems.

Population growth, increased water consumption and higher demand for water largely due to industrialization and urbanization are draining water resources worldwide. Conflicts in many parts of the world also threaten children's access to safe water.

All of these factors force children to use unsafe water, which exposes them to potentially deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. Many children in drought-affected areas miss out on a chance to go to school because of the time it takes to collect water. Girls are especially vulnerable to attack during these times.

"Water is elemental; without it, nothing can grow. But around the world, millions of children lack access to safe water - endangering their lives, undermining their health, and jeopardizing their futures. This crisis will only grow unless we take collective action now," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

The poorest and most vulnerable children will be most impacted by an increase in water stress, the report says, as millions of them already live in areas with low access to safe water and sanitation.

663 million people lack access to clean water

The report also notes that:

UNICEF calls for four urgent actions

"We commend Canada's commitment of $2.65 billion to address the adverse effects of climate change in developing countries," said Morley. "The government must now ensure that their investments reach the most vulnerable communities in the least developed countries, particularly children."

The most urgent task ahead is for world governments and others to act now to halt the advance of climate change by curbing emissions and prioritizing renewable and sustainable energy sources. At the same time, we must also deal with the impacts of climate change on water sources, UNICEF said. The report concludes with a series of recommendations that can help curb the impact of climate change on the lives of children. Such measures include:

"In a changing climate, we must change the way we work to reach those who are most vulnerable. One of the most effective ways we can do that is safeguarding their access to safe water," Lake said.

Notes to Editors:Thirsting for a Future: Water and children in a dangerous climate is the third in a series of reports issued by UNICEF on the impact of climate change on and its effect on the lives of children. The reports include recommendations for how to minimize these impacts and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on climate action. The other reports are Clear the Air for Children and Unless We Act Now.

About UNICEFUNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada
Description - Economic Autonomy and Democracy by Kelly M. McMann

How do individuals decide to exercise their democratic rights? This book argues that they first assess their economic autonomy, meaning their ability to make a living independent of government authorities. Before individuals consider whether their resources and organizational abilities are adequate to act on their interests, they calculate the risk of political activism to their livelihood. This is particularly evident in regions of the world where states monopolize the economy and thus can readily harass activists at their workplaces. Economic autonomy links capitalism and democracy through individuals' calculations about activism. Accounts of activists' decisions about establishing independent media, leading political organizations, and running for office and descriptions of government harassment in Russia and Kyrgyzstan, along with examples from most regions of the world, illustrate these arguments. Economic autonomy and the interaction among democratic rights help explain the global proliferation of hybrid regimes, governments that display both democratic and authoritarian characteristics.

Buy Economic Autonomy and Democracy by Kelly M. McMann from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, Boomerang Books.

Book Details

9780521857611

0521857619

Hardback

278

(229mm x 152mm x 19mm)Cambridge University Press22-May-2006United Kingdom
The big revelation from Theresa Mays Vogue interview

The last time a new prime minister matched Theresa Mays double-digit personal approval ratings so far into their first year in power, it was John Major back in the 1990s. The not Thatcher bounce saw him all the way to an unexpected election victory in 1992, but it ended swiftly, thereafter, as he dropped into the bottomless pit of pain that was the Tory party spawning its Ukip tendency.

May also offers a clear break with the past. Her style, and appeal, are different, but she shares one characteristic with Major: a gritty determination to be as dull as it is possible to be while also leading a major western power.

For the interview in the latest US Vogue  which was done in January but has just been published  you might have supposed her media advisers would have dug up some sexy little nugget of new information, or at least given the reporter the access to allow her to find something for herself. Instead everything we already know about the May brand is thumped home again. Even the Daily Mail, her most loyal cheerleader, could only get mildly excited by the news that her husband Philip cooks a mean risotto.

Her political manifesto is already familiar. She cares that people feel she is delivering for them. She sees that as the prerequisite to restoring trust with the electorate. She thinks liberty is marginally more important than security, but she puts opportunity ahead of both. She doesnt mind if people dont like her.

These stolid, small-c conservative virtues come clothed in an unexpectedly colourful and often stylish wardrobe that are both the most visible and, so far, the most obviously unexpected thing about her. She is bold, in the context of a Tory MP from Maidenhead. She is occasionally extravagant, although she seems to have learned her lesson after Trousergate, when she was pictured on a cream sofa in No 10 wearing the kind of soft leather trousers that wouldnt leave you much change from 1,000 (although very convincing fakes come a lot cheaper). She hit back hard when a backbencher, Nicky Morgan, criticised her extravagance, excluding her from a Downing Street meeting (in itself an extraordinarily unsubtle display of power). All the same, the message clearly hit home.

The outfits she wears in the pictures released so far by Vogue show her in an impeccably high street LK Bennett dress, the kind of thing the Duchess of Cambridge wears to show that even if she lives in a palace, she has her feet on the ground. The total spend of the widely used shot of her on a sofa in front of the fireplace is estimated at less than 700. Very mid-market, and probably a disappointment to the big names such as Burberry or Alexander McQueen, which have a big US market.

Because if it werent for the price tag, May could be expected to be an enthusiast for couture. For a woman whose politics are so studiously unflamboyant, in terms of fashion she is not afraid to take risks. Experimenting with your look for the unforgiving lens of the popular press takes a certain steeliness. It reinforces her reputation as a woman who doesnt mind not being liked.

She also has a thing about Vogue. It was her luxury item on Desert Island Discs and its editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, was made a dame in the New Year honours (in which, in a further reflection of her interest, Victoria Beckham got an OBE). It is not necessary to be a miserable cynic to ponder the coincidence of the DBE and the flattering profile in the recipients publication.

Wintour is a prominent Democrat supporter, and in a thin field, perhaps the most telling political observation in the May profile is that her politics are a lot closer to Hillary Clintons than to those of Donald Trump. Yet now May sort-of-dismisses the feminism in whose name she drove through reforms in the Tory party that over the past 15 years have transformed its appearance and allowed her to form a cabinet that is nearly a third women (most of whom owe their entry into politics to her reforms).

But then, she will have observed how Clintons defeat last year owed something to the hostility that feminism engenders among a certain group of voters not unlike some of the core Brexiteers in Britain. May knows they are not her only audience, but they are the ones she means to do business with.

cadbury purple bridesmaid dresses | chiffon bridesmaid dresses
Whats the current direction of federal education policy? We went to the most-recent former leader of federal education policy to get his opinion.

On Wednesday, Education Week correspondent Kavitha Cardoza sat down with former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. to talk about school choice, President Donald Trumps proposed education budget, whats needed to improve public education, and other matters.

In the Facebook Live discussion, King sharply criticized the budget blueprints proposed elimination of federal support for nationwide after-school and teacher-training programs, as well as reductions in programs designed to aid college students from low-income backgrounds.

This budget is really an assault on the American Dream, King said, adding that in his opinion theres good choice and bad choice in terms of educational options.

The Trump administration and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos have said they want a change in philosophy in Washington in order to give states and districts more control of education policy.

And in contrast to DeVos, King said he was very skeptical about the efficacy of vouchers, and that they dont really contribute to work thats needed to improve public schools.

Watch the full video below:

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Kentucky has officially become the 44th state to allow charter schools, after years of steadfast resistance to allowing the publicly funded, but independently operated schools to open.

Gov. Matt Bevin signed the charter school bill on Tuesday , after approval from the state legislature came last week.

The law allows parents, teachers, residents, and non-profits to apply to open charter schools . Local school boards will serve as authorizers, but mayors in the largest cities, Lexington and Louisville, can get permission from the state board of education to become authorizers. Applicants will be able to appeal denials to the state board of education.

The law does not put a limit on the number of charter schools that can operate in the state. And although the bill says that nonprofits can apply to become charter authorizers, the bills supporters acknowledged in floor discussions leading up to the bills passage that nothing in the legislation bars a charter operator from subcontracting all operations and management to a for-profit company.

Late changes to the bill clarified that charter school teachers must be state-certified.

The bill faced pushback from Democratic legislators, many of whom argued that charter schools will strip already scarce resources from traditional public schools.

The state school boards association also opposed the measure on the grounds that multiple charter school authorizers diluted local control, and that it was also unclear how traditional public schools funding will be affected by charter schools. The association also had concerns about the appeals process.

The law passed without a clear funding mechanism. A subsequent measure attached to another bill added language on charter school funding. Charter schools are to be funded in a similar manner to the states traditional public schools on a per-pupil basis. However, they will not receive money for transportation and buildings, according to WVXU.

Attempts to pass a charter school bill had failed in Kentucky in the past. But those efforts were expected to prevail this year now that Republicans are in control of the legislature and the governors mansion.

Republican supporters say charter schools provide more schooling options for parents, especially for low-income and black students who are in low-performing schools, increase competition, and help the state close the achievement gap.

Bevin took the unusual step of testifying before the Senate and House education committees, and harshly criticized the bills opponents.

With Kentuckys entry into charter schools, just six states remain without laws allowing the schools, all of them sparsely populated: Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Montana.
A newly published study shows that admission officers at selective colleges are more likely to offer spots to low-income students if they have a better understanding of the high schools those students attend.

The study suggests that a relatively simple interventionproviding additional details about the context from which a student comescould increase representation of low-income students on college campuses. It found that when admission officers have more detailed information about low-income students schools, theyre 26 percent to 28 percent more likely to admit them.

Michael N. Bastedo, the director of the University of Michigans Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education, and Nicholas A. Bowman, the director of the University of Iowas Center for Research on Undergraduate Education, published their findings this month in the latest edition of the journal Educational Researcher. (An abstract is freely available , but the full report requires a subscription.)

The researchers hypothesized that correspondence bias, which they define as the human tendency to attribute decisions to a persons disposition or personality rather than to the situation in which the decision occurs, could influence college admissions, and wanted to see if more information about students contextstheir schoolscould offset that bias.

Correspondence bias in college admissions could be reduced if admissions officers had easy access to relevant information about situational factors that are pertinent to applicants academic achievements, the paper says.

In the study, 311 admission officers at 174 competitive higher education institutions were asked to review three applications, all from fictional white male students who planned to major in engineering. One such student was from a lower-income school, and the other two came from upper-middle-class schools, factors the admissions officers could deduce from two details included in their files: the graduation rate of their high schools and the educational attainment of their parents.

But half of the admission officers got a version of the files that had richer detail about the students high schools. They included details such as their college-enrollment rates, average SAT or ACT scores, the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, whether Advanced Placement courses were available, and what proportion of students who took AP classes earn scores of 3 or higher.

The study sparked some lively conversation this week on a listserv that serves high school counselors and college admission officers. Peter Osgood, the director of admission at Harvey Mudd College, in Claremont, Calif., wrote that when he heard Bastedo make a presentation on the study recently, it struck a chord with him.

The application can give us admission-application readers quite a lot of information, but it is what we dont know that makes the selection process so subject to human foibles, he wrote on the listserv.

The high schools with the lowest levels of resources are the ones that are least likely to create in-depth, detailed school profiles which accompany students college applications, he wrote. And the high student-to-counselor ratios at many high schools also make it unlikely that counselors can offer admission officers much insight or detail about the family or personal challenges that individual students may have faced, or the context of the curricular offerings in the face of budget cuts, or any number of other helpful pieces of information.

Jon Boeckenstedt, the associate vice president for enrollment management at DePaul University in Chicago, wrote in his listserv posting that the Bastedo/Bowman paper offers a timely warning to guard against the bias that too often puts low-income students at a disadvantage in the college-admission process. To illustrate his point, he told a story about comments he heard during a public presentation by a dean of admissions from a high-profile institution.

The deanwho Boeckenstedt didnt namesaid that his institutions admissions office spent a lot of time looking for qualified low-income students, but that at our institution, you have to be able to work independently on a project and write a substantial senior project, and there just arent enough low-income students who can do that type of work.

Boeckenstedt was so shocked that he checked what he heard with several colleagues in the audience. They confirmed it. What shocked me, beyond the preposterous lack of awareness, was the fact that this dean clearly felt so comfortable passing this tidbit on, as though it was not even subject to scrutiny, he said in his listserv posting.
Nevadas Youth Legislature has filed a bill that would require schools to teach on criminal issues that frequently involve persons under the age of 18 years, including sexting, sexual consent, and driving under the influence.

The proposal comes following years of renewed national concern about sexual assault and consent among teenagers and on college campuses.

Other schools throughout the country have explored voluntarily adding such requirements to sex education classes and drug prevention programs in recent years to make them more relevant to students. In 2015, California adopted new laws that required schools to teach about affirmative consent , which calls upon students to replace no means no with yes means yes in sexual situations.

The Nevada Youth Legislature is a nationally recognized panel that is allowed to pitch youth-related legislation. The students bill would add the new requirements not to sex education classes, but to American government courses required in all of the states public high schools. It has yet to be considered by any legislative committees.

Its not a sex-ed bill I dont ask that we teach sexuality or even contraception, but that we arm our children with the knowledge and the empathy to understand what consent and, conversely, assault is, said Olivia Yamamoto, the student who proposed the bill, according to the Associated Press. Nevada can lead the nation in protecting our young people.

Further reading on sex and consent:

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.
Special education advocacy groups are cheering a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that a special education students individualized education program must be reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the childs circumstances, in the language of the opinion.

The decision in Endrew F. v Douglas County School Board , is seen as strengthening the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. But the ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, does not address the central question of whether the student at the center of the case was provided an IEP that enabled him to make appropriate progress. The unanimous decision from the high court means the case will go back to a lower court for further argument.

That didnt stop advocates from praising the decision.

The court recognizes that every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives and advance from grade to grade, said a statement from Michael K. Yudin, who served assistant secretary for the office of special education and rehabilitative services at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration.

The Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates said we expect this unanimous decision ... to be transformative in the lives of the students and families for whom the law is intended to benefit.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, said the ruling sends a critically needed message: Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and receive a high-quality public education. With this ruling, the court has rightly reaffirmed Congress intent in [the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act] to hold schools accountable for providing students with disabilities meaningful educational benefit from the instruction and services they receive.

The standard is not a bright line that tells districts what to do. Future disagreements could center around the definition of appropriate progress, said Perry A. Zirkel, a professor of education and law at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

Most practitioners want the law to spell things out, so they can go back to their job and know where theyre at, Zirkel saidlike a speed limit on a highway. In this case, he said, the speed limit is, Drive appropriately in the individual circumstance in which youre traveling.

Melissa Wischerath, an Oregon attorney who represents parents, said that the ruling does have the potential to be a game-changer for her clients. She spent part of Wednesday requesting extra time to refile briefs in various cases to take into account the Supreme Court ruling.

Many of her clients children were faced with IEPs that barely changed from year to year, she said, and the floor for progress was very low. I think what were going to see now is a more-tailored approach from schools, she said.

The case is based on a lawsuit from filed by parents in Colorado. They had placed their child, Endrew, in private school, arguing that the IEP developed by the district was inadequate for him to make any educational progress. (I wrote a full backgrounder on the Endrew F. case in January , before the Supreme Court held oral arguments.)

The school district prevailed before an administrative law judge, federal district court and the court of appeals.

In [Douglas County School District,] we are ever dedicated to the education of all of our 67,000 students. We respect the decision of the Supreme Court justices and we are confident that the work we do for our students already meets this higher standard, said district attorney William Trachman in a statement.

Notably, the court did not hold that Douglas County School District failed to meet the new standard, or say that DCSD cant proceed to prove that it met that standard in the Endrew F. matter. Indeed, in this case, the Douglas County School District offered an appropriate [IEP] and we look forward to proving to the lower courts that the IEP meets the new, higher standard, Trachmans statement said.

Case Connected to Supreme Court Nominee Gorsuch

To render its decision in the Endrew case, the 10th Circuit relied on an earlier decision that it had made in the case Thompson R2 School District v. Luke P. That 2008 decision, written by Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, was a ruling against Luke P.'s parents. Advocacy organizations have taken aim at Gorsuch, saying he is holding students with disabilities to a low educational standard .

The Endrew ruling came up during Gorsuchs confirmation hearing, in its third day on Wednesday; my colleague Mark Walsh has covered some of the questions from senators and Gorsuchs responses .

In one exchange with Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican noted that the Luke P. decision relied on a yet-earlier case that had been decided by the 10th Circuit in 1996.

My colleagues have repeatedly demanded that Judge Gorsuch follow precedent, said Cruz. This is another example of Judge Gorsuch doing exactly thatfollowing precedent.

He asked the nominee whether he would be bound to follow a Supreme Court decision that upset an appeals court precedent.

Yes, senator. Gorsuch said. Thats how it works.
California Retailer Files Class Action Against Ivanka Trump Brand for Unfair Competition

A San Francisco women's clothing and accessories business has sued Ivanka Trump's brand alleging claims of unfair competition. The claims stem from the marketing and promotion of Ivanka Trump's brand by herself and her husband, who are White House employees, as well as her father, President Trump, his advisor Kellyanne Conway, and even, media-favorite, Sean Spicer.

Basically, the San Francisco retailer is claiming that the promotion of Ivanka's Trump brand by those associated with the White House violates state and federal unfair competition laws, as well as the Constitution of the United States. Furthermore, the lawsuit seeks class action status on behalf of all other women's clothing retailers in California that are victims of Ivanka Trump's brand's unfair advantage due to its proximity to the president.

What Is Unfair Competition?

Unfair competition claims can encompass a whole host of different actions. Generally, unfair competition can result in harm to both consumers and other businesses. In the consumer context, unfair competition claims involve such actions as "bait-and-switch" advertising, purchasing counterfeit goods, or even simple false advertising. In the business context, unfair competition can include such actions as trademark infringement, stealing trade secrets, and currying favor with public officials and politicians for preferential government treatment.

Unfair competition claims can be brought by businesses against one and other because businesses have more to lose than consumers, and have more legal power (money) to fight these battles.

The Lawsuit Against Ivanka's Brand

In the lawsuit filed against Ivanka Trump's brand, the allegations clearly implicate the Trump administration in helping to curry favor in the public for the Ivanka Trump brand. Specific tweets by President Trump, statements by Conway, Spicer, and ever herself, are being used as the basis for the allegations. Additionally, a recent report has shown that after these very public mentions of support for her brand, Ivanka Trump brand saw its largest ever jump in sales.

Despite the brand no longer being carried by many retailers that wish to distance themselves from the seemingly constant controversy surrounding the Trump name, online fashion search engine Lyst noted that the brand jumped from 550th in January to 11th in February.

Related Resources:
How Blockchain Could Improve Legal Record Keeping

In 2013, Bitcoin was inescapable. The strange little cryptocurrency had morphed from an internet oddity, where Bitcoin-backers celebrated exchanging 10,000 Bitcoins for two (bad) pizzas, to a serious phenomenon. After a whole lot of stumbling blocks, Bitcoin has continued to grow, with the digital currency valued at over $1,000 a coin today. (That makes those pizzas worth $10 million.)

But the real story behind Bitcoin isn't Bitcoin, it turns out. It's the blockchain, the technology that makes Bitcoin possible. And it's blockchain, rather than virtual currencies, that could revolutionize everything from banking to land records. The tech could even be embraced by tech-shy lawyers.

The Blockchain and You

Blockchain technology creates a decentralized, digital ledger of transactions. The blockchain encrypts transactions, then distributes them throughout the network, creating a public record that is virtually impossible to hack. That allows for an incredibly reliable digital ledger without the need for a single, centralized authority.

That could be incredibly helpful for lawyers. Speaking last Friday at the ABA Techshow in Chicago, Vermont Law School professor and director of the school's Center for Legal Innovation, Oliver Goodenough, explained that attorneys could use blockchain technology to record and authenticate legal matters. That includes everything where ledgers are needed: property records, UCC filings, court records, fund transfers, chains of custody, contracts, even legal opinions.

"If you can get active in it, there are opportunities for clients," Goodenough explained, according to a report on his presentation by the ABA Journal.

Still, There Are Difficulties Ahead

The blockchain isn't magic, of course. Goodenough, who helped write a Vermont law giving blockchain a notarial legal status, reminded attendees that "I can still notarize lies." The system will still need to be policed and dispute resolution measures created.

That's just one problem that could slow widespread adoption of blockchain tech. Scalability remains a significant roadblock as well. Because blockchains are distributed across many computers, the size over a blockchain may need to be limited to avoid using excessive processing power. Bitcoin's "miners," the people running blockchain calculations, perform 450 thousand trillion solutions per second to validate transactions, according to Deloitte. That requires a ton of processing. The more the blockchain spreads, the more processing power every register and ledger will require.

Still, for now, blockchain tech is being hailed as the next major tech solution, for everything from finance to elections to the law. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, blockchain might be something worth throwing a few Bitcoins at.

Related Resources:




KATHMANDU (PTI): China's Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan will this week visit Nepal, where he will discuss bilateral military cooperation and the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, an ambitious project viewed with suspicion by India.



Gen Chang, who leads the 2.3-million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA), the world's largest, will reach Kathmandu on March 23 from Sri Lanka, leading a 19-member delegation.



He will discuss the OBOR initiative, the Maritime Silk Road, and military cooperation with Nepal, sources at the Defence Ministry in Kathmandu said.



The visit comes ahead of the Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat's four-day official visit to Nepal from March 28.



Gen Rawat's proposed trip has been described as a "regular visit" by the Nepal Army spokesperson and the army chiefs of India and Nepal exchange their honorary titles to mark the special ties.



Gen Rawat will meet President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Prachanda, Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand and his Nepali counterpart Gen Rajendra Chhetri during his stay in the landlocked country, where India and China vie for influence.



India has some concerns over the OBOR, which includes a maze of projects connecting China with Euro-Asia and is floated by Beijing as a connectivity and economic project.



The Chinese defence minister's three-day visit to Nepal coincides with the first joint military exercise between the Nepal Army and the PLA scheduled later this year. Gen Chang will receive a briefing on the joint exercise and also visit Nepal Army's Kathmandu Valley unit.



The delegation accompanying him will discuss the ideas floated last year by then Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during his visit to China. A possible support to Nepal Army from China is also on the cards for discussion.



Gen Chang is visiting Nepal at the invitation of Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand extended during his trip to China in October, Defence Secretary Shreedhar Sapkota said.



The Chinese delegation will also meet the Nepalese president, the prime minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi.




The Russian-built MiG-29K fighter of Indian Navy.

NEW DELHI (PTI): A number of Russian defence firms have broadly agreed to facilitate speedy repair and overhaul of Russian-origin military platforms in India and manufacture their spare parts through joint venture and technology transfer with Indian companies.



It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting maintenance of military systems procured from that country.



Indian defence firms held extensive deliberations with Russian giants for technology transfer and manufacturing of some parts and components of Russian-origin military systems in India and sources said the talks were fruitful.



Their talks took place during the course of a conference on March 18 and 19 in New Delhi on deepening defence engagement between the two countries. It was attended by more than 100 Russian and over 150 Indian industry representatives.



In a statement, the Defence Ministry said Russian firms showed keen interest in taking 'Make in India' further by involving Indian firms in the process of providing after-sales support of Russian origin equipment to the Indian Armed Forces through long-term supply agreements, repair, overhaul and manufacturing of some spare parts and components.



The conference was aimed at addressing issues relating to life-cycle support and maintenance of Su-30MKI aircraft, Mi-17 helicopters, MiG-29K jets, T-90 tanks and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, besides exploring ways to step up overall defence collaboration.



In his inaugural address, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley had asked Russia to adopt a liberal approach in sharing technology for components of Russian-origin defence platforms, saying it was critical to keep them in operational readiness.



Some major Russian companies which attended the deliberations include United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), United Engines Corporation (UEC), United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Russian Helicopters and Ural Vagonzavod.



These firms made detailed presentations on the possibilities of cooperation and the way forward in this regard.



During the conference, the Department of Defence Production outlined opportunities under 'Make in India' initiative and recent steps by the government to facilitate co-development, co-production, licence production between Indian and Russian companies.



The Russian side presented the framework for interaction between Federal Services for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) and Indian partners in the field of after-sales support of Russian origin military equipment.



The conference also had three breakout sessions on aero system, land system and naval system where the Indian side expressed their requirements and the way forward to improve serviceability of Russian origin platforms, the Ministry said.


What Legal Tech Pros Must Know About China's New Cybersecurity Law

Don't know about China's new cybersecurity law set to take effect in June?

Well, they say that what you don't know won't hurt you, but that is not true when it comes to China's cybersecurity law. According to a recent survey, about 75 percent of legal technology professionals didn't know about it. What's troubling is that only 14 percent of the respondents said they were "very concerned" about it.

Legal tech professionals should be concerned because the law requires foreign companies doing business in China to store their data on Chinese servers and to help government officials police the internet. Oh, and failure to abide by the law may result in civil and criminal penalties -- including death.

You read that right. Let's sum it up in two words: kong huang. It means "panic now."

Critical Information

"China is now the world's second largest economy, and for global corporations and those that aspire to be global, it is critical for them to have a full understanding of the data requirements and regulatory landscape of that region," said Dan Whitaker, a managing director for Consilio, which conducted the legal tech survey.

The survey included 118 legal technology professionals, including in-house law departments, law firms and government affiliated entities. Consilio, which provides document review and legal consulting services, conducted the survey at a legal tech conference in February.

Despite a lack of knowledge about China's new law, most of the respondents had at least one matter in China in the past two years. This included internal or government investigations, litigation and mergers and acquisitions.

"Since 2012, cyber walls have been going up in multiple regions around the world, and as countries continue to create new regulations, organizations must continually educate themselves on the quickly evolving nuances of data privacy laws in every jurisdiction, specifically as it relates to the ability to move data in and out of the countries in question," Whitaker said.

Chinese Penalties

China's cybersecurity law reserves its harshest penalty for egregious cases involving breaches of state secrets. For lesser offenses, penalties range from civil fines to the loss of doing business in the country.

The law was passed in December 2016, and quickly drew criticism from foreign companies concerned that they would have to house intellectual property in China and trade market access for helping the government fight its security issues.

"China is an internet power, and as one of the countries that faces the greatest internet security risks, urgently needs to establish and perfect network security legal systems," said Yang Heqing with the National People's Congress.

Related Resources:




COLOMBO (PTI): President Maithripala Sirisena has thanked China for its support for Sri Lanka's independence and national security in a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister as they discussed ways to bolster bilateral defence ties.



General Chang Wanquan, who is in Sri Lanka on his first official visit, met Sirisena at his residence on Monday and discussed ways to expand bilateral defence ties.



Sirisena recalled the long term relationship between both the countries and thanked for the support given by China for the independence and national security of Sri Lanka.



He also extended thanks to the Chinese government for the training opportunities which are being provided to Sri Lankan security forces for a long time. He thanked China for its assistance during the crucial period of war in Sri Lanka, apparently referring to the country's nearly three-decade long civil war with the LTTE which was ended in 2009.



Sirisena said the two countries will come into several agreements which will not be doing any harm to the pride, independence and national security of Sri Lanka, the president's office said in a statement.



At the invitation of Sri Lankan Defence Ministry, Chang arrived in Colombo on Sunday night with a 21-member delegation. After wrapping up his visit to Sri Lanka, Chang is visiting Nepal.



The Chinese Defence Ministry has said that the purpose of his visit is to strengthen military ties with Colombo.



The top Chinese official's visit, according to analysts, holds importance in view of Sri Lanka's proposal to tie up with China in the southern port of Hambantota, in addition to the ongoing work in the Colombo port city project, which is a major Chinese investment project.



China had developed a close relation with Sri Lanka during the regime of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa whose nearly a decade-long tenure was ended by Sirisena in 2015.



In 2014, India raised protests with Sri Lanka when it allowed a Chinese submarine and a warship to dock at the port of Colombo.



Rajapaksa's joint opposition had led vocal protests in January this year against the Sirisena government's business ties China, more particularly in the leasing of lands to Beijing to set up an industrial park at the southern port of Hambantota.






WASHINGTON (PTI): India and the US will discuss a wide range of bilateral security issues and defence ties during National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's visit to the country.



US Defence Secretary James Mattis will meet Doval on March 24, Pentagon Spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told reporters during an off-camera news conference in Washington.



They are likely to discuss a wide range of bilateral security issues and those related to the defence relationship.



"Clearly India is a very strong security partner and a force in the region. We continue to have very good relationship with India in the region," Davis said in response to a question.



The Mattis-Doval meeting later this week would be one of the highest-level meetings between the two countries after the Trump Administration came to power on January 20.



Doval is also expected to meet his American counterpart Lt Gen H R McMaster at the White House, the first between the two national security advisors.



Davis said he is not aware of the reasons for Doval's visit to the US, but the Defence Secretary would be meeting with the Indian National Security Advisor on the sidelines of the international meeting of anti-ISIS Coalition being hosted by the US State Department later this week.



Early this month, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met McMaster at the White House.



During his Washington trip, Jaishankar was also scheduled to meet the Defence Secretary. But the meeting could not happen as Mattis was travelling.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal immigration departments claim that higher-level English classes are under-utilized in Brandon is being disputed by the local organizations that serve newcomers.

Jeff Traeger, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 832, says the majority of their members currently enrolled in their English classes are at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 or higher.

Meanwhile, Assiniboine Community Colleges English as a Second Language programming is in high demand  and the proof is in the numbers.

Updated figures from the college show the number of student registrations in the ESL program is now 503. That number has grown from 442 in 2015-16. Back in 2012-13, the number of registrants was 309.

ACC offers only the higher-level English classes, levels 5-8.

As it stands now with the proposed funding cuts, ACC president Mark Frison explains the college will only be able to take 100 students next year  one-fifth of the current number of students.

ACCs ESL programming began in 2008, funded by the federal government but funnelled through the province. In 2013, the federal government assumed full responsibility for the program. Under the proposed cuts, ACC will go from $730,000 in funding to $190,000.

Im certainly hoping that folks will better understand the impact, Frison said. Well obviously have wait lists that will develop in the beginning, and hopefully that will impact their thinking about whether they should provide more resources  Thats certainly our focus, to make sure that they do understand that impact and as we go into next year, that we keep a good log of what that student demand would be.

A spokesperson with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated that there have been fewer recent arrivals accessing settlement services in Brandon over the last few years, which has resulted in under-utilized capacity in higher level language classes, while pressures for basic settlement services and lower level language classes have increased.

In these situations, the department must make decisions to ensure federal funding is being used where it is needed the most, stated IRCC spokesperson Lisa Filipps in a response to a recent Brandon Sun article on the topic of funding being slashed to the English classes offered through UFCW.

The IRCC settlement programs priority is to assist newcomers early upon their arrival in Canada.

Filipps went on to say the UFCW funding will not be cut significantly.

Negotiations are still ongoing, but we can say that (UFCW) is retaining97 per cent of the funding they received in the last fiscal year.

The department was not willing to clarify what this means specifically for the unions operations in Brandon. Multiple requests have been made to speak with an IRCC official. However only email correspondence has been made available at this point.

Currently, UFCW offers CLB levels 1-7 in Brandon. According to UFCW, federal funding will allow them to finish this semester under the old model which is 10 classes of level 1-7, but after June of this year, the funding will drop down to six classes of level 1-4 only.

For the past 13 years, UFCW has been offering these classes to the foreign workers at Maple Leaf Foods, plus their family members. Annually, 200 people go through the English classes, and since it began, 1,500 people have graduated from the program. The program is funded through the union, Maple Leaf and the federal government.

Without achieving the higher benchmarks, immigrants will be limited in their educational advancement and job options. Grade 12 cannot be achieved with Level 4. Level 6 is needed to become a security guard, work in retail or as a bus driver. Level 7 is required to become a child care educator, while Level 8 is needed in order to compete for most professional jobs.

The Brandon Sun pointed out the discrepancy between what the federal department is claiming and what local service providers have been told; however, IRCC was unable to provide further clarity.

In order to ensure that services are reaching those most in need, IRCC is always adjusting programming for settlement, including language training, said IRCC spokesperson Faith St-John. At present, there is considerable pressure across the province to address growing wait lists at the lower levels for those who have yet to access any language training in the province, hence there is some adjustment in the agreements currently under negotiation to address this need.

Regional IRCC staff will meet with Brandon service providers this spring, according to Filipps, to assess their service delivery and review the need for higher level language classes.

Should there be demonstrated need and gaps identified at that time and available funds, IRCC will work with service providers to address pressures, she stated.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was standing room only at the Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaines public consultation on Tuesday  exploring the interest in bringing a francophone school to Brandon.

It will be a short presentation because we all know why were here, DSFM Supt. Alain Laberge said to the crowd. Weve been looking at maybe having another school in Brandon  (Ecole) La Source is getting full.

It could take up to five years to get a new school, Laberge said, and registration is still rising significantly. Within two years, Ecole La Source in Shilo saw enrolment go from 137 students registered to 180.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Leonides McDaniel is cradled in his mother Andreas arms as the pair attend a public consultation meeting at the Victoria Inn on Tuesday evening about the need for a Francophone school in Brandons west end.

If we wait two or three years, our school might be full and we will still be in a situation of having to add portables  we dont want that for our kids, Laberge said.

Many students attending Ecole La Source are transported in from Brandon, and Laberge said he estimates there are probably many more francophone parents looking for a closer option.

There is nothing else (in the area) other than Shilo, Laberge said.

Hector Torres sends his eight-year-old son, Juan, to Shilo every day  a 45-minute bus ride each way, he said.

Franco-Manitobaine is a really good division. I really enjoy having my kid there. I really love it, Torres said. But in the winter, they are really affected by the weather, kids are losing class quite a few times in the winter because of the road conditions. He loses two or three days sometimes  and it happens pretty much every winter.

With a Spanish background, Juan learned French at Ecole La Source from nursery school, Torres said, adding it was a smooth transition for Juan and the family.

Even the Spanish community in Brandon can benefit from this  French is an important language to learn in Canada, Torres said. The possibility of building a school here  is pretty important for us.

Paul Alexandre  who challenged the Brandon School Division on their lottery style registration for Ecole Harrison in January  will be sending his son to Ecole La Source for kindergarten in the fall.

After bringing up concerns with the DSFM about the distance to and from Shilo, Alexandre said he was impressed with the divisions attitude and progressive thinking.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Paul Alexandre attends a public consultation meeting on the need for a Francophone school in Brandons west end. Alexandre recently challenged the Brandon School Division regarding its lottery-style registration for Ecole Harrison.

At that point, I was confused by young kids travelling this distance and an idea popped into my mind to do some sort of satellite class  and they were very open to the idea, Alexandre said. They called me pretty much right away, saying this was a good idea and they were aware of the need for a school in Brandon and this fits with that, so they would start the process  and here we are with a public consultation only a few months later.

DSFM brainstormed different options with the community, including the addition of a second francophone school in the western part of Brandon, adding a single kindergarten to Grade 12 school in a more centralized location, or the addition of portable classrooms in Brandon. After discussions, a survey would be sent outlikely after spring breakto gather the communitys preferences.

For us it would offer the perfect solution, but also for so many other parents here in Brandon  its a very good solution, Alexandre said. Many people would love to see this happen.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
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It appears a trip to the shops has brought trouble for three young people who were arrested Monday evening after they were found in Brandon businesses.

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Albyn Carias is a Salvadoran immigrant completing his studies in the Brandon University Department of Visual and Aboriginal Art. His thesis exhibition, El Gallery, will open Thursday at 7 p.m. at BUs Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art, and will feature a performance at 7:30 p.m.

We need your support!

Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $4.99/month you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/03/2017 (2056 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Do people not realize in this day and age that there are much more important aspects to education than math? Learning and accepting diversity; learning to protect our environment; learning how fossil fuels are destroying our planet; teaching about the hate and bigotry of the alt-right: those topics are much more important than math. Im teaching my students how to be prepared for the real world and how to deal with all the negativity on our planet. Math can be taught at home.

 From todays Sound Off section on Page A2

For the past number of weeks, Brandonites have been waging a slow-motion discussion on our Sound Off page over the quality of education taught in our city schools  specifically regarding the three basic education staples of reading, writing and mathematics.

The discussion has seemingly drawn parents, grandparents, teachers and the so-called armchair educators, as one writer dubbed them  those who have no immediate stake in the system but feel like offering criticism anyway.

I dont put much stock into anonymous comments, generally speaking. My preference has always been reading signed letters to the editor on our opinion page from thoughtful correspondents who are comfortable enough to put their name to their opinions. But every once in a while, an anonymous tip comes into the Sound Off feed that grabs my attention as I edit them.

The above comment is one such example. And I sincerely hope it was a joke.

For I would be extremely unhappy to learn that my childs teacher gave so little weight to the importance of math  and by extension, science  education that they suggested that it was not a useful tool in todays world.

A few years ago, Macleans magazine published a story based on an international student achievement ranking, which was released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The rankings had noted that Canada had slipped to 13th place in math, showing that the math scores of Canadian 15-year-olds had dropped 14 points in the previous decade a situation that was described by former deputy prime minister John Manley as on the scale of a national emergency.

A 2015 news article by our sister paper, the Winnipeg Free Press, reported that according to the OECD report, Manitoba had a poor track record compared with every single other province in the country. While graduation rates were improving, having climbed steadily under the NDP, Manitoba was at or near the bottom in nearly every category in every set of tests.

While its great to see that more students have been graduating high school, if the curriculum isnt preparing them for modern-day jobs, that diploma isnt worth the paper its printed upon.

A few years back  somewhat before the OECD report  Lets Talk Science released a research paper that suggested the growing number of students dropping science and math in our schools was hindering Canadas economy as a result of disengagement of students in senior level science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Among the key findings of the report:

Millions are spent by parents, students, taxpayers and high schools when students have to go back to retake these high level courses in order to get into prosperous careers.

Students lose out on job opportunities and future earnings if they fail to take math and science. High paying careers require this kind of education.

 And thirdly, Canadian society loses out on having a market-ready talent pool, ultimately making our country less innovative, and thus less competitive.

In my own opinion, math skills are important on a day-to-day basis  simple math such as adding, subtracting, multiplication and division are incredibly useful in real-world terms. And the ability to do that in my own head I consider an essential part of my educational upbringing. Why would I want less for my own children?

When I went to high school, the question often came up from at least one student in my calculus, physics, or high level math classes who was struggling with the curriculum  When are we ever going to need this? Im sure that at some point that thought had crossed my mind as well.

Looking back, I wish I could tell my young self, and any student who had asked the question, that the ability to think and reason  to problem solve, to put it another way  was part of that mathematics and science education, and an important life skill.

You want a world full of rational people who care about the environment and who strive to rid the world of hate and bigotry? Teach them higher math and science in addition to social studies and history. They are all connected.

Ensure that they graduate with a solid grounding in the basics, so that they have an appreciation for lifelong learning. That space between their ears needs to be exercised. Constantly. Thats something we should all be able to expect of our education system.

 MG
Donald Trump Jr has been called out on Twitter for ridiculing the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan following the attack on Westminster which left four people dead.

The eldest son of President Donald Trump tweeted a link to an article from September in which Mr Khan was quoted in saying that being prepared for a terror attack was "part and parcel of living in a big city."
Lisa from the American Library Assocation writes, "We launched a campaign this afternoon asking anyone who supports libraries to give their Reps a call to ask them to sign on to two Dear Appropriator letters. One full funding for LSTA (which benefits every kind of library), and the second asking the same for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program."



Members of the House have only until April 3 to let our champions know that they will sign the separate LSTA and IAL "Dear Appropriator" letters now circulating, so there's no time to lose. Use ALA's Legislative Action Center today to ask your Member of Congress to sign both the LSTA and IAL letters. Many Members of Congress will only sign such a letter if their constituents ask them to. So it is up to you to help save LSTA and IAL from elimination or significant cuts that could dramatically affect hundreds of libraries and potentially millions of patrons.





Five minutes of your time could help preserve over $210 million in library funding now at risk.

Soon, we will also need you to ask both of your US Senators to sign similar letters not yet circulating in the Senate, but timing is key. In the meantime, today's the day to ask your Representative in the House for their signature on both the LSTA and IAL "Dear Appropriator" letters that must be signed no later than April 3.

Whether you call, email, tweet or all of the above (which would be great), the message to the friendly office staff of your Senators and Representative is all laid out at the Legislative Action Center and it's simple.
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a part-time DJ whose body was found in a slurry tank two years after he went missing, writes Conor Kane of the Irish Examiner.

Pat Quirke (aged 49) of Breanshamore, Tipperary, was arrested on Tuesday at Grangemore in Tipperary and brought to the local garda station where he was charged last night.

The accused was brought to a sitting of Tipperary district court this morning, accused of murdering 52-year-old Bobby Ryan in or about June 3 of 2011 at an unknown location.

Detective Inspector Patrick OCallaghan told the court that, in reply to the murder charge, Pat Quirke said: I dont agree with the charge.

He had arrested the accused at Grangemore at 5.10pm on Tuesday and charged him at 6.30pm in Tipperary garda station. Mr Quirke acknowledged he understood the contents of the charge, Inspector OCallaghan said.

Solicitor Aoife Corridan, for the accused, said she would be making an application for bail at a different forum.

Judge Marie Keane noted that the defence will be making an application in due course to the High Court.

She remaned the accused in custody to Thurles district court next Tuesday, March 28.

Mr Quirke was brought into the court room at the Excel Centre in Tipperary at about 10.20am today by plain-clothes gardai.

He wore a blue shirt, purple jumper, brown corduroy trousers and black shoes and was not required to speak during the brief court hearing.

Several members of Bobby Ryans family were in court for the hearing and left immediately afterwards.

Father of two Bobby Ryan lived in Boherlahan, near Cashel in south Tipperary and was reported missing by his family in June of 2011.

He had failed to appear at work at a quarry in Killough, Tipperary, and his abandoned van was found in woodland some hours later by his daughter.

Major search operations were mounted by gardai, assisted by Mr Ryans family, neighbours and other members of the community, but the popular mans remains werent found until April 30, 2013, when a disused concrete slurry tank on a farm at Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary, was opened.

Mr Ryan used the name Mr Moonlight in his work as a DJ and was a regular at local functions and parties in this capacity, as well as working during the day as a lorry driver.

He was described at his funeral Mass in Cashel in May of 2013 as a family man, friend and entertainer.
Irish motorists are warned to take extreme care around the country with rain and snow making for treacherous driving conditions.

A Status Yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place until 10am today and the AA is reporting wet, icy and slippy roads in many areas.
The communications of Trump transition officials - possibly including President Donald Trump himself - may have been "monitored" after the election as part of an "incidental collection", the chairman of the House intelligence committee said.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Republican Representative Devin Nunes said the intercepted communications do not appear to be related to the ongoing FBI investigation into Trump associates' contacts with Russia.

He said he believes the intelligence collections were done legally.

The White House said Mr Nunes would brief Mr Trump on the matter later.

It was unclear whether Mr Trump's own communications were specifically monitored.

Mr Nunes initially said "yes" when asked if Mr Trump was among those swept up in the intelligence monitoring, but then said it was only "possible" that the president's communications were picked up.

Mr Nunes said the information on the Trump team was collected in November, December and January, the period after the election in which Mr Trump was holding calls with foreign leaders, interviewing cabinet secretaries, and was beginning to sketch out administration policy.

Mr Nunes said the monitored material was "widely disseminated" in intelligence reports.

Asked whether he believed the transition team had been spied on, Mr Nunes said: "It all depends on one's definition of spying."

The California congressman did not say how the Trump team's communications were picked up.

US intelligence agencies routinely monitor the communications of foreign officials.

That surveillance sometimes includes the name of an American that the foreigner is speaking to or about.

When this happens, intelligence analysts are obliged to hide or "minimise" the name of the American, unless knowing the American's name is necessary to understanding the foreign intelligence described in the report.

Mr Nunes said the names of Trump associates were "unmasked" after the incidental collection, though he did not identify those aides.

Those aides are believed to include Michael Flynn, who was fired as White House national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

Mr Nunes would not say how he had received the new information.

Mr Nunes notably did not appear alongside Representative Adam Schiff, the intelligence committee's top Democrat.

A Schiff spokesman said Mr Nunes had not informed his Democratic counterpart before disclosing the new information publicly.

- AP
Donald Trump's first foreign trip is expected to be a meeting with Nato chiefs in Brussels.

The US president's press secretary Sean Spicer said Mr Trump would travel to Belgium on May 25 for the meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation heads of state.
Brendan Moran, whose wife Angie Parker died at their Rivett home at the end of a short and "out of the blue" battle with cancer, is one of the Canberrans featured in a series of short films funded by the Snow Foundation about living with - and supporting - the dying.

Also supported by Calvary Hospital and Clare Holland House, Conversations was produced by the organisation LifeCircle, which offers help and resources to people caring for a dying friend or family member.

Brendan Moran, holding a photograph is his wife Angie Parker. 'Conversations at the end of life' - documenting the final months of Angie's life. Photo Jay Cronan Credit:Jay Cronan

The series is being launched on Thursday at the Alastair Swayne Theatre at Brindabella Business Park.

Mr Moran said his wife died at the age of 55 on August 31, 2014, only three months after being diagnosed with the rare cancer, leiomyosarcoma.
Ms Fitzharris said while she agreed to the laws "in principle", she was worried they would disproportionately affect disadvantaged or immigrant kids.

But the minister said she would prefer the ACT to opt into a national scheme and will raise the issue with her federal counterpart, health minister Greg Hunt, at a national health ministers' meeting in a few weeks.

Health minister Meegan Fitzharris has offered tentative support for 'no jab no play laws' which would stop unvaccinated children enrolling in ACT childcare centres.

"There are some groups in our community who, through reasons of disadvantage or vulnerability or perhaps newness to Australia and unfamiliarity with English, do not have access to or are not aware of our immunisation programs, to the extent that we do not want to further marginalise an already disadvantaged group," Ms Fitzharris said.

"This national approach, and certainly the approach we take here, must ensure we see this as an opportunity to encourage immunisation and not to discourage children from attending child care or school, that is a very important point for a important group of potentially vulnerable children and families in our community."

But Greens politician Shane Rattenbury objected to the policy, saying it could "risk ostracising a group of people and pushing them from hesitaters to full blown sceptics".

"The policy's aim is well intended but I believe it punishes some people for a lack of understanding or through a disadvantaged life or through financial circumstances which make it difficult to access immunisation.

"It is the Greens belief that introducing a 'no jab no play' policy could result in entrenched disadvantage, social isolation and increased disadvantage and reduce engagement with a range of positive social and medical interventions."
The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee today leaked information to President Donald Trump about the ongoing investigation into whether Trump's campaign collaborated with Russia to swing the election to his favor.

Intel chair defends alerting White House on collected communications https://t.co/9kRoXdK0Dr  @DevinNunes on #TheLead  Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 22, 2017

Schiff says today's move by Nunes shows the need for an independent commission to probe Russian election meddling  Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) March 22, 2017

Devin Nunes (R-CA 22nd District) is Chairman of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA 28th District) appeared on CNN this afternoon with stern condemnation of Nunes' extraordinary act.

Schiff said he expressed his "grave concerns" directly to Nunes that his behavior made it difficult to conduct "a credible investigation." Schiff said he now believes only a non-political, independent investigation like the 9/11 Commission can now be trusted with investigating Trump.

Schiff's complete statement:

Snip:

"If accurate, this information should have been shared with members of the committee, but it has not been," said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top Democrat on Nunes' committee. "Indeed, it appears that committee members only learned about this when the chairman discussed the matter this afternoon with the press." Nunes said he felt Trump and his team should know that his staff and perhaps Trump himself were "unmasked" when they should not have been, since the former Obama administration already apparently knew. Zac Petkanas, a senior adviser at the Democratic National Committee, called Nunes' public statement a "pathetic charade." "Former Trump transition member Devin Nunes blew what little credibility he had left with this pathetic charade," he said. "This isn't an investigation; it's a protection racket for Donald Trump and his fragile ego."

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) said on MSNBC Nunes' actions were "highly irregular and probably inappropriate."

Speaking on CNN about the leak, Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT 4th District) said it offers a "tiny fig leaf" to Trump's nutty claims that President Obama "wiretapped" Trump Tower (Obama did no such thing), but now creates grave concerns about the integrity of the investigation.

Trump can use the information Nunes leaked, namely that Trump was caught up in the spying intercepts, to deflect attention from the shame of the scandal  and try to pass the horrible repeal-and-replace health care act in the House tomorrow.

Nunes' dirty trick is seen by Trump as a win.

Does Trump feel vindicated, a reporter asked him?

"Yes, I have to say that I somewhat do. I very much appreciated that they found what they found."

This House intel committee investigation is falling apart, it sounds like.  Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) March 22, 2017

Schiff on Nunes: "If accurate, this info should have been shared with members of the cmte, but it has not been." Credibility of inquiry in q  Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) March 22, 2017

Strong statement just now from House GOPer Mike Turner backing Nunes: pic.twitter.com/TQO0Rl0ozn  Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) March 22, 2017

Yes, @DevinNunes sought to cover for Trump. He failed. But this seemed to be more about soiling the investigation. https://t.co/QG84aTst0l  Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) March 22, 2017

.@RepAdamSchiff on Trump/Russia connection: "There is more than circumstantial evidence nowand is very much worthy of investigation." pic.twitter.com/qvw7drsqQX  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 22, 2017

I actually rewound my tv just now to re-hear what Carl Bernstein said tonight on CNN pic.twitter.com/uFOB8E0leh  Elizabeth Cherneff (@echerneff) March 23, 2017
After all the excitement yesterday on confirmation financial markets do actually have a pulse and that they can actually fall we should see more reserved conditions today.

Whether we are seeing the 'calm before the storm' was the question asked yesterday. Remember this is a market that is still so full of complacency, and clearly long equities and short US Treasuries, that the prospect of increased volatility is real, although that proposition still sounds too good to be true, at least for the traders out there. Calmer conditions and leads have been offered for Asia though, and with perhaps the exception of Japan we should see modest upside to the various Asian indices, but there won't be any real conviction behind the buying.

This was thematic yesterday where there so few buyers out there that markets fell under their own weight. Has the overnight session provided any clarity and renewed optimism to wade in? I don't believe so.

1. US: So once again financial strategists become political pundits as we try and assess the probability of House Speaker Paul Ryan's healthcare plan being passed through the House. We know the Republicans hold 237 of the 430 seats in the House (or 55.1%) and effectively need 216 votes to get the required majority. However, Alyssa Farah, spokesman for the Freedom Caucus, the collective who want Obamacare to be completely torn apart and reworked, has suggested that they have 25 hard 'no' votes and Trump and Ryan cannot afford any more than 21. This suggests Trump/Ryan would be four votes shy of the required tally to get the bill over the line, given every Democrat will vote against this bill. Clearly, the Freedom Caucus want their time in the sun and want to be heard, so this could be the second big loss for President Trump after his immigration order was rejected. This vote then during Asian trade tomorrow (no set time as of yet - http://www.house.gov/) will be seen as a proxy for the strength of the mandate that Trump's has to govern. There is no tax reform without the Ryan healthcare plan voted through, although the likelihood is it will be reworked again and voted on again in the future. So this is a key event risk for tomorrow, and as I mention likely to keep the buyers in Asia at bay.
Marcs, David Lawrence, Herringbone, Rhodes & Beckett, Payless Shoes and Pumpkin Patch. These retail collapses have provided the sector with all the wrong kind of headlines recently.

But there's been trouble brewing behind the scenes for some time.

So why are things glum for many retailers when the broader economy keeps chugging away?

Banking giant ANZ has provided a pithy summary of all that is challenging retailers in Australia.

Retail conditions have worsened since July 2016 while overall business conditions have improved, according to NAB surveys.
I'm a home doctor. This year it will have been 50 years since I graduated so I actually predate Medicare and its predecessor Medibank. I remember the days when if a patient did not have the money to pay for a consultation, they had to either rely on the charity of their general practitioner or the honorary system in the public hospitals.

We don't want to get back to that. Our health care system is something we take pride in and cuts to the existing service will have a great social impact on millions of families.

Primary Health Care swings to a full-year loss of $516.9 million from the year-earlier profit of $38.2 million. Credit:Michel O'Sullivan

When thinking about the important decisions the federal government has made over the years, the decision to introduce Medibank (now Medicare) is considered by 63 per cent of Australians as a positive decision, with 79 per cent seeing home visits as an important part of the Medicare system. With budget talks now well under way, we find ourselves at the cusp of policy changes that could have serious repercussions on how home visits are accessed, impacting up to two million Australian families.

Bizarrely the proposal being pushed to government on home visits now is the very same policy that caused a crisis in 1996. Back in 1996, the after hours work-force was cut so that only GP fellows could do the work.
Two weeks ago my niece was born  the first in the next generation of my family, tiny and perfect, a May Gibbs illustration come to life.

Her Australian mums  my sister and her wife  welcomed her into this world in a New York hospital. They married in this city 18 months ago. But they're still not legally married when they return to home soil.

Life moves forward, but Australia can't seem to.

When it comes to legalising marriage for couples who happen to be of the same sex, the country remains gripped by inertia.
Hundreds of Sydney home owners will be out inspecting damage to their properties on Thursday with rain and even a possible storm hindering the clean-up.

Some 1700 homes were still without power on Thursday morning, down from some 33,000 houses and businesses at the peak of Wednesday's storm, Endeavour Energy said. Ausgrid, meanwhile, was working to restore electricity to about 170 homes on the Central Coast.

Those without electricity in Sydney are mostly in the Penrith, Hills and Mt Druitt areas, which were also among the suburbs with the most call-outs for the State Emergency Service.

"We are expecting some further storms this afternoon," Phil Campbell, an SES spokesman, said.
Extra police will guard Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday in the wake of the deadly terror attack in London, following discussions between Australian security agencies and their British counterparts.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was an "appropriate response" to the attack in which five people were killed - including the perpetrator and a police officer - outside Britain's parliament in Westminister.

"This is an assault on every democracy, every parliament, every free nation," Mr Turnbull said on Thursday morning. "We condemn it, and we stand in absolutely resolute solidarity with the people of Britain."

Westminister was rightly known as "the mother of parliaments", he said, and was the birthplace of Australian parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.
Turnbull government MP Sussan Ley has broken her silence on the travel expenses scandal that ended her frontbench career, releasing a report that shows only one Comcar ride fell outside parliamentary rules.

Ms Ley resigned as health minister in January after nearly two weeks of public anger over her travel expenses, primarily to the Gold Coast where she had bought an $800,000 investment property.

The affair prompted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to announce sweeping changes to the parliamentary entitlements system, but he declined to release a Department of Finance report into her conduct.

Ms Ley on Wednesday released the report herself, after delivering a 10-minute speech in Parliament defending her actions.
Skin cancer, paradoxically, has lent Barnaby Joyce something fruitful.

It has put him beneath the protection of a wide-brimmed Akubra hat wherever he goes. Everywhere.

Somehow, it's completed a transformation from scattergun Barnaby - the bloke of a score of moods and images, leaving you unsure which one you'd meet - to an individual who seems, finally, comfortable with the role he's assumed: leader of The Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister.

The most memorable leaders of The Nationals, the old Country Party, have always been unmistakenly their own men (and they've always been men). Black Jack McEwen, Doug Anthony, Peter Nixon, Ian Sinclair, Tim Fischer. They led the junior party of the Coalition, but rarely conceded the junior part.
Has there ever been a more impressive academic than Dr Anna O. Szust? The prolific polymath has been appointed editor at almost 50 academic journals covering a mind-boggling array of scientific fields.

The problem is, Dr Szust does not exist.

She is the honey pot in an ingenious sting devised to swindle the swindlers of the academic world: predatory journals.

These dodgy outfits  whose scientific rigour is more akin to magic eight ball than legitimate academic publications  prey on researchers desperate for kudos in an environment where they must publish or perish.
"It's a dreadful mess down there, but I have to accept it's now part of me," she said. "I'm no longer embarrassed by my health issues. I've accepted things that I can't go back and change, but I can't let the hurt just be buried and forgotten." Mrs Wise said that speaking in public about her pelvic mesh surgery and supporting the Australian Pelvic Mesh Support Group, which demanded the TGA list 30 known mesh complications on its website in 2016, had helped her keep going. She will make a submission to an upcoming Senate inquiry on transvaginal (surgery via the vagina rather than the abdomen) mesh devices and procedures. Several specialists have told her they cannot provide further surgical options to alleviate the symptoms. One offered pain management. A major legal firm declined to take legal action on Mrs Wise's behalf because the number of women implanted with Surgisis for prolapse in Australia was relatively small, the risks involved with legal action were high, and her case would not be "commercially viable". She no longer teaches people to drive, or rides a motorbike, or enjoys the social events with her husband at a motorcycle club that were a significant part of their lives. "I did not have any of these issues before being implanted with this product," Mrs Wise said. "Before the surgery I'd lost a lot of weight and I felt so fit and healthy. I had the surgery because of incontinence and I went to a doctor who was promoted as a women's health expert. He told me he had done the repair procedure many hundreds of times and to him it was a simple fix.

"People were waiting to see me get well, but I didn't get well. No one knew what was going on, and you can't talk about what's happened because it's so awful and so private. I thought I was the only one." Asked about Mrs Wise's surgery, Dr Reid said he had "no recollection of that and I don't want to comment". Dr Reid disclosed to a urogynaecological conference in April 2011 that he had "received financial support from the manufacturer, developer, distributor of the Surgisis device". He told the Newcastle Herald the support related to speaker's fees at conferences. In 2006 Cook Medical released a public statement in America claiming a "94 per cent success rate" for a version of Surgisis pig intestine prolapse mesh, based on "research conducted by Dr Richard Reid" in Australia. Dr Reid said he had "no idea what they're relying on" to make the statement. He said he had completed "audits" of his surgery and presented them at a conference, but only held "discussions" with Cook about his results. He said he was unaware of the 2006 Cook Medical statement.

In 2015 Cook Medical cited research by Dr Reid and other doctors in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the US Food and Drug Administration from reclassifying its transvaginal pig intestine meshes to high risk. The administration found there was "no data" from randomised controlled trials with long-term follow-up to demonstrate clinical effectiveness, compared with conventional prolapse repair. In September, 2011 Dr Reid had conditions placed over his practice that included the need to obtain valid informed consent for the surgery he performed, after a complaint to the NSW Medical Council from a woman who had Surgisis transvaginal mesh implanted by him. In 2014 the NSW Medical Council suspended Dr Reid after further complaints from women, including at least two who were implanted with Surgisis mesh. The suspension was overturned after a NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal appeal. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission is prosecuting fresh complaints against Dr Reid in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The matter is listed for a directions hearing in April. Dr Reid was suspended for three months by the Michigan Board of Medicine in 1998 and fined $10,000 after findings of "incompetence" following surgery on three women, leading to at least one substantial financial settlement.

The disciplinary actions were not carried out because Dr Reid returned to Australia in November 1996 to resume work after more than a decade as a gynaecologist and obstetrician in America. Dr Reid told the Newcastle Herald he had advised the then NSW Medical Board of the Michigan suspension when he returned to Australia. The NSW Medical Board (which became the NSW Medical Council) did not become aware of the US board's action against Dr Reid until 2006 after a complaint from an Australian patient, the Medical Council told the Herald in a statement. Under disclosure rules applying to doctors in 1996 Dr Reid was only required to complete a non-identifying questionnaire when he returned to Australia, which was filed with the Department of Health for statistical purposes. It was not until an amendment to the Medical Practice Act in 2000 that doctors were required to record if they had been suspended in Australia or elsewhere in the previous year, the Medical Council said. One of the American women in the Michigan Board case, who was 23 when she first saw Dr Reid in 1989, was awarded $7.6 million in a civil case after she was left with serious complications following eight surgical procedures. Dr Reid told the board the surgical procedures were carried out as part of approved research. The Herald understands the conduct of the US proceedings and decisions on settlements were made by Dr Reid's insurers.
People accused of domestic violence will find it more difficult to get bail after an LNP bill was passed overnight.

The opposition's private members bill passed in the early hours of Thursday, reversing the onus of proof, introducing urgent appeal rights for victims so bail decisions will be stayed for up to three days and referred to a higher court for review, and allowing courts to order GPS trackers for offenders as part of a bail condition.

Those accused of domestic violence will now have to prove why they should be released on bail. Credit:Greg Henderson

The presumption for bail will be reversed in domestic violence-related crimes such as assault, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, strangulation and kidnapping, meaning offenders will need to prove why they should be released.

It means it is up to the defendant to show why they should receive bail as opposed to the prosecution proving why they should not receive bail, which is already in place for murder charges.
When Cyclone Yasi hit north Queensland in 2011, the category 5 disaster shattered lives and caused millions of dollars in damage.

From the wreckage and response in the days and months afterwards has emerged a guidebook on disaster management, edited by QUT School of Public Health Professor Gerry Fitzgerald.

The Queensland towns of Innisvail, Mission Beach, Tully and Cardwell where hit hardest by Yasi in 2011. Credit:Getty Images / Ian Hitchcock

"Yasi was ... the most scary thing you can confront in terms of climatic events, that hit north Queensland," Professor Fitzgerald said, adding that the community leadership shown in the the aftermath was an example of what government and emergency service providers should encourage and support in future natural and man-made disasters.

"The emergency response directly led to the establishment of the Asbestos Working Group, which in turn has improved responses to public health risks associated with future disasters.
Health Minister Cameron Dick is calling for medicinal cannabis to be subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

It comes as a parliamentary committee examines a bill which aims to make access to the drug cheaper and more available for sick Queenslanders.

Health Minister Cameron Dick has asked for medicinal cannabis to be on the PBS. Credit:The Age

Last month, Mr Dick wrote to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt asking for the Commonwealth to accelerate steps to make medicinal cannabis affordable by placing it on the PBS.

"Our government is doing all it can to access legal products, but while there is no domestic supply and no subsidisation under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), affordability remains an issue," Mr Dick said.
More days of rain are ahead for Brisbane, as people along the central Queensland coast brace for falls of 100 millimetres and the far north watches a potential cyclone nearing the Coral Sea.

Increasing showers during Wednesday and continuing through Thursday were expected for the Brisbane area, according to Dean Narramore of the Bureau of Meteorology.

He said most of the region would receive 15-30 millimetres, with isolated areas likely to record 50 millimetres by Thursday evening.

Mr Narramore said the cause was a low-pressure trough combining with a muggy and humid air mass from the ocean, which was expected to clear by Friday with sunny conditions to return by the weekend.
The court on Monday found Baker guilty of 46 offences under both the Forestry Act and the Sustainable Planning Act and fined him a total of $999,780 including costs. Department of Natural Resources director-general James Purtill said Mr Baker kept clearing land despite being warned by the department. "The fine handed down reflects the significant extent of the illegal clearing and Mr Baker's deliberate actions, despite direct warnings given to him by the department," Mr Purtill said. He said Mr Baker originally contacted the department asking for advice about managing vegetation on his property. However he never received a permit to clear land, Mr Purtill said.

"Mr Baker contacted the department in 2011 to seek advice about managing vegetation on his property," he said. "But he continued to illegally clear vegetation without a permit despite being given clear information about his responsibilities." Overall Mr Baker cleared 350 hectares of native vegetation his property between May 2011 and March 2014. Mr Marland gave two examples of graziers - one at St George and a second at Wyandra - who had their costs reduced after appealing. He said the St George grazier who cleared 1819 hectares of land and was originally fined $118,000 and ordered to pay $14,549 investigation costs and $9,274.03 in legal costs had his fine reduced on appeal to $40,000 in a District Court appeal on April 21, 2016.

In an earlier 2011 District Court decision, in relation to a Wyandra grazier who cleared 1300 hectares, was originally fined $100,000, which was reduced to $30,000 on appeal. Mr Purtill said Mr Baker took advantage of Queensland's self-assessable codes to judge which land can be cleared and which must be protected. "Queensland strikes a balance between enabling landowners to get on with managing their businesses by sensibly clearing appropriate vegetation, and protecting our environment," he said. "Our self-assessable codes enable landholders to undertake a range of vegetation management activities without needing to apply for a permit. "But the rules are in place to protect valuable ecosystems and reduce sediment run-off."

Mr Baker's actions were detected using satellite technology, then on-site inspections. "In addition to on-ground inspections, the department uses satellite technology to quickly detect changes in vegetation cover across Queensland," Mr Purtill said. "This enables us to make early contact with landholders if it appears they're doing the wrong thing. "This ensures we can contact landholders before inappropriate clearing becomes widespread." Mr Purtill said the department tried to work with landholders in the first instances.

"But it is important that landholders work with us and abide by the rules in place," he said. Mr Marland urged landholders to seek legal advice before clearing land on their properties. "This matter is of significant importance, obviously for Mr Baker, but also all landholders throughout Queensland in relation to what they can and can't do on their properties," he said. "Anyone wanting to undertake clearing works in areas containing native vegetation, even if for a firebreak, fenceline or road, should seek legal advice prior to undertaking those works" Mr Marland said. Queensland's Parliament failed to pass labor's new tree clearing legislation put forward by the Palaszczuk Government in August 2016.

The legislative failure  when former Labor MP, now independent Billy Gordon - and the two Katter's Australian Party MPs voted with the Opposition to defeat the bill. Labor said it would not try again in this term of office to introduce the tree clearing legislation. Environment Minister Steven Miles and deputy premier Jackie Trad said the refusal to back tougher clear tree-clearing legislation could increase nutrient flow into rivers ultimately impacting the waters around the Great Barrier Reef. Mr Miles said in 2016 he would make it an election issue. The Opposition accused the government of scaremongering.
Victoria's energy security has been thrown into question, with the state facing an unprecedented 72 days of possible power supply shortfalls over the next two years following the shutdown of the Hazelwood plant next week.

Australia's electricity grid operator has warned that the looming shutdown of the ageing plant, which supplies up to a quarter of the state's power, could lead to breaches of the minimum energy reliability benchmark next summer.

Its data shows 72 days of potential power "reserve shortfall".

While the prediction does not mean Victoria is facing imminent blackouts, it does highlight the risks to the state's power supply as the Andrews government prepares for next year's election, with toxic state-federal relations and energy policy uncertainty blamed for inhibiting new investment.
The City of Perth and its embattled Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi are risking raising the ire of new Premier Mark McGowan by engaging an independent audit of its operations.

Mr McGowan on Wednesday urged the controversy-plagued City of Perth not to waste $500,000 of ratepayers' money on an audit of its entire operation while his new government tries to dissolve the council under the Local Government Act.

A majority of councillors agreed in October to engage Deloitte for the independent compliance assessment and on Tuesday endorsed the broad terms of reference.

But Mr McGowan said that money would likely be a waste as he stuck firm on his pre-election vow to sack the entire council if the Local Government Act allows it, saying Labor had a dim view of its propriety.
Washington: The White House is distancing itself from former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, saying his secret work for a Russian billionaire happened during "the last decade".

White House press secretary Sean Spicer says that nothing in a report by the Associated Press (AP) refers to any action by the President, the White House or any Trump administration official.

People walk past a caricature picture of US President Donald Trump in a shopping mall in Moscow on Wednesday. Credit:AP

Manafort, who chaired Donald Trump's presidential campaign for five months, made a pitch to a Russian oligarch in 2005 on a proposal to "greatly benefit the Putin government", according to a strategy memo.

Manafort later signed a $US10 million-a-year contract with the Russian aluminium billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who is close to the Kremlin.
New York: It has become something of an online custom in the social media age to react to tragic news stories - such as Wednesday's terrorist attack in London - with well-meaning if sometimes rote messages such as "thoughts and prayers".

But that does not appear to be Donald Trump jnr's style.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday afternoon, as details of the attack - which left at least five dead and 40 injured - and its toll continued to unfold.

Trump, the oldest son of President Donald Trump, used his tweet to call attention to an article from last September in The Independent, a British newspaper, that described Khan's reaction to the bombing in New York City's Chelsea neighbourhood.
Image from the first video by Boko Haram after the abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014. "We didn't know what to do, waiting for the teachers to come and tell us what to do, without knowing that ... the teachers had run away," she said. The militants were dressed in army fatigues, so the students initially thought they were the Nigerian security forces there to protect them. Until they were told to obey or be killed. Michelle Obama was one of thousands who joined the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Sara said the militants demanded to know where the school's food was, which they took and loaded onto trucks.

"They surrounded us with guns and said we shouldn't run or shout, if we did they would kill all of us. So we followed them. They started burning the school, they burnt our clothes, our books and everything." "Bring Back Our Girls" co-founder Obiageli Ezekwesili, left, consoles Esther Yakubu after she saw her daughter in a video released by Boko Haram. Credit:AP The students were gathered under a tree and forced at gunpoint to climb into the back of a large truck. It rolled off through the dark, on a rough bush road, followed at some distance by more of the militants in cars. Sara saw some girls attempt escape by jumping off the back of the truck. A girl freed from Boko Haram is met by a Nigerian government official in Abuja in October. Credit:AP

"I was sitting in that truck, thinking where are we going, what are they going to do with us. So I turned and said to my friend, 'I'm going to jump out too'... I told her I'd rather jump out of the truck and fall down and die, maybe my parents will see my body, than to go with them and to not be found." When Sara leapt from the moving truck, she did not know if her friend had followed her. The girls kidnapped from Chibok appear in a "proof of life" video released by Boko Haram. Credit:AP She hid in the trees, waiting for the convoy to pass. Eventually, in the darkness, she heard her friend crying and calling her name. She found her with injuries to both ankles. They waited under a tree until morning, Sara's voice cracking as she described how her friend told her to leave her to die because she couldn't walk.

Sara, centre, speaking to British school principal Karen Giles, right at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Saturday. Later in the day she found a shepherd, who eventually wheeled the injured girl to a village on his bicycle, where the pair sought help and managed to get back to their home village. The following day, they saw videos from Boko Haram threatening to find and kill the girls that had escaped and their families. The militant group killed over 6600 people in 2014 alone, displacing millions from their homes. Having aligned itself with Islamic State in 2015, internal divisions and assaults by the Nigerian army have weakened the group's hold over north-eastern Nigeria, according to the Nigerian government. But the insurgency, and the fatalities continue. In October last year, 21 of the girls were released, following two years of secret negotiations between the militants, the Red Cross and the Swiss government. One claimed that some of the girls had been killed.

The other 195 are still missing. Sara, who has resumed her schooling and aspires to be a medical doctor, told the Global Education and Skills Forum, a conference funded by Indian billionaire and education philanthropist Sunny Varkey, she felt hopeful when she learnt of the girls' release. "The day I got the news [of the girls being released] I was so happy and excited that at least some of them came back. But also sad at the same time, because why only 21 out of 219 that came back? "When I saw the first pictures of their faces, they looked troubled, trauma, and different from the way they were at school. They had babies. "But also the day I saw a video of them dancing and singing with their parents I was so excited, the smile on their faces gave me hope.
A British politician whose brother died in the Bali bombings in 2002 desperately attempted to resuscitate a critically injured police officer who was stabbed in a terrorist attack outside the Houses of Parliament in the heart of London.

Tobias Ellwood, a parliamentary under-secretary at the Foreign Office, has been praised as an "absolute hero" after giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the critically injured officer, named as Keith Palmer, and applying pressure to his multiple stab wounds in the frantic minutes after the attack.

Mr Ellwood, a former British Army soldier, was among a group of people who remained with Mr Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father, until paramedics arrived.

Mr Elwood was photographed kneeling over the policeman's body, with blood smeared on his forehead, as he tried to save his life.
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Brisbane-based banking fintech TSWG (The System Works Group) has teamed up with Swiss data aggregation specialist eWise, creating a digital platform that integrates a clients financial accounts onto a single dashboard.The software, called the Digital Play Platform (DPP), is the next stage in TSWGs lengthy history of providing online solutions to mutual banks, credit unions and building societies.It can seamlessly integrate with core banking and enterprise systems as well as third party systems, delivering a comprehensive suite of banking functions, including mortgage applications, to users.Since its establishment in 1985, TSWG has focused predominantly on software and services to the finance sector in Australia and New Zealand, founder, director and chief marketing officer, Mark Paterson, told Australian Broker.The DPP is a rebrand of the NetTeller Digital Banking Suite with the firm moving away from pure internet banking to a full suite of products tailored for financial institutions.Its basically customer-facing technology to deliver products and services via a digital channel, Paterson said. The platform can be accessed through any device and allows user to apply for loans, fill out forms and more.Off the back of that, our product incorporates a variety of new technologies: data analytics, customer analysis, CRM technologies, origination & onboarding technologies, etc.With the addition of eWises data aggregation, DPP can also offer customers a Whole of Me type presentation, he said.Brokers associated with banks implementing this platform can get a comprehensive picture for their customers.It fast tracks the process of drawing all this data together, which a broker or financial institution uses to make an informed decision as to whether this customer should get a loan or an additional facility.RAMS Home Loans is one Australian brokerage currently using TSWGs technology, Paterson said.RAMS already has eWise embedded in their current service and theyre about to get our new service, the Digital Play Platform, in the next couple of months. eWise will be embedded in that as well.
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84th Precinct

Brooklyn HeightsDumboBoerum HillDowntown

Four against one

A brute slashed a teen walking home from school while three of his buddies held the victim still on Hoyt Street on March 13.

The victim told police he was near Bergen Street at about 9 pm when the goon said Do you have a problem? The victim told him no and then the lout tried to punch him, officials said.

Three other jerks then joined in, and held the victims arm behind him so the first malefactor could cut the right side of his face, causing a deep cut, police said. The victim was taken to Kings County to Hospital.

Threatened

A baddie stole from a guy and threatened him with a box cutter on Court Street on March 13, police said.

The victim told police he was inside a store between Schermerhorn and State streets at about 1:30 pm when the scalawag showed the blade and said, Be careful before I cut you, according to authorities. The report did not say what the man stole.

Big break

A burglar broke into a womans Hicks Street home and stole thousands of dollars worth of her stuff on March 17.

The looter got into her abode between Pineapple and Clark streets through a door sometime between 4:35 pm and 6 pm, and then ransacked the place, stealing her MacBook laptop, bank bonds, $500, $1,000 in jewelry, and pricey Ray Ban sunglasses, according to authorities.

Bad hit

Cops cuffed a 22-year-old man for allegedly hitting an officer on Schermerhorn Street on March 16.

Police were called to a courthouse between Boerum Place and Smith Street at about 2:20 pm because the suspect was in a fight, but when the arresting officer tried to apprehend him, he allegedly hit the officer in the right eye, causing it to bleed, according to authorities.

While she was sleeping

Some cad swiped a womans cellphone after she fell asleep aboard a Manhattan-bound A train near Willoughby and Jay streets on March 15, police said.

The woman told police the snake took her Samsung Galaxy 6 phone out of her jacket pocket as she was dozing at about 9:30 am, according to authorities.

Pocket pilfer

A sneak thief swiped a womans phone from her pocket on Remsen Street on March 3, police said.

The victim told police on March 13 that she was near Court Street at about 2:15 pm when the weasel must have bumped into her and grabbed her Apple iPhone, according to authorities.

Street snatcher

A pirate plundered a guys electronic tablet on Smith Street on March 13, police said.

The guy told police he had just left court near Schermerhorn Street at about 3 pm when the purloiner must have grabbed his LG tablet from inside his bag, according to authorities.

 Julianne Cuba
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Talk about a retraction!

News outlet the Guardian spiked its plan to move into a Dumbo office complex owned by Jared Kushners family firm after reporters complained the connection to President Trumps son-in-law could kill their credibility.

The news was first reported by Buzzfeed, citing anonymous sources, and later confirmed by a Guardian staffer to this paper.

The left-leaning British papers New York bureau was slated to move into Kushner Companies Dumbo Heights development next month but nixed the plan after employees objected to the landlord, with some journalists worrying the Edward Snowdens of the world wouldnt feel comfortable leaking to them anymore, according to the report.

Some staffers also objected to the commute  Dumbo is served only by the notoriously pokey York Street station.

Kushner  himself the former publisher of the Observer  resigned as chief executive of his familys real-estate business in January after signing on as Trumps senior advisor, but the Guardians management still balked when it learned of the link, the paper told Buzzfeed.

Instead, the newsroom will move to an office in Manhattan in May.

Dumbo Heights  old Jehovahs Witnesses printing plants that Kushner bought for $373 million in 2013  is best known as the office of craft e-tail giant Etsy, which is part of a lawsuit fighting Trumps executive order on immigration.

Kushner also bought the Witnesses old Columbia Heights headquarters and a massive empty residential lot next to York Street station last year.

The Guardian didnt return a request for comment. Kushner Companies declined to comment.
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88th Precinct

Fort GreeneClinton Hill

Hungry prowling

A meat-loving marauder broke into a Myrtle Avenue shop on March 14 and made himself a feast.

The business owner told cops that someone entered the shop near Clinton Avenue at around 1:40 am and prepared $500 worth of assorted meats before fleeing, according to the report.

Grab and go

Four picky punks helped themselves to a teens phone and headphones on Fulton Avenue on March 17.

The victim was leaving a subway station near Washington Avenue at 2:40 pm when the quartet approached him and demanded his wallet, cops said.

The teen gave the pilferers his money, but they returned it and then frisked him for something better  ultimately getting away with his smartphone and headphones, police said.

Brawl at a bar

Two brutes bashed a woman at a bar on Flatbush Avenue Extension on March 17.

The victim told police that she was at the watering hole near Dekalb Avenue just after midnight when she got in a war of words with two other patrons  but the spat turned violent when one of them lunged at her head with a glass bottle, while the punched her repeatedly in the shoulder.

Police said the victim sustained injuries to her forehead and needed stitches, according to the report.

Picking and jumping

A crew of brazen bullies attacked a teenaged boy and tried to steal his phone on Myrtle Avenue on March 10.

The teens mom told cops that her 15-year-old son was leaving school near Clermont Avenue around 3 pm when he was approached by four men who had attacked him before, and asked for his phone.

The bruisers then punched the boy over and over, before fleeing in an unknown direction empty-handed, according to cops.

Musty bandit

A dirty thief broke into a Myrtle Avenue variety store on March 16 and raided it for hygiene products.

The owner received an notice from the alarm company that someone broke into the store near Carlton Avenue around 8 pm.

Police arrived to the location the next day and found the stores back entrance wall damaged, empty shelves with items strewn about, and that several bottles of deodorant body spray and some batteries were missing.

Party pooper

Some sneak-thief stole a wallet from a woman at a Lafayette Avenue club on March 16.

The victim told authorities that she went clubbing at the party place near S. Portland Avenue around 12:30 am, and hung up her purse on a hook while she tore up the dance floor.

The next day she noticed that her wallet  which contained had debit and credit cards and her drivers licence  had vanished from her bag, and shes pretty sure it happened while she was cutting a rug, according to a report.

 Alexandra Simon
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Cowal Building & Plumbing Supplies has strengthened its presence in Western Scotland with the acquisition of Reddance Building Supplies in Dalry, Ayrshire.

The amalgamation of the two businesses takes the Cowal depot tally to four and brings together two independent family-run merchant businesses with extremely strong local brand identities and customer loyalty.

Cowal Building & Plumbing Supplies already had three thriving depots at Dunoon, Balloch Alexandria, and Rothesay, all offering an extensive mixed merchant stock including heavyside, timber, landscaping, roofing and plumbing and heating supplies. The addition of Reddance to the Cowal family brings with it a two-acre site with a loyal customer base and a strong management team, headed up by Liz Spence, one of the founding family.

Apart from Jim McCrae and his wife Michelle, who are taking a well-earned rest after over 30 years of building up this successful business, the whole team at Reddance is being retained, keeping the strong family ties in the business.

Cowal managing director Stewart Shaw is delighted by the addition of Reddance to the Cowal family. He said: "Reddance is an extremely well-run business and it has been a pleasure to work with the McCrae family at Reddance in bringing the depot on board. I believe we have struck the perfect balance of retaining excellent staff and maintaining the family business values that have made Reddance the successful merchant it is today, while offering back office and admin support from a larger business.

"That allows Liz Spence and her team at the Dalry depot to concentrate on what they do best  running a very efficient merchanting operation."

Cowal Building Supplies is an NBG partner, and says NBG buying deals lie at the heart of the successful integration of Reddance into the Cowal business. "The purchase ledgers have been integrated since day one and the Reddance depot is already taking deliveries from its new NBG suppliers, said Mr Shaw. "We are completely committed to NBGs buying deals, which are central to how we run the Cowal business and will play a major role in the success of this new venture."

Reddance's Liz Spence is equally pleased with the new partnership, adding: "We are very happy that the strong family values which Reddance has built its success and reputation on will continue under the new ownership. We know that these values are important to our customers and so the family and the whole team are looking forward to working with the Cowal team."
NTSB: PATCO engineer tried to brake before deadly bridge accident

An NTSB investigation into the deadly PATCO accident on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge includes interviews, review of camera images.
Some of the coal-fired power plants in Odisha which have commenced commercial operations or are at very advanced stages of commissioning are up for grabs. looking to augment power capacities through the inorganic route are eyeing these assets in Odisha.
About three years after it exited the Indian market, French retailing major Group is keen to return if the government allows food plus in foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, official sources said.
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Indian IT services firms may apply for lesser number of H1B visas than in the past when the United States begins applications from high technology workers for short term work visas from April 3.

While these firms are witnessing a business shift - clients investing on digital and cloud services that require people onsite as against traditional IT services that can be delivered offshore, anti-immigration policies of the US government is deterring them to look at sending engineers on work to the US.
The Anil Ambani-promoted (RInfra) is likely to postpone its demerger plan to the next financial year. The company has moved the Bombay High Court, which is hearing its scheme of arrangement, seeking a change in the effective date of plan to April 1 this year.
The State Bank of India has sent advisories to nearly 100 sellers, coming under online marketplace Snapdeal's capital-assist programme, to reduce their outstanding loans above their drawing power.

The advisory comes following a letter written by All India Online Vendor Association (AIOVA) to Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, raising fears that may default on payments to the sellers.

The letter estimated that in any given month, holds Rs 300-400 crore in the form of outstanding dues and goods in transit or refunds.

"We have sent advisories to not more than three-digit number of sellers, coming under Snapdeal's capital-assist programme, asking them to reduce their outstanding loans above their drawing power," SBI Chief General Manager (SME) G K Kansal said.

Kansal said the bank reviews the sales position of the sellers every quarter and asks them to reduce their outstanding loans if their sales take a dip in this period.

"We review their ( sellers) sales position every quarter, and if their sales comes down during this period, their drawing power also comes down automatically.

So subsequently, we ask them to reduce their outstanding loans and bring it down to their drawing power," Kansal said.

Snapdeal had launched the capital-assist programme to make credit available for sellers in 2014, through a network of about 27 banks and financial institutions, including SBI, Axis Bank, Tata Capital and Reliance Capital.

Asked if it is an issue of raising alarm bells asking the sellers to reduce outstanding loans, Kansal said it is a normal business and not an issue of NPA.

"It is only a fluctuating facility which moves with the sales level. So if the sales goes up next month, their drawing power also shoots up. If their sales drop, the drawing power also drops down. So it is a normal business," he said dismissing media reports which raised an alarm over the situation.

"It is not an issue of NPA. Only thing, they are temporarily irregular because of lower sales," he added.

Earlier this month, Axis Bank had issued notices to some Snapdeal sellers, seeking immediate repayment of outstanding loans and withdrawing unavailed credit, citing below-par transaction flow.

Snapdeal has struggled to deal with slowing growth, mounting losses, falling market share, and an exodus of senior executives in recent months.
As India has become a centre for data science for several global firms, start-ups are looking at the opportunity to leverage local data to build solutions for India's problems. As more entrepreneurs emerge, investors are not far behind. "We meet almost five to six Artificial Intelligence product a week," said Manish Singhal, Founding Partner at Pi Ventures, in an interview with Alnoor Peermohamed.
is looking to tap the export markets to ship value-added, innovative products made at its greenfield steel mill at Kalinganagar, the steel hub in Odisha.
TVS Motor, the two-wheeler major, said it would close this financial year, 2016-17 (ending this month), with a 14.3 per cent market share, close to its target of 15 per cent.
Cracking down on shell company operations, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two Delhi-based businessmen in connection with its probe in a Rs 8,000-crore money laundering and racket.

The agency said it has arrested Surendra Kumar Jain and Virendra Jain on Monday. They were produced in a court which has sent them to ten days custody.

At least 90 shell firms are under the scanner of the agency. It has identified 26 of them for allegedly laundering about Rs 62.20 crore in funds.

The case emerged after the ED filed a criminal complaint last month under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a charge sheet filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) against certain individuals and firms "for providing accommodation entries by accepting funds from their beneficiaries through mediators and converting the same into share premium transactions in the beneficiary company".

The ED had also recently attached assets worth Rs 64.70 crore of a firm based here and this investment, it said, is "managed by" Radisson Blu, a luxury hotel in the national capital.

It suspects the entire racket to be worth about Rs 8,000 crore in slush funds and has detected about half of it according to its latest probe.

"The modus operandi of Jain brothers was to launder the unaccounted money through the process of placement of funds, layering of transactions and the final integration of laundering money into the banking channel camouflaged as legitimate share premium transactions. Funds were brought in by the mediators on behalf of the beneficiaries through the mediators. Jain Brothers were providing accommodation entries by accepting funds from their beneficiaries through mediators and converting the same into share premium transactions in the beneficiary company. In this process, Jain Brothers earned money as a certain percentage of the unaccounted money converted into share premium," the ED said in a statement.

It added that during probe of some other firms "controlled" by these brothers, it has emerged that during a "short period of three months between the opening and closing of the accounts of these companies, there was credit and debit summations to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore".

"It was an attempt to merge these companies' sized up balance sheets with the listed non-banking financial companies so as to give accommodation entries to prospective beneficiaries on future dates," it said.

The ED's action is part of its crackdown against shell or bogus companies active across the country to launder money and generate .

The central government had sometime back created a special task force of investigative agencies like ED, Income Tax department, SFIO, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and others, in this regard.

The task force is headed by the two Secretaries of the Department of Revenue and Corporate Affairs under the Union Finance Ministry.

Shell companies can be defined as those entities which are characterised by nominal paid-up capital, high reserves and surplus on account of receipt of high share premium, investment in unlisted companies and no dividend income.

Also, shell companies are identified as those with high cash in-hand, private companies as majority shareholders, low turnover and operating income, nominal expenses, nominal statutory payments and stock in trade and minimum fixed asset.
The government plans to start the assessment of stockists of to ensure proper storage of drugs. This, a senior health ministry official said, will be in continuation of the risk-based assessment of drug manufacturers.
Indian passengers headed to the US will be inconvenienced by the new Trump administration order regarding carriage of certain electronic devices on US-bound flights from West Asian (Middle East) and North African countries even though India does not feature on the restriction list.
Female workers are the primary drivers of maternal initiatives, but male workers (MHWs) could complement their services significantly, according to this 2015 research study conducted in rural Odisha.

What can MHWs do in rural areas? Gender inequities in developing societies mean that men play a dominant, decision-making role in reproductive health. MHWs can make a difference by educating men about maternal health issues and guiding their decisions, said the study. They can also complement the efforts of female health workers in delivering health services in remote areas and at late hours.

However, this may prove to be difficult in India. There are no MHWs in 48% of health sub-centres in Indian villages; and overall, there is a 65% shortage of MHWs in public health centres, according to the Rural Health Statistics 2016.
The Supreme Court's suggestion for an amicable settlement to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya has yet again rekindled the debate on the subject that has for decades been a religious and political flashpoint.

The Babri mosque dates back nearly 500 years when it was built in Ayodhya by Mir Baqi, a commander of the first Mughal emperor Babur, in 1528. Hence the mosque's name, Babri Masjid.

Here is the timeline to the dispute:

1853: The first recorded incident of violence over the holy site takes place during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. Nirmohis, a Hindu sect, claim that a Hindu temple had been destroyed during Babur's times to build the mosque.

1859: The British colonial administration erects a fence at the site to separate the places of worship. While the Muslims are allowed to use the inner court, the Hindus are allowed the outer court.

1885: In January 1885, Mahant Raghubir Das files the first case, seeking permission to build a canopy on the Ramchabutra (a raised platform) outside the mosque. The plea is rejected by the Faizabad district court.

1949: Lord Ram's idols appear inside the mosque, allegedly placed by Hindu groups. Both sides file suits; the government declares the area as disputed and locks the gates to the premise.

1950: Gopal Singh Visharad and Mahant Paramhans Ramchandra Das file suits at the Faizabad court seeking permission to offer prayers to the idols in the janamsthan. While the inner courtyard remains locked, prayers are allowed.

1959: The Nirmohi Akhara files a third suit seeking possession of the site and claiming to be the custodians of the Ram Janmabhoomi.

1961: The Sunni Central Board of Waqf files a case against the placing of idols inside the mosque and claim that the mosque and surrounding land was a graveyard.

1984: Hindu groups form a committee to spearhead the construction of the Ram temple at the Janmabhoomi site. The temple movement gathers momentum. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani takes over the leadership of the movement.

1986: A district court orders that the gates of the mosque be opened and Hindus be allowed to worship there, on a plea by Hari Shankar Dubey. As Muslims protest the move to allow Hindus to pray in the mosque, a Babri Mosque Action Committee is formed.

1989: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) lays the foundation of a Ram temple on the land next to the Babri Masjid. Justice Deoki Nandan Agarwal, former VHP Vice-President, files a case asking for the mosque to be shifted elsewhere. Four suits that have been pending at the Faizabad court are transferred to a special bench of the High Court.

1990: Volunteers of the VHP partially damage the mosque. PM Chandrashekhar intervenes and tries to resolve the issue through negotiations, but these fail. In September, Advani holds a rath yatra to educate people about the Ayodhya movement. He start from Somnath in Gujarat, and ends his yatra at Ayodhya.

1991: BJP becomes the primary opposition party. And powered by the rath yatra, comes into power in Uttar Pradesh. The momentum for the temple movement increases as karsevaks (volunteers) pour into Ayodhya.

1992: The disputed Babri Mosque is razed to the ground by the karsevaks on December 6, with the support of Shiv Sena, VHP and BJP. This leads to some of the most deadliest riots across the country, leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 people. The central government, headed by P V Narasimha Rao, sets up a commission of enquiry under Justice M S Liberhan on December 16.

2001: Tensions arise during the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. The VHP reaffirms its commitment towards building the Ram temple.

2002: In February 2002, in an attack on a train from Godhra in Gujarat, believed to be carrying karsevaks to Ayodhya, at least 58 people are killed. Riots erupt across the state and over 1,000 people are said to have been killed during the riots.

The High Court orders the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to excavate the site to determine if it was earlier a temple. In April 2002, three HC judges start the hearing to determine who the site belongs to.

2003: The ASI begins the survey to determine whether a temple existed on the site. It finds evidence of the presence of a temple under the mosque. Muslim organisations dispute the findings. In September, a court rules that seven Hindu leaders should stand trial for inciting violence and the destruction of the mosque. Advani is the deputy prime minister, and does not face any charges.

2004: The Congress comes back into power at the Centre. A UP court rules that the previous order exonerating Advani should be reviewed.

2005: Suspected Islamic militants attack the disputed site. Security forces kill five alleged militants and a sixth unidentified person.

2009: In June, the Liberhan commission, which had been set up to investigate the events following the demolition, submits the report. Uproar in the Parliament as the report blames politicians from BJP for their role in the demolition.

2010: The Allahabad High Court pronounces its judgment on the four title suits relating to the dispute. In the landmark hearing, the HC rules that the disputed land be divided into three parts -- one third to Ram Lalla, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha; one third to the Islamic Waqf Board; and the remaining third to the Nirmohi Akhara. In December, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha and the Sunni Waqf Board move the Supreme Court, challenging the HC ruling.

2011: In May, the Supreme Court stays the High Court order to split the land, stating that the status quo remains.

2014: In a landmark win, the BJP led by Narendra Modi storms to power at the Centre.

2015: The VHP announces a nationwide drive to collect stones for the construction of the Ram Mandir. Six months later, in December, two trucks of stones arrive at the disputed site. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das claims there is a green signal from the Modi government that the temple will be built now. The Uttar Pradesh government led by Akhilesh Yadav says it will not allow the arrival of the stones in Ayodhya for the construction of the Ram Mandir.

March 2017: The Supreme Court said charges against Advani and other leaders cannot be dropped in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case and that the case may be revived.

March 2017: The BJP storms to power in Uttar Pradesh with a massive victory.

March 21, 2017: The Supreme Court says the matter is sensitive and should be settled out of court. It asks stakeholders to hold talks and find an amicable solution.
is facing allegations of using hackers in India to illegally spy on email accounts of British journalists, environmental campaigners and activists, an anonymous letter to the UK's policing watchdog has claimed.

A letter believed to be from a whistleblower alleges that a secretive unit at the Metropolitan Police used contacts in the Indian police to obtain passwords and monitored targets for several years.

The UK's Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an investigation after the letter containing passwords for email accounts belonging to four Greenpeace campaigners as well as journalists and photographers was sent to Baroness Jenny Jones, former leader of the Green Party.

"For a number of years the unit had been illegally accessing the email accounts of activists.

This has largely been accomplished because of the contact that one of the officers had developed with counterparts in India who in turn were using hackers to obtain email passwords," an extract of the letter published in 'The Guardian' reads.

The newspaper, which employs two of the reporters named in the letter, has confirmed that most of the passwords were correct.

"There is more than enough to justify a full-scale criminal investigation into the activities of these police officers and referral to a public inquiry. I have urged the Independent Police Complaints Commission to act quickly to secure further evidence and to find out how many people were victims of this nasty practice," Jones said.

"The force is now aware that the IPCC is carrying out an independent investigation," the Met Police said.

"Allegations that the Metropolitan police has accessed the email accounts of 'Guardian' journalists are extremely concerning and we expect a full and thorough investigation into these claims," a spokesperson for the newspaper said.
Sushma Swaraj: 80-year-old Syed Asif Nizami, the chief priest of the sufi shrine and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami flew back by a Pakistan International Airlines flight and met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who had taken up their case with Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. After meeting Swaraj, Nazim Ali Nizami thanked the Indian government, particularly the minister, for their safe return and said they had gone to the neighbouring country with a message of peace and love.
Three shops selling meat and fish were set afire by unidentified persons in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, triggering panic in the area, police said on Wednesday.

The incident comes close on the heels of some slaughter houses being sealed in after the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath was sworn in.

Police said the arson incident took place in Manyawar Kanshiram Colony last night. The shop owners said all their stock was charred in the fire.

Superintendent of Police, Hathras, Dilip Kumar Srivastava, said, "Unidentified persons set ablaze three shops selling fish and meat. An FIR has been registered against them."



Sub-divisional magistrate (Hathras Sadar) Rakesh Gupta later met the aggrieved shop owners and heard their grievances.

The BJP had announced in its manifesto that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.

Yesterday, a slaughterhouse, which was allegedly being run illegally, was sealed by the district authorities in Kamalgadaha locality.

Officials claimed, that the slaughterhouse had been shutdown in 2012, but it continued to operate in a clandestine manner.

The Ghaziabad Police had yesterday sealed 10 meat shops and four slaughter houses which were allegedly running illegally in the city.
Ahead of the merger with parent State Bank of India (SBI), associate banks have started rolling out voluntary retirement schemes (VRS) for their employees with a very short deadline.
The finance ministry has asked the Niti Aayog and the department of consumer affairs to frame a comprehensive pricing policy for liquidation of its over 1 million-tonne buffer stock of .
may feel the pinch of a global wave of protectionism. Launched in September 2014, the initiative aims to encourage multinational as well as local companies to manufacture in India. However, a growing number of countries has since adopted a similar approach.
The Rs 3-lakh limit proposed for cash payments in the Budget for 2017-18 would be brought down to Rs 2 lakh as part of an unprecedented 40 amendments to the Finance Bill.
Harmonising efforts to curb flow of cash and unaccounted money into the political system, Parliament on Wednesday approved the governments proposal to relax conditions for contributions made by corporate entities. This will also facilitate the broadening of political funding channels.
Dr Kiran Bedi to inaugurate the 35th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions tomorrow Theme of the Symposium to be "Promoting E-Learning for Police Training"

The Two-day 35th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions would be inaugurated here tomorrow. The Symposium is being organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Dr. Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor, Puducherry will deliver the Inaugural Address on the occasion. In keeping with the contemporary and future policing needs of the country, the central theme of the Training Symposium will be "Promoting E-Learning for Police Training".

Shri Parvez Hayat, Addl. Director General, BPR&D briefed media here today on the Symposium. He said that nowadays, people are having a lot of expectations from the police to perform and police is also facing lot of challenges arising out of emerging crimes such as cyber crime and other issues. He said that the National Symposium is being held in view of sharing the best practices of training that will be helpful in meeting these challenges. He said that BPR&D acts as a platform between Centre and states to share best practices with each other.

Briefing the media, Ms. S. Sundari Nanda, Director (Trg.) said that this is the second time the Symposium is being held in Delhi. She said that BPR&D identifies the gaps in training and coordinates with the state Governments to conduct training programmes.

The Symposium will have various session including sessions on Challenges in Teaching Technology to Adult Learners, Successful E-Learning projects and Government funded resources available for E- Learning. In the Symposium, more than 100 senior police officers of the rank of DGPs/ADGPs/IGPs of states, UTs, CBI, NIA, BSF, CRPF, other Para Military Forces and Central Police are expected to discuss and deliberate on police training issues to develop a roadmap to achieve excellence in training. On the second day of the Symposium (24th March), Justice Madan Lokur, Supreme Court of India will deliver the Valedictory address.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has been organizing the National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions annually to discuss and deliberate on police training issues to achieve excellence in training. In the Training Symposium, policies and practices are re-visited to improve the training to all ranks of police officers across the country.

BPR&D is making efforts to bring in fresh perspectives on training content and methodologies from educational institutions of international repute such as central universities, IIMs, IITs, National Law Universities, Government organizations, corporate sector, police training institutions and other related organizations. Subject experts from various organisations including National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), MDI Gurugram, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), RML Hospital, National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), MHA, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will also take part in the Training Symposium.

The Bureau of Police Training & Development (BPR&D), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is the apex body at the national level to promote excellence and best values in policing. The objective of BPR&D is to equip the Indian Police to meet the challenges of the increasing diversity of crimes on the one hand and the rising public expectations on the other. This is sought to be achieved through training, research and modernisation of the police forces.
Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
False Confirmation about Vaccination of Paralamitary Troops

An Indian Formed Police Unit (Assam Rifles 7th Contingent) was inducted for deployment at Haiti in last week of July 2016.

As per the report received from Assam Rifles, the Cholera vaccines could only be procured by Medical Branch of the Directorate of Assam Rifles after dispatch of the Formed Police Unit (FPU-27th Contingent) to United Nations Mission in Haiti.

On intimation, the Contingent was immediately vaccinated in-situ for Cholera (Both Doses) and as on date all personnel of Formed Police Unit (FPU-2) Assam Rifles Contingent are fully immunised. MHA have also issued instructions for compliance with mandatory Cholera Vaccination for the Uniformed Personnel prior to induction in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Anubhav Mohanty in the Rajya Sabha today.
The 3rd edition of State AYUSH/Health Ministers Conference held in New Delhi AYUSH Minister urges States to take appropriate action against misguided advertisements about AYUSH drugs

The 3rd Conference of Health/AYUSH Ministers of States/UTs was inaugurated by the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in New Delhi today. The day long conference was organized by the Ministry of AYUSH to provide an opportunity to States/UT to interact with each other for the development of AYUSH sector. The conference was attended by AYUSH/Health Ministers/Secretaries and officials from 23 States/UTs; senior officials of AYUSH Ministry and representatives of AYUSH organizations.In his inaugural address, the AYUSH Minister said that the WHO advocates expanding the rational use of traditional medicine as one of the means to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The WHO also advocates harnessing the potential of traditional medicine, capacity building in traditional medicine practice and developing awareness among the public about the advantages of traditional medicines. Shri Naik appealed to all the State Governments to consider the WHO advisory on priority.Shri Shripad Naik urged all State Governments to consider amending their State Medical Practitioner Act to enable AYUSH system to deal with medical emergencies. He said that States like Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have already made such amendments in their State Medical Practitioner Acts. The Minister further said that the Ministry has been giving focus on the quality of AYUSH education. He advised to State Governments to closely monitor and ensure the quality of education as being imparted in AYUSH colleges.The Minister also expressed his concern on misguided advertisements about AYUSH drugs appearing in the print and electronic media. He said that the Central Government has entered into an MoU with the Advertising Council of India to check such fraudulent claims relating to AYUSH projects.

He said that the State Governments may also bring such advertisements to the notice of the said Council. The Minister also said that the Ministry has developed Ayurveda protocols as well as Yoga protocols for prevention & control of diabetes. The another landmark achievement, the Insurance companies have begun entertaining the claims for reimbursement made by policy holders for the expenditure made on AYUSH treatment, Shri Shripad Naik added. On this occasion, Minister for Health & Social Justice, Government of Kerela, Smt. K. K. Shailja Teacher said that they have decided to set up an International Research Institute of Ayurveda in the State. Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Rajasthan Shri Bansidhar Bajia and Health & Family Welfare Minister, Government of Tripura, Shri Badal Choudhary also spelled out the policies and programmes being taken up by their governments to propagate AYUSH. Secretary AYUSH, Shri Ajit M. Sharan welcoming the dignitaries and delegates, briefed about the achievements and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of AYUSH since it was accorded the status of independent Ministry in November, 2014. State health authorities pointed out their problems in implementation of various programmes and schemes of AYUSH and concerned officers of Ministry of AYUSH addressed their issues. The Conference will help to streamline the co-ordination with the States/UTs to ensure and effect better and affordable healthcare delivery in the country. The purpose of this Conference was to discuss the various issues connected with propagation and mainstreaming of AYUSH, and also to take stock of the progress made and developments that took place during the last two years. The Conference aimed to deliberate upon how to take AYUSH systems forward in the healthcare delivery system of the country, as acceptance of AYUSH systems among the people of not only this country, but the world over is increasing.
Washington DCs decision to impose curbs on taking iPads and laptops as cabin baggage will impact nearly half of the passengers between India and the US.
FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers have both testified before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that they do not have any information or evidence to support US President Donald Trumps claims the Obama administration wiretapped Trump Tower during the election. The committee is investigating allegations of collusion between Trump associates and Russian operatives to influence the US election.

The wiretapping claim became part of the investigation after Trump tweeted on March 4 that Barack Obama had ordered his phones be tapped prior to the November 2016 election. Two of the three tweets specifically claim that Obama had Trumps phones tapped and that the former president was a bad (or sick) guy.
The refugee crisis in Europe brings with it collateral damage. The flight of people from Syria and other conflict zones has been well-documented and the policy challenges for governments have generated blanket coverage. But there have also been spill-over effects on other marginalised groups, particularly the Roma.
India should guard against "judging" US President in a "rush" and instead take him seriously, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday said.

Addressing an industry event in New Delhi, Jaishankar also pitched for building strong regional connectivity, which he said was of paramount interest and was set to get a boost in the near future.

Laying out the rules of engagement with Trump, Jaishankar said it was important to keep in mind that intentions do not always translate into outcomes as he spoke on a wide range of issues.

"I think what is important is to take him (Trump) seriously but also with a caveat that intentions are not always outcomes and even in our bilateral ties I would suggest that if there is a point to make at this stage, it is that don't rush to judgement," he said.

In making his case, Jaishankar referred to a section of the US media's take that the "American Press took him literally but not seriously but public took him seriously but not literally".

Suggesting that there was a perceptive shift across the world from multilateralism towards bilateralism against the backdrop of a global "uncertainty", Jaishankar referred to the New Delhi's policy of "neighbourhood first".

"In the next few weeks and months we will see important interactions and agreements and certainly there is a case for India taking a much more generous, effective outreach to its immediate as well as extended neighbourhood and to develop a stronger regional identity and interest," he said.
Iraqi government forces are closing in on the historic Grand Mosque in Mosul, close to the heart of the old city, which remains in the grasp of Islamic State (IS). Iraqi helicopter gunships are in action, as are combat aircraft from coalition forces and the Iraqi Army hopes to gain control of the mosque imminently.
At least 20 people were injured and four reported dead in London on Wednesday after a car crashed into pedestrians near the British parliament and an assailant stabbed a policeman in what police called a terrorist incident.
The Supreme Court today limited the president's power to temporarily fill vacant government posts while nominations are tied up in partisan political fights.

The 6-2 ruling said a former top lawyer at the National Labor Relations Board had served in violation of a federal law governing such appointments.

Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts said that Lafe Solomon was not allowed to serve as acting general counsel of the agency that enforces labor laws while he was at the same time nominated to fill that role permanently.

At issue is a 1998 law aimed at preventing the president from using temporary appointments to bypass the Senate's advice-and-consent role. The Federal Vacancies Reform Act says a person nominated for a post requiring Senate confirmation can't serve in the same position on a temporary basis.

But the law contains an exception if the nominee served for 90 days as a "first assistant" to the person who previously held the office. The Obama administration said the exception also covered Solomon because he had been a director at a different office at the NLRB.

President Barack Obama named Solomon acting general counsel in June 2010 and he held the office until Nov. 4, 2013. But he never won Senate confirmation because Republicans viewed him as too favorable to labor unions.

Roberts said a close reading of the law's text shows that the exception did not cover Solomon. He rejected the government's argument that a ruling against it would hamstring future presidents and call into question dozens of temporary appointments made over the years.

"This does not mean that the duties of general counsel to the NLRB needed to go unperformed," Roberts said. "The president could have appointed another person to serve as the acting officer in Solomon's place."



Solomon's authority was challenged after an Arizona-based ambulance company was accused of unfair labor practices. The company, SW General, Inc., said the complaint was void because Solomon's tenure was invalid.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the company.

Roberts dismissed arguments that historical practice supported the government. Since the law was enacted in 1998, three presidents have nominated 112 people for permanent posts who also were serving as acting officials. There was never any objection from Congress.

Roberts said those 112 nominations "make up less than two percent of the thousands of nomination to positions in executive agencies" that the Senate has considered during that time. He said the Senate either may not have noticed a problem or opted not to reject a candidate just to make a point about the law.

It's the second time in recent years that the presidential appointment process has come under scrutiny by the high court. In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that Obama's recess appointment of three NLRB members violated the Constitution. That ruling invalidated hundreds of NLRB rulings and forced the agency to reissue those decisions.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, noting that the Senate never objected over the years while more than 100 people served in an acting capacity pending their nomination for a permanent post.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will go through a third-party assessment of its regulatory framework by the World Bank and the IMF this year, an exercise which will help the former align itself closer to global regulatory standards and get feedback on its current functioning.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, who filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking urgent hearing of Ayodhya dispute, on Wednesday said he has asked the apex court to appoint judges to mediate and conclude the matter.

"The Supreme Court has only said that I should explore that whether there is a possibility of a negotiated settlement. I said that I have already spoken to all the other parties and they don't want to do it because if there is a bilateral agreement between the two parties then they feel that they might be accused by the hardliners of surrendering to their Hindu interest. I said there should be judge who should mediate and see the discussion come to the conclusion," Swamy told ANI.

He further said that the apex court would let him know about its decision regarding appointment of judge on March 31.

"The court said that in the meantime it will decide whether they want to have a Supreme Court judge. So, on the March 31 it will tell me as what they propose to do," he added.

Swamy said that the matter would get over soon if the apex court agrees to appoint judges to mediate the matter else the hearing would continue.

The apex court yesterday said the Ayodhya dispute is a sensitive and sentimental issue, adding its best that this matter was settled amicably.

The court asked parties concerned to sit together to arrive at a consensus and asked Swamy to consult the parties and inform it about the decision on March 31.

The court also suggested if required, a principal mediator can be chosen by the court for settling the issue. Chief Justice J.S. Khehar said if the parties want him to mediate then he is ready for the task.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday said it is ready for an out-of-court settlement under the Supreme Court's directives in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid case.

AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali said the Muslim law board is ready for an out of court settlement under the watchful eye of the apex court.

"The observation of Supreme Court is welcomed by Muslim Law board and the law board is ready for out of court settlement under the apex court in Ram Mandir case," he added.

Meanwhile, Muslim Cleric Maulana Suhaib Qasmi while asserting that this issue can be solved through talks vouched for out of court settlement.

Qasmi said someone has to lose in the court and in such sensitive cases like the Ram Temple issue, the view of both sides should be taken into consideration before arriving at a conclusion.

"All issues of the world can be solved through talks. Arguments and hatred bring no good. We cannot solve any problem through hatred. When a matter is heard in the court someone has to lose. And I believe that such matter should be dealt with sensitivity by considering view of all sides. So, this issue of the Babri Masjid should be solved through talks," Qasmi told ANI.

The Supreme Court yesterday observed that the Ayodhya dispute must be settled amicably through "a cordial meeting" of all parties, and Chief Justice J.S. Khehar offered his personal mediation to help resolve the matter.

The apex court's remarks came after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy sought an early hearing of his plea seeking permission to build a Ram temple at the site of the demolished Babri mosque.

"These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting," said an apex court bench headed by Khehar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A grenade was hurled at a government girls' high school in Balochistan's Killa Abdullah district near Pak-Afghan border today, however, no loss of life was reported from the attack.

Two armed militants on a motorcycle hurled a hand-grenade at the school in Killi Pir Alizai area of district Killa Abdullah, reports the Dawn quoting sources.

No injuries or fatalities were reported from the attack but the glasses of the school were smashed, also no immediate claims of responsibility were made for the attack.

"Fortunately, the girls were inside their classes at the time of attack," Zamarak Achakzai, the parliamentary leader of Awami National Party (ANP) who belongs to the same village told DawnNews

Achakzai further said that he strongly condemned the terror act and demanded the arrest of culprits behind the attack.

Levies personnel reached the girls high school as investigation into the incident went underway.

This is the first attack of its kind targeting an educational institution in the area.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday expressed his delight over former Congress veteran S.M. Krishna joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the saffron party will get strength from his progressive image in Karnataka.

"He is a well-known experienced politician of the country. We will acquire strength from his progressive image in Karnataka. I welcome him in the party whole-heartedly," Kumar told ANI.

"He has shown interest in joining the BJP under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is my friend and a senior colleague," he added.

Krishna, who will join the BJP later in the day, put off his plan last week after the death of his sister.

Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with BJP president Amit Shah, the former Karnataka chief minister had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her demise.

84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not.

Krishna, who was the Karnataka Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as the External Affairs Minister in 2012.

He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A semi-naked miscreant man was caught on camera at night sneaking into ladies hostel of Maharani's Arts, Commerce and Management College for Women premises' in Bengaluru and stealing girl's innerwears which they left for drying.

The clip shows the man strutting around the laundry section of the campus, stealing and wearing lingerie.

It is over six months that the unidentified man has been entering the hostel by jumping the compound wall, but unfortunately, the city police has not been unable to trace the man.

Responding to the incident, college principal Dr. Shantha kumari said he is a "psycho", who jumps through the wall in midnight hours, adding the college has lodged a complaint in the police station.

"We had lodged a complaint in the police station and we have also brought into the notice of our department they are taking care of the matter. The process is going on. He is a Psycho minded youth, he simply jumps through the long lengthy wall in midnight hours. We have CCTV cameras in all the necessary places," she told ANI.

As proof, the hostel officials have handed over the CCTV footage to the police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Special security forces consisting of different police teams of District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) have arrested five naxals from Bastar's Jagdalpur.

The five arrested have been identified to be Parvati Karomi, Pandu Veti, Sukda Mandkami, Pandaru Mandkami and Baman Karomi.

At least two security personnel received injuries during the operation.

Meanwhile, the arrested naxals have been sent to judicial custody.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A police jawan was today shot dead by the Naxals in Farsegarh village of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

The jawan, identified as Tarun Sodhi, was shot dead at his residence in Farsegarh village.

As per reports, the jawan was posted in Farsegarh police station.

Further details are awaited.

Earlier on Sunday, at least two jawans received minor injuries during an exchange of fire between the police and Naxals in the state's Bastar region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least two children died and more than 20 others were injured during a stampede at an elementary school bathroom Wednesday in Central China's Henan Province.

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. when a crowd of students began shoving to enter a bathroom at Puyang No. 3 experimental elementary school, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Puyang county government rushed the injured students to local hospitals for treatment.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Karnataka chief minister S.M. Krishna will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today.

Krishna put off his plan to join the BJP last week after the death of his sister.

Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with BJP president Amit Shah and to join the party, he had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her death.

84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not.

Krishna, who was the Karnataka Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012.

He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux has confirmed his resignation, hours after the financial prosecutor's office announced they were putting him under preliminary investigation for parliamentary jobs he secured for his daughters during their school holidays.

Le Roux said he is stepping down so as to not distract from the work of the government, reports the Guardian.

He had offered his resignation earlier in the day to President Francois Hollande, who had accepted it.

The scandal broke a week after presidential candidate Francois Fillon was mise-en-examen - the French equivalent of being charged - over allegations he paid family members from public funds for "fake" jobs.

51-year-old Le Roux has admitted that he paid his daughters 55,000 (48,000) of public money over seven years.

They were given 24 short-term contracts, known as CDDs, between 2009 and 2016 while he sat in the national assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bowalley Road Rules



The blogosphere tends to be a very noisy, and all-too-often a very abusive, place. I intend Bowalley Road to be a much quieter, and certainly a more respectful, place.

So, if you wish your comments to survive the moderation process, you will have to follow the Bowalley Road Rules.

These are based on two very simple principles:

Courtesy and Respect.

Comments which are defamatory, vituperative, snide or hurtful will be removed, and the commentators responsible permanently banned.

Anonymous comments will not be published. Real names are preferred. If this is not possible, however, commentators are asked to use a consistent pseudonym.

Comments which are thoughtful, witty, creative and stimulating will be most welcome, becoming a permanent part of the Bowalley Road discourse.

However, I do add this warning. If the blog seems in danger of being over-run by the usual far-Right suspects, I reserve the right to simply disable the Comments function, and will keep it that way until the perpetrators find somewhere more appropriate to vent their collective spleen.


Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday asserted that the state Police have taken an immediate action over the issue of the murder of an Irish woman.

"Cases of crime against women have to be investigated, no matter how small an incident," Parrikar told the media here in connection with murder of the tourist.

He also informed that the Goa Police is presently investigating the case.

The 25-year-old victim came with a friend to participate in Holi celebrations in coastal Canacona village, known for its popular beach Palolem. She was found dead last Tuesday.

The police control room was informed of an unclothed body in an open paddy field. While the first informer, a farmer and complainant in the case, only brought the police closer to the crime spot, her identity was unknown. Calls were made to all shack owners, people in the vicinity and the many informants on the beach strip between Agonda and Palolem.

Goa police said that Facebook helped them get the first break in the case of the Irish woman's rape and murder as the social networking site helped them identify the victim.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Storage of data is an essential part of digital transformation in modern era. NTT Communications, one of the largest IT service providers in the world, runs system integration and network services in the Mekong area of Thailand.

Bangkok 2 Data Center is the biggest storage area around the Easter Economic Corridor. Safe from natural disasters and other calamity, the data center meets NTT Communications' high global data center standard.

"Quality-wise, we are the first international data center operators in Thailand. Customers can benefit from our knowledge worldwide. We can have clients connect to any provider of ISP and any local telecommunication inside our data center. We believe that our data center can provide customer with more cost efficiency compared with what they do on their own," said Suthipat Lueprasert, Chief Technology Officer, NTT Communications (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

As a submarine cable service provider in the world, there are plans to provide sub-marine cable services to the neighbouring countries.

The data service environment in the Mekong area will become more and more enriching.

"As a hub in the Mekong area, our data center provides services that we emphasize with our network partners, and enhances network services from Thailand to Myanmar, Lao, and Cambodia," said Manabu Kahara, President, NTT Communications (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

As the leader in solar power in ASEAN, Thailand is the driving force behind the development of this market.

Sharing the same vision and determination, Japan-based Kyocera cultivated a partnership with SPCG, Thailand's leader in solar project development.

Kyocera, which started R&D to manufacture solar panels more than 40 years ago, is now expanding its business worldwide.

The SPCG developed 35 solar farms utilizing Kyocera panels and is now expanding the business to rooftop solar systems, thereby supporting the people in producing clean energy for their own consumption.

"As Dr Inamori, who is the founder of Kyocera Corporation says, his belief is "What is the right thing to do as a human being". He will always do his best as much as he can. That is why I believe in Kyocera Corporation, because it's a company with philosophy. Strength of the company and strength of quality is the key, so SPCG is pleased to choose Kyocera to be used in our solar farm since 2010," said Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, Chairperson and CEO, SPCG Public Company Limited.

SPCG and Kyocera continually commit to promote solar energy use in Southeast Asia.

"Southeast Asia has many countries with a high solar irradiation. I believe the market potential for solar as clean energy is very high. Kyocera and SPCG will contribute to the expansion of renewable energy by using solar system with high reliability," said Kazunori Minamikawa, Dy. GM, Solar Energy Division, KYOCERA Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Since August 2016, Meidensha Corporation has initiated an endowed lecture in King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) of Thailand targeted with senior student group activities in the Electrical Engineering major.

On October 2016 and February 2017, keynote lectures were held to introduce the latest technologies.

Students listened eagerly, exchanged questions and answered lively after the lectures.

The students with good result of the lectures will join the internship at Meidensha Numazu plant in Japan.

Before the internship starts, the faculties at KMITL had a plant tour.

Including observing the production lines, visiting environmental materials analysis center, faculties highly interested in the basic research of quality improvement and quantitative evaluations.

"Their motivation is that they feel their career in the future, and they know what they should work in the future and what they should prepare now for their future career," said Dr Sompob polmai, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

"The impression is the Japanese style, the Meidensha style, the working style, the Meidensha system is very very good and is very beneficial for Thai people," said Dr. Issarachai Ngamroo, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

"I think our students can not only learn about technology, but also about the culture and how to work in a Japanese company. This company is, I can say, maybe one of the most successful companies in Japan," Said Dr. Supat Kittiratsatcha, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

The connection between corporations and the Southeast Asia area will be more improved due to educational exchanges.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left on a three-day official visit to Russia beginning today on the invitation extended by his counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Sirisena will be the first Sri Lankan Head of the State to visit Russia in over four decades since 1974, when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow, reports the Colombo Page.

The visit signifies an important milestone in the government's foreign relations as both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

President Sirisena is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Russian counrepart tomorrow.

The official discussions are expected to review progress made in the longstanding bilateral relationship, including the way forward to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Several bilateral agreements in the areas of fisheries, tourism, cultural and education cooperation, including cooperation in the science and technology sector, are scheduled to be signed during the visit.

A Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum will be also held in Moscow, and Colombo will be represented by a delegation of the Sri Lanka -Russia Business Council.

Sirisena is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and five other Cabinet Ministers on this visit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Melbourne based Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) signed an agreement with DFCCIL (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited), a state-owned corporation in India to assist with the establishment of a new research and development institute in India. The agreement was signed on March 16, 2017 in New Delhi, India.

The research institute, SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology and Holistic Advancement), will impact the entire Indian railways system, with the outcomes of the researches making some significant advancements in the field. SRESTHA aims to become a world leader in innovation for railway infrastructure. The institute will be engaging teams of top scientists and experts from the industry to analyze and innovate to create cutting edge technology. This project will also work in an advisory capacity to the Indian Railways on International models that can be adapted to the Indian railway ecosystem.

The move to create SRESTHA has been part of Indian Railway 2017 budget which put forward several technology-led initiatives for the improvement of railways and passenger amenities.

The institute, its core ideologies and focus will be created under the guidance and professional expertise of IRT. Accompanying the IRT on the advisory panel will be Balaji Railroad Systems Ltd. (BARSYL), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB).

The Director of the IRT, Ravi Ravitharan said, "That the partnership will help to advance railway technology both in India and around the world. He also added "I am extremely pleased to be invited along with our partners to assist with this significant project, which will support future research and technology development related to critical infrastructure for India. Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world and this is a very important project not only for IRT but also for the State of Victoria and Australia."

Victoria's Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis congratulated Monash and DFCCIL on a collaboration that he said would benefit all parties involved.

"Victoria leads the country in research and development and it's great to see Monash making partnerships that showcase our infrastructure expertise to the world."

"This collaboration will not only help develop one of the world largest rail networks, it will further strengthen Victoria's strong cultural relationship and ties with India."

Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) is the premier track and vehicle railway research centre in Australia. It provides efficient and practical solutions to the railway industry, creating linkages with people and institutions which deliver a range of mutual benefits in railway research and operations. IRT's projects extend from heavy haul to mass transit, high speed, general freight and passenger systems.

Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) was set up under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways to undertake planning and development, mobilization of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After Mumbai Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan asserted that state doctors have agreed to resume work by 8 pm today, the Secretary of Indian Medical Association (Mumbai) Dr. Parthiv Sanghvi categorically denied the statement saying that doctors have not called off their strike whatsoever.

"Girish Mahajan's statement is absolutely false and misguiding, doctors have not taken their strike back, we are supporting the strike completely," Sanghvi told ANI.

However, Girish Mahajan had earlier asserted that the doctors have agreed to resume work by 8 pm on Wednesday and will work in harmony.

"After having a meeting, the doctors have agreed to resume work by 8 pm. I have also assured them that we will take strong steps for their security and measures will be in place in 15 days," said Mahajan.

Earlier in the day, Sanghvi said that they will continue with the strike if the terminations and suspensions of the doctors are not withdrawn.

He added that the Indian Medical Association completely supports the demands and the strike will continue till these remarks are not made across Maharashtra.

He further said all Out Patient Departments (OPD) and emergency services will stand withdrawn. All the members are instructed to strike in support to the cause of these resident doctors.

Mumbai's JJ Hospital has initiated expulsion process of the doctors striking over recent incidents of assault against them.

The dean of Government Medical College in Nagpur has suspended 301 resident doctors on this issue.

More than a thousand doctors in Maharashtra have been protesting since Monday, demanding better security at hospitals with the increase in incidents of attacks by patients' relatives.

The Emergency ward and Out Patient Department (OPD) have been affected the most by the ongoing strike.

The Bombay High Court earlier on Tuesday ordered Maharashtra's resident doctors to resume work immediately or face action by the management.

The court has specifically said that the hospital management is free to initiate action and contempt proceedings against the doctors on strike.

While asking them to resume their duties immediately, the High Court on Tuesday said that it will hear the junior doctors' mass leave issue today.

The state government has told the court that medical services in Maharashtra were paralysed because 60 per cent of the resident doctors across the state went on strike.

The court has directed the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) to ask all doctors to resume their duties.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Pakistan National Assembly has passed the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill to reinstate military courts with 255 votes in favour and four against.

The bill, presented by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid on Tuesday, states on the outset that "an extraordinary situation and circumstances still exist which demand continuation of the special measures adopted for expeditious disposal of certain offences" as the reasons necessitating the revival of military courts, reports the Dawn.

The 28th Constitutional Amendment will now be presented to Senate, where it will need two-thirds approval in order to become law.

If the bill is passed, it will reinstate military courts for a period of two years starting January 7, 2017 - the date on which military courts had lapsed under the previous arrangement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also present for Tuesday's session.

Criticising the government at the session, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia MNA Ijazul Haq noted that if the National Action Plan had been implemented in letter and spirit, the need to revive military courts would not exist.

Pakistan had legalised military court trials of terror suspects for a period of two years in January 2015 - soon after the terror attack on Peshawar's Army Public School in Dec 2014, in which 144 people, most of them children, were killed by Taliban militants.

These courts were given a two-year constitutional cover that ended in January. Military courts were disbanded on January 7 after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired.

The controversial special powers empower military courts to try civilian terror suspects.

The military courts do not grant convicts the essential components of a fair and free trial, as they lack in transparency and do not allow convicts the option to appeal to civilian courts. This was the primary concern of critics of military court trials.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. President Donald Trump's ex-campaign chair Paul Manafort is facing fresh allegations over his links to former pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Ukrainian lawmaker Sergii Leshchenko has claimed a document found in a safe in Kiev may be evidence that Manafort tried to mask payments to him from Yanukovych's party, reports the CNN.

The claim comes as the FBI told the House Intelligence Committee on Monday that it is officially investigating whether there was any coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia during the 2016 U.S. election.

The Anti-corruption investigators in Ukraine have alleged Yanukovych and members of his party ran a corrupt regime. He fled to Russia following a public uprising in 2014.

The FBI is also investigating Manafort over his consulting work in Ukraine and any possible links to Russia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court will on Wednesday announce the quantum of sentence for the two convicts in the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case.

The special NIA court earlier on March 8 convicted three people in the Ajmer blast case, while acquitting seven others, including RSS worker Swami Aseemanand, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Those convicted were Sunil Joshi, who has figured in other cases, Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel. Of these, Joshi died in June 2014.

Gupta and Patel were convicted under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy and under Sections of the Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

On October 11, 2007, a powerful bomb had gone off on the premises of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan during iftar at around 6.12 p.m., killing three people and injuring 17 others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday announced its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information" with the Central Bank of Nigeria

The apex bank signed an MoU with Central Bank of Nigeria under the presence of Godwin Emefiele, Governor on behalf of Central Bank of Nigeria and Dr Urjit R Patel, Governor Reserve Bank of India.

The RBI has entered into the MoU, Letter for Supervisory Co-operation and

Statement of Co-operation with supervisors of a few countries to promote greater co-operation and share supervisory information.

However, the RBI has signed 37 such MoUs, one Letter for Supervisory Co-operation and one Statement of Co-operation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An arbitration tribunal of the Bank's International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has ruled against Pakistan with regard to the unlawful denial of a mining lease for the Reko Diq project in 2011.

The verdict came on Monday after Tethyan Copper Company Limited (TCC), a joint venture between Antofagasta and Barrick, filed an arbitration claim against Pakistan, reports the Express Tribune.

"The decision by the ICSID tribunal rejected Pakistan's final defense against liability, and confirmed that Pakistan had violated several provisions of its bilateral investment treaty with Australia, where TCC is incorporated," Chilean mining company Antofagasta announced.

However, the claims could not be independently verified.

Earlier in January 2013, the Supreme Court had declared invalid the Reko Diq agreement - a lease for one of the world's richest deposits of gold and copper in Balochistan held by the TCC - observing that the agreement ran counter to the country's mineral development act and mining concession rules.

Reko Diq is one of the world's richest deposits of gold and copper held by a Canadian-Chilean consortium that includes Vancouver-based giant Barrick Gold.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Birhanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday issued notice to 500 resident doctors asking them to resume work or face action.

According to reports, the notice warns the doctors that if they fail to resume work then they could be expelled and their medical registrations could be cancelled, as per a January 31, 1996, Government Resolution.

As doctors continue to abstain from work across major civic hospitals in Mumbai, thousands of patients have been left to suffer and go through a lot of inconvenience at public hospitals as surgeries have been cancelled and patients are being turned away from Out Patient Departments (OPD).

The Bombay High Court yesterday asked the doctors to resume their duties immediately.

The court came heavily on the protesting doctors and asked its representative body - the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) - to ask all doctors to resume their duties immediately else it would be contempt of court as the doctors organisation has given an undertaking that it would not go on strike.

The court also directed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government and the BMC to provide adequate security to the doctors in hospitals across the state.

The doctors are on strike due to the recent incidents of violence against them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistani Prime Minister has claimed that former military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf had offered him an "underhanded" deal to form a joint government in 2008.

Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Sharif said, "Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007," reports the Dawn.

Sharif's government was toppled by General Musharraf, then the Army Chief, through a coup in 1999 following which many members of the Sharif family including the Prime Minister were forced into exile in Saudi Arabia, where they remained until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

Sharif said that Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past.

"But I declined," he added.

He said that his family did not want to leave their motherland, but were forced into exile by the military dictator.

The Prime Minister noted that the former president was now facing a similar fate and had left the country in disgrace.

"Now, Musharraf is willing to return to the country, but he cannot," he said.

However, Sharif's assertions were disputed by former Musharraf aide and All-Pakistan Muslim League member Ahmed Raza Kasuri. "I have been working with Gen Musharraf for a long time and I have never heard any such thing," he said.
The U.S. military has launched a formal investigation into last week's airstrike in northern Syria after locals reported that a mosque was struck and more than 40 people killed, the CNN reported citing two U.S. defense officials.

The Pentagon has for days rejected that a mosque was hit and that there were civilians.

The military's assessment hasn't changed, but the investigation will attempt to establish more definitively as to what exactly happened.

In the initial hours following the strike by US drones and aircraft, the Pentagon insisted that it hit only a building some 40 feet away from the mosque, where it said al Qaeda members were holding a meeting.

Two US defense officials confirmed that an investigation has been initiated by the Joint Special Operations Command, which conducted the mission. The investigation will eventually be reviewed by Gen. Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, who oversees all military operations in the region.

Votel can either accept its findings or send it on for further review by military legal authorities, the officials said.

This is, however, not a criminal investigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bank of Maharashtra rose 1.51% to Rs 33.55 at 11:07 IST on BSE after the bank said its board will meet on 24 March 2017, to consider the proposal of raising of equity capital on preferential allotment to Government of India.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P Sensex was down 226.89 points, 0.77% at 29,258.56. The S&P BSE Mid-cap index was down 131.50 points or 0.95% at 13,722.02.

On the BSE, 52,000 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 58,287 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 33.80 and a low of Rs 33.30 so far during the day.

The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 38.70 on 21 February 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 25 on 9 November 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 21 March 2017, declining 10.8% compared with the Sensex's 2.52% rise. The scrip had, however, outperformed the market over the past one quarter advancing 13.38% as against the Sensex's 12.36% rise.

The mid-cap bank has equity capital of Rs 1168.33 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Bank of Maharashtra said that a meeting of the board of directors of the bank is scheduled on 24 March 2017, to consider the proposal of raising of equity capital of the bank by way of preferential allotment to Government of India (GOI) subject to necessary approvals/permissions. The bank had received communication from Government of India on 16 March 2017, regarding capital allocation plan of Rs 300 crore to the bank.

Bank of Maharashtra reported net loss of Rs 182.51 crore in Q3 December 2016, as compared with net profit of Rs 89.06 crore in Q3 December 2015. Total income fell 0.1% to Rs 3473.77 crore in Q3 December 2016 over Q3 December 2015.

The Government of India (GoI) held 81.61% stake in Bank of Maharashtra (as per the shareholding pattern as on 31 December 2016).

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Centre allocates Rs 25,000 Crore to tackle problems of Arsenic and Fluoride in drinking water in four years

Government today launched National Water Quality Sub Mission on Arsenic and Fluoride to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 affected habitations in the country by March 2021 with an outlay of Rs 25,000 crore. Inaugurating the mission here in collaboration with the States, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation and Panchayati Raj Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that while West Bengal is badly affected by the problem of arsenic, Rajasthan suffers from presence of fluoride in drinking water with serious health hazards. He said, there are about 17 lakh 14 thousand rural habitations in India, of which about 77 percent have been provided with safe drinking water of more than 40 liters per person per day and about 4 percent of the habitations are suffering from problems of water quality. The Minister assured the participating delegates that there will be no discrimination of funds against any state to address the twin challenges of drinking water and sanitation. Ministers of Drinking Water and Sanitation from 12 States participated in the National Workshop on Water for All and Swachh Bharat.

Shri Tomar said that Government is committed to providing tap water on a sustained basis in every household by 2030 as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for which Rs 23,000 crore of central fund will be required annually till the target is achieved. The Minister said that the dream of 'Har Ghar Jal' cannot be realized without the involvement of the citizens. He said that there are about 2,000 Blocks in the country with an acute shortage of surface and ground water sources and called for conservation of water on war footing through convergence of schemes like MGNREGA.

Dwelling on the issue of Swachhta, Shri Tomar said that sanitation coverage has increased from 42 percent to 62 percent since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM in October 2014. He said, apart from Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala which are ODF (Open Defecation Free) States, 4 to 5 more States can become ODF in next six months. So far, 119 districts and 1.75 lakh villages have become ODF and the Centre has announced to incentivize the states for their timely progress. The Minister informed that since the launch of the SBM, more than 3.6 Crore toilets have been constructed in the rural areas and 16.41 lakh toilets were constructed under MGNREGA. He said, when we are seeking to transform India into a 21st century economic giant: open defecation and garbage cannot be part of this vision.

Shri Tomar along with the Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Ramesh Jigajinagi launched Water APP on the occasion. The Minister also gave away prizes to various state governments for exemplary work done in the areas of sanitation and drinking water.

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Hindustan Unilever (HUL) announced that it has commenced the commercial production in its new manufacturing unit at Assam on 15 March 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017. The company had earlier informed about setting up new manufacturing unit in Assam to augment the production capacity of personal care products of the company.

Indiabulls Housing Finance announced that it has allotted its seventh tranche of secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures of face value Rs 10 lakh each (NCDs) aggregating Rs 600 crore i.e. Rs 500 crore plus Greenshoe option of Rs 100 crore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

Mawana Sugars announced that the board of directors of the company, vide resolution dated 21 March 2017, has agreed to enter into one time settlement (OTS) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of the OTS was for resolution of non performing asset (NPA) debt. The company settled total memoranda dues of Rs 109.46 crores (as per PNB), for a consolidated agreed amount of Rs 79.79 crore, payable over 15 month without interest. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

ABC Bearings announced that it has sold its entire 2.5% equity stake in NSK-ABC Bearings Private Ltd (NABI) to NSK India Sales Company Pvt. Ltd, pursuant to the terms of a share purchase agreement dated 21st March 2017 entered into between ABC, NABI, NSK and the purchaser. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

Dena Bank announced that the board of directors of the bank approved raising of share capital of the bank upto an amount of Rs 800 crore. The capital will be raised by issue of shares to Government of India upto an amount of Rs 600 crore, by issue of shares to LIC of India upto an amount of Rs 180 crore and to GIC of India upto an amount of Rs 20 crore on preferential issue basis. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

Wockhardt announced that abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection USP, 40.5 g/vial, pharmacy bulk package submitted by Wockhardt Bio AG, subsidiary of the company has been approved by US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Wockhardt's ANDA was determined to be therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD) Zosyn for Injection 40.5g/vial, pharmacy bulk package of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Wockhardt Bio AG had filed this ANDA in collaboration with Fresinius Kabi, Italy (FKAI), where the product development was completed. The ANDA will be manufactured commercially at FKAI, Mitim, Italy. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

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Government of Madhya Pradesh will provide counterpart support of $150 million

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a US$ 350 million loan agreement for improving about 1500 kilometers of major district roads in Madhya Pradesh in line with the State's Road Development Plan.

The project would complement the efforts of Government of Madhya Pradesh to bring about seamless road connectivity across the State by linking State Highways and Rural roads through District roads. It would provide an easier access to basic services and markets to people.

The Project will involve upgrading roads with concrete pavements, strengthening culverts and bridges, and maintaining the improved road assets for a period of five years after construction, on a performance based payment format. The Project will also develop and introduce a cashless accident victim treatment facility in the state, and improve the accident response system.

Madhya Pradesh is the second-largest State in the country, with an area of about 308,000 square kilometers and a population of about 73 million. Agriculture still underpins the State's economy and about 70% of the people live in rural areas.

The State has also been undertaking a number of development initiatives to boost industrial activity, such as the Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow Region as a key node on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, as well as many industrial areas and industrial growth centers. Because industrial development and agricultural production are dispersed, the road network is a vital element of the economic infrastructure.

Along with ADB's loan, the Government of Madhya Pradesh will provide counterpart support of $150 million. The project will run for almost four years with an expected completion date of March 2021.

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Mawana Sugars rose 2.7% to Rs 89.50 at 9:30 IST on BSE after the company said its board agreed to enter into one time settlement with Punjab National Bank for resolving debt aspect.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 21 March 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 193.56 points or 0.66% at 29,291.89. The BSE Small-Cap index was down 71.44 points or 0.51% at 13,956.49.

On the BSE, 68,000 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 1.37 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 91.15 and a low of Rs 88.10 so far during the day.

The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 92.70 on 14 March 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 22.70 on 28 March 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 21 March 2017, advancing 16.67% compared with the Sensex's 2.52% rise. The scrip had also outperformed the market over the past one quarter, rising 103.62% as against the Sensex's 12.36% rise.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 39.12 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Mawana Sugars announced that the board of directors of the company, vide resolution dated 21 March 2017, agreed to enter into one time settlement (OTS) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

The purpose of the OTS was for resolution of non performing asset (NPA) debt. The company settled total memoranda dues of Rs 109.46 crore (as per PNB), for a consolidated agreed amount of Rs 79.79 crore, payable over 15 months without interest.

Mawana Sugars reported net profit of Rs 363.02 crore in Q3 December 2016 as against net loss of Rs 9.03 crore in Q3 December 2015. Net sales rose 48.2% to Rs 261.44 crore in Q3 December 2016 over Q3 December 2015.

Mawana Sugars in engaged in the manufacturing of some of the finest sugars in the country.

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Rupa & Company rose 6.98% to Rs 302.80 at 11:46 IST on BSE, with the stock recovering on bargain hunting after recent slide.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 213.80 points or 0.73% at 29,271.65. The BSE Small-cap index was down 65.10 points or 0.46% at 13,962.83.

On the BSE, 98,000 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 63,875 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 304.90 and a low of Rs 281 so far during the day.

The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 351.90 on 17 March 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 244 on 10 January 2017. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 21 March 2017, advancing 5.18% compared with the Sensex's 2.52% rise. The scrip had also outperformed the market over the past one quarter, gaining 13.27% as against the Sensex's 12.36% rise.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 7.95 crore. Face value per share is Rs 1.

Shares of Rupa & Company had declined 16.9% in the preceding two trading sessions to settle at Rs 283.05 yesterday, 21 March 2017, from its close of Rs 340.55 on 17 March 2017.

Rupa & Company had last week announced that Oban Fashions, one of the company's subsidiaries, concluded a deal with the US-based Fruit of the Loom Inc, a unit of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Co., to manufacture and sell products in India under the US company's brands. Fruit of the Loom sells a wide range of underwear and casual wear in the US and Europe.

Rupa & Company's net profit rose 20.7% to Rs 17 crore on 7.5% decline in net sales to Rs 208.57 crore in Q3 December 2016 over Q3 December 2015.

Rupa & Company is a leading undergarments manufacturer and a leading hosiery and knitwear company in India.

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Indian import of cars from Britain has seen nearly 11-fold increase in the past seven years, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Wednesday.

According to its website, SMMT is the voice of the British motor industry representing more than 700 automotive companies in that country.

"In 2016, Indian motorists bought 3,372 British-built cars, up from 309 in 2009. Demand rose 15.8 per cent compared with 2015, lifting India from 10th to eight place in the UK's Asia export markets," SMMT said in a statement on its website.

According to SMMT, the top British best seller models in India are Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar XF. Jaguar XE and Jaguar F-Pace.

On the other hand, Indian-built models accounted for 31,535 new car registrations in Britain in 2016, logging an increase of over 12.6 per cent over 2015 numbers, SMMT said.

Asia is now the third biggest export market for British built cars, after Europe and America, accounting for 13.4 per cent of sales.

"Economic growth has led to increased demand for high-quality luxury vehicles. Key to the British sector's success has been meeting this demand with a shift to premium," said SMMT.

"Ten new car models began production in Britain last year, nine of them from premium brands, helping to make Britain the second biggest producer of premium cars in Europe, after Germany, and the EU's third biggest car producer,a SMMT added.

"Growing prosperity in Asian markets in recent years has seen a surge in demand for premium cars, even despite high import duties in many countries. As a car market, India really understands British brands, and thanks to its engineering excellence and highly skilled workforce, Britain has a rich heritage of producing the highest quality, globally competitive premium vehicles," Tamzen Isacsson, Director of Communications and International, SMMT was quoted as saying in the statement.

According to SMMT, last year, some 14 million pounds worth of British car parts were bought by the Indian automotive aftermarket, and this is set to increase significantly - by around 15 per cent annually over the next five years.

--IANS

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As many as 34 young Indian scientists have been invited for the 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany from June 25 to 30, it was announced on Wednesday.

A total of 400 young scientists from 76 countries have been selected to participate in the meeting, where they will meet Nobel laureates at Lake Constance.

"Of the 34 young Indian scientists, 22 are based at Indian universities or institutes while the other 12 are currently based ... abroad (in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Israel, the UK, and the US)," said a statement from the communications department of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

"Every year, one-to-two members of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings travel to India to assist with the selection of young scientists. Besides India, the only other country that they travel to in order to assist with the selection process is China," the communique said.

In South Asia, five young scientists from Pakistan and one young scientist from Bangladesh have been selected to participate.

The meetings have taken place every year since 1951 and are designed as a forum for exchange, networking and inspiration.

The 2017 meeting is dedicated to Chemistry. So far, 31 Nobel laureates have confirmed their participation.

The young scientists are outstanding undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctorates under the age of 35, conducting research in the field of Chemistry.

They have successfully passed a multi-stage international selection process. 155 scientific institutes, universities, foundations and research-oriented companies contributed to the nominations.

The proportion of women among the selected young scientists is 45 per cent.

Bernard Feringa and Jean-Pierre Sauvage, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016, together with Sir Fraser Stoddart, for the design of molecular machines, will also participate in this year's meeting.

Besides molecular machines, the key topics of the this year's meeting will include big data, climate change and the role of science in a 'post-truth' era.

The selected young scientists may expect a six-day programme with numerous lectures and panel discussions. Some of them will also get the opportunity to discuss their own work at one of the master classes or at the poster session.

--IANS

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At least four people were killed in multiple suicide bomb attacks that rocked a camp of displaced persons and a residential neighbourhood in northeast Nigeria, the police said.

Residents said they heard three loud explosions -- two at the camp and one in the neighbourhood, both close to the Muna motor park in the city of Maiduguri, BBC reported.

Suspected suicide bombers linked to militant Islamist group Boko Haram were said to have carried out the blasts, but there was no confirmation.

--IANS

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An opposition member in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday accused the government of forcing Indians to get Aadhaar Cards, with Congress, Trinamool Congress and Biju Janata Dal members walking out before the Finance Bill was passed.

The opposition also objected to one of the amendments in the bill that makes Aadhaar Card mandatory for filing of income tax returns, but it was eventually passed.

As Finance Minister Arun Jaitley finished his reply to a debate on the Finance Bill, Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said the government is forcing Indian citizens to get Aadhaar Cards by making it mandatory for filing of tax returns.

"You are forcing the citizens," Mahtab said, to which Jaitley said: "Yes, we are."

The minster, justifying the move, said people were using more than one PAN card to evade paying taxes.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Mohammad Salim wondered if an Aadhaar Card cannot be duplicated. "If duplicate PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card can be made, can't a duplicate Aadhaar card be made," Salim asked.

Soon after, Mahtab said his party was not satisfied with the Finance Minister's reply, and the BJD staged a walkout.

Congress leader in the house, Mallikarjun Kharge, then urged the government to announce a loan waiver for farmers across the country.

"The Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Agriculture Minister are all sitting here. As you promised in Uttar Pradesh, waive loans of farmers across the country," Kharge said.

"Jaitley sahib has got so much money -- as you yourself have said. You have got more than Rs two lakh crore; why don't you make the announcement," he said.

The treasury benches, however, remained quiet, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan moved ahead with the process of bill passage, which agitated the opposition members.

The Congress and Trinamool Congress members then walked out, leaving most opposition benches empty as the Finance Bill was passed.

--IANS

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may become the only identity (ID) card in future, while making it mandatory for filing of Income Tax returns is necessary to curb tax evasion and frauds, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday

Replying to the debate on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said that may become the only card in future replacing all other types of identity cards such as Voter ID and PAN.

He said the Aadhaar-based Unique Identity (UID) system had been conceptualised by the previous UPA government.

"Almost every tax paying family has . Now 98 per cent adults have Aadhaar and 108 crore Aadhaars have been issued," Jaitley said.

After two-day debate, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Finance Bill.

The bill was passed through voice vote, with over 40 amendments by the government, one of which will make an Aadhaar card, or enrollment number, mandatory for filing Income Tax returns after July 1.

"Aadhar made mandatory because we have cases of some people have five-five PAN cards. These can be used for tax evasion, that's why Aadhaar has been made compulsory," the Finance Minister told the House.

"Aadhaar has biometric details, so its chances of misuse become minimal," he added.

Referring to the demonetisation drive to check corruption, Jaitley said data mining done by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had showed up 18 lakh cases whose deposits did not match with their income and who were then notified by mail or messages.

"Of these, 8.71 lakh people have responded to queries. The Income Tax Department will act against the rest," he said.

The opposition objected to the amendment that makes Aadhaar Card mandatory for filing of income tax returns.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Mohammad Salim wondered if an Aadhaar Card cannot be duplicated. "If duplicate PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card can be made, can't a duplicate Aadhaar card be made," Salim asked.

Jaitley alswo said the amendment to reduce the ceiling on cash transactions is to curb generation of black money and the move to introduce electoral bonds is for cleansing the political funding.

"To encourage digital economy and to discourage cash economy, I had proposed in Budget that there will be a ban on cash transactions of over Rs 3 lakh. I am making it Rs 2 lakh by an amendment," he said.
A man has been arrested in West Bengal for his alleged role in inciting a mob to attack and vandalise the All Assam Students Union's (AASU) office in Silapathar town of Assam.

Subodh Biswas was arrested by a joint team of the Assam Police and the CID around 4 a.m. on Wednesday from a remote village close to Indo-Bangladesh border in North 24-Paraganas district of West Bengal. He was hiding in the house of a retired teacher, the Assam Police said, adding that one of his accomplices has also been arrested.

The police said they will present him in a local court on Wednesday and then take him to Assam to stand trial.

On March 6, Subodh Biswas, who heads Nikhil Bharat Bengali Udbastu Samannay Samiti (NBBUSS), addressed a rally demanding citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis at Silapathar in Assam's Dhemaji district.

The police said he then incited a mob to attack and vandalise the office of the All Assam Student's Union, which had been opposing the Centre's move to amend the Citizenship Act.

Protests were held in parts of the state since then, demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to Biswas.

The Assam government ordered a probe into the AASU office attack and the state police set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look for Biswas, who went missing immediately after the incident.

--IANS

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New Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and pitched for waiving of loans of the state's farmers.

On his first visit to Delhi after taking charge as Chief Minister on March 16, Amarinder Singh also met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and sought immediate authorisation and release of Rs 20,683 crore cash credit limit (CCL) from the Centre for smooth and timely wheat procurement in Punjab.

"I raised the debt waiver issue with the Prime Minister. It was an extension of the demand we made earlier when we met him as part of a Congress delegation led by party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi," the Chief Minister told reporters after meeting Modi in his office in Parliament complex.

"I said the debt loan waiver should be extended to Punjab farmers along the lines of Uttar Pradesh," Amarinder Singh said.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal is accompanying Amarinder Singh during the visit.

Amarinder Singh told the central minister that a proposal seeking the CCL had already been sent to the Reserve Bank of India by the Punjab government, which hopes to procure over 100 lakh tonnes of wheat during this season (April-May).

Commenting on election strategist Prashant Kishor, the Congress Chief Minister said: "I am very happy with Kishor. He fought well. His team of 1,700 volunteers spread across Punjab villages and he had a team of 100 plus people in Chandigarh. We did well in Punjab," he said.

The Congress bagged 77 of the 117 assembly seats in Punjab in the February 4 elections.

Asked on who could become Punjab Congress President after he became the Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh said: "Let Congress President Sonia Gandhi return from abroad. I will request her to choose someone else since I as Chief Minister cannot handle both the posts."

--IANS

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A Union Cabinet panel on Wednesday approved a policy for extending the licences of oil and gas fields awarded before the 1999 New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) regime, on payment of an additional 10 per cent profit share.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the policy for grant of extension to the Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) signed by the government awarding pre-NELP exploration blocks, to enable and facilitate investment to extract the remaining reserves," a Petroleum Ministry release said here.

The policy, under which contractors will have to pay an additional 10 per cent profit during the extended period of the contract, will enable companies to extract not only the remaining reserves but also plan to extract additional reserves by implementing new technologies, the statement said.

"In certain fields, additional recovery of hydrocarbons can be obtained through Enhanced Oil Recovery/Improved Oil Recovery (EOR/IOR) Projects and as such the production would extend beyond the current duration of PSC," it said.

During the current year, the production from these oil and gas blocks, allotted in pre-NELP regime, is around 55 million barrels of oil and 965 million standard cubic metres of natural gas.

"The recoverable reserve from these blocks is estimated to be more than 426 million barrel of oil equivalent. During the extension period, contractors are expected to make an additional investment of more than $5,430 million," it said.

"Among others, it includes oil and gas blocks in the state of Rajasthan that account for about half of the country's onland production of crude oil," it added.

The Barmer block in Rajastan has private firm Cairn India and state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as its partners, while the companies had been requesting an extension of their PSCs beyond 2020.

"The government's share of Profit Petroleum during the extended period of contract would be 10 per cent higher for these fields, thus bringing additional revenues to the government," the statement said.

The extension of these contracts is expected to bring extra investments in the fields and would generate both direct and indirect employment, it added.

--IANS

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Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Wednesday assured Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that he would direct the RBI to ensure that all arrangements for wheat procurement in the state are in place by March 25.

Jaitley gave the assurance to Amarinder during a luncheon meeting at his residence here.

Amarinder was in New Delhi on Wednesday to seek immediate authorisation and release of Rs 20,683 crore Cash Credit Limit (CCL) from the central government for smooth and timely wheat procurement in the state.

Wheat procurement officially begins from April 1 in Punjab, the Green Revolution state that contributes 50 per cent food grains to the central kitty with just 1.54 per cent of the geographical area.

Amarinder told the central minister that a proposal seeking the CCL had already been sent to the Reserve Bank of India by the Punjab government, which hoped to procure over 100 lakh tonnes of wheat during this season (April-May).

"Jaitley assured the Chief Minister of the Centre's full cooperation in ensuring that the Punjab farmers do not face problems during grain procurement," Punjab CM's Media Adviser Raveen Thukral said.

The Chief Minister had, on Saturday, directed all Deputy Commissioners to monitor the procurement process and ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of crops in around 1,800 grain market across Punjab.

--IANS

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Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said that the Narendra Modi government was not providing funds to the Election Commission (EC) to buy VVPAT machines despite the apex court's orders, raising doubts about its intentions.

Participating in a short discussion in the Rajya Sabha on electoral reforms, Azad said the EC had sent repeated reminders in three years to the government to provide funds to buy voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines, but the government did not pay heed.

"In October 2013, the Supreme Court ordered there should be VVPAT machines along with Electronic Voting Machines. The EC wrote to the Law Ministry to provide Rs 3,100 crore for buying 16 lakh VVPATs. Since 2014, it has sent 10 reminders to the Law Ministry and a few months back sent an SOS to the Prime Minister," the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said.

"But government is not acting despite 12 letters from the EC and Supreme Court's order, raising serious doubts about its intentions," he added.

The Congress leader alleged that the 300-plus seats won by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh was "thanks to EVMs and not voters".

Azad also drew the house's attention to putting a cap on parties' poll expenditure.

"A cap on candidates' expenditure is a welcome step. But there should also be a cap on parties' expenditure. A party can afford to use 70-80 jets and choppers during election campaign, but others cannot afford even one chopper," he said.

"The election expenditure by parties should be audited and tabled in Parliament," he said.

Azad said the "first past the post" system currently in use in India to decide election winners should be reviewed.

--IANS

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The Delhi State Election Commission on Wednesday deferred the municipal elections in the national capital by a day to April 23 as the earlier date clashed with Class 12 exams of the Central Board of Secondary Education.

According to Election Commission's notification, the counting of votes will take place on April 26. Earlier, the counting was scheduled for April 25.

--IANS

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Former Congress leader S.M. Krishna on Wednesday joined the BJP, calling it "very important stop in my onward journey".

The former Karnataka Chief Minister heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying "a great India is emerging under his leadership".

Krishna formally became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party President Amit Shah. He left the Congress earlier, saying he was feeling neglected.

"It has been a great journey and I have landed at very important stop in my onward journey in the nation's service. I am feeling grateful on joining the BJP. Now, a great India is emerging under the Prime Minister's leadership, ably supported by Amit Shah," he told the media here.

Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Krishna said he had been "associated with the great leadership of the BJP" when he was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004.

Krishna was also the Indian External Affairs Minister.

The development could help strengthen BJP election campaign for the Karnataka assembly elections due next year.

The BJP has been struggling to make inroads in south Karnataka, where Krishna is an influential leader among the dominant Vokkaliga community.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah called Krishna "an asset for the country".

"He has played various important roles in his long public life. He served in various capacities, be it MLA, MP or Chief Minister or External Affairs Minister or Governor. His entry (into BJP) will increase our power in Karnataka," Shah said.

Shah said Krishna's decision to join the party was in tune with the country's ongoing transformation and BJP's increasing acceptance across India.

Three Union Ministers from Karnataka - Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda and Ramesh Jigajinagi- - were among those present.

--IANS

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Manipur speaker Y. Khemchand told the assembly on Wednesday that a notice has been received seeking disqualification of T. Shyamkumar, who was elected on a Congress ticket.

Shyamkumar was elected from Andro seat on the Congress ticket in the March assembly elections but he shifted his allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) post-polls.

Khemchand said: "The notice is under process". The speaker was replying to K. Meghachandra of the Congress who raised the issue in the assembly on Wednesday.

Meghachandra said: "Ten MLAs had submitted a notice seeking disqualification of Shyamkumar. Everybody knows that he had defected."

"It must be first in the country for an MLA who was elected on a party's ticket thus became a minister of another party. There has been no response from the speaker," he said.

Reacting to news reports on his defection, Shyamkumar had said though he was elected on the Congress ticket, he had resigned. However he did not elaborate.

Meghachandra said: "Though people know that he had crossed the floor, the details are not known as yet."

The support of Shyamkumar was crucial since the BJP, which had secured 21 seats in the 60-member assembly managed to claim the support of 32 MLAs. The strength of the Congress, the single largest party, was whittled from 28 to 27.

T.N. Haokip, Manipur Congress President, told IANS that Shyamkumar joining the BJP to become a minister was without the knowledge and approval of the party.

"He has been expelled for six years," Haokip added.

--IANS

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Goa Police has been told to crack down on drugs and late night parties where drugs are sold, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday.

Parrikar added that there would be no tolerance to crime against women.

"I have given clear instruction vis-a-vis law and order to the police that number one drugs, number two no late parties where drugs are (sold)," he said, a day after meeting top police officials in the state.

"About crimes against women, no tolerance in that matter."

The Chief Minister also said that he was concerned about encroachments on National Highways.

Barring old women selling vegetables or something like that, in case they do not obstruct traffic, no one would be allowed to encroach on highways, he said.

Parrikar took over as Chief Minister of the coastal state last week.

--IANS

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The Assamese translation of "My Land and My People", the autobiography of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, will be released here next month.

The spiritual leader will himself release the book, which is titled "Mor Desh aru Mor Manuh" in Assamese on April 2 at IIT Guwahati here.

It is the first Assamese version of any book written by the Tibetan spiritual leader, and is being published by Lawyer's Book Stall, which is celebrating its 75th year of inception.

Bhaskar Dutta Baruah of Lawyer's Book Stall said that the publishing house is also looking at "bring out some other notable works of the Dalai Lama in Assamese" one by one.

The book was first published in 1962 and later it was translated into various other languages. The Assamese translation has been done by Indrani Laskar.

--IANS

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The ruling AAP on Wednesday accused the Delhi State Election Commission of acting as a subordinate of its political masters by ordering removal/covering of "Aam" word displayed in Delhi government's schemes.

Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey, in a memorandum to the commission, said that the party members were shocked over the directions to remove the word from various schemes, including Mohalla Clinics and public transport buses.

"What shocks us the most is the fact that a constitutional body is acting as a subordinate of its political masters and taking orders from them," Pandey said in the memorandum.

"We urge the commission to immediately correct this mistake," Pandey said.

He said that Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic concept is a revolution in the field of public healthcare and the model was being appreciated worldwide.

"We are pained to note that commission officers have trampled over the Constitution by following the diktats of political leaders," the AAP leader said.

He said the commission did not even care to follow due procedure and issue notices to the state government and the AAP and allow them a hearing.

He wondered whether the State Election Commission will ask the Chief Secretary to cover "Bharatiya" and "Janata" words, wherever they appear on government buildings, installations and billboards, as the two words figure in the name of the Bhartiya Janata Party.

"Will the commission cover words "Indian" and "National" from all government buildings, installations and billboards because they also figure in the name of Indian National Congress?" Pandey asked.

The State Election Commission on Tuesday directed the AAP government to remove "Aam" word from all displays vis-a-vis its schemes as demanded by BJP legislator Vijender Gupta.

The commission also demanded a "compliance report" within 48 hours.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Despite a strong rap by the Bombay High Court, around 3,000 resident doctors in government hospitals in Maharashtra continued their mass casual leave agitation for the third day on Wednesday.

Health care services for the poor were hit significantly across the state as the medicos' agitation threatened to escalate with other government doctors expressing support and the state hitting back by serving show-cause notices to the resident doctors, officials of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said.

In a stern warning, Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan said if the resident doctors failed to resume duties by Wednesday evening, they could face disciplinary action.

Boosting the agitating doctors' cause, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday expressed support to the resident doctors' demand for implementation of the Violence Against Doctors Act, 2010, and adequate security provisions for them as per the high court directives.

IMA President Sagar Mundada said its 45,000 member-doctors in Maharashtra and over 200,000 in India also oppose any punitive action against the agitating resident medicos.

Late on Tuesday evening, MARD office-bearers said the association members would resume duties later Tuesday night or by Wednesday morning after the Bombay High Court rapped them for the continuing mass casual leave agitation.

But MARD office-barers' expectations were belied as the resident doctors continued their agitation for the third day.

Hearing a PIL on Tuesday, Bombay High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni made strong observations on the resident doctors and asked them to join duties, failing which the government was free to take action against them.

"We have always obeyed the court orders and are appealing to all the resident doctors to report back for duties as soon as possible," a MARD spokesperson told IANS after the court observations.

The MARD agitation to protest frequent attacks on resident doctors by relatives of aggrieved patients, resulted in major disruptions in health-care at government hospitals, hundreds of scheduled surgeries were postponed and winding queues of poor patients witnessed outside the hospitals.

MARD President Yashowardhan Kabra said the sudden spate of attacks on medicos has left them shattered and "it is difficult to work under such life-threatening conditions".

In Mumbai, the government hospitals hit were KEM, Sion LTMG, Nair and Sir JJ Group, where a large number of resident doctors work.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four makeshift meat shops were set afire on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras area by anti-social elements, the town's residents said.

Earlier in the morning, three shops were set afire in the Uttar Pradesh town. The shopowners, Raees and Muhammad Sindhi said they came to know about the burning down of their shops by miscreants near Kashiram Colony around 3 a.m.

The shopkeepers said their losses totalled around Rs 75,000.

"An FIR has been lodged against unknown miscreants. We are investigating the matter," a police official said.

Informed sources said within 24 hours, a makeshift shop situated in Laadpur village was set ablaze late Wednesday evening.

The shopkeeper concerned claimed losses, but police said the "illegal" makeshift shop was empty and had nothing inside.

"We cant's comment as to who has done this but there were no losses for the owner... it is a small incident and the cause of the fire is not clear," a police official told IANS.

Hathras District Magistrate Avinash Krishna Singh said the crime was a "small incident".

Asked if there was a communal angle, the officer said it was yet to be ascertained.

A number of meat shops and slaughterhouses, mostly illegal, have been either attacked or forced to shut down by vigilantes or by the district administration at various places in the state after the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Wednesday accused the government of "running away" from discussion on important matters in the Rajya Sabha and urged the Chair to arrange discussion on Aadhaar identity card, which the government wants to use for various purposes.

The issue was raised by Congress member Jairam Ramesh, who said he was informed that discussion on Aadhaar would not be possible on Wednesday as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was not well.

"The Minister is here. Discussion can be held," he said, pointing towards Jaitley.

Ramesh raised the issue on Tuesday also, saying that the Minister was present in the house and he was told that Jaitley was not well.

"He looks hale and hearty. Will he be unwell tomorrow (Wednesday)," the Congress leader asked.

Other Congress members also supported Ramesh and said the issue should be debated.

Digvijay Singh, who has been demanding a discussion on the conduct of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha in not inviting the single largest party, the Congress, to form the new state government post-assembly polls earlier this month, once again raised the issue.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien once again pacified him, saying the issue was being examined and he would soon be informed about it.

Singh has submitted a substantive motion on the issue and has been demanding a discussion for almost a week now.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.

The President greeted the government and people of Pakistan on the occasion of their National Day (March 23).

In a message to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain, Mukherjee said: "On behalf of the government and people of India and on my own behalf, I extend greetings to you and to the friendly people of Pakistan.

"India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Quality of customer service is more important to Indian consumers than the value of a product, a study by American Express said on Wednesday.

"The quality of service is very important for 84 per cent Indian consumers when they decide to become a customer than value-for-money product," revealed the American Express Global Customer Service Barometer.

Leading marketing analytics specialist Ebiquity conducted the online survey for the US-based financial services behemoth in Britain, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and the US, interviewing about 1,000 respondents in each country between December and January.

Noting that 86 per cent of Indians were willing to spend more on a company providing excellent customer service, the study said businesses were rewarded for quality service with a positive word compared with counterparts in other markets.

"After India, customer experience is valued by 72 per cent in Singapore, 70 per cent in the US, 59 per cent in Britain and 33 per cent in Japan," said the finding.

Similarly, 59 per cent of Indian consumers value positive experience from a quality customer service as against 43 per cent each in Mexico and the US, 38 per cent in Canada and 19 per cent in Hong Kong.

"Though companies stress on product value, importance to customer service is essential for competitive advantage. Putting customers' needs first to deliver quality service makes business sense," said Pradeep Kapur, Vice-President of American Express Global Servicing Network in Japan and Asia-Pacific.

Indians are also ahead of their counterparts in the other eight countries in sharing customer service experience on the social media.

"Indian consumers (73 per cent) post more positive customer service experience on social media than negative experiences (47 per cent)," said the survey.

Similarly, 64 per cent Indians surveyed used the social channel to avail of customer care services as against 59 per cent in Mexico, 47 per cent in Hong Kong, 35 per cent in the US and 19 per cent in Japan.

"Nearly 63 per cent of the Indians chose not to transact or purchase owing to poor customer service," pointed out the study.

Observing that happy customers were likely to be brand ambassadors to influence others, Kapur said customer care was a competitive differentiator.

"Excellent service experience can be a game changer for companies when consumers spread about it by word of mouth," asserted Kapur.

For a customer care professional, efficiency (36 per cent) and consultative approach to providing resolution (19 per cent) emerged as an attribute during the survey.

"At the same time, what irks consumers most in negative service interactions is the time taken to resolve their query (49 per cent) and the inability of the representative to answer their questions (32 per cent)," found the survey.

Indians also appreciate when a service professional suggests an additional service or upgrade (76 per cent) based on their needs or history of the company.

"An important aspect of a good customer experience is the understanding of their needs and advising them on available solutions," Kapur said.

In choosing the medium for feedback, 30 per cent of Indian consumers are open to using messaging tools such as live chat and SMS than their counterparts in Hong Kong and Italy (26 per cent each) and Mexico (25 per cent).

"Indians (39 per cent) are more open to using self-service tools like apps, kiosks and voice assisted than other markets despite a preference to speak with a real person (44 per cent).

"In an automated voice system, the biggest frustration which might cause Indians to hang up or opt out is atoo many steps or questions' (59 per cent)," added the study.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 23-year-old jilted lover has been arrested here for throwing acid at a girl, police said on Wednesday.

Police said the incident took place when the victim, 20, was standing outside her residence in Sangam Vihar in south Delhi.

The accused, identified as Ravi, is also a resident of Sangam Vihar. The victim, who sustained burn injuries following the attack, was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

"Ravi later surrendered at the Sangam Vihar police station," Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Banniya said.

"Ravi confessed that he threw diluted acid on the girl. He told police that he was suspecting her of talking with some other boy," Banniya said.

The victim's marriage was fixed and she was avoiding Ravi for the last few days which prompted Ravi to attack her, police said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The three-day mass Casual Leave by resident doctors in Maharashtra's government hospital escalated with 40,000 medicos of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) joining their protest on Wednesday.

The state government meanwhile served an ultimatum till 8 pm of Wednesday asking doctors to resume duties failing which they could face a six-month pay cut.

"We have given them the final ultimatum," Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan told the media.

Individual hospitals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra also initiated their own action of slapping show-cause or suspension notices on the agitating medicos.

According to a spokesperson for the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), suspension notices were served on 370 resident doctors in Nagpur and 114 in Solapur.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) served notices to around 500 doctors asking them to resume work as per the Bombay High Court directive immediately or face acton.

IMA President Ashok Tamble said that from Wednesday, all the 40,000 member doctors would strike work in government hospitals across the state, but only essential or emergency medical services shall be maintained.

Boosting the agitating doctors' cause, the IMA extended support to the medicos' demand for implementation of the Violence Against Doctors Act, 2010 and adequate provisions for their security as per court directives.

Expressing support to MARD from New Delhi, the AIIMS Resident Doctors Association said that instead of providing security to the medicos, the government was threatening to cut salaries and evict them from hostels.

"We resident doctors of AIIMS are forced to work with helmets in Emergency as we don't want to lose our vision and life as well as our hard-earned degrees," the Association said in a statement.

He said there was no discussion on compensation for the doctors who were beaten.

Despite a strong rap by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, MARD made it clear that the agitation would continue till the government ensured security in hospitals against violence by patients' relatives.

IMA Youth President Sagar Mundada said its 45,000 member-doctors in Maharashtra and over 200,000 in India also oppose any punitive action against the agitating resident medicos.

Bombay High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice GS Kulkarni made strong observations on the doctors and asked them to join duties, failing which the government was free to act against them.

The MARD agitation against frequent attacks on resident doctors by relatives of patients led to major disruptions in government hospitals. Hundreds of scheduled surgeries were postponed and snaky queues of poor patients were seen outside the hospitals.

In Mumbai, the government hospitals hit were KEM, Sion LTMG, Nair and Sir JJ Group.
A mentally disturbed person was arrested for allegedly stealing lingerie from the Maharani Women's College hostel in the city and wearing them, said police on Wednesday.

"Abu Tallem, 33, was arrested for entering the Maharani Women's College hostel in nude, stealing inmates' lingerie and wearing them," Bengaluru Central Deputy Commissioner of Police Chandra Gupta told reporters here.

The accused, working in the Bangalore Turf Club as a caretaker of horses, was captured indulging in the obscene act on the hostel's terrace by a closed-circuit television camera installed on the college campus.

"Though we came to know that Taleem was suffering from a mental disorder for a long time, we will subject him to a medical test for deciding his custody," said Gupta.

The hostel warden lodged a complaint against the accused with the video footage in the High Grounds Police Station on Tuesday.

According to the complaint, an unidentified person was seen entering the hostel premises after midnight, stealing the lingerie of inmates hung on clothesline for drying and walking out after wearing some of them.

"We zeroed in on Taleem after quizzing about 100 suspects with the help of the video footage," said Police Inspector Lakshmikanth.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Taleem came to Bengaluru from Kishanganj district in Bihar over a decade ago in search of a job.

"Taleem has a peculiar habit of wearing women's lingerie for smelling. He would discard them after a few days. He confessed to us that he was fond of women's lingerie and developed intimacy with many transgender in the city," added Gupta.

On days when Taleem did not find other women's innerwear, he would wear his wife's lingerie beneath his shirt and trousers while dressing up for duty.

"This is a mental disorder wherein a person has a fetish for women's lingerie," said Columbia Asia Hospital's psychiatrist Meena Gynashekaran.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Benefits from the merger of five associate of the State Bank of India (SBI) into itself, which will come into effect from April 1, will accrue only from the third quarter of 2017-18 as the initial two-quarters may see some increase in costs, the country's largest lender has said.

"We should start seeing the benefits of the merger after the end of the second quarter," Managing Director Dinesh Kumar Khara said.

"There will be some increase in costs of because of the merger as we will relocate people. What I expect is that costs may go up temporarily. But costs will not be the real representative in Q1, where it will merely be the aggregation or consolidated balance sheet," he said.

Khara said the costs are likely to show up in the second quarter as rationalises the regional offices of the associate .

"But once we start leveraging productivity gains, costs are likely to go down. Maybe over the period we will start seeing the rationalisation effect," he said.

SBI is India's largest bank with assets of Rs 30.72 lakh crore and figures at No. 64 in the global ranking of (as of December 2015; December 2016 ranking is still awaited). Post-merger, with assets of over Rs 40 lakh crore, it will be among the top 50 banks in the world. SBI Chief Economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh said that, post-merger, the bank will be at No. 45.

With a 450 million customers, the merged entity is likely to have deposits worth Rs 25 lakh crore and advances worth Rs 19 lakh crore, according to December 2016 figures.

"SBI will be in top 50 banks of the world with a corpus around Rs 44 lakh crore, deposit and advances put together. When we go and raise funds overseas, it will help us raise resources at a lower cost. Because SBI will be in the top 50 global banks, it can translate into funds for SBI," Khara said.

The bank's market share will shoot up to 23 per cent from the current 17 per cent.

The combined employee strength of SBI after the merger will be 270,000, including 70,000 employees of the five associate banks.

SBI will own a total 58,000 ATMs and 24,000 branches, which it intends to keep at the same number.

"We will have to relocate some ATMs. The number of branches and ATMs will remain same. We intend to relocate them," Khara said.

Along with a huge corpus, the merger will also bring a quarter of all outstanding loans in the banking sector to SBI.

The combined gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of SBI and its five associate banks, in December, stood at 8.70 per cent of the total assets while the net NPAs were at 5.33 per cent.

"As far as the corporate books of associate banks are concerned, we started converging the NPA books of corporates from the September quarter, so I don't envisage any surprises on that," he said.

To deal with the NPAs, Khara said that the idea of a 'bad bank' could be considered, if it is seen not only as a repository of bad assets but with the intention to turnaround these assets.

"The ecosystem is in the process of being created. There are some insolvency professionals coming in. It will be some time before the ecosystem gets created and starts delivering. That kind of vehicle to identify assets that can be turned around is needed," he said.

Khara also added that in 2017-18, the bank is also looking at floating an IPO of its SBI Life insurance subsidiary to raise funds and divest stake.

"We are evaluating an IPO for SBI Life in 2017-18. We plan to do it. It depends on market conditions. It is to raise funds and also divest stake," he said.

SBI has 70 per cent stake in SBI Life. It needs to maintain at least 51 per cent stake in the subsidiary.
US rating agency Moody's on Wednesday maintained the Adani Group-run Abbot Point Terminal Ltd's Ba2 bank credit facility rating, saying its outlook is negative.

"Moody's Investors Service has on Wednesday affirmed Adani Abbot Point Terminal Pty Ltd's (AAPT) Ba2 senior secured and senior secured bank credit facility ratings. The outlook remains negative," the American agency said in a report here.

Ba2, a long-term rating, is judged to have speculative elements and a significant credit risk.

AAPT is part of an obligor group that has economic ownership of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal in North Queensland under a 99-year lease with state-owned lessor North Queensland Bulk Port Authority.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd is the ultimate holding company of the AAPT obligor group.

Moody's said the Ba2 ratings also reflect AAPT's indirect exposure to coal commodity risk, "although such risk has reduced over the past several months, with mining counterparties experiencing better cash margins, owing mainly to more favourable coal prices compared to a year ago".

"The Ba2 ratings are supported by the take-or-pay contractual arrangements with AAPT's coal mining counterparties, with the contracts providing for the socialisation of lost revenue in the event of counterparty default or contract termination," Moody's Senior Vice President Arnon Musiker said.

According to the agency, such a provision represents an important source of financial flexibility, given AAPT's high financial leverage.

"The negative outlook primarily reflects the challenging nature of the debt refinancing task facing the company over the next 12 to 18 months, with around Australian Dollar (AUD) 977 million of debt -- representing around 70 per cent of total debt -- maturing in November 2018," Musiker added.

Moody's negative outlook also considers a degree of uncertainty associated with the outcome of tariff renegotiations with AAPT's customer counterparties, "a process that is ongoing and that could take several months to conclude".

"Moody's understands that AAPT has plans to reduce the refinancing task, including applying the proceeds -- from a partial novation and termination of its user agreement with a subsidiary of Rio Tinto -- towards debt reduction."

The agency, however, feels the amount of debt to be refinanced will remain challenging, and further progress in establishing and executing a reliable refinancing plan will provide support for the ratings.

"Challenges related to refinancing, the uncertainty surrounding tariff renegotiations, and the recontracting of the volumes of Glencore's subsidiaries remain key issues over the near term," the report said.

"The ratings could be downgraded if Moody's expects that AAPT's funds from operations (FFO)/debt will fall below 7 per cent on a consistent basis," it said.

"A downgrade is also likely if Moody's believes that (i) the company is experiencing difficulty in arranging refinancing, (ii) there is an increased risk of a covenant breach under the senior secured documents, and/or (iii) the company is not continuing its track record of compliance with environmental regulations," it added.

Abbot Point Coal Terminal is situated 25 km north of Bowen in Queensland and is the northern most coal terminal in Australia. It forms part of the Adani Group's $22 billion Carmichael coal mine and port-cum-railhead project in Queensland that is being opposed by some people.

The project, which has received all federal and Queensland government approvals, has been opposed by prominent Australians, who recently urged group Chairman Gautam Adani to abandon the project, citing public opposition, risks to miners' health, climate change and potential impact on the fragile Great Barrier Reef.

The project involves dredging 1.1 million cubic metres of soil near the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which will then be disposed of on land.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madhya Pradesh government has proscribed a book -- which allegedly describes a tribe as killers of cows -- and blacklisted its author, a minister said on Wednesday.

The book 'Bharat ka Bhugol' (Geography of India) is prescribed for postgraduation course and allegedly describes Gond tribals of Madhya Pradesh as killers of cows and consumers of cow meat.

Talking to the media after the issue rocked the assembly, Higher Education Minister Jaibhan Singh Powaiya said the book has been published by a private publisher and not the government.

He said its author Harish Khatri has been blacklisted.

Earlier, in the assembly, Congress members created a ruckus on the issue. The house was thereafter adjourned to Thursday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Election Commission on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court it cannot allot a common symbol to an unrecognized party.

The poll panel was hearing of plea of the Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India, which challenged the Delhi Election Commission's denial of a common symbol to its candidates for the upcoming civic polls.

The Delhi Election Commission official told the High Court that it had no power to allot a common symbol to a registered but unrecognized party.

For a common symbol, the party has to get 6 per cent votes or have at least two MLAs, the official said.

Swaraj India told a division bench headed by Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed that if the party does not get a common symbol, then its candidate would be treated as independents.

The court will continue hearing on Thursday.

Swaraj India is set to contest the April 22 municipal polls in Delhi.

Its lawyer Ahas told the court that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, the Election Commission allows newly registered political parties to have a common symbol for all candidates in the first election.

Swaraj India has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi for the denial of common symbol.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China has expressed serious concern and called for restraint amid tensions in the region following a fresh missile test by North Korea on Wednesday.

The South Korean Defence Ministry said in a statement that Pyongyang's latest missile reportedly exploded after being launched from near Kalma airport in Wonsan city, reports Efe news.

"Any unilateral actions for selfish interest will only complicate the situation and will not help achieve their own security," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Hua declined to say if the missile test was meant by the Kim Jong-un regime as a threat to the US and China in view of their unified stance against the Pyongyang weapons programme.

Hua advocated China's proposal to suspend the US-South Korea joint military manoeuvres in exchange for North Korea halting its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Hua said the proposal deserves serious consideration, adding it was the only way to break the current deadlock in the Korean peninsula.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
State-owned ONGC has more than doubled its gas production in five years in Tripura brightening prospects of setting up of more gas based projects, officials said here on Wednesday.

"ONGC has more than doubled its production from 6,450 lakh cubic metres of gas in 2012-13 to 13,820 lakh cubic metres in 2016-17," a spokesman of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) said.

The company is presently supplying gas at a rate of 45 lakh cubic metres per day to various power projects, to run vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG) and supply piped natural gas (PNG) to households for cooking purposes and crematorium.

The spokesman said that as part of enhancing drilling activities, the rig fleet has been increased from three rigs in 2015-16 to seven rigs in 2016-17, with one more rig under tendering stage.

"With the addition of these rigs, the number of wells drilled in the state has gone up from 10-12 wells in 2015-16 to 15 wells in 2016-17. It plans to drill 22 wells per year in the next three years."

ONGC Tripura Asset is also augmenting its gas processing capacity from 49.5 lakh cubic metres per day in 2015-16 to 57.5 lakh cubic metres per day in 2016-17 by setting up of a GCS (Gas Collection Station) at Sonamura in western Tripura.

"To further boost the gas processing capacities two more big GCS would be set up in Gojalia (in southern Tripura) and Agartala Dome in western Tripura by April 2019," the official said.

The spokesman said the exploration activities in the entire northeastern India are being monitored by Assam and Assam-Arakkan Basin operating from Jorhat in eastern Assam.

"Four forward base offices located at Nazira, Jorhat and Cachar - Silchar (all in Assam) and Agartala also monitored the exploration activities in the region. The Assam and Assam-Arakkan basin comprises of two geological structures of Assam Shelf," she added.

The official said that as part of its continuous efforts to enhance gas production in the state and to supply all the consumers on sustainable basis, ONGC Tripura Asset has taken lot of initiatives for augmenting its resources and expanding its operational activities across Tripura.

ONGC, which has been operational in Tripura since 1972, has so far drilled about 212 wells in Tripura more than half of which are gas-bearing.

The company has also earlier commissioned its first commercial power project in India, located in southern Tripura and run by ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC), a new company formed by ONGC, Tripura government and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS).

The 726 MW capacity gas-based combined cycle power project (using both water and natural gas), located at Palatana, 60 km from Tripura capital here, has been supplying electricity to the seven northeastern states.

ONGC has also planned to set up a Rs 5,000 crore fertiliser plant in northern Tripura in association with the state government and Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd, a Rajasthan based private company.

"Electricity is being supplied to seven of the eight northeastern states from the Palatana power project. Also 100 MW of power is being supplied to Bangladesh since March 23 2016," another ONGC official said.

"The generation capacity of the OTPC power project is likely to be increased to 1,090 MW from the existing 726 MW in near future. Works are going in this direction," a top OTPC engineer told IANS on condition of anonymity.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it is in the process of procuring five full-body truck scanners for deployment at border check posts, including Attari in Punjab, along the India-Pakistan border.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said these scanners will be used also at Uri-Salamabad and Poonch - Chakan-da-bagh check posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Raxaul on the India-Nepal border, and Petrapole on the India-Bangladesh border.

"The government has issued a global tender enquiry for procuring these scanners. It is also obtaining clearances from the respective state governments and other nodal agencies," the Minister said.

He said more details cannot be revealed in view of national security and commercial issues involved.

Informed sources said the procurement process began in 2009, and that the Defence Ministry was initially made the nodal agency. In 2014, the Home Ministry was made the nodal agency.

Jammu and Kashmir Police on March 1 seized a truck returning from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and seized ammunition from it at the Uri check post.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Business / Economy

by Staff reporter

THE Government has launched the "Invest in Zimbabwe Handbook 2017", which provides information to guide potential investors in different economic sectors.The handbook becomes a major investment and promotion tool for investors aimed at boosting local and foreign direct investment.The Minister of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Dr Obert Mpofu, said the handbook would provide up to date and accurate information about the investment environment in Zimbabwe."We have launched the Invest in Zimbabwe Handbook, which is a dictionary of investment in Zimbabwe as it provides investment information to guide potential investors in different economic sectors. The handbook was launched yesterday (Monday) and so far there has been positive euphoria and I think this explains the handbook was long overdue," he said.Dr Mpofu said the handbook was being dispatched to all the country's embassies across the globe for easy accessibility to potential investors."We have also dispatched the handbook even to foreign embassies that have asked for it. There has been overwhelming response from different stakeholders asking for that handbook. For example, the Speaker of Parliament has requested 400 copies and about 3 000 enquiries have been made," he said, adding that the handbook would go a long way in pursuing the aggressive marketing of investment opportunities in the country.It is hoped that the investment handbook, which comprises seven sections detailing investment and policy measures such as Special Economic Zones, will simplify the task of explaining to investors opportunities available in the country.Dr Mpofu said his ministry was also planning to host a high profile investment conference later this year as part of efforts to aggressively market investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.He said the Government, through his ministry, would this year embark on an aggressive programme to market the country's vast investment opportunities to achieve an investment level of 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The Ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion targets to uplift Zimbabwe's investment inflows to competitive levels with regional countries.
Jet Airways on Wednesday said the appointment of Ranjan Mathai as the independent director of the company has been cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

"This is to inform that the MoCA has vide its letter dated 21 March 2017 granted security clearance for the appointment of Ranjan Mathai as Director," the airline major said in a BSE filing.

"Accordingly, Mathai's appointment as an Independent Director of the company takes effect from 21 March 2017."

Ranjan Mathai is a former Indian Foreign Secretary and Indian High Commissioner to Britain.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Joining the 'go digital' bandwagon, South Korean giant Samsung on Wednesday launched Samsung Pay, the company's flagship mobile payments service, in India.

Apart from allowing users to simply tap and 'pay on the go' using their registered cards, Samsung Pay has integrated digital wallet Paytm as well as the government's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment system into its app.

"Samsung Pay is an example of how we continue to push the boundaries of innovations to make life simpler and better for consumers. I am confident Samsung Pay will redefine digital payments and contribute to Digital India," HC Hong, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, told reporters here.

The integration of Samsung Pay with local payments solutions is in line with Samsung's 'Make for India' commitment.

Payments through Samsung Pay can be accepted at all places where a physical card will work.

To launch Samsung Pay, a user will just have to swipe up on a compatible phone, select the card, authenticate using a fingerprint or PIN and bring the phone close to the point of sale (PoS) terminal.

Samsung Pay works with Samsung's patented Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology as well as with Near Field Communication (NFC).

With its launch in India, Samsung Pay is now available in 12 global markets, including South Korea, the US, China, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Samsung Pay partners include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Cards, Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank and payment gateways, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

"As our society becomes increasingly reliant on mobile devices in their everyday lives, it is crucial for us to partner like-minded organisations who share the same goal of delivering seamless payment experiences to consumers, merchants and others in the payments ecosystem.," said Porush Singh, Country Corporate Officer, India, and Division President, South Asia, Mastercard.

"Today's announcement brings us a step forward in the Indian government's cashless payments roadmap. We're excited to partner an industry leader such as Samsung to provide a digital payment experience that is both simple and secure for cardholders in India," Singh said.

"With Samsung Pay, we give our consumers the smartest way to make digital transactions by far," added Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Business, Samsung India.

Samsung Pay will also be available on the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch shortly, allowing users to pay with just the movement of their hand.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CBI has arrested two senior State Bank of India (SBI) officials for misappropriating funds of around Rs 12.40 lakh by violating the RBI guidelines imposed during demonetisation, an official said on Wednesday.

Senior Special Assistant M. Sultan Mohiuddin and Deputy Manager (Operations) I.J. Raja Sekhar, employed at SBI's Buchireddypalem branch in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district, were held during a raid conducted at their official and residential premises on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation also recovered several incriminating documents.

A CBI official said the bank officials were booked for criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

"It was alleged that the officials entered into a criminal conspiracy with some private persons between November 15 and 25 when demonetisation was in force and restrictions on distribution of currency notes were in place," said the official.

He said Mohiuddin had allegedly availed four gold loans of Rs 9.70 lakh on "benami" names. These were sanctioned by Sekhar.

"The SBI officials also sanctioned three more gold loans to other persons to the tune of Rs 2.70 lakh and made the loan disbursements in cash in new currency exceeding the limits laid down by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) due to demonetisation.

"Subsequently, two benami gold loans were closed on November 21, 2016 and November 25, 2016 by depositing demonetised currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500. Thus, the accused abused their official position and misappropriated funds to the tune of Rs 12.40 lakh," the CBI officer said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The idea of simultaneous general and state assembly elections being fervently pushed by the government is a "backdoor method" of intiducing presidential form of government in India, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

"If you (government) want simultaneous elections, are you ready to remove Article 356 of the Constitution?" the Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary asked the government during a discussion on electoral reforms.

Article 356 gives the Union government power to dismiss a state government or dissolve a state assembly or keep it under suspended animation in the event of failure of the constitutional machinery in that state.

The power has been used quite frequently by central governments, beginning with independent India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who in July 1959 dismissed the E.M.S. Namboodiripad government in Kerala.

"Unless you remove Article 356, you can't have simultaneous elections," Yechury said, wondering what would be the course of action if a coalition partner withdraws support and the government is reduced to a minority.

"It is a surreptitious manner in which our parliamentary democracy is sought to be substituted by the presidential form of government. This is unacceptable because for a country as diverse as India, we can't have a presidential form of government," he said.

The communist leader also advocated putting a cap on the expenditure of political parties and mandatory use of voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines with electronic voting machines.

"The Supreme Court has ordered, and the Election Commission is ready. Why are we not doing it (paper trail of votes)?" he asked.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left on Wednesday on an official visit to Russia, the President's office said.

President Sirisena is the first Sri Lankan leader to visit Russia since 1974, when then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow, Xinhua news agency reported.

The visit takes place as both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the Foreign Ministry said earlier.

During the visit, President Sirisena is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

The official discussions are expected to review progress made in the longstanding bilateral relationship, including the way forward to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Several bilateral agreements in the areas of fisheries, tourism, cultural and education cooperation, including cooperation in the science and technology sector, are scheduled to be signed.

In order to actively promote trade and business linkages between the two countries, a Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum will be held in Moscow, and Sri Lanka will be represented by a delegation of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and five other cabinet ministers are accompanying the President on the trip.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Airport Security Force (ASF) on Wednesday foiled a suspected terror bid at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore by confiscating a cache of weapons and ammunition, a media report said.

A vehicle was stopped and searched by the ASF personnel at the airport checkpost on Wednesday morning, and during a routine inspection a weapon and a large cache of ammunition was found in the vehicle, an ASF officials told Dawn News.

The ASF confiscated a .223 bore rifle, seven magazines, and dozens of bullets from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as a resident of Lahore and was handed over to the police, along with the car.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Wednesday taunted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for greeting people on "Bihar Diwas" without either according special category status or providing any special package to the state.

"It is a good thing that Modi has extended his greetings to the people of Bihar, but he failed to grant special category status or special package promised by him.

"Three years have passed (since PM made the promise), but nothing has happened so far, except 'jumlas' (hollow words)," Tejaswi, the younger son of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said.

Tejaswi, 27, said the people of Bihar had been betrayed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government.

"BJP and its allies won 31 of 40 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 general elections in Bihar, but Modi-led government did nothing special for the state," he said.

Tejaswi also recalled that the Rs 1.25 lakh-crore bounty announced by Modi during a poll campaign for the October 2015 assembly elections was still awaited.

Modi on Wednesday greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day.

Bihar Diwas is celebrated every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. The state was carved out of West Bengal in 1912 and declared a separate state by the then colonial British government.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In today's digital world, where phones and sharing platforms have revolutionised the speed at which we transform the present into the past, we must ask whether photography has, in fact, become a memory.

As the digital replaces the physical, are our memories under threat of disappearing? Has memory been outsourced? From the public to the personal, the scientific to the emotional, the collective to the individual, artists to historians?

The Focus Photography Festival here invites artists to engage with this question.

For it's third edition, which will be on till March 23 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), the festival explores the theme "Memory".

It questions how photography and memory have always shared an irreducible bond. It will bring to its viewers, the best of Indian and international frames through a series of curated exhibitions.

The festival presents an ambitious 14-day-programme with over 25 exhibitions and 50 events across the city, which include major travelling photography exhibitions, shown in India for the first time, and collaborations with international photography festivals.

"Memory" being this year's theme, the shows explore many interpretations of the bond between remembrance and image, ranging "from the public to the personal, the scientific to the emotional, the collective to the individual and artists to historians".

"There is so much to look forward to at Focus. I would recommend checking out our extensive events programme here. There is something for everyone, regardless of if you're a seasoned art lover, or just have a passing interest," Festival Director Elise Foster Vander Elst told IANS.

"Throughout the two weeks visitors will have the opportunity to hear leading artists speak, have free mentor sessions with senior photographers, attended guided tours and enjoy free workshops," Elst said.

Exciting exhibitions in unusual spaces are also a key part of the festival.

"People must attend the fascinating exhibition curated by Alisha Sett at Ferreira House, which has been culled from culled from images of The Rescued Film Project, an archive of forgotten and lost pictures trapped in rolls of film until now," said Elst.

"Meanwhile, at Studio Sonam, a warehouse in Lower Parel, catch an important transnational project and exhibition that explores female identity and representation - Photographing the Female," she added.

An extensive series of free outreach events will complement existing programming, including talks, workshops, mentor sessions, screenings and walk-throughs. Opportunities for thoughtful dialogue and exchange, professional development for young photographers and an education platform for children.

"These exhibitions are not to be missed! Saunter around Rampart Row in Kala Ghoda, or head to The Amateur Gallery and Underground Bookshouse to check out Feeling of Memory exhibition," Elst said.

Alongside exhibitions in Mumbai's leading galleries and museums, the festival brings photography outside traditional spaces, to reach bigger and more diverse audiences, and into an eclectic range of venues from stores and cafes to the streets of Mumbai.

International highlights include Masterji, Maganbhai Patel the Indian premiere of a renowned touring exhibition first shown in UK in November 2016.

Also on display for the first time in India will be works by William Gedney (1932 - 1989) as part of the exhibition Gedney in India, at Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation.

As one of the key figures of American black and white street photography the exhibition highlights his work during two visits to India, as a Fulbright scholar from 1969 to 1971 and on his return to India ten years later.

Photographs by two Japanese artists, Yuki Iwanami and Kota Kishi, are also on view in India for the first time.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three makeshift meat shops were set afire early on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras area by some anti-social elements, police said.

The shop owners, Raees and Muhammad Sindhi said that at around 3 a.m. they came to know that their makeshift shops situated near city's Kashiram Colony had been set ablaze.

The shopkeepers abstained from taking any names and said their shops were burned down by miscreants.

The shopkeepers said that they had to bear losses close to Rs 75,000.

"An FIR has been lodged against unknown miscreants. We are investigating the matter," a police official told IANS.

District Magistrate of Hathras Avinash Krishna Singh said it was a small incident.

Asked if the incident had any communal angle, Singh said it was yet to be ascertained.

A number of meat shops and slaughter houses, mostly illegal, have been either attacked or forced shut by vigilantes or by the district administration at various places in the state after formation of the BJP government.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday urged the Indian government to bring back the bodies of three Indian fishermen who reportedly died while fishing off Saudi Arabia.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Palaniswami said the three fishermen from Kanyakumari reportedly lost their lives while fishing off the Saudi coast.

George, Nevil and Joseph along with a Saudi Arabian national went for fishing from Darin in Saudi Arabia on March 17.

An accident occurred the next day. The bodies of George and Joseph were recovered while Nevil remains missing.

The Chief Minister requested Modi to direct the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to arrange for necessary search and rescue operation and transport the mortal remains of the deceased.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

A FORM Two pupil at Northlea High School in Bulawayo who was accused by his family of stealing $5 hanged himself while wearing school uniform.His family allegedly threatened to get him arrested, reports show.A domestic worker who was searching for firewood found Nqobani Ndlovu (15) from Richmond suburb hanging on Sunday afternoon in a bushy area in the same suburb.Neighbours said he had been missing from home since March 9 and his body was found in an advanced stage of decomposition with maggots feeding on it.Sources told The Chronicle that his uncle Mr Christopher Ndlovu had threatened to take him to the police for stealing $5."He did not return home following the threat by his uncle. His uncle was worried that he would end up stealing substantial amounts of money," said the source.The Chronicle yesterday interviewed his family who said they were puzzled by the incident.A family spokesperson who identified himself as Mr Ndlovu said they would conduct a full investigation after Nqobani is buried."We can't comment on this matter at the moment."Some of us were not here when this happened. We are yet to conduct a full investigation as to what happened. I can't confirm or deny that he had stolen $5," said Mr Ndlovu.He said the family became worried when he did not return home from school."I can't remember the exact date when he didn't return from school. It could have been on a Thursday. But we have been looking for him. We don't know what happened."That's what we told the police and they respected that. They will start interviewing us after we are done with the burial. It's not good to be pointing fingers at each other at this moment," Mr Ndlovu said.
Tokyo shares tumbled on Wednesday on concerns over implementation of US President Donald Trump's economic policies and reports on North Korean missile launches.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 390.51 points, or 2.01 per cent, from Tuesday to 19,065.37, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 29.52 points, or 1.89 per cent, to 1,533.90.

Decliners were led by insurance, securities and marine transportation issues.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick Judge Neil Gorsuch has said during his Senate hearing that the President's attacks on federal judges are "disheartening" and "demoralising".

Gorsuch once made a reference to Trump's attacks on federal judges in a private conversation with senators, which was later reported in the media, but he made his latest remarks in his public Senate hearing on Tuesday.

"When anyone criticises the honesty or integrity or motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening and I find that demoralising," Gorsuch said, Efe news reported.

When asked if his comment referred to Trump, Gorsuch replied, "Anyone is anyone."

Gorsuch's comments respond to the criticism that Trump has publicly launched against federal judges after their ruling against his order which prohibits the entry into the US of refugees and citizens of several Muslim-majority countries.

During the hearing, Gorsuch also assured "I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party other than based on what the law and the facts of a particular case require," and added that "there's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge -- we just have judges in this country".

Gorsuch, who currently serves on the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, was nominated by Trump to take the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.

Democratic senators have rejected Trump's nominee after the Republicans also turned down Judge Merrick Garland in 2016, nominated to replace Scalia by the then-President Barack Obama.

To secure his position in the Supreme Court, Gorsuch needs to win at least 60 votes from Senators, which is an obstacle hard to overcome as there are now only 52 Republicans in the Senate.

Gorsuch, therefore, needs supports from the Democrats.

Although the process may be delayed by the Democrats, the Senate Republicans are likely to eventually reach a simple majority vote.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House said on Wednesday US President spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May after a deadly attack in London killed at least four.

Speaking at the daily briefing, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the UN condemned the attack and applauded the quick response of British police and first responders.

In a statement released by the US State Department, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also condemned the "horrific acts of violence".

Meanwhile, US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the US would offer assistance to the British investigation, adding that the security posture in the country remained unchanged.

Earlier on Wednesday, a knifeman stabbed a police officer outside the house of parliament in London before police shot him dead. A vehicle crushed into people on the nearby Westminster Bridge, according to media reports.

At least four people were killed and 20 others injured in the "terrorist" attack, according to London police.
US President Donald Trump will attend a NATO leaders' summit scheduled for May, the White House said.

"The President looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO's role in the fight against terrorism," the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.

It added that, in addition to meeting the leaders, Trump will host NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House next month.

The April meeting with Stoltenberg has been arranged to prepare for a May 25 summit in Brussels on the "new security environment, including the alliance's role in the fight against terrorism, and the importance of increased defence spending and fairer burden-sharing", CNN reported on Wednesday.

The announcement of Trump's attendance comes on the heels of a decision by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to skip a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, and instead host Chinese President Xi Jingping later this month, before visiting Russia in April.

The State Department has suggested "alternative dates" to NATO for the meeting, said the report.

Tillerson's decision not to attend the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels has led to consternation amongst the US' European allies.

"Seeing the Chinese, then going to Russia and avoiding NATO in the middle -- it's weird," said one NATO diplomat.

"It shows that they don't care about NATO. They are not multilateral."

State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner said that the meeting's dates didn't fit in Tillerson's schedule and a NATO official confirmed that the group was still negotiating with the State Department to schedule the meeting.

Toner said the agency is "certainly appreciative of the effort to accommodate Secretary Tillerson".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two and three wheeler major TVS Motor Company Ltd's agreement to make high powered motorcycles for Germany's BMW has come to fruition with the Indian company starting to ship out BMW branded 310cc bikes, said a senior company official.

He also said TVS Motor Company would invest around Rs 350 crore next fiscal towards expansion of capacity, launch one new model each of scooter and motorcycle are some of the targets for 2017-18.

In 2013, TVS Motor and BMW signed an agreement to jointly develop motorcycles in the 250-500cc range to be sold through their respective distribution network.

The 310cc motorcycle and its engine were developed jointly with the German automobile giant BMW on a common platform/architecture.

Not revealing any numbers about the number of units made or shipped out for BMW President and CEO K.N. Radhakrishnan said it is up to the German auto major to talk about the numbers.

Speaking to a group of journalists who visited the company's Hosur plant on Tuesday, Radhakrishnan said TVS Motor is yet to decide on the distribution model-separate network or sold through existing dealership - for its own 310cc bike Akula that would be launched next fiscal.

Radhakrishnan said the company has budgeted a capital expenditure of around Rs 350 crore next fiscal towards capacity expansion and other aspects.

"The investment will be funded out of internal accrual," he said.

According to him, the company has started rolling out BS-IV emission norms compliant vehicles.

Radhakrishnan said the company will close the fiscal 2016-17 with a market share of around 14 per cent as the sales scooters and motorcycles picking up.

He said the company's current market share in scooters is around 17 per cent (Q3 2016-17), motorcycles eight per cent (Q3 2016-17).

He said the company's revenue from spare parts sales is around 10 per cent.

Queried about the three wheeler market, Radhakrishnan said sales has dipped owing to various market factors, saying nearly 65 per cent of the three wheeler produced are exported where the market has gone down.

On the company's Indonesian venture, Radhakrishnan said the business is expected to breakeven next fiscal with losses halved this year to $3 million from around $6 million.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Nigerians and an Indian woman have been arrested on the charge of duping a Gurugram-based woman of Rs 10 lakh on the pretext of getting her married to a foreigner, police said on Wednesday.

Hilary Namdi Okoli, 45, presently living in Sriniwaspuri in Delhi, and Samuel Ivachukwa alias Josua, were held following the arrest of Reena Vasumotari of Assam.

The complainant said on March 10 that she came in contact with one Jeff Denis on a matrimonial website but was duped of Rs 10 lakh after Denis took money from her on different occasions on the pretext of obtaining the necessary legal documents.

Police said Vasumotari was arrested in Delhi on the basis of technical evidence. She used to take Rs 10,000 to open bank accounts for the accused Nigerians who in turn used these accounts to dupe people.

The three accused, working for Denis, have been sent to five-day police remand, a senior police officer said.

Credit and debit cards, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards and other documents were seized from them.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The founder of US private military contractor Academi, formerly known as Blackwater, has announced that he will open security personnel training centres in China, local media reported on Wednesday.

In an interview with Chinese official daily Global Times, Erik Prince said two training centres of his new firm Frontier Services Group would initially be set up on China's border and conflict-ridden regions.

One of these centres will be located in Xinjiang, which has experienced several violent attacks over the last few years, which the government blames on Uighur separatists, Efe news reported.

The other centre will be established in Yunnan, another sensitive region for China due to its proximity to Myanmar.

Clashes between the Myanmar Army and ethnic minorities such as Kokang people have caused collateral damage on Chinese territory, as well as an influx of thousands of refugees.

The new company, headed by 47-year-old Prince -- a former US Navy SEAL -- brands itself a provider of security services to businesses operating in frontier areas.

Prince told the newspaper that his firm wants to support the development of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, which is threatened by armed conflicts across Asia.

His previous firm Academi, sold to an investment group in 2010, was accused of human rights violations during the US-led Iraq occupation during the last decade.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the case of digital media, scales are tilted in favour of with a long tail. On the contrary, AI favours brands looking to optimise knowledge, Rob Norman tells Sangeeta Tanwar.
Physicist Niels Bohr once said, Prediction is very difficult, especially if its about the future. The statement is true in the Indian context in the present time.
With reference to the editorial, Signals from Maruti (March 22), apart from the need to reform labour laws in the wake of violence at the Maruti Suzuki factory and the resulting life sentence for 13 workers, there are other aspects of industrial relations practices, which the employer should take note of.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The African Union (AU) Foundation has commended President Robert Mugabe, other leaders as well as invited delegates from the business and academic sectors who adhered to the African Economic Platform (AEP) dress code as specified by the organisers.This follows claims by some social media and various online publications that insinuated that Mugabe was not dressed appropriately when he appeared in a Cuban style shirt for the official opening of the AEP.The AU Foundation, which organised the AEP, specified in its invitations that the dress code for participants at the summit should be smart casual.AU Foundation Chief Operations Officer, Mr Dumisani Mngadi commended President Mugabe, other leaders, captains of industry and intellectuals from across the continent for respecting the request by the organisers.Mauritius Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, who delivered welcome remarks during the official opening session, also observed the dress code, while almost all the delegates who were making some presentations also ditched the suit and tie."If Africa is serious about intra-Africa trade, then people should start appreciating locally made garments," Mr Mngadi said.Presidential spokesperson, Mr George Charamba weighed in saying: "The trouble is that we are so schooled in British dress etiquette that any departure from it amounts to scruffiness, and it is more interesting that the president was putting on a Cuban shirt. So in their estimate ,anything that departs from British sartorial tradition passes for scruffiness, that is how colonised they are."The AEP is an initiative driven by Africans to provide policy space for Africans to set their own agenda and explore realistic continental and global opportunities for implementing the agenda.
Desperate to retain Karnataka, the only big state left with it, the has started evaluating the performance of the partys 128 lawmakers to prepare for the Assembly polls next year.
Former Karnataka chief minister on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi, around seven weeks after he quit the Congress.



Krishna joined the BJP in presence of party Chief Amit Shah.
Gorakhpur residents are celebrating that their Member of Parliament, Yogi Adityanath, has been made chief minister. An entity in the area is also hoping to ride the wave, to turn the page.
Opposition members today demanded in the Rajya Sabha the early implantation of a 2013 Supreme Court order that requires each electronic voting machine, or EVM, to have a voter verified paper audit trail, or VVPAT.

During a short duration discussion on electoral reforms, opposition members, led by Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, said EVMs be used in the assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, scheduled for end of this year, only if equipped with VVPAT. Azad said the Centre should release the requisite money to the Election Commission for manufacture of VVPAT machines. Azad said elections should be held using the old system of ballot papers if VVPAT machines cannot be made available by that time. Azad said the Chief Election Commissioner has sent 10 letters to the government on the issue since May 2014, but is yet to receive a response.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, giving the party a crucial urban face and a leader amongst the dominant Vokkaliga community ahead of the Assembly elections next year.

Krishna, as the Congress chief minister played a role in helping Bengaluru retain the tag of India's tech hub against Chandrababu Naidu's Hyderabad in the early 2000's. He had roped in Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and got him involved in improving Bengaluru's infrastructure. His urban focus had drawn the ire of rural voters across Karnataka, reeling under drought, losing power in an ill-timed election that he expected to capitalise on the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA's) rise nationally.
Sixteen Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy in two separate incidents today for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters.

"Eight fishermen from Nagapattinam district had ventured into the sea this evening and were fishing off Neduntheevu when the Lankan naval personnel rounded them up and took them to Kangesanthurai port in Sri Lanka along with their boat," Rameswaram Fishermen Association President, S Emerit said.

In the second incident, eight fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Lankan navy while they were fishing off Talaimannar in the island nation in their boat and later taken to that town, he said.

Ten fishermen, belonging to nearby Thangachimadam were yesterday arrested by the island nation's authorities when they were fishing near Katchatheevu and later taken to Kangesanthurai port.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least two students were killed today and 20 others injured, five of them critically, in a stampede at a primary school in China's central Henan Province.

The stampede took place at the Experimental Primary School of Puyang County when students were returning after a toilet break to take a test.

Twenty others who had been injured were sent to hospital, with five of them in critical condition.

The principal and vice principal of the school have been suspended for investigation, the county's head of education bureau told state-run Xinhua agency.

"The students were going to have a test after the break, so many went to the toilet. Some students on the second floor fell down on the staircase causing others to lose balance and tumble down," Liu Wenhua, the school's vice principal who witnessed the accident, was quoted as saying.

Rumours that a wall in the school's toilet collapsed turned out to be false, the report said.

The local government has set up a team to investigate the incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Kashmiri Pandit organisation today alleged that the 2003 Nadimarg massacre in South Kashmir was planned by militants and local youth to "take revenge for 2002 Godhra riots" in Gujarat.

24 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by terrorists in South Kashmir's Nadimarg hamlet in March 2003.

"When KPSS did ground zero investigation about this crime, we found that it was a well-planned attempt by some armed insurgents and local youths from the adjoining villages to take revenge for the Gujarat riots and to celebrate Pakistan Resolution Day by killing Kashmiri Pandits," Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay K Tikoo said in a statement here.

He alleged that 24 Kashmiri Pandits were murdered in cold blood by the militants at Nadimarg in Shopian district on March 23, 2003.

"From the last 14 years, not a single person has been punished for the same," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three French pupils on a school trip were among those hurt in today's car ramming attack on Westminster Bridge in London, foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said.

He said the three were from a high school in Concarneau, in the western Brittany region.

Local radio France Bleu said around a dozen students were on the bridge at the time of the attack, and that the three injured were taken to hospital.

A local newspaper, Le Telegramme, also said the students were on the bridge when they were hit by the car, quoting another student who said the force of the impact threw one of them onto the bonnet of the vehicle.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: "Solidarity with our British friends, horribly attacked, full support for the injured French students, their families and their friends.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) is locked in a land row with villagers in the Thekwane communal lands in Plumtree, who accuse the church of practising "black apartheid" by fencing off land that belongs to them.However, the church insists that it is not taking any land belonging to villagers, but was fighting illegally resettled people on its farm.Thekwane community spokesperson and former Bulilima Mangwe district chief executive officer and interim Alliance for National Salvation (ANSA) spokesperson, Nketha Mangoye-Dlamini, told Southern Eye that they felt disrespected by the church over their land.Mangoye-Dlamini said the community had raised its displeasure with MCZ leadership at a meeting held early this month, adding the church's claim to right to the land was based on colonial invasion by the British South Africa Company in 1901."The trust deed indicates that the church was allocated preaching rights, not rights over villagers. Villagers in Thekwane do not consider themselves as tenants as suggested by MCZ and, therefore, MCZ's authority is not recognised. We feel disrespected and degraded to be called to answer questions from a body (MCZ survey team) we do not recognise in as far as land ownership and control is concerned."Mangoye-Dlamini added that villagers were incensed by a threatening letter written "to village heads by MCZ signed by Amos Ndhlumbi describing them as criminals"."As a result of this disrespect, we refuse to participate in the suggested (MCZ) survey. The MCZ is practising black apartheid and utilising practices that are tribalistic in spirit and deed. People from the village are being overlooked when it comes to employment (at the mission). Preference is given to people from other regions," he said.The villagers have also demanded that the church pulls down a fence it is erecting.Bulawayo diocese head, Wilfred Diningu denied the allegations levelled against the church."The land under dispute is a church farm. The issue is that they (village heads) are settling people illegally on church land, even without the approval of the district administrator. The government has said it clearly that church land will not be taken for resettlement," he said, adding the villagers are being misdirected.
A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of today's meeting of top officials in Washington focused on defeating the Islamic State group.

Rebels and jihadists pressed offensives inside the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open in Geneva.

Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end Syria's raging six-year conflict, which began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers including the US-led air coalition bombing Syria's jihadists since 2014.

A reported coalition strike in the northern province of Raqa early yesterday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said today that the strike hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, about 30 kilometres west of IS-held Raqa city.

"We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

"Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed the coalition for the strike. "The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," it said.

The US-led coalition is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa -- the Syrian heart of the group's so-called "Islamic caliphate" -- and Mosul in neighbouring Iraq.

Top officials from the 68-nation alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real number is far higher.

In addition to bombing raids by the coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in the north.

Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between myriad armed groups -- rebels, jihadists, Kurdish militia and Syrian government forces.

This week, rebels and allied jihadists launched two surprise offensives on government positions in Damascus and central Hama province, opposition groups and the Observatory said. In Damascus, anti-regime factions are battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbourhood to the north.

Clashes continued today as at least nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory said.

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Nearly 40,000 Maharashtra doctors decided today to go on an indefinite strike to support their colleagues agitating over the lack of security to them in the government hospitals.

The 40,000-odd doctors, all members of the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association, decided to shun work and join over 4,500 resident doctors in the state, who have been staying away from the duty for the last three days.

"We are protesting the Maharashtra government's decision to ignore our demand. We are only seeking immediate deployment of the security personnels at all the government hospitals and restrict the entry of patients' relatives to only two (per patient).

"Instead of implementing it, the government is issuing warnings to us. Hence, the IMA has decided to extend its support to the resident doctors and go on the indefinite strike," said Dr Sagar Mundada, the chairman of IMA's youth wing.

Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra government warned the resident doctors that if they did not report to the duty by 8 pm tonight, they would face suspension and loss of six months' salary.

Mundada said the IMA members will continue to serve in the emergency wards, conduct operations and treat accident cases (at government hospitals) but other services such as check-up and health services in general wards will not be provided.

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At least 46 people were killed and almost 100 others wounded in March clashes between rival ethnic groups in southwest Nigeria, police said today.

"The casualty figures are 46 dead and 96 wounded in the violence in Ile-Ife. Of those injured, 81 had been treated while 15 are still in the hospital," Nigeria's national police spokesman Moshood Jimoh told AFP.

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The state-owned Air India expects a surge in demand on its flights to the US and UK following a ban imposed by the authorities on carrying laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from some Muslim countries.

"All our flights to the US are non-stop. This ban is only for the countries in the Middle East and Gulf, and will not affect us at all," Director Finance, Air India, Vinod S Hejmadi said.

The airline says it is open to adding more flights to these countries, if there is an increase in demand following the ban.

"This is positive for us and we are watching the situation. If load and demand increases to a great extent then, yes, we will be thinking about additional flights," said Hejmadi.

The US and UK, citing terrorism concerns, have barred passengers on some international flights from mostly Muslim- majority nations, from carrying large electronic devices like cameras and laptops as cabin baggage.

"We can take it as an advantage because what is likely to happen is that passengers booked on other airlines operating from or through middle east may consider cancelling their flights going forward," he said.

Air India operates six non-stop flights to four destinations in the US, which are San Francisco, New York City, Newark, Chicago.

The airline is also planning to introduce Washington DC as its fifth destination in the US in July.

Air India also operates several direct services to the UK from Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, among others.

According to the official, since Air India flies directly to the US and UK, it has an edge over the British and European carriers, which have one-stop flights from here to these destinations.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said the government will have to examine the ban to understand its implication for Indian airlines.

"We will have to study the ban to understand how it impacts Air India."



Indian passengers account for more than 30 per cent of the total traffic of three major Gulf carriers - Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways - to the US.

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The All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) here has decided to go green by using solar energy and reduce its electricity bill by 50 per cent over the next two years.

The premier medical institute has joined hands with Japanese conglomerate Hitachi to set up a solar power generation unit in its premises.

The one megawatt facility will come up on the roof of the parking space located near the Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS.

Japanese government organisation New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), which promotes development and introduction of new energy technologies, will provide Rs 100 crore for the project.

The remaining cost of Rs 30 crore will be incurred by the AIIMS.

At present, AIIMS' total electricity bill stands between Rs 48-50 crore per year.

"Hitachi will set up a solar power generation system as well as introduce measures to reduce total energy expenditure of the institute by as much as 50 per cent by 2019," Dr Deepak Agrawal, Chairman, computerisation, AIIMS said.

The solar power generation unit will use the latest technology and will have a mechanism to track the movement of the sun for maximum energy output.

"Besides setting up a solar farm, Hitachi will replace the outdated chillers and AC plants and replace those with energy efficient chillers. It will also replace around 30,000 bulbs with LEDs so that energy is saved," Dr Agrawal said.

He said the project was pending for almost over two years and the Prime Minister in his visit to Japan in November last year had discussed the project with his Japanese counterpart.

"The project is unique in a way because it required the approval of the Japanese Cabinet for release of funds," Dr Agrawal said.

The Union Health Ministry had announced Green AIIMS project in June 2014 and aims to increase the number of green hospitals in the country.

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India has one of the lowest and "most competitive" in the world despite high cost of planes and fuel, Union Minister Jayant Sinha said on Wednesday.

"These are the two most important costs for an airline. Our taxes are also quite high," said the Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

"But when you look at pricing in India, as far as Indian airlines are concerned, I can assure you that we are among the lowest and most competitive air fares in the world," he added.

In efforts to make air travel more affordable as well as connect unserved and under-served airports, the government has come out with the regional connectivity scheme.

Under the scheme -- UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) -- fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights.

"Our effort is to provide air services at an affordable cost and the regional connectivity scheme UDAN is aimed at that only," Sinha said.

At an event organised by All India Management Association (AIMA), Sinha said the country's economy is delivering high quality products and services at very affordable prices for the consumers.

"We are frugal economy because we are poor country... So we have to deliver product and services at price points which are affordable. This forces us to really think about affordability and cost management at all the time," he noted.

In terms of purchasing power parity, India's GDP is around $8 trillion while it is about $18 trillion for both the US and China.

According to Sinha, India is growing at 7-8 per cent while the US is expanding at 2.5 per cent and in the case of China the growth rate is pegged at 6 per cent.

"It effectively means that the contribution that the Indian economy is going to make in the next decade in terms of relative contribution of growth rate of the US economy, is 180 per cent," he noted.

Further, he said that India's contribution to global GDP growth in PPP terms in the next decade would be almost twice what the US is going to add.

"...It is 60 per cent of China, which is still going to be larger. But we are 60 per cent of China, which is a much larger piece of $18 trillion," he added.
Punjab's newly-elected Chief Minister will hold a series of meetings with the government's top brass on Wednesday.

Amarinder, who is on his first visit to the national capital after taking over as the chief minister, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Parliament House office in the afternoon and President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening.

He will also meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence in the afternoon.

Though these meetings are stated to be courtesy calls, he is likely to seek help and cooperation of the Central government in grant of more funds to Punjab to initiate further development in the state.

During his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, he is also likely to put forth some of the demands of the state.
Punjab's newly-elected Chief Minister on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made a strong pitch for a loan waiver for farmers of the state.

Amarinder met the Prime Minister in his Parliament complex office, first time after becoming the Chief Minister.

"I mentioned the debt waiver issue to the PM. It was an extension of the demand we made earlier when we had gone to meet the PM as part of a Congress delegation led by party vice -president Rahul Gandhi. I said the debt loan waiver should be extended to Punjab farmers along the lines of Uttar Pradesh," Singh told media persons after meeting the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

The newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister is in New Delhi and will meet President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day.

He earlier met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to seek financial support for crop procurement.

"Met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence and asked him for an immediate release of CCL for smooth wheat procurement in Punjab," he said after the meeting.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal also accompanied Amarinder during this visit.

"We have sought a support of Rs 20,653 crore on this account. The finance minister was very supportive. We expect wheat to land in mandis in two to three days," Singh said.

On Congress strategist Prashant Kishor, who failed to deliver a victory for the Congress-SP combine in UP, Amarinder said, "I am very happy with Kishor. He fought well. His IPAC team of 1,700 volunteers had spread across villages and he had a team of 100 plus people in Chandigarh. We did well in Punjab."



Over who would be the next chief of Punjab Congress, he said, "Let Congress president Sonia Gandhi return. I will request her to choose someone else since I as CM of Punjab cannot handle both the positions."



Amarinder is here for holding a series of meetings with government's top brass during his first visit to the national capital after taking over as the state Chief Minister.
Four out of five candidates supported by the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh were defeated in the elections to Graduates and Teachers constituencies.

The defeat is viewed as a blow to the N Chandrababu-led party in the direct elections to the Legislative Council, as the party had won 14 seats in indirect elections from Local Authorities Constituencies and MLAs this month.

Elections to these five seats, which will fall vacant on March 29, were held on March 9 and counting was taken up on March 20.

Since it's a paper ballot and the results are based on the preferential votes, it took over two days to make out the winners.

According to the official sources, out of the five candidates, TDP ally BJP's nominee P N V Madhav won from the Srikakulam-Vizianagaram-Visakhapatnam Graduates constituency, defeating Ajai Sarma.

The YSR Congress-backed V Gopal Reddy won the Kadapa-Anantapuramu-Kurnool Graduates seat defeating the TDP's K J Reddy and incumbent MLC M Geyanand.

In Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor Graduates constituency, sitting member Y Srinivasulu Reddy, supported by the YSRC, beat the TDP-backed Pattabhi Rami Reddy.

The TDP-supported nominees were defeated by the Progressive Democratic Front's candidates V Balasubrahmanyam and K Narasimha Reddy in the Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor and Kadapa-Anantapuramu-Kurnool Teachers constituencies, respectively.

Balasubrahmanyam, a sitting MLC, had the backing of the Left and the YSRC. He defeated A Vasudeva Naidu of TDP.

Another sitting MLC B Pullaiah, backed by the TDP, lost in Kadapa-Anantapuramu-Kurnool to Narasimha Reddy.

Interestingly, there were thousands of "invalid" votes in many constituencies, sources said.

"We may issue a formal communique on the results tonight or tomorrow," state Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal told PTI over phone from Hyderabad.

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The Border Security Force (BSF) is planning to put on display the pistol used by the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh to kill British officer John Saunders in 1928, at its new arms museum here.

At present, the historic semi-automatic .32-bore Colt-make pistol is on display at the old museum of the city-based Central School of Weapon Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT).

"The pistol used by Bhagat Singh to kill the British police officer John Saunders is currently on display at CSWT's old museum. We are planning to display this pistol with special importance at new arms museum, construction of which would be completed within a couple of months," the Border Security Force Inspector General, Pankaj Goomar told PTI.

He said that besides the firearm, the life saga of the "Shaheed-e-Azam" would also be on the display.

The pistol was brought to the CSWT on October 7, 1969, along with seven other firearms from the Police Academy based at Phillaur in Punjab.

The firearm could have been sent from Lahore to the Police Academy during the British rule, the IG said.

"A research team studying the legacy of Bhagat Singh has informed about this pistol. An examination of the historic documents has proved that this was the same pistol which was recovered from the possession of Bhagat Singh. It was established by the documents that this pistol was used for killing British police officer John Saunders," the officer said.

Saunders was fatally shot on December 17, 1928 in Lahore, in what was described as the Lahore Conspiracy Case.

Bhagat Singh along with fellow freedom fighters Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged to death on March 23, 1931 in the Lahore Central Jail.

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Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai has extended its begging bowl with a fundraising campaign launched in March with draw date set for 29 April 2017 in Harare.MDC-T said the fundraising is aimed at mobilizing resources for the 2018 elections, which are likely to be held in less than 18 months, according to the country's constitution.The MDC-T campaign is offering a VW Polo as a the biggest PRICE (PRIZE?). 10 lucky winners will have lunch with Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mobile tower company Bharti Infratel today declared an interim dividend of Rs 12 per equity share.

This is the highest dividend paid by the company so far. In 2015-16, it had paid a dividend of Rs 3 per share.

"...The board of Directors of the Company at their meeting held today...Has declared an interim dividend of Rs 12 per equity share of Rs 10 each for the financial year 2016-17," Bharti Infratel said in a regulatory filing.

"The company has fixed April 3, 2017 as the record date for the purpose ascertaining the eligibility of shareholders for the payment of interim dividend," the filing added.

While its parent firm Bharti Airtel posted around 50 per cent decline in net profit for the third quarter ended December 31, 2016, the mobile tower firm registered 25 per cent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 620 crore for the quarter.

It had posted a net profit of Rs 495 crore in the same period of last fiscal, 2015-16.

The consolidated revenue of Bharti Infratel increased by 10 per cent to Rs 3,400 crore during the October-December quarter of 2016-17, as against Rs 3,105.5 crore posted in the same period of 2015-16.

The consolidated tower base of Bharti Infratel, including its share in Indus Towers, stood at 90,255 towers at the end of 2016.

Shares of Bharti Infratel closed at Rs 312.65, down 0.11 per cent, at BSE today.

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The BJP in West Bengal today organised a rally on the Narada issue and demanded resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying she has lost the moral right to continue in office "as she tried to defend the tainted ministers and her party leaders".

"We feel that not only the 'tainted ministers' but the chief minister herself should resign as she has been trying to defend those who were allegedly caught on camera taking money. It is a matter of shame for all of us," state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh, who led the rally, said.

He said that Banerjee had lost her moral right to continue in office as "people of Bengal can no longer trust the state government whose ministers were seen in the Narada sting video. Never before people of this state had seen such a corrupt government," he alleged.

BJP workers carried placards demanding arrest of the 'tainted ministers and leaders' and burnt effigies of Banerjee and her party colleagues.

The rally started from college square in central Kolkata and ended at Esplanade. While marching towards Raj Bhavan the BJP workers managed to break two barricades after which the police stopped them.

A few BJP workers, however, managed to cross the third barricade and sat on a dharna on the busy road at the Esplanade crossing causing traffic snarls. They lifted the dharna after about 20 minutes.

(Reopens Ces4)



Later in the evening state BJP leaders went to the Raj Bhawan and submitted a deputation and urged the Governor to initiate action against the guilty.

"The people of Bengal have lost confidence in this government.....The people of Bengal shall be grateful if you kindly consider the constitutional provisions regarding the scam," a letter of the deputation stated.
The body of the 28-year-old British woman, who was allegedly raped and murdered in Goa, is being flown back to her family in Ireland.

Officials from the British high commission today took possession of her body, a police official said.

"The British officials will take the body to Mumbai by a domestic flight and from there it will be sent to her family (in Ireland)," DSP Sammy Tavares told PTI.

The British backpacker's disrobed body was found on a beach in south Goa's Canacona last week. Police later said she was raped before being strangled to death.

25-year-old Vikat Bhagat, a local history sheeter, has been arrested in connection with the case.

Tavares said the district administration had issued a no objection certificate to the British officials to take the mortal remains as her family members are not in India.

Tavares said the investigation is moving on in the right direction and a charge sheet would be filed as soon as possible.

"We will not wait for 90 days (the prescribed limit) to file a charge sheet. We will try to finish the investigation as soon as possible," the DSP said.

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Commercial refrigeration major Blue Star today demanded the five star energy efficient and inverter air conditioners be put in the 18 per cent tax bracket under the upcoming GST regime.

Besides, the company, which is a leading manufacturer of ACs in India, also suggested that units sold to government hospitals and educational institutions must be taxed at 18 per cent irrespective of their rating.

"We want the government to make it 18 per cent in Goods and Services Tax, which is revenue neutral," Blue Star Joint Managing Director B Thiagarajan told PTI.

Citing the example of China and Japan, he said the energy saving ACs must be encouraged through such tax incentives.

"Japan is now on 100 per cent inverter AC," he said, adding the government there gives subsidy in order to encourage the use of the energy saving air-conditioners.

The GST Council has already approved four-tier tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent plus an additional cess on demerit goods like luxury cars, aerated drinks and tobacco products.

At present, the government levies an average 25.5 per cent tax on AC unit which consists central excise duty and state VAT.

Inverter ACs have introduced by manufacturers in the last 2-3 years and they are around 40 per cent more power efficient than the conventional air-conditioners. Inverter AC converts power into DC current and helps its compressor to change frequency according to the ambient load.

Highlighting the benefits of inverter ACs, he said they save 65 per cent power in comparison to one star AC and 40 per cent to a 5 star AC.

Thiagarajan further said: "This (18 per cent slab) should also be extended to the educational institutions and government hospitals as it could be tracked by GST numbers."



The company has lined up 135 models for this summer and is expecting an over 20 per cent growth in sales.

"We would continue to grow aggressively in the room AC business by 20 per cent and achieve 12.5 per cent market share," he said.

This season the company is expecting a good traction from non metro tier III, IV and V places.

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British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott today assured full support to the Haryana government for setting up the proposed Indo-UK Institute of Health in the state.

The institute will be built at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore on over 50 acres of land and a team from the United Kingdom (UK) has already visited several places to identify a suitable site for the project, an official release said here.

Lelliott was accompanied by Andrew Ayre, who will be taking over the post from him, it said.

Ayre said he was impressed with what he had seen so far in the state and evinced keen interest in exploring possibilities for cooperation with Haryana.

The release said Lelliott has completed his four-year term and would now move to Sudan as the Deputy Head of Mission, later this month.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar congratulated Lelliott on his new assignment and said India and Haryana enjoy a strong bond with the United Kingdom.

As sugarcane is grown in abundance in Haryana, the UK could assist the state government in setting up units to process the produce, he said.

Khattar said special emphasis is being laid on diversification of crops to encourage farmers to adopt horticulture and farming of cash crops, instead of traditional rice and wheat.

The state government is implementing the peri-urban concept of farming, especially in the National Capital Region, to meet the demand for fruits, flowers, vegetables and milk, he said.

The Chief Minister said two major agreements were signed with the UK at the 'Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit' at Gurgaon last year.

Apart from this, various leading companies of the UK have set up their units in Haryana, Khattar said.

The Global Smart City Project in Gurgaon and the Industrial Logistic Hub in South Haryana that is dedicated to the industrial corridor on both sides of the Kundali-Manesar-Palwal Expressway were among the key projects being implemented by the government, he said.

The Chief Minister said the state government is focusing on skill development and has set up the Haryana Skill Development Mission and will complete the construction of the University of Skill Development within a year.

Food processing, textiles, apparel, footwear, electronics and Information Technology, defence, aerospace manufacturing and renewable energy are among the key thrust areas of the state government.

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As many as 2,277 posts of principals and 22,659 posts of headmasters are lying vacant in 47,808 government schools in Chhattisgarh, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly today.

Besides, 11,105 positions of teachers are also vacant in these schools.

In a written reply to the question raised by Congress Legislative Party leader T S Singhdeo, state School Education Minister Kedar Kashyap said, "There are 30,371 primary schools, 13,117 middle schools, 1,940 high schools and 2,380 higher secondary schools operational in Chhattisgarh."



"Out of the 2,380 sanctioned posts of principals in higher secondary schools, 926 posts are still vacant, while of 1,938 sanctioned positions of principal in high schools, 1,351 are vacant," the minister said in the reply.

Similarly, of the 13,009 sanctioned posts of head masters in middle schools, 4,296 are lying vacant, whereas out of 30,235 posts of head masters in primary schools, 18,363 are vacant, it said.

Moreover, out of the 57,288 sanctioned posts of teachers in all these schools, 11,105 posts are yet to be filled, it added.

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Ceasefire violations by Pakistan and casualties on the Indian side of the Line of Control and the international border have come down after the surgical strikes by India, the government said today.

It also rejected the opposition charge that the issue was not only being taken seriously, but was being "butchered" by the way the concerns of members were being replied to.

"The ceasefire violations by Pakistan have come down post the surgical strikes. There were 228 ceasefire violations at the LOC in 2016 and 221 at the IB (international border). However, till February 2017, there have only been 22 ceasefire violations till now and 6 on the IB," Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said while replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha.

"The civilian casualties and injuries in 2017 has been zero at the IB and LOC, whereas in 2016 there were 13 civilian casualties and 83 injured on the LOC and 8 casualties on the IB and 74 were injured.

"Five BSF jawans lost their lives and 25 were injured along the international border. We claim that the incidents of ceasefire violations have reduced post surgical strikes," he said.

Earlier Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad had alleged that the manner in which the government was replying to such an important matter, the issue was being "killed" and "butchered" as never seen before.

Rejecting the charge, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said "I fully contradict the charge made by the Leader of Opposition."



Providing details, he said, there were 110 terrorist incidents in two months before the surgical strikes and 87 in the two months after them.

"There were 34 security personnel killed before and 19 after, whereas the civilian casualties were 7 earlier and 6 now," he said.

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The Tamil Nadu government today said two fishermen from the state had died in Saudi Arabia and sought diplomatic assistance from the Centre to bring back their mortal remains.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that three fishermen -- J George, P Nevil and V Joseph -- of Kaniyakumari district went for fishing from Darin fishing base in Saudi Arabia on March 17 in a vessel owned by a Saudi national and had met with a mishap the next day.

The bodies of George and Joseph were recovered and a search was on for Nevil, "who is still missing," he said.

"The families of these fishermen are traumatised after knowing about the tragedy and are seeking expeditious diplomatic assistance in the search and rescue of Nevil and transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased to Tamil Nadu and obtaining financial assistance from their employers," he told Modi in a letter.

He requested the PM to direct the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to take urgent steps to arrange for necessary search and rescue operations and transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased.

"I also request you to kindly direct the Indian Embassy to take up this matter with the employer concerned and ensure that the monetary benefits due to all the three fishermen are released to their families without any delay," he said.

In a separate letter, the Chief Minister took up the arrest of 35 Indian fishermen employed in Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia, and apprehended by Iranian authorities in different instances last year.

All of them were working on contract basis under the sponsor's of local employers and had on different occasions, "inadvertently" strayed into Iranian waters, where they were apprehended, he said.

He sought Modi's immediate intervention to instruct the Indian Embassies in Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran to take effective legal steps to secure their immediate release.

"The prolonged incarceration of these poor fishermen who went abroad to earn their livelihood severely affects their families and dependents who are suffering economically and also undergoing mental trauma," he said.

He requested Modi to instruct the External Affairs Ministry to take speedy action on this matter.

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Situation in Afghanistan has become further complicated with its ties with Pakistan at an "all-time low" and "too many external players" entering the arena, a powerful US lawmaker said today calling for a change in America's approach in the war-torn country.

"It is one of the situations where we are going to have change in our approach and past practice of gauging our actions in Afghanistan on number of troops so that we can get them all out rather than achieving the goal of defeating the Taliban to stalemate. We are not going to win stalemate," said Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in a breakfast meeting with Defence Writers Group.

He said the situation in Afghanistan has further become complicated with the relationship between Kabul and Islamabad at an "all-time low" and that too many external players have entered the arena.

The new Chief of Staff of the Pakistan's Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is "much more aggressive" than his predecessor Gen (rtd) Raheel Sharif, McCain said.

"And we know the status of the military in Pakistan," he told reporters in response to a question.

"This is a very challenging issue. Not only Taliban, Al Qaeda is established there, Iranians are there, Russians are there," he said ruing the role of multiple countries that do not have a relationship with the Taliban or groups that are opposed to elected government.

"It is one of the situations where we are going to have change in our approach and past practice of gauging our actions in Afghanistan on number of troops so that we can get them all out rather than achieving the goal of defeating the Taliban to stalemate. We are not going to win stalemate," McCain said.

A day earlier, McCain met with the visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, who is currently in the US to attend the anti-ISIS global coalition meeting.

Rabbani in his address to a Washington-based think-tank slamming Pakistan for being the destabilising factor in the war-torn country.

"Pakistan's reluctance to end its support for terrorism underpins the continuation of violence in Afghanistan and the region. And this constitutes a violation of our territorial integrity, as Pakistan violates our airspace and frequently shells eastern Afghanistan," he said in his address to Atlantic Council.

"These routine violations undermine any prospect of normal bilateral relations, and pose a serious threat to peace and security in our region and beyond. Earlier this week, we again engaged with the Government of Pakistan at a trilateral initiative convened in London, hosted by the Government of the UK. Discussions focused on a mechanism, through which outstanding issues could be resolved," he said.

He praised India for its support in the development of the war-torn country.

"India is an important partner in providing support where their means has allowed. We have encouraged India to further expand our cooperation based on the Indo-Afghan strategic partnership agreement. We also enjoy constructive relations with other regional countries based on the principles of mutual respect," Rabbani said.

The foreign minister said "a paradigm shift" in Pakistan is needed if any progress is to be made in peace efforts with the Taliban.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a rare occurrence, a woman has delivered a baby girl with three legs at a hospital in Telangana.

The woman, Srilatha, delivered the baby yesterday at government area hospital in adjoining Jangaon district, K Srinivas, a doctor at the medical facility, said.

He said the extra limb protruded from the child's pelvis area and it can be surgically removed.

"Other than the extra limb, the baby was born with healthy vitals and she is in good health," Srinivas said.

Srilatha was brought to the hospital by her husband Sambaih, a native of Kanchanapally village under Raghunathpally mandal, on Monday.

The mother and the newborn have been shifted to Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad for further care and treatment, the doctor said.

Local media quoted a senior paediatric surgeon from Niloufer Hospital as saying that "such births have odds of one in one lakh births.

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News / National

by twitter

#Zimbabwe some opposition parties are already distancing themselves from today's protest. Seems again, opposition is not united  harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) March 22, 2017

police say protesters can't march into city, stay in Freedom square + then disperse. Organisers going 2 court 2 challenge this #Zimbabwe  harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) March 22, 2017

If this March does not happen count yourselves out of 2018. https://t.co/2YNnHTxGqn  Raymond Majongwe (@RMajongwe) March 22, 2017

This is a real test for the resolve by ALL POLITICAL PARTIES. If indeed they are united All the leadership must lead.from the front 2day https://t.co/mhJEYU1OB2  Raymond Majongwe (@RMajongwe) March 22, 2017

Respected Al Jazeera journalist Haru Mutasa reports that opposition parties have started distancing themselves from today's protest. However supporters have started gathering at the venue of the rally to be addressed by opposition leaders.Former vice president Joice Mujuru, former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, former finance minister Tendai Biti are among the opposition leaders expected to address.The opposition, under the National Election Reform Agenda, want Presudent Mugabe's government to implement key electoral reforms ahead of the 2018 electionsPolice yesterday issued stringent conditions for today's National Election Reform Agenda (Nera) organised demonstration against government's decision to take over the procurement of biometric voter registration (BVR) kits.But Nera yesterday vowed to go ahead with the demonstration and last night said it had approached the High Court seeking to overturn the police's stringent conditions which bar protestors from marching in the capital's central business district.Although police partially agreed to the planned protest, they ordered the protestors to assemble at Freedom Square opposite Rainbow Towers and send only a 10-member delegation to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to depose a petition.Prominent activist Raymond Majongwe said if today's demo flops the opposition should count itself out of the 2018 elections as this is a real test for the resolve by all political parties.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif committed blasphemy when he said Islam does not allow forced conversion and discrimination against minorities in his speech on Holi, a hardline cleric has alleged.

Allama Ashraf Jalali, a leader of Pakistan Ahle Sunnah wa Jama'ah group and secretary of Sunni Ittehad Council, alleged Sharif committed blasphemy and attacked Pakistan's ideological basis in the speech he delivered in Karachi, according to a video of the cleric's speech circulating online.

"The prime minister said such anti-Islam and blasphemous words that the Earth should have exploded," he claimed, adding that Sharif "violated his oath, ideology of Pakistan, The Quran and Sunnah of Prophet. His speech is a dangerous attack on Islam."



"We demand a public apology from the prime minister (for his anti-Islam speech)," the cleric said in the video.

It's not clear when and where the cleric was speaking and who his audiences were. However, it could be categorised as a hate speech and attract action under the anti-terrorism laws.

The Pakistan government has not reacted to the cleric's speech so far.

On March 14, Sharif had given a bold and inclusive message saying forced conversion and discrimination against minorities were not allowed in Islam and under the laws in Pakistan.

In his greetings to the minority Hindus, Sharif had also warned against destruction of the places of worship of other religions, describing them as "a crime in Islam".

Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan and those accused of committing it have been targeted by extremists in the past. Former governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his police guard for criticising the blasphemy law introduced in 1980s by then military ruler Zia-ul Haq.

Analysts say the draconian law, under which an accused can be sentenced to death, is a powerful tool to muzzle criticism in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

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Senior diplomats from the 68-strong US-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to seek a quick and lasting victory against the jihadists today at a major meeting.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed his counterparts from the mainly Western and Arab alliance to Washington with a vow to hunt down IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Envoys were keen to hear details of US President Donald Trump's promised tough new strategy to build on coalition battlefield successes -- despite concerns about civilian deaths.

Even as the ministers gathered at the State Department, was breaking of the latest coalition air strike to have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in northern Syria.

Few details of Trump's plan have yet emerged, but he is said to have given US commanders more leeway to conduct risky strikes on their own authority, and civilian casualties are increasing.

The coalition remains determined, however, to close down the Islamic State's remaining strongholds in western districts of the Iraqi city of Mosul and in the Syrian city of Raqa.

And as US-led special forces and planes, along with Iraqi forces and local Syria militia groups close in on these prizes, talk is of tracking down the Islamic State's mysterious so-called "caliph".

"Nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson told delegates.

"It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate," he vowed.

Earlier this month, a US defense official told reporters that Baghdadi had fled Mosul and been cut off from day-to-day command of his fighters.

US forces are keen that he not repeat the exploit of the late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and hide out for years even after his group's last known strongholds have fallen.

But wherever Baghdadi is, the coalition members plan to finish the liberation of Mosul and to press on with efforts to isolate Raqa and support its recapture by local Arab and Kurd fighters.

"The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasize the word commitment," Tillerson said.

"The success of our mission depends on a continued devotion to our stated objective of defeating this terrorist organization."



Trump has ordered his generals to craft an accelerated strategy to "eradicate" the group, and the allies hope to learn more during the closed-door discussions and follow up talks.

The meeting at the State Department also allows Trump's discreet secretary of state to emerge from the shadows and stamp his authority on the diplomatic side of the joint effort.

But Trump's plan to slash 28 percent from the State Department's budget for diplomacy and foreign aid has raised eyebrows, suggesting fewer resources for post-conflict stabilization.

European diplomats told AFP they expect Washington to reaffirm its commitment to a longer-term plan to secure the region after a battlefield victory.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was in Washington for the talks and said victory against IS was within sight if allies stick together.

"We are proving that Daesh can be killed, can be eliminated," Abadi said before the meeting. "We shouldn't lose focus, we shouldn't give Daesh a second chance.

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Congress veteran and former Union minister S M Krishna today joined the BJP and said he was "humbled" to join the party which has leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has taken the country to great heights.

The 84-year-old leader had quit the Congress after nearly 50 years in January after expressing his unhappiness for being sidelined.

"I am humbled today that I am joining the party which was led by great leaders. I see great India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ably supported by the party President Amit Shah," Krishna told reporters after joining the saffron party at its headquarters here.

Praising both Modi and Shah, Krishna said that these two leaders "have taken the country to great heights and this is not an exaggeration".

He said he always enjoyed cordial relationships with BJP leaders since the time when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister.

Welcoming Krishna into the BJP, Shah said his joining is a message to all honest politicians that they should strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi.

Terming the Krishna's decision to join the BJP as "timely one", Shah said, "Krishna is joining the party after witnessing change in the country since Modi became Prime Minister. Since then the party's acceptability across the country has gone up."



Shah said his presence will increase the party's strength not only in Karnataka but across the country.

Krishna's induction is also seen as a big boost to the BJP, which is now looking to spread its footprint in southern India ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka next year.

The party will also give him due respect keeping in mind his seniority, the BJP president added.

While quitting the Congress, Krishna, former External Affairs Minister, said the party is in confusion whether it needed mass leaders or not, in clear indication of him being upset with the party.

Krishna was Karnataka chief minister between 1999 and 2004. He has also served as the Maharashtra governor. He had returned to state politics after stepping down as External Affairs Minister in 2012.

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The hurly-burly of being the chief minister of the country's most populous state would not keep away from his "favourite" cows as many of them will soon be shifted to his sprawling 5-Kalidas Marg residence in Lucknow.

'Gauseva' or service of cows has been a part of the 44-year old priest's regimen for several years during which he has developed a bond of affection with many of them.

"In the gaushala (cow shelter) at the Gorakhnath Temple, there are close to 460 cows and calves. Whenever the Yogi is in Gorakhpur, he feeds the calves with milk, roti and jaggery. After this he feeds the cows," said Swami Vidya Chaitanya Maharaj of Naimisharanya Ashram.

And now with Adityanath moving to Lucknow, some of his favourite cows would also soon be brought here to 5, Kalidas Marg, official residence of the chief minister, he added.

"Adityanath calls the cows by their names. He has a strong bond with them. Nandini is his favourite," Chaitanya Maharaj, who has been in close touch with Adityanath for the past 12 years said.

He added that the Gorakhpur cowshed has the best breeds of cows including Gujarati, Sehwal, Desi and Gir, which produce over a hundred litres of milk a day.

This milk is used for making 'mattha' (a kind of buttermilk) which is distributed as 'prasad' among those visiting the Gorakhnath Temple, he said.

Known for his austere lifestyle, Adityanath has followed a strict daily regime.

"Adityanath gets up at 3 AM and practises Yoga between 4 to 5 am. After this, he offers prayers and takes a round of the Mutt and temple premises, while inspecting the cleanliness of the place," Chaitanya Maharaj said.

He would then feed the fishes and then head to the 'gaushala' (cowshed), he said.

It was only after these chores were over, that he would head to his office as the head priest and Gorakhpur MP to listen to the grievances of the public, Chaitanya Maharaj added.
An overseas delegation of radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has raised the alleged shrinking of space for dissent and freedom of expression in Punjab, since the Modi government came into power in 2014, with the United Nations.

The delegation met with Christine Chung, Human Rights Officer, Asia Pacific region at Geneva yesterday, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh told reporters.

"The objective of the meeting was to share our history and heritage with the United Nations to provide a thorough understanding of the perspective in which we make our present demands before it. We highlighted the contentious issues concerning the future of Punjab and its people," he said.

The delegation apprised the world body that ever since the Modi government came into power in 2014, space for dissent and freedom of expression has shrunk and hate-mongering and war-mongering was the order of the day, the spokesperson said.

The memorandum submitted by Dal Khalsa UK and Swiss chapter heads Manmohan Singh Khalsa and Prithpal Singh blamed the Indian state for "trampling of rights, tainting Sikhs, meddling in religious affairs, legally and illegally looting our natural resources like water and crushing dissent through detentions and police fear."



The hardliner Sikh body also took a dig at UN bodies for doing very little in India and almost negligible in Punjab.

"It will not be wrong to say that we are the backwaters of the world - a no man's land where the international community is afraid to put its feet on," the memorandum stated.

Anticipating that the Supreme Court judgement on the vexed Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal matter on March 28 will be "against the riparian rights of the people of Punjab", the memorandum submitted by the party explained in detail the background of how "the government of India has systematically looted the water resources and how the ghost of SYL canal has cropped up again to haunt the people of Punjab."



The radical outfit also discussed the drug menace crippling the northern state.

"The memorandum stated that Punjab was sitting on an epidemic of drug abuse with clear complicity of politicians and state police, as drugs are easily available," the spokesperson said.

Referring to the decision of the newly formed Punjab government under Captain Amarinder Singh about the setting up of 'Commission of Inquiry' to look into police excesses over the last 10 years, the delegation told the UN official that the development "vindicated their stand that successive governments have been victimising political opponents and dissenters.

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Hurt over Odisha Agriculture minister's statement that her husband had committed suicide due to a quarrel with her, deceased farmer Hadu Bagarti's widow Kalabati today urged all not to further complicate the issue.

"I have already given my statement to the Bargarh district Collector in presence of villagers on my husband's death. Now everyone is requested to allow the matter to rest and help us restart life," Kalabati told reporters after submitting an affidavit before the additional tehsildar of Bargarh.

State Agriculture minister Pradeep Kumar Maharathy while giving a statement in the Assembly on March 4 had stated that Hadu Bagarti had committed suicide following a quarrel with his wife.

In her affidavit, Kalabati said her husband took the extreme step due to crop loss and not because of any family dispute.

As per the affidavit, Hadu consumed pesticide on February 26 and was spotted lying in the field in a critical condition.

The villagers rushed him to Bargarh District Hospital and later to the Veer Surendra Sai Institute Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla.

The farmer died on February 28.

Hadu was under severe mental trauma due to crop loss, which happened due to failure in his borewell to pump water for irrigation owing to frequent power failure, she said.

In her affidavit Kalabati has further said there was good relationship within family members including Hadu's son and daughter-in-law.

"No altercation had ever taken place in the family," she said adding that family dispute, which was being cited as the reason behind the suicide, was completely fabricated and imaginary.

Farmer leader Hara Bania, who accompanied Kalabati to the Magistrate, said "Since the government officials submitted a fabricated and concocted report, we were asked to make a sworn affidavit in front of the Executive Magistrate.

"We will submit the affidavit to the President of India, Supreme Court, Chief Minister, Union Agriculture Minister, state Agriculture minister and the Human Rights Commission," he said.

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A demand was raised in the Lok Sabha for ensuring adequate supply of currency, with a member saying labourers and contruction workers are not getting their daily wages due to shortage of notes.

Renuka Butta (YSR Congress) said people in Andhra pradesh are facing problems due to the shortage of currency in ATMs and banks.

Rajesh Ranjan, expelled RJD member, demanded CBI inquiry into the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) "scam".

He alleged that Bihar was "becoming a state of scams".

Ravindra Kumar (BJP) pressed for total implementation of the recommendations of Majithia Wage Boards for Journalists.

Sharad Tripathi (BJP) said India has ranked low at 122 out of 155 in the list of the world's happiest countries and said the country should also have separate ministry for 'happiness' like some other nations have.

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Denied leave, a constable created ruckus today in Police Lines here in an inebriated condition and threatened to kill anyone coming near him.

The constable Rahul Rana of Agra, was posted at Guard Duty at Police Lines here, a police official said.

District Magistrate A K Singh and SSP Soniya Singh rushed to the PT ground of Police Lines here and pacified the drunk constable.

Rana was finally taken into custody and disarmed.

According to SSP Soniya Singh, the constable Rana had been working overtime and sought leave which was not granted by the line inspector.

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Worried over frequent hate crimes against Indian-origin people in the US, a senior Indian-American Congressman has urged President to refrain from using Islamophobic language that pits one group against another.

"We're certainly hearing that there's some anxiety," Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera, a three-term Democratic lawmaker from California said.

Now increasingly playing the role of mentorship to other aspiring Indian-American politicians and other elected leaders, Bera said it is important for community to speak out against such hate crimes.

"It's not reflective of who I believe we are as a country, we're a nation of immigrants and I think the majority of Americans understand we're a nation of immigrants," he said.

He is the senior most Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives which now has three other members from the community - Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal.

Bera, 52, said he would like President Trump to speak out more forcefully against these hate crimes.

"In fact, some of the hateful language that he used on the campaign trail I think has actually allowed some of the groups (involved in hate crimes) to come out of the shadows," he said.

"You've seen some of the high profile crimes, like what happened in Kansas, what happened in Washington State and South Carolina ... Again, that's not the country that I believe we are as America," said Bera.

Though the number might not be that big, but the community is now a vibrant part in the US, he said.

"It's the most affluent demographic in America. Many of the start-ups and the innovations that are occurring in America are coming out of the Indian-American community."

"Go to any State across this country, you have Indian American doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers working in fully integrated into the community. So, we are a part of the fabric of America. I think it's important for the community to come together and let America know that this is not okay. It's not who the US is," he asserted.

Urging Trump to stop tweeting, Bera said he would tell the US President to not use language that pits one group against another.

"Certainly, he has used some Islamophobic language. The travel ban is the wrong direction because I think it's targeting the specific group of individuals," he said, adding that he is also worried a bit about America's reputation taking a hit across the world.

"I think it's important for people like myself to speak out and make sure people around the world and places in India understand we've not changed what our values are, the people of America haven't changed."

"Many of us believe the strength of America is this integration of different cultures, different religions, people coming together. That's unique in the world and that's something which has always made America a special place," he said.
Jailed Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is healthy and even learning English, US prosecutors argued, dismissing allegations from defense lawyers that the terms of his confinement are too harsh.

The 59-year-old, accused of running one of the world's biggest drug empires and who escaped from prison twice in Mexico, has been held in solitary in New York since being extradited on January 19.

In a letter sent to Judge Brian Cogan on March 13, Guzman's court-appointed lawyers said the isolation he is subjected to at a federal prison in New York is harming his physical and mental health.

They said Guzman has trouble breathing and suffers from a sore throat and headaches, and had been experiencing auditory hallucinations -- he complains of hearing music in his cell even when his radio is turned off.

In a previous letter in February, the lawyers said Guzman is kept alone in a small windowless cell and leaves only for an hour of solitary exercise in another cell with a treadmill and stationary bicycle Monday to Friday.

His meals are passed through a slot in the door, the light is always on and Guzman never goes outside, it said.

But in a 40-page response released yesterday, Brooklyn prosecutors said Guzman's tough terms of imprisonment must continue.

"While the defendant complains about his prison conditions, one of his own Mexican attorneys, Silvia Delgado, told the press that the defendant's treatment in the United States has been far better than it was in Mexico, to the point that the defendant's health is improving," the prosecutors' statement said.

And as for the charge that Guzman was starting to hear things, a prison psychologist determined he was just hearing the radio of a prison staffer, it added.

They also denied that Guzman is totally isolated, saying 30 people are authorized to visit him and on average he has 21 hours per week of meetings with lawyers and paralegals.

And during evening meetings "the paralegals appear to be teaching the defendant English, as well as reading to the defendant in Spanish."



Mexican reports have said Guzman is practically illiterate, having failed even to complete elementary school.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to a 17-count indictment filed by US authorities. The first count alone -- that of leading the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel -- could mean life in prison if he is convicted. No trial date has been set.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Activist Linda Masarira was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Seven months were suspended on condition she does does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. The other eleven months were suspended on condition that she performs 385 hours of community service. The community service is being done at Malborough Clinic. Masarira was found guilty of on charges of fanning public violence during the July 6, 2016 "stay away" protest movement led by #ThisFlag Movement founder Pastor Evan Mawarire.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached six flats worth Rs 10 crore belonging to the Director of a Kolkata-based firm in connection with a money laundering probe in an alleged bank fraud case.

The agency said it issued a provisional order attaching four flats in Kolkata and two in Gurugram in the name of "Bipin Kumar Vohra, one of the Directors Ms Bengal India Global Infrastructure Limited Kolkata, in a case of money laundering".

It said while the book value of the assets (flats) is Rs 2.73 crore, their "market value" is Rs 10 crore.

The ED had booked a case against the firm and its executives based on a CBI FIR. The FIR was filed by the CBI after it had taken cognisance of a compliant by a consortium of banks against the firm and others.

"According to CBI FIRs, the firm and others caused a loss of Rs 139.05 crore to Central Bank of India and Rs 48.2 crore to Andhra bank, a loss of Rs 74.98 crore was caused by another group company Ms SPS Steels Rolling Mills Limited and others to United Bank of India," the ED said in a statement.

It added the "company Ms Bengal India Global Infrastructure Limited represented by its directors availed various credit facilities for trading purpose during 2012-13 and diverted the funds through various front/sister companies for other purposes violating the terms and conditions stipulated in the sanction orders thereby causing loss to the lenders."



The attachment of assets under PMLA is aimed to deprive the accused from taking benefits of ill-gotten wealth and such an action gets confirmed after an order is passed by the Adjudicating Authority of the said Act within 180 days.

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The labour ministry today said retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has invested Rs 18,609 crore in exchange traded funds (ETFs) till February 2017.

"The EPFO is investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) based on Nifty 50, Sensex and central public sector enterprises (CPSE) indices and does not invest in shares and equities of individual companies," the ministry said in a press statement.

According to the statement, the total amount invested by the EPFO in ETFs as on February 18 is Rs 18,609 crore -- Nifty 50 and Sensex index based ETFs: Rs 17,105 crore and CPSE index based ETF: Rs 1,504 crore.

The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF and MP) Act, 1952, is applicable to every establishment employing 20 or more, which is engaged in any industry specified under the law.

It said an Employees' Enrolment Campaign, 2017, has been launched for January 1 to March 31, 2017, to bring in more workers under the ambit of EPFO.

Under the campaign, an employer, whether already covered or yet to be covered, can enrol employees who remained un-enrolled between April 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016, by making a declaration.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya shared the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned today that Europeans risk being unsafe on the world's streets, as a crisis between Ankara and the EU showed no signs of abating.

"If you continue to behave like this, tomorrow in no part of the world, no European, no Westerner will be able to take steps on the street safely and peacefully," Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara.

Erdogan did not expand on what he meant by his comments but appeared to imply that Europeans risked receiving the same treatment that, he says, is endured by Turks and Muslims in Europe.

Relations between Turkey and Europe have been severely strained since Turkish ministers were thwarted from campaigning on the continent for a 'yes' vote in next month's referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers.

Ankara has said such behaviour was reminiscent of Nazi Germany and also raised alarm over what it sees as rising racism and Islamophobia.

Erdogan warned Europe that Turkey was "not a country to push, to prod, to play with its honour, to shove its ministers out of the door, drag its citizens on the floor."



He said the world was watching Europe's actions "very closely", adding: "We as Turkey urge Europe to respect democracy, human rights, freedoms."



His repeated comparisons with Nazi Germany have been strongly condemned by the European Union as well as Berlin and the Hague, precipitating a crisis that has raised doubts over the viability of Turkey's EU bid.

Tensions with Germany have been further heightened after Deniz Yucel, the Turkey correspondent of the German newspaper Die Welt, was jailed last month on terror charges. He is awaiting trial.

The president accused German consular officials of allowing Yucel to take refuge in the residence of the German consul in Istanbul for a month to evade arrest.

Erdogan again condemned German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who he previously claimed is "supporting terrorists", after she urged the Turkish-German journalist be freed and gave her support to the Dutch during the height of the crisis over rallies.

"You say 'I am with the Netherlands'. Well, I am with my people," Erdogan said.

In Berlin, Germany's new President Frank-Walter Steinmeier again urged Turkey to free Yucel, speaking in his inauguration address to parliament.

Steinmeier, the former foreign minister, warned Erdogan he was threatening the progress his country had achieved in recent years and decades.

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Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem has expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women" but rejected calls to resign.

Dijsselbloem faced a firestorm with Portugal's prime minister and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi calling for his immediate departure, and the head of the European Parliament condemning the "racist and sexist" remarks.

"I regret it if anyone is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness," Dijsselbloem said yesterday in a statement to AFP.

Monday's gaffe by Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, and the resulting backlash exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone.

"If Europe were serious, Dijsselbloem would be already sacked," said Portuguese premier Antonio Costa at an event in Portugal.

"It is unacceptable that someone who behaves ... With such a racist, xenophobic and sexist attitude towards some European countries remain as head of the Eurogroup," the socialist Costa said.

"The sooner he goes the better," Italy's Renzi said in a post on his Facebook page that reflected criticism from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who is also from Italy, said the remarks were "unacceptable."



"To say these racist and sexist comments is wrong, for me it's unacceptable, especially when one has an important role to play," he told AFP in an interview in Brussels.

But Dijsselbloem, already reeling from his party losing heavily in last week's Dutch election in a result that puts his role as finance minister at risk, said he had "no intention to step down" as Eurogroup head.

In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Dijsselbloem stressed the importance of eurozone members obeying the bloc's strict rules on spending.

Dijsselbloem said that while committing to financial rescues for poorer nations in the eurozone was important, "I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help."



These words were misinterpreted, Dijsselbloem said.

"The sentence referring to alcohol and women was about myself. I said that I cannot expect that if I spend my money in a wrong way that a can then ask for financial support," Dijsselbloem said.

But the words stung in Mediterranean countries Portugal, Greece and Cyprus that have all received eurozone bailouts in recent years -- as has Ireland in northern Europe -- while Spain's banks have also received support.

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The German government today approved plans to quash the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was passed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet and will soon head to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

"Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. "The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice."



The measure follows Britain's so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named after World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure, unlike Germany's, only automatically pardoned dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

Germany's Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... Be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals".

Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although the law dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the legislation to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

But that move didn't include those convicted after the war when Article 175 was still in force.

It was finally dropped from the penal code in communist East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

The compensation scheme under the new legislation includes a one-off payment of 3,000 euros (USD 3,200) for every man convicted and an additional 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison.

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The government on Wednesday said it has not accepted 'most of the demands' of iPhone maker which wants to set up manufacturing unit in India.

To a question in Rajya Sabha on whether the government has accepted most of the demands of the iPhone manufacturer, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "No".

India has sought concessions including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment and consumables for smartphone manufacturing and service/repair for a period of 15 years, she said in a written reply.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for incentives from the Department of Revenue and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeITy).

also wants relaxation in the mandated 30 per cent local sourcing of components.

It also wants reduction in customs duties on completely- knocked-down and semi-knocked-down units of devices that are to be assembled in the country.

In January, Apple had indicated to the government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iPhones in India, but wants fiscal concessions, including customs duty waiver on import of components.

Apple executives had made a detailed presentation to an inter-ministerial group headed by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ramesh Abhishek on its roadmap.

With sales tapering in the US and China, Apple is eyeing India -- the fastest-growing smartphone market in the world -- and looking to set up a local manufacturing unit to cut costs.

It, however, does not manufacture devices on its own and does it through contract manufacturers.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.
: Government is working on a mechanism to define Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises based on turnover, employees and investment instead of the current practice of only capital infusion, a top official said today.

"We are thinking on a mechanism on how can we take micro, small and medium enterprises forward. As of today, definition of a MSME is based on capital infused. We are thinking of defining it on the basis of employees, total revenue and capital", Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Secretary K K Jalan said here.

"We need to learn from the United States and China for propping up the SME industry (in India)", he said.

Jalan was here to take part in a conference on 'Role of MSMEs in Enhancing Indo-US Trade,' organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

Noting that states play a large role in encouraging MSMEs, he said Government had asked states to hold SME conventions to encourage entrepreneurs share knowledge and ideas.

"We have asked the States to hold SME conventions. In fact Madhya Pradesh has become the first State to do an SME Convention", he said.

Stating that the MSME sector yet to improve on various issues like skill development and use of technology, Jalan said the government was aware that regulatory compliance was the 'same' whether it was a bigger manufacturing company or a small firm engaged in the MSME sector.

"Regulatory compliance for a company with revenues of Rs 1,000 crore engaged in manufacturing sector is the same to a company which reports revenues of Rs one or two crore. We are fully aware of the issue. It will be looked into", he said.

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Indians rate customer care service as the top factor while choosing a business and are willing to reward outstanding service by spending more as well as spreading a positive word, says a survey.

According to the findings of the American Express 2017 Global Customer Service Barometer released today, a great service experience can have a positive impact on brands.

Businesses in India should not just focus on providing a good value for money product, but also an equally excellent customer service experience to attract and retain customers.

The survey noted around 84 per cent of Indian consumers say the quality of customer service is very important when they are deciding to become or remain a customer.

Moreover, 86 per cent of Indians are also willing to spend more for a company providing excellent customer service experience; much ahead of United States (70 per cent), UK (59 per cent), Singapore (72 per cent) and Japan (33 per cent).

In addition, Indian customers talk much more about their positive experience, than any other country.

"Companies across the country pay a lot of emphasis on product value proposition but it is time for them to give an equal or more importance to customer service for a real competitive advantage.

Putting customers' needs first to deliver great service experience is not just the right thing to do, it also makes great business sense," said Pradeep Kapur, Senior Vice President, American Express Global Servicing Network - Japan and Asia Pacific.

Besides, Indians are way ahead of their market counterparts when it comes to sharing their good customer service experience on social media.

Not only have they used social media for sharing their feedback, 64 per cent of Indians have also used social channel for availing customer care services, yet again the highest compared to Mexico, United States, Hong Kong and Japan.

On the other hand, 63 per cent of Indians chose not to complete a business transaction or make a purchase because of poor customer service; second highest amongst markets.

"Customer care is a real competitive differentiator. Because of the growing importance of word of mouth about consumers' interactions with companies, creating an excellent service experience can be a game changer," Kapur said.

The American Express 2017 Global Customer Service Barometer survey has been conducted across nine countries - India, United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

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One of Guatemala's most-feared gangs, Barrio 18, has launched a wave of murderous attacks on police across the country following the storming of a detention center overrun by its jailed members, officials have said.

Police are on "maximum alert" after at least nine assaults on police stations that have killed three officers and wounded seven, according to Interior Minister Francisco Rivas.

Thirteen suspected gang members have been arrested in the wake of the attacks, and weapons including a grenade launcher, five assault rifles, four pistols and two bulletproof jackets seized, along with several vehicles, he said yesterday.

He called the attacks a "reaction by organized crime" to Monday's raid on the detention center.

The storming of the Stage II facility in San Jose de Pinula, just outside Guatemala City, was ordered after dozens of Barrio 18 inmates rioted and killed two guards and took four others hostage.

The building was technically a detention center for juvenile offenders, but many of the nearly 200 males held inside were aged over 18.

Twenty of the tattooed Barrio 18 inmates linked to the guards' murders appeared in court yesterday, wearing white t-shirts and with their hands cuffed. Police stood guard behind them.

President Jimmy Morales had hailed the raid on Monday that freed the four guards.

But that congratulatory message soon turned sour. Hospital officials yesterday confirmed that two of the guards had died from their wounds. Of the two others, one was in a critical condition and the other in a stable condition.

Officials said the fatal wounds had been inflicted on the guards by the inmates. But Castillo had said Monday, at the height of the hostage stand-off and before the police raid, that the four guards "are well -- beaten up, but OK."



During the storming of the blue-and-white detention center, journalists outside its barbed wire-topped fence had heard detonations and screams inside the building.

The deaths, and the subsequent attacks on police, robbed Morales of a relatively successful denouement to the detention center riot.

He and his administration are under considerable public pressure and criticism over the poor conditions and treatment of minors held in government-run facilities.

That is because of a fire in a children's shelter close by the Stage II detention center in the same town less than two weeks ago that killed 40 teenage girls.

The minors being held in the Virgin of the Assumption Safe Home had long complained of mistreatment by staff, including sexual abuse.

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Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora today revoked the suspension of Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani.

Dhanani was yesterday suspended, for the remaining period of the ongoing budget session, from the House for showing disrespect towards the Speaker.

This is for the second time when Dhanani, who represents Amreli seat, has been suspended and subsequently given pardon in this ongoing Budget session.

During the fag end of today's proceedings in the House, Congress chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput urged the Speaker to revoke Dhanani's suspension.

On this, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel sought an apology from Dhanani to earn the pardon.

As the Congress MLA was barred from the House, senior MLA from the opposition party Shailesh Parmar tendered an apology on behalf of Dhanani, following which Vora revoked his suspension.

During the day, Dhanani sat on a dharna near the entry gate of Assembly complex to register his protest.

He alleged that the ruling BJP always indulged in "murdering democracy" by evicting Congress MLAs using majority.

On February 23, Dhanani and another Congress MLA Baldevji Thakor were suspended for the rest of the session for allegedly misbehaving and trying to attack some ministers and BJP MLAs. However, their suspension was revoked on March 9.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe's aunt Gogo Phoebie Marufu who died on Monday has been laid to rest at the Marufu homestead in Chikomba.Thousands of people including the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe converged at the Marufu homestead for the burial of Gogo Marufu (70) who was the wife of the young brother to Amai Mugabe's father.Dr Mugabe described her aunt as a loving person who was a pillar of strength and a true family hero.Her brother Reverend Whycliff Masama described his sister as a person who was loving and a family advisor.Chief of the area Chief Senator Musarurwa has accorded headman ship status to the Muto clan which the First Lady comes from in honour of her philanthropic work.Gogo Marufu is survived by her husband Mr Nhau Marufu, one child, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
The Gujarat Assembly today passed bills for the establishment of four private and two government-run universities in the state.

Birsa Munda Tribal University Bill, Gujarat Organic Agricultural University Bill and Gujarat Private Universities (Amendment) Bill were passed today.

While placing the Tribal University Bill on the floor of the House, Tribal Development Minister Ganpat Vasava said the government had earmarked Rs 20 crore to establish the university at Rajpipla in Narmada district.

"This university will provide courses in tribal arts, culture, tourism, forest-based economic activities, languages and medicinal system. Though the admissions are open for all, we will give preference to tribal students to make sure that they are not left behind in higher education," said Vasava.

The bill for agricultural university was tabled by the Agriculture Minister Chimanbhai Saparia. The university is most likely to come up in Gandhinagar.

"Despite a huge demand for organic farm products, farmers and other stakeholders don't have enough knowledge about production processes, techniques, pest management. This university would offer comprehensive solutions, learning tools and education to train the future generations in this emerging field," the minister said.

Apart from these two state-run universities, Gujarat is set to get four new private universities, as the Assembly passed a bill seeking to amend the current act governing the private universities.

These four new universities are Swarnim Startup and Innovation University in Gandhinagar, P P Savani University in Surat, Indrashil University in Dholera, Ahmedabad, and Karnavati University in Gandhinagar.

With this, number of private universities in the state would reach 25, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama told the Assembly.

The House today also passed Gujarat Maritime Board (Amendment) Bill, Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill and Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill.

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The Chhattisgarh High Courttoday dismissed an appeal filed by the state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel over a decision of the Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal to reject a no-confidence motion against himself.

The division bench of Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan and Justice Pritinker Diwaker dismissed the appeal against Agrawal's decision to reject a no-confidence motion brought against him by the opposition Congress in 2014.

Additional Advocate General Prafulla Bharat said the judges held that the issue in the appeal was now only of academic interest because the session was over.

Baghel's lawyer Sudip Shrivastav said that Congress had given a notice of no-confidence motion following allegations that a trust managed by Agrawal had encroached on government land near Mahadev Ghat here and done some construction.

The Speaker dismissed the notice, saying it must be moved 14 days prior to the motion, and the session was scheduled to end before 14 days.

Baghel challenged the decision in the High Court, but a single judge dismissed his petition after which he filed an appeal.

Baghel's plea raised the issue whether a person against whom the notice for no-confidence motion is given can adjudicate it.

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The Bombay High Court today asked the state Anti-Corruption Bureau as to why it was dithering in lodging an FIR in an alleged scam involving the bidding for building a highway toll collection centre in Navi Mumbai.

A bench of justices R V More and Shalini Phansalkar Joshi posed the query while making a stinging observation against the state government and wondering if the government is in "hand in glove with the accused persons."



"Prima facie it appears that the government is hand in glove with the accused persons," Justice More said.

The division bench made the observation while hearing a plea by activist Pravin Wategaonkar alleging bias and breach of rules in the tendering process for building the Khargar toll collection centre on the Sion-Panvel highway in Navi Mumbai.

The state government had earlier this month told the court that it had given permission to the ACB to conduct an "open inquiry" into the alleged scam.

The division bench, however, today said the ACB should first lodge an FIR in the case and then conduct the inquiry.

"The ACB first conducted preliminary enquiry in the matter and then asked for permission from the government to conduct open inquiry. The government after much delay granted the permission. Why are you (ACB) not filing the FIR directly and then inquiring into the scam?" the court asked.

The court then posted the matter for further hearing on March 27, when the ACB will have apprise the court of its decision.

The ACB had earlier told the court it has already conducted a preliminary enquiry into the allegations last year and had then sent letters to the state government seeking permission to carry out an open enquiry.

"The construction of the highway, the toll collection and so on are connected with the state PWD, MSRDC and other private and government agencies. Also, the process of tendering, construction and so on involved highly technical issues, hence an open enquiry is necessary before appropriate action is taken against persons involved, if any," ACB had said.

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A Madras High Court bench today asked the state Customs Department to examine a plea against the import of untreated and infested wooden logs in breach of various statutory provisions.

The Madurai bench of the high court asked the Custom Department to consider the plea of one M Seyal Murugan, who had moved the court seeking strict compliance of rules before letting the imported wooden logs, reaching the Tuticorin VOC Port, enter the country.

The court's division bench of justices A Selvam and N Athinathan asked the Customs officials to consider the plea within 15 days so that the untreated wood, possibly infested with pests, beetle and wasp, do not enter the country.

The petitioner wanted the authorities to follow the mandatory procedure stipulated under 'the Destructive Insects and Pests Act and Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003,' before allowing the logs into the country.

He also sought a stay on clearing the logs which did not satisfy the order and which did not have the Certificate issued by the exporting country.

The plant quarantine officer should inspect the container if they were sawn or sized wood without bark, he submitted.

The officer should also inspect the timber at sea before being unloaded from the ship.

If the pests, along with the wood, were allowed into the country, they could cause harm to human beings in the country, he pointed out.

He also attached what he claimed were photographs of logs being allowed into the country with dangerous wasps, pest, beetle and moth.

A representation was sent to customs officials, including Customs Commissioner (Imports), and Plant protection officer of Tuticorin VOC Port Trust, but no action had been taken, he alleged.

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The board of textile firm Himatsingka Seide today approved disinvestment of 100 per cent in its arm Giuseppe Bellora Srl and its sale to Himatsingka Europe at a fair market value.

The move is part of the company's strategy to have London as headquarters for its European operations.

Himatsingka Seide had incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Europe last month, aiming to strengthen its distribution network in the continent.

In a regulatory filing, it said the board of directors "approved to disinvest 100 per cent holding in its subsidiary company Giuseppe Bellora Srl and sell the same to Himatsingka Europe Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary) at fair market value".

Post disinvestment, Giuseppe Bellora Srl will consequentially become a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary under the existing wholly-owned subsidiary of Himatsingka Europe.

The board also approved the closure of the step-down subsidiary Himatsingka Singapore Pte.

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Vedanta Group firm Hindustan Zinc (HZL) today announced a special dividend of Rs 13,985 crore for 2016-17, taking the aggregate amount paid by it for the fiscal to Rs 27,157 crore, the largest such payout by any company in the country.

"Together with the golden jubilee dividend paid in April last year and the interim dividend in October 2016, the aggregate dividend being paid by Hindustan Zinc during this financial year will be Rs 27,157 crore, including DDT, which is the largest dividend outflow by any company in India in a single financial year," the company said in a statement.

Of Rs 27,157 crore, Rs 11,259 crore will go to the government, the company said.

"In its meeting held today to consider a second interim dividend, the board of directors has declared a special one-time interim dividend of 1,375 per cent i.E. Rs 27.50 on every equity share of Rs 2, entailing an outflow of Rs 13,985 crore including dividend distribution tax (DDT)," it said.

The record date for the dividend will be March 30, it added.

"We are pleased to reward our shareholders with a special dividend, which reflects the company's confidence in its continued robust performance and demonstrates our commitment towards delivering value for our shareholders," HZL Chairman Agnivesh Agarwal said.

Since disinvestment by the government in 2002, the cumulative dividends paid by the company, including the current special dividend, is Rs 37,517 crore, including dividend distribution tax, Agarwal said.

Hindustan Zinc is one of the largest integrated producers of zinc and lead and a leading producer of silver.

The company is headquartered in Udaipur and has zinc-lead mines at Rampura Agucha, Sindesar Khurd, Rajpura Dariba, Zawar and Kayad, and primary smelter operations at Chanderiya, Dariba and Debari, all in Rajasthan and finished product facilities in Uttarakhand.

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India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), entrusted with the task of setting up of credit enhancement agency is waiting for regulation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a senior official said.

The proposal for setting up of a dedicated fund to provide credit enhancement to infrastructure projects was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the last Budget.

"We are awaiting RBI guidelines for regulation of Credit Enhancement Enhancement Fund," Deputy Managing Director Sanjeev Kaushik said.

is already in process of setting up the company and applying for permission, he said.

The Rs 500 crore IIFCL-anchored fund will help in raising the credit rating of bonds floated by infrastructure companies and facilitate investment from long-term investors.

Kaushik said, capital commitment from other investors are also being tied up and the process is at the final stage.

Some public sector banks including SBI and Bank of Baroda have evinced interest in picking up stake in the fund.

Public sector General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) plans to hold 15 per cent in the credit enhancement fund.

Besides, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), another PSU, is likely to hold 5 per cent stake in the fund.

The proposed venture is expected to be registered as the Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) under Sebi.

Companies issued Rs 4.13 lakh crore of bonds in 2014-15, according to a report by the Reserve Bank. The central bank is in favour of a separate regulatory framework for providing credit enhancement by non-banking finance companies to bolster bond ratings.
India has lifted the import ban on six commodities, including coffee beans, from Vietnam after resolving phytosanitary issues with the latter.

Vietnam had yesterday removed suspension on imports of five commodities from India after it was satisfied with the corrective action to improve pest management.

Earlier this month, Vietnam had suspended import of pods and seeds of peanuts, seeds of cassia, cocoa, bean and fruit of tamarind from India due to phytosanitary issues.

In response, India also temporarily suspended the imports of coffee beans, bamboo, black pepper, cinnamon, cassia and dragon fruit from Vietnam with effect from March 7, citing interception of quarantine pest in cargoes.

"Phytosanitary issues have been addressed and we lifted temporary ban on import of six commodities from Vietnam," a senior agriculture ministry official told PTI.

The decision was taken yesterday after the Vietnam government lifted restrictions on shipment of Indian items, the official added.

According to sources, the Embassy of India in Hanoi had termed the decision of the Vietnam government suspending the import of five items based on two instances of non-compliances limited to peanuts as "strange". India had received only two notifications of non-compliance from Vietnam -- one on January 20 and other on February 16, 2017.

The Embassy had also contended that leading Vietnamese groundnut importers were happy with Indian consignments except the case of non-compliance of February 2017, they added.

While imposing temporary ban on Vietnamese products, the Indian government had said the interception of quarantine pests in imported consignments was a serious violation of phytosanitary regulation of the country, causing serious bio-security risk, sources said.

The notifications for repeated interception of quarantine pests were communicated to the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), Vietnam, they added.

In a letter dated March 3, the Indian government had informed the NPPO, Vietnam, its concern and suspension of six commodities.

It had also requested Vietnam to submit an action taken report and phytosanitary measures to be proposed to avoid interception of quarantine pests.

India had asked Vietnam to provide the list of fumigating agencies for accreditation by its NPPO to ensure proper fumigation of the exported cargo is carried out.

The country had raised the issue of export of some commodities by Vietnam that are not permitted and without phytosanitary certificates. In the letter, India informed that continuation of such violation might warrant considering withdrawal of market access.

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India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, President Pranab Mukherjee said here today.

Mukherjee said this in his message to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain on the eve of their national day tomorrow.

"On behalf of the ggvernment, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend greetings to you and to the friendly people of Pakistan on the occasion of your National Day," he said.

"India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence," he said.

Mukherjee's missive comes amid unease in Indo-Pak ties following a series of terrorist attacks on army camps and tension along the border due to frequent ceasefire violations.

The last official dialogue between the two countries was held in December 2015 when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj travelled to Islamabad and the two sides decided to resume comprehensive talks.

However, the thaw was short-lived as Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group struck at strategically located Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on January one last year.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Islamabad in 2016 to attend the SAARC Interior Ministers Conference but there was no bilateral engagement between the two countries.

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The integration of the Parsi culture in the Indian tapestry sends a relevant message in the current "troubled times", India said in its message on the occasion of Nowruz.

Underscoring the valuable contribution made by Parsis in India across diverse fields such as business, government, academia and culture, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said "their experience remains relevant in contemporary troubled times as the world continues to struggle to formulate responses to those seeking refuge in distant lands."



He said the Parsi community arrived in India more than a thousand years ago and brought Nowruz to the country.

"Since then the Parsi culture, their traditions and Nowruz itself have become an important thread in the Indian tapestry."



Akbaruddin was addressing a special ceremony marking the International Day of Nowruz here yesterday.

The International Day of Nowruz was proclaimed in 2010 by the General Assembly and India has been co-sponsoring the commemoration at the world body along with Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Addressing the event, attended by UN envoys, senior diplomats and officials, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Nowruz is a "time to learn about each other and our world. It is a chance to renew our pledge for peace, friendship, human rights and human dignity."



"Nowruz is a reminder of all that we have in common - and the richness of our diversity," he said.

Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Irina Bokova urged everyone to embrace the day's values and be inspired by its universal message of peace and solidarity, in her message on the occasion of Nowruz.

"At a time when violent extremism seeks to destroy diversity and freedoms, Nowruz is a reminder of the power of culture and heritage to build resilient and sustainable societies," she said.

Highlighting that in the midst of global challenges such as violent extremism, Nowruz is a source of confidence and belonging for all, Ms Bokova noted that the message it conveys is all the more important given the efforts around the globe to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring and the renewal of nature, is celebrated by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

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News / National

by Conor Gaffey

The Build Zimbabwe Alliance is targeting diaspora and young Zimbabweans ahead of the 2018 elections, NewsWeek reported.The leader of one of Zimbabwe's newest political parties, Noah Manyika, only moved back to the country of his birth in January after an absence of more than two decades.But according to the founder of Build Zimbabwe Alliance (BZA), he has keenly felt the struggles of his motherland, which has suffered economic mismanagement, human rights abuses and civil unrest in more than 30 years of rule by President Robert Mugabe."You are a Zimbabwean wherever you are," Manyika, 54, tells Newsweek during a trip to the U.K aimed at raising support among the estimated 110,000 Zimbabweans living there. "Ours is shared pain. The Zimbabwean who has been living outside the country has paid the price - right now, we are the pension system for our families, we are the medical aid system for our families We are all bearing the cost of the dysfunction in our country."Now back in Zimbabwe, Manyika wants to help bring about political change in one of the most entrenched governments in Africa, with the world's oldest non-royal head of state at its helm. The country holds its next general election in 2018, and the ruling ZANU-PF coalition has already put forward Mugabe, 93, as its nominee.Over the past year, however, Zimbabwe has been convulsed by mass anti-government protests on an unprecedented scale coupled with an economic crisis. Unemployment remains high, GDP growth slumped to 1.5 percent in 2015, and a U.S. dollar shortage pushed the government to introduce a quasi-currency - known as bond notes - in late 2016, which are worthless outside the country."Our view is that we actually don't have economic problems, we have a leadership problem manifesting itself as an economic problem," says Manyika.But the BZA leader believes that the country is ripe for change, and that its citizens in the diaspora have a key role to play. According to Manyika, the BZA wants to bring about "an unprecedented mobilization of Zimbabweans and friends of Zimbabwe, wherever they are."Those outside the country remain a pillar of Zimbabwe's crumbling economy: in 2016, remittances from individuals and organizations in the diaspora totaled $1.57 billion - 10 percent of Zimbabwe's total economy given that its GDP is around $14.4 billion.And as long as they hold Zimbabwean citizenship by birth - i.e. were born in Zimbabwe and have a Zimbabwean parent or grandparent, or were born outside the country but whose parent(s) is a Zimbabwean citizen living in the country - those in the diaspora are constitutionally permitted to vote; however, the country's electoral commission has indicated that it does not have the funds to facilitate diaspora voting in the 2018 polls.Manyika himself has experience of looking in from the outside. Following Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, he joined a government media corps and was sent for training in Romania, which was then under the rule of the authoritarian Communist leader, Nicolae Ceausescu. Upon his return to Zimbabwe, Manyika says he saw similar tendencies in his homeland as he had in Romania - including excessive centralization of power around the head of state - and so in 1984 he left for the United States. There, he has worked on numerous community projects, including a scholarship fund for underprivileged children in Charlotte, North Carolina.But Manyika has kept his hand in Zimbabwean affairs: he was involved in designing national healing programs for Zimbabwe's national unity government, which came to power following violence-ridden elections in 2008.The BZA plans to drum up support among diaspora Zimbabweans, while also rolling out a leadership training programknown as P210+, a reference to Zimbabwe's 210 parliamentary constituenciesto equip young people in the country with the tools to build a new future for a country that has only known one leader since independence.Manyika says that Mugabe's insistence on staying in power in Zimbabwe has created a leadership vacuum that needs to be filled. "Zimbabwe has people who have tremendous potential," he says. "We have a lot of people in the diaspora and in the country itself who can really do something to rebuild our economy."Ahead of the 2018 elections, the BZA will hold its own party conference, during which a candidate for the polls will be selected. Manyika hopes to win the nomination, but says that Zimbabweans need a change of mindset ahead of the elections."What we've heard for so many years is that we only have one person who knows how to solve the problems of our country," he says. "We have all kinds of social problems, our healthcare system is broken and there are graduates who have now become vendors on the streets, all because [we've been told] there is only one person who can run the country. So I'm not the only one who is qualified...I'm stepping in as a Zimbabwean to go against that myth."
The armies of India and Sri Lanka today began three-day talks aimed at fostering better understanding between the two militaries.

The annual Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) are being held for the sixth consecutive year.

This is part of ever-increasing bilateral military cooperation and understanding with special focus on exchange of training modules, infrastructure improvement, knowledge on technical aspects and welfare programmes.

The talks are being led by Major General Sanjaya Thapa of the Indian Army and Major General A P de Z Wickramaratna of the Sri Lanka Army.

The four-member Indian delegation during conference sessions would evaluate the progress of already implemented matters of interest between the two organisations and plan the course of intended action during the coming year.

The AAST, a novel feature was founded in the year 2012 in New Delhi with an objective of fostering better relations between both Armies.

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A rally team of Indian Navy's Social Outreach Programme "Coast to Coast", which arrived at the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kannur district, as part of celebrations to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of INS Valsura, was flagged-off today.

The team was formally received by Captain Sumeet Kapoor, Training Captain (Co-ord), Indian Naval Academy, yesterday, an INA release said today.

The team members in five cars will cover more than 6,000 km, touching all major Naval establishments and places of maritime heritage en route.

The team wouldinteract with the local people, war veterans and navalwidows during the course of their trip and also visit schools and colleges to spread awareness about Indian Navy.

INS Valsura is a 75-year-old establishment of the Indian Navy located at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

It is a premier training institute for the Electrical Engineers of the Indian Navy with a rich maritime heritage, dating back to pre-Independence India of 1942, when the British Navy set up a Torpedo School on December 1942 and named it Val-Sura from the Tamil words 'Val'(Sword) and 'Surah' (Fish).

The rally was flagged off in the morning by Vice Admiral S V Bhokare, Commandant of the INA. It would reach the Headquarters of Southern Naval Command, Kochi, after its visit to Kozhikode, the release added.

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An Indian-origin surgeon in the UK, with the help of a 3D printer, has successfully reconstructed a 53-year-old cancer patient's jaw using bone from one of his legs.

Dr Daya Gahir of Royal Stoke University Hospital in West Midlands region of England specialises in facial, head and neck surgery and conducts as many as 40 reconstructions a year.

Last year his hospital acquired the software required to make full use of the 150,000-pound (USD 186,871) 3D printer to make his task even more efficient, including designing and manufacturing the surgical tools and performing the surgery.

"We do at least 40 major head and neck reconstructions per year. Around 10 to 15 cases will be done in this way using the printer," Gahir told the Stoke Sentinel newspaper.

"Some of the leg bone was taken then reshaped, as you have to replace bone with bone. We took away some of the skin from the leg as well and replanted it back into the neck," he said, as he explained about the 12-hour delicate surgery conducted on his patient Stephen Waterhouse recently.

Waterhouse's jawbone had disintegrated after he underwent radiotherapy treatment for his throat cancer a few years ago.

He was left with a crumbling jawbone which Gahir was able to reconstruct using bone from his leg.

"If you leave 7 cm of the leg bone on either side, you can take the rest as it carries only about 20 per cent of the body weight maximum," Gahir said.

The Royal Stoke University Hospital is the only hospital in the UK to offer such a facility, having acquired the expensive printer around two years ago.

"If patients could not have it done here, they would have to be sent to Germany for it. Not only is that expensive, but it is a waste of time too. Cancers do not wait, they keep growing. It is better for the patient too as they do not worry as much," Gahir said.

After the surgery, patients have to spend five days in a high dependency unit and up to another 14 days on a ward where they are fed food through their nose.

Waterhouse is now fully recovered and all praise for the "superb" medical care he received.

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Union textiles minister Smriti Irani today discussed with her counterpart in the agriculture ministry, Radha Mohan Singh, the measures to boost jute production in the country.

In the meeting here, it was decided that both agriculture and textiles ministries will sensitise jute farmers about certified seeds for cultivation and scale up implementation of 'Jute i-Care', a programme aimed at handholding the farmers to increase the supply of raw jute.

"Urged @AgriGoI officials to include Jute under Seed Village Programme & guide Jute farmers on second crop to increase income & productivity," Irani tweeted on the meeting.

The two ministers also discussed the promotion of agro textiles that can benefit industry as well as farmers since they are cost-effective and recyclable and the strategy for the coming financial year 2017-18.

It was also decided that Krishi Vikas Kendras will provide new machinery for jute production to farmers.

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Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan will observe hunger strikes in Delhi and three other cities demanding restoration of his administrative and judicial work and withdrawal of the suo motu contempt proceedings against him.

"Justice Karnan has decided to hold hunger strike at New Delhi in front of the Rashtrapati Bhawan or at Ramlila Maidan depending on the permission granted for the same," Justice Karnan's counsel W Peter Ramesh Kumar said.

He said the agitation would be held demanding "restoration of administrative and judicial work of Justice Karnan, which has been stopped since February 8, 2017."



"The agitation will also be on the demand for withdrawal of suo motu contempt proceedings against Justice Karnan and recall of warrant issued against him," Kumar told PTI over phone from Madurai.

The agitation would also seek payment of compensation of Rs 14 crore as demanded by Justice Karnan in a letter to the seven-judge bench of the apex court on March 16.

The hunger strike in Delhi will be preceded by similar agitations in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow, Kumar said.

"In Chennai, the hunger strike will be observed opposite Fort St George, the state secretariat of Tamil Nadu. In Kolkata, it will be held opposite Raj Bhawan near Calcutta High Court, while at Lucknow, the strike will be observed opposite Lucknow University," he said.

The counsel said the dates for holding the hunger strikes were yet to be finalised.

"We are yet to decide whether to hold the agitations before March 31 or after, when the bailable warrant issued by the Supreme Court is returnable and the suo motu contempt is scheduled to be taken up," he said.

On March 10, the seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court,



headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar took strong note of Justice Karnan's "non-appearance" despite being served with the contempt notice, and asked the Director General of West Bengal Police to execute the warrants on the judge to ensure his presence at 10.30 AM on March 31.

Justice Karnan had hit back saying they had "no locus standi" to issue a bailable warrant against a sitting judge and alleged that he was being targeted for being a dalit.

He also issued an 'order' of registration of a case under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 against the judges constituting the seven-judge bench.

Later on March 16, he wrote to the seven-judge bench seeking a compensation of Rs 14 crore.

On March 17, West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Surajit Kar Purakayastha went to serve the bailable warrant at Justice Karnan's residence in New Town near Kolkata.

Justice Karnan, in a letter to the seven-judge bench on the same day, said he "rejected the warrant.
: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today appealed to Anganwadi workers to call off their three-day RPT day old protest demanding increase in wages.

The government will hold discussions with them on their issues with "an open mind" on April 19, he told the state assembly.

As the House met for the day, opposition parties raised the issue of Anganwadi workers continuing their protestdespite the Chief Minister yesterday claiming that he hadconvinced their delegation to call off the protest. Responding to this, Industries Minister R V Deshpande said he will ask the Women and Child Development Minister to meet them and see why they were still protesting and understand their concerns.

Unhappy with the government's response, JD(S) members' entered the well of the House.

Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar (BJP too said the Chief Minister should call another meeting and talk to the agitating workers.

Siddaramaiah had said yesterday he had met the leaders of the Anganwadi workers and informed them that government has been with them and was raising their wage by Rs 500 every year and it was raised by Rs 1,000 in the latest budget.

He said today that understanding their concern, he has called them for a meeting after the current assembly session and byelections to two assembly seats. The meeting had been fixed for April 19.

"They too had agreed to it, I don't know why they decided to continue with the protest. They should not make it a prestige issue. Government has its own limitations and all decisions, on such issues which will have financial implications cannot be decided at one go," he said. "I request them to call off the the protest. We will sit with them with an open mind on April 19 and discuss their demands," he added.

Following this, JD(S)members returned to their seats.

Hundreds of anganwadi workers are on the protest at the Freedom Park here pressing their charter of demands, including wage hike.

Women workers, a few of them along with their children are protesting overnight in an open area, despite being faced by challenges like limited availability of food, water and other basic facilities including toilet. After their condition was highlighted in the assembly yesterday, the government said it has made some arrangements for basic needs at the protest venue.

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Kevin James has been roped in to feature in a stand-up special by Netflix.

The 51-year-old actor will appear in the untitled series which will be shot later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The special will debut in 2018, which also marks one of James' first shows since 2001's "Sweat the Small Stuff" for Comedy Central.

The "Pixels" actor will also be seen in the online streaming provider's comedy "Sandy Wexler" next month, which stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Hudson.

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The government today said KVIC did not violate any norms by using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its diary and calendar and the use of Mahatma Gandhi's picture was never an established policy.

Elaborating, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that on the past six occasions (during the years 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013 & 2016), the cover page of the KVIC Diary did not carry the photograph of Mahatma Gandhiji.

Asked whether it is a fact that Mahatma Gandhi's picture has been replaced with the picture of Prime Minister in its diaries and calendars by KVIC, Minister of State in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry Giriraj Singh said in the Rajya Sabha: "No, Sir.

"The picture of Mahatma Gandhi has not been replaced by KVIC in its diaries and calendars. There is no policy for mandatory use of photos of Mahatma Gandhiji on calendars and diaries of KVIC".

Moreover, he said, the guidelines of the government with regard to publication of Prime Minister's photograph have been duly followed by KVIC.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman V K Saxena welcomed the minister's reply.

"I have been repeatedly saying that there is no policy for mandatory use of Mahatma Gandhi's picture on KVIC's calendar and diary. In the past, photographs of late Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi have also been used," Saxena told PTI.

Singh said the design and creative are prepared every year based on the requirements and developments that took place in the KVI sector.

The minister said said the Prime Minister's photograph was used on the cover page of the KVIC diary and calendar for 2017 since he was kind enough to grace the Khadi event held at Ludhiana, where he distributed 500 charkhas to the Khadi artisans and the photograph of the event was carried on the diary and the calendar as a source of encouragement to the KVI sector.

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President Maithripala Sirisena today left on a three-day official visit to Russia, becoming the first Sri Lankan head of the state to visit Moscow in 43 years.

His visit takes place following an invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin as both countries mark the 60th anniversary of establishment of bilateral ties this year, officials said.

Sirisena and Putin are scheduled to hold talks tomorrow.

His discussions in Moscow will focus on the bilateral ties, including promotion of trade and investment.

Former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike's visit to Moscow in 1974 was the last such trip by a Sri Lankan leader.

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Travellers across the Middle East expressed frustration today at a ban on large electronic devices for flights to the United States and Britain that has sparked confusion and speculation.

From Saturday, passengers on flights to the United States and Britain from major hubs in Turkey and the Arab world will have to check in any device larger than a smartphone, including laptops and tablets.

The United States and Britain have cited intelligence indicating passenger jets could be targeted via explosives planted in electronic devices.

Caught in the middle of the ban are thousands of travellers growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as an absurd measure.

"Is there anything else I should know before flying back home? Navy blue boxers not allowed? Should I shave?" asked an American expat living in Abu Dhabi with a direct flight to the United States next week.

As the March 25 enforcement deadline looms, passengers are growing increasingly wary of restrictions on living in and travelling from the Middle East.

"They took my laptop and my camera," said Mustafa, who did not give his second name, as he boarded a plane out of Dubai to the United States.

The US ban affects nine airlines from eight countries: Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The British ban, meanwhile, targets flights out of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.

Canada and France have also said they are looking into similar regulations.

At the Tunis airport, a passenger flying to Canada via London said he was confused by the new measure.

"I mind because I need my laptop or my iPad. It's a personal thing. Why do I have to put them in hold?" said Riadh, 33, adding he now feared they would be damaged or stolen.

Many were quick to flag a lack of logic behind justifications of the ban.

"Every criminal in the Middle East: 'Oh no! We can't take the direct flight to the US! I hate connecting flights! *Cancels criminal plans*," Egyptian analyst Mohamed El Dahshan wrote on Twitter.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwean security officials are seized with cases of alleged assaults and torture of Zimbabwean nationals who are illegally settled in neighbouring Botswana.The country's Western Region Immigration Department said an average of 2400 Zimbabweans are deported from Botswana every month with a significant number reporting incidents of abuse."We receive an average of 2400 repatriations a month from our four ports of entry as the western region. Half of these complain of assault and in some extreme cases we send them back for treatment at the hands of the Botswana authorities. We sometimes receive information on cases of Zimbabweans being shot," Western Region Assistant Immigration Officer, Mr Blessing Marwa said.The ZBC News caught up with an alleged victim, Mr Misheck Siziba who claimed that he was inhumanly treated while in a detention camp after he had overstayed."I was assaulted while undressed at the hands of Botswana security officials for having overstayed in the neighboring country. The police beat us in detention camps before handing us over to the chiefs who further subjected us to more beatings in front of the community. They also took away my passport," Siziba said.These reports come as the world commemorated World Human Rights Day on Tuesday, amid calls for every person to be treated with respect and dignity.
A member in the Lok Sabha today raised the issue of "racial attacks" on students from the North East in Bengaluru and urged the government to take action.

During Zero Hour, Jitendra Chaudhury, a CPI-M member from Tripura, also suggested that a citizen's committee should be set up to address the issue.

Soon after he raised the issue, a BJP member said the Karnataka government was not taking action in this regard. The remarks elicited protests from some Congress members from Karnataka.

In recent times, there have been incidents of students from the North East coming under attack in Bengaluru, a technology hub.

Congress member K Suresh raised concerns over high airfares by airlines operating flights to and from Kerala to the Gulf countries.

Noting that various airlines hiked air ticket prices on these routes especially during festival seasons, Suresh sought the government's intervention in the matter.

BJP member Anurag Thakur asked the government to provide inter-operability of pre-paid payment instruments.

Inter-operability would help people in making various payments, he added.

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Five Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed today during clashes with the security forces that also left a Major and a soldier dead in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region.

Theclashes took place in Utmankhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency during an intelligence-based operation by security forces, the army said in a statement.

Five Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, including commander Shah Dauran, were killed by thesecurity forces.

During clashes, Major Mudassir and Sepoy Matiullah were killed.

The security forces arrested several terrorists fromthe area when a search operation was conduction after cordon-off.

Heavy arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of terrorists.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

Pakistan last month launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to clean the country of remnants of militants after dismantling their hideouts in remote tribal region.

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A 39 year-old man has been sentenced to life for murdering a young woman bank officer after she turned down his marriage proposal in 2013.

Atmaram Seetaram More, who belongs to Khed in Maharashtra, was working at a fish food outlet here when he befriended the bank officer Anjana, who frequented the place, police said.

He took her to his room in April 17, 2013 and killed her by tightening a rope around her neck as she turned down his marriage proposal, police said.

The Urwa police who investigated the case found out her identity and that of the murderer, which led to his arrest two months later from Manipal, police said.

Atmaram came to the city after jumping parole while undergoing life imprisonment for another murder in Nasik. He had killed his lover there after a bitter quarrel in 2011, according to police.

The Fourth District and Sessions Court Judge, Veerabhadraiah Bhavani, who delivered the verdict yesterday, said Atmaram would have to undergo life imprisonment in both the cases consecutively. The sentence period in the present case will begin after completion of the sentence in the earlier case.

The judge also directed prison authorities to keep Atmaram in solitary confinement for three months and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.

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In Amish Tripathi's mind, Sita is not a coy and docile wife as she is often depicted in TV dramas and popular literature. The author of the Shiva trilogy sees her as a warrior princess who combats several challenges to rise from being an adopted daughter to a warrior princess and ultimately a goddess.

In an interview with PTI, Tripathi said his second book in the Ramachandra series will feature Lord Rama merely as a supporting character and instead focus entirely on his wife.

"The version of Sita that we have now is based on a 1980 television series, which was largely based on the 'Ramcharitamanas' by Tulsidas," he said.

Titled "Sita: Warrior of Mithila," the book to be launched this year, will narrate the period from Sita's birth until the point where she is abducted by Ravana, in a multi-linear narrative in which Rama will appear only in the last one-third part of the book.

Inspired by Valmiki's "Adhbut Ramayana", the book will explore the flip side to the conventional portrayal of Sita as a traditional, dutiful Hindu wife who follows her husband. In Valmiki's version Sita overcomes several hurdles with incredible strength of character to emerge as a warrior and goddess, Tripathi said.

"The very word Ramayana means the travel of Rama. It is the story of Lord Rama, and Sita Devi is a character in that story...But my book is actually Sita Devi's story where Rama is just a character who appears only in the last one-third of the book," he said.

Although Valmiki is said to have written a traditional version of the Ramayana, which has a similar portrayal of Sita as in "Ramcharitmanas", lesser known is "Adhbut Ramayana", also credited to Valmiki, where she is a warrior, he said.

"She is the one who kills Ravana in 'Adhbut Ramayana'", said Tripathi, a banker-turned-best-selling author who is among the leading names in the mythological fiction genre in India.

"There are two Ravanas; the elder Ravana is killed by Sita Devi when she takes the true form of Maa Kali," he said.

"Sita: Warrior of Mithila," comes two years after his bestselling "Scion of Ikshvaku," the first in the Ramachandra series. Three more will follow later, he said.

"The first book was from the birth of Rama to Sita's kidnapping. The second book is from the birth of Sita to the kidnapping of Sita. The third book is from the birth of Ravana to Sita's kidnapping. Fourth book onwards is the common narrative," he said.

The book is expected to hit the stands by end of May or early June.

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Divis Laboratories today said the US health regulator issued import alert for products made at one of its units at Visakhapatnam citing violation of manufacturing norms and refusal of inspection.

The company said it has already initiated measures to address the concerns raised by the USFDA.

"We wish to update that the import alert by USFDA for the products manufactured at the company's Unit-II at Visakhapatnam was issued under two clauses 66-40 & 99-32 of the FDA regulations," Divis Laboratories said in a BSE filing.

As per US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), a import alert under 66-40 entails "detention without physical examination" of drugs from firms which have not met drug GMPs, while alert under 99-32 is issued to "firms refusing FDA foreign establishment inspection".

Divis said: "The company has already initiated necessary measures to address the concerns raised by the US-FDA and is making all efforts to fully meet the compliance requirements."



The regulator had exempted ten products, including Levetiracetam, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Capecitabine, Naproxen sodium and BOC core succinate, from the import alert.

Divis stock closed 1.19 per cent down at Rs 626.80 on BSE.

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Mizoram government sold 125.97 million units of power during 2014-15 and 2015-16, state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla informed the legislature today.

In a written reply to a question from Lalruatkima of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Lal Thanhawla, who also holds Power and Electricity portfolio said that the rate of selling power during 2014-15 was Rs 3.

13 per unit and Rs 2.

20 per unit



in 2015-16.

He said that the state government inked the Power Trade Agreement on August 15, 2008 with Manikaran Power Limited (MPL), Kolkata after a competitive bidding.

"The MPL was already a member of the Indian Energy Exchange and had introduced power trading to Mizoram government," he said adding that the agreement was for a year and to be extended for a year.

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Moody's Investors Service has today affirmed Adani Abbot Point Terminal Pty (AAPT) Ba2 rating and stressed that the outlook remains negative.

"The Ba2 ratings are supported by the take-or-pay contractual arrangements with AAPT's coal mining counterparties, with the contracts providing for the socialisation of lost revenue in the event of counterparty default or contract termination," Moody's Senior Vice President Arnon Musiker said in a statement.

Such a provision represents an important source of financial flexibility, given AAPT's high financial leverage, the statement said.

The Ba2 ratings also reflect AAPT's indirect exposure to coal commodity risk, although such risk has reduced over the past several months, with mining counterparties experiencing better cash margins, owing mainly to more favourable coal prices compared to a year ago.

"The negative outlook primarily reflects the challenging nature of the debt refinancing task facing the company over the next 12 to 18 months, with around AUD 977 million of debt - representing around 70 per cent of total debt - maturing in November 2018," Musiker added.

AAPT is part of an obligor group that has economic ownership of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal in North Queensland under a 99-year lease with state-owned lessor, the North Queensland Bulk Port Authority.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited is the ultimate holding company of the AAPT obligor group.

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Amid concerns over possibility of EVM tampering, members in the Rajya Sabha today sought the use of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines and called for bold electoral reforms like state funding of polls and audit of election spending by political parties.

Participating in a short duration debate on electoral reforms, members also expressed grave concern over exorbitant expenses incurred by some parties in hiring aircraft and helicopters for campaigning.

"Election Commission (EC) has send 11 letters to government and one SOS (save our soul) message to the Prime Minister about the use of these paper trail machines. Since the Government has not responded to the EC's communique, the people are doubting the intention of the government," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

The paper-trail machine gives a receipt to the voter verifying the vote and the candidate in whose favour the button has been pressed on the electronic voting machine(EVM).

Azad said there were doubts on the EVM system, especially when developed countries like United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, were not using it.

When some BJP MPs intervened and asked whether elections can be conducted again without EVMs in Punjab, Azad replied "We are ready. But you should also conduct election in Uttar Pradesh again in that case."



Azad told the House that the Supreme Court had ordered the use of VVPAT machines in October 2013 and the expenditure on this was estimated at Rs 3,100 crore then. "You have been holding it. If you start acting now, you would be able to do it by the 2019 Lok Sabha polls."



He also drew attention towards the "exorbitant" expenditure by some political parties like use of helicopters and aircraft during elections, breaching the spending limit.

Initiating the debate, Mukul Roy (AITC) said there should be an audit of expenditure during polls on public meetings or air transportation by the political parties, which should be tabled in the House.

Roy also demanded state funding for political parties for contesting elections, saying without state funding, only the big and resourceful parties would be able to contest polls.

Bhupender Yadav (BJP) said "we need to think about simultaneous (Lok Sabha and assembly) elections. A state remains affected for more than a year due of various elections and the model code of conduct." He also stressed the need to move towards e-voting.

Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said it was not feasible to hold



simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies as there were many loopholes in the current electoral system.

Money-power play in buying votes, exorbitant expenditure on campaigning, apprehensions about tampering of EVMs, misuse of the media and transfer of bureaucrats were some of the loopholes seen during these elections, he said.

"Those who manufacture EVM machines, if a deal is fixed, if you press the symbol of Elephant, it goes to Lotus. It is possible," he said. On poll expenditure, he suggested inclusion of party funds to the expenditure of a candidate.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said electoral reforms in the country required removing of various infirmities from the system.

Terming the proposal of electoral funding by bonds and Rs 2,000 limit person as "mere eyewash", he said such initiatives would not be of much help but in the contrary open new avenues of money laundering.

"If we really want to reduce the role of money in the electoral process, there needs to be a ceiling on expenditure by political parties," Yechury said.

He also suggested banning corporate funding to political parties as part of the process to cleanse the system. "Corporate funding to political parties should be banned. Let there be a state fund which could be managed by the Election Commission," Yechury said.

He said there was a widespread feeling that the demonetisation exercise was initiated to help the ruling party in the elections. "Money power has reached a crescendo which we have seen in the recent elections," Yechury noted.

He also emphasised the move towards a partial proportional voting system, terming the current system as a "weakness" which the country needed to reconsider.

"This distortion where there is no rule of majority can only be corrected by a partial proportional representation system," Yechury said.

On EVMs, he said the government is not releasing funds so that systems with paper trail could be used in the elections. "If there is a dispute you can count the paper ballot. When Supreme Court has ordered you to do so, why are you (government) is not doing it?"



On holding of simultaneous polls, he asked the government whether it was "prepared to remove Article 356 from the Constitution. If you remove it, then you can have simultaneous elections."



"It is your plan to move to a Presidential system from the current Parliamentary form of governance through a back door entry," Yechury alleged.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that former dictator Pervez Musharraf had offered him a "secret deal" to return to the country from exile in Saudi Arabia to form a joint government in 2008.

At a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) parliamentary committee yesterday, Sharif said, "Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007", according to a report in Dawn.

"Musharraf offered me the deal directly, but I turned it down," he said.

Sharif said Gen Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past. "But I declined."



The revelation about the going-ons in Pakistan's polity in 2007 has come for the first time from Sharif, who at the time was living in Saudi Arabia after his government was toppled by Gen Musharraf in a coup in 1999.

Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007.

"We left the country in a miserable condition and were not allowed to return for a long time," Sharif said, and made it clear he would do the same to Gen Musharraf, who left Pakistan last year for Dubai ostensibly for medical treatment.

"Now Musharraf can't come back to Pakistan, this is retribution," Geo quoted the prime minister as saying.

However, according to the report in Dawn, Sharif's claims were disputed by former Musharraf aide Ahmed Raza Kasuri. "I have been working with Gen Musharraf for a long time and I have never heard any such thing," he said.

Kasuri said everyone knew that the Sharifs went abroad under an agreement for 10 years and there could be no question that Musharraf offered him a deal to form a joint government.

"It was, in fact, Nawaz Sharif who was begging to return to the country in 2007," he maintained.

"[The claim is] absolute rubbish and [a] bundle of lies, which has only been propagated for [the prime minister's] image-building that was badly affected due to his lies in the Panama scandal," Kasuri concluded.

On November 3, 2007, then-ruler Gen Musharraf had declared an emergency, suspending the Constitution, which lasted until December 15, 2007. The move then had appeared as an effort by him to reassert his fading power in the face of increasing opposition from the Pakistani Supreme Court and the political parties.

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Mohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all look so easy.

To a pan full of sizzling chicken he adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, coriander, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredients between his fingers as his only measure.

After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at the Taste of India in London.

Haque's deft touch isn't easy to replicate and that's a problem for Britain's curry houses, which are shutting down at a rate of two a week, in part because there aren't enough chefs and kitchen staff.

Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed.

They're angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave only to have the government fail to deliver on promises to help save their industry. Rather than easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the situation worse by cutting off the flow of East European workers who have increasingly filled the gaps in recent years.

"What's happening since Brexit is even more restaurants are closing; we can't get people from anywhere," said Oli Khan, the senior vice president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK and a celebrity chef. "Curry houses are in danger."



Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the South Asian restaurant industry in a country where chicken tikka masala is as much the national dish as fish and chips.

In addition to a chef shortage, Britain's 12,000 curry restaurants are struggling with competition from prepared supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and rising food prices from a lower pound.

Though casually called Indian food, most curry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants and their offspring who fused South Asian flavors with British tastes to create a new cuisine worth an estimated 4.5 billion pounds (USD 5.6 billion) to the economy annually.

For example, the humble papadum isn't traditionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accustomed to being served bread when they sat down.

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Opinion / Columnist

Political parties under the auspices of National Electoral Reforms Agenda, (NERA), have decided to 'raise their voice instead of improving their argument' as they forge ahead with their Wednesday, 22 March 2017, demonstration, despite concerted efforts to sit them down by Government.If there is anything NERA has successfully conveyed from this 'dogmatic' and barbaric political stunt, it has to be their declining electoral appeal, which leaves them with no option, but to take to the streets and appear to be doing something ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.It is common knowledge in our African culture that, when one is beaten at arguing they resort to physicality to cover up for their lean brains, by engaging in fist fight, 'kana pfungwa dzaguma, teere zvibhakera.'Nevertheless, this archaic approach to resolving problems has no place in modern day society, which is fast gravitating towards standardization by means of information technology.Over the weekend, the media carried news articles where the Joint Operations Command, JOC, reportedly summoned NERA to a meeting on Monday, 20 March 2017. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, ZEC, on its part summoned NERA to another meeting on Tuesday, 21 March 2017, to which its Head of Legal Affairs and MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, responded as a gimmick to try and pacify them ahead of their protest.Oblivious of the fact that people through social and mainstream media are following through debates presented by both Government and its rivalries, NERA is exposing itself by refusing to sit down and meet other election stakeholders to dialogue and deliberate on the best way forward.Government has however, proven to be in control of the situation despite aspersions cast at its initiatives to improve the state of affairs in the country. A more recent example is that of the Bond notes which some politicians and other political stakeholders sought to denigrate as the smuggling back of the Zimbabwean dollar by Government.Today, the notes have eased the cash crisis and are trading at par with the United States dollars, despite previous machinations to shoot them down.The Command Agriculture Programme, CAP, has proved to be the proverbial goose that lays golden eggs, with a bumper harvest expected at the end of the 2016-2017 farming season. The success story of CAP has seen Government mooting Command Economy Programme and of late Command Content Creation by the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.It is in light of this resilience showcased by Government that NERA has awaken to the realisation that they are fast losing ground as was the case ahead of 2013 harmonised elections.With the electorate bound to referee between Government and its opponents in 2018 harmonised elections, NERA cannot afford to engage in 'talk shows' and has in haste opted to apply the 'jungle law' out of desperation.It is thus needless to amplify on the notion that NERA is desperate for political relevance, hence their insatiable zest to take to the streets. -End-
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu today had an emotional moment as he recalled his late mother at a photography awards function here.

"I wish I had a picture of my mother whom I never saw," Information and Broadcasting Minister Naidu said as he became emotional.

Naidu shared his perspective about importance of pictures by citing an example from his life.

"People always tell me my mother had a fair complexion and she was 5ft 10 inches tall. But I always feel I miss something. I wish to have had a picture of my mother whom I lost when I was one-and-a-half years old," he said.

Naidu also distributed lifetime achievement awards to photojournalist Raghu Rai and other photographers from across the country at the 6th National Photography Awards organised by Photo Division of his ministry.

He also recalled how in 1984 awardee Rai's photos helped in proving the presence of Andhra Pradesh MLAs in Delhi, when some fake MLAs were deployed in Hyderabad by rivals.

"When former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N T Rama Rao was dismissed without following norms by the then governor, we all held a protest march in Delhi, but there were troublemakers in Hyderabad who deployed fake MLAs to prove our absence in the national capital," said Naidu.

"On the advise of the BJP leader L K Advani, we got the help of Raghu Rai who clicked our pictures which were sent to the governor to prove our presence in Delhi," he said.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was also present on the occasion.

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The two-day symposium of the police brass will begin here tomorrow for exchanging ideas on enhancing the image of the forces and making them adept at handling crime and dealing with the public patiently.

The session is being organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), a department under the Union Home Ministry.

The heads of training of state police forces and the central forces will be present at the event.

BPRD Additional Director General Parvez Hayat said the session will allow exchange of best ideas and modules of training amongst the forces at a time when "public perception" for the police is to "present a good and clean image and work culture" as the government desires to improve the situation of law and order in the country.

He said the police is facing multiple challenges from civil society issues to criminals, as also the onslaught of internet-based crimes.

"As BPRD coordinates the training needs of all states, the conference will act as a sharing platform of ideas in this regard. This year the topic for the symposium has been decided as 'Promoting E-Learning for Police Training'," Hayat said.

Director (Training) at BPRD, Sundari Nanda said the symposium will also promote e-learning modules for police forces, especially in cases where the police forces cannot spare their manpower owing to hectic duties and shortage of boots on ground.

She said the e-learning modules of police forces will leverage on the existing e-learning portals in the country.

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi will inaugurate the session tomorrow and about 100 senior police officials are expected to take part in the session.

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Scientists have developed a novel spray made from biomaterials that may help the heart heal without the need of sutures or glue.

Researchers from University of North Carolina in the US have demonstrated the effectiveness of a minimally invasive method to form a regenerative cardiac patch that promotes repair of damaged cardiac tissue in a mouse model of a heart attack.

Biomaterials sprayed onto the heart formed a platelet fibrin gel, called a cardiac patch, that helps the heart heal without the need for sutures or glue, researchers said.

"The spray painting method is an excellent example of how tissue engineering has evolved since the 1990s," said John A Jansen of Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.

"The described delivery method is easy to apply in clinics and shows significant potential for patient treatment," he added.

The study was published in the journal Tissue Engineering, Part C.

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The newly restored shrine surrounding what is believed to be Jesus's tomb was unveiled at a ceremony in Jerusalem today following months of delicate work.

Religious leaders opened the ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried.

They stood in front of the 19th-century edicule surrounding the tomb as hymns were sung.

Dignitaries including Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras were in attendance.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, in his address to the ceremony, called the restoration "not only a gift to our Holy Land but to the whole world."



"For the first time in over two centuries, this sacred edicule has been restored," he said, referring to the shrine built in 1810 surrounding the tomb.

The shrine is a key part of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City.

The church is located in Israeli-occupied east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital of their future state, and the shrine was briefly closed by Israeli authorities in 2015 over security fears.

Centuries of candle smoke and visiting pilgrims had left the shrine discoloured and almost black.

Parts of it were also coming loose, with warnings that it was structurally unsound and posed a risk to the millions of pilgrims who visit the site every year.

Following a USD 3.7 million renovation led by the church's three main Christian denominations, the tomb has been painstakingly restored to its former glory - including a warm reddish-yellow colouring.

"Before this the monument was black," chief renovator Antonia Moropoulou told AFP.

"This is the actual colour of the monument, the colour of hope."



Unlike other parts of the church, which were renovated between the 1960s and 1990s, the edicule had been neglected.

Moropoulou said that restorers had systematically dismantled, cleaned and renovated almost all of the edicule, including the columns and upper and inner domes.

A window has been installed to allow pilgrims to see the bare stone of the ancient burial cave for the first time.

The new structural integrity means a protective cage installed 70 years ago by the British is no longer necessary.

"The deformations of the holy edicule are addressed and the structural integrity is assured," Moropoulou said.

Samuel Aghoyan, the superior of the Armenian Church at the Sepulchre which co-financed the project, said that after the renovation the edicule looked "like a brand new building".

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Humanitarian groups today demanded access to civilians on the brink of famine in Yemen, describing the two-year civil war in the Arab world's poorest state as an "open-air massacre".

"The bombs that rain down every day in Yemen show an absolute disdain for civilian life," Jean-Pierre Delomier of Handicap International said in a joint statement with five other aid groups.

"Every day our teams, when they manage to reach people, see the physical and psychological distress of the traumatised civilians," he added. "This open-air massacre is intolerable and unworthy or our era."



Some 19 million people, or 60 per cent of the population, face food insecurity including three million women and children who are suffering severe malnutrition, the six groups said.

Helene Queau of Premiere Urgence Internationale told a Paris conference that Yemen was "one of the countries... where humanitarian groups have the most difficulties."



Transport infrastructure is "partially or totally destroyed, access to airports and ports is very complicated, and bombing by the Arab coalition restricts movements," said Queau, the group's operations chief.

The presence of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula poses an additional security risk, she said.

The Saudi-led coalition's war against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen has cost more than 7,000 lives since March 2015 and brought the country to the brink of famine.

Sunday will mark two years since the coalition launched its armed offensive in Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of imposing a blockade to prevent supplies from reaching civilians in Yemen, which was already heavily dependent on imports before the war.

"We call on the international community and the belligerents to step up efforts to improve access," Queau said.

The country's health infrastructure is on the brink of collapse, with medicines running out and staff going unpaid for several months, the groups said.

Some 20,000 people are thought to have contracted cholera since October, with nearly 100 deaths reported, said the groups, which also included Medecins du Monde, Care and Solidarites International.

They accused the coalition of bombing civilian targets indiscriminately and of using cluster bombs, which were banned under an international treaty in 2008.

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The Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) in Odisha has bagged the prestigious Ispat Suraksha Puraskar-2017 in the "No fatal accident for Integrated Steel Plant" category for the third time in a row.

The Joint Committee on Safety, Health & Environment in the Steel Industry (JCSSI) gave the award to NINL since no fatal accident occurred in the plant in 2016.

NINL is based at Kalinganagar Industrial Complex.

R K Jha, Executive Director (Works) and M M Panda, Head (Safety), received the award in a glittering ceremony held at Ranchi recently, a company release said today.

JCSSI is a national level apex bipartite forum of management & trade union representatives from public and private sector steel companies.

The apex body conducts "Ispat Suraksa Award" based on the safety performances of organizations, the release said.

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Nepal and China will not sign any agreements during Prime Minister Prachanda's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said today.

"Nepal government would put many agendas of bilateral cooperation on hold for now," Mahat said during a press meet here on the eve of the visit.

The lack of preparation from the Chinese side could not finalise the agreements between the two countries, a media quoted Mahat as saying.

"We hope that agreements would be signed on these matters in the near future".

Earlier, the Chinese state media had said a number of pacts, including on the construction of Sino-Nepal railway and upgrading the China-Nepal Araniko Highway, could be signed during the visit.

Prachanda is scheduled to leave for China tomorrow to take part in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017.

His delegation includes his wife Sita, Mahat and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi among others.

The Foreign Minister also informed that arrangements had been made for Prachanda's meeting with Chinese President Xi and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

The Prime Minister would address the Boao Conference opening ceremony on March 25 in Boaoof Hainan province.

Then, he would leave for Beijing, where he would meet top officials of the Chinese government.

He is scheduled to address intellectuals, educationists, professionals and students at the Beijing Foreign Studies University on the theme of 'Nepal-China Relations: Prospects for Growth and Prosperity' on March 26.

Prachanda would also visit the Tibet Autonomous Region and meet officials of the Tibetan government.

The Nepalese delegation would return home from Lhasa on March 29, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

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The Delhi poll panel today told the Delhi High Court that it has not "discriminated" against Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India by not alloting it a common symbol to contest the upcoming MCD elections.

"Around 27 registered but unrecognised political parties have also approached us for common symbol to contest this municipal election, but the same were not granted to them," the Delhi State Election Commission told the high court.

It submitted before Justice Hima Kohli that Swaraj India has no better case for preference to be shown.

"As we have rejected similar prayers of 27 other parties, which have urged for common symbol, t cannot be said that the petitioner (Swaraj India) was discriminated against," the poll panel's counsel Sumeet Pushkarna submitted.

"Anybody who is registered and unrecognised cannot be allowed to get a common symbol, even if they are contesting for all seats or for only one out of the three corporations here. It will open a pandora's box. Also, this cannot be allowed once the model code of conduct is in place," the poll panel said.

The Commission was responding to Swaraj India's claim that non-allotment of a common symbol to a registered party amounted to discrimination as AAP was granted such a relief when it had contested for the first time.

"It violates Article 14 (equality before law) of the Constitution of India," senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for the party submitted before the court.

Swaraj India, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan too, has also sought quashing of the Delhi poll panel's March 14, 2017 notification and an April 2016 notification which said the nominees of such parties would be treated as independent candidates for allotment of symbols.

Swaraj India was floated in October last year by Yadav



and Prashant Bhushan, who were expelled from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after they questioned Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.

The party, registered by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in February 2017, has contended that the Delhi Symbol order was "wholly illegal, arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and selective, destroying the very fairness of the proposed electoral process itself".

Swaraj India has contended in its plea that providing it a common symbol will create a level playing field between all the parties, whether recognised or not, and ensure free and fair elections.

Swaraj India has also challenged the February 21, 2017 and March 7, 2017, orders of the poll panel declining the party's request for a common symbol.

The party has contended that the Delhi poll panel rejected its request for a symbol despite a provision in the ECI rules to provide a common symbol to a registered but unrecognised political party like Swaraj India, which is set to make its election debut in the April 22 MCD polls.

The party said that ECI's Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order allows newly registered political parties to have a common symbol for all their candidates for contesting their first election.

The party has claimed that states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Kerala, Sikkim and Tripura follow the rule.
The government has no immediate plan to provide telecom companies with an option to buy spectrum annually, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.

The minister also said that the government has not yet decided to conduct another auction of airwaves soon.

"The government has not yet made any plan to provide industry with an option to buy spectrum every year," he said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Responding to a separate query on whether the government is considering another spectrum auction very soon, the minister said, "The government has not yet decided to conduct another spectrum auction immediately."

In February, then telecom secretary J S Deepak had said that the government is looking to make spectrum auction an annual event.

"We are not worried if there is no demand for spectrum. We are interested in giving the industry an opportunity to buy spectrum," Deepak had said on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona just a day before he was named India's next Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) from June this year.

Sinha said his department has conducted spectrum auction every year from 2012 in various bands of airwaves as per availability.

"In the last spectrum auction conducted in October 2016, spectrum was put on auction in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands," he said.

Also, the government has permitted sharing and trading of spectrum among telecom service providers.

"Auction, sharing and trading all alleviate shortage of spectrum, besides yielding other desirable outcomes," he added.

On Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), the minister said that Rs 678.85 crore has been disbursed to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd towards implementation of telecom infrastructure development schemes in inaccessible, rural and remote areas for fulfilling USOF obligation.
The indefinite strike by oil tanker workers beginning monday has been called off with the transporters agreeing to pay minimum wages.

The strike, under the aegis of Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU), was called off last night following talks over the last two days



among representatives of the



APMU, transporters, oil companies and the state Labour Commissioner



at the instance of the Deputy Commisioner of Kamrup Metropolitan.

The strike affected loading and unloading of all forms of fuel from the refineries and depots in Assam.

"We have withdrawn the strike late last night after two days of talks and have resumed work from this morning. We have been promised that by April 10, all our wages as per government notification will be credited to our bank accounts," APMU General Secretary Ramen Das told PTI here.

APMU will review the implementation of the decision to pay minimum wages by the transporters on April 10 and will decide its future course of action accordingly, he added.

"As per our understanding with Kamrup Metropolitan DC, the transporters will have to pay us at the minimum wage rates included in their contract with oil companies.

If they



fail to pay us, then oil companies will deduct it from the bill," Das said.

He said the other demands like provident fund, insurance facilities and registration under ESI scheme have also been accepted in-principle.

When contacted, Indian Oil Corporation Executive Director (IndianOil-AOD) Dipankar Ray said all the parent oil retailers will keep a watch on their respective transporters for passing on the benefits to the workers.

"If there is any violation or non-conformity of the agreement, we will bring such cases to the notice of the DC of Kamrup Metropolitan for taking action against the erring transporters," he added.

As per the government norms, the transporters have to pay a minimum wage of Rs 450.62 per day to a driver and Rs 309 to a helper of each truck.

Around 4,500 tankers for both LPG and petroleum products are registered with IOC in entire North East.

On the other hand, around 320 tankers run for BPCL under contract agreement, while 90 tankers carry products from HPCL.

All the three PSU companies IOC, BPCL and HPCL together control over 97 per cent market share in North East and they keep an average three days of stock at the petrol pumps.

The rest of the market is left to private players like Reliance and Essar.

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A Pakistani court has directed the Punjab government and the JuD counsel to present their final arguments on March 27 on a petition challenging the detention of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and four others under the anti-terrorism law.

Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief, along with Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid, Qazi Kashif Hussain and Abdullah Ubaid has filed the petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) through senior advocate A K Dogar.

Hearing their petition yesterday, LHC Justice Syed Kazim Raza Shamsi observed that Section 11-EEE(1) of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 required the government to furnish reasons for the detention of a citizen.

During the hearing, advocate Dogar said the government detained JuD chief Saeed and four aides on the pressure from the US and India.

"India has always tried tocause harm to Saeed," he alleged.

He argued that a UN resolution was used in the past to detain the JuD chief and the court had set the detention aside in 2009.

"The government has failed to produce any evidence against Saeed or his organisation. There are ulterior motives and mala fide intention behind the impugned act of the government."



Dogar said the government had no evidence that the petitioners were a risk to security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of UN resolutions their liberty could not be curtailed.

The court adjourned the case till March 27 directing the petitioners' counsel and a provincial law officer to come up with final arguments.

The government on January 30 had put Saeed and four leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest in Lahore under the country's anti- terrorism act.

Besides Saeed, the names of 37 other JuD and FIF leaders had earlier also been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country.

Saeed was also put under house arrest after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, but he was freed by court in 2009.

Saeed has a bounty of USD 10 million on his head for his role in terror activities.

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The Paris bid team issued an ultimatum to the IOC: It's the 2024 Olympics or nothing.

With only Paris and Los Angeles left as 2024 bidders after rivals dropped out, IOC President Thomas Bach has raised the prospect of one city being awarded 2024 and the other taking 2028 to avoid there being a loser.

But with less than six months until the vote, the International Olympic Committee is still hesitating over whether to go through with a sudden bidding change.

And Bach's vision to lock up Summer Games hosts for the next 11 years could be derailed by the insistence of both LA and Paris that they are only focused on 2024.

"We can't accept '28," Paris bid co-chairman Tony Estanguet said during a visit to London yesterday. "It's not possible."



Estanguet, a three-time Olympic champion canoeist who became a member of the International Olympic Committee, is trying to end Paris' run of three losing bids.

"We're OK if the IOC wants to give two games at the same session in Lima," Estanguet said of the IOC Session in Peru.

"But on our side, our project is only possible for '24. We also believe this is the time to come back to Paris, or to Europe, in '24. This is the fourth bid, we learnt a lot. It's now or never.

"Either the IOC family wants to choose Paris for '24 or we will not come back for '28. We are not against the process, we welcome the process and understand the process, but our project is only possible for '24."



LA, which is looking to host the Olympics for a third time, adopted more cautious language. With the IOC yet to confirm the 2028 Games will also be awarded this year, the Americans are only publicly discussing their 2024 campaign.

"Los Angeles is the right city at this critical time for the Olympic Movement and is only bidding for 2024," the LA bid team said in a statement. "With all permanent venues already built and 88 percent public support, only LA 2024 offers the lowest-risk and truly sustainable solution for the future of the Olympic Movement in 2024 and beyond."



The IOC executive board has asked its four vice presidents to "explore changes" in Olympic bidding and report back in July. The four-man working group will make proposals to the board and full membership. They meet from July 9-12 in Lausanne, Switzerland, where Los Angeles and Paris will make formal presentations of their 2024 hosting plans.

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The PCB is not happy with the Federal Investigation Agency starting a separate investigation into the spot-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League.

This was made apparent by a top official of the board, Najam Sethi, who also heads the Pakistan Super League secretariat when he suggested that the FIA put on hold its inquiry until the PCB has completed its process to find out whether the players are guilty or not.

Sethi, a former chairman of the board, also negated the impression that the PCB had asked the FIA to help them investigate the case which has led to the suspension of five Pakistan players - Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed.

Except for Jamshed, who is in London, all the other players have been questioned by both the PCB anti-corruption officials and the FIA in Lahore.

A three-member tribunal appointed by the PCB to hear the case is due to hold its preliminary hearing on March 24 in Lahore.

"PCB didn't write any letter to FIA in which it said to start investigation or launch an inquiry against the players," Sethi said.

"If the FIA claims we asked them to help us, ask them to show the letter to this effect," he said.

"It is our prerogative to hold the inquiry under the anti-corruption laws of the PCB and ICC which deals with spot-fixing. The board has defined procedures to deal with such issues," he said.

Sethi said the PCB had only asked the FIA to help them in verifying the data, which the PCB investigators found on the mobile phones taken from the suspected players.

He said the data included emails, text and whatsapp messages.

"We went (with) a letter to the FIA that we have these players' mobile phones as evidence which we want to prove our point in front of the tribunal. If we want to put the data before the tribunal it has to be verified and only agency can do this under the law and that is the FIA. We asked them to authenticate the data," Sethi explained.

He insisted the FIA inquiry had been ordered by federal interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan.

"The FIA does not need our permission to start the inquiry into anything, they do it based on media reports as the law allows this. All I am suggesting is they should hold the inquiry after we have finished our process," he said.

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Ahead of bypolls, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah today termed the ruling PDP as a party of "broken promises" and challenged it to spell out even one promise that it has kept.

"It (People's Democratic Party) is used to making hollow rhetorical promises with the least intention of keeping its word. Spell out even one of the promises that has been kept," Omar said addressing a joint National Conference-Congress election rally at Khanabal in Anantnag town, 55 kms from here.

Listing some of the promises made by PDP in the past three years, he said the 2014 flood sufferers stand living testimony of the governmental apathy as they are yet to get any respite or promised compensation.

"PDP generated euphoria over compensation and flood relief but once in power they left the victims to fend for themselves. Instead of enhancing relief, the PDP found it more convenient to increase the number of pellet bullets to target Kashmiris," he said and asked as to what had happened to the much hyped "battle of ideas".

Apparently referring to last year's unrest which claimed several lives and left many injured, Omar accused PDP of launching an "unethical battle" against innocent civilians in pursuit of remaining in the good books of its mentor and alliance partner, the BJP.

"The brazen betrayal of PDP's promise to keep away the BJP from Kashmir was joining them to form the government," NC working president said while referring to PDP's campaign during 2014 assembly and parliamentary elections against the threat of the Sangh Parivar making inroads in the Valley.

"But, once the elections were over, the PDP jumped all its demarcated lines and hugged the same party to be in alliance and in the government," he said.

Omar expressed grave concern over depriving the people from offering Friday prayers in south Kashmir consecutively for months together.

"PDP has been instrumental in adding to the miseries of people. In an atmosphere of uncertainty and political instability, the people of the state in general and Kashmir in particular are passing through most difficult times," he said and appealed to people to vote for the Congress candidate as it will be a vote against the "broken promises" of PDP.

AICC General Secretary Ambika Soni described PDP-BJP government as a "threat" to the unity in the state and appealed to people to strengthen secular forces.

"People need to strengthen the secular forces as the ruling dispensation, which is taking directives from RSS, is supporting and strengthening the communal forces vitiating atmosphere of peace and harmony to serve their vested interests," she said.

Soni also appealed people to get united in their resolve to fight against the menace of "PDP-RSS combination" and asked them to defeat the PDP candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha bypolls.

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A police jawan was today killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said.

The incident took place at Kuprel village under Farsegarh police station limitswhen the jawan Assistant Constable Tarun Sodi (29) had gone therefor some personal work, a senior police official told PTI.

Kuprel is located 4 kms away from Farsegarh.

A group of ultras stormed into the village and pumped two bullets into Sodi before slitting his throat with a sharp edged weapon, he added.

The attackers escaped from the spot after committing the crime, he said.

After villagers informed, a police team was rushed to the spot and his body was brought for postmortem, the official said.

Meanwhile, a combing operation was launched in the region to nab the assailants, he added.

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Policemen out on duty under the scorching sun or pouring rain could soon expect to don 'cool' and smart weather-compliant khaki uniforms.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), a department under the Union Home Ministry to work on subjects related to policing, is conducting a special 'sartorial' improvement project to devise a better 'khaki' for police men and women so that they feel comfortable while out on field.

"We are looking at creating a weather-compliant uniform for the police personnel. We are consulting some specialist organisations in this regard.

"Once some part of it is finalised, we will be contacting various state governments to adopt the new ones as police is a state subject. Similar changes in the texture of the central police forces will also be done," BPRD Additional Director General Parvez Hayat told PTI.

He added the bureau has tied up with a national institute and experts to scientifically choose the texture of the cloth for the 'khaki' uniform and also suggest some new designs.

So, for a troop working in icy heights like that of Kargil, he said, the texture and cloth material of his combat uniform would be different from his colleague who is working in the plains or a hot-weather area.

BPRD Director (Training) Sundari Nanda said the project is aimed to create a more user-friendly 'khaki' for the cops so that they can easily accommodate their essential gadgets like a walkie-talkie, baton, whistle, handcuffs and other accouterments while on work.

She said the project is being worked upon and soon a report prepared in this regard will be shared with various state governments and the Union Home Ministry.

While various police forces in the country don the characteristic 'khaki' uniform with exceptions like the white uniform worn by Kolkata police, they have different colours and forms of their caps, belts, and shoes.

Nanda said all the accessories used with a uniform like the traditional leather police belt would also undergo a change so that the cop feels comfortable despite wearing it for long hours.

A senior official said special parts like collars and cuffs could also be treated differently in the new uniform as they get dirty very soon owing to sweat and dust.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The principal and a teacher of a school here were injured after a youth attacked them for asking his sisters to attend the Bihar Foundation Day function.

The incident took place in National High School located in the Line area of Kisanganj town.

Sub Divisional Police Officer Kamini Bala said as per the complaint lodged by the school authorities, a youth identified as Faizan Mushtafa, accompanied by some friends, attacked Principal Mazrul Haque and a teacher Mohammad Mubsir Hussain with a knife and sticks for summoning his sister to the school for the Foundation Day function.

The Principal tried to reason with the youth saying all students of the school have been asked to attend the function, but it did not calm Faizan and his friends, who severely beat up the two teachers, the SDPO said.

The injured teachers have been admitted to the sadar hospital and a search was on to trace the attackers, Bala said.

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Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has strongly pitched for making the party president at a time when questions are being raised over his leadership abilities after the UP poll drubbing.

He advocated a role of a mentor for party president Sonia Gandhi and asserted that the Congress has to move from being an inclusive party to setting up "an inclusive alliance".

Amid calls for radical changes by the Congres leaders following massive electoral defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Aiyar told PTI, "I am hoping that the de facto leadership of the Congress which has been in his hands for some months, becomes a de jure leadership and that will enable him to carry out his intentions of democratising the party."

The 75-year-old Congress leader also hoped that Rahul's elevation should "happen soon."

Rahul Gandhi's leadership has been under the scanner following the party's repeated losses in elections.

While Senior Congressman Digvijaya Singh had recently said Rahul was not acting decisively, Kerala Youth Congress Vice President C R Mahesh has asked Rahul to "quit", if he does not want to lead the party from the front.

Senior party leaders like M Veerappa Moily and Satyavrat Chaturvedi have also pitched for initiating changes and "surgery" within the party to infuse fresh strength into it.

Asked what is stopping the Congress from implementing the 'introspection reports' which suggest changes in the party, he said, "I don't know, I therefore think, it is time Rahul got on with it as he has said he wishes to do. And perhaps, it is because he has not been the president, that he has not been able to do this."

On Sonia's role in the party when Rahul is anointed president, Aiyar said, "I expect her to play the role of Lee Kuan Yew, first mentor."

"I hope her health is good enough. So, she would be available as the most important mentor that the Congress party has and let Rahul Gandhi, who still, for at least a few years, belongs to the generation that constitutes about 70 per cent of our population" become the part president, the former union minister said.

Asked if the Congress should change its strategy and declare a prime ministerial candidate before 2019 polls, Aiyar said, "I am sure the alliance will project somebody (as the Prime Ministerial candidate) and lets see who that somebody is. I hope it will be ."

Aiyar, who has been advocating a 'grand alliance' to challenge the BJP in 2019, asserted that the time has come to "explicitly work" over the next two years in the direction of as large an alliance as possible.

However, he also made it clear that in the case of a formation of such a coalition, no one should insist on the name of a particular leader as that may sabotage the process.

Asked if the 'Bihar model' needs to be replicated at the level, Aiyar answered in the affirmative.

"Certainly in terms of a Mahagatbandhan but the Congress is the 10th ally in Tamil Nadu, the third ally in Bihar and the second ally in UP. So where the Congress fits onto all this is a matter of negotiation which cannot be prejudged," he said.

On recently-concluded assembly polls, Aiyar said the Congress failed to capitalise on the public sentiment against demonetisation.

"We certainly did not succeed politically in capitalising on the anger against demonetisation and Modi's Robin Hood myth had a stronger message.

"The fact is that (they) haven't got one rupee of black money. No rich person is being caught or put behind bars. They have demonetised 86 per cent of our currency. That is they have looked for a needle in the haystack and not found the needle," he said.

Aiyar also lambasted the BJP for capturing power in Manipur and Goa by appointing "puppets as governors".

"The governor of Goa herself says she telephoned Arun Jaitley for instructions. She said it publically. How can a governor of a state ring up a Finance Minister... I think that betrays the fact that these are not the kind of governors envisaged by our Constitution," he said.
The special fast-track court here today sentenced a rape accused to ten years' rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him.

Boda Ganesh (19), a resident of Pegadapalli village in Maha Mutharam mandal, was accused of raping a 15 years old girl after promising to marry her, said the special public prosecutor K V Venugopal Rao.

When the girl became pregnant, he refused to marry her, so she lodged a complaint.

The judge M Krishna Murthy today held Ganesh guilty for rape under section 376 of IPC and sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15,000.

The court also awarded him five years' prison term for the offence of cheating, plus a fine of Rs 5,000. Both the sentences shall run concurrently.

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Trivendra Singh Rawat, who



recently took over as the Uttarakhand chief minister, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today.

In his first visit after assuming office, Rawat is scheduled to meet Modi at 1200 hrs in Parliament House, an official said.

Rawat, who met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the morning, is also expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjre in the evening, the official added.

Rawat, who sworn in as the 9th chief minister of Uttarakhand on March 18 after BJP's landslide win in assembly polls, arrived here yesterday evening.

BJP bagged 57 of the 70 seats in assembly.

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A Singaporean woman inseminated with a stranger's sperm in a startling in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) mistake cannot be compensated in full for raising the child, the city-state's top court ruled today.

Allowing the woman compensation would go against public policy on one's obligations as a parent, the Court of Appeal said, adding that the expenses incurred in raising the child should not be considered as a loss.

"The duty to maintain one's child is a duty which lies at the very heart of parenthood, and thus the expenses which are incurred... Are not capable of characterisation as a loss," the five-judge appeals court wrote in a 141-page ruling.

In a long-running lawsuit that started in 2012, the woman sued a private hospital, its fertility clinic and two fertility doctors after she was inseminated with the wrong sperm.

According to court documents, it was the second time that the ethnic Chinese Singaporean woman had IVF treatment at the privately-owned clinic. Her German husband is of Caucasian descent.

But she was mistakenly inseminated with the sperm of a complete stranger, an Indian man.

The mistake surfaced only after the child was born and her parents realised she had a different skin tone from her brother.

Worried she might have a genetic problem, the child -- known as Baby P in court proceedings -- was sent for tests which revealed the mix-up.

The hospital admitted to its mistake -- there had been two sets of sperm in the processing area -- and was fined Singapore dollars 20,000 (USD 14,300) in 2011.

The mother sued for damages in 2012 for mental distress as well as pain and suffering relating to the pregnancy, and for upkeep of the child.

This was dismissed by a lower court and upheld by the appeals court today.

The judges noted that Baby P was a healthy child who was planned for and that allowing a claim would mean recognising the birth as a mistake.

However, the court also ruled that the woman had suffered a loss of "genetic affinity" with the child and should be awarded damages which come up to 30 percent of the cost of raising Baby P.

"This loss of 'affinity' can also result in social stigma and embarrassment arising out of the misperceptions of others, as was the case here."



The girl, who will be seven this year, is attending an international school in Beijing where the family is now based.

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The Tamil Nadu government will ensure the safety of students from the state who pursue higher education elsewhere, Chief Minister K Palaniswami today said in the state Assembly.

He gave the assurance while replying to a calling attention motion moved by Leader of Opposition M K Stalin (DMK) and his party colleagues on the recent death of JNU scholar J Muthukrishnan in New Delhi.

"The government will make appropriate arrangements for the safety of students going to other states to pursue higher education," Palaniswami said.

28-year-old Muthukrishnan, an M Phil student at JNU's Centre for Historical studies, was found hanging at his friend's house in south Delhi with his family raising suspicion over the police's version that it was a suicide.

Recalling the sequence of events following the death Muthukrishnan, a native of Salem district in the state, Palaniswami on March 13 said the state government extended all assistance to bring his body to his home town.

A solatium of Rs 3 lakh was provided to the student's family and a case under IPC section 306 (abetment of suicide) as well as under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered, he noted.

Stalin, raising the safety aspect of students from Tamil Nadu in Delhi, sought appropriate measures in this regard.

He mooted a committee comprising officials from police and education departments to monitor and ensure their safety.

DMK member Rajendran demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter since there were suspicions about the death. He also wanted the government to create a database of students of Tamil Nadu who go outside the state for studies.

Responding to another calling attention motion by DMK and Congress on the farmers' agitation against hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal in Pudukottai District, Industries Minister M C Sampath said the chief minister had already assured that the state's approval (mining licence) for the project will not be given.

DMK's Meyyanathan wanted a special Assembly resolution against the project while Congress Legislature Party leader K R Ramasamy said the state had the duty to persuade the Union government to do halt the project.

He said an application of ONGC seeking mining licence for 20 years in Neduvasal village on an area of 10.1 square km was pending with the Pudukottai District Collector.

Health Minister C Vijayabaskar reiterated that the state's consent to operate, and nod of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board would not be given.

Stalin said the Centre has so far not said it will give up the project and demanded a resolution against the project.

Sampath said the state government will persuade Centre to give up the project.

DMK member Pichandi, moving another motion, spoke on the drinking water scarcity in the state. Local Administration Minister S P Velumani said the situation was being addressed deftly through a series of measures.

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The Supreme Court today left the issue of designating lawyers as seniors to the discretion of the apex court and the high courts, and referred to a larger bench the pleas seeking framing of guidelines on the issue.

Noting that the issue of designating lawyers as seniors was of "utmost importance", the bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Navin Sinha asked the secretary general of the apex court to place its order and case files before Chief Justice J S Khehar today itself for consideration and setting up a larger bench to deal with it.

The bench, meanwhile, considered the argument that there should not be a ban on designating lawyers as seniors by the apex court and the high courts across the country.

It was argued that some of the high courts, while keeping in mind the penedency of the petition before the apex court, were not dealing with applications of lawyers seeking to be designated as senior advocates.

"So far as designating lawyers as seniors is concerned, we leave it to the discretion of the full court of the Supreme Court and the high courts," the bench said in its order.

Referring to a larger bench the batch of petitions, including the one filed by senior advocate Indira Jaising, the apex court said the instant issue has "ramifications" for all High Court Bar Associations and hence needed to be dealt with by a bigger bench.

At the outset, Jaising said the apex court should deal with the matter on the "judicial side" and frame uniform guidelines for designating senior lawyers.

She also sought a ban for the time being on designating lawyers as seniors till the apex court decides the case. The plea, however, was opposed by Bar leaders like Ajit Kumar Sinha and Gaurav Bhatia.

Jaising has sought transparency and overhaul of the "opaque system" of designating lawyers as senior advocates.

Earlier, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had said that due to the pending petition, the process of designating lawyers as seniors had stopped in various high courts. He said no senior lawyer has been designated for the past one-and-a-half years. The process of designating retired high court judges as senior lawyers to enable them practise in the Supreme Court has also been stuck, he said.

On January 2, the apex court had decided to hear afresh



the plea of Jaising on the issue.

The court had also tagged with it a petition pending in the Delhi High Court which challenged the provisions of the Advocates Act relating to designation of lawyers as seniors.

The petition pending in the high court challenges the constitutional validity of sections 16 and 23 (5) of the Advocates Act, 1961 which provide the statutory basis for designation of lawyers as senior advocates.

The court had noted in its order that after it had reserved the judgement, an application was filed seeking recall of its October 21 last year order on two grounds, including that when the matter was taken up for hearing on that date, the bench did not fully hear submissions on behalf of various lawyers.

The second ground was regarding the petition pending before the high court challenging the constitutional validity of the provisions of the Advocates Act.

Jaising, in her plea, has said that the "monopoly" at the Bar of a handful of seniors was affecting access to justice and sought a system which provided "equal opportunity" to all. She equated it with the concept of monopolistic and restrictive trade practices.

Terming the present process as "opaque, arbitrary and fraught with nepotism", she had alleged the system was discriminatory and "if we want this (the practice of designating seniors) to continue, it has to be democratised".

Earlier, the apex court had said it was open to suggestions from the Bar to improve the system, but the final decision would remain with the judges.

She claimed that advocates taking up matters of human rights or public interest litigations were ignored and there was a need to analyse data relating to the cases argued, judgements delivered in their matters besides their contribution to jurisprudence and legal aid programmes.
Separatist leader Nayeem Khan was today detained at Srinagar airport when he was on his way to New Delhi.

Khan was detained by a police team at the airport when he was on his way to board a flight to New Delhi, a police official said.

The separatist leader was taken to Police Station Saddar from where he is likely shifted to his residence and placed under house arrest, he said.

Khan was on his way to New Delhi apparently to take part in Pakistan Day celebrations at Pakistan High Commission tomorrow.

Other separatist leaders, who have participated in the Pakistan Day celebrations in the past, are currently under detention inside their homes or in jail.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmad Shah are among the top leaders put under house arrest while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik is currently lodged at Central Jail Srinagar.

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A 430-million-year-old fossil of a shrimp ancestor has been named by scientists in honour of famed British naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Researchers led by University of Leicester in the UK discovered the "exceptionally well preserved" fossil complete with the soft-parts of the animal, such as legs, eyes and very delicate antennae.

The fossil found in volcanic ash deposits has been determined as an ancient crustacean new to science - a distant relative of the living lobsters, shrimps and crabs.

"The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment," Attenborough said.

Professor David Siveter from Leicester made the discovery working alongside researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale, US.

"Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record, and so we can establish it as a new species of a new genus," Siveter said.

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Attenborough, who grew up on University College Leicester campus, in celebration of his 90th birthday, researchers said.

Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough.

'Ravitis' is a combination of Ratae - the Roman name for Leicester - 'vita', life and 'commeatis', a messenger.

At least fifteen species and genera, both living and extinct, have been named in Attenborough's honour till date.

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The Karnataka LegislativeAssembly Speaker today announced that a House committee would be formed soon to restrict "permissiveness" of the media, which came in the line of fire from members of all parties.

Working of the media, especially the visual, came under intense scrutiny of legislators during the debate initiated by senior member B R Patil of the Karnataka Janatha Paksha.

Cutting across party lines, the members who took part in the discussion said the media was telecasting reports that are derogatory in nature and tarnishing the image of legislators.

They also raised their concerns by narrating personal "bitter" incidents with the media.

Accusing media of working with "permissiveness", the members called for restrictions on it.

A member used objectionable words against mediapersons, which was expunged by the Speaker K B Koliwad.

Speaking at the end of the over four hour long debate, Koliwad said it was the collective opinion of the House to form a committee.

"Legislature has a long arm. It has powers. Itis a collective opinion of this House that a House committeeshould be formed. We will give it 15 days time. Once itsubmits its report, based on the recommendations, we willdecide whether any law is to be amended or a new law should be brought in so that the media functions within its limits," he said.

Even as the Speaker was making his remarks, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy suggested that legal aspects be looked into before forming the HouseCommittee and deciding its terms of reference.

He said freedom of speech and expression is afundamental right and that members should see to it that they do not do anything that is against the Constitution.

Several MLAs, mostly from Congress,joined byMinisters M B Patil, Vinay Kulkarni and Ramesh Jarkiholi objected to it, following which Rayareddy said he was only making a suggestion and would leave it to the wisdom of the House.

Clarifying, Koliwad said the House committee would also function within the ambit of the Constitution.

"We are aware of freedom of speech and press freedom, but it should not be freedom of permissiveness. With an intention to contain this permissiveness we are forming a House committee. Terms and references for the committee and its formwill be decided shortly," he added.

(REOPENS MDS-6)



Earlier, initiating the discussion,B R Patil allegedthat the visual media was unnecessarily indulging in character assassination of politicians without any facts or truth behind their reports.

Calling it an attempt to portray them in bad light before the public, he said some reports were so personal that "it spoils peace in one's family."



"It has now become a matter of prestige of the houseand its members," he added.

Stressing on the need for restrictions on the media for the sake of quality, K S Puttannaiah (Ind) said "please don't indulge in character assassination."



"Loose language is used very often. They call Yeddyurappa (BJP state President) as Yeddy, Siddaramaiah (Chief Minister) as Siddu. Who gave them this right?" he asked.

Suresh Gowda (BJP) who recently was in the limelight for expressing anger against workers at a toll both near Tumkuru, said the visual media don't seek response before publishing any nor clarify when they get to know the truth.

He said "words like goonda and rowdy are used casually. They even use it against public representatives. They have called me rowdy Suresh Gowda."



Bharamagouda alias Raju Kage (BJP), who was a co-accused in a case of assault and is out on bail now,said he was jailed only due to 'pressure' by the media, despite having no direct connection with the case.

"I only did not commit suicide," he said emotionally.

Narendra Swamy (Congress) faulted the media for instigation, glorifying gory images and spreading superstition with astrology programmes, while former Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi (Congress) accused it of working only for TRP.

Noting that visual media journalists are not "qualified enough," JD(S) MLA Sa Ra Mahesh said media personnel should be made to at least contest Panchayat elections to understand the public representatives.

As Congress Chief Whip Ashok Pattan suggested thatTV media be banned from the assembly and only Doordarshan be allowed, another Congress member N A Haris said TV media does not come under the ambit of PressCouncil of India, while suggesting that Press Council ofKarnataka should be formed.
Nomination papers of two candidates were rejected during scrutiny today, leaving nine, including National Conference stalwart Farooq Abdullah, in the fray for the by-poll to Srinagar Lok Sabha contituency.

"Nomination of two Independent candidates -- Ghulam Mohiuddin and Reyaz Ahmad -- were rejected during scrutiny of papers today," an election official told PTI here.

He said nine candidates are now left in the fray for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat by-election where polling is scheduled on April 9.

The main contest is expected between Abdullah, whose only electoral loss came in 2014 Lok Sabha polls when he was defeated by the then PDP candidate Tariq Hamid Karra, and the ruling party's Nazir Ahmad Khan.

The others in the fray are Sajad Reshi of Rashtriya Samajwadi Party, Chetan Sharma of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Bikram Singh of J&K Liberal Democratic Party, Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh of Rashtriya Jan Kranti Party and three Independents.

The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 24.

The Srinagar Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Karra resigned last year in protest against alleged "brutalities" on Kashmir protesters.

Karra has since joined the Congress and is now campaigning for Abdullah, who he defeated in 2014.

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Pakistan's security forces today arrested a man and claimed to have foiled a suspected terror bid at the international airport here.

During a routine inspection at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, the Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel stopped a vehicle and found a weapon and a huge cache of ammunition upon checking, officials said.

"The Airport Security Force today arrested a man for carrying weapons - rifle, seven magazines, hundreds of bullets - in his car," ASF spokesman Nayyar Shamim told PTI.

Police were trying to ascertain whether the suspect, Muhammad Bilal who is a resident of Lahore, had any links with any terror groups.

After initial interrogation, the suspect was handed over to police for registration of an FIR.

"The suspect told ASF that it was not his car as he was only a driver," Shamim said.

The suspect said that he had gone to the airport to receive someone and apparently, he does not appear to be a part of any terror network, the officer added.

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Tata Steel today observed World Forestry Day to spread awareness about the significance of forests in human lives.

A programme was organised on the theme "Snakes and Friends" to spread awareness about snakes and forests. Several school students also participated in a drawing competition on the occasion.

"The subject chosen by Tata Steel for the World Forestry Day is very interesting. New species of snakes are being discovered everyday and we need to understand the benefits we get from it," Chief Guest of the function and MLA from Jagannathpur Geeta Koda said.

"Snakes are our friends and they help in maintaining ecological balance. This is our small contribution to National Biodiversity Target. Such programmes will create awareness and lead to effective conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem," Tata Steel General Manager Pankaj Satija said.

Snake catchers from Jamshedpur, N K Singh and Asgar Imam, talked about various myths related to the species, saying most snakes are harmless to humans.

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Terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have reduced after the surgical strikes were carried out by the Indian Army in terror launch pads in PoK, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said that during the three months prior to the September 29 surgical strikes, there were 110 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 34 security personnel and seven civilians were killed.

But during three months, post surgical strikes, there were 87 terror incidents in the state in which 19 security personnel and six civilians were killed, he said in a written reply.

The surgical strikes were carried out by the Army after the terror attack in Uri.

The government had said that during the strikes, many terror launch pads were destroyed and several militants killed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

"The government has continuously encouraged to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy," Ahir said.

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April 19th will be the 200th anniversary of the publication of David Ricardos On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation. My current column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review discusses the most famous innovation in economic analysis that was revealed in that book: the principle of comparative advantage. A slice:

He [Ricardo] explained that a countrys ability to produce more of some good than can be produced elsewhere does not mean that country necessarily is that goods most efficient producer. Efficiency in producing some good  say, cloth  is reflected not in how much cloth can be produced but, instead, in how many other goods must be sacrificed to produce cloth.

Assume (as Ricardo did) that the Portuguese can produce more wine and more cloth than the British can. Yet also recognize, along with Ricardo, that in each country, producing more wine means producing less cloth, and producing more cloth means producing less wine. What matters, said Ricardo, is the amount of wine Portugal gives up to produce more cloth compared to the amount of wine Britain gives up to produce more cloth.

Suppose producing an additional bolt of cloth causes Portuguese wine production to fall by four gallons, but causes British wine production to fall by only two gallons. Under these circumstances, the British produce cloth at a lower cost than the Portuguese do, even though Portugal is capable of producing absolutely more cloth than Britain is.

So if the British sell the Portuguese a bolt of cloth for, say, three gallons of wine, both gain. Producing the bolt of cloth cost the British only two gallons of wine, while they sell it for three gallons. The Portuguese get a bolt of cloth by sacrificing only three gallons of wine rather than sacrificing four gallons to produce the cloth themselves.

Ricardos brilliant insight reveals that the citizens of even the most economically advanced countries will always be able to find opportunities to gain from international trade.
At least four suicide blasts rocked a camp for migrants fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in restive northeastern Nigeria today, killing at least three people and wounding 20, officials said.

The bombings triggered fires which burned down tents in the vast Muna camp on the outskirts of the city of Maiduguri, camp coordinator Tijjani Lumani told AFP.

"There were four explosions inside the camp. The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am," he said.

Emergency services put the number of bombings at five.

"A total of five suicide bombers, all male adults, were involved in the incidents, killing three persons," Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the region told AFP.

He said 20 people were wounded and taken to hospital.

The police said four people were killed while eight were injured.

Muna camp is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Islamist group has continued to target internally displaced people and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near the Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.

"The camp is vulnerable and this worries every one of us in the camp which is the last settlement on the outskirts of the city from the north," said Lumani.

"We are the first settlement one reaches on entering the city. And the fact that several suicide attacks have occurred near the camp in recent months adds to our unease," he added.

"We are vulnerable to Boko Haram. They can strike in the camp at anytime. All the suicide bombers who attacked the Muna garage just across the road from the camp and surrounding areas came in through the city gate only hundreds of metres from the camp."



Today's blasts were the latest blamed on suicide bombers, who continue to pose a threat to civilians despite military claims of success against Boko Haram.

Four people were killed on Saturday when suicide bombers blew themselves up in a village near the city.

The Borno state capital of Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group that has killed over 20,000 people and forced 2.6 million from their homes since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009.

The violence has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region, which has also been hit by the conflict.

Nigerian troops, with the help of regional forces from Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well as Benin, have since early 2015 managed to claw back most of the territory lost to Boko Haram in 2014.

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A fast track court here has sentenced three persons to life imprisonment in a 2006 murder case.

Judge Rajesh Bhardawaj last evening sentenced Sudhir, Rajbal and Partap to jail for life, government lawyer Sitaram Arya said.

A fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed on each of them, he said.

Ranbir was shot dead and several persons injured by the three in a clash over election-related enmity at Pamnawli village in the district on June 27, 2006, Arya said.

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Two photo journalists today alleged that they were assaulted by film director Shankar's crew who were shooting Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer '2.0' here.

The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged that a key intersection in downtown Triplicane was today blocked to facilitate shoot for the big ticket movie.

"When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up," Raghunathan, photographer working for an English daily told PTI.

He said Barath, who is working for a Tamil daily, was badly beaten up. "We have lodged a joint complaint and have sought appropriate action," he said.

He alleged that permission given for film shoot during a given time duration was manipulated by the crew to suit their convenience. He said journalists were planning to stage a road roko on the issue.

When contacted, a senior police official said, "an FIR is being filed and our officials are inquiring into the complaint of journalists." Sources said efforts were being made by the film crew "to end the row.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump was briefed on events in London outside the Houses of Parliament today, after reports that a police officer had been stabbed and an assailant shot.

"I was just getting an update on London. Some big having to do with London," Trump said, as he entered the Roosevelt Room in the White House for a meeting on women's health care.

Separately, the State Department said it was closely monitoring the "concerning situation" and was in particular trying to find out whether any US visitors had been caught up in it.

"Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely, " acting spokesman Mark Toner said.

"We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance should we become aware of any affected US citizens.

"We urge US citizens in London to contact family members and loved ones to notify them that you are safe, to avoid the area and monitor local .

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two persons, including a teenage girl, were today killed and nine others injured in a road mishap in Raisen district, police said.

The accident took place when a private bus ferrying passengers veered off a highway under Sultanpur police station area and and fell into a gorge in the adjoining district, some 100 km from here.

Two of the passengers were killed. They were identified as Shobha (18), a native of Mandla district, and Rewa Das (30), a resident of Seoni district, Raisen district superintendent of police J S Rajput told PTI.

Nine others were injured and admitted to a hospital in Bhopal, he said.

It appears the bus driver dozed off at the wheel leading to the accident, the SP added.

The bus was on its way to Bhopal from Mandla.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Jairampur Battalion of the Assam Rifles has arrested two ULFA (Independent) cadres from Koriapani village at Jagun near Assam-Arunachal border.

Based on inputs about the presence of ULFA cadres at the village who were terrorising people, the Assam Rifles arrested Bitu Rajbanshi and Bitul Shimpo, Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said.

A pistol, live ammunition and cash were seized from their possession. The duo hail from Hasak village in Tinsukia district of Assam, Konwer said.

"On sustained interrogation, the duo admitted to their allegiance to ULFA(I). Rajbanshi further revealed that he had undergone training at Kaching training camp in Myanmar," the officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The unprecedented move by the US to initiate action to revoke the citizenship of a Pakistani- American involved in terrorism in Kashmir shows the Trump administration's "strong desire" to go an extra mile to boost counter-terrorism cooperation with India, sources here said.

The sources said the process to revoke the US citizenship of Iyman Faris ahead of the US visit of India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is a strong indication that India can play a key role in addressing the challenge of terrorism in South Asia.

Doval arrived in the US today on a four-day visit to hold a series of meetings with the top Trump administration officials, including US Defense Secretary James Mattis and National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster.

In addition to bilateral security issues, officials of the Trump administration are gearing to discuss with Doval on the situation in the region, in particular Afghanistan and Pakistan and the dangerous growth of the Islamic State terror group in South Asia.

By approaching a federal court over the citizenship of Faris, who was naturalised in 1999 and currently serving 20 years sentence for his role in conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda in 2003, the Trump Administration is trying to send a clear signal to India that it intends to go an extra mile when it comes to counter-terrorism cooperation with India, sources said.

The new national security establishment here sees in Doval as someone who has firsthand information and experience of dealing with terrorism in South Asia. Officials here feel that India can play a key role in addressing the challenge of terrorism in South Asia - from Afghanistan to Bangladesh.

This is expected to be one of the key issues of discussion during Doval's latest trip to Washington DC with his meetings being planned at the White House, State Department and Pentagon.

If his citizenship is revoked, Faris might be subject to deportation to Pakistan once he serves his sentence.

Faris, federal prosecutors have said was involved in terrorism-related activities in Kashmir in 1980s.

With President Trump putting his time and energy on defeating the ISIS in the Middle East and Pakistan having been proven to be an unreliable ally, officials here feel that it is time that India can be roped in to play a decisive role in this fight against terrorism, at least in South Asia.

Doval's visit to the US comes on the heels of a trip by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar early this month wherein he met Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. He also met Trump's National Security Advisor in addition to meeting top Congressional leaders at the Capitol.

Through all these meetings, the Trump administration has sent a strong signal of its desire to not only maintain the momentum of the India-US relationship which has seen an upward trajectory for nearly decade and a half, but also to accelerate the process, sources said.

After being elected last November, Trump has spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice over phone. Trump has invited Modi to the White House for talks this year. A formal date has not been announced yet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chicago police said today they were looking for up to six suspects who allegedly raped a teenage girl and broadcast the assault on Facebook Live.

The victim was a 15-year-old girl, who went missing on Sunday in the crime-plagued city in the US Midwest. She was only found yesterday and taken to a children's hospital for treatment.

It was the latest in a series of troubling incidents in which violent acts have been streamed live on Facebook, including two fatal shootings and the kidnapping and torture of a disabled 18-year-old.

"It's disgusting. As a father with two daughters, I can't imagine what that mom is going through," Chicago's police chief Eddie Johnson said yesterday.

Johnson became personally involved in the case after the girl's mother approached him Monday with graphic photos taken from a Facebook Live video, showing several young men assaulting the teen, according to US media.

Authorities said today they were investigating the incident as a criminal sexual assault, and told AFP that no suspects were in custody.

Police would not confirm details of the video, citing the ongoing investigation.

The social networking site declined to comment specifically on the incident, but said in a statement that the company took seriously its "responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook."



"Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook," the company said.

A man identified as the girl's uncle told US media that the young men involved, some possibly under the age of 18, were known in the local community.

"They are terrorizing that entire neighborhood," Reginald King told TV station WGN.

The live online video of the alleged gang rape attracted as many as 40 viewers at one time, but no one contacted police, according to reports. The video was later taken down.

Chicago has been grappling with a surge in violent crime. Last year, the city endured its highest number of shootings and murders in nearly two decades.

Much of the violence is concentrated in a few impoverished areas, including the one where the teenage girl lives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
World leaders today unanimously condemned the suspected terrorist attack in the heart of London by an attacker who was shot dead by armed police, with many saying they "stand" with Britain.

At least three people were killed and 20 injured in the attack outside parliament when a man mowed down pedestrians with a car then stabbed a police officer outside parliament before being shot dead.

British Prime Minister Theresa May responded to the "appalling incident" by saying her thoughts "are with those killed and injured" and "with their families," her Downing Street office said in a statement.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood by Britain "firmly and resolutely".

"Although the background to these acts are not yet clear, I reaffirm that Germany and its citizens stand firmly and resolutely alongside Britons in the struggle against all forms of terrorism," Merkel said in a statement.

"In these grave moments, we Germans feel very close to the British people," President Frank-Walter Steinmeier added.

French President Francois Hollande sent a message of "solidarity" and "support" for Britons and May.

"France, which has been hit so hard in recent times, knows what the British people are suffering today," Hollande said in a statement.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: "Solidarity with our British friends, horribly attacked, full support for the injured French students, their families and their friends."



US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed his "condolences to the victims and their families" in a statement, adding: "The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom."



"We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families. Canadians remain united with the people of the UK. "



European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the attack left him "highly emotional".

In Brussels to commemorate the one-year anniversary of attacks on the main airport and a metro station, Juncker said "the fact that exactly on the same day something similar happened in London, and to London, is really putting me in the situation of someone who does not have...Enough words to express how I am deeply feeling."



European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: "My thoughts are with the victims of the Westminster attack. Europe stands firm with the UK against terror and ready to help".

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, expressed the country's "condolences" and said on Russian television: "We do not and will never support terrorism.

"We consider it an evil to which it is necessary to fight



collectively. In this moment, as always, our hearts are with Britons and we share their pain".

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Dutch television he was shocked by the "horrific" from London and said: "The city is in our hearts. We are following the situation closely, and are in contact with the British authorities."



Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who observed a moment of silence at the start of a meeting with Social Democratic lawmakers, expressed his "condolences" and said: "Italy and the United Kingdom remain side-by-side in our condemnation and firm response to all forms of terrorism".

In a message addressed to Queen Elizabeth, Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed his "deep sadness" and said that "the United Kingdom will be able to count on Italy's firm commitment" in the fight against terrorism.

"Our condolences are with those who mourn and all who are affected in London," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted. "Belgium stands with UK in fight against terror."



Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called terrorism "a global catastrophe" on Turkish television, adding: "All countries should come together on the terror issue and fight together against" it.

"We express our solidarity with the British people on today's indiscriminate attack," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tweeted: "Spain stands with the British people. I condemn the attack in the vicinity of Westminster, London. Solidarity with the victims."



Norwegian Prime minister Erna Solberg tweeted: "Terrible to see an attack in the heart of the British democracy. My thoughts with the victims.
http://evelyncgordon.com/the-u-s-human-rights-report-travesty/

Originally published in Commentary on March 20, 2017

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

.

..Analysis from Israel..20 March 17..Theres been a lot of talk lately about the Trump Administrations plan to slash funding for the State Department, so Id like to offer my own modest proposal in that direction: Kill the departments human rights bureau.This isnt because I think America shouldnt care about human rights. On the contrary, I think it ought to shine a spotlight on the worlds worst abusers, given that the UN Human Rights Council and so-called human rights organizations fail to do so. But since the bureau, judging by its latest annual human rights report, does nothing but channel those institutions Israel obsession, I see no reason to waste taxpayer dollars on it.reporter Amir Tibon did a numerical analysis of the report earlier this month and discovered two astounding facts. First, the document devotes 141 pages to the human rights situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, more than to any other country in the world except China, which gets the same number. Second, Even when viewed as two separate reports, the number of pages devoted to each of the areasIsrael and the occupied territoriessurpasses that of any other country in the Middle East region. For instance, Israel alone, excluding the territories, gets 69 pages; by comparison, Iran gets 48 and Syria 58.Since a normal reader would assume the amount of space devoted to a country bears some relationship to the magnitude of its human rights offenses, any such reader would have to conclude that Israel is a far worse human rights violator than, say, Syria, where the government has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of its own citizens. It must certainly be worse than Iran, which has abetted that slaughter with both money and troops.But the report becomes even more surreal when you start examining the crimes to which the State Department devoted all that ink. Take, for instance, the demolition of illegal construction in the Israeli Bedouin town of Umm al-Hiran.Well leave aside the question of why demolishing illegal constructionwith the approval of several courts, including the Supreme Court, and while offering the residents alternative land plus cash compensationconstitutes a human rights violation at all. Its enough to consider a single sentence, which is based on a report by an Israeli NGO, the Negev Coexistence Forum: The NCF reported that construction work on [the planned new town of] Hiran progressed and expanded during the year, reaching to within a few yards of Bedouin houses in Umm al-Hiran, and residents suffered from the dust raised by construction.Is this a joke? Or do States human rights gurus seriously think people suffering from the dust of nearby construction constitutes a human rights violation? By that logic, the only place anyone could build without violating human rights would be in wilderness areas. In other words, wed essentially have to shut down all construction worldwide. Or take its section on press freedom, which quotes another NGO, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. It begins as follows: The independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views without restriction. In December, however, ACRI published a report detailing a variety of legislative and rhetorical attacks on media throughout the year by elected officials, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu, and expressed concern about the chilling effect of these attacks on press freedom.In other words, State thinks its reasonable to fear a chilling effect on Israels media even though its own first sentence admits theres no evidence of any such thing (The independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views). Even worse, however, the nonexistent human rights problem it alleges would be solvable only by creating a real one. How could Israel possibly prevent elected officials rhetorical attacks on media without suppressing their own freedom of speech?But far worse than such inanities is the way the report traffics in unsupported libel. Take, for instance, this gem : There were reports some children worked in forced labor in the West Bank, including in settlements. NGOs reported employers subjected Palestinian men to forced labor in Israeli settlements  The PA was unable to monitor and investigate abuses in these areas.In other words, the State Department accused Israel of subjecting Palestiniansincluding childrento forced labor, without citing a single example to substantiate this accusation. It did so despite admitting that it doesnt actually have any evidence aside from unspecified reports by unspecified NGOs, which even the Palestinian Authority wasnt prepared to back (it was unable to monitor and investigate the allegations). Nor is this lack of evidence surprising, since the accusation is groundless (shockingly, Israel isnt running forced labor camps in the settlements). So why was such a vile, unsubstantiated allegation even included in the report?A human rights report worthy of the name would prioritize, devoting most of its attention to the worlds worst abusers. It would reflect enough basic good judgment to excise inanities like suffering from construction dust. It would either try to confirm unsubstantiated allegations or omit them because they were unsubstantiated. And it might even include some original investigating about human rights abuses in the many oppressive dictatorships that human rights organizations find less enthralling than democratic Israel.Instead, the State Department apparently just copy-pasted anything it could find from such organizations, no matter how ludicrous or unsubstantiated. That inevitably resulted in paying absurdly excessive attention to Israel, because thats what most human rights organizations do. If you doubt that, just consider this stunning graph from the Elder of Ziyon blog analyzing Amnesty Internationals tweets during one month in summer 2015: Amnesty spared only four tweets for Syrias ongoing civil war, but devoted over 60 to Israel and Gaza, most of them rehashing a war that had ended a year earlier with less than half a percent of Syrias death toll.In short, the human rights bureau simply generated a U.S.-sponsored version of the same anti-Israel bias Ambassador Nikki Haley so rightly condemns at the UN. And if so, then really, who needs it?
By Jan Strupczewski

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator spelled out on Wednesday the bloc's conditions for talks, saying securing the rights of some 4.5 million EU and British citizens living abroad was paramount.

But Michel Barnier, the European Commission's point man on London-Brussels talks, also warned of the risks if no deal was reached as Britain sought to leave.

Barnier said the likes of Polish students and Romanian nurses in Britain and British pensioners in Spain faced great uncertainty over rights to residency and access to the labour market, pensions, social security and education.

"Guaranteeing their rights as European citizens, in the long term, will be our absolute priority from the very start of the negotiations," he said in a speech to the Committee of the Regions in Brussels.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has also said she wanted the issue to be dealt with as a priority, while insisting a solution should be reciprocal.

The British government has been unwilling to guarantee existing rights outside of a broader agreement.

Barnier said continuity, reciprocity and non-discrimination should be guiding principles, adding it would take several months to secure such a guarantee.

The EU negotiator, a former financial services commissioner used to dealing with London, said there were three conditions to reaching an exit deal within the two years envisaged by EU law after May formally launches Brexit on March 29.

The parties should be transparent and tell the truth about what leaving the bloc means, remove uncertainties concerning people, money and borders and negotiate issues in the right order, Barnier said.

He said a scenario of the deadline of March 2019 passing with no deal, as has been suggested in London as a possibility, was not one the EU was entertaining.

Some hardline eurosceptics in May's conservative government have said that no deal -- which would mean, for example, Britain falling back on World Trade Organization tariffs -- would be better than a bad deal or no clean break with the EU.

But Barnier said the absence of a deal could lead to long queues of trucks at British port city Dover, disruption of flights to and from Britain and a shortage of nuclear fuel for Britain's nuclear power plants.

He said a transitional arrangement might be necessary. It should be based on EU laws, subject to EU courts, and of limited duration. May has said that Britain's June 2016 vote for Brexit means Britain will be out of the EU, not half in and half out

NO BREXIT BILL, BUT MUST SETTLE ACCOUNTS

Barnier said the talks should also quickly remove any doubts about funding for programmes financed by the EU budget.

He noted the 685 billion euros ($740 billion) of EU programmes to help people and regions in difficulty and to fund infrastructure projects and research -- all of which had been agreed by the 28 EU members, including Britain.

"There is no price to pay to leave. But we must settle the accounts. We will not ask the British to pay a single euro for something they have not agreed to as a member," he said.

Separately, European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer said Britain's bill for settling its financial position with the EIB could be very costly, but he called for a "civilised" divorce that could avoid such an outcome. [L5N1GZ4E0]

Barnier, meanwhile, said negotiations must quickly dispel any uncertainty regarding the EU's external borders after Britain leaves the bloc, in particular the Irish-British land border.

"We will be particularly attentive, in these negotiations, to the consequences of the UK's decision to leave the Customs Union, and to anything that may, in one way or another, weaken dialogue and peace," Barnier said.

Barnier said the EU shared May's ambition to reach a "bold and ambitious free trade agreement" to replace current ties, but noted its terms would be less favourable than those now and must take into account EU social and environmental standards.

Barnier repeated the EU mantra that a trade deal with Britain could not mean a menu choice of Britain's current privileges and obligations and that such a deal could only come after an agreement on the terms of the divorce.

"The sooner we reach a deal on an orderly withdrawal, the sooner we can prepare for the future relationship," he said, adding that leaving difficult divorce issues until the last moment was playing with failure.

($1 = 0.9257 euros)

(Reporting By Jan Strupczewski; editing by Philip Blenkinsop/Jeremy Gaunt)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Roger Tung

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's central bank is asking some custodian banks to stem the flow of fresh capital into its financial markets, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told on Wednesday, as the local dollar hovers at more than two-year highs.

The sources said custodian banks - which handle cash and securities for foreign participants investing in a market - were told to advise their clients not to remit new funds.

The central bank later took issue with the sources' comments. In a statement, it said the reported comments "do not match the facts" but did not elaborate.

"I'm dumbfounded. The clients have already bought stocks and you don't let them remit in. How do you settle the trade?" said one of the people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The move could ease upward pressure on the Taiwan dollar, which has gained nearly 6 percent against the U.S. dollar so far this year.

Taiwan's central bank, wary of being labelled a currency manipulator by U.S. President Donald Trump, has pulled back on its interventions to weaken the currency.

The central bank governor has also attributed the strong currency to massive fund inflows, with investors attracted by Taiwan companies' stock dividends.

When asked about the issue earlier, a central bank official would only say Taiwan has liberalised its capital account so capital flows can freely move, including foreign funds investing in local shares.

Later in the day, the central bank issued a statement that said:

"Today a media report cited a custodian bank saying 'the central bank is hoping foreign custodian banks request their clients to not remit new capital', this does not match the facts."

TAIWAN SEEING STRONG INFLOWS

Strong foreign fund flows have made the Taiwan dollar Asia's second-best performing currency this year and boosted its stock market by 7 percent to nearly 10,000 points, a level it has not closed above in 17 years.

The Taiwan dollar reached T$30.40 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, a level not seen since November 2014 and the benchmark stock index hit an intraday high of 9,976.61, but fell back to close down 0.5 percent on Wednesday.

"Foreign investors get annoyed at policy intervention," said Leon Chu, an investment manager with Franklin Templeton Securities Investment in Taipei. In the long term, such a move will hurt the domestic stock market, but in the short term, it could increase daily turnover.

"Perhaps the central bank is hinting T$30.50 is its bottom line," he said.

A Taiwan central bank official told earlier the government was keen to avoid the ire of the United States over its currency policy. Trump has criticised China, Japan and Europe for policies he claims artificially weaken their currencies and make their exports more competitive.

His administration has said it will analyse the currency practices of major trading partners, and the U.S. Treasury is required to publish a report on these practices in mid-April. Being labelled a "currency manipulator" could result in punitive tariffs on that country's goods.

The Taiwan dollar's strength has come as the economy appears to be recovering and the government is about to unleash long-term fiscal spending to ensure growth stays on track.

But the effects have been particularly toxic for Taiwan's insurers, which have been hit with millions of dollars in losses on the foreign exchange risk reserves they hold to contain currency volatility. Further gains in the local dollar would hurt the island's exporters, who drive much of the economy.

Central bank governor Perng Fai-nan will hold a briefing Thursday after the bank's quarterly policy meeting, where the policy rate is expected to remain unchanged.

In March so far, net foreign inflows have reached around $942 million, adding to the $5.96 billion for January-February, and surpassing the $5.56 billion recorded for all of 2016, according to data from the Financial Supervisory Commission.

(Additional reporting by Liang-sa Loh and Emily Chan; Writing by J.R. Wu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Edmund Blair

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped back to three-month lows on Wednesday after data showed U.S. crude inventories rising faster than expected, piling pressure on OPEC to extend output cuts beyond June.

A deal between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and some non-OPEC producers to reduce output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2017 has had little impact on bulging global stockpiles of oil.

Benchmark Brent crude was down 82 cents at $50.14 per barrel at 0936 GMT, after dropping to $50.05, its lowest level since OPEC announced on Nov. 30 its plan for cuts. The deal with non-OPEC states was reached in December.

U.S. light crude was down 70 cents at $47.54 a barrel, also slipping towards a three-month low.

"The lower the price goes, the higher the pressure on OPEC to extend cuts," Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said.

Sources have said OPEC is inclined to extend but wants backing from non-OPEC producers, including Russia, even though such countries have yet to deliver fully on existing cuts.

On Tuesday, the American Petroleum Institute reported U.S. inventories climbed by 4.5 million barrels to 533.6 million last week, a bigger rise than the 2.8 million analysts forecast.

Investors now want to see whether Wednesday's figures from the Energy Information Administration, a unit of the Department of Energy (DoE), confirm the rise.

"A look below $50 (for Brent) is quite possible today if DoE data show a similar pattern, but it's impossible to say how far below $50," Commerzbank's Fritsch said.

U.S. shale oil producers have been adding rigs, pushing up the country's oil production to about 9.1 million bpd, from around 8.5 million bpd in late 2016.

"OPEC's market intervention has not yet resulted in significant visible inventory drawdowns, and the financial markets have lost patience," U.S. bank Jefferies said in a note.

The bank said OPEC-led cuts would start having an impact in the second half of 2017, but added that U.S. crude production was expected to grow by 360,000 bpd in 2017 and 1 million bpd in 2018.

U.S. bank Goldman Sachs warned its clients in a note this week that a U.S. shale-led production surge "could create a material oversupply in 2018-19".

(Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Dale Hudson)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Thomas Escritt and Toby Sterling

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. paint maker PPG Industries said on Wednesday that its takeover bid for Akzo Nobel would benefit shareholders and staff after its Dutch rival rejected its 22.7 billion euro ($24.5 billion) offer as too low and too risky.

The statement came as investors piled pressure on Akzo to hold talks with its rival after PPG's Monday bid of $88.72 per share. PPG said its deal was worth 90 euros a share if Akzo's dividend payments were included -- the level at which one investor told a sale would become attractive.

In a nod to the political sensitivity of any deal, PPG said its cash and share offer would reflect the interests of "shareholders, employees, customers and the communities" served by Akzo and that regulatory approval could be obtained.

Pittsburgh-based PPG's dogged pursuit of Akzo has raised hackles at the paints and coatings maker, which, like many Dutch companies, is ringed with defences designed to make hostile takeovers difficult.

"PPG's first proposal came during an election campaign, at a time of high sensitivity," said Akzo Chief Executive Ton Buechner in a media call earlier on Wednesday, highlighting cultural differences that he said would hamper a merger.

Akzo said it had considered and rejected PPG's second proposal as not good enough even to merit engaging with the bidder. PPG's initial offer of 83 euros per share on March 9 valued the company at 21 billion euros.

"It created tremendous uproar," Buchner said of the bid, which came before a March 15 election in which nationalist sentiment played a prominent role. "That's just one example of cultural differences."

PPG urged Akzo to sit down and negotiate a deal, adding the latest bid was a 40 percent premium compared to before the first approach was announced.

"A combination of PPG and AkzoNobel would result in enhanced financial growth prospects for the combined company in the coming years, which will also accrue to the benefit of all stakeholders of the combined business," said PPG Chairman and CEO Michael McGarry.

TIME TO TALK?

Several of the company's shareholders have said they see merit in a deal and encouraged management to enter talks.

"A price in the 90s would represent a chunky multiple and could be tempting," one top 20 investor told . "At this price we would believe it is up to management to convince us not to sell."

Elliott Advisors, which has a more than 3 percent shareholding in Akzo, said that while it considered PPG's first and second bids "inadequate", Akzo had not adequately consulted shareholders before rejecting them.

Shareholder Columbia Threadneedle also said a takeover made sense and the Akzo board should engage in talks.

PPG said its bid valued Akzo's equity at around 22.7 billion euros. Factoring in net debt and minority interests, it said the valuation was 24.5 billion euros ($26.3 billion).

Akzo said any bid would bring job losses and substantial divestitures. PPG disagreed, saying the two companies' cultures were a good match, while employees would benefit from improved career opportunities inside a larger company.

Shares in the Dutch company, known for Dulux paint and advanced coatings that make submarines go faster, were down 2.1 percent at 75 euros at 1335 GMT after Akzo's rejection. Akzo acquired the Dulux brand when it bought Britain's ICI in 2008.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION

Dutch politicians including Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp publicly opposed PPG's first bid, saying it was not in the Dutch national interest.

Four provincial governors also oppose a takeover, saying it would cost Dutch jobs. Akzo employed more than 45,000 people as of the end of 2015 and PPG has a similar workforce.

Politicians have voiced concerns about possible foreign takeovers of Dutch companies, especially after Kraft's failed bid for totemic Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever, where many of the country's top business leaders trained.

Akzo's anti-takeover defences include a foundation with the power to appoint company officers. Buchner said the foundation was not consulted on the bid, though its board, composed of Akzo supervisory board members, were "part of what's going on".

Akzo has said it wants to to pursue its own strategy of selling or floating the company's chemicals division. ($1 = 0.9263 euros)

(Additional reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Simon Jessop; Editing by Keith Weir/Susan Thomas)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With Akzo insisting that the interests of staff and investors were best served by its plan to spin off its chemicals division and remain independent, the Dutch Shareholders' Association (VEB) said PPG should be given a hearing.

"The second offer addressed many of Akzo's concerns about research and development, jobs and the firms' cultures, so they should at least discuss it," said Paul Koster, VEB's director, echoing the views of several of Akzo's biggest shareholders.

PPG said its offer was worth 90 euros a share -- the level at which one investor said a sale would become attractive.

"At this price we would believe it is up to management to convince us not to sell," one top-20 shareholder told .

Pittsburgh-based PPG's pursuit of Akzo has raised hackles at the paints and coatings maker, which, like many Dutch companies, is ringed with defences designed to make hostile takeovers difficult.

"This is not solely about price," CEO Ton Buechner said in an interview with Reuters, saying that the leverage the combined companies would carry after a merger and "execution risks" also played a role in rejecting the offer.

"This unsolicited proposal simply doesn't warrant Akzo Nobel engagement with PPG."

In a statement rejecting the proposal, Akzo also cited "a significant culture gap between both companies."

Dutch politicians have come out against a takeover of Akzo, including Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp, who said it would not in the Netherlands' national interest.

"LET'S TALK IT OVER"

PPG's initial offer of 83 euros per share on March 9 valued the company at 21 billion euros.

In a nod to the political sensitivity of any deal, PPG said its cash and share offer would reflect the interests of "shareholders, employees, customers and the communities" served by Akzo and that regulatory approval could be obtained.

It said its offer was based on achieving annual synergies of at least $750 million.

PPG urged Akzo to negotiate, adding the latest bid offered a 40 percent premium compared to the price before the first approach was announced.

"We believe the revised proposal presents an opportunity for Akzo Nobel's shareholders to realize extraordinary value, by any measure, for their shares in Akzo Nobel," said PPG Chairman and CEO Michael McGarry.

McGarry is travelling to the Netherlands to rally support. Buechner, asked whether he would be willing to meet with his American counterpart, repeated that PPG's proposal does not "warrant engagement".

Elliott Advisors, which holds a stake of more than 3 percent in Akzo, urged the company to open talks.

"Elliott is disappointed by Akzo Nobel's conduct in relation to PPG's bids, and concerned that Akzo Nobel appears to be ignoring the will of shareholders which seem to strongly support engagement with PPG," it said in a statement.

Longtime Akzo shareholder Columbia Threadneedle also said a takeover made sense and the companies boards should engage in talks.

Asked to name a shareholder who supports Akzo's plans to spin off its chemicals division rather than entertain talks with PPG, Buechner said he could not comment on individual shareholders.

"We've spoken with many stakeholders, we've reached out to a large number of shareholders that are very important to us, we've even stepped into planes and we've travelled to them," he said.

Shares in the Dutch company, known for Dulux paint and advanced coatings that make submarines go faster, closed 1.1 percent lower at 75.78 euros.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION

Minster Kamp's statement follows rising public opposition to foreign takeovers of Dutch companies, also visible after Kraft's failed bid for totemic Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever.

However, Koster of the shareholders union VEB said Dutch companies could not shut themselves away from the impact of open markets.

"I think we have to recognise we are an open economy dependent on exports. Dutch companies have also made a lot of takeovers in other countries," he said.

The Nobel in Akzo's name comes from Sweden's Nobel Industries, acquired in 1993, and the bulk of its coatings business was acquired from Britain's ICI in 2008.

Despite the "cultural gap" between the companies, PPG is a major employer in the Netherlands, and Akzo sold its own U.S. decorative paint-making operations to PPG in 2012.

Some analysts said that PPG needed to work harder to win over all the parties, not just investors.

"Throwing money or getting an activist involved - that is trying to force the issue," said Ben Gomes-Casseres, a management professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

"They need to probably change their approach - that's the bottom line. You can't buy love."

(Additional reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Simon Jessop; Editing by Keith Weir/David Evans)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A few weeks ago Samsung rolled out for selected users in India. Today, the company launched its digital payment app for the owners of Samsung Galaxy Note5, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) (2017) and Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) (2017).
With Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) handing over the BJP manifesto (Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra) to bureaucrats to be implemented over the next five years, there may be many more surprises in store in the times to come.One of the first things his government did after being sworn in was to declare a ban illegal slaughter houses.
The appointment of as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has come as a surprise to political observers. During the UP campaign, Narendra Modi, who was the main campaigner, largely concentrated on the agenda of development or vikas. This was true despite his attempts, halfway through the election, to consolidate the Hindu vote through the use of communal speeches and words. Nor was there any major communal incident or riot, as happened prior to the 2014 national elections. It is now clear that even if the BJP attempts to bring in development in UP as promised, the path to winning the 2019 elections will be through communal polarisation.
In Nassau, we were allowed to disembark at 12 pm even though we have arrived in the city earlier in the day, probably still waiting for customs clearance. While waiting impatiently for the go signal to get off, we were sightseeing from the deck of the cruise ship. There were 4 other cruise ships docked at the same time that we were, so I was expecting a crowded city. However, that wasn't the case. I thought it was probably the staggered disembarkation schedule among the ships so that the city won't be inundated with so many people at the same time, thus our 12 pm disembarkation time.The unmistakable Atlantis in Bahamas look so close.Sky or water which is bluer?Sunworshippers on the deck.Three of the four other ships docked in Nassau that day.A whole lot of shades of blue, all pretty.Nassau is beautiful. It has exceeded my expectations. SKYWATCH is a weekly gathering of sky lovers and sky watchers. Join us.
Global ecommerce giant Amazon would continue to focus on every geographical segement of the Indian online retail market, according to a report in The Times of India.

Amit Agarwal, Amazon's India head said the firm's ambition is to become everything for everyone.

The statement comes a few days after home-grown rival Flipkart said it would focus on country's vast hinterland and smaller cities as its future growth markets.

Global ecommerce giant Amazon said it would continue to focus on every geographic segment of India's online retail market just days after homegrown rival Flipkart earmarked the country's vast rural hinterland and smaller cities as its future growth markets.

Amazon believes customers, wherever they are in India, should be able to buy and get products delivered to them, said Agarwal.

Amazon India head Amit Agarwal was recently elevated to the post of senior vice president, Amazon.

The company confirmed the development in an emailed statement.

"This indicates how excited Amazon is about the progress the company is making in India and the opportunity Amazon sees ahead," it added. The promotion comes within a year of Agarwal's inclusion in a senior leadership team that reports directly to Amazon CEO and President Jeff Bezos. Agarwal will continue to head the India operations.

Amazon, which has committed investments to the tune of $5 billion, remains one of the fastest growing for the US-based e-tailer. The company faces intense competition in India from local player, Flipkart. The competition is further heating up as Chinese e-tailer Alibaba gears up for a stronger play in India through Paytm.


A day after telling the parliamentarians in Lok Sabha that a lot of things were going to be shut in Uttar Pradesh, new Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today banned selling and consumption of gutka and pan masala in all government offices in the state.

The order comes hours after he asked officials to crackdown on smuggling of cows. Earlier in the day, the new CM directed the police officials to shut down slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh.

Talking to reporters, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that Chief Minister Yogi had advised against the use of pan masala, plastic and pan in government buildings and offices.

ALSO READ:'Modi-fied' Yogi Adityananth mockingly invokes Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav in Lok Sabha speech



While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said: "I invite you all (parliamentarians) to visit the state as there are a lot of things that are going to shut there."

Ever since he took over as the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has taken series of decisions to implement the promises made by the Bhartiya Janata Party ahead of assembly elections.

Here are some of the key decisions and directives issued by Yogi Adityanath:

Crackdown on slaughter houses: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed police officials to prepare an action plan for closure of slaughter houses in the state. He also ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows.

Yogi Adityanath's decision is in line with the BJP's vision document 'Sankalp Patra' released ahead of the Assembly elections. In its document, the BJP had promised a complete shutdown of illegal slaughter houses in UP. Incidentally, UP is India's largest meat processing state.

Soon after taking over as Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath had asked the officials to ensure all points in the vision document were implemented with full seriousness and sensitivity.

Transparency: In his fist cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked all his ministers to provide the details of their income, moveable and immovable assets within 15 days to his secretary and the BJP. Yogi Adityanath has not spared the bureaucrats either. The Chief Minister has directed all officers to provide full details of their assets as per the prescribed format within 15 days. Yogi Adityanath also requested cabinet ministers to refrain from making statements that may hurt people's sentiments.

No room for favoritism: Sending a stern message against favoritism, Yogi Adityanath on Monday sacked all non-government advisors, chairmen, deputy chairmen and members who were appointed by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. These posts were believed to be created for people who were close to previous dispensation. Largely, politicians and close bureaucrats.

Law and order: Day after he took over as Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath made it clear that he would not compromise on state's law and order situation. He also directed the Director General of Police to ensure that law and order situation in the state improved within a week. The Chief Minister directed officers to crack down on criminals and to ensure that administrative units like police stations and tehsils were free from political pressures. He also said that needs of 90 per cent people were fulfilled through police stations and tehsils and hence these places should be monitored specially.

ALSO READ: Yogi Adityanath orders complete shutdown of slaughter houses, to crackdown on cow smuggling



Citizen charter for timely justice: Giving importance to justice in stipulated time, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed that the additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries to work without any bias and prepare a citizen's charter for each department so that common people can get government services within fixed time lines.

Job creation: Underlining the importance of economic activities to create jobs in the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has pushed for prompt and effective decisions that need to be taken through a single window system. "With this, effective implementation of the Central government run start up and skill development schemes should also be ensured," Yogi said during his introductory meet with officials.
Famous for its volcanic mountains, iconic beaches and coral reefs, Indonesia's resort island of Bali has topped TripAdvisor's best destination list for 2017. The crowd-sourced travel guide has named it the best tourist destination for the first time despite being a popular travel hotspot for many years. The Indonesian island was described as a favourite destination for both adventurers and those in need of a little relaxation, with its white beaches, great diving and dense jungle treks contributing to its popularity.



The Awards also highlight current travel trends. Last year, London took the first place, but this year it dropped to the second position. Unsurprisingly, given its enormous cultural impact, history, cuisine and number of spectacular landmarks, Paris has been a mainstay on TripAdvisor's destination awards for years and is on the third spot this year. The city of Rome moved three notches up to take fourth position. Elsewhere, New York continues to be popular with global travellers, climbing four places to fifth position.



"We're excited to reveal our community's favourite travel destinations for 2017 and recognize these iconic places with Travellers' Choice awards," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor in a press release.



Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions across destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.



Here is the complete list of traveller's destination choice according to TripAdvisor:



1. Bali, Indonesia

2. London, United Kingdom

3. Paris, France

4. Rome, Italy

5. New York City, United States

6. Crete, Greece

7. Barcelona, Spain

8. Siem Reap, Cambodia

9. Prague, Czech Republic

10.Phuket, Thailand




The United States and Britain on Tuesday imposed restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from certain airports in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.

The US Department of Homeland Security said passengers traveling from a specific list of airports could not bring into the main cabin devices larger than a mobile phone such as tablets, portable DVD players, laptops and cameras.

Instead, such items must be in checked baggage.

Although civil liberties groups raised concerns that US President Donald Trump was seeking another limit on movement after a travel ban from Muslim-majority countries was challenged in the courts, Britain took similar steps.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said there would be curbs on electronic items in the cabin on flights from six countries in the Middle East. The foreign office said the measures would be implemented by March 25.

The moves were prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets.

The ban would continue for the "foreseeable future," a US government official said on Tuesday, adding that it was possible it could be extended to other airports and other countries.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer declined to talk about the intelligence that prompted the new steps or explain why some countries were left off the list.

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said he "spoke to the intelligence community over the weekend, and this is a real threat."

US officials say militant groups are known for innovative bomb designs, including embedding them inside computers. Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also has boasted of one of the world's most feared bomb makers, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri.

French and Canadian officials said they were examining their arrangements but neither government was taking additional security measures at this stage.

The airports covered by the US restrictions are in Cairo; Istanbul; Kuwait City; Doha, Qatar; Casablanca, Morocco; Amman, Jordan; Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates.

The affected airports are served by nine airlines that fly directly from those cities to the United States about 50 times a day, senior government officials said.

The carriers -- Royal Jordanian Airlines, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways -- have until Friday to adopt the new policy, which took effect on Tuesday.

No US airlines are on the list because there are no direct flights on them between the United States and the cited airports, officials said.

Britain said its restrictions would apply to direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The British regulations affect British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson, Atlas-Global, Pegasus, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Turkish Airlines and Tunisair.

IAG-owned British Airways advised customers departing from affected airports to arrive in good time at check-in.

Shares in IAG turned lower after the UK announcement, with easyJet also ending the day in negative territory.

RECENT INTELLIGENCE

A US government source said that while the restrictions arose from multiple reports of security threats, some recent intelligence had arrived that prompted the current alert.

US authorities believe there is a threat from plots similar to an incident last year in Somalia, where a bomb hidden in a laptop blew a hole in the side of a plane but failed to down it, another source said.

However, some experts questioned whether the limited ban could improve security and said it is complicated by aviation safety concerns about lithium-powered batteries used in many electronic items catching fire in the hold.

Some potentially affected said the ban was unfair.

"Security for some people, and other people none? It's not for everybody, right?" said Mohsen Ali, an Egyptian who spoke to Reuters TV at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport where he was waiting to meet a friend.

US officials said the decision had nothing to do with Trump's efforts to impose a travel ban on citizens of six majority-Muslim nations.

On March 6, Trump signed a revised executive order barring citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from traveling to the United States for 90 days. Two federal judges have halted parts of the ban although Trump has vowed to appeal.

While Democrats have criticized Republican Trump's travel ban, Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee, said he backed the new precautions as "both necessary and proportional to the threat."

However, human rights group Amnesty International said the restrictions raised "serious concerns that this could be yet more bigotry disguised as policy."
When Archana, a travel enthusiast, tweeted to a telecom company about how good the phone network was throughout her week-long travel to rural Punjab, the response she got was befuddling. Instead of a heartfelt acknowledgement from the company, she received this: "Thank you for your message. Our executive will reach out to you shortly. We regret the inconvenience."

Thanks to automation, such mismatched (bordering on inane) replies have been on the rise on social media platforms. Digital marketers laud automation for the speed and scalability it offers. But generic responses, such as the one above, under the garb of 'always listening to consumers' usually backfire and do more harm to the company than good.

"Machine learning is in its early days, so it is important to bring in the right checks and balances. Overdependence on automation can lead brands to lose consumers, instead of winning them, because the responses can often be mundane, insensitive and lacking in human touch," says Rubeena Singh, CEO, iProspect.

Companies employ social media automation at several levels. Brands have to publish content across platforms several times a day, through the week. It is thanks to software such as Hootsuite - which lets them schedule tweets and ensure continuous engagement with consumers - that social media executives can afford to take the weekend off.

The biggest blunder, says Saurabh Mishra, Digital Marketing Head, Kestone IMS, is auto-replies adding another layer to the engagement process by directing the user to an executive or asking the user to call on a certain number. "Getting an automated reply is equivalent to calling a call centre where the call is first managed by the IVR, followed by the long wait before it finally reaches the customer care executive." He adds that when a user is making an effort to go to your company's page to type the query, a similar effort has to be made by brands. "You need to have humans there."

Companies use chatbots to answer queries, give product/service recommendations, personalised experiences for repeat visitors or users, and guerrilla marketing. Swapnil Puranik, Head, Customer Experience Strategy-West, SapientRazorfish India, says this is especially important for sectors such as telecom, retail, BFSI, travel and hospitality and auto, where the volume of communication is high and human intervention is not possible at all levels. HDFC Life recently launched a life insurance chatbot in collaboration with Haptik, which will act as a financial guide to users. Sure, such initiatives will enable a company to resolve queries in real time with minimum manpower. However, to what extent should automation be encouraged?

Digital marketers ought to strike a balance. Aakriti Bhargava, Co-founder of Boring Brands, advises companies to distinguish queries into functional and emotional. "The matter-of-fact questions on timings, price or location can go to the bot, and the others can be directed to the customer care executive, all in real time."

Brands can leverage automation by integrating their tools with customer relationship management (CRM), suggests Puranik. Seamless CRM integration would enable businesses to send personalised/relevant communication to users. For example, a follow-up e-mail with more information about the product or offer to the user who clicked on the ad on Facebook, but left the website without purchasing. In fact, such instances can be leveraged by competition by offering consumers a better value proposition.

Brands have to reach the user directly; there is no substitute for that. Successful brands are those that connect the dots across multiple touch points in a consumer's journey - online and offline - to deliver a highly personalised experience to the user. ~

@sonalkhetarpal7

Digital Dashboard

LISTENING POST

Bots Invasion

A study by the University of Southern California and Indiana University suggests that about 9-15 per cent of active accounts on Twitter are bots. Twitter currently has 319 million monthly active users and 15 per cent of this fi gure would amount to 48 million profi les on the social networking site. The research used more than 1,000 features across six categories and analysed user accounts for profi le appearance, content produced and retweeted, and interactions with other users in terms of retweets and mentions, to decide whether the profi le was used by a bot or a human. In a recent fi ling to US Securities and Exchange Commission, Twitter had said that about 8.5 per cent (27 million) of its users are automated accounts - a fi gure it had given in 2014, too. Other studies, however, have pegged the number to be higher.

Closed Chapter

Microsoft shut down Socl - a social network it had made public in 2012 which did not gain much popularity - on March 15. The network, in its initial days, was a research tool primarily aimed at students and social searches, and later was introduced as a social networking site by Microsoft. "In supporting you, Socl's unique community of creators, we have learned invaluable lessons in what it takes to establish and maintain a community as well as introduce novel new ways to make, share and collect digital stuff we love," the network's developer team wrote in a blog post. The site was an interesting mix of social interaction, sharing and search, but was never able to gain traction like its other competitors and remained a research project.






Early this year, the Indian arm of Pfizer decided to discontinue the manufacture and sale of Corex cough syrup, the crown jewel in its domestic portfolio. Corex was its biggest revenue generator and among the country's top five drug brands. What made the decision more surprising was that Pfizer had fought a legal battle against a March 2016 Central government ban on sale of this fixed dose combination, or FDC, medicine, along with 333 others, and won. The decision to discontinue the syrup came a month after the court ruling. The government had banned these FDC drugs in March 2016 after a committee of experts found that they were likely to pose a risk to patients and safer alternatives were available. An FDC drug includes two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients combined in a single dosage form.

Pfizer says the decision was based on a review of "respiratory offerings" that happened independent of the legal issues. "We decided to discontinue the manufacture of the erstwhile Corex cough syrup. At the same time, we decided to launch a series of line extensions of the Corex brand that will address specific sub-therapeutic areas under the broad respiratory segment," says a Pfizer spokesperson.

{mosimage}



Perhaps, that was not the only reason. By winning the case, Pfizer proved its argument that there was no legal basis for banning Corex (a combination of chlorpheniramine maleate, codeine phosphate and some colorants). At the same time, the decision to discontinue the sale of the specific FDC drug made a bigger point - that Pfizer was not opposing the spirit behind the government decision, which was to stop the sale of 'irrational' and 'unapproved' FDC drugs. An FDC is called 'irrational' when there is no scientific rationale for combining two or more individual drugs in a particular combination.

Pfizer is not alone. In spite of the court staying the ban just a few days after it was imposed, the share of FDC drugs in total sales has been going down (see The Lost Cause). One reason could be the uncertainty about the final court verdict and government policy. The other could be pharmaceutical companies, too, being alive to the safety concerns around some of these drugs.

For instance, Pfizer, in response to queries from BT, said while it welcomed the high court order that allowed the company to continue the manufacture and sale of Corex, it is also "fully supportive of any process that is aimed at weeding out medicines that are irrational or not duly approved by the central and state regulators".

Market research firm AIOCD-AWACS has estimated that the market of all these FDC drugs, at the time of the ban, was worth `4,000 crore or about 4 per cent of the Indian pharmaceutical market. Early estimates by AWACS put Pfizer's potential loss at 12 per cent of revenues. Abbott, affected the most, was staring at a potential 15 per cent revenue loss, it said.

THE ISSUES

India has been battling the problem of unapproved and irrational FDCs for two decades. While FDCs account for a small percentage of new drugs approved globally, in India, almost every second medicine that gets marketing approval is a combination drug. The combination of two or more medicines is not a problem in itself. It is, in fact, preferred for several conditions such as HIV-AIDS and diabetes that are lifelong or life threatening, as fewer drugs means lower cost and better patient compliance. However, the presence of hundreds of drug combinations with untested efficacy/safety was an India-specific problem that the government had no option but to sort out.

What is worse is that India's regulatory system was indirectly contributing to the mess till 2002. The companies were, until then, exploiting the ambiguity over the powers of state drug regulatory authorities and the central drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India or DCGI. This allowed them to launch FDC drugs after state regulators' approval, though laws (clarified again in 2002) stipulated that all new drugs, including new combinations of approved medicines, could be approved only by the central regulator. By 2007, the DCGI had identified 294 unapproved FDC drugs and asked state drug authorities to ban these. The decision was not implemented due to a Madras High Court stay order. The matter is still sub judice.

{mosimage}



The second move to weed out irrational drug combinations came in 2012, when the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health came out with startling revelations about unapproved and FDC drugs. The committee called for a transparent policy for approving FDC drugs based on scientific principles. As a result, in 2013, the DCGI asked drug manufacturers for proof of safety and efficacy of medicines that had only "state approval". In the next 18 months, it got 6,300 applications. An expert committee scrutinised these and recommended ban on 344 FDC drugs. It was government action on this recommendation that was challenged by companies such as Pfizer in the Delhi High Court, which quashed it on December 1, 2016. Since all 454 petitioners, including Pfizer, had anyways got a stay on the order immediately after it was notified in March 2016, the companies were free to sell these medicines.

{mosimage}



Almost every major player Business Today contacted either refused to comment or stood by the FDCs it was selling. "No comments," said a spokesperson for Sun Pharmaceuticals, India's biggest drug company. The India arm of US major Abbott, the most impacted, said the "judgment provides thousands of patients continued access to Abbott's doctor-prescribed products, which have the necessary regulatory approvals for manufacture, distribution and sale in India". Abbott's FDC drugs in question were mostly from Piramal Healthcare, whose formulations business it had acquired years ago.

THE FUTURE

The drugs controller, G.N. Singh, was on an official visit to Washington when the ban was notified. Among the visitors, immediately after the news about the ban spread, were some senior executives of Pfizer. "They met me there. I made it clear that we expected companies to be fair. They shouldn't go by the technicalities of approvals when their medicines are creating a public health issue. If people are getting addicted by your medicine, and if the government decides to ban the drug in public interest, there is no point in saying you have the approval," Singh recalls his message to the Pfizer team.

The problem with Corex and similar syrups was not whether they had all the approvals or whether the combinations were 'rational' or not. The issue was misuse. Codeine, its key ingredient, was a derivative of opium, and addictive. Singh, too, was referring to the alleged rampant misuse, which was the key reason for its inclusion among other 'irrational' and 'unapproved' FDC drugs.

Singh recalls that the executives of the global drug major assured to look into the 'ethics' of the problem. That perhaps explains the voluntary recall after the favourable court ruling.

{mosimage}



Was Pfizer's response an exception? Not likely. Numbers suggest it has not been business-as-usual in the FDC segment ever since the ban order. Despite the high court stay on the ban, sale of FDCs, growing steadily before the ban, started falling. The fall has been severe in categories that most banned FDCs belonged to - respiratory, pain, anti-diabetic, dermatology and gastro-intestinal. AIOCD-AWACS data say the sale of FDC drugs fell 34.9 per cent in February 2017, when the overall domestic market grew7.1 per cent. In the preceding 12 months, the average fall in revenues was 22.3 per cent. The drugs controller says there has been a fall in the number of new FDC applications too. "Unfortunately, whenever there is confusion, the sentiment of manufacturers is hit. It will also impact development of FDC drugs. I hope the trend goes away," says Singh.

"The future (of FDCs in trouble) is doubtful. So, companies are not pushing such products. Not much brand building is happening. This is a short-term impact," says D.G. Shah, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which represents leading 20 drug makers that together account for 46 per cent domestic drug market.

While sales do indicate broad trends, they do not capture the complete reality of the market, served by close to 10,000 - majority of them tiny - pharmaceutical formulation manufacturing and marketing companies. While sales data tracked by market intelligence agencies capture the traditional wholesale and stockist channels, a big chunk of drugs, including FDCs approved by states, is marketed directly through medical practitioners, especially in rural markets. There are hundreds of companies that focus on these small pockets. The problem will end when one can ensure that even the smallest of such entities also stop making unethical and 'irrational' FDC drugs.

Unfortunately, the DCGI office has no database to track approvals given by state authorities on a real-time basis. Even past data are not fully available. One can only hope that state regulators are approving only those combinations that have undergone clinical trials as per the central protocol and received approval from the central regulator. "I don't think they will be giving fresh licences, as we have already informed them that these drugs are 'irrational' and that they should not clear FDC drugs that we have not approved. Since there is status quo, the companies that have old approvals from states continue to market these drugs but not the new ones," says Singh.

The irrationality of drugs approved by the central authority was also questioned by a parliamentary panel in 2013. The DCGI says it has since then set up 25 expert committees within the central drug administration to track medicines that may become 'irrational' on the basis of latest scientific developments. "We are making extra efforts. Our inspections are now meaningful as we are handholding state administrations. We are strengthening our surveillance systems so that no wrong-doer can get away. The WHO has declared us a stringent regulatory authority and we are in the same league as the US FDA and the UK's MHRA. We need to sustain that. The message is clear. Wrong-doers will be thrown out," says Singh.

Incidentally, over 40 per cent FDCs that were scrutinised by the expert committee were given a clean chit. The road ahead for irrational FDCs might be difficult but that might not be the case with rational combinations. ~

@joecmathew
Quote

"Safety and security of Indians is our top-most priority. It is not possible for this government to remain silent while an Indian is in problem elsewhere"

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, speaking in Parliament on attacks on Indians in the US

Rs 82,606 crore

This is the net amount that has flowed into equity mutual funds in the first 11 months of the year. It is set to cross the peak of Rs82,748 crore during 2015/16.

Sun, Glenmark Get USFDA Relief

Sun Pharmaceutical, Indias biggest drug company, has said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to lift the 2013 import alert against its Mohali plant. Sun had got this plant after it bought Ranbaxy in 2015. The US FDA has also cleared Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' active pharmaceutical ingredient plant at Ankleshwar in Gujarat.



Cairn asked to pay Rs10,247 crore tax

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has ruled that Cairn UK Holdings will have to pay Rs10,247 crore short-term capital gains tax on an internal share sale done 10 years ago. The tribunal, however, rejected the tax department's demand for interest of Rs18,800 crore.



SBI fine with farm loan haircut

The country's largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has said that it will allow one-time settlement for tractor and farm equipment loans. These loans account for Rs6,000 crore doubtful/loss assets. The bank is willing to take up to 40 per cent haircut on such loans.

Stayzilla CEO arrested

Yogendra Vasupal, the founder and chief executive of room aggregator Stayzilla, has been arrested by the Chennai police after an advertising firm slapped charges of fraud against the company for non-payment of dues of Rs1.7 crore. Vasupal had shut Stayzilla last month.
Old Main

LOGAN  Natural Resources Week at Utah State University started with a potato lunch Monday, a presentation from Wild Utah Project director Allison Jones Tuesday, and according to Quinney College of Natural Resources Senator Molly Van Engelenhoven, it has been going strong since.

Scientist or not, Engelehoven said everybody who attends any of the scheduled events will find value and have fun. Attendees can also help out others as well. Three local charities will benefit from fundraisers. Thursdays Empty Bowl Luncheon will raise money for the Student Nutrition Access Center and the Cache Food Pantry. Proceeds from Saturdays Predator vs Prey 5K Fun Run will go to the Cache Refugee and Immigration Connection.

Engelehoven said cost is $12 for those who wish to participate in the 10 a.m. Fun Run. Runners will run dressed as their favorite predator or prey and receive a Natural Resources Week T-shirt as well. She said the charity was picked after President Donald Trumps recent immigration ban.

We chose it after the Muslim ban because we felt like it was the right thing to do, she said.

The Empty Bowl Luncheon will start at 11 a.m. Handcrafted bowls can be purchased for $7 to $10 and can be continuously refilled with soup through the lunch. Those who bring their own bowls can get soup for $5.

The keynote speaker will be environmental writer and communications expert Emma Marris. Engelenhoven said Marris is a good example of how you dont have to be a scientific person to understand scientific things.

Shes a science writer even though she was an English major, she said. I think it shows the value of scientific thinking and how that can be applicable in any field, regardless what you are going into.

The speech will start at 4 p.m. Wednesday in room 105 of the Natural Resources building.

I believe she will talking about different attitudes about wildlife, Engelenhoven said. Like how we tend to look at coyotes and wolves very differently even though they are genetically very similar.

Other events include a Chacos and Tacos lunch from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and a Loggers Breakfast Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

More information about the week and its events can be found <a href=http://www.usu.edu/today/index.cfm?id=56565 target=_blank>here</a>.
Central Asia has never ranked high on U.S. priorities. That is unlikely to change under the Trump Administration. Yet recent developments in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan, do offer an opportunity to advance U.S. interests through a greater economic-political presence in the region, whilst also countering growing Chinese economic dominance and Russian efforts at military hegemony at a relatively low cost. The two key countries in this possible opportunity for the U.S. are Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND: The recent death of Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov has led his successor Shavkat Mirziyoyev to draw back from some of Karimov's most contentious domestic and regional policies while retaining the foreign policy of balancing relations with outside powers. While Uzbekistan is not going to transform itself magically overnight into a democracy, it has moderated the Karimov-era tensions with all of its neighbors and has already released some prisoners whose incarceration violated human rights. The government is now even talking of currency liberalization, which has caused optimism amongst regime critics, and is also reorganizing the political structure of the state. Undoubtedly, U.S. and other foreign firms will benefit from this major policy change if it is implemented.

Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev's announcement of reducing his powers in favor of the legislative branch and the government also opens for a freer play of political and economic forces from which the U.S. could benefit by its superior economic clout and by Kazakh elites' understanding that Washington's presence balances that of Moscow and Beijing.

Both Kazakhstan's and Uzbekistan's liberalizing and tension-reduction policies also play to the strongest cards of the U.S. in the great power competition for influence in and over Central Asia  namely its willingness to continue fighting for security and stability in Afghanistan, as well as the potential for much greater use of U.S. economic power. The U.S. army and NATO are still engaged in fighting the Taliban and the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Afghanistan, which both pose threats to Central Asian states. Moreover, all Central Asian states crave U.S. business, trade, and investment support in order to allow them to balance between the hegemonic inclinations that Beijing and Moscow constantly display towards them. An increased U.S. presence would be welcomed in Central Asia, and with it could come private initiatives to further reform in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which could also ameliorate human and civil rights deficits in both countries and by example among their neighbors

Moreover, if the U.S. were to disengage completely from Afghanistan, great power rivalry would probably reemerge quite rapidly. Russia is clearly playing a double game in Afghanistan, ostensibly supporting the government but also visibly building ties with the Taliban and Iran. Russia, China, and Pakistan are advocating peace talks but, as reported by U.S. commanders, Moscow and Tehran are also promoting the Taliban. Thus Russia supports the Taliban against ISIS as part of a future government in Afghanistan that would leave a divided country open to Russian (and presumably Chinese) influence while curtailing the U.S. presence.

While these tactics hardly benefit either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, not to mention the smaller Central Asian states, they comport with Russia's main goals, namely to check the growth of ISIS while retaining its influence in Central Asia.

China will also join with Russia to curtail U.S. influence in Central Asia, including Afghanistan. But China is also clearly undertaking a more tangible military and security presence in Central Asia, no doubt aware of Russia's double game while also seeking to protect its huge regional investments.

IMPLICATIONS: Given these great power machinations, the Trump Administration should support the new Uzbek administration's efforts to decompress its political system and Nazarbayev's reforms. By demonstrating this support by tangible economic and military means  providing Central Asian governments with training and access to weapons to defend themselves against terrorism and insurgency (and Russian threats) and facilitating U.S. investment by private firms in Central Asia, the U.S. should use that influence to obtain progress on a liberalized economic climate and improvement in human rights conditions.

Previously, the U.S. has struggled to compete with China given the conditions the U.S. attaches to investments and the unpropitious investment climate in Central Asia due to local governments' rent-seeking policies and restrictions on trade and investment. It is unlikely that the Trump Administration will follow the previous U.S. practice of publicly calling for reforms. It could, however, use the carrot of increased investment to say privately to regimes that it would be regarded positively if they moved forward on certain reforms, an approach that might actually work. Without trade and investment, there is little incentive for Central Asian governments to heed advice from the U.S. on issues such as human rights. Indeed, as Secretary of State Kerry told a Kazakh audience "economic policy is also foreign policy." This certainly is the lesson of China's ever-growing economic presence in Central Asia.

Given the threat of the Taliban and ISIS from Afghanistan, Central Asian and particularly Uzbek concerns about terrorism, though long exaggerated, are not unfounded. Several hundred Uzbek militants have reportedly gone to fight with ISIS in Syria. There has been a longer history of Uzbek fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly organizing under the banner of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). Therefore, a program that sustains U.S. engagement in Afghanistan but also enhances investment in Central Asia, particularly these two countries, proves U.S. commitment to Central Asia's development, stability, and security. It would also allow Presidents Nazarbayev and Mirziyoyev to strengthen their states through economic, administrative, judicial, and political reforms even to the point of freeing some dissidents as well as offer an alternative partner to balance Russia and China.

Even if Washington ignores the terrorist threat (which is admittedly unlikely given the rhetoric of President Trump and his team), Russia and China will not. Moscow, Beijing and Islamabad have already had meetings to pave the way for an Afghan peace treaty. They have now invited the Afghan government to the next round of their trilateral peace talks, which have nevertheless failed to bring about peace in Afghanistan. While Moscow may try to make a deal with the Taliban as its recent efforts suggest; China is becoming even more draconian in its campaigns, such as confiscating the passports of all Xinjiang residents in the name of countering terrorism. There is reason to believe that China has growing reason to fear terrorism, especially given its sizeable investments in Pakistan and Central Asia as part of its Belt and Road Initiative and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the signs of increased anti-Chinese terrorism like the attack in 2016 on the Chinese embassy in Bishkek.

Kazakhstan's and Uzbekistan's foreign policies also dovetail with U.S. objectives in Central Asia. Uzbekistan has undertaken several well-publicized moves to reduce tensions with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and to reach out to Turkey, which seeks its own greater engagement in Central Asia. The improvement of relations among Central Asian governments also facilitates enhanced economic-political cooperation among them, a long-standing U.S. objective. Interstate cooperation in Central Asia, especially involving both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, strengthens the economic independence of these countries from Moscow and Beijing, as well as their overall domestic capabilities and regional stability. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has long made clear its reliance on the U.S. as a balancer vis-a-vis its two imperially minded neighbors.

CONCLUSIONS: For too long, the Obama Administration had no discernible agenda for Central Asia other than prosecuting the war in Afghanistan. The C5+1 initiative only got started in 2015 and is still not supplemented by a regular program of high-level visits or investment that would truly balance either the Russian or Chinese presence. Moreover, there is no sign as to what the Trump Administration will do in regard to Central Asia. Indeed, at one point the Obama Administration publicly supported China's policies that became subsumed under the Belt and Road Initiative. That endorsement testified more to the absence of U.S.-led ideas and resources towards Central Asia than any suggestion of strategic engagement with China. Trump now has an opportunity to cultivate a new agenda based on the power of U.S. corporate private investment, which would be a true win-win for local governments and for U.S. interests. It is also the only long-term way to influence local governments to take U.S. human rights values seriously, and it offers Central Asian states a truly multi-vector policy to balance Russia and China. Moreover, increasing U.S. training, investment and trade will not incur serious economic costs for the U.S. budget and enhances the domestic security of Central Asian states against potential terrorist threats.

This program of action is a multi-dimensional strategy based on real trends like the Kazakh and Uzbek reform programs and would undoubtedly find support within both countries who crave U.S. recognition and are undertaking overdue positive steps. A program based on expanding U.S. economic and thus political influence in Central Asia would balance China's drive for economic-political hegemony here and be welcomed by local governments. While these policies are not flashy or headline-grabbing, they are substantive and long-running and could alone provide changes needed to accomplish the interests of the U.S. and Central Asians in their independence, security, and greater prosperity.

AUTHORS BIO: Stephen Blank is a Senior Fellow with the American Foreign Policy Council.

Image source: wikimedia, accessed on March 21, 2017
Article 50: The Final Countdown...

Published on March 22, 2017

Story by euro topics

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On March 29, Theresa May will formally notify Brussels of the UK's intention to leave the European Union and begin two years of negotiations. Commentators ponder how both sides will act in their efforts to make a deal.

Brussels wants to punish the UK - Romania Libera, Romania

Brussels is clearly tempted to make London pay for its presumption, Romania Libera observes:

"Pay both literally and metaphorically, that is. We keep hearing reports that London will have to pay 40 to 50 billion euros to cover the deficit that Brexit will leave in the EU budget... On the other hand Brussels wants to delay the signing of the Brexit agreement with the UK for as long as possible in order to make it clear that leaving the EU is not merely a formality... But what could happen is that it begins the negotiations with Britain with a tough stance and then its positions gradually softens to facilitate a sensible compromise in the end... On the other hand Brussels could just as well opt to use the Brexit to teach a lesson to rebellious EU member states that refuse to accept their share of the burden resulting from the massive wave of immigration." (20/03/2017)

No brutal Brexit, please! - De Telegraaf, Netherlands

The EU must not allow disappointment over the British people's desire to leave the EU cloud its judgement, De Telegraaf warns:

"In Brussels the frustration over the Brexit is huge. Is would be very unwise to allow this disappointment to define the negotiations. The British have made their decision. Moreover, it's too easy to dismiss this decision as yet another tick on the part of the eccentric island dwellers... The rapid expansion of the EU triggered a major wave of migration toward the UK that derailed large segments of its labour market... Now all the involved parties must prevent a hard break. The economic ties between the European continent and the British are strong. Those who sever them too brutally will only do themselves harm." (21/03/2017)

The EU must not let itself be divided - Corriere Della Sera, Italy

The top priority for the EU must be to guarantee cohesion, former diplomat Antonio Armellini urges in Corriere della Sera:

"True to its negotiating style, London will claim the right to access the single market and protect its financial system without allowing the free movement of persons or heeding EU regulations in return... The strategy of dividing the community by relying on a difference of opinion among member states (a British classic) may still provide some surprises... The danger that the Brexit could spark the collapse of the entire EU would then increase as the negotiations progressed. However instead of drifting apart, the 27 could cite exactly the same grounds to bolster cohesion, if only for tactical reasons." (21/03/2017)

A chance to strengthen British identity - The Daily Telegraph, UK

The Brexit offers British politicians the possibility to revive the concept of the democratically legitimated nation state, the Daily Telegraph writes:

"Europe has almost forgotten - sometimes with good historical reasons - what pride in nationality might mean, and how democratically responsive governments in touch with their populations might have something valuable to offer the world. Ironically, the idea of the self-governing state directly answerable to its own people was lost in the terrible shame of the twentieth centurys nationalist crimes. But the EU now finds itself harbouring a return to just the kind of populist nativism which it was designed to prevent. Will this generation of British politicians have the vision and the strength of character to re-invent nationhood? Who knows?" (21/03/2017)

---

30 Countries, 300 Media Outlets, one press review. euro|topics presents the issues affecting Europe and reflects the continent's diverse opinions, ideas and moods.

Story by euro topics
Paul Ayah Abine PAA

The High Court in Mfoundi, Yaounde has rejected the demand by Lawyers of the imprisoned Advocate General at the Supreme Court, Justice Ayah Paul Abine, for his unconditional liberation.

The Lawyers who applied using the Habeas Corpus because according to them Ayah Paul was illegally arrested on January 21,2017 at his residence.

One of the Defense Counsel Barrister Ndong Christopher says by arresting him on Saturday which was a weekend they were doing so in contradiction of the Criminal Procedure Code which forbids arrest of someone on Public Holidays or weekends unless that person is caught red-handed committing a crime.

The lawyers of Ayah Paul have hinted they could apply against the rejection.

This development according to pundits means Ayah Paul may likely be referred to the military tribunal.

The Mfoundi High Court during a closed door court session last week in an informal way charged Ayah Paul Abine with terrorism, secession, propagation of false information and rebellion.

The President of the Popular Action Party, PAP, has now spent two months in custody at the Defense State Secretariat. His family has recently written to the State demanding his release due to poor health but the request has fallen into answering machine.

By Wilson MUSA
Paul Biya of Cameroon Archives

Cameroons President Paul Biya has congratulated himself for staying in power for over 30 years saying that it is because of the successes that his regime has recorded so far.

Paul Biya made the remarks which were followed by thunderous applauds, during the meeting with Business Men in Italy during the State visit.

The President while addressing attendees said, The country, Cameroon, is stable, it is even rare today to find a government which has lasted for over 30 years, it is the case of Cameroon

The Head of State is confident the putting in place of structures to combat corruption will sweep away all corrupt individuals making Cameroon an Eldorado.

President Paul Biya told his Italian Counterpart and Italian Business men that the Business climate is very conducive for trade and will be ameliorated as time goes on.

On Tuesday March 21, 2017, the Head of State told his Italian counterpart that the Anglophone problem is not a big deal because dialogue is already underway. he insisted that dialogue will only be done within the ambits of the constitution and which will not tamper with national unity.

The Three day State visit ends this Wednesday March 22, 2017.

By WIlson MUSA
| BY Ricki Green |

The 2017 Facebook Awards is now open for submission. This year, its all about the work that moved people. Facebook is recognising some of the best creative work on Facebook, Instagram and Audience Network based on how it made people feel and how it helped businesses growthe work that made the Facebook community laugh, cry, love, wow and act.

This years submission period closes on April 28, 2017.

Visit facebookawards.com to learn more about the entry process and submit your work.

Facebook is introducing new awards categories and a new trophy design to reflect the emotions evoked by great creative campaigns.

New categories of emotion

Facebooks online community expresses their emotions using the Facebook reactions. And the new awards categories are inspired by the emotions those reactions evoke. How did your work move people?

Laugh: This is the work that made us laughthe work that captured our attention, got us to crack a smile and caused serious LOLs. It made us feel good and took humor to another level.

Cry: This is the work that made us crythe work that got us all emotional, inspired compassion and helped us see things differently. It made us think and connected with audiences through storytelling.

Wow: This is the work that wowed usthe work that showed us something wed never seen before. It made our jaws drop and forged new paths for a brands presence on Facebooks platforms.

Love: This is the work that made us fall in love with a brandthe work that spoke to us where it counts. It won our hearts and improved brand sentiment and perception.

Act: This is the work that moved us to actthe work that woke us up and made us do something. It inspired action, a change in behavior and had a measurable impact on sales or related metrics.

A new trophy design

This years reimagined trophy reflects the heart behind work that matters. The metallic heart-shaped balloon design was inspired by the playful futurism of Anish Kapoor and Jeff Koons. And we collaborated with Design Bridge to bring the concept to life.

Looking back at the 2016 Facebook Awards

As we look forward to this years awards, what insights can we take away from last years winners?

Video was king across every region, with the strongest entries incorporating a Facebook video component. Some of the most effective content focused on humor to drive consumer interest and interaction. It was an impressive turnout, and we cant wait to see what 2017 has in store.

Show Facebook what youve got
Exposure to trauma is an unfortunate but inevitable part of being on the frontline, but some are harmed more than others. A shocking one in ten Australian emergency workers have post traumatic stress disorder, while the industry faces a rising trend of suicide. In response to this crisis, and in the hope it will lead to more officers speaking out about their own struggle, this prominent cop has spoken publicly about his mental illness for the first time.
Nearly two years since the Royal Commission into union corruption hearings came to Canberra in a blaze of publicity, there has only been one conviction as a result of allegations aired in the proceedings; that of Mr Kivalu who was given a suspended jail sentence in June 2016 after pleading guilty to blackmail charges.
Magistrate Beth Campbell noted Caton's alleged crimes took place days after he was released from jail for a parole breach and at a time "when you would expect his resolve to not commit further offences would be at its highest".
United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee, v. PEDRO WIPP-KELLEY, Defendant, Appellant. No. 15-2038 Decided: March 20, 2017

Before Torruella, Lipez, and Thompson, Circuit Judges. Luz M. Rios-Rosario on brief for appellant. Rosa Emilia RodriguezVelez, United States Attorney, Mariana E. Bauza-Almonte, Assistant United States Attorney, Chief, Appellate Division, and Tiffany V. Monrose, Assistant United States Attorney, on brief for appellee.

Preface

Pedro Wipp-Kelley (Wipp) pled guilty  without a plea agreement  to conspiring to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. The district judge accepted his plea and later sentenced him to 180 months in prison  a sum made up of two concurrent terms of 120 months for each drug offense (the mandatory minimum), plus a consecutive term of 60 months for the firearm offense (also the mandatory minimum). Now before us, he insists that the judge slipped by accepting a plea that was neither knowing nor voluntary. Reviewing for plain error  which the parties agree is the governing standard  we see no reason to reverse.

Analysis

A valid guilty plea must be knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made. See United States v. Ocasio-Cancel, 727 F.3d 85, 89 (1st Cir. 2013); see also Fed. R. Crim. P. 11. Before accepting a guilty plea, the judge must address the defendant in open court and inform him of his rights, the nature of the charges, and the possible penalties. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(b). Wipp thinks that his plea is invalid because the judge did not adequately explain the elements  particularly the mens rea element  of the charged crimes. He of course bears the burden of showing that the judge plainly erred. See, e.g., United States v. Almonte-Nunez, 771 F.3d 84, 89 (1st Cir. 2014). And he falls way short of doing so.

Rule 11 does not require a judge either to spout a fixed catechism or to use a set of magic words. United States v. Jones, 778 F.3d 375, 382 (1st Cir. 2015). It does not demand explanations of the technical intricacies of the charges in the indictment. Id. (quotation marks omitted). And it does not call on the judge to be precise to the point of pedantry when touch[ing] all of the appropriate bases. Id.

With that in mind, we look at what the judge here said, starting first with his comments on the conspiracy charge:

Mr. Wipp, you're charged in  Count One that  you and the other defendants charged in the indictment knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, and agreed, together and with each other, and with other persons known and unknown to the grand jury, to possess, with the intent to distribute,  more than five kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

Wipp provides no convincing reason why this was error, say nothing of plain error, especially since our caselaw confirms that to prove this charge, the government would have to show that (1) a conspiracy existed; (2) [Wipp] had knowledge of the conspiracy; and (3) [he] knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conspiracy. United States v. Delgado-Marrero, 744 F.3d 167, 190 (1st Cir. 2014) (quotation marks omitted). He does not say, for example, what more the judge had to say. The net result is that he simply has not done enough with this issue to win on plain-error review. See generally United States v. Jones, 748 F.3d 64, 69, 70 (1st Cir. 2014) (explaining that plain error is a very stiff standard, adding that plain error is an indisputable error, given controlling precedent).

The same goes for his beef with the judge's comments on the drug charge. And in Count Two, the judge noted,

you're charged that  you and the other defendants charged in the case, aiding and abetting each other, knowingly and intentionally possessed, with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

Wipp again offers no persuasive reason to second-guess what the judge said, particularly since our caselaw also confirms that to prove this charge, the government would have to show that he knowingly and intentionally possessed, either actually or constructively, a controlled substance with the specific intent to distribute. See United States v. Bobadilla-Pagan, 747 F.3d 26, 32 (1st Cir. 2014). So just like before, he fails to clear the high plain-error hurdle. See United States v. Hunnewell, 891 F.2d 955, 956 (1st Cir. 1989); see also Jones, 748 F.3d at 70.

Ditto regarding his complaints about the judge's firearm-charge comments. [A]s charged in Count Three, the judge explained to Wipp,

you knowingly and intentionally possessed a .40 caliber  Smith and Wesson pistol,  and two magazines containing 24 rounds of  ammunition in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime,  which is what is charged in Count One, the conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of cocaine.

Here too Wipp gives no compelling reason why these comments sink to the level of plain error, especially since our caselaw further confirms that to prove this charge, the government would have to show that he (1) committed a drug trafficking crime; (2) knowingly possessed a firearm; and (3) possessed the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. Bobadilla-Pagan, 747 F.3d at 35 (quotation marks omitted). Once again, Wipp does not come even close to meeting his burden under the oh-so demanding plain-error standard. See United States v. Rodriguez-Soler, 773 F.3d 289, 293 (1st Cir. 2014); see also Jones, 748 F.3d at 70.

United States v. Figueroa-Ocasio, 805 F.3d 360 (1st Cir. 2015), on which Wipp relies heavily, is distinguishable from our case on a variety of grounds. To name just one: Applying plain-error review, Figueroa-Ocasio vacated a defendant's guilty plea because the judge misstated the mens-rea element of the charged offenses. Id. at 368-72, 374. But nothing of the sort happened here  for the reasons just given.

Taking a slightly different tack, Wipp insists that the judge failed to establish a satisfactory factual basis for his guilty plea on the firearm count. Specifically, after suggesting that he legally possessed the pistol, he says the judge coaxed him into thinking it was sufficient that he merely possessed or owned the gun to be guilty of the firearm crime and claims the government's proffer at the change-of-plea hearing did not link him to that crime. Looking at this issue through the plain-error lens, we think his argument is a no-go.

For starters, Wipp cites no authority  and we know of none  holding that if you legally possess the firearm in question, then you cannot be guilty of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-distribution enterprise. So this line of attack fails. See generally United States v. Marcano, 525 F.3d 72, 74 (1st Cir. 2008) (per curiam) (explaining that plain error cannot be found in case law absent clear and binding precedent).

Also, after Wipp said he had the pistol but never with that intention, the judge asked, But did you possess it with the intent, in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime? And Wipp responded, Yes. That dooms this facet of his argument.

And as for Wipp's suggestion that the government offered too little to link him to the firearm crime, we say this: The necessary [factual-basis] showing  is fairly modest. United States v. Ramos-Mejia, 721 F.3d 12, 16 (1st Cir. 2013). [T]he the evidence need not conclusively demonstrate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Instead, the government need only show a rational basis in fact for the defendant's guilt  or, to put the same point differently, there must be some basis for thinking that the defendant is at least arguably guilty. Id. (quotation marks omitted). To establish possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, there must be a sufficient nexus between the firearm and the drug-selling operation such that the firearm advances or promotes the drug crime. Bobadilla-Pagan, 747 F.3d at 35 (quotation marks omitted). We need not go into every jot of in furtherance law here. For present purposes, it suffices to say that in deciding whether a sufficient nexus exists, we consider whether the firearm was loaded, whether the firearm was easily accessible, the proximity of the firearm to the drugs, and the surrounding circumstances. United States v. Pena, 586 F.3d 105, 113 (1st Cir. 2009). And the facts proffered by the prosecutor below (and acquiesced in by Wipp) revealed that Wipp had an operable pistol on him during the drug conspiracy. The government argues that this shows a sufficient nexus between the firearm and the drugs to conclude that he was at least arguably guilty here. For his part, Wipp cites no cases  and we are aware of none  suggesting that a judge's decision to accept a plea in these circumstances constitutes plain error. Which means he cannot pass the plain-error test. See Jones, 748 F.3d at 70; Marcano, 525 F.3d at 74.

The bottom line is that nothing in Wipp's brief leads us to think there is any error, let alone plain error, lurking among his plea-related arguments.

There is one loose end to tie up, however. In another argument that debuts here, Wipp accuses the judge of not verifying that he had read the presentence report and discussed it with his lawyer. He says that this shows how confused and apprehen[sive] he felt towards the district court and his prior defense counsel. And he claims that this supports his contention that he did not have a healthy attorney-client relationship  with prior defense counsel  a factor that could support an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim, or so he argues. But because, to quote his brief, the instant record is not sufficiently developed on this score, we dismiss this claim, though he can renew it (if he chooses) via a petition for collateral review in the district court. See United States v. Maldonado, 708 F.3d 38, 46 (1st Cir. 2013) (taking that approach in a similar situation).

Conclusion

For the reasons arrayed above, we affirm the judgment below, without prejudice to Wipp's right to revive his ineffective-assistance claim on collateral review  naturally, we express no opinion on the merits of any such claim.

FOOTNOTES

. We draw the relevant facts from the unobjected-to parts of the presentence report and the transcripts from the relevant court hearings. See, e.g., United States v. Hudson, 823 F.3d 11, 13 n.1 (1st Cir. 2016).

. To establish plain error  a famously difficult-to-satisfy standard  a defendant must show error, plainness, prejudice to [him,] and the threat of a miscarriage of justice. See UnitedStates v. TorresRosario, 658 F.3d 110, 116 (1st Cir. 2011); see also Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 142 n.4 (2009). In the context of this case, prejudice requires a showing of a reasonable probability that, but for [the judge's] error, [Wipp] would not have entered the plea. United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74, 76 (2004).

. The emphases in all quotes from here on out are ours, by the way.

THOMPSON, Circuit Judge.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. ALIMENTS KRISPY KERNELS, INC., Appellant v. NICHOLS FARMS a/k/a NICHOLS FAMILY FARMS a/k/a NICHOLS PISTACHIOS No. 16-1975 Decided: March 21, 2017

Before: AMBRO, SHWARTZ, and FUENTES, Circuit Judges Andrea L. D'Ambra, Esq., John F. Tully, Esq., Norton Rose Fulbright, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Jami M. Vibbert, Esq., Venable, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, 24th Floor, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020, Counsel for Appellant Samuel Feldman, Esq., Orloff Lowenbach Stifelman & Siegel, 101 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 400, Roseland, NJ 07068, Counsel for Appellee

OPINION

The plaintiff, Aliments Krispy Kernels, brought this suit to enforce an arbitration award it received against the defendant, Nichols Farms, in a contract dispute. The award, based on an alleged breach of contract, was in the sum of $222,100. Claiming that the parties never agreed to arbitrate, Nichols Farms did not attend the arbitration. Aliments filed a petition to confirm the arbitration award and Nichols cross-petitioned to vacate it. The District Court denied Aliments' petition to confirm and granted Nichols's petition to vacate. Because we find that an issue of material fact exists as to whether the parties agreed to arbitrate, we will vacate the District Court's judgment and remand for further proceedings.

I. Background

In August 2012, Aliments, a Canadian snack purveyor, contacted its American broker, Sterling Corporation, to purchase thousands of pounds of raw pistachios. Sterling, in turn, contacted Pacific/Atlantic Crop Exchange, another agricultural commodities broker. Learning of Aliments' interest in purchasing pistachios, Pacific called Nichols, a pistachio grower in California. Nichols agreed to the proposed quantity and price. One month later, in September 2012, Sterling contacted Pacific with a second order of pistachios from Aliments. Pacific reached out to Nichols once again. Nichols agreed to the proposed quantity and price of this second order.

To confirm the two orders, Sterling issued sales confirmations for the August and September orders and sent copies to Aliments and Pacific. Pacific did not forward the Sterling sales confirmations to Nichols, however, and instead issued its own set of sales confirmations, which were sent to Nichols and Sterling. Neither Aliments nor Nichols was aware that two sets of sales confirmations existed. The two sets contained the same terms, including a thirty-day credit term. However, while Sterling's sales confirmations contained arbitration clauses, it appears that some but not all of the sales confirmations generated by Pacific contained arbitration clauses.

Aliments evidently believed that the Sterling sales confirmations, though unsigned by either party, represented a binding contract to purchase pistachios from Nichols, on credit with payment due thirty days from delivery, as usual. Nichols, on the other hand, thought that the thirty-day credit term was but a placeholder, as were all the terms in the Pacific sales confirmations except for the price and quantity terms. In support, the president of Nichols submitted a declaration explaining that [w]hen Nichols receives a request from a customer to purchase product on credit, [it] obtain[s] a credit report and then [he, the president of Nichols, is] the one who makes the decision about whether to sell product on credit and on what terms and conditions. The president of Pacific corroborated this practice, and submitted a separate declaration, stating that he had no authority from Nichols to commit to any credit terms or to bind Nichols to any credit terms. He avers that he created the sales confirmations based on a template, changing only the amount and price to reflect this particular transaction, leaving product description, packaging, addresses, and terms as-is from a prior transaction. Based on [his] many years in the commodity brokerage business, the president of Pacific understood that Nichols, in response to [Aliments'] offer, had the right to perform a credit check on [Aliments], and require security or advance payment if it thought it to be necessary.

After the sales confirmations were created, Nichols requested, and Aliments submitted, a credit application. This credit application was denied due to Aliments' previous late payments to Nichols, its involvement in a lawsuit with another farmer, and the increased difficulty of collection with any foreign corporation. In short, Nichols would not deliver its pistachios until it received payment from Aliments first.

Aliments protested that advance payment is a highly irregular request that is inconsistent with Nichols's past practices with Aliments and with industry standards. Nonetheless, it continued to attempt to work with Nichols to come to an amiable resolution. However, the parties were ultimately unable to come to an agreement on a payment method. Finally, Aliments bought pistachios from another vendor at a higher price. Seeking to recoup the extra cost, Aliments initiated arbitration proceedings in accordance with the arbitration clauses contained in the Sterling sales confirmations that were unseen and unsigned by Nichols.

Despite being notified of the arbitration, Nichols elected not to attend. Aliments was awarded $222,100 in damages against Nichols by the arbitration panel. Sent a copy of this award, Nichols refused to satisfy it. Finally, Aliments filed a petition to confirm the arbitration award in the District of New Jersey. In response, Nichols cross-petitioned to vacate the arbitration award.

After months of discovery, the District Court denied Aliments' petition and granted Nichols's cross-petition to vacate because no genuine issue of material fact existed as to whether the parties failed to enter into an express unequivocal agreement to arbitrate. We disagree, and for the reasons set forth below we will vacate and remand for further proceedings.

II. Discussion

On appeal, Aliments argues that the District Court made two legal errors: first, the Court erred in using a legal standard requiring an express unequivocal agreement to arbitrate prior to binding a party to arbitration; and second, it erred in finding, as a matter of law, that the parties did not enter into such an agreement to arbitrate. We will address each of these arguments in turn.

A. Legal Standard

The parties' dispute regarding the proper legal standard for determining whether the parties have made an agreement to arbitrate is the result of courts' changing attitude towards the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). In 1980, we held in Par-Knit Mills, Inc. v. Stockbridge Fabrics Co. that [b]efore a party to a lawsuit can be ordered to arbitrate and thus be deprived of a day in court, there should be an express, unequivocal agreement to that effect. In 1994, we reiterated this standard in Kaplan v. First Options. That case was appealed to the Supreme Court; and, in a decision affirming on other grounds, the Court held that, [w]hen deciding whether the parties agreed to arbitrate a certain matter  , courts generally  should apply ordinary state- law principles that govern the formation of contracts. Though the Court's holding appears to be a departure from our express and unequivocal standard, that standard was never expressly overruled.

Over a decade later, we reexamined the express and unequivocal standard in Century Indemnity Company v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London. We reviewed how we have used the express and unequivocal standard in the past, and acknowledged that the express and unequivocal language has been used, confusingly, to establish two different standards:

On the one hand, we have stated the express and unequivocal requirement to explain that genuine issues of fact as to whether there is an agreement to arbitrate preclude compelling a party to submit to arbitration; on the other, we have used this language to state a substantive standard that applies to the determination of an arbitration agreement's enforceability as a general matter. 15

In Century Indemnity, we held that the latter use of express and equivocal as a substantive standard is no longer valid after the Supreme Court's decision in First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan held that courts should generally look to the relevant state contract law to determine whether a valid agreement to arbitrate exists. But we did not strike down the use of the express and unequivocal requirement to the extent that it requires that there not be a genuine issue of material fact as to an arbitration agreement's existence before a district court may determine whether the agreement exists as a matter of law. Furthermore, in Century Indemnity, we repeatedly made clear that, despite the express and unequivocal language, when determining whether there is a valid agreement to arbitrate between the parties  we apply ordinary state-law principles of contract law, and no more.

Here, the District Court clearly used the express and unequivocal standard to explain that it will decide the petition to confirm the arbitration award and motion to vacate as a matter of law only if there is no genuine issue of fact concerning the formation of the contract. Therefore, to the extent that the District Court meant to impose no more stringent standard on the arbitration agreement than that permissible under state law, it did not err. However, Aliments' confusion on this matter is understandable, and we recommend that district courts avoid using the express and unequivocal language. The legal standard is simply that we apply the relevant state contract law to questions of arbitrability, which may be decided as a matter of law only if there is no genuine issue of material fact when viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.

Having established that the District Court, despite unclear language, used the correct standard, we turn next to Aliments' second question on appeal: whether the District Court correctly determined that the parties did not enter into an agreement to arbitrate as a matter of law.

B. Analysis

As previously stated, the ultimate inquiry of whether the parties agreed to arbitrate is governed by the applicable state law. In this case, the question of which state law should apply is muddled. Aliments is a Canadian company seeking to confirm an arbitration award issued in New Jersey by an arbitration panel that used New York law against Nichols Farms, a California company, for breach of a contract to deliver goods in California that was largely negotiated by a broker based in Georgia and a broker based in California. Before the District Court, Aliments argued for New York law to apply, and Nichols argued for California law to apply. The District Court, however, made no findings about which state law applied. Instead, based solely on general principles of contract law, it granted Nichols's petition to vacate the arbitration award due to a lack of evidence that any agreement or sales confirmation was ever entered, and because there is nothing to demonstrate that Nichols Farms intended to arbitrate the matter. We disagree with this terse analysis.

Because we look to applicable state law to determine whether the parties agreed to arbitrate, we begin with a choice-of-law analysis. To determine the applicable state law, we use the forum state's choice-of-law rule. The first step in any choice-of-law inquiry under New Jersey law requires the court to determine whether there is an actual conflict between the laws of the potential forums. That is done by examining the substance of the potentially applicable laws to determine whether there is a distinction between them. If there is no actual conflict, the inquiry is over and, because New Jersey would apply its own law in such a case, a federal court sitting in diversity must do the same. If there is an actual conflict, then the court must determine which forum has the most significant relationship with the parties and the contract.

On appeal, the parties continue to rely on different state laws: Aliments relies on New York law and Nichols relies on New Jersey law. Both parties, however, agree that there is no actual conflict between New York law and New Jersey law. Consequently, we will apply New Jersey law on contract formation.

Under New Jersey law, [a]n enforceable agreement requires mutual assent, a meeting of the minds based on a common understanding of the contract terms. A party who assents to a contract, however, is bound by all the terms of a contract, even those terms that the party did not read or specifically discuss. In addition to mutual assent, the New Jersey Uniform Commercial Code requires that a contract for the sale of goods for the price of $500 or more be set forth in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by his authorized agent or broker. But where the sales agreement is between merchants, the signature requirement is satisfied if within a reasonable time a writing in confirmation of the contract and sufficient against the sender is received and the party receiving it has reason to know its contents, and the receiving party does not give a written notice of objection to its contents  within ten days after it is received.

Here, neither party has persuaded us that, under New Jersey law, no issues of material fact exist as to whether the parties agreed to arbitrate. We turn to appellant Aliments' arguments first. Aliments asserts that Nichols clearly intended to be bound by the [Pacific sales confirmations] and never mentioned any dispute regarding the arbitration clause contained therein. Specifically, Aliments points to evidence in the record suggesting that Nichols acted as though it were under a contractual obligation to sell the pistachios to Aliments. For example, during the negotiations that took place in an effort to resolve their dispute, Nichols suggested that Aliments void [ ] the existing purchase orders issued by Pacific Atlantic and sign a new agreement with substantially similar sales terms but requiring pre-payment. Separately, in an internal email from the CEO of Nichols, the sales team was told to delete the contract obligation.

Aliments' argument fails due to at least two issues of material fact. First, as Nichols points out, there is a factual dispute as to whether the Pacific sales confirmations that were actually emailed to Nichols and Aliments contained arbitration clauses. The record contains versions of the Pacific sales confirmations that do include the arbitration clauses, and versions that do not. Second, the record suggests that even though Nichols may have referred to the sales confirmations as purchase orders or contract obligation[s], that does not necessarily mean that Nichols viewed the Pacific sales confirmations as binding contractual agreements. For example, Nichols's Regional Sales Manager stated that it is his understanding that Nichols does not accept buyers' offers to purchase until they pass a credit check. Indeed, after Nichols received the Pacific sales confirmations, it continued to request a credit application from Aliments. Furthermore, the president of Pacific corroborated the fact that, to the best of his knowledge based on industry standards, the parties did not enter into a binding contract because neither party ultimately signed the sales confirmations. In sum, we cannot hold definitively that Nichols assented to binding sales agreements containing arbitration clauses.

At the same time, Nichols's arguments asking us to affirm the District Court's grant of its petition to vacate the arbitration award also fail. Nichols makes three categories of arguments. First, it relies on the fact that neither party signed any of the sales confirmations and that the rules imposed by the Association of Food Industries, the chosen arbitrator, required the presence of signatures by both parties. This reliance is misplaced. As reiterated above, under New Jersey state law, bills of sale between two merchants need not be signed in order to be binding as long as certain other conditions are met. The arbitrator's own procedural rules, such as requiring both parties' signatures, are to be decided by the arbitrator, rather than the court, unless otherwise provided for in the contract. The lack of signatures clearly did not prevent the arbitrator in this case from concluding that Aliments and Nichols entered into a binding sales contract, and that is not a conclusion that we have been asked to review. Thus, our review is limited to examining whether, within the bounds of New Jersey state law, the parties made an agreement to arbitrate, and under New Jersey law, a lack of a signature in an agreement between two merchants is simply not dispositive.

Second, Nichols argues that the Pacific sales confirmations fail to satisfy the merchant's exception to the general signature requirement because they are not writings in confirmation of the contract[s]. Specifically, Nichols argues that the Pacific sales confirmations fail because they bear blank signature lines for the buyer and seller and still require sales confirmation numbers from Nichols Farms. We disagree with Nichols's proposition that these deficiencies rendered the Pacific sales confirmations incomplete as a matter of law where the sales confirmations included all the essential terms of a sales contract: price, quantity, delivery, and payment method.

Third and last, Nichols argues that the merchant's exception does not apply because Nichols advised [Pacific] before and after the confirmations issued that it wanted payment terms not reflected therein and, the day before the second confirmation, told [Pacific] to have [its] buyer comply with the terms Nichols Farms wanted. The merchant's exception applies to unsigned written confirmations unless written notice of objection to [their] contents is given within ten days after [they are] received. Nichols posits that its repeated requests for Aliments to complete a credit application satisfy, as a matter of law, the exception to the exception. We cannot so find because the record before us lacks evidence of any written notice of objection. Instead, we have an email from Nichols to Pacific, dated one day before the September Pacific sales confirmation was sent, requesting Pacific to remember to send the credit application to [its] buyer at the same time [it] sends [Nichols] the P[urchase] O[rder]. In deposition testimony, the president of Nichols stated that he assumes that there would either have been something in writing or something over the phone to inform Pacific that, though Nichols had agreed to the quantity and price as reflected in the sales confirmations, it did not agree to sell the pistachios on credit with payment due in 30 days. He then added that [q]uite often it's done verbally. However, he also testified that there was correspondence from the beginning of August into the end of November about Aliments [and] the credit process with Aliments, suggesting that, perhaps, there may have been writings between the parties but it is not clear from this testimony that any of them embody the written objection required under New Jersey law. In short, there remains an issue of material fact as to whether Nichols sent a written notice of objection regarding the Pacific sales confirmations within ten days after they were received.

* * *

In sum, contrary to the District Court's analysis that there is a lack of evidence that any agreement or sales confirmation was ever entered, we find that multiple issues of material fact exist, precluding us from entering judgment in favor of either party.

III. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, we will vacate and remand to the District Court for further proceedings.

FOOTNOTES

. A 257-58 (Pacific never forwarded the sales confirmations from Sterling to Nichols because it is its business practice to not forward to the seller unsigned confirmations. Instead, [it] wait[s] to receive (and pass on) either a written purchase order or a signed confirmation from the buyer, which [it] then forward[s] to the seller, and/or a written contract or sales acknowledgement from the seller, reflecting a firm offer to purchase product.); A 47 (president of Nichols declaring that he had never seen the Sterling sales confirmations).

. There is a dispute as to which versions of the sales confirmations were sent to Nichols and Sterling.

. A 101-02.

. A 45.

. A 74.

. Id.

. Id.

. A 9.

. The District Court had diversity jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1332(a)(2) and 9 U.S.C.  9. We have jurisdiction to hear this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1291 and 9 U.S.C.  16(a). On appeal from a district court's ruling on a motion to confirm or vacate an arbitration award, we review its legal conclusions de novo and its factual findings for clear error. Opalinski v. Robert Half Int'l Inc., 761 F.3d 326, 330 (3d Cir. 2014) (emphasis added) (quoting Sutter v. Oxford HealthPlans LLC, 675 F.3d 215, 219 (3d Cir. 2012), aff'd, 133 S. Ct. 2064 (2013)).

. Appellant's Br. at 2

. 636 F.2d 51, 54 (3d Cir. 1980).

. 19 F.3d 1503, 1512 (3d Cir. 1994) (internal quotations omitted).

. First Options of Chi., Inc. v. Kaplan, 514 U.S. 938, 944 (1995).

. 584 F.3d 513 (3d Cir. 2009).

. Id. at 530 (footnote omitted).

. Id. at 531 (citations omitted).

. Id. at 530.

. Id. at 532; see also id. at 531 (When deciding whether the parties agreed to arbitrate a certain matter  , courts generally  should apply ordinary state-law principles that govern the formation of contracts. The relevant state law here, for example, would require the court to see whether the parties objectively revealed an intent to submit the arbitrability issue to arbitration. (quoting First Options, 514 U.S. at 944)).

. A 10.

. See Flintkote Co. v. Aviva PLC, 769 F.3d 215, 219-20 (3d Cir. 2014); In re Nortel Networks Inc., 737 F.3d 265, 270 (3d Cir. 2013); Invista S.A.R.L. v. Rhodia, S.A., 625 F.3d 75, 84 (3d Cir. 2010).

. A 9.

. Maniscalco v. Brother Int'l (USA) Corp., 709 F.3d 202, 206 (3d Cir. 2013).

. P. V. ex rel. T.V. v. Camp Jaycee, 962 A.2d 453, 460 (N.J. 2008) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

. Lebegern v. Forman, 471 F.3d 424, 428 (3d Cir. 2006).

. Forestal Guarani S.A. v. Daros Int'l, Inc., 613 F.3d 395, 401 (3d Cir. 2010) (citing State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Estate of Simmons, 417 A.2d 488, 491 (N.J. 1980)).

. Appellant Supp. Ltr. Br. at 2; Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 1.

. Appellant Supp. Ltr. Br. at 2; Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 2.

. Morgan v. Sanford Brown Inst., 137 A.3d 1168, 1180 (N.J. 2016) (citing Atalese v. U.S. Legal Servs. Grp., L.P., 99 A.3d 306, 312-13 (N.J. 2014)).

. See Henningsen v. Bloomfield Motors, Inc., 161 A.2d 69, 84 (N.J. 1960).

. N.J. Stat. Ann.  12A:2-201(1).

. Id.  12A:2-201(2).

. Appellant's Br. at 18.

. A 210.

. A 213

. See Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 3.

. A 29; A 31.

. A 237; A 243.

. A 210; A 213.

. A 84.

. A 75.

. Appellee's Br. at 11.

. Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 537 U.S. 79, 84 (2002) (While, generally, a gateway dispute about whether the parties are bound by a given arbitration clause raises a question of arbitrability for a court to decide  [P]rocedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on its final disposition are presumptively not for the judge, but for an arbitrator, to decide.(internal quotations and citations omitted)); see also BG Grp., PLC v. Republic of Arg., 134 S. Ct. 1198, 1207 (2014) ([C]ourts presume that the parties intend arbitrators, not courts, to decide disputes about the meaning and application of particular procedural preconditions for the use of arbitration.).

. Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 4.

. N.J. Stat. Ann.  12A:2-201(2).

. Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 4.

. Cf. Berg Agency v. Sleepworld-Willingboro, Inc., 346 A.2d 419, 422 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1975) ([P]arties may effectively bind themselves by an informal memorandum where they agree upon the essential terms of the contract and intend to be bound by the memorandum, even though they contemplate the execution of a more formal document.). Nichols also argued that we should not address any arguments relying on the Pacific sales confirmations because Aliments did not rely on the [Pacific] sales confirmations in its petition to confirm before the District Court. Appellee's Br. at 12. This is simply a misrepresentation of the facts. Aliments, in its original petition to confirm arbitration award, specifically referenced, and attached, the Pacific sales confirmations as bases for confirming the award. Mem. of Law in Support of Petition to Confirm Final Arbitration Award, Aliments Krispy Kernels v. Nichols Farms, No. 3:13-cv-5995 (D.N.J. Oct. 8, 2013), ECF No. 1-1. There may, however, exist a question as to whether the Pacific sales confirmations satisfy the merchant's exception to the general statute of frauds as writings in confirmation of the contract[s] because they may not sufficiently make reference to prior oral agreements. See Trilco Terminal v. Prebilt Corp., 400 A.2d 1237, 1240 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1979) (holding that the merchant's exception in N.J. Stat. Ann.  12A:2-201(2) is satisfied only if the written confirmation indicates that a binding or completed transaction has been made). Nichols did not make this argument, however, and has thereby conceded that the Pacific sales confirmations sufficiently reference a prior oral agreement between the parties. Moreover, New Jersey's interpretation of N.J. Stat. Ann.  12A:2-201(2) is in direct conflict with New York's interpretation of the same Uniform Commercial Code provision. In Bazak International Corp. v. Mast Indus., Inc., 535 N.E.2d 633, 636 (N.Y. 1989), the New York Court of Appeals explicitly reject[ed] the exacting standard proposed by Trilco and Norminjil [a subsequent federal case applying Trilco] as inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the relevant UCC sales provisions. Instead, the Court of Appeals held that written confirmations are sufficient to satisfy the merchant's exception so long as they afford a basis for believing that they reflect a real transaction between the parties. Id. at 638. Here, Nichols explicitly conceded that there is no conflict between the applicable New York and New Jersey rules, and so we can only surmise that Nichols does not wish to apply Trilco to this case. Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 1.

. Appellee Supp. Ltr. Br. at 7.

. N.J. Stat. Ann.  12A:2-201(2).

. A 89.

. A 183.

. Id.

. A 184.

. A 9.

FUENTES, Circuit Judge.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. DAVID HOLT, II, Appellant v. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA; STEVEN JOHNSON, Capt.; KRISTAL TURNER-CHILDS, Sgt.; PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE DEPARTTMENT; LT. GERALD BRAHL, PA State Police Department; CAPT. KATHY JO WINTERBOTTOM, PA State Police Department. No. 15-3302 Decided: March 20, 2017

Before: MCKEE, Chief Judge,HARDIMAN, and RENDELL Circuit Judges Brian M. PuricelliAlexis Lehmann  [Argued], Law Office of Brian Puricelli, 2721 Pickertown Road, Warrington, PA 18976, Counsel for Appellant Claudia M. Tesoro [Argued], Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania, 21 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Counsel for Appellees

OPINION*

Sergeant David Holt, an African American State Trooper, sued his employer, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and three of his supervisors, Captain Johnson, Lieutenant Brahl, and Captain Winterbottom, claiming race discrimination and retaliation under  1983 (Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment), Title VII, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) for conduct involving ten separate episodes over a roughly three year period. This case was tried to a jury twice. Holt secured favorable verdicts on some claims but not others. The Magistrate Judge set aside all but one of those favorable jury verdicts and granted judgment as a matter of law for the Defendants. Holt now appeals from those rulings and others.

We have struggled mightily in this case to understand which issues Holt has raised on appeal, even after holding oral argument and requesting two additional letters from the parties. As best we can tell, Holt's claims fall into two categories: challenges to the Magistrate Judge's judgments as a matter of law and challenges to certain procedural rulings during trial. We will proceed chronologically.

In short, we will affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions to reinstate one portion of the jury's verdict.

I. BACKGROUND

Holt began his employment with the PSP in 1994 and attained the rank of sergeant in 2006. The conduct underlying Holt's claims began in late 2008. At this time, Holt was serving in Troop L, Reading Station under the command of Johnson.

A. The Phillips Incident

Late in 2008, a district justice complained to Holt's superiors that Holt was discussing a pending case of a colleague's mother, named Phillips, with the Assistant District Attorney outside the proper channels. Johnson initiated an Internal Affairs Division (IAD) investigation into Holt that resulted in discipline. Winterbottom, one of the Defendants and Holt's future commander, was employed by Internal Affairs at this time and worked on the investigation. Holt claims Johnson's initiation of the IAD investigation discriminated against him based on race in violation of  1983.

B. Non-Selection for Commander at Jonestown or Schuylkill Stations

After a series of other episodes, such as Johnson's removal of Holt from the Officer of the Day roster and Johnson's reassignment of Holt to Staff Services Sergeant, a less desirable position, Holt filed a complaint with the PSP's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office alleging that Johnson had repeatedly discriminated against him based on race. The complaint was filed on April 6, 2009. Johnson learned of this complaint between April 6 and May 5, 2009. Sometime in April, Johnson also sustained the investigation into the Phillips incident, which Holt claimed lack any basis.

Two months later, in July 2009, two station commander positions opened up within Troop L, one at Jonestown and one at Schuylkill Haven. Holt requested to be assigned to either position. Captain Johnson denied his request and instead assigned two white officers. Holt claims, among other things, that Johnson's adverse hiring decision violated Title VII because it was retaliation against Holt for filing the EEO complaint.

Then, in October 2010, Holt filed this lawsuit naming Johnson and the PSP.

C. Roll Call Comments Incident

In the spring of 2011, Holt requested a voluntary transfer from Troop L to Troop T and requested further that he be assigned to the King of Prussia Station, rather than the Pocono Station. At Troop T, Lieutenant Brahl would become Holt's direct superior while Captain Winterbottom (formally of Internal Affairs and now heading Troop T) oversaw Brahl.

While Holt's transfer was pending, Brahl made several disparaging and offensive remarks about Holt to Holt's future colleagues at a roll call meeting. Witnesses testified that Brahl said Holt was not wanted in Troop T, that he was a lazy piece of shit, stupid, and as long as he and Winterbottom were in charge, he would be banished to Pocono. J159. Brahl reportedly said that Holt was another Wayne Mason, Mason being another black sergeant, and that [he] got Wayne Mason out in a year, [he would] get Holt in six months. J159. Holt claims that Brahl's comments constituted race discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause in violation of  1983.

Holt then emailed Winterbottom about his request to be assigned to King of Prussia and to voice his concerns about the comments that were being made by Brahl, which he had heard through the grape-vine. Winterbottom did not respond.

D. The Schizophrenic Memo Incident

Upon Holt's acceptance to Troop T, Winterbottom assigned Holt to Pocono. Then, after additional troubles with Brahl, Holt again emailed Winterbottom that he was contemplating another discrimination complaint and to remind her of his lawsuit. They met on July 18, 2011, but Holt testified that the meeting went poorly, describing her response to his complaints as nasty [,] confrontational[,] and indifferent to his allegations of racial discrimination. J162.

In August 2011, Holt missed a deadline and was ordered by Winterbottom to explain why in a memorandum. He stated that he had missed it inadvertently as a result of schizophrenic instructions of his superiors. J2211. Winterbottom then initiated an IAD investigation into Holt on the ground that the memorandum was insubordinate and disrespectful, which resulted in discipline and loss of one day's pay. Holt claims Winterbottom's initiation of the investigation was, among other things, retaliation for his lawsuit in violation of his First Amendment rights.

E. The Day Off Incident

Finally, in September 2011, Holt decided to take a day off but failed to inform Brahl. Brahl then initiated an IAD investigation into Holt for insubordination. Holt claims that this constituted race discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause in violation of  1983.

II. DISCUSSION

The Magistrate Judge had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1331. We have appellate jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1291. We exercise plenary review over the Magistrate Judge's order granting Defendants' motion for judgment as a matter of law, and we apply the same standard as the Magistrate Judge should have. Avaya Inc., RP v. Telecom Labs, Inc., 838 F.3d 354, 373 (3d Cir. 2016).

In sum, we agree with the Magistrate Judge's rulings arising from the Phillips Incident, the Roll Call Comments Incident, the Day Off Incident, the Schizophrenic Memo incident, and will affirm those. We part ways with the Magistrate Judge, however, on Holt's claim arising from Johnson's decision to not assign him to Jonestown or Schuylkill. Therefore, we will reverse that portion of the Magistrate Judge's order and remand for the Magistrate Judge to reinstate the jury's verdict.

A. The Philips Incident

Holt claims that Johnson's initiation of the IAD investigation constituted race discrimination under  1983. The first jury failed to reach a verdict and the Magistrate Judge granted judgment as a matter of law for the Defendants because the record lacked legally sufficient comparator evidence to support the claim, a ruling Holt does not challenge. Instead, Holt raises two procedural arguments. We reject both.

First, Holt argues that the Defendants waived their right to argue sufficiency of the comparator evidence in their renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law because they failed to raise the issue in their Rule 50(a) motion before the Magistrate Judge. Under normal circumstances, a defendant's failure to raise an issue in a Rule 50(a)(2) motion with sufficient specificity to put the plaintiffs on notice waives the defendant's right to raise the issue in their Rule 50(b) motion. Williams v. Runyon, 130 F.3d 568, 571-72 (3d Cir. 1997). To determine whether an issue has been raised, we look to the the communicative content, specificity and notice-giving function of an assertion  judged in context. Acosta v. Honda Motor Co., 717 F.2d 828, 832 (3d Cir. 1983) (internal quotation marks omitted). Here, Holt claims that a portion of 50(a) colloquy, wherein the Magistrate Judge stated I don't think [defense counsel] has any serious issue about Title VII and that Title VII's going to the jury, indicated that the issue of comparator evidence was waived. J1150. The Magistrate Judge, who was in a better position than us to interpret the effect this statement had on the parties before it, rejected this argument. With the notice-giving purpose of Rule 50 in mind, we find it incredulous that Holt was surprised by this line of attack. Holt's counsel herself raised the issue of comparator evidence during the colloquy and responded to it on the merits in opposition to Defendants' Rule 50(b) motion without raising waiver. We will affirm this ruling.

Second, Holt challenges the denial of his motion to amend his complaint to add a First Amendment retaliation claim arising from Johnson's initiation of the IAD investigation. The Magistrate Judge found the amendment to be futile because Holt's statements and actions in the courtroom were not constitutionally protected activity. For speech to qualify for protection, it must relate[ ] to broad social or policy issues. Borden v. Sch. Dist. of Twp. of E. Brunswick, 523 F.3d 153, 170 (3d Cir. 2008) (quoting Sanguigni v. Pittsburg Bd. of Pub. Educ., 968 F.2d 393, 397 (3d Cir. 1992)). Holt's statement, which was aimed solely at assisting his friend's mother in her own criminal case, failed to establish a nexus to any broad social or policy issue. Id. We will therefore affirm the Magistrate Judge's ruling in this regard also.

B. Holt's Non-Assignment to Jonestown and Schuylkill Haven Stations

Holt next claims that Johnson's failure to assign him to the Commander position at these stations constituted retaliation for his filing of discrimination complaints with the EEO under Title VII. The jury found Johnson liable for retaliation under Title VII, and awarded Holt $250,000 in compensatory damages. The Magistrate Judge, however, granted judgment as a matter of law on the ground that Holt failed to establish a legally sufficient causal nexus between the decision not to appoint him and the complaints. Holt challenges this ruling. He argues that the Magistrate Judge failed to consider the record as a whole and points to other evidence from which the jury might reasonably draw a retaliatory inference. We agree with Holt and will reverse.

To state a claim for retaliation, the plaintiff must show that [1] he engaged in conduct protected by Title VII; [2] his employer took an adverse action against him either after or contemporaneous with the protected activity; and [3] a causal link exists between his protected conduct and the employer's adverse action. Slagle v. Cty. of Clarion, 435 F.3d 262, 265 (3d Cir. 2006) (citations omitted). An employee may establish a causal nexus if he shows unusually suggestive temporal proximity between the two events. LeBoon v. Lancaster Jewish Cmty. Ctr. Ass'n, 503 F.3d 217, 232 (3d Cir. 2007). [W]hen temporal proximity between protected activity and allegedly retaliatory conduct is missing, courts may [also] look to the intervening period for other evidence of retaliatory animus. Farrell v. Planters Lifesavers Co., 206 F.3d 271, 281 (3d Cir. 2000) (citing Krouse v. Am. Sterilizer Co., 126 F.3d 494, 503-04 (3d Cir. 1997)). Circumstantial evidence of retaliatory animus may include a pattern of ongoing antagonism, inconsistencies in the employer's justifications, or any other evidence gleaned from the record as a whole that is sufficient to support an inference of retaliatory animus. Id. at 281.

In reviewing the Magistrate Judge's analysis, we are further cognizant of the fact that the jury was entitled to consider all of the facts in the record together in weighing whether there was a causal connection, particularly when we consider, as we must, that the verdict may have been based in part on the jurors' evaluation of each witness' credibility and demeanor. Woodson v. Scott Paper Co., 109 F.3d 913, 924 (3d Cir. 1997). Applying this perspective, we think that a reasonable juror could conclude, based on evidence gleaned from the record as a whole, that Johnson's hiring decision was causally related to Holt's discrimination complaint. Farrell, 206 F.3d at 281.

As the Defendants point out, some of the evidence Holt identifies on appealsuch as his reassignment to the Staff Services position and his being removed from the Officer of the Day rosteroccurred before Holt's complaint and is therefore not probative of retaliatory animus. But Holt also points to Johnson's decision to sustain Holt's IAD investigation, which occurred sometime in April 2009. J172 n.18. In a footnote, the Magistrate Judge discounted this evidence as insufficient.

Contrary to the Magistrate Judge's analysis, however, we think that the jury was entitled to consider this conduct as circumstantial evidence of a retaliatory nexus. To begin, we note that the Magistrate Judge's instructions to the jury emphasized that the connection may be shown in many ways. J2049. For example, he told the jury:

[Y]ou may or may not find there's a sufficient connection through timing. That is, the State Police's adverse action followed shortly after they became aware of Plaintiff's complaints. Causation is, however, not necessarily ruled out by a more extended passage of time. For instance, you may also consider any ongoing antagonism shown toward Plaintiff or any change in demeanor toward plaintiff that may have occurred between the date of the protected activity and the date of the adverse action.

J2049-50 (emphasis added). Holt argued to the jury that Johnson's decision to permit the Phillips IAD investigation to continue lacked any reasonable basis. In fact, Johnson testified on cross examination that he permitted the investigation to continue based on his opinion that Holt had interfered in an investigation, even though Johnson knew that none of the parties involved in the investigation, including the PSP's investigating officer, deemed it necessary to file a formal complaint against Holt. J1971. We think a reasonable juror could conclude that this episode constituted ongoing antagonism per the Magistrate Judge's instructions. Moreover, while the temporal proximity between the protected activity and Johnson's decision, which was about two months, might not be sufficient on its own to support a retaliatory inference, it was certainly relevant. The jury, in finding retaliation, could properly consider this evidence as well.

In sum, the jury permissibly drew an inference that Johnson's hiring decision was retaliatory after listening to and determining the credibility of both Johnson's and Holt's explanations. We think it was error to set aside the verdict on this ground. We therefore will reverse the Magistrate Judge's order and remand for the Magistrate Judge to reinstate the jury's verdict and its damages award, subject to the conditional ruling limiting that award, which was not challenged on appeal.

C. Roll Call Comments

Holt claims Brahl's comments constituted race discrimination. The Magistrate Judge granted judgment as a matter of law, finding that the roll call comments did not constitute adverse employment action. Holt argues to the contrary that the comments tarnished his reputation and prevented him from securing a more prestigious assignment. We reject Holt's argument.

An adverse employment action is an action by an employer that is serious and tangible enough to alter an employee's compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Jones v. Se. Pa. Transp. Auth., 796 F.3d 323, 326 (3d Cir. 2015) (quoting Storey v. Burns Int'l Sec. Servs., 390 F.3d 760, 764 (3d Cir. 2004)). We have recognized, however, that unnecessary derogatory comments, standing alone, do not rise to the level of adverse employment action. Robinson v. City of Pittsburgh, 120 F.3d 1286, 1301 (3d Cir. 1997), abrogated on other grounds by Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S. 53 (2006). On appeal, Holt has not pointed to any evidence that these comments, although plausibly racially motivated and certainly offensive, altered his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Jones, 796 F.3d at 326. Accordingly, we will affirm the Magistrate Judge's ruling on this claim.

D. Schizophrenic Memo Incident

Next, Holt challenges the Magistrate Judge's dismissal of his claims arising out of the so-called Schizophrenic Memo incident. Holt claims that Winterbottom's initiation of the IAD investigation was retaliation for his filing of this lawsuit in violation of his First Amendment rights and discrimination based on race under the Equal Protection Clause. The jury found Winterbottom liable on both claims, and awarded Holt $200,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages. The Magistrate Judge granted judgment as a matter of law in favor of Winterbottom on two grounds: (1) that Holt did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate racial or retaliatory animus; and, alternatively (2) that Holt's suit was barred by qualified immunity. We take no position on the first holding because we find the qualified immunity issue dispositive.

[Q]ualified immunity protects government officials from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.  Bayer v. Monroe Cty. Children & Youth Servs., 577 F.3d 186, 191 (3d Cir. 2009) (quoting Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 231 (2009)). Under our Circuit's precedent, Winterbottom's behavior did not violate a clearly established statutory or constitutional right.

We start with the First Amendment retaliation claim, for which a plaintiff must prove: (1) constitutionally protected conduct; (2) an adverse action sufficient to deter a person of ordinary firmness from exercising his constitutional rights; and (3) a causal link between the constitutionally protected conduct and the retaliatory action. Mitchell v. Horn, 318 F.3d 523, 530 (3d Cir. 2003). Our Circuit has not considered whether the initiation of an internal investigation can constitute an adverse action for purposes of a First Amendment retaliation claim, and our sister circuits are split on the issue. Compare Breaux v. City of Garland, 205 F.3d 150, 158 (5th Cir. 2000) (Investigating alleged violations of departmental policies  [is] not [an] adverse employment action[.]), with Dahlia v. Rodriguez, 735 F.3d 1060, 107879 (9th Cir. 2013) (holding that placement on administrative leave pending discipline can constitute an adverse action for a First Amendment retaliation cases). This disagreement among our sister courts indicates that Winterbottom is entitled to qualified immunity. After all, [i]f judges thus disagree on a constitutional question, it is unfair to subject [a public official] to money damages for picking the losing side of the controversy. Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 618 (1999).

We next consider Holt's racial discrimination claim, where we apply the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework. See Stewart v. Rutgers, The State Univ., 120 F.3d 426, 43132 (3d Cir. 1997). At the first step of the McDonnell Douglas framework, Holt must establish a prima facie case of discrimination, which includes proving by a preponderance of the evidence that he suffered an adverse employment action. Sarullo v. U.S. Postal Serv., 352 F.3d 789, 797 (3d Cir. 2003). In the Title VII context, we recently held that suspension with pay pending an internal investigation does not constitute an adverse employment action. Jones, 796 F.3d at 32627. And because of the overlap between Title VII claims and constitutional discrimination claims, we have applied Title VII caselaw to equal protection claims. See Stewart, 120 F.3d at 43133 (citing Fuentes v. Perskie, 32 F.3d 759 (3d Cir. 1994), and Bennun v. Rutgers State Univ., 941 F.2d 154 (3d Cir. 1991)). Given our holding in Jones and the close relationship between Title VII and equal protection claims, it would have been reasonable for Winterbottom to conclude that the initiation of an IAD investigation would not create liability under the Equal Protection Clause. She is thus entitled to qualified immunity. See Mammaro v. N.J. Div. of Child Protection and Permanency, 814 F.3d 164, 169 (3d Cir. 2016) (qualified immunity applies unless every reasonable official would have understood that what he is doing violates the law (citations omitted)).

E. Day Off Incident

Finally, we find it unnecessary to rule on Holt's claim of error arising from this incident because the Magistrate Judge, in his conditional rulings, found that any award of compensatory damages would constitute a double recovery. The Magistrate Judge also found that punitive damages were not permissible as a matter of law. Holt has not challenged either of these rulings on appeal. Therefore, even if Holt secured a favorable outcome on this claim here, he could not recover any damages on remand.

III. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the portion of the Magistrate Judge's order dismissing Holt's Title VII retaliation claim. The Magistrate Judge should also reinstate the damage award for this claim, subject to its conditional ruling limiting that award. Otherwise, we affirm all the remaining rulings challenged on appeal.

FOOTNOTES

. Because exact dates were not provided at trial for much of the conduct at issue, we relate approximate time periods.

. Holt had also filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Resources Association in May in 2009, although there was no evidence that Johnson knew about this complaint.

. Holt later amended his complaint to include allegations against the remaining defendants as we recount below.

. Holt claimed that this decision was itself racially motivated and thus was a violation of Holt's equal protection rights. The jury agreed and found Winterbottom liable for violations of  1983. It then awarded Holt damages, which were remitted to $100,000. Holt accepted this remittitur.

. For substantially the same reasons, we reject Holt's identical argument with respect to the Magistrate Judge's dismissal of his claims arising out of the Officer of the Day incident.

. We also reject Holt's argument that his motion for reconsideration was improperly denied, even in light of the Supreme Court's intervening decision in Lane v. Franks, 134 S. Ct. 2369 (2014). Even if we were to agree that the Magistrate Judge should have reexamined his earlier ruling, we fail to see how Lane v. Franks would help Holt's First Amendment argument. Lane held that a public employee's compelled, truthful testimony under oath was protected citizen speech, not unprotected employee speech. Clearly, Holt was neither under oath nor compelled when he voluntarily spoke with the ADA about his friend's mother's case. We will not disturb the Magistrate Judge's ruling.

. This amount was remitted to $50,000, a conditional ruling which Holt has not challenged on appeal.

. As the Magistrate Judge did, we dispose of Holt's claims under Title VII and the PHRA together since both claims are analyzed under the same legal standard. Slagle v. Cty. of Clarion, 435 F.3d 262, 265 n.5 (3d Cir. 2006).

. Because we reverse the Magistrate Judge's judgment as a matter of law on this claim and remand for him to reinstate the jury's verdict and damages award, we need not reach Holt's additional argument that his ruling violated our law of the case doctrine. Likewise, since we reinstate the whole award, we find it unnecessary to address Holt's arguments regarding his First Amendment claim arising from the same conduct.

. While we note that the jury instructions on this issue were less than clear and arguably could have permitted the jury to reasonably conclude that Holt had experienced an adverse employment action, Holt does not raise this as a basis for overturning the Magistrate Judge's ruling.

. As we see it, this will entitle Holt to $50,000 for the Title VII claim against Johnson, which was conditionally limited at J225-26. This is in addition to the $100,000 remittitur Holt has already accepted from his claim arising from the Pocono assignment.

RENDELL, Circuit Judge:
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. BROCK CORDERRO LEE CAMPBELL, Defendant - Appellant. No. 16-4500 Decided: March 07, 2017

Before WILKINSON, SHEDD, and KEENAN, Circuit Judges. Christian M. Capece, Federal Public Defender, Jonathan D. Byrne, Research & Writing Specialist, David R. Bungard, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Charleston, West Virginia, for Appellant. Carol A. Casto, United States Attorney, Miller A. Bushong, III, Assistant United States Attorney, Beckley, West Virginia, for Appellee.

Brock Corderro Lee Campbell appeals the district court's order revoking his supervised release, imposing a 10-month prison term, and ordering him to reside in a halfway house for the first 9 months as a special condition of his 36-month term of supervised release. On appeal, Campbell asserts that the district court violated his right to due process when it relied on hearsay information in imposing his sentence, and that the district court abused its discretion when it imposed the halfway house condition. Upon review of the record, we affirm.

To the extent that Campbell argues the district court violated his due process rights by improperly using hearsay testimony when sentencing him, we conclude this argument is unavailing. A sentencing court may consider any relevant information before it, including uncorroborated hearsay, provided that the information has sufficient indicia of reliability to support its accuracy. United States v. Powell, 650 F.3d 388, 392 (4th Cir. 2011) (internal quotation marks omitted); see Fed. R. Evid. 1103(d)(3) (excluding sentencing proceedings from proceedings governed by Federal Rules of Evidence).

Here, the officer who testified at Campbell's revocation hearing gathered information from an informant regarding Campbell's criminal activity before obtaining a search warrant. While executing the search warrant, the officer seized from Campbell's bedroom a white substance believed to be crack cocaine. Campbell's own admission to using hydrocodone and marijuana while on supervised release supports the reliability of the officer's testimony and the court's conclusion that Campbell had resumed dealing drugs after his original term of imprisonment ended. Additionally, Campbell had the opportunity to cross-examine the officer regarding his findings. The officer's testimony concerning Campbell's alleged drug dealing while on supervised release was sufficiently reliable.

Campbell next argues that the district court erred when it imposed as a special condition of his supervised release a nine-month term in a halfway house. [W]e review a district court's imposition of special conditions of supervised release for abuse of discretion. United States v. Faulls, 821 F.3d 502, 509 (4th Cir. 2016).

A judge has significant flexibility in formulating special conditions of supervised release, including the ability to impose a period of community confinement. United States v. Marino, 833 F.3d 1, 10 (1st Cir. 2016); see 18 U.S.C.  3583(d) (2012) (granting district court authority to order as condition of supervised release any condition set forth as a discretionary condition of probation in section 3563(b));* 18 U.S.C.  3563(b)(11) (2012) (providing that district courts may require defendants to reside at  a community corrections facility). Courts may order special conditions of supervised release to the extent those conditions (1) are reasonably related to the offense and the defendant's history, the need to deter criminal conduct, the need to protect the public, and the need to provide the defendant with treatment or care; (2) involve[ ] no greater deprivation of liberty than is reasonably necessary to achieve those purposes; and (3) are consistent with any pertinent policy statements in the Guidelines. 18 U.S.C.  3583(d); see 18 U.S.C.  3553(a)(1), (2)(B)(D) (2012).

The record establishes that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it included the halfway house condition as part of Campbell's supervised release. Although Campbell does not agree that living in a halfway house will provide him with the assistance he needs following his release from prison, the record shows that the district court relied on the supervised release factors set forth in 18 U.S.C.  3583(d) and tied those factors to Campbell's specific circumstances.

Campbell further argues that living in a halfway house for nine months is a significant deprivation of liberty. Yet almost every supervised-release condition restricts a felon's liberty. Instead, the line separating a permissible condition from an impermissible one depends on whether, given the facts of the case, the particular restriction is clearly unnecessary. See 18 U.S.C.  3553(a); 18 U.S.C.  3583(d)(2). Campbell's confinement in a halfway house may be inconvenient for Campbell and his family. But the condition is not clearly unnecessary, especially given the district court's concern regarding Campbell's backsliding into drug use and his need for a stable living environment to further his education and improve upon his job prospects. See United States v. Henry, 819 F.3d 856, 875-76 (6th Cir. 2016) (noting that term of 18 months in halfway house likely complied with  3583(d)(2)). Thus, the district court acted within its discretion when it imposed on Campbell a special condition of supervised release concerning the requirement to reside for nine months in a halfway house.

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's revocation judgment. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

FOOTNOTES

. The Sentencing Guidelines further provide that [c]ommunity confinement may be imposed as a condition of probation or supervised release. USSG  5F1.1.  Community confinement means residence in a community treatment center, halfway house,  or other community facility; and participation in gainful employment, employment search efforts, community service, vocational training, treatment, educational programs, or similar facility-approved programs during non-residential hours. USSG  5F1.1, cmt. n.1.

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United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. MARCIAL LOPEZ, Petitioner, v. JEFF B. SESSIONS, Attorney General, Respondent. No. 16-3083 Decided: March 21, 2017

Before: CLAY, SUTTON, and GRIFFIN, Circuit Judges. COUNSEL ARGUED: Scott E. Bratton, MARGARET WONG & ASSOCIATES, CO., LPA, Cleveland, Ohio, for Petitioner. Colin J. Tucker, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. ON BRIEF: Margaret Wong, MARGARET WONG & ASSOCIATES, CO., LPA, Cleveland, Ohio, for Petitioner. Colin J. Tucker, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.

OPINION

Marcial Lopez, a native and citizen of Guatemala, contests a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals that prohibits him from staying in this country. Under the immigration laws, it usually counts against the individual if he enters the country free from governmental detection or restraintif, that is, he sneaks across the border. See, e.g., 8 U.S.C.  1326(a). But under the special rule cancellation of removal provisions of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, it favors the individual if he sneaks across the border without detection or restraint. In the words of the Act, he must show that he has not been apprehended at the time of entry since 1990.

The burden is on the applicant to make this showing. That's easy enough when it comes to presenting evidence that no government official has physically stopped him when he tried to cross the border during that period of time. But another form of official restraint at the border is continued surveillance as the individual enters the country. What then? Must the individual submit evidence that he does not have and should not havethat government agents were not tracking his movement as he made his way into the country? The applicant cannot be asked to prove what he cannot obtain. Instead, once the applicant has met his burden by showing that no one physically stopped him at the border during that period of time, the government is free to put on any surveillance evidence in the nature of an affirmative defense. That's not what the Board of Immigration Appeals did here. It simply held that Lopez had failed to meet his burden of proof and incorrectly rejected his petition on that ground alone. For these reasons and others elaborated below, we grant the petition for review in part and deny it in part.

I.

Returning from a visit to his ailing father in Guatemala, Lopez crossed the Rio Grande around 11:30 p.m. on May 24, 2001, just west of Brownsville, Texas. About thirty-one minutes later, the border patrol arrested Lopez roughly a mile from the border at or near Brownsville. Lopez lied to the border patrol about his name and nationality. Thinking that Lopez was a citizen of Mexico, the border patrol let him voluntarily return to Mexico. Lopez later crossed back into the United States, this time evading any apprehension and (apparently) any surveillance.

The Department of Homeland Security tried to deport Lopez in 2008. Lopez applied for special rule cancellation of removal under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, see 8 U.S.C.  1229b(e)(3), and cancellation of removal, id.  1229b(b)(1). Of relevance here, the Immigration Judge ruled that Lopez failed (1) to prove that he has not been apprehended at the time of entry after December 19, 1990, and (2) to establish that his removal from the United States would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his qualifying relatives, including Lopez's American daughter. A.R. 9698.

The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed on both fronts. Lopez appealed. 8 U.S.C.  1252(b).

II.

There are a few ground rules for reviewing such applications. On the one hand, we may not review any judgment regarding the granting of relief under section  1229b, which covers cancellation of removal, and any other decision or action of the Attorney General  the authority for which is specified  to be in the discretion of the Attorney General. 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(B). The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act grants the Attorney General, acting through the Board and the Immigration Judges, discretion over special rule cancellation of removal determinations. Pub. L. No. 105-100,  203(a)(1), 111 Stat. 2160, 219798 (1997); see Ruiz v. Gonzales, 455 F.3d 661, 662 (6th Cir. 2006) (per curiam). That means we lack [ ] jurisdiction over claims that can be evaluated only by engaging in head-to-head comparisons between the facts of the petitioner's case and those of precedential decisions, or over arguments that require[ ] a tallying of hardships or second-guessing the agency's weighing of factors. Ettienne v. Holder, 659 F.3d 513, 518 (6th Cir. 2011).

On the other hand, we retain jurisdiction to review constitutional claims or questions of law raised upon a petition for review, 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(D), and non-discretionary decisions dictated by agency precedent, Aburto-Rocha v. Mukasey, 535 F.3d 500, 503 (6th Cir. 2008). The burden is on Lopez to show by a preponderance of the evidence that he satisfies the eligibility requirements. 8 C.F.R.  1240.64(a). Only after Lopez establishes his eligibility for cancellation of removal or special rule cancellation does the Attorney General have discretion to grant or deny the application as he deems appropriate. Sad v. INS, 246 F.3d 811, 819 (6th Cir. 2001).

To be eligible for special rule cancellation of removal and run-of-the-mine cancellation of removal, the applicant must show, respectively, that (1) he was not apprehended after December 19, 1990, at the time of entry, Pub. L. No. 105-100,  203(a)(1), 111 Stat. 2160, 219798 (1997); see 8 C.F.R.  240.61(a)(1), and (2) that his removal from the United States would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his qualifying relatives, 8 U.S.C.  1299b(b)(1)(D). In this instance, the Board ruled that Lopez was ineligible for special rule cancellation because he was not free from official restraint at the time of his 2001 crossing and that he was ineligible for ordinary cancellation because his removal would not cause undue hardship to his family. The former ruling is a question of law, the latter an application of it. See De Leon v. Holder, 761 F.3d 336, 341 (4th Cir. 2014).

Apprehended  at the time of entry. The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act grants the Attorney General authority over special rule cancellation of removal determinations. Pub. L. No. 105-100,  203(a)(1), 111 Stat. 2160, 219798 (1997). Among other grants of power, the Attorney General, through decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals, may cancel the removal of certain Guatemalans who have not been apprehended at the time of entry after December 19, 1990. 8 C.F.R.  240.61(a)(1). The question at hand is whether law enforcement stopped Lopez at the time of entry in May 2001.

The Board has long defined entry into our country for immigration purposes to require (1) a crossing into the territorial limits of the United States; (2) inspection and admission by an immigration officer or actual and intentional evasion of inspection; and (3) freedom from official restraint. In re Pierre, 14 I. & N. Dec. 467, 468 (BIA 1973); see De Leon, 761 F.3d at 338. No one challenges that definition here. The key insight for our purposes comes from the last requirementthat one small step on American soil does not an entry make. A completed entry does not occur whenever the border patrol declines to play red rover with an alien in the middle of the Rio Grande. The individual must evade inspection and be free of official restraint.

What, then, is freedom from official restraint? It's the alien's liberty to go where he wishes and to mix with the general population. On the flip side, there are at least two ways in which the government might restrain an individual. It could stop the individual physically at the borderthe most obvious form of restraint. See Yang v. Maugans, 68 F.3d 1540, 1550 (3d Cir. 1995). Or it could monitor the individual as he crosses the border by conducting surveillance of him. See In re Pierre, 14 I. & N. Dec. at 469. The government may have good reasons for allowing an alien to cross the border, only to arrest him later in time and miles from the border. The government, for example, might wish to see if the alien leads them to a safe house or joins up with other individuals who have crossed the border illegally.

That law enforcement finds someone close in time to their entry and near the border thus does not by itself establish official restraint. Hence: An alien may complete entry if he drives out of sight for four-tenths of a mile after crossing the border. Cheng v. INS, 534 F.2d 1018, 1019 (2d Cir. 1976) (per curiam). An alien may complete entry if he drives out of sight of immigration officials while traveling in the country on a highway for two miles. Nyirenda v. INS, 279 F.3d 620, 625 (8th Cir. 2002). Or an alien may complete entry if he crawls fifty yards into the country undetected before being apprehended while climbing a wall. United States v. Martin-Plascencia, 532 F.2d 1316, 131718 (9th Cir. 1976).

To their credit, the immigration authorities appear to treat the concept of freedom from official restraint the same way across different statutes. They might prefer one meaning of official restraint in cases that arise under a provision in which a finding that the alien entered free from official restraint rendered the alien deportable. De Leon, 761 F.3d at 344; see, e.g., Cheng, 534 F.2d at 1019. And they might prefer another reading of freedom from official restraint in other settings. For example, it is a crime for someone whom the government previously deported to re-enter the country. 8 U.S.C.  1326(a). But to enter the country under this criminal statute, as under entry for special rule cancellation purposes, the individual must be free from official restraint. See, e.g., United States v. Ramos-Godinez, 273 F.3d 820, 82425 (9th Cir. 2001); United States v. Gonzalez-Torres, 309 F.3d 594, 59899 (9th Cir. 2002). And there too surveillance counts as official restraint. See id. Thus, if the government maintain[s] continuous observation of a group of illegal immigrants from the time they cross the border until their apprehension, the aliens have not entered the country in violation of the law. Id. at 599. But if, absent some other form of restraint, an alien crosses the border and evades detection, even for a brief period, he has entered the United States. Ramos-Godinez, 273 F.3d at 824. And if border patrol agents did not see the alien cross the border, and if neither side presents evidence of the precise place where the alien had crossed, then that suffices for the government to carry its burden to show that an alien arrested 100 yards from the border was free to migrate into the general population for some time, and was not under constant observation during that period. United States v. Catellanos-Garcia, 270 F.3d 773, 77576 (9th Cir. 2001). The government thus applies the same definition of entry across statutes. As well it should: In the absence of a reasoned explanation for the change in interpretation or a relevant distinction between the statutory provisions, the government has no warrant to use Chevron deference to take opposing positions about the same concept just because it helps them in some cases to do one thing and helps them in other cases to do something else. Encinco Motorcars, LLC v. Navarro, 136 S. Ct. 2117, 2125 (2016).

In applying this official-restraint test here, the parties agree that surveillance was the only form of official restraint that the government could have used against Lopez before his arrest. Because only the government customarily possesses evidence of surveillance and because an alien cannot prove what he cannot see, we treat surveillance as an affirmative defense, one that allows the government to show official restraint with respect to an individual who crosses the border without being stopped. In this instance, the Board made no factual finding as to whether Lopez was, or was not, under surveillance from the time he crossed the border until the time the border agents found him. The Board sidestepped the question. It instead found that Lopez's capture a mile from the border and thirty-one minutes after his crossing did not suffice to prove that Lopez had evaded apprehension and was free from official restraint. That conclusion does not follow from the facts. No evidence shows that border agents surveilled Lopez when he crossed the border. And Lopez testified that he was looking for a hotel to check into, all consistent with the border patrol's report that said Lopez was in travel/seeking when apprehended. A.R. 247. Unless and until the Board finds that Lopez was under surveillance when he crossed the border, that means Lopez was free from official restraint and had evaded inspection.

We accordingly vacate this part of the Board's decision and remand the case to the Board to resolve this factual question or to resolve Lopez's eligibility for special rule cancellation on some other ground.

Exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. Lopez faces a significant obstacle in challenging the Board's ruling that he had not establish[ed] that his removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to his United States citizen daughter, a requirement for cancellation of removal. A.R. 8; see 8 U.S.C.  1229b(b)(1). As noted, we lack[ ] jurisdiction over claims that can be evaluated only by engaging in head-to-head comparisons between the facts of the petitioner's case and those of precedential decisions, or over arguments that require[ ] a tallying of hardships or second-guessing the agency's weighing of factors. Ettienne v. Holder, 659 F.3d 513, 518 (6th Cir. 2011).

That is just what Lopez asks us to do in this case. The Board considered how a move to Guatemala would affect Lopez's daughter. It weighed the changes in the daughter's educational, medical, social, and economic circumstances and applied the Board's precedents to the facts at hand. After all that, it held that Lopez had not show[n] that his qualifying relative would suffer hardships substantially beyond the ordinary hardships that children and other family members experience when an alien is removed from the United States. A.R. 9. We do not have jurisdiction to second guess whether the daughter's reduced access to quality doctors and schools amounts to an exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. The Board's weighing of the social and economic conditions in the country of removal is beyond our jurisdiction, id. at 9, despite the ample evidence of the violence in Guatemala that Lopez entered into the record, Appellant's Br. 14. And Lopez does not cite a single precedent indicating that the Board misconstrued its own standards, ending our inquiry into the Board's denial of his application for cancellation of removal. See Ettienne, 659 F.3d at 518.

III.

For these reasons, we grant the petition for review in part, reverse its special rule cancellation eligibility ruling, deny the petition in part, and remand to the Board for further consideration of Lopez's eligibility for special rule cancellation.

SUTTON, Circuit Judge.
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The details of vacancy and other requirements are mentioned below:

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United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. ANGELA OLINGHOUSE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; et al., Defendants-Appellees. No. 15-35301 Decided: March 21, 2017

Before: LEAVY, W. FLETCHER, and OWENS, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM*

Angela Olinghouse appeals pro se the district court's judgment dismissing her action, alleging, among other claims, negligent supervision and training claims. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1291. We review de novo the district court's determination of subject matter jurisdiction. Gager v. United States, 149 F.3d 918, 920 (9th Cir. 1998). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction Olinghouse's action against the United States because Olinghouse failed to exhaust administrative remedies under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). See 42 U.S.C.  233 (the FTCA is the exclusive remedy for actions arising from the performance of medical, surgical, dental, or related functions  by any commissioned officer or employee of the Public Health Service); see also 28 U.S.C.  2675(a) (a party must file an administrative claim before filing an action under the FTCA); Brady v. United States, 211 F.3d 499, 502 (9th Cir. 2000) (The requirement of an administrative claim is jurisdictional.). To the extent that, as Olinghouse argues, her claims for negligent training and supervision did not relate to the performance of medical  or related functions under 42 U.S.C.  233, such claims were barred by the sovereign immunity doctrine. See Valdez v. United States, 56 F.3d 1177, 1179 (9th Cir. 1995) (explaining that [a] party may bring an action against the United States only to the extent that the government waives its sovereign immunity and that the FTCA represented a limited waiver of that sovereign immunity for tort claims arising out of the conduct of a government employee acting within the scope of his or her employment); Nurse v. United States, 226 F.3d 996, 1001 (9th Cir. 2000) (claims of negligent supervision and training fall squarely within the discretionary function exception to the FTCA).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Olinghouse's motion to extend discovery because Olinghouse failed to show diligence in pursuit of the expert discovery that was required to oppose a motion for summary judgment on her medical malpractice claim. See Brae Transp., Inc. v. Coopers & Lybrand, 790 F.2d 1439, 1443 (9th Cir. 1986) (setting forth standard of review and explaining that the district court does not abuse discretion by denying further discovery if the movant fails to pursue discovery diligently before summary judgment).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Olinghouse's request for an appointment of counsel. See Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (setting forth standard of review and exceptional circumstances requirement for appointment of counsel).

We reject as without merit Olinghouse's contention that the district court judge was biased.

We do not consider matters not specifically and distinctly raised and argued in the opening brief, or arguments and allegations raised for the first time on appeal. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009).

All requests set forth in Olinghouse's opening brief are denied.

AFFIRMED.
Theres a possibility that production of the iconic Mini could be moved from the United Kingdom to mainland Europe.



The German brand recently suggested that the upcoming all-electric Mini could be produced in Europe rather than the UK as a result of Brexit. While speaking to Bloomberg, BMW hinted that could be just the start.

Our production network offers us flexibility [but] the U.K. remains an important location for us. Much will depend on how Brexit is ultimately negotiated, BMW chief executive Harald Krueger said.

Although some Mini models are produced in the Netherlands, the vast majority are still built in the UK. However, after Brexit, BMW and many other automakers are concerned about potential trade barriers affecting the movement of vehicles between the UK and mainland Europe.

It is reported that all Mini production could shift to the companys facility in Born, Netherlands or to Leipzig, Germany where the BMW 1-Series is made.

PHOTO GALLERY
Developed initially as a Scion for North America, before Toyota killed the brand, the new C-HR targets single and newly married millennials.



It has a bold look that gives it a sportier flair than many other crossovers, and comes loaded with plenty of equipment, even on the entry-level model, the XLE. The latter includes the Toyota Safety Sense P driver assist and safety suite, a 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, soft touch materials and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

However, theres much more than meets the eye with the C-HR, as Consumer Reports found in their review, with the subcompact crossover being surprisingly quiet, despite the fact that its engine can get quite loud at over 4,000 rpms. Moreover, it can easily sit two adults in the back, and its comfortable on bumpy roads. Achieving this meant sacrificing its cornering abilities, and even if it can still take a tight turn quite fast, it lacks the sharpness of a Mazda CX-3.

There are big blind spots to the rear, due to the chunky C-pillars, and the fact that it cannot be had with an all-wheel drive system just yet, is another drawback.

The 2017 Toyota C-HR can be had in the mid-$24,000, meaning that its about $2,000 more expensive over its competitors, though it is the only one in its class to offer standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, which landed it 5 stars from Euro NCAP.

When it comes to the C-HR family, the future looks promising, as Toyota plans to introduce not only an all-wheel drive version, but also a hybrid.

VIDEO
FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne is continuing to not-so-subtly beg for a merger with Volkswagen, if his latest statements are anything to go by.



Earlier in March, Marchionne suggested a possible merger between FCA and VW could be beneficial for both brands, but later said he had no interest in actively pursuing a merger with the German conglomerate.

This week, however, the outspoken CEO has changed his tune once again saying he would attempt to find VW chief executive Matthias Muller to discuss a merger.

We are waiting with anticipation. There are 4-5 of us (carmakers) at the global level, if something needs to be done, it will be done. I havent seen Muller in 6-7 months, but I will go find him at the first opportunity, he told Autonews.

Last week, Muller responded to Marchionnes initial suggestion of a merger by saying he would be open to talks with FCA but insisted Marchionne must approach him, not the other way around.

Unfortunately for Marchionne, the truth is that FCA is the one in most need of joining forces with another automaker, not the other way around. Unless someone budges, FCA will have to continue fighting its uphill battle alone.
Shortly after a matte black Lamborghini Centenario was delivered in Germany, a sensational example has been handed over to an owner in Paris.



The car is thought to be owned by Qatari Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani and has been optioned in a distinct paint scheme unlike any other delivered so far.

Whereas the original Centenario display car was finished in carbon fiber with yellow accents, Al Thanis car has been predominantly painted matte white and includes matte black for the splitter, roof, A-pillars, side skirts, rear bumper and diffuser.

Elsewhere, it includes a tricolore stripe in the colors of the Italian flag as well as numerous bright blue accents. Matte black wheels complete the custom look.

In our eyes, this is the best looking Centenario and gives us hope that some other cool versions emerge in the near future unlike that so-so Geneva show car.

Images via Goran Photography & C-D Photography

PHOTO GALLERY

Video
See this sketch? Looks promising, doesnt it? Well, try not to like it too much, because its already sold out.



What youre looking at is our best glimpse yet at the forthcoming McLaren project dubbed BP23  shorthand for Bespoke Project 2 with 3 seats  following the previous X-1 revealed at Pebble Beach in 2012.

Those whove been following its development through the bits and pieces of information weve received this far will know thats the same number of seats as the legendary McLaren F1  with a central driving position and two outboard seats.

This latest announcement reveals that the so-called Hyper-GT will be the most powerful and most aerodynamic road-going McLaren ever  set to eclipse even the 900-horsepower P1. Itll sit alongside it as the second, even more exclusive model in McLarens Ultimate Series  but taking an entirely different approach, aimed at crossing continents at high speed rather than lapping race tracks.

Just how McLaren figures its drivers will be able to tour around, paying at toll booths and whatnot from the central driving position, we dont know. Thats whats kept the British supercar manufacturer from reviving that seating layout until now, weve been told. But that wont stop Woking from selling each and every one.

Pre-sell them, in fact, before the vehicle is even unveiled to the public. McLaren will only make 106 examples, and theyve all been spoken for already  at an assuredly astronomic cost. Each of those fortunate customers will work closely with McLaren Special Operations to configure their supercar to his or her liking, with the first among them to expect delivery in 2019.

Photo Gallery
The studio, much like Dreamworks other divisions, was expensive to operate. Per Variety, In animation circles it was sometimes said that DWA was the only Hollywood company to go to China and operate with higher costs than in the U.S.

Oriental Dreamworks reportedly laid off 40 artists in Shanghai earlier this month. The studio, which at its peak in 2014 had 250 employees, has been floundering for some time, long before Comcast entered the picture. The studio tried diversifying into live-action films as early as 2014, though it has been unable to get those projects off the ground.

Today the operation employs under 100 people. Other Chinese studios have reported receiving an increase in resumes from Oriental Dreamworks animators.

A source close to the company told Variety that Universal doesnt need an animation studio in China: Its not because its not an important or successful business, it just duplicates what they already have in China. Its unclear what that means since Universal does not have an animation studio in China, though perhaps the source was referring to the distribution side.

Dreamworks, Universal, and Comcast have all declined to comment on the status of the studio. However, majority stakeholder China Media Capital (CMC) released a statement on Monday addressing the Variety report:

The Chinese animation industry has been actively adjusting in coordination with the restructuring in Hollywood. CMC will conform to the market changes and continue to seek overseas collaboration with leaders in production, creativity and distributionWe will maintain a stable headcount of over 100 staff.

Variety pointed out that last October, the Chinese government launched an antitrust investigation into Comcast-NBCUniversals acquisition of Dreamworks. Its unclear what impact that probe may have had on Comcasts current desire to divest itself of Oriental Dreamworks.

Much more can be said about Oriental Dreawmorks  and itll probably be said by someone at some point  but at this juncture, its simply interesting to observe how Jeffrey Katzenbergs entire animation empire was basically a house of cards. Nothing he created was built to last because there was never a strong foundation, creatively or otherwise, underpinning any of his ideas.

Once DWA started faltering creatively, Katzenberg started making outlandish bets on the future  the future is 3D filmmaking! the future is China!  to help distract investors from the fact that the company was adrift without a captain. The charade worked long enough for him to squeeze out a few hundred million for himself, but what remains today of Dreamworks that actually has any value is meager to say the least.

If youre keeping track, here are some of the changes that Comcast-NBCUniversal has made at Dreamworks since it bought the company:
Photo: Contributed - Darren Bates Franzi Tschurtschenthaler & Darren Bates

Local entrepreneur Darren Bates and his partner and product inventor Franzi Tschurtschenthaler had a successful appearance before Canada's dragons this week.

The duo went on the show to market their music festival party clothing line called FurGlory.

The product invented by Tschurtschenthaler is based on a proprietary fabric they developed which infuses phosphorescent dye into faux fur fabric making it the perfect party goers outfit.

Back in March 2012, Tschurtschenthaler went down to Penticton to audition for the Dragon's Den, they were successful and flew to Toronto to pitch to the Dragons themselves.

My partner went down to Penticton to audition and was probably so ridiculous that they decided to accept us and invited us to come out Toronto to the CBC studios, jokes Bates.

We had a few weeks to prepare but realistically most of preparation came the night before, so it was a long night.

He says the duo were first up to see the Dragons at 7 a.m. and after a brief moment in makeup they were on the stage.

The first minute or two I was definitely nervous, there were times I was searching for words. Kevin (O'Leary) is a very, very intimidating man, but he was actually really pleasant to us. Arlene (Dickinson) came and drew a, (winks), on Kevin's back but that didn't really make it to air, but it was really fun, laughs Bates.

The product is based on the music festival and party scene and Bates says their goal was to provide a product that creates a new experience for somebody when they are out at night trying to meet new people and just have a laugh.

We noticed that a large part of these festivals is engaging with people. If you are at a festival with five or 10 thousand people and say you are the single man trying to engage a girl across the room, what is going to make her stop and talk to you, explains Bates.

We went to Thailand for the Full Moon Party and we took the loin cloth version, people were literally trying to buy them off our backs, and at that point we knew we had some sort of hit.

Bates is in charge of marketing the product and his partner Tschurtschenthaler came up with the concept and invented the product.

He is a engineer and he came up with this idea to inject phosphorescent dye into the faux fur. He was actually on a tour of some Chinese facilities for solar power, solar engineering is his field of speciality, and while he was there he got into contact with some Chinese factories and we figured out how to make the whole process work, said Bates.

With the spring and summer musical festival season around the corner and Kelowna's infamous weekend festival Center of Gravity coming back to town, Bates feels they are going to make an impact in the market.

This year we are going to be coming up with a nice t-shirt and maybe a tank top model, something that is going to work for the summertime. A few things that will breathe easy and something you can wear on a hot night, says Bates about a COG friendly model.

The two got the deal from Dragon Jim Treliving for $30,000 for a 30 per cent share of their company.

We got the deal, now they are just working on their due-diligence right now, so we are not sure if the deal will follow through. We are making every effort to work with the dragons and put our best foot forward and hopefully we get through that process and get our financing, explains Bates.

You can watch their appearance on Dragons' Den here.
Photo: Contributed

The Penticton RCMP responded to several incidents of property crime over the past week.

A few notable calls include;

At 7:30 a.m. on March 16, a break and enter was reported at Unit Electrical Engineering on Maple Street in Okanagan Falls. Crooks broke into a secure compound overnight and stole a white 2006 GMC pickup, license plate CP 7146. A padlock was also cut off the gate and plywood pried off a door, allowing thieves to gain entry into a building that was under construction, where contractor tools were stolen.

At 7:45 a.m. on March 17, a man called police to report his 2001 Ford Ranger truck had been stolen from the 400 block of Young Street sometime overnight. The truck, bearing license plate HM 4368, is still missing.

At 11:00 a.m. on March 18, police received a report of a 1996 black Dodge Neon that was stolen from a home in Penticton. The vehicle was not insured and had no plates, but the theft occurred sometime overnight. There have been reports that the car may have been spotted in the Penticton area as of Monday, covered in paint.

At 8:00 a.m. on Monday, a resident of Power Street reported that his vehicles in his driveway had been entered and change and insurance papers were stolen. One of the cars contained keys to the house, allowing thieves to enter a workshop where they stole a tool kit which contained an impact drill, reciprocating saw, radio, batteries and charger.



Anyone with information on any of these crimes is asked to contact the Penticton RCMP.
Photo: Contributed

One of two backcountry skiers buried in a weekend avalanche at Whistler Blackcomb was a four-year-old child.

The boy and his father were swept downhill on Sunday by an avalanche triggered by skiers above them.

The incident happened in the Blackcomb Glacier area, outside of the resort boundary.

The boy and his father were able to dig themselves out, and neither was injured.

Ski patrollers confirmed no one else was involved in the slide, and the ski area was deemed safe to remain open.

The avalanche risk in the Sea to Sky alpine region is currently rated as "considerable."

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Dustin Godfrey

The writ won't be dropped for weeks to come, but  like it or not  election season is upon us.

That became evermore clear at the first all-candidates forum for the Boundary Similkameen riding in Okanagan Falls Tuesday evening.

That featured a face-off between BC NDP candidate Colleen Ross and BC Liberal Party candidate Linda Larson.

Questions hit topics like the national park debate in the South Okanagan.

"(It is) a wonderful opportunity for, not only economic development, but green jobs that our youth want," Ross said, citing a Parks Canada study that suggests between 500 and 700 jobs could be created by such a park.

"The figures that you hear on the five-to-700 jobs come from averages from parks like Banff," Larson rebutted, adding that the BC Liberals' plan works closely with the Osoyoos Indian Band.

They also answered questions around education, a hot topic for many small, rural communities, with threats of school closures last summer.

"We actually fund our students $6,000 (each) in 2001, $9,000 now, and we have had a considerable drop in the number of students that we have as well," Larson said. "So the funding has not dropped; it has increased over the years."

But Ross pointed to the school in Grand Forks, which she says has no library.

"How can we ensure that our students have the best education, the access to IT, to the latest technologies, to the cutting edge education that other students in other jurisdictions across Canada have, when we don't even have a library," Ross said.

"We don't have libraries, we don't have guidance counsellors, we don't have career counsellors on hand for our students. We don't have the best education."

Candidates also took on issues like mental health, MSP, quagga mussels, infrastructure and more.

Following Tuesday's forum in Okanagan Falls, another will be held in Oliver Wednesday evening at the Frank Venables Theatre. Thursday, the candidates will meet at the Sonora Community Centre in Osoyoos.

Both of those meetings will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
Photo: CTV

Mixing alcohol and energy drinks can have deadly consequences, according to a University of Victoria study.

The practice increases the risk of falls, car accidents and attempted suicide.

Researchers at UVic say the caffeinated drinks mask the effects of alcohol, so people tend to drink more.

Usually when youre drinking alcohol, you eventually get tired and you go home, lead researcher Audra Roemer, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, told CTV. Energy drinks mask that, so people may underestimate how intoxicated they are, end up staying out later, consume more alcohol, and engage in risky behaviour and more hazardous drinking practices.

Roemer's group is running a controlled emergency room study in Victoria and Vancouver.

When we look at alcohol alone, theres a clear dose-response relationship  when you drink more, the risk goes up, she said.

One or two drinks doubles a person's risk of injury compared to when theyre sober. Six drinks increases that risk six-fold.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: CTV

Police are investigating racist posters distributed at Vancouver Island University.

Posters with Nazi imagery and swastikas were removed from the campus on Monday, just one day before the Nanaimo university was set to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

If anybody were to see them, they would find them to be extremely disturbing and certainly racist, Carrie Chisels, with VIU Student Affairs, told CTV.

aRCMP seized the fliers and are looking into the incident. The B.C. Hate Crime Unit has also been consulted.

Staff say they are taking the racist act seriously, but dont believe there is any risk to student safety.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
The Tennessee Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) awarded Erlanger Health System with the Pro Patria Award on March 17 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Erlanger is also Tennessees nominee for the 2017 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for Large Business, the highest award given out by the Department of Defenses ESGR.

During the presentation, ESGR officials stated, Erlanger Health System has repeatedly shown its willingness to go the extra mile in supporting their employees who still serve in uniform. These supportive actions are accomplished with the best interests of the soldier in mind and knowing that their total focus must be on their military duties. Erlanger also recognizes the advantages of what the Guardsmen and Reservists bring to the workplace and takes great strides to attract them into their ranks.

The highest level award the state ESGR can bestow is the Pro Patria Award. Each award recipient has demonstrated its support of the Guard and Reserve employees throughout the company including leadership, practices and policies which make provisions for participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

The highest level of recognition for an employer who supports their Guard and Reserve employees is given by the Secretary of Defense, the Freedom Award. Erlanger has been selected as one of thirty finalists for this honor. All nominations come from Guard and Reserve members, or their families, who are currently employed by the company.

Erlangers hiring policies very much support associates who serve our country in the Guard and Reserves, said Freedom Award nominator, U.S. Army Reservist MSG Terry Ellis, Respiratory Care Clinical Manager & ECMO Coordinator for Erlanger. The financial support they provide to us when we are unable to work our regularly scheduled hours at the hospital is a huge benefit that many employers do not provide. The flexibility that management shows helps our service members work their schedules around the military and still allow for time to spend with our families. The relationships that are being built will allow for more opportunities for veterans at Erlanger in the future, he added.

The award was presented by Carl Lambert, Chair of the Tennessee ESGR; Major General Philip M. Churn, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters; and Major General Terry M. Max Haston, The Adjutant General for the Tennessee National Guard and received by Erlanger Health System Vice President for Human Resources, Floyd Chasse and Terry Ellis.

Last year, Erlanger Health System was recognized with the Above and Beyond Award and two Erlanger supervisors received the Patriot Award from the ESGR.
Photo: The Canadian Press

An El Salvadoran man who spent two years in a British Columbia church to avoid deportation over alleged terrorism links is fighting the federal government in court even though he was granted a special order to stay in Canada.

Jose Figueroa said Tuesday he'll be in court this week appealing a decision last year that dismissed his request for a certificate from the foreign affairs minister stating he is not on a terrorist list.

Last March, the federal court dismissed Figueroa's application to compel the minister to provide the certificate based on a United Nations regulation that allows a person to claim not to be a listed terrorist.

Figueroa said he will represent himself Thursday in Vancouver at a Federal Court of Appeal hearing.

"I was categorized to be a member of a terrorist organization, which is unfounded," he said in an interview. "My name has been tarnished and it needs to be cleared."

Figueroa, who arrived in Canada 20 years ago and is a permanent resident, said he believes his name is still flagged as a person with alleged links to a terrorist organization in government databases.

"The struggles I am having to clear my name, they are always going to be showing up in their computers," he said. "My name is linked with a terrorist organization. You look at my name on the computer, all of this information comes up."

Figueroa said he was a member of a student union that supported the Farabundo Marti National Liberal Front in El Salvador, which is now the country's elected government.
Photo: The Canadian Press A memorial sits outside of the home of seven-year-old victim Nathan Dumas in St. Catharines, Ont.

The search is over for an Ontario man accused of fatally injuring his seven-year-old stepson moments before allegedly stabbing a bank employee.

Niagara police Chief Jeff McGuire confirmed that Justin Kuijer, 43, was arrested by provincial police Tuesday in Kenora, Ont., after a tip from a citizen.

A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued Monday for Kuijer on charges of second-degree murder in the death of seven-year-old Nathan Dumas, as well as the attempted murder of a woman working at a local RBC branch.

Police alleged that Kuijer had been on the run in his ex-girlfriend's van ever since the two grisly scenes unfolded Friday.

In a news release, Niagara regional police said the 2009 Pontiac Montana van was located at about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday in a parking lot with Kuijer alone inside. They said he was arrested without incident.

He is expected to be returned to the Niagara Region within the coming days, police said.

In a release late Tuesday, police said they would hold a news conference to discuss the case on Wednesday afternoon at NRPS headquarters in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Photo: CTV

A Saskatoon police officer is recovering at home after being struck by a passing vehicle while he was investigating a report of a stolen car.

The officer, identified as a 37-year-old man with 14 years police service in Saskatoon, had originally been described as having serious injuries but by Tuesday evening police said he had been treated and released from hospital.

Police got a call Tuesday afternoon about the theft of a vehicle that had been left running with the keys inside. The officer spotted the stolen vehicle a short time later and as he approached, the suspect got out and fled.

Police spokeswoman Kelsie Fraser said the officer started to chase the suspect when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

She said the driver that hit the officer remained on scene, and will not face charges in the incident.

On Tuesday evening, police announced they had taken a 23-year-old man into custody in the stolen vehicle investigation.
Photo: Contributed

Officials in the Manitoba border town of Emerson say some residents are starting to get a little annoyed with how asylum-seekers are behaving when they arrive in the community.

Reeve Greg Janzen says nine or more people who illegally crossed the border walked into town early Tuesday morning.

He tells CTV Winnipeg that one group of three people started ringing doorbells at 4 a.m. at a house in town, looking for help.

On Sunday morning, another group of six was knocking on doors and looking into a window, characterizing the behaviour as "a little rude."

As the number of people crossing the border continues to climb, Janzen says he would like the RCMP to continue upping security.

According to the federal government, RCMP interceptions have been the highest in Quebec. In January and February, 677 people were intercepted there. Meanwhile, there were 291 in British Columbia and 161 in Manitoba.
Photo: CTV

A Greyhound bus packed with passengers was forced to make an emergency stop on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Chestermere, Alta., after a passenger started behaving erratically.

Passengers on the bus told CTV Calgary they became concerned Tuesday afternoon when the man put a mask on his face, started pacing up and down the aisle, jotted down notes in a notebook, and pulled out his cellphone and started taking people's pictures.

The driver pulled over and called 911, and within minutes the bus was surrounded by seven police cruisers.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Landry confirmed an adult male had been arrested under the Mental Health Act.

He said the man was transported to a Calgary hospital for a mental health assessment.

Landry said the investigation determined no criminal actions had occurred, so no charges would be laid.

The man had recently been reported missing by his family in Winnipeg.

The bus had been destined for Vancouver.

"People were mainly shocked," one passenger told CTV Calgary. "Shocked, scared."
Photo: The Canadian Press

UPDATED: 2:50 p.m.

A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the assailant, and about 20 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip and two Romanian tourists were among the casualties.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on."

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.

"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a "marauding" terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

UPDATED: 11:20 a.m.

The head of counterterrorism at London's Metropolitan Police says four people have died in the terror incident in London, including an attacker and a police officer.

Mark Rowley says some 20 people have been wounded and parliament was locked down.

A search is underway to make certain no other attackers are in the area  though police believe there was only one attacker.

Rowley said the dead policeman was one of the armed officers who guard parliament.

The other victims were on Westminster Bridge.

Rowley says "We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker. But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on."
Photo: Getty Images

A new report suggests fewer Canadians are smoking tobacco.

The Canadian Community Health Survey found 17.7 per cent of Canadians aged 12 and older  or roughly 5.3 million people  smoked either daily or occasionally in 2015, down slightly from 18.1 per cent a year earlier.

The proportion of Canadians who smoked daily or occasionally was higher among males at 20.4 per cent, compared to 15 per cent of females.

The Statistics Canada survey found the number of people who reported being daily smokers fell to 12.6 per cent in 2015, from 13.5 per cent the previous year.

Tobacco use was least common among youth aged 12 to 17, with about four per cent reporting they smoked in 2015, followed by adults 65 or older, at almost 10 per cent. Males aged 20 to 34 made up the largest proportion of smokers, with more than one in four reporting tobacco use.

Among the provinces, British Columbia had the lowest number of smokers at just under 14 per cent, while Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest rate of tobacco use at about 24 per cent.
Photo: The Canadian Press Paul Manafort

President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned.

The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP. Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates co-ordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign. Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided. The documents obtained by AP show Manafort's ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russia's political interests."
Photo: The Canadian Press

UPDATE: 3:05 p.m.

A young boy and his mother who were the subject of an Amber Alert were found safe and sound in the Ottawa area Wednesday, said Quebec provincial police.

Police tweeted the update several hours after Joel Mukonkole, 4, and his mother, Rachel Esema-Okako, 31, were reported missing from Saint-Jerome, north of Montreal.

A police spokeswoman said the mother was arrested and the youngster placed in the care of relatives.

Earlier in the day, police had said the pair were spotted in the Kanata region near Ottawa shortly after the alert was triggered.

Police had said they feared for the boy's safety.

ORIGINAL: 9:45 a.m.

Quebec provincial police have issued an Amber Alert for a four-year-old boy who has gone missing from Saint-Jerome, north of Montreal.

Police say the child is Joel Mukonkole and the woman he is believed to be with is his mother, Rachel Esema-Okako, 31. Esema-Okako is black.

They say the two were reportedly last seen in the Kanata region near Ottawa.

The woman is driving a red 2005 Pontiac Vibe, four doors, with the Quebec licence plate 270 XLX.

Police fear for the boy's safety and are urging anyone with information to call 911.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator warned Wednesday that there will be "serious consequences for everyone" if the two sides fail to clinch a deal within two years.

Michel Barnier, who will be leading the EU side during the Brexit discussions, said there could be "total uncertainty" for Britain if no deal is secured in that timeframe.

He insisted that he will be negotiating in good faith to make sure that a mutually acceptable agreement is reached, telling an audience of lawmakers from parliaments across Europe that "this scenario of 'no deal' is not ours."

Britain is slated to trigger the two-year period of its exit from the EU on March 29, with the talks starting for real in May.

Barnier said no deal could leave four million European and British citizens uncertain about their rights and future, result in the reintroduction of strict customs rules, create air traffic chaos to and from Britain and lead to the suspension of exports of nuclear materials.

The former French government minister said the talks he will lead will be transparent and open, saying that "these negotiations cannot take place in secret."

He said the first aim would be to end uncertainty for EU and British students and pensioners abroad, as well as health care workers in the U.K.

The EU's watchword, he said, will be "citizens first."

Barnier insisted that Britain will face no punishment for leaving, but that "we must settle the accounts. We will not ask the British to pay a single euro for something they have not agreed to as a member."

Some estimated suggest the EU wants Britain to pay a hefty divorce bill of up to 60 billion euros ($64 billion), to cover EU staff pensions and other expenses the U.K. has committed to. Britain hasn't ruled out paying, but is expected to contest the bill.
This winter, Samaritan Ministries International will have a presence at each of the 46 stops on the Winter Jam 2017 Tour Spectacular, Christian musics largest annual tour.

With nearly 69,000 member households (225,000 individuals), Samaritan has practiced health care sharing through a Biblical lens for 22 years, with a focus on Christians helping other Christians with their needs as the Bible instructs in Galatians 6:2, which says, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (ESV).

As the exclusive health care sharing partner of Winter Jam 2017, Samaritan representatives will be on hand at each venue to communicate more about health care sharing and answer questions about this Biblical, non-insurance approach to health care. Current Samaritan members will also be available to answer questions about health care sharing and talk about their experiences.

Samaritan Ministries International will be at Winter Jam 2017 Tour Spectacular, McKenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St., on Sunday. The doors open at 5 p.m., show time is 6 p.m.

To learn more about Samaritan Ministries, click here.

Artists on the Winter Jam 2017 tour include Crowder, Britt Nicole, Tenth Avenue North, Sadie Robertson, Thousand Foot Krutch, Andy Mineo, Colton Dixon, Newsong and Tony Nolan, along with OBB, Sarah Reeves and Steven Malcolm for the Pre-Jam Party.

Samaritan Ministries provides its members with the opportunity to apply the principles of New Testament living to 21st-century health care. Today, nearly 69,000 member households worldwide send a monthly financial share directly to other member households who have medical needs. Samaritan members also pray for one another and include notes and cards of encouragement and comfort. In this simple way, they are currently sharing more than $23 million each month, yet the monthly share has never exceeded $495 for a family of any size, and is even less for couples and singles. Samaritan members are also exempt from the health insurance mandate in the federal Affordable Care Act, and they do not share in needs for unbiblical practices like abortion.

For more information on Samaritan Ministries International, visit www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Photo: Contributed

Alberta's education minister wants a central school division to immediately re-evaluate a course entitled "Women Studies."

The course  offered to girls in Grades 6 to 9  focuses on hairstyling, recipes and interior decor.

Minister David Eggen says the government understands why concerns are being raised about the content of the course.

In an emailed statement, he says education officials are in touch with the Pembina Hills School Division and are seeking changes to this course immediately.

An official with the division is expected to respond later today.

The division is responsible for about 3,800 students in 15 community schools.
Photo: File photo

The Penticton Indian Band is putting out a notice that brush piles are being burned above Skaha Hills on Wednesday.

Trained crews are on site with the PIB's natural resources crew, to ensure the burning doesn't get out of control.

Emergency services are reportedly aware, while nearby residents are being warned to keep homes well-vented.
Photo: Handout

Police in an Atlanta suburb have arrested a woman they say backed a sport utility vehicle over her granddaughter.

Gwinnett County police said Wednesday they've arrested 44-year-old Gilma J. Ordonez-Guevara of Lawrenceville on charges including vehicular homicide, hit and run, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and no license. Online jail records show she is also under an immigration hold.

It wasn't immediately clear whether she had an attorney.

Police say 23-month-old Valeria Leiba died from her injuries after she was hit Tuesday afternoon.

Police say Ordonez-Guevara initially denied hitting the toddler but that an examination of a yellow Hummer parked in her driveway yielded evidence that conflicted with her statements.

Police said that in a second interview, she told investigators she didn't know the child was behind her SUV.
Photo: Instagram

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Wednesday's apparent terrorist incident outside the British Parliament is a "cowardly attack" on democracy around the world.

And he says Canada stands ready to help Britain in any way it can after the attack, which left at least four dead in London.

London police say the dead include the attacker and a police officer, and some 20 more have been wounded in the incident, which occurred on the grounds of the Parliament Buildings and the nearby Westminster Bridge.

Parliament remains in a lock-down while the police continue to search the area to ensure there are no other attackers.

In Canada's House of Commons, Trudeau called the attack on Britain's seat of democracy "a cowardly and reprehensible act that we condemn in the strongest terms.

"Canada and the U.K. are close friends and allies and our message to the citizens of the United Kingdom and our colleagues in the British Parliament is simple: We stand with you."

Trudeau said the scene unfolding in London is "all too familiar" to MPs who were on Parliament Hill in October 2014 when a gun-toting Michael Zehaf-Bibeau stormed into Centre Block after killing a soldier standing on guard at the nearby National War Memorial.

Zehaf-Bibeau was killed outside the Library of Parliament in a shoot-out with police and parliamentary security officers.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he called British Home Secretary Amber Rudd to offer Canada's assistance in the aftermath of Wednesday's carnage.

He said there's no change in the threat level in Canada but Canadian security agencies are taking all appropriate steps.

"There is no known Canadian connection at this stage," he said. "This is an evolving situation so we're monitoring every detail with a great deal of care."
Photo: The Canadian Press

President Donald Trump says he feels "somewhat" vindicated by statements by the House Intelligence chairman on the legal and incidental surveillance of the president and Trump transition officials.

Trump says in response to a question during a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus that he felt "somewhat" vindicated following his briefing by Republican House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes of California.

The president says, "I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found."

Trump has claimed that former President Barack Obama's wiretapped his New York skyscraper last year. But FBI Director James Comey and the head of the National Security Agency said this week that there was no evidence to back up Trump's assertions.
Photo: Contributed

An Ontario man accused of killing his seven-year-old stepson and badly injuring a banker with whom he'd once had professional dealings managed to flee 2,000 kilometres over four days before being arrested, police said Wednesday.

Niagara regional police Chief Jeff McGuire said the nationwide manhunt for 43-year-old Justin Kuijer, which began in St. Catharines, Ont., came to a peaceful end in the parking lot of a Walmart in Kenora, Ont., around 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

A member of the public who had heard of the search for Kuijer recognized the van in which the man allegedly fled. Six provincial police officers responded to the tip and arrested the former roofing company owner without incident, McGuire said.

Kuijer had been the subject of a Canada-wide warrant on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his stepson, Nathan Dumas, but McGuire said the man will in fact be charged with first-degree murder in the boy's death, as well as attempted murder in the attack on the bank employee.

McGuire credited steady media exposure and public vigilance for Kuijer's arrest, saying the end of the manhunt can help a devastated community begin to heal.

"It's because of those efforts that Kuijer is in custody today, and the community is safer than it was before his arrest yesterday," he said at a press conference.

Outside a St. Catharines sandwich shop owned by Nathan's grandparents, flowers and stuffed animals formed a makeshift memorial for the slain boy.

Residents walking by expressed rage at the attacks and relief that a suspect had been caught.

Ken Chipman, who was walking his dog near the school Nathan attended a short drive away, said news of the attacks had left him "really upset."

"I thought it was horrible," he said, adding he was glad the search for Kuijer was over.

McGuire provided few new details on Kuijer's alleged crimes or on the massive manhunt, citing the need to keep certain details confidential. But he did provide insight on how police began their investigation.
Photo: Contributed

Six male youths in Nova Scotia have pleaded guilty to sharing intimate images of high school girls without their consent, concluding one of Canada's largest prosecutions involving a relatively untested but high-profile law.

The six were charged in July 2016 after police in Bridgewater, N.S., concluded a year-long investigation by alleging the teens  all local high school students  had distributed intimate images of at least 20 girls.

At the time, four of the accused were 15 years old, and the other two were 18.

The six were also charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, but a Crown prosecutor confirmed those charges will be dismissed when they face sentencing July 31.

The case is one of the first in Canada involving legislation introduced in late 2013 after the death of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons, which captured national attention.

The 17-year-old attempted suicide and was taken off life support after a digital photo  of what her family says was a sexual assault  was circulated among students at her school in Cole Harbour, N.S.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Sears, a back-to-school shopping destination for generations of kids, has said that after years of losing money that there is "substantial doubt" it will be able to keep its doors open. But it also insisted that its actions to turn around its business should help reduce that risk.

It was still a dramatic acknowledgment from the chain that owns Sears and Kmart stores, which has long held fast to its stance that a turnaround is possible, even as many of its shoppers have moved on to Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon.

Sears has survived of late mainly with millions in loans funneled through the hedge fund of Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert, but with sales fading it is burning through cash. Sears Holdings Corp. said late Tuesday it lost more than $2 billion last year, and its historical operating results indicated doubt about the future of the company that started in the 1880s as a mail-order catalogue business.

At a largely empty Sears store in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the available parking far outstripped the number of cars in the lot, 85-year-old Jack Walsh and his 82-year-old wife, Mary Ann, said they have shopped at Sears their entire lives, buying items from curtains and window treatments to tires and tools.

"I bought my tools from Sears and I've still got them," Jack Walsh said.

The company known for DieHard batteries and Kenmore appliances has been selling assets, most recently its Craftsman tool brand. But it says pension agreements may prevent the sale of more businesses, potentially leading to a shortfall in funding.

"It's a sad story. This is the place that created the first direct to consumer retail, the first modern department store. It stood like the Colossus over the American retail landscape," said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting firm. "But it's been underinvested and bled dry."

Company shares, which hit an all-time low last month, tumbled more than 13 per cent Wednesday. Sears tried to soothe investors' fears, saying in a post on its site that it remains focused on "executing our transformation plan" and that news reports miss the full disclosure that it's highlighting actions to reduce risks. It also said that the comments made in the filing were in line with "regulatory standards."

Lampert combined Sears and Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy. He pledged to return Sears to greatness, leveraging its best-known brands and its vast holdings of land, and more recently planned to entice customers with its loyalty program. The company, which employs 140,000 people, announced in January said it would close 108 additional Kmart and 42 more Sears locations, and unveiled yet another restructuring plan in February aimed at cutting costs and reconfiguring debts to give itself more breathing room.
Photo: Fox News

The mother of a 15-year-old girl who authorities say was sexually assaulted in an attack streamed live on Facebook said Wednesday that her daughter has received online threats since it happened and that neighbourhood kids have been joking about it and harassing her family.

The woman was reunited with her daughter on Tuesday, two days after the girl went missing and a day after police learned of the attack. She said her daughter is staying with a relative and is scared to come home, and that she shares that fear.

"This is just disturbing and to think the kids think it is funny," the mother, 32, told The Associated Press. The AP isn't naming her to protect the identity of her daughter.

She said that since the attack, people have threatened on Facebook that "they are going to get her" daughter and that neighbourhood children have been laughing about the incident and ringing the family's doorbell looking for the girl. She said she's shocked by the callousness people have shown since the attack, which was viewed live by about 40 people on Facebook Live  none of whom reported it to the police.

"I can't stay here," she said of Lawndale, the West Side neighbourhood where her family lives. "I have other kids, too. I let them walk to school and now I have to take them."

Police said Wednesday that they hadn't arrested anyone in the attack, which involved five or six men or boys. A police spokesman, Anthony Guglielmi, said the girl knows at least one of her attackers and that investigators are making good progress identifying those involved.

Guglielmi said Johnson immediately ordered detectives to investigate and the department asked Facebook to take down the video, which it did.
Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao met with Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha on 21 March, to discuss the contours of the Vodafone-Idea merger deal.



The two top honchos, flanked by senior executives from both companies, called on the minister to discuss the details of the mega alliance, in a meeting on 21 March.



Vodafone India and Idea Cellular on 20 March agreed to merge their operations to create the country's largest telecom operator worth more than USD 23 billion with a 35 per cent market share.



The combined entity of Vodafone and Idea Cellular, which are currently India's number 2 and 3, respectively, will dislodge Bharti Airtel to counter the fierce price war in the world's second-largest market.



Emerging from the meeting, both Birla and Colao



declined to share details of the discussions or take specific queries.



The two companies announced yesterday that the British firm will own 45.1 per cent of the merged entity while the Aditya Birla group, Idea's parent company, will own 26 per cent after paying Rs 3,874 crore cash for a 4.9 per cent stake.



The remaining 28.9 per cent will be held by other shareholders.



The new company, which will come into being over the next two years, will be headed by Birla while Vodafone will have the right to appoint chief financial officer.



The CEO and the chief operating officer will be appointed with approval of both companies. The two firms will have three nominees each on the board of the new entity.



Aditya Birla and Vodafone eventually aim to own an equal share in the joint venture.



The merged venture will create India's largest mobile operator with almost 400 million users and a 35 per cent market share by customers. The deal gives Vodafone India an implied enterprise value of Rs 82,800 crore and Idea an enterprise value of Rs 72,200 crore.



The telecom analysts have been flagging certain hurdles in the deal, including breach of revenue market share, subscriber and spectrum caps in five markets.



This is the second merger in the sector in as many months. Last month, Bharti Airtel announced plans to buy the Indian business of the Norway-based Telenor.

-ANI
Family Says 15-Year-Old Sexually Assaulted On Facebook Live Is Getting Threats: Reports

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Mar 22, 2017 9:30PM



Police lights (Photo by Yevhen Prozhyrko via Shutterstock)

Family members of a 15-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted in an incident broadcast over Facebook Live say that she is being revictimized through online threats and cruel jokes from neighborhood kids.

The teen's mother tells the Associated Press that she and her family have been getting threats on Facebook and that kids in the neighborhood have been ringing the doorbell and asking for the victim. The mother said she has to take her other kids to school, instead of letting them walk.

"This is just disturbing, and to think the kids think it is funny," she said.

Local community activist Andrew Holmes said the threats are coming from people who blame the teen for her assault, and some have threatened harm. Holmes told CBS Chicago, "You know I think they're just as guilty as the people who allegedly committed this assault."

The Lawndale teen has been too scared to return to her home and is staying with other family members, according to reports. Police told CBS they're working to make sure the victim is safe as they investigate the case.

The teen went missing shortly after her uncle dropped her off at home Sunday and didn't resurface until Tuesday. Her mother believes the attack happened Sunday night. It was broadcast live on Facebook, but no one alerted authorities. Police say the teen knew one of her attackers and they're working to identify the others. As many as six males may have been involved in the attack.
US President Donald Trump would travel to Brussels on May 25 on his first foreign trip to attend a meeting with leaders from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries, the White House said today.

'The President looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO s role in the fight against terrorism,' the White House said in a statement.

Trump's trip to Brussels, Belgium for the MATO Summit would be his first overseas visit after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20.

He has also committed himself to travel to Germany later this summer to attend the G-20 Summit which among others would be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi has been invited by Trump for a White House meeting this year. Modi has also extended Trump an invitation to visit India. Both have accepted the invitations and dates are being worked out. In case of no additional travel, the G-20 Summit could be the earliest opportunity for a Modi-Trump meeting.

Trump's first visit to a NATO summit is considered as significant given that traditionally the new US President s overseas travel has been to a neighbouring country.

'In addition to the President's participation in the NATO Leaders Meeting, the President will also welcome Secretary General (Jens) Stoltenberg to the White House on April 12, 2017, where they will talk about how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security,' the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary James Mattis met Stoltenberg at the Pentagon today wherein they discussed the fight against ISIS and the situation in Afghanistan among other things.

'We all understand that in times of turmoil, in times of uncertainty, the need for strong international institutions like NATO is even greater so therefore we need to adapt, we need to strengthen NATO in response to the challenges and the unpredictability we see surrounding us today,' Stoltenberg said in a joint media appearance with Mattis at the Pentagon.

A strong NATO is good for Europe, he said.

'We are also grateful for commitment of the US and the security guarantees to Europe. But strong NATO is also good for North America because stability in Europe is good for all of us. Two world wars and the Cold War have taught us all that the peace and stability is important for Europe of course but also North America,' he said.

Mattis said he looks forward to engaging with the coalition members who are here in Washington this week on the counter-ISIS fight. 'I am confident that NATO will as always be one of the leaders as we deal with this threat,' he said.

World leaders have gathered in Washington to attend the US lead international meeting of anti-ISIS coalition.

-PTI
Man Pretending To Be A Chicago Uber Driver Sexually Assaulted 2 Women: Police

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Mar 22, 2017 2:40PM



Musaab Afandi, via the Skokie Police Department.

The Skokie Police Department has charged a suburban man with sexually assaulting two women, whom he picked up in his car in Chicago while pretending to be their Uber driver.

The man, Musaab Afandi, 33, of Glenview, was denied bond in Cook County Criminal Bond Court Tuesday after being charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated kidnapping, according to a release from the police department. The assaults allegedly took place on Feb. 12 at 4:38 a.m. and March 19 at 3:33 a.m.

In each instance, police responded to 911 calls from women who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by a man who was impersonating an Uber driver. In each case, the women were picked up outside different bars or nightclubs in Chicago after they ordered Ubers. Afandi reportedly took them to Skokie, where he assaulted them in his car. The women were able to give police identifying information which led to Afandi's arrest.

Uber confirmed to NBC that Afandi is not an Uber driver.

Skokie police recommend that passengers using ride-hailing services should take precautions before getting in a car, including verifying the identity of the driver before getting in the car, waiting for the car inside, rather than outside, and sharing trip details with friends or family members during the ride:
IL Lawmakers Introduce Bills To Legalize Marijuana Sales To Adults

By Stephen Gossett in News on Mar 22, 2017 8:40PM



Flickr user tefennell4

It's high time that Illinois legalizes recreational use of marijuana for adults and taxes its sales, according to two state legislators who have both introduced bills on Wednesday that would do just that. (Sorry, no more weed puns below.)

Regulated legalization would improve safety in communities, help businesses and the local economy andin perhaps advocates' most full-throated argumentgenerate hundreds of millions of dollars each year for the perpetually broke state, supporters argued.

Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) brought forth separate bills to the state Senate and House, respectively. If passed (a humungous "if," mind you), both would allow people 21 and over to buy, grow and posses "limited amounts" of weed. Selling businesses would apply for licenses, and a state agency would regulate operationswhich would include limits on advertising and mandatory labeling, among other stipulations.

Marijuana prohibition is a quagmire that creates far more problems than it prevents, Cassidy said in a statement.

Using Colorado, where recreational marijuana use is legal, as a gauge, the Marijuana Policy Project projected Illinois could generate between $349 million and $699 per year on marijuana if prohibition were lifted and the drug were allowed to be sold and taxed. In the eight states where recreational marijuana is legalat least under state law, if not federal, of courselegal weed sales brought in $500 million from taxes last year, according to Yahoo Finance.

Both bills call for taxing marijuana at $50 per ounce, wholesale level, plus the standard Illinois sales tax rate.

Right now, all the money being spent on marijuana is going into the pockets of criminals and cartels, Steans said in a statement. In a regulated system, the money would go into the cash registers of licensed, taxpaying businesses. It would generate hundreds of millions of dollars per year in new revenue for our state. Prohibition is a financial hole in the ground, and we should stop throwing taxpayer dollars into it.

Eleni Demertzis, a spokesperson for Gov. Bruce Rauner, told Chicagoist via email that "the two bills are currently under review" by the governor's office. Rauner has in the past advanced the state's medical marijuana program, if hesitatingly. After initial opposition to expansion, the governor agreed to a compromise last year that extends the program to July 1, 2020.

Of course, even if one of the bills were to pass, it would be greeted by a federal government that appears increasingly hostile to state-legalized recreational marijuana. "Theres still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said last month. But for legalization advocates, the introduction of today's bills is at least cause for higher hopes. (Sorry, last one.)
Enersize signs new order wtih BBMG, China

22 March 2017

Enersize Oyj of Finland has signed an agreement to provide its system for measurements and efficiency analysis of energy usage in industrial compressed air systems to the BBMG Liulihe Cement Plant in China.

Enersizes part of the yearly savings during the lifetime of the project will be agreed with the customer in the second project phase when the savings potential has been measured and identified through the Enersize system. Installation phase for the system will start in the second quarter of 2017.

BBMG Liulihe Cement plant is a part of state controlled BBMG Corporation.

Published under
Northern Indian producers implement second March price hike

ICR Newsroom By 22 March 2017

Cement price rises at the end of the financial year are generally avoided in India as they slow down sales, but this year cement producers in the north are breaking with tradition. They have decided to raise cement prices for a second time in March.



Northern producers are raising cement prices by INR10 (US$0.15), taking the price of a 50kg bag to INR300-330. This follows a INR10-15 price increase at the start of the month. The second advance is the result of rising input costs.



In the south of the country, cement prices continue to fall, eroding by INR5-10/bag. The price reduction has been attributed to extreme dry conditions, subdued demand, excessive hard selling by smaller players and some dumping by Gujarat-based manufacturers.

Published under
Unique reporting requirements

Life under the new laws

States step up

Thinking about student safety is more complex than ever before. Sure, kids need to be physically safe at school, but what about the safety of their personal information? Thats exactly what parents and civil liberties advocates have begun asking in Colorado and Connecticut as education becomes more dependent on technology services.Denise Maes of the Colorado ACLU recently voiced her concerns to Colorado Public Radio, saying, Once privacy is lost, it is almost impossible to get it back. Parents for the most part have no idea or remain largely unaware of how much data is collected about their children, with whom it is shared, if its shared at all, where its stored, how long its stored and why its even collected in the first instance.To address this concern, a growing number of states are passing significant student data privacy legislation to protect students and arm parents with more knowledge on data activities. While most agree the laws are a step in the right direction, they also come with challenges for local schools that state education departments are helping them tackle.Last year, lawmakers in 15 states passed 19 student data privacy bills, according to the Data Quality Campaign, a national nonprofit focused on the use of student data. Two bills in particular stood out for their reporting and notification requirements.In Colorado, House Bill 16-1423 specifies additional responsibilities for the state education department, state board of education, local schools and contract service providers to follow, and outlines parents rights. For example, the state education department is responsible for sharing sample student information policies and contract language as well as training local school employees this year.The training component is crucial. Without training, all of the laws that have passed are just words on paper, said Amelia Vance, policy counsel on education privacy for the Future of Privacy Forum. They have to be implemented in schools every day as teachers are dealing with students and data on the ground.The Colorado law requires school districts to post online a list of the vendors they have contracts with, the actual contracts, the tools that educators use on demand and the types of personally identifiable information they collect so that parents and guardians can access them. They also need to list providers that they stopped using because of privacy reasons.In Connecticut, Substitute House Bill 5469 includes a number of sweeping data privacy requirements, including a mandate that local and regional education boards sign a written contract with service providers whenever they share student data, and lay out what should be included in those contracts. It also specifies what education service providers can do with student data and establishes a security breach procedure for them to follow. The law created a student data privacy task force to study issues including development of a toolkit that local and regional education boards can use, and training strategies for educators and contractors that other states have used successfully.The legislation requires local and regional boards of education to notify parents and students electronically within five business days about a new signed contract that affects them  a provision not usually found in other states privacy laws. These notices can number in the hundreds, flooding parents with emails, Vance said.So far, that hasnt happened in Connecticut. Dr. Kimberly Norton Butler, a parent advocate who pushed for the law, said she has yet to receive a single email, and is not aware of parents encountering an overwhelming amount of notifications. Jennifer Jacobson, a parent who lives in Fairfield County, agrees and has only received approximately five emails since the bill passed. Because compliance seems to waver from county to county, her biggest concern with the bill is ensuring that the mandated taskforce can help streamline implementation across the state.With both the Connecticut and Colorado laws now in effect, schools and education departments are working through the implementation process, which has revealed some practical challenges.In Colorado, one problem is how schools balance student privacy while encouraging teachers to find apps and Web tools that will work for their classrooms. Identifying all the apps and subscriptions that educators can use is a big undertaking because Denver Public Schools gives teachers flexibility and autonomy to pick their own, according to Kirk Anderson, the districts former educational technology director and current director of MyTech, a district initiative designed to provide each sixth- through 12th-grader with a computing device to take home. Teachers are really unaware of this concern so far, and theyre just now getting up to speed, he said.Anderson and Josh Allen, director of technical architecture, have developed an online catalog that includes tools that teachers report using in their classroom, as well as tools that the district has implemented. Based on the catalog, the team generates a website for each school that outlines the tools and data being used so parents can easily access it.But for some parent advocates, this simply shifts the transparency responsibility to parents. Rachael Stickland lives in Colorado and is a co-founder of the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy. She was disappointed with many aspects of the law. The passive, post-it-publicly approach assumes you have engaged parents in understanding that you need to look at these contracts, which can be challenging because they can be full of legalese and are sometimes 75 pages long, she said. Instead, she sees a need for better enforcement of the law that establishes clear penalties for companies that operate outside of the law.In Connecticut, Glastonbury Public Schools has taken a more restrictive approach when it comes to learning tools. Glastonburys IT team provides iPads for students grades K through 12 and controls which apps they can access. While the digital solution makes it easier to report the paid apps and subscriptions theyre using in the classroom, its still not easy to track down the online services that teachers use after accepting the operators terms of service.School technology specialists work with staff members to make sure they report the use of these services, explained Brian Czapla, director of educational technology in Glastonbury. Principals and curriculum directors have protocols to follow to make sure that educators go through the technology department for approval. Czapla also serves on the Data & Privacy Advisory Council of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. The council developed a student data privacy toolkit for Connecticut school districts that helps them effectively implement the new data privacy legislation.The laws written contract requirement may put some students at a disadvantage if they use services that dont require a contract. For instance, some services, which include dictation tools for students with special needs, ask users to click a button saying they accept the terms of service before using it. These students typically have an individual education plan that tailors learning objectives to their needs, and because their needs differ, they may need to use different services. From a school side, having to negotiate an individual contract for each student is really time-consuming and not necessarily what theyre equipped to do, Vance said.In 2016, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) launched a Data Privacy Summit to share resources and information with districts about the new law. The CSDE has also partnered with the Commission on Educational Technology in the states Department of Administrative Services to develop collaborative solutions such as statewide contracts for some of the most commonly used service providers in Connecticut, including Google and Microsoft. These groups are considering developing a statewide registry that allows operators to certify compliance with the data privacy legislation, said Abbe Smith, director of communications at CSDE.In Colorado, the Department of Education has provided sample contract language for schools to use with vendors, along with annotated documents that tie the contract language to the new legislation, and guidance documents to ensure that educators fully understand the law, said Jill Stacey, the departments data privacy analyst of information management systems. The department is also focused on outreach and plans to implement regular town hall-style meetings that cover privacy and security topics; it also serves as a platform to share and gather information on best practices.Stacey noted that the department plans to launch some larger projects to provide long-term support, including a suite of more than 40 information, privacy and security policies that districts can incorporate as appropriate. A privacy and security training program is also underway for teachers, administrators, board members and executive team members.State support to implement these laws is critical. Its hugely important that we provide these services to schools because they are challenged with resources, and the more we can help them, the better, said Stacey. Protecting students, their parents and teachers are all very important.
Chicago (And Its Improv Scene) Are Perfectly Imperfect In Second City Vet's Streaming Show 'Shrink'

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 22, 2017 2:00PM

If David, Tim Baltzs would-be therapist in the new, Chicago-based comedy series Shrink, had a motto, it would probably be, He means well 

Turns out, theres a lot of rich comedyand a subtle humanitylurking in that ellipsis on Shrink. The standout new showwhich is also packed with Chicago comedy notables and was filmed and takes place heredebuted last week on Seeso, NBCs streaming platform. Created by Ted Tremper (The Daily Show) and Second City alumnus Baltz (Veep), the show follows David, a failed medical resident with more than a half-million dollars in debt whos now living back at home. Hes made the decidedly ill-advised choice to launch a new practice as a therapist, from inside his folks garage. Naturally, his complete lack of proper training is never allowed to interfere with a genuine commitment to help people.

"I am required to inform you that I am not a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or a registered therapist, he tells patients at seemingly every session, but that these therapy sessions are being tape recorded to provide a record of the 1,920 supervised clinical therapy hours required to acquire such a license.

Akin to Chris Elliott in Get a Life but more deluded than psychotic, Baltzs David oozes Midwestern affability and an indomitable aw-shucks drive. Hes altruistic but out of his depth, and hes a fish out of water, Baltz told Chicagoist. When he screws up hes not ruining anyones lifeat least not in his mind because his intentions are in the right place. The good intentions half of the equation, at least, is familiar to Baltz. The Joliet native and former touring member of Second City shares a do-good, people-pleaser instinct with his character, he said. It definitely shows up on screen.

Chicago fingerprints are all over Shrink, in fact. The showwhich finally found a home on Seeso after a fits-and-starts web-series incarnation about five years agodoubles as a whos who of current and former Chicago improv talent. Sue Gillan, Joel Murray (Mad Men) and Claudia Michelle Wallace (Key and Peele) are regulars; and the endless parade of choice cameos includes Peter Kim, TJ Jagadowski, Joey Romaine, John Lutz, Mick Napier, Nancy Friedrich and many, many more.

It was important for us to get peoplebecause its the first season and we couldnt point to an existing runwho we knew could nail the tone. Plus now with all the film and television production going on in Chicago now, all the theater people know how to go smaller, Baltz said. When youre on stage you have to go big, but in front of a camera, you have to go smaller.

The scripts were all tightly tailored, but all that improv talent was still wisely allowed room to stretch. About five or six pages of each roughly 30-page script were merely directions to improvise, with the necessary beats, Baltz said. To gauge from Shrink, it might just be the ideal ratio in terms of mining ad-lib smarts without falling prey to dreaded post-Apatow slack.

Despite a prevalence of interiors, Shrink manages to exude Chicago in its setting, too, particularly the Northwest Side. David has a side (read: actual) job at the Happy Foods market in Edgebrook, and several scenes, including those in Davids garage office, were filmed in North Park. (Particular credit in capturing the citys feel goes to cinematographer Chris Teague, who also lensed indie gems like Obvious Child and People Places Things.)

I saw probably 44 states on tour (as a Second City member), and Ive lived in LA for the last three years, but Chicago just has its own flavor, Baltz said. When youre outside theres the architecture. And when youre inside theres a certain sensibility to the apartments and spaces. We wanted to reflect that and have Chicago feel like a character on the showwhether were Downtown or if its just kind of implicitly stated from the style of the interiors.

The first season of Shrink is available now on Seeso. The first episode, posted below, is also available on YouTube.




Photos: 8 Arrested At Downtown Protest Against Trump's Proposed HUD Cuts

By Chicagoist_Guest in News on Mar 22, 2017 3:00PM



By Tyler LaRiviere

Eight people were arrested on Tuesday during the eighth #ResistTrumpTuesday protest, which focused on President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Trump's budget plan for the fiscal year 2018 calls for a nearly $54 billion in additional defense spending while shortchanging social programs and departments like HUD by more than 13 percent. According to activists, cuts especially to HUD mirror conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation's "Blueprint for Reform" that calls for the ending of HUD in 10 years.

The current proposed cuts to HUD could have devastating consequences for those living in Illinois, according to organizers. "For us here in Illinois it means less direct rental assistance payments including section 8 housing, housing vouchers for homeless veterans would be cut by at least $300 million," said one organizer. "Proposed cuts to the section 202 program which house low-income senior citizens by 10% would cause 1500 very low-income elderly households to lose their homes."

Other housing programs that would be affected include Deborah's Place here in Chicago, which specializes in providing interim housing to homeless women. According to Audrey Thomas, CEO of Deborah's Place, as many as 50 women a year in Chicago would have to go without the organization's resources if the proposed budget cuts were to pass.

Those who use HUD services aren't the only people who would be affected by the proposed cuts. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that the budget cuts would lead to 120 thousand fewer jobs nationwide that are supported through the HUD investment.

Around 100 activists marched to the Chicago headquarters of HUD, at the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, where they placed dozens of large sticky notes that read "We Love HUD" on the glass of the building. They then marched to 135 S. LaSalle St., where the offices of Anthony Saliba, a board of trustee on the Heritage Foundation, are located. Eight activists then blocked the doors to the building on the LaSalle Street side until police arrested them. Eight people, men and women between the ages of 26 and 78, were charged with criminal trespass to land, according to Chicago police.
Illinois Lawmakers Vote Against A Barack Obama State Holiday

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Mar 22, 2017 5:35PM

The plan to make Barack Obama's birthday a legal holiday in Illinois has stalled out in the legislature.

Yesterday the House voted 54-57 against a proposal that would have made Aug. 4 a state holiday, according to the Chicago Tribune. A dozen members didn't vote.

The sticking point over the bill seemed to be what exactly the day entailed. Some Republican members said they might vote to make the day commemorative, but weren't happy with the prospect of giving state workers (and school children) a day off. Gov. Bruce Rauner's office estimates the state holiday would cost $3.2 million in personnel expenses, and another $16 million in lost productivitynumbers supporters of a holiday say are inflated. Some Republicans are also a little miffed at giving Obama a day when the Illinois-born Ronald Reagan doesn't have one.

Rep. Steven Andersson of Geneva says he believes Obama wouldnt want to give state workers a day off, given the state of Illinois' budget, according to the Associated Press. (You may not be shocked to know that Obama hasn't commented on this pressing issue.)

The Obama Day effort isn't dead in the water, though. The bill sponsored by Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago could get another vote.
A man in the U.S. managed to cast off his drug habit after he found something even more alluring: Chinese web novels. The books unique content and imaginative plots rejuvenated the troubled man's life, media reported.

Kevin Cazad [Photo: Southern Weekly]

Kevin Cazad, a software programmer, resorted to drugs to alleviate his pain after breaking up with his girlfriend. Severe drug addiction caused him physical and mental pain, even threatening his life at times. But things changed in 2014, when Cazad first came across online Chinese literature.

In the past, whenever I went home, all my attention was on drugs. But when I go home now, the only thing that occupies my mind is Chinese web novels. Like drugs, they can also become an addiction, but the difference is that they can't harm your health, Cazad told the Southern Weekly during an interview, adding that he used to finish five volumes of a popular Chinese web novel named "Coiling Dragon" in a single day.

Cazads story shocked the author of the book, who told the Southern Weekly that he never expected so much enthusiasm from a foreign reader.

Many readers have written letters to me, saying that my web novel reshaped their understanding of life. Some even attribute their achievements to inspiration they got from my books. It was like, are you guys kidding me? laughed the writer, who goes under the alias I eat tomatoes.

Cazad is not the only foreigner to become a diehard fan of online Chinese literature. In fact, Chinese web novels have recently been gaining in popularity among foreign readers, who enjoy the cultural elements contained within the unique works.

According to 2016 statistics from Novelupdates.com, a website that translates popular Asian novels for Western readers, Chinese web novels have created a reading frenzy among foreign consumers. Among the site's 10 most popular web novels, five were written by Chinese authors.

As a Westerner, the traditional Chinese elements and strong plots really intrigue me. Outside of the Harry Potter series, I can't think of any other books with so much imagination and innovation, Fernando Hernandez, a Spanish engineer, told Peoples Daily Online.

Foreigners enthusiasm for the web novels has not escaped the notice of Chinese writers and entrepreneurs, who believe that the special genre is an emerging industry, which can serve as a channel to promote Chinese popular culture.

In recent years, Marvels ideas of superheros and multi-space have prevailed around the world. Nowadays, scientific and imaginative elements better cater to young peoples needs. Chinese web novels not only satisfy readers needs in that regard, but also provide them with an Asian version of the Marvel stories, Wu Wenhui, CEO of China Reading Limited, told the Southern Weekly.
Tourists ride camels on the Mingsha Sand Dunes during a visit to Crescent Moon Spring on the outskirts of Dunhuang county of northwest China's Gansu province. [Photo/China Daily]

As the traditional termini of the Silk Road, China and Turkey, have much potential for cooperation. In regard to national prosperity, they share the same perspective: Trade brings prosperity, which is why Turkey is an enthusiastic partner in the new Belt and Road Initiative.

From Turkey's perspective, China is already a significant trade partner, ranking in the top 10 with regard to imports. Similarly, Chinese companies have been investing in various infrastructure projects such as major ports. Even though Turkey is only a minor trade and tourism partner -- less than 2 percent of Chinese exports reaching Turkey -- geographically it is a major geo-economical partner, providing secure land and sea access to the European economic sphere.

Despite the favorable economic climate and strong desire to improve trade ties, Turkey presents several unique challenges to Chinese investors, such as political unrest, cultural and religious differences and disparate perspectives on international politics.

In 2015, meeting a representative of a Chinese railway company at a workshop in Beijing on investment in high speed railways, valued at several billion dollars, one of the writers was told the biggest risk in the industry was political risk -- a host government unilaterally cancelling a deal. However, Turkey's president, in seeking closer collaboration with China through a number of agencies such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, has been following pro-China politics as best as he can.

Recently, the biggest source of conflict in Sino-Turkish relations has been spillover from unrest in the Xinjiang region. Due to shared language and religion, a majority of Turkish people feel strongly connected to the Uygur minority in northwest China, but few understand the realities there.

In the summer of 2015, the Turkish social media was flooded with fake images of racial conflict, that depicted Xinjiang as a war zone, setting off an emotional bomb among right wing nationalists and conservative religious groups. The resulting public rallies and violence against East Asian people was a tragic reminder of the destructive power of social media.

Unfortunately, both Erdogan, who appeals to religious conservatives, and the MHP, the nationalist right wing party in parliament, failed to denounce the violence in the streets. Erdogan's visit to China soon after these events, and his reaffirmation of his respects for the territorial integrity of China, was helpful, but the president walks a fine line in trying to enhance ties with China.

The 2015 rallies were not the first time large anti-Chinese protests that took place in Turkey, due to unrest in Xinjiang, and they probably will not be the last. The question is: When President Erdogan finds himself pressed between these two opposing interests, what calculus of internal and external pressures pushed by religion and economic needs will he use? For example: The deterioration of Turkish-Israeli relations because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows how strong religious pressures can be in determining Turkey's economic relations with other countries.

China has invested heavily in Confucius centers, media and educational exchanges to improve its image in Turkey. In the past, lack of awareness, of Chinese culture in Turkey, has made it easy for those looking to earn social or political capital, to exploit public sentiment using religion and race. Thus, China will need to do more to foster understanding between these two countries, linked by trade and history, but separated by culture and language.

The Confucius centers have had a strong positive impact in the educational institutions with whom they cooperate. Turkish university students appreciate the free education resources these centers provide. However, the impact of the Confucius centers, beyond the universities, is limited. There needs to be more active engagement and outreach by the centers to foster greater understanding of China, its history, culture and goals.

In terms of media, Chinese state TV networks, such as the CGTN, and CCTV 4, extensively cover both international news and insights into Chinese culture. However, state and private media in Turkey lack drive and capacity to provide similar services. Increasing collaboration with established media in Turkey, by providing translated programs, could help improve the Turkish people's understanding of China. Given the success of Korean dramas and Japanese pop-culture in Turkey, Chinese cultural products could prosper as well.

Finally, cultural and educational exchanges between China and Turkey need to increase through more educational exchanges efforts.

Strategically, Turkey is a member of NATO, but flirts with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The ambiguity of the approach, like many of its domestic policies, can be difficult to sort out, unless you understand the political background. At this time, President Erdogan's ties with both the U.S. and the EU are deteriorating, making Chinese security and political support more attractive. However, it is not clear how comfortable non-interventionist China will be with Turkey's aggressive military efforts in Syria, against Bashar Assad and the Kurds.

Turkey and China largely agree on the global economic policy of encouraging free trade as the driver of economic growth, but they differ in worldview. China looks for non-judgmental win-win cooperation with any country willing to respect its core interests and treat China as an equal partner.

Turkey is economically less focused and easily sidetracked by religious, territorial and political disputes of the Middle East. The two countries need to work on understanding, communication to bridge the gap.

Einar Tangen is a political and economic affairs commentator, author and columnist

Deniz C. Ozensoy, graduate of University of Chicago, is a writer, researcher, and social commentator, doing research at Peking University.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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The number of Chinese tourists entering Vietnam via its northern Mong Cai international border gate has gone up sharply in the past two weeks, according to local statistics on Tuesday.

In the past two weeks, each day, Mong Cai border gate in Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh Province has welcomed some 10,000 person-times of Chinese entries, compared to the monthly figure of some 5,000 person-times in the past, Tien Phong (Pioneer) online newspaper reported Tuesday.

Local travel agents attributed the sudden rise to South Korea's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

Vietnam has been selected as an alternative tourist destination instead of South Korea for Chinese tourists.

Most Chinese tourists enter Vietnam via Mong Cai border gate will pay a visit to Quang Ninh's Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO natural heritage site, reported Tien Phong.

Amid sudden hike in Chinese tourist arrivals, domestic travel agents have grasped the opportunity to meet the rising demand.

More tourist ships are dispatched to the bay while restaurants and hotels are making better preparation.

In 2016, Mong Cai border gate alone welcomed around 500,000 visitors, with visa fee collection of roughly 12.5 million U.S. dollars.

In February 2017, the number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam reached 403,663 person-times, up 85 percent year-on-year, said the General Statistics Office.
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The 17th China Hotel Global Forum opens at the Ritz-Carlton in Guangzhou on March 21. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The 17th China Hotel Global Forum, jointly sponsored by Asia Pacific Hotel Association (APHA), China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce (CRECC), and the China Hotel Industry Celebrity Club, opened in Guangzhou on March 21.

Zhang Haiyan, director of the Quality Supervision and Management Department at the National Tourism Administration, attended and addressed the opening ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton.

Zhang said that during the upgrading and transformation of China's economy, the tourism and hotel industry in China enjoyed rapid development and still faces opportunities as well as challenges. The 17th China Hotel Global Forum is expected to provide a platform showcasing Chinese services, improving Chinese quality, and building Chinese brands.

According to estimates, Chinese hotels have welcomed about 3 billion guests in 2016, with total revenue of nearly 1 trillion yuan (US$145 billion). However, tourist complaints regarding service quality in 2016 also increased a lot relative to the previous year.

Zhang said that regarding the "Government Work Report (2017)" which was delivered during the "two sessions"-- the annual gatherings of National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pointed out the need to improve tourist facilities and services, and to make a big push to develop rural tourism, recreational tourism and all-for-one tourism.

Li's words reinforce that the Chinese central government has focused strongly on the development of tourism and held great expectations for tourism's role in promoting the economic and social development of the country. It also provides the space and great opportunities to the future development of the industry.

Zhang said that thanks to the drive of the shared economy, integrative development trends featuring cross-boundary, cross-regional and cross-industries in the tourism industry will become increasingly apparent.

High-quality, personalized, customized and experienced tourist products will become more and more popular. Non-traditional hotels such as homestays and apartment leases will become the new business trends in the industry.

Zhang hoped that the Chinese tourism and hotel industry could grasp the opportunity and make greater achievements in the future.
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No smoking gun was unearthed at Monday's U.S. Congressional hearing on alleged Russian meddling in 2016 U.S. presidential race, but the probe is likely to continue, experts said.





U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the Oval Office after returning to the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb 24, 2017. [Photo / Xinhua]

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey acknowledged the existence of the investigation of suspected Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election with hacking to help then Republican candidate Donald Trump win the White House. Moscow has strongly denied the accusation.

Weeks before the Nov. 8 presidential election, WikiLeaks released a treasure trove of hacked emails from then Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign.

They included damning statements made by top campaign officials against Catholics, as well as other materials that were embarrassing to the Clinton campaign.

Controversy over the issue has been building, and Monday's hearing was the first of likely many more to come, experts said.

There was no definitive smoking gun at the hearing, but lots of circumstantial evidence regarding contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

"The FBI director confirmed a formal investigation so this is potentially ominous for the White House. We won't know for sure what the fallout will be until the investigation is concluded and we see if there are any indictments," he said.

If the FBI indicts Trump campaign staff, it would keep this issue on the public agenda for the next year or more, and it would distract the White House from its policy agenda and make it more difficult to pass controversial legislation, West said.

The longer-term ramifications could be negative for the administration, he added.

Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of Congress and the Presidency, told Xinhua there was no smoking gun at the hearing, but the lack of comment on certain lines of questioning by Comey speaks volumes about the wide scope of the ongoing investigation into Russia's alleged interference.

The hearing, and the fact that Comey went so far as to acknowledge that there is an investigation, demonstrates the seriousness with which both the FBI and the Congressional Intelligence Committee take the issue of the alleged Russian interference, Mahaffee said.

As much of the scope remains classified to protect sources and methods, as well as to protect any evidence that may be applied to any potential criminal charges, there was little that could be said beyond the acknowledgement of the investigation, Mahaffee said.

This investigation will be of interest to those who worry about the impact of alleged Russian interference, and those concerned about leaks of classified information coming from within government, he added.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in Beijing on Tuesday an innovative comprehensive partnership between both countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

In their meeting, Xi hailed the progress of bilateral relations since the forging of diplomatic ties 25 years ago, adding their innovation cooperation has facilitated sustained growth of overall relations.

The establishment of this partnership will boost innovation cooperation and bring more benefit to the two peoples, Xi said.

Netanyahu voiced his country's adherence to the one-China policy, urging taking the opportunity of the new partnership to enhance cooperation in areas such as clean energy, agriculture, investment, finance and medical services.

According to a joint statement released on Tuesday, the two countries agree to closer exchanges among young technological personnel, and cooperation in joint labs, a global technology transfer center, innovation parks and an innovative cooperation center.

China and Israel expect closer cooperation in air pollution control, waste management, environmental monitoring, water conservation and purification, as well as hi-tech fields, said the statement.

Xi called on both countries to enhance political communication, synergize development strategies, and strengthen cooperation in key areas such as water resources, agriculture, medical care and clean energy.

"A peaceful, stable and developing Middle East meets the common interests of all parties including China and Israel," Xi said.

The Israel-Palestine issue has long-term and profound impact on the situation in the Middle East, Xi said, adding China appreciates Israel's adoption of the two-state solution.

Netanyahu said Israel admires China's history, achievements and role in the current international community.

Israel hopes to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that his country expects to see China play greater role in Middle East affairs.

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Netanyahu on Tuesday. He said the National People's Congress values its friendly ties with the Israeli parliament.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Netanyahu co-chaired the third meeting of China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation on Tuesday.

Netanyahu is on an official visit to China from March 19 to 22 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.
With spring fast approaching, the Community Foundation of Dunn County is gearing up for another scholarship season. The Foundation manages more than 40 different scholarship funds established by individuals, families, businesses and organizations  but not all of these scholarship funds are paying for college tuition.

A scholarship fund allows a donor to open doors of opportunity for individuals who hold the potential for success, often in the name of a family member or loved one. The Community Foundation offers academic scholarships to graduating seniors, as well as a few specialized scholarships each year that support a unique program, camp experience or training.

The following Special Interest Scholarships are available in 2017 to eligible applicants who meet the specified criteria:

Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship

Bill Cowden was a local pilot and air show performer whose lifelong passion was aviation. He passed away unexpectedly in June 2014 in an air show performance. It is in his loving memory that this scholarship supports a certified pilot working to attain higher aviation ratings. The scholarship is awarded annually up to $1,500 for direct aviation training expenses. Application deadline is May 1st of each year.

CBJ Kids to Camp Scholarship

This fund was established by the family of Cammie B. Johnson, a young woman who passed away just before her 21st birthday from complications of diabetes. Cammie spent many summers at Camp Sioux in North Dakota and Camp Needlepoint in Hudson, also serving as a counselor and mentor for children experiencing the difficulties of living with diabetes.

Her family established this fund to offer scholarships for youth up to the age of 19 with Type I Diabetes to experience camp. Multiple scholarship awards of up to $850 each will be granted annually to camps designed for children with diabetes. Applications must be submitted at least (8) weeks prior to the scheduled camp. A full list of eligible camps is available on the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org.

Drums Along the Red Cedar Youth Music Camp Scholarship

This competitive scholarship is made possible by the proceeds from the Drums Along the Red Cedar Drum & Bugle Corps Competition. The event ended in 2009, but the proceeds have been put into a Youth Music Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation to provide music camp scholarships to Dunn County middle and high school students. Two to four scholarships of up to $500 each are awarded annually for a specified music camp for Dunn County middle school and high school students.

The number of eligible applicants seeking music camp scholarships currently exceeds the funding available, with several eligible applicants being turned away due to lack of available funds. With community support, more Dunn County youth will be able to experience music camp. To support this fund, donations can be made at cfdunncounty.org/donate by choosing Drums Along the Red Cedar Youth Music Endowment Fund from the dropdown menu.

Full scholarship descriptions and application forms can be found on the Community Foundation website at www.cfdunncounty.org or by emailing grants@cfdunncounty.org.

Approved scholarship awards are paid directly to the host organization to cover direct tuition expenses for the specified program. Contact the Community Foundation with questions at (715) 232-8019.

The Community Foundation of Dunn County is a 5013 non-profit charitable organization, established in 1995 and serves all of Dunn County.
William "Bill" Hall, former operator of the Town and Country Restaurant in North Chattanooga, died March 15, 2017, in Panama City, Fla.

A native of Chattanooga, TN, graduate of the McCallie School and Emory University, Bill spent his life as an entrepreneur in the hospitality and real estate industries. With the Town and Country Restaurant in Chattanooga, Town and Country Residences in Panama City, and PoFolks Restaurants in Panama City, Bill was a distinguished member of the community, and generous to all who knew him.



He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jay; son, Bill, Chattanooga, TN; daughters Jan Cox (Don) Panama City, FL; Jill Acosta (Joe) Meridian, MS; step-son Dr. Chuck Cluxton (Tali) Panama City, FL; Scott Cluxton, Jupiter, FL; sister Jean Lawson (Longview, TX); long-time business partner Peter Sostheim; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Foreste Hall, sister Margaret Harris, and beloved daughter, Amy Hall.



A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 18, at Grace Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m., with his grandson, Pastor Adam Mabry and Rev. Dr. Gary Cecil officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 2 p.m.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Science and Discovery Museum of Northwest Florida and The Panama City Center for the Arts.

Arrangements are by Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries.
President Donald Trump was once on the receiving end of a Stone Cold Stunner. Now, it seems hed like to deliver a stunner of his own to the American people, in the form of the American Health Care Act. The proposed law, which many have started calling Trumpcare, is the repeal and replace fix for Obamacare that Republicans have been pushing for seven years. The merits of the proposed law are dubious, but Trump has thrown his weight behind it nevertheless.

While some conservatives feel the law doesnt go far enough in reversing the effects of the Affordable Care Act, others are worried it would do some very real damage to the American health care system. If any analyses are correct, it appears Trumpcare would do little (if anything) to curb costs and make coverage more expensive for the average American, especially Trump supporters, ironically.

The WalletHub report ranks 457 American cities that would experience the biggest impact if Trumpcare is signed into law. Cities across the country populate the report, but one thing is clear: Cities in red states  or swing states that voted for the Trump-Pence ticket in 2016  would get burned.

In order to gauge the AHCAs impact on people who buy their own insurance, WalletHubs analysts compared the differences in premium subsidies that the average households in 457 U.S. cities would receive under Obamacare and Trumpcare, the report said.

Here are the 15 cities that would be affected the most by Trumpcare.

15. St. Joseph, Missouri

St. Joseph, Missouri, is located north of Kansas City along Interstate 29. Its a small city in a fairly conservative area with a population of just more than 75,000. Its also going to be hit extremely hard if the American Health Care Act comes to pass. Under Obamacare, the average subsidy in the area was $8,599. The new cap, under Trumpcare, would be $5,000. Thats a $3,599 difference.

14. Rockford, Illinois

Another small city in a Midwestern state, Rockford is a city of 150,000 near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Its also a city that would be impacted in a big way by the passage of the American Health Care Act. According to WalletHub, average Obamacare tax subsidies for Rockford residents are $8,662. Under Trumpcare, that number would come down to $5,000, leaving a gap of $3,662.

13. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

This North Carolina city is actually tied with Rockford for 13th place, to be precise. So, like Rockford, average tax subsidies under Obamacare are $8,662. Trumpcare would drop that to $5,000, leaving Winston-Salem residents with a shortfall of $3,662. Winston-Salem is one of those cities that was in a swing state where a lot of voters might regret their decision if Trumpcare is signed into law.

12. Allentown, Pennsylvania

Like Winston-Salem, residents of Allentown, Pennsylvania, live in a swing state. Although it had been a long time since Pennsylvania went to a Republican presidential candidate, Trumps populist appeal won over the states voters. But in places like Allentown, health care changes could end up hurting more than helping. Under Trumpcare, average subsidy losses would amount to $3,714.

11. Greensboro, North Carolina

If theres a clear takeaway from WalletHubs analysis, its that people in North Carolina are going to get hit very hard if the American Health Care Act is signed into law. Greensboro is one of several North Carolina cities among the top 15. Under Obamacare, the citys average tax subsidy is $8,819. That would change to $5,000 under the American Health Care Act, leaving a gap of $3,819.

10. Asheville, North Carolina

Were not finished with you yet, North Carolina. One of the bluer spots in the state is in and around Asheville, which would, unfortunately, feel the sting of a Trumpcare passage in a big way. Average tax subsidies under Obamacare for Asheville residents amount to $9,232. Under Trumpcare? You guessed it: $5,000. Thats a difference of $4,232.

9. Wichita Falls, Texas

Beating out Asheville, albeit barely, is the Texas city of Wichita Falls. A city of 105,000 located northwest of Dallas, Wichita Falls voted for the Trump-Pence ticket by a wide margin. But some people might end up wishing they could take it back if the American Health Care Act becomes law. Average subsidies, under the proposed law, would leave Wichita Falls residents with a $4,434 drop in tax subsidies.

8. Birmingham, Alabama

The ramifications of Trumpcare would be felt deep in the heart of Trump country, too. Thats evident, according to the WalletHub analysis, by looking at the average tax subsidy shortfall that residents of Birmingham, Alabama, would experience if it becomes law. Under Obamacare, average subsidies are currently $9,494. With Trumpcare, the $5,000 cap would leave a $4,494 shortfall.

7. Fayetteville, North Carolina

Swinging back over to North Carolina, residents of the city of Fayetteville would be in worse shape than those in Winston-Salem or Asheville should the Republicans get their way. Located in the middle of the state, Fayetteville is a city of more than 200,000 in which the average tax subsidy under Obamacare is $9,687. Under the American Health Care Act, that would create a shortcoming of $4,687.

6. Greenville, North Carolina

Greenville is located not too far from Fayetteville, about 110 miles to the northeast. And the American Health Care Act would burn its residents. Under Obamacare, Greenvilles average tax subsidies tally up to $9,067. Under Trumpcare, average subsidies would only add up to $4,000  leaving a sizable gap of more than $5,000.

5. Chattanooga, Tennessee

If theres one big takeaway from this list, its that most of the people who are going to be adversely affected by the passage of the American Health Care Act live in areas that heavily supported Trump. Tennessee is another example, and residents of Chattanooga would be impacted worse than in any other city in the state. Under Trumpcare, Chattanooga residents would experience a subsidy gap of $5,786.

4. Reading, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is another swing state (like North Carolina) where Trumpcare might burn voters. Reading is very close to Allentown, a city weve already featured. In Reading, however, tax subsidy losses under Trumpcare would be even more dramatic. Under Obamacare, average subsidies for Reading residents add up to more than $10,000. Trumpcare would slash it to $4,000, creating a gap of more than $6,000.

3. Syracuse, New York

Heres a rarity on this list: a city in a blue state. Or, at least its a state that went blue during the 2016 election. The honor goes to Syracuse, New York, where average Obamacare subsidies add up to nearly $10,400. Trumpcare, as in many other states, would cut that down to $4,000. As a result, folks in Syracuse would end up losing subsidies of about $6,400.

2. Anchorage, Alaska

We have to head out west  way out west  for the second-place recipient. It goes to Anchorage, Alaska, the states largest city. Anchorage has a population of more than 300,000. Among them, the average Obamacare subsidy is a whopping $12,748, which is due to many factors, including the fact that goods and services in Alaska tend to be more expensive (and scarce). Trumpcare would saw it down to $5,000, leaving a large gap of $7,748.

1. Yuma, Arizona

The American Health Care Act would hit residents of Yuma, Arizona, harder than any other. Yuma is a border town of more than 90,000, situated on the borders of Arizona, California, and Mexico. Obamacare tax subsidies, for the average Yuma resident, are $12,815. Trumpcare would shoot that down to  you guessed it  $5,000. The resulting difference is more than $7,800.

More from Money & Career Cheat Sheet:
Many public restrooms in China are not equipped with toilet paper and instead rely on patrons to supply their own. But until recently, the bathrooms of Beijing's Temple of Heaven, a complex of religious buildings constructed in 1420, carried rolls upon rolls of the white stuff.

Unfortunately, toilet paper thieves, who had long frustrated Beijing authorities, ruined the complex's bounty for everyone else. The unassuming thieves stole the tissue paper using backpacks and shopping bags, an investigative report by the Beijing Evening News showed.

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Beijing authorities are now turning to a new technology designed to slow the shoplifters. Temple of Heaven's bathrooms were outfitted with toilet paper dispensers that utilize facial recognition software, the BBC reported.

Six dispensers, designed by the Shoulian Zhineng company, were recently placed at the entrance to the restrooms. Those seeking relief must first stare into a computer attached to the machine for three seconds. It records their image before spitting out a two-foot long sheet of tissue paper.

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"The sheets are too short," Wang Jianquan, a 63-year-old retiree, told the New York Times.

And the machines are slow, too. They take 30 seconds to dispense the paper, according to a China Radio International report. If you need more paper, let's hope you're not in a rush. The computer won't dispense a second round of paper to the same person for nine  potentially excruciating  minutes.

"If we encounter guests who have diarrhea or any other situation in which they urgently require toilet paper, then our staff on the ground will directly provide the toilet paper," a park spokesman told the Beijing Wanbao newspaper.

"We brainstormed many options: fingerprints, infrared and facial recognition," Lei Zhenshan, marketing director for Shoulian Zhineng, told the New York Times. "We went with facial recognition, because it's the most hygienic way.''

Many people seem pleased that the Temple of Heaven has cracked down on toilet paper theft.

"They should have done this decades ago," Zhang Shaomin, a local retiree who often visits the site, told CNN.

Others thought such technology denigrated the complex, which has religious significance in China and is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.

"Is there not a solution somewhere between 'put up a sign' and 'install the sort of thing Bond villains use to secure their secret vaults'?'' Jeremiah Jenne, an American historian, told the New York Times.

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Purchasing six machines at the price of $720 apiece to protect toilet paper might strike many Americans as odd, but the Chinese share a much different relationship with their country's public facilities. As Wu Qingqi, a park visitor, told CNN, locals often leave their own homes to use a public bathroom, further increasing the usefulness of these electronic guardians of toilet paper.

"I think it's necessary," Wu said. "There are many people wasting public resources."

As Peter S. Goodman wrote for The Washington Post in 2005 of China's public bathrooms:

"In a public toilet  be it at the park, on a main thoroughfare, at the airport or in a train station  the air is often so foul that you limit your breathing. The smell wafts out into the surrounding neighborhood. You keep your eyes turned upward, to avoid fixing on the squalid floor. Most toilets have no toilet paper. Many lack running water. Everywhere, flushing seems optional. People with major business to attend to must typically execute it in full view of everyone else over a big gulley without privacy walls. Sit-down toilets? Rare."

That's why the country announced a "toilet revolution" in 2015, a plan to bring both its facilities and the general etiquette of their patrons up to "the standards of the international traveler."

More than 12.5 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) was expected to be spent constructing tens of thousands of new public toilets and renovating older ones to include not just "Western-style toilets and deodorization technology" but also potentially big screen televisions, ATMs, WiFi and sofas.

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Meanwhile, authorities planned to dole out punishments  such as blacklisting locals from certain facilities  for poor lavatory decorum.

"Many people spend a lot of time dressing themselves, but they do not spare a second to flush the toilet," Li Shihong, deputy chief of the China National Tourism Administration, told China Daily. "Toilet civilization has a long way to go in China."

The toilets have long caused some in the Chinese government anxiety.

In 2005, Gu Chenghua, then-secretary general of the Toilet Association - which Goodman described as "a super-grouping of 41 government bodies, plus companies that make toilet paper, bathroom deodorizer, soap and the toilets themselves"  told The Post: "When people are not at home, a public toilet is an indispensable public facility. Through the public toilet, you can see the degree to which the city is developed and civilized. We need to ensure that people have a comfortable experience as they relieve themselves."
The Republican bill to replace Obamacare could harm Illinois residents with disabilities  a group that hasn't gotten much attention in the debate, advocates warned Wednesday, one day before a scheduled House vote on the measure.

More than 140,000 Illinois residents with disabilities receive Medicaid-funded services that allow them to remain in their homes or in community settings instead of nursing homes, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Another 19,000 Illinois residents with developmental disabilities want services but have not received them, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.

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The bill's proposed changes to Medicaid could squeeze funding for those services, endangering the quality of life for those with disabilities and hampering their ability to contribute to society, advocates say.

That's because the bill would change how the federal government pays states for Medicaid, capping the amount of federal dollars states receive per Medicaid beneficiary, or giving states block grants for Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the replacement bill would reduce Medicaid spending by $880 billion from 2017 to 2026.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 David Gayes, who has cerebral palsy, speaks March 22, 2017, about how Medicaid allowed him to be able to attend school and find a job. Janet Gayes holds the microphone for her son. David Gayes spoke during a Chicago news conference at Access Living, a disability rights group. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

"Why is this not at the center of the debate for health care in America?" asked Amber Smock, director of advocacy at Access Living, a Chicago-based disability rights group that hosted a news conference Wednesday.

Proponents of the GOP bill say it would help, not hurt, people with disabilities.

Evanston resident David Gayes, 31, who has cerebral palsy, said Medicaid-funded services have allowed him to live at home with his family and hold a part-time job at a nonprofit organization. Gayes has an assistant paid through Medicaid funding who gets him out of bed in the morning, bathed and ready for the day.

"People like me have worked so hard to use our gifts and talents to contribute to society," Gayes said.

Jimmie Yarbrough, who also spoke at the news conference, said he spent four years living in a nursing home before Medicaid funds allowed him to live independently. Yarbrough, who has a spinal disability, works part-time for Access Living and lives on Chicago's West Side with the help of an assistant.

"I almost lost my independence," said Yarbrough, 55, of Chicago. "Without Medicaid, I really would end up back in a nursing home."

Advocates and Illinoisans with disabilities discuss how changes to Medicaid funding could affect people who get home care services through Medicaid. (Lisa Schencker / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

Home- and community-based services are typically less expensive than nursing homes. But state Medicaid programs must cover nursing home services, while home- and community-based services are generally optional, meaning they could be vulnerable to cuts, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

A White House official, however, said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the replacement bill would "allow states to prioritize their most vulnerable populations, especially those with disabilities."

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Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government pays a much higher share of Illinois' costs for people covered by Medicaid expansion, who are typically able-bodied adults, than it does for Illinois' costs to cover people with traditional Medicaid, who may have disabilities.

The GOP replacement bill would effectively freeze Medicaid expansion starting in 2020, which would "reverse that trend, and allow states the freedom to focus their Medicaid dollars to those who are in greater need, such as the disabled," according to the White House statement.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
The Chippewa Falls Police Department is seeking a new member, but this one walks on four paws, barks and is a little furrier than the rest of the team.

Inv. Steve McMahon and Chief Matt Kelm presented to the citys transportation, construction, public safety and traffic committee on Tuesday a proposal to start a K-9 program.

McMahon said the dog would increase the communitys positive relationship with the department through various events highlighting the K-9, but most importantly would help keep the community safe, especially in light of the rise in methamphetamine in Chippewa Falls.

In a given week, were dealing with meth in at least two to three of our stops, so its certainly present, McMahon said. The biggest problem with meth is our officers cant smell it, but a dog sure could.

Currently officers cant detect meth unless they happen to come across it in a traffic stop or through good police work, Kelm said.

They have looked into two K-9 training programs, but favor a 6  week program for patrol/narcotics K-9 training program in New Mexico.

In addition to a shorter program with longer days, McMahon said communities such as Eau Claire and Altoona have dogs from the same program.

If we have a large scale event, whoever the selected officer is would know how Altoona and Eau Claires dogs are going to react while dealing with whatever the large scale event is, he said.

The cost for the training itself, including lodging and transportation, is estimated at $20,700, plus up to $7,000 in expenses for the dogs equipment.

The department would also need to purchase a vehicle outfitted to suit the K-9 and officer, the largest expense at $65,500.

Finally, yearly training costs and officer expenses are estimated at $8,000-$10,000.

The initial cost is the bulk of the funding challenge for this, (and) most of it is the vehicle, Kelm said. Once thats there, the ongoing costs are manageable.

McMahon proposed donations would cover much of the funding, which they hope to get through personal and individuals as well as businesses.

It is a hefty expense, but ultimately he and Kelm feel it is worthwhile in enhancing the safety of the community.

The Lake Hallie Police Department has a K-9, the Stanley Police Department was approved to begin fundraising for one, and the Chippewa County Sheriffs Department is also looking into the possibility.

Kelm feels having more dogs on the streets would lead to more methamphetamine busts and deterring the problem.

I would estimate comfortably a significant increase, he said. It all comes down to selecting the right handler.

The handler would be one of the existing officers, who would receive extensive training at the start and throughout the program.

The committee tabled the item and sent it back to Committee 1 to discuss funding at its next meeting.

Something in the trees

Bluestem Forestry Consulting did an inventory of all the public trees in Chippewa Falls and found 1,202, or 20 percent, of them are ash, making them susceptible to emerald ash borer.

Kelli Tuttle, president of Bluestem, said when the insect arrives, those trees will die if not treated.

This means the city, including the parks department, is tasked with deciding what to do with those trees.

Most communities I work with retain some of them, Tuttle said. 20 percent is a lot of trees, and it would really have a negative impact on your overall forest quality (to lose those).

She recommends removing ash trees identified as poor-quality and those under 11 inches, as they are the least valuable in the long run.

That leaves 651 trees she recommends to be preserved, which she estimates would cost the city around $38,000 per year.

Its a big decision, she said. To remove those trees more costly, but its a one time cost.

If removing the trees, she also recommends replanting trees of a wide variety.

That number does not include ash trees on private property, which could be as many as five for every one public tree.

While residents will have to decide what to do with their own ash trees, the city could address issues with wood waste and dead trees in the future.

Get ahead of this, put a plan in place and educate your residents, Tuttle said.

The inventory and emerald ash borer preparedness plan were two parts of a three-part grant the cities of Chippewa Falls and Bloomer received from the Department of Natural Resources. The plan is a draft as it is waiting on DNR approval.

The third part of that grant includes public open houses to educate residents, which she said will occur in the near future.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the Stanley Police Department currently has a K-9. The department was recently approved for funding and is working toward implementing a K-9 program.
A member of the media takes a 4-second ride on the SkySlide, 1,000 feet above downtown Los Angeles at the U.S. Bank Tower. The slide is part of OUE Skyspace LA, the tallest open-air observation deck in California, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the city. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

"A machine that makes the land pay." That's how architect and Manhattanite Cass Gilbert defined the skyscraper in 1900, when the building type was  ahem  just getting off the ground.

But the machine doesn't pay like it used to, at least not when it comes to commercial skyscrapers that hold office suites instead of apartments or condos.

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That's one reason I found myself climbing onto a thin gray carpet Wednesday morning and careening down a steel-and-glass slide that has been attached  like a transparent worm, a see-through appendage  to the exterior of the tallest building in Los Angeles, the 1,018-foot-high U.S. Bank Tower.

After a trip that began on the 70th floor and spit me out rather unceremoniously onto a terrace on the 69th, it became clear why Singapore-based OUE Ltd., which bought the tower in 2013, expects a steady stream of visitors willing to shell out $27-$33 to experience the slide and adjacent observation deck.

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The ride won't exactly be a threat to Six Flags. Nor would I say I'm in a hurry to try it again. But it was an architectural experience, however brief, of a kind I don't think I've ever had.

It's also not tough to figure out why this particular tower is now topped by a major tourist attraction, which will open Saturday to the public. Designed by the architect Harry Cobb, a partner in I.M. Pei's prolific firm, the building was originally known as Library Tower, for its downtown location across 5th Street from the Central Library.

Though it was more than 80% leased when it opened in 1989, by the time OUE scooped it up for $367.5 million three years ago the building was barely half full. And its problems are not unique: As white-shoe law firms shrink and expanding tech companies in L.A. increasingly move into restored warehouses or historic buildings, commercial skyscrapers around the country are struggling to find tenants.

That soaring vacancy rate gave OUE a pressing reason to rethink how the tower might be used. So did the fact that it will lose its title as the tallest building in the city when the new Wilshire Grand tower, topping out at 1,100 feet including its spire, opens next year.

[ INTERACTIVE: A 360 view of L.A.  ]

In fact, as downtown Los Angeles  like many city centers in the U.S.  becomes more attractive as a place to live, the vast majority of new towers going up are largely residential. That leaves the owners of aging all-office high-rises like the U.S. Bank Tower looking for ways to produce new revenue  and, where possible, to redefine those towers in the popular imagination.

OUE is not the first company to see a possible revenue stream in the desire of adults to pay money to act like children in downtown settings. Bouncy-house urbanism is on the rise. In 2014 a company called Slide the City proposed a temporary, 1,000-foot-long waterslide for downtown Los Angeles, along Temple Street. The plan was canceled amid concerns it would waste water, or at least be in bad taste, in the middle of a drought.

The slide and observation deck are part of a $50 million makeover for the U.S. Bank Tower. Overseen by architecture firm Gensler, the new facilities also include a pair of redesigned lobbies (one for the tenants at ground level that is much more open to the sidewalk than before and the other for the slide-going public), a cafe, a slick and windowless "transfer floor" on the 54th story and a restaurant and bar on the 71st. The slide itself, called Skyslide, was designed by M. Ludvik Engineering.

In part because Cobb's postmodern 1989 design for the tower was loosely based on Art Deco architecture, Gensler has chosen Deco motifs and a black-and-gold color scheme for many of the redesigned spaces.

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Though it has overdone this tribute in certain spots  particularly the transfer floor, which looks oddly enough like a cross between a nightclub and, with its interactive displays, the Exploratorium in San Francisco  the new lobbies and the observation deck are restrained, with terrazzo floors and white walls.

Seemingly tailor-made for the age of social media, the facilities enter a market that is wide open in Los Angeles. The only observation deck of note downtown is one atop City Hall, which is free though (at 454 feet) quite a bit lower.

See what it's like to ride the U.S. Bank Tower's glass SkySlide  with 70 floors of nothingness below. (Los Angeles Times)

Tourists in other parts of the world have their pick of places to look out over the city. An observation deck at the World Trade Center tower in Manhattan  charging $32 per person  opened last year, joining one with a glass bottom and a ticket price of $22 at the Willis Tower in Chicago.

There is also one at Renzo Piano's Shard in London at 26 pounds (about $38) a pop. And after buying a ticket package beginning at $71 you can walk out on a glass platform above the western edge of the Grand Canyon.

But in Los Angeles, a place that has been resolutely horizontal for nearly all of its architectural history, we have had very few chances that didn't involve helicopter rides to become familiar with the top-down view.

The morning I visited was especially hazy, thanks to smoke in the air from twin wildfires in the San Gabriel Mountains. It was nonetheless possible to get a pretty clear look through the 7-foot-high glass balustrades at Walt Disney Concert Hall and Dodger Stadium to the north, the Hollywood sign to the west and the warehouses of the Alameda corridor to the south.

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Two other elements are impossible to miss from up there: The amount of construction going on between Bunker Hill and the 10 Freeway and the number of buildings downtown topped by helipads. Those landing pads for Los Angeles Fire Department helicopters, marked by a telltale red circle, were mandated atop all new buildings higher than 75 feet beginning in the 1970s. The requirement, which essentially guaranteed a bland skyline packed with flat-topped towers, was finally scrapped; just before the official change the Wilshire Grand was granted a variance allowing its sloping crown.

I'd guess the law would have been dropped much sooner had the public had access to more views like the one that is now available at the U.S. Bank Tower. The tops of tall buildings were for many decades an easy place to stash bad policy in Los Angeles. That is no longer the case.

Considering that the observation deck has so little competition in Los Angeles  and that the slide has none, really  it's tough to say precisely what kinds of crowds the remade tower will draw. Judging by the way OUE and Gensler have arranged the ticket desk and especially the transfer floor, it's clear they are expecting long lines.

At the very least they are hoping to tweak Cass Gilbert's old saying for a new age. If the office tower is no longer reliably a machine that can make the land pay, it just might be one capable of making tourists do so.

MORE:

'I was participating in a sham': Lone MFA student at USC Roski art school withdraws via searing statement

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Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout

Design team led by Mia Lehrer picked for new downtown L.A. park

L.A. helps Havana's vintage neon signs glow again: 'It marks a new era, a return of the light, of hope'

The SFMOMA effect: How the culture cluster around the renovated museum reflects the transformation of a San Francisco neighborhood

christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com
Political comedy troupe The Capitol Steps comes to the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage April 1. (Photo courtesy of The Capitol Steps)

Appropriately enough, April 1 is the day a political comedy troupe comes to Glen Ellyn.

The Capitol Steps returns to the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage with shows at 4 and 8 p.m. The Capitol Steps have lampooned politics through skits and songs since 1981. To date, they've recorded more than 30 albums, the most recent being 2016's "What to Expect When You're Electing."

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Cast member Mark Eaton joined the Capitol Steps in 1993. Like most of the founding members, he worked on Capitol Hill for 10 years before leaving to become a lobbyist. And although he did some high school shows and community theater, he says he was more like the class clown than a budding thespian.

He admits that right now, it's good to be a political comedian.

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"We've been in the very fortunate position that we've never had a lack of material," he said. "I guess the only danger at this point is it's hard to keep up and be as funny as the actual things that are happening. We've always said that our greatest enemy was a completely competent government. Maybe our enemy is that the government is becoming a satire of itself."

The group releases new material via its website every week. New additions include the Trump/Russia/wiretapping-themed "I'll Be Watching You," set to "Every Breath You Take."

Eaton had a hand in writing it. It's one they used a few years ago when Snowden released the NSA stuff.

"We picked on that tune and I wrote a version of the NSA looking at you all the time," he said. "They know your Farmville accounts and all this. When the Russian aspect came out, we thought, 'That's a really good tune. That watching you thing is really good. Let's make it more Russian-centric."

He and founding member Elaina Newport do most of the writing for the 20-member troupe, he said, with the cast occasionally chipping in ideas or lines.

"We read the newspaper and something sparks an idea in your head and you think, 'I'm going to try to write something to that,'" he said. "I might send a full song to her and she might say, 'Oh, that's good, but let's try this joke or re-word this.' If we think it's amusing enough we'll put it in front of an audience and they decide what stays in the show and what's not in the show."

The show evolves as the headlines change, he said.

"For instance, this week we added a couple new things to the show," he said. "We've got a CNN song that's based on 'Breaking Up is Hard to Do' by Neil Sedaka, but it's 'Faking News is Hard to Do.' The show continually morphs. There are songs we can keep for years and years and we retire them simply because folks have heard them so often -- like if it's something big and generic."

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His all-time favorite song is a parody of the Elvis Presley song "In the Ghetto," which was about Bill Clinton moving his office to Harlem.

"I was reading the paper and it seemed very weird to me that they talked about his office in Harlem, not the best part of town, but then it had a little thing that said, 'But there's a Starbucks and a Krispy Kreme next door,'" he said. "It just made me laugh and I wrote this song that we used for several years when Clinton was in office about how tough the ghetto is, but thank goodness there's Starbucks and Krispy Kreme. Also, back in the Bush era, I did, 'Don't Go Fakin' You're Smart' to the old song, 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart.'"

Sometimes the songs have a very short shelf life  they're great for a month or two, and then the issue is totally gone, he said.

Audiences can expect a 90-minute show jam-packed with songs and sketches parodying the headlines, he said. Figures like Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Vladimir Putin, the Pope, Bill and Hillary Clinton and more will make appearances, he said.

"If we can keep them awake, they might see some of the members of the Supreme Court as well," he said.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.

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'The Capitol Steps'

When: April 1

Where: McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Tickets: $42-$49

Information: 630-942-4000; www.attemac.org
Chicago Public Schools cut at least $1.8 million from alternative learning programs for dropouts and at-risk children last week, following an audit of attendance numbers at the privately operated schools that the district said turned up inaccuracies.

CPS said the late-year budget cut is unrelated to the district's unfolding financial crisis, a statement that prompted questions about the timing of the funding reduction from one alternative school official.

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"To do this in the middle of March, it's a safety issue for our kids. It's a big safety issue for our kids," said Flavian Prince, a vice president at the Banner Learning Corporation, which operates a South Austin high school program that enrolled about 240 students at the beginning of this school year.

The budget cuts follow a CPS spending freeze that hit privately operated schools and programs such as Banner's, which is meant for students who have dropped out of school or are at risk of doing so.

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The cuts to alternative programs reflect a debate about whether CPS should maintain its current method of funding programs school dropouts, or base payments on how many of those at-risk students actually attend a program at a given time.

Prince said the school cut about 10 positions to absorb what CPS said was a roughly $137,000 budget reduction that landed last week. More than 80 percent of Banner's loss was related to the district attendance-related payment changes, according to figures provided by the district.

Those layoffs didn't affect teachers, Prince said, but did hit social workers and other support staff.

Banner is now attempting to determine how yet another potential attendance-related cut might affect the Chicago school's ability to remain open, Prince said.

"People don't understand how complex it is to deal with these students," Prince said. "I think this is chaotic, I think it's unethical, so we're waiting to hear more about what we're able to do."

A district spokesman said the alternative program budget changes were made to "better align resources with actual student need."

"These adjustments will provide schools with funding appropriate for the students they serve on a daily basis and lead to a more equitable distribution of resources," CPS spokesman Michael Passman said in a statement.

CPS groups its alternative learning programs for dropouts with what the district calls "options schools."

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That group of schools and programs includes certain publicly and privately operated schools for students who are incarcerated or have been expelled from CPS because of violence, but also students who are either at risk of dropping out of school or want to re-enter the system.

The district said it has more than doubled the number of available seats in such programs since 2011. CPS acknowledges its 12 or so alternative learning programs compete with about 30 other privately and publicly run schools to serve the same population of dropouts who wish to return to school.

Students who transfer to privately operated alternative programs within the CPS system don't count as dropouts, the district instead credits a student's graduation from an alternative program to the school they left.

According to the district's latest budget, enrollment in alternative learning option programs has leveled off after several years of rapid growth. The district projected this year that about 3,300 students would be enrolled in those programs.

Instead, 2,945 students were listed as attending alternative programs by the time of the district's official headcount. Those programs were budgeted to consume about $36 million this year.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Last year, CPS auditors found significant discrepancies between the listed enrollment at options schools and actual attendance. By late 2016, the district concluded an average of 55 to 60 percent of students enrolled in the programs actually attended classes.

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Auditors concluded lackluster internal controls led to the low attendance rates, and estimated the district could save $12 million to $15 million annually if it paid the programs based on their attendance rates or periodic headcounts.

Now CPS is changing how it will dole out two remaining payments due to alternative programs this year, this time to account for how many students show up. Prince argued that no alternative school could survive a move to a strictly attendance-based funding system, given the at-risk nature of their students.

"There's a cost to educating the students who are most impacted by generations of policy that have put them and kept them in a cycle of dependency," Prince told the Tribune.

"For the kids who are here, there ought to be more attention put on these students to guarantee by the time they leave us that they're emotionally healthy, that they're more job-ready," he said.

jjperez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PerezJr
Bloomington  Fame can be as alluring as lights for a moth. If you're an aspiring chef, the spotlight shines no brighter than in a big city like Las Vegas.

Sin City was where Ken Myszka cooked six years ago, working for superstar chefs Guy Savoy and Thomas Keller in restaurants charging $200-plus per diner.

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As fast paced as those kitchens ran, there was a monotony to his job. The tedium allowed Myszka to think about how the restaurant industry operated. Peeling carrots one day, he asked a question that would later lead to his epiphany: "How do we know no pesticides were used? Why can't the person who bagged the carrots at the farm also open it in the kitchen?"

Myszka sought a more holistic way to bring food from farms to diners. To do this, he convinced two chef colleagues and his girlfriend to leave Las Vegas and move to Myszka's childhood home  central Illinois  and together invent a system from the dirt up. He'd call their new venture Epiphany Farms.

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Back in 2010, their payroll only had four names, and they all slept under the same roof. Their dream restaurant was still a bare concrete slab, and they earned income by cooking at private parties. Here's a tally of their operations today: Two restaurants, 60 employees, a 20-acre farm, a weekend farmers market stall and supplier to Chicago restaurants including Next, The Aviary and Eataly.

"It's very hard for farmers to make it. It's very hard for independent restaurants to make it. And to combine the two, sometimes I think the world is against us to make it," Myszka said. "But the fact we are making it, and by us just being in existence, it's moving the food culture to somewhere we need to be  more local and sustainable."

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The centerpiece of their growth is housed on two floors of a former fire station at 220 E. Front St. in Bloomington. On the bottom floor is Epiphany Farms Restaurant, a formal dining space that opened in mid-July after a DIY renovation. Reclaimed wood plays a dominant role, with portraits of pastoral farm scenes on walls. Myszka's dishes (with chef Stu Hummel) reflect the farm's production, with vegetables, pork, chicken and eggs anchoring the French-influenced menu.

Upstairs, the vibe swings a couple of decades younger, with kung fu movies projected on screens. It's called Anju Above, with much of the menu inspired by Myszka's Korean-born wife Nanam Yoon. There are Korean fried wings and mandoo dumplings, but it also expands to sushi and pizza, a something-for-everyone philosophy needed for a nascent dining town like Bloomington.

Both menus attempt to solve the question Myszka poses: Can the farm  4.2 miles down the road  supply the bulk of ingredients for two restaurants? Some staples like sea salt or flour, will always need to be brought in, but Myszka thinks eventually 50 percent of ingredients can be grown at his farm.

The biggest surprise is how Bloomington-Normal  the birthplace of Steak 'N Shake  has bought in. The restaurants are averaging 1,000-plus customers a week, a figure many Chicago chefs could only dream of attaining.

"The driving goal is to inspire more growers, farmers and chefs to see the value in this," Myszka said. "We're always asking ourselves: 'How do we make sure food is as healthy as possible?' Everyday we operate and exist, we're influencing and making a difference."

kpang@tribune.com | Twitter @pang

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Epiphany Farms Restaurant and Anju Above

220 E. Front St.

Bloomington, IL

309-828-2323

epiphanyfarms.com
1) Learn to make mochi

Take an optimistic leap forward to summer with a DIY mochi ice cream class, hosted by Yuzu Sushi and Robata Grill. Chewy, subtly flavored mochi, made from a very fine rice flour, are a favorite treat in Japan, and Yuzu's team will help the uninitiated create their own from scratch, paired with Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. $35. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 26 at Yuzu, 1751 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-4100, www.yuzuchicago.com

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2) Drink Italian wine

Spend part of your weekend learning about one of Italy's most exciting wine regions: Sicily. Chicago Foodways Roundtable hosts Dr. Kathryn Occhipinti, a culinary historian of Italian-American descent, who explores why the island is fast becoming a top wine-producing region. She'll discuss ancient grape varieties and even Julius Caesar's favorite wine, mamertino. $3. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at Kendall College School of Culinary Arts, 900 N. North Branch St., www.culinaryhistorians.org

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3) Celebrate a neighborhood dive bar

Roscoe Village dive bar Cork Lounge is celebrating 30 years under its current ownership this week. Deals for the occasion include $1 PBR specials, prize giveaways and a raffle. 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at Cork Lounge, 1822 W. Addison St., 773-404-5318.

4) Stock up during a cookbook sale

Lincoln Park's culinary bookstore, Read It and Eat, is throwing a spring cleaning sale. If you're on the market for new cookbooks or other books about food, now's your chance to get up to 40% off storewide. Through Sunday, March 26 at 2142 N. Halsted St., 773-661-6158, www.readitandeatstore.com

5) Pair vintage shopping with tamales and bloody marys

Randolph Street Market returns this month for its annual Spring Fling event. The two-day vintage and artist market will feature more than 140 vendors, along with a Girl Scout cookie sale, food from Dia De Los Tamales and Taco in a Bag, and even a DIY bloody mary bar. From $8 general admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1340 W. Washington St., www.randolphstreetmarket.com

jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @joeybear85






After much anticipation and delay, Bunny, the Micro Bakery officially opens Friday in Lakeview. That it is "micro" is less a comment on the size of the narrow storefront space and more about the very focused menu, says Iliana Regan, chef/owner of Bunny and the much-acclaimed Elizabeth restaurant in Lincoln Square.

You won't find everything a traditional bakery offers at Bunny but what you do find, either sweet or savory, should be pretty interesting  like whiskey-glazed doughnuts. Regan recommended them when I stopped by Thursday. Although I demurred, tasters back at Tribune Tower enjoyed them. Restaurant critic Phil Vettel describing them as "A beautiful thing. An airy texture to rival any doughnut in town, topped with a judicious amount of glaze. And though the alcohol had been cooked off, the whiskey flavor was discernible, and actually lingered in the mouth for several post-consumption minutes. Loved it."

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What caught my eye Thursday were Bunny's savory options. I started with a gougere, a buoyant yet sturdy pastry whose airy interior was lightly speckled with melted 9-year-old cheddar. Among the composed toasts, a major menu element, I chose the seeded rye topped with pickled fish, pickled onion slices, tiny radish coins and an herb salad. It is indeed composed, arriving on a plate looking rather like an edible still-life. The flavor and texture are equally thought out. The nuttiness of the dark, seed-filled rye gets a spark from the salinity of the meaty fish whose pickled astringency is countered by a plush lick of herbal butter that works off the tang of the lightly-dressed herbs. Not bad at all for an item priced at $9.

Most of the composed toasts and lunch items run about $10. Those whiskey-glazed doughnuts are $2.50 each, a gougere is $2. The one luxe touch I spot is a $20 supplement if you choose to add truffles to two of the dishes.

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Do bear in mind Bunny is not some plush hutch. This location, once an adult book store, is a dramatically handsome spot with a high ceiling, lots of painted brick, exposed beams, wood paneling and interesting art and decorative objects. But the seating choices Thursday were a handful of stools and stacked milk cartons arranged along a line of narrow shelflike tables.

What most interested me wasn't the stool I was sitting on but that I found myself experiencing the same sense of anticipation, respect and, yes, adventure that I had felt before over dinner at Elizabeth. That's thanks to Regan, of course, whose distinctive culinary and visual aesthetic fully infuses both venues. I'm curious to see how Bunny will evolve over the coming months, especially once Wunder Pop, Regan's off-hours "culinary playground" gets started. Stay tuned.

Bunny, the Micro Bakery, 2928 N. Broadway, breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. www.bunnythemicrobakery.com

wdaley@tribpub.com

Twitter @billdaley
The beet salad mixes the root vegetable with walnuts, persimmon, cajeta and dabs of goat cheese that turn the plate into a colorful mosaic. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

West Town's dining expansion continues unabated. Not long ago, opening anything west of Carpenter Street (along Randolph or Lake streets) was considered daring; now, restaurants are opening on Western Avenue and beyond, and finding audiences.

One of the latest successes is Eden, which opened in December on a lonely stretch of Lake Street just east of Damen Avenue. Already it's catching on with Bulls and Blackhawks fans, who can grab a pregame dinner (Eden starts dinner service at 5 p.m. for just this reason), leave their cars in Eden's fenced-in lot and saunter a few blocks to the United Center.

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But on my visits, all on nongame days (who wants to deal with that traffic?), Eden's tables were full and its bar (one of the nicest visuals in the space) packed.

For wife-husband team Jodi Fyfe and Devon Quinn (the latter is Eden's chef, ably assisted by chef de cuisine Miles Schaefer), picking this location was a no-brainer; they already owned it. Eden is tucked into the headquarters of Fyfe and Quinn's other operation, Paramount Events catering, home to its commercial kitchen and a 250-seat event space.

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Converting the eastern part of the building into Eden wasn't just a matter of relocating a few tables. The wide brick archway that connects the two dining rooms was once a solid brick wall. More brick and mortar was sacrificed to install a series of large windows; white-on-white walls and ceilings give the room cheer even when the sun is uncooperative. ("Restaurants are too dark these days," observed Quinn.)

The goal was to create, as Quinn put it, "a Zen-like place with killer food," and Eden is, well, getting there. Not all the food kills, though there are some excellent dishes here. But the cheerfully boisterous patrons at Eden achieve a noise level that pretty much ensures that "Zen" is never going to happen. Closing time, maybe, or the early hours of Eden's recently launched Sunday brunch.

Quinn worked with Tony Mantuano at Terzo Piano, and Schaefer logged time at wd-50 in New York and Rich Table in San Francisco. Together, they've created a Cal-Mediterranean menu that already has a couple of must-have dishes. One is the umami doughnuts, a shareable dish that belongs on every table. They're like savory beignets with soy-sugar dusting (thus the umami), stuffed with melt-in-the-mouth tendrils of sirloin. They're delicious as is and especially good dunked in the pool of bechamel-raclette blend served alongside.

The other strong recommendation is the bone marrow. It's a dish that you find all over town, frankly, but Quinn uses the now-ubiquitous protein as a leaping-off point for an array of seasonal vegetables. It's certainly the prettiest bone-marrow dish in town. Also pretty is the beet salad, an excellent salad in search of a better name; considering the walnuts, persimmon, cajeta and dabs of goat cheese that turn the plate into a colorful mosaic, I don't understand why beets get top billing.

Get the fried Brussels sprouts for flavor, not looks; the sprouts are caramelized almost to the point of blackening (a bit of currant agrodolce dressing enhances the sweetness), and bits of braised duck literally flesh things out.

Among the main courses, pastas and fish seem to be the wisest choices. I very much enjoyed the squash-filled agnolotti, though now it's made with braised pork and parsnip. New to the menu is tajarin, and it's terrific; the thin egg noodles are tossed with wood-grilled trumpet mushrooms and sunchokes, perked up by Fresno chilies and pickled shallots, and crowned with a raw egg yolk in the center.

The duck lasagna, heavily touted when the restaurant opened, is being reworked, and that's fine with me. Quinn presented the dish prettily, adding color via citrus slices and mixed greens, but the bechamel-drenched lasagna itself was a flavorless mess.

The market catch, since day one, has meant meagre, a light and versatile fish; presented on a bed of faux kraut (fermented kohlrabi and caraway) with sliced apples, pears and a bit of chestnut puree, this is a dish that hangs together extremely well. You can't go wrong with the seafood stew, a nice mix of shellfish and fin fish with a little pork 'nduja for zing, topped with excellent toasted bread and a fat dollop of aioli. Slap a "soupe de poisson" label on this, place it in a French bistro, and nobody would complain.

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By contrast, the Portuguese-spiced chicken breast left me wishing for more spice of any kind, and the strip loin with greens, potato and salsa verde comes off as a perfunctory, for-the-customer-who-demands-a-steak dish. The lamb loin with cubes of pistachio panna cotta is better, now that there's a bit of merguez-style lamb sausage included on the plate; it was a touch boring the first time I tried it.

Pastry chef Stefano Tulipano (who also makes Eden's marvelous breads) hails from Italy, so my supposition that his chocolate-crunch dessert (tubes of chocolate cake with a crunchy chocolate coating) were inspired by Hostess Ho Hos proved to be utterly imaginary. It's a good dessert, though the artistic citrus crumble, offering torn pieces of angel food cake with orange sorbet, pomelo and yogurt, is even better  a light-on-the-tongue, citrus-forward creation.

Another fun conclusion can be had from  yet again  doughnuts. These are sweet ricotta mini-doughnuts, crowded around vanilla gelato, chocolate cremoso, caramelized peanuts and salted caramel. In theory, one could start a meal at Eden with doughnuts, end with more doughnuts, and leave quite happy.

pvettel@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PhilVettel

Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.

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Eden

1748 W. Lake St.

312-366-2294

www.edeninchicago.com

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Tribune rating: Two stars

Open: Dinner Tuesday to Sunday, brunch Sunday

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Prices: Pastas and entrees $18-$38

Credit cards: A, DC, DS, M, V

Reservations: Strongly recommended

Noise: Conversation-challenged

Other: Wheelchair accessible; free parking lot






Oscar winner Hilary Swank, veteran Chicago stage actor Michael Shannon and other members of the cast of "What They Had" were spotted in Chicago on Tuesday as filming for the indie drama gets underway.

Swank, Shannon, Blythe Danner, Robert Forster, Taissa Farmiga and writer-director Elizabeth Chomko were seen dining at RPM Italian in River North.

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In the movie, Swank plays a woman who flies back to her hometown when her mother (Danner), who has Alzheimer's disease, wanders into a blizzard.

Hilary Swank is at The Chicago Diner  Evilyn (@evyqueen28) March 21, 2017

The production is a homecoming of sorts for Shannon, who attended New Trier High School and co-founded A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago. He was nominated for a supporting actor Academy Award for his performance in last year's "Nocturnal Animals." The award went to Mahershala Ali for "Moonlight" last month.

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The filming also allows Farmiga to see her older sister Vera Farmiga, who is filming the sci-fi movie "Captive State" in Chicago.

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Watch the latest movie trailers.
The Art Institute of Chicago has re-opened its galleries for medieval art and armor, as seen on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

In certain contexts, "going medieval" can signify something shockingly violent.

The Art Institute is going medieval these days, and there the phrase carries a fuller meaning: beauty, opulence, religious devotion and  OK  an entire room packed with swords, suits of armor and other instruments of war and sport designed to draw blood and protect flesh.

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Almost three years in the making, the museum's new showcase for objects of yore opened to the public this week. The Deering Family Galleries of Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor is permanent home to almost 700 objects, mostly from the 13th to 16th centuries, many of them freshly restored or newly liberated from the museum's storage rooms.

This is good news for Art Institute visitors who miss the place of prominence the suits of armor used to have, in the large, low room that is a passageway between the museum's front and back buildings. Indian and Southeast Asian art lives there now, and it's beautiful, and beautifully displayed, but in the art museum setting, chain mail and metal helmets were a treat, a bracing reminder of humankind's more visceral side.

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And the museum is too dignified to mention this, but the new displays are also good news for "Game of Thrones" fans who might be looking for a little taste of jousting and metal-clad warfare while they wait for the HBO series to resume this summer. At the center of the armor room are two grand, life-size stuffed horses bearing warriors, one beast and rider suited up for battle, the other for a tournament.

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What's not such good news is the location. You'll need a map and a little determination to find the 8,000 square feet of galleries, located at the southernmost point on the second level of the museum's Michigan Avenue-side buildings. Once you're there, though, it is immersive enough to feel like a separate realm.

Before the armor comes the art.

"What we're trying to do throughout is really bring out the best works, highlight the most important ones and show how they were used," said Martha Wolff, curator of European painting and sculpture before 1750. Patrons may have missed some of the objects in recent years, she said, "but we knew there was something more we could be doing."

There are people who  ahem  tend to glide through museum displays of medieval and Renaissance art, feeling about all those Christ and Madonna images the same way European tourists do about the continent's endless succession of ancient chapels.

These galleries will make even the saint-averse stop and take notice. The first two rooms, which showcase religious art, have the feel of old cathedrals, but with modern environmental management, a much broader range of work than is usually found and absolutely no place for lighting candles. Also different: There are a couple of video screens laying out a crash course in European history, for context, and showcasing the sumptuous fortified palace in northern Spain that once housed one of the masterpieces on display, the full-wall Ayala Altarpiece.

That depiction of the life of Christ and the Virgin, and the family that commissioned the painting, is a marvel, a 22-foot-wide, 8-foot-high painted wood tableau originally installed in 1396 in the funerary chapel of the prosperous Ayala family of the Castile region. A team of conservators spent three years bringing what is one of the museum's oldest paintings to its current, lustrous state, one that will be a pleasant shock to those who remember a more somber tone.

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"The main challenge of the treatment is the removal of a thick, tan overpaint applied to mask paint loss in the cream-colored background," paintings conservator Julie Simek wrote in 2014. "The effect is a dramatic darkening of the tonality of the artwork and a decrease in the brilliance of the jewel-like tones used in the composition."

The altarpiece now glistens with gold set off by the deep blue of ultramarine, a prohibitively expensive pigment in its time, and by the newly vibrant cream background. Throughout these galleries, the vividness of the colors is startling. Because much medieval and Renaissance art you encounter has endured centuries without significant restoration, you come to expect a certain muted quality. But in the Deering galleries, the colors ring like trumpets, especially on the sides of the galleries showcasing southern European works.

"It's supposed to knock you out," Wolff said of the, in essence, plumage.

There are, of course, crucifixes. Of particular note is the one visitors see framed by the entryway to the entire exhibition. The crucifix from an Italian church in about 1230 shows a Jesus with a beatific face on a wooden backing. Stand a little closer and you see that the figure's torso is dominated by the artist's depiction of an enormous male appendage. The wall card is silent on this surprising anatomical feature, but tour groups, it is suspected, will not be.

Much more modest in size and bodily attributes, but no less striking, is an "unidealized" Christ carved in walnut for a crucifixion triptych originally installed in Dijon, France. The 11-inch-high figure combines "realism and elegance in a manner that foretells the innovations of Flemish art in the fifteenth century," the museum's online catalog says.

"Oh, you did it!" associate curator of arms and armor Jonathan Tavares said to Wolff during a preview visit, looking at the small Jesus.

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"We were having trouble lighting his face," Wolff explained, due to the size of the figure and the shadow cast by its crown and hair.

She thought the light employed was clunky looking, only a temporary solution, but likely only a museum professional would see that. What less-skilled observers can't help noticing is the flow and pacing of the rooms. The view from one room pulls you into the next as the doorways frame stellar, upcoming objects: the armored horses, for instance, or Martorell's superb "St. George and the Dragon," considered not only an artistic masterpiece but a treasure for historians of medieval armor because of the detail in George's get-up.

There are hundreds of objects here, but nothing feels overstuffed: a collection rather than a hoard. The exhibit proceeds from the religious art to showcasing how works were used in the home setting. In the domestic areas, in addition to intricate chalices and salt cellars and such, there is a room of paintings not exclusively devoted to Christian themes. One, for instance, tells the story of the Odyssey.

Another of the domestic rooms displays jewelry of the era. Right outside that chamber of invaluable bling, curators, with undeniable wit, have placed a collection of guards' armor. And that octagonal room serves as the transition to the arms and armor section.

With the horses as the centerpiece  and before a smaller final room of firearms  the armor room surrounds you with a sense of bodies via the various suits of armor. The gear stretches from Viking swords into the early 18th century, but the concentration is on medieval and Renaissance eras.

Tavares wants visitors to understand that armor was more than just bent metal. It moved with its wearer, flexible at certain points, held together with leather. Drilled holes in the lower right chest let riders mount supports for jousting poles or their battlefield equivalents. Chain mail was made thicker at points of vulnerability, such as under the arms, and was adorned sometimes with brass rings.

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Tavares pointed to the most recent acquisition, a late 15th-century cuirass, or upper torso covering. The museum bought it at auction in London in 2013 at a bargain price, he said, because "it was overcleaned. It looked like a hub cap." In this case, restoration meant adding back some of the patina of age and use.

There is art and scholarship in collecting early armaments, of course. But it can be a good time, too, and the display conveys some of that feeling. Up above the display cases are arrays of long weapons, partisans and glaives and halberds. "This one's fun," Tavares said. "You see the clublike one with the nails? That's called a 'peasant flail.'"

Also fun: Right behind the horses are two standing, armored, beplumed human figures demonstrating a common sport then, little known now.

"Foot Tournament at the Barriers," as the card has it, was hugely popular. With a barrier between them to prevent illegal low blows, two men would get prettied up and try to break blunted wooden pikes over one another's head and shoulders. "That is the main target space over the brow," Tavares said. "You see the dents?"

These games could be part of an entire choreographed presentation at weddings or other ceremonies, he explained. "This is the beginnings of opera," he said. And it shows that war sport "wasn't just done on horseback."

It may be a good thing that the galleries only go in one direction. Instead of leaving with blows to the head on your mind, you have to go out the way you came in, meaning you travel out of the defense department and back toward the elevating spirit of religiosity. For approaching, say, the crowds around the nearby, "A Sunday on La Grand Jatte," that's probably a better frame of mind to be in.

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sajohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @StevenKJohnson

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Sara Jo Schneider and Hickle, along with fellow Girl Scouts Jayna Kelley and Autumn Helgeson, were killed when a pickup truck crashed into them as the scouts cleaned up debris on the west side of Highway P at about 11 a.m. Nov. 3, 2018. All four were killed at the scene. A fifth girl was injured but later recovered. The girls attended Southview Elementary and Halmstad Elementary in Chippewa Falls. On Wednesday, a 20-foot-tall memorial was dedicated at the crash site, honoring the three scouts and mother killed that day.
Real war wreckage from the museum's collection is used in the re-created no-man's-land in one of the museum's theaters. (National World War I Museum and Memorial)

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  April 6 marks the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I, whose U.S. soldiers are commemorated by the city's 217-foot Liberty Memorial tower.

But underneath this soaring monument is where things get interesting. It's where you'll find an amazing 50,000-square-foot bunker dug a little more than a decade ago to house the National World War I Museum, where more than 2 million people have visited since it opened in late 2006.

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Inside its doors, a sky-lit, plexiglass-bottom bridge crosses over a display of 9,000 red silk poppies, harkening to the famous World War I poem that begins, "In Flanders fields the poppies blow ..."

Each flower represents 1,000 combatant deaths. That's a total of 9 million lives, worldwide, not to mention the millions of civilians who perished in the 1914-18 conflict that was supposed to be the War to End All Wars.

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As museum communications chief Mike Vietti notes, World War I was "messy and confused," a story far more complex than U.S. "doughboy" soldiers going to help Britain and France defeat Kaiser Wilhelm's German army.

The museum (www.theworldwar.org) circles the memorial tower's below-ground base. Walk it counterclockwise to follow events chronologically.

The first of two semicircle galleries covers what led to the conflict and its horrendous trajectory prior to U.S. intervention. The second focuses on the American experience, the war's end and the rancorous peace treaties that made World War II inevitable.

A small cinema is home to the introductory film "A World on the Edge," setting the scene for what unfolds. Halfway through the museum, a widescreen theater with amphitheater seating shows a short movie that asks, "Should America Enter the War?" In the well between the front-row benches and the screen is a pause-inducing re-creation of no-man's-land, featuring actual war wreckage from the museum collection.

Along the way, large and easy-to-understand maps and diagrams explain how various countries aligned and executed a technology-driven war that destroyed empires.

At interactive areas, you can hear recorded speeches, recollections and music of the time. Propaganda posters are scattered throughout; at one high-tech table, you can cannibalize parts of posters of different nations, create your own and email it to yourself. Elsewhere, stick your head through a diorama opening into a German trench and listen. Walk into a reproduction of a shell crater.

Larger exhibits include a French 6.4-ton Renault FT17 tank with its original wooden tread spokes and an engine a tad more powerful than that of a modern riding lawn mower.

Major battles, from the English Channel to the Russian steppes, all get their due. The war at sea, the Italian front and campaigns in East Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and elsewhere are addressed.

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Glass cases are armed to the teeth with rifles, sidearms and the like, while other displays detail humanity through letters, among other things.

Early on, cases of extravagant combat uniforms abound  many looking more suitable for an operetta than the total war touched off by the 1914 assassination in Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Much later, you see a German and American uniform both worn by Christian Nicolaisen, an ethnic Dane who was forced into the Imperial German Army. He deserted and moved to America, where he was drafted after the U.S. joined the fray.

Far luckier was a man named John Herbst, whose paperwork shows he was drafted in Kansas City on Nov. 11, 1918  when the war officially ended  and was discharged the same day.

A worn and starving Germany agreed to an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. Peace treaties were signed in the following months. President Woodrow Wilson's war pledge to "make the world safe for democracy" was derailed by other victors' calls for reparations and boundary changes.

The museum also highlights the civic drive to build the Liberty Memorial; the $2.5 million raised in two weeks funded the tower and two flanking halls that served as the museum until 2006. (Wear and tear and neglect over the years prompted a succession of fundraising efforts in Kansas City; a bond referendum and sales tax helped result in the modern museum.)

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The epilogue section quotes eight people about what the war meant, from English writer H.G. Wells to a bitter, wounded, Austrian-born German soldier named Adolf Hitler.

Start to finish, the museum's well-curated photography  whether a locket cameo or a wall-size image  is searing. Individuals, groups and masses, whether at home, going to war, dead on a battlefield or surviving in trenches, amplify the human experience and cost.

The visit ends where it began, at the bridge over the 9,000 artificial poppies. Represented among that number is Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae, a physician and poet who died near the Western Front in early 1918. In following decades, his "In Flanders Fields" made the poppy a lapel memento worn on what is now called Veterans Day:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

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The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

John Bordsen is a freelance writer.

Commemorating WWI

The National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Mo., will host a national ceremony, "In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace," at 11 a.m. April 6. For details about getting tickets to the event, go to www.theworldwar.org/april6.

PBS and "American Experience" will broadcast a six-hour, three-night documentary called "The Great War" April 10-12.

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The museum's senior curator, Doran Cart, worked on the PBS documentary. Here are his picks for the best books and films about the Great War:

Books (nonfiction)

"The First World War" by Hew Strachan

"The Western Front" by Richard Holmes

"The First World War" by John Keegan

"Scarlet Fields" by John Lewis Barkley (memoir)

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Books (fiction)

"All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque

Films

"A Very Long Engagement" (French, 2004)

"All Quiet on the Western Front" (silent, 1930)

"The Lighthorsemen" (Australian, 1987)

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel listens to students participating in a dropout and violence prevention program called Becoming a Man (BAM) at Parker Community Academy onMarch 14, 2017, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

A few years ago, when Hillary Clinton's private email server started smelling like a dead fish, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was asked about it.

Rahm also communicated on private email. But unlike Hillary, Rahm would never, ever mix city business with pleasure.

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Or so he said.

"I have a practice that my political and personal (business) stays on my private email and city business is on the government and that's how I operate," Rahm insisted in a TV interview.

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When he said it, he had that serious face on him, the sincere one, and Rahm's nose did not grow and grow like some Mayor Pinocchio.

Geppetto, the kindly old wood carver, did not have to worry and cry, because, well, Rahm is not some mayor made of Italian wood.

Rahm is a real, live mayor.

But it turns out that, oh boy, he did use his private email for city business, thousands of emails worth, even using it to communicate on city deals with dozens of people not registered as lobbyists on project after project, according to a fascinating Chicago Tribune investigation by Bill Ruthhart and Hal Dardick.

Among those who sent emails to Emanuel's personal accounts were business owners, political donors with business deals with the city, friends and the usual cast of Chicago insiders currying mayoral favor.

Under the city's ethics law, anyone seeking to influence City Hall action on behalf of another person or entity must register as a lobbyist. Violations can lead to stiff fines.

"Emails raise lobbying questions," was the headline, and it's all there, and if you want to know how deals are done in secret with the public's money and public offices, just read it.

So what comes next?

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The city ethics code demands that any city official must immediately report improper conduct. Anyone who knew about unregistered lobbying could be disciplined or perhaps fired.

I don't expect the mayor will fire himself, or spank himself, though a mayoral self-flagellation  say on public television  might be therapeutic for taxpayers.

The friends of Rahm in his emails and meetings could be subject to fines of up to $13.9 million for not registering themselves as lobbyists, according to the Tribune, if the ethics board happened to decide that they should have.

Just recently, the board fined David Plouffe, another Emanuel political associate, a record $90,000 for lobbying the mayor through email on behalf of Uber, the ride-sharing company that counts mayoral brother Ari as an investor.

Plouffe was fined $1,000 for every business day he didn't inform ethics officials he had lobbied the mayor. So if it's good for Plouffe, why isn't it good for the others?

On Tuesday I called William Conlon, president of the city's Board of Ethics, to ask if the board would apply the Plouffe standard and fine the others the full $13.9 million.

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He was gracious, as befits a top lawyer, but he politely declined to comment on the possibility that other Rahm emailers would be hit with a full Plouffe.

If Rahm really cared, he'd dig into his own deep pockets and pay the $13.9 million in fines for all his friends, donors and associates, since he thought he could get away with it like Hillary.

But ethics experts tell me that it would "run counter to the spirit of the ethics code" if Rahm paid, or held a fancy fundraiser.

It's not clear whether anyone other than Plouffe will be fined. But if you happen to speed just a few miles over the limit, or roll through a red light late at night in Chicago when yours is the only car around, you know exactly what will happen.

Those City Hall street cameras will take a picture of your license plates. City Hall will send you a tough letter demanding you pay that fine, and perhaps other tickets dating back decades.

You might have good reasons, but City Hall doesn't care about your excuses.

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Because, since the first Chicago politician crawled out of the primordial ooze to attend law school, ignorance of the law has been no excuse when City Hall wants its money.

Yet the response is ambiguous when it comes to apparent violations of ethics law. And this means that in Chicago, just like everywhere else, the law is an ass.

So I called Sarah Brune, executive director of Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

"You hit on an important point," Brune said, "when you talk about the rules, traffic rules, ethics rules, no one is above the rules. It's important that the public know who is trying to influence the lobbying process and policy.

"What makes this extremely troubling to me is that certain individuals were able to get access to the mayor through private email channels," Brune said, "and that is conducting business under the radar."

Last year, the mayor released thousands of pages of emails about public business under pressure from separate lawsuits filed by the Tribune and the Better Government Association.

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Rahm's lawyers insist the mayor's personal email accounts aren't subject to the Freedom of Information Act, but the mayor settled the BGA case by releasing some emails selected by his lawyer.

The Tribune still presses its own, unsettled case. And now the BGA has gone back to court in an effort to reopen its lawsuit, having decided that the mayor's selective release was inadequate.

So when it comes to driving in Chicago, you know you'll get a ticket if you exceed the limit.

But there's no speed limit posted along the Chicago Way.

Listen to "The Chicago Way" podcast  with John Kass and Jeff Carlin  at wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/category/thechicagoway.

jskass@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @John_Kass
Suzzanne Monk, owner of Worlds of Music Chicago, says she is closing the store and changing to an online outlet because she has been harassed since publicly voicing her support for President Donald Trump. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The last decade has been rocky for Angela Brancato, who grew up in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood and then left with her fiance in 2007 for brighter job prospects in upstate New York and later North Carolina.

The prospects never materialized, and they returned in 2012 to Mount Greenwood, where she found part-time work at a neighborhood diner.

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That's where she works today. She voted for Donald Trump. Two months after his inauguration, Brancato and other supporters in Chicago remain optimistic about his presidency.

"When (Barack) Obama ran, he ran on the idea of change," Brancato, 31, said on a recent morning before going to work. "The country certainly has changed in the last eight years, and it's not a change that I particularly care for."

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Pockets of intense Trump support exist in the broad-shouldered city of deep blue Democrats, particularly in Brancato's Mount Greenwood on the Far Southwest Side, in Edison Park and Norwood Park on the city's Far Northwest Side and in sections of Sauganash/West Ridge on the Northwest Side  neighborhoods with substantial populations of police and firefighters.

Trump won nearly 70 percent of the vote in three Mount Greenwood precincts and more than 50 percent in 15 other precincts in Chicago's 19th Ward, which includes the Beverly neighborhood. In five Edison Park and Norwood Park precincts, Trump gathered more than half the votes. He also got nearly 60 percent of the vote in three precincts in Sauganash/West Ridge.

Those Chicagoans who voted for the businessman say they did so to rev the economy, support law enforcement, shake up a stagnant political system, and check immigration and government growth. While Trump fumed over an investigation into his campaign's possible ties to Russian hackers and the Senate grilled his Supreme Court nominee, his Chicago supporters gave the new president incomplete ratings on his job performance.

Brancato said her vote came down to her economic distress and the Affordable Care Act, which became too costly for her to use. She said she and many others are fed up with politics as usual, that the education system is moving in the wrong direction and the country should be more conscientious on immigration.

"I voted for Trump because he's not really a Republican," said Brancato, who added that she voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and George W. Bush in 2004. She didn't vote in 2012. "I'm hoping and praying that he can somehow get these people who are so hopelessly block-headed to at least listen to each other."

Dave Benedict, owner of United TV Service in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood, voted for Donald Trump and said it is too early to tell how effective a president he will be. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

'Dude, shut up'

Brancato is concerned, however, about Trump's unfounded and combative comments on voter fraud and surveillance on his phone, a continuation of her frustration with Trump's abrasive comments in the campaign.

"It would just be like, 'Dude, shut up,'" Brancato said. "'One of these days something's going to come flying out of your mouth and it's going to do irreparable damage.'"

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She said Trump's allegations should be investigated fully and she remains concerned by indications that Russian hackers may have tried to influence the November election.

Down the street from Brancato, at United TV Service, owner Dave Benedict said he voted for Trump because he is taking "a businessman's approach to running the country." Like Brancato, he viewed Hillary Clinton as an extension of Obama's eight years as president, which Benedict viewed as a failure.

"He kind of has a trigger finger when it comes to his opinions," Benedict said of Trump. "He's not going to be politically correct. He's just going to tell you his opinion and that's the way it is."

Benedict, who said he voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008, said it is too early to tell how effective a president Trump will be. Benedict said he would be concerned if proof emerged that Trump's campaign colluded with Russians to influence the 2016 election or if Trump's claim that Obama ordered surveillance on Trump's phone turns out to be false.

Former 19th Ward GOP Committeeman Steven Graves said it should come as no surprise that Trump did well in Mount Greenwood, "because this is a middle-class, hardworking neighborhood," where people are tired of "the same old same old," and believe Trump can deliver jobs, lower taxes, cut government, secure our borders and strengthen the military.

"I think they felt like they finally could hit back," Graves said. "I think his heart's in the right place and I think he's learning as he goes." But, Graves added, "when he says, 'Drain the swamp,' half the crowd is his crowd."

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Trump's election came at a particularly volatile time in Mount Greenwood, where 90 percent of residents are white and many police officers reside in brick Georgians and trim ranches on narrow city lots. Three days before the election, police shot and killed Joshua Beal, 25, an African-American from Indianapolis, in Mount Greenwood.

Authorities have called the confrontation a road rage incident. The shooting, which remains under investigation, sparked protests that pitted police supporters against groups critical of the shooting.

Trump backers in law enforcement privately said they are aggravated their support is perceived as racist, when they maintain it is based on what they see as declining support from Obama and the likely continuation of that if Clinton had been elected.

The country certainly has changed in the last eight years, and it's not a change that I particularly care for.  Angela Brancato, Mount Greenwood resident and Trump voter

Turmoil to empathy?

About 30 miles north of Mount Greenwood, in neighborhoods that include Edison Park and Norwood Park, Robert Athey said he voted for Trump as a way to curb a federal government that was overreaching. Athey, who served as the Midwest representative of the U.S. secretary of labor in 2002-09, also said the Affordable Care Act was unaffordable.

Athey, of Norwood Park, also said that Obama and Clinton, as secretary of state, mishandled the U.S. response to Syria's civil war and Clinton in particular showed incompetence in the 2012 terrorist attack on U.S. government buildings in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead.

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About Trump's performance, Athey said the Democrats have instituted "a war" against the president since his election. They can "attack the personality and avoid the policy," he added. It is too early to say much about the job Trump has done in office, he said.

But Athey acknowledged that Trump has hurt himself with Twitter posts and unfounded comments. His best explanation for the content of Trump's more controversial statements is that the administration is "so overwhelmed by the attacks that ... he gets ahead of himself on issues that don't matter."

"I kind of wish he wouldn't do it," Athey said. "It kind of dilutes his message and the message of the people who work for him."

He and other Trump supporters said backers of the new president tend to keep a low profile largely because, as Athey said, "the liberal media made Trump out to be the most horrible person in the world and people are reluctant to express their support."

Suzzanne Monk, who with her husband, Alexander Duvel, owns Worlds of Music Chicago in the North Center neighborhood, said their support for Trump led to bullying that is prompting them to close the musical instrument store by the end of April, convert it to an online business and leave Chicago.

In a letter she sent to several media outlets, Monk wrote that "because we support Trump, we no longer feel proud, or safe, being in this city." Duvel filed a police report in August citing harassing texts and phone calls.

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Monk also contends the main reason for closing the store is that prospective customers have been intimidated "merely for associating with us."

Those whom Monk specified as harassing and intimidating the couple deny the claim. They say Monk and Duvel brought the problems on themselves for aggressive and offensive social media commentary and videos attacking liberals.

Benedict, the electronics repair shop owner in Mount Greenwood, said he has not been harassed or lost business for supporting Trump. Brancato said she also has not been harassed, although her fiance, who works in a more politically liberal neighborhood of Chicago, keeps quiet about his Trump support.

Edison Park Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa McIntyre said business owners avoid political conversations with customers out of a sense of professional protocol, and that it was unlikely any would suffer negative consequences if they publicly declared their support for Trump.

On the other hand, she said, some residents were angry with a local restaurant that participated in A Day Without Immigrants on Feb. 16 by closing for the day to demonstrate how important immigrants are to America's economy.

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"People said they'd never go there again," McIntyre said.

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Since Monk's story gained media attention on March 17, she said she has received an outpouring of support. Her "Save Music Store from Trump Haters" GoFundMe campaign, started in January, raised more than $17,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. Monk said about $9,000 has arrived since Saturday.

She acknowledged that unrest over the Trump presidency may have engaged people more in public affairs.

"I hope that can transform," Monk said, "and keep bringing the dialogue and bring America back together."

Chicago Tribune's Annie Sweeney contributed.

tgregory@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @tgregoryreports
Almost 14 years after his twin brother was kidnapped, held for ransom and eventually killed, Darwin Green could only shake his head Sunday at the news that authorities had charged four men in the murder.

"I had this feeling over the last 13 years that they weren't doing nothing," Green said of the FBI and state's attorney's office, whose investigation had gone cold.

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Dimeyon Cole, 30, Kevin Mitchell, 46, Menard McAfee, 38, and Raymond Winters, 46, were charged Sunday with first-degree murder in the death of Darryl Green, according to the office of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Prosecutors say that on June 18, 1999, the four men abducted Green at gunpoint from a Broadview beeper store that he co-owned with his brother. The kidnappers bound Green, 28, and took him by van to a home on Chicago's West Side. There they made several phone calls to Darwin Green, asking for a cash ransom to secure his brother's release.

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"At first, I thought someone was playing a prank," Green said in an interview at his home on Sunday. "Then I went to the shop and (Darryl) was gone."

Green recalled his last conversation with the kidnappers, in which he told them he was "trying to get some money together." Green remembers sensing that the kidnappers suspected him of alerting the police.

In their final call, the kidnappers told Green to "make arrangements for your brother," according to a police recording of the call.

The kidnappers then put Green into the van and drove to a secluded area near 20th Avenue and Grant Street in Gary, according to a news release from the state's attorney's office. Witnesses saw four people exit the van and carry a person into the woods, according to the release. Gunshots were heard shortly after.

Darryl Green's body, with three gunshot wounds to the head, was later found by police.

Darwin Green said it was "a relief" to think that his brother's killers were finally behind bars, but the news raised more questions than answers.

Why had it taken so many years for investigators to identify the killers? What was the key piece of evidence that helped solve the case?

"It was just piecing together as much evidence as possible, continuing to develop those bits and pieces," said state's attorney spokeswoman Sally Daly. The state's attorney's gang crimes unit's persistent gathering of information about gangs played a big role, Daly said.

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Green expects there will be no answer to his most pressing question: "Why did they pick my brother to kill?"

Prosecutors say the four men had affiliations with the Black Souls and the Vice Lords street gangs. Green said his brother was not in a gang and he doubted if his brother even knew the men.

"If he knew them, I would have known them," Green said, insisting that he did not recognize any of the four men, whose pictures were included in the news release announcing the charges.

Cole, who is from Chicago, is expected in Cook County Bond Court on Monday, Daly said. McAfee and Winters, who are currently in state prison on other charges, are expected to appear in Bond Court within a week or two. Mitchell, who is from Jeffersonville, Ind., will have to be extradited from Indiana, Daly said.

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, McAfee is serving a 50-year sentence for murder and Winters is serving a 25-year sentence for an attempted armed robbery.

Police initially suspected Mitchell of involvement in the Green killing because he drove a van like the one witnesses saw in Gary. Four months after the murder, police stopped Mitchell and searched the van, finding evidence with Green's DNA during that search. But authorities did not feel they had enough evidence to bring charges, according to the release.

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Investigators later linked the phone that was used to make ransom calls to a prior address for Winters. Further investigation by the FBI and the gang crimes unit turned up additional evidence and witnesses, but the state's attorney's office did not provide any details about those developments.

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Darwin Green said he was surprised by the news. The last time he heard from the state's attorney's office was about three years ago, he said. Officials had assured him then that the investigation was still ongoing, but he was doubtful.

Green learned of the charges Sunday morning from a friend who called after hearing a report on the radio.

Darwin and Darryl Green were identical twins who co-owned two businesses together.

After the murder, Darwin Green kept operating "Beep the Twinz," the beeper shop at 2124 S. 17th Ave. in Broadview where Darryl was kidnapped. He eventually closed the shop but continues to operate the brothers' other business, Twins Towing.

Darryl "was a hard worker," Green said. "He didn't do nothing to nobody."

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Tribune reporter George Knue contributed.

kgeiger@tribune.com

Twitter: @kimgeiger
Chicago police investigate where a man was shot near the Cook County courthouse on South California Avenue north of West 26th Street on March 20, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

A brazen shooting earlier this week near the Cook County criminal courthouse took place after two groups of young men exchanged words, prosecutors said Wednesday at a bond hearing for the first suspect to be charged.

Tabari Harris was charged with a single count of aggravated battery for allegedly supplying the 9 mm handgun used to shoot a 21-year-old man three times in front of a fast-food restaurant.

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Tabari Harris, 19, is accused of shooting and critically injuring a man walking to the Cook County criminal courthouse March 20, 2017, Chicago police said. (Chicago Police Department)

Prosecutors said Harris, 19, of the 5300 block of West Harrison Street in the South Austin neighborhood, was freed on bail in January after posting $3,000 cash on a charge he possessed a gun with its serial number filed off.

Judge Laura Sullivan revoked the bond on the gun charge, ordering Harris held without bail. Also, she set $500,000 bail on the aggravated battery charge.

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The shooting took place outside a Popeye's restaurant at 2556 S. California Ave. about 9:30 a.m. Monday as hundreds of people were arriving at the nearby Leighton Criminal Court Building. Multiple witnesses saw the shooting, and it was captured on private security video, prosecutors said.

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Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said the 21-year-old victim and his companions were asking people for change for the parking meters when Harris and three others parked a van across the street. Harris and one of his companions approached the victim while "either rapping or yelling" in a threatening way, Scaduto said. Words were exchanged, and Harris returned to the van, opened the driver's side sliding door and handed an object to the companion, the prosecutor said.

A physical fight broke out between the victim and Harris' companion before the companion pulled out the handgun and fired multiple shots at the victim, striking him twice in the stomach and once in the buttocks, Scaduto said.

A police officer stopped in a car at California and 26th Street while headed to the courthouse saw Harris put a gun in his waistband, according to a police report. Another witness saw Harris toss the gun in a trash can as he ran from police, Scaduto said. Police recovered a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun from the can and later matched it to two shell casings found near the restaurant, she said.

Gunshot residue was also found on Harris' left hand, according to Scaduto.

Harris graduated from Marshall Metro High School, according to his attorney.

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveSchmadeke
Construction of a Mills Fleet Farm distribution center in the Lake Wissota Business Park in Chippewa Falls will begin as early as April 2017, following both the city and Chippewa Countys approval this week.

Ryan Companies of Minneapolis purchased 70 acres of land in the business park to serve as the centers site.

Charlie Walker, president of Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, said the project is the result of a lot of planning and hard work, and also because of the citys insight to invest in the business park before companies were even interested.

Its a credit to Chippewa Falls that we can land a major project  we are a competitor in the economic arena, Walker said. Because we put investments to get Lake Wissota Business Park certified shovel-ready, that save time, and it came back to pay dividends with the Mills project.

The approval of the development agreement comes following months of closed session meetings by both the city council and the county.

It is a 5-party agreement between the city, county, Ryan Companies, Mills Fleet Farm, LLC and DHL Supply Chain, which will be acting as the labor supplier for Mills Fleet Farm.

The agreement includes a $10 million Tax Increment Financing District package, or $1.3 million in TIF over 10 years.

The city will provide a pay-as-you-go tax increment financing grant not to exceed $7.3 million, according to the agreement. The city is also responsible for reimbursing the county the propertys value of $1.29 million, and put $745,000 toward sewer, water and storm water ponds.

In Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffmans memory, it is one of the largest TIFs the city has created.

Its a large investment, but it will pay back pretty quickly, Hoffman said.

He estimates the distribution center will bring in around $1 million per year, and will create around 250 full-time jobs in the first year, with a projected 325 full-time jobs over a five-year period.

Walker said those jobs are required to pay at or above $15.60 per hour.

Adding a set number of jobs each year for five years is laid out in the development agreement, which Walker said is best practice when it comes to economic development in a city.

The company wants to be held accountable for those incentives, and the way we do that is through the job creation process, Walker said. What solves a lot of our community problems is when everybody is working. Theres nothing better than a good job.

If all goes as planned, Walker said DHL could start looking to fill positions as early as February 2018.
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey and others speak during a press conference outside of the Chicago Board of Education headquarters before a meeting, March 22, 2017, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Public Schools' CEO Forrest Claypool lashed back at Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday, saying the governor's recent assertion that Mayor Rahm Emanuel was causing a crisis at the school district was "a statement of 'Alice in Wonderland' absurdity."

"The governor is not holding up school funding for predominantly white school districts in the rest of the state in order to achieve his political agenda, he is not holding them hostage  he is only holding hostage our students," Claypool said.

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Claypool's latest condemnation of the Republican governor came during a school board meeting where Chicago Teachers Union and other officials demanded details on the district's threat to end the school year about three weeks early if it can't get help from the state.

CPS is suing Rauner over what the district says is a discriminatory state education funding system. Rauner on Tuesday said Emanuel had caused a crisis at the district with a demand the state pay $215 million in teacher pension costs to avoid an early end to the school year.

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Claypool said the district's latest fiscal emergency was caused solely by Rauner's veto of a measure that would have provided the $215 million.

"He is only threatening to take away critical school days for CPS students. He is only threatening to take away textbooks and after school programs for children of color in the state's largest school district."

State Education Secretary Beth Purvis, in a statement, continued to urge Claypool to get behind a legislative effort promoted by the governor to both overhaul state pension systems and secure funding for the district. The governor has said he vetoed the measure to aid to CPS because it was not tied to broader pension reform.

"Look in the mirror, Mr. Claypool. You presented a budget to your board knowing that it spent $215 million more than the General Assembly appropriated," Purvis said. "As CEO, you knew that the additional money was dependent on the passage of statewide pension reform."

Political wrangling aside, carrying out the early end to the school year  parents have been told the last day of classes could be June 1 instead of June 20would reverse Emanuel's first term campaign to extend the CPS academic year. It would also carry serious consequences for how schools close out before summer vacation.

"Our phones are ringing nonstop wondering if school is going to continue in June, if the schools will stay open" Northwest Side Ald. Anthony Napolitano, 41st, told school board members after thanking them for approving the construction of a school annex in his ward. "So we're looking for an answer sooner than later."

Ald. George Cardenas, 12th, chairman of the city council's Latino Caucus, challenged the board to "really let people know soon what is going to happen."

"I know that, especially in my community, working families are very, very worried about what's going on not only in Springfield but here locally and the dire circumstances of falling short on that particular money that was, not owed, but promised to the system," Cardenas said.

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Claypool said the district was "hopeful" that a Cook County Chancery Division judge would rule on a preliminary motion in the district's lawsuit by May 1. The state plans to file a motion to dismiss the case and a response to the district's request for a preliminary injunction.

The CTU is considering a May 1 strike to bring attention to the district's finances. Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey said there's "a hard discussion internally" over a walkout.

Sharkey said that as it stands, teachers and administrators don't know how to plan for year-end testing and grading.

"Are we running the public schools for the entire month of June or not?" Sharkey asked outside district headquarters on Wednesday.

"Do I need to make other plans for my children? Do I need to call my mother-in-law and get her to come stay with us? For the people that work in the schools, do we need to get other jobs, do we have to drive for Uber? Do we have to find somewhere to work in Michigan or out of state? What are we doing?"

jjperez@tribpub.com

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Twitter @PerezJr
Fed up with a lack of hustle from Chicago State University leaders, Gov. Bruce Rauner's office is pushing to hand the reins to one of his newly appointed board members  at least temporarily.

The governor's office wants Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, to assume some sort of crisis management role at the Far South Side university, according to Beth Purvis, Rauner's education secretary.

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The job has not been clearly defined and does not yet have an official title. But Purvis said the idea is to have him lead the university on a temporary basis until a new, full-time president can be found.

By giving Vallas a position within the university's administration, he could take a more direct role in orchestrating improvements with student enrollment, retention, graduation rates and finances  all issues the governor has highlighted in repeated criticisms of the university.

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The possibility of giving Vallas more authority calls into question what role and responsibilities interim President Cecil B. Lucy, named to the post after the previous president stepped down in September, will have. A university spokeswoman said Lucy was not available to comment.

Vallas said he sees this potential new role as an opportunity to have a more immediate impact on the university's future but added the aim was not for him to take over as Chicago State's new president.

"I've been on that university campus and there's an absence of any real, serious effort to connect with community colleges and to recruit students from among the high schools," Vallas said. "There needs to be some actions taken now to financially stabilize the university, and develop and quickly implement recruitment and retention strategies needed to get the enrollment numbers up, and to begin to develop a long-term strategic plan for the university."

A special board meeting has been scheduled for Monday to discuss the leadership issue.

"We need to be able to stabilize where the university is and move us in a better direction," trustee Nicholas Gowen said. "Whether that means Paul Vallas will have some role off the board, we don't know that yet. Everything is up for discussion in part because we haven't had a full-time president since September. We're not saying that any individual is a problem. We're looking at how we can move forward."

Rauner appointed Vallas, Gowen, attorney Tiffany Harper, and entrepreneur Kam Buckner to the board in January in hopes of ushering in more effective leadership for the troubled university. He also established an eight-member advisory board.

But Purvis said the administration is not convinced the board is making significant enough progress or meeting regularly enough to conduct business. Chicago State typically holds four regular board meetings per year and has met once since the new trustees took their seats.

"There is a real concern that the current leadership is really status quo, so I think members of the board are looking at what choices they have to bring a sense of urgency to getting Chicago State University back on track," Purvis said.

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Purvis met with Vallas, board chairman the Rev. Marshall Hatch and advisory board member Tony Anderson about a month ago. Purvis said the group mulled what could be done to push things along, which is where they came up with the idea of Vallas becoming a short-term crisis manager.

"I think the consensus was in order for me to do that, I'm really going to need the executive authority to do that," Vallas said.

Purvis made clear the governor is expecting "bold action" at Monday's board meeting.

"I would say that something needs to be done," Purvis said. "In the end, it's the board's decision who they hire, who they fire, what they do. But it's my job to communicate that there needs to be a sense of urgency in changing the conditions at Chicago State University. We are incredibly concerned and worried about the financial status of the university, we are worried about the lack of urgency and not having board meetings."

Gowen said no matter what decisions come out of next week's meeting, the board still intends to launch a nationwide search for a new, permanent president.

Since Rauner ushered in four new board trustees, it was immediately apparent he expected Vallas to take a prominent role.

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During a news conference shortly after the appointments were announced, he said he recommended that the board install Vallas as chairman, even though the panel already had elected their new officers the month prior and chose Hatch as board chair.

No such change happened in the first and only board meeting with the new trustees in place earlier this month. Hatch retained his position and Horace Smith remained vice-chairman. Vallas was elected board secretary.

Hatch did not offer any opinion about the possible leadership shake-up.

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"I think everyone's got the best interest of the university in mind," he said. "I think everybody's heart is in the right place and it bodes well for the school."

Faculty union president Robert Bionaz, a longtime critic of Chicago State's leaders, echoed Purvis' sentiment about breaking out of the status quo.

"For too long our board has rewarded failure," Bionaz said. "What I really want to see is some bold and decisive action to take the university in a positive direction. The people currently in place are not able to do that."

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Lucy previously served as Chicago State's chief financial officer. He was elevated to the presidency in September when Thomas Calhoun Jr. resigned after just nine months on the job, taking a $600,000 severance with him.

Calhoun's departure was controversial, as he was well-liked on campus. Calhoun was hired in late 2015 to replace Wayne Watson, whose six-year tenure was marked by high-profile whistleblower lawsuits, declining enrollment and low morale.

drhodes@chicagotribune.com

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com
A man caught on a CTA bus after allegedly robbing a Loop bank Monday afternoon has been charged and ordered held in federal custody  at least the third time in the last 18 years he's been charged with bank robbery, authorities said Wednesday.

Emmanuel Lewis Hart, 49, was arrested on a CTA bus in Englewood a little before 3 p.m. Monday after the First American Bank, 33 W. Monroe St., was robbed of more than $4,300 about 2:05 p.m. that day. He appeared in federal court Tuesday and was ordered held in custody pending a preliminary hearing next month, according to the FBI.

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Hart previously has served time in prison for bank robbery convictions from 2007 and 1999, as well as for escape, according to an affidavit filed as part of the charges against him.

On Monday, a man with a beard entered the bank just after 2:05 p.m. and handed a teller a folded note that read in part, "I want 4  $4,000 pack of $100.00 bills. Don't make me hurt anyone. I have full blown AIDS ... I will bust this gun! No alarm dye packs or tracking devise in money," according to the affidavit, filed by an FBI agent investigating the case.

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The man told the teller, "Hurry up and hand me the money," and the teller collected money from the drawer, including a tracking device, according to the affidavit. The man then took the money and left the bank, heading east on Monroe.

Police and FBI agents used information from the tracking device to follow "a path south from downtown ... to South Halsted Street, in between 64th and 65th streets," where police stopped a CTA bus, according to the affidavit.

Once on the bus, police and FBI agents saw someone who matched the robber's description. The man, later identified as Hart, also was wearing a distinctive black watch with a silver inner ring on its face that matched a watch seen in surveillance photos of the robbery. When police searched Hart, they found a large amount of cash  $4,318, matching how much was stolen from the bank  some of which included so-called "bait bills," whose serial numbers had been recorded by the bank.

The teller later told investigators it was 85 percent certain that Hart was the robber, and he appeared to match the person depicted in the surveillance photos.

Among his prior criminal convictions, Hart was sentenced to 86 months in prison for a 2007 bank robbery conviction; sentenced to 84 months for a 1999 conviction for three bank robberies; a 2005 conviction for escape; and a 2013 conviction for escape, according to the affidavit.
A 34-year-old man convicted of murdering a Broadview beeper store owner who was kidnapped and held for ransom in 1999 was sentenced to 28 years in prison, official said.

Dimeyon L. Cole was sentenced by Judge Lawrence Flood for the killing of Darryl Green in 1999, according to Cook County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.

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Green was kidnapped at gunpoint from a Broadview beeper store that he owned with his twin brother Darwin. He was bound and taken to a van on the West Side of Chicago. He was held for ransom and eventually fatally shot, authorities said.

Prosecutors said that on June 18, 1999, the four men abducted Green at gunpoint from the store. The kidnappers bound Green, who was 28, and took him by van to a home on the West Side. There they made several phone calls to Darwin Green, asking for a cash ransom to secure his brother's release.

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"At first, I thought someone was playing a prank," Green said in an interview with the Tribune at his home after charges were filed. "Then I went to the shop and (Darryl) was gone."

Green recalled his last conversation with the kidnappers, in which he told them he was "trying to get some money together." Green remembers sensing that the kidnappers suspected him of alerting the police. In their final call, the kidnappers told Green to "make arrangements for your brother," according to a police recording of the call.

The kidnappers then put Green into the van and drove to a secluded area near 20th Avenue and Grant Street in Gary, Ind., prosecutors said. Witnesses saw four people exit the van and carry a person into the woods. Gunshots were heard shortly after, prosecutors said.

Darryl Green's body, with three gunshot wounds to the head, was later found by police.

In 2013, Cole was charged with murder with three other suspects  Kevin Mitchell, 49, Menard McAfee, 42, and Raymond Winters, 50.

Cole, who was sentenced to serve 28 years in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, was convicted in July 2016 by Judge Flood following a bench trial, Simonton said.
Without a court ruling in hand, a Chicago lawyer has filed an appeal to halt the deportation of a decorated Army veteran with a green card to his native Mexico.

An order for removal was issued last week for Miguel Perez Jr., said his attorney, Chris Bergin, who learned of the order after calling a Department of Justice hotline that provides status updates to defendants and their lawyers.

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Last month, Perez, who served time in a state prison for a felony drug conviction after two tours in Afghanistan, requested relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, a protection that resembles asylum.

After hearing testimony and arguments in a packed courtroom, immigration Judge Robin Rosche said she would consider the request and issue a ruling. On March 14, Perez called the hotline for an update and learned that an order for removal had been issued. After calling the hotline himself, Bergin filed an appeal to prevent Perez from being deported immediately. A week later, Bergin still had not received a copy of the ruling, he said.

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"Technically, I have 30 days to appeal the judge's ruling, but I have seen cases where ICE tries to remove before the 30 days," he added.

Unlike other court rulings and records, immigration court records require a Freedom of Information Act request to be made public, a spokeswoman for the Executive Office for Immigration Review said.

The request for relief under the U.N. torture provision is one of three efforts to keep Perez in the U.S. He is one of many legal permanent residents who have served in the U.S. military, then confronted the possibility of deportation to their native countries after committing a crime.

Next month, he is scheduled to plead with the state's clemency board to ask Gov. Bruce Rauner to pardon his crime.

"He would have no record," said Julie Contreras, president of a local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, who has been advocating for Perez and other immigrants in jeopardy of deportation. "If he's been pardoned, why would you want to remove him? We do see judges and the U.S. attorney looking in favor at the fact that the individual has been cleared by a governor."

Bergin also has petitioned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to grant citizenship to Perez retroactively to when he joined the military in 2001  a third option that would void the deportation order.

"We'd continue the journey to his pardon even if he's allowed to stay in the United States," said Contreras, who hopes Perez's case will call attention to the mental health needs of veterans coming back from war.

In an interview from a Wisconsin detention center after he learned of the ruling last week, Perez said he was disappointed with the deportation order, but he hopes his quest for clemency will enable him to stay with his family.

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"I've got more faith in that one than all this because it's the governor of Illinois," he said. "It's just a snag in the road and we're going to keep fighting."

Bergin argued in court last month that his client's life would be in danger if he were sent back to Mexico, where he hasn't lived since he was 8. According to human rights activists and advocates for deported veterans, drug cartels target former U.S. residents, especially veterans with combat experience, to work on their behalf, and those who don't comply are at risk.

Under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, the U.S. agrees not to deport people who are not American citizens or nationals to another country where they could be tortured. Prosecutors rejected the argument that the danger allegedly facing Perez qualifies under the torture provision.

Perez said he struggled to hold down jobs after returning to Chicago following his military service. He sought treatment at the VA hospital in Maywood, where doctors diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was supposed to return for more tests to determine whether he also had a traumatic brain injury. But the hours of waiting and slow progress were dispiriting.

In the meantime, he reconnected with a childhood friend who provided free drugs and alcohol. On the night of Nov. 26, 2008, while with that friend, Perez handed a laptop case full of cocaine to an undercover officer. Perez pleaded guilty to delivering less than 100 grams of cocaine and served half of a 15-year sentence.

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

"We need to make sure Gov. Rauner sees the suffering," Contreras said. "He has remorse and he learned from the incident."

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As is the case with many other green card veterans, Perez, a father of two U.S. citizen children, mistakenly thought he became a U.S. citizen when he took an oath to protect the nation. Military superiors never offered to help him expedite his citizenship, he told the court last month.

He discovered the oversight when he was summoned to immigration court shortly before his release from Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg last year. Instead of heading home to Chicago from prison, Perez was placed in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and transferred to a Wisconsin detention center for immigrants awaiting deportation.

When legal residents or people who are here illegally commit crimes, ICE's standard procedure is to let them serve most of their sentence for the crime in the U.S., then deport them.

Roughly 18,700 legal permanent residents are in the U.S. armed forces, and about 5,000 join every year, according to the Department of Defense.

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @TribSeeker
A Robbins man fatally shot as he walked past an acquaintance's house over the weekend told police who responded to the scene that "Jamal shot me, Jamal shot me," before dying, according to prosecutors.

Ishmael Jackson, 23, was pronounced dead at 11:51 p.m. Saturday after being shot about 10:45 p.m. in the 5600 block of South Elizabeth Street and collapsing next door to where the accused, Jamal Donerson, 24, lives, according to authorities and court records.

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Donerson was ordered held without bail Tuesday in a hearing before Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. in the shooting of Jackson and another man who was walking with Jackson, according to prosecutors and court records.

Jackson and his friend, a 27-year-old man, were walking past Donerson's house when the friend saw Donerson come out of the house, and soon after, they heard gunshots and the friend saw Donerson shooting at them, according to Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

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Shot multiple times in the back, Jackson ran into a yard just north of Donerson's home and collapsed. Chicago police officers who went to the scene found him there, and he told them repeatedly, "Jamal shot me, Jamal shot me," according to prosecutors. Jackson, of the 13400 block of Lawndale Avenue in Robbins, was taken to Stroger Hospital and was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, his friend ran and tried to hide under a van on a parking slab in the alley until the gunshots subsided, according to prosecutors. He then ran to a barbershop nearby, where someone gave him a towel because he was bleeding and called 911.

The friend told the person at the barbershop that Jamal shot him, and also told police Donerson was the one who shot them, according to prosecutors. The friend was taken to Stroger to be treated for two gunshot wounds to the neck, and his condition was stabilized.

Chicago officers who heard the shots fired and followed the sound of the shots saw Donerson walk out onto his porch, prosecutors said. When the police went up to him, Donerson put his hands in the air and told them he had just shot two people in the back, prosecutors said. He told them that the gun was "right there" and pointed to a recliner in his living room, they said.

The 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was confiscated and 10 shell casings were found, one of them still in the gun, four on the driveway slab where the 27-year-old had tried to hide and five from behind Donerson's home, according to prosecutors. Preliminary ballistics testing indicate the casings were fired from the confiscated gun.

Donerson was scheduled to appear in court again April 7.
A truck crashed into a Near North Side business in the Goose Island neighborhood early on March 22, 2017, Chicago police said. Two men fled, and no injuries were reported. (Elvia Malagon / Chicago Tribune)

A motorist early Wednesday crashed into a Currency Exchange in the 800 block of North Milwaukee Avenue on the Near North Side, Chicago police said.

The driver of the 1991 white Chevrolet pickup truck was nowhere to be found when officers arrived at the crash, which happened about 4:05 a.m. in the Goose Island neighborhood. Two men ran away from the crash, police said. There were no reported injuries.

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The pickup truck shattered the business' window, leaving glass on the sidewalk. Inside the business, it appeared that the truck's driver side door had been left open.

Officers were waiting for Currency Exchange workers to determine if anything had been taken from the business.

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The incident remains under investigation.
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)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said Tuesday that he's "very troubled" by health care changes being pushed by the GOP in Congress, saying he's working with governors in other states in an effort to "take a united stand."

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Rauner's comments come as a House vote on the Republican plan is scheduled for Thursday. Last week, experts said Illinois would stand to lose at least $40 billion in federal funding over the next decade under the original proposal.

Rauner said he supported efforts to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, noting the lack of options in insurance providers and spiking rates. He also said any changes must be done "slowly" and "thoughtfully."

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Rauner said he was talking with members of the state's congressional delegation and President Donald Trump's administration about his concerns. He also said he was working with other governors in an effort to come to a consensus about potential changes. But he noted difficulties there because "it's a very disparate group."

"I am pretty much talking to people every day. What I won't do, I know you would like me to but I won't, I won't negotiate in the press about what we are advocating." Rauner said. "I am saying move slowly, move thoughtfully. We need to transition this in a careful way. We've got to minimize the hurt on people's lives while we change the system."

Officials have pointed to two aspects of the GOP plan that would hurt Illinois' Medicaid system. One provision would cap how much the federal government reimburses states, which is different from the current system. States that exceed the cap would be responsible for shouldering the additional costs, something that could prove challenging for cash-strapped Illinois.

The proposal also would freeze Medicaid expansion in 2020. People enrolled before then would be allowed to stay in the program but only if they never leave the program. Anyone who loses coverage starting in 2020 couldn't re-enroll.

While Rauner is raising the alarm, he noted that the plan is likely to undergo many changes as it works its way through Congress. (Monique Garcia)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel has no public events.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will appear at two events in Springfield, a morning event about digital literacy and an afternoon meeting of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.

*The Illinois House is in session.

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*The Cook County Board meets and will consider a $36.5 million contract with Plano, Texas-based Tyler Technologies to upgrade the case-management system in the office of Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown. Board President Toni Preckwinkle will hold a news conference after the meeting.

*The city Human Relations and License and Consumer Protection committees meet.

From the notebook

*A second chance later in life? Some older state prisoners could be released from custody early under legislation being debated in Springfield.

The issue has created a sharp divide among supporters who say it could cut corrections costs and opponents who say it could threaten public safety.

The plan would allow prisoners who are at least 55 years old and have served as least 20 consecutive years behind bars to file a petition with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board seeking supervised release.

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To qualify, inmates would have to demonstrate good behavior and participate in self-improvement programs. They also have to show they're remorseful and renounce all criminal activity and gang affiliations. They would need a plan for living arrangements, financial support and medical care if needed.

The plan was debated by a committee in Springfield on Tuesday, but no vote was taken.

James Austin, president of the JFA Institute, a nonprofit that evaluates criminal justice policy, emphasized that this wouldn't be a mandatory release process. Instead, the Prisoner Review Board would assess risk and other factors before deciding whether to release someone.

Supporters say the bill could reduce costs associated with housing elderly inmates who often require extra medical care. They also contend the possibility of release could provide an incentive for inmates to take advantage of education and other rehabilitation while in prison.

But the proposal doesn't consider the social cost of crime or the trauma a victim may experience, said Matt Jones, legislative director for the Illinois State's Attorneys Association. Jones added that there's a reason these prisoners have been locked up for so long, noting many were convicted of violent offenses such as murder, rape and gun crimes.

These really are the worst of the worst in most cases, he said. These are murderers. These are rapists. These are people who, from a prosecutors perspective, they earned their sentence. They destroyed communities, they destroyed a family and theyve earned their sentence. (Haley BeMiller)

What we're writing

*Chicago's ID plan faces concerns from both sides of immigration issue.

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*Rauner says Emanuel causing a CPS "crisis."

*Obama's home state of Illinois rejects a holiday in his honor for now.

*Aldermen criticize Chicago police's handling of gun crime, sex offender registries.

*Pockets of strong Trump support in deep blue Democrat Chicago.

*Rauner pushes for Vallas to steer Chicago State University.

*CPS makes cuts to alternative programs after attendance audit.

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*"Amazing" Illinois tourism ads aimed at adventurous millennials, Gen Xers.

What we're reading

*124 Illinois prison nurses get layoff notices.

*Baby born with four legs undergoes life-changing surgery at Advocate Children's Hospital.

*Cubs, city to increase police presence for Wrigleyville.

*Jerry Krause, GM during the Bulls' dynasty, dies at 77.

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Follow the money

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*Trump to Republican critics of the party's health care plan: "I'm gonna come after you."

*Judge Neil Gorsuch at his confirmation hearing: There's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge.

*AP interview: Mitch McConnell rejects Trump's foreign aid cuts.

*U.S., U.K. bar laptop carry-ons from Mideast, North Africa flights.
France's interior minister, Bruno Le Roux, gives a press conference, in Bobigny on March 21, 2017. Le Roux has resigned amid investigation into parliamentary jobs he gave his daughters. (Thibault Camus / AP)

Paris  French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux resigned Tuesday a few hours after prosecutors opened an investigation into a report that he hired his two daughters for a series of temporary parliamentary jobs, starting when they were 15 and 16 years old.

President Francois Hollande said he had accepted Le Roux's resignation after a meeting with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at the Elysee Palace. He named the country's low-profile trade and tourism minister, Matthias Fekl, as the new interior minister.

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France's national financial prosecutor's office opened a preliminary investigation Tuesday after TMC television reported Monday night that Le Roux employed his daughters as parliamentary assistants for a total salary amount of 55,000 euros ($59,000) over 24 short contracts.

The office said the preliminary investigation into the facts disclosed in the TV program is being led by the French police agency charged with fighting corruption and financial and tax wrongdoing.

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While it is legal in France for politicians to hire family members, the TMC report suggests that Le Roux's daughters did not perform all of the work. During some of their contracts as parliamentary aides, one of the daughters was doing a full-time internship in Belgium while the other was studying in an intensive class.

Le Roux's daughters, now 23 and 20, allegedly started working as parliamentary aides for their father over short vacation contracts when they were 15 and 16 and Le Roux was a lawmaker in the French National Assembly.

"These temporary and official contracts, in accordance with the legal rules of the National Assembly, all corresponded, of course, to work actually carried out," Le Roux, a member of the Socialist Party, insisted as he announced his resignation from Bobigny, a suburb outside Paris.

A similar scandal around employing family members has deeply damaged conservative Francois Fillon's presidential bid. Fillon was handed preliminary charges last week for allegedly using taxpayers' money to pay family members  his wife and two children  for jobs that may not have existed.

Left-wing politicians pointed out that Le Roux resigned as soon as the preliminary investigation had been launched, while Fillon decided to keep campaigning although he has been handed serious charges, including misuse of public funds, receiving money from a misuse of public funds funds and company assets. Fillon initially vowed to quit as presidential candidate if he were to be charged before changing his mind. Le Roux has not been charged so far.

While insisting he is law-abiding, Le Roux said he resigned because he didn't want the latest controversy to "undermine the work of the government."

He also said that as France's interior minister he had a "particular responsibility imposed by the daily struggle against terrorism, delinquency and the control of migratory flows" and that the mission can't afford to be affected by a debate about him.

Le Roux told the TMC program his daughters never got permanent jobs and has suggested their jobs weren't fake  in contrast to what investigators suspect in Fillon's case.

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"They did work," Le Roux insisted in an earlier interview with the TMC journalist.

Jean-Christophe Picard, president of the anti-corruption association Anticor, said that Le Roux had to resign to avoid any conflict of interest since he was the top boss of the police officers investigating his case.

The swift judicial reaction to the report on Le Roux's daughters reflects a marked shift in French attitudes toward corruption in politics, notably since the new position of a national financial prosecutor was created three years ago.

Some of France's most prominent politicians  including former Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac  have been embroiled in corruption scandals involving accusations from shady campaign financing to nepotism.

But the French public is growing frustrated with a political establishment it sees as enriching itself while average workers suffer, and there is growing public pressure for transparency.
WASHINGTON  Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch declared Tuesday he's made no promises to Donald Trump or anyone else about how he'll vote on abortion or other issues and testified he'll have no trouble as a justice holding anyone accountable, including the president who picked him.

Gorsuch also called Trump's attacks on federal judges "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

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During the long second day of his Senate confirmation hearings, Gorsuch made two other notable statements in response to questions from members of the Judiciary Committee, and both also related to Trump, who nominated him.

Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asked Gorsuch whether Trump had asked him to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case establishing a right to abortion, and what he would have done had Trump asked him to do so.

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"Senator, I would have walked out the door," Gorsuch replied. "That's not what judges do." Later in the day, Gorsuch acknowledged that he and Trump discussed abortion during his Supreme Court interview, but only how divisive an issue it is. Their conversation touched on abortion, Gorsuch said, after Trump bemoaned his loss of Gorsuch's native Colorado in November.

When Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy asked Gorsuch if a president is free to ignore laws on national security grounds, Gorsuch replied that "nobody is above the law in this country, and that includes the president of the United States."

Some Democratic senators who are not on the Judiciary Committee called for a pause in the confirmation process after FBI Director James Comey said Monday that the bureau is investigating Russian meddling in last year's election and potential ties between Trump associates and Russia.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said on Twitter that while the investigation continues, "lifetime court appointments can wait."

Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley dismissed the idea as ridiculous.

On a day mostly devoid of drama, Gorsuch batted away Democrats' efforts to get him to reveal his views on abortion, guns and other controversial issues, insisting he keeps "an open mind for the entire process" when he makes rulings. His comments were similar in response to questions from majority Republicans as they tried to help him highlight his neutrality in the face of Democratic attempts to link him to Trump.

The abortion question was especially pointed because Trump himself has insisted he would appoint "pro-life justices" who would vote to overturn the 1973 Roe decision.

Gorsuch likewise wouldn't comment on litigation over Trump's efforts to ban travel to the U.S. by people from some mainly Muslim countries. He did, however, say publicly what he had previously told senators in private about Trump's attacks on judges who ruled against him on that issue.

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"When anyone criticizes the honesty and integrity or the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening, I find that demoralizing," he said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, asked, "Including the president?"

"Anyone is anyone," Gorsuch replied.

As Tuesday's questioning wore on, senators and Gorsuch engaged in a routine well-established in recent confirmation hearings. The nominee resists all requests to say how he feels about Supreme Court decisions, even as he is asked about them again and again. Such was the case with questions about rulings on campaign finance, abortion, gun rights, even a privacy ruling from 1965 that John Roberts explicitly endorsed in his confirmation hearing in 2005.

Gorsuch made one exception, describing the two-year-old decision extending same-sex marriage nationwide as "settled law," a term he did not apply to any other decision.

The 49-year-old Denver appeals court judge kept a smile on his face most of the day, although he seemed to show flashes of anger under questioning from some Democrats.

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Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois pressed Gorsuch on claims by a former student at the University of Colorado Law School who said Gorsuch implied in a legal ethics class in April that he believes many female job applicants unfairly manipulate companies by hiding plans to begin families. She remembered him saying that many accept job offers but quickly leave with maternity benefits.

"Those are not my words and I would never have said them," Gorsuch said. He later explained he was trying to teach students about inappropriate questions from prospective employers, not endorsing such inquiries. Other students told the AP the accuser was misconstruing the lesson.

Gorsuch reacted sharply when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island asked him what he knew about a multimillion-dollar ad campaign run by a conservative group that backs his nomination. Ads have been running mainly in states won by Trump last year and in which Democratic senators face re-election in 2018.

"Is it any cause of concern to you that your nomination is the focus of a $10 million political spending effort and we do not know who's behind it?" Whitehouse asked.

Gorsuch replied: "Senator, there's a lot about the confirmation process today that I regret. A lot."

Republicans are unanimous in support of Gorsuch. Democrats remain incensed over how Republicans treated former President Barack Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, who was denied even a hearing last year after Antonin Scalia's death created an opening on the high court. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insisted that since a presidential campaign was underway it was the right of the next president to fill the opening, and his gamble paid off when Trump won the election and chose Gorsuch.

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Gorsuch declined a couple of invitations to tell senators how felt about the treatment of Garland, saying only "I think the world of Merrick Garland."

There are now just eight justices on the nine-member high court.

In an interview with Associated Press reporters and editors Tuesday, McConnell dismissed "whining" and "crocodile tears" by Democrats over Garland, insisting they would have done the same in his position. With a Senate narrowly divided 52-48 between Republicans and Democrats, McConnell would need eight Democrats to get Gorsuch over procedural hurdles to a final confirmation vote.

He said Tuesday he remains hopeful of getting Democratic votes, but if they aren't forthcoming he sounded prepared to move unilaterally to change Senate rules and confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority.

"If there aren't 60 votes for a nominee like Neil Gorsuch, it's appropriate to ask the question is there any nominee any Republican president could make that Democrats would approve," McConnell said. "Gorsuch will be confirmed, I just can't tell you exactly how that will happen yet."

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
MADISON  The top health official in Wisconsin said Tuesday she doesnt know how many people may lose health insurance in the state under the fast-moving House Republican health care overhaul bill, even as nationwide estimates project 24 million people will go without in a decade.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Linda Seemeyer said at a forum hosted by Wisconsin Health News that estimating how many people may lose insurance under the GOP plan was not my bailiwick.

I dont think anybody knows at this point how many would gain or lose coverage, Seemeyer said. Its a tough question to answer and I dont have it.

Republican Gov. Scott Walkers administration has been working since last week on its own breakdown of what the proposal would mean to the state and the 242,000 people who purchase federally subsidized private insurance through the marketplace. That analysis was still being finalized, said DHS spokeswoman Julie Lund.

A nonpartisan congressional analysis projected the measure would strip coverage from 24 million people in a decade, but it did not break out numbers by state.

Democratic staff members of the Joint Economic Committee in Congress released a 50-state study of the bill last week that determined more than 129,000 people in Wisconsin would lose their health insurance next year  purchased either through their employer or the private marketplace  under the GOP overhaul.

The liberal Center for American Progress estimated that more than 894,000 people in Wisconsin will lose insurance by 2026 under the bill.

About 85 percent of Wisconsin residents who purchase their insurance through the private marketplace established under the current law receive subsidies based on their income and where they live, making them vulnerable to reductions in federal assistance.

Those subsidies are more significant in Wisconsin than some other states because Walker rejected federal money to help pay for expanding Medicaid and instead relied on the subsidies to help people afford insurance in the private marketplace.

The new GOP bill would base the tax breaks on age rather than income and the cost of insurance in the area where the person lives. Several analyses indicate that reductions in federal subsidies would force higher rates for Wisconsin residents buying private insurance, particularly older people and those in rural areas.

Dr. Cynthia Haq, a professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, called the GOP health plan outrageous.

Its effects will be devastating to the people of Wisconsin, she said on a Tuesday conference call organized by the liberal health care advocacy group Citizen Action.

The group released a report showing that in most parts of the state a low-income senior not yet eligible for Medicare would pay over $10,000 more a year to buy insurance through the marketplace compared to now.

A separate Associated Press analysis looked at the impact of the proposal in all 50 states on older people who are not yet eligible for Medicare. The GOP plan as introduced would shrink the tax credits people age 50-64 use to help buy insurance and it would increase their premiums because insurers could charge more as people age and become more susceptible to health problems.

The AP analysis of data from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that a 60-year-old person in Wisconsin earning $30,000 a year would have to pay $4,640 more per year for coverage than they do now. That same person making just $20,000 a year would have to spend $6,160 more, according to the AP study.

Walker told reporters on Monday that he believed the replacement to the Affordable Care Act, championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, was moving in the right direction by improving benefits for older people. But Walker didnt specifically say how he hoped those tax credits would be altered.

Ryan unveiled changes late Monday to lower the costs for older people by allowing the Senate, if it chooses, to make tax credits more generous for that age group. And President Donald Trump on Tuesday met privately with House Republicans to urge their backing.

Wisconsin Democrats have been united against the measure, which would also cut open-ended federal payments to help states cover Medicaid costs. A group of 48 state Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Wisconsins congressional delegation urging them to make changes to the bill so fewer people would lose insurance.
There was once a time - before the investigations, before the sexual abuse conviction - when rich and famous men loved to hang around with Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire money manager who loved to party.

They visited his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. They flew on his jet to join him at his private estate on the Caribbean island of Little Saint James. They even joked about his taste in younger women.

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President Donald Trump called Epstein a "terrific guy" back in 2002, saying that "he's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

Now, Trump is on the witness list in a Florida court battle over how federal prosecutors handled allegations that Epstein, 64, sexually abused more than 40 minor girls, most of them between the ages of 13 and 17. The lawsuit questions why Trump's nominee for labor secretary, former Miami U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta, whose confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin Wednesday, cut a non-prosecution deal with Epstein a decade ago rather than pursuing a federal indictment that Acosta's staff had advocated.

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Although Epstein's friends and visitors once included past and future presidents, rock stars, and some of the country's richest men, he is no longer a social magnet. Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida state charge of felony solicitation of underage girls in 2008 and served a 13-month jail sentence. Politicians who had accepted his donations, including former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson and former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, have scurried to give them back. (Harvard University kept a $6.5 million gift, saying it was "funding important research" in mathematics.)

This July 30, 2008 photo shows Jeffrey Epstein in custody in West Palm Beach, Fla. Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida state charge of felony solicitation of underage girls in 2008 and served a 13-month jail sentence. (Uma Sanghvi / Palm Beach Post via AP)

But Epstein's unusually light punishment - he was facing up to a life sentence had he been convicted on federal charges - has raised questions about how Acosta handled the case.

Former Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter, whose department conducted the initial investigation into Epstein's behavior, said in a civil lawsuit deposition that Epstein got off easy.

"That wasn't an appropriate resolution of this matter," Reiter said, arguing that the charges leveled against Epstein were "very minor," compared with what the facts called for. In a letter to parents of Epstein's victims, Reiter said justice had not been served.

Prosecutors in Acosta's Miami office who had joined the FBI in the investigation concluded, according to documents produced by the U.S. attorney's office, that Epstein, working through several female assistants, "would recruit underage females to travel to his home in Palm Beach to engage in lewd conduct in exchange for money. ... Some went there as much as 100 times or more. Some of the women's conduct was limited to performing a topless or nude massage while Mr. Epstein masturbated himself. For other women, the conduct escalated to full sexual intercourse."

Epstein has a near-legendary reputation in New York financial circles as a money manager who made many millions for his clients. Although he never graduated from college, he taught advanced math at the Dalton School, one of the city's top private schools, and went on to be a successful trader at Bear Stearns before starting his own firm, J. Epstein & Co., which managed the finances of clients who had a minimum of $1 billion in assets.

Federal prosecutors detailed their findings in an 82-page prosecution memo and a 53-page indictment, but Epstein was never indicted. In 2007, Acosta signed a non-prosecution deal in which he agreed not to pursue federal charges against Epstein or four women who the government said procured girls for him. In exchange, Epstein agreed to plead guilty to a solicitation charge in state court, accept a 13-month sentence, register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victims identified in the federal investigation.

"This agreement will not be made part of any public record," the deal between Epstein and Acosta says. The document was unsealed by a federal judge in a civil lawsuit in 2015.

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Reiter said in the 2009 deposition that federal prosecutors in Miami told him "that typically these kinds of cases with one victim would end up in a ten-year sentence." Reiter said he was surprised not only by the decision to pull back from prosecuting the case, but also by the light sentence and liberal privileges granted to Epstein during his jail term.

Acosta did not return a call seeking comment. He explained his decision in a "To whom it may concern" letter that he released to news organizations three years after the decision: "The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, served time in jail and is now a registered sex offender. He has been required to pay his victims restitution, though restitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime." Acosta wrote that the case against Epstein grew stronger over the years because more victims spoke out after Epstein was convicted.

Acosta is Trump's second nominee to be secretary of labor; the first, Andrew Puzder, withdrew last month after Senate Republicans questioned his past employment of an undocumented housekeeper. Support for Acosta seems strong, as some Democrats and union leaders have joined with Senate Republicans in praising the nominee, who has been confirmed for federal positions three times in the past.

In the 2011 letter explaining his decision in the Epstein case, Acosta said he backed off from pressing charges after "a year-long assault on the prosecution and the prosecutors" by "an army of legal superstars" who represented Epstein, including Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz; Kenneth Starr, who as independent counsel led the investigation that brought about President Bill Clinton's impeachment; and some of the nation's most prominent defense attorneys, such as Roy Black, Gerald Lefcourt and Jay Lefkowitz.

"The defense strategy was not limited to legal issues," Acosta wrote. "Defense counsel investigated individual prosecutors and their families, looking for personal peccadilloes that may provide a basis for disqualification."

Dershowitz said in an interview that no such effort to rattle the prosecutors ever took place. "That's just dead wrong," he said. "I would never participate in anything of that kind. Of course we investigated the witnesses but not Acosta's deputies. That's absurd."

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Acosta's "intention was to indict, and he fought hard and tried to get the best deal he could," Dershowitz said. "We outlawyered him." Epstein did not return a call seeking comment.

Conchita Sarnoff, the author of "TrafficKing," a book on the Epstein case, said in an interview that Acosta told her a few years after his decision not to prosecute that "he felt incapable of going up against those eight powerful attorneys. He felt his career was at stake."

In his letter about the decision, Acosta, who has been dean of the law school at Florida International University since 2009, acknowledged that "some prosecutors felt that we should just go to trial, and at times I felt that frustration myself." He also complained that Epstein "received highly unusual treatment while in jail," including being allowed to serve much of his sentence in the county jail rather than a state prison, and being permitted to leave the jail six days a week to work at home before returning to jail to sleep.

"The treatment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence," Acosta said.

Dershowitz said Acosta "was very anxious to prosecute" Epstein, but "we persuaded them that they didn't have enough evidence of interstate transportation" of the underage girls to warrant federal charges.

But Reiter, the former police chief, said the FBI had evidence "from flight logs or something" that an underage victim "was transported on an aircraft of Mr. Epstein."

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"Some may feel that the prosecution should have been tougher," Acosta wrote. "Evidence that has come to light since 2007 may encourage that view." But the prosecutor argued that his office's investigation allowed state prosecutors to strengthen their charges against Epstein. And Acosta said that those who disagree with his decision "are not the ones who at the time reviewed the evidence available for trial and assessed the likelihood of success."

The deal Acosta made with Epstein precluded any new federal prosecution based on offenses he may have committed between 2001 and 2007, but in Florida, Trump is on the witness list in a civil case in which two attorneys accuse federal prosecutors of having deceived Epstein's victims by failing to inform them that they would not charge Epstein.

Lawyers for the women argue that they had a right under the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act to know about Acosta's deal with Epstein. They say Acosta sought to keep the deal under wraps to avoid "the intense public criticism that would have resulted from allowing a politically-connected billionaire" to escape from federal prosecution.

Although Trump and Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's plane and visited his homes, neither president has been accused of taking part in the sexual misdeeds. But lawyers for Epstein's victims say Trump nonetheless may have useful information. Trump banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach "because Epstein sexually assaulted an underage girl at the club," Bradley Edwards, an attorney who represents three of the young women, said in court documents.

Lawyers involved with the various Epstein cases said there is virtually no chance that the president will be required to testify in a matter in which both sides agree his involvement was tangential.

Trump and Clinton are both among the dozens of names that appeared in a "black book" of Epstein's phone contacts that his houseman, Alfredo Rodriguez, obtained. Rodriguez, who died in 2015, was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2010 after he tried to sell the book for $50,000 to lawyers representing Epstein's victims. In the book, Rodriguez circled the names of contacts he said were involved in sexual misbehavior at Epstein's properties. There were no circles around the names of Trump, Clinton or other boldfaced names such as former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and celebrities Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, David Frost and Jimmy Buffett.

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Rodriguez spent 18 months in prison, five months longer than Epstein served in jail.

Epstein has continued to move among his homes in New York City, where he owns one of the largest private residences in Manhattan, Palm Beach and the Caribbean.
Neil Gorsuch testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to be an associate justice of the US Supreme Court during a hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2017. (MANDEL NGAN / AFP/Getty Images)

Assured of support from majority Republicans, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch wrapped up two days of Senate questioning Wednesday to glowing GOP reviews but complaints from frustrated Democrats that he concealed his views from the American public.

Gorsuch, a federal appeals court judge in Denver, refused repeated attempts to get him to talk about key legal and political issues of the day. But he did tell Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who worried that Gorsuch would vote to restrict abortion, that "no one is looking to return us to horse and buggy days."

The Supreme Court itself threw one surprise Gorsuch's way when it ruled unanimously Wednesday in a case involving learning-disabled students, overturning a standard for special education that Gorsuch had endorsed in an earlier case on the same topic.

The decision prompted sharp questioning from committee Democrats.

"Why in your early decision did you want to lower the bar so low?" asked Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

Gorsuch said he was bound by an even earlier decision on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and said that any implication that he was against autistic children was "heartbreaking."

"I was wrong, senator. I was wrong because I was bound by circuit court precedent," Gorsuch said. "And I'm sorry."

WASHINGTON  Later Wednesday, Durbin elicited another apology from Gorsuch. The senator asked about an email Gorsuch sent while working at the Justice Department in which he criticized lawyers at big firms who were representing Guantanamo detainees. The email, Gorsuch said, "was not my finest hour."

Aside from a few uncomfortable moments, Gorsuch generally maintained the mix of earnest talk about respect for prior court decisions, a pledge for absolute independence  "when you put on the robe, you open your mind"  and folksy humor that led to lighthearted exchanges with Republicans about his passion for fly fishing.

"What's the largest trout you ever caught?" Sen. Jeff Flake asked late in Tuesday's session. "Oh, now we're talking," Gorsuch shot back.

But every time Democrats tried to draw him out on a number of serious issues, including abortion and gay rights, Gorsuch answered in the same way: "I have declined to offer any promises, hints or previews of how I'd resolve any case." Gorsuch similarly wouldn't commit to a view on cameras in the Supreme Court, despite widespread support from senators on the Judiciary Committee.

Feinstein, the committee's senior Democrat, summed up her colleagues' frustration. "What worries me is you have been very much able to avoid any specificity like no one I have ever seen before," Feinstein told Gorsuch. "And maybe that's a virtue, I don't know. But for us on this side, knowing where you stand on major questions of the day is really important to a vote 'aye,' and so that's why we pressed and pressed."

Republicans, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of the Colorado native. Sen. Orrin Hatch said he hadn't seen a better nominee in 40 years in the Senate.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina lamented what he called the deterioration of the Senate confirmation process since Antonin Scalia, whose seat Gorsuch would fill, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were confirmed with more than 90 votes each.

"What's happened? Did the Constitution change? I don't think so, I think politics has changed. I think it's changed in a fashion that we should all be ashamed of as senators, and I think we're doing great damage to the judiciary by politicizing every judicial nomination," Graham said.

His statement about the process left out Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee for the seat that opened up when Scalia died more than 13 months ago. Senate Republicans blocked any action on Garland's nomination all year, and the episode has left Democrats enraged.

Following Graham, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont said the treatment of Garland was unprecedented. "For the first time in the history of the United States, the Senate refused to hold a hearing, refused to have a vote," he said.

The hearing is taking place against the backdrop of turmoil in Trump's young presidency. Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are demanding a pause in Gorsuch's confirmation process pending the FBI investigation of alleged ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. Republicans have dismissed those demands.

"I think President Trump, with all of his problems and all of his mistakes, chose wisely when it came to this man," Graham said.

Under questioning from Graham, Gorsuch repeated statements he'd made publicly for the first time Tuesday, that he was "disheartened" and "demoralized" by Trump's attacks on the judiciary, including federal judges who blocked the president's refugee travel ban.

When Leahy pressed him on whether the president could ignore a court order, Gorsuch replied: "You better believe I expect judicial decrees to be obeyed."

The confirmation hearing will wrap up with a panel of outside witnesses talking about Gorsuch, before a committee vote expected April 3 and a Senate floor vote later that same week. Republicans control the Senate 52-48, so it would require eight Democrats to move Gorsuch past procedural hurdles that require 60 votes.

No Democrat has yet pledged to support the judge, but Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Wednesday he is open to voting for him. McConnell could also change Senate rules to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority, and appears prepared to take that step.

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on March 20, 2017. (Andrew Harnik / AP)

The White House has announced what is expected to be President Donald Trump's first foreign trip.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer says the president will travel to Brussels, Belgium, on May 25 for a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the meeting earlier Tuesday.

Spicer says the president is looking forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts "to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO's role in the fight against terrorism."

Stoltenberg is set to visit the White House on April 12.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., speaks to reporters after a meeting at the White House on March 22, 2017. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. intelligence agencies inadvertently intercepted communications involving the Trump transition team late last year, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday, a disclosure that President Trump said "somewhat" vindicated his claim that he was wiretapped by President Barack Obama.

But Democrats immediately disputed that claim, asserting that the intercepts appeared to be court-authorized intelligence gathering that did not target Trump or his aides and may not have disclosed their names even in classified intelligence reports.

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Rather than confirming Trump's claims, the disclosures by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., chairman of the House committee, sparked a political uproar that threatened to obliterate attempts to conduct a bipartisan congressional investigation into whether Trump campaign aides coordinated with Russian intelligence agencies during the 2016 presidential race.

Nunes said he had learned of "dozens" of classified reports that recounted communications between members of Trump's transition team  and possibly the then-president-elect himself  and individuals who were legally targeted for government eavesdropping for foreign intelligence.

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When asked by a reporter whether he felt vindicated by the disclosure, Trump responded, "I somewhat do. I must tell you, I somewhat do. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found."

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, responds to comments from committee chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., about incidental collection of communications relating to President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on March 22, 2017. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Although Nunes said the surveillance had picked up Trump transition officials inadvertently and appeared to be authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, he said he was alarmed that "details about U.S. persons involved in the incoming administration with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value were widely disseminated in intelligence community reports."

In response, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House committee, blasted Nunes for going to the White House and briefing Trump on the material before he shared it with other members of the committee.

"The chairman will either need to decide if he's leading an investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House. Because he cannot do both," Schiff said at a Capitol Hill news conference.

He called Nunes' actions a "profound irregularity," adding, "I have expressed my grave concerns with the Chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

The unusual brawl between the two Californians came two days after they led a nationally televised House hearing that showed an unusual degree of comity and bipartisan cooperation. That goal now appears in jeopardy.

"Chairman Nunes is deeply compromised and he cannot possibly lead an honest investigation," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

During Monday's hearing, FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers said they had "no information" to confirm Trump's claims on Twitter that he was wiretapped.

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Comey also disclosed that the FBI is conducting a counter-intelligence investigation into whether Trump's aides coordinated with Russian authorities. That investigation began last July and officials said Wednesday it was separate from the surveillance Nunes disclosed.

Nunes and other Republicans used the five-hour hearing to argue that leaks of classified information, especially those involving U.S. surveillance, were a threat to national security and should be prosecuted.

The actual targets of the surveillance that picked up the Trump teams conversations were not disclosed. It could have involved foreign diplomats based in the United States or other foreign government officials.

Nunes implied that unidentified sources who provided him the information came from within the intelligence community. Former Congressional aides disputed Nunes' claim that intelligence officials had acted improperly in conducting the surveillance or circulating the reports.

"Without knowing exactly what was brought to Nunes, it's hard to know whether or not this is serious or the normal course of business of our intelligence community trying to figure out what foreign governments are up to," said Mieke Eoyang, a former House Intelligence Committee staffer who is now with Third Way, a Washington think tank.

Under the law, identities of Americans whose communications are picked up by intelligence eavesdropping of foreign targets are supposed to be kept confidential unless the conversations relate to espionage or some other potential crime that warrants further investigation.

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Details about Americans picked up by surveillance can also be included in intelligence reports circulated within the government  a step known as "unmasking"  if senior officials decided that the information is necessary to understand the intelligence.

The FBI is required to get a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a federal law governing eavesdropping, in order to intercept telephone conversations, emails, texts and other types of communications involving foreign intelligence operatives and Americans suspected of espionage.

As long as the identities of Trump transition officials were properly masked, intelligence agencies would have few qualms about circulating intelligence reports about what a foreign leader said, especially if the conversation seemed to touch on possible policy changes by the foreign government, the former officials said.

U.S. intelligence agencies are always trying to gather information about possible policy shifts by foreign governments, and their conversations with transition officials would be a possible source of such information, former officials say.

It was also possible that such reports would have been written to leave little doubt that the foreign officials' conversations had been with a Trump transition official, they said.

In some cases, intelligence officials may have decided to unmask a transition officials involved in the conversation to make the significance of the intelligence report clear.

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"The president needs to know that these intelligence reports are out there," Nunes said. He said "it appears" the surveillance was authorized by FISA warrants.

Trump's decision during his transition to shun many briefings from U.S. government officials and to use his own channels to reach out to foreign leaders may have contributed to an increased flow of intelligence reports about what foreign leaders were saying, the former officials said.

On Dec. 2, for example, Trump spoke with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, in a conversation that at least temporarily threatened to upset delicate relations between the U.S. and the Chinese government.

It was believed to be the first call between a president or president-elect with a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when the U.S. recognized the mainland government and cut ties with Taiwan.

Nunes said he wants to know who wrote the classified reports, and "who ordered the unmasking of additional names."

Schiff said that Nunes had told him the Trump transition officials were not identified in the intelligence reports, but that Nunes said "he could still figure out the probable identity" from other information in the reports.

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During Monday's hearing, Republicans repeatedly cited the case of Michael Flynn, who was ousted as Trump's national security adviser last month after news reports disclosed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about phone conversations with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

The calls were picked up by U.S. surveillance targeting the Russian envoy, and a description of the contents were leaked to the Washington Post after the Justice Department warned the White House that Flynn could be subject to blackmail.

On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee asked for records related to whether Flynn had fully disclosed his foreign business dealings as required by law.

Flynn received a fee for speaking at a 2015 Moscow event for RT, the Russian news agency that U.S. intelligence considers a propaganda arm of the Russian government.

The committee sent letters seeking the records to to the FBI, the White House, the Defense Department and the office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Such surveillance was likely how Flynn's communications with Kislyak came to light, the former officials said.
Anytime a reporter interviews Donald Trump voters about their reasons for supporting him, you can count on one of them to cite his capitalist credentials. The president has "a businessman's approach to running the country," a Chicago business owner told a Tribune reporter in a story this week.

If only.

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Trump is completely lacking in government experience, unlike almost every one of his predecessors. But during the campaign, he touted his business background as evidence of his ability to handle the presidency. Never mind that his fortune was built on a large inheritance from his wealthy father, that he went through six bankruptcies, and that many of his ventures (Trump Steaks, Trump Airlines, among others) vanished without a trace. He and his supporters preferred to focus on his successes, which he promised he could duplicate in the White House.

But no competent business executive would operate a company the way Trump has operated his administration. Protecting the brand is a key mission of every company. As plenty of defunct corporations can attest, it takes years to establish a reputation and secure the trust of customers  and that reputation can be destroyed overnight.

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Ask Volkswagen, whose managers rigged cars to defeat emissions tests, or Samsung, which sold phones that were prone to catching fire, or Chipotle, which had repeated outbreaks of food poisoning. Through ethical lapses or performance failures, these firms drove away the consumers who made them successful. And the damage may never be undone. Those companies are now striving to prove that they have learned from their mistakes and will do better in the future.

Trump, by contrast, goes out of his way to raise doubts about his honesty, competence and willingness to correct mistakes. His tweets accusing President Barack Obama of wiretapping him created a fantastic lie that was promptly debunked by everyone with knowledge of the facts. They embarrassed many of his Republican allies in Congress. They drove his approval ratings down to historic lows. Had he done anything so self-destructive as the CEO of a publicly traded company, he would have been fired.

A key to success in business is filling jobs with good people. But Trump has failed to fill thousands of jobs with anyone at all. He complains that Democrats have slowed confirmation of his Cabinet appointees, but Democrats don't have enough votes in the Senate to block these nominations. Part of the problem is that he was slow to make some of his choices because he saw no need to devote any attention to such matters until after the election. Another is that some of his nominees, being exceptionally wealthy, require more extensive vetting to head off conflicts of interest.

The problem is even worse than it appears. CNN reported that there are some 1,900 job vacancies in the executive branch, most of which don't have to go through the Senate. Even conservatives have chafed at the delays. There is "a personnel crisis in the Trump White House," wrote John Fund in National Review. "Trump has named only 20 sub-Cabinet-level positions, including two who withdrew  a list that includes nominees for ambassadorships, counsel positions, and commissioners, according to a tracker from The Washington Post and Partnership for Public Service."

Pundit Sean Hannity claimed Trump is being sabotaged by "deep-state Obama holdovers" in the government. But if Trump wants loyalists who will carry out his policies, he has to actually appoint them. A corporate executive who encountered persistent obstruction from top or middle managers would waste no time replacing them. Trump, by contrast, has wasted two months and will undoubtedly waste more.

Most businesses do business with other companies that are crucial for their success  suppliers, distributors, lenders, advertising agencies and the like. Able executives understand the value of proven partners and treat them with respect. Trump, by contrast, has undermined our chief military alliance, NATO, heaped contempt on the leader of a vital ally, Germany, and done everything possible to antagonize a previously friendly neighbor, Mexico. Business leaders sometimes have to fight, but the smart ones avoid unnecessary quarrels with those whose cooperation they may someday need.

If Trump brings any business executives to mind, it's the ones who ran Enron, a high-flying energy company that was ultimately destroyed by its own fraud. What an observer said in one documentary about the people who ran Enron may someday be said about Trump and his accomplices: "It's astounding that they got away with it for so long."

Download "Recalculating: Steve Chapman on a New Century" in the free Printers Row app at www.printersrowapp.com.

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Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman.

schapman@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveChapman13

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Bail reform in Cook County appears to be a foregone conclusion. Sheriff Tom Dart and Chief Judge Timothy Evans both support major reforms that would curtail the wholesale jailing of people solely because they are too poor to post bail. A consensus is emerging that reform is overdue.

Why then are thousands of poor, mostly African-American and Latino defendants still languishing at Cook County Jail?

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The presumption of innocence in the jail is dying a slow death. County officials should consider real, immediate solutions  including the release of detainees on personal bonds and other ideas  rather than continue to make grand statements backed by little action. Justice delayed is justice denied.

State's Attorney Kim Foxx is taking a step in the right direction. She announced recently that county prosecutors would no longer oppose the release of some detainees held on nonviolent offenses. But that move doesn't go far enough.

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Pretrial defendants are denied justice in a myriad of ways. They are vastly more likely to plead guilty for crimes they have not committed just to get out of jail. Those who stay in jail are more likely to reoffend after spending unnecessary time in custody. Detention can also lead to a spiral of unemployment and homelessness. I was contacted by the family of a young mother who was on the verge of losing her job after a long stay at the jail due to her inability to post bond for a low-level offense. In many ways pretrial detention further destabilizes already vulnerable communities and thus increases the risk to overall public safety.

And the increased risk to public safety is not the only cost that is paid by the county's residents for this broken system. Unnecessary pretrial detention is wildly wasteful of taxpayers' dollars. Cook County taxpayers foot the bill at the hefty price of about $60,000 per detainee per year, resulting in millions of dollars each year  money that could be put to far better use.

Bail was never meant to be punitive; it was intended simply to ensure that defendants attend hearings. When a judge orders a bail amount, he has already made the decision that the person is eligible for release. In other words, the judge has determined that public safety concerns have been met. This sets up a system where the rich can buy their way out of jail, but the poor cannot.

Continuing to jail poor defendants at county expense just doesn't make sense when such simple measures as automated court date reminder systems have been shown to be more effective for low-risk defendants, and electronic monitoring and comprehensive pretrial services have been shown to be more effective for higher-risk individuals.

Cook County Jail is already a dangerous place, and unnecessarily adding to the jail population makes it only more so. Inmate fights, use of excessive force, physical injuries and even deaths increase when large numbers of individuals are corralled into cells.

There is no excuse for allowing this system to continue. In addition to the human toll and real costs associated, the county judiciary also is embroiled in a lawsuit that alleges that its bail policies are unconstitutional and disproportionately violate the rights of minority defendants.

One solution, state legislation that would end reliance on monetary bail, has recently been introduced in the Illinois House. We can only hope that even in its current partisan logjam, our state government may be able to move forward on this critical issue. But for those currently sitting in cells in Cook County Jail, that prospect provides little consolation.

A real and immediate solution is available, and it is currently playing out in Harris County in Texas (home to Houston). Judges there have begun releasing individuals on personal bonds or on ones they can afford. Harris County is comparable to Cook County in both its overall population as well as jail population. A similar approach has been working for many decades in Washington, D.C., which has a no-cash bond system that releases 90 percent of those arrested and charged with crimes.

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We cannot, and should not, let political inertia stop us from taking the steps we know are just and necessary. Our existing bail statute provides that cash bail is to be a last resort, and that it must be set in an amount "considerate of the financial ability of the accused." In order to give these mandates meaning, judges must begin holding individualized bail hearings and, before cash bail is set, must make findings that the defendant can afford to pay the amount in question.

If judges will not make this effort to meaningfully comply with the law, the Illinois Supreme Court should issue rules to that effect. The court's Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts has already recommended that judges limit the use of monetary bail. And in March 2014 the same office issued a recommendation for instituting secondary reviews for low-bond defendants in custody.

The current is flowing in the right direction  but too slowly given the stakes involved. It is clear that we must end our reliance on cash bail. The only question left is, do we have the political will to do it soon?

Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, D-Chicago, is the chair of the Criminal Justice Committee of the County Board.
Last week, the British intelligence agency GCHQ took the rare step of debunking as "utterly ridiculous" the Trump administration's insinuation that Britain spied on Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign. On Monday, FBI Director James Comey testified plainly that "I have no information that supports" President Donald Trump's accusations that his predecessor ordered the "wires tapped" at Trump Tower. These false statements from the White House are part of a disturbing pattern of behavior that poses real and potentially profound dangers to U.S. national security.

The foundation of the United States' unrivaled global leadership rests only in part on our military might, the strength of our economy and the power of our ideals. It is also grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust. So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to America's global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.

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First, U.S. power is frequently a function of our ability to rally other countries to join our cause. President George H.W. Bush famously gathered some 30 countries to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in 1991. President George W. Bush enlisted NATO and other countries to fight al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after 9/11.

President Barack Obama built broad coalitions to combat the Islamic State; impose sanctions on Iran after the discovery of a secret nuclear facility at Fordow; punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine; conclude the Paris climate agreement; and halt the Ebola epidemic.

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For the United States to mobilize collective action, other nations must accept the validity of our facts and the seriousness of the challenge. Often, U.S. requests are costly and politically difficult for other nations to heed. They do so only when convinced that the cause we champion is legitimate and that their interests are served by publicly aligning with the United States. Thus, should America someday determine that Iran is violating the nuclear accord, we may struggle to convince other nations to re-impose sanctions if they doubt our intentions or the evidence we present.

Second, our treaty allies and closest partners depend on the United States to back them against enemies. For decades, they have trusted our commitment because the United States has honored its obligations. Yet when America's word is frequently found to be false, doubts arise and allies may hedge their bets by reducing their reliance on the United States and seeking improved relations with traditional adversaries. This potential dynamic may be exacerbated by recent flip-flops on foundational, bipartisan U.S. policy  such as our commitment to NATO and Asian allies, the one-China policy and the two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict  that leave U.S. partners off-balance and questioning our reliability.

Third, our friends must be able to trust the word of the U.S. president. For example, when Edward Snowden in 2013 disclosed reports of eavesdropping on the personal communications of the leaders of Germany, France, Brazil and other countries, the United States faced crises in key bilateral relationships. It was essential to repairing those ties that fellow leaders accepted as truthful Obama's personal assurances that he was unaware of such alleged activity and that such surveillance would not happen in the future.

Fourth, adversaries continually seek to divine our intentions, limits and ambitions. They may be more prone to miscalculate, thus risking conflict, when they doubt whether the United States means what it says. Is Russia certain we will defend every NATO ally at all costs? Does China think we want a trade war or stable economic relations? Does Kim Jong Un fear we may use force preemptively to counter his nuclear and missile capabilities? The United States' words matter. Critical calculations are based on our perceived credibility.

Finally, many Americans, not just the broader world, recoil in anxiety and confusion when a U.S. administration fosters counterfactual assertions and projects unpredictability. When the American people question the commander in chief's statements, his ability to harness public support to confront a national crisis is undermined.

First impressions matter, and an unsettling pattern has already been established. Still, it is possible to mitigate the long-term effects of this vacation from veracity  if the White House and the president quickly and convincingly return to the tradition of endeavoring to tell the truth from the Oval Office and the White House briefing room. If they do not, one is left to wonder whether the damage inflicted on U.S. global leadership is the deliberate derivative of the "deconstruction of the administrative state" or simply the lasting consequence of compulsive mendacity. Either way, the United States' national security will suffer.

Washington Post

Susan E. Rice was national security adviser from 2013 to 2017 and U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013.

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Monday's House Intelligence Committee hearing, billed as the first public inquiry into Russia's election meddling, was a spectacle with an obvious lesson: Offense is easier than defense.



House Republicans had a good time investigating the Obama administration. How successful those investigations were is a debate for historians. But the fact remains they had the whip in hand, while the Democrats were held hostage to the political necessity of defending the administration. The GOP still has the majority, but it must now protect the administration  run by a president who doesn't always make that task simple.



With pained expressions, Republicans, led by Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), tried to make the main story the unauthorized and illegal leaks of extremely classified information  specifically pertaining to President Donald Trump's 24-day national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, but also the unlawful leaks of Trump's telephone conversations.



The Republicans are correct that the leaks should be an enormous scandal, particularly given the often hysterical arguments about the government's intrusions into American privacy over the last 15 years. Leaking a president's conversations fundamentally undermines the ability of the president  any president  to talk frankly with foreign leaders, especially our allies. That's a huge story.



But moving headlines in that direction was a tall order. The GOP's leaky strategy took a hit when FBI Director James Comey broke protocol (again) to confirm that there is indeed an active investigation of "any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign" and the Russians. Doubling down on bad news for the GOP, Comey and National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers refuted the president's claim that he was bugged by the Obama administration or British Intelligence.



If the Republicans thought the media would take the bait, they were deluding themselves.



First, as a practical matter, the media love leaks, believing they're an indispensable part of a functioning democracy and the bread-and-butter of their vocation. Even if these leaks weren't damaging to an administration the media clearly loathe, most mainstream journalists wouldn't help the Republicans make leaking the main issue.



More important, Russia's meddling, despite all of the gossip and misinformation swirling around it, is also a major story  and a much sexier one. Democrats could hardly contain their partisan glee when talking about Russian chicanery or speculating about possible Trump campaign cutouts like the infamous political henchman Roger Stone.



The White House clearly hoped the hearing would help close the Russian chapter. Trump even tweeted Monday morning that the whole controversy was "made up" by the Democrats. But it seems unlikely that the FBI would be investigating a fabricated story.



Rather, Monday's hearing should be seen as further evidence that Russia's meddling is bearing fruit.

FBI Director James B. Comey confirms his agency is investigating possible cooperation between Russia and Trump campaign associates.





The intelligence community has concluded that Russia only belatedly wanted Trump to win. The Russians' first priority  as it is in elections throughout Europe  was to undermine the legitimacy of the democratic process and to sow chaos in the West.



In this, they have succeeded.



Russian meddling led to then-candidate Trump's celebration of it during the campaign  "I love WikiLeaks!"  which led to illegal partisan leaks, which led to Trump accusing his predecessor of "wiretapping" Trump Tower and then suggesting that the British did the spying for us. The ensuing chaos required Comey, at the hearing on Monday, to break protocol and divulge that an investigation is taking place. It's like the "Chicago way" applied to democratic norms. Once one side starts violating them, everyone feels justified in doing likewise.



It's embarrassing to have the heads of the FBI and the NSA  never mind congressional leaders in Trump's own party  nod to Russian power and publicly refute numerous incendiary presidential claims.



Nothing about any of this is normal.



My hunch is that some of Trump's henchmen were involved in skullduggery with WikiLeaks and other proxies for Russian intelligence (which may explain why some were fired). But even if no one did anything wrong, the United States clearly needs to take Russia to task  which won't happen if the party in control of Congress focuses exclusively on leaks.



The challenge for the GOP in the months ahead will be to figure out how to play more than just defense.

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Jonah Goldberg is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior editor of National Review.

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Donald Trump's nonstop lies are failing him

Comey's testimony leaves Trump looking desperate, childish and vulnerable
Nancy Swabb, of Chicago, holds 10-month-old Dominique on March 21, 2017, at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge. The infant from the Ivory Coast was born with four legs and two spines. A March 8 surgery at the hospital removed the parasitic twin that had not fully developed. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Let's step away, for a moment, from all the bad and divisive and blood-pressure-raising and tragic and we-should-be-better-than-this things happening in the world.

And let's focus, in that moment, on something truly good: Dominique.

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Dominique is a beautiful 10-month-old from West Africa, and the course of her life now seems straighter because a disparate group of people and organizations grabbed hold of it and used their strengths to bend it and make it right.

Politics didn't matter. Borders didn't matter. Race and age and gender didn't matter. What mattered was Dominique, a baby born with two spines and two extra legs. What mattered was making a life better.

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A story by my colleague Lisa Schencker explained how surgeons at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge spent six hours removing the legs that stuck out from the baby's neck and back, the result of a parasitic twin that never fully developed.

The story quoted Dr. John Ruge from the surgical team: "It's as if the identical twin sort of dove into her body from the back and the only part sticking out were the hips and legs."

The fear was that without removing the twin, Dominique might wind up paralyzed or her organs might not be strong enough to provide for what was effectively a body and a half.

The future for this infant in Ivory Coast, or Cote d'Ivoire, a country between Ghana and Liberia along the southern coast of West Africa, was grim.

Now consider all that had to fall into place for Dominique to wind up in a hospital in Park Ridge.

Nancy Swabb of Chicago is caring for 10-month-old Dominique, a baby born with four legs and two spines from the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Dominique underwent a rare surgery at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Schencker's story noted that Advocate Children's Hospital "in the past six years has added about 100 physicians" and was eager to "boost awareness of its growing capabilities."

By word of mouth, Dominique's parents in Ivory Coast learned of Children's Medical Missions West, a Christian organization in Ohio that, according to its website, was "created out of a need to serve indigent children around the world." The nonprofit helps pair children who need medical treatment unavailable to them in their own countries with qualified doctors and surgeons elsewhere.

The Ohio group had a connection with a doctor at Advocate Children's Hospital, and arrangements for the surgery were made. Then Nancy Swabb of Chicago happened to see a Facebook post that said: "Host family needed for a 9-month-old baby girl from Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa."

Swabb saw the picture of Dominique and her mother and knew she could help. So she and her husband, Tim, volunteered, submitted paperwork and, as she describes in a story on the fundraising website YouCaring.com, "within a week we were holding Dominique in our arms!"

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Dominique is recovering with a foster family in Chicago after surgeons removed a parasitic twin that was not fully developed. Dominiques parents and siblings await her return home to the Ivory Coast in West Africa. March 20, 2017. (Advocate Childrens Hospital) (Advocate ChildrenS Hospital/Chicago Tribune)

The baby's parents couldn't afford to accompany her, so an American Airlines flight attendant volunteered to escort Dominique to Chicago.

Friends and neighbors of the Swabbs helped out with the baby and donated diapers and formula.

And finally, on March 8, a team of surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel came together and spent hours delicately separating the twin from Dominique's body, disconnecting nerves and blood vessels, removing a second bladder and leaving behind the second spine, which intertwines with her own.

It was a surgery with little precedent. And it was a success.

Dominique is healthy and smiling. Her prognosis is good and the doctors expect she will live a full life. Once she's medically cleared to travel, she'll return to her family in West Africa.

The human connections in this story are remarkable. Parents unwilling to give up on their child, an organization created to help children just like Dominique, the people who donate to that organization, the doctor at Advocate Children's Hospital connected to a person at the organization, the people who shared Dominique's story on Facebook, the Swabbs, who stepped up immediately, the flight attendant, the Swabbs' friends and neighbors and the surgeons with the courage and skill to tackle a case as complex as Dominique's.

There is considerable chaos these days  politically, socially, geopolitically, economically. And there is an abundance of yelling and disagreement and literal and figurative fist-shaking.

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But there is also good. Overwhelming, awe-inspiring good. Good that slices through all the other stuff like it's not even there. Good in people who find themselves drawn together for a single purpose that rises miles above politics and opinions and the boundaries we draw to divvy up the planet.

Good like Dominique. Good that makes us all smile.

Good that's worth focusing on, at least for a moment.

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com
Expect Tomi Lahren to have a career-saving epiphany on abortion rights by the end of the month.

Lahren, the 24-year-old conservative internet provocateur, angered many of her followers Friday when she said this during an interview on ABC's "The View":

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"I'm pro-choice and here's why. I'm a constitutional  you know, someone that loves the Constitution. I am someone that's for limited government. And so I can't sit here and be a hypocrite and say I'm for limited government but I think that the government should decide what women do with their bodies. I can sit here and say that, as a Republican, and I can say, you know what, I'm for limited government, so stay out of my guns, and you can stay out of my body as well."

This did not go over well with her bosses at The Blaze, a conservative media site founded by Glenn Beck.

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"I would disagree that you're a hypocrite if you want limited government and yet you want the government to protect life of the unborn. It's very, very clear," said Beck on his radio program Monday. "Bomb throwing in today's world is dangerous. Freedom of speech, it's not free. Speech isn't free. It comes with a very high price tag."

Lahren's daily videocast on The Blaze was suspended for at least one week starting Monday in the wake of indignation on the right, indignation that didn't erupt after she threw such bombs as calling Black Lives Matter "the new KKK," opined that Syrian refugees simply "run away" from their problems and said that "In a number of cases if (a black shooting) victim ended up being unarmed, it certainly wasn't for lack of trying."

Lahren was defiant, tweeting, "I will never apologize, to anyone, for being an independent thinker," and "I have my beliefs and you have yours. Doesn't make you right. Never said y'all have to agree with me. Get over it."

She's been widely seen as too appealing to stay for long on a mere web channel. Her combination of edginess, smug self-confidence and platinum blonde good looks are likely to make her a fixture as a cable news pundit in years to come.

But only if she "evolves" on abortion.

Republican President Donald Trump did. Former Republican President George H.W. Bush did. Would-be Republican president Mitt Romney did. Each cited a change in philosophy that, oh no, was not at all related to a dawning awareness that being in favor of abortion rights is a deal-breaker for the movement conservatives who control the national Republican Party and dominate right-wing media.

Lahren can continue to make the case that conservatism is consonant with the idea that government should not compel a woman to remain pregnant against her will. She can continue to suggest that it's hypocritical to suggest otherwise. And she can find herself forever consigned to the media margins.

Or she can announce a change of heart and move on soon to bigger venues for her inflammatory, vapid rants.

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The suspense isn't killing me.

The smart thing for me to do here would be to assert that Democrats and liberals are never this ideologically rigid. Then to double-down and shout "fake news!" when confronted with counter-examples of suffocating left-wing conformity.

Our post-fact era is also a post-apology era. Those who don't embrace that new reality aren't going to get the attention, power and respect of the never-sorry.

But since I haven't yet embraced that new reality, I'll admit that both sides of the divide prefer to stay mainly in their bubbles of political orthodoxy, and that if lefty commentators who opposes abortion rights want to hit the big time, they're best advised to keep quiet about it or figure out a way to change their minds.

One thing I won't apologize for, however, is my refusal to knuckle under to those who've begged me and others to ignore President Trump's tweets.

Don't give him the attention! they said. Refuse to validate or encourage his petulant use of our most shallow medium!

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But following Trump on Twitter has proved to be our best window into the Oval Office and its terrifyingly rash current occupant. And journalism's obsession with his tweets has paid off in a revealing, politically damaging embarrassment for him.

Had we simply ignored his March 4 tweetstorm about how his "bad (or sick!)" predecessor Barack Obama had tapped his phones, Trump would not have been humiliated by the barrage of official denials that culminated in FBI Director James Comey's congressional testimony Monday.

Trump is weaker in office than he's ever been because reporters declined to turn away from his feed or to chuckle indulgently at the inanity of his tweets.

Expect him to have an administration-saving epiphany about this never.

Podcast: "The Mincing Rascals"

Ericzorn@gmail.com

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Praying for Revival in France www.prayforfrance.org; www.impactfrance.org



ATLANTA, March 22, 2017 /



Current world events including the upcoming French presidential elections, the effects of the Brexit, and the current global political climate reveal a dire need for prayer. Geographically, politically, and socially the center of Western Europe, France has one of the lowest percentage of Evangelical Christians in all of Europe (1%) and is the fourth most atheistic country in the world (28%)  behind China, Japan, and the Czech Republic (WIN/Gallup International Poll).



The theme for 2017 is "Join the Revival in France" and includes a free prayer guide to help guide Christians to join what God is already doing in France by interceding for the country and its people. Topics for the prayer guide have been provided by over a dozen French ministries.



Last year's prayer campaign saw an increased reach in the number of Christians praying for France through out the world. Christians from 91 countries interceded for France through the campaign and have continued to pray for France.



"In France, greater unity among Christians and an urgency to share the Gospel have contributed to church planting and renewal efforts," said David Broussard, president of Impact France, the lead coalition partner. "This is the fruit of passionate prayer we believe that God is calling thousands to pray for France during this time to continue supporting our French brothers and sisters on the ground."



Pray for France is an initiative of Impact France, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, which collects, translates, and disseminates information about the French evangelical world to English speakers throughout the world who have a heart for France. Impact France has dozens of French ministry partners who provide the most up-to-date information on what God is doing in this country.

Share Tweet Contact: David Broussard, President, Impact France, 678-205-6859, dbroussard@impactfrance.org ATLANTA, March 22, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Beginning next week, from March 26th through April 16th, Pray for France ( www.PrayforFrance.org ), will begin mobilizing Christians from around the world to pray for France in light of the upcoming presidential elections and the current spiritual state of the nation.Current world events including the upcoming French presidential elections, the effects of the Brexit, and the current global political climate reveal a dire need for prayer. Geographically, politically, and socially the center of Western Europe, France has one of the lowest percentage of Evangelical Christians in all of Europe (1%) and is the fourth most atheistic country in the world (28%)  behind China, Japan, and the Czech Republic (WIN/Gallup International Poll).The theme for 2017 is "Join the Revival in France" and includes a free prayer guide to help guide Christians to join what God is already doing in France by interceding for the country and its people. Topics for the prayer guide have been provided by over a dozen French ministries.Last year's prayer campaign saw an increased reach in the number of Christians praying for France through out the world. Christians from 91 countries interceded for France through the campaign and have continued to pray for France."In France, greater unity among Christians and an urgency to share the Gospel have contributed to church planting and renewal efforts," said David Broussard, president of Impact France, the lead coalition partner. "This is the fruit of passionate prayer we believe that God is calling thousands to pray for France during this time to continue supporting our French brothers and sisters on the ground."Pray for France is an initiative of Impact France, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, which collects, translates, and disseminates information about the French evangelical world to English speakers throughout the world who have a heart for France. Impact France has dozens of French ministry partners who provide the most up-to-date information on what God is doing in this country.
Terri Schiavo's Fight for Life is Focus of Internationally Broadcast Mass on EWTN April 7 Archbishop Charles Chaput Preaches Issues Impacting America's Medically Vulnerable



Contact: Tom Shakely, Executive Director, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, 855-300-4673, tshakely@lifeandhope.com



PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than a decade after the private family struggle to save Terri Schiavo's life escalated into a public battle, the far-reaching positive effects of her fight will be commemorated on Friday, April 7 during an internationally broadcast special mass. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia will celebrate mass on EWTN (Eternal World Television Network), appearing live at 8am EST. The service will be rebroadcast at noon and 7pm EST. The mass is being held in observation of Terri's Day, an annual national day of prayer and outreach that celebrates Terri's life, with a focus on medically vulnerable and at-risk patients and families who must fight for their right to proper care.



Archbishop Chaput will visit the EWTN studios in Birmingham, Alabama, where he will speak to its international viewing audience on the issues impacting America's medically vulnerable. During his 2015 World Meeting of Families trip to Philadelphia, both Pope Francis and Chaput spoke publicly on issues of human dignity and the fundamental value of every individual's life. Chaput will elaborate on these issues during the April 7th mass.



"My sister Terri became an accidental hero to the medically vulnerable," says Bobby Schindler, President of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network. "She was an everyday person who, because of her defenseless situation, touched the hearts and minds of millions around the world." Terri's family has kept her fight alive by establishing the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network to protect the medically dependent who cannot advocate for themselves. Bobby will participate in a one-hour televised interview with Father Mitch Pacwa of EWTN to discuss the fate of individuals who are treated as being less worthy of care and medical treatment by the healthcare industry.



Background: In 1990, at age 26, a healthy Terri Schiavo collapsed and was admitted to a St. Petersburg, Florida hospital where she was diagnosed with a profound brain injury. When her estranged husband Michael eventually lobbied successfully to have her feeding tube removed, even though her family pleaded to provide for her care, a national debate unfolded. In response to the urging of hundreds of thousands, Governor Jeb Bush advocated to keep Terri alive, and Terri's Law was passed in 2003. The law enabled feeding to be resumed, but was later overturned. In 2005, with an overwhelming majority, Congress passed a bill signed by President George W. Bush allowing a federal court to intervene and continue food and water, but the effort was overturned and Terri's feeding tube was removed. She died 13 days later from severe dehydration. Terri, who is listed alongside Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Theresa in USA TODAY's 25 Lives of Indelible Impact, was named among those who moved us most in the past quarter-century.



Contact:



Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network: Tom Shakely, Executive Director, 855-300-4673, tshakely@lifeandhope.com



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NOM, IOF and CitizenGO Hold Press Conference to Launch #FreeSpeechBus Tour Contact:

National Organization for Marriage,

202-457-8060 ext 110



WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /



"It's biology, not bigotry," said Brian S. Brown, president of both NOM and IOF. "Men and women were created equally, each given a gender that is fixed, immutable and complementary. Rather than perpetuate a lie that gender can be changed based on emotions and feelings, we should encourage people to embrace and love who they were made to be."



The #FreeSpeechBus tour begins tomorrow in New York, where it will make appearances at the United Nations and Trump Tower, and drive through the streets of Manhattan. The bus carries the message, "It's biology. Boys are boys and always will be. Girls are girls and always will be. You can't change sex. Respect all."



The bus tour organizers echoed a sentiment repeatedly raised by Pope Francis, that "gender ideology" is "an error of the human mind that leads to so much confusion" and is a key element in why "the family is under attack." The Pope has condemned the teaching of "gender theory" in public schools, especially in developing nations, where he says it amounts to "ideological colonization" by influential western countries such as the United States. "And this is terrible," the Pope said last August. "We are experiencing a moment of the annihilation of man as the image of God."



"Proponents of gender ideology refuse to debate the scientific basis for their gender theory and instead resort to vicious character attacks on anyone who opposes them," said Ignacio Arsuaga, president of CitizenGO, a community of active citizens who promote life, family and liberty. "A recent scientific report from researchers with Johns Hopkins University found that there is no scientific basis for the idea that someone could be 'trapped in the wrong body' and that almost everyone who experiences feelings of gender confusion will outgrow them by the time they complete puberty. Yet LGBT activists have pushed their gender agenda into the schools, teaching children that they can choose their own gender. We agree with Pope Francis, 'this is terrible.'"



NOM, IOF and CitizenGO will hold a joint, bilingual press conference on Thursday, March 23rd at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, E 47th St, New York, NY 10017. Remarks and questions in Spanish will be at 11:30 AM; English at 12:00 Noon. The organizers will announce the final itinerary at this time, but currently there are plans for stops in New Haven, CT on the campus of Yale University, as well as in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC.

Share Tweet Contact: Joseph Grabowski 202-457-8060 ext 110WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), International Organization for the Family (IOF) and CitizenGO yesterday announced that they are jointly sponsoring a bus tour aimed at promoting what the groups said is the "truth of gender""that it is determined by biology rather than by emotions and feelings"and to call on all Americans to respect the free speech rights of citizens to debate these issues without fear of being demeaned, harassed, or threatened with retaliation. The organizers also announced they will hold a press conference in Manhattan on Thursday, March 23rd to discuss the bus tour."It's biology, not bigotry," said Brian S. Brown, president of both NOM and IOF. "Men and women were created equally, each given a gender that is fixed, immutable and complementary. Rather than perpetuate a lie that gender can be changed based on emotions and feelings, we should encourage people to embrace and love who they were made to be."The #FreeSpeechBus tour begins tomorrow in New York, where it will make appearances at the United Nations and Trump Tower, and drive through the streets of Manhattan. The bus carries the message, "It's biology. Boys are boys and always will be. Girls are girls and always will be. You can't change sex. Respect all."The bus tour organizers echoed a sentiment repeatedly raised by Pope Francis, that "gender ideology" is "an error of the human mind that leads to so much confusion" and is a key element in why "the family is under attack." The Pope has condemned the teaching of "gender theory" in public schools, especially in developing nations, where he says it amounts to "ideological colonization" by influential western countries such as the United States. "And this is terrible," the Pope said last August. "We are experiencing a moment of the annihilation of man as the image of God.""Proponents of gender ideology refuse to debate the scientific basis for their gender theory and instead resort to vicious character attacks on anyone who opposes them," said Ignacio Arsuaga, president of CitizenGO, a community of active citizens who promote life, family and liberty. "A recent scientific report from researchers with Johns Hopkins University found that there is no scientific basis for the idea that someone could be 'trapped in the wrong body' and that almost everyone who experiences feelings of gender confusion will outgrow them by the time they complete puberty. Yet LGBT activists have pushed their gender agenda into the schools, teaching children that they can choose their own gender. We agree with Pope Francis, 'this is terrible.'"NOM, IOF and CitizenGO will hold a joint, bilingual press conference on Thursday, March 23rd at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, E 47th St, New York, NY 10017. Remarks and questions in Spanish will be at 11:30 AM; English at 12:00 Noon. The organizers will announce the final itinerary at this time, but currently there are plans for stops in New Haven, CT on the campus of Yale University, as well as in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC.
Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed Assessment Updates. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata in the Robusto size. This is a cigar we most recently assessed in the Short Torpedo size back in October, 2016.

Wrapper: Habano 2000 Clara (Ecuador)

Binder: Negro San Andreas (Mexico)

Filler: Esteli Ligero (Nicaragua). Condega Visus (Nicaragua), Yamasa Visus, Piloto and San Vicente Ligero (Dominican Republic)

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Occidental Kelner)

Robusto: 5 x 50

The Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata is the second line released under the Avo Syncro Nicaragua umbrella. Early in 2015, the Avo brand under Davidoff underwent a restructuring. Later that year, the first Avo Syncro Nicaragua was unveiled  the first regular production Avo line to be box-pressed and incorporate Nicaraguan tobacco. With this new release under the Syncro line, the Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata brings a completely new Nicaraguan-centric blend in a rounded format.

The Fogata consists of a Ecuadorian Habano 2000 Clara wrapper over a San Andres binder. The fillers are a mix of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. While the original box-pressed Avo Syncro Nicaragua focused around Ometepe tobacco from Nicaragua, the Fogata focuses on tobacco from Nicaraguas Esteli and Condega regions. One other note is that the high priming ligeros for this blend are from the Dominican Republic. The Fogata is available in four sizes and today we will focus on the 5 x 50 Robusto size.

Flavor-wise, the Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata Robusto delivered a mix of chocolate, cedar, mineral, and some grassy notes. During the first third of the smoking experience, I found the chocolate notes to be prominent. As the cigar experienced progressed, the cedar and mineral notes became more prominent. During the last third of the smoking experience, there was more in the way of cedar spice and mineral notes.

Overall I found the Fogata Robusto to be a satisfying smoke. Its a very different smoke than the original box-pressed Avo Syncro Nicaragua. The Fogata Robusto is a smoke I could recommend to either a novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. While I still give a slight edge to the Short Torpedo, the Robusto size is one I would also smoke again  and its worthy of a picking up a fiver for your humidor.

Summary

Key Flavors: Chocolate, Mineral, Cedar, Grass

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium

Body: Medium

Finish: Excellent

Rating

Assessment: 3.0-The Fiver

Score: 89

References

Previous Assessment: Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata Short Torpedo

News: Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata Announced

Price: $9.90

Source: Avo Cigars

Brand Reference: AVO

Photo Credit: Cigar Coop
Pueblo police investigating second homicide in less than 3 days

The incident marks the 24th homicide in the city of Pueblo this year.
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
By Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Weining Hu

Hong Kongs Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) recently issued a consultation document on amending the Companies Ordinance law. If the amendment proposal is approved, companies incorporated in Hong Kong will need to identify their beneficial owners and register such information with the Hong Kong Companies Registrars.

This rule applies to all companies incorporated in Hong Kong, including those limited by shares, by guarantee, and unlimited companies. However, publicly listed companies will be exempted from the proposed requirements as the Securities and Futures Ordinance already have a stringent set of rules requiring listed companies to register their interests of shares.

Given Hong Kongs strong commitment to global governance on combating money laundering and terrorist financing, it is highly likely that it will introduce a bill into the Legislative Council in the second quarter of 2017. It is recommended that Hong Kong-incorporated companies stay current with the ongoing changes, so as to make adjustments to comply with the laws and mitigate potential business losses.

Definition of beneficial owner

The FSTB adopts a similar definition of beneficial owner as that proposed by Financial Action Task Force, an inter-government body developing and promoting policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and that adopted by the UK, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. Under the proposed amendments, a beneficial owner in relation to a company is an individual who meets one or more of the following specified conditions:

Directly or indirectly holding more than 25 percent of the shares;

Directly or indirectly holding more than 25 percent of the voting rights;

Directly or indirectly holding the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors;

Otherwise having the right to exercise, or actually exercising, significant influence or control;

Having the right to exercise, or actually exercising, significant influence or control over the activities of a trust or a firm that is not a legal person, but whose trustees or members satisfy any of the first four conditions (in their capacity as such) in relation to the company, or would do so if they were individuals.

RELATED: Business Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Register of people with significant control

When registering beneficial ownership information with the Hong Kong Companies Registrars, a company needs to accurately file a Register of People with Significant Control (PSC register) in a timely manner. A person with significant control (PSC) is an individual who meets one or more of the specified conditions set out in the above definitions for beneficial owners (i.e. a registrable individual).

Given that a registrable individual may hold an interest in a company indirectly through successive layers of holding companies in a chain of ownership, a company also needs to register a relevant legal entity (i.e. a registrable legal entity) with significant control over the company. This registrable legal entity does not have to be formed or incorporated in Hong Kong. It is registrable as long as it meets one or more of the specified conditions set out in the definitions of beneficial owners. Additionally, only a legal entity immediately above the company in the companys ownership chain is deemed as a registrable legal entity.

When a company has identified its registrable individual and registrable legal entity, it should file the following information in its PSC register in addition to the already required registration details under the Companies Ordinance:

Name of the registrable individual or registrable legal entity;

The number of the identity card, or the number and issuing country of any passport, of the registrable individual;

The legal form of the registrable legal entity (including the law by which it is governed) and the company registration number or the equivalent in its place of incorporation or formation;

The correspondence address (excluding post office box number) of the registrable individual, and the address of the registered or principal office of the registrable legal entity;

The date when the person became a registrable individual, and the date when the legal entity became a registrable legal entity; and

The nature of the control of the registrable individual or of the registrable legal entity over the company in accordance with the specified conditions.

Case study

Here is an example of how to identify a registrable individual and a registrable legal entity for entry into a PSC register. If HK Company A is directly owned by Person 1 (20 percent) and HK Company B (80 percent), then HK Company B is deemed a registrable legal entity since it is the direct owner of HK Company A and it holds 80 percent  more than 25 percent  of the shares. Although Person 1 does not directly own more than 25 percent of the shares in HK Company A, Person 1 is still considered a registrable individual because this person indirectly holds 80 percent of HK Company A through intermediaries HK Company B and Non-HK Company C. Therefore, when filing the PSC register for HK Company A, Person 1 is its beneficial owner (registrable individual) and HK Company B is its registrable legal entity.

Similarly, HK Company B also needs to keep a record in the PSC register due to its Hong Kong incorporation status. In this case, since Non-HK Company C is directly above HK Company B in the corporate ownership structure and it is the sole shareholder of HK Company B, Non-HK Company C should be filed in the PSC register as the registrable legal entity of HK Company B. HK Company B also needs to register Person 1 as its beneficial owner since this person indirectly owns the company (100 percent) through intermediary Non-HK Company C.

RELATED: China Introduces Wide-Sweeping New Transfer Pricing Rules

Ensuring compliance

Although the major contents required for entry into PSC registers have been listed in the proposed consultation document, it is still unclear how the PSC register form will look like in practice. It is also unclear what will happen to a company, if it is not able to identify its registrable individual or registrable legal entity and despite the fact that this company has stated its situations in the PSC register.

As a major international financial and business center, Hong Kong has been seeking to strike a balance between maintaining the robustness of its regulatory regime and ensuring its competitiveness on the global stage. Given recent high profile cases of companies using complex ownership and control structures for illicit purposes, the need for tracking beneficial owners of opaque corporate vehicles has been increasingly urgent.

The trend towards enhancing transparency in beneficial ownership will only become more apparent in the future. Businesses must therefore prepare to reveal and, if necessary, restructure ownership arrangements to ensure compliance with new regulations and avoid incurring heavy penalties.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. We can assist with Hong Kong company issues including changes in directorships, shareholdings and domicile. For further information, please email hongkong@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight.

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2017

Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes.

New Considerations when Establishing a China WFOE in 2017

In this edition of China Briefing, we guide readers through a range of topics, from the reasons behind foreign investors preference for the WFOE as an investment model, to managing Chinas new regulations. We discuss how economic transformations have favored the WFOE, as well as the investment models utility, and detail key requirements that businesspeople need to examine before initiating the WFOE setup process. We then walk investors through the WFOE establishment process, and, finally, explain the new and idiosyncratic Actual Controlling Person regulation.
Customers wait to enter the Wangfujing Apple Store in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 20, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Apple expects its business and social initiatives to go further and deeper in China which has "enormous strength", according to CEO Tim Cook.

Cook arrived last week to attend the 2017 China Development Forum (CDF). His trips to China frequently include visiting local iOS developers.

"The momentum is tremendous," he said in an interview on Tuesday. Apple has paid developers in China a total of 90 billion yuan (13 billion U.S. dollars) since its app store went online in 2008, 40 billion yuan of which was in the last 12 months.

There are nearly 1.8 million iOS developers in China, home to about 700 million mobile Internet users. China surpassed America in iOS App Store downloads in 2015 and claimed the top spot for iOS App Store revenue.

In terms of app development, China is growing faster than any other country, Cook said.

"There is no better place for entrepreneurs and innovators to get their business started and sell, not only to the huge domestic market, but also to export their talent to the world, " he said.

During his visit, Apple announced plans to open R&D centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, in addition to two already in Beijing and Shenzhen, with more than 3.5 billion yuan committed.

Apple entered the Chinese market more than three decades ago, has 46 retail stores and the vast majority of its global supply chain in China.Apple's presence means 4.8 million jobs to the country.

In May 2016, Apple made a "rare" investment of 1 billion U.S. dollars in Chinese ride hailing app Didi Chuxing and has been promoting environmental initiatives in China. The latest move is 130,000 ha of sustainable forest in south China as a source of packaging paper.

Describing his company's position in China as "having very deep roots", Cook said the relationship is getting broader and deeper.

"If you could draft this out, make our relationship on a graph, you would see it getting higher and higher," he said.

As for the increasing challenges from home-grown rivals Huawei, OPPO and Vivo, the CEO admits that there are more competitors in China than elsewhere. Mostly, however, they compete among themselves for Android business.

Apple, he said, respects competition which makes all players better and will continue to make the best, not the most, products and enrich people's lives.
In China, even farmers are aware of the importance of supply-side structural reform. Their willingness to shell out huge amounts for imported equipment illustrates the need for high-quality domestic products.

Ploughs made by a German agricultural machinery giant are popular among farmers in Northeast China, though they might cost 250,000 yuan ($36,200) each, while a Chinese plough might cost about 15,000 yuan.

The price for the German equipment is much higher, but worth it, according to Wang Yanlong, head of a local agricultural machinery cooperative in Heilongjiang province, citing better reliability, quality and durability.

The popular German ploughs show there is much room for China's supply-side structural reform, which calls for Chinese enterprises to produce high-quality and tailor-made products and services to cater to the country's increasingly affluent and sophisticated consumers.

Echoing the call for reform, Chinese brands are speeding up innovation to stand out among the competition.

Chinese companies have experienced two big waves of innovation -- the first driven by the robust export market after the country opened up, and another propelled by the Internet and mobile technology in the past decade -- and now they are facing a new wave, according to Fang Hongbo, Chairman and President of Midea Group.

The new round of innovation is driven by technological innovation, Fang said, adding that it is time for Chinese firms to move up the global industrial value chain toward leading technology and influential brands.

Once a home appliance giant, Midea declared earlier this month it would transform itself into a tech group by expanding its business in robotics and industrial automation following its acquisition of German robotics maker Kuka and Israeli motion control firm Servotronix last year.

In addition to innovation in technology and products, Ctrip CEO Jane Sun pointed out that corporate management innovation also matters a lot.

The company, China's largest online travel agency, introduced an internal entrepreneurship program called Baby Tiger. It helps break large teams into small business units, offering them independent decision-making and resource-allocation power to develop innovative products.

Decentralizing will help unleash the creativity of individuals and small teams, which could bring major innovations, Sun said.

For personal computer manufacturing giant Lenovo, the company chose to build on their strength in the PC manufacturing sector to expand into the smart device market by using smart Internet technology such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing and big data.

"It's important for companies to stay focused, said Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo chairman and CEO. "We will stick to our focal point while adjusting ourselves to market trends."

Driven by the technology, education and travel sectors, the brand value of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands hit record levels in 2017, growing 6 percent to reach $557.1 billion, according to a report released by communications services group WPP and global research agency Kantar Millward Brown.

"China has come to terms with the new normal for its economy, but there are still massive opportunities for strong distinct brands to address the aspirations of the rising urban middle class and drive superior value for shareholders," said David Roth, CEO for EMEA and Asia at The Store WPP, the group's global retail practice.

The "brand power" of Chinese brands, or consumers' willingness to buy a certain brand, continues to grow and has started to surpass that of multinational rival brands for the first time, the BrandZ report showed.

"We expect this trend to accelerate in future years as Chinese companies realize they need to build differentiated brands to command a premium in a competitive market, where penetration-led growth is plateauing off in many categories," said Deepender Rana, CEO for Greater China at Kantar Insights.
Deep in the mountains of Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest China, forest ranger Duan Minggao patrols a plantation frequented by giant pandas.

Duan, from Xingfu Village, "Village of Happiness," in Sichuan Province, said people in Wolong once struggled to make a living by digging herbs and extracting timber.

From the 1950s till the late 1990s, forests in Sichuan supported a large number of loggers. In the logging heyday, about 100,000 workers were cutting trees there.

For Duan, 46, the money was not so good. "I was only just making ends meet with less than 10,000 yuan (1,450 U.S. dollars) each year, barely enough to support my family," he said.

Sichuan is home to 3.8 million people living under the national poverty line. Wolong is a special administrative area directly headed by the provincial forestry department and has long been in dire financial straits.

Logging not only damaged the physical environment, but played havoc with the ecosystem and brought many species, the giant panda not least among them, under threat.

That sad situation is now changing. The government is encouraging residents to plant trees and restore the environment. There are jobs as well as subsidies, effectively changing the lives of people in Sichuan, particularly in Wolong, home of the emblematic giant panda, standard bearer for these efforts.

By 2020, the Sichuan government will have encouraged 88 poor counties to return their land to forests through favorable policies, Rao Sidan, head of Sichuan's forestry department, told Xinhua this week.

HAPPIER LIVES IN HAPPINESS VILLAGE

About 30 years ago, most villagers in Wolong depended on wood to warm their homes and cook their food. They got through about 4,500 square meters of forest each year. The situation not only consumed the forests, but also threatened the pandas.

"I remember when I was a little boy, I saw a panda with two playful panda cubs in front of my house," Duan said. "As I approached them, the sudden engine noise of a logging truck in the forest scared them away."

But even as people laid the mountains bare and drove away the pandas, most in Wolong remained poor, Duan said.

Things took a turn for the better in 1998, when China banned commercial logging in natural forests in the upper reaches of the Yangtze and in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. Wolong stands right at the center of the Yangtze restoration project.

Realizing that people depended on the trees and herbs, the local government gave subsidies to villagers, who then grew some corn and potatoes. Last year, the local government started give residents in the 700,000-hectare reserve jobs as forest rangers earning 12,000 yuan each year on average. There are also other types of subsidies.

Last year, once impoverished residents filled 11,000 job vacancies, and with each job, an average of 3.3 people escape poverty.

Duan Minggao was one of those picked and now wears a number of different hats in Wolong. He is a road maintenance officer, a forester and a warden. His warden work alone pushed his annual earnings well above 12,000 yuan. Now he earns more than 30,000 yuan a year.

"Now we are not only making more money, but the mountains are green again," he said.

Afforested land in Sichuan has increased to 24 million hectares, and statistics from the provincial water resources department reveal that compared with 1999, the amount of sediment in the lower reaches of the Yarlung and Minjiang rivers, both major tributaries of the Yangtze, has decreased by almost half.

Local people are also leading better lives with more disposable income. Duan has replaced old household items like his ancient stove and rickety wooden table with modern, electrical appliances and furniture in what is now a bright, clean home.

"Every family in Xingfu Village has cheap electricity these days," Duan said. "We don't need to burn wood anymore."

Behind the cheap electricity supply is more than 2.3 million yuan of government subsidies each year.

"A better environment has really helped us live better lives," said Zhao Mingxia from Gengda Township. "We are devoted to making the mountains greener and making the water cleaner. What's good for the pandas is good for the people too."

And the greener mountains have brought the pandas back. The fourth national survey of giant pandas in 2015 showed the number of pandas had increased by 268 to 1,864.

Forestry department head Rao Sidan said the government aims to plant more than 650,000 hectares of forest in Sichuan in 2017 and will try to raise forest coverage in the province to 40 percent by 2020.

"We want to make the upper reaches of the Yangtze a place of true happiness for people and panda alike," Rao said.
"Let me try," a short, middle-aged woman said as she moved in front of one of the face-recognition toilet paper dispensers that have been installed in restrooms at Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park. She removed her hat and glasses, and stared straight into the camera. A group of amused fellow tourists looked on, keen to see the new high-tech machines in action.

However, nothing happened.

"Try standing further back," came a voice from in the crowd. "Make sure you're standing in the yellow area marked on the floor."

The 62-year-old woman, surnamed Wang, readjusted her position and, after several seconds, was rewarded with a 60-centimeter strip of crisp, white toilet paper. If she wanted more, she was going to have to wait nine minutes to start the process all over again.

"If I were in a rush, it would be inconvenient," Wang said.

The Temple of Heaven Park, one of the capital's major tourist attractions, was not swarmed with visitors on Tuesday afternoon, but many of those who were there made a beeline for the bathrooms.

Managers of the venue have said the dispensers, which have so far been installed in three restrooms on a trial basis, are designed to prevent an age-old issue of people stealing or wasting toilet paper.

However, some people have questioned whether such a high-tech solution sacrifices convenience, as patrons now need to wait for paper before they can relieve themselves.

Shortly after Wang had finished, a mother visited the same restroom with her young daughter. She walked straight past the machine and into a cubicle.

"I have everything I need in my bag, so I don't need to bother with the dispenser," she said after re-emerging, adding that the machines are not convenient for parents, particularly those with small children.

Given that the screen is placed at about average height for an adult, it is also unlikely to be of use for wheelchair users. Meanwhile, twins could have a problem, too, if they both need to use the restroom at the same time.

A worker who helped install the dispensers said the management plans to adjust their locations because the long lines of people waiting for toilet paper have been blocking entrances to the venue.

However, some people are happy to put up with a little inconvenience if it puts a stop to thieves.

"Since the new machines have been installed, many of the thieves have disappeared," said a middle-aged man waiting outside a restroom. "I think it's good to teach them a lesson."
Visits to cemeteries are expected to surge in the coming days as Chinas traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, which falls on April 4 this year, draws near.

According to the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, Babaoshan Cemetery, one of the citys best known graveyards, is expected to receive 400,000 visits this year, while the cemeteries in Changping District will attract 90,000 visits.

Visits for ceremonial tomb tributes are supposed to reach a pinnacle on March 25 and March 26. To protect air conditions and prevent fire disasters, the cemetery reception offices are providing more than 1 million chrysanthemums in the hope they will replace the customary burning of posthumous banknotes with a safe and pollution-free etiquette to pay homage to the deceased.

People can also tie yellow silk ribbons and place cards of remembrance for their departed loved ones.

Wheelchairs and medicines are also available at the cemeteries in case of any emergencies, while phone rechargers and Wi-Fi coverage are all at visitors' disposal.

To relieve the traffic congestion during the peak days, Beijing has opened 13 temporary bus routes for tomb sweeping traffic. Besides, firefighters are deployed near the cemeteries to tackle any possible dangers.
Hacking into everything [By Zhang Xueshi / China.org.cn]

On March 7, a total of 8,761 new documents released by WikiLeaks exposed the global espionage activities of the CIA on an unprecedented scale.

WikiLeaks claimed the CIA had "lost control of the majority of its hacking arsenal." Andrew Blake, writing in the Washington Times, said the agency had refused to comment on the authenticity of the documents, but numerous reports indicate the leak is the subject of an investigation being undertaken by both the FBI and CIA.

In response, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said: "This alleged leak should concern every single American in terms of the impact it has on our national security;" at the same time, he refused to confirm or deny the documents' authenticity.

According to Reuters, China expressed immediate concern regarding the data that acknowledges the CIA can hack "all manner of devices, including those made by Chinese companies."

Specifically, the released documents reveal that the agency can infiltrate mobile phones, computers and even smart TV operating systems from Microsoft, Google, Apple and Samsung, many of which are made in China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, "China is opposed to all forms of cyberattacks, and urges the U.S. side to stop listening in, monitoring, stealing secrets and internet hacking against China and other countries."

Tang Wei, a cybersecurity engineer and the marketing director of Beijing-based security company Rising, was quoted in an article in Business Insider as saying, "The American cyberwar machine has been operating undercover, and it is very difficult for an outsider to get a glimpse of what's happening inside. These documents merely reveal the tip of an iceberg."

America and China have a shared history of both cooperation and frustration when it comes to cybersecurity. Stewarded by President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the 2015 Cyber Agreement helped set a friendly precedent for either country when it comes to commercial cyber espionage.

However, the United States makes a distinction between cyber intrusions on behalf of national security, and those for commercial benefit.

Coupled with the existing ideological differences between the two sides, there is the added element of uncertainty surrounding the unpredictable nature of the current administration in Washington.

During the first presidential election debate last year, Trump declared: "Look at the mess that we're in. As far as the cyber we should be better than anybody else. The security aspect of cyber is very, very tough. We have so many things that we have to do better and certainly cyber is one of them."

On October 3, Trump seemed a little more coherent. He promised immediate action on cybersecurity if elected, asserting that the United States should "make cybersecurity a major priority for both the government and the private sector."

Once elected, however, his cybersecurity plans were inexplicably shelved.

On January 31, he was expected to sign an executive order detailing his position on cybersecurity. Writing in The Register, Kieren McCarthy describes a series of meetings held at the White House on the day when the executive order was supposed to be signed in the Oval Office. At the last minute, without explanation, the signing was called off.

With everyone looking for a clear sense of Trump's policy surrounding the issue, the administration seemed to fail another hurdle only weeks later.

From February 13-17, cybersecurity professionals met in San Francisco for the RSA Conference, an annual forum for sharing Internet security innovations. In an article for The Intercept, Jenna McLaughlin wrote, "Trying to find a representative from the three-week-old White House (at the event) is like playing a game of Where's Waldo. None appearedand panels discussing cybersecurity policy worked off leaked drafts of an executive order abandoned by President Donald Trump's administration."

With an urgent call for the U.S. side to "stop stealing secrets and hacking China and other countries," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang's comments hint that the WikiLeaks release might create greater leverage to help the country shift the cybersecurity debate within the international community in a direction of its choosing, especially with Trump having been incoherent, inactive and relatively mute on the subject.

According to Geng, "The Chinese side is firmly committed to safeguarding its cyber security and is ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation with the international community to lay down a set of universally acceptable rules governing cyberspace within the U.N. framework, and build a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace through joint efforts."

With Trump's China policies already a subject of intense scrutiny, and his relative silence surrounding cybersecurity, how will America and Trump respond to this new furore?

Having previously lived in Beijing working as a journalist and editor, Kyle Calandra is currently based in America reporting on Sino-U.S. Relations as a contributor for China.org.cn.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
 Flash

The official results of the Dutch elections confirmed the rightist liberals VVD's victory over the far-rightist PVV, with VVD winning 33 out of 150 seats in the lower house of the parliament and PVV 20 seats, the Dutch Electoral Council announced at a public session on Tuesday.

Jan-Kees Wiebenga, chairman of the Dutch Electoral Council, said that there were no major irregularities during the voting day.

"Of course not anything went well," he said, referring to irregularities in counting in Rotterdam and Den Bosch, a shortage of ballots in Nijmegen, and some voters abroad receiving their call to vote too late.

"For a recount there has to be a strong suspicion that the mistakes could influence the final division of seats. That was not the case," he said.

The VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte became the biggest party in the House of Representatives, ahead of the far-right Party for Freedom PVV that garnered 20 seats.

The Christian Democrats CDA and the leftist liberals D66 got 19 seats each, followed by the Socialist Party SP and green leftists GroenLinks with 14 seats each and the Labor PvdA nine, the official results showed.

Although the VVD remained the biggest party, it lost eight seats compared to the 2012 elections. The junior partner of the outgoing ruling coalition PvdA became the biggest loser with a massive loss of 29 seats compared to the previous elections, while the Socialist Party SP lost one seat.

The green lefties GroenLinks became the biggest winner with a rise of 10 seats from four to 14 seats, while PVV, CDA and D66 gained five, six and seven seats respectively, compared to in 2012.

The other seats went to the smaller parties, with ChristianUnion getting five, Party for Animals five, the party for elderly 50Plus four, Christian party SGP three, immigrant party DENK three, and the far-right populist party Forum voor Democratie two.

The new House of Representatives consists of 54 women and 96 men.

The turnout was 81.9 percent, which means a total of 10,563,456 voters out of the total of 12,893,466 eligible Dutch citizens casting their votes. The turnout was much higher than the turnout of 2012, which ultimately came out at 74.6 percent.

The process of forming a government coalition has started with outgoing Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Edith Schippers being tasked of examining the preferred coalitions by talking to all 13 party leaders that garnered seats in the new parliament.

As winner of the elections, the VVD normally gets the initiative to form a government. VVD leader Mark Rutte expressed his preference for a "stable majority" coalition consisting of the VVD, the Christian Democrats CDA and the leftist liberals D66.

Regarding a fourth party, which is needed to get a majority in the House, Rutte mentioned Socialist Party SP, ChristianUnion ChristenUnie, GreenLeft GroenLinks and Labor PvdA as options. He excluded, just like other mainstream parties, cooperation with the anti-Islam ad anti-Europe party PVV.

It seems Schippers will look at a VVD, D66, CDA and GroenLinks coalition first, as she invited the leaders of these four parties first on Tuesday. She will have to present her first report by Wednesday and according to schedule the report will be discussed on Thursday in the parliament.

After the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, a win for the VVD, instead of the far-right PVV, in Dutch elections, has offered huge relief to other governments across Europe facing a wave of populism.

European leaders sent congratulatory messages and the euro gained as the exit poll results unveiled soon after the voting closed on March 15 and pointed to a clear Rutte victory.
 Flash

Iraqi government forces battling Islamic State (IS) militants in Mosul's western side evacuated hundreds of civilians from Mosul's IS-held city center on Tuesday, as troop progress slowed down faced with strong resistance from IS militants, Iraqi officers said.

A woman talks to Iraqi Federal Police members after she fled home in western Mosul, Iraq, on March 21, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Our forces evacuated hundreds of civilians to prevent terrorists from using them as human shields, while our troops are pushing inside the old city center to recapture the al-Nuri Mosque," Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jawdat, commander of the federal police forces, said in a statement.

"Dozens of federal police snipers positioned themselves atop building tops in the neighborhoods of the old city center around the al-Nuri Mosque," Jawdat said.

The troops have been fighting street by street and house by house to recapture the historical al-Nuri Mosque in the middle of Mosul's old city center, but were slowed by heavy resistance from IS militants and the presence of some 500,000 people living in old homes with narrow alleys.

The mosque with its famous leaning minaret, which gave the city its nickname "al-Hadbaa" or "the hunchback," has a symbolic value as it was the place where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the cross-border "caliphate" in large areas in Iraq and Syria in his sole public appearance in July 2014.

"The battles to liberate Mosul's western side is progressing slowly caused by fear of harming civilian lives, in addition to the presence of increasing number of Daesh (IS group) snipers in Mosul's city center, with its narrow alleys," Defence Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool told a news conference in eastern Mosul.

Meanwhile, commandos of the Counter-Terrorism Service forces freed the neighborhood of Risala and residential buildings of the adjacent Nablus neighborhood west of the old city center after days of heavy clashes with IS militants, Abdul-Amir Yarallah from the Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

Elite troops continued their heavy clashes against IS militants in several nearby neighborhoods, as they advanced closer to Mosul's western edge and densely populated old city center, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be still trapped under IS rule.

The fierce battles brought the total number of civilians who left their homes in Mosul's both eastern and western sides to 415,000 since the beginning of the military offensive in October to reclaim the IS's largest stronghold in Iraq, according to Jasim al-Attiyah, deputy minister of the Iraqi Migration and Displaced Ministry.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced the start of an offensive on February 19 to drive extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul.

Late in January, Abadi declared the liberation of Mosul's eastern side, or the left bank of Tigris, after over 100 days of fighting IS militants.

However, Mosul's western part, with its narrow streets and a population between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their posts and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
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 Flash

Israel on Tuesday accused a Palestinian worker of a Turkish aid organization in Gaza of funneling humanitarian funds to the Hamas, a militant group that controls the Palestinian enclave.

The Shin Bet security service said in a statement that they arrested Muhammad Murtaja, manager of the Gaza branch of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) organization, a government-run humanitarian aid program.

The Shin Bet said that Murtaja, 40, a resident of Gaza, is suspected of working for the military wing of Hamas.

During an investigation, the Shin Bet "ascertained that Murtaja was recruited by Hamas at the end of 2008," the statement read.

"Beginning in 2009, Murtaja was active in the military wing. His activity included military training, manufacturing weapons and explosive devices and digging terror tunnels. Murtaja even stored weapons, such as hand grenades and guns, in his home," according to the Shin Bet.

TIKA works on behalf of the Turkish government to advance humanitarian projects in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Shin Bet claims that Murtaja "deceived" TIKA by misusing the organization's funds, which were intended for humanitarian projects in Gaza, by diverting them to Hamas' military wing.

"This fraud was carried out in collusion with the senior ranks of Hamas in Gaza," the Shin Bet said.

Israel has been charging that Hamas operatives have "infiltrated" international aid organizations in the Gaza Strip to funnel money to the Islamist group.
China Aviation Daily | Mar. 22, 2017

The 17th China International Transportation & Logistics Expo (CITLE), which takes place in Chengdu from June 28 to 30, 2017, offers companies of all sizes support to successfully enter the market in western China. In addition to a high-quality conference programme and opportunities to strengthen contacts, special inspection tours of the regional logistics centres also form part of the expo. The "transport logistic Cluster" at Messe Munchen (the Munich exhibition company) is CITLE's cooperation partner for international exhibitors and acts as a door-opener to the largest trading centre in western China.

Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province and has the largest economic output in western China. The Qingbaijiang Industrial Development Zone, which operates as a regional logistics centre for the chemical industry, metallurgy, engineering and building materials sectors, is located very close to the provincial capital. More than 2,000 companies are based at the site that measures about 19 square kilometres.

Exhibitors and visitors to the CITLE will not only have the opportunity to view the Qingbaijiang Industrial Development Zone, but also the adjacent international railway hub with its current maximum handling capacity of seven million tonnes per annum. "So far, there have been five stations and five railway lines especially for the companies that are based locally. The Chengdu Railway Container Center Station and the Chengdu Quingbaijiang Bulk Logistics Park will be built here in the near future and, therefore, create a direct link to the new Silk Road," explains Gerhard Gerritzen, a member of the management team at Messe Munchen. "The CITLE in Chengdu is a valuable addition to our 'transport logistic Cluster' and enables companies to launch their business activities in the Chinese market. Through our foreign exhibitions, such as CITLE, we offer the transport and logistics sector the opportunity to travel around the world with us in twelve months."

Among the expected 400 exhibitors will be a number of European enterprises, including the Freeport Authorities of Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja, Latvian Railways and A&A Logistic from Latvia, who will be presenting their services and solutions at the joint Latvian stand. "The national stand of Latvia at CITLE 2017 in Chengdu is an excellent opportunity for Chinese and Latvian logistics companies to meet and develop new relationships. Furthermore, the Logistics Secretariat of the China-Central and Eastern Europe Countries 16+1, as established by the Ministry of Transport of Latvia, provides practical mechanisms for CITLE 2017 participants to share information, develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, and thereby promote greater collaboration across the Eurasian continent in accordance with China's 'One Belt - One Road' initiative," says Helmuts Kols, the Attache of the Ministry of Transport at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the People's Republic of China.

Contributed by transport logistic
Regulation will draw a clear line on areas to be encouraged, forbidden

China plans to introduce its first regulation on making outbound direct investments later this year to clarify and define the range of overseas investments, as well as listing prohibited areas and other essential factors, according to a report by Beijing-based newspaper the Economic Information Daily on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic watchdogs, are leading the work to draft the regulation, the newspaper that is affiliated with Xinhua News Agency quoted an insider as saying.

The new rule will map out an overall structure governing outbound investments from the State level, combining and making further clarification of current rules in areas such as review procedures, tax policies and allowed amount for capital flows. It will also draw a clear line on the areas to be encouraged and forbidden, according to the report.

The Commerce Ministry and the NDRC declined to confirm the report on Tuesday.

He Jingtong, a business professor at Nankai University in Tianjin, said: "The rule will hold back some domestic companies making overseas acquisitions under heavy debt. The authorities will elevate the review requirements to ensure that the deals are authentic."

China's outbound direct investments have rocketed faster than the growth pace of foreign direct investment.

China's non-financial ODI soared 44.1 percent year-on-year to $170 billion in 2016, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.

Zhou Liujun, director-general of the department of outward investment and economic cooperation at the ministry, said earlier in March: "The government will encourage ODI activities that can assist the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and resolve the issue of overcapacity in global markets, as well as supervising and preventing irrational investments."

Despite rapid ODI growth in 2016, Chinese companies confront growing risks in investing overseas due to fluctuations on international financial markets, economic uncertainties in other countries and restrictions by some developed nations on investment from China, particularly from State-owned enterprises.

He Jingtong said: "China is in urgent need of regulations that can lead the investment trend, and the country needs a reform of the investment system, to create better conditions and a safe legal environment for Chinese companies to invest abroad."

Liang Guoyong, an economic affairs official at the UN Conference on Trade and Development, said: "With China's cumulative ODI soaring to $1 trillion in 2015, China is now a net capital exporter and the second-largest country in conducting ODI activities. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, an adequate and prompt regulation is fairly necessary."
The European Investment Bank is aiming to provide 500 million euros ($540 million) of financing in environmental and climate-related projects in China this year, while exploring co-investment opportunities with Chinese banks in overseas green projects, a senior official of the bank said on Tuesday.

The EIBthe European Union's bank, owned by its member statesis expanding investments in China in the areas of urban transport, forestry and energy efficiency, according to Jonathan Taylor, vice-president of the EIB.

Jonathan Taylor, vice-president of the European Investment Bank. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"We have a strong pipeline of climate-related projects across China that are currently under examination and expect them to be financed in the coming months," Taylor said at a news conference in Beijing.

The European bank is also discussing with the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank a number of co-financing initiatives in other countries, including a green transport project in an Asian country, Taylor said, without providing further details.

Taylor is leading an EIB delegation for a five-day visit to China, where it will hold discussions with the Ministry of Finance, the People's Bank of China as well as the National Development and Reform Commission on existing and new initiatives to jointly support climate investment.

The European Investment Fund, a subsidiary of the EIB, is also cooperating with China's Silk Road Fund to provide financing to European innovative firms, according to Taylor.

The EIB provided 298 million euros to finance climate-related projects in eight Chinese provinces last year, including energy efficiency schemes in Shandong province and a large-scale biomass project in Henan province.

Jiang Shixue, a researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the EIB's initiatives in China were an example of strengthened financial cooperation between China and Europe to address climate issues and to support green and sustainable growth.

"The ongoing financial cooperation could also serve as a link between the Belt and Road Initiative and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's investment plan," Jiang said.

The EIB has provided 84 billion euros to finance new investments internationally, including 19.6 billion euros for climate-related investment.
Chinese companies are actively seeking mature technologies in Israel to bring to China to develop high-return businesses, according to the chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd.

Zong Qinghou, chairman of China's largest beverage producer, said Israel's high-tech companies could find a huge market as well as funding in China.

Zong Qinghou, chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Israeli companies are pleased to sell their technologies because their home market is relatively small," said Zong.

He said the company is seeking robot technologies from Israel for its new factory set to be built in Lin'an in East China's Zhejiang province.

Wahaha has been involved in the research and development of robots since 2011. It has developed industrial robots, which are used for packaging, palletizing and production material delivery.

At the end of 2015, Wahaha had 30 industrial robots in its own factories. In 2016, another 100 will be put into operation.

According to data from IVC Research Center, Chinese investors invested $500 million in Israeli startups in 2015. Chinese investors also invested $1 billion in Israeli venture capital funds in 2016, up 18 percent year-on-year.

The Chinese and Israeli governments are working closely to establish a top-level mechanism for cooperation between companies in the two nations.

Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said on Monday that China and Israel had agreed to deepen cooperation in innovation. The China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation has played an important role in guiding the innovation development between the two nations, said Wan.

He added Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attend the third meeting of the China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation on Tuesday in Beijing.

According to Wan, China has been Israel's largest trade partner in Asia and Sino-Israeli trade will continue to have bright future prospects.

Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel is a "technological global power" and aspires to be "the perfect junior partner" to Chinese investors.

He said there are huge opportunities in sectors such as cyber security, automotive technology and data for Chinese and Israeli companies.

On Monday, Netanyahu met the chiefs of 11 large companies, including Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Liu Chuanzhi, chairman of Lenovo Group Ltd, Wang Jianlin, chairman of Dalian Wanda Group Co and Zong Qinghou, chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group.
Sinolight, Poly agree to merge, signal boost to efficiency

China moved one step closer to reducing the number of centrally administered State-owned enterprises to 100, after Sinolight Corp agreed to merge with China Poly Group Corp.

China Haisum Engineering Co Ltd, a listed arm of Sinolight, said in a regulatory filing that the latter had signed a restructuring framework agreement with property group China Poly.

It said discussions were continuing and gave no further details.

The move comes as the country drives through consolidation in many of its SOEs, including the railway, shipping, construction materials and steel sectors.

The merger requires regulatory approval, but would not affect normal operations, according to Tuesday's filing.

The announcement was released right after merger plans for two of China's nuclear power developers were announced.

The Shanghai-listed units of China National Nuclear Corp, a holding company for reactor design and technology, and China Nuclear Engineering Corp Group, a company focusing on construction, said in regulatory filings that a strategic reorganization of the two nuclear behemoths was under way.

The merger plan of the country's two nuclear heavyweights aims to help China's nuclear companies to boost exports of their technology to the international market.

After the two mergers are completed, enterprises listed under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission will be reduced to 100 from the current 102, according to the commission's website.

Peng Huagang, deputy secretary-general of the commission, said last July at a press briefing that mergers between SOEs were accelerating to better streamline their operations and boost efficiency, with the number expected to drop to 100 from the then 106.

The country launched a far-reaching reform drive aimed at improving the competitiveness of the sprawling and inefficient State-owned sector, utilizing mergers and share sales and closing loss-making zombie companies.

Zombie companies are economically unviable businesses, usually in industries with severe overcapacity, which only survive due to financing from the government and banks.

China's centrally administered SOEs performed well in the first two months of this year, according to Xiao Yaqing, head of the commission, with combined profits surging 29.1 percent year-on-year to 168.6 billion yuan ($24.37 billion).

The country's current 102 central SOEs saw revenues increase 15.2 percent to 3.7 trillion yuan in the same two months. Xiao said the strong growth was the result of reductions in cost and management expenses.

China pledged to deepen SOE reform in 2017, promising measures such as introducing a mixed ownership system and more efforts to make SOEs leaner and healthier, especially in the steel, coal and power sectors.

The latest merger will lead to a boost in internal efficiency as well as external competitiveness, said Joseph Jacobelli, a senior analyst of Asian utilities and infrastructure at Bloomberg Intelligence.
BEIJING - In China, even farmers are aware of the importance of supply-side structural reform. Their willingness to shell out huge amounts for imported equipment illustrates the need for high-quality domestic products.

Ploughs made by a German agricultural machinery giant are popular among farmers in Northeast China, though they might cost 250,000 yuan ($36,200) each, while a Chinese plough might cost about 15,000 yuan.

The price for the German equipment is much higher, but worth it, according to Wang Yanlong, head of a local agricultural machinery cooperative in Heilongjiang province, citing better reliability, quality and durability.

The popular German ploughs show there is much room for China's supply-side structural reform, which calls for Chinese enterprises to produce high-quality and tailor-made products and services to cater to the country's increasingly affluent and sophisticated consumers.

Echoing the call for reform, Chinese brands are speeding up innovation to stand out among the competition.

Chinese companies have experienced two big waves of innovation -- the first driven by the robust export market after the country opened up, and another propelled by the Internet and mobile technology in the past decade -- and now they are facing a new wave, according to Fang Hongbo, Chairman and President of Midea Group.

The new round of innovation is driven by technological innovation, Fang said, adding that it is time for Chinese firms to move up the global industrial value chain toward leading technology and influential brands.

Once a home appliance giant, Midea declared earlier this month it would transform itself into a tech group by expanding its business in robotics and industrial automation following its acquisition of German robotics maker Kuka and Israeli motion control firm Servotronix last year.

In addition to innovation in technology and products, Ctrip CEO Jane Sun pointed out that corporate management innovation also matters a lot.

The company, China's largest online travel agency, introduced an internal entrepreneurship program called Baby Tiger. It helps break large teams into small business units, offering them independent decision-making and resource-allocation power to develop innovative products.

Decentralizing will help unleash the creativity of individuals and small teams, which could bring major innovations, Sun said.

For personal computer manufacturing giant Lenovo, the company chose to build on their strength in the PC manufacturing sector to expand into the smart device market by using smart Internet technology such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing and big data.

"It's important for companies to stay focused, said Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo chairman and CEO. "We will stick to our focal point while adjusting ourselves to market trends."

Driven by the technology, education and travel sectors, the brand value of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands hit record levels in 2017, growing 6 percent to reach $557.1 billion, according to a report released by communications services group WPP and global research agency Kantar Millward Brown.

"China has come to terms with the new normal for its economy, but there are still massive opportunities for strong distinct brands to address the aspirations of the rising urban middle class and drive superior value for shareholders," said David Roth, CEO for EMEA and Asia at The Store WPP, the group's global retail practice.

The "brand power" of Chinese brands, or consumers' willingness to buy a certain brand, continues to grow and has started to surpass that of multinational rival brands for the first time, the BrandZ report showed.

"We expect this trend to accelerate in future years as Chinese companies realize they need to build differentiated brands to command a premium in a competitive market, where penetration-led growth is plateauing off in many categories," said Deepender Rana, CEO for Greater China at Kantar Insights.
The Central Business District of Beijing is illuminated by light, Feb 10, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Beijing is now home to the headquarters of 52 companies on the Fortune Global 500, the most of any city in the world for four straight years.

Companies in service sectors account for three-fourth of all the headquarters. In addition, 161 major multi-national corporations have regional headquarters in the city.

Beijing plans to further improve its policies to create the best possible environment for these companies in 2017.
A repairman fixes damaged Bluegogo bikes in a maintenance office in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on March 14, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

While China's bike-sharing market is booming as competitors battle it out, some cities' curbsides are already overloaded with the colorful selection of bicycles, or worse, damaged ones that no one can use.

BigData-Research said shared bicycles served 19 million people in China by the end of last year.

Ofo CEO Dai Wei told Xinhua News Agency this March that the company's 15 million users in 40 cities had completed 200 million rides.

The relatively high usage rate makes a shared bicycle more vulnerable than a private bicycle, not to mention damage caused by vandalism.

Li Zhifu, a repairman working for bike-sharing company Bluegogo in Chengdu, Sichuan province, told Chengdu Business Daily on March 13 that he fixes 60 to 70 shared bicycles every day and the number once rose to more than 100.

His colleague Yu Yiping said the damage, normally divided into physical damage and electronic damage, are usually caused by fair wear and tear or people's bad behavior. Yu has even repaired shared bicycles that have been pulled out of a river, burnt, or had their locks pried open.

"Damage to shared bicycles are inevitable because of the high usage rate, but it is wrong to vandalize them. I hope everyone can make proper use of them and create more convenience for others," Yu said.

BigData-Research said the number of shared bike users is expected to reach 50 million this year. Users' bad behavior is still difficult to regulate at present.
By Hu Yumeng in Boao, Hainan and Jing Shuiyu in Beijing | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-03-22 19:39

A more inclusive globalization is indispensable in catalyzing growth among developing countries and emerging economies amid global economic downturn, Boao Forum for Asia Secretary-General Zhou Wenzhong said on Wednesday.

The development of globalization has "entered a critical moment", according to Zhou.

"All countries need to collaborate to explore inclusive and shared development, especially at a time featuring sluggish world economy, declining trade and investment volume, rising debt and over-reliance on monetary policy."

Zhou made these remarks at a press conference one day before the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference will kick off on the southern island.

"Globalization is not an abstract concept", he explained further. "The Belt and Road Initiative, that President Xi Jinping proposed three years ago, is the countrys solution to make globalization work, with a goal to build a community of common destiny."

Against such background, every country needs to find a proper position and equalize the dividends of globalization among themselves, he said.

The four-day conference, themed "Globalization & Free Trade: The Asian Perspectives," is dedicated to championing a more inclusive globalization process through cooperation and dialogue.
The chip wholly developed by Xiaomi's subsidiary Pine Cone Electronics is displayed in Beijing, on Feb 28, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese companies with aspirations to go global should ensure their intellectual property rights are protected before expanding into overseas markets, a top IPR expert said.

Chen Hongbing, head of the World Intellectual Property Organization's China office, said that as more enterprises go out, it is essential they understand the laws and regulations in other countries to avoid patent disputes.

"China is on the edge of a historic transition," he said in an exclusive interview with China Daily. "With globalization and regional economic integration, the country's commodities, technologies, brands and capital are moving into overseas markets at a rapid pace.

"In this process, innovative products and technologies need to be protected with IPR. ... Otherwise, difficulties may arise."

The central government has put more emphasis on innovation in recent years, leading to a series of technological breakthroughs. In 2015, China's patent office received a record 1 million applications, the most reported in any country in a single year.

"The number of patent applications has soared, which shows a rising awareness about IPR, improvement of IPR system operations and an uplift of overall innovation performance by the country," Chen said.

IPR protection has become a major part of many companies' strategic management to promote their competitive edge and reduce dispute risks, he added.

WIPO's data show that 43,168 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications were filed from China last year, the third-highest worldwide  another sign of the importance China attaches to patent protection in overseas markets. For international registration of trademarks, the applications from China under WIPO's Madrid System hit a record 3,200 cases last year, a year-on-year growth of 68.6 percent.

Chen said major Chinese companies such as ZTE, Huawei, BOE and Xiaomi have enlisted WIPO's services to protect their innovations and branding overseas.

Francis Gurry, director-general of WIPO, said, "China-based filers are behind much of the growth in international patent and trademark filings, making great strides in internationalizing their businesses as the country continues its journey from 'made in China' to 'created in China'."

The organization, a United Nations agency with 189 member states, offers a wide range of global IP services, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty and Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks.

The Madrid System allows companies to seek protection of their trademarks in more than 100 countries by filing just one registration at WIPO.

"Without the service, companies have to register their trademarks in different countries. This takes time, energy and money," Chen said.

"With different languages, legal systems and cultures, it's not easy to go through the process country by country."

A convenient and effective system for cross-border patent protection is key to companies going global, he said, adding: "WIPO's Global IP Services are increasingly recognized by Chinese companies and innovators. In central and western regions, they have also shown a growing interest, and in coastal areas, they are using the services widely now."
Shared bikes park at a recommended site in Shijingshan District of Beijing, March 17, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

SHANGHAI - Mobike on Tuesday launched its bicycle-sharing service in Singapore, its first expansion overseas.

Bikes are mostly placed around the MRT stations and on university campuses. Users download the Mobike app and unlock the bikes by scanning the QR code on the frame.

China's leading bicycle-sharer said the standard rental fee is S$1 per half an hour. To celebrate the launch, it offers a 50 percent temporary discount.

Hu Weiwei, founder and president of the company, said Mobike will bring its bikes to more cities worldwide and make biking a more convenient and cheaper commute.

Florian Bohnert, head of international expansion at Mobike, said the bike-sharing had been welcomed by local residents, business partners and transport authorities during a trial period.

Bohnert said Mobike was happy to work with universities in Singapore to encourage more students and teachers to ride its bikes on campus.

Mobike has secured more than $300 million of investment since January this year, with Singapore's Temasek being the newest investor.

Mobike's CEO Wang Xiaofeng said in February that the company would use the money to explore the global market and duplicate its business model elsewhere.

Mobike and its market rival ofo have revolutionized China's commuting market with their app-based bicycle sharing services.

Mobike has more than 1 million bicycles in 33 cities in China. A total of 400 million rides have been recorded since the company launched its first service in Shanghai 11 months ago.
KUALA LUMPUR  China's e-commerce giant Alibaba on Wednesday announced a plan to set up an e-commerce hub in Malaysia encompassing logistics, cloud-computing and e-financial service.

The e-commerce hub will be part of the collaboration between Alibaba and the Malaysian government in the development of a Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) in Malaysia in line with the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) promoted by Jack Ma, Alibaba's executive chairman.

In launching the DFTZ with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ma said the first overseas e-hub would be aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as the younger generation.

Among the cooperation announced on Wednesday, Alibaba's logistic platform Cainiao and its e-commerce website Lazada will lead other Alibaba's subsidiaries and affiliates to development of a regional e-commerce and logistics hub near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Alibaba Cloud, its cloud computing arm, will build a cloud platform in Malaysia to foster the local SMEs, while Ant Financial inked an agreement with Malaysia's leading banks CIMB and Maybank to explore collaboration opportunities in e-payment and financing services in Malaysia.
Premier looks to expand economic relationships, strengthen cooperation

China said it is willing to work with Australia and New Zealand to push for an early agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as Premier Li Keqiang kicks off a visit to the two countries on Wednesday.

The eight-day trip, the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years, will send a positive signal that China, Australia and New Zealand will promote the liberalization of trade and investment amid the rising trend of protectionism, Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said on Tuesday.

"All three countries are beneficiaries, advocates and participants of Asia-Pacific regional cooperation," he said, adding that China is willing to make its contribution to the region's economic development and cooperation.

While in Australia from Wednesday through Sunday, Li will meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbullit will be the fifth annual meeting of the Chinese premier and the Australian prime minister. Li and Turnbull will discuss aligning their development strategies, promoting cooperation in areas such as technological innovation, trade and investment and cultural exchanges.

They will talk about making better use of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, in place since 2015, to produce more benefits, Zheng said.

Two-way trade volume between China and Australia exceeded $107.8 billion last year, far more than in 1972 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.

According to Zheng, technological innovation is a new highlight of bilateral talks, as "it could provide a strong impetus to cooperation in trade and the economy, as well as other areas".

"We have confidence in China-Australia economic and trade cooperation, and we are willing to tap its potential for diverse and sustainable development in the future," he said.

From Sunday to March 29, Li will visit New Zealand and meet with Prime Minister Bill English.

They discuss promoting cooperation and developing a comprehensive partnership. China and New Zealand have set a good example of cooperation between countries with different social systems since they established diplomatic ties 45 years ago, Zheng said.

The two countries announced in November that they will start negotiations on an upgrade of their free trade agreement, initially signed in 2008. It is the first free trade agreement China signed with a Western developed country.

"We hope both sides will take the FTA upgrade talks as an opportunity to bring more openness to trade and investment," Zheng said. He said China hopes the nations can reach consensus on new topics, such as service trade and electronic commerce "for an upgrade of bilateral cooperation and a driving force to regional economic growth".


For 22 years, Yu Jiahua has spent several days each month patrolling a mountain looking for poachers in Southwest China's Sichuan province. Mount Jiuding, a 10-minute walk from Yu's village, is surrounded by hundreds of square meters of forest and is home to many wild animals.

"In the 1960s, there were hundreds of thousands of wild animals," he said.

The 65-year-old can identify animals just by their footprints and his family also used to hunt. "We hunted birds and animals, but we had rules," he said. "We never hunted young or female animals."

Since the 1980s, poachers have been the scourge of Mount Jiuding, killing large numbers of wild animals to sell. Some even set wildfires to force the animals to flee so that they can catch them.

"The poachers, waiting at the foot of the mountain, would kill the animals as they fled the fires. Those trapped were burned to death - their screams made your toes curl," Yu said.

Traps were also set using wire instead of the traditional hemp, leaving little opportunity for prey to escape.

Such unsustainable hunting methods left the mountain almost devoid of wildlife by 1994.

One year later, Yu, his brother and some other villagers organized a patrol team to drive the poachers away. But it was not easy to stop them, as hunting had become a way of life for many.

Yu still remembers when four poachers with shotguns threatened to kill him. "I will shoot you if you stop me," one of them had shouted.

To expand the patrol team, Yu established a wild animal and plant protection association in 2004, which attracted more than 100 members.

Since then, the team has patrolled the mountain more than 10 times every year. "On the one hand, we continue to stop illegal hunting. On the other hand, we monitor the latest information about wild animals in the region," Yu said.

Several years ago, he set up infrared cameras on the mountain to track endangered animals.

Thanks to his anti-poaching group, illegal hunting has fallen dramatically during the past 22 years.

"Farmers now have more methods to make money and illegal hunting is decreasing, but not disappearing," Yu said. He even found a shotgun left in a cave on his latest mountain patrol.

The number of wild animals on the mountain is slowly recovering as well.

"There were less than 10 golden pheasants in 1995, but now the number has risen to 700," Yu said.

His sons and grandsons have all joined the patrol team, which is supported by government subsidies as well as donations. "It will take a long time to restore the ecosystem," Yu said. "Guarding the mountain has become our family mission, and we will not give up halfway."
Qi Jianguang feeds his father Qi Wenjiang at the farmhouse he rented near the construction site where he works.Du Huaju / Xinhua

Son honored for looking after his partially paralyzed father

For many young Chinese living in the country's rural areas, the only way to find a well-paid job is to leave their hometown and move far away from their parents.

Qi Jianguang, 27, from a village in North China's Hebei province, is one of them. Since graduating from Shijiazhuang Tiedao University in 2014, he has worked in bridge construction for the State-owned China Railway Construction Corp that is based in Yingtan, Jiangxi province.

His job requires frequent relocation from one region to another and his first assignment meant he had to move to a construction site in Shandong province.

But Qi had to think about his 54-year-old father, Qi Wenjiang, who was partially paralyzed by a stroke in September 2015. "My father is just a farmer. He never attended school and raised me through his own hard work," he said.

"He had to care for me on his own after my mom left us when I was 2 years old, so when I heard that he had been hospitalized I rushed home. I saw my father lying in his bed, unable to talk or take care of himself. I had two choices then: quit my job and stay at home to look after my father, or bring him with me to my work."

As he was unable to cover the cost of his father's treatment without a steady income, Qi chose to bring him to Shandong.

Every lunchtime, he returns to the farmhouse where they live to feed his father, give him his medicines and nurse him.

"My father cannot talk. I can only guess at what he wants from his eyes and his body language," he said.

"Sometimes, he loses his temper when there is a misunderstanding and on those occasions, I can't help but think that our roles are reversed - I must have been the same way when I was a baby."

His father's health began to deteriorate in 2007. In 2010, the older man was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction - tissue death resulting from a blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the brain - which would later cause his stroke.

So that he could care for him, Qi first brought his father with him to university. Ever since, he has done whatever he can to unburden the older man - even taking on multiple part-time jobs while studying to support his own education.

When the time came to move to Shandong, Qi was unsure whether he should bring his father with him or not, but he is glad now that he did. "The construction site is just like my home," he said. "My company has provided me assistance with looking after my father. Some of my colleagues visit my home to help take care of him. It really makes me feel like I belong."

For his sense of filial piety and tenacity in taking care of his father, Qi has been awarded the National May 1 Labor Medal, in recognition of his contribution to society. "No matter where I work in the future, I will always bring my father with me," he said.
China is likely to reach agreements on mutual recognition of standards for organic products with a number of countries in the next few years, according to the nation's top authority for organic certification.

"China is in discussions with countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark and Thailand about mutual recognition of organic certification, and progress has been made," said Wang Maohua, an organic-registration official at the Certification and Accreditation Administration.

In November, China and New Zealand signed an agreement recognizing each other's organic products. The agreement was the first of its kind for China, and the deal is expected to facilitate the trade in organic produce between two of the world's biggest producers of organic foods, the administration said.

"New Zealand has a developed agricultural sector and its organic products are recognized by the European Union and the United States," said Qiao Yuhui, an associate professor at the China Agricultural University in Beijing.

"By reaching mutual recognition with New Zealand, China has improved its organic-certification system and gained expertise that will aid future cooperation with other countries," she said.

However, achieving greater progress with other countries may not be an easy task, and other factors, such as trade policies between different countries, may pose obstacles, she added.

Last year, China exported organic products worth more than $500 million, according to the Certification and Accreditation Administration.

(China Daily 03/22/2017 page6)
The mislabeling and sale of regular food as organic produce will be defined as fraud and the perpetrators will be punished, according to a draft regulation issued by the China Food and Drug Administration.

Both the products and any profits generated will be confiscated by the food and drug authorities, while the main culprits will be subject to fines ranging from 10,000 yuan ($1,450) to 30,000 yuan, according to the draft, which was open to public consultation until last week.

A number of other activities, such as using recycled or out-of-date materials to produce food or promoting products by exaggerating their health benefits, will also be punishable, the draft said.

As a supervisory measure, every regular-sized package of organic food sold in China must carry a special label that includes a unique, official 17-number digital code to enable consumers to find product information.

Last year, more than 1.7 billion codes were released, the administration said.

However, there have been several cases involving mislabeling or fake labeling, according to media reports.

Some e-commerce platforms have sold nonorganic food while claiming the produce to be organic or "green", even though the products had not been certified as such, the Beijing News reported last week.

Earlier this month, the Liaoning Provincial Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision said three food companies in Shenyang, the provincial capital, had been punished for violations involving organic food.

Last year, one of the companies, the Shenyang Zhendi Organic Agricultural Food Cooperation Community, was found to have sold corn labeled as organic, despite the fact that the product had not won official certification. The company was fined 10,000 yuan and ordered to change the packaging, the administration said.

In another incident, Dalian Changrun Agricultural Co, in Liaoning, was discovered to have labeled organic cowpeas as organic eggplants. It was ordered to rectify the situation.
Women harvest organic rice in Wuchang, Heilongjiang province.Wang Jianwei / Xinhua

Organic foods are becoming increasingly popular in China, but farmers will need government help to ensure the fledgling sector develops efficiently. Wang Xiaodong reports.

For the past four years, Man Fenglin has grown rice organically, despite the rising cost and falling yields.

The crops grown on his 10 hectares of farmland are sold to companies across China for about 21 yuan ($3) a kilogram, more than six times the price of rice grown on farmland treated with synthetic fertilizers, according to Man, from Wuchang county in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

"I can still make more money than ever before, even though organic planting requires much more labor and produces fewer crops," he said.

Every year, his organic farmland produces about 550 kg of rice from every 1,000 square meters, compared with harvests of about 750 kg from conventionally farmed land.

Of the 150 or so households in Zhenxing, Man's home village, about 20 are now growing rice organically, he said.

In addition to Heilongjiang, a major area of rice production, organic farming is booming in many other parts of the country, such as the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Zhejiang, according to the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration.

Last year, 1.74 billion packages of organic produce, valued at a combined 36 billion yuan, were sold nationwide, a rise of 16 percent from 2015, according to the administration.

The main products include cereals, beans, vegetables, fruits, poultry, aquatic produce and processed goods, such as edible oils, wine, dairy products and textiles.

"With rising awareness of health, the environment and food safety among Chinese consumers, the nation's organic industry has seen rapid development, both in terms of output and sales," the administration said.

The number of businesses certified to produce organic goods has surpassed 11,000, and 1.52 million hectares of farmland are used for organic production, accounting for about 1 percent of the national total.

Huge potential

"I think the organic industry has huge potential in China," said Zhang Youting, deputy CEO of Organic and Beyond, a Beijing company that supplies organic foods.

"As Chinese people become wealthier, they are also becoming more concerned about food safety. The government's resolve to improve food safety in the next few years will make China's organic industry more credible."

Last year, the company's sales rose to about 100 million yuan, a far cry from the 700,000 yuan recorded in 2007 when it started selling organic food such as fruits, vegetables and wine, including imported goods and those grown on certified domestic organic farms, he said.

China's standards for organic certification are in line with international standards and are among the "strictest in the world", according to the Certification and Accreditation Administration.

As in other countries, organic production in China follows the principle of not using synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or genetic-modification technologies.

Organic products must be sold in packages, and each one must be labeled with an electronic code that allows buyers to track down information about the product, such as its certification status, and learn about the company that produced it.

Businesses whose certification is revoked because they have used banned materials, such as synthetic fertilizers, cannot reapply for five years after the offense, and all farmland must have been "green" for at least two years before it becomes eligible for certification.

Wang Hongfeng has spent the last two years converting part of his 4-hectare farm in Nannie, a village in the Beijing suburbs, for organic use. He expects to complete the process by August, after which he will apply for a certificate to produce organic foods.
China's capacity for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, and responding to emergency outbreaks has improved in the past eight years due to the implementation of a national project, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Due to the project, China has established a vast national network for monitoring infectious diseases that covers 12 core national labs, 91 key regional labs and more than 800 hospitals across China, Qin Huaijin, head of science and technology at the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said on Tuesday.

China is now able to identify about 300 kinds of human pathogens within 72 hours, and an initial system to screen unknown pathogens has been established in China, said Qin, who is also chief supervisor of the project.

Some of the technologies used to test human pathogens in China are of a world-class level, he said.

The project, launched by the ministry and aimed at better control and prevention of major infectious diseases, including AIDS and hepatitis, was implemented in 2008 and will run through 2020.

"Before the project, testers and testing methods for many pathogens were lacking in China, and the country lagged far behind developed countries in terms of technologies," said Kan Biao, deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention.

Over the past eight years, scientists in China have identified new pathogens of great significance to public health, such as the H7N9 bird flu virus, cases of which have been reported in more than half of all provincial areas in China since late last year.

Chinese scientists have shared with the whole world their testing techniques for such pathogens, said Xu Jianguo, a leading expert in the study of infectious disease at the China CDC.

"Through integrating top resources for goal-oriented cooperation with the implementation of the project, China has made breakthroughs in key technologies in areas such as monitoring, testing and verification of pathogens, as well as emergency treatment of patients," Qin said.

China has developed its own testers for HIV, which has improved testing efficiency and accuracy, and reduced the risk of HIV transmission, he said.

Due to optimized strategies for hepatitis B vaccination, the percentage of children under 5 years old carrying the hepatitis B virus in China has decreased to less than 1 percent, Qin said.

Members of the projects will intensify research in cutting-edge technologies used for testing and monitoring of infectious diseases, including technologies for testing new pathogens, so China is better equipped to prevent and fight infectious diseases, he said.

Xu said fighting infectious diseases is a common task for all countries, adding that increased international cooperation is expected over the next few years.
By Zhang Yi in Beijing and Huo Yan in Xi'an | China Daily | Updated: 2017-03-22 07:23

Eight people at an electric cable company in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, have been detained for providing substandard electric cables for the city's subway.

Wang Zhiwei, a legal representative of the company, knelt down and apologized to the public for providing the products, according to Xi'an Release, a WeChat account of the city government.

The company, Shaanxi Aokai Cable Co, has been shut down and its main owners as well as several managers have been detained.

The government of Xi'an held a news conference on Monday and announced the result of an investigation into an electric cable project on the city's subway Line 3.

"All of the five samples of the low-voltage cables from subway Line 3 failed to meet set standards," said Jin Qun, deputy head of the National Wire and Cable Products Quality Supervision and Test Center.

Zheng Xiaoquan, a professor of electrical equipment insulation at Xi'an Jiaotong University, said that the substandard cables were only used in part of the system and do not affect subway safety or operations.

However, the metro company said at the news conference that it will replace all the substandard cables.

Yang Xin, head of the commission for discipline inspection in Xi'an, the city's top anti-graft authority, said an investigation examined the project's data and documents, and looked into the supervision work by administrative bodies and law enforcement departments.

The police have sealed the other types of cables in Aokai and taken samples for testing, Yang said.

Established in late 2012, the company was a private firm producing items such as electric cables, control cables and cables for rail transportation.

The company's manufacturing sites have been closed and the account books have been sealed, according to Yang.

The investigation was opened up by the metro company and the city government on March 16, three days after a tip-off was posted online that the company's operations failed to meet industrial standards.

The line was put into use in November and carried 345,000 passengers on the first day of operation.
Money and tools involved in illegal underground banks are seized by the Guangdong police department. [Photo Provided To China Daily]

Police in Guangdong province have cracked three major cases involving cross-border transactions through secret, private banks since launching an operation codenamed Jufeng 2, which means Hurricane 2, last month.

The cases involved a total of 33 billion yuan ($4.8 billion) and resulted in the detention of more than 30 suspects, according to Huang Shouying, director of the economic crimes unit with the provincial public security department.

All of the suspects were local residents, Huang said on Tuesday at a news conference in Guangzhou, the provincial capital.

So far, the operation has cracked more than 20 illegal lending and money laundering cases involving more than 46 billion yuan. Police have detained 70 suspects in total.

Huang said Guangdong police will also expand cooperation with counterparts in Hong Kong and Macao to combat underground banks.

"Transactions through underground banks is a serious economic crime that damages China's financial operations and threatens economic security," he said. "Police will continue to spare no effort in the fight against such crimes by expanding cooperation with the People's Bank of China, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and other relevant departments and organizations."

During the operation, officers seized many bank records, cards, computers, mobile phones and official seals, Huang said, adding that the underground banks usually charge between 0.3 and 0.7 percent per transaction as commission for helping clients send money overseas.

The Jufeng 2 operation covered Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Zhuhai and other Pearl River Delta cities.

Huang said the operation has dealt a heavy blow to underground banks and helped ensure financial order in the province, one of China's economic powerhouses.

However, he conceded that fighting such banks is a tough, long-term task, as Guangdong has enjoyed rapid economic growth and has active financial and economic activities.

He said more operations in cooperation with the central bank, the provincial high court and the procuratorate will be launched to combat underground banks this year.




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The current pricing system is hampering the formation of a water-saving culture in China, according to E20 Environmental Platform, an environmental protection services platform.

In China, a large portion of the water price is paid by the government, rather than the users, said Xue Tao, the deputy head of E20.

Xue said that means the general public have little awareness of the scarcity of water and leads to rampant waste.

The pricing system also stands in the way of introducing alternative water resources such as reclaimed water and desalinated sea water as users are reluctant to pay a reasonable share for what has been a public service for a long period.

"It is unfair that polluters do not bear the environmental cost while those who save water do not get any benefits," Xue said.

The same rule applies in industrial water use, he said.

"It is imperative that environmental cost is added into the production cost to increase water use efficiency."

The challenge is to upgrade the industrial sector and phase out water-intensive production, a task the government cannot perform alone and requires market forces.

A regional gap is seen in renovating the industrial sector, Xue said.

In coastal regions, such as the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta, where a large number of talents gather and high standards in environmental protection are established, the industrial sector has been largely renovated and upgraded.

It is a different case in regions such as Hebei province where traditional industries are losing momentum while new industries have not yet been established. This is related to the region's cultural and natural environments, appeal to talents, and the services provided by government.

Although home to two of the world's longest rivers, Yellow River and Yangtze River, China's fresh water resource per capita is only one quarter of the global average, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

And the fresh water resources are unevenly distributed, with more than 80 percent in the south. In 2014, over half of the country's 600 cities faced water shortages, with more than 100 severely lacking water.

To quench the thirst of these cities, water diversion projects such as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, have been built.
Chinese peacekeepers return from a yearlong United Nations mission in Liberia. [Photo/Xinhua]

Twenty-three peacekeepers returned to their original units in Zhejiang province on March 20, after completing a yearlong United Nations mission in Liberia.

Du Hengda, who was selected for the mission in 2015, was one of them. When he applied for the UN work, his daughter was two-month-old. But he was determined to go and his wife supported him, too.

The day he departed for Liberia happened to be the first birthday of his daughter.

During his posting in the West African nation, he missed his daughter a lot. "I wanted to give a special memento to my daughter," said Du. While some of his companions kept a diary to record their mission, he chose to express his love for his little daughter in sketches.

When he was not too busy with the mission, Du would draw something. When he saw little lizards crawling around at a task zone, he drew them on the paper and showed his work to his daughter. Similarly, when he saw a lot of fish in the Atlantic, he captured them in his sketch and presented it to his little girl. Whenever he missed her, he would draw a portrait of her and talk to the image just like he would speak to her in real.

He drew so many images that by the end of the year his drawings were thick enough to become a whole album. Du named the album -- You call me daddy, I call this journal my baby.

Although there is an eight-hour difference between Liberia and China, Du and his family still managed to hold video chats. His wife often told him stories about their daughter. Sometimes he spoke to her in her babbling voice.

Du and his team returned to China in March. Before he resumed his duty as a border guard officer at a public security unit in Zhoushan, northeast of Zhejiang province, he was granted leave to visit home.

Du boarded a flight bound for Yantai -- his hometown city in Shandong province where his family lives -- on March 21, with the album for his daughter in his bag.

"She's too young to understand the meaning of those paintings, but I'm sure she will love them when she grows up," said he.

Du's team was the fourth sent by China to join the peacekeeping mission in Liberia. All the Chinese peacekeepers were awarded the UN Peace Medal of Honor for their service, according to zjol.com.cn.
NANNING - A ship loaded with fruit from ASEAN countries arrived at Fangchenggang Port Monday, marking a new shipping route for transporting fruit, local authorities said Wednesday.

The shipping route from Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh to the port city of Fangchenggang in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is operated by four ships from China COSCO Shipping Corporation.

Each ship can carry 1,100 standard containers with a load of 1,800 tonnes. Currently the service runs once a week, but it is expected to run two to three times a week by the end of 2017, according to sources with the Beibu Gulf port administration.

Fangchenggang Port is a fruit import port in southern China. The new route will help boost fruit imports from ASEAN countries, while marketing Chinese farm producce and fruit to the ASEAN.
BEIJING - Altogether 46 people have been punished for their involvement in 10 cases of disciplinary violations, China's military inspectors said on Wednesday.

These violations include false reimbursement, using public funds to treat personal guests, receptions and feasts exceeding set standards, and official cars used for private purposes, among others, according to a report of the discipline agency under the Central Military Commission.

Nineteen officers, who were not directly involved in these cases, have been punished for failing to effectively oversee their subordinates.

The cases were spotted by military inspectors during the New Year and Spring Festival season.

The cases showed that some Communist Party of China officials did not show restraint, despite the country's campaign to curb official decadence and extravagance, the disciplinary agency said, vowing intensified inspections and penalties in the future.
A teaching assistant in Dongguan, Guangdong province, was detained on Wednesday on suspicion of lacing kindergarten children's food with antipsychotic medication.

On March 15, 10 pupils from Hongri kindergarten were hospitalized after showing symptoms of shock and excessive sleepiness following their meals.

All the victims have since recovered and will be discharged.

The suspect, a 49-year-old surnamed Yang, had worked at the kindergarten since September.

She had earlier requested a salary rise, which was refused, prompting her to leave her job briefly in February.

Police seized a bottle of antipsychotic medication that they found in Yang's home, which she told officers was for her own personal use.

Investigations are still ongoing.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
China's aid to the education sector in Africa is helping boost teacher training, a key component in skilling the population to fast track development, a UN official has said.

Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, director of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in a recent interview recognized China's contribution to Africa's education sector over the years.

"We value the initiative in teacher training in Uganda and other countries in Africa. This will revitalize the teaching profession," she says.

China through UNESCO donated equipment to three teacher-training institutions in Uganda on March 3. Figures from the Chinese embassy here show that 137 tutors were trained and 272 pieces of information communication and technology and studio equipment were donated.

Ndong-Jatta says tutors were skilled on how to integrate technology with traditional methods of training.

China through UNESCO is funding an $8 million project aimed at narrowing the educational quality gap on the continent.

The project, Enhancing Teacher Education for Bridging the Education Quality Gap in Africa, aims to accelerate progress toward the achievement of Education for All and the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is quality education.

The four-year project that started in 2012 focused on providing a sufficient number of qualified teachers in Africa through training programs.

Eight African countriesCote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Liberia, Tanzania, and Ugandaare benefiting from the program.

Ndong-Jatta says besides cooperation in primary education, China has been cooperating with Africa to boost higher education.

China helped set up the Capacity Building Institute of Teacher Education in Ethiopia, and the regional director says some African countries also had student and teacher exchange programs with China.

She says a conference has been scheduled in Djibouti to discuss how to boost further cooperation with China in the area of higher education.
Cast members and director Zhang Yimou (fourth from right), CEO of Le Vision Pictures Zhang Zhao (third from left) and Ellen Eliasoph (third from right), President and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures Asia attend the launch ceremony of the film Ying in Beijing, March 18, 2017. [Photo/China.org.cn] Eminent Chinese director Zhang Yimou started filming his new movie project in Beijing on Saturday, having recruited a stellar cast including Deng Chao and Wang Qianyuan.

The storyline of the new film, entitled Ying (literally translated as "Shadow"), is being kept secret. Zhang polished the script over a period of three years, while the preparations for filming occupied one year before the cameras started rolling.

Village Roadshow Pictures Asia and Le Vision Pictures are co-producing it.

During a public appearance at the Loyola Marymount School of Film and TV in Los Angeles last month, Zhang mentioned he was working on a then-untitled historical drama focusing on the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, which refers to a 60-year span in the 3rd century, when the Kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu dominated what areas of today's Central, South and East China. It has been reported that Ying focuses on the Kingdom of Shu.

Actors Deng Chao, Hu Jun, Wang Qianyuan, Guan Xiaotong and Wang Jingchun along with Zhang Yimou, CEO of Le Vision Pictures Zhang Zhao and Ellen Eliasoph, President and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures Asia showed up at the launch ceremony of the film in Beijing last Saturday.

It was announced that actors Zheng Kai and Wu Lei are also involved in the project, while top actress Gong Li is also rumored to be joining later.

Filming will last two months at the Han City Studio, Zaoyang city, Hubei province.

Zhang Yimou's last significant Chinese-American co-production The Great Wall has so far been a colossal disappointment, receiving mixed reviews and making only $44.75 million in the North American market and $170 million in China. The Hollywood Reporter suggested in one of its reports that the studios involved may suffer a total loss of more than $75 million.

Related:

Pop star to release action film about wine

Disney's 'Mulan' remake not going to be a musical: Director
Zhang Baolan works on a cotton wool drawing at her home in Yanta district, Xi'an city, Shaanxi province, March 20, 2017. The gorgeous peacock is pieced together using dyed cotton wool, and this is just one part of a bigger artwork Peacock and Peony Painting. It will take her three weeks or more to finish the whole work. [Photo/VCG]

At six years old, Zhang Baolan started learning the art of cotton wool drawing from her grandmother and mother, who were both enthusiastic about paper cuttings and fabric art.

"The cotton wool drawings made by my grandma and mother were quite simple and I started to make it more elegant and elaborate from 1986 when my daughters went to universities and I had more time to work on the art," Zhang said.

Now the 69-year-old's cotton wool drawings are quite popular overseas and she has been invited to hold exhibitions in several countries and regions. Many of her artworks are collected by art institutions or private collectors in the United States, Germany, France, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Even the former US president Bill Clinton collected one of her cotton wool drawings during a state visit to China in 1998.
1. Hong Kong-style milk tea

One of the most popular milk teas in China is the Hong Kong-style milk tea.

Stemming from the British practice of adding milk to black tea, the signature drink in Hong Kong is strained through a sackcloth to encourage smoothness, thus also known as "silk stocking milk tea". It's strongly brewed with carefully proportioned blends of up to four types of black tea, mixed with milk.
China will update its "green card" policy this year to make life easier for foreign residents, a source at the Ministry of Public Security confirmed on Monday.

With improved security features, the permanent resident permit is expected to guarantee more rights equal to those of Chinese citizens, such as when buying railway tickets, checking in at hotels and purchasing property.

Also on Monday, a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, presided over by President Xi Jinping, required further reform of permanent residency policy to facilitate foreigners living here.

"The reform should serve the nation's talent strategy, address concerns of the public, optimize the design of the credentials and improve the information system," a statement released after the meeting said.

The meeting also called for further efforts to make sure green card holders could enjoy all rights related to residency.

"The current green card is designed for entry and exit at the borders," said a Ministry of Public Security division chief who requested anonymity.

"However, the new card will be more commonly accepted in daily life. A foreign permanent resident could, for example, apply for a driver's license using only his or her green card."

The official said the ministry is in advanced discussions with other government agencies and will release a draft revision soon.
Sleep is crucial for babies, and to mark World Sleep Day, which fell on March 21, diaper brand Pampers is promoting awareness on sleep training for the young ones.

According to a White Paper on the Sleep Quality of Chinese Babies released in December less than 6 percent of parents know why their babies do not enjoy a good night's sleep.

"Many parents do not have an understanding of the importance of teaching a baby to sleep," says Wang Ronghui, an infant development expert, who is also a baby sleep consultant. "Recent research in Canada shows that proper education on baby sleep training could resolve 40 percent of babies' sleep problems," says Wang.

The consultant also suggests that parents pay attention to their baby's signals to guide the baby to sleep, such as the beginning of a trance and the gradual quietness of the body.

"Cradle songs are important and effective in comforting and calming babies and guiding them to fall asleep," she says.

According to the White Paper, babies aged between 6 and 12 months in particular have restless nights and wake up multiples times.

"And wet and leaky diapers can disrupt their sleep," says Wang. "So, overnight diapers are better because they are thicker and more absorbent than regular ones."

Related:

Less than 6 percent of Chinese parents know why their babies do not sleep well at night

On the cusp of performing art
People protest against the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in front of the Lotte Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The remains of 28 Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War (1950-53) will be returned by the Republic of Korea to China on Wednesday, the fourth such batch of remains to be returned after the two countries signed a handover agreement in 2013. Between 2014 and 2016, the remains of 541 soldiers were returned by the ROK to China, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The latest handover comes amid tensions following Seoul's decision to install the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system, which Beijing is firmly opposed to, and should serve as a wake-up call to the new ROK government that the hard-won Beijing-Seoul partnership must evolve on the basis of learning from past mistakes rather than repeating them.

China and the ROK established diplomatic relations in 1992, burying their post-Korean War "confrontation" that lasted nearly four decades. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed more than two decades of reciprocal exchanges and interactions until Washington and Seoul decided to deploy the THAAD on the ROK soil last year, escalating tensions in Northeast Asia.

The remains of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army are a reminder of the cruelty of the Korean War. A total of around 197,000 Chinese soldiers, who fought in the Korean War against the US-led forces, sacrificed and most of them were buried on the Korean Peninsula, according to reports.

But the post-war losses have gone beyond casualties. The war wreaked havoc on local resources and residents, dividing the Korean Peninsula into two countries that are vehemently opposed to each other. Peace initiatives have achieved limited progress after the 1953 armistice for a lack of trust. The defense treaty signed by Washington and Seoul allows the United States military to be stationed in the ROK, pushing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea further away from the negotiation table.

That China and the ROK managed to upgrade their relations to a satisfactory level in just over two decades, on the other hand, highlights the importance of stability. The two countries signed a free trade agreement two years ago, and China has become the ROK's largest trading partner and export destination. By the end of last year, Chinese investment in the ROK had almost doubled from five years ago. Cultural and grassroots exchanges, too, increased significantly over the past few years.

The complementary nature of the Chinese and ROK economies has not only brought benefits to the two peoples, but also contributed to regional stability. And thanks to their respect for each other's security concerns and adherence to negotiations in handling the Korean Peninsula issue, Beijing and Seoul forged a strategic partnership.

But Seoul relinquished the strategic balance approach; it agreed to deploy THAAD at the risk of estranging itself from Beijing, even provoking a war in Northeast Asia. The ROK decision-makers, be they from the transitional team or the new administration to be elected in May, should note that sanctioning the DPRK has not stopped it from developing nuclear weapons.

Given that the US administration under President Donald Trump may be preparing to take harsher measures, it is a rather risky move for Seoul to expedite the installation of THAAD, which many even in the ROK are against. Besides, resorting to the US anti-missile battery for "self-defense" is technically questionable, and risks sabotaging the strategic interests of China and Russia. That is hardly what the ROK wants from it.

The author is an associate researcher at the Northeast Asia Studies Institute at Jilin Academy of Social Sciences.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures during a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 21, 2016. [Agencies]

Currently on a four-nation tour of Europe, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking the support of European countries in his bid to get the South China Sea disputes on the agenda for the G7 summit, to be held in Italy in May.

Given that neither Japan nor any European countries are directly involved in the maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Abe is showing his desire to meddle in the issue for his own ends.

This is not the first time that Abe has tried to hijack the G7 agenda and sought to internationalize the South China Sea disputes to serve his ulterior political purposes. Abe has been relentlessly pushing to get Japan deeply involved in the South China Sea disputes to justify his country's bigger military presence in the international arena.

Days before Abe embarked on his European tour, it was reported that Japan will dispatch the Izumo-class helicopter carrier, its largest warship, to the South China Sea. The 249-meter vessel is due to make stops in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka before participating in a joint naval exercise with Indian and US naval vessels in the Indian Ocean in July.

This will be Japan's biggest show of naval force in the region since World War II. For a country that has never sincerely owned up to its militarist past, such an open and high-profile display of force is itself alarming, without mentioning its intended purpose of meddling in the sovereignty disputes to which it is not a party.

Japan's interference comes at a time when the South China Sea disputes have shown clear signs of abating thanks to the recent efforts of the parties directly involved, and when China is negotiating a framework for a code of conduct with Southeast Asian countries, which will pave the way for building peace and stability in the waters.

Abe's meddling in the issue, at this important stage, lays bare his intention of playing up the issue and creating trouble for China. And he will no doubt want to keep hyping up the issue to distract the attention of those at home from the land scandal in which he and his wife have become embroiled.

Yet while it may suit Abe to play up the South China Sea issue, he should be aware the more he does, the more people in the region will not deem Japan to be a responsible country, an image Japan has to establish in the first place if it wants to be treated as a normal country.
WITH TOMB SWEEPING day approaching, Changsong Temple Public Cemetery in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, is allowing people to pay their respects to their ancestors using the social media app WeChat. People can post a message on a special WeChat account, which will then be displayed on an electronic screen in front of the tomb. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

It is customary for people to pay their respects to their ancestors on Tomb Sweeping Day in early April, and people will usually go to cemeteries and tidy the graves of their ancestors themselves. However, many people who have left their home towns find it hard to return on the day nowadays, and new ways for people to pay their respects, such as WeChat tomb sweeping, are emerging.

Society is rapidly changing, but people still want to observe the traditional customs such as tomb sweeping. This has led to customs such as tomb sweeping being revamped for the digital era.

If some judge those who adopt new ways of observing the tradition of tomb sweeping as not fulfilling their duty, it will inevitably lead to them being overwhelmed with criticism and abuse.

Yet the new mode of sweeping tombs on WeChat is quite a considerate method as it helps those who cannot get to the graveside to carry out the custom.

Although people are not at the graveside in the flesh, these digital tribute enables them to be there in spirit.
Riders scan ofo bikes in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The bike-hire startup is experimenting with a deposit waiver system for users in Shanghai and may extend the service to other cities in the country. [Photo/China Daily]

IN WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE the country's first court case against a company offering a shared-bicycle service, a 31-year-old Beijing citizen is suing Ofo, one of the country's leading bike-sharing companies, as he claims that he was injured due to a faulty bike he rented two months ago, Guangzhou Daily commented on Tuesday:

The plaintiff claims that Ofo is responsible for insufficient maintenance, as he alleges the brakes on the bike he hired were faulty. He is claiming 20,000 yuan ($2,900) as compensation to cover his medical treatment, mental distress and transportation costs.

He is not the first rider to solicit compensation from bike-sharing operators in the country on the grounds that the bikes they used were not well maintained.

Albeit most claimants' requests were answered and properly dealt with by the companies concerned, a routine approach to situations like this is still missing. Accidents involving sharing bikes, which have become very popular in less than a year, will inevitably increase as more people use them. That warrants a tailored accountability mechanism when it comes to the respective responsibilities of both users and the bike-sharing service providers.

The business model of station-less bikes is designed to help urban commuters travel the "last mile" more efficiently. To protect users' legal interests, ensuring their bikes are in satisfactory condition is the least the bike providers can do.

Admittedly, big players such as Mobike and Ofo are covered by insurance and they pledge to compensate riders for any injuries incurred while using the bikes. Compensation is also available for people injured by those using the bikes.

Such efforts are praiseworthy, but not enough. They should be institutionalized and streamlined in the way insurance is compulsory for all vehicles.

Bike-sharing service providers, too, need legal protection because they are at risk of being blackmailed by unscrupulous users willing to go to great lengths to be compensated.
Graduates from normal universities in Hunan province interact with their potential employers at a job fair in Hengyang in March. More than 4,000 graduates participated in the event.[Peng Bin/For China Daily]

Editor's note: This is a re-write of opinion article by Cai Fang, which is originally published on People's Daily.

As the economy has entered into a phase of re-balancing from emerging to more sustainable and inclusive growth, which is called the new normal, the Chinese labor market might also be faced with new challenges.

A vital aspect of Chinese economy's new normal is that growth rate is not the only indicator that matters, expanding employment hence improve people's well-being should be given priority among all the tasks.

Total population of the working age has shown negative growth since 2011, which means supply and demand tends to be more balanced. This naturally leads to less competition within the labor market in general, while focus needs to be on solving structural umemployment( hard to find a new job for a long term after laid-off because reform of )and frictional unemployment(usually in short term).

Frictional unemployment is an academic definition meaning when workers leave their jobs to find better ones. It's usually a voluntary exit, but can also occur from a layoff or termination with cause. The time, effort and expenses it takes the worker to find a new job is called friction.

While this friction problem might be a more common difficulty among both authorities and employees, with the deepening of reform and adjustment of economic structure processing comprehensively, attention is needed relating to three aspects of employment contradiction:

First, with the structural reform continuing, dealing with over-capacity industries and shutting down zombie companies naturally leads to problems of structural and frictional unemployment for employees in these areas. For example, some workers might be not be able to meet new requirements when transferring to new positions, let alone in some rural areas, when poorer farmers may struggle with the lack of necessary work skills or qualifications.

Second, for some parts of the population, the improvement of employment quality is critically in demand. This population refers to flexible employees, especially migrant workers, which accounts for 36 percent of total urban employment, but only 40 percent of them have signed labor contracts. They cant fully enjoy public services and their participation in social security programs have a low rate. Many of them have strong motivation to come back to rural areas as soon as they are over 40 years old. This is a dangerous sign of urbanizations reverse, which would further worsen the labor shortage.

Third, new patterns of employment such as informal employment are increasing, which would challenge the traditional labor rights protection system that usually secures these rights based on the work unit. How to broaden the benefit coverage for informal employees is an issue that bothers many countries around the world.

Measures to tackle the challenges can also be focused into three areas:

First, policies should be better formulated to achieve a delicate balance between labor market flexibility and the labor security system. Workers need to be encouraged to learn more professional skills, and at the same time enterprises should allocate social resources in the most efficient way, which combined can improve social productivity. For example, reform of the household registration system should be moved forward, reasonable measures could be taken to guide the farm population flow into cities, which would definitely increase labor supply. Institutional improvements like the Labor Law amendment are also needed, to better protect employees rights.

Second, measures in the long run should be focusing on human resource education and cultivation. As many teenagers usually tend to give up studying and enter the labor market at very young age, they are destined to struggle coping with employment fluctuation in the future. So a comprehensive educational and training system covering the entire society and all age ranges is vitally in demand, especially to improve workers innovation and employment skills.

Third, on one hand, the structural reform needs to keep pushing forward, while on the other hand, social policies need to be used as a guarantee for residents basic standard of living. So the public employment service system should be improved, in order to reduce the time it costs the unemployed to find another job. And at the same time, try to break inequality of the current social security public services system, which are divided by rural and urban areas, industries, identity and sexuality. In one word, all the residents could benefit from the reforms achievement.

Confidence from the public for the authority to tackle the employment issue should be strengthened; solid progress has been gradually obtained in recent years. In 2016, 100 billion yuan of special funds to compensate employees in cutting over-capacity industries were allocated from the government, and policies aimed at making the entrepreneurship environment more lively have also seen fruitful achievements.

Wu Zheyus re-write from Cai Fangs opinion article published on Peoples Daily.
The last of 39 tunnels on the Beijing-Shenyang High-Speed Rail Line was connected on March 20. The breakthrough marks significant progress in overcoming difficult engineering problems on the rail line.

The Chaoyang Tunnel, with a length of 6,750 meters, is located in Chaoyang city, Liaoning province.

Although Chaoyang Tunnel is not the longest one on the Beijing-Shenyang High-Speed Rail Line, it was among the toughest tunnels to build, according to Wang Zhipeng, the project director of the Chaoyang section of the rail line. He expressed his view that the successful connection of Chaoyang Tunnel marks great progress in the construction of the rail line.

The 698-kilometer Beijing-Shenyang High-Speed Rail Line starts at Xinghuo Railway Station in Beijing and connects Chengde in Hebei province with Chaoyang and Fuxing in Liaoning province, before eventually reaching Shenyang.

The line began construction in July 2014, with a total investment of 124.5 billion yuan ($20.4 billion).

Upon completion, expected during 2019, the new line will shorten the current journey time of 6 hours to just 2.5 hours, as it can accommodate trains traveling speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, and only 20 stations will be built along the new line.

The completion of the high-speed rail line will also greatly improve the transportation of goods in the region, as the Beijing-Shenyang line will connect to other main rail lines across China, such as to the Beijing-Harbin Rail Line, Beijing-Shanghai Rail Line and the Qinhuangdao-Shenyang Rail Line. Meanwhile, the current railway connecting Beijing to Shenyang has reached operational capacity.

The entrance of Chaoyang Tunnel on the Beijing-Shenyang High-Speed Rail Line. [Photo/Xinhua]
A sea of clouds engulfs the Jinshanling Great Wall. [Photo/Official weibo account of Jinshanling Great Wall]

With its magnificent natural scenery and rich human spirit behind it, Jinshanling Great Wall has been added to the Top Ten Holy Places for Professional Photographers in China, according to the China National Tourism Administration.

Located in a mountainous region of Chengde city, about 140 kilometers north east of Beijing, the Jinshanling Great Wall section is the best preserved part of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) with many original features.

The Jinshanling section connects the Simatai section of the wall in the east and Gubeikou section in the west.

The General Tower, the Black Tower and the Taochun Tower are must-sees at the Jinshanling Great Wall. Each tower contains its own legend. The general tower was named to commemorate Wu Guihua, a heroine who sacrificed herself to resist invasions from the north during the Ming Dynasty. The Black Tower and the Taochun Tower were christened to commemorate two girls, Heigu and Taochun, who made great contributions to the construction of the Great Wall.

If you go, you will find yourself experiencing totally different scenery in each of the four seasons.

In spring, apricot flowers decorate the Great Wall. In summer, the winding dragon-shaped Great Wall is surrounded by a sea of green plants. In autumn, the Great Wall turns into a colorful place and in winter, heavy snow covers the Great Wall, adding a sense of magnificence and solemnity.

Now, as the spring has come, the annual Apricot Flower Festival kicks off at the beginning of April. If you have time, you should take your loved ones to witness the true beauty of the China's landmark.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, is getting an office in the White House West Wing, stepping up her highly visible role in helping advise her father.

A White House official on Monday confirmed reports that Trump's 35-year-old daughter would be getting her own West Wing space, as well as access to classified information and a government-issued phone.

She is not expected to have an official title and will not be paid a salary.

Ivanka Trump will be joining her husband, Jared Kushner, who is a chief adviser to the president and is a regular presence at his father-in-law's side.

When Kushner's job was announced earlier this year, aides said Ivanka would not take on a role in her father's White House but would focus on settling her family in Washington.

Since then, she has been a frequent behind-the-scenes adviser. Last Friday, she sat next to visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel when Merkel visited the White House.

Reuters
PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided to convene the fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) here on April 11, the official news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The decision was made Tuesday by the Presidium of the SPA, the KCNA said in a brief dispatch without giving details.

The SPA, the highest legislative body of the DPRK, is convened once or twice a year.

The first session of the 13th SPA, which was held in April 2014, re-elected top leader Kim Jong Un first chairman of the National Defense Commission, and Pak Pong Ju premier of the DPRK cabinet.

At the fourth session of the 13th SPA last June, Kim was elected chairman of the State Affairs Commission, a newly-created institution to replace the National Defense Commission. The session also revised the Constitution.

The SPA, which acts as the DPRK's parliament, has the power to adopt, amend or supplement enactments to the constitution, determine state policies and budgets, and adjust the leadership.

The 13th SPA elected 687 deputies across the country in March 2014, who are set to serve a five-year term.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon speaks in the chamber at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh during a debate on an independence referendum in Edinburgh, Britain March 21, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Scottish Nationalist Party leader Nicola Sturgeon took her battle for a new independence referendum to the Scottish Parliament Tuesday in her biggest challenge so far to the British government at Westminster.

Sturgeon, First Minister at Holyrood where the SNP is the largest party, started a two-day debate calling for the people of Scotland to decide what kind of government they want.

She is calling for a referendum to be held between the autumn of 2018, when there is clarity over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations between Britain and the European Union, and around the point at which Britain leaves the EU in spring 2019.

Scotland, said Sturgeon, was standing at a hugely important crossroads.

Sturgeon said Scotland voted by 62 percent to 38 percent to remain in the EU and now faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against its will.

Sturgeon insists the Scottish government has an unquestionable mandate to hold another independence referendum.

"The future of Scotland should not be imposed upon us, it should be the choice of the people of Scotland," she told the parliament in Edinburgh, adding it would not be acceptable for the British government to stand as a road-block to the will of the Scottish parliament.
SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired missiles on Wednesday but apparently ended in failure, South Korea's military said.

Yonhap news agency quoted the military as saying that South Korea and the United States were aware of the related issue.

The statement came as a response to reports that the DPRK test-fired several missiles at around 7 am (2200 GMT) from Wonsan on its eastern coast.
China, Britain to boost financial cooperation

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-03-22 18:58

LONDON -- Officials from China and Britain stressed here on Tuesday the importance of enhancing bilateral financial cooperation.



At a conference on China-UK financial cooperation, Guo Kai, deputy general director of the International Department of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), said the cooperation of China-UK financial infrastructures will help provide better services for the two nations' financial institutions and lay a solid foundation for further expanding the financial cooperation between the two countries.



Guo said the British financial sector was "open..., sophisticated and visionary" and that it was "no coincidence that the Bank of England was the first major Western bank to sign a swap agreement with the PBOC."



Delegates of the conference also welcomed the opening of the representative office of the Shanghai Clearing House (SCH) in London's financial district.



Katharine Braddick, director general of financial services at the British Treasury, stressed that the government attached great importance to strengthening financial cooperation with China, in which boosting the presence of Chinese financial institutions in Britain plays a key role.



The SCH and the City of London Corporation (CLC) co-hosted the conference with the theme of "The Function of Financial Infrastructures in UK-China Financial Cooperation" at the Banking Hall in the City of London.



Xu Zhen, chairman of the SCH, said connectivity is the trend for the development of global economy and finance. It is the responsibility of all financial infrastructures to provide global financial market participants with efficient and secure network of post-trade services.



The SCH will take advantage of London's leading position in the global financial market to boost exchanges and connectivity among the financial infrastructures in China and Britain, said Xu.



He added that the SCH will make great efforts to reduce trading costs and promote allocation efficiency of global resources in an open market and maintain secure operations.

Close to 100 representatives from government agencies, international organizations, financial and commercial institutions attended the conference to discuss the impact of Brexit on financial infrastructures and post Brexit cross-border cooperation, global financial markets versus local and (or) regional regulations.



Sherry Madera, CLC's special adviser for Asia, told the conference that currency and clearing would play a key role in efficient fund flows as well as deep and liquid markets in the future.



Founded at the end of 2009, the SCH is defined as a qualified central counterparty (QCCP) by the PBOC and the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation.
BERLIN  Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday approved a bill that would annul the convictions of thousands of gay men under a law criminalizing homosexuality that was applied zealously in post-World War II West Germany.



The decision clears the way for compensation for those still alive who were among the 50,000 men convicted between 1949 and 1969 under the so-called Paragraph 175 outlawing sexual relations between men. The legislation was introduced in the 19th century, toughened under Nazi rule and retained in that form by West Germany.



Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969 but the legislation wasn't taken off the books entirely until 1994.



The bill approved Wednesday by Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet of conservatives and center-left Social Democrats still requires parliamentary approval. It foresees compensation of 3,000 euros ($3,230) for each conviction, plus 1,500 euros for every year of jail time that convicted men started.



"The rehabilitation of men who ended up in court purely because of their homosexuality is long overdue," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said. "They were persecuted, punished and ostracized by the German state just because of their love for men, because of their sexual identity.""The strength of a state of law is reflected in having the strength to correct its own mistakes," he said. "We have not just the right but the obligation to act."In 2000, Germany's parliament approved a resolution regretting the fact that Paragraph 175 was retained after the war. Two years later, it annulled the convictions of gay men under Nazi rule, but not post-war convictions.



The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany "welcomes the fact that, after long decades of ignorance, legal consequences are being drawn from the serious mass human rights violations that were committed against homosexual people by the democratic state," spokesman Helmut Metzner said.



The planned legal rehabilitation will exclude men who were convicted for homosexual activities with children or for acts that involved violence or threats.



In addition to individual compensation, the government plans to give an annual 500,000 euros in funding to the Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation, named after a pioneering German sex researcher and gay-rights activist of the post-World War I period.



The foundation is working on documenting the stories of men convicted under Paragraph 175.



In October, the British government announced that thousands of men convicted under now-abolished laws outlawing homosexuality would receive posthumous pardons, while those still alive will be eligible to have their criminal records wiped clean.



A few other countries, including Canada and New Zealand, are considering pardons for people convicted under now-repealed laws against gay sex.



AP
British comedian Rowan Atkinson is reprising his highly successful comic character Mr Bean for a movie being shown exclusively in China.

Atkinson, 62, retired his rubber-faced character, who rarely speaks on film, several years ago, after 15 well-received episodes made for British television.

The China-only film is Top Funny Comedian: The Movie, in which Mr Bean  known as Foolish Mr Bean in China  goes on vacation to China and attempts to photograph statues with his iPhone.

It is on general release in China from today.

Mr Bean is essentially a loner who lives in a flat with a small brown teddy bear as his constant companion. One of the series major components was the ongoing troubles Mr Bean faced with his old yellow Mini car.

Mr Bean's Holiday, a movie starring mainly Atkinson, grossed 2.4 million pounds ($3 million) in China alone in 2007, when it was released.

Movie critics said Mr Bean appeals to audiences that do not speak English because the action is largely mime and consists of traditional comedy, such as pratfalls and embarrassing incidents that need no words.

The main plot of the new movie involves Chinese comedians YueYunpeng and GuoDegang. Guo said in an interview that, because Atkinson doesn't speak Mandarin, they communicated on set through body language.

"We communicated just with facial expressions and gestures. We seemed to understand each other. It was a really interesting experience, which proves that comedy can cross boundaries,"Guo said.

The plot of the film revolves around four men and a girl who go to Macau on a gambling trip and end up in all sorts of trouble involving mime comedy and plenty of slapstick.

Contact the writer at chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com
A BBC screenshot shows the shooting incidents. Witness describes how police officer was stabbed

At least seven people are reported to have been injured near the British Parliament, according to witnesses and media reports.

The Metropolitan Police said it is calling the event a terrorist incident until they find out otherwise.



One woman has died and other people are being treated for "catastrophic" injuries after, British news agency Press Association reported citing a junior doctor at a central London hospital.

A man driving a sports utility vehicle is believed to have run over pedestrians on Westminster Bridge around 2.40 pm local time. The driver then crashed into railings, got out of the car and attacked a policeman with a knife near the Palace Yard entrance to the House of Commons, before being shot.

David Lidington, the Leader of the House Commons, told members of parliament that police had shot an alleged assailant.

He told MPs: "Colleagues will have appreciated that events have been moving rapidly and I want to emphasize that the knowledge that I have which is definite is, so far, very limited. What I am able to say to the House is that there has been a serious incident within the estate. It seems that a police officer has been stabbed; that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is attending the scene to remove the casualties. There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity."

The sitting of the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay in the chamber. All other government buildings were placed under "lock down". Theresa May, the Prime Minister, was said to be safe.

Witnesses described how a car plowed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings.

Radosaw Sikorski, a Polish politician, told the BBC he saw four people on the ground on the bridge.

"I didnt see a car, but I heard what I thought was a collision," he said. "I looked through the window of the taxi and I saw someone down obviously in great distress."

London police tweeted: "We were called at approx 2:40 pm to reports of an incident at #Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene".

Quentin Letts, a journalist tweeted: "Just saw Parliamentary security men shoot a man who had attacked a policeman. Impressive reaction times by police."
LONDON  The latest on reports of an incident outside Britain's parliament (all times local):

3:50 pm

Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britain's Parliament.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out," he said.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."Lawmaker Adam Holloway told the AP he saw people running and immediately ran into his offices in Parliament to be with his staff. "A lot of us are locked in with our staff at the moment," he said.

3:50 pm

The White House says US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament in London.

Trump himself said during a brief appearance Wednesday before reporters at the White House that he was just getting the news. He called it "big news." Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, says the US will continue to monitor the situation and update the president. Britain's Parliament was on lockdown after  according to officials  an assailant stabbed an officer then was shot by police.

London Police also said officers were called to an incident on nearby Westminster Bridge

3:40 pm

British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

"Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back," he said.

3:40 pm

The former Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video on Twitter that seems to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Sikorski, a senior fellow at the Harvard Centre for European Studies, says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being "mown down" by a car.

Sikorski told the BBC he "heard what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress.

"Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."

3:35 pm

London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise."The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area.

Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers.

There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.
In the morning rush hour of Mar 22 last year, 29-year-old Charles Chauvaux was riding the metro to work. When the train arrived at Maelbeek station, a suicide bomb exploded in the carriage next to his.

Belgium's King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Prime Minister Charles Michel attend a ceremony at the Maelbeek metrostation commemorating the first anniversary of twin attacks at Brussels airport and a metro train in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

He escaped, but 16 others died in the attack which happened just several hundred meters away from the headquarters of the European Union.

And it's possibly at that time he didn't know that a bomb at Zaventem Airport had already claimed the lives of sixteen people, including one Chinese.

On Wednesday - the first anniversary of the attacks - Belgian and other European leaders joined the families of the victims to pay tribute to those who were killed. Chauvaux said his memories of the events at the metro station were "horrible".

He said: "I was in the first carriage when the attack happened. The bomb exploded in the second carriage. It was quick." But, he said, in spite of the severity of the terror attacks, the heart of Europe was still beating strong.

Wednesday's memorial started at Brussels Airport where King Phillipe and Queen Mathilde joined 1,500 people - including survivors and their relatives, rescue workers and airport employees who were closely involved in the tragic events a year ago - to pay tribute to the victims.

King Philippe laid a wreath outside the airport's departure hall. The names of the 16 killed in the attack there were read out and at 7.58 am, the exact moment when the first bomb exploded in the departure hall, all activity at the airport ceased and a minute's silence was held. Check-ins stopped, baggage conveyor belts stopped, shops closed, restaurants closed and the boarding of passengers and the loading and unloading of luggage and freight all ceased for that one minute.

Arnaud Feist, chief executive of the Brussels Airport Company, said: "Our thoughts go out today to the victims of the tragic attacks which hit our country on 22 March 2016. The survivors have shown incredible courage in overcoming their pain and are still showing that courage today."

Just a few steps from Schuman Square in Brussels, a metal sculpture shaped like rising waves was unveiled on Wednesday to honor the victims. The sculpture could also symbolize two plane wings, or a subway train.

European Council President Donald Tusk also joined the Belgian king and queen at the memorial; ceremony.

The flags representing the countries of the dead have been raised in front of the sculpture, on which the white flowers are laid.

The national flag of China flew there next to the Belgian, US, EU flags and others.

Deng Jingquan, aged 24, died in the airport attacks. China's Ambassador to Belgium, Qu Xing, was at the memorial beside the European headquarters.

Allison Trefois, a fifth-grade teacher at the Carolus Magnus School in Brussels, led 14 children from the class to the memorial ceremony in downtown Brussels. The savage attack frightened many of the children, and Trefois' work was to explain to them what had happened that day and why.

She said: "We try to tell the kids that they should not be afraid in their daily lives. We saw that some of the children were very afraid so we tried to assure them that the military and the police force are doing their best to protect us."

Zheng Jingqiang and Wang Keju contributed to this story
BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left Beijing on Wednesday morning for official visits to Australia and New Zealand, accompanied by his wife Cheng Hong.

During his stay in Australia, Li will also attend the fifth annual meeting between Chinese and Australian prime ministers.

Li is making the visit at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English.
BEIJING - China hopes for new impetus for trade and investment cooperation and regional prosperity through the upcoming visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Australia and New Zealand.

This visit will send a positive signal to the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world that the three countries are committed to trade and investment liberalization and regional peace, stability and prosperity, said Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang at a press briefing here on Tuesday.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Australia and China-New Zealand relations. The official visit, scheduled from March 22 to 29, is the first by a Chinese premier since China upgraded its relations with the two to comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Australia is implementing a northern development plan while New Zealand has a 30-year infrastructure development plan. The premier's visit will promote coordination of China's Belt and Road initiative with the other plans," said Liu Qing, a researcher on Asia-Pacific studies with the China Institute of International Studies.

During Li's stay in Australia, he will meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and hold the fifth annual talks with his Australian counterpart. The two prime ministers will also attend a trade cooperation forum together.

Li will also meet Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and parliamentary leaders.

The two sides will discuss the China-Australia free trade agreement, and cooperation in areas including technology, trade and investment, energy and resources, the judiciary and law enforcement, according to Zheng.

China has been Australia's largest trading partner in the past 8 years. The two countries have witnessed booming bilateral trade since the FTA took effect in December 2015. Since full implementation last year, bilateral trade has reached 108 billion U.S. dollars and bilateral investment was over 100 billion U.S. dollars, Zheng said.

"China, Australia and New Zealand are highly complementary in their economies," said Chen Fengying, an expert on global economy with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

Trade cooperation is also on the agenda in New Zealand. Li will hold talks with Prime Minister Bill English and meet Governor General Patsy Reddy and other officials.

The two sides will expand cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture and husbandry, technological innovation, education, culture, tourism and civil aviation, Zheng said.

Bilateral trade between China and New Zealand has increased nearly threefold compared with 2008, when the two countries reached a free trade agreement. The first round of negotiations on upgrading the FTA will be held in the first half of this year.

The upgrading will bring more opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation, and promote the two sides to increase market openness and reach consensus on areas such as services trade and e-commerce, Zheng said.

Besides trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation will also be on the agenda.

This year marks the China-Australia Year of Tourism. There are already over 100 pairs of sister states, provinces and cities between the two countries.

Li and Turnbull will attend a forum with officials from localities. The two sides will expand cooperation in education, culture, tourism and localities, and sign some cooperation deals, Zheng said.
Premier Li Keqiang adopted kangaroos and emus, two species unique to Australia, to symbolize the fast progressing relations between China and the Oceanian country in his article published on The Australian on Wednesday before his arrival in Canberra.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I was told that for its national emblem, Australia picks a kangaroo and an emu, two native Australian species. Neither of the two likes moving backward but only forward, symbolizing a dynamic country that always moves forward in progress," the premier said in the article entitled "We Want to Work with You for Progress and Peace".

The premier said that the two countries have built up trust and managed differences in the spirit of equality and mutual respect since the establishment of diplomatic ties. China and Australia tied the knot 45 years ago in 1972.

Li said the Chinese people admire Australians for their perseverance and courage to forge ahead as the Australian national anthem says "let every stage in historys page advance Australia fair".

He also said "advance" is a shared key word in both countries national anthems and he is confident that the two partners will continue to move forward as they have chosen while working together to address global instability with stability.
CANBERRA -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit. [Photo/Xinhua]

It is the first trip to the Oceanian country by a Chinese premier in 11 years.

Premier Li and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull will hold the fifth annual meeting of the two prime ministers. They will also attend a forum on China-Australia economic and trade cooperation.

Both sides are going to discuss their free trade agreement, which took effect in December 2015, and ways to further boost bilateral cooperation in technology, trade and investment, energy, education and tourism.

During his five-day stay, Li is also expected to meet Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and parliamentary officials.

China is Australia's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade hit 108 billion U.S. dollars last year. Accumulative two-way investment exceeded 100 billion dollars.

Australia attracts an increasing number of Chinese tourists and students. Last year, the country received a record of more than 1.2 million Chinese visitors.

The Chinese premier will also pay an official visit to New Zealand after his Australian trip.
Premier Li Keqiang is expected to discuss matters pertaining to globalization, regional stability and bilateral trade ties in a closed-door meeting with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday.

Li is a consistent supporter of more trade, not least with Australia which runs a surplus vis-a-vis China, its largest trading partner.

A welcoming ceremony on Thursday morning is to be followed by a slew of events in both Canberra and Prime Minster Turnbull's hometown Sidney. It is a demonstration of the importance they both attach to this visit, the first by a Chinese Premier to Australia since 2006.

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in December 2015, has proved a solid pillar to China-Australia trade in this testing time for the global economy, though figures show China runs a deficit of billions US dollars last year.

According to China's General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between the two countries was $ 107 billion last year, making China the biggest trading partner for Australia for the eighth consecutive year.

However, economic and political uncertainties are rising in the global context with increasing sentiment of protectionism posing risks to globalization and free trade.

The meeting between Li and Turnbull is expected to show both countries' strong commitment to regional and global frameworks for free trade, stability and globalization.
Visitors to the ChinaRussia Expo in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, check goods from Russia in June last year. The province has close trade ties with Russia, which it borders on. WANG JIANWEI / XINHUA

Coordination of Belt and Road, Eurasian Economic Union boosts development outlook for both.Ren Qi reports from Vladivostok

Editor's note: This is the first installment of China Daily's special series on the Belt and Road Initiative.

At the Europlastic factory in Vladivostok, the largest city in the Russian Far East, local workers use Italian-built machinery to make plastic bottle caps out of raw materials imported from China.

It is a dynamic that largely reflects the current international business scene in Russia.

The name "Europlastic" highlights an ambition cherished by many Russian enterprises: to thrive in the European market. Yet the company has almost no business in Europe, with overall trade having plummeted since the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in the wake of the 2014 Ukraine crisis.

At the same time, the fact that the manufacturing plant uses only raw materials from China highlights the need for Chinese imports in Russia's light industry sector.

The situation has created an opportunity for China to foster greater economic cooperation with its large neighbor, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative. The strategy, which revolves around the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aims to improve connectivity through trade and infrastructure projects.

In May, President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, signed a joint declaration to coordinate development of the Chinese initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, a bloc established in 2015 that comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, Putin told Chinese media that the Belt and Road was an interesting strategy that had come at a good time, and all five EEU members had agreed to cooperate under the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

The positive signals from Moscow took some experts by surprise, since the projects were originally seen as potential competitors.

To support the initiative, China established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, pledging $100 billion, and the $40 billion Silk Road Fund to provide low-interest, long-term loans for development projects.

"Regional connectivity is the main objective," Kamel Mellahi, a professor of strategic management at Warwick Business School in the United Kingdom, said of the Belt and Road Initiative. "There's little doubt it's a win-win project for all the countries involved."

Russia agrees. Now, more government officials and entrepreneurs are eager to participate in the Chinese strategy.

Potential

Europlastic, which has seven factories across Russia making polymers, plastics and chemicals products, invested 250 million roubles ($4.3 million) in the Vladivostok plant.

Eugene Belokurov, the plant's general manager, said the facility has yet to turn a profit, but he believes that with technological support and financial investment from Chinese enterprises there is great potential.

Such expectations are common among Russian companies that have started businesses in the country's less-developed eastern areas  so much so that exploring cooperation with China has become a major task for local officials.

Alexander Galushka, minister for development of the Russian Far East, said his country will play a vital role in coordinating development of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Investment projects in the Russian Far East have attracted $16.9 billion, according to the ministry's data. China accounts for 14.7 percent, with the money going toward cement plants, an oil refinery and road construction, as well as $1.2 million for a rivet-manufacturing base in Khabarovsk, about 800 kilometers north of Vladivostok.

The opportunities created by closer ties between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EEU should also interest European countries, he said, but the ongoing sanctions against Russia mean it will be hard for them to share the benefits.

Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said Russian efforts to improve the infrastructure along the Eurasian corridor would help Europe, not hurt it.

"The EU's relationship with Russia will not change. Members have made it clear that sanctions will remain," he said. "It's sad: there is a natural fit between Europe and Russia. For example, Europe has huge overcapacity in milk and Russia has a huge shortage of milk, but we cannot trade."

Wu Fei, a Russian studies researcher at the Center for China and Globalization, a think tank, said even though the European economy will be affected by the United Kingdom leaving the EU, the bloc could still have a strong influence on cooperation between the EEU and the Belt and Road Initiatve.

The two initiatives are complementary, he said: the biggest issue for the Chinese strategy is that there are not many investment projects along the Silk Road Economic Belt that can generate quick returns. However, there are plenty of opportunities in EEU countries.

Experts believe Moscow is also hoping the coordination will lead to further cooperation agreements, such as a pan-Eurasian partnership with European nations.

Chris Cheung, director of the EU SME Center, a think tank in Beijing, said China will be a key element if such a relationship is to be realized.

Despite China's economic slowdown, the EU's interest in the Chinese market is still growing, not least because of central government policies aimed at stimulating domestic consumption to fuel growth, he said.

China's industrial supply chain is also being transformed, Cheung added, meaning new technologies will be required to support advanced processes, whether that is machinery or internet software, creating opportunities for innovative European businesses.

As an example of that, Wu cited investment projects in Yekaterinburg, such as a business park currently under construction, that deliberately targeted Chinese enterprises.

"If the Belt and Road Initiative and the EEU can establish dialogue mechanisms, as well as combine the manufacturing and consumption of several countries in an integrated strategic alliance, with China, Russia and Europe all involved, a real pan-Eurasian partnership could happen," he said.
(Photo : YouTube) Russia denied that the S-400 Triumf delivery to China has gotten underway.

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The Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) brushed off report on Tuesday that it started delivering the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to China, saying the delivery contract is "in strict accordance with its terms and conditions."



"The deliveries will be made within the deadlines secured in the relevant documents," Maria Vorobyeva, spokesperson for FSMTC, said.



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The statement comes a day after a Russian lawmaker told media that the S-400 supplies are getting underway to China. Vladimir Gutenev later clarified to online media that the S-400 were not on the delivery phase but rather on the production stage.



FSTMC also said that the S-400 Triumf delivery contract to China is expected to be accomplished by the end of the decade.



The Russian S-400 is the country's latest air defense system. It is loaded with three different types of missiles that could destroy aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range. It could also track and destroy aerial targets such as ballistic and cruise missiles.



Meanwhile, a new report from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission released on Monday revealed that Russia and China are increasing their joint exercises and boosting sales of advanced weaponry to counter the United States.



Although the report concludes that policy differences and mutual mistrust between Russia and China will likely preclude to an extensive mutual defense agreement, the increased cooperation could be used to thwart the US and its allies in policy disputes, USNI News noted.



"Beijing and Moscow appear to be seeking to reduce the effectiveness of US-led missile defense systems through advanced missile development and other coordination," the report said, further noting that both countries "appear drawn together by similar concerns about what they consider explicit US-led efforts to contain them.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Taiwan is locally building its own submarines to counter China.

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Taiwan is heading the indigenous route after it failed to secure eight US submarines following over a decade of negotiation as suppliers steered clear any agreement that could anger China. Local shipbuilder CSBC Corporation said on Tuesday that the homegrown submarines could be finished within eight years and enter into service within a decade.



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"Underwater combat readiness is the part of Taiwan's defense that needs the most support," President Tsai Ing-wen said. "I understand it is challenging to build submarines locally. The rule in the international political reality is that you need to help yourself before getting help from others."



The design stage would be carried out for four years, followed by the building phase, and culminated with underwater testing and drills, Cheng Wen-lon, CSBC Chairman, said. The total cost of designing the submarine is estimated at NT$2 billion ($65.8 million). Moreover, Cheng also noted that while CSBC has already constructed about a hundred ships for the Taiwanese armed forces, building a submarine pose new challenges.



Meanwhile, according to the latest report of Pentagon on China's military, the country owns at least 53 attack submarines, many of which are based at Hainan Island. The fleet is expected to increase between 69 and 78 by the end of the decade.



Furthermore, Dean Cheng from Heritage Foundation wrote in 2015 that Taiwan needs to produce more advanced submarines to improve its capability to keep attacking China at bay long enough for the US to intervene, Bloomberg reported. Dubbed as the "breakaway province," the island currently has four submarines, including two surplus Dutch vessels built in 1980 and two US boats made during the World War II.



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) Americas software giant Microsoft has launched new customized Windows 10 version in a bid to make a comeback in Chinas lucrative government procurement market.

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America's software giant Microsoft has announced that it is ready with its new customized Windows 10 version to quell down the security concerns of Chinese authorities. With this new customized version, the software giant hopes that China will lift the ban on use of Windows 10 across government agencies after it was banned owing to security concerns.



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Microsoft developed the new customized version through a joint venture tie up with the state owned China Electronics Technology Group Corp (CETC) that was formed in 2015. The new joint venture company, known as C&M Information Technologies, went on the floor in September last year.



"We have already developed the first version of the Windows 10 government secure system. It has been tested by three large enterprise customers," Crozier said in an exclusive interview with China Daily. "We have worked extensively to make it secure and controllable. We are now ready to serve the market."



Crozier is hopeful that once Chinese government agencies feel absolutely comfortable with the new customized Windows 10 version, the private companies will soon follow the suit.



Microsoft, however, has offered no details about what exact changes it has made in Windows 10 to get the nod from Chinese authorities.



The Windows 10 was banned from China's government procurement market amid widespread security concerns, following a revelation by the whistleblower Edward Snowden that the United States is running a massive surveillance program across the world.



The Microsoft's previous version Windows 8 was also made to exit the government procurement market in 2014, citing that the software was not exactly an 'energy efficient' product.



These bans have left a huge hole in profit of the American software giant, with China's government procurement market being one of the largest IT markets in the entire world. China's government procurement constitutes of all the government agencies as well as big state-owned enterprises, which spends billions of money on their IT requirements every year.



Apparently, Microsoft is not the only one that is facing issues in China. The services of other internet giants such as Google, Facebook and Twitter have long been banned in Mainland China owing to their failure to comply with strict Chinese censorship laws.



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TagsWindows 10, Microsoft, Microsoft China, china
(Photo : Getty Images. ) Airbnb has announced slew big planes to cement its place in the Chinese market, including a brand new Chinese name.

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Airbnb has finally made its mind to go for the one big crack in the Chinese market, which will probably make or break its destiny in the world's largest tourism market. The U.S. accommodation company on Wednesday announced slew of measures for China in a bid to get better off its local rivals Tujia and Xiaozhu.



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Airbnb's new plans include doubling investment and tripling its workforce in China in the current year, as well as kick starting a new advertising campaign and also new tour program for Shanghai. All these plans are part of the company's efforts to sharpen its focus on China's domestic market, a departure from its earlier plan to focus more on China's international tourists.



Apart from these ambitious plans, Airbnb also announced a new Chinese name Aibiying, which means "welcome each other with love." The company claims that the new Chinese name would be easier for local consumers to pronounce and help in popularizing its brand across the country.



All these new measures were announced by the company's Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky at a conference in Shanghai. Chesky's presence in China to announce these new measures tells a lot about the importance that Airbnb attaches to the Chinese market.



Chesky claims that China's new age travellers will help to widen the company's presence in the lucrative domestic market. "There's a whole new generation of Chinese travellers who want to see the world in an entirely different way," he said in a statement.



Chesky's claim is supported by market numbers claiming that 80 percent of Airbnb users in China are well under the age of 35, a much younger age group than in other competing markets.



Currently, Airbnb ranks third behind local rivals Tujia and Xiaozhu in accommodation listings. The San Francisco based company claims that it has roughly 80,000 listings within China and has been visited by almost 1.6 million guests.



It was earlier reported that the company was holding talks to acquire Xiaozhu's business, but there has been no latest news so far on that front.



Airbnb was founded in October 2008 as an online marketplace that would allow people to lease or rent short-term lodging including vacation rentals, apartment rentals, homestays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms.



After a very modest beginning, it steadily became one of the fastest growing start-ups in the world. Today the it boosts a valuation of more than $30 and counts reputed names such as Y Combinator, Hillhouse Capital Group, Tiger Global Management and Google Capital as its reputed investors.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Huawei will spend $400 million investment over the next five years in New Zealand.



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Huawei has announced a huge investment in research and development in New Zealand over the next five years.



The Chinese tech firm will spend $400 million in the next five years helping to start local research and development as well as supporting the construction of a cloud data center. According to Huaweis Founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, the company is looking for further investment opportunities in New Zealand because it shows open and fair trade environment and emphasis on developing new technology.



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Huawei will be working with local partners to build a New Zealand Cloud Data Center as well as opening an innovation lab by the end of 2017. The said innovation lab will be strategically located at Victoria University of Wellington, where it will focus on the deployment of big data and Internet of Things (IoT) themed future technology that includes 5G.



Another innovation lab will be built Christchurch city to create local R&D partnership there as well. Huawei will also open a regional office in the countrys capital Wellington for local procurement and help businesses in the country which will be integrated into companys global supply-chain network.



The depth of the investment will touch many areas of the economy and open up global opportunities for New Zealand. The initiatives that Huawei is committing to will also help strengthen our research and development activity and capability building in the digital and technological world, said Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges in a statement.



Huawei CEO Zhengfei has met New Zealands Prime Minister Bill English to talk about the investments ahead of a major Chinese delegation, which will be led by Premier Li Keqiang. The NZ Prime Minister will take advantage of the meeting by developing on the existing free trade agreement.



Moreover, the company would offer 100 undergraduates of New Zealand the opportunity to travel to China for technology and cultural exchanges over the next five years.



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TagsHuawei, new zealand, china, Research and Development, data center, innovation Labs, Huawei New Zealand
(Photo : Getty Images. ) In a fresh warning to India, China's state owned tabloid has warned India of a 'fight back' if it continues to undermine Beijing's ties with Nepal and Sri Lanka.

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China's state owned tabloid The Global Times has warned India of 'retaliatory actions' if it continues to undermine Beijing's growing ties with Nepal and Sri Lanka. The timing of this warning appears to be more than conspicuous as it comes amid China's defence minister's ongoing visit to Sri Lanka and Nepal.



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The Global Times' latest op-ed openly accuses India of trying to monopolise the Indian Ocean and South Asian regions, where the country has traditionally dominated for several decades. "It is India that has been treating South Asia and the Indian Ocean as its backyard with a hard-line manner. Its uneasiness toward Beijing's growing influence in the region is obvious," the op-ed said.



The editorial cited the example of Bhutan to show how India is trying to undo China's efforts to warm relationship with South Asian countries. It solely blamed New Delhi's influence over Bhutan that has stopped the Buddhist country from having a cordial relationship with Beijing.



Further, it alleged that "India's vigilance against China has also affected Sri Lanka and Nepal's relations with Beijing," adding that New Delhi even tries to brand neutral policies of both its neighbours as 'pro-Chinese policies.'



The English tabloid, known for its nationalistic tenor, then dashed out a blunt warning to India. ""If such tendencies in India continue, China will have to fight back, because its core interests will have been violated."



However, it did not dwell on what retaliatory actions Chinese government would take against India, clearly shying away from beating the war doll drums.



Speaking specifically about Sri Lanka and Nepal, the editorial claimed that China's decision to promote defence ties with these countries is an evitable result of their increasing economic collaboration. It claimed that this is necessary not only to protect China's, but also region's over all security.



China's Defence Minister Kick Starts Sri Lanka and Nepal Visit



China's Defence Minister Chang Wanquan took off for a five day visit to Sri Lanka and Nepal on Sunday. The main purpose of this visit is to clearly forge deep defence ties with these two South Asian countries, which would help Beijing in getting a deeper footprint in the region.



Chang wrapped up his visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after holding an hour long meeting with Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena. Both leaders believed to have discussed host of important issues, but is not known what military and defence issues they discussed during the meeting.



During the Nepal visit, discussion over joint military exercise is expected to be high on defence minister's list. The joint military exercise that is scheduled to start in matter of few months is first such military exercise between the two countries.



Traditionally, Beijing has never shared deep military ties with South Asian countries expect for Pakistan, which is its closest ally in the region.



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Tagschina, China and India, China and Nepal, China and Sri Lanka
The most popular Reformed preacher and author in America today is not eligible to receive Princeton Theological Seminarys annual award in Reformed theology and public witness.

The mainline seminary reversed its decision to honor Tim Keller with a prize named for neo-Calvinist theologian Abraham Kuyper following outcry over the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) pastors conservative positions.

Princeton president Craig Barnes announced the news in a letter released Wednesday morning.

Because the PCA conflicts with the seminarys denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), on women and LGBT clergy, leaders agreed not to award Keller the prize and thus affirm his differing stance. However, the school has still scheduled the Redeemer Presbyterian pastor to speak on mission at an annual conference hosted by its Kuyper Center for Public Theology in April.

In order to communicate that the invitation to speak at the upcoming conference does not imply an endorsement of ...

1
The Man Child Starts, Asking for Serious Believers, Book Online Explains End-Time Rapture Truth



CLATSKANIE, Ore., March 22, 2017 /



"Christianity today is a mess - if you were God the Father, would you invite people of competing denominations who teach ministries other than Jesus' Gospel and people more loyal to them than Jesus to heaven to practice their divided loyalties like they do on earth? The man child will help unite people under Jesus first."



"It's fine to talk about the rapture of the church but denominations are not church according to Revelation 17:5. Jesus' man child is His church. First Pope Paul is least in Jesus' Kingdom, and those who follow his example may be saved but are not worth taking to heaven until they obey Rev. 18:4 to walk with God personally."



"Christian politicians refuse to obey the Constitution to make schools teach Jesus' gospel



"The Man Child is needed to turn the world to Jesus by force of serious rod of iron prayers to love Jesus and cast out Satan. The rod of iron clause in Rev. 12:5 is explained in Rev. 2:26-27. It is the power to smash nations, not praying to create good feelings."



"Those who do not obey Jesus and prepare can try again after suffering Rev. 16:18-19 so they will be humbled to obey Rev. 18:4. All of First Pope Paul's denominations will be left behind and suffer plagues. The writings of Paul are a handbook of prostitution. Those who start obeying the Gospel but backslide to Paul the least Christian of all, are unworthy of the promise in Rev. 3:10 to escape the time of tribulation.



"Everyone has a choice on what to program themselves with. You can fill yourself with the best truth there is or garbage. The philosophy of absolute perfection is greater than perfection of any field. God the Father is absolute perfection and Jesus is absolute perfection in human form. Those who seek, discover, and apply His perfection grow more perfect and those who don't remain imperfect by default. Jesus' Gospel is the very best truth."

Share Tweet Contact: Kirk W. Fraser, Overcomer, 503-308-8749; TheManChild.org CLATSKANIE, Ore., March 22, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Kirk Fraser announces the Man Child in Isaiah 66:7 and Revelation 12:5 must start to prepare for the pre-tribulation ascension or rapture projected for 2024."Christianity today is a mess - if you were God the Father, would you invite people of competing denominations who teach ministries other than Jesus' Gospel and people more loyal to them than Jesus to heaven to practice their divided loyalties like they do on earth? The man child will help unite people under Jesus first.""It's fine to talk about the rapture of the church but denominations are not church according to Revelation 17:5. Jesus' man child is His church. First Pope Paul is least in Jesus' Kingdom, and those who follow his example may be saved but are not worth taking to heaven until they obey Rev. 18:4 to walk with God personally.""Christian politicians refuse to obey the Constitution to make schools teach Jesus' gospel explanation refused by Oregon Congressmen, Legislators, and Columbia County Precinct Chair . Asking President Trump to save the world was refused.""The Man Child is needed to turn the world to Jesus by force of serious rod of iron prayers to love Jesus and cast out Satan. The rod of iron clause in Rev. 12:5 is explained in Rev. 2:26-27. It is the power to smash nations, not praying to create good feelings.""Those who do not obey Jesus and prepare can try again after suffering Rev. 16:18-19 so they will be humbled to obey Rev. 18:4. All of First Pope Paul's denominations will be left behind and suffer plagues. The writings of Paul are a handbook of prostitution. Those who start obeying the Gospel but backslide to Paul the least Christian of all, are unworthy of the promise in Rev. 3:10 to escape the time of tribulation."Everyone has a choice on what to program themselves with. You can fill yourself with the best truth there is or garbage. The philosophy of absolute perfection is greater than perfection of any field. God the Father is absolute perfection and Jesus is absolute perfection in human form. Those who seek, discover, and apply His perfection grow more perfect and those who don't remain imperfect by default. Jesus' Gospel is the very best truth."
home US Alabama Senate panel approves proposal allowing church to have its own police force

An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would allow Briarwood Presbyterian Church to have its own police force.

The proposal, which was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, will now move to the Alabama Senate. A similar bill was approved by a House committee, but it has not yet gotten a floor vote.

The Birmingham-area congregation of 4,000 wanted its own police department to protect its church and school, according to The Associated Press.

The state has allowed a few private universities to have their own police force but never a church or non-school entity.

Opponents of the proposal expressed their worries that the church would cover up crimes, while senators raised concerns about the accountability of the police force.

"I don't want this to be a little secret group that, when something happens, it gets covered up," said Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham).

A similar proposal was passed last year, but it got to the governor late and was never signed, according to Briarwood attorney Eric Johnston, who drafted the bill.

He said he expects both the House and the Senate to approve the proposal and believes Gov. Robert Bentley will sign it into law.

"We've got over 30,000 events a year that take place at Briarwood - going on all day, all night, at the school, at the church, at the seminary," Johnston said.

"We have to hire policemen all the time. It would be so much easier to have someone on staff," he added.

Johnston further noted that the church currently hires off-duty police officers from area police departments, but officers are not always available.

"They get short-handed. We have one guy that we have to have almost full-time supervising security," he said.

Last month, church administrator Matt Moore issued a statement citing Code 16-22-1 of Alabama law, which he claimed allows for the employment of one or more persons to act as police officers at colleges and other private educational institutions. "The church seeks to mirror that provision," the statement declared.

The statement further noted that the personnel that will be employed by the church when it obtains legislative permission will meet all requirements and be certified by the Alabama Peace Officer Training Commission.
home World Archaeologists discover 1,400-year-old coins hidden by fleeing Christians

Archaeologists in Israel have discovered a cache of nine bronze coins dating back to the seventh century A.D. during a salvage excavation conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authorities (IAA) as part of the widening of Highway 1 between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The coins are believed to be hidden by Christians who were fleeing ahead of invading Persian forces, Haaretz reported. During the course of the excavations, the archaeologists found a large two-story structure and an adjacent built, complex winepress.

"The hoard was found amongst large stones that had collapsed alongside the building," said Annette Landes-Nagar, director of the excavation.

"It seems that during a time of danger the owner of the hoard placed the coins in a cloth purse that he concealed inside a hidden niche in the wall. He probably hoped to go back and collect it, but today we know that he was unable to do so," she continued.

The coins, which were minted in Constantinople, Antioch, and Nicomedia, contained the images of Byzantine emperors Justinian (483-565 AD), Maurice (539-602 CE) and Phocas (547-610 CE).

The obverse of the coins depicts an image of an emperor wearing military garb and carrying crosses, while the reverse indicated the denomination.

The archaeologists believe that the Christians concealed the coins as the Persians invaded in 614 A.D., which marks the end of Byzantine rule in the land. The area was abandoned and covered over until it was incorporated in the agricultural terraces that characterize the region.

The building and the winepress belong to a larger site that extends across Highway 1, which also includes the remains of a Byzantine church.

"The Israel Antiquities Authority and Netivei Israel are working together to conserve the site as a landmark in the scenery alongside Highway No. 1," said Amit Shadman, the district archaeologist for Judah.

Salvage excavations ahead of construction works are common in Israel as it is littered with archaeological remains, some of which date back to the dawn of human history.

In 2014, archaeologists discovered mosaic floors done in rare colors, which also date back to the Byzantine era near the Bedouin village of Hura in the Negev.

In 1996, a bulldozer in Lod uncovered the tail of a tiger mosaic, which led to the discovery of one of the largest and best-preserved Roman mosaics ever found, which was from around 300 A.D.
home World BBC apologizes over tweet asking about proper punishment for blasphemy

The BBC issued an apology after a post asking "What is the right punishment for blasphemy?" on the broadcaster's Asian Network Twitter account sparked outrage on social media.

The BBC's Asian Network posted the tweet in an attempt to promote a debate about blasphemy on social media. Shazia Awan, the local presenter, explained in an accompanying video that Pakistan had recently called on Facebook to help the government crack down on blasphemous content on its website.

"Is this the right way to handle blasphemy? Or do you think that freedom of speech should trump all else?" Awan asked.

The post was criticized by several human rights campaigners and secularist organizations who challenged the premise that blasphemy should carry any punishment.

Iranian-born secularist and human rights campaigner Maryam Namazie said that the tweet was "disgraceful," while the National Secularism Society described it as "absolutely appalling."

Following criticisms on social media, the network posted an apology, saying the question was "poorly worded" and that it was never intended to imply that blasphemy should be punished.

Under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Muhammad can be sentenced to death, according to The Guardian.

Last week, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar said that an official in Pakistan's Washington embassy has asked Twitter and Facebook to help identify Pakistanis who shared content deemed offensive to Islam.

According to the interior ministry, Facebook has agreed to send a team to address the government's concerns about blasphemous content on its website.

The social media giant has not issued any public comment regarding a delegation being sent to Pakistan, but it said in a statement that it viewed government requests with care, keeping in mind "the goal of protecting the privacy and rights" of its users.

"We disclose information about accounts solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law. A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty or other formal request may be required for international requests, and we include these in our Government Requests Report," the statement said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his support for a crackdown on blasphemy, saying it is an "unpardonable offense."

"The blasphemous content on social media is a nefarious conspiracy to hurt the religious sentiments of the entire Muslim ummah," the prime minister was quoted as saying.
home US Chaplains resist secularist efforts to ban prayers at Air National Guard Base

A group of chaplains is resisting an atheist organization's efforts to put an end to prayers and Bible readings at the Air National Guard base in New Hampshire.

Last month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Lt. Col. Thaddeus Day at Pease Air National Guard Base, saying the inclusion of chaplain-led invocations and Scripture readings at official Air National guard ceremonies is unconstitutional. The group claimed that the letter was sent on behalf of a concerned guardsman who complained about the invocations.

The letter argued that the Supreme Court mandates that the government maintain neutrality toward religion and called on Day to end the practice of prayers and Scripture readings at official events, according to The Christian Post.

The FFRF also asserted that the inclusion of prayers is "unnecessary and divisive," adding that military members are "free to pray privately or to worship on their own time."

In response to the atheist group's letter, the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Freedom, a coalition of over 30 agencies that endorse over 2,600 military chaplains, enlisted the help of the Texas-based law firm First Liberty Institute.

On Tuesday, the First Liberty Institute sent a letter to Col. James Ryan, the commanding officer at Pease Air National Guard Base, to advise him that there is "no legal requirement" for him to yield to the demands of the FFRF.

"Their demands appear to be based on the flawed notion that military chaplains cannot offer invocations at ANG functions. The FFRF's position and legal argument are incorrect," First Liberty senior counsel Mike Berry wrote. "Federal law, military regulations, and court precedents belie the FFRF's specious claims," he added.

Berry pointed to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to argue that the military and government are not allowed to hinder an individual's religious exercise unless there is a "compelling government interest" to do so.

He also cited the National Defense Authorization Act, which stated that the Department of Defense "must accommodate individual expressions of religious belief, which undoubtedly include a military chaplain's invocation."

"Contrary to the FFRF's assertion, there is no exception when such individual expressions occur during military functions," he continued.

Berry also noted a 1997 federal court ruling in Rigdon v. Perry, when the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the rights of two chaplains who wanted to preach in favor of banning partial-birth abortions. He contended that the ruling affirms that the religious conduct of chaplains is protected under the First Amendment.

Berry asserted that the U.S. Constitution, federal law, and Department of Defense regulations all support the practice of permitting uniformed chaplains to offer invocations at official functions. He further noted that military commanders are actually forbidden from censoring and prohibiting such invocations.
home World Christian campaigner slams medical ethics chief for defending sex-selective abortions

A Christian campaigner in England is denouncing medical ethics expert at the British Medical Association (BMA) for saying women should be allowed to terminate their pregnancies if they think their unborn child is the "wrong" sex.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Professor Wendy Savage said that the law banning sex-selective abortions should be scrapped.

"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 it's not going to be good for [the mother's] mental health," she said.

Nola Leach, chief executive of Christian Action Research and Education (CARE), denounced the professor's remarks as "extreme" and said that her position on the ethics board of the BMA was "troubling."

Leach said that the professor's suggestion that women should be allowed to have an abortion based on the gender of the unborn child treats children as "nothing more than a commodity."

"In society we strive for equality between men and women, knowing that they both have incredible talents and gifts and our laws protect these men and women when they are discriminated against purely on the basis of their sex. For Savage to claim that unborn children do not deserve this right too is inexcusable," Leach told Christian Today.

Savage, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist who has performed 10,000 abortions, said she believes that it is a "myth" that sex-selective abortions happen in Britain. She noted that she had only been asked once in her 35-year career to perform an abortion because of the unborn child's sex.

A spokesman for the BMA stated that Savage was not speaking for the doctors' union and noted that the organization supports the current laws on abortion.

Savage is also behind a bid to convince the BMA members to support a policy calling for abortion to be removed from criminal statute. During last Year's BMA conference, she submitted a motion seeking a policy on decriminalization of abortion.

Under the current law, abortion is legal in Britain up to 24 weeks if signed off by two doctors. Terminations beyond that period are only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

Pro-life campaigners have expressed concern that decriminalization would lead to ever increasing numbers of abortions, particularly after 24 weeks. The BMA clarified that it has no policy on decriminalization of abortion.
home US Christian leaders decry Trump's foreign aid cuts

Over 100 Christian leaders have affixed their signature to a letter urging Congress to reject President Donald Trump's proposal to make disproportionate cuts to foreign aid funding.

The budget blueprint, released by the Trump administration on Thursday, included a proposal to reduce the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) budget by 28 percent, according to Christianity Today.

In the statement included with the blueprint, Trump argued that "it is time to prioritize the security and well-being of Americans, and to ask the rest of the world to step up and pay its fair share."

In the letter sent to House and Senate majority and minority leadership on Thursday, Christian leaders and celebrities called on the legislators to avoid making "disproportionate" cuts to foreign aid programs that provide support to the impoverished, starving and displaced people abroad.

"As followers of Christ, it is our moral responsibility to urge you to support and protect the International Affairs Budget, and avoid disproportionate cuts to these vital programs that ensure that our country continues to be the 'shining city upon a hill,'" the letter stated, according to The Christian Post.

The letter was signed by leaders from humanitarian aid groups including World Vision USA, World Relief, Compassion International, and Food for the Hungry. Other signatories include Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Ronnie Floyd, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; evangelical author and human rights advocate Johnnie Moore and many others.

The Christian leaders urged the government to maintain the international programs they consider "instrumental in saving lives, safeguarding religious liberties, and keeping America safe and secure." They also contended that the International Affairs Budget, which is used to fund health clinics and schools in developing nations and humanitarian relief programs, is "crucial" to demonstrating American values, building "friendships with other nations" and "lowering security risks around the world."

During the previous administration, most evangelicals supported making cuts to U.S. assistance to the world's poor. Other top choices for spending reductions were government assistance for the unemployed and environmental protection.

The budget blueprint also includes a proposal to reduce the U.S. assessed contribution for U.N. global peacekeeping missions to 25 percent at most, which is consistent with the U.S. law that sets a 25 percent cap on peacekeeping funding. The U.S. currently contributes about 28 percent of the peacekeeping budget.
home World Christian leaders in Nigeria cancel day of mourning for believers killed by insurgents

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced the suspension of Christian Day of Mourning, which was supposed to commemorate the believers who died at the hands of religious insurgents.

CAN President Samson Ayokunle said that the event, which was scheduled to take place globally on March 19, was canceled due to "misunderstanding, misinterpretation and subsequent security concerns."

"All Nigerian Christian assemblies are urged to have a normal Sunday Worship on March 19, 2017, but suspend any action on the Day of Mourning," Ayokunle said, according to Vanguard.

"Christians should be careful and watchful. Further communication shall be issued by CAN in due course. In the meantime, we are all urged to remain steadfast and resolute in the Grace of God that Nigeria shall overcome the present distress and peace shall prevail all over the nation," he added.

The National Executive Committee of CAN made the decision to hold the day of mourning on March 19 during a meeting last month. However, security agencies have raised concerns that the event could lead to untoward development.

The agencies also questioned why CAN waited for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari before staging the program. Buhari, who went to London on medical leave on Jan. 19, had just returned to Nigeria on March 10.

Morning Star News reported that security agencies and the Nigerian government had recently threatened Christian leaders for speaking out against the attacks committed by Fulani herdsmen against Christians, as well as the attacks by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria.

Earlier this month Ayokunle told the National Executive Committee that the failure of the security agencies to apprehend and charge the assailants has allowed the crisis to continue.

He said that the killings have continued despite the curfews and the presence of police and security agencies in the area. Ayokunle pointed to an incident in which a Redeemed Christian Church of God building was burnt down in Abuja early in the morning.

"What shall we do to these continuous provocations without any visible action by the law enforcement agents?" he said.

On March 6, the advocacy group Jubilee Campaign held a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland where it noted that the rising Fulani militancy had succeeded Boko Haram as the foremost violent threat in Nigeria.

The panelists said at the press conference that 4,000 people have died in the past three years due to the increase in militarization in north and central Nigeria.
home World Churches in Mexico pay 'taxes' to drug cartels to remain open

A pastor in Mexico has revealed it has become common for churches to pay "taxes" to drug cartels in order to remain open.

"Charging this 'tax' to pastors and churches is now a common occurrence," the pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, told World Watch Monitor. "The cartels are very well organised and they can follow your every move. One cannot go anywhere alone; protection is needed all the time," he continued.

He said that the problem used to be common in the northern cities bordering the U.S., but it is now becoming an issue for the rest of Mexico.

According to Dennis Petri, the Open Doors Manager in Mexico, the taxes are commonly known as "derecho de piso" (floor right) or "venta de protecciAn" (protection rackets). He said that most of the cases are unreported even though it has become "very common."

"According to government officials, only 10% of the cases are formally brought to court. Most of the people I interviewed indicated that this is a massive phenomenon affecting virtually all churches, while many others appear too afraid to speak about it," Petri explained.

Petri noted that there have been reports of the drug cartels ordering the closure of churches. There were also individuals who were reportedly prohibited from attending church services or were required to inform the drug cartels whenever they visit a particular church.

Apart from extortion, kidnapping for ransom has also become a problem for people in Mexico. Those who attend church meetings also face an increased risk of violent and deadly attacks.

Christians are also under threat from vigilantes fighting the drug cartels. One evangelical Christian recounted how he was threatened by members of a vigilante group in his home state of MichoacAn. He said that most members of the group were former drug dealers who are now trying to recruit children and teenagers to fight the drug cartels.

"On one occasion, they threw us out of our community using sticks and machetes. They threatened to kill me if I dared go back to my community," he narrated.

Petri said that speaking publicly against the activities of the cartels could result in beatings, attacks on the houses of the church leaders, or even killings.

At least 31 church leaders have been murdered in Mexico in the past decade, according to Centro CatAlico Multimedial.

Mexico is ranked on the Open Doors World Watch List as the 40th country in which it is difficult to live as a Christian. Petri said that the most significant threat to Christians in Latin America is violence related to organized crime.
home US Democratic Senator says Neil Gorsuch must be rejected because of his pro-life beliefs

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has argued against the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court because of his pro-life beliefs.

During Gorsuch's confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, Feinstein noted that President Donald Trump had repeatedly vowed to nominate justices that would be pro-life and would overturn Roe v. Wade. She said that while Gorsuch had not ruled directly on a case involving Roe v. Wade, she is concerned about some of his writings.

"Specifically, he wrote that he believes there are no exceptions to the principle that 'the intentional taking of a human life by private persons is always wrong.' This language has been interpreted by both pro-life and pro-choice organizations to mean he would overturn Roe," Feinstein said, according to Life Site News.

The senator then proceeded to describe the case of a woman who wrote an op-ed about her pregnancy for The Washington Post two weeks ago. According to Feinstein, the woman was told by three doctors that she had a fatal condition and that carrying her pregnancy to term would increase the risk sevenfold.

"The mother described their excruciating decision and the unforgiving process the couple endured to get the medical care they needed," Feinstein narrated.

"The Supreme Court has the final say on whether a woman will continue to have control over her own body or whether decisions about her healthcare will be determined by politicians and the government," she added.

The senator went on to say that Gorsuch's "originalist" judicial philosophy is "really troubling" and could potentially lead to government discrimination against members of the LGBT community.

Gorsuch, who is currently a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, has gained the support of pro-life groups because of his track record of supporting religious freedom of organizations that refuse to pay for forced abortions.

The groups also took note of his opposition to assisted suicide as well as his support for a state fighting to defund Planned Parenthood.

On Monday, a coalition of 60 pro-life groups, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate to call for the swift confirmation of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

If confirmed, Gorsuch would replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who supported overturning Roe v. Wade as well as allowing individual states to provide legal protection for the unborn.
home US Female pastors in Iowa sign letter expressing support for Planned Parenthood

A group of female pastors in Iowa have written a letter this week to express their support for Planned Parenthood and to denounce a bill that would defund the abortion organization.

Last month, the Iowa Senate approved Senate File 2, which aims to redirect funds away from Planned Parenthood and allocate the money to health centers that do not perform abortions.

In the letter published in the Des Moines Register on Wednesday, the female pastors praised Planned Parenthood and condemned the bill, which is currently being considered in the state House.

"As clergy and as women, we oppose any action by the Iowa Legislature to restrict a woman's ability to make her own health care and reproductive decisions or to access health care services," the pastors wrote.

"Additionally, we support Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the excellent care it provides for any woman who chooses its health care services," they continued.

The letter included signatures from pastors from the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Episcopal Church, Unitarian Universalist Association, Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) and Unity Church. The pastors noted in the letter that they represent the views of "many others in their faith," but they were not speaking on behalf of their denominations or congregations.

The pastors further stated that the legislation is "dangerous and "extreme." They also claimed that it "threatens access to basic health care for low-income women."

Supporters of the measure have previously stated that women in Iowa will have "access to 221 clinics statewide that will expand coverage to rural women who must now make long drives to urban areas for family planning services."

Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton), co-sponsor of the bill, argued that it would increase health care access for women, especially those in rural areas where there are no Planned Parenthood clinics.

Iowa is one of the several states that are moving to defund Planned Parenthood.

Last week, Republicans in U.S. Congress unveiled the American Health Care Act, which includes provisions that would revoke funding for the abortion organization.

President Donald Trump recently offered to keep funding Planned Parenthood if it stopped performing abortions, but his proposal was turned down.
home World Israeli archaeologists open up storeroom to provide glimpse into life during Christ's time

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has opened up its storerooms containing artifacts that provide clues to what life was like during the time of Jesus Christ.

The vast warehouse was opened up to reporters on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming Christian holiday of Easter, which marks the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion.

Among the archaeological treasures from the first century A.D. discovered around Jerusalem and Galilee are vases, cooking utensils, a wine press, crucifixion nails, jewelry, and ossuaries, according to AFP.

Some of the ossuaries were inscribed with the name of Jesus, which archaeologists say was a common name in Israel 2,000 years ago. Around 30 ancient burial boxes were found inscribed with the same name.

The experts said that they have yet to find archaeological evidence that directly links to Jesus, but in recent years, they have discovered an array of materials that could help historians understand how Jesus may have lived or died.

Gideon Avni, head of the IAA's archaeology division, said that there are more than one million objects under the custody of the IAA, and there are about 40,000 new finds from about 300 archaeological sites each year.

"Nowadays we can restore in a very clear way the daily life during that period, from the moment of birth, through the person's life, his dining customs, where he travelled across the land, and until his day of death including his burial," said Avni.

"Over the past 20 years we have made a great leap in understanding the way of life of Jesus and his contemporaries. Every week new elements are discovered which allow a better understanding of this period," he added.

The IAA also exhibited a replica of a heel bone pierced by an iron nail with wood fragments on each end. The artifact, located in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, was found in a Jewish burial box in northern Jerusalem, dating back to the first century A.D. Up to this time, it is the only evidence of a victim of a Roman crucifixion buried according to Jewish custom.

The artifact has helped archaeologists in the reconstruction of the man's crucifixion, with his feet nailed to the sides of the cross. Avni expressed his belief that Jesus may have been crucified in the same way, which is different from the traditional depictions of crucifixion in art.

Avni said that there is no reason to doubt Jesus' existence just because archaeologists have not found any physical evidence of him.

"You have to remember that Christ was one among more than a million people living during this time in the Holy Land," he said.
home World Jesus' burial shrine reopens following nine-month restoration work

The purported site of Jesus' tomb is slated to be reopened to the public this week after a team of restorers and scientist completed the renovation of the Edicule, a shrine that is believed to house the cave where Jesus was entombed and resurrected.

The Edicule, located at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, needed reinforcement and conservation, including the installation of an underground drainage network for rainwater and sewage, according to Antonia Moropoulou, who directed the restoration work at the site.

The restorers have removed the iron cage built around the shrine by British authorities in 1947 in order to shore up the walls, according to The Associated Press. The team also cleared the black soot that accumulated on the shrine's stone facade from decades of pilgrims lighting candles.

Moropoulou, a professor at the National Technical University of Athens, said that extensive work has been done on the tomb's masonry, and titanim bolts have been inserted into the stone slabs, including the one covering the tomb.

The custody of the church is shared by The Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic denominations, who have held up the restoration work on the site for over 200 years because of interdenominational disputes. The restoration only started last year when the church was deemed unsafe by Israeli authorities.

"If this intervention hadn't happened now, there is a very great risk that there could have been a collapse. This is a complete transformation of the monument," said Bonnie Burnham of the World Monuments Fund.

The tomb was exposed for the first time in October last year when the scientists removed the marble cladding that covered it since at least 1555 A.D. The tomb was identified as a relic in 326 A.D. by Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine.

Fredrik Hiebert, archaeologist-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, said at that time that the scientists were surprised by the amount of material beneath the marble covering.

"It will be a long scientific analysis, but we will finally be able to see the original rock surface on which, according to tradition, the body of Christ was laid," he added.

Each denomination made contributions to the project, which cost around $3.3 million. Jordan's King Abdullah also made a personal donation for the restoration of the site, according to media reports.
home US Kansas Supreme Court hears arguments in case challenging ban on dismemberment abortions

The Kansas Supreme Court has started hearing the arguments in a lawsuit challenging the state's law prohibiting dismemberment abortions.

The law, titled Senate Bill 95, is being challenged by Dr. Herbert Hodes and his daughter, Dr. Traci Nauser.

Last Thursday, the court heard arguments on whether the state constitution includes the right to abortion.

The plaintiffs argue that the law violates the state Bill of Rights, which states that "all men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Life News reported. Hodes and Nauser, who operate a women's health center in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, maintained that the phrasing guarantees the right to abortion at any stage.

The 2015 law was initially put on hold by Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks, who stated that it imposes an unconstitutional burden on women who seek abortions. Hendricks also declared that the general language in the Bill of Rights protects the right to an abortion.

His ruling was upheld following a split 7a7 decision by the Kansas Court of Appeals last year.

Kansans for Life argued in its friend-of-court briefs that the lower court decision blocking the law misinterprets both the statute and the state constitution, and that it should be reversed.

The Thomas More Society also filed a brief in support of the law banning dismemberment abortions, also known as "dilation and evacuation." Special Counsel Paul Benjamin Linton, who filed the brief, maintained that the provision in the Bill of Rights does not create a right to abortion and therefore cannot be used to block the law.

Other organizations that filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the law include the Family Research Council, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Pediatricians and the Catholic Medical Association.

Friend-of-court briefs in support of Hodes and Nauser were filed by Constitutional Accountability Center, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The law was based on a model legislation drafted by the National Right to Life Committee. According to the group, similar laws have been enacted in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Opponents of the legislation noted that nearly all second-trimester abortions are performed using the dilation and evacuation method. In 2015, abortion providers reported performing 629 dilation and evacuation procedures, which accounts for nine percent of the state's total abortions.

The court is expected to hand down a ruling within the next few months. The law may be headed to the nation's highest court if the Kansas Supreme Court upholds the district court's ruling.
home US Lawmakers approve bill declaring Alabama a 'right to life' state

Republican lawmakers have passed a measure that would declare Alabama a "right to life" state by amending the state constitution.

The House of Representatives approved the bill on Thursday by a vote of 67a14 during what the leadership dubbed as "pro-life day," The Associated Press reported.

The proposal known as HB 98, seeks to amend the Alabama Constitution to make it a state policy to recognize and support the sanctity of life for the unborn. The amendment will largely be symbolic unless Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in 1973, is overturned.

"We want to make sure that at a state level, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, that the Alabama Constitution cannot be used as a mechanism by which to claim that there is a right to abortion," said state Rep. Matt Fridy, the bill's sponsor.

Planned Parenthood representatives called the proposal a "trigger law" that is aimed at speedily changing abortion access in the state in the event that 1973 Supreme Court decision is reversed.

"The net impact is that it would completely outlaw abortion access in the state of Alabama regardless of the situation. It is total ban," said Katie Glenn, the Alabama director of Planned Parenthood Southeast.

Nikema Williams, vice president of Planned Parenthood Southeast, added: "I don't think it can be overlooked that this is again playing politics with women's health to drive turnout in 2018."

Fridy maintained that Alabama is a "pro-life state" and disputed the notion that politics were at play.

Some conservatives are optimistic that there is a chance that the Roe v. Wade could be overturned now that President Donald Trump is in power. The president, who has recently nominated conservative Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, has vowed to appoint justices that are open to overturning Roe v. Wade.

Many believe that Trump may get another appointment during his term because of the age of some of the justices.

According to Alabama Today, the proposed constitutional amendment has already been passed in the state Senate. It will go before voters in 2018 if it is signed by the Gov. Robert Bentley. Other states such as Missouri and Utah have passed similar "right to life" measures.
home US Mayor refuses to remove cross from city hall despite objection from atheist group

The mayor of Longwood city in Florida has refused to remove a cross memorial from the city hall despite objections from a prominent atheist organization, which described the display as exclusionary and unconstitutional.

On March 10, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Longwood Mayor Joe Durso, asking him to remove a three-foot-tall wooden cross from the city hall.

The FFRF was first alerted about the display by David Williamson, chapter director of the Central Florida Freethought Community.

Williamson, who served in the Navy in the early 1990s, argued that displaying a cross to honor veterans sends a message that the city is only honoring Christian veterans.

The cross, emblazoned with the words, "We Will Never Forget Their Sacrifices," was part of a Vietnam War Traveling Memorial Wall that visited the city last June. It was built by Lt. Col. Johnnie Richardson who donated it to Longwood after the memorial left the city, according to News13.

FFRF staff attorney Rebecca Markert argued in the letter that displaying a religious symbol in a public room where city officials create policies and pass ordinances sends a message that Longwood is endorsing religion.

"The government's display of a Latin cross on public land is unconstitutional," said Markert. "The cross [display] unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity. ... The cross has an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Longwood political outsiders," she continued.

Upon receiving the FFRF letter, Durso defended the display and said that the city has "no intention" of removing the cross. He noted that the city hall had displayed a Christmas tree and Jewish menorah every December for years, but he never received a complaint about those displays.

"It was donated to us as a nice honor in paying homage to those men and women who served," Durso told the Orlando Sentinel. "How is having a cross an endorsement? ... They are trying to create a fire where there is no fire," he added.

Richardson maintained that the cross was part of a traditional military observance of lives lost in battle, not a form of religious expression.

"This purpose of that cross was to honor our men and women in uniform who gave the ultimate sacrifice, nothing more and nothing less," he said.
home World New generation of jihadis trained by ISIS prevent Christians from returning to Mosul, says vicar

A vicar in Iraq has warned that Christians who have fled Mosul may not be able to return to the city because the Islamic State terror group has trained a new generation of child radicals.

Over 100,000 Christians have fled Mosul since ISIS took over the city in 2014. Some have attempted to return as the government forces continue the offensive against the terror group, but a vicar has warned that a huge danger remains in the city.

Father Daniel, whose church in Erbil cares for Christian families who fled their homes, said that terror group's ideology has been passed on to the next generation, sparking fears that ISIS will continue its efforts to expel Christians out of the Middle East.

"We can go back but it is a question of safety. We are dealing with a new generation bred by ISIS - they have a radical anti-Christian viewpoint and so it would be really hard to go back," he said, according to Express.

"It would be very hard for children here and children in Mosul to get together. Can they even get along together as two groups? Could they adapt to each other? We really need to work with the children in Mosul to change what ISIS has implanted there," he added.

Children, known as the Caliphate Cubs, have appeared in several ISIS propaganda videos that featured executions.

Daniel, who works with Christian children who were traumatized by ISIS, said that education could be the only weapon against the terror group and its young supporters.

He noted that the older victims of ISIS are now working against the jihadis by serving as volunteers to help others who are coming to Erbil to escape the battle in Mosul. Some are working as translators for people who come from other organizations.

"They want to help their community and for their voice to be heard around the world," the vicar said.

Daniel explained that Christians have feared being targeted long before ISIS, but it got much worse when the jihadis took over.

The priest, who was in Erbil when ISIS emerged, said his church was not prepared for the number of people who fled. The people initially stayed on the floor of the churches, but they were gradually provided with tents and cabins. He said that the church is now renting houses for the displaced people.

According to a report from the BBC, over 180,000 have fled Mosul in the past month. The U.N. has warned that 320,000 more civilians could flee the city in the coming weeks.
home US Nuns lose legal battle to prevent Katy Perry from purchasing convent

Katy Perry is closer to owning the Los Feliz convent in California after the two nuns who wanted to prevent her from purchasing the property lost their appeal last week.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled on Tuesday that the nuns, Sister Rita Callanan, 78, and Sister Rose Catherine Holzman, 86, cannot block the sale of the convent to Perry.

In a bid to prevent the Los Angeles Diocese from selling the convent to Perry, the two nuns, who belong to Order of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, negotiated the sale to property developer Dana Hollister, who wanted to turn the eight-acre property into a boutique hotel, according to Court House News.

Perry, who offered to pay $14.5 million for the villa, entered the legal battle through her company Birds Nest and accused Hollister of manipulating the nuns. In a September 2015 court filing, Perry said that she would preserve the convent as a "residential oasis" and would allow the sisters to stay for up to two years.

Prior to the court ruling, the nuns expressed their disdain for Perry's lifestyle and accused her of being involved in witchcraft.

"I do not like Katy Perry's lifestyle. I have a lot of the things from the internet to show the Archdiocese what kind of woman she was. Some of the things she does are disgusting," Callanan told the Daily Mail earlier this month.

The nuns called in a Signatura, the highest judicial authority at the Vatican, to intervene in the case after the Archbishop Jose Gomez filed a case against them in civil court.

"We have a lawyer in Rome. I just don't think the pope will let the archbishop sell to Katy Perry," Callanan said at the time.

However, Judge Stephanie Bowick ruled against the nuns after a Vatican decree in court records confirmed that the archbishop controls the property and has governing authority over the religious order which the two sisters belong to.

The archdiocese said that the other nuns in the religious order opposed the attempts to block the sale of the property, which was given to the institute 45 years ago.

Gomez's attorney, Michael Hennigan, said he was pleased with the ruling, although he expects more court hearings.

"It's always been our objective to try to protect the nuns and this was a horrible deal that got done, that the judge has now declared invalid," said Hennigan, referring to the nuns' attempt to sell the property to Hollister.
home World Pope Francis apologizes for church's complicity in Rwandan genocide

Pope Francis has asked for forgiveness for the "sins and failings" of the Catholic church during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed the lives of an estimated 800,000 people, most of whom belonged to the Tutsi ethnic group.

During a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Vatican on Monday, the pope acknowledged that there were priests and nuns who "succumbed to hatred and violence, betraying their own evangelical mission," Premier reported.

According to a statement from the Vatican, the pope also "expressed the desire that this humble recognition of the failings of that period, which unfortunately disfigured the face of the church, may contribute to a 'purification of memory' and may promote, in hope and renewed trust, a future of peace."

Both the local church and the Vatican had been reluctant to issue an apology for the church's complicity in the genocide, despite pressure from the Rwandan government. The local church had maintained that the church officials who committed crimes had acted individually.

In 1996, St. John Paul II stated that the church was not to blame for what took place in Rwanda. "The church in itself cannot be held responsible for the misdeeds of its members who have acted against evangelical law," he said in a letter to Rwandan bishops.

During the massacre, thousands of people took refuge in Protestant and Catholic churches only to be exterminated by surrounding militias. According to Christian Today, researchers have suggested that the church was "deeply implicated" in the genocide, with its buildings serving as "killing fields."

Last year, the Roman Catholic Church in Rwanda issued an apology for its role in the massacre.

In a statement read throughout the churches in the country on Nov. 20, the bishops expressed their regret that church members "violated their oath of allegiance to God's commandments" and that some Catholics took part in planning, aiding and carrying out the killings.

However, the Rwandan government dismissed the apology at the time, saying it was "profoundly inadequate."

Kagame, who led the rebellion that ultimately ended the 100-day violence, said in December that he did not understand why the church was reluctant to issue an apology, given that popes have apologized for much lesser crimes.

On Monday, he expressed his appreciation for the pope's statements and said "a new chapter in relations" had begun. He added that Pope Francis' willingness to ask for forgiveness was "an act of courage and moral high standing" that was characteristic of the pope.
home US School district files motion to dismiss lawsuit seeking to end Bible classes

A West Virginia school district has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at ending the Bible in the Schools program, which has been offered in the schools since 1939.

In January, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed a lawsuit against Mercer County Schools on behalf of a parent who wished to raise her daughter without religion. The plaintiff, identified in the suit as "Jane Doe," stated in the lawsuit that her daughter risks being ostracized by other students if she does not join the Bible classes.

The motion to dismiss was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern Division of West Virginia last week by the Texas-based legal firm First Liberty Institute on behalf of the school district.

The legal firm argued in the motion that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the plaintiffs lack the standing to bring the case to court.

"The purported harms Plaintiffs allege are merely speculative, resulting from choices the [Plaintiffs] say they may have to make well into the future and related fear of potential ostracism that is grounded only in speculation, not in fact," the motion read.

First Liberty noted that the plaintiffs who are asking an injunction against the Bible course have never attended the classes. "Plaintiff Jamie Doe, Jane's Doe's child, a kindergartner, is not old enough to enroll," the motion stated, according to Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

The legal firm also argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because it is "a facial attack on Mercer County's constitutional right to offer optional Bible classes in public schools for the benefit of the many students who are interested in receiving Bible instruction."

The FFRF argued in the lawsuit that the program endorses one religion and violates the consciences of non-Christian parents and students.

According to a press release from the group, the Bible classes are taught by itinerant teachers who have a "degree in Bible." Weekly classes, which last between 30 to 45 minutes, are held in 15 elementary schools, one intermediate school, and three middle schools.

The classes are financed by the "Bluefield Bible Study Fund, Inc.," which operates a fund to support Bible teachers to instruct about 4,000 students, the FFRF noted. Each lesson contains 70 to 90 visuals, which include images of Jesus being tortured, nailed to the cross, and ascending to heaven.
home World Sicilian archbishop bans mafia members from being godparents

A bishop from Sicily has issued a diocesan decree that bans known mafia members from acting as godparents at baptisms.

Michele Pennisi, bishop of Monreale, near Palermo, said on Friday that the decree was intended to challenge any notion that mob bosses have a paternalistic side to them.

"The Mafia has always taken the term 'godfather' from the Church to give its bosses an air of religious respectability, whereas in fact the two worlds are completely incompatible," Pennisi told Agence France Presse.

His diocese encompasses Corleone, which was made famous as the birthplace of fictional mob boss Vito Corleone in Mario Puzo's "The Godfather."

The bishop admitted that his decree would be difficult to implement because of the culture of omerta or the law of silence, which has hampered Italy's efforts to crack down on organized crime.

"If someone has not been convicted we cannot judge people on rumors, without proof," said Pennisi, noting that the decree does not refuse Mafia members seeking to repent.

"If one of them admits to having done wrong, asks to be pardoned for the bad they have done, in that case we can discuss a path of conversion," he went on to say.

The bishop caught media attention in February when he castigated a priest for allowing Giuseppe Salvatore "Salvo" Riina, the son of Toto Riina, one of Sicily's most notorious mobsters, to act as a godfather at a baptism.

Salvo was arrested in 2002 and sentenced for crimes of Mafia association, extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering.

The son of the mob boss was prohibited from returning to Sicily when he was released from prison in 2011, but he was granted special permission by a court to return to his hometown of Corleone to attend his niece's baptism.

He was able to convince a priest to issue a declaration that he was a practicing Catholic in good standing and therefore a suitable godfather for his niece.

Upon learning of Salvo's role in the baptism, Pennisi denounced the act, saying it was "imprudent" and "reprehensible" to allow the son of the mob boss to act as a godfather in the baptism.

Pennisi's decree follows the teaching of Pope Francis who excommunicated the Calabrian Mafia known as the "'nDrangheta" in June 2014.

"The 'nDrangheta represents the adoration of evil and total contempt for the common good...Those who in their lives have chosen this path of evil are not in communion with God, they are excommunicated," the pope was quoted as saying.
home US Texas Senate passes controversial bathroom bill after long debate

The Texas Senate has approved a controversial bill that would require individuals to use public restrooms that correspond to their birth gender.

The bill known as SB6 was passed on Wednesday by a vote of 21a10 after a five-hour debate on Tuesday, Time reported.

Opponents of the bill raised concerns that the proposal would hurt transgender people while its supporters said it is necessary for privacy and safety.

The measure also seeks to preempt local anti-discrimination laws that would allow transgender individuals to use public bathrooms according to their gender identity.

Under the legislation, individuals who use opposite-sex bathrooms will not face any criminal charges, but schools or government entities that fail to comply with the measure could be fined $1,000 to $10,500, depending on the number of violations.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who introduced the measure, said that she has been subjected to much ridicule because of the bill. However, she maintained that it is aimed at protecting women's safety and privacy in public bathrooms and locker rooms, not discriminating against transgender people.

"I've been subjected to many jokes, everybody snickering and talking about the bathroom bill. They've made light of the issue, accusing us of wasting time," Kolkhorst reportedly said on the Senate floor. "I will tell you as a woman, this is not a joke," she added.

Critics of the proposal argued that forcing transgender individuals to use restrooms inconsistent with their gender identity amounts to discrimination and could cause other problems.

"Your birth certificate says you're a female but you look very much like a man, wouldn't your bill unnecessarily create a problem that doesn't exist today?" Democrat Senator Jose Menendez asked Kolkhorst, pointing to two pastors who were born female but now look like men with full beards.

"In 2007, a bill that I carried where an amendment was put on that allowed you to change your birth certificates, that is the remedy to that," Kolkhorst responded.

However, other senators pointed out that there have been judges that denied birth certificate changes in several cases and that the cost to changing a person's sex was prohibitive.

Kolkhorst said that she was moved to propose the bill after the Obama Administration issued a guidance last year instructing schools to allow students to use bathrooms according to their gender identity. The guidance was rescinded by President Donald Trump's administration last month, saying that the issue should be left to the states.
home World Thousands of Christians flee to Malaysia to escape persecution in Myanmar

More than 100,000 Christians are now living as refugees in Malaysia after fleeing from their homes in Myanmar because of rising religious persecution.

Myanmar's civilian government, under the leadership of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has been accused of covering up abuses against Christian minorities, according to Turkey's national public broadcaster, TRT World.

"Myanmar isn't safe for us. They killed people, sent people to jail because of religion," said one Christian refugee.

Buddhist nationalists, the military, and the police have been accused of being involved in committing acts of violence and even genocide against the minorities.

Most of Myanmar's estimated 4 million Christians are from ethnic minorities who live in states bordering China, Thailand, and India, according to The Christian Post.

Some of the persecuted Christians are hoping to resettle in the U.S., but they might be affected by President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which suspends the country's refugee program. The executive order, which was blocked by two federal courts last week, also seeks a 55 percent reduction in refugee visas from 110,000 to 50,000 this year.

Over 160,000 Burmese citizens have resettled in the U.S. in the past decade, and they account for almost 25 percent of all new refugees since 2007, according to The Associated Press.

"America is really our fatherland in terms of religion," said a 38-year-old woman named Tin. "They sent their missionaries to our country and taught us to be Christians. And now we had to escape. All we want is to be safe," she added.

Tin and her community fled the Chin State, where over 90 percent of the residents followed the tenets of the American Baptist Church by 2009, according to Human Rights Watch. This puts them in conflict with the military campaign to elevate Buddhism over other religions.

Tin and the other Christians said that people threw rocks at them when they gathered for family prayers. They had to hide their Bibles for fear of more attacks.

Sang, a 29-year-old school teacher who learned English as a theology student, read through a copy of Trump's executive order and agreed that terrorists must be kept out of the U.S. However, he maintained that he will not cause a problem in the country because he is a Christian who wants to work for a living.

"We are not terrorists, we are Christians. We will never be a problem in the United States. We will get educations, we will work hard. We only seek safety," said Sang.

There are currently 130,000 Burmese refugees in Malaysia who are living in Kuala Lumpur's poorest neighborhoods while awaiting resettlement. Some of them have kept their belongings packed in their baggage so that they would be ready when they are called in to get stamps on documents or meet with officials.
home US Trump's revised travel ban blocked by two federal judges

Two federal judges have blocked President Donald Trump's new executive order that seeks to ban refugees and travelers from six Muslim majority countries.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson issued a temporary restraining order against the travel ban in response to a lawsuit by the state of Hawaii, Religion News Service reported. The judge stated that "a reasonable, objective observer ... would conclude that the executive order was issued with a purpose to disfavor a particular religion."

A preliminary nationwide injunction was issued against the executive order by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang on Thursday in a similar case in Maryland.

Chuang noted that the refugee resettlement agencies that filed the case were likely to succeed in proving that the travel ban portion of the order was intended to be a ban on Muslims, which would be a violation of the U.S. Constitution's religious freedom protection.

"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," Chuang wrote in his ruling.

Trump decried Watson's ruling at a Nashville rally on Wednesday, saying the blocked executive order was a "watered-down" version of the previous travel ban.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that the administration plans to appeal the Maryland decision to the 4th Circuit of Appeals and will seek "clarification" on Watson's ruling before bringing the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Three judges on the Ninth Circuit court upheld a ruling by a Washington state judge that blocked the first travel ban.

In contrast to the first executive order, the revised travel ban has removed Iraq from the list of banned countries. It also exempted travelers who have green cards and visas and removed a provision prioritizing certain religious minorities.

The new executive order, which was supposed to take effect on Thursday, would have prevented travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days.

Watson noted that the freeze on the revised travel ban was only temporary, but he concluded that the changes between the first and the second executive orders were not enough. The judge said that he intends to set an expedited hearing to determine whether the temporary restraining order against the travel ban should be extended.
Archbishop of Canterbury to make high-level, 12 day trip to the Holy Land

The Archbishop of Canterbury will make a high-level 12 day visit to the Holy Land in May, Lambeth Palace confirmed today.

In one of his longest trips as Archbishop, Justin Welby will take in Jordan and Bethlehem as well as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Galilee, and focus on the themes of reconciliation, Christian unity and the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

The Archbishop's visit will be largely aimed at affirming the presence of Christian communities in the Holy Land. But as ever in the region, there will be a political dimension: Archbishop Welby is likely to meet with the Israeli and Palestinian Presidents, Reuven Rivlin and Mahmoud Abbas respectively as well as other leaders, including King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman. A meeting is being sought with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The trip comes exactly 50 years after the Six Day War which resulted in the Occupation of Palestinian territories and 100 years after the Balfour Declaration which established a Jewish state on Palestinian land.

Archbishop Welby will spend several days in Jerusalem where he will stay at the Anglican St. George's Cathedral at the invitation of the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani. Archbishop Welby will preside over a Communion service and be installed as an Episcopal Canon at the Cathedral.

He will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other Christian sites as well as the Western Wall and, possibly, the Temple Mount in the divided city.

In Bethlehem, where Archbishop Welby is expected to stay overnight, he will meet with the Christian mayor of the town, Vera Baboun. Mayor Baboun will brief the Archbishop on the situation in Bethlehem including the surrounding Israeli settlements and security wall or 'separation barrier'. She and other Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem are likely to emphasise the increasing numbers of Christians who are leaving the town of Jesus's birthplace, where only around 15 per cent of the population today is Christian.

Archbishop Welby will pass through the controversial separation barrier as he enters and exits Bethlehem by road. He will also symbolically enter Israel via the West Bank by crossing the Allenby Bridge over the Jordan River from Jordan, where he will begin his trip.

In Tel Aviv, the Archbishop will meet with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel as well as taking part in other inter-faith events in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

He will also deliver a set-piece speech on the theme of reconciliation at the Peres Centre for Peace in Tel Aviv, named after the late Israeli President Shimon Peres.

In the north of Israel, Archbishop Welby will visit Galilee and Nazareth as well as Haifa and Acre, where there is a growing Christian community.

Following Foreign Office advice, Archbishop Welby will not speak to Hamas or visit any Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. He will also not enter Gaza.

The Archbishop's trip comes amid a dormant period for the so-called peace process in the Middle East and the announcement of his trip comes as there is speculation in the region over whether US President Donald Trump will move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that would infuriate Palestinians.
Westminster terror shooting: Four dead including a police officer

Four people have died including a police officer and 20 others injured after a terrorist incident at the Houses of Parliament.

The attacker was shot at least three times by police inside the parliamentary estate in Westminster after stabbing up to police officers, one of whom later died from his wounds.

Three others have also died on Westminster Bridge and many more injured after being mown down by a 4x4 vehicle which sped across Westminster Bridge, mounting the pavement and hitting several people before ploughing into the gates of the Palace of Westminster. A man then jumped out the car with a large knife and stabbed a police officer before being shot.

Police have said they are treating it as a terrorist incident until they know otherwise.

Emergency services have secured the area after the Prime Minister, who was in a voting lobby when the incident was reported, was ushered away by a plains clothing police officer.

The Prime Ministerial car was later seen driving quickly away from the Palace.

Police are going through the Palace of Westminster floor by floor to ensure it is safe.

Jonathon Reynolds, Labour's shadow treasury secretary and head of Christians on the Left, confirmed he was safe and told Christian Today: 'Whole area on lockdown. People in the offices, inside the Chamber.'

He added: 'The situation on the bridge looks bad. Quite a few hurt.'

The Church of England has called for people to pray for those affected.

Kevin Schofield, reporter for Politics Home, said he saw a man approaching a police with a knife inside the grounds of the Palace of Westminser before there were 'several rounds of gunfire'. He told Sky News he heard a 'bang like a car crash' with reports suggesting a man ran through a security barrier with a knife in his hands.

MPs and staff have been to remain in their offices in the Palace of Westminster. The House of Commons sitting has been suspended and MPs told to stay where they were. Cobra, a gathering of senior security officials including the Prime Minister, will meet tonight.

Westminster underground station has been shut after a request for the police. Labour shadow leader of the House said MPs 'thoughts and prayers' are with those concerned.

Jonathon Reynolds, Labour's shadow economic secretary and chair of Christians on the Left, tweeted:

There has been a serious incident in Parliament but I am okay. Thank you to the security personnel who protect us and the public  Jonathan Reynolds MP (@jreynoldsMP) March 22, 2017

Thank you for everyone's messages, both myself and my staff are all safe in Parliament. My thoughts and prayers are with those injured.  John Glen (@JohnGlenMP) March 22, 2017

The Bishop of Birmingham tweeted:
Durham priest admits stealing 50,000 from church funds

A Catholic priest has admitted to taking fraudulently at least 50,000 of church money over more than four years.

Fr John Charles Leo Reid could be facing jail after changing his plea to guilty at Durham Crown Court.

The 69-year-old has admitted to abusing his position as a priest and is alleged to have stolen the funds in the four years and five months after taking over the ministry of St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street, and St Bede's Catholic, in nearby Sacriston.

Following his arrest in May 2014, Fr Reid voluntarily withdrew from public ministry while Durham Police spent more than two years investigating his case.

Last July, he was charged under the Fraud Act, 2006, and appeared before Peterlee Magistrates Court.

In September the case was sent to the crown court, where Fr Reid denied two charges of fraud by abuse of position.

It was alleged that between June 1, 2009, and October 31, 2013, he abused his position as a parish priest.

While in his position, 'he was expected to safeguard, or not act against, the financial interests of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, by failing to draw only modest and legitimate expenses, failing to set up a finance committee, and by failing to keep proper receipts and accounts, as he was required to do'.

It was alleged that some of the money taken went on foreign travel, restaurants and cinema trips, but he claimed that much of that spending came from an inheritance.

Trial was due to start at the court in May. But on Monday, Fr Reid's counsel, Christopher Knox, asked for one count to be put again to his client.

Fr Reid pleaded guilty, which the court heard was on a basis accepted by the Crown.

Knox said: 'What we now hope is that sentence can be dealt with, on April 7. We would anticipate there being a number of character references. There is a sum of money to be repaid to the diocese and we hope that will be effective by the time of sentence.'

Judge Christopher Prince said that he wanted to know the exact amount that is said to have been taken before the sentencing hearing.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, told the court: 'We have agreed that the lowest figure is 50,000.'

Knox said that some of the money recovered by the police has already been passed on to the diocese.

Bailing Fr Reid to St Patrick's Presbytery, in Stockton, until sentence, Judge Prince told him: 'The fact the case has been adjourned for sentence should be seen as no indication as to the final sentence.'

A spokesperson for the diocese said it will not comment 'until the full court process has run its course'.
Evangelicals rally around Trump's Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch as he emerges unscathed from Senate hearing

Evangelical Christian leaders rallied around Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch as he was questioned for more than eleven hours yesterday during a Senate confirmation hearing.

The consensus was the conservative judge emerged largely unscathed after 20 senators on the committee questioned Gorsuch for 30 minutes each.

Gorsuch repeatedly stressed his independence. 'The bottom line that I'd like to convey to you, from the bottom of my heart, is that I'm a fair judge,' the Supreme Court nominee told the judiciary committee Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein.

On abortion, Gorsuch assured the committee that no member of the Trump Administration had asked him to commit to overturning Roe v. Wade, despite Trump's campaign pledge only to appoint pro-life judges.

'I have offered no promises on how I would rule in any case to anyone and I don't think it'd be appropriate for a judge to do so,' Gorsuch said. He added that Trump had mentioned abortion in a meeting only to say that 'one of the topics that came up during the campaign was abortion, and it was very divisive and split people evenly.'

The hearing came after the evangelist Franklin Graham said the high court was the paramount issue of the 2016 election and Christians should pray for Gorsuch. Graham added that 'atheist progressives' are working to 'strip God and all references to Him' from the public square and are pushing Christians 'into the shadows'.

Writing on Facebook on Monday, Graham said: 'The atheist progressives in this nation want to strip God and all references to Him out of our society. They want to marginalize Christians to the point of making them second-class citizens, forcing them into the shadows and penalizing them if they don't go there...This past election was about the Supreme Court, and the issue facing us today is not wiretaps, it's not Russia, it's still about the Supreme Court.'

Yesterday, Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), added his voice to those supporting Gorsuch's appointment, calling for an end to partisan division.

'As our nation's political divide has seemed more like a chasm in recent weeks, I urge our politicians on both sides of the aisle to give an honest confirmation hearing to President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court,' he said. 'Rarely in modern history have politics felt as divisive and as poisonous as they do today, and rarely has an opportunity presented itself with such potential to bridge what divides us. The recent trend of blocking such nominees by both Republicans and Democrats must stop. These political games are not in the best interest of the United States.'

Dr. Rodriguez lavishly praised Gorsuch. 'Judge Gorsuch's credentials are impeccable, his track record is exemplary and his legal mind is universally regarded. The American Bar Association has publicly affirmed the nomination, and perhaps even more impressive, a bipartisan and diverse collection of Judge Gorsuch's classmates from Harvard Law School penned a joint letter expressing their enthusiastic support,' he said.

'I pray that our lawmakers in Washington would not use Judge Gorsuch's nomination as an opportunity to further pit Americans against each other, but rather as an opportunity to sanity, cooperation, and compromise. I pray that the Senate would have the political courage to move swiftly to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court as a Justice who will defend the rights of all Americans, and who will preserve and defend the Constitution with wisdom, integrity and impartiality.'
Flights into Egypt: Could the Holy Family's route from Bethlehem become a pilgrim trail again?

Pope Francis is to visit Egypt next month  and Egyptian tourist authorities are using the event to publicise a 'Way of the Holy Family' pilgrimage destination.

The vital Egyptian tourist trade has been devastated by terror attacks leading to countries including the UK recommending against all but essential travel to some areas.

According to Fides, the pilgrimage trail aims to follow the route traditionally taken by Joseph, Mary and Jesus as they fled King Herod's forces after the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:13-15). There were Jewish settlements at Alexandria and in many other Egyptian towns and cities where they would have been able to find refuge.

Egypt has recently restored the Abu Sarga cave church, dating from the 5th century, where local tradition says the family rested before starting their journey back to Palestine.

The trail is expected to start at the town of Al-Arish in Northern Sinai, which has been the scene of violence against Coptic Christians by jihadist groups, and progress toward the Nile Delta, Wadi Natrun, Assiut and the Monastery of the Virgin Mary.

Francis is to visit Cairo at the end of April at the invitation of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Grand Imam of the Al-Azhar Mosque and Christian leaders.

Relations between the Vatican and Egypt soured in 2011 when Pope Benedict called for Christian minorities to be protected after an attack on a church in Alexandria. Egypt withdrew its ambassador to the Holy See and Al-Azhar University also broke off ties, which were not reinstated until October last year.
Jonathan Edwards: 11 quotes from the legendary American preacher

The legendary American preacher Jonathan Edwards died on this day in 1758.

Edwards, born in 1703, became a Christian icon in colonial America. His Reformed preaching was a significant part of the spiritual revival known as the 'Great Awakening'. He is also remembered for his work on 'religious affections', where he wrote about the importance of human emotions in relationship with and experience of God.

He is best known for his fiery sermon 'Sinners In The Hands of an Angry God', which emphasised God's righteous judgement on wayward mankind, but he also wrote much about the love of God. Edwards died of a smallpox vaccination. His legacy and prolific writings of theology continue to influence today. Here are 11 quotes from Jonathan Edwards.

1. 'How can you expect to dwell with God forever, if you so neglect and forsake him here?'

2. 'Seek not to grow in knowledge chiefly for the sake of applause, and to enable you to dispute with others; but seek it for the benefit of your souls.'

3. 'A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken-hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires. Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory, is a humble broken-hearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit, and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behaviour.'

4. 'Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.'

5. 'He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.'

6. 'Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts; the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seems to impart a quiet to the mind.'

7. 'Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.'

8. 'Of all the knowledge that we can ever obtain, the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves, are the most important.'

9. 'God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.'

10. 'Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.'

11. 'Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.'
London and Europe Take up Full Armor in the Wake of Doomsday Bomb Warning

The mayor and police chief of the British capital have warned yesterday against an "inevitable" and grisly London doomsday with suicide bomb attacks and deadly terrorist assaults.



Notably, the doomsday predictions come as police revealed they were investigating links between London Islamist radicals and a prime suspect in the Madrid bombings. North African Jamal Zougam, whos accused of building the 13 bombs tragically destined for Madrid trains, is said to have rung counterparts in London using his mobile phone.



The terrorist attack is expected to be very bloody, as described by Londons mayor, Ken Livingstone.



"There are people out there who want to take lives, in the hundreds and the thousands," said Mr Livingstone. "These are people who celebrate death. We would be fools to assume we will always be able to stop terrorists."



Anyway, Europeans are still quite confident to the hidden battle.



Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan police commissioner, described the huge security effort, with hundreds of officers working at full stretch to try to prevent an atrocity. He dolefully admitted handling a "major catastrophe in London will not be easy".



Sir John and Mr Livingstone claimed London was one of the safest cities in the world and everything possible was being done to ensure it remained so.



Sir John added that intelligence is key in the fight against terrorism. Bombers could strike not just on the rail or tube network but virtually anywhere - pubs, nightclubs, buses or roads.



He stressed public vigilance was vital. "We, the police and security forces, cannot defeat terrorism on our own. The best weapon against terrorism is the community itself. They must be our eyes and ears."



On the other hand, the European Commission has suggested that the European Union's forthcoming summit in Brussels on 25-26 March should adopt a declaration of solidarity in the fight against terror.



German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said "all of Europe was the theatre for terrorist actions". "We must, together, as Europeans, confront... terrorism," Mr Schroeder said at a joint news conference in Paris.



French President Jacques Chirac urged the international community to "rally together to fight terrorism".
No evidence World Vision siphoned money to Hamas - government review

No evidence has been found that World Vision siphoned off taxpayers money to the Palestinian terror organisation Hamas, a government review has found.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) launched its investigation in August after World Vision Gaza employee Mohammad El Halabi was arrested and charged with funnelling millions to the militant group.

But the government department said on Tuesday it has found no evidence of the allegations lodged by the Israeli government, according to ABC News. The government's prosecutors have also failed to produce any evidence of World Vision's funding being diverted, despite several hearings being held.

The Australian government has given more than $3million to World Vision's projects in Gaza in the past three years, according to the news site. But it suspended the funding after the claims were raised.

Halabi's trial continues in Israel and he rejected a plea deal from the government insisting he is innocent of all charges. Halabi also accused Israel of torturing him while in custody.

It comes after Israel was accused of holding a 'secret trial' of the humanitarian worker.

Amnesty International said Halabi was initially denied access to a lawyer. Then, when he was allowed to meet a legal representative, al-Halabi allegedly said that he had been 'seriously mistreated in custody', according to Amnesty.

Amnesty went on: 'The lawyer is prevented from disclosing the details of that allegation, as well as many other elements of the case, by a set of severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on reporting around the case.'

World Vision have defended Halabi calling him a trusted employee.

'So far, our own ongoing forensic audit has not uncovered any money subverted and to hear DFAT say their investigation hasn't either is consistent and is very good news,' chief advocate Tim Costello, told ABC News.

'We want to see the evidence,' he added.
Now we know what British troops in Great War Palestine did: Israel archaeologists make fascinating find

An intriguing insight into how First World War British soldiers in Palestine spent their leisure time has been revealed by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

An excavation near Ramla uncovered hundreds of bottles near a building where the soldiers were garrisoned during the campaign against the Ottoman Turks, who controlled the region.

The building where the objects were found appears to have caught fire and collapsed, according to excavation director Ron Toueg. He said: 'This structure was used for agricultural purposes in the Ottoman period, and during World War I the British converted it for military use and soldiers were housed in it. Inside the building we discovered dozens of uniform buttons, belt buckles, parts of riding equipment, and other artefacts that were the property of the British soldiers.'

Around 70 per cent of the material discarded in a refuse pit nearby were bottles. Toueg said: 'It seems that the soldiers took advantage of the respite given them to release the tension by frequently drinking alcohol.'

IAA researcher Brigitte Ouahnouna, a researcher in the glass department of the Israel Antiquities Authority said: 'Interestingly, the glass bottles, which contained mainly wine, beer, soda and alcoholic beverages such as gin, liqueur and whiskey, came from Europe to supply soldiers and officers in the camp. It is a fascinating testimony of the everyday life of the British military camp a century ago.'

Another item of interest was the tip of a swagger stick carried by a senior Royal Flying Corps officer, believed to be the first of its kind ever found in Israel.

British forces were in the region from November 1917 under the command of General Allenby, before he led his troops in the capture of Jerusalem the following month.

Famously, Allenby dismounted his horse and walked into the city to show respect for its sacred character.
Pope Francis 'planning to visit South Sudan in October,' says local Bishop

Pope Francis is planning to visit South Sudan in October if the security situation does not deteriorate in the countryravaged by civil war and famine, according to a local bishop.

The Pope has repeatedly said that he wants to go to the country to preach peace but so far no time frame has been issued by the Vatican.

But yesterday Bishop Erkolano Tombe of the city of Yei told Reuters: 'We have been informed [by a Vatican official] that he will come in October but we don't know the exact date yet.'

The Bishop added: 'It depends on the security situation between now and October. If it remains as it is now, he will come.' He pointed out that October was towards the end of rainy season, which starts next month.

Last month, the Pope said he wanted the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby to accompany him on the trip to the mostly Christian country in a sign of unity.

Today, Lambeth Palace said that the Archbishop is 'keen' to go but again, no time frame was announced.

Oil-producing South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, descended into civil war in December 2013 when a dispute between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar ended with fighting, often along ethnic lines. Both sides have targeted civilians, human rights groups say.

Kiir's government and the United Nations have declared a famine in some part of the world's youngest country, where nearly half of its population of 5.5 million face food shortages.

Tombe, in Rome for meetings of the Catholic charity group Caritas Internationalis, said the situation was dire in his city of Yei, which lies southwest of the capital Juba and near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

'Many people have died. They were shot while trying to harvest their crops ... There are over 100,000 people trapped in Yei,' he said.

'I don't want to lose hope but this hope has to be based on negotiations. If these warmongers don't come and sit together the war will continue,' Tombe said.

On top of the civil war, South Sudan has been hit by the same east African drought that has pushed Somalia to the brink of famine, six years after 260,000 people starved to death.

A confidential UN report seen by Reuters mainly blames the government for the famine, yet it is boosting its forces by using millions of dollars from oil sales.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
President Donald Trump to deliver Liberty University graduation Commencement Address

President Donald Trump is to deliver the important graduation commencement address at Liberty, the Christian evangelical Southern Baptist Christian university in Virginia.

Liberty describes itself as the 'largest Christian university in the world' and the invitation to do the commencement address at the graduation ceremony in May will be regarded as a significant endorsement of President Trump.

Trump said: 'I look forward to speaking to this amazing group of students on such a momentous occasion.'

Trump told CBN's The Brody File: 'Our children truly are the future and I look forward to celebrating the success of this graduating class as well as sharing lessons as they embark on their next chapter full of hope, faith, optimism, and a passion for life.'

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr, who was one of the earliest and most prominent backers of President Trump during the campaign, said the students will have the chance to hear a 'champion of the average American citizen, including many who felt forgotten and neglected by the establishment'.

In a statement, Falwell said: 'It is a tremendous honor and privilege for any university to host a sitting US President, and we are incredibly grateful to have President Trump be a part of this historic day. Liberty has always been proud to provide its students with the opportunity to hear from successful professionals, including athletes, business leaders, ministers, entertainers, and politicians, regardless of their political or theological persuasion.

'This May, Liberty students will have the honor of hearing from a man who has succeeded in business and in politics, defying conventional wisdom to become the 45th President of the United States as a champion of the average American citizen, including many who felt forgotten and neglected by the establishment.'

Falwell, with his wife Becki, children and daughters-in-law, recently visited the White House.

Trump told CBN: 'I am proud to call Jerry Falwell Jr, his wife Becki, and their entire family my friends.'

Falwell told CBN: 'His supporters, including over 80 per cent of the evangelical community, are thrilled with President Trump's actions so far.

'The fact that the mainstream media and the Establishment (on the left and the right) remain in attack mode with their often baseless and dishonest claims against Trump is a sign that President Trump is doing a wonderful job.'

Trump spoke at Liberty's important Convocation event in 2012 and 2016. There was controversy in some circles after the last event, when he referred to 'Two Corinthians' instead of 'Second Corinthians', which is more usual in the US.

CBN News White House Correspondent Jennifer Wishon said: 'Accepting the invitation to speak at Liberty University as the commencement speaker is just the President's latest move with a nod to evangelicals.

'We can go down the list. One of his very first moves in office was to reverse the Mexico City Policy, which pulled back any US tax dollars being used to perform or educate about abortions overseas. He nominated a pro-life justice, Neil Gorsuch, to the Supreme Court and he's rolled out a plan to repeal and reverse Obamacare.

'Additionally, while he hasn't acted yet, the President has reaffirmed his commitment to repeal the Johnson Amendment that puts speech restrictions on pastors and churches. He made the commitment again during the interview he did with CBN News in January. He's also reaffirmed a commitment to help Christians overseas facing genocide at the hands of ISIS. On the religious liberty front, many Christians are still waiting for the President to issue some reassurances here at home  whether that comes in the form of an executive order or signed legislation  but it's clear he's not forgotten the huge swell of support he received from evangelicals in November or the promises he made.'
Second man arrested in UK over 'explosives' terrorism fears

LONDON - Police investigating the discovery of "potentially explosive material" at a house in northern England arrested a second suspect under anti-terrorism laws on Saturday.



The 31-year-old man was detained in Dundee in the early hours, a Humberside Police spokeswoman said.



Another man, also 31, was arrested on Wednesday after police seized the unidentified material during a house search in the centre of Goole, East Yorkshire.



Police sealed off the area around the house during the searches and tests are being carried out on the material.



The men, both from Goole, have not been named. They were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 and are being questioned at a West Yorkshire police station.



Police said the house in Goole was searched as part of a separate criminal investigation.



"We would ask people to go about their business as usual," a police spokeswoman said. "However, we would always urge people to remain vigilant."



Police stepped up patrols earlier this year after two car bombs were found in central London and a Jeep was rammed into a terminal at Glasgow Airport.



The security service MI5 rates the current threat of a terrorist attack as severe, the second-highest level. That means an attack is thought to be "highly likely".
'We Stand with Victims of Terrorism,' say Church Leaders

The Church of Scotland will join hundreds of other concerned people from across Scotland at Saturday's 'Scotland United Against Terror' rally.



The rally, to be held at 1.30pm in Glasgow's George Square, comes in the wake of foiled bomb plots in London and the attempt by two men to drive a burning jeep loaded with gas through the front doors of Glasgow Airport's main terminal.



The Kirk will be represented by the Rev Dr Graham Blount, the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, and the Rev David Cameron, Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow.



Mr Blount said: ""At times like these, when others seek to drive a wedge between our communities, it is more important than ever that we should stand together.



"As faith communities we stand with victims of terrorism, with victims of injustice and with all who want to build peace."



A joint statement was released earlier in the week by the leaders of Scotland's various faith communities condemning the terrorist attacks. The Most Rev Keith Patrick O'Brien, spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, the Rt Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Allan Forsyth, Chair of the Baha'i Council for Scotland, were among those backing the statement.



"We ... utterly condemn the recent attack on Glasgow airport and incidents in London, as we do all acts of terrorism and hope that the full force of the law will be brought to bear on those who perpetrate such violence against innocent people," said the leaders in the statement.



"As religious leaders, we affirm our view that any act of terrorism carried out in the name of religion is a gross perversion of the purpose of faith and is not supported by either the tenets of any of the faiths in Scotland nor by the vast majority of the followers of each faith."



A first suspect was charged by police on Friday in connection with the London and Glasgow attacks.



Bilal Abdullah is to appear in court in London on Saturday charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.



Investigations are ongoing in Britain and Australia where a number of suspects are still being held. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Friday that the investigations are "getting to the bottom" of a militant cell behind the failed attacks.
Why won't Sainsbury's stock this Christian Easter egg?

The British supermarket chain Sainsbury's has refused to stock a range of popular Christian chocolate Easter eggs for the fourth year in a row.

The Real Easter Egg, created by Meaningful Chocolate Company, is a Fairtrade Easter egg that teaches the Christian Easter story, with an attached illustrated guide explaining the meaning of the festival, highlighting the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The egg is now sold across the country, but leading supermarket chain Sainsbury's have consistently refused to stock the product.

Meaningful Chocolate Company founder and director David Marshall told Christian Today: 'For the past four years they've continued to say they don't believe it sells, that it isn't for their customers.'

Marshall says that this is despite the fact that the product was voted in 2015 as the nation's favourite Fairtrade egg, has won celebrity endorsements while raising money for charity, and has sold over one and a quarter million individual eggs since it began.

Marshall asks: 'Why is Sainsbury's not prepared to give customers what they would clearly buy?'

He says that he doesn't know why Sainsbury's would have chosen to reject the product, despite its business viability. 'It gets to point where you think, somewhere in the organisation, someone is turning the products away.'

Marshall said his company faced the same opposition when Sainsbury's refused to stock his company's Christmas advent calendar.

He was bemused because they chain already sold niche products such as advent calendars for dogs. He said: 'They are happy for Christians to buy advent calendars for their dogs, but not for their children. That's a strange place to be.'

In contrast, Marshall says, supermarkets like Morrison's, Tesco and Waitrose are 'happy to have faith on their shelves', having stocked both the advent calendars and the Easter eggs.

Marshall's vision for the Real Easter egg began seven years ago, when he saw an Easter egg that described Easter as the 'festival of chocolate and loveliness'. 'It made me smile,' Marshall says, but then he decided it wasn't right to simply reinvent the meaning of the Christian festival. Finding no egg that did reference Easter's Christian history, he decided: 'Right, we'll go and do it.'

When they originally pitched the egg as a product, Marshall says Sainsbury's were the first they approached. 'They laughed us out of the room,' he said.

A crowdfunding scheme in 2010 funded the egg's initial production, and an enthusiastic public response has since proved the Real Easter Egg a commercial success.

Now, Marshall reports 'unbelievable demand' for the product, and he wonders why Sainsbury's are resistant. Asked about stocking the product on Twitter, Sainsbury's responded that 'we aren't running the real Easter egg this year due to lack of demand in previous years'.

Anglican blogger Archbishop Cramner has written about the stock controversy, including Sainsbury's brief, limited stocking of the egg in 2013. He described the supermarket as 'hostile to the idea of mentioning Christianity at Easter'.

Marshall said: 'The issue is people want to buy these products, Sainsbury's don't want to stock them. Someone at a high level needs to explain why.'
Worldwide Catholic Good Friday Collection to go to Christians in the Holy Land

The Vatican has announced that the Catholic annual Good Friday Collection will this year benefit the beleaguered Christian communities of the Holy Land.

'Once again, from every part of the Church, expressions of solidarity come together effectively in the Good Friday Collection,' said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

'Our sense of communion in the suffering and risen Christ moves us again this year to undertake the important initiative that is the Collection for the Holy Land,' the Cardinal added.

This announcement means that in most Catholic parishes around the world, a Good Friday Collection will be taken to go to Christian communities in the Holy Land. This initiative has been an annual tradition in the Church since its institution by Blessed Pope Paul VI.

The Catholic News Agency reported that according to Blessed Pope Paul VI, the collection was crated 'not only for the Holy Places but above all for those pastoral, charitable, educational, and social works which the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of their Christian brethren and of the local communities'.

Communities that will benefit from the donations include the Latin Patriarchal Diocese of Jerusalem, the Franciscan Custody and other jurisdictions, such as the Greek-Melkite, Coptic, Maronite, Syrian, Chaldean, and Armenian churches.

The funds will be used to help the parochial schools, hospitals, and community centres in these areas to protect their communities, which often include refugees, children, and victims of war.

'Living the Christian faith in the Middle East is not at all easy. Especially in Iraq, Syria and Egypt, where Christian communities have experienced an "ecumenism of blood," individuals are daily pressured to abandon their land or even their faith,' Cardinal Sandri added.

'The unforgettable faces of thousands of children and teens, fleeing violence and persecution in Syria and Iraq, continue to challenge us, even as these young people, thanks to our Collection, are being welcomed by Christian schools and neighboring counties.'

The Cardinal pointed out that there are additional ways of aiding Christians in the Middle East outside of the Lenten and Easter seasons.

'The small Christian presence in the Middle East has great need of the support and attention of the entire Church. Constant prayer is the first and greatest assistance they seek.'

Cardinal Sandri also said that pilgrimages to the Holy Land are a way to grow the 'vitality of the Church in the Holy Land,' and boost the local economy.

'At least 30% of the local community in Jerusalem and in Bethlehem live and work thanks to the presence of pilgrims,' Cardinal Sandri said.

The cardinal encouraged individuals to give generously, pointing to the words of St. Paul: 'for God loves a cheerful giver'.

He added: 'As we prepare for Easter, let us renew our commitment to becoming artisans of peace, praying and working that peace may dwell in the heart of every person, especially our brothers and sisters of the Holy Land and the Middle East.'
Whether you have 1,000 to spend or are ready to go to 50,000-plus, theres a Hermes bag for you in our Handbags & Accessories sales
McDonald's restaurants in the Houston area will provide free breakfast to students taking the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test and their teachers Tuesday.

"We're proud to support local students and teachers in our community by offering free breakfast to kick off STAAR testing on March 28," Matthew Kades, president of the McDonald's Owner/Operators Association of Greater Houston, said in an announcement.
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Crawfish, crawfish and more crawfish.

Greater Houston restaurants are swimming in mudbugs. Whether you enjoy your crab boil with traditional Cajun seasoning or Vietnamese style (or both), there are plenty of places to get your crawfish boil-on. Here are a dozen of the area's most popular places for boiled crawfish.

HOUSTON CHEFS GET CREATIVE WITH CRAWFISH on HoustonChronicle.com: Houston's hot crawfish dishes.

According to Gulf seafood expert Jim Gossen, the 2017 season is a good year for crawfish. "It started early and expect it to go strong until usually the July 4th weekend," said Gossen, president of Sysco's Louisiana Foods, a purveyor of Louisiana crawfish.

"It's a really nice crop this year, unlike last year," said chef Mark Holley of Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Midtown. "It's not just the size, it's the fat content. The fat has more of a full body."

Holly is among a handful of Houston chefs who have been inspired by the large and abundant mudbugs to create dishes using crawfish tail meat.

But it's the party atmosphere of big crawfish boils that gets all the attention this time of year. According to media reports, this year's catch is only going to get better, according to LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Mark Shirley.


The whistle blows and the ground rumbles as the train clicks along, bringing passengers and goods to the prospering towns along its tracks. This scene paints a picture of what life must have been like in the late 1800s in Montgomery County.

Conroe, a crossroad city of the county, welcomed all on the rails to its businesses, shops, cafes, hotels and boarding houses, the money flowing in helping to build the budding community into the city and county seat it is today.

Railroads, from their creation, helped determine the fate of towns and their economies, as the trains provided links to a larger marketplace for goods and exports, as well as transportation for newcomers. According to the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, whole towns relocated to be near the railroad, and those who decided to remain in place withered and died.

"Montgomery and Old Waverly were not on railroads -- they started to decline, while Willis and Conroe, younger communities, began to prosper," a plaque in the museum reads. "New towns developed becoming local trade and shipping points."

Some of these new stops would include Dacus and Splendora on the east-west rails and New Caney, New Waverly and Fostoria.

Conroe prospered the most when in 1889, the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad crossed the IGN line, establishing east-west service.

Other communities, seeing their neighbors flourish with the rails, welcomed the trains and saw them as potential for growth. Montgomery residents in 1877 chose to build their own railroad, donating the land, money and labor. The Central and Montgomery RR Co. then established a depot. According to a historical marker in Montgomery, the C&M consisted of a 25-mile track connecting Montgomery with the Houston & Texas Central railroad at Navasota.

Depots became social hubs for the towns. According to historian Cedric Nutter in a memoir, the International and Great Northern Railroad (I&GN, later Missouri Pacific) train arrived every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. and "most everyone" would meet the train and its passengers. In a passage in "Montgomery County, Texas: Picture of a Dream Come True," Nutter recalled "that Uncle Nick Carregan who ran a local cafe with his wife Kate, once replied, when asked by a train passenger what the local population was, 'Just count. They're all here.'"

Trains were the commuter flights of their day, providing daily travel for passengers to other nearby cities.

"The Santa Fe train #217 went east at 7:30 a.m. going to Beaumont, and at night, it came back at 8:30 [p.m.], #218," Nutter wrote in a passage in "A Silhouette of Conroe, Texas". "People from Montgomery would come over on 217 and spend the day, and go back at night on 218, and lots of people met 218. You just couldn't go to bed unless 218 came through."

One freight engineer, Jack Butler, became famous on the line for his whistle.

"He would get into Conroe around 9 p.m. and when he crossed Stewarts Creek about a mile and a half east, he would turn that whistle aloose, all the way to the depot," Nutter wrote. "Someone asked him why he blew it so much. He said that was telling his wife to get those biscuits, steak and potatoes ready."

The railroads would also play a part in determining the location of the county seat of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County was the third county created under the Republic of Texas's authority in 1837, with Montgomery as the seat. According to local historian Robin Montgomery, two brothers, Peter and Richard Willis, purchased a block of land east of Montgomery known as Mockingbird Hill, which they later leased to the I&GN. This line extension led to the establishment of the city of Willis in 1872.

The Willis brothers two years later helped issue a challenge to make Willis the county seat, a challenge that was successful in vote only as Willis won by 788 to 646, but short of the necessary two-thirds margin. For six years following this vote, there was confusion as to which city was in charge of county business.

In 1880, Montgomery reclaimed the title when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad completed a line from Navasota to Montgomery and a vote of 1308 to 1243 in Montgomery's favor confirmed the city as the county seat once again.

A third contender arrived on the scene in 1881 when Isaac Conroe moved his sawmill closer to the I&GN line, and by the middle of 1880s, a post office was established under the name Conroe Switch. Not long after, according to Montgomery, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe railroad intersected the I&GN line there. In 1889, the then-dubbed city of Conroe became the county seat by 62 votes.

Railroads had a heavy influence on the development of Montgomery County into the bustling hub of commerce that it is today. Just like they did in the 1870s, they still inspire dreams in those who hear that train whistle blow.
The Houston Assembly of Delphians' Distinguished Speaker Series will feature noted Houston historian and preservationist Betty Trapp Chapman at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the West University Community Center, 6104 Auden St. (at Rice Blvd).

Chapman is scheduled to begin her presentation at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge and guests are welcome.
BEN TORRES/STR

Exxon Mobil Corp. lost one year's worth of emails that former Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson used to discuss climate change risks and other issues under the alias Wayne Tracker, a lawyer for New York state told a judge.

Tillerson, now U.S. Secretary of State, used the pseudonym account for sending sensitive messages to company board members, according to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is investigating whether the company misled investors for years about the possible impact of climate change on its business.
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Houston's craft brewery scene is getting heated after the owner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company called out Karbach and their now-parent company Anheuser-Busch for trying to poach their sales team.

Saint Arnold owner Brock Wagner tweeted a screenshot of an email sent to one of his employees from a recruiter saying he is from Karbach Brewing Co.

"I support our recruitment efforts at Karbach Brewing Co. I'm working on a Regional Sales Manager role based in Houston that will be directly supporting our sales efforts in Texas," the email reads. "I would love to see if any names came to mind within your professional network that might be of interest. Please let me know if you have some time this week or next to connect."

NOT AVALIBLE: You can't buy America's most popular craft beer in Texas

The Saint Arnold employee's response to the email? They directly forwarded it to Wagner.

"Three of my people were contacted," Wagner told Chron.com "I'm sure they are trying to poach our people. You know, people ask me what I'm most proud of - some think it's the beer or the brewery - but really it's the people. We have a really amazing group of people that work here."

Chron.com has reached out to the recruiter and he released a statement.

"It's pretty clearly stated in the email that was tweeted, but my intent was to reach out and see if the recipient knew of anyone that might be interested in the role. It's a common practice to reach out within the industry and get recommendations for open positions," said Tommy Arkins of The High End. Story continues below.

Last November Karbach announced it was being acquired by brewing mega-company Anheuser-Busch InBev. Following the news of the sell, many craft brewery fans were upset with Karbach "selling out" to the largest beer company in the world.

MORE DETAILS: Karbach to be acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev

When Wagner was sent the email, he admits he laughed that they were "trolling" his workers. But he isn't worried, saying he feels Saint Arnold strives to treat their employees well.
A former official of the Securities and Exchange Commission has joined the Houston law firm Bracewell as senior counsel.



Ed Fierro worked as senior counsel to the director of the agency's office of municipal securities in Washington. He joined the public finance practice of Houston-based Bracewell and will represent clients on disclosure issues and securities underwriting.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation and three anonymous parties have filed a federal lawsuit against a Montgomery County justice of the peace, saying he is violating the U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state by holding a prayer meeting before court each day.

The three parties - a Christian lawyer, a lawyer who is not affiliated with any religion and an atheist who had appeared in court - say in the lawsuit that Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack locks the courtroom door when the prayer begins and then personally monitors who gets up to leave or knocks to re-enter.

RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE: Mapping out Texas' diverse faith groups

"Judge Mack has created the unambiguous impression that he, acting in his official capacity as Justice of the Peace for Montgomery County, endorses religion over non-religion and Christianity over all other faiths," the suit says.

The foundation is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that advocates for the separation of church and state. The other parties filed the suit to protect their cases' outcomes before Mack, who majored in theology and has spoken publicly about including more religion in the public sector, the suit says.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a formal opinion that Mack's courtroom prayer and chaplaincy program are not unconstitutional, and the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct dismissed a complaint against the justice in 2015.

Paxton issued a statement Wednesday supporting the justice.

"Judge Mack is fully complying with the Constitution by adhering to the model for opening prayers the Supreme Court endorsed just a few years ago," he said in the statement. "The Freedom from Religion Foundation's quest is to expunge any vestige of religion from public life flies in the face of the Supreme Court's holdings."

HEIGHTS LIGHT: Little-known Japanese spiritual practice catches on in Houston

According to court documents, Wayne is the only justice of the peace in Montgomery County who locks the courtroom door while on the bench. He hears minor misdemeanor cases and civil disputes.

At a 2014, Faith & Freedom Prayer Breakfast, which doubled as a fundraiser event, Mack was said on videotape pledging his commitment to impartiality, but noting that "there is no reason as an elected official that I have to be ashamed to declare to this crowd and anybody listening that as the Justice of the Peace I will bring the Prince of Peace to work with me every day," according to the lawsuit.

Mack declined to comment Wednesday, deferring to Hiram Sasser, an attorney with the First Liberty Institute, a Plano-based law firm that focuses on First Amendment and church-state issues, who has represented him previously before the judicial commission.

Sasser said these matters have been resolved by Paxton's opinion and the state judicial commission conclusion.

"Those arguments have been made before," he said. "They've just sort of fallen on deaf ears."

Mack started the chaplaincy program in 2014 and has asked religious leaders of various faiths - Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Mormon and Church of Christian Science - to give the invocation. An atheist asked to participate but did not show up for training, according to a statement from the First Liberty Institute.

Since the hearing before the judicial commission, Mack has added a sign outside the courtroom to clarify that people who do not want to participate in the pledges of allegiance or prayer do not have to leave the room, and that the justice now keeps his eyes closed and head down during the prayer, according to the statement.
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For years, a piece of black Humble history sat neglected, tucked behind a family cemetery off of Cypresswood Drive.

Grime covered tombstones of black World War I and II veterans, while other markers sank into the earth. A narrow trail leading from the family cemetery to the black cemetery became overgrown with brush. Because it was so isolated, the black cemetery was vulnerable to crime. Some tombstones were stolen, a child's body once was unearthed and stories of witchcraft on the property have persisted.

Students from Quest Early College have taken on the area as a community service project, and they kicked off their Spring Break by digging out the markers, cleaning tombstones and clearing out brush.

"It's part of their history class to show that they have done some sort of community work, and it was easiest for them to sort of all work together," said Crescida Jacobs, instructor at Quest Early College.

What started as a class project has turned into a greater lesson on equality and remembrance.

"I'm glad we are teaching the kids not to forget, that these are someone's ancestors, and they deserve to be respected," Jacobs said.

The specific time as to when the fence went up has been debated, but Jacobs believes it's relatively new.

"People that keep that side of the cemetery up, they don't want the fence down. It's pretty new actually; it's not the original fence, so it's been put up say probably in the 80s," Jacobs said.

However, Julia Lee, whose family donated the acre of land to black residents in the 1920s, said for as long as she can remember, the fence has always been up.

"I'm 77 years old. It's been there since I was a child," Lee said.

Lee, who is president of the Humble City Museum board, said the land was given to black residents forced out of the Bender cemetery and no longer allowed to bury their loved ones on that side of town.

"It's a private cemetery; they needed a place to bury their people," Lee said. "We offered them one acre; the other two were already being used."

Lee said there's no reason to refer to it as a segregated cemetery because both sides have always functioned separately.

"We are actually separate cemeteries. They do their own cleaning. We are mainly family on our side; most people out there, the white side, are related in one way or another, but it's just family members," Lee said.

Lee said in order to be buried on the white side, you have to go through multiple people to verify that you are a family member.

"You have to go through some of us to know, you are a part of the family out there. I don't even know how they do that on the other side," Lee said.

Quest Early College also is seeking historic recognition for the Bordersville area, which might have included the cemetery, but Lee said the cemetery is not part of Bordersville. Tetter Cemetery was established in the 1800s and named after Caldonia Tetter, the first person to be buried there.

"Tetter has nothing to do with Bordersville, it had to do with Benders because we gave that one-acre land when Benders shut down," Lee said. "That cemetery was there before Bordersville."

The reference of a segregated cemetery is a misnomer, Lee said, because it's always functioned separately.

"It has always been this way. We take offense to some of the things that is said, but it was set up that way from the get-go," Lee said. "They can say whatever they want to, but we functioned this way forever and ever."

It would take a lot of conversation, Lee said, to combine the two cemeteries. For example, she asked, who would be responsible for maintaining the entire property?

Preserving the black side of the cemetery has grown increasingly difficult, Jacobs said, because the Bordersville community continues to shrink as younger generations move away.

"When their kids get old enough to go to college, they move into Houston or move up to Dallas and go where the money is, and they kind of forget," Jacobs said.

The idea of a segregated cemetery in Humble came as a shock to many, especially the students working to clean up the grounds.

"How can you be segregated after death? It's not a right man should be able to control; everybody should be able to be treated equally," said junior River Deville.

Among those laid to rest on the black side of the cemetery are Eugene Williams, U.S Army veteran, World War II; Calvin V. Harris, U.S Army Veteran World War I; Jimmie Phillips, U.S. Army Veteran World War II.

The veterans' white tombstones were covered in grime, but Lashiwe Batts, sophomore, made sure she spent her time cleaning their tombstones to honor allegiance to their country on Saturday, March 11.

"I was really sad," Batts said. "I would think that at some point, they would bring it all together and take down that fence that's separating the two cemeteries, but we came here and that's not happening."
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The purpose of the University of Houston's 20th annual Table Talk luncheon is simple, to engage some 600 patrons in thought-provoking discussion in celebration of the program's 25th anniversary.

And seating for the University of Houston's 20th annual Table Talk luncheon is done alphabetically. Though, according to one event organizer, this arrangement  albeit diplomatic - has been a controversial move in past years. Reportedly, some of the Bayou City's most notable names prefer to be seated prominently near the luncheons' chairs, or front podium.

Lynn Wyatt, however, was so gracious about her table placement, the insider said.

The well-known doyenne, one of 60 conversationalists on hostess duty for Wednesday's milestone bash, was in good company; the Chronicle's own Andrea White also manned a rear table in the back of Hilton Americas-Houston's ballroom downtown.

Professor Elizabeth Gregory, UH's Director of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, assembled an impressive roster of table hosts including Farida Abjani, Nancy Almodovar, Ellen Cohen, Julie Baker Finck, Winell Herron, Nicole Longnecker, Martha Montalvo and Kelly Zuniga.

"Each person can run the conversation as they like, it's not a lecture," Gregory explained over the phone, post-luncheon. "The event is about diversity, breaking glass ceilings and being innovative in different ways. Those stories aren't always shared, and that's really the point of this event."

In that regard, Linda Flores Olson, executive director of the Houston Hispanic Forum, caught fellow lunch-goers off guard with her remarks. As table 36's appointed conversationalist, the native Houstonian spoke of her own parents' move from Mexico to Texas more than 50 years ago.

They worked multiple jobs, she said, so that Olson and her siblings could attend private schools.



"I knew and valued the importance of my private school education," she continued, explaining that she was accused of wanting to be perceived as Caucasian by children from her neighborhood. "Because I didn't want to be poor."

Though presumably well-intended, Olson's comments about private schools felt out-of-touch given UH's "Cougar Promise" incentive, which guarantees free tuition and mandatory fees to new in-state freshmen with family incomes at or below $45,000.

Eric Gerber, UH's executive director of communication, said that the program has been in place since May 2008. The original income threshold was originally $30,000, but will likely reach $50,000 soon.

Olson also spoke of the risk her father took in moving to the United States where, "he could pass for white if he didn't speak, and could use the 'white' water fountain; but if he spoke, he'd have to use the 'colored' fountain."

On such a progressive and uplifting occasion, her statements seemed insensitive as both the event and UH's diversity and inclusion statement "... value the academic, social, and broader community benefits that arise from a diverse campus and are committed to equity, inclusion, and accountability."

Wrong place, wrong time.

But all's well that ends well. Gregory reported that the shindig chaired by Herron, Sippi Khurana, Terry Morales, Misti Pace-Krahl, and Angela Shippy surpassed its fundraising goal of $250,000 benefiting the Friends of Women's Studies. One lucky attendee from each table also received a shopping bag-sized tote filled with swag from presenting sponsor H-E-B.

"There are more CEOs named 'John' than there are female CEOs," FWS President Leah Barton said. "Life is a gender studies course and our students come prepared."
The University of Houston is paying Arnold Schwarzenegger $40,000 to deliver the spring commencement address at TDECU Stadium.

The former California governor will stay in a king-sized room at a first-class hotel and will receive round-trip ground limousine and first-class round-trip airfare on UHs dime, too, according to a contract obtained by the Houston Chronicle. Those costs were not immediately available.
Members of the Friendship Force Houston share a love of travel and culture as they visit foreign countries and host visitors from abroad in their homes.

A two-year member, Joyce Saylan of west Houston knew about the group but mistakenly assumed she had to travel to belong. As Dining Chairman - just one of her duties - Saylan picks out each month a restaurant for its ethnic cuisine and usually draws about half of the club's 50 members to join her for the international night.

"We do not go out and get hamburgers. We choose restaurants from all over the city so as not to inconvenience the same people all the time," she said. Club members come from throughout the Houston area from The Woodlands to Clear Lake. Baytown resident Joy Huntington first learned about Friendship Force International when she traveled to Japan in 1999 and met touring Korean visitors who belonged to a chapter of the group. She joined the Houston chapter of the nonprofit in 2005.

"I like international travel," she said, figuring she's been to about a dozen countries so far. Her bucket list includes visits to southern Africa - she's been to Egypt and Morocco, but wants to travel to Tanzania and South Africa as well as to South America.

More Information Want to go? What: The Friendship Force Houston will host a luncheon to explore Houston's diverse cultures, costumes and cuisines When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 25 Where: Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive. Why: To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Friendship Force International. Cost: The public is invited at no charge. Features: Don an ethic costume, bring a potluck dish RSVP: Joyce Saylan at sayjoyce@gmail.com or 832-875-7074. Details: www.ffhoustontx.org or ww.friendshipforce.org See More Collapse

Living overseas for about eight years in Norway and Singapore developed a love of travel and friendship of every culture in Jean Porter, who now lives in Sugar Land. So when a friend from Austin told her about Friendship Force International, Porter thought it was a great concept. Living in Dallas and then the Houston area, she said she realized that she missed the aspect of her live that she enjoyed living abroad. Her travels include visits to six or seven countries in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as trips to other states in America to better learn America.

Huntington, Porter and Saylan are looking forward to the March 25 program to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the international group that sponsors people-to-people exchanges in more than 60 nations. The Houston chapter is only about 30 years old. The social from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. will be at the Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, where monthly meetings are held, too, because of its central location.

The community is invited to join the members, don an ethnic costume and bring a potluck item from another culture. RSVP to Saylan at sayjoyce@gmail.com or 832-875-7074.

The nonprofit's diversity attracts Saylan, who said members are of varying ages - not all are retirees - and include singles and couples. "Everyone there brings something to the group because of where they've traveled and friends they know who have traveled."

On a fixed income and unable to travel as she would like, Saylan talks excitedly about the people she's met through the club and the variety it offers and gives these examples: The daughter of a couple who belong to the group prepared an entire potluck for members after she finished Jewish cooking school. A member brought in all the flags that have flown over Texas and talked about those flags and their countries. Another group visited England, Ireland and Scotland and brought pictures and talked about their trip with members.

"There's always something fun and interesting. You never know what is coming up," said Saylan.

Agreeing with that assessment is Porter, who's the group's leadership coordinator and who has served in different capacities with the Houston chapter. Observed Porter, "The one thing we find different with our organization is we really do believe appreciating other cultures begins with one-on-one relationships. You discover differences, celebrate commonality and learn what you didn't already know."

In the fall, a woman who deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq through the military and corporate assignments will share her experiences with club members.

Two years ago club members visited New Zealand. Club members from New Zealand will return the favor and plan to visit Houston in late May.

"We stay in people's homes when we travel," explained Huntington, who will open her Baytown home to two New Zealanders this spring. "It's a cultural exchange," she added.

A Native Texan, Porter said that group members will take New Zealanders to the NASA Space Center, the George Ranch and other sites that they like to show people when they come to Houston. While the day trips are fun, Porter said what lasts is the shared experiences, thoughts and ideas. "That's what we remember the most."

Trips are usually seven days long and the club arranges for travelers' activities during the day. Hosts in foreign countries provide breakfast and help to get visitors to their meeting point for the day. Everything is preplanned and Huntington cited a visit to Windsor Castle where they were able to bypass long lines because the club already had their tickets in hand. "It was a huge line. We walked right to the front."

"It's the way to travel," she said. Staying in people's homes, especially in nonwestern countries gives visitors an advantage to learn the culture, she said. The club also tries to accommodate members' interests. Huntington traveled to Prague with some people who are cavers and the host arranged for them to visit a nearby cave.

"You're doing the tourist thing, but doing more than the tourist thing," said Huntington, who is the group's acting general meeting coordinator and newsletter editor. "You're getting to experience real culture and eat real food and making lifelong friends."

Added Porter, "It promotes in this day and age what's going on around the world." And, she called that a solution to people not understanding each other. "We sure learn a lot and learn that's there more commonality than issues."

Visit www.ffhoustontx.org and www.friendshipforce.org for more information.
Sue Lockwood

A family evening of fun is offered to those who attend The Exchange Club of Sugar Land's 30th annual spaghetti dinner sponsored by Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land in April.

Local law enforcement agencies and fire departments prepare a variety of spaghetti sauces, competing to win the cook-off trophy. This family-oriented dinner features raffle prizes, a live auction, silent auction and kid's area with fun and games. The event will be Friday, April 21, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Fluor Corporation Cafeteria, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land.
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Beneath an ash tree on the University of Houston campus, a trifold board bearing condolences sits propped up by all manner of debrisspent Starbucks gift cards, a used air horn, a key-less computer keyboardanything a passerby had on hand to pay tribute to the White-Tailed Squirrel.

The legendary unofficial mascot of UH died Monday.

Rare sightings the squirrel's distinctive snowy tail were said to be a good luck charmif a student were to see it before a major test they would certainly ace it.

"It really says something that right after he died, 50 people shared pictures and videos they had of him," student and resident adviser Robert Comer said. "I once had a resident come to me and tell me he had a great weekend because he saw the White-Tailed Squirrel."

Almost immediately after its death was confirmed Monday by the campus newspaper, The Daily Cougar, students began calling for a permanent memorial to the legendary critter on social media.

Comer is spearheading the effort to preserve the squirrel for future Cougars. A GoFundMe started by Comer late Tuesday has already exceeded its goal of $550 for taxidermy costs and the funding of a memorial celebrationthe entire goal amount was donated by one anonymous student alone.

Comer said he floated the idea of a crowdfunded memorial around his group of friends before posting it online. It was one of his friends, who maintains he does not want to be known, that completely funded the project before it was even released to the public.

But the donations keep coming. As of Wednesday morning, $590 has been raised and will be used for the memorial service in May, so spring graduates have a chance to say goodbye, Comer said, and that he plans to have the squirrel stuffed and put on display on campus so students and members of the campus community can pay tribute to the fixture of campus lore.

The UH campus is a squirrel lover's dream. Dozens of them roam the shady grounds and openly approach passerby. Students say the White-Tailed Squirrel, who doesn't have a formal given name, was different from the rest.

The connection the student body had to the squirrel is evident by some of the more sentimental gifts left at the impromptu shrine where the squirrel's body was found. Among the litter, Cougars left a bouquet of scarlet and white carnations, a framed picture of the late rodent and a lit Mexican prayer candle bearing the face of Jesus.

"Seeing him and believing in his luck became a UH tradition," student Leen Basharat said. "I know that some UH tour guides also talk about him too."

As the mascot of campus lifestyle magazine, Cooglife, the squirrel will be memorialized in an upcoming issue.

"We chose him because he was such an icon of the university," executive editor Karis Johnson said. "We wanted people to know UH is a friendly place where friendly squirrels hang out."

The squirrel's death was met by an outpouring of grief on Twitter and Facebook, with students sharing their stories and memories of the squirrel in better dayshe often approached students for a bite of their lunch or just to say hi.

"I'll definitely miss seeing him," student Rebecca Hutchinson said. "There are so many squirrels here, but he was the only one I cared about."

Some original reporting for this story first appeared on The Cougar.
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A 23-year-old Harris County woman is suing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after she was raped by two men while passed out in a truck during a 2012 trail ride event.

Brie Ana Williams, whose $10 million lawsuit also targets the Los Vaqueros trail ride, was 19 when she was brutally attacked at a trail-ride sponsored event outside a Dayton bar, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Harris County court.

She spoke to reporters Wednesday and asked that her name be used in an effort to draw attention to the assault. The Chronicle typically does not name victims of sexual assault.

"It's really tough," Williams said. "It's taken a long time for me to get my self-worth back and remember that I'm a woman and I'm worth more than what they used me for."

Her attorney, Chad Pinkerton, said the organizations have a responsibility to ensure their events are safe.

"The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has a duty to protect Brie Ana and every other woman who attends trail ride events," attorney Chad Pinkerton said. "We will hold them responsible, and we will make sure no other woman ever has to live through the horrible conduct the Los Vaqueros trail ride allowed to happen."

The Houston Rodeo distanced itself from the legal wrangling, noting the assault occurred two months before riders arrived in Houston.

"The Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride is a separate entity from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with its own rules and regulations. Most trail ride organizations have multiple rides throughout the year, which are run independently from the show," officials said in a statement.

"Due to pending litigation, the show is unable to comment further."

Los Vaqueros did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment.

The two men accused in the assaults were convicted in Liberty County, but one is free and attending trail ride events again, Pinkerton said.

Alvin Prine, who was 54 at the time, is still serving a 20-year sentence for sexual assault.

David Ramirez - whom Pinkerton said is related to the Los Vaqueros trail boss - pleaded to a lesser charge and was sentenced to two years probation, according to court records.

During the December 2012 gathering that Pinkerton described as a "drunk fest," Williams passed out and was put in her boyfriend's brother's truck to sleep it off, according to the suit. When she woke up, she found a man on top of her.

"I thought it was my boyfriend," she said. But then the man spoke, and she realized it wasn't.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend headed over to the truck to check on Williams. When he tried to open the door, someone pulled it shut. He thought it was a joke until he heard his girlfriend calling his name.

When he finally pulled the door open, he came face-to-face with Prine, who fled the scene. It's unclear when Ramirez participated in the assault, but two minors at the event later said they'd seen both men by the truck and heard Prine say, "I bet I can get her pants off," according to the suit.

When Prine was sentenced in 2015, prosecutors revealed that he'd been convicted of fathering a child with an underage girl 25 years earlier in another county.

Although the more recent trail ride rape was nearly five years ago, Pinkerton said the case still falls within the state's statute of limitations for a civil suit.

"[Williams] is coming forth because she has courage and she should be applauded for that courage, not questioned," he said.

Pinkerton said that the rodeo either sanctioned or sponsored the event and was thus legally responsible for ensuring a safe environment.

"What they should do, at a minimum, is make their parties and their events safe," he said. "They didn't make it safe. They know they didn't make it safe. And they should be held responsible."

Although the suit asks for damages up to $10 million, Pinkerton offered higher hopes Wednesday: "All the money that they have, that's what I want," he told reporters.

Los Vaqueros was at greater fault, Pinkerton said.

Despite Prine's prior conviction, the trail ride association let him become a member, and then failed to evict him from the 2012 event even though he was intoxicated and had been tossed from the nearby bar after a confrontation with another trail rider, according to court documents.

"I'm not sitting here in judgment of all the trail rides," he said. "I'm not going to sit here and say that all the trail rides are dangerous. I'm not going to say that the trail rides are a bad thing because I do see the benefit.

"But I will say this: Los Vaqueros has a reputation of being dangerous."

Since coming forward with her story, Williams has faced criticism and harassment, Pinkerton said, although he didn't offer specifics.

"To those people out there that are making negative comments about my client, you should be ashamed," he said.

"The people that are saying those things, they don't have a daughter," he added. "But guess what? My client is still standing strong. Those comments won't affect her. She will have her day in court. And justice will be served."
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Another Texas teacher is in the news for an alleged sexual affair with a student.

Lockhart High School educator Sarah Fowlkes, 27, was arrested Monday morning after police discovered she had engaged in a sexual affair with a 17-year-old male student at the school.

MORE INFO ABOUT THE ARREST: Lockhart teacher Sarah Fowlkes arrested for alleged improper relationship with student

She's since been suspended and has been reported to the State Board for Educator Certification. Parents at the school were informed about the accusations Monday afternoon by email.

Here are the five facts you should know about the teacher:

She turned herself in: Monday she turned herself in at the Lockhart Police Station on a warrant. She was booked into the Caldwell County Jail and later released. An administrator at the school originally led detectives to investigate the case.

Fowlkes taugh Anatomy, Physiology & Environmental Systems at Lockhart High School: She was a teacher for four years at Lockhart ISD, according to the district's site. The Dripping Springs, Texas teacher got her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Edwards University in Austin. She's certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade Generalist and 7th through 12th grade Sciences.

HUSH MONEY: Texas student accused of blackmailing teacher after alleged sexual relationship

Fowlkes said she's a dedicated educator: On the district's site, she's quoted as saying: "I have very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students and I hope that this will be a formula for achievement. I want this to be an enjoyable year for all of my students but also a productive, challenging and encouraging year with success for everyone."

She's been married since October 2013: That's according to her Facebook page, which has since been deactivated. Her husband of nearly four years is also a Dripping Springs native.



She's 10 years older than the alleged victim: Fowlkes, who's maiden name is Madden, recently turned 27 on March 29. Her social media profiles, including her Instagram, show a photo of herself celebrating her birthday just days before her arrest.

See the video above for a look at another alleged teacher-student scandal.
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AUSTIN -- The U.S. Department of Education is aiming to finish its investigation of special education in Texas by June 1, federal officials said Wednesday.

Investigators have visited a dozen different school districts in the state and now are reviewing documents, analyzing data and conducting follow-up interviews, officials said. When it finishes its work, the department will issue a "monitoring report" informing the state of any findings and required corrective actions.

The report is expected to be released "around June 1," an education department spokesman confirmed.

The update comes three weeks after federal officials took a whirlwind tour of Texas school districts as part of the probe. In all, federal investigators have visited 25 schools in the Aldine, Austin, Del Valle, Ector County, Everman, Fort Bend, Harlandale, Houston, Laredo, Leander, North East and United school districts, in addition to holding public listening sessions in five cities.

The investigation began last fall in response to a Houston Chronicle series that found Texas had denied special education services to tens of thousands of children with disabilities by imposing an arbitrary enrollment benchmark. About 200 current and former Texas school employees told the Chronicle that they interpreted the benchmark as a hard cap prohibiting them from giving services to more than 8.5 percent of their students. As a result of the policy, the percentage of Texas students receiving services fell from near the national average of 13 percent to exactly 8.5 percent.

The Texas Education Agency agreed to end the policy last November, but agency officials insisted to the federal government that no child had been harmed.

In January, federal investigators, apparently unmoved by the state's assurances, told the Chronicle that they remained "concerned" and planned to escalate their investigation by visiting individual school districts, requesting an extensive list of documents and interviewing state officials.

At the time, a Texas Education Agency spokesman said the agency was working with investigators.

"The Texas Education Agency continues to work with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure federal officials receive factual information regarding this important issue," spokesman Gene Acuna said. "Commissioner (Mike) Morath remains confident that Texas school districts are aware of their obligations to identify and provide special education services to students."
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After ongoing complaints from residents, the City of Pearland will demand that the state immediately suspend the environmental permit for a Fort Bend County landfill.

People complaining about environmental permit violations and long-term odors traced to the Blue Ridge Landfill, which is just west of Pearland in Fresno, showed up in force at a March 21 city council meeting in which Shadow Creek Ranch resident Ed Meers asked the city to do its part to resolve the issue.

The landfill faces a fine of up to about $44,000 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for violations in October and November.

"I'm not saying we need to (permanently) close the landfill. I'm just saying we need to suspend the permit because they've lost control of their operations over there," Meers, a member of the city-created West Pearland Air Quality Odor Task Force, told the council.

After hearing from residents and spending about an hour in executive session, the council voted unanimously to request that a resolution be drafted calling for suspension of the Blue Ridge permit. A first reading will be presented to the council next month, Assistant City Manager Jon Branson said.

On Feb. 7, the state commission issued a proposed order to the landfill, which is operated by Phoenix-based Republic Services, Inc., that would require the facility to pay a $43,712 fine and submit a plan for corrective action. The order resulted after a nuisance odor violation in October and a Jan. 3 violation for failure to comply with regulations for self-monitoring of surface emissions.

The fee can be reduced by $8,742 should the landfill comply with all of TCEQ's orders within 60 days of the proposed order. Those include changing how Blue Ridge monitors site operations, submitting a plan to prevent and respond to odors and providing proof the landfill has followed its plan.

TCEQ concluded the odor from the landfill does not cause any lasting adverse health effects.

In January 2006, Blue Ridge officials submitted an application to the state commission to allow the landfill to expand operations. The city successfully opposed the expansion and in 2009 a settlement agreement required the landfill to set up well monitoring stations and limited the height of the landfill and its hours of operation among other things.

West Pearland resident Kami Brady urged that the city more closely monitor whether the landfill was following the terms of the 2009 agreement.

She asked if city officials had verified that the landfill had set up the required number of well monitoring stations.

According to Branson, six ground-water monitoring stations have been established to date, which meets requirements of the settlement based on the size of the landfill.

Republic Services spokesman Russ Knocke said that over the past two years, the landfill has invested more than $5.6 million in site improvements, including installing 51 gas wells and upgrading 61 existing ones, installing tank covers within the site's liquids-management system, and adding 18 inches of soil cover.

"Together, these measures, along with an odor neutralizing system around the landfill perimeter, comprise a comprehensive odor control program," he wrote in an email.

"The Landfill exists in an industrial area with other potential odor sources," he wrote. "We are optimistic that the community will one-day soon appreciate the responsible approach taken by the Landfill team, and consider it an example for the other potential odor sources in the area."

In terms of the detection of contaminants, Branson said the city closely monitors commission reports related to water quality.

"The city is always concerned about its ground water," Branson said. "We are diligent about monitoring all the city's water sources and making sure it meets or exceeds TCEQ standards."

Water to Shadow Creek Ranch comes from a surface-water plant operated by the city of Houston, Branson said.

Detroit-based law firm Liddle & Dublin, PC filed a class action lawsuit Nov. 17 in the district court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division, on behalf of eight residents living near the landfill.
Two teens are dead after loading and unloading a gun early Wednesday morning in south Houston, police say.

The victims were identified as 17-year--old Jordan Coleman, a senior at Worthing High School in Sunnyside, and 19-year-old Alfred Harris.

Around 12:45 a.m., Coleman and Harris were inside of their apartment in the 4000 block of Corder, where they were loading and unloading a semi-automatic pistol and checking its safety. As both teens held the pistol, it accidentally discharged and a bullet hit Coleman. The pistol then discharged again, and hit Harris, according to police.

Both youths were transported to a nearby hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Grief counselors will be on site at Worthing today, said a Houston ISD spokeswoman. A phone call and a letter will also be sent out to families of students who attend the high school.

Houston police are continuing to investigate the shootings.
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A male black rhino at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler has found a long-distance love connection with a female black rhino at a zoo in Lansing, Michigan.

According to the Lansing State Journal, Phineas from Texas and Doppsee from the Potter Park Zoo are due to finally meet sometime in early April after the 2,776-pound Texan makes the 16-hour trek to Michigan. Both rhinos are 9 years old.

DRASTIC MEASURES: Czech zoo saws off rhino horns to keep its animals safe

It's hoped that the pair will procreate to save their species, which is currently endangered.

The pairing was made possible by the Black Rhino Species Survival Program through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Its hoped that they can help grow the endangered black rhino population in their own special way. They were matched due to their ages and genetic profiles.

The price tag to bring Phineas to Lansing will be nearly $9,000. County commissioners in Lansing still need to sign off on the expense.

Lisa Smith with the Black Rhino Species Survival Program told the LSJ that the two rhinos are just two of nearly 800 eastern black rhinos left in the world. Poachers have decimated the population in Africa.

FROM 2015: Dallas black rhino hunter sues Delta after airline refused to transport trophy

The match between the two creatures was made from 58 rhinos across over 230 institutions in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Phineas has reportedly been training for the 16-hour ride by getting used to the crate by eating and spending time inside of it under zookeeper supervision.
AUSTIN -- The budget-writing Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday approved a $106.3 billion two-year spending blueprint for Texas government, a target well within the state's shortfall of revenues and spends less than the initial House plan.

One part of the Senate plan sparked immediate controversy: It will allow the state to save $2,5 billion in the coming budget year by delaying until the following budget year the transfer of $2,5 billion in transportation funding.

House Speaker Joe Straus, in an unusually blunt response, immediately branded that maneuver "cooking the books," and likened it to the Enron accounting fraud scandal that brought down the Houston-based energy giant in 2001 in a collapse that shook the financial world.

"Counting money twice in order to balance a budget is not a good idea. This is the Texas Legislature. We are not Enron," Straus told reporters. "I'm not interested in cooking the books just to avoid a vote on the rainy day fund. We have option."

House leaders, whose initial budget proposal totaled $108.9 billion, have said they prefer to tap the state's $10.2 billion savings account to avoid more severe cuts, even though fiscal conservatives have said they will fight any efforts to tap the fund except for one-time expenses or natural disasters.

The Senate plan, expected to go to the full Senate next Tuesday, proposes less spending than a House draft proposal, and will not tap the savings account -- commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund -- to cover additional expenses.

Senate leaders did not immediately respond to Straus' criticism of their budget, but Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said the accounting maneuver had been approved by Comptroller Glenn Hegar, a former senator.

Rank-and-fiile senators said privately that the House dismissal of the Senate budget portends a heated, protracted battle over the state budget that could begin as early as next week, when the House Appropriations Committee is expected to begin finalizing its own version of the budget.

"This budget remains a work in progress, but we will continue our work to make the most of every dollar, meet our priority needs and keep Texas moving in the right direction," Nelson said. "This committee left no stone unturned looking for savings, examining our budget drivers and looking for ways to make smarter use of our limited resources."

Nelson said there currently is no support in the Senate for using Rainy Day Funds to cover operating expenses, to minimize cuts to some programs, although she is willing to consider doing so to pay for some of the roughly $780 million needed for capital projects and one-time expenses.

Highlights of the budget plan:

 Continues the current funding levels for public education, but adds $2.65B for student enrollment growth, projected to be more than 80,000 per year over the next two years;

 provides $65M for a new public-private partnership to ensure high quality pre-kindergarten throughout the state, less than requested by Gov. Greg Abbott;

 adds $316M to fund a Teacher Retirement System shortfall;

 provides $3.4B for Child Protective Services, an increase of $430M over current levels to fix chronic caseload backlogs and high staff turnover;

 includes a $780M commitment for new construction and significant repairs to the state hospital system;

 Boosts funding for Medicaid to provide caseload growth at FY 18 levels and assumes over $400M in cost containment initiatives;

 Adds $44.9M to the Railroad Commission to maintain current operational stability and increase pipeline safety.

 Provides $46.2M to fund preservation and updates to the Alamo.

 Includes $40M to support infrastructure projects at Texas ports, including Houston.

 Maintains veterans' services at current levels.

 Maintains the $800M for border security approved two years ago.

 Includes $25M for high caliber bullet-proof vests to protect Texas peace officers.
Everything you search for on Google is now easily obtained by police

If you thought that your search engine history was private, think again. Its not. Or, at least, it may not be, depending on whether or not youre under police investigation.

According to The Free Thought Project, a court in Minnesota has recently ruled that an entire citys search history should be made available to police, an Orwellian first as far as anyone can tell. It may well mark the beginning of the end of Internet freedom.

Cops in Edina, Minn., were granted a warrant that requires search giant Google to provide search history information and the names of everyone in the city who utilized specific search terms between Dec. 1, 2016, and Jan. 7, 2017. (RELATED: BOMBSHELL Investigation: Google An Information Dominance Front For The CIA)

Now mind you, this case isnt about a nuclear bomb plot, a planned act of terrorism, a major jewel heist or child porn. Rather, ARS Technica notes, the case is about alleged wire fraud worth less than $30,000. But if Google honors the warrant, like it probably will have to do since the warrant is a legal document issued by a valid court, that would be a horrible precedent moving forward because it could be duplicated by departments all over the country.

ARS Technica reports that police investigators are looking for an online picture of a person with the same name as a local victim of financial fraud because said image was found on a phony passport that was utilized to fool a credit union into transferring some $28,500 out of a mans account who takes up residence in Edina. Someone faxed the fake passport to the credit union as proof of identity under a spoofed phone number to mimic the victims phone, the search warrant notes.

The Free Thought Project reported further:

The ominously worded warrant makes some chilling demands  all over a small fraud case.

A Google search, the warrant application says, as reported by Ars Technica, reveals the photo used on the bogus passport. The image was not rendered on Yahoo or Bing, according to the documents. The warrant commands Google to divulge any/all user or subscriber informationincluding e-mail addresses, payment information, MAC addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth, and IP addressesof anybody who conducted a search for the victims name.

What makes this warrant so worrisome, especially if Google complies with it, is that it seems to go far beyond the legal standard of probable cause. While it appears likely that something illegal may have happened, its obvious that most, if not all, of the people in Edina are not guilty of doing anything wrong. Granted, cops have to investigate but how can a court reasonably assume that everyone in an entire city is under suspicion, thereby satisfying the legal standard of probable cause?

That seems a stretch, to say the least.

What also seems very likely, then, is that police will obtain evidence that may implicate other criminal activity, and while you may applaud that, understand that such overly broad searches were never envisioned by our founding fathers, hence the adoption of the Fourth Amendment, which is supposed to protect against unreasonable searches. (RELATED: BREAKING: Police Are Now Routinely Taking Items Out Of Unlocked Cars To Protect Citizens From Theft)

The Fourth Amendment originally enforced the notion that each mans home is his castle, secure from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government, Cornell University Law School notes in describing the purpose of the amendment. It protects against arbitrary arrests, and is the basis of the law regarding search warrants, stop-and-frisk, safety inspections, wiretaps, and other forms of surveillance, as well as being central to many other criminal law topics and to privacy law.

So it seems apparent a city-wide search of Google records is far and away outside the scope of what is allowable under the Constitution. Its hard to tell what is worse  that a police department would make such a request or that a court would grant it.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

TheFreeThoughtProject.com

ARSTechnica.com

GoodGopher.com

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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.
Banned: College dumps homecoming King and Queen for gender-neutral Royals

In the interest of political correctness and gender inclusivity, the University of Minnesota has decided to remove the traditional Homecoming King and Homecoming Queen titles and replace them with the term Royals. As if this wasnt crazy enough, the schools website explains that they royals dont even necessarily have to be a biological male and a biological female. Royals can be any combination of any gender identity, the site says.

According to campus officials, the change is a shift toward gender inclusivity that is in adherence to a spirit of inclusion at the University of Minnesota. The website explains further, This change allows the University to select the best student representatives for the U of M based on campus and community involvement  regardless of gender.

The entire Homecoming Court at the University will follow the same concept. As The Pioneer Press reports, As in past years, the U will name 10 students to Homecoming court, only this year the mix wont necessarily be five men and five women. Those 10 will be paired at random to compete in pre-Homecoming events, and their performance, along with a university-wide vote, will determine the two royals.

Allyson Taubenheim, the Universitys marketing manager for Student Unions and Activities, told The College Fix that she is excited about the rule change, which will officially be implemented in October of this year. Our student body is made up of a very diverse population that shouldnt be limited by gender identity, she said in an email. Other colleges, universities and even high schools have made similar changes. We look forward to crowning two students who respectfully represent the universitys values, connect with the diverse members of the university community, and have excellent school pride.

The new gender inclusive guidelines at the University of Minnesota is just the latest installment in an entire nationwide push towards a structureless society. Progressives and far too many school administrators seem to be just fine with throwing definition out the window and embracing an anything goes type of environment, all in the interest of being inclusive. (RELATED: This gender-neutral pronoun being pushed by universities is identical to a pronoun used in communist China).

There are several flaws with this way of thinking. First, the progressives dont understand that they are trying to achieve the impossible. One hundred percent inclusivity is a goal that is never going to be accomplished, no matter how many rules are put in place or how many letters are added to the LGBT acronym. Someone somewhere will always feel left out for one reason or another, and trying to create an inclusive environment that addresses each of these reasons is a task thats as futile as accounting for every star in the sky.

Even the University of Minnesotas decision to use the gender-neutral term royals isnt one hundred percent inclusive. Campus officials explained that the rule change allows the University to select the best student representatives, but what if one student identified as a cat? Would they still be able to be crowned a royal? What if another student was offended by the term royal and wanted to be called something else? Would that student be left out of the competition? These are two extreme examples, but their purpose is to demonstrate the extreme flaws in the effort to achieve one hundred percent inclusiveness.

Furthermore, no one ever seems to question how many students are actually offended by the use of traditional gender titles in the first place. More than likely, the administrators at the University of Minnesota didnt bother to ask their students for their opinions on the issue, but they went ahead and changed the guidelines anyway.

Appalachian State University and San Diego State University have also removed their Homecoming titles of King and Queen in recent years, replacing them with the term royals just as the University of Minnesota has done.

Sources

TheCollegeFix.com

Breitbart.com

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Two South Carolina lawmakers pushing Americans to form like-minded communities in preparation for coming societal collapse

A couple of state lawmakers from South Carolina are pushing a concept for Americans concerned about a future societal collapse that centers around the formation of like-minded prepping outposts that feature community ammunition depots and tactical weapons training.

As reported by the Post and Courier, the lawmakers  State Reps. Josiah Magnuson and Jonathan Hill, both Republicans and both from very small towns upstate  are currently establishing what they have called the Virtue Solution Project, a group that wants to save the U.S. or survive a societal collapse they both see on the horizon. (RELATED: Dont Stop Prepping Just Because Trump Won Get Ready For The Massive Financial Crash Of 2017)

The paper noted further:

The organization is a mixture of religious ministry, grassroots political organizing and disaster prepping. At its core, their movement hopes to save the country by reshaping it to their interpretation of the Founding Fathers ideals.

The pair is asking supporters and followers, as well as aligned groups, to begin forming their own communities of like-minded individuals and families in a way they will no longer have to depend on corporations or the tyrannical federal government. They advocate for the support of principled men similar to themselves who are ready to ignore laws and court decisions they dont agree with (kind of like all sanctuary cities and most of California).

They are also asking supporters to get involved in existing structures of the civil society. They dont expect everyone to run for elective office. Instead, they are asking people to serve as jurors so they can acquit people charged with crimes they fell are unjust.

Should these tactics fail to bring about the desired changes, the two state lawmakers recommend establishing community preparedness centers containing reading material, tools, food storage, ammo and more.

The purpose of the centers is to serve as survival mechanisms in the event of a societal or economic collapse, a major natural disaster, war with a foreign invader, massive cyber attack or an electromagnetic pulse event (nuclear explosion or a huge solar flare).

These micro hubs, as they are called, will serve as platforms for religious teaching, first aid instruction, farming, learning how to create and maintain renewable energy, military movement and additional tactical defense training.

Theres probably going to be a lot of little crises, but there will eventually come a point where there is a major disaster of some sort in our country, in all likelihood, Magnuson said in a lecture he gave last year that was uploaded to YouTube. We need to be ready for that, and that will give us an opportunity to have a fresh beginning.

Magnuson, who was first elected to office last year, is already at work establishing what he calls a lighthouse or island of refuge near the town of Campobello, on about one acre of land. So far, he says about a handful of people are involved, and they are working to create additional islands of refuge in nearby towns, as well as in the neighboring state of Georgia. (RELATED: Debt Collapse Perfect Storm Shaping Up That Will Almost Instantly Wipe Out Pension Funds Nationwide)

Documents the group has posted online say that the long-term goal is to train and equip one million neighborhood leaders who are all-in to build a fresh beginning for America.

For now, Magnuson said his Campobello center, which is an old barn he purchased through an LLC established last year, will become a coffee shop. However, later he hopes to grow it into the vision that he and Hill have devised.

Its serving two purposes, Magnuson told the paper, regarding the land and coffee shop. As we build that strength, it prevents doomsday, and on the other hand, if we dont succeed, then this provides, like, lifeboats.

The election of Donald J. Trump has given tens of millions of Americans renewed hope that the country will not only survive but thrive once again. Still, there are others who believe that the globalists in the U.S. and around the world who oppose the president and his America First plan are setting him up for failure, either by crashing the U.S. economy or through some political action against him at home.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

NationalDebt.news

PostAndCourier.com

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Two outstanding musical groups perform this weekend in Butler County thanks to the Butler County Arts Council.

The Matt Whipkey Band performs Saturday night March 25 at 7 p.m. at East Butler High School, Brainard. The group features Matt Whipkeys guitar and vocals already known to those who attend Dwight Yoakum concerts for which he has been the opening act.

On Sunday March 26, the bluegrass group The Toasted Ponies will be at three locations: 1:30 p.m. at david place, 2:45 at St. Josephs Villa, and 4 p.m. at Bone Creek Museum, 575 E Street David City for the Amanda Breitbach reception.

Regional Art Show begins

High school art teachers are reminded to contact Anna Nolan with their student works selected for the annual art show that begins April 1.

Adult entries are also welcome and Jim Bathen is one of the returning artists sharing his art.

These items will be on display in the Hruska Memorial Library in David City during next month. Art lenders should include an attached tag that identifies the artist, age or grade if appropriate, and medium/media. At the end of April the art will be picked up by the lenders. Artwork considered by their art teachers to be the best in student art is an important part of this display.

Please email the BCAC administrator Anna Nolan at anolan@bonecreek.org.

Art can be delivered to the library on Saturday April 1 or left Thursday after 4 p.m. in care of Anna Nolan at Bone Creek Museum to be transported to the library on Saturday.

The BCAC partners with the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art and encourages those who have not seen the new exhibitions to take advantage of the free admission and view the exceptional agrarian art on display. Visit www.bonecreek.org to learn more.

The arts council season is made possible thanks to donations from many sources. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, supports this season through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. These and other programs to come this season under the Butler County Arts Council would not be possible without major grants from a number of sources including the Butler County Area Foundation Fund. Grand Benefactors include Bank of the Valley, Cornerstone Bank, Moravec Financial Advisors, Inc., Aquinas/St. Marys Catholic Schools, David City Public Schools and East Butler Public Schools. This years additional corporate sponsors include The Banner~Press, Bierbower Law Office, Butler County Clinic, P.C., Butler County Health Care Center, Butler County Landfill, Inc., Chermok Funeral Home, Dales Food Pride, david place, Eberle Insurance Agency  STATE FARM, Egr, Birkel and Wollmer, P.C., First National Bank - David City, First Nebraska Bank  Brainard Branch, Rehmer Auto Parts, Inc., St. Josephs Villa and Court Inc., St. Lukes United Methodist Church [in-kind giving], and Union Bank & Trust-David City.

-submitted by Butler County Arts Council volunteer administrator Anna Nolan [Covault], anolan@neb.rr.com
Fundatia de Binefacere Caritas Moldova solicita oferte de pret de la companii cu privire la productia de materiale de vizibilitate
The Wall Street Journal, an outlet that has faced criticism including from within its own newsroom for soft news coverage of President Trump, this morning published a scathing editorial questioning Trumps credibility and comparing his inability to admit error to an alcoholic clinging to an empty bottle.

The piece represents a shift in the papers institutional editorial voice, which has generally supported Trump. The newspaper is known for a conservative bent on its editorial pages, but Trump has created rifts among editorial-board members as well as opinion columnists.

The unsigned editorial suggests a rare alignment with the desire of the Journals news reporters to aggressively hold Trump and his truth-starved claims to account. You dont typically see WSJ reporters sharing the papers editorials on social media, but several journalists tweeted this one.

A Presidents Credibility; Trump "clings to his assertion like an empty gin bottle." @WSJOpinion watershed editorialhttps://t.co/GxTK2EnRZP  Tom Burton (@TomBurtonWSJ) March 22, 2017

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Just as the Trump phenomenon has rewritten the rules of journalism writ large, its also drawn attention and in some cases, strain, to the traditional wall between opinion and news operations at many of the nations premier media outlets. Over the weekend, BuzzFeeds Steven Perlberg reported that a civil war had broken out between news and opinion within the Times over a piece published last Friday by writer and former UK Member of Parliament Louise Mensch.

The basic battle lines are drawn as follows: Mensch, who gained notoriety for tough parliamentary questioning during the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, reported in November that a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court had issued a warrant allowing the FBI to review communications between members of the Trump campaign and Russian officials. After she was given space in the op-ed pages of the Times to write a piece based on that reporting, journalists from the paper who have been unable to corroborate the issuing of the FISA warrant spoke up. Times National Security Reporter Charlie Savage linked to the op-ed in a tweet, and wrote of Menschs column, Please note that the NYT newsroom disagrees.

RELATED: Q&A: A scrappy Wall Street Journal reporter on his jump to Breitbart

The battle at the Times highlights a divide between news and editorial sides of newspapers that stretches back more than 150 years but is often misunderstood by casual readers. Since at least the days of Horace Greeleys New York Tribune and Henry Jarvis Raymonds New York Daily Times, mass-market newspapers have enforced a distinction between the reported pages of the paper and those given over to opinionating.

In practice, this means that reporters sometimes find their work contradicted or criticized within the pages of their own paper. One recent example, in addition to that of Mensch and the Times, comes from The Washington Post, in which a September editorial argued against a pardon for former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. The Post, of course, shared a 2014 Pulitzer Prize for public service for reporting based directly on leaked information that Snowden had provided. Three days after the Posts editorial board spoke out against clemency, Media Columnist Margaret Sullivan penned a forceful piece arguing the exact opposite.

The battles at the Times and Post are, in one sense, signs of health, showcasing the independence of both the newsrooms and editorial pages. I never discuss editorial or op-ed assignments with newsroom editors or reporters, Post Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt told CJR in an email. I report directly to the publisher, as does our executive editor, Marty Baron. We are friendly but I do not discuss my plans with him and he does not discuss his plans with me.

Like Hiatt, New York Times Editorial Page Editor James Bennet reports directly to the papers publisher. But not every newspaper has such a rigid firewall. At the Los Angeles Times, Nicholas Goldberg reports to Davan Maharaj, who holds the dual title of editor-publisher, while at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Editorial Page Editor Harold Jackson reports to the papers editor. Jackson says that, though the wall between news and editorial at the Inquirer is not as firm as it once was, There is nothing any different than how weve always operatedIn most cases, there is no conversation. The wall remains, but its not as rigid as in the past.

TRENDING: Dont work overtime: The final word on the Oxford comma

For readers, however, that divide, no matter how firm, is often viewed as a distinction without a difference. We have readers whove been reading the paper their whole lives and who understand those distinctions very well, says Goldberg of the LA Times. But, of course, we have plenty of readers who dont understand the distinctions weve spent years and years trying to make. We get lots of letters from people who say, I read your editorial on such-and-such and it was biased. We have to write back and say, Yeah, this is the part of the paper where were allowed to be biased. Were allowed to not be quite as objective and to draw conclusions.

The Inquirers Jackson, who has served on the editorial boards of three different newspapers, agrees. Most readers do not [understand the distinction], he says. Most readers believe there is collusion between the editorial writers and the news writers and editors, that one reflects the other.

The conflict between news and commentary isnt limited to newspapers. Reporters at Fox News were recently forced to disavow on-air statements by legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano claiming that a British intelligence service aided then President Obama in wiretapping Trump during the campaign. Shepard Smiths frustration was evident as he looked into the camera and said, 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.

All of the editorial editors CJR spoke with expressed the importance in educating the public about the wall between news and opinion, but increasing media literacy remains a challenge the industry has yet to solve.

In the face of controversies like the one at the Times over Menschs column, the Posts Hiatt sees value in maintaining and making clear the divide between different sections of newspapers. Its important to the newsroom to be able to tell sources and readers, truthfully, that they have nothing to do with opinions expressed by the editorial board, he says. Its important to us on the opinion side to be able to assure readers that we operate with total independenceindependence from the newsroom as well as from advertisingand that we come to our views based exclusively on the merits of any given issue.

RELATED: 5 tools to enhance your Trump coverage

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.
The Mississippi Supreme Court wont dismiss a state lawsuit against an insurer over Hurricane Katrina claims.

The Sun Herald reports that Attorney General Jim Hoods lawsuit against insurance giant State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. can go forward. The lawsuit was filed nearly 10 years after Katrina left a wide swath of destruction.

Hoods lawsuit says State Farm owes Mississippi millions of dollars. It contends the company delayed payments so that the states federally funded Homeowners Assistance Program would cover the losses.

The suit says Mississippi paid 6,810 policyholders five times more than State Farm did for Katrina damage.

The lawsuit claims Mississippi paid $522 million to State Farm policyholders for Katrina damage, while State Farm paid $98.7 million.

The company sought to have the lawsuit dismissed.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A California city plans to scan the license plates of all incoming cars by placing stationary cameras at key intersections in a bid to boost public safety.

The seaside city of Carlsbad will spend $1 million to add cameras at 14 intersections following a spike in property crime, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sunday.

Statistics show that most of those crimes were committed by suspects from other cities, police Capt. Mickey Williams said.

The plan approved last week by the City Council has some residents concerned about their privacy rights, with police able to monitor where they travel throughout the city.

We need to look at this for what it is  mass surveillance, resident Noel Breen said.

The cameras automatically recognize license plates and check them against a law enforcement database that includes information about stolen vehicles and missing people.

Any data collected will be deleted after a year unless its part of a criminal investigation, Williams said.

Carlsbad  which has about 110,000 residents in San Diego County  isnt the only Southern California city to use the license plate readers. Many use them on a more limited basis, affixing them to patrol cars.

In nearby Orange County, Laguna Beach also has placed the cameras at key entry points to the city.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COLUMBUS  A Columbus woman is probably done loaning her car to her boyfriend since he doesnt bring it back.

Phoenix Beck of Columbus, also known as James Johnson, was charged with theft by unlawful taking after allegedly borrowing the local womans 2013 Volkswagen Beetle on Nov. 22 and ignoring repeated appeals to return the vehicle for days afterward.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa scheduled the 51-year-old Beck for an April 6 status hearing on the Class 2A felony. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.

Beck is currently in custody at the Omaha Correctional Center on a separate matter.

A Columbus Police investigation of the local incident began with a report that Beck borrowed his girlfriends car to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in downtown Columbus.

When Beck didnt return from the meeting, the victim became worried that something happened and reported she looked for her boyfriend and the car but could not find them, Officer Jeffrey Uhl wrote in his probable cause arrest statement.

The victim said she texted her boyfriend and received a voicemail reply from Beck telling her he drove the car to Lincoln to help a friend and hed return to Columbus in a couple of hours, the officer wrote.

In 2015, the city woman filed two reports of unauthorized use of her motor vehicle, both identifying Beck as the suspect. Beck was convicted of unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle in one of the 2015 incidents.

Uhl said the couple exchanged several text message in the days that followed with the victim imploring Beck to return her car so she could get to work.

About a week after her boyfriend took the car, the victim sent Beck a message threatening to change her police report from a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle to a stolen vehicle, Uhl said.

The Volkswagen has a Kelley Blue Book value of more than $6,300.
COLUMBUS  Communication should improve with the purchase of radio equipment for the Platte County Sheriffs Office.

It has been more than 10 years since the current radio system was bought, and it's now failing to meet the needs of the department. Sheriff Ed Wemhoff said deputies are not able to communicate with dispatchers in some parts of the county and the radios are becoming outdated and in need of repairs.

Our current radio infrastructure is lacking in its ability to provide the best service and safety to our deputies. With the current infrastructure, the deputies are currently unable to communicate with dispatch in the very southeast and northwest corners of the county. This is a major concern considering the type of work we do, Wemhoff wrote in a letter to the Platte County Board of Supervisors.

Wemhoff received approval from the board Tuesday to spend $237,000 on 32 mobile and handheld radios, additional equipment and installation by Motorola Solutions. The purchase will be covered by the inheritance tax fund, with grant money sought to lower the county's share.

Included in the purchase is a consolette that will allow the department to temporarily use the Nebraska statewide radio system. The system is designed to connect federal, state and local public safety agencies on a single network. It was started through a partnership between Nebraska Public Power District and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Permanent use of the statewide system would require the purchase of a new console system at a price of $300,000 to $350,000, according to Darin Mahoney, a Motorola representative who was at the meeting.

Some of that cost could be shared if Platte County merges its 911 dispatch services with the city of Columbus and other entities. That proposal has been under consideration for years, with the NPPD building identified as a possible location for a joint dispatch center.

Mike Jeffres, with the Office of the Chief Information Officer, said using the NPPD headquarters could provide a cost savings since it already has access to the statewide radio system so less work would be needed to expand the network.

That would be a very worthy discussion to have with NPPD. You could get a lot of efficiencies and cost savings out of that, Jeffres said during Tuesday's meeting.

Also during the meeting, the board:

 purchased two overhead doors for $4,666 and a radiant tube heater for $2,410 for the Platte County Weed Department.

 approved a proclamation recognizing April 2-8 as National Crime Victims Rights Week.

 tabled a discussion and possible action on appointing Greg Hall and Kenny Kurtenbach to the E911 committee.
Kenneth Owen Ungles was born Aug. 23, 1940, in Palisade to Kenneth and Lou (Tarr) Ungles. He graduated from Palisade High School in 1958. Kenneth served in the U.S. Navy from Oct. 7, 1959 to Oct. 11, 1963. Following the service he worked installing high lines throughout Nebraska. Ken then went to work for rodeo contractors as a bull rider and rodeo clown in the Nebraska Rodeo Circuit. On Sept. 7, 1968, he was united in marriage to Darlene Kosiba at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus. The couple has lived east of Tarnov for 45 years. Ken did private welding and for various manufacturing companies. In his later years he worked part time at Tractor Supply Company. Ken enjoyed creating iron art, painting horse trailers and farm equipment and caring for horses on the Nebraska racing circuit.
When the pandemic first hit one of the world's most valuable start-ups saw its private value nearly halved. Now as hotels suffer but vacation rentals boom, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is reportedly planning to file for a long-awaited IPO.

"Welcome each other with love"  "Aibiying"  is a new message Airbnb hopes Chinese consumers are ready to hear.

The home-sharing service announced plans Wednesday to change its brand to "Aibiying" in China, and said it will introduce its Trips platform, which helps visitors find interesting experiences, in Shanghai.

More than 80 percent of Airbnb's users in China are under 35, a greater percentage than in any other country, the company said in a press release.

But China is a tiny slice of the company's business today, with only 80,000 listings out of more than 3 million worldwide. In contrast, the leading Chinese home-sharing site, Tujia, has boasted more than 400,000 listings.

By doubling down on China, Airbnb is trying to succeed where another big U.S. consumer tech startup, Uber, recently struggled.

At one point, Uber was losing nearly $1 billion per year in China as it battled local competitor Didi Chuxing for a slice of the ride-sharing market. Uber finally agreed to sell its Chinese operations to Didi last year in a deal that valued the combined companies at $35 billion, removing one hurdle from Uber's chances at going public.

Just as Uber faced stiff competition from Didi, Airbnb now faces competition in China from the likes of Tujia and Mayi, which already have a leg up on understanding Chinese culture and regulatory issues.

Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky said he hopes to partner with cities to help them maximize the benefits of home sharing and has signed MOU, or memorandums of understanding, agreements with the cities of Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Guangzhou.

To better adapt to local culture, Airbnb is coordinating with Chinese payment method Alipay and social app WeChat to offer customer support to customers in Mandarin.
The battle over voice assistants is heating up. For the first time, Amazon's digital assistant Alexa will come preinstalled on a smartphone, challenging Apple's Siri and Google Assistant on the turf they've carved out. What's more, it'll come on an Android phone.

Today, China's biggest smartphone maker, Huawei, will deliver an over-the-air update, pushing the Huawei Alexa app to Mate 9 customers in the United States, as promised at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The large screen Android Mate 9 has been well reviewed, but hasn't really cracked the U.S. market, as none of the big U.S. carriers are selling it yet.

Still, it's a significant move for Amazon as Alexa moves beyond the home and into mobile. Earlier this week, its virtual assistant became available on Apple's iPhone through the Amazon app. Amazon is also in negotiations to integrate Alexa in some Motorola smartphones.

Amazon isn't the only one pushing its digital assistant -- Google recently started pushing its Google Assistant to millions of Android phones running recent operating systems (Marshmallow and Nougat), and Samsung is launching its own assistant, Bixby, on its next flagship smartphone later this month (also an Android).

While Huawei doesn't have much of a presence in the US yet (according to The Information, that could change soon), the Chinese company is the world's third largest smartphone maker. This partnership could give Alexa a foothold in China, a market that Amazon is moving deeper into with its launch of a version of its Prime membership last year.

The software update rolls out on the Mate 9 today at noon PT.
A member of staff clears packs of imported meat from Brazil off the shelves of a supermarket in Hong Kong on March 21, 2017.

Brazilian authorities on Tuesday began scouring meat plants closed after a probe into corruption by health inspectors and the alleged sale of rotten products, as Hong Kong dealt a blow to the world's top beef and poultry exporter with an import ban.

Brazilian President Michel Temer's government has moved quickly since Friday to both address and downplay the scandal in the meatpacking industry, one of the bright spots of an economy struggling with its worst recession on record.



It won a victory earlier on Tuesday when South Korea lifted a ban imposed a day earlier on all poultry imports from BRF , the world's largest exporter of that meat.



But Hong Kong's ban, which followed China's decision to block imports of meat from the South American nation, showed the crisis was still not contained. China is the largest consumer of Brazilian meat, followed by Hong Kong.



The European Union also kept its ban on meat coming from four specific plants, while Chile maintained its total import ban. The U.S. Department of Agriculture started testing all shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products from Brazil for pathogens.



Brazil's meat investigation is the latest involving federal police and prosecutors and comes on the heels of a massive corruption scandal involving billions of dollars in political kickbacks made by construction giants to win contracts with state-controlled firms, especially the oil company Petrobras.



That probe has ensnared scores of top politicians, including several ministers in Temer's center-right government.
A general view shows under-construction buildings among the city skyline in Jakarta on June 30, 2016. Bay Ismoyo | AFP | Getty Images

Southeast Asia's biggest economy this month is winding up one of world's most successful tax amnesties, with at least 745,000 taxpayers declaring more than $330 billion of assets so far.

President Joko Widodo has cited higher tax revenue as the key to boosting infrastructure spending and growth. But if the amnesty is to avoid being just a one-off windfall, Indonesia needs to improve a tax collection ratio well below many of its peers, international agencies and local officials have said.

To that end, Indonesia's finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has set up a special tax reform team to boost collection. It faces an immense task in a country where tens of millions of people - both the wealthy and the poor - remain outside the tax system.

Parliament is considering draft legislation that would overhaul an institution the public views as one of Indonesia's most corrupt, according to global corruption watchdog Transparency International.

"People don't pay taxes because they believe they won't get caught," said Darussalam (like many Indonesians, he goes by one name), a partner at consultancy Danny Darussalam Tax Centre.



watch now

The amnesty has provided the government with more revenue than similar plans in countries such as India, Chile, Italy or South Africa, Indrawati said.

The amnesty has been criticized for benefiting mostly the rich. The World Bank blames poor tax compliance amongst high income earners in Indonesia for hampering poverty reduction and maintaining inequality. The richest one percent of Indonesia's 250 million people control nearly half the wealth, charity organization Oxfam said.

Tax reform team

The tax bureau as of 2016 employed about 38,000 people to collect taxes from a workforce of 118.41 million. Less than a third of the workforce is registered at the tax office and even fewer file annual tax reports.

A visit to the tax office in Jakarta provides a window into the challenges the government faces.

Tax inspector Jeffry Martino sometimes works a 12-hour day just to keep tabs on a small portion of the hundreds of companies under his watch.

He has 661 taxpayers under his watch, but focuses on the biggest 100 companies that contribute the most to his target of collecting 495 billion rupiah ($37.02 million) this year.



watch now

"We are the spearhead of state revenue collection," said Martino, at his temporary office with a misfiring air conditioner.

His job would be easier if tax auditors had far fewer clients and more access to third-party data, such as banking information, he said.

He might get that wish under proposed legislation to reform the tax system.

The draft in Indonesia's parliament calls for giving tax collectors wider access to bank data in line with Indonesia's pledge to join a global effort to share tax-related financial data.

"Hunting in the zoo"

Andreas Eddy Susetyo, a member of the commission overseeing the bill, said it may take up to a year to finish discussions and even then progress may be interrupted because politicians would be distracted by campaigning ahead of 2019 elections. Widodo has vowed to bypass parliament if necessary by issuing an emergency regulation before mid-year giving the tax office access to bank data.

In the meantime, Finance Minister Indrawati's tax reform team aims to increase the tax ratio to 15 percent of GDP in 2020 from about 11 percent now. That compares with a global average of 14.8 percent in 2014, according to the World Bank. The team, consisting of finance ministry officials and advisers from the World Bank and other agencies, intends to act as a brainstorming think-tank to push through reforms of everything from the tax office's business model to tariffs.

Hestu Yoga Saksama, a tax office spokesman, said the team would redeploy thousands of tax officers to auditing once the amnesty period ends this month.



watch now
A sales assistant watches TV sets broadcasting a news report on North Korea's nuclear test, in Seoul, January 6, 2016. Kim Hong-Ji | Reuters

North Korea has nothing to fear from any U.S. move to broaden sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and will pursue "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programs, a North Korean envoy told Reuters on Tuesday. This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Reuters, quoting a senior U.S. official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat. "I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and China...We of course are not afraid of any act like that," Choe told Reuters. "Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference."

watch now

He called existing sanctions "heinous and inhumane". North Korea has been under sanctions for "half a century" but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or "self-sufficiency", he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the "legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime". He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticized remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week. "All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK," Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said. "In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programs and missile programs. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea."

Pre-emptive strike capability

"We strengthen our national defense capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centerpiece," Choe said. Asked to comment on Choe's remarks, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea "to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric...and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks."

watch now
"We confirm that North Korea has launched one missile from Wonsan airbase this morning (KST) and failed," a South Korean military official told NBC News. "We are in the process of analyzing the type of the missile. South Korea's military is fully prepared for the possibility of North Korea's additional missile launch."

North Korea attempted to conduct a missile launch on Wednesday, but the South Korean military says it failed.

American officials also confirmed the unsuccessful attempt.

"U.S. Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt... in the vicinity of Kalma," Commander Dave Benham said in a statement, referring to an area in the North Korean city of Wonsan.

"A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch," Benham added.

Japan first detected the launch earlier on Wednesday, with government sources initially telling Kyodo News that Pyongyang may have launched several missiles.

Wednesday's incident is the latest sign of escalated aggression from North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un. Earlier this month, his government fired four ballistic missiles after testing a new type of missile known as the Pukguksong-2 in early February.

Strategists say Kim is testing President Donald Trump, who has signaled a tough stance on the nation. During a recent Asia tour, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged that two decades of American efforts to denuclearize North Korea had not succeeded and highlighted the need for a fresh policy approach.

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Ryan Hreljac first began his project to alleviate the shortage of clean water in Uganda when he was in the first grade by raising funds to build a well.

As a six year-old, Hreljac initially saved just $70 of the $2,000 needed to build a well. He later approached others in his community to raise funds for the project, which culminated in a well built at the Angolo Primary School in Uganda.

In the 20 years since, Hreljac and the foundation he founded, the Ryan's Well Foundation, have constructed more than 1,166 clean water projects and 1,245 latrines in countries such as Burkina Faso and Haiti.

His efforts were highlighted on World Water Day, marked by the United Nations in 1963 as a day to focus access to water and pollution concerns globally. The UN noted for the latest anniversary that 1.8 billion people continue to uses sources of contaminated water , while 663 million lack improved drinking water sources.

That number of those lacking access to clean water includes populations living in developed countries too. In the United States, drinking water tainted with lead and deteriorating water infrastructure are problems that continue to affect communities in Flint, Michigan.
In a standing-room only auditorium at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, 120 startup founders have two minutes to make the pitch of their lives. In the audience, 500 of Silicon Valley's top investors are competing to find the next big thing.

"I'm here to see the latest and greatest out of the Y Combo batch," proclaims Josh Elman, a partner at venture capital firm Greylock.

The startups are part of Y Combinator's Demo Day, which is the culmination of the Valley's preeminent accelerator program.

Since its founding in 2005, Y Combinator, sometimes called "YC," has spawned more than 1,400 companies that now have a combined valuation of $80 billion.

Some of the program's most successful graduates include Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe and Instacart.

The batch in this round includes startups like Hivy, which builds office management software, and Wright Electric, which is building electric planes.

Another hopeful is Fiix, whose founders call it the "Uber of car repair." The Toronto-based company says it has already done about $1.2 million worth of repairs in the city, but is hoping to scale up in Toronto, and ultimately, expand to other cities.

"Y Combinator really helps you focus on what matters," says Fiix co-founder Khallil Mangalji. "The partners have essentially seen thousands and thousands of the smartest minds in the world build startups."

Just to get here is an accomplishment in itself. Seven thousand startups send applications for 100 to 120 spots. The ones who make the cut spend three months in Silicon Valley developing their companies, working under mentors like Y Combinator founder and entrepreneur Sam Altman, "23andMe" founder Anne Wojcicki and former Twitter COO Ali Rowghani.
COLUMBUS  The term "vending machine" typically conjures up images of pop or snacks on display in a break room or hallway.

But Columbus-based Technik Mfg. has proven for years there are far more things to vend than just munchies.

Dennis Carstens and Robert Brichacek were both engineers at BD Medical when an investment opportunity came up. They purchased a nearby property at 1005 17th St. and began renting it out.

It wasnt until after Carstens relocated to another state when the company occupying the property asked for their engineering expertise to help build a machine for pull-tab gambling tickets.

It looked like a good opportunity, so we started building it for him, Carstens said.

The company was such a good fit for Brichacek and Carstens they decided to take over, adding items such as phone card dispensers and pin number mechanisms to the inventory.

Technik, which started in 1989, quickly grew to 65 workers to keep up with demand.

Brichacek and Carstens were in charge of the designs, from the shape, size and appearance of the machines to how the gears, circuits and wiring worked.

Once the design was ready, they ordered some of the parts from another company before assembling the machine in their shop. A different company designed the software.

We do the most with the machine here, but it is a joint effort, said the 71-year-old Carstens, who runs Technik with his wife Dorothy and their six employees. Brichacek died in 2014 after battling cancer.

The company's sleek machines may look simple on the outside, but open one up and it has a more-complicated appearance. Each machine is carefully pieced together inside the Columbus facility.

I enjoy designing and creating something, Carstens said.

Technik has produced more than 100,000 machines shipped to upwards of 45 countries, with the pickle ticket machine remaining king.

We have a good 50,000 pull-tab machines out there right now, Carstens said.

While that machine remains popular, the company took quite a hit when cellphones made phone card dispensers obsolete.

Another product Technik makes is a pin number machine for inmate phone calls.

Inside the jail, family members and friends can insert money, punch in the inmate's information and buy minutes for phone calls. A pin number is then assigned to the inmate so they can make outgoing calls.

Carstens said that's still a popular machine, and the same technology is used for things like library and fuel cards.

Technik also makes a gene-processing machine used at laboratories and universities across the U.S., including Harvard University, and another dispensing machine was in the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, that has since closed.

Most recently, Technik started filling custom orders for those looking to patent ideas.

Carstens said nearly all of his customers have found Technik through its website. The company is currently working on a salad dressing dispenser for a customer in Greece who learned about Technik online.

Technik still builds around 500 machines in 30 different varieties each year, a far cry from the thousands formerly produced annually.

Although he would like to see the company booming with business, Carstens said a smaller operation means there's less to worry about.

Its really amazing being able to work for yourself, he said. The secret to running a successful company is to work your butt off.
When Adam Lyons completed a program at an intensive start-up accelerator in Pittsburgh, he had his insurance rate comparison start-up, The Zebra, in good shape, and he had also decided on a dream investor: Mark Cuban. Lyons didn't know how to get in touch with Cuban, but he guessed the billionaire's email address and sent a short email with the subject line, "Wanna disrupt the insurance industry?" Twenty minutes later, the 25-year-old got an email back. It was a response from the star of ABC's "Shark Tank" and owner of the Dallas Mavericks.

Photo by JEALEX Photo

For the next several weeks, Lyons and Cuban emailed back and forth about Lyons' business plan, which involved building a platform where customers could go and compare estimates for car insurance. Then, without ever meeting in person or talking on the phone, Cuban made an investment in Lyons. Cuban, who is obsessed with email as a preferred method of doing business, says the email from Lyons was perfectly timed. It was 2012, and Cuban thought the insurance industry could be improved with more technology and transparency.

I didn't know if he would respond. I was actually surprised when he did. Adam Lyons CEO of The Zebra

"He was talking about innovating and automating the process of comparing car insurance and it was an area that I thought was ready to be disrupted," says the investor, speaking at the SXSW Conferences and Festivals in Austin. Lyons, now 29, was on stage with Cuban for the talk. Cuban invested an undisclosed amount in Zebra and serves as an advisor to its founder, who says the billionaire is very responsive on email and provides invaluable advice. Since launching in 2012, Austin-based Zebra has raised more than $21 million and has 70 employees.

Making it to a stage with Cuban at SXSW represents a radical transformation for Lyons. At 15, he dropped out of high school, and at 16, he left home, taking a series of low-skilled jobs like bagging groceries, washing dishes and packing boxes in warehouses. He was fired from most of those, he says. Lyons started taking classes at the local community college and those credits allowed him to get into college, even without a high school diploma. He graduated from Temple University and got an internship at Lloyd's in London, which is how he became fascinated with insurance. He worked in insurance in Florida and then got a sales job in Philadelphia. After getting fired, again, he changed course, bought a one way ticket to Colombia and backpacked for almost half a year. But when he returned from South America, he got serious: He started his insurance start-up from a friend's basement, where he crashed while living off his unemployment checks. He got accepted at and completed his training at the accelerator program, AlphaLab in Pittsburgh. Then he emailed Cuban.
Even when older people tell them not to, young people love to travel. One study shows that millennials are 23 percent more likely to go abroad than older generations.

Because of their obsession with globe-trotting, millennial have turned cheap travel into a science, taking advantage of bargain flights, capitalizing on points and miles, and figuring out how to work remotely.

Here's how five young entrepreneurs were able to ditch their 9-to-5's and travel the world:

1. Johnny Ward

After graduating from university in England, Johnny Ward booked a one-way flight to New York City and, though he paused to buy an apartment in Bangkok, he has not stopped traveling since. Ward invested $100 in a website that turned into a million-dollar travel blogging company. Now, even though he grew up on welfare in Ireland, he makes up to $60,000 a month while traveling the world.
In the race to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have been guilty of spreading erroneous statements, exaggerating the truth, and skimping on context. That's the takeaway from a review by ProPublica and its partners at Kaiser Health News, Stat, and Vox of more than 200 letters that members of Congress sent out to their constituents in response to the public's questions and concerns about the Affordable Care Act, and its proposed replacement, the GOP's American Health Care Act. We reviewed the emails and letters sent by 51 senators and 134 members of the House within the past few months. More Republicans fudged than Democrats, though both had their moments. The legislators cited wrong statistics, conflated health care terms, and made statements that don't stand up to verification. More from Vox:

The FBI probe into Trump and Russia is huge news. Our political system isn't ready for it.

A veteran GOP strategist explains why conservative elites put up with Trump's lies and corruption Bill Gates takes his campaign against "America First" directly to Donald Trump today

It's not clear if the inaccuracies were intentional, or if the lawmakers and their staff don't understand the current law or the proposals to alter it. But either way, the issue has become increasingly heated as the House gets ready for a vote on the GOP's replacement bill this Thursday. Here are some whoppers from members of both parties, and the truth and context behind what they told voters.

The lies Republican members made to their constituents

Republicans criticize the law for not living up to its promises. They say former President Barack Obama pledged that people could keep their health plans and doctors and premiums would go down. Neither has happened. They also say that insurers are dropping out of the market and that monthly premiums and deductibles (the amount people must pay before their coverage kicks in) have gone up. That's all true. But they also told a few whoppers. 1) They lied about the number of Obamacare exchanges in a state's counties Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-OH: "In Ohio, almost one third of counties will have only one insurer participating in the exchange." What's misleading: Only 23 percent (less than one quarter) had one option, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. His response: A Tiberi spokesperson defended the statement. "The letter says 'almost' because only 9 more counties in Ohio need to start offering only 1 plan on the exchanges to be one third." Why his response is misleading: Ohio has 88 counties. A 10 percent difference is not "almost." 2) They blamed the ACA for the number of uninsured Americans Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-TN: "According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately thirty-three million Americans are still living without health care coverage and many more have coverage that does not adequately meet their health care needs." Why it's misleading: The actual number of uninsured in 2015 was about 29 million, a drop of 4 million from the prior year, the Census Bureau reported in September. Fleischmann's number was from the previous year. Beyond that, reducing the number of uninsured by more than 12 million people from 2013 to 2015 has been seen as a success of Obamacare. And the Republican repeal-and-replace bill is projected to increase the number of uninsured. His response: None. 3) They overstated the impact the ACA had on part-time employment Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA: "It has also, through the requirement that employees that work thirty hours or more be considered full time and thus be offered health insurance by their employer, distorted the labor market." What's misleading: A number of studies have found little to back up that assertion. A 2016 study published by the journal Health Affairs examined data on hours worked, reason for working part-time, age, education, and health insurance status. "We found only limited evidence to support this speculation" that the law led to an increase in part-time employment, the authors wrote. Another study found much the same. In addition, PolitiFact labeled Donald Trump's assertion that, "Because of Obamacare, you have so many part-time jobs" as a false statement last June. His response: Rohrabacher spokesperson Ken Grubbs said the Congress member's statement was based on an article that said, "Are Republicans right that employers are capping workers' hours to avoid offering health insurance? The evidence suggests the answer is 'yes,' although the number of workers affected is fairly small." Why it's misleading: We pointed out that "fairly small" was hardly akin to distorting the labor market. To which Grubbs replied, "The congressman's letter is well within the range of respected interpretations. That employers would react to Obamacare's impact in such way is so obvious, so nearly axiomatic, that it is pointless to get lost in the weeds," Grubbs said. 4) They blamed the ACA for eroding the quality of health care in the country Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-KS: "Quality of care has decreased as doctors have been burdened with increased regulations on their profession." Why it's misleading: Some data shows that health care has improved after the passage of the ACA. Patients are less likely to be readmitted to a hospital within 30 days after they have been discharged, for instance. Also, payments have been increasingly linked to patients' outcomes rather than just the quantity of services delivered. A 2016 report by the Commonwealth Fund, a health care nonprofit think tank, found that the quality care has improved in many communities following the ACA. His response: None. 5) They said a majority of health insurance marketplaces run by states have failed Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-MO: "Nearly 75 percent of state-run exchanges have already collapsed, forcing more than 800,000 Americans to find new coverage." What's misleading: When the ACA first launched, 16 states and the District of Columbia opted to set up their own exchanges for residents to purchase insurance, instead of using the federal marketplace, known as Healthcare.gov. Of the 16, four state exchanges, in Oregon, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Nevada, failed, and Kentucky plans to close its exchange this year, according to a report by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. While the report casts doubt on the viability of other state exchanges, it is clear that three-quarters have not failed. His response: None.

The lies Democratic members told voters
Recent measures by the U.S. and the U.K. to restrict electronic devices on flights from certain overseas airports were led by new threats from ISIS, according to a report from ABC News who cited sources familiar with the intelligence.

The U.S. government obtained new threat intelligence earlier this year indicating that the Islamic State militant group has been developing explosives which can be disguised within electronic devices, ABC noted.

The Department for Homeland Security yesterday banned all electronic devices bigger than a cell phone from the cabins of direct flights to the U.S. from 10 airports in a number of Muslim-majority countries: Cairo, Istanbul, Kuwait City, Doha in Qatar, Casablanca in Morocco, Amman in Jordan, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Hours later, the U.K. followed suit, banning such devices from direct flights to Britain from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordon, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The sources said the intelligence did not directly reference the banned airports but was determined "through intelligence analysis paired with other government information."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to meet with Foreign ministers Wednesday for the Global Coalition working to defeat ISIS.

To read ABC News' article in full click here.


The suspension affects YouTube and Google's display network, according to The Wall Street Journal , which previously reported the news.

"We are deeply concerned that our ads may have appeared alongside YouTube content promoting terrorism and hate," AT&T said in a statement provided to CNBC. "Until Google can ensure this won't happen again, we are removing our ads from Google's non-search platforms."

AT&T has pulled all non-search ad spending from Google , after worries that Google may have placed its ads next to terrorism or hate content.

Verizon also told CNBC it pulled some ads from the platform after learning that they were appearing on "non-sanctioned" websites. Verizon said it wanted to make sure its brand was not negatively impacted and was investigating the "weak links" with advertising partners. Verizon said it's also pulling ads from other digital non-search properties, not just those owned by Google.

The telecom companies join other companies that have stepped back from Google, after an investigation from The Times of London found that ads for Mercedes-Benz and Marie Curie were running next to jihadist and neo-Nazi content.

Google apologized and revamped its ad policy on Tuesday, especially on YouTube. Google said it will start "removing ads more effectively from content that is attacking or harassing people," and will change the default safety setting for ads.

Google said on Wednesday that it couldn't comment on AT&T, citing a policy against commenting on individual customers. But the company said it is raising the bar for its ads to safeguard brands.

"[A]s announced, we've begun an extensive review of our advertising policies and have made a public commitment to put in place changes that give brands more control over where their ads appear," a Google spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC.

Google makes most of its money from advertisements and is one of the top online ad providers in the world. The problem of offensive content also plagues Google's competitors  especially when it comes to video, advertising professionals told CNBC.

 CNBC's Michelle Castillo contributed to this report
Baidu shares fell on Wednesday, after chief scientist Andrew Ng announced he is leaving the company less than three years after joining.

Ng announced his departure in a post on Medium late Tuesday. Baidu shares were down more than 1 percent in market hours, trading around 168.51.

Ng had joined the company in 2014 to help help develop new businesses around artificial intelligence and machine learning, areas Baidu has previously identified as a major strategic focus.

Baidu told the Financial Times it will not hire a direct replacement, but instead move Ng's teams into the AI Group, which will be headed by current vice president Haifeng Wang.

Ng did not say exactly what he plans to do next, but he did suggest he wants to work on projects involving autonomous cars, computer-human conversation and health care.

"I want all of us to have self-driving cars; conversational computers that we can talk to naturally; and healthcare robots that understand what ails us," Ng wrote. "The industrial revolution freed humanity from much repetitive physical drudgery; I now want AI to free humanity from repetitive mental drudgery, such as driving in traffic. This work cannot be done by any single company  it will be done by the global AI community of researchers and engineers."

These goals fit some of what Ng did at Baidu: In the two years he was there, he helped start an autonomous car business division, and the DuerOS platform, which was a kind of competitor to home assistant services and devices such as Apple's Siri, the Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Ng joined the company from Coursera, an online learning company he co-founded in 2012. Prior to that, Ng was a co-founder of the Google Brain project. While at Baidu, Ng worked out of both Beijing and Silicon Valley offices.

"This is a big blow to Baidu's strategy on artificial intelligence and a setback of the company's internationalization," Fang Xingdong, founder of internet strategy think tank ChinaLabs, told The Wall Street Journal.
Billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates agree that the best business book they have ever read is "Business Adventures," by financial journalist John Brooks.

The 1969 classic, which Gates read years ago on Buffett's recommendation, explores, in incredible detail, some of the biggest moments in the history of American business and finance.

"More than two decades after Warren lent it to me  and more than four decades after it was first published  'Business Adventures' remains the best business book I've ever read," the Microsoft co-founder writes on his blog. "John Brooks is still my favorite business writer."

Brooks, a former staff writer for The New Yorker, compiled the book from articles that originally appeared in the magazine. Each chapter is a deep dive into what key business figures did right, and what they did wrong.

The book details lessons from the 1962 "flash crash," the Texas Gulf Sulfur case of 1959 and other pivotal moments in business. But one story featured in the book is particularly relevant to companies today.
watch now

For his future travel, Blake Scholl envisions hailing a self-driving car to the Hyperloop, which will take him to the airport so he can board a supersonic airplane headed for the other side of the planet.

Scholl is taking it upon himself to enable the last leg of that journey. An internet entrepreneur and pilot of 15 years, Scholl is the founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, a Denver-based start-up that's planning to fly passengers over oceans at 1,451 miles per hour by the early 2020s. Boom on Wednesday announced a $33 million financing round that Scholl told CNBC would be enough money to build and fly his first aircraft. The single-aisle planes with personal overhead bins, according to Scholl, will seat up to 55 passengers, elevate to 60,000 feet and cost about the same price as a business class ticket. They'll also have giant windows. "At 60,000 feet you can actually see the curve of the Earth," Scholl said in an interview with CNBC last week at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas. "The skies are a deeper blue. You wouldn't want to miss it."

Source: Boom Supersonic

Scholl, who previously sold a mobile payments start-up to Groupon , is among a new crop of highly ambitious tech entrepreneurs aiming to upend and upgrade global transportation. Elon Musk, with his electric cars at Tesla and SpaceX shuttles, has raced past older industrial businesses, while Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Virgin's Richard Branson are also building companies that are zooming towards space. Hyperloop, a high-speed transportation network that's aiming to revolutionize intercity travel, was conceived by Musk and multiple companies are trying to commercialize it. Musk's success to date has helped convince Scholl that his pre-product start-up is better positioned than Boeing or Airbus to create the next generation airplane. That's because legacy manufacturers are focused on winning share today in the market for single-aisle planes and long-haul jumbo jets. "Before Elon started SpaceX, probably everyone believed that was only something for governments and giant corporations," Scholl said. "He's shown that a small company on a relatively small amount of money can go and accomplish things that the big guys can't." Scholl is quick to admit that supersonic travel has been tried before, with limited success. The Concorde, a joint effort between England and France, flew at over twice the speed of sound from 1976 to 2003. Round-trip tickets from New York to London cost up to $20,000. Boom aims to sell tickets for one-fourth that price, a feat that Scholl says is achievable because of advancements in lightweight materials and engine technology as well as the massive improvements in software so that plane development can happen in simulations. "We really rushed into the supersonic age before we had the technology to do it efficiently," Scholl said. At $20,000, Scholl said a Concorde flight was a "bucket list" item.

Boom Supersonic employee welding test fixtures. Source: Boom Supersonic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday said it was taking additional steps to ensure the safety of beef products from Brazil in light of a spoiled meat scandal rocking the South American country.

It follows a raid last week by Brazilian federal police at several meat-producing plants and the arrest of more than two dozen people. The scandal is part of a corruption probe that involves allegations that government inspectors allowed rotten and salmonella-tainted meat products to be sold in exchange for bribes.

Yet the USDA stopped short of announcing an outright ban on Brazilian meat exports as China, the EU and others have already done.

Brazil's beef industry produced nearly $14 billion in exports in 2016 and is a major competitor in the global marketplace with U.S. beef. The probe also involves the poultry market.

According to the USDA, none of the slaughter or processing facilities implicated in the Brazilian scandal shipped meat products to the U.S. Even so, the department said it still was conducting "additional pathogen testing of all shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products from Brazil."

"Keeping food safe for American families is our top priority," Mike Young, acting deputy secretary of the USDA, said in a release.

In a release, the USDA said its Food Safety and Inspection Service increased its examination of all Brazilian meat products at ports-of-entry across the nation. It indicated that the agency will indefinitely maintain a policy of "100 percent re-inspection and pathogen testing of all lots of FSIS-regulated products imported from Brazil."

Also, the government promised to take immediate action to refuse entry of product into the U.S. if there are findings of food safety concern.

"USDA already possesses the necessary authority to prevent products which do not meet the high standards of American consumers from reaching our markets, and we expect USDA to rigorously enforce their existing authority to ensure the safety of the beef supply," Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said in a statement.

Brazil has been a major supplier of beef to China, a market that could one day become lucrative to American beef producers following the easing of barriers. South Korea, which also has announced restrictions on Brazilian beef, already is a major importer of American beef.

Two Brazilian companies at the center of the investigation are JBS and BRF, which both deny any wrongdoing. JBS, a meatpacking giant, last year announced plans for a U.S. stock listing of its international business. BRF, a major exporter of poultry, also has sought an initial public offering in Europe for one of its subsidiaries.
Diego Rojas | EyeEm | Getty Images

Hydropower, solar, wind: The planet is full of energy sources.

Another, biomass, is becoming increasingly important as we look to diversify the way energy is produced.



Here, Sustainable Energy breaks down biomass, looking at its uses, its potential and how it can help the planet.

Biomass

LucasFotoArt | Moment Open | Getty Images

What then, is biomass?



As the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) puts it, biomass refers to "organic material" which comes from animals and plants. It encompasses everything from wood and crops to rubbish. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has described biomass as being the planet's only renewable energy source that is able to "offer a viable supplement to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels in the near to mid-term."

Bioenergy

ThamKC | iStock | Getty Images

Once you have your biomass, you need to turn it into something useful. The European Commission describes bioenergy as being produced when biomass sources are converted to produce a range of "useful energy carriers" such as electricity, heat and fuels for transport. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has described bioenergy as the world's "single largest renewable energy source today."



The IEA adds that it is responsible for around 10 percent of the world's primary energy supply.

Impact
For conservatives, the election of Donald Trump, while not ideal, represents the first chance in a long time to take the country back from the infestation of liberal ideology, and especially one world government globalism.

If the first two months of the Trump administration has taught us anything, it is that until liberalism is completely eradicated, it matters little who sits in the White House. Leftists have succeeded in infiltrating America like a locust plague, through our education systems, media, Hollywood, politics, churches, and the judiciary.

On one hand, we see activist judges at every turn opposing Trump's honest attempts to protect Americans. And on the other, we see unhinged liberals and their uncontrollable fits of rage, showing us what happens when a pro-America, pro-God, pro-U.S. Constitution president threatens to unseat their gods of globalism and secular humanism.

Liberals have gone bonkers but annoyingly, think they are normal. They see Russian boogeymen around every corner with the occasional Hitler reference thrown in for good measure.

Apparently, Ashley Judd believes Hitler is back, recently saying about Trump: "I didn't know devils could be resurrected, but I feel Hitler in these streets, a mustache traded for a toupee, Nazis renamed the Cabinet Electoral Conversion Therapy, the new gas chambers shaming the gay out of America ..."

No editorializing necessary.

What's really crazy are the Nazi undertones coming from the left, as Anita Dittman, a born again Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust pointed out in an interview with WND.com. Dittman said, "When they say (Trump) is another Hitler, they are crazy. If he was another Hitler, he'd be shooting people that riot and they wouldn't have the freedom to riot..."

Of course, many leftists are also Holocaust deniers, so sweet Ms. Dittman's personal experience with the real Hitler will have zero impact on those who deny the hell she, and millions like her experienced.

Leftism is the antithesis of the Biblical worldview and pretty much the opposite of how Americans across Main Street America think. Main Street Americans understand globalism is liberty's archenemy because a borderless America cannot protect traditions, religious beliefs, or American culture.

Main Street Americans watched former president Obama choose globalism over their safety when he ignored the rule of law concerning illegal immigration. Now they notice the hypocrisy when the mainstream media, leftist judges and Democrats-at-large incessantly rail on Trump, yet ignored Obama's lawlessness.

It's one minute until midnight in America and we are standing at the crossroads between "Put Up" or "Shut Up." America as we know it is at risk, unless patriotic Americans join the fight between evil and good, wrong and right.

Taking back America won't be easy, but it is possible if good people get involved by voting out globalists at the local, state and national levels and removing them from leadership positions in their churches. Parents should micromanage what their kids are taught in school and everyone can boycott news organizations that promote fake news. Think of all the money you could bank not going to movies starring Hollywood liberals who trash American values and all the time you'll save not watching television shows which seek to shove every abhorrent liberal idea down your throat.

Darkness calls and those who will must answer. As Welsh poet Dylan Thomas once wrote: "Do not go gentle into that good night...Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese politicians are asking the head of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, to resign following comments where he implied that southern European nations were wasting all their money on "drinks and women."

Dijsselbloem, president of the Eurogroup which is the euro zone's group of finance ministers, said in an interview to a German newspaper on Monday that "during the crisis of the euro, the countries of the North have shown solidarity with the countries affected by the crisis."

He added: "As a Social Democrat, I attribute exceptional importance to solidarity. (But) you also have obligations. You cannot spend all the money on drinks and women and then ask for help."

These comments were seen as loosely targeting southern European nations who have needed cash bailouts since the sovereign debt crises that begun in 2011. They were picked up by Spanish lawmakers at the European Parliament on Tuesday during a hearing with Dijsselbloem.

However, the Dutch politician refused to apologize for such comments, saying these were not directed to one country, but to all countries. He also added that asking for fiscal discipline should not be seen as an attack.

Facebook 1

Dijsselbloem's reaction sparked a revolt among south European politicians. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Wednesday on Facebook that Dijsselbloem lost a good opportunity to be quiet on Tuesday and added that the sooner he resigns the better.

On Tuesday night, members of the Spanish and Portuguese governments also voiced their disapproval for such comments and asked for Dijsselbloem's resignation.

Luis de Guindos, the Spanish Finance minister, who has tried to gain control Dijsselbloem's seat in the Eurogroup, said the comments were unfortunate and he would hope Dijsselbloem had regretted making them.

The future of Dijsselbloem as a leading EU official was already at risk following a general election in the Netherlands last week, where his Labour Party saw a dramatic setback.

As a result, Dijsselbloem is unlikely to keep his role as Dutch Finance minister and therefore the presidency of the Eurogroup. Until now, every euro finance ministers' chief has been a sitting Finance minister. But until a new coalition government in the Netherlands is in place, which could take months, Dijsselbloem is due to carry on with the Eurogroup presidency.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.


Elon Musk has hit back at claims that President Donald Trump's new NASA bill will be good for his space exploration business, saying it does nothing to get SpaceX's mission to Mars off the ground.

The serial entrepreneur took to Twitter Tuesday to respond to Kara Swisher, co-founder of technology news website Recode, who said the president's decision to grant NASA $19.5 billion in funding would leave Musk "smiling."

"I am not," wrote Musk, chief executive of SpaceX. "This bill changes almost nothing about what NASA is doing. Existing programs stay in place and there is no added funding for Mars.



TWEET

"Perhaps there will be some future bill that makes a difference for Mars, but this is not it," Musk added in a later Tweet.

The S.442 funding bill, signed by President Trump Tuesday, is the first of its kind to pass through Congress in six years and will help facilitate NASA's deep space exploration projects and promote private-public partnerships and job creation, the White House said.

This includes "achieving human exploration of Mars and beyond," the bill noted.

However, Musk claims the new funding will not provide a boost to his aims of making commercial travel to Mars a reality for the public.

His space transportation company SpaceX is currently working in collaboration with NASA under a $1.6 billion contract, which has so far flown 10 cargo missions to the International Space Station.

Its ultimate goal is to enable space travel to, and colonization of, Mars.

Musk met with President Trump in December alongside a host of technology leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, to discuss the technology industry under his then upcoming presidency.



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The pan-European STOXX 600 closed down by 0.44 percent with most sectors and major bourses in negative territory.

According to unconfirmed media reports, U.K. police shot an assailant after an officer was stabbed and several people were injured outside the Houses of Parliament, the heart of the British political scene. Sterling dropped to a six-day low of 87 pence per euro after the initial reports but it had recovered slightly by the time European markets closed.

Banks and financial services were among the worst performers after U.S. stocks witnessed their worst day of the year as banks faced pressure from falling yields. Furthermore, the Dutch lender ING Groep led the falls among Europe's banks after disclosing a criminal investigation which could lead to significant fines. Its shares were down by 4 percent.



Sticking with the Netherlands, digital security firm Gemalto plummeted to the bottom of the benchmark. The company cited a weak U.S. payment business as the prominent reason it was having to cut its profit forecasts on Wednesday. Its shares slumped by over 17 percent and the Dutch firm was on track for its biggest one-day loss on record.



Kingfisher shares fell 5 percent after it warned about political uncertainty in Europe affecting demand for the home improvement company.

In the U.S., markets opened lower for the fifth straight day as investors are concerned that President Trump will not deliver tax cuts and infrastructure investment - two of his main campaign pledges.
Add Joe Biden to the list of people who have shot down President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated wiretapping claim.

After defending the Affordable Care Act outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, the former vice president was asked whether the Obama administration tapped the phones in Trump Tower before the 2016 election.

"Five or six times," Biden said in a deadpan joke, according to NBC News.

"Are you joking? Are you serious?" Biden then said, according to NBC. He added that "any gentleman" would apologize to former President Barack Obama after making that charge.

FBI Director James Comey said Monday he had seen no evidence to support Trump's accusations, leveled in a series of tweets earlier this month. He added at a House Intelligence Committee hearing that the Justice Department asked him to stress that it had not seen information to support the claim.

The bipartisan leaders of the Senate and House intelligence committees also said they had not seen evidence backing the accusation.

Despite Comey's public statement on behalf of the FBI and Justice Department, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Trump has no plans to back away from the claim and suggested that all information may not yet be available.

Biden on Wednesday defended the ACA, also known as Obamacare, contending the Republican plan to replace it will not pass. Trump and House Republican leaders are trying to rally support for a bill to repeal parts of the law ahead of Thursday's vote by the House.
Working in the "gig economy" can make it tougher to stay on top of saving for retirement.

Four in 10 self-employed workers don't have a retirement account such as an IRA or 401(k) plan, according to a new survey from Small Business Majority, an advocacy group. They polled 500 self-identified contractors, freelancers and temporary employees in December, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. Most of those workers without a formal retirement plan said they don't earn enough, or get paid regularly enough, to warrant contributing, said Brian Pifer, director of entrepreneurship for Small Business Majority. "Not knowing if you'll have a really good month or a really bad month makes it difficult for them to save on a predictable basis," he said.

Even independent workers who do have a retirement account don't have the best habits. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. self-employed workers say they aren't saving for retirement, and 19 percent are doing so only occasionally, according to a February report from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in conjunction with the Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement. Even worse, in the past year nearly a quarter of independent workers have borrowed from a retirement plan, cashed one out or both, the Small Business Majority found. "What we found is, they need to be doing a much better job saving," said Catherine Collinson, president of the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

Small_frog | E+ | Getty Images
The Republican health-care bill is about satisfying House Speaker Paul Ryan's "Ayn Rand tendencies" instead of making a better system, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee said Wednesday.

The House is expected to vote Thursday on the Ryan-Trump plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

"It's not really a health-care bill, Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

"This is an ideological exercise to basically satisfy Paul Ryan's Ayn Rand tendencies," he added, referring to the Russian-American novelist and philosopher who rejected the idea that free markets create undesirable results such as monopolies.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated last week that 24 million more Americans would be uninsured by 2026 under the Republicans' American Health Care Act than they would under Obamacare, although that number could change based on the latest version of the bill.

The GOP bill has been met with bipartisan criticism. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump warned wavering House Republicans that their jobs were on the line if they failed to back the bill.
A hidden beneficiary from the border-adjustment tax could be hedge fund managers, who might see a savings of tens of billions of dollars a year, according to tax experts.

The border tax imposes levies on imports, while exempting exports. It's meant to help large-scale exporters like Boeing and General Electric.



Here's why hedge funds also could benefit: A large number are domiciled abroad  in places such as the Cayman Islands or Bermuda  with most of their investment professionals in the U.S. Under the new rules, which have not been finalized, both exported goods and services are expected to be exempt from taxation.

Because the investment professionals could be exporting their "service" of managing a portfolio to the foreign fund, they, too, would receive the benefit. Hedge fund fees, which were previously taxed as income at rates as high as 45 percent, could be exempt from taxation.

"Part or all of the services the managers render to a hedge fund I would expect to be exempt from U.S. taxes under the border-adjustment tax," said Steven Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, and a former tax lawyer advising financial institutions. "How large those services are depends on the drafting and how clever the investment managers are at restructuring their operations."

Rosenthal said it is unlikely that the drafters of tax reform would enact a border-adjustment tax while exempting services, such as those rendered by hedge funds.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds a glass during a ceremony of receiving diplomatic credentials from foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, November 9, 2016.

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, a Lebanese billionaire and the chief executive of Total has dealt another major blow to the electoral chances of Francois Fillon after reports emerged that the French Presidential hopeful was paid $50,000 for facilitating the rendezvous.

Allegations published Wednesday by the Canard Enchaine suggest that the former French prime minister used his contacts to facilitate two meetings for Fouad Makhzoumi, the Lebanese chief executive of Future Pipe Industries, in 2015  one with Putin and another with Total's Patrick Pouyanne.

The meetings were reportedly set up via Fillon's consultancy firm 2F Conseil and saw Makhzoumi pay $50,000 to meet with Putin during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum two years ago.

The Fillon campaign was not immediately available for comment but the Kremlin brandished the accusations as "fake news."

"It is what in English we call 'fake news,'" said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The French Conservative candidate was trailing behind front-runners centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right Marine Le Pen after a TV debate aired Monday, however the new revelations are likely to further hurt his chances of securing office when France goes to the polls to elect its new leader in May.

His campaign has been marred by allegations, also from the French satirical newspaper, which claim that he paid his wife and children almost 1 million euros ($920,000) in public funds for parliamentary jobs they did not complete. His is currently under formal investigation.

On Tuesday, French interior minister Bruno Le Roux announced his resignation over a related fake job scandal, in which he was accused of paying his two daughters for work they did not undertake.

Meanwhile, Macron's campaign has gathered pace after he emerged as the strongest performer in the televised debate and was publicly endorsed Wednesday by a junior minister in the incumbent Socialist party.

This provides hope for pro-European supporters who fear that a win for nationalist Marine Le Pen could result in a break-up of the European Union.

Wednesday's allegations of government-level involvement with Russia also come as the FBI investigates Russia's potential involvement with members of President Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 election.



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Dutch lender ING has confirmed it is facing a criminal investigation into alleged money-laundering and corruption from Netherlands authorities, which could lead to significant fines.

"ING Bank is the subject of criminal investigations by Dutch authorities regarding various requirements related to the on-boarding of clients, money laundering, and corrupt practices," ING said in a statement.

Netherlands daily newspaper, Het Financieele Dagblad, suggested the probe was connected to an Uzbekistan bribery case, although this was not confirmed by the ING spokesperson.

The reported case referred to the suggestion that several telecommunication companies, including Amsterdam-based firm Vimpelcom , now called Veon, had been accused of paying bribes to the daughter of Uzbekistan's former president. The Dutch paper cited a source which could not be verified by CNBC.

"These allegations, first of all, have not been substantiated yet and they have nothing to do with our company," Alexey Reznikovich, chairman at Veon, told CNBC at Mobile World Congress on March 2.

"But I think that when you work in markets like Russia, Algeria and other countries it is extremely important to have very strong compliance function, very strong legal function and that's what we have been doing in Veon for the last couple of years," he added.
The famous black London cab is about to go high-tech and sustainable following the opening of a new, 300 million ($373 million) factory. The London Taxi Company's (LTC) car plant is based in central England and has the capacity to assemble over 20,000 electric versions of the iconic taxi a year. The LTC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese business Geely, said it had invested over 300 million in the new site and the "next-generation London taxi". "Today marks the rebirth of the London Taxi Company," Chris Gubbey, chief executive of the LTC, said in a news release. "A company with a singular vision; to design and build dedicated urban commercial vehicles that can operate without emissions in cities around the world and bring down running costs for drivers."

The LTC said that the new electric taxi would go on sale in London later this year, and then around the world at the beginning of 2018.



The U.K. government said the investment was supported by 16.1 million from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

"Our iconic black cabs are famous across the world," Greg Clark, business and energy secretary, said in a statement. "The London Taxi Company's impressive new factory and R&D facility showcases the innovation that makes the UK a world leader in the development of new automotive technologies."

Wednesday also saw the U.K. government announce an extra 64 million in investment to promote the use of electric taxis.



The funding is to support a 50 million Plug-in Taxi Grant program and a 14 million investment in charge points for electric taxis.

"This government is committed to improving air quality and reducing pollution in towns and cities, which is essential for people's health and the environment," John Hayes, transport minister, said.




Nikolai Gorokhov, a lawyer representing the family of a Russian whistleblower, was reportedly thrown out of the fourth floor of his Moscow apartment building on Tuesday  a day before the 53-year-old was due to appear in court regarding a contentious corruption case.

According to a news release from a website linked to the lawyer's spokesman, Bill Browder, Gorokhov had severe head injuries and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Botkin hospital. The release indicated he was in critical condition.

Some reports indicated that Russian media outlets had claimed Gorokhov's fall was an accident related to moving a Jacuzzi, but CNBC could not immediately confirm.

Gorokhov was working to launch a probe into the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in prison in 2009 after claiming that organized criminals colluded with Russian government officials to claim a fraudulent $230 million tax rebate.

At the time of his findings, Magnitsky was working for Hermitage Capital Management under Browder, an American-born hedge fund boss and human rights activist who was an alleged victim in the scheme. He launched an international justice campaign following Magnitsky's death, which many activists believe was a result of abuse under police custody.
Judge Neil Gorsuch Getty Images

Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch declared Tuesday he's made no promises to Donald Trump or anyone else about how he'll vote on abortion or other issues and testified he'll have no trouble as a justice holding anyone accountable, including the president who picked him.

Gorsuch also called Trump's attacks on federal judges "disheartening" and "demoralizing." During the long second day of his Senate confirmation hearings, Gorsuch made two other notable statements in response to questions from members of the Judiciary Committee, and both also related to Trump, who nominated him. Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asked Gorsuch whether Trump had asked him to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case establishing a right to abortion, and what he would have done had Trump asked him to do so. "Senator, I would have walked out the door," Gorsuch replied. "That's not what judges do." When Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy asked Gorsuch if a president is free to ignore laws on national security grounds, Gorsuch replied that "nobody is above the law in this country, and that includes the president of the United States."

watch now

Some Democratic senators who are not on the Judiciary Committee called for a pause in the confirmation process after FBI Director James Comey said Monday that the bureau is investigating Russian meddling in last year's election and potential ties between Trump associates and Russia. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said on Twitter that while the investigation continues, "lifetime court appointments can wait." Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley dismissed the idea as ridiculous. On a day mostly devoid of drama, Gorsuch batted away Democrats' efforts to get him to reveal his views on abortion, guns and other controversial issues, insisting he keeps "an open mind for the entire process" when he makes rulings. His comments were similar in response to questions from majority Republicans as they tried to help him highlight his neutrality in the face of Democratic attempts to link him to Trump. The abortion question was especially pointed because Trump himself has insisted he would appoint "pro-life justices" who would vote to overturn the 1973 Roe decision. Gorsuch likewise wouldn't comment on litigation over Trump's efforts to ban travel to the U.S. by people from some mainly Muslim countries. He did, however, say publicly what he had previously told senators in private about Trump's attacks on judges who ruled against him on that issue. "When anyone criticizes the honesty and integrity or the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening, I find that demoralizing," he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat, asked, "Including the president?" "Anyone is anyone," Gorsuch replied.

watch now

As Tuesday's questioning wore on, senators and Gorsuch engaged in a routine well-established in recent confirmation hearings. The nominee resists all requests to say how he feels about Supreme Court decisions, even as he is asked about them again and again. Such was the case with questions about rulings on campaign finance, abortion, gun rights, even a privacy ruling from 1965 that John Roberts explicitly endorsed in his confirmation hearing in 2005. Gorsuch made one exception, describing the two-year-old decision extending same-sex marriage nationwide as "settled law," a term he did not apply to any other decision. The 49-year-old Denver appeals court judge kept a smile on his face most of the day, although he seemed to show flashes of anger under questioning from some Democrats. Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois pressed Gorsuch on claims by a former student at the University of Colorado Law School who said Gorsuch implied in a legal ethics class in April that he believes many female job applicants unfairly manipulate companies by hiding plans to begin families. She remembered him saying that many accept job offers but quickly leave with maternity benefits. "Those are not my words and I would never have said them," Gorsuch said. He later explained he was trying to teach students about inappropriate questions from prospective employers, not endorsing such inquiries. Other students told the AP the accuser was misconstruing the lesson. Gorsuch reacted sharply when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island asked him what he knew about a multimillion-dollar ad campaign run by a conservative group that backs his nomination. Ads have been running mainly in states won by Trump last year and in which Democratic senators face re-election in 2018. "Is it any cause of concern to you that your nomination is the focus of a $10 million political spending effort and we do not know who's behind it?" Whitehouse asked. Gorsuch replied: "Senator, there's a lot about the confirmation process today that I regret. A lot."

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This post originally appeared on RamschackleGlam and is republished here by permission. For several days not so long ago, RamshackleGlam.com  the domain name that I have owned and operated since March of 2010  did not belong to me, but rather to a man who goes by the name "bahbouh" on an auction website called Flippa, and who was attempting to sell off the site to the highest bidder (with a "Buy It Now" price of $30,000.00). He promised the winner my traffic, my files, and my data, and suggested that I was available "for hire" to continue writing posts (alternatively, he was willing to provide the winner with "high-quality articles" and "SEO advice" to maintain the site's traffic post-sale). I learned that my site was stolen on a Saturday. Three days later I had it back, but only after the involvement of fifty or so employees of six different companies, middle-of-the-night conferences with lawyers, FBI intervention, and what amounted to a sting operation that probably should have starred Sandra Bullock instead ofwellme. Of course I've heard of identity theft, and of cyber hacking, but honestly, my attitude towards these things was very much "it could never happen to me." And even if it didI didn't exactly understand why it was such a huge deal. Couldn't you just explain to people what had happened, prove who you were, and sort it all out? We live in such a highly documented world, it seemed completely impossible to me that someone could actually get away with pretending to be someone else with any real consequences beyond a few phone calls and some irritation. It's much, much worse  more threatening, more upsetting, and more difficult (if not impossible) to fix  than I'd ever imagined. I found out about the hacking from my father. His friend Anthony (who runs a web development and consulting company called ThoughtBox) had been surfing around on Flippa and had  in an impossibly lucky coincidence  noticed that my site was up for auction, with what appeared to be a highly suspicious listing. Suddenly, I remembered the email I had gotten the day before  an email that I had disregarded as spam  from someone "interested in the purchase" of my "weblog." I remembered the notification from YouTube that someone had accessed my account from a different location  a notification I had ignored, assuming that I had logged in on a mobile device or that my husband had accidentally logged into my account instead of his own.

But even after I saw the listing, I didn't panic: this seemed like something that could be fixed with a couple of emails. Except the auction site was located in Australia and didn't appear to have a phone number, and when I sent an email with a scanned ID and proof of ownership what I got back was a form letter. And when I called HostMonster, the site I pay to operate my website, I discovered that I was no longer the owner of my site: someone had used their email confirmation system to authorize the transfer of my domain name into a private account at GoDaddy (another web registrar service of whom I'm also a client).



WHY IS THIS A BIG DEAL?

If you have a business that depends on a URL, you understand why this was such upsetting news: With control over my website's domain name, a hacker would be able to take the site down, or redirect it elsewhere. Further, it was later verified that the hacker had control over all of the site's content, as well; he could have just rerouted everything I've ever written to any location he wanted. Ramshackle Glam may be "just" a lifestyle blog about things like parenting and fashion and decorbut it's also a site that I've spent five years of my life building, and the idea of it falling into the hands of someone with malicious intent was heartbreaking. I could switch to a new URL and export a copy of my content (which I do back up), but that would result in the loss of a substantial amount of traffic. The website is my primary source of income, and with a house, two children, a book coming out, and a husband in business school, this was not a joke. The loss of my URL had the potential to be devastating for my business and for my family in a very real way.

SO WHAT DID I DO?

The events of the next few days were complicated, so rather than go through them chronologically I'm going to explain how each path I took ended up panning out (I'm going into detail so that I can be as much help as possible to anyone who goes through this themselves). 1. I tried to resolve the situation directly with GoDaddy and HostMonster. This did not work. From Sunday through Tuesday, I spent most of the day (and much of the night) on the phone with GoDaddy, HostMonster, or both at the same time, and nearly every person I spoke with gave me the same response: "Sorry, can't help you." HostMonster maintained that because they no longer controlled the domain name, there was nothing they could do. GoDaddy maintained that because the account was private and the person had obtained ownership of the domain through a transfer from HostMonster, there was nothing they could do. What finally made a difference: I cited ICANN's policy on Domain Name Dispute Resolution.* This got my case upgraded, but it did not result in action. Here's why: the legal department at HostMonster informed me that in order for them to initiate a transfer dispute that would result in GoDaddy releasing the domain back to me, their "internal investigation" would have to turn up evidence that they had done something wrong in releasing the site. In other words, they would have to admit that they had screwed upwhich would in turn open them up to a lawsuit. Needless to say, I never heard from the legal department again. Despite the fact that everyone seemed clear on the fact that I owned my website and that it had been transferred without my authorization, nothing was going to be done unless I initiated a time-consuming and costly lawsuit that, in any case, would not result in action quick enough to save my domain name from being sold. So that avenue came to an end. 2. I called the FBI. This was a major step in the right direction. The morning after I found out about the unauthorized transfer, I also called the FBI. I felt silly and dramatic making the phone call, but the reality is that this is an international cyber crime issue, and that's FBI territory. And this is my business. It's how I support my family, and it may be a "small matter" in the grand scheme of things, but it is not a small matter to me. And let me tell you: of all the surprises I've had over the past week or so, most surprising of all has been the FBI. They responded immediately, with follow-up phone calls and emails, an in-person interview with two special agents at my own home within 24 hours, and a follow-up visit from two agents yesterday. Beyond that, each and every agent I have interacted with over the past week has been, without fail, compassionate, thoughtful, invested, respectful, and committed to actionin addition to treating me not like a case number, but like a human.

Bilgin Sasmaz | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

What I expected was to leave a message with a general mailbox and at some point receive a form letter; I certainly did not expect to see an active investigation opened immediately. I'm not going to write more about the investigation because it's still ongoing (although I did ask for and receive permission to write about this), but I think it's important to say how absolutely blown away I have been by the FBI's response. 3. I tried to regain control by dealing directly with the "seller". This worked, but not without considerable drama. While all of the above was going on, I was also working to regain control over the site directly from the individual who was trying to sell it. I didn't want to contact the "seller" directly, because I felt that if he thought the "real" owner of the site was aware of the sale, he would try to extort more money. So I asked Anthony  the person who had found the original listing, and who had an active account with a positive history on Flippa  to DM "bahbouh" to see if he was interested in a "private sale". After some back-and-forth we reached an agreement, and it was decided that a third-party money-transfer website (Escrow.com) would be used to make the sale: the money would only be released to the seller upon confirmation that the domain name had been transferred. This appeared to be going smoothly until Tuesday night, when the seller suddenly demanded that the funds be released immediately (prior to receipt of the website). When we pushed back, he announced that he was selling it to someone else: "Sorry, bye." So here was my thought process: if we did not release the money to the seller, we were guaranteed to not get the website. If we did release the money to him, there was a possibility that he would take the money and run, and also a possibility that he would deliver the site as promised. It wasn't a gamble I wanted to takebut I didn't see any option. And so I authorized the wire transfer. I spent twenty minutes sitting in front of the dummy GoDaddy account I had created to receive the domain name from the seller, waiting to see whether I was out thousands of dollars and a domain name, or just thousands of dollars. And then it came through. I immediately transferred the domain into a different account and placed it (and all of my other domain names) on what amounted to lockdown. And then I called the wire transfer company and placed a stop on the payment.

THE END RESULT:

RamshackleGlam.com is back in my possession, thanks to a number of people who dedicated hours (in some cases days) out of their lives to doing whatever they could to help me. My other accounts  bank accounts, et cetera  have been secured. I don't have my money back yet, but the man who stole my site from me doesn't have it, either, and won't be getting it, ever. And that's an ending I'm pretty damn thrilled with.

SO WHY AM I STILL ANGRY?

Of course I'm angry with the person or people who stole the site, but that's out of my hands. The reason I'm writing this post is to let people know that this really can happen  to anyone  and to offer suggestions for how to minimize the chances that it will happen to you (below), but beyond that, I'm writing this post because this incident made me very, very angry at GoDaddy and HostMonster. And I want you to know why. No one at either company questioned my statement (supported by written proof) that the website belonged to me. No one doubted that it had been transferred without my authority. And yet I had to spend days  days during which the hacker could have done virtually anything he wanted  trying to reach one single person who was able to do anything, because the support staff and supervisors I spoke with (who had to have numbered fifty or more) were completely uninformed as to how to handle this situation beyond saying, "Jeez, that sucks. Can't help you." And once I reached people who could help me  who could literally make a single phone call or push a single button and return my property to me (or simply freeze it so that it could not be sold or destroyed)  they would not. They hid behind their legal departments and refused to do anything, knowing full well that their inaction would force me to either interact with and pay off a criminal, or lose an essential component of my business. And hackers know that these companies will do this. They rely on it. There is a serious problem when a criminal enterprise not only exists "despite" a company's policies, but actually thrives as a direct result of that company's prioritization of their own interests over the security of the clients they allegedly "protect". Do I understand why companies like HostMonster and GoDaddy are focused on protecting themselves against lawsuits? Of course I do. But the fact is that they not only do not "help" their customers, but actively contribute to creating situations that threaten small businesses and the families that they support. And these companies know that when they stonewall clients whose property has obviously been stolen that these clients will have no other recourse than to pay off criminals or watch their businesses  sometimes their very lives  collapse. They know that by standing in the way of immediate action they create the very environment that these criminals depend upon to perpetuate their business model. And they do nothing. This has to change.

MY OPINION, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH:

Support personnel at hosting companies should be made intimately familiar with ICANN regulations involving domain disputes, and should be able to initiate a plan of action the first time a client makes them aware of a situation, not after hours and hours of repeated calls. Further, the establishment of a TEAC** should result in an immediate freeze on the account in dispute until the situation has been resolved. This should not require an admission of culpability on the part of any parties; simply an acknowledgement that a dispute exists and an awareness that while the dispute exists the domain must be held safe from sale or transfer.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU:

1. Have a really, really good password, and change it often. Your password should not contain "real" words (and definitely not more than one real word in immediate proximity, like "whitecat" or "angrybird"), and should contain capital letters, numbers and symbols. The best passwords of all look like total nonsense. 2. If possible, use a separate computer (an old one or a cheap one purchased for this purpose) for things like banking; if your family computer is the same one that you use for bank transactions you risk having your kids click on a bad link that results in a hacking. 3. Turn off your computer and personal devices when they're not in use. 4. Have antivirus software on your computer (but remember that virus scans only catch 3040% of viruses, so unfortunately a "clean" check doesn't necessarily mean that you're safe). 5. Purchase CyberRisk Insurance (it basically protects businesses from cyber attacks and data breaches).

BUT IF IT DOES HAPPEN TO YOU, HERE'S WHAT TO DO:
Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz would not be the right replacement for Chancellor Angela Merkel because of his choice to prioritize the needs of Greek communists over German taxpayers, Germany's deputy finance minister Jens Spahn told CNBC on Wednesday.

"(Schulz) is part of the political elite in Brussels and Berlin but he tries to shape himself as someone from outside and so far it seems to work but of course we have to tackle him on this and to ask him about his positions in the past," Spahn told CNBC on Wednesday.

"He was always a better friend to the communists in Athens than to the German taxpayers and that for example is an issue we will bring up," he added.

SPD party delegates officially backed Schulz with 100 percent of the vote on Sunday as they nominated the former European Parliament president as their new leader.

Schulz's approval ratings have rocketed skywards in recent months and the center-left candidate now finds himself as the political frontrunner to become Germany's new premier, according to the latest opinion polls.



Merkel and Spahn's Chrisitan Democratic Union (CDU) were accused of showing signs of nervousness in response to the deputy finance minister's remarks on Wednesday, an SPD spokesperson told CNBC via email.



"It's obvious that the CDU is quite nervous about the outstanding performance of Martin Schulz. Spahn's comments are hilarious at best. Our campaign will be about policy and not about personal attacks," Niels Annen, SPD foreign affairs spokesperson, told CNBC via email.


Schultz touted the company's employee benefits, such as health insurance, stock options, and free four-year college tuition as examples of how the "rules of engagement" for public companies are expanding.

"We must do more for our people that we serve, the communities, and we have a bigger responsibility," Schultz said. "We can't wait for Washington."

Schultz and Starbucks president, COO, and incoming CEO Kevin Johnson spoke to " Mad Money " host Jim Cramer on Wednesday, following Starbucks' announcement that it plans to create 240,000 jobs by 2021.

Outgoing Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said that he and his successor will continue to push the coffee chain's "social impact agenda" regardless of gridlock in Washington.

"All these things, I think, are part and parcel with building the kind of company that has a conscience," Schultz said. "Our success as a company, the $80 billion of market value, all of that is steeped in the humanity of Starbucks, of balancing profit with a social impact agenda."

Schultz added that Washington's logjam could mean more opportunities for his brand.

"I could not be more optimistic, more excited, and more bullish about the opportunities that we have at a time in America where there is great uncertainty politically, where there's a seismic change in consumer behavior," he told Cramer.

Addressing Starbucks' recent hiccups with its mobile ordering platform and the stock's downtrend, Schultz said he was confident that the company would bounce back.

"On balance the stock is undervalued, and we will demonstrate both in the short and the long term that we are building a great, endearing company," Schultz said.

Schultz added that the brand is continuously being recognized for being connected to and trusted by its customers, including being named the country's third-most admired brand by Fortune magazine.

"You don't get that kind of recognition because you have a mobile order and pay problem. You get that kind of recognition because you have a body of work that stands the test of time, and we are just getting started," the CEO said.



Johnson, Schultz's successor, said he was comforted by the fact that Schultz will stay on as executive chairman of the coffeehouse when Johnson becomes CEO on April 3.

"I think anyone stepping in this role would acknowledge that they have Venti shoes to fill," Johnson joked. "[It] gives me some comfort that not only do we have the opportunity, but we've got the leadership and a world-class leadership team to take us into the future."

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Starbucks is ramping up its hiring efforts, announcing plans Wednesday to create more than 240,000 jobs globally by 2021.

In the U.S. alone, the company is slated to add 68,000 jobs as it moves toward opening 3,400 new stores by that year. Partially included in that number are other programs the coffee chain sponsors to boost hiring among groups like veterans and teens.

Starbucks boasted that it had reached its initial goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses ahead of its 2018 deadline and will be expanding its goal to 25,000 by 2025.



"We are better because of them," CEO Howard Schultz said of the veterans that have been hired at Starbucks, noting that their leadership skills have been a boon for the company.

In addition, Starbucks is scheduled to open 100 more military family stores throughout the U.S. in the next five years. These stores are designed to support military communities and are staffed by veterans, advocates and military spouses. So far, the chain has 32 of these stores.

The company will also be hiring more young people. Starbucks said it has exceeded its goal of hiring 10,000 "opportunity youth" in America by 2018 by hiring more than 40,000. Starbucks said it is helping to jump-start their careers by giving them their first job. The company said it will be expanding its goal to 100,000 hires by 2020.

"All they are looking for is someone to open a door and to view them on their own merit," Schultz said.

Globally, Starbucks has joined with the UN Refugee Agency, International Rescue Committee's #WithRefugees campaign and the Tent Partnership of Refugees to "scale up the company's support and efforts to reach refugee candidates." The coffee chain announced in January that it would hire 10,000 refugees by 2022.

"Not every decision in business is an economic one," Schultz said of the company's investment in its employees. He said the role of a public company is "steeped in humanity" and that they have a moral obligation to do what is ethical, not just what is profitable.

When current CEO previously revealed that the company would be hiring these refugees, many social media users balked, claiming that the company was giving away jobs that could be filled by Americans or American veterans. However, not all of the proposed jobs will be in the United States.

Starbucks operates in more than 75 countries. The company said in January that initial hiring efforts would begin in the U.S. and would focus on individuals who served the U.S. military as interpreters and support personnel.

The new hiring goals were announced at Starbucks' annual meeting of shareholders. The company also noted that Kevin Johnson will transition into the role of CEO on April 3. Schultz received a standing ovation during his opening remarks at his last shareholder meeting as CEO.

Starbucks will also be adding three new members to its board. Shareholders elected Rosalind Brewer, former president and CEO of Sam's Club ; Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, executive chairman of Lego; and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft , to the board.

Programming note: Howard Schultz and Kevin Johnson will appear on "Mad Money" on Wednesday at 6 p EST.
In May, it will be eight years since Charles Hearne made a mistake that sent him to prison for four years in Texas.

Two years later, an older gentleman told him he'd be making another big mistake if he didn't go through with an application to the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.



Hearne and 49 other prisoners, all dressed in white, showed up to a classroom where they learned more about a MBA-style program intended to teach them how to start a business once they were released from prison.

The major selling point for Hearne? The image of a black man, not unlike himself, walking across the stage upon graduating. Hearne, whose plans to attend college were cut short by imprisonment, was convinced.

"I knew I had to have this," he says.

Six years after having made that decision, he is Executive Relations Manager for PEP in Houston. Hearne is also on track to graduate in 2018 from the University of Houston with a bachelor's degree in business administration in finance.

The nine-month program changed his life.

A SECOND CHANCE

PEP, an independent nonprofit, is run from two main facilities in Texas under the leadership of Bert Smith, a former investor who started volunteering for the program in 2005.

The people he met in the program were part of the reason he decided to stay involved. "I met men who were intelligent and very committed to changing their lives, very interesting and in many cases creative," he says. "I found myself taking insights and ideas that were helpful to me in my day job."
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The UK should leave the EU on terms that are not "better than EU membership" whilst ensuring the strong ties between regions and cities are maintained for the benefit of all citizens, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) said.

This message came during a debate with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, and was contained in a resolution adopted by EU local and regional leaders on 23 March. It also calls for regions in the UK and the rest of the EU  particularly local and regional governments in "the Channel and North Sea areas  to be able to continue cooperation through EU platforms and expresses hope that British universities can keep playing an "active role" in educational programmes.

The debate came just one week before article 50 will formally be triggered which will begin the official Brexit negotiations. The CoR  the EU's assembly of local and regional governments - considers that the future relationship between the EU and the UK should be based on a balance of rights and obligations, a level playing field and should not pave the way for dismantling the single market and freedom of movement.

The CoR recognises the financial impact the UK's departure will have and suggests using this as an opportunity to reform the EU's budget so it better takes into account the needs of local and regional governments. It warns that the UK's Great Repeal Bill  where the UK plans to transpose EU law into domestic law "wherever possible"  must be closely monitored so that "fair rules on standards and competition" are preserved.

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Markku Markkula, said: " Local and regional authorities respect but regret the democratic decision of the British people to leave the EU. Whilst remembering that some regional parliaments will have a vote on the deal, we must work to protect well-established ties between regional and local authorities in the EU and the UK "

During his intervention, Mr Barnier reiterated the importance of having open and transparent talks: " The absence of an agreement for everyone would have even more serious consequences . A 'no deal' scenario is not our scenario". He stated that: "We do want an agreement, we want to succeed, not against but together with the UK ", and highlighted that the key objective of the upcoming negotiations will be "Guaranteeing the rights of European citizens, in the long term . Our watchword will be: "Citizens first!"

The EU's chief Brexit Negotiator added that the uncertainty of local and regional governments delivering EU-funded projects must also be resolved. Noting that the programmes were "approved by 28, financed by 28 and so should benefit" 28 EU members he said. " When a country leaves the Union, there is no punishment. There is no price to pay to leave. But we must settle the accounts. We will not ask the British to pay a single Euro for something they have not agreed to as a member. In the same way, the 27 will also honour their commitments concerning the United Kingdom, its citizens, companies and regions ".

The CoR also calls for an EU-UK deal that would see the UK continue to pledge contributions into the EU's budget up to 2020, to limit the impact on on-going programmes and projects. Among its demands, the CoR calls for "special attention" to fisheries, a deal that addresses the "potentially significant" impact  in particular on the island of Ireland - on the EU's farmers, rural areas and biodiversity, as well as "temporary arrangements so as to minimise disruption to the current long-standing R&D projects, and by extension to local economies".

The statement highlights legacies of collaboration between the EU and the UK that the CoR would like to see preserved. In particular, it states that the CoR "wishes to see a practical solution that recognises the unique context of the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland", noting that "the EU has played a major role in cross-border cooperation, not least between local governments in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for more than 25 years".

President Markkula also added: " The CoR will try to provide the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, with a complete picture of the evolving situation at local and regional level over the coming years, and will step up our contacts with regions most affected ".

Notes to editor

Speech by President of the European Committee of the Regions, Markku Markkula

Speech by Michel Barnier

Photos of the 122nd Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions

Pierluigi Boda

Tel: +32 2 282 2461

Mobile: +32 473 85 17 43

pierluigi.boda@cor.europa.eu
A bulldozer moves coal that will be burned to generate electricity at the American Electric Power coal-fired power plant in Winfield, West Virginia. Luke Sharrett | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The coal renaissance is slowing

Here's what happened with coal plants around the world, year on year, from 2016 to 2017. Pre-construction activity (planning, permitting, etc.) was down a whopping 48 percent. In January 2016, there was 1,090 GW worth of coal capacity in pre-construction planning; as of January 2017, it had fallen to 570 GW. Work in ongoing coal plant construction projects was down 19 percent. In China and India alone, scattered across more than 100 sites, some 68 GW worth of coal plant construction was frozen in place. In fact, across the world, "more construction is now frozen than entered construction in the past year," per the report. Construction starts  new coal plants entering construction  were down by 62 percent. Meanwhile, especially in the US and Europe, coal plants are retiring, to the tune of about 64 GW worth in the past two years. It's all slowing down. (See chart here.)

The Chinese and Indian governments are reining in coal

For reasons Plumer has documented (chief among them horrendous air pollution), the Chinese government has made a concerted decision to slow coal's roll. This has involved a range of new restrictions on coal, to which 2016 added some notable contributions: March 2016: Suspension of new plant approvals in 13 provinces and regions; a halt on construction starts in 15 provinces and regions. Implementation of a "traffic light system" halting new permitting and construction in 26 provinces and regions. Exceptions for projects in poor areas and old revolutionary base areas.

April 2016: Plans to retire outdated coal power plants.

September 2016: Cancellation of 15 specific coal projects.

October 2016: Halting "provincial self-use" plants and scaling down "sending-out" plants connected to coal power bases in several regions. Exceptions for residential district heating and coal base areas.

November 2016: Announcement of China's 13th Five-Year Plan, with a coal power capacity cap of 1,100 GW.

January 2017: Cancellation of planning and construction of 85 specific plants in 13 provinces, and "scale control" limits on the amount that can be exported from particular power base areas. None of these policies are written in stone, and all face implementation challenges, but cumulatively, the restrictions are having an effect. Coal power production peaked in China in 2013 (whether temporarily or permanently remains to be seen). And the number of new coal plants approved in China fell by 85 percent last year. There is good reason to believe that China already has more coal capacity than it needs  capacity factors for coal plants in the country (the amount of time they spend running) dipped below 50 percent in 2015 and continued falling in 2016  so all things being equal, these trends should continue. (With the caveat that all things are never equal in China.) Meanwhile, India is still recovering from its coal bender. Coal capacity tripled between 2007 and 2017, from 71,121 MW to 211,562 MW. Demand hasn't kept up, so capacity factors are low and the economics of coal plants suck. The Indian government's December 2016 draft National Energy Plan says that "no further coal power capacity beyond that currently under construction will be needed until at least 2027." The government wants to install 215 GW of renewable energy by 2025, and renewables are getting cheaper and cheaper, so there's real doubt that more coal will be needed even then. The trajectory is in the right direction.

The coal fight is now shifting to the rest of the developing world

Countries outside of China and India are responsible for just 29 percent of current global coal plant construction, but they account for 54 percent of the pre-construction activity. The center of gravity for coal seems to be shifting to countries like Turkey, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Governments in those countries have committed to large coal expansions, but they face headwinds in the form of local opposition and the falling cost of renewables. Almost alone among OECD countries, Japan is also planning a bit of a coal binge: "the country has only built 1,950 MW of coal in the past five years, [but] 4,256 MW is currently under construction and 17,343 MW is in pre-construction planning." This is in part a response to the shutdown of Japan's nuclear fleet in the wake of the Fukushima accident. Japan has made commitments under the Paris climate treaty, though, so there will be countervailing pressures as well. Coal-wise, it's one of the key stories to watch. There are other countries embracing coal as well  the report gets into detail on the top 10 or so. Here's the full list of the top 30. (See chart here).

There's a sliver of climate hope
Swiss equities, alongside healthcare, tend to do well when the U.S. dollar is strong. Cheap valuations and improvement in European economies also should help Swiss equities continue their recent outperformance. Factors that held back Swiss equities in 2016 are unlikely to repeat themselves in 2017.

One of the reasons Swiss stocks had a bad 2016 was down to troubles in the healthcare industry, which came under fire from both candidates in the run up to the presidential election in the U.S. by far its biggest end-market. Meanwhile Switzerland's financial sector was exposed to ever lower bond yields and continued legal issues and regulations.

While, these factors impacted Swiss equities and created a disconnect between fundamentals and what the market was pricing in 2016, the healthcare and financial sectors are on a stronger footing for the year ahead .

This year, healthcare looks to outperform as political risks surrounding drug pricing fade away in the U.S. and strong fundamentals, such as the very supportive medium-term pipeline, start getting reflected in prices. At the same time, reflation and higher yields in general should also support financials.

We also expect political risks in Europe to recede, lending further support to financials. More broadly, as those risk premiums slowly normalize, we expect Swiss equities to continue to outperform and close the gap between fundamentals and market prices.

In addition, the Swiss equity market exhibits some of the most attractive relative valuations. While global equities are in an expensive territory, Swiss equities are on the neutral side.

The fundamental backdrop also remains supportive. The Swiss franc has weakened in the past couple of weeks against the euro, but, more importantly, the franc also weakened against the U.S. dollar.

A strong greenback has usually been a positive for Swiss equities as it creates a positive translation effect for Swiss companies earning revenues in dollars . We expect the U.S. currency to continue to strengthen against the franc. In the past few years, when the two currencies were was around parity, and US bond yields were around 2.5 percent, that is, when both the numbers were close to the current levels, Swiss equities were consistently10 percent15 percent higher relative to global equities.

While we do not expect Swiss equities to necessarily outperform by such an extent, clearly there are upside risks for the Swiss market.

Burkhard Varnholt is Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Credit Suisse and Gerald Moser is Head of Equity Strategy at International Wealth Management, Credit Suisse



Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.


Yoplait was America's biggest yogurt brand in 2011, when it was purchased by the giant food company General Mills. But the brand has recently suffered a steep decline, as Chobani and the Greek-style yogurts that followed took over the market.

General Mills says its yogurt sales fell 20% in recent months, with sales of light yogurts falling even more as consumers opted for richer, fattier products. Yoplait is now the third largest after Dannon and Chobani.

"We have work to do to reposition our US yogurt portfolio and to faster growing, more premium yogurt segments," General Mills President Jeff Harmening told investors in an earnings call on Tuesday.

More from Buzzfeed:

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Is this an ad? Lin-Manuel Miranda's interview for Morgan Stanley

The company paid almost $1.2 billion to buy a 51% stake in Yoplait back in 2011, but now it's confronting a hard truth: the yogurt game has changed. "We're starting to see consumers looking for more simple, better tasting yogurts that feel more artisanal," said Harmening.

The problem is that regular, old-fashioned yogurt, like Yoplait, has been brutally commoditized. It's ordinary, and many consumers primarily value it for being cheaper than other options.

All the opportunities for growth, and higher prices, is in premium varieties, including Greek yogurt, which is now about one-third of the entire market.

Yoplait removed the aspartame from its light yogurts a few years ago, but the change didn't appeal to some customers.

@Yoplait - But Yoplait Light w/ aspartame tasted better than it does now. Pomegranate flavor w/ the new version is like grape cough syrup

Others take issue with their flavors.

@Yoplait That new Fat Free Black Cherry Greek yogurt was horrible. Did you people even taste it? There was no black cherry taste in it.

And other consumers complain that Yoplait flavors all taste the same.

The company has reformulated Yoplait Greek 100, to give it "more protein, less sugar and significantly improved texture and taste," Harmening said. To capitalize on an "increased consumer interest in snacking," the company launched Yoplait Dippers, Yoplait custard, and a yogurt drink.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has revealed that he didn't seek his current role in the U.S. administration and only accepted the job after being convinced by his wife.

"I didn't want this job. I didn't seek this job," he told the Independent Journal Review in an interview during his recent Asia trip which was published on Wednesday.

"My wife told me I'm supposed to do this," he added.

His words come just hours before diplomats from around the world are due to meet at the State Department for a meeting to discuss how to defeat the so-called Islamic State. In the wide-ranging interview, the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil also explained that he had never met President Donald Trump before the election.
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee rebuked the panel's Republican chairman Wednesday, saying his actions earlier in the day cast doubts on whether the committee can independently investigate alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., held a news conference Wednesday to announce that he had seen intelligence reports showing that U.S. intelligence officials "incidentally collected" information related to Trump transition officials during "normal" foreign surveillance activities unrelated to the investigation into Moscow's role in the election. The Republican congressman then briefed President Donald Trump on the findings, which he said came from an unidentified source. He did not detail whose communications were intercepted and said it "appears to be all legally collected foreign intelligence."

Ranking member Adam Schiff, D-Calif., slammed Nunes' conduct, saying he has still not shared the reports with the committee, making it "impossible" to evaluate the purported communications caught up in surveillance. He argued that Nunes' decision to brief Trump before the intelligence panel makes the case for an independent commission on Russia stronger.

"The chairman will need to decide whether he is the chairman of an independent investigation into conduct, which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House. Because he cannot do both," Schiff told reporters at a separate news conference.

Nunes' announcement came just two days after FBI Director James Comey confirmed that the agency is investigating alleged Russian interference in the election as part of its counterintelligence activities. That probe includes potential ties between Trump officials and Russia.

Comey and the top bipartisan members of the Senate and House intelligence committees have said they see no evidence to back Trump's explosive claim that the Obama administration wiretapped him ahead of the election. Panels in both the House and Senate are investigating Moscow's actions, and the White House asked them to include wiretapping allegations in the broader probe.

Later on Wednesday, when asked on MSNBC's "Meet the Press Daily" if he has seen direct evidence of collusion, Schiff said that there is "evidence that is not circumstantial and is very much worthy of investigation." He declined to go into specifics.

In his press briefing, Schiff contended that Nunes' remarks "throw great doubt" on the House panel's ability to conduct a proper investigation.

"This is deeply troubling along many levels," Schiff said. He stressed that if U.S. citizens' communications were picked up in "incidental" collection, then they were not targets of surveillance themselves.

Schiff later told MSNBC his confidence in Nunes has been "severely shaken" in the wake of Wednesday's events. He said the two will "have a heart-to-heart in the days to come about how we go forward."

Both Schiff and Nunes reiterated they have still seen no evidence to back Trump's tweeted wiretapping accusation. Comey said the same on behalf of himself and the Department of Justice on Monday.

Still, Trump said Wednesday he felt "somewhat" vindicated by Nunes' briefing.

Schiff said, "The wrecking ball of this allegation has just claimed another victim, which is this committee."

Nunes told reporters earlier Wednesday that "additional names" of Trump transition officials were "unmasked," or revealed improperly by the intelligence community, without saying who those people are. Nunes said the unmasking "really bothered" him.

Nunes added that the revealing of names "goes beyond" former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Information released about Flynn's calls with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. contributed to his resignation last month.

Schiff said in a statement Wednesday that "most of the names in the intercepted communications were in fact masked."

 CNBC's Christine Wang contributed to this report.
Shares of TransDigm continued a two-day move lower after U.S. Representative Ro Khanna of California requested a probe into the sales practices of the aircraft parts manufacturer on Tuesday.

TransDigm shares dropped more than 4 percent on Wednesday and had a 5.5 percent loss on Tuesday following Khanna's call for an investigation.

TransDigm did not immediately reply to CNBC's request for comment.

A member of the House Committee on Armed Services, Khanna sent a letter to the Defense Department's acting inspector general urging him to determine if the company is operating as a "hidden monopolist."



In his letter, Khanna said TransDigm may be bypassing rules that protect U.S. taxpayers since the manufacturer conducts business with the Pentagon. He said he wants to make sure the company is not adding unnecessary costs to the U.S. taxpayer and is not contributing to the $54 billion increase in defense spending proposed by the Trump administration.



Khanna told CNBC his goal is a congressional hearing.

The price of TransDigm closed at $237.94 per share on Monday and traded for as low as $213.87 on Wednesday.

Brokerage firm Cowen & Company downgraded the stock on Tuesday to a "hold" rating with a price target of $219.

Shares of TransDigm 6-month performance.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Getty Images

The United States appears to be backing away from a global effort to reduce corruption connected to drilling and mining in typically poor, resource-rich countries, according to groups involved in the process. Such a move would mark the second time this year the Trump administration has taken action to shield U.S. energy companies from efforts to promote transparency. Nonprofit groups involved in implementing the voluntary Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) say the Department of the Interior is pulling back from the global anti-corruption effort  an accusation the agency flatly denies. But Interior appears to have halted its work on the project.

Such a retreat is a retreat from our values, which give America its strength and its moral leadership in the world Sen. Ben Cardin and former Sen. Richard Lugar

Interior officials canceled all of the remaining scheduled meetings with nonprofit and industry groups linked to EITI, saying they cost too much at a time when government agencies are being asked to trim expenses, according to people who were on a call with the department this month. Weekly subcommittee meetings by phone were also canceled. Last month, congressional Republicans repealed a related U.S. rule that would have required drillers and miners listed on U.S. stock exchanges to disclose payments to foreign governments.

'Death knell' for program

The goal of both EITI and the U.S. rule repealed last month is to make it easier for watchdogs to assure that countries' natural resource wealth trickles down to regular people, rather than enriching only a small group of elites  a common dynamic in countries that depend on raw material exports, sometimes called the "resource curse." The Department of the Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue manages efforts by the United States to comply with EITI reporting standards, which began in 2011. To be sure, energy companies remain subject to strict reporting and auditing rules imposed by the U.S. government, but the EITI is largely seen as an effort to lead by example and shape the norms of countries. Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin and former Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, the lawmakers behind the scuttled U.S. rule, said implementing EITI standards at home would have shown that the United States "walk the talk."

watch now

"What will those countries, or countries planning to join, say now at this American retreat away from transparency and accountability? Such a retreat is a retreat from our values, which give America its strength and its moral leadership in the world," they said in a statement Monday. Department of the Interior press secretary Heather Swift told CNBC that Cardin and Lugar had gotten "bad information." "No decision has been made on applying for validation under the EITI standard, and the U.S. is not even scheduled to begin the validation process until April of 2018 (per the EITI International Board schedule published regularly)," the department said in a statement to CNBC. Interior could very well resume its effort to become EITI compliant, but 15 nonprofit groups involved in the implementation said in a statement that the agency's move to halt its work signaled the "death knell" for the U.S. effort. Multiple nonprofit representatives disputed Swift's assertion in comments to CNBC. They said the Office of Natural Resources Revenue made it clear during a March 9 conference call that it was ending its efforts to comply with EITI. Interior officials told the groups U.S. energy companies refused to furnish tax documents required under EITI standards. As such, the EITI Board is likely to reject the companies' reports, the officials said, according to Jana Morgan, U.S. director of Publish What You Pay, a group that promotes transparency and a member of the EITI advisory committee.

Limited participation from US industry

The issue of disclosing tax payments has been a matter of dispute throughout the process, Morgan and others said. While industry groups and companies have publicly supported EITI, "the issue has been they refuse to provide some of the key information to satisfy some of the most basic information, specifically around tax information here in the United States," said Zorka Milin, senior legal advisor at Global Witness, another advisory committee member. Under EITI guidelines, government agencies must consult with industry groups and relevant nonprofits as they implement the standards. By canceling the scheduled meetings, Interior has invalidated the U.S. EITI process, nonprofit groups said. "The Department of the Interior is like ... a college student saying 'I'm not going to attend classes and I'm not going to take exams, but I'm not dropping out,'" said Jay Branegan, a senior fellow at The Lugar Center who was on the call, after seeing Swift's comment to CNBC. Swift told CNBC that Interior is "evaluating how to proceed with additional EITI multistakeholder meetings this year." The Office of Natural Resources Revenue thanked members of the advisory committee for participating in the process and for making the public "more aware of the contributions of the extractive industries to the U.S. economy and jobs," in a letter obtained by CNBC dated March 9, the same day the conference call took place. The letter also provided a summary of the committee's work.
Nunes' announcement came just two days after FBI Director James Comey confirmed that the agency is investigating alleged Russian interference in the election as part of its counterintelligence activities. That probe includes potential ties between Trump officials and Russia.

"I recently confirmed that, on numerous occasions, the intelligence community incidentally collected information about U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition," Nunes told reporters at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "Details about U.S. persons associated with the incoming administration, details with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value, were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting."

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., did not detail whose communications U.S. intelligence officials intercepted, but said it appeared to take place after the election in November, December and January, citing reports he saw. The congressman, a Trump ally, added that he did not know if Trump's own communications were caught up in surveillance, though he said it is possible.

U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition had information "incidentally collected" during "normal" foreign surveillance activities unrelated to the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday.

Nunes did not share the information with Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee's ranking member, before his press conference, NBC News reported. The pair has recently held joint news conferences about the committee's Russia probe.

In a statement late Wednesday afternoon, Schiff said members of the committee only learned about the findings Nunes discussed when he held the press conference. Schiff said he talked to Nunes and "expressed (his) grave concerns with the chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

The information Nunes referenced Wednesday is not related to a criminal investigation and "appears to be all legally collected foreign intelligence," the California Republican said. The intelligence committee chairman said an unidentified intelligence community source gave him the information, but did not go into more detail.

He added that "additional names" of Trump transition officials were "unmasked," or revealed improperly, without saying who those people are. Nunes said the unmasking "really bothered" him.

After briefing Trump at the White House later on Wednesday, Nunes told reporters the revealing of names "goes beyond" former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Information released about Flynn's calls with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. contributed to his resignation last month.

Schiff said in his statement that "most of the names in the intercepted communications were in fact masked."

The congressmen both reiterated that they see no evidence of a physical wiretap at Trump Tower. Nunes said he did not know if any of the information he referenced was collected from inside the New York building.

Trump has stood by his unsubstantiated claim that the Obama administration wiretapped Trump Tower even after the FBI director and bipartisan chairmen and the Senate and House Intelligence communities said they saw no evidence to back the accusation.

Still, Trump told reporters Wednesday he felt "somewhat" vindicated by Nunes' briefing. The White House has aimed to change the interpretation of Trump's tweets since he sent them earlier this month, saying he may have referred to broader surveillance activities.

After he briefed Trump, the congressman said he thought it was appropriate to do so, despite concerns of interference with the Russia investigation. The information did not relate to the probe into Moscow's alleged meddling, he said.

"I'm not drawing any conclusion, I'm just telling the president what exists in intelligence reports," Nunes said outside the White House.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Wednesday he did not worry Nunes' meeting with Trump would create the appearance that the White House is interfering in the investigation.

Nunes said he briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan about the findings and also spoke to the directors of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency.




The first year of every presidency offers the best chance for legislative achievement, with the new chief executive, his party and their agenda at peak political strength.

That history raises questions about how much President Donald Trump will ever be able to get done with Congress. He approaches his first big test this week from a position of unusual weakness.

His top priority  replacing Obamacare with the American Health Care Act  has drawn opposition from both moderates and conservatives within his party. Trump has displayed little interest in the policy itself, casting it as a thankless chore to be done before getting to tax-cut legislation he values more.

As he seeks to pressure rebellious Republicans to abandon their opposition, Trump has the lowest standing in public opinion of any new president in modern history; 43 percent of Americans approve of his job performance, and 51 percent disapprove. according to the current realclearpolitics.com average. FBI Director James Comey told Congress this week he is investigating the possibility that Trump's campaign colluded with Russians who interfered with the 2016 campaign to help elect him.

Republicans hold 237 seats in the House and need 215 of them to support the new health-care bill on Thursday if the floor vote takes place as scheduled. With Trump and GOP leaders alike casting a victory as vital to the party's well-being, it's possible they can muster the party discipline to pass it.

Yet, the House Freedom Caucus maintains that 25 of its members are firmly committed to opposing it. Leading outside pressure groups, such as the Club for Growth and Heritage Action, are also urging "no" votes. It is also possible that GOP leaders will end up pulling the bill from the floor rather than face the possibility of defeat.

Defeat would amplify existing doubts about Trump's subsequent priorities. Republican leaders in Congress have all but declared the budget he unveiled this week to be dead on arrival.

On tax reform, House Speaker Paul Ryan is pushing a comprehensive tax overhaul plan that would cut the top personal rate to 33 percent and the top corporate rate to 20 percent, made possible by a new border adjustment tax that would hit imports while exempting exports. But numerous GOP senators strongly oppose the border adjustment tax, casting doubt on how much rates can be cut.
A lawsuit questions why President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Labor Department, R. Alexander Acosta, did not pursue federal indictment of a billionaire accused of sexually abusing dozens of female minors, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Acosta, who then served as a U.S. attorney in Florida, reached a non-prosecutorial deal with money manager Jeffrey Epstein a decade ago, the newspaper reported. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida state charge of solicitation of underage girls and served 13 months in jail, but critics have said he could have faced a tougher sentence federally, according to the Post.

Increased scrutiny has surrounded Acosta's handling of the case in advance of his Senate confirmation hearing, which began Wednesday.

In a 2011 letter, Acosta explained his decision: "The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, served time in jail and is now a registered sex offender. He has been required to pay his victims restitution, though restitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime."

Trump, who called Epstein a "terrific guy" in 2002, is also on the witness list in the pending lawsuit, according to the Post.

CNBC has contacted the White House and Acosta's email at Florida International University College of Law for comment on this story.

Read the full Washington Post story here.
A protester holds a sign and the American Flag as demonstrators gather to protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees and immigrants from seven primarily Muslim countries during a rally in Philadelphia, February 4, 2017. Tom Mihalek | Reuters

As President Donald Trump attempts to appeal a series of federal court orders blocking his revised travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, there are several other travel bans currently being enforced around the world; one which was passed as recently as March 2017. Furthermore, if the new administration's ban does go ahead, it wouldn't be the first time America closed its doors to foreign visitors.

Current travel bans

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the countries listed below currently impose the following travel restrictions: Middle East/Africa Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Sudan  which make up five of the six countries included in Trump's revised ban - all block the entry of Israeli passport holders into their countries. A policy upheld by 16 countries in total, all but one of which are Arab League nations, who don't officially recognize the state of Israel and actively choose to boycott it. Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Sudan are also among eight countries who impose even stricter restrictions on the state of Israel, and won't accept passports which contain Israeli visas or stamps.

watch now

Libya In 2015, Libya's "official" government also decided to ban entry to Yemenis, Pakistanis, Syrians, Palestinians, Iranians, Sudanese and Bangladeshis. The country's then top army commander Khalifa Haftar cited a need for greater "security and stability" in Libya as the reason behind the policy. Due to Libya's fractured political state and ongoing civil war though, there is no single authority in full control, and border policies are inconsistent. Israel

On March 6, 2017, just hours after Donald Trump announced the outline of his revised executive order on immigration, Israeli lawmakers passed a travel ban of their own. Israel's policy doesn't target any particular ethnic group, but rather the law states that any foreign national "who has knowingly issued a public call to boycott the state of Israel or pledge to take part in such a boycott", will not be permitted entry. The law is seen as targeting pro-Palestinian protesters or activists who have in the past held demonstrations inside Israel, and it also affects anyone who publicly disapproves of or undermines Israeli settlements.

watch now

Travel bans in US history

Banning the immigration or entry of certain ethnic, religious, or political groups into the U.S. on the grounds of "national security" is not a historically new concept, and since the late 19th-century there has been several instances where the American government has successfully done so. Immigration only became a matter of federal regulation after the end of the American civil war in 1865. Prior to that, the flow of people was largely controlled on a state-by-state basis, due to slavery and the Confederate States wanting control over their human chattel. China The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first U.S. federal law which blocked the mass migration of a particular ethnic group. The law was passed to curb the flow of Chinese laborers into America due to fears that they were taking too many jobs, and was then modified to prohibit Chinese citizens who had left America from returning. The act wasn't repealed until 1943 when China officially became a U.S. ally in World War II, and even then Chinese migrants were subjected to a competitive quota system in order to enter the country.

watch now
The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, which Yusuf Sarimsakci helped oversee. Getty Images

Donald Trump Jr. (L) and Eric Trump, sons of U.S. President Donald Trump. Getty Images

In January, then President-elect Trump and his lawyers announced his ethics plan, which included putting his business in a trust managed by his two eldest sons and an executive, while also appointing an outside ethics adviser and a chief compliance counsel to review potential deals. The potential partnership with Mr. Sarimsakci's firm has not yet cleared those ethical hurdles, and lawyers scrutinizing the deal have privately raised concerns about some of the foreign connections, including Yusuf's ties to Russia, according to a person briefed on the matter but who was not authorized to speak publicly about Trump Organization business. It is possible that the deal will proceed only if Mr. Sarimsakci agrees to restrictions on his partners and the funding of the deal. The vetting process is iterative, allowing the Trump Organization to restructure deals if the ethics officer raises concerns. In an interview, Eric Danziger, the chief executive officer of the Trump Organization's hotel operation, said that the company had signed letters of intent with Mr. Sarimsakci and about 30 other partners across the country, but that there were no final contracts or guarantees. Of all those partners, Mr. Sarimsakci is the only one who has been publicly confirmed, as he has trumpeted the potential deal in the local news media. "That particular owner got out ahead of his skis for whatever reason," said Mr. Danziger, who said that there were four potential Scion deals in the Dallas area, calling it "a perfect market for us." He said that a potential Alterra partnership was still on the table and that foreign ties would not automatically disqualify it. In drafting his presidential ethics policy, Mr. Trump gave extra consideration to international dealings, given the emoluments clause of the Constitution banning federal employees from accepting gifts from foreign leaders or governments. He pledged that profits made from foreign governments at existing Trump hotels would be donated to the United States Treasury. Projects in the United States, even those funded with foreign money, arguably pose less of a reputational and ethical threat to the company and the president because they would be subject to local laws and regulations. Even so, once foreign money is involved, it can be difficult to trace its origins. Mike Sarimsakci has been quoted in the Dallas Business Journal saying that the deal would be financed by his family and business associates in Turkey and Kazakhstan. In recent statements to The Dallas Morning News, which has chronicled Mr. Sarimsakci's legal and business difficulties in the United States, he backed away from those claims and said the money would come only from him and two American partners. He declined to elaborate to The Times. Over the past month, Mr. Sarimsakci deferred numerous interview requests from The Times, canceled a dinner meeting and directed reporters to the Trump Organization. When presented with a publication deadline, he provided email responses to only some questions. In his answers to The Times, Mr. Sarimsakci said that his brother  whom he has repeatedly identified as his business partner  was not a partner in the Scion project and that he had not been working because he was ill. He also said that Yusuf was "not a director or a shareholder at Alterra Worldwide," referring reporters to his firm's website. However, that website  which identifies the Dallas Scion development as a continuing project  listed his brother among its partners and as a shareholder and board member. After The Times pressed Mr. Sarimsakci to explain the discrepancy, Yusuf and other partners with foreign ties were removed from the Alterra Worldwide website. The firm also removed mention of its real estate deals in Kazakhstan. Yusuf did not respond to messages seeking comment.

From Euro Disney to Panama Papers

Born and raised in Turkey, Mike and Yusuf Sarimsakci both attended college in the United States, studying civil engineering as undergraduates at Colorado State and earning master's degrees from Stanford. Mike Sarimsakci joined the construction firm Bechtel, where he worked on projects like Euro Disney and a theme park in Dubai in the 1990s, before helping to operate a chain of Black Sea Gallery furniture stores in California with his wife's family. Ultimately, the furniture stores fell on hard times as some customers complained that orders went undelivered for months. Some customers sued. And by 2008, court records show, the company had closed. In an email, Mr. Sarimsakci played down his role in Black Sea Gallery, which he said had "45,000 satisfied clients with over 200,000 deliveries." "All the sold goods were delivered," he said, and "no bankruptcy was declared, as it was an orderly shutdown." Yet Mr. Sarimsakci left a trail of creditors, records show. There was a 2008 lawsuit for about $351,000 that The San Francisco Chronicle said he owed for unpaid advertising costs, which was settled, and tens of thousands of dollars in debt owed to Citibank and Capital One. (He says he does not currently owe them money.) While Yusuf invested in the furniture business from afar, he established himself in Moscow, first as an executive with Mosenka, a joint real estate venture founded by the Moscow municipal government and Enka Holding, a Turkish company. He later became managing director of Capital Partners, where he helped manage projects like Metropolis Center and the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow. The Ritz-Carlton, completed in 2007, was a signature project. Built near the Red Square, it was hailed as uniquely luxurious for Russia. "This is one of the best hotel brands in the world, and in Moscow there is nothing of its caliber yet," Yusuf told eHotelier.com in 2004. But behind some of the glitzy projects, including the Metropolis and Ritz-Carlton developments, was a maze of companies based in Panama and the British Virgin Islands  areas known for corporate secrecy  The Times found. Yusuf's name appeared on paperwork for several of these companies, and he appeared largely to cut ties with them in 2009, according to documents that were part of the Panama Papers. The documents were obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with The Times through a collaboration organized by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Two of the shell companies used the law firm Mossack Fonseca, whose records were leaked in the Panama Papers, to arrange for Panamanian citizens to act as directors and sign corporate paperwork, including one person who reportedly served on the board of thousands of companies. (They were referred to in internal documents as "the Panamanian directors.") And some of these companies had no assigned business purpose despite regularly changing ownership. "This carousel of stock ownership is potentially beneficial if you are trying to conceal ownership at any particular time," explained John Moscow, a white-collar defense lawyer who was a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office for about 30 years and specialized in overseas financial crime. Mr. Moscow, who reviewed the documents for The Times, said there was no indication that Yusuf or his associates were involved in any improper conduct, but added, "You have a whole bunch of documents that don't say what these companies do." "The use of these entities can be legitimate, or it can be mischievous," he said, "but you don't know and there's no one who is accountable."

'Turkish Trump' comes to Dallas
In the latest sign of escalated aggression, North Korea attempted to conduct another missile launch today. But it failed almost immediately, U.S. and South Korea officials said. (Reuters)



Recent measures by the U.S. and the U.K. to restrict electronic devices on flights from certain overseas airports were led by new threats from ISIS, according to a report from ABC News.



Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago, according to documents seen by the Associated Press.



President Trump plans to travel to Brussels in May for a NATO meeting. Separately, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is trying to get next month rescheduled, so he can attend a Florida meeting with China's president. (AP)



Tillerson, the former Exxon (XOM) chief, has revealed he did not seek his current role in the Trump administration and only accepted the secretary of state job after being convinced by his wife. (CNBC)



CKE Restaurants, the company behind Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains, has named a new CEO to replace the retiring Andy Puzder, who last month withdrew his nomination to be Trump's Labor Secretary. (USA Today)



The FDA said breast implants can cause a rare form of cancer that may have killed at least nine people. The agency is checking into more than 350 reports linking anaplastic large cell lymphoma with both silicone and saline implants. (NBC News)



PepsiCo (PEP) is pulling 2-liter bottles and 12-packs from Philadelphia grocery stores over the city's new tax on sweetened drinks. The company said wants to offer package sizes working families can better afford. (AP)



Sears Holdings (SHLD) is issuing a warning about its ability to stay afloat. The troubled retailer said "substantial doubts exist" about its future after losing money year-after-year and seeing sales decline. (CNBC)



Uber plans to keep co-founder Travis Kalanick as CEO despite a series of damaging developments, said Arianna Huffington, one of seven voting Uber board members. But she said Kalanick needs to change his management style. (Reuters)



Airbnb is trying to do something Uber couldn't: win China. The home-sharing service changed its China brand to Aibiying and plans to offer its Trips platform in Shanghai. (CNBC)



Amazon's (AMZN) Jeff Bezos made $27.6 billion last year, bumping him up to No. 3 on the annual Forbes Billionaires List. Warren Buffett reclaimed the second spot. Bill Gates remained at the top. (USA Today)



Trump has become $1 billion poorer compared to last year, according to Forbes, now estimating his net worth at $3.5 billion. That dropped him 220 spots on the Forbes Billionaires list to 544th. (Washington Post)


AUBURN, N.Y.  Chemung Canal Trust Company plans to relocate its branch office in downtown Auburn to the building next door.

The branch will relocate from 120 Genesee St. to 110 Genesee St., a move about 50 yards east from its current location, Chemung Canal Trust said in a news release.

The move is expected to happen later this spring or early summer, the banking company said.

The new, 2,800-square-foot branch office is roughly one third the size of the current location.

Chemung Canal Trust plans no reduction in staff levels and no anticipated changes in office hours, once the move is complete.

We love being downtown but our current location is a giant space, far exceeding the amount of square footage needed to efficiently and effectively provide services to our customers, Anders Tomson, president & CEO of Chemung Canal Trust Company, said in the release. When the opportunity became available to move next door we jumped at it. Its like the best of both worlds.

Chemung Canal entered the Auburn market in November 2013, when it purchased the Genesee Street and Grant Avenue branches from Charlotte, North Carolinabased Bank of America (NYSE: BAC).

Chemung Canal Trust also purchased four other Bank of America branches in Seneca Falls, Cortland, and Ithaca.

Chemung Canal Trust is the main subsidiary of Elmirabased Chemung Financial Corporation, a $1.7 billion financial-services holding company.

Chemung Financial operates 33 branches of Chemung Canal Trust Company.

Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust Company is the oldest locally-owned and managed community bank in New York, per the release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
ROME, N.Y.  Rome Memorial Hospital (RMH) hosts its semi-annual Spring Fling, a nurse reception job fair on Thursday evening.

The event is scheduled between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Lake Inn at 8524 Fish Hatchery Road in Rome, RMH said in a news release issued last Friday.

All graduating nurses and experienced registered nurses (RNs) can learn about RN opportunities available throughout RMHs acute care, skilled nursing, and professional clinics.

The hospital asks those attending to bring their resume as RMH will conduct onsite interviews.

Candidates will be able to fill out an application and interact with the clinical-care teams from all levels.

The event will also include appetizers and refreshments, RMH said.

Rome Memorial Hospital employs over 1,000 people on a full and part-time basis with a total of $49.4 million in annual salary and benefit costs, the hospital said in its news release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
U.S.-England among World Cup matches to screen at The Blue Note

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, The Blue Note will be an oversize sports bar.
The holidays are creeping up on us
The U.S. Air Force's top-secret autonomous space plane, the X-37B, is days away from breaking its own longevity record. The aircraft, which looks like a mini Space Shuttle, will on March 25 begin its record-setting 675th day in orbit, but we still don't know much about what it's doing up there.

The X-37B looks a little like the Space Shuttle, but it's much smaller. It began life as a NASA project but was transferred to the Air Force in 2004 as part of the U.S. military's little-known space program. That's when it moved into the shadows.

The program is owned by the U.S. Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, which is charged with expediting development and deployment of select Defense Dept. combat support and weapon systems. The office helps take strategic technology and accelerate its development, and the X-37B appears to be playing a part in that.

The current flight, the fourth in the X-37B program and the second flight for this particular aircraft, began on May 20, 2015, when the plane was launched on an Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral.

Boeing Recovery crew members process the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle shortly after it landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base on October 17, 2014. The autonomous plane had just completed a mission totaling 674 days in space.

At the time, the Air Force said the mission would help test new propulsion thrusters that it wants to use on communications satellites. NASA said it also had a experiment on the aircraft that would test various metals in the space environment.

The craft's cargo bay, which is about the size of a pick-up truck bed, is probably crammed with other experiments too, but the Air Force isn't saying much about those.

A clue about the mission can be gleaned form its orbit. While the U.S. government doesn't include the X-37B in its comprehensive list of satellite orbits, several amateurs have spotted it and published details of its path through the skies.

That means it can be regularly observed and, with the right gear, even recorded. In this YouTube video from January 2017, the X-37B can be seen as a small spot traversing from the lower right to the mid left of the image.

The orbit is similar to those of military surveillance satellites, leading some to believe it's acting as a testbed for new surveillance imaging technology.

Using the X-37B would allow the military to test out technologies and perfect them before building entire satellites around them. It also means new technology can be sent into space quickly, potentially giving the Air Force new capabilities years before it would otherwise have them.

In February, the X-37B made a slight change to its orbit, prompting speculation that it was maneuvering in preparation for a landing. That hasn't happened yet, but when it does, it could happen at Kennedy Space Center. The craft has landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California until now, but NASA has said future landings will happen in Florida.
Ben Roback is a Senior Account Executive at Cicero Group and a member of the US Embassys Young Leaders UK programme.

It was the latest iteration of Donald Trumps war on Washington. The chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees concluded yesterday that there was no evidence that Donald Trumps phones were bugged during the 2016 campaign, after five hours of testimony from the heads of the FBI and NSA. Director James Comey dealt a second blow in confirming publicly that the FBI was investigating possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and associates with Russia. The alleged involvement of our own GCHQ intelligence proves the fragility of international allegiances in this presidency.

The allegations were made by Trump on 4th March, when the President appeared under fire and in need of shifting the narrative. Since then, the mechanisms of Washington have kicked into gear. The committee hearings to investigate the claims have called on high-profile witnesses, whose conclusions are drawn from a solid evidence base. It is Washington at its most serious and the very antithesis of the Twitter presidency, signed @realdonaldtrump.

The President was wrong  so what?

Political legacies are often formed by accident. Michael Gove probably did not expect to symbolise a movement when he said People in this country have had enough of experts. Nor did Kellyanne Conway mean to define the loose attitude of this White House to sound reasoning when she said President Trump had presented alternative facts that ran contrary to accepted wisdom.

Epitomised by the wiretapping allegations, this is an alternative facts presidency in which loyal White House aides are sent out to blindly defend what on the face of it seems indefensible. On that basis, the rulings across two bipartisan committees that scorched the wiretapping allegations matter very little. Their conclusions could even be obsolete. For the very suggestion that this even took place from the Presidents Twitter account (with 179,000 cumulative re-tweets) and Trumps rejection of the ruling as FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it has a profound effect. It chips further away at established political institutions in Washington and trust in the functions of democracy most likely to poke holes in the presidents administration. In the most extreme circumstance, if the President is to be proven correct, the FBI Director will have had to lie on live television and in front of a congressional committee. Faithful supporters will believe just that.

Chances for the White House to pivot

As with any new presidency, the advantage of a sticky situation is the opportunity to do something fresh to shift attention. This week alone, a legislative focus on healthcare, the rumoured publication of up to five executive orders on trade, and Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch are major chances for the White House to move the conversation away from wiretapping.

Back on more comfortable campaign ground, the President set about reversing a damaging few days on the Hill with a rousing rally in Kentucky. It served as yet another reminder of Trumps popularity amongst the party base, putting 600 miles of physical distance between himself and the Washington committees that told the nation he was wrong. But amongst the wider population, the President is fighting an uphill battle for American support, as his job approval rating sank to 37 per cent in a Gallup poll released on Monday.

Following a familiar pattern, the wiretapping allegation is another example of the Presidents Twitter fingers moving the political focus away from more serious issues that ought to be gripping Washington, starting with healthcare.

Congressional Republicans are in the process of horse-trading as a vote is brought to the House on the American Health Care Act. To its credit, in a marked shift from the Obama administration this White House appears more willing to alter policy having consulted its members on the Hill. A workable healthcare Bill designed by rank and file Republicans and owned reputationally by President Trump could appease enough dissidents to pass through both chambers. But with endless distractions casually tweeted first thing in the morning by the President, the political focus is elsewhere.

The White Houses stubbornness following the testimonies on Capitol Hill this week proves President Trump doesnt care about the clear and evident fact that he was wrong on wiretapping. But failing to deliver Trumpcare will have a material impact on his presidency. As well as providing Americans with workable healthcare plans, that is something he should care deeply about.
It seems only a few moments ago that I was sitting on the Commons terrace  only a couple of stones throws away from Westminster Bridge, where todays terror attack seems to have begun  having a quiet drink and catch up with Tobias Ellwood. He is a former colleague, though our paths seldom crossed when we were there together. He entered Parliament five years later than me, in 2005.

He was  as is often the case for MPs  between votes, with half an ear out for the ringing of a division bell, but with all his energy and enthusiasm concentrated on what he was telling me. He was then the Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for the Middle East, and gave me a fascinating account of what a relatively junior minister can try to do to help nudge Israelis and Palestinians just a little nearer a settlement: uphill work, to say the least.

Over a year later, with the Prime Minister who first appointed him gone (David Cameron) and another now in place (Theresa May), Ellwood is still there. Today, he is reported to have tried to give a dying policemen mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and to stem blood loss by applying pressure to the wounds. Photographs show him with blood on his face amidst a crowd of parademics.

Ellwood will inevitably now be described as a hero, and the praise is deserved, but he will doubtless shrug it off, and insist that he was only doing his duty. One of the Conservative Parliamentary Partys sizeable band of former army officers, he served with the Royal Green Jackets, where he will presumably have learnt the first aid training that he applied this afternoon.

There is a tragic family connection with terrorism. His brother, Jonathan, was murdered in the Bali bombing in 2002. There is a memorial to the victims in St Jamess Park, near the foot of the Foreign Office where Ellwood works, with which he will be deeply familiar. Today, he did what his character and training led him to do. Tomorrow, he will dust himself down, and carry on. He will continue to serve as a Minister for a good while yet.
Scottish Parliament debates demand for second independence referendum

In what the Herald describes as a bruising debate, MSPs spent yesterday arguing about the Scottish Governments intention to request authority from Westminster to hold a second referendum on independence.

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, insists that she has a mandate to demand another go  although Ruth Davidson, the Conservative leader of the opposition, gave this short shrift.

Unionist MSPs have saved particular criticism for the six Green MSPs, who are separatists (or thereabouts) but whose own manifesto contained a much more stringent precondition for supporting another referendum even than the SNPs.

With no rise in public support either for independence or even holding a referendum, its very difficult to see how Patrick Harvie can reconcile support for the SNP with his partys pledge to wait until a referendum was the clear will of Scots.

Meanwhile Kezia Dugdale, Labours leader in Scotland, has reported that Jeremy Corbyn supports Theresa Mays position that no new referendum should be held until after Brexit, according to the Herald.

She also claims that he supports the creation of a federal UK. This will be very welcome news both to Gordon Brown, who has been pushing his confederal vision (again) this week, and to her Welsh counterpart

Jones announces Labour grand council to save the Union

The First Minister of Wales intends to bring together senior Labour figures from across the country in a bid to ensure the United Kingdom does not fall apart after Brexit, Wales Online reports.

Carwyn Jones, an archetypical devolved politician of the more powers! mould, looks to be trying to push his plan to turn the UK into a mini-EU.

Outlining his federal model, he suggests that joint British decision-making should be avoided even where one British set of rules is ideal. Instead, a council of ministers should meet to agree a common policy across different devolved regimes.

The First Minister has also called for Wales to get a dividend for supporting the continued existence of the UK  on top of the great economic benefits it reaps from the UKs existence now, presumably  and threatens that the Welsh may decide to resort to Scottish tactics should such spoils not be forthcoming.

Such positioning is of a piece with Jones typical more powers! approach: during the EU referendum he implausibly claimed that Brexit might lead to Welsh independence.

Another Labour AM goes even further. Jeremy Miles wants a separate Welsh Labour Party, which would include a separate whip for Labours Welsh MPs.

Last but not least Martin Shipton, Wales Onlines small-n nationalist chief reporter, has hit upon the nefarious scheme hidden behind Theresa Mays Brexit rhetoric about a global Britain.

A global role was what colonists from Britain were seeking to fulfil as they conquered much of the world and exploited other countries resources, he notes.

Government rebuffs Irish leader over Northern Ireland

The Government appears to have gently rebuffed Enda Kenny, the Irish prime minister, over claims that hes struck a deal with Theresa May over the current crisis in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in the United States, Kenny indicated that he had agreed with the Prime Minister that there would be no return to direct rule in Ulster. However, when asked to respond the Government refused to substantiate this, instead insisting that maintaining political stability in the province was a British responsibility.

Kenny, who heads an embattled minority administration comprising his own Fine Gael party and a number of independent legislators, has said that he doesnt want to step aside as prime minister until the current crisis in Ulster is resolved.

SNP accused of ignoring evidence to abolish British Transport Police

The Scottish Government has been accused of putting the interests of rail passengers below nationalistic jingoism in their drive to merge the Scottish operations of the British Transport Police into their Scotland-wide superforce, Police Scotland.

According to the Scotsman Nigel Goodband, chairman of the British Transport Police Federation, accused the SNP of being motivated by nothing more than a desire to play with their own train set.

He has also reportedly written both to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, urging that rail policing be considered a national security issue and thus remain under Westminsters aegis.

Meanwhile railway companies have expressed concern at reports that up to 40 per cent of the BTPs 260 Scottish officers may depart the force rather than merge with Police Scotland.
If Generation Snowflake were a joke, it might be quite funny. The term is a new one, coined to describe students who find various terms so offensive they insist these be banned from their halls of learning.

As a parody of the older generation, already quite sensitive enough about expressions which used to be in general use, this could work fine.

The problem is the self-righteous earnestness with which some students, and others seeking to conform or pander to their outlook, consider themselves entitled to curtail freedom of speech.

The Times reported yesterday that the government intends to take action:

Jo Johnson, minister for higher education, has written to universities saying that they will be compelled to include a clear commitment to freedom of speech in their governance documents to counter the culture of censorship and so-called safe spaces.

Every so often, a celebrated case arises. In the United States, students at Yale reacted with hysterical fury in November 2015, after a lecturer had the temerity to challenge the universitys Intercultural Affairs Council, which advised them to avoid wearing Halloween costumes which might offend minorities.

In vain, the lecturer told them, If you dont like a costume someone is wearing, look away, or tell them you are offended.

On this side of the Atlantic, Germaine Greer attracted similarly hysterical condemnation after she claimed in October 2015 that transgender women cant be women: Just because you lop off your penis and then wear a dress doesnt make you a ******* woman.

Less celebrated instances of the same phenomenon occur at frequent intervals. A few days ago, Cardiff Metropolitan University advised staff and students to avoid using gendered terms such as sportsmanship, mankind, gentlemans agreement, the best man for the job and forefathers.

A student from Berlin who is currently studying in London told ConHome: In Germany, you have to be aware, as a university teacher, that if you use words in a certain way people might get offended. If you say Der Student [the masculine form of the word student] you have to make clear you dont hate women.

Spiked has just claimed, in its perhaps rather harshly judged Free Speech University Rankings, that only six per cent of UK universities are truly free, open places.

It is very difficult to know how seriously to take this kind of thing. But Claire Fox, director of the Institute of Ideas, reports in her book about Generation Snowflake, I Find That Offensive!, that the student audiences she has addressed do indeed feel deeply distressed when exposed to opinions, whether about Islam or rape, which are contrary to their own.

And as Fox goes on, this emotional suffering is combined with an almost belligerent sense of entitlement that their feelings should take precedence.

She suggests we have coddled our children to such an extent that they can no longer tolerate views other than their own, and will certainly not accept the robust traditional teaching that sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you.

It is undoubtedly true that education exposes children to fewer hardships than used to be the case. Spartan conditions  cold baths, floggings, disgusting food  were thought to have the merit of toughening a child up, and inducing a certain imperviousness to whatever discomforts the future might hold.

Alec Douglas-Home, Prime Minister from 1963-64, went to Eton towards the end of the First World War, and recalled in old age:

It was a fairly austere life, with rationing and all that sort of thingthe food was disgusting. There was something called Miss Martens pudding which I remember to this day. It consisted of cold suet and bacon fat. Can you imagine anything worse? You couldnt get it down at all, it was awful.

So amid privilege, there was deprivation. When he left, his housemaster wrote: I have never heard him grumble or criticise harshly anybody or anything since he came here.

That was part of the point: you learned (as Douglas-Home would also have done at home) not to bellyache.

Not everyone was receptive to this lesson. The future Prime Ministers gifted contemporary, Cyril Connolly, used, according to Barbara Skelton, who was married to him for five years, to lie in the bath saying Poor Cyril.

But the likelihood of producing a Generation Snowflake was at least much reduced. The ruling class sought to ward off decadence by following the ancient custom, found in most walks of life, of subjecting its offspring to initiation through hardship.

A difficulty occurs when that code, with its corresponding imperviousness (or pretended imperviousness) to mere verbal taunts, clashes with latter-day sensitivity to the hurtful things people say.

So Boris Johnson, who is not only an Etonian but was reared in a household where it was not the done thing to complain about mere discomfort, recently attracted a certain amount of adverse comment by remarking of the French President:

If Monsieur Hollande wants to administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in the manner of some sort of World War Two movie, I dont think that is the way forward and I think actually its not in the interests of our friends and our partners.

There was much protest that this was a tasteless remark. The press, which can be just as touchy as Generation Snowflake, was more than willing to entertain the idea that the Foreign Secretary had gone too far, and indeed proceeded on the assumption that in the interests of international harmony, narrow bounds should be set to his freedom of speech. But Michael Gove leapt to Johnsons defence by tweeting:

People offended by The Foreign Secretarys comments today are humourless, deliberately obtuse, snowflakes  its a witty metaphor #getalife.

It is true that much of the outrage directed against Johnson and others on this kind of occasion is entirely bogus. People express, often on behalf of some group to which they do not themselves belong, the outrage which they think they ought to feel, rather than the amusement, indifference or mild disapproval which they actually feel.

A teacher in a comprehensive school told ConHome that he did not think his pupils had become more intolerant over the last 30 years. All that has changed is the nature of the taboo subjects on which they considered themselves entitled to brook no disagreement.

And that is not a point which should be made only about students, or only about the present day. In 1840, when John Stuart Mill reviewed M. de Tocqueville on Democracy in America, he wrote:

The tyranny which we fear, and which M. de Tocqueville principally dreads, is of another kind  a tyranny not over the body but over the mind. It is the complaint of M. de Tocqueville, as well as of other travellers in America, that in no country does there exist less independence of thought. In religion, indeed, the varieties of opinion which fortunately prevailed among those by whom the colonies were settled, has produced a toleration in law and in fact extending to the limits of Christianity On every other subject, when the opinion of the majority is made up, hardly anyone, it is affirmed, dares to be of any other opinion, or at least to profess it.

But as a description of the present state of affairs in America, this will not do. The country is divided, and the election of Donald Trump as president can be seen as, among many other things, a tremendous rebuke to all the stuff about safe spaces and sparing the feelings of the young which is sometimes found on American campuses. Generation Snowflake cannot be said to be having things all its own way.

I cannot resist quoting a further passage by Mill, who was writing eight years after the passing of the Great Reform Bill, which saw the abolition of rotten or pocket boroughs, which were generally in the hands of wealthy noblemen who put in their own sometimes very gifted nominees; and the extension of parliamentary representation to many towns which had previously elected no MPs:

The House of Lords is the richest and most powerful collection of persons in Europe, yet they not only could not prevent, but were themselves compelled to pass, the Reform Bill. The daily actions of every peer and peeress are falling more and more under the yoke of bourgeois opinion, they feel every day a stronger necessity of showing an immaculate front to the world. When they do venture to disregard common opinion, it is in a body, and when supported by one another; whereas formerly every nobleman acted on his own notions, and dared be as eccentric as he pleased. No rank in society is now exempt from the fear of being peculiar, the unwillingness to be, or to be thought, in any respect original. Hardly any thing now depends upon individuals, but all upon classes, and among classes mainly upon the middle class.

That has worn pretty well. What peer now dares to be eccentric? Freedom of speech exists mainly because of disagreements within the middle class, especially that portion of it which read PPE at Oxford; and is still greatly inhibited by the fear of being peculiar.

In order not to be thought odd, or indeed mad, bad and dangerous to know, we conform to the standards of those around us. Racial epithets which used to be considered harmless are now regarded as utterly intolerable, while various swear words which used to be regarded as utterly intolerable are now considered harmless. Which of us does not pay at least some obeisance to these changing notions of blasphemy?

I happened, the other day, to find in a second-hand bookshop the first collection of Dear Bill: The collected letters of Denis Thatcher, written by Richard Ingrams and John Wells, and published in 1980. They remain wonderfully funny, but some of the reactionary epithets put less than 40 years ago into Deniss mouth would not now be printed even in Private Eye.

If Generation Snowflake has attempted, with touching naivety, to systematise these stern injunctions about what can and cannot be said, and to treat the fashions of the hour as eternal truths, it is only parroting the morality preached to it by its stern, self-righteous elders.
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is expected to lose as much as 20 percent of its annual allocation as the Donald Trump administration tries to consolidate federal spending. The budget proposal is entitled "America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again".

The NIH intends to fight back and is preparing with the scientific committee, a demonstration they dubbed "March for Science" slated to happen this April in Washington, DC. The Maryland-based federal agency is America's primary driver of scientific research. A large chunk of its budget is distributed to research institutions, schools, and grants to scientific investigators that are at the forefront of scientific research here and abroad.

The budget blueprint intends to remove the duplicate programs in the NIH and those that have limited impact to society and public health, the Los Angeles Times reports. The "America First" policy also cuts into the collaboration between foreign agencies and the US research funded by the NIH.

The NIH contends that cutting its funding is detrimental not only to the scientific community, but also to the economy. The cut is described by the American Association for the Advancement of Science as crippling for science and technology enterprise, The Washington Post reported. The health industry depends largely on the innovations made by biomedical research. The slash would mean that clinical trials for drugs may be stopped and in turn halt or stall production of pharmaceutical companies.

Other fields such as earth science and energy research are also in danger of closing down their own studies if funding is stopped. The Advanced Energy Research Projects Agency-Energy that research innovations on metals, batteries and matters related to electricity is being eyed to shut down completely in the budget blueprint.

The scientists and researchers are scoring the Trump administration's lack of initiative to support science. They have pointed at examples of other countries like China and India that are vigorously putting money into research and development. If the move to cut the NIH's budget will prosper, the US is going to be in danger of losing its place in leadership in science and technology.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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This ideal morphed again in the late 1910s, when the "Saxon" was dropped because it was no longer cool to be associated with Germany for some reason we can't quite put our finger on. Finally, in the 1940s, anthropologists declared that there were only three races: White, Black, and Asian ... or, since that's not nearly offensive enough to have been conceived in the '40s, "one Negroid race, one Mongoloid race, one Caucasoid race." Suddenly, all of the bitter hatred of the Irish, Italians, etc was set aside long enough to establish one race of somewhat similar-looking people who could be smugly set apart from the others.

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In other words, "White" became a label that truly meant "not one of those filthy minorities." So yes, the enthusiastic embrace of the label is something of a sore spot for many people.

AntonioGuillem/iStock

Despite what you're about to read in the comment section.

Nathan Kamal lives in Oregon and writes. He co-founded Asymmetry Fiction for all your fiction needs. Jordan Breeding is a part-time writer, full-time lover, and all-the-time guitarist. Check out his band at skywardband.com or on Spotify here.

For more innovations you probably are wrong about, check out 5 Simple Things You Won't Believe Are Recent Inventions and 11 Modern Technologies That Are Way Older Than You Think.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out The Invention Of The Most Underrated Modern Technology, and other videos you won't see on the site!

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Channel programs News

Partners Praise Dell EMC Channel Hiring Blitz As 'A Great Thing For Us'

Matt Brown

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Dell EMC is looking to fill nearly 400 channel-related positions, and partners are hopeful the hiring blitz is a sign that Channel Chief John Byrne will elevate Dell EMC's program as one of the industry's best.

Nearly 170 of the positions are based in North America, and cover everything from channel marketing, to inside and outside account executives and managers, to sales engineers, product marketers and sales managers, according to the Dell EMC jobs website. The vast majority of the jobs have been posted since the beginning of the year.



The channel hiring effort comes as a surprise to some partners who assumed Dell's $58 billion acquisition last September would result in job cuts. Partners say the channel-related hiring activity also provides hope that Byrne will bring some "desperately needed" stability and expertise to the Dell EMC program.



[Related: Cisco, Dell EMC, HPE Locked In Cloud Infrastructure Dogfight]



"It'll help partners a lot, and it's desperately needed," said a top executive at a data center solution provider and former member of the Dell partner advisory board. "They have strong power at the top, and [Chairman and CEO] Michael [Dell] has said he's going to work with the channel. If John Byrne has Michael Dell's ear, he can hire high-quality people who know the channel. You can't put account executives in there with no understanding of how the channel works."



Partners told CRN that like many major vendors, Dell's channel operation had suffered high turnover, which has made it difficult for partners to predict pricing, rebates, and marketing budgets consistently. Since Dell established its channel program in 2007, partners have complained that conflict between solution providers and Dell's direct sales reps has been far too common.



Having a more robust channel team would go a long way toward cutting down on that conflict, the solution provider executive said. "We have a customer we took from 12 employees to 1,200 employees, and the next thing you know, Dell's in there taking it direct," he said. "Dell EMC has scale; it has vast services and solutions, it has marketing, it has a brand. They need to take these good things and take the time to learn partners and understand that partners are good at selling services and selling solution development."



So far, the signs from Byrne  including the current hiring push and a move lauded by partners recently to kick two British solution providers out of the program for violating its "zero tolerance" deal registration rules  have been encouraging.



"They're working through territory assignments and coverage models," said Scott Harper, director of territory sales at Softchoice, a Toronto-based solution provider that works with Dell EMC. "We've seen a lot more clarity on account coverage. They've been clear on the split between commercial and enterprise and how they're going to market. I'd say job well done."



"I thought it would be the opposite," Harper said, regarding channel hiring. "With two large organizations coming together, you'd expect some overlap, and eventually some cuts, but I haven't heard that from the leaders I've spoken with."



For some partners, who Dell EMC hires is just as important as how many it hires, said Jason Cherveny, CEO of Sanity Solutions, a Denver, Colo., solution provider that works with Dell EMC. "If they're hiring specialists they don't have, that could be really good for Sanity Solutions," Cherveny said. "If I had a core sales rep and that core sales rep has seven product specialists to call upon to help with a campaign, I have that same access, and that could be a really good thing."





"If they're hiring a bunch of salespeople to replace my sales team, that's not good for me, but a bunch of inside salespeople can help me with orders. That allows me to spend more time with the customer helping them with a solution and less time with paperwork. That would be a great thing for us. If they're channel folks, that's a good thing. It gives us more access on Dell's dime. Any company is hiring if it's looking to grow, and Dell is looking to grow."



Byrne's unified Dell EMC Partner Program rolled out at the start of the company's fiscal year in early February. It splits partners into Gold, Platinum and Titanium tiers, and has an exclusive Titanium Black designation for elite partners. The program boosts rebates for storage, server and PC gear and provides significant incentives for selling services, new business and for partners that sell Dell EMC exclusively.



Overall, Dell EMC is advertising more than 3,000 open positions. In addition to the nearly 170 North America channel-focused jobs, the company is seeking to fill dozens of channel jobs in the EMEA region, China and Europe, as well as several in India, Africa and Central and South America.
Channel programs News

Accenture Buys European ServiceNow Player To Stretch Capabilities Beyond IT Service Management

Michael Novinson

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Accenture has purchased a 70-person ServiceNow consultancy to expand its capabilities around security and human resources and strengthen its position in the United Kingdom.

The Dublin, Ireland-based systems integrator -- No. 2 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 -- said its acquisition of London-based Focus Group Europe will bolster Accenture's ability to support ServiceNow in other areas of the business aside from IT, such as human resources, legal and customer support functions, according to Jack Sepple, senior managing director of Accenture Cloud & Security, and global technology officer for Accenture Operations.

"I'm proud of the way we've pivoted at Accenture to be ahead on this stuff," Sepple told CRN. "I think we did a great job in recognizing the cloud opportunity early, almost five years ago, and investing in areas we thought would grow."

[RELATED: Accenture Buys Another ServiceNow Partner As It Aims to Be 'Number One' Worldwide In ServiceNow Capabilities]

The deal will more than double the company's ServiceNow capabilities in the U.K., making Accenture the largest ServiceNow provider in revenue and number of accreditations, Sepple said. Accenture was already the top ServiceNow provider in North America thanks to its October 2015 acquisition of Atlanta-based Cloud Sherpas and its November 2016 acquisition of Alberta-based Nashco.

The Focus Group acquisition closed Monday night, Sepple said, and all of the company's employees are expected to join Accenture. Sepple said the company plans to eventually fold the Focus Group brand into Accenture.

Local support is important for ServiceNow since the design and implementation process requires a lot of customer interaction, Sepple said. Clients also benefit from being in close proximity to strong architects who can help them figure out how to most effectively leverage cloud, he said.

Accenture's cloud practice captured $4.5 billion in sales in fiscal 2016, which ended Aug. 31, after achieving an annual growth rate well above the industry average for cloud services, Sepple said. The company placed a $400 million bet on cloud in early 2013 as the industry was growing, Sepple said, and is now reaping the benefits of a more mature sector.

Accenture plans to utilize Focus Group's security and identity management technology around ServiceNow's basic service management function, Sepple said, and extend its existing support for clients' human resources functions through Focus Group's capabilities. Focus Group is of the U.K.'s largest independent pure-play ServiceNow company and enjoys extremely high customer satisfaction scores, Sepple said.

ServiceNow had initially been used primarily in the IT service management space, but quick configuration, a flexible platform and fast time to results has made it attractive for a broader set of business functions, Sepple said. The embrace of ServiceNow has been disruptive to the offerings of traditional on-premise competitors in the IT service management space, he said.

"In the past, there were a number of tools being brought to bear," Sepple said. "Now we're really doubling down on ServiceNow."

ServiceNow has found greenfields in other business areas where individual units had been tracking their own information with spreadsheets rather than with a more centralized, integrated Software-as-a-Service offering, Sepple said.

For instance, Sepple said ServiceNow provides more wraparound support around human resources rather than duplicating core functions delivered by HR-focused SaaS offerings such as Oracle and Workday. Accenture plans to use Focus Group's capabilities to upsell existing U.K.-based customers and go after other Global 2000 firms interested in ServiceNow, Sepple said.

"Each of those functional areas has gotten mature SaaS products in their space," Sepple said.
Becky Bace is gone but not forgotten.

The University of Southern Alabama School of Computing and the security community lost a dear friend, and the world lost a great citizen.

Dr. Anita D'Amico, CEO of Code Dx, posted a beautiful blog about Becky today, which is shared here for the entire cybersecurity community:

My memories of Becky Bace

Rebecca Gurley Bace, a member of the Advisory Board of Code Dx, Inc., died last week. While we lament her loss as an Adviser to Code Dx, Inc., that lament is dwarfed by my personal sense of loss of Becky Baces friendship and mentorship. Becky was truly one-of-a-kind.

I met Becky about 10 years ago, through a mutual friend, Simone Seth, who said I think you two will really get along. I had no idea that when we dined at G&M, a favorite NSA restaurant, I was meeting one of the five most influential women in cyber security. Becky was unpretentious; she had a down-home Alabaman warmth, and talked for a long time about family and food before discussing business. It was only after I returned to my hotel that night, when I dwelled on our conversation, that I realized I was fortunate enough to have experienced great crab cakes and an amazing person, who I would grow to know over the next decade. Beyond the southern friendliness was a steely woman, with incredible intellect and ability to foresee technological advances that were decades ahead of what was deemed state of the art.

For those who are not aware of Beckys contribution to cyber security, take some time to look her up. She overcame significant adversityracial and sexual discrimination, a neurological disorder, a view that she was unfit to be educated, and personal tragedyto become one of the five most influential women in cyber security. She influenced the very early stages of cyber security while she worked at NSA, where she was one of the pioneers in intrusion detection, and later Los Alamos National Laboratory. She was influential in the early stages of In-Q-Tel (the intelligence community venture capital fund), and was a major player in Silicon Valleys Trident Capitals investments in cyber security technology.

Beckys partner in pioneering advances was her dear friend Terri Gilbert; together they started a cyber security consultant company with the evocative name Infidel, Inc. It was then that Becky adopted a memorable email address infomom at infidel.net. The mom part of her email address reflected the Mama Bear part of Becky that generously advised and mentored young people and young companies, like Code Dx, Inc., to help us achieve our vision.

Becky seemingly knew everyone in cyber security. She had a rolodex (those under 40 will have to look that up) that was unparalleled. She really knew the people in her network; when she called or emailed us, we answered, no matter how busy we were. In the last stage of her life, she used that network to help the Center for Forensics and IT Security at the University of South Alabama (USA) where she served as their Chief Strategist. When I was at USA last September and met up with Dr. Alec Yasinsac, the Dean of the School of Computing, I remarked that he pulled off a great feat in getting Becky to retire to a position at USA. However, after seeing the exciting programs that Alec had already initiated at their School of Computing, it was no surprise that Becky wanted to join up.

When Becky returned to her native Alabama for the final stage of her career, it was on far different terms than when she left many years ago. When Becky grew up near Birmingham, one of six children born to an Alabama soldier and his Japanese bride, she felt the isolation of racial discrimination. Her feeling of not fitting in was exacerbated by a neurological disorder that caused seizures. In fact, her neurologist told Beckys mother that after graduating high school Becky should plan on being on disability for the rest of her life. This woman, who became a pioneer in cyber security, was seen as unfit for college or a career.

Becky eventually did go to college, after a local librarian noticed Beckys intelligence, became her advocate, and helped her apply to college. This may have been her inspiration for being a mentor and advisor to others throughout her career. When Becky started at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (with two scholarships), she was the only woman in the engineering school. After college, she used her brief stint as photocopier repair person (no time here for that story) to position herself at the doorstep of NSA. And the rest, as they say, is history. Or herstory, in Beckys case.

We will all miss you, MamaBear. Thanks for letting us into your life.

- Dr. Anita D'Amico, CEO of Code Dx, Inc.

The University of Southern Alabama has posted details about Becky's Memorial Service.

Leave your memories over on our Facebook page.
Its an old axiom in journalism that when you want to understand whats really going on, to follow the money. This is true in the startup technology industry as well - when you discover where the venture funding is going, you end up discovering trends on what companies and technologies will make in impact for the next decade.



In the latest episode of our Security Sessions video interviews, I spoke with Jeff Fagnan, the founder of Accomplice, a venture capital and private equity firm in Cambridge, Mass. We discussed where VC money was going in the enterprise security space, as well as areas where money is not going - in other words, where theres an over-abundance of funding.



Among the highlights of the video are the following sections:



1:35 What makes security interesting to venture capitalists?



2:20 What are the downsides of having an explosion of new security companies?



3:24 Early stage technologies that VCs are interested in.



4:36 Advice for CISOs and CSOs on how to cut through the noise in selecting companies to invest in.



5:44 What areas of security are overcrowded or not being funded?



6:58 How are security startups different from other tech startup companies?
FAIRFIELD - A New Britain man was charged with following a woman to a highway rest stop where police said he asked her to perform a sex act on him.

Awad Awad, 31, of William Street, New Britain, was charged with second-degree stalking and breach of peace. He was released after posting $5,000 bond.

State police said they were dispatched to the Interstate 95 northbound rest area. A 37-year-old New York woman told troopers she had been driving to Vermont when she stopped at the Darien rest area at about 3 p.m. to get something to eat.

The woman returned to her car in the rest area parking lot and was sitting there eating when state police said a man wearing a knit hat walked over to the drivers side of the womans car and began staring at her while eating M&Ms.

State police said the woman told them she became uncomfortable with the man staring at her and drove from the rest area. She then pulled into the rest area parking lot in Fairfield to finish her meal.

But a few minutes later, police said the same man came up to her drivers side again. This time he leaned up against the window and asked the woman to perform a sex act on him, flicking his tongue at her, police said.

The woman took a photograph of the man with her cell phone and then drove her car up to the rest area building and ran inside. A cashier inside then called police.

State police said they identified the alleged stalker as Awad from the photograph. When they later confronted him they said he told them it was just a coincidence running into the woman at the second rest area and denied making a lewd comment to her.
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The parallels between Kevin Sutherland and Matthew Kuroghlian are unmistakable.

Both gravitated toward Democratic politics as teenagers, served in student government and got their baptism as campaign volunteers for U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.

They have another permanent tie when Kuroghlian, a Trumbull High School junior, receives the inaugural Kevin J. Sutherland Inspiration in Democracy Award from Democrats in his hometown Sunday.

The tribute to Sutherland, who was fatally stabbed at age 24 on July 4, 2015, on the Metro in Washington, D.C., will be part of the Keys to Democracy Awards Dinner. The fundraiser is expected to draw several of the partys power brokers, including Himes and both Connecticut senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.

A fitting way to honor Kevin Sutherlands legacy  congrats to @TrumbullHS junior Matthew Kuroghlian on this award, Murphy recently tweeted.

Tickets to the awards dinner, which will be held at Tashua Knolls Restaurant, are $100 per person. Murphy, Blumenthal and Himes are expected to discuss the first 100 days of Donald Trumps presidency and the impact of the Trump administrations policies on Connecticut.

Sutherland was on his way to meet friends when he was stabbed 30 to 40 times on the train, allegedly by Jasper Spires, who had been released from jail 24 hours earlier after being accused of grabbing a man by the neck and pushing him during a robbery. That charge had been reduced to a misdemeanor.

At the time of his death, Sutherland was a consultant for New Blue Interactive, helping progressive candidates expand their social media footprint and with online fundraising. Before that, the American University graduate worked for the Lone Star Project, a political action committee focused on growing the brand of Democrats in the red state of Texas.

He was the only child of Theresa and Douglas Sutherland, the Fairfield County chairman of Democracy for America, a liberal organization founded by former presidential candidate and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. Sutherlands father worked with Kuroghlian to start the Eastern Fairfield County Young Democrats, a project that Sutherland himself took an interest in before his death.

Matt Kuroghlian seemed to be the most logical person to receive this, Douglas Sutherland said of the award. He reached out to me and said he was inspired by Kevins story and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

If convicted, Spires, who was 19 at the time of Sutherlands murder, could face life in prison after rejecting a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 30 years without the possibility of parole.

The case has been languishing in the courts, with Spires pleading not guilty by reason of insanity last year. There have been four postponements while he goes through a psychiatric evaluation at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, defines a startup as a human institution designed to deliver a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty.

Since World War II, military veterans have continuously innovated and created enduring businesses like no other group in America. Veterans created household brands like Nike, FedEx and GoDaddy. And newer technologies like Sybase, Skybox Imaging, Ustream, RedOwl, Rhumbix and RideScout. Mark Rockefeller, CEO and co-founder of StreetShares, recently explored how the military is the best entrepreneurship training program in the country.

But what makes vet founders different?

Perhaps it is initiative as John Panaccione noted or grit which is a popular buzzword that venture capitalists use to describe their favorite founders who #GSD.

Stanford Professor Chuck Holloway exclaimed at a recent Bunker Labs event in Silicon Valley: Tremendous uncertainty. Limited resources. The need to act. Thats not something you find working at Google . . . . Veterans have an advantage in entrepreneurship. The OODA loop is design thinking.

Related: 10 Lessons from America's Greatest Military Leaders

I believe that the military secret is that we get extensive reps solving problems where there is no clear answer. Looking at the white space and figuring out what belongs there. And delivering results under conditions of extreme uncertainty.

These 12 remarkable veterans saw the white space and created frameworks, movements, networks and methodologies that changed the way people think and do business.

Steve Blank, creator of the Lean Startup movement

Known as the "Godfather of Silicon Valley," this former Air Force mechanic turned entrepreneur is a legend in the startup world. Blank created the Lean Startup movement, and he wrote The Four Steps to the Epiphany and The Startup Owner's Manual, which are implemented by millions of startups. Now he has turned to solving the nations defense and diplomacy problems with Hacking 4 Defense.

Related: Why Veterans Take the Initiative to Explore Entrepreneurship

Pitch Johnson and Bill Draper, VC trailblazers

Johnson (Air Force) and Draper (Army) are trailblazers in the venture capital world. Some of the first venture capitalists on the West Coast in the early 1960s, they created Asset Management Ventures and Sutter Hill Ventures respectively. The foundation for Silicon Valley was built by these two amazing veterans, and they have funded a staggering number of companies.

Mark Hatch, Maker Movement pioneer

Hatch is a pioneer for the Maker Movement, the former CEO of TechShop and author of the Maker Movement Manifesto. Hatch is now a partner at Network Society Ventures investing in future makers and tinkerers. The former Special Forces leader also runs the Green Beret network on LinkedIn.

Chuck Wallace, co-founder of Esurance

Wallace was a co-founder of Esurance, which was the fastest growing insurance company in the country after creating a brand new business model in a stale industry. The Air Force Academy graduate was also a key part of the teams that built Automatic, Ustream.TV, and uSell into industry leaders.

Related: Why This Ex-Marine Left a Desk Job for This Unique Mobile Franchise

Don Faul, CEO of Athos

After leading Facebook online operations and a stint as COO of Pinterest, this former Marine is tackling wearable technology as CEO of Athos, a leader in smart performance apparel that monitors your biosignals.

Dan Olsen, author of The Lean Product Playbook

A Silicon Valley leader for 20 years, Olsen is a former Naval Officer who worked on nuclear submarine design. His experiences led him to write The Lean Product Playbook, a practical step-by-step guide for lean startups that is used by thousands of entrepreneurs each year.

Will Bunker, angel investor

This Marine built the largest dating site in the 1990s, which later became Match.com. Bunker is now investing in the future. He co-founded GrowthX to fund startups and GrowthX Academy to build an army of elite salespeople, growth marketers and UX designers. Bunker says traction speaks louder than words.

Koka Sexton, social media maven

One of the worlds leading minds in social selling, the former LinkedIn head of social media created Social Sellings Labs to provide resources in a new era of sales. The former Army officer just moved to Hootsuite, the most widely used social media management platform in the world.

Related: How Military Service Made These Veterans Better Entrepreneurs

Mark Rockefeller, co-founder of StreetShares

Rockefeller co-founded StreetShares and a created a new affinity-based lending strategy to match borrowers with investors who share similar characteristics (U.S. military veterans). StreetShares also rolled out Veteran Business Bonds in 2016, a game changer to support veteran businesses.

David Silverman, founder and CEO of CrossLead

The former McChrystal Group leader and Team of Teams co-author took the organizational framework to the cloud, creating CrossLead to help companies leverage real-time data to understand and visualize their human network.

Nick Frost, creator of StartupLi.st

Frost is a Navy veteran who created StartupLi.st in his bunk in Iraq, somehow listening to the needs of the investor ecosystem from across the world. He now curates the Mattermark Daily newsletter, which is read by over 100,000 investors and operators.

You can listen to the majority of these visionaries when they speak at VETCON, the premier event for military veteran entrepreneurs.

Related:

These 12 Remarkable Veterans Changed Business Forever

The Solution to Uber's Culture Crisis Could be Hiring Veterans

Why Veterans Take the Initiative to Explore Entrepreneurship



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.
Non-students escorted off campus due to marijuana smell

Carpenter Complex

March 13 2017

Five non-students accompanied by the strong smell of marijuana were found in an apartment in Carpenter Complex when officers arrived to the scene on March 13, according to a police report by officer Robert Bramlett. Police were contacted by Carpenter Complex staff when the staff observed the strong odor, according to the report. However, no drugs were found in the apartment. The resident of the apartment was not present, and the five non-students claimed to be her guests. They were escorted off campus by police, according to the report.

PlayStation allegedly stolen from students room

270 Tiger Paw

March 13 2017

A 21-year-old male students PlayStation console was missing from his room on March 13, according to a police report by officer Steven Grisham. The victims suitemate allowed the alleged suspect into the victims room without permission, and when the victim returned from class he found his PlayStation missing from his room, according to the report. The victim advised that the 23-year-old suspect did not have his permission to enter his room, according to the report.

Stereo and cash stolen from car

Conlee lot / 3700 Poplar Avenue

March 14 2017

A 19-year-old male students stereo and cash were stolen from his car parked in Conlee lot on March 14, according to a police report by officer Randy Phillips. The victim told police the suspects entry to his vehicle was gained through punching out the front drivers side door lock, according to the report. The car was parked on the north side in the first parking space off Poplar.

Two men in hoodies steal from car

3600 block of Evans

March 14 2017

A 19-year-old male students car was broken into at the 3600 block of Evans on March 14, according to a police report by officer Marco Anderson. According to a witness, two men with light gray hoodies broke into the victims vehicle, taking something from inside. Officers observed the keyhole on the drivers door punched in and the dashboard molding ripped from the console, according to the report. The suspects vehicle was described as a black Dodge Charger, according to the report.

Students vehicle ransacked

505 Zach Curlin

March 14 2017

An 18-year-old male students truck was ransacked at 505 Zach Curlin on March 14, according to a police report by officer James Vickers. The victim told police he parked his truck on lot #15 near the Rec Center and when he returned from class he found the drivers side door punched out, and the vehicle ransacked. However, the victim found nothing missing from his vehicle, according to the report.

Woman caught speeding with suspended license

654 Pope

March 15 2017

A 26-year-old female was pulled over for speeding and driving with a suspended license on March 15, according to a police report by officer Tavious Ward. Officer Ward pulled over the suspect, who was driving a gold Buick at 59 mph in a 35 mph. When asked for her license and proof of insurance, the defendant told Ward she was getting them within the week. She was then charged with a misdemeanor citation for driving with a suspended license as well as lack of proof of insurance, according to the report.

Television allegedly damaged by roommate

Living Learning Complex

March 15 2017

An 18-year old male students television was damaged at the Living Learning Complex on March 15, according to a police report by Officer James Vickers. The victim believes his roommate intentionally cracked the screen of his television while he was away, according to the report.
Alexandra Pounders

Itas 2017, and blacks are still having to prove why their lives matter. It is disheartening to know that there are people in the world who donat see the value in African American lives and misinterpret what the group Black Lives Matter stands for.

It is even more disappointing when backlash comes from those you would expect to support and understand the turmoil people of their own race have to endure on a daily basis. One particular person happens to be a deeply admired and highly respected man in the city of Memphis.

In fact, former Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong became recognized nationally after solving the Lester Street murder case and serving the city for 28 impressive years. The work Armstrong has done to protect the community is undeniable. However, his stance on the Black Lives Matter movement is oblivious. His response to the issue is that aall lives mattera.

We all should know and agree that all lives matter. Sadly, people tend to forget about black lives when life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is at hand. Everything that blacks have done in history as far as protests, marches, and boycotts have all been in response to the racism they have experienced first-hand.

If blacks were treated equally, given the same respect, and not have their lives taken from them simply because the color of their skin; they would never have to fight back or cause commotion in society.

People, as well as Armstrong, tend to think of black people protesting as pointless. Armstrong said that he didnat understand why blacks became upset after hearing about police brutality when African Americans kill each other all the time in the streets.

A person being killed is always very upsetting regardless of the victimas or murdereras race; however, there is a difference between a thug and an officer committing a crime. Thugs are thugs. Theyave experienced poverty, lack of education, and had to struggle to make a living for most of their life. Killing, stealing, and doing whatever to put food on the table for themselves and their family is all they know.

While these criminal acts arenat any more acceptable from them than the average person, titles are given to people to represent what they are for a reason. But when you have police officers who vow to serve and protect the people in their communities but betray them, the cut is much deeper.

We expect thugs to be thugs, but we donat expect officers to be thugs. A thug is defined as a vicious, violent or cruel person that takes the lives of others. So, technically, cops are supposed to be trusted and respected, but when certain ones take innocent lives, their titles change. Theyare not police officers; theyare thugs and should be treated as such.

aWe donat have the right to choose whose life matters,a Armstrong said. aOur white officers are scared.a

Scared? Oh. Really? Did he mean the same terrifying feeling black people have been experiencing for decades? Or perhaps the same feeling a mother feels when she realizes her black son will be hated just because of the color of his skin, discriminated against in the workplace or could have his life taken from him just by walking in the neighborhood with a bag of skittles and can of tea?

White people donat know this feeling or this pain, and they never will. If people continue to ignore the fact that black lives still matter, regardless of the crime and poverty they face in their communities, everything African Americans have fought and died for would have been done in vain.
SHIPPENSBURG  A new program at Shippensburg University offers college credits to nearby high school students for less than half the real price.

The courses are $100 per credit, which is a 64 percent discount.

Shippensburg Area Senior High School junior, Erin Lee, is already signed up.

I know a lot of kids that have to take an extra semester, and I really dont want to do that, Lee said. I want to get out in maximum four years and not accumulate a lot of debt.

According to a study by Student Loan Hero, almost three in every four students graduate in debt.

Our students and their parents are struggling, and were definitely a microcosm of whats happening across the state, across the nation, said Michele Dubbs, Shippensburg high schools guidance counselor.

The dean of admissions at Shippensburg University has a new plan to help.

Its about saving money, Jennifer Houghie said. Reducing debt that students have coming out of college. Its about success.

High school students can apply to take transferable college courses for less than half the price, which is about $450 per class. They can attend classes at night or during school hours if their high school allows.

The students can get fostered help, while theyre still in high school, Dubbs said. We can help them see that they can do it.

Lee is looking forward to getting ahead in both course load and finances.

Its definitely a relief, she said.

The program begins in the fall. Students can apply now.
Anyone tuning in to the BBC's coverage of Martin McGuinness's death might be forgiven for thinking the world had lost another Nelson Mandela.

Among Labour figures queuing to pay homage, a fawning Tony Blair was wheeled on to Radio 4 to describe the IRA gangster and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland as a 'formidable peacemaker'.

In another sickening tribute, Alastair Campbell said there was something 'very, very special' about him, adding: 'He was a very warm human being who I grew to be very fond of.'

Meanwhile, it was the BBC's own John Simpson who raised the comparison with Mr Mandela, saying McGuinness should be seen 'on that kind of side of the ledger'.

For most of his life, Martin McGuinness was a psychopathic serial killer and torturer

Yes, the fact that there's been relative peace in Ulster for the past two decades is a great achievement. But before the Corporation's distortions get written into the history books, let the Mail offer an alternative assessment.

For most of his life, as Ruth Dudley Edwards spells out on Pages 12-13, McGuinness was a psychopathic serial killer and torturer.

Nicknamed the 'Butcher of Bogside', he never expressed a word of remorse for ordering knee-cappings, ruthless murders of police and soldiers and the random slaughter of civilian men, women and children.

Indeed, he bore heavy responsibility for tearing Northern Ireland apart, setting back by decades any hope of understanding between the province's two communities.

Yes, the Six Counties are comparatively peaceful today  thanks in part to a process begun by Sir John Major (not Mr Blair, though he likes to claim the credit).

Among Labour figures queuing to pay homage, a fawning Tony Blair was wheeled on to Radio 4 to describe the IRA gangster as a 'formidable peacemaker'

But just how much this is due to McGuinness is highly questionable. Indeed, many believe he offered cooperation only to escape arrest after the IRA had been effectively beaten  a defeat completed when Irish Americans cut off funding after 9/11 taught them what terrorism means.

Whatever the truth, today's uneasy peace has been bought at a horrendous price in pandering to the IRA, with Mr Blair blithely tearing up guarantees to the Northern Irish majority and secretly offering terrorists immunity from prosecution.

Every moral principle has been prostituted and turned on its head, as heroic British soldiers  called in, never forget, to protect Catholic civil rights protesters  are today mercilessly hounded over their actions in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago.

And something else is clear. It is simply grotesque to draw comparisons between the blood-drenched, unapologetic, manipulative McGuinness and that paragon of reconciliation, Mr Mandela.

True, back in the 1960s and 1970s, Northern Irish Catholics suffered injustices. But they had votes in free and fair elections and, after direct rule from Westminster in 1972, a government bending over backwards to address their grievances.

Many believe he offered cooperation only to escape arrest after the IRA had been effectively beaten

Mr Mandela and the black majority in South Africa had no such access to democracy, barred from voting by a brutal apartheid regime.

Yet even after 27 years in jail, he had the magnanimity and wisdom to hold out the hand of friendship to his persecutors.

As for McGuinness, enjoying the trappings of office with that vain old poseur Ian Paisley Snr, he was never shown anything but mercy in a lifetime spent subverting democracy.

Yet the BBC, which painted Margaret Thatcher as a pantomime villain on her death, now treats this murderer as some kind of flawed hero.

In a tweeted eulogy, Mr Blair's liar-in-chief Mr Campbell described the Bogside Butcher as a 'great guy'. Try telling that to the widows, orphans and maimed he leaves behind in the province he terrorised.

This paper prefers the verdict of Lord Tebbit, whose wife Margaret was permanently paralysed by McGuinness's IRA henchmen in the Brighton bombing of 1984.

The world, he said, is a 'sweeter and cleaner' place without him.
It's often spruiked for its health benefits but fish oil does not aid children's intellectual development according to a new study.

Research by The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute found taking fish oil during pregnancy has no effect on a child's intelligence, mental development or eyesight.

The findings were the result of a 10-year study of more than 2,500 women.

A new Australian study has revealed that taking fish oil during pregnancy will have zero effect on a child's intelligence, mental development or eyesight (stock image)

Half the women in the study were given a placebo vegetable oil tablet, while the other have took a fish oil supplement, lead author Dr Jacqueline Gould told Perth Now.

Their children were then tested after reaching the 18-month mark, where no difference was found in general intelligence, motor development or language skill.

When they reached age seven, 543 of the children from the original study were then tested again.

The researchers found that the children whose mothers had taken the fish oil supplement did not have a higher IQ or better eyesight than those whose mums had consumed the placebo.

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute discovered the disappointing findings during a 10-year study

Dr Gould concluded that the Omega-3 fatty acid found in the fish oil supplement had provided no benefits to the children, nor had it caused any harm.

But, Gould added, there may still be hope that fish oil could help prevent pre-term birth.

The doctor revealed that the women who had taken the supplement had 'slightly longer pregnancies' than those who consumed the placebo.

'This lowered the number of children born pre-term just slightly,' she added.

'If it works, fish oil would be the only intervention we can do to prevent the general population of having a pre-term birth.'

This is the second hit science has given fish oil just this week.

The American Heart Association in the US revealed that there is not enough evidence to prove the supplement can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Half the women in the study were given a placebo vegetable oil tablet, while the other have took a fish oil supplement. Their children showed no difference in mental development (stock image)

Dr David Siscovick, chair of the writing committee who published the new advisory, said there isn't enough evidence to back such claims.

'People in the general population who are taking Omega-3 fish oil supplements are taking them in the absence of scientific data that shows any benefit of the supplements in preventing heart attacks, stroke, heart failure or death for people who do no have a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease,' he wrote.

But fish oils aren't completely ineffective, especially for those who have already suffered heart attacks.

Past studies have shown that the Omega-3 fatty acid can reduce death, a second heart attack and sudden cardiovascular death.

A 2016 Stanford University study also found that those who took fish supplements were 10 per cent less likely to die from a heart attack than those who did not.
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The curves are always different, as are the shades of skin and colour of the hair flowing down naked backs.

But two things are always the same when it comes to the new photo series by Gold Coast photographer Beck Joan.

Her female subjects are always nude. And there is always the moment of the shoot in which they stand behind a powerful backdrop, with the same three words: 'I am enough'.

The phrase is the title of Beck's community art project, in which she photographs women in the nude in public spaces to both empower and celebrate them as art.

Gold Coast photographer Beck Joan (pictured) is behind a new photo series, titled 'I am Enough', meant to celebrate and empower women by photographing them completely nude

Each shoot involves no airbrushing, makeup or studio lighting and is meant to celebrate women in their natural state

There is no airbrushing, no make up or Instagram filters. The only lighting is the rising sun, as every shoot occurs at dawn.

And then there are those three words, which Beck - after getting permission - sprays on a public space in a graffiti piece unique to each women she shoots.

It is the same three words that the 34-year-old artist repeats to herself in the mirror each day, the words she wrote all over her walls after first hearing them on YouTube.

Beck was searching for positivity after going through her own difficulties, she told Daily Mail Australia.

Before her 21st birthday, Beck's battles included eating disorders and a stint in rehab for alcoholism. She had also felt disrespected by those close to her at times.

But instead of dwelling on the pain, Beck wanted to find a way to overcome it.

'It caused me to seek not getting affected by it. I was just really determined to make that a positive and not a negative on myself,' Beck said.

Beck (pictured) was inspired to start the series after battling a series of hardships - including alcoholism and eating disorders - that occurred before her 21st birthday

The 34-year-old mother came across the inspiring phrase, 'I am enough', while researching positive videos on YouTube and stumbling across the message by hypnotherapist Marisa Peer

The mother-of-two wanted to hold herself as 'being enough, regardless of what other people are doing', she added.

That's when she stumbled across a video from celebrity hypnotherapist Marisa Peer, who said the psychology behind those three words 'are enough for us to change everything'.

It was enough for Beck, who knew she wanted to help every woman find that same positivity.

And so 'I am Enough' was born, and soon the artist decided she wanted it to be more than just an art project.

Beck realised that with subjects of all shapes, sizes, and ages - stripped down to their most natural state - she could show that 'all women are beautiful'.

'I call it "soul level strippers,' said Beck, who explained that these women are stripping back to their 'soul level' by being photographed in the nude.

Beck realised that with subjects of all shapes, sizes, and ages - stripped down to their most natural state, she could show that 'all women are beautiful'

Beck shoots her female subject as the sun comes up, always checking in to make sure how they're feeling and offering the services of a counsellor on the premises

'The beautiful thing I see in it is, I appeal to the masculine world because it's nude, and in skate parks and with graffiti,' she added.

'But, without them even knowing it or being aware, they're still getting exposed to the fact that we're all normal women and all different sizes.'

'We're not model sizes, we're not airbrushed, there's no makeup or studio lighting. We're different, we're normal people.'

The project not only challenges the perception of what makes a beautiful women, but has also become a way to help empower women and realise their own beauty.

Beck encourages each of her female subjects to be present while she paints the personalised 'I am Enough backdrop before their photo shoot.

Oftentimes the women will help spray paint the backdrop, letting themselves become 'part of the art', Beck said.

She lets her subject help paint the 'I am enough' backdrop that she creates on a public space for each specific shoot

Beck has shot her subjects in skate parks, beaches, rainforests and by waterfalls as the sun comes up during the photo shoots

But the artist allows each woman to make the session her own moment of healing, including one subject who read aloud her journal about body shame while Beck painted.

Then comes the actual photo shoot, where Beck often jokingly tells her clients not to bring anything - because they are enough.

She photographs her subjects as the sun comes up, always asking them to stand in front of the 'I' in 'I am enough'.

As their excitement and comfort begins to build, she then has her subjects paint their own bodies with their hands as Beck encourages them to 'stroke and nurture the parts of their body they haven't loved enough'.

'They can bring whatever they wish, creativeness is encouraged,' she said. 'Wings were painted on the last of my subject's body, then they put their handprints on the wall like a stamp.'

Through the whole process Beck is always checking in to see how her subject is feeling, even offering the services of a counsellor afterwards.

'It's a deep process getting photographed nude, it's really kind of exposing,' Beck said.

Beck herself isn't comfortable in front of the camera, but shot herself first in the series so she would experience the same feelings she knew her own subjects would have to go through

'They go through their fears and self-criticism to get to that point of liberation and empowerment in their bodies.'

Kristy Trede went through just that journey of 'self-discovery and self-love', as she described it, when she had her own photo shoot with Beck on the beach.

At first the process of literally 'stripping back the layers' was challenging for Kristy, until she remembered the very message driving the project.

'"I am enough" was the last thought I had going through my head as I dropped the last piece of clothing,' Kristy wrote in a testimonial for Beck.

'I looked at Beck and took a deep breath. Slowly with each click of the lens, I learned to love myself just that little bit more.'

Kristy admitted that when it was time to stop, she didn't want the shoot to end.

'I was really comfortable in my own skin,' she said. 'I was free.'
A Queensland mother-of-one has penned an emotional piece about her breastfeeding journey coming to an end.

Fitness model Nadine Muller has been very open about feeding her baby son, Madden, over the last 17 months, sharing pictures and comments about her decision.

In her latest Facebook post, the mum said it was the night before an interstate trip that she began to consider this could be the last time her baby son breastfed.

Ms Muller shared a heart warming black and white picture of herself feeding her son Madden for the first time alongside her words.

'Here is our very first breastfeeding photo...' the fitness model and mum began her emotional piece

'Here is our very first breastfeeding photo... I'm not too sure just yet and indeed tonight and the next couple of days will reveal but our beautiful 17 month journey of #breastfeeding may finally be coming to a close,' she wrote.

'I departed for Melbourne knowing potentially our overnight feed together last Thursday may very well have been our last.

'I savoured every moment; I took in every detail, I dropped a couple of happy tears and he honestly looked at me like "job well done mummy".

'Motherhood does like to surprise us sometimes so I continued to express whilst away, just in case.'

She went on to explain when she returned from her trip, her son seemed more mature and had a different approach to her breasts.

'When I arrived home the joy of being reunited with my growing little boy was indescribable,' she said.

'It was like in the 4 nights away somehow 4 weeks had passed because he seemed so grown up! While we embraced, kissed and cuddled he nestled in my chest - as he always does.

'Is this the end? I'm not sure.... am I sad? Holy s*** yes, I'm dropping tears as I write this,' she wrote

'He said 'boobie' like he normally does, but not in the way that he normally requests it... He just smiled and placed his wandering hands down my shirt - as if to check that they were still there haha - and then he went about playing and doing his usual business.'

While she admitted she wasn't certain their journey had come to an end, Ms Muller couldn't help but be moved by the experience.

'Is this the end? I'm not sure.... am I sad? Holy s*** yes, I'm dropping tears as I write this,' she wrote.

My heart is so full, whilst at the same time it aches because I may never have this time with him again - it's beautiful but it's scary

'Am I proud & excited for us all the same, goodness am I ever! Maybe we have closed this chapter and we are beginning to embark on the next, I'm not too sure just yet that is for my baby to decide.

'My heart is so full whilst at the same time it aches because I may never have this time with him again, it's beautiful but it's scary.

'It sure has made me reflect on the past 17 months, for us it has been the most gratifying experience, one that I could never choose the right words for.

To say that both Madden and I have been infatuated with our breastfeeding journey together would be the understatement of the century - I'm currently by his cot & I've just sssssh'd him back to sleep and did so without "boobie'"

'Ok it's time: Time for this proud Mumma of a growing lil boy to have a proper cry.'

Last month the breastfeeding advocate was shamed after sharing this photo of herself breastfeeding her 16-month-old son Madden as she nursed him back to health from the stomach flu

While the Nursing Officer for the Royal Australian Air Force looks back on her breastfeeding memories fondly, the experience has not been without its difficulties.

Last month Ms Muller shared a photo that showed her breastfeeding 16-month-old Madden as she nursed him back to health from the stomach flu.

Most of her followers posted sweet wellwishes to the sick tot, but it was one person's comments to the mum that caught her eye.

One commenter said he believed her son would be 'embarrassed and grossed out' to know his mother was posting a picture of the moment.

'I certainly would be if mum showed me a pic like that or I stumbled across it on social media (I don't want to see mum's boobs, let alone with my mouth on it)' he added.

'That's why I find pics like this selfish and only attention seeking, the mother isn't thinking about their child, just themselves and getting followers.'

The commenter claimed Ms Muller's son would be 'embarrassed and grossed out' by his mother sharing such a photo with the public

Ms Muller hit back with a whole slideshow of pictures that featured her breastfeeding Madden to show the commenter he could not shame her.

The F45 trainer then wrote a lengthy post defending mothers' rights to post breastfeeding pictures on social media.

'If you've followed me for a while, you will know that I've adored the breastfeeding journey I'm on with Madden,' wrote the mother-of-one.

'It continues to be one of my life's sweetest of joys and I am gratified and incredibly passionate about it.'

She then touched on how there was still 'taboo' surrounding breastfeeding, and how disappointed she was to see it in her own comments.

She hit out against the commenter's claims that mothers posted breastfeeding pictures 'for attention', saying she posted the photos because she was 'proud'

'There is nothing "weird" or "gross" about these photos and there's no difference in me feeding my child with my breast than someone feeding him/herself with a spoon!' she wrote.

'How about we simply appreciate that any mother has options, the right to her own choices, to feel supported and respected, the right to not have to hide, in fact the right to share and post proudly if she feels comfortable to do so!'

The mother-of-one then hit out against the commenter's claims that mothers posted breastfeeding pictures 'for attention', or even to make a statement.

She then encouraged fellow mothers to post their photos with pride instead of falling victim to people who 'want to discourage you'

'They post because they are are #proud, to give other mums encouragement, they post so that other mums feel accepted, supported & respected,' she wrote.

'So that mums know that it is okay, in fact it is more than just okay, it is celebrated and admired.'

'We share photos to let all mothers know that however you feed your child, breast or bottle, that it's a beautiful act and bond between a mother and her young.'

'We share photos to advocate that it can be done wherever, whenever, and however (covered/uncovered) and that you can do so without judgement.'

Ms Mullen then encouraged fellow mothers to post their photos with pride instead of falling victim to people who 'want to discourage you'.

Ms Mullen said she and her followers had become the 'Band of Mothers' as her followers began to share their breastfeeding pictures with her and each other

'I'm proud and confident to stand up to people's ignorance and enjoy the bonding with my child for all it is worth,' she wrote.

'If my feeding pictures bother you, unfriend, unfollow or plain old mind your own damn business.'

She told the Huffington Post that she knew something needed to be done after she saw the comment.

'Even if it means that just a small handful of mums felt empowered from this movement, then I knew it would be worth it,' she said.

The breastfeeding advocate said she and her followers had become the 'Band of Mothers' as they began to share their breastfeeding pictures with her and each other.

'I know as a result we all felt supported, respected,' she said.

'We all felt the right to not have to hide, we felt encouraged and accepted and, most of all, we felt proud.'
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Standing side-by-side in matching sailor hats and impressive beards, it is easy to mistake these men for twins.

But in fact they are Britain's Prince George and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, first cousins who enjoyed an incredibly close relationship as they ruled their respective empires during the early part of the 20th century.

Their striking similarities are apparent in recently uncovered black and white photographs which were taken when the Russian royals visited their British relatives in 1909.

The Tsar and his wife Alexandra took their four daughters and son, Alexei, to stay with their uncle and aunt, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and their son Prince George at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

A sprawling family photograph reveals the close bond the two dynasties shared in the decade before the Russian revolution.

Strikingly similar: Linking arms in matching sailor hats and beards Tsar Nicholas II, left, and Prince George, look more like twins than cousins in a photo taken during a visit by the Russian royal family to stay with their British relatives at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight in 1909. Right, Tsar Nicholas, left, and Prince George with their sons Prince Edward, far left, and Alexei

Family photo: From left to right, Prince Edward, Princess Mary of Teck (seated), Queen Alexandra, Tsar Nicholas II (seated), Princess Mary, Princess Victoria, King Edward VII (seated), Grand Duchess Olga, Tsarina Alexandra (seated), Grand Duchess Tatiana, Prince George and Grand Duchess Marie (both seated). Front row: Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Anastasia

Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra with their daughters Olga, Marie, Tatiana and Anastasia, and their son, Alexei, in 1913

King Edward VII and the Tsar are seated in the centre of the image, flanked by their wives, children and grandchildren who are interspersed with each other.

In a touching sign of intimacy, Prince George shares his seat with Nicholas' daughter, the Grand Duchess Marie, an arm wrapped protectively around her back.

Another image shows Prince George and Nicholas with their sons Prince Edward, then 15, and the Tsarevich Alexei.

The closeness between the two families is apparent. Nicholas' mother, Dagmar, was the sister of Queen Alexandra who married Edward VII in 1863.

A year after the visit King Edward VII would die from severe bronchitis and George would ascend the throne.

Four years later George and Nicholas lead their countries into war with Germany and their other cousin Kaiser Willhelm II. In 1917 the Russian Empire was overthrown and the Tsar and his family assassinated.

Royal trip: The Tsarevich Alexei smiles for the camera for a photo onboard The Russian Royal Yacht, the Standart

Proud father: Tsar Nicholas II with his son, Alexei. Alexei, right in military uniform, was just 13 when he was assassinated

Royal women: Tsarina Alexandra with her daughters (left to right) the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia

Violent end: Tsar Nicholas II, left, was assassinated alongside his family, including daughters Olga and Tatiana, pictured right

Family ties: Tsar Nicholas II, his wife and children, pictured in 1904, visited his British relatives on the Isle of Wight in 1909

Other photographs in the collection, which will be auctioned on Saturday, show the Tsar and his family at home in Russia. It is being sold by Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes, Wiltshire, for a pre-sale estimate of 1,500.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: 'This has to be one of ghe finest collections of Romanov postcards that has come under the hammer for a long time.

'There are between 80 to 100 images and they are very rare. They chart the demise of the Russian royal family, from 1906 to 1916. They have been well preserved in an album.'

Royal children: Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia and Marie with their younger brother, the Tsarevich Alexei

Visiting the troops: A French postcard captures Tsar Nicholas II on horseback as he visits his troops before battle

Legacy: Emperor Alexander III of Russia with his children, left. Right, his son Tsar Nicholas II in ceremonial robes in 1913
An animal lover who gets up close and personal with cheetahs loves the creatures so much she has helped to save her 'best friend' from being sold and turned into a stuffed trophy.

Intimate pictures show how blonde cat lover Heather Tookey, 23, from Beckenham in Kent, hugs, plays with and even kisses the predator full on the snout.

Heather, who has volunteered at South Africa's Cheetah Experience since she was just 18 years old, has formed particularly close bonds with two cheetahs called Dew and Eden.

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Heather Tookey, 23, from Beckenham in Kent, who has volunteered at South Africa's Cheetah Experience since she was just 18 years old, calls the big cats her 'best friends'

'When Dew comes toward me, she loves to "groom" me by kissing me. It looks very sweet, but it is actually the most painful thing.'

'Her tongue is so rough and she insists on kissing me all over until I can't take anymore.

'Eden loves to go on walks in the veld to explore new sights and smells, or enrichment with her favourite toys.

'As our bond is so strong, I do sleep outside with her and another cheetah, Faith, at night in their enclosure.

'This is my favourite thing to do in the whole world  take my blanket and pillow to a spot under the trees, lie down and wait for them to come over and cuddle in for the night under the stars.

Speaking of her furry friends, Heather said: 'As our bond is so strong, I do sleep outside with [Drew] and another cheetah, Faith, at night in their enclosure'

The wildlife park, Cheetah Experience (CE), do not own all of the animals in their care and to the dismay of the organisation and volunteers, the owner of four cheetahs wanted to sell them to the highest bidder

'It is totally on their terms and not forced at all. Eden likes to sleep as close as possible to me, often leaning her head on mine or entangling her legs with me, and giving me a good wash with her sandpaper tongue.

'Faith normally lies by my pillow. They will then purr so much that the whole blanket vibrates until they both fall silently asleep.

'Then come sunrise, the roar of the lions will wake us up and Eden will greet me good morning with more kisses before I have to start work for the day.'

However much they love the felines in their care, Cheetah Experience (CE) do not own all of the animals in their care and to the dismay of the organisation and volunteers, the owner of four cheetahs wanted to sell them to the highest bidder.

Heather says her 'favourite thing to do in the whole world' is to take her blanket and pillow to a spot under the trees, lie down and wait for the cheetahs to come over and 'cuddle'

Speaking of her special relationship with the animals Heather said: 'It is totally on their terms and not forced at all. Eden likes to sleep as close as possible to me, often leaning her head on mine or entangling her legs with me, and giving me a good wash with her sandpaper tongue'

Instead of allowing her 'best friends' to be sold and potentially killed for sport, Heather raised over 5,000 to save her pal Dew, through donations sent to her JustGiving webpage, while two of the other cheetahs were saved by money raised by her fellow volunteers.

The fourth was saved when Cheetah Experience owner Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen collated enough funds to keep it.

'They are loved and cared for so much, it would have broken my heart for these cheetahs to end up in the wrong hands,' said Heather.

'Selling cats for hunting is rife in South Africa. We had cause to feared that at auction these cheetahs would end up in the hands of potential hunters.

Close bond: Instead of allowing her 'best friends' to be sold and potentially killed for sport, Heather raised over 5,000 to save her pal Dew, through donations

The animal lover said of her friend, who she saved from hunters: 'They are loved and cared for so much, it would have broken my heart for these cheetahs to end up in the wrong hands'

In love: Heather keeps returning to Cheetah Experience to volunteer after developing a bond with the animals there

'Therefore I took the initiative to raise the money for CE to purchase the cheetahs before they were taken to auction.

'With a lot of help from friends, family and other volunteers from around the world, the fundraising page was flooded with donations and shares on social media, and we were able to raise the money within just thirty days to save the cheetahs from this unknown and most likely deadly fate.

'They will now forever live at Cheetah Experience. It's amazing what you can achieve with the united love for animals.'

Heather keeps returning to Cheetah Experience to volunteer after developing a bond with the animals there.

Heather said of her successful crowdfunding campaign: 'With a lot of help from friends, family and other volunteers from around the world, the fundraising page was flooded with donations and shares on social media'

She says of her unusual relationship with the creatures: 'To have the strongest of bonds between a wild animal and a human is amazing. It is such a different bond to those you have with your pet dog or cat at home'

She said of her special bond with the beasts: 'The most important thing is respect, we respect their space and behaviour, and in return we gain their respect for us'

'To have the strongest of bonds between a wild animal and a human is amazing. It is such a different bond to those you have with your pet dog or cat at home,' she said.

'I know it is so rare and special to spend time and look after these animals. The best way to develop a relationship with these amazing animals is not to force it.

'I have been lucky that over the years I have been a part of many of the cheetahs' lives growing up, and have spent a lot of time with them and taking care of them.

'The most important thing is respect, we respect their space and behaviour, and in return we gain their respect for us.

Heather, pictured with a cheetah cub, gushed: 'Every time I return to the project this bond becomes stronger as they always remember me and often come running over to greet me with kisses and purring'

'I have been lucky that over the years I have been a part of many of the cheetahs' lives growing up, and have spent a lot of time with them and taking care of them'

'They slowly come closer and closer to me, to get used to my smell, my voice and so on. Every time I return to the project this bond becomes stronger as they always remember me and often come running over to greet me with kisses and purring.'

Cheetah Experience is a big cat centre that was founded in 2006 with the long-term goal of breeding cheetahs. They also wish to introduce a new cheetah bloodline.

Their intention is to release them back into a 'protected wild', where they will be interfered with as little as possible by humans, yet will still be monitored closely by vets and researchers in order to gain better insight into the lives of these animals.
There are days when choosing a slogan t-shirt might make you look cool, and there are days when the statement emblazoned across your chest lands you with red-cheeks.

A gallery of just-arrested villains shows how some people might appear to be looking for trouble, at least if you read their tops.

However, when the law does actually catch up with them, they end up looking more than a little silly.

Please refer to my tee: A man finds himself on the wrong side of the law...already saying sorry

Say it how it is: This sheepish-looking convict's attire reveals all

Writing's on the wall: These two arrestees head into confinement wearing very appropriate shirts

One dishevelled-looking felon grimaces at the camera wearing a top that says: 'I'd like to apologise in advance' while another female felon says it all in a top that carries the words 'I've been naughty.

Elsewhere, there's the woman who offers a defiant message on her top, repeating three times: 'I did it but I'm blaming you', which probably didn't wash with the officers taking the picture.

In case you're asking, yes, I'm guilty, no, it wasn't my fault: This woman offers an icy stare and some repetition

Sometimes the slogan doesn't quite match the reality. These ladies are wearing t-shirts with alternative facts

Assuming he's charged, this man has his prison outfit all sorted - how organised...

Delusions of grandeur, but still definitely wanted. Right: A confession of sorts...

And another suspect looking like he might be eating porridge soon glared down the lens of the mugshot camera wearing a shirt that reads 'America's Most Wanted' which is probably hamming up his criminal credentials somewhat.

Perhaps the criminal best dressed for his future confines is the man wearing an orange t-shirt - often the colour favoured by US prisons - and the words 'guilty' written in bold black letters across his chest.

He may look tight-lipped...but this chap may have been found out by his own clothes

PMS? Handgun? Step this way, maam. Right: The t-shirt is on the money if this villain's tired and emotional face is anything to go by

Guess his day didn't go according to plan! A embarrassed-looking felon avoids eye contact with the mugshot camera

Plain t-shirt, plain silly: This green number suggests a note of defiance
A young mother-of-two is 'desperate to have another child' after making the 'foolish' decision to be sterilised after the birth of her second child.

At 23 Ashton Snowden had her hands full with her son, Brodi, three, and daughter, Maddilyn, two  and made the decision to have her 'tubes tied' so she would never become pregnant again.

Now 27 Mrs Snowden, a hairdresser in Newman, 1200 kilometres north-east of Perth, and her husband Brett, a miner, 32, are now desperate to add to their family.

Ashton Snowden, 27, Brodi Snowden, 6, Brett Snowden, 32 and Maddilyn Snowden, 5. Mrs Snowden regrets having her 'tubes tied' when she was 23.

The young mother from Newman in Western Australia 'was stubborn' and thought she would never want more children - but now regrets that

She wants to have one or two more children with her husband Brett

'I just woke up one morning and decided I wanted to have my tubes tied  and wouldn't listen to anyone who told me to think about it,' Mrs Snowden told Daily Mail Australia.

'I think I must have been having a rough week with my two who were two and three  the worst ages at the time and just thought I couldn't handle any more.

'Looking back 23 is just so young to be making that decision  I mean at 23 I could have broken up with my husband and wanted to start a new family with someone else.

'Now I wish I had never done it and want to warn other mums to think about it properly so they don'e end up here.'

She now believes she was 'too young' to make the decision and thinks women 'should have to wait til they're 35' to choose the permanent form of birth control.

'If I was told that I wasn't allowed to have it done I wouldn't have to go through this reversal,' she said.

'My doctor had told me he could try the Mirena birth control again  but because I became pregnant when I was on it, I didn't want to risk having three babies under three.

The hairdresser thinks she was going through a rough time with two toddlers when she made the nearly-permanent decision to have her tubes tied

The young woman had her tubes tied after becoming pregnant with the Mirena

The hairdresser's husband works in the mines, she says she sometimes felt alone while he worked 13 days straight ans she looked after their children

'My husband was working thirteen days straight at the mines at the time and I just didn't think I could do it, so I decided to have my tubes tied.'

The 27-year-old has to fly to Perth from her 'tiny town in the desert' everytime she see a doctor  and is afraid she won't become pregnant once the procedure is reversed.

'The doctor said we can try a month after it has been done  but if I don't become pregnant within 12 months I will have to consider IVF.'

The path to a new baby is a frightening one  with Mrs Snowden's risk of ectopic pregnancy increased because of the scarring in her fallopian tube from where they were sealed shut.

Maddilyn was two when her mother decided two children was enough

Brodi is keen for more siblings - he is six - the mum said she felt like she had made the wrong decision as soon as he went to school

'When you want something so bad and it isn't guaranteed it is pretty scary,' she said.

'I don't want to obsess about it  it is all I think about at the moment.'

The mother admitted to Daily Mail Australia that she went against the advice of her mother-in-law, grandmother, sister-in-law and best friend when she had the initial operation.

'They are all telling me they ''told me so''  which hurts because I know they are right.

'I first felt like I might have made the wrong decision a few weeks after my operation  then when my son went to school and I was managing everything at home better I was like ''oh my god, what have I done'',' she said.

Mrs Snowden, right, with her daughter and sister-in-law Beth and Beth's daughter. Mrs snowden ignored her sister-on-law's advice not to have her tubes tied

The mum didn't want to have 'three children under three' and was sure she just wanted her two children

'I always wanted to be a mum and I am an only child so was always excited to have a few children  I just wish I had thought it through more,' she said

Mrs Snowden's husband was one of the people who was nervous before the first operation.

'He was nervous about it then and he is nervous about it now,' she said.

'I always wanted to be a mum and I am an only child so was always excited to have a few children  I just wish I had thought it through more.'

The 'regretful' mother now believed women should not be able to have the procedure until 'they are older'.

'I understand if they have medical reasons for getting it done  but if they are young and healthy like I was they shouldn't be allowed,' she said.

The mum wants to warn other mums against having the procedure and believes she was 'too young' to make the decision

Her husband Brett was nervous at the time of the original operation and also wants more children

If she doesn't become pregnant within a year the family will look into IVF  but hope it doesn't come to that.

'Living so far away from Perth makes that hard. We would have to look at the family situation and if we could go down there for that long.

'Newman doesn't even have a hospital where babies can be delivered  you have to be out of town by the time you are 36-weeks pregnant.'

The mother posted her concerns to the Midnight Mums Facebook group asking for advice  some mothers revealed they became pregnant after sterilisation while others had been told they were 'too young' even aged 30.

The mother was shocked after hearing most women were told they couldn't have the surgery because of their age and said her doctor agreed to do her operation immediately.
It may have been a drab and drizzly day, but the Duchess of Cornwall certainly didn't let it dampen her spirits as she arrived at Newmarket Academy, Suffolk this morning.

Camilla, 69, hid from the rain under a large clear umbrella and was all smiles as she arrived for a tour of the school.

Proving that her the Duchess of Cambridge is not the only thrifty royal, Camilla recycled a favourite tartan jacket and skirt suit in green and purple, which she's worn on three previous occasions.

The Duchess, who is an honorary member of The Jockey Club was at the school to learn about its involvement with the local racing community, and joined pupils in the kitchen to help decorate Easter cup cakes.

The Duchess of Cornwall, arrives at Newmarket Academy school, on a grey and rainy day in Newmarket, Suffolk, brandishing a large umbrella

The Duchess of Cornwall, decorates Easter themed cup cakes with school children at Newmarket Academy school, in Suffolk

Camilla received a special edition of the board game Monopoly from Amy Starkey, Regional Director East for the Jockey Club at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse

The down-to-earth Duchess seems to have perfected her icing skills - just weeks after dropping buttercream from a piping bag on to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's tie

The school has its own forge, where the Duchess saw pupils making horseshoes and was presented with one as a gift during Wednesday's visit.

She also attended a class where children had been asked to write a sentence explaining the value of reading.

Camilla wrote her own sentence to add to the school's display board: 'Reading is important because it fires the imagination, and starts a voyage of discovery to different worlds...'

She discussed favourite books with youngsters, asking them if they enjoyed Harry Potter and adding that books by David Walliams were good too.

The Duchess of Cornwall, with Rob Bowley, meets Frankel during her visit to Banstead Manor Stud, Newmarket

The Duchess looked smart in a purple tartan ensemble she's worn on three previous occasions

The Duchess watched a short dress rehearsal of the school's forthcoming theatre production, toured its animal welfare centre and was told about the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project.

The project is a five-year partnership sponsored by Godolphin, the global thoroughbred breeding and horseracing team, which aims to raise the aspirations and ambitions of young people in Newmarket.

Camilla later travelled the short distance to the Rowley Mile Racecourse where she unveiled a statue of King Charles II.

Camilla proved herself a dab hand in the kitchen as she put the final touches on cupcakes, under the watchful eyes of students

Camilla was visiting the Newmarket Academy school in the Suffolk racing town in her capacity as an honorary member of The Jockey Club

The king, who was known as a keen horseman, helped to establish the Suffolk town as the Home of Horseracing and the statue has been placed at the Rowley Mile Racecourse.

It's a larger than life-size replica of an original marble statue of the king by Victorian sculptor Henry Weekes.

The original is part of the Parliamentary Art Collection at the House of Lords and is displayed at the Old Bailey in London.

The Duchess of Cornwall meets Lucy Johnson, 11, at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse

Animal lover Camilla gives Frankel the horse an affectionate pat on her visit to Banstead Manor Stud

Camilla looked a little lost under her huge umbrella as she arrived to unveil a statue of King Charles II at Newmarket Racecourse

The replica was commissioned to honour the contribution of King Charles II to the Sport of Kings and to mark the 350th anniversary of racing in Newmarket, following a year of celebrations in 2016.

Its production was made possible by the Works of Art Committee at the House of Lords, which agreed to a cast of the original statue being taken.

The Duchess then met leading trainers and sponsors at the Jockey Club.

Kate's not the only thrifty royal! Today saw Camilla recycle a favourite tartan ensemble for the fourth time

Camilla wore her favourite tartan two-piece in October 2015 for a visit to The Brooke animal welfare charity with the Queen

Camilla presenting an award at the Dents factory in her recycled tartan in February 2015

Camilla in her trusty tartan during a visit to the Ebony Horse Club & Community Riding Centre with the Queen on October 29, 2013

She was presented with a special Newmarket edition of the Monopoly board game on her departure.

It's been a busy week so far for the royal who last night was was given a cooking masterclass by Jamie Oliver when she helped a group of leading chefs create a banquet for everyday heroes.

As cooks busily worked around her Camilla assembled a mozzarella salad with blood oranges, beetroots, leaves and watercress - under Oliver's watchful eye.
A student is campaigning to end revenge porn after she fell victim to the cruel practice - which is illegal in some states - when she was just 14 years old.

Leah Juliett, now 20, was devastated when a boy she was communicating with shared naked pictures of her with their entire school and online.

The traumatic experience left the New York-based poet, actor and activist feeling alone, vulnerable and too scared to report it.

Traumatic: Leah Juliett, now 20, pictured, sent naked pictures of herself to a boy who later decided to share them with her entire school and online without her consent

Isolating: The New York-based poet, actor and activist, pictured left aged 15 and right recently, said the experience left feeling alone and vulnerable

Juliett, who identifies as queer, remained silent on the issue until last year when she decided to speak publicly about it for the first time.

She wrote a spoken word piece about her experience and next month she will lead the first March Against Revenge Porn.

Juliett was having difficulties with her sexuality when the boy from her Connecticut school asked her to send him naked pictures of herself.

She sent him four photographs but when he asked her for more explicit pictures she refused.

Around a month later - during which time Juliett had come out as queer - she said she was left 'panic-stricken' when he told her he was going to 'ruin' her life.

She told Daily Mail Online: 'I had sent him the photos a bit of time before that and I'm not exactly sure what I'd done to upset him so much - whether it was embracing my queer identity or not being interested in him...

'He told me that he was going to ruin my life and he proceeded to send my pictures around, although at the time I didn't know. I didn't find out until people started telling me they had seen the photos.'

The pictures also appeared on a website which kept being re-posted in different online locations.

Juliett was so frightened of the potential consequences of the images that she started to extricate herself from extra-curricular activities.

Voice: Last year she found the courage to speak publicly about it for the first time

Protest: She is organizing a march across Brooklyn Bridge on April 1 to raise awareness of the issue

She did not tell a teacher or counselor because she did not want her parents to find out.

'I was certainly very scared. I remember feeling sick to my stomach that if I hadn't sent him the pictures he wouldn't have had the ammunition,' she said.

Juliett lost numerous friends and was made to feel uncomfortable by other students but took refuge in the school theater department.

She said: 'Outside of that it was awful. People literally looked at me in hallways like they'd seen me naked because they had.'

She added: 'I felt incredibly ashamed by my actions and I knew that they [her parents] would put some blame on me for sending pictures.'

After years of silence she has since told her family and speaks publicly about her experiences in a bid to help others.

So far 35 states have revenge porn laws, according to Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.

A study by the organization found that 90 per cent of victims of non-consensual pornography are women.

Juliett visits schools to advise children on their cyber civil rights and she hopes the march on April 1 at 1pm across Brooklyn Bridge will help raise awareness of revenge porn and offer comfort to victims.

She said: 'We need to have more conversations around it. To say all people should stop sending nude photos of themselves is wishful thinking but I don't think it's very practical.'
As a mother-of-two and a working actress, Grey's Anatomy star Sarah Drew knows all too well the realities of being a working mom to newborns.

After her son Micah was born in January 2012, and her daughter Hannah in December of 2014, the 36-year-old New Yorker would have to pump milk at work while away form her kids.

So when her Grey's character Dr. April Kepner had babies and returned to the hospital, she requested that a breast pump scene be added to one of the episodes.

Scroll down for video

Realistic: In last week's episode, Dr. April Kepner was seen finishing up with a breast pump on Grey's Anatomy

Adding her own experience: Sarah Drew, who plays the character, specifically asked for that to be included in the scene

In the scene, which aired early in last week's episode, April is seen in a hotel room while on a business trip. She's on the phone and shown with the pieces of a breast pump machine and a full bottle of milk, having just finished pumping off-camera for her baby Harriet.

According to an interview Sarah gave to Glamour, that bit wasn't in the script, but she asked the episode's director, Kevin McKidd, to have it added in.

'I asked to have [that] pumping scene. As a breastfeeding mother, I would be pumping if I was away from my baby. So that action, that cut, made it into the scene,' she said.

Working mom: The 36-year-old (pictured on the show) has two children in real life

'I was like, "It's not in the script, but I would like to have a pump here, and I would like to be doing this action. And can we make sure that we have a wide enough shot to see it?"'

Kevin obliged, and even filmed with the wide shot to show all of the pumping equipment.

'It's something I really care about and is part of, for me, what it means to be a working mother.

'You have to account for all of that stuff when you travel away from your child. I always really celebrate the moments where we get a window into that struggle or that journey,' she added.

Her take: She said pumping is a reality and that it was important for her to show it on TV

Good reception: Sarah said the reaction to the moment on social media was positive

Kevin agreed, saying: 'One of the big themes of our show is how do we make the best life with so many commitments when we're all pulled in so many directions? In that moment, it really portrayed that well.

'It's important to show that we're all multitasking all the time, especially these doctors who are committed to their patients, but also their own lives going on, too. It's nice to let the audience know that were all going through it together.'

Sarah also noted how the show depicts a daycare in the hospital to drive home the realities of being a working parent, and said she was happy to see positive reactions to the breast pump on social media.
As a leading royal, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands must be used to the daily grind of attending official engagements.

But the monarch, 45, seemed genuinely enthralled by a talk at the University of Amsterdam, regularly bursting into laughter as she listened to a presentation on the effects of music on the child's brain

The Dutch queen looked typically stylish in a stunning forest green blouse, matching the dark shade of her top with a khaki-style shirt and a pair of black killer heels.

Queen Maxima seemed genuinely enthralled by a talk at the University of Amsterdam, regularly bursting into laughter while wearing a stunning forest green blouse

Completing her look was a chunky gold bracelet and a pair of silver and emerald chandelier-style earrings.

The royal, who is married to King Willem-Alexander, was listening to a lecture on the effect of music on a child's brain by Professor Erik Scherder, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology.

She took part in interactive workshops involving more than 200 teachers and administrators to discuss the music curriculum at Dutch schools.

Argentinian-born Maxima then received guests at the Renaissance-style Noordeinde Palace as part of her role as chairman of a musical charity.

Completing her look was a chunky gold bracelet and a pair of silver and emerald chandelier-style earrings

The royal was listening to a lecture on the effect of music on a child's brain by Professor Erik Scherder, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology

She took part in interactive workshops involving more than 200 teachers and administrators to discuss the music curriculum at Dutch schools

Her jolly mood was in stark contrast to her demeanour yesterday, when she attended the funeral for Prince Richard, the husband of Denmark's Princess Benedikte.

The 82-year-old was laid to rest in the German town of Bad Berleburg following his unexpected death on March 13.

She attended with her husband and royals from across Scandinavia including Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

The late Prince Richard's children wiped away tears as they watched their father's coffin being carried into the Evangelical City Church in the small town close to where the family live.

Maxima recently completed a three-day whistlestop tour of New York and Washington, as part of her work as a special advocate of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for inclusive finance for development.

Argentinian-born Maxima then received guests at the Renaissance-style Noordeinde Palace as part of her role as chairman of a musical charity

She met with a group of UN ambassadors from around 37 countries actively working to improve global access to financial services to enable the development of low-income groups.

Maxima, who is mother to Princesses Catharina-Amalia, 13, Alexia, 11 and Ariane, nine was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville in 1999.

Despite reportedly having no idea that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became Queen consort when her husband was crowned in April 2013.
Wendy Watson says she simply doesnt see them any more  the now fading, but still visible, red scars that criss-cross her flat chest.

Theyre the battle wounds of a hell of a fight she took on 25 years ago  against doctors and the medical establishment  and won.

She won not just for her, but for thousands of women all over the world who arent aware that they might owe their lives to this genial, 62-year-old grandmother from Derbyshire.

Wendy may not look much like a trailblazer, but thats precisely what she is  a pioneer whos led the way for everyone from Angelina Jolie to Sharon Osborne

Wendy may not look much like a trailblazer, but thats precisely what she is  a pioneer whos led the way for everyone from Angelina Jolie to Sharon Osborne.

How? Wendy is thought to be the first woman in Britain to have had a pre-emptive double mastectomy.

Despite being just 37 in 1992, and doctors doubting her sanity and dismissing her as hysterical, she succeeded in persuading surgeons to remove both her healthy breasts, halting the scourge of breast cancer which had ravaged her family for generations.

This was when DNA profiling was still in its infancy, and the defective BRCA1 gene, responsible for greatly increasing a womans chances of developing breast cancer, was still to be identified.

People didnt know that breast cancer could be inherited. But Wendy had spotted a trait in her family that she couldnt put down to coincidence. The women mostly didnt live into old age, because of breast cancer. Her own mother died aged just 45.

Fearing the odds were stacked against her too, she fought, long and hard, against fierce scepticism for her then healthy breasts to be removed.

How? Wendy is thought to be the first woman in Britain to have had a pre-emptive double mastectomy

Back then, she wasnt offered reconstructive surgery either, and remains defiantly flat-chested.

Losing my breasts bought me my future, says Wendy, who lives in Bakewell, with her second husband Chris, 68, a retired policeman.

Like every other woman, I catch sight of my naked body in the mirror now and then, and dont like what I see. But not my scars, she says. I see them and think: Im here, Im alive. 

Simple pleasures like being able to push her three-year-old grand-daughter Eva May on a swing, as she eagerly awaits the birth of her second grandchild (her daughter, Becky Measures, is due in April) remind her how right she was to fight.

The fact that three generations of females in her family are alive, and able to enjoy each others company, is down to her courage.

Wendys operation in 1992 was the precursor to the boom in preventative double-mastectomies we see today  an operation which is the most reliable way to prevent breast cancer in those genetically prone to it. It has become dramatically more popular since Angelina Jolie announced she had had both breasts removed in 2013.

So common is it that women who have had the operation have attracted their own moniker: previvors  those who took preventative measures to survive cancer. The hashtag #previvor is even found as a caption to photos women now post online of their double mastectomy scars.

All this, however, doesnt come without controversy. Some doctors warn the fear factor is behind such a rise in double, preventative mastectomies, and that the vast majority are unnecessary.

Fearing the odds were stacked against her too, she fought, long and hard, against fierce scepticism for her then healthy breasts to be removed. Wendy (right) pictured with her daughter, Becky

Wendys familys journey started when, as a nine year old, she watched her beloved grandma, Evelyn, die of ovarian cancer at 67, having battled breast cancer in her 40s. Six years later, history repeated itself when Wendys mother told her she, too, had breast cancer.

Dad cared for her at home, recalls Wendy. I remember him crying as he threw meals in the bin that Mum was too weak to eat. Radiotherapy didnt work, and she died within 14 months. It was harrowing.

Jean, a teacher, was just 45 when she died in August 1971, leaving behind Wendy, 16, and her younger sister, Diane, 12.

Wendys loss was particularly keen when her daughter, Becky, was born in October 1981. I was terrified of leaving her without a mum, she says. I became increasingly convinced there had to be some link between Mum and Grandma. But doctors told me it was pure coincidence.

Then, in 1990, Wendy had a chance meeting with a cousin, Jennifer Caudwell.

She was shocked to learn Jennifer had suffered two bouts of breast cancer in her early 30s. Not only this, but her sister, Barbara Ayre, had died of breast cancer at the age of 38; their aunt Hilda had also developed breast cancer but survived; and their mother, Lilian Holmes, had just been diagnosed aged 67. Sadly, she died soon afterwards.

I was horror-struck, says Wendy. Nine of the ten females in three generations had contracted breast cancer. Six had died. Whatever was causing it seemed to date back as far as I could trace  to my great-great-great-great-great grandmother. By now I had a sympathetic GP who was so appalled he agreed to give me check-ups every three months. He hoped to reassure me. But I was on tenterhooks, convinced he would find a lump.

I was a pert 36C, but I loathed my breasts so much I never indulged in pretty lingerie or low-cut tops.

By now, my marriage had broken up and, in 1990, I had married Chris, a policeman. We bought a beautiful farmhouse in the Peak District and should have been blissfully planning our future, but my first thought every morning was of the cancer I knew was coming for me.

Then Wendy had her lightbulb moment. Im a very practical woman. Suddenly I realised the best way to ensure I never got breast cancer was to get rid of my breasts, she said. With no breasts, there could be no cancer.

Chris saw the logic. Its always been me he loves, not my breasts.

Although stunned by her suggestion  it was the first time anyone had ever discussed the idea  Wendys forward-thinking GP also saw the logic. He agreed to refer her to a surgeon at Buxton Hospital.

The surgeon was equally astounded. But, at Wendys insistence, he made an appointment for her at the Family History Clinic at Manchesters Nightingale Centre. It could not have been more timely.

Professors Tony Howell and Gareth Evans, who were investigating genetic links with cancer, were on the verge of a breakthrough. They had found a faulty chromosome on which a gene was situated, which they called BRCA1. However, there was still no test that could confirm whether someone had the BRCA1 gene.

Wendy had a preventative hysterectomy two months after her double mastectomy. Now Becky, who has regular tests, knows she faces the same stark choice

Even that didnt put me off, says Wendy. I knew I wouldnt regret it. Chris squeezed my hand and said: Go for it.

But when I told friends, they were horrified. Their biggest concern seemed to be how Chris would cope. Would he still find me attractive?

 Why not wait until youve got cancer?  they asked. How can you explain what it feels like to be stalked by fear 24/7?

Today, women are counselled to prepare them for having mastectomies. Wendy had to stumble along alone.

But I had been agonising so long, I was mentally prepared, she says. So she woke from the operation at Stockport Hospital in April 1992, feeling only relief.

I suspect its more traumatic for women who have just one breast removed and may feel lopsided, she says. Looking round the ward, all women recovering from surgery to stop their cancer spreading, was sobering. Many faced months of traumatic treatment. All I had were a few scars, and the knowledge Id dodged a bullet.

A year after her operation, came another medical development: the gene test for BRCA1. It confirmed what Wendy had long suspected  she had the faulty gene. Her sister, Diane, had escaped.

This, however, left the terrible prospect that her daughter, Becky, a 35-year-old radio presenter, might have inherited it.

Becky was 22 when, in January 2004, a blood test confirmed she was, indeed, a carrier. It meant she had a 85 per cent chance of developing breast cancer. Wendy wept when she learned shed passed on the gene.

Losing my womb  which will catapult me into the menopause  would be more life-changing than losing my breasts, says Becky

Becky was given three options: monitoring, a trial procedure where her ovaries would be shut down to stop her producing oestrogen which feeds tumours  or she could copy her mother, and remove her breasts.

While there had been enormous strides in surgery since her mothers operation, for Becky some questions remained. I was worried I wouldnt feel sexy, that no man would fancy me, she says. Becky, unlike her mother, couldnt countenance living without her breasts, opting instead for reconstruction.

Mum was ten years older, and already a mother when she had the op. I was much younger, and had a lovely figure. I couldnt imagine living in high-necked tops. Mum was happily settled with my lovely stepdad. I wasnt sure I had met the one yet.

To Beckys delight, her surgeon at Manchesters Wythenshawe Hospital, Andy Blaidon, promised he could do the reconstruction at the same time as he removed her breasts.

Becky sailed through the operation. But, while the scars quickly faded, questions remained. I wondered how I would ever explain my body to a man, says Becky.

Fortunately, when she met her partner, Alex, a 31-year-old salesman, through friends in 2011, he already knew. Word had apparently got round!

When Becky fell pregnant with Eva May in October 2012, she had to accept she would never breastfeed her. I worried it would stop us bonding, says Becky.

MUCH to her relief, the bond with Eva May was instant when she was born in July 2013. However, her birth was tinged with anxiety, as the little girl stands a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the deadly gene.

I like to think medical advances will mean she has even more choices in the future than me and Mum, says Becky.

Wendy, who was awarded the MBE in 2013, continues with her tireless work to raise awareness of the genetic link with breast cancer  she runs The Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline, open 24 hours, from her home. Becky, meanwhile, has another important decision hanging over her. The defective BRCA1 gene means she has a 40-60 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Wendy had a preventative hysterectomy two months after her double mastectomy. Now Becky, who has regular tests, knows she faces the same stark choice.

Losing my womb  which will catapult me into the menopause  would be more life-changing than losing my breasts, says Becky. I worry I wont feel like a woman, that it will damage my relationship. And what if we wanted more children?

Mum is reassuring  she coped with it brilliantly. But it has to be my decision. Deep down, I know the answer.

Im blessed that Ill have two children and, for their sake, I need to do all I can to stay cancer free. And live on, just like her mother did, to see her grandchildren grow up. And for everyone to remember Wendy, who made it all possible.

For information on hereditary breast cancer, or to donate, contact breastcancer genetics.co.uk, or telephone 01629 813000.
Starbucks' latest collaboration on coffee gear is already selling for twice the price on eBay, but this time, fans in the US and Europe never even had a chance to pay retail for the items in store.

This month, the coffeehouse partnered with French designer Paul & Joe on a limited-edition run of tumblers, mugs, totes, and gift bags with pretty floral prints and cute cats.

They're only available in Asian markets, though, so fans in the west have turned to eBay to buy the goodies at a pretty big mark-up.

Chic cup: Starbucks collaborated this month on a line of mugs, tumblers, and bags with French designer Paul and Joe

Not here: The pieces are only available in Asian stores and cost $40 to $50

Buy online: However, the designs have popped up on eBay for a mark-up

'This partnership with Starbucks is ideal as Paul & Joe is more than just a fashion brand. Our brand represents individuality and sophistication while maintaining a sense of fun, which our customers love,' Paul & Joe Founder Sophie Mechaly said in a press release.

The collaboration first started in 2016, when the brand created a merchandise collection to celebrate its 20th anniversary. It was so popular that the partnership was expanded this year.

'We are thrilled to be introducing this collection, the latest in a series of Starbucks partnerships with leading designers to inspire and delight our customers as they express their passion for fashion,' said Michele Waits, Starbucks vice president of Marketing and Category for the China and Asia Pacific Region.

Cute: The pieces have pretty butterfly, cherry blossom, and cat designs

Meow! The cat, named Gypsy, is a Paul & Joe signature, and is also on gift cards

The line includes 12-ounce double-wall travel mugs ($40), cotton totes, and 16-ounce stainless steel tumblers ($50).

The designs feature cherry blossoms, butterflies, and the Paul & Joe cat Gipsy, in pink, light blue, and red hues.

There are even gift cards featuring Gipsy artwork, though it isn't clear whether or not they would work in the US or UK  and if they will, they are still being resold for more than the value stored on them.

Being offered by sellers in Singapore, Taiwan, China, and Thailand, items are being offered for as much as $99.

Drinkin' pretty: Last month, Starbucks began selling Lilly Pulitzer-branded S'well bottles for $39.95 each

Going, going, gone! The bottles hit 4,000 Starbucks stores and quickly sold out

Items from Starbucks' latest US collaboration are still being resold on eBay for a mark-up after hitting stores last month.

In February, the brand sold a new line of 17-ounce S'well bottles designed by Lilly Pulitzer for $39.95 each.

They quickly sold out in stores and started popping up on eBay, though the coffee chain promises they will be available again online this spring.

The limited-edition bottles are certainly practical, keeping drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours  but it's that girly Lilly Pulitzer print that made fans act so desperate.

'Wrapping Lilly Pulitzer prints on our bottles instantly transported us to summer days and had us itching to head to the beach with a bottle full of Starbucks Cold Brew,' said Sarah Kauss, S'well founder and CEO, in a press release.

More soon: They will become available on Starbucks' website this spring, but impatient shoppers have been scooping them up on eBay for double the retail price

Woohoo! Fans expressed their excitement on social media

Printed and practical: Many didn't seem to mind spending extra cash for the bottles, which keep liquids hot or cold for long hours

A premium for speed: Starbucks doesn't yet have an online release date but there will be more to purchase at retail price soon

But bidding is climbing up pretty high on its own. Bottles have been going for up to $80 each, with many fetching well over the actual $39.95 price tag.

Some sellers are even getting away with charging nearly $17 extra for shipping of a single bottle.

Of course, fans have also been freaking out on social media, tweeting about their excitement over the collaboration.

'I need the Lilly Pulitzer Starbucks bottle. I don't just want it, it's a need,' wrote one. Another echoed: 'Lilly Pulitzer + Starbucks = S'Well Bottles. I want! I need! Take my money!'

Some have even seen shoppers stocking up on multiple bottles to resell them and have voiced their displeasure online. 'B****es really CAMPED OUTSIDE OF STARBUCKS to get these Lilly Pulitzer swell bottles,' wrote one observer.
Until now, the unkindest thing Mary Berry had said to another woman was that she had a soggy bottom

Until now, the unkindest thing Mary Berry had said to another woman was that she had a soggy bottom.

Never one to get personal, the nations second most loved grandmother  after the Queen  would, of course, be referring to a failed Bakewell tart by one of the Bake Off contestants.

While her fellow judge Paul Hollywood was left to be the nasty one, Mary was always kind and encouraging, especially to the failed female bakers reduced to tears when their Victoria sponge fell flat.

So it provoked astonishment when, on Monday, sweet, saintly Mary revealed a somewhat thoughtless side to her character.

In a panel discussion in London, An Evening With Mary Berry, she suggested she had a culinary advantage over Delia Smith because she has children.

I always felt that Delia, who I think is absolutely brilliant, hasnt had the advantage of having children like I have, because you dont half get the truth, she said.

As Ive got children Im very lucky because they will say: Dont do that again, Mum. 

A comment like that from one woman to another  childless  woman is enough to curdle creme fraiche at 50 paces. Mary and Delia have been friends for decades, so was it a mistake?

Surely Mary would have known that Delia had once been desperate to be a mother. The latter has said very little on the subject, but enough to hint at the heartache beneath her calm exterior.

Yes, I would have loved to have children, she said in a magazine interview. For reasons known only to her and her husband, it wasnt to be.

Any woman, like me, who longed to become a mother, tried and failed, knows the enduring heartache that it adds to your life  and how a thoughtless comment can kick open the wound in an instant.

The last thing we need is the smug mum brigade claiming they have the jump on us because, as Mary said, we havent had the advantage of having children.

With one unfortunate comment, benevolent Mary turns out to be a frenemy. And not just to Delia, but to all childless women.

Delia did not choose to be childless but, like so many of us, she accepted the hand fate had dealt her and got on with her life.

While her fellow judge Paul Hollywood was left to be the nasty one, Mary was always kind and encouraging, especially to the failed female bakers reduced to tears when their Victoria sponge fell flat

AnD in her case that meant turning herself into a multi- millionairess and the UKs best-selling cookery writer, with more than 21 million copies sold. A bit of frenemy jealousy there, perhaps, Mary?

I thought that we had left these careless views about childless women behind in my mothers generation.

Back then, a woman without children was described as barren, incomplete: it was always her fault, there was no such thing as male infertility.

They were sad aunts, to be pitied. But the next generation of childless women, including Germaine Greer, started to become very successful, rich and happy. Enviable, even.

Mothers who rightly took time away from their jobs to raise their children found themselves left behind on the career ladder, and before long pity was morphing into resentment.

The mystery of Marys remark is that both women are so successful. So why cant she just be happy for Delia, that she has made a fantastic go of her life as a childless, and happy, woman?

Would she have made such a careless remark about a womans weight, race or sexuality? No, yet somehow childless women are still seen as fair game.

Has it escaped her attention that the worlds top chefs are still chiefly men, often with wives to look after their children?

So it provoked astonishment when, on Monday, sweet, saintly Mary revealed a somewhat thoughtless side to her character

They did not get their Michelin stars by parading home-made spag bol under their picky broods noses. They got them through hard graft and talent.

Underlying such comments is something far more pernicious. It is a form of childless shaming, the implication that women without children are inferior.

Were like mille-feuille without the custard, layer upon layer of lightweight, meaningless pastry missing that one vital ingredient, what it really takes to be a proper woman  even though one woman in four falls into this category, being childless by choice or, more often, because of factors beyond her control.

Add that to the majority of gay people who also dont have kids and you have a significant minority of what some mothers regard as incomplete human beings.

The notion that a childless woman feels human tragedy less keenly than a parent is one I have certainly encountered. I recently attended a dinner party where a casual comment from a tearful mum of three made me smart.

We were discussing the plight of starving children in Somalia, as you do while enjoying a three-course feast washed down with wine so costly it would have kept a poor African family for a year.

I pointed out that while the people needed our urgent help, the Somali government was one of the most corrupt in the world, starving its own people.

She replied: You wouldnt understand; you dont feel things the way I do. Youre not a mother. I suspect that if a man had made a similar comment, she wouldnt have thought to mention whether he had children. She would just have considered him brave and well-informed.

Some women do feel inherently that motherhood has given them moral superiority  that somehow they care more and are rounded decision-makers, able to make the right choices.

In a panel discussion in London, An Evening With Mary Berry, she suggested she had a culinary advantage over Delia Smith because she has children

It seeps into the psyche of even the most intelligent people. Didnt Theresa Mays rival for the Tory leadership, Andrea Leadsom, suggest she was a better candidate to lead the country as she was a mother of three?

I have children who are going to have children who will be directly part of what happens next, she said.

That was shortly before she withdrew from the leadership race because of the effect the publicity was having on  you guessed it  her children.

Perhaps it is no accident that the two most powerful people in the country, Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon, are both childless. As is the leader of the Tories in Scotland, Ruth Davidson. And the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Could Delia have been on to something when she opined: Maybe one of the reasons Ive been so successful in my career is that I dont have children.

There are compensations for the army of childless women after all.

Yes, Mary Berry has her new show, Mary Berry Everyday, on BBC 2, which is a poor replacement for Bake Off.

On her own, without Paul, Mel and Sue, she is as appetising as a burnt Victoria sponge.

And whats the betting that after her unkind comment on Delia, Marys children will be saying: Dont do that again, Mum.
Claire Stevens sees a huge number of children come in with tooth decay

As a consultant paediatric dentist, I see terrible tooth decay that is almost wholly preventable.

All too often, I find myself removing all 20 baby teeth from toddlers who are aged just two or three.

In one afternoon, recently, I extracted a total of 100 teeth from eight children.

Because they are so young, my patients are unlikely to understand what is going on or why they are in pain.

The worst-affected may have been unable to eat or sleep because of the intense discomfort.

Too small to sit still during a single extraction, let alone an operation to remove multiple teeth, they have to be given a general anaesthetic so that I can work as they sleep.

Some parents endured the same themselves as children. Nevertheless, most are shocked when they see their son or daughter coming round from the procedure. Its heart-rending for them and I share their sadness.

Regardless of peoples preconceptions, tooth decay affects all communities and is no respecter of class or income.

Yes, children in deprived areas are more likely to suffer from tooth decay, but this does not tell the whole story.

Well-meaning parents who give their children fruit juice or dried fruit snacks throughout the day may find the youngsters develop holes in their teeth because of the high sugar content.

As a mother of young children, I can appreciate the temptation to soothe them with whatever works.

But I cant emphasise enough how bad it is to give toddlers a bottle of fruit juice or fizzy pop, or even worse, a cola drink, which will destroy the thin and porous enamel of baby teeth.

The worst thing you can do is give small children drinks like that at night because saliva dries up when we sleep. Saliva is the main buffer against decay in daytime, but we cant rely on it at night.

I tell parents about the golden hour before bedtime, when nothing but fluoride toothpaste should touch a childs teeth.

The fact that large numbers of operations are carried out on childrens teeth ought to be regarded as a national scandal  yet they are on the rise, with hospital extractions for pre-school children up 24 per cent in ten years.

Its the most common reason for hospital admissions in the under-fives, even more than for broken bones and swollen tonsils.

The causes of tooth decay are many. Obviously sugar is a major culprit, and consumption is soaring. Its not just in food but in fizzy drinks. And baby teeth really do matter  they act as guides for the adult teeth that come through later.

If some baby teeth are extracted, the others spread out and later they guide the adult teeth into the wrong positions, which causes overcrowding.

Its wrong to simply blame the parents. In fact, all of us could be doing more to prevent tooth decay  by lobbying for clearer product labelling, to reduce added sugar in processed foods, and to remove sweets from supermarket check-outs.

As dentists are recording a huge rise in the number of children having teeth removed, one paediatric consultant watns parents not to give kids fizzy drinks and sweets

We all need to start asking very awkward questions  such as why the money raised from the planned sugar levy on soft drinks wont be spent on dental health education?

Putting aside the toll tooth decay takes on families  through childrens broken nights and missed lessons or time off work for the parents  the cost of childhood dental disease is high.

We spend 35 million alone in the UK on operations to remove young teeth.

Yet it doesnt have to be this way. In Hull, for example, the Teeth Team initiative  which has just won a British Society of Paediatric Dentistry award  has introduced tooth-brushing into schools. Dentists are giving their services for free, while dental suppliers are donating toothbrushes and toothpaste.

As a result, the amount of general anaesthetic used for hospital extractions in Hull are going down.

And the Designed To Smile initiative has been effective in Wales. Its cost is approximately 17 per child per year, making early prevention far cheaper than later treatment. From a financial point of view, its a no-brainer.

But it is not happening in England, partly because health authorities work differently here. Power is devolved to the local level, which means that to set up a scheme, youd need 140 health bodies to back it, rather than one.

That doesnt mean we should despair. There are other solutions, such as adding fluoride to water. Where that happens we know that children aged one to four are 45 per cent less likely to go to hospital to have teeth out.

In short, England needs a co-ordinated strategy. The fact that were having to extract so many teeth from the under-fives is awful. It should be cause for national shame, and it has to change.
Aspirin taken by thousands of people to thin the blood and ward off strokes could double the risk of heart attacks, experts have warned.

A study of 30,000 NHS patients found those with atrial fibrillation - a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate - were at higher risk if they took aspirin than other drugs.

Researchers from Southampton University and Maastricht University in the Netherlands examined health records of people who were prescribed warfarin, aspirin or a new generation of pills to prevent stroke.

They found patients who took aspirin were 1.9 times as likely to suffer an acute heart attack as those who took warfarin, one of a class of drugs called vitamin K antagonists.

A study of 30,000 NHS patients found those with atrial fibrillation - a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate - were at higher risk if they took aspirin than other drugs

Study leader Dr Leo Stolk, from Maastricht, said: Oral anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists has been the cornerstone for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation for decades.

We identified an ... increased risk of [heart attacks] among current and past aspirin users in comparison with VKAs.

There also exists doubt about the usefulness of aspirin in atrial fibrillation. In new guidelines aspirin is no longer included.

The paper, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, found a new class of drugs called direct oral anticoagulants - or DOACs - were also linked to a doubling in heart attack risk.

The study looked at prescription history and heart problems among NHS patients - 15,400 who were users of aspirin, 13,098 of VKAs, 1,266 of DOACs or 382 who took a mixture.

Those taking DOACs were followed for a year while those taking VKAs and aspirin were tracked for three years.

The findings echo guidance issued by NHS watchdog NICE in 2015 which said aspirin does more harm than good for AF patients.

Atrial fibrillation affects up to 900,000 patients in England and causes their hearts to beat very fast and irregularly, greatly increasing the risk of stroke and early death.

But as many as one in seven - up to 120,000 patients - are taking aspirin even though it isnt very effective and may itself cause a stroke.

The problem has come about because for almost a decade GPs and heart specialists were encouraged to prescribe aspirin, as it was thought the drug helped to thin the blood and prevent the deadly clots that cause strokes.

But recent evidence suggests it may also cause bleeding in the stomach and, in rare cases, bleeds in the brain that actually lead to strokes.

Studies have also shown aspirin is far less effective than other less risky blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and NOACS, which include rivaroxaban and apixaban.

GPs have been ordered to check patients taking aspirin at least once a year.
IVF clinics should stop treating women over the age of 42 because success rates are so slim, a top fertility doctor has warned.

Professor Hans Evers said their chances of having a baby were just 5 per cent and accused centres of not being fair on desperate couples.

By the time women reach 44, the success rate of IVF has halved again to just 2 per cent, he said.

Professor Hans Evers said women over the age of 42 have such a low chance of conceiving, it isn't fair to keep treating them

Professor Evers, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, accused private clinics of raising false hope and promoting expensive but useless additional treatments including hormones and screening. Addressing the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists World Congress in South Africa, the consultant called for a universal IVF age cap of 42.

He said: The chances get so small per cycle that you have to do a huge number of cycles to achieve that one baby. Women are offered so many useless therapies  you may call it cons  but it is not fair.

In 2014, the latest available data, 2,631 British women aged over 42 had IVF, and all paid privately. This has increased sixfold since the early 1990s as rising numbers are postponing motherhood to pursue careers.

The NHS will not fund treatment for women over 42 but many private clinics extend the age limit up to 50.

FIRMS WHO STILL CLAIM THEY CAN HELP Clincs across the UK offer IVF to women in their 40s, making bold claims about how they can help. 'Can make your dream reality' Its not too late to have a baby  fertility over 40 is possible, says the Bridge Centre, in central London. It offers a range of additional treatments, saying: The Bridge Centre can make your dream of becoming a parent a reality through its renowned IVF programme, its enhanced IVF with genetic testing or through having IVF with donor eggs. '25 per cent success rate' We are always very realistic with patients about their chances of success, claims Bourn Hall, which has clinics in East Anglia. Although IVF success rates for women aged 38 to 43 are still good, with a 20 to 25 per cent chance of pregnancy, this is half that of a woman under 35. We therefore offer different types of advice and therapy for women in their late 30s early 40s. 'Treat women as individuals' While experts say success rates for those over 42 is below 5 per cent, the Bath Fertility Centre says it would quote 5 to 10 per cent, claiming you have to treat women as individuals. However, this clinic does advise caution for women over 43 and does not treat those over 44. Advertisement

Several actively target women in their forties on their websites and say the chances of success are still good. One, Bourn Hall, which runs clinics in East Anglia, claims women aged 43 still have up to a 25 per cent chance of falling pregnant.

The Bridge Centre in London states: There are a number of ways we can help with IVF over 40 and help women have a successful pregnancy.

A typical course of IVF costs 4,000 but additional tests, procedures and drugs that supposedly boost success rates can double the price.

These include screening embryos to select the best one to put in the womb and a technique called assisted hatching, which is meant to help it implant. But Professor Evers, who is also editor of the Human Reproduction journal, described these techniques as nonsense.

They dont help, he said. But infertile women are desperate. They will do anything to get a baby. It is not fair.

In the Netherlands, women are only offered IVF up to 42.

Professor Evers said the only practical option for women over 42 was to use donor eggs from someone in their 20s or 30s.

This would increase success rates to between 20 and 30 per cent. But many women are reluctant to do this as they will not be biologically related to their child, and British law states babies born from donor eggs can find out the identity of their biological mother once they are 16.

A womans fertility starts to decline from the age of 35. Dr Virginia Beckett, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said as women age there is also an increased risk of pregnancy complications including miscarriage, stillbirth, high blood pressure, premature birth and a low birth weight.

But a charity has defended clinics, saying every woman is different and conception can still be possible over the age of 42

She added that the live birth rate for women under 35 having IVF was 31 per cent, compared to less than 5 per cent for those over 42.

But Susan Seenan, of the charity Fertility Network UK, warned against an age cap of 42.

She acknowledged the chance of becoming a mother at that age was vanishingly small but said everyone is different and that a blanket ban on treating women over 42 would disregard an individuals personal medical circumstances.
Pensioners who lose their sense of small are more likely to die within 10 years, according to a new study.

Researchers say the findings suggest measuring older patients sense of smell could indicate their overall well-being.

The analysis, of almost 1,800 people, found those who struggled to pick up scents and odours were more likely to die over the next decade.

And the phenomenon was not linked to those with dementia, which has previously been associated with a loss of smell.

Good health: A strong sense of smell depends on a continual turnover of cells lining the nose

Scientists say the finding adds to growing evidence that olfactory assessments may provide insights on the ageing brain.

Dr Jonas Olofsson, of the University of Stockholm in Sweden, said: Our results were not explained by dementia, which was previously linked to smell loss.

Instead, mortality risk was uniquely predicted by smell loss.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, followed 1,174 adults aged 40 to 90 for ten years and found those with poor smell were at increased risk of dying.

Individuals whose results in odour tests were no better than would be achieved by chance, in other words they had complete olfactory loss, were 19 per cent more likely to expire over the period than those whose noses functioned normally.

At the outset the participants, all members of the Betula Project, a Swedish population based study of ageing, memory and health, were presented with 13 odours, one at a time.

With a 30 second interval between each, they were asked to identify them by choosing one of four written words. The order was randomised between subjects and their performance measured by the number of correct responses, from zero to 13.

Warning sign? Loss of smell has been linked to psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and major depression as well as dementia, Parkinsons disease and cognitive decline

A person with a score of four or less was about 19 percent more likely to die within 10 years than a person with a score greater than this.

Loss of olfactory function is common in old age, with up to 70% of the older population estimated to have impaired sense of smell, compared with as few as 5% of younger individuals.

It has been linked to psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and major depression as well as dementia, Parkinsons disease and cognitive decline.

Dr Olofsson said: 'Poor odour identification and poor self reported olfactory function are associated with greater likelihood of future mortality. Dementia does not attenuate the association between olfactory loss and mortality, suggesting olfactory loss might mark deteriorating health, irrespective of dementia.'

Three years ago a study of 3,000 adults found four in ten of those with the poorest sense of smell were dead within five years compared to just one in ten who identified odours correctly.

NOISY HOSPITALS AND DEMENTIA Noisy hospitals can accelerate the course of dementia in elderly patients, experts found last week. The confusion of busy waiting rooms or seeing different doctors and nurses can send patients into a rapid decline, according to a major study. The research, led by University College London and the University of Cambridge, is the first to show that becoming acutely confused and disorientated - a condition known as delirium - can accelerate cognitive decline among patients with dementia. Advertisement

Scientists say the loss of smell sense does not cause death directly, but may be an early warning sign. They say anyone with long lasting changes should seek medical advice.

It doesnt directly cause death, but it is a harbinger, an early warning system that shows damage may have been done.

Theories suggest it signifies less regeneration of cells in the body overall.

Dr Olofsson said: 'Several mechanisms could underlie the observed associations. First, environmental agents (viruses, prions, toxins, pollution) might enter the brain through the olfactory nerve and accumulate along the olfactory pathway toward adjacent regions.

'Second, the olfactory system might be particularly sensitive to changes in recovery from environmental insult through processes such as cellular regeneration, processes that are reduced at older ages.

'It is likely that determining the biological mechanisms of the association between olfactory impairments and mortality will require neuro-physiological experimentation and data regarding cause of death.'

People should not panic because a bad cold, allergies and sinus problems can all affect your sense of smell. But if problems persist they should speak to a doctor.

Dr Olofsson added: 'These results contribute to the growing evidence that olfactory assessments might provide a unique window into brain ageing processes. In our future research, we will try to pinpoint the biological processes that can explain this phenomenon.'
Women are often urged to have babies while they're young.

But postponing the decision to start a family may actually be beneficial in the long run - especially for their off-spring.

New research from Denmark suggests that older mothers are more likely to raise well-adjusted children and be less exasperated by the process.

Age appropriate: Having children later in life could contribute to their general adjustment

Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children.

Their children were repeatedly assessed at ages 7, 11 and 15.

Once the data was processed, the mothers were deemed less likely to scold their children, who were in turn deemed to have fewer behavioral, social, and emotional problems.

The results, which were published in the European Journal of Developmental Psychology, could partly be explained by the fact older women are generally more solvent and self-assured.

'We know that people become more mentally flexible with age, are more tolerant of other people and thrive better emotionally themselves,' says Professor Dion Sommer from Aarhus BSS, who is one of the researchers behind the result.

'That's why psychological maturity may explain why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much.

Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children

'This style of parenting can thereby contribute to a positive psychosocial environment which affects the children's upbringing,' he concludes.

The research comes just months after the American Geriatrics Society published a report which said having a baby later in life can boost your brainpower.

Researchers tested 830 middle-aged women to find the connection between a later baby and cognitive ability.

The reason is believed to be the surge of hormones which flood the body in pregnancy, which have been found to affect the brain's chemistry and function.

These brain changes from having a child are believed by some experts to last a lifetime, and it may be that having experienced them more recently is better




Asked/Answered is a weekly feature for reader-submitted questions. Follow the blog online at www.cumberlink.com.

My vehicle has a recalled Takata airbag but Im having a hard time getting it replaced. Why is it taking so long to get it fixed?

The simplest answer seems to be the sheer number of vehicles impacted by the recall far exceeds the supply of new airbags.

According to Consumer Reports, between 65 million and 70 million vehicles manufactured by 19 automakers largely between 2002 and 2015 have the defective airbags installed in them.

Takata increased production of replacement airbags in September 2015, according to Consumer Reports.

However, that ramping up of production only brings Takata up to 1 million per month, meaning it could take several years before enough airbags are made to meet the demand.

The inflators in the defective airbags have been shown to potentially explode when the airbag is deployed, potentially causing metal shards to be propelled at the driver and passengers, according to Consumer Reports.

A study by Takata in June 2015 found only 88 incidents where the inflator had ruptured out of more than 1 million airbag deployments during the 15-year time frame, Consumer Reports stated.

To find out if your vehicle is covered under the Takata airbag recall visit safercar.gov.

What is the vote breakdown for Act 84 of 2016, which, among other things, made changes to the inclusion of lottery winnings as personal income?

The original House Bill 1198, which later became Act 84 of 2016 cleared the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with unanimous support in June 2015.

By the time the bill made it through the entire legislative process, however, the support had waned greatly and the prime sponsor, Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland County, withdrew his support for the bill.

A co-sponsorship letter written by Dunbar stated the original intent of the bill was to make a change to corporate tax filings.

The bill passed the House in July 2016 with 143 votes for and 48 against. Thirty-seven Republicans  including Rep. Stephen Bloom, Rep. Will Tallman and Rep. Greg Rothman  and 11 Democrats voted against the final bill. Republican Rep. Sheryl Delozier voted for the bill.

The bill cleared the Senate in July 2016 with 28 votes for and 22 against.

Sen. John Eichelberger was the only Cumberland County senator to vote against the bill. Sen. Rich Alloway and then-Sen. Pat Vance voted for the bill.

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Parents love to hear their children laughing.

But for Justin Cho's family, his adorable giggles were a sign of something serious.

Whenever the nine-year-old started chuckling, he was actually having a seizure.

His parents had no idea until July 2015, when Justin let out one of his usual laughs - then had a classic epileptic seizure in their family home in Los Angeles.

Rushing him to UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, they were informed Justin has an extremely rare condition called gelastic epilepsy, caused by a non-cancerous tumor in his brain.

'Our son has always been happy and seemed to giggle whenever he was tired, so we just thought it was his body's way of letting him know it was time to go to sleep,' said Robert Cho of his nine-year-old son, Justin. 'We had no idea it could be something so serious.'

Nine-year-old Justin Cho (pictured) has a Hypothalamic Hamartoma brain tumor which triggers epilepsy. It causes him to have seizures - but to outsiders, it just looks like he's giggling

This image, taken from a hospital camera, shows Justin Cho aged eight giggling during an epileptic seizure at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital while doctors track his brain movements

WHAT IS THE LESION THAT CAUSES GIGGLE SEIZURES? Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a small, non-cancerous brain tumour which causes seizures, behavioral problems, blackouts and memory loss. The condition is thought to affect only one in a million people across the world. HH is often difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Some individuals can go years with very few symptoms, or ones that are so mild, they are often missed by both parents and medical professionals. However, for most people with HH, the most common symptoms are frequent daily seizures which involve spontaneous laughing, giggling or smirking or crying or grunting. Some have significant difficulties controlling angry outbursts, aggressive tendencies and many have been described as having oppositional-defiant disorder. These angry outbursts are often referred to as hypothalamic rages. Sometimes they have no memory of the rage once it is over. They are most commonly treated by surgery or anti-epileptic medicine. Source: Hope for HH Advertisement

Justin has a benign mass deep inside his brain known as a hypothalamic hamartoma.

Aside from seizures, the lesion can cause behavioral problems, blackouts and memory loss.

The condition is thought to affect only one in a million people across the world.

Often difficult to diagnose, it is even more difficult to treat.

Some individuals can go years with very few symptoms, or ones that are so mild, they are often missed by both parents and medical professionals.

However, for most people with HH, the most common symptoms are frequent daily seizures which involve spontaneous laughing, giggling or smirking or crying or grunting.

Some have significant difficulties controlling angry outbursts, aggressive tendencies and many have been described as having oppositional-defiant disorder.

These angry outbursts are often referred to as hypothalamic rages. Sometimes they have no memory of the rage once it is over.

They are most commonly treated by surgery or anti-epileptic medicine.

Left inside the brain, the abnormal tissue can cause dangerous seizures, premature puberty, cognitive impairment and severe behavior problems.

'These types of lesions simply don't respond to medication, so surgery is the only way to cure the seizures,' said Dr Aria Fallah, a pediatric neurosurgeon at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

'Unfortunately, the lesions are located in a very difficult area that's not only hard to access, but surrounded by critical nerves, arteries, veins and neurological tissue, crucial for everyday life.'

Normally, patients require open-brain surgery to remove a chunk of the skull and cut the brain open to reach the lesion.

However, this carries high risks of brain damage and death.

But Dr Fallah and his team have devised a minimally-invasive approach.

The team uses sophisticated, GPS-like mapping of the brain to pinpoint the precise area they need to access.

They then make a small, two-millimeter incision in the patient's skull.

'We then feed a tiny optic laser through the brain, into the mass or lesion and essentially cook it,' said Dr Fallah.

'We use thermal energy to heat the lesion from the inside, and that cures the seizures.'

Instead of spending days in the hospital and months recovering, patients go home the next day and quickly resume normal activities, symptom free.
A mother-of-two has had her arm re-attached in a groundbreaking operation less than a year after it was sliced off in a car accident.

Kelsey Ward, from Schertz, Texas, was driving home from work in April 2016 when her SUV rolled off an exit ramp and turned over.

A metal guardrail crashed through the passenger window and cut her arm off above her elbow.

Years ago, that kind of incident would have left Kelsey with a stump.

But in a surgery never performed before in Texas, doctors at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) were able to successfully replant her severed arm.

It's a procedure that's been done fewer than 10 times in the US.

Doctors say Kelsey is recovering well, achieving small tasks like picking up a banana at the grocery store - and even the seemingly impossible, like doing push-ups.

Tragic: In April 2016, Kelsey Ward was involved in a serious car accident where her right arm was severed above the elbow. In a 10-hour surgery, doctors successfully replanted the arm

Devastating: Kelsey (left) was driving home when her SUV rolled off an exit ramp and flipped over. A metal guardrail pierced her passenger window and lopped off her arm (pictured right)

Kelsey says she can't remember what happened the night she left work and drove home in April 2016.

She doesn't remember even getting in her car, so she's not sure was caused her SUV to roll off an exit ramp and flip over.

A metal guardrail pierced Kelsey's passenger window and lopped off her right arm just above her elbow.

She was left trapped inside and hanging upside down, with her seat belt still attached.

But San Antonio firefighters and paramedics arrived quickly and used tourniquets to stop the bleeding while they raced to free her.

'Then when we got her out of the car, that's when someone said, "Y'all need to look for the arm",' San Antonio firefighter Ryan Dunivan told News 4 SA.

'We were walking around and I happened to see just her fingertips on the other side of the vehicle under the roof of the car. Then we got spreaders under there just enough to pull the arm out.'

Heroes: San Antonio firefighters and paramedics arrived quickly at the scene, successfully freeing Kelsey, and - when they found her arm - took it with them onto the ambulance

Worry: Lead surgeon Dr Joe Alderete thought replanting Kelsey's arm would be unlikely due to the complications that could emerge. But because the arm was 'cleanly sliced off', it made reattachment much easier

WHAT IS REPLANTATION? Replantation refers to the surgical reattachment of a body part (such as a finger, hand or toe) that has been completely cut from the body. The goal of replantation surgery is to reattach and restore function to as much of the injured part as possible. Steps: 1. Damaged tissue is carefully removed Then, bone ends are trimmed before they are rejoined to make putting together the soft tissue easier. 2. Arteries, veins, nerves, muscles, and tendons are all stitched together Uncovered nerves, tendons, and joints may be covered by a free-tissue transfer, where a piece of tissue is removed from another part of the body, along with its arteries and veins. 3. Areas without skin are covered with skin that has been taken from other areas of the body Recovery: Braces are used at the beginning of recovery to protect the newly repaired tendons, and to allow the patient to move the replanted part. Physical therapy exercises are used to prevent the joints from becoming stiff, to keep the muscles moving and to minimize the formation of scar tissue. Although the replanted part never regains 100 percent of its original use, most doctors consider 60 percent to 80 percent use 'excellent'. Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Advertisement

The arm was put onto the ambulance with Kelsey and taken to Fort Sam Houston and the Level One Trauma Center at SAMMC.

Dr (Lt Col) Joe Alderete was told of the incoming case, but thought arm replanatation would be unlikely given the infections and other complications that can emerge as well as the many surgeries that would be needed.

'I was thinking there's absolutely no way. Most of the time these [accident victims] are crush injuries and not amenable to replantation,' he told News 4 SA.

However, the guardrail had almost cleanly sliced Kelsey's arm, making it easier to reattach the severed tissue, despite the several broken bones in her severed arm and the other injuries she had suffered in the crash, including a broken pelvis.

Dr Alderete's team included two vascular surgeons, a hand surgeon, a back-up hand surgeon and a plastic surgeon, along with many other SAMMC medical staffers.

'We were at one point - for the first ten hours of surgery - working on her at once. So just being able to bring the team together was incredible,' he said.

To replant and rebuild Kelsey's arm, over the last nine months a number of surgeries have been performed, including taking skin from one of her legs and deeper tissue from the other leg, which they used to help splice together major nerves.

And they improvised, patching her broken, severed arm back together.

However, should any threatening complications arise, Kelsey's arm will have to be taken off.

'If we're dealt a hand where either infection takes over or the vascular reconstruction didn't completely revascularize her arm, then we could definitely make a late determination for amputation down the road,' Dr Alderete said.

And while the team was able to hook up Kelsey's ulnar nerve (the nerve that runs near a bone in the forearm) directly, they needed grafts for two other main nerves, the median and radial nerves, which until the last few years wasn't a realistic option.

Success: In a 10-hour surgery that included a massive team of doctors, surgeons reattached the limb. Since the first procedure, a number of other surgeries have taken place including taking skin and tissue from Kelsey's legs to help splice together major nerves

Hope: Kelsey is spending countless hours in physical therapy to regain the use of her arm and can even do a push-up. But should any complications emerge, the arm will have to be taken off

Now eleven months later, Kelsey is a living case study in what's possible in rehabilitation, as she works with experts at the Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam Houston.

Her therapist, Christopher Ebner, has been working with her nearly everyday since.

He said in 15 years of practice, he's never seen someone as strong as Kelsey.

'It takes a ton of physical and emotional strength,' Ebner told KHOU.

Dr Alderete said that in Kelsey's case, they've learned a lot more about the replantation process

'We're able to use a mild electric prosthesis to help continue her function and teaching her brain what her upper extremity is supposed to do,' he said.

Kelsey has spent countless hours a week at her therapy sessions to re-strengthen her right arm.

She can now bend her elbow along with moving some of her hand and fingers - and she's even been able to do a push-up.

She says she's surprised by the speed of her recovery.

'I actually have a lot of use with my arm, more than I thought I was going to get at the nine-month mark,' Kelsey told News 4 SA.

'We actually didn't think we were going to see any movement for a year at all. Not even elbow movement.'

Resilience: Of her physical therapy, Kelsey said: 'It's worse than going through labor. But I want my kids to know that there's nothing in this world that they're not capable of doing'

Perseverance: A few months after the accident, Kelsey tattooed on her left arm: 'My Story Isn't Over Yet' as proof that she's 'not gonna give up'

Despite the joy in her achievements, Kelsey said her recovery has been far from easy.

'It's worse than going through labor,' she said.

'It's the hardest, most difficult, most exhausting thing I've ever had to do. But I want my kids to know that there's nothing in this world that they're not capable of doing - and I'm living proof.'

Kelsey says she one day hopes to regain full use of her arm. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover medical expenses. So far, $745 has been raised out of $5,000 goal.

A few months after her accident, Kelsey's tattooed on her left forearm: 'My Story Isn't Over Yet'.

'I wanted that because it was the most meaningful to me,' she said.

'I'm not gonna give up. And hopefully this is a medical breakthrough and it saves lives and helps people.'
Swimming lessons may help to save the lives of thousands of autistic children, scientists claim.

Young sufferers are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers, a new study suggests.

Many tend to wander around unsupervised, becoming drawn in by the apparent serenity of a pool, experts believe.

Autistic children are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers, a new study suggests

Lead author Dr Guohua Li, of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said: 'Swimming classes should be the intervention of top priority.'

He added that they should begin the lessons soon after being diagnosed at age two or three - before any kind of behavioural or speech therapy.

In an interview with MedicalNewsToday, Dr Li added: 'With impaired communication and social skills, autistic kids tend to seek relief of their heightened anxiety from the serenity of water bodies.

'Unfortunately, this behavior too often leads to tragedies.'

Dr Li and his colleagues assessed the death certificates of more than 1,300 autistic people between 1999 and 2014.

They found that deaths among people with autism are up by around 700 per cent since they began their study.

Those on the spectrum are three times more likely to die from an injury than the general population, the research claimed.

But the researchers argued that deaths by injury may actually be more common than the figures show.

Those on the spectrum are three times as likely to die from an injury than the general population, the research shows

Alongside drowning, suffocation was the second-most common killer in sufferers, according to the report in the American Journal of Public Health.

People with autism also die at age 36 on average, less than half that of the general population.

Autism, more properly known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD)  includes Asperger's syndrome.

Swimming classes should be the intervention of top priority Dr Guohua Li, of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

It has long been known that some people with autism have superior abilities in areas such as mathematics and science.

The neurological condition affects four to five times as many males as females, believed to be around 1.5 per cent of all children

Its exact cause remains unknown, and diagnosis requires many doctors specialising in a number of different disciplines.

People with the condition can also have difficulties with understanding language and the rules of social interaction as well as understanding emotion.

This research comes after scientists found grandmothers tend to be the first family members to spot the signs of autism.

A group of New York-based doctors claimed that children who frequently interact with their grandparents can quicken their diagnosis by up to five months.
He could not serve the nation and its people while alive. But in death, 22-year-old ITBP recruit Roshan Kumar became the saviour for half a dozen families.

Days after he received news of his first posting with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Uttarakhand native died in a road accident last week in Delhi's Dwarka area where he was visiting relatives.

But six of his vital organs became life-savers for as many transplant patients at hospitals in the Capital.

One of those to benefit was 47-year-old Parvez Alam, pictured here with Dr Anup Kumar, head of renal transplant department at the Safdarjung Hospital

India has a huge gap in demand and supply of organs. Experts say many people are unwilling to donate relatives' organs due to religious beliefs, because they don't understand how it works, or because it is too difficult to do so due to red tape.

Roshan belonged to an army background, and was brought up by an uncle.

'When he was just one year old, his parents died. I looked after him. From his very childhood and schooldays he wanted to become a soldier and serve the country. For this, he worked very hard. His dream was about to become reality. Now Roshan is not at the border to protect the country. But I am proud to say that he served the nation by saving six lives,' Roshan's uncle told Mail Today, requesting anonymity.

According to government data, about 2 lakh people are waitlisted for kidneys and 30,000 for livers. Legal donations meet about 3 to 5 per cent of the demand.

In desperation, some patients on the waiting list seek the services of middlemen to procure organs for money illegally.

The Safardjung Hospital on Tuesday thanked Roshan's family and said he was 'inspiring'

Dr AK Rai, medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, told Mail Today: 'Last week, late night we received a call from a Dwarka-based hospital that they were referring a severely injured accident patient to us. We activated our expert team as the patient had very little chance of survival.

'Even in the time of grief, family members of the deceased agreed to donate the organs of their young son to fulfil his only wish to serve the country.'

Roshan was on foot when he was hit by a speeding bike and fell, receiving serious brain injuries. Doctors retrieved the organs in quick time.

India has a huge gap in demand and supply of organs (picture for representation only)

'After the patient was declared brain dead and the family agreed to donate his all organs, experts' team from NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation) and Safdarjung Hospital started the procedure of organ retrieval,' said (Prof) Dr Anup Kumar, head of renal transplant department at Safdarjung.

'All potential organs such as eyes, heart, liver, kidneys and intestine were procured, which gave fresh lease of life to six patients. Two people got eyes and one patient at AIIMS received the heart. Two patients got kidneys, one got a liver and the intestines were sent to Medanta hospital,' Dr Kumar added.

Roshan's act is a message of brotherhood and harmony for the nation, say doctors.

'He is a gem,' Dr Kumar said. 'One of his kidneys was transplanted to a patient at Safardjung Hospital who was on dialysis for two years and could not find any donor.'

Speaking to Mail Today, 47-year-old Muslim Parvez Alam who stays at Khanpur in south Delhi, said: 'I am blessed that I have received a kidney from a Hindu patient who was brain dead. Roshan proved Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai. I was searching for a kidney for the past two years, but the miracle happened when I was in the last stage of dialysis. May Roshan's soul rest in peace.'

On Tuesday, Safdarjung Hospital thanked Roshan's family. 'If a person is dedicated to fulfil his dreams, he or she can do it even when not alive,' said Dr Sangeeta Sehrawat, organ retrieval coordinator at the institute.

'One need only have determination and this was proved by this inspiring young defence personnel.'
Mahant Ram Das does not mince his words.

'A division is not possible now,' says the chief priest of Nirmohi Akhara, a litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.

'It would be better that the Muslims leave their claim as it will be benefit both the communities. This will also strengthen the unity of the country and end the bitterness between us.'

The Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya, where Hindus have worship God Rama

Hindu hardliners like him have toughened their stance after the Supreme Court on Tuesday advised out-of-court settlement in the case spanning centuries of religious history that has languished in the legal system for decades.

Saffron leaders have been pushing for the construction of a temple at the site in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city where the Babri mosque was destroyed in 1992 after it was stormed by right-wing activists.

The spot is popularly believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The incident sparked some of the deadliest riots in India's independent history and deepened religious divisions that still exist.

For the past two years, sculpting of stones has been in full swing at Karsevak Puram in Ayodhya occupied by VHP volunteers in anticipation of a favourable settlement

VHP's (Vishva Hindu Parishad) international joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain said the Centre must bring a law authorising the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya to end the controversy.

While the CJI suggested something over demands from (BJP leader) Subramanian Swamy, the Muslim Personal Law Board was quick to say that no talks can be held now and that SC should decide it in its judgment,' he said.

'Therefore, there is no scope for talks on the subject.'

In 2010, the Allahabad High Court recommended a three-way division of the 2.77 acres between three parties: 1/3 for Ram Lalla represented by the Hindu Mahasabha for construction of a temple, 1/3 for the Nirmohi Akhara and 1/3 to the Sunni Wakf Board. This decision was contested in the Supreme Court.

A temple dedicated to the god Rama in Ayodhya

The SC last year allowed Swamy to intervene in the pending matters relating to the Ayodhya title dispute with his plea seeking construction of a Ram temple at the site of the demolished disputed structure.

The BJP parliamentarian told SC that he had approached members of the Muslim community who favoured a judicial decision.

The RSS welcomed the apex court's advice for a negotiated settlement, saying the matter should be resolved at the earliest and a grand temple built with the participation of all.

The Babri Masjid mosque was destroyed in 1992 by militant Hindu nationalist groups. The incident triggered riots all over India leading to over 2,000 deaths.

'We welcome the suggestion of the Supreme Court. The RSS has always supported a settlement outside the court or a legislation to solve the sensitive issue,' the Sangh's joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said in Coimbatore.

Several Muslims clerics too have appreciated the court's advice.

'The All India Muslim Personal Law Board took the initiative a number of times, but all our efforts failed to yield a result. It is a welcome initiative by the SC and now when the nizam has changed, there are bright chances of fruitful talks. It will be beneficial for both Hindus and Muslims,' said a member of the board.

The AIMPLB had challenged the high court's verdict in the SC.

The Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) welcomed the move. 'We are ready,' said Haji Mehboob, one of the petitioners in the case and member of the BMAC. 'Enough of the confusion and egos. Let us sit together and sort it out once and for all.'

Clearing the air BJP's newly elected UP minister Shrikant Sharma told Mail Today that it was a momentous chance for the Muslim community to 'show their magnanimity' and hand over the site to the Hindus in good faith.

'The issue has long been pending even as crores of people are eagerly waiting for a Ram temple. It is true that Muslim attackers came to India and the temple was demolished. The Muslim community should grab this chance to come clean with their Hindu brethren,' he said.

In anticipation of a favourable resolution, sculpting of stones is on in full swing at Karsevak Puram in Ayodhya occupied by VHP volunteers.

'It is an ongoing process since the past two decades. The last consignment of Rajasthan stones came in 2016 and at present we have ample stock. We place orders as and when required,' said Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson of the VHP.

Chief Justice offers to lead dialogue efforts

The 'Ram temple' debate has returned to centre stage after Yogi Adityanath took over the reins of Uttar Pradesh, but it was BJP MP Subramanian Swamy who stole the march on Tuesday by raising the issue before the Supreme Court, which proposed an out-of-court settlement.

Reminding that Ramjanmabhoomi- Babri Masjid issue pertained to 'a century-old matter of religion and faith,' Chief Justice J S Khehar said such 'sensitive' and 'sentimental matter' can be best resolved by parties 'sitting across the table' and offered to mediate himself.

He also said he was ready to sit down as principal negotiator with the mediators chosen by parties to settle the disputes between Hindus and Muslims.

Chief Justice J S Khehar said such 'sensitive' and 'sentimental matter' can be best resolved by parties 'sitting across the table' and offered to be the mediator

'Is it possible to give a try? Why don't you make an attempt to sort it out sitting across the table. We can give you a sitting judge or may be myself as a mediator.

'Such issues are best decided jointly. You hold a meeting and first decide if you have agreed to sit together and then we can even give you a mediator. We will take it up again on March 31,' CJI Khehar told Swamy.

But within minutes of the apex court suggestion, Swamy took an adamant stand.

'The masjid can be built on other side of Sarayu but Ram temple should be built at Ram Janmasthan. There cannot be a compromise, he said.

He added: 'There is no significance of any particular place as far as mosque is concerned. But that is not the case as far birth spot of Lord Ram is concerned. It has its own significance. A masjid is only for offering namaz. Even muslim countries like Saudi Arabia consider this way.'

Swamy had moved the SC seeking expeditious disposal of appeals filed against the Allahabad HC verdict of 2010, which split the disputed site between Muslims, Hindus and Nirmohi Akhara (a Hindu group).
Days after a girl from Jaipur was rescued from the clutches of her alleged lover, who tried selling her, a Nepalese woman has now come forward with a similar ordeal.

In both the cases, the alleged traffickers had used Facebook to lure the women to come to Delhi on the pretext of job and marriage.

The Nepalese woman was called to Delhi last December on the pretext of job and pushed into prostitution, she alleged.

The 23-year-old woman arrived in Delhi last December on the pretext of a job and marriage (photo for representation only)

Nearly six months ago, the 23-year-old woman had met a man named Bunty Rajput on Facebook.

After developing a virtual relationship, she alleged, Rajput promised her a good career opportunity and asked her to come to Delhi.

Trusting his words, she came to Delhi on December 31 last year.

She was made to stay in a hotel room at Grand Shobha Hotel in Mahipalpur.

The woman is said to have been forced into the sex trade (photo for representation only)

For a few days, she waited for Bunty to give her an update on the availability of a job.

But eventually, she said she started suspecting his intentions and decided to confront him. Little she knew about what awaited her.

In her statement before the judge, she said: 'When I asked for a job, I was told prostitution was the best way to earn money. I could not believe his words. He said there is no job. If you want to make money, join the profession and this is how I was pushed into flesh trade and raped.'

She alleged that it is not just Bunty but three other men, including Bunty's friend Rahul Thakur, also raped her.

Police have arrested Bunty on suspicion of rape. The police on Tuesday sought extension of Bunty's custody to trace Rahul Thakur who lives in Haryana and another suspect, called Joy, but the plea was declined by the court and he was sent to Tihar. Another suspect is thought to have absconded.

'The incidents of traffickers using social media to lure girls and push them into flesh trade are frequently coming forward. So far, we have not come across an organised gang behind the social engineering but only individual cases like these. People should come forward and report such cases,' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Dr G Ram Gopal Naik told Mail Today.

Another police officer said the trap is laid especially for the women who belong to tier-II and tier-III cities where there are not much economic opportunities so the offer is made to sound lucrative.
The 51-year-old terror suspect was arrested in Mahipalpur

A suspected member of the Khalistan Commando Force, allegedly involved in over 50 cases of terrorist activities, murder and dacoity, was arrested in the Capital on Tuesday.

Gursewak, alias Babla (51), was allegedly planning to re-constitute his organisation on instructions of KCF chief before his arrest from Mahipalpur, NH-8, police said.

A sophisticated pistol loaded with four live cartridges was recovered from him, officers said.

According to the police, Gursewak who is from Punjab, was active in the state in 1980s, when terrorism was at its peak and was involved in a number of murders of police officials, informers and bankers as well as dacoities in Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

'Gursewak was an associate of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was killed during the army's Operation Blue Star in 1984. He was planning to revive the banned outfit on instructions of KCF chief Paramjeet Singh Panjwad, who is currently in Pakistan, and was in touch with Jagtaar Singh Hawara and other militants lodged in Indian jails,' said joint commissioner of Police (Crime) Praveer Ranjan.

'Gursewak had twice managed to run away from the custody of police, once in Delhi and once in Rajasthan,' he added.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (front of picture) was killed during the army's Operation Blue Star in 1984

He was allegedly trying to collect funds and was in touch with gangs in Delhi with a plan to commit bank robberies, police added. He was also declared Proclaimed Offender by Patiala House Court as he was not appearing in a case against him.

The accused was born in a farmer family residing in village Raikot in Ludhiana and studied up to class 10 at a government school.

His elder brother Swaran Singh was also a member of the militant group being run by Bhindranwale in the 1980s, police said.

During this period, he came in contact with Darshan Singh, nephew of Bhindranwale, and joined the terror outfit in 1982.

Activists from a radical Sikh organisation holds placards in support of Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on the 29th anniversary of his death in 2013

In May 1984, Gursewak and other KCF members allegedly killed the Group Editor of Hind Samachar newspaper, Ramesh Chander, in Jalandhar, said the joint commissioner, adding that the journalist was a vocal critic of Bhindranwale.

He was arrested in 1984, following an encounter with Ludhiana Police, while the other members of his group were arrested by the army post Operation Blue Star in Amritsar.

In June 1984, Bhindranwale was killed and most of his associates, aided by Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, fled to that country, said Ranjan.

Subsequently, several militant outfits such as the KCF, Babbar Khalsa, Bhindranwale Tiger Force etc. were revived on instructions of the ISI, he said, adding that Gursewak then joined the KCF faction headed by Manveer Singh Chehdu.

This was the period when he and his associates were allegedly involved in dozens of murders of suspected informers of Indian security agencies as well as bank dacoities in Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan.

In 1986, Gursewak and his associates allegedly attacked the Jalandhar residence of Julio Ribeiro, ex-DGP, Punjab, to take revenge for police action against militant groups in the state.

Police said that while he was lodged in Tihar Jail, Gursewak contacted his kingpins in Pakistan and asked to supply huge arms/ammunition, including AK-47 and explosives to commit a big incident in Delhi.
Arson has not been ruled out after blazes tore through three butcher's shops in Uttar Pradesh, days after the state's newly-appointed chief minister promised a crackdown on slaughterhouses.

The suspected overnight attack in Hathras district followed raids on 'illegal' meat shops in Ghaziabad earlier on Tuesday, within 48 hours Yogi Adityanath being sworn in - but district officials there said that action was a local initiative.

Four shops were sealed off in the operation, which came days after similar action in Allahabad on Saturday night.

Indian Muslim butchers and traders gather outside a shuttered illegal slaughterhouse in the Naini neighborhood of Allahabad on March 21, 2017

Now, police are investigating the possibility of a vigilante arson attack after the 'mysterious' overnight blaze which reduced the butchers shops in to ashes overnight on Tuesday.

'We are not ruling out anything,' local police chief Dilip Kumar told news agency AFP.

The meat industry is a magnet for religious violence in India, where Hindus consider cows sacred and accusations of beef being sold by Muslims can trigger violent mob reprisals.

Yogi Adityanath is known for his polarising and inflammatory speeches against Muslims, and has called for harsher penalties for the slaughter of cows, which is already illegal in most Indian states.

He was chosen to lead Uttar Pradesh after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party swept state polls earlier this month, in part on a pledge to close unlicensed traders and illegal beef outlets.

Ghaziabad police and district administration conducted a surprise raid over a dozen of meat shops on Tuesday and took meat samples, within days of Yogi Adityanath taking charge

India is a significant global exporter of meat from buffalos, which are not seen as sacred beasts, with Uttar Pradesh housing half the country's abattoirs.

But most butcher shops in the powder-keg state are run by Muslims, and Hindu hardliners have alleged that beef is being passed off as buffalo.

Since the BJP's thumping election victory less than a fortnight ago, dozens of butcher shops have been sealed off across the state in what authorities say is a crackdown on unlicensed vendors.

Meat traders fear legitimate businesses could be swept up in the hysteria.

Yogi and the BJP big boys: New UP CM Yogi Adityanath being sworn in last week

'The way the entire issue is being twisted is hurting our business. There is fear in the minds of the public,' said Imran Qureshi, whose abattoir in Uttar Pradesh exports buffalo meat to Europe and the Middle East.

Only eight of India's 29 states allow cow slaughter. The rest have slowly stiffened penalties, including life imprisonment, as Hindu hardliners agitate for a total bans.

Modi's home state of Gujarat Wednesday proposed raising the penalty for cow slaughter to ten years prison.

Millions from India's huge minority populations - including Muslims, Christians and lower-caste Hindus - eat beef, although it is not widely available.

India has witnessed a rise in vigilantism by Hindu extremists since Modi - whose right-wing party is strongly aligned to Hindu nationalist groups - was voted to power in 2014.

Armed gangs have been known to enforce an unofficial beef ban in some parts, forcibly inspecting trucks for any sign of livestock or carcasses. Drivers accused of transporting cows to slaughterhouses have been lynched.

Even rumours of transgression can spar deadly violence. In 2015 a 50-year-old Muslim man accused of eating beef was dragged from his home in 2015 and beaten to death by a mob. Police later said it was mutton.
The London Stock Exchange chief executive who led calls to sell his business to the Germans pocketed 5.7million last year.

Wine-loving Frenchman Xavier Rolet has been a cheerleader for the 21billion tie-up with Frankfurt-based Deutsche Boerse, which was attacked for harming the national interest.

But although his battle to push the deal through seems to have ended in failure, he still trousered 5.7million for his work in 2016.

The payments mean 57-year-old Rolet  who owns a French vineyard where he runs wine courses with second wife Nicole  has earned a total of 25million in eight-and-a-half years at the business.

Cheers: LSE boss Xavier Rolet, pictured with wife Nicole in their 'Chene bleu' vineyard in Crestet, France, was a cheerleader for the 21bn tie-up with Frankfurt-based Deutsche Boerse

Campaigners claimed this vast wage bill showed the extent of corporate greed in the City.

Rolet's salary rose 5.6 per cent to 788,000 last year and he earned an annual bonus of 1.6million.

He also picked up 3million in long-term bonus payments, 42,000 in benefits such as insurance and a car allowance, and 197,000 towards his pension.

Stefan Stern of the High Pay Centre said Rolet's pay package 'has been pumped up by share price moves triggered because the market wrongly thought this deal would happen', adding: 'These excessive pay packets are problematic and this is not good timing if the deal is crumbling.'

Rolet was born into a military family and served in the French air force before becoming a banker.

He worked at international lenders including Goldman Sachs and ill-fated Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers  whose collapse helped to trigger the financial crisis  before joining LSE in 2009.

A keen amateur motor racer, Rolet has competed in the cross-desert Dakar Rally several times.

He married American-Italian wife Nicole in 1997 and also enjoys the relaxed French lifestyle, buying a Provencal estate in 1993 with 74 acres of vineyards and bee hives.

LSE sources stressed the boss would not gain financially if the German takeover went ahead. European Union competition authorities are expected to voice their opposition to the deal next month  stopping the plans in their tracks.

Father-of-three Rolet has refused to sell the firm's Italian bond trading platform to appease the watchdog's concerns.

Although he is not in line for any extra bonus if the tie-up goes ahead, Rolet has benefited from a jump in the share price after the potential tie-up was announced.

The stock has risen more than 35 per cent since the deal was made public. Because Rolet's bonus is partly paid in shares, this boosts his earnings. Profits at LSE rose 6 per cent last year to 426.1million, while turnover was up 14 per cent to 1.5bn.

And bosses hiked the dividend by 20 per cent to 43.2p per share in a bid to appease investors left disappointed by the takeover's bleak prospects.

The collapse of the deal came after months of pressure from both sides of the Channel. British critics warned that the tie-up could give the EU a huge advantage as Brexit negotiations began.

Meanwhile, German politicians issued demands for the merged company's headquarters to be relocated to Frankfurt. And Deutsche's boss Carsten Kengeter denies any wrongdoing as he faces an insider trading probe in Germany. LSE shares fell 1 per cent, or 33p, to 3065p.
Gamekeeper turned poacher: Ex-Tory MP Charles Hendry has three jobs with oil firms

A former climate minister who has plugged green schemes and owns a Scottish castle has three jobs with oil companies.

Ex-Tory MP Charles Hendry has joined the boards of Independent Oil and Gas and its major stakeholder London Oil and Gas, on top of his role as an adviser to international oil giant Vitol.

London Oil and Gas is trying to buy producing assets in North America, the Caspian Sea and west Africa, while Independent has assets in the North Sea and is looking to expand.

Hendry, 57, owns a 20-bedroom castle in Scotland, and is advising the Government for an international conference on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and boosting green energy.

In his time as a minister he once boasted that he wanted the Government to be the 'greenest ever'.

Yesterday, he said: 'I am very excited about the potential of the North Sea and I think it is in the national interest for the country to get as much oil and gas from the North Sea as we can. I am a great believer in diversity of energy.'

The former Wealden MP was energy and climate change minister between 2010 and 2012, when he backed a 120million biomass plant in Yorkshire and signed a deal to bring power from Icelandic volcanoes to Britain via undersea cables.

Since leaving office he has taken lucrative roles in the energy sector, including as the director of Atlantic Superconnection, the firm trying to build the undersea cable from Iceland.

He also became chairman of Forewind, a consortium of British and Norwegian energy firms building an offshore wind farm off Yorkshire, having overseen a major energy partnership between the UK and Norway.

Palatial: Hendry, 57, owns Blair Castle - a 20-bedroom castle in Ayrshire, Scotland which is thought to be worth around 2.5m

He has since quit both posts for the oil companies. London Oil and Gas says it is working hard to offset emissions.

It adds, on its website: 'We are constantly looking for new, innovative ideas designed to mitigate the effect of carbon emissions and improve the lives of those affected.'

IOG chief executive Mark Routh said this week: 'Charles joins the company at an exciting stage of our development and his deep knowledge and experience of the sector will be invaluable.'

It comes as the Government is consulting on giving tax breaks to buyers of ageing assets in the North Sea, in the hopes of keeping the basin going for longer.

In 2011 Hendry bought Blair Castle in Ayrshire, thought to be worth around 2.5million. It has three storeys, 20 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, an outdoor pool and is set in 260 acres of countryside.

London Oil and Gas declined to disclose Hendry's salary as a director while his salary as a non-executive director of IOG is expected in the company's annual report. Another non-executive director earned 28,000 last year.

Hendry has several other business interests, including renting out the Blair Estate he bought with wife Sallie.

It is understood he is advising the Government for an Expo in Kazakhstan this summer when more than 100 nations will discuss cutting carbon emissions.
Its difficult to not sympathize with presidential press secretary Sean Spicer.

For an hour or so each afternoon, the White House press corps turns Spicer into their personal dart board, flinging barbed and frequently disrespectful questions at him and often arguing with him if theyre dissatisfied with his response.

The uproar over President Trumps unsupported allegations that former President Obama had tapped telephones in the Trump Tower campaign offices sent media everywhere into indignation overdrive, but reporters assigned to the White House all but scaled the podium in the briefing room to get at Spicer.

After more than a week of explaining, clarifying, and defending, Spicer finally conceded that the presidents use of the word wiretapping shouldnt be taken literally and he didnt mean to suggest that the former president had personally ordered the eavesdropping.

He re-defined wiretapping to meanelectronic surveillance generally  not simply telephones  and it was the Obama administration that Trump had in mind as the culprit, rather than Obama himself.

It was a hard sell and didnt accomplish much in the way of deflecting the medias torrent of darts.

Demands for proof of the wiretapping rained down on Spicers head while his explanation that the issue was a matter for the appropriate committees of Congress to investigate did little to quell the storm.

Even in the face of Congressional testimony from FBI Director James Comey that the agency found no evidence of wiretapping, Spicer reiterated the Presidents claim and said there would be no apology.

He earlier caused an international furor when he referenced a news account that claimed the Obama Administration had enlisted British intelligence to spy on the campaign.The Brits, not surprisingly, hit the roof of Parliament and a White House apology followed.

He hasnt been helped by presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway who hit the talk show circuit again, including an interview in which she asserted that everyone knows surreptitious surveillance can be conducted through television sets in Americas living rooms and by cameras in microwave ovens in Americas kitchens.

Left unsaid was how many photos of Hungry Man meatloaf dinner cartons were amassed by spy agencies.

When asked for proof of the snooping allegations, Conway airily dismissed it, saying Im not in the evidence business.

Conway, who laid low for a week or so after a string of public blunders drew ridicule and disbelief, resumed her media tour in an attempt to reclaim her reputation as a White House insider.

Her vigorous defense of the president, despite her occasional cockeyed logic and declarations, has either restored her favor with the president or shes chosen to disregard the fallout in the larger interest of advancing her own status.

Like press secretaries before him, Spicer has become the face of the Trump Administration, and his televised press briefings audience exceeds that of afternoon soap operas.

Numerous reports suggest that Trump tunes in to Spicers briefings, critiquing them in real time and even dispatching a staffer to the briefing room to deliver notes to the podium.

Because Spicer is the presidents front man with reporters, he bears the brunt of whatever criticism and anger spills from the Oval Office.

Presidential press secretary is an extraordinarily difficult position under any circumstances.It demands serving two masters  the president and the news media  while maintaining an even disposition and a calm demeanor in the face of an often hostile, skeptical band of reporters.

Spicer has displayed a combative side when peppered repeatedly by the same question posed in slightly different form or when interrupted in mid-answer by a reporter who feels a challenge is in order.

By all accounts, his first briefing following the presidents inaugural was an unmitigated disaster.He berated the media for deliberately misrepresenting the size of the crowd at the swearing-in ceremony, before turning his back and stalking off the stage without taking questions.

Subsequent briefings have been noticeably more mellow, but the tension is never far below the surface.

As long as his boss continues to tee up debates and controversy with 140 characters blasted out at 6 a.m., Spicer will remain in the eye of the storm, explaining and establishing context favorable to the Administration.

For her part, Conway should realize and accept the reality that she shouldnt add to Spicers burdens or heighten his angst with tales similar to the microwave oven spying.

Hell still face the media darts on a daily basis, but at the very least he deserves a chance to become more adept at dodging them.
Beauty and the Beast was pulled from cinemas in Kuwait on Monday after censors raised concerns over the content of the new film which includes what has been called the first 'gay moment' for a Disney character.

The film had been showing in the predominantly Muslim country since Thursday, but those with tickets to see it received text messages from Kuwait's National Cinema Company saying screenings were cancelled due to 'unforeseen difficulties'.

Homosexuality is punishable by death in some countries, and in Kuwait it carries a sentence of up to six years in jail.

This image released by Disney shows Dan Stevens as The Beast, left, and Emma Watson as Belle in a live-action adaptation of the animated classic Beauty and the Beast

Duaij Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, a board member at the National Cinema Company, which operates 11 of Kuwait's 13 movie theatres, said a newly edited version of the movie may be in cinemas later this week.

The company also promised ticket buyers a full refund.

He said concerns centre on a scene late in the movie involving the character LeFou, which director Bill Condon describes as an 'exclusively gay moment'.

'We were requested to stop the screening and further censor the movie for things that were deemed offensive by the Ministry of Information's censorship department,' Al-Sabah said.

The scene lasts less than two seconds and involves the character, played by Josh Gad, holding hands and dancing with another man.

The scene involves the character LeFou (right), played by Josh Gad (pictured left with Reese Witherspoon), holding hands and dancing with another man

In some predominantly Muslim countries, same-sex relations can lead to lashings, imprisonment and fines.

In a few, it carries the death penalty.

Those in support of the ban on the film in Kuwait launched hashtags calling for 'respect' and urging the cinema company to protect children by blocking the movie. The film was given a PG-13 rating in Kuwait.

Disney officials did not immediately respond to a request of comment.

Similar concerns over the film's brief scene prompted a drive-in theatre in the US state of Alabama to cancel showings.

Censors in Malaysia required the scene be edited, but Disney pulled the film from release there.
Republican Senator Rand Paul said on Tuesday that he expects House Speaker Paul Ryan to back down and not even bring his health care proposal to a vote because of a lack of GOP support.

Paul says the Republican leadership will have to go back to the drawing board and re-do the American Health Care Act, which has been criticized by conservatives as 'Obamacare 2.0' and 'Obamacare Lite,' according to Breitbart News.

A number of conservatives say that the bill does not go far enough in repealing the Affordable Care Act, which is a top priority for the GOP and a promise President Donald Trump made to voters during the election campaign.

Ryan has scheduled Thursday as the day the bill will come to the floor of the House of Representatives, but Paul says he doesn't have the votes necessary for passage.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (left) doesn't have the necessary 216 votes to pass the American Health Care Act, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (right) said on Tuesday

The Kentucky senator told Breitbart that he believes there are at least 35 House Republicans who will oppose the bill.

Ryan needs 216 votes to gain passage of the legislation, but if 21 Republicans say no, the bill is dead.

'I think there's easily 35 no votes right now so unless something happens in the next 24 hours, I would predict they pull the bill and start over,' Paul told Breitbart.

'I think if conservatives stick together, they will have earned a seat at the table where real negotiation to make this bill an acceptable bill will happen.'

Paul says that as long as the more conservative wing of the Republican Party holds out in opposition, there's a greater chance the bill will include proposals friendly to their views.

'We went from keeping the Obamacare taxes for a year - hundreds of billions of dollars - but they're coming towards us because we're standing firm,' he said.

'So we have to stick together, and if we do stick together there will be a real negotiation on this.'

'The main goal I have is not to pass something that does not fix the situation. If a year from now, insurance rates and premiums are still going through the roof and it's now a Republican plan it will be a disservice to the president and all of us if we pass something that doesn't work.'

At a Washington dinner attended by Republicans, Trump expressed optimism about the healthcare bill. He predicted 'surprises' and indicated it would go 'well'

At a Washington dinner attended by Republicans, Trump expressed optimism about the healthcare bill. He predicted 'surprises' and indicated it would go 'well.'

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump warned wavering House Republicans that their jobs were on the line in next year's elections if they failed to back the GOP.

Trump huddled behind closed doors with rank-and-file Republicans just hours after GOP leaders unveiled changes intended to pick up votes by doling out concessions to centrists and hardliners alike.

'If we fail to get it done, fail to (meet) the promises made by all of us, including the president, then it could have a very detrimental effect to Republicans in '18 who are running for re-election,' said Rep. Mike Conaway, a Republican from Texas.

'If it fails, then there will be a lot of people looking for work in 2018.'

Trump's message to Republicans: 'If you don't pass the bill there could be political costs,' said Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina.

Even with the revisions, the outlook for House passage remains dicey. After a day of cajoling votes, a senior administration official said the White House is trying to persuade about 20 to 25 House Republicans who are either opposed or undecided. House leaders and Trump can only afford to lose 21. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

At a Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser Tuesday night, Trump said the American people had handed Republicans the House, Senate and White House with an expectation they would deliver.

'These are the conservative solutions we campaign on and these are the conservative solutions the American people asked us as, a group, to deliver,' he said, calling Thursday's vote 'crucial' for the party and the American people.

'I think we're going to have some great surprises,' he added. 'I hope that it's going to all work out.'

The GOP bill would scale back the role of government in the private health insurance market, and limit future federal financing for Medicaid. It would repeal tax increases on the wealthy that Democrats used to pay for Obama's coverage expansion. Fines enforcing the Obama-era requirement that virtually all Americans have coverage would be eliminated.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 24 million fewer people will have health insurance in 2026 under the GOP bill.

Trump warned House Republicans they'd seal their political doom if they waver, with the party potentially losing control of the House. Still, several conservatives were steadfast in their opposition even after the session with Trump.

'The president wouldn't have been here this morning if they have the votes,' said Rep. Rod Blum, R-Iowa, a member of the Freedom Caucus who complained that the GOP bill leaves too much government regulation in place.

New York Republican Chris Collins said Trump told Republicans he would campaign for them if they backed the bill.

Trump didn't indicate what he would do to those who vote against the bill, but during the caucus, he singled out Representative Mark Meadows, Republican from North Carolina, an outspoken critic.

Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price arrived on Capitol Hill in Washington earlier on Tuesday to rally support for the Republican health care overhaul

Collins said Trump asked Meadows to stand up, called him a great guy and said he is counting on Meadows to get this over the line.

'The president is very adroit at putting somebody on the spot and he did that today with Mark Meadows,' Collins said. Asked if there was a threat to Meadows in that, Collins responded, 'There was no threat whatsoever.'

Another person at the event said Trump told Meadows, 'I'm gonna come after you so hard.'

Trump delivered that line with a smile, but it was also lined with a touch of seriousness, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

As for Meadows, he was still a 'no' vote at the end of the day.

Ryan told reporters that if Republicans pass the legislation, 'people will reward us. If we don't keep our promise, it will be very hard to manage this.'

If the bill advances, prospects are uncertain in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

Six GOP senators have expressed deep misgivings including Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who said Tuesday he cannot support the House bill.

In an Associated Press interview, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican from Kentucky, signaled he'd use Trump's clout to pressure unhappy Republicans in his chamber.

'I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us from keeping the commitment we've made to the American people for almost 10 years now,' McConnell said.

The House GOP bill would end Obama-era subsidies based on peoples' incomes and the cost of insurance.

A Medicaid expansion to 11 million more low-income people would disappear.

Instead, the bill would provide tax credits based chiefly on age to help people pay premiums.

But insurers could charge older consumers five times the premiums they charge younger people instead of Obama's 3-1 limit.

The revisions by House GOP leaders to round up votes come at a cost - literally.

Congressional budget experts had projected that the original bill would cut federal deficits by $337 billion over a decade.

But that amount is dwindling as top Republicans dole out provisions helping older and disabled people.

Democrats remain solidly opposed to the GOP repeal effort.
Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been accused by a Ukrainian politician of attempting to hide a $750,000 payment from a pro-Russia political party.

Serhiy Leshchenko published a 2009 invoice purportedly signed by Manafort which showed a $750,000 payment for 501 computers to a company called Davis Manafort.

The Associated Press said it was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the document and Manafort has strenuously denied the allegation.

Leshchenko suggested the contract could be a cover for payments made to Manafort for work he did for the pro-Russian Party of the Regions in Ukraine, which backed former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Paul Manafort is intervieed during the Republican National Convention in July last year. He quit the campaign before Trump's victory in November

Serhiy Leshchenko (pictured, right) suggested the contract (left) could be a cover for payments made to Manafort for work he did for the pro-Russian Party of the Regions in Ukraine, which backed former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych

Yanukovych, who was friendly with Moscow, was ousted by anti-government protests in 2014, which eventually led to the conflict in the Donbass region and the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

Leshchenko, a former investigative journalist who supports Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, said the document suggested the money came from a Belize-registered offshore company via a bank in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan.

But Jason Maloni, a spokesman for Manafort, called the allegations 'baseless' and said they should be 'summarily dismissed'.

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which was set up to investigate official corruption, said it would not be investigating the allegation because Manafort is not a Ukrainian citizen.

Viktor Yanukovych (left) was Ukraine's Prime Minister until he was ousted in 2014. He was a close ally of President Putin (right) and his removal by Ukrainian nationalists led to the ethnic Russian-dominated east of the country trying to break away

Manafort left Trump's campaign in August following revelations about his work for Yanukovych's party.

He is one of the Trump associates now under scrutiny for possible contacts with Russia during the 2016 US presidential campaign.

His name came up repeatedly during Monday's House intelligence committee hearing.

Yesterday Manafort denied any suggestions he played a role in Russia's efforts to interfere with the US vote, saying he had 'no role or involvement' in the cyberhacking of the Democratic National Committee and the disclosure of stolen emails.

He also insisted he had never spoken to any Russian officials or others who claimed to be involved in the hacking attack.

President Trump has furiously denied claims that Russia played a role in helping him win last year's election against Hillary Clinton, a long-term enemy of Moscow

Leshchenko told the Associated Press the 2009 invoice was one of about 50 pages of documents, including private paperwork and copies of debit cards issued for employees, which were found in Manafort's Kiev office by a new tenant.

He said: 'This is quite a typical scheme to hide the nature of money using jurisdictions like Kyrgyzstan, because it's in the middle of nowhere and it's almost impossible to investigate there.

'It was an international fraud scheme and my sources in the Party of Regions say Kyrgyzstan was regularly used as a jurisdiction for money laundering,' he claimed.

Leshchenko said the amount and date of the payment - October 14, 2009 - matched one of the entries on the so-called Black Ledgers, the handwritten accounting books of the Party of Regions, where Manafort's name stood next to several entries as receiving the party's funds.

He said: 'Paul Manafort is an American citizen. NABU has enough to do with corrupt Ukrainian officials. They can be party to a bigger international investigation.

'First of all, it's up to American officials to investigate, because we're talking about American citizens. Money was transferred to an account in the United States from Belize opened with an account in Kyrgyzstan, so Ukraine is almost not involved in this.'

Manafort's name came up several times on Monday when FBI Director James Comey (pictured, left) and National Security Agency Director Admiral Michael Rogers (right) testified to the House Intelligence Committee

Leshchenko would not say whether he has shared his findings with the US authorities.

Alexander Baunov, an analyst with Carnegie Moscow Center think tank, said Manafort was advising Yanukovych on relations with the US and its Western allies as the Ukrainian leader was maneuvering between Russia and the West.

He said Manafort's job was to 'improve Ukraine's relations with the United States, to advise the Party of Regions, which was quite clumsy in international affairs, in dealing with the Europeans and the Americans.'

Yanukovych was driven from power in February 2014 by mass protests triggered by his decision to spike a trade deal with the EU under the pressure from Moscow.

'It's a strong simplification to think that Yanukovych was acting as the Kremlin's puppet and followed all the instructions coming from the Kremlin,' said Baunov.

But Yanukovych fled into exile in Russia and is wanted in Kiev on charges of high treason.
John Raimondo, 29, messaged a drug prosecutor using slang that made it 'obvious' he was texting about a drug deal

A blundering man mistook a drug prosecutor for a client and texted her about trading marijuana for heroin.

John Raimondo, 29, messaged Assistant District Attorney Jill Matthews using slang that made it 'obvious' he was texting about a drug deal.

She later received a photo of a plastic bag containing a green substance on a scale.

The attorney, who specializes in drug prosecutions, played along with the texts and Raimondo was arrested by Kingston Police at a shopping centre near Philadelphia.

Attorney Matthews contacted Kingston police and helped to set up the deal.

She arranged the drug swap for later that day in the parking lot of the Gateway Shopping Center in Kingston, arrest papers said.

Police were waiting for him and took him into custody. Raimondo, who now lives in Plymouth, was arraigned in late February and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Authorities have now filed a warrant for his arrest after he failed to show up in court for a recent preliminary hearing.

Luzerne County First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce admitted he has never heard of an incident where a prosecutor is literally given the case from a defendant.

The attorney, who specializes in drug prosecutions, played along with the texts and Raimondo was arrested by Kingston Police at Gateway shopping centre (pictured) near Philadelphia

He said the chances of a drug prosecutor would get a random, accidental text from a suspected drug dealer must be enormous, he said.

'The odds are probably not good if you think about the number of ADAs versus the population of the universe or at least the population of the area code,' Sanguedolce said.

'Usually, it's a civilian who says, "You got the wrong number buddy."'

Similar cases have led to successful prosecutions that have held up in court - despite the defense putting forward the expectation of privacy line, Sanguedolce said.

'Once you send a text message, I could show it to anyone in the world. You no longer have an expectation of privacy once it leaves your phone,' he said. '
A massive brawl between several students in a Queensland state school car park near Bundaberg has emerged online.

Video footage shows students crowding around two separate scuffles where multiple punches and kicks are traded between youths.

The first fight filmed shows a student suffering a blow to the head that knocks him off his feet before he gets up to resume fighting.

A massive brawl between several students in a Queensland state school car park near Bundaberg has emerged online. A student is shown suffering a blow to the head that knocks him off his feet before he gets up to resume fighting

Two students go to ground in the video before one of them unleashes a series of punches to the head

The camera then pans to another fight where two students go to ground before one of them unleashes a series of punches to the head.

Another student runs in and begins kicking the shirtless teen in the back while he is on the ground.

Adults and other students eventually break up the car park fight on Mount Perry Road.

A Department of Education and Training spokesman told News Mail that Queensland state schools have a zero tolerance approach to violence.

Another student runs in and begins kicking the shirtless teen in the back while he is on the ground

'Principals take strong disciplinary action against perpetrators and make no apology for taking a hard line when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of other students,' he said.

'The students in this video have been dealt with in line with the school's Responsible Behaviour Plan for students.

The spokesman said students involved in filming the fight will also be disciplined.

Police have been made aware of the violence but are not investigating because no complaint has been made by the parties involved.
Advertisement

Perched 205ft high atop one of Europe's fastest rollercoasters, this is not your everyday cleaning job.

Maintenance engineers dangled from the terrifying height as they carried out cleaning and services duties on Thorpe Park Resort's ride Stealth, ahead of the park's reopening tomorrow.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the rollercoaster, they sported party hats on top of their helmets and held aloft champagne flutes as they tucked into a birthday cake at the dizzying top of the ride.

The first rollercoaster with wheeled vehicles on tracks was the Les Montagnes Russes a Belleville in Paris.

Maintenance engineers on the 200th anniversary of the rollercoaster perform cleaning and service duties 205ft atop of Thorpe Park Resort's ride Stealth, ahead of the park's reopening tomorrow

The engineers meticulously checked and cleaned the heart-pounding thriller, which is one of Europe's fastest rides

Using harnesses and ropes to scale the rides, the workers methodically checked every section of track - even at the very top.

Stealth is one of Europe's fastest rides with a max speed of over 80mph.

It can go 0-80mph to 205ft in under two seconds with the same brake horse power of two Formula 1 cars.

Thorpe Park was built in 1979 on the site of a former gravel pit which was partially flooded, creating a water-based theme for the park.

The theme park's first large rollercoaster, Colossus, was built in 2002.

It attracts about 1.9million visitors a year and is the 10th most visited theme park in Europe.

Dominic Jones, divisional director at Thorpe Park, said: 'The first rollercoaster 200 years ago was very different from the rides we see today. From guide rails and low speeds weve seen the rollercoaster progress and continue to defy adrenaline junkies dreams, with vertical loops, higher speeds and explosive drops.

'As the nations destination for thriller-seekers, we continue to strive to offer guests the rollercoaster experiences in a safe and fun environment, which has seen the development of the UKs first winged-rollercoaster The Swarm and the worlds first horror movie themed rollercoaster Saw  The Ride.'
A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was injured in a violent hit-and-run car crash which also hurt his pregnant mother.

Isa Nasir suffered suffered a ruptured spleen and internal bruising after an out-of-control ute collided with his family's car in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

The toddler is in a critical condition at Sydney Children's Hospital after he was resuscitated twice at the crash scene and airlifted to intensive care.

Mother-of-two Felicity Nasir, 28, - who is also 20-weeks pregnant - was wounded in the crash but her unborn child was luckily unharmed.

Scroll down for video

Two-year-old Isa Nasir suffered a ruptured spleen and internal bruising after the ute slammed into his family's car

Isa's aunt and his eight-month-old sister were also in the Holden Commodore when a ute ploughed into it after failing to give way at an intersection.

Several onlookers rushed to perform CPR on a struggling Isa, reviving him twice before ambulances arrived at the site.

Ms Nasir said watching her son Isa endure so much pain is like 'having her heart wrenched from her body,' The Daily Advertiser reports.

She was forced to suffer an agonizing two-day wait to see Isa while he was treated in intensive care, and now keeps a bedside vigil while waiting for news on his condition.

She said: 'Our whole family haven't stopped crying since Wednesday.'

His mother Felicity Nasir, 28, (pictured) is keeping a bedside vigil as she waits for her son Isa to recover

The family's Holden Commodore (pictured) was hit by a ute which allegedly failed to give way at an intersection

The 24-year-old driver of the ute allegedly fled the crash site shortly after the collision and a 17-year-old passenger was taken to hospital.

Luke Cousley was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm to the two-year-old boy, failing to stop and give assistance to the crash victims, not complying with a police direction to wait at the crash scene and for driving while disqualified.

Cousley was refused bail and will face court on April 5.
A 15-year-old private schoolboy has been charged with the sexual assault of a teenage girl after she allegedly fell unconscious at a house party.

Police allege the 15-year-old girl fell asleep at the home in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 4 and was only made aware of the sexual assault after she saw footage of the attack online.

The schoolboy, who was a student at The Cranbrook School but has since left, was charged with aggravated sexual assault on Tuesday night and will front court on April 4.

A 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a former student of The Cranbrook School (pictured) in Sydney's eastern suburbs after she passed out at a party

His friend, also aged 15, who filmed the assault on a mobile phone was charged with filming a person in a private act without consent, producing child abuse material, and disseminating child abuse material.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges in children's court on Monday.

The footage filmed on the mobile phone was shared to social media and seen by a number of teenagers.

Teachers at The Cranbrook School reported the video after hearing the students talk about it.

The schoolboy allegedly assaulted the girl as his 15-year-old friend recorded it on his mobile phone. Teachers at Cranbrook (pictured) reported the video to police after hearing students talk about it

Cranbrook principal Nicholas Sampson said the school will continue to offer support to students and their families.

'You may be aware of a serious incident that is currently before the courts and has received media attention. This incident did not occur on school grounds,' Mr Sampson wrote in a statement.

'As I am sure you will understand, we are not able to disclose further details at this stage, both because this is a police matter concerning a student under the age of 18 and because of our pastoral responsibilities for all our students'.
Charlotte Pemberton died after the car she was travelling in collided with a motorcycle

A father has spoken of his heartbreak after his teenage daughter was killed by an unlicensed Rebels bikie in a horrific car crash.

Charlotte Pemberton, 19, was travelling in a small Hyundai with her boyfriend Joshua Gallagher when they collided with a Harley Davidson in November 2015.

District Court Judge Philip McCann said bikie Dylan James Adams, 22, was 'showing off' when he slammed into the car 'like a missile' in Perth's Forrestfield.

The young woman, who was sitting in the passenger seat, died shortly in hospital after being trapped inside the mangled car just two minutes from her home.

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The 19-year-old, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was trapped inside the mangled car

The teenager was travelling in a small Hyundai with her boyfriend when they collided with a Harley Davidson, driven by Rebels bikie Dylan James Adams in November 2015

The court heard the Rebels bikie did not express any emotion over the victim at the scene but was more concerned about paramedics cutting off his gang vest, reported Seven News.

Adams was sentenced to four years and three months behind bars.

However, the woman's distraught father Wayne Pemberton expressed his disappointment over the jail sentence.

'How does that equate to my daughter's life,' he said as he revealed the tragic moment he found his daughter trapped inside the car.

'If I could capture the emotion my family is going through, bottle that up and plug it back into him. Let him feel that heart-ripping, brain torturing emotion.

'Let him try that, carry that load through his life, he would beg for that to be switched off. Maybe that would be a worthy sentence.'

Crash investigators used surveillance camera to calculate his speed where they found he was travelling more than 30km/h over the 60km/h limit.

Her boyfriend suffered just minor injuries.

The teenager was travelling in a small Hyundai with her boyfriend Joshua Gallagher (pictured)

Wayne Pemberton revealed his heartbreak after he found his daughter trapped inside the car
Sydneysiders have battled through more wild autumn weather as a mini tornado ripped through the city on Wednesday afternoon, leaving thousands without power.

During the height of the storm, which coincided with peak hour traffic, about 35,000 homes were left without power around St Mary's, Mount Druitt and The Hills, reported the Daily Telegraph.

More than 20,000 homes were still without power as of Wednesday night, and the streets of Parramatta and Picton were hit by flash flooding.

The State Emergency Service received more than 300 calls for help after the storm also ripped roofs off, knocked trees into houses and blew trampolines on to roofs.

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Sydneysiders battled through wild weather as a mini tornado hit the city on Wednesday afternoon, leaving thousands without power. This photo of lightning striking near the Sydney Harbour Bridge was taken on the Manly ferry

The storm hit during peak hour traffic leaving thousands of commuters to struggle through the chaos on their way home. Trees were also uprooted and fell across roads. Pictured is damage on Kavieng Avenue, Whalan, in western Sydney

The storm also ripped roofs off houses and casued flash flooding in Parramatta and Picton. Pictured is storm damage to a house in Kavieng Avenue, Whalan, in western Sydney

During the storm and mini tornado trees were ripped out of the ground, and are pictured flattening a fence to the ground

Western Sydney was particularly hard hit with Parramatta Weir overflowing, and buses forced to replace ferries in some areas of Sydney.

Streets flooded in minutes of the downpour which started about 4pm, and the damage was expected to increase as the storm moves east over the CBD and coastal suburbs.

Traffic lights were also knocked out across the city and trains were delayed by up to an 90 minutes to Newcastle and the Central Coast.

About 35,000 homes were left without power around St Mary's, Mount Druitt and The Hills on Wednesday night

It's believed more than 20,000 homes were still without power late on Wednesday. This photo taken in the Blue Mountains, shows ominous clouds clouds hovering above the city

Lightning strikes near the Parramatta River as the storm hits Sydney

Lightning strikes as a plane flies over Dover Heights in Sydney

The storm cell arrives in the CBD after reaping havoc on Western Sydney

The Sydney Harbour Bridge obscured by rain as the storm rolled through the CBD

Streets were flooded in minutes of the downpour arriving at about 4pm Wednesday, with the damage to increase as the storm moves east over the CBD and coastal suburbs

Dark clouds form over the Sydney CBD skyline as the downpour begins

Sydney Airport has advised passengers flying out of the city on Wednesday afternoon to check with airlines for the latest flight status.

The storms hit all over the state of NSW in areas including Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Orange, Goulburn and Dubbo.

More than 42 millimetres of rain fell at Lidcombe, with 46mm at Appin, 44mm at Sydney Olympic Park and 30mm at Baulkham Hills between 9am and 6pm.

The thousands of bolts of lightning that hit the Sydney area during the storm

A distraught resident is overcome by the damage to her home

Trees were ripped up and fell on to the house as the storm ripped through the suburb

This trampoline was upended by strong winds during the storm

Another trampoline was blown on to a roof

The trees smashed through fences on the street, leveling them

There are power outages in Castle Hill, Whalan, Hebersham, Oakhurst, Rooty Hill , Baulkham Hills, Bidwill, St Marys, Hassall Grove, Blackett, Shalvey, Lethbridge Park, Dharruk, Emerton, Burradoo, Dural, Oxley Park, Mount Druitt, Rydalmere, and Dundas.

'Over 100 calls received, trees down, roofs damaged across Western Sydney. NSW SES are responding to these calls,' the SES posted on Twitter.

Firefighters have also been responding to several incidents across the city and there have been reports power lines are down in Castle Hill.

Energy provider Ausgrid posted a safety alert on Twitter: 'Severe storms are hitting our network area this afternoon. Stay clear of fallen powerlines and report them to us on 131388'.

City workers take cover from the torrential rain as the storm hit the CBD on Wednesday

Those without umbrellas used their jumpers to shelter from the downpour

A big tree cuts off a road in Sydney after it was blown over in the storm

A tree is completely uprooted and appeared to have damaged a water main in its fall

Tree branches fell on this ute in Sydny's outskirts but no one was injured

Fire and ambulance services help with the cleanup after the storm ripped through Mulgoa, near Penrith

Trees in a Western Sydney park were uprooted and lying on the ground

Flooding in a building's car park following the storm hitting Sydney

Residents have also been warned there'll be little relief from rain in Sydney as the recent wet weather is expected to continue through winter.

The city saw severe thunderstorms and torrential rain on Tuesday  with 43mm recorded in Richmond and 26mm in the CBD.

More in on the way over the coming days, according to Weatherzone meteorologist Rob Sharpe, although the weekend is set to be a little drier.

He told Daily Mail Australia that March has been far wetter than is usual for New South Wales and it's because of a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea.

The storm cell approaches Sydney Harbour just before the downpour began

Sydney Airport has advised passengers flying out of the city on Wednesday afternoon to check with airlines for the latest flight status

A tree branch blown off in the storm lands in a backyard pool

The owners used a saw to cut it up but did not expect to get it out before nightfall

The storm caused commuter chaos with traffic on Anzac Parade in central Sydney at a standstill

Even cats were preparing to keep dry in the rain that thundered down outside

Dark clouds roll over Sydney Harbour as the storm begins

Inner Sydney is buffeted by torrential rain that severely limits visibility

'Autumn is one of the wettest times of the year but what has been unusual is how many days of rain there have been already in March  almost every day has seen showers,' he said.

'It has been quite a bit wetter than usual along the New South Wales coast.

'The reason why it's been so wet is because there has been a very high pressure system sitting in the Tasman Sea for the vast majority of the past three weeks.

'We've had lots of low pressure systems which haven't been moving as easily and frequently.

'But for the next few months, we are more likely to have these fronts move along the south of the country more freely.

A man falls into a flooded street after a drinking session in Sydney

The soaked man was helped up after getting completely drenched

A view of the storm cell as it hits the CBD, dumping rain across the city

The storm replaced blue skies and white clouds with grey and black ones

A severe thunderstorm rolling in over Sydney's Maroubra Beach on Wednesday afternoon

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Sydney. Pictured, the Sydney Opera House during Tuesday's storm

He explained that the rain is set to persist until winter hits, but the rainfall is set to be on average for the time of year.

Over the next few days, he said there will be a chance of rain every day but there is set to be some sunshine in the mornings.

Sydney has already experienced more than half of its usual autumn rainfall in just the first two weeks of March.

'That follows the last couple of weeks where really the rain has been relentless, not least of which yesterday afternoon where parts of the Inner West of Sydney were hit with 30mm of rain in just 30 minutes.' Chris Urquhart told the Today show on Wednesday.

Residents have been warned to stay clear of fallen powerlines

The SES has been kept busy responding to calls across Sydney

Heavy rain caused flash flooding at Alexandria in inner-city Sydney on Tuesday afternoon

At least 5mm is expected in Sydney, but some parts of NSW could see more on Wednesday

Temperatures aren't expected to remain in the mid-20s throughout NSW on Wednesday

Lightning is pictured behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge during Tuesday's thunderstom

Some of Sydney's suburbs saw heavy rainfall in a short space of time leading to flash flooding

A woman walks through a flooded street in Sydney in the wake of Tuesday's heavy rainfall

Forecasters say March has been much wetter than usual this year and it's set to continue

The State Emergency Service advised people should keep clear of fallen power lines, creeks and storm drains.

They also urged commuters not to walk, ride a bike or drive through flood water.

A marine wind warning remains in place until midnight on Thursday, warning of strong winds on the Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
Most Pennsylvanians would agree that ensuring public safety is what they want most from the criminal justice system. When it comes to law and order we are all willing to pay to be safe, and we recognize that decisions about public safety must never be made based simply on balancing budgets.

At the same time, many Pennsylvanians are uninformed about a current policy discussion underway in our criminal justice system, which is mostly going unnoticed and hides under the false guise of improving public safety. The debate is over mandatory minimum sentencing.

Several mandatory minimum sentencing laws were found to be unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2015. Legislation to reinstate these laws are right now being considered by the General Assembly, which might be fine if there was any evidence that mandatory minimum sentences enhanced public safety. But the record is clear that they dont.

Statewide crime numbers are only available through 2015, but show that the violent crime rate in Pennsylvania remained the same in 2015, while both property and drug crime rates declined. Local statistics from Philadelphia and Harrisburg reveal that crime rates for major crime types dropped in these cities during 2016. Crime in Pennsylvania is lower now than it was in 1970, before mandatory minimums existed. If mandatory minimums are supposed to enhance public safety, this is not reflected in Pennsylvanias crime rates, which have continued to drop without them.

Mandatory minimum sentencing laws require courts to treat all defendants the same, regardless of the facts of the case or the persons circumstances. This one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to healthcare or education policy, so why should we think it works in criminal justice?

Some prosecutors argue that mandatory minimums are needed because some judges are too lenient. The fact is that judicial discretion is already structured in Pennsylvania under sentencing guidelines. Judges in Pennsylvania sentence within the recommended guidelines 90 percent of the time, and the seven percent of cases where judges depart below the guidelines is mostly due to a recommendation by the prosecutor. Sentencing guidelines render mandatory minimum sentences unnecessarily rigid.

There is no good evidence that mandatory minimums do anything to make the public safer. Take one purpose of sentencing, to deter future criminal behavior. The science on deterrence is now clear that it is the swiftness and certainty of punishment that deters, not the severity. Mandatory minimums target the severity of punishment by unnecessarily ratcheting up sentence lengths. For criminals who tend to be impulsive, inconsistently delivered and arbitrarily long sentences do nothing to deter future crime. A study by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing found that the imposition of a mandatory minimum sentence was not a predictor of criminal re-offending.

Mandatory minimum sentencing wastes taxpayer dollars and diverts limited resources away from pursuing more serious offenders and supporting law enforcement. Estimates are that if Pennsylvanias legislature reinstates mandatory minimums it could cost taxpayers as much as $85.5 million per year.

For all of these reasons, a bi-partisan consensus has built around the country that mandatory minimums are ineffective and should be scaled back or eliminated. More than 30 states have now reconsidered mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Conservative groups like Koch Industries, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and the Commonwealth Foundation here in Pennsylvania, have all expressed opposition to mandatory minimums. Yet many in our legislature are ignoring these realities and moving forward to quietly reinstate mandatory minimums. This puts Pennsylvania out of touch with the facts.
A meth- ddict who was out on bail when he stole a luxury car with a baby girl still strapped into the backseat has blamed his horrific crime on his own newborn baby who he claims stressed him out.

Dramatic footage released by the police on November 8, 2016, shows a woman desperately throwing herself onto the bonnet of the moving car in an attempt to stop the driver from escaping with the baby inside.

Gurkan Yildrim, 24, pleaded guilty to stealing offences when he appeared in Melbourne's County Court on Tuesday and did not apply for bail.

Yildrim's lawyer Andrew Bayliss told the court his client used ice daily and committed crimes to support his drug habit, 7 News reports.

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Footage shows a woman desperately throwing herself onto the bonnet of the moving car in an attempt to stop the driver from escaping with the baby inside



Yildrim also blamed his own newborn child, who he claimed stressed him out and lead him to commit what has been described as an opportunistic crime.

Dramatic footage showed the 24-year-old approaching a Mercedes parked outside a primary school in Coburg, in Melbourne's north.

The CCTV footage showed Yildrim sneak into the driver's seat while the owner stood next to her car, where six-month-old Amira was asleep inside.

Yildrim locked the doors of the car and drove down the street, failing to stop when he was told there was a baby inside.

Yildrim is seen on the footage approaching the Mercedes outside the primary school before jumping in and driving off with the child still inside

The footage released by the police shows a family friend of the mother throwing herself onto the bonnet of the moving car in an attempt to stop Yildrim from driving off with baby Amira.

The woman remained on the car bonnet for 400 metres until she fell off. She was remarkably uninjured.

The mother, who was waiting to pick up her three primary school-aged children up from school, was then seen running down the street chasing after the car.

Yildrim and another man pictured moments before the car is stolen and driven down the street

When Yildrim abandoned the luxury Mercedes later that day in Brunswick, an inner-city Melbourne suburb, he reportedly told a passing witness about the child still in the car.

The witness got help and the the six-month-old baby girl was returned to her mother uninjured.

'The only glimmer of remorse in this, is when he tells the witness there's a baby in the car,' Magistrate Suzanne Cameron said in court on Tuesday.

'If he didn't do that, the baby would have sat there for who knows how long.'

Yildrim pleaded guilty to stealing charges in court on Tuesday and did not apply for bail.

The 24-year-old is due to reappear in the County Court in July.
A great-grandfather has been brutally bashed by a group of teenagers who accused him of being a racist after the 71-year-old refused to give them a cigarette.

Richard Tredwell and wife Diane had just stepped outside of the food court of Perth's Carousel Shopping Centre on Monday when the group of youths approached them asking for a cigarette.

But when the couple refused, the thugs accused the Mr Tredwell of being racist, and began a frenzied and 'business-like' attack that left the elderly man with a fractured nose, two black eyes, a gash to the chin, missing teeth and also broke his glasses.

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Richard Tredwell, 71, was left with horrific injuries after he was brutally bashed by a gang of teenagers outside a Perth shopping centre on Monday

Mr Tredwell and wife Diane had stepped outside of the food court of Perth's Carousel Shopping Centre (pictured) when the group approached them asking for a cigarette

'They just bashed and bashed me in the face, he knew where to hit me, he broke my glasses and my teeth, terrible,' Mr Tredwell told Today Tonight.

'When I got the first sock in the jaw I thought he'd just walk off but no, he kept at me.

'Very shortly I was on my back and as I said he punched me with a lot of power and he knew where to hit me and how to hurt me, he meant business.'

A family member believed the offender was Pacific Islander in appearance, but WA Police told Daily Mail Australia they could not confirm the identity.

His horrified wife witnessed the assault and attempted to fight of the attackers who hit her in the arm.

The group tried to snatch her bags and phone, but they fled the scene empty handed.

They believe up to eight teenagers were involved in the savage assault which put Mr Tredwell in St John of God Hospital, where he also works as an orderly.

Mr Tredwell was left with a fractured nose, two black eyes, a gash to the chin and missing teeth

Mr Tredwell's wife Diane (left) witnessed the assault, and attempted to fight of the attackers who hit her in the arm

It's believed up to eight teenagers were involved in the savage assault which put Mr Tredwell in St John of God Hospital, (pictured here with wife Diane and daughter Maxine)

A 16-year-old boy from Ashfield has been charged with one count of aggravated assault with intent to rob.

Inquiries into a second boy are continuing.

Mr Tredwell says he would like to see his young attackers serve time in jail and give them time to think about their future.
A man narrowly escaped with his life after his car skidded and smashed into a rock after he attempted to drive across raging floodwaters in Peru.

The unidentified man tried to slowly cross a violent murky waters near Lima when his vehicle was overcome by a huge wave.

Dramatic footage of the crash shows the car pushed downstream before crashing into a rock near the flood's bank. People can be heard giving screams of terror.

The man escaped after his windshield shattered. His car smashed into a rock after he attempted to cross raging floodwater

The impact is so great that the windshield instantly shatters, giving the driver an escape point before water floods in to his car.

He grabs his mobile phone from the passenger seat before pulling himself out of the vehicle unharmed. Another man then helps him across the rocks to safety.

The driver returns to his car to salvage a few more belongings.

He then goes back to the side where he looks on in despair as his vehicle fills up with water.

He is helped to safety by another man before the two watch as the car fills up with water

At least 72 people have died in some of the worst flooding in Peru for decades.

Heavy rain brought on by the El Nino weather pattern has led to floods and mudslides that have seen homes and bridges swept away.

The storms are expected to continue for another two weeks.
A toddler has pranked Malcolm Turnbull by pretending to give the prime minister a toy building block before pulling it away. Twice.

Mr Turnbull visited a daycare centre in suburban Canberra on Wednesday morning to address the media on proposed childcare reforms.

But he was duped by a little girl who twice offered her building block to the prime minister - only to yank it back just before Mr Turnbull could take it.

Malcolm Turnbull visited a daycare centre in suburban Canberra on Wednesday morning

Mr Turnbull took matters into his own hands and picked up a building block for himself

Mr Turnbull applauded her political prowess.

'Tricked me! You're tricking me. Good on you,' he said to the little girl, in front of a media pack.

The toddler is not the only person toying with Mr Turnbull, after crossbench senators opposed the government's childcare reforms.

The government appears to have struck a deal to split the childcare package from welfare cuts designed to pay for an overhaul of fee subsidies.

Just six weeks after combining a $1.6 billion boost to childcare and $5.6 billion in welfare cuts in a single omnibus savings bill, the government has split the package.

Babies and toddlers at the daycare centre mingled with the Prime Minister on Wednesday

Mr Turnbull is pictured at the daycare centre in suburban Canberra on Wednesday

Pressure has been mounting on the coalition to divide an omnibus bill that bundles a raft of welfare cuts with childcare subsidy changes

The government re-started debate on Wednesday on a bill first put to parliament in September - but never dealt with - to legislate the new childcare package only.

The government also flagged introducing a new bill for some of the welfare cuts, plus new measures to freeze indexation on family payments.

Mr Turnbull used his visit to the childcare centre to up the pressure.

'The important thing is, for the sake of these little kids and their parents and many others like them, that these reforms are passed,' he told reporters.

Under the changes, existing childcare payments will be rolled into a single means- and activity-tested subsidy.

Families earning less than $65,710 where both parents work or study for at least eight hours a fortnight would have 85 per cent of their childcare fees covered.

This tapers off to 20 per cent for families earning more than $340,000 a year.

The existing $7500 annual cap on subsidies will be scrapped for families earning less than $185,710 and lifted to $10,000 for high earners.

Mr Turnbull used his visit to the childcare centre to up the pressure on crossbench senators

The government re-started debate on Wednesday on a bill first put to parliament in September - but never dealt with - to legislate the new childcare package only

Just six weeks after combining a $1.6 billion boost to childcare and $5.6 billion in welfare cuts in a single omnibus savings bill, the government has split the package

But Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm and independent senator Derryn Hinch say that's too generous for wealthy families, and have secured a promise from the government to scrap childcare subsidies for families earning more than $350,000.

Senator Leyonhjelm said the budget needed fixing and middle-class welfare was an obvious place to start.

'I'm just helping the government to do its job properly,' he said.

Labor opposes many of the welfare cuts but is more supportive of the childcare measures, subject to protection for disadvantaged and Indigenous children.

'We want to see a better deal but not at the price of doing over families and pensioners,' Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told reporters outside Parliament House.

But splitting the legislation has done little to impress key crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie, who says the childcare changes don't go far enough.

'The important thing is, for the sake of these little kids and their parents and many others like them, that these reforms are passed,' Mr Turnbull said

Children are pictured at the childcare centre in Canberra with Mr Turnbull on Wednesday

The government appears to have struck a deal to split the childcare package from welfare cuts designed to pay for an overhaul of fee subsidies

Mr Turnbull used his visit to the childcare centre to up the pressure on crossbench senators

'I have to ask, is that going to stop costs from going up? Honestly, if you're going to give more subsidy to families, what have they done to stop these costs from continuing to go up?' she told ABC radio.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson believes the family payments cuts are too deep and wants the government to turn its attention to tax-dodging multinational corporations.

'The coalition needs to realise that before those with the least are asked to tighten their belts, those multinationals with the most need to start paying their way,' Senator Hanson said in a statement.

Welfare groups have warned of the impact if vulnerable Australians are forced to absorb $5.6 billion in social security cuts.

The Senate will sit longer than usual on Wednesday and Thursday in an attempt to pass the new legislation before MPs leave Canberra for five weeks ahead of the May 9 budget.
The Sydney father of 'collar bomb' victim Madeleine Pulver says he has 'no idea' why strange criminal acts happen to his family after his BMW was allegedly stolen from a car wash by a man suspected of going on a stabbing rampage at a gym.

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver told Daily Mail Australia he dropped his black convertible off at a car wash around the corner from his work around lunchtime on Monday.

The chief executive then walked up the road to the ARU's offices in Crows Nest - only to return later to find his car had been robbed and the driver had allegedly stabbed three people at a Brookvale gym.

Mr Pulver said the alleged robbery of his convertible - which he still hasn't seen - paled in comparison with the alleged stabbing rampage where three young men were injured.

'At the end of the day it's only a car,' Mr Pulver said.

'You really worry about people being stabbed at the Brookvale gymnasium... my car is the least of all worries'.

Bill Pulver's daughter Madeleine was held hostage by a balaclava-wearing intruder in 2011. The pair are pictured together outside a Sydney courtroom in November 2012

Madeleine Pulver's father told Daily Mail Australia he had 'no idea' why bizarre things seemed to strike the family

In 2011 the balaclava-wearing intruder who broke into the family's Mosman home strapped a hoax 'collar bomb' around her neck

A car of the same make and model as the vehicle pictured above was allegedly stolen from a Crows Nest car wash after Mr Pulver left it there at lunchtime on Monday

In 2011 Mr Pulver's daughter, Madeleine, was held hostage for 10 hours by a balaclava-wearing intruder who broke into the family's Harbourfront Mosman home and strapped a fake 'collar bomb' around her neck.

It was described as a 'deliberate act of extortion' by the Sydney court which sentenced the man responsible to more than 13 years imprisonment.

Ms Pulver, from Mosman, is understood to now work in public relations

Now his car was allegedly used as a getaway vehicle by a man who went on an alleged stabbing rampage.

Asked why these things seem to happen to him and his family, Mr Pulver said on Wednesday: 'Mate, look, I have no idea.'

Speaking of this week's events, Mr Pulver said he 'simply drove my car into a car wash.

'I left it there and then somebody - they obviously didn't know it was my car - they drove it off'.

'I walked to the office... finished the day's work and came back at the end of the day and there was no car.'

His daughter Ms Pulver now lives a private life and is understood to be working at a public relations firm.

She was last seen publicly laying flowers in tribute in Martin Place following the Lindt cafe siege.

Ricky Kincheila, 27, was arrested after a 17 hour rooftop stand-off in the early hours of Wednesday morning

Mr Kincheila clambered onto the roof in Tighes Hill, near Newcastle on Tuesday and is alleged to have remained on the roof for 17 hours

The man suspected of the robbery and Brookvale stabbing, Ricky Kincheila, 27, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a 17-hour rooftop standoff in Tighes Hill, Newcastle.

Residents were evacuated from their homes overnight after the man climbed onto a roof, but he finally came down at 5am and surrendered to police.

The stabbing occurred at a fitness centre in Brookvale in Sydney's northern beaches about 8pm on Monday, before the alleged attacker fled in the BMW he was suspected of stealing hours before.

The same man is believed to have then allegedly carried out two armed robberies at service stations in Newcastle later that night, NSW Police said.

With the sun setting on Tuesday night, police were using large spotlights on the man as he wandered on the roof in just a pair of shorts.

Sam Phillip Harrison, a resident in Mayfield, had finished work to find the scene with several ambulances, police cars and the operation in full swing.

He said the man didn't appear angry and wasn't responding to police.

'He doesn't look aggravated,' Mr Harrison said.

'He looks scarily calm about the whole thing.'

The first service station robbery occurred at Sandgate at about 9.45pm, when a man threatened a female worker, 38, with a knife and smashed the cash register.

He forced the register open and fled with the cash in the BMW which was alleged to have been stolen.

About 15 minutes later, at 10pm, a man walked into a second service station on Maitland Road and placed two chocolates on the counter.

CCTV showed the moment a man who had been stabbed fell to the ground inside a car park

The accused attacker fled the scene in an allegedly stolen BMW and has been connected to two armed robberies in Newcastle later on Monday night (scene at the gym pictured)

As the 24-year-old employee opened the till, the man jumped onto the counter and produced a knife while demanding cash.

The employee complied and the man ran from the store and fled the service station with the stolen cash and car, police said.

Officers responding to the armed robbery saw the stolen vehicle leaving the service station and pursued, however it managed to evade police.

No one was injured during the robberies.

The registration plate of the vehicle and description of the man matches that from the triple stabbing at the gym on Pittwater Road.

In that incident, police say he entered the gym 'agitated and aggressive' at about 8pm and approached four men and a trainer.

The man allegedly punched one of the men before producing a knife and stabbing three of the men, who were all taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.

The victims were named as Nicholas Worsley, 26, Daniel Fernandez, 29, and David Burns, 31.

Mr Fernandez was stabbed eight times in the neck and ear, the Daily Telegraph reported.

One of the men was taken straight in for surgery. All three are now in a stable condition.

The trainer managed to escape injury.
A Paralympian claims a store worker grabbed the back of her wheelchair and wheeled her out of the shop because her chair was 'too big for the aisles'.

Brydee Moore, 26, who was born with cerebral palsy, claims a worker at a store in Victoria's Ferntree Gully Plaza grabbed her chair and removed her as she shopped with her mother Donna on March 10.

'I kept saying "don't touch me", but he wouldn't let go,' she told The Herald Sun.

Brydee Moore, 26, (pictured) claims store worker grabbed the back of her wheelchair and wheeled her out of the shop because her chair was 'too big for the aisles'

The Paralympian, who has cerebral palsy, claims the worker at a store in Victoria's Ferntree Gully Plaza (pictured) grabbed her chair as she shopped with her mother

Ms Moore claimed she was told her wheelchair was too big to manoeuvre through the aisles.

'When someone creates a store, there has to be standards. It has to be big enough for wheelchairs,' she said.

Ms Moore's mother Donna alleged the worker was verbally abusive to them and further believed he thought the 26-year-old was alone at the time so he could 'get away with it'.

The staff member identified as James denied the allegations.

Ms Moore has lodged a discrimination complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The athlete, who competes in shot put and javelin, represented Australia at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, London and in Rio last year, where she placed fourth - narrowly missing out on bronze.

Ms Moore has lodged a discrimination complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
In a shock announcement last night, Britain banned numerous electronic devices from the cabins of all UK-bound flights from six nations in the middle east. Turkey, a popular holiday destination for European tourists, was on the list, leading to uncertainty for many holidaymakers planning trips to popular resorts there. But for anyone wondering just what it will mean for them, here is a guide to exactly what to expect when travelling back to Britain from any of the six countries...

What's banned? A list of the electronic devices that you can and can't take into the plane cabin

Whats happening?

Passengers flying from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia to the UK have been banned from taking their laptops and other large electronic devices into the cabin. Instead they will have to check in these devices so they are stowed in the baggage hold. The ban applies to any electric devices larger than 16cm by 9.3cm by 1.5cm (6.3in by 3.6in by 0.6in) and includes iPads, oversized smartphones, DVD players, Kindles and small games consoles.

When does it start?

No official start date for the ban has been set as airlines will need time to implement the changes. But the Department for Transport says anyone flying from one of these locations must be prepared for it to be enforced immediately.

Does it just apply to direct flights?

No, it also applies to transfer flights. In other words, those travelling into the UK via one of the banned countries  and those travelling from a banned country via the UK to another destination.

Why is this happening?

The decision follows a similar ban by Donald Trumps administration. The US ban  which comes into force from Saturday afternoon  applies to ten airports in eight countries, also including Qatar and Kuwait. The US said it was concerned about recent attempts by terrorist groups to circumvent airport security and detonate bombs on planes  including the downing of a plane in Egypt in 2015  and the armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul last year. US officials cited the failed attempt to down a plane in Somalia last year when a laptop containing a bomb was passed to a passenger after they had gone through security.

Why these countries?

Those included in the UK ban  all of which have large Muslim populations  are deemed to pose a high terrorist threat. The Government refused to explain why it did not follow the US example and extend the ban to Kuwait and Qatar.

Why is it safer to stow a laptop in the hold?

Security sources say that if a bomb is taken into the cabin, it takes only a minor explosion to blow out a window and bring the plane down. An explosion in the luggage hold is likely to be less catastrophic. It is also much harder for a terrorist to detonate the bomb if it is in the hold. At most airports passengers are told to take out their laptops and electronic devices from hand luggage when they go through security. But terrorists have still found ways to smuggle laptops containing explosive devices through security, without being detected by X-ray scanners.

How many flights are affected?

The Department for Transport said it could not disclose this for security reasons. But it is thought fewer than 200 flights a day travel from these six countries to the UK. Six UK airlines  British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson  will be affected, and eight overseas airlines: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.

How will the ban work?

This is where it becomes more sketchy. The Department for Transport has left it up to the airlines. Government officials have advised passengers who plan to travel to the UK from these countries to check with their airline, and to check the size of their devices. Travellers using check-in desks will be advised whether they need to stow their devices in the hold. Airlines are likely to arm staff with perspex letterbox-style tools to ensure devices do not exceed the size limit. There will also need to be secondary checks at the departure gate for passengers who checked in online. This is where the ban is likely to cause the most trouble  because these passengers will have only hand luggage and will be told they cannot take large devices on board.

What if my electronic device is too big?

This again depends on the airlines, but they appear to have been caught off-guard. BA last night said its flights would continue to operate as normal but urged passengers to check-in in good time and monitor its website for updates.

Should I cancel my flights to these countries?

No. The Department for Transport says it is not advising against flying to these countries. But it has urged those with imminent travel plans to contact their airline for more information.

How long will the ban last?

No timeframe has been given. But  as with the US  the ban is unlikely to be lifted until the threat recedes.

Will I have to pay extra to check a bag in?

Passengers could face extra costs if they want to take these types of devices away with them. Many travellers hoping to save money by choosing hand luggage-only fares now face extra baggage fees.

Will my gadgets still be insured?

Passengers should contact their insurer before putting expensive devices in checked baggage.
The judge President Donald Trump nominated to serve on the Supreme Court appeared on Tuesday to take issue with his tweets about a fellow jurist who halted his travel ban executive order in February.

Neil Gorsuch fielded questions from Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who asked during his confirmation hearing if Trump's 'attack on the judiciary' bothered him.

Gorsuch never mentioned Trump by name but told a packed hearing room that 'when anyone criticizes the honesty or integrity, the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening. I find that demoralizing. Because I know the truth.'

'Anyone including the President of the United States?' Blumenthal asked him.

'Anyone is anyone,' he replied.

At the National Republican Congressional Committee March dinner on Tuesday night, Trump responded to the comments.

He said: 'The courts are not helping us. I have to be honest with you. Its ridiculous. Somebody said I should not criticize judges.

'OK. Ill criticize judges to keep criminals and terrorists the hell out of our country.'

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (left) grilled Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch (right) about President Donald Trump's attacks on federal judges, prompting Gorsuch to criticize  without naming Trump  'anyone' who questions a jurist's integrity or motives

At the National Republican Congressional Committee March dinner on Tuesday night, Trump (above) responded to the comments and said he would keep criticizing judges, and accused the courts of being unhelpful

Trump, shown Tuesday on Capitol Hill, slammed a 'so-called judge' last month for blocking his travel ban executive order

Trump declared last month that James Robart's ruling, which halted his attempt to close America's borders to large groups of people from seven Muslim-majority countries, was a 'terrible decision' by a 'so-called judge.'

Gorsuch insisted that he was ethically forbidden to comment on the specific case  which is still ongoing and may reach the Supreme Court in a matter of months.

And he said judges have to develop thick skins to fend off regular complaints about their wisdom and impartiality.

'Judges have to be tough. We get called lots of names, all over the place. We have to accept criticism with some humility. It makes us stronger and better,' Gorsuch told Blumenthal.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer hammered the Associated Press for reporting that Gorsuch's comments were directed specifically at Trump

'We have a First Amendment. People can speak their mind,' he added.

But 'I know the men and women of the federal judiciary  a lot of them,' Gorsuch continued. 'I know how hard their job is, how much they often give up to do it, the difficult circumstances in which they do it.'

'It's a lonely job too. And I'm not asking for any crocodile tears or anything like that. I'm just saying I know these people and how decent they are.'

Trump, as president, is technically a party in the legal wrangling over the travel ban, which he replaced with what he last week called 'a watered down version' in order to comply with Robart's ruling.

Gorsuch said that one of his mentors had taught him that 'the test of the rule of law is whether the government can lose in its own courts and accept the judgements of those courts.'

Trump last month blasted federal judge James Robart (pictured) who temporarily halted Trump's order barring mostly Muslim travelers from entering the U.S.

Trump also tweeted that Judge Robart's ruling opened up the United States again to 'terrorists'

White House press secretary Sean Spicer weighed in shortly after, criticizing an Associated Press news alert about Gorsuch's exchange with Blumenthal.

'BREAKING: Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch publicly calls President Trump's attacks on judges "disheartening," ''demoralizing",' the AP blasted in a tweet.

'Wrong and Misleading: he spoke broadly and never mentioned any person,' Spicer replied on Twitter.

Later, Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono tried to pin Gorsuch down on his feelings about Trump, citing Spicer's tweet during the hearing.

'I cannot talk about specific cases,' he repeated. 'That would be improper. And I can't get involved in politics. ... I have to speak in general terms. I'm not talking about any case or controversy.'
Dirty cash laundered by British banks on behalf of Russian criminals has allegedly been spent on diamonds and a 29million townhouse, leaked documents reveal.

They show 600million came into the UK through lenders including state-backed RBS and HSBC in a scheme dubbed 'The Laundromat'.

Lloyds, Barclays and the Queen's bank Coutts were also among 17 British banks that were said to have processed payments.

It comes as fraud investigators have launched a review of the activities of British high street banks in response to the allegations.

Valemont Properties, a firm at the centre of the allegations, paid 216,000 for two Bentleys in 2012, with one ending up in the possession of Russian celebrity stylist Elina Cobaleva

A Russian customer spent 260,000 at Bond Street's Graff Diamonds store (pictured). An invoice sent to Barclays claimed the cash was used for 'building equipment'

The scheme, which saw at least 16billion moved out of Russia between 2010 and 2014, was run by criminals with links to the Kremlin and KGB. Detectives believe the true figure could be 65billion.

Under the scheme, criminals convinced a court in Moldova to demand repayment from Russian firms to satisfy fake loans.

Money was paid by court order into a Moldovan bank account, taking it out of Russia and making it appear clean. It was then moved to Latvia  and the EU.

The scandal involved about 500 people including Russian oligarchs.

Documents suggest Valemont Properties, a firm at the centre of the allegations, paid more than 10,000 to 35,000-a-year Millfield School in Somerset.

The money  which the school thought legitimate  was used to pay fees for the son of property mogul Vadim Zadorozhny, though it is not known if he is linked to the scandal. Valemont also paid 216,000 for two Bentleys in 2012, with one ending up in the possession of Russian celebrity stylist Elina Cobaleva.

Documents obtained by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and shown to The Guardian, detail 70,000 transactions, with 1,920 involving UK banks. HSBC handled 437million, RBS 90.6million and Coutts 26.3million.

Other firms linked to the scam bought a townhouse in Kensington, West London, for 29million, and a historic pub on London's Shaftesbury Avenue.

And a Russian customer spent 260,000 at Bond Street's Graff Diamonds store. An invoice sent to Barclays claimed the cash was used for 'building equipment'. There is no suggestion Graff knew the money was suspicious.

Ministers last night vowed to crack down on money-laundering, while City regulators and the National Crime Agency are investigating.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said that 'urgent action is needed'.

Labour's Ian Austin told MPs an estimated 100billion is laundered through London every year  but only 0.17 per cent of that has been frozen by the authorities.

According to the Guardian, he said: 'We might as well go from here, go to Heathrow and put up a welcome sign for Russian murderers and money launderers.'

James Berry, the Tory MP for Rossendale and Darwen, told the paper the situation would be a 'national disgrace' if the allegations were proven true.

The OCCRP also said RBS processed 90.6million in the alleged 'Laundromat' scheme (file picture)

British lawmakers tabled an urgent parliamentary question over the reports that said HSBC, RBS, Coutts and Standard Chartered were named as being among those that did not turn away suspicious money transfers.

Treasury Minister Simon Kirby said: 'The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) ... will investigate closely whether recent information from the Guardian newspaper regarding money laundering from Russia, or indeed any other media source, would allow the progression of an investigation.

'What is important is that if these allegations are correct, if they present any new information, that both the NCA and the FCA act on it appropriately,' added Kirby, responding to a question raised by the opposition Labour Party.

Coutts is said to have allegedly handled 26.3million of the 'dirty cash' (file picture)

The FCA, tasked with ensuring that financial services companies have adequate, proportionate and efficient safeguards to prevent them being used for financial crime, said it would investigate any evidence that it received.

The NCA said the case involved a number of UK-established companies and that, according to current information, the bank accounts involved were almost entirely held in non-UK jurisdictions. It said the money therefore did not 'generally' move through the UK's financial system.

'The NCA remains willing to consider any formal request for assistance from the Moldovan authorities in connection with their investigation, and will consider whether information provided by the Guardian or other media sources would allow the progression of an investigation,' it said in a statement.

According to data compiled by the OCCRP and published by the Guardian, HSBC saw $545 million routed through its UK and foreign branches.

HSBC is still subject to a five-year deferred prosecution agreement made in 2012 with U.S. authorities over lapses in its anti money laundering controls.

'HSBC is strongly committed to fighting financial crime,' the bank said in a statement.

'The bank has systems and processes in place to identify suspicious activity and report it to the appropriate government authorities. This case highlights the need for greater information sharing between the public and private sectors, each of whom holds important information the other does not.'

RBS, which owns Coutts, and Standard Chartered also said they were committed to combatting financial crime and money laundering. Standard Chartered said it would investigate any indications of suspicious activity.

Documents suggest Valemont Properties paid more than 10,000 to 35,000-a-year Millfield School in Somerset

The NCA said potential money laundering investigations were complicated when it was impossible to establish a criminal source for funds, such as drug supply, human trafficking or corruption without cooperation from the foreign jurisdictions.

HSBC said that the case showed more information-sharing was needed between the public and private sectors.

RBS, which also owns Coutts, Barclays and Lloyds, said that their procedures were all in line with their legal obligations.

Mark Carney yesterday warned trust in banking has collapsed. The Bank of England Governor said that banks have been fined nearly 260billion for wrongdoing in recent years, adding: 'The economic consequences have been enormous.'

Speaking in Parliament about the situation, Labour's Ian Austin, pictured, said 'we might as well go from here, go to Heathrow and put up a welcome sign for Russian murderers and money launderers'
A doctor who helped deliver a baby boy who died after a caesarean did not raise her concerns during the birth as she did not want to 'look silly', an inquest has heard.

Nixon Tonkin never breathed on his own after suffering significant head injuries during a caesarean at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in June 2014.

Nixon's mother, Simone Tonkin, had to undergo an emergency caesarean after her son got stuck in the birthing canal.

Brisbane Coroners Court has heard the injuries were most likely caused when a midwife used her finger to try and free his head from his mother's pelvis.

Nixon Tonkin (pictured) never breathed on his own and died shortly after being delivered at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in June 2014

A fifth-year obstetric registrar said on Tuesday she was initially concerned Nixon's caesarean would be difficult but did not raise that with her superior, who believed the baby would not be 'hard to get out'.

'I thought it might make me look silly,' the registrar told the inquest.

The registrar also turned down the superior's offer of help in surgery twice and said they did not have a good working relationship, although the obstetrician later disputed that.

Her evidence came after the inquest heard that caesareans are 'frowned upon' across Queensland Health because they are less cost-effective and carry greater risk.

An obstetric registrar told the inquest that Mrs Tonkin - who had gestational diabetes, hypertension, depression and was carrying a large baby - did not meet any of the guidelines for a caesarean section.

The registrar said she believed requests for caesareans were 'frowned upon' across Queensland Health because vaginal births were 'more cost effective'.

Nixon's mother, Simone Tonkin (pictured outside court on Monday), had to undergo an emergency caesarean after her son got stuck in the birthing canal

'There's always a pressure to aim for vaginal birth over caesar,' she said.

She also said as a major surgery, caesareans carried greater side effects and a possible financial burden for patients.

'A normal vaginal birth is the best outcome but an emergency caesar is the worst outcome, so it's a grey area in between,' she said.

But an obstetric consultant told the inquest she had not found cost effectiveness to have been an issue in her experience.

The court heard the World Health Organisation's guidelines state caesareans should only be carried out when medically necessary.

Nixon's parents Simone and Martin Tonkin are pictured as they arrived at the Coroner's Court in Brisbane on Monday

The registrar also noted that the hospital was 'more happy' to do caesareans than other places because of staff ethos.

'In general that's the feel,' she said.

In a statement, clinical director of obstetrics and gynaecology Karin Lust said cost was never a factor when deciding whether to carry out a caesarean section.

'As we're a public quaternary acute hospital caring for a number of high-risk pregnant patients, our caesarean numbers are often higher than the state average,' she said.

None of the medical staff involved in Mrs Tonkin's case can be named for legal reasons.

The inquest continues.
-        :       ,       
Four new prisons will be built to house 5,000 inmates under drive to cut reoffending, the Justice Secretary has announced.

Liz Truss pledged to close cramped, dilapidated jails where crime and violence can flourish in dark corners and replace them with modern institutions which are safer and easier to rehabilitate offenders.

It is part of her plan to invest 1.3billion in transforming the prison estate, including building fit-for-purpose workshops and educational facilities.

Liz Truss pledged to close cramped, dilapidated jails where crime and violence can flourish in dark corners and replace them with modern institutions which are safer and easier to rehabilitate offenders

Miss Truss said: We cannot hope to reduce reoffending until we build prisons that are places of reform where hard-work and self-improvement flourish.

Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime  nor do they provide our professional and dedicated prison officers with the right tools or environment to do their job effectively.

Land next to maximum-security HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire, which was home to mass murderers Dennis Nilsen and Jeremy Bamber, has been earmarked for development.

HMP Rochester in Kent, a Category C prison, will be temporarily closed for redevelopment with the inmates transferred elsewhere

HMP Hindley in Wigan and HMP Rochester in Kent, both Category C adult jails, will be temporarily closed for redevelopment with the inmates transferred elsewhere.

And a site for a brand new prison at Port Talbot in South Wales has been identified.

Ministers said the new prisons would create up to 2,000 construction jobs and generate millions of pounds to British economy.

Final decisions on the new prisons will be subject to planning approval.

Miss Truss said: This significant building programme will not only help create a modern prison estate where whole-scale reform can truly take root, but will also provide a thriving, economic lifeline for the local community  creating hundreds of jobs for local people and maximising opportunities for businesses.

The Government is committed to building up to 10,000 modern prison places by 2020.

Two former prisons at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and Glen Parva in Leicestershire have already been planned for opening before 2020.

And it comes three weeks after 212million HMP Berwyn, a Category C prison that holds 2,100 men on the outskirts of Wrexham, north Wales, opened.

It will be one of the biggest jails in Europe when it starts operating at full capacity this year.

The announcement are part of Miss Trusss flagship reforms which have been dubbed the biggest shake-up of jails in a generation. She has secured an extra 100million to employ 2,500 extra officers.

Under her major overhaul of the failing justice system, crisis-hit prisons will be transformed from offender warehouses to places where criminals are reformed with a rehabilitation revolution.

As well as punishing people who break the law, offenders will be given the skills needed to turn their lives around, driving down the 15billion a year cost of reoffending.

The wide-ranging Prisons and Courts Bill, currently going through the Commons, will bring together a number of reforms announced in recent months as prisons were hit by record levels of violence and suicides, riots and spiralling drug use.

Surging levels of violence and self-harm have sparked a raft of warnings about safety behind bars, while jails have been hit by riots.

Plans to close and sell Victorian prisons were first mooted by Miss Trusss predecessor in 2015 but so far only HMP Holloway in north London has shut.

Announcements on further jail closures are expected later in the year.
Victoria Police are hunting for a man who allegedly terrorised passengers on a tram in Melbourne's north before abusing the driver and hitting a glass window above his head with an iron object.

The horrific assault happened when the attacker boarded the city bound tram on Sydney Road, Melbourne, about 7.30pm on March 9.

In CCTV footage released by Victoria Police on Wednesday, police have identified a man who they believe can assist with their enquiries.

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Victoria Police released CCTV footage from the night of a man they believe could assist them with their investigation (pictured)

Victoria Police said the suspect unleashed a tirade of abuse on nearby passengers soon after he embarked the tram.

The suspect then slid open the window to the driver's carriage and launched a torrent of abuse before hitting the glass window above his head with an iron object causing it to shatter.

The broken glass shattered over the tram driver. He was not seriously hurt, but was treated for minor injuries.

The alleged attacker was then seen getting off the tram at Bell Street, Coburg.

Do you know this man? Police are appealing for help from the public to help identify a man they believe could assist them with their investigation

Police believe this man with brown hair and a Nike cap on, could assist them with their investigation

Victoria police released CCTV footage of a man they believe might be able to assist with their investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Karwan Osman, who sneaked into Britain on the back of a lorry, was caught smuggling in a Syrian woman in the boot of his BMW

A former refugee who sneaked into Britain on the back of a lorry was caught smuggling in a Syrian woman in the boot of his BMW.

Karwan Osman, 29, who was granted British citizenship and became a restaurateur, kept her hidden for 15 hours as he took a ferry from the Netherlands to Hull, a court heard.

But the woman, the wife of a friend, was found in the boot during routine checks and Osman, who is Kurdish, was arrested for people-smuggling.

Yesterday, however, he avoided jail after a judge said he acted foolishly to help a friend rather than being motivated by money.

Reacting to his suspended sentence on Facebook, Osman wrote: I want to thank all my friends and family for all your support Im the luckiest person on the planet for having you around me theres no words to describe my feeling right now.

When one asked what had happened, he replied that he was out clean from trial, bro.

The case comes as the National Crime Agency warns people-smugglers are turning to lower-profile docks such as Hull and Tilbury in Essex because of tightened security at major ports like Dover and Folkestone in Kent.

Border staff found the woman, named Jiham Yakob, in the boot of Osmans BMW 5 Series as they checked passengers disembarking a ferry from Rotterdam to Hull on January 4 last year.

He had agreed to smuggle her into the UK as a favour to her husband, who lives in this country, after she fled war-torn Syria, Hull Crown Court was told. She has since applied for political asylum and is awaiting the outcome of her case.

Phillip Axon, representing Osman, said: He came to this country on the back of a lorry seeking asylum. He was feeling sorry for the female, knowing the dangers of jumping on the back of a lorry.

Reacting to his suspended sentence on Facebook, Osman wrote: 'I want to thank all my friends and family for all your support Im the luckiest person on the planet'

Osman admitted facilitating the illegal entry of a foreign national to the UK.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, Recorder of Hull and East Riding, said the humanitarian crisis in Syria is dire and that Osman took what you believed to be a merciful course.

The judge said because he had illegally bypassed the normal political asylum regime he would have to be punished.

But he added: She had 15 hours cooped up in the boot of a car on the car deck of a ferry crossing the North Sea  15 hours of torment, I have no doubt. But even that was doubtless better than the even greater torment of being on the back of a lorry being smuggled into this country by criminals.

Osman, 29, kept the woman hidden for 15 hours as he took a ferry from the Netherlands to Hull (pictured)

You were trying to do the right thing but went about it in comprehensively the wrong way.

Judge Richardson said there was a difference between Osman, who on a single occasion behaved foolishly to help a friend, and people-smugglers who exploit desperate refugees for cash, whom he said were truly wicked individuals and should be punished severely.

Osman, from Wigan, who has posted on his Facebook page about attending a local college and following Manchester United, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

The maximum jail sentence for people-smuggling is 14 years.
Google should face prosecution under the Terrorism Act unless it removes online hate speech, the Solicitor General said yesterday.

Robert Buckland issued the stark warning as BT, Waitrose, Cancer Research UK, the Co-op Group and Mercedes Benz joined the boycott of Google's video platform YouTube.

And Coca-Cola said it had stopped advertising on YouTube in January amid fears its brand would be used alongside extremist content.

More than 250 companies have joined the boycott.

Google should face prosecution under the Terrorism Act unless it removes online hate speech

It comes after an investigation by The Times found Google made money from advertising placed on hate videos, and gave the extremists who posted them a share of the profits. Mr Buckland  the most senior lawyer in England after the Attorney General  told the told the Commons' home affairs committee yesterday that Google must root out hate speech or face criminal prosecution.

He said: 'There is an offence of recklessly disseminating this material, and the criminal law is there is a clear boundary beyond which they should not stray.

'I think the legislation is clear. It is my hope and expectation that these organisations will indeed come to heel and obey the law but the law is there if necessary.'

Mr Buckland warned Google that the 2006 Terrorism Act could apply to companies as well as individuals.

Google's European boss Matt Brittin (pictured at the Advertising Week Europe event in London's West End) has apologised for allowing adverts to appear alongside offensive videos

The committee's Labour chairman Yvette Cooper asked him to build a case against Google, amid concerns it was 'aiding and abetting' extremists. MPs also accused social media firms of putting politicians' lives at risk by failing to tackle abuse they received online.

Deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle said that targeted hate crime was threatening democracy. He said: 'They have to realise they cannot allow this to continue.'

Google makes the vast majority of its money from advertisements, which are placed on YouTube by complex technology rather than human judgment.

It then relies on technology and the public to flag up extremist videos one at a time before its staff will examine them.

Those posting videos receive up to 6.15 for every 1,000 views, and many are watched millions of times.

In a further day of shame for the technology giant, the firm yesterday offered another a mealy-mouthed apology for placing companies' adverts next to hate speech.

Google's apology did not go far enough for home affairs select committee chair Yvette Cooper (pictured) who said the company must do more to filter out extremist content

Google's global chief business officer Philipp Schindler said: 'We had a number of cases where brands' ads appeared on content that was not aligned with their values. For this, we deeply apologise.'

He also said the firm would make it easier to raise issues quickly.

But Labour MP Miss Cooper renewed calls for Google to hire staff to seek out extremist material, including by Islamic State recruiters and far-Right white supremacists.

Google's bosses have already been hauled into the Cabinet Office and 'read the riot act'. Last night Google refused to comment.
Britain's traffic could get even worse with dozens of major roadworks set to begin in 2019, the Whitehall spending watchdog has warned.

In a damning report, the National Audit Office said the governments 11.4billon roads upgrade strategy was poorly planned and warned 16 schemes could be scrapped because they do not represent value for money.

It accused the Department of Transport of rushing to put together its programme to improve the roads so it could be published before the May 2015 general election.

Britain's traffic could get even worse with dozens of major roadworks set to begin in 2019, the Whitehall spending watchdog has warned (Stock image)

This caused the Department to select projects without knowing whether they would be best value, after failing to do detailed analysis.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has said congestion is hampering the economy, as well as disrupting the lives of millions of motorists.

But the NAO said poor planning could cause significant disruption for motorists, with 54 of the 112 projects currently scheduled to start in 2019/2020.

The road improvement programme is also currently forecast to go 841million over budget.

Last night one Tory backbencher accused the government of blindly pumping cash into motorways and causing more gridlock with roadworks.

A Liberal Democrat MP described the governments road improvement scheme as an utter shambles.

In 2014, the then coalition government announced details of a five-year Road Investment Strategy featuring 112 major schemes to begin 2015-2020, such as smart motorway upgrades and converting single-carriageway A-roads to dual carriageways.

The overall plan includes a tunnel at Stonehenge, upgrading the M1 to a smart motorway around Sheffield and Rotherham, and improving electronic signage, emergency roadside telephones and CCTV cameras on the M11 between Stansted Airport and Cambridge.

But government-owned Highways England, which is responsible for maintaining and improving major roads, has identified 16 projects which could be cancelled, delayed or redesigned to ensure more efficient use of taxpayers money, the NAO said.

Neither the DfT nor Highways England confirmed which projects are at risk.

The NAO also warned Highways England does not have enough key staff to complete all the projects and will be forced to hire in consultants which cost three times as much.

In a damning report, the National Audit Office said the governments 11.4billon roads upgrade strategy was poorly planned and warned 16 schemes could be scrapped because they do not represent value for money (Stock image)

It suggested the government should consider delaying or cancelling new projects.

The watchdog said the Road Investment Strategy is an important step towards better long term planning of Englands strategic road network.

But it concluded that several problems were created by the plans being drawn up in just 17 months in order to publish them before the May 2015 general election.

The equivalent rail planning takes around 30 months.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: The Department and Highways England need to agree a more realistic and affordable plan if they are to provide optimal value from the Road Investment Strategy.

Decisive action needs to be taken before the updated delivery plan is published in the summer if shortcomings in the current strategy are not to be carried over into future road investment periods.

Members of the commons Public Accounts Committee expressed their concern last night.

Charlie Elphicke, a Tory member of the committee said: This report shows a better deal is needed for drivers. A big change is needed to deliver value for money. Instead of blindly pumping cash into motorways and causing more gridlock with roadworks, more investment is needed to fix local roads and potholes as well as major regional routes.

Ninety per cent of all miles travelled are by road - yet more cash is invested in rail. Motorists pay four times more in tax than is invested in roads.Its time for a fairer deal on roads that backs the white van drivers and hard working classes of modern Britain.

Liberal Democrat member of the Public Accounts Committee John Pugh said: The report is damning. It is the civil servant version of a justified character assassination. This whole scheme is late and over-budget.The government are an utter shambles.

But a DfT spokesman said: This Government is taking the big decisions for Britains future, and we are investing a record 15 billion on road schemes which will cut congestion, speed up journeys, and boost the economy across the country.

As this report acknowledges, we have made significant progress in managing our major roads more efficiently, and we are confident Highways England will deliver safe and reliable roads that deliver value for money for the taxpayer.

We will consider the findings of this report.

Highways England Chief Executive Jim OSullivan said: We are confident we will deliver our capital programme without overspending our budget.
An HBO executive is facing a year in prison after he pleaded guilty to moving a Long Island mother's dead body during a cocaine binge.

Marc Henry Johnson, 52, was arrested alongside his drug dealer James Holder last May after Dr Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny's was found dead in a doorway in New York's upmarket Chelsea neighborhood on October 4, 2015.

He faced drug conspiracy and accessory charges that could have landed him in federal prison for up to 10 years.

But instead prosecutors will recommend that he serve between 18 and 24 months, according to the New York Daily News.

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TV executive Marc Henry Johnson (pictured) pleaded guilty to giving cocaine to a mother-of-three who died of an overdose. He is seen above leaving Manhattan federal court in May 2016

Johnson (pictured), 52, was arrested alongside his drug dealer and ex-convict James Holder in May 2016

Johnson (left) has been arrested on drug charges for allegedly giving cocaine to a top doctor and mother-of-three Dr Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny (right), 38, just hours before she died of an overdose

They were both charged with giving cocaine to mother-of-three Cerveny just hours before she was found dead.

The pair were accused of going on a drug binge with Cerveny - who died of an overdose that night - and then trying to cover up her death by carrying her lifeless body down the stairs.

When paramedics arrived, they found her panties stuffed in her purse.

The two men were arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents and the NYPD for distribution in May 2016.

The criminal complaint says Johnson regularly bought cocaine from Holder.

The alleged dealer moved out of the apartment after her death, but continued to sell drugs in New York until January 2016, the document states.

Cerveny, according to the complaint, had already been doing cocaine before they met.

An autopsy found Cerveny died from an acute mix of cocaine and alcohol intoxication.

In the hours before she died, she met up with Johnson during a girls night before going back to Holder's apartment.

In the hours before she died, Cerveny met up with Johnson during a girls night before going back to Holder's apartment. She had told her husband and the father of her three children, Andrew (pictured), that she was going to meet girlfriends in the city

The dermatologist was found dying in a doorway of a building (pictured) in New York's Chelsea neighborhood with her panties in her purse after a night of partying on October 4, 2015

Ex-con James Holder was also taken into custody after being arrested in New York's Lower East Side. He was detained following a DEA investigation that has lasted for months

Johnson (left) and ex-con James Holder (right) are accused of trying to cover up a crime and of possession of narcotics. Holder is also accused of distribution of narcotics

She had told her husband and the father of her three children, Andrew, that she was going to meet girlfriends in the city.

Surveillance video from the building showed Johnson and James 'Pepsi' Holder, 60, taking the doctor's limp body downstairs around 8.30 that morning.

Police had searched for Johnson in the immediate aftermath of Cerveny's death, after the friend called 911 but left when emergency workers arrived and tried to revive her.

Holder, who previously served time for drug and weapons charges, also fled down 26th street.

Authorities later found baggies and what is suspected to be cocaine in the apartment he lived in, according to the New York Daily News.

Cerveny was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.

Johnson was the producer of HBO's The Deuce, a pilot about New York's porn industry in the 1970s and 80s starring James Franco, but left the project after Cerveny's death, according to Deadline.

Holder, 61, pleaded guilty on December 12 to using his apartment for distributing drugs. He is due to be sentenced on May 4.

Johnson's sentencing is scheduled for June 26.

Johnson (left) was seen carrying the doctor's lifeless body down to the entrance of his drug dealer's apartment building after the night of partying

A NYPD detective carries an evidence bag away from the building where Cerveny was found dead in May 2016. She died on October 4, 2015, from an acute mix of cocaine and alcohol intoxication

Cerveny was found lifeless in this doorway after Johnson and Holder called 911 and fled the scene. Investigators found panties stuffed in her bag. Cops are pictured at the scene last year

The pair had their wedding featured in a prestigious New York Times announcement and later moved to a $1.2million home on Long Island

Cerveny met her husband while the pair were in medical school. Friends said they looked happy together in the days leading up to her death

Pictured is the lavish home the married couple shared in Long Island, New York

Police sources told The Post that Johnson had been having marital problems.

His wife, Yale-educated lawyer Marlisa Vinciguerra allegedly accused him of kicking her inside their apartment on April 5, 2015

Reports immediately after news of the doctor's death said that she may have been strangled after marks were discovered on her neck. The marks were later said to be from a previous surgery.

The doctor, who attended Duke University on scholarship after winning an America's Junior Miss pageant and graduated magna cum laude, left behind a life in which friends say she had 'everything'.

'They looked healthy and happy. It seemed like they were on top of the world,' Thomas Nicotri, her former professor at the Medical Center of Louisiana, told NBC New York.

The New Jersey native, who was formerly a professor at Cornell Weill Medical School and chief dermatologist at The Brooklyn Hospital, met her husband when they were in their medical residency.

She and husband Andrew, also a dermatologist, had their wedding featured in a prestigious New York Times announcement and later moved to a $1.2million home on Long Island.

Johnson was the producer of HBO's The Deuce, a pilot about New York's porn industry in the 1970s and 80s starring James Franco, but left the project after Cerveny's death

He is pictured with his Wall Street attorney wife Marlisa Vinciguerra in a Facebook snap. He reportedly kicked her in the home they shared and were suffering marriage problems when Cerveny died
Lord Wilson said pre-nups going through courts was patronising and wrong

Couples should be able to enter into pre-nup deals before they marry without fear that a court will overrule them, a Supreme Court judge said yesterday.

It is patronising to tell couples that they cannot decide before their wedding how they should behave if they break up, Lord Wilson said.

Instead, they should be able to choose marriage-lite, in which their prenup, and not a divorce court, determines how their wealth is divided if they part.

Lord Wilson, who spent his career as a divorce and family lawyer and judge before joining the Supreme Court, said the current law, which says a pre-nup can only be put into effect if a court thinks it is fair, is wrong.

My own view is that we have now reached the stage in which, if acting with appropriate care and understanding, parties should be allowed to elect the sort of marriage which they want, he said.

Lord Wilsons call for cast iron pre-nups, made in a speech to Bristol University students, will be seen by some Supreme Court colleagues and by outside critics as an attempt to undermine the status of marriage as a contract in which both couples are bound by law to share their wealth for life.

It comes nearly seven years after the landmark Radmacher case, in which the Supreme Court for the first time signalled that British courts will take pre-nups into account when they rubber-stamp a divorced settlement. However, the Supreme Court judges ruled that to be upheld a pre-nup must be voluntary, drawn up by brides and grooms who have had legal advice, and fair.

Since the case of Katrin Radmacher, which upheld a pre-nup designed to protect the 100 million fortune of the German paper industry heiress after the break-up of her marriage to French-born City researcher Nicolas Granatino, the use of pre-nups has become widespread.

Lord Wilsons call for cast iron pre-nups will be seen by some Supreme Court colleagues and by outside critics as an attempt to undermine the status of marriage

They have now been extended far beyond simple attempts by a husband or wife to protect the assets they brought to their marriage. Couples can now sign an infidelity penalty pre-nup, which cuts the divorce payout to an unfaithful spouse, and another option is the parental pre-nup, in which parents try to protect the money they gave to a son or daughter to help them onto the housing ladder.

A pre-nup will not be upheld by the courts, Lord Wilson said yesterday, if it is not considered fair. But what, in this context, would be unfair? he asked.

Lord Wilson said he was not necessarily in agreement with Supreme Court Deputy President Lady Hale, who said in Radmacher case that pre-nups should not have legal force because they undermine marriage.

Marriage is a public status, conferred by the state; it is still surrounded by various pre-conditions; and it is attended by various economic benefits  in particular, for the more affluent, the freedom of the inheriting widow or widower from inheritance tax, Lord Wilson said.

One view is that in those circumstances parties should not be able to opt for marriage-lite, in which the laws verdict about the extent of their obligations on divorce in the light of all the circumstances which have arisen is overridden by what they chose to agree perhaps many years earlier.

Lord Wilson added: I wonder, however, whether by modern standards that view is too patronising.

Does it make our law inappropriately intrusive into personal, adult arrangements?

A number of Influential lawyers have called on the Government to bring in full-scale pre-nup legislation, partly in the cause of protecting the earnings of successful career women from predatory husbands.

But the judge-led Family Justice Council has warned couples that courts will under the current law divide their assets on divorce according to what is fair and what each of them needs. Pre-nups will only benefit the wealthy who have money left in surplus after their needs have been settled, the Council said.
Texas has overwhelmingly passed a controversial abortion bill that critics say would empower doctors to keep vital information about their fetus' health from pregnant women.

Senate Bill 25, which the Texas Senate passed by a 21-9 vote Monday, would allow a doctor to use their own discretion as to whether or not to tell a pregnant woman that a fetus has abnormalities if they suspect the woman might opt for an abortion.

The author of the 'wrongful birth' bill, Conroe Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton, claims the bill is about shielding doctors from lawsuits and called articles that described the bill as being about allowing doctors to withhold medical information as 'fake news.'

Senate Bill 25 would give doctors discretion in what information to share about the health of a woman's fetus

However, in his November 2016 press release announcing the bill, Creighton touted it as 'pro-life' bill and said 'It is unacceptable that doctors can be penalized for embracing the sanctity of life.'

He said there is legal precedent that gives patients the right to sue if a baby is born with abnormalities and a doctor 'failed to advocate for termination.' He called this the 'wrongful birth' law.

'It breaks my heart that courts have punished doctors for the birth of children with Down Syndrome or a missing limb,' he wrote. 'Every child is precious and deserving of our protection.'

He claimed that doctors have to err on the side of advocating for abortion because of medical malpractice suits.

According to Wikipedia, 'wrongful birth' laws can allow for parents to sue a doctor if he or she fails to diagnose or properly warn of the risks of giving birth to a child with genetic deformities. Nowhere is it mentioned that doctors can be sued for not advocating abortion, or that doctors take it upon themselves to advocate abortion to avoid them.

Republican State Representative Brandon Creighton is the author of the controversial Senate Bill 25

Additionally, medical malpractice lawyers have said lawsuits of this type are extremely rare, according to San Antonio Current.

Creighton posted an article by The Blaze on his website, which says, 'Supporters of Senate Bill 25 say that case set a legal precedent for a doctor to face liability if a baby is born with disabilities identified in utero but the doctor did not recommend abortion.'

The paragraph links to a CBS article that mentions a 1975 Supreme Court ruling that said that parents can sue for extra damages to cover costs associated with a disabled child if the doctor did not fully inform the parents of the problems with the pregnancy.

However, that ruling said nothing about doctors having to recommend abortion.

Critics say the law would allow doctors to essentially lie to a patient by not mentioning deformities or other health problems that might make a woman seek an abortion.

'SB 25 would allow doctors to lie to their patients,' Heather Busby, executive director at NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, the reproductive healthcare advocacy group, told The Huffington Post.

But Creighton himself seemed to take the view that the bill was at least partially to protect doctors who don't wish to be the agent of news that could result in an abortion.

'It is unacceptable that doctors can be penalized for embracing the sanctity of life,' he wrote in the press release introducing the bill.

He denies the bill would allow doctors to lie to patients and called the media's coverage of the bill 'fake news' on his website.

El Paso Democrat Senator Jose Rodriguez, who voted against the bill, said it 'seems to be about restricting and further limiting a woman's right to exercise her choice about what she's going to do in the case of serious defects to the fetus,' reported the Houston Chronicle.

One woman who testified against the bill at the hearing said the bill could impact saving a fetus's life too, according to the San Antonio Current.

Rachel Tiddle told lawmakers of her experience carrying a fetus to term that had severe abnormalities and that was stillborn.

She said if she'd known the extent of the fetus' health problems she would have tried experimental therapy.

The proposal now heads to the House.
The BBC yesterday rejected complaints of Brexit bias, despite a warning from more than 70 MPs that its coverage is falling 'far short' of the standard expected by the public.

In a dismissive letter, director-general Lord Hall flatly denied that reporting was 'skewed' against the decision to leave the EU and praised the 'extraordinary job' done by journalists.

But last night former Cabinet Minister John Whittingdale warned that failing to address the concerns could lead to the BBC facing an investigation by the new media regulator within weeks.

The BBC insisted its coverage of Brexit has been 'responsible and impartial' but Mr Knight said it was giving too much prominence to diehard Remainers who refuse to accept the referendum result

Lord Hall's staunch defence came in his letter to Tory MP Julian Knight, who lodged the complaint, insisting that the BBC went to 'great lengths' to maintain 'impartiality'.

In a pointed rebuke, he added: 'I agree with you that these are consequential times. For that reason, it is more important than ever that the BBC's journalism is independent of political pressure.'

Ex-Culture Secretary Mr Whittingdale said the controversy could become the first test case for Ofcom, which takes responsibility for regulating the BBC from next month.

'This represents a big test for the BBC right at the time when the new governing structure is coming into place,' he said.

'The fact that 70 MPs have questioned the impartiality of the BBC is a pretty serious matter a week before Ofcom assumes the task of regulation.

'I think you could well see this system tested quite quickly unless we see some change in attitude. I have considerable sympathy with the feelings expressed in the letter.

Around 70 MPs are understood to have signed a letter to director-general Lord Hall complaining about the Corporation's gloomy reporting of the crucial issue

'The BBC's coverage of the European issue since the referendum has given far too much weight to the risks and downsides and not nearly enough to the opportunities it presents and the good economic news we have seen.

'That is an issue of concern and it should be an issue of concern to the BBC.'

The scale of the criticism of the corporation's coverage is unprecedented in modern times.

Mr Knight's letter was signed by 60 Tory MPs, three Labour MPs, eight Democratic Unionist Party MPs and Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, along with four peers.

Tory MP Julian Knight warned that the BBC was in danger of losing touch with its viewers

Signatories included former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and ex-Cabinet Ministers Theresa Villiers, John Redwood, Owen Paterson and Grant Shapps.

Mr Knight, a former BBC journalist who voted Remain, said the corporation had fallen 'far short' of the high standards expected in recent months.

In his letter to Lord Hall, he warned that economic good news has been 'skewed by BBC coverage which seems unable to break out of pre-referendum pessimism'.

The MP said the tone of the reporting threatened to 'undermine our efforts to carve out a new global role for this country'.

But former Cabinet Minister Nicky Morgan said the intervention was 'chilling'. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Tom Brake accused the MPs of a 'worrying authoritarian streak'.

Lord Hall's reply came just hours after the letter from Mr Knight was received, suggesting little serious consideration was given to investigating the concerns.

Downing Street refused to be drawn on the row, saying that editorial decisions were 'a matter for the BBC'.
The family feud over Gina Rinehart's multi-billion-dollar mining empire will continue after her daughter received legal advice new litigation is 'justified'.

Bianca, the eldest daughter of Australia's richest person, will sue her mother for alleged misconduct over the family trust.

She will allege Ms Rinehart improperly spent company money on personal expenses and failed to pay dividends from Hancock Prospecting to the family trust.

Gina Rinehart's daughter Bianca is 'justified' in launching new legal action, a NSW Supreme Court judge told her

Bianca (pictured), Ms Rinehart's eldest daughter, will allege her mother used company money for personal expenses

Bianca will also allege Ms Rinehart failed to ensure payment of appropriate dividends when she was trustee.

Judicial advice from NSW Supreme Court, released on Wednesday, states Bianca would be 'justified in commencing and prosecuting proceedings'.

The application is yet another twist in the long-running dispute involving Ms Rinehart, the daughter of mining magnate Lang Hancock, and her four adult children.

Gina Rinehart is again the richest person in Australia, after doubling her money to US$15 billion

Lang Hancock (pictured), Ms Rinehart's father, set up the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust for his grandchildren

Mr Hancock set up the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust for his grandchildren, and Ms Rinehart was trustee until she stood down amid a public legal battle, Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Bianca was appointed trustee in May 2015.

Ms Rinehart has again been crowned Australia's richest person.

She was the only Australian to make the Forbes list of the world's 100 richest billionaires, at #69.

Ms Rinehart doubled her money last year to US$15 billion.

Bianca will allege Ms Rinehart failed to pay dividends from Hancock Prospecting to the family trust
A drunk driver has been jailed for at least eight months after he was caught on camera staggering out of his BMW and falling over while six times over the legal limit for driving.

Matthew James Duncan pleaded guilty to high-range PCA, refusing to submit to a breath test and not carrying a license at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday.

Duncan, the former boss of a luxury car retailer, was sentenced to 15 months in prison with no parole permitted for eight months , a court spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia.

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Matthew Duncan (pictured) was jailed for at least eight months after he was caught stumbling out of his BMW while six times over the legal limit for driving

While jailing the repeat drunk driver, the magistrate told Duncan it was sheer good luck that he hadnt hurt or killed anyone, 9News reports.

Duncan is asking to be released on bail pending an appeal of his sentence, according to the station.

The 39-year-old, who is the former CEO of Trivett Automotive Group, was seen on CCTV footage as he stumbled out of the drivers side of his vehicle and falling backwards onto the pavement on Bland Street in Woolloomooloo in November last year.

Neighbours called police, but officers were reportedly already on their way because Duncans BMW clipped an Australian Federal Police vehicle moments earlier.

When officers from both the AFP and NSW Police attended the scene, Duncan reportedly refused to take a breath test.

He was taken to a police station, where he recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.342  the legal limit is 0.05.

When police arrived at the scene, Duncan reportedly refused to submit to a breath test
Two Greek chapters at the University of Connecticut have been terminated following the tragic death of a sophomore girl last year.

Jeffny Pally, 19, was struck and killed by a fire truck after passing out in front a nearby fire station with a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit. That night, she had attended an off-campus party thrown by the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Last month, six fraternity members were charged in connection to her death. Her former sorority, Delta Gamma, announced its closure on Monday as a result of the incident, which took place in October.

It's been revealed that UConn notified Kappa Sigma earlier this month that it had been expelled indefinitely and had no chance to reorganize on campus.

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Two Greek chapters at the University of Connecticut have been permanently terminated following the death of a sophomore girl last year. Jeffny Pally, 19, was struck and killed by a fire truck after passing out in front a nearby fire station with a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit

On the evening of her death, Pally had attended an off-campus fraternity party hosted by UConn's Kappa Sigma chapter

On Monday, UConn's Delta Gamma chapter announced its closure via social media after university revealed it had revoked the sorority's recognition.

The UConn Kappa Sigma fraternity Twitter account alluded to its closure on Twitter in February, when it changed its profile photos to all-black, and wrote: 'It's been real everyone #neverforget'.

After Pally's death, the chapter's account also tweeted out its condolences to her family and fellow Delta Gamma sorority members.

The UConn Kappa Sigma fraternity Twitter account alluded to its closure on Twitter in February, when it changed its profile photos to all-black, and wrote: 'It's been real everyone #neverforget'

After Pally's death, the chapter's account also tweeted out its condolences to her family and fellow Delta Gamma sorority members

Pally, from West Hartford, had been sitting with her back against the garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex at around 1am after leaving the Kappa Sigma party.

She was run over by a fire vehicle responding to a call that turned out to be a false alarm. Pally's body wasn't found until about 30 minutes later when firefighters returned.

The teenager died from injuries to her head and torso, the medical examiner's office determined. The driver of the vehicle wasn't charged and the tragedy was ruled an accident.

Patrick Callahan, Matthew Moll, Dylan Morose, Austin Custodio, Dominic Godi and Jonathan Polansky were charged last month after they were found to have hosted the party that the 19-year-old attended before her death.

Patrick Callahan, Jonathan Polansky and Dylan Morose were three of the six charged last month in relation to Pally's death in October

Matthew Moll, Dominic Godi and Austin Custodio range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts

Pally, a sophomore from West Hartford, had been sitting with her back against the garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex (above) at about 1am after leaving the party

The charged UConn students range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

Callahan, Moll, Morose and Polansky were charged with permitting a minor to illegally possess alcohol.

Custodio is accused of buying the beer and vodka for the party, while Godi allegedly took it to the venue.

Two additional students have been charged in connection with the false alarm.

Delta Gamma announced its decision to close its Epsilon Pi sorority chapter on Facebook and cited Pally's death.

'The tragic death of a new member greatly affected Delta Gamma Fraternity and caused Council to reflect on the member experience at Epsilon Pi,' Delta Gamma President Stacia Rudge Skoog said.

Delta Gamma announced its decision to close its Epsilon Pi sorority chapter at UConn on Monday following Jeffny Pally's death last year

'The decision to close a chapter is never easy, but Council strongly feels it is in the best interest of the chapter and University of Connecticut community,' she continued.

The Greek life organization said new information discovered during a recent university investigation into an unregistered event, as well as repeated policy violations over the past few years, had led to the decision to close the chapter indefinitely.

While there is the possibility for the sorority to return to UConn in the future, Delta Gamma said there were no plans to do so at this time.
Two Iraqi civilians who claim they were captured and subjected to 'deeply humiliating' abuse by UK forces in the Iraq War are suing the Ministry of Defence.

The men claim they were working on a cargo ship when it was border by troops in 2003, who then took them, via a series of vessels, to a large military ship.

The two civilians, referred to only as MRE and KSU, claim they were then subjected to 'deeply humiliating mistreatment and sexual assault' on the vessel.

Two Iraqi civilians claim they were captured and subjected to 'deeply humiliating' abuse by UK forces in the Iraq War while on their way to Camp Freddy (pictured, file image)

The men, who are suing for damages, claim it took place while on the way from where they being transferred from the port of Umm Qasr in a stretch of waterway known as the Khor al Zubair to Camp Freddy, a detention centre.

They were then held at the camp, which later became known as Camp Bucca, for 32 days before being released, they claim.

At the start of a contested four week trial at London's High Court, their counsel Richard Hermer QC said the men had been 'clear and consistent throughout' that UK troops were responsible.

While it was always a possibility that they had deliberately fabricated their accounts of what happened, the most probable explanation was that they represented 'an honest and broadly accurate history'.

The men are suing the MoD for a total of nearly 240,000, claiming they have suffered permanent physical and emotional scars from the abuse while on the way to the camp (pictured, stock image)

He told Mr Justice Leggatt: 'There are inconsistencies in their recollection of material events, not least relevant to the early hours of their capture.

'These may reflect an attempt to dissemble or may reflect the impact of trauma and the passage of time on memory. Unsurprisingly, the claimants suggest the latter.'

MRE is claiming a total of 187,388 damages while KSU claims 56,009.

Mr Justice Leggat heard that there were inconsistencies in the men's stories

MRE says he has suffered post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, soft tissue and gastrointestinal injuries, headaches and difficulties with hearing and balance.

KSU claims that he suffered symptoms of PTSD, a burn injury and soft tissue injuries.

The men also want compensation for loss of earnings, assault and loss of liberty .

The Ministry of Defence puts the value of the claims at 6,500 and 2,500 subject to liability, which is denied.

It says it is not liable for the assaults and injuries and that, in any event, the cases are 'stale' and brought outside the legal time limit.

Derek Sweeting QC said that, despite an extensive disclosure exercise, the MoD had been unable to find any documents which evidenced the capture of the two men or any witnesses who could recall the circumstances of their alleged capture.

'The defendant contends that in all probability it was not UK troops that were involved in the capture of KSU and MRE.'

The balance of the evidence suggested that the men were apprehended either by troops under Australian command or by United States forces.

He said that the claimants' accounts were 'replete with inaccuracies and exaggerations' and there were 'compelling reasons' why the court should find that it was not UK forces which captured them.
The widowed mother of a little boy who lost a hat given to him by his late father has launched an emotion social media campaign to track it down.

The treasured gift was given to Katie Peden's young son Braxton by his father Bryn, who tragically died in a motor bike accident last year.

The 'black Kings snap back hat' was lost while the family was flying on a Jetstar flight between Sydney and Launceston on Monday.

The treasured gift (hat pictured) was given to her young son Braxton (pictured with father) by his father Bryn, who tragically died in a motor bike accident last year

Ms Peden and her two children were flying on Jetstar flight JQ749 from Sydney to Launceston on Monday when the hat went missing

'Normally I would let it go, but this hat has so much sentimental value to us, as it was given to our son by his father, (my husband) who tragically passed away in an accident a year ago,' Ms Peden wrote on Facebook.

Ms Peden and her two children were flying on Jetstar flight JQ749 from Sydney to Launceston on Monday.

'Within the terminal at gate 54 or 55 (due to a gate change or possibly on the aircraft) we have misplaced a black Kings snap back hat,' she said.

'I've notified the airline and they will contact me back within 24-48 hours if located, but I feel it's long gone now.

'If you can please share this post to get the word out, we may be able to bring Braxton's hat home to him.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Ms Peden and Jetstar Australia for comment.
Zookeepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo are mourning the death of Australia's last African elephant Cuddles.

Cuddles was the Zoo's longest residing animal after arriving in Dubbo in 1977 from the United Kingdom when she was six years old.

The 46-year-old elephant was considered an 'elderly' animal at the zoo and had been unwell for some time before her sad passing.

Cuddles the elephant has passed away after 40 years at Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Zookeepers are mourning Cuddles' sad passing and said they are 'struggling' to come to terms with the loss

Following veterinary investigations Cuddles was treated for digestive health issues, with vets providing treatment and supportive medications to relieve pain and discomfort and promote food and drink intake

Cuddles' condition had been gradually deteriorating and the zoo was forced to make the 'heartbreaking decision' to put her to sleep to prevent any further suffering.

Taronga broke the sad news on social media on Wednesday and said: 'We are all mourning the loss of this beautiful animal.'

'She will be greatly missed and her passing represents the end of an era for African Elephants in Australia. Farewell Cuddles.'

Taronga Zoo said: 'She will be greatly missed and her passing represents the end of an era for African Elephants in Australia'

Taronga Western Plains Zoo revealed news of Cuddles' death on Facebook on Wednesday

The zoo added: 'We are all struggling to come to terms with the loss of Cuddles. She will be greatly missed and her passing represents the end of an era for African Elephants in Australia. Cuddles will be buried in Zoo grounds.

Cuddles was an exceptional ambassador for African Elephants. She told the story of the threats that African Elephants face in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss.'

Arriving in Dubbo the very same day Taronga opened, Cuddles was the matriarch zoo and was an iconic attraction for tourists and animal lovers.

Cuddles arrived Dubbo, Australia in 1977 after a stint in the United Kingdom

There are no longer any remaining African elephants in Australia after the death of Cuddles

She was described by zookeepers as a 'real attention seeker and people pleaser' and was well-loved by all staff.

'She loves to interact with her keepers from her paddock and enjoys foraging for her food every morning. Cuddles also loves to cover herself in dirt or mud if its been raining,' the Zoo said.

'Cuddles is certainly the noisiest elephant living at Zoo, often trumpeting loudly and becoming very animated when keepers move close by. Cuddles can be precious about things at times and is a little nervous relying on her keepers leading her through new training.'
The body of a Pakistani student who was knocked into rough surf by a wave on Sunday has been found.

Mohsin Awan, 23, and fellow Pakistani student Mohsin Javed, also 23, were knocked into the water by a wave while they stood on a rock face at Newcastle's Nobby's Beach about 7pm.

But while bystanders were able to pull Mr Javed to safety, Mr Awan could not be found - launching a large scale search involving NSW water police, lifesavers and a helicopter.

But tragically before 8am on Wednesday, police found the body of a man believed to be that of Mr Awan about one kilometre off the beach.

A body believed to be Pakistani student Mohsin Awan, 23, (pictured) who was knocked into rough surf by a wave on Sunday, has been found

Mohsin Awan, 23, and fellow Pakistani student Mohsin Javed, also 23, were knocked into the water by a wave while they stood on a rock face at Newcastle's Nobby's Beach about 7pm

Mr Awan had tried 'very hard' to swim back but couldn't make it, the pair's housemate, Usman Ghani, said on Tuesday.

Mr Ghani, who's spent the last few days consoling Mr Javed, said his friend was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

'He's very sad and crying all the time. They were childhood friends and he's in shock - we all are,' he said.

Mr Awan, from Lahore in Pakistan's north-east, was studying business administration at the University of Newcastle after arriving in Australia last October.

His family are aware he was missing.

'They're in big trauma and distress .. more than us. They're so sad to be so far away,' Mr Ghani said.

While bystanders were able to pull Mr Javed to safety, Mr Awan could not be found, launching a large scale search involving NSW water police, lifesavers and a helicopter

Mr Awan had tried 'very hard' to swim back but couldn't make it, his housemate, Usman Ghani, said on Tuesday

Mr Awan, from Lahore in Pakistan's northeast, was studying business administration at the University of Newcastle after arriving in Australia last October

Hope to find Mr Awan dwindled after efforts to find him were postponed.

Treacherous conditions and darkness meant the initial search was suspended at 9.40pm.

The search resumed at 7am on Monday in only slightly better conditions.

Police say his body, which is yet to be formally identified, was discovered about one kilometre offshore.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Severe thunderstorms and torrential rain brought flash flooding to Australia's east coast on Tuesday - but it also brought a good prank opportunity for one man.

Video has emerged showing a fully-clothed man lying flat in a gutter as a torrent of floodwater almost completely submerges him.

After a few seconds he stands up, with his black T-shirt, brown chinos and Adidas sneakers completely soaked.

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Video has emerged showing a fully-clothed man lying flat in a gutter as a torrent of floodwater almost completely submerges him

After a few seconds he stands up, with his black t-shirt, brown chinos and Adidas sneakers completely soaked

The man then crosses the street with his beer still in hand as if nothing had happened.

One woman stops in her tracks as she crosses the street and looks on with bemusement.

Other pedestrians try their best to avoid being soaked by the puddle by taking their shoes off, while others simply stride through the calf-high water.

Comedy blog Brown Cardigan posted the video on Wednesday.

'Got on the tins, thought he was a freshwater trout,' Brown Cardigan said.

Sydney saw severe thunderstorms and torrential rain on Tuesday  with 43mm recorded in Richmond and 26mm in the CBD.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon as they also received a sudden downpour that caused flash floods.
Howard government minister Peter Reith has been rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke.

Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy said the 66-year-old had a 'serious medical emergency' on Wednesday morning, just hours after he appeared at a candidate's function.

Mr Reith was due to challenge Michael Kroger for the Victorian Liberal party presidency at the state council on April 1, but will now withdraw from the race.

Howard government minister Peter Reith has been rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke

Mr Reith was the minister for industrial relations with the Howard government from 1996 until 2001 (pictured)

Friends and family said Mr Reith would spend the next few days in hospital and confirmed his condition is not life threatening.

Mr Reith was reportedly unwell at the candidate's dinner on Tuesday night.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Peter Reith who was this morning hospitalised following a serious medical emergency,' Mr Guy said in a statement on Wednesday.

'Peter Reith has been a dedicated servant of the Liberal Party for more than four decades and is one of its most beloved statesmen.

'On behalf of all Victorian Liberals, I wish him a full and speedy recovery'.

Victorian Liberal state director Simon Frost confirmed Mr Reith had withdrawn his nomination for the state presidency.

Mr Kroger will be re-elected as the Victorian Liberal party president on April 1 after now running unopposed.

Friends and family said Mr Reith (pictured with Mr Howard in 2001) would spend the next few days in hospital and confirmed his condition is not life threatening

Mr Reith (pictured in 2011) was reportedly unwell at the candidate's dinner on Tuesday night before he was taken to hospital

Mr Reith (pictured with Mr Howard in 2001) is best known for the 1988 waterfront dispute where he openly supported the Patrick Corporation after it sacked its unionised work force

'On behalf of all party members we wish Mr Reith a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time,' Mr Frost said in a statement.

The party has been under pressure financially after former state director Damien Mantach stole $1.5 million from party coffers.

The Cormack Foundation, a Liberal party fundraising arm, has also refused to hand over portions of its funds unless Mr Kroger is removed as president.

Mr Reith was the minister for industrial relations with the Howard government from 1996 until 2001.

He is best known for the 1988 waterfront dispute where he openly supported the Patrick Corporation after it sacked its unionised work force.
A BMX rider who blackmailed girls as young as 11 into sending him explicit images and videos of themselves has been jailed.

Fabian Roy Meharry, 28, was branded a 'monster of depravity' by a judge in Victoria after he admitted 62 child abuse charges.

Among Meharry's sickening crimes were rape, grooming and child pornography.

On one occasion the sexual predator even forced a girl to have sex with her own brother, the Victorian County Court was told.

BMX rider Fabian Meharry, who blackmailed girls as young as 11 into sending him explicit images and videos of themselves, has been jailed

Meharry, 28, was branded a 'monster of depravity' by a judge in Victoria after he admitted 62 child abuse charges

The former professional BMX rider targeted 22 girls between the age of 11 and 17 over nine years.

Judge Liz Gaynor described Meharry as 'sadistic', 'cruel' and 'dominating'.

'It would not be unfair to classify you as a monster of depravity,' she said.

In a chilling online interaction read out in court, a victim had told Meharry: 'I physically cannot do it anymore.'

He replied: 'Hurry up, you're wasting time'.

Ms Gaynor said: 'It was as if you saw the internet as providing you with a vast array of vulnerable teenagers who you could prey upon, exploit and terrorise as the whim took you.

'Older, more experienced females would have been far less likely so readily impressed by you,' she said.

The judge did not accept Meharry's claim of remorse because he deliberately sought out victims who were vulnerable because of their age.

Twisted: Among Meharry's sickening crimes were rape, grooming and child pornography

The former professional BMX rider targeted 22 girls between the age of 11 and 17 over a period of nine years

The court heard last month how the online predator compelled some of his victims to perform sex acts with animals and objects which he then recorded via Skype or webcam.

He also coerced one girl into having sex with her brother, the court heard.

If the victims failed to comply with his requests to send more explicit photos or videos, he threatened to post explicit material of them online, tell their parents, or self-harm.

He told one girl: 'If you don't show me, then I will put photos of you online and make it go viral.'

Meharry met three of his victims in person and performed sex acts with them.

One of his victims, aged 14 when abused, told the plea hearing she blamed herself and now suffered post traumatic stress.

'I've never been made to feel so belittled or ashamed by anyone. You broke me,' she told Meharry.

'You saw my weaknesses and used every single one against me.

'No one has the right to take someone's innocence.'

Meharry was sentenced to 12 years' jail with a non-parole period of 10. He has already served more than a 18 months in prison.
Republicans considering whether or not to back US President Donald Trump's healthcare reforms in a crucial House of Representatives vote this week face a painful choice.

If they vote against, they could face the wrath of a vengeful and combative president.

If they vote for it, they risk retribution from the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch and other powerful right-wing players whose money can be pivotal in re-election races.

As Trump faces the most formidable, high-stakes negotiation of his presidency, the fierce battle in the US Congress over his plan to replace Obamacare is a test of whether Republicans will trust him with their political futures at the risk of alienating deep-pocketed conservative advocacy groups.

Republicans who vote for Trumpcare risk retribution from the billionaire brothers Charles (left) and David Koch (right) and other powerful right-wing players whose money can be pivotal in re-election races

As Trump and leaders in the House round up support for the bill ahead of a planned Thursday vote, some groups are threatening to retaliate against those who do support it, including the Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation's political arm, and Americans for Prosperity, which is part of the expansive political pressure network established by the Koch brothers.

All three groups are 'keying' the vote, which means it will be a factor in determining whether the groups deem a lawmaker to be sufficiently conservative.

That opens up the possibility that some Republicans who vote in favor of the bill could face a primary challenge in next years congressional elections and may not be able to count on help from the Kochs and others.

Trump himself warned House Republicans in a meeting on Tuesday that their seats will be at risk next year if they do not support his healthcare bill, which would modify but not eliminate Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation passed in 2010.

'He warned us that there are consequences if we dont come together for us as a party and also for individuals,' Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina said after the meeting.

'He wasnt threatening in any way. He was just giving us a pretty clear warning.'

Trump also told Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, an outspoken critic of the bill, that he was 'coming after' him, according to people in the meeting. Meadows later said the president was joking.

Some Conservatives believe the bill does not go far enough in dismantling Obamacare and have not been satisfied by the White Houses attempts to mollify them.

President Donald Trump (above) himself warned House Republicans in a meeting on Tuesday that their seats will be at risk next year if they do not support his healthcare bill

NBC News reported on Tuesday that 26 House Republicans oppose the bill, which would leave House Speaker Paul Ryan (above) short of the 216 votes he needs

NBC News reported on Tuesday that 26 House Republicans oppose the bill, which would leave House Speaker Paul Ryan short of the 216 votes he needs.

No Democrat is expected to support the bill.

The conflict has created an odd dynamic: Trump, who ran as an 'outsider' candidate siding with the Republican political establishment against the hard-line conservatives who were some of his most ardent supporters.

At the same time, Trump has never been a favorite of libertarian conservatives such as the Kochs, or of groups such as the Club for Growth, because, among other things, he has never taken a strong stand on reining in federal spending.

They opposed him during the Republican presidential campaign.

For them, the healthcare vote is a test of their continued relevance in a party seized by Trump.

The Koch network spent an estimated $250 million on last years election.

The Koch-run Americans for Prosperity, which has chapters in more than 30 states and boasts that it can deploy 3.2 million citizen activists, spent almost $14 million on the 2016 elections, according to federal records.

Freedom Partners, another Koch entity which largely targeted Democrats with attack ads, spent $30 million.

Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, would not say directly that Republicans who support the bill will face consequences next year, but noted, 'Members of Congress know how serious we take a vote like this.'

James Davis, a spokesman for Freedom Partners, said 'network organizations will stand with principled lawmakers who will oppose the House healthcare proposal.'

Davis said the Koch network would spend between $300 million and $400 million ahead of the 2018 elections.

Last year, Americans for Prosperity and the Club for Growth targeted an incumbent House Republican, then-Representative Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, for being too close with House leadership and not holding the line on government spending.

Ellmers lost in a primary fight.

House Republicans have been nervous about primary challenges since 2014 when Eric Cantor, then the majority leader, lost to a little-known conservative named David Brat.

Phillips said his organization last year was instrumental in getting Republican incumbents Senators Rob Portman of Ohio and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania re-elected.

The two leading Koch groups sat out then-Senator Kelly Ayottes tight race in New Hampshire.

Ayotte lost by 0.1 percent of the vote.

'Groups such as the Kochs have been an important part of a coalition of outside Republican money,' said Nathan Gonzales, a congressional political analyst in Washington.

'If that coalition falters, that could contribute to Democratic gains.'

But several lawmakers interviewed by Reuters were dismissive of the opposition by conservative groups.

'For me, this healthcare bill is an absolute no-brainer,' said Representative Devin Nunes of California, a close Trump ally.

'Any conservative group who opposes it, I dont even understand how they can categorize themselves as being a conservative group.'

The bills supporters have argued that voters are more likely to punish Republicans who do not act to replace Obamacare when given the chance.

'If it fails there are going to be a lot of people who are looking for work in 2018,' said Representative Mike Conaway of Texas.

The political implications of the bill, though, remain largely unclear.

Even if it passes the House, the bill faces a difficult path in the Senate, where several conservatives have declared their opposition.

Veteran House members recall in 2009, when then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi forced a vote on a bill that would cap carbon emissions.

The bill did not pass the Senate, and many Democrats from coal states lost their seats in the 2010 elections for their votes.
Cherilyn Stephens is the current President of the Madison County Retired School Personnel group.

Cherilyn, who is from Marquand, was contacted by the Missouri State Retired Group to conduct an auction for the annual President's Summit in Jefferson City. She and her husband Jerry traveled to Jefferson City for the event. The Summit was held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, March 14-15.

This year's theme was "Count On Us" and in connection with the theme, a Pie Auction was held on Pi Day. Jim Kreider, who is the state MRTA rep who loves Gooseberry pie spotted one and the fun began. Eventually that pie sold for $305! Pizza Pie was the meal for the event, with pie served as dessert.

Proceeds from the yearly event go to the MRTA Classroom Grand Fund. Over $1,300 was raised this year. $500 Classroom Grants are awarded each year to teachers who apply. Eighty grants were awarded to state teachers in 2016. Teachers can check their individual schools for applications. Congratulations Cherilyn for a fun job well done.
Her sister said the woman had been leaving her threatening voicemails

Four days before her death, the Red Robin waitress took to Facebook to complain about a woman who had been tormenting her

She suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the back of her head,

Ciccone's body was found in an abandoned car in December 2015 in Virginia

Joshua Christopher Williams, 29, and Jonathan Julian Vejarano, 28, were both arrested and charged in the shooting death of 21-year-old Heather Ciccone

Two men were charged with murder of a 21-year-old waitress who was shot dead in Virginia two years ago.

Joshua Christopher Williams, 29, and Jonathan Julian Vejarano, 28, were both arrested and charged in the shooting death of Heather Ciccone.

Williams was indicted with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to WUSA-9.

Joshua Christopher Williams (left), 29, and Jonathan Julian Vejarano (right), 28, were both arrested and charged in the shooting death of Heather Ciccone

In December 2015, police found Heather Ciccone's (pictured) body in a car parked at the base of a driveway in rural Spotsylvania, about 30 minutes from her home

Vejarano was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Both men are being held at separate jails in Virginia.

In December 2015, police found Ciccone's body in a car parked at the base of a driveway in rural Spotsylvania, about 30 minutes from her home.

The owner of the home where Ciccone was found had called Spotsylvania police to report the unknown vehicle parked on the property with an unconscious woman in the front seat.

When investigators arrived on the scene, they found a fatal gunshot wound to the back of Ciccone's head and a lot of blood.

The owner of the home where Ciccone (left and right) was found had called police to report the unknown vehicle parked on the property with an unconscious woman in the front seat. When investigators arrived, they found a fatal gunshot wound to the back of Ciccone's head

Ciccone, (right) was beloved by her family. The 21-year-old lived at home with her parents and was close with her siblings (pictured together)

Her parents, Dennis Ciccone (right) and his wife (main) led a candlelight vigil just days after their daughter's death in Spotsylvania

Ciccone, who was a waitress at Red Robin, told her parents that she was going to help a friend whose car broke down.

At the time, Ciccone's older sister said she was being tormented by a woman who started stalking her recently over some issues with a man.

'There's no way this was a suicide,' Courtney Ciccone, 24, told WTVR shortly after her sister's death.

'This is cold-blooded murder. Heather has had a girl who has been stalking her and threatening to kill her.'

Just days before her death, Ciccone appeared to be complaining about the unnamed woman on Facebook, writing a post that read: 'I swear this b**ch has no f***ing life.'

Her sister responded to the post, writing: 'She has plenty of [threatening voicemails] and her saying she's been "stalking" the house wanting to cause harm.'

Just days before her death, Ciccone took to Facebook to complain about a woman who had recently been stalking and threatening to kill her. Above is her post about the alleged stalker

Ciccone, who was a waitress at Red Robin, told her parents that she was going to help a friend whose car broke down. At the time, Ciccone's older sister said she was being tormented by a woman who started stalking her recently over some issues with a man

She advised Heather to file 'harassment and stalking charges'. Her sister Courtney remembered her as the 'sweetest, most caring person you'd meet'.

Days after Heather Ciccone's death, more than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil led by her parents, Dennis Ciccone and his wife.

'I didn't think Heather had nearly as many friends as this,' he told The Free LanceStar.
The White House has announced that Donald Trump's first foreign trip will be a visit to Brussels to attend a NATO meeting.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer says the President will travel to Belgium on May 25 for a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state.

The announcement comes just a day after the Trump administration was criticized for being seen to prioritize the interests of Russia over its NATO allies.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to skip a semiannual meeting of NATO foreign ministers this spring, and head to Russia instead, a move allies may see as putting Moscow's concerns ahead of theirs.

US President Donald Trump will travel to Belgium on May 25 for a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state

Tillerson will miss the NATO meeting in May, and will instead travel to a G7 meeting of top diplomats in Italy and then to Russia.

US officials said that Tillerson will meet NATO diplomats this week in Washington for a conference on defeating ISIS, suggesting there was no need for him to attend the forthcoming meeting of the alliance in Brussels as well.

His decision to miss the meeting has been criticized by some, who see the Trump administration as prioritizing the interests of big powers before those of smaller nations that depend on Washington for their security.

'It feeds this narrative that somehow the Trump administration is playing footsy with Russia,' one former US official told Reuters.

But in a move that could pacify the critics, Trump is set to attend the heads of states meeting taking place the same month.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the meeting yesterday.

Vladimir Putin speaks with Tillerson during the signing of a Rosneft-ExxonMobil strategic partnership agreement in Sochi on August 30, 2011

'The President looks forward to meeting with his Nato counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to Nato, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and Nato's role in the fight against terrorism,' Spicer said in a statement.

Stoltenberg is set to visit the White House on April 12.

Trump accused NATO of being 'obsolete' during the campaign and suggested that the US might not honor its defense commitments if other members did not pay their share.

The President also criticized Brussels, equating it to 'like living in a hellhole right now.'

He later tried to smooth things over by saying: 'Belgium is a beautiful city,' during a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, forgetting that Belgium is actually a country.
Police are searching for a sharp-dressed young man who is believed to have stabbed an elderly man to death in New York.

The unknown assailant attacked Timothy Caughman, a 66-year-old career criminal, in Hell's Kitchen about 11:30pm on Monday, investigators believe.

NYPD said Caughman staggered into a nearby precinct after the attack and had wounds to his chest and back.

'EMS responded to the stationhouse, and transported the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased,' a statement read.

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Police are searching for this man they believe to be the main suspect in the stabbing death of a 66-year-old on Monday night

'Further investigation revealed the male was engaged in a confrontation with another unknown, unapprehended male near the south east corner of West 36 Street and 9 Avenue.'

Police described the wanted man as: 'a male white with blonde hair; last seen wearing a black coat, brown shoes and dark colored pants.'

A witness to the stabbing told the New York Post the two men were arguing on the street prior to the incident.

Police have called on anyone with information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or visit Crime Stoppers.

Surveillance footage captured the young man walking along the street after the stabbing took place
A luxury car became bogged in sand just metres from the ocean early on Wednesday.

The BMW ran aground on Sydney's Palm Beach, which doubles as the fictional Summer Bay for hit soap Home and Away.

Footage of the incident shows a man sitting inside the car at one stage but he did not respond when repeatedly asked how the car ended up in the precarious position.

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A BMW became wedged in sand on Sydney's Palm Beach on Wednesday

The luxury car because stuck just metres from the ocean

A man attached a rope to the BMW so it could be connected to another vehicle

The BMW was attached to a Mitsubishi 4X4 in a bid to free the luxury car from the sand

A Palm Beach resident told Daily Mail Australia there was a high tide before the car became stuck and the sand was incredibly soft.

A handful of people painstakingly tried in vein to pull the BMW off the sand by attaching it to a Mitsubishi vehicle.

They desperately tried to push the BMW after it had been attached to the other vehicle.

The Mitsubishi itself then became stuck and sand had to be shoveled away before onlookers realised that plan was not going to work.

A tractor had be hauled in to rescue the BMW from its precarious position

The tractor pulled the car free after it removed sand from around the vehicle

The tractor took about seven minutes to pull the car away from the beach and back onto the road

A tractor was then hauled in and piles of sand were removed from around the car.

The tractor then pulled the BMW along the beach and back onto the road.

The Palm Beach resident said cars end up on the beach two to three times a year.
Newly released bodycam footage shows the horrific shootout between two police officers and a man suspected of domestic violence in Cincinnati.

On March 12, two police officers exchanged gunfire with Damion McRae, 37, outside of Walnut Hills apartment building.

Officer Kenneth Grubbs and McRae were both shot and sustained non-life threatening injuries according to Cincinnati.com.

Officer William Keuper pulls out his gun when he sees McRae is carrying a small gun

The video released Tuesday caught on Grubbs's bodycam uses the sound from Officer William Keuper's device since his sound was not turned on.

Damion McRae, 37, is now facing life in prison for the shooting

It shows the wounded officer returning fire 17 times despite being hit.

It starts with Grubbs trailing Keuper as they approach McRae. You can see the instant Keuper pulls out his gun because he sees the suspect is armed with a nine mm rifle and a .22 revolver.

Shots are fired and Grubbs falls to the ground.

He holds on to his gun and starts taking shots from the ground at McRae. The suspect is hit four times, twice in the head, and is told to 'stay down' by the injured Grubbs.

The shot officer moans in pain as he reloads his gun as a precaution. Both officers tell McRae to make his hands visible.

'I'm struck,' says Grubbs. 'Right in the crotch.'

McRae is seen sitting up as the officers command him to get his hands up and out of his pockets.

McRae's gun jammed which is credited to saving the officers' lives. Prior to this incident he had 14 felony arrests and 26 misdemeanors.

McRae was armed with the nine mm rifle and a .22 revolver at the shootout

Officer Kenneth Grubbs fires back at McRae despite being shot in the lower abdomen

'I'm struck': Officer Grubbs breathes heavily out of pain after he is shot by McRae

He was indicted on a count of attempted murder, two counts of felony assault, one count of assault and three weapons counts.

Prosecutor Joe Deters told WCPO McRae now faces life in prison and was not in jail at the time because of financial reasons.

He was also convicted last year of multiple drug trafficking charges and could have been in prison during the shooting.

He said: 'There is a lot of people that should share blame in this - that he's even out on the street - and it starts, frankly, with some state laws that were passed, that on these low-level felonies, the judge is urged not to send them to penitentiary.'
An ailing war veteran who faced deportation to Britain for being a burden on the Australian health system will be allowed to remain in the country.

James Bradley, 92, who served in World War II with the British Royal Navy and moved to Australia with his wife Peggie, 91, in 2007 to be close to his family, has been given a reprieve by Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

The elderly couple applied for permanent residency a decade ago but as they waited to be approved, Mr Bradley began to suffer from the early stages of dementia and became wheelchair-bound, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

He was deemed likely to 'result in a significant cost to the Australian community', and he and his wife's visas were denied.

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James Bradley, 92, (left) and wife Peggie (right) were was set to be deported because his health issues will 'result in a significant cost' to the taxpayer

Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke (pictured in 2012) has intervened in the case and granted the frail gentleman and his wife Peggie permanent visas

But much to the relief of Mr Bradley's family, Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has intervened in the case and granted the frail gentleman and his wife permanent visas.

'That's absolutely marvellous,' Ms Bradley told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'I can't believe it. It's made my day. God bless him.

'I didn't know what was going to happen if we were suddenly dumped in a country that we'd left 10 years ago. We've been in the doldrums for the last month or two. We'll be able to sleep at night.'

Mr Bradley's 91-year-old wife also had her visa rejected because the couple came to Australia on a joint ticket.

Peggie (right) says the coupel will finally be able to sleep at night following the decision (Mr Bradley pictured centre with daughter Sharon Bradley-Town, left)

The Bradley family begged the Department of Immigration to overturn the decision. Mr Bradley is pictured as a young man in his Navy uniform

The couple's daughter, Sharon Bradley-Town, had written to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton begging for the decision to be overturned.

'He worries terribly about what will happen to him and to Peggie... when he is gone. He could not survive deportation,' she wrote, according to the Herald.

Upon hearing the decision she said the feeling of relief was indescribable.

She thanked Mr Hawke for his rapid response and compassion during the family's ordeal.

Upon hearing the decision the he couple's daughter, Sharon Bradley-Town, said the feeling of relief was indescribable
After a long day at Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearing, a much-needed laugh was enjoyed by the audience and Gorsuch himself.

When Republican Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse addressed the nominee, he surprised the crowd by reading aloud a text he received from his wife earlier that day.

He said: 'My wife also sent me a text a little bit ago and said, and I'm sure she didn't expect me to read it: 'How in the world is Gorsuch able to go so many hours at a time without peeing?''

After a long day at Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearing, a much-needed laugh was enjoyed by the audience and Gorsuch himself

He continued: 'I won't make you answer, but the SCOTUS bladder is something the whole country stands in awe of.'

The text was met with raucous laughter from the audience and Gorsuch bent over in hysterics at the Senator's speech.

After an intense all-day session for Gorsuch's confirmation hearings as the nominee for Supreme Court Justice, a brief lighthearted moment was well received.

The Denver federal judge was Trump's top pick to serve as Supreme Court Justice during his administration.

When Democratic Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse addressed the nominee, he surprised the crowd by reading aloud a text he received from his wife earlier that day

Gorsuch was answering questions from Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who referred to Trump as the 'elephant in the room' in Gorsuch's hearing.

On Tuesday, he made headlines by commenting publicly for the first time on the president's controversial claims against other Supreme Court justices.

In February, Trump described the Seattle judge who put a stay on his immigration and travel ban a 'so-called judge' in a tweet.

'I know these people, and how decent they are, and when anyone criticizes the honesty or integrity or motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening and I find that demoralizing,' Gorsuch said during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Michael Jackson's nephew Trent claims the King of Pop's brother, Jermaine, orchestrated the sudden disappearance of the family's matriarch, Katherine, because he wants to take over the estate.

Trent, 52, made the allegations in court papers filed in Los Angeles this week, after Katherine Jackson was granted a temporary restraining order against him last month.

When Katherine - Michael Jackson's 86-year-old mother - requested the order in February, she wrote in a declaration: 'I believe he has put cameras and bugs in my home, so the only place I can try and have a private conversation is in my bathroom.

She also claimed she believes Trent has copied the key to her bedroom door, and she gets dressed in her closet out of fear he will walk in on her unexpectedly.

Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine, is behind his mother's (front) sudden disappearance after she filed a restraining order against her nephew, Trent Jackson (back) claims

'I used to be very social with my friends, like playing Scrabble, walking around in the park, sharing meals, but Trent has given them various reasons why I am not available,' she added.

But Trent, and his lawyer, Ron Rale, have cast serious doubt over the validity of Katherine's declaration - and gone as far as to suggest the 86-year-old did not even write it.

The nephew's court documents include a copy of Katherine's written statement, however it is edited to show all the parts of it that are being disputed.

The filing goes as far as to suggest it was Jermaine who wrote the declaration included in the previous restraining order request.

Trent, and his lawyer, Ron Rale, have cast serious doubt over the validity of Katherine's (right) declaration - and gone as far as to suggest it was actually Jermaine (left) who wrote it

These documents show how Trent and his lawyer are disputing the declaration allegedly written by Katherine Jackson in her filing for a restraining order against her nephew

Katherine and Trent Jackson are seen on the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death in 2010

It also claims Jermaine and some of Michael's other siblings are the ones who have treated Katherine poorly, alleging that on occasions they took away her iPad and cell phone and told her the TV was broken.

Trent Jackson has been caring for Katherine since Michael's death in 2009.

Katherine's suit said she was unable to appear in court, as she is currently living in London 'under doctor's care'.

Trent's claim requests a judge demand the 86-year-old appear in court, as he believes it would prove she did not write her declaration and she would instead support him.

The nephew and his lawyer believe the family drama is all the result of attempts to gain control of its lucrative estate.

Michael Jackson leaves with his father Joe Jackson and mother Katherine at Santa Barbara County Courthouse March 14, 2005

Trent Jackson filed documents in the Los Angeles Superior Court (pictured) this week
Kim Jong Un's latest missile launch appears to have ended in failure, just days after North Korea claimed it had managed a major breakthrough in its rocket programme.

The North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan on Wednesday, according to South Korean and Japanese officials.

It comes amid fears dictator Kim Jong-Un is preparing to launch an inter-continental ballistic missile capable of travelling more than 6,000 miles - putting the US within its range.

Pyongyang is also looking to 'accelerate' its nuclear and missile programme in a move that would give the secretive nation 'pre-emptive first-strike capability', a North Korean diplomat claimed.

Amid heightened tensions between North Korea and Seoul, US bombers have been pictured carrying out training exercises in the South today.

The North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan on Wednesday, according to South Korean and Japanese officials. Rockets are shown during a previous launch in the secretive nation

North Korea's latest missile launch appears to have ended in failure, just days after the country claimed it had managed a major breakthrough in its rocket program. Kim Jong Un is pictured looking at a warhead tip

In Japan there are reports that the latest failed launch may have involved several missiles and that they may have been aimed at the country.

But Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo hasn't confirmed North Korea launched the failed rockets towards Japan and that it was still gathering and analysing information.

It comes two weeks after North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan and after a report claimed former president Barack Obama had ordered Pentagon officials to step up cyber strikes against Pyongyang's missile programme in 2014.

US officials shed further light on the failure, which was the latest in a series of missile tests by the isolated, nuclear armed state that have raised alarm across the region.

'US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma,' Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an air field on North Korea's east coast.

'A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch.'

Amid heightened tensions between North Korea and Seoul, US bombers have been pictured carrying out training exercises in the South today. A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber (right) and South Korean fighter jets are seen conducting a joint training exercises over the Korean Peninsula

A US strategic B-1B bomber engages in a joint drill with South Korean fighter jets over the Korean Peninsula

The failed launch comes two weeks after North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan. Kim Jong-Un is pictured watching a previous test launch off the country's coast

The North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan on Wednesday. but the launch ended in a failure, according to US intelligence. Pictured is Kim Jong Un with North Korean soldiers

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched the ground jet test of a Korean-style high-thrust engine newly developed by the Academy of the National Defence Science in this undated picture provided by KCNA in Pyongyang on March 19, 2017

Meanwhile a South Korean military source said the North had take a 'step toward completing' intercontinental ballistic missile technology.

'The North showed off improved engine efficiency in a test last Saturday, and it will now focus on perfecting a long-range re-entry vehicle to make an operational ICBM," said a military official, asking not to be named, according to Korea Times.

It reported that the North has never flight-tested its road-mobile KN-08 or KN-14 ICBMs. But it said the weapons are believed to be capable of flying more than 10,000km a range sufficient to reach the U.S. mainland.

OBAMA 'WAGED CYBER WAR TO SABOTAGE MISSILE TESTS' The failed rocket test in North Korea comes just weeks after a report claimed former president Barack Obama tried to sabotage North Korea's missile tests. Obama reportedly ordered Pentagon officials to step up their cyber and electronic strikes against the country's missile programme in 2014. But the US still cannot effectively counter North Korea's nuclear and missile projects, the New York Times reported following a months-long investigation, based on interviews with officials in the Obama and Donald Trump administrations as well as 'a review of extensive but obscure public records'. But North Korea's threats remained so dangerous that when Obama left office he warned Trump that this would likely be the most urgent problem he'd face, the Times said. The failed rocket test in North Korea comes just weeks after a report claimed former president Barack Obama (pictured) tried to sabotage North Korea's missile tests Three years ago Obama ordered the Pentagon to increase cyber and electronic attacks against North Korea to try to sabotage its missiles before launch or just as they lift off, the report said. The programme appeared to be successful, as several of the North's rockets and missiles failed soon after launch. Several missiles began to explode, veer off course, disintegrate in midair and plunge into the sea. Advocates of the US programme claimed success, believing that they had delayed for years North Korea's ability to mount a nuclear weapon on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and threaten a US city. Sceptics however said the failures could have resulted from shoddy manufacturing, disgruntled insiders and simple incompetence. Advertisement

Last night a North Korean envoy told Reuters his country had nothing to fear from any U.S. move to broaden sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and will pursue 'acceleration' of its nuclear and missile programmes.

This includes developing a 'pre-emptive first strike capability' and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Reuters, quoting a senior U.S. official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.

'I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and China...We of course are not afraid of any act like that,' Choe told Reuters.

'Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference.'

He called existing sanctions 'heinous and inhumane'.

North Korea has been under sanctions for 'half a century' but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or 'self-sufficiency', he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the 'legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime'.

He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticised remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week.

'All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK,' Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said.

'In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programmes and missile programmes. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea.'

'We strengthen our national defence capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centrepiece,' Choe said.

King Jong Un is pictured as he watched the ground jet test on screens. The North's state media said Sunday it had conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened 'a new birth' of its rocket industry

Asked to comment on Choe's remarks, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea 'to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric...and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.a

Choe declined to give technical details of North Korea's latest rocket engine test on Sunday - seen as a possible prelude to a partial ICBM flight - calling it a great historical event that would lead to 'fruitful outcomes'.

'I can tell you for sure that the inter-continental ballistic rockets of the DPRK will be launched at any time and at any place as decided by our Supreme Leadership,' Choe said, recalling leader Kim Jong Un's pledge in a New Year's address.

Analysts say North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an ICBM and may show it off soon, but is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States.

'The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea,' Choe said. 'And we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks on the part of the United States.

'We would utilise every possible means in our hands and the inter-continental ballistic rocket is one of them.'

Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

The reported failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

American officials said earlier this week the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next several days.

The officials said the US has increased its surveillance over the North as a result, and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

The North's state media said Sunday it had conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened 'a new birth' of its rocket industry.

Last year, North Korea launched several intermediate-range missiles from the same area but only one of the tests was successful.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Japan, South Korea and China last week, and how to handle North Korea was a major issue in his talks.

Tillerson said all options, including a military one, were on the table if North Korea threatened South Korean or U.S. forces.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he was 'acting very, very badly'.
President Donald Trump's labor secretary nominee is facing questions over the unusual plea deal he oversaw for billionaire sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, while serving as US attorney in Miami.

Alexander Acosta made a deal with Epstein which meant he avoided federal prosecution and a potential life prison sentence when he was found guilty of soliciting prostitution in 2008.

He is now at the center of a lawsuit, which names President Donald Trump as a witness, which accuses him of mishandling the case a decade ago.

Critics, including attorneys for some underage victims of financier Epstein, claim the plea agreement was a 'sweetheart deal' made possible only by Epstein's wealth, connections and high-powered lawyers.

The story resurfaced just hours before his confirmation hearing for the secretary of labor was set to start.

President Donald Trump's labor secretary nominee Alexander Acosta (pictured) is facing questions over the unusual plea deal he oversaw for billionaire sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, while serving as US attorney in Miami

The lawsuit questions why Acosta, whose confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin Wednesday, cut a deal with Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) 10 years ago rather than pursuing a federal indictment

Trump once called Epstein a 'terrific guy' in 2002, saying that 'he's a lot of fun to be with', adding that 'he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side', according to the Washington Post.

Lawyers told the Post that it's very unlikely Trump will be required to testify in the case.

The lawsuit questions why Acosta, whose confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin Wednesday, cut a deal with Epstein 10 years ago rather than pursuing a federal indictment, according to the Tribune.

Sen Patty Murray, the leading Democrat on the committee, said in a statement that she met with Acosta and is concerned about whether he would 'stand up to political pressure' and advocate for workers as labor secretary.

Acosta has defended his decisions as the best outcome given evidence available at the time.

'Some may feel that the prosecution should have been tougher. Evidence that has come to light since 2007 may encourage that view,' Acosta wrote in a March 2011 letter to media outlets after leaving the US attorney's office.

'Had these additional statements and evidence been known, the outcome may have been different. But they were not known to us at the time.'

Unlike Trump's original choice for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, Acosta is expected to win confirmation.

The Florida International University law school dean was nominated after Puzder, a fast-food executive, withdrew over his hiring of an undocumented immigrant housekeeper and other issues.

Acosta, 48, has previously won Senate confirmation as Miami US attorney, head of the Justice Department's civil rights division and the National Labor Relations Board.

Trump once called Epstein a 'terrific guy' in 2002. The president is now on the witness list in the Florida court battle over how federal prosecutors handled the allegations against Epstein. But lawyers said it's very unlikely Trump will be required to testify in the case

He declined comment when asked about the Epstein case this week.

Epstein, now 64, pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida charges of soliciting prostitution and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, of which he served 13 months.

He was also required to register as a sex offender and pay millions of dollars in restitution to as many as 40 victims who were between the ages of 13 and 17 when the crimes occurred.

According to court documents, Epstein paid underage girls for sex, sexual massages and similar acts at a Palm Beach mansion he then owned as well as properties in New York, the US Virgin Islands and New Mexico.

Prosecutors say he had a team of employees to identify girls as potential targets.

After an investigation by local police, Palm Beach prosecutors decided to charge Epstein with aggravated assault, which would have meant no jail time, no requirement that he register as a sex offender and no guaranteed restitution for victims.

Unhappy local investigators went to Acosta's office, which opened a federal probe and eventually drafted a proposed 53-page indictment that could have resulted in a sentence of 10 years to life in prison for Epstein, if convicted.

With that as leverage, a deal was worked out for Epstein to plead guilty to state prostitution solicitation charges and the federal indictment was shelved.

Acosta has defended his decisions as the best outcome given evidence available at the time. 'Some may feel that the prosecution should have been tougher. Evidence that has come to light since 2007 may encourage that view,' Acosta wrote in a March 2011 letter

It didn't stop there. Epstein's lawyers worked out an unusual and secret 'non-prosecution agreement' to guarantee neither Epstein nor his employees would ever face federal charges.

'This agreement will not be made part of any public record,' the deal between Epstein and Acosta says, according to the Tribune. The document was unsealed by a federal judge in a civil lawsuit in 2015.

In his 2011 letter, Acosta defended his decisions as the best possible outcome.

'Our judgment in this case, based on the evidence that was known at the time, was that it was better to have a billionaire serve time in jail, register as a sex offender and pay his victims restitution than risk a trial with a reduced likelihood of success,' Acosta wrote.

'I supported that judgment then, and based on the state of the law as it then stood and the evidence known at the time, I would support that judgment again.'

In the letter, Acosta acknowledged that 'some prosecutors felt that we should just go to trial, and at times I felt that frustration myself.'

Epstein, now 64, pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida charges of soliciting prostitution and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, of which he served 13 months

He said that Epstein 'received highly unusual treatment while in jail,' including being allowed to serve much of his sentence in the county jail rather than a state prison, and being permitted to leave the jail six days a week to work at home before returning to jail to sleep, according to the Tribune.

'The treatment that he received while in state custody undermined the purpose of a jail sentence,' Acosta said.

Well-known Miami defense lawyer Joel DeFabio, who has represented numerous defendants in sex cases, said he had never heard of such an agreement before Epstein's came to light.

DeFabio said he has had clients with far less egregious sex charges  and far less wealth  who were sentenced to 10 or 15 years behind bars. DeFabio tried to use the Epstein case to argue for more lenient sentences.

'There still has been no clear explanation as to why Epstein received such preferential treatment,' DeFabio said. 'This thing just stinks. The elite take care of their own.'

The non-prosecution agreement became public in a related civil case, leading two Epstein victims  identified only as Jane Does No. 1 and 2, to file a victims' rights lawsuit claiming they were improperly left in the dark about the deal. The lawsuit, which is still pending, seeks to reopen the case to expose the details and possibly nullify the agreement.

Other victims have come forward, including one woman who claimed as a teenager that Epstein flew her around the world for sexual escapades, including encounters with Britain's Prince Andrew. Buckingham Palace has vehemently denied those claims.

The Justice Department's position in the victims' rights lawsuit is that since no federal indictment was ever filed, the victims were not entitled to notification about the non-prosecution agreement. Settlement talks last fall went nowhere.

'There will not be a settlement. That case will eventually get to trial,' said Bradley Edwards, attorney for the two Jane Doe victims.
Harry Eichler celebrated his 89th birthday in early March, but he still has plenty of memories that turn into stories for the interested listener.

Like the time he met Dick Clark when hospitalized for a tonsillectomy as a thirty-something year-old man. Or the time a three-star general stopped by his post and engaged enlisted man, Eichler in conversation. Or better yet  the time he was in an automobile accident in Paris (while stationed in Germany) and it turned out that General Charles de Gaulle was the other cars occupant.

A child of a World War I Veteran, Eichler attended the Scotland School for Veterans Children in Pennsylvania as a youngster, which he likens to a military school.

After everything I learned in that school, the Army was a cakewalk, Eichler says.

Drafted in 1950 during the Korean War, Eichler was stationed at Ft. Bragg before he was sent to Germany, after a week or two of training in German. To this day, Eichler can still speak the language.

In the military, Eichler edited aerial photographs taken by the United States Air Force, but after his discharge, he became a machinist, making bullpup missiles in Philadelphia, and jet engine parts in Johnstown. In 1965, at the age of 37, Eichler married a woman from the Missouri Bootheel, and following a serious automobile accident in Pennsylvania, the couple decided to move to Missouri.

Eichler held a number of jobs ranging from cafe owner to McDonnell-Douglas factory worker, to earth moving business owner. He retired from the Madison County Roads and Bridge crew after 16 years of service, and opened a lawn care business. I took care of 115 yards one summer, he recalls.

Even with all of these experiences, Eichler talks about his VA health care as a highlight.

Its working out great, he says of his care. People should use the VA  they take care of you; you get really good care. Id highly recommend it, and its saved me a lot of money.

Eichler tells a story about help he received from his VA home health care nurse, Marty Lynch, on one cold, winter day.

I had a stove, but it went out on me, he says.

Lynch showed up for a routine visit, and Eichler answered the door wearing coveralls and gloves he had slept in the night before.

I instantly knew there was a problem, Lynch says. The next thing I knew, she got me a trailer load of wood for my stove, Eichler continues. Then two men from the Elks came out here and put in a new gas stove.

After ordering the wood to meet Eichlers immediate need, Lynch asked a colleague to reach out to the Fredericktown Elks Lodge, who generously supplied and installed the new stove.

Eichler is grateful for Lynchs care.

She was an angel in disguise, he says of that day. Some people talk, and some people do. Marty is a doer.

For example, due to his income, Eichler is eligible to receive the ingredients for a holiday dinner through the John J. Pershing VA Medical Centers Care and Share program. However, he explains, he did not know how to cook the ham that came with the package.

Marty cooked it up and she put it in small containers so it (could be frozen and) wouldnt go to waste, he says. Im still eating it but its nearly gone.

Lynch also sets up Eichlers medications, draws his labs, and assesses his health status regularly.

My days consist of bills, pills, meals and mail, Eichler says, jokingly.

Im forever grateful for Marty, Eichler says. She saved my life from misery and has helped me in so many ways.

Recalling the day his home was once again heated, he says, That was the best thing thats ever happened to me in my life.
'Sick' burglars have left a German Shepherd who tried to stop them breaking into homes with severe eye damage after bashing her with a rolling pin.

Two men broke into a home on Wingrove Pl in Melbourne's Ringwood at 12.40 pm last Tuesday, stealing the rolling pin and jumping the back fence.

Keira, a six-year-old German Shepherd, confronted the men on the other side of the fence when they bludgeoned the dog with the kitchen utensil.

Keira the German Shepherd was left with severe eye damage after being bashed with a rolling pin

The owner, who was home at the time of the sickening attack, was horrified to find the dog pouring blood, reports Mandurah Leader.

'It really could've been a lot worse. Anyone who wants to hurt an animal is truly sick,' said the male owner, who asked not to be named.

The man rushed Keira to the vet, who told him the animal was lucky to have survived a deep laceration to the eye.

Police suspect the offenders are behind two burglaries earlier that morning, and are on the hunt for two men of Caucasian appearance aged between 16 and 24.

The first man is believed to have dark brown hair with a skinny build and the other has blond hair with a medium build.

Both men were wearing white T-shirts, trucker-style hats and sunglasses, while one man was wearing jeans and the other had on shorts.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Maroondah police on 9871 3000

Two men broke into the home on Wingrove Pl (pictured) in Melbourne's Ringwood last Tuesday
Deserae Turner, 14, was shot in the head and left by a canal to die by two boys she thought were her friends in February

A 16-year-old boy told police he shot a 14-year-old girl in the head because he was annoyed she kept messaging him on Snapchat.

Two boys are accused of attempted murder, aggravated robbery and obstructing justice for attacking Deserae Turner and leaving her for dead on February 16, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Turner considered the unnamed boys, both 16, her friends.

The teenager was left in utter disbelief when she woke up in the hospital to learn they had shot her in the head and left her in a dirty canal in Smithfield, Utah.

Cache County Sheriff Deputy Brian Groves said in court Tuesday one of the boys complained to the other defendant about Turner texting and Snapchatting him too frequently.

The defendant responded: 'It would be pretty easy to get rid of her.'

After the premeditated shooting, the boys stole her backpack with her cellphone and iPod.

One of the boys wanted to kill Turner because he was annoyed by her Snapchatting him

Deserae Turner has to be put in a medically induced coma after she was shot in the head

Turner told her friends over text message that she was getting 'picked on' by the two boys. They invited Turner to meet her at the canal to sell her a knife.

The shooter originally intended to slit Turner's throat and let her bleed out in the rural area. However, the boys decided it would be quieter to just shoot her.

One of the boys took a bullet casing from the scene as a memento of the crime.

When the shooter was speaking about the murder plot to the other defendant, he callously said over text: 'Let's get this done, bro.'

The bullet remains lodged in Turner's skull.

Turner was found by two women who were searching for her body.

Reports that she was missing started spreading on social media the evening she was shot.

When she was found her had to be put in a medically induced coma at a Salt Lake City hospital.

A hearing is set for May 8 which will determine if the 16-year-olds will be tried as adults or children.
The family of missing a 22-year-old has made a tearful plea to the media, begging the pubic for any information on the whereabouts of their much-loved son and brother.

Samuel Thompson went missing over two weeks ago in Albion, north-east Brisbane and has not contacted his friends or family at all.

His loved ones have urged anyone who may know something to contact them and said: 'We love you and we're really worried sick. If there is a problem you are running from, it's nothing we can't work out.'

Samuel Thompson, 22, has not been seen since Tuesday morning and his friends and family have been unable to reach him through social media or on his mobile phone

Mr Thompson's father Bruce held back tears as he spoke to the media on Wednesday

'We love you and we're really worried sick. If there is a problem you are running from, it's nothing we can't work out', Mr Thompson's family said

Mr Thompson's father Bruce held back tears as he said: 'Sam... If you can hear this, please call us or one of your friends,' the Brisbane Times reports.

The childcare worker's bright orange Mustang with the distinctive registration SAMMO was discovered two weeks ago unlocked and in the Byron Bay Area - two hours away from his Albion unit.

Police believe that a missing Queensland man may have been murdered as homicide detectives join the search.

Detectives are chasing a new lead after footage of a white Chrysler 300 was captured on CCTV footage driving closely behind Mr Thompson's Mustang the day he went missing.

His family said it is unlike the 22-year-old to go without contacting his family or friends

This white Chrysler was spotted closely following Mr Thompson's Mustang the day he went missing

Mr Thompson can clearly be seen exiting his apartment on Tuesday morning

Mr Thompson makes his way to his car wearing sunglasses and a hat in his final citing before disappearing

Police are urging the driver of the Chrysler or anyone who may have seen car in Bald Hills on Tuesday March 7 to contact them immediately.

CCTV footage has also been released of his last sighting at 9.30am to trigger new leads in their search.

The footage clearly shows Mr Thompson leaving alone, as he walks along the hall and waits for the elevator.

Further footage released shows his distinctive Ford Mustang leaving the car park of his apartment block before further sightings of the vehicle in Deep Water Bend Reserve Car Park on Tuesday at 1pm and at Wooyung NSW on Wednesday about 7.30pm.

He drives off in his Ford Mustang before it is found abandoned near Byron Bay

His dog was found unattended in home in Albion, a Brisbane suburb. It had been abandoned in the apartment for two days - something that added to investigators' 'suspicion'

'The circumstances of Sam's disappearance are quite concerning in that he's just vanished off the face of the earth,' Detective Tim Trezise said on Monday.

Mr Thompson's dog was also found unattended at his home in Albion, a Brisbane suburb on Thursday.

It had been abandoned in the apartment for two days - something that added to investigators' 'suspicion,' the police spokesperson said.

Mr Thompson's orange Ford Mustang car (pictured) was discovered unlocked near Byron Bay, NSW and his dog was left unattended in his apartment

Search crews were spotted near Deep Water Bend, in the northern Brisbane suburb of Bald Hills

Mr Thompson's orange Ford Mustang car was discovered unlocked near Byron Bay, NSW on Thursday.

That location, as well as other spots around Brisbane, were considered possible search areas, police said.

He is described as Caucasian, 180cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with any information about Mr Thompson's movements or that of his car are urged to come forward to the police.
A high school student in California was taken into custody on Tuesday for allegedly making threats on Twitter to 'recreate Columbine'.

The 15-year-old at Chino High School reportedlytweeted: 'I'm recreating Columbine' and 'Chino needs a good shooting' according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Two school shooters killed 13 people before taking their own lives in the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado.

A 15-year-old student reportedly tweeted: 'Chino needs a good shooting'

The Ontario resident was taken into custody for making threats against Chino High School

Chino is only 30 miles away from San Bernardino where 14 people were murdered by a shooter in 2015.

The Ontario resident is being held at a juvenile facility in San Bernardino.

They were not identified.

The Tactical Institute, which aims to predict threats in real time, first noticed the tweets and contacted police.
An unlicensed security guard who walked through Melbourne's Bourke Street mall carrying a gun only days after six people were mowed down by a car is expected to be charged with possessing a firearm.

Images emerged on Tuesday of the man in tactical gear, armed with a handgun and walking through the mall just days after Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 30, allegedly drove a car into pedestrians on the iconic shopping strip.

Victorian Police only started investigating the suspected security breach after being contacted by The Age.

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An unlicensed security guard who walked through the Bourke Street mall carrying a gun is expected to be charged with possessing a firearm

This man was also photographed carrying a weapon in his belt despite having no licence

They interviewed the man about performing security work while unlicensed and the private security business he was working for is also being investigated.

'The company in question was the holder of a corporate firearm licence and private security business licence,' a police statement released on Wednesday said.

'Both of these licences have been suspended and investigations are ongoing.'

Victoria Police said private security businesses are responsible for ensuring any individuals they employ are the holders of appropriately endorsed and valid licences.

'Businesses who fail to do so could face charges,' a police statement said.

Only five days earlier, on January 20, Gargasoulas allegedly ploughed a mid-1990s Holden Commodore into dozens of people in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall, killing six and injuring 31.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove this Holden Commodore during Melbourne's CBD

Six people were killed after Gargasoulas alleged ploughed this Holden through the Bourke St mall
Several celebrities are set to take part in a telethon broadcast on Facebook Live to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union.

The event, which takes place in Manhattan on Friday, will host the likes of Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Tom Hanks, among many others.

'Stand Up: A Benefit for ACLU' begins at 7pm on March 31 and promises an exciting evening which any and all can view from the comfort of their own homes.

Several celebrities are set to take part in a telethon broadcast on Facebook Live to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union

The event page reads: 'In these tumultuous times, we need our favorite actors, musicians, and comedians to do what they do best. Speak earnestly about politics? No! Entertain you for a great cause? Yes!'

The ACLU rallies for individuals constitutional rights, and were behind the temporary injunction of President Trump's controversial travel ban earlier this year.

The group filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Iraqi men who were blocked entry into the United States, despite years of working for the US government.

The event, which takes place in Manhattan on Friday, will host the likes of Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Tom Hanks, among many others

ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said: 'Our work in the courts is essential right now to hold off the worst of the abuses,'

'But it is also the collective will and tireless actions of 'we the people' that serve as a bulwark against unconstitutional and wrong-headed policies and executive orders.

'By supporting our work through this telethon, we can fight even harder to defend the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.'

Other celebrities expected to attend the event on Friday include Tracy Morgan, Ellie Kemper, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Jon Hamm, Mahershala Ali, and many more.

The event is being produced by Friend of a Friend Productions in collaboration with Funny or Die, who will air original videos throughout the evening.
Lord Wilson said it was unfair for divorced wives to be left to 'fend for themselves' financially after long marriages

Divorced wives should be given a 'meal ticket' for life from their ex-husbands, one of Britain's top judges has claimed.

Lord Wilson, who spent his career as a divorce and family lawyer and judge before joining the Supreme Court, said that it was not fair for women to be left to 'fend for themselves' financially after a long marriage.

During a shocking speech to Bristol University students, he said: 'The trouble is that it is usually unrealistic to tell a wife, left on her own perhaps at age 60 after a long marriage that, following payments for, say, three years, she must fend for herself.'

Lord Wilson's comments, reported in the Times, come weeks after businessman Graham Mills was ordered to increase his ex-wife Maria's monthly maintenance payments from 1,100 to 1,441, after a high profile court battle.

As well as the monthly payments, part-time beautician Mrs Mills, 51, received a 230,000 lump sum when she split from her husband after 13 years of marriage.

However, two judges at London's Appeal Court ruled her maintenance should be increased so she is 'able to meet her basic needs', after a series of failed property investments saw her landed in debt.

Baroness Deech has criticised the view of the country's senior divorce judges and has called for a three-year cap for the majority of maintenance payments.

A private member's bill on the matter has now reached its second reading in the House of Lords.

In an interview with the Telegraph the Baroness said: 'Our judges are being very old fashioned I'm afraid. They are over-chivalrous and the way they were in the 19th century.'

Lord Wilson also said that it was patronising to tell couples that they cannot decide before their wedding how they should behave if they break up.

Lord Wilson's comments come weeks after businessman Graham Mills (left) was ordered to increase his ex-wife Maria's (right) monthly maintenance payments from 1,100 to 1,441, after a high profile court battle

Instead, they should be able to choose marriage-lite, in which their prenup, and not a divorce court, determines how their wealth is divided if they part.

He said: My own view is that we have now reached the stage in which, if acting with appropriate care and understanding, parties should be allowed to elect the sort of marriage which they want.

Lord Wilsons call for cast iron pre-nups, will be seen by some Supreme Court colleagues and by outside critics as an attempt to undermine the status of marriage as a contract in which both couples are bound by law to share their wealth for life.

It comes nearly seven years after the landmark Radmacher case, in which the Supreme Court for the first time signalled that British courts will take pre-nups into account when they rubber-stamp a divorced settlement.

However, the Supreme Court judges ruled that to be upheld a pre-nup must be voluntary, drawn up by brides and grooms who have had legal advice, and fair.

Since the case of Katrin Radmacher, which upheld a pre-nup designed to protect the 100 million fortune of the German paper industry heiress after the break-up of her marriage to French-born City researcher Nicolas Granatino, the use of pre-nups has become widespread.

Lord Wilsons call for cast iron pre-nups will be seen by some Supreme Court colleagues and by outside critics as an attempt to undermine the status of marriage

They have now been extended far beyond simple attempts by a husband or wife to protect the assets they brought to their marriage. Couples can now sign an infidelity penalty pre-nup, which cuts the divorce payout to an unfaithful spouse, and another option is the parental pre-nup, in which parents try to protect the money they gave to a son or daughter to help them onto the housing ladder.

A pre-nup will not be upheld by the courts, Lord Wilson said yesterday, if it is not considered fair. But what, in this context, would be unfair? he asked.

Lord Wilson said he was not necessarily in agreement with Supreme Court Deputy President Lady Hale, who said in Radmacher case that pre-nups should not have legal force because they undermine marriage.

Marriage is a public status, conferred by the state; it is still surrounded by various pre-conditions; and it is attended by various economic benefits  in particular, for the more affluent, the freedom of the inheriting widow or widower from inheritance tax, Lord Wilson said.

One view is that in those circumstances parties should not be able to opt for marriage-lite, in which the laws verdict about the extent of their obligations on divorce in the light of all the circumstances which have arisen is overridden by what they chose to agree perhaps many years earlier.

Lord Wilson added: I wonder, however, whether by modern standards that view is too patronising.

Does it make our law inappropriately intrusive into personal, adult arrangements?

A number of Influential lawyers have called on the Government to bring in full-scale pre-nup legislation, partly in the cause of protecting the earnings of successful career women from predatory husbands.

But the judge-led Family Justice Council has warned couples that courts will under the current law divide their assets on divorce according to what is fair and what each of them needs. Pre-nups will only benefit the wealthy who have money left in surplus after their needs have been settled, the Council said.
A real estate agency has come under fire after a listing ensured prospective buyers not to worry about 'middle easterners around shopping' because 'they are not local'.

The controversial description for a three-bedroom house in Regents Park, western Sydney, was listed by online real estate agency service PropertyNow.

'This is a most convenient, supreme exclusive peaceful safe quiet friendly neighborhood location,' the adjective-laden description began.

'Most are high paid intellectual professionals and businesses (sic) owners are living on this street, and well respected neighborhoods. What you saw many middle-easterners around shopping, they are doing businesses here but they are not local.'

A real estate agency has come under fire after a listing ensured prospective buyers for a home in western Sydney (pictured) not to worry about 'middle easterners' because they weren't local

The description assured readers that the 'supreme, exclusive' neighbourhood was filled mostly with 'high-paid, intellectual professionals' - and not 'middle-easterners'

The advertisement, which was posted on popular site realestate.com.au, went on to tell 'bargain hunters' and 'roaches' not to bother calling the seller.

Further down in the property listing description, a demographic breakdown of: '50% Whites, 30% Asians and 8% Sri Lankan/Sub Continents,' was included.

The controversial listing was spotted by 2GB radio presenter Ben Fordham and posted to his Twitter account.

'Legit Sydney real estate advertisment - "Middle-easterners ..they are doing businesses here but they are not local",' he wrote to his 86,000 followers.

The advertisement, which was posted on popular site realestate.com.au, went on to tell 'bargain hunters' and 'roaches' not to bother calling the seller

Shortly after it began doing the rounds on social media, the listing description was altered to exclude the line about Middle Eastern people.

'The Best of the Bests, Best address on Best Street in the Best Suburb,' the new listing proclaimed bizarrely.

A staff member from PropertyNow told Daily Mail Australia that listing descriptions were 'written by users not staff'.

PropertyNow is an agent-assisted private sales business which allows homeowners to sell their properties on their own without a physical real estate agent.

Further down in the property listing description, a demographic breakdown of '50% Whites' was included
A jury has been discharged on the first day of the trial of a Sydney high school teacher accused of sex offences against three students.

Cameron White, 39, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a person aged between 14 and 16 years.

Cameron White leaves the Downing Centre Court, in Sydney. He is facing 25 sexual assault charges against three 15 year old female students

The former teacher, 39, was supposed to be on trial this week but the jury was discharged

He was also charged with multiple counts of sexual intercourse with a person under care and one count of aggravated acts of indecency against a person aged under 16.

His trial was scheduled to begin in the NSW District Court on Wednesday but the jury was discharged for legal reasons part-way through crown prosecutor Michael Barr's opening address.

A new jury is expected to be empanelled on Thursday.
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An injured air stewardess who became a symbol of the Brussels terror attacks when she was seen covered in blood and dust broke down in tears as she returned to the scene one year on.

Nidhi Chaphekar was pictured looking shell shocked with her clothes ripped apart as she tried to make sense of the chaos in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity at Brussels airport on March 22 last year.

The 41-year-old suffered 15 per cent burns on her body and fractured her foot in a deadly suicide bomb blast as ISIS terrorists murdered 32 people at the terminal and a city metro station.

Today she joined hundreds of others, including Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, as the city fell silent exactly one year on from the devastating attacks.

Former pro basketball player Sebastien Bellin who lives in Battle Creek, Michigan, was also among those paying tribute today. Pictures taken in the aftermath of the bombing showed him lying in a pool of blood in the departure lounge.

A year on, after several operations on a smashed hip and severely damaged leg, the former Belgian national team player wears a cast and still walks with a limp.

An injured air stewardess (right) who became a symbol of the Brussels terror attacks when she was seen covered in blood and dust has returned to the scene one year on

Nidhi Chaphekar was pictured looking shell shocked with her clothes ripped apart as she tried to make sense of the chaos in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity at Brussels airport on March 22 last year. She is seen wiping away tears as tributes take place at the terminal one year on

Belgium's Queen Mathilde (second right) and King Philippe (centre) attend a commemorative event on the first anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks

Nidhi Chaphekar, Jet Airways flight attendant and a victim of the Brussels airport terror attack, lays a rose on a memorial in Brussels

Former pro basketball player Sebastien Bellin who lives in Battle Creek, Michigan, was also among those paying tribute today. A picture (above) taken in the aftermath of the bombing showed him lying in a pool of blood in the departure lounge

A year on, after several operations on a smashed hip and severely damaged leg, the former Belgian national team player (pictured today) wears a cast and still walks with a limp.

Silence fell at 7.58am, the exact time suicide bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui brought terror to the departure hall of Zaventem Airport during rush hour.

Chaphekar spent 25 days in a medically induced coma in a Brussels hospital before being gently awoken to find her beloved husband Rupesh waiting for her to come round at her bedside.

The Jet Airways hostess from Mumbai, India, had been preparing for a flight to Newark, New Jersey when she was caught in the blast which threw her 'a few metres' through the air.

Speaking of her ordeal today, she told CNN: 'Within those moments, those few seconds, while we were talking - the crowd started running towards all directions. Those who couldn't find the exit in that chaos, they were rushing towards us, the cries, people started screaming.'

A photo of her as she slumped down on a plastic chair was captured on a phone by Georgian journalist Ketevan Kardava, who had seen the blasts.

Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have led a minute of silence this morning a year after 32 were killed in a devastating ISIS attack on Brussels

Chapherkar joined hundreds of others, including Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, as the city fell silent exactly one year on from the devastating attacks

A woman breaks down in tears as she observe a minute of silence near a memorial, marking a one-year anniversary of the March 22 suicide bomb attacks

The names of the 16 people of seven nationalities who died in the airport bombing were read out by an official

King Philippe (right) and Queen Mathilde (second left) pose for photographs with Indian flight attendant Nidhi Chaphekar, who was injured in the Brussels airport attack and her husband Rupesh Chaphekar (left) in Brussels

A photo of Chapherkar (right) as she slumped down on a plastic chair was captured on a phone by Georgian journalist Ketevan Kardava (left), who had seen the blasts

The pair have since connected and met ahead of the one-year anniversary. 'I hugged her. I thanked her,' Chaphekar said.

This morning, the King and Queen led hundreds of family members, rescue workers and airport staff in a solemn ceremony outside the terminal, which was badly damaged in the attack.

The names of the 16 people of seven nationalities who died in the airport bombing were read out by an official who said: 'March 22 2016, will forever be in our hearts...we stand here united.'

During the airport ceremony, a woman clutched white roses as Eddy Van Calster, the brother of airport check-in agent Fabienne Van Steenkiste, who was killed in the attack, played a rock ballad in tribute.

Later, the king and queen will travel by underground train to Maalbeek station in the city's European quarter where Bakraoui's brother Khalid blew himself up on a crowded train at 9.11am, killing a further 16 people.

The royal couple led hundreds of family members, rescue workers and airport staff in a solemn ceremony outside the terminal, which was badly damaged in the attack

Employees at Brussels' international airport in Zaventem gather for a memorial ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the twin Brussels attacks by ISIS extremists

A sombre King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (pictured), along with Prime Minister Charles Michel, led ceremonies at Zavantem airport and Maalbeek metro station to commemorate the victims at the exact moments the bombers struck

Members of the pblic and ths armed services are pictured after the minute's silence on the first anniversary of the Brussels terrorist attacks

Belgium Queen Mathilde speaks with victims and their relatives during the memorial event in Brussels this morning

Afterwards, trams and buses will come to a halt and staff will hold a 'minute of noise', in which commuters will be invited to take part 'to show that they do not forget but they will stay standing against hate and terror', the Brussels public transport company Stib said.

The king and queen will then inaugurate a new steel memorial at the heart of the European Union institutions based in Brussels.

Later, children from schools in Molenbeek, the largely Muslim area where many of the attackers hailed from, will meet victims of the attacks in a show of solidarity.

Three marches by Brussels residents will then meet at the Place de La Bourse which was transformed into an impromptu, flower-strewn memorial after the attacks last year.

Finally Brussels' most famous landmark - the Manneken Pis statue of a little boy - will be dressed up in a fireman's outfit to hail the efforts of rescue services.

Belgium's King Philippe (centre right), and Queen Mathilde (centre left), arrive for a one-year anniversary service at Zaventem Airport in Brussels this morning

Passengers and police stand inside the departure hall of Brussels airport in Zaventem, as a tribute ceremony for the victims of last year's terrorist attacks at the airport was taking place

Silence fell at 7.58am, the exact time suicide bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui brought terror to the departure hall of Zaventem Airport in Brussels during rush hour on March 22, 2016

Ibrahim El Bakraoui (centre) and Najim Laachraoui (right) struck at the airport while Bakraoui's brother Khalid (left) exploded his bomb at the metro station

A third airport attacker whose device failed to go off, Mohamed Abrini the so-called 'man in the hat' - was arrested in Brussels nearly a month after the attacks.

'Over the years Manneken Pis has been stolen, dismounted and broken into pieces. But he is still there and is for us a witness of resistance and dignity,' said Tanguy du Bus de Warnaffe, the head of the Brussels fire service.

More than 300 people were wounded in the attacks, claimed by ISIS, but around 900 people now number themselves among the victims to have suffered physical or mental trauma.

A year on, Belgium remains on high alert with troops patrolling the streets and warnings of fresh risks from ISIS jihadists returning home from Iraq and Syria.

BELGIUM STILL ON HIGH ALERT AS HUNT CONTINUES FOR TERROR CHIEFS WHO ORDERED ATTACKS A year after Islamic State suicide bombers killed 32 people in Brussels, Belgian authorities say much remains unclear about who ordered the attacks, even if those who staged them are either dead or in jail. The March 22 bloodshed in Brussels hit Zaventem airport and a metro train, coming four months after bombings and shootings in Paris that killed 130 people. Both sets of attacks were carried out by related cells of young Muslims, some of whom had returned from fighting in Syria. Since then, Belgium has remained on high alert as it tries to curtail threats both at home and from militants who may return from the Middle East. 'We will only have certainty when the situation in Syria and Iraq is resolved,' one senior official said of the inquiries into the Brussels attacks. Those two countries have attracted over 400 Belgians to join the ranks of Islamist militants, according to a study by the Hague-based International Centre for Counter-Terrorism. These were the devastating scenes in the aftermath of suicide bomb attacks at the terminal Wounded passengers are treated following a suicide bombing at Brussels Zaventem airport on March 22, 2016 That figure makes Belgium one of the biggest contributors to foreign jihadists in the Middle East in proportion to its population. As the Belgian capital prepares to mark Wednesday's anniversary with ceremonies timed to the moment the bombers struck, authorities are still unsure just who in the ISIS group organised and ordered the attacks, even though 59 people are in custody and 60 on bail. The most recent arrest was in January, of a man suspected of providing forged identity papers to Khalid El Bakraoui, the 27-year-old suicide bomber who killed 16 people on a train at the downtown Maelbeek metro station. With soldiers still a permanent presence around Brussels' transportation hubs, security officials told reporters in briefings ahead of the anniversary that there was still a risk that armed militants were still at large. For Belgian security services, some communities can remain hard to penetrate, such as the tight-knit Muslim neighbourhood of Molenbeek where the prime suspect of the Paris attacks, Salah Abdeslam, hid near his family home for four months. His arrest triggered his associates to strike Brussels four days later. The March 22 bloodshed in Brussels hit Zaventem airport and a metro train, coming four months after bombings and shootings in Paris that killed 130 people Despite efforts to detect and discourage the influence of violent Islamist ideas, young men who engaged in petty crime remain vulnerable to it, officials said. But surveillance over potential jihadists has intensified in the past year, they added Only five Belgians were detected trying to leave for Syria last year, with only one succeeding, officials said, marking a contrast from the previous years. That, however, has raised concerns, a senior security official told reporters, since Islamic State appeared to be issuing instructions to followers to 'attack infidels at home'. Some 160 Belgian citizens remain in Syria, officials estimate, but some 80 children have been born to them there, creating fears of a new risk. 'These children could be tomorrow's danger,' the official said. 'They've seen atrocities, they've been brainwashed. Some of them already received military training. We really have to work with them on their return.' Advertisement

Investigators say the blasts were carried out by a network that was also behind the November 2015 Paris attacks, and acted on orders from the ISIS high command.

'It is possible that we keep soldiers on the streets - I am absolutely unable to tell you what situation we will be in, in one month, three months, or six months,' Prime Minister Charles Michel said on RTL television.

While tightly guarded, Wednesday's ceremonies will focus on bringing Belgian society together, from royalty to schoolchildren, and from people of all faiths.

The shock of the attacks was compounded by accusations afterwards that Belgium had become a 'failed state' which was unable to track down the cell behind the Brussels bombings and also the Paris attacks in which 130 people died.

Questions abounded about whether deep divisions between Belgium's French and Flemish speaking communities had allowed growing radicalism to slip under the radar.

More than 300 people were wounded in the attacks, claimed by ISIS, but around 900 people now number themselves among the victims to have suffered physical or mental trauma

A firefighter and security officer hold a wreath at Brussels' international airport in Zaventem during a memorial ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the twin Brussels attacks

Fugitive Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam was shot and arrested in a police raid in Molenbeek on March 18, 2016, raising speculation about how he had managed to return to Belgium and remain undetected for nearly four months.

His arrest apparently panicked the rest of the cell into changing their plans and, instead of carrying out a new attack on France, they targeted the airport and metro in Brussels just four days later, investigators say.

A third airport attacker whose device failed to go off, Mohamed Abrini, dubbed the 'Man in the Hat' because of what security footage showed him wearing, was arrested - again in central Brussels - nearly a month after the attacks.

All the suspects were linked to an ISIS cell led by Paris ringleader and Syria veteran Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a man of Belgian-Moroccan origin. Airport bomber Laachraoui was meanwhile identified as chief bombmaker for the Paris attacks.

HOW ATTACK VICTIMS ARE STILL BATTLING FOR COMPENSATION In the year since suicide bombings ripped through the Brussels airport and subway, those affected have found themselves fighting to be recognised as victims, battling for compensation, and dealing with insurance bureaucracy like seeking three price estimates for a prosthetic limb. The attacks killed 32 people and wounded more than 300; a year on, some 900 people now count themselves as victims and are seeking compensation. They include family members of those killed and wounded and people traumatised by the events of that day. 'We feel like we have to get down on our knees, those of us who still have them, to say `Help us,'' said Philippe Vansteenkiste, whose sister Fabienne was killed at Brussels Zaventem airport. He is now leading efforts to get the government to help people be recognised as victims and deal with inheritance tax fights and tangled insurance claims. The attacks blamed on the Islamic State group hit during the morning peak travel period on March 22, 2016. A year on, those worst hit are dealing with things in very different ways. But for all of them, this March 22 will be another test, another day to survive. In the year since suicide bombings ripped through the Brussels airport (pictured) and subway, those affected have found themselves fighting to be recognised as victims Andre Pinto is a bus driver for the STIB transport service. He was taking the subway to replace a colleague when Khalid el-Bakraoui detonated an explosive-filled back pack just after 9 a.m. in Maelbeek station, in the car right next to his. Dazed by ear damage, disoriented by smoke and dust, and suffering from a leg injury he would only feel once the initial shock wore off, Pinto pried open the train door. He won't describe what he saw, only what he did. 'I just ran. I heard just before leaving the depot that there was an explosion at Zaventem, two explosions. I said to myself there could be a second one so I just got out of there,' said Pinto, thinking only of his pregnant wife and child. At the airport about an hour earlier, Sebastien Bellin had the same idea. The former pro basketball player who lives in Battle Creek, Michigan, also ran when a blast brought the ceiling down in the departure hall. Only he ran for the boarding gates, convinced that those heading for the exits were going the wrong way, maybe into a second bomb. He was right about the bomb, but wrong about where it would be. 'I don't think that you ever fully recuperate from injuries like this,' he said. A year on, after several operations on a smashed hip and severely damaged leg, Bellin wears a cast. The former Belgian national team player walks with a limp, but still stands tall in many ways. 'Part of rebuilding yourself is focusing on the positives, and the positive is that I have both my legs,' he said. 'I'm alive, and that's much better than a lot of other people and victims from March 22 can say.' Bellin has spent some of his basketball money to raise awareness about those worse off than he is. The attacks killed 32 people and wounded more than 300; a year on, some 900 people now count themselves as victims and are seeking compensation He regularly flies between the United States and Belgium, sometimes to see doctors to fulfill insurance requirements, paying for tickets out of his own pocket. 'Every time I'm at the airport I go and stand right on the spot where I was,' he said, 'to collect myself, and to say this is where my second life started.' When Jean-Pierre Meuwis got wind that something was wrong downtown, he and a colleague ran from the subway dispatching center to a station near Maelbeek, where hundreds of people were stuck in an unlit tunnel. The power was cut. 'We felt that passengers might be in danger. We had to go, it's our job,' Meuwis said. They found a defibrillator and saved one person having a heart attack, while ambulances rushed past outside with other priorities. It took more than a month for subway services to be fully restored. It has taken longer for the lives of staff to be restored to some semblance of normalcy. 'After the incident I felt bad,' Meuwis said. 'I went to see the doctor that evening who advised me to keep working, to talk with people, about my problems and my emotions.' 'Sometimes we hide in our work, and sometimes we ask ourselves more questions, but you can't stop there. Life goes on.' For Pinto, the bus driver, burying himself in work was just not possible. 'I saw a psychologist for six months,' he said. 'I have never taken the metro since March 22. I'm scared of taking the metro.' Memories of that morning 'come back every now and then when I think about it, or see the news about it on TV, mostly now. Last night I had a nightmare, because I watched it. It's like I was watching a film and it's starting all over again,' he said. A year on, Belgium remains on high alert with troops patrolling the streets and warnings of fresh risks from ISIS jihadists returning home from Iraq and Syria Belgian justice authorities are watching film too - hours of security camera video, to establish whether people claiming to be traumatized were really there. They've set up a special team trained to have a genuinely 'humanitarian approach' to those in need. Tired of what he sees as the government's failure to act effectively, Philippe Vansteenkiste launched a group called V-Europe, which unites those hurt in several attacks. He's been in contact with victims of extremist attacks in France and the mass shooting in Norway in 2011. The Belgian government pushed through a law to help victims a month after the bombings. But it still has not gone into effect, so limited compensation of around 5,000 euros ($5,400) is only being paid to certain victims, mostly spouses of those who died. 'You lost a husband, you got 5,000 euros. This is just crazy. This is first aid,' said Vansteenkiste, who has sunk his money and time into V-Europe. 'Many people were not contacted, even people who were fighting for their lives in hospitals.' 'Each step you take you have to prove that you're a victim. You have to explain your whole story again,' he said. 'People have no time to mourn.' Over the past week, the government and insurance companies have pledged to speed things up and increase compensation payouts. But for those hardest hit, these announcements seem cynical, timed to the attacks anniversary. Missing in all of this, Vansteenkiste and others say, is a law that recognizes people as victims and eases their legal, administrative and insurance burdens. 'We underestimated the impact on the families, the emotions, and the fact that they needed help, close support, very quickly. No one has really been listening,' said Georges Dallemagne, a Belgian lawmaker and vice president of a parliamentary commission investigating the handling of the attacks. 'I think we could have gone more quickly, drawing lessons from the kind of things in place in other countries. We know that after 9/11 there was a fund set up by the U.S. Congress for all the victims. We could have taken inspiration from that kind of mechanism,' Dallemagne said. 'The victims, above all, need to be acknowledged and to have support for a long time.' Advertisement




When voters living in the Bismarck R-5 School District head to the polls for the April 4 election, they will be voting to fill three three-year terms on the board of education. The following are profiles for the candidates whose names appear on the ballot.

JoLee (Hedrick) Dickey

JoLee Dickey is a Bismarck resident. She has been married to her husband, Steven, for 17 years and the couple has three children  Jada, 11; Lucas, 10; and Chad, 8.

A graduate of Bismarck High School, she is a stay-at-home mom who is a member of the Bismarck Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and serves on the Health and Wellness Committee at Bismarck School.

Asked why she was running for a position on the board of education, Dickey said, "I believe I am the best choice for this seat because of my compassion for the student. My perspective is seen from the elementary view, as all my children are still in elementary. I will be a voice for all students in Bismarck. It would be a privilege to serve as a school board member and it is my desire to see improvements made."

Matt Dunn

Incumbent board member Matt Dunn, a 20-year Bismarck resident, has completed his first three-year term on the school board. He is the owner of Cabinet Masters Inc. in Bismarck.

Dunn is married to Bendi Dunn. The couple has two children, Madison, a 5th grader, and Logan, a high school sophomore.

Dunn is a 1994 high school graduate and attended Mineral Area College.

Asked what he feels he's accomplished on the board so far, he said, "Over the last three years, I feel like I have been a strong voice for our students and staff. I always put politics aside and made the best decisions for our children."

Should he win another term, he wants to continue helping advance Bismarck students in several areas, including the district's reading program and improved ACT scores.

"I have always been a big supporter of this community and school district," he said. "I have raised my children here and both are highly involved in sports, student council and academics.

"I am just really proud to serve this great school district with leadership, values and experience. If I am re-elected, I will work hard as I always have."

Brenda Goodman

Goodman did not respond to the Daily Journal's request for information regarding her run for the school board.

Faron Henson

Faron Henson is a Bismarck resident. He previously served 15 years on the Bismarck Board of Education.

Henson and his wife, Connie, have two children  Tyler and Victoria (Tori).

He attended college and holds Advanced Certified School Board, as well as Professional Management Training and Manufacturing certifications.

Henson is employed at Piramal Glass (Flat River Glass) in Park Hills where is a warehouse/packing house operations manager.

He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church Bismarck.

Asked why he's running for the board, he said, "We have a new superintendent taking over next school year and I believe the 15 years previous school board and management experience that I have acquired through the years will be of assistant to him and our school family.

Wendell Jarvis

Wendell Jarvis is a Bismarck resident and 1991 Bismarck High School graduate. He and his wife, Angie, have three children  Jake and Austin Jarvis and Emily Snyder.

Jarvis is administrator for the St. Francois County Road and Bridge Department.

He previously served on the Bismarck Board of Education and would like to do so again.

"I don't feel that I accomplished anything on my own because it is a group effort," he said. "I was just one of seven. The board needs to work together. I feel the need to serve the public with a fair and common-sense approach.

Bill Skaggs Jr.

William (Bill) Skaggs Jr. is a Bismarck resident who previously served three terms on the board of education.

He is the third-generation owner of Bill Skaggs Flooring Services, which has been in business 41 years.

Skaggs and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of two adult children, Shannon Neel and Joshua Skaggs who are both Bismarck graduates. They are also the grandparents of Savannah, Eli and Isaac.

He is a 1978 graduate of Bismarck High School, as well as former mayor or board president at Iron Mountain Lake for a total of 21 years. Skaggs has completed levels 1-4 of the Missouri School Boards Association Advanced Board Training.

Asked why he is running, Skaggs said, "To help prepare the next generation for a future we will never see and to give them future opportunities through education."
Richard and Sharon Burns have bought more than two dozen radio stations in three states

An Australian couple who made Alaska their home have become the first foreigners ever to own an American radio station, after a 1930s law designed to combat wartime propaganda was repealed.

Richard and Sharon Burns have bought more than two dozen radio stations in three states, marking the first time federal regulators have allowed full foreign ownership of US radio stations.

The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a request by the couple through their company Frontier Media to increase their interest in 29 radio stations in Alaska, Texas and Arkansas from 20 percent to 100 percent.

For decades the agency had taken what some viewed as a hard line in limiting foreign ownership under a 1930s law, which harkened to war-time propaganda fears.

However, in 2013 it acknowledged a willingness to ease up after broadcasters complained the rules were too restrictive of outside investment.

The Burnses are citizens of Australia but have lived and worked in the US since 2006, on special visas offered for Australians.

The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a request by Australians Richard and Sharon Burns to increase their interest in a number of radio stations

A family who owned six of the Alaska stations provided the opportunity that brought the couple to the US.

The family had wanted someone with international experience to operate the stations and help move the company forward, Richard Burns said.

The stations in the Lower 48 were purchased later.

The Burnses' request to acquire full ownership was unopposed. The acquisition includes AM and FM stations and relay stations known as translators, which help provide reception.

Richard Burns said he and his wife consider Alaska home and are pursuing US citizenship.

'Our life is here in Juneau, Alaska, every single day,' said Burns, who serves on the board of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce and in 2010 was named its citizen of the year.

Sharon Burns co-hosts a morning show on a Juneau country station the couple owns, and does on-air work for two of their other stations in southeast Alaska and one in Texas, her husband said.

Richard Burns is the stations' CEO and a host on their Juneau classic hits station.

The federal law restricting foreign ownership dates to the 1930s and initially was seen as a way to thwart the airing of foreign propaganda during wartime, according to the FCC.

The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a request by the couple to increase their interest in a number of radio stations, including those that broadcast from this site shown in Juneau, Alaska

It restricts foreign ownership or voting interests in a company that holds a broadcast license to 25 percent when the commission finds that limit is in the public interest.

In 2013, in response to broadcasters, interest groups and others who considered the commission's application of the law too rigid, the FCC clarified it has the authority to review on a case-by-case basis requests exceeding that threshold, and said it was open to doing so.

The commission last year adopted rules for publicly traded companies following a case involving Pandora Media and questions about its level of foreign ownership as it pursued acquisition of a South Dakota radio station.

Then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the case underscored the need for more clarity for broadcasters and investors in the review process.

It is unclear how many other foreign citizens have a stake in US radio stations. The FCC said it does not keep a comprehensive accounting because stations generally don't have to disclose smaller or non-voting interest holders.
A decorator is accused of battering a hospitality manager to death with a bike lock after a minor row outside a chicken shop.

Zdenek Makar, 31, was left dying on the pavement after being bludgeoned around the head with the chain during the alleged attack by Raymond Sculley in Poplar, east London.

Sculley swung a heavy metal bike chain five or six times, striking Mr Makar on the head then hitting him twice more on the ground, the Old Bailey was told.

Zdenek Makar (pictured), 31, was left dying on the pavement after being bludgeoned around the head with the chain during the alleged attack by Raymond Sculley in Poplar, east London

As Mr Makar lay dying in the street, Sculley stood over him and allegedly said: 'Look what you made me do.'

The 29-year-old is accused of murdering Czech-born Mr Makar on the evening of September 21 last year. He denies the charge.

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding QC told how Sculley, of Tower Hamlets, had earlier spent the evening playing video games, smoking cannabis and chatting with friends.

Meanwhile, the victim was enjoying drinks after work, at the Royal Institute of British Architects, before heading home on the train to the All Saints area of east London.

He came across Sculley and his three friends when he stopped at Perfect Fried Chicken in East India Dock Road, Ms Wilding said.

Seeing their bicycles strewn on the pavement outside, he allegedly joked to one of the group, aged 16: 'What's this? A bike gang?'

It led to a minor spat inside the chicken shop before Sculley stepped in and put Mr Makar into a 'quasi-headlock', jurors heard.

Sculley, wearing paint splattered work clothes, was seen on CCTV footage acting aggressively towards the suited hospitality manager, who was trying to calm the situation.

Sculley is accused of beating Mr Makar to death after a trivial row outside this chicken shop in east London

A jury was told how Mr Makar was bludgeoned around the head around five times with a heavy bike chain. Pictured, floral tributes to the hospitality manager

Ms Wilding said: 'As he walked away, Mr Sculley and his friends cycled after him, it being their route home.

'Mr Makar obviously believed he was being followed and turned to confront the group. He put his food down and took his jacket off.

'He was alone and unarmed. Raymond Sculley then removed a bicycle lock - a heavy metal chain attached to a solid locking end that he took from his own bike - and approached the helpless Mr Makar.

'He swung the improvised weapon and struck Mr Makar to the left side of his head, catching him behind the ear and knocking him to the ground where he then struck him at least twice more.'

Just before launching his attack, Sculley allegedly said: 'Do you want this? Are you ready to go?' as his victim silently backed away.

Afterwards, Sculley cycled home, leaving Mr Makar fatally injured.

The court heard the blows ruptured Mr Makar's blood vessels and he suffered acute bleeding.

The Old Bailey heard how Mr Zakar was chased by Sculley and a gang on bikes before he was attacked. Pictured, a forensics tent at the scene of the incident

Another passing cyclist saw the end of the attack and dialled 999 as residents rushed to help.

Mr Makar was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.22am.

That night, Sculley contacted Mark Stewart, one of his friends who witnessed the attack, and told him he had 'messed up' and would say Mr Makar had fallen and hit his head.

Two days later, Mr Stewart and his then girlfriend, Klaudia Derlaga, went to Leytonstone Police Station to tell officers Sculley was responsible.

The same day, Sculley handed himself in saying: 'I feel like, destroyed everything and a bit down. Shocked. Like I've destroyed potential lives and future careers.'

Ms Wilding told jurors: 'It appears that Sculley was wound up by what had happened at the chicken shop.

'He acted in a rage, decided to use a weapon, pursued his victim who was unarmed and backing away and struck him about the head with a heavy lump of metal before continuing his assault when he had rendered him unconscious on the ground.

'Notwithstanding what Sculley told his friends about what he would say to the police if arrested, he has in fact offered no explanation for the events on September 21.'

The trial continues.
The body of murdered British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin is being flown back to her mother in Ireland.

Ms McLaughlin, who was raped and strangled while taking in the 'Holi' festival in Goa, India, will have another autopsy before her body is transported to County Donegal.

Childhood friends Nicole Farren and Sheridan Smith arrived in Goa two days ago to collect it after a campaign to bring her home raised over 26,000.

It comes a day after her family's lawyer Vikram Varma claimed the 28-year-old bar worker may have been attacked in a hotel room by four men before her naked body found dumped in a field between Agonda and Palolem beach.

The new theory emerged as chief suspect Vikat Bhagat, 23, who confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin, appeared in court in connection with the savage attack.

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Going home: The body, above, of murdered British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin has been flown back to her mother in County Donegal, Ireland

Victim: Ms McLaughlin who was raped and murdered while holidaying in Goa, India, will have another autopsy before her body is flown out of the country. Pictured: Hospital attendants remove her body from the mortuary at Goa Medical College

Goodbye: Ms McLaughlin's friends Nicole Farren and Sheridan Smith arrived in Goa two days ago to collect the black and brown coffin, above, after a campaign to bring her home raised over 26,000

Gone: It is claimed that bar worker McLaughlin, 28, was last seen going into a hotel room with four men before her dead body was discovered in Goa, India, last week

Criminal: Rape and murder suspect Vikat Bhagat cut a pathetic figure as he appeared in court today in connection with the savage attack on British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin

Her brown and black wooden coffin was transported via ambulance from Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, to Dabolim airport on Wednesday morning.

From there it will be flown to Mumbai and then to Dubai, before arriving in her hometown.

Ms Farren, 26, who now lives in Sydney, had been friends with Danielle since they were ten-years-old and their mothers still live next door to one another.

She and Ms Smith, 25, from Melbourne will accompany her on the journey home.

Hemant Malik, Ambulance Service In-charge at the Goa Medical College said: 'No friend or relative accompanied the body. Friends will take charge of the body at the airport and take it to Mumbai.

Danielle was found with severe injuries to her head and face in Devbagh, Canacona, on March 14.

The 28-year-old was covered in bright colours after taking in the 'Holi' festival in the Palolem beach resort in Goa last week.

But the paint was not on her dead body when she was discovered raped, strangled and with her face slashed with a broken bottle, the next day, the McLaughlin family lawyer has revealed.

Hospital: Ms McLaughlin's coffin was transported via ambulance from Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, to Dabolim airport on Wednesday morning

Journey: From Dabolim airport, her body will be flown to Mumbai and then to Dubai, before arriving in her hometown in Ireland

Killed: Petty criminal Vikat Bhagat confessed to killing Danielle, who was found with severe injuries to her head and face in Devbagh, Canacona, on March 14. Pictured: Morgue workers carry Ms McLaughlin's body

Final journey: Ms McLaughlin's friends will accompany her on the journey home but Hemant Malik, of the Ambulance Service at Goa Medical College said no one travelled with the body to Mumbai

Arrest: Prime suspect Bhagat, above, complained to Judge Sarika Fal Dessai that he had been abused in police custody by the officers investigating the Danielle's rape and murder in Palolem, Goa, last week

The prolific criminal  who has 20 separate criminal cases pending  lifted his hood to show facial injuries and his t-shirt to show marks on his back which he told Judge Dessai were the result of police beatings

Brutal: Ms McLaughlin was killed after attending the 'Holi' festival in Goa but there was no paint on her body when she was discovered raped and strangled the next day, her family's lawyer has revealed

Investigation: Petty criminal Vikat Bhagat, above, confessed to killing the young woman from Liverpool but the McLaughlin's family lawyer Vikram Varma believes he did not act alone and that she was gang raped

Danielle was attacked while she was taking shower at a hotel or private room after she left the Green Park beach bar on Monday night, respected legal representative Mr Varma believes.

MURDER SUSPECT CLAIMS HE WAS BEATEN BY POLICE Rape and murder suspect Vikat Bhagat cut a pathetic figure as he appeared in court today in connection with the savage attack on British backpacker Danielle McLaughlin. Peering through the single eye-hole of a white-cloth hood, the 23-year-old petty criminal was shackled to a powerful police officer as he walked into court. Wearing blue polka-dot shorts, a black t-shirt and flip-flops Bhagat was transported the short distance across the road from Canacona Police Station and Canacona District Court in a police car. The suspect complained to Judge Sarika Fal Dessai that he had been abused in police custody by the officers investigating the Danielle's rape and murder in Palolem, Goa, last week. The prolific criminal  who has 20 separate criminal cases pending  lifted his hood to show facial injuries and his t-shirt to show marks on his back which he told Judge Dessai were the result of police beatings. He was surrounded by three close-quarter guards and sat on a wooden bench at the back of the court in the stifling afternoon heat as he waited to appear before the judge. However Judge Dessai dismissed his allegations of mistreatment and he was remanded back into police custody until Monday [27 March]. He will then return to court where the judge will hear an application to transfer him to prison. Police Inspector Filomeno Costa, who is leading the investigation into Danielle's rape and murder, does not expect to lay formal charges against Bhagat for several weeks. Police can question suspects for up to 60 days before they must either be charged or released, under the Goa legal system. Advertisement

Peering through the single eye-hole of a white-cloth hood, petty criminal Bhagat has complained that he had been abused in police custody, but the claim was dismissed.

He was remanded back into police custody until Monday when he will return to court.

The dramatic claims of a fresh sightings of Danielle will put further pressure of Goa Police to find any accomplices of petty criminal Vikat Bhagat who has confessed to killing the young Briton.

Lead investigator Inspector Filomeno Costa has declined to discuss the on-going murder inquiry or whether Danielle was the victim of a gang-rape.

But Mr Varma, who is representing Miss McLaughlin's family, has described the new lead as 'vital'.

The lawyer believes the Briton was gang-raped and that prime suspect Vikat Bhagat cannot have acted alone.

He said: 'Danielle was seen at another place with three or four men after she left the Green Park bar.

'She was covered in 'Holi' festival colours. Her face and hands were covered with paint.

'But this paint was not found on her dead body. The paint had been washed off. So she must have gone to somewhere to clean up, to take a shower.

'She possibly went to somebody's room. You cannot wash off this paint in the sea, you need to have a shower or a bath to get clean.

'If the suspects were at the hotel or home with Danielle then a forensic examination of the room will confirm this.

'This new sighting could be vital to finding out exactly what happened to this poor girl that night.'

Lawyer Mr Varma is leading his own inquiry into Danielle's final movements to ensure a thorough police investigation whose findings cannot be challenged in court  and the suspects acquitted.

Night out: Shakeel Komarpant, who was drinking with Ms McLaughlin at Green Park, above, the evening before she was found dead, claims prime suspect Bhagat had a crush on the victim

Pressure: The dramatic development that she was seen with a group of men after leaving the Green Park beach bar, pictured above today, heaps further pressure on Goa Police to find Bhagat's alleged accomplices

Mr Komarpant believes Bhagat 'could have' killed Ms McLaughlin but did not allude to the prime suspect having any accomplices. Pictured: The Green Park beach bar where Ms McLaughlin was drinking before she was killed

Evidence: Mr Varma believes the new sighting is 'vital' to finding out what happened to Ms McLaughlin and if the suspects were in her hotel room, a forensic exam will be able to confirm this. Pictured: Prime suspect Vikat Bhagat being taken into Canacona police station

Police Inspector Filomeno Costa, who is leading the investigation into Danielle's rape and murder, does not expect to lay formal charges against Bhagat for several weeks. Police can question suspects for up to 60 days before they must either be charged or released, under the Goa legal system

He told MailOnline: 'We are asking the local people to help us with our own investigation.

'We have asked people what they have heard and what they saw. We are trying to find out exactly where this place was. We have to verify what people say they saw.'

But legal experts say Bhagat's confession will not be admissible in the court and police will have to come up with hard evidence to prove his guilt.

British national Saskia Gall, who helped identify Danielle's body, said the police 'threw caution into the wind' at the crime scene.

She said: 'We went out to the field and there were about 30 or more men standing next to the body taking photos and watching.'

Mr Varma worked on the case of Scarlett Keeling who was raped and murdered in Goa in 2008.

He claims the failure of police to secure the conviction of prime suspects Placido Carvahlo and Samson D'Souza has emboldened criminals to attack vulnerable foreign tourists.

Mr Varma said: 'The failure of the Scarlett Keeling case has given courage to criminals that they have a chance to get away with crimes like this of rape and murder.

Ironclad: Mr Varma, who worked on the case of Scarlett Keeling who was raped and murdered in Goa in 2008, is now leading his own inquiry into Ms McLaughlin's final moments. Pictured: The Ourem Shack in the Agonda festival village where Danielle McLaughlin was staying before she was murdered

Attacks: Mr Varma claims the failure of police convict the prime suspects in the Keeling case emboldened criminals to continue attacking vulnerable foreign tourists. Pictured: The Agonda festival village where Ms McLaughlin was staying

Free spirit: An Indian man who was drinking with Ms McLaughlin the day she died told of how the carefree bar worker spent her time between lots of tables, dancing, socialising and being happy

Suspicious: Mr Varma says Ms McLaughlin was covered in 'Holi' festival colours when she was last seen with four men outside the beach bar but there was no paint on her dead body. 'She possibly went to somebody's room,' he said. 'You cannot wash off this paint in the sea, you need to have a shower or a bath to get clean.'

Horrific: A postmortem revealed that Ms McLaughlin had suffered severe injuries to her face and head consistent with being attacked with a broken bottle. Pictured: Floral tributes left to Ms McLaughlin on Deobag beach where she was found dead

'The acquittal of suspects at trial is hardly a deterrent to attacking vulnerable young women on holiday in Goa.'

Police deputy superintendent Sammy Tavares, who is part of the investigating team, said: 'There is no truth in allegations against the police for not doing their job properly.

'There is no question of polluting the crime scene. We always sanitise the area of crime.

'We call the crime scene experts and forensics.

'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.'
George Osborne has issued a plea to his constituents claiming he is just following 'tradition' by taking on a slew of jobs alongside his MP work.

In a grovelling letter published in the local paper, the former Chancellor said he regards it as the 'greatest honour' to represent Tatton.

But he said his five extra roles - including editor of the Evening Standard and a 650,000 a year consultancy with an investment firm - helped him 'take part in the national debate about the future direction of our country'.

The former chancellor was berated in the House of Commons this week after his controversial decision take the helm of the London newspaper while keeping his seat 200 miles away.

George Osborne defended his plethora of jobs as he was berated by MPs in the House of Commons earlier this week

Mr Osborne is facing up to five separate investigations into the situation - which has yet to be signed off by the independent ACOBA appointments watchdog.

In his letter, published in the Knutsford Guardian, Mr Osborne pointed out he had time on his hands having been brutally sacked by Theresa May last summer.

'Now I have left Downing Street I want to continue to take part in the debate about the future direction of our country,' he said.

'No longer being Chancellor gives me time to do that in other ways - yes, in the Chamber of the House of Commons; but also as the editor of a major newspaper, the Evening Standard.

'There is a long tradition of politics and journalism mixing. One of the greatest newspaper editors ever, CP Scott, combined editing the Manchester Guardian with being an MP.

George Osborne's SIX jobs Former chancellor George Osborne is to become the new editor of the London Evening Standard, it was announced today 1. Member of Parliament - Osborne earns 76,000-a-year representing the 65,000 people living in his constituency of Tatton in Cheshire. 2. Consultant - He pockets 650,000 for working one day a week at the American financial giant, BlackRock. 3. Editor - He is due to become editor of the Evening Standard in May. His salary has not been revealed. 4. Academic - He took an estimated 120,000-a-year academic position as the first ever Kissinger Fellow at the Arizona-based McCain Institute for International Leadership 5. Chairman - He has an unpaid role in charge of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a body aimed at creating jobs in the north of England. 6. Speaker - The 45-year-old has made 786,450 from 14 speeches given mostly to banks and other City institutions since leaving Number 11. Advertisement

'In our age, politicians from Iain Macleod and Richard Crossman to, of course, Boris Johnson have combined the role of editor and Member of Parliament.

'Meanwhile the hard work in the constituency continues unaffected.'

He added: 'I believe this diversity of experience makes our Parliament stronger. I hope you agree and I look forward to continuing to hear what you have to say and to work with you on the problems we face and the great future we can all build.'

Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has upped the pressure by writing to culture minister Matthew Hancock warning that Mr Osborne could seek to influence government policy.

Mr Watson, who is shadow sulture secretary, highlighted that Mr Hancock used to serve as Mr Osborne's economic advisor and chief of staff before entering parliament in 2010.

He said there was 'no secret, and no shame, in a Conservative MP being a loyal ally of his former boss and powerful patron'. But the Labour MP voiced concerns that Mr Hancock's role meant he would have responsibility for areas in which Mr Osborne has a commercial interest.

The former chancellor 'can be expected to seek to influence ministers on media policy in line with his views and the views of his paper's proprietor Mr Alexander Lebedev, both in the pages of the newspaper and in meetings with ministers', Mr Watson added.

'Your long-standing relationship with Mr Osborne means that any ministerial decisions you make from now on which affect media policy will be subject to accusations of a conflict of interest which it will be difficult for you to disprove.'
Tony Blair and Theresa May will not attend Martin McGuinness's funeral amid a huge security clampdown - but former US President Bill Clinton will be there.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will represent the UK Government at the funeral Mass tomorrow at 2pm.

Irish broadcasters RTE reported former Prime Minister Tony Blair would attend last night. However sources close to Mr Blair now say this is not the case.

There will be a huge security operation with so many dignitaries in Northern Ireland and amid heightened tensions after a bomb attack on police by dissident republicans in nearby Strabane last night.

It came as Martin McGuinness revealed he 'didn't care' how history judged him in his final interview and maintained he was 'proud' of his life in the IRA because 'it was the right thing to do'.

The terrorist turned peacemaker, nicknamed the 'Butcher of Bogside' because of his years as a ruthless republican commander, also said he hoped people would judge him 'fairly' when he died.

Final interview: A frail Martin McGuinness revealed he 'didn't care' how history judged him in his final interview in January and maintained he was 'proud' of his life in the IRA

Tensions: Unionist graffiti in Belfast this morning on the day after the former IRA chief's death

Friends: Bill Clinton will be in Londonderry for the Mr McGuinness' funeral (pictured together in 2010)

Tony Blair walks inside 10 Downing Street with Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness in 2005. Mr Blair will not attend the funeral

Upset: Mourners leave after paying their respects at Martin McGuinness' home in Londonderry today

Tributes: Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill signs the book of condolence for Martin McGuinness at Stormont

The interview came in the days after he quit politics in mid-January and he was defiant about his dark past before he died in Londonderry on Monday night.

He said: 'I don't really care how history assesses me. Historians, many of them come from different political perspectives, will do that and I leave it to them and to the judgement of people. But I'm very proud of where I've come from.'

Police 'incredible lucky' to be alive after bombing Police officers in Northern Ireland have been targeted in an explosive attack. A device exploded near a police patrol in Strabane, Co Tyrone on Tuesday night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. The finger of suspicion will again point to dissident republicans opposed to the peace process. The murder bid happened on the same day Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness died. PSNI superintendent Gordon McCalmont said it was 'incredibly lucky' no one was killed. 'At this time our assessment is that a device exploded while police were on patrol in the area of Townsend Street shortly after 8.30pm. 'The investigation is at an early stage and we have had to ask some residents to leave their homes while we carry out our inquiries. 'While we are unable to go into specifics of the incident at this stage, I am confident in saying that we are incredibly lucky that the lives of officers and other members of the community were not lost last night. 'We appreciate the understanding and patience of local residents while we carry out our inquiries and would appeal for anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact us.' Advertisement

It came as police officers in Northern Ireland were targeted in a bomb attack in Strabane Co Tyrone last night with experts claiming it 'cannot be a coincidence' that the likely dissident republican attack happened on the day McGuinness died.

And when asked about joining the IRA and becoming one of its leaders he said: 'I'm not ashamed of that, I think it was the right thing to do.

'Obviously we found ourselves in a situation in Derry in the early 1970s were the British army and the RUC were on our streets murdering our citizens.

'I was among a group of young people supported by many thousands of people in the city, who were prepared to stand against them.

'But equally I'm as proud of the role I've played over, I suppose, nearly 25 years in developing a peace process that has changed all of that.'

McGuinness looked frail in the interview with Irish broadcaster RTE but said he hoped he would recover and perhaps return to politics.

He added: 'But, of course, the best laid plans of mice and men come into all of that and, unfortunately, I have taken seriously ill and I have been battling what is a serious medical condition for the last number of months.'

After the interview he disappeared from public life and died on Monday night from a rare genetic condition that caused his organs to fail.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Northern Ireland last night to pay tribute to the former deputy first minister in a series of candlelit vigils following his death from a rare genetic condition.

Huge crowds of all ages came together at the barracks in Andersontown, west Belfast, carrying candles and black flags as they sang the republican ballad 'I wish I was back home in Derry'.

Addressing the vigil, priest Gary Donegan hailed Mr McGuinness's contribution to the peace process, and said: 'Martin was a hero in life and a hero in death.'

They gathered in front of a old political poster for Sinn Fein featuring an image of McGuinness, with many in the crowd using their mobile phones to capture the solemn occasion forever.

It came after McGuinness' Irish flag-covered coffin was carried through the streets of Londonderry yesterday with Gerry Adams and his widow Bernie acting as pallbearers.

McGuinness was brought to 'Free Derry Corner' in his home city followed by hundreds of mourners.

But families of those killed in IRA terror attacks said they fear the truth about their murders will be 'buried with him' because dozens known as 'The Disappeared' were abducted, executed and then dumped in unmarked shallow graves across Ireland during The Troubles, possibly at his behest.

His wife Bernie McGuinness and their four children Grainne, Fionnuala, Fiachra and Emmet all helped carry the IRA kingpin's coffin with the help of Adams and new Sinn Fein Leader Michelle O'Neill.

Final picture: A frail Martin McGuinness was photographed for the last time on January 25 in Belfast, before succumbing to a rare genetic disease overnight

Others brought pictures of the 66-year-old along as they said farewell to one of the men who helped broker the Good Friday Agreement

Final journey: Pallbearers including Gerry Adams (back), former hunger striker and IRA volunteer Raymond McCartney (centre) and new Sinn Fein Leader Michelle O'Neill (front) carry McGuinness' Irish-flag covered coffin through the streets of Londonderry yesterday

Mourners: Hundreds of the former first minister's supporters followed the coffin through the streets, including his sons Fiachra and Emmet McGuinness (pictured centre)

The procession through Londonderry took the crowd past a number of murals, including this one depicting a scene of the 'Battle of the Bogside' riot in 1969

Respect: Many held candles, left, and looked tearful, right, as they paid their respects to the former IRA chief, who died on Monday night due to a rare genetic condition

Family: McGuinness is survived by his wife Bernie (together centre) and four children, including sons Fiachra (left) and Emmett (right) pictured in Dublin in 2011

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams leaves the home of former Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness after paying his respects to the McGuinness family in Londonderry

Free Derry Corner: The Irish flag and the Derry flags fly at half-mast after the death of McGuinness, in the Bogside area of Londonderry

Gerry Adams: I rushed to hospital to see him but it was too late Gerry Adams with Martin McGuinness' brother Declan while visiting his late friend's bogside home Gerry Adams revealed he rushed from Belfast to Londonderry but Martin McGuinness had died before he arrived. McGuinness' wife Bernie had sent a text to the Sinn Fein President telling him that he had taken a 'turn for the worse'. But he did not make it to Altnagelvin Hospital in time. Yesterday he visited Mr McGuinness' family at his Bogside home and spent an hour with his relatives before helping carry his coffin. Adams also revealed he had a signed Derry GAA shirt from 1993 when they won their first and only All-Ireland Final. He told his comrade that he would give him the gift when 'he got better' but presented it to him last week when it became clear he wasn't going to survive. In a short but emotional statement, Mr Adams revealed he last spoke to Mr McGuinness last week before he travelled to the US to pass on best wishes from people and update him on powersharing talks in Belfast. 'Martin, as we all know, was a very passionate Irish republican. He believed in our people - that people of this island should be free. He believed in reconciliation. He worked very, very hard at all of that,' Mr Adams said. 'We are very, very sad that we lost him overnight.' Advertisement

It came as the Queen sent her condolences to the widow as families killed in the republican group's terror attacks said he should be remembered as a 'vile terrorist' not a peacemaker.

An emotional Mr Adams, who is President of Sinn Fein, said his long-time friend was a passionate republican who worked passionately for reconciliation in Ireland.

'We are very, very sad that we lost him overnight,' he said.

Crowds braved snow and sleet in McGuinness's native Derry to accompany his coffin from the funeral parlour to his home.

Another tricolour flag flew at half-mast near the Bogside's landmark Free Derry Corner.

McGuinness was considered Britain's number one terrorist accused of ordering some of the IRA's most devastating attacks across Ulster and on mainland UK.

In an extraordinary journey he became a politician and deputy first minister credited with securing the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to end decades of fighting in Northern Ireland with the help of his sworn enemy turned friend Rev Ian Paisley.

The Queen shared an historic handshake with him in 2012 even though he was believed to have helped order the murder of her cousin Lord Mountbatten in 1979.

She sent a personal message of condolence to his widow Bernie, Buckingham Palace said.

But Lord Tebbit, whose wife Margaret was paralysed by the IRA's 1984 bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, said the 'world is a sweeter place' after his death calling him a 'multi-murderer coward who never atoned for his crimes' and only turned to peace 'to save his own skin'.

He said: 'I hope he'll be parked in a particularly hot and unpleasant corner of hell for the rest of eternity.

'My thoughts are with the many many hundreds of people murdered by McGuinness and his friends during the Troubles'.

New relationship: In a historic moment McGuinness shakes hands with the Queen during a visit to Belfast in 2012 - over 30 years after the IRA murdered her cousin Lord Mountbatten in 1979 - yesterday Her Majesty sent her condolences

Public enemy: McGuinness became a respected politician and peacemaker but was once described as 'Britain's number one terrorist' and was second-in-command of the Provisional IRA in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday (right in 1972)

History: IRA Commander Martin McGuinness holding a handgun in 1972 at a time when he was at the very top of the terror organisation

Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine died in the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974, said: 'With his death the truth is buried. People are piling the praise on him but it isn't valid. He didn't come forward with the truth.'

Rare condition that killed Martin McGuinness linked to his mother's home town Martin McGuinness died of an extremely rare genetic illness linked to his mother Peggy's home town of Buncrana, County Donegal. Amyloidosis causes abnormal deposits of protein to form throughout the body and causes the organs, including the heart, to fail. It causes weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, erectile dysfunction and in some cases death. In Ireland a hereditary case was found in Donegal in 1986 and since then there have been a number of other cases. Experts say that around one in a 100 people may possess the mutation that could develop into the illness. It is a group of rare but serious conditions caused by deposits of abnormal protein, called amyloid, in tissues and organs throughout the body. Proteins begin as a string of amino acids that fold themselves into a three-dimensional shape. This 'protein folding' allows them to perform useful functions within our cells. Amyloid is a description of proteins which have folded abnormally and then collected together. In this form they do not break down as easily as normal proteins and can build up in tissues and organs. If this build-up causes the tissues or organs to stop working properly, the resulting conditions are called amyloidosis. Without treatment to address the underlying cause, the amyloid deposits can eventually lead to organ failure and death  sometimes within only a year or two. Advertisement

Her brother Brian Hambleton said his death 'cleans the earth of another vile terrorist'.

John Eaglesham, whose father - a postman and part-time soldier - was shot dead by the IRA in 1978, said: 'People say about what he has done for the peace process - they seem to forget that for a very, very long time he wasn't part of the solution he was part of the problem, in fact he was the main part of the problem.'

Margaret Veitch, whose parents William and Agnes Mullan were murdered in the 1987 Enniskillen blast, said she would not gloat over his death.

'But I certainly won't be sending any sympathy card because I got no sympathy card from them (the IRA),' she added.

'I am so sorry for all the innocent victims of Northern Ireland because we will never, never get the true story.

'Martin McGuinness chose to be a terrorist, he chose to go into government, he chose to take the bomb and bullet.

'My parents never had a choice - they died and we will never get justice.'

The former deputy first minister looked frail as he quit politics in January while battling rare genetic disease amyloidosis and died in hospital in Londonderry on Monday surrounded by his family.

His friend Mr Adams called him a 'hero' and a 'faithful soul' after visiting McGuinness' family at his Bogside home.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said: 'While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life he played a defining role in leading the Republican movement away from violence'.

Tony Blair also paid tribute and his spin doctor Alastair Campbell called McGuinness a 'great guy'.

The former first minister was also accused of knowing the secrets of Northern Ireland's so-called 'Disappeared' - citizens who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans.

Mr McGuinness always denied being the IRA's chief of staff at the height of the Troubles but once said: 'I regard it as a compliment'.

Stephen Gault saw his father Samuel, 49, killed by an IRA bomb in Enniskillen in November 1987. The then 18-year-old was also injured in the blast.

He said: 'Martin McGuinness has taken to the grave the truth and the answers that we need to be able to move forward. He knows who bombed Enniskillen.

'I will always remember Martin McGuinness as the terrorist he was. If he had been repentant my thoughts might have been slightly different. But he took to his grave proud that he served in the IRA. There was no remorse or repentance from him even up to his death.

'People might say I am unchristian that I have no sympathy for his family. But it wasn't Christian to send people out to murder innocent people.

Despite brushing off concerns about how history would record his journey from conflict to peace, the former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister said: 'I suppose what anyone would be concerned about is that you would be judged fairly.'

'I took a firm decision way last year well in advance of becoming ill that come the 10th anniversary of going into government with Ian Paisley, on the 8th of May, that that would be an appropriate time for me to stand aside and make way for a new deputy first minister and that was always my intention.

'I'm proud we have been through the celebrations, the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

'My heroes were those people and those in every generation since who have tried and struggled hard to bring about the reunification of this country.

'Obviously we found ourselves in a situation in Derry in the early 1970s were the British army and the RUC were on our streets murdering our citizens.
The true identity of Jack the Ripper remains to be one of the greatest unsolved murder mysteries in British history.

It had appeared the case was 'closed' recently when world renowned crime writer Patricia Cornwell claimed she had vital evidence to prove the killer was influential artist Walter Sickert.

However while some argue the crime will never truly be solved, a Ripper historian claims Joseph Barnett - the former lover of the Ripper's last victim - is 'the best argued case to date'.

Joseph Barnett (left) was the lover of the Ripper's last victim, Mary Jane Kelly (right)

Barnett has long been a suspect in the case and was interviewed by police after he found Mary Jane Kelly's mutilated body on November 9, 1988.

Mary Jane Kelly, who was discovered brutally murdered on November 9, 1988

The body of the 25-year-old from Limerick in Ireland was found naked and mutilated on her bed.

And Simon Whitehouse, who leads Jack the Ripper tours in London, told the LADbible Barnett fitted the description of the killer.

The revelation adds to the fevered speculation over the Ripper's identity which has lasted since his murderous rampage in the most impoverished and dangerous streets of London more than 100 years ago.

While he claims the crime will never be sold, Simon Whitehouse told LADbible: 'In ripperology you go through phases, but more and more I think this is mostly likely.

'With Barnett you have much stronger links.'

Between August and November 1888, some five women were brutally murdered in the Whitechapel area of London.

All the women murdered were prostitutes, and all except for one, Elizabeth Stride, were horribly mutilated.

World renowned crime writer Patricia Cornwell (left) claimed she had vital evidence to prove the killer was influential artist Walter Sickert (right)

This map shows where the murderous rampage took place in London nearly 130 years ago

A composite of three Scotland Yard photographs of the Ripper's victims, all killed between August and September 1888, L-R: Annie Chapman, Mary Ann Nicholls and Elizabeth Stride

The gravesite of Mary Jane Kelly (1863-1888) in Leytonstone, London

A fish porter at Billingsgate Market, Joseph Barnett knew Mary Jane Kelly and was living with her in the days leading up to her death.

In 1977 author Mark Andrews claimed in his book The Return of Jack the Ripper that Barnett fell in love with Mary Jane, but was furious she was working as a prostitute.

He said the scorned lover carried out the initial murders to deter his lover from prostitution - but then brutally killed her in a furious rage.

The 30-year-old lived in the Whitechapel area and was famously anti-prostitution.

According to Casebook.org, Barnett fits both the psychological and physical profiles of Jack the Ripper.

It notes his profession - that of a fish porter, experienced in boning and gutting fish - would have better allowed him to carry out horrific mutilations.

The body of Frances Coles, the 10th victim Jack the Ripper, discovered in Swallow Gardens, Royal Mint Street, Whitechapel in Februrary 13, 1891

Constable Watkins of the City of London Police Force discovering the body of murder victim Catherine Eddowes in Mitre Square

A knife found by police detectives at the scene of on of the murders - but it still gave no clues as to who the killer was

A letter written in red ink and signed 'Yours truly, Jack the Ripper', was sent in September 1888 to the Central News Office in London City

Patricia Cornwell, 60, had long claimed the legendary Whitechapel killer was in fact influential artist Walter Sickert.

And in a new book, Cornwell claims the proof of Sickert's guilt lies in the paper he used.

Three of the artist's letters and two of the grisly, mocking notes the Ripper supposedly sent to police at the time were scientifically analysed and were found to have come from paper run of just 24 sheets, according to the author.

And in addition to the small batch of stationery, the book claims to debunk Sickert's previous alibis and claims the artist would dress up as the Ripper when creating his paintings.

The American author, who has sold more than 100million books, also claims the artist confessed to a friend that 'he would not mind having to kill and eat raw flesh', which she compares to the killer's reference to cannibalism.

Cornwell has spent millions of pounds investigating the unidentified killer - who killed at least five women in Whitechapel in the late 1880s.

She even purchased Sickert's desk, plus 32 of his paintings to have them tested for DNA.

Sickert is renowned within the art community for his paintings, which depicted sex and sleaze in the city at the time.

An illustrated police news page on the murders of Jack the Ripper. During investigations the police received mocking letters from someone claiming to be the killer, accusing them of being asleep

This montage shows how police attempted - and failed - to catch the notorious serial killer
Piers Morgan risked angering his ITV bosses today by tearing out his earpiece so he could rant about Scottish independence.

The Good Morning Britain host couldn't contain himself after a interview with a Scottish nationalist and removed the earpiece saying: 'Sorry, they are shouting in my ear.'

Uninterrupted by producers, he then called for England to be given a referendum on whether Scotland should be allowed to leave the UK.

Piers Morgan pulled out his earpiece on Good Morning Britain today after producers 'shouted at him' while he spoke about Scottish Independence

His monologue came on the day a vote is expected in the Scottish Parliament on Nicola Sturgeon's proposal to hold a referendum in late 2018 or early 2019.

Piers and co-host Susanna Reid had been interviewing SNP member of the Scottish Parliament Joan McAlpine about the vote.

Piers said: 'I think it's also fair though that England should have its own referendum on whether Scotland should stay or not.'

When told that it would be for English people to call for, he replied: 'I will start my campaign.'

He then told co-host Ms Reid: 'I think we should have a referendum. I think if Scotland have another referendum...'

He then broke off saying 'Sorry they're shouting in my ear', before removing the earpiece through which producers speak to him.

He then continued: 'I think if we allow Scotland to have another referendum so soon after the last one then, at the same time, there should be a referendum in England, and Wales, and Northern Ireland.'

Co-host Susanna Reid noted that it had 'all gone quiet in the gallery' after Piers' tirade

Piers then threw a pen across the studio after complaining about producers and schedules

Susanna Reid said it would plunge the country into a crisis if Scotland voted to leave the UK, but England told them they had to stay.

Piers replied: 'I don't think English people like the fact that the Scots are driving this whole agenda about the future of the UK. They want a say too and I agree with them, and I'm Irish.'

Piers, who is also DailyMail.com U.S. Editor-at-Large, then returned his earpiece to his ear and said: 'Lets move on, timecheck. It's 6.47. Earplug back in, we can continue with the programme.'

Ms Reid said: 'They've all gone quiet in the gallery.'

Piers then imitated the show's producer with his 'little piece of paper', which he said: 'States that at 6.46, you will move on from the Scottish referendum.'

Ms Reid then tried to take a pen from Piers, which he threw on the floor and said: 'It's all kicking off in here.'
A homeless woman stabbed a man in the stomach during an argument at a busy Melbourne intersection, police say.

The 29-year-old man was treated by paramedics after the stabbing at 4.15pm on Wednesday and rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital in serious but stable condition.

A blood-soaked white sneaker was seen lying on the pavement at the scene and police recovered the knife allegedly used in the attack.

A homeless woman stabbed a man (pictured) in the stomach during an argument at a busy Melbourne intersection, police say

A blood-soaked white sneaker was seen lying on the pavement at the scene

The woman, aged 55, was still at the scene on Elizabeth Street in the CBD near Collins Street, outside an Officeworks store, and immediately arrested.

Police closed the street and nearby tram stop for more than an hour while forensics examined the crime scene.

The foldable knife allegedly allegedly used in the attack
A German private plane flipped upside down, rolled uncontrollably and then plunged 10,000ft after hitting wake turbulence caused by an Emirates superjumbo flying above it - but miraculously did not crash.

The near-disaster caused serious injuries on the small Challenger jet, which was carrying nine passengers and crew members, and once the pilots initially recovered the plane it was forced to make an emergency landing.

The terrifying incident happened on January 7, when a Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet en route over the Arabian sea, about 630 nautical miles southeast of Muscat, Oman, flew 1,000ft below an Emirates Airbus A380-800 flying from Dubai to Sydney in the opposite direction.

Though the accident occurred two-and-a-half months ago, information of the incident was only recently revealed in a report by the Aviation Herald.

On January 7, a Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet flipped upside down, rolled uncontrollably and then plunged 10,000ft after hitting wake turbulence caused by an Emirates superjumbo flying above it, but miraculously did not crash

The Bombardier Challenger 604 (a file photo of the same model plane above) business jet en route over the Arabian sea had flown 1,000ft below the Emirates Airbus A380-800 flying from Dubai to Sydney in the opposite direction, when it got caught in its wake turbulence

The wake turbulence caused by the superjumbo Airbus - the world's largest passenger jet - was so powerful that about one minute after it passed by, the Challenger, which was flying at 34,000 feet, was sent into an uncontrolled roll that flipped the aircraft between three and five times.

Wake turbulence is formed behind an aircraft as it flies through the air, much like a boat creates a wake in the water.

It is exacerbated by a pair of vortices - whirling masses of air - that spin from the wingtips. The vortices are mostly created when a plane is flying slow and the wings are working hardest to produce lift.

The bigger the plane, the bigger the wakes. The most virulent wakes leave smaller planes vulnerable if they run into one.

An Airbus A380 is 73 metres long and weighs between 386-560 tonnes, while the Bombardier Challenger 604 is just 21metres long and weighs between 17 and 21 tonnes.

When the Challenger faced the Airbus's wake turbulence, both of the plane's engines flamed out and its Ram Air Turbine would not work, causing it to plunge 10,000ft.

The aircraft's pilots were able to regain control of the plane using 'raw muscle force' and were finally able to restart the engines.

They diverted their flight to Muscat airport in Oman, where they made an emergency landing.

Several of the nine people on board were taken to the hospital, with one person sustaining serious injuries in the incident.

The aircraft, operated by German carrier MHS Aviation, was totaled, with damage so extensive that it had to be written off.

An Airbus A380 (a file photo of the same model plane pictured above) is 73metres long and weighs between 386-560 tonnes, while the Bombardier Challenger 604 is just 21metres long and weighs between 17 and 21 tonnes

The incident happened at cruising altitudes known as 'coffin corner' because of their high risk.

Coffin corner is an altitude where a fixed-wing aircraft's stall speed is near its critical mach number - the ratio of the speed of the aircraft to the speed of sound. Both caused by pressure over the wings.

In the region, it's difficult to keep an aircraft stable during flight - if the plane goes to slow, it could stall at a high altitude.

If the plane goes too fast, it will exceed its mach number and it will go supersonic, which could cause the wings to fall off.

Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) is investigating the incident, despite it happening in international waters.

WHAT IS WAKE TURBULENCE? Wake turbulence is formed behind an aircraft as it flies through the air, much like a boat creates a wake in the water. It is exacerbated by a pair of vortices that spin from the wingtips. The vortices are mostly created when a plane is flying slow and the wings are working hardest to produce lift. The bigger the plane, the bigger the wakes. The most virulent wakes leave smaller planes more vulnerable should they run into one. To avoid issues cause by wakes, air traffic controllers are required to put extra spacing between large and small planes. For pilots, one technique is to slightly alter the approach or climb gradient, remaining above any vortices as they sink. Advertisement

The BFU declined to comment on the investigation because it is ongoing.

MailOnline contacted Emirates Airlines and MHS Aviation for comment but have not received a response.

An Airbus spokeswoman told IBTimes: 'We are aware that an investigation is ongoing to determine the origin of turbulences encountered by a jet.

'At this stage nothing indicates an Airbus A380 aircraft is involved and we cannot comment further on this incident, please contact the German BFU.'

A spokesman from the Flight Service Bureau (FSB), an information source for air operators, compared the amazing recovery to the 'Miracle on the Hudson', where pilot Sully Sullenberger landed a US Airways Airbus on the Hudson River after hitting a flock of geese in 2009.

But the FSB spokesman said that the incident also raises concerns that the Airbus 380 causes more danger to airways than previously thought.

'With the A380 vs Challenger 604 incident, there is now growing concern amongst aircrews about the effects of the A380's wake turbulence,' the spokesman told The Times.

The dangers of wake turbulence have increased as navigation and air-traffic control technology improvements have allowed aircraft to fly closer to one another.

The European Aviation Safety Agency will soon release a bulletin to reduce the risk of such encounters. EASA said it had been working on a draft for the bulletin before the Challenger and Airbus incident.

'Wake can be encountered up to 25 nautical miles behind the generating aeroplane,' a draft of the EASA circular to EU airlines and air traffic controllers says, according to the Aviation Herald. 'The encounters are mostly reported by pilots as sudden and unexpected events.'

'When possible, contrails [vapour trails] should be used to visualise wakes and estimate if their flight path brings them across or in close proximity,' the draft says.

This isn't the first time a smaller aircraft has faced wake turbulence made by an Airbus 380.

In September 2012, a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 hit wake turbulence made by an Emirates A380 near Bali. Both planes made it to their destinations safely.

In 2011, an Air France Airbus A320 rolled left to an angle of 25-30 degrees after hitting wake turbulence made by an Emirates A380. No one was injured.

Also in 2011, a British Airways Airbus A320 rolled over 50 degrees and the autopilot disconnected after being hit by wake turbulence made by a Qantas Airbus A380 flying from London to Singapore. Four people on the British Airways flight had to be treated for serious injuries.

In another 2011 incident, wake turbulence from a Singapore Airlines Airbus 380 caused an Air France Boeing 747 do drop 200ft in 15 seconds and roll left and right. No one was injured, and both planes reached their destinations safely.
Jeremy Corbyn suffered a fresh blow today as it emerged Labour's membership is set to drop by 70,000 in less than a year.

The surge when the veteran left-winger became leader has receded amid despair over his hapless performance and terrible poll ratings with the wider electorate.

The number of people with up to date subscriptions is down to 483,000 - still more than double the level at the general election, but significantly down on the 554,000 peak last summer.

The latest poll gives the Tories a 16-point advantage over Labour, enough to give Theresa May a crushing victory if repeated at a general election

Jeremy Corbyn issued a desperate plea for unity in a video, trying to play down brutal infighting as 'high spirits'

The scale of the fall will encourage moderate MPs who believe activists are starting to recognise Mr Corbyn's failure.

A YouGov poll today gave the Tories a huge 16 point advantage, which would deliver a 100-plus majority for Theresa May if repeated at a general election.

Some 47 per cent thought Mrs May was the best person to be PM, compared to just 14 per cent who said Mr Corbyn. 'Don't know' scored 39 per cent.

Mr Corbyn will attempt to get back on track with a better showing at PMQs today, after another dismal week that has seen the party mired in more brutal infighting.

His close allies John McDonnell and Unite chief Len McCluskey have been clashing with deputy Tom Watson over apparent hard-left infiltration of the party.

Mr Corbyn was ridiculed for holding a shadow cabinet 'away day' at a union HQ in central London, with critics saying it underline his London-centric approach.

He was then heckled by his own MPs at an explosive meeting on Monday night.

In a toe-curling video posted on his Twitter feed, Mr Corbyn attempted to play down the infighting as 'high spirits' and pleaded for unity behind his leadership.

But the appeal for calm went unheeded as his close Mr McCluskey wrote a furious blog accusing Mr Watson of trying to produce a 'low budget Godfather remake'.

Mr Corbyn's close ally Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, wrote a furious blog accusing Labour deputy leader of trying to produce a 'low budget Godfather remake'

Tom Watson warned this week that the party faced an 'existential' threat as hard-left infiltrators tried to take charge

Labour sources have told MailOnline that its ruling NEC was told yesterday that membership had fallen to 483,000 excluding 40,000 people whose subscriptions were at least six months overdue.

The figure last July was 554,000. It is impossible to say whether those leaving are Corbyn supporters or more long-standing members giving up on the party.

The latest YouGov poll for The Times today, conducted this week, put the Tories on 41 per cent, down three from last week.

Labour was down two points on 25 per cent, the Lib Dems up one point 11 per cent, and Ukip up three on 12 per cent.

Labour has been as much as 19 points behind in other surveys recently.
The President's lawyers have sent a cease-and-desist letter to a teenage girl who created a website that allows users to punch Donald Trump in the face with tiny kitten paws.

Lucy, a 17-year-old girl from San Francisco, created the website to practice her coding skills.

The high school student, who wants to eventually land herself a career in web development, created the site as a 'fun, little' project to put on her resume.

The President's lawyers have sent a cease-and-desist letter to a teenage girl

She began learning the skill when she was 16, and is currently enrolled in a coding bootcamp.

The website, which took her just three hours to create, was originally called TrumpScratch.com, but she was forced to change the name after the president's lawyers got in touch.

Three weeks after the site went live, the teenager received the cease-and-desist letter from Trump's general counsel, based in Trump Tower in Manhattan.

The letter described the President as a 'well-known businessman' and television star and continues: 'As I'm sure you're aware, the Trump name is internationally known and famous.'

Lucy, a 17-year-old girl from San Francisco, created the website to practice her coding skills

The website, which took her just three hours to create, was originally called TrumpScratch.com, before lawyers advised her to change the name

After seeking advice from a family lawyer, Lucy changed the name of the site to KittenFeed.com.

'But after changing, they still came at me,' she told the Observer.

'It's so sad that his administration is focused more on being liked, burying real news and taking down sites like mine as they supposedly make him look bad,' she added.

Since changing the name, Lucy and her lawyer have not responded to communication from the Trump counsel, and are waiting to see what happens.

Representatives for the President have been approached for comment.
The ban of carry-on electronics on flights was prompted by intelligence gathered about an ISIS plot to target the West, it has been reported.

The threat was judged by the US to be 'substantiated' and 'credible'.

The US and UK announced restrictions on large electronics in carry-on baggage for direct flights from certain Middle Eastern and North African nations on Tuesday.

The move is allegedly based on the suspicion that Islamic State are working on ways to smuggle explosives on to planes by hiding them in electronics.

Crucial information was apparently gathered during a raid against Al Qaeda in Yemen in January that killed Navy SEAL 'Ryan' Owens.

The intelligence centred around al Qaeda's 'successful development' of compact battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices, sources claimed.

The ban of carry-on electronics on flights was reportedly prompted by intelligence gathered about an ISIS plot to target the West. Above, the airports and countries targeted by the new American and British policies

The battery bombs would need to be manually triggered which is why the electronics ban is only for cabin luggage not baggage that is checked in, a source told the Daily Beast.

Al Qaeda's head bomb maker in the Arabian Peninsula, Ibrahim al-Asiri, has been working on hiding bombs in even smaller devices, the source added.

Lithium batteries ignited and destroyed UPS Flight 6 in September 2010, killing two crew members when it crashed near Dubai - providing inspiration for the terrorist group

The tip-off was deemed to be 'substantiated' and 'credible' by the US.

Two attacks on flights in the last two years were cited by the US Department of Homeland Security - the crash of a Russian jet over the Egyptian Sinai in October 2015 and a failed attempt to bring down a jet that had taken off from Mogadishu, Somalia last year.

Airlines flying from the 10 mentioned airports will have four days to implement the new ban on carry on electronics including laptops, iPads and cameras. Above, a stock image of a laptop

The intelligence centred around al Qaeda's 'successful development' of compact battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices, sources claimed. Lithium batteries ignited and destroyed UPS Flight 6 in September 2010, killing two crew members when it crashed (pictured) near Dubai - providing inspiration for the terrorist group

The jet made an emergency landing after insurgent group Al-Shababb reportedly got a laptop onboard the flight that had been rigged as a bomb and tore apart its cabin.

'Since they weren't high enough, the explosion wasn't catastrophic to the plane and they were able to land,' one source told The Daily Beast. 'The bomber got sucked out of the hole, but it was proof of concept.'

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, told ABC News there was 'a new aviation threat'.

'We know that our adversaries, terrorist groups in the United States and outside the United States, seek to bring down a US-bound airliner,' he said.

'That's one of their highest value targets. And we're doing everything we can right now to prevent that from happening.'

The countries included in the ban were selected due to their exposure to Al Qaeda groups and members who might try to bring a battery bomb on a plane heading for the US, a third source claimed.

Meanwhile, ABC reports claimed the airports affected by the ban were not directly named in the most recent threat intelligence gathered by authorities.

Information was gathered during a raid against al Qaeda in Yemen in January that killed Navy SEAL senior chief petty officer William 'Ryan' Owens (pictured)

They claimed the list was based on intelligence analysis paired with other government information.

The US names more countries in its list, applying the new restrictions on flights coming from international airports in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo,Egypt; Istanbul, Turkey; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The UK ban applies more simply to incoming flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

America's Department of Homeland Security was the first to announce the decision, saying that passengers on airlines flying directly to the US from 10 airports in eight countries will soon only be allowed to bring cellphones on board with them.

Other electronics, including laptops and tablets, will be indefinitely banned from the passenger cabin, and must be checked in checked baggage if they are brought on the plane at all.

The new restrictions are based on 'evaluated intelligence' that terrorist groups are working on 'innovative methods' for attacks. Officials didn't elaborate on the intelligence but CNN reports that Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP) is specifically the cause for the changes.

The British government added legitimacy to the concerns by following through with their similar ban.

The British and American bans differ in which countries they target, how they are implemented and their definition of a large electronic.

When asked by the BBC why the US list of nations differs from the UK's, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said: 'We have each taken our own decisions.'

THE ELECTRONICS BAN: DIFFERENCES IN THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH RESTRICTIONS US BOUND FLIGHTS Carry-on OK: Cellphones and any electronic smaller than a cellphone Will need to be checked: Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game units larger than a smartphone and tavel printers/scanners Timeline: Airlines will have four days to implement the new security order or face being barred from flying to the United States AIRPORTS Mohammed V. Int'l - Casablanca, Morocco

Ataturk Int'l - Istanbul, Turkey

Queen Alia Int'l - Amman, Jordan

Cairo Int'l - Cairo, Egypt

King Abdulaziz Int'l - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Khalid Int'l - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abu Dhabi Int'l - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dubai Int'l - Dubai, UAE

Kuwait Int'l - Kuwait City, Kuwait

Hamad Int'l - Doha, Qatar AIRLINES Royal Jordanian

Egyptair

Turkish Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines

Kuwait Airways

Royal Air Maroc

Qatar Airways

Emirates Air

Ethiad Airways UK BOUND FLIGHTS Carry-on OK: Electronics smaller 16cm long by 9.3cm wide by 1.5cm deep Will need to be checked: Any electronic larger than that size Timeline: Airlines will be allowed to implement the new rules at their leisure COUNTRIES Turkey

Lebanon

Jordan

Egypt

Tunisia

Saudi Arabia AIRLINES British Airways

EasyJet

Jet2.com

Monarch

Thomas Cook

Thomson Advertisement

American officials have given the airlines four days to implement the security order or face being barred from flying to the United States, while in Britain the airlines are being allowed to implement the new measures at their leisure.

The American ban also applies to all electronics larger than a cellphone while the British ban gives the specific measurements of any electronic larger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep.

About 50 flights a day, all on foreign carriers, will be impacted in the US. Officials said no US-based airlines have non-stop flights from those cities to the United States, so they will not be impacted.

The officials said the decision was prompted by 'evaluated intelligence' about ongoing potential threats to airplanes bound for the United States. The officials would not discuss the timing of the intelligence or if any particular terror group is thought to be planning an attack.

CNN, citing an unnamed .S official, said the ban on electronics on certain airlines was related to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and that some information came from a recent .S special forces raid in Yemen. The group has planned several foiled bombing attempts on Western-bound airlines.

At the daily White House press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that 'elevated intelligence' about international terrorism led the US to make the chance.

Spicer, who was reading aloud from a Department of Homeland Security statement, did not explain what made the intelligence assessment 'elevated.' But a different White House spokesman told DailyMail.com after Spicer's daily briefing that he meant to cite 'evaluated' intelligence.

That wording matched a statement that DHS issued earlier in the day.

'Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items,' the agency said.

At the daily White House press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer (pictured) said that 'elevated intelligence' about international terrorism led the US to make the chance

'Based on this information, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure airports to the United States.'

Spicer punted further questions to the Transportation Security Administration.

The new carry on restrictions come a little more than a year after the bombing of Daallo Airlines Flight 159, a flight from Somalia to Djibouti.

The bombing took out a piece of the plane a little more than a row, but only resulted in the death of the bomber and two other injuries. It was believed that the bomb was rigged to a timer device on the bomber's laptop.

The flight had been delayed by 20 minutes, so it was believed that the timing of the bomb was premature and may have been intended to occur about halfway through the flight.

Since it occurred earlier though, the plane was not yet at its cruising altitude which would have been more dangerous. The pilots were able to land the jet safely.

The ban would affect laptops, iPads, cameras and most other electronics. Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted about the ban Monday, telling passengers that medical devices would be allowed onboard with passengers.

Details of the ban were first disclosed by Royal Jordanian and the official news agency of Saudi Arabia.

In its statement, Royal Jordanian said the electronics ban would affect its flights to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal.

Brian Jenkins, an aviation-security expert at the Rand Corp., said the nature of the security measure suggested that it was driven by intelligence of a possible attack. There could be concern about inadequate passenger screening or even conspiracies involving insiders - airport or airline employees - in some countries, he said.

The new carry on restrictions come a little more than a year after the bombing of Daallo Airlines Flight 159, a flight from Somalia to Djibouti. The bombing took out a piece of the plane a little more than a row, but only resulted in the death of the bomber and two other injuries

It was believed that the bomb was rigged to a timer device on the bomber's laptop

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly phoned lawmakers over the weekend to brief them on aviation security issues that have prompted the impending electronics ban, according a congressional aide briefed on the discussion. The aide was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The administration officials who briefed reporters about the ban said foreign officials were told about the impending order starting Sunday.

A US government official said such a ban has been considered for several weeks. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose the internal security discussions by the federal government.

The ban would begin just before Wednesday's meeting of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Washington. A number of top Arab officials were expected to attend the State Department gathering. It was unclear whether their travel plans were related to any increased worry about security threats.

Another aviation-security expert, Jeffrey Price, said there could be downsides to the policy.

'There would be a huge disadvantage to having everyone put their electronics in checked baggage,' said Price, a professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He said thefts from baggage would skyrocket, as when Britain tried a similar ban in 2006, and some laptops have batteries that can catch fire - an event easier to detect in the cabin than the hold.

Most major airports in the United States have a computer tomography or CT scanner for checked baggage, which creates a detailed picture of a bag's contents. They can warn an operator of potentially dangerous material, and may provide better security than the X-ray machines used to screen passengers and their carry-on bags. All checked baggage must be screened for explosives.
Environmental health inspectors visited an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant and found a dead pigeon decomposing in the kitchen as well as an infestation of cockroaches.

A court heard a disgusted customer spotted a cockroach on the dessert counter at the restaurant in Swansea's Castle Street and reported it to the council.

A few weeks earlier the premises had been handed a zero food hygiene rating by Swansea Council when it was taken over by Fea Moss Limited last August.

Environmental health inspectors visited the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant in Swansea and found a dead pigeon decomposing in the kitchen as well as an infestation of cockroaches

Environmental health officers paid a visit officers found evidence of sticky tracks under units and evidence of cockroach infestation near the ice cream scoop storage area as well as dirty wall junctions and tiles.

They also came across the dead pigeon decomposing in the kitchen 'while lunch was carrying on as normal'.

Prosecutor Felicity Lewis told Swansea Magistrates' Court that dirty build-ups of grease had also been discovered and 'the standard of cleanliness was very poor...and equipment to clean the floor of the kitchen was very dirty'.

She added: 'There was cooked food being stored at room temperature.

Inspectors discovered the dead pigeon decomposing in the kitchen 'while lunch was carrying on as normal'

Officers were concerned there was an imminent risk to health.'

The director of the company, Yanrui Yi, told officers of her intention to close the restaurant for refurbishment, but when they returned in November - after the business had changed its name to Nines Global Buffet - they once again found hygiene failings including dirty chopping boards and rusty equipment.

The business was issued with two hygiene notices in December. By March, the court was told, issues had been complied with, but the hygiene rating remained zero.

Mitigating, Aled Owen said the company had pleaded guilty to six food hygiene charges, including failing to ensure the premises were clean and free from pests, and failing to ensure equipment was in good condition.

The business was issued with two hygiene notices in December. By March, the court was told, issues had been complied with, but the hygiene rating remained zero

He added Ms Yi 'indicated remorse and a sense of shame at being in this position'.

Mr Owen said when she had first expressed interest in taking over the business lastJuly there were 'no signs to indicate anything wrong with the site'.

'It was being pushed through too quickly, and with hindsight it was too quickly,' he said. 'She was firefighting from that moment.'

A number of staff were dismissed, and with reference to the dead pigeon Mr Owen said the owner had found its discovery suspicious.

Officers were concerned there was an imminent risk to health' and closed the restaurant down

He said: 'Whether it was malicious we do not know.'

Sentencing, chairman of magistrates Jan Langton fined the company 10,500 each for the offences related to the dead pigeon and the cockroaches, while fines of 1,000 were handed down for each of the other four offences.

She said: 'It was very fortunate no member of the public was taken ill as a result.'

She also ordered the company to pay costs of 830 and a surcharge of 170.
A lorry smashed into a broken down car with a grandmother, mother and two little children inside.

Shocking dashcam footage shows the moment Scania vehicle crashed into the family on the A55 dual carriageway at Rhuallt Hill in North Wales.

Thomas Anthony Holland, 61, admitted driving the lorry carelessly on October 28 last year and he was fined 300 with 85 costs and a 30 surcharge.

Six penalty points were imposed on his driving licence but magistrates decided not to disqualify him.

Shocking dashcam footage shows the moment Scania vehicle crashed into the family on the A55 dual carriageway at Rhuallt Hill in North Wales

The prosecution said that the broken down car with its hazard lights on was there to be seen and significantly had been seen by other drivers who safely overtook it.

The defence said that while Holland had seen the car ahead he had not realised it was not moving until it was too late.

Defending solicitor Alun Williams said that he did take last minute evasive action which avoided catastrophic consequences.

Prosecutor Brian Robinson told Flintshire Magistrates' Court at Mold today that grandmother Lynn Gunn of Huyton in Liverpool was driving with her daughter Paula Arnold in the passenger seat and her two grandchildren, a boy nine and a girl four, in the back.

The car engine cut out, there was no hard shoulder and Mrs Gunn pulled over as far as she could to the left and put her hazard warning lights on.

A number of vehicles overtook and Mrs Arnold saw the lorry approach but Mrs Gunn told her that he was bound to pull out.

It got closer and closer and she thought that he 'must have seen us by now'.

But the next thing the front wheel of the lorry came into the back of the vehicle towards the children.

Mrs Arnold remembered shouting 'he's going to hit us.'

Mr Robinson said that the lorry was driving within the speed limit but the tachograph showed that it had not braked

They feared that the children would be killed. But the little girl escaped unharmed, apart from the trauma of it all, and the boy suffered a suspected hip fracture.

Mrs Gunn broke a rib and Mrs Arnold had whiplash and both had cuts and bruising.

Mr Robinson said that the lorry was driving within the speed limit but the tachograph showed that it had not braked.

Mr Williams said that his client had been a professional lorry driver for 42 years and had a clean driving record despite driving some 80,000 miles a year.

The impact was caused by insufficient attention to the road ahead. He said his client had seen the car some four or five vehicle lengths ahead but had not realised that it was parked up until it was too late.

She said: 'The problem was that he failed to appreciate quickly enough that the vehicle was stationary.'

A number of vehicles overtook and Mrs Arnold saw the lorry approach but Mrs Gunn told her that he was bound to pull out

It got closer and closer and she thought that he 'must have seen us by now'. But the next thing the front wheel of the lorry came into the back of the vehicle towards the children. Mrs Arnold remembered shouting 'he's going to hit us'

The impact was caused by insufficient attention to the road ahead. He said his client had seen the car some four or five vehicle lengths ahead but had not realised that it was parked up until it was too late

Holland was not travelling at speed, and there were other vehicles in the outside lane.

Footage showed the lorry tend to jackknife at the last possible moment.

He said: 'He took evasive action at that point. As a result the injuries were not catastrophic.'

It was a momentary lapse by a man who had shown genuine remorse. Holland was a divorced man who lived alone. He had five grown up children and eight grandchildren.

Mr Williams said: 'The fact that he has caused injury to anyone, let alone to children, is a source of great distress to him. This has been a real shock to him.'

The case had been adjourned previously for the defendant to attend for the court to consider a disqualification.

But Mr Williams argued it did not fall into that category - and said that the defendant lived in a rural location and if his driving licence was taken off him then he would lose his job and possibly his home.
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned.

The work appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary said it would be 'inappropriate' to talk about Manafort because he is not a White House employee - even though he was Trump's campaign chairman.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

A new report claims that Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort (left) secretly lobbied on behalf of a Russian oligarch to promote Putin's (right) government abroad

According to interviews conducted and documents obtained by the AP, Manafort worked for oligarch Oleg Deripaska (pictured) from 2006 until as late as 2009, getting paid $10million a year to lobby for Russian interests in Washington

SPICER: HE'S NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, WE ARE SAYING NOTHING White House press secretary Sean Spicer now says it would be 'inappropriate' to talk about former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Spicer's mum stance is just the latest effort to put distance between the former top campaign official and his Russia ties  after earlier calling his role helming Trump's campaign as 'minimal' and limited. It would be 'inappropriate for us to comment on a person who is not a White House employee,' Spicer told NBC Wednesday. Manafort never followed Trump to the White House, having gotten axed from his leading campaign job following reports about his Russia ties, which included doing work for a pro-Kremlin Urkanian political party. Spicer said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment about Paul Manafort since he doesn't work for the White House after reports about his work to boost Vladimir Putin On Monday, Spicer was even more dismissive. 'There's been a discussion of Paul Manafort, who played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time,' he said. Manafort ran Trump's campaign for five months. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also has made statements diminishing the role of former Trump campaign aides and associates who may have Russia links. Conway cast Carter Page (left) and J.D. Gordon (right) as 'fringe players' in the Trump campaign  as they are reportedly under an FBI spotlight for their links with Russia On Tuesday, while appearing on on 'Fox & Friends,' Conway said that that Carter Page, a onetime campaign foreign policy adviser, and J.D. Gordon, who served as a national security adviser, were 'fringe players' whom Trump doesn't know personally. 'I have spoken directly to the president and other senior officials about this,' Conway said. 'He doesn't know these gentlemen. He didn't work with them,' she said. The FBI and two intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia sought to undermine the November election. The White House has denied any collusion with the Russians took place. Page and Gordon are reportedly targets of the FBI investigation, along with former Trump-whisperer Roger Stone. 'In the case of Mr. Page, Mr. Gordon, some others, they really have very attenuated contacts to the campaign that I managed for the last three months,' Conway said. Advertisement

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

'We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success,' Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, 'will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.'

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign.

Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russian interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manafort's ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as 'inappropriate or nefarious' as part of a 'smear campaign.'

'I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments,' Manafort said. 'My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests.'

When asked about the report this morning by NBC, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said it would be 'inappropriate for us to comment on a person who is not a White House employee.'

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests.

U.S. diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as 'among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis' and 'a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad.'

In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008 - at least three years after they began working together - said Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer AP's questions.

Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after the AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party .

Manafort, right, worked as the chairman for the Trump campaign from March until August, when he was forced to resign in disgrace when it was revealed he secretely lobbied for the ruling Pro-Russian government in Ukraine

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putin's interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manafort's work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manafort's work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the U.S. intelligence investigation of Trump's associates and Russia, according to a U.S. official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential.

Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manafort's activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No U.S. criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

FBI Director James Comey, in confirming to Congress the federal intelligence investigation this week, declined to say whether Manafort was a target. Manafort's name was mentioned 28 times during the hearing of the House Intelligence Committee, mostly about his work in Ukraine. No one mentioned Deripaska.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday that Manafort 'played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time' in the campaign, even though as Trump's presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Manafort and his associates remain in Trump's orbit. Manafort told a colleague this year that he continues to speak with Trump by telephone. Manafort's former business partner in eastern Europe, Rick Gates, has been seen inside the White House on a number of occasions. Gates has since helped plan Trump's inauguration and now runs a nonprofit organization, America First Policies, to back the White House agenda.

MANAFORT ALSO ACCUSED OF HIDING PAYMENTS FROM PRO-RUSSIA UKRAINIAN POLITICAL PARTY Yesterday, a Ukrainian lawmaker released a document that he said links Manafort to attempts to hide a $750,000 payment from a pro-Russia political party. Lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko published a 2009 invoice purportedly signed by Manafort that shows a $750,000 payment for 501 computers to a company called Davis Manafort. The money came from a Belize-registered offshore company via a bank in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan. Leshchenko said the contract was a cover for payments made to Manafort for work he did for the pro-Russian Party of the Regions in Ukraine, which backed former Russia-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country amid anti-government protests in 2014. A Ukrainian lawmaker says Manafort tried to hide payments from a pro-Russian Party in Ukraine which backed former Russia-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (pictured on the left with Putin) The Associated Press was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the document. Jason Maloni, a spokesman for Manafort, called the allegations 'baseless' and said they should be 'summarily dismissed.' Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which was set up to investigate official corruption, told the AP that it is not going to look into the reports, since Manafort is not a Ukrainian citizen. Advertisement

Gates, whose name does not appear in the documents, told the AP that he joined Manafort's firm in 2006 and was aware Manafort had a relationship with Deripaska, but he was not aware of the work described in the memos.

Gates said his work was focused on domestic U.S. lobbying and political consulting in Ukraine at the time. He said he stopped working for Manafort's firm in March 2016 when he joined Trump's presidential campaign.

Manafort told Deripaska in 2005 that he was pushing policies as part of his work in Ukraine 'at the highest levels of the U.S. government - the White House, Capitol Hill and the State Department,' according to the documents.

He also said he had hired a 'leading international law firm with close ties to President Bush to support our client's interests,' but he did not identify the firm.

Manafort also said he was employing unidentified legal experts for the effort at leading universities and think tanks, including Duke University, New York University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Manafort did not disclose details about the lobbying work to the Justice Department during the period the contract was in place.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the U.S. on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.

Deripaska owns Basic Element Co., which employs 200,000 people worldwide in the agriculture, aviation, construction, energy, financial services, insurance and manufacturing industries, and he runs one of the world's largest aluminum companies. Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.2 billion.

How much Deripaska paid Manafort in total is not clear, but people familiar with the relationship said money transfers to Manafort amounted to tens of millions of dollars and continued through at least 2009. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the secret payments publicly.

In strategy memos, Manafort proposed that Deripaska and Putin would benefit from lobbying Western governments, especially the U.S., to allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine. He proposed building 'long term relationships' with Western journalists and a variety of measures to improve recruitment, communications and financial planning by pro-Russian parties in the region.

Manafort proposed extending his existing work in eastern Europe to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, where he pledged to bolster the legitimacy of governments friendly to Putin and undercut anti-Russian figures through political campaigns, nonprofit front groups and media operations.

For the $10 million contract, Manafort did not use his public-facing consulting firm, Davis Manafort. Instead, he used a company, LOAV Ltd., that he had registered in Delaware in 1992. He listed LOAV as having the same address of his lobbying and consulting firms in Alexandria, Virginia. In other records, LOAV's address was listed as Manafort's home, also in Alexandria. Manafort sold the home in July 2015 for $1.4 million. He now owns an apartment in Trump Tower in New York, as well as other properties in Florida and New York.

'YACHTGATE': DERIPASKA'S PREVIOUS POLITICAL SCANDAL IN THE WEST In 2008, Deripaska was involved in another political scandal in the West, this time involving British Conservative MP George Osborne. Osborne's former university friend, financier Nathaniel Rothschild, made a shocking claim that Osborne tried to solicit a 50,000 donation from Deripaska while he was hosting the two at his villa in Corfu. British MP George Osborne was accused of trying to solicit 50,000 from Deripaska in 2008, claims which were later investigated and found baseless The alleged solicitation happened during a party on Deripaska's yacht, and therefore the scandal was called 'Yachtgate'. The Liberal Democrats urged the Electoral Commission to investigate the allegations, since any such donation would have been violating British law against political donations by foreign citizens. The Commission rejected the claim and said it found 'no information' to back the allegation. Advertisement

One strategy memo to Deripaska was written by Manafort and Rick Davis, his business partner at the time. In written responses to the AP, Davis said he did not know that his firm had proposed a plan to covertly promote the interests of the Russian government.

Davis said he believes Manafort used his name without his permission on the strategy memo.

'My name was on every piece of stationery used by the company and in every memo prior to 2006. It does not mean I had anything to do with the memo described,' Davis said.

He took a leave of absence from the firm in late 2006 to work on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Manafort's work with Deripaska continued for years, though they had a falling out laid bare in 2014 in a Cayman Islands bankruptcy court. The billionaire gave Manafort nearly $19 million to invest in a Ukrainian TV company called Black Sea Cable, according to legal filings by Deripaska's representatives. It said that after taking the money, Manafort and his associates stopped responding to Deripaska's queries about how the funds had been used.

Early in the 2016 presidential campaign, Deripaska's representatives openly accused Manafort of fraud and pledged to recover the money from him. After Trump earned the nomination, Deripaska's representatives said they would no longer discuss the case.
A mother whose toddler died after she unintentionally left him in the car had felt like she needed help for fatigue but couldn't ask for it, an inquest has heard.

Noah Zunde was found in the back seat of the family car outside a childcare centre at Kyneton, northwest of Melbourne, on February 19, 2015.

His body temperature was 40.6C.

The 22-month-old boy had been inside the car for seven hours when his mother discovered he was not in the centre, where she believed she had dropped him off.

Noah Zunde had a body temperature of 40.6C when he died in a car outside a childcare centre

An inquest has been told the day before his death, his mother felt she 'needed help' for fatigue but couldn't ask for it. On the day he died, she felt 'wiped out'.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Jodie Burns, said Noah's death met the definition of a homicide but the coroner could not be convinced an indictable offence had been committed, due to circumstances surrounding the death.

Noah's death is one of two cases being investigated by the state coroner in which a young child died after being unintentionally left in cars.

The inquest is looking at possible physiological reasons behind someone inadvertently leaving a child in a car.

Noah Zunde was 22 months old when he died after being left in a car for seven hours

The toddler had been left in a car outside a childcare centre in Kyneton when he died

The boy had been left in a car outside this childcare centre in regional Victoria in February 2015

Judge Sara Hinchey will also look at opportunities to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

Monash University associate professor in psychology Matthew Mundy is giving evidence on Wednesday.

He says evidence suggests Noah's mother was severely sleep deprived and affected by other factors, which contributed to a memory failure sometimes referred to as 'forgotten baby syndrome'.
Two German-born ISIS terror suspects will be deported to their parents' homelands in the first case of its kind as the country gets tough on extremists.

In an increasingly hardline move, Germany is to give the two terror suspects loyal to Islamic State a lifelong bans even though they have not been convicted of any crime.

The two men were both born in Germany and live with their Algerian and Nigerian parents in Gottingen.

The town of Gottingen in Germany where the two men were living with their parents

Members loyal to the Islamic State, for who the two men are said to have sworn allegience, wave flags as they drive around Raqqa in Syria

They were arrested in the university city last month suspected of plotting a bomb attack.

This is the first time in postwar German history that such a move has been countenanced.

'We are sending a clear warning to all fanatics nationwide that we will not give them a centimetre of space to carry out their despicable plans,' said Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Boris Pistorious (SPD), following the ruling.

'We have drawn our sharpest sword to combat concrete terror threats.'

The man with Algerian parents is 27, and the Islamist with Nigerian ancestry is 22.

Both appealed against being deported but they will be kicked out of the country they were born in within weeks.

German citizenship is determined not only by places of birth, but also by the nationalities of the individual's parents.

As they were both born before 2000, it is thought both men decided to keep the nationalities of their parents.

A law change means a person born in Germany after January 1, 2000, can be considered a German citizen even if neither of their parents are German.

A further condition is that one parent has to have been legally a resident in Germany for eight years and has a right of unlimited residence or for three years.

Children who become German citizens in this way must however decide between the age of 18 and 23 whether they want to retain German citizenship or the citizenship of their parents.

It is assumed the two men chose not to request German citizenship.

Militant Islamist fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa

In the case of the Algerian, Germany says it has obtained assurances from his homeland he will not be tortured or have his human rights rights infringed in any way.

After the men were seized on February 9 police found Islamic State propaganda material, a gun and ISIS flags at their homes.

But there was not enough to charge them with terror offences.

Yet in the climate that has existed in the country since the Christmas market attack in Berlin that claimed 12 lives, there is now much more of a willingness to neutralise suspects in any way possible.

The government has warned that there could be many more such deportations to follow.
Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan has issued a chilling warning that Europeans 'will not walk safely on the streets' as tensions between Ankara and the EU escalated further today.

Erdogan has been locked in a row with Germany and Holland after his officials were barred from drumming up support on the continent for an April referendum on boosting his powers.

During a speech in Ankara, the president said: 'If you continue to behave like this, tomorrow in no part of the world, no European, no Westerner will be able to take steps on the street safely and peacefully.'

Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) has issued a chilling warning that Europeans 'will not walk safely on the streets' as tensions between Ankara and the EU escalated further today

Erdogan did not expand on what he meant by his comments but appeared to imply that Europeans risked receiving the same treatment that, he says, is endured by Turks and Muslims in Europe.

Relations between Turkey and Europe have been severely strained since Turkish ministers were thwarted from campaigning on the continent for a 'yes' vote in next month's referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers.

Ankara has said such behaviour was reminiscent of Nazi Germany and also raised alarm over what it sees as rising racism and Islamophobia on the continent.

Erdogan warned Europe that Turkey was 'not a country to push, to prod, to play with its honour, to shove its ministers out of the door, drag its citizens on the floor.'

He said the world was watching Europe's actions 'very closely', adding: 'We as Turkey urge Europe to respect democracy, human rights, freedoms.'

Relations between Turkey and Europe have been strained since Turkish ministers were thwarted from campaigning on the continent for a 'yes' vote in next month's referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers. Ankara says such behaviour is reminiscent of Nazi Germany. A paper in Turkey even carried a picture of German chancellor Angela Merkel depicted as Hitler

His repeated comparisons with Nazi Germany have been strongly condemned by the European Union as well as Berlin and the Hague, precipitating a crisis that has raised doubts over the viability of Turkey's EU bid.

Tensions with Germany have been further damaged after Deniz Yucel, the Turkey correspondent of the German newspaper Die Welt, was jailed last month on terror charges. He is awaiting trial.

The president accused German consular officials of allowing Yucel to take refuge in the residence of the German consul in Istanbul for a month to evade arrest.

Erdogan again condemned German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whom he previously claimed is 'supporting terrorists', after she urged a Turkish-German journalist to be freed and gave her support to the Dutch during the height of the crisis over rallies.

'You say 'I am with the Netherlands'. Well, I am with my people,' Erdogan said.

Press defenders say that Turkey is holding 149 journalists in jail and EU leaders have repeatedly expressed alarm over freedom of expression in the country.

Erdogan warned Europe that Turkey was 'not a country to push, to prod, to play with its honour, to shove its ministers out of the door, drag its citizens on the floor'

But Erdogan denied there was a single bona fide reporter in jail in the country.

'Everyone is there, from murderers to robbers, child abusers to fraudsters. In this list, only journalists are not present,' he said.

Referring to a list of Turkish journalists detained given to Turkish authorities, he said: 'Our friends looked at this and 144 are in jail for terror charges, the other four for common crimes.'

On April 16, Turks will decide whether to approve constitutional changes that would abolish the post of prime minister and could see Erdogan stay in power until 2029.

The government argues it will ensure stability in Turkey but critics argue it is regime-change and will lead to one-man rule.
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Eerie images of an abandoned submarine hideout in Russia show the insides of a base that could be revived if a new war were to break out.

The dark maze of tunnels was believed to be built to serve as a nuclear shelter for the Soviet submarines of Soviet Pacific Ocean fleet in the mid-1900s, but it appears that the hangar never had a chance to be used.

Construction began in the 1960s, but it slowed in the 1980s and the hangar was left unfinished.

The Pavlovsk, Russia, base features two large tunnels joined together by a series of smaller tunnels made large enough for massive submarines to safely travel through.

A group of four friends from Vladivostok, Russia, who go by the name of KFSS, went to the base to see the network of tunnels themselves.

The dark maze of tunnels was believed to be built to serve as a nuclear shelter for the Soviet submarines of Soviet Pacific Ocean fleet in the mid-1900s, but it appears that the hangar never had a chance to be used

The Pavlovsk, Russia, base features two large tunnels joined together by a series of smaller tunnels made large enough for massive submarines to safely travel through

It seems as though the nuclear shelter has remained untouched since it was abandoned in the 1980s. The water tunnels, however, are still in tact and could likely be revived if needed

A group of four friends (one pictured below) from Vladivostok, Russia, who go by the name of KFSS, went to the base to see the network of tunnels themselves

One of the tunnels is still filled with frozen-over water, which, when not frozen, could serve as a canal for submarines to travel through

KFSS said of their visit: 'This is the nuclear-proof hide for Soviet submarines of Soviet Pacific Ocean fleet at the the former secret object number 6.

'They started to build it in '60s but in the '80s the construction slowed down and finally stopped building, leaving it unfinished.

'But from our point of view the hide is almost finished, just not equipped.

'In the 90s the USSR signed some arms limitation agreements with USA which we believe to be the reason why this object was left and not used since.

'The central part of the hide consists of two huge parallel tunnels joined together with smaller tunnels.

The tunnel system was building into the side of a cliff in Pavlovsk. The tunnels go almost half a mile deep into the cliff side

The unfinished base opens up to a larger body of water, and is mainly hidden in the cliffside of Pavlovsk, a town surrounded by volcanoes and cliffs

The Soviet Pacific Ocean Fleet, which was supposed to use the submarine hangar now serves as the Pacific Fleet as part of the Russian Navy

'One of the huge tunnels is a water tunnel of 19 meters width and 450 metres long according to our measurements but satellites suggest the length is 650 meters.

'The other tunnel is 225 meters long, eight metres wide and ten to 12 metres high. There are three gated from the Western coast.

'The hide is enormous but it's really hard to evaluate the real sizes as some tunnels are under water and we don't know where they go to.

'Now it's impossible to get in as this base is on the territory of the active navy base and guarded so it's probably going to be used in the near future

'The background radiation level strangely is higher than normal there for some reason unknown to us.'

The frozen-over submarine canals could house several watercraft in the underground tunnels, as they are nearly half a mile long

The Pacific fleet is now headquartered in Vladivostock, with another large base - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - in Avacha Bay on the Kamchatka Peninsula, near where they Pavlovsk base would have been

The maze of tunnels has several offshoot passageways, likely used for storage and to get from one side of the base to another

The Soviet Pacific Ocean Fleet now serves as the Pacific Fleet as part of the Russian Navy. It's stationed in the Pacific Ocean, and once secured the Far Eastern Borders of the Soviet Union.

In Soviet years, the fleet was responsible for the administration and operation of the Soviet Navy's Indian Ocean 8th Squadron.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fleet lost all of its aircraft carriers, and by early 2000, only one cruiser remained.

In recent years, the fleet was shrunken to just one large missile carrier, five destroyers, ten nuclear submarines and eight diesel-electric submarines.

Today, the fleet is headquartered in Vladivostock, with another large base - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - in Avacha Bay on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The location has a a major submarine base located at Vilyuchinsk in the same bay.

It is unknown if the base will ever be renovated or revived, but the secret tunnels of the unfinished hangar have sat abandoned for more than 30 years

The base was supposed to serve as a nuclear shelter, hiding the Soviet Union's secrets during nuclear fears of the Cold War
Rex Tillerson has admitted he never wanted to be Secretary of State and only took the job because his wife convinced him to.

The former ExxonMobil oil executive revealed his partner Renda St. Clair told him 'God's not through with you' and insisted he was 'supposed' to take the role.

'I didn't want this job. I didn't seek this job,' he confessed during a controversial three-nation trip to Asia.

Rex Tillerson has admitted he never wanted to be Secretary of State and only took the job because his wife Renda St. Clair convinced him to (pictured together)

The former ExxonMobil oil executive revealed his partner told him 'God's not through with you' and insisted he was 'supposed' to take the role

'My wife told me I'm supposed to do this,' he told the Independent Journal Review.

Tillerson, who had spent his whole career at Exxon Mobil, admitted he had never met the President until he was summoned to Trump Tower after the shock election victory.

Trump had wanted to speak to him 'about the world' given his experience of dealing with global issues as an oil executive.

Tillerson said he was 'stunned' when Trump asked him to the Secretary of State at the end of the conversation.

When he later returned to his Texas home and told his wife, Renda St. Clair, she wagged her finger and replied: 'I told you God's not through with you.'

Tillerson, who will be 65 on Thursday, added that he had expected to retire after a career spanning four decades at ExxonMobil.

'I was going to go to the ranch to be with my grandkids,' he admitted.

'I serve at the pleasure of the president. My wife convinced me. She was right. I'm supposed to do this.'

Tillerson, who had spent his whole career at Exxon Mobil, admitted he had never met President Trump until he was summoned to Trump Tower after the shock election victory

Tillerson, who will be 65 on Thursday, added that he had expected to retire after a career spanning four decades at ExxonMobil (pictured after being sworn in as Secretary of State on February 1)

He made the comments during the Asia trip, which made headlines for his decision to break with decades-old tradition and block American reporters from it.

Newsrooms have always paid the state department for airplane seats when the top diplomat travels - but the secretary of state only allowed one reporter to join him on a trip to South Korea, Japan and China.

He defended his decision, saying: 'I'm not a big media press access person. I personally don't need it.'

He was accompanied by the reporter from the conservative Independent Journal Review, the website partly founded by a former Republican operative.

It comes as the US state department was forced to deny a report that Rex Tillerson pulled out of meetings with South Korean officials because of 'fatigue'.

The Korea Herald news site said he had 'shortened diplomatic consultations and public events in Seoul' and chosen not to have a meal with Hwang Kyo-ahn, the South Korean acting president, and Yun Byung-se, the country's foreign minister.

Tillerson has faced criticism since taking up the post as the country's top diplomat at the beginning of February.

He was slammed for planning to skip a semiannual meeting of NATO foreign ministers this spring, and head to Russia instead, a move allies may see as putting Moscow's concerns ahead of theirs.

Tillerson has faced criticism since taking up the post as the country's top diplomat at the beginning of February. Pictured beingbriefed by US Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea

Tillerson will miss the NATO meeting in May, and will instead travel to a G7 meeting of top diplomats in Italy and then to Russia.

US officials said last night that Tillerson will meet NATO diplomats this week in Washington for a conference on defeating ISIS, suggesting there was no need for him to attend the forthcoming meeting of the alliance in Brussels as well.

His decision to miss the meeting has been criticized by some, who see the Trump administration as prioritizing the interests of big powers before those of smaller nations that depend on Washington for their security.

'It feeds this narrative that somehow the Trump administration is playing footsy with Russia,' one former US official told Reuters.

'You don't want to do your early business with the world's great autocrats. You want to start with the great democracies, and NATO is the security instrument of the transatlantic group of great democracies,' he added.

Tillerson has had multiple contacts with Putin in his previous role, as he negotiated energy deals in Russia.
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Boris Johnson has met with Donald Trump's National Security Adviser amid a continuing row over US claims about GCHQ wire tapping Trump Tower.

The Foreign Secretary, who is not expected to meet the President on his trip to Washington, will hope to smooth diplomatic tensions caused by the incendiary claim but was not planning to specifically raise it with General McMaster.

Its repetition by White House press secretary Sean Spicer in a media briefing last week caused a full blown diplomatic incident and prompted a furious denial from GCHQ, Britain's global listening post and spying agency.

Boris Johnson tweeted a picture of his meeting with US National Security Adviser General McMaster in Washington last night

Intelligence sources said the US had apologised over the claim and No 10 said it had received assurances it would not be repeated.

But the White House rejected suggestions it had apologised and insisted it was only repeating media reports.

Mr Johnson was not intending to use his US trip to revisit transatlantic tensions over accusations that British intelligence was asked by the Obama administration to monitor Donald Trump when he was running for president, sources suggested.

The Foreign Secretary is keen to concentrate on efforts to fight IS, which the Government calls Daesh, at talks with representatives of some 60 countries.

The Foreign Secretary is also meeting senior US officials including secretary of state Rex Tillerson.

The conference comes a day after the US and Britain tightened rules on aeroplane hand baggage to ban laptops and tablets on direct flights from several Middle East and north Africa countries.

Brexit is also expected to feature during the visit, as the UK attempts to prepare the way for a US trade deal after withdrawal from the EU.

Mr Johnson, pictured jogging in St James' Park yesterday, is planning to focus on countering ISIS on his trip before travelling to New York for UN meetings

Mr Johnson will travel to New York on Thursday and chair a United Nations Security Council meeting on security in Somalia, famine and South Sudan.

The Foreign Secretary will also host a UN event on female empowerment around the world, aimed at giving women better access to schools, jobs and democracy.

On Monday, NSA director Admiral Mike Rogers insisted his organisation did not ask GCHQ to spy on Mr Trump during his bid for the White House.

Asked if President Trump making 'baseless' claims against British security services damaged the close relationship between the two nations, Admiral Rogers said: 'I think it clearly frustrates a key ally of ours.'
A war hero awarded the Military Cross for bravely fighting off the Taliban after seeing a comrade killed has sold his medal for 9,000.

Lance Corporal Matthew Bispham has sold the medal, along with several others, amid his ongoing legal battle with the Ministry of Defence.

The Royal Marine began legal proceedings against the MoD last year, claiming bosses failed to diagnose his post traumatic stress disorder.

L/Cpl Bispham was awarded the Military Cross after clearing an enemy building and defending his mortally-wounded friend Tom Curry, 21, while on tour in Afghanistan.

Matthew Bispham presents his Military Cross in 2007. The Royal Marine has now sold it along with several other medals in the midst of a legal battle with the Ministry of Defence

Bispham was awarded the Military Cross (shown left, with his Afghanistan Campaign Medal) after clearing an enemy building alone while under fire from insurgents

L/Cpl Bispham was confronted by two enemy soldiers after his comrade was gunned down, yet was still able to get the better of them using hand-to-hand combat skills.

He then completed the mission of clearing the building on his own while under machine gun and grenade fire.

The soldier would later develop PTSD following the January 2007 firefight in Helmand, dubbed the Battle of Nipple Hill.

Now, the 33-year-old has sold his medals at auction for a hammer price of 9,100. With fees added on the total price paid by the buyer was 10,920.

It is not clear what drove L/Cpl Bispham to sell his prestigious decorations, including the Military Cross, among the highest honours awarded for gallantry.

Simon Nuttall, of auctioneer Wright Marshall, of Beeston, Cheshire, said: 'We are pleased with the result for this fantastic medal achieved in remarkable circumstances.'

Last year, L/Cpl Bispham (shown centre, with Michael Cowe and Daniel Claricoates) began legal proceedings to sue the MoD, claiming bosses failed to diagnose his PTSD

Sold with the medal group were letters from Prince Philip and various military high command figures congratulating him on his heroic act.

L/Cpl Bispham, of Shrewsbury, joined the Royal Marines and completed his commando training in October 2006. Shortly after that he went out to Afghanistan in December with 42 commando.

He was one of the commandos who was given the job on January 13, 2007 to secure an area in Kajaki in Helmand Province so contractors could repair the hydro electric dam.

He said afterwards: 'It was hand to hand fighting, which I had not done before. I shot the Taliban who had killed Tom and then had to carry and clear the building by myself.

L/Cpl Bispham says he developed PTSD after watching his comrade Tom Curry (pictured) killed as the pair stormed an enemy building

'There was another Taliban in there who was also killed.

'I then came outside and tried to get first aid to Tom.

'A lot of guys were running out towards us firing at us we held the momentum, so we had to carry otherwise we would have been driven back.'

His award citation spoke of 'his fighting spirit, resolve and unflinching courage contributed directly to his company's success'.

It said: 'Bispham's company conducted a deliberate attack onto a hill and compounds.

'The enemy fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades from a group of compounds and all troops were pinned down by the accuracy of the fire. Bispham's group was tasked to assault.

'He and another marine had over 50 metres of open ground to cover before reaching the first building to be cleared.

'Fearlessly and with absolute disregard for their own safety, they dashed forward. As they reached the building, an enemy emerged and shot his colleague, killing him instantly.

'Fighting almost hand to hand, Bispham engaged and killed a second enemy. His company's deliberate attack addressed this situation and regained the initiative from a bold and cunning enemy.

'His fighting spirit, resolve and unflinching courage contributed directly to his company's success.'
Ken Livingstone has urged Jeremy Corbyn to suspend around a dozen MPs who keep pointing out how badly he is doing.

The former London mayor named Wes Streeting and Chuka Umumna among those who are 'consciously undermining' his close ally.

Mr Livingstone also accused the MPs of trying to hound him out of the party for notorious remarks linking Hitler to Zionism - insisting he will take Labour to court if it does expel him.

Ken Livingstone has urged Jeremy Corbyn to suspend around a dozen MPs who are 'consciously undermining' his leadership

The former London mayor named Chuka Umumna (left) and Wes Streeting among those who are criticising the leader

The furious attack comes amid renewed infighting over Labour's future, with deputy leader Tom Watson, shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and Unite chief Len McCluskey clashing over apparent infiltration by the hard-left.

Mr Corbyn suffered a fresh blow today as it emerged Labour's membership is set to drop by 70,000 in less than a year.

The surge when the veteran left-winger became leader has receded amid despair over his hapless performance and terrible poll ratings with the wider electorate.

The number of people with up to date subscriptions is down to 483,000 - still more than double the level at the general election, but significantly down on the 554,000 peak last summer.

The scale of the fall will encourage moderate MPs who believe activists are starting to recognise Mr Corbyn's failure.

A YouGov poll today gave the Tories a huge 16 point advantage, which would deliver a 100-plus majority for Theresa May if repeated at a general election.

Some 47 per cent thought Mrs May was the best person to be PM, compared to just 14 per cent who said Mr Corbyn. 'Don't know' scored 39 per cent.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live this morning, Mr Livingstone called for the removal of 'disloyal' MPs.

'Those that have been most over the top I think should be suspended,' he said.

'I think the other thing that Jeremy should do is re-introduce automatic re-selection. It's really ridiculous that MPs in safe seats have a job for life.

Jeremy Corbyn issued a desperate plea for unity in a video on Monday night, trying to play down brutal infighting as 'high spirits'

The latest poll gives the Tories a 16-point advantage over Labour, enough to give Theresa May a crushing victory if repeated at a general election

'I'm particularly talking about Chuka Umunna, Wes Streeting - basically it's the same group of MPs who were screaming that I'd said Hitler was a Zionist and I was anti-Semitic.

'The moment that issue went on hold, they were then blaming Jeremy for Britain voting to leave (the EU). Just endless criticism. It's only about a dozen of them.

'The simple fact is they are consciously undermining Jeremy and damaging the Labour Party.'

Mr Livingstone said he expected to lose his disciplinary hearing next week on his suspension from the party, and indicated he will take Labour to court if that is the result.

Mr Corbyn's close ally Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, wrote a furious blog accusing Labour deputy leader of trying to produce a 'low budget Godfather remake'

Tom Watson warned this week that the party faced an 'existential' threat as hard-left infiltrators tried to take charge

'I'm afraid we'll have to be off to a judicial review in the courts and in the court the issue will be what was actually said and what is the truth, and the Labour Party has got no chance of winning a judicial review,' he said.

'I'm basically retired. I'm not seeking office. I haven't asked Jeremy or didn't ask Ed Miliband to send me to the House of Lords or anything like that. I'm a house husband, but I'm not having my political career defined at the end that I'm anti-Semitic.'

Mr Streeting said would not be 'losing any sleep' over Mr Livingstone's comments.

'I will take absolutely no lectures on loyalty from Ken Livingstone,' said the Ilford North MP.

'The only question is why Ken hasn't already been expelled from the Labour Party, rather than being stuck in the purgatory of suspension.'
A young girl has been targeted by a sick predator posing as Justin Bieber on a social media app for teenagers.

Melbourne mother Alicia was horrified when a stranger calling himself 'the real Justin Bieber' asked her eight-year-old daughter Charlie to send him nude photographs.

She had only allowed her daughter to download Musical.ly - a popular video sharing app with roughly 100 million users - on her own iPad two days before the incident.

'It was her first venture into a social media account and it's gone horrifically wrong,' Alicia told The Age.

Melbourne mother Alicia (right) was horrified when her eight-year-old daughter Charlie (left) was targeted by a predator online posing as Canadian popstar Justin Bieber

The stranger contacted Charlie through her newly created Musical.ly account - a popular video sharing app with roughly 100 million users commonly used by young teens

The Bieber imposter asked Charlie, 8, for nude photographs or photos of her vagina

The stranger added that 'lots of girls' sent him explicit photographs and assured her that her images would be kept private

Charlie had just eight 'friends' on the app and planned to use it for games and to do homework, but things turned sinister when the imposter messaged her.

'Who wants to win a 5 minute video call with me?,' he wrote in his first message, which included a big red love heart emoji.

'All you need to do is send me a photo of you naked, or of your vagina,' he continued.

'Lots of girls send me these pics all the time I will never tell anyone.'

'Message me right now if you want to do it.'

Alicia immediately blocked the user and took the iPad directly to police, but they said there was little they could do to track down the person behind the account.

She told The Age the predator's language made her feel sick to the stomach.

'The third message concerned me even more,' she said. 'It showed how much of a professional predator he was.'

'It was that persuasive 'you're doing the right thing', sickly chat.'

Charlie's mother blocked the user claiming to be Justin Bieber and reported the matter to police

Justin Bieber is an international popstar who is known for his incredibly dedicated young fans - who refer to themselves as Beliebers

In a separate, unrelated matter, a Queensland law lecturer who also allegedly posed online as Justin Bieber was charged with more than 900 child sex offences earlier this month.

Gordon Douglas Chalmers allegedly used Facebook and Skype to impersonate the pop star and convince fans to send him explicit images.

The 42-year-old was arrested in November last year on a string of child sex offences after a tip-off from German and US authorities prompted Queensland police to raid his home.

Police allege the offences date back to 2007.

Detective Inspector Jon Rouse said the offences were 'horrendous' and urged parents of young Bieber fans to be extra vigilant.

'This investigation demonstrates both the vulnerability of children that are utilising social media and communication applications, and the global reach and skill that child sex offenders have to groom and seduce victims,' Det Insp Rouse said.

'The fact that so many children could believe that they were communicating with this particular celebrity highlights the need for a serious rethink about the way that we as a society educate our children about online safety.'
Yogesh Parmar, 38, from Slough, is accused of inventing reasons to see the women in the Shepherd's Bush store's office in London

A Morrison's manager allegedly twice raped a staff member, who has since died of cancer, and molested a checkout girl in the supermarket office.

Yogesh Parmar, 38, from Slough, is accused of inventing reasons to see the women in the Shepherd's Bush store's office in London.

The rape complainant died of cancer last year and the second woman no longer works at that particular store.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Burrington told Isleworth Crown Court: 'He abused his position and took sexual advantage of two members of staff.

'The cash administrator asked the defendant to sign some paperwork and he asked her to come into his office and closed the door.

'He said he forgot how to perform a task on his computer and after she assisted and was leaving he stopped her and asked her to shut the door and come back.

'She did not want to and was right to be wary because this defendant unzipped his trousers and forced her down by the shoulders.'

The jury were told the woman was then raped by Parmar.

'When the ordeal was over she took herself to the toilets and says she felt horrible, but felt she could not talk to anyone.'

The following month Parmar complained she took too long a lunch break, explained Mr. Burrington.

'The defendant used this dispute to instruct her to come to the office.

'He told her he was going to punish her and what happened the month before was repeated.

'She was somewhat shellshocked and was worried people might not believe her.'

Yogesh Parmar, 38, from Slough, is accused of inventing reasons to see the women in the Shepherd's Bush store office in London (file photo of a Morrisons supermarket)

Eventually she reported Parmar to her manager and the police, who examined a similar complaint he was cleared of by bosses in 2014.

'This defendant was excessively tactile on many occasions and on this instance the till operator was invited into his office at 10pm.

'He closed the door and grabbed her and began molesting her, touching her all over,' said Mr. Burrington.

'He lifted her off her feet and tried forcefully to kiss her while gnashing his teeth.

Parmar, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of raping the cash administrator in May and June, 2015

'He put his hand over her shirt and pushed it down over her bra. She told him to stop, but was ignored.'

Parmar was arrested and questioned, suggesting the women's motivations to report him were questionable.

'He denied all the allegations and said the rape complainant was performing poorly and he had a stern word with her.

'It amounted to a verbal warning and he told her she would be subject to disciplinary proceedings and put on some sort of programme.

'He said it was the till operator that was always tactile and flirtatious with him.

'He said that night she touched his shoulder, pinched his cheek and asked for a lift home.

'Mr. Parmar suggested she fabricated her account because he refused to give her a lift home.'

Parmar, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of raping the cash administrator in May and June, 2015.

He also denies sexually assaulting the till operator the year before on November 1, 2014.

The trial continues.
A young mother, has been hailed for her quick-thinking after she stalled two fugitives who demanded the keys to her car after they crashed into her home.

Jessica Gallagher had just put her 18-month-old son Archer, down for a nap when two men, who had just crashed their car outside, barged their way into her Picton home, in Sydney's south-west, at around 1pm on Tuesday afternoon.

The men allegedly told Ms Gallagher that it was either her keys or her son, so the young mother stalled the carjackers by telling them that her keys were in the back shed, giving police more time to apprehend them.

Ben Smee, 29, was arrested by police after an alleged triple car-jacking with Kyle Naylor, 25, in Sydney's south-west

Police allege that they had earlier stolen a black Holden utilitiy vehicle and were seen driving recklessly in Tahmoor

Jessica Gallagher had just put her 18-month-old son down for a nap, when the men barged into her Picton home

Earlier in the day police say Kyle Naylor, 25, and Ben Smee, 29, were spotted driving recklessly along Remembrance Drive in Tahmoor, in what police allege was a stolen black Holden utility.

Officers followed the vehicle until it crashed into a gutter on Antill Street in Picton where the men broke-into Ms Gallagher's home.

'I was scared because I didn't know what their intentions were,' Ms Gallagher told 7 News.

Ms Gallagher says that Naylor and Smee quickly demanded she hand over the keys, threatening her son.

'I said I have a baby down the hallway that I need to get, and he said basically it's him or the keys.'

After the men took off again, they stopped outside a Community Leisure Centre car park and split up.

The men had crashed the alleged stolen car on the gutter of Ms Gallagher's home

The men allegedly demanded the keys to her car, saying it was either the baby or the keys before Ms Gallagher led them to the back of her shed, buying police time, before they took off in her Dodge Nitro

Police allege Smee then approached a man and a woman in a Holden sedan, attempting to gain control of the vehicle but was pepper sprayed by officers who quickly arrived on the scene, arresting him.

He was taken to Narellan Police Station and charged with aggravated break and entering and robbery in company.

The 29-year-old was refused bail and is expected to face further charges in relation to the alleged theft of vehicles and driving offences.

Police however were unable to apprehend Naylor who is said to have approached a woman in a Nissan SUV and forced her out of the vehicle before driving off.

NSW Police have released images of the 25-year-old Naylor, who is believed to live in the Macquarie Fields area.

He is described as Caucasian appearance, of medium build, and 180 to 185cm tall.

Police have warned the public not to approach Naylor, but to call Crime Stoppers if they have any information of his whereabouts.
Year nine pupil Jack Snook was queuing to go into class when the member of staff allegedly became 'angry'

A 13-year-old schoolboy claims his teacher grabbed him by the scruff of the neck because he wasn't standing in a straight line.

Year nine pupil Jack Snook was queuing to go into class when the member of staff, at Cleeve School in Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire, allegedly became 'angry'.

He accused her of grabbing him by his collar and 'pulling him up to the wall' in line with the other pupils, tearing his shirt and backpack.

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that it is investigating an allegation of common assault at the school last Tuesday.

The teacher has been suspended from teaching year nine pupils following the incident.

But Jack's mother Sharon Snook said that isn't enough and is refusing to allow the youngster to return to classes.

Mrs Snook said: 'Jack and about twenty other pupils were waiting to go into class and the teacher came along and told them to stand in a straight line.

'Jack is a good student - he stood out of line to the left and the teacher got very angry.

'The teacher pulled at the back of his jacket and backpack and tore his collar and the handle of the rucksack and pulled him up to the wall.

'Jack said he was really shocked at being treated like this - he's never been manhandled like this before.

'He said all the other students were saying to the teacher that she couldn't do that. I don't think the teacher should be allowed to carry on at the school.'

Writing on Facebook, she added that Jack is a 'respectful', 'lovely child' who has 'glowing reports' and is 'never cheeky or outspoken'.

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that it is investigating an allegation of common assault at the school last Tuesday

She said: 'My child has never been in trouble in or out of school.

'There is video evidence that police have which confirms my son's story as well as the teacher admitting that's what happened.

'No child has the right to be touched by anyone especially in a position of trust.'

Headteacher Alwyn Richards said the school is investigating. He claimed that the police and Gloucestershire County Council are 'happy' with the measures which have been put in place.

Headteacher Alwyn Richards said the school is investigating. He claimed that the police and Gloucestershire County Council are 'happy' with the measures which have been put in place

Mr Richards said: 'Because the incident is entirely recorded on CCTV, then the school is very clear on what actually happened.

'We are working closely with the police and the local authority, and they are very happy with the measures we have put in place.'

Gloucestershire Constabulary said: 'We are investigating an allegation of common assault at the school on Tuesday, March 14.'
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, an Obama appointee, said he believed President Donald Trump could be great  if he got his act together in certain arenas.

'I actually believe that Donald Trump  and I told him this when I met with him in December  I actually think Donald Trump has the potential to be a great president in a sort of Nixon goes to China way, Reagan goes to the Soviet Union way,' Johnson said today on Morning Joe.

In order to do that, however, Trump would need to 'find a way to rein in some of the more unhealthy impulses,' he's shown so far, including the tweeting, the ex-Obama official said.

Former DHS head Jeh Johnson, an Obama appointee, said today on Morning Joe that he thought President Donald Trump had 'the potential to be a great president'

Jeh Johnson (left) also outlined why he believed the U.S. had implemented a large electronics ban from eight countries, explaining the intelligence must have been 'significant'

'Listen to his staff, bring on a full compliment of political appointees who will help him govern,' Johnson included on his Trump to-do list. 'And I'm very concerned about the tweets.'

The former DHS head said he was 'very concerned' with the direction national security was going, as he feared that the country was preparing for yesterday's terror attack and not the next.

'Given where we are right now in this current environment, we need to focus on homegrown, home-born violent extremism,' Johnson said.

'That was the thing that used to keep me up at night,' he later added.

Johnson gave credence to the Department of Homeland Security decision to ban large electronics in the main cabin of commercial flights coming in from 10 airports in eight-Muslim majority countries.

ABC News reported last night that the decision for the ban came because of specific ISIS threats.

'I think it's significant,' Johnson noted.

Having left government two months ago, the ex-official said he hadn't accessed the most recent intelligence.

'But folks, aviation experts, our intelligence community, must be seeing things that are significant to prompt this action,' Johnson said.

The former DHS secretary also pointed out that the U.S. was in 'very good company,' as the British government implemented a similar policy.

'I think it's a little unfair in this context to refer to this as a ban on electronics coming from Muslim-majority countries,' Johnson added.

'We look at where the direct flights are coming from, we look at the security around the airports and we make the appropriate judgments,' he explained. 'And this judgment was almost certainly made at the TSA, DOJ intelligence community level and very often we get good cooperation from airport authorities, from security officials in these countries.'

The ban pinpoints U.S inbound flights coming from Middle Eastern and north African countries on specific carriers.

The former DHS head suggested that this new airport electronics policy was different than the Trump administration's travel ban, which is currently tied up in the courts.

Johnson's own law firm filed an amicus brief against the second iteration of the travel ban, on behalf of a number of business interests.

'It is the case that the president, the secretary of Homeland Security, has considerable legal discretion to regulate our borders,' Johnson acknowledged. 'But when you tell a judge my authority is unreviewable almost every judge will say, "We'll see."'

'So we're in this now where a matter of border security is something litigated in the courts, which many of us would have considered unprecedented as recently as a couple of months ago,' Johnson said.

'But here we are,' he added.
The eurozone's top official is facing calls to resign over 'xenophobic' remarks after implying debt-ridden southern nations were spending foolishly and being bailed out by their northern partners.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of Eurogroup, said he has no intention of standing down, despite being labeled 'sexist, racist, xenophobic and an embarrassment for Europe'.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has voiced his outrage at Dijsselbloem's remarks, which were made in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, right, speaks with Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson during a meeting of EU finance ministers yesterday

The Dutch finance minister said in reference to European countries that needed bailouts: 'I cannot spend all my money on liquor and women and then ask for your support.'

Costa said today: 'We regard it as absolutely unacceptable for him to stay in his post.

'Mr Dijsselbloem has insulted us. Mr. Dijsselbloem has shown himself to be sexist, racist, xenophobic and an embarrassment for Europe, and because of that he cannot hold any EU post.'

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa branded the comments 'sexist, racist, xenophobic and an embarrassment for Europe'

And MEP Kathleen Van Brempt said top officials from the EU's S&D group were 'unanimous' and that he'd 'better withdraw as chairman of the eurogroup'.

The finance chief expressed regret for offence caused, but refused to resign.

He said: 'I regret it if one is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness.

'I understand that this is not always well understood and appreciated, elsewhere in Europe. That is another lesson I take on board.'

Dijsselbloem continued: 'At the same time, I think I am appreciated for keeping my own style and that I with some strictness I address all ministers, and I have to be strict sometimes.

'And yes, my style is direct and again if people take offence in that I am sorry of course. I have no intention to step down.'

The embarrassing spat comes just as Rome prepares to host an EU leaders' summit marking 60 years since the founding of the forerunner of the European Union.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem refused to stand down following the outcry his remark caused

Dijsselbloem's comments also revived a sense of a north-south divide in Europe.

Supposedly thrifty northern Europeans have shouldered most of the cost of bailing out eurozone governments, mostly in the south: Greece, Portugal and Cyprus among them.

Spain got loans for its banks but also had to impose painful austerity to meet EU deficit limits.

The austerity demanded has bruised their economies, most notably Greece's, which has endured a recession that saw the country lose a quarter of its national output.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Dijsselbloem adopted 'stereotypes that widen the gap between north and south and in reality pave the way, one would say, for extremist views'.

Tzanakopoulos added that 'at a time when Europe is in an intense political quest for its next political steps, statements that expand the gap between north and south are not helpful at all.'

Diksselbloem's initial failure to apologise irked Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos, who told reporters the remarks were 'unfortunate in every way', and that he'd been counting on an apology.

The EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager of Denmark, also made clear she opposed Dijsselbloem's remark.

'I would not have said it, and I think it's wrong,' she said.

Germany was an exception to the rule, with the finance ministry saying minister Wolfgang Schaeuble 'greatly values' Dijsselbloem's work as head of the eurogroup.

Dijsselbloem was in office when Greece almost fell out of the eurozone in the summer of 2015 because of its high debts and difficulties in committing to financial and economic reforms.

Dijsselbloem already faces questions about whether he can hold on to his post after his Labor Party had a disastrous showing in last week's Dutch elections.
Canadian embassies around the world have been told to stop using cardboard cutouts of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau, who was elected in November 2015, has been hailed by liberals around the world as an antidote to Donald Trump and people have been taking selfies with the cutout at events.

The 45-year-old's youthful good looks have also made him a big hit with the ladies.

This group selfie was posted recently on Twitter, showing visitors appearing with a cardboard cutout of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at South by Southwest arts festival in Austin, Texas

Trudeau cutouts have been cropping all over the place but now Canadian embassies have been told not to use them in future

A Trudeau cutout appeared at a Canada Day event in July last year at their embassy in Washington and last week another one cropped up at a Canadian tourism booth at the South by Southwest arts festival in Austin, Texas.

But after researchers from the opposition Conservative party called foul and highlighted the issue with the Canadian media, Global Affairs Canada ordered an end to the practice.

CBC reported that department spokesman Michael O'Shaughnessy said in an email to embassies: 'We are aware of instances where our missions in the United States had decided to purchase and use these cutouts.

'The missions have been asked to no longer use these for their events.'

Two women are photographed with the Trudeau cutout at the Canadian Embassy in Washington but it appears to be something diplomats now regret

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pictured) is considered one of the most handsome politicians on the planet and his cardboard cutouts at global events have proved very popular

Even President Trump's daughter Ivanka seems to have fallen for Justin Trudeau's charms. She listened intently as he talked about the empowerment of women during an event in Washington last month

Ivanka posted a picture of herself flanked by her father and Trudeau sitting behind theOval Office desk

Ian Capstick, a media consultant in Ottawa, told the New York Times: 'The prime minister's office is incredibly aware of the power of his celebrity and want nothing to affect that.

'By having countless cutouts out there the government really starts to lose control of that image.'

Trudeau, a Liberal, replaced Stephen Harper as Canadian prime minister 18 months ago and the Conservatives have claimed there is a growing personality cult which was undermining the country's image.

The real thing: Conservative critics said the cutout (right) was the perfect metaphor for everything Justin Trudeau (left) represented: 'You've got the shallow facade, and yet there's very little in the way of depth or substance there'

Conservative researchers discovered the Canadian embassy had paid $147.79 to order a Trudeau cutout from an online firm in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

They also unearthed emails from Canadian diplomats who thought the cutout would be a 'hoot' which would create 'some serious selfie action'.

Some embassy staff in Washington had reservations and felt the cutout 'doesn't seem very prime ministerial' but the green light was given after the US embassy in Ottawa used a Barack Obama cutout at an event.

Conservative party spokesman John Brassard said the 'Canadian brand is much more than the prime minister'.

He told CBC: 'A life-size, two-dimensional cutout is probably a perfect metaphor for everything that Justin Trudeau represents.

'You've got the shallow facade, and yet there's very little in the way of depth or substance there.'

Trudeau's office has not commented on the row.

The last Canadian prime minister to have a global profile as high as Trudeau was his late father Pierre, who led the country - apart from a brief gap - between 1968 and 1984.
A pro-sharia law group has likened a Muslim deradicalisation program at a Sydney high school to a 'witch hunt'.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, whose global constitution calls for ex-Muslims to be killed, has posted an online rant about a program designed to stop students at Punchbowl Boys High School from becoming terrorists.

The political group, which wants a pan-Islamic state, has accused the New South Wales government of orchestrating a 'witch hunt', even though school staff alleged students had threatened to behead non-Muslims.

Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Hamzah Qureshi has likened Punchbowl Boys High School's deradicalisation program to a witch hunt

Sacked Punchbowl Boys High School principal Chris Griffiths reportedly opposed the deradicalisation program

It has sided with the school's recently sacked principal Chris Griffiths, a Muslim convert, and his deputy Joumana Dennaoui who were opposed to the deradicalisation program.

'What is particularly shameful though is the fact that not even the most innocent and vulnerable - children - are spared in the McCarthyite "counter-terrorism" witch hunt,' Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Hamzah Qureshi said.

Mr Qureshi compared the school's deradicalisation program to U.S. Republican senator Joseph McCarthy's crackdown on communists and homosexuals in the federal bureaucracy during the 1950s.

On social issues, Hizb ut-Tahrir regards homosexuality as a sin deserving of punishment and has a constitution which regards the segregation of men and women as 'fundamental'.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has compared the deradicalisation program with U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy's witch hunt for communists and homosexuals during the 1950s

Despite that, it weighed into how Mr Griffiths allowed Muslim boys to refrain from having to shake hands with female teachers, and excluded women from official events.

'These were touted as displays of disrespect and refusal to accept Aussie values  offences worthy of an outpouring of patriotic outrage,' Mr Qureshi said.

His Hizb ut-Tahrir rant also accused the media of describing the school under Mr Griffiths' leadership of being 'a harsh sharia-imposing institution'.

Hizb ut-Tahrir accused the media of portraying Punchbowl Boys High School as a 'harsh sharia-imposing institution' even though it the group wants sharia law

It neglected to mention how Hizb ut-Tahrir's constitution calls for sharia to be imposed on all citizens under an Islamic caliphate.

The group's global constitution also causes for ex-Muslims to be 'executed according to the law of apostasy, provided they have by themselves renounced Islam'.

Hizb ut-Tahrir operates in more than 40 countries and is banned in Muslim-majority nations including Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

However, it continues to operate in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott called for Hizb ut-Tahrir to be banned in Australia in 2014.
A cheeky little three-year-old girl has been caught on camera stealing the Pope's skullcap as she gives him a kiss.

The video was shot by the girl's Godfather with the caption: 'Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat.'

Pope Francis scrambles for the hat, but is all smiles as he re-adjusts his uniform and the American girl, Estella Westrick, is carried away.

There's a pope behind them. pic.twitter.com/7fphCfb3ic  Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

Waiting for a pope with my goddaughter. pic.twitter.com/8ayNxzSP5O  Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

The man, Mountain Butorac, posted just a couple of hours before that he was waiting in Rome for the pontiff with the youngster.

In a photo posted two hours before the incident, Mr Butorac posted a picture of the girl who stole the hat holding her forehead.

In the video, the gathered crowd erupts with laughter after the girl's sneaky swipe.

Mr Butorac leads pilgrimages to the Vatican, and his website states: 'Because all my pilgrimages are custom made, I only lead a few select trips each year.

'I work directly with the parish, school, or organization to design the perfect trip tailored to their needs.

'Because I put so much into these trips, I cannot possibly do 20 pilgrimages a year  nor would I want too!

'I feel that travel is so important, I offer ways for people to travel for free, and have been known to give away trips via social media contests from time to time.

'I put a lot of research into each of my tours. I not only want you to have a rewarding pilgrimage, but also to grow spiritually during our time together.

'I know in many cases this may be a once in a lifetime trip for you and encourage you to compare our tours with others to find the tour that is right for you.'

The girl, named as Shirley, snatches the hat from Pope Francis' head after he gave her a kiss

It is not the first time he has lost his headwear to a curious child.

As the pontiff held a youngster in his arms while visiting a medical centre back in 2013, the cheeky child took off his white zucchetto at the Vatican.

For a moment, it looked like the cap-snatcher had an amazing souvenir - but, with a smile, the leader of the Catholic Church retrieved his headwear and returned it to its rightful place.
Federal officials fear Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman could compromise thousands of federal drug investigations after his legal team gain access to secret DEA documents.

The kingpin's lawyers will become privy to thousands of sensitive DEA documents that detail his activities in the international drug trade.

And Feds fear that that hundreds - or even thousands - of investigations could be compromised if moles on his legal team use the information to warn other drug lords of the DEA's moves.

Federal officials fear notorious drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman could compromise thousands of federal drug investigations

Prosecutors have been to court in Brooklyn to ask a federal judge to allow them to screen every one of his potential foreign lawyers, TMZ reports.

The judge, who is presiding over Chapo's drug trafficking case, issued an order allowing prosecutors to appoint a specific lawyer to carry out the screening.

The designated lawyer is known as a 'firewall attorney' - someone who works in the US Attorney's Office but is not involved in the Chapo case.

However the 'firewall attorney' does work in the same office as the prosecutors.

If he or she raises a red flag against one of Chapo's potential lawyers, a recommendation will go to the judge who could prevent them from joining his defense team.

El Chapo has been held in solitary confinement since being extradited to the US on January 19

The notorious Mexican drug lord is likely to spend the rest of his life in a maximum security prison if convicted on a raft of firearms, drug trafficking and conspiracy charges - is accused of running one of the world's biggest drug empires.

Lawyers for the 59-year-old, who escaped twice from prison in Mexico, say his 'physical and mental health' is deteriorating, and he is suffering hallucinations.

El Chapo, head of the deadly Sinaloa cartel responsible for thousands of deaths in Mexico's brutal drug wars, has been held in solitary confinement since being extradited to the US on January 19, and spends 23 hours a day alone in his cell.
A banker couple, a finance boss and a doctor are embroiled in a 'trivial row' over the width of car parking spaces outside their 1.45m north London homes.

Bankers Andrew and Penny McSpadden had been at war with finance company boss Sheriar Bradbury for years over the size of the bays outside the converted church they share in Hampstead.

But the dispute escalated when art dealers Mary and Yuval Hanina paid 1.45m to buy the third house in the three-home development for their doctor daughter Sophie.

Bankers Andrew (left) and Penny McSpadden (right) have been at war with finance company boss Sheriar Bradbury over the width of spaces outside the converted church they share

Mary Hanina, 70, now claims her daughter's space has been squeezed into an unusable slither between the other two spaces where only a 'professional driver' could park.

But the McSpaddens - who are accused of trespassing on Dr Hanina's space - claim they are doing nothing wrong and that the problem has come from Mr Bradbury taking up more room than he should.

Mr Bradbury, however, claims the whole dispute - racking up six-figure lawyers' bills - is a waste of time and could easily be solved by everyone parking a few inches along.

The boundary row has now reached the Central London County Court with the Haninas and Mr Bradbury, 53, insisting that each house has a right to a 7ft8in space - a foot bigger than space which the McSpaddens say they are allowed.

Opening the case, Mr Bradbury's barrister Gary Cowen told the court: 'He considers this to be an especially trivial and pointless dispute, given that there is an obvious means of accommodating each party.'

But Ms Hanina called the row a 'tragedy'.

'The tragedy is that there's enough space on site to accommodate parking spaces of 7ft8in (2.4m),' she said.

Mr Bradbury (pictured) claims the dispute is a waste of time as it could easily be solved by everyone parking a few inches along

Her barrister Sebastian Kokelaar added: 'The difficulty that arises is that, if the position is as the McSpaddens say, then there's not enough room for all three cars to park conveniently.

'It would just about be possible for professional drivers to park, but they would have great difficulty getting out of the car.

'It is simply not possible for three modern vehicles to be parked conveniently in the space the McSpaddens say was allocated.'

He claimed the McSpaddens have trespassed on Dr Hanina's space. He continued: 'The McSpaddens have been parking their car in accordance with their mistaken understanding of the location of the boundary.

'Their continuing trespass has effectively prevented any meaningful use being made of Sophie Hanina's parking space.

'It is physically impossible to use it when there is also a car parked in Mr Bradbury's space.

'However, even when there is no car parked in Mr Bradbury's space, it is not possible to use the space lawfully because this would inevitably result in a trespass on his land.'

The court heard that, when first converted from an old Presbyterian church in the 1970s, the deeds to the houses included three car parking spaces, side by side in front of the properties.

The dispute escalated after Dr Sophie Hanina's art dealer parents, Mary (left) and Yuval (right), paid 1.45m for the third house in the development for their daughter

The area was enclosed by walls on two sides, but one wall - which separated the McSpaddens' space and their portion of the courtyard - was later demolished.

The McSpaddens insist the area between the original walls is the area which should be divided into three spaces, giving each about 6ft 8in.

But the Haninas and Mr Bradbury say the width of the walls, as they originally stood, should be included in the calculation, making each property's space approximately 7ft 8in.

In his evidence, Mr McSpadden said there was no problem until 2009, when the cars in Mr Bradbury's space began to squeeze out those wanting to use the middle spot, now owned by Dr Hanina.

'The approach to parking came to be "take what you can get", what is convenient to you,' said the banker.

But Mr Bradbury's barrister denied that he is using any more space than to which he is entitled, because the space should be bigger than the McSpaddens claim.

'He does not accept that what was conveyed was only 2.1m (6ft 8in),' Mr Cowen told Judge Nicholas Parfitt. 'He purchased the property with the benefit of a parking space.'

Ms Hanina, 70, claimed her daughter's space has been squeezed into an unusable slither - between the two cars pictured above - where only a 'professional driver' could park (pictured)

The parking area which is the centre of a legal dispute is pictured above in north London

Even if the McSpaddens are correct, Mr Bradbury says he has the right to encroach into Dr Hanina's space, because he has done so for over 20 years.

And he claims there would be enough room for all three if the spaces were simply shunted along a bit.

The hearing heard how Mr Bradbury is renting out his space to another car owner, but said he had not told them to park close to Dr Hanina's space.

'I ask them to park as close to the wall as they can,' he said in his evidence.

He said disputes over parking at the properties had been rumbling on before the Haninas purchased their house in 2013.

The previous owners, who had not regularly used a car, had parked in the middle space for some time when they went away, he claimed.

'A note was left on there to shift it,' he said, but denied that the note was left in 'pure spite'.

However, Mr McSpadden, 47, and his wife, 49, claim the original deeds granted each house 6ft 8in of car parking space and that they are using theirs correctly.

The couple also claim that both neighbours have had vehicles parked in areas which prevent them getting their car back out of their space and onto the street.

The court also heard the parties are at loggerheads over the use of a bin storage area, which the McSpaddens insist is theirs.

They deny that their neighbours have an automatic right to dump their rubbish in the facility.

Dr Hanina and Mr Bradbury say it is the only bin store on the development and it must have been intended that they be able to use it.

Judge Nicholas Parfitt said he would give his judgment at a later date.
A 14-year-old schoolboy has become one of Britain's youngest rapists after attacking his four-year-old stepsister.

The teenager sexually assaulted the little girl at their family home in Bolton last year when he was just 13.

A court heard how the rape took place when the little girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went upstairs to use the toilet while the boy was showering.

She went downstairs and told her mother, who rang police.

A 14-year-old schoolboy has become one of Britain's youngest rapists after attacking his four-year-old sister. He pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared at Bolton Youth Court (pictured)

During a hearing at Bolton Youth Court, Prosecutor Andrew Hey read out a statement from the girl's mother, who said she was still shocked at what happened.

The statement read: 'I can't quite believe what has happened. I cannot stop shaking. My head is spinning with it all.

'I have no reason to doubt what she has told me. She is not one to tell lies.'

Describing what happened, Mr Hey told the court: 'Her brother was upstairs having a shower and the girl went to use the toilet.

'After a few minutes their mother shouted up to her to ask what she was doing. She then spoke to her mother about what she and her half-brother had engaged in.'

The 14-year-old boy, who also cannot be named, pleaded guilty to one count of raping a girl under 13 and one count of assaulting a girl under 13.

He was given a 12-month referral order, meaning he will work with counsellors and youth workers to change his behaviour.

The youth offender panel, the teenager, his parents and the young girl must all agree a contract and aim to repair the harm caused by the incident.

District Judge Mark Hadfield told the defendant: 'You are 14 years old, 13 at the time you committed these very, very serious offences.

My one hope is the young age of your stepsister will mean it will be forgotten in the distant future District Judge Mark Hadfield

'In fairness to you, you co-operated with the police. But I don't really need to tell you that, had you been a little older, you would be facing a more serious sentence.

'The consequences have been far-reaching. It has had an impact on the family.

He added: 'My one hope is the young age of your stepsister will mean it will be forgotten in the distant future.

'Thankfully your school attendance has improved since the commitment of the offences so I hope this represents an isolated incident.

'A good deal of work has been done on your behalf by social services and the youth offenders' service.

'They feel that you are a young man who can be dealt with in the community rather than being locked up for many months or even years.'

In August last year, an 11-year-boy became Britain's youngest rapist after admitting abusing his nine-year-old sister.

The boy, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, from Plymouth, in Cornwall, was caught after pictures of the attacks were found on his mobile phone.

He was handed a 12-month intensive referral order at Bodmin Magistrates' Court in Cornwall after admitting to two counts of rape.
Theresa May has launched a blistering attack on Jeremy Corbyn for opposing grammar despite attending one and his son benefiting from the system.

In raucous clashes in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister pointed out that Mr Corbyn's son attended a grammar and Labour frontbenchers had used private schools.

She accused him of taking advantage of good education provision while 'pulling up the ladder behind him'.

Theresa May launched an excoriating attack on Jeremy Corbyn for opposing her grammar school expansion plans

Mrs May defended the shake-up of education funding but Mr Corbyn said she was 'betraying a generation' with the changes

Mr Corbyn was himself educated at grammar school. But he separated from his second wife Claudia Bracchita in 1999 after they disagreed about whether their son Benjamin should go to the local comprehensive or a grammar.

The stinging rebuke from the PM came as the pair traded blows over plans for reforming education funding.

The shake-up aims to address the long-standing bias of funding towards inner city schools.

But many Tory MPs representing other areas have been angered to learn that their constituencies  already receiving the lowest allocations  are set have their funding slashed further.

Mr Corbyn raised findings from a think-tank that there would be significant 'winners and losers' from the changes.

He claimed funding cuts could see class sizes increase and subject choices diminish, saying the government was 'betraying a generation' of young people.

'She was clearly elected on a pledge not to cut school funding and that's exactly what is happening,' he said.

But Mrs May insisted there was a pressing need for the formula to be updated.

And she rounded on the veteran left-winger fiercely when he suggested that schools were suffering as she pushed her 'vanity project' of expanding grammars.

The PM said his close allies Diane Abbott and Baroness Chakrabarti had both sent their offspring to private schools.

'He talks about the issue of the sort of system in schools we want - yes, we want diversity, we want different sorts of schools,' she said.

'But I say to the Right Honourable Gentleman, his shadow home secretary sent her child to a private school, his shadow attorney general sent her child to a private school, he sent his child to a grammar school, he went to a grammar school himself.

'Typical Labour - take the advantage and pull up the ladder behind them.'
A man who strolled through Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne carrying a gun has been identified as alleged unlicensed security guard and former VFL player Aaron Purvis.

Mr Purvis was photographed strolling through the Melbourne mall dressed in tactical gear carrying a handgun, just days after six people were killed when Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 30, allegedly drove a car into pedestrians on the iconic shopping strip.

Mr Purvis was not registered to work as a security guard or licensed to carry a firearm at the time, reported The Age.

Scroll down for video

An alleged unlicensed security guard who walked through the Bourke Street mall carrying a gun has been identified as Aaron Purvis (pictured)

Mr Purvis (pictured) was photographed walking through the popular shopping mall just days after six people were killed when Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 30, allegedly drove a car into pedestrians on the iconic shopping strip

It was also revealed Mr Purvis was not hired to guard Bourke Street on the day he was seen, but was meant to be working another security shift nearby.

Mr Purvis is believed to have worked as a guard for armoured vehichles in 2012, and was reportedly fired by one company in 2016.

However, the sacking is believed to be related to his failure to show for shifts, and not problems with his registration as a guard or his firearms licence.

While Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Mr Purvis is yet to be charged, he is believed to be facing charges of possessing a firearm.

At the time Mr Purvis (pictured) was not registered to work as a security guard or licensed to carry a firearm

Mr Purvis (pictured) was not hired to guard Bourke Street on the day he was seen, but was meant to be working another security shift nearby

They interviewed the man about performing security work while unlicensed and the private security business he was working for is also being investigated.

'The company in question was the holder of a corporate firearm licence and private security business licence,' a police statement released on Wednesday said.

'Both of these licences have been suspended and investigations are ongoing.'

Victoria Police confirmed Mr Purvis (pictured) is yet to be charged, but is believed to be facing charges of firearm possession

Victoria Police said private security businesses are responsible for ensuring any individuals they employ are the holders of appropriately endorsed and valid licences.

'Businesses who fail to do so could face charges,' a police statement said.

Only five days earlier, on January 20, Gargasoulas allegedly ploughed a mid-1990s Holden Commodore into dozens of people in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall, killing six and injuring 31.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove this Holden Commodore through Melbourne's CBD

Six people were killed after Gargasoulas alleged ploughed this Holden through the Bourke St Mall in January 2017
A young child and three men are uninjured after a gunman fired multiple shots into their house.

Authorities were called into the Glenwood home in Sydney's west after reports of a number of shots had been fired into the Meurants Lane home at 9pm on Wednesday.

The suspected drive-by shooting is being described by police as 'targeted'.

Three men and a young child are uninjured after their home was shot at by a gunman on Meurants Lane (pictured) in Glenwood

The child, believed to be aged 10 or 11, was inside the property with the three men at the time of the shooting.

Police are searching for a black vehicle, spotted driving away from the scene at the time of the shooting.

Officers from the Quakers Hill Local Area Command have established a crime scene around the premise and have begun investigating the incident.
Dissident republicans have been accused of trying to murder several police officers with a bomb just hours after Martin McGuinness' death.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland say it was 'incredibly lucky' no one was killed in an explosion in Strabane, Co Tyrone last night.

The device was detonated as a police patrol passed through Townsend Street shortly after 8.30pm.

Nearby dozens of mourners were taking part in a candlelit vigil to remember the former IRA chief.

The attack happened on the day McGuinness died and the finger has been pointed at dissident republicans who consider him a 'traitor' for pursuing peace.

Attack: The Police Service of Northern Ireland say it was 'incredibly lucky' no one was killed in an explosion in Townsend Street, Strabame, Co Tyrone (pictured) last night

Strabane is a border town which saw a number of murders during The Troubles and since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement there have been sporadic shootings, bombings and rioting.

PSNI superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: 'At this time our assessment is that a device exploded while police were on patrol in the area of Townsend Street shortly after 8.30pm.

McGuinness' funeral will be held tomorrow but DUP leader Arlene Foster (pictured today) is still undecided about attending

'The investigation is at an early stage and we have had to ask some residents to leave their homes while we carry out our inquiries.

'While we are unable to go into specifics of the incident at this stage, I am confident in saying that we are incredibly lucky that the lives of officers and other members of the community were not lost last night.

'We appreciate the understanding and patience of local residents while we carry out our inquiries and would appeal for anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact us.'

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Northern Ireland last night to pay tribute to the former deputy first minister in a series of candlelit vigils following his death from a rare genetic condition.

Huge crowds of all ages came together at the barracks in Andersontown, west Belfast, carrying candles and black flags as they sang the republican ballad 'I wish I was back home in Derry'.

It came after McGuinness' Irish flag-covered coffin was carried through the streets of Londonderry yesterday with Gerry Adams and his widow Bernie acting as pallbearers.

McGuinness was brought to 'Free Derry Corner' in his home city followed by hundreds of mourners.

His funeral will be held tomorrow but DUP leader Arlene Foster is still undecided about attending, it was revealed today.

She worked with McGuinness in government for ten years but has not confirmed attendance at the Londonderry service tomorrow.

The politician said she would mark his death in the 'appropriate way', adding: 'History will record differing views and opinions on the role Martin McGuinness played throughout the recent and not so recent past but history will also show that his contribution to the political and peace process was significant.

'He served the people of Northern Ireland as deputy First Minister for nearly a decade and was pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.

'In recent years his contribution helped build the relative peace we now enjoy.'
Colorado's former Republican party chairman has been accused of voter fraud, just months after complaining on his radio show that only Democrats commit the crime.

Steve Curtis, 57, appeared in Weld County court on Tuesday to face charges of felony forgery and misdemeanor voter fraud.

Prosecutors say Curtis filled out and mailed in his ex-wife's ballot for the 2016 presidential ballot without her consent.

Steve Curtis, 57 (pictured), has been accused of voter fraud and forgery for reportedly filling out and mailing in his ex-wife's ballot for the 2016 election

The accusations are especially rich since Curtis pegged the issue of voter fraud on Democrats on his AM radio talk show, Wake Up! with Steve Curtis, just a week and a half before ballots were mailed out in Colorado in the fall.

Curtis is the former chairman of the Republican party in Colorado and hosts his own AM radio talk show. His ex-wife Kelly is pictured above

'It seems to me, that virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats,' Curtis said on his show on October 6.

While he had a lot to say on the matter back in October, Curtis refused to answer reporters' questions outside of court on Tuesday.

'We're not going to talk about this,' Curtis said when cornered by a Fox 31 reporter.

But his ex-wife Kelly, 49, was more than happy to explain the story behind the charges to the Denver network.

She had already left Curtis and moved to South Carolina in October, when she called the Weld County Elections Office to see how she could vote in the election, since she was still registered in the state.

She was surprised to learn then that her ballot had already been filled out and sent in from the address where her husband still lived.

'I was just completely stunned I thought there had to be some kind of mistake,' Kelly Curtis said.

Elections officials looked into the matter and found that the signature on Curtis' ballot did not match her own.

On his radio show on October 6, Curtis said that he believed voter fraud was only committed by Democrats. He's pictured above in the 1990s, when he was head of the Republican party in his state

'We compared her (ballot) signature just to the signatures on her registration,' said Weld County Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes.

Election officials then got the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office involved, and eventually the District Attorney's Office pressed charges against Curtis.

Kelly said she was 'livid over the whole situation' and never imagined that her ex-husband would take away her right to vote. However, she also said she left him after just nine months of marriage because they didn't have an 'equal' partnership.

'For somebody that speaks out for the constitution and voter's rights and our right as U.S. citizens, it definitely goes against what he talks about on his shows and how he lives his life as everyone has their right to vote,' Kelly said.

For somebody that speaks out for the constitution and voter's rights and our right as U.S. citizens, it definitely goes against what he talks about on his shows and how he lives his life as everyone has their right to vote. Kelly Curtis, ex-wife of Steve Curtis

Curtis was the chairman of the Republican Party in Colorado from 1997 until 1999, but remained in the political world even after his term ended, thanks to his radio program on KLZ The Source.

Voter fraud became a huge talking point of the 2016 election, thanks to Donald Trump's repeated claims that the election could be 'rigged' against him by the Democrats. And Republicans have also long-insisted that the practice of voter fraud is rampant, despite evidence to the contrary.

Weld County Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes (pictured) says Kelly Curtis called the county in October to see how she could vote from South Carolina, and found that her ballot had already been filled out and sent in

Curtis discussed the alleged issue on his October 6 show, in which he hosted Kevin Collins, the author of 'The Dirty Locked Away History of the Democrat Party'.

Both claimed that voter fraud was almost exclusively practiced by Democrats.

'Voter fraud is not an easy crime to commit,' Collins said. 'It needs a certain cadre of devoted criminal Democrats to carry it out.'

Curtis agreed, adding that there was 'something about being a Democrat' that made one likelier to commit the crime.

'It seems to me, that virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats,' Curtis said on his show on October 6.

He later said: 'I expect any day now that Im going to be getting my ballot in the mail. This is one year Im gonna jump right on it. Im gonna make sure that if I get hit by a bus in the next 30 days that my vote for Donald Trump is already in the system.'

Curtis has yet to enter a plea in the case. He is due back in court on May.

His employers at Crawford Broadcasting say they have no intention of taking disciplinary action against him unless he's convicted.

He faces up to 18 months in jail for the voter fraud charge and up to three years for the forgery charge, with a felony.

The Colorado secretary of state's office told ABC 7 that Curtis' case has been the only voter fraud investigation stemming from the 2016 presidential election in the state.
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Kate and Gerry McCann have lost the third and final court case to silence a police officer who claims they faked the disappearance of their daughter Maddie.

Maddie: The Truth of the Lie was penned by Goncalo Amaral, the policeman who headed up the hunt for Madeleine McCann after she vanished from a Portuguese apartment.

A supreme court judge ruled in favour of the officer, upholding what he called his right to freedom of expression.

Kate and Gerry McCann have accused the Supreme Court judges who ruled against them in their court fight with ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral of nonsensical 'contradictions'

Kate and Gerry McCann arrive in court for one of a number of hearings on the disappearance of their daughter

Madeleine McCann, pictured here in an Everton Football Club shirt, has been missing 10 years

Goncalo Amaral's 2008 book 'The Truth of the Lie' claimed the McCanns faked Madeleine's abduction to cover up her death

Goncalo Amaral, the policeman who headed up the hunt for Madeleine McCann, posing with his book

There is no higher court in Portugal, meaning it appears the McCanns have expended all their options, according to local press.

The book claims the McCanns faked their daughter's abduction.

Maddie's parents Gerry and Kate, who were eating tapas in a bar in the Algarve when their daughter went missing, were hit with the fresh blow of anguish after a long civil battle.

Last month, The Portuguese Supreme Court ruled they had not proved they were innocent in the disappearance.

The McCanns accused the Supreme Court judges who ruled against them in their court fight with ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral of nonsensical 'contradictions'.

Furious Gerry and Kate made it clear through lawyers that they strongly disagreed with the judges' 'erroneous' premise the lifting of their status as 'arguidos' or formal suspects did not mean they were innocent of any involvement in their daughter's May 3, 2007 disappearance.

Madeline McCann who went missing in 2007

Portugal's Supreme Court issued its devastating put-down in February when it backed Amaral over his hurtful 2008 book The Truth of the Lie in which he claimed the McCanns faked Madeleine's abduction to cover up her death in their Algarve holiday apartment.

Judges angered the McCanns by claiming the July 2008 archiving of the first Portuguese probe into their daughter's disappearance 'was determined by the fact that public prosecutors hadn't managed to obtain sufficient evidence of the practice of crimes' by them.

The couple's fight-back was laid out in a nine-page complaint.

It was lodged with the Supreme Court in February in a bid to invalidate its ruling rejecting the McCanns' libel appeal against Amaral and the makers of a TV documentary based on his book.

The document, drafted by the McCanns' Portuguese lawyer Isabel Duarte and her colleague Ricardo Correia, says: 'The appellants understand the archiving of the case took place because during the inquiry, sufficient evidence had been collected to show the 'arguidos' had not committed any crime.'

They said the removal of the McCanns' 'arguido' status had legally binding connotations and claimed the Supreme Court judges' argument 'lacked foundation and could be easily altered'.

Accusing them of acting 'frivolously' and contradicting themselves with their statements about the reasons for the 2008 probe archive, they added: 'It cannot be stated that it is not acceptable that the archiving of the case is considered the equivalent to proof of innocence.'

Mrs Duarte confirmed at the time the McCanns had lodged a formal complaint against the latest court ruling, although she declined to go into detail about why and how they were fighting it.

This has now been ruled upon, and they lost again.

Kate and Gerry McCann have lost the third and final court case to silence a police officer

The McCanns accused the Supreme Court judges who ruled against them in their court fight with ex-police chief Goncalo Amaral (pictured) of nonsensical 'contradictions'

Kate and Gerry of Rothley, Leicestershire, have said they will sue if 'The Truth of the Lie' is sold in Britain.

They said in a statement after learning of a previous Supreme Court ruling against them: 'What we have been told by our lawyers is obviously extremely disappointing.

'It is eight years since we brought the action, and in that time the landscape has changed dramatically, namely there is now a joint Metropolitan Police and Policia Judiciaria investigation which is what we have always wanted.

'The police in both countries continue to work on the basis that there is no evidence Madeleine has come to physical harm.

'We will of course be discussing the implications of the Supreme Court ruling with our lawyers in due course.'

It is believed the McCanns are discussing the possibility of taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing while on holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal

Just last week the parents of tragic Maddie faced fresh heartbreak after a criminal investigator made an outrageous claim that their daughter 'died in the apartment'.

Moita Flores, a Portuguese crime expert, has lashed out at Kate, 49, and Gerry McCann, 48, as they approach the 10th anniversary of Maddie's disappearance.

Mr Flores, who was once involved with the Policia Judiciaria - who conducted the initial search - said: 'Maddie died in that apartment, I have no doubt.'

His outburst was reported on a Portuguese website and he questioned: 'Why this child when there are so many others who have disappeared?'

Madeleine McCann disappeared from apartment 5a at the Ocean Complex in Praia da Luz in May 2007.

Gerry and Kate still hold hope that their eldest daughter, who would now be 13, is still alive despite being missing for close to a decade.

This could be Operation Grange's final year of searching for the missing child.

They have been concentrating on the notion that she was sold by child traffickers  her parents' and their first team of private investigators' initial hunch  and could still be alive.

So far the inquiry, launched in May 2011 on orders of then Prime Minister David Cameron, has cost more than 12million with topped-up funds set to run out at the end of March.
He has been relishing the quality time with his ten-month-old son Boomer since he quit swimming last summer.

But Michael Phelps, 31, took a break from his dad duties on Tuesday, to enjoy a date night with his wife Nicole at a Lakers game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The swimming ace, who scooped five gold medals at his history-making final Olympics in Rio last year, appeared to be in great spirits as he enjoyed his time off.

Scroll down for video

Michael Phelps, 31, took a break from his dad duties on Tuesday, to enjoy a date night with his wife Nicole at a Lakers game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles

The Baltimore native looked casual in a striped sweatshirt and jeans as he joined his former Miss California wife Nicole.

The pair wed in June 2016, a month after welcoming their son Boomer.

The couple's outing comes as Michael scooped Comeback of the Year after he returned to swimming and earned five more gold medals.

Phelps retired in 2012, but returned to work in 2014, to ready himself for Rio. He is the first male American swimmer to qualify for five Olympic Games.

Michael realised he was adjusting well to life as a father while walking out of a post-Olympic event last year.

'I was carrying a car seat in one hand, and a diaper bag in the other hand,' he told People in August.

The Baltimore native looked casual in a striped sweatshirt and jeans as he joined his wife, former Miss California Nicole

The couple's outing comes after Michael scooped Comeback of the Year after he returned to swimming and earned five more gold medals

The swimming ace, who scooped five gold medals at his history-making final Olympics last year, appeared to be in great spirits as he enjoyed his time off

'Nicole was carrying Boomer. And I was like, "Wow. This is my life. I'm that dad."

'It was crazy but awesome at the same time. To have it sink in that he's here, he's healthy, and I've found a stability that I didn't have before.'

Speaking about being the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, he added: 'It's great. And I really want to use it all to advance the sport of swimming.

'But for now, it's not my focus. For now, I'm a family man.'

Phelps previously admitted to having a strained relationship with his father, and said he aimed to build a very different one with Boomer.

The pair wed in June 2016, a month after welcoming son Boomer

Boomer has become something of a social media sensation thanks to the sweet posts that Michael and Nicole share of him

Phelps admitted Boomer gave him a 'stability' in his life that he didn't have before

'I know the feelings that I went through as a child, and for him, I never want him to ever go through that,' he told Today's Billy Bush last year.

'I plan to be the best father that I can possibly be.'

He recently reconciled with his father after contacting him so they could clear the air.

'We finally were able to meet and settle the things that we wanted to talk about and get off of our chest,' Phelps said.

'That's challenging: Looking at someone that you love deeply and into their eyes and tell them exactly what's been bothering you for all of these years. Accept each other's apologies and move forward.'

Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley was also at the Lakers game with a female friend

The excitable duo clapped and cheered as they watched from the front row

Singer Meghan Trainor was also in the audience at the star-studded basketball match
Mexicans in the resort of Playa del Carmen are furious after federal police allowed a grinning tourist to pose holding an officer's assault rifle.

The pictures, which have been widely shared on social media, show the topless tourist flanked by two federal officers in the popular holiday town, in southern Quintana Roo state.

Although the rifle does not have a magazine, police officers are strictly prohibited from lending out their firearms.

Local newspapers were among those criticizing the actions of the police officers

The local tourist board, Visit Riviera Maya, said the officers saying they were behaving 'as if it was all a game'

The move has been branded 'inexplicable' in a country that has serious problems with gun violence and violent crime.

Eighty federal police officers were recently deployed to Playa del Carmen to fight crime in the resort.

Five people were killed in the town in January, when a gunman opened fire at Playa del Carmen's Blue Parrot nightclub during a popular electronic music festival.

Journalists were among those criticizing the police for their actions.

Local daily newspaper Capital Quintana Roo wrote in Spanish that while officers 'were out enjoying themselves', levels of violence in the resort were rising.

Journalist Fernanda Familiar branded the incident 'inexplicable'

While journalist Fernanda Familiar branded the incident 'inexplicable', in a place where there is 'plenty of violence'.

The local tourist board, Visit Riviera Maya, also slammed the officers saying they were behaving 'as if it was all a game'.

Lalo Hernandez also complained about the picture, referring to another incident when a police patrol had allowed a group of female tourists to pose on top of their truck.

He tweeted: 'This is how the federal [police] party on the beach: they lend their weapons to tourists and give lifts to young women.'

Quintana Roo, which is also home to the holiday resort Cancun, has recently seen a rise in gun crime incidents, after avoiding much of the drug-related violence that plagues other areas of Mexico.
Preacher's daughter: Stormy Ledbetter, the 30-year-old daughter of an Oklahoma pastor, has been charged with molesting a 10-year-old boy last fall

The grown daughter of an Oklahoma pastor has been charged with sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in her father's house.

Stormy Ledbetter, 30, was taken into custody on Friday and booked into the Garvin County Jail on counts of lewd acts with a child under 16 and forcible oral sodomy.

According to the Pauls Valley Police Department, Ledbetter's arrest on a warrant issued last Thursday came at the conclusion of a five-month investigation.

An affidavit filed in the case stated that a man went to the police last October claiming that his 10-year-old son had been molested by Stormy Ledbetter.

When the child was forensically interviewed by investigators in Norman, Oklahoma, he allegedly 'made disclosures of sexual abuse' that mirrored his father's statements.

Ledbetter is the daughter of the current pastor of the Paul Valley Church of the Nazarene, Claude Ledbetter, 60, and the alleged sexual abuse took place at her parents' home where she lives.

Stormy is the daughter of Pastor Claude Ledbetter and his wife Rhonda (pictured together, left). The woman lives with her parents, which is where the alleged abuse occurred last October

Pastor Ledbetter came to his daughters defense when interviewed by NewsChannel4, insisting that Stormy has been wrongfully accused and was innocent.

According to social media posts, Claude Ledbetter and wife Rhonda have five grown children, including Stormy Ledbetter, and several grandchildren.

The 30-year-old woman, who goes by the moniker 'Punk Barbie' online, is believed to have a young son.

Stormy Ledbetter was being held in the Garvin County Jail on $150,000 bond. If convicted of the charges against her, the woman could face up to 40 years in prison.

Dad's on her side: Ledbetter, the current pastor of the Paul Valley Church of the Nazarene and the father of five, said his daughter has been wrongfully accused

Edgy: The 30-year-old woman, who goes by the moniker 'Punk Barbie' online, is believed to have a young son

According to an article published in the Pauls Valley Democrat in July 2016, Stormy and her father survived a serious crash while riding in a three-wheel motorcycle.

The article reported that the woman was thrown 35 feet air when her fathers Honda motorcycle veered off the road and smashed into a fence.

Claude Ledbetter had served as a chaplain with the Pauls Valley Police Department before the allegations against his daughter came to light. He has since left the post to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
A Ukrainian judge who was mocked for looking like a Disney villain says she forgives the online comedians who claimed she looked like Ursula from the Little Mermaid.

Ukrainian justice Alla Bandura, 57, became a laughing stock when a photo emerged of her at work at her court in Mylniv in western Ukraine's Rivne Oblast region.

With her extraordinary quiffed, two-tone hair, her extreme eyeliner and bright red lipstick many said she was a real life double of Little Mermaid baddie Ursula.

Bandura has now spoken out of the photo, saying it was taken ten years ago and that she had done her makeup 'pretty fast' because she had to get back to work after having an official photo taken for her court.

Ukrainian justice Alla Bandura, 57, became a laughing stock when a photo emerged of her looking like Ursula from the Little Mermaid while at her court in Mylniv in the Rivne Oblast region

She said: 'The picture was taken ten years ago to be posted in the official printed edition of the judicial system of Ukraine.'

'I was working on a case and somebody told me the photographer was coming,' she added. I put on makeup pretty fast, because I had to get back to my work.

'This is how the picture was taken. I do take care about my looks and about my hair.'

The judge said she only became aware of her worldwide viral fame when her niece called her in tears.

'I became aware of my popularity on social media from my little niece,' she said. 'She was crying when she called me asking if I was going to be fired.

'I did not understand at first what she was talking about. Then I said everything is going to be OK and nobody will fire me.'

Bandura has now spoken out of the photo, saying it was taken ten years ago and that she had done her makeup 'pretty fast' because she had to get back to work after having an official photo taken for her court

The judge said she only became aware of her worldwide viral fame when her niece called her in tears, fearing her aunt would be fired over the photo

Now Judge Bandura says she can laugh about her online fame and will not be pursuing any of her mockers for damages.

'I am not holding any grudges against online comedians,' she said. 'It is just weird that because of some not great makeup I have to listen to jokes about my looks. But I will survive.

'I even forgive the man who posted the pic online, though it would have been right if he would have asked for my opinion before posting it online.'

Mrs Bandura, a judge in northern Ukraine's Rivne oblast region, is clearly made of sterner stuff.

But whereas Ursula the villainess was killed with a ship's mast by the hero, Prince Eric, in the Little Mermaid, Judge Bandura has actually survived an assassination attempt.

Some Ukrainian critics on the Internet also suggested she looked like a missing member of the rock band Kiss

In 2006 two unknown assailants stabbed her 12 times but she survived.

Some Ukrainian critics on the Internet also suggested she looked like a missing member of the rock band Kiss.

Natalia Pishuk joked: 'All she needs is finding a good stylist who would transform her into one of the most stylish judges. All she needs is to wish for one.'

But Vladimir Penyak came to her defence,: 'It is unfair to judge her by her look. This woman with poor make-up is somebody's wife and mother. People should be more considerate.'

Aleksey Golubotskiy hit back: 'It is a free country. We can laugh at her picture as much as we want to.'
The alleged white supremacist accused of stabbing to death a black man in Manhattan left an NYPD precinct on Wednesday afternoon, dressed in a hazmat suit and staring straight ahead.

James Harris Jackson, 28, said nothing as he left the midtown precinct at 3 PM, flanked by officers.

Jackson has been charged with the murder of 66-year-old homeless man Timothy Caughman, after stabbing him on Monday night in Hell's Kitchen after an argument in the street.

On Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement addressing the attack.

'Like all New Yorkers, I am appalled by the senseless murder of Timothy Caughman. In New York, no one should feel unsafe for who they are, and this despicable attack on one New Yorker is an attack on all New Yorkers,' he said.

The alleged white supremacist accused of stabbing to death a black man in Manhattan left an NYPD precinct on Wednesday afternoon, dressed in a white hazmat suit and staring straight ahead

James Harris Jackson, 28, has been identified as a military veteran who served in Afghanistan

In several older Facebook photos, Jackson can be seen posing in uniform with his mother and father

The veteran (pictured here with his father) is allegedly a member of a documented hate group in Maryland and came to Manhattan for the purpose of killing black people

He is accused of killing homeless man Timothy Caughman, a 66-year-old described as living in a 'transitional home' for people with HIV/AIDS

'We will not allow the forces of racism and hate to intimidate or divide us. Let me be very clear: this disturbing act of violence goes against everything New York stands for,' Governor Cuomo continued.

'Not only must we repudiate this attack, but we must continue to deny that the ideas behind this cowardly crime have any place in democratic society.'

Jackson is allegedly a member of a documented hate group in Maryland and an army veteran who served in Afghanistan. It has been claimed that he traveled from Baltimore to New York for the express purpose of killing black people.

Caughman stumbled into a police station after being stabbed multiple times in the back and chest on Monday, but died at the hospital. The NYPD issued surveillance footage of the suspect running through the street afterwards in a bid to find him.

Later, Jackson presented himself to officers at the Times Square substation after midnight Tuesday, telling them: 'You need to arrest me. I have the knife in my coat.'

Police found two knives - one of which was the 26-inch black sword reportedly used to kill Caughman - in his jacket at the station, where he was kept for questioning.

Jackson was pictured in surveillance footage police released on Monday; he handed himself in to police in Times Square after midnight Tuesday

Jackson presented himself to officers at the Times Square substation, telling them: 'You need to arrest me. I have the knife in my coat'

Police found two knives - one of which was the 26-inch black sword reportedly used to kill Caughman - in Jackson's coat at the station, where he was kept for questioning

Surveillance footage captured the young man quickly walking down the street after the stabbing took place

The New York Post reported that Caughman (pictured with actor Michael K Williams) refused to tell police about the incident before he died in hospital

The New York Daily News cited police sources who said Jackson came to Manhattan eager to kill and had 'rage against black men who get romantically involved with white women.'

NYPD said Jackson revealed to them that he chose New York City specifically because of its reputation as 'the media capital of the world' and that he 'wanted to make a statement.'

'Its been well over 10 years that he has been harboring his hate towards blacks,' NYPD Assistant Chief William Aubrey said, according to the Daily News.

The New York Post reported that Caughman refused to tell police about the incident before he died in the hospital.

The Daily News also reported that the victim was living in 'transitional housing' in the area for people with HIV/AIDS, and had 11 past arrests for charges including marijuana, assault, resisting arrest and menacing.

Detectives refused to give more details about the arrest on Wednesday. Calls to Jackson's family home in Baltimore have gone unanswered.

The incident took place in Hell's Kitchen - near the corner of West 36th Street and 9th Avenue (pictured) on Monday at 11.30 PM
The White House made a final plea to conservative lawmakers on Wednesday to get behind the GOP's healthcare bill.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer warned in his daily briefing that they would not have another chance to repeal and replace the existing health law.

'There is not Plan B. There is Plan A and Plan A,' he proclaimed, later saying, 'This is the only train leaving the station.'

The House's chief voter counter, Steve Scalise, was spotted at the White House as Trump played let's make a deal with 18 lawmakers.

And yet, by close of business the bill appeared no closer to passing tomorrow, based on current whip counts.

The White House made a final plea to conservative lawmakers on Wednesday to get behind the GOP's healthcare bill. The president is pictured at a meeting on women's health this morning in the Roosevelt Room of the White House

The president this morning said that he was 'working hard' to get the votes his party needs to repeal and replace Obamacare by tomorrow

CBS News had 28 lawmakers in the no column. The Wall Street Journal had a list of 31. The GOP can afford just 21 defections within the ranks of its 237 lawmakers.

President Donald Trump said this morning that he was 'working hard' to get the votes his party needs to repeal and replace Obamacare by tomorrow.

Rep. Patrick McHenry told a group of reporters who happened upon him while they were waiting for the president that he and other Republican legislators were on the premises to work through a 'myriad' of concerns with the White House.

McHenry said he was 'bringing them to the closer,' a nickname Republicans on the Hill have given Trump.

Rep. Jim Jordan, the founder of the ultra conservative House caucus that could sink the bill, said Wednesday morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe program that GOP leadership does not have the votes it needs to pass the legislation on Thursday as things currently stand.

'Unless there's real change, fundamental change, I do not see how they get to the 216 number they need to pass it tomorrow night,' he said.

Jordan and other members of the House's Freedom Caucus are planning to oppose the budget bill because it does not sufficiently gut Obamacare. It does not lower premiums, either, they say.

The White House and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill are promising that those measures will come in the third 'prong' of their three-part plan to repeal and replace the existing health law.

But Rand Paul said Wednesday in an MSNBC interview, also during Morning Joe, that those legislative actions are 'never gonna happen.'

The Kentucky senator and licensed medical professional has been one of the most vocal critics of the House health bill, working with conservatives in the lower chamber to help thwart it so a new plan that gets to the heart of what Republicans really want can be developed.

On MSNBC, Paul said he considered the talks the White House and legislators are currently having the 'pre-negotiation phase.'

He predicted that House Speaker Paul Ryan will have to pull the current bill before tomorrow's vote because it cannot pass.

'Then the real negotiation begins. That's what we're ready for,' he said.

Asked Wednesday if he would keep trying to get a health care reform bill passed if the one fails that's on the table, Trump quietly told reporters, 'We'll see what happens.'

Trump's press secretary, Sean Spicer, refused to consider a scenario in which additional maneuvering would be necessary. 'We're going to get it done. That's it - plain and simple,' he told reporters during his afternoon briefing.

His press secretary refused to consider a scenario in which additional maneuvering would be necessary.

'We're going to get it done. That's it - plain and simple,' he told reporters during his afternoon briefing.

Pressed to outline potential next steps, Spicer was resolute in his position.

'Were going to repeal and replace it tomorrow, move it through the Senate, and the President will sign the bill,' he said.

'We continue to see the enthusiasm and momentum coming to our direction. So Im not looking, as I mentioned, were not looking at a Plan B. We have Plan A, its going to pass, and were going to go from there.'

Should the legislation make it from the House to the Senate, Paul and three other conservatives in the upper chamber - Mike Lee, Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton - have said they will not vote for it, rendering it dead on arrival.

Republicans can afford even fewer no votes in the upper chamber - two, if Vice President Mike Pence acts as a tiebreaker.

The president went to the Capitol Tuesday morning to make an in-person push for the House bill. He told congressional lawmakers from his party during the closed-door meeting that their jobs are on the line.

'Many of you came in on the pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare. I honestly think many of you will lose your seats in 2018 if you don't get this done,' he bluntly told them at the GOP-only gathering, Politico reported.

He was even more direct with Rep. Mark Meadows, head of the Freedom Caucus.

'I'm gonna come after you, but I know I won't have to, because I know you'll vote 'yes,' ' Trump told Meadows, according to the Washington Post. 'Honestly, a loss is not acceptable, folks.'

Senator Rand Paul predicted this morning that House Speaker Paul Ryan will have to pull the current bill before tomorrow's vote because it cannot pass

Trump's spokesman claimed later that the president was 'having fun' when he made the remarks.

'He continued to express hope that congressman Meadows, who is head of the Freedom Caucus, would continue to see the efforts that have been to make this better.'

Some lawmakers said afterward it seemed Trump was joking, while others complained that Meadows got slapped around. The North Carolina congressman said he was still a 'no' after the challenge.

'I've had no indication that any of my Freedom Caucus colleagues have switched their votes,' he told the Washington Post. Meadows also said, 'I didn't take anything he said as threatening anybody's political future.'

Spicer insisted in his daily briefing that Trump was not, in fact, issuing a threat. He said Trump merely hit on 'a political reality.'

NO HARM, NO FOUL: Trump told House Freedom Caucus head Mark Meadows he would 'come after him' in the next election if he voted against the health care bill. The White House said later that Trump was joking and Meadows said he didn't take it as a threat

'I think if you go out and promise the American people something and your voters something, especially on a scale like this....to go and make a promise and a pledge of this magnitude and not to follow it through, I'm sure that voters would be upset.'

The president trip to the Capitol came hours after GOP leaders revealed changes to the legislation in advance of a vote this week.

He told them it wasn't just the nation's health care system that was on the line, but also their own employment.

'I'm asking for your vote on Thursday,' Trump said, according to Politico.

Later Trump told lawmakers attending the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraiser, 'There are the conservative solutions we campaign on and these are the conservative solutions the American people asked us as, a group, to deliver.'

'I think we're going to have some great surprises. I hope that it's going to all work out.'

Wednesday morning Trump indicated that the health care bill remained his top focus. 'Big day for healthcare. Working hard!' he said in his first tweet of the day.

Appearing on MSNBC earlier in the morning, Jordan signaled to GOP leaders and the White House that the conversation doesn't have to be over yet.

'We're still willing to talk. We want to do what we told the American people we would do. We want to work with them, but you have to do something's that consistent with what we told the American people what we promised them we would accomplish,' the Ohio representative said.

Paul said later in the program, shortly before the president tweeted: 'I read the Art of the Deal, and the deal's not done until the deal is done.'

His disapproval of the bill is also centered on the 'spiraling upward premiums.' Paul wants a proposal that would allow individuals to buy insurance through large associations like AARP included in the Obamacare replacement plan.

'All of the things i just mentioned, I don't believe Paul Ryan or[HHS Secretary] Tom Price or Donald Trump disagree with me on,' he said. 'They are not putting them in the bill, this is their bucket three, which is never gonna happen.'

The administration is refusing to include premium-lowering measures in the reconciliation bill because they say that it would be a violation of the process.

Reconciliation, which lowers the threshold for passage, can only be used on budget bills, per the rules of the Senate.

Paul said the GOP is sticking with the 'arcane' rules because they are 'afraid' of the Senate parliamentarian.

The chair gets to decide what's reconcilable, he said. So put the formal president of the Senate, the vice president, in the chair and let him decide.

That plan would work, Paul told MSNBC. 'Only if we have the guts to do it. I don't know if we have the guts to do it,' he said.

'If they want this done, the vice president should come to the Senate,' he said.
Thousands of gay men prosecuted and jailed under an arcane German law are due to get compensation after the government passed a draft bill on Wednesday to quash their convictions.

About 50,000 men were punished under the law that was drawn up in the 19th Century, strengthened by the Nazis and only dropped in 1969 when homosexuality was decriminalised.

Each surviving man will get 3,000 euros ($3,200) in compensation and 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison, the justice ministry said in a statement.

Only about 5,000 men are eligible for compensation, as most of those prosecuted have since died.

About 50,000 gay menwere punished under the law that was drawn up in the 19th Century, strengthened by the Nazis and only dropped in 1969 when homosexuality was decriminalised. They are now set to receive compensation

'The rehabilitation of men who stood trial only because of their homosexuality is overdue,' Justice Minister Heiko Maas said.

'Only because of their love of men, because of their sexual identity were they persecuted, fined and ostracized.'

The law still needs to be approved by the Bundestag lower house of parliament.

'The victims of this injustice have had to wait a long time,' said Christine Lueders, head of Germany's Anti-Discrimination Agency, a body that helped push through the reform.

'They had suffered all their lives from the sentences and the consequences.'

In 2000, Germany's parliament approved a resolution regretting the fact that Paragraph 175 was retained after the war.

Two years later, it annulled the convictions of gay men under Nazi rule, but not post-war convictions.

The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany 'welcomes the fact that, after long decades of ignorance, legal consequences are being drawn from the serious mass human rights violations that were committed against homosexual people by the democratic state,' spokesman Helmut Metzner said.

The bill is automatic and won't require applications, though people will have to apply to prosecutors if they want formal certification.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas (pictured) said that the bill is 'overdue'. The law still needs to be approved by the Bundestag lower house of parliament

It will exclude men who were convicted for homosexual activities with children or for acts that involved violence or threats.

It also will apply to men convicted in communist East Germany, which had a milder version of Paragraph 175 on the books and decriminalized homosexuality in 1968. About 4,300 men are believed to have been convicted there.

In all, some 68,300 people were convicted under various forms of Paragraph 175 in both German states before it was scrapped in 1994.

In addition to individual compensation, the government plans to give an annual 500,000 euros in funding to the Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation, named after a pioneering German sex researcher and gay-rights activist of the post-World War I period.

The foundation is working on documenting the stories of men convicted under Paragraph 175.

In October, the British government announced that thousands of men convicted under now-abolished laws outlawing homosexuality would receive posthumous pardons, while those still alive will be eligible to have their criminal records wiped clean.

A few other countries, including Canada and New Zealand, are considering pardons for people convicted under now-repealed laws against gay sex.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said there is no way the Trump campaign can be expected to know everything about its staff  after a bombshell report that campaign chief Paul Manafort got paid $10 million a year by a pro-Putin Russian oligarch.

Spicer dismissed the work Manafort did to promote Putin from 2006 to 2009 as work from 'a decade ago,' and indicated Trump didn't know about it.

'What else dont we know  where he went to school, what grades he got. Who he played with in the sandbox?' he said, arguing that a campaign can't possibly know everything about its staff.

Spicer also tried to walk back his own earlier comment that Manafort had a 'very limited role' in the campaign  both acknowledging Manafort's actual role, then diminishing it.

'Clearly I should have been more precise with respect to Pauls role,' he said, after being asked how being the campaign's top official was such a role.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment about Paul Manafort since he doesn't work for the White House after reports about his work to boost Vladimir Putin

He responded with precise dates, saying Manafort got brought on March 28, 2016 to oversee the campaign's delegate operation, got named chief strategist May 19th, and his 'relationship' with the campaign ended August 19th.

Manafort ran the campaign for several months.

'He was hired to count delegates, which he did successfully,' he said. 'He was hired to do a job and he did it. He did it fine.'

Spicer noted that Manafort did the same thing for previous GOP nominees.

'In the past decade he had a client,' Spicer said. 'I dont know what work he was doing.'

But he described it as impossible to know everything about the backgrounds of a campaign staff - even as he admitted Trump's was 'lean.'

'To suggest that everyone knew everybodys background  did they pay their taxes? How much deduction did they take?' isn't realistic, Spicer said.

'I dont know what was on his forms or what not was on his forms,' he said, pressed about what Manafort did an did not disclose to the campaign. 'Its not that Paul wasnt truthful,' he added.

He also pointed to Hillary Clinton's failed 'reset' with Russia, and said 'The Clintons had much more extensive ties' than Trump.

'The president has no personal financial dealings with Russia,' he said. 'His ties are limited to hosting a contest in Russia once [and] in selling a Palm Beach home to a businessman in 2005 and that's it,' he said.

Trump went to Moscow for the Miss Universe Pageant in 2013, and sold his Palm Beach mansion to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2008 for $95 million, $13 million more than the most expensive Palm Beach mansion on the market at the time.

Spicer said earlier Wednesday it would be 'inappropriate' to talk about formerTrump campaign manager Paul Manafort  following a stunning report that Manafort got paid millions to promote Vladimir Putin on behalf of a Russian oligarch.

Spicer's mum stance is just the latest effort to put distance between the former top campaign official and his Russia ties  after earlier calling his role helming Trump's campaign as 'minimal' and limited.

It would be 'inappropriate for us to comment on a person who is not a White House employee,' Spicer told NBC Wednesday.

Manafort never followed Trump to the White House, having gotten axed from his leading campaign job following reports about his Russia ties, which included doing work for a pro-Kremlin Urkanian political party.

On Monday, Spicer was even more dismissive. 'There's been a discussion of Paul Manafort, who played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time,' he said.

Manafort ran Trump's campaign for five months.

Spicer's comments came after a bombshell Associated Press report that Manafort secretly worked for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska to promote the government of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He got a $10 million annual contract from 2006 to at least 2009, AP reported, citing a person familiar with the work and business records.

Supposed bit player Paul Manafort (right) was Trump's campaign manager for five months last year

Kellyanne Conway said Tuesday that President Donald Trump 'doesn't know' two former associates who advised his campaign last year

The work a decade ago involved advancing Putin's interests and pushing a strategy to undermine anti-Russian sentiment in former Soviet republics.

Manafort broke his silence through a spokesman on Wednesday afternoon to say he had never worked for the Russian government itself, and that his work for Deripaska had never been secret.

'I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments,' his spokesman said in a statement to CNN.

'My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests,' Manafort said in a statement his spokesman provided to CNN.

In a separate statement he said: 'I have always publicly acknowledged that I worked for Mr. Deripaska and his company, Rusal, to advance its interests.

'For example, one of the projects involved supporting a referendum in Montenegro that allowed that country to choose membership in the [European Union], a measure that Russia opposed.

'I did not work for the Russian government. Once again, smear and innuendo are being used to paint a false picture. I look forward to meeting with those conducting serious investigations of these issues to discuss the actual facts.'

The revelations come just days after FBI Director James Comey revealed the FBI is investigating links between Trump campaign associates and theRussian government.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed Monday that Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign manager, was a bit player; Manafort is reportedly under investigation for Russia ties

Conway cast Carter Page (left) and J.D. Gordon (right) as 'fringe players' in the Trump campaign  as they are reportedly under an FBI spotlight for their links with Russia

'I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts,' Comey at a House Intelligence committee hearing Monday.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also has made statements diminishing the role of former Trump campaign aides and associates who may have Russia links.

On Tuesday, while appearing on on 'Fox & Friends,' Conway said that that Carter Page, a onetime campaign foreign policy adviser, and J.D. Gordon, who served as a national security adviser, were 'fringe players' whom Trump doesn't know personally.

'I have spoken directly to the president and other senior officials about this,' Conway said.

'He doesn't know these gentlemen. He didn't work with them,' she said.

The FBI and two intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia sought to undermine the November election.

The White House has denied any collusion with the Russians took place.

Page and Gordon are reportedly targets of the FBI investigation, along with former Trump-whisperer Roger Stone.

'In the case of Mr. Page, Mr. Gordon, some others, they really have very attenuated contacts to the campaign that I managed for the last three months,' Conway said.
Barry Cadden, 50, is the co-founder of the now-closed New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts

The co-founder of a Massachusetts pharmacy was acquitted on Wednesday of causing the deaths of 25 people but was convicted of other racketeering charges in a nationwide meningitis outbreak in 2012.

Barry Cadden was charged with 25 counts of second-degree murder, conspiracy and other charges under the federal racketeering law. He was blamed for the deadly outbreak that overall killed 64 people and sickened 700 others in 20 states.

After five days of deliberations, the jury found that he wasn't responsible for the deaths. But they also found him guilty of racketeering, conspiracy and mail fraud charges.

The 50-year-old will be released on bail while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for June 21.

In September 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began investigating an outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections in patients who had received steroid injections made by the New England Compounding Center in Framingham. The outbreak affected people in 20 states. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee were hardest hit.

Compounding pharmacies mix customized medications for patients in the strength and dosage they require.

Cadden (pictured going to court last week) was blamed for the deaths of 25 people in a meningitis outbreak that was allegedly caused by dangerous practices in the company

During the two-month trial, prosecutors said Cadden ran the company in an 'extraordinarily dangerous' way by skirting industry regulations on sterility and cleanliness in an effort to push production and make more money.

'It was preventable, but it happened because this man, Barry Cadden, decided to put profits before patients,' Assistant US Attorney Amanda Strachan told the jury during closing arguments.

During a hearing in January, Assistant US Attorney George Varghese told the jury that 17,600 bottles contaminated by mold were shipped to 23 different states in the fall of 2012.

Cadden's lawyers said he was not responsible for the deaths. They said Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist, ran the so-called clean rooms where drugs were made. Chin has pleaded not guilty to similar charges.

Barry Cadden pictured at a House Energy and Commerce Oversight subcommittee hearing on 'The Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Could It Have Been Prevented?'

'As horrible as each of these stories is, there is nothing that shows that Mr. Cadden did something that the government can link to the death of that person,' attorney Bruce Singal told the jury.

Prosecutors said NECC also used expired ingredients and falsified logs to make it look like the clean rooms had been disinfected when they had not.

After the outbreak, regulators found multiple potential sources of contamination, including standing water, mold and bacteria in the air and on workers' gloved fingertips. NECC filed for bankruptcy after it was hit with hundreds of lawsuits from victims or their estates. NECC and several related companies reached a $200 million civil settlement with victims and their families.

In 2013, Congress increased federal oversight of compounding pharmacies, which mix personalized medications for patients and supply them directly to hospitals and doctors.
More than 500 Iraqi and Syrain refugees bound for Australia have been denied entry after their names appeared on an international security watchlist.

Deemed 'security risks' the names of those barred from entering the country were picked up by the Five Eyes intelligence network.

However the list has been described as 'unusual and disturbing', as it has found risks among priority family groups seeking refuge, rather than individual males of a fighting age.

The news comes after the Federal government announced it has welcomed 10,000 Syrian refugees and issued another 2000 visas to people fleeing the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

More than 500 Iraqi and Syrian refugees have been refused entry into Australia after their names appeared on an international watchlist

The list has been described as 'unusual and disturbing', as it has found risks among priority family groups seeking refuge, rather than individual males of a fighting age

The Australian reports that at least 30 refugees that were red-flagged, also appeared on the national security terrorism watchlist produced by ASIO, with some having adverse national security profiles.

The Five Eyes security agreement between Australia, the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand was used in the Federal government's one-off humanitarian program, announced in 2015.

Around 17,000 biometric scans were done on potential Iraqi and Syrian refugees to Australia, since October 2015.

Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton confirmed that there had been 'adverse findings' but praised the thorough processes implemented by the government

Ion those that seeked to settle in Australia.

Speaking at the Migration and Settlement Awards in Canberra, Malcolm Turnbull praised national security as an important cornerstone of immigration policy.

It is expected that Christian refugees fleeing war-torn Syria were prioritised over Muslims in the resettlement of 10,000 refugees.
President Donald Trump will return to the campus of Liberty University and give this year's commencement address on May 13.

'I look forward to speaking to this amazing group of students on such a momentous occasion,' Trump told CBN News' David Brody, who first broke the news. 'Our children truly are the future and I look forward to celebrating the success of this graduating class as well as sharing lessons as they embark on their next chapter full of hope, faith, optimism, and a passion for life.'

Earning the endorsement of Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. last January helped give Trump a boost among evangelical voters as the Republican primaries were beginning to get underway.

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President Trump (left) will return to Lynchburg, Virginia to give the commencement address at Liberty University, as the college's president Jerry Falwell Jr. (right) was an early supporter

Now President Donald Trump (left) was presented with a Trump jersey at Liberty University by the school's president Jerry Falwell Jr. on January 18, 2016. Later that month Falwell personally endorsed Trump for president

Republican candidate Donald Trump posed for selfies after he spoke onstage at Liberty University in January 2016

Now President Donald Trump appeared before students at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia as the GOP primaries were about to begin

Trump visited the Lynchburg, Virginia-based school on Martin Luther King Jr. day in 2016 where Falwell referred to the thrice married New York businessman as a 'breath of fresh air.'

'In my opinion, Mr. Trump lives a life of loving and helping others ... as Jesus taught in the New Testament,' Falwell proclaimed.

In his own remarks the now-president told students that 'Christianity, it's under siege.'

He also famously referred to the Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 3:17 as 'Two Corinthians' instead of 'Second Corinthians,' which is the proper parlance.

But no matter for Trump.

By the end of January, Falwell, whose televangelist father had founded the university, had issued a statement saying he was giving his personal endorsement to the billionaire Republican, as the school itself was prohibited from endorsing a candidate.

Falwell called Trump 'a successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again.'

The college president continued to pay Trump a kindness by traveling to Cleveland last July to speak on the GOP nominee's behalf at the Republican National Convention.

Now, Trump will return to Falwell's turf, despite the fact that in the weeks before the election students protested the school president's endorsement and the comments Falwell made in support of Trump after the notorious 'p****' Access Hollywood tape came to light.

'Donald Trump does not represent our values and we want nothing to do with him,' a statement from the group Liberty United Against Trump read, according to the Washington Post. 'He has made his name by maligning others and bragging about his sins.'

'Not only is Donald Trump a bad candidate for president, he is actively promoting the very things that we as Christians ought to oppose,' the students wrote.

But Falwell, who visited the White House last week with his family, suggested that so far Trump is enthralling evangelicals, many of which are his students.

'His supporters, including over 80 percent of the evangelical community, are thrilled with President Trump's actions so far,' Falwell told CBN News.

'The fact that the mainstream media and the Establishment  on the left and the right  remain in attack mode with their often baseless and dishonest claims against Trump is a sign that President Trump is doing a wonderful job,' he added.
Elisabeth Faye Cannon, a woman who had complained about 'bad blacks' in her neighborhood, has been indicted after shooting a black teen in the head as he walked in the street outside her house

A woman from Georgia who is accused of shooting a teenager in the head has been indicted by a grand jury.

Elisabeth Faye Cannon allegedly shot Vernon Marcus Jr. after he and others were throwing rocks at her house in January.

The 47-year-old is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated battery because police say she fired at another teenager but didnt hit him outside her house.

She had police that the victim and his friends had been throwing rocks at her home for a week prior to the attack.

But another young man who was with Marcus the night of the shooting said that it was Cannon who had been harassing them - yelling racial slurs at them and claiming they had broken into her house.

The teenager survived the shooting but can no longer talk or walk.

Cannon sat down with WMAZ for an interview to defend her actions.

She claimed Marcus and two or three other teens started throwing rocks at her house months ago, but that 'things got worse' in the first week of January - with the group targeting her for five days in a row.

In an interview Elisabeth Cannon claims that she is sorry that the teenager was injured but says she had 'no other choice'

She says she saw the group and told them to stay away from her house. They responded by cursing her out and calling her names.

Cannon then called the Bibb County Sheriff's Office again to complain, and a deputy came out and told the teens they were not to return to the street.

But Cannon says that didn't stop them.

She was at a neighbor's house when she says she saw the group return. She says she waited until they were out of sight then went back to her own home.

When she got there, Cannon claims the teens appeared again and that's when she fired the shots.

Vernon Marcus Jr. survived the shooting but can no longer walk or talk. Cannon's home is seen above, with 'Keep Out' and 'Private Property' signs posted outside

'I saw them out of the corner of my eye,' she said. 'The barrage of big rocks started, not just at my car and house, but me.

'I started shooting in their direction. They started running,' Cannon said.

Though she feels she was defending herself, she says she feels remorseful for 'accidentally' hitting the teen in the head.

'Maybe it wasn't the best decision to make, but I thought eventually they might hurt us,' she said.

Since the incident, the Macon Telegraph has also highlighted a previous interview they did with Cannon back in 2013, when she was concerned about the safety in her neighborhood.

In the interview, she complained about 'good black neighbors' not reining in the 'bad blacks'.

'I have some really good black neighbors. But the good blacks won't get onto the bad blacks,' Cannon said.

'You try not to profile, but at the same time, 99.9 per cent of the crime is gonna be, most often, a black male. ...The good blacks are too busy. They walk by your house, they won't give it a second look. ...You can tell if they're just out walking for exercise or going to the store or whether they're up to something.'
Authorities in upstate New York have charged a couple with killing their special-needs teenage son and setting their rural home on fire to conceal the killing.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday that 35-year-old Ernest Franklin II and 33-year-old Heather Franklin have been charged with second-degree murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence.

Officials say a fire was reported around 1.15am on March 1 at the family's home in the town of Guilford, 55 miles southeast of Syracuse. The couple's son, 16-year-old Jeffrey 'JR' Franklin, was found dead inside.

Sheriff Ernest Cutting said an autopsy later determined the fire did not kill Jeffrey and that he was dead before the blaze ignited. The cause of the child's death has not been released.

Couple charged: Heather Franklin, 33, and Ernest Franklin, 35, of upstate New York, have been charged with murdering their adopted special-needs son, 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin (pictured together)

Inferno: Officials believe the Franklins killed their son and then set their house in Mount Upton, New York, on March 1 to cover up the crime

The case began unfolding on the morning of March 1 when firefighters responded to a call about a house fire at 457 State Highway 8 in Mount Upton.

Investigators later found that the blaze was caused by a wood stove, which the Franklin family used to heat their home.

When first responders were finally able to enter the charred double-wide trailer, they discovered a body in a bedroom.

News of JR Franklin's death and the destruction of the family's residence prompted an outpouring of support from their friends.

Neighbor Dominick Gildersleeve told the station WBNG in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy that the Franklins were known in the community for their kindness and willingness to help those in need.

Those who knew the couple said Ernest Franklin was an Iraq War veteran and his wife of six years, Heather, was a stay-at-home mom expecting their second child.

The Franklins reportedly adopted Jeffrey about seven years ago. The boy was deaf and had autism.

His obituary described the 16-year-old as a 'joyful spirit' who loved trains and enjoyed books.

Jeffrey, known as 'JR', was deaf and had autism. The couple adopted him about seven years ago

In her final status update before the arrest, which she posted on March 19, Mrs Franklin wrote she was 'still feeling lost without JR to take care of'

'He liked to sort items by color, build things with Lego and enjoyed family games days, the March 3 tribute read.

In the wake of the fire, Dominick Gildersleeve launched a GoFundMe page to help the bereaved parents. The fundraiser had drawn more than $11,000 in donations before news of the charges against Heather and Ernest began spreading and the page was taken down.

Gildersleeve told The Daily Star this week that many donors have been demanding their money back but he was unable return the donations because he said the Franklins have already withdrawn the cash from the account.

The neighbor and his wife, who live across the street from where the Franklins home had stood, have been caring for the displaced family's menagerie of animals, including cows, chickens and dogs.

'My family has been takne advantage of in every way possible, the man lamented.

On Tuesday, Heather and Ernest Franklin were booked into Chenango County Jail without bail pending their arraignment.

Ernest, said to be an Iraq War veteran, married Heather,a stay-at-home mom, in 2011

Expecting: A week before the fire, Mrs Franklin shared her ultrasound pictures, revealing she was 20 weeks pregnant with a baby boy

The couple appeared in Town of Guilford Court on Wednesday morning and were each charged with second-degree murder, arson and evidence tempering. Both pleaded not guilty to the counts.

On her Facebook page, Heather Franklin described herself as a 'stay at home, home schooling mom.'

In her final status update before the arrest, which she posted on March 19, Mrs Franklin wrote she was 'still feeling lost without JR to take care of.'

She then went on to say, 'However through all this we have not had to worry about any physical needs as it seems God has used the people around us to show us so much love and support.'

The soon-to-be jailed woman wrote that she and her husband had been staying with friends but were preparing to move into a new home furnished with donated items.

She also shared a link to an online gift registry asking people for dozens of additional household goods, including bedding, towels, utensils, toiletries, as well as appliances. The wish list, titled 'Fire Recovery,' was still active on the site CheckedTwice.com as of Wednesday afternoon.

A week before the fire, Mrs Franklin shared her ultrasound pictures, revealing she was 20 weeks pregnant with a baby boy.
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Police have named the officer who was killed by a knifeman terrorist in London and revealed the death toll in the attack has risen to five.

Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed to death outside Parliament by the attacker who brought carnage to London yesterday, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing three and injuring around 40 more.

A Hyundai 4x4 drove along the pavement on the crowded bridge, knocking down the public before crashing into a fence below Big Ben.

The killer, described by witnesses as 'middle-aged and Asian', then managed to break into the grounds of Parliament, where he fatally stabbed Mr Palmer - who had 15 years service with the police - with two knives.

The attacker - who was shot at least twice by armed officers guarding the building - died after he was taken to hospital while married husband and father Mr Palmer - a former soldier in the Royal Artillery - died at the scene.

Speaking after the attack, Prime Minister Theresa May vowed Britain would 'never give in to terror' and 'defeat hate and evil' after she blasted the 'sick and depraved' attack in Westminster.

She added the 'forces of evil would never drive Britain apart' and praised police and security staff who 'ran towards danger even as they encouraged others to move away'.

Three other police officers were injured, two of whom were last night in a 'serious condition'.

Prime Minister Theresa May was bundled into her car by a plain-clothes police officer and driven quickly from the scene as the attack unfolded. She chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra Committee tonight.

Scotland Yard said the attack, which came a year to the day after the atrocities in Brussels, was being treated 'as an Islamic-related terrorism'.

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Police officer Keith Palmer was killed by a knifeman before the attacker was shot by other officers outside Parliament. Emergency services desperately tried to save him, pictured, but he succumbed to his wounds

Mr Palmer, 48, pictured, was a husband and father and said to have served with the Met Police for 15 years

MP James Cleverly said he had known PC Palmer for 25 years after previously serving in the Royal Artillery with him, describing him as a 'lovely man and friend'

The suspected terrorist, pictured on a stretcher, is also dead, along with three pedestrians killed when the attacker drove a 4x4 across Westminster Bridge, ploughing down and seriously injuring at least 20. He had two knives (ringed)

The attacker was put on a stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament. He later died

This was the scene as the attacker was taken away to hospital following the attack. He killed four people

Two knives lay on the cobbles in front of Parliament after the attacker was shot by armed police protecting the building

PC Palmer was a member of the Parliamentary Diplomatic Protection Command and had served on the force for 15 years.

Paying tribute to the officer tonight, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said: 'He [PC Palmer] was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and he had every right to expect that would happen.'

More tributes have poured in via social media for the police officer, with many describing him as a 'hero'.

Others have sent their best wishes and condolences to his family and praised PC Palmer for his dedication to keeping the public safe.

One Twitter user said: 'RIP Keith Palmer. We have the best police in the world the paddlers of hate will not divide us. My heart goes out to Mr Palmer's family'.

Another added: 'PC Keith Palmer, a husband, a father, a fallen hero RIP x.'

Others said they would launch a petition to have the police office posthumously awarded the George Medal, a civilian honour given out for bravery.

Police forces around the country also paid tribute to the officer.

A statement by Nottinghamshire Police said: 'RIP Metropolitan Police officer - PC Keith Palmer. Father, husband, police officer of 15-years, who died today protecting the public. When many ran from danger, you went towards it.'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: 'Tonight we have learned that the courageous police officer who was killed while protecting our city was PC Keith Palmer. He was 48 and a husband and father.

'Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty - protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life.

'My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues.'

People on social media were quick to pay tribute to PC Palmer tonight, praising his bravery and service to the public

Others called the officer - who is a father and husband - a 'fallen hero' and vowed London was 'not afraid' of terrorism

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said PC Palmer was killed 'protecting our city and our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life'

Conservative MP James Cleverly, who served alongside Keith Palmer in the army, said he was heartbroken and paid tribute to his friend.

He tweeted: Ive known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper.

A lovely man, a friend. Im heartbroken.

My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. A brave man.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley confirmed three members of the public had been killed in the incident, with liaison officers contacting their families.

He added: 'We think we know who the attacker is, we believe they were inspired by international terrorism. Islamist related terrorism.

'We have hundreds of officers working on this investigation, and they are focusing on the suspect's motivation, preparation and his associates.

'We are forensically examining a complicated crime scene that covers a wide area and as with all investigations of this nature, it will take us some time to work through the painstaking work necessary to gather all the relevant evidence. Only then will the full picture be known.'

He added statements were being taken from hundreds of witnesses while officers were also examining CCTV.

Security around the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family was dramatically stepped up following the attack. The gates to Buckingham Palace  where the Monarch was in residence - were closed and armed guards took up positions.

UK security services have foiled 13 potential attacks in less than four years. Counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 investigations at any time.

This was the scene in the immediate aftermath of the attack, after the attacker entered the grounds of Parliament

A patient believed to be the woman who plunged into the River Thames during the horrific terror attack is pictured here being treated in Westminster

There were disturbing scenes on Westminster Bridge where at least 40 pedestrians were hurt after being knocked down by the car

Members of the public rushed to help a man run down after the vehicle mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge

Another woman was severely injured at a postcard stall opposite Big Ben following the horrific terror attack

HOW TODAY'S EVENTS UNFOLDED 2.40pm: An attacker mows down several pedestrians as he drives a Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster and stabbing a police officer 2.41pm: Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service are called to a major incident 3.35pm: Police say the attack is being treated as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise 4.10pm: Junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital says one woman has died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with catastrophic injuries 4.45pm: Paramedics confirm they have treated at least ten patients on Westminster Bridge 4.49pm: Police Commander BJ Harrington says there were a number of casualties in the attack including police officers. 4.51pm: Downing Street spokesman says Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later 5.40pm: Sources reveal the police officer stabbed at Parliament has died 6.01pm: Police say four people were killed in the attack, including the police officer and a man believed to be the attacker 6.56pm: Home Secretary Amber Rudd says the Government's top priority following the attack is the security of its people Advertisement

It is currently known that:

One woman was killed on Westminster Bridge after a number of pedestrians were mowed down by a car.

Two more people were killed in the incident on the bridge.

Another woman ended up in the Thames and was treated for serious injuries after being pulled from the water.

A group of French schoolchildren were among those targeted on the bridge.

The attacker jumped out the car and fatally stabbed police officer Keith Palmer in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.

The knifeman was shot dead moments later by another officer.

Police are treating the incident as a terrorist attack.

Witness Jayne Wilkinson said: 'We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

'And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

'He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.'

Her partner David Turner added: 'There was a stampede of people running out. You saw the people and you thought 'what the hell is going on'.'

Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood was among those who rushed to help the policeman who had been stabbed.

Mr Ellwood, who lost his brother in the Bali bombing, could be seen pumping the officer's chest then standing above him, his hands and face smeared with blood.

Frazer Clarke, 25, from Burton-on-Trent, said: 'We heard a loud bang and screaming and then I noticed some smoke. I thought it was a car crash.

'I looked towards the front gate and people were running, a police officer and a fellow coming to the gate with two knives.

'He was stabbing the police officer with the knives. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black of grey top and what looked like work boots. The police officer was stumbling and fell on the floor'.

This was the series of events where a knife attacker drove into pedestrians before he was shot by police

The Hyundai 4x4 used by the attacker remained at the scene after it slammed into a fence before the attacker got out

Armed Police opened fire and shot the attacker outside the Houses of Parliament. A vehicle was seen on social media to have crashed into the fence of the palace

At least two pedestrians were hurt near where the Hyundai crashed and were helped by police at the scene

A man is thought to have jumped or been knocked from Westminster Bridge and lay with terrible injuries next to the Thames

This was the scene on Embankment last night after the man either fell or was knocked from the bridge during the attack

Pat McCormack, 21, from Washington in Tyne-on-Wear added: 'I saw him stabbing the officer in the back of the head and the back of the neck. He was running away but then he collapsed.'

Steve Voake, 55, was walking across the Westminster Bridge and saw at least two bodies lying on the road and one in the water.

'I saw a trainer lying in the road and when I looked more closely I saw that there were a couple of bodies the other side of the road,' he told the Press Association.

'And when I looked over the side there was another body lying in the water with blood all around it.'

Deputy Commissioner Rowley also thanked everyone at Parliament for their cooperation with the investigation today as he announced a lockdown had ended.

He added: 'We do want to reassure the public that police and partners will do everything possible to protect them.

'As a precautionary measure over the next few days we have increased the number of officers on duty, armed and unarmed, to provide a highly visible reassuring presence. This will continue for as long as is necessary.

'Terrorists have a clear aim. That is to create distrust, discord and to create fear. The police stand with all communities in the UK and will take action against anybody who seeks to undermine society, especially where their crimes are motivated by hate.

'We must recognise now that our Muslim communities will feel anxious at this time, given the past behaviour of extreme right wing groups, and we will continue to work with all community leaders over the coming days.

'It is essential for us to remain vigilant, but also to work together, police and communities, to unite against those who seek through violence and extremism, to threaten, to intimidate and to cause fear.'

Three police officers were on their way back from a commendation ceremony when they were knocked down on Westminster Bridge.

Acting Met Police Commissioner Craig Mackey is being treated as a significant witness as he was at the scene when the incident started.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority, which looks after safety on the River Thames, said: 'A female member of the public was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge. She is alive but undergoing urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier. We believe she fell from the bridge.'

He said the river has been closed from Vauxhall to Embankment 'as part of the security response'.

'WE WILL NEVER GIVE IN': THERESA MAY VOWS UK WILL 'GO ON' AFTER LONDON TERROR ATTACK Prime Minister Theresa May vowed Britain would 'never give in to terror' today following the 'sick and depraved' London terror attack in which three people and a knifeman were killed. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, she said: 'I have just chaired a meeting of the Governments emergency committee, COBRA, following the sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our Capital this afternoon. 'The full details of exactly what happened are still emerging. But, having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers. 'This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us  and our democratic institutions  safe. 'Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead. In a sombre public statement today, Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain will never surrender to the forces of hate and evil and praised the emergency services 'The United Kingdoms threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change. Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected  to the victims themselves, and their family and friends who waved their loved ones off, but will not now be welcoming them home. 'For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe. 'Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger even as they encouraged others to move the other way. 'On behalf of the whole country, I want to pay tribute to them  and to all our emergency services  for the work they have been doing to reassure the public and bring security back to the streets of our Capital City. 'That they have lost one of their own in todays attack only makes their calmness and professionalism under pressure all the more remarkable. 'The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our Capital City, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech. 'These streets of Westminster  home to the worlds oldest Parliament  are engrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament represents  democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law  command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Mrs May, pictured, also praised the work of the police and security services in their response to the London terror attack 'That is why it is a target for those who reject those values. 'But let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before: any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure. 'Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal. We will come together as normal. 'And Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great City - will get up and go about their day as normal. 'They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives. 'And we will all move forward together. Never giving in to terror. And never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.' Advertisement

Extra armed police will be on the streets of the capital following the attack in Westminster, Sadiq Khan said as he vowed that 'Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism'.

The London Mayor said his thoughts were with the family of the Metropolitan Police officer who died 'doing his duty protecting our city'.

The mayor stressed that London remained one of the safest cities in the world and praised citizens and emergency services for the 'tremendous bravery' they had shown.

He said: 'Londoners should be aware that there will be additional armed and unarmed police officers on our streets from tonight in order to keep Londoners and all those visiting our city safe.

'I want to reassure all Londoners and all our visitors not to be alarmed - our city remains one of the safest in the world.

A woman leans down on Westminster Bridge to help another woman who was injured in this afternoon's attack in London

Pieces of a car's undercarriage lay scattered on the pavement of Westminster Bridge as the public went to the aid of victims

Westminster bridge was strewn with injured people who were treated on the road or carried to St Thomas' Hospital

A pedestrian lies stricken on Westminster Bridge after reports a car knocked down people near the Houses Parliament

'London is the greatest city in the world and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will.

'Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.'

He added: 'My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected.

'Tragically, a Metropolitan Police officer who was doing his duty protecting our city is amongst those who have been killed - and my thoughts are with his family this evening.

'I want to express my gratitude on behalf of all Londoners to the police and emergency services who have shown tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.'

An injured victim walks from the scene on Westminster Bridge where around 40 people were reported knocked down

A woman was either knocked, jumped or fell in the River Thames during the attack but was rescued by boat crews

French media are reporting that three French students were injured when the car ploughed into walkers on Westminster Bridge.

The pupils from the Lycee Saint-Joseph in Concarneau were among a group on an educational visit. There is no information as to their injuries and others in the party have returned to a nearby hostel before returning to Frances as soon as possible.

A spokesman for St Joseph's school in Brittany said: 'There were four classes on a trip to London. They travelled at the start of the week and were due to return at the end of the week.'

He confirmed that those injured were in St Thomas's hospital, on the south side of Westminster Bridge.

France's prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: 'Solidarity with our British friends terribly hit, all support to the French pupils wounded, to their family and their schoolmates'.

A tour agency official has confirmed that the South Korean tourist was also seriously injured in today's attack, while four others sustained 'light injuries'.

The Yonhap news agency in South Korea has said the seriously injured tourist was a 67-year-old woman surnamed Park.

She suffered a head injury after being shoved by people fleeing the scene, and is receiving surgery at St Mary's Hospital in London, according to reports.

Paramedics wheel away a victim on Westminster Bridge. A doctor at St Thomas' hospital said some have catastrophic injuries

Police closed off the bridge yesterday while members of the public and paramedics helped those injured on the bridge

A medic is seen walking across Westminster Bridge as paramedics and doctors give lifesaving treatment to the injured

Mail journalist Quentin Letts saw the incident out of the window of a Commons office. He told the BBC: 'We heard this sound that sounded like a car crash Then we saw a thick set man in black clothes come through the gates where people would normally drive cars

'This man had something in his hand. It looked like a stick. He was challenged by two policemen. The policeman fell down.

'We could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was either striking or stabbing.'

Kevin Schofield, the editor of PoliticsHome.com heard 'a very loud bang' from the press gallery inside the Houses of Parliament followed by lots of shouting and men running around.

He initially thought it was a car crash but then he looked outside the window to a heavily-guarded area outside which is out of bounds to the public.

An aerial view of Westminster Bridge shows ambulance crews treating those who were mowed down by the attacker

An aerial view of the scene shows the scene where victims inside Parliament were being treated

A view from the opposite angle shows where the policeman was attacked in the shadow of Big Ben this afternoon

An announcement made in Parliament said there was a suspicious package in a vehicle and the bomb squad had been called

The attacker mowed down several pedestrians as he drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge

Around three shots rang out as the attacker ran through the gates into the front yard of the parliamentary compound.

Mr Schofield told Sky News: 'Someone rushed through, attacked a policeman, a policeman went down, another policeman came and he was rescued.

'The man who had assaulted him got up and he appeared to be carrying either a knife or a gun. Then we heard gunfire, lots of gunfire, maybe five or six rounds.

What is known about the 4x4 in the attack? The vehicle driven into Parliament's gates this afternoon was a Hyundai i40 worth between 19,000 and 28,000 new. The black diesel car was registered between September 2016 and February 2017 in Chelmsford, Essex. The car can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 10.5 seconds and the model has been made by the South Korean manufacturer since 2011. Advertisement

'All I remember seeing is the man approaching the police officer probably with a knife and then there was gunfire.'

Giving a statement outside Scotland Yard, police spokesman Commander BJ Harrington said: 'A senior national coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident.

'Although we remain open-minded to the motive, a counter-terrorism investigation is already under way led by the Met counter-terrorism command.

'We received a number of different reports which included a body in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife.

'Officers were already in the location as part of routine policing but immediately additional officers were sent.'

Tourists who were riding the London Eye when the attack took place were held inside the pods of the attraction as a safety measure.

The Ferris wheel's official Twitter account said given its close proximity to the Houses of Parliament, it was keeping hold 'of all its guests as per tried and tested security procedures'.

Theresa May's armour-plated car is driven from the scene after she was taken from Parliament by a plain clothes police officer

Police forensic officers are pictured in white suits gathering evidence at the scene close to Westminster following the attack

A group of schoolchildren were evacuated from Parliament last night. It is thought they were inside at the time

Roads around the area were cordoned off, including Whitehall (pictured). Police warned members of the public to stay away

The area was closed off and an air ambulance was seen landing as police sealed the area

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the attack saying: 'We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

Prime Minister Theresa May's statement The Prime Minister said in a statement: 'The thoughts of the PM and the Government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families. 'The PM is being kept updated and will shortly chair COBR.' Advertisement

'They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

'A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw.'

A joint statement from Commons Speaker John Bercow and Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, said: 'On behalf of Members of both Houses of Parliament, we wish to offer our thoughts to all those affected and their families.

'We would also like to express our gratitude to the police and all emergency services.'

After the incident, Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard's Centre for European Studies, wrote: 'A car on Westminster Bridge has just mowed down at least 5 people.'

A huge investigation has begun to try to find out what happened, with hundreds of Scotland Yard officers scouring the bridge

Theresa May, who was ushered away after the attack, later chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee

Forensic officers used cameras to collate evidence after several people were injured on Westminster Bridge (pictured)

A Met armed policeman stands in the Central Lobby of Parliament near to Former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble as MPs gather during the lockdown, which was lifted last night

A Scotland Yard superintendent addresses the crowd who had gathered in Westminster Abbey after being evacuated from Parliament

Shortly after the attack, eyewitnesses reported how doctors and nurses working at St Thomas' Hospital rushed across Westminster Bridge to tend to the wounded.

Police set up hotline A police Casualty Bureau hotline is now open on 0800 056 0944 and 0207 158 0010. If you are worried about family or friends involved in today's incident please call Casualty Bureau on either number listed above and choose Option 1. If you were involved in today's incident and are safe, please call Casualty Bureau on either number listed above and choose Option 2. Advertisement

Twitter user Abdi Duale wrote: 'One of the most uplifting scenes amidst the whole tragedy was doctors & nurses rushing out of St Thomas' Hospital to help the injured.'

The hospital had been on lockdown in the direct aftermath of the incident, with staff, patients and visitors stopped from entering or exiting the building, however people are now being allowed to leave via its back entrance.

Parliament's press gallery cafeteria was used a first aid post by officers. One man was present with blood on his shirt. Journalists were confined to their offices and were not allowed to leave the area.

Outside Parliament, around two dozen police officers came onto the estate at around 4.20pm following an extensive briefing.

All the officers were wearing gloves as they conducted forensic investigations.

An armed policeman is seen inside the Central Lobby in Parliament as they continue to patrol the area following the attack

Students who were visiting Parliament were held in a safe room as the incident unfolded outside the building

Staff gathered in Westminster Hall during a lockdown after members of the public were told to avoid the area

MPs were seen gathered in Central Lobby during a lockdown in Parliament yesterday as terror took over Westminster

The dramatic incident comes weeks after it was revealed that UK security services have foiled 13 potential attacks in less than four years, while counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 investigations at any time.

The official threat level for international terrorism has stood at severe, meaning an attack is 'highly likely', for more than two years.

Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Baroness Randerson said countries seem to have been 'singled out based on religious beliefs'.

'Of course safety is paramount at all times and we all need to remain vigilant but this ban needs to be explained in detail,' she said.

THE 'PATH OF DESTRUCTION' FROM WESTMINSTER BRIDGE TO THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT This is the path of terror left in London on Wednesday when pedestrians on Westminster Bridge were mowed down on the pavement before a police officer in the Houses of Parliament was stabbed. The horror began at the south London end of Westminster bridge when a driver in a Hyundai 4X4 mounted the pavement at around 2.30pm, mowing down the first pedestrians. He continued along the pavement, ploughing through at least a dozen victims in total, before coming to a stop at the Houses of Parliament where he crashed his Hyundai 4X4 into railings. Either he or another attacker then burst through Old Palace Yard at the Houses of Parliament where a police officer was stabbed. That assailant was shot by armed police at the scene and taken to hospital, where he later died. Advertisement

MP who lost a brother in the Bali terrorist attack gave mouth to mouth to policeman as he lay stricken on the floor of Westminster

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood battled to save the life of a policeman stabbed outside Parliament today.

The Bournemouth East MP gave mouth-to-mouth to the officer and put pressure on his wounds to stop the blood flow after he was stabbed by an assailant just inside the gates of the Parliamentary estate.

He was then pictured with blood on his face after the emergency services arrived and took over medical assistance.

Witnesses said Mr Ellwood rushed to help the officer after he collapsed to the ground following the stabbing

He was later pictured with bloodied hands talking to police following his heroic actions

Mr Ellwood's brother Jonathan, who worker at the International School Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, was killed in the 2002 Bali bombings by a Islamist militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.

The attacker is described as an 'Asian' man aged in his 40s. He is said to have 'plunged a seven inch knife' into the officer, who is understood to have since died.

A former soldier, Mr Ellwood remained with the victim for some time before an air ambulance arrived.

He then returned to the Foreign Office, where he works as an Undersecretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Tory colleague Maria Miller said he 'has given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim'.

Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson, a 21-year-old student from High Wycombe, posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding, but saying 'he looked to be fine'.

The Bournemouth East MP was later pictured with blood on his face as he stepped back to allow the emergency services to take over

His brother Jonathan, pictured, was killed in the Bali bombings in 2002. The history teacher was in Bali ahead of a conference when explosives were detonated outside nightclubs in a popular tourist area

Mr Dickinson said: 'He had blood on his forehead as you can see but he wasn't bleeding profusely.

'It looked like either a smear or graze and you can see some on his cuff too if you zoom in. He looked to be fine - no obvious limp or anything.'

The Bournemouth East MP is Foreign Office Minister, with the Middle East, Africa and counter terrorism listed among the areas within his brief.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

Two large knives could be seen at the scene.

Two large knives were seen at the scene, which was overrun with police and paramedics following the attack

Mr Ellwood, centre, lost his brother Jonathan in the 2002 Bali bombings by an Islamic militant group. He is pictured here with mother Caroline, right, at a 10 year memorial service in 2012

Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police said there were 'a number of casualties' in the attack 'including police officers'. He urged Londoners to be vigilant, said more officers would be on patrol and that anti-terrorism measures were being reviewed.

The knifeman drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

His attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.

Westminster police bundled Theresa May into a car and rushed her away from Parliament as terror attack unfolded

Prime Minister Theresa May was rushed out of Parliament as it came under terrorist attack by a man wielding two seven-inch knives after murdering police and pedestrians.

Mrs May, who was in the voting lobby by the Commons, was seen being bundled into the back seat of her silver Jaguar surrounded by armed guards at around 2.45pm.

The uninjured Prime Minister, who had recently finished PMQs, was driven out of the Palace of Westminster at high speed and taken safely to Downing Street.

MPs were locked inside the Commons as armed police went through Parliament 'floor by floor' and 'room by room' looking for any other assailants.

Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured, was rushed out of Parliament as it came under terrorist attack yesterday

MailOnline political editor James Tapsfield described hearing the 'bang' of the car smashing into the fence after its Westminster Bridge rampage and then the gunfire that followed when the terrorist was shot dead below his office.

He said: 'We were in the MailOnline office overlooking New Palace Yard when the attack started.

'The first sign we had that something was wrong was a loud bang. It sounded like a bomb, but I now realise it must have been the car smashing into the perimeter fence around parliament.

'Some people ran in through the gates, past the police. I didn't see the policeman being stabbed, but then spotted the man in black. He made it a few yards inside the grounds before being challenged by two men with guns and then shots - I think three of them - rang out.

'Police and staff poured on to the scene very quickly and started trying to resuscitate the attacker.

'They took the attacker away in an ambulance, but the other person - we think was the officer - was covered with a sheet.'

Mrs May (pictured leaving No 10 for PMQs) is safe and uninjured. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'The thoughts of the Prime Minister and the Government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families'

A Number 10 spokesman said Mrs May was being kept updated about the investigation.

'The thoughts of the Prime Minister and the Government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families,' said the spokesman.

'The Prime Minister is being kept updated and will shortly chair COBR.'

David Cameron tweeted: 'My thoughts with the families of those injured & killed. Those seeking to attack our democracy with these barbarous methods will never win.'

Politicians describe chaotic scenes in Westminster amid security alert Politicians described chaotic scenes in Westminster after a security alert meant many had to be evacuated from Parliament. Peer Sheila Noakes wrote: 'Shots in Parliament Square. People running like crazy.' Conservative MP Grant Shapps tweeted: 'Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back.' Fellow Tory Michael Fabricant described a similar scene, saying: 'I was walking briskly to a vote when crowds of MPs rushed towards me saying that shots have been fired and shouts of 'get back'.' Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron tweeted shortly after news of the incident broke: 'Currently with a shell-shocked group of MPs at New Scotland Yard having been evacuated following the attack. Police doing an incredible job.' Many MPs spoke about being locked inside rooms in the Parliament building. Green Party leader Caroline Lucas tweeted: 'Locked in Commons with fellow MPs. Thoughts with innocent people hurt today and thanks as ever to Police & other staff working so hard here.' Labour's David Lammy wrote: 'Locked in the Commons Chamber but my heart goes out to the police officers, those hit by the car on the bridge and their families. Stay safe.' Advertisement

Other deadly attacks carried out by extremists using vehicles

Today's suspected terror attack in London is the latest in a string of similar incidents across the world where extremists have used vehicles as weapons.

On Bastille Day in the summer of last year, 86 people were killed when a truck was driven through crowds enjoying fireworks in Nice.

Four months later, a copycat ISIS-inspired massacre took place in Germany when a terrorist drove a truck through a Christmas market in Berlin.

The battered front of the truck used by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel to kill 86 people who were celebrating Bastille Day

A tow truck operates at the scene where a truck ploughed through a crowd at a Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz square near the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm avenue in the west of Berlin, Germany

Twelve people were killed in the attack on December 19.

This year, a Palestinian lorry driver mowed down and then reversed over Israeli soldiers.

CHILLING ECHOES OF ATTACK ON CANADA'S PARLIAMENT IN 2014 Today's terror attack on Parliament bears striking similarities to the assault on Canada's Parliament in October 2014. That incident also combined the use of a vehicle as a weapon with an attack on police - and was stopped from becoming much worse by the quick reactions of the security forces. In the earlier attack, a gunman later identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot a sentry dead at a war memorial near the Parliament building in Ottawa. He then leaped into a car and drove towards Parliament, still wielding his hunting rifle, before hijacking another vehicle and heading for the main building in the complex. Zehaf-Bibeau - a 32-year-old jihadist - made it inside Parliament, shooting a policeman in the foot, before he was himself shot by the Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers and then killed by another officer. Advertisement

The attack occurred on January 8 and killed four people.

At least one person is feared dead in the Westminster Bridge incident, which comes on the anniversary of another deadly act of terrorism in the name of Islamic State in Brussels which killed 32.

ISIS' propaganda magazine has regularly called on lone wolf attackers to use lorries and vehicles as deadly weapons.

In response to the terror threat, France is in the process of building an 8ft bulletproof wall around the Eiffel Tower aimed at protecting the iconic landmark from potential jihadists.

On the evening of July 14, 2016, a 19-tonne cargo truck was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenage des Anglais in Nice.

ISIS fanatic Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel was behind the wheel and after exchanging gunfire with police, the Tunisian migrant was shot dead.

Thousands had gathered on the seafront to watch the fireworks that night.

Eighty-six of them died and 434 were injured.

Anis Amri stole a cargo truck and killed 12 people when he drove through a Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin.

Among the dozen people killed in the ISIS-inspired terror attack on December 19, 2016, was the original driver of the truck Lukasz Urban who was found dead with a gunshot wound in the passenger street.

Amri was a Tunisian who had failed to gain asylum status in the country.

He was killed in Milan four days later after an international manhunt.

Israeli soldiers work at the scene where police said a Palestinian named as Fadi Qunbar, 28, rammed his truck into a group of four Israeli soldiers on a popular promenade in Jerusalem January 8, 2017

On January 8 this year, a Palestinian rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers visiting a popular tourist spot in Jerusalem, killing four and wounding 15 people, in a shocking copycat of the Berlin and Nice terror massacres.

Shocking video from the scene shows the driver reversing back over the soldiers, trapping ten under his wheels, during the sickening attack on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged the attacker 'supported' the Islamic State group, though he provided no details on what led to the finding.

He said there 'definitely could be a connection' between Sunday's attack, which killed four Israeli soldiers, and recent attacks in France and Germany.

A car which police say was used by an attacker to plow into a group of students is seen outside Watts Hall on Ohio State University's campus in Columbus, Ohio

A Somali refugee injured 13 people when he rammed his car into a group of people outside Ohio State University in Columbus.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot dead by the first responding OSU police officer and ISIS claimed through its Amaq News Agency that he had acted on behalf of the terror group.

After mowing down people in the car, he jumped out of his vehicle and attempted to stab more people.

Armed RCMP officers approach Centre Block on Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in Ottawa, Canada on October 22, 2014

Today's terror attack on Parliament bears striking similarities to the assault on Canada's Parliament in October 2014.

That incident also combined the use of a vehicle as a weapon with an attack on police - and was stopped from becoming much worse by the quick reactions of the security forces.

In the earlier attack, a gunman later identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot a sentry dead at a war memorial near the Parliament building in Ottawa.

He then leaped into a car and drove towards Parliament, still wielding his hunting rifle, before hijacking another vehicle and heading for the main building in the complex.

Zehaf-Bibeau - a 32-year-old jihadist - made it inside Parliament, shooting a policeman in the foot, before he was himself shot by the Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers and then killed by another officer.

THEY WILL NOT DIVIDE US: HUSBAND OF MURDERED MP JO COX SPEAKS OUT ON PARLIAMENT 'TERROR ATTACK' Jo Cox MP (pictured at Parliament) was shot and stabbed outside a constituency surgery meeting last year by Thomas Mair The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox tweeted this afternoon that terrorists would not win - following a suspected terror attack at the Houses of Parliament. Brendan Cox tweeted: 'Whoever has attacked our parliament for whatever motive will not succeed in dividing us. All of my thoughts with those injured.' Mrs Cox was shot three times and stabbed outside a constituency surgery meeting last year by Thomas Mair. Mair, 53, searched the internet for articles on the subject in the days before murdering the Labour MP as she arrived for a constituency surgery in her hometown of Batley, West Yorkshire. The neo-Nazi was handed a whole life sentence for the murder following a trial and told by her grieving widower that it was the 'most incompetent and self defeating' act of terrorism. The trial had heard how even as she lay mortally wounded in the street, the MP for Batley and Spen tried to protect her aides by urging them to leave her and save themselves. A jury deliberated for just over 90 minutes to find Mair guilty of killing the 41-year-old mother of two. Mair shouted 'Britain first' as he fired three shots at Remain campaigner Mrs Cox and stabbed her 15 times on the afternoon of June 16, days before the EU referendum. Bernard Kenny, 78, who was stabbed as he tried to halt the onslaught by jumping on Mair's shoulders from behind, described Mair's actions as a 'pure act of evil'. He said in a statement that he would do the same thing again as it was 'the right thing to do', even though his actions were not enough to save Mrs Cox. Mair was silenced by trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie who refused his request to address the court before he was sentenced. The judge paid tribute to Mrs Cox's 'generosity of spirit' as she tried to help others - even as she was facing a violent death. Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, tweeted this afternoon that terrorists would not win - following a suspected terror attack at the Houses of Parliament Advertisement

How Parliament has beefed up security to protect against a terror attack

Additional Metropolitan Police firearms officers are regularly put on detail around the grounds of the Houses of Parliament in the aftermath of terror attacks.

Following the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris two years ago, armed officers were positioned at the front vehicle gates to the Palace of Westminster, in a change from normal practice.

Concrete blocks have also been installed around the premises of the Houses in a bid to protect the building from a possible attack.

In recent years, MPs have been told to consider fitting their constituency offices with panic buttons and designating a 'safe room' in their homes.

Pictured is the main vehicle entrance to the Houses of Parliament. Former Prime Minister David Cameron had dispensed with the traditional motorcycle escort in 2010, but it was reintroduced in 2014 following an increase in security arrangements

They are also being briefed on the security plans in case of an attack on the Commons.

Following the stabbing to death of Jo Cox, MPs spent almost 640,000 on boosting security.

During the four months after her murder, politicians spent four times on security measures what they had done in the whole previous year.

Spending on MP's office and home security also rocketed after Mrs Cox was shot three times and stabbed outside a constituency surgery meeting.

Last year it was revealed that 130 MPs had requested additional security measures, including bomb-proof letter boxes and reinforced windows.

A sniffer dog and police officers undertake a bomb search at the Houses of Parliament in 2013, the day before the funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

Members have also been offered classes in self-defence techniques in a bid to ward off would-be attackers.

Speaking after the attack, Will Geddes, CEO of ICP Group said: 'Westminster is an obvious terrorist target so it is very well protected.

'It is surrounded by concrete wallls and there are specially trained police officers who are well prepared for attacks.

'It would appear to me that they have done everything they could in this case.'

Speaking of the challenges of preventing a lone wolf attack, Geddes said: 'It's always going to be a challenge to prevent lone wolf attacks.'

Swords and imitation guns are just some of the items that have been confiscated by police at public entrances to the Houses of Parliament in the past decade.

Police officers walk down Westminster Bridge in September 2001. As many as 1,500 extra policemen and women were drafted into the capital in the aftermath of 9/11 in a bid to shore up security at London's major attractions

London on high alert: Police urge public to keep off streets of capital as they issue list of NO GO AREAS following Parliament terror attack

Londoners have been warned to stay off the streets after one of the capital's busiest areas was placed one lockdown today after a police officer and at least three more people were killed in an attack on the Palace of Westminster.

Westminster Tube station has been closed following the attack, before which at least ten more were injured as the attacker mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed down pedestrians and cyclists in a 4x4.

A huge area around the palace has now been cordoned off, including Westminster Bridge, as police continue to assess the damage and guard against any potential attempts to attack Whitehall.

Police asked people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube

Policewere out in force in Parliament Square (pictured), while they conducted searches of the surrounding area to make sure it was safe

Parliament Square, usually packed with tourists coming to look at one of the nation's oldest and most iconic buildings. This evening it is filled with emergency vehicles, police and scene of the crime investigators

The police warned people throughout London to expect armed guards at Tube stations and manning the streets, and the Army is now poised to descend upon London amid the high security alert.

Police asked people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.

The Thames was closed from Vauxhall to Embankment 'as part of the security response', after a member of the public, believed to have been hit by the car, was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge.

The closure of the river, along with roads in the centre and Westminster, used by thousands of people visiting and working in Whitehall every day, is already causing travel chaos in central London.

Deputy Commissioner Rowley said officers are now searching the area for any other threats, adding: 'We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker. But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on.'

Acting commander BJ Harrington said that there were 'a number of casualties' but would not confirm how many.

This map shows the area now cordoned off after the attack yesterday, as well as where people were hurt

Police wearing body armour and carrying guns were at the scene. People across London can expect to see armed officers at Tube stations and other significant areas as security services remain on high alert

Usually rammed with cars ambling along the road, nose-to-bumper, this road in central London was closed to traffic and police offers appearing to be making their way home after a busy shift walk across the empty street

He urged people in London to stay away from the area - usually populated by thousands of tourists visiting some of Britain's most iconic architecture - as police continue to investigate.

Commander Harrington also said they were not yet sure of the motive, but Scotland Yard said that the attack - a year after the Brussels bombing - was being treated as terrorist 'until we know otherwise'.

The commander told reporters: 'I can confirm we are treating this as a terrorist incident, although we remain open-minded as it the motives for the incident. A full investigation is underway.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was evacuated from Parliament in an armoured car, is to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the bloody incident.

The Cobra committee brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies. Normal parliamentary discussions were suspended when the news broke today.

CHILLING ECHOES OF 2016 BRUSSELS ATTACK: WESTMINSTER TARGETED ONE YEAR LATER The terror attack on Parliament comes exactly one year to the day since the deadliest act of terrorism in Belgium's history. On March 22, 2016, three co-ordinated suicide bombings hit the capital of Brussels killing 32 people and injuring hundreds more. At 8am, two bombs were detonated at Zaventem Airport killing 14 people near the check-in desks. More than an hour later, at 9.19am, a third bomb was detonated at Maalbeek Metro station killing 20 more people. An injured air stewardess (right) who became a symbol of the Brussels terror attacks when she was seen covered in blood and dust has returned to the scene one year on Nidhi Chaphekar, Jet Airways flight attendant and a victim of the Brussels airport terror attack, lays a rose on a memorial in Brussels Witnesses said the heat from the explosion on the Metro carriage was so intense people in the street were burned. Nidhi Chaphekar, an air stewardess who became a symbol of the attacks, returned to the scene today to mark the one year since the event. She broke down in tears as she joined hundreds of others, including Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, when the city fell silent today one year on from the devastating attacks. Former pro basketball player Sebastien Bellin who lives in Battle Creek, Michigan, was also among those paying tribute today. Pictures taken in the aftermath of the bombing showed him lying in a pool of blood in the departure lounge. Their tributes began at 7.58am, the time the airport was brought to a halt by the first bomb. More than 300 people were wounded in the attacks, claimed by ISIS, but around 900 people now number themselves among the victims to have suffered physical or mental trauma. King Philippe (right) and Queen Mathilde (second left) pose for photographs with Indian flight attendant Nidhi Chaphekar, who was injured in the Brussels airport attack and her husband Rupesh Chaphekar (left) in Brussels King Philippe said Belgium had stayed united after the attacks on March 22, 2016, and told families of the victims they had responded to the 'deadly madness' of the attacks with 'dignity'. Watched by relatives and survivors, the royals also unveiled a new stainless steel memorial near the European Union's headquarters to the dead and the more than 320 wounded in Belgium's worst ever peacetime attacks. 'It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to make our society more humane and more just,' King Philippe said at the memorial. 'And above all, let us dare to be tender.' Advertisement

Sick ISIS celebrating blessed London attack posting Allahu Akbar next to horrific photos of the attack

Sick ISIS supporters appear to be celebrating the deaths of three people and an attacker in London during a terror attack on Westminster.

Messages have been shared on an unofficial 'ISIS Telegram Channel' sharing the news of the attack in Westminster on Wednesday afternoon, with people writing 'Allahu Akbar'.

According to Ahmet Yayla, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), the messages are being shared on a 'credible' ISIS channel.

Shocking mocked-up picture of the Queen Elizabeth clock tower on fire were shared with a stark 'warning' that there will be a battle on 'your land'

Terror expert Ahmet Yayla explained these channels are not official, but they are credible

He shared screengrabs on his Twitter account, showing content of groups where messages included 'blessed London attack'.

One user shared pictures of the route the attacker took across Westminster Bridge and into the gates of Parliament, while another shared this website's headline of 'Terror at Westminster'.

In other apparent messages from supporters, a picture shows a mocked-up image of the Elizabeth Tower on fire.

The message with the smoke billowing out reads: 'Soon. Our battle upon your land. Not started yet. Be upon you. Only waiting.'

Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, said the lack of media campaign from ISIS could show there was no coordination with ISIS if it was linked with the terror group.

The channel users have been sharing maps showing the route of the terror attack as well as the headlines from this website

Similar pro-ISIS 'channels' shared blow by blow updates after the attacks in Nice, Paris and Orlando.

ISIS claim on an event can be 24 hours afterwards, and usually not until the attacker is confirmed dead, according to terror experts.

Other ISIS chat rooms show mocked up images of fighters super imposed over the Houses of Parliament, according to a paper by the ICSVE.

The paper reveals ISIS supporters have been urged and shown how to carry out attacks with vehicles.

'A guy was shouting his wife had jumped into the Thames': Eyewitnesses reveal horror of attack

A bus driver saw a man shouting that his wife had jumped into the River Thames in a desperate bid to escape a terrorist using a 4x4 as a weapon.

The terror suspect, an Asian man in his 40s, ploughed along Westminster Bridge in his two-ton Hyundai SUV, frequently mounting the crowded pavement, and mowed down pedestrians like skittles.

One victims of the car attack was left floating face down in the Thames but was pulled from the river alive and the bridge above was strewn with the victims of the terror hit and run.

Witnesses said the aftermath was like a scene from a 'Hollywood disaster movie'.

Terrifying: One woman was found floating in the Thames after being thrown into the water but was pulled out by a boat

Michael Adamou, 25, was driving the 453 bus when he said he saw the grey Hyundai 4x4 speeding in the direction of Parliament.

He said: 'As I turned left out of Whitehall, so turning left to go over the bridge, I saw a car knock two people over.

'Initially I thought he's lost control of the car but then I see quite a few people rushing into Parliament and police trying to stop everyone.

'After a few seconds I just heard gunshots. Everybody on my bus was panicking.'

He said the driver 'literally started from the hospital heading towards Parliament and just mowed down whoever was in his way.

Turmoil: 20 people have been ploughed into by the car by the terrorist who was shot dead in the courtyard of Parliament

'I did not see him coming over the bridge but I saw everybody laying on the bridge, not moving.'

Mr Adamou, who lives in central London, said he believed at least one woman had jumped into the Thames to escape.

'The first thing I saw was the two people laying lifeless on the floor. They were on the pavement.

'He must have come down the whole side of the bridge on the pavement. I would say there were at least 15 or 20 people.

'When I was getting everybody off the bus, because they made us leave the bus on the bridge, I heard one guy come running behind me shouting his wife had jumped into the river to avoid getting knocked down.'
A controversial psychiatrist says a Massachusetts teenager was 'involuntarily intoxicated' by prescribed antidepressants when she texted her boyfriend encouragement as he committed suicide.

Michelle Carter, now aged 20, is set to stand trial in June charged with manslaughter in the 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III.

Psychiatrist Dr Peter Breggin faced Taunton Juvenile Court on Tuesday so a judge can decide whether he is allowed to provide expert testimony in Carter's upcoming trial.

Carter was 17 when Roy took his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning and prosecutors argue she is criminally responsible because she encouraged him to kill himself in a series of text messages.

Michelle Carter, now aged 20, is set to stand trial in Massachusetts in June charged with manslaughter in the 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III

Conrad Roy III (above) took his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning in 2014. Prosecutors argue Carter is criminally responsible because she encouraged him to kill himself

But Dr Breggin testified that Carter was not responsible because she was being treated with the antidepressant Celexa in 2014, which would have altered her brain and meant she wouldn't have understood the impact of her texts to Roy.

'She had no notion of wrongfulness on what she was doing,' Dr Breggin told the court, according to 12WPRI.

Dr Breggin testified that Carter was not responsible for Roy's death because she was being treated with the antidepressant Celexa in 2014, which would have altered her brain

Dr Breggin, who was hired by defense attorneys, said Carter loved Roy but experienced a metamorphosis due to her medication.

'The impairment of being on the drugs while you are growing up - while you're brain is maturing, while your frontal lobes are developing - you're talking about being inundated with neurotoxic effects,' he said.

Prosecutors criticized Dr Breggin's credentials during cross-examination and sought to discredit him as an 'extremist' who was critical of antidepressants.

Assistant District Attorney Katie Rayburn pushed Dr Breggin to admit he only reached his conclusion about Carter based on medical records and the text exchange between her and Roy.

The judge did not immediately rule on whether Dr Breggin can testify. The psychiatrist has been previously banned from testifying in other cases.

Carter's defense team were granted a request late last year for funds to hire an expert to examine the antidepressant she was taking at the time.

Prosecutors say Carter sent her boyfriend dozens of text messages urging him to take his own life before he was found in his pickup truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on July 13, 2014

Carter had posted on social media on the day Roy committed suicide saying he had 'gone too soon'

Her attorney Joseph Cataldo said at the time the drug Celexa could be the key to her defense because it can increase suicidal thoughts.

The case involving Carter has drawn national attention after transcripts of the text messages sent between the couple were made public.

Prosecutors say Carter sent her boyfriend dozens of text messages urging him to take his own life.

Carter's lawyer argue that she tried repeatedly to talk him out of it and only began to support the plan when it became clear he would not change his mind.

Roy's body was found in his pickup truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on July 13, 2014.

Police found a gasoline-operate water pump in the back seat of the truck after he died. A coroner later ruled he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
A notorious mobster has been arrested hiding behind the trap door of a bunker after going on the run over a 2007 mafia massacre in Germany.

Santo Vottari, 45, has been detained by police in Calabria in Southern Italy after a decade on the run as the suspected boss of the 'Ndrangheta crime clan.

Carabinieri paramilitary police before dawn Wednesday opened a trapdoor in a bunker in a drab apartment residence in the hamlet of Ricciolino di Benestare and discovered the mafia boss huddled in a crawl space.

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Police inspecting the bunker where Santo Vottari, a 45-year-old 'Ndrangheta' boss, was arrested in the Reggio Calabria area, Italy, March 22, 2017

Police discovered Vottari in this bunker with his back to a trap door having been on the run

Santo Vottari, who was arrested in a bunker in the hamlet of Ricciolino di Benestare in Italy

Fugitive mobster Santo Vottari is taken into custody by Italian Carabinieri after they found him hiding in a cramped crawl space behind a trap door of a bunker in an apartment building in the southern Italian town of Ricciolino di Benestare, Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Vottari was convicted in absentia in 2009 of being one of the heads of an 'Ndrangheta clan whose feud with local rivals culminated in the Duisburg killings.

He was given a prison term of 10 years and eight months, two years after he went on the run.

Interior Minister Marco Minniti praised the police team that tracked him down to a building which had no fewer than four concealed bunkers in it.

Inside the fourth one they searched, on the top floor of the building, they found a trapdoor leading to another bolthole, where they found Vottari squashed into a space just big enough to hold someone hiding out for a few hours.

'I'd like to congratulate the police... for bringing one of Italy's most wanted and dangerous men to justice,' Minniti said.

Vottari was one of 31 people sentenced to prison terms in 2009 in connection with the Duisburg killings, which happened after a vendetta between two clans based in the same village, San Luca, spiralled out of control.

Vottari, arrested in this hideout, is considered the head of a clan that was involved in the San Luca feud

A police officer wearing a red beret climbs out of the bunker in which Vottari was hiding

The feud between the Nirta-Strangio and Pelle-Vottari clans reportedly began with an egg-throwing prank in 1991.

Reprisals escalated after the killing, on Christmas Day, 2006, of Maria Strangio, the wife of clan leader Giovanni Nirta.

The feud was blamed for at least 16 deaths in total, with the killings in Germany bringing it to international attention.

Giovanni Strangio was convicted in 2011 of being the mastermind and one of the authors of the Duisburg killings.

He was sentenced to life in prison. Seven others were given life sentences linked to the feud at the same trial.

Notoriously ruthless, the 'Ndrangheta has surpassed Sicily's Cosa Nostra and the Naples-based Camorra in influence thanks to its control of Europe's cocaine trade.

The organisation is made up of numerous village and family-based clans based in the rural, mountainous and under-developed "toe" of Italy's boot.

The name 'Ndrangheta comes from the Greek for courage or loyalty and the organisation's secretive culture and brutal enforcement of codes of silence have made it very difficult to penetrate.

But authorities claimed a major breakthrough last year when they captured Ernesto Fazzalari, whom they described as the last senior 'Ndrangheta fugitive still at large.




Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed members of a 68-country coalition against the Islamic State to Washington and vowed to hunt down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

'Nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere,' told delegates huddled at the State Department.

'It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets the same fate,' the new secretary of state vowed.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (right) shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi (left) during the opening of a meeting of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group at the State Department

Iraqi civilians help a man who was injured by a mortar shell fired by Islamic State group jihadists on civilians who were gathered to receive aid, in Al-Risala neighbourhood on March 22, 2017

Senior diplomats from the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to seek a quick and lasting victory against the jihadists during Wednesday's meeting.

Envoys from mainly Western and Arab countries were keen to hear details about President Trump's promised tough new strategy to build on coalition battlefield successes  despite concerns about civilian deaths.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson vowed to kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured)

Even as the ministers gathered at the State Department, news was breaking of the latest coalition air strike to have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in northern Syria.

Few details of Trump's plan have yet emerged, but he is said to have given U.S. commanders more leeway to conduct risky strikes on their own authority, and civilian casualties are increasing.

The coalition remains determined, however, to close down the Islamic State's remaining strongholds in western districts of the Iraqi city of Mosul and in the Syrian city of Raqa.

And as US-led special forces and planes, along with Iraqi forces and local Syria militia groups close in on these prizes, talk is of tracking down the Islamic State's mysterious so-called 'caliph.'

Earlier this month, a U.S. defense official told reporters that Baghdadi had fled Mosul and been cut off from day-to-day command of his fighters.

U.S. forces are keen that he not repeat the exploit of the late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and hide out for years even after his group's last known strongholds have fallen.

But wherever Baghdadi is, the coalition members plan to finish the liberation of Mosul and to press on with efforts to isolate Raqa and support its recapture by local Arab and Kurd fighters.

'The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasize the word commitment,' Tillerson said.

'The success of our mission depends on a continued devotion to our stated objective of defeating this terrorist organization.'

Trump has ordered his generals to craft an accelerated strategy to 'eradicate' the group, and the allies hope to learn more during the closed-door discussions and follow up talks.

The meeting at the State Department also allows Trump's discreet secretary of state to emerge from the shadows and stamp his authority on the diplomatic side of the joint effort.

But Trump's plan to slash 28 percent from the State Department's budget for diplomacy and foreign aid has raised eyebrows, suggesting fewer resources for post-conflict stabilization.

European diplomats told AFP they expect Washington to reaffirm its commitment to a longer-term plan to secure the region after a battlefield victory.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was in Washington for the talks and said victory against IS was within sight if allies stick together.

'We are proving that Daesh can be killed, can be eliminated,' Abadi said before the meeting. 'We shouldn't lose focus, we shouldn't give Daesh a second chance.'

Shortly after taking office in late January, Trump gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress in the anti-IS fight and develop a comprehensive plan to 'totally obliterate' the group.

So far he has largely stuck with the previous strategy of using U.S.-led forces for surveillance and strikes on jihadist targets, while training and equipping local ground combat forces.

But Trump has made some tweaks, including granting commanders broader authority to make battlefield decisions.

Military officers had complained of micromanagement under former president Barack Obama, but critics worry the military may now risk actions with a greater likelihood of civilian deaths.

On October 17 last year, coalition-backed Iraqi troops launched an offensive to retake Mosul from the IS group.

By February 19, they had cleared the east bank of the Tigris and had begun to push into jihadist strongholds on the west bank. They have suffered heavy casualties but continue to progress.

Meanwhile, Raqa is increasingly isolated, but planning for its recapture has been complicated by the diplomatic and political situation in Syria.

The Pentagon is backing an alliance of local Kurdish and Arab militias to take the city, but Turkey has its own rebel force in the region and Russia is backing Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The United States does not want to commit too many of its own troops to the fight  despite plans to more than double its own 850-strong contingent in the country and add artillery units.




Seven people were injured today when an Italian train derailed as it pulled out of the station in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland.

A train heading from Milan to Basle derailed shortly after stopping in Lucerne at around 2pm local time.

The fourth carriage of the train, which was carrying 160 passengers and was operated by Trenitalia, tipped over and a power line was interrupted.

A Lucerne police spokesman said: 'Five of the injured have been taken to hospital.'

Rescuers stand next to a derailed train in the station of Lucerne, Switzerland today

Replacement buses were laid on while all trains were diverted and the station is to remain closed until at least early Thursday.

Swiss train operator SBB said train services to and from the station have been suspended but there is no immediate word on the cause of the derailment.

Rescuers stand next to a derailed train in Lucerne station. Services have been disrupted

The 160 passengers on the train were evacuated without incident
A Nevada jury on Tuesday sentenced a 24-year-old man to death for the savage rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl whose body was found mutilated and burned in the desert in 2011.

Last week, the same jury found Javier Righetti guilty of first-degree murder in the slaying of Alyssa Otremba. The defendant was 19 years old at the time of the deadly attack.

Otremba, a freshman at Arbor View High School, went missing on September 2, 2011, after sending her mother a text message to say that she was on her way home from a friend's house, where she had gone to borrow a geometry book to do her homework.

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Headed for death row: A Nevada jury on Tuesday sentenced 24-year-old Javier Righetti, pictured left in 2011, to death for murdering 15-year-old Alyssa Otremba after raping her

Resting place: Otremba's charred body was found in this patch of Nevada desert a day after she went missing on her way home from a friend's house

Savage crime: Righetti later admitted to kidnapping the freshman in a tunnel, sexually assaulting her, then stabbing her in the face and body 80 times

Video Courtesy KLAS

According to police, the girl was walking in a tunnel when she came across Righetti, who abducted and sexually assaulted her before stabbing her to death.

Otrembas charred remains were discovered in a vacant lot just 100 feet from her home the following day.

Following his arrest, Rightetti admitted to raping two other women inside the same Las Vegas tunnel. He also confessed to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old female cousin on a beach in Mazatlan, Mexico, three months before Otremba's slaying.

Righetti's past record included a stint in a Nevada Youth Training Center in Elko for a sexually motivated kidnapping.

At a court hearing in February 2016, Righetti stated that he knifed Alyssa Otremba 80 times in the face and other body parts before carving initials into her flesh and then setting her corpse on fire in a patch of desert in northwest Las Vegas.

A prosecutor told a judge after Righetti's arrest in 2011 that the suspect provided a detailed confession, portions of which were later read to the jury during the mans capital murder trial.

Righetti, pictured in court on Tuesday, has been convicted of first-degree murder in Otremba's slaying

Killer speaks: When given a chance to address the court, the 24-year-old convict apologized to Otremba's family for causing this tragedy

'I grabbed her, threw her, got her all naked, raped her, and killed her -- and took her phone. Easy money,' prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci quoted the defendant as telling police, according to Las Vegas Now.

Righetti also reportedly told homicide detectives that carving the initials into Otrembas skin made him feel like a gangster or a thug.

During the penalty phase of the trial, Righettis older sister, Alexia, made a plea to spare her brother's life, telling the jury that she and her brother were raised by an abusive and overbearing 'Latin macho man' father and taught his son that women must be submissive.

His other sister, Vanessa, said her love for her jailed sibling was unbreakable despite the terrible things he had done, according to 3LV News.

Predator: Rightetti has admitted to raping two other women inside the same Las Vegas tunnel. He also confessed to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old female cousin in Mexico

The defense argued that Righetti was born with a disorder that adversely affects impulse control and asked for a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The station 3LV News reported that before the jury announced the death sentence Tuesday, Javier Righetti addressed the courtroom, saying he was 'truly sorry for this entire tragedy' and told the victims family that if it were not for his actions, Alyssa would still be with them.

After Javier Righetti learned his fate on Tuesday, the victims mother addressed the media, saying that her daughters murder has destroyed two families and that nothing will bring her child back, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Were grateful that justice has finally been done, Jennifer Otremba said. In all honesty, this is not a win for anybody.
A Russian fugitive with a taste for expensive furs and a gruesome murder charge hanging over her has been found living the high life in New York.

Viktoria Nasyrova, 41, was arrested on Monday in Brooklyn after over two years on the run - and brought down by her love of Facebook and the relentless efforts of a private detective.

Nasyrova is wanted in Russia in the brutal 2014 slaying of a woman, 54, whose remains were found burned and buried two miles from her home in Krasnodar.

The victim's body was spotted in the front seat of Nasyrova's car by traffic cameras, images that DailyMail.com can now exclusively reveal. Investigators say money was the motive in the murder.

She fled to America and began a new life as masseuse with 'experience in upscale spas and beauty salons,' according to an ad for 'quality massage at home' she posted shortly after arriving in New York.

But when the horrified daughter of her alleged murder victim learned that the wanted Russian beauty was living just miles away from her in Brooklyn, Nasyrova's upscale tastes and Facebook habit would come back to haunt her.

Viktoria Nasyrova, 41, was on the run from a murder charge in Russia, but her Facebook habit brought her down after a private detective was able to track her down from details in photos

Nasyrova was arrested on Monday at the Brooklyn home she shared with her boyfriend, on suspicion of drugging and robbing three men she met on dating sites

Russian traffic camera footage obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com appears to show murder victim Alla Alekseenko lying unnaturally in the seat of Nasyrova's car on the day she disappeared in 2014

This missing person notice was put out after Alekseenko disappeared. The woman's badly burned remains were found months later in a remote wooded area.

The victim's daughter, Nadezda Ford, said she got a text message purporting to be from her missing mother shortly her mother's disappearance, saying 'Sweetie, dont worry about me, Ill notify you about where I am soon enough.'

But the message came after traffic camera footage appeared to show her mother dead in Nasyrova's passenger seat on the day she disappeared, October 5, 2014.

Alla Alekseenko's body was only found months later, badly burned and reduced to a skull and a few bones identifiable only through dental records.

Investigators found $17,000 in cash and jewelry missing from the dead woman's home.

The wanted woman is said to have eluded Russian investigators after having sex with a local police officer.

By November of 2014, Nasyrova had slipped out of Russia. Desperate investigators put out an Interpol Red Notice seeking her arrest.

Murder victim: Alla Alekseenko, 54, disappeared on October 5, 2014 in Krasnodar, Russia.

Murder victim Alla Alekseenko (right) is seen with her daughter Nadezda Ford. Ford was horrified to learn that the suspect in the murder, Viktoria Nasyrova, had fled Russia and was living within miles of her in Brooklyn after the 2014 crime

Nasyrova was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice seeking her arrest, but cops in New York were able to bust the fugitive on unrelated charges, as Russia has no extradition treaty with US

By November of 2014, Nasyrova was living in Brooklyn - just miles from Ford. Desperate investigators put out an Interpol Red Notice seeking her arrest

Private detective Herman Weisberg, a retired spent hours poring over Facebook photos from a profile Nasyrova kept under a different name

The private detective noticed the stitching on the car seat the photo on the left, and incredibly was able to trace the make and model from the stitching pattern - a Chrysler 300 (pictured right). He then had a surveillance team search the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood for the vehicle, and found it

Weisberg's detectives took this photo of Nasyrova purchasing a 50-inch flatscreen TV with her live-in boyfriend in Brooklyn, after tracking down their car from the seat stitching

A wily private detective in New York played a key role in bringing the fugitive Russian beauty to justice.

Herman Weisberg, a retired NYPD detective now working for the Sage Intelligence Group, was approached by Ford after the horrified woman learned that her mother's suspected killer was living not far from her in Brooklyn.

'A Good Samaritan who knew the daughter of the murdered Russian woman got in touch with me and told me the story,' Weisberg told DailyMail.com. 'She offered to pay whatever cost for me to track her down and bring her to justice.'

Ford 'was living in fear of this woman, had already moved once and was heartbroken over the loss of her mother,' said Weisberg.

The intrepid detective discovered that Nasyrova was still regularly using Facebook under a different name, and found her secret profile.

Weisberg pored over Nasyrova's secret Facebook profile and identified the car she was driving from the seat stitching

'After poring over pictures I realized the stitching on the leather car seat in one of her selfies was unique to a high-end Chrysler. I then had my surveillance team scour Sheepshead Bay until we found the vehicle,' the gumshoe said.

The team found the vehicle, a Chrysler 300, and began a stakeout. Weisberg's discovery paid off - they'd located the mysterious fugitive.

On top of the Russia murder, Nasyrova was also wanted by NYPD on suspicion of drugging and robbing at least three men she met via a New York dating website.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce said: 'She's a con artist who meets people online through a dating site and then drugs them at some point, and takes their property from them and flees'.

She was arrested by the NYPD Warrant Squad on an open warrant for the alleged seduction robberies after Weisberg alerted investigators to her location, since Russia doesn't have an extradition treaty with the U.S.

'She embarked on a life of crime here, and we don't have the whole story yet. We only have bits and pieces', Boyce added.

'Whats incredible is that Nasyrova wasn't living like she was on the lam  we pictured her out shopping for a 50-inch widescreen TV,' said Weisberg.

'We think she was empowered by her previous arrest for shoplifting, which didnt pick up the fact she wanted by Interpol for this murder.'

Nasyrova was arrested in May of 2016 for stealing two furs worth $532 from a Century 21, but wasn't flagged as an international fugitive at the time.

'It would have made her feel like she had slipped the net,' said Weisberg. 'Not now.'

Police say they have another possible case fitting the drugging and theft in Queens. Anyone who has had contact with the woman is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

Nasyrova slipped off the hook when she was arrested in May of 2016 for the theft of two furs, but cops apparently didn't fingerprint her and realize she had an Interpol Red Notice
Investigators found Andreas Lubitz deliberately flew the A320 plane into a French mountainside two years ago

The father of the Germanwings pilot at the controls of a plane which crashed in France two years ago has hit back at investigators who said he deliberately killed 149 people.

Prosecutors ruled that Andreas Lubitz deliberately flew the A320 jet into a French mountainside on March 24, 2015.

Everyone onboard the flight between Barcelona and Dusseldorf died when it crashed in southern France.

But Lubitz's father has accused investigators of overlooking key evidence.

Prosecutors said Lubitz was suffering from a psychotic illness that led to suicidal thoughts, but had concealed his illness from his employer, part of the Lufthansa group.

His father has denied this conclusion.

In an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit, Guenter Lubitz said: 'He had no reason to plan and carry out suicide, let alone take 149 other people with him.'

He said there was no definite proof that his son deliberately flew the plane and its passengers to their deaths.

Everyone onboard the plane died was killed in the crash on March 24, 2015, and investigators ruled it was deliberate

Lubitz added: 'There were obviously things that were not even discovered, perhaps because they did not want to find them.'

The pilot's father, who has not previously spoken in public or to the media, has also called a conference in Berlin on Friday, the second anniversary of the crash, to talk with the media.

When asked about Lubitz's comments and the planned press conference, Lufthansa said there was no reason to doubt the findings of the investigators.

'March 24 is a day reserved for the victims and their families. We find holding such an event on this day to be completely out of place,' a spokesman said.

German prosecutors decided earlier this year that nobody other than Lubitz could be held accountable for the crash and repeated that stance this week.

'We believe that this mental illness led to suicidal thoughts and that these thoughts led to him crashing the plane,' Duesseldorf-based prosecutor Christoph Kumpa told Reuters.
The Wall Street Journal's normally Trump-friendly editorial board dropped a rhetorical bomb on the president, writing Wednesday that he clings to 'falsehoods' 'like a drunk to an empty gin bottle.'

'Two months into his Presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trump's approval rating at 39%,' the Journal noted.

'No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesn't show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude he's a fake President.'

Wednesday's shocking editorial follows a long line of Democratic partisans calling Trump a liar, and TV commentators resorting to less incendiary words like 'falsehoods' and 'untruths.'

President Donald Trump, shown at a National Republican Congressional Committee dinner on Tuesday, has been called out as a serial liar by the usually friendly Wall Street Journal editorial board

Less than a week after Inauguration Day, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker told MSNBC that Trump and his administration were already 'repeatedly lying to the American public' and spreading 'propaganda.'

'We, as an American public, should not accept a president that routinely lies, blatantly, to the American people,' Booker said on January 26.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who ran for president on the Democratic ticket last year, was more pointed this month in a series of tweets.

'President Trump cannot continue to lie, lie, lie. It diminishes the office of the president and our standing in the world,' Sanders wrote.

'Trump said 3-5 million people voted illegally and that his victory "was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan." Both lies. Trump said "it looked like a million and a half people" at his inauguration. Not even close. And Trump was lying long before he was president when he tried to delegitimize our first black president with the "birther" conspiracy.'

Democrats have piled on the president since his own March 4 tweeted claims that former president Barack Obama 'wiretapped' him during his White House run.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (left) and democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (right) have both used the 'L' word  'lies'  to describe the president's public and private statements

Trump's statements have not been confirmed by the House and Senate Intelligence committees, nor by FBI Director James Comey  all of whom said this week that there's no evidence to support them.

Comey, the Wall Street Journal editorial noted, 'even took the unusual step of confirming that the FBI is investigating ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia.'

'All of this continues the pattern from the campaign that Mr. Trump is his own worst political enemy. He survived his many false claims as a candidate because his core supporters treated it as mere hyperbole and his opponent was untrustworthy Hillary Clinton,' the editorial writers jab.

'But now hes President, and he needs support beyond the Breitbart cheering section that will excuse anything. As he is learning with the health-care bill, Mr. Trump needs partners in his own party to pass his agenda. He also needs friends abroad who are willing to trust him when he asks for support, not least in a crisis.'

Trump himself accused multiple election opponents of being 'liars' and peddling 'lies.'

They included Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz  whom he nicknamed 'Lyin Ted.'
A grandson of the late mafia boss John Gotti has been charged in connection to a five-year-old arson case alongside a notorious mobster who was cleared two years ago in the infamous Lufthansa robbery.

John J Gotti, 23, who was already in prison serving an eight-year sentence for dealing drugs on the streets of Queens, on Wednesday was swept up in an FBI bust along with six other reputed members of the Bonanno organized crime family.

Gotti, whose namesake grandfather known as 'Teflon Don' died in a federal prison in 2002 while serving a sentence for murder and racketeering, was indicted on arson charges stemming from an incident that took place in Howard Beach.

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Mobsters busted: John J Gotti, 23 (left), and Vincent Asaro, 82 (right), were arrested on arson charges in connection with a 2012 car firebombing incident

Asaro was picked up by the FBI in 2014, accused of orchestrating the robbery of the Lufthansa cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1978

In this Dececmber 13, 1978, file photo, a police car is parked beside a stolen black van discovered in Brooklyn, believed used in a robbery at JFK Airport

According to the FBI, Bonnano capo Vincent Asaro, 82, ordered Gotti to firebomb a man's car in 2012 because he was angry at the victim over a traffic dispute, reported NBC New York.

In 2015, a Brooklyn jury found Asaro not guilty of charges he orchestrated the robbery of the Lufthansa cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1978 with James 'Jimmy the Gent' Burke.

A turncoat mob associate testified that Asaro and Burke killed a suspected informant with a dog chain. The defense argued Asaro was framed.

The legendary airport heist, which saw mobsters get away with $6million in cash and jewels, was the largest robbery ever at the time and it was later immortalized in Martin Scorsese's cult classic 'Goodfellas.'

On Wednesday morning, two indictments were unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Gotti, Asaro and their five co-defendants with a variety of counts, including arson, bank robbery, home invasion and firearms offenses.

Infamous relative: John J Gotti (left) is the grandson of the late mobster John 'Teflon Don' Gotti (right), who died of cancer in prison in 2002, aged 61

The other suspects caught in the FBI raid were identified as Michael Guidici; Matthew Rullan, also known as Fat Matt; Christopher Boothby, also known as Bald Chris; Matthew Hattley, also known as Mack, and Darren Elliott.

Besides the firebombing incident, Gotti is suspected of holding up the Maspeth Savings and Loan Association along with Guidici and Rullan. The latter was also named a suspect in the April 2012 arson case, reported the New York Daily News.

Gotti pleaded guilty in February to state drug charges for selling oxycodone pills in his Queens neighborhood for $30 each. His lawyer said the 23-year-old has been battling a drug addiction.

At his sentencing earlier this month, just weeks before the new indictment, Gottis defense lawyer had said he will likely be freed in about four years, reported CBS New York.

Brief taste of freedom: Asaro was freed from prison in November 2015 after a jury acquitted him of charges in the Lufthansa robbery
New emails prove that President Donald Trump's inaugural team sought out 'military tactical vehicles' to be used in the January 20 parade.

The Huffington Post previously reported that a member of the president's transition team had floated the idea of having tanks and missile launchers drive down Pennsylvania Avenue after Trump's swearing-in at the Capitol Building.

Now, correspondence given to the publication through a Freedom of Information Act request corroborates that report and shows that a Department of Defense official was uncomfortable with such a display, more common in countries like Russia and North Korea, and not in democracies like the United States.

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President Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee asked the Department of Defense for pictures of 'military tactical vehicles' that could be used in the inaugural parade

New email exchanges unearthed by the Huffington Post show that Pentagon officials were reluctant to have tanks and other military vehicles accompany the new president in the parade. The emails show relief when the inaugural committee backed off the request

Some in the Pentagon worried that such a showing of force would too closely resemble parades in Moscow, Russia (left) or Pyongyang, North Korea (right)

Emails show Pentagon officials apprehensive about such a showing of force and then relief when Trump's team seemingly backed away from the plan, requesting a flyover instead.

The planned flyover was then cancelled thanks to bad weather on Trump's inauguration day.

'PIC is seriously considering adding military vehicles to the Inaugural Parade. Discussion is completely off the record at this point ... but the establishing guidance has come from the highest level,' wrote a Department of Defense official, whose name was redacted in an email dated December 13, 2016.

'I do believe they will be making a request,' the individual added.

Throughout the exchange the Pentagon official advised that the department treat such a request with great caution.

'The conversation started as "Can you send us some pictures of military vehicles we could add to the parade,"' the official wrote.

It is standard for the Department of Defense to aid in parade planning, but usually the military provides color guards or musical groups, not large tanks.

Pointing to the uniqueness of the request, the author of the email wrote, 'such support would be out of guidelines.'

'I'm extremely reluctant to produce an improvised list of military vehicles that we might be held to,' the Pentagon staffer noted.

The individual also advised that, 'we as a command need an opportunity to staff this request and to make deliberate decisions about vehicle choice and configuration, paint scheme, uniform for crew members, etc., before we start providing pictures which might be regarded as binding.'

The official then explains how he or she told the Presidential Inaugural Committee to formulate its request, while again reminding the recipients of the email that these plans are off the record.

Sources, however, told the Huffington Post in December that Trump's team had made such a request.

Eventually the Presidential Inaugural Committee settled on a flyover, which was all set to go, but then got cancelled on January 20 thanks to the weather

'They were legit thinking Red Square/North Korea-style parade,' a source said at the time, referring to parades seen in Moscow and Pyongyang.

The request would need to be approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Within two weeks, Trump's team had backed off.

Huffington Post previously reported that there were concerns over optics and that the some 100,000 pound vehicles might batter D.C.'s roads.

'Great news,' a Pentagon official wrote on December 27, according to the new trove of emails, referring to how Trump's team had decided not to use 'military tactical vehicles' for the Pennsylvania Avenue parade.

In December a Trump aide had refused to answer the Huffington Post's questions about the request on the record.

The same aide then gave the publication an off-the-record denial.
President Donald Trump has called British Prime Minister Theresa May to offer the United States' 'full support' in its investigation of the attacks today outside parliament.

A car crash killed four people and injured more than a dozen. An assailant also stabbed and killed a police officer inside the UK parliament.

Police there are treating the incidents that are believed to be the work of two attackers as a terror incident.

'We obviously condemn today's attack in Westminster,' White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at his daily news conference.

'We applaud the quick response that the British police and their first responders made to the situation and the victims in this are in our thoughts and our prayers.'

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President Donald Trump has called British Prime Minister Theresa May to offer the United States' 'full support' in its investigation of the attacks today outside parliament

A car crash killed four people and injured a dozen. An assailant also stabbed a police officer inside the UK parliament

Parliament was on lockdown after the incidents. The car crash left four dead and more than a dozen injured

Trump tweeted on Wednesday to offer his condolences on the attack, adding that Theresa May is 'strong' and 'doing well'

Trump tweeted on Wednesday to offer his condolences on the attack, adding that Theresa May is 'strong' and 'doing well'.

'Spoke to U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May today to offer condolences on the terrorist attack in London. She is strong and doing very well,' he wrote.

Trump was briefed just after the assaults by his National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster earlier in the day.

He shared the information with reporters as he entered the Roosevelt Room of the White House for a Women in Healthcare panel just before 11:30 am EST.

Theresa May was evacuated from parliament after the assaults. She spoke to Trump sometime in the hours after

The president was 30 minutes late for the event, mentioning to reporters when he came in the briefing delayed him.

'I'm sorry we're just getting an update on London,' he said, noting that there was some 'big news' happening there.

Several hours later, Spicer informed press at his daily briefing that Trump had been in touch with May.

'The city of London and her majesty's government have the full support of the U.S. government in responding to the attack and bringing those to justice that are responsible.'

Spicer said it would be 'highly irresponsible' for him to comment further and get ahead of the British government.

'We are continuing to monitor the situation we are in touch with officials in the British government,' he said.

The Departments of Homeland Security and State are on the case, he said. 'We're gonna provide the assistance that we can to the British government.'

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered his condolences to the victims of the attack and their families in a separate statement.

'The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference,' he said.

An attacker, described by a witness as 'middle-aged and Asian', entered the security perimeter of Britain's parliament and stabbed a policeman on Wednesday afternoon before being shot by police.

The law enforcement official he assaulted died at the scene. The attacked died later at a hospital.

WHITE HOUSE READOUT ON TRUMP'S CALL WITH MAY 'President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom to offer his condolences on todays terror attack in London and his praise for the effective response of security forces and first responders. 'He pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States Government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice.' Advertisement

David Lidington, the leader of the House of Commons, informed parliament of the incident on Wednesday afternoon in London.

'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police, an ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the causalities,' he said, according to Reuters.

'There are also reports of further violent incidents in the Palace of Westminster but it would be wrong of me to go into further details before confirmation from the police.'

Witness Jayne Wilkinson said she and her partner were taking photos of Big Ben 'and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.'

'And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.'

'He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.'

A man, believed to be the attacker, is put on the stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament

Her partner, David Turner, said, 'There was a stampede of people running out. You saw the people and you thought 'what the hell is going on'.'

Parliament was on lock down as Trump commented on the matter in Washington.

Around the time of the stabbing, a vehicle drove over Westminster Bridge and maimed more than a dozen people.

'It was horrendous, absolutely horrendous,' an eyewitness told CNN.

At least four people have been reported dead.

A doctor at St Thomas' Hospital has said one woman died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with 'catastrophic' injuries.

Scotland Yard is treating the two events as a terror attack until they have reason to believe otherwise. It is not known whether the individual who stabbed the police officer was the driver of the vehicle.

British PM Theresa May was immediately evacuated from parliament after the assault.

It is believed this was the series of events this afternoon where a knife attacker drove into pedestrians before he was shot

Some 300 lawmakers were in the chamber of parliament when the lock down occurred, British MP Simon Danczuk told CNN over the phone as he awaited removal.

Danczuk was elected in 2010. In his 7 years, Danczuk said he had never seen anything like this.

The last major terror attack in London was more than a decade ago, in 2005.

Today's assaults at the British parliament occurred nearly a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels.
Peru Two drugs mule Michaella McCollum hit the shops today after being offered 250,000 to reveal her prison hell in a tell-all book.

The 24-year-old was seen walking around Liverpool One shopping centre during a visit to the city, where she has been working on an upcoming documentary about unsolved crimes.

It emerged today that Ms McCollum - who was released from prison in March last year - is in the final stages of negotiation to write a book about her experience in jail.

Peru Two drugs mule Michaella McCollum (left and right) hit the shops today after being offered 250,000 to reveal her prison hell in a tell-all book

A source told The Sun: 'The book will consist of stories that have not been discussed in the press, and situations that happened that not even Michaella's closest friends know about.

'There will definitely be stories of violent crime and the full story on what happened in Ibiza that is set to blow people away.'

Ms McCollum, from Northern Ireland, was jailed alongside Melissa Reid from Glasgow four years ago for trying to smuggle 1.5m of cocaine worth out of the country to Spain.

Since her release, she has been trying to build up her profile and image.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that she had agreed a six-figure deal to present a crime TV documentary which will see her examine unsolved or unusual crime cases.

The 24-year-old (pictured) was seen walking around Liverpool One during a visit to the city, where she has been working on an upcoming documentary about unsolved crimes

It emerged today that Ms McCollum (pictured in Liverpool) - who was released from prison in March last year - is in the final stages of negotiation to write a book about her experience in jail

Since her release, Ms McCollum (left and right) has been trying to build up her profile and image

She was pictured in Liverpool as she worked on an episode about the city's dealers.

A friend said: 'It's a massive opportunity for Michaella and will propel her into the prime time TV spotlight and become Ireland's first TV action woman.'

Miss McCollum and Miss Reid are also said to be in 'advanced talks' to appear on Big Brother, which has a 'pairs' theme this year.

But Miss Reid has been keeping out of the limelight following her release from jail.

The British duo, who initially protested their innocence, were jailed in Peru four years ago.

The pair were found in possession of 24lbs (11kg) of cocaine hidden inside food packets in their luggage as they prepared to board a flight from Lima to Madrid.

They travelled to South America to carry out the smuggling plot after hatching the criminal plan in the Balearic island of Ibiza.

In jail they slept on concrete bunks and used a hole in the floor as a lavatory for three years. Three years later they were released and arrived back in Britain last summer.

Miss McCollum was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence but initially had to stay in Peru, where she carried out voluntary work.

Miss Reid was released from jail last June, flying back to Scotland shortly afterwards.
Edward Tully, 62, (pictured) was trusted to run the UK operations of his lifelong friend Allen Skolnick's charitable foundation and property company between 2007 and 2013

A crooked City accountant who conned a wealthy American philanthropist out of more than 5million to buy a lakeside home has been jailed for eight years.

Edward Tully, 62, was trusted to run the UK operations of his lifelong friend Allen Skolnick's charitable foundation and property company between 2007 and 2013.

But Tully betrayed him over a six year period, falsifying finances while using the money to fund his own accountancy firm and splashed out on a luxury home in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

He also blew a fortune on renovating a hotel he owned in St Ives.

Mr Skolnick, who passed away in 2013, made his fortune in the vitamins and food supplement industry through his company Solgar.

After selling his firm in 1995, he and his wife Connie founded the CAMBR Foundation, which funded a number of Jewish not-for-profit organisations.

Among others, it supported the American Jewish Committee, Hillel Foundation and Birthright Israel.

Tully stole 5,080,713 from the CAMBR Foundation and the familys property company Cedarcoast Ltd, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Jailing him for eight years, Judge Mark Bishop said: The agreed amount between defence and prosecution is that of 5,080,713.

Mr Skolnick, pictured with wife Connie, who passed away in 2013, made his fortune in the vitamins and food supplement industry through his company Solgar

You were trusted by Mr Skolnick having been friends since the 1980s.

Mr Skolnick was based in America and trusted Tully to manage the UK finances as well as advising on property development, the judge said.

Tully regularly sent the businessman falsified reports on the property and finances, while transferring the money into his own bank account.

Given the backdrop of your life long friendship when you knew Mr Skolnick and his son, you ruthlessly abused their trust and stole over five million from their companies over the period of six years.

All the time you were defrauding him and his companies on a grand scale.

You were deceiving Mr Skolnick in every conversation and report that you had about how the stock was doing.

You knew that he was in the US and you were in the UK where the money was.

In addition to transferring himself funds, Tully also allowed the sale of a block of 12 flats without informing Mr Skolnick, and kept the money for himself.

Tullys fraud only came to light in July 2011 after Mr Skolnick was unable to withdraw 50,000 from the UK account, forcing Tully to confess there was no money left.

Judge Bishop explained: You told the company lawyers you had stolen 8,000,000.

You said in a second interview you had stolen under 8 million.

You said you used the funds to buy a new home for yourself in Cambridgeshire, funding your accountancy practise, and renovating a hotel you owned called Slepe Hall in St Ives.

Tully no longer owns the hotel, the court heard.

Judge Bishop added: I am unconvinced you are genuinely remorseful about what you did.

The personal betrayal of what you did was particularly hard to bear, especially during his final days.

He was also disqualified from being a director for 15 years.

Tully, of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, admitted theft, fraud by abuse of position and furnishing false information.

He was jailed for eight years.
Josh Duggar revealed last week that he and wife Anna Duggar are expecting their fifth child together, almost two years after his molestation and cheating scandal threatened to tear their family apart.

It seems however that just a few days before that announcement, Josh got an unexpected delivery of his own when he was served with court summons near his home in Arkansas.

InTouch obtained a copy of the legal document, which shows that on March 13 at 4:44pm, Josh was issued a summons to appear in court this May in Los Angeles.

Josh's upcoming lawsuit was filed last year by Matthew McCarthy, a popular DJ who lives in Los Angeles and spins at a number of Hollywood hotspots.

McCarthy alleged in his papers that he was subject to ridicule after Josh, 29, used a photo of him on an online dating and hookup site which caused him to lose work.

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Served: Josh Duggar has been served with a summons to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on May 15 (l to r: Mackynzie, Anna, Meredith Grace, Josh, Michael and Marcus)

Plantiff: He will be facing off against Matthew McCarthy (above), a DJ who is accusing Josh of stealing his photo to use on dating and hookup sites

McCarthy's photo was apparently plucked from the internet by Josh and then used to create a misleading OK Cupid profile which is linked to one of Josh's email addresses.

His lawyers can now depose not only Josh, but others connected to the incidents of sexual assault in relation to the complaint that was filed in California.

The Duggar family, who are always quick to get out in front of a scandal, announced four days later that Josh and Anna would be parents again, complimenting the two on all the hard work their have put into their relationship over the past two years.

'As we continue our journey as a family and rebuild our lives, we are delighted to share with you that we are expecting a new baby boy later this year,' wrote the family in a statement.

'Beauty comes from ashes and we cannot wait to see and kiss the face of this sweet new boy!'

InTouch reported earlier this year that Josh's parents are nervous about what may happen in court when he appears in response to McCarthy's complaint.

'This legal case is the Duggars worst nightmare,' said the insider.

'Josh and his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, are terrified of what this lawsuit will do to the Duggars' already tarnished reputation - and how many secrets will come spilling out.'

It has now been almost two years since it was revealed that Josh had been molesting five minors as a teenager including four of his sisters.

That same summer it was also revealed he had an account on the cheating website Ashley Madison and had allegedly been paying women for sex.

He flew off to a faith-based rehab facility in September of 2015 and stayed there until April of the following year, and in the months since his return to Arkansas had managed to avoid any major scandals.

Evidence: McCarthy's lawyers can now depose not only Josh, but others connected to the incidents of sexual assault in the disgraced reality star's past (Josh's alleged OK Cupid profile above)

Back in the day: Josh and his wife Anna announced just days after Josh was served that they were expecting their fifth child, a son (Young Josh above with his mother and twins Janna and John in an image posted by the family earlier this month)

'Jim Bob and Michelle are worried that McCarthy's lawyers will also depose members of their family, which means they will all be forced to talk about Josh's inappropriate sexual behavior, as well as the family's cover-up of what he did,' said one family insider.

'The Duggars are scared.'

That insider then noted: 'Anna does not want to be there when the family's filthiest secrets are unearthed.'

More than anything said one source, Anna wants to protect her children with Josh from being impacted by any scandal.

McCarthy alleged in his papers that he was subject to ridicule after Josh used a photo of him (summons above)

The couple have two daughters, Mackynzie and Meredith, and two sons, Michael and Marcus.

The Duggars have been hard at work trying to rebuild their reality empire over the past year, which was destroyed after Josh's child molester past.

In the wake of that scandal, and the revelation that patriarch Jim Bob did not formally report the incident to law enforcement, TLC not only cancelled the family's popular reality show 19 Kids and Counting after nine seasons but also announced that they would no longer air any past episodes of the program on the network.

Things took another turn later in the summer with the news that Josh had been having affairs and allegedly paid at least one women for sex.

Soon after that revelation came to light, Josh entered a faith-based rehab facility in Illinois, where he stayed for eight months.

The network did not keep the family off the air that long however, announcing just a few months later that a new show would launch that December which focused on sisters Jill and Jessa, who were both married and starting their own families.

Those two also admitted in the wake of the molestation scandal that they had been two of their brother's victims, and sat down for an emotional interview in June of last year with Megyn Kelly on Fox News to share their story.

Josh also molested two of his other sisters it was revealed at the time, as well as a fifth girl who was of no relation to the family.
Louise Harris, 24, is a Cambridge-educated wannabe popstar from Harpenden who has compared the Just Stop Oil campaign to that of the Irish rebels' fight for independence from the British and once said she was like a prisoner of war. This morning she cried on the gantry over Britain's busiest motorway as she declared: 'You might hate me for doing this. I'm here because I don't have a future.' But despite her warnings about the future of the planet, her Facebook page shows her posing next to a 2009 Fiat Punto, which runs on unleaded. Just Stop Oil opposes petrol cars so much its members smash petrol stations to prevent people refueling and blockade refineries. She also appears to be at the wheel - or a passenger - in the same car in a number of other social media posts, including this year when she has been taking part in Just Stop Oil protests, despite it running on petrol. Miss Harris compared her yellow Punto to the vehicle made famous by The Inbetweeners, because it has a red door. In one post where she stands next to her Fiat she says: 'I am officially Number 1 fan of this show f**k you other wannabes. Unfortunately it DOESN'T have a tape deck'. Today Miss Harris was among 23 people arrested by the Met Police and colleagues at Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire, after shutting down the M25. The demonstrator - who posts songs on YouTube including a slickly edited music video called 'Dating me is like a Cambridge term'. The lyrics include: Dating me is like a Cambridge term. By the fifth week you are completely burnt out emotionally destroyed and suicidal'.
Tributes poured in for the brave police officer who was killed by a knife-wielding terrorist at Westminster today as the world united in solidarity for London.

At least four people are dead after a terror attacker brought carnage to central London today, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before attacking police with a knife in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

More than 12 people are said to have been hit by a vehicle on the bridge after a 4x4 drove into pedestrians and cyclists before crashing into the gates of Parliament.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that one of their servicemen was stabbed to death outside parliament by the attacker.

Fellow officers and social media users have paid tribute to the officer, using the hashtag #ThinBlueLine.

A police officer was stabbed by the knifeman before he was shot by other officers. Paramedics are now treating the injured

Leah wrote on Twitter: 'My thoughts are with everyone involved in the Westminster incident. RIP to the officer who's life was sadly lost. #ThinBlueLine #999Family'

Another user said: 'When you run away from danger - we run towards it and put ourselves in harms way to keep you safe. The #ThinBlueLine #RIP'

Michelle Nichols posted: 'Thoughts go out to the loved ones and colleagues of the brave officer killed in the line of duty and all those involved. #ThinBlueLine'

And Old Bill added: '"Don't weep at my grave, I am not there" Rest in peace #ThinBlueLine'.

The world united in prayer for London in the aftermath of the Westminster terror attack.

People took to social media from across the globe to share their support and solidarity using a London underground icon and the hashtag #wearenotafraid.

Facebook has also set up a safety check for friends and family to request and respond to let their loved ones know they are not in danger.

The tool allows Facebook users in London to tell friends they are safe automatically, and users are offered to view a list of friends who might be in the area.

It has previously been used during terror events such as the Orlando shootings and Paris attacks.

Bennie wrote on Twitter: '#London is such a lovely & charming & gorgeous & wonderful city. My thoughts are with the victims of this horrendous act. #WeAreNotAfraid.'

El Gumus said: 'So saddening (sic) to hear what's happened in Westminster and Parliament, thoughts and prayers are for anyone affect. Enough. #WeAreNotAfraid'

Another user posted: 'London has been through this before, we will go through this again. #WeAreNotAfraid #Westminster #Parliament.'

Facebook has also set up a safety check for friends and family to request and respond to let their loved ones know they are not in danger

Social media users including Roberto Soldao have posted #PrayForLondon as more details about the attack come to light

And @awesomecrunch tweeted: 'All you have achieved from this terrible attack is bringing us closer together. We're not scared of you. #wearenotafraid.'

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado added: 'I'm so sad about what happened in London. The worst version of the human. You are not alone. #prayforlondon'

An intruder, described by a witness as 'middle-aged and Asian', then managed to break into the grounds of the Parliament and stabbed a police officer before he was shot.

A man, believed to be the attacker, is put on the stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament

A knife was seen on the cobbles in front of Parliament after the attacker was shot by armed police protecting the building

Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster after a policeman was stabbed this afternoon

There were disturbing scenes on Westminster Bridge where around a dozen pedestrians were knocked down by the car

Members of the public rushed to help a man run down after the vehicle mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that their officer has since died after the attack.

An hour after the attack, paramedics removed one person from the scene after extensive CPR. Another body appeared to have been left on the ground covered by a red blanket.

Scotland Yard said the attack, which comes a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels, is being treated 'as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise'.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood battled to save the life of a policeman stabbed outside Parliament today but said the officer had 'lost too much blood' after the attack.

The Bournemouth East MP, 50, gave mouth-to-mouth to PC Keith Palmer, 48, and put pressure on his wounds to stop the blood flow after he was stabbed by an assailant just inside the gates of the Parliamentary estate.

Mr Ellwood, a former army officer, was then pictured with blood on his face after the emergency services arrived and took over medical assistance.

The attacker is described as an 'Asian' man aged in his 40s. He is said to have 'plunged a seven inch knife' into the officer.

Mr Ellwood's brother Jonathan was killed aged 39 in the 2002 Bali bombings by a Islamic militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.

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Tory MP Tobias Ellwood battled to save the life of a stabbed policeman today, giving him mouth to mouth and applying pressure to his wounds, pictured

PC Keith Palmer, 48, pictured, was later named as the officer who had been killed

The Bournemouth East MP was later pictured with blood on his face as he stepped back to allow the emergency services to take over

Speaking just hours after the attack which has so far left four dead, including the attacker, Mr Ellwood, formerly a Captain in the Royal Green Jackets, said the attack was a 'huge tragedy'.

He said: 'I am a witness, I was the last one on the scene before he died so I am not allowed to say anything.

'It is now murder, I was on the scene and as soon as I realised what was going on I headed towards it. It is a huge tragedy, it really is.

'I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood.

'He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back.

'As I understand it the attacker has also died. I'm not allowed to say anything, I'll get into trouble. It's very sad.'

A former soldier, Mr Ellwood - who was born in New York City - remained with the victim for some time before an air ambulance arrived.

He then returned to the Foreign Office, where he works as an Undersecretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Tory colleague Maria Miller said he 'has given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim'.

Many took to social media to praise Mr Ellwood and described themselves as 'in awe' of his actions.

The MP lost his brother Jonathan Ellwood, pictured, in the 2002 bombing in Bali. The history teacher, who worked at a school in Vietnam, was in Bali ahead of a conference

Mr Ellwood, pictured at the scene, said he gave the officer 'mouth to mouth' but they had 'lost too much blood'

The MP, pictured standing over the victim's body, said he ran over to the stricken officer 'as soon as I realised what was going on'

One Twitter user said: If reports are true, Tobias Ellwood is a true British hero and deserves the utmost recognition for his actions.'

Another said: 'You [Tobias Ellwood] did something amazing today. I'm sure the policeman's family will forever be grateful for your efforts to try & save him.'

One user added: 'The heroism & decency of Tobias Ellwood MP in assisting the stabbed police officer is an example of real public service.'

Eyewitness Hugh Dickinson, a 21-year-old student from High Wycombe, posted a picture of the minister on Twitter, showing the minister bleeding, but saying 'he looked to be fine'.

Mr Dickinson said: 'He had blood on his forehead as you can see but he wasn't bleeding profusely.

'It looked like either a smear or graze and you can see some on his cuff too if you zoom in. He looked to be fine - no obvious limp or anything.'

The Bournemouth East MP is Foreign Office Minister, with the Middle East, Africa and counter terrorism listed among the areas within his brief.

Mr Ellwood was later pictured with bloodied hands talking to police following his heroic actions

Two large knives were seen at the scene, which was overrun with police and paramedics following the attack

Many people have praised Mr Ellwood on Twitter today for his efforts to save the officer

Some said they would 'vote for him' if he were to become leader of the Conservatives

Others lauded him for his bravery putting himself at risk while rushing to help the injured officer

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

Two large knives could be seen at the scene.

Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police said there were 'a number of casualties' in the attack 'including police officers'.

He urged Londoners to be vigilant, said more officers would be on patrol and that anti-terrorism measures were being reviewed.

The knifeman drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge, mowing down pedestrians before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

His attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.

Mr Ellwood, centre, is pictured here with mother Caroline, right, at a 10 year memorial service in 2012

MPs were locked in the House of Commons for more than two hours and business suspended after a suspected terror attack in Westminster.

Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle suspended the sitting of the House and told MPs, who had just been called to vote on a piece of legislation, to remain in the chamber as details of the incident filtered through.

Just minutes later Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the chamber would 'remain in lockdown' until further notice.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack MPs spoke of being taken to safety at 'gun point' by counter-terrorist armed police officers.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth told the Press Association: 'Thousands of people work here, it's not just MPs. The police have obviously got to keep everybody safe and I commend them for what they are doing.

'I think everybody is in absolute shock here this afternoon.'

Mr Ashworth said it was 'too early to speculate' on what happened but 'whatever happens people can attack this building, and it is symbolic to attack this building, but they will never defeat democracy, they will never defeat the values of liberty, of freedom, of equality, that we stand for'.

The attack in the Kuta Beach tourist area in Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, including 23 victims from Britain

Mr Ellwood's family endured their own tragedy in 2002 along with several other British families after the attack at the Kuta Beach tourist area in Bali.

His brother Jonathan worked at the International School Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a history teacher and was in Bali to attend an international conference.

The bombing killed 202 people, including 23 from Britain, after three bombs were detonated.

The attack involved a suicide bomber carrying explosives in a backpack and a large car bomb, both of which were set off outside popular nightclubs.

A third, smaller, explosive was detonated outside the United States consulate but did only minor damage.
London was today on lockdown as people were warned to stay away from no go zones after at least five people were killed in the London terror attack this afternoon.

Westminster Tube station has been closed following the attack, in which a policeman was stabbed to death and at least 40 people were injured when a car mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge.

Three more civilians were killed on the bridge, as well as the attacker, and many suffered 'catastrophic injuries', including one women who was pulled from the Thames after jumping over to avoid the car.

A huge area around the palace has now been cordoned off, including the bridge, as police remain on high alert in fear of any subsequent attacks on what it the heart of Britain's political establishment.

Police have warned people to expect armed guards at Tube stations and a heavy police presence on the streets, and the Army is now poised to descend upon London amid security fears.

Police are asking people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube

Areas usually packed with nose-to-bumper traffic were totally deserted this evening as police put certain areas on lockdown. Pictured is Westminster Bridge

Officers were also on guard at The Mall, with Trafalgar Square closed to traffic, as officers stand guard against any subsequent attacks

Westminster Tube station, pictured, was close after the attack and officers are now guarding numerous stops in central London during the busy rush hour

Police wearing body armour and carrying guns were at the scene today. People across London can expect to see armed officers at Tube stations and other significant areas as security services remain on high alert

Parliament Square, usually populated by thousands of visitors and people who work in the corridors of power, was today abandoned after police put the area on lockdown after the attack on the Palace of Westminster

The Thames has been closed from Vauxhall to Embankment 'as part of the security response', after a member of the public, believed to have been hit by the car, was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge

Parliament was placed on lockdown after the attack. Pictured is Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble standing next to an armed policeman in the Central Lobby today

Police are asking people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment Tube.

The Thames has been closed from Vauxhall to Embankment 'as part of the security response', after a member of the public, believed to have been hit by the car, was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge.

The closure of the river, along with roads in the centre and Westminster, used by thousands of people visiting and working in Whitehall every day, caused temporary chaos in central London.

Dozens of people were stranded in the air at the top of the London Eye, which stopped amid the carnage in Westminster.

The huge security increase comes just days after Britain banned electronic devices such as laptops from the cabins of UK-bound planes from six middle eastern nations amid fears they could be used to blow up planes.

The death toll so far stands at four, including the attacker, who was shot after stabbing a police officer with a knife. The officer suffered fatal injuries and has also died, police have now confirmed.

The Met's head of counter-terrorism Mark Rowley said: 'Looking forward, throughout the rest of the day including when people are commuting home and over the days that follow, the people of London will see extra police officers - both armed and unarmed - out on our streets.'

He confirmed that 40 people have been wounded, mostly on Westminster Bridge, where the attacker ploughed through cyclists and pedestrians.

He said officers are now searching the area for any other threats, adding: 'We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker. But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on.'

Two of those injured were police officers who had finished their shift and can be heard screaming at civilians to 'get out the way' as the car approached, in shocking footage of the attack.

Dozens of people were left stranded in the air at the top of the London Eye, which stopped amid the carnage in Westminster this afternoon

People who have ridden on the landmark, which stopped in the air, walk out to a police escort on the banks of the Thames

The head of counter-terrorism at London's Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, said four people have died in the terror incident in London, including an attacker and a police officer

Acting Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police, pictured today, warned people to stay away from parts of central London, now on lockdown as officers investigate and guard against any further attacks that may follow

HOME SECRETARY PROMISES SECURITY IS 'TOP PRIORITY' Home Secretary Amber Rudd said that the Government's top priority following the Westminster attack was 'the security of its people'. Speaking during a visit to Pakistan, Ms Rudd urged the public to remain calm and keep vigilant. She said: 'I know the whole country will be thinking of and praying for those affected by this terrible incident. Our top priority is people's security. 'We have the best police and security services in the world and we will let them get on with their job.' The Home Secretary described the incident as 'on-going' as she said the Prime Minister would hold a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee to consider the situation. 'I want to thank the emergency services for the quick response, and pay tribute to their bravery, their courage, and their professionalism. 'I have been briefed by the Met Police and by the security services, and the Security Minister has also been updated. 'This is an on-going incident and the Government will continue to be updated. The Prime Minister will chair Cobra today. 'I urge everyone to remain calm, but to be vigilant, and if they see anything they are concerned about they should report it to the police.' Advertisement

Mr Rowley said the dead policeman who died was one of the armed officers who guard Parliament and the other victims confirmed dead were on Westminster Bridge.

Some pedestrians were said to have suffered 'catastrophic injuries', and one woman was fished out of the water after it is thought that she jumped over the edge to avoid the careering vehicle.

The driver, said to be an Asian man in his 40s, then ploughed into the gates of the Palace of Westminster, where Theresa May had been answering Prime Minister's Questions.

Witness Jayne Wilkinson said: 'We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

'And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

'He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.'

Craig Mackley, who is the acting head of the Met, is being treated as a significant witness so was unable to answer questions today. Acting commander BJ Harrington said that there were 'a number of casualties' but would not confirm how many.

He urged people in London to stay away from the area - usually populated by thousands of tourists visiting some of Britain's most iconic architecture - as police continue to investigate.

This map shows the area now cordoned off after the attack this afternoon, as well as where people were hurt

Two knives have were seen on the ground as a man, believed to be the attacker, pictured, was taken from the scene in an ambulance. Police have now confirmed that he has died

Moments beforehand, officcers could be seen crowding around the injured man, who was shot by a policeman after stabbing a fellow officer outside the Palace of Westminster

Commander Harrington also said they were not yet sure of the motive, but Scotland Yard said that the attack - a year after the Brussels bombing - was being treated as terrorist 'until we know otherwise'.

The commander told reporters: 'I can confirm we are treating this as a terrorist incident, although we remain open-minded as it the motives for the incident. A full investigation is underway.

'The acting commissioner was a significant witness in the incident as he was there at the scene and it would not be appropriate for him to discuss it at this stage.

'We request any member of the public who has an information to contact police. Anyone who has any film of the incident should contact us as well.

'I want to reiterate our number one priority is keeping the public safe and if Londoners on their way home from work today will see an increased police presence.'

An hour after the attack, paramedics removed a man, thought to be the attacker, from the scene after extensive CPR. Another body appeared to have been left on the ground covered by a red blanket.

Police are asking people to avoid Parliament Square (pictured), Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube

Police are seen on the banks of the Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament this afternoon

A doctor at St Thomas' Hospital confirmed one woman has died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with 'catastrophic' injuries. At least three police officers are believed to have been injured.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was evacuated from Parliament in an armoured car, is to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the bloody incident.

The Cobra committee brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies. Normal parliamentary discussions were suspended when the news broke today.

Meeting in a briefing room of the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, Cobra co-ordinates the high-level response to serious incidents, and has previously gathered after terrorist atrocities including the July 7 attacks on the London transport network and the murder of soldier Lee Rigby.

Investigations into the emergency at Westminster are in their infancy, but the early details echo terrorist incidents in Europe and chime with warnings from security chiefs about possible attack methods.

Although Britain has until now remained unscathed amid the recent flurry of atrocities on the continent, senior figures have repeatedly cautioned that the UK remains a major target.

At least 40 civilians were injured on Westminster Bridge as the car mounted the pavement and ploughed into pedestrians and cyclists

HOW TODAY'S EVENTS IN LONDON HAPPENED 2.40pm: An attacker mows down several pedestrians as he drives a Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster and stabbing a police officer 2.41pm: Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service are called to a major incident 3.35pm: Police say the attack is being treated 'as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise' 4.10pm: Junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital says one woman has died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with 'catastrophic' injuries 4.45pm: Paramedics confirm they have treated at least ten patients on Westminster Bridge 4.49pm: Police Commander BJ Harrington says there were 'a number of casualties' in the attack 'including police officers'. 4.51pm: Downing Street spokesman says Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later 5.40pm: Sources reveal the police officer stabbed at Parliament has died 6.01pm: Police say four people were killed in the attack, including the police officer and a man believed to be the attacker 6.56pm: Home Secretary Amber Rudd says the Government's top priority following the attack is 'the security of its people' Advertisement

Earlier this month it was revealed that 13 potential attacks have been foiled since the murder of Lee Rigby in 2013, while counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 live investigations at any time.

The official threat level for international terrorism has been at severe - meaning an attack is 'highly likely' - for more than two years.

And the events at Westminster appear to tally with warnings about the threat posed by more rudimentary tactics, such as lone or small numbers of assailants carrying out knife attacks or using vehicles as weapons, in addition to more large-scale bomb or firearms plots.

The possibility that vehicles could be used to inflict multiple casualties were confirmed in horrifying fashion in the Nice attacks in July last year when dozens of people were killed when a lorry ploughed into a large crowd watching a fireworks display to mark the Bastille Day holiday.

Months later an attacker drove a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing several people and injuring dozens more.

Both Islamic State and al Qaida have previously urged followers to use vehicles to carry out attacks. Neither have yet claimed responsibility for today's violent acts.

A report published in December by Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, said the bloc was facing a range of terrorist threats and attacks including the use of bladed weapons and vehicles.

In January former terror laws watchdog David Anderson spoke of a 'realisation on the part of the terrorists that they don't need sophisticated explosives plots to take great numbers of lives'.

The Hyundai 4x4 used by the attacker remains at the scene after it slammed into a fence before the attacker got out

He added: 'People using automatic weapons, heavy goods vehicles, even knives, machetes, and securing all the publicity they could possibly want from deploying relatively simple weapons such as that.'

Scotland Yard counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said earlier this month that police are concerned about 'everything from fairly simple attacks with knives or using vehicles all the way through to the more complex firearms attacks'.

Security services and police will be starting to piece together the possible motivations behind the attack on Wednesday, but the location - the heart of British democracy - will be seen as highly significant.

It comes days after the Metropolitan Police staged a mock 'pleasure boat' attack on the Thames to test the emergency response to such an emergency.

But Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism and will stand together against those who seek to harm and 'destroy our way of life', London's Mayor said.

Large areas of London were left deserted today, with nothing but police on guard in places usually packed with people. Pictured is Westminster Bridge, where 40 were injured

The statement was made as two victims of the terror attack remain in a stable condition at St Thomas's Hospital opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Sadiq Khan, said: 'Today London suffered a horrific attack near Parliament Square which we are treating as a terrorist attack.

'A number of people have lost their lives and at least 40 people have been injured.

'My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected.

'Tragically, a Metropolitan Police officer who was doing his duty protecting our city is amongst those who have been killed - and my thoughts are with his family this evening.

'I want to express my gratitude on behalf of all Londoners to the police and emergency services who have shown tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.'
Pope Francis has described Europe's refugee and migrant crisis as the biggest tragedy since the Second World War.

At his weekly public audience today in St Peter's Square, the pontiff urged tourists and pilgrims 'not to forget' the problem but instead welcome and help refugees. He also encouraged efforts to integrate them into society.

He said integration should keep in mind 'the reciprocal rights and duties of those who welcome and those who are welcomed'.

Pope Francis has described Europe's refugee and migrant crisis as the biggest tragedy since the Second World War

At his weekly public audience today in St Peter's Square, the pontiff urged tourists and pilgrims 'not to forget' the problem but instead welcome and help refugees. Above, a refugee with her child in Munich

Francis repeatedly urged Europe to do more to help the hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and economic migrants who've arrived in recent years.

On Friday, Francis has the opportunity to urge Europe to improve ways to handle the migrant crisis when he addresses leaders of the European Union nations on the eve of a summit in Rome.

Meanwhile, Austria said today that it would double the amount of money paid to migrants who voluntarily return home, as part of a campaign to speed up the repatriation of around 50,000 asylum seekers.

They would be offered 1,000 euros (865) instead of 500 euros, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said.

The Pope also encouraged efforts to integrate migrants into society. Pictured, illegal migrants on Zefyros beach at Rhodes island, Greece

The scheme, run in collaboration with pro-refugee groups, is primarily aimed at 'those who are not likely to be granted the right to long-term residence', he told a press conference in Vienna.

Austria, a nation of 8.7 million people, has received more than 130,000 asylum applications since 2015 following the onset of the European Union's worst migration crisis since the Second World War.

Of the new arrivals, about 10,700 left Austria again last year, including 5,800 by choice, according to official data.

'The advantage of voluntary returns is that they are less traumatic,' said Bernd Wachter of Caritas Austria, the Catholic Church's humanitarian organisation which works closely with refugees.

'They allow you to better organise the reintegration in the country of origin,' he said.
Authorities say a 19-year-old Kentucky high school student is facing charges, accused sexually assaulting two younger students on a school bus on the way home from school.

19-year-old Ryan Rayburn was arrested Friday on two counts of sodomy involving a 14-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy on a bus in Stanford.

Authorities say a March 16 school bus video shows Rayburn engaging in sexual acts with the juveniles at the rear of the vehicle.

Ryan Allen Rayburn, 19, is charged with two counts of first-degree sodomy.

Officers arrested Rayburn last Friday at Fort Logan High School. The incident allegedly happened the day before

Police say Rayburn forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female and an 11-year-old male while on the bus.

Officers arrested Rayburn last Friday at Fort Logan High School.

The incident allegedly happened the day before although officials did not give further details how the attack occurred.

Stanford police spokesman Officer Tim Morris says the investigation began after a parent complained to school officials. Rayburn attended an alternative high school in Stanford.

Lincoln County Superintendent Michael Rowe says the school system is fully cooperating with the investigation. Rayburn is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond.

The school released a statement saying, 'The safety and well-being of our students is a top priority of the Lincoln County Board of Education. Lincoln county school officials are actively cooperating with local police in their investigation.'

It wasn't immediately clear if Rayburn has an attorney.
The U.S. Intelligence Community collected 'incidental' information about President Donald Trump' and his transition team during the three months following the 2016 election, House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes today revealed.

Nunes told reporters on Capitol Hill that the information collected was 'legally collected' pursuant to a warrant issued by a FISA judge in a federal court, and concerned 'foreign' surveillance - before he went to the White House to tell the president.

He said 'it's possible' that the now-president's personal communications were among those which were part of the 'incidental' collection - but did not say definitively if that was the case.

But that 'did not involve Russia or any discussions with Russians,' Nunes said, adding that he was 'alarmed' to learn what he did.

Trump has insisted in recent weeks that his predecessor, Barack Obama, 'wire tapped' him inside Trump Tower last year, promising that new information would be forthcoming.

Nunes said Wednesday that he still had not seen any evidence to support Trump's claim.

Nevertheless, the president told White House reporters that he feels 'somewhat' vindicated after hearing what Nunes had to say this afternoon.

'I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found. I somewhat do,' he said shortly after a meeting with the California congressman.

House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes (pictured) said Wednesday that the U.S. government conducted surveillance that produced 'incidental' intelligence on the transition team of President Donald Trump and maybe Trump himself

The president told White House reporters that he feels 'somewhat' vindicated after hearing what Nunes had to say this afternoon. The congressman came to the White House this afternoon to give Trump an in-person briefing

The surveillance would have occurred while Obama was still president. Nunes said he could not rule out the involvement of senior Obama administration officials.

Standing in front of the White House, the Republican lawmaker told reporters: 'This is information that was brought to me that I thought the president needed to know about incidental collection where the president himself and others in the Trump transition team were clearly put into intelligence reports that ended up at this White House and across a whole bunch of other agencies, and I thought it was important for the president to know.'

Nunes said he had a 'duty' to bring the information to the Oval Office occupant and leader of the Republican Party.

So disturbed was the House intel chairman by the reports he says he saw, he came to the White House straight away to brief the president - after first holding a news conference on Capitol Hill with reporters.

'What I have read bothers me, and I think it should bother the president himself and his team because I think some of it seems to be inappropriate,' Nunes said after his sit-down with Trump.

The statement was in response to a question about the nature of the surveillance. Nunes said it had 'nothing to do' with Russia or the FBI's Russian investigation, prompting an inquiry as to whether he thought it was politically motivated. He did not answer in the affirmative, yet he did not bat the suggestion down.

'I think the president is concerned, and he should be,' Nunes said of Trump's response to the information. 'I think hed like to see these reports and hopefully when we get them they'll get them to the White House also.'

'What I have read bothers me, and I think it should bother the president himself and his team because I think some of it seems to be inappropriate,' Nunes said in front of the White House after his sit-down with Trump

Nunes would not say how Trump transition officials were caught up in the surveillance - and whether any of them work at the White House

How many Trump transition officials were named in the reports, Nunes could not say. He dodged a related question about whether any those people are currently working at the White House.

Nunes briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and NSA Director Mike Rogers before he came to the White House. He said will soon share his findings with Comey, whose bureau, he said, has been less than helpful.

Left out of the equation was Congressman Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee's top Democratic member.

Nunes and Schiff are from opposing sides, but they are both members of the California delegation and had to this point worked closely together.

If the information that Nunes had his hands on was 'accurate,' Schiff said in a blistering statement, it should have been shared with the entire intelligence committee.

'Indeed, it appears that committee members only learned about this when the Chairman discussed the matter this afternoon with the press.'

He added: 'A credible investigation cannot be conducted this way.'

Livid, Schiff told reporters on Capitol Hill, Nunes 'will need to decide whether he is the chairman of an independent investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to at as a surrogate of the White House  because he cannot do both.'

Nunes on-camera remarks Wednesday afternoon left Trump's press secretary equally flat footed.

'The media has more information than we do at this point,' Sean Spicer said as reporter after reporter asked him in his daily briefing what he expected Nunes to say to the president.

Last week Nunes' Committee, along with its counterpart in the U.S. Senate, concluded that no evidence existed to support Trump's allegation that Obama wiretapped him.

FBI Director James Comey said much the same thing at a hearing on Monday.

Nunes said Wednesday that it remained his assessment that wiretapping of Trump Tower 'never happened' while claiming that U.S. intelligence reports brought to him by unnamed sources that he said include 'significant information' about Trump and his transition team.

'I've seen dozens of reports,' Nunes said at his press conference on Capitol Hill. 'It's all classified information' and 'has nothing to do with any criminal investigation. This is normal incidental collection, at least from what I was able to read.'

He told reporters he didn't understand 'why people would need to know that about President-Elect Trump or his transition team.'

But he declined to declare that the CIA, FBI or NSA was 'spying' on Trump.

'It all depends on one's definition of spying ... I'm not going to get into legal definitions here, but clearly I have a concern,' he said. 'It has nothing to do with any criminal investigation ... It was normal foreign surveillance, is what it looks like to me.'

Nunes's description of the reports he has seen is in line with the kind of surveillance that led to the disclosure of talks between Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak and the presidents former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn.

Kislyak was under routine foreign surveillance by the FBI when he called Flynn during the transition, intelligence officials have said. That information was leaked to the press, and Flynn was accused of misleading the White House about the content of his conversations.

Flynns name was revealed by The Washington Post.

At the White House, Nunes said the information he saw 'definitely goes beyond what happened to General Flynn.'

'We don't actually know yet, officially what happened to General Flynn,' he added. 'We just know that his name leaked out, but we dont know how it was picked up.'

In this case, 'there were additional names that were unmasked,' he said.

The House Intelligence Committee asked the the FBI, NSA and CIA for that information and has not received it yet.

FLAT-FOOTED: 'The media has more information than we do at this point,' Sean Spicer said as reporter after reporter asked him in his daily briefing what he expected Nunes to say to the president

At his briefing Spicer emphasized that 'American citizens are prohibited by law from being ' "unmasked"  from having their names put out there.'

Spicer was unable to say if the people Nunes said were 'unmasked' - but did not name- were the same as the Americans who had been previously leaked.

Aside from Flynn, Paul Manafort, Carter Page and Roger Stone were named as Trump associates under FBI surveillance in a Jan. 19 New York Times article.

On reporter asked if Nunes' comments could merely reflect what was already known about Flynn.

'I don't know. ... until the president gets briefed, I don't know what he knows,' Spicer responded.

In a statement Schiff implied that Nunes comments about the unmasking were misleading.

Once he finally had a chance to speak to the Republican Congressman, Schiff says he learned that 'most of the names in the intercepted communications were in fact masked, but that [Nunes] could still figure out the probable identity of the parties.

'This does not indicate that there was any flaw in the procedures followed by the intelligence agencies,' Schiff's statement said.

He reiterated at the end, 'It certainly does not suggest -- in any way -- that the president was wiretapped by his predecessor.'
A passer-by who appeared to take photos with a 'selfie stick' in front of victims of the Westminster terror attack has sparked fury.

At least five people have died when a terrorist brought carnage to central London today, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and attacking police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

It is currently believed one attacker was involved, killing four people, including a policeman, and leaving at least 40 pedestrians and two other police officers seriously injured.

PC Keith Palmer, 48, was tonight named as the murdered officer. He had 15 years service.

A man in sunglasses was seen with a selfie stick on Westminster Bridge this afternoon

Witnesses said the aftermath of the scene on Westminster Bridge was like a 'Hollywood disaster movie'.

People taking selfies at the scene of casualties lying on the ground - before they got help - caused revulsion.

A man in sunglasses was seen using a selfie stick to take pictures of the chaotic scene.

Referring to that, one observer said: 'Sir you with the selfie stick, you need that shoving up your a***.'

One person said: 'Unbelievable, how could someone think that it's acceptable to do that.'

At least 40 people were hit by a vehicle on Westminster bridge after 4x4 drove into pedestrians

Westminster bridge was strewn with injured people who were treated on the road or carried to the nearby St Thomas' Hospital

The terrorist crashed into people next to Parliament including pedestrians and a cyclist

A policeman points a gun at the terror suspect on the floor while emergency services attend him and a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster

Parveen Agnihotri commented: 'Shame on the people taking selfies rather than helping the injured. Seems like we've become a nation of uncaring self promotion.'

Kavita Cooper said: 'Touched by the bravery of those that ran towards victims to offer help and support. Disgusted by those taking selfies.'

Another added: 'Unbelievable! Some people disgusting! Please track this sick individual down & shame him publicly at the very least!'

One said: 'What is wrong with some people man. No brains at all. Muppet.'

There were disturbing scenes on Westminster Bridge where around a dozen pedestrians were mowed down

A police officer was stabbed by the knifeman (pictured at the top) before he was shot by other officers. One stabbed police officer was also treated (below)

Scotland Yard said the attack, which comes a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels, is being treated 'as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise'.

At least 40 people were hit on Westminster bridge when a Hyundai 4x4 drove along the pavement, knocking down pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben.

One victim of the car attack was left floating face down in the Thames but was pulled from the river alive.

The terror suspect, an Asian man in his forties, then broke into the grounds of Parliament and stabbed a police officer before he was shot.

In the aftermath of the attack, the hundreds of people inside Parliament were warned to stay away from any windows before being evacuated.

Armed police from the Met's elite terror squad combed the estate to ensure it was secure keeping people in the 900-year-old Westminster Hall.

Prime Minister Theresa May was later seen being bundled into the back seat of her silver Jaguar surrounded by armed guards.

A counter-terrorism investigation is already under way, police said.
Two French students and a Korean tourist are in a serious condition after the Westminster terror attack, which has claimed the lives of four people, including a police officer.

The French pupils, believed to be aged between 15 and 16, were on a school trip to London when they were hit by a car on Westminster Bridge this afternoon.

A third pupil, from St Joseph High School in the Brittany seaside town of Concarneau was treated at the scene after being hit by the same car.

A tour agency official has confirmed that the South Korean tourist was also seriously injured in today's attack, which has claimed four lives.

Three French pupils on a school trip to London were hit by a car on Westminster Bridge this afternoon

The French students were among a group of around 10 teachers and pupils from the school on a trip to London.

A spokesman from the school said: There were four classes on a trip to London. They travelled at the start of the week and were due to return at the end of the week.

He confirmed that those injured were in St Thomass Hospital, on the south side of Westminster Bridge.

Frances prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: Solidarity with our British friends terribly hit, all support to the French pupils wounded, to their family and their schoolmates.

The students were on a school trip to London when they were hit by a car on Westminster Bridge this afternoon

Frances prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: Solidarity with our British friends terribly hit, all support to the French pupils wounded, to their family and their schoolmates

One student, identified by Le Telegramme as Kilian, sent a text message to his mother stating: 'We saw the car strike a group. After 20 seconds it hit us.'

He said his group was safe on a boat. Members of the group were interviewed by investigators.

It is believed the pupils in the group were aged between 15 and 16.

The French Foreign Ministry said it is in contact with British authorities.

A source, identified solely by the name Han, told Yonhap news agency in South Korea: 'Four South Korean tourists sustained light injuries and another serious injury. They are now being treated at a hospital.'
Instead of statements of support or prayers for the victims, Donald Trump Jr reacted to the the London terror attack on Wednesday by criticizing Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Around 1pm ET, Donald Jr re-tweeted an article from September, in which Khan, the city's first Muslim mayor, stated that terror attacks were 'part and parcel' of living in a big city.

Khan gave the interview six-months-ago and his comments were his reaction when asked about the bombs that were detonated in New York City and Jersey in September, injuring 31.

Donald Jr commented in his tweet: 'You have to be kidding me?!'

Donald Trump Jr reacted to the London terror attack on Wednesday by tweeting a criticism of Mayor Sadiq Khan

Donald Jr. (left) re-tweeted an interview with Khan (right) in which the mayor said that terrorist attacks are 'part and parcel' of living in a big city. Donald Jr commented: 'You've got to be kidding me?!'

Many criticized President Trump's eldest son, saying his comments were inappropriate so soon after a tragedy that has so far claimed the lives of at least four people.

'Is it really appropriate, considering your father's position and what's happening today, to attack the Mayor of London?' one Twitter user asked.

Another user added: 'Your complete lack of intelligence continues to show through. It is quite amazing, actually.'

So far, four people have been killed in the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge and Parliament

Donald Jr was quickly criticized for his comments, which many said were inappropriate and ill timed

The incident in London today was centered in the heart of Britain's seat of power - the Houses of Parliament.

London police say that a knife-wielding man driving a Hyundai 4x4 jumped the curb onto the sidewalk to mow down pedestrians as he drove across the Westminster Bridge towards Parliament Wednesday afternoon.

Once on the other side of the bridge, he crashed into the railings outside of Parliament, where he got out and proceeded to stab an armed police officer to death. He was then shot and killed by responding officers.

In addition to the attacker and the stabbed police officer, two other people have died and 20 more were injured.

Police said they were treating the attacks as a terrorist incident and had launched a full counterterrorism investigation. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from any terrorist organizations.

Since his father took office, Donald Jr and his younger brother Eric have taken over the family business, and in so doing have had to distance themselves from their father so as not to create a conflict of interest.

Sister Ivanka however, is getting an office in the West Wing and top security clearance, it was revealed this week.

Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric reunited in Aspen this week for a spring break with their families. But Donald Jr's trip was cut short by several days when his five-year-old son Tristan broke his legs on the slopes on Sunday. Donald Jr and wife Vanessa then jetted back to New York, leaving son Donald Trump III with his cousins for the week.
Convicted killer Shiloh Heavenly Quine, 57, was taken to the Central California Women's Facility last month after previously serving time behind bars at a men's prison

The first U.S. inmate to have taxpayer-funded sex reassignment surgery says she is struggling since being transferred to a California women's prison.

Convicted killer Shiloh Heavenly Quine, 57, was taken to the Central California Women's Facility last month after previously serving time behind bars at a men's prison.

She called her new housing a 'torture unit' in a federal court filing.

Quine said she's isolated and denied basic privileges such as a razor.

She claims she has grown facial hair that is making her transition to life as a woman more difficult.

In the filing, Quine said she wants a judge to order electrolysis, among other changes.

The 57-year-old had reassignment surgery in January and last month was moved from a men's prison.

State officials say she's being treated like other female inmates. All initially are denied privileges like razors and TVs as they are evaluated.

Quine called her new housing at a California women's prison a 'torture unit' and said she is being denied basic privileges such as a razor

The 57-year-old, who had reassignment surgery in January, was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery for ransom in 1980

California prison officials agreed to pay for her operation in 2015 under the Eighth Amendment, which requires prisons to treatment for medical and mental health conditions, including gender dysphoria.

Her case led California to become the first state to set standards for transgender inmates to apply to receive the surgery.

Quine was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery for ransom and sentenced to life without parole after Shahid Ali Baig was shot dead in Los Angeles, California in 1980.

Baig's daughter previously said she objects to inmates getting taxpayer-funded surgery that is not readily available to non-criminals, regardless of the cost.

State officials say she's being treated like other female inmates. All initially are denied privileges like razors and TVs as they are evaluated

Farida Baig, who tried unsuccessfully to block Quine's surgery through the courts, previously said: 'My dad begged for his life.

'It just made me dizzy and sick. I'm helping pay for his surgery. I live in California. It's kind of like a slap in the face.'

Quine was previously held in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, according to court documents filed in 2014.

Her case led a federal magistrate to provide transgender female inmates housed in men's facilities with items such as nightgowns, scarves and necklaces.
Former Wallaby Peter Kimlin has been helping police investigating a young woman's allegation that she was raped by players from French rugby club Grenoble.

Kimlin was reportedly one of a number of interviewed by French police in Grenoble on Wednesday.

'I'm finally home after a long day helping the police with their investigation,' Kimlin tweeted on Thursday.

Former Wallaby Peter Kimlin has been helping police investigating a young woman's allegation that she was raped

Kimlin (in white), 31, was reportedly one of a number of players interviewed by French police in Grenoble on Wednesday

'I want to clarify that I wasn't arrested. I was purely at the police station to help establish a timeline.'

The investigation reportedly stems from a 21-year-old woman's allegation that she was drugged and raped after meeting players at a Bordeaux nightclub, following Grenoble's Top 14 loss to Bordeaux-Begles on March 11.

Kimlin's lawyer Aurelia Mennessier appeared to indicate that Kimlin was cleared of any wrongdoing.

'Peter Kimlin is out of jail. He seems to be definitively out of this affair,' Mennessier tweeted.

Kimlin also said he had not been sacked by Grenoble, along with the other players.

Grenoble centre Chris Farrell (second left) and prop Denis Coulson arrive at a police station

Grenoble last week suspended players under investigation but did not reveal their identities.

'FC Grenoble Rugby is deeply affected by these events, which in no way correspond to the values we defend and to which we firmly believe,' the club said in a statement on March 17.

Kimlin, 31, played two Tests for Australia, making his debut against Italy in 2009 as a starting flanker.

The Canberra product left the Brumbies for France at the end of the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The US Coast Guard has launched a search for a Florida man who fell overboard from the eighth deck of a Carnival cruise ship on early Wednesday morning.

Brandon Paul, 23, of Floral City, was aboard the Carnival Victory sailing from Key West to Cozumel, Mexico for a four-day cruise.

The man was reported to have fallen over around 3am when the ship was about 33 miles northwest of Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Brandon Paul, 23, of Floral City, Florida, fell overboard from the eighth deck of Carnival cruise ship at 3am on Wednesday

The Carnival Victory was approximately 33 miles northwest of Pinar del Rio, Cuba at the time of the accident. Cuban authorities are also assisting in the search

After the accident, the ship immediately turned around and began its own search-and-rescue operation, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said.

Crew members alerted the USCG who dispatched a Coast Guard cutter and airplane in the search.

Because of the ship's proximity, Cuban authorities are also assisting in the search for Paul.
Police rushed to a London Underground station tonight just hours after a terrorist attack in Westminster.

Crowds gathered outside Kennington station with around a dozen police cars parked outside.

It emerged that they were called to reports of a stabbing.

Crowds are building outside Kennington Underground Station after 'a dozen' police cars rushed to the area earlier tonight

A police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 19:08hrs on Wednesday, 22 March to Kennington Underground Station.

'It was reported that youths were fighting at the location and a youth had been stabbed. Officers attended and did not find anyone injured or any disturbance.'

Police said no arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

It was feared that the high police presence was linked to the fatal stabbing of a police officer outside Parliament this afternoon.

The nature of the incident is unknown and it is not clear if it is linked to the earlier terror attack in Westminster today

One Twitter user said: 'Just now at Kennington station, police and ambulance in force, seem to still be looking for someone.'

Another tweeted: 'Police cars and ambulances are swarming Kennington right now. Sat on a bus outside.'

It is also unknown whether the tube station has been closed.

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police and Transport for London for comment.
No Australians are believed to have been caught up in a horrific terror attack near London's Houses of Parliament that has left at least four people dead.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia's High Commissioner in London had not identified any Australians among the killed or injured following the atrocity on Westminster Bridge and outside Parliament.

'I can assure Australians that to this point no Australians have been identified as being involved,' she said.

Ms Bishop said the Australian government was doing everything in its power to keep the country safe but warned that lone wolf terrorist attacks 'can occur anywhere at any time'.

No Australians are believed to have been caught up in a horrific terror attack near London's Houses of Parliament that has left at least four people dead. Pictured, emergency services at the scene

Paramedics are seen treating the suspected attacker, who later died in hospital

Foreign Minister Julie BIshop said no Australians were caught up in the attack in London

She added that Australian extremists fighting for ISIS in Syria and Iraq may return as the barbaric group are defeated in the Middle East.

'They may well seek to come back to our part of the world. That's why we are monitoring them, tracking them, exchanging intelligence real-time, information to ensure we can keep people as safe as possible,' Ms Bishop told 9 News.

People ... may seek to come back to southeast Asia, Australia, we will do everything we can to track them and prosecute them if we have evidence to prove they are guilty of terrorism offences.'

Ms Bishop extended the Australian government's deepest sympathy to the people of the UK after speaking to her counterpart Boris Johnson.

The minister insisted the government is doing all it can to ensure Australia is safe from such an attack.

'But as we have seen in the United Kingdom today, these events can occur,' she said.

Ms Bishop said Australia was doing all it could to keep people safe from terrorist attacks at home.

'We are focusing on ensuring that those who pose a threat to our national security are monitored, are deterred from their actions.

'That's why the Australian Government has invested so heavily in our law enforcement, our intelligence agencies, and our defence force to ensure that we can track these people, that we can monitor their activities.

'Now, clearly when it is a lone wolf attack, that is a person is not brought to the attention of authorities prior to taking action, it is very difficult, but we're doing all we can to ensure that Australia is safe from this kind of attack, but as we've seen in the United Kingdom today, these events can occur.

'What we have to do is ensure that we take every step, including providing the resources and the legislative power to our law enforcement agencies and authorities in Australia.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia's High Commissioner in London had not identified any Australians among the killed or injured following the atrocity. Pictured, emergency services at the scene

Ms Bishop extended the Australian government's deepest sympathy to the people of the UK after speaking to her counterpart Boris Johnson. Pictured, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) treats a stabbed police officer

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia's heartfelt sympathies were with the victims of the attack.

'Australia stands in resolute solidarity with the people of Britain in war against terrorism,' he tweeted.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has pledged support to Britain after the attack.

'This shocking crime, designed to weaken the UK, will only make her stronger. All Australians stand with Britain today,' he tweeted early on Thursday.

An attacker brought carnage to central London on Wednesday afternoon, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and hacking at police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

At least 20 people were hit when a 4x4 drove along the pavement on the crowded bridge, knocking down and seriously injuring pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben.

An attacker brought carnage to central London on Wednesday afternoon, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and hacking at police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament

At least 20 people were hit when a 4x4 drove along the pavement on the crowded bridge, knocking down and seriously injuring pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben

The killer, described by witnesses as 'middle-aged and Asian', then managed to break into the grounds of the Parliament where he fatally stabbed a police officer with two knives.

The policeman died at the scene. The attacker, who was shot by armed officers, died after he was taken to hospital.

It is currently believed one attacker was involved and he killed three people, including the policeman, and left at least 20 pedestrians and three other police officers seriously injured.

Prime Minister Theresa May was bundled into her car by a plain-clothes police officer and driven quickly from the scene as the attack unfolded.

London's Metropolitan Police said the attack, which comes a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels, is being treated 'as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise'.
A 25-year-old man has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend, her teenage daughter and their landlord in a brutal machete attack in their Iowa apartment.

Carlos Hernandez-Ventura was convicted Tuesday of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lourdes Flor De Leake, 34, Melany Barraza, 14, and Juan Jimenez Tejada, 78.

The 25-year-old attacked his girlfriend Leake in her Perry, Iowa, home, and chopped off her hand while she yelled 'I love you', he later admitted to police.

He then killed the two other victims with the machete, drove across the border to Illinois, and turned himself in.

Hernandez-Ventura, who will be sentenced on April 21, faces life in prison - the mandatory sentence for first degree murder in Iowa.

Carlos Hernandez-Ventura (pictured) was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for killing his girlfriend, her daughter and their elderly landlord with a machete

During Hernandez-Ventura's trial in Adel, Iowa, State Patrol Sgt. David Saldivar told the court that Hernandez-Ventura admitted to the murders in an emergency room interview after the attack, theDes Moines Register reported.

Saldivar was called in to translate between Spanish-speaking Hernandez-Ventura and an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent at the hospital.

According to Saldivar, Hernandez-Ventura told the DCI agent that he attacked all three of his victims from behind.

He targeted his girlfriend first in the bedroom she rented from Tejada, who was a regular at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress.

As he swung at Leake's head and neck with a machete, Hernandez-Ventura told police that Leake  a mother of three  raised her hands up and exclaimed, 'I love you, why are you doing this?'

One of her hands was chopped off during the attack, Assistant Dallas County Attorney Sean Wieser, said in his opening statement on Tuesday.

Lourdes Flor De Leake (right) and daughter Melany Barraza (left) were attacked and killed in their home by Leake's machete-wielding boyfriend Carlos Hernandez-Ventura last October

Lourdes Flor De Leake (pictured) was a mother of three who worked in a Mexican restaurant in Perry, Iowa

After Hernandez-Ventura killed his girlfriend in her bedroom, he found Tejada in the kitchen and killed him.

'He said that Juan [Tejada] hadn't noticed the attack in the bedroom,' Saldivar said. 'He used the same machete and attacked him from the rear as well.'

Hernandez-Ventura said he then ran into Leake's daughter, Melany Barraza in the hallway. She had been in the shower during the first two attacks, he said.

The 25-year-old struck her with the machete when she turned away from him, and the teenager was partially decapitated, with her arm severed at the elbow, Perry police officer Lourdes Clay testified.

Clay said cops found the machete on a chair inside the house, according to theDes Moines Register.

Tejada was still alive when cops arrived at the house. He was airlifted to a hospital in Des Moines, where he died from his injuries.

After the slayings, Hernandez-Ventura took Leake's Honda Pilot and drove it 13 miles across the border from Clinton, Iowa, until the car ran out of gas, according to Saldivar.

He was then taken into custody and sent to a hospital in Morrison, Illinois, where he was interviewed.

Leake (left) was a waitress and Barraza (right) was a high school freshman

Juan Jimenez Tejada, 78, was regular at the restaurant and rented a room in his house to Leake. He was also killed in the machete attack on October 29, 2016

Hernandez-Ventura's defense attorneys confirmed that he killed the three victims with a machete.

By way of defense, however, his attorneys claimed the 25-year-old should not be found guilty because he was acting on orders from Leake's estranged husband Daniel Leake, who has not been charged in the case.

Defense attorney Michael Adams told jurors that Hernandez-Ventura has never wavered from his claims that Daniel Leake threatened to kill Hernandez-Ventura and his family if he did not execute the killings as instructed.

Hernandez-Ventura told the investigators that Daniel ordered him to kill Leake because she had discovered that he was a narcotics dealer, according to the Des Moines Register.

Adams argued that Hernandez-Ventura was 'dumbfounded', and said: 'We have to look at it through his eyes, what was his state of mind at the time.

'This is a twenty-something-year-old kid from El Salvador with a sixth grade education, and he's being threatened with his life and the life of his family unless he does something.'

Pictured, Tejada's house where Hernandez-Ventura attacked all three victims from behind

Saldivar also testified that the 25-year-old said he loved his girlfriend, telling the court: 'I recall him saying ... he had cried throughout the night just knowing that he had to do this.'

DCI special agent Don Schnitker testified that investigators were unable to turn up any evidence that Daniel Leake sold drugs or was involved in the machete slayings.

Assistant Dallas County Attorney Wieser told jurors that they may never get a 'good explanation' for why Hernandez-Ventura attacked Leake, her daughter and her landlord.
World leaders have offered their condolences and expressed support for Britain after the devastating terror attack in London.

In the capital itself, towering over where the attack took place, the Queen Elizabeth clock tower, known as Big Ben, was lit up in red to honour the victims.

The lights of the Eiffel Tower were turned off at midnight in solidarity with the victims of Wednesday's horrific events.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a statement that her city shares with London 'a common love of freedom and an attachment to democracy'.

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Big Ben, the Queen Elizabeth clock tower, was lit up red to honour the victims of Wednesday's attack

The lights of the Eiffel Tower were dimmed in order to pay respect to the victims of the terror attacks in London

The lights have been dimmed in similar ways after other attacks around the world as Paris stands in solidarity

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a statement that her city shares with London 'a common love of freedom and an attachment to democracy'

The building of the city hall in Tel Aviv's Rabin square in Israel is illuminated in solidarity with Britain

In Tel Aviv, the city hall was illuminated in solidarity as a Union flag was light painted onto the wall.

Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv, posted images of the City Hall building in Israel, illuminated in red, white and blue.

Mr Huldai said on Twitter: 'Tel Aviv City Hall lit up tonight in colours of the Union Jack, in solidarity with the city of London and my colleague @SadiqKhan.'

Closer to home, Birmingham lit its library in the red, white and blue of the Union flag.

Council leader John Clancy posted: 'The @LibraryofBham lit to show Birmingham's solidarity with London. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's Westminster attack.'

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both expressed their support and solidarity with Britain after today's attack.

'We are all concerned with terrorism,' Hollande told reporters during a visit in Villepinte, outside Paris.

The building of the city hall in Tel Aviv's Rabin square in Israel is illuminated in solidarity with Britain for the attack on Westminster Bridge

Mark of respect: The London Eye was glowing red last night as darkness fell on the capital

Theresa May has been receiving messages of support from her fellow leaders around the world yesterdat. Seen this morning as she spoke to MPs in the House of Commons

Her Jaguar was driven away from Parliament shortly after the attack and she was taken to a place of safety

'France, which has been struck so hard lately, knows what the British people are suffering today.'

Hollande added that countries 'must bring all the conditions to answer these attacks' and that 'it is clear that it is at the European level, and even beyond that, that we must organise ourselves'.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said: 'Terrorism - weapon of cowards. Strongly condemn gruesome terrorist attack at the heart of Westminster.'

French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said 'it is a high place of democracy that has been attacked' and that France is 'obviously ready to help'.

Merkel said in a statement Wednesday that she learned 'with sorrow' of Wednesday's incident and her thoughts were 'with our British friends and all of the people of London', in particular those who were injured.

Closer to home, the Birmingham library also changed its colour scheme to the red, white and blue of the union flag to pay respects

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, shared a message to say Londoners would not be cowed by terrorism and reassured its citizens the city is safe

The German Chancellor continued: 'I want to say for Germany and its citizens: we stand firmly and resolutely by Great Britain's side in the fight against all forms of terrorism.'

American President Donald Trump called Theresa May this afternoon to offer his support.

In a statement from the White House, the president 'pledged full cooperation and support of the United States Government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice.'

A White House spokesman said: 'President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom to offer his condolences on today's terror attack in London and his praise for the effective response of security forces and first responders.

WORLD LEADERS STAND WITH BRITAIN AFTER LONDON ATTACK World leaders have unanimously condemned the attack in the heart of London by a man who was shot dead by armed police, with many saying they stand with Britain. At least three people were killed and 29 hospitalised in the attack outside parliament Wednesday when a man mowed down pedestrians with a car then leapt out and stabbed a police officer. Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as 'sick and depraved', saying the assailant chose the site as an assault on Britain's democratic values. France President Francois Hollande sent a message of 'support to the British people' after the attack, in which three French high school students were wounded. The lights of the Eiffel Tower were switched off at midnight in a tribute to the victims. Hollande said France could identify with Britain's pain after a series of jihadist assaults on its own soil. 'France, which has been hit so hard in recent times, knows what the British people are suffering today.' Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood 'firmly and resolutely alongside Britons in the struggle against all forms of terrorism' while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier added: 'In these grave moments, we Germans feel very close to the British people.' United States The White House pledged 'the full support of the US government in responding to the attack and bringing those to justice who are responsible,' spokesman Sean Spicer said. Donald Trump called Theresa May after the attack and offered his support and cooperation from the United States World leaders sent their messages on Twitter expressing support to the people of the UK European Union European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the attack left him 'highly emotional'. In Brussels to commemorate the first anniversary of attacks on the airport and a metro station, Juncker said: 'The fact that exactly on the same day something similar happened in London, and to London, is really putting me in the situation of someone who does not have... enough words to express how I am deeply feeling.' European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: 'Europe stands firm with the UK against terror and ready to help.' Russia 'The forces of terror are acting more and more cunningly and cynically,' President Vladimir Putin said in a statement, adding that 'a real uniting of the efforts of all the members of the international community' was needed to combat extremism. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 'Turkey feels and shares deeply in the United Kingdom's pain' after his country was hit by a string of deadly attacks in the past year. Erdogan had warned Europeans in a speech earlier Wednesday that 'no European, no Westerner will be able to take steps on the street safely and peacefully,' as a crisis between Ankara and the EU showed no signs of abating. Canada Justin Trudeau said: Out thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families. Canadians remain united with the people of the UK.' Justin Trudeau said the people of Canada remained united with the people of the UK and sent his thoughts to the victims and their families Japan 'We are shocked and angered at the terror attack that generated many deaths and injuries,' government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said. 'The government absolutely condemns the despicable terror attack.' Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the assault was an attack on 'freedom and democracy everywhere'. China In a message of condolence to Queen Elizabeth II, President Xi Jinping strongly condemned the attack and said terrorism was the common enemy of the international community. Iran Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi condemned the attack, calling for 'all countries to form a vast international coalition to fight against terrorism'. But he also took a dig at Western government policy over Syria, adding in comments cited by the Mehr news agency: 'No country will be safe from terrorism while Western countries continue to adopt double standards in fighting against this phenomenon.' Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuania's first female president, said terrorism was a weapon of cowards Advertisement

'He pledged the full co-operation and support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice.'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: 'Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families.

'Canadians remain united with the people of the UK.'

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: 'Shocked at attack on London. Yesterday I spent the day at Westminster. Luckily not today.

'London's Parliament is the mother of democracy!'

Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister, said: 'My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many people nearby.

'Following the incident the Scottish Government has been liaising closely with Police Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has been briefed by the Chief Constable.

'This afternoon our officials held a Scottish Government resilience (SGoRR) meeting with Police Scotland, to ensure that any potential implications for Scotland are considered and I will convene a Ministerial SGoRR meeting later this evening.

Four people have died after the terror attack on Westminster, when a driver mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge

Armed police on the streets of London after the major terror incident at 2.30pm. The Mayor pledged more officers on the streets overnight

Nicola Sturgeon leaves the chamber of the Scottish Parliament after their afternoon debate was suspended in the wake of the terror attack

'We have been in regular dialogue with the Parliament and I fully support the decision of the Presiding Officer to suspend proceedings this afternoon. It should be made clear, however, that this was not because of any specific threat to the parliament or to Scotland.

'We are liaising with our counterparts in the UK Government and the Scottish Government stands ready to support in any way we can.'

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, shared an emotional video in which he addressed the attack.

He said: 'My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been affected. Tragically, a Metropolitan Police Officer who was doing his duty protecting our city is amongst those who have been killed and my thoughts are with his family this evening.

'I want to express my gratitude on behalf of all Londoners, to the police and the emergency services who have shown tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.'

There will be additional armed and unarmed officers on the capital's streets overnight.

Officers attend to the crashed vehicle and the victims after the car went into the gates outside Parliament

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, who earlier in the day had taken part in commemorations to mark the first anniversary of a terror attack in Brussels, said: 'Our condolences are with those who mourn and all who are affected in London. Belgium stands with UK in fight against terror.'

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: 'Horrified by the images from London. My thoughts are with our British friends.'

The European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said: 'My thoughts are with the people of London.'

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: 'Horrible images from London. The very heart of the city has been struck. 'Our thoughts are with the British people.'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: 'Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, their families and friends.'
A massive increase in security introduced after the 7/7 bombings and the deaths of dozens of people on the continent were still not enough to prevent today's attack on the heart of Britain's Government.

A policeman was stabbed to death at the gates of the Palace of Westminster today, where Theresa May had been answering Prime Minster's Questions in front of hundreds of MPs.

At least 20 people were injured beforehand, and at least two of them killed, when the attacker drove a 4x4 along the pavement of Westminster Bridge, which had chilling echoes of the atrocity in Nice last year.

An attacker was today shot and killed at the gates of the Palace of Westminster but he managed to kill a policeman and two civilians, despite years of investment in security since the 7/7 bombings in 2005

At least twenty people were injured and two were killed after the car mounted the pavement and mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on Westminster Bridge on its way to the parliamentary building

The driver managed to reach the palace (pictured) and kill a policeman, despite years of increased security following the 7/7 bombings and numerous attack on the continent in France and Germany in recent years

The attack today targeted arguably the most important building in Britain, leaving police and security services on high alert, guarding British landmarks in case of subsequent attacks.

But the attack succeeded after years of increased investment in Britain's security after the 7/7 bombings by home-grown terrorists in 2005 that left 52 dead in London.

And it comes as Britain remains on high alert, with the official threat level for international terrorism at severe - meaning an attack is 'highly likely' - for more than two years.

Following the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris two years ago, armed officers were positioned at the front vehicle gates to the Palace of Westminster, in a change from normal practice.

Concrete blocks have also been installed around the premises to block vehicles, in a bid to protect the building from a possible attack like the one carried out by a truck in Nice last year.

Additional Metropolitan Police firearms officers are regularly put on detail around the grounds of the Houses of Parliament, where the policeman was today stabbed to death at the very gates.

Police are asking people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube

Westminster Tube station, pictured, was close after the attack and officers are now guarding numerous stops in central London during the busy rush hour

PERVIOUS ATTACKS THAT SPARKED SECURITY INCREASES London's transport system was hit by four co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks in July 2005 that left 52 people dead, carried out by British attackers inspired by Al-Qaeda terror network. There was an attempted second wave of attacks two weeks later. In 2013, two Islamic extremists killed soldier Lee Rigby on a London street by hitting him with a car before attempting to behead him. Last August, a paranoid schizophrenic knifeman who tried to behead a commuter in a London Underground station in an Islamic State-inspired attack was sentenced to life behind bars. In terms of attacks on parliament, Airey Neave - the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary and a close friend of Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher - was killed by an Irish National Liberation Army car bomb in the House of Commons car park. The latest incident comes with Europe on high alert after a series of deadly jihadist attacks, including the Brussels bombings exactly a year ago on March 22, 2016. Advertisement

Police were today seen on guard at Tube stations in central London, which have seen a massive increase in security measures since the 7/7 bombings on the London Underground and a bus.

After the inquests into the deaths of 52 people who were killed that day in 2005, several recommendations were incorporated into the Government's counter-terrorism plans.

Bollards and low-level planters were added to cityscapes all over Britain, like those in Westminster, which are designed to stop vehicles carrying bombs.

New procedure was also put in place for ambulances dealing with major incidents, after it took them 52 minutes to get to Tavistock Square, the scene of the bus bombing. Now, 20 are sent immediately, as well as extra supplies of bandages.

Tube stations are now numbered so that emergency services do not go to the wrong ones, and communication systems on the underground have been updated since being called 'inadequate' and 'non-existant' after 7/7.

Bins have also now been removed from stations, replaced with clear plastic bags so that anything placed inside will be visible by emergency services if there are reports it poses a threat.

Parliament Square, usually populated by thousands of visitors and people who work in the corridors of power, was today abandoned after police put the area on lockdown after the attack on the Palace of Westminster

Parliament was placed on lockdown after the attack. Pictured is Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble standing next to an armed policeman in the Central Lobby today

Officers were also on guard at The Mall, with Trafalgar Square closed to traffic, as officers stand guard against any subsequent attacks

In recent years, MPs have been told to consider fitting their constituency offices with panic buttons and designating a 'safe room' in their homes.

They are also being briefed on the security plans in case of an attack on the Commons.

Following the stabbing to death of Jo Cox, MPs spent almost 640,000 on boosting security.

During the four months after her murder, politicians spent four times on security measures what they had done in the whole previous year.

Spending on MP's office and home security also rocketed after Mrs Cox was shot three times and stabbed outside a constituency surgery meeting.

Last year it was revealed that 130 MPs had requested additional security measures, including bomb-proof letter boxes and reinforced windows.

Police wearing body armour and carrying guns were at the scene today. People across London can expect to see armed officers at Tube stations and other significant areas as security services remain on high alert

There was a heavy police presence at Kennington Tube Station tonight, south of the Thames

Members have also been offered classes in self-defence techniques in a bid to ward off would-be attackers.

Speaking after the attack, Will Geddes, CEO of ICP Group said: 'Westminster is an obvious terrorist target so it is very well protected.

HOW IT UNFOLDED IN LONDON TODAY 2.40pm: An attacker mows down several pedestrians as he drives a Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster and stabbing a police officer 2.41pm: Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service are called to a major incident 3.35pm: Police say the attack is being treated as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise 4.10pm: Junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital says one woman has died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with catastrophic injuries 4.45pm: Paramedics confirm they have treated at least ten patients on Westminster Bridge 4.49pm: Police Commander BJ Harrington says there were a number of casualties in the attack including police officers. 4.51pm: Downing Street spokesman says Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later 5.40pm: Sources reveal the police officer stabbed at Parliament has died 6.01pm: Police say four people were killed in the attack, including the police officer and a man believed to be the attacker 6.56pm: Home Secretary Amber Rudd says the Government's top priority following the attack is the security of its people Advertisement

'It is surrounded by concrete walls and there are specially trained police officers who are well prepared for attacks.

'It would appear to me that they have done everything they could in this case.'

Speaking of the challenges of preventing a lone wolf attack, Geddes said: 'It's always going to be a challenge to prevent lone wolf attacks.'

Swords and imitation guns are just some of the items that have been confiscated by police at public entrances to the Houses of Parliament in the past decade.

Earlier this month it was revealed that 13 potential attacks have been foiled since the murder of Lee Rigby in 2013, while counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 live investigations at any time.

And the events at Westminster appear to tally with warnings about the threat posed by more rudimentary tactics, such as lone or small numbers of assailants carrying out knife attacks or using vehicles as weapons, in addition to more large-scale bomb or firearms plots.

The possibility that vehicles could be used to inflict multiple casualties were confirmed in horrifying fashion in the Nice attacks in July last year when dozens of people were killed when a lorry ploughed into a large crowd watching a fireworks display to mark the Bastille Day holiday.

Months later an attacker drove a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing several people and injuring dozens more.

Both Islamic State and al Qaida have previously urged followers to use vehicles to carry out attacks. Neither have yet claimed responsibility for today's violent acts.

A report published in December by Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, said the bloc was facing a range of terrorist threats and attacks including the use of bladed weapons and vehicles.

In January former terror laws watchdog David Anderson spoke of a 'realisation on the part of the terrorists that they don't need sophisticated explosives plots to take great numbers of lives'.

Tonight, as the sun went down, a heavy police presence was still seen in the capital, even though authorities believe that the attacker was acting alone and is now dead

He added: 'People using automatic weapons, heavy goods vehicles, even knives, machetes, and securing all the publicity they could possibly want from deploying relatively simple weapons such as that.'

Scotland Yard counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said earlier this month that police are concerned about 'everything from fairly simple attacks with knives or using vehicles all the way through to the more complex firearms attacks'.

Security services and police will be starting to piece together the possible motivations behind the attack on Wednesday, but the location - the heart of British democracy - will be seen as highly significant.

It comes days after the Metropolitan Police staged a mock 'pleasure boat' attack on the Thames to test the emergency response to such an emergency.
Channel 4 News claimed at the start of their programme at 7pm that Abu Izzadeen (above) was behind the shocking attack

Infamous Islamic hate preacher Abu Izzadeen was falsely named tonight as the Westminster terror attacker, despite him still being in prison.

Channel 4 News claimed at the start of their programme at 7pm that Izzadeen was behind the shocking attack this afternoon, but later admitted there was 'doubt' over whether this was the case.

Simon Israel, Channel 4's senior home affairs correspondent, told viewers halfway through tonight's show: 'It may be that were not as certain about identity of the attacker as we thought.'

This came after senior security sources and Izzadeen's lawyer denied he could be the attacker - because he is in prison.

The show ended with confirmation from Izzadeen's brother that he was still in jail.

A Channel 4 spokesman said after the programme: 'On tonight's Channel 4 News, senior home affairs correspondent Simon Israel quoted a source as saying that the name of the Westminster attacker was believed to be Abu Izzadeen, formerly known as Trevor Brooks. During the course of the programme, conflicting information came to light. Channel 4 News is currently looking into this.'

Izzadeen - also known as Trevor Brooks - is a former BT electrician and career criminal Izzadeen who converted to Islam aged 17.

He was jailed for two years in January 2016 for breaching the Terrorism Act by leaving the UK illegally. Izzadeen was radicalised by Omar Bakri Mohammed and Abu Hamza at Finsbury Park Mosque.

Simon Israel, Channel 4's senior home affairs correspondent, told viewers halfway through tonight's show: 'It may be that were not as certain about identity of the attacker as we thought'

Channel 4 News released a statement via their official Twitter account some hours later. In it they admitted to wrongly claiming the identity of the alleged Westminster attacker as Abu Izzadeen

He was found with friend and fellow extremist Simon Keller in Hungary on a train on its way to Bucharest, Romania, in November 2015 having been smuggled out of Britain in the back of a lorry via Dover.

The convicted terrorist was deported back to Britain and then jailed  where is still situation today.

Izzadeen gained notoriety a decade ago in 2006 after launching a furious tirade during a speech to Muslims by then Home Secretary John Reid.

In front of TV cameras, married father-of-three Izzadeen denounced Mr Reid as a 'tyrant' and an 'enemy of Islam' before being escorted out by security guards.

He also made inflammatory speeches at the Regent's Park mosque in London on November 9, 2004 - when US forces began their battle for Fallujah in Iraq.

Izzadeen denounced the fighting in speeches made inside the mosque and later, after a clash with the Muslim authorities, out on the street. They were part of the notorious extremist group Al-Muhajiroun.

He later urged a boycott of the Poppy Appeal, claiming anyone who wore a poppy to mark Remembrance Day supported the murder of Muslims.

Izzadeen - also known as Trevor Brooks - is a former BT electrician and career criminal Izzadeen who converted to Islam aged 17

In 2008, Izzadeen was jailed for four and a half years for terror-related offences.

The fluent Arabic speaker was sentenced to two and a half years for the offence of fundraising for terrorism and four and half years for inciting terrorism overseas, to be served concurrently.

But he was released in May the following year after his sentence was cut on appeal. He was later recalled to prison for breaking his release conditions, related to good behaviour.

Izzadeen was born in Hackney, East London, and has a Jamaican background. He was raised as a Christian but converted to Islam when he was 17.

He became a hard-liner after coming across the preachings at Finsbury Park mosque of radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, also known as the 'Tottenham Ayatollah'.

An Asian man in his 40s, believed to be the attacker, is put on a stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament with two knives (circled) left on the cobbles

Izzadeen eventually chose a new name, which means Might of the Faith in Arabic, and immersed himself in his new religion.

What do we know about the 4x4 in the attack? The vehicle driven into Parliament's gates this afternoon was a Hyundai Tucson worth between 19,000 and 32,700. The black diesel car was registered between September 2016 and February 2017 in Chelmsford, Essex. The car can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in as little as 9.5 seconds and the model has been made by the South Korean manufacturer since 2004. All cars registered in Essex are registered to Chelmsford, which is where the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's regional office is located. Hyundai cars are registered in Essex when they are imported into the Port of Tilbury - and it is thought the car could have been a rental vehicle. Advertisement

He has also been associated with Islamist firebrand Anjem Choudary. Like Choudary, he has lived off the state, claiming up to 1,000 a month in benefits while living in a council house in Leyton.

Despite marrying when he was 23, he later advertised on the internet for three more wives and said he wanted more than nine children.

The suspect in today's terror attack drove a year-old Hyundai Tucson - worth up to 32,700 and registered in the affluent Essex city of Chelmsford - down Westminster Bridge at 'high speed'.

The man - said to be Asian-looking and in his 40s - is believed to have been the only attacker but police locked down the area on a 'precautionary basis' tonight in case someone else was still at large.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said outside New Scotland Yard: 'We're satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker, but it would be foolish to be overconfident so early on.

'So, for precautionary basis, we're locking down the area and doing all the necessary searches so we can be completely confident that everyone is safe.'

Terror incident: At least four people died this afternoon after the knifeman mowed down pedestrians then stabbed a policeman before he was shot by armed officers

At least four people were killed in the Westminster terror attack, including the police officer who was stabbed and his attacker.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

Paramedics fought to save his life and that of his victim on the floor of the courtyard in front of Parliament. Two large knives could be seen at the scene.

Witnesses described seeing a heavy-set man carrying a knife. Jayne Wilkinson said: 'We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us.

'And then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

The driver crashed into Parliament's railings this afternoon and then rushed the gates and stabbed a police officer in the head and the neck before he was shot by another officer

'And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

'He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.'

One pedestrian hit by the attacker's car before he reached Parliament was confirmed dead by a doctor, while others suffered 'catastrophic injuries'.

At least one of those being treated in the palace courtyard was wheeled away on a stretcher with their face covered.

Another woman who apparently jumped into the Thames as the attacker drove across the bridge was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a pier.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated at least ten patients on the bridge. French school children were among those targeted.

At least four people died this afternoon after the knifeman mowed down pedestrians, crashed into Parliament's gates (above) then stabbed a policeman before he was shot by armed officers

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was ushered away from Parliament after the attack, will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra committee.

MPs were locked in the House of Commons for more than two hours and business was suspended after the attack, which happened at about 2.40pm.

Earlier, there were claims that a 'bald white man' and a 'black man with goatee beard' had been seen, following initial earlier reports that only the Asian man was involved.

But Britain's most senior anti-terror officer Mr Rowley later dismissed these claims, saying it was believed that only one suspect was involved in the attack.

Essex Police Acting Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: 'In Essex tonight, and until further notice, there will be increased visible police patrol including additional armed officers and other specialist resources.

'I urge the public to be alert but not alarmed. Police forces and our partners are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our citizens, public institutions, critical national infrastructure, and businesses and places.'
An 18-year-old girl has admitted to faking her own kidnapping and gang-rape, just two weeks after she went missing and then bizarrely showed up at a church bloodied and barely clothed.

Denison, Texas Police released a statement on Wednesday, saying that Breana Harmon Talbott had confessed to officers that the whole ordeal was a hoax.

She has since been arrested and charged with making a false report to a peace officer, a misdemeanor.

Breana Harmon Talbott, 18 (pictured), has admitted to lying about being kidnapped and gang raped by three black men

Talbott was reported missing by her fiance on March 8, and wandered into a Denison, Texas church (above) later that evening wearing only a t-shirt, bra and underwear

Police became involved with Talbott on March 8, when her fiance called police around 5:30pm to report her missing.

He told officers that he found his girlfriend's car abandoned in an apartment parking lot with the driver's door open and her phone, keys and a shoe nearby.

Police then mounted a search effort, believing that Talbott had been abducted.

But later that evening, Talbott showed up at a local church. She was bloodied and wearing just a shirt, bra and underwear and claimed to have been gang raped.

Talbott (right, with her fiance) later told police that she had been kidnapped by three black men who took her to some woods near the church and gang raped her

Police say her story fell apart almost immediately. She admitted it was a hoax on Tuesday. It's unclear why Talbott purposefully lied to police. Pictured above with her fiance

She later told police that she was abducted by 'three black males' in ski masks at her apartment before they took her to the woods near the church and took turns raping her while one of them held her down.

Within just a few days of the incident though, detectives say that Talbott's story started to fall apart.

One of the biggest holes in the story was the fact that medical professionals who examined Talbott at the hospital were unable to find evidence she was sexually assaulted.

POLICE STATEMENT ON THE BREANA HARMON TALBOTT HOAX Advertisement

Officers also combed the alleged crime scenes and didn't find anything backing up the crime.

'We believe the crime scene - from the initial kidnapping scene at the apartment complex to the point of Talbotts condition when she walked into the church - were staged,' Police Chief Jay Burch said.

On Tuesday, Talbott copped to police that she staged the hoax and that her wounds were self-inflicted.

The following day, she was arrested and charged with making a false report to a peace officer.

The department has also vowed to go after Talbott for the cost of the search effort.

'Breana Harmon Talbott's hoax was also insulting to our community and especially offensive to the African-American community due to her description of the so-called suspects in her hoax. The anger and hurts caused from such a hoax are difficult and so unnecessary,' the police statement read.

Police did not explain the motivation for the hoax, or whether Talbott's fiance was a knowing participant in her lies.
Farmers in the American heartland are increasingly turning to illicit foreign black markets for the illegal software needed to make home repairs to their field equipment.

Online black markets for cracked John Deere firmware have sprung up in Eastern Europe after the tractor manufacturer introduced restrictive new licensing agreements that make repair outside the dealership all but impossible, a new report in Motherboard reveals.

'Let's say you've got a guy here who has a tractor and something goes wrong with itthe nearest dealership is 40 miles away, but you've got me or a diesel shop a mile away,' a repair mechanic in Nebraska told the publication. 'The only way we can fix things is illegally.'

Farmers in the secret forums can buy reverse-engineered diagnostic equipment and illegal versions of John Deere software.

Much of the software in them is cracked in Eastern European countries such as Poland and Ukraine, sources told Motherboard.

Online black markets for cracked John Deere firmware have sprung up in Eastern Europe after the tractor manufacturer introduced restrictive new licensing agreements

An apparent bootleg version of John Deere's diagnostic software is offered for sale

The sellers of this software describe it as a 'Very powerfull Developer level tool' [sic]

Nebraska is one of eight states currently considering legislation to outlaw restrictive end-user license agreement that give manufacturers virtual monopoly over repairing or modifying equipment after purchase - laws that could benefit handy iPhone owners just as much as farmers.

The newly restrictive John Deere licensing agreements were introduced after federal regulators in 2015 struck down copyright protections that prohibited owners of motorized vehicles from making repairs to their own cars, as long as emissions standards aren't violated.

The agreements, much like end user agreements for iPhones, prohibit tampering with the equipment without the manufacturer's agreement, making self-repair a potential contract violation that the manufacturer could sue over.

In addition, John Deere is said to closely control the diagnostic equipment and software that makes repairs or modifications even possible.

'When you are work in farming, you are tied to weather restrictionsplanting, harvesting, all have to take place when the weather is holding,' Nebraska state legislator Lydia Brasch told Popular Mechanics.

STATES CONSIDERING A 'RIGHT TO REPAIR' LAW Massachusetts

New York

Kansas

Minnesota

Tennessee

Wyoming

Illinois

Nebraska Source: Repair.org Advertisement

'When we have an equipment breakdown, sometimes there's a waiting period to get repairs down,' Brasch said. 'At the same time, you're chasing daylight, and you're helpless during that period of time to diagnose, to maintain, or to repair your own equipment as you had in the past.'

The so-called 'right to repair' legislation was introduced in Nebraska in January, and John Deere and its associated dealers have vociferously opposed it.

'What these proponents didnt tell you is that this type of legislation does little to protect consumers and instead jeopardizes both safety and environmental protections in several ways,' Andy Goodman, president and CEO of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, wrote in a recent op-ed for the Lincoln Journal-Star.

John Deere agrees, arguing that 'repairs and service should be performed by John Deere dealers and the certified technicians they employ' for safety and environmental reasons.
Americans on both sides of the political aisle disapprove of FBI Director James Comey, according to a new poll first released to the Hill newspaper.

A new Harvard-Harris Poll shows that only 17 percent of registered voters have a favorable view of Comey, while another 35 percent view him negatively.

'Even in 1953, the height of McCarthyism, Gallup had 78 percent saying J. Edgar Hoover, Jr. was doing a good job and only 2 percent a poor job,' Harvard-Harris Poll co-director Mark Penn told the Hill.

Scroll down for video

FBI Director James Comey, testifying before the House Intelligence Committee Monday, is unpopular with Americans on both sides of the aisle

FBI Director James Comey is liked less by Democrats, who likely view his late-in-the-campaign announcement that the bureau was looking at more of Hillary Clinton's emails, as something that hurt their candidate in the general election

'Comey's rating, which are two-to-one negative, suggest a crisis of confidence in his leadership as top law enforcement officer,' Penn added.

Another 48 percent of registered voters have no opinion of Comey, despite his name frequently appearing in the news over the past year.

Comey is currently more unpopular with Democrats, though the poll was taken before the FBI director confirmed Monday that the bureau was indeed investigating any ties that may exist between the Trump campaign and Russia, in the aftermath of the election year hacks that disproportionally hurt Hillary Clinton and Democrats.

Earlier this week Comey also snuffed out President Trump's claims that he was wire-tapped by his predecessor, President Obama.

Sixty-six percent of registered voters said they also didn't believe Trump's wire-tapping claim, the poll showed.

The survey shows that Comey is disliked by 41 percent of Democrats, while 12 percent say they view him positively.

Fans of the Democratic nominee likely begrudge the top FBI official for alerting members of Congress several weeks before the election that more of Clinton's State Department emails had been found, heightening speculation that she could still be charged with mishandling classified materials.

The emails were found on a laptop handed over to authorities by Anthony Weiner, who was being investigated for a separate matter.

Weiner, a disgraced congressman and former New York City mayoral candidate, is married to top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin, who has since announced their split.

On November 7, just two days before the election, the FBI announced that Clinton had been cleared, again, but many Democrats believe the political damage had been done.

Among Republicans, 26 percent said they viewed Comey favorably, while another 27 percent viewed the FBI director negatively.

When asked about Russian meddling in the presidential election and Trump's wire-tapping claims, a majority of registered voters  60 percent  said they'd prefer an independent special prosecutor investigate.

Another 40 percent said they were OK with these probes being handled by bipartisan congressional committees, the FBI and the Justice Department.
This is the heart-breaking moment a Metropolitan Police officer realises her colleague is dead.

Emotional images show the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of a police officer in the London terror attacks show colleagues and medics rallying to save his life.

Among them is a female officer, who is by his side on the ground to offer support.

In the final moment, the woman is led away by one of her colleagues as she mourns the death of the officer who was stabbed in the terror attacks

But she is led away in an emotional state as the resuscitation work continues on her colleague.

A blanket is pulled over him as he dies.

The death of the officer was confirmed later by Scotland Yard.

He was named this evening as PC Keith Palmer, 48, who had served in the force for 15 years.

Paramedics and police officers race to help their fallen colleague who has been stabbed in a terror attack

MP Tobias Ellwood was one of the first to get to the officer and offer mouth to mouth and resuscitation before paramedics took over. Here, the officer's female colleague is next to Mr Ellwood

Mr Ellwood performs chest compression while the team from the police and the ambulance service look on

One of those next to the distraught officer was Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood who rushed to help the policeman who had been stabbed.

Mr Ellwood, who lost his brother in the Bali bombing, could be seen pumping the officer's chest then standing above him, his hands and face smeared with blood.

The Bournemouth East MP gave mouth-to-mouth to the officer and put pressure on his wounds to stop the blood flow after he was stabbed by an assailant just inside the gates of the Parliamentary estate.

As the situation becomes frayed, the heartbroken colleague is pulled to one side, top right, and comforted by other officers

The woman, below right, is led away from the scene as the paramedics cover over the officer's body with a blanket. His death was confirmed and he was later named as PC Keith Palmer

He was then pictured with blood on his face after the emergency services arrived and took over medical assistance.

Mr Ellwood's brother Jonathan, who worker at the International School Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, was killed in the 2002 Bali bombings by a Islamist militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.

The attacker is described as an 'Asian' man aged in his 40s. He is said to have 'plunged a seven inch knife' into the officer, who has since died.

A former soldier, Mr Ellwood remained with the victim for some time before an air ambulance arrived.

He then returned to the Foreign Office, where he works as an Undersecretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Tory colleague Maria Miller said he 'has given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one victim'.
Shocking video of Dr Phil's Cash Me Ousside Girl has emerged showing her fighting with her mother.

Thirteen-year-old Danielle Bregoli, who is known for her catch phrase which she debuted on the show last year, was filmed struggling with her mother Barbara Ann in footage captured by a friend on their cell phone.

The constantly sparring pair are seen entangled in each other's bodies while they hit each other in the face.

It is not clear when the fight in the video occurred but it appeared to center around Barbara Ann demanding that Danielle give her her phone back.

'B**** give me the phone!' she shrieked repeatedly.

Danielle Bregoli, known for her Dr Phil catch phrase 'Cash me ousside, how bow dah?' was filmed by a friend fighting with her mother Barbara Ann on the floor of their home. Bregoli landed several slaps on her mother's face while Barbara Ann clutched on to her daughter's hair

Police have been called to the family's home in Boynton Beach, Florida, more than 50 times in the past year amid calls for domestic disturbances.

Danielle later insisted the pair were simply 'play fighting' and added that Barbara Ann didn't 'hurt' her.

'Me and my mother were not fighting on the floor, we were play fighting,' she said in a TMZ clip on Tuesday.

'It wasn't what it was at all. I hit her too hard and so she kind of just pushed me on the floor - that's all that happened. That's how we fight.

'We were rough at it but that's about it. She didn't hurt me, I'm not dead. Am I living right now? Am I dead or something? Am I bruised up? That was years ago, that was almost three years ago.'

Barbara Ann shrieked 'b**** give me the phone' while Bregoli cowered on the couch

Danielle then rose to the fight, slapping her mother several times across the face

She denied that it had ever happened before, adding: 'We were just playing. We always play around - I just think that was the worst it had ever got.'

The teenager also insisted they haven't fought physically since, saying: 'My mother is not abusive she doesn't abuse me. I love my mother.'

Barbara Ann, 49, has never faced child cruelty charges. There is no suggestion she is guilty of it.

She took Danielle on the show last year in a desperate bid to correct her out of control behavior.

The teenager was sent away to a behavioral camp and returned vowing to be more refined.

But her debut won her stratospheric fame and appears to have sent her back to the foul-mouthed, scrappy attitude she was brought on the show to fix.

The feisty Florida duo enjoyed star treatment at Catch LA last week and seemed to have put their woes behind them

Police visited the duo's Boynton Beach, Florida, home more than 50 times in the past year

Her mother also appears to have let the overnight stardom go to her hair.

When they reappeared on Dr Phil earlier this year, she made a list of demands and told the show's producers that they should be grateful for the ratings her daughter brought them.

Barbara Ann and Danielle have a fiery relationship. Earlier this month, police were called to the home amid reports of another fight between the pair.

Boynton Beach detectives told DailyMail.com that the altercation was only verbal and that no one came to any harm.

No one was arrested in connection with the fight which began when Barbara Ann asked one of Danielle's older friends to leave their home.
Landlords, business owners and employers who refuse service to Muslims and other religious groups could be prosecuted under a proposed change to Australia's race-hate laws.

The Turnbull Government is seeking to amend the Racial Discrimination Act and the Australian Human Rights Commission are pushing for religious bias to have the same penalties as discrimination against sex, disability or race.

Under the proposed changes, Australians who refuse to rent out a home or hire a worker on religious grounds could be fined, The Daily Telegraph reported.

'We would say it's deeply unfair for someone to be refused service in a pub because their skin colour is black. Someone could say they don't want to serve Christians. We're saying that's unfair (too),' Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said.

Landlords, business owners and employers who refuse service to Muslims and other religious groups could be prosecuted under a proposed change to Australia's race-hate laws

Under the proposed changes, Australians who refuse to rent out a home or hire a worker on religious grounds could be fined

'I am troubled by the fact that people of faith are not specifically protected under federal anti-discrimination law,'

Mr Santow said if the laws are reformed, those who believe they have been discriminated on a religious basis could seek compensation.

But he said he is not suggesting a Muslim school hire a Catholic teacher.

Draft legislation to amend section 18C of the anti-discrimination laws was introduced to the Senate on Wednesday and the government is hoping to bring on debate next week.

That bill's fate appears doomed but a separate one that tightens up the Human Rights Commission's processes may have more success.

The Turnbull Government are seeking to amend the Racial Discrimination Act and the Australian Human Rights Commission are pushing for religion to be added to the list of 'protected attributes'

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said if the laws are reformed, those who believe they have been discriminated on a religious basis could seek compensation

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told the awards dinner the majority of people advocating for the words 'offend, insult and humiliate' to be changed to 'harass and intimidate' had never come face to face with prejudice.

'These are powerful, vocal, middle-aged men, who think this is all just a thoroughly interesting philosophical discussion,' Mr Shorten said.

'It's easy to denigrate a protection you never need. It's easy to dismiss a hurt you'll never feel.'

He said it wasn't hypothetical for the man in a turban driving a cab, or working the night shift at a service station, being mocked by drunks.

'It's not an academic consideration for the child who comes home from school in tears because of what some bully said about the colour of her skin, or her funny name, or the favourite lunch her parents packed,' Mr Shorten said.

Draft legislation to amend section 18C of the anti-discrimination laws was introduced to the Senate on Wednesday and the AHRC want religion to be added to the 'protected attributes'

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used his speech on Wednesday to emphasise Australia was the most multicultural nation on earth

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used his speech to emphasise Australia was the most multicultural nation on earth.

'We are a lesson in harmony and security amid diversity,' he said.

'We welcome newcomers with open arms and mutual respect because we are confident in our culture, our institutions and our laws.'

He said in return the newest Australians pledge loyalty to Australia and its people, affirm shared democratic beliefs and agree to respect and uphold our liberties, rights and laws.

Mr Turnbull trumpeted the government's resettlement so far of 10,000 Syrians out of an intake of 12,000 announced in 2015.
Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed the UK will 'not give in to terror' following a 'sick and depraved' terror attack in London today in which three people and a terrorist were killed.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergencies committee, Mrs May paid tribute to the 'exceptional men and women' of the police force who responded to the attack.

She confirmed that a 'lone wolf' attacker drove a car into pedestrians walking on Westminster Bridge, killing two of them, before running with a knife through the front gates of the Palace of Westminster, where he killed a police officer before being shot dead.

Mrs May said that any attempt to defeat the values that Parliament stands for was 'doomed to failure'.

In a sombre public statement today, Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain will 'never surrender to the forces of hate and evil'

Speaking outside Downing Street, Mrs May also paid tribute to police and security services who responded to the attack

And she vowed: 'We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.'

The UK's terror threat level would remain at 'severe', Mrs May said.

She praised the bravery of the police officers 'who keep us and our democratic institutions safe'.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected, to the victims themselves and to their families and friends, who waved their loved ones off but will not now be welcoming them home.

'For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.

'Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger, even as they encouraged others to move the other way.'

Mrs May added: 'That they have lost one of their own in today's attacks only makes their calmness and professionalism under pressure all the more remarkable.

A police officer was killed by a knifeman (pictured on stretcher) before the attacker was shot by other officers outside Parliament today. The suspected terrorist is also dead, along with two pedestrians killed when the attacker drove a 4x4 across Westminster Bridge, ploughing down and seriously injuring at least 20

'The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

'These streets of Westminster, home to the world's oldest parliament are ingrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe.

'And the values our Parliament represents - democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.

'That is why it is a target for those who reject those values.

'Let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before, any attempt to defeat our values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.'

Politicians and emergency services rushed to try to save the policeman who was stabbed, but he died at the scene

Mrs May said Parliament would 'meet as normal' on Thursday.

'We will come together as normal and Londoners and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city will get up and go about their day as normal.'

Mrs May said that the UK's security threat level, which has stood at 'severe' for some time, will not be raised as a result of the incident.

The exact details of the 'sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our capital this afternoon' were still emerging, she said, adding: 'Having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers.

'This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament, where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us and our democratic institutions safe.

'Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead.

'The United Kingdom's threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change.

A woman lies severely injured at a postcard stall opposite Big Ben this afternoon following the horrific terror attack

'Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening.'

The 45-minute Cobra meeting brought together senior ministers as well as top police officers, representatives of the security agencies and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mrs May ordered flags to be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent people who lost their lives at Westminster.

Among ministers attending this evening's meeting were Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Security Minister Ben Wallace, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Foreign Minister Sir Alan Duncan.

Absent were Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who was away on an official trip to Pakistan, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in the US for a summit of nations involved in the fight against the Islamic State terror group.

The meeting in Whitehall was addressed by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior anti-terrorist police officer.
Canberra is on high alert following the terrorist attack in London, with armed police officers wielding semi-automatic weapons guarding Parliament House.

Heavily-armed officers were deployed early Thursday morning following the atrocity outside Britain's Westminster, with several guards seen outside federal buildings in the Australian capital.

The beefed up security was in place as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull vowed to 'defeat and destroy' terrorists seeking to kill Australians.

Mr Turnbull said the government would not allow terrorism or fear to affect the Australian way of life and said: 'We will never, ever let the terrorists win.'

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Armed police are pictured on patrol at Parliament House in Canberra, which is on high alert

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull vowed to 'defeat and destroy' terrorists seeking to kill Australians after four people died in the horrific London attack

Officers with guns were guarding Parliament on Thursday morning following the horrific events in London

Extra officers were drafted in overnight following the atrocity outside Britain's Parliament, with the government taking extra precautions

'We will defeat and destroy them on the battlefield, we will defeat and defy them at home,' the prime minister said.

'We will never change the way we live. We will never let them divide us. We will never let them intimidate us or challenge or democratic way of life or the freedoms for which generations of Australians have serve said and died to keep - served and died to keep secure.'

Mr Turnbull added that there would be extra security in Canberra in response to the attack in London.

'The AFP commissioner has confirmed there will be an increase in police present in parliament house here in Canberra today,' he said.

'We are very alert to the vulnerabilities of places of mass gathering and the risk of lone attackers, like the perpetrators, the terrorist in London.'

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop earlier confirmed that no Australians had been caught up in the attack.

Canberra was placed on high alert this morning following the attack in Westminster on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Turnbull said

No Australians are believed to have been caught up in a horrific terror attack near London's Houses of Parliament that has left at least four people dead. Pictured, emergency services at the scene

Paramedics are seen treating the suspected attacker, who later died in hospital

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia's High Commissioner in London had not identified any Australians among the killed or injured following the atrocity. Pictured, emergency services at the scene

'I can assure Australians that to this point no Australians have been identified as being involved,' she said.

Ms Bishop said the Australian government was doing everything in its power to keep the country safe but warned that lone wolf terrorist attacks 'can occur anywhere at any time'.

She added that Australian extremists fighting for ISIS in Syria and Iraq may return as the barbaric group are defeated in the Middle East.

'They may well seek to come back to our part of the world. That's why we are monitoring them, tracking them, exchanging intelligence real-time, information to ensure we can keep people as safe as possible,' Ms Bishop told 9 News.

British MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) treated a stabbed police officer outside Parliament in London

People ... may seek to come back to southeast Asia, Australia, we will do everything we can to track them and prosecute them if we have evidence to prove they are guilty of terrorism offences.'

Ms Bishop extended the Australian government's deepest sympathy to the people of the UK after speaking to her counterpart Boris Johnson.

The minister insisted the government is doing all it can to ensure Australia is safe from such an attack.

'But as we have seen in the United Kingdom today, these events can occur,' she said.

Mr Turnbull earlier tweeted, saying that Australia's heartfelt sympathies were with the victims of the attack.

'Australia stands in resolute solidarity with the people of Britain in war against terrorism,' he tweeted.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten pledged support to Britain after the attack.

'This shocking crime, designed to weaken the UK, will only make her stronger. All Australians stand with Britain today,' he tweeted early on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said no Australians were caught up in the attack in London

An attacker brought carnage to central London on Wednesday afternoon, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and hacking at police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament

At least 20 people were hit when a 4x4 drove along the pavement on the crowded bridge, knocking down and seriously injuring pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben

There was carnage in central London on Wednesday afternoon when an attacked mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and hacked at police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

At least 20 people were hit when a 4x4 drove along the pavement on the crowded bridge, knocking down and seriously injuring pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben.

The killer, described by witnesses as 'middle-aged and Asian', then managed to break into the grounds of the Parliament where he fatally stabbed a police officer with two knives.

The policeman died at the scene. The attacker, who was shot by armed officers, died after he was taken to hospital.

It is believed one attacker was involved and he killed three people, including the policeman, and left at least 20 pedestrians and three other police officers seriously injured.

Prime Minister Theresa May was bundled into her car by a plain-clothes police officer and driven quickly from the scene as the attack unfolded.

London's Metropolitan Police said the attack, which comes a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels, is being treated 'as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise'.
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee blasted his GOP counterpart on Wednesday, asking whether the panel's Russia probe can function after chairman Rep. Devin Nunes briefed President Trump on new snooping developments.

Schiff, a California Democrat who works closely with Nunes, called the Republicans' debrief of Trump at the White House Wednesday 'deeply troubling,' and demanded the creation of an independent Russia probe.

Then, a bombshell.

Speaking to 'MTP Daily' on MSNBC about claims that President Donald Trump's White House campaign had links with Russia, Schiff said: 'I don't want to go into specifics, but I will say that there is evidence that is not circumstantial and is very much worthy of investigation.'

'There is more than circumstantial evidence now,' he said.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) called the GOP panel chairman Devin Nunes' debrief of Trump at the White House Wednesday 'deeply troubling'

The intelligence committee is investigating Russian election interference and allegations of Trump campaign contacts with Moscow.

Schiff was blindsided when Nunes went to tell Trump that intelligence intercepts picked up Trump transition members  as well as Trump himself  seeming to substantiate the president's claims this month.

'The chairman will need to decide whether he is the chairman of an independent investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to at as a surrogate of the White House  because he cannot do both,' Schiff fumed at a Capitol Hill press conference.

'This is deeply troubling along many levels. The most significant level is it really impedes our ability to do this investigation the way we should,' he added.

He declined to get into specifics about the documents Nunes saw  because he said Nunes hadn't shared them with him or with Republican members of the committee yet.

'We have no idea where these documents came from, whether they even show what they purport to show,' he said. He raised the possibility that Nunes brought up the information as a way to help Trump back up his Twitter claim of 19 days ago that President Obama had his phones 'tapped' at Trump Tower  something the head of the FBI and Nunes himself has said didn't happen.

His admonishment was a departure from the normally collegial panel, where the leaders are known as 'chairman' and 'vice chairman' and share the nation's top secrets.

'What I have read bothers me, and I think it should bother the president himself and his team because I think some of it seems to be inappropriate,' Nunes said in front of the White House after his sit-down with Trump

Nunes would not say how Trump transition officials were caught up in the surveillance - and whether any of them work at the White House

'But even if they do, on the basis of what the chairman said, the underlying fact is still the same: There's no evidence to support the president's contention that he was wiretapped by his predecessor,' said Schiff.

'So I'm not sure what the point of this extraordinary process is. And I have to hope that this is not part of a broader campaign by the White House aimed to deflect from the [FBI] director's testimony earlier this week.'

Schiff suggested that the House Intelligence could be a casualty of Trump's tweets  bringing up an angry clash with the British government over alleged spy cooperation that the British say didn't happen.

HAPPIER TIMES? Chairman Devin Nunes of California (R) and Ranking Member Adam Schiff listen to testimony during hearings on Russia's involvement in the 2016 Presidential Election and alleged hacking allegations during a House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday

'If the incident today is an indication that, after making the baseless claim, the president then aggravated the damage by implicating the British in a potential plot to have the British surveil him on behalf of President Obama, and now is attempting to interfere in the congressional investigation  again, with the effort of trying to provide some substance to a claim without substance  then the damage the wrecking ball of this allegation has just claimed another victim, that being our own committee,' he said.

'I only learned about this the way that all of you did, when the chairman briefed the press in advance of briefing his own committee members,' said Schiff.

The president told White House reporters that he feels 'somewhat' vindicated after hearing what Nunes had to say this afternoon. The congressman came to the White House this afternoon to give Trump an in-person briefing

Schiff also blasted Nunes in a blistering written statement. ''If accurate, this information should have been shared with members of the committee, but it has not been,' Schiff said.

'The Chairman also shared this information with the White House before providing it to the committee, another profound irregularity, given that the matter is currently under investigation. I have expressed my grave concerns with the Chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way.'

Nunes defended himself from the charges he might have acted improperly in an appearance on CNN about an hour before Schiff spoke.

He said the information 'concerned me enough to have to notify the president because it was him and his transition team that were involved in this,' he said.

'It's not fair for him not to know what's in these reports,' added Nunes.

'President-elect Trump and his team were put into intelligence reports,' Nunes told the network. He mentioned 'dozens' of intercepts. 'Clearly there was surveillance that was conducted.'

But he didn't back off his earlier statement that Trump was not subjected to wiretapping at Trump Tower.

Schiff's frustration followed Republican committee chairman Devin Nunes' decision to brief the House speaker; the CIA, NSA and FBI chiefs; the White House; and the Washington press corps about a cache of intelligence reports in his possession  without sharing them with fellow committee members.

Nunes told reporters on Capitol Hill that the U.S. Intelligence Community collected 'incidental' information about President Donald Trump and his transition team during the three months following the 2016 election.

He said the information collected was 'legally collected' pursuant to a warrant issued by a FISA judge in a federal court, and concerned 'foreign' surveillance.

But that 'did not involve Russia or any discussions with Russians,' and there's no reason to believe anyone in Trump's circle was the target of an investigation.

The president told journalists that he feels 'somewhat' vindicated after hearing what Nunes had to say.

Trump has been fighting Democrats' charges that he lied on March 4 when he claimed Barack Obama 'wire tapped' him last year.

'I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found. I somewhat do,' he said shortly after a meeting with Nunes.

Nunes told NBC he wasn't currently able to show the information to Schiff because he and the committee don't have the documents in their possession. He said he was waiting for an intelligence official to send over the reports, which he said he was shown by a 'source.'

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said Nunes' statements 'would appear to have revealed classified intelligence.' Schiff refused to make the same charged when asked whether Nunes had revealed classified information.
Friends of a 19-year-old man who drowned in Adelaide's River Torrens after a drunken swim have watched as his body was pulled out of the murky waters.

The young man of African descent was last seen in the river on Wednesday afternoon at 4.50pm after a drinking session on the bank with a group of six others.

A team of police divers scoured the muddy depths of the river as his distressed friends huddled and watched on, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

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The 19-year-old's distressed friend waited as police divers scoured the murky depths of Torrens Rivers

His body was found by rescue divers over two hours after he first disappeared into the water

His body was recovered at 7.10pm - more than two hours after he first entered the river water near the University of Adelaide.

The death of the Smithfield man is not being treated suspicious by police - despite his friends reportedly claiming he had been pushed into the water by two strangers.

It has been over three years since a person has drowned in Adelaide's iconic River Torrens.

Dozens of police were called to the scene near the University of Adelaide after friends raised the alarm at 4:50pm

Rescue teams have warned the public about the dangers of swimming in the river as there are several underwater risks including thick muddy banks

A 51-year-old man died in the river in 2014 after he attempted to retrieve his toy boat but did not return to the water's edge.

Rescue teams have warned the public about the dangers of the river as although it may look calm, there are several underwater risks including thick muddy banks that can trap swimmers.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the man go into the water to please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A young woman has been found tied up and stabbed to death inside her apartment after she had been missing for two days.

Corrina Mehiel, 34, had last been seen at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC on Sunday, before her body was found in her apartment about 4pm on Tuesday.

DC Police provided details about the grisly death and disappearance during a press conference on Wednesday.

Corrina Mehiel, 34, found tied up and stabbed to death inside her apartment in Washington DC

Mehiel had not been seen for two days before police made the horrible discovery on Tuesday afternoon

Acting Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters investigators did not know if the 34-year-old had been at the gallery, which is owned and operated by George Washington University, alone or with someone, NBC Washington reports.

Newsham also revealed Mehiel's car, a blue 2004 Toyota Prius, is missing, and released an image of the vehicle.

The car has Kentucky license plate with the number 722RMY.

Mehiel, 34, had last been seen at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC on Sunday, before her body was found in her apartment about 4pm on Tuesday

Police released this image of Mehiel's car, which they said has been missing since the weekend

Police said they do not have any information about a potential suspect, and a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who can help track down whoever is responsible for the killing.

Mehiel was an artist who has had her work displayed across the US and internationally.

She had been working as a visiting professor at George Washington prior to her death, according to NBC Washington.
The Scottish Parliament came under fire yesterday for allowing a debate about independence to run for more than an hour after the Westminster attack.

Calls from MSPs to suspend a debate about a second independence referendum were initially snubbed, before it was finally agreed to suspend business out of respect for the dead.

A senior SNP minister was accused of disgraceful behaviour after she launched a furious attack on opposition MSPs when the suspension was confirmed.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon leaves the chamber during the referendum debate after the discussion was finally suspended an hour later

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said it was a disgrace that Scottish business was being suspended because of the attacks.

Turning to point at Tory MSPs, she allegedly said: This is because you didnt want to talk about independence.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw later took to social media to slam her absolutely disgraceful conduct, which he said was totally unbecoming.

She started shouting it was a disgrace that [the independence debate] was suspended. She started pointing, he said. Everyone just walked away from it and some of her own colleagues calmed her down.

I hope it was because she was not fully aware of events elsewhere and will realise it was not her best moment.

Left, Miss Sturgeon arrives for the debate, and right, has a word with colleagues during the second day of the debate. The MSPs were criticised for continuing the debate for so long

Another MSP said: She was having a bit of a meltdown.

The second day of debate about Nicola Sturgeons demand for the right to hold an independence referendum began at 2.40pm  just minutes after news first broke about the attack in London.

As news of the tragic incidents spread through the Holyrood chamber, some MSPs chose to walk out of the debate.

Parliamentary authorities met at around 3pm but decided that business should continue.

At 3.30pm Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked for the debate to be suspended, prompting groans from the SNP benches. His request was turned down by deputy presiding officer Linda Fabiani, who said MSPs must carry on with business as usual.

Roseanna Cunningham was reported to have a 'bit of a meltdown' in the chamber

It is understood that Miss Sturgeon then intervened to instruct her parliamentary business minister Jo FitzPatrick, who had initially supported the decision to carry on, to call an emergency meeting and halt proceedings.

An hour and 20 minutes after news of the attack emerged, presiding officer Ken Macintosh finally announced a close to the debate because the events were affecting the contribution of members.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was preparing to ask her MSPs to walk out at the time.

Conservative Fin Carson was one of several politicians to walk out of the debate before it was suspended. Taking to Twitter, he said: I cant understand how this debate can go on. At least a suspension would have shown some respect.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she was very pleased that sense has won the day.

In a statement last night, Miss Sturgeon said: My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many people nearby.

A spokesman for Miss Cunningham said: Roseannas first thoughts are with all of those affected, and while she did initially take the view  shared by some from other parties  that business should not be suspended in the face of terrorism, she fully supports the decision, given the seriousness of events.'
The widow of a slain Baton Rouge police officer welcomed their baby boy to the world on Tuesday.

Dechia Gerald gave birth to Falyn Matthew Gerald, who was named after her late husband Matthew Gerald.

Her husband was killed in the line of duty alongside two other officers in an ambush shooting in July 2016, following the shooting death of Alton Sterling by police.

Dechia revealed in September that she likely became pregnant five days before her husband's tragic death.

Dechia Gerald gave birth to Falyn Matthew Gerald (pictured), who was named after her late husband Matthew Gerald. Dechia's husband was gunned down in the line of duty in July 2016

Dechia revealed in September that she likely became pregnant five days before her husband's tragic death

Matthew Gerald (left and right with his wife) was killed alongside two other officers in an ambush shooting in July 2016, following the shooting death of Alton Sterling by police

Falyn was born at 4.31pm on Tuesday weighing 6 lbs and 8 ounces. The baby also measured 19.5 inches long, according to WAFB.

'I can just feel his presence. I don't have to worry about the anxiety or worry where's he's at or what he's doing because at this moment, he's here with us,' Dechia told the station.

Dechia said her husband, who was known to fellow officers at the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) as 'Buttons,' passed down the name to his son in spirit.

'Baby Buttons, that's no choice. I don't have a choice in that matter,' said Dechia. 'BRPD pretty much already said that.'

Dechia said she discovered she was pregnant after taking a pregnancy test about two weeks after he was killed by Gavin Long.

Falyn was born at 4.31pm on Tuesday weighing 6 lbs and 8 ounces. The baby also measured 19.5 inches long. Dechia said she believes she fell pregnant on the night of July 12, five days before he died

Dechia (pictured with their daughter) said her husband, who was known to fellow officers at the Baton Rouge Police Department as 'Buttons,' passed down the name to his son in spirit

She believes she fell pregnant on July 12, just five days before her husband died, on a rare night off he was given during nightly protests in the city over the shooting of Sterling.

Matthew's mother, Tish, told WAFB that she knows her son is still with them.

'We all feel daddy with us,' she said. 'Very bittersweet, just more than I can express. Just touches my heart more than I can express. It's like having him all over again.'

When Dechia found out she was pregnant, she described the child as a 'blessing from God', saying their two daughters actually predicted the pregnancy before she knew.

Gerald said Dawclyn, nine, first mentioned the pregnancy while she was trying to find clothes to wear to her husband's memorial service.

She told WAFB: 'She said, 'Mommy, I don't know why you're complaining.' She said, 'Because you're pregnant,' and I said, "Girl hush, don't say that kind of stuff".'

A few days later, when she was bathing three-year-old Fynleigh, she recalls: 'Fynleigh told me the same thing. However this time, she told me that Jesus told her that there was a baby boy in my tummy.'

Around a week after that, Gerald said she brought a home pregnancy test to a family gathering, and discovered she was indeed expecting.

Dechia (pictured at her husband's funeral service) said that while it upsets her that her husband will never know his new child, she considers the baby a 'blessing'

Matthew Gerald (pictured with his daughter) was a Black Hawk operator who survived three tours of Iraq. He died on July 17 after being shot at a gas station in Baton Rouge

Gerald died alongside fellow officer Montrell Jackson, 32, and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Brad Garafola, 45, on July 17 in Baton Rouge.

Three other officers were injured in the attack. The men were gunned down at a gas station by Long, 29, a former Marine.

The gunman had allegedly traveled to Louisiana from his native Missouri with the goal of murdering police officers. He was shot and killed during a shootout with police.

Gerald was also a former member of the military, serving three tours of Iraq before joining the police force nine months prior to the shooting.
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These smiling schoolchildren were pictured on Westminster Bridge minutes before a car ploughed into pedestrians.

The image of the children from Holy Family Catholic Primary School, in Birmingham, was uploaded to Twitter just minutes before the terrorist drove his grey 4x4 Hyundai i40 into crowds on the bridge at one of the busiest times of the day.

The pupils had been sightseeing in London and they had visited tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

Headteacher Peter Foley said: 'All the children on the school trip are safe and their parents have been informed of the situation.

'The deputy head teacher is with the children and is providing me with regular updates.'

Children from Holy Family School, in Birmingham, were pictured on Westminster Bridge just moments before the attack

Earlier in the day, the children from the primary school had visited Buckingham Palace

There were disturbing scenes on Westminster Bridge where around a dozen pedestrians were said to have been knocked down

An injured man was given assistance after the 4x4 ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge

Elsewhere, pupils from Hotwells Primary School, in Bristol, were also caught up in the terrorist incident.

One class from the school had visited Westminster today and a parent said pupils had to be evacuated from the London Eye.

In today's terror attack, a car ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing three and injuring 40.

Victims were wheeled away on stretchers while others were treated at the scene, likened to a 'Hollywood disaster movie'.

Those injured included the party of French schoolchildren and politics students from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

Three French school children were in a critical condition last night. One was catapulted into the air and ended up on the roof of the car.

The pupils, who are believed to be 15 or 16 and attend the private Lycee Saint-Joseph in Concarneau, Brittany, had been on a school trip to London.

A Romanian couple on holiday are also thought to be among the injured. Andrei, an engineer in his mid-20s, and Andreea, his girlfriend, were caught up in the attack.

Amid the carnage, some leapt off the bridge to escape, and one woman was later pulled alive from the Thames.

Suspect: An Asian man in his forties, believed to be the attacker, is put on the stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament with a knife left on the cobbles

The terrorist then slammed his 4x4 vehicle into barriers outside Parliament before charging into its main courtyard brandishing two knives.

A policeman who tried to stop him was cut down without pity and died from stab wounds. He was tonight named as 48-year-old PC Keith Palmer, a husband and a father.

The attacker's rampage, which was witnessed by hundreds of horrified tourists, was brought to a halt by a volley of shots from another officer. The attacker died in hospital.

It is currently believed the dark-skinned, bald knifeman was a 'lone wolf' attacker, although police are searching for accomplices who may have helped him.

Scotland Yard said tonight said they think they know who the attacker is and believe he was inspired by 'international terrorism...Islamist related terrorism.'
A newly discovered 430 million-year-old fossil 'frozen in time' in ancient rock has been named after David Attenborough in celebration of his 90th birthday.

The ancient crustacean, which is just nine millimetres long, was found in volcanic ash deposits in what is now Herefordshire.

The veteran broadcaster said it was the 'biggest compliment' to have the little fossil named in his honour.

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A newly discovered 430 million-year-old fossil is to be named after David Attenborough in celebration of his 90th birthday. The fossil (3D scan pictured) has been determined as an ancient crustacean that is a distant relative of modern lobsters, shrimps and crabs

THE FOSSIL'S NAME The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on a University College Leicester campus - the forerunner of Leicester University. Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough. 'Ravitis' is a combination of Ratae - the Roman name for Leicester - 'vita', meaning life, and 'commeatis', a messenger. Advertisement

Researchers at the Department of Geology at the University of Leicester made the discovery working alongside researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale University.

The fossil has been determined as an ancient crustacean that is new to science.

It is a distant relative of modern lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There are about 40,000 crustacean species known today.

Researchers say it is 'exceptionally well-preserved' with soft parts such as legs, eyes and antennae all intact.

'The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment,' Sir David said.

'Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record, and so we can establish it as a new species of a new genus,' said Dr David Siveter from the department of Geology at the University of Leicester.

'Even though it is relatively small, at just nine millimetres long, it preserves incredible detail including body parts that are normally not fossilised.'

A view from below the body of the new crustacean, showing its many 'appendages' used to push it along the ocean floor. Researchers say that the fossil, of which a 3D scan is shown here, is 'exceptionally well-preserved' with soft parts such as legs, eyes and antennae all intact

Attenborough (right) said it was the 'biggest compliment' to have the little fossil named in his honour. Dr David Siveter (left), who contributed to the new find, said: 'Such a well-preserved fossil is exciting, and this particular one is a unique example of its kind in the fossil record'

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on a University College Leicester campus (the forerunner of Leicester University).

Cascolus is derived from castrum meaning 'stronghold' and colus, 'dwelling in', alluding to the Old English source for the surname Attenborough.

'Ravitis' is a combination of Ratae - the Roman name for Leicester - 'vita', life, and 'commeatis', a messenger.

'It provides scientists with important, novel insights into the evolution of the body plan, the limbs and possible respiratory-circulatory physiology of a primitive member of one of the major groups of Crustacea,' Dr Siveter said.

OTHER SPECIES NAMED AFTER SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH Pictured is a male fleshbelly frog called Pristimantis attenboroughi (left) and a rare butterfuly called Euptychia attenboroughi (right) - two of the many species which have been named after the veteran broacaster A flightless weevil from Indonesia was given the name Trigonopterus attenboroughi A newly discovered species of fleshbelly frog found in rainforests of central Peru is called Pristimantis attenboroughi A pygmy grasshopper species named Electrotettix attenboroughi preserved in amber in the Dominican Republic A echidna given the name Zaglossus attenboroughi and that was found living in the forested areas of New Guinea A rare butterfly named Euptychia attenboroughi, in honour of his love for butterflies, which live in tropical forests in places like Colombia and Brazil A type of plesiosaur which lived millions of years ago named Dinosaur Attenborosaurus conybeare Advertisement

The fossil is named Cascolus ravitis in honour of Sir David, who grew up on University College Leicester campus (the forerunner of the University)

The ancient crustacean is just nine millimetres long and was found in volcanic ash deposits in what is now Herefordshire

The animal lived in the Silurian period around 430 million years ago when much of southern Britain was positioned in warm southerly subtropical latitudes, quite close to what we now call North America.

It was covered by a shallow sea. The crustacean was preserved when fine volcanic ash rained down upon it.

The fossil specimen has been reconstructed as a virtual fossil by 3D computer modelling.

'In my youth, David Attenborough's early programmes on the BBC, such as 'Zoo Quest', greatly encouraged my interest in Natural History and it is a pleasure to honour him in this way,' Dr Siveter said.
Dents and holes in the wheels were seen to be accumulating faster than anticipated in 2013

Dents and holes in the wheels were seen to be accumulating faster than anticipated in 2013

Curiosity has been quite heavily damaged since landing in August 2012

Curiosity has been quite heavily damaged since landing in August 2012

But all wheels still have enough working lifespan to complete the mission

But all wheels still have enough working lifespan to complete the mission

The small breaks were found on the rover's left middle wheel as it continues

The small breaks were found on the rover's left middle wheel as it continues

A check of the wheels on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found two breaks

A check of the wheels on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found two breaks

Breaks have been observed in the wheel's of NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover.

A routine check of the aluminium wheels on the rover found two small breaks on the rover's left middle wheel.

While the rover has experienced wear and tear, it is expected to complete its mission and has already reached the 10-mile (16 kilometer) mark since landing on Mars in August 2012.

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Two of the raised treads, called grousers, on the left middle wheel of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover broke during the first quarter of 2017, including the one seen partially detached (right) at the top of the wheel in this image from the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera on the rover's arm

The mission's first and second breaks in raised treads, called grousers, were observed in a March 19 image check of the wheels - meaning that these breaks occurred after the last check on January 27, 2017.

'All six wheels have more than enough working lifespan remaining to get the vehicle to all destinations planned for the mission,' said Curiosity Project Manager Dr Jim Erickson at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

'While not unexpected, this damage is the first sign that the left middle wheel is nearing a wheel-wear milestone,' he said.

The Curiosity rover team began monitoring wheel damage on the rover and a wheel-longevity testing program on Earth after dents and holes in the wheels were observed to be accumulating faster than anticipated in 2013.

Testing has shown that when three grousers on a wheel have broken, that wheel has reached about 60 per cent of its useful life.

The Curiosity rover has already driven over that fraction of the total distance needed for reaching the key regions of scientific interest on Mars' Mount Sharp.

Curiosity Project Scientist Dr Ashwin Vasavada, also at JPL, said, 'This is an expected part of the life cycle of the wheels and at this point does not change our current science plans or diminish our chances of studying key transitions in mineralogy higher on Mount Sharp.'

In 2014 a large hole was spotted (shown) in the middle-right wheel of Nasa's Curiosity rover on Mars

Curiosity is currently examining sand dunes partway up the Murray formation.

Planned destinations ahead include the hematite-containing 'Vera Rubin Ridge,' a clay-containing geological unit above that ridge, and a sulfate-containing unit above the clay unit.

CURIOSITY BY NUMBERS The rover's top speed is 1.5 inches (3.8 centimetres) per second. Curiosity is the fourth rover to visit Mars. It took around seven minutes to land on the Red Planet. The rover is fitted with 17 cameras. It weighs about the same as a Mini Cooper at approximately 2,000lb (900kg). Scientists considered 60 different possible landing sites before deciding to set Curiosity down in Gale Crater. Advertisement

The rover is climbing to higher and younger layers of lower Mount Sharp to investigate how the region's ancient climate changed billions of years ago.

Information about environmental conditions are recorded in the rock layers.

During its first year on Mars, the mission succeeded at its primary goal by finding that the region once had environmental conditions that were favorable for microbial life, if Mars has ever hosted life.

The conditions in ancient freshwater Martian lakes included all of the key chemical elements needed for life as we know it, plus a chemical source of energy that is used by many microbes on Earth.

Through March 20, Curiosity has driven 9.9 miles (16.0 kilometers) since the mission's landing on Mars in August 2012.

Studying the transition to the farthest-uphill destination will require about 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) or less of additional driving.

A few years ago Curiosity drove out of the ellipse, approximately 4 miles wide and 12 miles long (7 kilometers by 20 kilometers), that was mapped as safe terrain for its 2012 landing inside Gale Crater. It was snapped by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter crossing the 'boundary' on 27 June 2014 (pictured)

Rover drive planners have used methods of mapping potentially hazardous terrains to reduce the speed of damage from sharp, embedded rocks along the rover's route.

Each of Curiosity's six wheels is about 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter and 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide.

The wheels touch the ground with a skin that's about half as thick as a US dime, except at thicker treads.

The grousers are 19 zigzag-shaped treads that extend about a quarter inch (three-fourths of a centimeter) outward from each wheel.

The grousers bear a large amount of the vehicle's weight and provide most of its traction and ability to cross over uneven terrain.

Each of the six alumnium wheels is independently operated and is built to withstand the harshness of the Martian environment. The 2014 damage was found on the 'grousers' of the wheel (bottom wheel in this image), which is the zigzag-like pattern that helps them grip the terrain

The Curiosity rover has suffered instances of wheel damage on other occasions too.

In 2014 a large hole was spotted on the middle-right of the six wheels on Nasas Mars Curiosity rover.

The coin-sized dent caused by a sharp rock has left a gaping hole in the tyre.k

Mission controllers are confident that even with one or several wheels being damaged in this way, they will still be able to achieve Curiositys goals.

They are taking damage, said Curiosity project manager Dr Jim Erickson in California about the wheels, reported Space.com.

We always expected we would get some holes in the wheels as we drove.

Its just the magnitude of what were seeing that was the surprise.'

The worst case scenario is that one of the wheels could be completely torn to shreds and become unusable.

This would mean it would have to be dragged across the surface of Mars by the other five wheels, and any flailing damage could also pose a risk to exposed wires.

The chances of this happening are low, but the engineers are still surprised at how much of a beating the rover has taken.

One of the main culprits has been caprock, flat areas of hard Martian rock.

In attempts to avoid going over these areas engineers have been trying to spot softer and sandier areas from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling the planet.

Another solution to avoid such damage is to minimise turning, drive backwards of give the wheels greater control with more software.

One of the main dangers has been 'caprock', flat areas of hard Martian rock (shown). In attempts to avoid going over these areas engineers have been trying to spot softer and sandier areas from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling the planet

In other Curiosity news, the rover recently celebrated its fourth year on Mars.

One of Curiosity's first major findings after landing on the red planet in August 2012 was an ancient riverbed at its landing site.

Nearby, at an area known as Yellowknife Bay, the mission met its main goal of determining whether the Martian Gale Crater ever was habitable for simple life forms.

The answer, a historic yes, came from two mudstone slabs that the rover sampled with its drill.

Analysis of these samples revealed the site was once a lakebed with water, the essential elemental ingredients for life, and a type of chemical energy source used by some microbes on Earth.
Over two dozen human bones discovered in a Spanish cave have revealed the cannibalistic practices of the Mesolithic people, with evidence suggesting the dead were cooked and eaten.

The remains date back to at least two different periods between 10,000 and 9,000 years ago, and are covered in marks from stone tools, fire, and human teeth.

Archaeologists also discovered animal remains with similar markings at the site  but, whether these ancient people butchered and consumed their own as a part of ritual funerary behaviours or as a result of food scarcity remains a mystery.

Over two dozen human bones discovered in a Spanish cave have revealed the cannibalistic practices of the Mesolithic people, with evidence suggesting the dead were cooked and eaten. The bones are covered in marks from stone tools, fire, and human teeth

In a new study published to the journal of Anthropological Archaeology, researchers describe the bizarre markings found on 30 different human bones in the ancient Santa Maira caves in Spain.

Within the batch, three cranial remains were identified, which were traced to a robust adult, a more slender adult, and an infant.

On both human and animal remains, the team found lithic marks  indicating the processes of disarticulation and defleshing  tooth marks, percussion, and fire marks.

Human teeth are known to leave behind double arch punctures, isolated triangular pits, and shallow linear marks that distinguish them from other predators.

Human teeth are known to leave behind double arch punctures, isolated triangular pits, and shallow linear marks that distinguish them from other predators. These can be seen above

Archaeologists also discovered animal remains with similar markings at the site  but, whether these ancient people butchered and consumed their own as a part of ritual funerary behaviours or as a result of food scarcity remains a mystery

And, those identified on the human remains were found to line up with the markings seen on common prey of the Mesolithic hunters, including ibex, red deer, wild boar, fox, and rabbit.

To be sure that theyd found evidence of anthropophagic behaviour, the researchers analyzed the remains based on a previously determined set of characteristics to diagnose cannibalism.

This includes direct proof  meaning the discovery of human bones within human coprolites (fossilized feces)  and indirect proof, typically being evidence of cooking, along with a number of other criteria.

The markings identified on the human remains were found to line up with the markings seen on common prey of the Mesolithic hunters, including ibex, red deer, wild boar, fox, and rabbit

To be sure that theyd found evidence of anthropophagic behaviour, the researchers analyzed the remains based on a previously determined set of characteristics to diagnose cannibalism

With the exception of fossilized human waste, the remains met all of the requirements.

While the practice could be linked to ritualistic behaviour, the researchers note that the discovery lines up with a cultural change in the region, during the Epipalaeolithic-Mesolithic transition.

Based on this, they say they cannot entirely rule out the possibility that these practices may be the result of periodic food stress suffered by human populations.

With the exception of fossilized human waste, the remains met all of the requirements. While the practice could be linked to ritualistic behaviour, the researchers note that the discovery lines up with a cultural change in the region, during the Epipalaeolithic-Mesolithic transition

Given the time period, they say the increase of social complexity and burial rituals may have played a role in the unusual behaviour

According to the study, cannibalism was rare in the Mesolithic in this context, as no other evidence of the practice has been discovered on remains in the western Mediterranean.

Human consumption as a result of nutritional stress requirements seems unlikely due to the broad spectrum of resources consumed by Mesolithic populations in the region, the authors wrote.

FOOTPRINTS REVEAL MESOLITHIC HUNTING GROUND A recent study carried out at Cardiff University has revealed ancient human footprints discovered on the Welsh coastline are 7,000 years old and could show a snapshot of a Mesolithic hunting party, researchers have said. Archaeology PhD student Rhiannon Philp carried out radiocarbon dating on the fragile footprints, which now places them in the Mesolithic period, a time when humans were predominantly hunting and gathering. There are are five prints, likely made by more than one person as there are of two slightly different lengths. Two of them point towards the sea and the other three point inland. Researchers believe they were made by a hunting party of children and adults. Advertisement

However, the small quantity of human bones, their radiocarbon results and taphonomic history seem to suggest that anthropophagy in Santa Maira was an exceptional fact.

Given the time period, they say the increase of social complexity and burial rituals may have played a role in the unusual behaviour.
A 'technical fault' led to the exposure of Three mobile customer details to strangers.

Some Three mobile users complained after they were shown the personal information of strangers when logging into online accounts.

Users logging into the firm's 'My3' app claim they saw the names, addresses, phone numbers and the call history of other users instead of their own information.

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A 'technical fault' led to the exposure of Three mobile customer details to strangers. Some users complained after they were shown the personal information of strangers when logging into online accounts in the 'My3' app (stock image)

Three has claimed that the glitch was a technical issue and that no outside factors or breaches were involved.

It said that customer bank details were not exposed in the leak, and that the issue has now been fixed.

The mobile firm, which has around nine million customers in the UK, said only a handful of customers were affected.

The fault comes just four months after hackers took the details of more than 130,000 Three customers after breaking into the firm's database.

'We are aware of a small number of customers who may have been able to view the mobile account details of other Three users using My3,' the company told MailOnline.

Users logging into the My3 app claim they saw the names, addresses, phone numbers and the call history of other users. Three has claimed that the glitch was a technical issue and that no outside factors or breaches were involved (stock image)

'No financial details were viewable and the issue has been fixed.'

Three said that any customers with concerns over their information should contact the company.

Some security experts have said that the severity of the glitch has been underplayed.

Dr Jamie Graves from cyber security firm ZoneFox called it a 'severe data breach' and warned of the risk to user privacy.

'Customers are unsure who has accessed their data, for how long, and what is then done next with it,' he said.

However, security blogger Graham Cluley suggested the incident appeared to be 'more of a technical screw-up than a malicious hack'.
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The tomb of Jesus is at risk of 'catastrophic' collapse as it lies on an unsteady foundation riddled with hidden tunnels, channels and structures, researchers have warned.

The Edicule, a shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven, was recently transformed by a $4 million (3.2 million) improvement project and is being unveiled to the public for the first time today.

But researchers have warned the ancient site is at a 'very real risk' of collapsing after a survey using ground-penetrating radar and robotic cameras found evidence that the Edicule's foundations lie on the rubble of forgotten architecture.

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Christian clergymen and other guests today are attending a ceremony marking the end of restoration work at Jesus's tomb, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem. But researchers have warned the site is at risk of imminent collapse

The team that led the recent restoration work said the foundations are so shaky that they could suddenly give way.

'When it fails, the failure will not be a slow process, but catastrophic,' Antonia Moropoulou, from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), told National Geographic.

They recent survey undertaken by the researchers has exposed new risks to the stability of the 3,000-square-foot (914-square-metre) site.

The newly restored Edicule, a shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven, is gazed upon by viewers. But the Edicule lies on shaky foundations riddled with tunnels, channels and hidden structures

Parts of the Edicule rest on steep and sloping bedrock was once the site of an ancient quarry, and the foundation mortar of the tomb has crumbled after decades of moisture exposure.

The survey also pinpointed secret tunnels and channels that run directly beneath the Edicule.

An eight-foot-deep (2.4m) trench dug just south of the shrine in the 1960s sits just beneath a slab of concrete where visitors will today queue to catch a glimpse of the newly restored holy site.

Parts of the Edicule rest on steep and sloping bedrock was once the site of an ancient quarry, and the foundation mortar of the tomb has crumbled after decades of moisture exposure

The news comes as religious leaders in traditional robes today address the ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is home to the Edicule.

They stood in front of the ornate edicule surrounding the tomb, its onion-shaped dome above, as hymns were sung.

Dignitaries including Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, considered the spiritual head of Orthodox church leaders, are in attendance at the ceremony.

Christian priests look on a the ceremony. A survey using ground-penetrating radar and robotic cameras found evidence that the Edicule's foundations lie on the rubble of forgotten architecture

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, in his address to the ceremony, called the restoration 'not only a gift to our Holy Land but to the whole world.'

'For the first time in over two centuries, this sacred edicule has been restored,' he said, referring to the shrine completed in 1810 surrounding the tomb.

Father Francesco Patton, who as custos of the Holy Land oversees sacred sites in the region, called it the 'restoration of the most important site for all Christianity.'

Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, considered to be the spiritual head of Orthodox church leaders, talks during the renovation completion ceremony

But the researchers are now calling for another $6.5million (5.2million) to fix the fractured foundations surrounding the Edicule.

They plan to remove the precarious stone paving surrounding the Edicule and excavate the 1,000-foot site underneath to install new sewage and rainwater drainage.

Their recently completed restoration project saw the removal of the unsightly iron cage built around the shrine by British authorities in 1947 to shore up the walls and the black soot on the shrine's stone facade from decades of pilgrims lighting candles.

The fund provided an initial $1.4 million for the $4 million restoration, thanks to a donation by the widow of the founder of Atlantic Records.

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also chipped in about 150,000 euros each, along with other private and church donations, Burnham said.

The renovated Edicule is seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's old city. A Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule, the shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven

A Greek priest stands by a window into the burial chamber of Jesus' tomb for pilgrims to see what is believed to be the original stone wall of the burial cave inside the renovated Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The limestone and marble structure stands at the centre of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest churches - a 12th-century building standing on 4th-century remains.

The shrine needs urgent attention after years of exposure to environmental factors like water, humidity and candle smoke.

Three main Christian denominations jealously guard separate sections of the church, but they put aside their longstanding religious rivalries to give their blessing for the restoration.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans more than two thousand years ago, shown in this painting by Friedrich Overbeck Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule  a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house'. An ornate structure with hanging oil lamps, columns and oversize candlesticks, the Edicule was erected above the spot where Christian tradition says Jesus' body was anointed, wrapped in cloth and buried before his resurrection. Jewish tradition forbade burial within the walls of a city, and the Gospels specify that Jesus was buried outside of Jerusalem, near the site of his crucifixion on Golgotha, also known as 'the place of skulls'. However, soon after the burial, the walls of Jerusalem were expanded, putting Golgotha and the nearby tomb within the city itself. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD built a temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite in order to bury the cave in which Jesus had been buried, and assert the dominance of Roman state religion. The first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, ordered in 325 that the temple be replaced by a church. When his representatives arrived in Jerusalem to attempt to locate the tomb, they were sent to the temple built by Hadrian 200 years earlier. The Roman temple was razed and excavations beneath it revealed a rock-cut tomb. The top of the cave was sheared off to expose the interior, and a church was built around it to enclose the tomb. During the building of the Church, Constantine's mother Helena claimed to have rediscovered the 'true cross'. It is claimed that she found three crosses she tested each by having it held over a corpse and when the corpse rose up under one, that was the true cross. The church was then completely destroyed by in 1009 by the Fatmid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, known as the 'mad Caliph' or 'Nero of Islam' in a bid to destroy Christian sites. What and where: A floor plan of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with the Edicule chamber marked in red on the left It was then rebuilt once again in the mid-11th century, when an agreement was reached between the Fatimids and the Byzantine Empire in 10278. The rebuilding was finally completed with the financing at a huge expense by Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople in 1048. The rebuilt church site consisted of 'a court open to the sky, with five small chapels attached to it'. A 12th-century restoration by the Crusaders gave the Holy Sepulchre its current appearance, while in 1808 a fire all but destroyed the Edicule. In 1852, the Ottoman authorities then governing the Holy Land provided a framework for resolving disputes inside the church. This picture shows workers removing the top of the tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule  a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house It was last reconstructed in the early 19th century after a fire destroyed it but repairs are long overdue as the structure was damaged in an earthquake in 1927. Excavations inside of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the 20th century revealed remains of what is believed to be Hadrian's temple and walls from Constantine's original church. Archaeologists also found an ancient limestone quarry and at least half a dozen other rock-cut tombs, some of which can be seen today. Advertisement

In 2015, Israeli police briefly shut down the building after Israel's Antiquities Authority deemed it unsafe, and repairs began in June 2016.

A restoration team from the National Technical University of Athens stripped the stone slabs from the shrine's facade and patched up the internal masonry of the shrine, injecting it with tubes of grout for reinforcement.

A Greek priest stands inside the renovated Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017. A Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule, the shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven.

Faithful visit the renovated Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017. A Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule, the shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven.

Each stone slab was cleaned of candle soot and pigeon droppings, then put back in place.

Titanium bolts were inserted into the structure for reinforcement, and frescos and the shrine's painted dome were given a face-lift.

The restorers also made some discoveries.

On Oct. 26, the team entered the inner sanctum of the shrine, the burial chamber of Jesus, and temporarily slid open an old marble layer covering the bedrock where Jesus' body is said to have been placed.

Below the outer marble layer was a white rose marble slab engraved with a cross, which the team dated to the late Crusader period of the 14th century.

THE BURIAL SLAB WHERE CHRIST'S BODY WAS LAID Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans more than two thousand years ago. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule  a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house.' The burial slab (pictured being revealed from its marble case) many Christians believe once held the body of Jesus Christ has been uncovered by scientists for the first time in centuries. The original surface, partially shown in this picture, was exposed during restoration work at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem An ornate structure with hanging oil lamps, columns and oversize candlesticks, the Edicule was erected above the spot where Christian tradition says Jesus' body was anointed, wrapped in cloth and buried before his resurrection. It stands a few hundred yards from the site of Jesus' crucifixion. With its stone staircases, gilded ornamentation and many dark chambers, the church is one of Christianity's holiest shrines. Advertisement

Beneath that marble slab was an even older, grey marble slab protecting the bedrock, and mortar on the slab dates to the 4th century, when Roman Emperor Constantine ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built.

The restorers have cut a small window from the shrine's marble walls for pilgrims to see - for the first time - the bare stone of the ancient burial cave.

'It seems we are in front of levels of history that are validated,' said Antonia Moropoulou, who supervised the renovation.

The renovated Edicule is seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017. A Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule, the shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was buried and rose to heaven.
The extent of sea ice at both poles has reached record lows, it has been revealed.





In the Arctic Ocean, figures have set a new record low for the wintertime in a region strongly affected by long-term trends of global warming, scientists have revealed.

On the opposite side of the planet, on March 3 sea ice around Antarctica hit its lowest extent ever recorded by satellites at the end of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, a surprising turn of events after decades of moderate sea ice expansion.

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Arctic sea ice was at a record low wintertime maximum extent for the second straight year. At 5.607 million square miles, it is the lowest maximum extent in the satellite record, and 431,000 square miles below the 1981 to 2010 average maximum extent. The ice just covered the size of Russia

A RECORD YEAR Worldwide, last year was the warmest on record for the third year in a row, despite government efforts to rein in man-made greenhouse gas emissions under a 2015 Paris Agreement that aims to phase out the use of fossil fuels this century. The trend mean sea ice in the Arctic could vanish by 2050 on a trend of rising emissions, according to a U.N. panel of climate experts. Advertisement

Sea ice around the North Pole expands to its biggest extent of the year in February or March after a deep freeze in the winter polar darkness and shrinks to the smallest of the year in September, at the end of the brief Arctic summer.

At its 2017 winter maximum, the ice covered just 14.49 million square kilometres (5.59 million square miles) on Feb. 22, almost the size of Russia, the University of Bremen in Germany said.

That is fractionally smaller than the previous winter low of 14.58 million square kilometres (5.62 million square miles) set last year in satellite records dating back to the 1970s, it said.

'We've passed the winter maximum,' Georg Heygster, of the Institute of Environmental Physics at the University of Bremen told Reuters.

Only a sudden, unusual March freeze would push the ice back to above the February extent.

ANTARCTIC ICE LOSS In Antarctica, this year's record low annual sea ice minimum of 815,000 square miles (2.11 million square kilometers) was 71,000 square miles (184,000 square kilometers) below the previous lowest minimum extent in the satellite record, which occurred in 1997. Antarctic sea ice saw an early maximum extent in 2016, followed by a very rapid loss of ice starting in early September. Since November, daily Antarctic sea ice extent has continuously been at its lowest levels in the satellite record. The ice loss slowed down in February. This year's record low happened just two years after several monthly record high sea ice extents in Antarctica and decades of moderate sea ice growth. On March 3, 2017, the sea ice cover around the Antarctic continent shrunk to its lowest yearly minimum extent in the satellite record, in a dramatic shift after decades of moderate sea ice expansion. 'There's a lot of year-to-year variability in both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, but overall, until last year, the trends in the Antarctic for every single month were toward more sea ice,' said Claire Parkinson, a senior sea ice researcher at Goddard. 'Last year was stunningly different, with prominent sea ice decreases in the Antarctic. To think that now the Antarctic sea ice extent is actually reaching a record minimum, that's definitely of interest.' Meier said it is too early to tell if this year marks a shift in the behavior of Antarctic sea ice. 'It is tempting to say that the record low we are seeing this year is global warming finally catching up with Antarctica,' Meier said. 'However, this might just be an extreme case of pushing the envelope of year-to-year variability. We'll need to have several more years of data to be able to say there has been a significant change in the trend.' Advertisement

The trend of shrinking ice around the North Pole in recent decades has been one of the starkest signs of climate change.

The thaw is harming indigenous peoples' hunting livelihoods on the ice and threatening wildlife such as polar bears.

It also makes the region more accessible for shipping as well as oil and gas exploration.

Worldwide, last year was the warmest on record for the third year in a row, despite government efforts to rein in man-made greenhouse gas emissions under a 2015 Paris Agreement that aims to phase out the use of fossil fuels this century.

These line graphs plot monthly deviations and overall trends in polar sea ice from 1979 to 2017 as measured by satellites. The top line shows the Arctic; the middle shows Antarctica; and the third shows the global, combined total. The graphs depict how much the sea ice concentration moved above or below the long-term average. (They do not plot total sea ice concentration.) Arctic and global sea ice totals have moved consistently downward over 38 years. Antarctic trends are more muddled, but they do not offset the great losses in the Arctic.

Sea ice in the Arctic could vanish by 2050 on a trend of rising emissions, according to a U.N. panel of climate experts.

The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), which also tracks sea ice, was due to announce its own findings for the winter maximum of ice later on Wednesday.

At the other end of the world, sea ice around Antarctica hit a record low for the southern summer last month, the NSIDC said.

The shrinking of sea ice exposes more water to the sun's rays in summertime. That can accelerate global warming because dark blue water soaks up more of the sun's heat than white ice or snow, which reflects it back into space.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR EARTH Arctic sea ice plays an important role in maintaining Earth's temperatureits bright white surface reflects solar energy that the ocean would otherwise absorb. But this effect is more relevant in the summer, when the sun is high in the sky in the Arctic, than in the winter, when the sun doesn't rise for months within the Arctic Circle. Every year, the cap of frozen seawater floating on top of the Arctic Ocean and its neighboring seas melts during the spring and summer and grows back in the fall and winter months, reaching its maximum yearly extent between February and April. On March 24, Arctic sea ice extent peaked at 5.607 million square miles (14.52 million square kilometers), a new record low winter maximum extent in the satellite record that star In the winter, the impact of missing sea ice is mostly felt in the atmosphere, said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. 'In places where sea ice has been lost, those areas of open water will put more heat into the atmosphere because the air is much colder than unfrozen sea water,' Francis said. 'As winter sea ice disappears, areas of unusually warm air temperatures in the Arctic will expand. 'These are also areas of increased evaporation, and the resulting water vapor will contribute to increased cloudiness, which in winter, further warms the surface.' Advertisement

On Tuesday, the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization said that the planet was in 'truly uncharted territory' with the impacts of global warming.

The new record low follows record high temperatures in December, January and February around the globe and in the Arctic.

The atmospheric warmth probably contributed to this lowest maximum extent, with air temperatures up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above average at the edges of the ice pack where sea ice is thin, said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The wind patterns in the Arctic during January and February were also unfavorable to ice growth because they brought warm air from the south and prevented expansion of the ice cover.

But ultimately, what will likely play a bigger role in the future trend of Arctic maximum extents is warming ocean waters, Meier said.

'It is likely that we're going to keep seeing smaller wintertime maximums in the future because in addition to a warmer atmosphere, the ocean has also warmed up.

'That warmer ocean will not let the ice edge expand as far south as it used to,' Meier said.

'Although the maximum reach of the sea ice can vary a lot each year depending on winter weather conditions, we're seeing a significant downward trend, and that's ultimately related to the warming atmosphere and oceans.'

Since 1979, that trend has led to a loss of 620,000 square miles of winter sea ice cover, an area more than twice the size of Texas.

This year's record low sea ice maximum extent will not necessarily result in a subsequent record low summertime minimum extent, Meier said.

Summer weather conditions have a larger impact than the extent of the winter maximum in the outcome of each year's melt season; warm temperatures and summer storms make the ice melt fast, while if a summer is cool, the melt slows down.
Mark Zuckerberg might be on the verge of unveiling plans for mind-reading brain implants, claims a report.

A 'brain-computer interface' could be revealed at a Facebook event in April which would give people the ability to communicate using only their minds.

The so-called 'Building 8' team, who are working on mind-reading devices are using Facebook's billions to create experimental technology such as cameras and augmented reality devices, claims the report.

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Mark Zuckerberg is due to make an announcement about Facebook's 'Building 8' team, which is based in Menlo Park in San Francisco. He is pictured here with his wife, Priscilla Chan

FACEBOOK'S 'BUILDING 8' According to Facebook: 'Building 8 is focused on building new hardware products to advance our mission of connecting the world. 'We bring together world-class experts to develop seemingly impossible products that define new categories. 'We drive innovation in augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, connectivity and other important breakthrough areas. 'Our teams move fast, with aggressive and fixed timelines. 'We extensively create and leverage partnerships with universities, small and large businesses, and set clear objectives for shipping products at scale.' Advertisement

Mark Zuckerberg is due to make an announcement about Facebook's 'Building 8' team, which is based in Menlo Park in San Francisco, at the developer conference next month.

Although we do not know quite how much of their work the company will unveil, Business Insider believes there is 'an ambitious effort to create and sell millions of consumer hardware units'.

Some of these projects include technologies that could be used to read people's minds - although currently the focus appears to be on medical applications.

Zuckerberg has previously made his ambitions to create a telepathy system very clear, calling it the 'ultimate communication technology.'

He said: 'One day, I believe we'll be able to send full rich thoughts to each other directly using technology.

'You'll just be able to think of something and your friends will immediately be able to experience it too, if you'd like.

'This would be the ultimate communication technology.'

Earlier this year, an advert posting by Building 8 suggested that the mysterious division could be working on mind-reading technology.

One advert is for a 'brain-computer interface engineer' to work on a '2-year B8 project focused on developing advanced BCI technologies.'

Details on what the job will involve are limited, but the advert adds that one of the key responsibilities will be applying 'machine learning methods, including encoding and decoding models, to neuroimaging and electrophysiological data.'

Some of these projects include technologies that could be used to read people's minds - although currently the focus appears to be on medical applications (stock image)

OTHER PROJECTS BEING FUNDED Laura Waller from UC Berkley is being funded in her research into 3D imaging of deep structures of the brain. Markita Landry from UC Berkley is being fuded in her research into deep brain imaging. Manu Prakash from Stanford is developing measurement tools, such as ultra-low cost microscopes, for use in extreme resource-poor areas of the world. Bryan Greenhouse from UCSF is studying the transmission of malaria, and hopes tobetter target and evaluate interventions to control the disease. Advertisement

The second advert is for a 'neural imaging engineer' who will be responsible for 'a project focused on developing novel non-invasive neuroimaging technologies.'

Both jobs are based at the Menlo Park site in California.

One of the companies, which is called Cortera Neurotechnologies, was co-founded by Dr Rikky Muller in 2013.

It designs medical devices aimed at providing innovative treatments for currently incurable neurological conditions.

It is hoped the technology could one day allow people who have been paralysed to control prosthetic limbs, by recording this neural feedback and providing output to the central nervous system.

The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub wrote: 'Muller is developing new wireless microsystems that directly interface with the brain for long-term, minimally-invasive neurological recording.

'Her broad goal is to engineer novel implants that can simultaneously sense and alter physiological responses to enable drug delivery and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.'

Another project funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub involves working to develop 3D imaging technology which can probe the 'deep structures of the brain' and is 'essential for unravelling neural activity'.

Zuckerberg also has other divisions working on similar technology.




A cyber ransom attempt on an unprecedented scale is threatening the personal data of millions of Apple customers.

In what could be an extremely embarrassing security breach for the firm, a group of hackers say that are holding 300 million iCloud accounts and iPhones hostage.

The group - who identified themselves as the 'Turkish Crime Family' - have set out their terms to the tech giant and issued a final deadline of April 7 to meet their demands.

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A hacking group who identified themselves as the 'Turkish Crime Family' have threatened to wipe data from 300 million iCloud accounts as well as remotely resetting iPhone handsets (stock image)

WHAT TO DO If you are worried about your account's security, changing your password is the first step you should take. You can also change your recovery questions. Apple's help questions can give you a step-by-step guide on how to do this. Two-factor authentication will also make it harder for hackers to compromise your account. Advertisement

The hackers have demanded $75,000 (60,000) in the crypto-currencies Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Alternatively, they said they were willing to accept $100,000 (80,000) worth of iTunes gift cards.

In exchange, they assure Apple they would delete the data which they say would allow them to erase the contents of the iCloud accounts, as well as remotely wiping iPhones.

'I just want my money and thought this would be an interesting report that a lot of Apple customers would be interested in reading and hearing,' one of the hackers told Motherboard.

The hackers reportedly have shown emails between the group and Apple's security team.

The group also uploaded a video to YouTube, purporting to show them accessing an elderly woman's iCloud account.

In the video, a hacker appears to access backed-up photos and shows that they have the ability to remotely wipe the device on which they are stored.

But a spokesman for Apple denied that there is any risk.

Speaking to Fortune, they said: 'There have not been any breaches in any of Apple's systems including iCloud and Apple ID.

'The alleged list of email addresses and passwords appears to have been obtained from previously compromised third-party services.'

It is not yet known whether the Turkish Crime Family will deliver on their threats, or even if they have the ability to do so.

The 'Turkish Crime Family' are demanding $75,000 (60,000) in the crypto-currencies Bitcoin or Ethereum, or $100,000 (80,000) worth of iTunes gift cards (Stock Image)

But many security experts are taking the threat seriously and believe that the group will follow through.

Paul Calatayud is chief technology officer at computer security firm FireMon.

He said: 'I believe these claims are accurate, but also most likely not caused by Apple.

'If you do not add two factor strong authentication to any account, there is a chance that the password has been exposed, harvested, or guessed.

They have issue Apple a final deadline of April 7 to meet their demands, although it is not yet clear if they will deliver on their threats - or even if they have the ability to do so (stock image)

'For example, if my e-mail account happens to be from yahoo, and that account is affected by the breach that just occurred, then there is a chance that the attackers are already able to compromise other accounts I hold such as my appleid.

'I suspect Apple is well aware of this and their position will be to quickly assist anyone that may be affected by providing them options to re protect their account.

'But since Apple most likely was not a contributor to the compromises, they will not be paying any ransoms.'


A British teenager has emailed scientists Nasa to tell them that their readings are wrong.

A-Level student Miles Soloman found a fault with radiation sensors on the International Space Station (ISS).

The 17-year-old spotted that the ISS sensors were recording 'false data' during a physics class and promptly messaged Nasa with a correction.

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A-Level student Miles Soloman found a fault with radiation sensors on the International Space Station (ISS). The 17-year-old spotted that the ISS sensors were recording 'false data' during a physics class and promptly messaged Nasa with a correction. He is pictured with a radiation sensor here

NASA'S FAULTY READINGS British student Miles Soloman spotted errors in ISS radiation detector data. His physics class were studying the data as part of a school project. The detectors first began recording radiation levels during British astronaut Tim Peake's stay on the ISS in December 2015. But Mr Soloman had spotted an error that had eluded top Nasa experts. The teenager spotted that when the sensors were not picking up any radiation, they recorded a negative reading. But Mr Soloman pointed out to his teacher that you cannot have 'negative energy', so they contacted Nasa. Advertisement

Mr Soloman, who studies at Tapton school in Sheffield, said it was 'pretty cool' to email the space agency.

Nasa is said to have 'appreciated' the student's feedback, and invited him to help them resolve the issue.

Mr Soloman spotted the error while sifting through Nasa radiation readings as part of a project from Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) to give students the chance to work on real data from the ISS.

Tapton Secondary School in Sheffield has been taking part in the space project run by IRIS with genuine scientific big data provided by Nasa.

Pupils have been able to study genuine measurements taken every four seconds by micro-chip to monitor levels of radiation in space during the six month period when Tim Peake was in space.

Miles is studying physics, further maths and chemistry for A level, and jumped to join the project.

'What we got given was a lot of spreadsheets, which is a lot more interesting than it sounds,' Mr Soloman told BBC Radio 4.

'I went straight to the bottom of the list and I went for the lowest bits of energy there were,' he said.

Mr Soloman's teacher and head of physics, James O'Neill, said: 'We were all discussing the data but he just suddenly perked up in one of the sessions and went "why does it say there's -1 energy here?"'

The teenager spotted that when the sensors were not picking up any radiation, they recorded a negative reading.

But Mr Soloman pointed out to his teacher that you cannot have negative energy, so they contacted Nasa.

'It's pretty cool', the student said. 'You can tell your friends "I just emailed Nasa and they're looking at the graphs that I've made."'

Miles Soloman spotted that International Space Station (pictured) radiation sensors were recording 'false data' and promptly messaged Nasa to let them know. He made the find during an A Level physics class at Tapton school in Sheffield

The detectors first began recording radiation during British astronaut Tim Peake's stay on the ISS in December 2015. Pictured is Tim Peake after he ran the London Marathon while aboard the ISS last year

The detectors first began recording radiation during British astronaut Tim Peake's stay on the ISS in December 2015, meaning Mr Soloman had spotted an error that had eluded Nasa experts for over 15 months.

Nasa told him that while it was aware of the error, its experts had thought the data blips appeared only once or twice a year.

But the student informed them it was happening several times a day.

Professor Larry Pinksy, who works with Nasa on its radiation monitors, told Radio 4: 'My colleagues at Nasa thought they had cleaned that up.

'This underscores - I think - one of the values of the IRIS projects in all fields with big data. I'm sure there are interesting things the students can find that professionals don't have time to do.'

The professor, who works at the University of Houston, said Mr Soloman's tip was 'appreciated more so than it being embarrassing'.

The teenager spotted that when the sensors were not picking up any radiation, they recorded a negative reading. But Mr Soloman pointed out to his teacher that you cannot have negative energy, so they contacted Nasa

'They obviously think I'm a nerd,' the teenager said. 'It's really a mixture of jealousy and boredom when I tell them all the details.'

He added: 'I'm not trying to prove Nasa wrong. I want to work with them and learn from them.'

The director of IRIS, Professor Becky Parker, said this sort of 'expansion of real science in the classroom' could draw more schoolchildren to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

She added: 'IRIS brings real scientific research into the hands of students no matter their background or the context of the school. The experience inspires them to become the next generation of scientists.'
Samsung is set to unveil its make or break smartphone in just over a week  and the firm has released another teaser video to hype up customers.

A 15-second ad for the Galaxy S8 aired in South Korea and although it still leaves room for mystery, the clip does give some clues about its design and functionality.

The trailer shows what appears to be the outline of the S8 that has been shared in numerous leaks and there is also a reference to it having VR capabilities.

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A 15-second ad for the Galaxy S8 aired in South Korea and although it still leaves room for mystery, the clip does give some clues about its design and functionality. The trailer shows the S8 outline that has been in numerous leaks and a references to it having VR capabilities

In the video, a man walks over to the front door, which appears to be in the shape of phone seen in many leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy S8  the edges are much more curved and it has minimal boarders on the top and bottom.

The door also has two matching square panes on the outside, which suggests the phone could have an 18:9 (or 2:1) aspect ratio, reports CNET.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 RUMORS Rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will incorporate a dual-lens camera design and remove the home button for an edge-to-edge screen. It's speculated that Samsung could design a fingerprint-sensing display or place the feature behind the tempered glass. Because levels of concentration will be increased with a 'full screen', pictures and videos should be much clearer and even go so far as to produce a 3D effect. Rumors suggest that pixels of the dual-cameras will support 16 megapixels and 8 megapixels. Another new addition to the Galaxy S8 could also be an upgraded Application process (AP) that corresponds to handset's brain. Sources say Samsung is going to start mas-producing 10-nano Snapdragon 830s, which will be used for Galaxy S8, at the end of this year at the earliest. Advertisement

After the man opens the door, it blasts open showing an '8' floating in outer space.

There is a planet and an astronaut floating around in the background, which has some believing this points to virtual reality capabilities.

And there is also the the slogan 'Completion and a New Start' below the floating '8'.

A poster was also shared by The Korea Herald with the same theme as the video ad - a man standing in front of an open door shaped like a smartphone looking out into space.

It is not clear what Samsung means by 'a New Start', but some may think it has something to do with the exploding Samsung Note 7 handsets.

A poster was also shared by The Korea Herald with the same theme as the video ad - a man standing in front of an open door shaped like a smartphone looking out into space

When Samsung took the stage in New York on August 2 ,2016 to unveil the 5.7 inch handset, the Galaxy Note 7, the firm also used it as an opportunity to take a stab at Apple's upcoming iPhone 7.

'Want to know what else it comes with?' teased Samsung's vice-president of marketing, Justin Denison.

'An audio jack. I'm just saying.'

But due to faulty batteries Denison ended up eating his words.

Just days after the smartphone's launch, reports began surfacing that Note 7 devices were bursting into flames.

And a month after the launch, mobile chief D.J. Koh held a press conference in Seoul, South Korea where he announced the recall of 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices that would eventually be replaced with a new and safe Note 7.

In the end, the fiasco cost the firm at least $5 billion.

SOURCE OF EXPLODING THE NOTE 7 SMARTPHONES Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Samsung discovered it was 'irregular-sized' batteries that were causing some Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to catch on fire. The first issue was that the battery components in the Galaxy Note 7 did not fit in the battery's casing. This caused the battery cell's upper right corner to be crimped by the casing. The second round affected the devices sent to replace the original faulty phones. These were caused by manufacturing issues, including poor welding at the battery manufacturer. Advertisement

The major blunder has somewhat tarnished the Samsung brand and has sparked many concerns among government and regulatory officials.

But including 'a New Start' in its upcoming flagship handset's slogan could be the firm's way of saying let bygones be bygones.

Well-known smartphone leaker Evan Blass recently shared a collage of images on Twitter that shows a sleek smartphone with an edge-to-edge screen  a popular rumor that has been floating around for months

If correct, users could expect to get the handset in either Orchid Gray or Black Sky

The Galaxy S8 is Samsung's opportunity to regain its users' trust and it seems they know they have to pull out all of the stops.

Well-known smartphone leaker Evan Blass recently shared a collage of images on Twitter that shows a sleek smartphone with an edge-to-edge screen  a popular rumor that has been floating around for months.

If correct, users could expect to get the handset in either Orchid Gray or Black Sky.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are set to be unveiled during a press conference on March 30th.
The first dinosaurs may have come from the Northern Hemisphere, new research suggests, and could have originated in an area that is now Scotland.

The conclusions comes as part of a major shake-up to the origin of dinosaurs as well as their family tree.

The study suggests that current understandings of the evolution of dinosaurs, based on a 130-year-old theory, may be wrong.

Instead, it identifies a Scottish specimen, called the Saltopus, which researchers say may be the closest thing in the fossil record to what a dinosaur common ancestor might look like.

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The first dinosaurs may have come from the Northern Hemisphere, new research suggests, and could have originated in an area that is now Scotland. The shake-up in the family tree means dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex get reclassified

RECLASSIFYING THE DINOSAUR As well as pushing the origins toward the northern hemisphere, the study also reclassified the reptiles' family tree. Scientists have long organised dinosaurs into two categories. The so-called bird-hipped Ornithischia includes the herbivorous spiky-tailed stegosaurs, tank-like ankylosaurs, horned dinosaurs, duckbills and dome-headed dinosaurs. The so-called reptile-hipped Saurischia covered theropods including birds and the sauropods. The study proposed two newly devised categories. The first, called Ornithoscelida, joins the theropods with all the current members of Ornithischia. The current Saurischia group would lose the theropods but add a strange, primitive group of two-legged carnivores called herrerasaurids. Advertisement

The fossil, found in a quarry in Lossiemouth on the Moray Firth, is made up of a pair of legs, some hip bones, and vertebrae - all of which have been badly crushed.

If the new family tree sticks, one of the major implications is not only the origin of the beasts, but that that the Age of the Dinosaurs began 15 million years earlier than previously believed, according to the study's lead author, Matthew Baron of Cambridge University.

'It may just be that dinosaurs originated in Scotland,' he told the Guardian.

'This is obviously going to be met with some hostility from Southern American researchers,' he added

The previous version of the dinosaur family tree had stood for 130 years and was created by Kings College, London palaeontologist Harry Govier Seeley.

But now some of the best-known dinosaurs, like Tyrannosaurus rex and Brontosaurus, may be headed for a divorce due to irreconcilable differences, according to the new research.

The study proposed a radical overhaul of the dinosaur family tree first laid out in 1888.

It concluded after an analysis of 75 species that the meat-eating group that includes T. rex should not be lumped in with the long-necked, long-tailed, four-legged plant-eaters like Brontosaurus.

A detailed analysis of 457 characteristics in 74 dinosaur species found that theropod dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, and ornithischian dinosaurs, such as stegosaurs, are more closely related than previously thought

The dinosaur family tree is traditionally divided into 'bird-hipped' (Ornithischia) and 'lizard-hipped' (Saurischia) lines, with an early group of carnivorous dinosaurs, Herrerasauridae, branching off at various places in the family tree. Under the newly proposed regime, theropods such as T. rex are now grouped with bird-hipped dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus

The proposed new family tree includes two reformulated categories, or 'clades', of dinosaurs to replace the two that palaeontologists have long recognised.

'We may be proved to be correct, we may not,' said Mr Baron.

'But what has to happen now is a complete abandonment of old dogmatic views across the field because we have shown that rigorous and objective studies can pull apart age-old ideas, and that we as scientists should never got too comfortable with an idea when it can still be tested in new ways.'

Key skeletal differences indicate the meat-eating group called theropods, including giants like T. rex, Allosaurus, Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus, and the long-necked group called sauropods, including huge Brontosaurus, Diplodocus and Argentinosaurus, should not be banded together, he said.

Scientists long have organised dinosaurs into two clades.

The so-called bird-hipped Ornithischia includes the herbivorous spiky-tailed stegosaurs, tank-like ankylosaurs, horned dinosaurs, duckbills and dome-headed dinosaurs.

The so-called reptile-hipped Saurischia covered theropods including birds and the sauropods.

The old (left) and the new (right) dinosaur family tree. The proposed new family tree includes two reformulated categories, or 'clades', of dinosaurs to replace the two that palaeontologists have long recognised

Mr Baron proposed two newly devised categories. The first, called Ornithoscelida, joins the theropods with all the current members of Ornithischia.

The current Saurischia group would lose the theropods but add a strange, primitive group of two-legged carnivores called herrerasaurids.

The analysis placed the earliest dinosaur at 242 to 247 million years ago, a small Tanzanian species called Nyasasaurus.

After humble beginnings, dinosaurs become the dominant land animals until an asteroid wiped them out 66 million years ago.

'Our results strongly suggest that the ancestral dinosaur was a quick, two-footed, generalist feeder that would have eaten a mix of plants and meat,' Mr Baron said.

University of Maryland paleontologist Thomas Holtz, not involved in the study, praised the research, saying: 'There is a very good chance that they are correct, even though it goes against decades of research pointing a different way.'

Max Langer, a respected palaeontologist at the University of Sao Paulo, disagrees with the findings.

'There's nothing special about this guy,' he told the Guardian.

'Saltopus is the right place in terms of evolution but you have much better fossils that would be better candidates for such a dinosaur precursor.'
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With its expanse of breathtaking white sandy beaches, Cornwall has always been a surfer's paradise.

And following the news it is to become an official Olympic sport in the 2020 Tokyo games, where better for aspiring athletes to brush up their skills than on Britain's very own 300 mile-long Duchy coast?

MailOnline was lucky enough to enjoy a lesson riding the waves with one of the world's best female surfers before joining some 150,000 revellers at the Boardmasters music, skating and surfing festival.

It was exhausting and exhilarating in equal measures.

But fortunately, we had two quite splendid places to recover in  Newquays Fistral Beach Hotel and St Austells Cornwall Hotel and Spa Estate.

Pro surfer Lucy Campbell from Devon honed her skills on the Duchy coast - and has gone on to become one of the world's best female surfers

Boardmasters: The festival will be back from 9-13 August, 2017, and tickets are on sale now, at www.boardmasters.co.uk

Lucy pictured competing. But despite taking part in competitions around the world, she always enjoys returning home to her stomping ground: 'Surfing in Newquay is great as you have such a variety of spots to mix things up and to suit different levels'

Perhaps the best place to relax in style, overlooking the waves as you enjoy your morning coffee, is the Fistral Beach Hotel - an impressive structure sitting atop the cliffs overlooking its namesake, the iconic Fistral Beach

Lucy Campbell from Devon honed her skills in Cornwall and the talented 21-year-old has gone on to represent the UK on an international level as the Womens British Open and UK Pro Surf Tour Champion.

And she took time out from competing in the Boardmasters to give me a one-on-one lesson.

I enjoyed a morning's session with Lucy and Mike Young who runs Newquays Escape Surf School.

Mike was the 2015 British Masters Surf Champion and 2016 English Masters Surf Champion.

He and his friendly team can help get even the most nervous newcomers  like me - ready to take on the ocean.

Fistral Beach is a stunning 2,500ft stretch of coastline and arguably one of the most famous beaches in Newquay

Lucy Campbell: The talented 21-year-old is representing the UK on an international level having gone on to become the Womens British Open and UK Pro Surf Tour Champion

Lucy said: 'Although now I tend to sneak off to warmer waters through the cold winter months, around autumn youll always find me on the UK coast'

Amie was lucky to enjoy a surf lesson with Lucy, pictured, as she took time out form Boardmasters

From the school at the bottom of Newquay's high street, we grabbed our wetsuits and boards and headed down to Towan Beach.

And while I may not have had quite the same panache riding the waves, I certainly got a flavour of what life must be like touring the world with your surfboard.

Lucy said: 'I learned to surf in the UK and growing up it has always been my training ground.

'Although now I tend to sneak off to warmer waters through the cold winter months, around autumn youll always find me on the UK coast.

'The clear blue waters of Cornwall are among my favourite, the bays here always scoop up more swell than those further north so the waves are more consistent.

'Surfing in Newquay is great as you have such a variety of spots at which to mix things up and that suit different levels.'

Lucy pictured conquering a wave. She was full of praise for Newquay's consistently good conditions

With some 35 years experience, Mike is one of the most experienced surfers and coaches in the country, and was recently awarded the position of Head Coach for the British Junior Surf Team

Boardmasters Festival: Join surfers, skaters and music lovers from around the world as you watch the sun go down and party

After our lesson, we danced the night away to the live acts at Boardmasters.

Set atop the cliffs overlooking the breathtaking Watergate Bay, it is Europe's largest surf and skate festival.

We joined 150,000 other festival goers as the likes of Chase & Status, Sigma, James Bay and Kaiser Chiefs performed over five days.

Alongside the music, Boardmasters hosts the World Surf League, which sees more than 200 world-class pro surfers from 25 countries head to Fistral Beach.

Amie joined 150,000 others at Boardmasters, soaking up sun, surf and music as the likes of Chase & Status, Sigma, James Bay and Kaiser Chiefs performed at the festival village atop the cliffs overlooking the breathtaking Watergate Bay

Boardmasters is a relaxed event that feels rather like a Malibu beach party on the Duchy coastline

The perfect places to wind down after the partying

Two wonderful places to relax after the pandemonium were the Fistral Beach Hotel and The Cornwall Hotel and Spa Estate.

At Fistral Beach Hotel we stayed in one of the Best Rooms, which are located on the second and third floor and guarantee the finest views of the coast.

At breakfast guests can watch the sun come up and the waves break along the shoreline.

The staff there will go out of their way to give you a seat by the window so you can take in the stunning vista.

And fresh from the water, surfers can soothe their aching muscles in the top-class Fistral Spa, a labyrinth of nine treatment rooms.

Fistral Beach Hotel encapsulates and embodies Cornwall's laid-back lifestyle and is perfectly situated overlooking the beach at the very epicentre of Europe's surf scene

Wake up at the Fistral Beach Hotel and this is your view - enjoy your breakfast watching the morning waves breaking over the stunning expanse of shoreline

At breakfast guests can enjoy their sumptuous breakfast while watching the sun come up and the waves break along the shoreline

The Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa: This hotel was Amie's base as she enjoyed taking in the sights of Newquay and partying at the Boardmasters Festival

Afternoon tea: So efficient and conscientious are the staff that they will go out of their way to give you a seat by the window so you can take in the stunning vista

The purpose-built health and beauty retreat is reputed to be among the best in the UK - with first-class facilities

Highly-trained staff at the hotel can whip up delightful cocktails to enjoy as you watch the sun set over the beach

Treatments include facial peels, aromatherapy and Thai massages, ayurvedic treatments and a selection of indulgent packages

Offering panoramic views of what is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Europe, the hotel makes for the perfect luxury hideaway for anyone looking to soak up Cornwall's laid-back lifestyle.

After a night there we checked into the Cornwall Hotel and Spa Estate in Saint Austell, around 15 miles away.

The beautiful hotel is set across some 43 acres of spectacular Cornish parkland with 65 rooms and a further nine in a 19th century Manor House.

In need of some hearty replenishment we enjoyed fresh Cornish produce in the hotels Elephant Bar & Brasserie, tucking into Cornish crab cakes and stone bass, fresh from the ocean.

Afterwards, I was treated to a much needed facial and vegetable-packed juice at the Clearing Spa.

Recovery complete.

Nearby attractions to The Cornwall Hotel and Spa include The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the harbour towns of Fowey, Mevagissey and Charlestown, the Eden Project and the South West Coast Path

The spa: Treatments are pure and natural, using clay and minerals from the local area as well as high quality spa products

Set in the converted 19th century stables, the Clearing Spa offers five treatment rooms, infinity pool, sauna and steam room as well as a juice bar, and state-of-the-art fitness gym

Within the grounds of The Cornwall Estate are 21 two and three-bedroom luxury Scandinavian-style Woodland Homes for rental

The calm after the storm: The beautiful Cornwall Hotel and Spa Estate in St Austell is set across some 43 acres of spectacular Cornish parkland

The Elephant Bar & Brasserie at the hotel serves the very finest fresh Cornish produce, with wines from the hotels cellar and menus that change seasonally and take inspiration from Cornwalls natural larder of land and sea
Theres an old, unspoken rule in the hospitality trade: if you need to promote yourself too aggressively, theres a problem.

So the understated entrance to Ibizas Hotel Es Vive is a reassuring sign. In fact, it's the only sign.

Forget expensive branding  the single feature that invites attention to this popular boutique venue, nestled between Ibiza Town and Playa d'en Bossa, is a perfectly polished peephole in the gate.

Offering a glimpse of something special beyond the minimalist threshold, its sexy self-assurance is justified when the doors swing open to reveal a brilliant  and brilliant white - art deco hotel that remains one of Trip Advisers top-rated venues for the famous party island.

Beautiful: The 52-room hotel has recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation

Like Soho House in the sun: Hotel Es Vive is a discreet destination point for savvy party-goers

However, it wasn't always this way.

Once a dilapidated hostel buried on Ibiza's south side, Es Vive's potential was first spotted in 2000 by British ex-pat Jason Bull, who bought the building and painstakingly restored it to its former glory - with dazzling results.

And that's official. I arrived as the 52-room venue is crowned Europes Best Hotel Interior at the International Property Awards - the industry equivalent of RIBA.

The man given the task of this make-over was interior designer Sean Cochrane, who previously won acclaim for his work on the properties of Dame Helen Mirren and Meg Matthews, no less.

360-degree views: The rooftop bar offers one of the best vistas available on the island

Night life: The hotel is illuminated in style as the evening falls - and Ibiza hots up

Granted, these names may appear random in this context, but its actually rather fitting given that Es Vive mixes refined Hollywood charm with a cheeky, but mellowed, wild side.

As you might expect, DJs certainly play blissed-out beats around the pool, but guests are just as likely to be sipping Wheat Grass and Aloe Vera shots as they are champagne.

Likewise, the rooftop Sky Lounge (Ibizas first Prosecco bar) provides nightly sunset views of the Med while prepping guests for nearby clubs such as Pacha, but festivities deliberately end at 9pm to ensure civility.

Something that's welcome in a place famous for excess.

Tranquil: A stunning spa is also on-hand within the grounds for luxury well-being treatments

Island life: Indulgence is the watchword for the hotel's annual alcohol-free season, Virtue

Refreshingly, this unique selling point is more than just a gimmick.

In fact, so committed are they to this alternative Ibiza experience that the buildings former nightclub (a sound-proof room at the hotels core) has since been transformed into a decadent spa complete with steam room, Finnish Sauna and Jacuzzi.

Since opening, last year, it has become the catalyst for Es Vive's new Virtue season  an annual, alcohol-free retreat that takes place in October. Who says good times require bad behaviour? Certainly not those doing Spain in style, here.

Plush: The rooms boast gleaming marble, glass chandeliers and plush, studded leather chairs

Eat your heart out: The restaurant is available to both hotel guests and visiting diners

Deeper inside, things are equally sensory-driven. The bedrooms take from 1940s glamour and include gleaming marble surfaces, glass chandeliers and plush, studded leather chairs, while the restaurant - Deco - feels more LA Confidential than continental Europe.

The menu isn't bad either. Dishes include soft shell crab and crunchy quinoa salad for the health conscious and grilled rump steak for those who fancy a taste of its British provenance. All good dishes, all food for thought.

After all, this may be the recipe to Hotel Es Vive's wider success - the ability to make people feel at home amid the world's biggest bash.

Just close the gate on your way out.
In nine days we covered just over 2,000 miles, 17 counties and experienced the most dramatically different terrains I have ever encountered in one holiday.

California really does have it all and in a relatively short road trip  in a luxurious RV camper - you can cover a satisfactory chunk of it.

Heres how.

MailOnline Travel's Alexandra Genova covered just over 2,000 miles in California, pictured, in a luxury RV

A dramatic drive

My boyfriend and I spent a lot of the trip on the open road and the feeling of waking up, not knowing your route or where youll stay that night is like no other. One of the most dramatic journeys was on Day One - Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway. It began with miles and miles of bleached yellow grass  the color of a Lions mane. It was a landscape from another planet, flat and peculiarly simplistic. No traffic. Yellow and blue were the only colors for miles.

As we drove along the road and continued our ascent to reach a peak of 9,612 feet we approached a sign: Ebbetts Pass is a steep winding narrow road. Vehicles over 25 feet not advised. We measured 27ft but the alternative was to double back, which would mean driving the mountains in the dark. Taking a collective deep breath we ploughed on.

The sun was beginning to dim, casting a pink glow on the mountains but the dramatic descent in that dusty light was truly magical. Though the turns were hairier than the Circuit de Monaco, the incredible beauty of the drive quietened any fears. The road flattened and after a blur of pink motel signs and cranky gas stations we finally arrived at Paradise Shores, our first campsite.

We were greeted by friends  also on a roadtrip  who offered us cold beer and hot noodles, which we gratefully vacuumed by the light of a campfire. The sky, now blacker than I had ever seen it, was ablaze with stars, the clouds of constellations occasionally blotted by tiny, screeching fruit bats.

Bodie Ghost Town and the California Gold Rush

In Bodie State Park there's a spookily well-preserved gold-mining town, pictured

California grew rich from the bountiful Gold Rush of 1848. More than 300,000 prospectors travelled to the state in that year from across the world to plunder the earths riches and make their fortune. Ghosts of this era remain and few have been more carefully preserved than in Bodie State Park, a deserted gold-mining town nestled in the bleached hills of the Eastern Sierra and where we spent Day Two.

The town  a sprawl of dark wooden buildings, battered by years of powerful winds  still stands exactly as it was (although a lot smaller than its origins). To walk the roads and peer into the old saloons  with beer bottles still standing on dusty countertops  is to be transported back to an era when banditry reigned. Bodie was known as the most lawless mining town of the west.

As the August sun beat town, one could almost hear the thud of horses hooves and the crank and grind of the mine mechanics. Its a real thrill walking around the town and letting your imagination run wild. I was almost certain it was haunted and was already planning my return visit  but this time at night!

Yosemite: A hikers paradise

Yosemite National Park, pictured, attracts hikers from all over the world. And it's not hard to see why

After a morning kayak on a nearby lake and a hearty campers breakfast cooked in the luxury of the Apollo camper we set off for Yosemite.

Though there are campsites inside the park, its just as easy  and a lot cheaper  to stay on the outskirts.

The trail was one of the most spectacular Ive ever been on - a bucolic feast of lakes, mountains and dewy meadow.

Alexandra said that swimming in Cathedral Lakes, pictured, was 'unforgettable'

The eight-mile route began with a steep climb that eventually opened out onto tranquil meadow  a surprise after the thick ponderosa pines. But it was that first sighting of the craggy mountains that took our collective breath away.

Scarcely lowering our gaze to see where we were stepping we continued on, the mountains looming closer and closer, until the grand finale  Cathedral Lakes  opened out.

We of course jumped in. Swimming in that calm lake 10,000ft high and surrounded by towering mountains was unforgettable.

Feeling small among the redwoods

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, pictured, is home to some of the world's biggest trees

Alexandra parked up among the huge redwood trees of Humboldt

After an invigorating few days in Yosemite it was time to head north to Humboldt County. It may be known for yielding the strongest weed around but it also boasts the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world.

The oldest coast redwood  also known as giant sequoia lived 2,000 years although most average 700 to 1,200 years. But the stats dont prepare you for the wonder of standing next to one of these giants.

We visited Humboldt Redwoods State Park on the north coast, which began with a magical drive aptly named The Avenue of the Giants. Some trunks are so big you can drive through them.

The first urge you have when next to a redwood is try and wrap your arms around it (impossible) and measure your height against it (you will maybe come up to the edge of its burls). But also breathe in its pungent scent. It felt like we had entered another world, where nature was king.

I thought of the time when the native Sinkyone people lived in this region, thousands of years before European contact. The area was likely densely populated by First Nations but now just ten per cent of Humboldt County are native.

The forest was surprisingly quiet  even our footsteps were muffled by the soft duff of the floor - save for occasional birdsong and the creaking trunks. And the redwoods distinctive nutmeg colour gave the whole forest a warm glow.

The rugged beauty of the northern coast

Steer we go: Driving through the rugged beauty of the northern coast

After the crowded skies of the redwood forests, we were desperate for the wide expanse of the coast. And though it wasnt the celebrated Big Sur that we had been dreaming of, when that first bend of the road opened out onto the ocean I knew that it didnt matter one bit. In fact the northern coast  with its ragged cliffs and tiny one-street towns dotted along the roadside, felt more real than the south.

Our first stop was Mendocino, an extremely picturesque place with New England-style picket fences and wooden slat houses. Billed as the creative hub of the region I found it to be a little stuffy. Its art galleries were bland and its shops were prim and overpriced  its not nicknamed Spendecino for nothing. I got a sense that it was a busy body town, very aware of its own attraction.

Mendocino, a charmingly picturesque town with New England-style picket fences and wooden slat houses, makes for a great stop-off

That said, its in a spectacular spot. Its high street leads down to the headland, complete with brambles and blackberry bushes (so English!). And a steep path at the edge of the cliff side winds down on to a wild beach littered with driftwood.

The next day we drove to the Sonoma Coast State Park, a series of tiny beaches connected by stunning headland walks.

The trails wind along the bluffs, with some of the more precarious ones leading down into little coves. We walked for hours, exploring the snaking pathways and stopping for a vista-studded sandwich.

Later in the afternoon we had a well-earned pint on the veranda of the Rivers End, a restaurant overlooking the Russian river and a harbor-seal colony, basking on the nearby Goat Rock.

The balmy climate and its remarkable underdevelopment made me fall in love with this part of California.

Windswept and thoroughly worn out from a days coastal rambling we wound our way back to the campsite for our very last night in the RV.

In Sonoma Coast State Park, pictured, Alexandra strolled along snaking pathways and stopped for a vista-studded sandwich

It had been our means of transportation and our home for the past eight days and wed grown very fond of it.

We had seen and done so much over the week that it felt like we had been away for a month. The odometer read 2,459 km (1,527 miles)  an impressive number considering the short time we had.

The RV had served us well.

California is a state of enormous scope, full of surprises and though we covered a lot of ground, I felt like we had only scratched the surface.

Im already planning my return trip.
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In a dilapidated Filipino cemetery, a naked homeless child enjoys a moment of play with a passing balloon.

In Poland, a six-year-old girl sobs over her homework, while in Honduras, a young boy laughs as he clutches two handguns.

Life for these children could hardly be more different, all born into situations over which they have no control until they grow up. Even then, their destinies will have been profoundly shaped by their childhoods.

Their arresting portraits were all captured in far-flung locations across the globe by photographers who have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.

Judges selected powerful images across multiple categories, and here MailOnline presents the most compelling photos of children.

They represent a cross section of young lives from tribes in West Africa to Syrian refugees; toddler gymnasts in China to six-year-old bodybuilders in Russia; Sikhs in Italy to disadvantaged youths in Edinburgh.

The winners of the photography contest - the biggest in the world - will be revealed on April 20 at an awards ceremony at Somerset House in London.

In Guizhou, China, this little boy's parents are busy harvesting as his 90-year-old grandmother takes a quick break to enjoy a tender moment with him

This photo was taken at a cemetery in Manila, the Philippines, where a community of homeless people live, including this child who has found a balloon to play with among the unclaimed bones and bodies

Li was admitted to the Changchun weight loss centre last year where he undergoes traditional Chinese treatments including fire therapy, pictured, which involves burning a mixture of ingredients on a cloth over his stomach

Li Hang, an eleven-year-old boy from Harbin, China, has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a chromosome abnormality which means he can't stop himself from overeating. He weighs more than 340lbs and is currently undergoing medical treatment

In Mumbai, India, a little girl undergoes a Navjote (left), a ceremony similar to baptism which welcomes her into the Zoroastrian religion - one of the oldest on Earth. It means she'll never be allowed to marry outside of it. Pictured (right) a religious celebration at a Sikh temple in the suburb of Parma, Italy

Taha Sirhan (right), 11, carries the Iraqi flag through burned out oil fields in the city of Qayyarah south east of Mosul in Iraq. His father was killed by ISIS during their occupation because he was working for the Iraqi police

Twin sisters Liu Bingqing and Liu Yujie go through rigorous gymnastics training at a Chinese sports school in Jining, Shandong province, where they have studied and trained since they were infants

When photographer Mohamed Roushdy El dor took this portrait (left) in Cairo, Egypt, he asked the sad boy to smile, but he said he 'couldn't'. Pictured (right) a small child in Togo, West Africa, with fresh wounds which will turn into scars, typical markings of the Soma tribe

In Benin, West Africa, a two-year-old member of the Betamarribe tribe endures a painful scarification ceremony in keeping with his ancient heritage

Photographer Kamila Staniszewska captured her six-year-old daughter break into tears while doing her homework in Poland

In Senegal, a young girl clings to the edge of a bus window with a strained expression on her face as the photographer shoots from above

Photographer Tim Topple took this image of his six-year-old daughter playing at their home in Cieszyn, southern Poland

A nine-year-old girl called Syuzanna takes shelter in the shell of a dilapidated car outside the abandoned building she lives in, in Gymri, Armenia, where the poverty rate is 47 per cent

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, fashion designer Nassiba, who is pictured playing with her son, states: 'Society constrains the divorcee. What you can or can't do, remains under the control of others. As an independent single mother, I've made peace with the sacrifices I've had to make, but also managed to find happiness on my own'

In GouLingYu, Gansu province, this girl is just one of 61million 'left-behind' children in China's rural areas whose parents have left them to move into the city. This girl says her mother 'ran away' from her when she was six months old

In the jungle of Sumatra Barat, Indonesia, children share a joke with an elder of the Mentawai Tribe on Mentawai Island

Pictured (left) a child plays in Kaifeng, China, by the warehouse of a man who kills dogs to sell and (right), a Bedouin boy in Oman poses with his father's rifle. 'He is still too young to use it,' explains photographer Mark Languido Vicente, 'but here, he is tasked to hold it in a safe position while his father receives guests'

Photographer Germano Miele writes of this image, which he took in the small village in Benin: 'It's very common, when you leave the big cities to go discovering little villages, to be received like an old friend coming back home with amazing and unforgettable smiles and calling me "Yovo" (white man in Fon, the local language). This is the pure Africa I really love'

Caught in the crossfire, Iraqi civilians displaced by fighting in the village of Shora, just south of Mosul, reach an Iraqi army checkpoint on the northern outskirts of Qayyarah

A young boy pictured clutching two guns in the Honduran city of Rivera Hernandez, where according to the photographer, five warring gangs result in three dead bodies a day

In a remote village of India's West Bengal, children gather as this Sannyasi (religious beggar) parades a skull as part of a Gajan Festival, in hopes for rain and a better harvest in the coming year

A boy in Nakhon si Thammarat, South Thailand, rests his weary head on a buffalo in the mists of the early morning

Photographer Jian Seng Soh, who captured this image in Kyoto, Japan, wrote of it: 'Before I got off the bus at the next station, I gave my seat to this young elementary student with heavy bags and she immediately fell asleep'

Syrian refugee children shelter under plastic to protect themselves from the rain during transportation from a Turkish camp

Participants wait backstage during a regional bodybuilding championship in Stavropol, southern Russia, where the photographer says: 'Western magazines crammed with images of unrealistically muscled male and female bodies passed from hand to hand'

In the poverty-stricken region of Gyumri, Armenia, mum Lusine sleeps with her five children in the only room they have. During the Soviet era, these huge buildings on the outskirts of the city accommodated around 60 families each. Today there are just four families living here, among decaying walls and corridors

In Denmark, 28 schoolchildren have a pillow fight at the institute of controversial Danish therapist Carl-Mar Moller, where they are encouraged to play freely without rules

In Shanxi, China, this laughing toddler lives with her parents in a traditional cave house where the photographer says they enjoy life

Pier Mane captured this indigenous tribe of the Solomon islands. He said of the image: 'It seems kids learn to paddle before they walk'

At a school in rural southwest Uganda, children in uniforms pray earnestly in the early morning before classes commence

A tired young student poses at a school near Sidone in Lebanon, where around a million Syrian refugees are supported by international organizations

A young boy in Senegal pictured travelling aboard a carriage guarding a bag of flour, which will be used to make bread

In Edinburgh, Scotland, boys smoke cigarettes in a deprived area with high rates of unemployment, drug abuse and gang activity

For nearly ten months, members of the Native American Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their allies have been camped here in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing their land and water. Pictured here, 12-year-old Jesse Jaso enters their Unity Teepee, which has been signed by camp supporters from all over North America and the rest of the world

At Mahim Bay, Mumbai, a group of kids were captured playing on junkyard cars. The photographer remarks: 'It's when I went closer that I realized how reckless they were and that they could not be distracted in their madness'

In Brazil's Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, these children at a festival stopped to pose for a photo as they played in the streets
She's known for being the fussy 'villian' on the 2016 season of My Kitchen Rules.

Now Jessica Tichonczuk has stepped out in a cheeky sheer dress that revealed her G-string underwear at the reopening of a Melbourne club on Tuesday night.

The MKR star was clearly proud of the revealing number posing and preening for photos with a beaming smile.

The mid-length dress was made out of completely sheer, figure hugging black material

Back in black! She teamed the revelaing dress with matching black strappy stilettos

The sleeveless mid-length dress was made out of completely sheer, figure hugging black material.

Underneath she wore a plunging black body suit, which showed off her cleavage, her slender pin and pert posterior.

She teamed the look with matching black strappy stilettos and a black watch.

She pulled her brown hair back into a slick bun and added a splash of colour with red nail polish and red lipstick.

On display: Fellow reality TV star Jessica Tichonczuk, who was on the 2016 season of MKR, was all smiles in a cheeky sheer number that showed off her fine figure

She turned with her back to the camera for a cheeky snap to show off her derriere in the dress.

The dress showed off her slim physique as me made sure to not miss flaunting one bit of the showstopping outfit.

To let the outfit speak for itself, the only jewellery Jessica chose to wear was the black watch and one understated ring on her left hand.

My curves rule! The black gown was partially see-through, allowing an undergarment that flaunted her assets to be seen

Jessica was joined by other local celebrities including former Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth.

The reality TV star turned social media influencer looked stunning in a knitted grey dress that hugged her slim figure and was cut high on her leg to show off her pins.

Appearing relaxed with her hair hanging loose and a smile on her face, she seemed to enjoy the event, indulging in a glass of champagne.

Stunning: The reality TV star looked stunning in a knitted grey dress that hugged her figure and was cut high on her leg to show off her pins

Brynne Edelsten opted for a long flowing white skirt with slits high up her leg, the beauty flaunted her trim pins and svelte figure, and teamed it with a tight black singlet that not only accentuated her cleavage but also showed off her midriff.

Just days after being eliminated from My Kitchen Rules, contestants Demi and Caitie partied their disappointment away at the Pawn & Co party.

Demi flaunted her curves in a zip-up leather mini dress, while Caitie opted for a very elegant outfit that flowed down beyond her knees, but showed off her svelte figure.

Flaunt it! The 34-year-old socialite rocked a tight black singlet that not only accentuated her cleavage but also showed off her midriff, while also flaunting her trim pins in a long skirt
She has stayed away from the acting industry over the last few years, following an incredibly successful career in her youth.

However Lindsay Lohan is set to make an explosive return to screens this year, after the trailer for her new reality show, The Anti-Social Network, was leaked to MailOnline exclusively on Tuesday.

The Parent Trap star, 30, is certainly coming back with a bang as she fronts a new prank show - which sees her take full control of fans' social media accounts for 24 hours, without their knowledge.

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She's back: Lindsay Lohan is set to make an explosive return to screens this year, after the trailer for her new reality show, The Anti-Social Network, was leaked on Tuesday

As a regular social media user, Lindsay is putting her expertise to good use as she takes over contestants' social media accounts on the show.

Similar to that of MTV classic Punk'd, the redhead will play pranks on unwitting individuals by messaging their friends and posting statuses online - with the contestants having to complete the challenges for lavish prizes.

In the dramatic trailer, the Freaky Friday star looks better and more excited than ever as she explains her energetic comeback to fans.

Naughty: The Parent Trap star, 30, fronts a new prank show - which sees her take full control of fans' social media accounts for 24 hours, without their knowledge

Joker: The redhead will play pranks on individuals by messaging their friends and posting statuses online - with the contestants having to complete the challenges for lavish prizes

Smiling star: Lindsay showed her excitement with a broad smile

She begins: 'I love social media. I am social media,' before laughing ominously: 'Everybody knows you should never leave your phone lying around... especially near me.'

She went on: 'So, I've decided to hijack your social media for a whole 24 hours.

'If you can pull off 3 challenges, then you'll win some fabulous prizes. But they won't know I'm the one pulling the strings.'

Task master: She explained: 'If you can pull off 3 challenges, then you'll win some fabulous prizes'

Twist: However she added: 'But they won't know I'm the one pulling the strings', revealing there will be hidden cameras set up

The trailer then teases at the antics of her first victim Charlie - who is forced to pose naked for an art class, perform stand-up comedy, and even declare his love for his boss as part of the brutally hilarious challenges.

Proving herself serious in her quest, she added dramatically at the trailer's end: 'I want to dare people to really question how much their social media is worth.

Before referring to her own online presence with a wink: 'And I am really, good.'

Awkward: The trailer then teases at the antics of her first victim Charlie - who is forced to pose naked for an art class, perform stand-up comedy, and even declare his love for his boss

At the start of 2017, the actress was seen deleting all her existing posts on Instagram in what her manager Scott Carlsen described as a period of change.

He exclusively told Dailymail.com of the sudden action: 'Lohan is in a period of renewal and has been making positive changes in her life.'

The actress herself then went on to voice her high hopes for the year - no doubt already knowing about her big TV break - by adding: 'I am so excited for this new chapter in my life!'

Challenge accepted: Proving herself serious in her quest, she added dramatically at the trailer's end: 'I want to dare people to really question how much their social media is worth'

It has almost been ten years since Lindsay was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and then again for the possession of cocaine in July of the same year.

However after removing herself from the showbiz world completely, Lindsay is now making her return after a full transformation - having turned her recent attention to a number of philanthropic projects in Syria and Turkey.

Lindsay recently spoke to Good Morning Britain to admit that she has finally found a sense of 'solace' in her life, after hitting the milestone age of 30 and embracing her spiritual side.

Confidence is key: Before referring to her own online presence with a wink: 'And I am really, good'

Much-anticipated: The show, which marks Lindsay's return to TV screens after many years, is set to air later this year

She explained last month: 'Studying the Koran is something I found solace in, a religion where I found a lot of peace.'

'I have reached inside and I found what I want my intentions to be in the world... focusing on taking control of what I want out of life.'

As well as the new TV series, Lindsay will also star in the upcoming horror-crime film The Shadow Within, with her revealing of the flick: 'It shows how you can find love in the darkest places.'

Long-awaited return: Lindsay's friends and fans will be eager to see her new start

End of an era: Lindsay's 2017 is looking bright after a troublesome year last year - which saw her split from fiance Egor Tarabasov, 23 (above)

While the coming year is looking bright, Lindsay is no doubt happy to say goodbye to 2016 - which was a somewhat tumultuous year for actress.

She called off her engagement to 23-year-old businessman Egor Tarabasov, just a few months after the Russian investor asked for her hand in marriage, amid claims of physical harm and financial greed.

In October, things worsened when she had her ring finger partially ripped off in a fishing accident in Turkey.

However, a friend luckily managed to get hold of the missing part, allowing it to be secured back on by a plastic surgeon.
Her series The Big Bang Theory was extended for two more seasons on Monday.

But on Tuesday it was Kaley Cuoco's pet pooch who was getting some attention.

The 31-year-old star was spotted taking her dog Norman to the pet hospital in Woodland Hills, California.

Animal lover: Kaley Cuoco was spotted taking her pet dog Norman to the animal hospital in Los Angeles on Monday

The cooler LA weather saw to it that Kaley wore a bobble hat over her blonde tresses.

She also bundled up in a coat, and simple tapered combat trousers.

The pretty star covered her eyes with round-framed sunglasses as she had Norman on a leash.

Stepping out: The pretty star covered her eyes with round-framed sunglasses as she had Norman on a leash

CBS reached a deal with producers of The Big Bang Theory to keep the show on the air for two more seasons.

The network said Monday it agreed with Warner Brothers Television to extend the show that debuted in 2007.

No details about the agreement have been released but stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar have signed up for two more years.

Four-legged friend: She was bundled up as the weather in the city had gone suddenly chilly

Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch's deals are reportedly still being negotiated.

It was revealed earlier this month that CBS was working on coming to an agreement with the cast about salaries.

It has been reported that while the original five cast members earn $1 million an episode, actresses Mayim and Melissa - who joined the show in season three - only get paid $175,000 per episode.

Casual: She showcased her trim figure in simple tapered combat trousers

According to Variety their co-stars offered to take a small pay cut of $100,000 per episode each so that Mayim and Melissa's pay could be increased to $450,000 each per episode.

It is unclear if season 12 will be the show's last.

Along with the drama NCIS, The Big Bang Theory is consistently one of the two most popular shows on television when original episodes are aired.

It's the no. 1 scripted series in total viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

CBS will also premiere a prequel, Young Sheldon, next year about the character as a 9-year-old. Parsons exec produces and will help narrate the series.
He's the controversial My Kitchen Rules judge that has ruffled a few feathers.

And in a promo clip for Channel Seven's program Sunday Night aired on Tuesday, Pete Evans revealed he has been suffering from a crippling condition.

'It's something that's been with me my whole life,' the Paleo enthusiast shared to camera.

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'It's been with me my whole life': MKR's controversial judge Pete Evans revealed in a promo clip for Channel Seven's Sunday Night shared to Facebook on Tuesday, that he has a crippling condition, while discussing the many controversial claims he's been at the centre of

Pete sat down with journalist Alex Cullen for an exclusive, tell-all interview, to air Sunday night.

Dressed down in a T-shirt and casual trousers, the personality appeared ready to not only reveal his crippling condition, but to also address the many claims that he's been at the centre of.

'You have your critics, there are controversies, let's just share the truth,' Pete says in the opening moments of the clip.

Sharing all: Pete sat down with journalist Alex Cullen for an exclusive, tell-all interview, to air Sunday night

The chef has made headlines, not so much for his recipes, but rather his controversial claims.

Pete has alleged that sunscreen is dangerous, fluoride is poison, and calcium in dairy is a myth and the biggest marketing ploy.

The outspoken star has also been at the centre of rumours surrounding a rift with MKR co-host Manu Feildel, which he has denied in recent televised interviews.

Set to reveal: The personality shared with Alex that he's ready to talk about the crippling condition he's been faced with his entire life

Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Pete warned his fans on social media not to use conventional sunscreen, claiming they're full of 'chemicals' and promoted an unregulated zinc-based product instead.

Skin cancer survivors blasted the TV presenter and a spokesperson for Cancer Council Australia said his comments were 'irresponsible' and 'quite dangerous'.

The furious backlash from the public forced Pete's wife Nicola Robinson to jump to his defence.

The former glamour model said in a lengthy Instagram post: 'There's just no need for fear filled name calling or slander, just mature conversation between truth seeking, authentic people whose combined, core driving force is to create a better life for all'.

Young Pete: A promo clip for Sunday Night saw a collage of images of a much younger Pete

Secret: It is unknown at this stage as to what the crippling condition may be

Pete and his wife Nicola Robinson have claimed fluoride toothpaste is 'toxic' and instead, use a homemade, remineralising toothpaste.

Nicola posted to Instagram last year: 'There's plenty of information about our pearly whites coming to light too!

'Like the arising knowledge about tooth remineralisation  an Earth Suit function that many teeth enthusiasts once deemed impossible! A simple 'Google' search will lead you all over the show and enlighten you as to how to care for your precious ivories inside and out'.

The natural remedy consists of calcium powder, baking soda, coconut oil and other minerals Diatomaceous Earth and Xylitol Powder.

Support: Pete's wife Nicola Robinson (pictured) has also come to her husband's defence, after Pete was criticised for his claims that store bought sunscreens are dangerous

Dr David Dunn, the principal dentist at Sydney's Macquarie Street Centre, told The Herald Sun that there is no scientific evidence to back claims that fluoride-free toothpaste can improve the health of teeth.

'Using baking soda is very abrasive and can do a lot of other damage to your teeth, gums and mouth,' he told the publication.

Pete was also slammed by a critic after he advised a woman with osteoporosis to stop consuming dairy.

He told the woman during a Q & A session on his Facebook page: 'I would strongly suggest removing diary and eat the Paleo way as calcium from dairy can remove the calcium from your bones'.

Dairy: The celebrity chef was also prepared to talk about the 'calcium dairy myth' which he believes is the biggest marketing ploy

And in January, Woman's Day reported that friction between Pete and My Kitchen Rules co-host Manu Feildel was 'so bad' that they were forced to travel separately.

'In December they travelled to Perth and onto Broome, and on both the inbound and outbound flight they travelled separately,' a source allegedly told the magazine.

Woman's Day also claimed that the pair have 'nothing in common' with Pete thinking Manu is an 'attention seeker', while Manu thinks Pete is 'stranger than strange'.

Rumours: In January, Woman's Day reported that friction between Pete and My Kitchen Rules co-host Manu Feildel was 'so bad' that they were forced to travel separately

However during a segment on Channel Seven's Sunrise shortly after, Pete slammed rumours of a rift.

'We do love each other,' he told presenter Edwina Bartholomew, adding that they have a 'deep relationship'.

'We do love each other apart from what some people will write about us,' Pete insisted live on-air, wrapping one arm around Manu's shoulder.

'We have a very deep relationship with each other,' he continued.

Allowing Pete to do the talking, French chef Manu simply replied: 'Yes'.
Megan Fox showed off her cheeky side in a new ad for lingerie brand Frederick's Of Hollywood.

The mother-of-three played up her sense of humor on Tuesday when she shared the latest pictorial from the spring campaign.

She's seen posing by a door with her backside toward the camera, smiling provocatively while clad in an S&M-inspired outfit. And what a sight that would be for anyone who came knocking.

Cheeky! Megan Fox highlights her pert derriere in a new Frederick's Of Hollywood lingerie ad released on Tuesday

'When you answer the door for the delivery like...' Megan captioned the photo, adding, '#momlife.'

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles star modeled an all-black ensemble that included a bustier, lace-up leg accessories, and patent leather pumps with stiletto heels.

Her brunette hair is styled in voluminous waves down her back. And she completes the bombshell look with dramatic make-up and a bold red lip.

'Mom life': Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green have three children together; (L-R) Bohdi, Noah and Journey

Sizzling! Megan Fox showed her bombshell style in previously released ads for the brand

The knockout leveraged her brains and beauty in a favorable partnership with the lingerie brand; she serves as an ambassador, creative collaborator and co-owner.

The Transformers actress will also has a forthcoming capsule collection in the works.

'I am so excited to reveal my first Frederick's of Hollywood campaign,' she said in a statement. 'Shooting in beautiful lingerie alongside Ellen von Unwerth was such a great opportunity. I cannot wait for fans to see the new collection.'
He's undergone two hair transplants over the years, and has spoken frankly about his 'obsession' with retaining his barnet.

And James Nesbitt was certainly displaying a bountiful head of hair when he attended the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday night.

The 52-year-old actor, who boasts one of the most natural looking transplants in showbiz, cut a suave figure on the red carpet.

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Full head of hair: James Nesbitt was certainly displaying a bountiful head of hair when he attended the Royal Television Society Programme Awards, held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday night

James struck a nonchalant pose as he arrived at the venue with his hands slung in his pockets.

The Lucky Man star was dressed to impress in black tie attire, complete with smart bow tie.

James previously credited his full head of hair with helping his career as a leading man, as well as admitting that the demise of his 22-year marriage has 'had an impact'.

'In terms of the range of leading roles Ive had since then its probably helped,' he tells the new issue of Radio Times magazine of his expensive hair makeover.

Extreme makeover: He's undergone two hair transplants over the years, and has spoken frankly about his 'obsession' with retaining his barnet

Dapper: The 52-year-old actor, who boasts one of the most natural looking transplants in showbiz, cut a suave figure on the red carpet

The star is going through a particularly successful streak in his career - he played dwarf Bofur in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy; this year appeared in a new reboot of Cold Feet and next takes on the role of Detective Inspector Harry Clayton in Stan Lee's Lucky Man.

'Its not cheap!' he admitted. 'Probably 20 grand. I went public with it. I was very happy to be open about it.

'I just thought, "Come on, somebody is going to say it before I say it". It was something I struggled with. And that was probably the vanity in me.'

This comes just a few days after James' appearance on This Morning last week, which was overshadowed by two huge mistakes made by the actor.

'Its not cheap!': The star previously told Radio Times, 'Probably 20 grand. I went public with it. I was very happy to be open about it

Lucky man: The star is going through a particularly successful streak in his career

Not only did his phone start ringing mid-interview, but James left viewers upset after making a striking error when talking about comic character Superman.

James had been talking about his roles on both Cold Feet and Sky 1 series Lucky Man when he was interrupted by his own phone.

Phillip Schofield had just asked him an in-depth question, but hesitating with his reply, the Northern Irish star confessed his mobile had been ringing in his pocket.

'Oh, that's terrible!': Last week, James was left red-faced when his phone rang live on air during This Morning interview

Left embarrassed, James remarked: 'Oh, that's terrible,' before admitting: 'My phone's ringing!'

Phil and his co-host Holly Willoughby demanded to know who was trying to contact James, but he revealed he didn't know who the caller was when he attempted to switch his phone off.

'[It's] someone from Leeds,' he said. 'It's probably one of those PPI calls.'

'It's probably one of those PPI calls': The actor attempted to brush off the error by recalling a funny story of his daughter Peggy answering the phone to him

The Missing star then tried to save face by telling a story about his daughter Peggy and joked: 'I must tell you... recently I phoned their mum's house and my daughter Peggy answered it.

'She said: "Oh gosh, sometimes I wish it was PPI!"'

His tale had Phil and Holly chuckling, but it wasn't enough to resolve his mishap as James had also made a huge error when addressing the work of Lucky Man creator Stan Lee.

On the series, he stars as a detective who is given supernatural luck from an ancient bracelet.

'Stan Lee... he came up with Superman': The Missing star fell victim to yet another gaffe as he mistakenly suggested Marvel's Stan Lee had created DC comic Superman

James said: 'Stan Lee, who came up with this - he also came up with Superman and all those great Marvel heroes - the superpower he always wanted was the ability to control luck.'

Outraged viewers were quick to point out that Superman was not a Marvel superhero and was part of DC Comics instead.

One Twitter user vented: 'Someone needs to inform James Nesbitt superman is dc not marvel.'

A second said: 'I just died a little that on This Morning James Nesbitt said Stan Lee created Superman.'

'Someone needs to inform him': Viewers hit out at the TV star and were quick to point out the error he had made

A third commented: 'Apparently, according to James Nesbitt, Superman was created by Stan Lee and Marvel! #ThisMorning #ComicBookBlasphemy.'

While a fourth viewer added: 'Correction James Nesbitt, Stan lee didn't create Superman, superman is part of DC not marvel! Do your research!'

Another questioned: 'Did James Nesbitt just say that Stan Lee created superman? Wrong company mate.'

And one more tried to grab Phil's attention by tweeting him directly.

They said: '@schofe Play it back but James Nesbitt just said Stan Lee created Superman?'

Tell 'em Schofe! One viewer attempted to grab the attention of host Phillip Schofield and wanted the gaffe played back to highlight James' error

Oops! The Hobbit actor came under fire for the gaffe, with many viewers at home venting on Twitter about the mistake
They worked together for one season of the popular reality show.

And Todd McKenney didn't hold back when speaking about his former Dancing With The Stars colleague Mel B.

The 51-year-old TV and stage star claimed in a Daily Telegraph podcast that a dress once offered to charity by the Spice Girl was rejected due to its 'rotten state'.

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Gossip: Todd McKenney has claimed that his former Dancing With The Stars colleague Mel B once offered a dress to a charity auction, only to have it be rejected

Speaking to journalist Annette Sharp, Todd spoke candidly about his former co-star.

'Rumour has it, allegedly, she offered to donate one of her evening dresses to a charity [for auction] - something she wore on DWTS,' he revealed on Wednesday.

'Allegedly when the charity got the dress on the night, it was in such a rotten state that they decided not to auction it off,' he continued.

'They decided not to auction it off': The 51-year-old TV and stage star told The Daily Telegraph that Mel's frock was 'in such a rotten state' that the charity 'decided not to auction it off'

The interviewer commented that the 41-year-old Spice Girl was known to be a 'party girl,' and that she 'could have done many things' in the dress to cause its state.

Meanwhile, despite working together on the Channel Seven show for a year in 2012, Todd appeared to not have any recollection of Mel's appearance when first prompted.

'Was she on it? I can't even remember her,' the father-of-one said when initially asked if he 'got along' with Mel earlier in the podcast.

'Was she on it?' Todd also appeared to snub the former Spice Girl, claiming he didn't remember working with her on the Channel Seven show (pictured with co-host Daniel MacPherson in 2012)

'I didn't have anything to do with Mel B, clearly,' he said, appearing to explain why he didn't remember working with her.

Todd was a judge on the celebrity talent show for 15 seasons, since its premiere in 2004.

Mel joined as a host, starring alongside Daniel MacPherson, for a brief stint following Sonia Kurger's departure.

It was revealed late last year that the show would not be revived for another season.
The Block's Dr Andrew Rochford has publicly attacked school bullies who allegedly targeted his 10-year-old son Archie for having red hair.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the TV personality said he was left feeling 'broken' after Archie confessed he was being targeted by older students.

The 37-year-old said the teenagers who called his son a 'f**king ranga' were behaving 'no better than racists or homophobes'.

'I am completely broken': The Block's Dr Andrew Rochford (pictured) has publicly attacked school bullies who allegedly targeted his 10-year-old son Archie for having red hair

Andrew shared a photo of his son on Instagram, writing in the caption: 'This is my son Archie. He is 10. And I wouldn't normally share something like this, but I HAVE too... I can't hold this in anymore.

'He is the most beautiful boy you could ever meet. He cares about everyone genuinely... with every bit of his heart.

'I have tried to teach him the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated, it's a simple idea, and I could never have expected him to care so much about those words.

'If you fall, he will pick you up, if you're sad, he will try to make you smile, if you cry, he will hold your hand. And as I write this, I cry.

The former Block star, 37, posted an Instagram photo of his son Archie and said the teenagers who called him 'f**king ranga' were behaving 'no better than racists or homophobes'

'He comes to me and says he's being called a "f**king ranga"': Andrew explained that his son was acting 'brave and strong' despite the bullying - but as a father he still feels furious

'You can see my beautiful boy has red hair, beautiful red hair... He didn't choose his hair, he can't change his hair, and he should not have too.

'The first time he told me he was being bullied because of his hair I encouraged him to "be strong buddy, you're amazing", and they are just going for the "easy target".

'But when he comes to me and says he's being called a "f**king ranga", TARGETED for something he cannot change, I am broken... completely broken.'

'Ranga' is an Australian slang term for a person with red hair, and is believed to be an abbreviation of 'Orangutan'.

According to Crikey, 'the first written evidence for the term as applied to red-haired people appears in Australian newspapers in the early 2000s'.

Depending on the context, 'ranga' can either be an offensive term of abuse or used in a good-natured and friendly way.

Andrew is a media personality who rose to fame on renovation TV series The Block in 2004

Meanwhile, Andrew explained that his son was acting 'brave and strong' despite the bullying - but as a father he still feels furious.

'He is brave and strong and a far better person than most, and he tells me, "Don't worry Dad, I'm fine". But I'm not, not at all,' he wrote. 'I'm sick of the hypocrisy and intolerance.

'To all who think it's "funny" to discriminate and bully someone for something they cannot change, you are no better than a racist or a homophobe.

'You throw it out there in an attempt to seem witty or clever, you are NOT.

'You are as shallow and ignorant and PATHETIC as all the other narrow-minded bigots that inhabit our beautiful planet.

'Take a f**king long hard at yourself': Andrew claimed bullies who target people with red hair are 'as shallow and ignorant and pathetic as all the other narrow-minded bigots'

'Stop bullying': Clearly deeply affected by what his son had told him, Dr Andrew also shared an inspirational message to other victims of bullying

'So take a f**king long hard at yourself because if you perpetuate victimisation in your house, or your workplace or on a stage or the radio or television, you are the problem... YOU!

'The sad 13-year-old boys that are picking on my son weren't born so horrible, they have learnt from you.

'And to all the gangly kids, the kids with big ears, the ones born in different countries, or with different coloured skin, a different way of speaking, or different ANYTHING that you can't change, I am here for you 100 per cent.

'I will fight for you, just as I will fight for Archie... because ALL of this has to end.'

Several fans praised Andrew's Instagram post in the comments section, including Bondi Vet star Dr Chris Brown, who wrote: 'Lovely words Rochy'.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Andrew's representatives for comment.

Comment: Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Andrew's representatives for comment
It is often said big name actors live in a bubble.

And this was literally the case when Jake Gyllenhaal stepped out in a fetching puffy black jacket in New York on Tuesday.

He is not as casual as he appears however, for in a recent interview he refused to talk about his love affair with pop tart Taylor Swift.

Bubble boy: Jake Gyllenhaal wore a puffy coat as he stepped out in New York on Tuesday

Southpaw star Jake, 36, coupled his trendy jacket with blue trousers, boots and his trademark hipster beard.

The macho ladies man, who dated Taylor in 2010, grumpily declined to answer questions about their relationship and the jilted lover song she purported wrote about him.

He told the Guardian: 'I would love to not talk about my personal life. I would love to talk about the movie.'

The well-heeled star is a member of the noble Swedish Gyllenhaal family, however he previously said he considers himself Jewish as his mother is a 'Russian-Jewish New Yorker.'

In addition he practices Buddhism, though he says he is 'not a card-carrying' member of the religion.

Mr trendy: He also twinned his hipster beard with a pair of sunglasses

Thumbs up: The notoriously private star seemed secretly thrilled to be recognised

It seems Taylor has quite the effect on her former boyfriends as Tom Hiddleston, who infamously wore a cringeworthy 'I heart TS' vest as they frolicked on a beach last year, also recently declined to speak about her during a recent interview.

When asked about their very public relationship, which at one point saw them career down a moistened inflatable water chute together, he said: 'What should I regret, in your mind? I would rather not talk about this if that's alright.'

One relationship Brokeback Mountain star Jake is more than happy to talk about is his burgeoning bromance with his Life co-star Ryan Reynolds.

Swift rebuke: But he recently said he would 'love not to talk' about former lover Taylor

He said they got told off on-set as they could not stop giggling like giddy schoolgirls between takes of the forthcoming Alien-esque horror film, in which they play members of a crew aboard a space station which discovers a malignant life form on a space probe returning from Mars.

He told fawning Tonight show host Jimmy Fallon: 'They brought us in the corner and they were like, 'You guys need to cut it out. We are wasting so much money.'"

However he tried to argue back, telling them: 'But we're starting a bromance! Gives us our time!'

She has that effect on people: Even former Hiddleswift member Tom recently declined to discuss the warbler
Kailyn Lowry's complicated family situation was at the heart of Teen Mom 2's reunion special on MTV Monday.

The 25-year-old Pennsylvania native looked to sort out a number of issues with regards to her kids, seven-year-old son Isaac Elliot (with former boyfriend Jo Rivera) and three-year-old Lincoln Marshall (with her ex-husband Javi Marroquin).

She said, 'I feel, like, I'm anxious for it to air because I feel I have to explain myself ... I'm just, like, ready to end this chapter of my life and get ready for the next chapter.'

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Tough times: Kailyn Lowry, 25, looked to sort out a number of co-parenting issues with both of her exes on Monday's part one of Teen Mom 2's reunion show

Lowry, who was first seen on MTV's 16 and Pregnant, explained to the special's host, Dr. Drew Pinsky, that a lot of the tumult she experienced with Marroquin on the reality series this season was a result of their differing expectations upon his return from military service in Qatar: He wanted to rekindle the romance, while she was looking to divorce.

On the end-of-season special, Lowry sat with Marroquin, as well as Isaac's dad Jo Rivera and his fiancee Vee Torres, who left Lowry 'very pi--ed off' after making clear she thought Rivera should share custody of Isaac based on the idea that she and Jo moved to Delaware to be closer to the boy.

A teary Lowry, who's written the books Hustle and Heart, Pride Over Pity and Love is Bubblegum, said she was upset at their demands, feeling that her 'motherhood [was] being threatened, essentially' by the potential change in custodial arrangements, but Torres reassured her, 'That's not what it's about at all.'

Tension: (L-R) Vee Torres, Jo Rivera, Kailyn and Javi Marroquin sat down with Dr. Drew Pinsky for the end-of-season special

Miscommunication: Javi and Kailyn's disjointed relationship expectations fueled many of their disagreements seen throughout the season

Chelsea Houska stepped out solo, as her spouse Cole DeBoer blanched on appearing, while baby's daddy Adam Lind was a no-show after firing off a profane text to producers accusing them of leaking his personal details to the media.

Houska said she hoped Lind would 'stop messing with my childs head' and decide if he wanted to be present in their daughter's life.

She added: 'At this point, I just wish he would decide if he's gonna be there, or not gonna be there.'

It wasn't all bleak, however, as Houska, who tied the knot with DeBoer last fall, said of her new marriage: 'I've been looking forward to this part of my life since I was a little girl.'

Part of the Teen Mom 2 reunion - featuring Jenelle Evans - airs Monday on MTV at 9/8c.

On the same page: Kailyn and Jo called their son Isaac via FaceTime in a behind-the-scenes segment

Stork on the way: The MTV reality star last month revealed she's expecting a third child
She was raised in North London by her working class family, making a name for herself as an actress off her own back.

And Michelle Collins is set to speak out against Britain's 'silver spoon' actors who she believes are in danger of usurping roles from 'ordinary' youngsters, without the same connections and education to help them get ahead.

The 55-year-old ex-EastEnders star will warn MPs as part of a Commons inquiry on Wednesday that the landscape of British drama could be forever changed unless action is taken.

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Drama: Michelle Collins is set to speak out against Britain's 'silver spoon' actors who she believes are in danger of usurping roles from 'ordinary' youngsters

The Sun reports that Michelle said: 'It seems to be getting increasingly hard for people who have no ins or friends or family in the TV world.

'If you are connected in some way you will get an internship, traineeship or something similar but if you are just a working class kid from an ordinary background really what chance have you got?'

'How do you even know how or where to apply if no one helps you. We need to help young people from less well-off backgrounds and give them more opportunities otherwise we will only have one type in the TV world  privileged , silver spoon types or ex Eton posh boys or girls.'

'Silver spoon actors': The 55-year-old ex-EastEnders star will warn MPs as part of a Commons inquiry on Wednesday that the landscape of British drama could be forever changed due to the high number of 'Eton-educated' stars (like Eddie Redmayne, pictured)

Good start in life: Michelle - who did not point the finger at any actor in particular - was no doubt referencing the abundance of Eton-educated talent like Eddie, Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured) and Tom Hiddleston

Michelle - who did not point the finger at any actor in particular - was no doubt referencing the abundance of Eton-educated talent like Eddie Redmanyne, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston.

The TV personality trained at the Royal Court Activists and Cockpit Youth Theatre from the age of 14, before heading on to Kingsway Princeton College to study drama at O/A level.

She appeared in a number of small TV roles before securing her big break on EastEnders in 1988, landing the part of show regular Cindy.

Michelle went on to play Rovers Return landlady Stella Price in rival soap Coronation Street from 2011 to 2014.

Michelle said: 'If you are connected in some way you will get an internship, traineeship or something similar but if you are just a working class kid from an ordinary background really what chance have you got?' (pictured, Tom Hiddleston)

Last year, James Corden hit the headlines when he branded acting 'elitist', revealing he had to work harder than some of his peers during the early days of his career.

Speaking to GQ, he explained: Ive come to the conclusion that it is about class. Look at my career... I mean, thats quite a lot of good stuff!

'Douglas Booth has got a great career, hes a brilliant actor, but hes never going to encounter the sort of s**t like Ive had. Nor will Tom Hiddleston.

'Nor Eddie Redmayne. Nor Benedict Cumberbatch. I fear acting is becoming an elitist sport and I worry about where that lands us culturally. I really do.'
They are no strangers to glamour as part of the elite London crew who starred on E4's Made In Chelsea.

And Lucy Watson and Nicola Hughes certainly proved their natural senses of style on Tuesday, as they put on a sartorial display at a Beauty And The Beast screening in London.

The brunette, 26, flaunted her enviably leggy figure in a saucy burgundy mini skirt, while Irish blonde Nicola opted for a sultry LBD as they arrived at Picturehouse Central to watch the Disney classic.

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Stunning: Lucy Watson proved her natural sense of style on Tuesday, as she put on a sartorial display at a Beauty And The Beast screening in London

Following suit: Meanwhile Irish blonde Nicola Hughes opted for a sultry LBD as she arrived at Picturehouse Central alongside Lucy to watch the Disney classic

Lucy stole the spotlight at the event as she took to the carpet in her saucy burgundy mini skirt, which cut off at a daring height to flash her svelte pins to all.

Effortlessly maintaining the retro vibe of the PVC, Lucy then teamed her skirt with a matching roll neck and a trendy metallic bomber jacket - complete with a co-ordinating oxblood collar and an embossed scallop pattern.

Adding height to her already leggy and slender frame, she tied her look together with a pair of strappy heeled sandals, decorated with pink and black flowers.

Model material: Lucy stole the spotlight at the event as she took to the carpet in her saucy burgundy mini skirt, which cut off at a daring height to flash her svelte pins to all

Throwback: Effortlessly maintaining the retro vibe of the PVC, Lucy then teamed her skirt with a matching roll neck and a trendy metallic bomber jacket

The former Made In Chelsea star styled her hair into sexy, tousled waves, and added sultry, smoky eye make-up in a glamorous finishing touch.

While she smouldered for the cameras before the film began, Lucy later took to her Instagram to reveal she had embraced her inner child during the screening.

Posing excitedly beside the film's iconic rose motif, she wrote to her 1.4 million followers: 'having grown up on disney I was literally so excited to watch #beautyandthebeast.

Gorgeous: The former Made In Chelsea star styled her hair into sexy, tousled waves, and added sultry, smoky eye make-up in a glamorous finishing touch

Reminiscing: While she smouldered for the cameras before the screening began, Lucy later embraced her inner child on Instagram by posing excitedly with the film's famous rose motif

'It did not disappoint! standing next to this rose made me weirdly happy (sic)'

Not heading to the event alone however, Lucy was joined by her former co-star Nicola Hughes, who looked equally as glamorous in a slinky LBD.

The reality star opted for an elegant black midi dress, which softly skimmed her slim figure all the way down to its demure calf-hem.

Stunning: Not heading to the event alone however, Lucy was joined by her former co-star Nicola Hughes, who looked equally as glamorous in a slinky LBD

Falling into a soft V neckline, the frock was then made more trendy by a set of cold shoulders and dropped sleeves, which were lined with delicate lace.

Pairing the dress with matching black court shoes, Nicola then added a subtle splash of colour by rocking a striking purple eye shadow as she posed for cameras.

Also present was Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, who headed to the screening in a much more casual ensemble than her screen sisters.

Check her out! Also present was Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, who headed to the screening in a much more casual ensemble than her screen sisters

The blonde flashed her toned midriff in a quirky gingham blouse, which featured bulky frilled sleeves and tied casually at her waist.

Keeping comfortable for the film, she paired the top with simple blue skinny jeans and grey court shoes, which served to elongate her already long and slim legs.

Making her look more playful, she then swept her blonde hair into a high, bouncy ponytail to display her naturally pretty features - which she highlighted with a soft pink lip and lashings of mascara.

Quirky: The blonde flashed her toned midriff in a quirky gingham blouse, which featured bulky frilled sleeves and tied casually at her waist

Toff appeared in good spirits at the event as she flashed a winning smile at the camera - following the success of Made In Chelsea's return.

The thirteenth series of the London-based reality show kicked off with a bang on Monday night, as it saw co-star Binky Felstead announce she was pregnant.

Lucy and Nicola did not feature in the episode however, having both quit the show last year.

The blonde made her departure in June following her breakup with Alex Mytton, while Lucy announced she was leaving in September, in order to focus on other projects and her relationship with co-star James Dunmore.
Jenny McCarthy played Charlie Sheen's love interest on Two And A Half Men until 2011, later claiming in November 2015 that he kept his HIV diagnosis a secret.

The 44-year-old busty blonde argued on Sirius XM's Dirty, Sexy, Funny, that the 51-year-old should have disclosed his condition, having had physical contact with her on the sitcom.

But on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday, Charlie told the co-hosts that the former Playboy star is a liar: 'Your maths skills are s**t, I didn't have it [HIV] then'.

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'Your maths skills are s**t, I didn't have it then': Charlie Sheen, 51, said Jenny McCarthy (right), 44, is a liar on Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O Show, after she argued in November 2015 that he should have disclosed his HIV status during time on Two And A Half Men

'If she's listening, Jenny, you're an absolute rock star and a doll, but my gosh,' Charlie began on-air.

'Jenny McCarthy should go back and murder her maths teacher. Why? Because her simple maths skills are s**t.

'When I came out [as HIV positive], she's like, 'I kissed him, I touched him'.

'B**ch, your maths sucks. I didn't have it then,' the actor continued.

Setting the record straight: Charlie told the co-hosts: 'Jenny McCarthy should go back and murder her maths teacher. Why? Because her simple maths skills are s**t' as he did not have HIV at the time of shooting scenes with her on the sitcom

Charlie's candid remarks were in relation to Jenny's revelation on SiriusXM's Dirty, Sexy, Funny, in November 2015.

Jenny said Charlie should have disclosed his status as HIV positive, having touched and kissed him on CBS sitcom, Two And A Half Men.

'I feel like, in playing a love interest, you would think there would be some type of, I don't want to say criminal issue, but I don't even know how to feel about that,' she said on her show, according to PageSix.com.

The starlet revealed she was asked to sign a form on set about her physical health.

Opinion: Jenny said in November 2015, that Charlie should have disclosed his status as HIV positive, having touched and kissed him on CBS sitcom, Two And A Half Men

Former co-stars: Jenny starred in eight episodes of the program, with her last in 2011. Charlie revealed he was HIV positive in November 2015

She said: 'I was like, 'Wait a second. If I have to be upfront about a herpe, how could you not be upfront about HIV?'.

'I look back and I'm like, 'Okay, that would have been some valuable information'. I mean, look how many people have played his love interest on the show?'

However, a representative for Charlie told People, that he was not HIV positive at the time of working with Jenny.

'Charlie was infected long after he left Two And A Half Men and long after he worked with Jenny'.

Speaking out: A representative for Charlie told People after Jenny's statement, that he was not HIV positive at the time of working with Jenny. 'Charlie was infected long after he left Two And A Half Men and long after he worked with Jenny'

Jenny starred in eight episodes of the program, with her last in 2011.

Charlie revealed he was HIV positive in November 2015.

'I am here to admit that I am in fact HIV positive,' he told Matt Lauer on the US Today Show.

'I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that threaten the health of so many others that couldn't be farther from the truth'.

'It's a hard three letters to absorb,' Charlie added. 'It's a turning point in one's life'.
A fight erupted between twins Michelle and Sharon Marsh on Married At First Sight after Michelle followed her sister's husband on Snapchat.

And now Michelle has downplayed the feud, claiming Sharon is fine with her being connected with her partner Nick Furphy on the picture-sharing app.

The 31-year-old told Today Extra on Wednesday: 'She doesn't have Snapchat and she doesn't understand what it is, but she understands it now.'

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'He is constantly sending Snapchats to me': Married At First Sight's Michelle downplays adding sister Sharon's 'husband' Nick on Snapchat and claims they're constantly in contact on the picture-sharing app during an interview with Today Extra on Wednesday

Snapping at her sister: Married At First Sight's Sharon Marsh lashed out at her sister Michelle in a new promo for the show about her social media interactions with her TV husband Nick

On the show she asked Sharon not to 'get weird about the Nick thing' after slamming her for being a 'f***ing nutcase.'

Michelle defended her sister to the co-hosts: 'You might wake up in the morning and you have a bad day and it is the smallest little thing that sets you off.'

Now Sharon 'understands' the use of the app, Michelle says she's stayed in constant contact with Nick.

'He is constantly sending Snapchats to me and everyone else and it is hilarious,' she said.

'She understands it now': She told the hosts Sharon doesn't have Snapchat and was unsure about what it meant at first, after calling her sister 'a bit of a moron with technology' on the show

Snapchat drama: Sharon appeared jealous of her sister, storming off screen after Michelle called her a 'f***ing nutcase'

On the series she tried to dissolve the tense situation by admitting she adds 'everyone on Snapchat.'

Despite the drama, Michelle told The Daily Telegraph that it was simply a misunderstanding and that there was nothing inappropriate going on between her and her brother-in-law.

'Sharon's a bit of a moron with technology. I don't think she knew what Snapchat was,' she told the publication.

'I think she thought it was like Tinder or something.'

'Nick's like my brother': Michelle revealed she did not have feelings for Nick, saying the girls have a rule about not dating the same person

The blonde beauty went on to claim she and her sister even had a rule about not dating the same person.

'Once Sharon dates someone they become like a brother to me. So Nicks like my brother,' Michelle clarified.

The pair have been a prominent part of this season's show, after they were married in a double ceremony.

Sharon walked down the aisle with carpenter Nick Furphy, while her sister Michelle said 'I do' with Adelaide's Jesse Konstantinoff.
Yorkshire: A Year In The Wild

Rating:

Inside No 9

Rating:

Channel 5, notorious for its micro-celebrity circus Big Brother and bottom-scraping shows about drug addicts on benefits and bankruptcy bailiffs, has suddenly mellowed.

Its daytime schedules are still built around the Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home And Away, but in the evenings you are as likely to find yourself looking at an aristocrats country home as an urban sink estate.

Alan Titchmarsh has been extolling the glories of the National Trust, aired in a prime-time slot that C5 execs usually reserve for CCTV compilations with names like Drunken Hen Nights Gone Bad or Extreme 999 Taser Squad.

An hour of truly spectacular wildlife footage proved a delightful surprise as a new series began of Yorkshire: A Year In The Wild (C5)

This was a visual poem, an elegy to the landscape of the dales and moors, with exceptional lenswork

An hour of truly spectacular wildlife footage proved a delightful surprise as a new series began of Yorkshire: A Year In The Wild (C5).

This was a visual poem, an elegy to the landscape of the dales and moors, with exceptional lenswork that showed us peregrine falcons hunting, red squirrels foraging and queen bees emerging from a frosty hibernation.

Two male adders engaged in a dance-off, a sort of Snakely Come Dancing, to earn the right to mate with a female who was three times their size.

A brood of ravens spilled out of a cliffside nest, loudly demanding to be fed. A roe deer bounced over a barbed wire fence to reach the juicy tree bark in the woods beyond.

Because this wasnt on the Beeb, it was not David Attenborough describing the scenes, but actor Sean Bean, whose earthy Yorkshire growl carries echoes of his role as a warlord in the blood-drenched fantasy series Game Of Thrones.

Two male adders engaged in a dance-off, a sort of Snakely Come Dancing, to earn the right to mate with a female who was three times their size

Clearly, Channel 5 has some way to go before it perfects the art of the soothing nature documentary

When flurries of snow fell in April and covered the nesting lapwings, Sean snarled: Winter returns!

For a moment this wasnt Wensleydale, but Westeros  and the lapwings were in danger of being roasted by dragons or trampled by armies of the undead.

Clearly, Channel 5 has some way to go before it perfects the art of the soothing nature documentary.

But Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, the writers and stars of Inside No 9 (BBC2), have certainly perfected the art of the dark short story. Their half-hour comic dramas are as seamlessly crafted as the best of Roald Dahls Tales Of The Unexpected.

This final episode in the series guest-starred Felicity Kendal as a blind bonkbuster novelist and Morgana Robinson as an alcoholic attention-seeker, trapped in an art gallery

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, the writers and stars of Inside No 9 (BBC2), have certainly perfected the art of the dark short story

This final episode in the series guest-starred Felicity Kendal as a blind bonkbuster novelist and Morgana Robinson as an alcoholic attention-seeker, trapped in an art gallery.

The main exhibit was comedian Peter Kay, who was impaled on two blades protruding from a rocking chair.

It was a gory coup de grace to a collection of stories that werent so much disturbing as deranged. Best of the lot was the office party at a karaoke club, where most of the plot was acted out in the lyrics of cheesy pop songs. It was breathtakingly clever.

The half-hour comic dramas are as seamlessly crafted as the best of Roald Dahls Tales Of The Unexpected

The duo were sometimes too self-consciously artful, particularly in a tale set in a Cambridge dons study where cryptic crossword clues were used to gradually revealed a murder plot.

And they need to curb their urge to cram jokes into every crevice: this time, Pemberton was a health & safety inspector called Kenneth Williams, which meant a lot of ooh, matron and infamy, infamy.

The humour worked better when it was as twisted as the narrative. Studying his own reflection in a pool of Peter Kays blood, Shearsmiths pretentious college lecturer mused: This could be part of the art installation.

Then he gave the corpse a kick, to make sure it was dead.

Viciously funny stuff, if youve the stomach for it.
She broke down in tears while detailing the domestic violence dispute that took place with her ex-partner in September.

And actress Melissa George has broken her silence since the Sunday Night interview, taking to Instagram to thank her supporters.

'I love you all from the depths of my heart,' the 40-year-old star wrote in part, addressing her 'fellow Aussies' and 'beautiful friends'.

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'I love you all from the depths of my heart': Melissa George has taken to social media to thank those who have supported her following the emotional tell-all interview on Sunday Night

Grateful: The actress took to Instagram to express her gratitude towards her 'beautiful friends' as well as 'strangers'

In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, the Perth-born beauty wrote: 'To all my beautiful friends, new friends, strangers, mothers and fellow Aussies.

'I have shed many tears in the past days... seeing how kind and supportive people really are.'

It comes after the former Home And Away star was slammed by those on social media for her 'hypocrisy' in asking Australia to 'help her' despite previously shunning the country.

Thankful: The 40-year-old star reveals she has 'shed many tears' recently whilst also thanking her 'fellow Aussies' for their kindness

After the interview aired on Channel Seven, negative comments flooded Facebook and Twitter.

'Melissa George wanted Oz to 'shut up' now she needs out help? Domestic violence is unacceptable. So's hypocrisy. SHE is an accomplished actor with international acclaim. Just don't mention the other 'a' word 'Angel from Home and Away,' one user commented.

Another wrote: 'I'm sorry Melissa George has been a victim of DV but I stopped caring about her years ago after she behaved like a spoilt brat.'

Troubled: Melissa's comments come after her emotional interview, in which she detailed the domestic violence dispute that took place with her ex Jean-David Blanc in September

The 'behaviour' refers to an incident whereby Melissa infamously threw a hissy fit after a 2012 The Morning Show interview brought up her Home And Away days.

She also claimed she wasn't going to come back to Australia for a while because of the stress local media interviews caused her.

'I don't need credibility from my country any more, I just need them all to be quiet. If they have nothing intelligent to say, please don't speak to me any more,' she said.

Backlash: Negative comments flooded in on social media after the star's interview, with people slamming Melissa's 'hypocrisy' for asking Australia for help despite shunning her country in the past

'I'd rather be having a croissant and a little espresso in Paris or walking my French bulldog in New York City.'

Meanwhile, one of the actress's biggest supporters following the emotional interview is Rebecca Gibney, who shared a lengthy post in defence of the actress.

Sharing a photo of herself and sister Stella from childhood, the Packed To The Rafters actress revealed they grew up in a family with domestic violence.

Pas behaviour: The backlash against the actress comes after she said she'd 'rather be having a croissant and a little espresso in Paris or walking my French bulldog in New York City' than return to Australia

'No one would know that we were being raised in a family of domestic violence,' the former Packed to the Rafters actress wrote.

'Last night on the Sunday program fellow actor Melissa George talked about being attacked by her former partner.

'[I] have been really disturbed by the reports of the online response to Melissa's interview.

Support: Actress Rebecca Gibney showed her support for Melissa, revealing in an Instagram post that she has also been the victim of domestic violence

Defence: The Packed To The Rafters star hit out at detractors of Melissa, after social media users slammed a tearful interview she gave on Sunday evening

'That somehow she deserved what happened to her. As a victim of domestic violence myself - I grew up in a household where violence toward our mother was a common occurrence - I am appalled that anyone can accuse a woman of ' asking' to be beaten.

She added: 'Domestic violence is wrong - violence in any form is wrong. Please let us remember how difficult it is for anyone that has been in this situation to speak out.'

Melissa made headlines earlier this week when she spoke out about the violent row between herself and French businessman Jean-David Blanc, with whom she shares two children - Raphael, three, and Solal, one.

Bruised: Melissa went into detail about the altercation between her and her ex in September, which led to her being rushed to hospital

Revealing her troubled relationship with the millionaire over the years, the actress asked for 'help' after she was prevented by the father of her kids from leaving France.

In September, Melissa was admitted to Cochin Hospital after turning up to a local police station with bruises and complaints of pain.

Melissa was allegedly suffering from bruising to her face and said she was in pain and feeling faint.

The Perth-born star was allegedly assaulted by her partner of four years - allegations Jean-David Blanc denies, according to a report in French newspaper Le Parisien.

Convicted: Last month, a judge convicted both of them of assault and ruled it impossible to determine who started the fight, as Melissa and Jean-David were both showing injuries

M6info reported at the time: 'According to statements by the actress ... she was assaulted by her companion.

'The police were called last night to intervene in the centre of Paris.

'In shock, Melissa George, had a swelling of the face and complained of pain, nausea and dizziness.'

The pair were seen separately outside a Parisian court back in October, where Jean-David Blanc appeared on charges of domestic assault against her. He denied the allegations and also pressed assault charges against her.

Last month, a judge convicted both of them of assault and ruled it impossible to determine who started the fight, as Melissa and Jean-David were both showing injuries.
She's a model raking in millions from her beauty - so it was anyone's guess as to why Kendall Jenner hid her face as she left a Los Angeles hair salon with her friend Hailey Baldwin Tuesday.

The 21-year-old model certainly wasn't having a bad hair day, as her dark black mane glimmered on the overcast Southern California day under a grey fedora with a black band.

Kendall, whose parents are Caitlyn and Kris Jenner, rounded out her fashionable get-up on the dreary spring day with a cutoff denim jean jacket, a black sweater, designer graphite grey leggings and white Adidas sneakers.

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Covering up: Kendall Jenner, 21, hid her pretty face as she left a Los Angeles salon Monday with her good friend Hailey Baldwin, 20, on Tuesday

Hailey Baldwin, the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and his stunning Brazilian spouse Kennya, was quite fashionable herself as she wore large gold hoop earrings, an ash grey sweatshirt with the Champion logo, with black pants adorned with leather straps and buckles, and black boots with heels.

The 5ft8 model, who had her dark blonde locks parted and down on the outing, quickly took a phone call upon her exit from the salon.

The two pals have plenty in common, as both come from celebrity families and are making their marks in the modeling world.

Leading the way: Kendall continued to keep her hand over her face as she headed for her vehicle while Hailey trailed behind

Style mavens: Both Baldwin and Jenner are part of an elite clique of young celeb models whose profiles have risen as they reach their early 20s. Bella and Gigi Hadid are among that group, as well

Chatting away: Baldwin was quick on her phone following the beauty salon outing on the dreary day

The 5ft10 Kendall, who's walked runways for designers including Balmain, Chanel and Elie Saab, is the centerpiece of La Perla's summer line, recently steaming it up in swimwear and lingerie in a number of sexy shots for the Italian fashion house.

No slouch, Hailey is currently an IMG model, with active campaigns for fashion lines such as H&M, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

Now boarding: Gigi looked to get in the vehicle after Kendall unlocked the passenger door

Kendall is still picking up the pieces after her Hollywood Hills home was targeted in a break-in last week, with more than $200,000 worth of jewelry unaccounted for and authorities still looking to identify possible suspects in the heist, TMZ reported.

Insiders told People 'its definitely looking like it was someone [Kendall] knew' involved in the robbery.

Big Apple besties: Hailey led the way as the duo was snapped in New York City last month
Michelle Marsh had an interesting way to quash rumours of a rumoured romance with Married At First Sight co-star, Andrew Jones.

During an interview on Wednesday morning, the 31-year-old jokingly told Today Extra that she planned to get hitched to the series villain next week.

Fresh from dumping onscreen 'husband' Jesse Konstantinoff on Tuesday night's episode, hosts David Campbell and Georgie Gardner grilled her on a potential relationship with Andrew.

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One big joke: Michelle Marsh had an interesting way to quash rumours that she's getting together with Married At First Sight co-star Andrew Jones

Georgie asked: 'The rumour mill is in overdrive about you and Andrew, another contestant on the show, is there any truth to that?'

Clearly amused, Michelle responded: 'Absolutely, we are getting married next week and I am currently pregnant and we have a baby.'

The Perth native and twin sister Sharon were close to Andrew throughout the Channel Nine show, explaining that they knew him from before filming began.

Wedding bells: During an interview on Wednesday morning, the 31-year-old jokingly told The Today Show that she planned to get hitched to the series villain next week

Moving on: Fresh from dumping onscreen 'husband' Jesse Konstantinoff, hosts David Campbell and Georgie Gardner grilled her on a potential relationship with Andrew

History: The Perth native (R) and twin sister Sharon (L) were close to Andrew (middle) throughout the Channel Nine show, explaining that they knew him from before filming began

Shot down: Michelle said if her and Andrew were meant to be a couple they would not have gone on the show - on which she married Jesse (pictured)

The trio played in the same mixed netball team together for a number of years, and Michelle said if her and Andrew were meant to be a couple they would not have gone on the show.

She said: 'I have known him for eight years, he is a good mate of mine and if something was going to happen it would have happened already.'

Rumours began to grow after Michelle caught up with Andrew on Monday, with the firefighter appearing topless beside the bikini-clad reality star in a pictures uploaded to Instagram.

Michelle, showing off her toned frame in a skimpy bikini, grinned up at the hunky reality bad boy, who was standing on the shoulders of a statue.

First mate: Rumours began to grow after Michelle caught up with Andrew on Monday, with the firefighter appearing topless beside the bikini-clad reality star in a pictures uploaded to Instagram

Unhappy ending: Michelle left the show amid a backdrop of hate on social media, with fans accusing her of stringing Jesse along

Playing up to the cameras? Viewers bombarded the blonde with a barrage of criticism, alleging she only wanted '15 minutes of fame'

Meanwhile a day later, Michelle left the show amid a backdrop of hate on social media, with fans accusing her of stringing Jesse along.

Viewers bombarded the blonde with a barrage of criticism, alleging she only wanted '15 minutes of fame' and only decided to air her true feelings because she wasn't going to be on TV anymore.

But Michelle defended her decision to see the experiment through to the end, believing the right choice has been made.

She said: 'Jesse and I both really wanted to make it to the end of the experiment and then reflect and then make our decision based on what we knew and what we felt and all the advice we were given.

'But mainly what we felt towards each other. Very content with the decision I made and ultimately we have got a really good relationship now, we are still friends to this day and speak regularly, so we did make the right decision.'
Jeremy McConnell was arrested last week over accusations he had allegedly assaulted her.

But Stephanie Davis appears to have extended an olive branch to her on/off ex-boyfriend, seemingly liking a picture of him holding their baby son Caben-Albi on Tuesday.

The former Hollyoaks actress - who has since retracted the Instagram like - has allegedly not been in contacted with the tattooed hunk otherwise, while Jeremy is banned from contacting her during the investigation.

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Building bridges? Stephanie Davis appears to have extended an olive branch to her on/off ex-boyfriend, seemingly liking a picture of him holding their baby son Caben-Albi on Tuesday

A source told The Sun: 'Stephanie and Jeremy have not been in contact since the arrest last week.

'But it wasnt long before Stephanie made contact with Jeremy by liking a photo of him with Caben on Instagram.

'Shes since unliked the post but her olive branch didnt go unnoticed by Jeremy.'

The insider went on to claims that the pair are hoping to discuss where they stand 'once the dust has settled'.

The picture in question: The former Hollyoaks actress - who has since retracted the Instagram like - has allegedly not been in contacted with the tattooed hunk otherwise, while Jeremy is banned from contacting her during the investigation

MailOnline has contacted Stephanie's representative for comment.

This came shortly after Stephanie ditched the promise ring he gave her after they reunited following the birth of their son.

The star took to Snapchat on Monday night to share a video of her simply looking into the camera.

While she didn't speak during the clip, the missing accessory spoke volumes about the state of her romance.

Change of heart? This came shortly after Stephanie fave fans a sign she has finally given up on the relationship, by ditching the promise ring he gave her after their romantic reunion

Just this week she stepped out for the first time since the drama with her ex kicked off.

The ring was still in place as she looked distracted near her home in Liverpool. Reports suggested the 49 silver band from Swarovksi in the hope that she and Jeremy will reconcile - and provide a happy and stable family environment for their son.

Popping out without her baby boy in tow, the brunette looked noticeably strained as she headed to her car, after an undoubtedly tiring week which saw her ex-boyfriend and father of her son Jeremy McConnell arrested, on the grounds of alleged assault.

Ring of truth: The ring was still in place as she looked distracted near her home in Liverpool. Reports suggested the 49 silver band from Swarovksi in the hope that she and Jeremy will reconcile

However, the star appeared to still be sporting the promise ring the Irish model had given her for her 24th birthday last year.

According to The Sun, the beauty is still wearing the 49 silver band from Swarovksi in the hope that she and Jeremy will reconcile - and provide a happy and stable family environment for their son.

An insider told the paper: 'Steph is desperate to reunite with Jeremy and for them to raise Caben-Albi as a proper family.

'She's hoping Jeremy will see the pictures of her wearing the ring and take it as a sign that she's willing to work on their relationship. Steph wants him to be a part of Caben-Albi's life.'

Bonding: Stephanie had already attempted to keep a brave face on Sunday, when she made a rare appearance on Snapchat with her newborn Caben-Albi

Stephanie had already attempted to keep a brave face at the weekend, when she made her return to social media following a controversial snap which saw her legs covered in bruises, posted last week.

The young beauty first took to Snapchat to film herself listening to a rendition of Bob Dylan's Knocking On Heaven's Door by The Voice UK contestant Mo from Saturday night's Quarter Finals, with her newborn son.

Looking in post-pregnancy bliss, she appeared besotted by her baby boy as he enjoyed his slumber in her arms, despite her recent romantic stresses.

Focusing on his snooze for the majority of the clip, she showcased half of her face as the camera panned over her little one, before she looked at the camera.

Capturing the moment, she wrote alongside the clip: 'My Angel' with a blue heart emoji as the music acted as a lullaby for the tot.

Lullaby: The 24-year-old opted for a black and white filter for the short video as she listened to a rendition of Bob Dylan's Knocking On Heaven's Door by The Voice UK contestant Mo from Saturday night's Quarter Finals

Her appearance on social media comes after she took to Instagram to post an image of her three-month-old son - shortly after it was revealed that Jeremy had been arrested on suspicion of assault just days after she shared an image of her heavily bruised legs.

Caben looked incredibly sweet in the snap as he smiled for the camera, while Stephanie gleefully penned a caption gushing over her bundle of joy.

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.

Mellow yellow: Stephanie shared a rare snap of her son Caben Albi on social media in the midst of her and ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell's legal woes

One newspaper named the alleged victim as Stephanie, following pictures she posted of her bruised legs. Merseyside Police confirmed to MailOnline that were called to a property regarding an incident that happened on 9 March.

Despite remaining silent on the issue, she took to Instagram on Sunday to simply share a snap of her adorable son as he gurgled happily.

Seemingly shirking her woes, she added a loving caption reading: 'My Ray Of Sunshine... Love waking up to this little face... Makes me smile... What Sundays are all about.'

The stunner: The former Hollyoaks actress took to Instagram to post an image of her three-month-old son shortly after it was revealed that Jeremy had been arrested on suspicion of assault just days after she shared an image of her heavily bruised legs

Just a day earlier he posted a snap of the tot's freshly decorated bedroom as she moves on from a tumultuous seven day period.

Captioning her latest shot, she gave no mention of her ex-boyfriend while crediting family member for helping to assemble her son's furniture.

'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.'

Onwards and upwards: Stephanie has posted a snap of son Caben freshly decorated bedroom as she moves on from a tumultuous seven day period

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.

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

'MTV bosses are considering dropping Jeremy': Stephanie's ex was released by police on Thursday following his arrest but the investigation is still ongoing

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.

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)

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.'

The actress went on to 'like' a tweet from a concerned fan, who wrote: 'What the hell has happened to your legs love?'

Investigating: Police say they were called to a home in the city on March 9. It is alleged Stephanie made a statement

Another message liked by Stephanie read: 'Jesus love, them bruises. Hope you're 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.

Sources told The Sun: 'Jeremy has temporarily left Liverpool  where he's been renting a flat nearby Stephanie's 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.

'It's 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.

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)'

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.'
Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) wore two glamorous gowns when she tied the knot with Lance 'Buddy' Franklin in November.

And the model was reunited with her custom-made wedding dress, which was created by world famous designer Vera Wang, when she picked it up from the dry cleaners on Wednesday.

Jesinta watched on as the delicate dress was crammed into the back of a car, capturing the moment on her Instagram Story.

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Dress to impress! Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) wore two glamorous gowns when she tied the knot with Lance 'Buddy' Franklin in November

While the princess-style number was proving difficult to load into the back seat of the vehicle, the 25-year-old clearly found the episode amusing.

The David Jones ambassador was heard giggling as she filmed one of the dry cleaner's employees struggling with the sizable goods.

She captioned the video: 'Trying to fit my wedding dress in the car.'

Together at last! And the model was reunited with her custom-made wedding dress when she picked it up from the dry cleaners on Wednesday

Careful! Jesinta watched on as the delicate dress was crammed into the back of a car, capturing the moment on her Instagram Story

Get in there! While the princess-style number was proving difficult to load into the back seat of the vehicle, the 25-year-old clearly found the episode amusing

Flashback: Jesinta wore the elegant dress when she married AFL star Buddy at a top-secret ceremony held at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains

Jesinta wore the elegant dress when she married AFL star Buddy at a top-secret ceremony held at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains.

After the wedding, sources told Daily Mail Australia that the model changed into an Ana Luisa gown for the reception.

The couple were due to tie the knot at the start of 2016 but decided to postpone the wedding before keeping their new date under wraps.

Quick change: After the wedding, sources told Daily Mail Australia that the model changed into an Ana Luisa gown for the reception

Keeping a low profile: The couple were due to tie the knot at the start of 2016 but decided to postpone the wedding before keeping their new date under wraps

After dating for 14 months, Buddy proposed in December 2014 with a custom-designed 4.5 carat diamond ring by Nader Jewellers.

The Asscher cut sparkler has an estimated worth of between $75,000 and $100,000, Sydney fine jeweller Emma Swann told Daily Mail Australia.

While the wedding was kept secret from the media, she later discussed the ceremony with Harper's Bazaar.
It doesn't get any realer than this in TV production.

On Tuesday, The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star Siggy Flicker showed off her pert derriere and mesh bathing suit while getting her microphone fixed in between filming the reality show in Boca Raton, Florida.

The 49-year-old didn't appear in the slightest bit shy as the crew member pulled up her blue maxi dress, revealing her rounded backside.

On Tuesday, The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star Siggy Flicker showed off her pert derriere while getting her microphone fixed in between filming the reality show

The reality star was seen showing off her toned legs while rocking the edgy bathing suit.

The crew member carefully fixed the microphone on Siggy while the starlet held up her floor-length dress.

Siggy, who rocked loose locks, wore her diamond ring and layers of chunky bracelets.

The starlet shielded her eyes with large framed sunglasses with mauve lipstick on her pout.

Fix: The 49-year-old who was wearing a mesh bathing suit, didn't appear in the slightest bit shy

Views: The crew member pulled up her blue maxi dress, revealing her rounded backside

Siggy joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey in season seven.

She stars alongside Teresa Giudice, Danielle Staub and Melissa Gorga in the hit reality show.

Teresa kept it casual in a pink toned off the shoulder jumpsuit while Danielle chose skinny white jeans with a blue top.

Careful: Siggy, who rocked loose locks, wore her diamond ring and layers of chunky bracelets

Teamwork: The crew member carefully fixed the microphone on Siggy while the starlet held up her floor-length dress; pictured with Danielle

Danielle looked casual, choosing to wear a cut-out button up shirt with a Hermes belt and jeans.

While heading back to her hotel, Siggy flashed even more cleavage; she toted her bright red purse in one hand.

Siggy and fellow cast member Dolores Catania joined the Bravo! show for season seven, which aired in 2016.

Fancy: While heading back to her hotel, Siggy flashed even more cleavage while toting her bright red purse

Focused: The starlet sported large framed sunglasses for her look

All here: The group enjoyed a bonding session outside a diamond store

Focused: Teresa and Danielle chatting on the beach on Tuesday

Keeping casual: Teresa and Danielle held drinks on the beach as they stayed close

In the moment: Siggy pictured with Teresa and Melissa in the midst of filming while heading to Boca Rotan, Florida

Wow: Teresa looked incredible in a patterned cut-out dress while enjoying a boat ride

Looking good: Melissa looked good in white shorts with a striped top, a red cross body and black and white wedge heels
It is not every day you see an Angel lugging home their shopping.

But that is just what happened when Candice Swanepoel was spotted heading back to her abode after going wild in the aisles in New York on Tuesday.

The Victoria's Secret favourite looked like she was relishing every moment of domestic bliss as she carried home her groceries.

Supermarket sweep: Candice Swanepoel was spotted heading home after going wild in the aisles in New York on Tuesday

Candice, 28, certainly looked every inch the catwalk star as she pranced around in a black woolen jacket, fashion forward velvet flares and casual shoes.

The South African beanpole rounded off her look with a grey hat, circular sunglasses and, her most fashion forward accessory, her carrier bags.

No doubt the bobby dazzler's horde of rabid fans will feel the lingerie specialist was a tad overdressed, given her fame has been accrued due to her stunning turns modelling Victoria's Secret smalls.

One person conspicuous by his absence was the professional clotheshorse's adorable five-month-old son Anaca, who joined her when she enjoyed a day out in the sprawling metropolis last Friday.

Bag lady: She looked like she was relishing every moment of domestic bliss

Specs appeal: The beauty rounded off her look with trendy golden-rimmed sunglasses

On that occasion the beauty let her platinum blonde hair fan out from under a black leather pageboy cap that clashed with her hideous green leather jacket.

She had flung the coat over a black top with a sloping neckline that stopped agonisingly short of flashing some cleavage as she pounded the pavement.

For much of her outing, her firstborn - whom she welcomed into the world last October - was sitting safely in a black stroller.

Candice has been married to Anaca's father, Brazil-born fellow clotheshorse Hermann Nicoli, since 2005, having met him in Paris when she was just 17-years-old.

Out and about: Candice Swanepoel was spotted on Friday cradling her five-month-old son Anaca and a female friend of hers while out and about in New York City

Artful contrast: The Victoria's Secret model let her platinum blonde hair fan out from under a black leather pageboy cap that clashed with her pale green bomber jacket

Garnishing the look: The top matched her torn trousers and her boots, and the South Africa-born 28-year-old had accessorized with a glinting drop pendant

The model had been seen last week nursing her newborn in between snapshots while working on a Vogue Brazil photo-shoot in Rio De Janeiro.

She'd slid on a black cocktail dress with massive white fabric roses at each shoulder and a small slit at the hem, which itself was cut off around mid-thigh.

Swanepoel's reflected on breastfeeding in the lengthy caption of a close-up Instagram photo she posted in December of herself nursing Anaca.

In the shade: For much of her outing, her baby - whom she welcomed into the world last October - was sitting safely in a black Stokke stroller

Background: She has been married to Brazil-born model Hermann Nicoli since 2005

Building the family: Baby Anaca is her first child with husband Hermann

'Many women today are shamed for breastfeeding in public, or even kicked out of public places for feeding their children,' she wrote

'I have been made to feel the need to cover up and somewhat shy to feed my baby in public places but strangely feel nothing for the topless editorials I've done in the name of art..?' the model pointed out.

'The world has been desensitized to the sexualization of the breast and to violence on tv...why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding?'

Noting: 'Breastfeeding is not sexual it's natural-,' she insisted: 'Those who feel it is wrong to feed your child in public need to get educated on the benefits breastfeeding has on mother and child and intern on society as a whole.'

Multitasking: The model was seen earlier this month nursing her newborn on a photo shoot
She's the former Neighbours star and outspoken feminist, known for her ongoing dispute with Instagram over their nudity guidelines.

And Caitlin Stasey, 26, once again took her determined 'Free The Nipple' stance to the image-sharing website on Tuesday.

The Australian actress, now based in the USA, posted a photo of herself in a sheer babydoll dress which left her chest exposed below the fabric.

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Former Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey once again 'Freed The Nipple' on Instagram on Tuesday

She also broke Instagram's rules on nudity by leaving her nipples visible in the photo, as the social media app does not permit topless images of women.

Amusingly, she did edit the photo before publication - but only to scrawl a cartoon face over her own.

Caitlin captioned the photo: 'Parent teacher night'.

'Parent teacher night': The Aussie actress shared a photo of herself in a sheer babydoll dress

This is the latest in a series of topless photos Caitlin has shared on Instagram in protest against their nudity policy, as part of the 'Free The Nipple' campaign.

'Free The Nipple' is an equality movement started by activist and filmmaker Lina Esco, which resolves to give women the right to bare their chests in areas where it is normally discouraged by police or criminalised.

The movement - which counts Girls creator Lena Dunham and supermodel Cara Delevigne among its supporters - has also focused its attention on Instagram, which only allows males to appear topless.

Protest: This is the latest in a series of photos Caitlin has shared on Instagram in protest against the website's nudity policy, which does not allow women to pose topless

The website came under fire for deleting posts by its users - including high-profile figures like Rihanna and Miley Cyrus - featuring female nipples, which critics claim is a sexist double-standard.

Their Community Guidelines state that 'some photos of female nipples' are not allowed, with the exception of images 'of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding'.

In October 2015, CEO Kevin Systrom blamed Apple for the censorship of nudity, claiming the App Store - where users can download the Instagram app - has strict policies when it comes to adult content.
It's the controversial dating series that sees strangers 'tying the knot.'

But on Tuesday night's episode of Married At First Sight, it appeared the show had taken cues from Channel Ten dating show, The Bachelor Australia.

As Michelle Marsh brutally dumped 'TV husband' Jesse Konstantinoff, the scenes shot were eerily similar to that of last year's Bachelor finale with Richie Strahan and Nikki Gogan.

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Taking cues from The Bachelor? Married At First Sight's episode on Tuesday night was eerily similar to the finale episode of last year's The Bachelor Australia

Setting the scene: Both Michelle Marsh's final speech to Jesse Konstantinoff on MAFS and Richie Strahan's (right) final encounter with Nikki Gogan (left) on The Bachelor, were filmed at picturesque locations

Tuesday's episode saw Jesse pour his heart out to Michelle in a beachside setting, fumbling through his speech and pleading with her to give their romantic relationship one more shot.

While the Bachelor finale saw Richie choosing between finalists Alex Nation and Nikki Gogan and MAFS saw Michelle deciding whether to 'renew' her vows with Jesse, both shows filmed the events at a picturesque location.

Richie delivered the heartbreaking news to Nikki in Bali, Indonesia, while Michelle parted ways with Jesse at a stunning beachside spot.

A series of candles formed a pathway on the sand with a series of bamboo poles acting as a backdrop in front of the ocean.

Parting ways: Michelle, 31, delivered a crushing speech to Jesse, 31, who previously pleaded with the cleaning business manager to continue on with their relationship

Not to be: Nikki, 28, was also left devastated on The Bachelor when Perth-based Richie ultimately chose 25-year-old single mother from Melbourne, Alex Nation

The lead-up to Michelle's ultimate decision also bore a resemblance to the final scenes on The Bachelor.

As Michelle contemplated her future, the camera saw the blonde dressed in a glamorous frock, staring at her reflection in a gilded mirror.

The Bachelor's Richie was also pictured getting smartly dressed in a tailored suit in his luxury suite, as he pondered between Alex and Nikki for the very last time.

Both shows saw the delivering of a heartbreaking speech for Married At First Sight's Jesse and The Bachelor's Nikki.

Jesse and Nikki were left shattered after declaring their love to their 'partner' who did not feel the same way.

Reflection: The lead-up to the dramatic event saw Michelle pondering her decision while in her suite

'You've said that you have seen the door and you are waiting for me to find it. So that we can walk through hand-in-hand,' Michelle began her speech.

'So thankfully, our paths have crossed. Because I do want you in my life forever. But not as your partner.'

Meanwhile, during The Bachelor's elimination, Richie gushed to Nikki about the bond they had created, but ultimately saw Alex in his future.

'Nikki, I think back to that very first night, where I was incredibly nervous, my head was spinning, and I was thinking, 'I just hope that there's this girl that I can connect with' and then I met you.

Gutted: Jesse appeared highly distressed after pleading with Michelle to give him another chance

'I think about that moment and where we are now and how much our relationship has developed. You are like no woman I've ever met before.

'I think about what a relationship and what a future would look like with you and how easy it would be for our lives to come together...how loyal and how trustworthy you would be, and that you would stick by me through thick and thin.

'You know, coming down on this adventure, my family gave me some advice. And that advice was to follow my heart.

He added: 'And Nikki, I really hope you understand...but my heart is with Alex.'
Both his personal and professional life are on a high note at the moment.

And Mahershala Ali showed off his latest addition in a precious Instagram post Tuesday featuring his month-old daughter Bari Najma Ali.

The 43-year-old Moonlight star posted the black and white photo showing off his buff bicep as he sits on the couch cradling his newborn daughter.

Heartmelting! Mahershala Ali, 43, showed off his latest addition in a precious Instagram post featuring his month-old daughter Bari Najma Ali on Tuesday

'Bari x Abu,' he captioned the sweet image with a heart emoji at the end.

The talented actor, was was the first Muslim to win an acting Academy Award, brought home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Moonlight.

And just days before getting up on that stage and accepting his award, the actor welcomed his baby girl with wife Amatus Sami-Karim.

Mahershala shared the news a few days later with a heartwarming snapshot of his artist wife cradling their daughter, Bari Najma Ali.

Proud papa! Mahershala shared the news a few days later with a heartwarming snapshot of his artist wife cradling their daughter, Bari Najma Ali

The Hidden Figures actor, who portrays Taraji P. Henson's love interest, boasted over the newborn as Amatus gently kissed her forehead.

'Bari (Bar-ee) Najma Ali 2/22/17 #pisces,' he captioned the heartwarming image which included a heart emoji.

Mahershala thanked his wife when he was onstage accepting his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

'I just want to thank her for being a soldier through it all and carrying me through this process,' he said.

Family first: Mahershala thanked his wife when he was onstage accepting his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor

The actor had also won a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and Critic's Choice award for best supporting actor.

The Moonlight star became emotional while he thanked his 'wonderful teachers and professors' in his acceptance speech.

'It's not about you, it's about these characters. You are a servant. You're in service to these stories,' he said.

The Academy Award winner and his music producer wife fell in love while he studied for his master's degree at New York University in 2000 and the couple married in 2013.

When asked how the Moonlight actor, who plays a compassionate drug dealer, is juggling awards season with his growing family, Ali explained the two are 'polar opposite experiences.'

Role of a lifetime: The Moonlight star became emotional while he thanked his 'wonderful teachers and professors' in his acceptance speech

'The awards-season experience... requires you to be out in the community, in the heart of the community, at the nucleus of the film community in a really committed way for about a six-month period of time,' he explained.

'Having a child requires you to nest, to be in your home,' the House Of Cards actor added. 'And to create and make your home and environment that is one that is potentially very welcoming and nurturing for a child.

'The pregnancy has been a real anchor for me to be able to check in.'

The Oakland native has been known for his roles in The Hunger Games saga, House of Cards, and the 2016 film Hidden Figures.

Ali was raised a Christian but converted to Islam while he was in graduate school after a visit to a mosque with his wife and her mother.

Juggling it all: When asked how the Moonlight actor, who plays a compassionate drug dealer, is juggling awards season with his growing family, Ali explained the two are 'polar opposite experiences'
Tegan Martin has shared a passionate PDA with her boyfriend Sam Croke as sources reveal she is not slated to become the next Bachelorette, despite recent speculation.

The 24-year-old was seen kissing and cuddling her boyfriend at Coogee beach on Monday night, the loved up pair unable to keep their hands off one another.

A source close to Tegan has revealed that upon hearing the rumors she responded: 'Geez I would not only be going behind my boyfriend's back with one guy but fifteen?' Definitely not going to happen, I'm very loyal and committed to Sam'.

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Loved up: Tegan Martin has shared a passionate PDA with her boyfriend Sam Croke as sources reveal she is not slated to become the next Bachelorette

The source adds, 'She is flattered that people think she would make a great Bachelorette.'

Another friend is said to have commented that, 'Tegan is very happy and committed to her relationship with Sam (Croke). She is definitely not casting for the show.'

During their romantic date on Monday night, Tegan looked very much in love with Sam, who she began dating last year.

Wearing a loose slip dress with a white bra peeking from underneath and revealing a flash of cleavage, Tegan walked hand in hand with her beau by the beach.

Kissy kissy! The 24-year-old was seen kissing and cuddling her boyfriend at Coogee beach on Monday night

So in love: The loved up pair unable to keep their hands off one another despite the very public setting of their date

Staying with her man: A source close to Tegan has revealed that upon hearing the rumors she responded: 'Geez I would not only be going behind my boyfriend's back with one guy but fifteen?' Definitely not going to happen, I'm very loyal and committed to Sam'

The source adds: 'She is flattered that people think she would make a great Bachelorette'

Another friend is said to have commented that, 'Tegan is very happy and committed to her relationship with Sam (Croke). She is definitely not casting for the show'

The relaxed frock clung to the blonde's slender figure and it's short length flashed her slim legs.

As the pair took a rest upon a wooden bench on the famous beach's promenade, Tegan laughed and smiled with Sam, who was equally perky.

The rugby player had his impressive guns on display in a cut off singlet, and threw those bulky arms around his girlfriend for a barrage of kisses.

Enamoured: During their romantic date on Monday night Tegan looked very much in love with Sam, who she began dating last year

Giggles: The cheerful pair shared a laugh as they sat on the promenade

Gun show: Sam wore a cut off top that revealed his muscular arms

Look of love: Tegan gazed into her man's eyes in the moonlight

Looking out to sea: The couple took a walk alongside the beach at night

Date night: The enamored pair then enjoyed a drink at a nearby cafe, with Sam drinking a frosty beer and Tegan sipping a red wine

The enamored pair then enjoyed a drink at a nearby cafe, with Sam sipping a frosty beer and Tegan enjoying a red wine.

On Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported that former Miss Universe is understood to be in talks with the producers of The Bachelorette.

But her representative Benji Hart denies such possibility stating the blonde beauty is 'still very much in love' with her current beau rugby player Sam Croke and 'would not be appearing' on the show.

Chill date: Wearing in a loose, light slip dress with a white bra peeking from underneath and revealing a flash of cleavage, Tegan walked hand in hand with her beau

Rumours: On Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported that former Miss Universe is understood to be in talks with the producers of The Bachelorette

Casting for the show has recently begun and if Tegan does take on the role, she would be following in the footsteps of Georgia Love and Sam Frost.

A Network Ten Spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Australia's next Bachelorette has not yet been chosen, and casting is currently underway. We look forward to announcing her identity to the public later this year.'
They're two talented stars who are devoted to their craft.

But Jake Gyllenhaal has now revealed his budding new 'bromance' with co-star Ryan Reynolds interfered with production on the set of their upcoming sci-fi film, Life.

The actor, 36, revealed on Monday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that they were scolded by producers for goofing off on set, and even cost the movie money.

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'We wasted so much money!' Jake Gyllenhaal has now revealed his budding new 'bromance' with co-star Ryan Reynolds interfered with production on the set of their upcoming sci-fi film, Life (pictured in this month in Austin)

The actor explained to the host that he and Ryan were filming a scene in which they were 'floating around on wires...simulating zero gravity' while being chased by aliens.

'Then when we would cut we couldn't stop laughing and joking and it was like, we wasted so much money.

'Like literally, producers brought us to the side, in the corner, and were like, "We need to talk to Ryan and Jake."

'And they brought us in the corner and they were like, "You guys need to cut it out. We are wasting so much money!" We're starting a bromance!'

'Producers brought us to the side': Gyllenhaal and his co-star received a stern talking to from producers for their antics

There was no shortage of laughter when the two co-stars had a very silly interview with Fox 5 DC.

The stars poked fun at each other as they continued to promote their upcoming film Life.

Reporter Kevin McCarthy presented the stars with a Deadpool pin in honor of Ryan's hit film, and Jake tossed the pin over his shoulder, causing his co-star to laugh.

Can't keep a straight face: There was no shortage of laughter when the two co-stars had a very silly interview with Fox 5 DC

'Oh, well thank you!' Jake said playfully, tossing the Deadpool pin over his shoulder

'Thank you so much!' he said sarcastically before throwing the pin aside.

The actor continued to tease his co-star later in the segment.

'Can we keep this serious?' Jake jokingly asked Ryan while describing the intricacies of filming scenes involving the wires.

'Yes, with somebody': Ryan agreed, gesturing towards his ear to indicate he had someone speaking the lines to him

'You see it on the call sheet...three days to shoot one shot... "How is this possible?"' the Deadpool actor said.

''Cause Ryan has to memorize his lines,' Jake interjected. 'He had like, three lines, and it took him three and a half days.'

'Yes,' Ryan agreed, gesturing towards to ear to indicate someone was helping him with his lines.

Jake and Ryan play members of a space crew who come across life on Mars.

The horror film will be released on March 24.

Out of this world: Jake and Ryan play members of a space crew who come across life on Mars
Chuck Barris, the wacky host of The Gong Show, died Tuesday at the age of 87.

His publicist confirmed he passed away from natural causes at his home in Palisades, New York.

Barris was the creator of The Gong Show and two other popular TV game shows, The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game.

He claimed in his autobiography that his game show antics had been a cover for his work as a CIA operative, working as an assassin during the 1960s and 70s.

The CIA denied his story.

R.I.P.: Chuck Barris, the creator and host of The Gong Show, died Tuesday from natural causes at his home in Palisades, New York. He was 87

'It sounds like he has been standing too close to the gong all those years,' quipped CIA spokesman Tom Crispell. 'Chuck Barris has never been employed by the CIA and the allegation that he was a hired assassin is absurd.'

Barris, who offered no corroboration of his claims, was unmoved.

'Have you ever heard the CIA acknowledge someone was an assassin?' he once asked.

His autobiography was widely dismissed by disbelievers who said the game show creator had allowed his imagination to run wild when he claimed to have spent his spare time traveling the world, quietly rubbing out enemies of the United States.

Yet the book, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, was turned into a 2002 movie starring Sam Rockwell and directed by George Clooney.

Confessions: Barris, pictured in LA in 2007, claimed in his autobiography he had been employed as an assassin by the CIA during the 1960s and '70s. The CIA denied the claim

His book, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, was turned into a 2002 movie starring Sam Rockwell and directed by George Clooney (above at the film premiere)

Barris made game show history right off the bat in 1966 with 'The Dating Game,' hosted by Jim Lange. The gimmick: a young female questions three males, hidden from her view, to determine which would be the best date.

Celebrities and future celebrities who appeared as contestants included Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin and a pre-'Charlie's Angels' Farrah Fawcett.

After the show became a hit on both daytime and nighttime TV, the Barris machine accelerated. New products included 'The Newlywed Game,' ''The Parent Game,' ''The Family Game' and even 'The Game Game.'

At one point Barris was supplying the television networks with 27 hours of entertainment a week, mostly in five-days-a-week daytime game shows.

The grinning, curly-haired Barris became a familiar face as creator and host of 'The Gong Show,' which aired from 1976 to 1980.

Occasionally, someone would actually launch a successful career through the show. One example was the late country musician BoxCar Willie, who was a 1977 'Gong Show' winner.

His first hit: Barris is seen preparing for the premiere of The Dating Game on November 19, 1965, with host Jim Lange and dancers Ellen Friedman and Anita Mann

His Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind was turned into a Hollywood movie directed by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell. Barris and Rockwell are pictured at the 2002 premiere

Reinvented television: He was famous for his goofy antics on the talent competition that liked to feature awful but entertaining amateur performs

He called himself 'The King of Daytime Television,' but to critics he was 'The King of Schlock' or 'The Baron of Bad Taste.'

As 'The Gong Show' and Barris' other series were slipping, he sold his company for a reported $100 million in 1980 and decided to go into films.

He directed and starred in 'The Gong Show Movie,' a thundering failure that stayed in theaters only a week. Afterward, a distraught Barris checked into a New York hotel and wrote his autobiography in two months.

Seeking escape from the Hollywood rat race, he moved to a villa in the south of France in the 1980s with his girlfriend and future second wife, Robin Altman. He made only infrequent returns to his old haunts over the next two decades.

Back in the news in 2002 to help publicize 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind', Barris said his shows were a forerunner to today's popular reality TV series.

Barris (above in a 2006 radio interview) claimed in his autobiography that his game show antics had been a cover for his work as a CIA assassin during the 1960s and 70s

Barris started out as a page at NBC and then a staffer at American Bandstand before moving to Los Angeles where he created shows The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game for ABC

Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Charles Barris was left destitute, along with his sister and their mother, when his dentist father died of a stroke.

After graduating from the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1953, he took a series of jobs, including book salesman and fight promoter.

After being dropped from a low-level job at NBC, he found work at ABC, where he persuaded his bosses to let him open a Hollywood office, from which he launched his game-show empire.

He also had success in the music world. He wrote the 1962 hit record 'Palisades Park,' which was recorded by Freddy Cannon.

Barris's first marriage, to Lynn Levy, ended in divorce. Their daughter, Della, died of a drug and alcohol overdose in 1998. He married his third wife, Mary, in 2000.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Mary Clagett.

The news came just as ABC is set to reboot the Gong Show, with Will Arnett as host.

According to producer Jeff Beacher's Instagram, final auditions are being held on Thursday at Beacher's Madhouse at the Roosevelt Hotel on Thursday.
She's known for playing policewoman Katarina Chapman on Home and Away, a role that has seen her cosying up to resident bad-boy Ash.

But Pia Miller was spotted striking up a conversation with a mystery hunk while filming scenes for the show on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old flaunted her trim and taut figure during the scene, emerging from the surf before the tattooed hunk stopped to have a chat.

Mystery man: Home And Away actress Pia Miller was spotted striking up a conversation with a mystery man while filming scenes for the show on Tuesday

The man in question appears to be Melbourne-born actor Jake Ryan, 33, whose list of film credits include Baz Luhrman's The Great Gatsby and recent Australian mini-series Wolf Creek.

The two were all smiles as they shot the scene, appearing rather friendly as Pia casually stroked Jake's arm.

The Chilean-born actress appeared to exit the surf after a swim, laughing as she walked away from the new character, while wrapping her baby-blue towel around her.

The tattooed star appeared to follow the Policewoman, before he pulled an unidentified object from his pocket.

Tender moment? The two actors appeared close as they filmed scenes for the show, with Pia even touching the mystery character on the arm

Bad boy vibes: The new character sported a number of tattoos during the scene on the beach

The character appears to be a new addition to the show, not yet making his appearance in the fictional Summer Bay.

With tattoos on both his arms, the hunk may even prove to be Katarina's type, with the brunette beauty known for falling for 'bad-boy' types.

Pia's character has been dating Martin 'Ash' Ashford, played by George Mason, with the two the centre of a rocky relationship after facing a number of hurdles related to Ash's criminal past.

Home and A-play: The mystery man appeared attentive to Pia's character Katarina, as the brunette beauty strolled across the sand

Who's the new man? The Chilean-born actress appeared to exit the surf after a swim, laughing as she walked away from the new character, while wrapping her baby-blue towel around her

The scene was filmed at Sydney's Palm Beach, and is for an upcoming episode of the hit soapie.

It comes just days after Pia was labelled 'difficult' to work with by Elle Magazine, after she graced the cover of their April edition.

The former model looked relaxed and carefree as she filmed, showcasing a golden tan.

Her costume featured colourful stitch detailing and emphasised her curves and toned tummy.
She is no stranger to setting tongues wagging with her raunchy on-stage antics and steamy film clips.

And Iggy Azalea, 26, didn't disappoint fans this week when she released an extremely racy teaser GIF for her upcoming single Mo Bounce - due to drop this Thursday.

Giving fans a glimpse of the song's film clip, the Australian rapper is seen lying on her side while twerking in a pair of purple latex boots and shiny bodysuit.

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Bouncing back! Iggy Azalea, 26, didn't disappoint fans this week when she released an extremely racy teaser GIF for her upcoming single Mo Bounce this Thursday

Staring provocatively at the camera, Iggy mouths the word 'bounce' several times as the lyrics appear below.

Mo Bounce will be released on Thursday this week, with the video dropping the day after.

The film-clip was filmed in Hong Kong by director Lil Internet, who is known for his work on Beyonce's No Angel clip.

One to watch: Mo Bounce will be released on Thursday this week, with the video dropping the day after

She's back! Meanwhile, Iggy also partnered with Giphy to release a series of animated stickers and GIFS to promote the track over the past week

Meanwhile, Iggy also partnered with Giphy to release a series of animated stickers and GIFS to promote the track over the past week.

Earlier this week, the controversial blonde announced she has signed a management deal with Jordan Feldstein's Career Artist Management, joining the likes of Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke.

Iggy is also gearing up to release her second studio album Digital Distortion in coming weeks following a one-year delay.

Triumphant comeback: Iggy is also gearing up to release her second studio album Digital Distortion in coming weeks following a one-year delay

Last Thursday, Iggy apologised to her fans for the delay, Tweeting that she felt it was more important to make some 'creative changes' to the record before it could be released.

She also cited 'personal changes' as having impacted the release date for the album, no doubt referencing her split from fiance Nick Young.

'I needed my album to reflect where my head's at in 2017,' she tweeted.
She's enjoying a thriving career as one of a new batch of top models, solidifying her status when she walked in the Victoria's Secret Show in Paris late last year.

And on Tuesday, Bella Hadid showed exactly why she's a runway favourite when she shared a shot of herself posing in a skimpy nude bikini as she relaxed on a bed.

The 20-year-old stunner's barely-there ensemble - which she wore during her recent getaway to Jamaica - came several hours before she returned to Instagram to upload a saucy topless image of herself, cut off just below her cleavage.

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Wow Bella! Bella Hadid took to Instagram shared a shot of herself relaxing on bed in a nude bikini on Tuesday

In her bikini shot, Bella is seen resting on her knees with her raven tresses in a neat topknot as she holds delicate flower petals to her nose.

With open mosquito nets gently blowing in the Caribbean breeze, the California girl adds a touch of sparkle to her ensemble with necklaces and dangling earrings.

She simply captioned the image 'morning' - several hours before returning to the picture-sharing site to share a shot of herself posing topless.

Keeping her fans abreast: Several hours later, she returned to upload a topless shot - and inform her plethora of followers at she was off to Los Angeles

With her shoulder-length hair obscuring half of her face, the younger sister of fellow model Gigi Hadid stares seductively at the camera while wearing deep red lipstick.

After initially captioning the snap 'sorry', she later said: 'Today... off to La La Land.'

She also tellingly tagged sportswear giant Nike in her caption, suggesting her trip to the West Coast will involve another high-profile modelling assignment.

Later that day, she flashed more flesh as she stepped out in a black crop-top - in which she displayed her enviably taut abs - with matching ripped skinny jeans.

She's ripped! Later that evening Bella stepped out in a chic and revealing outfit

Flashing the flesh: She flashed more flesh as she stepped out in a black crop-top - in which she displayed her enviably taut abs - with matching ripped skinny jeans

Stepping out in the shade: The 20-year-old model hid her eyes behind rectangular sunglasses

Hiding her eyes behind rectangular sunglasses, she teamed her gear with a loose white top - with black stripes along the arms - and pristine white Nike sneakers.

Her hair was set in a sleek updo as she carried a large black leather bag - presumably for her coast-to-coast journey.

Earlier in the day, the ex-girlfriend of chart-topping Canadian singer The Weeknd turned the bustling sidewalks of New York City into her very own runway.

Fully clothed: Earlier on Tuesday, she was seen wearing a different ensemble

Hell bent for leather: She opted to wear a trendy biker jacket over her crimson jumpsuit

And off she goes: She had her hair up earlier in the day, but let it down as she left the building

The model looked cut a chic figure in a high-neck bold crimson jumpsuit. The flared one-piece gave way to the young beauty's military-style black boots.

She threw a cropped black leather jacket over her smart ensemble, perfectly matching her choice of fashionable rectangular shades.

Her dark brunette locks were scraped tightly into a low bun, while she kept in tune with her edgy style by having her perfectly manicured nails painted black.

Sleek: She teamed her sleek and eye-catching ensemble with a pair of black lace-up boots

Stylish: The glamour model wore a high-neck bold crimson jumpsuit

Rockin' it: She added a an edgy leather biker jacket to complete her savvy ensemble

Her make-up was subtle, as she merely opted to wear some natural looking lip balm and a little face make-up.

It's back to business for the in-demand model, who just returned home from a sun-soaked getaway to Jamaica.

The Dior spokesmodel hopped on a private jet the Caribbean island for a spur-of-the-moment holiday, with a gaggle of gal pals.

'I need you out in Jamaica relaaaxxin,' she captioned one bikini photo, adding two emojis of smiling faces with hearts in the place of eyes.

Edgy: The flared one-piece was able to expose the young beauty's military style black boots

Suave: Her dark brunette locks were scraped tightly into a low bun as she accessorized with some statement rectangular shaped sunglasses

Details: Keeping in tune with her edgy style the sister of Gigi Hadid made sure her manicured nails were painted black

After taking in some sunshine, Bella slipped into a nude one-piece bikini with a Brazilian-cut bottom and strappy back.

She and her girlfriends travelled to a river and spent a pleasurable afternoon splashing around in the water.

The raven-haired beauty looked genuinely happy to be on vacation, as she captioned a photo: 'BEST DAY!!! happy place' with several heart emoticons.

She wrote under photo of herself grinning: 'Jst really happy to be here.' (sic)

In the genes: Her make-up was subtle, as she merely opted to wear some natural looking lip balm and a little face make-up

Chiller: 'I need you out in Jamaica relaaaxxin,' she captioned her new bikini photo, adding two emojis of smiling faces with hearts in the place of eyes
She's the Australian model who recently moved to California following her split from fiance Dan Adair.

And now it seems Natalie Roser has been enjoying the sun and sand of the idyllic Bahamas.

The 26-year-old looked relaxed and carefree as she strutted her stuff with fellow model and friend Maggie Rawlins during a photo shoot on Eleuthera Island.

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'Beach bums': Natalie Roser (right) and fellow friend Maggie Rawlins (left) put on a cheeky display in a new picture the model posted to her Instagram account

The pair put on a cheeky display for a photo posted to Natalie's 766k Instagram followers, showing off their pert derrieres in mismatched bikinis.

The models posed with their backs to the camera, letting their sun-kissed blonde locks fall in waves over their shoulders.

Natalie donned blue patterned bikini bottoms, pairing them with a blue and orange top.

South Carolina-born model Maggie was dressed similarly, sporting orange bottoms and a matching top.

Beach ready: The blonde beauty has been enjoying her new life in California and is rumoured to be in a relationship with Neighbours actor Harley Bonner

Natalie captioned the moment 'Beach bums', before mentioning that their toned figures were the result of squats.

The two took to social media to post photos of themselves in different beach-ready outfits earlier in the day, joking about how hard the shoot was in their captions.

'Today has been a dream. Shooting with girl crush, @maggierawlins,' Natalie said.

Maggie meanwhile, wrote: 'Such a tough day at "work" with my girl @natalie_roser.'

Playfully posing: The models posed with their backs to the camera in the photo, letting their sun-kissed blonde locks fall in waves over their shoulders

Bikini babe: The beauty looked as happy as she did earlier in the month when she was spotted relaxing poolside in a checked black and white bandeau bikini

The beauty looked as happy as she did earlier in the month when she was spotted relaxing poolside in a checked black and white bandeau bikini.

The young model moved to the Los Angeles earlier this year to pursue a modelling career after her shock-split from fiance, Dan.

It didn't take Natalie too long to find love again though, with rumours swirling last month that she had secured a new beau in Neighbours star Harley Bonner.

The two were seen together in a picture the actor posted for Valentine's Day and another earlier this month he captioned: 'Missing this beautiful creature. One month to go... Hurry up time, you big stupid idiot head.'
Her entire Instagram feed is clogged with bikini-clad selfies and proud snaps of her beefcake boyfriend.

And Louise Thompson was once again feeling snap happy as she continued her romantic trip to Dubai with her personal trainer beau Ryan Libbey - with Wednesday being a case of another day, another onslaught of pictures.

The 26-year-old Made In Chelsea star looked phenomenal as she slipped down to yet another barely-there bikini while playing a spot of volleyball with the personal trainer.

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Sexy stuff: Louise Thompson was once again feeling snap happy as she continued her romantic trip to Dubai with her personal trainer beau Ryan Libbey - with Wednesday being a case of another day, another onslaught of pictures

Louise has been dating her co-star since last year after he began training her and the duo have been practically inseparable ever since.

With a new bikini for every day of the trip, she was once again seen in a sexy new number, comprising of a glimmering black two-piece.

Her taut abs were the main element of the snap as she played volleyball - although her ball skills were not the main look as she showed off her perky cleavage also.

She added a cheeky caption reading: 'final volleyball sesh. Apparently my hand eye coordination is on point (and obliques) @ryan.libbey. Skimpy Swim'.

Smug: The reality star, 26, later posted another snap alongside the caption 'No filter, pure health + happiness'

Rain rain, go away! The 26-year-old Made In Chelsea star looked phenomenal as she slipped down to yet another barely-there bikini while playing a spot of volleyball with the personal trainer

Made in bed! Instead of posing for smug holiday snaps on Instagram, the couple moved to Snapchat , where Louise posted some seriously raunchy snaps of them in bed

Just one day before, the reality stars took their intimate social media campaign to the next level.

Instead of posing for smug holiday snaps on Instagram, the couple moved to Snapchat, where Louise posted some seriously raunchy snaps of them in bed.

In their latest images, the pair are snuggled up in bed - but seem to have forgotten their pyjamas.

While her beefed-up beau is shirtless as ever, Louise, 26, daringly goes topless, only maintaining her dignity by covering her breasts with her arm.

Not satisfied with her already racy display, she provocatively pulls out her tongue at the camera.

She's also maintained her onslaught of Instagram snaps from her latest holiday in Dubai.

Night night! While her beefed-up beau is shirtless as ever, Louise daringly goes topless, only maintaining her dignity by covering her breasts with her arm

Making a splash: She's also maintained her onslaught of Instagram snaps from her latest holiday in Dubai with a picture of her in a skimpy pink bikini

Finding Nemo: She also shared a snap of her getting ready for a night out, flaunting some serious cleavage in a low cut dress

The brunette posted a new bikini picture showing her in a skimpy pink two piece.

She also shared a snap of her getting ready for a night out, flaunting some serious cleavage in a low cut dress.

However, while Louise is keen for fans to think her life is perfect, Ryan is less convincing.

He informed followers that his diminutive girlfriend had passed wind while they were taking a sizzling snap from their Dubai break.

Louise looked phenomenal in the snap in which she wore a sexy keyhole bikini, while her beefcake beau gazed down at her - perhaps in shock, or even disgust, given his alarming revelation in the caption.

Gassy? Ryan Libbey let slip that they are far from perfect after he informed followers that his diminutive girlfriend had passed wind while they were taking a sizzling snap from their Dubai break

Rocking her second bikini of the day, Louise slipped into the khaki number which boasted a high neckline with a cleavage-baring keyhole to best flaunt her perky assets.

Gazing up at Ryan, who flashed his phenomenal physique - the result of his livelihood as a personal trainer in the gym - looked down at his stunning girlfriend.

While looking almost akin to a Barbie and Ken doll, the duo looked picture perfect, although Ryan dispelled the myth of a flaw-free couple.

He penned a caption on the image reading: 'She looks like a 10/10 but she just farted' in a move which will no doubt shock and tickle his 52,200 followers.

Breezy: The 26-year-old Made In Chelsea star looked phenomenal in the snap in which she wore a sexy keyhole bikini, while her beefcake beau gazed down at her - perhaps in shock, or even disgust, given his alarming revelation in the caption

'Whooping it up': Earlier in the day, she struck a playful pose in a monochrome string bikini by Calzedonia with her toned arms raised and her hands entwined in her natural chocolate tresses in a snap titled 'As my dad would say "whooping it up" in Dubai

Earlier in the day, she struck a playful pose in a monochrome string bikini with her toned arms raised and her hands entwined in her natural chocolate tresses in a snap titled 'As my dad would say "whooping it up" in Dubai.

The confident beauty's taut tummy and enviable pins were fully on display with the clear azure waters and white sand of the United Arab Emirates clearly visible in the background.

Showing an exceptional eye for detail in her beach attire, the ebony and ivory theme continued down to her on-trend sliders.

Changing the pace for the second social media snap, a beaming Louise is seen enjoying a leisurely Dubai breakfast, with iced coffee and croissants.

The good life: The petite beauty looked none the worse for wear despite the seven hour flight and chilled out with an iced coffee and croissants

Hiding her eyes behind charcoal aviators, the glowing star looked effortlessly chic in an eggshell blue coat with a lightweight vest top. Giving her outfit the Chelsea edge was a jade snakeskin bag.

Not to be outdone in the pose-off, her strapping beau Ryan Libbey channelled his inner David Gandy for a moody shot on the beach, and revealed an unusual nickname for his petite love.

He said: 'Touched down in Dubai with my chipmunk @louise.thompson'

Keeping his look beach fresh, he donned dark Ray-Bans, teamed with a white polo shirt, black shorts and navy boat shoes.

Giving her a run for her money? Louise's muscular beau Ryan Libbey also had a go at striking a modelesque pose on the beach with skyscrapers perfectly framing the shot

Louise has been enjoying being back in the city for the first time since she jetted out to Dubai with her Made In Chelsea co-stars back in 2012 to celebrate her 22nd birthday.

She has already put on a very racy display as she posed in a plunging swimsuit on Friday.

Louise showed off her taut abs and toned pins in the black halterneck jumpsuit in an Instagram snap to her 969,000 followers.

Racy: Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson posed in a plunging swimsuit while on holiday in Dubai on Friday

But she appeared to make a dig at her former MIC co-stars, captioning the picture: 'Beach + skyscrapers. I can't get over this place.

'It's been 5 years since I was last in Dubai (filming with Made in Chelsea) but I wanted to revisit with a fresh perspective and better company.

'Plus I'm seeking refuge to recover from the removal of 4 x wisdom teeth! and the ensuing chipmunk face.'

Blooming lovely: The 26-year-old flashed her abs as she posed in a lacy floral bustier as she posed for a selfie last week

This time around, Louise put on a typically stylish display, accessorising the daring one-piece with a stylish green tote, black pom-pom loafers and a pair of large shades.

The reality star, who is now dating personal trainer Ryan Libbey, had shared another sexy Instagram snap last week, in which she looked incredible in a pretty push-up rose bustier.

Displaying her rock-hard abs and wearing her hair in tousled waves, she posed with a can of fake tan, a couple of months after her brother Sam poked fun at her constant posts.

Another day, another bikini: She recently took the opportunity to show off her svelte figure - this time in a bikini adorned with dollar bills while on holiday in Sri Lanka

Louise captioned the image with the words: 'Been keeping my holiday tan topped up with my new favourite @utanandtone Turbo Tan.

'This tan is great because it's free of nasty chemicals and parabens which is important to me. The colour is really dark yet natural.'

Her followers quickly bombarded Louise with compliments and fashion requests.

Beachy: Louise ran her fingers through her wet hair in yet another swimsuit snapshot

One wrote: '@louise.thompson the best thing in this photo is that bra top and the way your curvy bits fill it. Brava! x'. Another fashion-forward fan added: 'Woah I want the bra and bod!'

She has honed her already petite figure into a flawless muscle machine over the past year.

Meanwhile, her artfully posed slew of bikini snaps in recent weeks has prompted her brother Sam to tease her mercilessly via Instagram, even revealing how she achieves the perfect 'selfie'.

The cheeky Made In Chelsea star even posted a snap showing the lengths his sister and her beau Ryan Libbey will go to share the snaps.

Sam used an Instagram Story to show how a professional photography and lighting team appeared to be involved in setting up some of his sister's snapshots.

It featured one image from beside a pool with two figures, who appear to be the couple, sat in front of a professional camera.

Louise enjoyed an idyllic trip to Sri Lanka in January, where she has spent much of the holiday stripping off to show off the figure Ryan has helped her hone.

Secret's out! Hilariously, her co-star brother Sam recently decided to out the lengths the couple will go to in order to share their self-promoting, body-baring snaps - with the results including a professional photographer and lighting team

Still going! Louise shared a series of artistically posed images on the romantic break for two

The genetically-blessed pair shared images on their respective social media accounts with Ryan teasing Louise for stealing screen time.

He added a caption on the shot reading : 'Trying to get some camera time on my own before the misses takes over, again!... She caught me red handed though...'

The ripped couple have posed in a number of images - often with both in front of the camera leading to questions over who was snapping.

This is the second time Sam has laid into the couple on this holiday alone, as he recently enlisted the help of his co-star girlfriend Tiffany Watson to replicate his sibling's picture, in which Ryan scooped her up with one hand.

Louise, who has undergone a massive body transformation of late after hooking up with her personal trainer beau, litters her social media accounts with sponsored posts, often publicising fashion brands.

Life's a beach! Louise posted another snap on Instagram recently of the couple enjoying 'tans, tummy feeding and top knots' on their Sri Lankan break

Top joker: Yet Sam, who frequently mocks his sister on social media, took to his Instagram story to share an image from beside a pool with two figures who appear to be the couple sat in front of a professional camera

Ouch! This is the second time Sam has laid into the couple on this holiday alone, as he enlisted the help of his co-star girlfriend Tiffany Watson to replicate his sibling's picture, in which Ryan scooped her up with one hand

While the brunette beauty wins thousands of likes on the posts, hilarious Sam opted to swoop on his sister's penchant for promotion by mimicking her snaps near-exactly - much to her chagrin.

The funnyman recruited Tiffany to help him rib Louise's self-satisfied snap, which she posted on Monday from her New Year Maldives getaway.

Louise posed in a powerful shot in which Ryan made a seemingly effortless move to launch the brunette reality star into the air with just one hand, while the caption read: 'We're gonna crush 2017'.

Eek! The couple were seen stumbling around on the grass as Sam tried and failed to lift her into the air - with great difficulty

Agh! Slimline Tiffany seemed outraged that she could not be erected with ease, as she gasped: 'Can you really not lift me?' before they eventually managed a feeble imitation of her the original snap

Hilarious Sam, who recently enjoyed a romantic break in Morocco, shared a video which opened with the image of Louise and Ryan before transcending into a slip with Tiffany.

The couple were seen stumbling around on the grass as Sam tried and failed to lift her into the air - with great difficulty.

Slimline Tiffany seemed outraged that she could not be hoisted with ease, as she gasped: 'Can you really not lift me?' before they eventually managed a feeble imitation of her the original snap.

Don't hurt yourself: It looked as though Sam was at risk of dropping his girlfriend

Who wore it best? Sam raided his sister Louise's wardrobe for a third time as he continues to mock her Instagram poses

At the start of the year, Sam raided his sister wardrobe for a third time as mocked her Instagram poses by teaming a slinky lace minidress with an eye-catching statement necklace for the amusing snap.

Remaining straight-faced for the comical picture, Sam was unable to match Louise's impressive plump pout.

He leaned against the same fireplace from his sister's snap, with an abstract art piece hanging above his left shoulder.

The cheeky chappy wrote beside the image: 'Just being strong and independent in our misspap loungewear... for discount use Louise's code: I'm a k**b'

Taking the mickey: Sam took the mickey out of his sister Louise, as he uploaded a picture of himself wearing the same feminine sequined frock

Recycled: Louise shared a stunning shot clad in a lace grey dress last week, but little brother Sam couldn't resist mimicking the shot

He previously slipped into some festive sequins to imitate the brunette beauty, 26.

Doing a convincing impression of his big sister, Sam even flicked his head back with vigor to create the same flirty pose as Louise.

Captioning the picture in the tiny white minidress, Sam wrote: 'Me and @louise.thompson slaying in sequins.'

In a nod to Louise's penchant for fashion promotions, he name-dropped the brand, adding: 'Rocking our #motelrocks And you guys thought last week was a one off! Louise.....YOU'RE A BELLPIECE'

The public takedown began earlier this month when Sam playfully attacked Louise's 'barrage' of Instagram posts by posting a shot of his own.

Moving on: Louise didn't let being mocked deter her from sharing more snaps, taking to the photo-sharing site just hours later to post another shot of herself, this time clad in her lingerie

Somehow getting hold of one of his sibling's ensembles, he expertly mirrored a snap she'd uploaded the week before, complete with the same accessories and sultry pout.

He quipped: 'After the past months barrage of @louise.thompson instagrams...I think it's time I took some serious p**s!

'So here we go! Gliding into 2017 wearing our Lacey #axparis dresses.'

Adding insult to injury, Sam's post garnered a whopping 36,700 likes, whilst Louise's original post only received 15,800.

Before seeing the huge amount of likes he had amassed, Louise commented: 'OMG, you freak !!! If you get more likes than me @samthompsonuk.'

Fuming: Louise jokingly labelled Sam a 'freak' after seeing the post

Luckily, Louise later saw the funny side, commenting on his post: 'I guess you're going to get endorsed by ladies frocks now?'

And whilst she may have been joking, fans seemed to suggest this could be the case, with one quipping: 'I saw Louise's post and loved the dress. Now I love it even more.'

Other fans then hunted down Louise's original post, merely to tease that Sam had 'worn it better'.

But she didn't let it deter her, taking to the photo-sharing site just hours later to post another shot of herself, this time clad in her lingerie.
She lost her long-term job at the Minute Mart after she bad-mouthed her employers to the local newspaper, the Walford Gazette.

But it didn't look as though EastEnders' Denise Fox - played by Diane Parish - was having much luck on the hunt for a new employer as she made an unsuccessful trip to the job centre in scenes to be aired on Thursday night.

The shop manager looked close to tears as she emerged from her meeting, sitting slumped on a a wall to consider her options.

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Down in the dumps? EastEnders' Denise Fox - played by Diane Parish - looked close to tears after an unsuccessful trip to the job centre in scenes to be aired on Thursday night

Denise saw things go from bad to worse on Monday night's episode of the BBC One soap when took part in a controversial interview with the Walford Gazette about her employers.

The determined mother didn't think twice when she openly spoke her mind and bad mouthed her fellow shop workers for all to see.

It was no surprise what Denise had to say shocked the Albert Square residents, especially the shop's area manage Harry Beckett.

Denise was forced to face her fate as she went for a meeting at the headquarters for a dramatic showdown.

Best foot forward: The unemployed shop manager dressed to impress in a smart navy blue suit jacket and matching skirt as she headed for her interview at the job centre

Can't catch a break: Denise saw things go from bad to worse on Monday night's episode of the BBC One soap when took part in an interview with the Walford Gazette about her employers

The ex manager met with Patrick Truemans ex-wife Yolande Trueman - played by Angela Wynter, who made a shocking return to the show after an eight year break.

Yolande worked her magic to get Denise off the hook with a warning. But Denise was left red-faced when she was told she had to go on an anger management course.

In dramatic scenes, she impulsively quit her job, despite Yolande's protests she would regret it.

Trying her best to move forward, Denise dressed to impress in a smart navy blue suit jacket and matching skirt with a daring split at the back as she headed for her interview at the job centre.

Tough times: The shop manager looked close to tears as she emerged from her meeting, sitting slumped on a a wall to consider her options

Wet weather: While out of character the actress tried to seek shelter from the rain

The former shop assistant brazenly accessorised the statement outfit with a bright orange handbag and killer heels for the occasion.

In spite of her confidence, Denise's hopes of finding a new position appeared to be dashed as she ended up close to tears sat on a brick wall outside on her own.

Denise swapped her plush attire for a more comfortable outfit, dressed in a leather jacket, a pair of baggy jogging bottoms and a grey T-shirt.

Break time! Diane looked a little tired as she took a well deserved break from filming the scene

Busy: Ann Mitchell, who played Cora Cross, looked in character as she made her way to the set

The new heartache comes as Denise signed the adoption papers for her secret love child with Albert Square hard-man Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden.

The mum got pregnant with her third child after having a drunken risque one-night-stand with Phil.

She said: 'Im not going to change my mind. I'm 100% sure. I just want to get on with the rest of my life, I'm making the right decision.'

But it appears Denise will have to wait a bit longer before she can really turn her life around.

EastEnders is set to air on BBC One on Thursday at 7.30pm.

Bleak: Denise swapped her plush attire for a more comfortable outfit, dressed in a leather jacket, a pair of baggy jogging bottoms and a grey T-shirt




He's the controversial My Kitchen Rules contestant who continues to garner backlash for his 'villain' persona.

And while self-proclaimed 'seafood king' Josh has earned himself plenty of detractors on social media, he has won a defence from a contestant he previously accused of cheating.

Della told Fairfax Media this week that Josh doesn't deserve the hate he is receiving and he is actually very funny in real life - despite him accusing her of cheating during an episode last week.

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'There's a lot of good in Josh': MKR's Della DEFENDS seafood king villain and says he EVEN has a funny side

One half of the Queensland 'foodie friends', Della said she saw a different side to Josh when the camera wasn't rolling.

'I don't think he deserves all the hate,' the Mackay lawyer said.

'There's a lot of good in Josh. [The producers] just don't have the time to show the light and dark in every person... that's just how they have to do it.'

'What you see with Josh is what you get': Della did concede Josh's villain label had come as no surprise, because he liked to stir things up whenever he had the chance

But Della did concede Josh's villain label had come as no surprise, because he liked to stir things up whenever he had the chance.

However she had been shocked to see his partner Amy also given the villain label for fights with her husband, this week ordering Josh out of the kitchen after butting heads.

'I found it really difficult [to watch Amy], but we all have flaws. What you see with Josh is what you get,' Della said.

Unfair? Della had been shocked to see his partner Amy also given the villain label for fights with her husband

Della's defence comes after Josh accused the pair of breaking the rules during a challenge last week.

Josh slammed 'foodie friends' Della and Tully and accused them of cheating, after they won the passenger's choice during a cooking challenge on a cruise ship.

The self-proclaimed seafood king said the girls stole the recipe from judge Colin Fassnidge, saying right after they won the title: 'That's why you got to be good with your plagiarism.'

Ouch: On MKR on Wednesday, Josh slammed 'foodie friends' Della and Tully (pictured) and accused them of cheating

And after it was revealed that self-proclaimed seafood king Josh and wife Amy had survived the sudden-death cook off on Sunday's show, fans flocked to social media.

Many joked about how annoyed judge Pete Evans looked when he declared the duo had beaten Kelsey and Amanda in the showdown, with some sharing funny memes.

'Damn it girls you had one job! Pete nearly died saying Josh was safe,' one fan tweeted.
She is set to star in a reality television series inspired by Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

And it seems Sophie Monk and her family won't have trouble winning the hearts of viewers, with the radio personality sharing a heart-warming clip of herself singing a Beatles classic with her father Andrew this week.

Taking to Instagram Stories this Wednesday, the 37-year-old shared a selfie-style video of herself and Andrew giving a lively rendition of Love Me Do.

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'I bought dad @Bunnings hat and be breaks into the Beatles': Sophie Monk shared a heart-warming clip of herself singing Beatles classic Love Me Do with her father Andrew this Wednesday

'I bought dad @Bunnings hat and be breaks into the Beatles,' she wrote in the caption.

Indeed, her father wore a bucket hat emblazoned with the logo of hardware retail giant Bunnings Warehouse.

The Monks are set to star in an 'Aussie bogan' version of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, according to one of Sophie's former KIIS FM colleagues.

On brand! Her father wore a bucket hat emblazoned with the logo of hardware retail giant Bunnings Warehouse

New gig: The Monks are set to star in an 'Aussie bogan' version of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, according to one of Sophie's former KIIS FM colleagues Oscar Gordon (right)

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in December, Oscar described the in-development show as a 'no holds barred' look at her crazy life.

'Australia will fall in love with Sophie Monks family, there is no doubt about it,' Oscar said.

'They are people who Australians will relate to and fall in love with.'

On the move: The show, which has not yet been scheduled for release, will also feature Andrew and wife Sandi, who are moving into the backyard of her Gold Coast home

The show, which has not yet been scheduled for release, will also feature Andrew and wife Sandi, who are moving into the backyard of her Gold Coast home.

Oscar described the move-in situation as a classic example of Sophie's happy-go-lucky lifestyle with 'all the mayhem that ensues.'

She bought this place and was sitting on the balcony one day and she looked over and realised she had this giant shed as part of the property that she bought - she didnt even realise!' Oscar said.
They are the on-screen team currently appearing together in sci-fi thriller Life.

And despite the many months spent filming the outer space action flick, Jake Gyllenhaal, 36, and Ryan Reynolds, 40, appear to be enjoying each other's company more than ever, mercilessly ribbing each other during an interview on The Project aired on Wednesday.

Jake complained that his Canadian co-star took 'three to five hours' everyday in hair and makeup, also joking that Ryan's acting is only good 'if your standards are low.'

Diva alert? Jake Gyllenhaal complains that Ryan Reynolds took 'three to five hours' in makeup during filming

The interview began innocently enough, with The Project's Scott Dooley asking the actors how long they had worked on the movie.

But Jake seized on the opportunity and used it to make fun of his co-star Ryan, answering in mock outrage.

'Well we would wait for Ryan for about three to five hours every morning because he is in hair and makeup,' Jake said.

Best intentions: The interview began innocently enough, with The Project's Scott Dooley asking the actors how long they had worked on the project

'And then he was only on set for half an hour contractually and then he goes home!'

Not missing a beat, Ryan deadpanned back: 'When I take the makeup off, I look like Dolly Parton, so to get to reverse engineer the system is difficult for me.'

While mocking Ryan, Jake did manage a compliment of his acting, even if it was of the backhanded variety.

Took a while to get ready? Jake seized on the opportunity and used it to make fun of his co-star Ryan, answering in mock outrage

'But the half hour of work you get from him is gold - very usable, if your standards are low,' Jake continued.

'You have about three to five seconds of really usable work in that half hour after the makeup process.'

Unsurprisingly, the duo also told The Project that there was plenty of humour on the film's set.

'Very usable, if your standards are low': While mocking Ryan Jake did manage a compliment of his acting, even if it was of the backhanded variety

Ryan gushed that making Life alongside Jake was 'one of the most fun experiences of my life'.

'I think Jake and I both spent about half the budget of the film laughing, which we got into a lot of trouble,' The Proposal star revealed.

Life tells the story of a group of scientists who discover a threatening life form while on board a space station.
Grammy winner Chance the Rapper is planning a return to his hometown of Chicago this summer to headline the Lollapalooza music festival.

Lollapalooza called Chance the Rapper's headlining act a 'hero's homecoming.'

The line up was announced on Wednesday morning. Other headliners include The Killers, Lorde, Arcade Fire, Muse and blink-182.

Taking a Chance! Grammy winner Chance The Rapper will return to his hometown of Chicago for this summer's Lollapalooza festival. Pictured in February

The 23-year-old talent will top the festival's Saturday lineup.

Muse and Lorde will play Thursday.

The Killers will headline Friday and Arcade Fire will close the festival on Sunday.

Oh Lorde! The 20-year-old pop star will also headline the music festival

Last year, Lollapalooza celebrated its 25th anniversary by expanding from three to four days. It's been held in Chicago since 2005.

This year's four-day festival will run August 3 to 6 in Chicago's lakefront Grant Park.

The more than 170-act lineup also includes main-stay artists like Spoon, Ryan Adams, Foster the People and Wiz Khalifa.

Muse-ing musician: The indie rock favorites Muse will also grace the festival during the four days of music and culture. Pictured 2015
He plays gang leader, Alfie Solomons, in the hit BBC drama.

And Tom Hardy channelled his on-screen alter ego to perfection as he continued to film the much-anticipated fourth series of Peaky Blinders in Liverpool, on Tuesday.

The BAFTA-winning actor, 39, sported his character's signature get-up in an unbuttoned shirt and pin-stripped waistcoat as he headed home after a gruelling day of filming.

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He's back: Tom Hardy channelled his on-screen alter ego to perfection as he continued to film the much-anticipated fourth series of Peaky Blinders in Liverpool on Tuesday

The Taboo star looked in high spirits as he gave a thumbs up to his hordes of fans while he jetted off in his plush car, still dressed in character.

Tom oozed 1920s style as he donned a loose-fitting white shirt, rolled up at the sleeve to give a cool and nonchalant look.

Completing his casual yet stylish ensemble, the actor topped the oversized shirt with a taupe pin-stripped waistcoat.

The Dark Knight Rises actor ensured he stayed true to his rugged character as he sported a thick beard, while sweeping back his floppy chestnut locks.

Dapper dude: The BAFTA-winning actor sported his character's signature get-up in an unbuttoned shirt and pin-stripped waistcoat as he headed home after a gruelling day of filming

Gritty: The BAFTA-winning actor plays gang leader, Alfie Solomons, on the hit BBC drama

Looking every inch the 90s gangster, the actor who portrays Alfie Solomons, sported a full hand of bedazzled gold rings.

While the drama itself is set in Birmingham, the show utilises an inner area of Liverpool as its set - and transforms the streets into the iconic 1920s setting.

Filming for the new series kicked off on Monday, as Tom's co-star Cillian Murphy was spotted sprinting through the streets of Toxteth, Liverpool, with a gun in hand.

Filming is expected to take four months, followed by three months of editing - meaning the show could return to BBC Two as early as October this year.

Acting pals: Tom's co-star Cillian Murphy plays protagonist Tommy Shelby - who was spotted filming scenes in Toxteth, Liverpool, on Monday

The gangster drama follows the antics of the Romani Peaky Blinders gang and their cunning ring leader Tom Shelby (Murphy) in post-war Birmingham.

The most recent series, which aired in the UK in May last year, was set two years after the second season in 1924 - and followed the gang's attempts to expand internationally.

The fourth series however has been much-anticipated by fans over the last few months, as the final episode of the series saw the family be taken away by police in handcuffs - with their fate unknown.
Katie Price has blamed her alter ego Jordan for her breaking her self-imposed booze ban at her husband Kieran Hayler's surprise 30th birthday party.

The 38-year-old star hosted a bash at London nightspot DSTRKT on Saturday night to celebrate Kieran reaching the landmark age - and quickly broke her vow to avoid alcohol for the duration of 2017, as she got tipsy enjoying a few cocktails.

Speaking to the panel on Loose Women on Wednesday about her antics, she said: 'Katie wasn't there, Jordan was there! You know what, I actually did have a drink. I was arranging Kieran's surprise 30th.

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Teased: Katie Price was teased for falling off the wagon at her husband Kieran Hayler's 30th birthday bash as she made an appearance on Loose Woman on Wednesday

'Before we went there we tried out the food [at the venue] and tried the cocktails. I tried them because how am I not going to drink them on the night when everyone else is. I did break it, but it was for a good occasion.'

Fellow panellist Ruth Langsford then playfully teased the former glamour model, saying: 'Sorry, I did dry January and I didn't break it.'

Mother-of-five Katie sassily replied: 'Well, you're little Miss Perfect then!'

Having a laugh: Her fellow panellists (l-r) Ruth Langsford, Linda Robson and Gloria Hunniford all mocked her for her drunken antics over the weekend

It's not me, it's her: The mother-of-five quickly blamed her alter ego Jordan for drinking

Co-star Gloria Hunniford then asked if Katie was 'off it again', to which the busty beauty said: 'Do you know what? I had a hangover so bad, I'm such a light-weight.

'So I won't be rushing back to it. I'm not drinking now... until the next time! It is hard though to stay dry.'

Linda Robson then chipped in: 'You are a lightweight!'

However, the red-faced moments didn't stop there for Katie during the show's broadcast, as her mother Amy visited the set - and promptly admonished her for her persistent use of lip fillers.

Big night: The 38-year-old star hosted a bash at London nightspot DSTRKT on Saturday night to celebrate Kieran Hayler reaching the landmark age

Worse for wear: She was seen leaving the club looking worse for wear after enjoying the night

'I cant bear it, I call her Daffy Duck,' Amy scoffed, raising laughter from the panel and live studio audience. 'Its dreadful, she dont need them... I left her last night, she was fine, this morning she looks like that.'

She added of her daughter: 'What Kate does is she tells me after  because I'll have a row with her and tell her off.'

And it continued, as Amy also took aim at one of the major factors in her daughter's rise to fame: her past as a topless model.

Lip service: Her mother Amy paid her a visit on the show - and slammed her use of lip fillers

Emotional: As well as providing laughs, Amy also spoke about grandson Harvey's disability

Recalled Amy: 'I was working in London and Kate always wanted to do her modelling. I took her to the agencies and they said, "Get your GCSEs." Then they said, "Sorry, you're too short."'

After facing the repeated rejections, the young Katie then pressed on with her plans to study to become a nurse - until she landed her big break as a Page 3 model.

'I was absolutely disgusted,' Amy said as she recalled the moment she first learned of her daughter's new direction. 'I said, "Whatever you do, you do not get your boobies out!" I went mental. My son wanted to disown her.'

Mama, I love you! The blonde duo shared a hug as they spoke openly on the daytime chat show

Letting it all out: Amy also spoke of how she disapproved of her daughter's Page 3 gig

Strict order: The matriarch said that she'd advised her offspring never to 'get her boobies out'

Her daughter's decision even brought shame to Amy in the work place, as she remembered: 'I was walking past in the office and it was someones screensaver!'

Katie made the decision to try and have an alcohol-free 12 months last December, following reports of her wild antics at EnergySave's Christmas party, which included her stripping to just a thong and thigh-high leather boots in the toilets.

At the time, Katie said on Loose Women: 'When I drink I am a nightmare, though I don't mean to be. Lately, there have been stories that I'm a rowdy drunk, but I'm actually quite normal. I've thought, "You know what? It just doesn't agree with me."

Shut it! As Amy came onto the show, Ruth playfully gagged Katie in a big to keep her silent

Resolution: Back in December, Katie had vowed to stay sober for the entirety of 2017

Decision: Katie's decision to ditch booze came after her drunken antics at a Christmas party

'Because I'm small it affects me and I never know that one more is too much, it took me 38 years to realise. Anyway, next year you know I said I'd do a dry January but I'm actually not going to drink for the whole year.

'This is for you out there to challenge me on. When I was pregnant I did it, so what difference does it make?

'It's one year out of my life to be healthy and just try and see what it's like... Sometimes I drink, not just cause it's there, but because it's [a social lubricant], I don't drink at home.'

Glamorous pair: After the show, the glamorous pair posed for a shot together backstage

Casually cool: They later changed into more casual clothes as they made their way home
Teresa Giudice's mother Antonia passed away at age 66 earlier this month.

But The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star, 44, has found a way to stay positive.

On Wednesday the brunette mother-of-four posed in her bikini after a yoga session during a holiday. Her caption read: 'Loving the sun.' The hashtags for yoga, vitamin D and namaste were added.

Loving the good life: Teresa Giudice looked sensational in this exotic bikini as she enjoyed a holiday in a sunny location on Wednesday

Teresa started doing yoga every day when she was incarcerated in 2015 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut from fraud charges.

The star has talked about the positive effects of doing Sun Salutes and Downward Facing Dog poses.

And the payoff has been great for her as she has kept her weight down and now has abs as well as sculpted arms.

Gone too soon: Giudice's mother Antonia passed away at age 66 earlier this month. Also seen here is her father and her brother

This posting comes after her RHONJ alum Kim DePaola was linked to a double homicide. Two men were found burned to death inside her Audi. The investigation is ongoing.

The reality star has been mourning the death of her mother, who passed away in early March.

Teresa has been paying tribute to her mother by sharing various heartfelt family photos over social media.

Her husband: Joe has been serving time in prison from fraud charges. Pictured March 2016

Three of her four kids: The beauty has Gia, Milania, Audriana and Gabriella. Pictured May

One of the photos was of Teresa celebrating her Sweet 16 alongside her mother and her godmother Domenica.

'My Surprise Sweet 16 that is my godmother Domenica and my beautiful Mother (heart emoticon). Thank you Godmother for sending me this photo love you,' she wrote in the snap.

On Tuesday, she shared a video from her mother's funeral, which showed mourners letting go of dozens of white balloons.

Her big day: One of the photos was of Teresa celebrating her Sweet 16 alongside her mother and her godmother Domenica

Teresa was at her beloved mother's side when she passed away in hospital on Friday.

On Saturday evening Teresa Giudice took to Instagram for the first time to pay a heartfelt tribute to her mother and thank her fans for all their messages of support.

Sharing a collage of six shots of herself with her mom, the star captioned it: 'Thank you for the love and support during this extremely difficult time.

In loving memory: Giudice shared a sweet poem in honor of her mother on Friday

Sweet memories: Giudice shared a photo of her parents, declaring her mother a lover of the beach and summer

'My mother was a very cherished part of our family and she'll be deeply missed. Each and every one of your messages of love & support are so appreciated.

'Give her eternal rest O Lord and may your light shine on her forever.'

And the inconsolable reality star was back on Instagram early on Sunday morning to add a family portrait with her parents sitting in the middle.

'I miss my mommy so much,' Teresa wrote, simply.

A source told Us Weekly on Saturday: 'This is a very hard time for Teresa. She was very close with her mother.'

Antonia passed away of natural causes, according to E! News.

Antonia - who made several appearances on the hit Bravo show - was an Italian immigrant who raised Teresa and her brother Joey in New Jersey.
She's the quirky Insta-famous Australian model known for her off-beat style.

And Mimi Elshiry, 21, showcased her unique fashion sense as she attended the launch of Sydney's first Fendi boutique on Wednesday.

Clad in a pair of bubblegum-pink heeled booties and a halterneck dress with sheer embroidered overlay detailing, the brunette beauty was hard to miss.

A pop of pink! Mimi Elshiry, 21, showcased her unique style as she attended the launch of Sydney's first Fendi boutique on Wednesday

Her look was enhanced with a Fendi handbag, complete with a furry key-chain toy.

The bronzed beauty's makeup was kept fresh and feminine for the occasion, featuring a gilded eye-shadow and pink lipstick.

Iconic designer Silvia Fendi was also in attendance at the exclusive event, looking typically elegant in a black midi-dress, blazer and a pair of striking black-and-white boots.

Won't lose her in a crowd! Clad in a pair of bubblegum-pink heeled booties and a halterneck dress with sheer embroidered overlay detailing, the brunette beauty was hard to miss

Primped: The bronzed beauty's makeup was kept fresh and feminine for the occasion, featuring a gilded eye-shadow and pink lipstick

Fashion royalty: Iconic designer Silvia Fendi was also in attendance at the exclusive event, looking typically elegant in a black midi-dress, blazer and a pair of striking black-and-white boots

Fellow fashion designer Collette Dinnigan and her husband Bradley Cocks were also spotted beaming arm-in-arm on the red carpet.

The pair recently returned to Australia following a one-year stint in Italy.

Elsewhere on the red carpet were fashion model twins Zac Stenmark and Jordan Stenmark, who both turned heads in bright, mismatched outfits.

Dynamic duo: Fellow fashion designer Collette Dinnigan and her husband Bradley Cocks were also spotted beaming arm-in-arm on the red carpet

Stylish siblings: Elsewhere on the red carpet were fashion model twins Zac Stenmark and Jordan Stenmark, who both turned heads in bright, mismatched outfits

Blogger Tanja Gacic also made sure to make a style statement by donning an daringly short mini-skirt that showcased her lengthy legs.

She completed her look with a puff-sleeve top, red baguette bag and gold brogues.

Also donning a vibrant shade of crimson was Vogue editor-in-chief Edwina McCann, who looked festive in a cold-shouldered floral frock.

Actress Maddison Brown also revealed a glimpse of shoulder in her bardot jumpsuit with palazzo trousers.

Legging it! Blogger Tanja Gacic also made sure to make a style statement by donning an daringly short mini-skirt that showcased her lengthy legs

Bold: Also donning a vibrant shade of crimson was Vogue editor-in-chief Edwina McCann, who looked festive in a cold-shouldered floral frock
Mary Jo Eustace says she has reached an agreement with ex-husband and Tori Spelling's current spouse Dean McDermott after facing him in court on March 9.

The former couple were able to agree on a payment plan outside of the courtroom, which Eustace called 'an absolute win.'

This comes after the Canadian actress, 54, filed a contempt of court charge against the 50-year-old reality star for allegedly failing to pay spousal support payments.

On top: Mary Jo Eustace, 54, says she has reached an agreement with ex-husband and Tori Spelling's current spouse Dean McDermott. She's pictured in September 2014

While representing herself in court, Eustace claimed the father of her 18-year-old son Jack owes her 'over $100k in support.'

'I filed the paperwork myself for the contempt of court,' she revealed to Us Weekly, 'The judge was very clear that it's a criminal charge; contempt of court is jail time.'

According to Mary Jo, McDermott did not pay eight installments of support since July 1, 2016, amounting to $6,000 plus interest as well as attorney fees, prompting Eustace to look into filing for the contempt of court charge.

Hard times: Tori and Dean have 'fallen on hard times,' as they are being sued by City National Bank after failing to pay back a loan. They are pictured in July 2016

In an affidavit filed in January, Eustace claimed: '[Dean] owes me moving forward from February 1, 2017 $100,800 in monthlies until July 2020.'

The Scared Wheatless author continued: 'He just stopped paying two years ago for our original support, and he didn't pay child support.

'It's been hard on my son, too, seeing all those children have so much,' Mary Jo divulged, referring to Dean and Tori's five children. 'It's been hard, and Jack has been so gracious about it.'

The gang: Tori and Dean have four children together (L-R) Liam, 10, Hattie, age five, Finn, age four, and Stella, age eight. Pictured in December 2016

'It's been hard on my son!' Mary Jo said seeing Tori and Dean's children 'have so much' has been hard on her 18-year-old son Jack, whom she shares with Dean

Jack - who recently came out as gay according to his mother - is currently hearing back from universities, with his proud mom updating her social media with a congratulatory post each time he gets accepted.

Ultimately, she and McDermott were able to reach an agreement on a payment plan outside of the court room.

She said: 'I think it's an absolute win...This wasn't vengeful. I don't like seeing the father of my son in that situation, so I wish him the best moving forward and being able to take care of his family. This was just really standing up for myself and my family.'

Meanwhile, Dean and Tori, 43, have 'fallen on hard times,' despite moving into a 4,714-square-foot home in a gated community in Woodland Hills in December, which they rent out for $9,500 a month.

The couple was sued by City National Bank in the same month, with the bank claiming they took out a $400,000 loan in 2012 but only paid back half.

All's well: Dean and Tori have stood by each other and welcomed their fifth child together - a bouncing baby boy named Beau - on March 2

Mary Jo and Dean married in 1993 and were together until 2005, when Dean and Tori started an affair while filming the Lifetime TV movie Mind Over Murder in Canada.

They divorced in 2006, but in 2015 reports surfaced that Dean was having an affair with his ex-wife, following an affair with a woman named Emily Goodhand.

It seems all is forgiven now, as Dean and Tori have stood by each other and welcomed their fifth child together - a bouncing baby boy named Beau - on March 2.
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.
Diane Kruger was seen walking in New York City's SoHo neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. The 40-year-old German actress seemed focused on her cell phone.

It's likely the Troy star was texting her rumored beau Norman Reedus, who she was spotted visiting last week in Barcelona, Spain, during his Walking Dead press tour.

They were photographed during what according to E! News was a half-hour make-out session, as they ventured from one New York City bar to another Tuesday night.

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Reaching out: Diane Kruger was holding her cell phone while walking in NYC on Tuesday

E! News claimed they spent four hours at the first bar, and has obtained photos of them kissing and strolling hand in hand down the pavement.

On Wednesday, the Inglourious Basterds star looked bundled up for the snow-lined streets of Manhattan.

Typing fast: The 40-year-old actress may have been texting her 'beau' Norman Reedus

Close: Diane with Norman in April 2016

The blonde beauty wore a dark fake fur pea coat and matching camo slacks with buckled short motorcycle boots.

Kruger seemed to be wearing no makeup and had her locks pulled back in a casual ponytail.

Pink framed sunglasses looked summery.

Diane was seen a week ago in Barcelona where Norman was doing the press rounds.

She tried to cover up with a hoodie and sunglasses but was still recognizable.

Before that they were also pictured in the Big Apple running errands.

He was her leading man in the 2015 film Sky. She played a wife on the run and he a park ranger afraid of commitment.

Her boyfriend at the time - Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek fame - had a small role in the film as well.

It was rumored that she was romancing Norman after the film's release, but she denied it.

In 2016, Diane ended her longtime relationship with Jackson, who stars on the hit series The Affair.

The ex: Here the pinup is seen with her ex boyfriend Joshua Jackson in February 2016

The star has yet to confirm she is in a romantic relationship with Reedus.

In April 2016 the pinup told People she didn't know Norman before making the movie.

'We share a lot of intimate scenes,' she revealed, 'I was really nervous about meeting him and not being able to have a drink with him, or talk with him.'

The actress added she was 'pleasantly surprised' with Reedus and that he was nothing like the 'dude' characters he often plays.

'Hes so relaxed. Hes really easygoing, very gentle,' she said.
She is the first transgender contestant to appear on Britain's Next Top Model in a bid to be crowned the catwalk queen.

And model wannabe Talulah-Eve Brown, 23, is pulling out all of the stops to make sure she lands the lucrative modelling contract with Models 1.

In Thursday's episode, the models are tasked with making a vlog to prove they are more than a pretty face but the show's first transgender contestant took things in an unexpected direction.

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Shocking: Talulah-Eve Brown downs a whole tube of wasabi in a dramatic vlog in episode two of Britain's Next Top Model set to air on Thursday

And outspoken Talulah-Eve demonstrated that she is out to be remembered as she made outrageous claims during her version of the vlog.

She joked: 'We all know I get great use out of these tampons right? I think I'd probably use them more as butt plugs perhaps.'

In dramatic scenes, Talulah-Eve adds: 'Let's get freaky with this wasabi.'

Guest judges TOWIE's Ferne McCann and fashion blogger Sarah Ashcroft watched in horror as the stunner then squirted a whole tube of wasabi into her mouth.

Bombshell: The stunner looked a far cry away from her glamorous self in the vlog. The aspiring model flaunted her flat stomach and waterboard abs in a tight leather skirt for the photoshoot in the launch of the show (Pictured: London)

The pair didn't know how to react when the glamorous girl then smeared the green goo over her face.

During the vlogging challenge, she styled a dark green number with a plunging neckline teamed with black boots.

But the glamorous model looked a far cry away from her raunchy photoshoots as she downed the Japanese speciality with reckless abandon.

TOWIE's Ferne described the vlog as a 'disaster' as she watched in shock, saying: 'That's going to be very spicy.

Disaster: The stylish transgender model oozed glamour at the launch for the show is outspoken. In this week's episode, her vlogging challenge is hailed a 'diaster' as she smears wasabi over her face (Pictured: London)

'She's put this all over her face. This is a disaster.'

Britain's Next Top Model is set to be explosive as it has the 'most outspoken model the series has ever seen'.

An insider told The Sun: 'The show is renowned for its cat fights.

'But since the line-up was been announced, the bitchiness and resentment towards Talulah-Eve, has reached another level.

'Theyre jealous of the success and barrage of headlines shes had.'

But the show's first transgender model isn't bitter as she revealed it's a pleasure to battle against such 'beautiful girls'.

She wrote on Instagram: 'I never thought a girl like me would find a place on a show like this and compete against such beautiful girls.

'But I guess all you have to do is believe! Life isn't about finding a label that fits you best. Life is about finding you! And it's that journey that is incredible.

'Appreciate the bad just as much as the good!'

The next Britain's Next Top Model episode on March 23 at 9pm on Lifetime. It is also available to watch on Sky 156, Virgin 208, Talk Talk 329 and BT 329.
He is best known for his role playing arrogant but charming high school student Steve Harrington in Stranger Things.

And now Joe Keery is channeling perhaps the most famous teenage character of all-time.

The 24-year-old actor is featured in a funny new advert campaign for Domino's in which they parody classic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

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Big shoes to fill: Joe Kerry channeled Matthew Broderick's (right) iconic character in iconic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off for a Domino's advert

The television spots focus in on two quintessential scenes from the 1986 comedy; the opening monologue and when Ferris runs home.

Joe does his best impression of the character Matthew Broderick made famous as he has a sappy goodbye with an actress portraying love-interest Sloane Peters in the longer of the two spots.

He checks his watch and sees that his pizza is about to be delivered so he kisses the girl before telling her: 'It's Domino's, I have to go.'

Lingering: The 24-year-old actor begins one of the spots as he has a sappy goodbye with an actress portraying love-interest Sloane Peters

The original: Matthew and Mia Sara were featured in the 1986 now classic film doing the same

'It's Domino's, I have to go': He checks his watch and sees that his pizza is about to be delivered so he kisses the girl and leaves

Off to the races: He begins running off and jumping over fences and bushes

Sorry: He runs through several backyards just like in the original

Interrupting: He also runs in between two bikini-clad ladies who are sunbathing

Hey there: Though he is in a rush, he stops to introduce himself to one of the stunners

Much like the film he starts to run off and jumps over all types of barriers including gates and bushes.

Though he is in the middle of a race with the delivery driver, he notices two women sunbathing in bikinis and stops to introduce himself before continuing with the dash.

Perhaps the best moment of the clip is when Joe runs next to a red car much like Ferris does in the film.

Race for time: As he is running in the middle of the street a red Audi follows closely behind him

Attention to detail: The exact same thing happens in the original scene

Surprise! The camera cuts to a zoom of the driver of the vehicle and it is actor Alan Ruck who played Ferris's best friend Cameron Frye

Goal! There was obviously much attention to detail as the 60-year-old star was wearing the same red Detroit Red Wings jersey he did in the film

You look familiar: The two men exchanged puzzled stares

In the nick of time: Joe does make it just before the pizza delivery

Of course: It ends with the signature song from the flick Oh Yeah by Yello

The camera cuts to a zoom of the driver of the vehicle and it is actor Alan Ruck who played Ferris's best friend Cameron Frye.

There was obviously much attention to detail as the 60-year-old star was wearing the same red Detroit Red Wings jersey he did in the film as he looked puzzled while looking over at Joe.

He does eventually make it home before the delivery guy's arrival as it ends with the signature song from the flick Oh Yeah by Yello.

In the monologue clip, Joe opens up his blinds in a robe before saying: 'How could I possibly expected to go without Domino's on a day like this?'

Sunny days: In the monologue clip, Joe opens up his blinds in a robe

Classic: He says: 'How could I possibly expected to go without Domino's on a day like this?'

Back To The Future: He then places a Domino's order with an Amazon Alexa machine

Anticipation: He takes a shower and makes sure to keep a watchful eye on the Domino's Tracker

Talented: As Ferris plays the clarinet, Joe also did so in the new spot

He then places a Domino's order with an Amazon Alexa machine before hitting the shower in a callback to another classic scene. He also plays the clarinet like Ferris does in the original.

Joe concludes the clip by saying: 'Life moves pretty fast. If you can't track your pizza, you could miss it.'

The young actor is set to return for the second season of Stranger Things which returns to Netflix on Halloween.
He's been keeping his love life private since splitting with fiance Lady Gaga last summer.

And Taylor Kinney said he gets his romantic kicks by 'living vicariously' though his character on Chicago Fire.

The 35-year-old actor told ET at the NBC Summer Press day in Los Angeles that he's adjusting to life after the five year relationship.

Deflected: Taylor Kinney said he gets his romantic kicks by 'living vicariously' though his character on Chicago Fire since splitting with Lady Gaga (pictured Feb 2016)

Taylor - joked: 'My dating life is through Chicago Fire. I live vicariously through my character.'

He plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide, who is portrayed as something of a ladies' man in the NBC firefighter drama.

Kinney and Gaga were together for nearly five years -from July 2011 until February 2015 -when the Chicago Fire actor proposed with a heart-shaped Lorraine Schwartz sparkler.

Romantic: The Chicago Fire actor proposed with a heart-shaped Lorraine Schwartz sparkler, which she later returned

A little over one year following their engagement, the duo called it quits in July 2016.

Gaga returned the ring at the start of the year, before going public with her new beau - her agent Christian Carino.

Kinney sounded more reluctant to get back into the dating scene, but told ET that he isn't specific about his 'type'.

Split: Kinney and Gaga were together for nearly five years

'I don't think I have a type. I think it's more of an energy,' he explained to them.

He added: 'I think of compatibility as the intangibles of something, and someone that you meet and connect with, and someone you can laugh with, and maybe share a same sense of humor, then things go from there.'

Chicago Fire is on NBC at 10/9c.

New romance: Gaga went public with her new beau - her agent Christian Carino earlier this year (pictured Feb)
She isn't even a year old yet, but Luna Legend is already a bonafide world traveler.

On Wednesday, Chrissy Teigen posted a photo with her adorable toddler as the mother-daughter duo bid farewell to their Moroccan vacation.

The 31-year-old swimsuit model was glowing in the sun's rays as she proudly posed with baby Luna in a photo shared with her 11.1million Instagram followers.

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Glowing: Wednesday, Chrissy Teigen, 31, posted a photo with her adorable toddler as the mother-daughter duo bid farewell to their Moroccan vacation

Enjoying her last Marrakesh sunset of the trip, Chrissy wore a cheetah-print one-piece bathing suit with plunging sides that showed off some major side-boob.

She paired the hot top with high-waisted jean shorts and threw her highlighted brunette tresses into a low-maintenance high ponytail.

The cookbook author wore little to no makeup, choosing to display her natural beauty instead.

So sweet: The half-Thai beauty lounges on a pool chair in the same hot swimsuit, holding Luna close to her - wrapped in a towel - as the two make kissy faces at one another

She accessorized simply, rocking thick gold hoop earrings and her ever-present cushion-cut engagement ring.

Teigen sat on a sprawling green lawn with Luna perched between her legs, wearing a sweet striped purple-and-pink frock.

The almost-birthday-girl's attention was clearly elsewhere.

Chrissy captioned the sweet shot: 'Last day. My love.'

His girl: John Legend posted a photo of his adorable baby enjoying the late afternoon sun

Enjoying the sights: Chrissy and Luna pose in front of a traditional Moroccan souk

Later, Chrissy's husband and partner of a decade John Legend showed off his two favorite girls with an Instagram post of his own.

In the photo, his half-Thai beauty lounges on a pool chair in the same hot swimsuit, holding Luna close to her - wrapped in a towel - as the two make kissy faces at one another.

The family-of-three late built a fortress with cushions from the pool chairs and plenty of towels, to Luna's delight.

Having fun: The family-of-three late built a fortress with cushions from the pool chairs and plenty of towels, to Luna's delight

Getting around: Luna crawled around her All Of Me-crooning father as he played on his phone

Hide out: Chrissy documented how much Luna loved her makeshift fort

Those cheeks! On the trip, Luna had a lot of firsts, according to her mom's social media posts

Adorable! John poses with his baby girl on a red carpet while she samples Moroccan fashion

On the trip, Luna had a lot of firsts, according to her doting mom's social media posts.

The little Aries said 'cat' for the first time - which Chrissy later clarified was not her first word, but her first animal word.

It was also the first time Luna was able to have a bow put into her hair.

The little family have been enjoying their North Africa vacation along with celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin and her husband Mike Rosenthal.

Good looking quartet: (L-R) Chrissy, John, Jen Atkin, Mike Rosenthal

What a date! The two couples double-dated in the desert, hopping on the backs of four camels and riding against a serene setting sun

Recovering: Their holiday comes after Chrissy admitted she suffers from postpartum depression

The two couples double-dated in the desert, hopping on the backs of four camels and riding against a serene setting sun.

Chrissy, John and Luna also visited the traditional Moroccan souks and posed in front of some of the Arabian country's European-influenced famous architecture and interior design.

On one day during their vacation, there was an unexpected downpour.

Chrissy tweeted that the day wasn't lost, however, saying that they had a movie day.

Pampered: Luna got her hair done by the best in the biz

Exploring: Chrissy and John posed in front of some of the Arabian country's European-influenced famous architecture and interior design

John will start touring at the end of May, so he is likely spending as much time as he can with his leading ladies.

Their holiday comes after Chrissy admitted she suffers from postpartum depression.

She penned an essay for Glamour magazine, writing: 'I had everything I needed to be happy. And yet, for much of the last year, I felt unhappy. What basically everyone around me - but me - knew up until December was this: I have postpartum depression.'
She's spent some time away from screens after falling head over heels for French hunk Jeremy Parisi.

But Kelly Brook proved that she'd fallen in love with his native on Wednesday, as she produced a piece to camera in capital city, Paris.

The British model channeled chic Parisian style as she poured her curves into Breton stripes and paid tribute to fashion house Chanel in a traditional boucle jacket.

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All-black beauty: Kelly Brook channeled Parisian vibes in the French capital on Wednesday as she produced a piece to camera

Kelly looked curvy in leggings paired with simple patent heels and an all-black colour scheme set off with a scarlet manicure.

Her hair was perfectly coiffed, in spite of the difficult winds, but Kelly handled it like a true professional; and with a smile across her red lips and dazzling earrings from Sif Jakobs Jewellery.

The actress and model has stayed very quite about her latest onscreen job, simply captioning a behind-the-scenes hair and make-up shot 'werk' on Instagram.

Dressed up: She paired heels with leggings and a Breton striped top

Getting prepped: She adjusted her outfit in preparation for a camera interview

Showing her shape: A curvy Kelly arrived onto the set in a long black coat, but quickly removed it for shooting

Found love: Kelly has found love with French hunk Jeremy Parisi (pictured together in October 2016) and they regularly take visits to Paris

The last time Kelly was on British television, it's fair to say that she divided opinion among viewers.

Brought to screens as a guest fashion editor on ITV's Lorraine, Kelly sent Twitter wild after when she was accused of being too 'loud' and 'hyper'.

Kelly defended herself in an interview last month with OK! last month, insisting it was 'not a big deal'.

Hitting back at her haters, Kelly said: 'I'm not trying to be a TV presenter or work on telly in the UK every day. If it's something that's a bit challenging or fun, then I'll do it. But it was a three-minute segment on a morning show.

On screens: The brunette was working on a bit television camera work

Having a laugh: Kelly had some fun with her TV work on Wednesday afternoon

Practise makes perfect: She kept her head on the project to make sure it was smooth

Never mind the cold: Kelly whipped off her coat and got down to business

'I just didn't like all the attention that came with it. It was a bit pointless. I don't mind the attention if it's something that's a big deal, but I didn't think it was - talking about a few dresses on a morning show. I left and said, "I don't really want to do this, it's a bit silly."

'Lorraine introduced me as 'The most enthusiastic woman in the world' and I thought, well, I'm not really - I'm just trying to make the best of the clothes you've given me.'

Conversely, some thought Kelly was a breath of fresh air with some arguing that she had certainly made an impact on their style.

Dividing opinion: Kelly's last appearance, on British TV as guest fashion editor on ITV's Lorraine divided opinion among viewers

Messy hair, don't care: She was a consummate professional

Kelly is certainly in a good place when it comes to her personal life, having settled down with French man Jeremy in the last year.

Jeremy and Kelly regularly spend time in France when they are not enjoying countryside like in Kent.

Previously, Kelly ventured to Los Angeles in a bid to crack Hollywood but her time on Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom One Big Happy was short-lived, since the NBC show was axed after just six episodes.

Gorgeous: Kelly teamed the image with giant sunglasses to make the look ever-more glam
Channel 4 have taken a gamble with their surprising new Great British Bake Off line-up, spearheaded by Noel Fielding.

And the comedian cut a casual figure when he stepped out in London on Wednesday alongside his partner Lliana Bird, sporting his usual eclectic, rock 'n' roll inspired attire which the baking show's viewers will soon become well acquainted with.

The 43-year-old star was clad in a mohair coat layered over a KISS band T-shirt and skinny jeans, topped off with unusual heeled shoes.

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Out and about: New Great British Bake Off host Noel Fielding cut a casual figure when he stepped out in London on Wednesday alongside his partner Lliana Bird

Noel was joined by his radio presenter girlfriend Lliana, who was dressed down in an equally quirky ensemble.

The brunette, who he has been dating since 2010, teamed a blue velvet overcoat with a lilac slogan jumper and checked trousers, set off with deep blue ankle boots.

The pair's outing comes following original GBBO host Mary Berry's verdict on the new line-up, after quitting the show alongside hosting double act Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins when it was bought from the BBC by Channel 4.

According to The Sun, when quizzed about whether she could have worked with The Mighty Boosh star Noel she said: 'I dont know him, but Id take my chances.'

Rock chic: The 43-year-old star was clad in a mohair coat layered over a KISS band T-shirt and skinny jeans, topped off with unusual heeled shoes

Casual outing: Noel was joined by his radio presenter girlfriend Lliana, who he has been dating since 2010, with the brunette dressed down in an equally quirky ensemble

Joker: The pair's outing comes following original GBBO host Mary Berry's verdict on the new line-up, jokingly saying of comedian Noel, 'I dont know him, but Id take my chances'

Mary praised fellow new co-host Prue Leith, saying the chef had the right 'personality' and solid baking 'knowledge' to succeed.

This comes after Noel's appointment, alongside Sandi Toksvig, as Great British Bake Off's new host was defended by Paul Hollywood as 'a big thing for the country.'

But the chef may want to take his words of praise back, as X-rated lyrics to Noel Fielding's song with Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno - leaving bosses at Love Productions fearful of losing the series' familial viewership.

The joker's expletive song Live For The Night [Cocaine City] - from his band Loose Tapestries' album NHS - is filled with heavy-duty references to drugs and sex, proving to be a far cry from the cookie-cutter Channel 4 baking show.

Controversy: X-rated lyrics to Noel's song with Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno has left Great British Bake Off bosses fearful of losing the baking series' familial viewership

Noel's controversial song features the following lyrics: 'Do you think you can send down a couple of jungle c**ks and one of those skinny white Thai c**ks?'

The former drug user continued: 'I was in the cloakroom its dark and smells of sick, and if you want your coat back, well you can suck my d***.'

The Never Mind The Buzzcocks star, who will be replacing former hosts Mel and Sue, also repeated the shocking phrase: 'From flaccid to erections', before comparing male ejaculation to paintings of American artist Jackson Pollock.

'Hi Gloria, could you send in both cleaning teams please? The neon dance floor looks like a Jackson Pollock. Thank you, soon as possible. Literally paddling in semen down here,' a voice-over concluded the profanity fuelled single.

Sticking up for him: This comes after his controversial appointment as GBBO host, alongside Sandi Toksvig, was defended by chef Paul Hollywood as 'a big thing for the country'

Shocking: The 43-year-old comedian's expletive song Live For The Night [Cocaine City] - from his band Loose Tapestries' album NHS - is filled with heavy-duty references to drugs and sex, proving to be a far cry from the cookie-cutter Channel 4 baking show

However, his Kasabian rocker bandmate Serge ensured to show Noel his support and told Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 on Friday that the pair had discussed the move.

He cited surrealist artist Salvador Dali as the reason behind Noel's justification to cross over into mainstream TV.

Apparently the quirky star deliberated with the Kasabian frontman before agreeing to replace beloved duo Mel and Sue 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 chocolate advert for Lanvin in 1968 to make money in addition to his earnings from selling artworks.

Expletive: Noel's controversial song features the following lyrics: 'Do you think you can send down a couple of jungle c**ks and one of those skinny white Thai c**ks?'

Leaving GBBO bosses panicking: The Never Mind The Buzzcocks star also repeated the shocking phrase: 'From flaccid to erections', before comparing male ejaculation to paintings of American artist Jackson Pollock

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.

However, GBBO's chef Paul Hollywood, who has been part of the successful show since 2010, branded Noel's appointment 'perfect and exciting'.

The silver-haired fox, who will be joined by Prue Leith as fellow judge: 'I'm really excited. Obviously it's a big thing for the country, the Bake Off, and when I heard the names read out, I was really excited.'

'I think the whole dynamics of it, when I sat down and thought about it, because I'm a big fan of Noel, and Sandi actually.

'Absolutely fantastic!' His Kasabian rocker band-mate Serge, 36, ensured to show Noel his support and told Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 on Friday that the pair had discussed the move

He's a fan! On Monday, GBBO's chef Paul Hollywood, who has been part of the successful show since 2010, branded Noel's appointment 'perfect and exciting'

Gushing: The silver haired fox, who will be joined by Prue Leith as fellow judge: 'I'm really excited. Obviously it's a big thing for the country, the Bake Off, and when I heard the names read out, I was really excited'

'I did know about Prue but I didnt know about the others at all but its perfect, I'm really, really excited. At the end of the day, most people were in the dark, it's kept very quiet for obvious reasons.'

Paul also expanded on his joy at the hiring of Prue: 'Obviously shes got this huge professional background and I've got nothing but respect for her, I'm really looking forward to it.

'We've met and had a chat, there's something there, she reminds me of my mother-in-law in a fantastic way, and I think we'll get on great.'

In September when the Channel 4 move was announced, he stated: 'Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life. The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories.

Pals: 'I did know about Prue but I didnt know about the others at all but its perfect, I'm really, really excited. At the end of the day, most people were in the dark, it's kept very quiet for obvious reasons'

Chatting away: In September when the Channel 4 move was announced, he stated: 'Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life. The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories'

'Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.

'The Great British Bake Off has brought baking to the nation and we've seen people from all walks of life and backgrounds, experience the highs and lows of competition, and more importantly helping each other.

'It's been a huge part of my life in the past few years and I just couldn't turn my back on all that - the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget the squirrels.

'So I am delighted that I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Off moves to Channel 4. I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and really rewarding.'
On Monday Married At First Sight couple Sharon and Nick sparked speculation they are expecting their first baby when pictures surfaced of Sharon shopping for baby wares in Perth.

And on Thursday the happy couple revealed their exciting news.

'I can't give too much away,' Nick, 29, excitedly told OK! magazine.

Baby bombshell? Married At First Sight couple Sharon and Nick have sparked speculation they are expecting their first baby on Monday and on Thursday they revealed their exciting news

'I'm definitely at that stage in my life [where] I would like to start a family and have a legal marriage soon,' Sharon, 32, told the publication.

Nick added that he is 'head over heels' in love and that he is 'proud to say she is mine.'

Although Sharon did not elaborate further on the pregnancy she added that she couldn't wait to have kids and she hopes to have twins, while Nick is hoping to have two or three kids down the line and maybe a boy and a girl.

Ready: 'I'm definitely at that stage in my life [where] I would like to start a family and have a legal marriage soon,' Sharon said.

Nick is from Melbourne, while Sharon is from Perth but the couple say that they are hoping to work through the distance issue and will sort it out and make it work.

During the show, the couple had their issues with trust with Sharon's insecurities about her groom's party boy past resurfacing and Nick turning the red wine early on at the final dinner party.

Later, a disastrous party game initiated by the experts saw tensions boil over for Nick and Sharon in Sunday's night episode.

Shopping! On Monday, pictures surfaced of Sharon shopping for baby wares in Perth

Clucky: Sharon has always been open with 'groom' Nick about the fact she wants children

Keen to have the couples all on the same page by the time they were sent home for a week of solo contemplation, expert John Aiken crashed the relaxed dinner party with 'honesty boxes' which contained questions for each couple to ask each other.

It didn't take long for Sharon to snap at her 'husband' after he dared to mention his stripper attending, heavy drinking alter-ego, 'Naughty Nick', in his first answer.

Sharon had asked him what his biggest concern was when it came to finishing the experiment, and while his answer was sweet overall, she was not impressed.

Past tensions: The news comes as a stark contrast to the tensions that surfaced Sunday night's episode

Later to producers, she explained: 'My biggest concern is I don't know that he'll do the right thing outside of here.

She later went on to imply she did not trust him at all simply from the time they had spent together.

Fights: a disastrous party game initiated by the experts saw tensions boil over for Nick and Sharon

'I think trust needs to be earned and no one really knows anyone properly until you go through life outside of this experiment,' she said.

Despite such issues, now the cameras have stopped rolling the couple have vowed to work through their differences with Nick promising he's going to change his ways and keep 'naughty Nick' in the past.
She's been pining for boyfriend Hugo Taylor ever since he embarked on a work trip to Dubai with his sunglasses brand Taylor Morris.

But that's no obstacle for a jet-setter like Millie Mackintosh who flew all the way to the United Arab Emirates to surprise him on Tuesday.

Giggling in an Instagram Stories video, the model uploaded the moment she caught her businessman boyfriend off-guard at the Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel and completely took his breath away.

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Surprise! Millie Mackintosh flew to Dubai on Tuesday to surprise her boyfriend Hugo Taylor on his business trip

Enticingly, Millie was dressed in just a silk robe when she waited patiently on his balcony, overlooking the famous landmark Burj al Arab.

She later stretched out on a bed of rose petals and towel swans proving that her visit would make for a particularly romantic stay.

Hugo is currently in Dubai showcasing his newest Taylor Morris collection as part of the #TaylorMorrisTravels series, which recently took him to Beachcomber's luxury Trou Aux Biches resort in Mauritius.

Delighted: The stunner took her boyfriend's breath away by joining him in the sun while he showcased his newest Taylor Morris eyewear collection as part of the #TaylorMorrisTravels series

'Missing my sunshine': Millie let fans know that she was missing her boyfriend at the weekend by sharing a throwback snap from one of their glorious 2016 getaways

At the weekend, Millie complained about missing her former reality TV beau, with whom she rekindled the flame in May 2016.

Missing the sun and her man, Millie shared a cute flashback snap of a luxurious getaway with Hugo, from last year.

Clearly impatient about their reunion, she captioned the snap: 'Counting down the days! Missing my sunshine @hugotaylorlondon.'

Waiting patiently: Millie waited on her boyfriend's balcony in a silk robe and filmed the surprise for Instagram Stories

Surprise! He was staying in a luxury suite right next to the Burj al Arab and couldn't quite believe when she arrived to see him

Little did he know, that reunion was closer than originally planned for his return to the UK.

Pictured was just one of 18 trips across five continents that the globe-trotter had taken in 2016 - the year that also saw the demise of her marriage to Professor Green.

Millie already seems to have take kicked off 2017 the way she intends to go on, visiting more luxury spots in three months than most would dream of in 12.

Millie and Hugo rang in New Year in South Africa, before her fashion business took her on to Paris and Los Angeles in the last couple of months.

Boyfriend Hugo, 30, touched down in Dubai on Saturday, before attending the British Polo Day in Abu Dhabi.

Loved up: The couple had enjoyed a romantic night out in Paris earlier this month, while Millie was in the French capital for Paris Fashion Week

Cute couple: Millie was seen in a sexy swimsuit as she posted for a sweet picture with Hugo while on a romantic break in South Africa

Pucker up! They looked more in love than ever as they packed on the PDA in another snap

Millie and Hugo previously dated back in 2011 when they met on E4 reality show, Made In Chelsea.

But the union was not to last and ended rather dramatically when Millie discovered Hugo had cheated on her with her friend, Rosie Fortescue.

At the time, Millie claimed she would always love Hugo, saying in an interview: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear  but I just always have to remind myself why were not together.

Getting her tan on: Millie went on 18 holidays in 2016, sharing endless snaps of herself in various exotic locations

'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.'

Millie and Pro Green announced their split in February after just over four years together. Their two-and-a-half-year marriage was dissolved in just 30 seconds in May.

In a statement at the time, they said: 'It is a mutual decision, we still care deeply about each other and would like it to be known that it is on amicable terms and we wish each other well.'
She's usually seen striking a pose for the camera on shoots and runways.

But Lara Stone swapped the bright lights of the catwalk for London fitness centre Bodyism as she put her lean limbs through their paces on Wednesday.

The Dutch model, 33, decided to go fresh-faced for her morning session and enviably flaunted her flawless complexion just moments after working up a sweat in the gym.

Absolutely flawless! Lara Stone, 33, appeared fresh-faced as she left the gym in London on Wednesday

Boasting a positively glowing visage, even after her hard efforts exercising, Lara made sure to quench her thirst as she clutched onto a juice, before then lighting a cigarette.

She was aptly dressed for her gym visit, as the supermodel sported a pair of dark tracksuit bottoms and a loose-fitted sheer t-shirt that teased her black bra underneath.

The former wife of Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams hot-footed it home in a pair of brightly-hued Nike trainers and made sure to cover up from the downpour in a camouflage jacket.

And in an attempt to keep her locks back from her face, Lara pinned her blonde tresses up into a messy topknot.

What sweat? The Dutch model didn't seem to have a bead of swear on her as she flaunted her enviable complexion while heading home from her workout

Aptly dressed: The fashion star made sure she was comfortable for her morning session in a pair of brightly hued Nike trainers and dark tracksuit bottoms

The fashion star's appearance in the capital saw her cut a very different figure to when she was in Amsterdam earlier this month for the Vogue Netherlands 5th Anniversary dinner.

Lara had been the cover star of the commemorative issue and rightly stole the spotlight as she attended the bash in a sating scarlet gown.

Looking every inch the VIP she was thought to be at the event, the blonde-haired beauty showed off her tall and slender model figure in the dress.

It featured a plunging neckline and elegantly clung to Lara's womanly curves.

Oozing glamour: Lara's appearance in the capital saw her cut a very different figure to when she was in Amsterdam earlier this month for the Vogue Netherlands 5th Anniversary dinner

For the issue, Lara had actually posed naked alongside fellow model Doutzen Kroes for the 'sensual and seductive' shoot which had been teased by the title on Vogue Netherlands' official Instagram account.

Although, Lara wouldn't have been fazed about stripping off for the issue as she has previously claimed she is comfortable in her own skin.

In an interview with The Edit in December last year, Lara revealed: 'I don't mind being naked in front of people, that's fine.

'No one is staring at the naked model - they're doing a job and they've seen it all 100,000 times before... No one is interested.'
She already has an estimated net worth of $70m, over half of which can be accredited to her lucky break in the Harry Potter film franchise.

But Emma Watson's latest role, in Disney's live action version of Beauty And The Beast, is set to boost her earnings so significantly that she is predicted to top the next Hollywood's Highest Paid Actresses list.

Her fee for the movie ($2.5m) is rather paltry, considering Jennifer Lawrence, who sits at the top of both 2015 and 2016's lists, banked $15 to appear in the final Hunger Games film.

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Beauty and the bank! Emma Watson is set to supersede Jennifer Lawrence as Hollywood's highest paid actress... making $15m from a slice of the profits of her current Disney hit ALONE

Overtaking: Emma's fee for the movie ($2.5m) is rather paltry, considering Jennifer Lawrence, who sits at the top of both 2015 and 2016's lists, banked $15 to appear in the final Hunger Games film

But Watson and her agent/accountant/bank manager seemed to take note of how lucrative the 26-year-old actress' involvement in Beauty And The Beast could be - making a deal with Disney to cut her a slice of the production's global earnings.

This alone is set to total at approximately $15m which, when adding to her $2.5m up-front fee, takes her earnings to $17.5 for this one project alone.

Thus far, Beauty And The Beast has earned around $750m worldwide, making $350m of that in it's opening weekend, last week.

And according to financial analysts, this propels Watson to the top of 2017's rich list.

Watson isn't a stranger to the Highest Paid Hollywood Actress list, which is collated by the likes of Forbes and Vanity Fair annually and also takes into account on-the-side endorsements.

Rolling in it: Emma Watson's latest role, in Disney's live action version of Beauty And The Beast, is set to boost her earnings so significantly that she is predicted to top the next Hollywood's Highest Paid Actresses list

In the money: Watson and her agent/accountant/bank manager seemed to take note of how lucrative the 26-year-old actress' involvement in Beauty And The Beast could be - making a deal with Disney to cut her a slice of the production's global earnings

She came in 14th position in 2010, before she was even 20-years-old, thanks to her earnings of between $15m and $20m per year from playing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, as well as any other movie roles she took on in addition.

She was said to have banked more in 2009 than established stars such as Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock and Sarah Jessica Parker, all of whom have topped the lists in recent years.

Her 14th out of 40 place on the list also made her the youngest person, male or female, to appear.

The actresses first major role away from the Harry Potter franchise was in TV movie Ballet Shoes, in 2007.

No stranger to the list: She came in 14th position in 2010, before she was even 20-years-old, thanks to her earnings of between $15m and $20m per year from playing Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, as well as any other movie roles she took on in addition

Superstardom: She waved her wand for the last time as Hermione in 2010s Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows  Part I and 2011s Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows  Part II, but by that point was earning in excess of $10m for each film

She then voiced the character of Princess Pea in the 2008 animated film The Tale of Despereaux.

In March 2009, Watson was ranked sixth on Forbes list of Most Valuable Young Stars.

In the summer of that year, she was recruited by Burberry as the face of their Autumn/Winter campaign, for which she was reported to receive a six-figure salary.

She then appeared in Burberry's 2010 Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother Alex, musicians George Craig and Matt Gilmour, and model Max Hurd, and was announced as the face of Lancome a year later.

On the rise: Since this, she has appeared in movies such as My Week with Marilyn (2011), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and This Is the End (2013)

Cashing in: Emma appeared in The Bling Ring (2013) which saw her stealing money rather than earning it

Coming up: The Circle, her latest movie, is set for release in April 2017, and will see her star opposite Tom Hanks

She waved her wand for the last time as Hermione in 2010s Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows  Part I and 2011s Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows  Part II, but by that point was earning in excess of $10m for each film.

Since this, she has appeared in movies such as My Week with Marilyn (2011), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), This Is the End (2013), The Bling Ring(2013), Noah (2014) and Regression (2015).

The Circle, her latest movie, is set for release in April 2017, and will see her star opposite Tom Hanks.

Actress/model: She then appeared in Burberry's 2010 Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother Alex, musicians George Craig and Matt Gilmour, and model Max Hurd, and was announced as the face of Lancome a year later

Fourth place: Last year's actress rich list saw Jennifer Aniston keep her regular high ranking on the list, partly thanks to her endorsements for Emirates airlines, Smartwater, Aveeno and Living Proof

Last year's actress rich list saw Jennifer Lawrence amass $46m over 12 months, which was $13m more than second place Melissa McCarthy, who took home $33m - thanks largely to her reported eight-figure paycheck for Ghostbusters.

Scarlett Johansson came in third with $13m and Jennifer Aniston (No. 4) kept her regular high ranking on the list, partly thanks to her endorsements for Emirates airlines, Smartwater, Aveeno and Living Proof.

Together, the world's 10 highest-paid actresses tallied a combined $205m between June 1, 2015, and June 1, 2016, before fees and taxes, according to Forbes.

Third time's a charm: Scarlett Johansson came in third with $13m
Nicolas Cage's son Weston was snapped paying a visit to his attorney's office in Beverly Hills Wednesday.

The 26-year-old son of the Oscar-winning Leaving Las Vegas actor, 53, was with his mother, 49-year-old Christina Fulton, as he tended to the fallout of his car chase in the San Fernando Valley last month.

The incident led to the Los Angeles City Attorney charging him with DUI and two counts of hit-and-run.

Dealing with it: Nicolas Cage's son Weston, 26, was at his attorney's office in Beverly Hills Wednesday in the wake of being charged with DUI and hit-and-run in an incident last month

Weston wore a textured black jacket with a black T-shirt and black pants outside of the facility, as he chat with his mother while smoking a cigarette.

Weston, who was bearded and had his head shorn on the sides and the top of his hair pulled back into a small tail, wore a pair of blue suede shoes.

Fulton, the ex-girlfriend of the Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans actor, wore a sage green jacket with black pants and silver-blue sneakers, with her blonde locks down.

Authorities said that Weston's blood alcohol content in the wake of the incident was nearly twice the legal driving limit, at .15, according to TMZ.

The incident unfurled at noon on February 4 when Weston was involved in a minor accident with another driver. While Weston gave the other motorist his information, he abruptly left, believing the police were en route, according to the outlet.

Moral support: The musician was accompanied by his mother to the important appointment

Heart-to-heart: Weston looked concerned as he spoke with his mother, Christina Fulton, as he could face up to a year in custody if convicted on the charges

Authorities eventually caught up with Weston, who crashed into mailboxes and street signs, before it came to an end when he careened directly into a tree. The impact knocked a tire off the white Chevrolet Camaro he was driving, also causing the airbag to discharge.

Police subsequently arrested Weston in connection with DUI, also taking him to a nearby hospital for a check-up following the wreck, the outlet reported.

Out and about: Weston was snapped with his famous father Nicolas at a premiere in LA last fall

Family affair: Weston, his father and brother Kal-El visited Buena Park's Knott's Berry Farm in 2015

It's a tragic turn for the musician, who has young sons named Lucian, two, and Sorin, eight months, with his wife, Danielle Cage.

Two years ago, Weston told DailyMail.com exclusively that fatherhood had set him on the straight-and-narrow.

Weston said of Lucian: 'He saved my life because as soon as I saw him, I didn't want to drink anymore ... life if getting better and better, it's more positive.'

Dapper: The son of the Academy Award-winning actor looked put together at an LA charity party in November

Proud papa: Weston and wife Danielle were snapped at an LA premiere last year as she was pregnant with their second son, Sorin
Made In Chelsea reality star Georgia Toffolo tweeted from the scene of a Westminster terror attack on Wednesday after being locked in the House Of Lords.

Panic-stricken and 'very, very scared', the British TV personality, 22, shared updates on Twitter over eight hours while security dealt with an incident where three people were killed and around 20 injured by a knife-man who drove towards the building.

London was considered in lock-down after the 2pm attack and politics-lover 'Toff' said she was 'feeling very, very sad' for our 'welcoming city' when she evacuated, at almost 11pm.

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Smart: Georgia Toffolo gave an eye witness account of the Westminster terror incident in London on Wednesday as she found herself trapped inside the House of Lords

Georgia, who works as Event Manager for think tank Parliament Street, released her first Tweet just as minimal details were breaking onto international news outlets.

'In House of Lords on lockdown as there's been a shooting outside,' she wrote. 'V scary hoping everyone is ok. Getting reports of coordinated attack'

Along with pictures she shared the developments, saying: 'A lot of emergency services on the bridge apparently a shoooting there too. Very scary (sic)'

Lock down: Georgia was inside the House Of Lords when the attack took place and was later moved to Westminster Hall (pictured)

Trapped: Georgia shared her view, across Westminster bridge where the disruption happened

One hour into the incident, surrounded by parliamentary staff, she confirmed: 'We are on lockdown and have been asked to stay inside. Praying everyone is ok'

After saying that everything was stagnant, a terrified Toff continued: '4 policemen just ran through the lords terrace where I am and went outside where we aren't allowed to go. Just praying everyone is safe'

She described the incident as 'very, very scary' and revealed that she was 'thankful to be all together' as a small group was moved up a level in the Lords Terrace and later to Westminster Hall, for safety.

Toff wrote: 'A group of 8 of us have been ordered to stay in a corner all together. Really firm security forces moved us here. Feeling proud of our boys'

'Very, very scary': For security reasons, a small group inside the building were only moved when they were told to

Though she's best known for her role as a bubbly blonde on London-based E4 reality show Made In Chelsea, Georgia was originally a politics student at Westminster University.

On Wednesday, Georgia was attending an event with the Secretary of State and Lord Mancrofthaving previously organised a Women's conference at parliament in January.

Closing her eight-hour live feed from the attack, Georgia wrote: 'Just now been evacuated from Westminster Hall.

'What a day, feeling very very sad. A savage attack on our proud and welcoming city'

Long ordeal: The Made In Chelsea star was kept inside for around three hours

Georgia recently gave a talk at The Cambridge University Students Union with their debating society.

The reality TV star never finished her Undergraduate Degree but expressed an interest in political writing and commentating in May 2016, saying she has high hopes to return to her studies.

Special event: Georgia organised a Women of Influence conference in January at the Army and Navy club

Politics-lover: The former politics student has a keen association with politics

Finally going home: Georgia was sent home after an eight-hour stretch

Taking her throne: The reality babe is still best known for her role on Made In Chelsea, but she also has a keen interest in politics

Stylish: Georgia (pictured here at Cambridge University) works as Event Manager for think tank Parliament Street

Announcing her role with Parliament Street in 2015, director Steven George-Hilley said of Toff: 'Her passion for campaigning on issues like voter apathy will inspire a whole generation of young people to get involved in politics.'

She outlined her intentions to balance her work with her part of TV, saying that she had opted for politics instead of fashion.

She said: 'A lot of the cast are into fashion and things like that. Obviously Im quite different. Im the other end of the spectrum.'
This photo taken on February 14, 2017 shows a section of the border fence on the US/Mexico border in Tecate, California

Three California lawmakers have introduced legislation that would penalize firms keen to take part in President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

The legislation announced on Monday calls for California's two public pension funds -- the largest in the nation -- to divest from companies involved in the construction of the controversial barrier.

"Californians build bridges not walls," Phil Ting, one of the three Democratic lawmakers, said in a statement.

"This is a wall of shame and we don't want any part of it. Immigrant stories are the history of America, and this is a nightmare."

Assembly Bill 946 was submitted after the US Customs and Border Protection last week requested design proposals for the wall set to be about 2,000 miles long.

If approved, it would require the California Public Employee Retirement System and the California State Teachers Retirement System -- with investments of $312 billion and $202 billion, respectively -- to liquidate within a year any investments in companies involved in building the wall.

"The states contracting and investment practices should reflect the values of our state," state representative Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, who co-authored the bill, said. "Its clear the people of California dont want to invest in the hateful values that the Trump wall represents."

The bill follows similar proposals across the country and beyond.

A lawmaker in New York, Nily Rozic, earlier this year introduced a bill calling for the state to boycott firms that work on the wall.

Local officials in San Francisco on Tuesday submitted a similar proposal.

Mexican construction firms have also been warned against taking part in the project.

On Tuesday, the French construction group Vinci said it was not interested in helping build the wall.

"I have to take into account the reality of my company, our culture, our way of doing things and our sensitivities, not only those of my American colleagues, but around the world," the company CEO Xavier Huillard told French television.

"For these reasons, and this is not at all a value judgment on the United States, we prefer not to touch this wall."

The barrier that Trump has vowed to erect along the US-Mexico border to stem illegal immigration is expected to cost at least $15 billion dollars.
The US and Britain ban laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa

The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats.

Why this measure now?

Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP.

"Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives."

The new measures "will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups -- in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices," he added.

Has this happened before?

After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said.

"The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery's housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams," he said.

Why Arab countries and Turkey?

"The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities," said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world.

Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added.

Why laptops and tablets?

"These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives," said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security.

By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added.

How can explosives be detected at security inspections?

If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector -- a small wipe -- to check for any explosives, Caron said.

If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said.

How can they monitor checked baggage?

In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags.

If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check.

"Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat," Caron said.

"The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine," which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added.

What consequences for travellers?

Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. "Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don't want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It's going to be complicated to manage."
An operation to lift a sunken ferry from the bottom of the ocean is finally underway three years after the disaster of the Sewol in South Korea killed 304 people.

The vast majority of those who died were schoolchildren and their parents have urged people to pray for a successful recovery.

The vessel lies more than 130 feet below the waves off southwestern South Korea and the operation, originally scheduled for last year, has been pushed back several times because of adverse weather.

More than 300 people - most of them schoolchildren - died when the Sewol ferry sank in April 2014 (pictured). A test lift of the vessel began Wednesday, with several bodies still unaccounted for

A monk bowed in prayer before a memorial to victims of the Sewol ferry disaster, at Paengmok harbour on the southern island of Jindo

Salvage operators began a test-lift of the Sewol ferry Wednesday, officials said, after the disaster that dealt a crippling blow to now-ousted president Park Geun-Hye.

It is thought that nine bodies still unaccounted for may be trapped inside the sunken ship, and raising the ferry intact has been a key demand of the victims' families.

'I am a mother who just really misses her daughter.

'Please pray for us so we can go home with Eun-Hwa,' said Lee Keum-Hui, one of a handful of relatives who have been living in makeshift homes at Paengmok, the closest port to the wreck, since the accident.

'We will be grateful if you pray with us so that the last remaining victims can return to their families,' she said, breaking down.

Other bereaved family members have been maintaining a vigil at a camp on a hilltop on Donggeochado, the nearest island to the site, less than a mile away.

Yellow ribbons - a symbol for the victims of the deadly disaster - hang on nearby trees, their colour faded by the course of time.

In a tense atmosphere, one victim's father nervously watched through binoculars, trying to get a glimpse of the operation.

'We will not clear the camp even when the Sewol is raised,' he said, declining to be named.

'You never know what you will find beneath the sunken ferry.'

Some 50 bereaved family members were watching the proceedings out at sea, he added.

Two enormous barges have been positioned on either side of the 6,825-tonne ship and air bags inserted for the salvage effort, which is being led by a Chinese consortium.

Beams have been installed by digging through the seabed underneath the wreck, which is lying on its side, and cables attached to bring it painstakingly towards the surface.

Once two-thirds of it is exposed, a semi-submersible will be positioned underneath to raise it out of the water and transport it to the port of Mokpo to carry out investigations and search for the missing.

Barges during a salvage project to bring the sunken Sewol ferry back to surface in the sea off the southwestern island of Jindo

Relatives of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster still unaccounted for, speak to the media on a pier at Paengmok harbour on the southern oisland of Jindo on March 22, 2017

The maritime ministry said the test was going smoothly but there were technical issues to deal with, such as balancing the body of the vessel.

If all goes well and weather forecasts are favourable the full lift, expected to take three days, will go ahead.

The disaster and its aftermath gripped South Korea and overshadowed the presidency of Park, who stayed at her residence for seven hours in the crucial initial phase of the sinking.

She has never specified what she was doing, sparking wild rumours including a tryst and a cosmetic surgery.

A permanent Sewol protest site targeting her was subsequently set up in the centre of Seoul, with effigies of the head of state on display alongside pictures of dead schoolchildren.

Negligence over the sinking was one of the grounds for which parliament impeached Park in December, although the constitutional court ruled that it was not an impeachable offence when it upheld her dismissal on other charges earlier this month.

Donggeochado island has a population of only around 300, but the once-a-day ferry to it was packed with reporters Wednesday and at least one outside broadcast truck.

Investigations into the disaster concluded it was the cumulative result of an illegal redesign, an overloaded cargo bay, inexperienced crew and a questionable relationship between the ship operators and state regulators.

Captain Lee Jun-Seok was sentenced to life in prison for murder through wilful negligence and 14 other crew members given terms ranging from two to 12 years.
Nuclear-armed North Korea launched four ballistic missiles earlier this month, with three landing provocatively close to America's ally Japan

A new North Korean missile test failed on Wednesday, the South's defence ministry said, two weeks after Pyongyang launched four rockets in what it called a drill for an attack on US bases in Japan.

"South Korea and the United States are aware of the North Korean missile launch," said a spokesman for Seoul's defence ministry, adding they "suspect it was a failure".

The ministry did not identify the type of missile used in the test.

Japanese Kyodo news service, citing an unidentified government source, said the North might have launched several missiles Wednesday morning.

The missiles were possibly launched from North Korea's east, Kyodo's source said, adding that there was information that the launches were a failure.

Nuclear-armed North Korea launched four ballistic missiles earlier this month, with three landing provocatively close to America's ally Japan.

The launches come as Seoul and Washington hold large-scale annual joint military exercises that always infuriate Pyongyang, which sees them as a rehearsal for invasion.
Congolese warlord Germain Katanga (C) was sentenced by the ICC to 12 years in jail in 2014, after being convicted on five charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity

Judges at the International Criminal Court may Friday award the tribunal's first monetary sums to victims of war crimes, with lawyers estimating some $16.4 million in damages were caused by a 2003 attack on a Congolese village.

Friday's order for reparations for 304 victims of former Congolese warlord Germain Katanga is set to be a landmark step for the world's only permanent war crimes court.

"Reparations should place the victim in a situation as close as possible to that before the crime was committed," Fidel Nsita Luvengika, the legal representative for victims, argued in a 2016 filing to the court in The Hague.

Fidel Nsita Luvengika represents the victims of a 2003 attack in the DR Congo that left some 200 people dead

Katanga was sentenced by the ICC to 12 years in jail in 2014, after being convicted on five charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the February 2003 attack on Bogoro village in Ituri province.

Some 200 people were shot or hacked to death with machetes in the attack.

Legal representatives have estimated a minimum of $16.4 million in damages was caused, and it may be as high as $24.7 million, even if the "victims are not demanding this sum".

- 'Justice not just in courtroom' -

Katanga, 38, now on trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo on other charges of war crimes and insurrection in the mineral-rich Ituri region, is liable for any compensation.

The judges could decide to order collective reparations for projects to help the community, as well as individual damages to victims.

"It may bring the prospect of some redress for the victims," said Pieter de Baan, director of the Trust Fund for Victims, arguing it was important to show justice "doesn't stop in the courtroom".

"For the system as a whole, it's really important to spend time building a process in which you don't only get convictions, but you also get decisions which go to the benefit of the victims," he told AFP.

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) is an independent body set up under the ICC's founding guidelines, to support and implement programmes to help victims.

If Katanga cannot pay any reparations then the TFV could decide to dip into its funds, accumulated by voluntary contributions from member states. But it only has $5 million available, of which one million has been set aside for the case of Thomas Lubanga.

The 2016 filing on behalf of Katanga's victims sets out a detailed list estimating cost of the loss of life, goods and property, as well as for services such as counselling.

A total of 228 homes were destroyed in Bogoro, most made of sticks and worth about $600 each. A new school is needed at a cost of $22,400.

Seventy-nine people each lost between 10-15 cows worth $400 each: total cost between $316,000 and 474,000.

Lawyers have also sought to place a monetary value on the loss of a parent or relative, on whether a victim was raped, maimed or robbed of their livelihood.

- Money won't bring them back -

"The reparations regime of the court is without real precedent," said De Baan. "It's not science. It's basically trying to reach an estimation of what the harm has been in relation to the crimes."

The case of Lubanga, another Congolese warlord sentenced in 2012 to 14 years for conscripting child soldiers, was the first to see some kind of ICC compensation award.

In October, judges approved "symbolic reparations" to create a "living memorial" to remember and raise awareness about child soldiers.

But a final decision on collective reparations for Lubanga's victims is still awaited.

"The money won't bring back the victims," said local tribal chief Salomon Kisembo Byaruhanga.

He told AFP the local Hema community would rather one of the hearings in Katanga's current trial in the DRC "be held in Ituri and that a public apology is made."

Katanga's "brothers in arms continue to commit atrocities in the region," he said, adding: "For us the biggest reparation of all, would be if Germain and his men would stop carrying out murders, massacres and pillages on the population."

Aid workers say they hope some money will go towards long-term projects such as building roads, health centres and schools.

"Given that today the victims and the executioners are living together, we must help people reach a real reconciliation," said Jean Bosco Lalo, coordinator for the local group, the Ituri Civil Society.
A member of the Iraqi forces covers his nose as they check a mass grave they discovered in the Hamam al-Alil area on November 7, 2016

Iraqis should not carry out hurried or ad hoc exhumations of mass graves left by jihadists, as this makes identifying victims more difficult, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

Dozens of mass graves have been discovered in areas retaken from the Islamic State jihadist group, whose rule in Iraq and Syria has been marked by widespread atrocities including mass summary executions.

"The strong desire to exhume the remains of loved ones from (IS) mass graves is perfectly understandable, but hastily conducted exhumations seriously harm the chances of identifying the victims and preserving evidence," Lama Fakih, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said in a statement.

"While exhuming the remains of those killed at (Khasfa) may be difficult, authorities should do what they can to make sure that those who lost their loved ones there have access to justice," Fakih said, referring to a mass grave site south of Mosul.

HRW said that the Khasfa site -- a large sinkhole where IS reportedly shot victims and pushed them in for disposal -- could contain the bodies of hundreds of people executed by the jihadists.

But IS has planted explosives at the site, which killed a journalist and three members of Iraqi paramilitary forces in February.

HRW called for Iraqi authorities to fence it off "for the protection of the mass grave and those in the area, until deminers can clear the site."

"If exhumation is possible, the process should be carried out under international standards," the rights group said.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained much of the territory they lost.

Iraqi forces launched a massive operation to retake Mosul in October, recapturing its eastern side before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely-populated west.

Paramilitary forces said earlier this month they had discovered another suspected mass grave at Badush prison, near Mosul.

Forces from Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division patrols stand at the site of a suspected mass grave on November 19, 2016

IS reportedly killed up to 600 people after seizing Badush in 2014, and was also said to have held hundreds of kidnapped women from Iraq's Yazidi minority at the facility.
Water carrier Lo (left) fills up a jerrycan in Antananarivo. Campaign group WATERAID says 65 percent of Madagascar's rural population live without access to clean water

As usual, they get up before dawn and, one by one, place their cans in a neat row at the base of the water pump, ready for another long day of waiting and carrying.

For the water carriers of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, distributing water is a daily physical struggle that has been worsened by regional drought and climate change.

"Today I arrived here at 5:00 am. It is now 8:30 am and I have only been able to fill two cans," Olivia Hanitriniaina Razafinirina, 24, told AFP, ahead of World Water Day on Wednesday.

"Water is life. People need water every day, if there is none everyone suffers."

For the last 10 years, Razafinirina has been heaving water through the slums of the city.

Across the poverty-stricken and undeveloped island of Madagascar, drinking tap water at home is a luxury only few can afford.

After a long wait, Razafinirina fills her two 20-litre (five-US gallon) cans at the unreliable water pump and descends into the maze of cobbled streets of the Andranomanalina Isotry district of the city.

Carrying the heavy cans, she delivers them to shops, businesses and homes.

Some days she will make 20 trips to the public pump and back -- carrying a total of 800 litres of water, and leaving her no time to linger with her customers before rushing back to join the long line.

On a good day, Razafinirina will earn just about $1.20 (1.30 euro) in local currency.

"It just allows me to buy something to eat, some rice to cook. There is no other work," she said.

Water carrier Lo, 38, has been doing the job for 13 years. Daily wages for such people can be around $1.20

Despite such dire pay, water carriers play a crucial role in Madagascar.

"Only 10 percent of households have a water supply in their house," said senior district official Jean Marc Randriamanga.

"Everyone else must get their water from the pump because there are no wells here."

- Water is life -

Even at the pump, a small fee must be paid for water, further weighing on the scant resources of local people.

"The price is still expensive, considering the purchasing power of people here," said Randriamanga.

The money goes to the Madagascan utilities company and the local water association, which are jointly responsible for maintaining the supply network and each pump.

"In total, 134 people use this connection," said Sabine Raharimalala, head of the local Tsimialonjafy water users association.

Despite the pumps and the daily exertions of the water carriers, Madagascar is one of the world's worst countries for rural access to clean water.

A WaterAid report released to mark World Water Day said that Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and Mozambique are at the bottom of the table.

In Papua New Guinea, 67 percent of rural people live without access to clean water, in Madagascar it is 65 percent and Mozambique 63 percent.

All three are among the nations most vulnerable to climate change and that are least ready to adapt, the report said.

"It is largely due to lack of funding provided for the needs of drinking water," WaterAid's Lovy Rasolofomanana told AFP, saying about $9 million is spent each year when $200 million is required to achieve "universal access".

"We lose 14,000 children each year to diarrhoea," he said, revealing the grim toll of the island's extreme poverty.

"Lack of water causes so much illness due to poor sanitation."

Severe drought over recent years has also left Madagascar in a food crisis, with nearly a million people hungry and in urgent need of food aid in the south of the island alone, according to the World Food Programme.

People stand beside 20 litre jerrycans waiting to be filled at a public fountain during a period when the public water supply has been cut off, in the Isotry district of Antananarivo

Back at the water pump in Antananarivo, the flow slowed to a tickle as the supply network struggled to cope.

A can left in line at 10:00 am will not be full until 3:00 pm.
Indian Muslims offer prayers at the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah shrine in Ajmer on July 16, 2001

An Indian court on Wednesday jailed two Hindu extremists for life over a deadly bombing at a Sufi shrine that has a huge following amongst both Muslims and Hindus.

Police had initially blamed Pakistan-based Islamist extremists for the 2007 attack on the revered 12th-century Sufi shrine at Ajmer in the western state of Rajasthan, which killed three people and injured 15.

But earlier this month a special court in Rajasthan found Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel guilty, the first time in living memory that Hindu radicals have been convicted for such a crime.

A third man who was shot dead in the months after the attack and tried posthumously was also convicted.

All three were convicted on charges related to explosives and conspiracy to commit unlawful acts over the blast, which came just before the Muslim festival of Eid.

Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Gupta pronounced sentence on Wednesday.

Special public prosecutor Ashwini Sharma said their motive was to create communal disharmony.

"Their motive was to hurt religious sentiments of Muslims during the month of Ramzan (Ramadan) by the bomb blast," Sharma said.

Gupta and Patel's lawyer J.S. Rana told journalists they would appeal the verdict in a higher court.
"Big Boys" is the first song released from US rock and roll legend Chuck Berry's final studio album

Days after Chuck Berry died at age 90, a new song came out Wednesday from the music legend -- a tune driven by the sort of rollicking guitar riffs that he used to define rock 'n' roll.

"Big Boys" is the first song from the rock pioneer's "Chuck," his first studio album in nearly 40 years. His label said the full album will come out on June 16.

The first single starts with a signature guitar solo that has echoes of his legendary hit "Johnny B. Goode" -- an electric bolt of energy that seamlessly marries blues and country music.

Chuck Berry

Over a rockabilly piano, "Big Boys" heads into a classic rock 'n' roll time signature before closing with a solo contributed by a much younger guitar great -- Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine fame.

Lyrically the song returns to Berry's favorite theme of youthful freedom -- if from a 1950s context, as he sings of wooing a girl at a school dance.

"I was bright in school but my future looked dim / 'Cause the big boys wouldn't let me party with them," sings Berry, showing little of his advanced age.

Berry had announced the album in October to celebrate his 90th birthday, stunning the music world as he had kept to himself for the past few decades other than keeping a regular gig in his native St. Louis.

Berry's label Dualtone said that the legendary musician had found "a great sense of joy and satisfaction" in his final few years as he wrote and recorded "Chuck."

"While our hearts are very heavy at this time, we know that Chuck had no greater wish than to see this album released to the world, and we know of no better way to celebrate and remember his 90 years of life than through his music," the label said in a statement.

- New takes on old tracks -

"Chuck" looks set to feature a sequel of some kind to "Johnny B. Goode" -- the track listing includes a track called "Lady B. Goode."

Released in 1958, "Johnny B. Goode" recreated the quintessentially American rags-to-riches tale for the new rock generation, with a poor boy finding fame by dint of his guitar.

The song so represented rock 'n' roll that the US space program placed it on the golden record of the Voyager mission to introduce the genre to potentially inquisitive extraterrestrials.

Other tracks include "Jamaica Moon," an apparent take-two of 1956's "Havana Moon" in which Berry imagines a Cuban -- "me all alone with a bottle of rum" -- waiting on a dock for an American woman to sail back.

Berry wrote "Havana Moon" after meeting Cubans in New York. The song, with its Latin touch, received a mixed reception in the 1950s but was later revived as a cover by Carlos Santana.

The Rolling Stones paid tribute last year to "Havana Moon" when the rock legends named their historic open-air concert in the city after the song.

Berry died on Saturday at his home outside St. Louis where an emergency team found him unresponsive.

With the possible exception of Elvis Presley, Berry had the greatest influence on the creation of rock 'n' roll, with his youth anthems speaking to the baby boomers in their teenage years.
Afghan children play on a swing as they celebrate Nowruz festivities on March 21, 2017

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued belated best wishes to those celebrating the Persian New Year.

In a statement, the outspoken Iran critic sent "best wishes to all those around the world celebrating the wonderful ancient holiday of Nowruz."

This year Persian New Year, or Nowruz, falls on Tuesday, March 21.

President Barack Obama issued such well wishes every year, in a bid to break through to Iranians skeptical about US intentions.

The US and Iranian governments still have no formal diplomatic relations, despite a recent deal that saw Iran curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

The government in Iran often whips up anti-US sentiment, something that Trump has appeared willing to reciprocate.

In its early days in office Trump's administration put Iran "on notice" that the US would take a tougher line against Iranian actions across the Middle East.
Supporters of Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai take part in a Harare rally by the main opposition parties calling for free and fair elections next year

A coalition of Zimbabwean opposition parties on Wednesday staged a protest ahead of next year's polls, demanding the disbanding of the state-appointed electoral commission they accuse of hindering free-and-fair elections.

A group of around 200 protesters gathered at an open space outside the central business district after police banned a planned street march to the electoral commission head office.

"Having failed the fundamental test of impartiality and independence required of an election management board, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must forthwith be disbanded and dismantled," the parties said in a petition

Riot police armed with truncheons and water cannons patrolled the central business district to prevent the protest march that had been organised by a loose coalition of more than 10 parties that are demanding electoral reforms in the run up to next year's general election.

The parties include the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-vice president Joice Mujuru's National People's Party (NPP).

"This country cannot be a country that every time we go for an election it is contested and there is dispute," Tsvangirai told the protesters before representatives handed over the petition to the electoral commission.

"Why should we have a character of an election which is violent and which is always dependent on coercion and intimidation?"

Previous elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by violence against opponents of President Robert Mugabe as well as intimidation and alleged fraud including the stuffing of the electoral roll with phantom voters including names of long-deceased people and children too young to vote.

Former finance minister and leader of the People's Democratic party Tendai Biti called on opponents of veteran leader Mugabe to join forces and forge a coalition to fight his ZANU-PF party in next year's elections.

"We are demanding fundamental electoral reforms," said Biti.

"We are sending a message that we as political parties can work together, as political parties we will put the interest of Zimbabwe first."

Zimbabwe's opposition parties are in talks to form an alliance to face ZANU-PF in next year's general elections.

Mugabe,93, who has been in power since independence in 1980, has been endorsed by his party to stand again in the polls.

His ZANU-PF party is entangled in bitter factional fights over who should succeed him.

Mugabe's wife Grace and vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa have been named as possible successors.

Among other reforms the opposition parties want biometric voter registration to rid the electoral roll of phantom voters, fair media access to all political parties and the deployment of international observers to monitor the 2018 elections.
Armed police officers man a security cordon as emergency services respond to an incident on Westminster Bridge, alongside the Houses of Parliament in central London on March 22, 2017

US President Donald Trump was briefed on events in London outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, after reports that a police officer had been stabbed and an assailant shot.

"I was just getting an update on London. Some big news having to do with London," Trump said, as he entered the Roosevelt Room in the White House for a meeting on women's health care.

Separately, the State Department said it was closely monitoring the "concerning situation" and was in particular trying to find out whether any US visitors had been caught up in it.

"Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely, " acting spokesman Mark Toner said.

"We stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance should we become aware of any affected US citizens.

"We urge US citizens in London to contact family members and loved ones to notify them that you are safe, to avoid the area and monitor local news."
Joaquin Guzman Loera aka "El Chapo" Guzman (R) sitting in a chair as he is extradited to the United States , in an unknowen location on January 20, 2017

Jailed Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is healthy and even learning English, US prosecutors argued, dismissing allegations from defense lawyers that the terms of his confinement are too harsh.

The 59-year-old, accused of running one of the world's biggest drug empires and who escaped from prison twice in Mexico, has been held in solitary in New York since being extradited on January 19.

In a letter sent to Judge Brian Cogan on March 13, Guzman's court-appointed lawyers said the isolation he is subjected to at a federal prison in New York is harming his physical and mental health.

They said Guzman has trouble breathing and suffers from a sore throat and headaches, and had been experiencing auditory hallucinations -- he complains of hearing music in his cell even when his radio is turned off.

In a previous letter in February, the lawyers said Guzman is kept alone in a small windowless cell and leaves only for an hour of solitary exercise in another cell with a treadmill and stationary bicycle Monday to Friday.

His meals are passed through a slot in the door, the light is always on and Guzman never goes outside, it said.

But in a 40-page response released on Tuesday, Brooklyn prosecutors said Guzman's tough terms of imprisonment must continue.

"While the defendant complains about his prison conditions, one of his own Mexican attorneys, Silvia Delgado, told the press that the defendant's treatment in the United States has been far better than it was in Mexico, to the point that the defendant's health is improving," the prosecutors' statement said.

And as for the charge that Guzman was starting to hear things, a prison psychologist determined he was just hearing the radio of a prison staffer, it added.

They also denied that Guzman is totally isolated, saying 30 people are authorized to visit him and on average he has 21 hours per week of meetings with lawyers and paralegals.

And during evening meetings "the paralegals appear to be teaching the defendant English, as well as reading to the defendant in Spanish."

Mexican news reports have said Guzman is practically illiterate, having failed even to complete elementary school.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to a 17-count indictment filed by US authorities. The first count alone -- that of leading the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel -- could mean life in prison if he is convicted. No trial date has been set.
A US ban on larger electronic devices from the passenger cabin on flights from some airports in Turkey and the Arab world hits the three Gulf carriers that recently emerged as giants: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways

Travellers across the Middle East expressed frustration Wednesday at a ban on large electronic devices for flights to the United States and Britain that has sparked confusion and speculation.

From Saturday, passengers on flights to the United States and Britain from major hubs in Turkey and the Arab world will have to check in any device larger than a smartphone, including laptops and tablets.

The United States and Britain have cited intelligence indicating passenger jets could be targeted via explosives planted in electronic devices.

Caught in the middle of the ban are thousands of travellers growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as an absurd measure.

"Is there anything else I should know before flying back home? Navy blue boxers not allowed? Should I shave?" asked an American expat living in Abu Dhabi with a direct flight to the United States next week.

Britain, US, ban tablets on selected flights

As the March 25 enforcement deadline looms, passengers are growing increasingly wary of restrictions on living in and travelling from the Middle East.

"They took my laptop and my camera," said Mustafa, who did not give his second name, as he boarded a plane out of Dubai to the United States.

The US ban affects nine airlines from eight countries: Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The British ban, meanwhile, targets flights out of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.

Canada and France have also said they are looking into similar regulations.

- 'Why?' -

At the Tunis airport, a passenger flying to Canada via London said he was confused by the new measure.

"I mind because I need my laptop or my iPad. It's a personal thing. Why do I have to put them in hold?" said Riadh, 33, adding he now feared they would be damaged or stolen.

In Lebanon, another traveller named Riad, an IT worker in his 50s, said he would copy his laptop hard drive before flying to London next week in case it disappeared or was damaged in transit.

"It's a hassle. Why don't they just turn the laptop on -- or the tablet -- as usual and put it through the machine?"

Many were quick to flag a lack of logic behind justifications of the ban.

"Every criminal in the Middle East: 'Oh no! We can't take the direct flight to the US! I hate connecting flights! *Cancels criminal plans*," Egyptian analyst Mohamed El Dahshan wrote on Twitter.

The British ban has sparked concern in Tunisia, as the North African country's tourism-dependent economy seeks to recover from 2015 jihadist attacks that killed tourists

Ankara has said it plans on requesting that the US repeal the measure.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticised the ban as a unilateral, temporary move better replaced by "permanent" measures.

The British ban has sparked concern in tourism-dependant Tunisia, which is trying to recover from 2015 jihadist attacks that killed holidaymakers.

"It will have a negative impact on tourism," said Mohamed Ali Toumi, the head of a Tunisian travel agents federation.

American officials have publicly cited security concerns.

"From what we know, the ban is linked to intelligence on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula gathered by the US military," said Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center.

- 'Time is money' -

The US has given nine airlines from eight countries, including Qatar Airways, until the weekend to tell travelers to America to pack laptops, tablets and portable game consoles in their hold luggage

The US has conducted intense air raids on AQAP targets across Yemen since January. The Pentagon has confirmed 40 strikes this month.

The US Department of Homeland Security has also cited an explosion on a flight out of Somalia in February last year, in which the suspected bomber was killed.

The attack was claimed by the Shabaab insurgent group.

But experts do not rule out other motives behind the ban, including business lost to increasingly popular Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.

US airlines do not have direct flights from the airports affected by its new restrictions.

"American airlines are going to benefit simply because airlines make their business from the business travellers, so on these long flights that are in excess of eight or 12 hours, time is money -- but there are definitely more pressing considerations linked to security," said aviation analyst Kyle Bailey, president of the US-based consultancy KL Bailey Associates.

The UK ban will affect British Airways and easyJet, as well as airlines from targeted countries.

Critics have also raised lithium batteries -- which are covered by strict regulations on domestic flights in the United States -- as a point of concern.

"There is some concern around the lithium batteries in the cargo compartment, which could be highly explosive if they overheat," Bailey said.

But "from what we hear, the terrorism risk outweighs the risk of fire at this point."

burs-ak-tm-mah-ny/ah/dv
A Qatar Airways plane lands at Los Angeles International Airport

The prohibition on carry-on electronics for certain flights to the US and Britain shows both the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda remain able to mount potent threats to civil aviation despite tighter airport security, experts say.

On Tuesday, US authorities ordered a ban on laptop computers, tablets, cameras and other items larger than cell phones in passenger cabins of direct US-bound flights from certain airports in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan.

Britain imposed similar restrictions on flights from six countries, while France and Canada said they were considering their own measures.

Analysts say an intelligence tip was likely behind the announcement. The New York Times reported that US counterterrorism officials have intelligence that IS operatives are developing a bomb to be hidden in laptop computer batteries.

Doing so would bring the group up to the technological level of rival Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), where so-called expert bombmaker Ibrahim al-Asiri has spent years on a similar effort.

Airport security is much better than just a few years ago, Jay Ahern, the former acting director of the US Customs and Border Control, told AFP.

"But clearly terror organizations continue to target air travel, and they have shown a clear ability to innovate," Ahern said.

- 'Innovative' AQAP bombmaker -

Recent attacks on aircraft in Somalia and Egypt are evidence of a focus by jihadist groups on developing harder-to-detect bombs -- and getting them on flights.

The bomb that blew a hole in the fuselage of a Somalian airline in February 2016, killing one person, is believed to have been built into a laptop computer carried into the passenger cabin.

That attack was claimed by the Al-Shabaab group.

Britain, US, ban tablets on selected flights

And Moscow authorities have blamed a cabin-based bomb for destroying an October 2015 Russian charter flight from Sharm el-Sheikh, killing 217 passengers and seven crew. The Islamic State claimed it smuggled a bomb on board in a soda can.

Security services are particularly focused on Asiri, the explosives mastermind of AQAP.

Asiri is believed to be behind the placement of explosive-packed printer cartridges discovered on cargo aircraft headed toward the United States in 2010.

He is also tied to the failed underwear bomb AQAP deployed hoping to bring down a US aircraft in 2009.

"He was very innovative," said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University.

"Clearly the question is how many disciples he has taught, and whether AQAP has spread its tentacles into Syria," where the Islamic State is based, Cilluffo said.

- CAT scan equipment -

The US carry-on electronics ban creates a new layer of inconvenience to travelers, but security experts said forcing electronics through checked baggage screening is indeed safer.

In advanced airports, cargo going into a plane's hold is screened by computed tomography or CT machines like those used for CAT scans in hospitals, said Nik Karnik, a senior director at Morpho Detection, a leading producer of CT explosive-detection machines for airports.

Britain and the United States have announced bans on laptops and tablet computers from the cabin on flights from several Middle East and North African nations

They are much better than the traditional X-ray machines at boarding checkpoints, Karnik explained.

Rather than viewing a bag from one angle, CT machines create a 360-degree image. They are "looking at both mass and density, trying to determine if it fits within a range of threats that we are looking for," he said.

The CT machines' detection algorithms are also regularly updated based on constant contact with aviation security authorities on new threats, he added.

CT machines though have yet to be designed for boarding checkpoints in the airport, making it more secure to put suspect items like computers in checked baggage.

"The goal is to bring CT technology to the checkpoint so you don't have to take your laptop out of you bag," said Karnik.

Jeffrey Price, an aviation security expert at the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado, said that forcing a possible bomb into the hold also reduces the attacker's chance of success.

"It introduces more room for error to add a timing device (if the plane were delayed, the bomb would detonate on the ground), or a barometric trigger switch," he told AFP in an email.

"In either case, rough baggage handling may also trigger or render useless the device. (There is) more assurance of the thing detonating if you are holding it and command-detonate it."
Benton County planners are preparing code amendments to clarify the process for making simple property line adjustments.

At a work session Tuesday morning, the Benton County Board of Commissioners directed Community Development Department staff to draft new language for Chapters 94, 95 and 97 of the countys development code to address the issue.

Public hearings will be scheduled to discuss the proposed code amendments, which will require formal approval by a vote of the commissioners. The process is expected to take about four months.

This just initiates the process and lets the public have input, Chief Operating Officer Dennis Aloia told the board.

Greg Verret, the countys community development director, said the proposed changes would clarify an obscure ambiguity in the code.

This is a fairly contained, small set of amendments to tackle one issue, he said.

Traditionally, Verrets department has handled property line adjustments between platted subdivision lots and properties described by metes and bounds through an administrative procedure, meaning no public hearings or notifications of neighbors are required. But the code can also be interpreted to mean that such a property line adjustment requires a replat that calls for the same sort of review as a new subdivision or partition, triggering a time-consuming and costly public process.

While rarely invoked, that interpretation has been used to challenge property line developments in the past, most recently by opponents of a proposed five-lot development by McDougal Bros. Investments off Bellfountain Road near Alpine.

The Community Development Departments decision in that case was remanded earlier this month by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals for consideration by the Benton County Planning Commission.

Verret said a public hearing will be scheduled before the Planning Commission to review the matter.
Representative Devin Nunes did not say who monitored Trump's presidential transition team or name anyone in the Obama administration as responsible for spreading the unmasked information

Donald Trump's communications may have been swept up in intelligence gathering on suspected foreign agents, according to explosive allegations made by the Republican head of the House intelligence committee.

Devin Nunes -- who worked on Trump's transition team and is now leading an investigation into possible links between that campaign team and Russia -- said Trump's communications may have been intercepted late last year.

Nunes however said there was no evidence that then-president Barack Obama ordered the surveillance -- as Trump has claimed -- or that the Republican billionaire was the target.

Rather, Nunes suggested, Trump's communications were picked up during court-approved targeting of suspected foreign intelligence operatives.

The communications were not linked to Russia, he said, adding that they appeared to have "little or no intelligence value."

"The president himself and others in the Trump transition team were clearly put into intelligence reports," Nunes told reporters in front of the White House after briefing the president on the situation.

The information collected -- spanning the November-January period between Trump's election victory and his inauguration -- was "widely disseminated" in US intelligence circles, he said.

US intelligence community rules dictate that information on Americans picked up incidentally in surveillance must be scrubbed or masked in intelligence reports.

Nunes suggested those involved in the surveillance had violated those rules.

As for Trump, he indicated he felt vindicated by the revelation.

"I somewhat do. I must tell you I somewhat do," he said during a separate White House meeting.

Trump's claim that he was wiretapped has snowballed into a political scandal that has called his credibility into question and damaged relations with foreign intelligence partners

"I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found."

Trump was less circumspect Wednesday night, as he retweeted a post from conservative radio host and ardent Trump defender Bill Mitchell.

"Trump always ends up being right. It's almost a little freaky," Mitchell said.

On March 4, Trump implied his predecessor had broken the law in targeting him.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!" he tweeted.

The claim has snowballed into a political scandal that has called Trump's credibility into question and damaged relations with foreign intelligence partners.

- Reverberations -

Nunes's revelation also threatened to upend a bipartisan investigation into alleged Russian interference in the November election and Moscow's possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on Nunes's committee, voiced anger that the Republican had taken the information to the president -- and the media -- before the committee had been consulted.

The chairman, he said, "shared this information with the White House before providing it to the committee, another profound irregularity," he said.

"I have expressed my grave concerns with the chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

Schiff added "it certainly does not suggest -- in any way -- that the president was wiretapped by his predecessor."

He later told MSNBC "there is more than circumstantial evidence now" of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Bradley Moss, a leading national security lawyer, told AFP that Nunes could be in trouble because he "released what appears to be classified information."

"Disclosure of the fact that an individual's communications were collected, even incidentally... is a closely held classified fact. You can't just go around spilling that information," he said.

The lawmaker's statement came amid revelations that one-time Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had, more than a decade earlier, secretly worked for a Russian oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin on a plan to "greatly benefit the Putin Government," according to The Associated Press.

It also came days after the heads of the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation repudiated Trump's claims that his Trump Tower in New York had been wiretapped under Obama's orders.
In 2012, a New York judge ordered Iran to pay $7 billion in damages to the families and estates of victims from the September 11, 2001 attacks, arguing that Tehran had aided Al-Qaeda by allowing the group's members to travel through its territory

A Luxembourg court on Wednesday denied a demand by Tehran to repatriate $1.6 billion of Iranian assets claimed by the US as compensation for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The judge ruled that the assets could remain frozen in the small EU nation for now, awaiting a separate judgment on the details of the case.

In 2012, a New York judge ordered Iran to pay $7 billion in damages to the families and estates of victims from the attacks, arguing that the country had aided Al-Qaeda by allowing the group's members to travel through its territory.

Iran rejects the accusation and refuses to pay the money. Its lawyers had tried to access $1.6 billion of Iranian money frozen in the Clearstream clearing house, a financial company based in Luxembourg.

Billions of dollars in Iranian assets were frozen in the US and Europe as part of efforts to push Tehran into a nuclear deal with world powers, which was finally signed in July 2015.

Some Iranian assets remain frozen despite the deal, in part due to ongoing compensation cases -- not just for the 2001 attacks but also the bombing of a US Marines barracks in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 Americans.

"Iran's frozen money in Luxembourg belongs to the period before the (nuclear) negotiations and Iran's (central bank) lawyers are engaged in consultations to obtain it," said deputy foreign minister Majid Takht Ravanchi before the decision.

The US Supreme Court ruled last year that $2.1 billion frozen in a Citibank account in New York should be given to the US victims of the 1983 bombing -- a verdict Iran is contesting at the International Court of Justice.
Iraqi civilians help a man who was injured by a mortar shell fired by Islamic State group jihadists on civilians who were gathered to receive aid, in Al-Risala neighbourhood on March 22, 2017

The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to crush the jihadists Wednesday at a meeting overshadowed by an attack in London and civilian deaths in Syria.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed his counterparts from the mainly Western and Arab 68-nation alliance to Washington with a promise to hunt down IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

But he also warned the coalition is "not in the business of nation-building or reconstruction," amid concerns President Donald Trump is preparing to slash the US foreign aid budget.

Meanwhile, even as the ministers gathered at the State Department, news was breaking of the latest coalition air strike to have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in northern Syria.

Then, as the delegates talked, reports came in from London about an attack on pedestrians and police outside the British parliament. Four people were killed and 40 injured in the assault that police attributed to "Islamist-related terrorism."

Tillerson met with Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson after the coalition summit, but a joint press appearance was cancelled at the last minute.

In a statement released after the meeting, the 68 partners underlined their "determination to intensify and accelerate... efforts to eliminate ISIS" in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

They hailed progress by US-backed local forces against the group's main strongholds in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian capital of its so-called "caliphate," Raqa.

And, as they predicted victory on the battlefield, they vowed to prevent the group's fleeing fighters from spreading instability or from setting up a propaganda base in cyber space.

- 'Increase pressure' on IS -

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during the opening of a meeting of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group at the State Department in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2017

Tillerson said the US and its allies would help clear mines and establish stability in the aftermath of the fighting, but warned Iraq must lead its own reconstruction.

The strategy he outlined did not differ much from that in place under the previous US administration of president Barack Obama, but he did suggest a new plan for regional truces in Syria.

He admitted that "a more defined course of action in Syria is still coming together."

But he added: "The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability through ceasefires to allow refugees to go home."

Under Trump, the United States is seeking to ban refugees from Syria, which would increase pressure on Syria's neighbors, already all but overwhelmed by millions fleeing the carnage.

Some in Washington want "safe zones" to be set up to house those fleeing both the war against the IS group and the bloodier civil conflict between rebels and Bashar al-Assad's regime.

But little detail has emerged as to how these might work.

On the battlefield, things are clearer, for now.

As US-led special forces and planes, Iraqi forces and Syrian militia groups close in Mosul and Raqa, the talk is of tracking down the Islamic State's mysterious leader.

"Nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson told delegates.

"It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate," he vowed.

- 'Global force of evil' -

This month, a US defense official told reporters that Baghdadi had fled Mosul -- which has been encircled by Iraqi forces -- and is cut off from day-to-day command of his fighters.

Anti-Islamic State group coalition

"The great commonality among we who have gathered today is a commitment to bringing down a global force of evil and I emphasize the word commitment," Tillerson said.

Trump has ordered his generals to craft an accelerated strategy to "eradicate" the IS group, and the allies hoped to learn more during the closed-door discussions and follow-up talks.

But Trump's plan to slash more than a quarter from the US budgets for diplomacy and foreign aid has raised eyebrows, suggesting fewer resources for post-conflict stabilization.

The allies are also impatient for Washington to decide on which force will be used to take Raqa.

US forces have been training and supporting a group called the Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia alliance dominated by the Kurdish YPG that has proved effective north of the city.

But key US ally Turkey regards the YPG as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, which it dubs "terrorist," and wants to use a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel force instead.

Diplomatic wrangling over which unit will take the lead has held up the offensive, despite US reinforcements heading to the area to provide special forces and artillery support.

"I know it's a difficult choice. The Americans are asking their allies for more time," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after the meeting.

"I hope the answer won't take too long. It's urgent," he added.

- 'Obliterate' -

Shortly after taking office in late January, Trump gave the Pentagon 30 days to review progress in the anti-IS fight and develop a comprehensive plan to "totally obliterate" the group.

So far, he has largely stuck with the previous strategy of using US-led forces for surveillance and strikes on jihadist targets, while training and equipping local ground combat forces.

But Trump has made some tweaks, including granting commanders broader authority to make battlefield decisions.

Military officers had complained of micromanagement under Obama, but critics worry the military may now risk actions with a greater likelihood of civilian deaths.

On Wednesday, a suspected coalition air raid hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families between Raqa and Tabqa, an IS-controlled town further west.

Some 33 civilians are feared dead, and the Pentagon promised to investigate whether US-led forces were at fault.
Insiders say US President Donald Trump's meeting with lawmakers on a healthcare bill have been focused less on specifics than on the politics of "Trumpcare" failing

President Donald Trump faces a reckoning Thursday as US lawmakers vote on his presidency's biggest legislative test, the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, as conservatives vowed to kill it unless important last-minute changes are made.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives votes on the controversial measure despite challenges over whether Trump and ally House Speaker Paul Ryan have enough backing to get the measure over the finish line.

With Democrats opposed to Trump's effort to rip out his predecessor's crowning domestic policy achievement, and his own party's right flank in revolt, Trump brought in wavering lawmakers Wednesday to try to tip the scales in his favor.

"Big day for healthcare. Working hard!" Trump tweeted.

Insiders say Trump's meetings have been focused less on specifics than on the politics of "Trumpcare" failing -- an outcome that would be a humiliating defeat for the billionaire leader at the start of his term.

US health care reform

But some lawmakers have emerged defiant, including Mark Meadows, chairman of the grassroots conservative Freedom Caucus.

"We need changes to the underlying bill before we vote on it in the House," Meadows told reporters.

"There's not enough votes to pass it tomorrow."

Speaking on Fox News later Wednesday Meadows said that "to say that we've got a deal -- that wouldn't be accurate," but did say that he and Trump had come to "an agreement in principle."

"There's still work to be done but I can tell you that the president is engaged."

For years, Republicans have promised to overturn Obama's reform, describing it as government overreach. But some lawmakers have balked at their own party's plan, saying it is still too costly for the government.

Many Americans have voiced concern that the American Health Care Act will leave millions uninsured

Others worry that their constituents will no longer be able to afford health insurance. A nonpartisan congressional budget estimate says 14 million Americans would lose their coverage from next year under the Republican plan.

"We'll see what happens," Trump said Wednesday during a meeting on health care and women.

- Close vote expected -

The House vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) looks tight.

The Democratic minority is prepared to vote against it as a bloc, so Republican leaders need to limit defections to about 22 out of their party's 237 representatives -- depending on how many members end up casting a vote.

"I cannot support the #AHCA as it stands," tweeted Representative Mark Meadows, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus

Those who are the most unhappy with "Trumpcare" are members of the Freedom Caucus -- heirs apparent to the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement.

They call the new bill -- championed by Ryan -- "Obamacare Light," as it will only reduce, not eliminate, health coverage subsidies by replacing them with refundable tax credits.

Party leaders made tweaks to the bill late Monday, which they hope will allay concerns enough for the bill to squeak by in Thursday's vote.

The White House was all in.

"There is no plan B," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday.

- Credibility at issue -

As the vote neared, the arm-twisting on Capitol Hill and at the White House continued. Ryan could decide to postpone the vote if it becomes clear the measure will fail.

Several conservatives want to see the bill lift burdensome regulations on insurance companies -- including requirements for preventive care -- that they blame for the rise in insurance premiums.

As Meadows stood firm, Ryan countered: "We're not losing votes, we're adding votes, and we feel like we're getting really, really close," the speaker said.

On Tuesday, House Republican and Trump loyalist Chris Collins said some of the 20 to 30 lawmakers still in the "no" camp could vote "yes" at the last minute to spare the party a major setback.

New York Republicans like Collins have won a concession on taxes for their constituents, and have since shifted to "yes."

Trump has put his own credibility and deal-making skills on the line for the measure.

On Tuesday he took his case directly to Capitol Hill, where he warned that congressional Republicans risk a major defeat at the 2018 mid-term polls if they do not deliver for him.

Trump also singled out specific lawmakers who oppose him -- including one-time supporter Meadows -- suggesting he could make their lives difficult if they defy him.

Conservative House Republican Thomas Massie was unmoved.

"We're afraid he's a one-term president if this passes," Massie warned on CNN. "We're trying to save him."

After defeats in the federal courts for both of his executive orders on immigration, the president needs to show he can get results on the Hill.

So far, he has only succeeded in rolling back some Obama-era regulations and signed into law a bill on NASA funding.

Should the House pass the bill Thursday, the Senate is expected to take up the measure next week.

Trump will need all of his negotiating talent once again, as opposition there is likely to be equally stiff.
BERLIN (AP) - The European Union official overseeing the bloc's expansion efforts says Turkish membership will become "more and more unrealistic" unless Ankara changes course soon.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said later Tuesday that the government would be "having a talk" with Europe after the referendum. "It cannot continue like this, Turkey will do whatever is necessary," he said without elaborating.

Turkey has been in EU membership talks since 2005. There's increasing concern among European nations about what they view as an accelerating slide toward authoritarian practices under Erdogan.

In recent weeks, diplomatic tensions have been fed by a spat over Dutch and German restrictions on Turkish officials campaigning in a constitutional referendum.

Erdogan, speaking at a forestry event in Ankara, said he would retaliate in kind.

"From now on, no European will be allowed to spy under various pretenses here, be they an individual or an institution," he said.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn told Tuesday's edition of Germany's Bild daily that "with regard to the strict accession criteria, Turkey has been moving further and further away from the EU for some time."

He added that "if it doesn't change course quickly, membership will indeed become more and more unrealistic."
MARKSVILLE, La. (AP) - The Latest on the murder trial of a Louisiana law enforcement officer in a shooting that killed a 6-year-old autistic boy and critically wounded the boy's father. (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

A father whose 6-year-old boy was killed in a shooting by two Louisiana law enforcement officers says he never heard any warnings from the officers before they opened fire on his car.

Christopher Few, left, walks with attorney Mark Jeansonne to the courthouse in Marksville, La., Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Derrick Stafford, a Louisiana law enforcement officer, is charged with murder in the shooting death of Few's 6-year-old autistic. Few was also wounded in the shooting. (AP Photo/Michael Kunzelman)

Christopher Few testified Tuesday that he remembers hearing the gunshots and raising his hands inside his car after leading officers on a 2-mile (3-kilometer) chase. But Few said he only heard verbal commands from the officers after they stopped shooting.

Few said he learned his son, Jeremy Mardis, was dead when he regained consciousness at a hospital several days after the November 2015 shooting in Marksville.

Few's testimony at the trial of Derrick Stafford - one of two deputy city marshals charged with second-degree murder - were his first public statements about the deadly shooting.

___

4 a.m.

A Louisiana law enforcement officer's murder trial resumes with a second day of testimony about his role in a shooting that killed a 6-year-old autistic boy and critically wounded his father.

Jurors on Monday heard attorneys' opening statements for Derrick Stafford's trial, which is scheduled to resume Tuesday.

Stafford is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jeremy Mardis and attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of his father, Christopher Few.

Defense lawyers claim Stafford and another deputy city marshal, Norris Greenhouse Jr., acted in self-defense when they fired on Few's vehicle after a November 2015 car chase in Marksville.

Prosecutors say the deputies weren't in danger. Video from a police officer's body camera shows Few's hands were raised during the shooting.

Greenhouse awaits a separate trial later this year.
CHICAGO (AP) - The rebuilding Chicago White Sox and promising shortstop Tim Anderson agreed Tuesday to a $25 million, six-year contract.

The deal comes on the heels of an encouraging debut last season.

The 23-year-old Anderson, selected 17th overall in the 2013 amateur draft, was promoted in June after Jimmy Rollins was released. He hit .283 with 10 stolen bases, nine homers and 30 RBIs in 99 games. He also struck out 117 times and walked just 13.

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2016, file photo, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson throws after fielding the ball in the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. The rebuilding White Sox and the promising shortstop agreed Tuesday, March 21, 2017, to a $25 million, six-year contract. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)

Anderson would have been eligible for free agency in 2022, so the contract gives the White Sox two more years of control. It also follows a pattern of the team agreeing to club-friendly deals with players before they hit free agency.

They did it with former ace Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton, enhancing their trade value, as well as pitcher Jose Quintana. Sale and Eaton were dealt in the offseason for prospects that included infielder Yoan Moncada and hard-throwing pitchers Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.

Kopech was reassigned to the minor league camp on Tuesday, while Giolito, Lopez and Moncada were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte along with right-hander Carson Fulmer.

The White Sox see Anderson as a key figure in their rebuilding effort. Chicago finished fourth in the AL Central last season at 78-84.
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. prosecutors and lawyers for Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are sparring over jail conditions that the lawyers claim are so stressful he's hallucinating about music.

The claim was contained in a defense filing last week that asked U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan to order Guzman released from an ultra high-security wing of a Manhattan jail that's housed alleged terrorists and mobsters, and be allowed in the general inmate population and receive more visitors.

The government fired back on Tuesday by arguing that the tough conditions - known as Special Administrative Measures - are appropriate for someone who escaped twice from prison in Mexico, including once through a mile-long tunnel dug to the shower in his cell. Prosecutors said that even while he was behind bars in Mexico, Guzman used coded messages, bribes and other means to control his Sinaloa cartel and orchestrate his breakouts.

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2017 file photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. U.S. prosecutors and lawyers for infamous drug lord Guzman are sparring over his tough jail conditions. The government responded in court papers Tuesday, March 21, 2017, by saying the restrictions are appropriate for someone known for escaping twice from prison in Mexico. (U.S. law enforcement via AP, File)

"Indeed, if there were ever a case warranting SAMs, it is this one," prosecutors said.

Guzman, 59, was brought to the United States in January to face charges that he oversaw a multi-billion dollar international drug trafficking operation responsible for murders and kidnappings.

Since then, he's has been locked in his windowless cell for 23 hours a day with only a radio for company, the defense papers said. His jailers also have violated his constitutional rights by barring him from seeing or speaking on the phone with his wife, so she can help him decide whether to hire a new lawyer, they argued.

An anxiety disorder that began during his imprisonment in Mexico has worsened to the point where he "has difficulty breathing and suffers from a sore throat and headaches," the papers said. "He has recently been experiencing auditory hallucinations, complaining of hearing music in his cell even when his radio is turned off."

Prosecutors denied that the conditions are overly harsh. Guzman, they said, has the largest cell on the block with a frosted window that lets in sunlight and has lengthy visits by a legal team that's trying to teach him to read and speak English.

And they said there's an explanation for the music in his ears: An examination by a jail psychologist "revealed that the defendant had merely been hearing sound from a radio that a staff member . had been playing."

Guzman is due back in federal court in Brooklyn on May 5.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Two men from India have been sentenced in federal court in New Jersey to prison time for their roles in a conspiracy to smuggle people into the United States.

Authorities say 42-year-old Nileshkumar Patel and 67-year-old Harsad Mehta were each sentenced on Tuesday in Newark to 17 months in prison. They both had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle foreign nationals into the U.S. for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

The men admitted that from June 2013 through October 2015, they conspired to make money by recruiting Indian nationals to enter and reside in the U.S illegally. They also admitted that they paid someone, who was actually an undercover officer, to smuggle two Indian nationals from Bangkok, Thailand, into Newark.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A Virginia businessman convicted of international parental kidnapping and conspiracy for his role in a same-sex couple's child custody fight was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison.

Philip Zodhiates, Waynesboro, drove Lisa Miller and 7-year-old Isabella Miller-Jenkins from Virginia to the Canadian border in 2009 so they could fly from Toronto to Nicaragua. He also helped with their living arrangements in the Central American nation, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf.

Neither Miller nor Isabella, now 14, have been seen in the United States since.

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2016 file photo, Virginia businessman Philip Zodhiates leaves U.S. District Court in Buffalo, N.Y., where he was on trial for international parental kidnapping and conspiracy. Zodhiates was convicted of the charges on Sept. 29, 2016, after prosecutors say he helped a mother move her daughter out of the country and away from her ex-partner. Vermont U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions on Monday, March 20, 2017, ruled that a lawsuit filed by Janet Jenkins, whose former civil union partner fled the country with their child rather than share custody, is being allowed to proceed because Zodhiates is set to be sentenced in a separate criminal case. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson, File)

Lawyers for Zodhiates, the owner of a direct mail business that serves conservative Christian groups, denied that he was trying to obstruct the other mother's parental rights by helping Miller, who became an evangelical Christian after dissolving her civil union with Janet Jenkins in Vermont.

In court papers, Zodhiates said Miller took advantage of him.

Messages seeking comment from Zodhiates' lawyers were not immediately returned.

Miller and Jenkins entered into the civil union shortly after the state became the first to legally recognize same-sex relationships in 2000. Miller bore the child, who was conceived through artificial insemination, and both acted as parents.

The two later split up, and Miller, who moved to Virginia, had primary custody of Isabella, with Jenkins given visitation rights. Miller defied court orders that she grant visitation and fled when it became apparent the court would transfer custody of Isabella to Jenkins.

Miller also is charged with international parental kidnapping and conspiracy and is considered a fugitive.

A third defendant, Timothy Miller, was arrested after being deported by Nicaragua. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international parental kidnapping. Prosecutors said Miller bought plane tickets to Nicaragua for Lisa Miller and her daughter in 2009 and helped get them settled with Mennonite missionaries in Central America.

A fourth defendant, Kenneth Miller, a Mennonite pastor from Stuarts Draft, Virginia, was convicted of international parental kidnapping in Vermont in 2012 and is serving a 27-month prison sentence.

None of the Millers are related.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Massachusetts man who died saving a waitress from being stabbed by a mentally ill man and a 12-year-old Pennsylvania boy who died trying to save his father from a house fire are among 20 people being honored with Carnegie medals for heroism.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, based in Pittsburgh, announced the winners Wednesday.

George A. Heath, 56, was dining at a Bertucci's restaurant in his hometown of Taunton, Massachusetts, when Arthur DaRosa, who had fatally stabbed an 80-year-old woman at her home earlier that night, walked in and stabbed a waitress. Heath grabbed DaRosa and was stabbed in the head before another restaurant patron, off-duty Plymouth County Deputy Sheriff James Creed, fatally shot DaRosa.

In this Feb. 13, 2016 photo, a fire truck with a banner displaying photos of Sanford Harling III sits outside Christian Network Outreach United Church of Christ before funeral services for Harling in Norristown, Pa. Harling III, who died trying to save his father from a house fire is among 20 people being honored with Carnegie medals for heroism. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is named for the late steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who was inspired by stories of heroism during a coal mine disaster that killed 181 people, including a miner and an engineer, who died trying to rescue others. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, based in Pittsburgh, announced the winners Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (Oscar Gamble/The Times Herald via AP)

"George selflessly intervened within seconds, without even knowing what was going on," Creed said after the incident on May 10, 2016. "Without George, things would have been very much worse."

Sanford Harling III had escaped a fire at his family's duplex in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2016, when he went back inside to try to save his father. Sanford Harling Jr., 58, was able to drop to the ground from a second-floor window, and his son was later found dead from burns and smoke inhalation.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is named for the late steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who was inspired by stories of heroism during a coal mine disaster that killed 181 people, including a miner and an engineer, who died trying to rescue others.

The commission investigates stories of heroism and awards medals and cash several times a year. It has given away $38.9 million to 9,934 awardees or their families since 1904.

Other winners announced Wednesday, with rescues taking place in the hometown of each winner unless otherwise noted:

-Krystal Ashley Salazar, 26, of Burleson, Texas, saved a 76-year-old woman from drowning after her car was caught in a flash flood in November 2015.

-Robert Hart Morgan, 18, and Connor William Quick, 18, both of Loveland, Colorado, responded when a woman crashed her car into a lake in freezing temperatures in November 2015. Morgan rescued the driver while Quick searched the vehicle in case there were other victims, but found none.

-Jeromy E. Richardson, 35, of Whitwell, Tennessee, died trying to save a 23-year-old man from drowning after he was swept over a dam and drowned while fishing in July 2015.

-Shane S. Mitchell, 32, and Lisa Missana, 47, of Tampa, Florida, saved a 26-year-old woman from drowning after her car crashed into a retention pond in March 2016.

-Steven Michael Paulus, 43, of Madisonville, Louisiana, saved two women from burning after their rear-ended pickup truck caught fire in Metairie, Louisiana, in February 2016.

-Jason Barnes, 36, of Westminster, Maryland, helped save a woman whose car was swept away during a flash flood in Ellicott City, Maryland, in July 2016.

-Joseph B. Hamblin, 36, of Washington, Utah, rescued a woman from a runaway vehicle in St. George, Utah, in March 2016.

-Steven L. Spurling, 50, of St. Charles, Illinois, rescued a woman who was being assaulted by an armed man and subdued him in May 2016.

-Timothy Carpenter, 48, of Cincinnati, Ohio, attempted to rescue a woman in a wheelchair who was being stabbed. Carpenter subdued the attacker and was wounded, but the victim died in the January 2015 attack.

-Erik Breitweiser, 35, of Manorville, New York, saved a man from burning after his car overturned and caught fire in Southampton, New York, in November 2015.

-Justin Sweet, 23, of San Diego, California, helped save a man from drowning in the surf at Coos Bay, Oregon, in September 2014.

-Richard David Greeno, 40, of Williamsport, Ohio, and Lisa McNairy, 50, of Circleville, Ohio, rescued a man from a burning home in Circleville in October 2015.

-Humberto Sanchez III, 23, of Stockton, California, saved a 4-month-old boy from burning in a vehicle that had been hit by another in August 2015.

-Madison L. Williams, 13, of Dublin, Ohio, saved a 2-year-old boy from drowning after he fell through a septic tank hatch in August 2016.

-Raul Moreno, 44, of Conyers, Georgia, saved a man from burning after his dump truck crashed into a ditch in June 2016.

___

Online:

http://carnegiehero.org
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - When firefighters entered the home for troubled youth, they discovered more than two dozen girls on the floor of a locked room, most of them dead.

A moan rose from one of the bodies, piled on top of each other. When firefighter Danial Perpuac turned the girl over, flames came out of her mouth - she was burning up inside.

"That is something you cannot forget," Perpuac said helplessly. "I know I will have the smell of grilled meat and hair in my nose and throat for life."

FILE - In this March 17, 2017 file photo, Shirley Palencia weeps during the burial service for 17-year-old sister Kimberly Palencia Ortiz, who died in the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home fire, at the cemetery in Guatemala City. Authorities said the fire that swept through parts of the institution when mattresses were set ablaze during a protest by girls protesting conditions at the overcrowded youth shelter. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

The fire on March 8 that killed 40 girls at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home started when ringleaders took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. Their hell at the government-run shelter began long before the inferno, as documented in several warnings from four different agencies. At least two orders for closure were ignored.

The Virgen de la Asuncion home is on a hill 14 miles east of Guatemala City. The shelter, protected by high walls and barbed wire, is surrounded by an idyllic pine forest covered with mist every morning. The forest and ravines have offered hiding places for more than 100 children who have escaped what they consider a jail.

About 700 children - nobody knew exactly how many - lived in a home with a maximum capacity for 500. Some dormitories housed more than twice the number of children authorized for the space.

The majority had committed no crime. They were youths sent there by the courts for various reasons - they had run away from home, they were left in the streets, they were abused, they were young migrants. Most came from families so poor they could not afford the $50 in lawyers' fees to get their children out.

Once inside, the children lost out on schooling. Because of a lack of funds, their education was limited to six hours per week in classrooms with up to 80 students.

The abuse at Virgen de la Asuncion was no secret, and the courts had intervened before. Teacher Edgar Rolando Dieguez Ispache has been in prison since 2013 and is on trial for alleged rape. Another employee, mason Jose Roberto Arias Perez, has been in prison since 2014 for raping a mentally disabled girl. He was sentenced to eight years.

Several reports criticizing the shelter were put out by the country's attorney general and the National Adoption System in 2015 and 2016. One recommended the gradual closure of the facility, and another its immediate closure.

Despite the complaints and the reports, the abuse continued.

The story of one girl who escaped the shelter on Oct. 30, after six weeks inside, was told in a case file seen by The Associated Press. The girl, 16, is not named because she is an alleged victim of rape.

She fled from her own house in August to escape the extortion demands by a gang that had been threatening her with rape for a year. On Aug. 13, she told her mother she had had found a job and would be home late. Instead, she ran away to protect herself and her family.

"She hugged me tight that day, tighter than normal," her mother said.

The mother reported her missing daughter to police. On Aug. 22, they located the girl, and a youth court sent her to Virgen de la Asuncion. Officials separated mother and daughter as they cried.

"Mama, get me out of here," the girl begged, according to her mother.

The shelter did not have a procedure for visits, and they did not see each other for a month. By the time of a hearing on Sept. 13, the girl had been beaten, forced to get a tattoo with the name of a female staffer, and repeatedly raped, her mother said.

The first time, the female staff called her in for a physical exam and sedated her. She woke up and her whole body hurt, and she realized what they had done, according to the case file.

Several days later, they took her to the same place. This time, she was awake and tied to a gurney. The young man who raped her had his face covered.

The third time, it was several men, she said. They raped her and beat her.

A little more than two months after she was sent to the shelter, the daughter escaped along with three others. The girl was afraid to return home because that could mean being sent back to the shelter, but she contacted her brother. The family contacted their lawyer, who filed a motion for habeas corpus.

The lawyer managed to return the girl to her mother, but she didn't reveal all that had happened to her until after the fire. At that point, she said she wanted to testify against her abusers.

On Nov. 11, the state attorney requested that the center be closed. He asked that areas known as "the cage" and "the chicken coop" be closed within 48 hours. Both facilities looked like punishment cells, with metal doors and no windows.

Also in November, a state human rights prosecutor filed a complaint with the Inter American Human Rights Commission charging rampant abuses. The accusations included charges as serious as "forced recruitment for human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution."

There were complaints about sexual abuse by male residents against female residents, including some under 13. One girl was killed in 2013, hanged with a scarf by two other girls.

On Dec. 12, the Sixth Court of Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan Area condemned the state of Guatemala for violations committed against the rights of minors guarded in the home. It also gave 48 hours to clarify the legal situation of a number of minors inside the home.

Nothing happened.

The secretary of social welfare, Carlos Rodas, who was responsible for the home, appealed the judicial decision. Rodas, who has since been arrested, has denied negligence and refused to resign. He blamed the girls' mutiny on them not liking the food, and said they had sharp weapons hidden in their hair.

"The problem is that judges mix children who have committed crimes with children abandoned by their families," he said. "We ask the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate but we do not directly blame anyone."

On March 7, about 60 girls escaped from the shelter, as some had done on several occasions before. They rebelled because shelter staff had tried to beat them, said a 14-year-old survivor who had been there three months.

The girl, whose family did not want her name used out of fear for her safety, said she was not raped but officials took away her food. The girls also were made to wake up at 3 a.m. to bathe in cold water, she said.

So the girls jumped from the roof of the facility to the wall, and from there into the trees.

Riot police caught them and returned them to the shelter by force. The police sprayed pepper gas in their mouths and eyes, hit them with batons and kicked them, the 14-year-old told the AP. Police did not comment on the case because of a judicial order that prohibits discussion.

The angry teens waited outside the shelter for hours. They started throwing things at the police. Girls complained that they were abused, attacked and beaten.

The escapees eventually were brought in and locked in a 500-square-foot classroom as punishment. It is as yet unclear who locked them in and who held the key.

By 7:30 the next morning, they had been held for about six hours. They were not let out even to use the bathroom, the girl said.

Four girls who were ringleaders at the home had managed to get matches to smoke cigarettes during their brief escape. In an attempt to protest the lockup and force somebody to open the doors, they set fire to a mattress propped against a window.

The foam stuffing was already coming out of the mattresses because girls used it to fashion pads for menstruation when they didn't have anything else. The burning mattress fell onto other mattresses, and the flames quickly spread.

Locked into the room, the girls shouted, "Help me! Help me!" the 14-year-old said.

Nobody did.

"I saw how they burned, how they screamed, how they died," she said.

She fainted. When she came to, somebody had finally opened the door. She ran out, and the staff doused the girls with water until ambulances arrived.

The girl suffered burns on both arms, a shoulder and part of her face. For many, it was too late. By 9 a.m., 19 of the girls were dead, burned and asphyxiated. Twenty-one more between the ages of 13 and 17 would die at local hospitals over the next few days.

Kimberly Palencia Ortiz was one of the dead. The 17-year-old had been a ward of the state for nearly a year. Her father was in prison, her mother had disappeared, and her grandmother did not have the means to take care of her.

"It is an injustice," Valeria Yojero said tearfully at her granddaughter's burial. "Nobody should die for being poor."

FILE - In this March 9, 2017 file photo, charred-stained dolls placed on a bed of charcoal are part of an artists' installation placed at the front gate of the presidential house in remembrance of the victims of a fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in Guatemala City. The girls' hell at the government-run home began long before the deadly fire, as documented in several warnings from four different agencies. At least two orders for closure were ignored. (AP Photo/Luis Soto, File)

FILE - In this March 13, 2017 file photo, women chant slogans against Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales, who attends a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, to demand justice for the 40 girls who perished in the fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in Guatemala City. Officials arrested three former child welfare officials on suspicion of homicide, mistreatment of minors and failure to fulfill their duty in relation to the fire. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

FILE - In this March 12, 2017 file photo, people attend the burial of 14-year-old Ana Roselia Perez Junay, who died in a fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, at the cemetery in Zaragoza, Guatemala. The fire on March 8th that killed 40 girls at the shelter started when girls took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

FILE - In this March 17, 2017 file photo, Shirley Palencia mourns over the coffin containing the remains of her 17-year-old sister Kimberly Palencia Ortiz, who died in the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home fire, at the cemetery in Guatemala City. Palencia Ortiz had been a ward of the state for nearly a year. Her father was in prison, her mother had disappeared, and her grandmother did not have the means to take care of her. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

In this March 8, 2017 photo, a doctor shows photos of the victims in an attempt to identify them after a fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, outside the Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City. When firefighters entered the home for troubled youths, they discovered more than two dozen girls on the floor of a locked room, most of them dead. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

FILE - In this March 8, 2017 file photo, National Police guard the entrance to the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. In November, a state human rights prosecutor filed a complaint with the Inter American Human Rights Commission charging rampant abuses at the shelter. The accusations included charges as serious as "forced recruitment for human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution." (AP Photo/Luis Soto, File)

FILE - In this March 8, 2017 file photo, a woman who learned her daughter died in the fire is held by her sister outside the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. The fire that killed 40 girls at the shelter started when girls took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. (AP Photo/Luis Soto, File)

In this March 8, 2017 photo, firemen move stretchers from the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home after a fire that killed 40 girls, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. About 700 children, including babies, lived in the home with a maximum capacity for 500. Some dormitories housed more than twice the number of children authorized for the space. (AP Photo/Luis Soto)

In this March 15, 2017 photo, workers clean blankets at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. Abuse at Virgen de la Asuncion was no secret, and the courts have intervened before. Teacher Edgar Rolando Dieguez Ispache has been in prison since 2013 and is on trial for alleged rape. Another employee, mason Jose Roberto Arias Perez, has been in prison since 2014 for raping a mentally disabled girl. He was sentenced to eight years. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

In this March 15, 2017 photo, police stand guard in the woods near the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. The children's shelter, located on a hill 14 miles southeast of Guatemala City, protected by high walls and barbed wire, is surrounded by an idyllic pine forest covered with mist every morning. The forest and ravines have offered hiding places for more than 100 children who have escaped what they consider a jail. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

In this March 15, 2017 photo, stickers, one with an image of the Virgin Mary with a partial text that reads in Spanish "Home protected by" and another sign that reads "Stop, identify yourself," are stuck on the entrance to Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. On March 7, about 60 girls escaped from the shelter by jumping from the roof of the facility to the wall, and from there into the trees. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

In this March 8, 2017 photo, a doctor holds photos of victims of the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home fire, as relatives try to identify them, outside the Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City. Forty girls died in the tragedy after they lit several mattress during a protest. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

In this March 8, 2017 photo, a pink blanket covers a 16-year-old survivor of a fire that broke out at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home, as she sits inside the emergency room at the Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City. The fire on March 8th that killed 40 girls at the shelter started when girls took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) - For some juvenile offenders, their choice is straight out of Hamlet: to act or not to act.

Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, Massachusetts, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare onstage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention.

Juveniles sentenced to Shakespeare read the bard's works, take on the role of one or more of his characters, come up with ideas for costumes and sets, memorize their lines, rehearse and then act out their roles for an audience of family, friends and court personnel.

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, Kevin Coleman, right rear, director of education at Shakespeare & Co., works with a teenage man, left rear, playing the role of a soldier, as another young man, left front, portraying Macbeth, practices a sword fight with another young man, right front, portraying Macduff during a rehearsal for Shakespeare's "Macbeth," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, Massachusetts, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare onstage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The kids almost always hate the idea of performing Shakespeare at first, but by the end of the six-week program, many say they've found new friends and a new sense of accomplishment.

"Honestly, you would never catch me doing this stuff if I didn't have to, but it's taught me teamwork and to just chill out and listen," said one 17-year-old boy who will play Macbeth in a March 22 production that will include scenes and monologues from various Shakespeare plays.

Similar Shakespeare programs are offered to inmates in prisons around the country as a way of boosting self-confidence and literacy.

For the past 17 years, Shakespeare in the Courts has been used to sentence youths accused of a variety of lower-level crimes, including larceny, assault and battery and vandalism. In 2007, the program won a national "Coming Up Taller" award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

The probation officers, teachers and others who work in the program hope it will help the teens respect the feelings of others, fulfill a commitment and foster a sense of pride.

"I never really tried acting or theater, so coming in, it was challenging," said the 17-year-old playing Macbeth, shortly after practicing the famous sword-fighting scene during a recent rehearsal at a Pittsfield church.

The Associated Press is not using the teens' names because they are minors and their identities are protected by the court.

The program was started by Paul Perachi, a former high school principal who recruited the theater company to work with his students. Years later, after he became a judge, Perachi asked the theater group to develop a Shakespeare program for juvenile offenders.

Since then, Kevin Coleman, a founding member of Shakespeare & Company, has worked with more than 300 teenagers, many who have struggled with poverty and family issues.

"We take baby steps into it, because they'd rather go to jail than be involved in this project," Coleman said.

"We get them to work together as a group, getting them to talk about themselves, getting them to name feelings. And then, bit by bit, we start with small bits of text, then larger amounts of text, then individual soliloquies and then group scenes."

During a recent rehearsal, three girls appeared to relish their roles as witches in "Macbeth," creeping and crouching, then leaping around a small table. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair!" they chanted.

Only a handful of teens have refused to participate or dropped out before finishing the program, Coleman said. Those teens have been sent back to the judge to be resentenced to community service or another alternative program.

Juvenile Court Judge Joan McMenemy said the program stems from a rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice.

"This just broadens their horizons beyond what they could have had if they had been sentenced to pick up trash on the side of the road or other community service options," McMenemy said.

The program's success is difficult to measure because the court hears only occasional anecdotal information about what the participants do later in life. But McMenemy said one indicator of success may be the huge smiles on the kids' faces when they stand on stage after their performance and hear applause from their family, friends and teachers.

"I think it gives them confidence to overcome their fears, get up on stage and knock it out of the park," she said.

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, education artist A.D. Newcomer, right, coaches three young women as they rehearse the roles of witches for Shakespeare's "Macbeth," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare on stage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, a young man, 17, playing the role of Macbeth, learns from Kevin Coleman, right, how to handle a sword for a scene in Shakespeare's "Macbeth," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare on stage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, teaching artist Tom Giordano holds a script for a scene as youth rehearse Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare on stage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, education artist A.D. Newcomer, rear, works with children during a break-out session to review a new scene during a rehearsal for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare on stage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In this Thursday, March 2, 2017 photo, teenage women, both of Pittsfield, Mass., rehearse their roles of Hermia and Helena with Jennie Jadow, left, director of the Shakespeare in the Courts Program, and teaching artist Tom Giordano, right, during a rehearsal of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," in Pittsfield, Mass. Shakespeare & Company, a theater company in Lenox, works with the courts to get youngsters who run afoul of the law sentenced to perform works of Shakespeare on stage as an alternative to community service or juvenile detention. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia does not have to choose between the United States and China, the Australian prime minister said Friday as he announced a new beef export deal with the Chinese.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang oversaw signing of bilateral agreements that will expand their two-year-old free trade pact.

China also agreed to remove a cap that allows only 11 Australian beef exporters to sell 400 million Australian dollars ($300 million) in frozen meat to the burgeoning ranks of the Chinese middleclass.

FILE - In this March 15, 2017, file photo, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a press conference after the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Li is due to arrive in the Australian capital Canberra on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, on a mission to expand bilateral ties as U.S. President Donald Trump proposes an "America First" overhaul of global trade. Li's visit to Australia and New Zealand is the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

China will be open to all eligible Australian beef exporters.

"Australia is the only country in the world with this market access," Turnbull told reporters. "This new agreement will drive significant future growth."

Turnbull later rejected arguments that Australia must choose between its most important security partner, the United States, and its most important trading partner, China, as tensions escalate between the world's two largest economies.

"We have a staunch, strong ally in Washington - a good friend in Washington - and we have a very good friend in Beijing," Turnbull told reporters.

"The idea that Australia has to choose between China and the United States is not correct," he said.

Li, who on Wednesday warned Australia against "taking sides, as happened during the Cold War," agreed with Turnbull.

"We believe China-Australia cooperation will bring good to other countries and regions, and this cooperation will not be targeted at any third party," he said, referring to the United States.

The United States has questioned aspects of the rapidly evolving commercial relationship between the Chinese and Australians, including Australia's decision to allow a Chinese company, Landbridge, to secure a 99-year lease over the strategically important Port of Darwin.

Darwin has become training hub for U.S. Marines in northern Australia.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A 6,800-ton South Korean ferry emerged from the water on Thursday, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into violent seas off the country's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for the country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever.

More than 300 people - most of whom were students on a high school trip - died when the Sewol sank on April 16, 2014, touching off an outpouring of national grief and soul searching about long-ignored public safety and regulatory failures. The public outrage over what was seen as a botched rescue job by the government contributed to the recent ouster of Park Geun-hye as president.

Workers on two barges began the salvaging operation Wednesday night, rolling up 66 cables connected to a frame of metal beams divers spent months putting beneath the ferry, which had been lying on its left side in about 44 meters (144 feet) of water.

Workers prepare to lift the sunken Sewol ferry in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Thursday, March 23, 2017. South Korean workers on Thursday slowly pulled up a 6,800-ton ferry from the water, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into the violent seas off South Korea's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for a country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

By 3:45 a.m., Sewol's stabilizer surfaced from the water. About an hour later, the blue-and-white right side of ferry, rusty and scratched and its name "SEWOL" no longer visible from where it was, emerged for the first time in more than 1,000 days.

By about 7 a.m., the ferry had been raised enough for workers to climb on it and further fasten it to the barges.

Lee Cheoljo, an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, told reporters that workers will need until late afternoon or the evening to raise the ferry until its upper side is about 13 meters (42 feet) above the surface.

Workers had initially planned to do this by Thursday morning, but were forced to a temporarily halt when the ferry began rubbing against pulleys and other equipment on the barges as it came up, Lee said. He said workers will resume lifting the ferry once they finish balancing operations that could take several hours.

Once Sewol is raised to the desired point, salvage crews will then load the ferry onto a semi-submersible, heavy-lift vessel that will carry it to a mainland port. The loading process, including emptying the ferry of water and fuel, is expected to take days.

The bodies of 295 passengers were recovered after the sinking on April 16, 2014, but nine are still missing. Relatives, some of whom who are watching from two fishing boats just outside the operation area, are hoping that those remains will be found inside the ferry.

"I can see it. I can see where my daughter is," Park Eun-mi, the mother of a missing 17-year-old girl, told a television crew as her boat approached the salvaging site on Wednesday. Lee Geum-hee, the mother of another missing student, said, "We just want one thing - for the ship to be pulled up so that we can take our children home."

Once the ferry reaches a port 90 kilometers (55 miles) away in the city of Mokpo, in about two weeks, workers will begin clearing the mud and debris and search for the remains of the missing victims. An investigation committee will also be formed to search for clues that could further explain the cause of the sinking, which has been blamed on overloaded cargo, improper storage and other negligence.

A group representing the families of the victims issued a statement demanding that it be part of the investigation committee. Many bereaved family members and their supporters have been demanding a more thorough investigation into the government's responsibility over the sinking, questioning why higher-level officials have not been held accountable.

The ferry's captain survived and is serving a life sentence after a court found him guilty of committing homicide through "willful negligence" because he fled the ship without issuing an evacuation order.

Park was forced to defend herself against accusations that she was out of contact for several hours on the day of the sinking. The allegations were included in an impeachment bill lawmakers passed against Park in December, amid broader corruption suspicions.

Park was formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court earlier this month. She is now under criminal investigation over suspicions that she conspired with a confidante to extort money and favors from companies and allow the friend to secretly interfere with state affairs.

Salvaging the huge, corroded ferry from a channel notorious for dangerous currents has been a difficult and expensive job. South Korea agreed in 2015 to an 85.1 billion won ($76 million) deal with a consortium led by China's state-run Shanghai Salvage Co. to do it.

While many large shipwrecks around the world have first been cut into sections to be raised, this was never an option for Sewol because there are hopes of finding the remains of the missing victims inside the wreckage.

A relative of missing passengers of the sunken Sewol ferry watches workers lifting the boat in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Thursday, March 23, 2017. South Korean workers on Thursday slowly pulled up the 6,800-ton ferry from the water, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into the violent seas off South Korea's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for a country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

A relative of missing passengers of the sunken Sewol ferry weeps as she watches workers lifting the boat in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Thursday, March 23, 2017. South Korean workers on Thursday slowly pulled up the 6,800-ton ferry from the water, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into the violent seas off South Korea's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for a country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

A part of the sunken Sewol ferry is seen in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Thursday, March 23, 2017. Nearly three years after it capsized and sank into the violent seas off South Korea's southwestern coast, workers slowly pulled up the 6,800-ton ferry Sewol from the waters on Thursday. (Korea Pool/Yonhap via AP)

In this photo provided by South Korean Maritime Ministry, two barges attempt to salvage the sunken Sewol ferry in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. South Korean workers on Wednesday began the difficult process of raising a 6,800-ton ferry that sank in 2014, killing more than 300 people and triggering a public uproar that contributed to the recent ouster of Park Geun-hye as president. (South Korean Maritime Ministry via AP)

A relative of missing passengers of the sunken Sewol ferry cries as she watches workers lifting the boat in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Thursday, March 23, 2017. South Korean workers on Thursday slowly pulled up the 6,800-ton ferry from the water, nearly three years after it capsized and sank into the violent seas off South Korea's southwestern coast, an emotional moment for a country that continues to search for closure to one of its deadliest disasters ever. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

A barge attempts to salvage sunken Sewol ferry in waters off Jindo, South Korea, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. South Korean workers have started tests to determine if they can begin salvaging a 6,800-ton ferry that sank in 2014, killing more than 300 people and triggering the initial public uproar that contributed to the recent ouster of Park Geun-hye as president. (Ryu Hyung-geun/Newsis via AP)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippines said Wednesday that it has asked China to clarify its reported plans to build an environmental monitoring station on a disputed shoal.

Acting Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told Filipino reporters in the Thai capital Bangkok, where President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting, that his department asked for clarification on the reported planned construction on Scarborough Shoal.

The shoal, off the northwestern Philippines, is at the heart of the territorial disputes between the countries.

"I think the President has been very clear -- we want to have a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of disputes but we will not fail to protect our national interests if necessary," Manalo said.

Asked if a diplomatic protest will be filed, he said Manila will wait for China's reply.

But Manalo said he considered it a good sign that China was interested in concluding a framework for a code of conduct with 10 Southeast Asian nations that aims to peacefully manage disputes in the South China Sea. He said there could be progress on the framework when China hosts a meeting in May.

Any construction would re-ignite concerns over Beijing's increasingly assertive actions to cement its claims in the area, and would be in defiance of last year's ruling by an arbitration tribunal in The Hague that invalidated China's territorial claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds.

Chinese government ships took control of Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels. China then blocked Filipinos from fishing in the shoal, which has a vast, coral-encircled lagoon that serves as a natural storm shelter for Asian fishermen.

The Philippines brought its disputes with China to international arbitration the following year, but China ignored the complaint and the tribunal's ruling, which found Beijing to have violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at Scarborough.

Since taking office in June, Duterte has put the territorial conflicts with China on the backburner and reached out to Beijing in an effort to revive trade and seek Chinese economic aid. Filipinos have since been allowed to return to Scarborough to fish.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Assured of support from majority Republicans, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch was wrapping up two days of Senate questioning Wednesday to glowing GOP reviews but complaints from frustrated Democrats that he concealed his views from the American public.

Gorsuch, a federal appeals court judge in Denver, refused repeated attempts to get him to talk about key legal and political issues of the day. But he did tell Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who worried that Gorsuch would vote to restrict abortion, that "no one is looking to return us to horse and buggy days."

The Supreme Court itself threw one surprise Gorsuch's way when it ruled unanimously Wednesday in a case involving learning-disabled students, overturning a standard for special education that Gorsuch had endorsed in an earlier case on the same topic.

Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch return from a break to continue his testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The decision prompted sharp questioning from committee Democrats.

"Why in your early decision did you want to lower the bar so low?" Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois asked.

Gorsuch said he was bound by an even earlier decision on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and said that any implication that he was against autistic children was "heartbreaking."

"I was wrong senator, I was wrong because I was bound by circuit court precedent," Gorsuch said. "And I'm sorry."

Aside from a few uncomfortable moments, Gorsuch generally maintained the mix of earnest talk about respect for prior court decisions, a pledge for absolute independence - "when you put on the robe, you open your mind" - and folksy humor that led to lighthearted exchanges with Republicans about his passion for fly fishing.

"What's the largest trout you ever caught?" Sen. Jeff Flake asked late in Tuesday's session. "Oh, now we're talking," Gorsuch shot back.

But every time Democrats tried to draw him out on a range of serious issues, including abortion and gay rights, Gorsuch answered in the same way: "I have declined to offer any promises, hints or previews of how I'd resolve any case." Gorsuch similarly wouldn't commit to a view on cameras in the Supreme Court, despite widespread support from senators on the Judiciary Committee.

Feinstein, the committee's senior Democrat, summed up her colleagues' frustration. "What worries me is you have been very much able to avoid any specificity like no one I have ever seen before," Feinstein told Gorsuch. "And maybe that's a virtue, I don't know. But for us on this side, knowing where you stand on major questions of the day is really important to a vote 'aye,' and so that's why we pressed and pressed."

Republicans, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of the Colorado native. Sen. Orrin Hatch said he hadn't seen a better nominee in 40 years in the Senate.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina lamented what he called the deterioration of the Senate confirmation process since Antonin Scalia, whose seat Gorsuch would fill, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were confirmed with more than 90 votes each.

"What's happened? Did the Constitution change? I don't think so, I think politics has changed. I think it's changed in a fashion that we should all be ashamed of as senators, and I think we're doing great damage to the judiciary by politicizing every judicial nomination," Graham said.

His statement about the process left out Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee for the seat that opened up when Scalia died more than 13 months ago. Senate Republicans blocked any action on Garland's nomination all year, and the episode has left Democrats enraged.

Following Graham, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont said the treatment of Garland was unprecedented. "For the first time in the history of the United States, the Senate refused to hold a hearing, refused to have a vote," he said.

The hearing is taking place against the backdrop of turmoil in Trump's young presidency. Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are demanding a pause in Gorsuch's confirmation process pending the FBI investigation of alleged ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. Republicans have dismissed those demands.

"I think President Trump, with all of his problems and all of his mistakes, chose wisely when it came to this man," Graham said.

Under questioning from Graham, Gorsuch repeated statements he'd made publicly for the first time Tuesday, that he was "disheartened" and "demoralized" by Trump's attacks on the judiciary, including federal judges who blocked the president's refugee travel ban.

When Leahy pressed him on whether the president could ignore a court order, Gorsuch replied: "You better believe I expect judicial decrees to be obeyed."

The confirmation hearing will wrap up with a panel of outside witnesses talking about Gorsuch, before a committee vote expected April 3 and a Senate floor vote later that same week. Republicans control the Senate 52-48, so it would require eight Democrats to move Gorsuch past procedural hurdles that require 60 votes.

No Democrat has yet pledged to support the judge, but Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Wednesday he is open to voting for him. McConnell could also change Senate rules to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority, and appears prepared to take that step.

___

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Marie Louise Gorsuch, wife of Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch, talks to her husband during a break in testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey is preparing to request the extradition from the Netherlands of a senior female leftist militant, a Turkish official said Wednesday.

The militant, identified as Seher Demir Sen - a leader of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C - is alleged to be behind a 2013 suicide bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, which killed a security guard.

A government official said Turkish security officials have determined that the insurgent has made her way to the Netherlands from Greece and had recently taken part in a demonstration outside the German Embassy in The Hague.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, said preparations were underway for a formal request for her extradition.

There was no immediate comment from the Dutch authorities.

Tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands are running high over the Dutch authorities' refusal to allow Turkish ministers from holding campaign meetings to address Turkish citizens ahead of a referendum on expanding the powers of the Turkish president.

Turkey has long accused the Netherlands of turning a blind eye to the activities of outlawed militants groups on its territory, including the DHKP-C and the Kurdish rebels.

Many European states fear that suspects wanted in Turkey may not receive fair trials if returned to the country.

The DHKP-C and its precursor, Dev Sol, have claimed a string of bombings and assassinations in Turkey since the 1970's, including the attack on the U.S. Embassy. More recently, it is believed to be behind an attack on an Istanbul police station and the ruling party office in Istanbul. No one was hurt in the attacks.

DHKP-C is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
NEW DELHI (AP) - An Indian court sentenced two Hindu hard-liners to life in prison on Wednesday for triggering an explosion at a Muslim shrine in western India that killed three people and injured more than a dozen a decade ago.

The court handed the sentence to the convicts in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. A third convict in the case died after the 2007 blast, which occurred in Ajmer, a Muslim pilgrimage center in Rajasthan.

Indian news reports said two of the convicts were former preachers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or National Volunteer Corps, a Hindu group that has long been accused of stoking religious hatred against Muslims. India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party is a political wing of the RSS.

An Indian woman lights a candle during daily evening prayers at the spot of the 2007 blast at the shrine of Saint Moinuddin Chichi, a Muslim pilgrimage center in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. An Indian court on Wednesday sentenced two Hindu hard-liners to life in prison for triggering an explosion at the Muslim shrine in western India that killed three people and injured more than a dozen a decade ago. (AP Photo/ Deepak Sharma)

Investigators initially suspected the involvement of a Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, but later found that RSS supporters were involved in the blast.

Muslims constitute about 14 percent of India's 1.3 billion people. While Muslim insurgents are often blamed for bombings in the country, prosecution of Hindu hard-liners for such crimes is rare.
BEIJING (AP) - China is not building an environmental monitoring station on a disputed South China Sea shoal, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, apparently denying remarks made by a local official last week.

The Philippines, which also claims the shoal, had sought a clarification from Beijing.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said reports about the facility on Scarborough Shoal had been checked and were found to be false.

"That does not exist at all," Hua told reporters at a regularly scheduled news briefing.

The official Hainan Daily newspaper had quoted the top official in Sansha City, which administers China's island claims, as saying that preparatory work on the station was among the government's top priorities for 2017.

Such a move would likely renew concerns among Beijing's neighbors over its assertive territorial claims in the sea. Calls to Sansha government offices rang unanswered Wednesday.

Beijing seized tiny, uninhabited Scarborough in 2012 after a tense standoff with Philippine vessels. Manila said Wednesday it had asked for a clarification of the earlier remarks by Shansha Communist Party head Xiao Jie.

Acting Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told Filipino reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting, that his department asked for clarification of the reported planned construction on Scarborough Shoal.

"I think the president has been very clear - we want to have a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of disputes but we will not fail to protect our national interests if necessary," Manalo said.

Asked if a diplomatic protest would be filed, he said Manila will wait for China's reply.

But Manalo said he considered it a good sign that China was interested in concluding a framework for a "code of conduct" with 10 Southeast Asian nations that aims to peacefully manage disputes in the South China Sea. He said there could be progress on the framework when China hosts a meeting in May.

China's 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 after Beijing erupted in fury last year following an international arbitration tribunal ruling on a case filed by the Philippines. The verdict invalidated China's sweeping territorial claims and determined that China had violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at Scarborough Shoal.

China has since allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal following Duterte's calls for closer ties between the countries, but it does not recognize the tribunal's ruling as valid.

In her remarks, Hua reiterated Beijing's desire for good relations with the Philippines, a U.S. treaty partner that has been drawing closer to China since Duterte's inauguration last year.

China will "cherish the good momentum of the bilateral relationship and will be committed to pushing forward the sound, steady and rapid growth of the relationship," Hua said.

Scarborough has no proper land mass and any structure on it would likely have to be built on stilts. 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.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have long contested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oil and gas.

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.
The man who led law officers on a high-speed chase that eventually led to a shootout in a filbert tree grove was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison.

Brian Eugene Eller, 40, pleaded no contest in Linn County Circuit Court to two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of felony elude and one count of reckless endangerment.

The charges stem from a March 25, 2016, incident in which Eller and his wife, Kimberly Eller, led Albany Police Department and Linn County Sheriff's Office deputies on a high-speed chase from the old Kmart parking lot in Albany to a filbert tree grove near the intersection of Seven Mile Lane and Plainview Road.

The pair then fled on foot, and Eller turned and fired on Sheriff's Office deputies Ryan Keys and Colin Pyle, a recruit trainee fresh out of the police academy.

Eller was shot four times before finally surrendering. The shooting was deemed justified after the Oregon State Police concluded an investigation.

Eller also pleaded no contest to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. A robbery charge was dismissed as a provision of his plea deal.

At the request of county prosecutor Jonathon Crow and defense attorney Joan Demarest, Judge Thomas McHill sentenced the defendant to 10 years for each attempted aggravated murder charge. Both attorneys agreed that these sentences should be consecutive. Because the charges are Measure 11 sentences, Eller will serve every day of the sentence and is not eligible for any kind of early release.
LONDON (AP) - Mohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all look so easy.

To a pan full of sizzling chicken he adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, coriander, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredients between his fingers as his only measure. After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at the Taste of India in London.

Haque's deft touch isn't easy to replicate - and that's a problem for Britain's curry houses, which are shutting down at a rate of two a week, in part because there aren't enough chefs and kitchen staff.

Chef Mohammed- Faizul Haque uses lemon juice to make flames as he demonstrates how to give a smokey flavour to dishes such as Kuchi Chilli Chicken at the Taste of India curry restaurant in London, Thursday, March 9, 2017. Curry shop owners in Britain fear that the onset of Brexit will add to their woes and force many of their shops to close. Many owners had backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed. They're angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave only to have the government fail to deliver on promises to help save their industry. Rather than easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the situation worse by cutting off the flow of East European workers who have increasingly filled the gaps in recent years.

"What's happening since Brexit is even more restaurants are closing; we can't get people from anywhere," said Oli Khan, the senior vice president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK and a celebrity chef. "Curry houses are in danger."

Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the South Asian restaurant industry in a country where chicken tikka masala is as much the national dish as fish and chips. In addition to a chef shortage, Britain's 12,000 curry restaurants are struggling with competition from prepared supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and rising food prices from a lower pound.

Though casually called Indian food, most curry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants and their offspring who fused South Asian flavors with British tastes to create a new cuisine worth an estimated 4.5 billion pounds ($5.6 billion) to the economy annually.

For example, the humble papadum isn't traditionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accustomed to being served bread when they sat down. The onion bhaji was adapted from onion rings.

What is at stake, Ali says, is not the heritage of Bangladesh, but the heritage of Britain.

"I've given my life in the curry industry and I can see with my own eyes that it is disappearing," Ali said. "I really feel the government should intervene before it is too late."

The unease of the curry houses is replicated in ways large and small across Britain, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the legal process of leaving the EU next week. High-tech companies in search of engineers, farmers in need of fruit pickers and builders looking for construction workers have all raised concerns about possible staff shortages.

The hospitality industry is particularly worried. An analysis from the Oxford Migration Observatory shows some 89,000 people from many of the EU's new entrant countries in the east are working in food and beverage services.

May has taken a tough stance on immigration after anger about high arrival numbers fueled last year's vote to leave the EU. While exiting the bloc will allow Britain to eventually limit European immigration, the government has so far refused to relax the rules for migrants from non-EU countries.

"Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system," the Home office said in a statement. "We are working across government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people."

The rules now require migrants from outside the EU to have a job paying some 35,000 pounds ($43,600) a year- more than many nurses make in Britain. Curry houses, which mostly sell food at reasonable prices, can't meet that standard.

The curry owners have in recent years filled the gap by hiring Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles and Romanians. Between 5,000 and 6,000 curry house workers are East Europeans out of a total 150,000.

These workers sometimes have had trouble communicating with chefs, who found themselves learning the Romanian words for green pepper and onion. And many of the workers had never even seen a curry, unlike earlier migrants from South Asia who often aspired to open curry houses of their own.

But the Eastern Europeans didn't balk at long hours chopping vegetables and washing dishes.

Take Aga Pozniak, a qualified teacher form Lodz in central Poland. Though she now serves customers in front of house at Taste of India, she started out as a kitchen assistant.

"I had never been in an Indian restaurant in Poland so I had no idea about the Indian kitchen," she said. "So I learned everything here. ... When you are a kitchen assistant, you do some cleaning, you prepare food, you cut food. It doesn't matter when you cut pepper if you cut pepper for Indian food or Polish food. You cut pepper."

The lack of prospects for advancement, however, often means that the Eastern Europeans soon move on to other jobs.

And the restaurants, some of which have been in the family for decades, can no longer look to the next generation to fill the gaps. As mothers and fathers have prospered and become part of British society, many of their children have moved into professions such as law and medicine rather than cooking. And with no new influx of onion choppers in the pipeline, even those that want to stay in the business are having a tough time.

Sayem Ahmed, for example, wants to transform the Taste of India into a Michelin-starred eatery, and he's studying business at Middlesex University to make that dream come true.

But the 19-year-old finds himself increasingly pulling shifts at the family restaurant - time that takes him away from his studies.

"I'd say the whole industry is in danger," he said. "They really need to think of something for us."

Polish engaged couple Pawel Bednarek, a builder, and Aga Pozniak, who teaches training courses for adults, pose for photographs outside where they work part-time to supplement their incomes, at the Taste of India curry restaurant in London, Thursday, March 9, 2017. Curry shop owners in Britain fear that the onset of Brexit will add to their woes and force many of their shops to close. Many owners had backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Oli Khan, senior Vice-President of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK, poses for photographs outside the Taste of India curry restaurant where he was interviewed by The Associated Press in London, Thursday, March 9, 2017. Curry shop owners in Britain fear that the onset of Brexit will add to their woes and force many of their shops to close. Many owners had backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
CAIRO (AP) - Human Rights Watch urged a powerful general in eastern Libya on Wednesday to investigate allegations that his forces committed war crimes such as killing prisoners and desecrating bodies.

Relatives, activists, and local journalists described such acts by troops under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter in the eastern city of Benghazi on and around March 18, the group said in a statement.

"The Libyan National Army's leadership needs to respond urgently to these deeply disturbing allegations by investigating the suspected perpetrators, including senior military commanders who may bear individual responsibility," said Joe Stork, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at Human Rights Watch.

FILE -- In this March 18, 2015 photo file photo, Gen. Khalifa Hifter speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, in al-Marj, Libya. Human Rights Watch in a March 22, 2017 report is urging the powerful general in eastern Libya to investigate allegations that his forces committed war crimes such as killing prisoners and desecrating bodies. (AP Photo/Mohammed El-Sheikhy, File)

Libya sank into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moammar Gadhafi, and has remained split between rival parliaments and governments in the east and west, each backed by a set of militias, tribes and political factions.

Hifter's self-styled national army is composed of Gadhafi-era officers, remains of the national military and civilians-turned-fighters. The force is backed and armed by neighboring Egypt, which sees Hifter as its ally in a fight against Islamic militants, and is increasingly supported by Russia.

Last week it retook two key oil terminals that had been seized by militias loyal to the rival government based in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, driving out fighters, including some opponents from Benghazi he had been fighting in a long-running standoff.

Following the rout, civilians fled Benghazi's Ganfouda neighborhood, and relatives told Human Rights Watch that some were captured and gunned down.

Videos and photos that the group saw by family members of victims, local journalists, and activists purported to show bodies of fighters in Benghazi allegedly desecrated and mutilated by the army. Another video showed a known commander, Mahmoud al-Warfalli, shooting three men in the head who had been lined up against a wall.

The army later said in a statement that it would arrest those suspected of the violations and bring them before an investigative committee, but the New York-based rights group said many of its leaders also put out statements defending the actions.

"Forces under the Libyan National Army have been committing serious human rights violations for some time, unchecked, and with impunity," Stork said. "Senior military commanders need to know that they too can be held accountable unless they actively do something to stop these violations."

Hifter's army backs Libya's last elected parliament, which was driven out of Tripoli in 2015 when Islamist-leaning militias and militias from the city of Misrata took over the capital in a blitz. The parliament is now based in the eastern city of Tobruk, and the interim government based on it is in the nearby city of Beida. They both oppose the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Tensions between Turkey and Europe have boiled in recent weeks, but acrimony over Turkey's belief that some European countries are harboring suspected terrorists has festered for years.

Europe, in turn, questions whether fugitives wanted in Turkey would get a fair trial, and says free speech laws and other rights protect many dissidents.

A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, said Wednesday that Turkey will ask the Netherlands to extradite a Turkish leftist militant.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Germany for allowing a weekend rally of Kurds, some of whom expressed support for a jailed rebel leader in Turkey. In January, Turkey condemned a Greek court ruling that granted asylum to eight Turkish military servicemen allegedly involved in a failed coup in Turkey last year.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A former Congolese vice president was sentenced Wednesday to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) for interfering with witnesses in his trial at the International Criminal Court.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, who already is serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded, was sentenced along with four members of the legal team.

They were convicted in October of offenses including corruptly influencing defense witnesses and presenting false testimony in Bemba's trial linked to atrocities in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003.

FILE - In this June 21, 2016 file photo, former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba enters the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC sentenced Bemba on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, to an extra year in prison and fined him 300,000 euros ($324,000) for interfering with witnesses in his trial at the court. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Michael Kooren, Pool via AP, File)

The four members of the legal team were given sentences ranging from six months to 2 1/2 years, but won't go to prison as the sentences were either shorter than the time they spent in pre-trial custody or were suspended. They all faced maximum sentences of five years.

Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said the sentences should act as a deterrent to prevent similar crimes in the future.

Bemba's legal team, which already is appealing his conviction, said in a statement that it would also appeal the sentence, saying he was "sentenced on the basis of factual findings that are unsupported by direct evidence."

Bemba remains in detention in The Hague pending the outcome of his appeals.

Prosecutors said in a statement that they would study the ruling and decide whether to appeal. The lawyers for the other defendants in the case also can appeal.

The prosecutors stressed that bringing charges focused on allegations of attempting to corrupt trials was important for the institution as it seeks to bring to justice perpetrators of atrocities around the world.

"The court's mandate is too important and its proceedings cannot be allowed to be derailed by such offenses against the administration of justice," the prosecution statement said.

Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo wipes his face in the court room to hear the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Aime Kilolo Musamba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, left, greets his lawyer prior to hearing the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Aime Kilolo Musamba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, left, talks to his lawyer in the court room prior to hearing the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Aime Kilolo Musamba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, center, talks to his lawyer in the court room prior to hearing the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Fidele Babala Wandu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sits in the court room to hear the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Fidele Babala Wandu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, center, takes his seat in the court room to hear the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Narcisse Arido of of the Central African Republic, left, sits in the court room to hear the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)

Narcisse Arido of of the Central African Republic, left, takes his seat in the court room to hear the verdict of the International Criminal court in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday March 22, 2017. Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) along with four others for interfering with witnesses in his trial. Bemba is already serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded. (Robin van Lonkhuijsen POOL via AP)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders says political parties discussing the make-up of the next Dutch ruling coalition are shutting him out and sidelining 1.3 million people who voted for his party in last week's parliamentary elections.

Wilders spoke Wednesday after meeting with caretaker Health Minister Edith Schippers, who is holding talks this week about which parties should be involved in discussions to form the next government. Following last week's vote, at least four parties will have to join forces to command a majority in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament.

Two-term Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party won the most seats and is expected to lead the next coalition. Wilders' Party for Freedom came second, but Rutte and the leader of the Christian Democrats have ruled out working with him.
Sears, a back-to-school shopping destination for generations of kids and the place newlyweds went to choose appliances, has said that after years of losing money that there is 'substantial doubt' it will be able to keep its doors open.

It's a dramatic acknowledgment from the chain that owns Sears and Kmart stores, which has long held fast to its stance that a turnaround is possible, even as many of its shoppers have moved on to Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon.

Sears has survived of late mainly with millions in loans funneled through the hedge fund of Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert, but with sales fading it is burning through cash.

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Sears, once the monolith of American retail, says that there is 'substantial doubt' that it will be able to keep its doors open. Company shares tumbled more than 13 percent Wednesday

Sears Holdings Corp. said late Tuesday it lost more than $2billion last year, and its historical operating results indicated doubt about the future of the company that started in the 1880s as a mail-order catalog business.

At a largely empty Sears store in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the available parking far outstripped the number of cars in the lot, 85-year-old Jack Walsh and his 82-year-old wife, Mary Ann, said they have shopped at Sears their entire lives, buying items from curtains and window treatments to tires and tools.

'I bought my tools from Sears and I've still got them,' Jack Walsh said.

The company known for DieHard batteries and Kenmore appliances has been selling assets, most recently its Craftsman tool brand.

But it says pension agreements may prevent the sale of more businesses, potentially leading to a shortfall in funding.

'It's a sad story. This is the place that created the first direct to consumer retail, the first modern department store. It stood like the Colossus over the American retail landscape,' said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting firm. 'But it's been underinvested and bled dry.'

Jack Walsh, 85, and his 82-year-old wife, Mary Ann, visit with a reporter at a Sears store in St. Paul, Minnesota. They said they have shopped at Sears their entire lives, buying items from curtains and window treatments to tires and tools

Company shares, which hit an all-time low last month, tumbled more than 13 per cent Wednesday.

Sears tried to soothe investors' fears, saying in a post on its site that it remains focused on 'executing our transformation plan' and that news reports miss the full disclosure that it's highlighting actions to reduce risks.

It also said that the comments made in the filing were in line with 'regulatory standards'.

Lampert combined Sears and Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy.

He pledged to return Sears to greatness, leveraging its best-known brands and its vast holdings of land, and more recently planned to entice customers with its loyalty program.

The company, which employs 140,000 people, announced in January said it would close 108 additional Kmart and 42 more Sears locations, and unveiled yet another restructuring plan in February aimed at cutting costs and reconfiguring debts to give itself more breathing room.

But it has to get more people through the doors or shopping online for what it's selling.

Sears, like many department stores, has been thwarted by a new consumer that has ripped up the decades-old playbook that the industry has relied upon.

A plethora of new online players have also revolutionized the market.

Sears has upped its presence online, but is having a hard time disguising its age.

Its stores are in need of a major refresh as rivals like Wal-Mart and Target invest heavily to revitalize stores.

Sales at established Sears and Kmart locations dropped 10.3 per cent in the final quarter of 2016.

Industry analysts have placed the staggering sums of money that Sears is losing beside the limited number of assets it has left to sell, and believe the storied retailer may have reached the point of no return.

Sears signage is shown on its department store in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood

The company has lost $10.4billion since 2011, the last year that it made a profit. Excluding charges that can be listed as one-time events, the loss is $4.57billion, says Ken Perkins, who heads the research firm Retail Metrics LLC, but how the losses are stacked no longer seem to matter.

'They're past the tipping point,' Perkins said. 'This is a symbolic acknowledgement of the end of Sears of what we know it to be.'

For Sears to survive, Perkins believes it would need to do so as a company running maybe 200 stores.

It now operates 1,430, a figure that has been vastly reduced in recent years. As for Kmart, Perkins does not see much of a future.

For decades, Sears was king of the American shopping landscape. Sears, Roebuck and Co.'s storied catalog featured items from bicycles to sewing machines to houses, and could generate excitement throughout a household when it arrived.

The company began opening retail locations in 1925 and expanded swiftly in suburban malls from the 1950s to 1970s.

'When I first got married at 19 or 20, we bought our first set of kettles from Sears,' said Darla Klemmensen, who was shopping at the St. Paul store on Wednesday. 'We still have some of those.'

Sears has upped its presence online, but is having a hard time disguising its age. A Sears store is pictured in Pennsylvania

Klemmensen says Sears has been part of her life since she was a child watching her grandmother order stockings and garters, and she remembers flipping through Sears catalogs as thick as her forearm, full of appliances, clothing and kitchen wares.

But the onset of discounters like Wal-Mart created challenges for Sears that have only grown.

Sears faced even more competition from online sellers and appliance retailers like Lowe's and Home Depot. Its stores became its albatross, many of them looking shabby and outdated.

The company, based northwest of Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, lost $607million in the most recent quarter and revenue fell.

'They've been delusional about their ability to turn around the business,' said Perkins.

Johnson, though, believes one avenue for Sears could be returning to its roots as a direct-to-consumer company, only using the internet versus the old catalog.

He believes the Sears name still stands for something for the 40-plus customer.

'It has a lot of good memories,' he said. 'It stands for being dependable and reliable.'
PERRY, Iowa (AP) - A 25-year-old man has been convicted of hacking to death his girlfriend, her teenage daughter and their landlord in central Iowa.

A Dallas County jury on Tuesday found Carlos Hernandez-Ventura guilty on three counts of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors say Hernandez-Ventura used a machete on Oct. 29 to kill 34-year-old Lourdes Flor De Leake, 14-year-old Melany Barraza and 78-year-old Juan Jimenez Tejada at the home in Perry, about 30 miles northwest of Des Moines.

Hernandez-Ventura testified that Leake's estranged husband ordered him to kill the three because the man feared they knew about his drug dealing. He testified that Daniel Leake told him he would kill Hernandez-Ventura and his family if he didn't kill the three.

Investigators testified that they found no evidence that Daniel Leake was dealing drugs.
BERLIN (AP) - Germany's new president on Wednesday urged Turkey not to cut ties with its partners and endanger the country's recent achievements, amid a diplomatic standoff that has severely strained relations between Berlin and Ankara.

In his first speech since taking the largely ceremonial office, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germans were watching developments in several countries with concern - "especially in Turkey."

Steinmeier, who until recently was Germany's foreign minister, said Berlin recognized the economic progress Turkey has made in the last 20 years and condemned last year's attempted coup against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

New German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers his speech after he took the oath of office at the German parliament in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

But he warned that Turkey's achievements could collapse again. "My appeal is guided by this concern: President Erdogan, you are endangering everything that you and others have helped build," Steinmeier said in his address to a joint session of Parliament.

He also called on Turkey to safeguard press freedom and release German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel, who has been detained since January on charges of terrorist propaganda and incitement to hatred.

Turkey has expressed anger at perceived slights from Berlin, including a parliamentary motion referring to the 20th century killing of Armenians as "genocide" and the decision by several German cities to ban events at which Turkish officials wanted to campaign for an upcoming referendum on constitutional reform in Turkey.

Germany, meanwhile, has said Ankara's crackdown on the opposition and civil society following the failed coup goes too far, and has bristled at Turkey's repeated accusation that modern Germany is acting like the Nazis did.

"Credible signals to ease tensions are welcome," said Steinmeier. "But stop the unspeakable Nazi comparisons. Don't cut ties with those who, like us, want a partnership with Turkey."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, rear, listens to the speech of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after a swearing in ceremony as part of a joint meeting of German parliamentarians in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

New German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier takes the oath of office at the German parliament in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
LONDON (AP) - The latest on the attack outside Britain's Parliament (all times local):

4:10 a.m.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says the terrorist attack outside the British Parliament in London was the first subject of discussion when he met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia on Thursday morning in Canberra.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, left, stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise." The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area. Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers. Nearby, witnesses say a vehicle struck several people on the Westminster Bridge. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP).

Li says that "together, we send our condolences to the prime minister of the U.K. and together we condemn terrorism and we stand against all forms of terrorism."

The Chinese leader says that "there cannot be continued instability in the world," adding: "We must cherish peace and stability."

___

1:35 a.m.

New Zealand's prime minister is condemning the attack outside Britain's Parliament that resulted in five deaths, including the assailant.

Prime Minister Bill English told reporters in Rotorua that he has written to British Prime Minister Theresa May to express support for her government and to offer his country's condolences to the victim's families.

A knife-wielding man went on the deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Other officers fatally shot the attacker.

In addition to the dead, 40 people have injuries.

May has condemned the incident as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

___

12:15 a.m.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry says five South Koreans in their 50s and 60s were among the 40 people injured in London during the terror attack outside Parliament.

The ministry says the five were hurt when they were caught up in a stampede of people trying to escape the attack.

It says four of the South Koreans suffered broken bones and other injuries and a woman in her late 60s needed an operation to treat a head injury.

___

10:30 p.m.

British police say five people died in the terror attack outside Parliament.

Counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley said one policeman, three civilians and the attacker died.

He said a further 40 people were wounded.

The assailant has not been identified. Rowley said police think they know the identity of the man but would not reveal details. He said Islamic extremism is suspected in the attack.

He said extra armed police would be on the streets in the coming days to reassure the public, and hundreds of police officers are working on the case.

He identified the police officer who died as Keith Palmer, 48.

___

10:20 p.m.

Buckingham Palace officials say Queen Elizabeth II will postpone plans to open the new Scotland Yard headquarters.

The palace said Wednesday night that the queen's visit, which had been set for Thursday, will be postponed.

The change is due to security concerns raised by the terror attack on Parliament.

It is also expected that police will be involved with a major investigation that will occupy many officers.

The queen was to have been joined by her husband Prince Philip at the official opening of the new building.

___

10:15 p.m.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the police presence at the Australian Parliament House has been increased in response to the London attacks.

"Australia's heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity is with the people of the United Kingdom with whom we stand today as we always have in freedom's cause. Staunch allies in the war against terrorism," Turnbull told reporters on Thursday.

"The attack on the British Parliament is an attack on parliaments, freedom and democracy everywhere," he added.

___

10:05 p.m.

The Eiffel Tower is going dark in mourning and solidarity with Britain after an attack around the British Parliament in which four people, including the attacker, were killed.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, whose city has suffered deadly extremist attacks in recent years, announced that the tower is turning off its twinkling lights at midnight (2300 GMT).

Three French teenagers on a school trip were among those injured in Wednesday's attack targeting pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge and a police officer on the nearby Parliament grounds.

French President Francois Hollande offered support for Britain and the investigation.

___

9 p.m.

Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned the "sick and depraved terrorist attack" in London and says the targeting Parliament was no accident.

In a late-night statement outside her Downing Street office Wednesday, a defiant May said the nation will not give in to terror and those who targeted the seat of power in Britain.

She insisted that "tomorrow morning Parliament will meet as normal," and urged the country to move on and behave as normal on Thursday.

May says "we will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

The prime minister confirmed that four people died in the attack and praised the security services who ran toward danger.

___

8 p.m.

A French government plane is set to fly to London Wednesday evening to bring the families of three French students wounded in the attacks at the British Parliament to their loved ones.

French President Francois Hollande announced the move in a statement Wednesday night after speaking with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

May confirmed to Hollande that three French high school students from France's western Britanny region were wounded in the attacks, the statement said.

Hollande offered his condolences to May for those who died in the attacks and expressed France's solidarity with Britain "in this tragic ordeal."

"The British and French services are in close contact to conduct the investigation," Hollande added.

London is a common destination for French school trips.

___

7:55 p.m.

Romania's foreign ministry says two Romanians were wounded in a deadly attack in London's Westminster that left four dead.

The ministry said the two had been taken to a hospital for treatment. There were no further details on the identity of the two or how seriously they were injured. The ministry said it had been informed by authorities in London.

A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage near the Parliament, mowing down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the attacker. About 20 others were injured.

___

7:20 p.m.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy condemned the deadly attack in London's Westminster on Wednesday and offered condolences to the British people in a telegram sent to his British counterpart Theresa May.

"An execrable terrorist act like the one that took place today is a reminder that we face complex challenges for the security of our societies," said Rajoy in a transcript of the telegram distributed by Moncloa, the prime minister's palace.

"We must remain united against these type of threats that affect all of us equally and that know no barriers," Rajoy wrote, offering Spain's support to the UK.

Israel, which that has faced a wave of Palestinian car ramming, stabbing and shooting assaults since 2015, also expressed solidarity with the victims of the London attack.

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said in a statement. "Israel expresses its deep shock at the terror attack in London today and its solidarity with the victims and with the people and government of Great Britain. Terror is terror wherever it occurs and we will fight it relentlessly."

___

6:50 p.m.

One British lawmaker was hailed by some as a hero in Wednesday's attack on the British Parliament.

Conservative parliamentarian and Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the police officer who was stabbed and later died. About 10 yards away was the attacker who was shot dead by police after scaling the security wall toward Parliament's grounds.

Ellwood, who served in the British military, applied pressure to the police officer's multiple lacerations.

Photographs showed Ellwood's bloodied hands and face from the police officer's wounds while the alleged attacker was seen nearby.

___

6:20 p.m.

The White House is condemning the attacks in London involving a car rampage and knife attack. President Donald Trump is said to be monitoring developments.

Spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May and said that the White House applauds "the quick response of British police and first responders" and condemns the attacks.

A vehicle mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and the attacker then stabbed a police officer outside the British Parliament. At least four people died, including the attacker and a police officer.

Spicer says that the city of London and the British government have the "full support" of the U.S. as they investigate the attack.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department says the security posture in the United States has not changed in the wake of the attack.

___

6:15 p.m.

The Italian interior ministry says the nation's top security and intelligence officials will huddle in Rome on Thursday for "an evaluation of the terrorist threat" after the attacks in London.

The ministry said minister Marco Minniti convened the Committee of Strategic Anti-terrorism Analyses following "the tragic facts in London," in which a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and the attacker then stabbed a police officer outside the British Parliament. At least four people died, including the attacker and a police officer.

Italian security was already on high alert for a European Union summit bringing EU nation leaders to Rome Friday for a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and a ceremony in the Italian capital Saturday.

Authorities are bracing for possible violence during several marches Saturday, drawing thousands of both pro-and anti-EU participants.

___

6:05 p.m.

The head of counterterrorism at London's Metropolitan Police, says four people have died in the terror incident in London, including an attacker and a police officer.

Mark Rowley says some 20 people have been wounded and Parliament was locked down. A search is underway to make certain no other attackers are in the area - though police believe there was only one attacker.

Rowley said the dead policeman was one of the armed officers who guard Parliament. The other victims were on Westminster Bridge.

Rowley says "We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker. But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on."

___

5:50 p.m.

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have both expressed their support and solidarity with Britain after the attacks at the British Parliament in London.

"We are all concerned with terrorism," Hollande told reporters Wednesday during a visit in Villepinte, outside Paris. "France, which has been struck so hard lately, knows what the British people are suffering today."

Hollande added that countries "must bring all the conditions to answer these attacks" and that "it is clear that it is at the European level, and even beyond that, that we must organize ourselves."

French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said "it is a high place of democracy that has been attacked" and that France is "obviously ready to help."

Merkel said in a statement Wednesday that she learned "with sorrow" of Wednesday's incident and her thoughts were "with our British friends and all of the people of London," in particular those who were injured.

While the circumstances of the attack were still unclear, "I want to say for Germany and its citizens: we stand firmly and resolutely by Great Britain's side in the fight against all forms of terrorism," she said.

___

5:45 p.m.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has expressed sympathy to those injured and condolences to the relatives of those who died in the incident at Britain's parliament, and has underlined the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

"We don't split terrorism into categories; we consider it as absolute evil. At this moment, as always, our hearts are together with the British people, we feel their pain and speak again about the need to confront that evil," she said.

___

5:40 p.m.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was absent from a "family photo" of officials attending a conference on the Islamic State group in Washington, D.C.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was also at the meeting, issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims.

"The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," he said.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. was ready to assist in any way.

"The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of our highest priorities. Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely," he added.

___

5:30 p.m.

Three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph high school in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured, according to the French foreign ministry.

The ministry said it is in contact with British authorities.

___

5:25 p.m.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve says that French high school students are among the wounded in the attack in London.

In a tweet Wednesday, Cazeneuve offered support to the British as well as to "the French students wounded, their families and their schoolmates."

London is a common destination for French school trips.

___

5:15 p.m.

British port officials say they pulled a woman from the Thames River following the incident on Westminster Bridge.

The Port of London Authority says a female member of the public was recovered from the river, injured but alive.

The authority says it has closed the river between Vauxhall Bridge and Embankment while a major security operation is under way after a suspected terror attack at the Houses of Parliament in London.

___

5:10 p.m.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government emergency committee to discuss the response to the terror incident in London.

The emergency committee known as Cobra coordinates the high-level response to serious incidents. It brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

Such meetings are held after serious incidents such at the July 7, 2005, attack on London transport services.

The Wednesday meeting is held in the briefing room of the Cabinet Office on Whitehall.

___

5 p.m.

The London Ambulance Service says it has treated at least 10 injured people on Westminster Bridge after a vehicle hit pedestrians.

It says the first ambulance arrived within six minutes of the first call at 2:40 p.m. (1440GMT).

Ambulances, an air ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team were all sent to the scene.

One woman has been confirmed dead, and a body was seen lying in the yard of Parliament, where a knifeman stabbed a police officer and was shot by police.

People began leaving the Houses of Parliament about two hours after the incident.

___

4:50 p.m.

A senior police commander says the attack at London's Parliament has been declared a terrorist incident and "a full counterterrorism investigation is underway."

Commander B.J. Harrington says "a number" of people have been injured, including police officers.

He says additional police officers, armed and unarmed, will be deployed across London during the evening rush hour as part of efforts to keep people safe.

___

4:35 p.m.

The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh suspended its debate on a second independence referendum after the incident outside the British Parliament in London.

Scottish lawmakers had been planning to vote after two days of debate on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call for another referendum on leaving the United Kingdom.

The debate was suspended after some members said it should be halted out of respect after a policeman was stabbed and his attacker shot in London.

Sturgeon tweeted that her thoughts were with everyone in Westminster "caught up in this dreadful incident."

___

4:30 p.m.

A doctor says a woman has died and about a dozen people are hurt, some with "catastrophic" injuries, after a vehicle apparently hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament.

Colleen Anderson of St Thomas' Hospital says a female pedestrian has died.

Anderson said: "There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries."

She said there might be a dozen injured in all.

___

4:20 p.m.

Poland's former foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, says he was in a taxi leaving Westminster and was checking his email when he heard something like a car crash, "something like a car hitting metal sheet."

"I look up and I see that a person is lying on the pavement. I started my camera and I saw more people lying on the street and on the pavement," Sikorski said on Poland's TVN24.

"People started running up to them. I saw one person who gave no sign of life, another man was bleeding from his head. In all, I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," he said.

"The taxi driver immediately called the emergency number. I heard ambulances within two or three minutes, so the rescue action was really very quick. There is a hospital near there."

"It all happened so fast that there was no time to get scared," said Sikorski who posted his video on Twitter.

___

4:05 p.m.

The U.S. State Department says it is closely monitoring the incident outside London's Parliament and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday: "We stand ready to assist in any way the U.K. authorities would find helpful."

He added that the U.S. Embassy in London is closely following the news and stands ready to help any affected Americans.

He said: "Our hearts go out to those affected."

___

3:50 p.m.

Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britain's Parliament.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out," he said.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Lawmaker Adam Holloway told the AP he saw people running and immediately ran into his offices in Parliament to be with his staff. "A lot of us are locked in with our staff at the moment," he said.

___

3:50 p.m.

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament in London.

Trump himself said during a brief appearance Wednesday before reporters at the White House that he was just getting the news. He called it "big news."

Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, says the U.S. will continue to monitor the situation and update the president.

Britain's Parliament was on lockdown after - according to officials - an assailant stabbed an officer then was shot by police.

London Police also said officers were called to an incident on nearby Westminster Bridge

___

3:40 p.m.

British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

"Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back," he said.

___

3:40 p.m.

The former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski posted a video on Twitter that seems to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Sikorski, a senior fellow at the Harvard Centre for European Studies, says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being "mown down" by a car.

Sikorski told the BBC he "heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress.

"Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."

___

3:35 p.m.

London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise."

The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area.

Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers.

There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.

___

3:25 p.m.

A European security official says there was increased chatter on jihadi networks Tuesday following the UK's adoption of an electronics ban aboard flights from certain mostly Muslim countries.

He said, however, there was no information that the incident was terror-related.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about ongoing security operations.

-By Paisley Dodds.

___

3:15 p.m.

The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man attacked a police officer at Parliament and has been shot by police.

David Lidington says the Parliament complex is in lockdown.

He says there are reports of further violent incidents neaby, and police say they have been called to a firearms incident on nearby Westminster Bridge.

Witnesses said a vehicle struck several people on the bridge, and photos showed a car plowed into railings.

___

3:05 p.m.

The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Lidington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity."

London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament.

A session of Parliament was suspended after the incident.

Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related.

___

2:55 p.m.

A session of Britain's House of Commons has been suspended as witnesses reported hearing sounds like gunfire nearby.

The Commons' speaker suspended the session as police responded to an incident.

Journalists at the Parliament building said they were told to stay in their offices.

The Press Association news agency reported that two people were seen lying within the grounds of Parliament.

Police had no immediate confirmation.

Police secure the area close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Liddington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity." London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament. Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a media statement outside 10 Downing street in London, Wednesday March 22, 2017, following a terror attack in the Westminster area of London earlier Wednesday. A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage, Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the attacker, and about 20 others were injured in what authorities called a terrorist incident. (Richard Pohle/Pool via AP Photo)

Emergency services staff provide medical attention close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise." The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers. Nearby, witnesses say a vehicle struck several people on the Westminster Bridge. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Police secure the area close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Liddington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity." London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament. Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, after London police say officers called to a 'firearms incident' on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament. The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Liddington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity." London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament. Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related. (Yui Mok/PA via AP).

Emergency services staff provide medical attention close to the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise." Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers. There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

An armed police officer stands on Parliament Square outside of the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, March 23, 2017 after the House of Commons sitting was suspended as witnesses reported sounds like gunfire outside.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Police on the scene after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Houses of Parliament, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The UK House of Commons sitting has been suspended as witnesses report sounds like gunfire outside. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Roads are closed off by police after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Houses of Parliament, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The UK House of Commons sitting has been suspended as witnesses report sounds like gunfire outside. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

An Air Ambulance on the scene after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Houses of Parliament, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The UK House of Commons sitting has been suspended as witnesses report sounds like gunfire outside. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Police on the scene after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Houses of Parliament, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. London police say officers called to 'firearms incident' on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas' governor signed a sweeping gun rights measure into law on Wednesday that will allow concealed handguns at state colleges, some bars, government buildings and even the state Capitol.

The measure approved by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allows someone with a concealed handgun license to carry at the locations if they undergo up to eight hours of active-shooter training. Hutchinson chaired a National Rifle Association task force that called for trained, armed staff at schools after the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

"This bill, in my view, reflects the will of the General Assembly and is constitutional and will balance public safety and the Second Amendment," Hutchinson said at a news conference after signing the measure.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, left, speaks to reporters Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas, after signing a bill allowing concealed handguns at colleges, bars and most government buildings if a permit-holder has completed eight hours of active-shooter training. (AP Photo/Kelly P. Kissel)

The law takes effect Sept. 1, but Arkansas residents likely won't be allowed to carry concealed weapons into the expanded locations until early next year. The law gives Arkansas State Police until January to design the additional training that'll be required. More than 220,000 people have concealed handgun licenses in Arkansas.

The legislation originally was intended to only allow faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns at college campuses, but the bill expanded as it hit roadblocks in the Legislature.

The NRA backed the original bill but then dropped its support when it was amended to limit campus carry to people who were at least 25 years old and went through up to 16 hours of additional training. The gun rights group supported the version Hutchinson signed into law.

"This step goes a long way towards recognizing law-abiding people in this state have the right to defend themselves anywhere they have a legal right to be," Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, said at the news conference.

A 2013 law allows faculty and staff to carry concealed guns at colleges and universities in Arkansas, but only if the schools allowed it. None of the schools has opted to do so.

The measure signed Wednesday has faced opposition from university officials, who said the decision on whether to allow guns on campus should remain with the schools. A lawmaker whose district includes the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville called the law "horrifying," and noted it even allows concealed guns at Razorback football games and other sporting events in government-owned facilities.

"People like to have a good time before the game, during the game, people get emotional and angry during the game," Democratic Rep. Greg Leding said. "I think the idea of introducing loaded weapons into those situations is just ridiculous."

The new law allows concealed guns at private establishments like bars, restaurants and places of worship - unless there are weapons prohibitions posted at the facilities. Concealed handguns are still banned at K-12 schools, courtrooms and prisons.

It also prohibits concealed handguns from disciplinary hearings on campus grounds. Private colleges and universities that do not want to allow concealed carry on their campuses must post notices with that designation. The legislation also does not cover federal government buildings.

The measure was condemned by gun control advocates.

"This legislation will make everyday life in Arkansas more dangerous," Austin Bailey, the Arkansas chapter leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said in a statement.

Senate President Jonathan Dismang said he was working on additional legislation to address some concerns about the new law. The Republican lawmaker said he was working on a proposal that would exempt the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the state hospital.

___

Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Vice President Joe Biden says he's concerned about an apparent "romance" between the Trump administration and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Biden declined to comment on an FBI probe of possible links between Russia and associates of President Donald Trump, but said "the whole notion that there's still this romance with Putin" was worrisome. Biden criticized Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's decision to skip an upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Belgium and visit Moscow.

The former vice president also said Trump's frequent comments on Twitter are "not helpful" and said Trump needs "to understand that the president's words matter a great deal" and have global repercussions.

Former Vice President Joe Biden pauses as he greets the crowd on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, following an event marking seven years since former President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Biden was at the Capitol Wednesday to speak against a GOP health care bill.
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American sailors watched as the first Revolutionary Guard vessels appeared on the horizon of the Strait of Hormuz, beginning a daylong face-off that has become familiar to both Iranian paramilitary and U.S. naval forces that pass through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

But these routine, if tense encounters may soon grow even more perilous.

President Donald Trump has warned that Iranian forces will be blown out of the water if they challenge U.S. naval vessels, while American commanders describe the Guard as increasingly unprofessionally with rocket launches and provocative actions.

Iranian hard-liners, still smarting over the nuclear detente with the West, may see a military confrontation as a way to derail moderate President Hassan Rouhani heading into the country's May presidential election.

A U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush approached the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuzm a strategic waterway separating Iran from U.S.-backed Arab states, for the first time since President Donald Trump took office two months ago

Crew reposition an E-2C Hawkeye on the USS George H.W. Bush as it travels toward the Strait of Hormuz. The arrival of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf marks the first such deployment under President Donald Trump

The pilot of an F-18 fighter jet prepares to take off from the USS George H.W. Bush as it travels toward the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has warned that Iranian forces will be blown out of the water if they challenge U.S. naval vessels

The pilot of an F-18 fighter jet salutes as he prepares to take off from the USS George H.W. Bush. The Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered carrier left her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on January 21 - Trump's first full day in office

What happens next could hinge on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of all oil trade by sea passes.

'What reason were they to be in an international corridor, other than to harass us?' Rear Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, said of the Iranian actions. 'Was today the day they were going to come out and potentially deploy kinetic actions against us?'

Whitesell oversees the strike group that has the USS George H.W. Bush at its heart. The Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered carrier left her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, on January 21 - Trump's first full day in office. Its passage through the strait closes a roughly three-month gap in which America had no aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. A similar gap happened in the fall of 2015 - the first for the U.S. since 2007.

Its overall mission is providing a base for airstrikes against the Islamic State group. The ship's contingent of F-18 fighter jets began bombing the extremists in February as the vessel transited through the Mediterranean Sea.

The pilot of an E-2C Hawkeye watches flight operations on the USS George H.W. Bush. Its passage through the strait closes a roughly three-month gap in which America had no aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf

Crew man the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush as it travels toward the Strait of Hormuz through which a third of all oil trade by sea passes

Crew examine the propeller of an E-2C Hawkeye on the USS George H.W. Bush. Its overall mission is providing a base for airstrikes against the Islamic State group

But serving as a counterbalance to Iran and assuring America's Gulf Arab allies in the region also remains vital, Whitesell said. While acknowledging that Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis have strong suspicions about Iran, he said there hadn't been any change in his orders in how to deal with the Islamic Republic.

'The political aspect of the United States has kind of been in our wake,' the rear admiral said.

Threats, however, remain. After a Saudi naval vessel came under attack from a purported 'drone' boat off the coast of war-torn Yemen, in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, U.S. vessels in this strike group changed their routine to protect themselves while passing, said Capt. Will Pennington, the commanding officer of the Bush.

'Some of our escort ships arrived in advance of us and provided security in that Bab al-Mandeb and a few lagged a few days behind so our coverage of that area was extended,' Pennington said. 'That same threat could exist here in the Strait of Hormuz or any other strait.'

Small vessel attacks also include the October 2000 boat-borne bombing by al-Qaida on the USS Cole, which killed 17 American sailors while the ship was refueling in Yemen's Aden harbor.

Crew members work on an F-18 fighter jet abroad the USS George H.W. Bush. The worry grows for U.S. officials as the Navy recorded 35 instances of what it describes as 'unsafe and/or unprofessional' interactions with Iranians forces in 2016

A sailor tosses a spray can in the air while working on an F-18 fighter jet on the USS George H.W. Bush. Iranian forces view the American presence in the Gulf and especially the Strait of Hormuz as a provocation by itself

An F-18 fighter jet flies over the USS George H.W. Bush. The ship's contingent of F-18 fighter jets began bombing the extremists in February as the vessel transited through the Mediterranean Sea

The worry grows for U.S. officials as the Navy recorded 35 instances of what it describes as 'unsafe and/or unprofessional' interactions with Iranians forces in 2016, compared to 23 in 2015. Before this week, there had been six, said Lt. Ian McConnaughey, a spokesman for the U.S. 5th Fleet, based on the nearby island of Bahrain.

Of the incidents last year, the worst involved Iranian forces capturing 10 U.S. sailors and holding them overnight. It became a propaganda coup for Iran's hard-liners, as Iranian state television repeatedly aired footage of the Americans on their knees, their hands on their heads.

Iranian forces view the American presence in the Gulf and especially the Strait of Hormuz as a provocation by itself. They in turn have accused the U.S. Navy of unprofessional behavior.

At dawn on Tuesday, the Bush and its strike force entered the strait, which at its narrowest point is 21 miles wide, in the waters between Iran and Oman.

A Rihanna song playing over the loudspeaker on the deck was quickly cut off at the first sighting of Iranian vessels.

Iranian authorities demanded the Americans leave the area, though both the U.S. Navy and a nearby Omani warship said the strike group was in Omani waters.

Captain Will Pennington, the commanding officer of the USS George H.W. Bush, greets journalists as the ship travels through the Persian Gulf. Iranian authorities demanded the Americans leave the area

A U.S. Navy sailor stands in a driving wind striking the USS George H.W. Bush. The Iranian military have accused the U.S. Navy of unprofessional behavior

Crew reposition an F-18 fighter jet on the USS George H.W. Bush as it travels toward the Strait of Hormuz

The Iranians had speedboats and other craft, several displaying the Kalashnikov-rifle emblem of the Revolutionary Guard. U.S. helicopters circled overhead as some of the Iranians used telephoto lens and video cameras to film the carrier - while international journalists invited onboard the Bush filmed them.

On the bridge, a sailor called out: 'There's nine. Reports of weapons being loaded.'

But the Iranians merely stood alongside their machine guns, keeping their distance while telling the American forces to leave the area.

Hours later, the carrier exited the strait and entered the waters of the Persian Gulf, leaving the Iranians behind.

Still, Whitesell rated the day's danger a 7.5 out of 10, due to fog and other issues compounding the possible threat the Iranian vessels posed.

'They had every one of those weapons manned and we also have video data that they were arming every one of those weapons,' he told journalists.

Minutes later, Whitesell excused himself to return to the bridge. More Revolutionary Guard boats had emerged from the fog.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Private communications of Donald Trump and his presidential transition team may have been scooped up by American intelligence officials monitoring other targets and improperly distributed throughout spy agencies, the chairman of the House intelligence committee said Wednesday - an extraordinary public airing of often-secret information that brought swift protests from Democrats.

Republican Rep. Devin Nunes' comments led the committee's ranking Democrat, Adam Schiff, to renew his party's calls for an independent probe of Trump campaign links to Russia in addition to the GOP-led panel's investigation. Schiff also said he had seen "more than circumstantial evidence" that Trump associates colluded with Russia.

In back-to-back news conferences at the Capitol and then the White House - where he had privately briefed the president - Nunes said he was concerned by officials' handling of the communications in the waning days of the Obama administration.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif, walks out of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, to speak with reporters after a meeting with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

He said the surveillance was conducted legally and did not appear to be related to the current FBI investigation into Trump associates' contacts with Russia or with any criminal warrants. And the revelations, he said, did nothing to change his assessment that Trump's explosive allegations about wiretaps at Trump Tower were false.

Still, the White House immediately seized on his statements in what appeared to be a coordinated public display.

Moments after Nunes spoke on Capitol Hill, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer read his statements from the White House briefing room podium. The California congressman quickly headed up Pennsylvania Avenue to personally brief the president and to address reporters outside the West Wing. Nunes' decision to brief the president was particularly unusual, given Trump almost certainly has access to the information from his intelligence agencies.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said Nunes' disclosure could be a "weapon of mass distraction" in light of allegations of coordination between Russians and the Trump campaign during the 2016 campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"This could be a lot of theatrics," said Speier, also a member of the House intelligence committee.

"This is a bizarre situation," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said in an interview on MSNBC. "I'm calling for a select committee because I think this back-and-forth shows that Congress no longer has the credibility handle this alone."

Outside the White House, Nunes said, "What I've read bothers me, and I think it should bother the president himself and his team."

Trump said he felt "somewhat" vindicated by the Republican's revelations. "I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found," he said.

The disclosure came two days after FBI Director James Comey publicly confirmed the bureau's own investigation into the Trump campaign's connections with Russia and rejected Trump's explosive claims that President Barack Obama wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election. Comey's comments came during the intelligence committee's first public hearing on Russia's election interference, an investigation being overseen by Nunes.

Nunes briefed reporters on the new information without consulting with Schiff, and that did not sit well with the top Democrat on the committee.

Schiff declared he now has "profound doubt" about the integrity and independence of the committee's probe. He said that "a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

Later, in an interview with MSNBC, Schiff said evidence "that is not circumstantial and is very much worthy of an investigation" exists of Trump associates colluding with Russia as it interfered in last year's election. He did not outline that evidence.

Nunes said he believed the Trump team's communications were caught "incidentally." But he suggested the contents may have been inappropriately disseminated in intelligence reports. He left open the possibility the communications were spread for political reasons. Nunes would not disclose how he received the new information.

It was unclear whether Trump's own communications were monitored. Nunes initially said "yes" when asked if Trump was among those swept up in the intelligence monitoring, but then said it was only "possible."

It's common for Americans to get caught up in U.S. surveillance of foreigners, such as foreign diplomats in the U.S. talking to an American. Typically, the American's name would not be revealed in a report about the intercepted communications. However, if there is a foreign intelligence value to revealing the American's name, it is "unmasked" and shared with other intelligence analysts who are working on related foreign intelligence surveillance.

Schiff disputed Nunes' suggestions that there was improper "unmasking." He said that after speaking with Nunes, it appeared that the names of Americans were still guarded in the intercepts though their identities could be gleaned from the materials.

Obama administration officials disputed the suggestion that the outgoing administration was improperly monitoring its successors. Ned Price, who served as spokesman for Obama's National Security Council, said Nunes' assertions "were nothing more than an attempt to offer a lifeline to a White House caught in its own netting following President Trump's baseless tweets."

Matthew Waxman, a national security law professor at Columbia University, said Nunes' actions "in this case are contributing to, rather than alleviating concerns, about politicization of intelligence."

Nunes said the information on the Trump team was collected in November, December and January, the period after the election when Trump was holding calls with foreign leaders, interviewing potential Cabinet secretaries and beginning to sketch out administration policy. He said the monitored material was "widely disseminated" in intelligence reports.

Asked whether he believed the transition team had been spied on, Nunes said: "It all depends on one's definition of spying."

Nunes did not identify any of the Trump associates he said were "unmasked," but they are believed to include Michael Flynn, who was fired as White House national security adviser after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

___

AP writers Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Deb Riechmann at http://twitter.com/debriechmann

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif, walks out the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, to speak with reporters after a meeting with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif. pauses while speaking with reporters outside the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, following a meeting with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
LONDON (AP) - Britain has been targeted anew by what authorities are calling a terrorist incident. A look at other attacks on the country in recent years:

MARCH 22, 2017

An attacker stabbed a police officer at Britain's Parliament before being shot by police, while a vehicle ran over pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge at around the same time. One woman was killed, others injured.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, centre, stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise." The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area. Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers. Nearby, witnesses say a vehicle struck several people on the Westminster Bridge. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP).

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JUNE 2016

Far-right supporter Thomas Mair shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox who had campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union, one week before Britain's referendum on its EU membership. The attack shocked the country and focused attention on home-grown far-right extremism in Britain.

___

DEC. 5, 2015

An Islamic State-inspired taxi driver tried to behead a passenger in the east London Underground station of Leytonstone. Somali-born Muhiddin Mire was sent to a high-security mental hospital to serve a life sentence. The judge ruled that Mire had been motivated by events in Syria. The incident came days after Parliament approved British airstrikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria.

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MAY 22, 2013

Two British-born, al-Qaida-inspired extremists stabbed off-duty soldier Lee Rigby to death on a busy south London street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death. Images of attacker Michael Adebolajo holding a butcher knife and cleaver with bloodied hands in the moments after killing shocked people around the world and sparked fears of Islamist extremism in Britain. Adebolajo and his accomplice were sentenced to life in prison.

___

JUNE 2007

Two men were arrested after they drove a Jeep Cherokee into Glasgow Airport's terminal in Scotland and set it ablaze. Authorities said the attack was linked to a failed car bombing a day before in London's West End, where an ambulance crew outside a nightclub spotted smoke coming from a Mercedes that turned out to be rigged with explosives. A second Mercedes also filled with explosives was found hours later in an impound lot.

___

JULY 7, 2005

In the worst peacetime attack on Britain this century, four Al-Qaida-inspired bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other emigrated from Jamaica.
BERLIN (AP) - Germany's media regulator has revised its code of conduct on reporting whether crime suspects belong to an ethnic or religious minority after complaints the previous guidance was unclear.

The German Press Council - a voluntary, industry-run body - says information about a person's ethnicity shouldn't be published "unless there is a justified public interest in doing so."

The wording agreed Wednesday replaces previous guidance that said such details should only be published if there was a link between a person's ethnicity or religion and the crime.

Numerous German media outlets complained that the old code was hard to interpret during a breaking news situation.

They argued that withholding such information left readers searching for it on questionable social media sites and stirred conspiracy theories of media cover-ups of migrant crimes.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Donald Trump's administration is asking a U.S. court to quickly hear its appeal of a ruling that blocked the president's revised travel ban.

Lawyers for the president filed a brief with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia on Wednesday. In it, they argue that the matter is one of national importance and should be reviewed as soon as possible. They want the court to set an expedited schedule for filing briefs and hold oral arguments at the earliest opportunity after those are filed.

Courts in Maryland and Hawaii earlier this month blocked the revised ban, which would temporarily ban travel to the U.S. from six predominantly Muslim countries.

The ruling was a victory for immigrant advocates and civil liberties groups, which claimed the ban violated the Constitution.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Latest on the Dell Technologies Match Play (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Defending champion Jason Day has conceded his match to Pat Perez - after six holes.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks through a tunnel to the first hole during round-robin play against Soren Kjeldsen, of Denmark, at the Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament at Austin County Club, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Details were unclear why the Australian stopped after a double bogey to fall 3 down after six holes. Day tweaked his back in the Dell Technologies Match Play a year ago but still went on to win all seven of his matches.

Because of the round-robin format, Day is still in the tournament. But he has a tough road to win his group with the loss.

___

2:15 p.m.

Add Jordan Spieth to the list of surprising first-round losses in the Dell Technologies Match Play.

Spieth, the No. 5 seed, fell behind on the seventh hole at Austin Country Club against Hideto Tanihara and never caught up. Spieth didn't win a hole until he was conceded a bogey on the 14th hole. Tanihara wound up winning, 4 and 2, in his Match Play debut.

It was the first time Spieth has lost in the opening match in four appearances.

Rory McIlroy, the No. 2 seed, was beaten earlier by Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark.

The shortest day so far belongs to former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, a 6-and-5 winner over Byeong Hun An.

___

1:30 p.m.

Rory McIlroy faces a tough road if he wants to advance out of his group in the Dell Technologies Match Play.

Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark birdied his last four holes to beat McIlroy in a wild opening match at Austin Country Club. They halved only five of the 17 holes they played. Kjeldsen finished off the No. 2 player in the world with a tee shot into 2 feet on the par-3 17th.

It was the first time since 2013 that McIlroy lost in the opening round. The good news? It's not single elimination like it was in 2013, and McIlroy still has two more matches to try to win his group.

___

10:10 a.m.

Rory McIlroy was no different from the other 63 players at the Dell Technologies Match Play. He wasn't sure how long he would be staying.

Match Play began Wednesday at Austin Country Club with 32 matches a day for the opening three rounds of group play. McIlroy drove right into the tree and wound up losing the opening hole of his match against Soren Kjeldsen.

Jason Day is the defending champion, though McIlroy has been tough in this format. His record is 11-2-1 over the last two years, with one of those losses in a meaningless consolation match a year ago.

Dustin Johnson, the No. 1 seed, plays in the afternoon.

The top player from each of the 16 four-man groups advances to the weekend of single-elimination matches.

Jordan Spieth gestures as his tee shot goes left on the sixth hole during round-robin play at the Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament at Austin County Club, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Jordan Spieth, seen through a sign, lines up his putt on the second green during round-robin play at the Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament at Austin County Club, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma legislator charged with hiring a 17-year-old boy for sex resigned on Wednesday, saying he didn't want to be a distraction to his fellow lawmakers.

Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey was arrested last week on charges of engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of church. The 35-year-old married father submitted a resignation letter to the Senate and GOP Gov. Mary Fallin that said he would step down immediately.

"I appreciate the service the men and women of the Oklahoma Senate provide, and I recognize the need for the business of the Senate to proceed without distraction for the remainder of the legislative session," Shortey said in the letter.

FILE - This March 16, 2017, file photo, provided by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office in Norman, Okla., shows Ralph Shortey, a Republican state senator who is facing felony child prostitution charges after police say he solicited sex from a 17-year-old boy. His attorney said Monday, March 20, 2017, that Shortey plans to resign his seat by Wednesday evening. (Cleveland County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Oklahoma's most prominent Republican leaders had called for his resignation after he was charged.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, one of those who had called for Shortey to step down, said he accepted Shortey's resignation.

"To ensure justice is not impeded, the Oklahoma Senate will continue to cooperate with all authorities looking into this matter," Schulz said in a statement.

Shortey is out on $100,000 bond but expected to make an initial court appearance on Friday, according to his attorney, Ed Blau.

Acting on a tip from the teenager's father, police in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore say they went to a Super 8 Hotel earlier this month and smelled marijuana coming from a room. They say they found Shortey and the boy.

The allegations led to Shortey's removal from his volunteer position with the Oklahoma City YMCA's Youth and Government program, in which he has been active for 17 years and served as a chaperone on several out-of-state trips, YMCA spokeswoman Brenda Bennett said. She said she was unaware of any allegations of wrongdoing involving Shortey's work for the program, but that the agency is conducting an internal investigation.

A police report shows a search of the teen's tablet uncovered a series of sexually explicit exchanges in which Shortey referred to the teen as "baby boy" and offered him cash in exchange for "sexual stuff." The conversation had started with the teen messaging Shortey that he needed "money for spring break," police wrote. Officers also found lotion and an open box of condoms inside backpacks in the room.

Police say Shortey and the teen both told officers that they had known each other for about a year, having met through Craigslist and later communicating via the messenger application Kik.

The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16, but Oklahoma's child prostitution statute applies to any person under 18 years old. It's unclear from the police report or charging documents if Shortey and the teen actually had sex. But prosecutor Susan Caswell said her office wouldn't have to prove they did.

In the state Senate, Shortey built a name for himself by pushing bills targeting those living in the country illegally and expanding gun rights.

Shortey faced fierce public criticism earlier this year when he sponsored a bill to stiffen the penalties for drug possession within 1,000 feet of a school or church, even after Oklahoma voters in November voted to make such crimes misdemeanors.

Before his arrest, Shortey was perhaps best known for introducing a bill in 2012 that would have banned the use of aborted human fetuses in food - a measure that drew widespread ridicule and was never granted a hearing in a Senate committee.

Gov. Fallin has 30 days to set the dates for a special election for Shortey's Senate District 44 seat.

___

Follow Sean Murphy at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy
An Idaho man who experts say was coerced into a false murder confession was freed Wednesday after spending half of his life behind bars.

A judge released Christopher Tapp after vacating his rape conviction and resentencing him to time served for the 1996 killing of Angie Dodd.

Tapp was convicted after a jury heard what experts would later say were false confessions given under extreme duress. He was convicted despite not being a match for DNA found at the crime scene.

Scroll down for videos

Christopher Tapp smiles during his post conviction relief hearing at the Bonneville Courthouse in Idaho Falls, Idaho on Wednesday

After years of work by Tapp's attorney John Thomas, advocates, and even the victim's mom, Carol Dodge, Tapp was released

The release came after years of work by Tapp's attorney, public defender John Thomas, and advocates, including Judges for Justice, the Idaho Innocence Project and even the victim's mother, Carol Dodge, who once said she was convinced of Tapp's guilt - until she watched all of his confession videos.

Tapp was released after a plea deal with prosecutors, though the terms were not released. Tapp gave up his right to pursue post-conviction proceedings. His attorney said this way he was let out of prison immediately, even though he was not exonerated, he felt it was the best thing to do, reported The Post Register.

Otherwise, he would have had to wait ten years for a parole hearing.

Angie Dodge was 18 and living in an Idaho Falls apartment on June 13, 1996, when she was sexually assaulted and killed at her home.

Christopher Tapp, right, and Jeremy Sargis, who was also originally linked to the crime but whose charges were dropped, embrace during Tapp's post conviction relief hearing at the Bonneville Courthouse in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Tapp was a 20-year-old high school dropout at the time. He was interrogated for hours and subjected to multiple lie detector tests by police before confessing, but DNA evidence taken from the scene didn't match Tapp or any of other suspects in the case.

The release doesn't exonerate Tapp - his murder conviction still stands under the plea agreement that transformed his 30-years-to-life sentence to time served.

But the agreement allowed Tapp to leave the courtroom as a free man after spending 20 years in prison. He otherwise wouldn't have been able to seek parole until 2027.

'Chris Tapp is innocent,' his attorney, Thomas, told the Post Register newspaper Tuesday. Still, Thomas said, the plea deal was the right decision because it came with the certainty of freedom.

Christopher Tapp, right, and public defender John Thomas smile during Tapp's post conviction relief hearing at the Bonneville Courthouse in Idaho Falls

In court Wednesday, Carol Dodge said she was overwhelmed and felt great sadness that Tapp had lost 20 years of his life to prison. She said she hoped people would continue to seek justice for her daughter by finding the real killer.

The Idaho Falls Police Department announced Wednesday that it has a sketch of a suspect in the case. However, police did not release it or immediately return calls from The Associated Press inquiring how it was obtained.

Most of the recent developments in the case have focused on DNA found at the scene.

Christopher Tapp hugs his mother Vera Tapp, left, and Carol Dodge, the mother of murder victim Angie Dodge, after being freed during his post conviction relief hearing at the Bonneville Courthouse in Idaho Falls - Dodge told NBC-Dateline that she believed Tapp was guilty until she spent hours watching all of Tapp's interrogation tapes.

Angie Dodd, above, was 18 when she was found dead, raped and her throat slit

Dodge's body was found by co-workers who went to check on her. She had been raped and stabbed. Investigators were able to obtain DNA samples from hair, skin cells and body fluids at the scene.

The initial investigation spanned several months, and by the start of 1997, detectives began to suspect that Benjamin Hobbs and Tapp may have been involved.

Hobbs was arrested in Ely, Nevada, in connection with a rape and accused of using a knife during the crime. Tapp, who was friends with Hobbs, was arrested in January and questioned about Hobbs' suspected involvement in Dodge's killing.

Over the next few weeks, Tapp was interrogated nine times and subjected to seven polygraph tests.

Tapp, in an undated photo above, served 20 years in prison for a crime he and his supporters say he didn't commit

At various times, police officers suggested he could face the death penalty, told him that he was failing the lie detector tests, suggested he may have repressed memories of the killing and offered him immunity if he implicated Hobbs and another suspect. He eventually confessed to being involved in the death.

But none of the DNA found at the crime scene matched Tapp, Hobbs or the other suspect. It all belonged to the same unknown man, according to the analysis.

Prosecutors, seemingly unaware of the nature of some of the police contact with Tapp, accused him of lying and rescinded his plea deal. Tapp was convicted after his recorded confession was played for the jury.

Over the years, advocacy groups for the wrongfully convicted began fighting for Tapp's exoneration. His attorney tried to get the conviction overturned, but was stymied by Idaho's strict one-year statute of limitations for some post-conviction proceedings and a limited court record.

Christopher Tapp celebrates after his post conviction relief hearing at the Bonneville Courthouse in Idaho Falls

Former FBI agent Gregg McCrary later reviewed the videotaped interrogations and polygraphs at the request of Judges for Justice.

'While the investigators should be commended for engaging in the best practice of recording virtually all of their contact with Mr. Tapp, they also became ensnared in a host of cognitive biases,' McCrary wrote to Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Bruce Pickett in 2014.

A polygraph expert recruited by the group, Boise State University professor Dr. Charles Honts, said the polygraphs were used 'as a psychological rubber hose in an effort to coerce a confession.'

Under the plea deal, Tapp can't continue legal efforts to get his conviction overturned and must pay into Idaho's victim compensation fund.
A pioneering digital artist and human-computer interaction (HCI) expert has been awarded a lifetime achievement award for decades spent at the forefront of creativity.

Professor Ernest Edmonds, who is the director of the Institute of Creative Technologies at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), said he was thrilled to have been given the accolade from ACM SIGCHI, which represents professionals, students and researchers from around the world in the field of HCI.

It is presented to those who have influenced others through practice, contributed to the field and had the most impact through their work internationally. Only one other person from the UK has previously received one of these awards.

As a prolific researcher, practising artist and lecturer, Professor Edmonds has devoted decades to championing a culture of innovation and practice-based research by working with colleagues in a range of different disciplines.

He said: It is quite an exceptional award. The first I knew about it was when I received an email letting me know I had been given the award, I had no idea. I was even more thrilled because I have always seen my work as being on the fringes, deliberately so.

To be recognised by the community that defined the field of HCI is very special to me.

The announcement comes as Professor Edmonds was named chairman of the board of ISEA International, which organises a symposium of conferences, exhibitions, performances and workshops for the international art, science and technology community. It is one of the worlds most prominent international arts and technology events with this years symposia being held in Colombia.

Professor Edmonds career began in 1967 when he joined DMU  then Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology  as a research assistant. Back then, there was one computer which was kept in an air-conditioned room.

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As a mathematics and logic scholar, he quickly became fascinated by computing. His deep concern for art led him to examine possibilities presented by the computer, which was further strengthened after a visit to the influential 1968 exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity in London.

That same year he began to use computers in his art practice and he has gone on to exhibit around the world.

Early on, Professor Edmonds believed strongly in the power of working across disciplines, combining his love of logic with creative technologies and art.

It was a very different world, he said. The computer was part of the mathematics or engineering departments; it wasnt often thought of as a stimulus for creativity. I began to think about what effect it could have on all areas of my life, including art.

In 1970, we presented a paper on the future of computing, which set down the programme for everything I have done since.

Professor Edmonds urges young researchers to develop a collaborative practice. He said: Theres a lot of pressure in the education system today to specialise, but I believe working across disciplines stimulates creative thinking and is where the innovation takes place.

He said there are many parallels between his own career and the development of DMU itself.

My work has been innovative, creative and multidisciplinary. Its been about practice, and these words are all important to DMU, its mission and spirit. The older universities may need to be more theoretical but DMUs focus on practice-based work and innovation is vital to the needs of the world today.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Latest on a Maine lawmaker's bill protecting climate change beliefs (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

A Republican lawmaker in Maine who has introduced a bill that would protect people from discrimination based on their beliefs about climate change says he thinks it's an open question whether human activity is the primary cause of it.

Rep. Larry Lockman's bill would limit the attorney general's ability to investigate or prosecute people based on their political speech, including their views on climate change. It would also prohibit the state from discriminating in buying goods or services or awarding grants or contracts based on a person's "climate change policy preferences."

Peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists say that the world is warming from man-made forces.

Lockman tells The Associated Press there needs to be a "vigorous public debate" on whether human activity is the main cause of climate change.

___

11:20 a.m.

A Republican lawmaker in Maine says the state should protect people from being discriminated against based on their beliefs about climate change.

Rep. Larry Lockman has introduced a bill that would limit the attorney general's ability to investigate or prosecute people based on their political speech, including their views on climate change. It would also prohibit Maine from favoring or disfavoring a person based on their "climate change policy preferences."

The bill says the new rule would apply to grants, contracts and employment.

Peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists say that the world is warming from man-made forces.

Lockman's bill is scheduled for an April 6 hearing.
Sears got its start more than 130 years ago as a mail-order watch seller. It grew to become the world's largest retailers. But today, it is struggling. It has been closing stores to fight falling sales and this week said it has "substantial doubt " that it can stay in business.

Here's a look at Sears through the years:

1886 - Richard Sears starts the R.W. Sears Watch Co. in Minneapolis.

Sears signage is shown on its department store in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in New York. Sears, once the monolith of American retail, says that there is "substantial doubt" that it will be able to keep its doors open. Company shares tumbled more than 12 percent Wednesday. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

1888 - The Sears catalog is born, featuring watches and jewelry. By 1894, sewing machines, baby carriages and other items are added.

1893 - The company becomes Sears, Roebuck and Co.

1906 - Sears becomes a public company.

1913 - Sears launches the Kenmore brand of sewing machines. Today, refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances are sold under the name.

1925 - The first Sears brick-and-mortar store opens in Chicago.

1927 - Sears buys the Craftsman trademark for $500 and begins to sell power tools under the brand about two years later. In 2017, it announced plans to sell the brand to Stanley Black & Decker Inc. in a $900 million deal.

1931 - Allstate Insurance Co. is launched, offering auto insurance. Sears sold its stake and Allstate became an independent company in the 1990s.

1973 - The company finishes building its new headquarters, the Sears Tower in Chicago. At time, it was the world's tallest building at 1,454 feet tall. Sears sold the Chicago landmark in 1994. Its current headquarters are in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

1985 - The Discover Card is introduced nationally. Sears spun off a financial company in the 1990s which included the card.

1993 - Sears stops sending its famous catalog.

2005 - Kmart buys Sears and the company becomes the Sears Holdings Corp.

2017 - The company announces plans to cut $1 billion in costs by selling more store locations, cutting more jobs and putting more of its famous brands on the block.

___

Sources: Sears, AP archives
LONDON (AP) - British lawmakers were the first to tell the nation, and the world, about a deadly terror attack Wednesday, with members of Parliament tweeting about events unfolding on their doorstep while huddling inside the Palace of Westminster after armed police locked down the area.

Several took to Twitter as the incident unraveled.

Chris Philp MP at 3:51 p.m.

"Parliament just been locked down following shooting incident in new palace yard. Not sure what happened"

Grant Shapps MP at 4:12p.m.

"Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back."

Anna Soubry MP at 4:37 p.m.

"Colleagues taken out of the library at gun point by counter terrorist armed police officers

"Armed officers ordered myself and Security Minister (Ben Wallace) into lobby at gun point. Terrifying"

Nicky Morgan MP at 4:52 p.m.

"The division bell had just gone and MPs were making their way to the House of Commons chamber....

"It takes a moment to realise that is actually gunfire and at that point people were yelling get down, get back.

"They pushed us all back to the new building.

"We have at the back of our mind all the time that something terrible can happen. The first thing is, is that actually gunfire? Have you misheard?

"But the reaction of the officers around made it very clear this is a very serious situation."

George Foreman MP at 4:55 p.m.

"Incredibly brave @metpoliceuk anti-terror officers co-ordinating a lockdown & evacuation after #ParliamentAttack"

Diane Abbott MP at 5:48 p.m.

"In the chamber of the House of Commons. Parliament still on lockdown. So grateful to police, security services and House of Commons staff."

___

Associated Press Writer Sophie Berman contributed to this report.
ATLANTA (AP) - A Senegalese man has been sentenced to serve five years in prison for his participation in an Atlanta counterfeit DVD and CD ring.

Federal prosecutors in Atlanta say 41-year-old Mamadou Aliou Simakha pleaded guilty in March 2010 to one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, to traffic in counterfeit goods and counterfeit labels.

He was also ordered to pay nearly $71,000 to the Motion Picture Association and Recording Industry Association of America.

After pleading guilty, he fled the U.S. He was arrested in March 2016 in Morocco and was extradited back to the U.S. in December.

Prosecutors say Simakha was one of 13 people charged in May 2009 in connection with the ring. At his plea hearing, he admitted that he burned and helped sell pirated music and movies.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of NATO said Wednesday he is certain a semiannual meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers can be rescheduled so Secretary of State Rex Tillerson can attend.

U.S. officials said this week that Tillerson was planning to skip next month's meeting in Brussels. Shortly after, he plans to visit Moscow. The decisions led some European officials to worry about the Trump administration's commitment to the alliance.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told The Associated Press in an interview that he met with Tillerson Wednesday and they agreed to have their staffs work out an alternative schedule that works for all 28 members of the security alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy during the Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition on the Defeat of ISIS, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the State Department in Washington. Top officials from the 68-nation coalition fighting the Islamic State group are looking to increase pressure on the group as U.S.-backed forces move closer to retaking Mosul. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

"This has been a scheduling issue and that kind of issue is possible to resolve. So I'm absolutely certain we will be able to find a date that works for everyone so we will have all the ministers present," he said.

Stoltenberg was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Washington of the 68-nation coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

The State Department has not specified what the clash is in Tillerson's schedule, but President Donald Trump is expected to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a highly anticipated meeting around the same time.

During last year's election campaign, Trump called the alliance "obsolete" and criticized allies whom he said were not paying enough for their own defense.

But since taking office, Stoltenberg said Trump had sent "a very clear message" about his commitment to NATO. The NATO chief said he agreed on the need for more defense spending across Europe and Canada and for the alliance to step up contributions in fighting terrorism.

He said NATO has an "untapped potential" to help train local forces as it has in Afghanistan and has just started doing in Iraq. It is also providing surveillance aircraft support there.

Stoltenberg said he would discuss with Trump how NATO can help further when they meet at the White House April 12, and when Trump attends a meeting of NATO heads of state in Brussels on May 25.
NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on the arrests of an aging mobster acquitted in the 1978 Lufthansa cargo terminal heist and the namesake grandson of Gambino crime family boss John Gotti (all times local):

5:10 p.m.

An aging mobster who two years ago beat charges in a legendary heist retold in the film "Goodfellas" has pleaded not guilty in New York to new charges.

The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn accused Vincent Asaro on Wednesday of committing arson in 2012, three years before his earlier arrest in the robbery of the Lufthansa cargo terminal at Kennedy Airport in 1978.

An indictment also names a grandson of Gambino crime family boss John Gotti as a defendant. He pleaded not guilty, too, and both were denied bail.

In 2015, a Brooklyn jury acquitted the 82-year-Asaro of charges he orchestrated the Lufthansa robbery with James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke. A turncoat mob associate testified that Asaro and Burke killed a suspected informant with a dog chain. The defense argued Asaro was framed.

___

11:35 a.m.

An aging mobster who two years ago beat charges in a legendary heist retold in the film "Goodfellas" has been rearrested.

The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn says Vincent Asaro is charged with an arson committed before his 2015 arrest in the robbery of the Lufthansa cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1978.

Asaro's attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

An indictment also names a grandson of infamous Gambino crime family boss John Gotti as a defendant.

In 2015, a Brooklyn jury found the 82-year-Asaro not guilty of charges he orchestrated the Lufthansa robbery with James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke. A turncoat mob associate testified that Asaro and Burke killed a suspected informant with a dog chain. The defense argued Asaro was framed.
California is courting a 'very significant risk' if a damaged spillway on the nation's tallest dam is not operational by the next rainy season, and the state's plan for the work leaves no time for any delays, a team of safety experts has warned.

Crews working to repair a crippled spillway on the Lake Oroville dam will be racing the clock to have the spillway in good enough shape by next fall, according to the report prepared by an independent team of consultants and submitted to federal officials last week.

The crews hope to prevent a repeat, or worse, of dramatic events that led to nearly 200,000 people being evacuated last month.

A team of experts is warning of a 'very significant risk' if the main spillway of the Oroville Dam is not operational again by the next rainy season. Water is pictured gushing from the main spillway on February 14

A February 27 photo reveals a huge hole in the top of the spillway, with a large chunk of the top edge missing from the crumbling waterway in California

Repair contracts will have to be awarded by June and workers will have to have the spillway in solid enough shape by November 1, the experts warned.

'This is a very demanding schedule, as everyone recognizes. There seems to be no room anywhere to expand any part of the schedule,' the five-member expert team said in the report for state and federal water and dam-safety officials.

'A very significant risk would be incurred if the Gated Spillway is not operational by November 1.'

The report does not specify what that means.

However, officials with the state Department of Water Resources, which operates Lake Oroville - the site of the nation's tallest dam and California's second-largest lake - fear a huge rupture that opened in the main spillway could expand to cripple the flood gates that send out controlled releases of water and keep water from spilling over uncontrollably.

In a statement, spokeswoman Maggie Macias said the agency's objective was to have a fully functional spillway before the start of the next storm season.

'We'll be working round-the-clock through spring, summer and fall to make that happen,' she said.

Crews working to repair a crippled spillway on the Lake Oroville dam will be racing the clock to have the spillway in good enough shape by next fall (February 28 photo)

The independent consultants were selected by the state at the request of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Department of Water Resources spokeswoman Maggie Macias did not return a call for comment Wednesday.

The experts on the panel either declined comment Wednesday or could not immediately be reached.

On February 12, authorities ordered the evacuation of 188,000 people in three counties downstream of the dam after surging releases of water tore away big chunks of the main spillway and then the dam's second, emergency spillway.

At the time, authorities feared deterioration of the emergency spillway could send a wall of water from the lake downhill through surrounding towns.

The experts called it 'absolutely critical' that the dam's state operators not use the faulty emergency spillway again.

The state should start work now redesigning a new emergency spillway for the 50-year-old dam, the consultants said.

The experts inspected the main spillway before delivering the recommendations to the state.

Water was even seeping from seemingly undamaged stretches of the main spillway, the experts said.

Repair contracts will have to be awarded by June and workers will have to have the spillway in solid enough shape by November 1, experts have warned (February 28 photo)

Only 12 inches thick, the concrete spillway is heavily patched, at some places by clay stuffed into holes below the concrete.

'This calls into question whether the portions of the slab that appear undamaged by the failure should be replaced,' the consultants said, raising the prospect of a much bigger long-term repair job.

Fully repairing the spillway will likely take two years, the consultants said. California still has at least a month left in the current, unusually wet rainy season.

A record snowfall in the Sierra Nevada will send more and more runoff into Lake Oroville as weather warms.

A bird's eye view taken on February 27 shows the massive pile of grey rubble that settled at the bottom of the spillway

State water officials plan to use the damaged main spillway sparingly to control the runoff, releasing water down it to try to ensure it doesn't spill out over the non-functional emergency spillway again.

Also Wednesday, the state Legislative Analyst's Office warned that tens of billions of dollars are needed for repairs and updates for aging dams, levees, wetlands and other projects in California's flood-management system.

Authorities have not provided a current estimate for the cost of repairs needed on the Oroville dam spillways.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A Pennsylvania man took more than $100,000 in bribes in a scheme involving construction projects at two New Jersey military bases, the U.S. attorney's office said in a criminal complaint released Wednesday.

Kevin Leondi, 56, of Stroudsburg, was charged with conspiracy to accept bribes and defraud the United States, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Leondi will plead not guilty, his attorney said after he was released on $250,000 bail following an initial court appearance.

Attorney Ernie Preate Jr. said that he and Leondi have been providing volumes of documents related to the case to federal prosecutors for a couple of years.

"We think that there's another side to this story," Preate said without going into specifics. "They interpret things their way, we interpret things another way."

According to the complaint, Leondi received $125,000 in bribes in the form of cash, the sale of unneeded equipment and work performed at his personal property. Leondi was employed by the Army as a contract specialist and served as liaison with contractors seeking work at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Leondi allegedly asked one contractor for $45,000 for help paying his mortgage, and received part of it by selling the contractor a piece of equipment worth $4,000 to $5,000 for roughly $28,000.

He also asked one contractor to install bathroom tiling and hardwood floors at his personal property for free, according to the complaint. When the contractor refused, the complaint said Leondi had a different contractor perform the work and forced the first contractor to pay for it.

Preate said that the charges will be difficult on Leondi who he described as a hard-working, well-liked small businessman. He said that he's known Leondi for nearly 40 years and that Leondi interned for him when Preate served as district attorney for Lackawanna County.

Preate later served as Pennsylvania's attorney general before pleading guilty to federal mail fraud charges related to a campaign contribution. He served a year in federal prison.

Picatinny Arsenal is a center for research and development of weapons systems and ammunition, and Joint Base McGuire includes the installations formerly known separately as McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.
NEW YORK (AP) - Hard-line House Republicans considering voting against the House GOP health bill are bracing for payback from a president who claims his favorite biblical passage is "an eye for an eye." Many appear ready to risk it.

The scheduled roll call vote for the bill backed by President Donald Trump is a crucial first test of whether Republicans are willing to defy the White House and face the wrath of a president who has bragged about never forgetting a slight. Trump has shown he's willing to use his megaphone and practiced counter-punch against his allies. But the vote comes as Trump's poll numbers have slouched and his White House is consumed with damaging distractions.

A group of breakaway Republicans, including several members of the deeply conservative House Freedom Caucus, on Wednesday remain unbowed, taking comfort in the political safety they feel in their home districts.

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the National Republican Congressional Committee March Dinner at the National Building Museum, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Members are well aware they face possible primary threats if they vote against the bill the White House has cast as the only chance to make good on a GOP promise to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care law.

White House chief strategist Steve Bannon told holdout lawmakers Wednesday: "You all have to vote for this. We've got to do this. I know you don't like it, but you have to vote for this," according to several representatives present. The comment came after Trump told a group Tuesday that "many of you will lose your seats in 2018" if Republicans don't pass a health care bill.

"They know," said Rep. Steve Stivers, of Ohio, head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, of the looming primary threats. Stivers said he's heard Trump "say things privately" about retaliating against those who oppose the measure. "Every member has their own calculations they have to look at," he said.

More than two dozen members of the House Freedom Caucus oppose the plan because they say it doesn't go far enough to undo Obamacare. Some moderate GOP members, meanwhile, were turned off a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis predicting 24 million people would lose coverage in a decade.

Most of the GOP no-voters represent safely Republican seats - some drawn to ensure they stay that way - and whose grip on power would only be threatened by a primary challenger. Among them is Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who was re-elected in November with 71 percent of the vote, making a stand against Trump a relatively safe bet.

"He has categorized himself as a staunch ideological conservative and can tell voters he was standing up for what he believed in," said Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky. "(The White House) could send a bunch of money to go after him but there's no reason to think the Republican voters would buy into a fight on this."

Massie tweeted Wednesday that he'd switched his vote from "no" to "hell no."

Many in the Freedom Caucus also have taken a stand knowing that while Trump is popular in their districts, they are equally so. Rep. Mark Meadows, chair of the caucus, did not face a primary challenger and was re-elected to his seat last year with more than 64 percent of the vote, slightly higher than Trump's total in his western North Carolina district.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said the White House has not considered a course of action if the lawmakers defeat the bill, insisting Wednesday that Trump is "not there to threaten them, he's there to explain the political landscape to them."

But the White House has previewed what could be part of its strategy to seek retribution against those who defy the president: Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have each held rallies this month in deep red Kentucky. The president just raised more than $30 million for the National Republican Congressional Committee and could threaten members' money. And while Trump's overall numbers have slipped, he remains popular among Republicans and could hold campaign rallies in the districts of representatives who defied hm.

The political stakes for Trump could not be much higher.

Failure to pass the bill would be a dramatic setback for Republicans core campaign promise. Rebellion among House Republicans also would undercut Trump's self-promotion as a dealmaker and winner. The defeat would come just days after the FBI investigation confirmed it's investigating his campaign's contacts with Russian officials, would further damage a president with an approval rating hovering below 40 percent and weaken his ability to tackle the rest of his agenda.

Trump has long touted his ability at dishing out payback. Whether with his Twitter account or onstage at a rally, Trump lets few slights - real or imagined - go unpunished.

After Sen. Ted Cruz refused to endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention, the newly minted Republican nominee used the morning after his acceptance speech to tear into his former rival. Trump read out Sen. Lindsey Graham's personal cell phone to get back at him. He tore into a Gold Star family after the parents of a slain solider denounced him from the stage at the Democratic National Convention. And he went after a former beauty queen - even falsely claiming she had a sex tape - after she appeared in an ad for Hillary Clinton.

Even after getting elected, Trump has showed little inclination to let bygones be bygones.

He's warned that he would fund a Super PAC solely dedicated to defeat Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who never endorsed the president, if Kasich ever challenged him - an extraordinary threat from a sitting president. He also interjected himself into a state-level race to oust Kasich's hand-picked Ohio state party chair.

And last week in Michigan, he turned to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder during a feel-good photo op to note that Snyder never endorsed him.

"I never forget," Trump said.

____

Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor contributed reporting from Washington.

___

Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire
FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey appeals court has upheld the life sentence of a man who threw his 2-year-old daughter into a creek while she was strapped into her car seat and weighed down by a tire jack.

A two-judge panel ruled Wednesday that 32-year-old Arthur Morgan III did not receive an excessive sentence and doesn't deserve a new trial.

Morgan was convicted in 2014 of killing Tierra Morgan-Glover by tossing her into the creek in 2011.

Among the arguments in his appeal was that the trial judge's charge to the jury was flawed, that the judge wrongly allowed testimony from a woman he had lived with and that a statement he made to a detective when he was arrested in San Diego shouldn't have been used as evidence.

"I know that New Jersey doesn't have a death penalty, so what am I looking at when I get back there, what sentence?" Morgan said in the interview in San Diego.

At his sentencing, Superior Court Judge Anthony Mellaci called him "candidate No. 1" for the death penalty if the state still allowed it.

"Your actions were horrific, unthinkable and appalling," Mellaci said at sentencing. "This child was alive when she was placed in the water in pitch darkness, and had to suffer the unthinkable action of having water rush in and fill her lungs while strapped into that car seat," the judge said. "This child suffered before she died."

Morgan's defense was that he put his daughter in the water to let God decide her fate because of a dispute with the girl's mother.

"I want to say I'm sorry for the deterioration of what I thought was a beautiful friendship between the two of us that blossomed into a daughter," Morgan told Imani Benton at his sentencing. "For anybody that was truly affected by this, I hope we can all heal from this situation, knowing Tierra is in a better place."
ATLANTA (AP) - A 19-year-old candidate seeking a council seat in a newly formed city in Georgia is headed to a runoff election next month.

News outlets report that Mary-Pat Hector, a sophomore at Spelman College, finished second Tuesday to George Turner Jr. in a five-way race in Stonecrest in southeast DeKalb County.

Neither candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote, forcing the top two finishers into a runoff April 18.

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Mary-Pat Hector with the National Action Network, speaks during a community town hall forum at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. News outlets report that Hector, a sophomore at Spellman College, finished second Tuesday, March 21, 2017, to George Turner Jr. in a five-way race in Stonecrest in southeast DeKalb County. Neither candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote, forcing the top two finishers into a runoff April 18. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

During the campaign, Turner challenged Hector's eligibility because of her age. Georgia law requires candidates to be at least 21 years old unless a city charter specifically makes an exception.

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections ruled Hector could run because the city's charter doesn't specifically mention an age restriction.

___

This story has corrected the spelling of Spelman College.
The Princess Royal has spoken out in favour of genetically modified (GM) crops, putting her at odds with the Prince of Wales.

Anne conceded the impact of GM crops might not be seen for a long time, but said to rule out the scientific technique just in case was not practical.

Her views appear contrary to Charles, a passionate organic farmer who in past years has spoken out against GM and is royal patron of the Soil Association, which has campaigned against GM crops and ingredients in human and animal food.

A general view of the site of a genetically modified crop trial at Rothamsted Research, in Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

He has frequently tackled the topic over the last 20 years and remained critical of so-called Frankenstein foods.

He once warned that the development of GM crops risked creating the biggest disaster environmentally of all time and accused multinational corporations of conducting an experiment with nature which had gone seriously wrong.

Annes comments were made in an interview for BBC Radio 4s Farming Today show, which has talked to a number of leading figures for a series of programmes this week exploring the environmental and farming opportunities that will come with Brexit.

Anne, who farms in Gloucestershire, told the programme: GM is one of those things that divides people, but surely if were going to be better at producing food of the right value then we have to accept that genetic technology  whether you call it modification or anything else  is going to be part of that.

GM crops are not grown commercially in the UK and trials of scientifically engineered plants are stringently vetted.

The Prince of Wales has spoken out against GM (Nigel Roddis/PA)

The princess, whose full interview will be aired on Thursday morning on Farming Today, added: Most of us will argue that weve been genetically modifying food since man started to be agrarian, but everybody will say, well, it doesnt happen so quickly.

So being able to understand what those changes mean, if you change one aspect of a plant, then how does it affect the rest of the environment around it, does it have a long-term impact? Theres probably a very long-term impact and we may not see that for quite a long time.

And to say, no, we mustnt go there just in case, is probably not a practical argument.

Asked if, in a post-Brexit UK where growing GM crops was allowed, she could see the plants being cultivated on her land, she replied yes.

Liz ONeill, director of campaign group GM Freeze, said: The Princess Royal is right to point out that changing one aspect of a plant can affect the rest of the environment around it.

GM-growing countries are already suffering what the US National Academy of Sciences identified as major agricultural problems caused by the cultivation of GM crops. Herbicide resistant superweeds, reduced biodiversity and the contamination of conventional and organic crops are much more than occasional downsides.

The harm done by GM crops is already all too real. It shows that you cant solve systemic problems one gene at a time.
A new missile launch by North Korea appears to have ended in failure, South Korea has said, three days after Pyongyang claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The reported launch failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

Earlier this month North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

The test firing of a Trident missile (MoD/PA)

In South Korea tomorrow, Secretary Tillerson will focus on the response to North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs. pic.twitter.com/RhAEXtuk75  Department of State (@StateDept) March 16, 2017

On Wednesday morning, the North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan, but the launch was believed to have ended in failure, Seouls Defence Ministry said.

It said it was analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next few days.

The American military detected what it assessed as a failed North Korean missile launch on Wednesday morning, the US Pacific Command said.

It said the missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch.

North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with what it says is US hostility.

Many weapons experts say the North could have a functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental US within a few years.
A man has died after being gunned down in east London, police said.

Officers were called to reports of the shooting at the Ilford Lane junction with Bedford Road, Ilford, at 10.10pm on Tuesday.

Emergency services found the victim unconscious with a gunshot wound, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police cordon off the scene of the fatal shooting in Ilford (@twiterboy12/PA)

Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a 19yo man was shot in #Ilford https://t.co/FncxwnZOQG pic.twitter.com/XKzovsBuqI  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

Despite the efforts of paramedics to save him, he died shortly before 11.30pm.

No arrests have been made and officers remained at the scene, police said.

The victims next of kin have yet to be informed.

Annyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A giant Welsh oak tree saved from being felled for a bypass has come runner-up in the European Tree Of The Year contest.

The Brimmon oak in Newtown, Powys, which has a girth of nearly 20ft (6m), was second in the Europe-wide competition.

Polands entry, the Oak Josef, which sheltered a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis and featured on a Polish banknote, came top in the public poll.

The Brimmon oak in Newtown, Powys (Woodland Trust/PA)

Waless entry secured 16,203 votes, while Englands Sycamore Gap tree came fifth with 7,123 votes, Northern Irelands Holm Oak came sixth with 7,101 votes and Scotlands Ding Dong Tree in a school playground was eighth with 6,237 votes.

The giant Brimmon oak hit the headlines in 2009 when plans emerged to fell it to make way for the planned bypass, but landowner Mervyn Jones objected.

His campaign to save the oak, which was backed by a 5,000-strong petition to the Welsh Assembly, finally saw the Welsh Government agree to vary the bypass route in the hope of saving the tree.

All four UK trees, which were selected to go forward to the European Tree Of The Year Contest by a public vote, are receiving a 1,000 care grant, which will pay for expert assessments, or even a celebratory event.

Huge congratulations to Oak Jozef, winner of this year's #EuropeanTreeOfTheYear pic.twitter.com/99UyN1aavW  Woodland Trust (@WoodlandTrust) March 21, 2017

The Woodland Trust, which ran the UK competition, is renewing its call for better protection of the countrys ancients, both trees and woodlands, so developments that damage them are only approved in wholly exceptional circumstances.

The call comes after Government proposals in the recent housing white paper to put ancient woodland and aged or veteran trees on the same footing in planning as national parks and green belt land so development is restricted.

Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust chief executive, said: The UK is rightly renowned for having some of the best examples of ancient trees in Europe, so its good to see them finally achieving recognition in the competition.

There is now an opportunity to secure better protection for them following the publication of the housing white paper and we need the public to help us make it happen.

Clara Govier, head of charities at Peoples Postcode Lottery, which supported the UK vote and funded the care grants, said: It has been great to raise awareness of so many special trees and the affection people have for them.

Massive congratulations to the Welsh entry for doing so brilliantly well!
The Prince of Wales has sampled a range of cheeses made by small producers across the UK, telling a small shop owner: Its all so irresistible.

Charles was tasting cheese for the second day in the north of England when he visited The Courtyard  a renovated farmstead in the Yorkshire Dales which is now home to a series of small businesses.

The prince crossed the border into Yorkshire after spending Tuesday in Lancashire. Touring the various ventures at The Courtyard, the prince was persuaded to taste a range of their cheeses by Andy and Kathy Swinscoe, owners of the The Courtyard Dairy.

Prince Charles (Nigel Roddis/PA)

Mr Swinscoe told Charles how they specialised in cheese made by small family farms, especially unpasteurised varieties from rare breeds. He said he thought sheeps milk made the best cheese.

After trying a piece he was offered, the royal visitor said: "This is seriously good."

Once he had tasted a number of Mr Swinscoes cheeses, he said: God, its all so irresistible.

The prince toured every business at The Courtyard including Dalesbred, the cabinet makers, The Lime Gallery and Buon Vino, which specialises in wines made using natural methods, organic farming and biodynamic production.

Prince Charles (Nigel Roddis/PA)

Charles took a close interest in the cakes in The Brasserie as the chefs told him how all were made on the premises with local ingredients.

The Courtyard was renovated in 2012 by Simon and Sally Robinson and Mark Hancock. Mr Robinson said the opening of the complex created 37 new jobs within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the biggest single creator of jobs in the park at the time.

He said: I think its been a fabulous day today. He was so interested in everything and the story of developing the barn. The most impressive part was the interest he showed in every single business."

Prince Charles (Nigel Roddis/PA)

He added: He does like his cheese.

Mr Robinson, who also runs the Dalesbred cabinet-making business at the site, said the prince was particularly interested in the problem of finding and training skilled craftsmen.

As Charles was leaving the site, he was approached by young farmer Craig Booth, who said he had taken time out from lambing to thank the royal visitor for the help he received from the Princes Trust to set up his quad bike-based snow ploughing and gritting business.

He shook Charless hand and said he just wanted to thank him personally before the pair chatted about lambing in the wintry weather. The prince left The Courtyard for further engagements in Yorkshire.
OSLO, March 21 (Reuters) - Norway's $915-billion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, is earning less money because of divestments it has made over the past decade due to ethical considerations, it said on Tuesday.

The fund, which funnels the proceeds of Norway's oil and gas production, invests in close to 9,000 companies worldwide.

It is forbidden by law from investing in firms that produce nuclear weapons or landmines, or are involved in serious and systematic human rights violations, among other criteria.

The fund returned 1.11 percentage points less between 2006 and 2016 as a result of exclusions of companies on ethical grounds, according to a report it published on Tuesday.

The loss was about 12 billion crowns, or $1.42 billion, for the decade, fund CEO Yngve Slyngstad told reporters. Still, he said, he would not want the fund to be allowed to invest again in those companies.

"There is a broad consensus among Norwegians that the fund should not earn money from companies that take people's lives," he said.

Some 65 companies are excluded on ethical grounds, based on the recommendation of the fund's ethical watchdog, the Council on Ethics. Another 69 firms are excluded directly by the fund based on their dependence on thermal coal.

The biggest loss of 1.16 percentage points was caused by not being invested in tobacco producers, followed by manufacturers of specific weapons, such as nuclear weapons, cluster munitions and anti-personnel landmines.

But there was an upside on some types of investments. By being divested from companies that cause severe environmental damage, for example coal mining firms and those that fell rainforests, the fund earned 0.78 of a percentage point more than if it had stayed invested in those companies, the report said.

($1 = 8.4449 Norwegian crowns) (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche, editing by Ed Osmond)
By Marina Depetris and John Miller

KOELLIKON, Switzerland, March 21 (Reuters) - Entrepreneurs have high hopes for cannabis in Switzerland, where business has suddenly taken off in recent months, six years after the country legalised low-potency "marijuana-light".

Switzerland changed its laws in 2011 to let adults buy and use cannabis with up to 1 percent THC, the chemical compound that produces a high. But its money-making potential seems only to have been discovered late last year, officials said.

"It started gradually last year, and then suddenly things went crazy in December 2016 and in 2017," said a spokesman for Switzerland's Customs Agency in Berne, which taxes the trade.

The number of retailers registered to sell low-THC cannabis has risen to 140 from just a handful last year, the agency says.

It expects revenue of around $25 million on legal sales of $100 million from cannabis in 2017, although the spokesman said the figure could be far higher if the boom continues.

KannaSwiss, a wholesaler that supplies shops with organically-grown low-THC cannabis to smoke or take orally, has quadrupled its staff to 20 since last year, but boss Corso Serra di Cassano says the company still can't keep up with orders.

The company was founded by two scions of aristocratic families: di Cassano, whose lineage includes an Italian prince beheaded in 1799, and Boris Blatnik, whose sister married into the deposed royal family of Greece. They compare the high from low-potency pot to drinking a couple glasses of wine.

"You feel like you should be high, because you have a body high, but your mind is completely clear," said di Cassano, walking among 3,000 plants inside a brightly lit grow room whose electricity bill runs to $15,000 a month.

Nearby, dried cannabis with a retail value of roughly $1 million sits in six large plastic barrels, ready for delivery.

"We're really seeing the boom in the last month or two," di Cassano said.

MIXED USERS

Switzerland's experimentation with low-THC cannabis comes as several U.S. states have decriminalised or legalised pot.

Europe has a patchwork of laws. The Netherlands is known for coffee shops where the authorities allow sales of small quantities of marijuana. In January, Germany's lower house of parliament passed a law legalising medical cannabis.

Several countries have explored changing the rules to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana or permit strains low in THC. But the Swiss were among the first to make recreational low-potency pot fully legal and tax it.

Paul Monot, a founder of Doctor Green's cannabis shop in Geneva, said his store's trade has grown briskly following its December opening, hitting monthly revenue of 50,000 to 100,000 Swiss francs on sales of four to eight kilos. He now has plans to begin marketing products in up to 40 stores.

"Our customers are very mixed. It is really not only the stereotype of unemployed joint smokers, wearing backward caps and sneakers," Monot said. "They are from all walks of life: 88-year old people are coming, as well as workers, bankers and lawyers."

Carole Rodriguez, a 58-year-old nurse from southern Switzerland, said she visited Doctor Greens to take the edge off her arthritis.

"I am going to brew it in a herbal tea, to fight against pains linked to my joints," Rodriguez said. "I'll try to cook it in small biscuits, but I'd rather eat it than smoke it because I am not a smoker."

The authorities are still adjusting. Police in Zurich and nearby Schaffhausen still confiscate cannabis when their officers find people using it, arguing it is impossible to discern whether its THC content falls within the legal limit without an expensive test. Geneva police said they were also looking for ways to check whether a batch of cannabis is legal.

Barbara Broers, vice-president of the Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine, said there could still be health risks, for example if growers use pest control chemicals.

"We don't know what is in it. There are inadequate checks of really what is in the substance," Broers said.

KannaSwiss's di Cassano said his company welcomes more rules to improve quality.

"The money is great, it's a good thing to do," he said. "But to me, that health aspect, that people are getting a healthy product, is much more important than a quick buck." ($1 = 0.9938 Swiss francs) (Reporting by John Miller, Marina Depetris)
WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - Foreign ministers from 68 countries meet in Washington on Wednesday to agree on the next steps to defeat Islamic State, the first such gathering of the U.S-led military coalition since the election of President Donald Trump in November.

The meeting will be hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump has vowed to make the fight against Islamic State a priority and directed the Pentagon and other agencies in January to submit a plan for defeating the militant group.

The militants have been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, with three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, advancing on the group's Syrian stronghold of Raqqa.

The meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from Islamic State last year and liberated eastern Mosul.

While the jihadist group is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Iraqi forces, it has been using suicide car bombs and snipers to defend its remaining strongholds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who met with Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more U.S. support in the war against Islamic State.

A White House statement after the meeting said both Trump and Abadi agreed that "terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone," and the two leaders called for deepening commercial ties.

Discussions on Wednesday will also focus on how to help Mosul rebuild and ways to tackle Islamic State operations in Libya and elsewhere.

In Syria, the U.S.-led coalition has been working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Its current focus is to encircle and ultimately recapture Raqqa - Islamic State's base of operations in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran, has said he saw scope for cooperation with Trump, although he has dismissed the U.S.-backed military campaign against Islamic State in Syria as "only a few raids."

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Peter Cooney)
By John O'Donnell

FRANKFURT, March 21 (Reuters) - Banks in London that relocate operations to the euro zone after Brexit are likely to be spared a lengthy entry test by regulators, making it easier for them to shift, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter.

The European Central Bank, the euro zone's banking supervisor, has had many inquiries from British-based banks wanting to come under its watch, prompting it to look at fast-tracking licence applications, according to the sources.

It is set to temporarily waive an examination of the financial models that big retail lenders and investment banks use to determine the risk of a default on a mortgage or derivative - as long as the banks meet the standards of British regulators, they said.

Any such decision by the ECB would be chiefly for practical rather than political reasons and would, said one of the people, aim to minimise disruption to European finance after Britain leaves the EU.

"Resources are limited. We would find a way of doing it (applications) quickly," said the official, talking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

"The European financial system wants to continue to function."

Such a waiver would nonetheless serve to speed up banks' relocation plans and help reshape Europe's financial landscape by expediting the process of Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Dublin winning business from London.

The ECB declined to comment.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger divorce proceedings with the European Union on March 29, launching two years of negotiations that will help determine the future of Britain and Europe.

While the final terms for doing business with the EU from Britain are uncertain, May has made it clear that Britain will leave the single market which allows banks in London to sell their services across the bloc.

Finance executives say privately they expect Brexit to isolate London, currently Europe's financial capital, and want to establish bases inside the EU from where they can access its market.

Dublin has received 80 such inquiries from financial institutions including banks, according to IDA Ireland, an agency that attracts foreign investment, while about 50 envoys from foreign banks met Germany's watchdog earlier this year about a possible move.

GRACE PERIOD

The final decision in granting a banking licence in the euro zone is taken by the ECB, which looks at the strength of a bank's capital as well as that of its management when it comes to granting approval.

But, according to the sources, it is set to waive the immediate examination of the financial models which contain the basic assumptions underpinning a bank's business and are essential to understanding their riskiness - a process that can take more than a year.

The waiver would be based on the principle that the Bank of England's checks are good enough. It would only be a temporary reprieve, however, to smooth the relocation process, and banks would eventually have to face testing of their models. The sources said the period of grace could last several months.

"It is reasonable to decide that there is an interim period where these models are accepted," said the second official.

A decision by ECB officials on the waiver is expected in the coming months.

Leading financial firms in Britain warned for months before last June's Brexit referendum that they would have to move some jobs if there was a leave vote, and have been working on plans for how they would do so for the past several months.

Senior European officials have also become increasingly nervous, privately warning of a "cliff-edge" departure of Britain from the bloc. The EU is heavily dependent on London for trillions of euros of finance and a massive pool of investors.

France and Germany are keen to establish alternatives to London, while smaller countries, such as Ireland and Luxembourg, are also vying for their share of the spoils.

Flexibility in terms of entry requirements could help a bank such as Goldman Sachs, which sources have said want to build up its business in Frankfurt.

The Wall Street firm's European CEO said on Tuesday it will begin moving hundreds of people out of London as it prepares for Britain to leave the European Union.

(Reporting By John O'Donnell; Editing by Pravin Char)
By Elisabeth O'Leary

EDINBURGH, March 21 (Reuters) - While the economic case for Scottish independence once centred on oil, people like company director Niall McLean now argue that trade is the way to ensure their country's future prosperity - and avoid the damage of the United Kingdom leaving the EU.

Turning Scotland, which sells two thirds of its exports to the rest of Britain, into a heavyweight international trader would be tough. This is especially so because a dive in global oil prices since Scots voted on - and rejected - independence in 2014 has hit its economy hard.

With the Scottish National Party (SNP) which runs the devolved government pushing for a new referendum, opponents of dismantling the 300-year-old union say the economy can ill-afford another divisive campaign and its inherent uncertainty.

But McLean says uncertainty is a given anyway as the government in London prepares to negotiate Britain's departure from the European Union after 44 years in the trading bloc.

"At the end of the uncertainty you have to think of where you want to be," said McLean, who sits on the advisory board of Business for Scotland, a pro-independence group. "Independence gives us a route where the EU market is still open to us and there is a way forward for trade. Brexit is the opposite."

His firm, Geo-Rope, provides civil engineering services across Britain and continental Europe. And just as McLean needs the bloc as a market, he also needs it as recruitment pool: his 200 staff include many citizens of other EU countries whose future right to work in Britain remains uncertain after Brexit.

Last June's vote by Britons to quit the EU has altered the political landscape; England, the United Kingdom's most populous nation, opted along with Wales to leave; the Scots and Northern Irish wanted to keep their EU membership.

Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon says Brexit has dissolved the certainty that the United Kingdom once offered; faced with being taken out of the EU against the will of the majority, Scots must have a new choice, she argues. Independence offers them an opportunity to stay in the bloc, or at least its single market, after Britain exits.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, who would have to sign off on any binding referendum, has said now is "not the time" for one but Sturgeon is raising the pressure for a vote between the autumn of next year and spring of 2019.

MARKET, WHICH MARKET?

Campaigning for succession in 2014, the SNP argued that tax revenues from North Sea oil production which go to the UK exchequer should belong to an independent Scotland, providing a cushion of prosperity for its five million citizens.

In the end a majority did not see the sense of breaking with Scotland's biggest trading partner and its currency, the pound. Since then, oil prices have dived from $100 a barrel to half that, leading to a collapse in North Sea tax revenues and hurting Scottish regions that service the offshore energy industry, notably around the east coast city of Aberdeen.

Nationalists and unionists both want expanded trade, but argue over which market should take priority.

With 8 percent of the UK population and annual economic output of 150 billion pounds, Scotland sells 50 billion pounds ($62 billion) in goods and services to the rest of Britain. In 2015, that amounted to 63 percent of Scottish exports, compared with just 16 percent to other EU member states, Scottish government figures show.

"If everyone in Scotland agrees that free trade with Europe is important - and we do - it is literally impossible to deny that trade with the rest of the UK matters four times as much," Ruth Davidson, who leads May's Conservatives in Scotland, said earlier this year. This opinion is shared by many in the divided business community.

Oil no longer dominates Scotland's trade. In 2015 petroleum and chemicals were only the third biggest international export industry, earning 2.8 billion pounds. By contrast food and drink, including Scotch whisky exports, brought in 4.8 billion.

If another referendum is held, SNP projections will assume oil produces no tax revenues, its economic strategist has said.

As in most developed economies, services are by far the biggest sector, accounting for 75 percent of Scottish gross domestic product. Among these are tourism, a large financial industry centred on Edinburgh and firms like Geo-Rope.

The SNP denies independence would mean business turning its back on neighbouring British markets.

Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown has cited Canada, which sells 75 percent of its exports to the United States. "Are our opponents really saying that Canada cannot be independent because their largest trading partner is America?" he asked. "Of course not, because their argument is illogical nonsense."

GATEWAY TO THE EU

Economists are divided over the long-term consequences of Brexit but Simon Wren-Lewis, Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford University, estimates it could cut average British incomes by 10 percent by 2030.

"If Scotland, by becoming independent, can avoid that fate then you have a clear long-term economic gain right there. But it is more than that. If Scotland can remain in the (EU) single market it could be the destination of the foreign investment that once came to the UK as a gateway into the EU," he said.

The question of what currency an independent Scotland would use remains open. In 2014 the SNP proposed keeping the pound despite the implied dependence on the Bank of England and the British authorities' rejection of the idea.

Sturgeon has said using sterling is a "starting point" for an independent Scotland. Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King has said he does not think using the pound would be a major complication, but he pointed to another - public finances.

NO ISSUE WITH BORDERS

Before 2014, Scotland's economy grew for a few years in line with broader British GDP but this changed after oil fell that year. In the third quarter of 2016, Scottish GDP rose just 0.7 percent year-on-year compared with 2.2 percent for Britain.

Scotland ran a estimated 15 billion pound fiscal deficit in the year to March 2016, equal to around 10 percent of its annual GDP. EU states are supposed to limit their deficits to 3 percent; the UK figure was 3.8 percent.

David Eiser, a fellow at economic thinktank Fraser of Allander Institute and an adviser to the Scottish parliament, said tough questions would face an independent Scotland.

"How do you fill what is a very large gap? Are there types of economic activity that aren't being taxed at the moment, such as in the digital economy ... and where do you cut chunks of public spending?" he asked.

Businesses are keen to keep free movement of EU labour which has helped redress an ageing and shrinking population. About 181,000 citizens of other EU states live in Scotland, around 3.4 percent of the population. A third work in hotels and restaurants and around 20,000 in the 14 billion pound food and drink sector, much of which is in outlying areas.

Tom Barrie runs a transport and logistics firm employing around 450 drivers from Britain, France and the Netherlands. "If we don't have free movement of trade and free movement of labour, that will damage my business," said Barrie, who supports independence and wants Scotland to keep the pound.

Barrie is confident that, post-independence, a deal could be struck with London avoiding trade barriers, citing the example of the open frontier between British Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, which uses the euro. "In Ireland they have two currencies and one country and don't have a border. I'm a frequent visitor and it has no detrimental effect to life there." ($1 = 0.8081 pounds)

(editing by David Stamp)
By Jonathan Saul, Parisa Hafezi and Michael Georgy

LONDON/ANKARA/DUBAI, March 22 (Reuters) - Iran is sending advanced weapons and military advisers to Yemen's rebel Houthi movement, stepping up support for its Shi'ite ally in a civil war whose outcome could sway the balance of power in the Middle East, regional and Western sources say.

Iran's enemy Saudi Arabia is leading a Sunni Arab coalition fighting the Houthis in the impoverished state on the tip of the Arabian peninsula - part of the same regional power struggle that is fuelling the war in Syria.

Sources with knowledge of the military movements, who declined to be identified, said that in recent months Iran has taken a greater role in the two-year-old conflict by stepping up arms supplies and other support. This mirrors the strategy it has used to support its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in Syria.

A senior Iranian official said Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force - the external arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - met top IRGC officials in Tehran last month to look at ways to "empower" the Houthis.

"At this meeting, they agreed to increase the amount of help, through training, arms and financial support," the official said.

"Yemen is where the real proxy war is going on and winning the battle in Yemen will help define the balance of power in the Middle East."

Iran rejects accusations from Saudi Arabia that it is giving financial and military support to the Houthis in the struggle for Yemen, blaming the deepening crisis on Riyadh.

But Iran's actions in Yemen seem to reflect the growing influence of hardliners in Tehran, keen to pre-empt a tougher policy towards Iran signalled by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, spokesman for the Arab coalition fighting the Houthis, told Reuters: "We don't lack information or evidence that the Iranians, by various means, are smuggling weapons into the area.

"We observe that the Kornet anti-tank weapon is on the ground, whereas before it wasn't in the arsenal of the Yemeni army or of the Houthis. It came later."

A Houthi leader said coalition accusations that Iran was smuggling weapons into Yemen were an attempt to cover up Saudi Arabia's failure to prevail in an intractable war in which at least 10,000 people have been killed and the country is on the brink of famine.

"The Saudis don't want to admit their failings so they are searching for false justifications ... after two years of the aggression that the United States and Britain are involved in," the Houthi leader, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

Iran's activities have alarmed Sunni Muslim countries in the Middle East, with one senior official from a neighbouring country saying: "We want Iran to stop exporting Shi'ism in the region, whether in Yemen or elsewhere."

Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015 to back President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after he was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Houthis. Government forces in the south and east hold most of Yemen's territory, while the Houthis control most population centres in the northwest, including Sanaa.

A former senior Iranian security official said Iran's hardline rulers planned to empower Houthi militia in Yemen to "strengthen their hand in the region".

"They are planning to create a Hezbollah-like militia in Yemen. To confront Riyadh's hostile policies ... Iran needs to use all its cards," the former official said.

A Western diplomat in the Middle East agreed: "Iran has long been trying to cultivate portions of the Houthi militias as a disruptive force in Yemen.

"This is not to say that the Houthis are Hezbollah, but they do not need to be to achieve Iran's goals, which is to encircle the Saudis, expand its influence and power projection in the region and develop levers of unconventional pressure."

A spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office said it was "concerned by Iranian support to the Houthis, including reports that Iran has transferred weapons to Yemen which would be contrary to a UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and the Security Councils embargo on the export of weapons by Iran".

SHIPPING SUPPLIES

Sources say Iran is using ships to deliver supplies to Yemen either directly or via Somalia, bypassing coalition efforts to intercept shipments.

Western sources say once the ships arrive in the region, the cargoes are transferred to small fishing boats, which are hard to spot because they are so common in these waters.

Favoured areas are believed to include fishing coves around the port of Mukalla, even though that would require smuggled men or equipment to make a long risky journey to the main Houthi-controlled districts.

The coalition ejected al Qaeda from the area last year, but still cannot prevent the smuggling of weapons and people, according to sources familiar with the waters.

The Arab coalition's General Asseri acknowledged the difficulties of policing 2,700 km of coastline around Yemen.

"You cannot observe this length of coast even if you bring in all the navies of the world," he said. "If we stop movement of those small boats, this will affect fishing by normal people."

From September 2015 until March 2016, the French and Australian navies frequently intercepted weapons which officials said were most likely bound for the Houthis.

A U.S. defence official said Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis had continued apace since March last year, when the seizures stopped. The equipment included long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into Saudi Arabia.

"There is no plausible explanation for these weapons' appearance other than outside assistance. We assess that assistance has likely come from Iran," the U.S. official said.

Nic Jenzen-Jones, a military arms specialist and director of Armament Research Services, which has tracked Iranian equipment ending up in Yemen, also said quantities had increased.

"We have seen some more success in sea-based transfers over the last few months and I suspect the general uptick in the frequency of Iranian arms that we are documenting is partially a result of more successful deliveries by sea," Jenzen-Jones said.

DEVASTATING IMPACT

In a study of Iranian technology transfers to Yemen released on Wednesday, Conflict Armament Research (CAR) said it had evidence showing that the Qasef-1 UAV drone was made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction "in contrast to Houthi statements".

The drones were used by the Houthis and forces aligned to ex-Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh to target coalition missile defence systems in `kamikaze attacks, the monitoring group said.

It said this showed the Houthis' ability to use cheap technology against the coalition's sophisticated military assets.

Evidence of the kind of equipment suspected of being used by the Houthis has emerged in recent attacks.

On Jan. 30, a Saudi frigate was attacked near the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, in an operation that Saudi official media blamed on the Houthis.

The U.S. Navy said an unmanned remote-controlled boat laden with explosives rammed the Saudi vessel in the first known strike by a "drone" attack boat, and the Houthis had likely used technology supplied by Iran.

In another development this month, a Yemeni government source told Reuters a coast guard boat was destroyed near al-Mokha by mines laid by the Houthis.

Jenzen-Jones said the quality of Iranian munitions had improved of late.

"Recent transfers of arms and munitions have also included Iranian Ababil series UAVs (drones), fitted with high explosive warheads and used by Houthis to engage high-value targets, such as radar and Patriot missile batteries," he said.

Anti-ship and man-portable missiles were also suspected to have been transferred, he said.

In addition to the weapons, Iranian and regional sources said Tehran was providing Afghan and Shi'ite Arab specialists to train Houthi units and act as logistical advisers. These included Afghans who had fought in Syria under Qods Force commanders.

Reuters has reported this same covert approach was used in Syria in 2014 before Iran took a more open role in that war. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi and Jonathan Saul, additional reporting by Mohammed Ghobari in Sanaa and William Maclean in Dubai; editing by Giles Elgood and Anna Willard)
GENEVA, March 22 (Reuters) - There is a window of only three to four months to avert mass starvation in Yemen and Somalia, plagued by conflict and drought, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday in an appeal for funding. More than 20 million people in four countries - Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria - face famine. "We have probably a window of three to four months to avoid a worst case scenario," ICRC director of operations worldwide Dominik Stillhart told a news briefing.

Robert Mardini, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, said that an ICRC team who provided aid to wounded refugees after a deadly helicopter attack on their boat off the Yemen coast last Friday had collected "evidence" which had been shared with the Saudi-led coalition as well as the Houthi side. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, editing by Tom Miles)
By Anthony Lang'at

GARISSA, Kenya, March 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - At the only borehole with water for miles around, the troughs are under siege in Saretho village as hundreds of camels, cattle, sheep and goats await their turn.

On the other side of the solar-powered well, women and children fetch water for household use, loading 20-litre jerry cans onto donkeys or dragging them off home.

On a single day, thousands of livestock drink here, while hundreds of people collect water.

Two years ago, the scene would have been different. Without the solar-powered pump they have now, the villagers found the local boreholes difficult and costly to operate.

But since the Kenya Red Cross installed a solar system in 2014, they no longer have problems getting water.

The village of Saretho, which lies between the eastern town of Garissa and Dadaab, is home to around 6,000 people and the local water supply is more than enough for them - even as swathes of the country are suffering from a drought emergency.

The borehole also serves thousands of other livestock that flock from neighbouring areas.

Abdi Ibrahim, a former chief of Saretho and chair of the borehole committee, said the pump was previously powered by a diesel generator - but it often malfunctioned, especially in the heat.

"During droughts... we didnt pump water often and most people used to drive their cattle for many kilometres," he said.

To operate and repair the generator was costly for villagers who had to pay for fuel and sometimes a mechanic, said Ibrahim.

The solar power system means they no longer incur the bulk of those expenses. They still use the generator at night but recoup some of the money by levying fees.

"We charge 10 shillings for every camel, four shillings per cow, and one shilling for every goat and sheep," said Ibrahim.

According to Red Cross project officer Saidi Katana, around 65 solar panels were installed for the project.

"This enables the borehole to pump 32 cubic metres of water per hour, which is a lot and ensures that the residents of Saretho never lack water," said Katana.

FRUIT & VEG

Elsewhere in the county, a group of former pastoralists have taken to growing fruit and vegetables. Its chairman Mathar Shale said he hasn't kept livestock since he started planting bananas, tomatoes and cabbages. "I can earn 70,000 shillings ($680) in a good month," he said.

Shale is one of 40 farmers working a 20-acre plot set up as a farm by the Kenya Red Cross in Garissas Balambala constituency in 2014. The aid agency plans to start more farms along the Tana River, which offers a steady water supply, to improve local peoples livelihoods.

"People in Garissa depend mostly on their cattle... which can perish during drought. Small-scale irrigation is an option we have given the people of Subar," said Katana.

The Red Cross installed a pump to bring water from the river to the farm, where it is distributed to crops via furrows dug in the earth.

In the past, Shale would lose his livestock to drought and had nothing to fall back on. But nowadays, even without animals, he can feed his family.

"My only problem is the market," he said. "If I could get a better market for my bananas and tomatoes, I would earn more."

With more than 300,000 people in dire need of food in Garissa, County Governor Nathif Jama Adam said half the population was food-insecure.

But projects like those of the Red Cross would go a long way in addressing the scourge of drought in the long term, he said.

The Red Cross work in Garissa aims to build the resilience of nomadic herding communities to climate extremes by introducing them to irrigated farming - something the Kenyan Somali ethnic group here is unaccustomed to.

Other cases suggest it may not be such a hard sell. In other parts of Kenyas northeast - from fodder farmers along the River Daua in Mandera, to a womens group farming vegetables in Wajir, the Somali community is slowly embracing irrigated crop farming as an additional activity to livestock-keeping.

JOINING HANDS

So far, the Kenya Red Cross has cleared 200 acres of land and started nine other projects similar to the Subar farm, in parts of Garissa County where there is a reliable water supply.

Other agencies - both national and international - are also working to protect rural communities against drought, in addition to government-led efforts.

The National Drought Management Authority, for instance, has been undertaking climate change adaptation projects in five vulnerable counties - Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, Makueni and Kitui - with funding from the British government.

Richard Munang, coordinator of UN Environments Africa Regional Climate Change Programme, said there was no lack of ideas and innovation to tackle problems of clean energy, agriculture and water in Kenya and across the continent.

Up to now these have not been well coordinated, but that is starting to change, he added.

His agency supports a pan-African platform called the Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA). In Kenya, for example, it is working to drill a borehole and install a solar pump and drip irrigation on 100 acres of farmland in Turkana County with the local government and other partners.

Munang urged countries to focus on building synergies and partnerships "rather than siloed interventions that are not sustainable beyond the life of single projects".

($1 = 102.9500 Kenyan shillings) (Reporting by Anthony Lang'at; editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
By J.D. Capelouto

LONDON, March 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - One in four children - 600 million in total - may live in areas with severely limited water resources by 2040, putting them at risk of deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhoea, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF said on Wednesday.

Already some 500 million children live in areas with limited water supplies, and the demand for water today far exceeds available resources in 36 countries, UNICEF said.

Supplies are expected to shrink further due to droughts, rising temperatures, flooding, population growth and urbanisation, the U.N. agency said in a report.

If no action is taken to clean up and conserve water supplies, more children will be forced to drink potentially unsafe water as a result, UNICEF said.

"Around the world, millions of children lack access to safe water - endangering their lives, undermining their health, and jeopardising their futures," said UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake.

"This crisis will only grow unless we take collective action now," he added in a statement.

Climate change is one of the reasons behind reduced water sources in the future, impacting "the quality and quantity of the water", Cecilia Scharp, a senior water advisor at UNICEF, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Flooding, which is expected to increase due to rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, can pollute water supplies and spread unsafe water across wide areas.

Droughts are also expected to increase in frequency and severity.

Women and girls now spend 200 million hours a day collecting water, and this will rise if they are forced to travel further to reach water sources, making them vulnerable to attack in some countries, UNICEF said.

UNICEFs projections are based on models assuming no action is taken to conserve water and tackle pollution, Scharp said.

But governments, industries, agricultural businesses and communities can help diminish the impact of climate change on children in countries pressed for water resources, the agency said.

Governments should plan for risks to water supplies from drought, rising temperatures, flooding, population growth and urbanisation, Scharp said.

Businesses should ensure they are conserving as much water as possible, and reusing waste water whenever they can, UNICEF said.

"You can use economic incentives so people don't overuse (water)," Scharp said of local governments.

"You can put restrictions on ... personal use of water in urban areas where a lot of water is used for lifestyle activities, more than (for) consumption."

Poorer children will be hurt the most by a depletion of water sources in the future. This "should come as no surprise", UNICEF said.

(Reporting by J.D. Capelouto; editing by Alex Whiting.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
By Mark Weinraub

CHICAGO, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures weakened on Wednesday, with prospects for bumper harvests in South America and record U.S. plantings weighing on the beaten-down market, traders said.

Corn and wheat futures also fell.

The outlook for rain in the U.S. Plains kept a bearish tone on the wheat market, which touched its lowest level since Feb. 7.

Corn remained under pressure from beneficial crop forecasts for production in Brazil. Corn prices touched a seven-week low.

But the declines in all three commodities were kept in check as traders said recent weakness has left the markets oversold. Bargain buyers stepped in to support prices at session lows.

"Soybeans are a little weaker today, but continuing to trade in their choppy range of the past two weeks," Farm Futures senior analyst Bryce Knorr said in a note to clients. "Rising forecasts for production in South America, combined with fears of a big increase in U.S. acreage this spring, continue to hang over the market."

Brokerage INTL FCStone forecast that U.S. farmers would plant a record 87.3 million acres of soybeans this spring, up from 83.4 million acres a year ago. INTL FCStone forecast corn acreage at 91.6 million acres.

At 9:50 a.m. CDT (1450 GMT), Chicago Board of Trade May soybean futures were down 4 cents at $9.97-1/2 a bushel, on track for their 11th decline in 13 sessions.

"Apart from Argentina, where soybean growing has become less attractive for political reasons, all key export countries will reap their highest-ever crops in the current 2016/17 season, Commerzbank said.

Demand worries were also in focus.

Negative crush margins in China were seen indicating there could be a slowdown in purchases from the world's biggest importer of the beans.

Crush margin for imported soybeans in Shandong province <JCI-SBMG-SHDNI> slid to negative 121 yuan after remaining in positive territory between September and February.

CBOT May soft red winter wheat was off 1 cent at $4.25-1/2 a bushel.

"Global wheat stocks are huge and yields are looking big," said Phin Ziebell, agribusiness economist at National Australia Bank. "Even though U.S. plantings are down this year, yields are expected to be good. Black Sea has a lot of wheat and Europe's production outlook is good."

CBOT May corn futures were 1 cent lower at $3.60-1/4 a bushel. (Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Nigel Hunt in London; Editing by Alexander Smith and Matthew Lewis)
KAMPALA, March 22 (Reuters) - Yields on Uganda's 15-year Treasury bonds fell at a central bank auction on Wednesday while the rate on re-issued two-year notes edged up at an auction, where a total of 160 billion shillings ($44.59 million) worth of debt was on offer.

Results from the sale showed the weighted average yield on the two-year debt inched up to 15.084 percent from 15.071 percent on Jan. 25, when it was originally sold.

The rate on the 15-year bond declined to 16.388 percent from 17.185 percent fetched at the last sale on Dec. 28.

Following are the results of the auction: TWO-YEAR FIXED COUPON BOND COUPON RATE: 18.625 percent OFFERED: 60.00 billion shillings TENDERED BIDS: 85.89 billion shillings ACCEPTED BIDS: 60 billion shillings YIELD TO MATURITY: 15.084 percent BID TO COVER RATIO: 1.431 percent REDEMPTION DATE: Feb. 21, 2019

FIFTEEN-YEAR, FIXED COUPON BOND COUPON RATE: 16.375 percent OFFERED: 100.00 billion shillings TENDERED BIDS: 125.10 billion shillings ACCEPTED BIDS: 100.00 billion shillings YIELD TO MATURITY: 16.388 percent BID TO COVER RATIO: 1.251 percent REDEMPTION DATE: March 4, 2032 ($1 = 3,588.0000 Ugandan shillings)

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Aaron Maasho)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to discuss the administration's proposed budget, the panel's chairman said on Wednesday, after heated opposition in Congress to President Donald Trump's plan to slash funding for diplomacy and foreign aid.

"I've let Secretary Tillerson know there's a lot of concern about the budget issue," Senator Bob Corker, the committee's Republican chairman, said at a hearing on the global humanitarian crisis.

Members of the Senate panel will have lunch with Tillerson at the State Department on Thursday, he said.

Corker also made clear that when Congress takes up agriculture-related legislation next year he would push to reform current rules for distributing U.S. food aid, which make it more expensive and time-consuming to provide assistance after international crises.

"We could feed 4 to 6 million more people each year," he said, saying some interest groups pushing to keep current rules are "extorting us."

Yves Daccord, director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, South Sudan, northeastern Nigeria and Somalia, plus Ethiopia and Kenya, may be among the worst in recent history.

"We're talking about 20 million directly affected, plus ... several other dozen millions possibly affected," Daccord told the hearing.

The ICRC said on Wednesday the world has just a few months to save millions in Yemen and Somalia from starvation, as war and drought ruin crops and block deliveries of food and medical care.

Many of Trump's fellow Republicans, as well as Democrats, objected to his first budget outline last week, which boosted military spending and cut international programs by 28 percent. They said humanitarian assistance and diplomacy are at least as important to security as weapons.

"It's essential that we maintain our international affairs budget, from this senator's perspective," Republican Senator Todd Young told the hearing.

The budget as presented by Trump is unlikely to pass. Congress, not the White House, determines government spending.

Corker told reporters on Tuesday that he supported efforts to make State Department programs more efficient, but wanted a more thorough review of various programs.

"I think every department of government should be looked at continuously, and so I'm all for us looking into that," Corker said. "But I would like to walk through some of the areas that he (Tillerson) feels he wants to stress and obviously Congress ultimately will have the say (on the budget)." (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
March 22 (Reuters) - UNHCR SAYS JORDAN CAN SERVE AS MODEL TO GET REFUGEES INTO MANUFACTURING

The UNs refugee agency, the UNCHR, says up to 7,000 Syrian refugees are now in registered manufacturing jobs in the country, after taking advantage of work permits.

The scheme, which was part of a deal agreed between Jordan and the European Union in February 2016, is designed to get refugees into formal jobs and protect their labour rights. In return, Jordanian manufacturers that employ Syrian refugees to make up 15 per cent of their workforce will pay little or no duties on most of their exports to the EU for the next 10 years.

Laura Buffoni, Senior Livelihoods Officer at UNHCR Jordan says: "The presence of refugees can definitely become an asset. It doesnt have to replace in total the migrant population but by attracting more foreign investment and by expanding the industrial sector, more jobs can be created for Jordanians and Syrians alike. So, this is a model that can work in other refugee hosting countries."

To date, the UNHCR has issued 40,500 work permits to Syrian refugees, but still faces challenges in rolling the scheme out, especially given the tendency for refugees to work in informal sectors across the world.

Nour Eddin Al-Alaiwe, a Syrian refugee and employee at Al Fyhaa Plastic Industries says the ability to work has transformed life for him and his family:

"For me, to have a job means that I exist. It means I am able to being self-sufficient. As far as my family is concerned, the fact that I have a job means I am able to provide for them all the things they have been deprived of as result of becoming refugees - like healthcare, education and accommodation."

Refugees may also be able to provide skilled labour as some parts of the world face workforce shortages. Fares Hamo is a Syrian refugee who worked for over a decade in manufacturing before fleeing the war in Syria:

"[This jobs has given me]..stability, security, comfort and coexistence. Weve settled down here now, thank God, and living and working with the Jordanian people is very nice. The Jordanians are very polite, respectful and are very easy going. We did not feel estranged, thank God, like the majority of the refugees. We are living, thank God."

With 21.3 million refugees registered worldwide, the UNHCR believes the Jordanian model could be replicated in other countries.

The news comes ahead of the first-ever Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit that will be held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi later this month.

The Summit from the 27th - 30th March will bring together business and government leaders to discuss the future of manufacturing and how it will shape the 21 century.

Content provided by Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, via Reuters.
MOSCOW, March 22 (Reuters) - Ankara's action against Russian wheat, maize and sunflower oil suppliers is hindering restoration of ties between the two countries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich told Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek by phone on Wednesday.

Turkish buyers have put purchases of these products from Russia on hold, despite denials from Ankara that it has effectively banned imports from Moscow, trade and industry sources said on Monday.

The Russian government said in a statement that both sides had expressed an attitude towards intensifying mutually beneficial trade and economic relations and the removal of existing limits in the sphere.

It did not provide any further details. Dvorkovich is in charge of agriculture in the government.

On Tuesday Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said an improvement in political ties with Russia was "not fully reflected yet in economic relations. Currently, the restrictions on visas and obstacles for contractors are fully in place."

Russia imposed trade restrictions on Turkish goods and other sanctions after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border in November 2015. As the two countries restored ties in August, Moscow lifted most restrictions.

Some market players suggested last week that with restrictions on Russian products Turkey might be trying to speed up negotiations over supplying tomatoes and certain vegetables to Russia.

Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said in a separate statement on Wednesday that he considered as inappropriate any attempts to put pressure on Moscow to open up areas of the Russian market where Moscow has been actively developing domestic production in recent years.

The Russian ministry is intent on expanding its export markets while continuing to defend areas of its own market where Moscow wants to become self-sufficient within five to seven years, Tkachev added.

The suspension of supplies to Turkey is expected to hit Russia's wheat and sunflower exports this year as the country is one of its main markets for these products, analysts have said. (Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Scientists find how using 'satnav' switches off parts of brain

If you have long feared that using a "satnav" navigation system to get to your destination is making you worse at finding the way alone, research now suggests you may be right. Scientists studying what satnavs do to the brain have found that people using them effectively switch off parts of the brain that would otherwise be utilized to simulate different routes and boost navigational skills.

UK royals' sibling rivalry? Princess Anne says GMO crops have benefits

Britain's Princess Anne may have sparked some royal sibling rivalry after saying genetically modified crops had real benefits to offer, putting her at odds with her older brother Charles who says they would be an environmental disaster. In an interview with BBC radio, Anne said she would grow GMO crops on her farming estates, adding she doubted that the technology had many downsides.

Revolutionary overhaul of dinosaur family tree proposed

Some of the best-known dinosaurs, like Tyrannosaurus rex and Brontosaurus, may be headed for a divorce due to irreconcilable differences. Scientists on Wednesday proposed a radical overhaul of the dinosaur family tree first laid out in 1888, concluding after an analysis of 75 species that the meat-eating group that includes T. rex should not be lumped in with the long-necked, long-tailed, four-legged plant-eaters like Brontosaurus.

Brazil ramps up domestic space satellite, rocket programs

Brazil is developing technology to send domestically-made satellites into space with its own rockets by the end of the decade, aerospace executives and officials said ahead of the launch of the nation's first defense and communications satellite. The launch of the French-made satellite, the first project of its kind led by Brazil's private sector, was originally set for Tuesday but rescheduled for Thursday evening due to protests around the lift-off site in French Guyana.

Scientists launch campaign to restore Pluto to the planet club

A team of scientists seeking to restore Pluto to planethood launched a campaign on Tuesday to broaden the astronomical classifications which led to its demotion to a "dwarf planet" a decade ago. Six scientists from institutions across the United States argued that Pluto deserves to be a full planet, along with some 110 other bodies in the solar system, including Earth's moon.

First U.S. bumble bee added to endangered species list

The rusty patched bumble bee became the first wild bee in the continental United States to gain federal protection on Tuesday when it was added to the government's list of endangered and threatened species. The bee, once widely found in the upper Midwest and Northeastern United States, was listed after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration lifted a hold it had placed on a plan for federal protections proposed last fall by the administration of former President Barack Obama.

Ancient quakes may point to sinking risk for part of California coast

The Big One may be overdue to hit California but scientists near Los Angeles have found a new risk for the area during a major earthquake: abrupt sinking of land, potentially below sea level. The last known major quake on the San Andreas fault occurred in 1857, but three quakes over the last 2,000 years on nearby faults made ground just outside Los Angeles city limits sink as much as three feet, according to a study published Monday in the journal Scientific Reports.
With Unite to End TB: Leave No One Behind being the World Health Organizations theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2017 scheduled for March 24 every year, it is time that we reflect upon how best we could address the issue of stigma, discrimination and marginalization attached to the disease. According to WHO statistics, 49 million lives were saved from Tuberculosis as a result of effective diagnosis and treatment from 2000-2015. The number of Multi-Drug Resistant patients reported globally in 2015, amounted to 480,000.



According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2016 released by the World Health Organization there were an estimated 10.4 million new TB cases identified worldwide in 2015.



An estimated 1.4 million TB deaths were recorded worldwide in the same year. In a candid interview with Health Capsule, Consultant Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Dr. Deepal Perera enlightened us on how Tuberculosis could jeopardize the health of a person while further explaining on the red flag signs that should be taken to account and the treatment options available to cure the disease.



What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a micro bacterium known as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis that affects the lungs of a person with low immunity. It is an airborne disease that spreads through Airborne Droplet Infection. The disease is spread from one adult to another or from an adult to a child. However, the disease can never be spread from a child to an adult. It is a slow-growing bacteria that gradually affects the lungs. It is also a treatable and preventable disease. Tuberculosis is mainly a disease involving the lungs but it can spread to the brain, kidney, bone and other organs as well. As such it is a systematic disease.



Is the disease currently on the rise?

Tuberculosis has been on the rise for the past twenty years. It is a deadly disease. Globally, as the rate of HIV patients increase, the potential for a subsequent increase in the rate of Tuberculosis patients is also very high. This is mainly because HIV patients are prone to contract Tuberculosis. Professor Robert Koch identified the disease and discovered a treatment for Tuberculosis. It is called Koch Disease in the presence of the patient; owing to the stigma attached, but it should also be noted that Tuberculosis is nevertheless a treatable disease.



How exactly can an individual contract the disease and how does the disease affect the lungs of a patient?



Tuberculosis is a contagious disease that could spread from an adult to adult or adult to child. It is an airborne disease. If a patient with Tuberculosis coughs, the tiny saliva droplets could travel through air to the lungs of a healthy person during inhalation; thereby he or she could contract the disease. Tuberculosis could also cause infection in the throat and skin. This is mainly because when the bacteria affect the lungs, through the blood the disease could spread to other parts of the body as well. When the disease affects the lungs we call it as primary disease mainly because the droplets first get deposited in the lungs. In order to react against the bacteria, the lymph nodes in the lungs get enlarged. As a result the patient starts coughing.



What are the symptoms related to the disease?

Patients will experience prolonged cough, continuous fever for more than two weeks, loss of appetite and loss of weight as the initial symptoms. Sometimes, children may experience lymph node enlargement in the neck too.



In the case of adults, they will experience symptoms of secondary tuberculosis. Symptoms may include cavitation of the lungs, chronic cough with blood including poor appetite, fever and loss of weight as in the case of child patients.



Why do patients cough with a spray of blood after contracting Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis Mycobacterium can invade the blood vessels and arteries in the body. This is the reason why patients cough along with blood after contracting the disease.



This is known as Hemoptysis in medical literature.



What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Tuberculosis?

When the bacteria gets deposited in the lungs for the first time causing the enlargement of lymph nodes, it is known as Primary Tuberculosis. Secondary Tuberculosis occurs when the disease spreads to other parts of the lungs causing cavitation in the lungs. Secondary Tuberculosis could spread to other parts of the body as well.



Are asthma and wheezing health issues linked to Tuberculosis?

Yes, chronic cough could be a symptom related to either wheeze or Tuberculosis. Some patients get treatment for wheeze but in the event a chest x-ray, full blood count and other medical checkups are not conducted properly, it is difficult to identify whether the patient is actually suffering due to wheezing or Tuberculosis.



What are the preventive methods available for Tuberculosis?

Although BCG (Bacillus CalmetteGuerin) vaccination is available from birth it is not hundred percent effective for everyone. BCG vaccination prevents Tuberculosis to a certain level because the efficacy of the treatment may wear off with time. Thats why children are less prone to get Tuberculosis compared to adults. Therefore, although BCG vaccinations are administered to the patient, it cannot be guaranteed that it would act as a proper preventive method against Tuberculosis in the long-term.



What are the treatment options available to cure the disease?

Tuberculosis is mainly a disease involving the lungs but it can spread to the brain, kidney, bone and other organs as well. As it is a systematic disease, treatment should be administered for six months in order to fully cure a patient in the event he or she contracts the disease. Four drugs will be administered during the first two months and two drugs will be given to the patient during the last four months.



If a brain or bone infection is involved, there could be a possibility of developing Meningitis in which case treatment will have to be administered to the patient for another nine to twelve months. Treatment should not be discontinued halfway, as it could result in the patient becoming drug resistant to the disease.



Multidrug-Resistant TB patients are prone to die since they are immune to the treatment generally given to ordinary TB patients. Although BCG (Bacillus CalmetteGuerin) vaccination is available from birth it is not hundred percent effective on everyone. Therefore, although BCG vaccination is administered to the patient it cannot be guaranteed that it would act as a proper preventive method against Tuberculosis. However, it is important to keep in mind that Tuberculosis is a PREVENTABLE and TREATABLE disease and with amply raised awareness among the masses, the disease could be avoided or diagnosed early and treated successfully.

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Police Special Task Force (STF) yesterday arrested one of the main suspects known as Battaramulle Banti in connection with the attack on the prison bus in Kalutara.

STF Commandant DIG M.R. Latheef said the suspect was arrested by the members of the STF intelligence unit while he was hiding in Sella Katharagama area.

He said the suspect was handed over to the Colombo Crime Division.

Police said the 25-year-old suspect, who was involved in drug smuggling, was being interrogated by the CCD.

Police spokesman DIG Priyantha Jayakody said police officers had identified the suspects involved in the attack and a special police operation was in place to arrest the suspects who are hiding in various parts of the country.

Earlier, the police arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of aiding and abetting the attack and providing accommodation to the gang responsible for the attack.

The prison bus was attacked at Ethanamadala, Kalutara on February 27.

Five prisoners including the underworld gangster called Samayan and two Prisons officers were killed, when the Black Maria came under gunfire, when it was transporting prisoners to the Kaduwela Magistrates Court.(Darshana Sanjeewa)
By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

The Sri Lanka-Singapore free trade agreement (FTA) talks have included a novel approach to digital services in the negotiations agenda, which is likely to afford new opportunities for Sri Lankas digital entrepreneurs, an Information Communications Technology Agency (ICTA) official said recently.

Sri Lanka was the second country in Asia to become a party to the United Nations Electronic Communications Convention (UN ECC) after Singapore, and this has enabled us to include e-commerce/digital services under the Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA agreement, ICTA Director/Legal Advisor Jayantha Fernando said.

Speaking recently at a seminar on digital consumer rights at the Institute of Policy Studies, Fernando said although Singapore had included some digital services in several other agreements, this would be the first of its kind negotiated under UN ECC. Under UN ECC, a company is not limited to traditional definitions such as its physical location, or the place where it interacts with its customers, as its place of doing business, allowing a digital presence to be recognized as a place of doing business.

Potentially Sri Lankan digital services companies can use the FTA to reach out to other South East Asian markets through Singapore, while they (Singaporeans) can use Sri Lanka as a base to service the South Asian region, Fernando said.

He noted that negotiations on the subject, which are within the overarching category of services, are at an early stage.

Experts Mirror Business contacted to ascertain the opportunities provided to Sri Lanka were not able to comment as they were not privy to the FTA negotiations.

However, an analyst who requested anonymity said due to the nature of international contracts, local fiscal policy measures taken to regulate or distort industries would not be effective on digital services entering Sri Lanka through the FTA, or vice versa.

Influenced by traditional businesses in Sri Lanka, which are under threat from innovative digital services, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently declared war on e-commerce platforms operating in the country for not paying local taxes. E-commerce has allowed for some of the countrys economically marginalized segments to derive income easily from across the world, while empowering consumers with more choice.

LIRNEasia Chairman Professor Rohan Samarajiva told a recent seminar that excessive interference with the operations of global e-commerce platforms would likely push them towards leaving Sri Lanka.

Under the 2017 budget, Karunanayake proposed to introduce a common technology platform that would sit above global digital travel engines such as Airbnb, booking.com etc,. He also proposed to introduce a new taxation mechanism for e-commerce transactions.

Sri Lankas ICT sector is hoping to earn US$ 5 billion in export earnings by 2020, and competition from Singaporean firms would likely serve as a catalyst for further innovation in the local sphere.

Strategic Development and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama had last July promised to publish online the framework agreement for the Singapore-Sri Lanka FTA, along with the framework agreements for the Sri Lanka-China FTA and the Economic and Technology Partnership Agreement (ETCA) with India.

But the promise has so far not been fulfilled.
The constitutional status of economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights has been the subject of intense debate among scholars and practitioners in Sri Lanka. This debate is featured in ongoing discussions on constitutional reform. The question of whether to make ESC rights justiciable under the new constitution now vexes Sri Lankas constitution-makers.

This article is the first of a two-part series that confronts the question of constitutionalising ESC rights in Sri Lanka. It presents a case for constitutionally recognising the obligations of the state with respect to ESC rights, and discusses the peoples aspirations for such rights as reflected in the findings of the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reform (PRC).

The states obligation to make ESC rights justiciable

ESC rights and civil and political rights are largely indivisible and interdependent. For example, the right to education (which falls into the category of ESC rights) equips individuals with the ability to exercise their freedom of expression (which is a civil and political right). The freedom of expression in turn enables advocacy for the right to education. Yet the states obligations concerning ESC rights are more complex than those relating to civil and political rights, as ESC rights often require scarce resources for their fulfilment. For example, the right to education involves allocating resources towards building schools and training teachers, while the freedom of expression may not necessarily involve such costs.

Due to this complexity, two concepts have been developed to define the states obligations towards ESC rights. First, the concept of progressive realisation offers states leeway in terms of how soon ESC rights should be fulfiled. For example, the State is not required to provide adequate housing to all persons immediately.

It instead has an obligation to use available resources to fulfil that right progressively until it is fully realised. Secondly, the concept of minimum core obligations stipulates that a certain core portion of each ESC right must be fulfiled without regard to the availability of resources. Hence a State is bound to fulfil basic needs such as primary healthcare, basic shelter, and basic education.

The States obligations to fulfil ESC rights include the obligation to make them enforceable.

Yet enforceability is distinguishable from justiciability, which specifically relates to judicial enforcement. Some constitutional scholars and practitioners in Sri Lanka have argued strongly against the justiciability of ESC rights.

First, it is argued that, as unelected officials, judges lack democratic legitimacy, and should not adjudicate on the allocation of scarce resources. Second, it is argued that the judiciary lacks the necessary resources and expertise to interpret and enforce ESC rights. It is argued that the executive and legislative branches of government have superior fact-finding and reporting tools to make decisions on resource allocation.

But these objections are based on certain presumptions about the effectiveness of the democratic political process and the ability of courts to access expertise. On the one hand, it is presumed that the legislative and executive function according to the principles of equality and non-discrimination. This presumption is easily rebutted if one considers the Sri Lankan experience.

The idea that a separate independent organ could play a counter-majoritarian role to check legislative and executive power therefore seems reasonable. So even if the courts play only a limited role in fulfiling ESC rights, there is no basis to deny the constitutionalisation of such rights altogether. On the other hand, it is often presumed that the courts cannot access adequate expertise and develop competencies regarding resource allocation.

However, a number of countries, including the UK, South Africa, and India, have seen courts successfully handle questions of resource allocation. Thus, depending on the nature of the claim, ESC rights can and should be just as justiciable as their civil and political counterparts.

The peoples aspirations for ESC rights

The Sri Lankan constitution does not contain justiciable ESC rights. Instead, it lists certain directive principles of State policy that refer to certain ESC rights such as adequate food, clothing and housing and the right to universal and equal access to education at all levels.

Article 29 of the Constitution specifically states that the violation of a directive principle cannot be presented to a court for adjudication.

Sri Lankas current constitutional reform initiative presents us with an opportunity to make the states obligations towards ESC rights enforceable. The PRC was appointed in late 2015 to ascertain the publics views on constitutional reform, and its final report offers important insights into the publics aspirations regarding ESC rights.

This report clearly reflects the peoples demand for ESC rights, including the right to healthcare, education and housing, to be enumerated in the constitution. If we believe that the constitution of a country should reflect its peoples basic aspirations, such demands justify making ESC rights enforceable under the constitution.

A variety of mechanisms may be used to enforce ESC rights  for example, democratic elections. In Sri Lanka, the people have prioritised ESC rights at successive elections. The recent manifestos of Maithripala Sirisena and the 60-Month Plan of the UNFGG clearly refer to ESC rights. In fact, the Presidents manifesto includes specific chapters on healthcare and education, and commits to providing housing for those in need of shelter. These demands and promises form part of the long history of the Sri Lankan welfare state. Hence the democratic process has made ESC rights enforceable to some extent even without the explicit constitutionalisation of such rights.

Yet political processes may be insufficient to ensure the meaningful realisation of ESC rights, and may lead to situations where a government reneges on its own promises. This danger is reflected in the campaign launched by the Federation of University Teachers Associations to protest government under-spending on education. Though the campaign succeeded in drawing attention to the issue, it did little to increase spending in subsequent government budgets.

Hence, there is a case for making judicial remedies available where political processes are inadequate.

In this context, the PRC has observed: There were strong submissions from people requesting that the Directive Principles should be justiciable. Hence there is little doubt that the Sri Lankan people demand the justiciability of ESC rights. Such justiciability must be an essential constitutional feature if reformers wish to ensure that the new constitution of Sri Lanka meaningfully reflects the peoples aspirations.

To be continued next week.
China will retaliate if India continues to be uneasy with Beijings increasing influence in south Asia and attempts to meddle in its diplomatic relations with countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka, Chinese state media warned on Tuesday.



Indicating that Indias failure to match Chinas growing defence and diplomatic clout, the state media article said New Delhi is always unnerved to see exchanges between Beijing and south Asian countries.



China hopes India can understand the pursuit of China and regional countries for common development, and be part of it. However, New Delhi doesnt share this thinking, instead seeking to balance China, the article said.



If such tendencies in India continue, China will have to fight back, because its core interests will have been violated. This is not what we hope for, but the ball is in Indias court, the nationalistic tabloid Global Times said in a report.



It quoted a Hindustan Times report to suggest that the latest reason for India to be unnerved is the visit of defence minister Chang Wanquan to Sri Lanka and Nepal, which began Sunday.



The tone of a report in the Hindustan Times sounds vigilant and sour. Claiming that Changs visit to Nepal and the first ever China-Nepal joint military drill has made New Delhi nervous, the newspaper also noted that the Nepalese government cannot afford to say no to Beijing as if China is carrying a stick around when interacting with its neighbours, the Global Times said.

HINDUSTAN TIMES, 21st MARCH, 2017
By Jennifer Rubin

(c) 2017, The Washington Post  

Before FBI Director James Comey began his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, President Donald Trump was back, compulsively tweeting - and underscoring the growing perception that his allegation that President Barack Obama had Trumps wires tapped is nonsensical, his attachment to reality fleeting and his concern about Russian interference in the election on his behalf is palpable.



He tweeted: James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it! (Interestingly, he limited the denial of collusion to him, POTUS, only.) Certainly, he had been rattled by a parade of Republican lawmakers affirming there was no evidence of wiretapping. He was right to be anxious.



Comey did in fact confirm that the FBI is currently investigating Russian interference with our elections, including any links with members of the Trump campaign, and whether the latter constituted any crimes. A short time later, Comey lowered the boom. What about evidence of wiretapping, as Trump claimed in tweets? Comey was succinct: I have no information that supports those tweets.



That testimony is not fake. Trump cannot change the fact that his own national intelligence team is attempting to determine whether a foreign power tried to manipulate our election. Try as he might, there is no way for Trump to discount or conceal that reality. The stone-faced Comey crisply providing definitive, unemotional testimony that was compelling, as was that of National Security Agency chief Michael Rogers, who, with furrowed brow, often answered with a simple yes or no.

Comeys statement was not surprising, but it was nevertheless devastating. To hear the head of the FBI in essence call the president a liar or wide-eyed conspiratorialist is bracing, if not humiliating, for the chief executive. And reflecting on the morning tweet, Trump now seems desperate, childish and vulnerable. Hes been tripped up by his own grandiose lies. At some level he must know it.



Perhaps now Republicans can stop treating the presidents outbursts seriously. They need to call them what they are: Wild lies and accusations designed to distract from the very real investigation into Russian attempts to throw the election his way.



In just a few brief lines, Comey eviscerated whatever credibility Trump still had. Whether the intelligence agency will find evidence of collusion remains to be seen. But what we do know is that Trump will not be able to lie his way through this nor distract the public.



Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, who appeared Sunday on ABCs This Week, made an interesting observation. Its going to go down in the history of Mother Russia as the greatest covert action campaign, not because President Trump won, he said. There was no manipulation of the vote-tallying machines. Its going to go down as the greatest covert action because it drove a -- created a wedge, whether real or perceived, between the White House, the intelligence community, and the American public.



Well, it will also go down as the greatest covert action in history because Russia sought to manipulate the outcome of our election and provided assistance to the Trump campaign. Moreover, Vladimir Putin has convinced a significant chunk of the American electorate that Trump is illegitimate. (One poll shows 57 percent of young voters between 18 and 30 consider him illegitimate.) And worse, its convinced many Americans that our presidents word cannot be trusted.
In celebration of 60 years since the signature of the Rome Treaties, the first step towards a united Europe, a documentary on the impact of the European Unions development cooperation under the European Union Support to the District Development Programme (EU-SDDP) will be telecast this week.

Titled Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Livelihoods, the twenty-five minute documentary will be shown on two national TV channels  Rupavahini and ITN in Sinhala and two regional channels  Vasantham and Dan TV in Tamil. EU-SDDP is a EUR 60 million programme implemented by five UN Agencies  UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, FAO and ILO together with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. The documentary chronicles the perseverance of individuals and communities, reflecting on the strong partnerships that have been built over the years between the communities, the Government of Sri Lanka, the EU, UN agencies and IFC.

The documentary showcases stories from the districts of Batticaloa, Ampara, Vavuniya, Anuradhapura and Mannar, and demonstrates how EU-SDDP has made a tangible and sustainable contribution towards improving the lives of people in these communities.
President Trump, accompanied by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaks during a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washingtonon on Friday. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

By Anthony Faiola, Stephanie Kirchner 

(c) 2017, The Washington Post 

BERLIN - President Donald Trumps first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel may have resembled the comedic awkwardness of a Sasha Baron Cohen movie. But an unlikely star was born during the bizarre Trump and Merkel show. Kristina Dunz.



The self-effacing German journalist was thrust into the spotlight Friday, when she stood up at their White House news conference in what became an Emperor-Has-No-Clothes moment. Over the weekend, her instant fame snowballed, particularly in her native Germany, where Dunzs exchange with Trump has suddenly become a defining moment for Internet memes and late-night TV monologues.



Channeling the angst of an international audience watching the first season of the President Trump show from afar, Dunz - called on by Merkel - asked the tough questions that the U.S. journalists picked on by Trump did not.



She asked Merkel about Trumps contempt for the European Union and queried Trump over whether his America first policy could backfire on the United States by weakening Europe. Yet the crux of her question to the president was this: How can he decry fake news, yet at the same time spread apparently false accusations, including that former president Barack Obama had wiretapped him?



A visibly riled Trump cut off Merkel as she tried to reply first, sarcastically calling Dunz a nice, friendly reporter. He defended his trade policy, saying he wasnt isolationist, and declared that any newspapers who called him such were printing fake news.



In the United States, American journalists applauded Dunz, along with a fellow German journalist who followed up with more hard questions, for doing what the Americans hadnt. The German press shamed us, Politicos Tara Palmeri tweeted. Even actress Mia Farrow gave the German press a shout-out.



In Dunzs native Germany, a country where polls show Trump is exceedingly unpopular, media outlets rushed to interview her. Her bravery was heralded on the heute-show, a sort of German version of the Daily Show, whose host joked that by merely questioning Trump so toughly Dunz had risked a declaration of war. One German Internet meme making the rounds showed Trump as J.R.R. Tolkiens Gollum, hissing, Nice, friendly reporterstses! Must not hurt us, precious!

In an interview with The Washington Post, Dunz, a 25-year veteran of the German Press Agency (DPA), said she was uncomfortable with all the attention. In an era of look-at-me journalism, shes old school - a hardscrabble professional whos spent time covering German troops in Afghanistan and believes reporters should never be part

of the story.



She suggested that she was simply doing her job, as well as her homework. She worked on the question beforehand, and was advised by a colleague in Washington to ask the question in German to avoid being cut off by Trump.



After the news conference, she said, her phone wouldnt stop making an odd sound. I thought my cell was jammed, she said. But she quickly realized they were Twitter and text notifications. Her Twitter followers have more than quadrupled over the past three days.



I think I hit a nerve . . . because mine was a more general question about his fundamental attitude and about American values, she said. She added, He must be afraid of something. . . . The fact that he kept going on about fake news only got him into trouble.



In Germany, she is something of a social-media folk hero. Stuttgart user Klaus Jahn tweeted at Dunz: You deserve the Pulitzer Prize for your courageous, unexpected questions. Bravo and respect. German journalist Silke Burmester tweeted at her, Lets make journalism great again!

But in a country where Trump is as divisive as he is in the United States, others blasted Dunz. Johannes Loew, a self-proclaimed German Trump supporter from Bavaria, tweeted: Trump called all of this fake news. This answers the question. People like you arent worth more of a response!

Yet the incident, more than anything, seemed to shed a spotlight on Trumps dealings with the press.



During joint news conferences with foreign leaders, it is not unusual for the U.S. press to ask presidents questions tied to the news cycle - in Fridays case, on the health-care debate. Yet reporters picked on to speak in such situations are often pre-selected, and a debate is raging over whether some U.S. journalists, in a quest for access, are currying favour by being less hard hitting. Dunz dismissed any blanket criticism of the U.S. press, saying the fault is with Trump for squeezing out critical voices. One absolutely cannot say . . . that the German press is showing its U.S. colleagues how its done, she said. U.S. colleagues, including your paper, were pioneers and are role models.



Perhaps more telling than Dunzs question was her resulting story. At times, it had the tone of American foreign correspondents covering despotic governments in Venezuela, China or Russia.

For a while now, it hasnt been common practice in the White House to answer tough, uncomfortable questions in an open, matter-of fact way, she wrote. Trump is visibly tormented by this kind of openness.



Although uncomfortable with her newfound notoriety, Dunz is at least happy for one thing: that her DPA news agency, long overshadowed by bigger German names such as Bild and Der Spiegel, is finally getting its moment in the sun.



I have a problem with this whole famous and hero thing, said Dunz. But what makes me extraordinarily happy is that it throws a spotlight on the agency. . . . Agency reporters are always there, they are the only ones who go on every trip . . . theyre always in the background.

On Friday, they werent.
The idling Hambantota bunkering facility requires further expansion in order to become competitive with regional bunkering facilities, a shipping industry stakeholder told a maritime forum held in Colombo, recently.

Bunkering could become viable if there was storage of at least 120,000 tonnes, Mclarens Group Sri Lanka Chairman/Managing Director Rohan de Silva said during a forum organized by the Shippers Academy Colombo at the auditorium of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Importing 10,000 tonnes is not competitive. If we can import 40,000-50,000 tonnes, we can match Singapore prices, de Silva added.

The bunkering facilities at Hambantota Port, constructed at a cost of approximately US$ 100 million, can store up to 51,000 tonnes of bunkering fuel, 23,000 tonnes of aviation fuel and 6,000 tonnes of liquid petroleum gas.

However, the facility has remained dormant since February 2015 when the current government shut down operations immediately after coming into power.

During the previous administration, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had run bunkering operations in Hambantota, albeit at a loss, with one particularly notorious transaction allegedly costing the government over US$ 19 million.

The port lies less than 20 kilometres north of the East-West shipping route, which is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

The current government has called for tenders for bunkering operations at the Hambantota Port from experienced parties.

Sri Lankas petroleum exports, of which over 95 percent is bunkering and aviation fuel supply, fell by 25.5 percent in the first 11 months of 2016 to US$ 256.1 million from US$ 343.6 million in 2015, the Central Bank data showed.

According to experts, Sri Lanka sold 1.9 million metric tonnes of bunkering fuel in 2015, which was just 2.7 percent of the volumes of the two major ports of Singapore and Fujairaj in Dubai combined, in between which there are no ports for ships to bunker.

The countrys busiest port in Colombo, mainly utilized for entrepot trade between the rest of the world and the subcontinent, has a bunkering storage capacity of around 40,000 metric tonnes.

(CW)
The JO leaders on the strength of a wide consensus among the rank and file decided to launch a major struggle in protest against the postponing of the long overdue minor poll.



They initially planned to bring a massive crowd of protesters to lay siege to the city. They also appointed an Action Committee headed by a stalwart from Gampaha who once functioned as a chief purohita of a province as well to handle this operation to be carried out in the third week in March. While the committee members and the party leadership were waiting with great expectations for the Gampaha stalwart to swing into action with all vigour and zest at his command, the latter had quietly skipped the country.



The JO front-liners had later complained to the former strongman that they had been badly let down by the Gampaha colleague.


Q Is it true that as expressed by certain UNP Ministers and MPs, that this is the result of two different ideologies being represented in the government?

There is some truth in that. It is opportune to come out of this political frame even though it is an arduous task. This is something unusual for many. Viewing from outside it is natural that there are issues, but overall; leaving aside this system of change of government, ground work had been done for far-reaching development of the country which may not be visible to the naked eye.

Q For a government which laboured for two years to lay the foundation, could they complete the brick work and put up the roof in the next three years?

We have to prove it at the end of this year, failing which, there may be severe issues.

Q The Minister of Telecommunication portfolio is a powerful position in any government, but recently you had stated that you were a Minister only by name. Your views on this...

This portfolio is governed by the stock market. The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is not under me. As the Minister of Telecommunication, I only have the Sri Lanka Telecom under my purview, however, I have no official status there and I can give only directions and no authority for approvals. Frankly speaking, it is only in name that I am a Minister.

Q The incumbent Presidents brother is the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, is he considered more powerful than the Minister?

Yes, the CEO is more powerful than him. He is officially empowered with the authority to sign.

Q Then what is your position in the ministry?

That is what I brought up before the executive committee and expressed my desire to resign from the post of Minister. I begged before the Prime Minister to make me the Chief Minister of Uva instead. I was told it was not possible.

Q Do you remember that you were holding the promise to provide free internet browsing just before the Yahapalanaya government was established?

Yes, it was promised during the 100-day programme. Free Wi-Fi is presently in operation, following discussions with the companies who provide internet services. It is true that the services provided by the companies are limited. Those companies who provided this service freely are being subjected to heavy taxes. This has created much issues, as they are being taxed for a service given free. We have no right to compel them to provide free service in the face of heavy taxes. This has not happened in any part of the world. In the face of accusations of heavy taxes being imposed on internet facilities, I can say positively that I had no hand in levying this tax. People with some sense would definitely realize that the Minister in charge of Telecommunication has had no intervention in this matter.

Q Free Wi-Fi, Google Loon and the Tax on internet have been subjected to many allegations. Dont you feel that these are scuttling your political acumen?

Yes, I have now realized that a politician who shot into fame is now at the forefront of public antipathy. This I knew from the day I became Minister. This is my Challenge.

Q The UNP leadership recently announced that the party reorganization should be expedited. Do you think that you would get more responsibility within?

At the recent working committee meeting, I directly hinted that according to my conscience, we must consider what went wrong during the past two years, and that I firmly believed that the party has taken correct decisions at all times.

Q The SLFP Minister who came from the same electorate as you recently declared that a fraud eclipsing the CB Bond scam had taken place in your Ministry. How do you respond to this?

He was very careful by the choice of his words. Indirectly he hinted that I was connected. I was surprised as to why he spared me. There is no truth in that. When considering the air time allowed to the particular media channel, one can assume the necessity of this channel to portray this matter. If there was a fraud, they could haul me up or the particular individual they mentioned before the courts. I am at a loss to understand why attempts are being made to thwart an opportunity that was made available to our country by a most powerful international institute.

Q Despite the government and joint opposition members exchanging blows in public, recently social media published a series of pictures of Ministers and MPs embracing each other. Is it a part of the drama?

As a firm believer in the adage that all prisoners are humans. So I can only say that all politicians are humans too.

Q Did you say recently that those who became Ministers with the blessings of Badulla voting public were handing over job opportunities, while you languish without such authority?

Honestly I am frustrated, because at the last elections Mahinda Rajapakse came first in the list of preferential votes, second was Ranil Wickremesinghe, and next I stood at the third slot. A man from Colombo winning the confidence of the masses in Badulla was something I never expected, but being unable to do something for them during the past 17 months, I now feel dejected. Any way I continue to visit them in Badulla. I remain in my office there and do not travel to the interior as a fear is constantly preventing me from doing so. I am afraid that I cannot go to them as Harin once again.

Q Are you hinting that the government you strived to build, has now let you down?

I reserve my opinion on that matter.

Q There is a rumour to say that you would contest from Gampaha next time...

After a period of five years, I am thinking of taking a political decision. If I fail in that, the most challenging decision, then I would consider that politics is not my way. I cannot go before the people and say I am at fault and beg for their votes saying that I would correct it next time. I cannot tell them a lie.

Q Do you say that a future Parliament would be without Harin Fernando?

I got involved in some work during the past few days, and if they turn around, my political aim would not fail. I am not keen to bring the people of Badulla to Colombo, but to take the job opportunities that are available in Colombo to Badulla. I pleaded with the people to give me time till the end of this year, before that I shall do something for them.

Q It appears from what you say that you feel dejected in the political arena. Any particular reason that drove you to think as such?

When I realised that the masses still had trust in me, I felt very sorry for them. After meeting 1,000 to 1,500 people in my office, I became so sad and it brought tears from my eyes.

Q In the proposed Cabinet reshuffle, would there be a change in your portfolio?

I have laid the foundation for it and there might be issues in the event of a change, which is preferable. This would pave the way for

new creativity.

Q Was it the UNP that was not in favour of the local govt. elections?

No, we of the UNP are very much in favour of having the elections early. There is no disagreement between the two parties.

Q Last Friday there was an unpleasant scene in Parliament, and as a Minister, what is your opinion?

I was away in Badulla at that time and therefore, I did not attend the sessions.

Q It was shown over the TV channels...

For the past two months, I did not watch TV news.

Q The UNP Ministers and MPs led by the leader of the House left the chamber protesting the decision of the Speaker to allow more time for the Opposition. This is the first time in the history that the government members flouted the orders of the Speaker and walked out. Is it morally correct?

In politics one cannot find fault with it. The Joint Opposition had brought disrespect to the House on many occasions. I too was once an Opposition member. When the JO attempted to get the Parliament to act according to their whims and fancies, it was natural for the government group to act in that manner. I do not see anything wrong in that.

Q However, the JO maintains that it was the UNP that made the opposition weak within Parliament. What are your comments on this?

It is not so, the question is what right the opposition has. The so-called group is responsible for the abuse of political morals in Sri Lanka. This group is bent on creating instability in the country, leading to a situation of anarchy. This group, while being in the government, created dissension in all other parties and destroyed them. These are the very people who brought in a Constitutional Amendment to hold the post of President until their death. This opposition group now claiming for their rights and privileges are completely a mockery and its a joke!

Q When the present PM was the then leader of the opposition, do you remember that he stood for the rights of the opposition?

Yes, most certainly.

Q Could you recall the last occasion when the present opposition leader spoke in Parliament? I have seen and heard him speaking in Parliament during debates and expressing his views. For the success of any Parliament there should be a forceful opposition. When we were in the opposition and attacked the government, there was much interest and it added decorum to the House.

Q What is the position now?

The JO too has the right to speak. The issue of theirs is not with us but with their own party. They should sort out those issues with their party leaders and not bring them to Parliament and harm its sanctity.

Q Who will be nominated as the Presidential candidate in 2020?

Who thought that Maithripala Sirisena would become the candidate for presidency until November 2014. There is still time left and its absurd rushing to conclusions early.

Q Do you infer that in 2020 there would be a presidential poll?

Yes, definitely.

Q Mr. Minister, the Yahapalanaya government and Maithri rule emerged saying no more executive presidency. We would like to query your views on this...

That is true, what I say is that it would be possible if this system does not change.

Q Does the UNP still continue to represent Arjuna Mahendran?

Do not say such things. Have you seen anything of that sort? You may have seen some are doing that, but not everybody. Do not harm the dignity of the party when making such allegations.
IPM Sri Lanka has initiated plans to expand its footprint to neighboring Maldives in order to provide their expertise in HR education and people management skills to the citizens of Maldives.

IPM is the foremost professional HR body in Sri Lanka with its head office in Colombo while reaching out to students and HR professionals in and around regional capitals of Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Matara, Gampaha, Negombo and Jaffna via its regional centers.

We are keen on establishing our presence in the Republic of Maldives in order to share our experience and expertise in human resources management education and the profession itself with the Republic of Maldives, said Rohitha Amarapala-Immediate Past President, IPM Sri Lanka and Chairman of the External Affairs Subcommittee after a fruitful meeting with the Ambassador for the Republic of Maldives Zahiya Zareer in Colombo recently.

The IPM delegation to the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives was led by Rohitha Amarapala and comprised of Ken Wijekumar- Secretary, Peter Daabre-Executive Director, Gopinath Subramaniam-Director of Academic Operations and Sajeewani ThilakaratneMember, External Affairs Committee, Anushka Earskin-Senior Manager, Programmes  IPM Sri Lanka while the Maldivian delegation comprised of Zahiya Zareer-Ambassador, Ali Nasih Second Secretary and several officials from the embassy.

Given the pool of young talent in Maldives, their keenness to explore new frontiers and the need to train them in people management which is one of the most important aspects of management is essential. With our experience in HR education in Sri Lanka and the extensive relationships we have established with world bodies such as the Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management and World Federation of People Management Association, IPM is ideally placed to take on the role of educating & training the young workforce in human resource management he added.

IPM Sri Lanka is held in high esteem by regional HR organizations and associations with regular requests and invitations to participate and contribute at their HR conferences and events. Incorporated by an Act of Parliament, IPM Sri Lanka is the only HR professional body to enjoy this special status.

IPM is the proud recipient of the ISO9001:2008 quality certificate issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) is the first-ever professional institute to receive such recognition. Furthermore, IPM was awarded the Silver Brand Excellence Award for the SME Brand of the Year at the 12th SLIM (Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing) Brand Excellence Awards.

IPM Sri Lanka keeps pace with the new trends and concepts in HR by engaging continuously with the business community to share experiences, thoughts and insights in order to enrich and enhance the HR profession. It actively encourages and promotes members participation at international conferences and forums to provide exposure, build networks and conduct research into areas of interest to the HR profession in Sri Lanka.

IPM was founded in 1959 and was subsequently incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1976. IPM is affiliated to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Human Resources Management and also to the World Federation of People Management Association. IPM, being a professional institute is also a constituent member of the Organization of Professional Associations [OPA] Sri Lanka.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (left) shakes hands with Singapores National Development Minister Lawrence Wong during G20 meeting

Some worrying headlines have come out of the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Germany over the weekend. The headlines warn that the G20 has been steamrolled by the new Trump administration into scrapping its decade-long tradition of stating its opposition to protectionism in its communiques.

But many of these reports are exaggerated. It is incorrect to say that the G20 has abandoned its commitment to resisting protectionism. The meeting did show that the G20 will face serious challenges. It must resist the protectionist push coming from the Trump administration while finding a way forward on trade within a new and complex political environment.

Media reports released after last weekends meeting have suggested that the G20 has broken a decade-long tradition of pledging to resist protectionism. Thankfully, this is not correct. Throughout Australias G20 host year in 2014, for example, finance ministers and central bank governors never made any commitment to fight protectionism at any of their four meetings.

The reason for this is straightforward. The G20 divides responsibility for different policy areas between finance ministers and sherpas (the officials who advise leaders). Finance ministers dont have responsibility for trade. Sherpas do. This is why finance ministers did not commit to fighting protectionism during Australias host year and why reports that the G20 has broken a decade-long tradition at this recent meeting are incorrect.

But while it may be too early to write off the G20s commitment to resisting protectionism, there is trouble on the horizon. Concerning reports are emerging that finance ministers in Germany tried to include this commitment in the communique but were prevented from doing so by the United States. It has been reported that Chinas officials worked furiously behind the scenes to try to thwart the push from the United States for revised wording on trade. After the meeting, Germanys finance minister Wolfgang Schauble reportedly said we have reached an impasse on trying to avoid protectionism because it meant different things to different countries.

If these reports are correct then there are plenty of reasons to be concerned. The question for the G20, though, is what should be done about it.

When reporting on this issue, many commentators seem to forget that the G20 is a consensus forum. This means that it cannot act without the unanimous agreement of all 20 countries, such that each country has an effective veto. Arguments that the G20 should simply oppose the Trump administration and push ahead on promoting free trade ignore this critical point. In short, nothing can happen on trade in the G20 without US endorsement.

In light of this, the G20 needs to do two things. First, it needs to resist the outright protectionist push coming from the Trump administration. If reports are correct that the recent meeting in Germany was 19 against one then the G20 seems to be doing well. But this is just rhetoric. If Trump follows through on his commitments to enforce a border tax and taxes on US companies that move offshore, while continuing to retaliate against Chinas allegedly undervalued currency, then G20 countries need to be ready to step up their concerted pressure on the United States to protect the global system.

But the G20 cannot settle with a stalemate either. It needs to find a way forward on trade within this new political environment. The good news is that finance ministers did not simply choose to avoid mentioning trade. Instead, they came up with a compromise text that they are working to strengthen the contribution of trade to our economies. This gives G20 countries something to work with.

Given substantial disagreements between members, the G20 needs to focus its efforts on analysis and more effective political messaging. It should commission independent analysis on the cost of protectionism and, conversely, how the benefits of trade are dispersed across different groups in the community. A recent study published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics found that, on average, the real income loss from closing off trade is 28 percent for the richest percentile of society but a much larger 63 percent for the poorest. On the basis of this study, populist politicians who purport to attack free trade in defence of the poor are either ignorant or disingenuous.

Commissioning in-depth analysis on the impacts of trade protectionism is a practical way for the G20 to move forward on its trade agenda. It is also something which is difficult for the United States to oppose given the substantial concerns the Trump administration has raised on the impacts of trade on US workers.

The awkward meeting between Trump and Merkel in Washington suggests much of the cooperation between the US and Germany this year will fall to ministers and officials. Until the leaders meet in July, this means all eyes will be on the next meeting of finance ministers in April.

(East Asia Forum)

(Adam Triggs is a research scholar at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU. He was formerly a member of the Australian G20 Task Force)
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes assurance that the Government would only allow the participation of foreign observers and not foreign judges in an accountability mechanism to look into war crime charges was untrue and dishonest, the Joint Opposition said today.

It said the Premier did not come up with a clear and a direct answer to their Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardanes question in Parliament on Tuesday as to how Sri Lanka agreed upon to a resolution which called for foreign judges in a local judicial mechanism, when both the President and the Premier were against such a move.

The sixth clause of the resolution, which was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council says ..Also affirms in this regard the importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the special counsels office, of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators.

The UNHRC resolution which was adopted in October 2015, clearly and directly mentions about the involvement of foreign judges in a local accountability mechanism. There is no mention of foreign observers in the resolution, Professor G.L.Peiris told a news conference. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
A Sri Lankan national allegedly assaulted two women sexually and physically in Bandar Baru Uda in Malaysia, the Malaysian media reported.

He was later arrested by police on Monday evening.

In the first case, the suspect allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old factory worker, and robbed her of her mobile phone, ATM card, and RM80 cash at around 7.14am on March 19.

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Taib Ahmad said the victim had just got off from a bus and was walking towards her workplace at a food factory in Tampoi in Johor Baru before the suspect attacked her.

The victim, who sustained several injuries, was found lying on the side of the road by the public who alerted the police. She was brought to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in a semiconscious state.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect had punched the victim several times, causing her to suffer bruises on her face, eyes and head, and a split lip.

The victim received two stitches on her forehead, he told The Star.

ACP Mohd Taib said the second victim was a 27-year-old woman who works at an electronics factory in Bandar Baru Uda.

He said the victim was waiting at a bus-stop along Jalan Padi 1 at 4am on March 20 before being approached by the suspect who tried to force her to sit next to him.

The victim refused to do so and the suspect began strangling her before dragging her to a nearby bush area where he tried to molest her.

She screamed loudly which alerted a male passerby, but the suspect had already fled the scene, he said.

ACP Mohd Taib said that police spotted a man who fit the description made by one of the victims walking along Jalan Padi 1 here at around 6.30pm on March 20.

He said the suspect, in his late 30s, tried to escape but the police successfully arrested him following a scuffle. The mobile phone that was stolen from the first victim was found on the suspect.

ACP Mohd Taib added the suspect was being remanded to assist in the investigation under Section 394 of the Penal Code and Section 354 of the same Act for robbery and causing hurt as well as for assault on person with the intent of outraging her modesty.
In view of International Womens Day 2017 the programme You was organized by Laugfs Eco Sri Pvt Ltd, in recognition of the contribution made by female staff in the organization.

With the launch of this program, the company demonstrated its continued commitment towards gender equality as well as recognition and appreciation of diversity within the workplace. The theme of You 2017 was Empower your inner soul which encourages women to develop their strength, character and capability that supports an empowered status in society.

There are 760 employees at Laugfs Eco Sri as at today and 120 of the total number are females. Majority of them are employed as data entry operators, some as technicians and the remainder work at the head office. The strong female employee presence at Laugfs Eco Sri Pvt Ltd, continues to power the company to great heights. These female employees play a pivotal role in day to day operations, supporting the technical team in the process of vehicle emission testing which is a nation-wide air quality management program run in joint collaboration with the government and appointed testing entities. Majority of Eco Sri female employees are therefore located at direct contact points of the customer. Meanwhile, those at the head office handle back office operations, and provide their unwavering support to the companys growth and success. The programme You was organized with the intention of empowering these employees so that they would be able to withstand the challenges that they encounter at work as well as in their personal lives. The program also presented the opportunity to appreciate the continuous dedication and contribution these employees make towards a cleaner, safer and greener tomorrow with Laugfs Eco Sri.

The full day programme was held at the Wisdom auditorium of Laugfs Head Office recently with the sponsorships of Johnson & Johnson, Forever, Hemas Hospitals, Laugfs Laugfs Lfinity and Frank Constructions.

Highlights of the programme included a motivational speech by Jayanthi KuruUtumpala,the first Sri Lankan to summit Mt. Everest and a grooming session by Beautician Achini Jayasinghe. Actor Kavinga Perera kept the audience entertained with a fun filled interactive session which was followed by an awareness session on health and hygiene that also included a spot screening for breast cancer and certain other tests.

The programme also included a session that focused on performance improvement via great customer care at work by trainer Kamal Perera.

The programm ended with motivational video clips shown to the audience on three inspiring female employees of Laugfs who hold top positions in the company. The video featured Dulani Nissanka  Director Group CHRO, Muditha Thebuwana  COO of Lfinity and Duminda Gayani - Deputy General Manager, Imports & Exports. In the video they shared their journey towards the current position, how they balance work and personal life, challenges they face as women and provided valuable advice to beginners on how to climb the corporate ladder successfully.

One of the participantsof the You programme held by Laugfs Eco Sri commented, Everything I learnt from todays program will definitely help me in the future. Todays event was both informative and fun. I enjoyed meeting all the speakers and it was encouraging to listen to them sharing their experiences with us.
An assailant stabbed a policeman, two civilians and was shot dead by police just outside Britain's parliament building in London on Wednesday in what police described as a terrorist incident.

Amid confusing scenes, it appeared the incident may have unfolded in several locations, including on the nearby Westminster bridge where eyewitnesses said a car had crashed into pedestrians.

At least 20 people were injured due to the incident.

Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise, London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The incident took place on the first anniversary of attacks by Islamist militants that killed 32 people in Brussels.

Reuters reporters inside the parliament building heard loud bangs and shortly afterwards saw two people lying on the ground in a courtyard just outside, within the perimeter of the parliamentary estate.

A Reuters photographer said he saw at least a dozen people injured on Westminster Bridge, next to parliament.

His photographs showed people lying on the ground, some of them bleeding heavily and one apparently under a bus.

I just saw a car go out of control, and just go into pedestrians on the bridge, a woman who gave her name as Bernadette told Sky News. She was on a tour bus on the bridge at the time.

As we were going across the bridge, we saw people lying on the floor, they were obviously injured. I saw about 10 people maybe. And then the emergency services started to arrive. (Reuters)
The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of the Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, B. N. S. Batagoda for not appearing in court as a witness for the persecution in the bribery case filed against Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena.

Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara issued the warrant after he observed Batagoda was not present in court to testify on behalf of the prosecution in the case filed by the Bribery Commission.

The Commission filed charges against Gunawardena at the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court under Section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 of 1975, for not declaring his assets and liabilities for the years 2006 and 2007 while serving as the Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board. (T.Farook Thajudeen)
This years theme of the World Water Day focuses on waste water. This article highlights the urgent need for effective management of waste water, given the severity of the problem and the catastrophic outcomes it could result in if not handled wisely.

Water can easily become waste water due to many reasons  mostly tied to human activity. The most common sources of waste water include domestic effluent consisting black water (excreta, urine and faecal sludge) and grey water (kitchen and bathing waste water), effluents from commercial establishments (e.g., restaurants and hotels) and other working places including hospitals, storm water and urban run-off and effluent from industrial, agricultural, horticultural and aquaculture sources.

Effluents from industrial and agricultural sources and from hospitals are considered water pollution; comprehensive pollution control measures that go beyond mere disposal of waste water are necessary to handle the problem of water pollution. On the other hand, managing waste water from domestic and commercial sources and urban run-off is largely a matter of proper disposal.

However, given the scale and frequency of waste water generated from these sources, especially in urban areas, where population and economic activities are concentrated, proper disposal requires comprehensive solutions based on scientific management. This article focuses on domestic, commercial and urban run-off waste water, which has received limited attention by many.

Waste water is an uncomfortable and unpleasant subject that many prefer to avoid. However, it cannot be easily ignored as everyone is faced with the problem of waste water on a daily basis, whether at home, workplace or during the everyday commute. Developed countries have invested large amounts of resources to manage waste water, giving it high priority and treating the issue as a matter of social welfare.

In fact, the level of priority and resources allocated for solving the issue of waste water reflect a fundamental difference in attitudes towards social welfare between developed and developing societies. In many developing countries, even educated and wealthy members of society seem to be intent on turning a blind eye to the harsh reality and prefer to stay in their own comfort zones, rather than actively seeking solutions to the issue.

The usual inclination is to dispose the waste from ones own premises without giving much thought to the health and environmental repercussions of their actions. In this sense, the waste water problem is remarkably similar to the garbage problem. Some people carry domestic garbage bags in vehicles and covertly dump them at isolated places. The same motive is visible when a suburban household surreptitiously empties its waste water pits to storm water drains during heavy showers. Such behaviour is motivated by the lack of public collection and sanitary disposal systems, a situation prevalent in many developing countries.

Common methods for disposal of waste water

There are two basic waste water management strategies. They are onsite (non-sewered) disposal and off-site (sewered) disposal with or without centralized treatment facilities. In urban areas, off-site disposal of waste water and disposal of surface run-off are closely connected. Therefore, in some countries, combined systems that convey run-off water with foul sewage in the same pipes can be found. However, many countries have resorted to systems that carry surface run-off and foul sewage separately.

Off-site disposal systems are more effective and are in place worldwide. Modern cities in developed countries have established extensive systems for waste water collection and disposal with centralized treatment facilities. Like other public infrastructure facilities such as transport, urban parks, water and electricity supply, these waste water management facilities also play a major role in making these cities more habitable, contributing to high living standards enjoyed by citizens.

However, establishing such off-site disposal facilities are costly operations. They need high capital investments for establishment and large operational budgets for running and maintenance. Users are charged for these services by utility companies that operate on volumetric basis. Large utility companies are usually run as public-private partnerships under close supervision of city administrations.

In developing countries, city administrators have limited means to invest in modern waste water management systems and low-income city dwellers cannot be expected to bear the full cost of services they offer. As a result, many developing countries are unable to afford such systems. Hence, modern waste water treatment facilities are restricted to limited areas of large urban centres in the developing world. When available, these systems are usually located in service opulent neighbourhoods and a large majority of the population suffers due to lack of proper waste water disposal facilities.

These underprivileged areas are usually left with onsite disposal systems in various forms of operational arrangements. Usually such systems are less hygienic and chaotic situations arise during disasters such as urban floods. Furthermore, poor storm water and drainage systems and ill-designed onsite disposal facilities themselves contribute to hazardous events such as flash floods very often.



Waste water management in Sri Lanka

The current waste water management systems in place in Sri Lanka are abysmal. Being a developing country, Sri Lanka is also plagued with inefficiencies in waste water management mentioned above. Sewer connections are only available for restricted areas in the Colombo city and for a few other major cities. Inherited from the colonial period, some sections of these systems are dilapidated and are in dire need of renovations and upgrades.

Extension work on the pipe system is moving at a snails pace and the existing systems do not have centralized treatment facilities. Waste water collected from the Colombo sewerage system is dumped into the sea in two locations. Many other fast-developing coastal towns follow this lead, making them leading contributors to marine pollution.

Beyond the limited area covered by pipe connected facilities, the outskirts of city areas and surrounding suburbs mostly have to depend on on-site waste water disposal methods. The common practices include individual facilities of septic tanks or open-bottom soakage pits for black water and open bottom waste water pits for grey water. However, very often, grey water is channelled illegally to storm water drains directly or indirectly.

In underserved areas of Colombo and other cities, residents often have no choice but to share common toilet pits and dispose kitchen and bath water to storm water drains, creating uninhabitable conditions in the surrounding environments. Coupled with ill-designed storm water drains and run-off water disposal facilities, non-standard waste water disposal methods are the reason that Colombo and other major cities in the island are plunged into chaos during flash floods.

Overall, poor investment on standard public waste water disposal facilities has led many residents in urban areas to depend on individual on-site waste water disposal facilities. The quality of these facilities varies greatly. Moreover, this causes accumulation of waste water in large quantities in local neighbourhoods, affecting the groundwater.

In some suburban areas, residents are still dependent on shallow groundwater wells for domestic water supply and they get affected from groundwater polluted by accumulated waste water. Considering this situation, some technical standards have been imposed in building approval criteria regarding locating septic tanks and waste water pits when constructing houses. However, the effectiveness of such measures, monitoring of those standards and level of compliance cannot be guaranteed.



Waste water challenge

Sri Lanka boasts of the prevalence of sanitation facilities even among poorer communities, when compared with many other developing countries. However, the management of waste water is an exception and remains a challenge. It is a public health and environmental hazard that cannot be left for residents to resolve on their own. Serious health and environmental issues demand public solutions where individuals have to play their roles considering their own and community welfare.

Individuals cannot make large public investments required for establishing standard facilities and the government and city administrations need to give due priority to initiate such facilities. However, effective systems need resources for establishment of facilities and efficient operation that cannot be borne by cash-strapped city administrations alone. Beneficiaries of the facilities also have to bear some burden here. This requires innovations in technical as well as management and institutional aspects of waste water management solutions in the country.

(Athula Senaratne is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS). To view this article online and to share your comments, visit the IPS Blog Talking Economics  http://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/)
Recognizing the growing opportunity and need to help digitize business-to-business (B2B) transactions, Mastercard announced its partnership with Eko-Pay to introduce Eko-B2B, a new best-in-class digital payment solution for businesses in Asia Pacific.

Eko-B2B will provide businesses with an automated payment solution that enables them to streamline workflows and improve productivity for B2B payment transactions. Powered by Eko-Pay, a technology company with proprietary solutions for financial and non-financial transactions, Eko-B2B seamlessly integrates with the Mastercard inControl platform to facilitate business payments, reducing inefficiencies and improving transparency.

According to a study[] by global consulting firm McKinsey on commercial payment growth in Asia Pacific, 90 percent of B2B payments in the region are still conducted in cash, representing a significant opportunity to digitize the payment system. Expansion of customer and supplier networks across markets, growth of cross-border transactions and a large informal economy of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key reasons cited for the growth of B2B payments in the region.

The Eko-B2B solution brings greater transparency and efficiencies to all parties in the B2B payment process. Vendor and supplier web portals willenable round-the-clock access to current and historical payment details and dashboards that track key business performance statistics, eliminating the need for manual payment systems and their associated complications and operational inefficiencies.

Multiple payment systems, non-electronic payment methods and supplier resistance are just some of the common pain points for businesses as they attempt to digitize their payment system across their supplier network. With the Eko-B2B solution, Eko-Pay offers the option to manage this onboarding process for the business,allowing them to experience the full benefits of a digital B2B payment solution with minimal time invested.

Eko-Pay is very pleased to partner with Mastercard on this solution that bridges a critical gap in the B2B payment environment, said Jean-Pierre Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Eko-Pay. The entire platform was designed with simplicity in mind to allow for rapid adoption through local and international business networks and provide a long tail acceptance enablement solution.

Nagesh Devata, senior vice-president, Acceptance and Merchant Development, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, said, Many businesses today, regardless of size, engage with a network of suppliers and across multiple markets as they look to not just survive but thrive in a global marketplace. Yet many businesses still rely heavily on traditional, non-digital forms of payments to process business transactions, resulting in wasted time and resources unnecessarily. For businesses that have adopted digital payment solutions, they often face resistance and challenges from their supplier network and vendors in implementing these new processes. By partnering with Eko-Pay to launch a fully automated solution that allows them to experience the enhanced efficiencies and real-time cost savings of using digital payment solutions, we are looking to solve for some of these key pain points.The Eko-B2B solution is now available in Asia Pacific, interested businesses should reach out to Mastercard or

Eko-Pay.
FBI Director James Comey stated that there is no information to support wiretapping claims made by President Donald Trump. He spoke during testimony before the House Intelligence Committee with Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California. (Source: Bloomberg)

By Ellen Nakashima, Karoun Demirjian and Devlin Barrett

The Washington Post, March 20,2017

FBI Director James B. Comey acknowledged Monday that his agency is conducting an investigation into possible coordination between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign in a counterintelligence probe that could reach all the way to the White House and may last for months.



The extraordinary disclosure came near the beginning of a sprawling, 5 -hour public hearing before the House Intelligence Committee in which Comey also said there is no information that supports President Trumps claims that his predecessor ordered surveillance of Trump Tower during the election campaign.



Comey repeatedly refused to answer whether specific individuals close to the president had fallen under suspicion of criminal wrongdoing, so we dont wind up smearing people who may not be charged with a crime. The FBI traditionally does not disclose the existence of an investigation, but in unusual circumstances, where it is in the public interest, Comey said, it may be appropriate to do so.



Comey also said he was authorized by the Justice Department to confirm the existence of the wide-ranging probe into Russian interference in the electoral process. He drew fire last year after he notified Congress 11 days before the presidential election  and against the departments strong advice not to  that the FBI had reopened an examination of Hillary Clintons use of a private email server.



That move, Democrats charged, hurt Clinton as she was heading into the home stretch of her campaign. Now, the tables are turned. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the committee chairman, urged Comey to reveal if and when the bureau has information clearing any of its targets, and to do so as quickly as possible.



Theres a big gray cloud that youve now put over people who have very important work to do to lead this country, and so the faster that you can get to the bottom of this, its going to be better for all Americans, Nunes said. Comey said that the investigation began in late July and that for a counterintelligence probe, thats a fairly short period of time.



The hearing came amid the controversy fired up by Trump more than two weeks ago when he tweeted, without providing evidence, that President Barack Obama had ordered his phones tapped at Trump Tower.



I have no information that supports those tweets, Comey said. We have looked carefully inside the FBI, and agents found nothing to support those claims.



He added that the Justice Department had asked him to tell the committee that the agency has no such information, either.



Under questioning from the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), Comey said no president could order such surveillance.



Remarkably, Trumps presidential Twitter account continued to fire away throughout the widely watched hearing, live-tweeting comments and assertions that lawmakers then referred to and used to question Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers. At the White House, press secretary Sean Spicer stressed that an investigation into possible collusion between Russian officials and Trump associates doesnt mean that there was any. Investigating it and having proof of it are two different things, Spicer said. I think its fine to look into it, but at the end of the day theyre going to come to the same conclusion that everybody else has had. Said Spicer: Theres no evidence of a Trump-Russian collusion.



As the hearing was going on, Trumps presidential Twitter account  in an apparent dig at Comey and carrying the suggestion that Obama administration officials were behind the leaks  posted the tweet: FBI Director Comey refuses to deny he briefed President Obama on calls made by Michael Flynn to Russia.
President Maithripala Sirisena left for Russia this morning on an official invitation made by the Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Media Division said.

They said this official invitation which received for Sri Lankan Head of State to visit Russia after 44 years and todays visit would be the first official visit to Russia by a Sri Lankan leader since 1974, when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow.

During the visit, President Sirisena is scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements in the areas of economics, trade, tourism, science and technology sector, cultural and education cooperation, which brings many developmental benefits to Sri Lanka, the media Division said.

The proposed bilateral discussions with the Russian President are expected to be discussed in detail regarding the ways to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. Many of Political and International relations experts point out that this official invitation by the Russian President Vladimir Putin as a powerful leader in the world signifies an important milestone in the governments foreign relations.

The President is also scheduled to attend a ceremony organize to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment diplomatic relations between the two countries and he will also attend a Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum, which is organized to further promote trade and investment between the two countries, the Media Unit said.

The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka in 1956. Sri Lankan value added tea exports to Russia is around 17% and at present there are strong economic ties between the two countries.

President Maithripala Sirisenas visit to Russia will write a new chapter in the longstanding friendly relationships between the two countries.

The President had decided not to use a special flight even on this significant visit and the President and his delegation would visit Russia by an ordinary passenger flight, PMD said.

Even during his previous visits, the President and his delegation did not use any special flights as it was a principle, it said.

According to the Russian Governments culture, officially invited State leaders and the delegation should arrive by a special flight to a special terminal to offer special greetings.

Despite the special welcome ceremony by the Russian Army, President Sirisena had decided to leave for Russia by an ordinary passenger flight. (Chaturanga Pradeep)
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke will leave for London today to receive the Finance Minister of the Year for Asia Pacific - 2017 award bestowed on him by the The Banker magazine, a Finance Ministry statement said.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place this Friday (March 24).

The Banker, published in London, selected Karunanayake for this award, for his efforts to best manage, stimulate growth and stabilize the economy of Sri Lanka.

The Banker said Karunanayake worked to avoid a balance of payments crisis, replenish reserves and rebuild confidence among international investors.

In addition, the magazine noted that Karunanayake was able to drop the countrys budget deficit to 5.4 percent in 2016 from 7 percent in 2015 after he assumed office in January 2015.

According to The Banker, Karunanayake was instrumental in inculcating in the minds of the people that paying taxes is not something bad, but a must for the country.

As a result, Sri Lankas tax records are said to have grown from 700,000 files in January 2015 to 1.4 million in 2017.
The student of the Mahanama College, who had been arrested for forcibly entering Yashodara Balika Vidyalaya, was ordered to be sent yesterday to the Probationary and Child Care Centre in Makola until March 31 by the Hulftsdorp Magistrates Court.

A spokesman for the Police said Police officers in civvies and uniform and the emergency Mobile Police Unit would be deployed in the vicinity of all girls schools within the Colombo City limits.

Stern action will be taken against students who engage in such acts using the big match as an excuse, he said.

The Police said the student was among several others, who had forcibly entered the girls school down Kinsey Road yesterday during a parade that was held in lieu of the big match to be held this weekend.

The rowdy students had not only frightened staff members but had also assaulted an employee of the school, according to the Police.

The Police said they were investigating the incident.(DS)
Man power employees of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) staged a protest in front of the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre today urging the government to absorb them to the permanent staff. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva a short while ago told the 34th session of the UNHRC that Sri Lanka will be co-sponsoring a Resolution with the United States and the other main co-sponsors of previous resolution (30/1) on the country for a two-year extension of the timeline for fulfilment of commitments made in Resolution 30/1.

He said Sri Lanka thank the UNHR Council, the UN, and bilateral partners for their support to strengthen reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and for this extension of the timeline.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Sri Lanka with United States and the other main co-sponsors UK, Macedonia and Montenegro.
Tax concessions were not given to the Northern and Uva Provinces to open up liquor distilleries or to create employment through them, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka said today.

During a press conference held at the Ministry, Minister Ranawaka made these remarks in connection with the construction of a liquor distillery in Kalkuda, Batticaloa.

We are against those who open liquor distilleries in the North and Uva provinces, as special relief was given to those areas because of the poverty levels, not to open liquor distilleries. The main intension of the tax concessions is to develop the province and create employment opportunities, he said. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
Smart Travel International has introduced Sri Lankas first taxi app which works with a taxi meter namely Vow Cabs.

All other taxi apps in Sri Lanka measure travel distances using software on mobile phones which uses AGPS technology and internet connectivity.

Due to that, the customers who use these taxi apps face many problems such as internet breakdowns, having to pay different amounts for the same distance travelled and taxi services not being able to operate in rural areas.

But through this new taxi app from the beginning to the end of the journey, the distance is calculated from the meter fixed in the taxi without the use of internet or GPS. This latest Pulsar 2020 taximeter is a US product and can be coupled with GPS, taxi light and even a printer can be connected to it.

This app is available in Play Store and Apple Store for android and Apple mobile phones. Vow Cabs are available in Colombo and Negombo at present and planning to expand its services island wide very soon.

For the customers who dont have an android phone, by dialing 1345 a taxi can be booked within 2, 3 minutes. Vow cabs passenger App also consists of a panic button for security and Take Me Home (TMH) facilitates to take you to the prior informed destination.

The vehicle owners who are interested in joining Vow Cabs can buy initially a taxi meter or a printer and then connect with Vow cabs by buying a GPS device with a mobile phone.

Vow Cabs will enable Sri Lankans to obtain cashless travel experience in the future. Smart Travel International has entered in to a partnership with Sampath Bank and Mobitel to provide cashless travel experience and integrated their payment platform with M-Cash payment options and Sampath bank enables their platform to accept any credit cards issued by any bank converted to Vow credits.
The desire for fairer skin and the fascination with fairness creams is not something new to Sri Lankans. South Asians in general have been obsessed with fairness and both men and women go to great lengths to achieve it. The demand for fairness creams and other similar products seem to be increasing with the social notion that fair skin is beautiful. Porcelain skin has been the measure of beauty in China since ancient times. Even in Japan, beauty has been linked to a lighter skin tone. The widespread preference for fair skin has been exploited by manufacturers and the simple fact that over-the-counter fairness products are easily accessible and affordable has played a major role when it comes to consumption.



The Sri Lankan market is experiencing a stronger demand for fairness products due to advertising and untapped markets targeting rural segments. Fairness products have become a vital product for men and women of all age groups and the easy availability of these products in urban as well as rural parts of the country has helped expand the demand. There are two sides to everything and the downside to fairness products is not at all beautiful.



spoke to Dr. Saman Gunasekara, a Dermatologist on how fairness products can be harmful to the skin.



There is a belief that white or fair skin is beautiful in most South Asian countries and there is a rising demand for fairness creams and other similar products. Most of these products are easily available. There are various types of fairness products that are manufactured locally as well as internationally. These products promise to make you look more beautiful and give you a fairer complexion. Some of these dont come with a proper label or a description of the ingredients used to make them but people still tend to use them on the recommendation of their beauticians. The quality of these could be compromised as the ingredients used to manufacture some of them have not been mentioned.



Another downside is that there is no certified lab or a place in which their quality can be tested. A lack of a proper testing place is not the only problem, as Sri Lanka doesnt even have proper regulations when it comes to this subject.



Various side effects may occur if you use certain fairness products without them being prescribed to you, as the quality of the product could be tampered with. There are many fairness creams out there that contain corticosteroid drugs used to treat eczema, psoriasis and various skin-related illnesses. These fairness creams could cause early reactions such as skin irritation, redness or allergic contact dermatitis. Long-term side effects such as severe acne could also occur owing to the overuse of these products. Though these drugs do not directly increase the risk of skin cancer, they have been associated with an increased incidence of skin cancer later in life. Photosensitivity (which causes increased sensitivity to sunlight) is another side-effect that may occur. Hydroquinones used in some fairness products can damage melanocytes which produces a pigment that can cause white patches on the skin which could be permanent. These fairness creams sometimes contain arsenic or mercury too and over using such products could ultimately lead to skin cancer.



What seems to attract people towards fairness products so much than the fairness product itself seem to be the mindset and peoples attitudes. Other peoples perception of you doesnt really matter and what really matters is your perception of yourself. Fairness products cannot thrive without being supported by a societys obsession with flaunting fair skin. When it comes to finding a solution to this specific problem, we need to work on changing the social notion on what is considered beautiful.
By Carol Morello (c) 2017, The Washington Post   Mar 21, 2017 -

WASHINGTON - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Monday after a meeting at the White House that there are better ways for the United States to help beat back the Islamic State than sending combat troops.



Though Abadi praised the Trump administration as being willing to become more engaged in the fight against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria, he warned that sending sizable numbers of troops would not defeat them. The United States has stepped up the deployment of ground troops to Syria, and elsewhere in the region, as the Iraqi army advances on Mosul and a complex array of forces prepare for an offensive on the Islamic State capital of Raqqa in Syria.



We have to be careful, Abadi said at the U.S. Institute of Peace, where he spoke shortly after talking with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other senior U.S. officials. Committing troops is one thing. Fighting terrorism is another thing. You dont defeat terrorism by fighting it militarily. There are better ways.



Echoing themes that were common from State Department officials during the Obama administration, Abadi said governments and militaries succeed only if they win the trust and support of the civilian population through measures like anti-corruption reforms and good governance.



We have to bring back trust in the way we govern, he said. It will be sad day for all of us if people believe a dictatorship is better than democracy. Because if democracy doesnt protect them, doesnt provide for them, if there is corruption, ... I think we failed.



Abadi is among officials from 68 countries in Washington this week for a meeting of the U.S.-led global coalition to fight the jihadist group in Syria and Iraq. Abadi, who came to Washington seeking more financial aid and assistance in rebuilding ruined cities, said the White House has assured Iraq it will get more support than the Obama administration offered.



We have been given assurances support will not only continue, but will accelerate until we complete the task, he said after predicting the Iraqi army is in the last stage of pushing Islamic State militants out of Mosul, a city of more than 1 million people that is an Islamic State stronghold.

Just before meeting with Abadi in the Cabinet Room at the White House, Trump praised Iraqi soldiers for their advances in Mosul against the jihadists who are also known by the acronymn of ISIS.

Mosul is moving along, he said. We will figure something out. I mean, we have to get rid of ISIS. Were going to get rid of ISIS.



Abadi showed flashes of humor that seemed to poke gentle fun at Trump and his predicament.

While posing for photos in the Oval Office, a reporters question about Trumps reaction to testimony in Congress undercutting his assertion that Trump Tower in New York was wiretapped on President Barack Obamas orders prompted Abadi to grab Trumps arm and reassure him jokingly, We had nothing to do with the wiretap.



And at the end of his moderated talk at the Institute of Peace, Abadi appeared to draw a parallel between Iraqs sectarian divisions and the border between the United States and Mexico.

When he was asked if he supported a semi-autonomous region for minorities in northern Iraq, Abadi said he preferred a more inclusive society.



I dont think you protect yourself by having to partition yourself from your neighbours, he said. We have to build bridges with others, and work with others, to be more secure. Otherwise, you build walls.



After a momentarily pause in the audience of about 100 people, the room burst into laughter.
Recognised for delivering the highest quality engineering solutions and unmatched service support, United Tractor & Equipment (Pvt.) Limited (UTE) proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Founded by W.D. Fernando in 1947 as a family-owned company, UTE began serving the nation as the sole Caterpillar dealer for heavy construction machinery. This vital partnership continues seven decades later thus making it one of the oldest Caterpillar dealers in Asia.

Today, UTE serves its customers through an extensive catalogue of products from world-class manufacturers and is active in mainstream markets for construction machinery, power generation, material handling and storage, welding equipment and engineering solutions.

Building on its rich legacy, the forward-thinking company has boldly begun a rebranding exercise, soon to be unveiled as UTE Engineering. Categorised into two broad areas - Caterpillar and other Allied Products, the new brand is in line with the companys key areas of business and vision to be the best engineering solutions provider.

UTEs distinct milestones illustrate an impressive track record of contributing to landmark projects in the country. Playing a significant role in many of Sri Lankas major infrastructure development projects since independence, UTEs Caterpillar construction machinery have been used extensively, especially in the historic Gal Oya project, accelerated Mahaweli project, Samanalawewa and Walawe projects and the countrys largest multi-functional irrigation project to-date  Moragahakanda.

UTE has also played a pivotal role contributing towards the countrys road construction industry through its involvement in the Southern Expressway and its extension and is one of the primary suppliers of equipment for the on-going Kandy Expressway. Supporting Sri Lanka Railways (SLR), UTE has played a major role in supplying the majority of locomotives and engines in the SLR fleet under Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) and Cat brands offering superior rail reliability and unbelievable durability.

UTE is the first company to sell diesel-powered generators in Sri Lanka. Today, a large number of big and small buildings and power-critical installations are powered by Cat generators, which holds testament to UTEs involvement in the countrys development during the past seven decades.

To enhance the logistics and material handling processes including modern warehousing, transport loading and unloading facilities for the countrys vital import and export industries, UTEs clients depend on Dexion racking and shelving systems and BT warehouse trucks. Today, many of Sri Lankas largest tea warehouses utilize these resources to optimize their facilities.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, UTE remains today family-owned and continues to place relationships at the centre of its company culture. A majority of the companys customers and contractors have interacted on business transactions over a long period contributing steadfastly to the companys mission of working side by side providing a world-class customer experience. Complementing its product portfolio is UTEs service excellence and spare-part support that is unmatched in the industry. UTEs employees are guided by a set of core business values which ensure an uninterrupted journey long after the sale.

UTE has over the years constantly invested and expanded its product support capabilities in line with world-class dealers. The company has been conferred Silver Service Excellence Certification by Caterpillar Inc. and is the sole provider in the power generation engineering solutions sector to successfully achieve the new ISO 9001:2015 certification standard for Sales and Marketing of Power Generators with Related Engineering Solutions.

UTE has a long and successful history founded on hard work and unrivalled customer service and is proud to be recognised as the engineering solutions provider of choice. As we transform into a world-class organisation we continue to embrace the newest technology, invest in our people and ensure your journey is smooth, affirms UTE Chairman Prasan Fernando.

Instead of resting on the laurels of its phenomenal achievements of the past, UTE looks towards introducing innovative products and solutions, helping customers in meeting future challenges and the changing global landscape. Together with Caterpillar, UTE is in the forefront of helping the nation through new energy solutions that reduce energy costs and provide reliable power generation. Caterpillars Microgrid solutions integrate renewable energy such as solar power and helps deliver reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy for customers.

Additionally, Caterpillars engines and machines have been engineered to set new standards in emission control, fuel efficiency and performance supporting a sustainable environment. Through UTE, local customers will soon be able to experience Caterpillars hydraulic hybrid technology which conserves and reuses energy ensuring maximum productivity.

Understanding the growing issue of space limitations faced by customers, UTE offers sophisticated racking systems, BT/Raymond Warehouse trucks for narrow aisles and Dexion tailor-made shelving solutions, allowing customers to do more with their limited storage spaces.

Playing a key role in creating skilled technical professions, UTE conducts advanced training programmes to provide career opportunities in the engineering field for Sri Lankan youth. UTEs training centre provides a comprehensive technical training curriculum with modern teaching methods and facilities to mould local technicians into a more skilled, forward-looking workforce.
United Nations High commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid al-Hussein told the 34th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today that they continue to underscore the concept of hybrid court to Sri Lanka to utilize an accountability mechanism.

Following the resolution debate of the member countries on Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner said the points made in the report of the Office of the High commissioner for Human Rights deserve further consideration by the Sri Lankan government.
The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides online, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 954 branches and approximately 3,766 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,300 branches and a network of contact and support center internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.
OptimizeRx Corporation, a digital health technology company, provides various solutions to life sciences organizations, healthcare providers, and patients. The company's products and applications include financial messaging, a virtual patient support center that allows doctors and staff to access sample vouchers, co-pay coupons, and other patient support through their EMR and/or e-prescribe systems; and brand awareness and therapeutic support messaging services, such as brand awareness messages, reminder ads, and therapeutic support and unbranded messages. It also offers brand support services, which focuses on educating and working with pharmaceutical manufacturers on identifying, formulating, and implementing eRx media strategies, including drug file integration, sales force training, and strategy development services for promoting their products. In addition, the company operates cloud based Mobile Health Messenger platform that provides interactive health messaging for enhanced medication adherence and care coordination; and HIPAA-compliant automated mobile messaging platform, which allows pharmaceutical manufactures and related entities to directly engage with patients to enhance regimen compliance. Further, it offers patient programs with treatment and affordability information, lifestyle and condition trackers, internet device connectivity, forms, and surveys. Additionally, the company provides evidence-based physician engagement solution applied to real-world data to assist healthcare providers in identifying patients who may be qualified for specific therapies, raise awareness of patient access pathways, and identify early indicators of non-adherence among patient populations. It also offers therapy initiation workflow focused on accelerating patient access to treatments where time-consuming medical documentation is required of HCPs prior to pharmacies dispensing prescribed drugs. The company was found in 2006 and is headquartered in Rochester, Michigan.
I am a retired newspaperman. I am 69 and live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 45 years, Lou Ann. We grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather.

More on who I am is here.

Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com
(Photo:  Peter Kenny)Dr Mwai Makoka photographed at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland on Feb. 14, 2017.

Dr. Mwai Makoka's work on health and healing at the World Council of Churches entails connecting people in churches which link with national and international health organizations in many ways.

Working as a medical doctor in his home country Malawi seems to have given Dr. Makoka ideal experience for his task of program executive for Health and Healing at the WCC.

He has experience in medical microbiology, HIV and AIDS, working for both government and church-based institutions after graduating as a doctor in Malawi, a country accustomed to working with church-run hospitals.

Prior to joining the WCC in late 2016, Makoka, a Presbyterian, was executive director of the Christian Health Association of Malawi part of the continent-wide Africa Christian Health Associations Platform and a member of ACT Alliance.

Malawi's Christian health association is responsible for 37 percent of of the southern African nation's health services, as well as training 80 percent of the southern African nation's healthcare practitioners.

Now Makoka's duties involve running an office that liaises with international organizations and nearly 350 member churches in the WCC in different parts of the world.

CHURCHES AND HEALTHCARE

"This is an old desk. Churches have been involved in health care since time immemorial. Some of my work entails liaising with the WHO (World Health Organization) and consolidating the voice of the churches and the ecumenical family there".

"We have been working with WHO since it was established (in 1948). I think we are the first faith-based organization to have a relationship with the WHO," says Makoka.

He notes that faith-based organizations, especially churches, are essential providers of health services in many countries, especially in Africa.

For example, in Malawi, churches run 11 nursing schools. Its neighbours, Zambia and Zimbabwe have similar involvement of churches in health provision.

"At the WCC we look at holistic health. Health is not medicine. Health is not purely medical. Health is complete well-being'.

"When church leaders are standing in the pulpit and they preach and talk about health issues, they are not digressing. That is the place to talk about health. Health is not just hospitals," he says showing the coalescing of the spiritual with the practical.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

These days, however, when it comes to global public health, Makoka says it is very difficult to do anything outside the parameters of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), a series of clearly outlined targets for global human development set out by the United Nations for 2030.

"We want to consolidate our response to SDGs as there are many of them.

"There are many mission hospitals, training doctors, nurses and health workers. We need to have a comprehensive strategic plan to see what is unique for our response to SDGs to guide us to 2030.

At the WCC, he says, "we can't just make the plan here and run with it. We need to consult our constituencies as to how to use, coordinate and share information".

This entails "South to South" sharing within developing areas of best practices and information. There is also the sustaining and improving of relationships with other institutions that can help build capacities, working with medical and academic institutions, non-government organizations and state players.

One of the goals is to help develop models to increase universal health coverage, making sure there are not duplications within the relevant institutions forging synergies.

"For example there is ACHAP and the All Africa Conference of Churches the continental ecumenical body that has interaction with African Union," explains Makoka.

ACHAP, which focuses on health, does not have a relationship with the AU. And if the AU, which is also involved with the SDGs, gives the AACC, with which it does have relations, a health question, it can take it to ACHAP.

"Instead of the AACC feeling it has its hands tied, we can work as a unified family. Part of my job is facilitating that."

MAPPING

Dr. Makoka also notes, "Mapping of churches involvement in healthcare is high on our agenda. It has been discussed, but more progress needs to be made. There have been isolated efforts here. Now that I am here, this will be one of the first parts of my work."

Mapping of churches involvement and interaction with health care institutions is not only necessary in Africa where ACHAP met this year, but is also needed in other regions such as the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.

"It will be a very important tool. Mapping is not just for prestige. It is valuable to know about your work to help in advocacy for resources mobilization and allocation," says Makoka.

"If providers of health services do not have clear data, they might not have resources allocated to them. If you have data you can more easily lobby for resources, for example, with members of parliaments."

Dr. Makoka gives the example of the enduring presence of church-run medical services in countries where the state has ceased to function effectively such as the Democratic Republic of Congo or even more recently South Sudan.

"The State may have ceased functioning in South Sudan, but the churches continue to run the medical services. The state may not be there to provide these for the people, but the church is always there."

"And when we look at fighting Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone [from 2014], the churches were running 50 percent of the medical services," so the WHO had to rely on their help eventually in countering the pandemic."
As Charlottesville embarks on the latest update of its Comprehensive Plan, City Council wants to find new ways of getting more residents involved in a process to help shape future development.

Were a fast-changing city and there is a lot of fear and concern about change and displacement particularly among our historic African-American neighborhoods that are cheek and jowl with the corridors that continue to have the most potential for redevelopment, said City Councilor Kathy Galvin. That is really the big issue.

Virginia law requires all localities to develop a Comprehensive Plan and update it every five years to reflect changing conditions. Charlottesville last updated its plan in August 2013 and is expected to complete another review by June 2018.
LYNCHBURG  More than a year after lawsuits were filed, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC is close to wrapping up surveys in Nelson County.

Following months of arguments by lawyers for the pipeline and dozens of landowners in the county, a ruling by Nelson County Circuit Judge Michael Garrett last month allowed Dominion Resources, the company leading the proposed project, to enter properties for surveying purposes. Within about a month of the ruling, which affirmed Dominions surveying rights under Virginia law, surveys for almost all Nelson properties had been completed.

According to Dominion spokesman Aaron Ruby, the company, filing under the LLC, originally sought court orders for a total of 69 landowners in the county. The proposed 600-mile pipeline is slated to cut across about 27 miles in Nelson County.

As of this week, ACP has withdrawn 24 of the 69 lawsuits for various reasons, Ruby said. Many of the property owners originally taken to court no longer are directly affected by the proposed project because the route has moved off their land.

Garretts ruling gave Dominion court orders for 44 landowners, and Dominion is working with the remaining landowner to settle the case out of court, Ruby said. That case should be resolved soon, Ruby said.

So far, surveying has been completed for all but seven Nelson landowners, Ruby said. Those surveys should be wrapped up in the next few weeks.

Dominion also must complete some weather-restricted environmental surveys around June or July. Those surveys include looking for certain kinds of wildlife and vegetation that cannot be found in the colder months.

No major incidents took place during surveying, Ruby said, but some landowners still were unhappy about surveyors having the authority to come on their property.

One such landowner, Richard Averitt, said he was pretty emotional when surveyors entered his property.

It hits you in your gut, Averitt said. It makes you angry as hell that theyre on your property that you spent your hard-earned money and time on. Seeing [surveyors] tagging [parts of the property] and making it seem like it was theirs hurts.

Averitt, whos been opposed to the pipeline because of Dominions use of eminent domain, said he believes the court battle against Dominion shouldnt be considered a complete loss for opponents. He said the good news was that Garretts decision came a year later than they wanted and cost Dominion a huge amount of money to get to that point.

The longer we can delay them, Averitt said, the more opportunity we have to show them how bad this pipeline is.

Based on surveys that have been completed, there have not been any significant changes to the proposed route of the pipeline. During the surveying process, though, Dominion did uncover some additional factors of note if the project is approved, such as the presence of wetlands or other natural resources.

The project, which is proposed to run about from West Virginia to North Carolina through Virginia, currently is being reviewed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Averitt said that while he doesnt ever want Dominion on his property  not now, not ever  he and opponents will continue to fight the pipeline in any way they can.

Stopping the surveys was one tiny skirmish in a really big battle, Averitt said.  [Now] you just sort of move on to the next front.

The focus of the fight against the pipeline, Averitt said, has turned now to the draft environmental impact statement. Opponents believe the draft statement, which was released by FERC in December and looks at potential impacts on land and residents along the entire route, is lacking in substantive analysis and does not address all potential impacts.

FERC currently is seeking feedback on the draft statement through a public comment period, which lasts through April 6. FERC has said it intends to release a final environmental impact statement in the summer, and a final decision on whether to approve the pipeline should be made by the fall.
Russia's human rights abuses continue to be a serious problem, according to the latest State Department human rights report.

The continuing occupation and so-called annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula affects the human rights situation significantly and negatively. The Russian government continued to train, equip, and supply pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, who were joined by numerous fighters from Russia.

Credible observers attributed thousands of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as widespread abuses, to Russian-backed separatists in Ukraines Donbas region, and to Russian occupation authorities in Crimea. Russian authorities also conducted politically motivated arrests, detentions, and trials of Ukrainian citizens in Russia, many of whom claimed to have been tortured. Human rights groups asserted that numerous Ukrainian citizens remained in Russia as political prisoners.

Within Russia itself, authorities restricted citizens ability to choose their government through free and fair elections and increasingly instituted a range of measures to suppress dissent. The government of President Vladimir Putin passed repressive laws and selectively employed existing ones to harass, discredit, prosecute, imprison, detain, fine, and suppress individuals and organizations critical of the government.

Amendments to antiterrorism laws granted Russian authorities additional powers that were also used to suppress and harass activists and critics of Mr. Putins policies. Authorities especially targeted individuals and organizations that professed support for the government of Ukraine or opposed the Russian governments activities in Ukraine.

The Russian government continued to target civil society. According to the human rights report, authorities further stymied the work of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, through the foreign agents and undesirable foreign organization laws. Authorities also significantly expanded the definition of political activities to bring more NGOs under the foreign agents category.

Authorities began fining NGOs for not disclosing foreign agent status, while courts closed NGOs for violations involving the foreign agents list. Under the expanded definition of political activities, authorities added environmental and HIV-prevention organizations to the list.

Promoting human rights and democratic governance is a core element of U.S. foreign policy, said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The Human Rights Reports demonstrate the United States unwavering commitment to advancing liberty, human dignity, and global prosperity around the world, including in Russia.
RICHMOND  The Republican Party of Virginia is demanding that Attorney General Mark R. Herring apologize for holding a town hall meeting at a "terror-linked" mosque in Northern Virginia.

Herring, D, who is running for re-election, made an appearance Friday at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, along with immigration attorneys and experts to discuss the Trump administration's travel ban.

Herring is one of several attorneys general challenging the ban, which would block travel to the United States by citizens of several Muslim-majority countries. Dar Al-Hijrah's 20,000 congregants hail from more than two dozen countries, including Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Iran.

"As attorney general, I'm here to defend and protect the rights and civil liberties of all Virginians, including minority communities, no matter what you look like, what your background is," Herring said at the meeting, according to his spokesman, Michael Kelly.

"While Attorney General Herring is actively working to reassure Virginia Muslims and other minority communities that they are safe and welcome, the RPV is sending dangerous messages that only embolden those who want to harm or harass religious minorities," Kelly said.

The Falls Church mosque, one of the largest in the country, has been the target of several threats, including one last month.

Republican officials, who have made appearances at other mosques, said they objected to this specific house of worship because of its controversial past.

A former imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, went on to become an al-Qaida leader in Yemen, where he was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2011. Two of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers attended the mosque, as did Maj. Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas.

"The Republican Party of Virginia does not object to politicians visiting mosques, in fact our own Chairman visited a Muslim house of worship quite recently," John Findlay, executive director of the state GOP, said in written statement. "However, the Party does object to Mark Herring holding an event at a center with an extensive and well-documented history with anti-American terrorists."

Colin Christopher, the mosque's deputy director of government affairs, accused party officials of extremism of another sort. "The extremists within the Republican Party in Virginia seem to have taken over and more moderate minds have receded in the current political climate," he said.

Christopher said the two hijackers worshiped there only a few times. He also said that Awlaki did not become radicalized until he left Virginia for Yemen.

Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have spoken several times with the congregation, including recently.

"If we were some terrorist mosque, I doubt the FBI would be coming and standing with us," he said. "There has been no Muslim community that has been scrutinized more than Dar Al-Hijrah, so if there's any dirt on us, it's gonna come out."

Findlay questioned whether the mosque's ties to radicals were truly in the past. He pointed to a comment that Imam Shaker Elsayed made at a prayer service in October 2011, when he acknowledged Awlaki's death and said that he would face Allah's judgment.

He said that those who killed Awlaki "need to equally prepare for that moment" when they also will be judged by Allah, The Washington Post reported at the time.

"Mark Herring needs to state whether he agrees or disagrees with the current Imam who said, "[US forces that kill terrorists] need to equally prepare for that moment when they also will be judged by Allah," the party's statement said.

The Republican Party also criticized the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which took part in the town hall event. The party's statement described CAIR as "a Hamas-linked group."

CAIR, an Islamic civil liberties advocacy group, has never been charged with criminal activity. Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's national communications director, called the allegation a "scurrilous smear campaign."

"It's part of being the nation's most prominent, active American Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization," he said. "We get it every day, particularly from the right wing of the political spectrum."
On his recent trip to China, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said "it is important that the leaders of our two countries engage in further dialogue to develop a common understanding that will guide our relationship for the next half-century.

The United States and China, he added, are the worlds two largest economies, and we must both promote stability and growth. Our two countries should have a positive trading relationship that is fair and pays dividends both ways, and we will be working on that going forth."

Secretary Tillerson discussed the importance of safeguarding stability and security in Northeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region.

"We noted that efforts made over the last 20 years have so far not succeeded in curbing the threat posed by North Koreas illegal weapons programs," said Mr. Tillerson. "Because Chinas stated policy is denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, we renewed our determination to work together to convince the North Korean Government to choose a better path and a different future for its people."

Secretary Tillerson stressed "the importance of upholding a rules-based order in dealing with maritime disputes [in the South China Sea] and freedom of navigation and overflight."

He also made clear that "the United States will continue to advocate for universal values such as human rights and religious freedom" for the Chinese people.
When local folks talk about the one community model of Charlottesville-Albemarle, they may be thinking about anything from specific proposals to combine services, such as schools; to currently combined services, such as a bus system; all the way to the more nebulous sense that were one family, without noticeable physical boundaries.

But one topic that rarely comes up is law enforcement. That may be because few of us think about police services until we actually need them.

No one is talking about combining local police departments.

But combining local efforts in order to create a Charlottesville-Albemarle-University of Virginia police academy is another story.

The three police departments already work closely together. Having their own training program, with common goals and standards, would help improve departmental cooperation; increased opportunities to train together would help individual officers better collaborate with one another.

The city, the county and university work together on a daily basis, summarized UVa Police Chief Michael Gibson. It only makes sense for us to train together (Area police mull starting their own academy, The Daily Progress, March 19 online).

The three currently send officers to the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy in Weyers Cave. The academy provides basic training, and the three departments supplement that with additional training.

While the departments are well satisfied with the work that Central Shenandoah does, they are hungry for greater opportunities. They are interested in providing training to match Virginia State Police standards, or those common to other counties with high urban populations, such as Henrico or Fairfax.

It isnt a knock against Central Shenandoah that city, county and UVa departments gravitate toward higher standards; rather, its an appropriate response to serving our community. (Some agencies that utilize the academy dont even need training to ascend to accreditation levels.)

The local departments arent rushing into anything. They have until 2021 before they are eligible to request to leave their current arrangement with Central Shenandoah, and it could take years in any case to establish a new academy.

Nor does the solution need to be a full-fledged academy; the departments could request permission to operate a satellite facility here, with additional training space and equipment to beef up the current supplemental training. The possibilities are so far in the future that cost estimates for those options havent even been devised yet.

Or the departments could decide to continue the status quo.

But already they make an intriguing case for the benefits of a local academy.

This is an issue to keep an eye on, so that local residents can be prepared if and when a request for a local academy does surface. Then we already will be in the habit of thinking of the three police departments as cooperative segments of the joint community.
New Delhi: US-based tech major Apple will from April start selling in India its special 'RED' edition of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, symbolising the fight against AIDS.

"The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can't wait to get it into customers' hands," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in vibrant red aluminium finish, in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED), the statement said.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models starting at price of Rs 82,000 from Apple Authorised Resellers. While both the special edition models will be available worldwide beginning March 24, and start shipping to customers by the end of March in the US and more than 40 countries and regions, shipments to "Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Turkey and other countries will follow in April," the statement said.

Apple is the world's largest corporate donor to the Global Fund, contributing more than USD 130 million as part of its partnership with (RED). (RED) provides access to life-saving HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to more than two thirds of the world's HIV-positive population.

All money raised by (RED) goes directly to Global Fund HIV/AIDS grants that provide testing, counselling, treatment and prevention programs with a specific focus on eliminating transmission of the virus from moms to their babies, the statement said.
BSNL today launched a new value-added service by virtue of which customers could use their smartphones to make outgoing calls from their mobile, PC or laptop.

Kolkata: Public sector BSNL today said that it would invest around Rs 100 crore to upgrade the existing 2G/3G mobile network in the Calcutta circle.

CGM of BSNL (Calcutta Telephones) S P Tripathi said that the network upgradation would be mainly to increase data speed and adding that the existing technology was having limited data capacity.

Tripathi said that another 1,000 base transmitting stations (BTS) would be set up to improve signal availability across the Calcutta circle. With this addtion, the total number of BTS would increase to 3042, he said.

Mobile connectivity inside the metro railway tunnel was also being improved upon, Tripathi said. About landline, he said that the number of surrenders have come down.

"The number of surrenders per month was around 2500", he said.

On the other hand, the number of new applications were pouring in at an average 2,000 per month, he said.

BSNL today launched a new value-added service by virtue of which customers could use their smartphones to make outgoing calls from their mobile, PC or laptop.
New Delhi: The Idea-Vodafone merger will create a behemoth with unmatched spectrum footprint and market leadership but long timelines on deal conclusion and cost synergies in a hyper-competitive market are likely to pose challenges, say experts.

"In our view, upside is restricted by hyper competitive scenario, with Jio expected to remain aggressive in race to gain revenue market share; long-dated cost synergies and lack of debt reduction in medium term," Emkay said in a latest report.

The progress on regulatory approvals would be closely watched as both the entities have a number of pending litigations, it added. The combined entity is estimated to have annual cost synergies (capex and opex) of Rs 14,000 crore from the fourth year of merger, with 60 per cent this as opex savings.

The largest component of opex synergy would be network followed by IT spends, Emkay noted. "Initial years would have cost towards integration, which is estimated at Rs 133 billion (Rs 13,300 crore)," it said.

The targeted synergies are achievable and the combine is "unrivalled" in terms of revenue market share and spectrum, JP Morgan has said but flagged challenges such as execution of complex mergers and the back-loaded synergies.

It further said that "execution of such a complex merger is rarely perfect, revenue market share gains for the combine likely to track below expectations especially over the next 12-24 months given merger complexities and distractions".

According to Jefferies, while the cost synergies are healthy, the "peak synergies will come four years post integration and uncertain given the sector set up". On the takeaways from the Voda-Idea merger announcement, Credit Suisse said "given the longish timelines for deal conclusion, even longer timelines on synergies, retention of competitive positioning and the extent of synergies projected", the phase of seeking positives of merger will now be replaced with studying the assumptions and exploring the downside risks.

IDFC Securities felt that challenges for the industry are unlikely to change due to sustained aggressive strategy of Reliance Jio to gain scale. "We expect operational pressure would continue to mount with increased capex by incumbents to retain market share," it said.

Religare said that while the merger is a positive outcome for Idea as it gives the company scale and access to capital, defending market share will be a challenge. Stating that the synergies were a "long way off", it said that the revenue market share loss could be a potential risk.

"Both Vodafone and Idea are estimating synergies...at the end of Year 4. We believe that weakening revenue market share (RMS) remains a key operating risk and estimate an RMS loss of Rs 42 billion (Rs 4,200 crore) for the combined entity in FY'19.

This will largely offset any synergy benefits and hence recovery in industry growth will remain the key driver," said Religare. JM Financial said merger upside is tempered by extended completion and synergy timelines.

"While we see significant potential for value creation over the long-term (3-4 years), our near-term outlook is dampened by longer M&A approval cycle with risk of delays... lower opex synergies...rather extended time-frame for full synergy extraction...continued EBITDA erosion in the near-term, led by Jio," JM Financial pointed out.
New Delhi: State-owned IDBI Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Dena Bank will receive a capital infusion from the government in lieu of preferential allotment of shares.

IDBI Bank will get Rs 2,500 crore funding from the government, subject to regulatory approvals. Board of directors of the bank at a meeting held today approved proposal to allot preference shares to the government.

"Board of directors of the bank has approved the proposal for preferential issue of capital to government and other financial institutions, if any aggregating up to Rs 2,500 crore," IDBI Bank said in an exchange filing.

IDBI Bank extra ordinary general meeting is scheduled for April 27 for obtaining shareholders' approval to allot preferential shares to government. Pune-based Bank of Maharashtra said board of directors will meet on Friday to consider the proposal of raising equity capital by preferential allotment of shares to the government.

The bank said it has received communication from the government on March 16 for capital allocation plan of Rs 300 crore. Dena Bank said in a separate filing to exchange, "We would like to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Bank approved raising of share capital of the Bank up to amount of Rs 800 crore."

The government has approved the second tranche of capital infusion in public sector banks to enhance their capital base. The first tranche was announced in July with the objective of enhancing their lending operations and enabling them to raise more money from the market.

It has already announced a fund infusion of Rs 22,915 crore, out of the Rs 25,000 crore earmarked for 13 PSBs for the current fiscal. The second round of funding entailing about Rs 8,000 crore is based on strict parameters.
Bengaluru: The State Bank of India has sent advisories to nearly 100 sellers, coming under online marketplace Snapdeal's capital-assist programme, to reduce their outstanding loans above their drawing power.

The advisory comes following a letter written by All India Online Vendor Association (AIOVA) to Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, raising fears that Snapdeal may default on payments to the sellers.

The letter estimated that in any given month, Snapdeal holds Rs 300-400 crore in the form of outstanding dues and goods in transit or refunds.

"We have sent advisories to not more than three-digit number of sellers, coming under Snapdeal's capital-assist programme, asking them to reduce their outstanding loans above their drawing power," SBI Chief General Manager (SME) G K Kansal told PTI.

Kansal said the bank reviews the sales position of the sellers every quarter and asks them to reduce their outstanding loans if their sales take a dip in this period.

"We review their (Snapdeal sellers) sales position every quarter, and if their sales comes down during this period, their drawing power also comes down automatically. So subsequently, we ask them to reduce their outstanding

loans and bring it down to their drawing power," Kansal said.

Snapdeal had launched the capital-assist programme to make credit available for sellers in 2014, through a network of about 27 banks and financial institutions, including SBI, Axis Bank, Tata Capital and Reliance Capital.

Asked if it is an issue of raising alarm bells asking the sellers to reduce outstanding loans, Kansal said it is a normal business and not an issue of NPA.

"It is only a fluctuating facility which moves with the sales level. So if the sales goes up next month, their drawing power also shoots up. If their sales drop, the drawing power also drops down.So it is a normal business,"he said dismissing media reports which raised an alarm over the situation.

It is not an issue of NPA. Only thing, they are temporarily irregular because of lower sales," he added. Earlier this month, Axis Bank had issued notices to some Snapdeal sellers, seeking immediate repayment of outstanding loans and withdrawing unavailed credit, citing below-par transaction flow.

Snapdeal has struggled to deal with slowing growth, mounting losses, falling market share, and an exodus of senior executives in recent months.
New Delhi: The labour ministry today said retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has invested Rs 18,609 crore in exchange traded funds (ETFs) till February 2017.

"The EPFO is investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) based on Nifty 50, Sensex and central public sector enterprises (CPSE) indices and does not invest in shares and equities of individual companies," the ministry said in a press statement.

According to the statement, the total amount invested by the EPFO in ETFs as on February 18 is Rs 18,609 crore -- Nifty 50 and Sensex index based ETFs: Rs 17,105 crore and CPSE index based ETF: Rs 1,504 crore.

The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF and MP) Act, 1952, is applicable to every establishment employing 20 or more, which is engaged in any industry specified under the law. It said an Employees' Enrolment Campaign, 2017, has been launched for January 1 to March 31, 2017, to bring in more workers under the ambit of EPFO.

Under the campaign, an employer, whether already covered or yet to be covered, can enrol employees who remained un-enrolled between April 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016, by making a declaration. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya shared the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
New Delhi: The government today said it has not accepted 'most of the demands' of iphone maker Apple which wants to set up manufacturing unit in India. To a question in Rajya Sabha on whether the government has accepted most of the demands of the iphone manufacturer, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "No".

Apple India has sought concessions including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment and consumables for smartphone manufacturing and service/repair for a period of 15 years, she said in a written reply.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for incentives from the Department of Revenue and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeITy).

Apple also wants relaxation in the mandated 30 per cent local sourcing of components. It also wants reduction in customs duties on completely- knocked-down and semi-knocked-down units of devices that are to be assembled in the country.

In January, Apple had indicated to the government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iPhones in India, but wants fiscal concessions, including Customs duty waiver on import of components.

Apple executives had made a detailed presentation to an inter-ministerial group headed by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ramesh Abhishek on its road map.

With sales tapering in the US and China, Apple is eyeing India -- the fastest-growing smartphone market in the world -- and looking to set up a local manufacturing unit to cut costs. It, however, does not manufacture devices on its own and does it through contract manufacturers.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.
Total inflows have reached Rs 3.98 lakh crore in the first eleven months of the current fiscal (2016-17).

New Delhi: Investors have pumped in more than Rs 30,000 crore into various mutual fund schemes in February, with liquid, income and equity funds attracting the most of the inflows.

With this, total inflows have reached Rs 3.98 lakh crore in the first eleven months of the current fiscal (2016-17). In comparison, Rs 2.07 lakh crore was invested in various mutual fund products during April-February period of 2015-16.

"Investors may have seen the volatility of the current fiscal as a positive to average out costs. Retail investors also appear to have become savvier, using liquid schemes to either earn higher returns or to run Systematic Transfer Plan (STPs) into equity funds to average costs," said Srikanth Meenakshi, the COO of Fundsindia.com, an investment portal for mutual funds.

"Apart from equity, inflows into debt funds have risen. Deposit rates have been falling, resulting in lower returns for investors. Falling rates help debt fund returns as yields instruments rally, which could have additionally helped draw in investors," Srikanth added.

According to the data by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), a net sum of Rs 30,273 crore has been invested in mutual funds in the month of February. The latest inflows have been mainly driven by contribution from liquid, income and equity funds.

Income funds attracted Rs 10,864 crore last month, while liquid or money market fund category saw net inflows of Rs 8,227 crore. Equity and equity-linked schemes saw inflows of around Rs 6,462 crore.

Liquid and money market funds invest mainly in money market instruments like commercial papers, treasury bills, term deposits and have a lower maturity period and do not have any lock-in period.

An income fund emphasises on current income, either on a monthly or quarterly basis, as opposed to capital appreciation. Such funds usually hold a variety of government, municipal and corporate debt obligations, preferred stock and dividend-paying stocks.

Total assets under management (AUM) of all the active 43 active fund houses soared to a record Rs 17.89 lakh crore at the end of February this year, from Rs 12.33 lakh crore at the end of preceding fiscal.
Mumbai: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while taking part in debate over Finance Bill that was tabled in Parliament this week said that there will be no tax on farm or agriculture income.

"Income from agriculture will not be taxed," he said.

According to him, in a few days government will bring Goods and Services Tax Bill in Parliament so that it is able to meet its July 1 deadline. Decisions taken by the all-powerful GST Council have been unanimous, he added.

"Govt to bring a bill to amend Excise and Customs Act, along with 4 bills on GST," he informed the Parliament.

Jaitley revealed to the Lok Sabha that the governments target was to achieve Rs 9.8 lakh crore in direct tax collections and Rs 9.25 lakh crore in indirect tax collections.

In the last two years tax buoyancy has improved, he said. The government based on revised tax target wants to collect Rs 17 lakh crore in taxes this year which it hoped it would be able to achieve.

On giving "unhindered" powers to tax authorities to detect unaccounted and undisclosed wealth, the finance minister clarified that identities of those who come forward and give information on such wealth will be kept under cover.

"Earlier such sources were revealed during income tax raids that will cease to be a practice once amendments to the Income Tax Acts are cleared," he told the Parliament.
Mumbai: The shooting of Rajinikanth's mega budget film '2.0' here was marred by an unsavoury incident today when two photo journalists were allegedly assaulted by the crew for questioning the blocking of a road.

Though the agitated journalists initially lodged a police complaint against the concerned crew members, they withdrew it after the film director Shankar expressed regret.

The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged they were beaten up when they questioned the blocking of a key intersection in downtown Triplicane by several vehicles of the film crew.

"When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up," Raghunathan, photographer of an English daily, told PTI.

He said Barath, working for a Tamil daily, was also assaulted following which they lodged a police complaint seeking appropriate action.

He claimed that though permission was given for the film shooting during the evening hours, the crew violated it to suit their convenience.

The scribes later withdrew the complaint after Shankar visited the Press Club and expressed regret over the incident.

"This incident happened without my knowledge, I feel very sorry for that, I will see that it won't happen again," he said.

When pointed out that he was seen in the vicinity of the incident spot, Shankar clarified that he had around that time moved into a nearby house for shooting a scene.

Raghunathan told reporters that the complaint was withdrawn following the director's intervention.

Billed as one of the mega budget films, '2.0', is considered a sequel to the earlier superhit 'Endiran' which featured Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai.

The film, nearing completion, also has Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.
Chennai: Two photo journalists on Wednesday alleged that they were assaulted by film director Shankar's crew who were shooting Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer '2.0' here.

The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged that a key intersection in downtown Triplicane was on Wednesday blocked to facilitate shoot for the big ticket movie.

"When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up," Raghunathan, photographer working for an English daily told PTI.

He said Barath, who is working for a Tamil daily, was badly beaten up. "We have lodged a joint complaint and have sought appropriate action," he said.

He alleged that permission given for film shoot during a given time duration was manipulated by the crew to suit their convenience. He said journalists were planning to stage a road roko on the issue.

When contacted, a senior police official said, "An FIR is being filed and our officials are inquiring into the complaint of journalists."

Sources said efforts were being made by the film crew "to end the row."
New Delhi: It is literally blood, sweat and tears in his comeback film 'Bhoomi' as despite suffering a rib fracture while shooting a sequence in Chambal, Sanjay Dutt decided to not take a break.

Praising the 57-year-old actor, producer Bhushan Kumar said, "We really appreciate that Sanjay has been shooting non-stop despite the excruciating pain that he must be in. He is truly a phenomenal person and actor."

The 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.' actor injured himself during the climax scene of Omung Kumar's movie that was being shot in the ravines of Chambal.

Producer Sandeep Singh said, "We were shooting the climax scene in the Chambal ravines and Sanjay was in an action sequence when he hurt himself in the rib cage. He must have been in a lot of pain, but he did not stop. Later when we went to the doctor, the x-ray showed a hairline fracture. We wanted to stop the shoot, but Baba insisted. Really commendable on his part."

Sanjay Dutt has been doubling up in pain but the next day happened to be an off day for the entire crew and he has managed to get some rest. Earlier, in the shoot Sanjay had also hurt his head during one of the action sequences.

The flick, which will hit the theatres on August 4, is a revenge drama that revolves around a father-daughter relationship that will be shot entirely in Uttar Pradesh.
The team of 'Golmaal Again' along with the Smurfs.

Mumbai: The team of Golmaal Again has just commenced the shoot of the film and already there have been prominent visitors on the sets. Ranveer Singh recently had caught up with the team and now popular animated characters The Smurfs have also landed on the sets.

The Smurfs, who have been declared as the brand ambassadors of Happiness by the United Nations, thought of sharing happiness with, who they feel are the Indian ambassadors of Happiness of Bollywood, The Golmaal franchise.

The characters also termed the Golmaal gang as the Happiest in Bollywood.

We see the Smurfs having a ball and happily posing for pictures along with the team, Parineeti Chopra, Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Kunal Kemmu, Shreyas Talpade and Tusshar Kapoor.

The upcoming film of the franchise, 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' is set to release on April 7 this year.
Mumbai: We all know that Soha Ali Khan is all praise for sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan for embracing pregnancy with grace. The actress is so inspired by Bebo, who worked through her pregnancy and started making public appearances right after the birth of her baby boy Taimur Ali Khan that Soha is now contemplating starting a family of her own.

Married to actor Kunal Khemu, Soha is apparently taking mommy tips from Kareena and is also toying with the idea of having her own kids.

On the work front, Soha has written a book titled The perils of being moderately famous which will release later this year.
Mumbai: Multi-platinum Def Jam Recordings artist Iggy Azalea returns to the spotlight this week with the release of her brand new single Mo Bounce, dropping March 23 to radio and all digital service providers.

Mo Bounce, produced by Stereotypes and Far East Movement, is the new single from Digital DISTORTION, Iggys highly-anticipated new album, the follow-up to her 2014 debut, The New Classic. The Mo Bounce video, shot in Hong Kong by director Lil Internet (Beyonces No Angel), premieres with Vevo on Friday, March 24.

To tease the release of Mo Bounce Iggy collaborated with GIPHY to create quick glimpses of the music video as animated stickers and GIFs. Debuting Tuesday, Iggy fans can explore and share these glimpses via GIPHY while they wait for the full video to release Friday. Each day this week, more content will drop as the excitement builds. Visit giphy.com/iggyazalea or just search Iggy Azalea everywhere GIFs are powered by GIPHY!

With her four Grammy Award nominations (including Best New Artist and Record Of The Year), a shelf full of American Music Awards, ASCAP Pop and Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, MTV VMAs from the U.S., Europe and Japan, Teen Choice Awards, and much more  Iggy Azalea owned 2014, as a result of her trifecta of worldwide #1 multi-platinum smash hits:

 Fancy (featuring Charli XCX, 5x-platinum);

 Black Widow (featuring Rita Ora, 3x-platinum);

 Problem (collaboration with Ariana Grande, 6x-platinum))

Iggy Azalea exploded onto the charts and emerged as the breakout story of 2014. After a handful of early singles and buzzworthy mixtapes, she detonated charts worldwide when Fancy (featuring Charli XCX) rocketed to the top of the charts in over 20 territories, including 7 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, 16 weeks at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and 18 weeks at #1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.

Fancy was the longest-leading Hot 100 #1 hit by a female rapper, a new chart record. It was named Billboards 2014 Song of the Summer, iTunes Best Song of 2014, the years most-streamed song on Spotify, and the most-watched music video on Vevo.

While Fancy was still residing at #1 on the Hot 100, Problem - Iggy's collab with Ariana Grande - peaked at #2. Iggy had made chart history again, this time as the first artist since the Beatles to rank at #1 and #2 simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 hits. Iggys winning streak continued with Black Widow (featuring Rita Ora) which rose to #1 on the Dance, Rhythmic, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap, and Mainstream Top 40 charts, and #3 on the Hot 100.

Propelled by the back-to-back success of Problem, Fancy and Black Widow, the New Classic peaked at #1 on the Billboard Rap Album charts, the first for an international female artist. Iggy Azaleas videos have amassed over 2 billion combined views to date.
This Rajasthani beauty has 10 films to her credit, across several languages  Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. She is finally creating waves with her critically-acclaimed film Dhwani which was the official screening choice at the recently concluded Bengaluru International Film Festival.

Iti Acharya shares snippets about her astounding performance in the film which primarily deals with dowry harassment and domestic violence, which are incidentally on the rise.

Initially, I was apprehensive about taking up the film, but when I heard the script, I just could not digest the fact that situations like this even existed. It is based on a real life incident, and how it affects the lives of the many others connected to it. After Chandan, the hero and Krishnegowda Sir convinced me, I agreed to the role, and the experience has been simply phenomenal. The kind of response the film has received has overwhelmed me, says Iti Acharya, who started as a model after pursuing her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was later recognised by fashion guru Prasad Bidapa, and went on to work in several ads.

A professional Kathak dancer, Itis parents ensured that she learnt most art forms as a child. My parents always supported my artistic side. They had me learn almost everything. At the age five, I was into theatre, and I learnt Kathak. During my fashion venture, a film director was keen on getting me on board his film, and my love for acting since childhood led me to films, she says.

Her dream role in Dhwani, essaying the role of Jaya, a model-turned-actress is pretty similar to who she is in real life as well, someone who believes in independent and self-reliant women, omitting the part of her character that hurts others, especially loved ones for personal gain, of course.

I have seen people coming out of theatres crying, and even men in tears. In our society, two people co-existing under one roof as husband and wife is a daunting task. Frequent ego clashes and difference of opinion ensue. I believe Dhwani has been the voice of many who have faced similar situations in their life, Iti adds.

She further attributes the films critical success to the sensibilities of the Kannada audience who have lately been supporting experimental scripts and meaningful films with a purpose.

New and young film makers have made a mark with different films and not sticking to hero-centric projects only, but focusing more on script-centric ones. Dhwani is a perfect example and it makes me proud. As an actress, I had worked in some good films, and some failed, but Dhwani has given me the ultimate satisfaction, Iti shares.

After Dhwani, Iti has another similar venture in Hindi titled Satyavati which delves into another serious subject, that of gang rape, and another film in Tamil too.

She concludes that Dhwani is not just a movie but can hopefully inspire others to be strong too.
Top director V.V. Vinayak had recently attended Mohan Babus birthday celebrations at the actors school in Tirupati. A few Tollywood personalities also attended this celebration along with Vinayak. After the celebrations, both Manchu Manoj and Vinayak travelled to Hyderabad together.

Since then, there have been reports that Vinayak is directing Manchu Manoj in an upcoming film. But when contacted, Vinayaks manager said it is not true. The two travelled on the same flight. So, people started speculating that they are doing a film together, which is completely wrong, says the manager.

Meanwhile, director Krish and music maestro Ilaiyaraaja also attended the birthday celebrations in Tirupati where Manchu Vishnus new film Achari America Yatra was launched.
The girl along with her two friends had dinner at a hotel and was walking towards her friends house. (Representational image)

Bengaluru: Two youth, who allegedly misbehaved with a 22-year-old IIMB student, were nabbed by the Marathahalli police staff within 30 minutes after the incident was reported.

The arrested have been identified as Lokesh, 21, and Kiran, 23, both residents of Marathahalli. Lokesh is a cab driver, while Kiran works as a house keeping staff in a private company.

According to the police, the student, who hails from Jharkhand, stays in a hostel on Bannerghatta Road. She had gone to her friends house located near Panathur Road at Marathahalli on Sunday.

She along with her two friends had dinner at a hotel and was walking towards her friends house. Around 11 pm, the two accused came on a bike and at Panathur Junction they allegedly pulled the hair of the student. As she screamed for help, the accused hit her on her back and sped away.

Passersby soon came to her rescue and some also chased the culprits on bikes. Meanwhile, constables Beeralingappa and Usman, who were on night patrol, also came to the spot.

After collecting information from the women and the public, the two policemen swung into action and searched for the suspects in the surrounding areas. They soon nabbed both the culprits in the vicinity. They were arrested after the student identified them and the bike used to commit the offence was also seized.
Earlier, two outsourced employees of GHMC, B. Polaiah and M. Lakhan Singh, who were data entry operators, were suspended for tampering with a property document.

Hyderabad: The central crime station has taken up the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation online document manipulation case.

Police suspects that data entry employees working for the GHMC manipulated the property documents of private individuals after taking bribes from interested parties.

Although a case has now being booked following a complaint from a property owner named D. Rama Bhai, top GHMC officials have requested the Hyderabad police commissioner to launch a thorough probe into the matter.

The CCS cyber crime police, who will be investigating the case, will also be checking if anymore online documents have been tampered by the suspects.

"If any malpractices are found during the investigation they will be added to this case, and a comprehensive probe will be carried out," said CCS DCP Avinash Mohanty.

Earlier, two outsourced employees of GHMC, B. Polaiah and M. Lakhan Singh, who were data entry operators, were suspended for tampering with a property document.

The suspects had replaced the name of the original owner D. Rama Bhai with the name of another person named K. Koteshwar Rao, who is suspected to have paid the duo.

Rama Bhai had approached the police when she found that her name was replaced with Rao's name when she went to pay advance property tax. After an internal inquiry the duo were suspended.

Official GHMC sources revealed the shocking information that most outsourcing employees have access to secret digital keys, which can be used to edit online documents of land, property etc.

Since many GHMC officials are not well versed with computer skills, lion's share of online works have been assigned to outsourced employees. GHMC sources say no proper security is in place to prevent of malpractices online. It is likely that there can be more cases of document tampering.
Kottayam: The principal sessions judge on Tuesday awarded death penalty to migrant worker Narendra Kumar, 28, who murdered an elderly couple and their son at Parampuzha, 2 km from here, on May 16, 2015, and left for hometown Firozabad in UP with stolen cash and jewellery to repay debts worth Rs 2 lakh. Kumar was an employee at the laundry unit run by Mooleparampil Lalason, 71. On the night of the crime, Kumar first axed Lalasons son Praveen Lal, 28, at the unit adjacent to the house and summoned Lalason and wife Prasanna Kumary, 62, using their sons mobile phone. Both were felled from behind. To disfigure and destroy evidence, bodies were subjected to electric current and doused with acid.

Kumar, who was hiding under the false name of Jai Singh in Firozabad, was arrested by a police team six days after the crime. Principal Sessions judge S Santhakumary, who pronounced Kumar guilty on March 15, ruled that the murders were pre-planned, brutal and of the rarest of rare category. She also handed down a double life term and seven and two years of imprisonment as additional punishment. The court directed the convict to pay Rs 3 lakh to Vipinlal, the son of the murdered couple. The number of criminals among migrant labourers has been on the rise nowadays. This verdict is a message to migrant labourers, the judge observed. The convict had pleaded for lesser punishment considering his age and as he had to look after his parents, but the judge was unconvinced.

Soon after the crime, Kumar had gone to Thiruvananthapuram by Malabar express, and from there to Mumbai via Goa by Jayanthi Janatha. From Mumbai, he went to Firozabad through Agra. The probe team nabbed Kumar by tracking signals of a mobile phone he had stolen. The trial started in the first week of June last year. The 149-page charge-sheet submitted by Pampady Circle Inspector Saju Varghese on August 11 had 72 witnesses, 63 recovered objects and 53 documents.
The students revealed the college has filed a police complaint about the man lurking around the hostel in the past.

A perverts brazen entry into the Maharanis College hostel has terrified students and staff alike and brought the vulnerability of young women staying at these facilities into sharp focus. Although cops are working overtime to nab the accused, who has managed to elude them so far, experts say that regulating these accommodations is nearly impossible and that their safety rests in their own hands.

It's not every day that a half -naked intruder is spotted on a college campus with a knife in his hands. For inmates of the Maharani's Women's College hostel, the bizarre CCTV footage of the armed man dressed in women's underwear in their grounds has therefore been both shocking and petrifying.

"I thought it was a rumour until I saw the CCTV footage myself and was scared to know that this had happened for real," said Pavithra (name changed), a commerce student, adding, "As my hometown is 500 kms away, I spend most of my time in the hostel. So this sort of footage is very scary to see." The girl, who has been staying at the hostel for three years now, hopes the man will be caught soon and all of them can rest easy.

Some students are, however, not surprised. "This man has been creating a nuisance for a few years not just at our college but at other colleges nearby as well," said one student. Others reveal the college has filed a police complaint about the man lurking around the hostel in the past.

Claiming that the hostel security has always been good and the gate is locked securely at night, the hostel warden says the incident has left both the staff and students shocked as a result. "I was scared and so were the students," she admitted.

Principal of the Maharani Women's Arts, Commerce and Management College, Dr R Shantha Kumari reveals the hostel cook and watchman saw the intruder and tried to confront him with sticks, but he got away.

"He had oiled his body so he could not be touched. This is the first time we have caught him on CCTV, but this man has been creating a nuisance in and around this college and other colleges too," she said.

Revealing that the incident in question happened around a month ago, she says a police complaint was lodged at the time backed by the CCTV footage as evidence. "The police hope to catch the man soon," she added.

Several students of the Maharani Womens College are keen on replacing all their male lecturers with female. "When it is a women's college, why can't the government appoint only women lecturers to it to ensure the safety of the students? asked one angry student. An officer of the state higher education department claims the demand is not new and assures it will be discussed.

Maharani Women's College principal, Prof. Shantha Kumari, admits that no police complaint has been registered against lecturers accused of sexual harassing her students.

Officials of the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), too reveal that all the allegations of sexual harassment against the seven lecturers of the college are being investigated by an internal anti -sexual harassment committee.

"It is called the Vishakha committee and it has been asked by the expert committee on preventing sexual violence against women and children headed by MLC VS Ugrappa to submit its report to it in the next 15 days," they said.
TIRUPUR: The first state budget (for the year 2017-18) by the Edappadi K Palanisami-led AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu on Thursday has been substantially hailed as progressive and growth-oriented by various industry associations in the Coimbatore-Tirupur region. Only the pump-sets manufacturers have termed it as below expectation.

Reacting to the budget proposals presented in the Assembly by, the president of the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), Raja M Shanmugam, said, we welcome the tax-free budget and people will get benefits after implementation of the schemes announced in the budget. The allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Fund (TNIDF) would be helpful for the development of infrastructure in the state, which is need of the hour.

The allocation of Rs 532 crore for MSME (medium, small and micro-enterprises) sector and proposal for launching a Special Export Promotion and Marketing Support Scheme has also been wholeheartedly welcomed by industry associations here.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore Zone, has thanked the government for considering many recommendations of the industry including infrastructure development in the state. Chairman of CII, S Narayanan, said, the allocation of Rs 1,400 crore for the Smart City Mission is a welcome move. The government has also taken various measures towards improving infrastructure and business climate in the state.

The South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association (SIHMA) lauded the budget for providing fund allocation to all vital sectors and those related to the welfare of common people. The SIHMA president, A C Eswaran, said, the agriculture loan waiver and adequate fund allocation for various departments including for labour welfare schemes are highly welcome.

Meanwhile, the South India collar shirts and Inner wear Small scale Manufacturers Association, (SISMA), K S Babuji, said, though, the budget has come amid the severe financial crisis, the announcements made with the objective to develop the welfare of people across all sectors, would help the growth of industry in Tamil Nadu.

However, the pump sets manufacturers are disappointed by the budget for not considering any schemes for their sector. The president of Kovai Power Driven Pumps and Spares Manufacturers Association (KOPMA), K Maniraj, said, the pump sets manufacturing industry is a major supportive industry of agriculture and drinking water supply. However, none of the demands has been considered to help the industry including to reduce electricity tariff and to speed up providing subsidy for small entrepreneurs.
Ajmer Bomb Blast case accused Devendra Gupta being produced in a court in Jaipur on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

Jaipur: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jaipur on Wednesday sentenced Bhavesh Patel and Devendra Gupta to life in jail in the Ajmer Dargah blast case.

The magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Patel and 5,000 on Gupta.

The court had, on March 8, convicted Bhavesh Patel, Devendra Gupta and Sunil Joshi and acquitted others including Swami Aseemanand. Joshi has already died.

The conviction was made under Sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC, 3 / 4 of Explosive Substances Act and Sections 16 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The blast on October 11, 2007 in the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at the time of Roza Iftaar had left three pilgrims dead and 15 injured.

The case was handed over to the Rajasthan ATS and was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency which re-registered the case with the NIA police station in New Delhi on 6 April 2011.

There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined. The NIA filed three supplementary chargesheets in the case.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Punjab's newly-elected Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made a strong pitch for a loan waiver for farmers of the state.

Amarinder met the Prime Minister in his Parliament complex office, first time after becoming the Chief Minister.

"I mentioned the debt waiver issue to the PM. It was an extension of the demand we made earlier when we had gone to meet the PM as part of a Congress delegation led by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"I said the debt loan waiver should be extended to Punjab farmers along the lines of Uttar Pradesh," Singh told media persons after meeting the Prime Minister here.

The newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister is in New Delhi and will meet President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day.

He earlier met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to seek financial support for crop procurement.

"Met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence and asked him for immediate release of CCL for smooth wheat procurement in Punjab," he said after the meeting. Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal also accompanied Amarinder during this visit.

"We have sought a support of Rs 20,653 crore on this account. The finance minister was very supportive. We expect wheat to land in mandis in two to three days," Singh said.

On Congress strategist Prashant Kishor, who failed to deliver a victory for the Congress-SP combine in UP, Amarinder said, "I am very happy with Kishor. He fought well. His IPAC team of 1,700 volunteers had spread across villages and he had a team of 100 plus people in Chandigarh. We did well in Punjab."

Over who would be the next chief of Punjab Congress, he said, "Let Congress president Sonia Gandhi return. I will request her to choose someone else since I, as CM of Punjab, cannot handle both the positions."

Amarinder is here for holding a series of meetings with government's top brass during his first visit to the national capital after taking over as the state Chief Minister.
Lucknow: Livid at the sight of betel juice stained walls of the building that houses his office, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today banned the use of pan and tobacco products in schools, colleges, hospitals and other government buildings.

On his first visit to the secretariat annexe building here, the chief minister gave a piece of his mind to officials there asking them to stop chewing pan and pan masala when on duty.

He was visibly put off when he saw betel-juice stained walls of the building which is known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan and houses the chief minister's office and his secretariat, offices of the state chief secretary, principal secretary (home) and other senior IAS officers.

A few hours later, the chief minister directed officials to enforce a ban on the use of pan and tobacco in schools, colleges, government hospitals and hospitals. He also prohibited the use of plastic in government offices.

"The chief minister visited all the floors of the annexe building and met officials posted there. After detecting betel stains on walls, he asked employees not to consume pan or pan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness," Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accompanied Yogi, said.

Adityanath also asked the the staff to make the atmosphere in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use of plastic, Maurya told reporters.

A stickler for cleanliness, the saffron-robed 44-year-old chief minister had administered a sanitation pledge to officials a day after he took over as the UP CM and asked them to ensure that the pledge is effectively implemented on the lines of Swachh Bharat Mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The officers were made to repeat after him a "swachhata" pledge - "I will not litter, nor allow anybody to do it. I will devote 100 hours every year, to make the pledge of cleanliness come true and I will propagate the message of Swachch Bharat Mission in every nook and corner of the country."

Sending a strong message that he would brook no delay in the clearance of files, Adityanath directed officials to ensure quick disposal.

The newly elected chief minister told officials that he would personally monitor the movement of files directly. "The CM has directed officers to dispose of files quickly and said that the movement of files will be monitored directly (by him)," a senior officer said.

Adityanath, who is the head priest of Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, is known to take a round of the Mutt and temple premises, inspecting the cleanliness of the place after practising Yoga between 4 to 5 AM every day.
The bricks brought over from all over India for constructing the Ram temple (Photo: PTI/File)

Ayodhya: The residents of Ayodhya have welcomed the Supreme Court's suggestion for an out-of-court settlement of the lingering Ram Janambhumi-Babri Masjid land dispute.

Welcoming the Supreme Court's suggestion, Haji Asad, a corporator of Ayodhya, said, "This is high time that both the parties must come out with a peaceful settlement to Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhumi dispute...The settlement must have provision for both temple and mosque so that no community feels defeated."

Maulana Tabrez Ahmad, a local cleric, said, "Enough is enough. We don't want to fight. In Ayodhya, both Hindus and Muslims are living together and only due to this Mandir-Masjid dispute, both communities are facing problem. I am very thankful to the judges who have taken such an initiative."

Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Ram Janambhumi temple, also welcomed the Supreme Court's move.

"This is a great chance for both the parties to sit and bring out a peaceful settlement to this century-old dispute...But there are some people who don't want a settlement to this dispute, we must ignore them," he said.

Raziya Bano, a housewife, said, "I pray to almighty to help the people and the court to bring a peaceful solution... Due to this dispute, we always face problems in marrying off our children. When we were looking a bride for my son, many parents of girls refused the match only because we live in Ayodhya and in Ayodhya there is the dispute of Babri Masjid."

Mohammad Noman, a 20-year-old student, said, "I have not seen the Babri Masjid...if we can find a peaceful solution to this dispute, then we can give a great example of peaceful coexistence and communal harmony to the rest of the world."

Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi, a senior lawyer who pleaded the case in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, said, "I will be the first man to welcome the settlement, but it must be based on 'give and take' so that no community feels losing out."
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to decide on Thursday if Union Minister Uma Bharti and senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi would face trial in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case.

A decision in the matter was expected on Wednesday, however, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter till Thursday.

The apex court had earlier this month said that the conspiracy charges against Advani, Joshi, Bharti Kalyan Singh and nine other BJP leaders in the 25-year-old case may be revived.

The conspiracy charges against them were dropped by lower courts and then confirmed by the Allahabad High Court in May 2010, according to reports. The CBI had challenged the Allahabad High Courts order in the apex court.

Kalyan Singh, who is now the Governor of Rajasthan, was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time of the demolition.

Some leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also may face charges accordingly, said a report.

The Supreme Court bench also suggested to the CBI to club two cases pending in Rae Bareli and Lucknow and added that the matter will be heard in Lucknow.

The Babri Masjid, a 16th century mosque, was brought down allegedly by 'karsevaks' in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, plunging entire nation into communal riots in which about 2,000 people were killed. The mosque was demolished on the claims that it was built on the birthplace of Lord Rama.

The Sangh Parivar, which includes the BJP, the RSS and other organisations, has continuously called for the construction of a Ram Temple at the site of the demolition.
With hardly any facilities, the protesters are sleeping on Sheshadri Road in front of Freedom Park without mats or blankets.

Bengaluru: The indefinite protest by thousands of anganwadi workers, demanding a hike in their salaries from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000, entered the second day on Tuesday.

Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised them that he would look into their demands after April 19 after the by-elections to Nanjangud and Gundlupet are over, the protesters refused to budge from the Freedom Park.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kharoonbe, an anganwadi worker for the last six years, has travelled over 300 km from Tekkalakote in Ballari with her three-year-old child Rabiya Bashura to fight for their cause.

Like Kharoonbe, hundreds of other women protesters too have come with their children and are staging the sit-in, though they dont have proper toilets, drinking water or food.

Kharoonbe said, I had packed some rotis and pickle. If it gets over, I dont have any money to buy food. This is our plight. But the government has been neglecting us for far too long. Even to attend natures call, we have to go to the pay-and-use public toilet nearby.

With hardly any facilities, the protesters are sleeping on Sheshadri Road in front of Freedom Park without mats or blankets. This is just a temporary inconvenience and we have come here for a permanent solution to our problems, the protesters said.

They complained that while their working hours have gone up from six hours to eight, they are paid the same salary. Apart from the anganwadi work, we are also burdened with the Integrated Child Development Scheme (to help children and pregnant women) and census work. The government uses us for implementing various other schemes, like Bhagyalakshmi to help the girl child, organising Stree Shakthi groups and many others. Are we not human? Dont we deserve the salary to compensate our work, they asked.

Varalakshmi S., president, Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers' Association, said, While the workload on Anganwadi workers has been increasing, the pay has remained meagre. How can anyone run a family with just Rs 6,000? This has been continuing for the last 41 years, since 1975. We have been overworked and underpaid. There is no question of withdrawing the protest till our demands are met.
New Delhi: A Cabinet note is being prepared in the Union home ministry to affect an increase in the number of seats in the Legislative Assemblies of TS and AP.

Quoting an answer given by minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir in response to a question by TRS MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy in Parliament on Tuesday, some TV channels started claiming that the Centre has clarified it's stand that the number of Assembly seats in the two Telugu states cannot be increased now, as there is a need to amend Article 171 (3), which is not in place as of now.

Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu then spoke to home minister Rajnath Singh and enquired about the issue. Mr Naidu then stated that a Cabinet note is being prepared in the home ministry to suggest required amendments so as to affect an increase in the number of Assembly seats in the legislative Assemblies of AP and TS. Mr Naidu said that Mr Ahir might have gone ahead with his reply with the available information.
Mr Jogu Ramanna responded by saying that, in an order issued in 1998, the then government had exempted paying of compensation for crops damaged by monkeys. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: In an interesting debate on monkeys damaging crops, Assembly Speaker S. Madhusudana Chary on Tuesday suggested that Telangana monkeys be driven away with the help of Andhra langurs!

During Question Hour in the Assembly, TRS MLA Jalagam Venkata Rao said that a lot of crops are being damaged due to monkeys and asked the government what steps it was taking to control the menace.

Replying to the question, forest minister Jogu Ramanna said that no such incidents had taken place. Expressing dissatisfaction with the ministers answer, Mr Venkata Rao said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself accepted in the House that monkeys were damaging a lot of crops in the state.

He asked the government to extend compensation to those farmers who lost crops due to monkey menace. Mr Jogu Ramanna responded by saying that, in an order issued in 1998, the then government had exempted paying of compensation for crops damaged by monkeys.

He said that the government has decided to grow fruit plants in forests and added that once fruit was available in forests, monkeys would not venture out to human habitations.

The MLA said that the government is correcting so many mistakes done by the governments of undivided AP; similarly, this order must be changed too.

MLA Erraballi Dayakar Rao said that the incidence of crops being damaged by monkeys was quite high in Warangal district.

It was at this juncture that Mr Madhusudhana Chary intervened and suggested that the state drove away Telangana monkeys with Andhra langurs.
Hyderabad: Wondering at the helplessness of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Authority in preventing illegal constructions, the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the TS government, HMDA and the Endowments commissioner to file affidavits explaining the facts and circumstances of alleged illegal constructions by some private parties on government land at Devatalagutta at Balapur of the city.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with a PIL by Devatalagutta Parirakshana Samiti vice-president N. Ramreddy, challenging the inaction of the authorities in preventing private parties from taking up constructions on government land.

P.S.P. Suresh Kumar, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that Pride India Builders Ltd., a real estate firm, took up construction of villas by demolishing temples and other structures on 150 acres of government land and also lands belonging to private individuals.

He told the court that though the petitioner had made several complaints to the authorities concerned, there was no response.

Mr Rama Rao, counsel for the HMDA, while admitting that the allegations of the petitioner were true, said that private persons were taking up construction activity with the help of status quo orders of the High Court.

Expressing wonder at the continuation of construction activity despite status quo order, the bench pointed out that it would not be proper on the part of the HMDA, which is a government institution, to express helplessness.

The bench questioned HMDA counsel why they have not brought to the notice of the court the construction activity by placing the photographs before it.

Counsel urged the court to grant a week to place all the details. While adjourning the case to next week, the bench directed the authorities concerned to file the affidavits.

TS, AP told to bear medical bills

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the governments of both AP and TS to bear the medical bills of retired members of the AP Administrative Tribunal in the ratio of 58:42.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with a petition by K. Srinivas, an advocate of the city, challenging the failure of the two governments to pay the medical bills of the retired APAT members.

The bench asked the retired members to submit their medical bills to the tribunal chairman and told the governments to clear the bills within 10 days from the day of receiving them.

B. Mahender Reddy, special counsel for the TS government submitted that the state presently was not under the jurisdiction of APAT and if the court orders, it would bear medical bills in the ratio of 41:68.

Reacting to this submission, the bench said that rules specify that the government of the state from where an employee retires will bear medical expenses of that employee. This rule is also applicable to High Court judges, the bench said.

Drivers work schedule sought

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the governments of AP and Telangana states to submit a detailed report with respect to the working hours of drivers engaged by private transport undertakings, including Diwakar Travels in terms of AP Motor Transport Workers Rules, 1963, by April 18.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with a PIL by K.V. Subba Reddy, an advocate of the city seeking to direct the two governments and the authorities concerned to frame guidelines for effective implementation of the Provisions of Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 and AP Motor Transport Workers Rules, 1963.

The petitioner also urged the court to declare as illegal the inability of the respondents to perform their statutory duty in preventing the accident on February 28, at Moolapadu village in Penuganchiprolu mandal of Krishna district.

He prayed the court to direct the official respondents to make the competent authority for enforcement of AP Motor Transport Workers Rules, 1963, liable for criminal negligence for the loss of lives in the accident at Moolapadu or their failure to implement the law.
New Delhi: A team of officials has recently visited World Trade Organisation headquarters in Geneva for discussion on issues of India's interest, including the proposed trade facilitation pact in services.

India has recently tabled a proposal at the WTO for an agreement on trade facilitation in services (TFS), Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

"A team of capital-based officers has visited Geneva for discussion on issues of India's interest, including TFS," she said.

The TFS proposal aims at liberalising rules for movement of professionals and other steps to reduce transaction costs to boost growth of the services sector.

India is pitching for this trade facilitation agreement in services as the sector contributes over 60 percent to the GDP and 28 per cent to total employment.

The move is aimed at developing a broader framework governing global services in trade just like a TFA on goods.

TFS will focus on issues like liberalised visa regime, long-term visas for business community and freer movement of professionals for the greater benefit of both India and the world, among others.

To a separate question, she said the government has approved the proposal for redevelopment of Pragati Maidan into a world-class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre at a total cost of Rs 2,254 crore.

She also said the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) will utilise Rs 1,200 crore out of its free reserves towards funding of the project.

The completion time for phase-I of the project is proposed as 24-30 months from the date of award to the project executor.
New Delhi: The Karnataka government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the February 14 judgement holding that the appeal in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case against former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa has abated after her death on December 5, 2016.

In its review petition, Karnataka described the judgement as an "error on the face of the record" which merits a relook.

It said, "If a party dies after the conclusion of arguments and judgment is reserved, there is no question of abatement of appeal and that the judgement subsequently pronounced will have the same force and effect as if the same was pronounced before the death took place."

On February 14, the apex court held Sasikala, Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi guilty of abetment in the DA case and convicted them to undergo four-year imprisonment. They are now in jail in Bengaluru. On Ms Jayalalithaa, the Bench said the appeal has come to an end.

Assailing this ruling, Karnataka said, There are no provisions either in the Constitution or in the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 for such abatement of appeal. On the other hand, the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 provide that both in case of civil appeals as well as election petitions there will be no abatement if the death takes place after conclusion of hearing."

Karnataka argued that though the question of A 1 (Jayalalithaa) undergoing further imprisonment does not arise, sentence to pay fine is legally sustainable which has to be recovered from the estate.

This is particularly so where the offence alleged is of illegally acquiring disproportionate assets. Therefore, the finding that the appeal has abated is not correct.

It said, "A criminal appeal involving offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act stands on a slightly different footing where the allegation is of acquisition of disproportionate assets by a public servant. In the circumstances, though the death of the accused no 1 (Jayalalithaa) renders sentence of imprisonment infructuous, the question whether any fine is liable to be imposed as also confiscation of illegally acquired property will survive for consideration."

Karnataka urged the Supreme Court to modify its February 14 judgment and restore the trial court verdict in its entirety against Ms Jayalalithaa.
Chennai: Observing that it cannot interfere in policy matters of government, the Madras High Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition challenging AIADMK Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran's candidature for the April 12 RK Nagar Assembly bypoll on the ground he had been penalised in FERA cases.

When the PIL came up before the first bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh and Justice RMT Teeka Raman, it directed the petitioner to approach the authorities concerned "for the remedy."

Petitioner P A Joseph, a city resident, referred to cases against Dinakaran under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), including one in which a Rs 28 crore penalty has been slapped on him.

The petitioner had questioned the provision in the Representation of People Act which disqualified only convicted people from contesting elections.

Parliament has no power to restrict the disqualification only to criminal conviction and cannot defer disqualification of a person found guilty of the charge of contravention of provisions of FERA, he had submitted.

He prayed the court to declare Sections 8(1)(c)and 8(1)(e) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 as "illegal and unconstitutional" in so far as restricting disqualification only in cases of criminal conviction.

Disposing of the petition, the bench opined that the court cannot interfere with the policy matters of the government and it is fully under the domain of the Executive.
HUBBALLI: Scores of farmers are set to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Wednesday to pressurize the state government to arrive at an amicable settlement with Goa government over sharing water of the river Mahadayi, and supply drinking water to parched districts of north Karnataka.

On Tuesday, these farmers marked the 600th day of their stir by blocking traffic on Hubballi-Vijayapura road. They also opposed the presence of additional solicitor general of India, Atmaram Nadkarni, on behalf of the Goa government, at Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal, on grounds that he was the Advocate General of Goa and therefore likely to cause injustice to Karnataka.

Besides laying siege to Vidhana Soudha, the agitating farmers also plan to stage a dharna in front of BJPs office in Bengaluru to condemn the negligence of the Union government to resolve the issue. They alleged that BJP leaders of the state had failed to exert pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and end the row between Goa and Karnataka on sharing water of the river Mahadayi.
Resident doctors protest at the Azad Maidan demanding security after a intern was assaulted by patient's relatives in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: The resident doctors of state-run hospitals in Maharashtra stayed away from work for the third day today, prompting the government to order them to report to duty by this evening or lose six months' salary.

Nearly 4,000 doctors have been on strike in various government and municipal hospitals since Monday demanding security at work place in the wake of a string of attacks on their colleagues.

As many as 500 resident doctors in medical colleges in Mumbai have been issued notices by their deans, an official from Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said.

Also, 370 resident doctors in Nagpur, 200 in Pune and 114 in Solapur have been suspended by the deans of their respective medical colleges, the official said.

Their protest mainly affected the medical services of Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and general wards, a MARD official said.

Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan ordered the resident doctors to report to duty by 8 PM today or lose their six months' salary.

"The resident doctors should report to duty by today evening or they will lose their salary for six months. The students of post graduate courses who are serving as resident doctors will also face the action," Mahajan told reporters.

"We have all the legal provisions to take such steps," he said.

"We have assured them of providing enough security and it will be given by month-end. Now, they should resume the duty," the minister said.

He said patients from the economically weaker sections come to government hospitals and the resident doctors should not play with their lives by taking such an extreme stand.

Medical services in 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra, including four in Mumbai, have been affected because of the protest.

The OPDs in these hospitals have been hit hard as only senior doctors are available to attend the patients.

The MARD, the apex body of the resident doctors, has officially not supported the decision of the medicos to stay away from work, but many of its members are a part of the ongoing protest.

The Bombay High Court had yesterday rapped the medicos while observing that their conduct was "shameful", and asked them to resign if they don't want to work.

However, the hearing on the petition filed by activist Afak Mandaviya, seeking action against the protesting doctors, was adjourned in the high court today as the bench presided by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur was not available. The plea will to be heard tomorrow.

Asked about negotiations with the Maharashtra government, MARD's general secretary Dr Parthiv Sanghavi said, "When we contacted Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan regarding the same, we got just two minutes with him."

"Nobody is giving the resident doctors any written assurance, hence they are not convinced. As long as the resident doctors are not convinced, they would not resume the duty," he said.

A senior official from the Medical Education department said, "We have assured them of deploying some 400 security personnel by April 1, but the resident doctors are not convinced by it."

"They want it immediately but as the budget session (of Maharashtra Assembly) is on, without informing the House, government cannot take any major decision," the official told PTI, on condition of anonymity.

"Currently, the demand of the resident doctors is to be provided security immediately and to restrict the entry of relatives while admitting a patient in the hospital. The negotiations are still going on," the official said.

Dr Sagar Mundada, chairman of Indian Medical Association's youth wing in Maharashtra, said, "It is true that in some government and municipal run hospitals there have been delays in treating the patients."

"One must not forget that resident doctors are the junior most medical staff working in such hospitals. There are senior doctors as well as visiting specialists in such hospitals and they are attending to the patients," he said.

"If an OPD is kept close and patients are suffering, then the onus is on the dean of the medical college attached to that hospital as he is the administrative head. Unfortunately, we are blamed for causing inconvenience to patients, whereas nobody is questioning why the existing medical staff is not running the OPDs and other medical services," Mundada said.

He claimed that all emergency services, including attending to serious or critical patients, were being taken care of by resident doctors.

Since day one, the resident doctors have taken a stand not to hamper the emergency services, he said.

On the demands of medicos, Mundada said, "The resident doctors need sufficient security staff at the hospitals. The dean of a medical college has special funds to appoint security guards at the gates and outside special wards. No dean uses the funds and resident doctors face the wrath of relatives if something goes wrong."

"When more relatives gather in a hospital, it becomes difficult for any doctor to answer all their queries," he said.
Kolkata: Mathew Samuel, the man who conducted the Narada sting operation on several Trinamool Congress ministers, MPs and MLAs, has expressed fear for his life and those of his family members.

Samuel, who is now in Kerala for medical treatment, last night posted on Facebook that his children in Delhi called him up and told him that they felt some men were following them on their way to morning walk for the last few days.

"The same thing was said to me by my staff Angel Abraham," he said adding the staffer felt two strangers were watching her all the way to office and back during her travel on metro.

"As I am in Kerala for medical treatment, I asked them to be at ease and not to get panicky", he said in his post.

In Kerala, Samuel said while he was on his way to the hospital yesterday, he noticed a car following him suspiciously throughout his 13 km journey and way back.

"Now when all these things are read together, I seriously doubt some people planning to eliminate the prime witness of the Narada sting operation. For that, I fear the safety of my family there at Delhi and my hometown Kerala", he said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on April 2, which will cut down travel time between the two by two hours.

The Rs 2,519-crore all-weather tunnel is equipped with world-class safety features and has been built in a record four years on the hilly terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said at a press meet here.

"This state-of-the-art 10.89-km tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir, an engineering marvel on the most difficult terrain of the Himalayas, was built in a record four years," the minister said.

Gadkari was accompanied by Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, a parliamentarian from Jammu.

"The project will result in a saving of Rs 27 lakh per day based on traffic estimates and would cut the travel distance between Jammu and Sringar by 41 km," Gadkari said.

He said the tunnel will be equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. The project forms part of the proposed widening of NH-44 (old NH-1A) from Jammu to Srinagar.

The longest highway tunnel in India also happens to be Asia's longest bi-directional highway tunnel with fully transverse ventilation system, he said. It also comes with fully-integrated tunnel control system with ventilation, communication, power supply, incident detection, SOS call box and fire fighting.

Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel will have fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations.

The minister added that very few tunnels in the world have fully integrated tunnel control and the Jammu one is fitted with world-class safety features for detection of accidents and fire with a parallel 9-km long escape tunnel.

Elaborating, Gakdari said it will boost economic activity and tourism in the state, adding that it has precluded large-scale deforestation as tree cutting was not required.

The work on the twin-tube tunnel, which is part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway, started on May 23, 2011, in the lower Himalayan mountain range.

The tunnel is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres. Constructed by IL&FS, the tunnel is all set to be handed over to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) soon after its formal inauguration by the Prime Minister.

"The formal trial run was successfully completed for peak and off-peak hours between March 9 and March 15," Project Director, IL&FS, J S Rathore said.

Once the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce traffic jams on National Highway-1A caused by snowfall and avalanches in winter at Patnitop, he said.

Travel will cost an LMV vehicle Rs 55 for one side and Rs 85 for to-and-fro journey and Rs 1,870 for one-month travel.

Bigger vehicles like mini-buses will have to pay Rs 90 as one side toll and Rs 135 for both sides.

Buses and trucks will have to shell out Rs 190 as one-side trip and Rs 285 for a two-way journey.

Rathore said Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has set up a well-equipped fully-computerised operation room for surveillance of vehicles inside the twin tubes.
New Delhi: Despite strong objections from senior counsel Fali Nariman, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Karnataka to continue the release of 2,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till final orders are passed in the batch of appeals challenging the award of the Cauvery River Water Tribunal.

A three-judge Bench of Justices Dipak Misra, Amitav Roy and A.M. Kanwilkar, gave this direction while posting the appeals for final hearing on a day-to-day basis from July 11, after brief submissions from senior counsel Fali Nariman for Karnataka, Shekar Naphade for Tamil Nadu, and Jaideep Gupta for Kerala.

In the last hearing the court had fixed Tuesday for taking up the appeals for regular hearing but when the court assembled the Bench expressed difficulty to hear the appeals from Tuesday and said the matter will be heard for 15 days, (three days in a week) from July 11.

At this juncture Mr. Naphade pointed out that despite January 4 order, Karnataka has refused to release 2,000 cusecs and the same interim order should continue till appeals are disposed off. Mr. Nariman for Karnataka submitted that there is no question of releasing water to Tamil Nadu as there is no water in the state even for drinking purposes.

Let the order remain in force, but we will not be able to implement it, Mr. Nariman said and added that we will argue the main matter.

The Bench also recorded an undertaking from Mr. Jaideep Gupta that Kerala will not utilize more water for its projects than what it was entitled to under the Cauvery final award.

He also assured the court that whatever constructions being made or to be made is only for utilization of its share of water.

The bench asked State of Kerala to inform in writing to Tamil Nadu in 15 days what was given in the form of an undertaking. It is the contention of Karnataka that the agreements of 1892 and 1924 were the result of unequal bargaining power of Mysore and Madras Presidency and these agreements cannot form the basis for water allocation.

No new irrigation project can be implemented by Mysore without the approval of the then Madras Presidency.

It said these agreements cannot be enforced after Independence in 1947. Further after new State of Karnataka was formed in 1956, the erstwhile agreements are not binding on Karnataka but the tribunal had erred in accepting the agreements as valid, he said.

Karnataka asserted that it was always at the receiving end by the agreements which were thrust on it.

Karnataka questioned the methodology adopted by the Tribunal in apportioning water to the three States and to Puducherry. Referring to the apportionment of 270 tmcft to Karnataka and 192 tmcft to Tamil Nadu, it said Tamil Nadu did not question on merit the water requirement of 465 tmcft claimed by Karnataka based on the project reports for utilisation under various schemes.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed a Union Home Ministry's order to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the murder of RSS leader R Rudresh and directed the local police instead to investigate the case.

Justice John Michael Cunha set aside the MHA's order saying there was no substance in it.

"There is no substance and importance made out for the MHA to pass an order, directing the National Investigation Agency to probe into the Rudresh murder case, and hence the order stands rejected," he said.

The high court order came on a petition by Azim Shariff, the leader of a radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India and four others, challenging the Union Home Ministry's order to the NIA to probe the case.

The five have been arrested for their alleged roles in the murder case. Shariff was arrested on November 2, 2016.

The petitioners had also challenged the Bengaluru police decision to invoke the provisions of the country's anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in the case.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Shyam Sundar submitted that the Union Home Ministry had not followed the procedures while passing the order.

Sundar also argued that if the probe is done by the NIA, it would amount to stigmatising the petitioners as terrorists.

"By allowing NIA to probe into the case, a situation will arise wherein the investigating authorities will be in search of terrorists inside of the real killers," he argued.

The killing of Rudresh last year had raised a political storm with the saffron parties staging huge protests in Karnataka.

The issue snowballed into a major controversy when BJP leader and former minister Shobha Karandlaje alleged the involvement of a state minister in the incident.

35-year-old RSS worker Rudresh was hacked to death by two motorcycle-borne men here on October 16 while returning home with his friends after attending a Sangh event.

Four persons were arrested for their alleged roles in the incident on October 27 last year.
Srinagar: Separatist leader Nayeem Khan was detained at Srinagar airport on Tuesday when he was on his way to New Delhi.

The separatist leader was taken to Saddar Police Station from where he is likely shifted to his residence and placed under house arrest, he said.

Khan was on his way to New Delhi apparently to take part in Pakistan Day celebrations at Pakistan High Commission on Thursday.

Notably, other separatist leaders, who have participated in the Pakistan Day celebrations in the past, are currently under detention inside their homes or in jail.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmad Shah are among the top leaders put under house arrest while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik is currently lodged at Central Jail Srinagar.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has come to the rescue of an Indian woman, who has been illegally detained by her husband in Pakistan, after an appeal by her father.

According to reports, the woman, identified as Mohammadi Begum, hails from Telangana. Begum lives with her husband Mohammed Younus in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Her father, Akber, appealed to Swaraj to rescue her daughter after she expressed her desire to return to India as she was being tortured by her in-laws and husband.

After speaking to Akber, Swaraj asked the Indian High Commission to renew Begums Indian passport and facilitate her return to India.

Our High Commission officials met Mohammadia Begum and she expressed her desire to return to India, Swaraj said in a tweet on Monday.

After her meeting with the Indian High Commission in Pakistan, Begum alleged that Younus beat her up for inform the mission about the alleged harassment, according to Telanganas Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan.

Khan had posted a video on YouTube of a telephonic conversation between Begum and her mother. In the description of the video, Khan said that Younus had claimed to be an Omani national before marrying Begum. However, he has been keeping her in captivity in Pakistan for 15 years.
New Delhi: Soon after IT and NRI affairs minister K. T. Rama Rao sought Sushma Swaraj's intervention in rescuing 29 Telangana workers from Saudi company captivity, the External Affairs Minister has asked the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Javed, to initiate action for their release.

"Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send

a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao," she tweeted.

Rao wrote a letter to Swaraj seeking her help to rescue 29 migrant workers from Telangana held in captivity by a company in Saudi Arabia.

In the letter, Rao said that the workers, employed by Al-Hajry, were held in captivity at Al-Hassa in Saudi Arabia for the last 12 days without any food or basic amenities.

"However, in the meantime the said company has taken all the 29 employees into their custody and is holding them captive in a room at Allsafaniya Kouqt, Bodar, city Kanji, Saudi Arabia, denying them food / water or medicines and other basic amenities for the last 12 days," Rao said.

He said that when the workers requested for leave to visit home town, the company not only demanded $50,000 but refused to provide the expenses for travel.

The workers also approached labour court and subsequently 'Amir Court' for Justice. The Amir Court issued directions to the employer company to bear all expenses and send the said 29 employees to their native places within three days.

Rao said he was contacted by Boragalla Shekhar, a resident of Kamareddy district in Telangana who informed him about the plight he and 28 others were suffering. He also provided Swaraj with the telephone numbers of Shekhar.

He also requested Swaraj to take up the matter with the Saudi Arabia government to ensure that all the 29 workers are safely released and repatriated to India.
Chennai: A petition was filed in the Madras high court to restrain the Election Commission of India from accepting the candidature of TTV Dhinakaran for the RK Nagar by-poll. The PIL filed by P.A. Joseph of Arumbakkam is to come up for hearing by the First Bench on Wednesday.

The plea states that Dhinkaran has been convicted in a FERA case, which is still pending. The plea also seeks to declare section 8 (1)  and 8 (1) (e) of the Representation of Peoples Act as illegal in so far as restricting the disqualification only to an extent of criminal conviction alone dehors (out of or other than) the statutory punishment / penalty levied based on a finding by the competent adjudicating authority under the Customs Act and the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act on the very same offence.

According to Joseph, Section 8 of the RPA enumerates various disqualifications for being chosen as or for being a MP or MLA. Section 8 (1)  and 8 (1) (3) stated that a person will be disqualified if he or she was convicted under Customs Act and Fera respectively.

There were parallel adjudicatory proceedings prescribed under these Acts and for which separate adjudicating authority was provided dehors criminal prosecution. Both the criminal prosecution and departmental adjudication were initiated for violation of same provision of the Act.

When one authority finds him guilty and imposes the punishment / penalty, and other authority not finding him guilty and acquits him whether the guilt adjudged by the competent authority was erased or nullified, the fact was It still stands, he added.

He said the present question of law was never raised and decided and it needs to be decided at this juncture for the reason that one T.T.V.Dhinakaran, claiming to be incharge general secretary of AIADMK, had announced that he was going to contest in a by-election of RK Nagar constituency. He was charged for offences under Fera for acquiring foreign exchange without previous or special permission from the RBI during 1994 and 1995 from persons not being authorised dealers in foreign exchange and deposited the amounts in a bank account outside India.

The adjudicating authority found him guilty and imposed a penalty of Rs 28 crore. In criminal prosecution, a magistrate court had discharged him but the high court set aside the same. On clear reading of the provisions, both the adjudication proceedings and criminal proceedings were parallel, so how can the Act restrict the disqualification to criminal conviction alone, he asks.

He said the restriction of disqualification to criminal conviction alone will make the statutory adjudication and their findings was silent on this issue, he added.
Amaravati: On the occasion of the World Water Day on Wednesday, members of Andhra Pradesh Legislature took a pledge that they would do their bit to save water for future generations and also strive to make the state drought-free.

While Chairman A Chakrapani administered the pledge to the members of the state Legislative Council, Leader of the House N Chandrababu Naidu did it in the Assembly.

The lone opposition YSR Congress legislators boycotted the pledge in the Assembly.

"Realising that water resources are the lifeline for all living-beings, I will not waste even a drop of water and will be a partner in water conservation. I will do my bit for conserving water and building a drought-free Andhra Pradesh," the pledge read.

Earlier, Chandrababu made a statement in the Assembly highlighting this year's theme 'Water and Waste Water'.

He stressed on the need to conserve water and listed various steps initiated by his government in this regard.

The Chief Minister said his government was trying to build a Smart Water Grid to make the state drought-proof and provide "water security" to all for drinking, irrigation and industrial needs.

The government has prioritised 10 irrigation projects, including the ambitious Polavaram, for completion in a time-bound manner to reap early benefits.

Interestingly, in his statement on the subject last year, the Chief Minister said the state government proposed to utilise 150-200 tmc ft of water through interlinking of rivers. This year, however, he doubled the quantity to 300-400 tmc ft.

While interlinking of Godavari and Krishna rivers was completed through the Pattisam Lift Irrigation scheme, proposals were now being prepared to link Godavari and Pennar rivers, Chandrababu said.

He also listed other initiatives of the government like digging of farm ponds for mitigating drought.

All through this, the YSRC members remained in the Well of the House and raised slogans against the Chief Minister's claims.
There is a litigation pending in the court and if cleared the civic body will get additional revenue of Rs 100 crore, a corporation official said.

Chennai: Chennai Corporation is all set to create an all-time high record of collecting Rs 700 crore as tax.

The demonetisation drive during which the corporation accepted old currency denominations and the 10 per cent increase in collection of commercial tax had helped the civic body to attain a whopping Rs 650 crore collection.

With nine days to go for the March 31 deadline, the corporation is eyeing revenue receipt of another Rs 50 crore, revenue department sources told DC.

It has been more than 15 years since tax rates were revised. If revised, the corporations annual tax revenue will easily surpass Rs 1,000 crore, sources added.

We are also planning to collect tax from vacant plots now converted in to parking lots and also the buildings that have rented their terrace for cell phone towers.

There is a litigation pending in the court and if cleared the civic body will get additional revenue of Rs 100 crore, a corporation official said. However, the activists are not buying the corporations theory that tax rates had not been revised in the past few decades. Corporation has created new categories while fixing property tax.

Malls, multiplex, hospitals and marriage halls are now special buildings with additional tax rates. Further, residential areas are now getting urbanized with commercial buildings coming up. This makes the job easy for tax collectors, where the residential tax slab gets converted into commercial slabs and this is more than enough for corporation to make extra money, explains civic activist T. Solomon.
The government had claimed earlier that Metro Rail operations would begin on June 2, 2017, on the third anniversary of the formation of Telangana state. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The state government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that Hyderabad Metro Rail operations will commence by this year-end.

Municipal minister K T Rama Rao told the house that the Miyapur-LB Nagar and Nagole-Hitech City stretches of 27-km each will be launched in the first phase by 2017-end.

These two stretches of 54 km will be ready for commercial operations by this year-end. The two stretches form an important component of the 72-km Metro Rail project. Hyderabadis can avail Metro Rail services by this year-end, Mr Rao announced.

The government had claimed earlier that Metro Rail operations would begin on June 2, 2017, on the third anniversary of the formation of Telangana state.

Metro Rail deadlines have been missed continuously since 2014 due to various reasons such as realignment issues and delay in acquisition of properties.

HMR officials say that the Nagole-Mettuguda and SR Nagar-Miyapur stretches were completed and ready for operations in mid-2016, but the government wants these stretches to be extended to LB Nagar and Hitech City and hence the delay.

All the necessary clearances to operate trains from SR Nagar to Miyapur and Nagole to Mettuguda have already been obtained. All the stations are ready. But the government wants extension of these stretches, which will be completed by September, said an official.
Drought, farmer suicides, the state budget all took a backseat on Wednesday as legislators in both Houses, cutting across party lines, indulged in an afternoon of media-bashing. Their anger was directed mainly towards local television channels who they allege are tarnishing their image in the mad scramble for TRP ratings. Even a legislature committee to decide on curbs for the media is in the offing. Is this an excuse for our politicos to cover up their misdoings by gagging the press, asks Team DC.

The electronic media came in for a bashing in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday with legislators cutting across party lines venting their ire on it for coverage that "hurt their image."

Coming close on the heels of reports of Speaker K B Koliwads children acquiring sites from the Karnataka Legislature Secretariat Employees Housing Cooperative Society and his spirited denial of any wrongdoing, in the House, the media bashing saw JD(S) member, Sa Ra Mahesh even urge the government to step in and allow only experienced journalists" to cover serious subjects.

Leading the onslaught, Karnataka Janata Party member, B.R. Patil protested that the electronic media's portrayal of legislators and ministers was damaging to their reputations.

Recalling his own experience, he said although he had decided to vote for the Congress during the last election to the Rajya Sabha owing to his old friendship with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the media alleged his vote had been bought. The presence of some visitors from Delhi in his room in the Legislators' Home had been misread, he claimed. All we did was have tea and those present in my room included reputed senior journalist, B R Srikanth, who is my old friend, he maintained.

Read | A sting op that was way off the mark!

Also, objecting to television channels showing legislators and ministers dozing off during legislature sessions, he declared, We are only human and could have been touring our constituencies before coming to the session. Being tired we may have dozed off. But this does not happen all the time.

While Speaker Koliwad wanted to know if the debate was confined only to the electronic media or included the print media as well, Sarvodaya Party member, K S Puttannaiah blamed the electronic media for the story of a crow sitting on the Chief Minister's car that had forced him to change the car itself.

Other legislators like Suresh Gowda of the BJP, who was involved in a scuffle with toll gate staff, Raju Kage of the BJP, who has an attempt to murder case booked against him, and Narendra Swamy (independant) and Shivaraj Tangadagi of the Congress, who have also been involved in controversies, claimed they were victimized by the electronic media.

Demanding a minimum qualification for journalists, Mr Sa Ra Mahesh said a videographer of weddings in his constituency was now in-charge of a television channel. Another man, who was a nobody in Mysuru two decades ago, is also running a television channel today. How can you expect professionalism from such people?'' he asked.

Television journalists think they know everything

If the Assembly saw MLAs lash out at the media, members of the Legislative Council were equally vociferous in their attack on it on Wednesday, some making even strident demands for a legislation to regulate 24x7 news channels.

BJP member Tara Anuradha, who initiated the media debate under rule 330 in the House, objected to channels delving into peoples personal lives. News channels must have some regulatory measures in place. They cannot do as they please merely for TRP ratings, she said, urging the government to bring in a legislation to regulate them.

Mr V.S. Ugrappa of the Congress lashed out at 24x7 Kannada news channels for tarnishing the image of politicians and MLAs. Television journalists seem to think they know everything under the sun and refer to ministers and the Chief Minister in singular terms. But they are mum on corruption in media houses, he charged.

Claiming that a few print journalists were mentioned by former Lokayukta, Justice Santhosh Hegde in his report on illegal mining, he said, Even they (the journalists) have built palace-like houses and have posh cars, but the media is mum about such corruption and misuse of power.

The Congress leader advised the government to constitute a committee to regulate television channels and suggested it should be authorised to summon or issue notices to media houses. The committee must be made up of a veteran journalist, a senior police officer, social activists and advocates, in his view.

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ramesh Kumar blamed both electronic and print journalists for tarnishing his image. Claiming that a 24x7 news channel which had falsely accused him of grabbing forest land didnt give him a chance to make a rebuttal, he said, Television anchors act like judges. The House should dedicate more time to discuss the issue and we will come prepared.

In a written reply. Home Minister, Dr. G. Parameshwar said a state committee to look into the content of Cable TV networks had issued a notice to Zee Kannada over its serial, Anjali and Ganga and a notice to Star Suvarna for its serial, Neeli which had children playing the role of ghosts and evil spirits. But as the channels did not respond to the notices , the committee had decided to take stringent action against them.

Media has right to expose netas shortcomings: Justice Santosh Hegde, former Lokayukta

Legislators don't enjoy special powers to frame any rules to protect themselves. The Legislative Assembly cannot lay down any rules to rein in the media. But if they feel that any journalist or channel is responsible for breach of privilege, it can refer the matter to the privileges committee. Otherwise, legislators are just like anyone else. The media has the right to expose any lacunae in the judiciary, executive or legislature and these three institutions cannot become oversensitive to this and trample on freedom of expression. If they have a grouse, they can move the court against the media. By constituting a House committee to regulate functioning of media, the legislators are only trying to protect themselves.
KOLLAM: Ration dealers suspect an attempt to sabotage the 'foodgrains at the doorstep' programme under the Food Security Act. All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association said they were not receiving the commission for foodgrains distributed for the past five months. They have warned of a stock boycott protest from May 1 if the grains are not weighed at the godowns itself before distributing to the authorised dealers. The government failed in implementing in a transparent manner the doorstep scheme commenced in Kollam as a pilot project," its president Johny Nelloor said.

"There has been no consensus on the remuneration given to the ration dealers. The project is being sabotaged by wholesale - contract lobbies and benami ration dealers with the help of some officials. Our demands are not met. The Union government is also giving dealers a hard time as they fail to reinstate the state's quota."

The government also failed to implement the recommendations of a committee on the wages of ration dealers submitted in December, he alleged. Under the doorstep delivery, the government intends to undertake the distribution of rice from FCI godowns to the ration shops by storing it in intermediary godowns under the direct supervision of the civil supplies department, possibly evading irregularities in the distribution network.
Visakhapatnam: A junior college student, on Wednesday drowned in the sea off the Jodugullapalem beach here while taking a selfie, police said.

Another student is feared drowned. Five students from Madhurawada area here had gone to the beach as their exams concluded recently, a senior police official from Arilova police station.

Four of them K Amrutha (17), DM Kalyan (18), Anil and Rajesh were clicking selfies while standing on a rock this morning. A big wave lashed the rock and swept Amrutha and Kalyan into the sea, he added.

Amrutha's body was found while a search operation is underway to locate Kalyan, the official said, adding a case has been registered.
Maharashtra opposition leaders burn the copy of budget demanding loan waiver for farmers after finance minister Sudhir Mumgantiwar presented state budget in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly Haribhau Bagde on Wednesday suspended 19 opposition MLAs till December 31, 2017, for disrupting the proceedings of the state Budget on March 18.

The main issue of contention for which slogans were raised was the governments reluctance to announce loan waiver for farmers.

Several Opposition members tried to disrupt the Budget presentation in protest. Opposition legislators even burnt copies of the budget outside the Legislature in protest.

As part of their protest, the Opposition sang bhajans and used cymbals to disrupt the finance ministers speech.

Leader of the Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, called the state governments decision to not announce loan waiver for farmers 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.

Despite demands from the Shiv Sena and other Opposition parties, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir 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 while reading out the budget.

The BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state has also allocated lesser funds for the welfare of minorities in the state budget for the financial year 2017-18.

In the budget presented on Saturday in the state Assembly, the allocation for the welfare of minorities was Rs 350 crore as compared to Rs 405 crore in 2016-17.

Various schemes for scholarships, training of minority youth and creation of basic amenities in minority residential areas are undertaken through this fund.

Out of the Rs 350 crore allocated for 2017-18, Rs 125 crore has been earmarked for improving the settlements of minorities and providing various basic facilities in rural and urban areas.

Sudhir Mungantiwar, while presenting the budget said that training is being provided to students of minority category to appear for competitive exams like UPSC, MPSC, banking services and others.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister D Jayakumar paying respects at the memorial of the late AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa prior to presenting his first budget for the financial year 2017-18 in Chennai. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: The Assembly witnessed heated exchange between Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin and Finance minister D. Jayakumar on the latter's action of placing the budget copy before the burial place of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa before presenting it in the House.

DMK MLA Udhayasooriyan raised the issue, during the budget discussion and said in the days of DMK founder C.N. Annadurai , the budget could be carried in a small bag. He went on to make a remark that was objected by the ruling party members and expunged by Speaker P. Dhanapal.

Jayakumar, who replied to the DMK member said the total budget amount was about Rs 3,000 during the days of Anna and the budget has come to about Rs 1.5 crore.

He also said the fiscal deficit in the state budget is high since the DMK which was in the Centre for three terms did not obtain what is needed for the state.

At this juncture, Stalin intervened and said the minister should answer the specific charge of the DMK member and said it is not proper to take out the budget copy before tabling it in the House. Who gave the right to take out the budget for Jayakumar, he asked.

Stalin also listed some of the achievements of the DMK and said asked the minister to answer the specific question of the MLA. Jayakumar said taking the budget outside is not wrong and the only condition is that it should be kept as a secret. Seeking the blessings of a leader would not amount to breaking the budget secrecy, he said.

When 'Mafoi' K. Pandiarajan, from the OPS group also rose to support Stalin's views, Jayakumar alleged that the DMK and OPS group had a working arrangement between them. He also made another charge on the DMK which was expunged following strong opposition by Stalin.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has strongly pitched for making Rahul Gandhi the party president at a time when questions are being raised over his leadership abilities after the UP poll drubbing.

He advocated a role of a mentor for party president Sonia Gandhi and asserted that the Congress has to move from being an inclusive party to setting up "an inclusive alliance".

Amid calls for radical changes by the Congres leaders following massive electoral defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Aiyar told PTI, "I am hoping that the de facto leadership of the Congress which has been in his hands for some months, becomes a de jure leadership and that will enable him to carry out his intentions of democratising the party."

The 75-year-old Congress leader also hoped that Rahul's elevation should "happen soon."

Rahul Gandhi's leadership has been under the scanner following the party's repeated losses in elections.

While Senior Congressman Digvijaya Singh had recently said Rahul was not acting decisively, Kerala Youth Congress Vice President C R Mahesh has asked Rahul to "quit", if he does not want to lead the party from the front.

Senior party leaders like M Veerappa Moily and Satyavrat Chaturvedi have also pitched for initiating changes and "surgery" within the party to infuse fresh strength into it.

Asked what is stopping the Congress from implementing the 'introspection reports' which suggest changes in the party, he said, "I don't know, I therefore think, it is time Rahul got on with it as he has said he wishes to do. And perhaps, it is because he has not been the president, that he has not been able to do this."

On Sonia's role in the party when Rahul is anointed president, Aiyar said, "I expect her to play the role of Lee Kuan Yew, first mentor."

"I hope her health is good enough. So, she would be available as the most important mentor that the Congress party has and let Rahul Gandhi, who still, for at least a few years, belongs to the generation that constitutes about 70 per cent of our population become the part president, the former union minister said.

Asked if the Congress should change its strategy and declare a prime ministerial candidate before 2019 polls, Aiyar said, "I am sure the alliance will project somebody (as the Prime Ministerial candidate) and lets see who that somebody is. I hope it will be Rahul Gandhi."

Aiyar, who has been advocating a 'grand alliance' to challenge the BJP in 2019, asserted that the time has come to "explicitly work" over the next two years in the direction of as large an alliance as possible.

However, he also made it clear that in case of a formation of such a coalition, no one should insist on the name of a particular leader as that may sabotage the process.

Asked if the 'Bihar model' needs to be replicated at the national level, Aiyar answered in the affirmative. "Certainly in terms of a Mahagatbandhan but the Congress is the 10th ally in Tamil Nadu, the third ally in Bihar and the second ally in UP. So where the Congress fits onto all this is a matter of negotiation which cannot be prejudged," he said.

On recently-concluded assembly polls, Aiyar said the Congress failed to capitalise on the public sentiment against demonetisation. "We certainly did not succeed politically in capitalising on the anger against demonetisation and Modi's Robin Hood-myth had a stronger message.

"The fact is that (they) haven't got one rupee of black money. No rich person is being caught or put behind bars. They have demonetised 86 per cent of our currency. That is they have looked for a needle in the haystack and not found the needle," he said.

Aiyar also lambasted the BJP for capturing power in Manipur and Goa by appointing "puppets as governors".

"The governor of Goa herself says she telephoned Arun Jaitley for instructions. She said it publically. How can a governor of a state ring up a Finance Minister...I think that betrays the fact that these are not the kind of governors envisaged by our Constitution," he said.
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should start building jails for her ministers and party leaders following the Supreme Court decision in the Narada sting case, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Roopa Ganguly on Wednesday said.

"Chief Minister has given a statement saying she welcomes the decision. What will happen by merely welcoming it? Construct jails for 30-40 people. Let us start with the 12 (allegedly caught on camera accepting money) she remarked.

"Slowly everything will come out and the space in jail too will not be sufficient. Jails (will be meant for) their big ministers and leaders. So five-star jails too need to be constructed," Ganguly said sarcastically outside Parliament.

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday refused to stay the CBI probe into the Narada sting operation, which was ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee termed the apex court ruling on the matter as a "positive" one.

CPM's Lok Sabha MP Mohammed Salim said that the Supreme Court decision will help CBI investigate the matter and bring out the truth.

The Narada sting operation had allegedly caught some TMC leaders taking money.
Some of the greatest tributes paid to Chuck Berry came long before he was found dead last Saturday at the ripe old age of 90, on the cusp of releasing his first album of original material in 38 years.

John Lennon famously declared long ago: If you tried to give rocknroll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry. And it was more than five years ago that Leonard Cohen, the fellow recipient of an award for lyricists from PEN New England, said that all of us are footnotes to the words of Chuck Berry, adding: If Beethoven hadnt rolled over, thered be no room for any of us. In a message on the same occasion, Bob Dylan sanctified Berry as the Shakespeare of rocknroll (and Cohen as the Kafka of the blues).

The context for Cohens acclamation was one of Berrys best-known songs, in which he commands Beethoven to roll over and tell Tchaikovsky the news and, ultimately, to dig these rhythm and blues. The origins of the song may well lie in the fact that young Chuck had to wait for his sister to finish practising Beethoven on the family piano before he got to hone his rhythm and blues.

Roll Over Beethoven was also a declaration of intent, a pronouncement to the effect that the times were changing. Whenever Im asked to put together a top 10 of political songs, this number is always first on the list, Billy Bragg declared in a Facebook post a couple of days ago. A black man with an electric guitar loudly proclaiming to white America that the music that will dominate youth culture in the coming decades will be African-American. Who was making such revolutionary pop music in 1956?

Bragg wasnt born until the following year, but the budding musicians who would spearhead the so-called British invasion of the United States a few years later borrowed a great deal of their inspiration from Chuck Berry. The Beatles had several of his songs in their repertoire, and The Rolling Stones very first single was a Berry number.

On the other side of the Atlantic, The Beach Boys adapted Berrys Sweet Little Sixteen for one of their biggest hits, Surfin USA. Further, not many cultural commentators would dispute the notion that almost every rock guitarist owes a tremendous debt to Berry. Somewhat ironically, Berry was in prison in the early 1960s while his fame exploded, jailed on the charge of transporting an underage teenager across state lines for immoral purposes. It wasnt the first time he had been incarcerated. As a teenager he was jailed for armed robbery.

And it wasnt his last brush with the law. There were tax evasion charges in later years as well as others based on marijuana possession and, particularly damningly, evidence of a hidden camera in the female toilet of a restaurant he owned. Berry denied the latter charge but settled out of court for a million-plus dollars. These are by no means the only indications that he wasnt by any means a particularly nice guy. There can be little controversy, though, about his incredible talent for packing cleverly worded tales of teenage angst, dreams and rebellion, encased in guitar riffs, into two minutes and 30 seconds of pop perfection.

Poetry and music were both precious in the Berry household during Chucks formative years, and among the many influences that were imbibed, consciously or otherwise, was the clear diction of Nat King Cole.

By arrangement with Dawn
The offer of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar in open court on Wednesday to be  if needed  a mediator in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya, which is a title suit, was as surprising as it was dramatic. There was also little preparation for the Chief Justices suggestion.

The Nirmohi Akhara of Ayodhya and the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) of the Sunni Waqf Board, two contending parties in the title suit with a history going back decades to a period long before the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindutva mobs in 1992, have no interest in an out-of-court settlement. Their authorised representatives had no hesitation in reiterating this when the CJIs mediation offer became known.

Mediation has an uninspiring history. Between 1989 and 2003, the governments of Rajiv Gandhi, Chandra Shekhar, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Atal Behari Vajpayee gave it a try, unsuccessfully.

Indeed, the Nirmohi Akhara has taken a maximalist stance, saying earlier that there would be any point in the mediation method if the other party surrendered its claim. As for the BMAC, it became suspicious of mediation and consensus-seeking from the time, some years ago, when it was suggested that, besides in Ayodhya, Muslims should also give up their claim to their mosques in Varanasi and Mathura which abut the famous Hindu temples in those cities. Thus, neither of the litigants sought consensus-seeking and mediation. Both desire the highest court to rule on their plea for their claim to the disputed area site, a site approximately 14,000 sq. ft. or 2.77 acres in area, where the demolished mosque had stood, which the Hindu party said was erected in the 16th century by demolishing a temple to Lord Ram in his birthplace. Ruling on a matter involving religious faith, history and mythology  and all of it topped by politics  can be the trickiest of tasks. Perhaps it was this that lay behind the offer made by the CJI. But in judicial terms, it came when Subramanian Swamy, a prominent BJP leader with a history of litigation but without being a party to the title suit, asked the Supreme Court to speedily dispose of the Ayodhya-related petitions.

The Ayodhya matter reached the nations highest court when the BMAC challenged a 2010 judgment of the Allahabad high court which gave an equal share of the disputed site to the two contesting parties and to Ram Lalla, and held that Lord Ram was born in the close proximity of the area under dispute, about which a Supreme Court bench said in May 2011 that the proposition was a leap of faith. Surprisingly, the Chief Justices offer came within days of a prominent Hindutva leader becoming Uttar Pradesh chief minister.
CM Yogis sole agenda is growth

R. Balashankar

No party that gained a massive mandate will try to fritter away the gain. To say that by electing Adityanath Yogi the BJP has abandoned its development plank is absurd. There is no contradiction between being Hindu and being development-oriented. A patriotic, clean and idealist leader is best suited to usher an era of prosperity. In electing Mr Adityanath the BJP has ensured this.

Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi mean this or something very different when on March 12 he defined the big Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand BJP victories as laying the cornerstone of a new India? Critics are out saying Mr Modi misled or people misread his words as Mr Adityanath cannot fit the bill as the usherer of a modern UP. But is this the way people in UP see the new chief minister?

It is significant that by electing Mr Adityanath the BJP has sent out a clear message. That it means business. That it will not be business as usual. UP voted for change and Mr Adityanath personifies that change.

To appreciate this one has to understand the massive mandate the BJP got. It is the highest ever for any political party in the states history. The BJP won it on the agenda of development. No emotive slogan, no backdrop of violence and no appeal on communal or caste lines. Even the most consummate critic of the BJP brand of politics has admitted this. And the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party openly fought the election appealing to voters on caste and communal lines. Their distribution of tickets, propaganda and manifesto did not make any disclaimer in this regard. Their claim was that the BJP was trying to consolidate the majority community.

The Prime Minister and party chief Amit Shah did campaign pointing out the appeasement politics of rival parties and promising Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas. And people voted en masse.

What were the issues in the poll? The first undoubtedly was the issue of safety and security for people, specially for women. The second was restoration of law and order. The re-establishment of peoples faith in the local thanas. Extortion and crime was at its peak under SP rule. There was no safety for trade and business in the state. The fourth major worry was corruption, that had become a way of life. The next major concern was the total absence of modern amenities of civic life  bijli, sadak, paani and makaan in most parts of the state.

UP did not vote or ask for a routine regime change. It had to be decisive, strong and aspirational. Critics have nothing to say against Mr Adityanath other than that he is a strong Hindu, he speaks strongly against terrorism, communal appeasement and that he wears saffron. Is there any instance of his acting against any community? Minority institutions flourish in the areas of his influence in eastern UP. Criticising terror or violence or promising safety of women cannot be termed anti-Muslim. His elevation has been hailed by Muslim institutions like that of Syed Ahmed (he owns educational institutions) by issuing full-page ads in newspapers and the media in UP have largely welcomed his selection. The BJP has played the right note by making Mr Adityanath the face of a resurgent, transforming UP.

The writer is a senior journalist and political analyst

Temple will be BJPs key focus in UP

Sandeep Dikshit

The Uttar Pradesh election was a case of Hindu consolidation for Narendra Modi. In a state that has voted along caste and community lines for a long time, the best way to defeat caste-wise divisions was the overarching identity of religion. The RSS and BJP worked on this for long; in Mr Modis image they got an ideal figure for this. The Prime Ministers strong Hindu leader image, and the folklore of development built around him cemented this consolidation.

The development folklore around Mr Modi interestingly goes on in spite of all evidence that Mr Modis efforts in Gujarat in no way accelerated development or growth in that state, and the few achievements he showcases in any case are similar to what other chief ministers in their ways have done in their states. Though here we must credit Mr Modi and his bandwagon in creating the myth of a doddering Gujarat reaching its glories only due to him, and thus the legend of his extraordinary abilities. Similarly, at the national level, ordinary public welfare programmes are projected as revolutionary, and in the stronger subtext of finally a Hindu leader, these are swallowed.

This is the tale that was spun in UP much more successfully and succinctly than in many other states. That a voting population that has had little to do with development politics, having voted out decent governments in the past, and elected crooks, castiest and communal leaders without blinking an eyelid, suddenly starts praying to a development messiah is the myth of this election.

Development has mostly been a veneer over which much else is pushed in. The formula and the strategy were clear. Communalise, and appeal on peoples communal prejudices like never before, mix it with the illusion of a glorious after-poll life, crush the government with stories on its misrule juxtaposed against the propaganda of Ram rajya, and voila  the election is all but over.

The agenda, therefore, for Adityanath Yogi, who represents the faces that led such a strategy even more forcefully than

Mr Modi, will be to make sure than this remains a poll-winning formula and the government becomes a vehicle for propagating these myths. Development, in any case, as seen by many today, with much more financial sustainability of the government will keep happening, to a lesser or larger extent. There are funds, there is a private investment-friendly PPP solution to every infrastructure challenge, many ways to a subsidy-based public provisioning system as an attractive vote-catching strategy, and now widely welcomed enclaves of prosperity for the endowed, that reward capital owning classes and act as dreams in the illusory world of development agenda in politics for others. In any case, development neither makes you win elections, nor does it make any fundamental changes in peoples psyche and social and political frameworks.

So development will happen in UP. It has happened in the past, though somewhat grudgingly. It will happen again.

But it will be the Yogi, under the glaring eye of Mr Modi, who shall decide what their Ram Mandir shall be. These are all pawns in their game, and they shall decide how and when to use such emotive issues in a mix with hyped development achievements to keep winning peoples minds and hearts. And while the minds keep getting number and dumber, the hearts will be focused on.

The writer is a national spokesman of the Congress
It is through woman that order is maintained. Then why call her inferior from whom all great ones are born, says the Guru.

In Sikhism women are considered equal to men, with same souls, sensibilities and levels of spirituality. The Sikh scriptures profess equal rights for women and in fact a higher status. Bhai Gurdas writes, A woman is the favourite in her parental home loved dearly by her father and mother. In the home of her in-laws, she is the pillar of the family, the guarantee of its good fortune... sharing in spiritual wisdom and enlightenment and with noble qualities endowed, a woman... escorts him to the door of liberation.

Woman, a doorway of awareness and salvation, is regarded as an epitome of love, wisdom and intelligence, who, because of her ability to conceive and give birth, becomes not only the creator but also the medium through which the society is maintained. No wonder, the Sikh gurus regarded marriage as an equal partnership. Guru Amar Das says, They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together, rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies.

Women are an integral part of religious activities. They perform kirtans, lead religious congregations, recite akhand-padhs and participate in all the religious as well as political activities associated with the gurdwaras. They are always present in the religious congregations, with no restrictions imposed on them. The only condition which is rather a positive one and like a fresh breath of air, is that a woman must not wear a veil. According to the Sikh code of conduct, It is not proper for a Sikh woman to wear a veil or keep her face hidden by veil or cover. In the Guru Granth Sahib, the veil is compared to suppression. False modesty that suppressed is ended. Now with veil cast off am I started on the way of devotion, states the Guru.

With the condemnation of veil is addressed another relevant issue of gazing. The Sikh Gurus emphasise that instead of women, men should be blamed for all kinds of sinful thoughts that cross their minds when they see a woman. It is clearly stated in the Granth, Vain are the eyes which behold the beauty of another wife. Guru Nanak in fact questions the mankind, why call her evil? A woman is regarded as a vessal through which all life comes to this world.

In the same vein, the Sikh gurus raised their voices against the practice of dowry. The gift given as a wedding gift should be the spiritual way of life. O my father, please give me the name of the Lord God as my wedding gift and dowry... Any other dowry, which the self-willed manmukhs offer for show, is only false egotism and a worthless display, says the Guru. Gender discrimination, of any form and nature, is not permitted and has no religious basis at all. Female infanticide has no place in Sikhism and Sikhs are prohibited to have any contact with those who indulge in it. The practice of sati was also condemned and Sikhism permitted widow-remarriages.

Women, in Sikhism, are given the status of princess with the surname Kaur. They are baptised in the same manner with the five Kakkars. With the donning of sword as one of the Khalsa symbols, she was expected to be brave and courageous who could defend herself and others. Sikh history is replete with the deeds of warrior women, with Mai Bhago Kaur being the first woman to fight on a battlefield and served as one of the bodyguards of Guru Gobind Singh.

In all the spheres of life, spiritual as well as secular, Sikh women are given equal status and have participated as equal companions.
In August 2016, at the end of the annual closed-door meeting held at the beach resort of Beidaihe, an official statement announced that Zhang Chunxian would be replaced by Chen Quanguo as party secretary of the restive Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Mr Chen was then serving as party boss in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), where he had shown his skills to pacify the restive Tibetans.

Six months after his appointment, it appears that Mr Chen is ready to use the Tibetan recipe, a good dose of repression mixed with an opening to tourism.

But what is happening in Xinjiang? 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 10 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 destabilising. 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. Is it not sounding like the return of the Cultural Revolution? The situation is undoubtedly serious in the Western Dominion, as Xinjiang was historically known. On March 11, a rare event took place in Beijing: the seven members of the Politburos Standing Committee led by President Xi Jinping dined together. According to Xinhua, they attended a gathering on the sidelines of the annual sessions of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and

the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People. The seven big bosses met with the deputies of the ethnic minorities elected to the NPC and the CPPCC.

Is it an indication that something is boiling in Tibetan, Uyghur and other minorities areas of China? Xinhua said that Mr Xi and his colleagues arrived at the banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People at 7.45 pm to the enthusiastic applause from lawmakers and political advisers in ethnic costumes. According to the news agency, Mr Xi sat next to a Tibetan delegate; the President was pleased to learn about improved life in her village, where big changes in education, medical services, elderly care and housing have taken place. The other leaders had cordial conversations with the lawmakers and advisers, encouraging them to contribute to the Chinese nations rejuvenation, commented Xinhua. But the fact is that today the Middle Kingdoms periphery is 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!

Another indication of Beijings uneasiness has been recently reported by RFA: Authorities in north-western Chinas Xinjiang region are offering hefty sums of cash to would-be tipsters on terrorist activities.

RFAs Uyghur service quoted an official announcement issued by the regional authorities on February 23: the Hotan Prefecture government had set aside 100 million yuan ($14.5 million) to reward residents reporting suspicious acts after a knife attack in Pishan.

The announcement says: Our region will create an anti-terror defence front composing every 10 families as a unit, and an anti-terror reward fund in order to encourage the masses to actively provide tips related to terrorism. The authorities guaranteed the anonymity of the informants and promised to secretly transfer rewards to their bank accounts. People are encouraged to report on double-faced cadres, party members or double-faced religious clergy. Added to this, all cars in the region will need to be fitted with a GPS system, directly connected to the governments servers.

It should be noted that the most restive areas are located close to the Indian border north of the Aksai Chin; recent large military parades in Hotan and Kashgar were synchronised with the one in the capital, Urumqi.

At a time when Beijing has decided to demobilise several group armies (corps), the XUAR is recruiting. The Jamestown Foundation noted that the party has built a multi-tiered security state with, among other components, the recruitment of nearly 90,000 new police officers and a 356 per cent increase in the public security budget.

It described the hardening of the repression in four stages: response to the 2009 Urumqi riots; expanded policing and surveillance in the south; grid-style community policing and big data surveillance and, finally, in 2016, convenience police stations and the massive expansion of surveillance manpower.

The latest is the most deadly development: A total of 31,687 security-related positions were advertised, more than a threefold increase over the previous year. This unprecedented recruitment drive sought to boost the party-states surveillance capabilities across all regions of Xinjiang, as only 35 per cent of advertised positions were designated for regions with a Uyghur population of 40 per cent or higher. The local media have praised these convenience police stations as bringing zero-distance service to the people of Xinjiang.

And tourism will be the ultimate weapon like in Tibet.

Last week, Xinhua announced that the XUAR will train 1.2 million rural residents by 2020 as part of a new wave of infrastructure spending.

Why so much infrastructure? Apart from the fact that all infrastructure developments in China have a dual use, military and civilian, Mr Chen plans to develop tourism, as he did in Tibet, which last year saw 23 million visitors.

According to the Global Times: Xinjiangs fixed asset investment will surpass 1.5 trillion yuan (around $217 billion) in 2017, up more than 50 per cent year on year.

The mouthpiece of the party speaks of a training programme to meet labour demand in various projects, mainly in infrastructure sectors such as transport, water conservancy, energy and telecommunication.

The new trainees will mainly be used in the tourism sector. In other words, the same formula as in Tibet: tourism = infrastructure = wealth = stability.

During the recent NPC session, some 25 proposals were submitted by the Tibet delegation; it included infrastructure construction projects such as railways, highways, water conservancy, electric power, ecological zones and logistics parks. Similar schemes will be taken up in Xinjiang.

Millions of Han tourists will soon visit the Western Dominion, before that, some minimum level of security needs to be insured by the authorities to reassure the tourists. The Han tourists are not a very brave lot; they stopped en masse coming to France after the terror attacks last year. It is a tricky job for Mr Chen.
Experts say that sending people to live on the Red Planet, which lies on average some 225 million km away from Earth, will take immense amounts of technological advances and cash

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a law that said manned missions to deep space, including to Mars, would be the US space agency's main goal in the decades to come.

According to the text -- adopted by a rare unanimous vote in the Senate and House of Representatives -- NASA will work toward the goal of "a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s."

The law also highlights the importance of the deep space capsule Orion, which is under development and aims to carry humans further into space than any spaceship ever has.

Orion will be launched atop the "Space Launch System" (SLS), which the space agency has described as the most powerful rocket ever built.

NASA "shall continue the development of the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond over the course of the next century," said the text.

This law reaffirms "our national commitment to the core mission of NASA," Trump said, signing the text in the presence of numerous elected officials including former Republican rivals, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

He saluted the "heroic role" of US astronauts over the last several decades, and called for continued partnerships between NASA and the private sector in the realm of space exploration.

Trump later wrote on Twitter that he was "honored" to sign the measure. "With this legislation, we support @NASA's scientists, engineers, and astronauts in their pursuit of discovery!" he wrote.

Former president Barack Obama also hailed these industry-government partnerships, and said in October, just months before leaving office, that the United States had "set a clear goal vital to the next chapter of America's story in space: sending humans to Mars by the 2030s and returning them safely to Earth."

Experts say that sending people to live on the Red Planet, which lies on average some 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) away from Earth, will take immense amounts of technological advances and cash.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
A smart safety jacket for BSF personnel that senses imminent attacks on the wearer and communicates the enemy's location in real time has won first prize at a two-day hackathon for product start-ups developing smart solutions for everyday problems.

The prototype safety jacket was developed by Ajay Sangwan, Rohit T and Vivek Jose from Kochis Maker Village electronics incubator under their 'Quick response eco-systems for Border Security Forces' project.

Besides the jacket, the team also developed an IT-enabled hardware device which can be installed along the borders to detect human presence and alert the control room.

According to the developers, the device has passive infrared sensors to measure thermal radiations, which help distinguish between human and other presence. The two-day 'Hack2help' event was jointly hosted by the US Consulate General Chennai and Learning Links Foundation, with support of Kerala Start up Mission, Maker Village and Science Society of India, a release said here today.

The hackathon, held at the Kerala Technology Innovation Zone, drew participation from 120 students (30 teams) from colleges across Kerala.

A group of students from School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology won the second prize for coming up with technology solution to address the problem of dirty public toilets in India.

Samir Dayal Singh, Mayank Raj, Abhinav Gautam and Shantanu Garg were the team members.

Jithin M S, Govindan Nampoothiri, Jobin Joseph and Clinz Stephen of Saintgits College of Engineering bagged third prize for developing a web portal that helps farmers sell their products direct to the end customer.

Sivaprasad K, Arshad M P,Manikandan Vijayan and Gokuladas V R of College of Engineering, Cherthala won fourth prize for their 'Augmented Reality-based' dissection tool for learning that eliminates the need for lab dissection of animals.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Making overseas voice calls is an expensive affair. So, if your friend or family member is abroad, it makes sense to go with a good VoIP service. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) transmits voice and multimedia content over Internet. Compared to conventional voice calls, VoIP is a cheaper and effective alternative.

Considering the huge potential, the app repositories are filled with such VoIP apps. Worry not though as we have hand-picked best apps from the lot. You can ask your family, friends or colleagues to install the same app as yours to enjoy unlimited calls, video calls, messages and chats. Apart from these basic functionalities, these apps also provide the liberty to call landlines and phone numbers across the globe at dirt cheap rates. Some apps also provide monthly country specific packages for as low as 10$ for unlimited duration of calls and video calls. You can buy these packages easily with credit/debit card or mobile banking options. Some of these apps let you earn free credits by performing some easy tasks.

Do keep in mind that VoIP programmes require a reliable internet connection. Ideally, you should use it over Wi-Fi unless you have unlimited data plan on mobile.

WhatsCall

WhatsCall VoIP app by Cheetah Mobile Cloud is currently the best rated app on the Android app store with over 10 million downloads. It offers free international calls, chats and messages to your WhatsCall contacts, friends, family or colleagues. Its messenger service allows you to send photos, text and voice messages to your WhatsCall contacts. The app is very easy to setup and once done all you require is an internet, Wi-Fi or LTE connection to make use of its services.

WhatsCall enables you to call international landline and phone numbers directly from the app through credits. First time users can avail up to 1000 credits upon joining which can get you up to 30 minutes of free call time based on the country specific call rate chart of the app. For example, calling top destination countries would cost you India- 170 credits/min, Saudi Arabia- 1150 credit/min, United States- 120 credits/min, Malaysia- 330 credits/min etc. You can earn daily credits per day via the various in-app tasks, treasure hunts and play games to enjoy seamless calls. The app integrates your contact list to facilitate good functionality and calling experience. The call quality at both ends was exceptionally good to say the least.

Primo

Unlike WhatsCall, Primo follows a more straightforward approach. The app provides free calling and messaging to over 60 countries. Adding friends and family to your Primo contacts is fairly easy. The service allows you to avail video chatting, messaging as well as file sharing with ease.

Primo offers 30 minutes of free trial credits for first time users to experience the calling feature and its capabilities. You can either pay-per-minute with primo's low calling rates or can avail monthly packages ranging from $4.99 to $9.99, which enables you to call landline and phone numbers directly without much fuss and is pretty cost-effective. Call connections are established fairly quickly and were stable for most of the times with good call quality. Primo also offer free credits which can be availed by inviting your friends and entering you profile credentials like email address, birthday, profile photo and gender.

Skype

Skype from Microsoft requires no introduction as it is the most widely used Internet calling app with over 500 million downloads. Skype offers instant messaging and cheap international calling packages. Skype is available for use on smartphones, tablets, and Mac platforms. You can stay connected with your family, friends, and colleagues from all over the world and also allows you to perform group chats and video calls. Skype is also widely accepted in the corporate world for its seamless group calls, video calls, and conference abilities. Skype messenger service can be used to share photos, videos, locations and one can also add emoticons and emojis to chat.

Skype can be signed in with your Microsoft account or phone number. It is easy to setup with just a couple of steps and you are set. Skype offers free trial month credits for new users which can be used to call landlines and phone numbers across the globe. Later one can either opt for credits from the Skype store or buy monthly calling subscriptions. For instance, North America Unlimited pack would cost you Rs.475/month and a World unlimited for Rs 925/month. You can also send credits or buy subscriptions for other via the app.

TalkU Free Calls

TalkU lets you make free and cheap phone calls to any landline or mobile number over Internet. The app lets you earn credit by downloading sponsored apps and games. Those who don't wish to waste their time can purchase credits using credit-debit card.

Calls to hot destinations such as United States are as cheap as 0.9 cents per min. For Pakistan, it is 4.9 cents/min. Calls to Africa and Middle East cost to the tune of 6 cents per minute. TalkU offers free visual voicemail. You can block unwanted calls, and even forward calls to any phone number. You can place conference calls with up to eight participants. There's even an option to record the conversation.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article is soley those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Deccan Chronicle and/or other staff and contributors to this site. Ajinkya is a tech aficionado. Though he mostly writes about gadgets, he prefers things that guzzle gasoline more than those running on lithium-ion batteries. He is a content guy at Couponraja.in

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Nilesh Kumar Patel, 42, and Harshad Mehta, 67, were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to illegally transport foreign nationals into the US via commercial airline flights, Acting US Attorney William E Fitzpatrick said.

Washington: Two Indians have been sentenced to 17 months in prison by a federal court for their roles in smuggling foreign nationals into the US, the Department of Justice has said.

Nilesh Kumar Patel, 42, and Harshad Mehta, 67, were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to illegally transport foreign nationals into the US via commercial airline flights, Acting US Attorney William E Fitzpatrick said.

They had pleaded guilty to the charges in January. Judge Martini imposed the sentences yesterday in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Patel and Mehta admitted that from June 2013 through October 2015, they conspired to make money by recruiting Indian nationals to enter and reside in the US illegally.

They admitted that on July 24, 2014, they brought two Indian nationals to Bangkok, so that they could be transported into the US.

They also admitted paying an individual who was actually an undercover officer to transport the foreign nationals from Thailand into Newark.

The two have also been sentenced to three years of supervised release.
The meeting will be hosted by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Foreign ministers from 68 countries meet in Washington on Wednesday to agree on the next steps to defeat Islamic State, the first such gathering of the US-led military coalition since the election of President Donald Trump in November.

The meeting will be hosted by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson. Trump has vowed to make the fight against Islamic State a priority and directed the Pentagon and other agencies in January to submit a plan for defeating the militant group.

The militants have been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, with three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, advancing on the groups Syrian stronghold of Raqqa.

The meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from Islamic State last year and liberated eastern Mosul.

While the jihadist group is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Iraqi forces, it has been using suicide car bombs and snipers to defend its remaining strongholds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who met with Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more US support in the war against Islamic State.

A White House statement after the meeting said both Trump and Abadi agreed that terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone, and the two leaders called for deepening commercial ties.

Discussions on Wednesday will also focus on how to help Mosul rebuild and ways to tackle Islamic State operations in Libya and elsewhere.

In Syria, the US-led coalition has been working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Its current focus is to encircle and ultimately recapture Raqqa - Islamic States base of operations in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran, has said he saw scope for cooperation with Trump, although he has dismissed the US-backed military campaign against Islamic State in Syria as only a few raids.
United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats. (Representational image)

Paris: The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats.

Why this measure now?

Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism said.

"Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives."

The new measures "will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups -- in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices," he added.

Has this happened before?

After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said.

"The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery's housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams," he said.

Why Arab countries and Turkey?

"The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities," said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world.

Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added.

Why laptops and tablets?

"These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives," said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security.

By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added.

How can explosives be detected at security inspections?

If airport security has any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector -- a small wipe -- to check for any explosives, Caron said.

If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said.

How can they monitor checked baggage?

In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags.

If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check.

"Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat," Caron said.

"The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine," which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added.

What consequences for travellers?

Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. "Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don't want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It's going to be complicated to manage."
Rex Tillerson made the comments at the start of a Washington summit for coalition members. (Photo: File)

Washington: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday that Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will inevitably be killed as coalition and local forces continue to pile pressure on the jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

"Nearly all of Abu Bakr Baghdadi's deputies are now dead, including the mastermind behind the attacks in Brussels, Paris and elsewhere," Tillerson said at the start of a Washington summit for coalition members.

"It is only a matter of time before Baghdadi himself meets this same fate."
Sao Paulo: President Michel Temer called Brazil's scandal over the sale of expired meat an embarrassment Tuesday as more countries suspended some meat imports from the South American nation.

On Tuesday, Hong Kong, Japan and Mexico announced that they were halting at least some Brazilian meat imports. They joined the European Union, China and Chile, dealing a major blow to the struggling economy of a country that is among the world's largest exporters of meat.

Temer sought to play down the scandal, calling it a "fuss" and noting that only three of the more than 4,000 meatpacking plants in Brazil had been forced to close. But he acknowledged the case has caused "an economic embarrassment for the country."

Brazilian investigators charge that health inspectors were bribed to overlook the sale of expired meats. Police also allege that the appearance and smell of expired meats was improved by using chemicals and cheaper products like water and manioc flour.

Brazil's trade associations for beef, pork and poultry producers warned that the scandal could have a big effect on employment and the economy because the sector's exports represent 15 percent of total exports.

Beyond that, cattle-raising is an integral part of Brazil's culture, Sunday barbecues are a weekly rite, and country music from the grasslands is popular throughout Brazil.

Gilberto Braga, a finance professor at Ibmec University in Rio de Janeiro, said the news might also feed an image of Brazil as a country where corruption is rampant. Separate from the meat scandal, police and prosecutors are currently investigating massive corruption at the state oil company that has implicated dozens of executives and politicians.

"First there is an impact on the image and credibility, which affects not only the protein producing sector, and that refers to beef, chicken, but is also a blow to the country's image, as an organized and serious country," said Braga.

"It is a country that has in the last few years lived through matters of corruption involving authorities and state companies, and now the inspection is being suspected (of corruption)."

So far, Brazil's government has barred the exports of meats from 21 plants being investigated, but that has not fully allayed concerns of the countries it exports to. Sales for internal consumption in Brazil are not affected.

On Tuesday, there was a new cascade of new suspensions. Japan said it would halt the import of Brazilian poultry as well as all other products from the meatpacking companies under investigation, according to a statement on the Japanese Embassy's website.

Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety said that it would temporarily suspend imports of frozen and chilled meat and poultry. Finally, Mexico's Food Health Board announced it was suspending imports of Brazilian chicken and turkey meat. It said Mexico doesn't buy beef or pork from Brazil.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement that it had instituted testing of all Brazilian shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products for pathogens and had increased the examination of those imports.

Brazil did get a small reprieve on Tuesday, when South Korea decided to lift a ban it had put in place on chicken products from BRF, one of the companies involved in the scandal. It said it will continue to strengthen inspections on Brazilian imports, however.

Despite the about-face, supermarket chains in South Korea were pulling Brazilian chicken products from the shelves Tuesday.

Previously, the European Union had temporarily barred the companies involved in the scandal from shipping to the EU, and Chile had announced a temporary suspension of Brazilian meat imports. China is preventing Brazilian meat from being unloaded in its ports.

On Friday, police issued 38 arrest warrants related to the probe, naming several companies including giant meatpackers JBS and BRF. Both have denied wrongdoing.
According to experts, about 50 flights a day, all on foreign airlines, would be affected by the US ban. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: A US and UK ban on carrying electronic gadgets in aircraft cabins of flights originating from 10 airports appears to have influenced by business considerations than terrorism concerns. The lure of Indian aviation market also, it appears, played a key role in this decision.

The US ban applies to nonstop US-bound flights from 10 international airports in Amman in Jordan, Kuwait City in Kuwait, Cairo in Egypt, Istanbul in Turkey, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Casablanca in Morocco; Doha in Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The British rules apply to flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. According to experts, about 50 flights a day, all on foreign airlines, would be affected by the US ban.

While the US ban applies to 10 airports, the impact would be severe on three or four airlines  Emirates, Eithad, Qatar Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Though the US Transportation Security Administration, which issued the order, claims that the ban was imposed due to security concerns, aviation experts doubt the claim.

Carrying of lithium batteries either in the aircraft cabin baggage or in the planes cargo would be pose the same security threat. In fact, UPS 747 freighter crashed in Dubai after lithium batteries cargo caught fire in 2010.

All this boils down to protecting business interests, said an analyst, who works with one of three big consultancy firms. At the heart of this issue is the growing marketshare of three Gulf airlines in the US-bound traffic.

Emirates, Eithad Airways and Qatar Airways managed this feat by offering cheaper airtickets, but the big three of US aviation  American Airlines Inc, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines  accuse them of using government subsidies to capture the market.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have provided $42 billion worth subsidies to their airlines  Emirates, Etihad Airways PJSC and Qatar Airways, the US airlines claimed in their representation to the Obama administration, adding that these Gulf-based airlines must be reined in. US President Barack Obama, however, did nothing on this issue.

The fight for the Indian market also played a key role in this ban. Being the fastest growing major economy in the world, the sixth largest in the world, and having one of big expat population in the US, India is a key market for the United States.

Of the entire in-bound foreign airline traffic, the Indian traffic makes up nearly one-fourth of it. Most Indians flying to the US east coast prefer the Gulf route as they could change over to the cheaper but yet most modern aircraft operated by the Big 3 Gulf airlines.

In fact, one of reasons that made Eithad Airways acquire Jet Airways was its plan to capture a bigger pie of the lucrative Indian US-bound traffic. According to the American airlines, the market share of Gulf carriers in the US-Indian traffic has more than tripled whereas US carriers lost their share drastically.

Put together the Gulf airlines operate more international flights out of India than national carrier Air India Ltd. They further plan to increase their capacity to serve the India-US route.

The ban, however, appears to changed the dynamics of the aviation market. With electronic devices have become inalienable part of air traveller, they could be hesitant to carry their devices, which may carry important data, as checked luggage due to the fears of damage or theft.

The ban will hit business class travellers the most as they wouldnt like to make use of their travel time also productively. According to Amber Dubey, partner and head of aerospace, KPMG, Some long haul corporate travellers from India may to Indian, US and European carriers. There may be a rise in fares, especially of business class.

However, he feels the Gulf airlines may fight back. They may try to woo passengers back with discounts and goodies. They may also try to provide airline-owned and US-approved laptops to passengers for the duration of the flight, he said.
Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Geneva: North Korea has nothing to fear from any U.S. move to broaden sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and will pursue "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programmes, a North Korean envoy told Reuters on Tuesday.

This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the North Korean mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Reuters, quoting a senior U.S. official in Washington, reported on Monday that the Trump administration is considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.

"I think this is stemming from the visit by the Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson) to Japan, South Korea and China...We of course are not afraid of any act like that," Choe told Reuters.

"Even prohibition of the international transactions system, the global financial system, this kind of thing is part of their system that will not frighten us or make any difference." He called existing sanctions "heinous and inhumane".

North Korea has been under sanctions for "half a century" but the communist state survives by placing an emphasis on juche or "self-sufficiency", he said. His country wants a forum set up to examine the "legality and legitimacy of the sanctions regime".

He denounced joint annual military exercises currently being carried out by the United States and South Korea on the divided peninsula and criticised remarks by Tillerson during his talks with regional allies last week.

"All he was talking about is for the United States to take military actions on DPRK," Choe said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea rejects claims by Washington and Seoul that the military drills are defensive. They involve strategic nuclear bombers and a nuclear submarine, Columbus, that recently entered South Korean ports, he said.

"In the light of such huge military forces involved in the joint military exercises, we have no other choice but to continue with our full acceleration of the nuclear programmes and missile programmes. It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea."

"We strengthen our national defence capability as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centrepiece," Choe said.

Asked to comment on Choe's remarks, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, called on North Korea "to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric...and to make the strategic choice to fulfil its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.

Choe declined to give technical details of North Korea's latest rocket engine test on Sunday - seen as a possible prelude to a partial ICBM flight - calling it a great historical event that would lead to "fruitful outcomes".

"I can tell you for sure that the inter-continental ballistic rockets of the DPRK will be launched at any time and at any place as decided by our Supreme Leadership," Choe said, recalling leader Kim Jong Un's pledge in a New Year's address.

Analysts say North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an ICBM and may show it off soon, but is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States.

"The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea," Choe said. "And we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks on the part of the United States.

"We would utilise every possible means in our hands and the inter-continental ballistic rocket is one of them."
Gunasegaran confessed in 2013 to the killing of a woman Soh San, whose body was found riddled with stab wounds. (Representational image)

Singapore: A 32-year-old Indian-origin man was on Monday sentenced to 10 years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for murdering a woman 16 years ago during an attempt to rob her at knife-point in a lift.

Gunasegaran Ramasamy was sentenced to the maximum 10 years jail and 12 strokes of the cane for robbery with hurt by a district court. The sentence was backdated to November 18, 2013.

The 2001 case had remained unsolved for more than a decade.

Gunasegaran confessed in 2013 to the killing of a woman Soh San, whose body was found riddled with stab wounds. He pleaded guilty to one count of causing hurt while committing robbery and one count of consuming methamphetamine.

A district court heard that on October 2, 2001, Gunasegarans sister asked him to to buy some instant noodles at a shop near her block at Bukit Batok Street 21 but Gunasegaran decided he would rob someone. He armed himself with a 26cm-long kitchen knife and walked around the neighbourhood in search of a victim, the Channel News Asia reported.

He spotted Soh, 28, between 8pm and 9pm near his block. He followed her into the lift, pulled out the knife and demanded money. She refused to give it. Gunasegaran stabbed her repeatedly until she collapsed onto him.

Gunasegaran fled the scene after the incident. He spent the next decade in and out of prison for being involved in many cases, including housebreaking, robbery and assault.

On November 17, 2013, having been plagued by guilt for 12 years, he walked into a police station and confessed to the murder.

Methamphetamine was found in urine samples collected after his arrest. An autopsy showed Soh was stabbed nine times and died from wounds to her chest and abdomen, the newspaper reported.

Lawyer Ng Shi Yang, who defended Gunasegaran under the legal aid scheme, said the man has been plagued by his conscience and the crime was a robbery gone awry.

The lawyer pointed out that had Gunasegaran not confessed to the crime, Sohs killing would have remained a cold case.

Gunasegaran is remorseful, and hopes his confession and plea of guilt will give (Sohs) family a real prospect of closure and healing, Ng said.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in September 2015 that the 12,000 refugees would be resettled as quickly as possible. (Photo: AFP/Representational Image)

Canberra: Australia is close to resettling the 12,000 refugees from the war in Syria and Iraq it promised to urgently take more than a year ago, an official said Wednesday.

All 12,000 have been issued visas and more than 10,000 have already been brought from Middle Eastern refugee camps to Australia, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement. The remainder will be resettled in the coming months, he said.

The refugees are in addition to the 13,750 refugees that Australia accepts each year. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in September 2015 that the 12,000 refugees would be resettled as quickly as possible. He was replaced by Malcolm Turnbull, the current prime minister, less than a week later.

Peter Shergold, coordinator-general for refugee resettlement in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, said careful screening would hold up the resettlement process.

Some conservative government lawmakers had urged the Cabinet to rethink the commitment because of the threat that extremists among the Syrian refugees might pose in Australia.

Turnbull told President Barack Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia, which has a population of 24 million, would increase its annual refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 places from mid-2018.

Australia also agreed to accept an unspecified number of Hondurans and Salvadorans from a U.S.-led program to resettle refugees currently in a camp in Costa Rica.

Obama then agreed to accept up to 1,250 refugees rejected by Australia because they attempted to arrive by boat. Australia pays Papua New Guinea and Nauru to keep more than 2,000 asylum seekers in island camps as a deterrent to boat arrivals. President Donald Trump has agreed to honor the deal, although he described it as "dumb."
Police secure the area on the south side of Westminster Bridge close to the Houses of Parliament in London. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: India on Wednesday condemned the terror strike in Westminster near the UK Parliament, saying there is no place for terrorism in democracies and civilised societies.

"India strongly condemns Westminster terrorist incident & condoles loss of life. No place in democracies & civilised societies for terrorism (sic)," Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Gopal Baglay tweeted.

A British police officer was Wednesday stabbed and his attacker shot dead near the British Parliament complex, in what Scotland Yard are describing as a "terrorist incident".

In a related incident, a woman was killed when a speeding grey Hyundai i40 mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge nearby before ramming into the iron railings on the side of the Palace of Westminster - which houses the House of Commons and Lords as well as the iconic Big Ben.

Indian High Commission in the UK said: "Any Indians injured during the Westminster incident may reach Public Response Unit of HCI ASAP.
London: Martin McGuinness, a one-time Irish Republican Army commander who later helped negotiate an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, has died aged 66.

His Sinn Fein party, which opposes British rule in Northern Ireland and was long considered the political arm of the IRA, announced the death in a statement on Tuesday, expressing "deep regret".

The BBC said McGuinness, who trained to be a butcher in his native Derry and went on to play a central behind-the-scenes role in an historic 1998 peace deal, had died of a rare heart condition.

"While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the Republican movement away from violence," Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement.

"In doing so, he made an essential contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace," she said.

The violence in Northern Ireland killed around 3,500 people. Colin Parry, whose 12-year-old son Tim died in an IRA bomb in the English town of Warrington in 1993, told BBC radio that he could not forgive McGuinness but paid tribute to his "desire for peace".

McGuinness was "a brave man, who put himself at some risk" from more hardline republicans, Parry said.

But British lawmaker Norman Tebbit, whose wife Margaret was paralysed in the IRA's 1984 Brighton Hotel bombing, said the world was "a sweeter and cleaner place now" without McGuinness.

"He was not only a multi-murderer, he was a coward," he said, adding that McGuinness only became a peacemaker to "save his own skin".

Julie Hambleton, the sister of one of the 21 victims of two IRA bombs in pubs in Birmingham in central England in 1974, said McGuinness had been "selective with the truth" about his time in the IRA.

"With him the truth has died," said Hambleton, who is still campaigning for the perpetrators of the pub bombings to be brought to justice.

McGuinness had resigned from politics in January, citing a serious illness and a breakdown in relations with the rival Democratic Unionist Party.

Sinn Fein refused to appoint a replacement due to the row with the pro-British DUP, triggering local elections this month in which it made major gains.

The two parties are currently deadlocked, meaning that the British government could impose direct rule of Northern Ireland from London within weeks.

Ten years ago in May McGuinness had made history by entering government with his once bitter foe, Ian Paisley of the DUP.

The decision to share power was a key part of the peace process in Northern Ireland. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, one of the architects of the 1998 peace deal, said he would not have been able to do it without McGuinness.

"For those of us able finally to bring about the Northern Ireland peace agreement, we know we could never have done it without Martin's leadership, courage and quiet insistence that the past should not define the future," Blair said in a statement.

McGuinness was a commander in the IRA paramilitary group that fought for the province to leave Britain and join the Republic of Ireland to the south.

In a memorable gesture that would once have been unimaginable, he shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Belfast in 2012. McGuinness was born in 1950 in Derry, on the province's northern coast, and grew up in the city when it was riven by sectarian bloodshed.

He became involved in the civil rights movement as a teenager and rapidly rose through the ranks of the IRA. He was second in command at the time of Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed republican protesters in Derry, killing 13 of them.

He served prison time for IRA-related activities. McGuinness later became Northern Ireland's deputy first minister in 2007 working alongside Paisley.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams called his former colleague a "passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country".

He ended his statement with an Irish quote which translates as: "A faithful soul among the heroes of Ireland".
The 31-year-old Daniel Rotrius face got disfigured due to the acid burns and lost his eye sight (Photo: Youtube)

Leicester: A 51-year-old woman was jailed for trying to kill her live-in partner while he was asleep by pouring a concentrated sulphuric acid on his face.

The 31-year-old Daniel Rotrius face got disfigured due to the acid burns and lost his eye sight, reported Daily Mail.

Katie Leong and Daniel Rotariu were in live-in relationship when former attacked the latter.

The court heard that the acid was ordered online by Katies former boyfriend Mark Cummings who has also been accused for attempt to murder.

Though the acid was provided by Mark, the attack was solely driven and orchestrated by Katie, as the court found her guilty.

The Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday awarded Katie with an imprisonment of at least 17 years.

While the case was under trail in the court, the prosecution Angela Clark said, The evidence revealed a picture of her fascination with attacking someone using acid, including her possession of a book written by an acid attack survivor.

Clark said, We had scientific evidence that she was present when the acid was used, including traces of the acid on her clothing.

Meanwhile, the evidence of forensic medical reports confirms that the acid was poured for about six seconds, and that a smaller dose of acid could have been fatal.

Similarly, all those evidence submitted in court clearly indicates that she had planned and implemented the attack fully intending to kill, Clark noted.

She further added that the attack had a devastating effect on the victim, who is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.
A screengrab from the video posted on Twitter shows three-year-old Estella Westrick stealing the popes skullcap. (Photo: Via web)

Rome: Three-year-old Estella Westrick met the pope during her first afternoon in Rome. And she stole his skullcap.

The video of the incident was posted on Twitter by the girls godfather Mountain Butorac.

Footage shows a Vatican aide, known as a Papal Gentleman, lifting Estella to meet the Pope. As the Pope plants a kiss on Estella, she reaches for his zucchetto and plucks it off his head.

Right before she went up she was a little nervous, Mr Butorac told CNN. Then she stole his hat. It was hilarious, everyone was laughing including the Pope.

Estella is visiting her godfather with her parents from Atlanta.

Its her first full day in Rome, who knows what she will get up to tomorrow, Mr Butorac joked.
An anonymous letter claimed that Scotland Yard worked with Indian police, who in turn used hackers to illegally obtain email passwords.

London: Scotland Yard is facing allegations of using hackers in India to illegally spy on email accounts of British journalists, environmental campaigners and activists, an anonymous letter to the UKs policing watchdog has claimed.

A letter believed to be from a whistleblower alleges that a secretive unit at the Metropolitan Police used contacts in the Indian police to obtain passwords and monitored targets for several years.

The UKs Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an investigation after the letter containing passwords for email accounts belonging to four Greenpeace campaigners as well as journalists and photographers was sent to Baroness Jenny Jones, former leader of the Green Party.

For a number of years the unit had been illegally accessing the email accounts of activists. This has largely been accomplished because of the contact that one of the officers had developed with counterparts in India who in turn were using hackers to obtain email passwords, an extract of the letter published in The Guardian reads.

The newspaper, which employs two of the reporters named in the letter, has confirmed that most of the passwords were correct.
ELKO  Weaver Shelia French is the Artist of the Month in the gift shop at the Northeastern Nevada Museum.

Frenchs handwoven clothing including aprons, scarfs and sweaters are made on her loom in her home in Wells.

Its really fun, said French, who was inspired to weave when she read a book about the craft meant for her grandmother.

When my grandmother visited, she was so amazed at what I retained, French remembered.

With her grandmothers help, French eventually persuaded her parents to buy her a loom and learned how to weave during summers on Cape Cod with her grandparents.

Today, French and her husband live in Wells where she works as a registrar at Wells High School. On the weekends, she works on several projects at a time.

Some pieces take longer to weave than others, explained French.

A 75-inch-long by 16-inch-wide piece took five and a half hours, while a 30-inch piece took 2 and a half hours.

Her work is made with natural fibers: cotton, linen, silk and bamboo.

In addition to selling her work for the past 15 years, French said she has taught weaving and helped others with projects, as many do not have their own looms.

French is looking forward to the day she can take her work to the next level.

Id like to go to weaving school, said French, who is also planning to attend the Handweavers Guild of Americas 2018 Convergence in Reno.

To learn more about her clothing or weaving, email French at sheilamoffitt@yahoo.com.

The Northeastern Nevada Museum is located at 1515 Idaho St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays For more information, call 738-3418 or email giftshop@museumelko.org.
At least three people were killed and 20 injured in the attack outside parliament when a man mowed down pedestrians with a car then stabbed a police officer outside parliament before being shot dead.

London: World leaders unanimously condemned the attack in the heart of London by a man who was shot dead by armed police, with many saying they stand with Britain.

At least four people were killed and more than 40 injured in the attack outside parliament Wednesday when a man mowed down pedestrians with a car then leapt out and stabbed a police officer.

In an address outside her Downing Street office, Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as "sick and depraved" saying the assailant chose the site as an assault on Britain's democratic values.

Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood "firmly and resolutely alongside Britons in the struggle against all forms of terrorism" while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier added: "In these grave moments, we Germans feel very close to the British people."

France

President Francois Hollande sent a message of "solidarity" and "support to the British people" saying France could identify with their pain after the attack, in which three French high school students were also wounded.

"France, which has been hit so hard in recent times, knows what the British people are suffering today," he said. And Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve tweeted: "Solidarity with our British friends, horribly attacked, full support for the injured French students, their families and their friends."

United States

The White House condemned the attack and pledged "the full support of the US government in responding to the attack and bringing those to justice who are responsible," spokesman Sean Spicer said at a briefing.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families. Canadians remain united with the people of the UK. "

European Union

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the attack left him "highly emotional". In Brussels to commemorate the one-year anniversary of attacks on the main airport and a metro station, Juncker said "the fact that exactly on the same day something similar happened in London, and to London, is really putting me in the situation of someone who does not have... enough words to express how I am deeply feeling."

European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: "My thoughts are with the victims of the Westminster attack. Europe stands firm with the UK against terror and ready to help".

Russia

Speaking on Russian television, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sent Moscow's "condolences" and said Russia felt Britain's pain. "We consider it an evil to which it is necessary to fight collectively. In this moment, as always, our hearts are with Britons and we share their pain".

The Netherlands

Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Dutch television he was shocked by the "horrific" news and said: "The city is in our hearts. We are following the situation closely, and are in contact with the British authorities."

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who observed a moment of silence at the start of a meeting with Social Democratic lawmakers, expressed his "condolences" and said: "Italy and the United Kingdom remain side-by-side in our condemnation and firm response to all forms of terrorism".

Belgium

"Our condolences are with those who mourn and all who are affected in London," Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted. "Belgium stands with U.K. in fight against terror."

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised that "Turkey feels and shares deeply in the United Kingdom's pain" and that it stood in "solidarity" with Britain "in the fight against terrorism".

Erdogan had earlier warned Europeans in a speech on Wednesday that "no European, no Westerner will be able to take steps on the street safely and peacefully," as a crisis between Ankara and the EU showed no signs of abating.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called terrorism "a global catastrophe" on Turkish television, adding: "All countries should come together on the terror issue and fight together against" it.

Greece

"We express our solidarity with the British people on today's indiscriminate attack," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tweeted: "Spain stands with the British people. I condemn the attack in the vicinity of Westminster, London. Solidarity with the victims."

Portugal

"This attack clearly shows the priorities on which Europe must concentrate. It's only when we are united that we have the capacity to face these threats," said Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the assault was an attack on "freedom and democracy everywhere".

"But we will never, ever let the terrorists win. We will defeat and destroy them on the battlefield, we will defeat and defy them at home," he said. "We will never change the way we live. We will never let them divide us."

Qatar

Qatar stressed its rejection of violence "in all its forms" and its support for the UK government "in all the measures it takes to maintain the country's security."

Venezuela

Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro expressed "full support for the people of London and our absolute rejection of all forms of terrorism." "Enough terrorism, enough war, enough violence. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and support the victims and their families," he said in televised comments.
Mogadishu: A car bomb exploded Tuesday at a military checkpoint near Somalia's presidential palace in the capital, killing at least six people, the spokesman for Mogadishu's mayor said.

The dead included a soldier and five civilians, Abdifitah Halane said. Another dozen people were injured. The blast was detonated after soldiers tried to stop the car and the bomber tried to speed through the checkpoint, police Capt. Mohamed Hussein said.

The checkpoint is one of several that motorists must go through before reaching the heavily guarded presidential palace, which has seen previous attacks by the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.

The group later claimed responsibility for the blast via its radio arm, Andalus.

The blast came a few hours after Somalia's new prime minister unveiled a 26-member cabinet, the latest step as the fragile central government tries to further assert itself beyond the capital.

The threat of al-Shabab attacks is a major challenge for the country's new Somali-American president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who has vowed to make security a priority in this Horn of Africa nation.

But the extremist group, which was kicked out of Mogadishu under Mohamed's brief term as prime minister in 2010-2011, has denounced the new president as an "apostate" and warned Somalis against supporting him.

Al-Shabab has lost most of its key strongholds across south and central Somalia to a multi-pronged offensive by allied Somali and African Union forces. But despite being ousted from most cities and towns, the group continues to carry out deadly attacks, many by suicide bombers, including in Mogadishu.
The activist-run group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said some 50 families had been sheltering at the school in the northern Syrian village of Mansoura and that their fate was still unknown. (Photo: AP)

Beirut: Syrian activists said on Wednesday that dozens of people were killed or missing after an airstrike the day before levelled a school near the Islamic State-held city of Raqqa where displaced families had sought refuge.

The activist-run group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said some 50 families had been sheltering at the school in the northern Syrian village of Mansoura and that their fate was still unknown. Mansoura is 26 kilometers (16 miles) west of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the extremists' self-described caliphate, and is under their control.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 33 bodies had been pulled from the rubble. The two organizations rely on local contacts to smuggle news out of Islamic State-held territory.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the airstrike. Syrian Kurdish forces have been advancing on Raqqa under the cover of US-led coalition airstrikes and are now 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the city. Syrian and Russian aircraft have also carried out strikes against the IS group.

Elsewhere in Syria, insurgents advanced on government-held towns and positions north of the central city of Hama. An al-Qaeda-linked group spearheaded the assault, launched Tuesday, by detonating a car bomb in the nearby town of Souran.

The activist-run Hama Media Center said the rebels had reached the village of Khatab, 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of government-held Hama. State media reported fighting on the outskirts of the village and Souran.

The offensive coincides with a concentrated effort by opposition forces to breach government lines in the eastern neighborhoods of the capital, Damascus. That operation is also spearheaded by the al-Qaeda-linked Levant Liberation Committee.

In Damascus, the insurgents were pinned down in industrial zones in the city's east. Government airstrikes and artillery fire echoed through the capital, and smoke could be seen rising above the opposition-held Jobar neighbourhood. Residents close to the front lines on the government side were seen leaving their buildings with whatever belongings they could pack in their suitcases.

The uptick in fighting precedes the resumption of UN-mediated talks between the government and the opposition in Geneva, slated for Thursday.

UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura called the developments "alarming," but said the invited delegations would be in attendance "with, I hope, serious intentions to follow up the political process."

He spoke to reporters in Moscow, following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov accused militants of carrying out more "terrorist attacks," which he said were "aimed at disrupting or complicating the Geneva talks." Russia is a steadfast ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Legally children can start working at 14 in Myanmar, although they are meant to be restricted to four hours a day and are barred from hazardous industries. (Photo: AP)

Hmawbi: Fourteen-year-old San Min Hteik had worked at the steel factory for less than a week when his hand got caught in a machine, a casualty of the economic boom driving more children into Myanmar's factories.

Two of his fingers were lost after the rod-cutter sliced them down to the bone and weeks later doctors are still unsure whether they will be able to save the others.

He is one of thousands of young factory workers fuelling Myanmar's rapid growth as foreign investors pile into the country after the end of half a century of military-governed isolation.

With one in five kids aged 10-17 in work, impoverished Myanmar is one of the worst countries in the world for child labour.

Many support their families sweeping shop floors, serving in tea shops or working as domestic helpers.

Others labour in the increasing number of foreign-owned factories that has made Myanmar one of the fastest-expanding economies in the region, with growth expected to average about seven percent in the coming years.

"I cannot do what I want to do, so I feel depressed," said San Min Hteik, staring at his bandaged hand inside his home in Hmawbi township outside the commercial capital Yangon. "I want my family to have a decent standard of living. I want my family to be able to eat enough... to be able to wear the same clothes as other people."

He was paid 2.5 million kyat (USD 1,800) by the Chinese-owned 999 Iron processing plant in the Myaung Dagar industrial zone as a settlement for his injury.

His mother Tin Tin Htay said they took the money to pay for his medical bills and to make sure his two siblings could stay in school.

"When we were given the cash I felt sad, as if we were buying my son's hand with this money," she said.

AFP journalists were unable to enter the 999 Iron processing plant when they visited. An employee reached by phone they said no one was available to comment.

San Win, a local union leader who helped negotiate San Min Hteik's settlement, said many parents push their children into work to help support the family.

"We have no stomach to ask them not to send their children to work. They have their difficulties," he said.

Legally children can start working at 14 in Myanmar, although they are meant to be restricted to four hours a day and are barred from hazardous industries.

But experts say there is little awareness of the laws and many children are sent to work even younger in a country where one in four people live below the poverty line.

The issue is problematic for reputation-conscious Western companies looking to take advantage of Myanmar's cheap labour -- the minimum wage is equivalent to around 33 cents an hour, below Thailand, Cambodia, China and Indonesia.

Zinmar is just one of many young girls and boys in Myanmar who used fake documents to circumvent the law and land a factory job at age 12, washing and ironing clothes for eight hours a day.

But the owners cut her shifts in half once they found out her real age. "I want to work full-time like before," said the now 14-year-old, who asked AFP to use a different name to protect her identity.

"I can work a full day because I am healthy but the law doesn't allow me." Ei Thae also started working aged 12 for a factory that supplies garments for Swedish clothes retailer H&M.

"I left this factory to search for a new job, but I could not find any as I was underage and had to come back," said the now 15-year-old. "I want to go to back to school but it's not possible, so I still work. My dream is to be a clothes designer."

A spokeswoman for H&M said the company was working with suppliers and industry experts to ensure young workers are employed according to the law and treated with "respect".

The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association last week disputed allegations child labour is rife in the sector.

Selim Benaissa from the International Labour Organisation said children working outside factories often end up in more dangerous jobs, such as rubbish collecting or sex work.

"Children will work anyway... this is something that is totally accepted, even by the children," he said. "Removing children from a workplace without appropriate support and follow up may push them to more exploitative or hazardous forms of child labour."
Washington: Afghanistan wants the United States to send more forces to help meet shortfalls in the battle against the Taliban and the Islamic State group, the nation's top diplomat said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani welcomed a recent call by U.S. Gen. John Nicholson, the top American commander in Afghanistan, for a few thousand more troops from the U.S. or other coalition partners to help break the stalemate in the war-torn country.

The Trump administration has not yet said if it will send more forces in response to Nicholson's comments. Some 8,400 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, performing counterterrorism operations against insurgents and training the Afghan army. The war is in its 16th year.

Citing a deadly attack this month on a military hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said Afghanistan needs U.S. help in addressing "military shortfalls," through increased training, ground and air capabilities, and reconnaissance and intelligence support. The attack was launched by IS with the Taliban.

"We stand confident that the new U.S. administration under President Trump will remain strategically engaged and continue its support," Rabbani said at the Atlantic Council think tank ahead of a gathering in Washington of the U.S.-led coalition against IS. He described Nicholson's call as "an appropriate decision considering the prevailing security challenges still facing us."

In a sign of how major powers are vying for influence in the region, Rabbani said Russia is planning a 12-nation conference on Afghanistan. The former Soviet Union engaged in a disastrous decade-long occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Rabbani said the U.S. had been invited but didn't know if it would attend. The State Department said it hasn't yet decided on its participation.

Rabbani said the discussions would follow up on six-nation talks held in mid-February involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Iran. He said he did not think the Taliban would be invited.

In congressional testimony last month, Nicholson said Russia has been publicly legitimizing the Taliban and seeking to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.

Rabbani said Russia and Iran have both told Kabul they have been in contact with the Taliban to encourage a return to the negotiating table. They deny providing the Taliban material support.

Rabbani said terrorism and extremism must be combated through cooperation among governments. He said the Taliban wouldn't seek peace unless Pakistan cracked down on "terrorist safe havens" on its soil - a long-running source of bitterness between the neighboring countries.212153 GMT Mar 17
Pakistani students of Islamic seminaries take part in a rally in support of blasphemy laws, in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Wednesday said the court would during the next hearing on March 27 take a decision about whether social media websites in Pakistan, providing a platform to blasphemous content, should be banned or not.

The court, while hearing a case pertaining to the dissemination of blasphemous content through social media, also asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit its latest findings in this regard in the form of a report next Monday, reports the Express Tribune.

During the hearing today, the DG Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the court that they have completed their inquiry and have also registered a case two days ago.

One person was earlier arrested on suspicion of sharing and spreading blasphemous content via social media, the DG FIA added.

"A mobile phone and a laptop have also been recovered from the suspect's possession which now rests with forensic officials," said the FIA official while giving additional details of the arrest.

The DG FIA apprised the Islamabad High Court that the agency was keeping at least three suspects under constant surveillance and added that the names of a few more suspected persons were also placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).

He said that the FIA had also expressed Pakistan's reservations with blasphemous, objectionable content with Facebook's management team.

He confirmed that the social media giant had agreed to send a delegation to resolve Pakistan's concerns with the content on its website.

Justice Siddiqui remarked that time should be given to the Facebook management and until then he insisted that "it was important to ban Facebook in Pakistan."

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered that blasphemous content on social media websites be removed or blocked and those posting such materials be strictly punished.
In a first, doctors in the US claim to have successfully cured an adult patient with a rare blood disorder in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells, causing progressive organ damage and early death. Physicians employed a technique that avoids the use of high-dose chemotherapy and radiation in preparation for a stem cell transplant to cure the patient with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA).



The transplant technique is unique, because it allows a donor's cells to gradually take over a patient's bone marrow without using toxic agents to eliminate a patient's cells prior to the transplant, researchers said. Damiano Rondelli, Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago in US, said the protocol can be used even in patients with a long history of disease and some organ damage because of the minimal use of chemotherapy.



"For many adult patients with a blood disorder, treatment options have been limited because they are often not sick enough to qualify for a risky procedure, or they are too sick to tolerate the toxic drugs used alongside a standard transplant," said Rondelli. "This procedure gives some adults the option of a stem cell transplant which was not previously available," Rondelli said.



For more than 30 years, David Levy's only course of treatment for CDA was regular blood transfusions to ensure his organs and tissues received enough oxygen. Levy, from Northbrook, Illinois, was 24 when the pain became so severe he had to withdraw from graduate school. By age 32, Levy required transfusions every two to three weeks; had lost his spleen; had an enlarged liver; and was suffering severely from fatigue, heart palpitations and iron poisoning, a side effect of regular blood transfusions.



Rondelli said that because of Levy's range of illnesses and inability to tolerate chemotherapy and radiation, several institutions had denied him the possibility of a stem cell transplant. Rondelli performed Levy's transplant in 2014. "The transplant was hard, and I had some complications, but I am back to normal now," said Levy, now 35. "I still have some pain and some lingering issues from the years my condition was not properly managed, but I can be independent now. That is the most important thing to me," he said.



Rondelli said the potential of this approach to stem cell transplantation is very promising. "The use of this transplant protocol may represent a safe therapeutic strategy to treat adult patients with many types of congenital anemias - perhaps the only possible cure," Rondelli added. The case report was published in the journal Bone Marrow Transplantation.




Korean Interdiction and Modernisation of Sanctions Act, H.R.1644 expands sanctions to deter North Korea's nuclear weapons programs; and targets those overseas who employ North Korean slave labor, a source of billions of dollars in annual revenue for the regime. It also cracks down on North Korean shipping and use of international ports, and; requires the administration to determine whether North Korea is a state sponsor of terrorism.



"North Koreas nuclear arsenal poses a growing and urgent threat to the United States. Soon, many believe the Kim Jong Un regime will be able to target all 50 states and our Asian allies with a nuclear warhead," Royce said. In a testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation, said security situation on the Korean Peninsula is dire and worsening. "There is a disturbingly long list of reasons to be pessimistic about maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia," he said.



As the Trump administration conducts its North Korea policy review, it faces a perfect storm of Asian headaches, threats, and crises, he said. Initial indications are that the administration will emphasize improving defense capabilities, particularly ballistic missile defense; augmenting pressure tactics on the regime; and seeking ways to get Beijing to fully enforce UN sanctions, he noted. Anthony Ruggiero, senior fellow, Foundation For Defense Of Democracies, said the Trump administration can return to a more effective North Korea policy by getting tough on both China and North Korea, support key allies in the region and introduce new sanctions on North and strengthen existing ones. "North Korea represents a direct threat to the United States and our allies, and we must radically change our approach to North Korea sanctions efforts," Ruggiero said.



The United States is exploring new diplomatic, security and economic options against the escalating threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the White House said today. "The US, in coordination with our allies, is exploring a new range of diplomatic, security, and economic measures in response to the grave and escalating threat posed by North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.The White House statement in this regard comes days after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the US is running out of its strategic patience against North Korea, which has been indulging in a series of provocative behaviours including missile tests in alleged violation of the UN resolutions. Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced a bipartisan legislation in House of Representatives to tighten US sanctions against North Korea.
Nineteen Opposition MLAs from the Congress and the NCP were today suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for nine months for creating ruckus during the Budget presentation in the House last week. The suspension of nine Congress and 10 NCP members till December 31 came after a resolution to this effect was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat and it was adopted by the Assembly.



The Opposition members had disrupted the Budget presentation by Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the Assembly on March 18 demanding farm loan waiver. Bapat said the Opposition MLAs had conducted themselves in a "disgraceful and unconstitutional manner". He said everybody had the right to express themselves but setting the state budget copy on fire outside the House had never happened.



The members were being suspended for displaying banners, playing cymbals, shouting slogans and disrespecting the Speaker's directions, he added. The MLAs suspended are Amar Kale, Vijay Waddetiwar, Harshwardhan Sakpal, Abdul Sattar, D P Sawant, Sangram Thopte, Amit Zanak, Kunal Patil, Jaikumar Gore (all from Congress) besides Bhaskar Jadhav, Jitendra Awhad, Madhusudan Kendre, Sangram Jagtap, Avdhut Tatkare, Deepak Chavan, Datta Bharne, Narhari Jirval, Vaibhav Pichad and Rahul Jagtap from the NCP. Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the government can suspend all the Opposition MLAs but they will continue to raise farmers' issues.



The suspension was announced when the House met for a special session at 10 AM. Vikhe Patil said the Opposition will boycott the proceedings till the suspension is revoked. The Question Hour resumed at 11 AM in the absence of Opposition members.



The farm loan waiver issue has been dominating the Assembly proceedings ever since the Budget session began a fortnight ago, with Opposition seeking relief for cultivators in the wake of consecutive droughts and increase in number of farmer suicides in the last few years.


The possibility of India becoming America's partner in the 21st century world order was discussed by top Senators, diplomats and security leaders who feel that the US faces challenges to its global dominance.



Testifying before a Congressional committee, ex-national security advisor Stephen Headley felt that such a partnership between the world's largest and oldest democracy is possible;

while former secretary of state Madeline Albright said it is worth exploring as the US at this point of time does not want to run the world on its own and would prefer partners.



"India certainly would be the world's largest democracy, would be one that you would think would join some sort in order that the US would be the leader of or be a significant impact on it. Can we do that? We did it once with the Soviets," Congressman Mike Conway asked during a hearing on America's Role in the World convened by the House Armed Services Committee.



"Can we do it again with having both the Chinese and the Russians out there, versus what the rest of the world would be trying to do?" Conway asked Headley and Albright, both of whom testified before the key Congressional committee.



"I think China we can still bring into a revitalized order and I think very much India, we can do so. So I'm hopeful that we can pull this off but it is a challenge," Headley said in response.



"I think Madeleine would agree the current conception of the international order is not sustainable, that's why we say it needs to be revised and revitalized. We may have made huge investments in helping Europe, Japan, South Korea emerge to be the healthy, prosperous societies they are. We helped China integrate into the international system. We have seen the growth of India," he said.



"These countries need to be given a greater role to play in the international system. But that, of course, comes with some responsibilities and part of that responsibility is not only responsible action and constructive action, but also to foot some of the bill," he said, adding that there has to be a readjustment and a rebalancing, a look at division of labor and division of responsibilities.



"But if we step out from that process and do not lead it, an international order that will emerge in the traditional way, which is it will benefit the big powers like Russia and China at the expense of the little powers," Headley warned.



Albright that Russians believe that the post Cold War they have not been treated and respected well by America. The Chinese, themselves, never felt that they were part of the post World War II order, she said.



"I do think that the way the world is, the United States doesn't want to run the world. We prefer to have partners in it. And so as an academic, I think it would be kind of on track to begin to think about some different world order here where we ask the others to be participants in creating it. At the moment, we are not in that position," Albright said.



"We are deterring Russia and we are trying to figure out what China's role is as they now that they are more liberal capitalistic and are moving into a vacuum that we have left," Albright said.




ELKO  Authorities arrested a woman for allegedly threatening her spouse with a kitchen knife.

A man called authorities twice on March 14 after his wife made an advance against him with a dangerous weapon. According to Elko Justice Court records, Carol J. Hosford, 62, of Elko had been drinking when she pulled the knife. Her husband called police afterwards but refrained from telling the officer about the knife during the first meeting.

The husband left with his granddaughter and went to dinner. When they returned, Hosford was still drinking and remained combative. During the time the two were gone she apparently stabbed an office chair and fell down some stairs.

When police arrived a second time officers asked whether she had threatened her husband and she agreed. Statements from the two witnesses also corroborated the report.

Hosford was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. She was taken to the Elko County Jail and then to Northeastern Nevada Hospital for treatment of a sprained foot. Bail was listed at $20,000.
Livid at the sight of betel juice stained walls of the building that houses his office, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today banned the use of pan and tobacco products in schools, colleges, hospitals and other government buldings.



On his first visit to the secretariat annexe building here, the chief minister gave a piece of his mind to officials there asking them to stop chewing pan and pan masala when on duty.



He was visibly put off when he saw betel-juice stained walls of the building which is known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan and houses the chief minister's office and his secretariat, offices of the state chief secretary, principal secretary (home) and other senior IAS officers.



A few hours later, the chief minister directed officials to enforce a ban on the use of pan and tobacco in schools, colleges, government hospitals and hospitals. He also prohibited the use of plastic in government offices.



"The chief minister visited all the floors of the annexe building and met officials posted there. After detecting betel stains on walls, he asked employees not to consume pan or pan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness," Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accompanied Yogi, said.



Adityanath also asked the the staff to make the atmosphere in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use of plastic, Maurya told reporters.



A stickler for cleanliness, the saffron-robed 44-year-old chief minister had administered a sanitation pledge to officials a day after he took over as the UP CM and asked them to ensure that the pledge is effectively implemented on the lines of Swachh Bharat Mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



The officers were made to repeat after him a "swachhata" pledge - "I will not litter, nor allow anybody to do it. I will devote 100 hours every year, to make the pledge of cleanliness come true and I will propagate the message of Swachch Bharat Mission in every nook and corner of the country."



Adityanath, who is the head priest of Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, is known to take a round of the Mutt and temple premises, inspecting the cleanliness of the place after practising Yoga between 4 to 5 AM every day.




British Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government's emergency security committee on Wednesday after what the police described as a "terrorist incident" outside the parliament building.



"There is a COBR meeting taking place today," a spokesman at the office of the British Prime Minister said on Wednesday.
Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan will observe hunger strikes in Delhi and three other cities demanding restoration of his administrative and judicial work and withdrawal of the suo motu contempt proceedings against him.



Justice Karnan has decided to hold a hunger strike at New Delhi in front of the Rash trapati Bhawan or at Ramlila Maidan depending on the permission granted for the same, Justice Karnans counsel W Peter Ramesh Kumar said.



He said the agitation would be held demanding restoration of administrative and judicial work of Justice Karnan, which has been stopped since February 8, 2017. The agitation will also be on the demand for withdrawal of suo motu contempt proceedings against Justice Karnan and recall of warrant issued against him, Kumar told PTI over phone from Madurai.



Justice Karnan would also seek, through this agitation, compensation of Rs 14 crore as mentioned by him in a letter to the seven-judge bench of the apex court on March 16.

The hunger strike in Delhi will be preceded by similar agitations in Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow, Kumar said.



In Chennai, the hunger strike will be observed opposite Fort St George, the state secretariat of Tamil Nadu. In Kolkata, it will be held opposite Raj Bhawan near Calcutta High Court, while at Lucknow, the strike will be observed opposite Lucknow University, he said.
The government on Wednesday tabled an amendment Bill in the Assembly to enable holding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions to medical and dental courses from the coming academic year.



Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, who piloted the Bill, told reporters that the Bill  the Karnataka Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) (Amendment) Bill, 2017  has proposed to incorporate guidelines framed under NEET. This, in other words, means that Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will not conduct a Common Entrance Test (CET) for admissions to medical and dental courses.



The Bill also empowers the government to conduct centralised counselling based on NEET guidelines and includes private universities in the definition of professional educational institutions.



Rayareddy said the Centre is planning to introduce NEET for admissions to engineering courses also. But nothing has been finalised yet. If NEET is not held for engineering, the government will conduct CET he added.




A bill that would provide incentives to improve air service at smaller Nevada airports, including spurring Reno flights from Elko Regional Airport, made it to the floor of the Nevada Legislature by deadline.

SB363, proposed by state Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, and co-sponsored by Assemblyman John Ellison, R-Elko, was referred to the Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development after introduction Monday, the final day for bills to make it out of draft status.

There was no movement until now. Its certainly a step in the right direction, Elko City Manager Curtis Calder said Tuesday.

A similar bill passed committees in 2015 and got through the Senate but not the Assembly before the session ended.

Hopefully, it will make its way all the way through, Elko Convention and Visitors Authority Executive Director Don Newman said Tuesday. It will be a good thing if we can get this. The added air service would certainly benefit us.

He said that locally people feel a Reno flight could be sustained.

The bill would create the Nevada Air Service Development Commission and a Nevada Air Service Development Fund to provide grants to air carriers to help rural communities obtain air service, providing air carriers make a commitment.

The bill seeks $1 million appropriations from the state for each of the two fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, or $2 million total for the new fund.

The original draft sought $1.5 million each of the two years, but Calder said any level of funding is better than nothing.

The bill also states that the development fund may accept monetary gifts, grants and donations from any source.

The bill calls for the state to provide an 80 percent grant to communities that apply, and those communities would need to come up with the remaining 20 percent through local funding, federal grants or in-kind contributions.

The grants to air carriers are for small hub airports and small airports that arent hubs. Calder said pretty much every airport in Nevada except McCarran would be eligible. McCarran is in Las Vegas.

In Elko, SkyWest Airlines now only provides flights to Salt Lake City, so passengers wishing to fly to Reno go the opposite direction to Salt Lake City first and transfer. Otherwise, those wishing to get to Reno from Elko have to drive 289 miles.

SkyWest dropped flights to Reno in roughly 2005, and then Scenic Airways flew the route under a subsidy for a short time. Elko has been without flights to Reno for at least 10 years.

Calder said he is handling the airport bill on behalf of the airport, and The Griffin Company lobbying firm is following the bill on Elkos behalf in Carson City.

In addition to Goicoechea, whose district covers Elko, Eureka, Lincoln and White Pine counties and parts of Clark and Nye, five other state senators are sponsors: James Settelmeyer, R-Minden; Heidi Gansert, R-Reno; Donald Gustavason, R-Sparks; Joseph Hardy, R-Boulder City; and Assistant Minority Leader Ben Kiechkhefer, R-Reno.

Gustavsons district includes Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander and Pershing counties and parts of Nye and Washoe counties.

Ellison, the minority whip for rural legislators, and Assemblyman Al Kramer, R-Carson City, are co-sponsors.

Other bills

All of the legislation Goicoechea and Ellison proposed for this legislative session made it to the floor by deadline Monday.

Among the other bills Goicoechea proposed is one that would prevent helicopters from scouting game and then dropping off hunters. SB370 also prevents hunting from aircraft.

Goicoechea is also a cos-sponsor of SJR7 that urges Congress to enact legislation transferring title to certain public lands to the state.

The initial phase would cover all lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that remain within the original Central Pacific Railroad corridor along Interstate 80 and land the BLM earlier identified as suitable for disposal.

The proposed legislation also would include parcels the BLM leases under the Recreation and Public Purpose Act and rights-of-way, as well as land leased for geothermal use and solar energy zones. The state could select 7.2 million acres from the categories for transfer in the initial phase.

Goicoechea introduced another land bill, SJR9, that expresses support for federal legislation to transfer land identified for disposal under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and mainly applies to Las Vegas.

Ellison also is closely watching a bill he proposed on limited liability companies that he said is needed or lots of companies will be moving to Arizona. This bill is AB123.

Another bill, AB248, is one of Ellisons that he said in a telephone interview is important to auto dealers throughout the state.

He said the manufacturers arent adequately reimbursing dealers when recalled vehicles must be repaired, especially if mechanics have to go through additional training.

The assemblyman also said he is fighting a bill that would kill every bit of fracking for oil in the state.
Legislators expressed their pent up anger against the media in both the Legislative Assembly and Council on Wednesday. Here is what they said:





Certain visual media houses are assassinating our character. Cant we do anything? Are they Baahubali (powerful)?. Should we not question them? Media people sit in

studios and turn into petitioners, advocates and judges. We are reduced to caricatures. We are pained but scared to talk.

B R Patil (MLA, KJP)



Recently a TV channel aired a news item saying Kage was missing. The police are capable of capturing tigers and lions. But can they not trace Kage, the channel was asking. This clip was telecast for the whole day. I felt like committing suicide.

Raju Kage (MLA, BJP) (He and his family members were

recently arrested in an assault case.)



The electronic media has repeatedly been indulging in character assassination, witch-hunt and conducting its own trials. Stringent action should be initiated against such media houses

V S Ugrappa (MLC, Cong)



TV anchors behave rudely with politicians who are old enough to be their grandfathers. They use intemperate language.

K R Ramesh Kumar, Health and Family Welfare Minister



Some weeks ago I was in a toll booth near Nelamangala to educate employees there on allowing ambulances and VIP vehicles without much delay. But the TV channels projected it differently. They branded me a rowdy who assaulted people at the booth.

Suresh Gowda (MLA, BJP)



The media had reported that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah changed his car because a crow sat on it. Crow is not inauspicious. We offer rice to crows. The crow must have come in search of rice because of Anna Bhagya.

K S Puttannaiah (MLA, Ind)



We should make IAS officers contest elections to the Assembly and mediapersons run for zilla panchayat polls. Then alone mediapersons will realise our problems. We are not depending on media to win elections.

S R Mahesh (MLA, JD-S)



Are they (media persons) human beings or animals? Are they Satya Harishchandras?...They air false news and indulge in character assassination. It is high time the media is controlled.

S T Somashekar (MLA, Congress)



Local TV channels always glorify unhealthy issues such as rape, murder and illicit relationships. Nobody can watch these channels with family members. One must seriously think about the kind of harm these channels are causing to society. The media should introspect...We have to put an end to this.

M B Patil, Minister for Water Resources




A convention will be held in Bengaluru on March 26 by a host of Dalit organisations to felicitate Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.



Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told reporters here on Wednesday that the felicitation programme would be held at Palace Grounds. Dalit organisations wanted to convey their gratitude to the chief minister for initiating a number of welfare programmes for SC/STs during the last four years, Anjaneya added.




Retired IAS officer from Karnataka cadre Upendra Tripathy has been appointed the Interim Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).



Union Power and Renewable Minister Piyush Goyal and French Energy and Environment Minister Segolene Royal on Tuesday jointly decided to appoint Tripathy to the post.



Earlier, Tripathy served as secretary to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, a statement said. The ISA was launched in 2015 to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource rich countries to increase use of the solar energy in meeting energy needs. Its interim secretariat is at Gurugram.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused a plea by senior BJP leader L K Advani to adjourn for four weeks the hearing on a CBI petition challenging a trial courts decision to drop criminal conspiracy charges against him and several other leaders in the Babri Masjid demolition case.



The court also hinted that the same bench of Justices P C Ghose and R F Nariman would consider the appeal in the 1992 case on Thursday.



Justice Nariman, in particular, had earlier observed that the order discharging Advani and others was prima facie not correct.



On Wednesday, Justice Ghose, who was sitting with Justice Deepak Gupta, said the matter was part-heard and would be considered on Thursday when Justice Nariman would join him on the bench.



Advocate M R Shamshad, appearing for Haji Mahboob Ahmed, a petitioner in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits, sought an adjournment for a week to file documents related to status of the cases before trial courts in Lucknow and Raebareli. At that point, senior advocate K K Venugopal, representing Advani, sought adjournment for four weeks due to personal difficulties.



That would take us to May. Are you seeking a date in May? So should it be taken up after the summer vacation, Justice Ghose, who is retiring on May 27, asked Venugopal.



However, the court fixed the matter for consideration on Thursday after the counsel agreed.

Questioning the CBI's conduct, a bench of Justices Ghose and Nariman had on March 6 said the order discharging the 13 accused on technical grounds was prima facie not correct. It also said that the investigating agency could have filed a supplementary charge sheet against them.



There is something is peculiar about this case, the bench had said.



The court then sought to know from the Central Bureau of Investigation why there couldnt be a joint trial in the two cases registered in connection with the demolition, one each in Lucknow and Raebareli.

DH News Service
India and the other Saarc members recently read the riot act to Pakistan, asking it to immediately pay up $7.85 million as its contribution to the South Asian University (SAU).



Pakistan is the only member of Saarc that has not yet contributed anything for running the varsity in the past seven years since the institution started functioning from a makeshift campus in New Delhi in 2010.



India and the other members of the eight-nation regional organisation warned Pakistan of reviewing its participation in the initiative unless it pays up.



A senior official in New Delhi told DH that Pakistans dilly-dallying on making the payment was in sync with its general policy of resisting all initiatives by Saarc and speaks volumes about its lack of commitment to regional cooperation in South Asia.



Islamabad in the past blocked several other Saarc initiatives for road and rail connectivity within the region as well as for counter-terrorism cooperation among the member nations.



Pakistans non-payment issue was discussed during the ninth meeting of the governing board of the varsity in Dhaka on November 28, 2016.



Pakistan was requested to pay up the outstanding amount in three months. It was decided that the board would review Pakistans continued participation in the SAU project if it failed to do so, the Ministry of External Affairs conveyed to a parliamentary panel. The issue was also discussed during the 53rd meeting of Saarcs programming committee in Kathmandu early last month.
Although the dates for the bypolls in two Parliamentary constituencies in Kashmir are nearing, the election atmosphere is missing, particularly in the south of the Valley, which continues to be in the grip of violence.



Though the situation has improved gradually after the five-month unrest in 2016, the atmosphere remains charged in the south Kashmir as gun battles between militants and security forces and stone-pelting protests near encounter sites have become a routine in the last few months.



The Lok Sabha bypolls for south Kashmirs Anantnag seat and central Kashmirs Srinagar seat were announced on March 9 followed by the announcement of candidates by the ruling and Opposition parties last week.



No political party has held any major rally so far; there have only been a few smaller functions held within the offices of political parties under a thick security blanket.



The two Parliament segments, which consist of 31 Assembly seats, have 26,74000 voters. The political parties acknowledge that carrying out election campaigning, particularly in the south Kashmir constituency would be a challenge. State Congress chief, G A Mir, who is the party candidate for the Anantnag seat acknowledges that the voters have been affected by the political situation of the last nine months.

DH News Service
Seven weeks after he quit Congress, former Karnataka chief minister S M Krishna on Wednesday joined the BJP in the presence of the party's national president Amit Shah.



Though Krishna said he was not expecting any post in the organisation, Amit Shah said the party will give him due respect keeping in mind his seniority. Krishna, who quit Congress charging that the party had ignored his seniority and experience, was welcomed to the BJP by Shah. He handed Krishna the BJP symbol lotus at the party headquarter here.



"I am humbled today that I am joining the party which was led by great leaders. I see a great India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ably supported by the party president Amit Shah," Krishna told reporters. Praising both Modi and Shah, Krishna said the two leaders "have taken the country to great heights and this is not an exaggeration".



Recalling his association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior leader L K Advani, Krishna said, I am deeply honoured as I am joining a new party and I will work for its cause.



Welcoming Krishna into the BJP, Shah said his joining is a message to all honest politicians that they should strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi. Terming Krishna's decision to join the BJP as a "timely one", Shah said, "Krishna is joining the party after witnessing change in the country since Modi became prime minister. Since then the party's acceptability across the country has gone up." Shah said Krishnas presence will increase the party's strength not only in Karnataka but across the country.



The party will also give him due respect keeping in mind his seniority, the BJP president added. Later, answering questions, Krishna said he would continue in active politics.



He said he did not ask for any posts for any of his family members, including his daughter or son-in-law. These were just rumours, he said.

DH News Service
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Jaipur on Wednesday sentenced two convicts to life imprisonment for the Ajmer Dargah blast in 2007 that killed three people and injured 17.



The court had found Hindu right-wing activists Sunil Joshi and Devendra Gupta guilty of planning the blast, and Bhavesh Bhai Patel of planting the explosive.



NIA special judge Dinesh Kumar Gupta awarded life imprisonment to Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Patel and Rs 5,000 on Devendra Gupta.



The court stated that according to the prosecution, many people were involved in this criminal conspiracy, so pronouncing death penalty to the convicts will be unfair. Hence punishment of life term will be minimum and sufficient.



Devendra Gupta, an RSS activist, and Patel will have to serve life in jail, the court ruled. However, the third convict, Sunil Joshi  a former RSS pracharak  died under mysterious circumstances on December 29, 2007.



Outside the court, defence counsel Jagdish Rana told the media that the convicts would file an appeal against the judgement in the high court. The conviction for conspiracy under Sections 120 (b) of IPC and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities Act is illegal and convicts will challenge it in the court, Rana told DH.



However, public prosecutor Ashwini Kumar Sharma said, Prosecution would seek appeal against the acquittal of former RSS activist Swami Aseemanand.



Patel was an RSS activist at his hometown of Bharuch in Gujarat, while Devendra Gupta, a resident of Ajmer, worked for the RSS in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The convicts owed allegiance to the RSS in the past.



This is the first-ever conviction and sentencing of the RSS cadre in a terror case.



Case so far

Earlier, the NIA court had twice deferred its order. On March 8, the court acquitted seven accused, including former RSS activist Swami Aseemanand. Pakistan had expressed concern at the acquittal of Swami Aseemanand and had also summoned Deputy High Commissioner of India to Pakistan J P Singh. The blast inside the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti on October 11, 2007, at the time of iftaar (dusk, when Muslims open the fast), left three dead and 17 injured.



At the time of the blast, during the holy month of Ramzan, the shrine was jampacked with around 7,000 devotees.



The case was handed over to the Rajasthan ATS and was later transferred to the NIA on April 6, 2011. The NIA filed three supplementary charge sheets after examining 149 witnesses and 451 documents.



As per the charge sheet, some outfits associated with the RSS are behind the blasts in retaliation for the attack on Jammus Raghunath temple and Amarnath Yatra in 2002 by Muslim terror groups.

DH News Service

2007

Oct 11: Blast at shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi in Ajmer kills 3, injures 17

Dec 29: Fmr RSS functionary Sunil Joshi, an accused, murdered in Dewas (MP)



2010

Oct 22: 5 suspects held by Rajasthan ATS



2011

April 6: Case transferred to NIA



2017

March 8: NIA court convicts Sunil Joshi, Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel; Swami Aseemanand, said to be the prime accused, acquitted

March 22: Gupta and Patel get life term

26 of 149 witnesses turned hostile

NIA filed three supplementary charge sheets

451 documents were examined
A man who stole lingerie and roamed about a womens hostel was arrested on Wednesday. Police suspect he is mentally unsound.



Abu Talim (35), a native of Kishanganj in Bihar, was a cleaner at the Bangalore Turf Club for 10 years. He is married, and his wife and two children live in Bihar, police said.



Talim would sneak into the Maharanis College hostel by scaling the wall attached to BTC. He would then strip, leave his clothes on the wall and collect lingerie hung out to dry. Wearing the stolen garments, he would roam about the premises, police said.



Students grew suspicious when their lingerie began vanishing regularly from the clothesline. They kept awake and found a man sneaking in after midnight. When they raised an alarm, he fled. This happened several times.



Talim would disappear into the darkness the moment he heard a voice, police said. The hostel authorities then told the security guard to keep an eye out, but the thefts continued.

In February, Talim was again at the hostel, dressed in nothing but stolen lingerie.



A student called up the security guard, who caught him, hit him with a lathi and tried to catch him. Talim escaped by scaling the wall. His visits, however, stopped.



Earlier, in September 2016, the college authorities had approached the High Grounds police and lodged a complaint.



Police say a special team had got cracking on the case then. From December 2016, Talim again started sneaking in. In February this year, the college authorities handed over CCTV footage to the police, an officer said. We kept a tight vigil at the entry and exit points of the hostel to see if he was coming for a recce. We gathered he was coming from the wall attached to BTC, said Chandragupta, DCP (Central). Police then started looking closely at people working at BTC. The staff said Talim would venture out late at night, he said.



Talims job was to clean horses and stables. He was an introvert and did not mingle with his colleagues. Even when he went out, he kept to himself. Police in plain clothes tried to strike up a conversation with him, but he remained mum. His behaviour was abnormal, Chandragupta told DH.

DH News Service

A childhood fetish

Talim has never harmed anyone. During interrogation, he said he was not aware why he used to venture out at night looking for womens undergarments. His brother Nawad Hussain, also a cleaner at BTC since 1991, said Talim used to wear womens undergarments even as a child. Even at out native place, he would roam about wearing garments stolen from neighbours. At times, he would wear his wifes undergarments and sleep. He gains pleasure from such acts, he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seems to be in a tearing hurry to implement the BJPs Lok Sankalp Patra, the election manifesto which contained the partys priorities if it came to power.



From acting against illegal abattoirs and acting tough on cow smuggling to cracking down on roadside Romeos and banning betel-chewing and gutkha in offices, Adityanath has shaken up the bureaucracy in the three days he has been in power.



Some of his decision though have raised eyebrows and triggered protests. The new chief minister also directed a review of the security granted by the previous government to important people without valid reasons.



Dozens of young men have been rounded up in different parts of the state in the past two days by anti-Romeo squads after they were found loitering around places frequented by girls, triggering vigilantism concerns.



The apprehensions followed reports that police personnel had also rounded up young couples in Jhansi and some other places. There were reports that the police made the couples do sit-ups before being let off. But officials here denied any kind of ill-treatment.



According to reports, dozens of youths were detained in Adityanaths native town Gorakhpur, state capital Lucknow, Meerut, Noida and Ghaziabad. The BJP had in its manifesto promised to set up anti-Romeo squads to deal with eve-teasing.



State government spokesman Siddharth Nath Singh said these squads would be set up at the police-station level. Our objective is not to harass young boys. We want to ensure the safety of girls and take those who pass lewd comments to task. Their parents will also be taken into confidence and asked to ensure that their sons mend their ways, said a senior police official.



But some others disagree with the approach. ''There is always a risk in such things. Its akin to moral policing. The cops often turn vigilantes and harass couples,'' said a postgraduate student here. The government has also cracked down on ''illegal'' slaughterhouses in the state and so far around 50 abattoirs and hundreds of meat shops have been sealed.



The priority of the state government is to close the illegal slaughter houses in the state, and at the same time put a blanket ban on all the mechanised slaughter houses," PTI quoted chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar as saying.



Sources said some slaughterhouses sealed in Meerut belonged to former UP minister and senior Bahujan Samaj Party leader Haji Yaqoob Qureshi and former MP Shahid Akhlaq.



Local people staged a demonstration when authorities sealed an ''illegal'' slaughterhouse in Kanpurs Bajaria locality on Wednesday, sources said. Tension prevailed in Hathras town, about 400 kilometres from here, after unidentified miscreants set ablaze three meat shop late on Tuesday night, the police said.



Adityanath has also ordered tough action on cow smuggling and directed officials to prepare a plan of action to implement a ban on it.



He asked officials not to delay movement of files without a valid reason and dispose them of within the stipulated period.




Ramalingappa T Beguru, the suspended associate professor in Kannada at Maharanis College, has cried foul at the sexual harassment allegation against him.



Beguru, a Kannada Sahitya Academy awardee, said the allegation was aimed at defaming him so that he didnt get a position in the recently announced cluster university that would comprise Maharani Science College for Women, Maharanis Arts, Commerce and Management College for Women, and Smt VHD Home Science College. He said a group of teachers in the college was instigating students to make such allegations against him. The student who has filed a molestation complaint against me was acting at someones behest. Why didnt she speak up earlier, he told DH.



Beguru said he was in the dark on the complaint filed by the student. Ideally, I should be given a copy of the complaint before being suspended. This was not done. Although an internal committee was formed to look into the matter, I was suspended before it filed a report, he said.



Beguru said he had written to the commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education, seeking a copy of the complaint.



Manjushri N, CEO, Bengaluru Urban Zilla Panchayat, has been entrusted with investigating into molestation complaints against teachers of the college. Students also spoke up against sexual harassment during a discussion with the college principal and V C Ugrappa, the chairman of the legislature committee on crimes against women and children, last week.

DH News Service
A person, who claimed to be a journalist, was taken into custody by Upparpet police after he was found misbehaving with women protesters near Freedom Park on Wednesday morning.



The police said that Murali, a resident of JP Nagar, was asking for their mobile phone numbers and trying to click their photographs from his mobile phone.



Some women approached the police who were on bandobust duty at the spot and complained about his behaviour. The police took him to custody and questioned him.



Murali claimed that he is the editor of a newspaper. But he failed to provide his identity card when the police asked him for it.



Bike, mobile phone seized

The police asked the other journalists who were at the spot about him. No one recognised him. He was then taken to the Upparpet police station. The police seized his bike and mobile phone.

Even his name is doubtful and there are no documents to show that he is Murali. He is still being questioned, the police said.

DH News Service
The protest by anganwadi workers continued on Wednesday with dramatic moments as nine of the agitating workers suffered health problems.



Eight protesters were rushed to KC General Hospital at Malleswaram. The police had a hard time convincing a worker to go to the hospital. Kavita, a 28-year-old anganwadi worker from Shiraguppa, Ballari, was carried by the police for treatment. The doctors at the hospital said the nine agitators were treated as outpatients.



Several philanthropists and NGOs brought food, fruits and water for the protesters who rejected them stating that they do not want to be dependent on anyone.



Food packets returned

We have not come here to beg. If you want to help us, sit with us on dharna. Please do not distribute food here. We don't need food. Protesters should not receive such help, they said. Those who received food packets returned them and continued the protest.



More than 5,000 workers continued the protest seeking hike in their remuneration. Officials had placed several make-shift toilets after realising that the amenities were not enough for the huge number of protesters.

DH News Service
The officials of the Air Intelligence and Customs at Kempegowda International Airport arrested a 39-year-old Sri Lankan woman, who was smuggling contraband drugs to Colombo, last week.



The officials said that Fathima Azeeka Junaideen was found carrying 1.640 grams of amphetamine and hashish, worth Rs 64 lakh, concealed in pesticide packets. She claimed that she runs a beauty parlour in Colombo and would visit Chennai frequently for purchasing beauty products.



Further enquiry revealed that Fathimas husband had asked her to hand over sachets of pesticides with the brand name Barrix Control to a person at Colombo airport. Based on a tip-off by intelligence officials, she was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport when she was flying to Colombo from Chennai via Bengaluru.



Fathima used to rent a room in Chennai whenever she came to India and stayed there till she received the pesticide sachets to be carried to Colombo, on the instruction of her husband.



The Customs officials suspect that the woman was being used for smuggling the drugs. She was produced before a magistrate and was remanded in judicial custody.


This Is What Kushal Tandon Said After Seeing His Face On Jennifer Wingets Tee!
Sunil Grover Finally Breaks His Silence And Sends Out A Long Note Pouring His Heart Out To Kapil Sharma!
Major changes in Nevadas bail system could soon be enacted statewide. If that happens, justice in Nevada will not be blind  it will be downright discriminating.

Thats not a bad thing. In fact, it is the very point of the pretrial release system now being tested in three counties.

The bail system in courts across America is being radically changed in an effort to lessen its inequities, and Nevada has joined the movement by starting a test program in three counties.

Most people are familiar with how bail is traditionally handled in court: The judge sets a dollar amount primarily based on the severity of the crime a person is charged with. Since it can take months or years for a trial to take place, suspects who can afford bail have the option of getting out of jail by putting up cash or taking out a bail bond  generally 10 percent of the full amount  under authority of a licensed bonding agent.

That system is going out the window in many jurisdictions. The new system will determine if a defendant pays bail or is released on their own recognizance, based on the risk of them showing up for trial. Suspects are asked a series of questions, and their responses determine the conditions of their pretrial release.

There are multiple reasons why this new system might serve justice better than the time-honored version. Setting bail amounts based on the offense does not take into account the ability of a suspect to pay, which means the system favors the rich over the poor. Drug dealers in particular are known to have large amounts of cash and can bail out even if they are a high flight risk.

Frankly, our judges have been setting bail or releasing individuals in the blind, Chief Justice Michael Cherry told lawmakers in his recent State of the Judiciary report.

An individual comes to court on a charge, bail is set and too often the person sits in jail waiting for their court date. Our judges dont know if the person is a risk to the community, and too many people have lost their jobs or their homes because theyve had to wait in jail, Cherry said. In short, for the poor, bail means jail.

For the past seven months, a pilot program in Clark, Washoe and White Pine counties has involved judges evaluating pretrial release based on evidence-based practices and risk assessment factors that were developed over the prior year, and now judges are no longer in the dark, Cherry said.

Nobody is promising that the program will be expanded to other counties, but that is surely what we can expect. Court systems in several states across the country have adopted similar programs.

An article in the San Jose Metro newspaper by Jennifer Wadsworth explains how California courts are using an algorithm based on a nine-point scale to determine the chances of a defendant showing up for court, as well as his or her risk of reoffending:

The clerks  employees of Pretrial Services round-the-clock jail division  dont set bail based solely on the alleged crime. Rather, they review pending charges in addition to rap sheets and records of attendance at scheduled court appearances. They also ask about living and work situations, histories of mental health and substance abuse and whether the case involves any victims.

After running the responses through the algorithm, defendants are given a score.

Low scores call for release without supervision. Moderate risk levels equate to supervised release, which usually involves electronic monitoring or house arrest and more frequent phone or face-to-face check-ins. 

Nevadas risk assessment includes similar questions, including whether the suspect has been arrested multiple times in the past for drug use or alcohol offenses. Scores range from 0-11 and override factors can be added for several reasons, such as whether the offender is a gang member.

The new systems are not without controversy, of course. Collecting and processing the risk factors is a more time-consuming process than setting simple bail amounts. According to a KRNV report out of Reno, that has resulted in some people sitting in Washoe County Jail longer than under the old system.

NewJersey.com recently reported that a man who was a fugitive for nearly two months after being charged with a shooting was released without paying any bail, and another defendant was re-arrested after firing a gun into a home less than two weeks after he was released with only an ankle bracelet.

Since the start of the new program this year, prosecutors and police have publicly complained that a number of suspects have been released only to go on and commit additional crimes, reported the news site, along with a call from the states public safety director to re-examine the new system.

The loudest opposition has come from bail bondsmen, who stand to lose considerable income as more people are released from jail without bail.

Nevadas judicial leaders have been careful to craft a system based on considerable input from experts and direct feedback from the pilot program. They were wise to include White Pine County with the states two largest counties to see how effective it would be in rural areas, which might have only one judge and no staff dedicated to preparing pretrial release documentation.

Bail reforms such as the pilot program underway in Nevada are not blind, nor are they fair. But they seek to be more fair than charging prisoners by the crime.

We commend Nevadas judicial leaders for taking a step-by-step approach to this controversial change in pretrial release procedures, and we look forward to a full evaluation of its results before they decide whether to adopt it statewide.
CARSON CITY  A bill that would change the way Nevada elects the president and vice president packed the room when it was heard Tuesday by the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections.

Currently, the victor in Nevada is awarded the states six presidential electors. If Assembly Bill 274 passes, the votes will be given to the individual who wins the national popular vote  becoming active once an equivalent of 270 electoral votes in the agreement is reached.

The bill was introduced by Democratic leadership in the Assembly on March 10. Since then, more than 200 comments against the bill have been posted on the Nevada Legislatures online forum. Assemblyman Nelson Araujo, D-Las Vegas, presented the bill in conjunction with advisers from the National Popular Vote Project.

One of the advisers present was Saul Anuzis, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. Anuzis spoke to the similarities between his home state of Michigan and Nevada. He recalled the 2008 election when his state, initially labeled a battleground state, was abandoned by the McCain campaign because they felt it had been lost. He argued that by instituting a national popular vote, every vote becomes valuable, as opposed to candidates focusing on battleground states.

Anuzis concluded his statement to the committee by saying, What we do ensures every vote in every state is valuable during a presidential election.

Araujo listed 11 other states that have passed similar resolutions

The bill was passed once by the Assembly in 2009, but failed to be enacted into law at the time.

Dr. Sondra Cosgrove of the Nevada League of Women Voters was the first to testify in favor of the measure, stating that the Electoral College was created to concentrate power in the hands of a few wealthy men, and that it is time to change the outdated system.

Danny Thompson of NPV said this measure would prevent Nevada from becoming a flyover state in presidential elections.

Molly Lewis of Reno called the Electoral College arcane.

It was founded when colored people could not vote, and it was founded when women could not vote, she said. We have the opportunity to make sure that all Nevadans and all Americans votes count equally.

Opponents argued that the bill in unconstitutional and takes Nevadas power away, allowing the larger states  or even the 15 most populous cities  to dictate where Nevadas electoral votes go.

At the request of Chairwoman Olivia Diaz, the Committee Counsel from the Legislative Counsel Bureau gave an opinion. LCB determined that each state has the power to choose their electors, and that in the absence of direct judicial precedent, the bill is more than likely constitutional.

The Libertarian Party of Nevada, Nevada Republican Party, Independent American Party, Nevada Families for Freedom, and Eagle Forum all came out in opposition of AB274.

Dr. Jim Hindel of the Nevada Republican Party told the committee that the Nevada Republican Central Committee had met over the weekend in Carson City and passed a resolution opposing the legislation.

Hindel testified that the bill would make Nevada irrelevant except as a fundraising location. He implored the committee to oppose the measure, saying We ask you to keep Nevada relevant, keep the votes of Nevada relevant, and oppose AB274.

Janine Hansen of Eagle Forum gave impassioned testimony, dissecting the bill and the locations within the text that she said will rob Nevada of its voice.

Shawn Meehan of the Nevada Republican Party cited the belief that under the 12th Amendment, the process for electors voting is very specific. He stated that there are cases in which pledges are signed by the electors of a state, and that it is possible for this to cause them to violate their signed pledges.

Former Nevada Assemblyman Erv Nelson was the last to speak against the bill.

Diluting votes may not be in the best interest of the people of Nevada. This is because the interests of Nevadans are often not the same as the issues of other states, he said.

If Assembly Bill 274 is passed, Nevada will become the 12th state to sign onto the agreement. The total electoral votes collected by the agreement will be 171, meaning only 99 more states electoral votes will be necessary for the agreement to become active within those states.
Who knew a GIF could ever become a deadly weapon, at least that is what a Texas Grand Jury has concluded. In a bizarre series of events, John Rayne Rivello, a man from Salisbury, Maryland in the U.S. has been accused of intentionally Tweeting a flashing GIF to Newsweek Journalist Kurt Eichenwald, provoking an epileptic seizure.

As a result, Indictments issued by The U.S Department of Justice and a Dallas Grand Jury state that a GIF can be counted as a deadly weapon. The GIF in question was classified as an assault weapon used to cause harm to Eichenwald intentionally. The accused Rivello had threatened Eichenwald on earlier occasions through Tweets and messages.

Kurt Eichenwald

Finally in December, Rivello posed as one Ari Goldstein using Twitter handle @jew_goldstein and Tweeted out a flashing GIF to Eichenwald, with an accompanying message saying,  You deserve a seizure for your post. This, after Eichenwald had publicly written about his condition.

FBI investigators found that after Rivello Tweeted the said GIF, he also sent messages to his friends saying things like, I hope this sends him into a seizure, and Spammed this at [Eichenwald] let's see if he dies." The FBI was able to gather this information when it tracked down Rivello through his iPhone.

This is the first time that a GIF has been deemed a Deadly Weapon used for physical assault. "If it's not the first time, it's one of the first times this has happened," Tor Ekeland, a defense attorney told NBC News. While there is a chance that the accused could get off the charges by citing the First Amendment in the US constitution - which counts art work and images as freedom of expression - experts argue that Rivellos intention to harm Eichenwald might get him behind bars despite the First Amendment argument.
Samsung Pay is a mobile payment service supporting both NFC and MST-based transactions. The service works only with select Android smartphones and integrates UPI and Paytm mobile wallet.

Samsung Pay is now officially available in India. After launching the Samsung Pay Early Access programme earlier this month, the company has now made its contactless payment service commercially available on select Samsung smartphones. Samsung Pay supports both NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission), making it compatible with traditional and NFC-based card readers.

For starters, Samsung Pay will only work on Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy A7 (2017), Galaxy A7 (2016), Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A5 (2016). Samsung Pay will support cards from leading banks like American Express, Axis Bank, Citibank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and Standard Chartered. The service also supports Paytm mobile wallet, and integrates UPI for mobile payments.

In order to make payments with Samsung Pay, one needs to open the app, select the card of choice, authenticate it via fingerprint or Samsung PIN, and place the back of the device on the payment terminal to complete transaction. Samsung Pay can be used across any merchant or retail store with a POS machine, card reader or NFC-based payment terminal. Samsung Pay also supports advanced security features like digital tokenisation and default encryption for card data using the company's KNOX security suite.

Samsung Pay's launch comes at a time when adoption of digital wallets and cashless transaction is gaining momentum in the nation. The service will help drive digital transactions, and we may even see the launch of Android Pay and Apple Pay in India. Samsung is also offering exclusive offers on Samsung Pay in collaboration with leading food chains and banks.
Apple also launched a 128GB variant of the iPad Mini 4, with prices starting at Rs. 34,900.

Apple has launched a new 9.7-inch iPad with 32GB of storage and the A9 SoC. Prices for the new iPad start at Rs. 28,900 for the Wi-Fi only model, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular model is priced at Rs. 39,900. Apple says that the new iPad also comes with a brighter Retina display. Interestingly, while the companys press release only mentions the 32GB version, Apples website shows a 128GB version as well. Prices of that version is not yet known.

iPad is the worlds most popular tablet. Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos, and now it is even more affordable, Apples senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Philip Schiller said. New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it, he added.

Besides this, Apple also announced that the iPad Mini 4 will now be available in a 128GB variant. The Wi-Fi only model is priced at Rs. 34,900, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular is priced at Rs. 45,900. The new device will be available for order from March 24, and will start shipping to customers in India from April.

Apple also launched a new app called Clips for the iPhone and iPad, which lets users combine video clips, photos and music into videos. These videos can then be shared with friends through the Messages app, Instagram, Facebook and more. The app also comes with Live Tiles that lets users create animated captions and titles using their voice. Besides announcing the new iPad, Apple also unveiled the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition.
AIM-listed Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings has bought ICDC, a captive insurer of a US Fortune 500 company, for an undisclosed sum.

ICDC, which is in run-off, had total net assets valued at $7.95m at the end of last year with reserves of about $2.76m.

The acquisition, which was re-domiciled in Vermont from Bermuda in June 2015, reinsured workers' compensation, commercial general liability, auto liability, auto physical damage and property risks of its parent company.

R&Q chairman and chief executive Ken Randall said: "This transaction demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continue to acquire legacy insurance assets and also continues to expand our acquisition activity in the North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean region".
Four people, including a policeman, were killed on Wednesday after a terrorist mowed down pedestrians in a car before attempting to continue his rampage inside the Palace of Westminster, police said.

THURSDAY UPDATE: Police make seven arrests

The other dead included the assailant and pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. At least 40 others were injured - including some with "catastrophic" injuries - in the car incident.

Met Police Assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, head of counter terrorism, said that at around 1440 GMT the assailant mounted the pavement and rammed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing into the outer fence near the landmark Big Ben clock tower and running through the main gates into the houses of parliament.

He then stabbed a police officer after being challenged before he was shot dead. The policeman, who later died of his injuries, was named as 48-year-old Keith Palmer.

Prime Minister Theresa May was seen getting into a silver Jaguar as the incident was developing.

The French prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirmed that French students were among those injured. Junior doctor Colleen Anderson who ran across from nearby St Thomas' Hospital said there were "people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic".

"Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries. There were maybe a dozen [injured]," she said.

London Ambulance Service confirmed that they had treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge and had "put a number of hospitals on alert as we continue to respond to this incident".

The Port of London Authority confirmed that a seriously injured woman was recovered from the Thames.

"She has been brought ashore and is undergoing urgent medical treatment. The working assumption is that she fell or jumped from the bridge," said spokesman Martin Garside.

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," police said in a statement.

Parliamentary sketchwriter Quentin Letts told the BBC he saw a man attack a police officer inside the main gates to parliament before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

I saw a thick-set man in black clothes come through the gates into New Palace Yard, just below Big Ben, he said.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets."

"And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman."

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell."

MPs in the House of Commons were kept in the chamber as events unfolded.

Transport for London said Westminster underground station has been shut at the request of the police.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.

(Additional reporting by Michele Maatouk, Oliver Haill, Josh White and Andrew Schonberg)
Theresa May preached a very British message in the wake of the Westminster terror attack on Wednesday night, saying Parliament and Londoners would be keeping calm and carrying on come Thursday morning.

The Prime Minister addressed media outside 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the COBRA emergency committee.

EARLIER: Four dead, others injured in Westminster outrage

She described the attack as sick and depraved, confirming the incident involved a single attacker driving through pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, before crashing his vehicle into the fence of the Palace of Westminster.

He then breached the perimeter of the palace, rushing a police officer who he attacked with a knife.

May confirmed that of the four dead, two were pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, one was the police officer he attacked and one was the attacker himself.

The suspects identity was still not publicly known.

The United Kingdoms threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change, May said.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected - to the victims themselves, and their family and friends who waved their loved ones off, but will not now be welcoming them home.

The Prime Minister said the location of the attack was no accident, and that the terrorist chose to strike at the heart of the capital, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

She confirmed that Parliament would meet as usual on Thursday morning.

Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city - will get up and go about their day as normal.

They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives.

And we will all move forward together. Never giving in to terror, and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.

Trump, other leaders express condolences

The US President spoke to Theresa May in the hours after the attack, reportedly offering Britain the United States cooperation and support.

Trumps praised the effective response of security forces and first responders in a media statement.

I spoke with PM Theresa May of the United Kingdom to offer my condolences on today's terror attack in London....https://t.co/j1Cr3WMuU7 pic.twitter.com/2Jy51T7Kvi  President Trump (@POTUS) March 22, 2017

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also offered his thoughts, saying: On behalf of the United States, I send my condolences to the victims and their families,

The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom.

We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference.

Frances President Francois Hollande offered his countrys friendship, with the Elysee Palace saying he conveyed the solidarity of France in this tragic ordeal.

His country had suffered a number of deadly terror attacks in the last two years, with another blow coming out of the Westminster attack as a number of French schoolchildren were injured on Westminster Bridge.

Leaders from Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia and Spain had also offered their condolences and thoughts after the attack.

Trump Jr slammed for ridiculing London mayor

It wasnt all diplomacy coming out of the Trump family, however, with Donald Trumps son coming under fire on social media for ridiculing London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Donald Trump Jr retweeted a link to an interview Khan gave to the Independent in September, in which he said being prepared for a terror attack was part and parcel of living in a great global city.

You have to be kidding me?!: Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan https://t.co/uSm2pwRTjO  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 22, 2017

Trump Jr commented You have to be kidding me?! Terror attacks are part of living in the big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

But he was met with a wave of criticism, with some soon pointing out that Khan was talking about preparedness for a terror attack, not that they were inevitable.
US investment banks are head and shoulders above their European counterparts, according to new research which sees JPMorgan Chase retain its place at the top of the leaderboard ahead of four other Wall Street giants.

European giants Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, which are both currently in mired in restructuring programs, both declined, data from analytics firm Coalition showed, with the rankings based on revenue.

Wall Street banks have surged since Novembers election of Republican Donald Trump as President, with the three major US indices quoting record highs in the months that followed.

UK banks Barclays and HSBC occupied seventh and ninth place respectively, retaining their positions from the previous year.

JPMorgan topped the list once again as it gained a significant lead over its competitors in the areas of fixed income, currencies and commodities trading. Revenues from the banks investment branches was 11% higher in 2016 than the previous year, at $25.2bn.

Goldman Sachs and Citi followed in joint second place, while Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley made up the top positions.

German entity Deutsche Bank dropped to sixth position in the league, unhinged by several setbacks which led to the IMF saying last year that it was the single biggest contributor to global systemic risk. The bank was in the news again on Tuesday when it was reported to have played a prominent role in a Russian money laundering scandal.

The report from Coalition said that European banks should improve this year in comparison with 2016s underperformance.

"European banks had some significant trading underperformance last year, which we don't see repeating," said Amrit Shahani, research director at Coalition. "They should improve, albeit from a low base. We expect them to maintain and build on their market share this year."
US sportswear behemoth Nike Inc limped into the start of Wednesday's session after disappointing investors with soft sales numbers and a cautious outlook statement.

Sales for the Oregon-based company reported sales figures which were slightly below what had been estimated in the run-up to the third quarter report, though earnings easily surpassing analyst estimates.

The company posted earnings per share of $0.68 after analysts predicted that Nike would earn $0.53 adjusted EPS.

Revenue for Q3 was $8.43bn, having been estimated at $8.47bn by analysts polled by FactSet.

Nike CEO Mark Parker warned that the retail sector was in the midst of a challenging period, as the transformation towards online shopping hits full speed.

"The important thing to point out is that these changes are being driven by the consumer," Parker said in the earnings presentation on Tuesday. He added that consumers have decided that digital isn't just part of the shopping experience. Digital is the foundation of it."

Sales in North America, Nikes biggest market, increased 3% during the period to 28 February 2017.

Nikes shares fell 5.62% in premarket trading on the back of the quarterly results publication, as US stocks faced sell-offs across the board following months of gains.
Ratings agency Fitch has downgraded Saudi Arabia's sovereign debt rating to 'A+' from 'AA-' as it expressed major doubts about the government's financial reform programme.

The Saudi deficit surged to 17.3% of GDP in 2016, with the 416bn Saudi riyal up from SAR362bn in 2015 and much higher than the budget target of SAR326bn.

For its 2017 budget, the Saudi government has targeted a deficit of SAR198bn, or 7.7% of GDP, based on the rise in crude oil prices, which are expected to more than offset the effect of OPEC production cuts on government oil revenue, and the absence of further arrears payments.

Fitch forecast that the central government deficit will fall to 9.2% of GDP in 2017 and 7.1% of GDP in 2018, but that general government debt will rise to 14.5% of GDP in 2018.

"The downgrade reflects the continued deterioration of public and external balance sheets, the significantly wider than expected fiscal deficit in 2016 and continued doubts about the extent to which the government's ambitious reform programme can be implemented," Fitch said, also highlighting that the country's geopolitical risks remained high relative to other A-rated sovereigns.

While the government has already cut civil service allowances and hiked utility prices, and made plans to hike regulated energy and water prices, place a levy on expats, bring in a value-added tax from the beginning of 2018, together with the IPO of Saudi Aramco in 2018 as part of an ambitious privatisation agenda, Fitch was highly sceptical.

"These measures will help to contain further balance sheet erosion, but in Fitch's view it is unlikely that they will all be achieved."

In Fitch's view, "the scale of the reform agenda risks overwhelming the government's administrative capacity. In addition, the economy may not be able to absorb rises in administered energy prices, which could severely affect energy-intensive industries, or the planned expat levies, which could undermine large parts of the domestic private sector."

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Aramco has begun the process to hire investment banks to help it with what is likely to be the largest initial public offering ever.

The Kingdom was quick to respond, stressing that Fitch's outlook had moved from negative to stable and that the downgrade was understood to be based upon a quantitative, number-driven analysis.

Finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said The fundamentals of the Saudi economy remain strong. The Kingdoms balance sheet remains strong with SAMAs FX assets estimated at 84% of GDP  the third largest in GDP terms globally. General government assets are considerably above 100% of GDP."

He added that the Vision 2030 reforms had already seen a number of structural measures rolled out, with the goal of decreasing the Kingdoms fiscal dependence on hydrocarbons and encouraging economic diversification.

"The government has also made progress in enhancing efficiency by reigning in overspending and optimizing expenditure."
Markets in Asia finished in the red on Wednesday, as North Korea tested another missile and a stronger yen weighed on Japanese stocks.

The Nikkei 225 was down 2.13% to 19,041.38, with the broader Topix down 2.12% at 1,530.2.

A stronger yen was the catalyst for much of the decrease - it was last 0.38% stronger at JPY 111.28 per $1.

Defence stocks in Japan were mostly lower, with Kawasaki Heavy Industries down 3.92%, Komatsu off 1.96% and ShinMaywa Industries falling 2.21%.

The Bank of Japan released the minutes from its January meeting early in the day.

They suggested that the board members were at best lukewarm on raising the 10-year government bond yield targets to match gains anticipated in US Treasury yields.

Exports from Japan were up 11.3% year-on-year, fresh data showed, which was the third month of gains on the trot.

Imports were also up 1.2% year-on-year.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite was off 0.5% at 3,245.45, while the Shenzhen Composite lost 0.29% to 2,037.89.

In South Korea, the Kospi was off 0.46% at 2,168.30, with defence stocks finishing mixed but still beating the benchmark after the earlier missile launch.

Firstec was up 1.21%, Speco was off 0.4% and Victek lost 1.88%.

Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index finished down 1.11% at 24,320.41.

Reports emerged during the session that North Korea appeared to have conducted a missile launch, though it looked to have failed.

A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch, a US military spokesman was widely quoted as saying.

Oil prices were lower during Asian trading, with Brent crude down 1.45% at $50.23 and West Texas Intermediate off 1.35% at $47.60.

Australias S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.56% at 5,684.51, with the weighty energy, financials and materials subindexes losing out.

The big four regional banks were all lower, with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group down 2.57%, Commonwealth Bank of Australia losing 2.03%, National Australia Bank 1.58% lower and Westpac 2.42% softer.

In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 lost 0.3% to 7,060.83, with the big four banks also losing out on the Wellington bourse.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and Westpac Banking Corporation were both down 2.7%.

The down under dollars were both weaker against the greenback, with the Aussie losing 0.35% to AUD 1.3049 and the Kiwi weakening 0.17% to NZD 1.4227 per $1.
Airline shares tumbled on Wednesday after news of potential route restrictions post-Brexit combined with a US and UK ban introduced new restrictions on electronic devices for certain flights.

UK airlines have been warned by European Union officials that they could lose the right to fly certain European routes after Brexit unless they move their headquarters onto the continent, according to reports.

Airline bosses from EasyJet, British Airways owner IAG, Ryanair and Thomson owner Tui Travel were also told that they must ensure a majority of their shares are EU-owned, the Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday, following similar reports from the Financial Times in January that specifically noted that some Ryanair and easyJet shareholders could be forced to sell their stakes to EU nationals as otherwise they would breach their European licences and flying rights.

The UK faces potential "substantial" increases in air fares and reductions in air connectivity as Britain's divorce from the EU takes place, Professor John Lennon of the Glasgow School for Business and Society told Digital Look.

"Airline have so much access privileges that really help them build economies of scale. What's being talked about could create a real headache - and it's not over year," he said.

"We will have to renegotiate air access with all the countries of the EU - and there are many European laws that benefit tourism, such as protection for people going on holiday. If we don't negotiate a substantial replacement deal it would be catastrophic for the tourism industry."

Brexit minister David Davis told a parliamentary hearing last week that the UK would need to leave the 'open skies' agreement as part of Brexit, but said he "would presume" there would be a successor.

Lennon said 2016 results for travel and tourism companies had created a false dawn as UK tourism benefited from the post-Brexit slump in the pound making visiting the country much cheaper.

"I think 2017 is going to be a year of significant shocks for the travel and tourism economy," he said.

On Tuesday, the UK announced a cabin ban on large electronics like laptops and larger tablet computers for flights coming from six countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, affecting six UK carriers and eight overseas airlines.

On Monday, the US Department of Homeland Security banned large electronic devices in cabin baggage on flights from eight Muslim majority countries.

That measure affected nine airlines from 10 airports with no end date planned for the ban.
Germany was gunning for a new EU super-agency on Wednesday, as it emerged it wanted to snatch the London-based European Banking Authority in the wake of Brexit to and merge it with the EUs insurance authority, which is already based in Frankfurt.

The German government was said to have support from its French counterpart for its wish to merge the EBA and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority in the city.

Politico reported on Wednesday that two senior EU officials with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the proposal, known as the twin peaks model, was being investigated.

Frankfurt is one of the leading financial centers in Europe and a highly attractive location, a German finance ministry spokesman was quoted as saying.

The German government supports efforts to further strengthen Frankfurt as a location for the financial industry.

Currently based in Canary Wharf, the EBA would need to relocate as the UK exited the European Union.

Its understood officials from Rome, Stockholm and Warsaw had also made noises about attracting the EBA to their cities.
Judge slams 'disgraceful' behaviour of utility

Thames Water was fined a record 20m on Wednesday after pumping 1.4bn litres of raw sewage into the River Thames.

The judgement, ironically handed down on World Water Day, was delivered at Aylesbury Crown Court after a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

Privately-owned Thames was found guilty of devastating large sections of the river in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, along with smaller tributaries, killing fish and birds.

Judge Francis Sheridan described the incident as a shocking and disgraceful state of affairs.

It should not be cheaper to offend than to take appropriate precautions.

I have to make the fine sufficiently large that [Thames Water] get the message, he said.

One has to get the message across to the shareholders that the environment is to be treasured and protected, and not poisoned.

It is not the first time the company has been punished for polluting the environment. In 2016 it received a 1m fine for releasing sewage into the Grand Union canal in Hertforshire and a further 0.38m for doing the same in an area of outstanding beauty in the Chilterns.

In the period 200513 Thames Water was the most heavily fined water company in the UK for pollution incidents, paying 842,500 for 87 events.

The company made an operating profit of 742m in 2015/16 and paid out 82m in dividends, according to its annual accounts.

It is owned by a group of institutional investors, including the BT pension fund, China Investment Corporation and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and was managed by Macquarie Capital Funds, which sold its final stake earlier in March to the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and Canadian pension fund Omers.
The government has unveiled plans to build four new prisons in a bid to tackle overcrowding and replace Britain's ageing prison infrastructure.

Sites in Yorkshire, Wigan, Rochester and Port Talbot have been assigned to create 5,000 new prison places, building on the governments commitment to create up to 10,000 places by 2020.

Up to 2,000 construction jobs will also be created and the government claims there will also be opportunities for local businesses.

The move is part of the Ministry of Justices 1.3bn programme to transform the prison estate.

Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: We cannot hope to reduce reoffending until we build prisons that are places of reform where hard work and self-improvement flourish.

Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime  nor do they provide our professional and dedicated prison officers with the right tools or environment to do their job effectively.

However, the investment in new buildings has been criticised as the plan to create more spaces is not matched with a plan to reduce numbers of people in jail.

Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: This massive investment in new prisons is not matched by a credible plan to reduce our reckless overuse of prison in the first place.

The prison estate certainly needs an overhaul, but reducing demand would mean closing prisons, not opening them. The government has admitted that it has no idea when overcrowding will cease, and this announcement takes us no closer to an answer to that crucial question.

He said that there needed to be a comprehensive plan for the whole prison estate, including measures on how demand will be reduced and closing prisons no longer needed as a result as well as detail on when overcrowding will end, how far prisoners families will be expected to travel for visits, and when every prison will be equipped to the same modern standard to do the same job of rehabilitation.

The MoJ previously announced that it would add 100m to the budget to increase frontline staff by 2,500 after prison riots last December at HMP Birmingham and planned industrial action by prison staff last month over pay and pensions.
EG Solutions 's chief executive was confident on the company's outlook and pointing to a sustained momentum for contract signings year-to-date, as well as good visibility on revenues.

The workforce optimisation specialist reported a 52% jump in full-year 2016 operating profits on an EBITDA basis to 1.2m as top-line growth improved 8% to 8.2m.

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LXi REIT announced on Wednesday that it exchanged contracts to acquire the Travelodge hotel at Haverhill, Essex.

The London-listed real estate investment trust also confirmed it had now completed on the pre-let forward funded purchase of the Travelodge, Starbucks and Greggs bakery development at Melksham, near Bath, the exchange of which was announced on 10 March.

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Franchise Brands confirmed on Wednesday that it is in advanced stages regarding a potential acquisition that would constitute a reverse takeover under AIM rules.

Franchise said it has entered into an exclusive agreement regarding the potential acquisition, but any transaction remains subject to a number of factors, including completing due diligence and negotiations to the company's satisfaction, so there can be no certainty that a final binding agreement will be reached.

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Global provider of secure payment products and customer contact solutions, Eckoh, announced on Wednesday that it won a new $3.7m five-year contract to provide secure payment services to a large unnamed US telecommunications provider.

The AIM-traded company said the solution, which would be deployed in financial year FY18, would use Eckoh's patented tokenisation technology to secure card payments being made through the organisation's contact centre facilities.

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Diversified mineral production and development company Strategic Minerals confirmed on Wednesday that Energold Drilling Corporation, the drilling company appointed by CornwallResources (CRL), informed CRL that it has commenced drilling at the Redmoor project in Cornwall.

The AIM-traded firm holds a 50% stake in the Redmoor tin and tungsten project.

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Alecto said Capital Drilling has been awarded the contract for drill and blast at the Mowana Copper Project in Botswana and is currently mobilising its equipment to site.

The Africa-focused gold and copper exploration and development company said, in the interim, using a local contractor, the first production blast was expected by the end of March.

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ECSC reported a sharp jump in revenues for the latest 15-month stretch as it made preparations to significantly scale the business over the course of 2017 ahead of new legislation due to come into effect in 2018, sharply increasing the size of its sales team in the process.

Since its initial public offering on 14 December 2016, the cyber security specialist has increased the size of its sales team from eight to 35.

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Cello Group's shares are up almost 2% after investors focused on the company's confidence in achieving expectations for 2017 over its swing to a full-year pre-tax loss in 2016

Investors liked Cello's comment that it had started 2017 with good levels of forward bookings and already secured a good level of new business wins.

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Shares in Quixant are up almost 5% as traders like its full-year results, which include a more than doubling of revenue, and news of a good start to 2017.

The provider of specialised computing platforms and monitors for gaming and slot machine applications achieved a full-year pre-tax profit of $11.7m, up from $7.8m.

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Verona Pharma has entered into a strategic services agreement with QuintilesIMS, a provider of biopharmaceutical development services, relating to its respiratory disease treatments.

The deal will aid Veron in its clinical trial-related activities for the development of RPL554, an inhaled inhibitor that treats COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and cystic fibrosis and commercialisation.

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Shares in Van Elle Holdings are down a fifth after it warned full-year revenue will come in 5% below previous expectations.

At 10:30 GMT, shares in Van Elle were down a little more than 20% at 90.5p each.

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Natural resources investor Solo Oil has bought a 10% stake in Helium One for 2.55m, which was partly paid for from a share placing.

The AIM-listed company has been granted a 90-day option to increase its stake in Helium One by a further 10%, for an additional 4m to be satisfied equally in cash and shares, which would bring its total interest in the company to 20%.

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James Cropper issued what its board called a positive trading update for the 52 weeks to 1 April on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said during the year it experienced healthy sales growth across both the paper and technical fibre products businesses.

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ECR Minerals updated the market regarding the companys gold exploration licences in Victoria, Australia, on Wednesday, which are held by its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia.

The AIM-traded firm said application for EL6278, the Timor project, had been granted and the new licence registered

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Stratex reported on Wednesday that ThaniStratex Resources, in which it holds a 30.4% interest, recently announced further drill results for its Anbat Project in Egypt.

The AIM-traded firm said the highlights included 227 g/t Au over 1.25 m from 128 m and 4.85 m at 1.99 g/t Au from 99.15 m on TDAND-04, and 32.35 m at 1.48 g/t Au incl. 18.2 m grading 2.25 g/t Au from 100.8 m on TDAND-05.

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Octagonal updated the market on a new business opportunity being developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Investment Strategy UK.

The AIM-traded company said the opportunity was in line with its strategy of utilising its FCA Permissions to diversify and grow revenues through earnings enhancing projects.

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AIM-listed Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings has bought ICDC, a captive insurer of a US Fortune 500 company, for an undisclosed sum.

ICDC, which is in run-off, had total net assets valued at $7.95m at the end of last year with reserves of about $2.76m.

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Onshore natural gas producer Saffron Energys Italy project has been delivered within budget and on schedule and is awaiting approval by the Italian government to start production in early April.

The AIM-listed companys Bezzecca natural gas project outside Milan has achieved mechanical completion with certificates issued and safety and performance testing is now underway.

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Aim-listed brownfield regeneration specialist Inland Homes has secured planning permission for more than 1,200 homes.

The company, which focuses on the South and south East of England, has secured planning permission to develop 239 residential units and 15,845 sq ft of commercial space at its Lily's Walk site in High Wycombe.

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Shares in Avanti Communications Group climbed on Wednesday after the provider of satellite data communications services announced it had won a two-year contract to provide 500 schools in Kenya with satellite broadband connectivity.

Working with its regional partner iSat Africa, a satellite solutions provider, the AIM-listed company will connect schools through its Hylas 2 Ka-band satellite and provide pay-as-you-go services to local communities.

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CloudBuy's shares fell almost 15% after after it reported a narrower full-year pre-tax loss with a minor revenue dip in what was a difficult year for the company.

"The company has learned from the lack of revenue success and taken clear actions to simplify the business," said executive chairman Ronald Duncan.
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Opinion: Washington state slashes infrastructure funds

Legislators are planning to curtail the state's No. 1 source of low interest infrastructure funding.



By JAMES M. KUNTZ

Special to the Journal

Imagine your child came home from school with a report card covered in C grades. For most parents, this would be a wake-up call. Time for a heart-to-heart discussion, more focus on homework, maybe even investing in a tutor.

Unfortunately, when Washington state came home with an infrastructure report card covered in C grades, our state legislators took the opposite approach.

Using the out of sight, out of mind philosophy, they are planning to curtail Washington state's No. 1 source of low interest infrastructure funding.

Reducing this funding source will not only have a directly negative impact on Washington state's ability to address key drinking water, sewer and storm water infrastructure, it could not come at a worse time.

The American Society of Civil Engineers just released the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. According to data from as far back as 2013, Washington state receives a C grade: We need an estimated $9.5 billion in drinking water infrastructure, and another $4 billion in wastewater/sewer infrastructure, over the next 20 years.

Established in 1985, the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) is the No. 1 source of affordable infrastructure funding for Washington state.

Over its 31-year history, PWAA has loaned $2.8 billion dollars to local cities and utility districts, for projects totaling $4.6 billion in Washington state construction. That resulted in the creation of more than 46,000 jobs. Not one of these low interest loans has ever defaulted.

PWAA is managed by governor-appointed members of the Public Works Board, in accordance with Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.155. From its initial seed money of $35 million, along with a small percentage of annual real estate excise tax, solid waste tax, and water and sewer tax, the self-sustaining fund provides extremely low interest financing to help small and large cities and utility districts proactively upgrade and replace infrastructure.

PWAA funding provides loans for six different types of infrastructure systems, including drinking water, sewer, stormwater, roads, bridges and solid waste. The majority of the loans are applied to drinking water and sewer infrastructure.

Why is drinking water and sewer infrastructure  a critical foundation for a safe and healthy society  so often overlooked?

Underground systems are invisible and a lot easier to ignore. Cities would sooner include more visible transportation projects in their annual infrastructure planning  even though a water system technically transports water to and from our schools, residences and businesses.

What caused our legislators to make this decision, even though our state's infrastructure is still in crisis?

Two words: educational funding. At least that's what they're telling us.

For the past seven years, legislators have been diverting funds from the PWAA to balance the budget, relying on the unseen and easily forgotten factor of underground water and sewer infrastructure systems to remain ignored until an emergency.

James Kuntz is executive director of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.







[enlarge] This graph depicts how PWAA revenues have come in (blue for public utilities tax; light green for solid waste tax; purple for real estate excise tax; dark green for PWAA loan repayments); and how those revenues have been diverted by Washington state legislators to other non-infrastructure uses over the past several years (shown in red).



















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NEW YORK (AP)  Wells Fargo plans to upgrade all 13,000 of its ATMs next week to allow customers to access their funds using their cellphones instead of traditional bank cards.

The announcement was made by Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan on Tuesday at an employee town hall in Orlando.





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NEW YORK (AP)  Wal-Mart is launching an incubator lab focused on projects in robotics, virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence as it aims to compete more aggressively with Amazon.

The so-called Store No. 8 will be located in Silicon Valley and marks the latest attempt by the company's new head of e-commerce operations Marc Lore to speed up innovation at the company. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Arkansas, brought over Lore, founder of Jet.com, when the discounter bought the online retailer last year for more than $3 billion and has been on an acquisition binge since then.





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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)  An electric utility cooperative serving the Fairbanks region has denied a request for interconnection from a company looking to build a wind farm.

Golden Valley Electric Association officials say the proposal was rejected because the wind farm proposed for the Delta Junction area would increase costs for the cooperative and its customers, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.





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TACOMA (AP)  Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says the owner of a now-closed Tacoma truck wash will pay $50,000 and spend two years on probation for dumping chemicals into the city's sewer.

The News Tribune reports that Ryan Lewis, of Cleaner Pressure Washing, pleaded guilty this month to polluting water and illegally discharging hazardous chemicals. He also pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to the same charges, along with a felony charge of defrauding a public utility.





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UK banks under fire for helping launder Russian mafia money

Britain's high street banks processed nearly $740 million from a vast money-laundering operation run by Russian criminals with links to the Russian government and the KGB, British media led by the Guardian have revealed.

HSBC, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, Barclays and Coutts are among 17 banks based in the UK, or with branches there, that are facing questions over what they knew about the international scheme and why they did not turn away suspicious money transfers.

Documents seen by The Guardian show that at least $20 billion appears to have been moved out of Russia during a four-year period between 2010 and 2014. The true figure could be $80 billion, detectives believe.

One senior figure involved in the inquiry said the money from Russia was ''obviously either stolen or with criminal origin''.

Investigators are still trying to identify some of the wealthy and politically influential Russians behind the operation, known as ''the Global Laundromat''.

They estimate a group of about 500 people were involved. These include oligarchs, Moscow bankers, and figures working for or connected to the FSB, the successor spy agency to the KGB.

Igor Putin, the cousin of Russia's president, Vladimir, sat on the board of a Moscow bank, which held accounts involved in the fraud.

British-registered companies played a prominent role in this extensive money-laundering network. The real owners of most of the firms used in the scheme remain secret, however, because of the anonymity provided by controversial offshore laws.

The Global Laundromat banking records were obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Novaya Gazeta from sources who wish to remain anonymous. OCCRP shared the data with the Guardian and media partners in 32 countries.

The documents include details of about 70,000 banking transactions, including 1,920 that went through UK banks and 373 via US banks.

The data is understood to be part of the evidence gathered in a three-year money-laundering investigation led by police in Latvia and Moldova.

Detectives have unravelled a conspiracy that involved billions of dollars being sent from suspected criminals in Russia via accounts in Latvia and Moldova held at banks notorious for their exposure to money-laundering scams.

The trail led investigators to 96 countries and to a network of anonymously-owned firms, most of them registered at Companies House in London. Most of the 21 core companies under scrutiny have been dissolved.

The scale of the operation has staggered law enforcement officials. The records show British banks and foreign banks with offices in London processed $738.1 million in transactions apparently involving criminal money from Moscow.

Banks' defence

Banks say they have sophisticated units dedicated to rooting out financial crime. But they say the volume of payments  billions a year  makes such work difficult.

''If you are on the back end you are kind of playing whack-a-mole, trying to pick this up,'' one source told The Guardian.

HSBC processed $545.3m in Laundromat cash, mostly routed through its Hong Kong branch. The troubled Royal Bank of Scotland  which is 71 per cent owned by the UK government  handled $113.1 million.

Coutts  used by the Queen and owned by RBS  accepted $32.8 million worth of payments via its office in Zurich, Switzerland. Coutts is winding down its Swiss operation and was last month fined by regulators for money laundering in a different case.

Other high street banks that appear in the Laundromat data include Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds. NatWest  also owned by RBS  allowed through $1.1 million.
Spanish Congress has agreed to debate two bills introduced by the Socialists and by a Basque regional group that seek to modify Spains controversial Citizen Safety Law  better known to its critics as the Gag Law.

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy in Congress. Bernardo Perez

This law came into effect in July 2015, back when the conservative Popular Party (PP) enjoyed an absolute majority in parliament, despite widespread rejection from opposition parties and many sections of society.

At the time, the opposition accused the government of creating a police state because the new legislation gave law-enforcement officers the power to hand out sanctions that had previously been the sole preserve of judges. The law was also seen as a way to curtail public protest at a time when Spaniards were demonstrating against economic hardship and political corruption.

The PSOE has this urge to repeal that is more focused on grabbing headlines than on effectively protecting liberties

Miguel Gutierrez, Ciudadanos

On Tuesday, Socialist congressman Antonio Trevin described the law as pure authoritarian paranoia.

The weakness of the PPs current minority government was evidenced once more yesterday, when Congress agreed to consider bills put forward by the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) to substantially reform parts of the Gag Law, particularly the sections that have been appealed before Spains Constitutional Court.

ERC spokesman Gabriel Rufian called the Citizen Safety Law a dirty trick pulled by the PP. Fernando Villar

It will be a long parliamentary procedure of uncertain outcome, however. Opposition parties cannot agree on just how much of the laws wording should be changed, and the PP is ready to negotiate in order to minimize the effects of the modifications.

This is a manipulated and recurring debate, because not only does this law not attack fundamental rights, it actually protects them, said PP congressman Jose Alberto Martin-Toledano, speaking at the podium on Tuesday.

Following the vote yesterday, a period of partial amendments is now opening up. In the best-case scenario, the reform process will be completed late this year or in early 2018.

Symbolic value

Last November, Congress approved a non-binding resolution introduced by the Socialists that asked for a reform of the Citizens Safety Law. That vote had purely symbolic value, although it did serve as a gauge of political sentiment in the lower house.

The current effort, by contrast, is legally binding. But opposition parties are divided as to what aspects of the law need to be amended or repealed altogether.

An earlier controversy El Pais The 1992 Citizen Safety Protection law was passed when the Socialists were in power, under then-Interior Minister Jose Luis Corcuera. That law was also controversial back in its day, and dubbed the Kick-Down-The-Door law because it allowed the police to enter homes without a warrant during drug crime investigations. That aspect of the law was later struck down by the Constitutional Court.

The PSOE wants to scrap the legislation and effectively go back to an earlier citizen safety law from the early 1990s (see sidebar).

But the PNV wants to maintain most of the law as is, while amending 44 sections to guarantee rights and liberties and eliminating the items that have been appealed before the Constitutional Court.

Your texts are at odds with each other, said Martin-Toledano to PSOE and PNV representatives.

Meanwhile, the leftist Podemos disagrees with both this law and the previous one. It also opposes the 2013 reform to the Penal Code and a PP-PSOE jointly sponsored expansion of the definition of terrorism.

Gabriel Rufian, of the small, pro-independence Catalan Republican Left (ERC), called the current law one of the dirtiest tricks played by that reactionary machine known as the PP.

And sitting in the middle, the reform party Ciudadanos  which has reached broad policy deals with both the Socialists and the PP at various times  abstained when the PSOE bill was voted but supported the Basque initiative.

The PSOE has this urge to repeal that is more focused on grabbing headlines than on effectively protecting liberties, said Ciudadanos representative Miguel Gutierrez.

English version by Susana Urra.
Houston County Judge Brad Mendheim sentenced Ryan Clark Petersen to death Tuesday for killing three people at a Wicksburg nightclub in 2012.

The sentence is what a jury recommended, by a 10-2 vote, after convicting Petersen of three counts of capital murder in December.

Petersen, 24, spent most of an August evening in 2012 at Teasers, drinking alone and acting strangely, according to some who were at the club the night of the incident. According to court testimony, club security removed Petersen from the establishment after a dispute with an employee. Petersen returned moments later armed with a handgun and opened fire, killing Cameron Paul Eubanks, 20, Tiffani Paige Grissett, 31, and Thomas Robins Jr., who was 59. He also shot Scotty Russell, 33, of Opp, who survived his injuries.

Now, we appeal, said attorney Chris Capps, who represents Petersen. We have 30 days to file a motion for a new trial. A date is usually set within 60 days. It could be denied. If so, we go to the next step, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. This case transcript is suspected to be approximately 10,000 pages. This journey is a 1,000 mile journey for us, and we have only completed the first 100 miles.

Houston County Assistant District Attorney Seth Brooks represented the state in the case.

The district attorneys office asked for the maximum penalty to be given, Brooks said. Justice needed to be served for the three victims that are deceased and the one victim that was fortunate to survive. The actions that occurred took place that evening was inhumane. These victims are members of someones family. They are not just numbers. We have tried to put ourselves in the family members place, but you cant do that. You cant put yourself in that position if you have not been affected that way. No, its not easy to ask for someones life to be taken away, but we had to give the victims justice. The family members of the victims will never see their loved ones again.

Cameron Eubanks was one of three victims killed by Petersen. Eubanks mother, Belinda Finamore was in attendance for the sentencing.

I believe justice was served here today, Finamore said. My faith has got me through all of this and it will continue to get me through this. I have placed my trust in God and I know he will take care of everything that follows this sentencing today. I know the Lord is in control and he will handle everything. Many individuals may not know what kind of person Cameron really was. He was a loving and caring individual. He was always trying to make people happy. Today, I feel relief and I am grateful that my son got justice.
Eastgate Park appears to be on the verge of a big addition.

Commissioners will vote in two weeks on a proposed $1.2 million multi-purpose event facility to be constructed between the current Eastgate event house and the Eastgate barn.

The proposed multi-purpose building will contain several meeting areas that can accommodate large or small groups.

District 3 Commissioner Albert Kirkland, whose district contains Eastgate Park, said the new facility will accommodate more people than the current event house, which is coming to the end of its useful life.

As it is now, the house can only host one event at a time and it stays rented a year in advance, Kirkland said.

City Manager Mike West said estimates to renovate the house, add functionality, make it compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act and repair the driveway neared $600,000. He said a new facility should pay off in the long run.

This will give us a multi-purpose facility for years to come, West said.

General Services Director Randy Morris said the building will have several meeting rooms for small and large events, offices, restrooms and a kitchen area. Morris said the building will allow the city to host multiple events at the same time in the same place. The new building is not expected to result in the hiring of any additional staff.

Morris said the house will remain open while the new building is built, but current plans call for the house to be torn down eventually.
Mayors from two Wiregrass towns affected by recent storms expressed thanks to Dothan on Tuesday for lending aid.

Rehobeth Mayor Joe Collins said help from the City of Dothan was vital to recovery after powerful straight-line winds raced through the town just after the first of the year. Dothan responded with help from several departments with cleanup and other aid.

There is no way we will ever be able to repay, but we will be there for yall, Collins said.

Slocomb Mayor Rob Hinson said Dothan crews helped the city respond after a powerful storm damaged several homes in early February.

Hinson said 10 homes were completely destroyed and 10-20 others received significant damage.

Help came from Dothan the next two days. We hauled off 70 dump truck loads of debris in two days, something our small town would have never been able to do on our own, Hinson said.

We have really good people who work for us in our city, Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz said. They showed up, they care and we want to help.
The Alabama Legislature is considering removing the requirement for permits in order to carry a concealed weapon. Some in government and others claim the permit requirement is only there because sheriffs want to make money. Meanwhile, many law enforcement officers, including Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson and the Ozark police chief plus mayors of Ozark and Daleville, want to keep the requirement for permits.

Thanks, in part to the Alabama State Legislature, Alabama is the third most corrupt state in the nation. This is the same group that loudly claims they are "pro-life" and have declared Alabama a "right to life" state. However, they claim to know more about law enforcement than our law enforcement officers.

A few years ago, Sheriff Olson was awarded near-hero status and nationwide recognition because of his actions during the rescue of a young boy being held by a domestic terrorist. His action brought momentary credit to a state that is usually subject to derision by the rest of the country. And now he is accused of wanting permit money for personal gain?

Why the push to eliminate the requirement for permits? Follow the money. The NRA and other merchants of death boost those in government who promote the NRA and help fund their $972,000 CEO. The rallying cry is "The Second Amendment." Ever hear the NRA quote the Second Amendment in its entirety, even though it only contains one sentence? If you think there is no "infringement," try walking into a government building or boarding an airplane with a weapon.

I am not "anti-gun." I have owned guns more than 60 years and was paid by the military to carry guns and kill people for 27 years. Don't listen to the anti-American, anti-law enforcement, pro-terrorist NRA. Don't believe me? Read the angry letter President Bush (41) sent, resigning his lifetime membership in the NRA. Have more respect for the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line daily to protect us instead of the corrupt opportunists in the legislature.

Carl Hess

Ozark
Hyundai has added some more variation to its seven-seat family SUV range.

The South Koren car maker has effectively made the limited-run Santa Fe 30 edition - offered last year to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Australia - a permanent member of the Santa Fe family with this new addition.

The new Santa Fe Active X model stands alone as the only front-wheel drive model in the range, making it the most road-biased Santa Fe.

Power comes from a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 199kW and 318Nm and is paired to a six-speed automatic.

Priced from $40,990 before on-road costs, which places the Active X in between the base all-wheel drive, 2.4-litre petrol-powered Active manual and Active auto variants.

Hyundai has counteracted the lack of all-wheel drive by packing the Active X with an impressive list of standard safety equipment.

On the outside the Active X scores dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles, rear privacy glass, rain sensing wipers, roof rails, front and rear fog lights, auto headlights and heated wing mirrors.

While inside the Active X gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a leather appointed steering wheel, heated front seats, tyre pressure monitoring and a cooled glove compartment.

The third row also gets its own air conditioning vents, but does miss out on curtain airbags which only cover the first and second rows.
The dilemma Simone wants to replace her 2001 Mazda 323. She has no desire to leave the small-car fold  her husband has a Toyota RAV4 that serves as the family chariot, and she doesn't want to spend a bomb fuelling or servicing it. She'd just like it to be safe and, because she intends to keep it for a while, reasonably fresh. A Mazda 3 is her first choice, or should she looking elsewhere The budget No more than $15,000 The shortlist With Simone already a happy Mazda driver, and the second-gen 3 that occupies this price range a better-than-average prospect, its yardstick status is safe. The real question is if there might be something even better. European options can be sidestepped  they tend to be more prone to niggly, expensive upkeep over the long term than the best Japanese and Korean contenders. Other possibilities can be cast aside because they're light years behind what else is on offer (Holden Cruze, Nissan Pulsar, Mitsubishi Lancer). Some are more worthy but still don't stack up to our criteria as well as the Mazda and our recommended alternatives (Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza). 2012-15 Hyundai i30/2013-16 Kia Cerato, from $10,200*/$10,400*

These South Korean cousins have plenty in common, so Simone could do worse than consider both and buy the very best of whichever pops up. Some things could swing a different finishing order. The Kia has the longer warranty (seven years versus five), the Hyundai the stronger fixed-price servicing regime (lifetime versus seven years) and a handy wagon option. They taste a little different, from their unique presentation to their on-road character (the Kia is a little sportier, the Hyundai more pampering). Both, though, nail the basic-transport brief with their generous practicality, respectably thrifty mainstream 1.8-litre petrol engine and strong safety (all models have stability control and curtain airbags). Both also lack the finer driving flair and driveability, and to-the-bones quality feel, of the very slickest small cars. Read Drive's Hyundai i30/Kia Cerato reviews: Used review: Hyundai i30 Tourer

Head to head: Hyundai i30 Active vs Kia Cerato S 2009-14 Mazda 3, from $7500*

This Mazda tugs at the heartstrings with a punchy mainstream 2.0-litre petrol engine and adept, engaging driving qualities. It ticks the sensible-transport box with a solid serve of practicality, quality and safety (stability control and curtain airbags were standard on all but the base Neo from launch, and mandatory across the range from 2010). But the Mazda's petrol engine is a tad on the thirsty side. It's tighter in the back than its Korean foes, noisier and doesn't have a reversing-camera option. While Simone can expect to find an i30 or Cerato with years of warranty, just finding a tidy 3 with time to run on its three-year deal could be tough. It also pre-dates Mazda's capped-price servicing deal and asks for more regular attention (six-monthly/10,000km versus yearly/15,000km). Read Drive's Mazda3 reviews: Used-car review: Mazda3 2012-on Toyota Corolla, from $11,600*
Seville-based actress Rocio Hoces found herself the victim of a communication problem that led her to being ordered to repay 7,704 in unemployment benefits after she reported a Cordoba theater company to the authorities for failing to provide her with a contract, not informing the Social Security she had been employed, and neglecting to pay her.

Rocio Hoces outside an employment office in Seville. PACO PUENTES (EL PAIS)

The message this sends out is that you should look the other way, that doing things the wrong way is worth it. If I hadnt reported this, nothing would have happened and I would have carried on receiving my unemployment payment, says the 35-year-old single mother after 18 months pursuing her case, during which time the Spanish Ministry of Employment has insisted she return benefit payments.

After finding out the story of her red tape nightmare was to be published by EL PAIS, regional employment authorities have promised to resolve her case immediately.

Hoces was hired by the Cordoba-based Asociacion Cultural Teatro al Cubo to perform in The Jewess of Toledo, by 17th century Spanish playwright Lope de Vega, in the citys Teatro Gongora on September 12, 2015, as part of celebrations for the 700th anniversary of the Cordoba synagogue. The theater company had been contracted by Cordoba City Hall.

The worker, who should be protected, has ended up being pursued Lawyer Antonio Castro

Two days later, she informed her local employment office that she had worked for one day, so that adjustments could be made to her unemployment benefit. But no record of any contracts relating to the performance could be found, and nor had the theater company informed the Social Security about the 12 people involved in the performance.

The theater company did not reply to calls from Hoces and never paid her or the other actors, so the performers decided to report the matter to the local employment office, as well as the Spanish Labor Inspectorate, which is when her problems began: the Labor Inspectorate decided to register her as employed, communicating this to the employment authorities.

The message this sends is that doing things the wrong way is worth it Rocio Hoces

The local employment office then determined that the actors had failed to inform the office in time that they were employed, ruling it would suspend further unemployment benefits and in the case of Hoces demanding the return of 7,704 on the grounds it was incompatible with being employed by a third party.

This was despite Hoces was never having formally been employed because the theater company acted illegally and without City Hall  which had paid the theater company  checking the terms and conditions of employment.

Hoces and lawyer, Antonio Castro, have spent the last 18 months pursuing the case. The worker, who should be protected, has ended up being pursued, notes Castro.

After the publishing of this story. Labor ministry sources told EL PAIS the matter would be rapidly resolved in favor of Hoces, citing a possible communication problem.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Home Four wheelers Honda To Export WR-V From India oi-Sukesh

Japanese car maker Honda has been exporting some of its models to the overseas market, and in the latest development, the company will introduce the WR-V to the Brazilian market.

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Check out more photos of the recently launched WR-V by clicking the gallery below.
The death occurred suddenly and very sadly of John Kearney at the relatively young age of 38 on February 8 last.

John hailed from 481 Ashling Park and was a dedicated youth and community worker who was honoured for his work for young people at risk, receiving the national volunteer achievement award in 2004.

It was a sphere in which he was engaged in from a young age, and gave freely of his time within his own community in the Coxs Demesne Youth and Community centre, and went on to study at third level and made his career in it.

His life involved helping others, including the homeless and unfortunate and was possessed with a gift for organising and to find solutions, particularly for problems.

He was one of four sons of Attracta and the late Hubert Kearney, who also had four daughters.

He grew up attending Redeemer Boys National School and then went to the local Christian Brothers but left before finishing his secondary education.

However, he returned to education and completed his Leaving Certificate, and entered third level education in Maynooth and Jordanstown, where he undertook youth and community studies.

His interest and commitment to youth and community resulted in John spending ten years working with the Coxs Demesne Youth and Community project before joining Youth Work Ireland in 2013. He was involved in delivering programmes to youth clubs in the North East in the like of youth leadership skills and child protection and continued in his role with the organisation until his untimely demise.

Through it he became very actively engaged in the Irish Youth Music awards and took a very personal interest in encouraging and helping young people from his own locality who had musical talent to develop it. At least one local lad he assisted to secure or come close to a record deal. He also gave of his time to take groups of young people away on trips. .

He displayed his philanthropic nature in different ways from taking a friend to Lourdes who sustained serious injuries in a motor accident. He had great faith in Lourdes. He also organised a parachute jump to raise funds for the local Coxs Demesne school project and helped with the homeless, including an involvement with the local Soup Kitchen

He idolised his 17 year-old son, Keelan and took great pride in his home and had a deep love of his family. He had a charming and bubbly personality, who took great pride in his appearance and loved clothes. He daily went to the gym and was fond of holidays, especially in the sun where he would go as often as he could.

Bouldering was also a favourite pastime of his, and with a love for music he was the live and soul of a party.

He was predeceased by his dad Hubert (Boo) and niece Kenzie. His passing is very deeply regretted by his loving mother, Attracta (nee Gray), son, Keelan, brothers, Jason, Fra and Dean, sisters Lorraine, Julie, Michelle and Samantha, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends.

John reposed at the family home, 481 Ashling Park from Friday morning prior to his removal the next morning to the Church of The Holy Redeemer. Father Sean McGuigan celebrated Requiem Mass and gave the eulogy.

During Mass, the Readings were given by friend Claire Duffy and John Menary, with the Prayers of the Faithful led by friends, Dawn Martin, Jacinta Grimes, Craig McGuinness and niece, Stacey Kearney.

Gifts symbolizing Johns life were laid before the altar by nieces and nephews, Scott Kearney, Aaron Myles, Darren Kearney and Ellie Mae Conway.

The Offertory gifts were taken up by brother, Dean and sister-in-law, Nicole.

His brother Jason provided a reflection, and the music was by Olivia Finnegan and Roisin Crawley.

Burial took place in Saint Patricks cemetery Dowdallshill.
The anti-Trump rebellion already underway in major US cities is coming into sharper focus. In Los Angeles, authorities on Tuesday issued an order prohibiting all municipal employees from assisting federal immigration officials in their search for undocumented migrants to deport. And the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released data suggesting that Latinos are already losing their trust in law enforcement agencies.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. AP

More information Los Angeles prohibe totalmente colaborar con Trump en inmigracion

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti revealed the figures at a Tuesday presentation in East LA, the heart of the citys Latino community. According to these statistics, reports of sexual assault filed by Latinos have decreased 25% since the beginning of 2017 compared with the same period last year; meanwhile, reports of domestic violence fell by 10% during the same period. Reports by other ethnic groups did not experience similar falls.

Beck said that although there is no clear evidence that this decrease is directly linked to Latinos unease over current immigration policies, the LAPD suspects that fear of deportation is making undocumented residents think twice before reporting a crime.

These policies are making our cities less safe, said Mayor Garcetti at one of the four immigration events scheduled for Tuesday in the city.

These policies are making our cities less safe

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti

Garcetti began his day at 6am with an appearance on the Hispanic network Univision, where he talked about immigrants rights. Later he held a press conference over the phone with other mayors. And later still he met with immigrant communities in East LA to assure them that the city is here to protect you.

If witnesses dont talk out of fear, if a father does not take his daughter to school because he fears being arrested if he does, that is something that erodes the entire city, that makes us less safe, he told EL PAIS after one of these events. We could see the crime figures rise and people start living in hiding again.

There are an estimated 800,000-plus illegal migrants living in LA. The city decided back in 1979 that its police would not cooperate with federal immigration agencies and the LAPD ended the practice of stopping people exclusively to find out about their legal status. This policy has been maintained by both Democratic and Republican administrations, who were aware that if the large Latino community became afraid of the police, there would be no way to develop an effective security policy.

A man protests Trump's new immigration policies outside the ICE Federal Building in Los Angeles. LUCY NICHOLSON (REUTERS)

The new executive directive issued on Tuesday expands this policy to the Fire Department, Airport Police and Port Police. It also ensures the confidentiality of all information provided by residents to access local services such as public libraries. And it forces municipal employees to report any attempts by the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to secure their cooperation.

There is something symbolic about the move, but it comes at a time when symbols have become important. Also on Tuesday, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions accused the so-called sanctuary cities, which refuse to hold undocumented migrants until the ICE can come round to collect them, of posing a threat to public safety.

The Trump administration is basing its aggressive stance against the countrys estimated 11 million illegal immigrants on the claim that they are uncontrollable criminals. But moves like the one made in LA on Tuesday seek to showcase another reality: that an aggressive policy of arrests and deportations will lead millions of people into hiding and hamper police activity in the big cities.

Ask police chiefs why they have this policy, instead of trying to force them to change it, the mayor said, rhetorically addressing Trump.

The city decided back in 1979 that its police would not cooperate with federal immigration agencies

The president has threatened to withhold federal funds from cities that refuse to apply his policies. But Garcetti said that he is sure the Constitution is on their side. Among other legal decisions, there is a Supreme Court ruling on Barack Obamas health reform establishing that federal funds cannot depend on the implementation of the presidents political agenda.

The Day of Immigration Action was a coordinated effort among 60 cities across the US. This is not about LA, although we are ground zero of this problem, said the mayor. Its not about New York or Chicago. Its an issue that affects small towns across the country.

English version by Susana Urra.
Sales Centre is now open at St George's Square in Harrow

Property-seekers in London can discover more about the stunning range of apartments available at Taylor Wimpeys St Georges Square development in Harrow  by visiting the brand new Sales Information Centre, which is now open.

Visitors to this popular development can browse detailed plans for the selection of stylish homes now on sale  and take their pick from the available plots.

The spacious one and two-bedroom apartments at St Georges Square have all been designed to a high specification, including luxury Nobilia kitchens complete with Franke stainless steel sink areas and fully integrated Zanussi appliances, Aqualisa showers and pivot shower doors.

All of the apartments are available with the Help to Buy London scheme, which enables eligible purchasers to access a Government loan for up to 40% of their new homes full price  so they only need a 55% loan-to-value mortgage and a deposit as low as 5%.

Jack Costello, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: Were delighted to unveil our brand new Sales Information Centre at St Georges Square, which is already proving a big hit with discerning home-hunters.

With a superb selection of apartments available at great-value prices and the fantastic Help to Buy London incentive to suit customers in a variety of circumstances, theres something here for a range of buyers. I would recommend that anyone interested in finding out more should visit the development as soon as they can.

Theres a wonderful selection of one and two-bedroom apartments on sale at St Georges Square from 350,000, each boasting at least 538sq ft.

The two-bedroom Maven Court (Plot 14) apartment, priced at 485,000, for example, features an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area with a door leading to an outdoor patio, two spacious bedrooms, a contemporary bathroom and storage space off the internal entrance hallway, while allocated parking is provided outside.

Help to Buy London is available on new-build homes up to the value of 600,000 and theres no salary cap for purchasers taking advantage of the scheme.

St Georges Square enjoys a well-connected location in Sudbury Hill, Harrow, with excellent facilities for day-to-day living within walking distance, including a wealth of high street and independent shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants. Affluent Harrow on the Hill, with its attractive Georgian architecture, is just over half a mile away.

Just a short walk away is Sudbury Hill underground station, which is served by the Piccadilly line and provides services into central London, and Sudbury Hill Harrow railway station for connections to Gerrards Cross and London Marylebone.

There are also frequent bus services which stop close by for destinations including Harrow, Sudbury, Greenford, Wembley and Neasden.

Sudbury Hill connects with the A4217, providing easy access to the A40, M40 and M25, while the A4005 and A404 link to the North Circular for the M4 and the M1.

The St Georges Square Sales Information Centre, located off Sudbury Hill, Harrow, HA1 3SB, is now open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm and Mondays between 2pm and 5.30pm.

Information on all Taylor Wimpey developments across the region is available by visiting taylorwimpey.co.uk.
Open letter to the Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: According to the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia N 336-N dated March 24, 2016, AMD 11,000,000 were allocated for the functioning and equipping of a kindergarten in the village of Ditak from the Government reserve fund in the form of a subvention. Since the execution of the Decree was delayed for unknown reasons, the NGO Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment at a meeting (May 6, 2016) of the National Council for Sustainable Development chaired by the Prime Minister raised the issue asking to speed up the co-financing process of the reconstructed kindergarten. The Government responded immediately, as a result of which the kindergarten was opened serving 40 children. It should be noted, that the reconstruction of the kindergarten in the village of Ditak was carried out within the framework of a charity program, with the financial support of the Swiss private fund Sourir vers l'Avenir and the assistance of the Swiss Embassy. The Ambassador of Switzerland attended the opening ceremony of the kindergarten. A total of USD 77,500 was spent on the reconstruction of the kindergarten. Unfortunately, since 2017, the new RA Government has stopped financing of the kindergarten in the village of Ditak. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, we welcome your approach to attracting foreign investments.At the same time, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that donors and charitable foundations carrying out investment and charity programs are very attentive to the position taken by the Government in relation to the problems that they help to solve within the framework of their financial support. In this case, the problem concerns the children of the village of Ditak. We are asking you to ensure financing of the kindergarten in the village of Ditak on a permanent basis. We hope that the issue will be resolved positively prior to the arrival of a film crew from Switzerland, scheduled to visit Armenia with the intention to make a film about the above -mentioned charitable program. Cooperation efforts in charitable investment programs of donors, the Government, local administrations and NGOs could have a chance to continue involving other schools and kindergartens, which are so badly needed by our children. Sincerely, Elena Manvelyan Head of NGO Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment
Caution should be the life of banking

Introductory statement by Sabine Lautenschlager, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the AFME Board Meeting in Frankfurt, 22 March 2017

Ladies and gentlemen,

Taking risks is at the heart of any healthy business, including banks. After all, it is the job of banks to take and allocate risks. But as Walter Bagehot said: Adventure is the life of commerce, but caution is the life of banking.

I agree with him.

Banks are far too important for the economy to indulge in adventures. They enable business by providing loans to companies or by helping them to tap the capital markets. And they also facilitate business by providing services in fields such as payments, mergers and acquisitions, and global trade.

Banks help the economy to grow and prosper. But they can also badly hurt it; we saw that in the financial crisis. Thats why banks need to be cautious. In practical terms that requires, among other things, sound risk management.

And this sets the scene for my short statement today. The topic is risk management. I will begin with some smaller, or rather bank-specific, risk management topics and end with a few big issues.

Sound risk management depends on good data. It also depends on firm-wide risk aggregation and reporting. Those who take decisions must be in the picture.

But are they? Well, in the crisis we learnt that decision-makers often were not. IT systems, data architecture and related processes were not up to the mark.

Against that backdrop, we assessed how banks aggregate data and report risks. The yardstick was a set of global best practices that were defined by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. These are known as the BCBS 239 principles.

The result of our review: many banks do not meet the global standards. As usual, we will therefore be very explicit on how these banks should improve. And we will closely monitor the progress made by the respective banks to ensure that they meet relevant standards.

Ladies and gentlemen, good risk data is one thing. But processing such data is another matter. And that leads me to my next topic: internal models. Many large banks use these models to calculate their risk-weighted assets, which then serve as a basis for calculating capital requirements. Over the past years, internal models have diverged greatly, not least due to the fact that supervisors applied different standards when authorising them.

In response, we have launched a project called TRIM. That stands for targeted review of internal models. It aims to ensure two things: first, that the playing field is level; second, that internal models produce reliable and comparable results. The calculation of risk-weighted assets should be driven by actual risks rather than by modelling choices. TRIM will help to raise trust in how banks calculate their risks.

Ladies and gentlemen, there are small risks and big risks. There are risks that affect a single bank and risks that affect the entire sector. And then there are risks that stretch across sectors and even countries. In that regard, there is one thing that comes to mind: Brexit.

Right now, it is still very unclear how the world will look after the UK has left the EU. Still, banks and supervisors must prepare for any scenario. The worst case would certainly be a hard Brexit. In that scenario, the UK would become a third country from the viewpoint of the EU.

As a result, UK banks might lose their European passport and, with it, access to the Single Market. This would affect many of the 40 UK banking groups that currently operate in the Single Market. They would then have to find another way in.

Most likely, they would seek to obtain a banking licence in an EU country to regain the passport. In the euro area, these licences are granted by the ECB. We obviously dont care whether UK banks move to Frankfurt, Dublin, Paris or some other location in the euro area. What we care about are safe and sound banks.

We will therefore resist any supervisory or regulatory race to the bottom. Any bank that moves to the euro area will have to meet our standards  regardless of whether it comes from the UK or any other place.

Most importantly, we will not accept empty shell companies. All entities in the euro area must have adequate local risk management, sufficient local staff and operational independence. All that should be self-evident.

Banks which seek to permanently book all exposures back-to-back with another entity in London should change their plans. And so should banks that plan to book all exposures with a euro area entity while having their risk management somewhere else.

We are aware that it is a burden for UK banks to apply for a new licence in the EU. With a view to internal models, we would aim to be accommodating regarding the timing. There will be a transitional period in which new euro area entities might use internal models that have not yet been approved by the ECB.

But of course, there are conditions attached. First, the relevant models must have been approved by the UKs Prudential Regulation Authority. We would also reflect on any comments on the quality of the models from our UK colleagues. Second, the banks must have applied for internal model approval in the euro area. The transitional period will cease as soon as we have approved or rejected the banks model application.

Ladies and gentlemen, sound banks are at the heart of a strong economy. Banks therefore should note Walter Bagehots words and remain cautious. It is our job as supervisors to help them do so and steer clear of risky adventures.

Thank you for your attention.
Reported here first, U.S. Congressman Dave Trott is caught trying to fool constituents about the American Health Care Act and proves his ignorance about the Affordable Care Act.

Ed Weberman has been trying to get a meeting with his Congressman, Dave Trott, for months. Thanks to his persistence, Weberman was successful, traveling to Washington, D.C., on March 21 to meet with Rep. Trott. What Weberman learned in the meeting is a bombshell: Congressman Trott has lied to his constituents about the GOP healthcare plan, the American Health Care Act (AHCA).

Weberman has become a champion for protecting the gains made under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare), because his sons life was saved by access to coverage under his parents plan when he was diagnosed with cancer, as I wrote about here. His son Alex, now 24 years old, is in remission  but what will become of him if the consumer protections under the ACA are repealed, as they would be if Congress passes the AHCA, the GOP plan designed to fulfill their promise to repeal and replace Obamacare?

At Rep. Trotts town hall last weekend  where the Congressman was caught on a hot mic trying to paint his constituents as un-American  Weberman stood up and made an impassioned plea for the sake of his son and the 24 million Americans who stand to lose health insurance under the Republican plan. During the town hall, Weberman asked the Congressman a yes or no question: Do you think there should be healthcare for everyone and that healthcare is a human right? Rep. Trott responded yes and agreed to meet with Weberman.

During the 45-minute meeting with Rep. Trott, attended by one other constituent from Michigans 11th Congressional District and Rep. Trotts legislative assistant, Bridget Sobek, Weberman continued to push for answers. Weberman says the meeting was cordial, but at one point he told Rep. Trott he wasnt interested in hearing a stump speech. Heres the crucial portion of the conversation as reported by Weberman:

Weberman: Lets cut to the chase. You and President Trump have said children should be able to remain on their parents policy through age 26, there should be no lifetime caps on coverage and there should be no change in the way pre-existing conditions are handled now under the ACA. But you and I know as businesspeople that the insurance companies cant afford to pay for sick people if healthy people arent paying premiums and if youre cutting the tax on the very wealthy [which the AHCA would do]. Were headed toward a high-risk pool for people with pre-existing conditions. Trott: Youre right. Weberman: Excuse me? Two weeks ago in a letter to constituents you told us people with pre-existing conditions would be protected. You werent telling the truth. And if you wont tell your constituents, I will.

The conversation about pre-existing conditions continued, with Weberman educating Rep. Trott on the facts.

Trott: Under the ACA, people with pre-existing conditions can be charged three times as much as healthy people. Weberman: Youve got this wrong. What youre talking about under the ACA is that older people can be charged up to three times as much as younger people. Under the GOP plan, its going to be five times as much. It doesnt relate to pre-existing conditions. Sobek: Congressman, hes correct. Weberman: Congressman, you have not told your constituents the truth.

Im one of Rep. Trotts constituents and received the letter Weberman mentioned  in response to my repeated calls and emails to the Congressmans office about the fact that my premiums will skyrocket if the ACA is repealed and replaced with the AHCA, because I have diabetes. Countless other constituents have tried to tell Rep. Trott their stories, which have fallen on deaf ears.

Later in the meeting, Rep. Trott directed Sobek to drill down on the pre-existing condition issue and get back to him and Weberman about it. But with a vote in the U.S. House scheduled for Thursday, how can Rep. Trott support a bill he simply does not understand?

During the meeting, Weberman pursued the issue of high-risk pools, which have been shown through experience to be an unsuitable way to insure people with pre-existing conditions. Despite Rep. Trotts assertion to Weberman that high-risk pools work in some states, thats simply not true. As the Center for American Progress explains, quarantining the sick into high-risk pools drives up premiums and they dont have enough funding to cover everyone who needs care. Insurance works when both the sick and the healthy pay into the pool, because everyone will get sick someday and their insurance will be there for them at that time. This is a concept Republicans either do not understand or dont care to.

The most shocking thing to me is when Congressman Trott admitted he didnt tell the truth about pre-existing conditions in his letter, Weberman says. Thats what President Trump has been saying to the American people [that people with pre-existing conditions would be protected]. I asked the Congressman how he could send a letter like that and he was caught flat-footed.

Weberman tried to get more information about the plan for high-risk pools, and Rep. Trott told him it was in one of the next steps in a 3-phase plan to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system promised by President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and House Republicans.

Weberman believes Rep. Trott and other House Republicans know more about phase 2 and 3 than theyll admit. He asked Rep. Trott about the fact that the next two phases would be done as changes to regulations that can be made unilaterally by Secretary Price, instead of being voted on in Congress, and the only response he got was Thats what Obama did  more stump-speech rhetoric.

The same kind of response was Rep. Trotts answer to why Republicans dont work to fix the ACA instead of repealing it. Weberman says he gave a lot of thought to Rep. Trotts response after the meeting.

The Congressman said, Government doesnt do things right, Weberman says. He is representing himself to be our representative in Congress, but hes not really representing us because he thinks the government shouldnt be involved in our lives. Its negative representation.

Ultimately, Webermans reason for speaking out goes beyond wanting to protect his son and the millions of others who rely on the ACA so they can afford health insurance.

Republicans are pulling the wool over constituents eyes. What people have been told about protections for people with pre-existing conditions and other aspects of the law are false.

He believes if Congressman Trott had the political cover  and wasnt subjected to arm-twisting by President Trump, as every Republican in Congress was on Tuesday  he would vote no on the AHCA.

Could minds like Congressman Trotts be changed by people like Weberman, who actively sought common ground during the face-to-face meeting he fought so hard to get? Theres only one way to find out: Contact your Representatives TODAY and let them know youre onto their lies and manipulations. If theyre not willing to represent the interests and wishes of their constituents, well be happy to vote them out in the next election.

Find your Representative in the U.S. Congress HERE and your U.S. Senator HERE.

[Photo courtesy of Ed Weberman.]
[NOTE: This post will be updated on a regular basis.]

It is not normal that a candidate for President of the United States of America created childish nicknames for his opponents and political adversaries like Lyin Ted, Little Marco, Crooked Hillary, and Pocahontas.

It is not normal that a candidate for President of the United States would pause his campaign to go to another country to announce the opening of a business venture.

It is not normal that a candidate for President of the United States would call for his opponent to be put in prison and to promise that if he became the president that he would make sure they were put in prison.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to make reference to a restroom visit of his opponent and refer to it as too disgusting.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to say his opponent got schlonged by another candidate in a previous primary.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to claim that military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder are weak and cant handle war and combat.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to mock a disabled person during a speech on the campaign trail.

It is not normal for the wife of a candidate for President of the United States to plagiarize a former First Ladys speech in her own speech at her Partys national convention.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to have admitted to sexually assaulting women.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to defend himself from allegations of sexual assault by claiming the woman was too ugly to be his victim.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to suggest that his supporters use violence against protesters at his campaign rallies.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to suggest that he desires his daughter sexually.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to have scammed unwitting people using a phony university.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to suggest that a female debate moderator asked him hard questions because she was menstruating.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to claim that a sitting United States Senator who survived being a prisoner of war and who endured months of torture at the hands of our enemy is not a war hero.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to claim that his opponent along with the current President of the United States are founders of an international terrorist regime.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to have had six of his companies go bankrupt.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to call his opponent a nasty woman.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to have been accused of rape by a former spouse.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to suggest that his opponent be assassinated if she is elected President of the United States.

It is not normal for a candidate for the President of the United States to suggest that a federal judge is a threat to the national security of the United States.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to have a campaign manager did work for a pro-Russian Ukrainian presidential candidate with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and be forced to resign because of it.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to call for a ban on people from a specific religion from entering the United States.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to call for his opponents bodyguards to disarm immediately to see what happens to her.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to ask Russia to hack his opponents emails.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to be under FBI investigation for his campaigns ties to Russia.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to claim the President of Russia is a stronger leader than the President of the United States.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to call for the construction of a gigantic border wall and claim it will be paid for by the neighboring country and not the United States of America.

It is not normal for Russia to interfere in an American presidential election on behalf of one candidate over another.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to suggest that an American-born federal judge is not qualified to oversee a case he is involved in because his parents were from another country.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to appoint a chief executive for his campaign and later, as President of the United States, as his Chief Strategist and member of the National Security Councils Principals Committee, who is the head of a racist, white nationalist website.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to refuse to release his tax returns before or after the election.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States to claim immigrants from another country are drug dealers, criminals, and rapists.

It is not normal for a candidate for President of the United States or for the President of the United States to call major news media outlets like the Washington Post, CNN, and the New York Times fake news.

It is not normal for the President of the United States pick for National Security Advisor to have lied about contacts with the Russian government during the United States presidential campaign and be forced to resign because of it.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to suggest that our military might invade another country and take their oil.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to publicly and provably lie about the size of the crowd at his inauguration.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a person to head the Environmental Protection Agency who is a climate change denier.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to ask a black journalist to arrange a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to claim that he lost the popular vote by millions of votes due to voting by undocumented immigrants.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a person to head the Department of Energy who has previously expressed his intent to eliminate the Department of Energy if he became President of the United States

It is not normal for the President of the United States to hire three former employees of a racist, white nationalist website to be part of his administration.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to have his daughter, son, and son-in-law as key members of his administration including a White House office and security clearance.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a man who believes liberal Jews are worse than Nazi collaborators as his ambassador to Israel.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to maintain ownership of a vast, international business empire while in office.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to equate our intelligence agencies with Nazis.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to formulate a response to nuclear aggression of one country with the head of state of another country in a public, unsecured location.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to vacation nearly every weekend at a resort in Florida at great expense to taxpayers and the local municipality.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to publicly taunt the head of another country with whom we have hostile relations on Twitter.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to defame a living civil rights hero.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to pick someone with multiple labor violations as the Secretary of Labor.

It is not normal for the press secretary for the President of the United States to claim there is such a thing as alternative facts.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to not know who Frederick Douglass was.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a conspiracy theorist for his National Security Advisor.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to publicly declare he wants to resume the global nuclear arms race.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to have his Chief of Staff request that the FBI publicly debunk an unfavorable news story.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to label mainstream media outlets as the enemy of the American People.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a person to run the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD) who has said hes not qualified for any cabinet position.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to not know what the New START nuclear arms treaty with Russia is.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to sign Executive Orders banning people from entering the United States who are only from countries with a single religious majority.

It is not normal for the President of the United States to choose a woman who has never attended public schools, never sent her own children to public schools, never been a school administrator, and has spent much of her career promoting the use of tax dollars to send children to private and charter schools in an effort to destroy public schools for Secretary of Education.

It is not normal for the President of the United States pick for Attorney General to have lied under oath during his confirmation hearing about contacts with a hostile foreign government.

[CC image credit: Thomas Hawk | Flickr]
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South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday indicted Samsung head Lee Jae-yong and four other executives on bribery and embezzlement charges, following a lengthy investigation into Lees ties with impeached president Park Geun-hye and her confidant, Choi Soon-sil.

Samsung Head Lee Jae-yong

Charges against Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Group, include pledging bribes to organizations tied to Choi in an effort to cement his control of the conglomerate.

The Samsung Group has denied paying bribes to Park or seeking improper favorable treatment from her.

Lee could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He, Park and Choi all have denied wrongdoing.

Two senior Samsung Group executives  Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung and President Chang Choong-gi  offered to resign to take responsibility for the conglomerates involvement in the scandal, Korean news agency Yonhap reported last week.

The two have been identified as suspects in the probe into Lee.

Lee shut down Samsungs corporate strategy office last December. With about 200 staff from various Samsung affiliates, the office ran major initiatives, such as investment in new businesses. It reportedly was key to Samsungs questionable lobbying efforts.

Fallout From the Investigation

CEOs and boards of Samsungs various affiliates now will run their organizations independently.

This is going to hit Samsung hard in areas such as the smartphone industry, where the tight connection gave it advantages in both time to market and cost, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

A fight between the units over profits and costs could result in increased inefficiencies, and the lack of a strong central unit to ensure the good of the group suggests the risk of a problem has just gone up significantly, he told the E-Commece Times.

For example, Samsungs partners could get more aggressive when competing for business from affiliates currently sourcing from other affiliates, Enderle suggested.

A change like this crippled IBM in the 1960s and was key to the companys near-collapse in the 1980s, he recalled.

On the other hand, relationships are everything at the top levels of major corporations, observed Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan.

These people will talk and will continue to collaborate, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Samsungs Corporate Identity

South Koreas largest business conglomerate, or chaebol, Samsung consists of four business groups: Samsung Group, Chinese Group, CJ Group and Hansol Group.

Samsung has numerous affiliates.

Samsung was a major force behind the Miracle on the Han River in the 1950s, as South Koreas rapid economic growth in the Korean War aftermath is known.

Samsung employs more people than any other company in South Korea, noted Andreas Scherer, managing partner at Salto Partners.

The conglomerate accounts for roughly 17 percent of South Koreas GDP, he told the E-Commerce Times, and it is a major force in politics, media and culture.

The Stakes for Samsung

Samsung dominates the smartphone industry. It shipped more than 77 million smartphones in Q4, commanding 77 percent of the global market, according to Strategy Analytics.

However, global smartphone shipments in Q4 were down 5 percent from the 81 million units shipped in Q4 2015. Apple picked up the slack, with global iPhone shipments totaling 78 million, up 5 percent from Q4 2015.

A weakened Samsung would be a boon to other Android manufacturers and Apple, particularly at the high end, where Samsung and Apple largely stood alone up until now, Enderle remarked.

Still, given Samsungs size and importance to both the Korean economy and social structure, noted Salto Partners Scherer, its safe to assume nothing will happen fast.
Following WikiLeaks publication earlier this week of classified documents stolen from the CIA, major technology companies, including Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and Cisco, have been scrambling to assess the risks posed to their customers by the revelations.

The so-called Vault 7 leak includes information about methods and tools the CIA crafted to hack into products produced by those companies.

Apples initial analysis reportedly showed that many of the issues identifed in iOS already were patched in the latest version of the software.

In addition methods of hacking iPhones, the WikiLeaks documents pointed to ways the CIA might exploit Windows PCs, Android phones and Samsung smart TVs.

Google reportedly expressed confidence that existing security protections in Chrome and Android shield their users from many of the vulnerabilities identified in the WikiLeaks dump.

Both Samsung and Microsoft reportedly said they were investigating the impact of the leaks.

Routers and Linux Targeted

Other targets of CIA hacking included Cisco and the Linux operating system, according to the Vault 7 documents.

There is little actionable information in the WikiLeaks documents, noted Dario Ciccarone, a security researcher at Cisco.

At the time of the initial release, WikiLeaks has not released any of the tools or exploits associated with the disclosure, he pointed out.

Since none of the tools and malware referenced in the initial Vault 7 disclosure have been made available by WikiLeaks, the scope of action that can be taken by Cisco is limited. An ongoing investigation and focused analysis of the areas of code that are alluded to in the disclosure is underway, Ciccarone said.

Until more information is available, there is little Cisco can do at this time from a vulnerability handling perspective, he added.

Linuxs popularity makes it a likely target for intelligence agencies, according to Nicko van Someren, chief technology officer for The Linux Foundation.

Linux is a very widely used operating system with a huge installed base all around the world, so it is not surprising that state agencies from many countries would target Linux, along with the many closed source platforms that they have sought to compromise, he told TechNewsWorld.

However, the rapid development cycle of the operating system  a kernel update is released every few days  enables Linux development teams to quickly address security problems, van Someren explained.

Rapid release cycles enable the open source community to fix vulnerabilities and release those fixes to users faster, he said.

Assange Offers Sneak Peek

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange took to Facebook Live Thursday, offering to give tech companies making products targeted by CIA hacking tools exclusive access to any tools in WikiLeaks possession, so the businesses could plug any security holes.

Assanges offer poses a dilemma for the companies. While they want to make their products more secure, hooking up with WikiLeaks would mean collaborating with an organization that may have broken U.S. laws by accepting stolen data. At the least, it has undermined the nations security by releasing classified information to the public.

Still, they should accept Assanges offer, argued Israel Barak, chief information security officer at Cybereason.

These companies have to make their software as secure as possible, he told TechNewsWorld. When you have an opportunity to do that, youve got to do it.

However, Assanges offer may be too little, too late.

My guess is that some of this code is already in the hands of bad actors, said Tony Busseri, CEO of Route1.

Thats a point of concern for consumers, government and enterprises, he told TechNewsWorld.

Consumer Impact

Consumers shouldnt be too concerned about the Vault 7 leaks affecting their privacy and security, observed Craig Young, a computer security researcher at Tripwire.

Consumers should, however, be cognizant that the conveniences afforded by connected technologies also inherently introduce privacy and security risks, he told TechNewsWorld.

As data is made available to smart devices like TVs, phones and voice-activated speakers, consumers are in fact extending a large degree of trust to the vendors making these products. There is trust not only that vendors are making these devices securely, but also that the vendors will continue to support them, Young pointed out.

Even with all of these things in mind, he added, there is always some risk  so it is advisable not to share sensitive data with these smart devices.

Most consumers wouldnt be affected by the tools WikiLeaks claims to have in its possession if the CIA had exclusive control of them, but thats not the case now.

The CIA is not going to try to hack your TV for no reason, Route1s Busseri said.

The danger with WikiLeaks is if it starts exposing how these vulnerabilities and toolkits work, then criminal organizations will try to profit from them at the consumers expense, he explained.

These leaks are giving consumers a glimpse into how their devices can be used to spy on them, said Cybereasons Barak.

The leaks illustrate how vulnerable all digital devices are.

The technology to hack into these systems is advancing just as rapidly as the security to protect them, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Nothing will ever be 100 percent secure, he told TechNewsWorld, just as no doctor will ever say with 100 percent accuracy whats wrong with you.
One of the biggest disappointments at this years Mobile World Congress, which opened Monday, is that the Samsung Galaxy 8 phone wont make it. The phones official launch is scheduled for March 29.

The Galaxy line has been the ultimate iPhone fighter. Rumors around the anniversary edition of the iPhone suggest that it will do amazing, magical things, like 3D selfies. (OK, Im really missing Steve Jobs at the moment  who the hell wants 3D selfies?!?)

Missing the biggest historical alternative is keeping a lot of us home this week. Still LG, Motorola, Lenovo and Qualcomm are expected to make huge announcements that could result in the iPhone 8 looking a tad out of date when it finally launches later in the year.

Ill share some observations on what they have in store and close with my product of the week: a new PC camera from Logitech that enables Microsoft Hello on laptops and desktop PCs that otherwise wouldnt support it. (When it works, Microsoft Hello is actually pretty cool.)

Gigabit Wireless

Some of this stuff we can anticipate just from Qualcomm launches. Perhaps the biggest of late is the Qualcomm X20 Modem. This part is likely to dominate the high-end phones announced at MWC and for good reason. It isnt that it provides a maximum throughput of 1.2 gigabits  while impressive, that would just blow out our data plans  but that it uses carrier aggregation that increases overall data speeds by 2x or better.

This means youll have a far better chance of syncing your mail or downloading a book, movie or big file during the last minutes before the flight attendant forces you to put hour phone in airplane mode. It also means that cloud-based services likely will work much better on your phones, which will open up the door for things like

Cloud-Based Artificial Intelligence

Lets not kid ourselves  services like Siri suck. Weve been waiting for some time for Apples partnership with IBM to result in a far better, Watson-like personal assistant. However, the richer the service, the less likelihood it can run on the phone, and the more it needs significant battery life.

If you really want a powerful artificial intelligence experience on the phone, you need both a powerful cloud-based AI and enough bandwidth to make the thing work, so expect some interesting, and far more powerful, cloud-based services announced this week.

Watson may be a stretch  though I doubt it  but the vastly improved Google Assistant is expected to be displayed on a far wider number of phones this year. So, one way or another, the new smartphones are likely to become a ton smarter.

LG Steps Into Samsungs Space

With the Galaxy 8 delayed, LG is expected to step into Samsungs space with a stunning new phone that is mostly hardened glass. I expect Corning, which makes Gorilla Glass, will be especially pleased.

This phone is expected to have mostly screen (tiny metal borders), the most advanced camera system to date, and a ton of performance-based features, and it could well be the phone to lust after. Leaked images suggest it may be one of the most beautiful phones ever created. Apple will not be pleased.

BlackBerrys Move

BlackBerry is expected to showcase its Project Mercury at the show (the company teased it at CES this year). Its the last BlackBerry-designed phone, and the company is going out with a bang.

Ive seen pictures of it floated on the Web, and it appears to be the best blend of a keyboard and screen phone yet. As BlackBerry phones have been for some time, it is Android-based, but its hardened and surprisingly pretty.

This is likely the phone that President Trump should carry, as he has been getting chastised for his apparent use of his non-secure aging Android phone. With Mercury, he could power-tweet far better than on any screen-only phone. Hmm, come to think of it, maybe we should keep him away from keyboard phones

This phone is supposed to have a lot of the same technology as the Google Pixel, but with a keyboard and security. Its on my own personal lust list.

Huawei Pixel

Rumor is that Huawei will be building the next Google Pixel phone. These phones tend to be technology showcases for Android, and Huawei has been doing surprisingly well in this space of late, though mostly in Asia.

All we seem to know is that it will sport some interesting new metallic colors, and it will showcase what you can do with Android if you pull out all the stops. Improvements in camera, features, battery life and charging, as well as a stronger connection to Googles cloud services, all should be anticipated.

Samsung Tablet

While the new Galaxy 8 is expected to miss the show, Samsungs new Galaxy Tab 3 is expected to make it. This should be the most feature-rich tablet in the market when it launches (although Lenovo may give it a run for its money).

Samsung is rumored to have cornered the market in Qualcomms most advanced Snapdragon solution. If it finds its way into this tablet, it would make it the most powerful and best-connected yet. Take that, iPad!

Nokia Is Baaaack

Most of what is expected from Nokia is low-end stuff, but the fact that it is back in the phone business shouldnt be lost, as it once dominated cellphones. Nokia also is expected to have a high-performance tablet.

When Microsoft was serious about competing with the iPhone, Nokia had the best true alternative to the iPad, suggesting that its new Android-based tablet could be worth a look. On spec, it is rumored to be very similar to the Samsung offering but likely better looking.

Lenovos Plans

Lenovo is teasing that it plans to do something really big at Mobile World Congress this year, but virtually nothing was known about what that might be when I was writing this.

Its Motorola division has been releasing some very interesting modular products over the last year, and it has been very aggressive with unique tablet designs. Watch it for one or two big surprises this week.

Wrapping Up

It looks as though everyone and their brother are stepping up to make Mobile World Congress pretty amazing this year, but I expect that well still be waiting to see if the next versions of the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy will be even better.

Most of this stuff likely will be available for purchase in the April time frame. That gives you a few weeks to save your nickels, so that if you fall in love with something you actually can afford to buy it.

The rumor that the next iPhone will cost more than US$1,000 may have a lot of folks looking far more favorably at a better, more affordable alternative. Well see  but I may have to hide my credit cards for a bit.

I was excited when Microsoft launched its Hello log-in technology with Windows 10, until I realized that it required a special camera to work and virtually no PCs were shipping with one at the time. Eventually I got the latest Surface Book, and it works like a champ. You basically just open the cover and it sees you and reliably logs you in. No pin or password.

I mostly work on a desktop system, though, and until now, there hasnt been a camera solution that would get Microsoft Hello to work on a desktop. You see, for Hello to work properly, you need an infrared component that virtually no cameras had when Hello launched.

Well that just changed with the Logitech Brio Camera. At $199, it is an impressive piece of kit, with full autofocus, 4K HDR, and great low light performance.

Logitech 4K Pro Webcam

It rivals my 4K semi-pro Sony video camera for image quality and exceeds it with HDR. It even has a 5x digital zoom that works surprisingly well, given that most streaming services support HD but not 4K (so you dont see the resolution you lose by zooming). Of course, it has the infrared component Hello needs.

On the desktop, I now just have to wake up the system, give it a couple seconds to see me, and then Im in. The quality for any video call I do is just night-and-day better, which is as much about the low light capability of this camera as anything else.

Given how little investment there has been in desktop cameras over the last decade, Id never have figured anyone would bring out something this good. Since the Logitech Brio fixes my Windows Hello problem  Ive already ordered a second one for my wife  it is my product of the week.
Marc Lore, CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S., on Tuesday discussed the companys plans to launch a new venture, called Store No. 8, which will operate as a Silicon Valley incubator for new online stores.

The incubator will focus on startups engaged in machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality.

Lore unveiled the plans at the annual Shoptalk conference in Las Vegas.

The move reflects Walmarts ambition to catch up to Amazon in the e-commerce retail space. Lore took the helm of Walmarts e-commerce business after Walmart acquired Jet.com, the company he cofounded.

More Walmart acquisitions are in the works, he said, as the company accelerates its expansion in the online arena.

Established Distribution Network

Walmart intends to take advantage of its already strong presence in brick-and-mortar locations, which can serve both as traditional showrooms for customers and as distribution centers for online shoppers who want to find clickable discounts and pick up purchases from a reliable distribution center that is close to their neighborhoods.

Walmart does a pretty good job of enabling online sales for its retail inventory, said Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan.

Where it falls short is enabling a retail ecosystem where many companies can sell goods and services under their umbrella, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Amazon has put together an enormous technical and intellectual property base to support and extract revenue from such an online marketplace, while Walmart has fallen short in that regard, Jude added.

Walmart currently operates almost 11,700 retail units globally, including 4,672 in the U.S. alone. It also operates in more than 6,300 in overseas markets. In addition, it runs 660 Sams Club warehouse locations.

Walmarts Shopping Spree

Lores announcement followed several months of strategic acquisitions by Walmart. It has added a number of online apparel retailers to its growing Walmart online ecosystem, allowing them to retain their own brand identities and human talent, with the goal of building on existing customer relationships.

These are small, but they are telling and theyre tactical, noted Charlie OShea, lead retail analyst at Moodys.

Walmart starts to pick things off in subsegments of retail and bolt them on, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Walmart earlier this year acquired ShoeBuy for US$70 million. Founded in 1999, it was one of the first retailers to sell shoes on the Web.

Although Shoebuy continues to operate under its own brand  with CEO Mike Sorabella, his top executives and 200 employees remaining in place at its existing headquarters  it now is part of the Walmart retail e-commerce business.

Walmart next acquired Moosejaw, an outdoor apparel and sporting goods retailer, for $51 million. Considered one of the leading online stores in the category, it operates 10 physical locations.

Under that agreement, Moosejaw CEO Eoin Comerford, his executive team and the companys 350 employees became part of Walmarts e-commerce retail operation, but continue to operate under their own brand at the same locations.

Walmarts most recent acquisition, ModCloth, brought one of the leading online specialty retailers of womens apparel and accessories to the retailing chain.

Modcloth is known for offering a diverse range of apparel for different body sizes and lifestyles, and for promoting a positive body image.

As with the other acquistions, ModCloth CEO Matthew Kaness, his top executives and the retailers 300-plus workers will continue to operate under the same brand and at the same locations as before.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
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Education Students Glimpse Future at Education Career Fair

Elizabeth City State University makes great teachers. Its a point of pride that goes back to the founding of the institution in 1891, and something that school districts across the region understand all too well.

Thats why when the annual Education Career Fair opened Wednesday, March 22, in the Ridley Student Center, 21 regional school districts were set up, prepared to recruit ECSU students as future teachers.

Markitta Whitehurst-McLean, ECSUs director of career development, said the regional districts come to the career fair twice a year.

Theyre hoping to recruit students, she said.

School districts from Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools (ECPPS) to Halifax County and more set up tables and greet the ECSU students. Each school district spoke to the prospective teachers in hopes of eventually hiring them once they graduate.

According to the Raleigh News and Observer, enrollment in North Carolina public universities by students pursuing a career in education has dropped 30 percent since 2010. Across the state, the need for public school teachers is a priority. That means when schools show up to recruit university students for needed teaching positions, theyre serious.

Whitehurst-McLean says many of the school districts attending the career fair are speaking to the students in hopes of piquing their interest, possibly drawing them in for a job down the line. Others, however, are recruiting students right on the spot.

One district recruiting students at the fair was ECPPS. The local school districts table was staffed by two educators, Nava Coppin and Linda Davis. Both teachers are ECSU graduates.

Coppin, a teacher at Elizabeth City Middle School, said by 11 a.m. they had spoken to 20 students. And those students were given the opportunity to fill out applications at the table.

Were hoping to hire them all, said Davis, who teaches at Northeastern High School.

When ECSU was founded as the State Normal School in 1891, its original mission was to train African-American teachers. Since that time, while the university has evolved and more degree opportunities are available, future teachers still look to ECSU to launch their careers.
Shahen Harutyunyan: We receive different messages from the authorities (video)

A group of supporters of Artur Sargsyan (nicknamed the bringer of bread) continue the sit-in in Yerevans Liberty Square. They condemn demand accountability from the government for the death of Artur Sargsyan who died on March 16. On Tuesday, they held a silence march to the funeral home where Artur Sargsyans memorial service was to be held later in the day. We took two wreaths with us  one on behalf of struggling citizens and the other in the name of political prisoners. We observed silence yesterday and did not hold protests and matches, activist Shahen Harutyunyan said to A1+. In the evening, a candle lighting event was held at the square in memory of Artur Sargsyan. Fewer people attended the event but I can understand them, the funeral ceremony ended late and it was hard [for people] to come here, Shahen added. One can see loaves of breads and bread rolls lying in front of Artur Sargsyans photo. People come bringing bread with them. One says he is continuing the work started by Artur, the second says let them [law enforcement agencies] come and arrest him. Opinions differ, he continued. Shahen Harutyunyan expects to see more people at the square in the evening. I want people to take to the street and demand punishment for those who are responsible for Arturs death. We shall press for Prosecutor General's resignation, he said. The activist says throughout their struggle they have been receiving different messages from the authorities. One of them is particularly noteworthy. My father was told in prison that if he does not stop me from participating in demonstrations, they will kill me. We receive messages of this type even from the president.
ECSU Tech Showcase Brings Top Industry Professionals to Region

Technology professionals, Elizabeth City State University students, staff, and area community members huddled around tables and inside classrooms at the Ridley Student Center Wednesday, March 22, to learn more about what the tech industry has to offer them.

It was the Tech Showcase, sponsored by the ECSU IT department, and its mission, says university Chief Information Officer Suresh Murugan, is to bring needed resources to Northeast North Carolina.

Our ECSU mission is to serve this region, said Murugan. Bring big name vendors to the region so regional IT people can benefit from this partnership.

The partnerships Murugan is referring to are with some of the worlds top IT companies. The university and its IT team have been working with the likes of Microsoft, Dell, or CISCO, to bring ECSUs technology up to date and on the cutting edge of whats available to centers of higher education.

We have the best in the world here, but on a smaller scale, said Murugan.

Murugan and his ECSU IT team are following the lead of Chancellor Thomas Conway. Chancellor Conway has made it known both on campus and throughout the region that ECSU has resources that will benefit Northeast North Carolina. The university, he says, is inviting the region to come on campus to participate in events such as Tech Showcase, and ECSU will also be bringing its skills and knowledge out to the communities it serves.

Were here to talk about the needs of the region to help grow industry and entrepreneurship, said Chancellor Conway during his opening remarks at the Tech Showcase.

Tech industry professionals spent the day meeting with the public as well as giving presentations on topics ranging from security, to cloud services, to network upgrades. Murugan says the showcase was an opportunity to share the best resources available to ECSU.

People can come and see that we offer the best tech opportunities in this region, said Murugan.
Armenian Assembly of America urges investigation of Azerbaijans ties and compromising materials on US officials

Earlier this week, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) sent letters to the Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence expressing concern regarding the undue influence of Azerbaijan on America's democratic institutions.

In their letter to the Senate Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), House Intelligence Chairman David Nunes (R-CA), and Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA), Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian stated: "We are writing to express our concern regarding the undue influence of yet another foreign government on America's democratic institutions, namely Azerbaijan. We are deeply troubled by recent reports about Azerbaijan's ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its nexus to both the Mammadov family and the highest levels of the Azeri government. We therefore respectfully request that the congressional investigations of Russian influence be expanded to include Azerbaijan's influence peddling and any materials it may have potentially compromising U.S. officials."

The Justice Department has previously brought some cases involving Azerbaijan through the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), but much more is needed. According to the "Azeri Oil Money Got a Pass From This Ethics Committee" article in Bloomberg News, Azerbaijan continues to shell out over $45,000 monthly to the Podesta Group, of which the columnist states "It's hard to tell whether it's this creativity and generosity or any real U.S. strategic interest that makes the U.S. overlook the country's brutal dictatorship. A combination of both is likely: Without the 'caviar diplomacy,' Azerbaijan might be considered too small to defy declared U.S. values and principles for its sake."

"When it comes to the integrity of America's democracy, the rule of law, and our governance process, we must not turn a blind eye to Azerbaijan's influence peddling, authoritarian regime and human rights atrocities," Assembly Co-Chairs Barsamian and Krikorian said. "Further, we must ensure that Azerbaijan's rampant corrupt practices do not compromise U.S. policies and objectives. Additional evidence on Azerbaijani as well as Turkish wrongdoing is available and growing; we would welcome the opportunity to help advance a thorough investigation and United States response."

In addition to the U.S., Azerbaijan's caviar diplomacy is also amply documented in the December 2016 European Stability Initiative (ESI) report, wherein expensive watches, jewelry, computers, and large sums of money, among other gifts, were provided to several politicians from a number of countries in Europe. ESI states that "the ease with which democratic institutions and safeguards can be undermined has emerged as a fundamental threat to European democracy."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.




Hong Kong also bans Brazil meat

Hong Kong is the latest to announce a ban on Brazilian meat imports amid allegations of rotten meat being sold with falsified certificates, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Wednesday.

Hong Kong, the biggest market for Brazilian beef, on Tuesday imposed the ban, a day after China--Brazil's biggest market for beef and poultry overall--suspended meat imports and the EU demanded a partial ban.

Other countries that have suspended Brazilian meat imports include Chile, Mexico and Japan, among others. Russia said it wanted clarifications from Brazil, according to AFP.

"We expect more than 30 countries to question Brazil about this issue," Brazilian Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi was quoted as saying on Monday.

South Korea, however, lifted a temporary suspension on the distribution of chicken already imported from Brazil, after authorities had confirmed that no tainted poultry had entered the country.

The Brazilian meat scare started after police claimed that health inspectors had been bribed to certify meat no longer fit for consumption and additives were used to mask problems in the produce, according to AFP.

Exports have been stopped from 21 meat processors under investigation, and at least 30 people have been arrested, the report said.

Among the facilities shut down was a poultry-processing plant run by the multinational BRF group and two meat-processing plants operated by the local Peccin company.
Vietnam targets US$4.5B earnings from shrimp exports by 2020

Vietnam is targetting earnings of US$4.5 billion from shrimp exports between 2017 and 2020 and an annual average growth of 9.5-12%, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said Tuesday, March 21.

The Vietnamese state-run news agency VNA reported that MARD had drafted a national action plan for shrimp development through 2025, which aims to develop a sustainable, environment-friendly and climate change-adaptable shrimp industry.

Under the action plan, shrimp export turnover during the period 2021 to 2025 should reach $10 billion, echoing Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc who has said that Vietnam's shrimp sector should aim for that export value by 2025.

The plan also targets an annual average export growth of 12% to 14% within the 2021-2025 time frame.

Farm areas

The total area used for brackish-water shrimp farming should reach 710,000 hectares with a total output of 850,000 tonnes of shrimp by 2017-2020. These figures should increase to 750,000 hectares and 1.1 million tonnes of output by 2020-2025.

To attain these goals, the MARD is to improve irrigation and transport systems at large-scale shrimp farming areas. Small-scale production facilities would be encouraged to join cooperatives to create large material production areas.

MARD would also invest in research to produce quality breeding shrimps. It would encourage and support the development of the domestic feed industry and application of modern technologies in shrimp farming and processing.

Last year Vietnamese shrimp exports reached $3.15 billion in value, up 6.7% from 2015, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep).

In 2017, Vietnam's shrimp export revenue is expected to rise 9% year-on-year to $3.4 billion, per Vasep.-Rick Alberto
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Amid the splendour of Michelangelos architectural innovations at the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the Capitoline Hill, delegates from six European countries signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. The treaty, which included the articles that founded the European Investment Bank, was a declaration of future good intentions, according to one historian. For two weeks, we are publishing a series of stories to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the treatyone for each decade of the EIB story. These are stories of how the EIB helped turn good intentions into reality.

Donwload the book, available in PDF and epub format.

The first journey for the wing of an Airbus A380 airliner doesnt involve a take-off. In fact, it travels by the rather old-fashioned conveyances of barge and ship. Constructed in Broughton in the UK, the giant wing is shipped from North Wales to Toulouse, where it is fitted to the body of the biggest airliner in the world. Other sections arrive at the assembly hall from Hamburg and Cadiz. Airbus is a success story for European cooperation, in that an aircraft produced in several countries and with suppliers in still more countries runs neck and neck with Boeing in the world airliner industry.

The EIB has been on board every new Airbus developed since the A300, whose original manufacturing facilities in Toulouse and St. Nazaire were financed with a FRF 80 million loan in 1971. The A300 was a response to the fragmented nature of aircraft manufacture at that time and the need to consolidate into larger companies to finance the big research and development bills of increasingly complex projects. Large high-tech projects required large capital expenditure, says Jose Doramas Jorge Calderon, senior economist in the EIBs air, maritime and innovative transport division. Bigger companies or consortia, it was clear, could handle that better. In the US, companies like Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed, which at that time had 80% of the world airliner market, sensed the need for consolidation. Europe saw it too. Airbus started as a multi-national project with participants from France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, which was backed mainly by the French and German governments. Airbus Industrie was formed in 1970 by Aerospatiale of France and Deutsche Airbus. In 1971 it gained a Spanish partner, Construcciones Aeronauticas, and its earlier association with Hawker Siddeley Aviation turned into a full British stake in 1979 with British Aerospace.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and World Economic Forum have issued a call to action for social inclusion to be put at the heart of EU economic policy. It comes as a new joint White Paper by both organizations, with contributions from the think tank Bruegel, is launched to make the case for more private-public sector partnership to drive a more inclusive approach to growth in Europe.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are the prime ways that growth and inclusion in Europe can be supported, says the White Paper, which puts forward key recommendations for action: from supporting public-private partnerships for technology diffusion, investing in smart transport infrastructure, supporting schemes for migrant entrepreneurs, a better strategy for teaching advanced digital skills as well as better access to venture capital and non-traditional sources of financing for small businesses.

EIB Vice President Andrew McDowell who is hosting todays gathering of policymakers, business representatives and academics at the European Investment Banks Brussels Headquarters, said: As we launch our report, EU finance ministers are meeting across the road. They know only too well the costs of growing inequality and uncertain prospects for the European economy. Our report is saying inclusion can no longer be treated as an afterthought. It is not a luxury - it is a catalyst for growth. What our very concrete and practical study shows and indeed what we see on the ground at the EU bank, is there is a win-win space where we can promote both inclusion and competiveness at the same time. Now we have to scale this up and bring the private and public sectors together to do this.

Richard Samans, Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum said: We need a major shift in mindset in how we think about inclusion  as a positive catalyst for growth. Its about rethinking our economic model and moving away from treating growth and inclusion as two separate processes. A partnership between the public and private sector joined by academic and civil society can help bring this about. The report we are launching and discussing today - and our Europe Growth Lab project provide starting points for implementation. I would urge policymakers to take heed - and use this study and our partnership as a valuable guide to how we can move forward.

Todays paper is a direct product of the WEF-EIB partnership, with contributions from Bruegel under the Europe Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness Lab set up in February 2016. The Lab aims to support the design and implementation of private-public partnerships in EU member states to increase competiveness and inclusive growth in Europe.

The Beyond the Equity-Efficiency Trade-Off: Practical Ideas for Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness in Europe paper identified around 25 concrete examples in Europe of real initiatives focused on innovation and entrepreneurship that can serve as starting points for implementation, acceleration and scaling up.

These examples include:

Work by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in teaching in teaching digital skills and attracting talent is featured.

in teaching in teaching digital skills and attracting talent is featured. The approach of Austrian public-private partnership Pilotfabrik 4.0 , and Tech City UKs Upscale programme in supporting start-ups and spreading innovation demonstrated how treating growth and inclusion together pays off, according to the report.

, and in supporting start-ups and spreading innovation demonstrated how treating growth and inclusion together pays off, according to the report. The link between smart infrastructure, competitiveness and inclusion is successfully shown by initiatives like Superfast Cornwall , Madrids Real Time Passenger Information System and Enexis in the Netherlands .

, and . Hamburgs Working Group of Immigrant Entrepreneurs is presented as an approach to encourage social integration and the contribution of migrant entrepreneurs to the economy.

The study proposes key areas for action including:

Promoting innovation and diffusing existing technologies more rapidly across all types of firms.

Pushing and supporting entrepreneurship - including the transition from start-up to scale-up.

Investing in people, particularly societys youngest and promoting a better strategy for advanced digital skills teaching.

More investment in a connected Europe with broadband for all and investment in smart transport and smart grids.

Stepping up of credit guarantees for small business, more support for venture capital and growth capital funding  such as through the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility.

For more information, see the full report: Beyond the Equity-Efficiency Trade-Off: Practical Ideas for Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness in Europe




The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has reportedly been ordered to carry out a review this year of bunkers the coming weeks as the Scandinavian country also reintroduces military service.
U.S. government indicts two hackers and two members of the FSB

By Heather Hamilton, contributing writer

Two Russian spies and two criminal hackers have been indicted in connection with the 2014 breach of 500 million Yahoo accounts, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. This is the first time that criminal cyber-charges have ever been brought against Russian government officials, according to an article in the Washington Post.

Two members of the FSB, a Russian intelligence agency, and two hired hackers are charged with hacking, wire fraud, trade secret theft, and economic espionage  indictments from the biggest hacking case ever brought by the United States.

The men in question are Dmitry Dokuchaev and his boss, Igor Sushchin, who worked for the FSB, an agency that is meant to function, at least vaguely, like the Cyber Division at the FBI. Dokuchaev (hacker alias Forb) was arrested in Moscow in December on charges of state treason. He was working for the FSB to avoid prosecution for bank card fraud.

Alexsey Belan, on the most-wanted cyber-criminal list, is among those facing charges. Hes been charged two times before in connection with intrusions at three major U.S. tech firms. He was in custody in Greece but is now in Russia under the protection of authorities. Helping Belan was Canadian citizen Karim Baratow, born in Kazakhstan and arrested in Canada.

The hacks happened in the fall of 2014 and were the largest known data breach ever to happen. After, Yahoo mentioned that approximately 1 billion accounts had been hacked the year before. It is still unknown whether the two were related, but we do know that the hack could have affected other Yahoo services  Flikr, Tumblr, fantasy sports, and other Yahoo properties.

While Russia has been in the news with some frequency, these charges are unrelated to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and any potential hacking during the 2016 presidential campaign.

The United States government is more interested than ever in holding foreign governments accountable for crimes committed in cyberspace, a realm that has been less regulated. And, while the U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, pressing charges and imposing sanctions can act as a deterrent. There is also the possibility that criminals accidentally travel to a place that will transfer them to the United States.

They have the effect of galvanizing other countries that are watching whats happening. They show that we have the resources and capabilities to identify the people at the keyboard, even in the most sophisticated cases, said Luke Dembosky, former deputy assistant attorney general for national security, told the Washington Post.

In the 2014 hack, the KGB successor (the Federal Security Service) wanted the information for intelligence purposes and targeted journalists and dissidents of U.S. government officials, though they also allowed the hackers access to the emails for financial gain. They targeted White House officials, military, bank executives, cloud computing companies, an airline, and a gambling regulator.

Milan Patel, a former supervisory special agent for the FBIs Cyber Division and current managing director at cyber-firm K2 Intelligence believes that the charges illustrate the murky world of Russian intel services using criminal hackers in a wide variety of ways. This case is one of the first that proves that, though the FBI has long theorized it.

This two-year investigation utilized the FBIs San Francisco office as well as international law enforcement.

Though Russian Embassy spokesman, Nikolay Lakhonin, directed reporters to two articles, including this one, in which the writer suggests that the media isnt telling the whole story, he maintained that the embassy had no official reaction.

Sources: NYTimes, Washington Post, and Justice.gov

Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
Citizens bid farewell to Artur Sargsyan (video)

People are bidding farewell to Artur Sargsyan, nicknamed the bringer of bread. 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 under an article dealing with negligent homicides resulting from inadequate medical aid. Many in Armenia blame the authorities for his death. They say he suffered from serious chronic illnesses and should not have been kept in detention in the first place.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

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The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

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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
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Treasury to issue advice on spotting fake pound coins



The new Manx pound coin design

The Treasury Minister admits the Island could see more counterfeit pound coins being used locally once the UK introduces its new 12-sided coin.

The Isle of Man will be keeping the round pound coin alongside the pound note when the Royal Mint withdraws the round pounds from circulation later this year.

Alfred Cannan says there is potential for an increased flow of fake coins to come to the Island, with around 3% of those in use thought to be counterfeit.

As a result, the Treasury will be working with local businesses to ensure they know how to spot fakes, while vending machines should be able to tell the difference.

UK round coins will be sorted and returned to the Royal Mint once the 12-sided coins are brought in, leaving only Manx round pound coins in use here.
Camilla Parker Bowles would be taking the place of Queen Elizabeth in the event of her death. This means that the Duchess of Cornwall is set to become the next queen of England in the not so distant future.

Normally, Bowles is going to be designated as princess consort if Queen Elizabeth II is no longer around. This title does not really hold legal meaning so it is not a significant position. However, once Prince Charles takes over the throne and becomes the king, he has the power to change the designation and make his wife Camilla as the queen.

The talk on who will replace Queen Elizabeth came up as she will be celebrating her 91st birthday already. Her old age made people think that her reign in the English throne is coming to a close now.

Camilla Parker Bowles will effectively become the princess consort after Prince Charles ascends to the throne. But, reports stated that there were many indications that point to the fact that the prince is planning to upgrade his wife's title to queen.

"They have it all worked out," a royal insider told the Daily Beast. "When Charles goes before the Accession Council he will tell them his choice of regal name, and then he will authoritatively make it clear that his wife is to be known as Queen."

Camilla does not have a good reputation. Everyone in the world knows that she was the woman who had an affair with Prince Charles while he was still married to the late Princess Diana. Then again, despite being known as the other woman,' she continued her affair with the prince.

Charles and Diana eventually divorced in 1996. A year after, the Princess of Wales died in car accident in Paris. Camilla and Charles got married in 2005 and their union was accepted by the royal family.

Now, even if Camilla Parker Bowles is legally married to prince Charles, the public has a different opinion and they have not accepted the Duchess of Cornwall. It is harder because the people still adore the late princess Diana even until now, 20 years after she passed.

Clearly, many do not agree that Camilla should be made the queen. Daily Mail reported that based on a poll that it conducted in 2015, more than half of the Britons think that Camilla is not suitable to be the next British monarch.

Finally, if Prince Charles will really make Camilla Parker Bowles as the next queen, her coronation will surely be mired with controversies and criticism. In fact, people are already saying that making her a Queen is like rewarding adultery.
The jailbreaking community has been waiting for Luca Todesco to release its project jbme102 but then the hacker already gave up the said tool. This scenario made his patrons hope that Pangu or TaiG would release iOS 10.2.1 and iOS 10.3 jailbreak tools.

According to Forbes, a lot of people in the jailbreaking community have been looking forward to the launch of Luca Todesco's jailbreak tool. But then, even his hacking system is not perfect and it has left out some models of the iOS handsets. Two of which are the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus that is not well-matched with the 10.2 jailbreak and this current tool is also still a beta form.

Furthermore, ValueWalk has mentioned that Todesco previously tweeted a solution to the 7 days thing and that the jbme102 "may become a thing" when iOS10.3 is launched by Apple. As of this moment, reports are still surfacing which stated that that iOS 10.2.1 and the iOS 10.3 jailbreak tool are still in the works. Nevertheless, Todesco stated that he will no longer work on public jailbreaks anymore.

It can be remembered that when Todesco tweeted about 10.3, the jailbreaking community got excited but then that excitement was short-lived. He further explained in another tweet that the browser-based JailbreakMe102 tool is not compatible with Yalu102. Todesco even said that he overlooked Yalu's kernel exploit which must run as 32 bit or with a crafted 64 bit mach-o to work. He then publicized that jbme102 was canceled making his fans disappointed.

Now, the iOS jailbreak patrons are counting on Pangu or TaiG to create the iOS 10.2.1 and iOS 10.3 jailbreak. Luckily, Lang Shi who a developer; has posted on Twitter a few days ago that his "untetherer" tool for iOS 10.x is almost complete. He further made it clear that this tool will turn the user's semi-tethered Yalu into completely untethered with just one tap. Lang Shi posted another tweet stating that one of the kernel exploits that was utilized is still existing on the latest beta for iOS 10.3. He further stated that the jailbreaking tool will work for iPhone 7 with a jailbroken iOS 10.1 handsets through the use the mach_portal tool.

Moreover, the iOS device owners who wanted to try this jailbreaking tool should be knowledgeable with software. This was because upon using this tool one single mistake can harm their devices and turn it into a brick.
"Captain America" star Chris Evans has criticized United States President Donald Trump online. He has lambasted Trump on Twitter and called him a hate-monger and a bully. His advisors, however, cautioned him to stop bashing Trump on social media if he does not want to face the consequence.

Evans of the "Captain America" fame admitted in a recent interview that his advisors told him to tone it down. The advisors were worried that his films would not get as much patronage from moviegoers if he kept on bashing Trump.

Marvel Studio's "Captain America" lead star criticized Trump when he got elected. In November last year just after the election, Evans expressed on Twitter his devastation that America allowed a hate-monger to lead the nation and a bully to set its course. His advisors also reminded him to stop criticizing Trump's associates, but Evans said he does not mind if not all people agree with him, according to Metro.

"Captain America" star Chris Evans said he has to sell tickets but could not look himself in the mirror if he didn't speak up about something he felt strongly about. He said he is okay even if people do not want to see his movies as a result of this.

Evans has played the lead in "Captain America" since 2011. He has signed a contract with Marvel Studios but only for six pictures. He has played the role of Steve Rogers in the "Captain America" franchise and will soon be seen in two more "Avengers" movies.

This has given rise to reports that "Avengers" Infinity War would probably be among his last movies with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"Captain America" or Evans was a known supporter of Hilary Clinton during the last election, according to Daily Mail. He admitted he could not believe that she would be defeated by the billionaire host of "The Celebrity Apprentice". He might alienate his fans with his anti-Trump rants, but Evans said his personal values is more important than self-preservation.
The tech world is already abuzz with excitement for Samsung's upcoming flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy S8. The Korea-based tech giant will reportedly be hosting a special event in New York this March 29 to unveil the latest offering from their line of smartphones.

It has already been established that 2016 was not a good year for Samsung as the debacle on the exploding batteries broke loose. Samsung lost a lot of users and the trust for their units dropped to an all time low. With this premise, it is only logical that the company find ways to regain its popularity and the public's trust putting a very big pressure to the Samsung Galaxy S8.

According to The Verge, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is under a lot of pressure as it needs to separate from the shadow of the exploding battery debacle of the Note 7. Admittedly, this is not an easy feat to do but clearly not impossible. Tech analysts believe that given the right features, functionality and novelty, Samsung might win the hearts of the consumers once again.

According to The Investor, Samsung is taking the extra mile to entice the public to patronize them once again by offering unconditional refunds to Samsung Galaxy S8 users. However, this report must be taken with a grain of salt as the Korean tech company has yet to confirm the said reports.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is previewed to come in two sizes - a standard S8 unit with 5.7-inch display and a larger version dubbed as the S8+. Obviously, the terms seem to be all too familiar with iPhone users, as Apple offers two sizes for one phone model. Display-wise, the upcoming Samsung flagship phone is expected to have edge-to-edge curved displays with round corners.

Siri will also be having a new rival as Samsung Galaxy S8 will reportedly be offering a new digital assistant called Bixby. According to reports, Bixby will be widely compatible to be integrated into several apps to help users get more things done with just a tap of their fingers.

Specs-wise, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to come with a 12-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel front camera, 4 GB RAM, iris scanner and 64 GB memory that can be expandable via micro SD cards.
Attackers often create new accounts in order to commit fraud, but how long does it take from the time the account is created until fraud is attempted? Thats one of the many questions about fraud that a new report from fraud detection firm Datavisor aims to help answer.

The Inaugural DataVisor Online Fraud report is based on data from the companys global network that benefits from sensor data generated by more than a billion users around the world. In a 2016 video interview, Yinglian Xie, CEO and co-founder of DataVisor, detailed the technology used by her firm to hep combat online fraud.

The Fraud Economy is flush with billions of dollars in resources. Its no longer just one malicious user causing trouble, but rather massively funded armies numbering in the hundreds who are providing a big payout for these bad actors, Xie said in a statement. The fraudsters are becoming adept at looking like normal users and its clear from our research that they are increasingly sophisticated and using the latest technologies available to skirt detection.

So how long do fraudsters wait before using a new account? According to Datavisor, 37 percent of malicious accounts take three months or more before they attack. In total, 44 percent of fraudulent accounts will sleep for at least seven days before being used as part of a fraud attack.

In terms of where many of the fraudulent email accounts are coming from, the majority (53 percent) are from well-known popular emails services including Google, Microsoft and Yahoo. Additionally, DataVisor found that 18 percent of accounts hosted in the cloud are fraudulent.

While fraudsters do use mobile device, DataVisor found that they actually prefer desktops. 82 percent of fake accounts were created with desktop operating systems, while only 18 percent came from mobile devices.

While fraudulent accounts can be hosted anywhere in the world, nearly a third (32.1 percent) are hosted in the U.S. with China coming in as a distant second at 9.6 percent.

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at eSecurityPlanet and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist.
In many cases, IT security has become a victim to digital transformations  a situation that has led to breaches and data theft.

Seeking expediency in application development and delivery, enterprises often turn to rapid application development and deployment tools. Unfortunately, those tools often place the need for speed above the need for security, creating situations where applications are pushed out without the full spectrum of security controls.

The security faults most likely lie with those developing applications and not so much with the tools themselves. However, development tools that place security first can eliminate many of the InfoSec problems created by digital transformation.

Case in point is Denver, Colorado-based TrackVia, a company dedicated to combining security with rapid application development ideologies. TrackVia provides a secure, reliable low-code platform that enables users to create, modify and deploy custom web and mobile applications easily and rapidly in order to digitize and streamline their critical and complex operational processes and workflows.

A Closer Look at the TrackVia Platform

Founded in 2006, TrackVia has its roots in cloud-based low-code application platforms and has steadily evolved to offer more advanced workflow management capabilities. Billed as an alternative to spreadsheets, legacy databases and complicated enterprise systems for managing operations, TrackVias low-code platform provides an efficient and rapid method to bring to fruition Web and mobile applications that can be tailored to support a companys unique workflows and can be consumed on a plethora of devices.

The secret sauce behind those capabilities comes from the ideology of leveraging a cloud-based platform to create, provision and control workflows. Because the TrackVia platform is completely cloud-based, there is no software to download, install or maintain, yet it can still scale to meet enterprise needs. Therein lies TrackVias secret for creating secure web and mobile applications.

Simply put, TrackVias platform approach incorporates advanced security capabilities, such as 24/7 network security monitoring, AES-256 encryption, full user authentication, roles-based access and administration, as well as numerous third-party data center certifications, such as optional HIPAA compliance. The company also performs security monitoring, auditing and incident response chores, removing that burden from internal IT.

Any workflow created on the TrackVia platform is automatically secured by incorporating access controls and other security elements, which many low-code platforms do not offer by default.

Hands on with the TrackVia Platform

While security proves to be one of the most critical elements of any Web application, the ability to quickly create those applications proves almost as important. Luckily, with TrackVia, development speed and security go hand in hand.

The TrackVia platform is designed to help organizations quickly create their own software as a service (SaaS) applications. All the application elements, as well as the development tools, reside in TrackVias own data center.

Getting started takes little more than identifying what workflow a developer wants to create and then logging into TrackVias browser-based interface and management console. For many, one of the first applications created converts a manual spreadsheet into an integrated Web and native mobile application. For example, numerous businesses are stuck using spreadsheets to record data, report on transactions or even to track inventory, field services, projects or the like. The primary reason that spreadsheets have taken hold for those chores comes from either the lack of enterprise software that meets a businesss specific needs or from the lack of developers to create an appropriate application.

That is exactly where TrackVia comes in. It provides the toolset to convert a spreadsheet into an application that can be used in the field on a mobile device or in-house via a browser. Whats more, TrackVia transforms that spreadsheet into a data entry application that combines security with ease of use  while also incorporating reliability and data protection.

Spreadsheets prove to be one of the easiest starting points for creating a workflow. Once logged into TrackVia, all you need to do to get started is to create a new project and then simply drag the excel spreadsheet into the platform. TrackVia identifies the fields, data and other elements in the spreadsheet and automatically creates the basic framework for an application.

After importing the spreadsheet, application designers can finetune the application as well as choosing from various ways to customize the application to their needs. Oftentimes, they can fully configure an application using just drag-and-drop functionality. That said, the TrackVia platform also provides developer-centric features, such as in-app scripting, for more advanced customizations. These choices drive the development of the application, which then appears on the TrackVia dashboard. From the dashboard, end users can begin managing their work, and a project, for example, can be assigned to the person responsible for executing the next steps in the workflow.

With just a few mouse clicks, the TrackVia platform creates the necessary logic to process a data entry task that was once done manually in a spreadsheet. TrackVia also manages to create an application that runs on multiple platforms, uses a workflow paradigm to assign steps and gathers the necessary data to complete a process or procedure.

Of course, the TrackVia platform can do much more than transform spreadsheets into applications. The platform also offers the capability to integrate with other applications or create much more robust applications that can scale. TrackVia offers the ability to connect to hundreds of Web applications, including QuickBooks, Gmail, Google Docs, MailChimp, HubSpot, SurveyMonkey and many others.

Application developers can accomplish those integrations directly from the TrackVia Management Console, and in many cases, all it takes is a few mouse clicks to integrate applications together and build a workflow that transitions into a new application. Those new applications incorporate any logic or code chosen by the developer while also being wrapped in the necessary security protocols to keep data safe from interception or capture.

The TrackVia platform offers two ways to integrate with other Web-based applications. The primary method consists of using TrackVias own API, or alternatively using a third-party service called Zapier. Zapier connects hundreds of Web-based applications to each other using a very simple when this happens, do this structure, which is referred to as a Zap. A Zap is little more than the necessary code to create the connection and is self-contained, meaning that no programing is needed.

Zapier proves to be a very quick way to create simple integrations. For those looking to move beyond simple, TrackVias public API brings much more power to the table yet still supports the concept of a low-code environment. The company offers guided tutorials, as well as a full SDK to make adopting APIs and creating custom integrations relatively straightforward.

Bottom Line

For businesses looking to streamline application development, introduce advanced security and create workflows that transition into run anywhere Web and mobile applications, TrackVias low-code platform proves hard to beat. TrackVia makes it easier to translate business logic into actual applications, bringing the power of custom programing to non-programmers, while also preventing them from getting in over their heads.

Frank Ohlhorst is an award-winning technology journalist, professional speaker and IT business consultant. He has written for leading technology publications including Computerworld, TechTarget, PCWorld, ExtremeTech and Toms Hardware, and business publications including Entrepreneur, Forbes and BNET. Ohlhorst was also the executive technology editor for Ziff Davis Enterprises eWeek and former director of the CRN Test Center.
The concept of cyber threat intelligence is really not much different from other areas of the intelligence field. In national security, intelligence gathering techniques seek to detect potential situations and draw conclusions that enable people to take action before anything serious occurs. Similarly, cyber threat intelligence is only one tool in a complete security arsenal.

See our picks for top threat intelligence companies

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Used well, threat intelligence can warn companies that the bad guys are active inside their network and what they are looking for  the kind of advanced persistent threat that can cause great damage to an organization. Threat intelligence points out unusual patterns to look for in systems and other valuable data. But it wont stop an attack. That takes human intervention and the deployment of the right technology tools to block or at least mitigate an attack.

But as time goes on, the potential threat vectors are multiplying: servers, desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and now the Internet of Things (IoT), which could open enterprises to attacks via innocuous objects such as thermostats and a myriad of other devices that contain sensors and processors.

Every device large or small becomes a source for cyber threat intelligence, said Peter Tran, senior director of Worldwide Advanced Cyber Defense at RSA Security. With the Internet of Things projected to grow to over 50 billion connected devices by 2020, there is a real challenge ahead in terms of structuring effective threat analysis across massive volumes of smart connected devices.

What is threat intelligence?

One of the problems of the modern IT security world is the quantity of labels used to describe a technology. There is threat intelligence, advanced threat detection, and security analytics, to name a few. So what is it exactly?

Cyber threat intelligence can be defined one way and another will define it differently, depending on who is using it and what solutions they provide, said Sheldon Hogarth, vice president of Business Development at Massive Alliance.

Hogarth prefers to exclude internal threats and focus on whats being initiated outside of the digital infrastructure. His company, for example, offers hacker monitoring, Dark Web monitoring, chatter interception, threat actor profiling, track and capture, data dump analysis, malware testing communities and black market observation.

So lets attempt to define what cyber threat intelligence includes and what it doesnt.

Brian Jack, chief information security officer at KnowBe4, breaks it down into its parts:

Cyber  anything related to computers and the internet

Threat  people or things likely to have intent to cause damage

Intelligence  acquiring and applying knowledge or skills. Intelligence can also be defined as the collection of information of value

Cyber threat intelligence is the collection and application of relevant and valuable information relating to cyber threats, said Jack. Analytics may take intelligence as an input and give you more valuable intelligence as output.

Detection methods then make use of intelligence, and based on determination and classification of data, could result in additional intelligence. But detection is a different field of security.

Others favor a stricter definition. Jacob Williams, founder of Rendition Infosec and a SANS Institute security instructor, insists that it is all about applying the standard intelligence lifecycle to the cyber domain. That means, he said, using intelligence collection, processing and exploitation, analysis, and dissemination to gain insight about threats to the organization that exist in the cyber domain.

If youre not using models (like the cyber kill chain and the diamond model) and processes (like analysis of competing hypothesis), then youre not doing good cyber threat intelligence, said Williams.

He said that as so much of this area is analyst dependent, it is critical to use structured models to show academic rigor. Structured models also improve process standardization across teams.

The point is that threat intelligence is not just about buying a subscription into one of the many threat indicator feeds and applying those indicators in your environment. While that is part of the overall function, Williams said cyber threat intelligence is about applying the entire intelligence lifecycle.

Stopping advanced persistent threats

Cyber threat intelligence is no panacea for all security ills. But it is particularly useful for advanced persistent threats (APTs). These are attacks where an unauthorized individual gets inside and sits tight for some time. This person wants to remain hidden, and gradually initiate an attack that steals sensitive data or gains access to funds.

APT attackers have a high dwell time in networks and tend to reuse tools across intrusions, said Williams. By observing the data from an intrusion in one organizations network, another organization can benefit by searching for those same indicators of compromise (IOCs).

Short lived, drive-by style attacks (like ransomware), on the other hand, probably wont benefit as much from advanced threat analytics. Why? Attackers know that security software will move to block malicious IP addresses and domains quickly. So their campaigns with any specific malware variant are generally measured in short time periods  as little as minutes to hours. Cyber threat intelligence cant move fast enough to operationalize this data in most cases.

Advanced threat analytics

Regardless of the nuances of definition, there are certain key elements of a successful advanced threat detection program. These include:

The ability to rapidly extract text-based content from chatter, publications and data repositories across all open source locations, TOR, I2P and data warehouses.

Strong machine learning and filtering capabilities to sift through millions of pieces of data simultaneously and in as many languages as must be covered.

Quality control and removal of false positives.

Human Intelligence support to rapidly engage, verify and clarify a threat once detected through automation. This is where the skilled analyst comes in.

Integration with a wide variety of popular, established security platforms such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).

Automation and information sharing, then, are vital components of the technology.

Automated mitigation functions like process stopping, user quarantining and IP blocking come in the form of orchestrating processes which support threat investigation and hunting, said Joseph Blankenship, an analyst at Forrester Research.

The sharing side is one that is certainly gaining traction. One recent survey found that 76 percent of IT security pros believe that threat intelligence sharing is a moral responsibility.

Blankenship said this cooperative sharing has risen from necessity. Managed security service providers (MSSPs), for example, often talk about the neighborhood watch benefit of their services. The idea is that if they observe malware or malicious behavior in one customer, the MSSP can develop detection and protection for all of their customers to block the threat. Similarly, threat intelligence sharing services and feeds provide greater visibility into the threats that individual companies are seeing. And vendors are opening up their platforms for bi-directional data sharing via APIs.

This reduces the analyst workload, making it faster for security pros to take action, said Blankenship.

Threat intelligence tools and products

For an in-depth look at the threat intelligence market, see top 8 threat intelligence companies.

Indicator feeds and threat intelligence platforms (TIPs) form the backbone of threat intelligence operations. Threat indicator feeds amount to the actual threat data (malicious IP addresses, domains, file hashes, etc.) that the threat intelligence team will consume from external parties and search for in their own network. The TIP, on the other hand, is a software platform for analyzing these threat feeds. Some TIPs can help analysts enrich data through transformations (such as automatically obtaining registration data for a malicious domain).

Threat intelligence platforms take advantage of security technologies such as SIEM, log management, identity and access management, security and vulnerability management, incident forensics and others, said Mohit Shrivastava, information security analyst at MarketsAndMarkets.com.

Some of the products in this field are:

FireEye believes the goal is not only to spot and block incursions but to reduce overall security risk. This means it must be addressed tactically, operationally and strategically.

True cyber threat intelligence enables better strategic decision making, reduces operational chaos, and expands the effectiveness of your broader security infrastructure, said Nick Rossmann, FireEye iSIGHT Intelligence Senior Manager for Production.

He advocates TIP, security orchestration and SIEM as essential support elements to cyber threat intelligence. Security orchestration builds intelligence into a workflow that drives an intelligence-led security practice, making it the default method of handling cases and incidents. This cuts down on confusion and risk by automating the addition of context and prioritization. SIEM backs this up via the correlation of intelligence with alerts across the network in order to facilitate the detection and understanding of security events.

TIPs enable an organization to aggregate and merge multiple threat intelligence sources into a single place, then feed that intel into their different technology systems, said Rossmann. They also provide a method to pivot to related intelligence from an alert and provide metrics on how those different sources were used in your environment.

Open source threat intelligence

Although there are many proprietary threat intelligence platforms available, Shrivastava noted that security vendors such as Palo Alto Networks, AlienVault, and Anomali offer open source threat intelligence tools. Tran of RSA concurs.

The technology backbone for cyber threat intelligence doesnt rest with just one solution but can be a mix of open and/or proprietary sources, said Tran.

Williams goes so far as to recommend that organizations try an open source TIP before investing in a commercial offering.

Find out what features you really need, what you dont, and then shop for a platform, he said. Focus on people and process first and then adopt technologies that effectively augment their workflow.

Avoid technology overreliance

Study after study points out that too many organizations are over reliant on threat intelligence tools or feeds and lack the in-house skilled security analysts and data scientists to effectively harness the information. As a result, most enterprises fail to use threat data effectively to pinpoint cyber threats.

Advanced threat detection, then, must encompass cyber threat intelligence training, as well as the hiring of top talent.

Cyber threat intelligence must be supported minimally by certified data analysts who are familiar with a wide range of open source investigation tools, data logic and investigatory skills, said Hogarth. The goal is to view and intercept threats in near real time by seeing them through the threat actors eyes.

His company, Massive Alliance, has all its senior analysts certified through UKs MI5. Williams of Rendition Infosec advised those seeking to improve their advanced threat analytics effectiveness to look for security and technology certification, academic rigor and real-world results.

Just as a good rifle makes some soldiers deadlier than others, so do cyber threat intelligence tools, said Williams. Technology enables the mission, but people and process make it happen.
Your skin plays a vital role in protecting your body, so its important to take steps to promote skin health. Caring for your skin doesnt have to be complicated or time-consuming, and can quickly become second nature, like brushing your teeth.

You can keep your skin looking and feeling great by guarding against a slew of skin woes, from chapped skin to premature aging to skin cancer. Were talking about things that happen over decades, says dermatologist Samantha Conrad, MD, in practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Thats why it is important to develop healthy skin habits and its never too late to start. Here are five skin protection tips you can incorporate into your routine right away.

Limit Sun Exposure

Youve heard the message a zillion times, but theres good reason  ultraviolet rays skin emitted by the sun cause many types of skin damage, including:

Skin cancer

Wrinkles

Freckles

Age spots

Discolorations

Benign growths

Using skin care products that offer ultraviolet protection is one of the best ways to help keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Try these tips to help protect your skin from the sun:

Use sunscreen every day and reapply regularly whenever you're outdoors for extended periods. I encourage people to use sunblock that is more mineral- or physical-based, says Dr. Conrad. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Cover up. Its really about protection  that means wearing hats and protective sun clothing, says Conrad. Long sleeves and pants or long skirts give you more coverage.

Stay indoors when the sun is at its most intense, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the AAD.

Combine sun protection strategies. A study published in January 2017 in JAMA Dermatology found that beachgoers using an umbrella alone for sun protection were more likely to get sunburn than those using sunscreen alone  but neither strategy completely prevented sunburn. The researchers concluded that combining multiple strategies offers the most protection from the suns harmful rays.

Keep in mind that tanning beds are just as harmful as direct sunlight, as they also emit ultraviolet rays, according to the AAD.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water/fluids is important for your general health, says Karyn Grossman, MD, a dermatologist in private practice with Grossman Dermatology in Santa Monica, California, and spokesperson for the AAD. She recommends starting the day with a cup of green tea for hydration, caffeine, and antioxidants.

In addition to drinking enough fluids, keeping your skin moist is essential to skin protection.

Dry skin can have small gaps in the skin barrier that allow entry of bacteria and fungus, says dermatologist Michael Lin, MD, medical director of the Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute in Beverly Hills, California.

Skin that is properly hydrated retains pliability and is less likely to become chapped, scaly, or flaky. Try these tips to keep your skin hydrated:

Use the right moisturizing cream or lotion for your skin. Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or coconut oil, says Dr. Grossman. Always apply on damp skin. This keeps the moisture in the skin.

Take warm (not hot) showers or baths and limit them to between five and 10 minutes. It seems counterintuitive, but exposure to water actually dries out your skin, Grossman explains. If dry skin persists, consider cutting back on the number of baths you take.

Invest in a humidifier. If your skin tends to be on the dry side, using a humidifier in your bedroom at night and in your work space during the day can help keep the air hydrated, which can prevent the air from zapping moisture from your skin, says Grossman.

Take Health Precautions

Cold sores are caused by a viral infection of the skin bordering the lips, while bacteria can contribute to acne and other skin conditions. Paying close attention to what touches your skin can help lower your chances of exposure to germs. Start with these tips:

Don't share any personal items, such as lip balms or toothbrushes, with others.

Don't share drinks with other people.

Avoid touching your face with your fingers, and avoid facial contact with objects that have been used by other people, such as telephone receivers.

Dont pick at cysts or splinters. Instead, ask your doctor to help you with these skin conditions, says Grossman.

Being prompt with first aid is also important, she says. If you get a bug bite or a scratch, get on it right away. Grossman recommends cleaning the site, applying antibiotic ointment if there is a break in the skin, using a clean bandage, and cleaning the site twice daily as it heals.

Use Gentle Skin Care Products

Washing your face is important to remove dirt, oils, germs, and dead cells from your skin. However, scrubbing your face can cause irritation and lead to chapped skin that can become vulnerable. I find that people often over-rub, over-scrub, and over-peel, says Grossman, who recommends avoiding abrasive exfoliation skin care products.

The AAD recommends:

Washing your face twice daily with warm water and a mild cleanser.

Gently massaging your face with your fingers, using a circular motion.

Rinsing thoroughly after washing to remove all soap and debris.

Patting  not rubbing  your skin dry, then applying moisturizer.

Know Your Skin

Check your skin regularly for changing moles and other signs of possible skin cancer, says Grossman. Talk to your dermatologist about what kinds of changes should concern you.

Certain skin conditions merit a visit to the dermatologist, including frequent acne, inflamed or irritated dry skin, and skin rashes and irritations that dont go away, as these could be signs of one of the many types of dermatitis, or skin inflammation.

However, should you ever notice any other skin problems, its important to get medical attention to resolve them quickly and avoid putting your skin at risk.
Hello,



I obtained a green card through employment in 2009. I have since married a US Citizen and had a US born daughter.

In 2014, and for family reasons, I left to return to my home country (part of the EU) without any idea of the duration of that stay. I did not have the time to get a reentry permit at the time. I have since returned to the US for several short stays and never had issues at immigration (longest exit time was 9 months). I exited the US the last time on March 1st 2016.



I will be travelling back to the US on March 30th with my wife and daughter and am wondering how to handle my passage through immigration.



My wife and I have retained familty ties in the US, have bank accounts in several financial institutions and are current on US taxes.



I do not wish to relinquish permanent residency if at all possible as we are potentially moving back very soon.



Here are my questions:

- Is there a chance, based upon the facts layed out above, and with any physical proof I may bring with me, that I am allowed to enter with my green card?

- What will happen if I am denied entry with my green card? Based on my findings, I would be asked by the immigration officer to sign a document stating that I relinquish voluntarily my permanent residency and if I refuse to sign said document, I will be allowed entry and be convocated to appear in front of an immigration judge to state my case.

Is that true?

- Do I risk being completely denied entry?

Asking for an ESTA would be like admitting abandonment of PRS so I really do not know what is the best course of action.



All of this seems rather silly given my strong family ties to the US....
How are you? I am just in the process of selling a home in Florida.

I am Canadian resident, thought have been working and living full-time on a TN Visa.

I have just been told by the closing attorney that there is a 15% tax I have to pay. As with many things, there is so much grey area around this with the research I am doing. Anyone who has gone through this or knows anything can you please help. I do not want to give anymore money away.



Thanks in advance
I am a young man who would like to return to the US, the trouble is I have grown up in a foreign country and all my certificates have been issued here.



As a US citizen without any of my education taking place stateside, I feel as if I am having trouble applying for jobs. I know I have to get them accredited by a US institution, but to do that I need to be in the US, so what I would like to know, is will employers consider someone with foreign qualifications?



I'm sure in most cases that would be a no, since there is an abundance of skilled and educated people in the US. The trouble is I would ideally like to find work before I make the journey, it's really no fun being unemployed in the US (I have experienced this firsthand)



The truth is, it isn't going to be easy, so I would like to know if anyone here has found work in the US from outside, using foreign qualifications? I feel like my qualifications being foreign, people wonder if I'm even american, but I have to work with what I have got.



So it seems like I have to 1) return to the US 2) get accreditation 3) find a job. Has anyone found work from outside the US? I must also point out that my qualifications aren't lofty academic ones, I am doing a trade and would like to qualify in the US rather than struggling along here in SA where unemployment is staggeringly high and the chances of me finding work are more and more slim as the year presses on.



My assumption is that unless I am highly skilled, I don't have a chance, and I am not. Would you agree?



Are there any other Americans who went to high school and college in another country?
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The corporate owner of Sears and Kmart said there was substantial doubt that it could continue operating, as brick-and-mortar stores continue to face challenges in an e-commerce world.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the corporate owner, Sears Holdings Corp., cited its efforts to cut costs, sell property, tap new funding sources and make other moves to stanch the flow of red ink. Still, it reported a $2.2 billion loss for last year and said it had to use money from its investments and financing activities to fund operations.

Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the companys ability to continue as a going concern, it said in the filing, its annual report.

Its a sad story. This is the place that created the first direct to consumer retail, the first modern department store. It stood like the Colossus over the American retail landscape, said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consulting firm. But its been underinvested and bled dry.

Company shares, which hit an all-time low last month, tumbled more than 13 percent during trading Wednesday. It closed at $7.98, down 12.3 percent. Sears tried to soothe investors fears, saying in a post on its site that it remains focused on executing our transformation plan and that news reports miss the full disclosure that its highlighting actions to reduce risks. It also said that the comments made in the filing were in line with regulatory standards.

Nevertheless, the disclosure is a setback for the company and for Edward Lampert, the hedge fund manager who engineered the combination of the two legends of American retail 13 years ago. Lampert has shut down stores, reshuffled the companys organization and pushed to have a greater online presence. Still, Sears Holdings has lost more than $5 billion over the last three years as sales have declined.

Sears has been a member of the retail dead pool for years, but until this week the company had not openly acknowledged its tenuous existence, said Ken Perkins, who heads the research firm Retail Metrics LLC.

Sears has long maintained that by balancing the sale of key assets while at the same time enticing customers with loyalty programs, it would eventually turn the corner.

Yet industry analysts have placed the staggering sums of money that Sears is losing beside the limited number of assets it has left to sell, and concluded that the storied retailer may have reached the point of no return.

The company has lost $10.4 billion since 2011, the last year that it made a profit.

Theyre past the tipping point, Perkins said. This is a symbolic acknowledgment of the end of Sears of what we know it to be.

For Sears to survive, Perkins believes it would need to do so as a company running maybe 200 stores.

As of January, Sears Holdings said, it had 1,430 Sears and Kmart stores in the United States. By contrast, a decade ago it had about 3,800 stores in the United States and Canada. In the San Antonio area, there are four Sears stores and about a half-dozen other outlets, according to its website. There are no Kmarts in the area, according to the Kmart website.

As for Kmart, which Sears also owns, Perkins does not see much of a future.

Sears, through its catalog, has been a fixture of U.S. homes for more than a century. Kmart, which has its own lengthy history beginning as a five-and-dime store in Detroit, became a major national presence in the 1960s as a big-box department store, with Blue Light Special discounts geared toward penny-wise middle-class Americans.

But both brands were squeezed by Walmart Stores, with its heavy discounts, and Target, which sold affordable goods but with more design and flair. Both Sears and Kmart also suffered because they were in older shopping malls and neighborhoods. Online retailing, with the rise of the likes of Amazon, has presented a more recent challenge.

Millions of dollars have been funneled through Lamperts hedge fund to keep Sears afloat but with sales fading, it is burning through cash. Lampert combined Sears and Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy

According to the regulatory filing late Tuesday, Sears Holdings Corp. lost more than $2 billion last year. Adjusted for one-time charges, its loss was $887 million.

To cope, Sears Holdings has been shrinking. This month, it sold its Craftsman tool brand to Stanley Black & Decker in a deal valued at more than $775 million. Still, its long-term debt as of January totaled nearly $4.2 billion, almost double from the same period the previous year, according to the filing.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In February, Sears Holdings, which employs 140,000 people, said it had started a restructuring program that it said would save $1 billion annually. The program is focused on streamlining its back-office corporate and support functions, tweaking its product offerings and supply chain and looking for ways to reshuffle its real estate portfolio.

But it has to get more people through the doors or shopping online for what its selling.

When I first got married at 19 or 20, we bought our first set of kettles from Sears, said Darla Klemmensen, who was shopping at the St. Paul store on Wednesday. We still have some of those.

Klemmensen says Sears has been part of her life since she was a child watching her grandmother order stockings and garters, and she remembers flipping through Sears catalogs as thick as her forearm, full of appliances, clothing and kitchen wares.

But the onset of discounters such as Walmart created challenges for Sears that have only grown. Sears faced even more competition from online sellers and appliance retailers like Lowes and Home Depot. Its stores became its albatross, many of them looking shabby and outdated. The company, based northwest of Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, lost $607 million in the most recent quarter and revenue fell.

Theyve been delusional about their ability to turn around the business, said Perkins.

Johnson, though, believes one avenue for Sears could be returning to its roots as a direct-to-consumer company, only using the internet versus the old catalog. He believes the Sears name still stands for something for the 40-plus customer.

It has a lot of good memories, he said. It stands for being dependable and reliable.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Maren Morris jumped onto the fast track in June with her major-label debut, Hero, which topped Billboards country chart and hit No. 5 on the all-genre chart.

The first single, My Church, a pop-country gospel tune about driving in a car and being overcome by the power of music, set a record at country radio for the most stations to play a debut single, 107, the week it hit the airwaves.

It also was certified platinum.

The accolades followed:

Morris tied for the most nominations with five at Novembers County Music Association Awards and took home new artist of the year.

She won the breakthrough artist award in December at the Billboard Women in Music gala.

She earned four nominations at Februarys Grammy Awards and won best country solo performance for My Church. The other nods were for best new artist in the general category, best country album and best country song.

She was named new female artist of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and is up for five more at the April 2 show.

After touring with the likes of Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn and Little Big Town, Morris embarked last month on her first nationwide headlining tour, The Hero Tour, which will hit Gruene Hall on Saturday with Devin Dawson. Like others on the tour, that show is sold out.

More Information In concert Who: Maren Morris with Devin Dawson When: 9 p.m. Saturday Where: Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels Tickets: $15 (sold out); 830-629-5077, gruenehall.com See More Collapse

The 26-year-old Morris is hardly a debut artist, though.

The Arlington native began singing at an early age and released three independent albums. The first was in 2005 when she was 15.

She played any gig she could get across the state, including appearing with Miranda Lambert and Radney Foster.

Morris scored three hit singles on the Texas Music chart before deciding to move to Nashville to write songs that eventually were recorded by Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson and Brothers Osborne.

She released My Church as a digital single in 2015. It became a viral hit and led to a deal with Sony Nashville, an EP and the full-length album, Hero.

A deluxe edition of the album was released last week that includes three songs not on the standard version  Bummin Cigarettes, Space and Company You Keep, which she performs at every show.

The third single from Hero, I Could Use a Love Song, also was released to country radio last week.

While she had heard herself singing on the radio back in Texas, it did not compare to the first time she heard Church.

I was driving to Walmart. It was snowing in Nashville, and I freaked out, she told Glamour magazine. I had to quickly park because I didnt want to be driving at such an emotional moment.

You work your entire life to hear that one three-minute moment, and its just so cool. Every time I hear it now, I turn it up on the radio. I never get sick of it.

With country music at her core, Morris grew up listening to a variety of genres, from roots music and R&B to pop and hip hop.

The songs on Hero reflect that variety with plenty of hooks on vivid songs that reveal moments in her life from sadness and heartache to soul-searching and glee.

It wasnt a conscious decision to be an artist, Morris said in a prepared statement. It was more, am I ready to face my point of view?

I would have been happy just being a songwriter, but there was a voice in my head saying, youve got to sing these.

With hundreds of shows already behind her before her breakthrough, she is not nervous onstage.

Before the show is another story, but once I'm up there and the first chord hits, I go to this other place, she told Glamour. It's like a dream land.

John Goodspeed is a freelance writer. Email him at john@johngoodspeed.com
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A lawyer representing the family of Marquise Jones, who was fatally shot in the back by an off-duty San Antonio police officer three years ago, said in federal court Monday that a crucial witness was intimidated by employees from the Bexar County District Attorneys Office and the San Antonio Police Department.

As a result, the lawyer said, the witness has tried to avoid being subpoenaed in the civil wrongful death lawsuit the family has filed against the officer and the city.

He encountered a large level of intimidation and harassment, lawyer Daryl Washington said at a pretrial conference. He and his family have talked about leaving San Antonio.

Washington said the witness, James Brantley, was apprehended by police officers and taken to a police station. On other occasions, Washington said, employees of the district attorneys office visited Brantleys home. He did not make clear when the alleged harassment occurred.

This has caused Brantley to experience fear of retaliation if he continued to stay involved, Washington wrote in court documents.

City officials said Tuesday they were not aware of any intimidation by San Antonio police officers.

In a statement, the district attorneys office said that Washingtons characterization of the facts is completely false.

The office said a district attorney investigator contacted Brantley over the phone in October, encouraging him to come to give a sworn statement. Another time, according to the office, the same investigator served Brantley with a grand jury subpoena and again encouraged Brantley to provide a statement, but Brantley allegedly refused. When he was unwilling to cooperate, the investigator recorded their conversation.

At no time ever has this Office harassed James Brantley in any shape form or fashion, the statement said. We are happy to provide the audio and text message evidence to substantiate our position.

The Bexar County District Attorneys Office has been in the spotlight recently after lawyers involved in an unrelated murder case claimed District Attorney Nico LaHood vowed to destroy and shut down their law practices.

LaHood acknowledged that he got angry with the lawyers but says no prosecutorial misconduct took place.

The Jones family filed the civil wrongful death lawsuit in 2014, claiming the city and Police Department failed to properly discipline the officer, Robert Encina, before the shooting and, as a result, Encina wrongfully killed Jones.

A police internal investigation into the shooting found Encina was justified in using force, and a Bexar County grand jury did not indict Encina.

On Tuesday, Washington said he has a text message that proved the harassment of Brantley, which he showed to Judge Royce C. Lamberth in off-the-record proceedings.

Lamberth issued an order to bring Brantley into custody for contempt of the court. If Brantley is found and arrested, he likely will be deposed by city lawyers and required to testify in the lawsuit next week.

The judge also strongly questioned city lawyers Tuesday about a new revelation that San Antonio police detectives did, in fact, test the handgun that police say Jones was carrying for fingerprints.

For the past three years, the city has claimed the gun was not tested. The city has hired an outside law firm to review how detectives handled the fingerprinting test.

The trial is Monday, Lamberth said. When will you have the facts?

Later, Lamberth told city attorneys he wanted the names of those who failed to communicate that a test was conducted. How could this happen? he asked.

Even though the evidence came after the deadline for discovery, both parties agreed they wanted the handgun entered into evidence.

They also agreed to exclude the results of the test, which yielded no fingerprints. Washington said the police detective completed the bare minimum of testing, not utilizing superglue fuming, which is considered a better method of finding fingerprints.

The two parties will meet in the next week to allow an expert hired by the Jones family to examine the gun. Washington said the examination is not ideal, because its been three years since the shooting and the gun has been moved and handled several times since then.

This gun is a major piece of evidence, Washington said. This is the first thing that should be tested.

Brantley was sitting in his car on Feb. 28, 2014, ordering food in the drive-thru lane at the Chachos and Challuccis on the near Northeast Side when Encina fatally shot Jones as he ran from the scene.

Encina told investigators that Jones pointed a gun at him and he feared for his life.

In a 2016 affidavit, Brantley told investigators that Jones did not have anything in his hand, including a gun, and never looked back while running. In total, there are nine witnesses, six of whom challenged the police account and say Jones didnt have a gun or they didnt see one.

Without any warnings or commands, Officer Encina started firing multiple shots at Marquise Jones, Brantley said in the affadavit. I could not understand why he was shooting at an unarmed man who had not committed a crime nor was he harming or threatening anyone.

Police investigators did not originally take Brantleys statement after the shooting, which Washington says illustrates an inadequate internal investigation by the Police Department and a cover-up by the city.

Brantley was issued a subpoena to provide sworn testimony to a Bexar County grand jury in October 2016, but did not show up, according to the district attorneys office.

The city claims it did not know about Brantley until April of last year, when Brantley and another witness came forward after the grand jury voted not to indict Encina.

The trial is expected to go forward Monday.

eeaton@express-news.net

Twitter: @emilieeaton
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Mayoral candidate Manuel Medina on Tuesday earned the endorsement of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association  the same day poll numbers leaked from Mayor Ivy Taylors campaign, showing that shes pulled significantly ahead of her two main challengers.

Medina, Taylor and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg are among more than a dozen candidates vying in the May 6 municipal election for a two-year term as mayor.

Association President Chris Steele said Medina seemed to be an uncommon mayoral candidate and that the union checked into his background, including his business and personal background.

Hes a man of his word, said Steele, whose union endorsed Dan Patrick, R-Houston, for lieutenant governor in his 2014 run against then-state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. The following year, the union endorsed Van de Putte in her failed bid against Taylor in the 2015 mayoral race.

Steele said the fire union is most concerned with ensuring the election of a mayor who will focus on basic city services, such as public safety and avoiding projects such as the now-dead streetcar proposal, the very alive Vista Ridge water pipeline and the Portland loo  a 24/7 outdoor public bathroom.

Jeff Judson, from the local tea party, on Tuesday also threw his support behind Medina, whos positioned himself as a local populist finding some support from the left and right in this nonpartisan election.

Medina has railed against City Manager Sheryl Sculley and the historic $850 million proposed bond program on the same municipal ballot. Hes also advocated for building a rail line between San Antonio and Austin (and San Antonio to Monterrey, Mexico), and declared that the Alamo City is and should be a sanctuary city.

Christian Anderson, Taylors campaign manager, pulled no punches when reacting to the fire union endorsement.

Which Manuel Medina did the union endorse? The Manuel Medina who'll bankrupt the City with his wild campaign promises, like building a train to Monterrey, Mexico? Or the man who never worried about protecting taxpayers until he decided to run for mayor? Or the chest-beating party boss who made his name dividing us but who now promises to unite us? Anderson said. Mayor Taylor believes in opportunity for all San Antonians. Manuel Medina believes in opportunity for Manuel Medina.

Meanwhile, the finance committee of Taylors campaign received an executive summary of a poll conducted by the campaign. The San Antonio Express-News obtained the summary and accompanying memo, written by Anderson, addressed to the committee.

As previously discussed, we commissioned a survey from Baselice & Associates, which I consider the best polling firm operating in Texas, Anderson wrote. We got the results last week, and they clearly show the Mayor has the opportunity to win re-election without a run-off.

The memo also cites, but does not disclose, independent poll results the campaign was briefed on in January, and concludes that Nirenberg is in the weakest position.

The memo frames Medina as being the candidate the campaign is more concerned about (The best news for us is that Mayor Taylor is consolidating her support at a much faster pace than Medina.), but its difficult to tell whether Taylor and her advisers believe that to truly be the case, given the general consensus from sources that the campaign intended for the memo and executive summary to leak.

The poll was conducted March 9-12 and surveyed 400 randomly selected registered voters, 45 percent of whom were reached by cell phone.

The Baselice poll shows that only 10 percent of those polled had never heard of Taylor, while Medina and Nirenberg were at 40 and 44 percent. The poll also said that 65 percent rated Taylor positively while 25 percent and 30 percent had favorable ratings for Medina and Nirenberg, respectively.

Overall poll numbers show Taylor leading with 53 percent of the vote, to Nirenbergs 16 and Medinas 13.

But Kelton Morgan, Nirenbergs campaign manager, questioned how the pollster arrived at those numbers, noting that what information is first provided and how the questions are asked can wildly change results. Morgan said that while Baselice is a respected polling firm, he has doubts about this particular survey.

While the executive summary  which shows only good news for Taylor  is circulating, the detailed information hasnt leaked. Morgan said without the particulars, its difficult to discern how the poll arrived at the numbers that it did.

The Baselice results, he continued, are an outlier from what hes seen from polling done by Nirenbergs campaign and others, which he says show Taylor and Nirenberg heading to a June run-off.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
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AUSTIN - Despite local officials warnings that public safety will be shortchanged, the Texas Senate voted Tuesday to put new restrictions on how much local property tax revenue can be raised by cities and counties.

The 18-12 vote sends Senate Bill 2 to the House, where a similar measure has been filed by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton.

Local officials will continue to press their case in the House for easing or ditching the measure, which supporters cast as tax relief for beleaguered property owners.

Texas taxpayers know the truth. Property taxes are rising too fast, said Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, author of the bill.

Under current law, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for items including new construction.

SB2 would make an election automatic if local officials propose a 5 percent increase in property tax revenues.

But even while acknowledging complaints from taxpayers, a number of senators voiced concerns about the bill.

They cited opposition from elected officials in their local communities, and noted that counties must pay for unfunded mandates that may be imposed by the state.

They emphasized that school property taxes make up a bigger piece of someones total bill than the city, county and special district taxes that would be affected by SB2.

Local school property taxes could be eased if the state, which also bears responsibility for funding public education, would kick up its contribution, they said.

We should address the real property tax problem - the one thats created by the state, said Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who opposed the bill. He asserted, Public safety is at risk under this bill.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, who voted for the bill, said she wanted to ensure lawmakers didnt demonize cities or counties, saying the state also bears responsibility on issues such as school funding. She challenged her colleagues to address that issue, and unfunded mandates.

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, pointed out that the Alamo Citys police chief, William McManus, and its fire chief, Charles Hood, are among those who oppose the measure.

The chiefs said their ability to protect the public would be affected by SB2, citing plans for adding equipment and personnel in the coming years to keep up with the citys growth.

What do I tell them, our first responders, that are very concerned about this bill? asked Uresti, who opposed the bill.

Bettencourt emphasized that his measure doesnt place a hard cap on the revenues that cities can raise, but that it is meant to give voters a bigger voice in slowing the rate of growth.

Some senators pointed out, as they have before, that the state is imposing its will on locally elected officials, despite the states history of pushing back against what its leaders describe as a heavy-handed federal government.

Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, a bill supporter, defended it as the ultimate local control because it places power in voters hands.

The vote on the bill was largely along party lines, with one exception. Sen. Kel Seliger, a Republican who is former mayor of Amarillo, joined 11 Democrats in voting against it.

The Texas Municipal League, which opposes the legislation, said it would hurt services in local communities without providing much relief to individual property owners.

In San Antonio, the league said, the owner of a $250,000 home would have seen a savings of $12.01 this year if the proposed restriction on city taxes were in place. The savings would be a smaller $8.89 for a homeowner over age 65 in a $250,000 home, the league said, because such homeowners get an exemption in San Antonio that lowers the taxable value of their dwelling.

A Dallas homeowner would have seen a $27.69 reduction in city taxes, while homeowners in Houston and Fort Worth wouldnt have received a reduction if the measure had been in place this year, according to the league. Houston has a local property tax revenue cap.

These numbers show that city property taxes are not the problem and SB 2 is not the solution, said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League. If legislators are serious about reducing property taxes for homeowners, they will throw this bill out and start addressing the real cause of high property tax which is the states system of financing public education.

Bettencourt said a number of cities cut tax rates in 2016, and that is a positive thing, since the point of his measure is that tax rates should be reduced as the appraised value of property rises. The rate imposed on the appraised value of property is what makes up a tax bill.

The cause and effects cannot be separated here. As long as tax rates are reduced, whether action of city council or the rollback limit or an ordinance like in Houstons case, the effect is the same. Its tax relief for taxpayers, Bettencourt said.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
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AUSTIN  Senate budget-writers eased the pain of their tight spending plan with a $2.5 billion fiscal maneuver Wednesday, but House Speaker Joe Straus immediately rebuffed their proposal as Enron-esque and said his chamber wont go for it.

The scuffle was just the latest between the two chambers about how to meet the needs of a growing state despite a downturn in revenues caused by the uncertain oil-and-gas industry and their past decisions to cut taxes and dedicate significant funding to transportation.

Counting money twice in order to balance the budget is not a good idea. This is the Texas Legislature. We are not Enron, said Straus, R-San Antonio, comparing the poster child for financial scandal to the funding mechanism supporting the Senate Finance Committees two-year budget proposal.

The Senate committees spending plan totals $217.7 billion in state and federal funds and was approved 15-0 by the committee. It next goes to the full Senate.

Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson said after the committee vote that the $2.5 billion solved a lot of our problems and maintained in the face of Strauss criticism that its a smart money management decision.

The Senate committees maneuver would delay the transfer of $2.5 billion thats promised for transportation in the coming two-year budget.

Postponing the transfer until the beginning of the following budget period in fiscal year 2020 means it wouldnt count against the upcoming two-year spending plan, said Nelson, R-Flower Mound.

Along with other cost savings, the maneuver allowed the Finance Committees budget proposal to include $106.3 billion in state general revenue spending over the next two years. Thats slightly less than the current state general revenue share of the budget but more than the $103.6 billion of general revenue in Nelsons starting-point budget.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said delaying the transfer also will ensure the comptroller has all the information from the 2019 fiscal year to ensure the proper amount is being transferred to transportation.

This does not take away any of that money from transportation, Nelson emphasized.

But Straus took issue with the proposed Senate budget counting the $2.5 billion as being dedicated to transportation while the document simultaneously counts on the money being freed up for other purposes due to the delayed transfer.

Formally reducing transportation spending in the two-year budget period, part of up to $5 billion approved by voters for that purpose, would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature. But thats not what Senate budget-writers are proposing.

Im not interested in cooking the books just to avoid a vote on the rainy day fund, said Straus, citing yet another big budget issue that is dividing the House and Senate.

House leaders have suggested it makes sense to use a portion of the rainy day fund to stave off deeper budget cuts. The state savings account that is expected to reach $12 billion at the end of the next fiscal cycle if untapped.

But leaving the fund intact has become a mantra among some conservatives, despite its effect on services. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, praised the Finance Committee for covering key services without dipping into the fund.

Nelson said there is absolutely no appetite in the Senate for dipping into the rainy day fund for ongoing expenses or to cover a supplemental spending plan. The supplemental bill, a regular part of the budget process, will cover larger-than-anticipated expenses in the current budget cycle.

Delaying the transfer of transportation funding, she said, is a smart money management decision that allows us to responsibly meet our needs without raiding the rainy day fund.

Gov. Greg Abbott also has said hes confident the budget can be balanced without looting the savings account.

Sen. Juan Hinojosa, a McAllen Democrat who is Finance Committee vice chair, said he sees nothing wrong with freeing up funds by postponing a payment. He said hed like to dip into the rainy day fund but obviously the votes are not there.

As far apart as the House and Senate are in their approaches to the budget, Hinjosa said, Some of those solutions at some point will need to be worked out by the big three, the leadership  Governor Abbott, Speaker Straus and Lieutenant Governor Patrick.

Lawmakers who will work to negotiate differences after the House and Senate pass their spending plans will need at least the perimeters of an agreement among the leadership to guide us on how we are going to adjust and fund state government, Hinojosa said.
A Texas Senate committee kicked off its first round of hearings Tuesday on a controversial measure that would give public funds to parents who want to enroll their children in private schools or public charter schools.

Senate Bill 3 by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, would establish educational savings accounts and tax credit scholarships to fund costs associated with parents moving their children from traditional public schools to private, parochial or charter schools.

This is not a winner-take-all system. This is just a choice  it's another option. We're not trying to decimate anybody, Taylor said in response to charges that his bill would divert money from cash-strapped public schools and give it to private schools. This is competition to a healthy degree, but it's not like we're coming in and people are trying to take out certain schools.

Outside the capitol, a coalition including the Senate Hispanic Caucus, Mexican-American Legislative Caucus and Texas Latino Education Coalition, took exception to Taylors view, as about 50 people gathered in protest of SB 3.

State Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, vice chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, said vouchers would strip money for education from already vulnerable Latinos, African-Americans and other minorities in Texas.

The proponents of this bill call it a civil rights issue, he said. Maybe if they spend more time inside a classroom rather than defunding it theyd learn a valuable history lesson.

David Hinojosa, national director of policy with San Antonio-based Intercultural Development Research Association, said that school choice reforms happening the last 10-15 years have struck a blow to neighborhood public schools and have underserved students, including students of color.

Our concerns are that vouchers all across the country are not meeting the needs of students of color, of low-income students, he said. They are segregating students based on race and national origin and they are not leading to an increase in student achievement. Every student in the state of Texas should have a right to a strong neighborhood public school. SB 3 is not taking us there.

At Tuesday's hearing, which drew more than 100 witnesses, Taylor defended his bill, pointing out that school districts would retain some funding in the first year that a student decides to leave a public school, giving it time to adjust without losing all per-pupil money they currently receive from the state.

Basically, the school will have money without a student. It will actually have more money to spend on the kids who are still there, he said. It gives them a year to transition or maybe in the year, to see what they need to do to move their program forward, to be more competitive.

Under Taylors bill, parents could use ESAs to pay for items such as private school tuition, educational software and tutoring for home school students. However, the bill would prohibit parents from using the money for food or child care.

Lindsey Burke, an education policy fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the ESA proposal would create an unparalleled form of accountability after citing statistics about Texas' poor student performance.

Real accountability means being directly accountable to those who bear the consequences of your performances, which is exactly what ESAs do, she said.

The Texas State Teacher Association and other advocacy groups have refuted Burke's claim about increased standards that benefit students.

The most recent studies in several other states continue showing that voucher programs do not improve academic outcomes, said Noel Candelaria, the association's president.

At the rally, C LeRoy Cavazos, government affairs vice-president at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said it was their social responsibility to make sure that the Capitol remains in the hands of Texas children, who are the future workforce and economic vitality of the state.

One in every four students graduating right now is a Latino in this state. Twenty percent of Texas businesses are founded and owned by foreign-born Texans, Cavazos said. This is not a civil rights issue. This is an economic issue and we must continue to defend those children. Its the Legislatures responsibility to fund public schools.

According to a report from the Center for Public Policy Priorities, an Austin-based think tank, Texas public schools stand to lose over $2 billion from SB 3 vouchers while also benefiting higher income families more than lower income families.

The study said San Antonio ISD would suffer a financial loss of $21,043,455 if 5 percent of students opt for vouchers in one year.

Louis Malfaro, president of the American Federation of Teachers Texas branch, said that for the last 10 years, 850,000 new students entered the Texas public school system. Of those kids, 90 percent are Latino, African-American or Asian, he said.

When ICE decided to raid schools and neighborhoods here in Austin, our school teachers stood up, Malfaro said. Lets not forget that we have had black, brown and labor coalitions in the past and we have won elections and knocked down segregation.

elutz@express-news.net
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The Vatican has removed Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church from the Archdiocese of San Antonio and it now will operate under a special Catholic diocese based in Houston, church officials announced Tuesday.

The move came after weeks of speculation and a months-long tug-of-war between the archdiocese, which wanted to hold on to the Northwest Side parish that worships in the Anglican tradition, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, which oversees about 40 such Catholic parishes in the United States and Canada that follow Vatican-approved Anglican liturgy.

The change was effective immediately and came at the direction of the Holy See, the ordinariate said.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio had fought the move and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller had come under fire for his decision in January to initiate removal proceedings against the parish priest, Father Christopher Phillips, citing pastoral concerns and the parishs separate identity from others in the archdiocese.

But longtime parishioners maintained that its departure to the Ordinariate had been a parish goal since its 1983 founding, and some said in January they were heartsick at the sidelining of their priest.

Our Lady of the Atonement parish, including its school, Atonement Academy, now will report to Bishop Steven J. Lopes.

More than 300 parishioners filled the parish's gym Tuesday night for a meeting with Lopes and other ordinariate officials. The standing-room-only crowd delivered a half-dozen standing ovations in recognition of Tuesdays news and the work ahead.

Never in the history of the church has canon law been so (welcome), Lopes said, garnering laughter.

Atonement had been the first Catholic congregation in the nation to be named a Pastoral Provision parish by the Vatican and thus allowed to worship in Anglican traditions. The Ordinariate is one of only three such dioceses in the world, created for former Anglicans.

All parishes of the Pastoral Provision are to be incorporated into the Ordinariate, its statement said.

Phillips, married and the father of adult children, was ordained a Catholic priest by the late Archbishop Patrick Flores after having served as an Anglican priest.

Jenny Faber, the ordinariates spokeswoman, said Phillips would remain at the parish as pastor emeritus and a new pastor would be named in about a year to 16 months.

The archdiocese on Tuesday acknowledged the new arrangement and released a short statement saying, in part, With this decision the Pastoral Provision no longer exists in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

The responsibility for the parish, to include its properties and school, now transfers from the Archdiocese of San Antonio to the Ordinariate, it said.

The archdiocese wont comment on the matter beyond its press release, archdiocese spokesman Jordan McMorrough said in an email.

Charles Wilson, a founding member of the parish and founder of the St. Josephs Foundation, which had been fighting Phillips removal, said he was delighted with the news.

It assures the future of the parish, said Wilson, who said he represented more than 500 parishioners as their procurator, or proxy, as allowed by canon law. They had organized to support Phillips and to ultimately leave the archdiocese.

The foundation specializes in canon law and its canonical lawyer represented Phillips.

Im very grateful to the Archdiocese of San Antonio and Archbishop Flores, who permitted the erection of the parish many, many years ago, and other archbishops who nurtured it until recently, he said.

Wilson said tensions between the archdiocese and Phillips flared after the priest petitioned the Holy See for Atonement to leave the archdiocese.

Thats when the archbishop of San Antonio apparently took offense, Wilson said. From that point, until now, relations deteriorated.

According to the teachings of the church, we are all required to bear wrongs patiently and forgive all injuries, he said. Im trying to do that, and its a little bit of a struggle.

He said the Vatican handled the case with blinding speed  about five months.

The ordinariates statement expressed its deepest gratitude to the Archdiocese of San Antonio for welcoming and caring for Our Lady of the Atonement since its inception, and for the Archdioceses ongoing commitment to the Churchs care for the unity of Christians.

Through continued collaboration in the coming months, the Archdiocese and the Ordinariate will remain dedicated to supporting the natural evolution of this Pastoral Provision parish into the Ordinariate, it added.

Our Lady of Walsingham in the United Kingdom, Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia and the Houston-based Chair of Saint Peter in the United States and Canada are the only such dioceses in the world.

eayala@express-news.net

Twitter: @ElaineAyala
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San Antonios crime problem has emerged as a central issue in this years municipal races.

At candidate forums, Councilman Ron Nirenberg doesnt hesitate to hold Mayor Ivy Taylor accountable for the fact that violent crime in San Antonio has reached its highest levels in 25 years.

Council candidates as disparate as John Courage, Manny Pelaez, Patty Gibbons and Marco Barros have all cited public safety as the most pressing concern theyre hearing from residents.

Of course, identifying the problem is a lot easier than pinpointing the causes or finding solutions.

District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino attributes much of the crime spike to the brain-scrambling effects of synthetic marijuana, which he he says is creating a plague in our city.

Pelaez points to similar public-safety challenges in Dallas and Houston, and says that rising crime is afflicting cities experiencing rapid population growth and sharp disparities in earnings and job opportunities.

We have a Texas problem, Pelaez said. Not a San Antonio problem.

If there is one common refrain on the campaign circuit, however, its that San Antonio is feeling the adverse effects of an overworked, understaffed police department and a lingering case of low morale from a bitter collective-bargaining process that ended last summer after two-and-a-half years.

One of the challenges we have is that we need to right-size our department, Nirenberg asserted at a mayoral forum hosted on March 6 by Trinity University. We have 250 vacancies in the police department, and that is a problem when we have a violent-crime rate as high as it is.

Nirenberg attributes that manpower problem to a funding imbalance exacerbated by a police contract  settled in mediation, at Taylors urging  that he considers too weighed down with expensive benefits costs for the city.

Mike Helle, the president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, shares Nirenbergs concern about understaffing, and agrees that the collective-bargaining process intensified the problem, but he differs sharply with the councilman on exactly where the damage was done.

Rather than sharing Nirenbergs view that rich benefits hamstrung the citys fiscal ability to hire officers, Helle argues that the city took such a hardball negotiating stance, and went to such lengths to demonize the police union, that it damaged the departments efforts to retain and hire employees.

I think it was so toxic for so long that it just turned people off and turned them away, Helle said. Its going to get worse before it gets better.

East Side Councilman Alan Warrick told the San Antonio Express-News editorial board on Monday that the city faces a looming threat that police manpower shortages could turn into a full-blown emergency. Warrick said up to 700 S.A. police officers could retire now, if they choose to do so.

The local homicide rate jumped from 94 in 2015 to 151 last year, the highest local total in 21 years.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to an increase in crime, Police Chief William McManus said in a statement. McManus added that SAPDs creation of a Violent Crimes Task Force this year will help to ensure that San Antonio remains one of the safest big cities in the country.

The recent spike in local crime carries unwelcome echoes of the early 90s. In 1990, the city set a local record with 218 homicides, broke that record with 220 in 1992, and recorded 229 in 1993. At the time, city leaders blamed the crime epidemic on a combination of gangs, guns and drugs.

In a desperate bid to take control of the situation, the City Council passed a late-night curfew for kids under the age of 17 in July 1991.

I think its worth this community taking a chance on this, said then-Mayor (and current Bexar County Judge) Nelson Wolff, when the ordinance passed.

We all know that crime is the result of an interlocking set of factors that cant be easily pulled apart.

Some look at the dramatic drop in national (and local) crime that began in the mid-90s as the result of a booming economy, an improved education system, robust neighborhood-watch programs, increased federal funding for law enforcement or draconian changes in the criminal-justice system. The authors of the book Freakonomics even suggested that the legalization of abortion in 1973 had been a key factor.

When it comes to crime, the causes are always evasive and the solutions are always complex. This city learned that a generation ago, and its learning it again.

ggarcia@express-news.net

Twitter: @gilgamesh470
CLARION, Pa.  Grazing enthusiasts packed into the Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference March 16 as it celebrated 20 years.

This years agenda brought in experts from Idaho, North Dakota and Ohio, and nearly 350 participants attended to hear keynote speaker Jim Gerrish, author and owner of American GrazingLands Services in May, Idaho.

In the last 20 years, the major difference in pasture management has been soil health, Gerrish said. With advanced science, we now know what is going on below the ground, more residual, more biodiversity. We always knew these things were good, but couldnt explain everything, now we can.

Intensively manage

Gerrish discussed the myth that intensive grazing is about cows grazing more vigorously.

Cows intensively graze by nature, only people can intensively manage. It is the management we are intensifying, not the grazing, said Gerrish

Gerrish, author of Kick the Hay Habit; A Practical Guide to Year-Around Grazing and Management-intensive Grazing: The Grassroots of Grass Farming, discussed optimizing solar energy.

It is about managing the resources of space and time, getting the most out of your pastures. Sunlight hitting bare dirt is a missed opportunity, he said.

Overgrazing is caused by failure to mange time, Gerrish said. He shared the three cardinal sins of grazing; starting too early, grazing too short and coming back too soon.

In most grazing operations, decreasing inputs is hard to do, said Gerrish.

The goal should be to is increase efficiency  like going to a daily rotation and managing pastures to get optimal nutrition and tonnage, he said.

Moving

When to move cows is a decision based on space and time. If you have a better feed source to move to, it is time to move, advised Gerrish.

Gerrish promotes grazing pastures at Phase 2, which isnt an arbitrary height, but depends on the plant. When the plants solar panel is at its prime for photosynthesis and it has a positive carbohydrate balance, that is Phase 2.

During this stage, the structural fiber or indigestible fiber in the plant allows the cows to leave more of the plant standing.

Water

Perennial pastures get more water into the soil than anything else, and healthy pastures and soils have perennial roots deep into the soil. Focus on getting more production out of every inch of water, said Gerrish.

Each season, you hone your skills and try to move toward that ideal target, he said.

Reflecting on the western Pennsylvania landscape, Gerrish believes the biggest challenge to grazing is mud, the downside of water.

The days of the ground freezing and staying frozen have gone, said Gerrish. Ranking snow, ice, mud, drought; mud is by far the hardest to deal with.

Marketing

Aaron and Melissa Miller, Kinsman, Ohio, operate a grassfed and pastured livestock farm for direct-to-market sales, including restaurants. And, as Aaron says, they are in the business of taste.

It is about a consistent taste and the appearance on their plate.

The Millers have finished medium-framed cattle such as Angus, Shorthorn and Herefords, among other grassfed livestock, since 1999.

They talked to the crowd about the three ways they sell beef: custom cut, direct to consumer and wholesale.

Direct to consumer is where we see our highest return, but it also has the most inspection needs and takes the most marketing effort and time, Melissa said.

One tip they emphasized is selling the whole animal, and finding ways to make money on each part, even the bones.

Bone broth is huge right now; people are drinking it for the collagens and because of various health kicks.

The Millers process 60-70 cows per year, buying them between 400-600 pounds and feeding them out on grass and hay.

When asked about finishing weight, Aaron shared that it doesnt matter. They dont finish the cattle to certain weight, but rather on fat content. They butcher when the cattle are finished the right degree for the animals frame.

The growth potential for grassfed beef and other livestock is huge, said Melissa.

The medical community is going to drive this business in the next few years, she added. People are starting to figure out you are what you eat.

Hay

The Millers feed hay for much of the winter, but Gerrish told the audience to kick the hay habit if you are really in the livestock business.

Technology has made making hay too easy, said Gerrish, but dont get sucked in. A half-ton bale of hay has $30 of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in it, 80 percent of the soils nutrients are harvested and moved off the land in the hay.

Once you add repair and maintenance, fuel, labor, and equipment depreciation, you have a lot of money in a bale of hay. He says it takes 600 cows to justify owning any modern hay equipment.

It is more important to stop making hay than to stop feeding hay, he said. East of the Plains, most years, you can buy quality hay at below production costs. Dont let that sucker selling be you.

The Headwaters Resources and Development Council will be post additional resources from the conference at www.headwaterspa.org.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  The Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board approved two producer pricing orders March 21, including an order establishing the over-order premium at $1.60 per hundredweight through September 2017. The board also approved an order that would modify minimum Pennsylvania producer pricing through September 2017 for milk not priced by a federal order.

The board is also continuing the current fuel adjuster of 25 cents per hundredweight for a six-month period beginning April 1, 2017.

In setting the over-order premium at $1.60 per hundredweight through September 2017, the Board relied on evidence presented by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Grange, and Progressive Agriculture Organization. Each of those groups supported the $1.60 request originally made by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

The over-order premium and the fuel adjuster add-on mandated by PMMB are assessed on Class I (fluid) milk that is produced, processed and sold entirely within Pennsylvania.

Marketing assessment

Dairy Farmers of America and Dairy Marketing Services requested the board modify its producer pricing order for a six-month period to address increased costs of marketing milk due to the imbalance between milk supplies and processing capacity in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Cooperatives have assessed their members a market adjustment charge since July 2014 as a result of those increased costs.

DMS markets milk for approximately 280 independent Pennsylvania producers who have not been assessed a market adjustment charge even though their milk is indistinguishable from the cooperative member milk marketed by DMS.

For milk not priced by a federal order, the order approved by the board will allow DMS to deduct a market adjustment charge from those independent producers it markets that is no greater than the lowest market adjustment charge applied to cooperative members.

Could depool producers

DMS has indicated that it may depool from the federal order its Pennsylvania independent producers (read the request letter). If those producers are depooled, the DMS independent producers would continue to receive a minimum Pennsylvania producer price based on the Pennsylvania Class I price plus over-order premium and the Class II, III, and IV price based on federally announced skim and butterfat prices, less the market adjustment charge.

The board adopted the order allowing the market adjustment charge with the expectation that if DMS did depool Pennsylvania independent producers, it would be for the minimum amount of time required.

Progressive Agriculture Organization and National Dairy Producers organization testified in opposition to the DFA/DMS request, however, the board was concerned that without the producer price modification, DMS would choose to terminate its Pennsylvania producers.

Copies of both orders are available on the Boards website at mmb.pa.gov.
The Pacific Alliance, a pro-trade group comprised of representatives from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, invited member countries and signatories of the TPP to the dialogue along with representatives of South Korea and China. In addition to being a signatory of the TPP, Canada achieved observer country status with the Pacific Alliance in 2012.

Champagne represented Canada at the meeting while Masswohl travelled to Chile to emphasize the importance of the TPP and international market access to the livelihood of Canadian beef producers. Masswohl had the opportunity to interact with Minister Champagne and other members of the Canadian delegation as well as compare views with representatives from other countries.

Signed by 12 countries in February 2016, the TPP represented a new era of multi-lateral trade that could bring together consumers and producers from a diverse section of Pacific-Rim cultures and nations by establishing a stronger relationship based on sound science and market demand. Most importantly, TPP set a new and high-level precedent for market access for the trade in beef and will serve as an example for other countries to follow.

What is paramount for me as international trade minister is to make sure that Canadian producers, consumers and workers have preferential market access to the very important economies in Asia Pacific



Since the United States withdrew from the TPP in January, the concern has been whether the hard-won benefits of the TPP could be salvaged. When the Chile meeting was announced, the CCA was encouraged that it would provide an opportunity for the 11 remaining TPP countries to discuss options for continuing the process of liberalized trade so that each of our economies can grow. The dialogue was successful in that the 11 confirmed that they are strongly committed to proceeding and instructed their negotiators to meet to find a path forward with respect to implementation of substantive elements of the TPP Agreement.

Minister Champagne later stated that, What is paramount for me as international trade minister is to make sure that Canadian producers, consumers and workers have preferential market access to the very important economies in Asia Pacific.

The CCA supports this progress as a strong signal that the substance of the TPP in some form remains very much in play and congratulated International Trade Minister Champagne for leading the discussion in Chile towards this outcome. The CCA will continue to work with the Government of Canada and allies abroad to support their efforts to bring the TPP substance into effect.

Source: Meatbusiness
While there isnt much in it, if you go back six or seven years girls would have made up 20 per cent of numbers at the college and one of our priorities back then was to boost the number of female students, so we have done pretty well with that, he said.
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Colleen Coleman spent years teaching English and Philosophy before writing her first book, Don't Stop Me Now. Today she tells us a little bit about the woman behind her debut novel.

Colleen Coleman

I was raised in an Irish pub

My family owned a pub and restaurant on the West coast of Ireland where I worked behind the bar, in the kitchen and on tables (waitressing!). Being surrounded by such a constant and diverse stream of people and their conversations whether they were tipsy or sober, tourists or locals, after happy or sad milestones such as weddings or funerals, gave me a very special insight into the drama and dialogue of ordinary life. This insight certainly fuelled fascination with storytelling and real-life characters that I have tried to nurture all my life, especially in my writing.

I have the biggest coffee addiction

I can't even make eye contact with anyone without half a pot of coffee to start my day.

Curry and karaoke is my idea of a perfect date

I love singing cheesy songs badly and I love hearing others sing cheesy songs badly. Throw in some samosas and Im there.

A clairvoyant told me Id be a successful author

.. but that I needed to pull my finger out and get on with it.

I went to an all-girls convent boarding school on the West Coast of Ireland

For five years and really loved it .I made the best friends in the world.

I have twin girls

I brought different coloured nail varnish to the hospital delivery room to help distinguish them. However, when the second one arrived ginger we knew we wouldnt have any trouble telling them apart.

I swim a lot

Even the idea of plunging into water just makes me feel better. It is one of my favourite things to do in the whole world and couldnt live without it. If Im having trouble clearing my head or working out a story knot, a swim always sorts me out.

I got what I wished for..

On graduating from school, the two things I wanted to do more than anything else was to teach someone to read and write a book. Hence, I became an English teacher! Teaching has taken me all over the world; Canada, USA, The Middle East, India, Australia, Germany, Cyprus and most memorably, my many years in central London where I fell head over heels for my lovely teacher husband Julian!

I read ALL of my reviews.

Sometimes over and over! I write for my readers, so feedback really is the best gift that I can receive from them in return. The good and the not-so-good! If people have taken the time to write a review then the least I can do is take the time to read them.

I love radio

I listen to the radio at every opportunity; in the car, in the kitchen, in the bath. I love the randomness of song choice and chat; I guess thats reflected in Dont Stop Me Now!
Bruce Dickinson has called for everyone to "speak" to one another more after being inspired by a young boy he met in Sierra Leone.

Bruce Dickinson

The Iron Maiden frontman meet a 12-year-old boy while he was working as a pilot in West Africa, who greeted him in Russian, and the youngster told the 'Run to the Hills' rocker he could speak in 14 African dialects and five European languages, but wasn't able to go to school because of a lack of funds.

His chance meeting with the boy, whose name is unknown, made the 58-year-old musician realise how vital it is for people to communicate in person and not just on cell phones and the internet.

Speaking on stage at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Wednesday (22.03.17) for WE Day, Dickinson reached out of his pocket and pulled out an old Nokia phone, before telling the audience: "They're going to throw that kid on the dustbin because nobody can afford to send him to school.

"I talk to people. And you can start a little movement right now because me talking to that little kid in the bush told me something in my life, we should be able to do something about this. We need to talk to people, not text them or email them. Talk to them.

"The most powerful thing you can do in the world is be in a room and talk to people. It's more powerful than YouTube and more powerful than anything else in the world, that's why you're here and not watching this on Skype. When you leave here, run for the hills and talk to people, go back to your schools and communities and make something happen, give the gift of communication, talking and education."

WE Day is inspired by the non-profit Facebook page WE, which was created by activists and brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger with the aim of motivating young people to have a positive impact on their communities all over the world.
Katie Price has blamed her alter ego Jordan for her breaking her self-imposed booze ban at her husband Kieran Hayler's surprise birthday party.

Katie Price and Kieran Hayler arriving at DSTRKT

The 38-year-old star hosted a bash at London nightspot DSTRKT on Saturday night (19.03.17) to celebrate Kieran reaching the landmark age and although she made a vow to not drink for the whole of 2017 on an episode of 'Loose Women' she did indulge in some cocktails with her man and the other revellers.

Katie has now joked that her glamour modelling persona Jordan took over on the night and was responsible for her getting tipsy.

Speaking to the panel on 'Loose Women' on Wednesday (22.03.17) about her antics, she said with a smile: "Katie wasn't there, Jordan was there! You know what I actually did have a drink, I was arranging Kieran's surprise 30th. Before we went there we tried out the food [at the venue] and tried the cocktails, I tried them because how am I not going to drink them on the night when everyone else is. I did break it but it was for a good occasion."

Ruth Langsford then playfully teased her co-star saying: "Sorry I did dry January and I didn't break it."

To which Katie replied: "Well you're little Miss Perfect then!"

Gloria Hunniford then asked if Katie was "off it again", to which the busty beauty said: "Do you know what? I had a hangover so bad, I'm such a light-weight, so I won't be rushing back to it. I'm not drinking now, until the next time. It is hard though to stay dry."

Linda Robson then chipped in: "You are a lightweight!"

Katie made the decision to try and have an alcohol-free 12 months last December following reports of her wild antics at EnergySave's Christmas party, which included her stripping to just a thing and thigh-high leather boots in the toilets, which led her to come to the conclusion that booze doesn't agree with her.

At the time, the mother-of-five said: "When I drink I am a nightmare, though I don't mean to be. Lately there have been stories that I'm a rowdy drunk, but I'm actually quite normal. I've thought, 'You know what? It just doesn't agree with me.' Because I'm small it affects me and I never know that one more is too much, it's took me 38 years to realise. Anyway next year you know I said I'd do a dry January but I'm actually not going to drink for the whole year. This is for you out there to challenge me on. When I was pregnant I did it, so what difference does it make? It's one year out of my life to be healthy and just try and see what it's like ... Sometimes I drink, not just cause it's there, but because it's [a social lubricant], I don't drink at home."
Shia LaBeouf's anti-Donald Trump project will move to Liverpool, England.

Shia LaBeouf with his anti-Donald Trump project

A flag with the words - 'HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US' - will be flown at the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology in the north England city for the next four years or for the duration of the 45th Presidency of the United States.

In a statement, Shia, Nastja Sad Ronkko & Luke Turner said: "Events have shown that America is simply not safe enough for this artwork to exist."

Whilst Turner - who grew up in the north of England - added: "We are proud to be continuing the project at FACT, an arts centre at the heart of the community."

It comes after Shia was forced to shut down the project after gunshots were reported in the Albuquerque area near the El Rey Theatre, where the project had been installed.

He said in a statement on Twitter at the time: "We have taken the stream down after shots were reported in the area. The safety of everybody participating in our project is paramount."

It was previously moved from the Museum of Moving Image in Queens, New York after concerns of violence were raised at the original site.

The trio revealed at the time: "From the outset, the museum failed to address our concerns about the misleading framing of our piece as a political rally, rather than as a participatory performance artwork resisting the normalisation of division. In fact, the museum demonstrated a spectacular lack of judgement - and courtesy to us as artists - by neglecting to consult us when they staged a political rally at the site of our artwork on January 29, 2017.

"On numerous occasions, we voiced serious concerns to the museum about hate speech occurring at the site of our project and requested that the museum acts responsibly in moderating this and providing the public with a means of reporting such incidents. Our requests were not even acknowledged, let alone acted upon."

Since early March, the flag has been flying at an unknown location in the United States.
There are so many fantastic television shows available right now, but sometimes those working on them make moves in regards to the characters involved that have us questioning exactly what they were thinking when they put their plans into action. Looking back over some of our favourite series, here are 5 TV Characters That Died Too Soon.

5. Lexa, The 100

Lexa in The 100

Lexa was one of the most influential homosexual characters of our time, so what did those behind The 100 decide to do straight after she finally slept with her same-sex partner Clarke? Kill her off and take her out of the show altogether. Having united all of the clans who once hated one another, she was an icon, and strong, female, LGBT+ community member lead character.

4. Poussey Washington, Orange is the New Black

Soso and Poussey in Orange is the New Black

Another LGBT icon of our times was Poussey Washington, a woman who was willing to give her all when it came to her relationships. Her time on OITNB came to a close however when a prison riot ended in her being crushed by one of the untrained police officers who attempted to calm the situation by laying on her back. It was tough viewing and something we wish never happened.

3. Bea Smith, Wentworth Prison

Bea Smith in Wentworth Prison

There seems to be a running theme here Bea Smith is a bisexual character who slept with her girlfriend for the first time in the fourth season of Wentworth Prison, only to be murdered on the prison grounds by her former Governor, Joan Ferguson in a scene that had viewers sobbing across the globe. With her death all but confirmed, were going to miss the incredible Danielle Cormack from our screens when Wentworth makes its return this year.

2. Andrea, The Walking Dead

Andrea in The Walking Dead

Just as Andrea was becoming one of the most likeable characters in The Walking Dead, with her character development at an all-time high, she succumbed to her wounds when a walker made a meal out of her. It was sad to see her go when she spent an entire season fawning over but eventually discovering that the Governor was up to no good, and while her death DID serve to push the story along, we would have preferred it to be avoided.

1. Barb, Stranger Things

Barb in Stranger Things

Stranger Things was almost a perfect show. Their first and only mistake however came when they sent Barb to the Upside Down as fodder for the Demogorgon. Seeing her character snatched and disposed of so quickly was so upsetting that it actually led to petitions garnering thousands of signatures. Unfortunately, its been confirmed that she IS gone for good.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Amazon India has introduced a programme called 'A-Z GST Guide' to help to help sellers with insights regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The programme is currently in the pilot stage and has already helped train more than 5,000 Amazon sellers for GST. The new portal by Amazon India features tutorials, free online training sessions and blogs.

The programme is open to anyone who visits Amazon's dedicated portal. Visitors can learn about the various nuances of the GST bill by visiting it, said media reports quoting Gopal Pillai, director and GM  seller services, Amazon India.

Besides free resources, the portal also boasts paid professional support and advice from various third-party service providers.

Amazon India has introduced a programme called 'A-Z GST Guide' to help to help sellers with insights regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The programme is currently in the pilot stage and has already helped train more than 5,000 Amazon sellers for GST. The new portal by Amazon India features tutorials, free online training sessions and blogs.#

Amazon has also started conducting training sessions for sellers, which is helping the company understand pain points of the sellers and resolve them. Sellers can also visit Amazon's Seller Cafes present in over 30 cities in India for personal assistance. The necessary systems as well as process changes are being implemented to make sure that sellers are compliant with GST when it is launched on July 1.

Meanwhile, e-commerce companies are also concerned about tax collection at source (TCS), under which the marketplaces will have to deduct a certain amount payable to sellers to give it to the government. This is likely to result in Rs 400 crore per annum capital lock-down and discourage merchants from selling online. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
New York & Company, Inc. is continuing to build its partnership with actress and fashion entrepreneur, Eva Mendes by expanding her collection to over 50 shop-in-shops, 19 Eva Mendes boutiques and a strong online business. The specialty retailer will also be opening six new stores in the upcoming months, all offering Eva's eponymous collection.

One of the newest New York & Company locations is centred in one of Miami's most iconic shopping centres, Dadeland Mall. The store opened recently and hosted Eva and some of Miami's most loyal customers at the Grand Opening.

Eva's newest collection, and largest yet, includes over 100 pieces ranging from apparel and shoes to handbags and jewellery. "It was important to me for my spring collection to include something for everyone, which is also why we are currently offering more styles and inclusive sizing from 0 to 20. I hope that by expanding my collection to additional locations, even more women are able to find looks that fit their own personal tastes and lifestyles," said Mendes.

New York & Company, Inc. is continuing to build its partnership with actress and fashion entrepreneur, Eva Mendes by expanding her collection to over 50 shop-in-shops, 19 Eva Mendes boutiques and a strong online business. The specialty retailer will also be opening six new stores in the upcoming months, all offering Eva's eponymous collection.#

"We marked an extraordinary milestone with Eva this past year, achieving over $50 million in sales, with a goal to reach over $100 million in the near term. Eva has been a fantastic partner and I am excited to see how this expansion will impact Eva's fans. By expanding to six new stores and by designating more space to the 50 Eva shop-in-shops, we are introducing new clientele to her amazing collection while addressing the strong demand in these markets for both, the Eva Mendes Collection and our New York & Company brands," said Greg Scott, CEO of New York & Company.

The new stores added to the New York & Company retail network are all stores in high-traffic shopping centres, including Dadeland Mall and Miami International Mall in the Miami-Metro area and Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, VA. New York & Company reports high e-commerce activity in these areas and is opening these additional brick and mortar locations to enable customers to fully experience the brand. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
John Lewis launches its first in-house denim lifestyle brand for women- AND/OR.

Who: John Lewis is a chain of upmarket department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom. The chain is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, which was created alongside the first store in 1864 in Oxford Street, London.

With: In a move designed to accelerate its growing own brand fashion sales John Lewis has launched its first in-house denim lifestyle brand for women - AND/OR. The new brand has been created in collaboration with LA based denim experts Calvin Rucker. Calvin Rucker is an innovative brand of casual couture, created by two of the fashion industrys biggest denim experts Caroline Calvin and Joie Rucker.

What: John Lewis launches its first in-house denim lifestyle brand for women- AND/OR. Who: John Lewis is a chain of upmarket department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom. The chain is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, which was created alongside the first store in 1864 in Oxford Street, London. With: In a move designed to accelerate its ...#

Collection: The 90-piece collection comprises innovative denim washes combined with high-end finishes, including busted-out seams, distressing, bleaching and perfectly frayed hems. The different denim styles are named after the places in LA that inspired the collection. The assortment also includes a range of versatile womenswear, shoes, accessories and lingerie to compliment the denim clothing.

Price points: 85 - 120 (denim), 22 onwards (cotton tee), 250 onwards (leather jacket)

Available: John Lewis stores and online on johnlewis.com

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina assured full support to the country's weaving industry, while emphasising on modernising the technology currently used by weavers, in order to produce quality fabrics. She said her government will extend the best cooperation possible for further development and expansion of the Bangladeshi weaving industry.Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing the first national council of Bangladesh Tanti League in Dhaka as the chief guest. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
In order to meet growing demand, Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) is setting up a second integrated silk weaving unit in Mysuru at a cost of Rs 24 crore, which will begin operations by July 2017. The first unit set up in 1912 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, has 139 power handlooms and produces 35,000 metres of silk cloth per month."The new unit will have 60 power handlooms and produce 2,600 pieces of 'Mysuru silk zari sari' per month and also 210,000 metres of silk materials," KSIC chairman M K Somashekar was quoted as saying by a leading daily.

In order to meet growing demand, Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) is setting up a second integrated silk weaving unit in Mysuru at a cost of Rs 24 crore, which will begin operations by July 2017. The first unit set up in 1912 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, has 139 power handlooms and produces 35,000 metres of silk cloth per month.#

According to the chairman, KSIC has been generating profits since the last 11 years. In fiscal 2015-16, it reported revenues of Rs 157 crore and profit at Rs 22.80 crore. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Lenzing, leading supplier of high-quality, botanic cellulose fibres to the textile and nonwovens industry, has announced that the company is expanding production capacities for its specialty fibre Tencel at its site in Heiligenkreuz, Burgenland in Austria. After obtaining all approvals and permits, the expansion project was initiated on March 21, 2017.Annual production capacities for fibres will be increased by about 25,000 tons as a result of the investment. The fibres will be available to customers starting at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Lenzing, leading supplier of high-quality, botanic cellulose fibres to the textile and nonwovens industry, has announced that the company is expanding production capacities for its specialty fibre Tencel at its site in Heiligenkreuz, Burgenland in Austria. After obtaining all approvals and permits, the expansion project was initiated on March 21, 2017.#

Lenzing put its first industrial-scale lyocell fibre production facility into operation 20 years ago. Today, the fibres are sold under the Tencel brand name. A recent study carried out under the scientific supervision of Friedrich Schneider, professor at Johannes Kepler University in Linz, concluded that the Lenzing plant in Heiligenkreuz generates considerable regional economic effects. In addition to the approximately 230 jobs at Lenzing itself, around 940 additional jobs are secured on a long-term basis thanks to the companys economic activities in the region. The additional value creation equals about 102 million per year.The factory in Heiligenkreuz has been continuously expanded due to rapidly growing demand. Up until now, Lenzing has invested a total of roughly 750 million to build and extend production capacities for Tencel fibres. In addition to the Heiligenkreuz facility, these specialty fibres are also manufactured at the Lenzing site, in Mobile (US), and Grimsby (Great Britain).The lyocell technology applied in Heiligenkreuz is characterised by a very good environmental performance. The cellulose fibres are derived from the renewable raw material wood in a closed-loop process, resulting in a minimal amount of environmentally harmful emissions. Due to their outstanding properties, Tencel fibres boast a particularly broad range of applications, both in the world of fashion as well as technical areas and nonwovens.Lenzing CEO Stefan Doboczky said, We will invest about 70 million over the coming twelve-month period to expand production capacities for our high-quality botanic specialty fibres. With this investment, we are responding to strong global demand for new types of Tencel premium fibres such as the Refibra fibre, using cotton scraps from the manufacturing of cotton garments and wood as raw materials. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Solvay has agreed to buy all the renewable energy certificates (REC) for 15 years from the largest solar farm yet to be built in South Carolina (SC), US, underscoring the Group's global sustainability commitment. In the southeast US, Solvay operates nine advanced materials and chemical sites across three states and employs more than 6,700 people.

The agreement with Moffett Solar 1, a subsidiary of Dominion Resources, Inc. contributes to Solvay's objective to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by 40 percent by 2025. It furthermore responds to growing customer demand for products made using renewable energy, said the company in a press release.

The 71.4-megawatt 'Solvay Solar Energy-Jasper County, SC' solar farm will be about seven times the size of the next largest solar installation currently in operation in South Carolina. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.

Solvay has agreed to buy all the renewable energy certificates (REC) for 15 years from the largest solar farm yet to be built in South Carolina (SC), US, underscoring the Group's global sustainability commitment. In the southeast US, Solvay operates nine advanced materials and chemical sites across three states and employs more than 6,700 people.#

"This new agreement will help us reduce our CO2 intensity, one of Solvay's main sustainability goals. It enables development of additional renewable energy capacity in a region where we have a significant presence and allows us to better serve customer expectations through sustainability," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.

RECs are issued when one megawatt-hour of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy resource. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Businesswoman, entrepreneur, model and renowned American TV personality Khloe Kardashian, who has now launched her own brand of denim line, opens up about her insecurities with denim Which ultimately had compelled her to stop wearing denim for a long time.

Khloe, who now has her own denim brand named Good American, states that earlier she faced a plethora of trouble regarding the availability and fitting of her size while she used to go out for shopping with her siblings Kourtney and Kim Kardashian.

"When I used to shop at high-end boutiques for jeans with my sisters, they would ask for waist size 28 or 26," Khloe said in a statement, and she added this made her feel insecure as none would fit her comfortably.

"I would ask for a 31 and the sales assistants would look at me, make this hissing sound and reply, 'We don't carry that size here'. Added Khloe Kardashian.

Khloe also said that these little incidents made her very upset and she had left wearing jeans for a long time, until she came out with her own line of denim with vast options regarding size and fit.

"It made me feel so embarrassed and ashamed that for a long time in my life I didn't wear denim... It does scar. I've held on to those words for so long," Khloe Kardashian explained further.
Mohanlal, the complete actor has never shied away from voicing his opinions publicly. The actor usually states his takes on the various topics of the society on his official blog, through hand-written and audio posts.

The recent blog post of Mohanlal, which is about the increasing violence against children has been going viral on social media. The blog post with the title 'Tears For The Children' is totally eye opener.

Mohanlal points out that the lives of children were much easier during early days. But now, they are going through cruel tortures in both homes and schools. While some of the succumb to mental pressure, others find solace in suicides.

The actor also expressed his deep shock over the increasing child suicide rate in Kerala. Even though the children used to fail in exams earlier, they were not tortured or abused mentally and physically, at the schools or homes.

The kids are not even safe in with their families these days, as even the father, siblings, and close relatives are not kind towards. Mohanlal states that such people doesn't even deserve advice, but needs to be strictly punished.

He has also urged the young generation to not find solace in suicide, but live the life with complete confidence. Mohanlal has appealed the kids to bring the people who abuse them in front of law, so that they cannot easily.

The actor has also requested the parents and teachers to not abuse children for not achieving what they expected them to do. Mohanlal concluded his post, stating that still he is clueless about how to save our children.
LANZHOU, China, April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It was with some reluctance that Ma Xiaobing upgraded his kebab stall by investing in a smoke control device, but he is doing much better business now.

"In the past, we roasted four legs of lamb each day. Currently, we need about 20 a day," said Mafrom Lanzhou, Gansu Province. "There are more diners and we are busier than ever."

Lanzhou, a city at the Yellow River valley in the country's arid northwest, was once among China's most polluted cities. Pollution was so bad that people even joked that the town did not show up on satellite images.

Strong pollution control measures have lowered PM10 and PM2.5 densities in the city to less than 75 percent of 2013 levels. Last year, the annual number of blue sky days increased by 50 to reach 243.

The provincial capital has become "a model of air quality improvement," according to a central inspection team. Annual coal consumption in the city has been reduced from 10 million tonnes in 2012 to around six million tonnes last year.

One of the things Lanzhou has done is to rally grassroots officials into the battle. Yang Mingyan, a subdistrict office clerk, is one of the 10,000 pollution supervisors in the city.

"Every morning, I check the area I am responsible for to see who is burning what, and whether substandard coal or wood are being used. If I find a problem, I will ask whoever is responsible to stop. If they do not listen to me, I will report the matter to superior authorities."

All cities have anti-pollution policies, but in Lanzhou these policies are very strictly imposed.

"Some cities are afraid of or unable to deal with big companies in environmental protection, fearing it will affect their economy, but Lanzhoudoesn't havesuch problems," said Xing Lifeng, deputy director of Lanzhou Environmental Protection Bureau.

The bureau even fined a leading state-owned petrochemical enterprise and has asked some companies to apologize to citizens.

Some officials were punished for failing to properly apply themselves to their pollution control duties while others who showed more enthusiasm were promoted.

"In fact, many of our measures are not very innovative, but in Lanzhou polluters are subject to the full force of the law," said Xing.

Some heavily polluted cities, such as Shijiazhuang and Zhengzhou, have sent officials to Lanzhou to study its experiences first hand.

"Many of Lanzhou's successes could easily be transplanted to other places," said Ma Jianmin of Lanzhou University.

"For example, online monitoring data is all well and good, but it is astandard practice in Lanzhou for personnel to actually visit big polluters and see for themselves exactly what is going on," he said.

The government expects good air quality days to account for more than 80 percent ofall daysin all cities at prefectural level and above by 2020. It is an ambitious target, and one that has not been met yet in Lanzhou.

"Lanzhou still has some way to go to meet the goal. Pollution decreases initially by dealing with that which is easiest to control. Pollution control is therefore increasingly difficult and our work becomes harder with every success," said Chen Yimin, a Lanzhou Environmental Protection Bureau official.
The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pazmany Peter Catholic University, becoming the Hungarian institution's first partner within the UAE.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005205/en/

Prof. Al Alkim and Dr. Szuromi exchange tokens of appreciation at the conclusion of the signing ceremony (Photo: ME NewsWire)

Dr. Szuromi Szabolcs, president of the Hungarian university, travelled to the UAE to sign the agreement alongside Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, AURAK president. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Szuromi, stated, "This is my first visit to the UAE and it is truly a pleasure to be here and to cooperate with an institution in this region. I am very much looking forward to developing a strong relationship with AURAK."

Prof. Al Alkim echoed Dr. Szuromi's sentiments, adding, "Agreements like this are of critical important to our overall vision. Cultural understanding is at the center of our university's ethos. We recognize that diversity and multiculturalism are vital for tolerance, security and world peace, and I am extremely satisfied to see Pazmany Peter Catholic University becoming an official partner."

The agreement promotes cooperation between the two universities, particularly in terms of student and faculty exchange to foster cross-cultural understanding and linkages, as well as collaborative research.

Heather McGann, manager of AURAK's Department of International Programs and Partnerships, also conveyed her excitement at the new relationship: "Dr. Szuromi has shown his willingness to work towards openness and peace and to build relationships with universities in the Arab world. For our students this partnership will allow them the chance to study in Budapest, Hungary for a semester or even two in one of the most vibrant cities in Eastern Europe."

During his stay, Dr. Szuromi took the opportunity to meet the university's faculty, staff and students. His visit was also conveniently timed in that he was able to attend the 6th annual AURAK Global Day, which celebrates the university's diverse student body consisting of 49 nationalities.

Pazmany Peter Catholic University is a higher educational institution, run by the Catholic Church, based in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Having been established in 1635, it is one of Hungary's oldest and most prestigious universities.

AURAK is an independent, co-educational, state-owned institution of higher education that provides an integrated North American-style, undergraduate and graduate education, with a strong focus on the local indigenous culture.

*Source: ME NewsWire

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005205/en/

Contacts:

AURAK

Eoin Brown, +971-55-340-4179

Public Relations Assistant

eoin.brown@aurak.ac.ae
ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Dutch Student Investment Fund (DSIF) has confirmed its first investment. On Tuesday 21 March 2017, the Fund's board (which is run entirely by students) signed the agreement with Grasp (a start-up company).

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480879/DSIF_Signs_First_Agreement.jpg )



The cooperative venture should get Grasp off to a flying start. The company has developed highly promising technology that is used to rapidly analyse huge amounts of digital content. Based on this analysis, it gives indications on where improvements could be made, to convey the message effectively. Grasp is owned by Frans van der Sluis.

Aside from providing financial backing of a 50,000 Euro investment, DSIF will be closely involved in the future development. "There is more to our cooperative ventures than the financial aspects," says Fund Chairman Marius Scrieciu. "We are cooperating closely to boost Grasp into a period of rapid growth. We make every effort to help the company along by leveraging our network's knowledge. The support provided by Novel-T, the catalyst of high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship in Twente, is proving very useful in practice."

Data-driven content strategy

During his PhD research at the University of Twente, Dr Van der Sluis developed a patented algorithm that analyses and structures large amounts of content, such as blogs and news articles. It searches content for 'sweet spots'. These are tipping points at which the information someone is reading is converted into knowledge. This involves factors such as topics, writing style and complexity. The analyses provide insight into the impact of the content. "Our key target group is content marketers," says Van der Sluis. "We have noted that our analyses form a perfect starting point for a data-driven content strategy. We have been working closely with Amsterdam- and Enschede-based content company Blutarsky. Combining our strengths will help in exploring new markets."

First fund to be run entirely by students

The Dutch Student Investment Fund is the first fund in Europe to be run entirely by students, for students. The fund is open-ended and invests up to 50,000 euros in start-ups in the very early stages, founded by students, PhD candidates or recent graduates. Scrieciu: "The kick-start we provide also opens the doors to additional investors." The investments take the form of convertible loans which can be converted into shares, for example.
IMC Exploration Group plc

Implementation of comprehensive Zinc Work's Programme

IMC announces the implementation of its work's programme on its base metal licence area in the highly prospective South West Ireland. The comprehensive exploration programme consists of geochemistry, geophysics and drilling.

IMC holds numerous licences between the Tynagh and Silvermines deposits

within this Irish Base Metal Province. These licences are highly

prospective, lying proximal to the intersection of the 'Navan-Silvermines Trend' and 'Limerick Trend', the latter which hosts the deposits at Pallas

Green and Kilbricken.

Since the opening of the Tynagh mine in Co. Galway, Ireland has become a significant producer of base metals ranking third in Europe and fourteenth in the world for zinc. IMC also holds licences close to Tynagh.

Liam McGrattan, Chairman of IMC said 'The zinc price soared in 2016 and many experts are predicting that 2017 will bring more of the same. A Senior Analyst on Zinc Markets at Wood Mackenzie is predicting an average zinc price of $3,200 per tonne. The Analyst sees the metal hitting $4,000 per tonne midway through next year. The implementation of the works programme, concentrating on licence areas with previously indicated zinc deposits, makes absolute sense from a financial, strategic and asset enhancement point and represents a great opportunity to unlock significant value for IMC's shareholders.'





Contact Details:



IMC Exploration Group PLC

Liam McGrattan

Tel. +353 872745427



Keith Bayley Rogers & Co. Limited

Hugh Oram

Tel: +44 207 464 4090



END


- Bats Partners with FactSet to Provide Brexit 50/50 Indices Ahead of Triggering of Article 50

LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Bats Europe, a CBOE Holdings, Inc. company and the region's largest equities exchange operator, today announced it has launched the Bats Brexit 50/50 Indices, two new benchmark indices designed to reflect the impact of Brexit on UK companies.

The two indices - the Bats Brexit High 50 and Bats Brexit Low 50 - are designed to act as barometers for assessing how Brexit is impacting UK companies by analysing the difference in performance between those companies that generate a large portion of their revenues from the UK compared to those that have less revenue exposure to the UK.

Bats partnered with FactSet, a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications, and industry-leading services, to create the new Brexit 50/50 indices. The indices, which are calculated in real-time, utilise FactSet's Geographic Revenue Exposure (GeoRev') data to normalise and geographically analyse where UK-listed companies generate their revenues. To create the indices, the constituents of the Bats UK 100 Index (BUK 100), which tracks the top 100 UK-listed companies based on market capitalisation, were split into two groups - those with the largest and smallest proportion of GBP revenues.

Index Name Ticker Overview Bats Brexit High 50 BUKHI50P Comprised of the 50 companies in the Bats UK 100 Index that derive the largest portions of their revenues from the UK. Bats Brexit Low 50 BUKLO50P Comprised of the 50 companies in the Bats UK 100 Index that derive the smallest portions of their revenues from the UK.

Mark Hemsley, President of Europe for CBOE, said: "The UK's triggering of Article 50 is expected to lead to fundamental changes in the way businesses and capital markets behave prior to and subsequent to the UK's separation from the European Union. We are pleased to provide the marketplace with benchmark indices that are designed to gauge investor sentiment towards UK companies during this critical time. We are providing these bellwethers of the British economy through our network of vendors free of charge so that they are readily available to all as we navigate the complexities of Brexit."

Since the UK EU referendum on 23 June 2016, the Bats 100 UK Index is up over 16% in price performance alone, driven by the significant near 17% and 13% decreases in the value of sterling over the period against the U.S. dollar and Euro, respectively. In comparison, the Bats Brexit High 50 Index is nearly flat, up just 0.8% while the Bats Brexit Low 50 Index is up over 23%. The performance of the indices suggest that UK companies that generate a large portion of their revenues from outside the UK have fared better than those that generate a greater portion of their revenues from the UK.

Jeremy Zhou, head of indexing at FactSet, said: "For more than five years, we've been providing an innovative solution for estimating geographic exposure to help investors solve the geographic revenue puzzle. As markets become more integrated and companies expand operations beyond their domestic markets, GeoRev provides a valuable and standardised factor for analysing companies' revenues by geography, creating a consistent, accurate and normalised dataset ideally suited for alpha discovery, risk management, and performance analysis."

Bats' Brexit 50/50 Indices are managed under the same rules and methodologies used for other Bats benchmark indices so they can be compared accurately with other Bats national market and sector indices. Additional information is available via the Bats Brexit 50/50 Indices Fact Sheet.

The indices are calculated in real time and published on the Bats Indices website, as well as on Bloomberg and Reuters.

Bats launched its index business in June 2016 and currently manages 28 indices across geographic and industry sectors. Bats plans to continue to expand its index offering into other European national and regional indices over the coming months.

About Bats Europe

Bats Europe, a CBOE Holdings, Inc. company, is Europe's largest equities exchange and offers trading in more than 5,500 securities across 15 major European markets, over one platform and under one rule book. In addition, Bats Europe's leading trade reporting service, BXTR, reports the majority of OTC equity market trading executed in Europe.

Bats Europe is the brand name of Bats Trading Limited, a Recognised Investment Exchange regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

About CBOE Holdings, Inc.

CBOE Holdings, owner of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Bats exchanges, CBOE Futures Exchange and other subsidiaries, is one of the world's largest exchange holding companies and a leader in providing investors cutting-edge trading and investment solutions. With 14 trading venues, CBOE offers trading across a diverse range of products, including options, futures, U.S. and European equities, exchange-traded funds, and multi-asset volatility and global FX products. www.cboe.com.



Media Contacts



Analyst Contact









Stacie Fleming Hannah Randall Suzanne Cosgrove

Debbie Koopman +44-20-7012-8950 +1-646-856-8809 +1-312-786-7123

+1-312-786-7136 sfleming@cboe.com hrandall@cboe.com cosgrove@cboe.com

koopman@cboe.com

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

CBOE, Chicago Board Options Exchange, CFE, BATS, BZX, Livevol, CBOE Volatility Index and VIX are registered trademarks, and CBOE Futures ExchangeSM, CBOE VestSM and CBOE Options InstituteSM are service marks of CBOE Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. S&P and S&P 500 are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC and have been licensed for use by CBOE. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480877/Bats_Logo.jpg

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bats-europe-launches-two-new-indices-designed-to-measure-impact-of-brexit-on-uk-companies-300427622.html
PERM, Russia, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

AKVIS is incredibly excited to announce the beta version ofAliveColors image editor! The pioneering spirit and years of experience enabled us to develop the multifunctional software product aimed at satisfying the widest range of users' needs.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/476853/AliveColors_Image_Editor.jpg )



AliveColorsis all-in-one graphics and photo editing software for Windows and Mac OS X. This self-explanatory program is not only intended for professionals, but also for amateurs and beginners. With the vast array of supplied tools, adjustments, filters, and effects, AliveColors enhances photos to their full potential. Along with the image enhancement features, the software provides users with artistic brushes and filters that allow them to stylize photos and create images from scratch. The program also includes easy-to-use shape tools which are indispensable for designing scalable vector-based graphics.

The software manipulates pictures in any way one can imagine: retouches and repairs photos, reduces digital noise, improves focus, applies blur effects, colorizes b&w photos, corrects color and tone, improves detail, performs all necessary prepress adjustments, creates HDR images, extracts complex objects, adds text, edits RAW files, combines images into collages, applies a variety of unique effects, paints and draws, etc. - all in a customer-friendly manner. This comprehensive image editor provides maximum performance with minimum effort!

AliveColorsoffers the multilanguage user interface with support for 4k & 5k displays. The intuitive vector based UI is completely customizable giving one the flexibility to personalize the workflow. At the time of the publication of the press release, the program interface and the user guide support three languages: English, German, and Russian.

The beta version is available for download atalivecolors.com . The free license key will be sent automatically to the specified email address after a one-time registration.

The software runs on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10; and on Mac OS X 10.7-10.12 - 64-bit.

Before its official release,AliveColorsis available for pre-order at only half the price.

About Company

AKVIS(akvis.com ) specializes in development of video & image processing software. Since the company's launch in 2004, it has released a number of successful products: standalone applications and Photoshop plugins for Windows and Mac. The brand new AliveColors software is compatible with all AKVIS plugins as well as with third-party plug-ins from other software developers.

Lidiya Azanova and Katerina Kharina, press@akvis.com
SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global halal cosmetics marketis expected to reach USD 52.02 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Awareness levels of Muslim populace regarding the ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care formulations to determine the industry's future growth trajectory.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 )



With considerable Islamic population and their ingraining of cultural aspects into daily lifestyles has pushed the mainstream beauty-care industry to also concentrate on product offerings that are halal-certified. To the extent, consumers are willing to pay a premium price for these goods keeping in view ethical beliefs.

Countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia offer tremendous opportunities for growth as a result of Islam being a predominant sect and simultaneous socio-economic growth of individuals. Furthermore, products certified by recognized bodies, such as JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia), will also boost consumer confidence and further propel growth.

Malaysia and Indonesia together accounted for nearly 60% of the Asia Pacific revenue in 2015, with skincare and makeup being the dominant products consumed. Personal care and beauty-care launches in Malaysia outnumbered UK and Philippines, primarily due to local brands such as SimplySiti and IVY Beauty.

Browse full research report with TOC on "Halal Cosmetics Market Analysis By Product (Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa), Competitive Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/halal-cosmetics-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:

Asia Pacific was the dominant region and accounted for nearly three-quarters of the overall revenue in 2015.

was the dominant region and accounted for nearly three-quarters of the overall revenue in 2015. Countries such as India , Malaysia , Indonesia , Bangladesh , Pakistan and Maldives are characterized by considerable Muslim population and improving socio-economic conditions The above stated factors are crucial for halal cosmetics growth globally since Asia Pacific accounts for nearly 45% of the global Muslim population

, , , , and are characterized by considerable Muslim population and improving socio-economic conditions The above stated factors are crucial for halal cosmetics growth globally since accounts for nearly 45% of the global Muslim population The Middle East is also an important consumer hub for the industry, particularly considering high income levels in UAE, Saudi Arabia , Jordan , and Oman . Furthermore, as a more structured Islamic society, the region is a natural growth driving factor for the global industry

is also an important consumer hub for the industry, particularly considering high income levels in UAE, , , and . Furthermore, as a more structured Islamic society, the region is a natural growth driving factor for the global industry Hair care product segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% in terms of revenue over the forecast period. In view these evolving consumer requirements, manufacturers are trying to comply with Islamic code of law by incorporating more ingredients that are in compliance with the sharia law

Major key operating companies include Clara International, INIKA, Talent Cosmetic Co., Ltd., MMA Bio Lab Sdn Bhd, The Halal Cosmetics Company, Saaf Skincare and Prolab Cosmetics, Martha Tilaar Group, and IBA Halal Care.

Shiseido, a Japanese company sells 28 halal skin care products under the brand name Za Brand in Malaysia . Colgate-Palmolive Company also offers toothpaste products which are halal certified

Browse related reports by Grand View Research:

Aroma Chemicals Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/aroma-chemicals-market

ASEAN Organic Cosmetics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/asean-organic-cosmetics-market

Smart Pills Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-pills-market

Liquid Laundry Detergent Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-laundry-detergent-market

Grand View Research has segmented the halal cosmetics market on the basis product and region:

Halal Cosmetics Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Skin Care Hair Care Makeup Others

Halal Cosmetics Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Europe Germany UK France Asia Pacific China Japan India Malaysia Indonesia CSA Brazil MEA Saudi Arabia Kuwait UAE



Read Our Blog: Halal Cosmetics Market: Catching attention of leading personal care companies

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. Thecompany provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.



Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com



Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com
STOCKHOLM, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Professor Stephen McCaffrey, USA, is named 2017 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for his unparalleled contribution to the evolution and progressive realization of international water law.

Stephen McCaffrey, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in Sacramento, California, is the single most respected authority on International Water Law. His work continues to influence scholars, legal practitioners and policy-makers and contribute to the sustainable and peaceful management of shared waters.

On receiving news of the prize, Prof. McCaffrey says: "Learning about the Stockholm Water Prize literally took my breath away. I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been selected for this prestigious award. But one also stands on the shoulders of others, and I am most grateful to those who have paved the way for me."

In its citation, the Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee recognizes Professor McCaffrey's "path-breaking leadership and legal scholarship in international water law. He has made a unique contribution in three specific areas: his seminal work on Treaty negotiation; his major scholarly works, including his book The Law of International Watercourses and; his leadership providing expert legal advice, wise counsel, training and facilitation of complex negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders."

Professor McCaffrey has been acting as legal counsel to states in several negotiations concerning international watercourses. The cases include watercourses in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Although he has experienced first-hand the potential conflict over freshwater resources, he remains an optimist, pointing to studies that have shown that shared fresh water is generally a catalyst for cooperation rather than conflict.

"I believe nobody who studies, researches or practises in the field of transboundary water management, water law or diplomacy could be unaware of Professor McCaffrey's contribution to the conceptual and practical elaboration of the many legal concepts and principles that we now take for granted," says SIWI's Executive Director Torgny Holmgren.

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Patron of Stockholm Water Prize, will present the prize to Stephen McCaffrey at a Royal Award Ceremony on 30 August, during the 2017 World Water Week in Stockholm.

Note to Editors:

For more on the Laureate: http://www.siwi.org/swp2017

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIWImedia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/siwi_water hashtag: StockholmWaterPrize

PRESS INFORMATION

Rowena Barber, SIWI, +46-8-1213-6039

rowena.barber@siwi.org


LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

In the latest ranking of The World's Billionaires, published by Forbes Magazine on the 20th of March, international entrepreneur and philanthropist Yelena Baturina with the fortune of USD 1 billion remains for the 12th consecutive year the richest woman of Russia, and the only Russian female billionaire in the world.

Yelena Baturina is also the only independent self-made woman entrepreneur in the construction section of the Forbes billionaires list; she is number 55 of 56 self-made women billionaires who have built their fortune from scratch. Altogether there are 227 women on the list, over 75% of them have inherited their wealth from family.

Yelena Baturina got first engaged in business in 1989 by setting up her first enterprise, specialising in the production of computer software. Two years later, she registered her company 'Inteco'. A plastics manufacturer at first, it soon expanded to encompass a number of interests in the construction sector. Initially serving as a director, then president, Yelena headed Inteco for two decades. Under her direction, the company swiftly became one of the country's leading construction firms, boasting a wide-ranging, award-winning portfolio that extended beyond the borders of Russia.

After selling 'Inteco' in 2011 Baturina moved her business headquarters to Europe. Since that time, she has been engaged in a number of successful commercial endeavours. At present her assets include a network of hotels (Ireland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Russia), renewable energy interests (Italy and Greece), a membrane construction enterprise (Germany), and development projects in the US and EU. In addition, she has invested in a number of real estate investment funds focused on residential and commercial construction and development in the UK and US.

Yelena Baturina is active in philanthropy mostly through the BE OPEN Foundation she set up in 2011. It is a cultural and social initiative which supports the promising new minds of the next generation through a system of conferences, competitions, exhibitions, master classes and art events. Among other things, BE OPEN is currently working in close partnership with the Mayor's Fund for London on a number of educational initiatives.
Key Executive to Support Verifi's Continuing International Expansion

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 22, 2017) - Verifi, Inc., the leading provider of payment and risk management solutions for card-not-present merchants (http://ctt.marketwire.com/?release=1301637&id=11307154&type=1&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.verifi.com%2f), today announced the appointment of Ian Nicholson as their Business Development Director, EMEA. He will work from the Company's London office.

Verifi will look to Ian to broaden the Company's merchant partnerships as they continue expansion into the UK and mainland Europe. His responsibilities will include the on-boarding of new merchants and partners as they continue to adopt Verifi's award-winning Cardholder Dispute Resolution Network (CDRN).

"Ian brings an impressive array of expertise to the table," said Matthew Katz, founder and CEO of Verifi. "We will look to him to continue our UK expansion while expanding into additional markets in Europe and beyond."

Ian holds more than twenty years of experience in building and implementing go-to-market strategies and sales. His career began at UUNET, one of the largest Internet service providers at the time and a pioneer in Tier 1 networks. Ian enhanced his payment processing expertise as head of gaming for EntroPay, Europe's largest VISA pre-paid card issuer, where he managed his sector's revenue line and was awarded the "Excellence in Motion" honor for his work.

Most recently, Ian worked with mobile payments leader, Boku, Inc. where he was instrumental in building and implementing sales strategies for direct carrier billing for physical goods in the UK.

Verifi's CDRN platform processes hundreds of thousands of cases monthly and provides merchants and issuers with unmatched protection through near real-time collaboration for both fraud and non-fraud chargeback disputes. CDRN's patented "closed loop" process integrates directly with top card issuers and redirects disputes from the issuer to the merchant for resolution before they escalate and become chargebacks. Merchants avoid costly fees, fines or penalties while issuers support cardholder satisfaction through timely resolution, as well as lower operating expenses.

Based on its proprietary "closed loop process," CDRN is widely considered the most accurate and collaborative network solution for fraud and non-fraud disputes. By leveraging timely and accurate dispute data, CDRN prevents chargebacks and helps merchants avoid paying for false alerts that do not become chargebacks.

Looking forward, Verifi is in the process of expanding their award-winning dispute prevention and risk management services to further improve the payments ecosystem for cardholders, merchants and issuers alike. As part of their innovation plan, a new service will enable the sharing of order details in real-time between merchants and issuers to resolve billing confusion, reduce friendly fraud and help validate true fraud. By providing a deeper level of data, cardholders can better recall or understand their purchases and avoid filing false cases of fraud. This new offering will minimize the occurrences of cardholders looking to capitalize and manipulate the system that result in unnecessary chargebacks, lost sales and profits along with higher operational costs and unhappy customers.

Verifi continues to invest in its UK network expansion as well as key international markets to increase the protections and benefits CDRN offers cardholders, merchants and issuers. The company serves a broad and growing base of customers ranging from early stage to large enterprise merchants and top tier issuers.

About Verifi

Verifi, an award-winning provider of end-to-end payment protection and management solutions, was founded in 2005 to help merchants effectively manage the payments challenges they face every day. Verifi helps merchants safely process payments, combat fraud, prevent and resolve costly chargebacks, as well as increase billings and keep loyal customers. Our best-in-breed solutions and white glove support are trusted by a wide range of industries from emerging companies to the Fortune 500. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, we process more than $20 billion transactions annually and currently serve more than 25,000 accounts globally. For more information, visit: www.verifi.com (http://ctt.marketwire.com/?release=1301637&id=11307157&type=1&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.verifi.com%2f).

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact:

Kevin Mercuri

kevin@propheta.com (mailto:kevin@propheta.com)

212-901-6914

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Verifi, Inc. via Globenewswire


DUBLIN, September 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting 2018-2028" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

"Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting 2018-2028 - Technologies, Devices & Applications for Thermoelectric Generators"

Thermoelectric generators are devices which convert temperature differences into electrical energy. The principle phenomenon that underpins thermoelectric energy generation is known as the Seebeck effect: the conversion of a temperature differential into electricity at the junction of two materials.

Although thermoelectric phenomena have been used for heating and cooling applications quite extensively, electricity generation has only seen very limited market in niche applications and it is only in recent years that interest has increased regarding new applications of energy generation through thermoelectric harvesting.

The new applications are varied and the vertical markets benefiting from new devices range from condition monitoring in industrial environments, smart metering in energy market segments, to thermoelectric applications in vehicles, either terrestrial or other.

This report gives an overview of devices, materials and manufacturing processes, with a specific focus on emerging technologies that allow for new functionality, form factor and application in various demanding environments. Whether it is operation in high temperatures or corrosive environments, applications with increased safety demands or components that need to be thin, flexible, or even stretchable, there is a lot of research and development work worldwide which is highlighted.

Waste heat recovery systems in vehicles: A large number of car companies, including Volkswagen, VOLVO, FORD and BMW in collaboration with NASA have been developing thermoelectric waste heat recovery systems in-house, each achieving different types of performance but all of them expecting to lead to improvements of 3-5% in fuel economy while the power generated out of these devices could potentially reach up to 1200W. What does the future hold with electrification of vehicles globally picking up pace and the market conditions turning unfavorable for thermoelectrics that require the high temperatures present in internal combustion engines for optimal operation.

Wireless sensor network adoption. Wireless sensors powered by thermogenerators in environments where temperature differentials exist would lead to avoiding issues with battery lifetime and reliability. It would also lead to the ability to move away from wired sensors, which are still the solution of choice when increased reliability of measurement is necessary. Some applications have low enough power demands to operate with small temperature differentials, as small as a few degrees in some cases. These types of developments increase adoption trends.

Consumer applications: In these applications, the type of solution that thermogenerators provide varies: it could be related to saving energy when cooking by utilising thermo-powered cooking sensors, powering mobile phones, watches or other consumer electronics, even body sensing could become more widespread with wearables such as sensory wristbands, clothing or athletic apparel that monitor vitals such as heart rate, body temperature, etc



Key Topics Covered:



1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1. Executive summary and conclusions

1.2. Market forecasts for thermoelectric energy harvesters in different applications 2016-2028

1.3. Wireless sensors, actuators, and wireless sensor networks

1.4. Home automation, commercial & retail buildings, and industrial automation.

1.5. Waste heat recovery systems in vehicles

1.6. Consumer, military and aerospace applications

1.7. Additional challenges and opportunities for thermoelectric devices



2. INTRODUCTION

2.1. The Seebeck and Peltier effects

2.2. Manufacturing of thermoelectric generators

2.2.1. Thermoelectric generator design considerations

2.3. Thin film thermoelectric generators

2.4. Material choices

2.5. Organic thermoelectrics - PEDOT:PSS, not just a transparent conductor

2.6. Bi-functional thermoelectric generator/ pre-cooler: DC power from aircraft bleed air



3. OTHER PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

3.1. Manufacturing of flexible thermoelectric generators

3.2. AIST technology details



4. APPLICATIONS

4.1. Automotive applications

4.1.1. BMW

4.1.2. Ford

4.1.3. Volkswagen

4.1.4. Challenges of Thermoelectrics for Vehicles

4.1.5. Peak in overall car sales then peak in electric car sales k globally

4.2. Wireless sensing

4.2.1. TE-qNODE

4.2.2. TE-CORE

4.2.3. EverGen PowerStrap

4.2.4. WiTemp

4.2.5. GE Logimesh

4.3. Aerospace

4.4. Implantable thermoelectrics

4.5. Thermoelectrics in consumer electronics/wearables

4.5.1. Matrix PowerWatch

4.5.2 Academic research on wearables

4.5.3. Device size requirements in wearables

4.6. Solar and thermoelectric energy harvesting in one device

4.6.1. Thermoelectric energy harvesting in consumer electronics- discussion

4.6.2. Thermoelectric energy harvesting in consumer electronics- power requirements

4.6.3. Thermoelectric energy harvesting in consumer electronics- e-textile integration

4.7. Thermoelectric energy harvesting in building & home automation -

4.7.1. The Sentinel

4.7.2. Home and commercial building automation - discussion

4.8. Other applications

4.8.1. Micropelt-MSX

4.8.2. PowerPot - Spark



5. INTERVIEWS - COMMERCIALIZATION CONSIDERATIONS

5.1. Ford

5.2. Microsemi

5.3. MSX Micropelt

5.4. Rolls Royce

5.5. TRW

5.6. Volvo



6. THERMOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTERS: MARKET FORECASTS

6.1. Applications and market segmentation

6.1.1. Wireless sensors and actuators

6.1.2. Smart buildings and Home automation

6.1.3. Military and Aerospace

6.1.4. Other industrial applications

6.1.5. Consumer applications

6.1.6. Other applications

6.2. Unit price considerations

6.3. Thermoelectrics for Energy Harvesting units value dollars 2016-2028

6.4. Market forecasting revenue



7. COMPANY PROFILES

7.1. Alphabet Energy, Inc.

7.2. EVERREDtronics Ltd

7.3. Ferrotec Corporation

7.4. Gentherm

7.5. Global Thermoelectric (now Gentherm)

7.6. GMZ Energy

7.7. greenTEG

7.8. Hi Z Technology, Inc

7.9. KELK Ltd

7.10. Laird/ Nextreme

7.11. Marlow

7.12. mc10

7.13. Micropelt GmbH

7.14. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST)

7.15. Novus

7.16. O-Flexx

7.17. OTEGO

7.18. Perpetua

7.19. RGS Development

7.20. Romny Scientific

7.21. Tellurex Corporation

7.22. Termolife Energy Corporation

7.23. Yamaha

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6mxd9q/thermoelectric





Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Medical laboratory managers interested in learning the latest strategies to improve customer service and identify profitable growth areas in the face of declining reimbursements have three new opportunities in March, according to hc1.com, inventor of the world's leading healthcare relationship management platform. Click to Tweet.

Tamara Nelson, Lean Master Black Belt at Sonora Quest Laboratories and Laboratory Sciences of Arizona, will present, "How Sonora Quest Leveraged Business Informatics & Data Analytics to Make Industry Advancements by Improving Operational Efficiencies," on March 28 at 9:15 am CST at KnowledgeLab 2017.

Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL), a joint venture between Quest Diagnostics and Banner Health, is one of the early industry adopters to shift their business to a patient centric laboratory model in order to achieve optimal financial performance in light of new industry reimbursement regulations. SQL integrated multiple data systems into a single healthcare-specific platform to provide real-time financial and operational trend analysis to immediately notify stakeholders of any risks, driving an 85 percent increase in efficiencies.

Donna Cooper, Manager of Laboratory Client Service and Test Utilization at Cleveland Clinic Laboratories (CCL), will speak about "Integration of a customer relationship management (CRM) solution and a laboratory information system (LIS) to consolidate laboratory-related phone calls and transfer the responsibility for notification of critical lab values to the lab client service." She will present March 28 at 10:45 am CST at KnowledgeLab 2017.

In 2016, CCL standardized critical and urgent values across a 10-hospital system in order to transfer the responsibility for notifying physicians about critical and urgent laboratory test values from laboratory bench techs to representatives in Laboratory Client Services. This transition required deployment of the laboratory information system (LIS) to a healthcare-specific CRM and developing a new workflow for Laboratory Client Services. Ms. Cooper also was selected to provide a poster on this topic.

KnowledgeLab 2017, sponsored by Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA), will be held March 26-29 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

In addition, hc1.com will host a complimentary educational webinar, "3 Critical Rules for Survival in 2017," on March 23 at 2 pm ET. Diane Janowiak, a laboratory expert with more than 25 years of practical laboratory experience, and Rick Cooper, Manager of the McDonald Hopkins National Healthcare Practice Group, will share how laboratories can both protect and grow revenue. They will cover:

How streamlining internal workflows can help recapture overhead costs and increase client satisfaction.

How automating quality checks can ensure your lab is inspection-ready at all times without increasing employee workload.

How to increase reimbursements and forge valuable relationships with payers through real-time data and analytics.

More information on these events and registration information for the webinar can be found at www.hc1.com/resources/events/.

About hc1.com

The hc1 Healthcare Relationship Cloud enables health systems, diagnostic labs, post acute care, and ancillary service providers to grow profitably and deliver great service. hc1 has been adopted by more than 1,000 healthcare locations across the globe, including Cleveland Clinic, Alere, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Sonic Healthcare. The company has received accolades from Gartner Research, was named "Best Healthcare CRM" by Frost & Sullivan, and is included in the KLAS Healthcare CRM Report 2016. To learn more about hc1, please visit www.hc1.com and follow us on Twitter @hc1_HRM, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

For information contact:



Linda Muskin

847-432-7300

Email Contact



Mara Conklin

847-816-9411

Email Contact




President Tran Dai Quang and Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (Photo: VNA)



He made the remark while receiving Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in Hanoi on March 21st.

He thanked WIPO for its support for Vietnam in the past time and spoke highly of the organisations role as a global forum on intellectual property services, policies, information and cooperation.

Vietnam has defined protecting industrial patents, ensuring fair competition, and encouraging creativity via the Civil Codes regulations on industrial patents protection, Quang said.

Intellectual property plays an important role in helping Vietnam realise its growth target of between 6.5 and 7 percent by 2020, he added.

The President stated that Vietnam wants favourable conditions to participate further in WIPO institutions and increased technical cooperation with the organisation, particularly in devising a national master plan on intellectual property.

For his part, Francis Gurry congratulated Vietnam on recent socio-economic attainments based on clear economic and technological development strategies.

He noted that Vietnam has contributed to WIPOs general success and that WIPO hopes for strengthened cooperation with the country in the future.

Vietnam joined the WIPO in 1976./.
TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Easton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC PINK: EAPH) announces it has forwarded together with BMV Medica a $300,000 payment to CommonSense of Israel clearing the way for the closing of an anticipated exclusive sub-distribution agreement with a major, multi-national, pharmaceutical company for the women's diagnostic product AL-Sense (AmnioSense). In addition, Easton / BMV through their commercial alliance partner Ackerman Pharma, provides update on the regulatory filing of Generic Cancer Drug Paclitaxell, currently licensed together with Docetaxel through Biolyse Pharma of St. Catherines Ontario, through "fast-track" third-party authorized reviewer DefiLatina Healthcare, S.A. de C.V. towards regulatory approval in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

Easton Pharmaceuticals / BMV Medica, last week advanced a $300,000 payment to CommonSense of Israel as an additional payment to secure the rights to women's diagnostic products AL-Sense and VS-Sense, with the majority of the payment advanced by Easton Pharmaceuticals. The payment was advanced after a detailed marketing plan was submitted to CommonSense by Easton / BMV and its soon to be sub-distribution partner, which competed with another large company who was attempting to also acquire the rights to AL-Sense. The payment by Easton / BMV was the last hurdle, prior to a sub-distribution agreement being executed with a multi-national pharmaceutical company for AL-Sense who have sales in the billions of dollars. Easton is now exchanging and reviewing documents and final agreements towards the execution of the sub-distribution agreement which would result in the launch of its second product (AmnioSense), starting in Mexico and Central America.

In other developments, Easton and BMV have received a positive update and are anticipating the delivery of a final document which would resolve prior unforeseen delays in the regulatory filing of the generic Cancer Drug Paclitaxel, currently licensed from BioLyse Pharma of St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. Easton / BMV have received the final test results from BioLyse Pharma. In addition to the test results document, a further required verification that the raw material (API) sourced from China has the appropriate GMP certification which Mexico now requires. Once received, those documents will then be consularized at the Mexican Consulate which would then clear the way for the fast track filing to be submitted by Defi Latina -- one of only a few authorized third-party reviewers licensed by the Ministry of Health in Mexico to review and pre-approve Regulatory dossiers prior to submission. As was the case with women's diagnostic product, VS-Sense. The "fast-track" review process through authorized third-party reviewers can speed up approval times from several years to a few short months. VS-Sense was approved within 2 months of its regulatory filing, although drugs products require typically six months in the fast-track process.

Easton / BMV acquired licensing and distribution rights from Canadian Drug Manufacturer BioLyse Pharma for generic cancer drugs Docetaxel and Paclitaxel for Mexico and Latin America. The country of origin for the generic cancer drugs is Canada, believed to be one of the top six regulated countries in the World -- along with the USA, Britain, Australia, France and Germany. Mexican Health Authorities traditionally have very few issues with pharmaceutical products manufactured in these countries and believes a fast track approval is possible with purchase orders and sales to shortly follow. The majority of sales in Mexico will be to the Mexican government hospitals and institutions. As Canada is part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian-manufactured pharmaceuticals qualify for the national tender program in Mexico, providing a major advantage over other non-NAFTA manufacturers. The total generic cancer drug market in Mexico represents hundreds of millions of dollars.

Amnio-Sense Amniotic Fluid Diagnostic Test

The AL-Sense Amniotic Fluid Diagnostic Leak Test (AmnioSense) is a patented women's diagnostic product that is currently being launched in the United Kingdom, and has European Approval. It serves a huge market, as the birth rate in Latin America is three times the birth rate in North America and most of Europe. The target market for Easton / BMV has a population exceeding 200 million people. Sales in Latin America for pharmaceutical and diagnostic products are expected to grow at a rate five times that of North America and Europe as a result of a much higher birthrate in the region and other factors as well.

Dr. Jose Tiran Saucedo

Easton Pharmaceuticals / BMV previously announced the appointment of Dr. Jose Tiran Saucedo as the Founding Member of Easton Pharma's Medical/ Scientific Advisory Board. It was Dr. Tiran, who assisted in resolving issues that led to the $300,000 payment to CommonSense. Dr. Tiran is advising Easton Pharmaceuticals / BMV Medica and other regional partners in planning the Latin American launches of its suite of patented, exclusive women's health products over the coming months.

Dr. Tiran stated, "I am very excited to be part of the program for these soon-to-be-launched women's health and treatment products in the hope of providing to Latin American women the same choices they have in the US and Europe. We have a huge unmet medical need in Latin America for these kind of alternative diagnostic and treatment products. The vaginal discharge diagnostic test will facilitate a woman's ability to determine the causative agent; the natural lactic acid treatment gel will provide a new, non-toxic treatment option, and put Latin American women on a par with North American and European women. The professional version of this diagnostic test will also enable the gynecologist to increase the accuracy in the differential diagnosis of vaginal discharge, right in the gynecologist's office, something currently lacking in Latin America. The natural lactic acid gel treatment expected to launch in parallel with the diagnostic will be offered to women who test positive for bacterial infection and is a significant treatment option advance since it could obviate the need for potential use of antibiotics and further presence of bacterial resistance, so this is a promising and exciting development for the future of women's health."

Dr. Tiran further commented, "The amniotic fluid leak test will allow late-pregnancy women to have at their disposal a high-specificity/accuracy test at a fractional cost to other options on the market, with a very favorable ease-of-use component, thus contributing to an increase in the quality of perinatal care in Latin America. All these are new advances coming to Latin America, which I believe will catch on very quickly in both the community and the professional arenas."

Dr. Jose Tiran is a Thought Leader (KOL- Key Opinion Leader) in Gynecological Infectious Diseases, and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He has been a strong advocate over the years in women's health worldwide. Also, Dr. Tiran has published numerous peer-reviewed papers on the subject, and is also board certified in Mexico, a member of multiple health societies, and holds numerous other prestigious positions in the field of Women's Health. Dr. Tiran is also well versed in other aspects of women's health such as sexually transmitted diseases, female sexual health, contraception, vaccines and gynecology and women's health and wellbeing.

Other Initiatives / Negotiation Updates

Although there have been obvious delays with the anticipated closing of its acquisition of iBliss, a successful vaporizer and e-liquids manufacturer, Easton is attempting to resolve various issues and disagreements that have materialized. After a brief lull, negotiations were restarted this week with face to face meetings planned with the anticipation and belief of a closed agreement eventually being reached. In addition to iBliss, Easton is also involved in late stage discussions with a medical marijuana company based in Jamaica and has entered into discussions with AMFIL Technologies. Easton is diligently working towards reaching terms acceptable to all parties on one or all initiatives

About Easton Pharmaceuticals

Easton Pharmaceuticals is a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company involved in various pharmaceutical sectors and other growing industries. The Company previously developed and owned an FDA-approved wound-healing drug and currently owns topically delivered drugs to treat cancer and other therapeutic products to treat various conditions that are all in various stages of development and approval. Easton has partnered with BMV Medica SA de C.V. and together, own the exclusive distribution rights in Mexico and Latin America for patented women's diagnostic and preventative care products from CommonSense Of Israel, along with two generic cancer drugs, Paclitaxel and Docetaxel from BioLyse Pharma of St. Catherine's Ontario, Canada.

For More Information on Easton and Affiliated Companies Visit:

http://www.eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com

http://ecigmarkets.com/

http://finance.yahoo.com/q's=eaphhttp://finance.yahoo.com/q's=eaph

http://finance.yahoo.com/q's=eaph

https://twitter.com/eastonpharma

Safe Harbor

This news release may contain forward-looking statements or expressions within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (The "Act"). In particular, when certain words or phrases such as "hope," "positive," "anticipate," "pleased," "plan," "confident that," "believe," "expect," "possible" or "intent to" and similar conditional expressions are expressed, they are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements. Any investment made into Easton Pharmaceuticals would be classified as speculative and may contain risks. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, general acceptance of the company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional or adequate financing, government approvals or changes to proposed laws and other risks and uncertainties further stated in the company's financial reports and filings.

Evan Karras

CEO

Tel: +1(416) 619-0291

Tel: +1(347) 284-0192

Email: info@eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) -

Press Release Highlights:

Triangle Deposit at 3.0 g/t gold ("Au") cut-off: indicated resources increased 100% from 737,590 Au ounces to 1,473,530 Au ounces grading 7.32 g/t Au and inferred resources decreased 1% from 1,004,170 Au ounces to 991,800 Au ounces at an average grade of 5.67 g/t Au.

Triangle Deposit at 5.0 g/t Au cut-off: indicated resources increased 105% from 580,150 Au ounces to 1,189,550 Au ounces grading 9.24 g/t Au and inferred resources decreased 15% from 744,880 Au ounces to 631,200 Au ounces at an average grade of 7.85 g/t Au.

Indicated resource growth at Triangle Deposit is mostly contained within the same vertical footprint as previous resource estimates highlighting the potential to utilize currently planned infrastructure to access these additional ounces.

Assay database cut-off date was January 11, 2017; approximately 15,000 meters ("m") of drilling has been completed at the Triangle Deposit since the database cut-off date.

Re-modelling, re-interpretation, and resource estimation of the Sigma Deposit to a depth of 1,800 m vertical is underway with expected completion and disclosure of a fully validated Sigma resource in Q2 2017.

Five drill rigs currently in operation at Lamaque, including three at the Triangle Deposit, one at the No. 4 Plug Deposit, and one at Lamaque Deep; the Company has drilled 22,984 m since start of 2017.

750 m of development on the Triangle exploration ramp (1,219 m total development) have been completed. Ramp is expected to reach the C2 structure of the Triangle Deposit in early April with the first underground drill station expected to be set up in the coming weeks.

Integra Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ICG) (OTCQX: ICGQF) ("Integra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed an updated resource estimate on the Triangle Deposit ("Triangle") on its 100% owned Lamaque Gold Project ("Lamaque" or the "Property") in Val-d'Or, Quebec. This update incorporates 117,734 m of new drilling into the resource estimate for Triangle. The resource estimates for other deposits on Lamaque, including the No. 4 Plug, Sixteen, Fortune, No. 6 Vein, and Parallel deposits, were updated in November 2016 (see Company press release dated November 16, 2016) and have not changed. Resource estimation work for Triangle was completed by GeoPointCom of Val-d'Or, Quebec.

The resource estimate for Triangle announced today is an update from the resource estimate used in the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") disclosed by the Company on February 27, 2017. In the proposed mine plan outlined in the PEA a total of 1,401,231 ounces, all resource categories, are mined from the Triangle, No. 4 Plug, and Parallel deposits. Of this total, 1,098,515 ounces are mined from Triangle. The updated resource estimate does not affect the validity or currency of the PEA. With the significant increase in resources at Triangle in comparison to the resource used in the PEA, Integra believes there is the potential for increased mine life at Lamaque and higher potential future mill throughput, which will be assessed in future studies.

The following tables have been prepared to show the variance in tonnage, grade and ounces since the last resource estimate was completed at Triangle, as well as the global resource estimate for Lamaque.

Table 1. Triangle Deposit Only:

March 2017 Resource Estimate Compared to November 2016 Resource Estimate

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-off Triangle Deposit Grade Resource Date Indicated Inferred ---------------------------------------------------- Grade Grade Tonnes (g/t Ounces Tonnes (g/t Ounces Au) (Au) Au) (Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.0 g/t March 2017 Au 6,262,000 7.32 1,473,530 5,441,000 5.67 991,800 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November 2016 3,273,000 7.01 737,590 4,500,400 6.94 1,004,170 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Variance +2,989,000 +0.31 +735,940 +940,600 -1.27 -12,370 ---------------------------------------------------- +91% +4% +100% +21% -18% -1% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.0 g/t March 2017 Au 4,004,700 9.24 1,189,550 2,501,100 7.85 631,200 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November 2016 2,014,600 8.96 580,150 2,668,700 9.03 744,880 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Variance +1,990,100 +0.28 +609,400 -167,600 -1.18 -113,680 ---------------------------------------------------- +99% +3% +105% -6% -13% -15% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 2. Lamaque Property Global Resource Estimate:

March 2017 Resource Estimate Compared to November 2016 Resource Estimate

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-off Grade Resource Date Indicated Inferred ---------------------------------------------------- Grade Grade Tonnes (g/t Ounces Tonnes (g/t Ounces Au) (Au) Au) (Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.0 g/t Au March 2017 8,413,248 7.09 1,917,443 7,130,903 5.86 1,342,204 ------------------------------------------------------------------ November 2016 5,424,248 6.78 1,181,503 6,190,303 6.81 1,354,574 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Variance +2,989,000 +0.31 +735,940 +940,600 -0.95 -12,370 ---------------------------------------------------- +55% +5% +62% +15% -14% -1% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.0 g/t Au March 2017 5,130,017 9.13 1,505,544 3,514,232 7.94 896,948 ------------------------------------------------------------------ November 2016 3,139,917 8.88 896,144 3,681,832 8.79 1,040,628 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Variance +1,990,100 +0.25 +609,400 -167,600 -0.85 -143,680 ---------------------------------------------------- +63% +3% +68% -5% -10% -14% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Given the proximity of the resource growth to currently planned underground infrastructure as per the recent PEA study, we believe this new resource has the potential to have a significant positive impact on future mine plan studies including but not limited to the per ounce operating costs, total mine life and annual production profile," commented Company President and CEO, Stephen de Jong. "We are especially encouraged by the substantial upgrade in indicated resource grade, width and total ounces, of the near-surface C2 structure, which accounts for the bulk of production in the early years of the proposed mine plan. There are very few new gold projects globally, situated in a world-class jurisdiction such as Val-d'Or Quebec, that boast a meaningful and growing production profile, with top-quartile cost margins and low capex estimates that can potentially be developed within the space of two years. Not only does the Lamaque Project have these rare qualities, our exploration team also continues to prove our narrative that substantial gold resource growth potential remains at both the Triangle and adjacent gold deposits."

Triangle Resource: Significant Increase with the Inclusion of 117,734 m of New Drilling

A total of 117,734 m of new drilling completed in late 2015 and 2016 on Triangle was incorporated into the resource estimate announced today. Approximately 75% of the drilling included in this updated resource estimate can be categorized as infill drilling. Furthermore, an additional 15,021 m of drilling in 75 drill holes at Triangle has been completed since the database cut-off for this resource estimate. The next resource estimate update for Lamaque, not including the Sigma resource which is currently underway, is expected to be completed for year-end.

This is the third resource estimate completed at Triangle since the Company identified the steeply dipping (45 to 75 degrees) structures ("C structures") and their relationship with the shallow dipping (25 to 55 degrees) structures ("C-Splay structures"). The average and maximum true thickness (intercepts above 3 g/t Au) for the C and C-Splays structures are 3.7 m / 14.7 m and 2.6 m / 15.8 m respectively. The largest of the C structures, the C4 structure ("C4"), has an average true thickness of 4.4 m. The C-Splay structures consist of gold bearing shear hosted quartz-tourmaline veins similar to the principal C structures; however, the C-Splay structures are generally narrower and less continuous.

To view an idealized section of Triangle and the No. 4 Plug Deposit illustrating the structural domains and geological model for resource estimation please click on the following link:

http://www.integragold.com/site/assets/files/2228/triangle_cross_22march2017.pdf

Table 3.

March 2017 Triangle Deposit Resource Estimate (3.0 g/t and 5.0 g/t Au cut-off grades)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-off Grade (g/t Au) Indicated Inferred ------------------------------------------------------------- Grade Ounces Grade Ounces Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.0 g/t 6,262,000 7.32 1,473,530 5,441,000 5.67 991,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.0 g/t 4,004,700 9.24 1,189,550 2,501,100 7.85 631,200 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Aside from the substantial conversion of inferred resources into indicated ounces (100% and 105% increase in indicated resources for the 3 g/t and 5 g/t Au cut-offs respectively, please refer to Table 1 above), it should be noted that the average grade of the indicated ounces also increase by a few percent (4% and 3% respectively for the 3 g/t and 5 g/t Au cut-offs) possibly indicating that closer spaced infill drilling could have a positive impact on the average grade.

Total inferred resources, in terms of contained ounces at a 3 g/t Au cut-off, have slightly decreased compared to the previous resource estimate. This decrease is viewed positively though as it demonstrates the Company's success at replacing inferred resource that have been converted to the indicated resource category. The grade of the inferred resource at 3 g/t and 5 g/t Au cut-offs decreased 18% and 13% respectively. This decrease is in part explained by the location of those inferred resources which are now surrounding the indicated resources on the edges of the deposit. Drill spacing is wider for the inferred resources with the selected capping methodologies appearing to have a bigger impact on the average grade for that resource category. It is possible that infill drilling in those areas, and potential conversion to indicated resources, will result in an increase in average grade.

As shown on the longitudinal sections of the C structures available at the link below, there seems to be a significant amount of inferred resources for the C4 and C5 structures that could be converted into indicated resources through closer spaced drilling. As far as future potential growth in inferred resource, the longitudinal section for the C5 structure (and partially for the C4 structure) are showing open ended drill results that would require additional drilling to fully assess; some of that drilling will occur in 2017. The deeper structures will also be a focus of future exploration and expansion drilling and could become a significant contributor to the resource growth as limited drilling exists to date deeper than the C5 structure.

Ongoing exploration and extensive data interpretation continues to support the C structure geological model. The incorporation of C structures have had a positive impact on the project, including a net increase in resources and greater use of long-hole mining in future mine plans, which is a more cost-effective and efficient mining method. Table 4 below illustrates the proportion of gold mineralization contained within the C versus the C-Splays structures at cut-offs of 3 g/t Au and 5 g/t Au, separated by resource categories. In the proposed mine plan published in the Company's February 2017 PEA, 91% of the mining at Triangle utilized long-hole mining methods, excluding those ounces mined through ongoing development. It is important to note that a large portion of the C-Splay Structures dip greater than 45 degrees, suggesting that these structures would also be amenable to long-hole mining methods.

Table 4.

Proportion of resource ounces per structures

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cut-off Grade (Au) C Structures C-Splays Structures ---------------------------------------------------- Indicated Inferred Indicated Inferred ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 g/t 67% 80% 33% 20% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 g/t 72% 87% 28% 13% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.integragold.com/site/assets/files/2226/march_2017_longsections_vuse.pdf

To view a plan map showing location of all deposits on the Property please click on the following link:

http://www.integragold.com/site/assets/files/2227/pointsofinterestmap_march_2017vfinal.pdf

Resource Estimate Summary

Extensive drill programs completed on Triangle and other targets at Lamaque since 2014 have strongly contributed to the Company's understanding of the project geology, particularly in regard to gold mineralization distribution and controls. This understanding has led to refinements on a number of key resource estimation parameters relative to those used in previous estimates. These refinements are briefly discussed in this news release and will be discussed in more detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report which will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.

The global resource for Lamaque is presented in the following tables. The estimation methodology used is Ordinary Kriging ("OK") on all the deposits listed. The tables below outline the resources at a 3 g/t Au and a 5 g/t Au cut-offs. The Company anticipates using a cut-off between 4.5 g/t Au and 5.5 g/t Au at each deposit when optimizing resources into potentially minable ounces in future mine plans. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Table 5.

March 2017 Lamaque Property Resource Estimate (3 g/t Au Cut-Off)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit Indicated Inferred ------------------------------------------------------------ Grade Ounces Grade Ounces Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Triangle (1) 6,262,000 7.32 1,473,530 5,441,000 5.67 991,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. 4 Plug (2) 505,448 6.67 108,443 915,903 6.84 201,464 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parallel (3) 761,100 7.48 182,920 382,100 5.72 70,290 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. 6 Vein (4) 462,800 5.60 83,450 362,000 6.40 74,240 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fortune (5) 330,200 5.10 53,660 28,100 4.60 4,160 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sixteen (6) 91,700 5.20 15,440 1,800 4.20 250 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 8,413,248 7.09 1,917,443 7,130,903 5.86 1,342,204 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 6.

March 2017 Lamaque Property Global Resource Estimate (5 g/t Au Cut-Off)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit Indicated Inferred ---------------------------------------------------------- Grade Ounces Grade Ounces Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) Tonnes (g/t Au) (Au) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Triangle (1) 4,004,700 9.24 1,189,550 2,501,100 7.85 631,200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. 4 Plug (2) 300,417 8.56 82,634 579,432 8.59 160,028 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parallel (3) 426,800 10.29 141,210 184,100 7.70 45,560 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. 6 Vein (4) 201,300 7.90 51,280 239,800 7.50 58,080 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fortune (5) 155,000 6.30 31,620 9,400 6.60 1,990 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sixteen (6) 41,800 6.90 9,250 400 6.40 90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 5,130,017 9.13 1,505,544 3,514,232 7.94 896,948 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Triangle: Effective date is March 17, 2017; specific gravity of 2.8 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; capping of 20 g/t Au on composites when estimated cells are more than 15 m from drill hole otherwise uncapped; composited to full length for each zone intersection before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers. (2) No. 4 Plug: Effective date is October 28, 2016; specific gravity of 2.80 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; capping of 20 g/t Au on composites when estimated cells are more than 15 m from drill hole otherwise uncapped; composites are 1 m in downhole length before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers. (3) Parallel: Effective date is February 05, 2016; specific gravity of 2.80 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; capping of individual gold values at 100 g/t Au then capping of 20 g/t Au on composites when estimated cells are more than 15 m from drill hole otherwise uncapped; composited to 1 m downhole length before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers. (4) No. 6 Vein: Effective date is June 17, 2016; specific gravity of 2.80 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; capping of 20 g/t Au on composites when estimated cells are more than 15 m from drill hole otherwise uncapped; composited to 1 m downhole length before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers. (5) Fortune: Effective date is April 06, 2015; specific gravity of 2.82 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; individual gold values uncap; composited to 1 m downhole length before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers. (6) Sixteen: Effective date is November 18, 2013; specific gravity of 2.80 g/cm3; geologically constrained model with hard boundary; individual gold values capped at 35 g/t Au; composited to 0.7 m downhole length before geostatistical analysis; 2 m minimum true thickness, if required diluted with in situ grade when assay results are available otherwise diluted with "zero" grade; ordinary kriging; 3 g/t cut-off calculated for official resource numbers.

Previously released select drill intercepts from this part of the C2 structure published since the database cut-off for the resource estimate announced today include (all results uncapped, downhole width, see full assay tables in respective 2017 press releases for capped intervals and additional details):

71.61 g/t Au over 14.75 m (C2 - TM-17-261)

26.31 g/t Au over 8.55 m (C2 - TM-17-253)

21.96 g/t Au over 5.75 m (C2 - TM-17-259)

53.70 g/t Au over 2.10 m (C2-30 - TM-16-222A)

17.29 g/t Au over 2.65 m (C2 - TM-16-224BW01)

40.43 g/t Au over 2.80 m (C2 - TM-16-225)

22.06 g/t Au over 7.85 m (C2 - TM-16-226)

36.86 g/t Au over 5.55 m (C2 - TM-16-229A)

The Company currently has five diamond drills active at Lamaque, including three at Triangle, one on the No. 4 Plug, and one testing the Lamaque Deep target. The 2017 drill program includes a minimum of 71,000 m of surface drilling. The focus of drilling in 2017 will remain on Triangle and No. 4 Plug as well as testing key exploration targets including the Lamaque Deep and the highest priority Gold Rush Challenge targets.

The Company also plans to complete approximately 10,000 m of underground definition drilling, commencing in the coming weeks, from the Triangle exploration ramp which has advanced 750 m. The underground drilling will initially focus on drilling the C2 structure at 10 m centers in the area selected for the bulk sample.

Project and Company Profile

Integra Gold is a junior gold exploration company advancing projects in Val-d'Or, Quebec, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Company's primary focus is its high-grade Lamaque South project. In the fall of 2014, Integra completed the accretive acquisition of the Sigma Mill and Mine Complex, a fully permitted 2,200 ton per day mill and tailings facility. With major federal and provincial permits in place, existing infrastructure and significant exploration potential, this acquisition removed major capital costs and shortened timelines typically associated with mine development projects. Integra has raised over $125 million since 2013, at successively higher share prices, despite depressed gold prices.

Further detail about the resource estimate, including assumptions, parameters, risks and data verification measures, will be available in an updated technical report on Lamaque to be filed by Integra within 45 days following the date of this news release.

The PEA referenced in this news release is considered preliminary in nature. It includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative to have the economic considerations applied that would enable classification as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the conclusions within the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Qualified Person

The Lamaque project is under the direct supervision of Herve Thiboutot, Eng., Senior Vice-President of the Company, and Jacques Simoneau, P. Geo., Exploration Manager of the Company. Mr. Thiboutot and Mr. Simoneau are Qualified Persons ("QPs") as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Christian D'Amours, P. Geo., OGQ #226, from GeoPointCom, is responsible for the completion of the resource update at Triangle and others deposits at Lamaque and is an independent QPs as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. The Company's QPs have reviewed the technical content of this release.

Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the project including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all drill holes. The core samples are submitted directly to the Bourlamaque and ALS Laboratories in Val-d'Or for preparation and analysis. Analysis is conducted on 1 assay-ton aliquots. Analysis of Au is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption (AA) finish, with a gravimetric finish completed for samples exceeding 5 g/t Au. Results published are from the gravimetric finish if above 5 g/t Au and from the AA finish if lower than 5 g/t Au.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephen de Jong

CEO & President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking statements, including timing and results of future development studies, of a resource estimate on other deposits and the Sigma zone, and the results of future exploration work. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results of exploration activities are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Corporate Inquiries:

Chris Gordon

chris@integragold.com

Or visit the company website: www.integragold.com



Follow Integra Gold On:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/integragoldcorp
HONG KONG, Mar 22, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Tappy Technologies announces world renowned brands as their launch partners in the Baselworld'17; this launch partnership will see Tappy's payment technology embedded into traditional timepieces.Tappy is a pioneer in contactless wearable payments and is a Global Wearable Program Partner of leading banks and financial institutions. Its fully integrated technology can instantly transform a watch, jewellery or accessory into a payment device. Tappy provides the highest level of security for payments and transactions. Tappy plays a strategic role in developing a wearable payment Ecosystem that bridges FinTech, banks, card networks and regulators.1. Official Watch Launch Partner - TED BAKERTED BAKER is one of the fastest-growing leading lifestyle brands in the UK. Today TED BAKER offers a wide range of collections including: Menswear, Womenswear, Global, Endurance, Pashion, Langley, Accessories, Fragrance, Skinwear, Footwear, Eyewear and Watches. Ted Baker has a portfolio of stores in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai & Taiwan. By integrating Tappy's contactless payment technology into its watches TED BAKER intends to target the new generation clientele which is both fashion conscious as well as tech-savvy.2. Official Watch Launch Partner - MondaineThe partnership with the Swiss brand Mondaine will see Tappy's flexible payment tags embedded inside Mondaine watches. These payment enabled watches are considered for launching in the United Kingdom, USA and China.The simple design, the unmistakable easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and the famous red seconds hand have made Mondaine timepieces uniquely recognized the world over. Ingenuity and simplicity are the combined elements that distinguish and define a truly iconic design classic. The Mondaine Official Swiss Railways SBB watches embody these elements and proudly exemplify excellent 20th century design.3. Official Watch Launch Partner - TechnosTappy has established partnership with Grupo Technos to enable contactless payment capabilities in "Technos" watches. Grupo Technos is one of the largest watch company's in Latin America and the Technos brand is synonymous for quality and excellence. Currently Grupo Technos has a portfolio of twenty brands. With this partnership Tappy aims to establish itself as the premier contactless wearable payment solutions provider in Latin America.4. Official "Connected Hybrid Watch" Launch Partner - NEWATCH Designed by MEIZUNEWATCH is the first connected hybrid watch available with Tappy's Payment Technology. NEWATCH wearers can now enjoy the convenience of simply waving their arm at payment terminals to finalize transactions instead of pulling out their phone or wallet. NEWATCH is designed by MEIZU, one of the leading Smartphone brands. NEWATCH is way ahead of the competition boasting some of the slimmest and smallest hybrid watches having notifications and activity tracking features.5. Official Watch Launch Partner - SAGASince its establishment in US in the year 1950, SAGA has evolved to become the preferred choice for the connoisseurs of quality watches in Far East. By signing this strategic agreement with Tappy, the brand continues on its path of innovation to achieve technical excellence. With unrivalled expertise in craftsmanship & empowered by Tappy's technology, SAGA is confident of rolling out unmatched timepieces.Mr. Wayne Leung, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tappy, said: "We are delighted to have world class brands like TED BAKER, MONDAINE, TECHNOS, NEWATCH and SAGA as our official Launch Partners. At Tappy, we endeavour to create new opportunities for businesses to join and explore the ever expanding contactless payment landscape. Tappy provides secure, trustworthy and convenient global contactless payment solutions as well as complete hardware solution for the traditional industries like watches and jewellery.."Source: Tappy Technologies LimitedCopyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Global and Immediate Demand for Fenergo's FinTech Solutions Driving Job Creation

Fenergo, the leading provider of Client Lifecycle Management software solutions for investment, corporate and private banks, has today announced the creation of 200 new jobs due to rapid global expansion, bringing its total global employee base to 500.

The new positions are across many areas of the business Product Management, Software Engineering, Implementation, Consulting and Marketing. Recruitment will begin immediately with all positions to be filled over the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking at the jobs announcement event held in its global headquarters in Dublin's Docklands, Marc Murphy, CEO, Fenergo, said, "I am delighted to announce the creation of 200 new high value jobs. The demand for Fenergo's Client Lifecycle Management technology solutions is global and immediate, driven by regulatory change and banks' desires to be able to comply fully with new and enhanced regulations, whilst achieving operational cost efficiencies and delivering superior client experiences. We anticipate continued significant growth across all of the regions we serve Americas, Europe, UK, APAC and the Middle East over the next 36 months.

"To help us meet this global demand, we are looking for the smartest, most dedicated and talented people to join the team to help us continue to improve this world-class business that we have built. By joining the Fenergo team, this new talent will be part of a journey to build a global technology company that is at the forefront of developments in robotics and artificial intelligence for financial technology."

With ambitions to IPO the company by 2020, Fenergo is well on its way to achieve this given its considerable growth over the last five years, averaging over 100% year-on-year. During this time, Fenergo has signed significant new named deals with world-leading financial institutions, including HSBC, UBS, BNY Mellon, Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, BBVA, Westpac, RBS, RBC, SunTrust and Nikko Americas. The company is also expecting another stellar sales performance this year.

Today's announcement follows the rapid growth in employee numbers over the last few years. In January 2013, Fenergo employed 36 people. This will increase to 500 with the new job creation. The company has also opened six new offices across the world including New York, Boston, Sydney, Singapore, Japan and Abu Dhabi and relocated its Dublin, London and Boston headquarters to cater for its growing number of personnel. Most recently, the company took up residence in a 21,000 sq feet building in Dublin's Point Village.

Fenergo's success and growth comes on the back of significant inward investment into the company. In August 2015, Insight Venture Partners and Aquiline Capital Partners together invested 85m in Fenergo. Fenergo is using this investment to expand its global footprint by opening new offices and increasing employee numbers across all regions, invest in its product and technology R&D and create a global partner enablement programme.

The company has also invested in creating a community of banks, with which it collaborates to align its regulatory and product roadmaps, and develop solutions that can transform compliance, data and client management operations into real, value-added processes.

About Fenergo (www.fenergo.com

Fenergo is a leading provider of Client Lifecycle Management software solutions for investment, corporate and private banks. Its solutions help institutions to efficiently manage the end-to-end regulatory onboarding and entity data management processes. Its rules-driven solution ensures compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks and supports the collection, centralization and sharing of client and counterparty data and documentation across the institution. By expediting compliance and improving operational efficiencies, Fenergo's solutions can onboard clients faster, improve time to revenue and overall client experience. Fenergo's recent accolades include: Deloitte Best Managed Companies (for second consecutive year); Chartis RiskTech100 (third consecutive year, rising 25 places in 2017); Top Performer in RegTech Performance (Banking Technology MarketFintech, 2016); Best Compliance Product (Sell-Side Technology Awards 2016), FinTech Forward Company to Watch (American Banker, 2015), Chartis RiskTech100 (2016 and 2015) and Best Enterprise Data Management Initiative (Inside Reference Data, 2014).

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005527/en/

Contacts:

Fenergo

Fiona McLoughlin, +353 1 901 3600

VP Marketing

fiona.mcloughlin@fenergo.com
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Nemaska Lithium Inc. (TSX: NMX)(OTCQX: NMKEF), via its wholly owned subsidiary Nemaska Lithium Shawinigan Transformation Inc. (collectively "Nemaska Lithium" or the "Corporation"), announces that FMC Corporation ("FMC") will pay a lump sum of US$10,000,000 to Nemaska Lithium (the Payment) by April 7, 2017, in accordance with the Supply Agreement announced on October 31, 2016, and has agreed to amend the Supply Agreement to extend the timeline for the supply of product thereunder.

Under the Supply Agreement, as amended, Nemaska Lithium will begin to supply FMC with lithium carbonate no later than April 1, 2019. Nemaska Lithium will also provide lithium carbonate samples from its Phase 1 Plant to FMC for qualification in 2017.

The Payment will be secured by a first rank hypothec (lien) on the Corporation's lithium carbonate and hydroxide inventory and the proceeds thereof. If Nemaska Lithium does not fulfill its delivery obligation under the Supply Agreement, as amended, it shall repay FMC the Payment plus a penalty calculated as per that agreement.

"The Payment and the supply period extension show that FMC, a major credible lithium producer, has continued confidence in our project and business relationship. The lithium market needs new producers, such as Nemaska Lithium, to come on stream over the next few years to keep up with the ever growing demand from the lithium ion battery market. Nemaska Lithium is committed to meeting the needs of its customers and we are on track to commence the commissioning of the Shawinigan Hydromet Plant during the second half of 2018, with production from the Whabouchi Mine commencing in the first half of 2018," commented Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium.

About FMC

For more than a century, FMC Corporation has served the global agricultural, industrial and consumer markets with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. Revenue totaled approximately $3.3 billion in 2016. FMC employs approximately 6,000 people throughout the world and operates its businesses in three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition and FMC Lithium. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

About Nemaska Lithium

Nemaska Lithium intends to become a vertically integrated lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate supplier to the emerging lithium battery market that is largely driven by electric vehicles, cell phones, tablets and other consumer products. The Corporation is developing in Quebec one of the most important spodumene lithium hard rock deposit in the world, both in volume and grade. The spodumene concentrate produced at Nemaska Lithium's Whabouchi mine will be shipped to the Corporation's lithium compounds processing plant to be built in Shawinigan, Quebec. This plant will transform spodumene concentrate into high purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate using the proprietary methods developed by the Corporation, and for which the Corporation holds four granted patents and several patent applications that are pending in different countries, covering different aspects and improvements of its proprietary technology for preparing high purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, (i) the Corporation to start providing FMC with lithium carbonate by April 1, 2019 at the latest, (ii) the Corporation's aim to commence commissioning the Shawinigan Hydromet Plant during the second half of 2018 (with production from the Whabouchi Mine commencing in the first half of 2018), (iii) the Corporation to meet the needs of its customers, (iv) FMC receiving lithium samples from the Corporation's Phase 1 Plant in 2017, (v) the ever growing demand from the lithium ion battery market, and (vi) generally, the above "About Nemaska Lithium" paragraph which essentially describe the Corporation's outlook, constitute 'forward-looking information' or 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of certain securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect.

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Further information regarding Nemaska Lithium is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the Corporation's website at: www.nemaskalithium.com.

Contacts:

Nemaska Lithium Inc.

Mr. Victor Cantore

Investor Relations

514 831-3809

victor.cantore@nemaskalithium.com



Nemaska Lithium Inc.

Ms. Wanda Cutler

Investor Relations

416 303-6460

wanda.cutler@nemaskalithium.com

www.nemaskalithium.com




LEBANON, NH -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 --



WHO:

Appcast, the first pay-per-applicant job ad exchange

WHAT:

Will host the webinar, "Robots in Recruiting: The Implications of AI on Talent Acquisition," featuring guest speaker Allan Schweyer, human capital management expert and founder of TMLU, Inc.

WHEN:

Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. CDT / 12:30 p.m. MDT / 11:30 a.m. PDT)

WHERE:

Registration can be accessed at: http://info.appcast.io/robots-in-recruiting-the-implications-of-ai-on-talent-acquisition-webinar.

DETAILS:

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to replace the repetitive and time consuming work of sourcing, screening and early assessment in the recruitment process. AI can dramatically improve recruiting while lowering costs and enhancing the candidate experience. As this technology continues to evolve, organizations put themselves at a deep disadvantage in finding and hiring talent when they ignore or don't understand the advantages of automation and AI.

During this Appcast-hosted webinar, human capital management expert Allan Schweyer will examine how AI is pushing the recruiting industry to engage and source candidates differently. Schweyer will share how AI is applied to machines and algorithms that mimic the cognitive functions of human beings, enabling the augmentation and automation of specific tasks previously only performed by humans. He will discuss the potential of AI in sourcing and recruitment processes, focusing on the implications for talent acquisition in the future. Attendees will leave the webinar with an understanding of how AI is being used in sourcing today, as well as how they can begin to leverage AI capabilities in their recruiting practices.

Employers, HR professionals, recruiters and hiring managers who are curious about the potential uses for artificial intelligence in their talent acquisition strategies are encouraged to attend this webinar. Attendees will gain access to Schweyer's AI white paper and will be eligible to receive one HRCI and SHRM credit for attending.

About Appcast

Appcast is using data and programmatic targeting to revolutionize the global recruitment advertising industry. From its namesake pay-per-applicant job ad exchange to its market-leading recruitment media optimization platform, Appcast is changing how more than 500 leading employers, ad agencies, and job boards attract high quality job seekers. To learn more, visit: http://www.appcast.io.
TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. ("GLH" or the "Company") (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF), a leading cannabis oil solutions company built around recognized brands, is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a binding Letter of Agreement (LOA) to acquire Chalice LLC ("Chalice Farms") (https://chalicefarms.com/), a leading vertically integrated cannabis company in Oregon (the "Transaction").

In conjunction with the Transaction, the Company has entered into an engagement agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord" or the "Agent") with respect to a best efforts brokered private placement of subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") for anticipated gross proceeds of up to approximately $35 million (the "Offering"). The net proceeds from the Offering are to be used to satisfy the cash component of the purchase price for the Chalice Farms Transaction, as well as to fund the Company's recently announced acquisitions and for existing operations. The Subscription Receipts will be priced in the context of the market.

Strategic Fit for Golden Leaf

Chalice Farms is a leading vertically integrated cannabis business in Oregon, involved with the cultivation, extraction, refinement, marketing and sales of cannabis flower, edibles and oils. Chalice Farms has developed a branded portfolio of cannabis products that have generated significant market penetration and brand equity within the Oregon market.

In addition, Chalice Farms operates a chain of four branded retail dispensary stores in Oregon and was recently dubbed "Cannabis Store of the Year" at the 2017 Dope Magazine Industry Awards in Oregon.

The Company expects the Chalice Farms Transaction to provide several key strategic benefits to GLH, including:

Brand Expansion and Distribution

Leverages Chalice Farms footprint to increase GLH branded product sales Chalice Farms branded products strengthen and broaden GLH's brand portfolio



Leading Retail Dispensary Chain

Provides GLH with a market leading dispensary position in Oregon Establishes a consolidation platform for expansion within Oregon, Washington, the remainder of the U.S. and Canada



Synergy Opportunity

Integration of the two companies allows for increased revenues with reduced costs because of synergistic efficiencies



Don Robinson, CEO of GLH, commented, "We are proud to engage with Cananccord Genuity, the leading investment bank in the cannabis marketplace, to help fund our acquisition strategy. Like the other proposed acquisitions we have recently announced, the acquisition of Chalice Farms brings real strategic and financial value to GLH and our shareholders."

The Transaction

Pursuant to the Transaction, Chalice Farms will receive from GLH, (i) US$15.05 million in cash; and (ii) common shares of GLH having a value of three times Chalice Farms' annualized Q1 2017 gross sales revenue, less US$6.05 million, of which US$4.2 million of common shares will be sold to a third party for cash consideration to Chalice Farms at closing. In addition, Chalice Farms will also receive an amount equal to 1.25 times its audited gross sales revenue for the year-ended December 31, 2017 payable in cash or common shares of GLH, subject to an obligation to pay in cash in certain circumstances.

The Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including CSE and regulatory approval.

Golden Leaf's Competitive Strategy

The attached chart illustrates the Company's strategy to build a market leader in branded cannabis products that is backed by real science and a commitment to lowest cost manufacturing.

While GLH is currently executing this strategy on an organic basis, the Company and its board of directors believes that it can accelerate growth and market positioning through a strategic, targeted acquisition strategy. Among the acquisition targets that the Company will focus on are existing production/processing/distribution licenses in other states, proprietary oil extraction technologies, and existing leading brands. The strategic acquisition program is intended to drive financial and shareholder value by seeking acquisitions that build GLH's brand portfolio, expand its regional presence and/or add technology and intellectual property.

About Golden Leaf Holdings:

Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. is one of the largest cannabis oil and solution providers in North America. It's a leading cannabis products company in Oregon, built around recognized brands. GLH leverages a strong management team with cannabis and food industry experience to complement its expertise in extracting, refining and selling cannabis oil.

Disclaimer: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Transaction, the anticipated gross proceeds of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, the Company's future business operations and acquisition targets, expectations of the benefits and value to GLH and its shareholders of the Transaction and other acquisitions that have been recently announced, the opinions or beliefs of management, and future business goals. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to general business, economic and competitive uncertainties, regulatory risks including risks related to the expected timing of the Company's participation in the Adult Use market, market risks, risks inherent in manufacturing operations, other general risks of the cannabis industry as well as those risk factors disclosed elsewhere in the Company's public disclosure. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purpose. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/22/11G133780/Images/Chalice_Collage-dd19be0a6b9081c290c953b06e2140e0.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/22/11G133780/Images/GLH_Competitive_Strategy-9a6c710575f0a60891c6979f31b6d252.jpg

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations - U.S.A.

Harrison Phillips

Viridian Capital Advisors, LLC

212-209-3086

hphillips@viridianca.com



Investor Relations - Canada

Paul Searle

Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd.

778-240-7724

psearle@goldenleafholdings.com



Eugene Hill

Chief Financial Officer

Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd.

ghill@goldenxtrx.com
ALBANY, New York, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), theglobal tumor ablation marketis fragmented and highly competitive in nature, owing to the presence of a large number of market participants. As the market hold enormous potential for growth, pharmaceutical companies continue to enter in this market, intensifying the competition within.

The leading players are expected to focus on product innovation and technological advancements in current offerings to strengthen their position in this market over the coming years. Jude Medical, BVM Medical, Boston Scientific, BTG International, and Medtronic are some of the key players in this market, mentions the research study.

TMR estimates the global market for tumor ablation to rise from US$7.02 bn in 2015 to a value of US$1.9 bn by 2024, progressing at a CAGR of 12.20% during the period from 2016 to 2024. The radiofrequency ablation technology segment, which has been dominating the global market over the last few years, is likely to retain its position throughout the forecast period

Browse Market Research Report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tumor-ablation-market.html

Advancements in Tumor Ablation Technology to Ensure Dominance of North America

The report also analyzes the worldwide market for tumor ablation on the basis of geography. As per the study, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, North America, Latin America, and Europe are the key segments of this market, geographically. North America occupied the top position in this market in 2015 with a share of 30%, thanks to the early adoption of the tumor ablation technology. Researchers predict this regional market to continue its growth streak throughout the forecast period, supported by the technological advancements in ablation technologies, rising prevalence of cancer, and the increasing base of geriatric population.

Europe and Asia Pacific are also anticipated to witness prominent growth in their market shares over the next few years, states the research report. The Europe market for tumor ablation is expected to be propelled further by the rising consumption of tobacco and alcohol, a large geriatric population base, increase in research activities, and the surging awareness level among people in this region. Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is projected to be driven by the presence of high unmet medical needs, escalating medical expenditures in emerging economies, increasing investment in research and development activities in the medical and healthcare sector, and the growing attention of key market participants on this region.

Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18656

Rising Popularity of Tumor Ablation Technology to Reflect Positively on its Demand

"With the significant rise in the incidence rate of cancer in humans, the market for tumor ablation has been gained substantial momentum across the world," states a researcher at TMR. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 8.8 million people died due to cancer in 2015, globally, establishing it as the second leading cause of death across the world. Since tumor ablations is a highly efficient treatment for cancer with minimal risk of side-effects, its popularity has increased manifolds among medical professional as well as patients, which, as a result, has been reflecting positively on its uptake. The continual advancements in ablation technology are also adding considerably to the growth of this market.

In addition, the rising inclination of patients toward minimally invasive procedures and the growing acceptance of innovative technologies will propel this market remarkably over the forthcoming years. However, the lack of a favorable reimbursement scenario and the high cost associated with research and development may hamper the market's progress in the years to come, notes the study.

The study presented here is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), titled "Tumor Ablation Market (Technology - Radiofrequency Ablation, Microwave Ablation, Cryoablation, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, and Laser Interstitial Thermal Ablation; Disease Indication - Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Bone Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Prostate Cancer; End Users - Hospitals and Cancer Specialty Clinics) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast2014 - 2024."

Browse Press Release:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/tumor-ablation-market.htm

The global tumor ablation market has been segmented as follows:

By Technology

Radiofrequency Ablation

Microwave Ablation

Cryoablation

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Laser Interstitial Thermal Ablation

Others

By Material

Liver cancer

Lung cancer

Kidney cancer

Bone cancer

Breast cancer

Prostate cancer

Others

By End Users

Hospitals

Cancer Specialty Clinics

Others

By Geography

North America U.S. Canada

Europe Germany France U.K. Spain Italy Russia Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific India China Japan Australia & New Zealand Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa GCC countries South Africa Rest of MEA

and

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Kidney Cancer Drugs Market (Major Drugs: Afinitor (Everolimus), Avastin (Bevacizumab), Inlyta (Axitinib), Nexavar (Sorafenib), Proleukin (Aldesleukin), Sutent (Sunitinib), Torisel (Temsirolimus), Votrient (Pazopanib)) - Global Industry Analysis, Pipeline Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020

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About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S. based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.

Contact Us:



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Extensive Consumer Research Defines First Set of the Most Objectionable Ad Experiences

The Coalition for Better Ads today released initial Better Ads Standards for desktop and mobile web that reflect consumer advertising preferences in North American and European markets. The initial Better Ads Standards are based on comprehensive research in which consumers comparatively ranked different ad experiences presented to them while they read online articles. More than 25,000 consumers rated 104 ad experiences for desktop web and mobile web.

The Coalition's research identifies the ad experiences in both North America and Europe that ranked lowest across a range of user experience factors, and that are most highly correlated with an increased propensity for consumers to adopt ad blockers. These results define initial Better Ads Standards that identify the ad experiences that fall beneath a threshold of consumer acceptability. Six desktop web ad experiences and twelve mobile web ad experiences fell beneath this threshold. The Coalition encourages the marketplace to use these results to improve the consumer experience.

"We are energized by how quickly this cross-industry Coalition was able to research and identify annoying advertising formats," said Jason Kint, CEO of Digital Content Next. "There is still much work to be done but we are out of the gate in our work to make the web less annoying for the average consumer."

"The scope and nature of this research provides insight into how consumers view different online ad experiences, highlighting what's working well, and what we need to re-think in order to secure more meaningful engagement," said Nancy Hill, President and CEO, 4As. "The consumer preferences identified in the Better Ads Standards will be useful to our members who wish to take action to improve the online experience."

During the Coalition's research, consumers were asked to read articles on simulated high quality content pages, and then to rate comparatively the different ad experiences they received. These consumer preference ratings, as correlated with increased consumer propensity to use ad blockers, identified the following types of desktop ad experiences beneath the initial Better Ads Standard: pop-up ads, auto-play video ads with sound, prestitial ads with countdown and large sticky ads. For the mobile web environment, the following types of ad experiences fell beneath the initial Better Ads Standard: pop-up ads, prestitial ads, ads with density greater than 30%, flashing animated ads, auto-play video ads with sound, poststitial ads with countdown, full-screen scrollover ads, and large sticky ads.

"We hope these initial standards will be a wake-up call to brands, retailers, agencies, publishers, and their technology suppliers, and that they will retire the ad formats that research proves annoy and abuse consumers," said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO, IAB. "If they don't, ad blocking will rise, advertising will decline, and the marketplace of ideas and information that supports open societies and liberal economies will slide into oblivion."

"Tens of thousands of consumers have made their opinions clear through this robust research. Consumers in North America and Europe have similar views on online ad experiences they find annoying and disruptive," said Bob Liodice, CEO of ANA. "All online ad industry constituents should take a hard look at the findings. They provide valuable insights for the development of consumer-friendly ad campaigns."

The Coalition plans a broad range of educational activities for its members and others in the industry, including presentations via participating trade associations, conference participation and webinars. By making the research widely available, the Coalition aims to encourage industry participants to incorporate the findings into their efforts to improve the online ad experience for consumers. Journalists and interested parties can learn more about the research methodology, findings and initial Better Ads Standards at betterads.org.

"This comprehensive research and these initial Better Ads Standards provide great guidance on the role ad formats have on the user experience," said Townsend Feehan, CEO of IAB Europe. "We look forward to using the data released today to engage our members about consumer ad preferences, and to upcoming phases of the Coalition's research that we expect will contribute even more depth and breadth of coverage of European markets."

The methodology used to support the initial Better Ads Standards is extensible to different global regions and to other digital environments, or to the measurement of new ad experiences in previously tested environments. The Coalition's roadmap includes plans to conduct additional research on desktop web, mobile web and other environments across various regions including further testing throughout Europe, in North America, Asia and Latin America.

"The Coalition will build on this important work by expanding its efforts to other regions and ad formats," said Stephan Loerke, CEO of World Federation of Advertisers (WFA). "The global reach of the Coalition's membership and the continuing addition of new members support our goal to improve the advertising experience for Internet users worldwide."

"As an industry we have a responsibility to find better ways of making great advertising and content that really engages people. It's in everyone's interest; better advertising leads to a better experience for the viewer and more effective advertising for brand," said Keith Weed, Chief Marketing Officer for Unilever. "The work of the Coalition to identify consumer preferences around ad formats will be a highly useful and insightful tool for the brand builders, advertisers and advertising agencies who are working to improve the quality of advertising for the viewer while driving effectiveness and efficiencies for the brand."

"These research results will serve as a foundation to the LEAN Scoring System, which is currently under development," said Alanna Gombert, General Manager, IAB Tech Lab, and Senior Vice President, Technology and Ad Operations, IAB. "Now we have actionable results that can be used to create tools to improve the user experience across interactive screens."

"This research will prove incredibly valuable to the marketers and advertisers who seek to responsibly leverage data to achieve deeper engagement with consumers," said Tom Benton, CEO of the Data Marketing Association (DMA). "With these insights and the initial Better Ads Standards, the full marketing ecosystem can move forward together to pursue better-performing ad placements and enhanced customer experiences."

"The Coalition's research is timely and useful," said Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) President and CEO Leigh Freund. "NAI members are committed to a free and open internet which depends on digital advertising. As a result, it is important to ensure that consumers can interact with advertising in a mutually beneficial way. Our high standards for member practices address consumers' privacy concerns, and the Coalition's work to address consumer annoyance issues can help guide our members and all advertisers to ensure a better consumer experience."

"Our members make huge investments in high-quality journalism, and those investments are still primarily sustained by advertising revenue," said David Chavern, President and CEO, News Media Alliance. "This exhaustive research allows advertisers, agencies, publishers and everyone else involved in the advertising ecosystem to have a much better understanding of the kinds of ads that consumers like to see and the ones they don't respond to. It is exactly the type of information that will lead to the higher performance for digital advertising as a whole."

Members and supporters of the Coalition, in alphabetical order, include the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's), AppNexus, Association of National Advertisers (ANA), BVDW Germany (rep. IAB Germany), Data Marketing Association (DMA), Digital Content Next, Facebook, Google, GroupM, IAB, IAB Europe, IAB France, IAB Tech Lab, IAB UK, Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), News Corp, News Media Alliance, Omnicom Media Group, Oriel, Procter Gamble, Sovrn, Teads, The Washington Post, Thomson Reuters, Unilever, and World Federation of Advertisers (WFA). An additional 80 trade associations from around the world are affiliates of the Coalition for Better Ads. Companies and trade associations that wish to join the Coalition can learn more at www.betterads.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005544/en/

Contacts:

70 Douglass Communications

Brendan McCormick, 917-972-9439

brendan@70douglass.com
ALBANY, New York, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Considering the presence of numerous companies, the global packaging automation market is witnessing high competition. While concentration of industries empowers buyers with improved bargaining power, it also has significant impact on the prevailing competition. While entry of new players is restricted, as it would mean hefty investments, the established players are toying various strategies to gain stronger foothold, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a new study.

For instance, ABB Ltd. is focusing on innovating technologies in the field of packaging robots, which is likely to help the company achieve its growth targets. Likewise, Siemens AG is funding research and development to expand its product portfolio. In the meantime, companies such as Rockwell Automation, Inc., and Schneider Electric SE are focusing on strategic collaborations and acquiring regional players to strengthen their market position.

Strategies adopted by companies to leverage growth has a profound impact on the overall packaging automation market. According to TMR, the global packaging automation, which was valued at US$31.12 bn in 2016, is expected to reach US$69.73 bn by the end of 2025. If these figures hold true, the global packaging automation market will exhibit a CAGR of 9.7% between 2017 and 2025. By application, the palletizing segment held the dominant revenue share of 27% in 2016. Regionally, Europe accounted for the highest share of 37% based on revenue in 2016.

Rising Demand for Automation across Packaging Industry to Boost Growth

Among various factors, the market is benefiting from, the rising demand for automation is primary. Industrial automation is highly recommended for manufacturers aiming to reduce human labor, thus allotting them separate tasks to improve the overall productivity. Considering this and the increasing demand for advanced packaging technologies, automation has become indispensable to the industry. Yet another factor pushing automation in the packaging industry is the need to cohere with novel packaging designs, product variants, batch manufacturing, and ensure shorter product lifecycle.

Get PDF Sample for this Research Report @http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=14096

Also the implementation of automation can help the packaging industry curb the expenditure it incurs on human labor. While the demand for packaging automation is comparatively lesser in smaller and medium businesses, the larger industries where a bulk of items are packed in a minute, robotic automation is highly sought after. In addition, automation helps in reducing the machine downtime, which is a chief factor fuelling its demand in the packaging industry.

High Investment Required at Initial Phase Could Hinder Growth

On the flip side, deploying automation requires huge investment at the initial stage. This is a primary factor preventing smaller and medium sized packaging industries from opting it. Instead a majority of smaller businesses prefer outsourcing packaging activities that may require automation. This could be a key challenge for the market, limiting its scope for expansion especially across emerging nations.

Get more information from Research Report Press Release:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/packaging-automation-market.htm

Nevertheless, in the coming years customized packaging solutions are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market. Besides this, the market is forecast to gain from the booming ecommerce sector as packaging is an indispensable part of the industry.

This review is based on a TMR study, titled "Packaging Automation Market (Application - Palletizing, Labeling, Filling, Capping, and Wrapping; Types - Packaging Robot, Automated Packagers, and Automated Conveyors; Industries - Logistics, Food and Beverage, Health Care, Retail, Electronics, and Automotive) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2017 - 2025."

The report segments the global packaging automation market as:

Global Packaging Automation Market, by Application:

Palletizing

Labeling

Filling

Capping

Wrapping

Others

Global Packaging Automation Market, by Type:

Packaging Robot

Automated Packagers

Automated Conveyors

Global Packaging Automation Market, by Industries:

Logistics

Food and Beverages

Health Care

Retail

Electronics

Automotive

Others

Packaging Automation Market, by Geography:

- North America

U.S.

Canada

Rest of North America

- Europe

U.K.

Germany

France

Italy

Rest of Europe

- Asia Pacific

India

China

Japan

Rest of Asia Pacific

- Middle East & Africa

South Africa

U.A.E.

Rest of Middle East and Africa

- Latin America

Brazil

Rest of Latin America

Top Most Research Reports by TMR:

Commercial Building Automation Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/commercial-building-automation.html

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IT Robotic Automation Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/it-robotic-automation-market.html

About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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In the recital on March 20th at the Vietnam National Music Academy, Melanie brought music alive by performing classic French songs with her unique Canadian interpretation.

Melanie has described the opportunity to share her talents and celebrate both Le Mois de la Francophonie and Canadas 150th anniversary of confederation in Hanoi as a truly unique experience:

Music is universal. Sharing songs and singing together is a visceral way to forge lasting connections between cultures, and to foster a true sense of a global community.







Photos: Tuyet Trang

Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam, Ping Kitnikone, noted the following: French, one of Canadas two official languages, is an essential component of Canadian history and identity. Canada's bilingualism is an invaluable asset for our future. Canada is particularly dedicated to promoting the Francophonie values of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and good governance; encouraging linguistic and cultural diversity; and providing international visibility for Canadas Francophone community.

Melanie has traveled to Africa, South America and the Caribbean to perform solo classical recitals and to sing at events for La Semaine de la Francophonie, and will now add Vietnam and Southeast Asia to that list. Melanies opera roles have included Gilda, La Fee, The Queen of the Night and Lima Energelly in the North American premiere of the Hebrew Opera And the rat laughed. She is based in Alberta, Canada, and has sung at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Her childrens show, Opera Mouse, and her interactive opera workshops will be shared with music students and young opera enthusiasts in Hanoi to introduce them to opera music. Melanies Opera Mouse has won numerous awards, and has been performed for thousands of kids worldwide, including Canada, Scotland, Sudan, Chad, Algeria and Morocco.

Hanoi is the final destination in Melanies tour around Taiwan, Laos, and Cambodia to showcase Canadian music and celebrate Le Mois de la Francophonie./.
MARKHAM, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH) today announced that lastminute.com group, a leader in online travel with a portfolio of the world's top travel brands, has selected Enghouse Interactive's Contact Center: Service Provider (CCSP) as the platform for its next generation community cloud service. CCSP is a multi-tenant solution designed for creating cloud-based contact centers.

"Enghouse Interactive's CCSP is the best solution with the features, functionality, reliability and flexibility to address the myriad of customer experience requirements in our hyper-competitive industry," said Marcello Milani, Project Sponsor and Customer Experience Director, lastminute.com. "The ability to replace multiple disjointed systems with a single, unified, multi-channel platform capable of handling different media and integrating into our back office systems is a crucial value-add."

"The travel industry is very competitive and an industry leader such as lastminute.com must have the right technology to provide exceptional service," said Jacki Tessmer, Vice President of Service Provider and Cloud Strategy, Enghouse Interactive. "Mapping to the sheer size of their contact center operation, it was clear they needed a solution with a rich feature set and extensive integration capabilities, yet which allowed quick and easy agent onboarding and management. We are honored to have been selected as the trusted provider to help lastminute.com deliver superior service to its customers."

CCSP is replacing several geographically disparate systems and unintegrated point solutions for email, chat, social media and voice. lastminute.com streamlines a previously complex agent workflow, removing multiple interfaces as it automates interaction delivery, regardless of customer location. The solution improves visibility of customer interactions, administration and unifies communications, delivering calls to a SIP softphone on a multi-media PC.

With CCSP, interactions are immediately directed to the right specialist, with automated customer lookup through the IVR and back-office integration. When a call from a repeat customer is presented to the system, the specialist has the specific trip itinerary and local language skills to handle the interaction as a priority.

With CCSP delivering a community cloud, lastminute.com's in-house and outsourced agents are connected, while maintaining autonomy to manage their configuration, data and agents. This multi-dimensional agent consolidation, multi-channel experience and voice infrastructure eases operational overhead. Enghouse Interactive's highly regarded cloud contact center platform empowers lastminute.com to manage its global agent community via a single unified platform.

ABOUT LASTMINUTE.COM GROUP

lastminute.com group is among the worldwide leaders in the online travel industry and operates a portfolio of well-known brands such as lastminute.com, Bravofly, Rumbo, Volagratis and Jetcost. Every month, the Group reaches across its websites and mobile apps (in 17 languages and 40 countries) to 43 million users that search for and book their travel and leisure experiences. The mission of the Group is to be an inspiring travel company, committed to enrich the lives of travellers offering support and services whenever they need it. lastminute.com NV is a publicly traded company listed under the ticker symbol LMN on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

ABOUT ENGHOUSE INTERACTIVE

Enghouse Interactive (www.enghouseinteractive.com) delivers technology and expertise to maximize the value of every customer interaction. The company develops a comprehensive portfolio of customer interaction management solutions. Core technologies include contact center, attendant console, predictive outbound dialer, knowledge management, IVR and call recording solutions that support any telephony environment, on premise or in the cloud. Enghouse Interactive has thousands of customers worldwide, supported by a global network of partners and more than 800 dedicated staff across the company's international operations.

Enghouse Interactive is a subsidiary of Enghouse Systems Limited, a software and services company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol ENGH. Founded in 1984, Enghouse Systems is a consistently profitable company, which has grown both organically and through the acquisition of well-regarded specialists including AndTek, Arc, CosmoCom, Datapulse, IAT, IT Sonix, Presence Technology, Reitek, Safeharbor, Syntellect, Telrex, Trio, Voxtron and Zeacom. Learn more at http://www.enghouseinteractive.com/.

Contacts:

Enghouse Systems Limited

Sam Anidjar

Vice President, Corporate Development

905-946-3200

investor@enghouse.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Great Lakes Graphite Inc. ("GLK" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE: GLK)(OTC PINK: GLKIF)(FRANKFURT: 8GL) today announces that the Company and Ashland Advanced Materials, LLC ("AAM" or "Ashland") have formed a partnership to work together to develop the capability for industrial scale purification of micronized graphite. Access to large volume purification capabilities will create a strong competitive advantage for Great Lakes Graphite as it continues preparations to join the energy storage and lithium-ion battery market supply chains.

Highlights

-- Great Lakes Graphite is partnering Ashland Advanced Materials, a leading provider of high purity graphitized carbon products. -- Baseline purification cost data and material for customer sampling have been generated. -- Niagara facility is optimally located to benefit from well established battery-related initiatives in upstate New York, including the recently opened Battery Commercialization Center.

Great Lakes Graphite has established a partnership with Ashland Advanced Materials, LLC, a privately-owned, leading provider of graphitized carbon products, headquartered in Niagara Falls, New York. The partnership is focused on high volume purification of micronized flake graphite. Towards this end, Great Lakes Graphite and Ashland have executed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a framework for now moving towards a definitive agreement that will formalize the terms of the partnership.

Senior Vice President of Sales Mike Coscia said, "We are extremely fortunate to have a partner with the advanced, industrial-scale graphite purification capabilities that Ashland offers. Equally as valuable is the accumulation of knowledge and experience by the Ashland team which is a critical resource in our joint development efforts. The initial purification work we have done together is providing baseline cost data and also high purity micronized graphite material for our customer sampling program."

The partnership will seek to leverage Ashland's Niagara location by connecting to ongoing economic development initiatives that are well-established in the region. In January 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Buffalo Billion Part 2, a continuation of a major state commitment to economic development in the Buffalo-Niagara area. Among other things, that initiative is targeting funding for strategic advanced manufacturing projects.

New York State has made a significant commitment to becoming a global leader in battery technology through investments in the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) headquartered in Albany, New York (https://www.ny-best.org/) and the Battery Commercialization Center that recently opened in the Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York (http://tinyurl.com/hke7vk2).

Matt Reineke, President of Ashland Advanced Materials, LLC, said, "We are excited about working with Great Lakes Graphite on graphite purification. We have gotten to know the team over the past year of working together and believe that there is a significant opportunity for high purity micronized graphite for a number of rapidly-growing markets. The Great Lakes team has proven themselves to be solid partners, resourceful and capable and well-aligned with our long held commitments and values that have Ashland Advanced Materials the successful enterprise that it is today."

Great Lakes Graphite Chief Executive Officer Paul Gorman said, "This partnership represents a watershed moment for the company. We have in Ashland Advanced Materials, a partner who represents a crucial link in the graphite value chain and a link that is indispensable to the manufacture of graphite material for lithium-ion battery anode usage. We are grateful to have a partner with truly world-class capabilities, a strategically-located facility that has all of the required infrastructure and an unparalleled wealth of knowledge regarding advanced carbon purification technologies. We will be sharing more information about development work we have been jointly conducting as those results become available."

About Ashland Advanced Materials, LLC: Ashland Advanced Materials, Niagara Falls, NY, is a world-class 110,000 square foot facility focused on producing high temperature heat treating products used in the solar cell and fuel cell industry. Ashland Advanced Materials is quickly becoming a global leader that provides customers with high quality advanced materials. AAM concentrates on heat treating materials using multiple induction lines with capability of reaching 3000C degrees temperatures. Ashland Advanced Materials has a positive impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption from utilizing hydropower from The Niagara Falls.

About Great Lakes Graphite: Great Lakes Graphite is an industrial minerals processing company working to supply customers with innovative, high quality value-added carbon products.

There is no significant graphite production in North America now. As pricing and demand continue to rise, Great Lakes Graphite is one of the first new domestic suppliers to a growing regional customer base. We continually work to deliver products of the best quality with outstanding customer service.

The Company is party to an agreement for shared use of a portion of an industrial facility located in Matheson, Ontario owned by Northfil Resources Limited, as well as for supply of high quality natural graphite concentrate (see news release dated 03/23/15), which have positioned Great Lakes Graphite to become an emerging domestic manufacturer and supplier of micronized products to a growing regional customer base.

Further information regarding Great Lakes can be found on the Company's website at: www.GreatLakesGraphite.com.

Great Lakes Graphite trades with symbol GLK on the TSX Venture Exchange and currently has 123,444,330 shares outstanding.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information: Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking information" which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking information. When used in this press release, such forward looking information may use such words as "may', "will', "expect', "believe', "plan' and other similar terminology. Forward looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations relating to the future events and the operating performance of the Company, and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to fulfill the orders and future orders, regulatory requirements, general economic, market or business conditions and future developments in the sectors of the economy in which the business of Great Lakes operates. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Please see the Company's financial statements, MD&A and other documents available on www.sedar.com, for a more detailed description of the risk factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking information, whether a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Paul Ferguson

Chief Marketing Officer

PFerguson@GreatLakesGraphite.com

1-800-754-4510 x106



Paul Gorman

Chief Executive Officer

PGorman@GreatLakesGraphite.com

1-800-754-4510 x109




Defense solutions provider Milrem is developing smart unmanned ground vehicles with concepts of how to use them on the modern battlefield as adaptive systems to minimize dangerous risks to warfighters. Milrem will launch joint product efforts with KONGSBERG and QinetiQ North America this week.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005353/en/

Milrem's fully modular unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS equipped with KONGSBERG PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station (Photo: Business Wire)

Milrem has developed the first fully modular unmanned ground vehicle with a hybrid diesel-electric drive, the THeMIS. This open architecture system may be configured mission-specific as required to be used in various combat roles.

With a 1:1 high payload of 750 kg 1650 lbs., THeMIS may also be equipped with a remote weapon station with embedded target detection and acquisition systems to provide fire support.

A remotely operated robotic fire support and force protection system has been developed with leading military innovators KONGSBERG and QinetiQ North America (QNA) and is being introduced at the Ground Robotics Capabilities Exhibition Conference 2017 (GRCCE) this week. This joint effort features the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle, the PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station, and QNA's UGV control systems.

"This is a great opportunity to collaborate with such an esteemed company as KONGSBERG and continue our cooperation with QNA. Integration of this remote weapon station is another example of how easily the THeMIS can be configured for different applications. These various applications form a system of robotic warfare capabilities" explained Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem.

Last October the companies introduced the Titan UGV for dismounted troop support that features the THeMIS UGV with QNA's UGV control technology the Tactical Robot Controller (TRC) and Robotic Applique Kit (RAK). This vehicle will also be displayed at GRCCE.

In parallel, Milrem is developing technologies for military forces to enable how unmanned ground systems may be used in combat as an efficient and powerful manned-unmanned teaming system that reduces battlefield risks to warfighters.

The end results of this program, known as Digital Infantry Battlefield Solution (DIBS) will result in recommendations for military doctrine in order to effectively use the capability of robotic systems.

To see the THeMIS in combat, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfqGuFYKSoE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTdRVkJ-YAU

About Milrem

Milrem is an Estonian technology solutions provider. The company's key business areas include the research and development of unmanned vehicles and life cycle management for heavy military vehicles.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005353/en/

Contacts:

Milrem

Gert Hankewitz, +372 56644416

Marketing Director

gert.hankewitz@milrem.ee
By adding a new 300,000 square foot facility, Kaiam plans to expand manufacturing and future vertical integration

Kaiam Corporation, a leader in advanced data center transceivers, today announced that it intends to acquire the manufacturing facilities of Compound Photonics (CP) in Newton Aycliffe in the UK. The acquisition includes investment by CP into Kaiam to further develop the facility. The agreement is subject to final approvals, but is expected to close in the coming quarter.

This large manufacturing space enables expansion of Kaiam's datacom transceivers manufacturing capacity, and also includes an extensive cleanroom for processing of III-V devices, including pHEMTs, HBTs, photodetectors, and lasers. Originally built as silicon fab for DRAMs, the plant was converted to III-V materials by subsequent acquirers and now has both a 3" and 6" line for III-V devices. The addition of the Newton Aycliffe facility continues Kaiam's trajectory of vertical integration. Kaiam acquired Gemfire, its strategic PLC supplier, in 2013 and currently operates an 8" silica-on-silicon line for the fabrication of integrated optical components in Gemfire's Livingston UK facility. It also operates 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s optical packaging lines in that facility that are close to capacity due to increased demand. The new facility in Newton Aycliffe, with the fully operational wafer-fab, allows Kaiam to expand its silica-on-silicon and transceiver manufacturing, and provides a long term roadmap to add integrated InP photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for advanced transceivers.

"Our optical integration technology is based on MEMS-assisted assembly of different materials and components," said Bardia Pezeshki, Kaiam's CEO. "We already have advanced integration in silica-on-silicon for manipulating light. In the future, with new modulation formats and increased speed, one also needs integration in the InP for generating, modulating, and detecting light. By using our unique hybrid integrated technology for combining silica-on-silicon PICs and InP PICs, we get the best of all worlds. The Newton Aycliffe site is a world-class facility in both capabilities and scale for producing III-V devices. This acquisition not only allows us to ramp product in the short term, but gives us access to advanced Integrated InP PICs at low cost that we will need in the long term."

"CP no longer needed an in-house laser facility at Newton Aycliffe, and is very pleased that its Newton Aycliffe team are joining a fast-growing company in Kaiam," added Brian Bolger, CFO at Compound Photonics. "As part of the transaction, CP is investing in Kaiam to become a significant shareholder, and looks forward to Kaiam's continued success."

About Kaiam Corporation

Headquartered in Newark, California, with large-scale manufacturing in Livingston, Scotland, Kaiam is a private company commercializing photonic integrated circuits. Founded in 2009 by leading technologists from the optical networking industry, the team has a record of delivering breakthrough products that change the rules of the marketplace. Current products include 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s LightScale optical transceivers optimized for data centers and a range of planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). For more information, visit www.kaiam.com and follow on Twitter: @KAIAMcorp.

About Compound Photonics Group

Compound Photonics Group Limited is a privately held photonics company, working on Liquid Crystal on Silicon display devices and laser technologies for a range of end uses in the projection and near to eye display markets. It has offices in Vancouver WA, and fabs in Phoenix AZ and Madison, WI.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005424/en/

Contacts:

Kaiam Corporation

Jeff Crerie

Communications Manager

jeff@kaiamcorp.com
HANNOVER, Germany, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology solution provider, has announced a new partnership with Software AG to support the increasing demand of companies for a complete one-stop-shop Internet of Things solution. The partnership will deliver the hardware and software needed to provide a cloud based IoT (Internet of Things) platform and the streaming analytic capabilities at the edge of the IoT that will allow for maximum speed and flexibility in operational and strategic decisions and responses.

As the Internet of Things increasingly impacts every enterprise and the entire global economy, more and more industrial enterprises understand that the new business opportunities are too vast; the challenges from new competitors to unpredictable and new customer expectations are too high for any enterprise to sit still.

To enable enterprises to take full control of their business strategies in a rapidly changing world and make those strategies flexible enough to react to the demands of digitalization when and where they need to, Huawei and Software AG are bringing together their core IoT competencies.

Huawei's hardware and software offerings for Cloud and Edge computing, Huawei's Open IoT Platform and Network Infrastructure capabilities combined with Software AG's streaming analytics, hybrid enterprise integration and predictive analytics will result in an unparalleled offering for customers to adopt and deploy a full IoT infrastructure from the cloud to the edge of the internet of things.

"The Internet of things, whether through Smart Industries, Smart Cities, Smart Energy and Connected Cars will impact society and the global economy on a massive scale. It will be truly game changing for every enterprise", stated Eric Duffaut, Chief Customer Officer, Software AG. "The power and breadth of Huawei's Cloud and IoT platforms combined with the software based intelligence and integration capabilities of Software AG's Digital Business Platform will allow any enterprise to harness the IoT and develop global, innovative digital product or services."

"With Software AG's capabilities and solutions, we are able to maximize the value of IoT and make it accessible to our customers wherever required.It fits seamlessly into our IoT vision."said Vincent Pang, President of Huawei Western Europe. "This cooperation continues to reflect our ongoing commitment to building cloud ecosystems with partners, and helping our European customers achieve greater business success."

The partnership between Huawei and Software AG will have an initial focus on Europe. In the spirit of a modern partner ecosystem both companies are keen in broadening and completing the offerings via additional partners who can add specific industry, integration and technology expertise.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com

Media Contact:

Estrella Li

+31 204300697

estrella.li@huawei.com
SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and digital media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces the publication of an article discussing InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (CSE: IN) (OTCQB: IMLFF) exceptional management team and their unique approach to the market.

The cannabis plant has been used for centuries for its therapeutic benefits, but researchers have only recently started to take a commercial interest in the plant. While the drug discovery process can be a billion dollar endeavor, there are some companies working on more efficient solutions to bring safe and effective cannabinoid-based drugs to market.

Exceptional Team

InMed Pharma has an exceptional management team and board of advisors with broad Healthcare and cannabinoid pharmaceutical-specific experience.

President & CEO Eric Adams is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of entrepreneurship and finance experience. Before starting InMed, Mr. Adams served as CEO of enGene Inc., which he led from a nascent start-up to becoming a venture capital-backed leader in gene therapy. He also served in senior roles at QLT Inc., Advanced Tissue Sciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Fresenius AG, among other companies.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ado Muhammed, MD, DPM, MFPM, was formerly the Associate Medical Director for GW Pharmaceuticals plc, the $2.8 billion cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical industry leader. During his time there, Dr. Muhammed was part of the team that developed Sativex, a cannabinoid-based drug designed to treat multiple sclerosis that has been approved in over 15 countries around the world.

Innovative Approach

InMed Pharma has taken a more precise approach to the drug discovery process than most competitors via its bioinformatics platform. Using extensive databases and proprietary algorithms, the technology rapidly identifies cannabinoid combinations that are likely to have an effect on specific diseases. This helps them dramatically shorten the drug discovery period and increases the likelihood of success from the onset of drug development.

Once they've isolated promising cannabinoid compounds, the company isolates the genes responsible for producing them and injects the genes with bacteria that act as a factory for mass producing them in a process similar to the way insulin is manufactured. The company can then combine these various compounds to create unique therapies that target specific diseases without having to worry about costly extraction from entire cannabis plants.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/inmeds-exceptional-team-executes-ambitious-plan/

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Learn how to become a CFN Media featured company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from your smart phone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/.

Contact:

Frank Lane

206.369.7050

flane@cannabisfn.com




SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and digital media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces the publication of an article discussing Maple Leaf Green World Inc.'s (TSX VENTURE: MGW) (OTCQB: MGWFF) plans to obtain licensed producer status over the near-term.

Canada's cannabis industry is expected to reach upwards of $20 billion in annual revenue over the coming years as recreational legalization is rolled out nationwide. Investors looking to capitalize on these dynamics have a limited number of opportunities with less than 40 producers licensed by Health Canada. Since most of these companies already trade with C$100+ million market capitalizations, investors may want to consider those close to obtaining a license.

Maple Leaf is in the last stage of approval ("Stage 5") to become a licensed producer under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR"). With many licensed producers trading with $100+ million market capitalizations, a license could be a significant opportunity for the company given its modest C$77 million existing market cap (as of March 16, 2017) -- even without considering its other business ventures in the United States.

In March, the company announced that it intends to raise up to C$6 million in a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors. The proposed private placement consists of an offering of up to 11 million units at a subscription price of $0.55 per unit, each unit being comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will be exercisable at a price of $0.85 for a period of two years after closing.

Maple Leaf has been working with TheraCann, a leading full service international marijuana consultancy, to prepare for the final stage of approval from Health Canada. After completing a site visit, the team made the decision to construct a new facility on 33 acres of vacant land rather than attempting to renovate the existing facility. This will enable the company to use the latest technologies to increase production per square foot and reduce production costs.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/maple-leaf-doubles-acmpr-license/

Learn how to become a CFN Media featured company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from your smart phone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/.

Frank Lane

206.369.7050

flane@cannabisfn.com




SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and digital media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces the publication of an article discussing Laguna Blends Inc.'s (CSE: LAG) (OTC PINK: LAGBF) plans to acquire a leading global cannabis firm and grow into a leader in the space.

The hemp-derived cannabidiol ("CBD") market has been growing at a rapid pace over the past few years. The Hemp Business Journal estimates that consumer CBD sales will soar more than 700% to $2.1 billion by 2020. Greenwave Advisors is even more optimistic about the growth in the CBD market, with Founder Matt Karnes telling Forbes that it could reach $3 billion by 2021 -- a significant growth rate and market for emerging companies.

Laguna Blends aims to become a market leader in the distribution of hemp and CBD products by acquiring and incubating companies in the space. Recently, the company announced that it signed a letter of intent to acquire a leading cannabis firm with unaudited annual sales of $12 million and adjusted EBITDA of $1,588,000. The transaction would occur for cash and stock consideration totaling $12.5 million, making it an attractive acquisition for shareholders.

In addition to its acquisition strategy, the company owns and operates a business-to-business network of affiliates and an online marketplace lagunablends.com to extend distribution. Currently, the company sells a complete line of CBD-infused skincare products through its Cannaceuticals website at www.cbdskincream.com. These products target everything from exfoliation to anti-aging and harness the power of CBDs and other cutting-edge compounds.

The potential acquisition of a revenue-generating firm in the space could provide the financial leverage to accelerate the company's acquisition strategy over the coming quarters as well as bolster its other internal efforts. At the same time, the company's online marketplace and affiliate network could open the door to significant synergies between acquired companies and generate significant long-term revenue for shareholders.

Please follow the link to read the full article:

http://www.cannabisfn.com/laguna-blends-moves-acquire-global-cannabis-leader/

Learn how to become a CFN Media featured company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from your smart phone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/.

Frank Lane

206.369.7050

flane@cannabisfn.com




SEATTLE, WA and WEST DUNDEE, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Davisware, Inc., an industry-leading service and dispatching software provider, today announced a partnership with Avalara, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based tax compliance automation for businesses of all sizes. Avalara's certified solution partners are software publishers that integrate Avalara's software as a service (SaaS) offering for sales tax management directly into their own applications.

Because of this partnership, Davisware customers, both GlobalEdge and S2K Vision, can now benefit from Avalara's real-time calculation of applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges for every billing line item. Avalara helps reduce the tedious work and complexity of determining taxes for millions of products and services across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other international jurisdictions, giving users more time to focus on driving their own business success. In addition, Davisware users can add Avalara's tax return preparation, filing, and remittance services.

"Davisware is an advocate of forging partnerships with companies who offer a true value-added service to our customers," says Jennifer Davis, President, Davisware, Inc. "By having both platforms equipped with this service, Davisware, in conjunction with Avalara, is able to offer tax calculation value-add as an option to even more customers who could benefit from automating the rigorous sales tax process."

Pascal Van Dooren, chief revenue officer at Avalara said, "Davisware customers trust in its ability to create technology systems for today's digital world. Avalara is proud to be a trusted partner for compliance and tax solutions and we are pleased to welcome Davisware into our community."

Avalara pioneered a cloud-based compliance platform for sales tax automation and provides an end-to-end suite of transactional tax compliance services for businesses of all sizes. Today its SaaS solution integrates into ERP systems, accounting packages, ecommerce shopping carts, Point of Sale systems, and mobile payment platforms used around the world. Avalara Certified partnerships pass a series of criteria developed by Avalara to ensure performance and reliability of the integration.

About Davisware

Davisware, Inc. was founded in 1988 by Dan and Jennifer Davis. Since inception, Davisware has employed a service-first approach and upheld its mission to offer comprehensive, all-inclusive technology products serving our users' unique business needs. By closely working with our U.S. and Canada customers, as well as partnering with the best technology providers, we offer technology solutions critical to the growth and success of your business.

Davisware's premier product lines, including GlobalEdge (GE), S2K Vision, Global Field Solution (GFS), Global One Fleet (GOF), E2 and Global Warranty (GW), in conjunction with a dedicated customer service team, intuitive ability to continually update our technology systems and a strong commitment to excellence, give us and our users the competitive advantage in the marketplace.

About Avalara

Avalara helps businesses of all sizes achieve compliance with transactional taxes, including sales and use, VAT, excise, communications, and other tax types. The company delivers comprehensive, automated, cloud-based solutions that are designed to be fast, accurate, and easy to use. Avalara's Compliance Cloud platform helps customers manage complicated and burdensome tax compliance obligations imposed by state, local, and other taxing authorities throughout the world.

Avalara offers more than 650 pre-built connectors into leading accounting, ERP, ecommerce and other business applications, making the integration of tax and compliance solutions easy for customers. Each year, the company processes billions of indirect tax transactions for customers and users, files more than a million tax returns and manages millions of tax exemption certificates and other compliance documents.

A privately held company, Avalara's venture capital investors include Sageview Capital, Battery Ventures, Warburg Pincus, Technology Crossover Ventures, Arthur Ventures, and other institutional and individual investors. Headquartered in in Seattle, Washington, Avalara has offices across the U.S. and overseas in the U.K., Belgium, Brazil, and India. More information at www.avalara.com

Media Contact

Jesse Hamlin

Hotwire for Avalara

avalara@hotwirepr.com

P: 518-281-0631



Josh Papke

Marketing Manager @ Davisware

jpapke@davisware.com

P: 847.426.6000 x305




CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - The number of U.S. households with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence (NIPR), increased by 400,000 to reach a record 10.8 million in 2016, according to Spectrem Group's Market Insights Report 2017. In every wealth segment, a sizable increase in number was recorded in 2016.

Spectrem Group's annual report analyzes the number of households in America based on net worth, from the Mass Affluent ($100,000 as the minimum) to the $25 million-plus segment. The report also includes information on the investment habits and behaviors of investors in all of the designated wealth segments.

Key findings include:

In 2016, there were 30.5 million Mass Affluent households with a net worth between $100,000 and $1 million, NIPR. That reflected an increase of 700,000 households from 2015.

The number of Millionaires, with a net worth between $1 million and $5 million, climbed by 238,000 households to a record 9.38 million.

The Ultra High Net Worth market, in which net worth is between $5 million and $25 million, grew to 1,264,000 households, an increase of 54,000 from 2015.

The number of $25 million-plus households reached 156,000, an increase of 11,000 (7.5 percent).

"The record levels of households reflect the significantly higher values of all asset classes post-recession, and the recent record level of the United States markets following the presidential election has added demonstrably to the asset level of most affluent investors," said George H. Walper, Jr., President of Spectrem Group.

After a notable decrease in affluent households as a result of the recession, all wealth segments have returned to their pre-2008 levels and gone well beyond. There are 1.6 million more Millionaires in America in 2016 than there were in 2007, just before the crash affected wealth levels in almost all American households.

Additional information on Spectrem studies can be found at Spectrem.com.

About Spectrem Group: Spectrem Group (www.spectrem.com) strategically analyzes its ongoing primary research with investors to assist financial providers and advisors in understanding the Voice of the Investor.

Contact:

George H. Walper, Jr.

(224) 544-5350

Email contact


The honouring ceremony took place at France Embassy on March 20th.

Professor Phan Huy Le, born in 1934 in the central province of Ha Tinh, was President of the Vietnam Association of Historical Science from 1990 to 2015. He was elected a foreign correspondent member of the Academy of Inscriptions and Bells-Letres in 2011. The French School of the Far East (Ecole francaise d'Extreme-Orient - EFEO), also gave an Honourary Doctorate degree the professor.

Professor Phan Huy le (left) honoured (Photo by Nam Tran)

In November 2011, the professor discovered by chance the only manuscript of the Vietnamese epic poem Luc Van Tien (The Story of Luc Van Tien) along with illustrations during a visit to the library of the Institute of France. It had been in storage for the past 120 years and almost no one had paid attention to the documents existence or its value.

Luc Van Tien was penned by the blind poet, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, in the Nom script (Sinitic characters peculiar to Vietnam) in the 19th Century./.
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Betts Recruiting (Betts Recruiting, Inc.), the leading recruitment firm specializing in revenue-generating talent for high growth companies, today announced the opening of its fifth U.S. location with its new Los Angeles office. The company will be located in Playa Vista, part of what is largely known as "Silicon Beach."

On the heels of the Snap Inc. (SNAP) IPO, Betts is expanding to what Inc. Magazine calls one of the "top 10" global startup hubs. According to Union Square Ventures, Los Angeles is part of the second tier of startup markets, just behind Silicon Valley. Additionally, the hundreds of startups that call L.A. home raised a total of $3 billion in capital, according to CB Insights.

Betts decision is not just in response to the booming L.A. market but also the expanded demand from its current clients. The initial focus will be on Martech, advertising and healthcare tech, as well as SaaS companies.

"We are witnessing the tech boom first hand with demand for a presence in LA, especially at the convergence of transparency, innovation and government," said Nina Bankar, Vice President of Customer Success, of Redwood City-based OpenGov, the first integrated cloud solution for government budgeting, management reporting and open data. "We chose Betts because of their extensive experience and success with finding the finest sales talent for fast-moving innovative companies like ours."

The office will be led by experienced recruiter and California native, Jessica Woodside. "We are excited to expand our Southern California presence, adding to our deep roots in San Francisco and Silicon Valley," said Woodside. "We see Silicon Beach and the Los Angeles area broadly as an important frontier for high-growth companies, especially early-stage ones that are looking to expand their sales, marketing and customer success talent."

While the geographic focus will lie in Santa Monica and Culver City, the sales territory for the new Betts office will extend from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

"We set out to be the very best partner for our clients as they expand their scale and grow their revenue," said Carolyn Betts Fleming, founder and CEO of Betts Recruiting. "Los Angeles is home to many of the most innovative companies in the country and we will leverage our unparalleled network, industry expertise and decades of collective recruiting experience from day one."

About Betts Recruiting Betts Recruiting is the leading global recruitment firm specializing in recruiting revenue-generating talent such as Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success for innovative companies in tech, consulting, biotech, logistics, media agencies, and more. Betts brings a customized approach to each search, ensuring hiring managers find the best person for each position they are looking to fill and job seekers find the best company for their background, skills, and interests. Betts Recruiting works with all individual candidates to understand their goals, career growth, and experience. This method ensures companies only see top quality candidates and are able to quickly move forward in their hiring process. Betts Recruiting's four offices in the US include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Austin, and New York. These headquarters also cover areas such as Denver, CO, Boulder, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Provo, UT, Dallas, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Chicago, IL, Seattle, WA, and Atlanta, GA. Abroad, Betts Recruiting's London-based office services Amsterdam, Dublin, Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg as well.

Some of Betts Recruiting's clients include: EATClub, SurveyMonkey, GitHub, Grovo, VentureBeat, and MuleSoft. You can find Betts Recruiting on Twitter @BettsRecruiting and on LinkedIn. Follow Betts for sales news, interview tips, hiring best practices, and more. The Economist calls it the third most prominent startup market in the U.S., after San Francisco and New York.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/21/11G133721/Images/Los_Angeles_Photo-168d75a118968bdab6c965578b40b43a.jpg

CONTACT INFORMATION

For Business Inquiries:

Jessica Woodside

jwoodside@bettsrecruiting.com

(310) 241-3730



For Press Inquiries:

Chris Allieri

Betts Recruiting

chris@mulberryandastor.com

(646) 245-8937
BOCA RATON, FL--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Cleartronic, Inc. (OTC PINK: CLRI) through their subsidiary, ReadyOp Communications, Inc., announced the signing of a five-year agreement to provide the ReadyOp software platform for the State of Kentucky Department of Public Health (DPH). The Department will be using ReadyOp' statewide for planning, communications and incident response for their local health departments and to coordinate with other state and local agencies, hospitals and points of care.

"We have several agencies that have asked for multiyear contracts. This is our first contract in the state of Kentucky and we are excited to begin with a five-year agreement," said Marc Moore, CEO of ReadyOp Communications.

ReadyOp' provides a single, secure location for organizations to consolidate incident and emergency plans, rosters, tasks, roles, groups and more. Each agency has its own secure website to plan personnel and roles, emergency operations, callout teams and other groups that may be needed. ReadyOp' also enables users to communicate and interact quickly and efficiently with each other using voice, text, emails and two-way radios regardless of their location. ReadyOp' is currently in use by many local, state and federal agencies, hospitals, schools and universities and corporations for daily operations, incident and emergency response planning, regional fusion and coordination, continuity of operations (COOP) planning and for event planning and operations. ReadyOp' is the only program that provides planning, operations, and communications, including two-way radio communications, in a single platform.

About Cleartronic, Inc.

Cleartronic, Inc. is a technology holding company that creates and acquires operating subsidiaries with the goal of manufacturing and selling products, services, and integrated systems to government agencies and business enterprises. ReadyOp' is a secure, web-based platform that provides organizations with a single site for planning, responding, communicating and documenting personnel, tasks, assets, and activities. Cleartronic currently has two operating subsidiaries, ReadyOp Communications, Inc. and VoiceInterop, Inc. -- www.cleartronic.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release may include predictions, estimates, opinions or statements that might be considered "forward-looking" under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements generally can be identified by phrases such as the Company or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates," or other, similar words or phrases.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/21/11G133722/Images/clri_readop-224189e5d34ca90aae5109e284a6edd4.jpg

Contact:

Larry Reid

561-939-3300 Ext 143
ORLANDO, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Fattmerchant, a payment processing provider at the forefront of Orlando's tech scene, announces its hiring of three new positions including an operations analyst, VP of sales, and business development associate, to join its award-winning team. With more than 25 employees currently on staff, the company anticipates to hire 15 new employees by the end of 2017. This expansion allows Fattmerchant to further streamline payment processing for businesses of all sizes on a national level.

"Our product functions as one cohesive platform, aiming to shake up the payments industry and add a personal touch to a traditionally impersonal practice. We want our team to function the exact same way," said Suneera Madhani, CEO and founder of Fattmerchant. "This expansion is just the beginning for us. Our new hires will contribute to our overall goal of exceeding milestones with increased processing numbers, new clients and additional partnerships."

Fattmerchant has continued to see substantial growth this year and hit $750 million in transactional volume for their customers in 2016, a 681 percent increase from 2015. Lastly, Fattmerchant has raised $2.25 million in total funding since 2016, advancing the company's technology and customer acquisition.

Fattmerchant's technology provides streamlined functionality not available through other providers, such as seamless account views and comprehensive analytics. Businesses using Fattmerchant also have access to services such as a user-friendly virtual terminal, invoicing, subscription billing and integrated payments -- all on one platform, Fattmerchant Payments Online. Each new hire contributing to Fattmerchant's expansion also has the opportunity to work on a team committed to customer service. The human touch is a cornerstone value for Fattmerchant's services, and through its expansion, its customer service initiative will continue to grow alongside it.

To view and apply for Fattmerchant's open positions, please visit www.fattmerchant.com/careers/.

About Fattmerchant

Fattmerchant is a merchant service provider offering unlimited payment processing with unmatched customer service. Suneera Madhani, CEO of Fattmerchant, founded the company in 2014 after working in the credit card processing industry for years, wanting to sell a product that customers would be excited about. Fattmerchant offers plans for every business and brings the human touch back to payment processing.

Media Contact

Jessica Garcia

Uproar PR for Fattmerchant

321-236-0102

Email Contact




LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

This Saturday 25th March, the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, will welcome 4,000 visitors to the UK's largest event aimed at informing, inspiring and educating private investors. The Master Investor Show brings together private investors of all portfolio sizes to hear keynote talks from celebrity investors and gain access to new investment opportunities.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/481235/Master_Investor_Show.jpg )



Visitors can connect with the CEOs, founders and decision-makers of nearly 100 global companies in the event's exhibition zones. Companies can tap into investors to increase liquidity in their shares, to raise new funding, or to place their financial products.

Master Investor CEO Swen Lorenz: "Modern investors look at a broad range of asset classes. Shares, bonds and funds remain a mainstay of every portfolio, but private investors increasingly also look at early-stage venture investing, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, international stocks, and binary betting. They are also looking for alternative sources of information, and are keen to learn about online tools that can help them improve their investment performance. We offer all of this under one roof, in a single day, and combined with keynote presentations by some of the most highly regarded investment experts this country has to offer."

Event organisers expect around 4,000 investors to attend. Now in its 15th year, the event initially began with a focus on AIM-listed companies and has since grown into a much broader affair. Ordinary investors will get the opportunity to speak to the CEOs and founders of 100 companies from multiple investment sectors, including equity funds and retirement saving, crowdfunding, life sciences and FinTech, and alternative finance such as film funding and peer-to-peer lending.

46 guest speakers will deliver talks across four stages. On the main-stage, five of the most prominentnames in the British investment industry will give talks packed with investment tips, insights and the next market trends. This year's main-stage celebrity line-up:

Jim Mellon , arguably Britain's most successful private investor and worth over 850m

, arguably most successful private investor and worth over 850m Justin Urquhart Stewart , co-founder of Seven Investment Management and a household name in investing

, co-founder of Seven Investment Management and a household name in investing Alex Wright , Portfolio Manager at Fidelity's Special Situations Fund, and Britain's best-known equity fund manager

, Portfolio Manager at Fidelity's Special Situations Fund, and best-known equity fund manager Tom Stevenson , Investment Director at Fidelity International and market commentator

, Investment Director at Fidelity International and market commentator Goncalo de Vasconcelos, CEO of SyndicateRoom, the innovative online investment platform

The Master Investor Show has attracted major names as sponsors. Fidelity International, Seven Investment Management, Edison Research, SyndicateRoom, Deutsche Borse, Northland Capital Partners Limited, Selftrade, Huddle Capital, KPMG, and London South East are all sponsoring the event. Share Radio and TipTV are media partners.

To find out more about the Master Investor Show, visit: http://www.masterinvestor.co.uk/show

About Master Investor Ltd.

Master Investor Ltd. is an investment media and events company that delivers independent, financial commentary and analysis to UK private investors and traders. Master Investor Ltd. is backed by Jim Mellon, the well-known financier. It is privately held with offices in London and the Isle of Man.

http://www.masterinvestor.co.uk

Social media:

http://www.facebook.com/masterinvestor

http://www.twitter.com/masterinvestor

Contact: James Hudson, james.hudson@masterinvestor.co.uk
CAPE BRETON, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Today, Cape Breton Regional Hospital paediatric patients join the Upopolis network, an innovative social media platform that helps young patients safely and securely access youth-friendly medical content, and stay connected with other patients as well as their families and friends while undergoing care.

Founded and created by Kids' Health Links Foundation (KHLF) and powered by TELUS Health, Upopolis.com is Canada's only private, secure and trusted online social network designed for kids and teens receiving medical care in hospitals and clinics. Upopolis differs from typical social networks by delivering therapeutic benefits for the youth who use it. These benefits include being able to access medical content written in youth-friendly language so patients can better understand their diagnosis and treatment plan; and enabling connections with other patients who share similar diagnoses through public and private discussion groups, which can lead to new friendships, shared experiences and new interests that form a broader support network for the patient.

"Our unit functions on family centered care," says Tracy Warren-Salt, Child Life Specialist, Pediatrics Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital. "We try to make the unit feel as much like home as possible. Adding Upopolis is another way we can help reduce the anxiety of a hospital stay and make it as normal and positive an experience as possible for our patients and their families."

In addition to remaining securely and privately connected with networks outside of the hospital or treatment centre while undergoing care, Upopolis also provides patients with familiar features of social networking such as personal profiles, newsfeed, instant chat, photo uploading and creating spaces based on common interests and/or diagnoses.

"Today, over 2,500 youth in children's hospitals across Canada have been able to access Upopolis. This is made possible by the overwhelming support of TELUS as our technology partner, as well as our many individual and corporate supporters," said Basile Papaevangelou, chairman and founder of Kids' Health Links Foundation. "Having Cape Breton Regional Hospital join our Upopolis family brings us one step closer to our goal of making Upopolis available across the country in every medical treatment facility that serves children and youth. We are excited for the patients to benefit from what the platform offers, and for them to take advantage of the opportunities for connection, collaboration and leadership that Upopolis brings to their hospital experience."

KHLF and TELUS Health launched the first Upopolis program in 2007 at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton. Since then it has expanded to 24 additional hospitals and health organizations across Canada. The Upopolis team and TELUS Health also work together to adapt the program to meet the specific needs of each facility, whether adding French language capabilities or information specific to mental health.

"For youth undergoing medical treatment, research shows us that the ability for them to stay connected with their support network, both inside and outside of the hospital, is a significant part of the healing process," said Paul Lepage, President, TELUS Health. "Through Upopolis and our extensive work using innovative technology to drive better health outcomes for Canadians, we are privileged to help youth stay connected to friends, family and others facing similar health challenges, as well as learn more about their health through access to online medical information in a safe and secure environment."

About Cape Breton Regional

Cape Breton Regional Hospital, located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, is the regional referral and trauma centre for Cape Breton Island. The hospital is home to the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, the An Cala Palliative Care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and renal dialysis unit. It offers a variety of general and specialized services including medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, pulmonary, neurology and clinical support services.

About TELUS Health

TELUS Health is a leader in telehomecare, electronic medical and health records, consumer health, benefits management and pharmacy management. TELUS Health solutions give health authorities, providers, physicians, patients and consumers the power to turn information into better health outcomes. For more information about TELUS Health, please visit telushealth.com.

About the Kids' Health Links Foundation

The Kids' Health Links Foundation was founded by Basile Papaevangelou and his daughter Christina to foster initiatives focused on alleviating the stress, isolation and loneliness for kids and teens undergoing medical care so that they might be better able to overcome traumatic medical experiences. These initiatives include: Upopolis -- targeting healthy connections for paediatric patients; Upedia -- providing resources supporting child life specialists; and UMIND -- connecting professionals dedicated to child and youth mental health. For more information about the Kids' Health Links Foundation please visit: kidshealthlinks.org.

Contacts:

Krista Naugler

Kids' Health Links Foundation

902-885-5002

krista@kidshealthlinks.org



Lynn Gilbert

Cape Breton Regional

902-567-7760

lynn.gilbert@nshealth.ca



Jill Yetman

TELUS Media Relations

416-992-2639

jill.yetman@telus.com




Recently an article published in The Telegraph reported, one in three children send naked selfies when online. John Stix, President of KidsWifi, commented, "The problem is much more serious than we could imagine as parents, or would want to have to accept. When I grew up, we simply didn't have these types of negative exposure, and it happens in a split second."

Additionally, KidsWifi has received endorsement from Darren Laur, former Victoria Police Force Staff Sargent, citing his firsthand experience of the effect the Internet can have amongst children as the need for a safer digital ecosystem, "I believe that KidsWifi is an excellent option for families in helping to protect children online."

Shawn Achor, world-renowned happiness researcher and NY Times best-selling author of The Happiness Advantage, has teamed up with KidsWifi and provides insight on the psychological effects the Internet can have on children. "We can't just eliminate the negative. The absence of disease is not health. Health is what happens on the positive side of the curve where we see what our brains and bodies are capable of achieving. KidsWifi not only makes the Internet safe again, it dramatically transforms the Internet into a platform for educating our kids through positive content."

With support from Sarah, The Duchess of York, combined with KidsWifi's current official spokespersons and ambassadors, KidsWifi is ready to spread awareness on the current state of the Internet and how it's affecting children. Sarah, The Duchess of York, is not only assisting with spreading awareness, but also helping KidsWifi enter into retail stores and online in the United Kingdom, and introducing KidsWifi to other strategic influencers. John Stix, President of KidsWifi, is ecstatic to have her support, "The Duchess of York, along with our current partners are helping us build awareness of this most serious issue facing our children globally. I want to thank the Duchess of York for all her efforts and friendship with KidsWifi."

Shawn Achor said, "It is rare to find someone who devotes as much of their creativity, intelligence and resources to creating happiness in the world as the Duchess of York. Her optimism is contagious, and she is committed to the belief that change is possible. I am thrilled to announce our partnership with the Duchess."

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/21/11G133649/Images/KidsWifi_image_-_March_21_2017-245383442c95b3909db50a3981043d6e.jpg

KidsWifi Contact:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kidswifi

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kidswifi

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kidswifidotcom

Website: http://kidswifi.com

Contact: press@kidswifi.com



Sarah, The Duchess of York Contact:

James Henderson

JHenderson@bellpottinger.com

07774 444 163



Jack Harvard Taylor

JHarvardtaylor@bellpottinger.com

07920 785 555
ALBANY, New York, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

TMR finds that the global luxury apparels market will reach US$60.7 bn by 2024, rising from a value of US$1.8 bn in 2015, registering a strong CAGR of 13.2% therein.

The luxury apparels market, by nature, is quite fragmented, with the top three companies accounting for less than 40.0% in the global market in 2015. Although Louis Vuitton Malletier SA, Kering SA, and Hugo Boos have been identified as the leading luxury brands in the world, the market continues to be fiercely competitive with local as well as multinational firms constantly trying to gain a strong foothold in this market.

Transparency Market Research (TMR), in a recent report, makes an interesting observation when it comes to companies in the luxury apparel market. Although the emergence of e-commerce has taken the retail sector by storm, luxury brands stand out as an exception to this. The nature of the luxury market is such that companies in this space have the ability to sustain themselves on their own, with little to no help from the online retail industry. A case in point would be market leader Louis Vuitton. The Paris-based luxury conglomerate, in October 2016, refused to do business with Amazon.com, saying it "did not fit" with the company's brand.

The one strategy that does work for all companies in the luxury apparel market, however, is expansion of their brand portfolio. Taking into consideration just the top two players, each of them have to their credit a number of well-known and well-established brands. Louis Vuitton Malletier SA has Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, Fendi, and NUDE amongst many; Kering SA boasts of brands such as Gucci, Puma, and Christopher Kane.

Get PDF Sample for this Research Report @http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16874

Men and Women Account for Significant Share in Luxury Apparel Market

The global luxury apparels market includes materials such as cotton, leather, silk, and denim. Cotton leads the global market with a share of almost 36.0% in 2015 and the demand for the same stems primarily from regions such as Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. Denim is anticipated to emerge as a highly lucrative segment during the forecast period, registering a CAGR of 13.8% from 2016 to 2024. As far as gender is concerned, women dominate the luxury apparels market; however, the men are not far behind. Both the segments accounted for an almost equal share in 2015.

From a geographical perspective, Europe accounts for a massive share in the global luxury apparel market thanks to the strong presence of numerous luxury brands across the region. On the other hand, Asia Pacific holds immense promise, exhibiting a healthy CAGR of 14.5% over the course of the forecast period.

Browse Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/luxury-apparels-market.htm

Increased Presence of HNWI with a Tendency to Splurge on Luxury Items a Major Growth Driver

One of the most significant factors that drives the demand for luxury apparel across the globe is a change in the standard of living of the people. Studies have shown that the number of people living in extreme poverty has declined to a certain degree and this factor, supplemented with a rise in disposable income has had a positive impact on the luxury apparel market. Moreover, there has been an increase in the number of high net worth individuals, mainly across Asia Pacific. Asia stands out as a region with the highest number of HNWIs, in terms of both population and wealth, with China and Japan emerging as big spenders. This gives the luxury apparels market a major boost.

On the down side, high entry-level barriers are likely to blemish the progress this market has made thus far. The amount of capital required to be invested in this market is exceptionally high and companies need to constantly innovate in order to stay on top. Investments could mean in terms of maintaining the quality, history, craftsmanship, and heritage of the brand. They could also mean developing newer distribution networks and marketing channels.

This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Luxury Apparels Market (Material - Cotton, Leather, Silk, and Denim; Gender - Men and Women) - Global Industry Analysis, Trend, Size, Share and Forecast 2016-2024."

Related Research Reports by TMR:

Luxury Hotels Market:

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/luxury-hotels-market.html

Luxury Goods Market:

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/luxury-goods-market.html



About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

US Office Contact:

Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700

Albany, NY 12207

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.com


Amanda Benfell PR Manager, Warc Email: amanda.benfell@warc.com Tel: +44 20 7467 8125

LONDON, Mar 22, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - 20 brands from around the world have been shortlisted for the Warc Innovation Awards, a global search for effective marketing innovation.The 25-strong judging panel, chaired by Dana Anderson, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of global snacks company Mondelez International, have shortlisted a diverse selection of campaigns from a wide range of territories including Australia, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Slovenia, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.The brands and organisations shortlisted this year are AbsorbPlate, Axe, Baheya Cancer Hospital, Bodyform, Bou Khalil Supermarch?, BT Sport, CNCO, Currys PC World, Dyson, Emirates NBD, HELPMET, Inorbit Malls, Lifebuoy, MasterCard, NHI - Daman, Penguin Random House, Vision Australia, Spar Interspar, Toyota and Whirlpool.The aim of the Warc Innovation Awards, now in their fifth year, is to recognise innovative thinking that delivers tangible results. The top entries will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. The Grand Prix for the best overall paper will receive $5,000 and five $1,000 Special Awards recognising specific areas of excellence will be awarded at the judges' discretion for: innovation in a product or service, channel innovation, category innovation, co-created innovation and innovation in a not-profit-campaign.More information on the shortlisted entries is available to view at www.warc.com/InnovationAwards.prizeshortlist.About Warc - Ideas and evidence for marketing peopleWarc.com is an online service offering advertising best practice, evidence and insights from the world's leading brands. Warc helps clients grow their businesses by using proven approaches to maximise advertising effectiveness. Warc's clients include the world's largest advertising and media agencies, advertisers, research companies and universities.Warc also publishes leading journals including Admap, Market Leader, the Journal of Advertising Research and the International Journal of the Market Research Society. In addition to its own content, Warc features advertising case studies and best practices from more than 50 respected industry sources, including: ARF, Effies, Cannes Lions, ESOMAR and IPA. Warc hosts three annual case study competitions: Warc Prize for Innovation, Warc Prize for Social Strategy and Warc Prize for Asian Strategy.Founded in 1985, Warc is privately owned and has offices in the UK, U.S. and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warc.com.Source: Warc - Ideas and evidence for marketing peopleContact:Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
PYONGYANG (dpa-AFX) - The White House said the United States is exploring new diplomatic, security and economic options targeting North Korea, which claims to be developing a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with an atomic warhead. Responding to a question during a routine news conference Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, 'The United States, in coordination with our allies, is exploring a new range of diplomatic, security, and economic measures in response to the grave and escalating threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.' The White House statement coincides with the introduction of a legislation in the House of Representatives by Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, to tighten US sanctions against North Korea. The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chairman Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Ranking Member Brad Sherman (D-CA), says North Korea's nuclear arsenal poses a growing and urgent threat to the United States. 'Soon, many believe the Kim Jong Un regime will be able to target all 50 states and our Asian allies with a nuclear warhead', it warns. Pyongyang claims it is in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, fitted with a nuclear warhead, that could reach the US mainland. Experts say the reclusive Communist nation may be able to reach such capability in this decade. Earlier this month, North Korea had fired four rockets in what it termed as a rehearsal for an attack on US bases in Japan. Meanwhile, South Korea's Defense Ministry said that the North conducted an unsuccessful missile test from an air base in the eastern port of Wonsan Wednesday. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. shares were little changed in lackluster trade on Wednesday as the pound held steady against the dollar and euro, offsetting gains in resources stocks. Investors waited for a parliamentary vote after Prime Minister Theresa May said she had decided 'with reluctance' that an election was needed to strengthen the government's hand as the country commences Brexit negotiations. The benchmark FTSE 100 was marginally lower at 7,145 in late opening deals after plunging as much as 2.5 percent the previous day. Mining stocks rebounded from losses in the previous session, with Anglo American, Glencore and Antofagasta climbing 1-3 percent. Supermarket giant Tesco gained half a percent after announcing the sale of its opticians business in Ireland and the UK to Vision Express. Associated British Foods rose over 1 percent. The company which owns discount fashion chain Primark lifted its interim dividend after reporting a sharp increase in first half profits. Outsourcing firm Bunzl fell over 1 percent after saying its overall trading for the period since 31 December 2016 has been consistent with expectations at the time of the annual results announcement. Luxury group Burberry fell almost 6 percent. The company's quarterly sales missed analyst estimates as tough conditions in the United States overshadowed 'exceptional' performance in its home market. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The signing ceremony for agricultural cooperation between Dutch and Vietnamese enterprises at the event. (Photo: VNA)

The visit aims to seek more investment and business opportunities in the agricultural sector in Vietnam.

On March 20th, the delegation joined a talk to share the European countrys experience in developing sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change.

The talk focused on discussing agricultural conversion demand towards sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, feasible solutions for crop productivity increase in the salinity and drought condition in the Mekong Delta and initiatives to establish sustainable pepper production chain.

Agriculture in the Mekong Delta can not be developed sustainably with the current circumstance. To change the actuality, Vietnam should to expand cooperation for a long-term plan. Aiming at sustainable development, Vietnams agriculture needs great changes in various phases, Ms. Sonnema said.

Also at the event, Dutch and Vietnamese enterprises signed some deals to support equipment production and purchase and knowledge conversion; carry out sustainable agricultural system and hi-tech; cooperate to introduce certificate of international standards to develop agricultural value chain.

This is not the first time Dutch companies showed their interest in investing and developing the countrys agriculture. Earlier, in the end of 2016, 34 Dutch enterprises, universities and institutes visited Vietnam to seek opportunities and expand solutions to support farmers in the value added chain to increase income.

The Vietnam-Netherland trade is still growing. In 2015, Vietnams exports to the Netherlands rose 42% while imports from the market increased 37% over a year earlier. The country is the Vietnams second biggest trade partner among EU countries and is the biggest investor of the EU in Vietnam by 2015./.
PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Uberrito announced today the opening of its newest restaurant, located at 4325 E Indian School Road, Suite 150 in the Arcadia Gateway shopping center. The newest Arcadia location celebrates its grand opening on Thursday, March 23, 2017. It joins the nearby Scottsdale location as the second Phoenix-area Uberrito restaurant.

On Thursday, March 23, Uberrito will kick off grand opening day festivities by offering the first 100 customers a free meal, VIP loyalty card loaded with a free burrito every month for a year, and exclusive branded giveaways. In celebration of National Chip and Dip Day that same day, Uberrito will celebrate with samples of chips, house made salsa, guacamole and queso.

Additional grand opening day offers for all customers include:

Burrito, drink and cookie combo for just $2.99 all day long

Buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a future visit

Customers registering for the loyalty program during opening week will also receive a free burrito and cookie to redeem at a future visit

Chance to win free burritos for a year, gift cards and other prizes by playing Uberrito's spin-to-win game

From March 23-31, all seven Uberrito locations in Phoenix and Houston will celebrate opening week with $5 burritos and bowls. Registered loyalty card members earn double points all week as well.

Uberrito will cap off Arcadia grand-opening festivities with a friendly school spirit "Uberrito Burrito Battle" fundraiser between area schools. From April 1-8, customers are encouraged to visit the Arcadia Uberrito and mention the school they would like to support at checkout. Uberrito will donate 15 percent of proceeds from every school purchase and match sales up to $2,500 for the school with the most sales. In addition, the winning school, which will be announced in April, receives a catered teacher and staff appreciation party for up to 100 people.

Participating schools currently include:

Arcadia High School (4703 E Indian School Rd.)

Camelback High School (4612 N 28th St.)

Christ Lutheran School (3901 E Indian School Rd.)

"We are thrilled to open our second location in Phoenix, continuing our expansion efforts in the Southwest," said Marcus Jundt, CEO of Uberrito. "Our first Phoenix location has been a big hit with customers, and we know the Arcadia area will enjoy our signature fresh-Mex food, unexpected taste combinations and vibrant atmosphere. We look forward to serving our new customers for many years to come."

Uberrito encourages customers to "try something nu", offering nearly unlimited combinations with eight different proteins, 28 ingredients, eight house-made salsas and four flavors of fresh tortillas. Customers wishing to go tortilla free may opt for a bowl, salad or nachos layered in queso. The menu also includes "10 Tasty Tacos" and house-made tortilla soup.

About Uberrito

The Uberrito concept launched December 2014, building on the success of the former Mission Burrito founded in 1996 in Houston. The fast-casual concept goes above and beyond the basic burrito, offering customers flavor, variety and a unique dining experience. Menu items include unlimited combinations with eight different proteins, 28 ingredients, eight house-made salsas, and four flavors of fresh tortillas. Bowls, salads, house-made tortilla soup and "10 Tasty Tacos" are customer favorites. Visit Uberrito online at http://uberrito.com and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3121687



Media Contact:

April Lynch

Principal

Lynchpin Strategic Communications

(713) 922-1895

Email Contact




SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - March 22, 2017) - Tech CU (Technology Credit Union) announced today that it is participating in a $27.4 million construction loan originated and led by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). This loan will provide funding for First Community Housing to build a new 135-unit affordable housing project in San Jose called Second Street Studios. Tech CU's participation will total $8 million.

"For more than 57 years, we've been passionate about helping our local community. Today, we are proud to announce that we are funding our first affordable housing project, which will improve hundreds of lives in the San Jose region," said Todd Harris, CEO of Tech CU. "First Community Housing has an impressive track record of creating quality, sustainable and affordable housing projects in the Bay Area and SVB has developed an equally impressive track record of financing high quality, affordable housing projects over many years. We're honored to have the opportunity to partner with these two exceptional organizations to help address the significant affordable housing challenges facing our region."

Tech CU currently serves a community of more than 80,000 members in the Bay Area. The company provides a variety of commercial lending products to help real estate developers, investors and business owners acquire, construct and improve their commercial and residential properties.

"The Second Street Studios project will provide hundreds of local residents with a safe, comfortable place to call home," said Fiona Hsu, Manager of Community Development Finance at SVB. "We're excited that Tech CU has joined us in helping the Second Street Studios project come to fruition. This project brings much-needed affordable housing to the most vulnerable population in San Jose."

Located at the corner of South Second Street and Keyes Street, the proposed four-floor Second Street Studios building will feature 135 energy-efficient studio and one-bedroom apartments. The project begins construction in March, 2017 and will provide housing for community members most in need. In addition, the project is being built with sustainability in mind and is expected to receive Gold or Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"We've made it our mission to develop and manage affordable housing for households throughout the South Bay," said Geoff Morgan, Executive Director at First Community Housing. "SVB and Tech CU financing will give us the opportunity to make our vision of providing our low-income and homeless community with much-needed housing a reality."

Tech CU's commercial real estate loans can be used for acquisition, construction, and refinancing. For more information, visit techcu.com/business/ or contact Tech CU at (800) 448-1467. For more information on asset-based lending, visit: techcu.com/Business/Business-Loans-and-Lines/Tech-Capital-LLC/.

ABOUT TECH CU

Tech CU (techcu.com) is a $2 billion credit union serving more than 80,000 members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area -- including employees of such companies as Tesla, eBay, Applied Materials, Nvidia and Facebook. A federally insured, not-for-profit organization, we put the financial interests of our members ahead of shareholder profit by helping members achieve their financial goals on their terms and by sharing the benefits of our growth. Founded in 1960 by a group of forward-thinking employees at Fairchild Semiconductor, today we continue to be an industry leader, providing innovative financial products for all stages of our members' lives, including personal banking, wealth management, private banking, commercial lending and business banking. Tech CU consistently achieves high marks for its customer satisfaction and maintains a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial, the nation's largest independent rating service for financial institutions. And, with mobile and online banking, 65,000+ surcharge-free ATMs worldwide (more than Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo combined) and convenient branch access to our financial experts, Tech CU makes 24/7 banking easy and empowering.

Contact:

Jessica Cheney

Public Relations

(419) 350-4614

jessicahiatt@gmail.com
PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Global motion preservation devices market was valued at $920 million in 2015, and is projected to reach $1,902 million by 2022, registering a CAGR of 10.9% from 2016 to 2022, According to a new report published by Allied Market Research.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 )



Motion preservation devices are used to treat disorders associated with the spine. These devices are used to restore and maintain the normal alignment of the spine. The advent of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and rise in incidence of spinal disorders drive the market. In addition, rise in geriatric population and technological developments in bone grafting products are anticipated to boost the demand for motion preservation devices, globally. However, unfavorable reimbursement scenario and stringent regulatory approval process hamper the market growth.

Get access to detailed report at:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/motion-preservation-devices-market

Artificial disc replacement segment generated the highest revenue in the global non-fusion/motion preservation devices market in 2015, owing to their increased preference over spinal fusion procedures. In addition, the nuclear disc prostheses segment is anticipated to grow rapidly, registering a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period.

The global motion preservation devices market is segmented on the basis of surgery into open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). The open spine surgery segment generated the highest revenue in 2015. However, the MISS segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the study period.

According to Deepa Tatkare, Senior Analyst, Healthcare Research, Allied Market Research, "Shift towards artificial disc replacement procedures poses lucrative opportunities for key players in the global motion preservation devices market. Artificial disc replacement surgery is preferentially used in the medical sector for maintaining normal spine position and reducing degeneration of adjacent segments of the spine."

Key findings of Motion Preservation Market:

The artificial disc replacement devices segment accounted for nearly half of the global motion preservation devices market in 2015.

The nuclear disc prosthesis device segment is the fastest growing segment and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period.

The dynamic stabilization devices segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 10.9%, owing to the use of flexible materials during dynamic stabilization procedure for restoring mobility in the spine.

France and Germany jointly accounted for more than one-third share of the global motion preservation devices market in 2015.

and jointly accounted for more than one-third share of the global motion preservation devices market in 2015. Japan was the major shareholder in the Asia-Pacific motion preservation devices market, accounting for more than one-third share in 2015.

North America accounted for the majority of revenue in 2015, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to increased adoption of motion preservation devices in surgery and rise in incidence of spinal disorders and impairments, such as spinal stenosis. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow rapidly during the forecast period, registering a CAGR of 11.5%. Improving healthcare infrastructures and increase in expenditures in the emerging markets, such as India and China, to cater to the unmet medical needs in these countries have bolstered the market growth.

The key players in the motion preservation devices market have focused on expanding their business operations in the fast-growing emerging countries by adopting the new product launch strategy. The major companies profiled in the report include Aurora Spine Corporation, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Depuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), Globus Medical, Inc., HPI Implants, Paradigm Spine, RTI Surgical, Inc., Raymedica, Inc., Spinal Kinetics, Inc., Ulrich GmbH & Co. KG, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

Read more about this research into the Medical Devices market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/life-sciences/medical-devices-market-report

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.



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Distinguished speakers to share case studies and best practices that will help you build a successful customer experience strategy

SANTA CLARA, California, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Jodi Berg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Vitamix, and John Cashion, Corporate Director, Culture Transformation at the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, will be featured speakers at the 13th Annual Customer Contact, East: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange. The event will take place on April 23rd to 26th, 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

To register for the 13th Annual Customer Contact, East: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange, or to view the event agenda, please click here.

Dr. Berg will host a Success Story session, Leading Your Company into the Future with a Transformational Customer Experience. She will explore how Vitamix, widely known as an innovator for its products, has built an army of brand ambassadors by cultivating both a deeply engaged workforce and a passionate customer base. Additionally, she will share insights on how Vitamix has leveraged key moments of truth along the customer journey to achieve category leadership and unprecedented levels of growth and engagement.

Moreover, John Cashion, formerly General Manager at the Ritz - Carlton Residences, will present a keynote, The Ritz-Carlton's Guide to Delivering Memorable Customer Service. He will provide strategic information about how the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company sets the gold standard in hospitality and customer service worldwide, as well as share their method for fulfilling not only the expressed, but also the unexpressed wishes and needs of customers. Finally, he will offer a guide to creating an anticipatory service that creates passionate brand advocates and will discuss developing a written service strategy to ensure consistency and cultivate customer loyalty.

This highly interactive event, themed Leveraging Customer Contact as a Strategic Asset, will disclose solutions that address the complex communication needs faced by today's consumer. The event will offer customer contact industry Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers and other senior level executives the opportunity to benefit from:

Current case studies and best practices

Dynamic collaboration zones

Expert panel discussions

Peer-to-peer networking opportunities

For additional information about Customer Contact 2017, East, please email events.us@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community.

Contact:

Chiara Carella

Corporate Communications - Global Director

P: +44 (0) 207-343-8314

E: chiara.carella@frost.com



http://www.frost.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Both Houses of the US Congress have approved a bill that would allow aerial hunting of black bears, wolves, and coyotes in Alaska's 16 National Wildlife Refuges. In late 2016, the Obama administration prohibited the use of cruel traps like leg holds and snares as well as the act of invading these animals' homes to wipe out entire families. Last month, the House of Representatives voted to repeal this law via the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to overturn any recent federal regulations. The repeal passed in the Senate Tuesday, and will become law once the President signs it. Sen Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the measure overturns 'an unlawful Obama-era Fish and Wildlife Service rule that restricted Alaska's ability to manage our resources and undermined public participation.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The global erythropoietin drugs marketis projected to grow to USD 10.39 billion by 2021, according to Technavio's latest report.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005817/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global erythropoietin drugs market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

In this report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the global erythropoietin drugs market for 2017-2021. Based on application, the erythropoietin drugs market is segmented into end-stage renal disease, cancer, HIV, and wounds and neural disease.

The rising need for cost-effective treatment is driving the emergence of several biosimilars such as Bonocrit by Sandoz. These drugs are a very affordable means of effective treatment, which is leading more people to procure these drugs, thereby driving the growth of the market.

Technavio's research study segments the global erythropoietin drugs market into the following regions:

EMEA

Americas

APAC

EMEA

"EMEA is the largest regional segment of the global erythropoietin drugs market, responsible for almost 44% of the overall revenue. The region is set to showcase moderate growth rate, driven by the growth from countries such as the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italysays Sapna Jha, a lead analyst at Technavio for cardiovascular and metabolic disorder research.

The region represents 80% of the global biosimilars spending, which will add stimulus to the growth of the market. Nineteen biosimilar products are authorized in four molecule classes human growth hormone, EPO, G-CSF, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitors.

Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=57098

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Americas

The patent expiry of drugs such as Epogen and Aranesp, combined with the establishment of a proper regulatory framework for biosimilar approval within the US are expected to be the major factors influencing the growth of the market segment over the forecast period. The US is one of the key revenue contributors to the erythropoietin drugs market in the Americas, where there are ample opportunities for the expansion of the market. The changing regulatory landscape and emerging healthcare reforms will drive the growth of the market segment.

APAC

"APAC has a high potential for growth and remains a promising manufacturing hub for erythropoietin biosimilars, making it the fastest growing regional segment of the global erythropoietin drugs market. Also, the rising market penetration of the drugs will add significant revenue to the marketsays Sapna.

Countries such as Japan, Australia, India, South Korea, and China are expected to be the major revenue contributors to the market. Also, the rise in the number of initiatives undertaken by major vendors to assist patients in these countries is a significant contributor to the increase in sales in these regions.

The top vendors in the global erythropoietin drugs market highlighted in the report are:

F. Hoffmann-La Roche

Amgen

Johnson Johnson

Kyowa Hakko Kirin

Browse Related Reports:

Global Protein Therapeutics Market 2017-2021

Global Venous Thromboembolism Therapeutics Market 2017-2021

Global Lifestyle Drugs Market 2017-2021

Become a Technavio Insights member and access all three of these reports for a fraction of their original cost. As a Technavio Insights member, you will have immediate access to new reports as they're published in addition to all 6,000+ existing reports covering segments like cardiovascular devicescentral nervous system, and in-vitro diagnostics. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, resellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005817/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
Sales rise by 0.6 percent to EUR 894.9 million in 2016 compared to 2015

Adjusted EBITA increases by 0.8 percent to EUR 157.5 million

Adjusted EBITA margin of 17.6 percent at a sustained high level

Adjusted earnings per share improve to EUR 2.96

Higher dividend of EUR 0.95 per share proposed

Organic sales growth of around 1 to 3 percent expected for 2017

NORMA Group, a global market leader in engineered joining technology, achieved slightly higher sales in fiscal year 2016.

Sales rose by 0.6 percent in 2016 to EUR 894.9 million compared to the previous year (2015: EUR 889.6 million). The acquisition of Parker Hannifin's Autoline business contributed EUR 3.5 million to this result. Autoline manufactures quick connectors for fluid lines at sites in France, Mexico and China.

In organic terms, the company grew by 0.9 percent compared to the previous year. Currency effects negatively impacted sales growth by 0.7 percent. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets (adjusted EBITA) increased by 0.8 percent to EUR 157.5 million (2015: EUR 156.3 million). NORMA Group thus achieved an adjusted EBITA margin at a sustained high level of 17.6 percent (2015: 17.6 percent). Adjusted earnings per share on the basis of the shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, rose to EUR 2.96 (2015: EUR 2.78).

"Considering the volatile economic environment we are satisfied with the slight growth in sales in 2016," said Werner Deggim, CEO of NORMA Group. "Thanks to our diversification strategy, broad geographic presence and sector-specific positioning, we were able to partially offset the losses in the U.S. market for commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery. We will continue to rely on diversification in the future and will therefore also invest in our global production and test capacities."

Growth in EMEA and Asia-Pacific, slight drop in America

NORMA Group continued on its growth course in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region in 2016 and increased its sales by 3.8 percent compared to the previous year to EUR 432.0 million (2015: EUR 416.0 million). The solid growth was mainly due to the positive development of the European automobile industry. The company also invested in innovative production technologies and test capacities last year to support its future growth: Thanks to a new multi-layer extrusion facility in France, NORMA Group meets its customers' current as well as future technical requirements. New injection molding machines in Poland and Serbia enable local production and reduce transport costs. Modern production and assembly lines for plastic connectors and hose clamps made of metal in Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic increase the company's productivity. In addition, NORMA Group has expanded test labs at its plants even further in order to be able to perform comprehensive performance tests in-house and maintain the same high quality standards.

Sales in the Americas region decreased by 3.5 percent in 2016 to EUR 381.6 million (2015: EUR 395.3 million). This was mainly due to the weak commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery business in the U.S., which could not be offset by the good development of the water business. Due to the increasing demand in the area of water management, NORMA Group has modernized its production facilities and commissioned, among other things, new fully automatic injection molding machines in the United States. In Mexico, NORMA Group has installed additional assembly lines for urea lines to meet a growing demand for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies due to stricter exhaust gas standards.

The Asia-Pacific region continued to develop dynamically, increasing sales by 3.9 percent to EUR 81.3 million in 2016 compared to the previous fiscal year (2015: EUR 78.2 million). The implementation of stricter exhaust gas standards such as Euro 6 are playing an increasingly important role in this region as well. In China, NORMA Group has invested in extrusion systems for the production of urea lines, which will help customers in the motor vehicle industry meet more stringent legal requirements.

Higher dividend of EUR 0.95 per share proposed

The Management Board and Supervisory Board of NORMA Group will propose a dividend of EUR 0.95 per share for fiscal year 2016. This equates to an increase of 5.6 percent or EUR 0.05 and a total dividend payment of around EUR 30.3 million. The pay-out ratio amounts to 32.0 percent of the Group's adjusted net income in 2016 of EUR 94.6 million.

Equity ratio declines slightly

As of December 31, 2016, the Group's equity increased by EUR 53.8 million to EUR 483.6 million (December 31, 2015: EUR 429.8 million). In August 2016, NORMA Group issued a third promissory note of EUR 105 million to further optimize its financing structure. In spite of the funds used to acquire Autoline and the dividend payment, the equity ratio declined only slightly to 36.2 percent at the end of 2016 (December 31, 2015: 36.8 percent). Net debt, including hedging instruments, increased by 9.2 percent compared to the previous year's figure and amounted to EUR 394.2 million as of December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015: EUR 360.9 million).

The number of employees at NORMA Group increased by 358 as of December 31, 2016, to 6,664 employees worldwide, including temporary workers (December 31, 2015: 6,306 employees). The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of Autoline, which added more than 200 employees, as well as the growth-related build-up of employees in Serbia, Malaysia and Changzhou, China.

Slight organic growth expected in 2017

NORMA Group expects a moderate revival of the international economy in 2017. Growth of the global economy will most likely be slightly above last year's level, driven mainly by industrialized and emerging Asian markets.

NORMA Group expects moderate organic growth in fiscal year 2017 compared to the previous year for the EMEA region. Here, the company assumes that there will be positive effects from slight general growth in the automobile industry, on the one hand, and due to new product launches as a result of the country-specific fleet regulations for passenger cars, on the other.

For the Americas region, NORMA Group expects moderate growth in 2017 compared to the previous year. The market for commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery is expected to continue to decline, but less so than in 2016. In addition, NORMA Group expects solid growth in the area of water management. Overall, the Americas region is expected to grow moderately in 2017.

Organic growth in the high single-digit range, driven, among other developments, by stricter emissions regulations for motor vehicles, is expected for the Asia-Pacific region.

Overall, the Management Board of NORMA Group expects Group sales to grow moderately organically by around one to three percent compared to the previous year. The Autoline and Lifial acquisitions are expected to account for additional sales of approximately EUR 45 million. The company will aim to achieve a sustained adjusted EBITA margin at the previous year's level of more than 17 percent (2016: 17.6 percent, 2015: 17.6 percent, 2014: 17.5 percent).

NORMA Group SE 2016 Financial Results

Key figures at a glance (in EUR millions) Fiscal year 2016 Fiscal year 2015 Fiscal year 2014 Income statement 01/01 12/31/2016 01/01 12/31/2015 01/01 12/31/2014 Sales 894.9 889.6 694.7 Adjusted EBITA 157.5 156.3 121.5 Adjusted EBITA margin 17.6% 17.6% 17.5% Balance sheet 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 12/31/2014 Total assets 1,337.7 1,167.9 1,078.4 Total equity 483.6 429.8 368.0 Equity ratio 36.2% 36.8% 34.1% Net debt** 394.2 360.9 373.1

Key figures at a glance (in EUR millions) Q4 2016 Q4 2015 Q4 2014 Income statement 10/01 12/31/2016 10/01 12/31/2015 10/01 12/31/2014 Sales 215.5 217.0 176.2 Adjusted EBITA 34.9 35.6 29.2 Adjusted EBITA margin 16.2% 16.4% 16.6%

**Net debt including hedging instruments (2016: EUR 2.2 million; 2015: EUR 3.4 million; 2014: EUR 20.2 million)

Adjustments in 2016 for depreciation and amortization from purchase price allocations (EUR 2.3 million) and other factors, mainly related to the expenses incurred for the acquisition of Autoline (EUR 4.8 million, other operating expenses, in particular)

The NORMA Group's 2016 Annual Report can be downloaded at http://investors.normagroup.com/en/publication/financial-reports. Press photos are available at www.normagroup.com/images.

About NORMA Group

NORMA Group is a global market leader in engineered joining technology. The company manufactures a wide range of innovative connecting solutions and water management technology offering more than 35,000 products to customers in 100 countries with around 6,700 employees. NORMA Group helps its customers and business partners to react to global challenges such as climate change and increasing scarcity of resources. NORMA Group joining products can be found in vehicles and trains, ships and aircraft, buildings and water management as well as in applications for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. The company generated sales of around EUR 895 million in 2016. NORMA Group operates a global network of 28 production facilities as well as numerous sales and distribution sites across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. NORMA Group has its headquarters in Maintal, Germany. NORMA Group SE is listed on the German stock exchange (Prime Standard) and included in the MDAX index.

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements include all statements which do not relate to historical facts and events and contain future-oriented expressions such as "believe," "estimate," "assume," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "could," or "should" or expressions of a similar kind. Such future-oriented statements are subject to risks and uncertainties since they relate to future events and are based on the company's current assumptions, which may not in the future take place or be fulfilled as expected. The company points out that such future-oriented statements provide no guarantee for the future and that the actual events including the financial position and profitability of NORMA Group SE and developments in the economic and regulatory fundamentals may vary substantially (particularly on the down side) from those explicitly or implicitly assumed in these statements. Even if the actual assets for NORMA Group SE, including its financial position and profitability and the economic and regulatory fundamentals, are in accordance with such future-oriented statements in this press release, no guarantee can be given that this will continue to be the case in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322005874/en/

Contacts:

NORMA Group SE

Alexandra Lipkowski

Group Communications

Phone: +49 (0)6181 6102 747

E-Mail: alexandra.lipkowski@normagroup.com

or

Andreas Trosch

Investor Relations

Phone: +49 (0)6181 6102 741

E-Mail: andreas.troesch@normagroup.com
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Former National Security Adviser Susan Rice has warned false statements by President Donald Trump's administration could potentially pose profound dangers to U.S. national security. In an op-ed piece for the Washington Post, Rice pointed to Trump's unsubstantiated claims of wiretapping by former President Barack Obama and potential involvement by British intelligence. 'These false statements from the White House are part of a disturbing pattern of behavior that poses real and potentially profound dangers to U.S. national security,' Rice wrote. Rice argued that the White House poses a serious risk to America's global leadership when it deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts. 'The foundation of the United States' unrivaled global leadership rests only in part on our military might, the strength of our economy and the power of our ideals,' Rice wrote. She added, 'It is also grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust.' Rice claimed Trump has already established an unsettling pattern but said it is possible to mitigate the long-term effects if the White House returns to the tradition of endeavoring to tell the truth. It is worth noting that Rice faced questions about her own credibility amid accusations she misled the American people about the terror attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Mondo (www.mondo.com) today released the results of its annual Digital Marketing Salary Guide, which includes the latest digital marketing salary data and hiring trends. The top 10 digital marketing jobs for 2017 garnering salaries of $170K or more include Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), VP of Digital Marketing, and Web Analytics Manager/Market Data Analyst, according to the 2017 Salary Outlook from Mondo. Mondo is the largest national staffing agency specializing exclusively in high-end, niche IT and Digital Marketing talent.

According to Mondo's annual Digital Marketing Salary Guide, the top 10 digital marketing jobs for 2017 with salaries of $170,000 or more include:

CMO: $160-245,000

VP, Digital Marketing: $140-200,000

Web Analytics Manager/Market Data Analyst: $80-185,000

VP, eCommerce: $125-180,000

Director, Interactive: $140-180,000

Director, Creative: $101-178,000

UX Specialist/Information Architect: $110-175,000

Mobile App Developer: $100-175,000

Director UX/UI: $130-170,000

VP, Interactive Product or Interactive Marketing: $130-170,000

(Note: The salary ranges highlighted in Mondo's annual Digital Marketing Salary Guide are primarily attributed to the current rate of supply vs. demand for specific tech-driven marketing skill sets. A difference in skill levels, soft skills, and nuances in complementary technologies associated with certain skill sets are factors that influence salaries for digital marketing professionals. Geographic location no longer dictates a significant increase or decrease in salary range.)

"Digital marketing technology skills like Data Analysis and UX/UI design are garnering top salaries, and professionals with those skills are in high demand," said Gianna Scorsone, Senior Vice President of Marketing Operations and Sales for Mondo. "In terms of our placements, we have seen a rise in demand across the board for Digital Marketing professionals, with a 70% increase over last year."

The digital marketing salary data is based on Mondo's placements over the past year in New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas.

About Mondo

Mondo is the largest national staffing agency specializing exclusively in high-end, niche IT and Digital Marketing talent. Mondo's staffing services include freelance, contract, contract-to-hire, and full-time placement options. For nearly 20 years, Mondo has been delivering solutions that bridge the talent gap and accelerate technology and digital marketing innovation for global companies including Deutsche Bank, Facebook, NBC Universal, ZipCar, eBay, Random House, and many more. Headquartered in New York City, Mondo has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. To learn more, visit www.mondo.com or call 212-257-5111. Connect with Mondo on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

For more media information, contact:



Lisa Hendrickson

LCH Communications for Mondo

516-767-8390

Email Contact




Requiem ceremony in Erfurt city (Germany) (Photo: VNA)

This is an activity to commemorate, express gratitude and pray for the soul of Gac Ma heroic martyrs for fighting and heroically sacrificing in the battle to protect the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Bui Huu Trung, Chairman of the Vietnamese Buddhist Culture Association in Erfurt city, carried out a flag-raising ceremony, meditation, offered incenses, flowers and delivered speech to review memories and pay tribute to Gac Ma heroic martyrs.

Particularly, living witnesses of the Gac Ma Battle, former sailors of Naval Vessels 903, 505 under the Brigade 125, reviewed the arduous and fierce days and heroic sacrifices of their comrades to protect the sovereignty over the sea and islands of the nation.

At the event, the participants watched precious films recorded shares about the heroic fighting of the Gac Ma soldiers and meaningful art performances, honouring the history and praising the sacred and proud Vietnam./.
LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"GQ is always trying to improve the lot of its readers...and fashion is core." At a Gorkana breakfast briefing this week, GQ's online editor, Conrad Quilty-Harper, and engagement manager, Becky Lucas, revealed how the title has evolved since it launched in the UK in 1988, the synergy between GQ and James Bond, and why PRs need to think exclusivity when pitching to the team.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/481361/Becky_Lucas_Conrad_Quilty_Harper_Philip_Smith.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/481362/GQ_Gorkana_Media.jpg )



Published monthly by Conde Nast, GQ is a high-end glossy men's magazine covering fashion, features, lifestyle, current affairs, health, sex, film, books and more.

First published in the UK in 1988 with Michael Heseltine on its launch cover, GQ is aimed at ABC1 men aged between 20 and 44, has a 400,000 monthly readership, with online boasting over 1.7 million monthly unique users, and more than 1.1 million social followers.

The title says that 83% of GQ.co.uk users have influenced others to purchase their recommendations, and 88% have bought or plan to buy products they've seen in GQ .

GQ's online audience is twice as likely to be 'high net worth city workers', who are 64% more likely to be early adopters of technology.

Here are just a few top tips that Conrad Quilty-Harper and Becky Lucas from GQ's online team revealed at the media briefing, which took place at Regent Street Cinema in London:



The GQ man

"The GQ man likes things that every other man likes, but they want the best...it's about escapism," said Quilty-Harper. "If a man wants to buy a 500 jacket, he'll come to GQ." According to Lucas, GQ men don't look at gift guides, but women do visit GQ.co.uk to get an idea of what they can buy the men in their lives.

Video

The GQ team is currently working on a six-month experiment project on what works in terms of video for the title. The team is happy to receive B-roll footage or suggestions for locations to shoot, especially around fashion. Access is very important for video, whether it's a celebrity for your campaign or an exclusive shoot around a new product.

Exclusivity

Exclusivity is the watchword for GQ . It's the difference between the team saying yes or no to a pitch. If they can get their hand on a new album or artist video 24 hours before their competitors, they are likely to say yes to covering them.

Working with PRs

"Do your research, find the right person and be relevant when pitching," says Quilty-Harper. The subject line needs to tell him exactly what it is that's being pitched to him otherwise he's unlikely to read on. Also, if it's from someone he's already built a relationship with, he's more likely to give it some attention. A bugbear for Lucas is when she receives an email that isn't addressed to her and doesn't get to the point.

More than 220 PR and comms professionals attended the media briefing, which was chaired by Gorkana's head of news and content, Philip Smith.

Michael Bradley, senior account manager at Havas Life Medicom, said: "Both Conrad and Becky provided insights into the challenges of meeting the expectations and differing needs of print-based and online content.

"It was fascinating to hear them discuss the changing demographics of a primarily male-focused publication in a world increasingly, and positively, rejecting gender stereotypes."

Madeline Lupori, an intern at content marketing agency the tree, said: "Being a top worldwide publication, GQ is a hard to reach. The briefing was informative as Conrad and Becky gave insight into the content they are looking to publish, a deeper understanding of their readers and how to sculpt the best pitch. After the briefing, GQ doesn't seem as distant.

"It was a packed house, filled with eager and well-dressed PRs. Conrad and Becky's openness and great insight about the publication led me to walk out of the briefing with more confidence when pitching to GQ."

Cision is a leading global media intelligence company, serving the complete workflow of today's communication professionals. Offering the industry's most comprehensive PR, IR and social media software, rich analytics, content distribution and influencer outreach, Cision enables clients to engage audiences, enhance campaigns and strengthen data-driven decision making. Cision solutions include PR Newswire, Gorkana, PRWeb, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and iContact brands.

Headquartered in Chicago, Cision serves over 100,000 customers in 170 countries and 40 languages worldwide, and maintains offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter.

For more information, on media briefing events, visit http://www.gorkana.com or follow @gorkana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGCPw9mBMac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKa4jfZa9VQ&t=1s





For media information please contact:

Philip Smith

Head of News and Content

philip.smith@gorkana.com

Gorkana

+44-020-7674-2480


LAGOS, Nigeria, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

MainOne has continued to push the boundaries for IT professionals in Nigeria from its inception with a 7000km private submarine cable which changed the face of the Internet in West Africa, to the opening of a Tier III data center in 2015. The leadership the company provides in changing the technology landscape is providing the fuel for digital disruption in Nigeria. MainOne is building an arsenal of solutions to address the needs of business customers including Internet connectivity, private line connectivity, data center collocation services, Cloud computing and Managed security services and during the past year, the company turned its focus to the small business segment as well with its SME-in a-Box solution.

For the third year, MainOne has organized the Nerds Unite IT conference, Nigeria's biggest customer event for networking and data center professionals. The 2017 edition witnessed a convergence of IT professionals in Lagos, from the United States of America, South Korea, Israel, South Africa and Kenya, to network and share ideas on the latest technology trends. The event also provided a platform for the company's leading OEM partners such as Microsoft, Cisco and SAP to showcase their futuristic innovations and solutions.

The one-day program delivered a wealth of content on best practices in Connectivity, Cloud, Managed Security, and Small and Medium Enterprise solutions and also had leading experts from MainOne and its partners, including Microsoft, Cisco, Radware, Signal Alliance, SAP, Huawei, and Samsung facilitate sessions to further enlighten the audience on these latest developments.

Delivering the keynote address on the future of content in Africa, Michuki Mwangi, Regional Development Manager at the Internet Society (ISOC), emphasized the role of locally relevant content as the key to disruption and stimulating the demand for online services. Mwangi shared ISOC's 80/20 vision for the internet in Africa, stressing that by 2020, 80% of the African Internet traffic must be locally accessible, while 20% is international traffic. According to him, this will significantly increase participation of local operators, improve local content, increase value for Africa, and expedite internet penetration on the continent.

Speaking during his presentation, Principal Group Manager at Microsoft, Roberto Di Bennedetto shared the company's vision for a fully connected world enabled via Cloud Technology, describing it as a big shift from the traditional infrastructure-dependent IT approach. He demonstrated Microsoft's Hololens and Internet of Things with different examples of how such technologies could be applied in a mobile-first cloud world, in industries as varied as healthcare, technology, Oil and Gas, among others.

Other highlights included the Executive panel session where leading technology executives from Nigeria discussed how their companies were adopting disruptive solutions to grow their business. Speaking on disruption for customer-facing businesses, Vice President at Konga, Adeyinka Aderombi said businesses need solutions to be optimized for mobile phones and highlighted his company's use of Progressive Web Apps which has improved the performance of their web site across devices and enables customer's access content on the Konga marketplace without incurring heavy data costs. According to him, mobile-first technologies are driven by cost-effective cloud and reliable connectivity, and these have enabled Konga's work in app development and ePayment deployment in Nigeria.

Drawn from MainOne's customer base, Nerds Unite participants were visibly excited to try out various product demos and engage the experts from MainOne and its partner companies on how they could apply these solutions to their business. For Aniedi Udobong, Managing Developer Ecosystem, Sub-Sahara Africa, Google, MainOne's Nerds Unite has remained West Africa's flagship IT conference given its rich and stimulating content. Michuki Mwangi, Regional Development Manager at the Internet Society (ISOC) also said he had been to a lot of IT events across the continent and observed that Nerds Unite was easily the biggest IT event he had seen, sponsored by a single company. He remarked that the Nigerian Internet ecosystem was proving stronger than most on the continent and he was impressed at MainOne's ability to gather such momentum in only a few years of existence.
LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- First West Credit Union's fight to eliminate hunger in B.C. communities reached record levels in 2016 announced First West Credit Union CEO Launi Skinner.

Over the course of 2016, First West's local divisions Valley First, Enderby & District Financial, Envision Financial and Island Savings collected more than 43,000 pounds of food for food banks and raised more than $450,000 for hunger related causes. "The response to our hunger awareness efforts has been overwhelming," says Skinner. "British Columbians from the Island to the Interior have rallied with us to take action on this social need and the impact is staggering -- together we raised the equivalent of 1.35 million meals for people and families."

Crowning last year's accomplishments, CEO Launi Skinner announced two milestones: the launch of The Full Cupboard to combat hunger on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands through the credit union's Island Savings division. First West also surpassed the $1 million fundraising goal for Feed the Valley four years early in its Valley First division which serves the Interior.

"Our credit union is so honoured to support all of B.C.'s 99 food banks through our ongoing partnership with Food Banks B.C.," Skinner explains.

This impact is felt by food banks across the province. "We cherish our partnership with First West through the Feed the Valley program," says Elizabeth Coss, Food Bank Manager, Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs, Armstrong Food Bank. "Every year, we support approximately 450 individuals, consisting of 215 households with 160 children on limited incomes, to stretch their food budgets a bit further. The contributions we've received from First West have been invaluable in helping us to meet these needs."

Skinner anticipates continued momentum in the months ahead. "Food security is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts -- one that has been embraced by our employees and our members. We soon hope to meet $2 million in donations raised, along with thousands of pounds of food for B.C. food banks."

About First West Credit Union

Led by Launi Skinner, First West is British Columbia's third-largest credit union with nearly $11 billion in assets under administration, close to 250,000 members and more than 1,700 employees. It operates 54 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Enderby & District Financial and Island Savings divisions. Visit firstwestcu.ca for more information.

Follow us on Twitter: @firstwestcu

Contacts:

Media Contact

Jason Brown

Manager, Public Relations & Communications

604.539.7415

mediarelations@firstwestcu.ca

www.firstwestcu.ca






BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market ended Wednesday's session lower again Wednesday, adding to the significant losses of the previous day. The market has dropped by close to 1.5 percent since the start of the trading week. The weakness was sparked by doubts as to whether US President Donald Trump will keep his election promises.



The latest reports suggest House Republicans may not have the votes to pass their healthcare plan in a vote expected to be held on Thursday. If it does manage to pass, the plan faces an even tougher battle in the Senate. Traders are concerned that the potential failure of the healthcare legislation could imperil other Trump policies like tax reform and increased infrastructure spending.



The Swiss Market Index decreased by 0.55 percent Wednesday and finished at 8,567.88. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 0.59 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.57 percent.



Dufry was among the weakest performing stocks Wednesday, with a loss of 2.4 percent. Kuhne + Nagel declined 1.6 percent and Adecco fell 1.1 percent.



Galenica dropped 2.2 percent, adding to yesterday's losses of over 2 percent. Aryzta also finished lower by 1.9 percent.



Bank stocks were also under pressure Wednesday. Credit Suisse decreased 1.8 percent and UBS surrendered 1.7 percent. Swiss Re and Swiss Life also weakened by 1.1 percent each.



Index heavyweight Novartis dropped 1.4 percent after its heart failure drug serelaxin failed in a pivotal study.



Sika was among the top performing stocks of the day, with an increase of 1.0 percent. UBS confirmed its 'Buy' rating on the stock.



Richemont climbed 0.8 percent and Swatch gained 0.6 percent. The watchmakers benefitted from positive comments from industry experts ahead of the upcoming Baselworld watch and jewelry show.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump will attend a NATO summit in May amid questions about his level of support for the alliance.



A statement released by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Tuesday said Trump will travel to Brussels, Belgium, for the meeting of NATO heads of state and government on May 25th.



Spicer said Trump looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm America's strong commitment to the alliance.



The president will use the meeting to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO's role in the fight against terrorism, Spicer said.



Despite calling NATO obsolete during the presidential campaign, Trump has expressed his support for the alliance in meetings with European leaders.



Trump has repeatedly called on fellow NATO members to pay their fair share, however, and recently claimed Germany owes 'vast sums of money.'



In addition to attending the summit in May, Spicer said Trump will meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on April 12th.



Trump and Stoltenberg will discuss how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security, Spicer said.



The announcement from the White House comes following the revelation that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in April.



Current and former U.S. officials told Reuters that Tillerson will instead attend Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.



The State Department noted that Tillerson will meet with the foreign ministers of most NATO members at a gathering of the Coalition to Defeat ISIS on Wednesday.



A former U.S. official and a former NATO diplomat both told Reuters NATO offered to reschedule the meeting so Tillerson could attend both the summit and the Xi talks but the State Department rebuffed the idea.



The move comes amid concerns among some NATO members about Trump's level of support for the alliance as well as potentially closer ties with Russia.



Potentially adding to the concerns about Russia, the State Department said Tillerson is scheduled to hold meetings in Moscow after attending Group of Seven talks in Italy in early April.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Despite reports suggesting House Republicans do not have the votes, Vice President Mike Pence expressed confidence Wednesday that the GOP bill to repeal and replace Obamacare will be approved.



Pence indicated in an interview with Birmingham radio station 99.5 that the administration is not considering the possibility that the legislation with fall short.



'To be honest with you, we're very confident we will have the votes,' Pence said, noting the work that is being done to win support for the bill.



He added, 'The president and I are confident that come tomorrow we'll have the support of members of Congress to begin the end of Obamacare once and for all.'



The confidence expressed by the vice president comes even though a number of members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus remain opposed to the bill.



Pence praised conservatives for their 'engagement' in the process and said the American people will owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts to improve the legislation.



The comments come as Pence, President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders continue to try to build support for the bill ahead of an expected vote on Thursday.



With Democrats expected to be unified in opposition, Republicans can afford only 21 defections in the House and are likely to face an even tougher uphill battle in the Senate.



(Photo: Gage Skidmore)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has revealed that communications by President Donald Trump and members of his transition team may have been monitored by the intelligence community. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Nunes said the information seems to have been collected legally as part of normal, incidental collection. 'I have seen intelligence reports that clearly show that the president-elect and his team were, I guess, at least monitored,' Nunes said. He added, 'It looks to me like it was all legally collected, but it was essentially a lot of information on the president-elect and his transition team and what they were doing.' Nunes indicated the reports he has seen on the information collected were not related to the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the election. The congressman stressed that the collection was legal but expressed concerns about how the individuals involved were 'unmasked' and the information was disseminated through the intelligence community. Nunes said he briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on the developments and intended to speak to Trump later in the day. At a congressional hearing on Monday, FBI Director James Comey said he had no information that supported Trump's accusations of wiretapping by former President Barack Obama. Nunes said he was subsequently brought the information he unveiled today by 'sources who thought we should know it.' According to CNN, however, Congressman Jim Himes, D-Conn., said he spoke with ranking Democratic member Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and that neither of them are familiar with the evidence Nunes is citing. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentglobal laboratory analytical instrument market 2017-2021report. This market research report also lists 37 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006069/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global laboratory analytical instruments market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Competitive vendor landscape

According to the research analysis, the global laboratory analytical instruments market is largely fragmented with the presence of many regional and international players. The market is growing rapidly with an increase in the number of applications that use analytical instruments for technology testing, including applications in medical, food and beverage, and others.

"The demand for analytical instrument solutions will be high in emerging countries, especially in the BRICS countries due to an increase in the spending in drug research activities related to various fields, including diagnosis of cancer, which is on the rise. These countries will constitute the fastest-growing market," says Amber Chourasia, a lead lab equipmentanalyst from Technavio.

There is rapid advancement being made in the life sciences sector, driven by factors such as an increase in chronic diseases, aging population, population growth, growing life expectancy, and higher disposable income, which are positively influencing the consumption of laboratory analytical instrument solutions. The advancement in life sciences research has prompted laboratory analytical instrument vendors to develop new products for specific needs.

Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=57082

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Technaviomarket research analysts identify the following key vendors:

Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies deals with bio-analytical and electronic measurement solutions. It mainly caters to life sciences, diagnostics and genomics, chemical analysis, communications, and electronic industries. The company offers solutions for several end-markets, such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, contract research and contract manufacturing organizations.

Bruker

Bruker is a life science equipment and medical device manufacturing company, which designs and manufactures life science and material research systems and related products worldwide. The company focuses on offering solutions with continuous innovation through its strong R&D capabilities.

PerkinElmer

PerkinElmer offer products, services, and solutions to the diagnostics, environmental, industrial, research and laboratory service markets. It caters to key markets such as diagnostics, life sciences, and environmental and applied markets. The company offers key solutions such as detection, imaging, informatics, and services. It also offers analytical solutions that include molecular spectroscopy instruments to measure UV, infrared, and fluorescence.

Danaher

Danaher designs, manufactures, and sells professional, industrial, medical, and commercial products and services. The company has a strong presence in the life sciences market through its subsidiaries such as Beckman Coulter, Leica Microsystems, Pall Corporation, and AB Sciex.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers analytical instruments, reagents and consumables, equipment, software, and services for manufacturing, research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. The company offers products under brands, including Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, and Unity Lab Services.

Browse Related Reports:

Global Laboratory and Handheld Raman Instruments Market 2016-2020

Global Clinical Reference Laboratory Services Market 2016-2020

Global Mining Laboratory Automation Solutions Market 2016-2020

Become a Technavio Insights member and access all three of these reports for a fraction of their original cost. As a Technavio Insights member, you will have immediate access to new reports as they're published in addition to all 6,000+ existing reports covering segments like furniture and home furnishinghealth and wellness; and home, kitchen, and large appliances. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006069/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Contemporary and soundtrack composer, Gabriele Ciampi, today released a new album world-wide entitled 'In Dreams Awake' by Universal Music Italy.

At 40, Maestro Ciampi is the winner of Italy's Primero Barocco prize and founder of the CentOrchesta. He debuted selections from his new album in a performance with the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra on March 22nd at the Italian Embassy in Washington DC in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community.

The thirteen tracks on the disc also include pieces previously performed for audiences that include Former President Obama and The Former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as Pope Francis. The album includes: the title track In Dreams Awake; Lost Sunrise; Behind The Darkness; Trio in B minor; Michelle (his tribute to the former First Lady Mrs. Obama); Romanza for Piano and Violin; Yuki; Sextet in B-flat minor; Prelude for Two Cellos (dedicated to Pope Francis); Like a Wave; Close to my Soul; Adagio for Clarinet Solo; and Dry Spinning.

In 2015, Ciampi performed in Washington at the White House for President Obama's family at the invitation of First Lady Mrs. Obama. Ciampi was the first Italian composer to conduct his own music at the White House for the traditional White House Holiday Tour.

Ciampi's tribute to Pope Francis was written and performed on the occasion of the closing of the Jubilee of Mercy in 2017, an event held under the Patronage of the Vatican to celebrate the World Day of Peace. Ciampi had the honor of an audience with the Pope, personally presenting a copy of his new CD.

His piece Trio in B minor was written for and dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Republic of Italy.

Originally from Rome, Ciampi is classically trained with a modern American perspective. He studied composition at the prestigious St. Cecilia Music Conservatory. He also attended the Film Scoring Certificate Program at UCLA where he studied composition and orchestration.

Ciampi's has performed worldwide with the CentOrchestra. He conducted his original composition A Christmas Carol in 2012 in Moscow and in 2013 at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome. In 2014, he published the 'The Minimalist Evolution' album, which was presented in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, in Los Angeles and the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome. In 2015, in addition to having performed at the White House, he directed the prestigious Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali (The Musical Afternoons) at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan.

Gabriele Ciampi has received numerous awards and honors, including the medal 'Italian Excellence,' conferred by the Senate of the Italian Republic, the Green Card for Extraordinary Ability, released by the US government and recognition 'Primidieci Under-40 2014' awarded by PrimiDieci Society, in partnership with the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of New York, ten Italian under forty years old US residents who have distinguished themselves for the quality of their projects and for the professionalism demonstrated in their industry.

'In Dreams Awake' video: https://youtu.be/uwaNYZHerFs

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3121926



Contact:

Bobbi Marcus

bobbi@bobbimarcuspr.com




The organizers of the festival were answering the questions of the press. (Photo: VOH online)

The festival will be held from March 23to 26at Le Van Tam Park with the theme Welcome Summer 2017. It will be attended by 81 tourism companies from 39 provinces and cities.

At the event, some companies will offer tours with discounts from 10-50%. Specifically, the promotion is applied to tours at filming locations of Kong Skull Island, Nam Du tour, Phu Yen  Quy Nhon tour and trans-Viet tours. Visitors buying tours to Bhutan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China) and Dubai will be offered a free domestic trip.

In addition, during the festival, 1,000 free tickets to the Cu Chi Tunnels will be presented to visitors.

On the sidelines, there will be many programs and activities, including an exhibition on the citys tourism, a meeting with tourism leaders of provinces and cities, Saigon Tourist program and an art program discovering the Northwestern region.

This years event will arrange a space for tourism startups to introduce the contest Startup Wheel 2017.

On March 24th, a ceremony to honour the Top 100 tourism enterprises in Ho Chi Minh city will be held on the main stage./.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Lexam VG Gold Inc. ("Lexam", the "Company") (TSX: LEX)(FRANKFURT: VN3A)(OTCQX: LEXVF) announces a special meeting of Lexam shareholders in connection to an agreement under which McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen Mining") can acquire all Lexam securities by way of Plan of Arrangement. The Meeting is to be held on April 12, 2017, at 10:00 AM Toronto time, at the office of Bennett Jones LLP - 3400 One First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A4.

The Lexam Board of Directors approved the Plan of Arrangement and recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Plan of Arrangement.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lexam Shareholders, Here Is How You Can Vote: http://www.lexamvggold.com/pdfs/Voting_Instructions.pdf Assistance with Voting North American Toll-Free: 1-877-452-7184, International Collect: 416-304- 0211 assistance@laurelhill.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders holding Lexam shares at the close of business on March 9, 2017 are asked to approve the Plan of Arrangement between Lexam and McEwen Mining, under which McEwen Mining has offered to acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of Lexam ("Lexam Shares") for 0.056 shares of McEwen Mining common stock for each Lexam Share held (the "Arrangement Consideration"). The Arrangement Consideration has been calculated based on a premium of 30% over the 30-trading day volume-weighted average price of Lexam Shares on the TSX for the period ended February 10, 2017.

"I want to take the opportunity to thank our shareowners for their loyalty and support over the years." said Rob McEwen, Chief Owner of Lexam VG Gold and McEwen Mining.

The full text of the resolutions and the meeting materials have been mailed to Shareholders, together with all related voting materials. The meeting materials are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), under Lexam's profile, and on Lexam's website (www.lexamvggold.com). Information about the transaction is available in the press release dated February 13, 2017, at www.lexamvggold.com/news.php.

Lexam has retained the services of Laurel Hill Advisory Group as proxy solicitation agent for the Meeting. For information about the Plan of Arrangement or if you require assistance voting, please contact our proxy solicitation agent at contact information as indicated above.

Contacts:

Lexam Office Contact

Toll Free 1-866-441-0690



Questions about the information in the Circular:

Andrew Iaboni

Chief Financial Officer

647-258-0395 ext. 290



Questions and support:

Mihaela Iancu

Director, Corporate Administration

647-258-0395 ext. 320

info@lexamvggold.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Portola Resources, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PZ) ("Portola" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that pursuant to a resolution passed by the board of directors on March 17, 2017, the Company changed its name to Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. ("LEXI") (TSX VENTURE: LEXI). In addition, the Company has completed the previously announced acquisitions of all the issued and outstanding share capital of Lithium Energi Argentina, S.A. ("LEA"), Antofalla North, S.A. ("AN"), and Antofalla South, S.A. ("AS"), which together hold a combined portfolio of projects comprising 128,367 hectares of lithium brine assets in the Argentina Province of Catamarca in the heart of the lithium triangle.

All documentation submitted has been accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange and common shares of the Company will resume trading on Friday March 24(th), 2017 under the symbol "LEXI". The new CUSIP number is 53680T102 and the new ISIN number is CA53680T1021. There is no consolidation of share capital.

The acquisition was completed pursuant to a Letter of Intent executed by the Company, LEA, AN, and AS, as announced in the Company's news release dated December 6, 2016.

LEA, AN, and AS are wholly-owned subsidiaries of LEXI. LEA owns mining rights to eight (8) concessions representing 17,759 hectares ("Laguna Caro Project"); AN owns mineral rights to thirteen (13) concessions representing 41,496 hectares ("Antofalla North Project"); and AS owns mining rights to eighteen (18) concessions representing 69,112 hectares ("Antofalla South Project"). In consideration for all of the outstanding share capital of LEA, AN, and AS, the Company issued 1,000,000, 8,450,000, and 11,550,000 common shares of the Company, respectively and finder's fees of 1,150,000 common shares issued in relation to the acquisitions. In addition, the Company will assume the respective obligations of LEA, AN, and AS in respect of the three project areas. In order to complete the acquisitions of the Laguna Caro, Antofallo North, and Antofalla South Projects, the Company will be required to complete cash payments of US$650,000, US$761,000, and US$1,267,000, respectively payable over a twelve (12) month period and the Company will reimburse (as down payments and other expenses) a total of $313,444.

Located in close proximity to each other, all three Projects represent almost 130,000 hectares located in the lithium-prolific, northwestern quadrant of Catamarca Province. Located less than 10 km northeast of the Laguna Caro Project, FMC Corp. operates its Fenix mine at Salar de Hombre Muerto - Argentina's largest lithium extraction operation and one of the largest such operations in the world.

The Antofalla North and South Projects are located just west of the Laguna Caro Project, in the northern and southern portions of the Salar de Antofalla, covering approximately 110,000 hectares. On September 12, 2016, Albemarle Corporation, the world's largest lithium supplier, announced it had entered into an agreement with Bolland Minera, S.A. for the exclusive exploration and acquisition rights to a lithium resource in the central portion of the Antofalla salar. In Albemarle Corporation's news release it stated their belief that the Salar de Antofalla lithium resource will be certified as the largest lithium resource in Argentina.

About Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc.

Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. is an exploration company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of lithium brine assets in Argentina. The Company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and has offices in Dallas, Texas and Catamarca, Argentina. The common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE: LEXI). The Company recently completed the acquisition of Lithium Energi Argentina, S.A., Antofalla North, S.A., and Antofalla South, S.A., which together hold a portfolio of projects comprising 128,000 hectares of lithium brine assets in the Argentina Province of Catamarca in the heart of the lithium triangle.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Hobbs, Chief Financial Officer and Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The forward looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake and is not obligated to publicly update such forward looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc.

416 276-6689

888 909-1033 (FAX)




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- The Canadian Labour Congress says today's federal budget takes positive steps on a few key issues for working Canadians and their communities.

"We are pleased to see today's budget invest in several key areas that unions have long championed, including infrastructure, skills training, and child care," said Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff.

"By investing in skills training and infrastructure, including $11 billion in support of a National Housing Strategy, this budget lays the foundation for the creation of good jobs with a social benefit. It also sets the stage for an ongoing, constructive dialogue between government, unions and employer groups to advance skills training in this country," Yussuff said.

However, Yussuff noted concerns with the establishment of a new Canada Infrastructure Bank, designed to facilitate private investment in public infrastructure, even though reports consistently show these P3 projects are more costly and offer lower-quality jobs and services.

"Government must ensure public infrastructure is publicly financed and operated. We do not need more of the same private-public partnerships that short-change workers and communities," Yussuff said.

Child care is another issue that has been a top priority for unions for many years, and Yussuff said he was pleased to see the government commit multi-year funding ($7 billion over 10 years) under a national child care framework. This includes 40,000 new subsidized child-care spaces for low- and modest-income families.

"This is an important step in the process towards quality, accessible child care for all Canadian families. Next, the federal, provincial and territorial governments must work to ensure increased funding that is tied to the principles of the Shared Framework on child care," Yussuff said.

Unions are pleased to see Budget 2017 commit to measures to strengthen Canada's trade remedy system, including amendments to ensure that unions have the right to participate as interested parties in trade remedy proceedings. Unions will continue to push to ensure unions can also file complaints to initiate proceedings.

However, the CLC expressed disappointment on other issues that impact Canadian workers. First, Employment Insurance, which will continue to leave too many unemployed Canadians behind due to very strict eligibility requirements and inadequate benefits.

Second, on the issue of health care, the CLC welcomes today's investments in mental health and home care, but had been hoping to see the government commit to stable and long-term health care funding under a national health accord. Unfortunately, this budget maintains the Harper government's reduction in the Canada Health Transfer, which ensures continued underfunding of the health care system as a whole.

Finally, unions were disappointed that Budget 2017 did not improve the Working Income Tax Benefit, which means it will continue to remain inaccessible for full time, minimum-wage workers.

Contacts:

Chantal St-Denis

National Representative, Media Relations

CLC Communications

613-355-1962

cstdenis@clc-ctc.ca




SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Starbucks, the world's largest coffee retailer, Wednesday announced plans to hire 15,000 additional veterans. In 2013, Starbucks announced its decision to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2018, however, the company said it reached its initial goal earlier than expected. Starbucks announced at its annual shareholders' meeting that it will now hire a total of 25,000 of veterans and military spouses by 2025. In January, the coffee chain had made a huge uproar in social media after it announced to hire 10,000 refugees globally in the next five years. Some customers even started a BoycottStarbucks campaign on Twitter. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, a staunch supporter of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, had announced the decision to hire refugees globally in response to President Trump's initial executive order barring people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US. Regarding its refugee hiring commitments, Starbucks said that it is formally joining the UNHCR's WithRefugees Campaign and the Tent Partnership for Refugees to scale up the company's support and efforts to reach refugee candidates. The company also unveiled partnerships with non-governmental organizations to provide skills training to refugees and connect work authorized candidates to job opportunities. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- Dream Unlimited Corp. (TSX: DRM)(TSX: DRM.PR.A) ("Dream") has announced that Dream Asset Management Corporation ("DAM") today acquired 1,000,000 units ("Units") of Dream Hard Asset Alternatives Trust (TSX: DRA.UN) ("DAT"), representing approximately 1.4% of the issued and outstanding Units, on the Toronto Stock Exchange at a price of $6.23 per Unit or an aggregate purchase price of $6,230,000. Prior to the acquisition, DAM and its joint actors owned 6,852,002 Units representing approximately 9.5% of the issued and outstanding Units and, following the acquisition, DAM and its joint actors own 7,852,002 Units representing approximately 10.8% of the issued and outstanding Units.

DAM acquired the Units in order to increase its equity interest in the business of Dream Alternatives Master Limited Partnership, of which DAT is the sole limited partner and which is managed by DAM. DAM intends to evaluate its investment in Units on a continuing basis and either may acquire Units or decrease its holdings of Units in the future. Dream holds a 72.6% interest in DAM with the remaining interest owned by a company controlled by Michael Cooper, the President and Chief Responsible Officer of Dream and DAM. Michael Cooper holds an approximate 31% economic interest in Dream and DAM and holds an 80% voting interest in Dream. DAM acts as the asset manager for DAT and Dream Alternatives Master Limited Partnership.

This press release is being issued pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103") of the Canadian Securities Administrators. A copy of the report to be filed by DAM in connection with the transactions described herein will be available on Dream's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and can also be obtained by contacting Mr. Robert Hughes, Vice-President, Legal Counsel, Dream Unlimited Corp. at 416-365-3535.

DAM's head office and DAT's head office are located at Suite 301, State Street Financial Centre, 30 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3H1.

About Dream Unlimited Corp.

Dream is one of Canada's leading real estate companies with approximately $14.0 billion of assets under management in North America and Europe. The scope of the business includes residential land development, housing and condominium development, asset management for four TSX-listed trusts, investments in and management of Canadian renewable energy infrastructure and commercial property ownership. Dream has an established track record for being innovative and for its ability to source, structure and execute on compelling investment opportunities.

Contacts:

Dream Unlimited Corp.

Michael J. Cooper

President & Chief Responsible Officer

(416) 365-5145

mcooper@dream.ca



Dream Unlimited Corp.

Pauline Alimchandani

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 365-5992

palimchandani@dream.ca




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- First Mining Finance Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: FF)(OTCQX: FFMGF)(FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce the release of an updated mineral resource estimate for its Cameron Gold Project ("Cameron" or the "Project") located near the town of Sioux Narrows in northwestern Ontario. First Mining acquired the Cameron Gold Project on June 9, 2016 pursuant to its acquisition of a subsidiary of Chalice Gold Mines Limited ("Chalice") that held the Project.

The updated mineral resource estimate for Cameron was prepared by Optiro Pty Limited ("Optiro") of Perth, Australia and has an effective date of January 17, 2017. A technical report for this updated resource estimate entitled "Technical Report on the Cameron Gold Deposit, Ontario, Canada" ("the "Technical Report"), which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has been filed by the Company under its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and is also available on the Company's website.

Highlights of the Cameron Deposit

-- Pit constrained (0.55 g/t Au cut-off) Measured and Indicated mineral resources of 3.5 million tonnes at 2.45 grams per tonne or 274,000 ounces of gold, -- Pit constrained (0.55 g/t Au cut-off) Inferred mineral resources of 35,000 tonnes at 2.45 grams per tonne or 3,000 ounces of gold, -- Underground (2.00 g/t Au cut-off) Measured and Indicated mineral resources of 2.0 million tonnes at 2.90 grams per tonne or 190,000 ounces of gold, and -- Underground (2.00 g/t Au cut-off) Inferred mineral resources of 6.5 million tonnes at 2.54 grams per tonne or 530,000 ounces of gold.

This latest mineral resource estimate replaces the previous resource estimate which defined the global in-situ resources at the property. Later this year, First Mining expects to commence a 9,000 metre drilling campaign at Cameron. The goal of the proposed drilling campaign is to upgrade the existing Inferred mineral resources into the Measured and Indicated categories and to drill exploration targets that lie outside of the main Cameron resource area. This latest mineral resource estimate for Cameron does not include mineralized material from the Dogpaw and Dubenski areas. These areas contain historic resources, and the Company plans to conduct additional exploration activities at a later date to define a current resource for these areas.

Patrick Donnelly, President of First Mining stated, "This updated mineral resource estimate for Cameron confirms our internal estimates from the Company's due diligence review of the Project regarding the amount of recoverable gold that is hosted at Cameron. What is especially compelling is that this Project consists of a very large land package that has the potential to host additional gold mineralization. We anticipate that our proposed 9,000 metre drilling campaign should further confirm our expectations that Cameron could become a gold project of significant merit, with further upside at several of the satellite deposits."

Table 1: Open-Pit and Underground Mineral Resource Estimates at Cameron effective January 17, 2017

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Mineral Resource cut-off Classification Open-Pit Constraint (Au g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured Mineral Resource Within $1,350 open-pit 0.55 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated Mineral Resource Within $1,350 open-pit 0.55 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured + Indicated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Mineral Resource cut-off Classification Underground Constraint (Au g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured Mineral Resource Below $1,350 open-pit 2.00 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated Mineral Resource Below $1,350 open-pit 2.00 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured + Indicated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Measured + Indicated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Mineral Resource cut-off Classification Open-Pit Constraint (Au g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred Mineral Resource Within $1,350 open-pit 0.55 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Mineral Resource cut-off Classification Underground Constraint (Au g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred Mineral Resource Below $1,350 open-pit 2.00 shell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Inferred ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mineral Resource Gold Gold Classification Tonnes g/t (Ounces) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured Mineral Resource 2,670,000 2.66 228,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated Mineral Resource 820,000 1.74 46,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured + Indicated 3,490,000 2.45 274,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mineral Resource Gold Gold Classification Tonnes g/t (Ounces) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured Mineral Resource 690,000 3.09 69,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated Mineral Resource 1,350,000 2.80 121,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured + Indicated 2,040,000 2.90 190,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Measured + Indicated 5,530,000 2.61 464,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mineral Resource Gold Gold Classification Tonnes g/t (Ounces) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred Mineral Resource 35,000 2.45 3,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mineral Resource Gold Gold Classification Tonnes g/t (Ounces) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred Mineral Resource 6,500,000 2.54 530,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Inferred 6,535,000 2.54 533,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- The mineral resource estimate is classified as Measured, Indicated and Inferred mineral resources. -- 2014 CIM Definition Standards were followed for classification of mineral resources. -- The mineral resource has been estimated using a gold price of US$1,350/oz. -- The mineral resource was estimated using a block model. Three dimensional wireframes were generated using geological information. The ordinary kriging estimation method was used to interpolate grades into blocks. Blocks were sub-blocked to more accurately reflect the volume of the wireframes. -- Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is currently insufficient exploration to define these Inferred mineral resources as Indicated or Measured mineral resources and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an Indicated or Measured mineral resource category. -- Numbers may not add due to rounding.

The Cameron Gold deposit is a shear hosted gold deposit within a structurally complex belt of arcuate greenstones and felsic intrusive bodies. The regional controls are well documented in terms of the major structural elements and their interactions. The local geology has been mapped at the surface in trenches and outcrops and also in underground drift development. There has been extensive drilling coverage of the deposit from surface and underground and the information used in developing the estimate is exclusively from high quality diamond drilling samples and logging.

Gold is associated with disseminated pyrite with high sulphide concentration generally corresponding with higher gold grades. The mineralization is open at depth and along strike to the northwest with potential to expand the mineral resource in these directions.

The mineral resource estimate for Cameron has been updated using an additional 30,000 samples which, combined with the re-logging of approximately 771 diamond holes (103,000 metres), has increased the confidence of the geological and mineralisation interpretations. The definition of grade domains and continuity is considered to be robust and with greater confidence at a more local scale than previous estimates due to the much greater number of samples.

The interpretation of the deposit scale geological model was done in a collaborative manner, with the Cameron site geological team (who were responsible for the re-logging of the drilling) involved in the interpretation of sectional and wireframe interpretations of the geology and mineralization. These interpretations were used by Optiro as a guide to compile the 3D geological model using Leapfrog Geo 3D software. The geological modelling process was iterative with discussions and amendments made in order to validate the definition of the lithological and structural elements into an integrated model.

With respect to the tonnage and metal risk, the volumetric controls of thickness and extent of the mineralized domains are considered to be robust and well constrained by the geological interpretations. The density assignment is based on the results of 1,202 measurements that were grouped by lithology. The average values assigned are considered to be representative of the lithologies present.

A kriging neighbourhood analysis (KNA) was undertaken to determine the optimal block size, to test for the optimal search ellipse orientation and dimensions and to test the minimum and maximum numbers of samples to be used for grade estimation. This analysis used the variogram parameters and an iterative series of estimates with varying block size, search and sample number, using kriging efficiency (KE) and slope of regression (slope) values to provide a metric of estimation performance.

Discrete areas that represent well (4 to 15 m centred sampling), moderately (15 to 50 m centred sampling) and poorly (greater than 50 m sampling) sampled areas were identified for each of the significant lodes (FW1, MID, Main and HW). The contrast in available sample density makes selection of the parent cell size and search strategy an exercise in compromise between efficiency in undertaking the estimate, reliability of the estimate and reflecting the known geology.

The mineral resources have been reported using two Au cut-off grades. The parts of the deposit considered amenable to open pit mining methods have been reported using a 0.55 g/t Au cut-off grade applied within a constraining Whittle open pit shell down to a depth of 235 metres below natural surface. Below this, the deposit has been reported at a 2.00 g/t Au cut-off grade, which is considered to be appropriate for underground mining using the longhole open stoping method. A gold price of US$1,350 and metallurgical recovery of 91.5% has been used. The parameters for the optimisation process and assumptions for open pit and underground mining are included in table 2.

Table 2: Cameron Open Pit and Underground Parameters

------------------------------------------------------- Parameters Open Pit Underground ------------------------------------------------------- Mining Cost US$/t 2.00 55.50 Milling Cost US$/t 20.00 20.00 G&A Cost US$/t 2.50 2.50 ------------------------------------------------------- Overall Cost US$/t 24.50 78.00 ------------------------------------------------------- Au Met. Recovery % 91.5% 91.5% Au Price US$/oz. 1,350 1,350 Cut-off Au g/t 0.55 2.00 -------------------------------------------------------

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Dr. Chris Osterman, P.Geo., CEO of First Mining, is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved, and accepts responsibility for, the technical information contained within this press release. Mr. Mark Drabble, MAIG, MAusIMM, and Mr. Kahan Cervoj, MAIG, MAusIMM, Principal Consultants with Optiro Pty Ltd., are the authors of the Technical Report, and each of them is an independent "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Neither Mr. Drabble, Mr. Cervoj nor any associates employed by Optiro Pty Ltd. in the preparation of the Technical Report ("Consultants") have any beneficial interest in First Mining. These Consultants are not insiders, associates, or affiliates of First Mining. The results of this Technical Report are not dependent upon any prior agreements concerning the conclusions to be reached, nor are there any undisclosed understandings concerning any future business dealings between First Mining and the Consultants. The Consultants are paid a fee for their work in accordance with normal professional consulting practices.

ABOUT THE CAMERON PROJECT

The Cameron Gold Project was acquired by First Mining from Chalice on June 9, 2016. The project, which covers an area of over 44,853 hectares (110,835 acres), is located in northwestern Ontario, approximately 75 kilometres southeast of Kenora and approximately 30 kilometres southeast of the Township of Pickle Lake.

ABOUT FIRST MINING FINANCE CORP.

First Mining is a mineral property holding company whose principal business activity is to acquire high quality mineral assets with a focus in the Americas. The Company currently holds a portfolio of 25 mineral assets in Canada, Mexico and the United States with a focus on gold. Ultimately, the goal is to continue to increase its portfolio of mineral assets through acquisitions that are expected to be comprised of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and nickel.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING FINANCE CORP.

Keith Neumeyer

Chairman

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements"(collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: commencement of expansion drilling at the Cameron project; the potential results of such drilling; any upgrade to, or expansion of, the resources on the Cameron project or the Dogpaw and Dubenski deposits; and the exploration potential and upside of the Cameron project. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, management's discretion to refocus its exploration efforts; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; results of exploration programs; accuracy of resource estimates; inability to meet future financing needs on acceptable terms; and title to properties. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, First Mining does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

First Mining Finance Corp.

Patrick Donnelly

President

604-639-8854



First Mining Finance Corp.

Derek Iwanaka

Vice President, Investor Relations

604-639-8824

www.firstminingfinance.com




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- With the release of the 2017 federal budget, the Canadian government has solidified its long-term commitment to improving urban mobility in Canadian communities. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced details of Phase II of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF II), an 11-year federal commitment to transfer $20.1 billion in public transit infrastructure across Canada with a transfer method that will be determined based on negotiations with Canadian provinces and territories. The Canada Infrastructure Bank, which will begin operating later this year, will set aside a separate $5 billion for transit projects involving private capital investment.

"By committing to long-term and dedicated transit funding, this government has empowered transit agencies to plan for the infrastructure projects that their communities need today, and the projects they will need in the future," said Sue Connor, Chair of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and Executive Director of Brampton Transit. "But funding is only part of the equation. Now all levels of government, the transit industry and the Canadian public must work together to ensure that this funding is utilized in a way that maximizes economic, environmental and social outcomes for Canadian communities."

The federal government will be working to sign bilateral agreements with provinces in the coming months regarding PTIF II ($20.1 billion). Provincial allocations will be based 70% on provincial ridership levels and 30% on provincial population. Federal cost share for individual transit projects will vary between 40-50% in provinces and 75% in territories. Up to 15% of a system's allocation will be eligible for rehabilitation projects.

"This investment will transform communities, strengthen the economy and put Canada on track to spark a sustainable change both in its urban spaces and within its transportation sector," said Patrick Leclerc, President and CEO of CUTA. "But the benefits will go beyond better transit service, Canada has an innovative and competitive transit industry that will see an increase in demand for its world class products right here at home."

The budget announced important reforms to Canada's fiscal framework. Included in the reforms was the elimination of the Public Transit Tax Credit. Over the last weeks and months CUTA has brought up with the government the importance of transit supportive measures in Canadian communities, in particular by maintaining the Public Transit Tax Credit in Canada. We will work closely with the government to ensure that transit supportive measures, including fiscal measures, remain diversified and reflective of the complex needs of our sector.

"As the government moves forward with its agenda, CUTA will remain a trustworthy partner to the government and continue to provide the transit research, data and industry insight the government needs to ensure that PTIF II is a success," said Leclerc. "The utilization of data will be vital to the success of PTIF II. Through transit data, we can learn how an investment will be best utilized to meet set objectives, as well as quantify what quality of life benefits those investments have yielded for the Canadian public."

For more information access the complete federal budget online.

About CUTA

CUTA is the collective and influential voice of public transportation in Canada, dedicated to being at the centre of urban mobility issues with all orders of government, and delivering the highest value to its members and the communities they serve. CUTA is the national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.

Contacts:

Jeff Mackey

Public Policy Coordinator

(613) 889-9690

mackey@cutaactu.ca




MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/22/17 -- UpGuard, the company behind the world's first cyber resilience platform, today announced a partnership with NEXTGEN as its exclusive distributor in New Zealand.

UpGuard, an Australian-born company based in Silicon Valley, gives organizations visibility into their cyber risk postures by monitoring and visualizing the ongoing state of complex IT environments. In the recent months, UpGuard has opened an APAC office in Sydney and announced several key local hires. This latest agreement with NEXTGEN builds on the company's investments in the region and comes on the back of significant interest in cybersecurity solutions from organizations in New Zealand.

"We've been working with an increasing number of New Zealand-based companies since 2012, and this partnership will allow us to better support the market's growing needs," said Gerry Sillars, UpGuard VP, APAC. "NEXTGEN is perfectly positioned to help us reach partners in the country who are starting to recognize that robust cyber risk management is a critical business function for their customer base."

UpGuard originated at Startmate, an Australian accelerator program in 2012. After attracting the attention of investors, including Square Peg Capital and Valar Ventures, co-CEOs Mike Baukes and Alan Sharp-Paul shifted operations to Silicon Valley. The business, which counts Rackspace, Ulta, Citrix, Amadeus, PGI, and ADP among its customers, raised $17 million in Series B funding in 2016. It has continued to grow more than 300% year over year.

"Innovation is thriving in New Zealand, and we're thrilled to add UpGuard to our vendor portfolio of IT solutions to help businesses meet their cybersecurity needs," said Terry Dunn, NEXTGEN Managing Director, New Zealand. "UpGuard represents the very best of cyber resilience tools and will be a huge asset to the companies we serve."

About UpGuard

Businesses depend on trust, but breaches and outages erode that trust. UpGuard is the world's first cyber resilience platform, designed to proactively assess and manage the business risks posed by technology. UpGuard gathers complete information across every digital surface, stores it in a single, searchable repository, and provides continuous validation and insightful visualizations so companies can make informed decisions. UpGuard is headquartered in Mountain View, CA with offices in Portland, OR and Sydney, Australia. To see how UpGuard works, or to get your CSTAR rating, visit www.upguard.com

About Nextgen Distribution

NEXTGEN is a Value Add specialist technology Distributor that brings together established and emerging Vendors to deliver tailored data centre and cloud based solutions in a way that adds value to all levels of the eco-system.

Press Contact:

Rachel Shepheard

upguard[at]launchsquad[dot]com

415-625-8555




Osage University Partners, a Bala Cynwyd, PA-based venture capital firm that invests in university startups, announced a new hire and a promotion.

The firm:

 added Anurag Agarwal, PhD, Associate, to the life science investment team. Dr. Agarwal previously was a consultant at Boston Consulting Group where he worked with healthcare and private equity companies to advise them on corporate growth strategy, business development, portfolio management, and M&A projects; and

 promoted Manny Stockman, PhD, to Senior Associate to the tech investment team. Dr. Stockman joined Osage University Partners as an Associate in 2015 with an investment focus on hardware, IoT, and computing. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Lockheed Martin.

Led by Bill Harrington, Managing Partner, Osage University Partners is a venture capital firm focused on investing in startups that are commercializing innovative university technologies. Osage partners with top research universities to invest in their most innovative startups, and Osage shares its investment profit with its partner institutions.

The firm invests in software, hardware, and life science companies at all stages of company development. Osage has partnered with 90 universities, including 36 of the top 50 U.S. institutions by research expenditures, and has invested in over 60 of their spinouts.

It is part of a family of investment funds within Osage Partners, which is based in Philadelphia, PA and manages in excess of $500 million.

FinSMEs

22/03/2017
The Narendra Modi governments intent to curb the generation of black money by limiting cash transactions to Rs 2 lakh from 1 April and making political funding transparent by restricting high value donations to non-cash modes, is welcome. The measures, proposed in the 2017 Finance Bill, will certainly curb the cash component of black money pile, increase income tax collection as more transactions (done through cheques and electronically) will now be traceable and aid to cleansing process of the political funding to some extent.

Political parties still get to accept cash donations up to Rs 2,000 which remain as a loophole for wrongdoings though. Directionally, these moves are positive. But, looking beyond these positives, there are two serious issues that must be debated in the finance bill, the primary among them being the unquestioned power certain provisions in the Finance Bill proposes to offer to the taxman.

The Section 132 of the Income Tax Act in the Bill proposes to give the power to the tax official not to disclose the reason for suspicion that may lead to search and seizure on any tax payer, to any authority including the tribunals, with retrospective effect. It reads thus: in sub-section (1), after the fourth proviso, the following Explanation shall be inserted and shall be deemed to have been inserted with effect from the 1st day of April, 1962, namely:Explanation.For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the reason to believe, as recorded by the income-tax authority under this sub-section, shall not be disclosed to any person or any authority or the Appellate Tribunal.

In a meeting of Parliamentary panel, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia had reportedly said that reasons will be disclosed to courts even if taxmen won't reveal it to appellate tribunals. But there needs to be clarity on this. As long as the amendments of Section 132 stays in the Finance Bill, this ambiguity on taxmen's role stays. As per this, the tax official can reopen cases many years old and harass even the honest taxpayer.

If this amendment is passed (since the Finance Bill is presented as a Money Bill, this is sure to get passed), the tax authorities become accountable to none, including tribunals, for having a suspicion that someone is hiding illegitimate assets. The officers action will not come up for review and his rationale will not be questioned. This will lead to lack of accountability of taxman and an unfriendly relation between the taxpayer and the assessor, which is not the idea the Modi government has been presenting. All along, this government has stressed that it wants a friendly relation with taxpayers and expect willingness from their part to contribute to the nations progress, not by force. But, the provision in the Finance Bill goes exactly opposite to this idea.

The second issue is the governments total disregard to the Supreme Courts October 2015 interim order (read a report here) ruling Aadhaar should not be made mandatory and the decision should be left to the citizens to use it or not to avail services.

In September, 2016, the Supreme Court had reminded (read a report here) that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory while ruling against a condition insisting students to produce their Aadhaar numbers to avail various scholarships. Then, a bench led by Justice V Gopala Gowda had reminded the government SCs October 2015 order which said the Aadhaar card Scheme is purely voluntary and it cannot be made mandatory till the matter is finally decided by this Court one way or the other. Now that the government has proposed to make Aadhaar mandatory for filing tax returns, what happens to the SC order?

While the SC order on Aadhaar and the governments move may be a matter of a larger legal debate, the first issue  making the tax official non-accountable to anyone in the system for exercising his powers on any taxpayer citing suspicion  is dangerous. Increasing personal tax collection is necessary but it shouldnt be done by terrorising the taxpayers and leaving room for the tax officer turn corrupt or act against anyone he wishes to. Accountability is must in the tax department, else it gives him the license to act at will and misuse the power vested in the department, which will not augur well in a democracy. Hence, this provision warrants a review and a wider debate.
This risk-based approach was at the heart of the workshop organized by the Plan Bleu on 2March, 2017 in Madrid. The workshop brought together 120 participants from the northern and southern shore of the Mediterranean to share experiences of practices used in monitoring marine debris, biodiversity and coastal areas.Under the urging of the European Union, the Northern Mediterranean countries have been using this approach for some time. France, for example, uses the RBA to monitor marine debris. Using data retrieved from aerial photographs, the areas of stress linked to human activity are mapped against flora and fauna habitat status to identify the most fragile areas where monitoring efforts need to be concentrated. Greece has developed an index to follow the non-indigenous species occupancy level and model its progress in coastal zones.In the Southern Mediterranean, Algeria is developing a monitoring programme around ten locations close to major coastal cities targeting coastal erosion and oil pollution risks, with the aim of identifying danger zones and classifying stress levels."The IMAP has recognized the worth of a risk-based approach and has made it a policy principle in the monitoring of marine and coastal ecosystems. Nevertheless, the discussions we were able to have during the Madrid workshop highlighted the need for this approach to be deployed efficiently both at regional and national level," points out the Plan Bleu's Antoine Lafitte. "Those tasked with monitoring are looking to us to come up with strategic guidelines and training programmes." These expectations must now be fulfilled.
The $23 billion Vodafone-Idea Cellular merger, which is touted to become Indias largest telecom firm, has cleared just one hurdle in the intense war simmering in the sector after the entry of Reliance Jio in September.

The move towards consolidation by Idea and Vodafone as announced on Monday with their merger has shaken the arena and more such mergers are expected.

However, Idea and Vodafone have a few stiles to leap over, even with the size the merged entity commands.

Management professors who have been keenly watching the deal said the road ahead was rough and strewn with boulders for the merged entity.

Brand identity

Vodafone and Idea Cellular have clear brand identities. British telecom major Vodafone is seen as ultra modern which is preferred by customers in the cities across the country. This image is also because the MNC has a confident urban image, says Siddharth Shekhar Singh, Associate Professor of Marketing, Indian School of Business (ISB). Idea, on the other hand, has an earthy and rustic image. What will the merged identity be  a balance of both or focus on the rural or city aspect?

The image chosen by the merged identity may not go down well with its customers, feels Singh, as it has to co-opt customers from opposing end of the spectrum. A lot will depend on the brand resonance of the merged identities, he said.

Question of tariffs

Vodafone and Ideas tariff structure are different as they cater to different sectors. Idea at present offers unlimited voice calls and 0.5 GB data at Rs 348. This is for a period of 28 days, according to the Financial Express . Vodafones recharge pack valid until March 15 was at Rs 246 for 28 GB data with unlimited voice calls. However, data would be charged after free usage of 1GB data. The concern now is, what will the merged identity offer to its customers, and more importantly at what price points? Will it to appeal to both Idea and Vodafones customers?

Organisational challenges

Equal partnerships are a big challenge to manage, says Amit Bhadra, associate professor  services and brand management of Mumbais Narsee Monjee Institute of Management (NMIMS).

He reasons that though it is clear that the two telecom giants have gone for a merger for strategic reasons, the integration of management of both organisations will have to factor in cultural differences -- staff working with a foreign MNC versus a home-grown firm.

There could be a likelihood of one of the organisation taking the leading role which will result in a cultural force-fit for the less dominant player, he says. The salary scales of Vodafone and Idea may not be at par and the new firm will have to make it par which may hurt some positions.

Bhadra cites the instance of Lenovo which acquired IBMs personal computer business in 2005 and its Intel-based server businesses in 2014. Lenovo was clear about its reasons for the acquisition as it stood to gain global exposure thanks to IBM.

In the case of Idea and Vodafone, though the reason for the merger is to capture a large market share, the companies will not risk the deal on for the sake of restructuring and HR processes. The goal will be to keep everyone happy in both the organisations which is a tough goal, says Prof Bhadra.

Unequal partnership

The merger has been called as an equal partnership with Vodafone initially holding 45.1 percent stake after transferring a stake of 4.9 percent to the promoters of Idea for Rs 3,874 crore in cash concurrent with the completion of the merger. Idea will hold 26 percent and the balance will be held by the public.

Idea has the right to acquire up to 9.5 percent additional stake at Rs 130 per share from Vodafone under an agreed mechanism with a view to equalising the shareholding over four years. Idea and Vodafone said the merged entity will be jointly controlled by Vodafone and the Aditya Birla group as per shareholders agreement.

The terms of the deal makes it seem like Vodafone wants to exit the market and has chosen a local player who can take the dominant position while it can ease off the market after a period, says Rajesh S Upadhyayulla, associate professor, strategic management, IIM - Kozhikode.

It looks like that Vodafone is trying to get an Indian partner to focus on operations while they get the financial returns. Hence, the COO and CEO will be from the Indian partner while Vodafone has only its CFO in the merged venture.

Manpower challenge

Though Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman, Aditya Birla Group, has said that there will be no major job cuts at Idea Cellular after Vodafone India merger, Singh of ISB says that it will be interesting to see how the duplication of job roles and working in same geographies will be tackled. Despite what Birla has said, retrenchment can be expected, concurrs Bhadra of NMIMS.

Onus more on Birla and Idea

Whatever processes and structures and synergies are realised by the new merged firm, it will have to be prepared for the next move from Airtel and Reliance Jio. Integration has to be done and also the market share has to be protected. This is going to be a challenge more so for Idea which also has to compete in the market, says Upadhyayulu of IIM-Kozhikode.

The challenge will be to give the same call quality, augment customers and use the opportunity to get the merged firms identity in the market and get ahead of Reliances Jio and Airtel. There cannot be more than two or three players in the telecom market, said Bhadra. This merger will spell out who will be the biggest players in the sector.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries, which owns Reliance Jio, also owns Network18 that publishes Firstpost
The Stayzilla case, in which the company's CEO Yogendra Vasupal has been arrested and put in jail in a payment default case, underscore the hardships of being an entrepreneur in India, 345 prominent entrepreneurs have said in an open letter to home minister Rajnath Singh posted on the website www.help-yogi.com. The site has been launched in support of Vasupal.

"If ever there's a right to be an entrepreneur, that's clearly been violated. Period, the letter says pointing out the way in which the case has been handled has already sullied India's image in the Silicon Valley. According to them, India now looks like the worst place to start up.

Among the signatories are Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO, Paytm; Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, OlaCabs; Mohandas Pai, former chief financial officer, Infosys; Shashank ND, co-founder and CEO, Practo.

Vasupal is lodged in Central Prison, Puzhal in Chennai. He was arrested on 14 March for defaulting on a payment of Rs 1.7 crore that Stayzilla owed to Jigsaw Advertising, a Chennai-based advertising agency.

Vasupal had last month announced in a blog that Stayzilla, a online homestay aggregator that he co-founded in 2005, was shutting down operations to reboot its business model. Ever since he has been hounded by the advertising agency, media reports indicated.

Here is the full text of the open letter:

Dear Sir,

We would like to express our concern and draw your attention towards the manner in which Yogendra Vasupal (Yogi), Founder and CEO, Stayzilla was arrested with regard to the matter registered as FIR 71/2017 CCB Chennai and the alleged influence including harassment by the concerned officials in Chennai, Tamilnadu.

Although we do not wish to prejudge to the matter, the Stayzilla case and it's locked up founder underscore the hardships of being an entrepreneur in India. If ever there's a right to be an entrepreneur, that's clearly been violated. Period.

The question is not how this will affect entrepreneurship today, but how young Indians looking to become entrepreneurs in the future will give up even before starting up.

You can find as many technical flaws and loopholes about a client-vendor contract (which by the way can be contested in the long term), and go roundabouts regarding how "an innocent" vendor was forced to abuse, intimidate and even send voodoo dolls with the picture of entrepreneur's kids.

The point is, all this appears to be a Bollywood nightmare, and unlike the movies, there are no real life superheroes to fight the battle. How you wish there actually was a superman who could stop it then and there. This doesn't necessarily wipe out the faith in judiciary. If anything, a fair judicial probe and hearing, is the only hope from hereon.

But all this does shake the faith when it comes to starting up in India, building a company from scratch. As a founder, we already have enough battlefronts, from acquiring customers to funding growth and ensuring the startup doesn't die. You add a disgruntled vendor using position of power and influential network to make you go through hell, and suddenly, it becomes a battle lost.

When Yogi was walking on a Chennai street, couple of cops in plain clothes drove past, snatched his mobile phone and asked him to come to the police station. they assured him they were aware of all the intimidations from Aditya. By the time he reached the police station, things changed.

He started getting pressurized to confess to "a crime" he never committed. His refusal to confess to a crime he never committed only made the things worse for him.

Has Yogi siphoned away money?

Was he running away from any enforcement agencies or the debtors?

Has he ever threatened and visibly intimidated the vendor and his family?

How will he protect his own family when he is locked inside the jail, and those announcing ways to intimidate his wife and kids (on Facebook) are out in the open?

If the answer is none of the above, then why on earth has he been locked up in jail for a week, away from his wife and two children?

Of course the judiciary will eventually get to the bottom of this case after a fair trial, and God willing, Yogi will walk out of the jail. But what Yogi and his family are going through now make India look like the worst place, a nightmarish choice to become an entrepreneur. He has not had a bail hearing despite being jailed for 7 days. This is already had global repercussions and besmirched Indias reputation in Silicon Valley and elsewhere.

We are standing up together as a community and believers in the vision of Honble Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi for Startup India. Stand-up India to call for a free and fair investigation into the dispute and strongly oppose any abuse of power to subvert the law of land. We humbly request you to look into this matter and ensure that expeditious justice is provided to Yogi.
SS Rajamoulis Baahubali 2: The Conclusion has become the most viewed trailer in India. It has 87.5 million views (from Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam trailers) in six days since it went live on March 16. A day after the trailer launch SS Rajamouli tweeted   One of the reasons Baahubali franchise got the attention of the viewers is, the scale & grandeur with which we designed & created each part.

Speaking exclusively to Firstpost, from his Banjara Hills office in Hyderabad, Baahubali 2 producer Shobu Yarlagadda of Arka Mediaworks says, The trailer became a runaway success due to its grand scale, emotional and action scenes. After 17 cuts we got it perfect as the 2 minute trailer encompasses the vision and emotion in Rajamoulis story telling. No other Indian film trailer has performed so well. I think the previous best was Dangal.

Yarlaggada says 65 million of the trailer views were from You Tube, out of which 32 million was Telugu, 27 million in Hindi, 5 million in Tamil and 1 million from Malayalam. 27 million views in Hindi for a dubbed film is phenomenal by any yardstick.

The sequel to the 2015 blockbuster Baahubali: The Beginning is now the hottest film at the box-office as it is expected to take a humongous opening when it releases on April 28.

Baahubali 2 has been presold at a profit for its makers even before release.

The trade buzz is that Baahubali 1 grossed Rs 600 crore worldwide, with the producers share around Rs 250 Crore. The distributors of the film made more profits than the producers. For example Baahubali 1 distributor in North America purchased it for $4 million and the film got him a share of $ 9 million. Now, the North America rights for Baahubali 2 rights have been snapped by a different distributor, Great India Films, for a whopping $ 7 million and as per his expectation the film has potential to do $15 million and break all records.

The previous highest record collection for an Indian film in USA is Aamir Khans Dangal at $ 12.3 million.

Arka Mediaworks Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni have arranged for a new set of distributors in all territories, barring Hindi version. The Hindi version is being done by Karan Johars Dharma Productions and Anil Thadanis AA Films. The association with Karan Johar is one of the main reasons why Baahubali became a major brand in the Hindi heartland.

SS Rajamouli and the Baahubali team of Prabhas and Rana Dagubatti also gifted Katappa's sword to Karan Johar.

In the rest of India except Kerala, the makers have opted for different distributors who have paid them record amounts. Kerala distributor Global United Media is reported to have paid double the amount they paid for part one. Prem Menon, of Global United Media said : We have immense faith in the Baahubali franchise and have a good relationship with the team who will deliver. Yes, we have paid a record amount, but we are very confident that Baahubali 2 will work big time at the box-office, just like part one and will be profitable for us.

Yarlaggada says the total budget for both the parts Baahubali 1 and 2 is Rs 450 Crores. The trade buzz is that Baahubali 2 will get a share between Rs 400 to Rs 500 Crore for the producers from theatricals, endorsements, merchandise, games, satellite and other rights.

The satellite deal for Baahubali 2 is a record Rs 78 Crores with Hindi going to Sony (Rs 50 Cr) and Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam with Star Network (Rs 28 Cr). The digital rights are with the producers who are negotiating with Amazon and Netflix.

Yes, we have already made profits before release from Baahubali 2 . We are confident that the film will be another blockbuster and our right holders will make profits," says Yarlaggada.

Baahubali 2 is slated for release on April 28 worldwide in four languages in 6500 screens in India, 750 screens in North America and another 1000 in 30 other markets.

It will be the biggest ever tent pole release for a Indian film.
The release date of Ram Gopal Varma' s political thriller Sarkar 3 was pushed from its original spot on 17 March to 7 April. However, now it has been further postponed by a month to 12 May.

The production banner of the film, Eros Now took to twitter to announce the new release date. It attributed the decision to delay in post-production work of the film. It also stated that the decision to push the date has been made in mutual agreement with the director Varma and the lead actor Amitabh Bachchan.

We, at Eros along with @SrBachchan , @RGVzoomin and Wave took a mutual decision to postpone the release of Sarkar 3 to 12th May 2017!  Eros Now (@ErosNow) March 21, 2017

This delay is due to delay in post production work! #Sarkar3  Eros Now (@ErosNow) March 21, 2017

Unfortunately, on its new release date, the film will clash with three films - Anurag Basu's action comedy adventure Jagga Jasoos, Akshay Roy's romantic comedy Meri Pyaari Bindu and Saket Chaudhary's Hindi Medium.

Just like that of Sarkar 3, the release date of Jagga Jasoos saw several delays. While the director Anurag Basu stated the ongoing exam season as the reason, other reasons of delay was reported as well, including the re-shoot of a few scenes and the brewing tension between former lovers and lead actors of the film, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, over promoting the film together.

The other two films can prove to be formidable competitors to Sarkar 3 as well. Meri Pyaari Bindu stars the fresh pairing of Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra, backed by Yash Raj Films. Hindi Medium stars Irrfan Khan and Pakistani actor Saba Qamar.

International Business Times reports that the producers of all three films, besides Sarkar 3, are trying to figure out a solution that ends up benefiting all parties. Though the three films are believed to belong to three different genres, they may end up eating into each other's business, given that they feature top stars of the industry.

Sarkar 3 also stars Jackie Shroff, Yami Gautam, Amit Sadh, Manoj Bajpayee, Ronit Roy and Supriya Pathak Kapur.
Chennai High Court has ordered the 'heads of censor board' to appear before it on March 27, saying poorly censored films are responsible for obscenity in cinema, which is affecting the youths, reports the Times of India.

'The heads of censor board' are directed to appear before the court on 27 March to explain why necessary action should not be taken against the board which is "responsible for exhibition of such cinemas involving POCSO Act offences," said a bench of Justice S Nagamuthu and Justice Anita Sumanth.

The judges issued the summons as a minor girl, traced in February after eloping with her 22-year-old boyfriend last May, deposed before the court that she had eloped after being influenced by similar episodes in films.

It was her father Sundararajan who lodged a police complaint stating that his daughter went missing on May 26 last. He later came to know that she had eloped with a local youth, Vimalraj (22). The Myladuthurai police registered a girl missing case. Police inquiries revealed that Vimalraj was involved in several criminal cases in Myladuthurai region. His father too was involved in several cases.

The police team tracking the couple later traced them to Kozhikode on the basis of their mobile phone location.When the judges questioned her, they came to know that she was four months pregnant.

The girl also told the judges that she had eloped with Vimalraj on her own volition, reports the New Indian Express.
Winston Churchill was one of the most infamous prime ministers of Britain and unsurprisingly, he has been subject of a lot of dramatisations over the years and has even served as inspiration for an alien in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The latest high-profile portrayal was John Lithgow in Netflix's The Crown, but before Season 2 of the show returns, another lauded actors taking on the mantle.

Brian Cox, the skilled English actor from L.I.E., Zodiac and X2 stars as the man himself in the new film Churchill alongside Miranda Richardson as his wife, Clementine.

Mad Men's John Slattery as American general Dwight D. Eisenhower. The film, shot in Scotland, focuses on the run-up to the World War 2 operation D-day in summer 1944, portraying the prime minister as a man fearful of history repeating itself.

The 70-year-old actor reportedly gained weight and shaved his head for the role. In an interview with The Guardian, he has likened Churchill to great Shakespearean characters such as King Lear, a role he played to acclaim at the National Theatre.

Cox also talked about how essential Churchill's wife was to him in another interview. Churchill, exhausted by the war and illness, was plagued by depression. He said, "Clemmie was his rock. She keeps him on the straight and narrow, but is also quite exhausted by him and by his mood swings. I think he's full of flaws and someone who lives with his mistakes, and that was a great source of his depression."

The script of the film was co-written by historian Alex von Tunzelmann so that it can be as close to reality as possible.

Here's the trailer for the upcoming 2 June 2017 film helmed by Brian Welsh (The Rack Pack).
By Maria Carolina Marcello and Brad Brooks

| BRASILIA/SAO PAULO

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO A police investigation into alleged unsanitary and corrupt practices has badly damaged the reputation of Brazil's meatpacking industry and could wipe more than 10 percent off its global market share, Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said on Wednesday.Maggi, a former state governor and a billionaire soy farmer, told a Senate Committee that his main concern was that China and Hong Kong have not yet taken a definitive stance on their bans of meat from Brazil, the world's biggest producer of beef and poultry. China and Hong Kong are the top two importers of Brazilian meats, last year buying nearly one-third of the $14 billion worth of meat that Latin America's largest economy exported. Maggi, speaking before a joint Senate committee, told lawmakers that if the government does not take quick action to tamp down the scandal, it could take Brazil up to five years to recoup the global market share it would lose.The minister added that before the police investigation was made public last week, Brazil typically exported $64 million worth of meat a day, but that figure dropped to $74,000 on Tuesday.The two-year investigation dubbed "Weak Flesh" has lodged accusations against more than 100 people, mostly health inspectors, for taking bribes and allowing the sale of rancid products, falsifying export documents, or failing to inspect meatpacking plants at all.

The probe by Brazil's federal police comes amid a sprawling three-year investigation into billions of dollars in political kickbacks paid by construction giants to win contracts with state-controlled firms, especially oil company Petrobras. (PETR4.SA)Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland and South Africa have all announced partial or all-out bans on Brazilian meat imports this week, following measures similar to those taken by China, the European Union, South Korea and Chile.The industry took a domestic hit Wednesday, as Walmart Brasil said in a statement that it had suspended the sale of all products from 21 processing plants named so far by police as under investigation.

The Brazilian government had already banned exports from those 21 plants - but allowed them to continue production and sales to the domestic market, a move that has angered some watchdog groups."Is the health of a Brazilian consumer not worth the same as that of a foreigner?" said Sonia Amaro, head of institutional relations at the Proteste consumer protection group. "Brazilian industry has a history of this, of offering inferior or dangerous products to domestic customers while sending better goods overseas."Maggi and other government leaders have aggressively tried to assure the public that this is not the case and that the meat supply does not pose any health risks.

They say the problems uncovered by police are isolated events, that those involved will be fired, and that the investigation focuses mostly on corruption, not tainted products.But Rafael Alcadipani, a professor of organizational studies at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, refutes the government's argument.He said too little is yet known about the findings of the ongoing investigation, and that corruption is possibly a worse finding than batches of rotten meat. If inspectors were paid to not do their jobs, it is impossible to know if putrid products entered the market, Alcadipani said. "Because Brazil has the world's biggest meatpackers, those businesses have huge influence with the government, so the government will go to all lengths to protect them," he said."Officials are clearly trying to focus attention away from the central question, which is whether or not there is systematic corruption in the sanitary system. Only allowing the investigation to play out will answer that." (Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello in Brasilia and Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo; Writing by Brad Brooks; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Lisa Shumaker)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Tommy Wilkes

| KABUL

KABUL India is considering whether to pay for repairs to grounded helicopters and transport planes from Afghanistan's air force, signalling a willingness to step up military assistance for Kabul that has irked Pakistan in the past.India estimates it would cost close to $50 million for new parts and repairs to 11 grounded Soviet-made Mi-35 helicopters and seven transport aircraft, after sending a team of experts to assess the Afghan air force's needs last year, the Indian ambassador to Kabul told Reuters.Afghanistan has repeatedly asked India to increase military assistance, as it struggles to fight Afghan Taliban insurgents who have taken swathes of territory since most foreign troops left the country in late 2014.New Delhi's readiness to provide more military help, while limited, underlines its desire to help Kabul as other regional powers including Russia and China look to increase their influence in Afghanistan."We have been looking at the scale of the challenge the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces) faces, particularly in one segment, close air support," ambassador Manpreet Vohra said in an interview in Kabul this week."We are trying to see how we can help. They have a large number of attack helicopters and transport aircraft grounded for want of spares, for expiry of certification," he said.India will decide whether to approve the proposal after final costing is done within a few months.

Most of Afghanistan's small air force dates from the Soviet era, but sanctions against Russia mean Western donors that fund the military cannot pay to get grounded aircraft flying again.India is not bound by such restrictions, but aside from the transfer in 2015 to Afghanistan of four attack helicopters, New Delhi has been reluctant to commit direct military support, saying it does not have the resources and prefers to help Kabul with development aid.CLOSE RELATIONS

Under the agreement with Afghanistan, India would pay for the transportation of the aircraft to Russia or other former Soviet states where the planes were manufactured and must be fixed according to licencing agreements, as well as for new parts and repairs, Vohra said.

The ambassador is due to meet the Afghan air chief in the next few weeks.Russia's federal service for military-technical cooperation did not respond to a request for comment.India enjoys close relations with Afghanistan, and both accuse common neighbour Pakistan of not doing enough to stop Islamist militants operating on its territory.Pakistan has previously warned that India should not be allowed to use Afghan soil to create instability in Pakistan.

India has been one of Afghanistan's biggest allies in the war against the Taliban, training thousands of security personnel, but was not included in the first round of recent Russia-led talks to reboot a stalled peace process.Afghan and U.S. officials are increasingly worried that any deepening of ties between Russia and the Taliban could complicate the security situation, and analysts say India risks being sidelined in future talks.Moscow has said its contacts with the Taliban are aimed at ensuring the safety of its citizens and encouraging peace talks.Russian government officials have said that Afghan troops, backed by U.S. special forces, have not done enough to stem the spread of Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan, according to Afghan and U.S. officials.Vohra said India would back Afghanistan at the next round of talks, scheduled for April, in arguing that the Taliban remained the biggest threat to the country.He said India remained a close partner of Afghanistan's, pointing to an additional $1 billion aid pledge announced last year and the completion of a nearly $300 million hydroelectric dam. (Additional reporting by Gleb Stolyarov in MOSCOW and Mirwais Harooni in KABUL; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Nidhi Verma and Manoj Kumar

| NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI India is exploring setting up a new payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after its old sanctions workaround broke down, as state banks remain fearful of handling payments from Tehran in case the United States imposes a fresh financial embargo.U.S. President Donald Trump has denounced an agreement between Iran and major powers on its nuclear programme as a bad deal, and his administration has put Tehran "on notice" after the test-firing of a ballistic missile.Under previous Western sanctions, India had devised a barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington that allowed it to make some oil payments to Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, UCO Bank.Indian companies were then able to receive payments for goods exported to Iran using the oil money held in non-convertible rupee balances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline between two countries with long historical ties.But since sanctions were partly lifted early last year the rupee account has been run down by more than 90 percent to just 20 billion rupees ($305 million) because Indian refiners have resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros.Whilst the federal government and central bank have approved oil payments in euros - which Iran prefers because the currency is readily convertible - they have not given the all-clear for trade in the opposite direction to be settled in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck."We are working on a mechanism through euros and looking for a common correspondent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary for India and Iran," said R.K. Takkar, chairman of UCO Bank. "The euro payment system has not yet crystallised," he said, adding the government was working to find a solution.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian banks had applied to open branches in India, but gave no indication when it might approve settlement of trade with Iran in currencies other than the rupee.

"Due to the geopolitical situation around Iran, and international sanctions-related measures, correspondent banking relationships are difficult," the central bank said in a written reply to questions submitted by Reuters."The Reserve Bank has facilitated payment for Indian exporters by permitting special arrangements for rupee-based settlements."TENSIONS GROW

Although European Union and United Nations sanctions against Iran have been removed some U.S. measures remain, and that, along with the hard line promised by the new administration in Washington, has left the country still largely shut out of the global financial system as banks steer clear of its business.

As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are considering reverting to the old rupee mechanism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO has no U.S. exposure that could lead it to fall foul of any new sanctions. Iran has agreed in principle to accept some oil payments in rupees to fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official told Reuters.No timeline has been fixed as yet to implement the new mechanism, however, as both sides await the outcome of Iran's presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump administration's approach towards Tehran, he said.The payment woes have hit the revenues of Indian exporters as they struggle to complete deals struck when the rupee account was flush with funds. Several containers from India are held up at Iranian ports, exporters said.

"Our clients are threatening to cancel orders and procure from China," said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran.India's major exports to Iran include food, chemicals, engineering products, garments and drugs. CHABAHAR PORT

The reticence of Indian banks with U.S. exposure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan and counter China's growing influence in the region. One official involved in the Chabahar project said contractors, concerned about getting paid, were now reluctant to supply equipment and materials for the Arabian Sea port whose completion is planned for 2018. "If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we may have to wind up most of our plans," the official said.Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."The government is still in a wait-and-watch mode and closely monitoring Trump's approach towards Iran," said a senior official who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Iran's top oil client after China, boosted exports to Tehran during sanctions as Western nations boycotted it. Yet India has lost out since the lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 billion in the previous year. ($1 = 65.6400 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Manoj Kumar and Nidhi Verma; Editing by Alex Richardson)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A student has filed an FIR against Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay at Siliguri Cyber Police Station after the latter posted a poem against Yogi Adityanath's elevation to the post of Uttar Pradesh chief minister. The complainant, Arnab Sarkar from Bagdogra has alleged that the poet has hurt Hindu religious sentiments through his poem which was posted on Facebook on Tuesday, World Poetry Day.

#BREAKING -- FIR lodged against Bangla poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay based in Siliguri for hate-mongering & insulting Hindu tradition & customs pic.twitter.com/TzpixgwYcN  News18 (@CNNnews18) March 22, 2017

@srijato_speaks:how did u confirm that @YogiBJP won't perform only because of he's a hindu yogi?! Did u ask muslims with beard n topi?! pic.twitter.com/Dcavy0DHwf  Debjani Ghosh (@deb1996gh) March 20, 2017

"We have received a complaint from one Arnab Sarkar last night. He accused Srijato of hurting Hindu sentiments in a Facebook post," an official of Siliguri police station cyber cell said. "He has hurt the feelings of each an every Hindu through the use of distasteful words against the community. I have strong reservations about the last line of the poem where he makes derogatory remarks about trishul and Yogi Adityanath," Sarkar, a member of 'Hindu Samhati', told reporters.

An India Today report said the poem titled 'Abhishap' or 'Curse', is a critique of the hardline Hindutva with a veiled reference to the controversial leader's appointment as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. While the poet has termed the complaint an assault on the freedom of expression, he clarified that his poem is a critique of all types of religious fundamentalism and not just about Hindutva.

Reacting to the police complaint, Bandyopadhyay said, "It is really sad that in a country like India, which has been known for his democratic values, the right to freedom of speech and expression is shrinking fast. The majority of people in this country believe in freedom of speech." "Since the poem was posted, I was trolled on Facebook and some of the comments made are very dangerous and threatening in nature," he said. Tapan Ghosh, president of Hindu Samhati, said that the poem was written on the basis of false information and if the police failed to take action they would move court.

According to The Times of India, Sarkar, a second-year student of Kalipada Ghosh Terai Mahavidyalaya said that if Srijato has freedom of expression to say whatever he feels in the garb of poetry, no one can deny my right to protest and take recourse to law.

Sarkar added that Srijato can't get away with what he wrote in the last line. "In the land of Tagore and Saratchandra, his choice of words is distasteful. He is a pervert," said Sarkar, who claims to have the support of state BJP president Dilip Ghose. The India Today report said that the Left has termed this a ploy by the Mamata Banerjee administration to facilitate the emergence of BJP in the state.

With inputs from PTI
Indonesian Formula 2 racer Sean Gelael make his F1 debut this year with the 20-year-old enjoying three in-season tests with Toro Rosso.

Gelael, who raced in Formula 3 and Formula Renault 3.5 before graduating to GP2 and finishing the 2016 series 15th, will test for the junior bull outfit in Bahrain, Hungary and Abu Dhabi.

The Bahrain test at Sakir is scheduled in less than a month, on April 18-19.

The young charger who will race for Arden in F2 in 2017 enjoyed a seat fitting at Toro Rosso's base in Faenza yesterday.
The prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) saw a massive reduction in its Mphil PhD seats integrated programme following a University Grants Commissions notification to do the same.

The university has been seething in agitation against seat reduction for over a month by a number of student bodies who view this decision as an attempt to deny social justice to the oppressed class, by the virtual shutdown of JNUs research programmes.

The M Phil/PhD intake notification published in the universitys website recently for the academic year 2017-18 showed only 102 seats vacant in various departments, whereas the same published a year ago for the academic year 2016-17 showed vacancy of total 970 seats in the said category.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court ordered to withhold admission process after a petition challenging UGC guidelines was filed, but the University published the intake notification after the Court dismissed the plea challenging the UGC guidelines, reports NDTV.

The news channel also reported that no seats for integrated Mphil-PhD course are allotted for much sought after subjects like physical sciences, computational and integrative science, biotechnology and Sanskrit. Similar is the case with the History and Political Science department.

There are many departments for which only one seat is open for admission: European studies, South Asian Studies, Geography and School Arts and Aesthetics, the report said.

The admission prospectus also mentions that the current admission procedure has ended deprivation points for weaker sections in the research courses.

Deepak Kumar, a researcher on the issue wrote that the 2016 UGC notification does not mention a single word about the integrated programme thereby indicating that the UGC totally undermines the unique programme through a regulation. Unlike the earlier regulation passed in the year 2009, the newer one alters the entrance test in a manner that will decidedly exclude the marginalised students, especially in marginalised areas.

While questioning the decision to curb seats he says,  Do the new regulations signal that on the one hand the state curbs the scope of public university to restrict the access of the downtrodden communities candidates from higher education and on the other hand, the state promotes private education?

The university has been following the norm of giving 70% weightage to the written test in the selection process for M Phil, PhD and 30% weightage to the via-voce. But the model has been changed after the UGC notification to 100% weightage to viva-voce, which the protesting students believe will bring in favouritism in the selection process.

The university saw a massive protest from the student community against the seat cut including an indefinite hunger strike.

The JNUSU said in a press release issued earlier, The JNU Vice-Chancellor violating all norms and ignoring objections from students and teachers, convened the 142nd Administrative Council meeting during the winter break on 23 December 2016, at a time when several members of the council were out of campus. The meeting should have accepted the viva committee Recommendations of reducing viva weightage from 30 to 15. But instead, the VC suddenly forced adoption of a UGC notification.

Delhi High Court rejected the plea raised by five students on the grounds that the UGC guidelines are binding on all universities.
The Bombay High Court, which was likely to hear the matter on junior doctors' mass leave on Wednesday, will now do so on Thursday as reports suggested that CJ's bench was not available. The high court had ordered the doctors to resume their duty on Tuesday.

Junior doctors' mass leave: Bombay HC likely to hear the case tomorrow, which couldn't be done today because of unavailability of CJ's bench pic.twitter.com/cFZ3HooFkb  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

#ExpectToday Bombay HC to hear the junior doctors' mass leave matter today, HC had yesterday asked them to resume their duties immediately pic.twitter.com/pJMpPulehL  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

Following a strong rap by the high court, nearly 3,000 resident doctors of 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra withdrew their mass casual leave agitation with immediate effect, a doctors' body told IANS on Tuesday. It said that the doctors are likely to get back to work either on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

"We have always obeyed court orders and are appealing to all resident doctors to report back for duty as soon as possible," a Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) spokesperson told IANS. According to PTI, the protests are likely to continue on Wednesday as

the doctors feel that the government has been doing only "lip service" to their cause and doing nothing to instill a sense of safety in them.

Meanwhile, families and relatives of patients in hospitals complained of neglect in healthcare.

Mass leave creating a lot of problems, patients can't be left alone. Doctors should abide by their duties:Relative of a patient in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/QlyjOCKT0W  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

My wife is suffering burn injuries, and its been 4 days now.She is not being treated:Mohd Kamran(Patient's husband) outside Sion Hosp,Mumbai pic.twitter.com/kfzJteJufP  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

Over 3,000 resident doctors stayed away from work since Tuesday, demanding better security for them at hospitals in the wake of a string of attacks on them.

Hearing a petition filed by social activist Afak Mandaviya seeking action against the protesting doctors, a division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice GS Kulkarni said the hospital management concerned should initiate action against the doctors. The Bombay High Court termed the doctors' strike as "shameful" conduct. "If you (doctors) do not want to work, then resign. You are not factory workers that you will resort to such protests. Shame on you. How can doctors behave in such a manner?" Bombay High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur asked.

"We don't feel safe in such situation. We cannot concentrate fully on patients. Every delegation of ours that met with state officials has got only assurances but nothing was implemented. As long as a resident doctor does not feel safe, he or she is free to remain on leave or not report to duty," a doctor told reporters on Tuesday.

A senior official of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said the medical services in the Outpatient Departments (OPDs) were primarily affected in the absence of resident doctors. However, emergency health services, including taking care of accident patients, surgeries and providing post-operative care to those admitted in various hospitals, were being maintained by senior doctors, he said.

On the plight of patients, Indian Medical Association (IMA) general secretary Parthiv Sanghavi said, "One must not forget that resident doctors are the junior-most ones in any government hospital. There are senior doctors who are still treating patients in these hospitals and they are not part of such mass leave. In some cases, there are some delays and we feel bad about it, but we are forced to take such step."

As a part of the protest, some of the resident doctors have availed leave, while the others are not reporting to duty. They are claiming that a large number of relatives come along with the patients and this puts pressure on them and affects their working.

Recently, a resident doctor was severely beaten up in the Dhule civil hospital by the relatives of a patient. In Nashik civil hospital, an on-duty doctor and a nurse were manhandled by the kin of a patient who died on Thursday.

Last week, a doctor in the BMC-run Sion hospital in Mumbai was also manhandled.

A meeting held on Tuesday night between the Maharashtra Principal Secretary for Medical Education, Rajagopal Devara, and representatives of the resident doctors had failed to break the deadlock.

(With inputs from agencies)
Healthcare services in Maharashtra have been severely crippled because of the ongoing doctors' strike in the state. More than 4,000 resident doctors in the state's government hospitals are protesting incidents of attack on their colleagues.

For Dr Rohan Mhamunkar, one of the attacked, the day of the incident was just like any other. Some 15 to 20 people had arrived with a patient in serious condition. The patient was brought in with multiple injuries and was promptly advised to undergo a CT scan. But before the procedure could take place, the patient had to be stabilised.

The relatives of the patient started to grow restless, which ultimately resulted in a spat between Mhamunkar and the relatives. Things escalated and took an ugly turn, when Mhamunkar was beaten up badly with rods by the relatives. He sustained serious head injuries, resulting in blurry vision.

"We were outside Dhule when we came to know about the incident. The authorities and doctors informed us and we rushed to the spot. The police had arrested nine of the culprits by then and had filed a case against them," Dr Vijaya Mali, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dhule chapter, said.

"We requested the police to file the case according to the Maharashtra medical service persons and medicare service institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) act. After our request, they filed the case as per this law," Mali added.

"But this doesnt happen in every case," said Dr Mohan Joshi, president IMA, Pune chapter. "When a doctor was beaten up two years ago, we tried to tell the police to file a case under this law but they denied, saying this law does not exist."

The Dhule incident is one of the 45 cases registered since the inception of the law in 2010. But none of the cases have reached sentencing yet. Demanding strict action, resident doctors across the state have now gone on strike by taking mass leaves.

According to the law, the offenders are liable to pay compensation and a fine of approximate Rs 50,000. The offence is also cognisable and non-bailable. "But in many cases, the offenders get bail immediately," said Dr Rajesh Katreve, a resident doctor, who is part of the group leading the strike.

"Every time a strike is called, the ministers conduct meetings... they promise action. But, these promises are never fulfilled," said one of the doctors on strike, who works at Sasson Hospital Pune.

"We met the health minister but they (ministers) are not even ready to issue a statement. They said we will increase security but how is that going to help?" asked Dr Ashok Tambe, state president of IMA.

There have been seven to eight similar attacks in past three months alone. Right after the Dhule incident, doctors were attacked in Mumbai Nashik and Aurangabad as well.

According to a survey conducted by IMA, maximum attacks occur when doctors are providing emergency services. This is exactly what Dr Abhijeet Jawanjane, a resident doctor at Sasson Hospital Pune, experienced.

"It was 10:30 at night. I was on duty when one of the relatives of the patients arrived to inquire about his condition. He was clearly drunk. The patient was hospitalised in critical condition a day prior to the incident. When this relative started arguing with me, I started explaining the condition to the patient's wife instead. The relative went out and came back with 4 to 5 people and they started beating me," Jawanjane said.

"The security guards just stood there watching. They did not try to intervene. This is clearly seen in the CCTV footage available. It has been a year now and I don't even know if a chargesheet was filed," he added.

Like Jawanjane, many other doctors have been seeking justice for years now, but none of the 45 cases have reached their conclusion.

"Doctors work under tremendous pressure. They should feel safe while treating a critical case and should have mental stability. But these incidents have turned the situation the other way round," said Joshi said.

"You would understand the situation if you spend just 24 hours with a resident doctor and see what conditions they work in," Mali added.

Security lapses are one of the major reasons behind such incidents. Maharashtra MLA Girish Mahajan agrees that security needs to be amped up.

"We are conducting a security audit. We have found that in 12 government medical colleges and hospitals there are only 250 security personnel appointed. We are planning to appoint retired police officers as security personnel in hospitals and increase the security. I have appointed former DGP Praveen Dikshit to look into this," Mahajan said, in an interview to a local TV channel.

But the doctors feel that increasing the security alone will not solve the problem. They are demanding that the law be revised so that stringent action will be taken against the perpetrators. They also want to limit the number of relatives allowed in with the patient to two.

But, above all, they want Mhamunkar's case to reach a conclusion. The doctors feel that if someone gets punished, it will send out a strong message.
As if we did not have enough incidents to show us how meaningless the words 'freedom of speech and expression' have become, a professor in a college in Khopoli was beaten up and arrested for simply questioning why Chhatrapati Shivaji's birthday was celebrated twice a year.

According to a report in The Times of India, the incident took place on Wednesday when Sunil Waghmare, a professor in the commerce department at KMC College, questioned on a Whatsapp group why Shivaji Jayanti was celebrated twice a year.

Waghmare was beaten up by some college students and even professors the next day and the Whatsapp group admin even lodged a case against him uder IPC 295(A) for hurting religious sentiments.

"He is senior faculty and I know him since 2012. That night on WhatsApp, when he made the comment, I asked him to take back his words but he refused. So, I decided to delete the group altogether. On Friday, when I was in the staff room, I got to know that he was attacked. Later, because I was the admin of the group, I was asked by the police to register the complaint," Mid-Day quoted Professor Amol Nagargoje, who had registered the complaint, as saying.

On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai had in February written a letter to the chief minister and cultural minister that the Maharashtra government should only organise celebrations for Shivaji Jayanti on tithi (a date on the Marathi calendar), according to The Asian Age.

While the state government officially marks Shiv Jayanti with an annual holiday on 19 February, many people in the state celebrate the occasion on tithi.
The Supreme Court is set to deliberate over and decide whether senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti along with other BJP leaders may face trial in the decades-old Babri masjid demolition case.

Babri Demolition case: Supreme Court adjourns the matter till tomorrow pic.twitter.com/MeBWeqszf4  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

Babri Masjid demolition case: SC likely to examine whether to revive conspiracy charges against LK Advani, Murli M Joshi,Uma Bharti & others pic.twitter.com/q0BshFJnaZ  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

NDTV reported that apex court is expected to report on whether or not conspiracy charges will be revived against Advani and other leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti. The charge was dropped by the lower courts.

According to NDTV, Advani, Joshi and a dozen others including Vinay Katiyar and Kalyan Singh  the governor of Rajasthan  were released by a court in Raebareli from conspiracy charges in the razing of the 16th-century Babri mosque in Ayodhya in December 1992 by Hindu activists. The activists believed mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The SC had earlier expressed its concern over the pace of the proceedings of Babri Masjid demolition case and was likely to take a decision on those accused on 22 March. The apex court had called for a joint trial and is likely to club the Raebareli and Lucknow cases. The cases pending in the two cities will be heard in Lucknow.

According to this Firstpost article, the government just ten days after the incident had established the Liberhan Commission of India to investigate the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The report by Liberhan Commission submitted in June 2009 had found many BJP leaders culpable including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani, Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Pramod Mahajan, Bharti and Vijayaraje Scindia, as well as VHP leaders like Giriraj Kishore and Ashok Singhal.

The Allahabad High Court had pronounced its judgment in 2010 on the four title suits relating to the dispute. In the landmark hearing, the HC ruled that the disputed land be divided into three parts  one-third to Ram Lalla, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha; one-third to the Islamic Waqf Board; and the remaining third to the Nirmohi Akhara.

Allahabad High Court had discharged Advani and other senior leaders of the party and Hindu outfits on charges of criminal conspiracy.

Hindustan Times reported, the decision to discuss the culpability of Advani and other senior leader was taken after a bench of Justices RS Nariman and PC Ghosh heard a CBI petition challenging the Allahabad High Court's dropping of conspiracy charges against these leaders. "We will not accept the discharge on technical grounds and we will allow supplementary charge sheet," the bench said.

According to The Times of India, The CBI had moved the apex court on 18 February, 2011 against the Allahabad court's verdict. The CBI had issued a charge sheet against Advani and 20 others under sections 153A IPC (promoting enmity between classes), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (false statements, rumours etc circulated with the intent to cause mutiny or disturb public peace).

However, it subsequently invoked charges of criminal conspiracy which were quashed by the special court with the decision being upheld by the high court. The court order of May 2010 had said that there was no merit in the petition by the CBI.

NDTV reports said, the apex court will allow CBI to file a supplementary charge sheet against 13 persons by including the conspiracy charges

On Tuesday, a bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul had passed a verdict directing an amicable, out-of-court settlement in the ongoing dispute over the Ram Temple. The judgement was in response to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy plea urging the apex court to constitute a bench to hear a batch of petitions challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court order.

The 2010 order said that there should be a partition of the Ayodhya land between the parties to the dispute. The apex court said that since it is a sensitive and sentimental issue and it's best that it is settled amicably. The court also asked Swamy to consult the parties and mention the matter on or before 31 March. Swamy had sought an urgent hearing of 1992 Babri Masjid demolition in Supreme Court.

The court added that all parties should choose mediators to make a fresh attempt to settle the issue and if required, a principal mediator can be chosen by the court for settling the issue.

The newly elected chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has been a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. He 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.

He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its work will soon start in Ayodhya.

With inputs from agencies
Govind Talwalkar, the long-time editor of Maharashtra Times passed away on Tuesday night in Cleveland, Ohio. He was an eminent journalist and a titan in Marathi journalism. On this day, one may wonder if we would get another gem like him. But, chances are slim, for in this changing world, journalism has evolved and journalists have changed their approach to news and opinion.

Last year, Aroon Tikekars (Loksatta, Sakal, et al), a journalist who had commendable knowledge about Mumbai, passed away too. The scholarly journalist had the perspective of a historian and like Talwalkar, wrote books with the same ease they wrote their editorials. Talwalkar is credited, according to the obituary posted online on Maharashtra Times portal, with 25 books. Tikekar had written 11, many of which were in English language.

Talwalkar and Tikekar were two print journalists who did not need the crutch of television news to be known. Their editorials were their identities and I have not known Talwalkar to address a public event from a rostrum. His edits spoke for him and the same could be said for Gopalan Kasturi who for 40 years stewarded The Hindu.

Talwarkar was 91 and is now survived by his two daughters. Even though he migrated to the US, first to Houston and then to Cleaveland, he was not removed from the daily events in India and more particularly in Maharashtra. He followed events as they transpired with an eagles eye, and the distance did not dim his desire to be constantly updated and to keep writing.

A few journalists who were recipients of his emails were asked precise questions and despite his failing eyesight, which forced him to type them in very large fonts, he sent soft copies of his articles for publications like Sadhana, Lalit, or Manoos. He always acknowledged emails received by him.

When he was hospitalised for congestive heart disorder in January, perhaps for the third time, he gave clear instructions to his daughter even as the ambulance was on its way: he wanted his reading glasses, his magnifying glasses, and his Kindle so that he could read newspapers in the hospital bed.

His daughters email that month showed how he didnt want to miss the right thing  a true newspaper editors instinct is all about that  as he asked his daughter, Sushama to tape US president Donald Trumps inauguration. There was a TV in the hospital room but being tired, he did not want to take chances.

That underlines his passion to be in touch with the current events. He showed some kindness towards me too when I was new to Mumbai. On transfer from Ahmedabad to the Mumbai bureau of The Hindu, Talwalkar liberally gave me his time. After the first meeting when senior journalist Prakash Akolkar introduced me to him in the formers office, he suggested that his doors were always open.

From Talwalkar and Tikekar, I learnt about the nuances of politics in Maharashtra, the social issues and the interface of the two. Accurate reporting was a must, he said, but not being aware of the background made even the hardworking journalist a mere stenographer. He once told me, You have to peel the onion, layer by layer, but not be affected by the vapours that could bring tears.

That point about not being affected was the measure of objectivity  keeping things at an arms length, the reporter must not be part of the story. Talwalkar was a reporter's editor and stood by them regardless of pressures from the authorities. What marked the man was that he was a widely read man, in the voracious category, a prolific writer, and stood by his views. When he wrote his opinion, he did not always take what was said by a politician at face value, and had the gumption to stand up for his belief. Let me narrate how he responded to criticism from the Maharashtra legislature.

It was Shivaji Jayanti and the Maharashtra Times, as complained by Anna Dange, a BJP MLC from Sangli, didn't carry even a photograph of the Maratha emperor. The BJP MLC pointed out that the legislature should take note of it. The next day, Talwalkar wrote that the newspaper would have carried a mention had there been anything new to say. As the editor, the newspapers choices were under his purview and not the politicians'.

He had a phenomenal memory and made copious notes throughout his life, which he carried with him to the US on his retirement from Maharashtra Times, which he helmed for 27 years. His articles in the daily had copious details about events and relevant contexts including dates from half a century ago.

Once he needed some reference from The Hindu archives. His email was filled with such details that one wondered why information had given way to infotainment in media  print and electronic. He was to review Towards Freedom (OUP) and was looking for precise details about the secret documents seized by the British in 1942 which carried details about the differences Moulana Azad and Jawaharlal Nehru had with Mahatma Gandhi.

He write, I think The Hindu must have published those documents on 5 August, 1942. Could I know someone  since I too had retired from The Hindu  in the newspaper for him to get it?

Given his stature, The Hindu responded within the hour of my request on his behalf.
The Telangana government had sought immediate intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the safe release of 29 workers from the state, held captive by their employer in Saudi Arabia.

Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday took to Twitter to respond to Telangana's Minister for NRI Affairs KT Rama Rao's plea seeking her intervention for the safe release of workers.

Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao. https://t.co/wl5PJdJef7  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 21, 2017

Swaraj asked the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Javed, to initiate action for the workers' release. Swaraj also sought a report from Javed on the matter.

She was responding to a tweet from Rao's official Twitter handle sharing a media report with details of the issue.

In a letter to Sushma Swaraj on Monday, KT Rama Rao drew her attention to the plight of the workers of Al-Hajry Overseas Company at Al-Hassa.

He said the migrant workers were in the captivity of the employer firm for the last 12 days without any food or basic amenities.

He urged the minister to raise the issue with Saudi Arabia to ensure that all the employees are safely released by the employer and repatriated to India at the earliest.

The minister said one of the workers Boragalla Shekhar informed that he along with 28 others from Telangana working for the company requested for leave to visit India. In response, the company, not only demanded $50,000 each to relieve them but also refused to provide the expenses for travel.

For redressal of their grievance, the individuals approached Labour Court and subsequently Amir Court for justice. The Amir Court issued directions to the employer to bear all expenses and send the 29 employees to their home country within three days.

However, the company took all the 29 employees into custody and is holding them captive in a room at Allsafaniya Kouqt, Bodar, city Kanji, Saudi Arabia, denying them food, water or medicines and other basic amenities for the last 12 days.

With inputs from agencies
Three days in the office and the newly appointed Uttar Pradesh chief minister is at it in full throttle. In a series of new advisories and orders, Yogi Adityanath has sought to address some of the key issues, taken to be the priority of the BJP. As many remain apprehensive of the mood of the current ruling dispensation, the first few orders issued by the new UP chief minister also received mixed reactions.

Starting with the anti-romeo squad, which was one of the key promises in BJP's election manifesto, Adityanath issued orders to constitute "anti-Romeo squad" in 11 districts of the Lucknow zone to prevent molestation and harassment cases. "In a bid to check incidents of eve-teasing and passing of comments on them (women and girls), anti-romeo dal would be constituted at the police station levels and action will be taken against them under the Goonda Act," IG (Lucknow Zone) A Satish Ganesh said.

The Lucknow zone comprises 11 districts adjoining the state capital.

Following this came another advisory to check illegal cow slaughter as the IG's order also said that attempts should be made to check cow slaughter and cattle smuggling effectively and those involved should be booked.

The IG said that in cases where investigation is complete, final report should be submitted in court and review of heinous crimes made so that those involved are sent behind bars.

The IG also directed the police to effectively check crime against women, arrest criminals carrying rewards, follow up on cases lodged under the Gangster Act, check activities of land mafia and curb the sale of illicit liquor.

Moreover, besides pulling up the law and order situation, the new BJP government also took note of the Swachh Bharat mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project. Adityanath has on Wednesday, issued fresh advisory banning chewing of pan, pan masala, tobacco inside government office premises. Use of plastic carry bags within government offices has also been banned.

Meanwhile, according to a report by CNN-News18, the executive orders defining the exact role of the anti-romeo squad will be decided by the cabinet later. However their were fears, especially amid the youth of the minority communities, that the squad could be a guise for the administration to conduct moral-policing in the state, the news report said.

Javed Ahmed, Deputy General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, clarified that the police had no intentions but to ensure safety and security of women at public places. Speaking to the news channel he said, " Let me make it amply clear, we have no intention of preventing adults from meeting or doing whatever they want to do in public spaces or otherwise. The anti-romeo squad has been formed to book the eve-teasers and harassers who make public spaces unsafe for women." Ahmed also said that any attempts to carry out vigilantism of any sort, outside the purview of law, will be dealt with seriously.

The BJP's "sankalp patra" (manifesto) during the Assembly polls promised constitution of "anti-Romeo" squads for checking harassment, besides checking activities of land mafia and cow slaughter.

With inputs from PTI
Lucknow: In keeping with the BJP's manifesto, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed police officials to prepare an action plan for closure of slaughterhouses across the state.

He also ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows and said zero tolerance would be exercised in this regard.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath directed police officials to prepare an action plan to shut slaughterhouses; complete ban on cow smuggling: Sources.  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Official sources did not specify the type of slaughterhouses which will be shut.

However, the BJP manifesto had said that all the illegal slaughterhouses would be closed and there would be a blanket ban on all the mechanised slaughterhouses.

The BJP document had observed that due to cow smuggling, dairy-based industries have failed to flourish.

It noted that during the past state governments there has been a fall in cattle count, reflecting that bovine smuggling was rampant.

BJP Chief Amit Shah in his election meetings had emphasised that the moment his party comes to power in the state, it would ban all slaughter houses.

In his orders issued today, Adityanath also directed the police to act tough against anti-social elements.

He warned that those using police security as "status symbol" would come under the scanner and after review of their threat perception their security might be changed.

With inputs from PTI
We do not need the Uttarakhand High Court to inform us that our two premier rivers Ganges and Yamuna are 'living entities'. We have known about that from our childhood. This fact was further reinforced when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, standing for elections from Varanasi three years ago, declared he was the son of Mother Ganges and swore to restore the river to its pristine glory.

To move away from these platitudes, it must be emphasised that Indians have been trying to clean up the Ganges for the last thirty years. Thousands of crores of rupees have been spent to no avail and the Modi government has also allocated another $3 billion over five years to clean this sacred river.

The reality is that more than one billion gallons of raw sewage and industrial effluents enter the Ganges every day and it is now ranked one of the ten most polluted rivers in the world.

Varanasi with its population of five million has 33 nallahs which are dumping their untreated sewage and muck into the Ganges. Rather than make a grandiose intervention, the head of the Natural Division of Intach, decided a small but meaningful cleaning up operation could make a substantive difference in cleaning up the river.

"We had cut our teeth in cleaning up the Palam nallah in Dwarka in 2012. Prior to that, we had cleaned up the Kushak nallah in Chankyapuri in 2010 and the east Taj drain which crosses the eastern entrance of the Taj Mahal. This was such a foul smelling drain that tourists would cover their nose to enter from this side. This clean up was undertaken last year," said the be-spectacled, grey-haired Bhatnagar sitting in his cabin tucked away in once corner of the Intach office in New Delhi.

The nallahs are storm-water drains but because there are no proper sewer treatment plants (STP) in place in our cities including Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, these are serving as large sewers which are responsible for our rivers becoming highly polluted.

At the suggestion of Intach chairman Major General LK Gupta (retd), it was decided to clean up the Assi river which flows into the Ganges at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. Assi river appears to be little more than a slushy, dirty drain choked with plastic and muck and it seems difficult to believe the poet and saint Tulsidas wrote his epic poem Ramcharitmanas on the banks of what has become a foul smelling river.

The strategy adopted by the three-member Intach team of scientists led by Ritu Singh who has specialised in forest ecology and environment was to place a large 100 litres of friendly bacteria concentrates along the Assi river. These help degrade organic waste, enhance dissolved oxygen levels and help remove the odour.

The Assi river meanders through very densely populated areas of the city and is discharging some 70 million litres of water into the Ganges which was found to have a biochemical oxygen demand value of 130 mg/l.

"Cone log filters placed in the water help provide surfaces to which the bacteria will cling. This bacteria is used in sewage treatments plants but this is the first time it has been applied to clean up a moving stream," said Bhatnagar.

"We build four weirs using coir log filters at 20 locations to help reduce the velocity of water and for filtration purposes of the suspended solids. Once the velocity of the flow becomes reduced, tubular rafts carrying aquatic plants suck up the pollutants from their roots," he said hastening to add that bacteria concentrates cannot be used to treat industrial effluents.

"We use plastic media which provides a surface to the bacteria to attach themselves. Most of the water going into the river is domestic waste and we have found this method of bioremediation very effective," he said.

This pilot project was conducted between the months of January and February this year. The results have been extremely promising and the result has been a 60-70 percent reduction in the pollution as well as a sharp reduction in the smell as has been confirmed by the state Pollution Control Board in Varanasi and by independent labs.

An extremely inexpensive method of treating domestic waste, Bhatnagar said, "While the cost of installing STPs in Varanasi will run into over Rs 75 crore and these will become functional after land acquisition and after all the houses have been connected to sewage pipes, the cost of bioremediation for all 33 nallahs in Varanasi works out to Rs 3 crore per annum. This will begin showing results within two months of being installed."

Of course, there are hiccups. The Assi river is heavily encroached and building the weirs resulted in some amount of water logging. Said Singh, "The people living on the banks wanted to remove the logs and actually cut the ropes that kept them in place. We had to handle the situation tactfully. Now that the foul smell has gone, they are extremely appreciative of what we have done."

Bathers at Assi Ghat expressed their pleasure at the cleaning up of the water.

Bhatnagar said that theirs is a one-time intervention. "Intach has the expertise to demonstrate this project over a period of one year but after that, the state authorities will have to take over. It has been the same with the Palam, Kushak and East Taj drains. We showed the DDA and the Agra state pollution board how to undertake this cleanup and they have to take it forward from there," he said.

And herein lies the biggest shortcoming of this proposal. In most cases, the state government is not willing to put in the necessary expertise and care to over see these projects on a long time basis. The example of the Hauz Kaus lake is a prime example of this.

This historic water body which is 15 acres wide and located in the heart of south Delhi was revived by Intach and DDA using a slew of techniques including using aquatic plants to absorb the organic waste.

Once Intach withdrew from the project, the bureaucrats in the DDA have not shown the kind of commitment needed to keep the water clean.

The pilot project on the Assi river is being presented to Minister of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti. Emphasis will be made on the need to start the municipal solid waste collection to be removed by municipal bodies. There is also a need to grow aquatic plants along the banks of our rivers.

When contacted, officials in the Ministry of Water Resources believe the Intach idea is a good one though they caution that a long-term solution to the problem is the setting up of STPs. Intach agrees insisting that the scheme can be proved effective till such time as STPs do not become functional. It is clear that Modi, always agreeable to new ideas, would be keen to implement every novel idea to ensure the Ganga becomes pure again.
After the January tussle between former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and the embattled leader of the Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav over the party symbol, the Election Commission once again finds itself in a vaguely similar situation. The poll panel will announce its verdict on which faction of the AIADMK, O Panneerselvam or Sasikala, will retain the 'two leaves' in an ongoing tug of war for AIADMK party symbol.

RK Nagar by poll:M Thambidurai & V Maitreyan of the Sasikala,OPS factions have reached Election commission office in Delhi over party symbol pic.twitter.com/s8aivjp6Cn  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

#TamilNadu RK Nagar bypoll: Election Commission to hear O Panneerselvam, Sasikala factions over party symbol today. (file pictures) pic.twitter.com/PUX29ASSwz  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

According to India Today, the poll panel may choose to freeze the symbol instead of authorising either camp to use it.

The Panneerselvam camp on 17 March had submitted a petition to the Election Commission requesting the allotment of the 'two leaves' to the faction for the upcoming RK Nagar by poll.

The move had come just a day after a delegation of V K Sasikala camp led by party leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai submitted a memorandum to the EC requesting "not to entertain" the dissenting cadres, who have staked claim to the AIADMK symbol.

According to a source in OPS camp, the EC had sought supporting documents before 20 March.

The OPS camp had on 16 March announced its candidate E Madhusudhanan, a veteran leader and AIADMK loyalist, for the upcoming by poll in R K Nagar, which was represented by J Jayalalithaa.

The AIADMK faction led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam on 15 March met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi to stake claim to the party symbol of 'two leaves' for the by-election.

Panneerselvam after the meeting had said "Amma had always been against the family rule. However, the Sasikala group has again established family rule by nominating (her nephew) Dinakaran."

The RK Nagar seat fell vacant after J Jayalalithaa's death on 5 December last year.

AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala nominated the party's deputy general secretary and her nephew TTV Dinakaran as the party candidate for the 12 April by-election. Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar is also in the fray.

Panneerselvam had said Sasikala's appointment as AIADMK general secretary was invalid since she was not elected as per the party constitution.
Before 2014, whenever RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP president Amit Shah met, they must have discussed strategic concerns. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the national party's ideological mentor, was never an expert in electoral strategy. One may wonder as to who had an upper hand in these discussions.

But, whoever prevailed, Modi wasnt merely given a prime ministerial ticket. He was handed over the entire power structure. Shah and team were given the power to distribute tickets as and how they wished and the entire RSS network was deployed for the elections. Since then, Modi and Shah have removed numerous senior leaders and given tickets to individuals regardless of past associations.

If we look at the distribution of tickets for the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, it is clear that there was no ideology governing the process. It was an entirely improvised approach with the sole purpose of winning. Shahs predictions changed as the election unfolded and he pushed up his earlier estimate of approximately 250 seats to 300 or so around the sixth phase of the elections.

Shahs primary strategy was one of utilising already existing networks of power across Uttar Pradesh. Small groups mainly defined by caste identities, that had been agitating for long, like Apna Dal and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party were co-opted into the electoral process. They were given tickets and a remarkable collaboration was arrived at, where their resentments were deployed for the elections.

In many other instances, the massive migration of candidates and workers from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Congress and other outfits were deployed for electoral victory: In the Padrau constituency, Swami Prasad Maurya, a Kurmi OBC candidate, won for the BJP, he was previously with the BSP; Dalvir Singh won in the Barauli constituency for the BJP and was earlier with the RLD; Rita Bahuguna Joshi left the Congress and won in Lucknow Cantonment; Brajesh Pathak left the BSP and won in Lucknow Central; Dara Singh Chauhan, another BJP victor, in the Madhuban constituency, was earlier with the BSP; Fateh Bahadur Singh of the NCP won as an ally from Caimpiyarganj.

These, and many other leaders, didnt come alone. They shifted with aides and co-workers. More importantly, not all those who shifted were given tickets. For example, Manju Singh, who held Balia for the BSP from 2007 to 2012, did not receive a ticket. The constituency was won for the BJP by Anand, an RSS worker contesting elections for the first time.

In their collaborations, too, the calculations were clear. The Apna Dal (Sonelal), under Anupriya Patel, won nine seats for the alliance with BJP. The Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party won four seats for the alliance. Their leader, Om Prakash Rajbhar, of the OBC Rajbhar community, won at Zahoorabad.

An interesting deviation from this pattern further demonstrates the strategy. Since they were invested in the Rajbhar community, they had to give a ticket to Om Prakashs son, Arvind Rajbhar, in the Bansdih constituency, where otherwise, a BJP leader, Ketakee Singh was expecting the ticket. Singh fought the election independently and came a close second, with the SP candidate Ram Govind Chaudheri winning the seat. Rajbhar Jr was in the third position.

The improvisations do not end here. There are cases like that of Surinder Singh, a locally famous school teacher in the Bairiya constituency, who was given the ticket to fight for the BJP. However, when we look at it closely, it becomes evident that the primary strategic concern was to pick winning candidates from across the political and caste spectrum.

Modis personal campaigning and the RSSs existing networks have been essential in convincing these disparate and numerous local leaders that they are in good hands. Not only do they get to push their own local agenda, they are thrilled, to varying degrees, in participating in the Modi phenomenon.

His image, carefully constructed over the past decade, as a powerful leader ready to take necessary action especially if it is unpopular, remains a major influence on the electoral process. Given a choice between voting for this charismatic leader deploying local processes on the one hand and a noisy half-hearted coalition on the other, large numbers of voters silently turned to the former.

This isnt the first time it is happening. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav began his personal image work too late and in too haphazard a fashion. BSP's Mayawati did close to nothing to present herself as a credible alternative. And Congress scion Rahul Gandhi did everything he could to damage his prospects.

The mainstream media and academia, mostly confused and often wrong, have, in light of the results, written off strategist Prashant Kishor, due to the failure of the AP-Congress coalition in Uttar Pradesh. One of the architects of Modis image in 2014, of Lalu and Nitishs coalition and campaign in the Bihar Assembly elections, and the strategist for Amarinder Singhs campaign in Punjab, Kishor had suggested that the Congress and the SP work together, and, according to some reports, that they worked closely with Priyanka Gandhi.

But if we look at Kishors work a little better, it becomes clear that he understands this process of image building much better than his clients and the media. According to some reports, his initial chief ministerial candidate for UP was Sheila Dikshit (an idea that was shot down) and as the process wore on, his suggestions were not accepted by an ineffective Congress leadership (with some like Raj Babbar, the UP Congress chief, openly disparaging him).

But Kishor understands that to win elections you have to project leaders who can become vehicles for the voters aspirations, something Modi has done remarkably well. His success in presenting demonetisation as a collective sacrifice in order to punish the rich is a part of his larger strategy of making people feel like a part of the larger processes of the nationhood. The Opposition had no clue what was happening, as Modi transformed peoples pain into BJP's electoral victory.

It is inconsequential how big a part Kishor played in Amarinders victory. It is highly likely that a sizeable percentage of the Akalis in Punjab voted for Amarinder in order to defeat Arvind Kejriwal, whose leadership and methods are perceived as too chaotic. Kishors Twitter appreciation for the Aam Aadmi Party shows that he acknowledges the party's grassroots initiatives.

They are now possible clients for him. Kishor is one of the few who appreciates the kind of grand tournament the electoral process essentially is, and in all probability, will be back in action soon. Future political leaders, if they wish to win, will have to fashion their images with great care and it wont be surprising if more strategists come up, providing this service.

Modi and Shahs strategies had the following components: They utilised already existing power banks and caste groups and made them a part of the process. This process was energised and cemented by Modis 'giant' image. Interestingly, in all of this, the overt role of ideology was minimum. As a matter of fact, they won, as has been demonstrated, primarily because they threw ideology away, using nationalism only in vague, antagonistic ways to assert themselves in the arena of rhetoric. It is entirely possible, given these strategies, that the BJP did not require Muslim votes to win this election.

If Modi and Shah are unique, it is in that they have decentralised and brought these democratic and electoral processes to different smaller local groups. The paradox of a strong leader and decentralised electoral strategy is central to the rise of Modi. As he begins to expand in the South, the North East, and courts Dalit voters, it is futile to analyse politics through obsolete academic categories. Instead, the politicians of tomorrow must play this game of local power and global image. It is the world of Shah and Kishor that we are entering, not the dusty, irrelevant abstractions of ideology.

(With inputs from Dharun Kapur)

The authors are researchers at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Chennai: A city court on Wednesday adjourned till Friday its proceedings in two cases of violation of foreign exchange laws by AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran on his plea for time to seek relief from the high court. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Economic Offences Court-II Judge S Malarmathy adjourned the hearings in the two 20-year-old cases on the plea for Dinakaran's counsel that his client needed time to move the Madras High Court against its single-judge bench order that quashed his discharge in those cases.

He said Dinakaran would seek recall of the high court's 1 Feb order quashing his discharge by the trial court in the cases filed by Enforcement Directorate over some financial transactions by him in 1994 allegedly in violation of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The Economic Offences Court-I had discharged Dinakaran and AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala, his aunt, on May 18, 2015 in both the cases but with the ED challenging that order in the high court, Justice G Chockalingam had set it aside and remitted the cases back for trial.

Accordingly, Dinakaran, the AIADMK nominee for the 12 April byelection to R K Nagar Assembly constituency, had on 17 March appeared before ACMM Malarmathy, who had then slated the matter for further proceedings on Wednesday. As the matter came up for the hearing on Wednesday, Dinakaran's counsel sought adjournment but ED's Senior Prosecutor M Dhandapani objected to it. As the ACMM sought to adjourn the hearing for Thursday, Dinakarans counsel pleaded that his client was planning to file his nomination for the by-election the same day and would not be able to appear in person. The ACMM then posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.

The ED cases against Dinakaran pertains to the transfer of USD 1.04 crore to Dipper investments through Barclays Bank, Virgin Islands, and another sum of  44.37 lakh through West Bank Ltd, Ireland allegedly breaching the FERA provisions. Sasikala has been accused of transferring 19.9 lakh USD (about Rs three crore) through a staff member of a nationalised bank in violation of the FERA rules.

Sasikala, close aide of late chief minister Jayalalithaa, is now serving her prison term following her conviction by the Supreme Court on 14 February last in a disproportionate asset case worth Rs 66.65 crore.
New Delhi: Will Finance Minister Arun Jaitley fall ill tomorrow? This was an intriguing question posed by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after a discussion on biometric identification Aadhaar, listed for Wednesday, was put off.

Ramesh said members had two days back got an official notice from the Rajya Sabha secretariat on a discussion being listed on Aadhaar on Wednesday.

However, Tuesday morning another notice came saying the discussion has been postponed.

When he inquired the reasons for the postponement, "I was informed that the Finance Minister is unwell" and will not be available to reply to the discussion on Wednesday.

He, however, said Jaitley, who was sitting in the House, looked hail and hearty and sought to know why was the debate postponed.

"Will he be unwell tomorrow," Ramesh asked much to the amusement of the members.

Jaitley, who had on Monday taken ill and not attended Parliament, did not respond to Ramesh.

Finance Minister had returned home soon after the Cabinet meeting Monday morning cleared four legislations for Goods and Service Tax (GST) implementation. He was to reply to the discussion on Budget in Rajya Sabha on Monday but that did not take place.

He was, however, present in the House since morning on Tuesday. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi got to up say something but sat down without saying anything.
By Apoorva Sripathi

On Monday, the women's wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged a protest march in Delhi, led by MP Kanimozhi demanding the immediate passage of the Womens Reservation Bill. And on Sunday, known opposer of the same bill, Yogi Adityanath was elected as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

In DMK women's wing program with D Raja,Kanimozhi at Delhi demanding 50% reservation for women in Parliament & Legislative assembly. pic.twitter.com/R0OV2oJFd1  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) March 20, 2017

A product of dynasty politics, Kanimozhi talks to me over the phone on her demand for the early passage of the Womens Reservation Bill and how it has not just been a priority for her but for the DMK as well. We've always strived for social justice and there's no fair social justice without empowering women, she says.

Its not that the Womens Reservation Bill has reached a culmination point now, but that the crescendo builds up just around every Womens Day. It all started in 1996 when the Deve Gowda-led United Front government introduced it into the Lok Sabha. The Bill simply calls for greater representation of women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies  33 percent. The current version of the Bill, the 108th Amendment, was introduced by the UPA government in May 2008, also provides that one-third of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes groups. The Bill also mandates that reserved seats be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the state or Union Territory and the reservation of seats (for women) will stop after 15 years of the commencement of this Amendment Act.

Out of a total 244 members in the Rajya Sabha, 27 are women, and in the 545-member Lok Sabha, 63 are women, making up 11.60 percent of the total strength. If not for dynasty politics, the numbers wouldve been lower, notes Ajaz Ashraf in this Scroll.in piece.

Earlier on Monday, towards the end of her protest, Kanimozhi said that her next demand would be to seek 50 percent reservation and that she would continue to protest in several other ways until the Bill gets sanctioned. At the protest on Monday, Kanimozhi was joined by MPs Renuka Chowdhury (Congress), Supriya Sule (NCP), TK Rangarajan (CPM), D Raja (CPI), along with party members Tiruchi Siva and TKS Elangovan.

But whats standing between the Bill and its successful passing? For far too long (21 years to be exact), there have been a war of words, an attack on Vice-President Hamid Ansari, sexist statements by MPs, disruptions In short, there has been palpable drama. It was a day in March 2010 which unfolded with unruly disruptions in the Rajya Sabha when the Womens Reservation Bill was introduced  Opposition members belonging to SP, RJD and an expelled member of the JD(U) tore copies of the measure and even tried to attack a helpless Ansari. It wasnt any different in the Lok Sabha with Meira Kumar at the helm. Both Houses were adjourned following the commotion.

Funnier incidents have taken place. In 2008, minister Renuka Chowdhury along with fellow ministers Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja, and MPs Sayeeda Anwara Taimur, Kanimozhi and Supriya Sule had to form a ring around law minister HR Bhardwaj in the Rajya Sabha to protect him from Samajwadi Partys Abu Azmi who reportedly moved menacingly towards Bhardwaj as he rose to introduce the Bill. Of course, not all incidents are particularly funny. One of the lowest points in trying to pass the Bill took place in 1997 when staunch opposer Sharad Yadav wanted to know if these women with short hair can speak for women, for our women..."

Reservation, even as it has been vilified by male politicians, has beneficial effect in society that cannot be ignored. It was in 1992 that India enacted two Amendments (73 and 74) to the Constitution, and reserved a third of seats for women (including the representation of excluded groups) in rural and urban local bodies. IndiaSpend reported that women panchayat leaders and members did indeed make a difference: For instance, in Tamil Nadu, they invested 48 percent more money than male counterparts in building roads and improving access; in Haryana, the women leaders built houses for the poor, installed water pumps and campaigned against female foeticide.

Clearly, the Bill has seen tumultuous times and difficult roadblocks, and a majority support of the BJP, the Congress and the Left doesnt seem to be enough. The Bill, which has been pending in the Lok Sabha since 2010, has only managed to be approved in the Rajya Sabha. Every time this happens, there are questions we need to ask such as what are the vested interests that are not allowing the Bill to pass. There is opposition for anything. What we have to look at is why should that stop this Bill. The majority in Parliament seem to be supporting the Bill the BJP, Congress and most of the regional parties support the Bill, why isn't it being passed? Kanimozhi asks.

The answer may perhaps lie in patriarchal politics combined with a lack of interest among major political parties which do not look further to right this wrong. One has to look no further than the elevation of Yogi Adityanath as UP chief minister, who believes that women are not capable of being left free or independent and is in favour of regulating their energy so that it doesnt become worthless. His website makes for even interesting, if not infuriating, reading, where in an essay titled Matrashakti, he writes that women dont really need freedom, but just a meaningful role with protection and channelisation.

But besides all this, Adityanath is one of the strongest opposers of the reservation Bill, along with Sharad Yadav and Abu Azmi, and in 2010, was one of the several BJP MPs who defied the party whip on the Womens Reservation Bill, insisting that women already have reservations in many fields. First analyse and assess the impact of this in gram sabhas, panchayats and local bodies. Assess and then decide whether women who are in active politics, and public life like men, whether in this process they may not lose their importance and role as mothers, daughter and sisters, he is known to have said.

At the mention of Adityanaths appointment as chief minister, and how it could possibly affect the bills chances, Kanimozhi laughs  a full, deep-throated, almost lyrical laugh and says, Okay, at least he is out of Parliament. One less Opposition [in Parliament], good for the BJP. But she gets serious in an instant, saying that if he takes a stand against women's empowerment that will be bad for UP, because [in a state like UP], a decision like this will be detrimental to the progress [of the state] and I really hope that the party will make sure that doesn't happen. For now, all she thinks is necessary for the Bill to pass is a political will for it.

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine delivering fresh and witty perspectives on politics, culture, health, sex, work and everything in between.
The Congress party has been dealt a major blow in Karnataka, with former chief minister SM Krishna defecting to the BJP. The senior leader announced his decision at a press conference on Wednesday. Flanked by BJP president Amit Shah, Krishna said he had resigned from the Congress in January, as he felt the party "didn't need him".

Krishna, 84, is a former external affairs minister and was part of the Manmohan Singh government for a long time. He had moved to Karnataka in 2012, to help the Congress party reorganise its structure in the southern state, and had also helped it clinch a win in the 2013 Assembly election.

Even today, Karnataka remains one of the last bastions the Congress still retains, after a spate of BJP wins across the country all but obliterated the party across India.

Karnataka will have Assembly elections in 2018, and Krishna's defection to BJP is being seen as a major coup by the saffron alliance, which was in power in the state before 2013 as well. Krishna's switch might be crucial as he may play an important role in the upcoming election.

He is said to have been miffed with the state government after being overlooked for key posts and incumbent CM Siddaramaiah's refusal to consult him on critical issues. "I felt for some time that Congress doesn't need me, the party now depends on situation managers. They do not want time-tested leaders and workers," he had said, at the time of quitting the Congress.

On Wednesday, after senior BJP leaders unveiled him, Krishna praised the leadership provided by Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Former Foreign Minister SM Krishna joins BJP pic.twitter.com/spM3fceBIF  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

With inputs from PTI
Mumbai: Distance between the two ruling alliance partners in Maharashtra  the Shiv Sena and the BJP  is increasing by the day as lack of proper communication and coordination is leading to visible confusion.

On Wednesday, when the BJP legislators turned out in numbers to back the decision of Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde, who suspended 19 opposition MLAs for creating a ruckus on the state Budget day, Shiv Sena had no clue about the development and only two of its MLAs were present.

The BJP issued a whip to its MLAs to attend the special meeting that was held at 10 am on Wednesday.

The glaring lack of communication between the two parties was evident for the second time with the first being when the land handover ceremony for the former Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray memorial land was held at the Shivaji Park. Only one Shiv Sena MLA had turned out for the event with the BJP quick to take credit for the grant.

With the opposition MLAs resorting to disruptive tactics like displaying banners on the floor of the House when the Budget speech of Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was on, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat presented the proposal seeking the suspension of the 19 MLAs for their unruly behaviour. During the Budget day speech, these MLAs had raised slogans demanding loan waiver for farmers. Some members had even raised banners inside the house, while some burnt copies of Budget outside the house in Vidhan Bhawan campus.

Bagde suspended 19 opposition MLAs till 31 December 2017 for insulting the House. Out of the 19 suspended MLAs, 10 belong to the NCP while nine are from the Congress. However, the Shiv Sena which was taken by surprise had too little time to decide which side they are on.

Despite the initial jolt, senior ministers from the Shiv Sena after receiving instructions from party supremo Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking revocation of the suspension.

The Shiv Sena delegation pointed out to Fadnavis that the suspension was not legal. The proposal for the suspension was made after the House met after a three-day recess.

"We are not sad over the suspension, but the way the government is trying to silence the voice for farmers is worrying," said NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, who was suspended.

The state government, however, justified its action. "No one has the right to burn copies of the State Budget. They were objecting without even listening to the Budget speech," said Mungantiwar.

However, opposition party leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and NCP leader Ajit Pawar sought that the suspensions be revoked immediately otherwise threatening to boycott the ongoing session entirely.

The Budget session of the Assembly ends on 7 April.
Mumbai: Former MP Nilesh Rane on Tuesday quit as general secretary of Maharashtra Congress, accusing party president Ashok Chavan of "inaction" in appointing district president of Ratnagiri.

"Despite telling you (Ashok Chavan) that I want to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election from my constituency, you have not appointed president for Ratnagiri district...your inaction smacks of political conspiracy," Nilesh, a former MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, said in a letter to Chavan.

"If you use your position only for yourself the party will suffer more in future. If you cannot empower the ordinary party workers I have no interest to continue as the state executive committee under you as an office bearer," he said and accused Chavan of "harbouring vested interests".

He said if proper decisions are taken, meritorious people will be associated with the party. "Otherwise Congress will not get candidates to contest even Gram Panchayat polls," he added.

In the letter, Nilesh cautioned Chavan to act before it is too late.

"I want to see how much more damage you can do to Ratnagiri district," he said, informing that he was quitting the general secretary post but would continue to be associated with Congress.

Congress defeat in Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad polls was because the party had not appointed a district unit chief for the last one-and-half year, he said.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has strongly pitched for making Rahul Gandhi the party president at a time when questions are being raised over his leadership abilities after the Uttar Pradesh poll drubbing.

He advocated a role of a mentor for current president Sonia Gandhi, and asserted that Congress has to move from being an inclusive party to setting up "an inclusive alliance".

Amid calls for radical changes by Congres leaders following massive electoral defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Aiyar told PTI, "I am hoping that the de facto leadership of the Congress which has been in his hands for some months, becomes a de jure leadership and that will enable him to carry out his intentions of democratising the party."

The 75-year-old Congress leader also hoped that Rahul's elevation happens soon. Rahul Gandhi's leadership has been under the scanner following the party's repeated losses in elections. Senior Congressman Digvijaya Singh had recently said Rahul was not acting decisively, while Kerala youth Congress vice-president CR Mahesh has asked him to quit if he does not want to lead the party from the front.

Senior party leaders M Veerappa Moily and Satyavrat Chaturvedi have also pitched for initiating changes and "surgery" within the party to infuse fresh strength into it. Asked what is stopping Congress from implementing the introspection reports which suggest changes in the party, he said, "I don't know. I think it is time Rahul got on with it, as he has said he wishes to do. And perhaps it is because he has not been the president, that he has not been able to do this."

On Sonia's role in the party when Rahul is anointed president, Aiyar said, "I expect her to play the role of Lee Kuan Yew, first mentor. I hope her health is good enough. So she would be available as the most important mentor that the Congress party has and let Rahul Gandhi, who still, for at least a few years, belongs to the generation that constitutes about 70 percent of our population" become the part president, the former union minister said.

Asked if the Congress should change its strategy and declare a prime ministerial candidate before 2019 polls, Aiyar said, "I am sure the alliance will project somebody (as prime ministerial candidate) and lets see who that somebody is. I hope it will be Rahul Gandhi."

Aiyar, who has been advocating a "grand alliance" to challenge BJP in 2019, asserted that the time has come to "explicitly work" over the next two years in the direction of as large an alliance as possible. However, he also made it clear that in case of a formation of such a coalition, no one should insist on the name of a particular leader as that may sabotage the process.

Asked if the 'Bihar model' needs to be replicated at the national level, Aiyar answered in the affirmative. "Certainly in terms of a Mahagatbandhan but the Congress is the 10th ally in Tamil Nadu, the third ally in Bihar and the second ally in UP. So where it fits into all this is a matter of negotiation which cannot be prejudged," he said.
There is not a shadow of doubt that Yogi Adityanath, no stranger to controversies, will get more than his fair share of media coverage now that he has become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Already, sly jokes abound in social media about how entire TV studios might be relocated to Lucknow from Delhi at least till 2019. On a more serious note, this could actually be a good thing.

Old (chiefly English) media's sudden, heightened obsession with Yogi Adityanath could be a sign of its getting trapped in own myth-making. Having cast the five-time Gorakhpur MP as a stereotypical rabid, Muslim-hating, venomous hardliner the media now may feel obligated to justify its stand. Or, as argued recently by an editor, the media sees a moral compulsion in taking over as the de facto Opposition to fill the void left by BJP's political rivals in UP.

Be that as it may, the intense inspection may actually work in the new BJP chief minister's favour in more ways than one. To begin with, the renewed scrutiny has already thrown up some interesting contradictions in the 'saffron-clad bigot' narrative. It now appears that the mascot of muscular Hindutva may not be the sum total of his invectives.

Yogi Adityanath's constituency, Gorakhpur, in eastern UP, has a fair number of Muslims. The fact that he got elected five consecutive times to the Lower House  even when BJP was a marginal player in the state  would indicate that there is more to him than just the speeches. In national media, however, he remained a unidimensional, fringe figure whose headline-making ability was directly proportional to the ridiculousness of his statements.

To be fair to the media, his hate speeches contributed to this dehumanisation. There are simply too many examples of extremely inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric that cannot be ignored in even the most neutral assessment. If this presented an inherent conflict, it is the media's failure that it failed to get behind the headlines.

Adityanath's elevation to the chief minister's chair, however, has forced a reassessment. The caricatured portrayals still abound but we are also witnessing a counter-churn  an effort to humanise the figure. His invectives are getting contextualised, his image is gaining dimensions hitherto unknown and reasons behind his electoral victories are now coming to light. If the earlier portrayals were caricatures, too much of course correction comes with its own set of problems.

Between these conflicting currents, it will be prudent to focus on what CM Adityanath says, does and whether he remains true to campaign promises. Placed bang in the middle of political upheaval and tectonic ideological shifts, Adityanath's policies and implementations of those policies will determine the future course of his party's and even Indian politics. At his farewell address to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the math-graduate-turned-ascetic vowed to end anarchy and lawlessness in UP. He said his state will become corruption free, safe for women and he will create enough opportunities for youth to stop emigration. He also promised to implement the 'Gorakhpur model' where he claimed not a single riot has taken place in the last five years whereas UP at large has witnessed 403 incidents of communal violence.

In a rather loaded statement, he told the House, "Aap dekhte rahiye... Wahan par bahut kuch band hone jaa raha hai (You keep watching... A lot is going to stop there)." Early reports indicate that the CM means business. He is moving fast to translate words into actions and keep his campaign promises. There is a breathless move afoot to close illegal and mechanised slaughterhouses that were part of BJP's election manifesto. The party believes that banning such abattoirs will boost the state's struggling dairy industry. The CM on Wednesday also ordered an immediate ban on smuggling of cows, vowing "zero tolerance".

The chief minister has also cracked down on 'VIP culture' and has banned all ministers from using red beacons atop vehicles. An India Today report quotes a car accessory owner as saying that during SP regime, "at least 10 people used to install hooter, siren and SP's flag every week." Another campaign promise has already been set in motion. Anti-Romeo squads have spread out in different parts of the state to make the state "safer for women" though there is always a danger of this lapsing into moral policing and vigilantism.

UP top cop Javeed Ahmed told NDTV that "the idea is to reclaim public spaces and make them safe for women" and said Adityanath had asked him on Monday to come up with a plan to improve law and order. The actions mark an admirable attempt to restore rule of law and bring back accountability and responsibility in administration. Yogi's austerity will serve as a good benchmark for his Cabinet and bureaucrats to follow. His main challenge will lie, however, in controlling the disruptive forces that may use a change of guard to foment trouble. Reports have already emerged that three mutton shops in Hathras have been set ablaze by "unidentified persons" against whom FIRs have been lodged.

It won't be long before more fat is fed to the stereotype of a Hindu hardliner that he has already been cast into. Voices in media have already emerged about how closing down of illegal abattoirs will affect the livelihood of those dependent on it. Little notice has been taken of the fact in 2015, the National Green Tribunal had banned all illegal slaughterhouses in UP and directed the state pollution control board and other local authorities to ensure regulation of meat shops.

This clash of narratives that I referred to earlier may end up benefiting Yogi Adityanath. His actions will be put under a magnifier and any failing, real or perceived, will be multiplied manifold. In many cases, we have seen media-driven narratives achieving the exact opposite electoral result. The key for Adityanath will be to ensure rule of law and development for all. The rest will take care of itself.
On Sunday, Yogi Adityanath became the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Upon taking oath, Adityanath vowed to take India's most populous state on the path of development. And three days since that announcement, a lot has already changed in Uttar Pradesh, with the 44-year-old making ripples in the state's political structure.

The five-time Gorakhpur MP gave his farewell speech in Parliament on Tuesday. He said, "In UP, the new model of development will be based on sabka saath, sabka vikas. My government will be for everyone, not specifically for any caste or community. We will work for development of all sections and castes, and create a new structure of progress."

In the past three days, the mahant-turned-MP-turned-chief minister seems eager to come true on his promises. Some of the key issues he has sought to address include:

Anti-Romeo squads to prevent molestation

Staying true to the anti-Romeo squad, which was one of the key promises in BJP's election manifesto, Adityanath issued orders to constitute anti-Romeo squads in 11 districts of Lucknow zone to prevent molestation and harassment cases. "In a bid to check incidents of eve-teasing and passing of comments on them (women and girls), anti-Romeo squad would be constituted at the police station levels and action will be taken against them under the Goonda Act," IG (Lucknow Zone) A Satish Ganesh said.

The IG also directed the police to effectively check crime against women, offer rewards leading to to arrest of criminals, follow up on cases lodged under the Gangster Act, check activities of the land mafia, and curb the sale of illicit liquor.

The executive orders defining the exact role of the anti-Romeo squad will be decided by the Cabinet later. However, there are fears, especially among youth from minority communities, that the squad could be a guise for the administration to conduct moral policing in the state.

UP police's Anti-Romeo squads patrolling underway across the state. Visuals from Lucknow and Jhansi. pic.twitter.com/cJHAQD8zuQ  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Ban on paan and gutka in government offices Taking forward the Swachh Bharat mission initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Adityanath on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory banning paan (tobacco), paan masala and gutka in government offices. According to a report in NDTV, the decision was made after the 44-year-old saw paan stains on staircases of the old chief ministerial offices. Use of plastic carry bags within government offices has also been banned. The full scope of this advisory hasn't been revealed, although it would be safe to assume that those found chewing or spitting tobacco in government buildings will receive the chief minister's scorn.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath inspects Secretariat Annexe building in Lucknow, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/uisAsekJ2G  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Illegal slaughter houses sealed

The IG has also issued an order saying attempts should be made to check cow slaughter and illegal cattle smuggling, and those involved should be booked.

Scroll reported that three meat shops owned by members of the Muslim community in Hathras were set ablaze by a mob late on Tuesday. A number of establishments operating without licences have been shut down or sealed by the government ever since Adityanath took charge four days ago.

According to a report in The Economic Times, Adityanath also ordered a blanket ban on the smuggling of cows in the state.

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation soon swung into action and sealed nine meat shops in the state capital. The BJP manifesto had stated that all illegal slaughter houses would be closed and there would be a blanket ban on all mechanised slaughter houses.

In fact, on Yogi Adityanath's official website, an opinion poll is seeking people's view over this issue. The poll poses the question, "Should there be a strict law to stop cow slaughter?" According to a report by The Indian Express, voters are required to provide their contact numbers and names while submitting their answers. According to one of the handlers of the website, 98 percent of respondents of the poll, which started around a month ago, said 'yes'.

Illegal slaughter houses and meat shops sealed by Police and Nagar Nigam in Lucknow, UP. pic.twitter.com/21CnPPb2A9  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Uttar Pradesh: Three meat shops torched by unknown persons in Hathras, police registers case. pic.twitter.com/Ro0B2jhoJ6  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Construction of Ram temple

Speculation is rife over the Babri Masjid issue, which was also one of the poll issues which Adityanath fervently tried to cash in upon.



Writing for Hindustan Times, Sunita Aron argues, "The construction of the Ram temple will perhaps be the chief ministers biggest challenge." This she argues is because in all his poll speeches Adityanath has promised: Is there any force that can stop the construction of temple? When they could not stop demolition of Babri mosque, how can they stop this?

However, despite his strong conviction that the Ram temple/Babri Masjid issue is a matter of faith which doesnt require assistance from the courts, he as chief minister has very little option but to look for an out-of-court settlement.

The BJP has tried to keep this issue on the back-burner, however Adityanath's inflammatory statements and the Supreme Court's recent note has brought the issue back to light.

With inputs from agencies
A British police officer was on Wednesday stabbed and his attacker shot dead near the British Parliament complex, in what Scotland Yard are describing as a "terrorist incident".

In a related incident, a woman was killed when a speeding grey Hyundai i40 mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge nearby before ramming into the iron railings on the side of the Palace of Westminster - which houses the House of Commons and Lords as well as the iconic Big Ben.

Several injuries were reported as a result of this crash with bodies seen lying on the bridge and one over-board in the river Thames. The French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirmed that among those injured are some French students who were in Britain on a study tour. The London Ambulance Service confirmed that they have treated at least ten injured persons on Westminster Bridge. "We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," the Metropolitan Police said on Twitter. The incident unfolded as a man tried to gain entry into the Parliament via the main entrance and stabbed a police officer. Plainclothes armed officers shouted warnings at him before shooting a number of rounds. He was later seen being covered by blankets, presumed dead.

Following this, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government emergency committee to discuss the response to the terror incident in London. The emergency committee known as Cobra coordinates the high-level response to serious incidents. It brings together government ministers with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

Such meetings are held after serious incidents such at the 7 July, 2005, attack on London transport services. The Wednesday meeting is held in the briefing room of the Cabinet Office on Whitehall.

Meanwhile, the official statement put out by the Metropolitan Police confirms a number of casualties but refused to confirm any deaths or reveal the nature of injuries. The police also asked the citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious incident or person to the emergency service.

Incident in #Westminster: Please report anything suspicious to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 123. In an emergency call 999  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

May, who had just completed her weekly Prime Ministers Questions, was seen being ushered into a car as gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister was "safe" as emergency services helicopter was seen landing in Parliament Square, which has been cordoned off and closed to traffic.

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," the Metropolitan Police said on Twitter. According to reports so far, the incident unfolded as a man tried to gain entry into the Parliament via the main entrance and stabbed a police officer.

Plain-clothes armed officers warned him before shooting a number of rounds. He was later seen being covered by blankets, presumed dead. In a related incident, a speeding vehicle mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge nearby before ramming into the side of the House of Commons building.

It remains unclear how many attackers may have been involved in the terror incident. Commons Leader David Lidington, who suspended the Parliament session as the incident unfolded outside, told MPs the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police".

"It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties," Lidington said.

"There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate that it'd be wrong of me to go into further details until we have confirmation from the police and from the House security authorities about what is going on," he added.

Press Association political editor Andrew Woodcock, who witnessed the scenes unfolding from his office window, said, "I heard shouts and screams from outside and looked out, and there was a group of maybe 40 or 50 people running round the corner from Bridge Street into Parliament Square. "They appeared to be running away from something.

"As the group arrived at the Carriage Gates, where policemen are posted at the security entrance, a man suddenly ran out of the crowd and into the yard. "He seemed to be holding up a long kitchen knife," he said.

An eye witness, Radoslaw Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard's Centre for European Studies, posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

He wrote: "A car on Westminster Bridge has just mowed down at least 5 people." Transport for London said Westminster underground station has been shut at the police's request, and buses diverted.

The threat level for international terrorism in the UK was already listed at severe. Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France. There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not clear if there was more than one attacker. London Police Commander B.J. Harrington said a full counter-terrorism investigation was underway.

British security has thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but the UK has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker stabbed three people at a train station in east London in response to the Royal Air Force's bombing of the Islamic State group in Syria.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British Army soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.

The worst peace time attack on Britain this century was on 7 July, 2005, when four Al-Qaida-inspired bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other emigrated from Jamaica.

With inputs from agencies
Washington: US President Donald Trump would travel to Brussels on 25 May on his first foreign trip to attend a meeting with leaders from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) countries, the White House said on Wednesday.

"The President looks forward to meeting with his Nato counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to Nato, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and Natos role in the fight against terrorism," the White House said in a statement.

Trump's trip to Brussels, Belgium for the MATO Summit would be his first overseas visit after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on 20 January.

He has also committed himself to travel to Germany later this summer to attend the G-20 Summit which among others would be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi has been invited by Trump for a White House meeting this year. Modi has also extended Trump an invitation to visit India. Both have accepted the invitations and dates are being worked out. In case of no additional travel, the G-20 Summit could be the earliest opportunity for a Modi-Trump meeting.

Trump's first visit to a Nato summit is considered as significant given that traditionally the new US Presidents overseas travel has been to a neighbouring country.

"In addition to the President's participation in the Nato Leaders Meeting, the President will also welcome Secretary General (Jens) Stoltenberg to the White House on April 12, 2017, where they will talk about how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary James Mattis met Stoltenberg at the Pentagon on Wednesday wherein they discussed the fight against Islamic State and the situation in Afghanistan among other things.

"We all understand that in times of turmoil, in times of uncertainty, the need for strong international institutions like Nato is even greater so therefore we need to adapt, we need to strengthen Nato in response to the challenges and the unpredictability we see surrounding us today," Stoltenberg said in a joint media appearance with Mattis at the Pentagon.

A strong Nato is good for Europe, he said.

"We are also grateful for commitment of the US and the security guarantees to Europe. But strong Nato is also good for North America because stability in Europe is good for all of us. Two world wars and the Cold War have taught us all that the peace and stability is important for Europe of course but also North America," he said.

Mattis said he looks forward to engaging with the coalition members who are here in Washington this week on the counter-Islamic State fight. "I am confident that Nato will as always be one of the leaders as we deal with this threat," he said.

World leaders have gathered in Washington to attend the US lead international meeting of anti-Islamic State coalition.
By Patricia Zengerle

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance, saying it is "strongly in the interests of the United States."In a letter dated March 7 and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, Tillerson argued that Montenegro's membership in the alliance would support greater integration, democratic reform, trade, security and stability among its neighbours.Moscow opposes any further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the delay in U.S. approval of Montenegro's accession has fuelled questions about whether President Donald Trump's administration and his Republican Party will stand up to Russia despite Trump's desire for better relations.The letter emerged amid a flap over the new secretary of state's relationship with the alliance.Reuters reported on Monday that Tillerson planned to skip a meeting with NATO foreign ministers next month in order to stay home for a visit by China's president, while planning a visit to Russia later in April.

On Tuesday, the administration reversed course and proposed new dates for the meeting, which had been set for April 5 and 6 in Brussels.Montenegro, a former Yugoslav republic with a population of 650,000, hopes to win the required approval of all 28 NATO allies in time to become a full member at a summit in May. By early this month, it had been approved by 24. NATO members see Montenegro's accession as a way to counter Russia's efforts to expand its influence in the Balkans.Objections from at least two Republican senators, Rand Paul and Mike Lee, have blocked a quick vote in the full U.S. Senate for months and Senate leaders have not scheduled a more time-consuming roll-call vote.

Paul has questioned the wisdom of angering Russia and taking on the potential expense of approving NATO membership for a tiny country that could not play a significant role in defending the United States.In his letter to the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, and copied to Chuck Schumer, the chamber's top Democrat, Tillerson said it would be "immeasurably helpful" if the Senate scheduled a floor vote to complete ratification procedures in time for Trump's participation in the May NATO summit."Montenegro's participation in the May NATO Summit as full member, not as an observer, will send a strong signal of transatlantic unity," Tillerson added.

"It is strongly in the interests of the United States that Montenegro's membership in NATO be ratified," he wrote.A spokesman for McConnell said on Monday that no vote had yet been scheduled.Montenegro's NATO membership has already been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Paul and Senator John McCain, one of the leading Russia hawks in the U.S. Congress, had a heated exchange about the issue in the Senate last week.McCain said Paul was working for Russian President Vladimir Putin by blocking a quick vote on Montenegro. Paul called McCain "unhinged" and "past his prime." (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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21:52 (ist)

Witnesses describe incident





Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britain's Parliament.



"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out," he said.



"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.



"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.



"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."



Lawmaker Adam Holloway told the AP he saw people running and immediately ran into his offices in Parliament to be with his staff. "A lot of us are locked in with our staff at the moment," he said.



AP
Seoul: A latest missile launch by North Korea on Wednesday appeared to have ended in a failure, South Korean defense officials said, three days after the North claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The reported launch failure come as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

On Wednesday morning, the North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan but the launch was believed to have ended in a failure, Seoul's Defense Ministry said in a statement. It said it was analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next several days. The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

The North's state media said Sunday that it had conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the country's space programme. Weapons experts say such technology has applications for the North's ballistic missile program.
DUBLIN Northern Ireland politicians could be given more time or face another election if rival parties cannot agree on a power-sharing arrangement by next week, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Tuesday.The province's main nationalist and unionist parties were given until March 27 to form a government following snap elections earlier this month, or risk decision-making taken back to London for the first time since 2007.Kenny, whose government is co-guarantor with Britain of the two-decade old peace deal that ended three decades of violence and introduced devolved government by power-sharing, said he did not want a return of direct rule from Britain.

"If the latter (direct rule) is out, what are you left with - either 1) a functioning executive, 2) further elections or 3) some sort of further extension of time, so I do hope that the politicians come together," Kenny told Ireland's parliament.Britain's Northern Irish minister James Brokenshire has also played down the idea of London taking charge. However he has not indicated that he would consider granting the parties more time before calling a third election in the space of a year.

The March 2 election saw Sinn Fein surge to within one seat of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and deny pro-British unionist politicians a majority in the regional local assembly for the first time since Ireland was partitioned in 1921.

Among its demands for re-entering government, Sinn Fein insists they will not vote for DUP leader Arlene Foster as First Minister until the scandal that triggered the poll - a botched heating subsidies scheme she established - is cleared up.Foster has resisted those calls, saying she is not prepared to step aside temporarily while a public inquiry that could take six to 12 months is held.Sinn Fein's chief negotiators, party president Gerry Adams and its Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill, spent Tuesday in Londonderry, and not Belfast where the talks were taking place, following the death of former leader Martin McGuinness. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

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Washington: Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist organisations and praised India for being helpful in the development of his country.

Pakistan's reluctance to end its support for terrorism underpins the continuation of violence in Afghanistan and the region, Rabbani said while speaking on Afghanistan's foreign policy priorities and implications for the new US administration at a meeting organised by the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington on Tuesday.

The Atlantic Council is a forum for countries to discuss key issues such as peace, security, democracy and prosperity around the world.

"Pakistan violates our air-space and frequently shells eastern Afghanistan. These routine violations undermine any prospect of normal bilateral relations, and pose a serious threat to peace and security in our region and beyond," Rabbani said.

He said Afghanistan tried to open a new chapter of relationship with Islamabad but, "unfortunately, we did not see practical steps taken by Pakistan".

Rabbani said defeating terrorism in Afghanistan and the region is, fundamentally, dependent on eliminating terrorist safe-havens in countries that harbour terrorists.

"They must end their sponsorship of terrorism through continual flow of financial, moral and material aid."

The minister said Afghanistan has always chosen cooperation over confrontation and Islamabad should see its neighbour as a sovereign and independent country.

"It is not subservient to anyone," he said.

Rabbani also called India "an important partner providing support where their means have allowed". He lauded India for the all-round development of Afghanistan.

Referring to the series of recent attacks in Kabul and Kandahar, the Foreign Minister said these incidents proved that the Taliban did not want to come to the peace table.

He said a paradigm shift in Pakistan was needed if any progress has to be made in peace efforts with the Taliban.

"Now, we have stopped asking Pakistan to deliver Taliban to the peace table. We want Pakistan to take action against the Taliban leadership. They should not support violence in Afghanistan," he said.

Rabbani also urged US President Donald Trump's administration to put pressure on Pakistan to stop using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
LONDON A police officer was among the people killed in an attack just outside Britain's parliament building, the BBC reported on Wednesday, quoting a lawmaker who provided medical assistance.

The officer died at the scene, the BBC said.

An assailant stabbed a policeman and was shot by police just outside Britain's parliament building in London on Wednesday in what police described as a "terrorist incident". (Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Stephen Addison)

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Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Chairman of German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations Wolfgang Buchele at a meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday agreed to hold a Ukrainian-German business forum in Berlin in the second half of this year.

"It would be good to start preparations for this important forum as soon as possible. I think this is a very good idea that will bring a good overall result," the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers quoted Groysman as saying.

The parties agreed on the creation of a working group that will prepare the forum and practical issues of implementing joint projects.

Discussing the practical issues of attracting investments from Germany, the premier noted that the Ukrainian government is interested in improving the business and investment climate in the country and is making the necessary efforts for this.

"We are working hard to create added value in Ukraine, to restructure the current model of the economy, and we are interested in deepening cooperation with German partners, which will enable us to increase production for domestic needs and strengthen export opportunities," Groysman said.

He pointed out that Germany is one of Ukraine's main trading partners in the European market. "Our bilateral trade and economic relations have achieved positive dynamics, but their potential has not been fully utilized," the prime minister said.

He also praised the opening of the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which will contribute to deepening economic cooperation between Ukraine and Germany.
By Kole Casule

| SKOPJE

SKOPJE Macedonia needs to rise above political feuding and form a government as soon as possible to unblock the Balkan country's path to European Union membership, the EU said on Tuesday.An EU summit earlier this month placed the Balkans high on its agenda to show that despite lingering ethnic tensions and the scars from wars fought in the 1990s, the region is a priority for the European Union, particularly with Russia seeking to increase its influence there.Johannes Hahn, commissioner in charge of enlargement, began a visit to Macedonia on Tuesday with a targeted tweet: "EU path open for Skopje after last (EU summit) but clock ticking. Need statesmanship instead of tactics. Economy hurting." During Hahn's visit, thousands of Macedonians marched in the streets of the capital Skopje to protest at what they regarded as EU meddling in domestic politics. "We are the hosts the guests should listen to, we are the ones that care for this country," said Bogdan Ilievski, founder of the "For Joint Macedonia" movement that organised the rally.

Macedonia's accession into the EU and NATO has been blocked over a name dispute with Greece, which has a northern province also called Macedonia and regards Skopje's use of the name as a territorial grab. But there is also an internal political stand-off over the next government and over Macedonia's ethnic Albanian minority.Hahn met Macedonian party leaders to discuss ways out of the political crisis triggered by a surveillance scandal in 2015 that forced a nationalist Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to resign.

The crisis is the worst since Western diplomacy helped drag the country of 2.1 million people back from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian insurgency in 2001, promising it a route to membership of the EU and NATO.In a snap election in December, the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE won 51 seats to the Social Democrats' 49, leaving neither able to form a government without parties representing ethnic Albanians, who make up a third of the population. Last month Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev won support of three ethnic Albanian parties after promising them a law on wider use of the Albanian language, a deal which triggered daily Macedonian nationalist protests in Skopje. President Gjorge Ivanov refused to give a mandate to Zaev to form the government.

"Every day that is lost is lost for Macedonia, for all its citizens," Zaev said after meeting Hahn.Hahn has not met Ivanov, whose move to block any governing coalition of ethnic Albanian parties and Social Democrats added to the crisis. Ivanov is travelling, his office said on Tuesday in a statement."The crisis should be solved by political means, and this political crisis should not be turned into an inter-ethnic crisis," Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), said after meeting Hahn."Everyone should be careful and invest in setting up the institutions so they can function." (Writing by Ivana Sekularac; editing by Mark Heinrich)

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By Laila Kearney

| NEW YORK

NEW YORK New York police ramped up security at British sites across the city on Wednesday after an assailant fatally stabbed a policeman outside Britain's parliament and was then shot and killed by police.Heavily armed officers and explosives-detecting dogs were deployed to locations including the British Consulate and the British Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan, senior New York Police Department officials told a news conference."You'll see a larger presence of the dogs at these locations, as well as (officers) armed with the long guns," said James Waters, the police department's counterterrorism chief.Police Commissioner James O'Neill said that while authorities were concerned about copycat attacks, there was no specific threat to New York City on Wednesday.

Outside the British Consulate, officers stood guard wearing helmets and tactical vests and carrying semi-automatic rifles. Several police cars were parked nearby, their lights flashing.Police long-gun teams were also deployed to New York's City Hall and Grand Central Station, the department said.

Four people died and at least 20 were injured in London after a car plowed into pedestrians and an attacker stabbed a policeman close to parliament in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack."New York police previously boosted security at prominent sites around the city after large-scale attacks in Paris, Brussels and San Bernardino, California, out of an abundance of caution.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it would lend support to Britain's investigation of the attack but that the U.S. security posture was unchanged."We are in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation," the department said in a statement. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Additional reporting by Timothy Ahmann in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Peter Cooney)

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By John Davison

| MOSUL, Iraq

MOSUL, Iraq Aid convoys linked to paramilitary groups have begun making regular deliveries to Mosul districts recaptured from Islamic State, bringing much-needed relief but also fears that their Shi'ite backers are encroaching into the mostly Sunni city.The columns of trucks and cars carrying food, water and blankets from Shi'ite cities in southern Iraq are welcomed by hungry and war-weary residents of Mosul, Islamic State's last major Iraqi stronghold.But their affiliation with the Hashid Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) - a state-run umbrella including Shi'ite militias - is clear, as they fly the flags of those groups and are often accompanied by heavily armed men.Local leaders and many among the Mosul population say it could be the first sign of Shi'ite parties trying to extend their influence as the battle against the jihadists winds up.Perversely, they say, the humanitarian help raises the spectre of sectarian strife in a country torn apart by it.The PMF says the convoys are charitable and nothing more, and that the weapons are to protect those bringing supplies on long drives from the south.The tension the armed presence can create, however, is already visible.During a terse exchange on Sunday with Iraqi police, gunmen on a convoy from the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala jumped off their vehicles at a checkpoint south of Mosul carrying assault rifles, some with fingers on triggers.A policeman mounted the gun turret of an armoured car in case the argument escalated."No problem, insha'allah (God willing)," said one of the convoy organisers, who gave his name only as Ali.The vehicles were eventually waved through into Mosul, flying the banner of a Kerbala-based Shi'ite militia.A local tribal leader and former councilman for Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital, said this kind of action laid bare Shi'ite attempts to expand influence in mainly Sunni northwestern Iraq.

"Shi'ite brothers have exploited the war conditions to pave the way for their project, it's a gradual infiltration," Sheikh Ali, told Reuters by phone. He asked not to be identified by his last name for fear of reprisals."It's "Shi'isation" of Mosul city - an attempt at hegemony."Abdul Rahman al-Wagga, a current council member, said with Islamic State ousted there was concern over encroachment by political factions with armed branches that have not previously had a strong presence in the area."This aid ... is being brought in by factions or parties which have armed wings."When a political side comes to a city or region, and has an armed wing, the fear is that this armed wing will be used for political interests," he said.Senior PMF figure Kareem al-Nuri denied there were political goals behind the aid."These fears have no place," he said.

"Humanitarian work ... does not mean demographic change," he added, saying the convoys were the "duty" of the PMF, and were to show solidarity and build trust.'SECTARIANISM DOESN'T DISAPPEAR'

Reaction from locals, who have lived under the brutality of Islamic State, has been mixed.In western Mosul, the convoy that had driven through the checkpoint distributed blankets, water and food."They're giving good amounts of aid, and it includes fresh food and meat - better than we would get from other organisations," Omar Ibrahim, a 39-year-old carpenter and former soldier, said. "Sectarianism died with Daesh (Islamic State)."But another resident suspected ulterior motives.

"We're not against the aid, but against people imposing their views," Mahmoud, 39, said quietly as Shi'ite gunmen and federal police controlled the crowd."The way they're doing this - flying flags and coming in with guns, tells you there's something else behind it. It's a friendly face, but the aim behind it is domination," he said. He did not give his full name for fear of reprisals for speaking out on a sensitive topic.It was in Mosul that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the Sunni extremists' caliphate spanning areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014. The U.S.-backed Mosul offensive is on track to end the group's sway over territory in Iraq nearly three years later.Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi recognises the need to avoid recreating conditions that allowed IS to take root, including corruption in the security forces and marginalisation of Iraq's minority Sunni population under predecessor Nuri al-Maliki.To avoid sectarian tension, Abadi said the army and police would be the only forces to enter Mosul in the battle against IS, not the PMF.PMF involvement in the campaign has however been crucial, helping encircle the jihadists in areas around Mosul. But reliance on the Shi'ite groups will likely increase as the battle strains Iraq's military, analysts say.Ramzy Mardini, a fellow at the Atlantic Council, said that behind the aid effort is likely a PMF bid to have a permanent presence either in or around Mosul."It's a war zone and the ultimate aim is to capture enemy territory. In that context, they're armed participants regardless of whatever role they play in the overall effort," he said."The government's degree of reliance on militia forces, Shi'ite or Sunni, only increases going forward," he said.At another aid distribution point, one local said he feared PMF military encroachment into Mosul city."The reason for what's happening in Mosul in the first place is sectarianism. That doesn't just disappear." (Reporting by John Davison; editing by Giles Elgood)

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By Angus McDowall and Tom Perry

| BEIRUT

BEIRUT Syrian rebels advanced to within a few kilometres of the government-held city of Hama on Wednesday in a major assault in the western region of Syria critically important to President Bashar al-Assad, a war monitor reported.The offensive, spearheaded by Islamist militants, was launched on Tuesday after an attack in the capital Damascus, where heavy fighting persists, showing the lingering threat posed by rebels even as Assad enjoys the military upper hand.The Hama offensive also includes Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels who had agreed to a truce in December brokered by Russia and Turkey, underlining the bleak prospects for U.N.-backed peace talks that are due to reconvene in Geneva on Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the latest rebel advance on Hama. The Syrian army could not immediately be reached for comment.A Syrian military source told Reuters the army was sending reinforcements against the rebel thrust, adding that the insurgents had mobilised large numbers for the assault.A rebel commander told pro-opposition Orient TV that insurgents planned to open yet more fronts.The Observatory, a Britain-based war monitor, said insurgents had captured the towns of Soran, 20 km (12 miles) north of Hama, Khattab, 10 km northwest of Hama, and al-Majdal, 6 km west of Khattab.

The assault on Soran began on Tuesday with two suicide bombers being deployed in addition to rockets and artillery.The areas of Hama province targeted in the latest assault form part of Syria's pivotal western region where Assad has shored up his rule during the six-year-long war with crucial military support from Russia and Iran."There are fierce battles between the two sides," the military source said. The attack is being led by Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance of Islamist factions dominated by a group that was formerly al Qaeda's official affiliate in the Syrian war.

"The battle - praise God - has been prepared for a long time and all capacities have been prepared for it so that we can wage a long battle," an FSA commander identified as a lieutenant in the Ezza Army group told Orient TV.The rebels have been on the backfoot since Russia deployed its air force to Syria in 2015 to bolster Assad. They suffered their worst setback of the six-year war in December when government forces seized eastern Aleppo from the opposition.Syrian government forces, supported by Iranian-backed militias, have been pressing their military edge despite the December truce, winning back more areas including one near Damascus that is the source of the capital's water supply.

DAMASCUS ASSAULT

The escalation in Hama province follows two rebel assaults on government-held areas in Jobar in Damascus, launched by opposition fighters from Eastern Ghouta, an opposition stronghold east of the capital.State media said on Wednesday the army was waging fierce clashes with insurgents in northern Jobar and that the air force was pounding insurgents and their supply lines in the area. The Ezza Army commander said the rebel attack in Hama was coordinated with the one in Damascus. He also said that more attacks would be launched "in a number of other areas".The increase in fighting between the rebels and the army came in the run-up to new peace talks in Geneva.But the obstacles facing peacemaking were on display last week when Turkey-backed rebel groups shunned talks in Kazakhstan aimed at firming up the December ceasefire and criticised Russia for failing to get its allies to adhere to the truce. (Reporting by Tom Perry; editing by Mark Heinrich)

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By Arshad Mohammed and Robin Emmott

| WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS

WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson proposed new dates on Tuesday for a NATO meeting, the State Department said, after he initially decided to skip the talks and rebuffed the alliance's efforts to reschedule them.Tillerson's decision to miss his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers, set for April 5-6 in Brussels, unsettled European allies who worried it reopened questions about U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to the alliance.Reuters exclusively reported on Monday that Tillerson would stay in the United States to attend Trump's expected April 6-7 talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida. U.S. officials also said Tillerson would visit Russia later in April.The alliance had offered to change the meeting dates so Tillerson could attend both it and the Xi talks but the U.S. State Department rebuffed the idea, a former U.S. official and a former NATO diplomat, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday.On Tuesday, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the department put forward new dates for a meeting when Tillerson could come, noting that such a decision would have to be made by consensus among the 28 NATO members."We are certainly appreciative of the effort to accommodate Secretary Tillerson," Toner told reporters. "We have offered alternative dates that the secretary could attend."He also sought to allay European concerns by saying that "the United States remains 100 percent committed to NATO."

It was not yet clear if the NATO meeting would be rescheduled to accommodate Tillerson.During his election campaign and on the eve of taking office in January, Trump called the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation "obsolete," although he has since said he strongly supports the alliance.'UNFORTUNATE SYMBOLISM'

"No matter how you spin it, this is unfortunate symbolism," said one senior European diplomat of Tillerson's plan to skip the April 5-6 NATO Brussels meeting, saying it undid the work of Trump's vice president and defence minister, who visited NATO headquarters in February to provide reassurances after Trump's criticism of the alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Washington on Tuesday. Posing for photographs with Defence Secretary James Mattis, he declined to answer a reporter's questions on what signal it sent that Tillerson did not plan to attend the meeting, according to a reporter who attended the session. Some allies, particularly in the former Soviet bloc, are acutely sensitive to any sign of waning U.S. interest in their defence as they deal with a more assertive Russia.Concerns that Trump is too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom the West has sought to isolate for annexing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, made Tillerson's expected visit to Brussels all the more pressing, European allies said. Tillerson worked with Russia's government for years as a top executive at Exxon Mobil Corp(XOM.N), and has questioned sanctions against Moscow that he said could harm U.S. businesses.

"We needed to hear his vision for the alliance," said a diplomat due to attend the April ministerial meeting.NATO's quarterly meetings are closed-door sessions over about two days in which governments discuss security strategies and approve top secret documents designed to guide the nuclear-armed alliance in areas ranging from training in Afghanistan to defences against Iranian missiles.Given the U.S. role as the de facto head of the alliance, it is rare for the country's top diplomat to miss a NATO meeting. The last time was during the Iraq war in 2003, when Colin Powell was forced to cancel at the last moment.Trump himself is expected in Brussels for a NATO summit in May, although the date is still under discussion. NATO has proposed holding that meeting on May 25, a NATO diplomat said.Several diplomats said they were unhappy that Tillerson had not offered to hold a NATO meeting in Washington later this week, given that most alliance foreign ministers and Stoltenberg will be there for a meeting of an international coalition against the Islamic State militant group.A State Department spokeswoman said on Monday night that all NATO members except Croatia would be at those talks. On Tuesday, Toner said Croatia would in fact attend, saying the department had made "a late night gaffe" and adding, "in no way do we want to diminish Croatia's valuable role within the alliance." (Reporting by Robin Emmott and Arshad Mohammed; Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris; Editing by Gareth Jones and Frances Kerry)

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Ukrgasbank (Kyiv) continues settling all payments of clients, including in foreign currency, in full amount and without any restrictions, the bank has said on its website.

"Information spread in media that payments in the U.S. dollars have been suspended is incorrect, as this suspension concerns the clients of those banks that do not have direct correspondent accounts at foreign financial institutions and operate via loro accounts in Ukrgasbank. These transactions were suspended only under the initiative of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas New York and has no relation to the current operations and financial state of Ukrgasbank," the press service of the bank said.

Unofficially the bank confirms the likelihood that the stoppage of servicing correspondent accounts of loro correspondent banks is linked to an investigation into the removal of funds from Russia.

"First of all, this decision of Deutsche Bank is linked to the incompliance of small banks to European practice. There were no claims to Ukrgasbank," a source of Interfax-Ukraine said.

Ukrgasbank was created in 1993. By January 2017 the state owned 94.9409% of its shares.

Ukrgasbank ranked fifth among 93 operating banks in the country on January 1, 2017 in terms of assets (UAH 53.681 billion), according to the National Bank of Ukraine.
The State Automobile Roads Agency of Ukraine, also known as Ukravtodor, and China road and bridge corporation (CRBC) on March 21 signed a memorandum of cooperation in the sphere of designing and financing construction of M-22/E-584 Poltava-Oleksandria road on the section bypassing Kremenchuk with a bridge across the Dnipro River.

The press service of Ukravtodor said that Ukravtodor Head Slawomir Nowak and CRBC Vice President Du Fei signed the memo.

"Today the only bridge across the Dnipro River has only two moving traffic lanes. The bridge was opened in 1949. Its pillars were built in 1872. Along with city traffic, two important national roads go across the bridge: H-08 Boryspil-Kremenchuk-Dnipro-Zaporizhia-Mariupol roads and M-22 Poltava-Oleksandria road, which is part of the European corridor E-584 Poltava-Chisinau-Slobozia (Romania) and part of Pan-European transport corridor," the agency said.

Nowak said that Kremenchuk is an important industrial center of the country, which annually generates around 4% of revenue of Ukraine's national budget, while traffic across the Dnipro River is not comfortable, as the only bridge is located in the center of the city.

"The construction of the bridge in suburbs would help to redirect the transit traffic outside the city, which would unload the streets, make trips safer and improve the environmental situation. The new bridge would ensure not only the high-quality connection across the Dnipro River, but would promite for the increase of investment attractiveness of the Dnirpo basin region and create new jobs," Nowak said.
That is a clean and nice looking truck.

Some things are not my cup of tea but that is what makes it different from others.





I see from your other posts you are looking to maybe go bigger on the mirrors and had questions on moldings and bed cover.

Think you also said something needing body work?





So what are the plans to this point?

Dave ----
Quote: Yahiko Originally Posted by I happened to be listing to KFI 640 AM LA and it looks like they are thinking

about going after gas powered lawn equipment now also.



Off the deep end? I say they did that years ago.

Time to start looking for a catalytic converter for you cows.

Don't laugh too hard Sean, they want to tax cow farts. I have family in the valley that said to lump all Californians in the same boat is wrong, but they all feel the state is screwed in so many ways. The very reason my area has seen a noticeable influx of dairy farmers who gave them the middle finger and moved to the midwest and other areas such as ID where they don't have to put up with BS regs from the talking heads in the capitol.
The updated macroeconomic indicators for Ukraine's economic development calculated by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, taking into account the consequences of the blockade of trade in Donbas, are similar to calculations made by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk has said.

"Today we have almost completed the assessment of the influence [of the blockade]. We have figures... Yesterday the NBU presented its position in public, you can refer to it," the minister told reporters before a government meeting on Wednesday.

Danyliuk said that the forecast for GDP growth calculated by the government coincides with the NBU's forecast: 1.9% for 2017. He said that the budget deficit will be retained at the current level.

"We have proved that there is an effect, but in general, it is not so large. Our economy would cope with negative consequences. We believe that the economy would develop," the minister said.

Danyliuk said that the calculations will be handed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday. All technical obstacles for considering the provision of the tranche to Ukraine by the IMF Board of Governors are removed.
After releasing a video taking on whiney, complaining students, The Silent Partner Marketing, a boutique firm focused on helping businesses grow, was flooded with resumes --but before potential applicants are hired, they must pass a unique test.

Kyle Reyes, CEO of The Silent Partner Marketing, told the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney, a snowflake test is used to vet job applicants.

A snowflake is somebody who is going to whine and complain and come to the table with nothing but an entitled attitude and an inability to back their perspective, he said.

According to Reyes, the company has eliminated 60 percent of interviewees through the application process.

We used it to sort of weed out the people who were inundating us with resumes and didnt even know what we do for work, he said.

The test includes questions revolving around a candidates stance on America, police, and guns (some were asked to Varney, who passed the test), but Reyes said hes not concerned about discrimination lawsuits.

Theres no discrimination here because what this really is, is a glorified personality test. This is something that happens in interviews every single day, he said.
Starbucks Howard Schultz (NASDAQ:SBUX) will attend his final shareholders' meeting as CEO on Wednesday before he steps down in April, moving to an executive chairman role. He has held the CEO position, for the second time, since 2008. Before that, he served as Starbucks CEO from 1987 to 2000.

As CEO, he has been known for mixing his political views with executive decisions while running the global java giant. Here is a look back at some of his most defining moments at the helm of the coffee giant.

Refugee Hiring Pledge

In January, Starbucks pledged to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years in 75 countries. The move came in response to President Trumps initial temporary travel ban executive order.

We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said at the time.

According to one brand tracker, the coffee giants consumer perception levels took a sizable hit immediately following the announcement. Starbucks has since refuted the data.

Stunned by Trump Win

The day after fellow billionaire Donald Trump won the presidential election, Schultz sent a company-wide memo titled A Message from Howard Schultz: Onward Together, which said:

Last night, like so many of you, I watched the election returns with family and friends. And like so many of our fellow Americans  both Democrats and Republicans  I am stunned. We cannot know what the precise impact will be on our country and the rest of the world. I am hopeful that we will overcome the vitriol and division of this unprecedented election season. As Americans, we must honor the democratic process. We have a president-elect in Donald Trump, and it is our responsibility as citizens to give him the opportunity to govern well and bring our country together, reads a portion of the memo from November 9, 2016.

Push to Vote

Months earlier, Starbucks partnered with Common Ground Foundation and Democracy Works to encourage Americans to get out and vote. Schultz and Grammy-award winning rap artist Common appeared together to promote the cause in Jamaica, NY in September.

Paid College Tuition

Under Schultz, in 2014, Starbucks began a college achievement plan offering full college tuition reimbursement to employees. U.S. Partners, aka company employees, can attend Arizona State University (ASU), to earn a bachelors degree.

Keep Guns at Home

In 2013, despite recognizing and respecting open carry laws, Schultz said he felt the debate over Americas gun laws was getting uncivil. He penned an open letter stating; Few topics in America generate a more polarized and emotional debate than guns. In recent months, Starbucks stores and our partners (employees) who work in our stores have been thrust unwillingly into the middle of this debate. Thats why I am writing today with a respectful request that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas, reads the first paragraph.

Employer-Based Health Care

In 1988, long before the Affordable Care Act became law, Starbucks began offering health benefits to both full-time and part-time employees. It is not uncommon to see this benefit on a Were Hiring sign in stores today. Schultz has said that his upbringing in a poor family shaped his appreciation for paid-benefits.
Amazon.com Inc has agreed in principle to buy 100 percent of Dubai-based online retailer Souq.com from its shareholders, sources familiar with the deal said on Wednesday.

Souq.com, which sells consumer electronics, fashion, household items and other goods, is one of the best-known names in the Middle East's online shopping market and lays claim on its website to being the largest e-commerce site in the Arab world.

E-commerce in the Middle East is expanding quickly due to the region's young and tech-savvy population. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the top worldwide for mobile phone penetration.

Amazon declined to comment and a spokesperson for Souq.com did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Goldman Sachs acted as adviser for Souq.com and helped to arrange the deal, two of the sources said.

The sources didn't disclose the price Amazon and Souq.com have agreed on.

Souq.com had according to media reports been valued at $1 billion at the time of a funding round last year, but the sources say that valuation has since dropped.

One of the sources close to the deal said it gave Amazon a presence in the region without having to deal with bureaucratic hurdles such as getting regulatory approvals from each region and signing up vendors and suppliers.

"Amazon acquires business that they see as tangential to the core e-commerce marketplace, and in this case, I assume what they gain with Souq.com is a strong local brand, an early leadership position in the Mid-East e-commerce market, and a team with plenty of local expertise," Baird Equity Research analyst Colin Sebastian said via email.

"Jeff Bezos and Amazon are clearly interested in tapping into growth in emerging markets  they recently launched in Mexico, they are investing billions in India, and it probably makes sense in other markets to make an acquisition."

Souq.com launched in 2005 as an Internet auction site and has developed into a retailer and marketplace for third-party vendors, serving a number of markets in the region, including UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.

Last year Souq.com raised $275 million from a funding round with investors to support its future growth. Investors participating in that funding round included Tiger Global Management, Naspers, Standard Chartered Private Equity, International Finance Corporation and Baillie Gifford.

Interest is growing in the region's e-commerce market, estimated to be worth $20 billion in 2016.

Last year Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar teamed up with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other private investors to launch a $1 billion Middle Eastern-focused e-commerce platform.

(By Hadeel Al Sayegh and Tom Arnold; Additional reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
Foreign ministers from 68 countries meet in Washington on Wednesday to agree on the next steps to defeat Islamic State, the first such gathering of the U.S-led military coalition since the election of President Donald Trump in November.

The meeting will be hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump has vowed to make the fight against Islamic State a priority and directed the Pentagon and other agencies in January to submit a plan for defeating the militant group.

The militants have been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, with three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, advancing on the group's Syrian stronghold of Raqqa.

The meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the U.S.-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from Islamic State last year and liberated eastern Mosul.

While the jihadist group is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Iraqi forces, it has been using suicide car bombs and snipers to defend its remaining strongholds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who met with Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more U.S. support in the war against Islamic State.

A White House statement after the meeting said both Trump and Abadi agreed that "terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone," and the two leaders called for deepening commercial ties.

Discussions on Wednesday will also focus on how to help Mosul rebuild and ways to tackle Islamic State operations in Libya and elsewhere.

In Syria, the U.S.-led coalition has been working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Its current focus is to encircle and ultimately recapture Raqqa - Islamic State's base of operations in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran, has said he saw scope for cooperation with Trump, although he has dismissed the U.S.-backed military campaign against Islamic State in Syria as "only a few raids."

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Peter Cooney)
The city of Berkeley, California is blacklisting companies and contractors that want to help build President Trumps border wall.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin tells FOX Business the city has a list of companies that want in on the billion-dollar construction project and plan to use it to ban those who want to bid on new city contracts. Theres a list thats already available. Were going to use that list in our public works competitive bidding process, he said. Companies that have existing contracts with the city are also in danger of getting cut off. We need to do the research to fully understand how many companies we are talking about and develop a plan for how to deal with that, Arreguin added.

Contractor James Flanagan is just one name on the blacklist, telling FOX Business, in a free market, companies shouldnt fear punishment if they participate in a federal project. I think that's ridiculous. I think that's a perfect example of tyranny. And we need to stand up and fight for that, said Flanagan, while noting that tax dollars shouldnt be spent to boycott local companies in an economy where people are trying to get back to work.

Despite the tough talk, Berkeley may be breaking the law. The city of Berkeley should not be discriminating based on political viewsI think then youre going to start getting the courts involved and its going to look very skeptically at what this city is doing, advised John Yoo, a professor at UC Berkeley School of Law. Berkeley cant block or retaliate against companies when it comes to city contracts, according to Yoo. Political disagreements are not a valid reason to break a contract, which, warns Yoo, may violate the Dormant Commerce Clause, which prevents cities from discriminating against outside companies, and theres no legal exception for political disagreements.

Not only should the companies sue Berkeley, Berkeley should lose. Berkeley should just pay them, he adds.

Berkeleys mayor, however, disagrees: I think its within the citys authority as a charter city. Were supposed to go with the lowest responsible bidder. That gives us authority to decide what is a responsible bidder. Arreguin says his definition of responsible doesnt include companies that help the federal government build a wall on the southern border.

As the fight rages on, Flanagan hopes business owners of all political beliefs stick together. We should stand up together as business owners in the Bay Area and fight this because it doesn't make any sense and it's not legal, he said.
Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp on Wednesday pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in Texas for illegally shipping U.S. goods and technology to Iran.

The guilty plea was part of an agreement the company reached earlier this month with U.S. authorities that also called for nearly $900 million in fines and other penalties.

The company admitted to three charges: conspiring to export American-made items to Iran without a license from the U.S. government, obstructing justice, and making a material false statement.

A five-year investigation had found ZTE conspired to evade U.S. embargoes by buying U.S. components, incorporating them into ZTE equipment and illegally shipping them to Iran.

ZTE, which devised elaborate schemes to hide the illegal activity, agreed to the guilty plea after the U.S. Commerce Department took actions that threatened to cut off the gear maker's global supply chain.

The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, followed reports by Reuters in 2012 that ZTE had signed contracts to ship millions of dollars worth of hardware and software from some of the best-known U.S. technology companies to Iran's largest telecoms carrier.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Rada sets tariffs for heat generated from biofuel at 90% of heat generated burning gas

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada sets tariffs for heat generated using biofuel at the level of 90% of the tariffs for heat generated burning gas.

A total of 238 lawmakers backed bill No. 4334 amending the law on heat supplies in part of stimulating heat generation from alternative sources on Tuesday.

The document also transfers powers to issue licenses, form tariffs for companies generating heat from alternative sources from the National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NCER) to local authorities.

As reported, earlier the initiative to transfer these powers from the commission to local authorities was not supported in parliament.
The House of Representatives Rules Committee is meeting Wednesday to set the stage for the big health care debate Thursday, when the full chamber will vote on a bill to repeal and replace former President Obamaas Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). Some Republican lawmakers are banking on passage of the American Health Care Act in order to focus on another pivotal item of the Partyas agenda: tax reform.

President Trump has taken on the role of salesman this week, hosting meeting after meeting to rally GOP votes behind the bill.

On Wednesday morning the president tweeted:

Big day for healthcare. Working hard!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2017

This tweet follows a dinner Tuesday night, where he urged Congress to keep its promises to Americans.

aThe American people gave us clear instructions. It's time to get busy, get to work and get the job done a that legislative effort begins with Thursday's crucial vote and it really is a crucial vote for the Republican Party and for the people of the country,a Trump said.

The president, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Paul Ryan have each said health care reform must take place before the new administration can concentrate on its popular promise to cut taxes. Here is why.

The Budget

Under the budget resolution passed in January, GOP lawmakers can repeal sections of the Affordable Care Act with a simple majority of 51 votes in the SenateaRepublicans have 52 seatsawithout the threat of a Democratic filibuster. They can do this through a procedure called reconciliation, a legislative process allowing for the repeal of certain pieces of a bill pertaining to the budget that permits only twenty hours of debate under Senate rules.

However, once the current fiscal year expires, Republicans lose that reconciliation directive and have to resubmit for permission at the outset of the next fiscal year.

One at a Time

Reconciliation allows Congress to consider just three items per fiscal year, whether they pertain to one bill or multiple. Those items are spending, revenue and debt limit.

Since the GOP also wants to pass its tax reform agenda using reconciliation, it cannot statutorily do that under this budget blueprint because the two policy measures overlap. Therefore, the administration plans to use the 2018 budget to pass tax reform through reconciliation, according to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. It plans to adopt the 2018 budget in May or June, which would mark the first time in the 43-year history of the Congressional budget process that Congress passed two budgets within the same year, according to Forbes.

aThe limit they face is they cannot start tax reform reconciliation through the legislative process until the next budget resolution has been through both Houses,a Brian Riedl, former chief economist to Senator Bob Portman (R-OH), told FOX Business. aTax reform reconciliation is on hold until they finish health care.a

Pushing back the timeline would put pressure on these windows. Not to mention, midterm elections are at the end of 2018, so there is no guarantee Republicans will maintain a majority in Congress through the following year.

Why Did Republicans Choose to do Health Care First?

Reconciliation requires a bill to reduce the deficit over the long-term. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the American Health Care Act would reduce federal deficits by $337 billion over the next ten years.

Tax reform, on the other hand, wonat be as straightforward.

a[Repealing the ACA first] would give them extra money to play around with for tax reform. Tax reform wouldnat have to be revenue neutral. It would end up being revenue neutral on a dynamic level but the CBO doesnat always measure all the dynamic effects,a Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former Trump transition team member and former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor, told FOX Business.

Speaker Ryanas health care bill is designed to reduce taxes and spending, which will help improve deficit projections. The idea is health care will improve the baseline and pave the way for the tax overhaul, Paul Howard, senior fellow director in health policy at the Manhattan Institute, told FOX Business.

Timing

Mnuchin told FOX Businessa Maria Bartiromo last month he expects to see a tax reform bill by August.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) said the House Freedom Caucus still had 21 members who planned to vote against the health care overhaul. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) also told FOX Business on Tuesday that he would not vote for the bill in its current form.

However, others remain optimistic the bill will move on to the Senate.

aI don't think Speaker Ryan will take this to the floor without the votes. If it goes there, I'd assume he's confident it will pass,a Howard said.

In order for the legislation to pass the House, the GOP needs to rally 216 votes.
A tragic young couple found dead in a car were killed after breathing in poisonous fumes from the air vents caused by a vehicle modification went wrong, a UK inquest has found.

Nikki Willis, 23, was found in a blue Ford Fiesta in Chelmsford alongside her car enthusiast boyfriend Tom Putt, 20, in December last year, The Sun reports.

Chilling footage shows tragic Essex couples car filling with toxic gas https://t.co/UdAODyhUCg pic.twitter.com/zUCiojx83G  The Sun (@TheSun) March 22, 2017

Cops initially cordoned off the area suspecting a chemical incident after a potentially noxious substance was detected  but later declared it safe.

The car was found outside the home Ms Willis shared with her mum Michelle Hindson, 46, and stepfather Stuart Hindson, 45, back in December.

On Tuesday, coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray described their deaths as a tragic, tragic accident.

At the inquest police warned of the dangers into car modification, the BBC reports.

The coroner heard how during tests smoke from the cars engine came up through the bonnet and into the air vents before passing into the car.

Chelmsford Coroners Court heard that the Ford Fiesta had had its catalytic converter removed. A video is said to have shown that vents had also been cut into the cars bonnet.

The Daily Gazette reports Detective Inspector Robert Kirby, who forensically investigated the car, told the inquest: A unique series of events came together to allow this tragedy to happen.

A video of Mr Putts car backfiring flames was posted to social media just two weeks before their deaths. The car enthusiast regularly posted pictures and videos of his car online, including one showing sparks coming from the exhaust.

Following the tragedy, friends and family paid tribute to the pair and a tribute video showed photographs of them and Mr Putts cars set to music.

READ MORE FROM NEWS.COM.AU
An HBO producer pleaded guilty Tuesday to dragging a married Long Island doctor, unconscious from a cocaine overdose, to the lobby of his drug dealer pals Chelsea apartment building where he left her to die.

I was scared, frightened and panicked, Marc Henry Johnson  a producer of The Deuce, an HBO pilot about Manhattans seedy 42nd Street porn and prostitution trade in the 70s and 80s  told a Manhattan federal judge in his plea.

The feds said Johnson, 52, helped ex-con James Holder drag Dr. Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny out of Holders apartment after she overdosed from a night of hard partying.

PHOTOS: Hollywood mugshots

Johnson then abandoned the mother of three as EMT workers arrived to find her unresponsive and with her panties in her purse, law enforcement officials said.

On Tuesday, Johnson said he did it because Holder demanded that they get her body out of here once Cerveny, 38, became unresponsive.

Johnson said he wanted to help Holder protect his illegal drug business. This was wrong, the Hollywood producer said, his voice quavering.

Johnson insisted that hed tried to give Cerveny CPR after Holder took off, and thatn he called 911  although federal prosecutors have said he declined to give his name to emergency operators.

Johnson was arrested more than six months after Cervenys death and charged with attempting to distribute cocaine and acting as an accessory after the fact.

He pleaded guilty to one count of acting as an accessory after the fact and is expected to serve no more than two years in prison according to the terms of a plea deal he cut with prosecutors.

Marc Henry Johnsons immediate response to seeing a dying overdose victim should have been to summon help. Instead, Johnson helped his cocaine dealer cover up the drug crime by moving the victims body, Acting Manhattan US Attorney Joon Kim said after the plea.

Text messages from earlier in the night showed Johnson telling a friend that he planned to head to his dealers house for a pickup before meeting with Cerveny and her friends at a bar.

Once Johnson arrived at the girls night out on the Lower East Side, he had a significant amount of cocaine, which he offered to share, the feds said.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post.
Americans are eating less beef than they did a decade ago, but environmental groups and cattle producers cant seem to agree on why.

According to a study published by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on Wednesday, Americans' beef consumption decreased by 19 percent between 2005 and 2014. During that time, people in the U.S. also stopped eating as much pork, chicken, shellfish and whole milk-- but not at nearly the same rate of decline as with beef.

MCDONALD'S INVESTS IN SUSTAINABLE BEEF, EXPANDS MOBILE ORDERING

The NRDC also claims that, by eating less beef, Americans prevented the equivalent of 185 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses  namely, those produced by cattle production  from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

Whether we realize it or not, Americans have been fighting greenhouse gas emissions with their forks, said Sujatha Bergen, a policy specialist for the NRDC, reports The New York Times.

However, Bergen admitted that health concerns were probably the reason for the decline in beef consumption, as opposed to consumers concerns over the planet.

The National Cattlemens Beef Association seems to disagree with Bergens assessment. While they dont dispute the NRDCs statistics concerning beef consumption  the NRDC based their research on findings from the Agriculture Department  they say the drop in beef consumption can be attributed to more people and less beef in the American market.

Sara Place, who studies sustainable beef production with the NCBA, called the NRDC's report "wrong on many levels" in a statement obtained by Fox News.

"The fact is U.S. beef production remained relatively stable from 2005 to 2014 as did greenhouse gas emissions from cattle," writes Place, who also argues that per capita consumption is only appearing to decline because the U.S. population is growing, and also because the beef industry exported more beef than in previous years.

Concerning the NRDC's claims over greenhouse emissions, the NCBA also told The New York Times that the NRDC was fallacious to equate the decline in beef with greenhouse emissions.

"The authors showed a total lack of understanding of the relationship between food production and greenhouse gas emissions," argued Place inthe statement.

Whats more, the organization argues that droughts and higher beef prices  caused by higher feed prices  are partly to blame.

In a statement sent to Fox News, Daren R. Williams, the senior executive director of communications for National Cattlemens Beef Association, added that competition from cheaper proteins such as chicken and pork was also a factor.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Meanwhile, American consumers themselves are varied as to why they're eating less beef.

In a survey conducted by Mintel in January 2017, over a third of consumers cited price as the reason they ate less beef; another 35 percent said they were eating other proteins; and more than a quarter cited health reasons.
A two-year investigation by Minnesota DNR conservation officers has resulted in two men facing charges for illegal trapping activities, in what is likely the largest poaching case of its kind in state history.

The Duluth News Tribune reports that the men  Douglas Anthony Marana, 70, and Roderick Robert Kottom, 68, both of Chisholm, in northern Minnesota  are accused of running 638 illegally set snares.

That is such a number that its unheard of, Tom Provost, MDNR regional enforcement supervisor, told the newspaper. This number of sets has not been surpassed in Minnesota before. Our average for fail-to-attend traps or snares would be one to 10. Ten would be a big number in any other case.

USDA CYANIDE TRAP INTENDED FOR COYOTES INJURES BOY, KILLS DOG

The men were charged with gross misdemeanors for illegally taking or possessing pine marten, otter, fisher and wolverine. The pair was also charged for failing to tend snares (Minnesota law requires snares be checked daily) and for making snare loops too large. Further, the state alleges that the snares werent properly identified, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Conservation officers purportedly seized 17 foxes, five snowshoe hares, two fisher, and one deer that the poachers had illegally taken. Officers also suspect numerous dogs were trapped.

The case began in Dec. 2014, when a conservation officer received a tip that a wolf had been caught in a snare. According to the News Tribune, the responding officer found other snares and bait of the same type that caught the wolf nearby. In time, officers obtained a warrant to place a tracking device on Kottoms vehicle, and, during a search of Maranas home, they seized a GPS device that contained data on where traps were set.

OUTDOOR TV-PERSONALITIES FINED $31,000 IN ELK-POACHING CASE

That had waypoint data, Provost told the News Tribune. [Marana and Kottom] did a good job of marking their trap sites for us.

Marana has no previous game-related violations on his record. But thats not the case for Kottom, who, in 2004, had fisher and pine marten pelts seized from his home, and who was also convicted for various counts of unlawful trapping in 2007 and 2013. Whats more, he was fined and on probation in 2008 for possessing a mounted Canada lynx, a federally protected species.

As far as Bert Highland, a trapper from northern Minnesota, is concerned, Kottom and Marana cant be considered trappers. They are butchers, he told the Star Tribune. Youve got to give them their day in court, but they are not sportsmen, and they are not conservationists.

The men face one year in prison and $3,000 in fines.

SIX WAYS TO TICK OFF AND KILL BIG ANGRY GOBBLERS
Men who see more ads for low testosterone or "low T" on local television channels may be more likely to seek tests or treatments to boost their levels of the hormone, a U.S. study suggests.

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, and some men with extremely small amounts of the hormone may be diagnosed with what's known as hypogonadism and prescribed needed testosterone therapy, researchers note in JAMA.

Far more men take testosterone than have hypogonadism or clear evidence of a medical problem tied to low hormone levels, however. Many of them may have been convinced to seek unnecessary treatment by ads promoting "low T" as a health problem associated with issues like reduced libido or fatigue, said lead study author Bradley Layton, a public health researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"The original approval for testosterone intended it to be used only in a very narrow group of men with very clearly-defined diseases which stop the production of testosterone," Layton said by email. "However, much of the use recently has been in men with reduced testosterone levels or some non-specific symptoms like fatigue, loss of muscle mass, reduced libido or lowered mood which may be related to normal aging or other disease conditions," he said.

"There is very little evidence that testosterone would benefit men without a clear indication for taking it, and there are still unresolved safety concerns about testosterone that just don't justify widespread treatment of older men with normal age-related reduced testosterone," Layton added.

In 2014, U.S. drug regulators raised safety concerns about the potential for testosterone to increase the risk of heart problems.

For the current study, researchers examined data on testosterone ad viewership, testosterone testing and prescriptions of the hormone from 2009 to 2013. They looked at insurance claims data for 17.2 million men in 75 distinct television markets nationwide.

During the study period, more than 1 million men got new tests for testosterone levels and more than 283,000 initiated testosterone treatment, the study found.

Among men who started taking testosterone, 59 percent used gels and 36 percent got injections, while a small minority of them got patches or implants.

Prior to 2012, ads for "low T" were the most common type of marketing. Then, after two new products - Axiron and a more concentrated form of Androgel - debuted in 2011, ads for specific products became more common and promotions for "low T" started to decrease.

During some months of the study, there were no ads at all, while in other months some men might have seen as many as 14 ads on average.

The most concentrated advertising efforts occurred in the Southeast and in the Great Lakes region, the study found.

Each additional ad men saw was associated with a 0.6 percent increase in testing as well as a 0.7 percent climb in new prescriptions for testosterone. There was also a 0.8 percent increase in new prescriptions that were not preceded by testing.

Although the impact of a single ad was slight, ads were widespread and frequent during the study period and cumulative exposure was close to 200 ads in some markets, the authors note.

The study wasn't a controlled experiment designed to prove that ads directly influence whether men get testing or treatment for low testosterone, the researchers caution. They also relied on data for prescriptions, which doesn't necessarily reflect how often men took the drugs.

Still, the findings should put consumers on alert to be wary of ads, said Dr. Richard Kravitz, a researcher at the University of California, Davis, and author of an accompanying editorial.

"Direct-to-consumer advertising is designed to be persuasive," Kravitz said by email. "Patients can't really avoid this. All they can do is reflect on the fact that ads are designed primarily to increase sales, not inform and educate the public, and they should try to present their symptoms and concerns as objectively as possible to their physician."
More than 80,000 EpiPens are being recalled across multiple countries because they might fail to work in an emergency, the company announced this week.

The devices included in the recall were distributed in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and a variety of European countries, but not in the United States, said a spokesperson for Mylan, the company that markets the device.

In two cases, the EpiPens actually did not work, according to a Mylan statement issued on Monday, though the company did not specify whether anyone was injured as a result of the failure.

EpiPens are auto-injectors that deliver lifesaving doses of epinephrine to individuals suffering from severe allergic reactions. When pressed into the thigh of a person experiencing anaphylactic shock, it triggers a needle to shoot through the persons skin and deliver epinephrine directly into the muscle.

The recalled pens may contain a defective part that may result in the device failing to activate or requiring increased force to activate, according to the companys statement.

EpiPens are manufactured by Meridian Medical Technologies, a US-based subsidiary of Pfizer.

According to government agencies, nearly 500 EpiPens have been recalled in Denmark and about 2,000 in Norway, along with an unspecified number in Finland and Ireland.

A Norwegian Medicines Agency news release notes that EpiPens covered under this recall had been for sale in Norway since January 2016.

According to the Mylan statement, the potentially defective EpiPens expire in April.

Patients can trade in their recalled auto-injector for a new one at no cost.
From the very beginning of Donald Trumps historic run for the presidency, he said combating violent crime carried out by illegal immigrants would be one of his top concerns.

His law and order stance and vow to secure the border was one of the reasons the American people elected him with 306 electoral votes. And his words from back in 2015 carry a prophetic poignancy in light of the horrific rape of a 14-year-old Maryland girl in a high school bathroom, allegedly by two much older immigrants. One suspect is here illegally, and the others immigration status is not yet clear.

The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else's problems, then-candidate Trump said nearly two years ago. When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with [them]. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

It's coming from more than Mexico, he continued. It's coming from all over South and Latin America.

Trump was mocked mercilessly in the alt-left propaganda media and roundly roasted by Hispanic activists following those comments. Here's a small sampling of what his critics said.

When you say that immigrants from Mexico are criminals and rapists, isn't that spreading hate? Univision anchor Jorge Ramos wondered.

Im outraged, said Latin American activist Ana Maria Salazar told CNN. I can't understand how is it possible that a presidential candidate for the United -- who wants to be president of the United States can speak and use hate language.

The natural reaction is to think that he's a clown, let's ignore him, Feliz Sanchez, of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, told MSNBC.

Now that President Trump sits in the White House, violent crimes carried out by illegal immigrants continue to take place, including last weeks brutal rape by suspects aged 17 and 18. Despite their age, the alleged rapists were attending high school as 9th graders.

This terrible crime is just the latest in a long list of Americans who are victims because of illegal immigration.

During the presidential election, the murder of Kate Steinle became national news. She was gunned down in the summer of 2015 in front of her parents in the sanctuary city of San Francisco. The killer was an illegal immigrant who had been deported five times.

These high-profile incidences are just the tip of the iceberg. Last year, Fox News Channels Hannity held a town hall with then-candidate Trump, and we had mothers whose children were killed at the hands of illegal immigrants. It was a sobering moment.

Their heart-breaking stories unfolded, underscoring their personal tragedies as well as twisted local government policies that seem to place people who sneak into the U.S. above innocent Americans.

My son was an integral part of a community, and his life was cut short by a repeat criminal, Laura Wilkerson told us.

As the illegal drove by, he shot into the passenger side, said Sabine Durden, whose son was also killed by illegal immigrants. My son was sitting at a red light, waiting for it to turn green. He was less than a mile from his home.

For years, I have been raising real concerns about illegal immigration. Back in 2014, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and I sat in on a border security briefing. I learned that in the previous seven years in Texas alone, illegal immigrants had been responsible for about 642,000 criminal offenses.

Between 2011 and February 2017, illegal immigrants were responsible for 1,162 homicide charges, 68,151 assault charges and 6,098 sexual assault charges in the Lone Star State.

Of course, Texas is not the only state impacted by criminal illegal immigrants. In 2015, 36.6 percent of all federal sentences were given to illegal immigrants, including convictions for drug trafficking, kidnapping, and murder.

Between 2013 and 2015, despite the dangers listed above, the Obama administration released 86,288 criminal illegal immigrants right back into the general U.S. population. You wont hear about that in the alt-left media. Thankfully, we have a new president, and he has a new attitude.

I met with many American families whose loved ones -- sons and daughters, husbands and wives -- were viciously killed by illegal immigrants, Trump said recently. These American victims and their families were ignored by the media. The media doesn't want to talk about it.

But these Americans were not ignored by me, he continued. There were not ignored by you. You showed that on Nov. 8. There were not ignored by you, and they will never be ignored by any of us.

President Trump is right: We can never forget those whose lives were destroyed by illegal immigrants. And we need to demand a secure border and an end to local policies that allow illegal immigrant criminals to prey on innocent Americans.

Adapted from Sean Hannity's monologue on "Hannity," March 21, 2017
The White House is instructing Cabinet heads and agency officials not to elaborate on President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts beyond what was in a relatively brief submission, a move Democrats decried as a gag order.

Budget director Mick Mulvaney wrote in a memo late last week that until the full budget release in May, "all public comments of any sort should be limited to the information contained in the Budget Blueprint chapter for your agency," referring to the 53-page document released last Thursday.

The budget traded a $54 billion boost for the military for crushing cuts to domestic programs like medical research, community development, foreign aid and a slew of other services. Typically, Cabinet heads and agency officials testify before the respective congressional committees on the budget after its release.

Mulvaney said department and agency heads should not make "commitments about specific programs" or provide further detail about cuts to programs that went unmentioned in last week's summary budget, which glossed over many of the most politically difficult details.

"It is critically important that you not make commitments about specific programs if they are not expressly mentioned in the budget," Mulvaney wrote in the memo. "Similarly, you should not address account-level details. Comments of such specifics need to wait until the release of the full budget."

Mulvaney's memo is similar to edicts issued by previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican.

"Was it a gag order in 2009 when President Obama's OMB issued a similar memo?" said Mulvaney spokesman John Czwartacki. He also noted that Mulvaney was confirmed to lead the Office of Management and Budget almost one month later than was the experience of earlier administrations.

But the current order is stricter since Trump's initial budget submission is far lighter on details than the interim budget submitted by President Barack Obama in 2009, for instance. Mulvaney also said that only Cabinet or agency heads should testify before Congress, which is problematic since relatively few subcabinet officials have been nominated, much less confirmed.

In addition, House hearings featuring Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and top National Institutes of Health officials have been postponed, leading Democrats to charge that the White House has issued a gag order to avoid negative publicity about the budget.

"I can understand why no one from the administration would want to come up to the Hill  or is allowed to come up to the Hill  to defend the budget," said top House Appropriations Committee Democrat Nita Lowey of New York. "DeVos doesn't want to come up here to defend the cuts to afterschool programs. And who wants to come up to the Hill to hear from members about cuts in heart research, cancer research, autism, diabetes, and on and on?"

Trump's budget landed with a thud on Capitol Hill, with even the administration's staunchest allies lining up against cuts to programs like foreign aid, after-school programs, and agriculture and education.

"America being a force is a lot more than building up the Defense Department. Diplomacy is important, extremely important, and I don't think these reductions at the State Department are appropriate," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press.

"There are things on the domestic side that are extremely important," McConnell added, saying he'll defend the NIH and stave off a plan to eliminate funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which funds economic development projects in his state.

The administration's complete budget request is slated for release in mid-May, far later than is typical even in a presidential transition year.

Defense Secretary James Mattis is testifying on Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee in a defense panel hearing focusing on "the budget and readiness of the Department of Defense."

Under Mulvaney's edict, Mattis is supposed to testify about Trump's detailed submission for an immediate $18 billion Pentagon budget hike but say nothing about the $603 billion military budget for the budget year starting in October beyond a two-page summary issued last week.
Many European leaders respond to Donald Trump with apocalyptic fear. But Federica Mogherini isnt one of them.

As the European Unions high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, a position equivalent to secretary of state for the EUs 28 member states, Mogherini confronts a new White House unlike any in recent memory  one whose president has disparaged the NATO alliance as obsolete and who has applauded the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the EU, better known as Brexit.

But none of that gets Mogherini down. Youthful and telegenic with a ready smile, the Italian diplomat told Fox News this week she gets along with the Trump administration just fine.

EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF SAY EU MUST UP DEFENSE SPENDING

My working relationship with the secretary of state, Secretary of Defense [James] Mattis, with Vice President [Mike] Pence, with congressmen on the Hill, has been great, she said. I think that [President Trumps] opinion about the Union will change.Because what the vice president, secretary of state, [and] the secretary of defense are passing [as] his message to us in the EU, on behalf of the president, is that the new U.S. administration is more than willing to strengthen, and deepen, the friendship with EU. So maybe he doesn't have to change his mind at all.

Shortly after President Trump was inaugurated, EU President Donald Tusk designated him as a risk to the European allies. This week, however, Mogherini was characteristically diplomatic. Despite Tusks references to unsettling declarations made by the 45th president, she insisted the EU president had only been referring to the uncertainties that invariably attend a change in presidential administrations. The European Union will never see America, or an American president, as a risk, she said.

Interviewed at the EU delegation headquarters in downtown Washington, Mogherini nonetheless cautioned that Trump and his aides cannot mistake an America first policy, which she called fine, for an America go it alone policy.

THE LATEST: EU OFFICIAL SAYS MIGRANT DEAL WILL PROTECT LIVES

I think this would be a mistake, first of all, for American interests  and I know that many Americans think the same, including within the administration, Mogherini said. Because this is what we discussed with my interlocutors so many times.

Clad in a sharp red dress, and tailed by two communications aides and the EUs low-key ambassador to the United States, David OSullivan, Mogherini was only minutes away from speeding over to the White House to meet with the new national security adviser, General H.R. McMaster. She said military-to-military contacts between the U.S. and the EU, along with intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation aimed at combating terrorism, all continue in a professional manner at the staff level.

Citing pending legal action here in the states, Mogherini declined to comment on whether President Trumps executive orders on immigration have served to enhance recruiting efforts by Islamic jihadists  a claim advanced by critics of the orders. But she did express concerns about Western societies  on both sides of the Atlantic  succumbing to Islamophobia.

There are trends in our societiesthat can lead to some political decisions in America and in Europe that can give some ground to the radicalization discourse, Mogherini said. This is why it is so important that we base policies on the human rights of individuals, without characterizing them neither by their religion, or by their ethnic backgrounds, or by their nationality.

Formerly the foreign minister in her native Italy, Mogherini chairs a monthly meeting of the 28 foreign ministers she now represents on the world stage. Even as she continues to advocate for Syrian refugees and helps coordinate European contributions in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, her chief headache these days is Brexit: a messy divorce whose terms are expected to take at least two years to negotiate.

Having received permission from the British Parliament this week to commence those negotiations, British Prime Minister Theresa May has indicated that the formal process will begin on March 29.

I have the impression this will be more difficult for the United Kingdom than for the rest of us in the EU, Mogherini told Fox News. She said the remaining 27 states are investing even more in the common market, and that the group may wind up with new members, because we have important accession talks with the Balkan countries.

Mogherini has only held her office for a little over two years, but European officials say her openness to news media, and social media, leave her better equipped than her predecessor  Lady Catherine Ashton of Britain, a more formal figure best known for helping to negotiate the Iran nuclear deal  to reach American audiences in the age of Trump.

For Mogherini, the key test on U.S. soil, analysts told Fox News, will be determining whether the American interlocutors she finds so agreeable do, in fact, speak for the president they serve.

She's got to develop a relationship with her counterparts and these are folks with whom maybe she hasn't dealt before  folks like Secretary Tillerson, who are new faces to her, said Michael Singh, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The other challenge is trying to determine the overall policy direction that the Trump administration is going to take. There's a lot of uncertainty in that regard certainly in Washington and even more so around in the world.
Subscribed periodicals and public joint-stock company Ukrposhta have decided to increase the tariffs for periodicals delivery in two stages.

"Ukrposhta would introduce new tariffs in stages: from July 1, the tariffs will grow by the half of the figure they wanted to introduce. Only from January 1, 2018 the tariffs will grow to the full figure planned for the increase," the national union of journalists of Ukraine said in a press release on Tuesday.

The agreement was reached after a two hour meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Viacheslav Kyrylenko. Acting Chairman of the national union of journalists Serhiy Tomilenko, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukrposhta Director General Ihor Smeliansky, Ukrposhta CFO Oleksandr Cherniavsky, heads of the national periodicals Uriadovy Kurier, Holos Ukrainy and Fakty took part in the meeting.

"The newspaper representatives convinced that the introduction of new tariffs without agreeing them with the sector in the middle of the year is an example of non-partner relations, especially taking into account the fact that Ukrposhta has not paid to the newspapers for subscription. Kyrylenko backed the position of journalists," the association said.

As reported, Ukrposhta planned to increase tariffs for delivery of periodicals by 48% on average from July 1, 2017.
David Brock, founder of the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America and longtime ally of the Clintons, suffered a heart attack while working in his Washington, DC office on Tuesday.

"David Brock suffered a heart attack while working in the Washington DC office early Tuesday afternoon. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, received prompt medical treatment, and we are looking forward to a swift recovery," said Brock's chief of staff, Bradley Beychok.

We thank everyone for their well wishes, and especially want to thank the wonderful doctors and staff who treated David. We kindly ask for privacy as he recovers," Beychok said in the statement.

The 54-year-old former conservative now heads a group that aims to combat conservatives in the media.
The Senates examination of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuchs record gave way multiple times Wednesday to renewed partisan warfare over the confirmation process, with a senior Republican blasting colleagues for politicizing the hearings  and the top Senate Democrat trolling Gorsuch on Twitter from the sidelines.

As Gorsuch plowed through his second day of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee, congressional leaders already were setting the stage for the next step: the confirmation vote. Democrats are threatening to filibuster, and Republicans are threatening to ram through the nomination in response.

Building a case for Democratic opposition, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Gorsuchs testimony was replete with humble metaphors & homespun stories but pitifully short on substance, blasting him for skillful evasion of questions.

In the hearing room, ranking Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, of California, picked up that point, chiding the nominee for avoiding specificity before the committee.

What worries me is you have been very much able to avoid any specificity, like no one I have ever seen before, she told the nominee. And maybe thats a virtue, I dont know.

Gorsuch, like high court nominees before him, studiously has avoided offering his personal opinion on various court decisions and political controversies despite persistent efforts by senators to pin him down.

Democrats, though, entered the final stretch of the hearings suggesting Gorsuch was more evasive than most. Feinstein on Wednesday voiced concerns about his interpretation of the Constitution and law when it comes to issues like womens rights.

Young women take everything for granted today, and all of that could be struck out with one decision, she said.

Gorsuch gave a variation of the disclaimer hes given since the start of the process: I cant promise how I will rule in a particular case.

I dont expect you to, Feinstein responded, as Gorsuch again vowed to apply the law and consider precedent in his role.

But Democrats repeatedly took issue with Gorsuchs vague answers  prompting Republican senators to jump to his defense.

Republicans repeatedly assured Gorsuch that they were impressed by his credentials and legal mind. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said, I havent seen anybody any better than you. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, congratulated him for surviving the gauntlet.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in a fiery statement, accused Democrats of holding a double-standard. He said lawmakers are doing great damage to the judiciary by politicizing every nomination and looking for nominees to agree with their worldview.

Were taking the nomination process to a place it was never intended to go by the framers of the Constitution, Graham said. Alexander Hamilton would be rolling in his grave.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., countered that Republicans were the ones who ignored the Constitution and the Senates traditional role by refusing to consider former President Barack Obamas nominee to the same court seat.

While Gorsuch generally is seen to be handling the exhaustive hearings with deft answers and a measured temperament, it remains unclear whether he can win over many Democrats, either on the committee or the Senate floor. Some, like Schumer, have even suggested his confirmation vote be delayed due to an FBI probe of the Trump campaigns ties to Russia.

Republicans, though, have ridiculed the calls  and have the votes to push the nomination through if necessary, even if it means lowering the Senate vote threshold for confirmation.

Gorsuch seemed to flash frustration, if only briefly, on Wednesday during a tense round with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who as he did a day earlier pressed him on the role of money in politics and the controversial Citizens United campaign finance ruling.

In response to concerns that some on the Supreme Court could be bending to the will of corporations and Republicans, Gorsuch said: Im distressed to hear that you think that judges or the Supreme Court is an organ of the party.  It distresses me.

It distresses me, too, Whitehouse said.

Gorsuch went on to say the rule of law works well and to speak like that diminishes what we have. He added, It is, for me, a failure to appreciate the beauty of our system, noting the courts resolve thousands of cases unanimously.

Whitehouse acknowledged that the 10th Circuit court on which Gorsuch serves rarely has party-line decisions, but noted the Supreme Court has had numerous 5-4 rulings.

There is a point where it becomes reasonable to discern a pattern, and I see a pattern and it distresses me, he said, again voicing concern corporations could capture the high court.

Nobody will capture me, Gorsuch said.

If confirmed, Gorsuch would fill the seat left vacant by the death of Antonin Scalia. Democrats are concerned that despite his professed independence, Gorsuch would act as a reliable conservative vote on a split court.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., touched on this point Wednesday afternoon as he echoed Whitehouses comments, saying theyre worried about another 5-4 Roberts court ruling against workers and consumers. He questioned Gorsuchs claim that theres no such thing as partisan judges. If thats the case, Franken said, What was Merrick Garland about?

Gorsuch also faced scrutiny Wednesday following a unanimous Supreme Court ruling on special education accommodations that tossed lower standards the judge had set in a 2008 opinion.

Gorsuchs second day of questioning by lawmakers  and third hearing session overall  followed an opening round that lasted nearly 12 hours on Tuesday. Mostly cordial, that session became tense at times as Senate Democrats pressed him on a handful of controversial past court cases in which he was involved including one dealing with workers rights, as well as on concerns about his independence from President Trump.

Gorsuch insisted throughout that he would be his own man, and sought to parry concerns about some of his past decisions by insisting he was only following the law as written. While lawmakers repeatedly tried to gauge his view on other seminal court cases like Roe v. Wade and matters that could come before the high court soon like the presidents travel ban, Gorsuch followed a long tradition of Supreme Court nominees declining to voice their opinion on such controversies.

The hearings are expected to wrap Thursday with statements from outside witnesses.
Senate Democrats on Tuesday pressed Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch on his opinion on past court rulings that could help identify his ideological approach to the bench, but he appeared to have emerged from the hours of testimony relatively unscathed.

Gorsuch appeared intent on following the Hippocratic Oath: First do no harm.

He avoided any serious blunders despite a flurry of questions ranging from his opinion on Roe v. Wade to his opinion on the District of Columbia v. Heller -- the 2008 ruling that allowed handguns to be kept inside homes for self-defense.

If I were to start telling you which are my favorite precedents or which are my least favorite precedents or if I view a precedent in that fashion, I would be tipping my hand and suggesting to litigants that Ive already made up my mind about their cases, he said.

Gorsuch enters his third hearing session, and second day of questioning, on Wednesday.

The Roe v. Wade line of questioning Tuesday was of particular interest. Trump said during the campaign that he would nominate judges that would overturn the decision. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Gorsuch whether Trump had asked him to overturn Roe v. Wade. The nominee answered no, and said that if Trump had, I would have walked out the door.

GREGG JARRETT: SORRY DEMS, JUDGE GORSUCH IS UN-BORKABLE

Gorsuch has not ruled directly on the right to an abortion, and was pressed on the topic by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the committees top Democrat. He said that legalized abortion is precedent and worthy of treatment as precedent like any other.

On the major gun rights case known in short-hand as Heller, he also said that its the law of the land.

I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party, other than based on what the law and the facts of a particular case require, Gorsuch said. Theres no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge, we just have judges in this country.

Gorsuch was also asked if he would have an issue ruling against Trump, if the law called for it. Gorsuch said he would not. He went on to repeat earlier comments he reportedly said in private about Trumps attack on judges.

When anyone criticizes the honesty or integrity or motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening and demoralizing. He was asked if that statement applied to the president and he said, Anyone is anyone.

The New York Times summed up the Republican line of questioning: Republicans largely used their questioning to help insulate Judge Gorsuch from expected criticism, offering 30-minute safe harbors.

Democrats see Gorsuch, a George W. Bush appointee in the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, as a judge who will interpret the law in a similar fashion of the man he may replace: Antonin Scalia.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hopes to confirm Gorsuch before a two-week break that begins on April 10. The committee expects to vote on April 3. Grassley told reporters that the nomination would immediately go to the floor.

Gorsuchs confirmation to the high court appears to be very likely. He will benefit from a Republican-controlled Senate. He needs 60 total votes. Republicans hold 52 seats. Ten Democrats represent states that voted for President Trump in November. And, Republicans can go nuclear and change the rule to confirm Gorsuch to a simple majority.

Perhaps one of the more tense interactions of the day, was between Gorsuch and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.

Franken asked Gorsuch how he could rule in favor of a company that fired a truck driver who abandoned his trailer on the side of an interstate on a -14 degree night. Alphonse Maddin, the driver, noticed that his trailers brakes were frozen and his heater did not work.

Maddin unhitched his trailer and drove off to wait somewhere warm. Gorsuch wrote that the company gave him the legal option to wait with his trailer.

I had a career in identifying absurdity, Franken, a former member of Saturday Night Live, said. I know it when I see it, and it makes me question your judgement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Los Angeles went a step further than the rest of the country Tuesday in shielding illegal immigrants from immigration officials: It passed a directive forbidding firefighters and airport police from cooperating with federal immigration agents.

The directive was yet another attempt by the city to rebuff the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. The Los Angeles Police Department already prohibits police from even asking a suspects legal status  even with probable cause.

It follows a wave of similar measures across the country by cities and states that are vowing to not only resist the presidents tough immigration measures  but outright defy it.

DHS NAMES LOCAL JAILS THAT WON'T HOLD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

In Los Angeles, we don't separate people from their families because it's inhumane, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday. In Los Angeles, we don't demonize our hardworking neighbors just because they speak another language or come from another country. That's un-American.

There are about 300 jurisdictions that don't cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to turn over illegal immigrants.

President Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from these so-called sanctuary cities. The administration has refused to tell Fox News if, when or how they plan to do so.

But while states like New York and California are pushing to defy the presidents immigration policies, others are embracing them.

WHITE HOUSE BLAMES MD. SCHOOL RAPE ON LAX BORDER, SANCTUARY POLICIES

Several states are attempting to leverage the power of the purse to force more liberal cities to cooperate with ICE. Lawmakers in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and Texas introduced bills to penalize sanctuary cities. On Tuesday, Mississippi became the first state to approve such a bill. The governor has vowed to sign it.

By contrast, lawmakers in California are close to passing legislation that would prohibit police or jails from even talking to ICE, a move critics say is a clear violation of federal law.

That proposal is opposed by several sheriffs who oversee jails, including LA Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

"We look to be able to strike that balance between public safety and trust," said McDonnell, who oversees the nation's largest jail.

"We do a better job because we work together than we otherwise would; counter-terrorism is a great example."

McDonnell is one of the few politicians opposing the bill because it would prohibit jail officials from even identifying violent criminal aliens for deportation.

"We can allow ICE access to those individuals. That's a system that by and large works very well for us at this point and one of the main reasons I look at Senate Bill 54 as something that is unnecessary."

McDonnell also told the Los Angeles Times that the proposal before state lawmakers would hurt immigrants  not help them. He told the Times that if immigration officials cannot go to the jails to pick up illegal immigrants then they will fan out through the streets to find them.

They are going to have no choice but to go into the communities and arrest not only the individual they are seeking but also people who are with that person, or other people in the area who are undocumented, McDonnell told the Times. That is something none of us want.
A young John F. Kennedy filled dozens of pages in what historians believe to be his only diary. In one of the most interesting entries, Kennedy compares Adolf Hitler to a "legend."

After the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945, JFK visited Hitlers bombed Bavarian Berghof residence and Eagles Nest mountain retreat.

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO PRESERVE JFKS SAILBOAT

After the visit, which was part of his German tour as a Hearst newspaper war correspondent, a 28-year-old Kennedy wrote about his fascination with the dictator, who had just committed suicide four months prior to JFKs visit.

He had boundless ambition for his country which rendered him a menace to the peace of the world, but he had a mystery about him in the way he lived and in the manner of his death that will live and grow after him, he wrote. He had in him the stuff of which legends are made.

LOST JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION TAPES ON SALE

Kennedy predicted in his diary that Hitler would emerge from the hatred that surrounds him now as one of the most significant figures who ever lived.

The diary is set to be auctioned on April 26 at RR Auction in Boston by Deirdre Henderson, who was JFKs research assistant when he was a Massachusetts senator.

Kennedy gave Henderson the diary so that she would be informed about his views on foreign policy issues and national security. She addresses his thoughts on Hitler in the auction description.

When JFK said that Hitler had in him the stuff of which legends are made, he was speaking to the mystery surrounding him, not the evil he demonstrated to the world, she says. Nowhere in this diary, or in any of his writings, is there any indication of sympathy for Nazi crimes or cause.

Henderson told People that Kennedys interest in Hitlers legacy could be credited to his education and his lifelong interest in history. She says he was doing his historical research even at the age of 12, when he was reading Churchills memoirs of World War I.

Its the mystery surrounding Hitler  why did he do what he did? I dont think anyone will ever know, she said. But JFK was analyzing it and saying Hitler was a legend  and Hitler is a legend. But hes not a good legend. You cant translate that as meaning he had admiration for him.

She intends to auction the original manuscript in honor of what would have been Kennedys 100th birthday on May 29.

Its part of his legacy.
President Trumps former campaign chairman acknowledged on Wednesday he had worked for a Russian billionaire about a decade ago, but he denied a report suggesting the lobbying efforts served Russian political interests.

The Associated Press report on Paul Manafort comes amid swirling accusations  and congressional and FBI investigations  of Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential campaign and possible ties between Trumps campaign and Kremlin operatives.

The AP reported early Wednesday that Manafort worked for aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin and proposed a political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics. The report said the revelation may contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

But Manafort noted his advocacy for Deripaska predated his own association with Trumps campaign and suggested his services did not amount to lobbying for Russian interests.

I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments, Manafort said in a statement to Fox News. My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests.

A senior White House official told Fox News the Trump campaign wasnt aware Manafort  who helped Trump amass and retain delegates during the primary process and served as campaign chairman from April through August  had previously dealt with Deripaska. The official said there had been several discussions of Manaforts business dealings and the subject of Deripaska never came up.

Manafort is reportedly one of the Trump associates being examined by the FBI for possible links to Russia.

Manafort worked for Deripaska from 2006 to 2009, the AP reported, and the two had a falling out over a Ukrainian TV investment in 2014  a year before Trump announced he was running for the GOP presidential nomination. It's not uncommon for U.S. political consultants to work in campaigns abroad.

Strategy memos obtained by the AP allegedly show Manafort told Deripaska that he and Putin  who is reportedly close to the billionaire magnate  would benefit from a lobbying campaign focused on Western governments, particularly the U.S. The campaigns goal: allow oligarchs to keep possession of formerly state-owned assets in Ukraine.

We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success, Manafort allegedly wrote in a 2005 memo.

Manafort left the Trump campaign in August after it was revealed the longtime operator had worked for the pro-Russian party of ex-Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych.

Fox News John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As Senate Democrats float new options for complicating a vote on President Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Republicans appear ready to return fire with a bomb of their own  a nuclear one.

Top Republican Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota, all but confirmed Wednesday that his party is willing to use whats known as the nuclear option, to lower the vote threshold to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch if Democrats try to filibuster.

We will do what is necessary to confirm Judge Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, yes, he told Fox News Shannon Bream on Americas Newsroom, when asked if theyd go that route.

Thune, who serves in the No. 3 position in Senate GOP leadership as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, added that Democrats have not laid a glove on him in the hearings and predicted the judge would get an affirmative vote in the Senate.

The threat comes as Democrats not only threaten to filibuster but suggest he shouldnt get a vote until the FBI completes its probe of possible links between Russia and Trump associates.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., both called Tuesday for a postponement on any vote to confirm Gorsuch to the nations highest court.

It is unseemly to be moving forward so fast on confirming a Supreme Court justice with a lifetime appointment while this big gray cloud of an FBI investigation hangs over the presidency, Schumer said. You can bet if the shoe were on the other foot and a Democratic president was under investigation by the FBI the Republicans would be howling at the moon about filling a Supreme Court seat in such circumstances."

Warren added on Twitter: Neil Gorsuch is up for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court from a President whose campaign is under FBI investigation.

Republicans panned the call as "ridiculous." But Democrats could still try and filibuster, requiring Gorsuch to garner 60 yea votes in the Senate. That's a high bar for Republicans, who have just 52 members in the Senate.

That's where the so-called "nuclear option" comes in. If majority Republicans change the threshold, Gorsuch could be approved with a simple majority of 51 votes.

The nuclear option was first used by Democrats for circuit court judicial appointments in 2013 and top Republicans  including President Trump  have indicated for weeks its a serious option in order to get Gorsuch on the court.

If we end up with that gridlock, I would say, If you can, Mitch, go nuclear,' Trump said Feb. 1.

Republican Senate leaders so far have refrained from using the term  but their exasperated rhetoric shows theyre at least kicking the tires of a legislative Enola Gay.

If Judge Gorsuch cant achieve 60 votes in the Senate, could any judge appointed by a Republican president be approved with 60 or more votes in the Senate? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., asked on Tuesday. If they dont find Gorsuch acceptable, are they taking the position the vacancy should never be filled? At all?

McConnell hasnt tipped his hand on strategy; however, hes maintained in interviews that, one way or another, the nominee will be confirmed.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., meanwhile, lamented the increasing politicization of Supreme Court nominations and implored his Democratic colleagues to vote on the man  not the party of the president who nominated him.

Heres what I hope  that we turn around and go back to where we were, because what were doing is going to destroy the judiciary over time, Graham said on Monday.

Supreme Court justices have faced more pushback from the opposition party in recent years. Antonin Scalia  whom Gorsuch would replace on the court following Scalias death in 2016  was confirmed 98-0 and Anthony Kennedy had a tally of 97-0 in 1988. But the contentious Clarence Thomas hearing in 1991 produced a 52-48 split that just pushed Thomas over the finish line. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3 two years later and yea votes have largely dwindled ever since: Stephen Breyer, 87; John Roberts, 78; Samuel Alito, 58; Sonia Sotomayor, 68; Elena Kagan, 63.
A San Francisco lawmaker proposed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the city from doing business with construction companies that seek to work on President Trumps border wall during the bidding process.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen said doing business with such companies would be out of line with the citys values, according to KTVU.

Stick to building bridges, not walls." Ronen said.

Ronen was joined by Oakland City Councilman Abel Guillen and Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin during a news conference outside the offices of international construction giant T.Y. Lin. The company had previously expressed interest in building the proposed border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

T.Y. Lin worked on the replacement of the eastern span of the Bay Bridge as well as the seismic retrofitting of five underground BART stations in San Francisco and Oakland, Ronen said.

Ronen identified Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and the Tutor Perini Corporation as company also interested in working on the border wall and have several contracts in San Francisco.

"By introducing this legislation, we are moving beyond symbolic protest and making it clear to companies interested in doing business with San Francisco, that we expect those companies to uphold basic principles of compassion and dedication to human rights," she said.

Hensel Phelps signed a $1.1 billion contract to help build a new terminal at San Francisco International Airport, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Additionally, Tutor Perini has an $860 million contract with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to help construct a subway.

The bill would only affect future deals.

Ronens bill has received strong support from San Francisco City Hall, KTVU reported.

"That wall is such a strong symbolism of division in our country that we don't want to have anything to do with it including contractors that want to work for the city," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said.

Click for more from KTVU.
As expected, President Trumps nominee for Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta, faced tough questions about a decade-old case, as he faced down lawmakers Wednesday morning during his Senate confirmation hearing.

Acosta, a former U.S. attorney in South Florida who is the son of Cuban immigrants, became the nominee after Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination.

Looming over Acosta was his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Epstein is a billionaire and former money manager who hobnobbed with the worlds elite, including U.S. presidents.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to a single state felony charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor. He served 13 months of an 18-month sentence and registered as a sex offender in Florida. Epsteins secretive plea deal prohibited the feds from prosecuting him or "co-conspirators" for any crimes related to the sex abuse case.

WHO IS LABOR SECRETARY PICK ALEXANDER ACOSTA?

Acosta, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida at the time, came under fire for the light sentence. About 40 young minors, some as young as 13, had come forward to claim Epstein had sexual contact with them.

In 2011, two years after he left the U.S. attorneys office, Acosta wrote a letter defending the sentence.

The bottom line is this: Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire, served time in jail and is now a registered sex offender, the letter said. He has been required to pay his victims restitution, though restitution clearly cannot compensate for the crime. And we know much more today about his crimes because the victims have come forward to speak out.

He also said those critical of the sentence were not the ones who at the time reviewed the evidence available for trial and assessed the likelihood of success.

Six years later, Acosta is again defending the sentence  this time in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Sen. Tim Kaine, who was Hillary Clintons running mate on the campaign trail, kicked off the hearing by quoting a Washington Post article published Tuesday that raised questions about how Acosta handled the case.

Kaine asked about a claim in the article that Acosta did not pursue a federal indictment, even though his staff had advocated that he do so. Acosta denied that was the case.

BILLIONAIRE SEX OFFENDER EPSTEIN ONCE CLAIMED HE CO-FOUNDED CLINTON FOUNDATION

That is not accurate Acosta said. This matter was originally a state case the Grand Jury in Palm Beach County [Florida] recommended a single count of solicitation not involving minors, I believe, and that would have resulted in zero jail time, zero registration as a sexual offender and zero restitution for the victims in this case.

Acosta said his office stepped in to make sure that did not happen.

Based on all the evidence, professionals within a prosecutors office decided, he added, that a plea that guarantees someone goes to jail, that guarantees that someone register generally, that guarantees other outcomes is a good thing.

Kaine also whether he made that decision himself or whether that was a consensus decision in your office.

Acostas responded: It was a broadly held decision, yes.

Despite the controversy created over the Epstein case, Acosta is expected to be confirmed as labor secretary. But, before that can happen, the grilling will continue.

I may come back to this in the second round, Kaine said, thank you.
Members of the intelligence community "incidentally collected" communications from the Trump transition team during legal surveillance operations of foreign targets, a top Republican lawmaker said Wednesday afternoon.

House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said this produced "dozens" of reports which eventually unmasked several individuals identities and were "widely disseminated."

He said none of the reports he had read mentioned Russia or Russians and he was unsure whether the surveillance occurred at Trump Tower -- as President Trump has suggested. Nunes also was unsure if then President-elect Trump was captured by the surveillance, which occurred in November, December and January.

I recently confirmed on numerous occasions the intelligence community incidentally collected intelligence, Nunes said.

Democrats quickly criticized him for his comments.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released a statement:

"This afternoon, Chairman Devin Nunes announced he had some form of intercepts revealing that lawfully gathered intelligence on foreign officials included information on U.S. Persons, potentially including those associated with President Trump or the President himself. If accurate, this information should have been shared with members of the committee, but it has not been. ... The Chairman also shared this information with the White House before providing it to the committee, another profound irregularity, given that the matter is currently under investigation. I have expressed my grave concerns with the Chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way."

The revelations could at least partially back up some allegations made by Trump earlier this month, when he tweeted that former President Barack Obama had "wiretapped" him, though top lawmakers have sharply disputed those claims. FBI Director James Comey also testified earlier this week he had no evidence to support the claims.

Nunes said he told House Speaker Paul Ryan earlier Wednesday about his findings. He later said he briefed Trump, calling some of the collection "inappropriate."

Trump commented briefly afterward, saying he felt somewhat vindicated by Nunes comments.

"Theres a lot of questions that I think his statement raises, and that I hope we can get to the bottom of, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also said.

He said the NSA had been "very helpful" during the investigation, however, he was unsure if "the FBI is going to comply."

Nunes said the surveillance collection was "legally collected foreign intelligence under FISA incidental collection." But Nunes said he was "alarmed" the intelligence "ended up in reporting channels and was widely disseminated."

It was previously reported that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was "unmasked" in this way, however, Nunes said "additional names" were unmasked as well.

He said he didn't know what foreign intelligence value the surveillance had "and why people would need to know that about President-elect Trump and his transition team." Nunes did not identify which foreign targets were under surveillance.

Asked if he thought Trump was spied on, Nunes replied: "I'm not gonna get into legal definitions here, but clearly I have a concern."
State-run PrivatBank plans to expand cooperation with the government in providing some social services on the basis of Privat24 platform, PrivatBank Head Oleksandr Shlapak has said.

"PrivatBank today is a leader of so-called 'digital banking.' For many years we have been providing services that no country provides. We are trying to convince the government that state-run banks are able and must be agents of the state in providing public services, crediting and many state-sustained programs," he said at the presentation of Privat.Share in Kyiv on March 21.

The head of the bank said that some services have been realized, including via the utility services cabinet using which anyone who works with the Privat24 application can pay for any utility services.

PrivatBank also presented a first electronic student ticket and quickly received requests from many educational institutions asking to implement the similar initiative in their institutions.

Shlapak said that the bank is holding talks with Lviv City Administration on the creation of the first digital card of city residents and announced the subsidy service.

"Information bridges between PrivatBank, Social Policy Ministry and Pension Fund are required to launch this service [subsidies]. The negotiations are being held. I have submitted the relevant proposal to the prime minister. I am sure that exchange of this information would help the government to provide subsidies quicker and not to provide them to those who are not to receive them," he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman who visited the presentation said that the government is interested in expanding cooperation with the banks in the implementation of state-sustained programs.

"Today we saw the products the bank is offering to its clients. I can say that they are innovative, starting from remote social services and finishing all other forms of payment for any products, including the PrivatMarket platform for holding public tenders. This implies convenient opportunities for Ukrainian citizens. I am sure that the provision of these services would give new opportunities for development of PrivatBank. I am pleased that after the nationalization PrivatBank remains a leader," the prime minister said.
President Trump will travel to Brussels for a NATO conference in late May, the White House announced Tuesday.

The meeting is expected to be Trumps first foreign trip, and is set to take place May 25. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the meeting earlier Tuesday.

Spicer said the president was looking forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts "to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATO's role in the fight against terrorism."

Additionally, the White House announced Trump will host Stoltenberg on April 12 to talk about how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security.

Trump accused NATO of being "obsolete" during the campaign and criticized Brussels, equating it to "like living in a hellhole right now."

The announcement came after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to skip a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Belgium next month, according to U.S. officials. Instead, Tillerson will attend the G7 summit in Italy before traveling to Moscow. Tillerson is also expected to help welcome China President Xi Jinping at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said earlier Tuesday that Tillersons schedule would not allow him to attend the NATO meeting. In any case, Tillerson is meeting with almost every NATO country's foreign minister in Washington this week, officials said. Yet that gathering is focused on fighting the Islamic State, not on NATO's key concern: Russia.

Fox News Kelly Chernenkoff and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Neil Gorsuch is an impressive witness, a judge out of central casting who says all the right things, with great earnestness, about judicial independence.

Donald Trumps Supreme Court nominee smoothly insisted that he would have no problem ruling against the president who appointed him and has respect for court precedentincluding Roe v. Wade, which he noted has been reaffirmed.

The Democrats tried to rough him up at yesterdays confirmation hearing, in part by bringing up his role in George W. Bushs Justice Department, but it was mainly polite sparring that left Gorsuch with few scratches.

Goodness no, Senator, he told Dianne Feinstein when asked, based on a note he wrote in a case about torture techniques, if he believed an administration could ignore the law.

And when Feinstein asked whether he would always favor big corporations over the little guy, Gorsuch insisted from the bottom of my heart that Im a fair judge. And he told Orrin Hatch that a good judge doesnt give a whit about politics.

Gorsuch also stressed that he has dissented equally from judges named by Republicans and Democrats.

Ive watched a zillion confirmation hearings. Whatever you think of his record, Gorsuch put on a clinic in how to testify without losing your cool. He said gosh and golly and then quoted Hamilton and Socrates.

To be sure, Trump picked Gorsuch because he has a solidly conservative record. The hearings are a kabuki dance in which both liberals and conservatives duck specifics while promising to be impartial on the high court.

And Gorsuch probably would have had smooth sailing if Democrats werent still furious at Mitch McConnell and company for refusing to give Merrick Garland a hearing last yeara move that Democrat Pat Leahy called shameful at the hearing.

Leahy turned up the temperature, saying it appeared that Trump outsourced your nomination to far-right special interest groups. But Gorsuch deflected his repeated attempts to get him to take a stand on a religious test and surveillance, drawing a laugh when he said I admire the various ways the senator kept trying to draw him into pending cases.

An emotional moment came when Dick Durbin confronted Gorsuch over an allegation that he asked his law students if they knew a woman who had taken maternity benefits and left the country. Gorsuch said passionately that he was discussing the ethics of employers asking female applicants if they plan to get pregnant, and is disturbed that many female students say in a show of hands that its happened to them.

The initial press headlines reflected how Gorsuch framed the day.

New York Times: Gorsuch Vows Independence; Offered Trump No Promises

Washington Post: Gorsuch: No Such Thing as a Republican Judge or a Democratic Judge

Having covered Gorsuchs mother Anne when she ran Ronald Reagans EPA, a rocky tenure in which she was charged with contempt of Congress, it is fascinating to watch how easily he deals with Congress.

I also covered the hearings for Antonin Scalia, whose seat Gorsuch would take. He was approved 98 to 0an outcome impossible to imagine in todays hyperpartisan climate. But Neil Gorsuch helped himself yesterday.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said Wednesday that the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, backed by the U.S. in the effort to rout ISIS from Raqqa, has an office in Moscow.

"I'm going to be quite honest with you," Dunford told senators questioning the scope of the accelerated campaign to defeat ISIS, the shifting loyalties of the various factions supported by the U.S. in the fight, and the potential threat from Russia's backing of opposing groups.

"The group that we are supporting, certainly at the political level, has been engaged in Russia," he said of the YPG, or People's Protection Units. "The YPG has a political office in Moscow itself, but the groups that we're providing support to on the ground are not being supported directly by Russian military forces."

Turkey considers the YPG an extension of the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party), which has been labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey and the U.S. Turkey has repeatedly threatened to attack the YPG, but the U.S. considers the group the most effective rebel fighting force in northeastern Syria.

Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, has said that the YPG fighters will take part in the eventual assault to take Raqqa, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Dunford was testifying with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis before the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on a $30 billion supplemental for defense spending this year, but the hearing turned into a wide-ranging overview of how the money would be used.

Mattis disclosed that the 30-day plan he gave President Donald Trump late last month to speed up the anti-ISIS campaign was short on specifics. "We've got the skeleton plan put together. We're fleshing it out," he said, adding it will be weeks or months before it is a finished product.

Mattis described the strategy as an "interagency-developed report" that embraces "economic, diplomatic, military, covert means."

"We should have this done in the next couple of months, if that long," he said. "It may not even take us another month, but we're still putting it together."

In the meantime, a small contingent of Army Rangers and Stryker combat vehicles have moved into Manbij, about 70 miles north of Raqqa, to provide a "visible presence" of U.S. forces to ward off any attempts by Turkish-backed local forces or Syrian army troops backed by Russia to enter the city.

In addition, about 400 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit have entered Syria to set up a firebase with M777 .155mm howitzers to support an assault on Raqqa. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division is also deploying to Kuwait for potential use in the train, advise and assist role in either Iraq or Syria.

When his detailed plan for defeating ISIS is complete, Mattis said, the U.S. will seek to put pressure on the group on several fronts simultaneously. The plan is to "increase the number of fights in a number of locations so they have cascading problems. We intend to throw them on their back foot."

The Iraqi Security Forces, advised by the U.S., have used similar tactics in the months-long campaign to retake Mosul in northwestern Iraq. The attack had stalled until the ISF began pushing against ISIS on three separate avenues of approach.

Mattis suggested that a major increase in the number of U.S. troops on the ground may not be necessary to carry out the new plan. Currently, "a few troops have been added for fire support or for monitoring," he said in a reference to the Army Rangers in Manbij and the Marines at the firebase near Raqqa.

"They're not there permanently," although they are in addition to the 500 U.S. troops currently authorized for Syria, he said.

In seeking to walk the senators through the complicated battlefield in Syria, Dunford drew a distinction between the YPG and the affiliated group called the "Afrin Kurds" who operate well west of Manbij in the Afrin area of northwest Syria and are directly supported by the Russians.

"I can confirm for you that the specific group [Afrin Kurds] that's being supported by the Russians is not a group that has received training, equipment, resources from us in the northwest part of Syria," Dunford said.

"In the specific groups that we do provide support to and the ones that we have asked to provide additional support to, we do have a very detailed vetting process that we use to mitigate the risk of weapons or equipment falling in the wrong hands," he said.

On the budget, Mattis called on Congress to "look reality in the eye" and approve a $30 billion supplemental in defense spending for fiscal 2017. "Looming threats have outstripped the level of resources we have been allocating to defense," he said.

The additional funding request, backed by President Donald Trump, "will help address the worsening security situation confronting us around the globe," Mattis said.

"We must recognize that hesitation now to invest in defense would deepen the strategic mismatch between our future security and the military means to protect our people and freedoms," he said.

Mattis also urged lawmakers not to neglect the role of diplomacy in avoiding conflicts. Trump has proposed major cuts in the State Department's budget, but Mattis said "diplomatic solutions will remain our preferred options."

However, "we cannot deny the role of our military in setting the conditions for diplomatic progress."

Mattis said the $30 billion would "get our aircraft back in the air, our ships back to sea, and our troops back in the field with refurbished or new equipment and proper training. This is a necessary investment to ensure our military is ready to fight today."

The $30 billion includes $24.9 billion in the base budget and $5.1 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations -- the so-called "war budget" to fund the anti-ISIS campaign.

At a Pentagon briefing last week, budget officials said the $30 billion would pay for 28,000 more soldiers and modernization of Army aircraft, drones and air defense systems; 6,000 more service members for the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as pilot training and 24 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets; and 4,000 airmen, as well as more pilots, additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and C-130 Hercules tanker variants, and upgrades to F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
Anna McConnaughy was flying to Alaska's largest city when the announcement came over the intercom: a passenger on a previous flight had brought a pet snake on board.

The passenger had gotten off the plane. The snake had not.

"The pilot came, and said, 'Guys, we have some loose snake on the plane, but we don't know where it is,'" McConnaughy said Tuesday.

Unlike the movie "Snakes On A Plane," this one wasn't venomous. Mostly, it was sleepy.

A little boy, one of seven passengers on the Ravn Alaska commuter flight Sunday from the Alaska village of Aniak to Anchorage, was climbing on his seat when he spotted the slumbering snake. It was lying partially covered by a duffel bag near the back of the plane.

"He said, 'Oh, Mom, look at this. What's that?'" McConnaughy said. "That's how we figured out there was a snake sleeping in the corner."

There was no panic. McConnaughy said. Mostly people wanted to see the snake.

A pilot came back to help, she said, leading to a short discussion with a flight attendant on how best to capture it.

"He said, 'I'll hold the bag, and you grab the snake,'" McConnaughy said. "Quite a gentleman."

The flight attendant grabbed the snake by the belly and dropped it into a plastic trash bag. It spent the rest of the flight in an overhead storage bin, and the plane reached Anchorage on schedule.

Anchorage television station KTVA first reported the incident.

McConnaughy's photos show a pale snake about 4 to 5 feet long. She said it appeared to want only to go back to sleep.

A spokesman for the airline, William Walsh, said in a statement that the snake owner had not registered the pet for travel in the cabin of the Ravn Alaska flight. After arriving in Aniak, he reported that his snake was missing and likely on the return trip to Anchorage.

The airline was thankful for the heads-up, Walsh said. However, it has specific requirements for carrying on reptiles. Ravn Alaska does not allow any large animal that's not a dog to be used as a service animal.

McConnaughy said there are plenty of snakes where she grew up in the Russian Far East. However, there are no wild snakes in most of Alaska, and she's not crazy about them, she said.

"Here in Alaska, it's kind of weird," she said.
New, brutal details emerged Monday in the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl at a Maryland high school by two male students, at least one of whom was in the country illegally.

The unidentified student at Rockville High School in Rockville, Md. was violently raped, sodomized and made to perform oral sex in a campus bathroom stall by the two males, according to court records.

Jose O. Montano, 17, from El Salvador, and Henry E. Sanchez-Milian, 18, from Guatemala, were charged with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual offense after they allegedly attacked the girl at 9 a.m. last Thursday.

The victim was walking in a school hallway when she met two male students, identified as Montano and Sanchez. Montano asked the victim to walk with him and Sanchez. Montano asked the victim to engage in sexual intercourse. She refused, Montgomery County Police said in a statement.

Montano asked the victim again and then forced her into a boys bathroom and then into a stall. Montano and Sanchez both raped the victim inside the bathroom stall.

Court records describe the merciless and brutal assault by both Montano and Sanchez, who allegedly raped the young girl multiple times, vaginally, orally and sodomized her, as they spoke to each other in Spanish. Blood and male fluids were recovered from the scene by a forensic expert, court records show.

The victim knew just one of her alleged attackers, court record show.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department Special Victims Investigations Division arrested Montano and Sanchez-Milian after school officials reported the incident.

According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security databases, a Border Patrol agent stopped Sanchez-Milian in August 2016 in Rio Valley Grande, Texas, and determined hed entered the country illegally from Mexico.

Sanchez-Milian was ordered to appear before an immigration judge, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled.

He has has no previous encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a spokesman from the agency said.

ICE has since lodged an immigration detainer against Sanchez-Milian. The agency places detainers on individuals arrested on local criminal charges and who are suspected of being deportable, so that ICE can take custody of those individuals when they are released from local custody.

No information was released on 17-year-old Montano, other than his name, because of privacy restrictions related to him being a minor, an ICE spokesman confirmed.

However, The Washington Post reported Montano is a citizen of Guatemala.

All of the students are in the ninth grade, according to Fox 5 DC.

The station reported the judge who oversaw the alleged attackers bond hearing refused to release them on bail, because both students are dangerous and flight risks.

Montgomery County States Attorneys Office spokesman Ramon Korionoff told NBC News, These are very serious allegations carrying a life sentence. The potential of life in prison would be available as we prosecute these individuals. Both Montano and Sanchez will be tried as adults.

The incident is horrifying, devastating for the young girl, and disturbing on so many levels, said Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Washington, D.C. based Center for Immigration Studies.

She said the Obama administration, and its disastrous handling of the surge of illegal aliens arriving from Central America, is partially to blame, noting at least one, and possibly both of the youths were part of that surge.

The surge of Central American kids has become a significant problem in many of the school districts where they are allowed to resettle, Vaughan said.

Montgomery County has one of the more notorious sanctuary policies, Vaughan said, and the police deliberately do not cooperate with ICE.

The result is that many gang members and other thugs and miscreants are allowed to remain in the county in defiance of immigration laws and causing problems like this, Vaughan said, noting that just this week the city of Rockville was considering adopting its own sanctuary policy.

Montgomery, like others that have absorbed a large number of the Central American youths, has experienced a noticeable uptick in violence that has been attributed to gangs like MS-13, and this has been especially acute in the high schools, Vaughan said. This is one of the worst case scenarios that was bound to happen, and its not an isolated case.

A spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Public Schools wrote a letter to parents to inform them of the incident. She said ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment for all of their students is a top priority.

Our staff remains vigilant in the monitoring of our school each and every day. Please remind your child that if they believe they are a victim of an assault or see something inappropriate, they should immediately tell a staff member, said Gboyinde Onijala, Senior Communications Specialist, with the Department of Public Information and Web Services at Montgomery County Public Schools.
Two men from India have been sentenced in federal court in New Jersey to prison time for their roles in a conspiracy to smuggle people into the United States.

Authorities say 42-year-old Nileshkumar Patel and 67-year-old Harsad Mehta were each sentenced on Tuesday in Newark to 17 months in prison. They both had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle foreign nationals into the U.S. for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

The men admitted that from June 2013 through October 2015, they conspired to make money by recruiting Indian nationals to enter and reside in the U.S illegally. They also admitted that they paid someone, who was actually undercover officer, to smuggle two Indian nationals from Bangkok, Thailand, into Newark.
The parent of a Maryland high school student said Tuesday she was "absolutely shocked" over an alleged rape of another student by two immigrants, at one here illegally, and that parents want to make sure how to prevent "these situations" in the future.

Kimberly Allman told Fox News' Martha MacCallum on "The First 100 Days" while she was troubled by the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in the restroom at Rockville High School by the two male students, but was encouraged by what Republican Gov. Larry Hogan had to say.

"Governor Hogan used words that I want to hear," she said. "He used the word illegal immigrants. He wanted to know why these men were here with our children."

RAPE FOCUSES CRITICAL ATTENTION ON 'SANCTUARY' STATES

The horrific attack last Thursday was allegedly carried out by an illegal immigrant, 18, and another 17-year-old student who were enrolled in the ninth grade.

District officials have said it is common for that school system to have adults with limited English speaking skills enrolled as freshman.

Allman said Hogan's response was better than the "washed down language we heard from the last administration."

WHITE HOUSE BLAMES MARYLAND SCHOOL RAPE ON LAX BORDER, SANCTUARY POLICIES

"If we use our resources to move these children out, the illegal immigrants ,out of our school system and our communities, we'll have those resources to use in so many ways," Allman told MacCallum.
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A woman arrested after her 2-year-old son picked up her loaded handgun and shot his 9-year-old brother said she previously allowed the 2-year-old to practice pulling the trigger of the gun when it was unloaded, Phoenix police said Tuesday.

The 9-year-old boy was shot in the head Monday and remained on life support Tuesday, police said.

Wendy Lavarnia, 28, "described allowing the 2-year-old to practice pulling the trigger of this gun when empty on previous occasions," police said in a probable cause statement filed with court officials for Lavarnia's initial court appearance.

Police said Monday night the 9-year-old had died as a result of being shot Monday afternoon but corrected that information Tuesday morning to say he remained on life support.

Lavarnia didn't have an attorney and spoke little when she appeared briefly before a judge Tuesday after being arrested and jailed on suspicion of four counts of child abuse -- one count for each of her four children in the home.

Lavarnia asked the judge whether she could go to the hospital to check on her son's condition, but the judge said she couldn't get out of jail without posting a $25,000 bond. The judge also said she had to stay away from victims in the case as well as any children.

Sgt. Vince Lewis, a Phoenix Police Department spokesman, said Lavarnia was accused of child abuse for allegedly endangering her children.

Lewis said Lavarnia told police she placed her loaded gun on a bed within reach of her 2-year-old and 4-year-old sons while she turned to get a holster and that the 2-year-old shot her 9-year-old son.

The probable cause statement said the 9-year-old "was playing video games a few feet away."

The father, 31-year-old Kansas Lavarnia, arrived home as police investigated the shooting Monday afternoon and was arrested on suspicion of misconduct with a weapon for being a prohibited possessor with a gun in the family home, Lewis said.

No information was immediately available on the status of Kansas Lavarnia. He was arrested and booked into jail. However, he was not listed as being a jail inmate Tuesday afternoon, and there's no phone listing under his name.

A review conducted by The Associated Press and the USA TODAY Network found that minors died from accidental shootings at their own hands, or at the hands of other children or adults, at a pace of one every other day during the first six months of 2016.

"It's gun safety," Jason Burns, a neighbor of the Lavarnias, told KPHO-KTVK-TV (https://goo.gl/qGMpyz ) . "You need to keep it locked up and you need to educate your kids that this is not a toy."

___

This story has been corrected to reflect police said initially that the boy had died but later said he remained on life support.
A 17-year-old Tennessee girl was denied a flight back to the United States over the weekend because a Turkish airline didn't provide necessary passenger information, but a resolution is expected shortly, the Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday.

In Facebook posts, Sabrina Sadaf Siddiqi said her daughter, Zubaidah Alizoti, was denied a flight home Sunday after the family and friends visited Mecca, the Muslim holy site in Saudi Arabia.

The incident unfolded amid heightened scrutiny of President Donald Trump's push to severely limit travel from several Muslim-majority countries, which multiple courts have blocked.

After Alizoti was denied her flight, the TSA got the information it needed from the airline and expects a resolution shortly, agency spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. Turkish Airlines didn't directly answer questions about the issue.

Siddiqi wrote that family members stayed with Alizoti when she couldn't board the plane. She asked for prayers as the family tries again to fly home from Turkey to Atlanta on Wednesday.

"International carriers are tasked with providing security information to the federal government before a passenger can fly into the United States," Koshetz said via email. "That did not happen in this case."

Paul Galloway, executive director of the Center for American Outreach, said the family was part of a group of about 50 people making the trip to Mecca.

After her daughter wasn't permitted on the flight, Siddiqi posted a frustrated Facebook message Sunday.

"In this new #America my family, my patriotic, my community serving family can be denied entry back to our own homeland," she wrote. "In this new #America my family can be treated unjustly by my own country. Is this the new Great America?"

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, Rep. John Duncan and the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul were among those who have intervened to help Alizoti.

The offices of Corker and Rogero said they hope Alizoti can return home to Knoxville soon.
The Air Force is looking at possible plans to retire the F-15C/D Eagle as early as the mid-2020s, officials told lawmakers Wednesday.

While the decision would mean divesting an entire aircraft class, officials said the F-15 capability would be replaced by the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a potential cost-saving measure that would allow pilots to train on fewer platforms.

Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice said the Air Force as a total force is in "deep discussions" and will further assess the F-15 inventory next year.

"The F-15C [has] served our nation well, as have its pilots for decades. And it was our air superiority fighter; now F-22 has taken that role," said Maj. Gen. Scott D. West, director of current operations and deputy chief of staff for operations for the service at the Pentagon.

Air Force officials were testifying before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness on Capitol Hill.

"We do have capacity in the F-16C community to recapitalize that radar to serve the same function as the F-15 has done and thereby reduce the different systems that we have to sustain and operate, so that makes it more efficient," West said about the effort to minimize the number of systems pilots operate.

Taking questions from reporters after the hearing, Rice elaborated, "It's a bigger picture. There's a balance between capability and capacity -- capacity being, do we have  1,900 to 2,000 fighters in our inventory? But at the same time, we also look at capability. Does it have all the right radar on it [at] the right time? Certainly, an F-15 right now is a very capable platform  [but] as we move into maintaining our capacity and keeping our capability, we have to address those needs."

Rice said "planning choices" for the F-15C within the 2019 budget started last fall.

The F-15 is all-weather, tactical fighter; the now-retired F-15A made its maiden flight in 1972. The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1979, and have been in almost every theater across the globe, according to the service.

American F-15s are stationed at overseas bases such as RAF Lakenheath, England, and Kadena Air Base, Japan. A deployment of F-15s moved across Europe last summer as a deterrent for Russia during Operation Atlantic Resolve, and F-15E Strike Eagles have been used throughout the air war against the Islamic State.

Rice said planned F-15 upgrades will be fulfilled. However, the Air Force may want to look at the next block of upgrades to save on future sustainment and operational costs, he said.

Rep. Martha McSally, a former Air Force pilot and advocate for the A-10 Thunderbolt, questioned the choice to scrap the F-15 -- a capable fighter, "the best in air-to-air" as a fourth-generation aircraft.

"The F-16 kind of fills in those gaps, [but] comparing the capabilities side-by-side we have to be careful through that analysis," the Arizona Republican said. "But I realize the funding challenges that you have as you go through this decision process -- but it doesn't bring the same capability."

Rice said he believes the Air Force is getting beyond comparing aircraft platforms "especially in the digital age" when looking at the platforms as systems and "how they integrate is as important and, in the future, will be even more important than the platform itself," he said.

The Air Force wants more manpower, more maintenance, more pilots to ramp up readiness and sustain the force for a high-end fight with a near-peer adversary.

West, Rice and Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, chief of the Air Force Reserve, testified they need pilots to sustain each part the force: at least 800 for the Guard; 300 for the Reserve; and nearly 1,500 -- including 700 fighter pilots -- for the active-duty component.

When asked if retiring the F-15 is a good idea amid a push to ramp up pilot -- especially fighter pilot -- production in the next few years, Rice said, "That's true that is a challenge, because it's not just capability-capacity, it's all sorts of things. The readiness, the training, the people, the equipment. They all have to be at the right balance.

"So as we look at potentially doing a 'what if' drill [with the F-15 retirement]  over a certain period of time, 'How much will that hurt? How much do we have to fill in the gap? Where do we go to gain that capability back at the right time, in the right place?' " he said.

It will be about "fitting into a system of systems," Rice said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related Video:
West should help Ukraine in fight against corruption, support from military point of view  Spanish ambassador

Ambassador of Spain to Ukraine Gerardo Bugallo Ottone thinks that the fight against corruption in Ukraine should become the key among the reforms.

"This is the key to everything - the fight against corruption. When corruption is over, and Ukraine has the rule of law, then it will be perfectly clear that this is a 100% defeat [of Russia]," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.

The diplomat stressed that after the corruption in Ukraine is over, foreign investors will be able to come to the country.

In addition, according to him, Western countries should support the Ukrainian state on the path to reforms: "On the part of the West ... It should help Ukraine in the fight against corruption and support it from a military point of view, so that Russia could see that a new adventure will fail."

The ambassador also noted that only economically strong, free of corruption, possessing a strong army Ukraine would be able to resist Russia. Therefore, in his opinion, Ukraine must strengthen its Armed Forces.
Police say three residents of a home in Wainwright, Ohio, spent the social security payments of a veteran whose body was found badly decomposed in their living room.

WTOV reports that police made the find while they were following up on a welfare check for the man, whom neighbors say they hadnt seen for an extended period of time.

Police say they became more suspicious after learning that the mans debit card for his social security was still being used. Video shows the suspects using the card for transactions.

AT 6: A shocking discovery by Tuscarawas County Sheriff's office. A body badly decomposed. The residents still collecting social security $ pic.twitter.com/X0VMPj2Acl  Sean Eiler (@SeanWTOV9) March 21, 2017

On Tuesday, police searched the home where the man had been living. When they entered the living room, they found a badly decomposed body that was not hidden.

MARINE VETERAN EMPOWERS KIDS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH FITNESS

The body was mostly skeletonized, authorities told WTOV.

Police are now trying to determine the mans cause of death.

Three people who lived in the home were arrested. Authorities expect charges to be filed Wednesday.

Click here for more from Fox 8.
State police are investigating after a baby was found in a bag at a reservoir in Harwinton, Connecticut.

Police said they were called around 10:40 a.m. after the body was found in Bristol Reservoir #4. That's located on Route 72 and Route 4 in Harwinton. State Police dive teams are conducting a search for possible evidence. A reservoir worker found the baby.

The City of Bristol Water Department maintains the reservoir, state police said.

Harwinton First Selectman Michael Criss said he was in shock learning about this incident, especially having kids of his own.

"I still fight back the tears as I think about it," Criss said. "Just to know this poor child was not given the same opportunity that children should be given and just disregarded as trash and it just breaks my heart."

Criss said he doesn't recall of anything like this happening in the town saying it is a safe community that doesn't experience much police activity beyond burglary.

"I know the first thing I'm gonna do is go home and hug my kids," Criss said. "If you got kids, grandkids, go out hug, kiss them and be thankful every day that you were blessed to have them and be thankful they're here."

Click here for more from Fox 61.
Chicago police were working Wednesday to identify whoever was involved in the apparent gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl that was streamed live for the world to watch on Facebook.

Interviews are ongoing but no formal suspects have been named, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. On Twitter, he denied reports that a suspect had been arrested.

CHICAGO GIRL APPARENTLY GANG-RAPED ON FACEBOOK LIVE, POLICE SAY

Guglielmi added that investigators were working to build a criminal case; no charges have been announced.

Police first learned of the attack after the girls mother approached Superintendent Eddie Johnson late Monday afternoon and showed him screenshots of the alleged assault. The teenager had been reported missing Sunday night after failing to return home from the store.

The horrifying attack was made even more disturbing because as many as 40 people watched the live feed showing up to six people sexually assaulted the teen and did not report it to the police.

The girls mother Stacey Elkins told WLS that the look on her daughters face when she saw the video was just pure fear.

It was very, very graphic. Shes pulled toward the bed, the girls uncle Reginald King, who first spotted the video, told the Chicago Tribune. To have it put out there like that, publicly. Its not right.

CHILD PORN SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN JAIL HOURS AFTER ARREST

He added: It hurts me to my core because I was one of the last people to see her. I want to make sure this never happens to anybody elses kids, and if that starts with taking down this one group, Ill make that my lifes mission.

King said a teenager alerted him of the assault. This is one of the bravest things Ive ever seen a kid do. There were adults who saw this. None of them had the wherewithal to day, Hey, I gotta call someone.

The teenager was found walking about four blocks from her home on Tuesday and taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the girl is a student at Lane College Prep High School, a selective enrollment magnet school. She had been reported missing for a few days last November before being safely reunited with her family.

Investigators know the number of viewers because the count was posted with the video. To find out who they were, though, investigators would have to subpoena Facebook and would need to "prove a nexus to criminal activity" to obtain such a subpoena, Guglielmi said.

TEXAS TEACHER ACCUSED OF SEX WITH STUDENT GRINS IN MUGSHOT

A spokeswoman for Facebook, Andrea Saul, said she had no specific comment on the Chicago incident but that the company takes its "responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook very seriously."

She added, "Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook."

Alderman Mike Scott, whose ward includes Lawndale on the citys West Side, told the Sun-Times he was baffled by the Facebook Live post.

Of course, I didnt grow up with social media. But its becoming a place where young people act out movie scenes if you will, people are getting shot and killed and beaten on Facebook Live, he said. I really dont understand the fascination or the glorification of this violence. People want to get Facebook and Instagram famous, not knowing the consequences.

Jeffrey Urdangen, a professor at Northwestern University's law school and the director of the school's Center for Criminal Defense, said it isn't illegal to watch such a video or to not report it to the police. He also said child pornography charges wouldn't apply unless viewers were downloading the video.

This is the second time in months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack streamed live on Facebook.

In January, four people were arrested after cellphone footage streamed live on Facebook showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.

The suspects in that case -- Jordan Hill, 18, Tesfaye Cooper, 18, Brittany Covington, 18, and Tanishia Covington, 24  were charged with hate crime and battery for allegedly torturing the white man for as long as 48 hours, while shouting racial and anti-Donald Trump slurs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Investigators are making good progress in identifying those who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old Chicago girl in an attack that was streamed on Facebook Live, authorities said.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Wednesday that no arrests had been made, but he tweeted Tuesday that detectives were questioning several people, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted.

The girl, who went missing Sunday and who was sexually assaulted by five or six men or boys in the video, was reunited with her family on Tuesday morning, he said.

The video marks the second time in recent months that the Chicago Police Department has investigated an apparent attack that was streamed live on Facebook. In January, four people were arrested after a cellphone footage showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.

Police only learned of the latest alleged attack when the girl's mother approached the head of the police department, Superintendent Eddie Johnson, Monday afternoon as he was leaving a police station in the Lawndale neighborhood on the city's West Side, department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Tuesday. She told him her daughter had been missing since Sunday and showed him screen grab photos of the alleged assault.

He said Johnson immediately ordered detectives to investigate and the department asked Facebook to take down the video, which it did.

Guglielmi said Tuesday that detectives found the girl and reunited her with her family. He said she told detectives that she knows at least one of her alleged attackers, but it remained unclear how well they knew each other.

He said Johnson was "visibly upset" after he watched the video, both by its content and the fact that there were "40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities."

Investigators know the number of viewers because the count was posted with the video. To find out who they were, though, investigators would have to subpoena Facebook and would need to "prove a nexus to criminal activity" to obtain such a subpoena, Guglielmi said by email.

A spokeswoman for Facebook, Andrea Saul, said she had no specific comment on the Chicago incident but that the company takes its "responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook very seriously."

"Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook," she said.

Jeffrey Urdangen, a professor at Northwestern University's law school and the director of the school's Center for Criminal Defense, said it isn't illegal to watch such a video or to not report it to the police. He also said child pornography charges wouldn't apply unless viewers were downloading the video.
Christopher Few remembers hearing the gunshots that tore into his flesh and killed his 6-year-old autistic son. The barrage of bullets didn't stop when he stuck his hands out the window of his car in a sign of surrender.

But the 26-year-old father of Jeremy Mardis testified Tuesday that he never heard any warnings before two Louisiana law enforcement officers fired 18 bullets at his car at the tail end of a 2-mile (3-kilometer) chase.

"The only thing I heard was gunshots. Then I heard verbal commands after they were through firing," Few said during the second day of trial for Derrick Stafford, one of two officers charged with murder over the November 2015 shooting.

Few, whose testimony marked his first public statements about the deadly encounter, said he learned of his son's death when he regained consciousness at a hospital. That was the day of Jeremy's funeral, six days after the shooting in Marksville.

A prosecutor, Matthew Derbes, asked Few if he regrets not stopping his car when he saw the blue lights from an officer's vehicle.

"Most definitely," Few said. "Every day."

But he insisted he was driving safely and wasn't trying to escape from the three deputy city marshals and the Marksville police officer who chased him. Few said he kept driving in hopes of catching up with a girlfriend in a van ahead of him, so that she could take care of his son if he got arrested.

"The whole reason there was even a chase was for his well-being," he said.

He said his son remained calm throughout the pursuit.

"He always liked going on rides," Few said.

Few also said he didn't recall telling investigators that he thought he had put his car in reverse just before the shooting.

A prosecutor told jurors Monday that Stafford and another deputy city marshal weren't in any danger when they fired their semi-automatic pistols at Few's car.

Stafford's attorneys, however, are trying to pin the blame for the deadly confrontation on Few. They say Jeremy's father led officers on a dangerous, high-speed chase and rammed into a deputy's vehicle before the shooting.

During opening statements, defense attorney Jonathan Goins called Few "the author of that child's fate."

"Innocent people do not run from the police. Innocent people stop their vehicles, surrender to the police," Goins said.

Goins said Few had drugs and alcohol in his system at the time of the shooting. Few acknowledged drinking at a bar with his then-girlfriend shortly before the shooting but said he hadn't taken any drugs that day.

Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. are charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Greenhouse awaits a separate trial later this year.

Earlier Tuesday, another officer at the shooting scene testified that he believed Few was driving dangerously before the shooting. Jason Brouillette, a former Marksville police officer, acknowledged telling investigators he believed Few was using the car "as a weapon."

But Brouillette, who wasn't charged in the shooting, said he didn't fire his weapon as he stood next to Stafford because he wasn't "in direct threat at that time."

Stafford, Greenhouse and Brouillette were moonlighting as deputy city marshals on the night of the shooting.

Both officers are black. Few is white, as was his son.

Video from a Marksville police officer's body camera shows Few had his hands raised inside his vehicle while the officers fired. At least four of their 18 shots struck the child's body while he was strapped into the front seat.

"I stuck my hands out the window. They kept firing," Few said.

Few kept his composure during his testimony and even smiled when the prosecutor showed him a photograph of him with Jeremy celebrating the boy's first Christmas.

The scars on his body are a permanent reminder of the bloodshed. So is the tattoo of a crosshairs around the scar on his chest.

Few paused when Derbes asked him why he got that tattoo.

"For many reasons," he said. "Personal reasons."
Police in an Atlanta suburb have arrested a woman they say backed a sport utility vehicle over her granddaughter.

Gwinnett County police said Wednesday they've arrested 44-year-old Gilma J. Ordonez-Guevara of Lawrenceville on charges including vehicular homicide, hit and run, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and no license. Online jail records show she is also under an immigration hold.

It wasn't immediately clear whether she had an attorney.

Police say 23-month-old Valeria Leiba died from her injuries after she was hit Tuesday afternoon.

Police say Ordonez-Guevara initially denied hitting the toddler but that an examination of a yellow Hummer parked in her driveway yielded evidence that conflicted with her statements.

Police said that in a second interview, she told investigators she didn't know the child was behind her SUV.
A guilty plea has resolved the cold-case mystery of a man who was killed and had his ring finger amputated in a Chattanooga motel room nearly 30 years ago.

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston's office says 49-year-old Samuel E. Reeves of Bryant, Alabama, pleaded guilty Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter in the robbery and stabbing of James "Richard" Layne of Ringgold, Georgia.

Layne was found dead inside the La Plaza Motel on Feb. 21, 1989. Pinkston says Layne had been stabbed 32 times and his ring finger on his left hand had been crudely amputated.

Authorities believe the killer stole Layne's wedding ring.

Pinkston says Reeves was recently arrested on a DUI charge, and investigators matched his fingerprints with one found on a beer can inside Layne's motel room.
After years of restrictive gun laws being imposed across the country during the President Obama years, gun rights advocates are seeing the tide turn in their favor.

Since President Trump assumed office earlier this year, more than a dozen states have introduced pro-gun legislation. The bills have fallen mostly into two categories: permits to carry and access to buildings.

Second Amendment Foundation founder Alan Gottlieb says gun rights are gaining ground and a lot is due to the power shift to Republicans  not only in Congress and the White House, but also in state houses and governors' mansions.

CONCEAL CARRY GUN BILL WOULD ALLOW STATES TO CROSS-HONOR PERMITS

"We're able to move our agenda on the state level as well and help fend off some of the attacks we've seen in the past," Gottlieb said.

President Trump is viewed as a champion of the Second Amendment. Earlier this week, at a rally in Louisville, he reaffirmed his campaign promise to protect the right to bear arms and was met with loud cheers.

"That Second Amendment is very, very safe right now," he said.

On the campaign trail, he indicated gun rights were under siege and repeatedly said he wanted to "protect" and "save" the Second Amendment. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the National Rifle Association spent more than $10 million for Trump's election and $19 million against his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Those in favor of strict gun laws say they are stepping up their efforts in light of recent state and federal bills to relax weapons laws put in place during the Obama administration.

TRUMP TRIGGERS SLIP IN GUN SALES - EXCEPT AMONG SOME MINORITY GROUPS

During a recent group-lobbying visit to Colorado's State Capitol, Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, ticked off a number of her side's successes.

"When we show up at our statehouses, we win, Watts said, and that has never happened in the history of this movement because there was no grassroots organization to show up in red shirts and sit in senate galleries and say, not in my state, not in my community, you're not going to pass these laws."

But the movement to strengthen gun rights is gaining momentum, experts say.

On Capitol Hill, national reciprocity has been revived, with bills being introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. The exact details vary by bill but reciprocity would allow gun owners with a concealed carry license to carry in other states.

Watts calls it a nightmare for Americans.

"What it means for states that have strong gun laws like Colorado, is that suddenly you are beholden to the lowest common denominator in the country, to get a gun license," she said.

As confirmation hearings for Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court got underway this week, his entry onto the nation's highest court (if confirmed), is not the only aspect of the judicial system that could decide upcoming gun issues. Currently, there are 115 judicial vacancies for U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals.

"With all these vacancies now, we can change the court system to really support gun rights," Gottlieb said. "We project that President Trump is going to appoint close to 40 percent of the total judgeships in this country, with vacancies that are now open and with the elderly judges who are going to be retiring in the first term alone."

Last year, leading up to the election, guns sales and permits were at record numbers, according to the Second Amendment Foundation, which tracks the numbers. Gottlieb and other experts attribute it to fear by gun rights proponents that Hillary Clinton was going to be elected and was going to strip away their rights. Since the beginning of the year, Gottlieb said, the numbers have slowed but, "they're still sitting up there in very high territory."

Watts said Moms Demand Action and Everytown, the countrys largest gun safety organization, will continue to target laws they view as lax.

"We support the Second Amendment, Watts said. Many of our volunteers are gun owners or they're married to gun owners. This is not being anti-gun, this is about supporting the responsibilities that go along with gun rights."
Fox News' Sean Hannity opened Tuesday night's edition of "Hannity" with a monologue about illegal immigrant crime amid an uproar over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Maryland girl by two Central American suspects, at least one of whom was in the U.S. illegally.

RAPE FOCUSES CRITICAL ATTENTION ON 'SANCTUARY STATES'



"[The victim of] this terrible crime is just the latest in a long list of Americans who are victims because of illegal immigration," said Hannity, who referenced the 2015 shooting of Kate Steinle in San Francisco.

"Were not protecting the American people," Hannity said. "[And] these high-profile incidents, well, its only the tip of the iceberg."

According to Hannity, "36.6 percent of all federal sentences [in 2015] were given to illegal aliens, including convictions for drug trafficking, kidnapping and, yes, murder ... Between 2013 and 2015, despite the dangers we just showed you, the Obama administration released 86,288 criminal illegal aliens right back into the general U.S. population."

Referencing President Donald Trump's now-infamous comments about Mexican immigrants at the outset of his presidential campaign, Hannity said that Trump "is right [and] was right. We can never forget those whose lives were destroyed by illegal immigrants."

Following his monologue, Hannity was joined by Laura Wilkerson and Sabine Durden -- both of whose sons were killed by illegal aliens.

"Im so disgusted by what I hear about this rape. This poor child of 14 years old is forever scarred," Wilkerson said. "Shes going to have night terrors. Shes going to wake up screaming in the middle of the night. ... Anytime of day or night, its going to live in her brain for the next couple of years."

"She will never grow up as she would have without this happening," Durden concurred before asking, "What does it take for people on the left or on the right? Does it take your child in an urn, like my son? ... Does it take that for somebody to wake up and get behind our president to stop this insanity with the illegals crossing our borders, harming our citizens? When are we going to come first?"
A unanimous Supreme Court on Wednesday bolstered the rights of millions of learning-disabled students in a ruling that requires public schools to offer special education programs that meet higher standards. The court struck down a lower standard endorsed by President Donald Trump's nominee to the high court.

Chief Justice John Roberts said that it is not enough for school districts to get by with minimal instruction for special needs children. The school programs must be designed to let students make progress in light of their disabilities.

The ruling quickly led to tough questions at the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said the high court had just tossed out a standard that Gorsuch himself had used in a similar case that lowered the bar for educational achievement.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court sided with parents of an autistic teen in Colorado who said their public school did not do enough to help their son make progress. They sought reimbursement for the cost of sending him to private school.

CHRISTIAN FLORIST VOWS SUPREME COURT APPEAL

Roberts said the law requires an educational program "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances." He did not elaborate on what that progress should look like, saying it depends on the "unique circumstances" of each child. He added that there should also be deference to school officials.

"When all is said and done, a student offered an educational program providing merely more than de minimus progress from year to year can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all," Roberts said. "For children with disabilities, receiving instruction that aims so low would be tantamount to sitting idly awaiting the time when they were old enough to drop out."

At Gorsuch's hearing, Durbin said the nominee had gone beyond the standards of his own appeals court by adding the word "merely" in his 2008 opinion approving the "de minimus"  or minimum  standard for special needs education. Durbin suggested that Gorsuch had lowered the bar even more.

Gorsuch, handed a copy of the ruling during a break on the third day of his hearings, noted that his panel reached its decision unanimously based on a 10-year-old precedent. He reiterated earlier testimony that he felt compelled to take precedent into account when reaching decisions, even when he disagreed with the result.

CONSERVATIVES HAIL TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT PICK

Durbin also said Gorsuch had ruled against disabled students in 8 of 10 cases dealing with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

"To suggest I have some animus against children, senator, would be a mistake," Gorsuch said.

The case helps clarify the scope of the IDEA, a federal law that requires a "free and appropriate public education" for disabled students. Lower courts said even programs with minimal benefits can satisfy the law.

Disability advocacy groups argued that schools must offer more than the bare minimum of services to children with special needs.

The ruling does not go as far as the parents wanted. They had argued that educational programs for disabled students should meet goals "substantially equal" to those for children without disabilities. Roberts rejected that standard, saying it was "entirely unworkable."

GORSUCH FACES THIRD DAY OF QUESTIONING OVER NOMINATION

The court's decision to require a more demanding test for progress has major implications for about 6.4 million disabled students who want to advance in school and rely on special programs to make that happen. School officials had cautioned that imposing higher standards could be too costly for some cash-strapped districts. They warned that it could also lead parents to make unrealistic demands.

The case involved a boy known only as Endrew F. who attended public school outside Denver from kindergarten through fourth grades. He was given specialized instruction to deal with his learning and behavioral issues.

But Endrew's parents decided to send him to private school in 2010 after complaining about his lack of progress. They asked the school district to reimburse them for his tuition  about $70,000 a year  on the basis that public school officials weren't doing enough to meet their son's needs.

The Colorado Department of Education denied their claim, saying the school district had met the minimum standards required under the law. The federal appeals court in Denver upheld that decision, ruling that the school district satisfied its duty to offer more than a "de minimus" effort.
Ukraine in 2016 imported 1.61 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas for a total of $394 million.

Thus, according to the State Statistics Service, the average price of gas imported by the country in January was $244.6 per 1,000 cubic meters against $228.8 in December 2016.

Last year Ukraine from counterparties in Switzerland received 744.999 million cubic meters of gas for $182.928 million ($245.5), from Germany 455.018 million cubic meters for $112.961 million ($248.3), France 143.554 million cubic meters worth $35.699 million ($248.7), Poland 109.504 million cubic meters for $24.365 million ($222.5), the UK 95.993 million cubic meters for $23.471 million ($244.5), Slovakia 25.897 million cubic meters for $6.35 million ($245.2), Luxembourg 15.28 million cubic meters for $3.306 million ($216.4), Austria 14.37 million cubic meters for $3.515 million ($244.6), Hungary 5.875 million cubic meters for $1.405 million ($239.2).

As reported, with reference to the service, Ukraine in 2016 imported 10.905 billion cubic meters of natural gas for a total of $2.191 billion. All gas was imported from Europe.
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A jury has decided that a 24-year-old man should become the youngest of 83 people on Nevada's death row for the rape, murder and mutilation of a 15-year-old high school sophomore.

Javier Righetti was 19 in 2011 when he stabbed and burned Alyssa Otremba not far from her home in Las Vegas.

The jury found Righetti guilty last week of capital murder.

The panel then heard evidence that Righetti also was wanted on an arrest warrant in Mexico in a rape case involving his cousin when Otremba was killed.

Righetti will be formally sentenced by a judge on May 9. The sentence will be automatically appealed.

His court-appointed attorney, Christy Craig, declined Wednesday to comment on the verdict. It was read late Tuesday in Clark County District Court.
Reports of sexual assaults and domestic violence among Los Angeles' Latino population have plummeted since the beginning of the year, amid fears that immigrants in the country illegally could face deportation if they interact with police or appear in court, the city's police chief said Tuesday.

Since the beginning of 2017, sexual assault reports have dropped 25 percent and domestic violence reports have decreased by 10 percent among Latinos, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said Tuesday. Similar decreases weren't seen in other ethnic groups, he said.

"Imagine your sister, your mother, not reporting a sexual assault for fear that their family will be torn apart," Beck said Tuesday.

Around the nation, President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on the estimated 11 million immigrants living illegally in the U.S. have sparked fear and anxiety, leading many people to try to avoid any contact with law enforcement.

Beck said there was a "strong correlation" between the timing of the decreased reporting and fears of accelerated efforts to round up and deport immigrants.

Josh Rubenstein, a Los Angeles police spokesman, said the numbers were "concerning" and that the department is continuing to look at "every element contributing to the drop in reporting."

Advocates say the unease among immigrants is forcing the victims of violent crimes to stay silent.

"We are seeing immigrant families potentially being so afraid of the ultimate punishment, which deportation represents, that they may forego their chances of justice," said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, of the immigrant advocacy group CHIRLA. "We do not want to be in a situation where victims of crimes remain silent because they fear deportation. That's just horrible and unthinkable."

In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said gang members have also been preying on undocumented immigrants and telling them they would be deported if they report crimes to the police.

"Certainly the felons in our community are using that as a weapon against the hard working people, letting them believe that if you come forward as a witness or a victim to the police that you open yourself up to deportation," McDonnell said. "That is certainly not the case."
A Pennsylvania man took more than $100,000 in bribes in a scheme involving construction projects at two New Jersey military bases, the U.S. attorney's office said in a criminal complaint released Wednesday.

Kevin Leondi, 56, of Stroudsburg, was charged with conspiracy to accept bribes and defraud the United States, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence. He was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Newark.

According to the complaint, Leondi received $125,000 in bribes in the form of cash, the sale of unneeded equipment and work performed at his personal property. Leondi was employed by the Army as a contract specialist and served as liaison with contractors seeking work at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Leondi allegedly asked one contractor for $45,000 for help paying his mortgage, and received part of it by selling the contractor a piece of equipment worth $4,000 to $5,000 for roughly $28,000.

He also asked one contractor to install bathroom tiling and hardwood floors at his personal property for free, according to the complaint. When the contractor refused, the complaint said Leondi had a different contractor perform the work and forced the first contractor to pay for it.

Picatinny Arsenal is a center for research and development of weapons systems and ammunition, and Joint Base McGuire includes the installations formerly known separately as McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.

A message left with Leondi's attorney wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.
Days after a man in Las Vegas was arrested for killing his ex-girlfriend and burning her body, prosecutors have now revealed that it happened after she called him lazy -- and he apparently snapped.

Raymond Lewis, 22, admitted to strangling 20-year old Geranique Bentley before lighting her body on fire, according to the arrest report from the Clark County District Attorney.

DYLANN ROOF'S FRIEND SENTENCED TO PRISON

The two had been in an intermittent relationship since December 2015. On the night of March 10, they procured entry into an abandoned apartment to spend the night, according to the arrest report.

Police reports described the couple as transients.

PUTT-PUTT KILLER'S FAMILY WANTS HIS LIFE SPARED

Las Vegas Metro Police released an initial sketch of Bentley in order to identify her. Lewis reached out to authorities to say he recognized the victim and identified her. He initially told police that he awoke to find Bentley gone from the apartment on the morning of March 11.

According to the report, police reviewed surveillance tape from the surrounding area.

Lewiss story did not add up and police questioned him a second time. Lewis admitted he had a verbal argument and strangled Bentley after she called him lazy.

The arrest report went on to say that Lewis tried to revive Bentley with chest compressions, but she did not regain consciousness. No attempts were made to call medical professionals, according to the report.

The arrest reports states that after questioning, Lewis said he set the body on fire to hide fingerprints and physical evidence and returned to the body to pour more lighter fluid on Bentley a second time after noticing the initial flame had diminished quickly.

He is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
The personnel chiefs for the Navy and Marine Corps revealed Tuesday that both services are considering updating their policies to require mandatory processing for administrative separation for troops found to have engaged in abusive social media activity, a move that would make online violations akin to drug use and sexual assault.

Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, Marine Corps deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, told Military.com that a task force organized to address the aftermath of a social media scandal implicating Marines is considering the option.

The scandal centers on a private Facebook page called Marines United, where hundreds of active-duty troops and reservists apparently viewed and exchanged nude and compromising photos of female service members without their consent. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service probe into the illicit activity has since expanded beyond the page to other groups and users, NCIS officials said last week.

"There is mandatory processing for administrative separation in a number of different cases. Use of drugs requires mandatory administrative processing, sexual harassment requires mandatory administrative processing, sexual assault requires mandatory administrative processing," Brilakis said, following a congressional hearing on military social media policies on Capitol Hill.

"We are considering whether events wrapped up in Marines United, those things, would rise to the level where the commandant would recommend or direct me to begin mandatory administrative processing for separation," he said.

Processing does not guarantee that an individual will be separated from the service, but it does direct that the relevant commander begin a review, and an administrative board review the case of the service member in question. Such a move would require a change to the Marine Corps separations manual, Brilakis said.

The Navy, which organized a senior leader working group in the wake of the scandal, is considering a similar step, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke told the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel Tuesday.

"We are reviewing the [Uniform Code of Military Justice] and Navy policy governing mandatory administrative separation to ensure they are adequate," he said.

The fact that both services are considering such a move, reserved for violations for which the military has a zero-tolerance policy, underscores how seriously the military is now addressing the problem of social media harassment and the pressure from lawmakers to produce results fast.

Similar policies implemented in the 1980s to combat drug use in the services resulted in a huge reduction. According to Defense Department statistics, 47 percent of troops were found to have used drugs in 1973, compared to just 3 percent by 1995. More recently, the military has worked to apply the same approach to sexual harassment and assault, though the results to date have been more muted.

The policy reviews come as multiple lawmakers express outrage at service members' alleged behavior and call for decisive action.

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a freshman Democrat from New York, called on the military to boot offenders, reading aloud from an enlistment document that states troops will be subject to separation if their behavior falls short of military standards.

"I don't know why we have to debate and you tell them at the very beginning and you sign off saying their behaviors are unacceptable," she said. "I don't understand why we have to then pursue many various avenues. Do you still have the power to throw them out if it's very clear they can't do this?"

Brilakis, however, emphasized that everyone in uniform deserves due process and will continue to receive it.

"Whether it be through an administrative procedure or a military justice procedure, there are processes," he said.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
Deputies in Georgia's Polk County are looking for a woman who disappeared with her two children amidst a custody dispute, and they fear the kids could be in danger.

According to the sheriffs office, Kelli Rae Alderman was last seen at the Bartow courthouse yesterday, where a judge ordered her to turn the two boys over to the care of their father, who's from Georgia.

Dennis Hagood of Homerville, Georgia now has a court order from both Georgia and Polk County for custody of the kids, but neither Alderman nor the boys has been seen since yesterday's hearing.

Deputies say Aldermans last known address was at her mothers home on Lake James Drive in Lakeland. No one was there when detectives checked, and her mothers gray 2010 Lexus was also gone.

TEXAS WOMAN STAGED HER OWN KIDNAPPING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, POLICE SAY

Investigators are now asking for help finding Alderman, her mother  identified as Faye Louise Adams, or the boys  identified as 9-year-old Sid Large and 5-year-old Ace Large.

Sid Large has brown hair and brown eyes, weighs 85 pounds, and is about 4 feet tall. Ace has brown hair and brown eyes, weighs about 35 pounds and is about 3 feet tall. The sheriffs office says the boys are considered endangered but did not elaborate.

Click here for more from Fox 13.
An aging mobster who two years ago beat charges in a legendary heist retold in the film "Goodfellas" has been rearrested.

The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn says Vincent Asaro is charged with an arson committed before his 2015 arrest in the robbery of the Lufthansa cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1978.

Asaro's attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

An indictment also names a grandson of infamous Gambino crime family boss John Gotti as a defendant.

In 2015, a Brooklyn jury found the 82-year-Asaro not guilty of charges he orchestrated the Lufthansa robbery with James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke. A turncoat mob associate testified that Asaro and Burke killed a suspected informant with a dog chain. The defense argued Asaro was framed.
The rape of a 14-year-old girl inside a Maryland high school, allegedly by at least one much older illegal immigrant, is stoking anger but having little effect on local politicians committed to so-called "sanctuary" policies.

Parents of students at Rockville High School, where the victim was brutally assaulted in a boys bathroom by two immigrant classmates, ages 17 and 18, vented at a PTA meeting Tuesday night.

"I'm very mad. I can't believe this is happening in my kids' school, said a parent who identified herself only as Liz. There are a lot of people here that maybe don't belong here. They haven't been checked out and I really need to know that my kids are safe."

I know that if this country enforced the laws that are already on the books those two young men would not have been here and this rape, this horrendous rape, would not have occurred."  Montgomery County parent

Residents of the Montgomery County community told Fox News the suspects have no place in classrooms with children several years younger. Illegal immigrants with language deficits are typically placed in lower grades at public schools in sanctuary communities around the country.

I know that if this country enforced the laws that are already on the books those two young men would not have been here and this rape, this horrendous rape, would not have occurred," said one local parent.

Said another: "I'm really outraged by the situation in Montgomery County, I'm a lifelong resident."

Most seemed unmoved by school officials' defense of the policy of not cooperating with federal immigration officials.

"This is not an issue that we're going to move to the political level, although a lot of people want to do it, said Jack Smith, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools. The fact is, these students were not in the same class, but many students between the 9th and 12th grades are in the same classes, in the same band class, in the same world language class, same play after school."

Robin Ficker, an attorney who attended the meeting, said officials do not seem to grasp the situation.

The mood was simply, 'cover our reputation,' Ficker said. "There were long speeches from the principal, from the superintendent, from others who were associated with them explaining why this could never have happened when it did. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound to cure it.

The community is one of several in Maryland considering formal adaptation of sanctuary status, a designation marking varying degree of non-cooperation with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

At least one of the suspects in the attack last Thursday, 18-year-old Guatemala native Henry Sanchez, had been stopped by a Border Patrol agent in August 2016 in Rio Valley Grande, Texas, when he entered the country illegally from Mexico. Sanchez was ordered to appear before an immigration judge, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled.

The immigration status of the other suspect, identified by police as Jose Montano, 17, of El Salvador, was not clear.

You have young adult males that really do not have our culture and you are putting them in the same classroom as our 14-year-old girls and they are saying, 'There is nothing we can do about that  sorry,' said community member Theresa Rickman.

Asked by Fox News why Montgomery County actively cooperates with Federal authorities on illegal immigration only after a crime has been committed, Montgomery Countys Council President Roger Berliner replied, One of two individuals was stopped by ICE in Texas and released. How is this on us?"

That attitude did not sit well with critics of the sanctuary policy.

The smugness and disingenuous language being used by Berliner is heinous, said Jeff Werner of immigrant watchdog group Help Save Maryland. Blaming ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for letting the illegal immigrant stay in the country [is] almost as if they are sidestepping the whole problem by saying, We welcome everyone, regardless of their immigration status. They dont even know if these illegals even have a crime record."

Montgomery County Public Schools has a "dont ask, dont tell" policy regarding illegals in the school system.

We do not conduct background checks on any of our students. There is no provision in the law for that, said Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson Gboyinde Onijala, We have students in our district that are US citizens that commit crimes and/or come to our schools with criminal records.

When asked why the school district is resisting calls to examine its policies with regards to illegal immigrants, Onijala turned on the questioner.

The U.S. Supreme Court requires that schools not take any action that may discourage participation or exclude students based on their immigration status," Onijala said. "It is appalling that Fox News and others are insisting on making this a conversation about immigration when the focus should be on the victim This is a crime that could be committed by anyonewhite, black, Asian, Hispanic, documented and undocumented.
A 20-year old Pennsylvania man is suspected of murdering his girlfriend's 4-year-old son and now his mother is being accused of helping him.

Keith Jordan Lambing and Lambing's mother Kristen Herold, were found by police in an abandoned home in Butler, Pa. after receiving a tip. The two were sent to Butler County Prison, Butler Township Police told Fox News.

Officials plan to charge Lambing with homicide, Butler District Attorney Richard Goldinger told Fox News.

Herold is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person, Butler Township Police said in a statement.

Both Lambing and Herold were found at the abandoned home, Goldinger said. They had warrants for their arrest unrelated to the child's death, Butler Township Police Lt. Matthew Pearson told Fox News. Keith Lambing didn't show up to a burglary hearing the day before the 4-year-old died.

The 4-year-old had been staying at the Super 8 motel in Butler with his mother, Lambing and a baby.

The childs mother was at work when the 4-year-old needed medical attention, Goldinger said. Lambing called Herold for help. She came and picked up the boy but the child became unresponsive in the car. Herold called 911 for help and pulled into a parking lot. Paramedics came to the scene, performed CPR on the unresponsive child and took him to Butler Memorial Hospital where he died Tuesday, Goldinger said.

The baby who was also staying at the motel is no longer under the mother's custody, Goldinger added. Youth services took the baby under protective custody.

The 4-year olds mother is not considered a person of interest, Goldinger noted.

The pathologist ruled the boy's death a homicide, Goldinger said, but when Fox News reached out to the Butler County Coroners Office, they said they were not releasing information about the autopsy at this time.

A vigil for the 4-year-old was held Wednesday.
Parents of students at Rockville High School and other concerned Montgomery County, Md., community members finally got their chance to have some of their questions answered by school administrators at a PTA meeting held Tuesday night, five days after police say a 14-year-old girl was raped by two other students inside a school bathroom.

Before the meeting, anti-illegal immigration protesters were seen outside of the school holding signs in opposition of being a sanctuary county or state.

Some protesters gather ahead of PTA meeting at Rockville HS- the 1st one since 14-yr-old girl raped by 17 & 18yr old here illegally pic.twitter.com/uRWD6Ql2K7  Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) March 21, 2017

RAPE FOCUSES CRITICAL ATTENTION ON 'SANCTUARY' STATES

Inside the high school, the meeting was filled to capacity, but FOX 5 and other media organizations were not allowed to bring their cameras inside.

Montgomery County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Jack Smith, a police detective and other school officials made a presentation and then took questions from the audience. Smith would also issue an apology to parents.

REPORTED IMMIGRANT RAPE CASE STIRS NATIONAL DEBATE

During the gathering, one parent said this meeting happened five days too late as the issue of the school districts lack of response and communication with parents was raised. The audience also wanted to know why they were getting more information from the media rather than the school system. The superintendent said they wanted to gather all of the facts, and at a press conference earlier in the day, he also said he regrets not being available sooner.

The 17-year-old and 18-year-old charged in this case were in the country illegally and this was a major point of contention Tuesday night. There was also concern about the fact that these two were attending Rockville High School as freshmen. At one point during the meeting, Dr. Smith said this is not a conversation about immigration, but about a horrible event, which received some applause and some jeers. One person was seen visibly upset and ended up leaving the meeting.

Literature was also handed out to parents highlighting that all people under 21 years old must be admitted to school under Maryland law, a Supreme Court decision prohibits schools from denying education based on immigration status, Montgomery County Public Schools does not require information on immigration status and school staff should avoid asking about students status  citing the Supreme Court decision.

There were a lot of different opinions on how the meeting went.

The mood was simply cover our reputation, said attorney Robin Ficker. There were long speeches from the principal, from the superintendent, from others who were associated with them explaining why this could never have happened when it did. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound to cure it.

You have young adult males that really do not have our culture and you are putting them in the same classroom as our 14-year-old girls and they are saying there is nothing we can do about that  sorry, said community member Theresa Rickman.

I was glad there wasn't a riot about immigration or anything having to do with that, said student Julia Williams. People just asked questions and they were answered.

The superintendent said there is currently an intensive review underway on making students safer.

Click for more from Fox 5.
Court in Moldova to consider extradition of Judge Chaus after Moldovan president decides on asylum

The Moldovan Prosecutor General's Office has filed to the local court an application for the extradition of judge of the Dniprovsky District Court of Kyiv Mykola Chaus to Ukraine, but it will be considered after the Moldovan president decides on granting political asylum to Chaus, a source told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine documents for the extradition of Judge Chaus in early March, after which the Prosecutor General's Office sent them to Moldova," the source told the agency.

However, the source said the consideration of this appeal will begin after the Moldovan president will decide on granting political asylum to Chaus in Moldova. This process can last up to six months, he explained.

"Meanwhile, an investigation is being conducted in Moldova as part of the criminal proceedings regarding the illegal crossing of the border of this state by Chaus," the source added.

In turn, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) noted that the procedure for the extradition of Judge Chaus had been launched, the final decision on his extradition will be made by the court in Moldova.
The man accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old Tennessee high school student scoured the internet for information on teen marriage, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials said Tuesday.

Tad Cummins, 50, searched the internet for teen marriage on March 5, more than a week before he skipped town with Elizabeth Thomas, officials said. He would also search for information about what features a Nissan Rogue has which could allow police to track him, The Tennessean reported.

The pair was last seen March 13.

TBI officials have received more than 650 leads, but no credible sightings of the pair. Officials believe Cummins could have Thomas hidden somewhere away from the publics view, the newspaper reported.

Cummins was investigated by Culleoka Unit School after another student reported seeing him kiss Thomas on the lips in January, school records show. Cummins was allowed to continue teaching during the schools investigation. He was suspended on Feb. 6.

However, nobody in the school notified the girls family about the kiss allegations, the familys attorney Jason Whatley said. He said the school system must have not believed the student's report of seeing Cummins kiss the girl.

Whatley added that Anthony Thomas, the teens father, only learned of the kissing allegation a week later after a detective with the Maury County Sheriffs Department went to the home to investigate.

Cummins was fired by the school the day after he disappeared with Thomas. Police believe hes carrying two handguns. Authorities said the teen is in imminent danger and have asked residents to stay vigilant.

Cummins in on the states Top 10 Most Wanted list with a $1,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Anyone who sees Cummins or Thomas or knows anything about their whereabouts is urged to contact 1-800-TBI-FIND.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from The Tennessean.
Police now believe a kidnapping and sexual assault case that rattled the small North Texas town of Denison earlier this month was a hoax.

Breana Harmon Talbott, 18, confessed to investigators Tuesday night and admitted she staged the attack. She also admitted the injuries to her body were self-inflicted, the Denison Police Department said.

The story made headlines after Talbotts worried fiance reported her missing on March 8. He told FOX 4 he asked a neighbor to check on her and that neighbor found her keys and a shoe on the ground outside her apartment.

TENNESSEE MANHUNT: KIDNAPPING SUSPECT RESEARCHED 'TEEN MARRIAGE,' OFFICIALS SAY

Police got involved with the search. Dogs and officer were out searching until someone from a nearby church called to report that a woman had disrupted their service to ask for help. She was wearing only her shirt, bra and underwear.

"She was in bad shape. She was bleeding. They had to bring some sheets to cover her up and try to calm her down," said Saul Marquez, the pastor of the New Creation Church. "As a church, we're here for a reason. It's a good thing she found some refuge here."

EX-MMA FIGHTER CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING FORMER GIRLFRIEND

According to police, Talbotts told witnesses at the church that she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted in the woods behind the church. She told detectives three black males wearing ski masks had kidnapped her near her vehicle outside her apartment. She said they took her in a black SUV to a wooded area where one suspect held her down while the other two raped her.

The case quickly gathered regional attention due to the severity of the alleged crime and rumors quickly begin to spin out of control through social media. Almost immediately, Talbott's story and allegations began to unravel. Within only a day or two, detectives had doubts as to most of Talbott's allegations, Denison Police Chief Jay Burch said.

Police are now closing the case. They believe Talbott caused her own injuries and staged the whole incident. There was also no medical evidence of a sexual assault.

Click for more from Fox 4.
A memorial in Venice, Calif., for Vietnam troops who went missing in action has been vandalized with graffiti for the second time in the past year, sparking a new round of anger.

VETERAN MEMORIALS IN 3 STATES VANDALIZED AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY

Theres just no respect for what this is, Stewart Oscars, who lives nearby, told KCBS/KCAL on Tuesday. Im just mad and sad.

The memorial was vandalized on Memorial Day weekend of 2016. In January, Angel Castro, 24, was sentenced to four years in state prison after being charged with vandalism and robbery in connection with the incident, according to the LA Times. He pleaded no contest to the charges.

WATCH: War Memorial In Venice Vandalized Again As Restoration Is Set To Start https://t.co/CN6Av751ng  Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) March 22, 2017

VANDALS DEFACE VETERANS MEMORIAL IN CALIFORNIA

The coverage from the first incident had dozens of volunteers coming to help clean up the graffiti, but dozens of the 2,237 names were wiped away from the memorial.

The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) tracked down the full list of names from the original artist, Patrick Stewart.

This is a great investigative piece of our work, SPARC Founder Judy Baca told KCBS/KCAL.

SPARC will begin the memorial restoration within a week. Once it is finished, an invisible protective coating will be applied to allow easy clean up if another vandalism incident occurs.

Authorities have not identified any tagging suspect in this most recent case of vandalism.
The Chinese military issued a warning to a U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber flying in the East China Sea Wednesday morning amid escalating tensions in the region, two U.S. officials told Fox News.

The Chinese said the U.S. bomber was flying in international airspace. American officials tell Fox News the bomber was flying in international airspace and continued on its mission---albeit without its wingman.

NORTH KOREA'S AGITATION GAME

Fox News has learned that two B-1 bombers were supposed to launch a patrol from Guam to the Korean Peninsula as part of training exercises with the South Koreans, hours after the failed North Korean missile launch.

Only one B-1 bomber was able to take off. The other was scrubbed due to maintenance issues.

The Chinese warning came over the emergency radio frequency known as "guard," according to one official. The incident unfolded when the American bomber was flying 70 miles southwest of the South Korean island of Jeju.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford were addressing lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday about the defense budget and the current readiness crisis facing the U.S. military.
Amid record-breaking poverty rates countrywide, an increasing number of Venezuelans is stepping outside the law and trying their luck in the treacherous world of illegal mining.

The state of Bolivar, home to one of the largest gold reserves in the world, has seen in recent years a huge inflow of Venezuelans from across the country despite the well-known fact that the area is parceled up among a number of mafia bands.

"It's like a parallel government," said one miner to the AFP, asking to remain anonymous.

VENEZUELANS KILLING FLAMINGOS AND ANTEATERS TO STAVE OFF HUNGER

Mostly devoid of any law enforcement or authority, the Orinoco Arc region is often the scene of deadly shootouts and many miners have mysteriously turned up dead.

Each group has its territory," miner Argenis Tarazona, 47, told the news agency. "Whoever breaks the rules, whoever robs, they kill him or beat him up," he added.

Tarazona is an industrial mechanic but his salary was not enough to provide for his wife and five children. Given the extreme living conditions, he is one of thousands who left his family behind.

"I've got no other choice. I was working as a porter, but I couldn't support my three kids," said Gilberto Urrieta, 32, who arrived four months ago.

"Now I send them 150,000 bolivars a month"  approximately $53.

NEW 'ANTI-COUP SQUAD' IN VENEZUELA MONITORS, HUNTS OPPONENTS PERCEIVED AS RISK

Some of the men are bused to the mines every morning, but others sleep on site in malaria ridden camps, AFP reported.

They make somewhere between 260,000 and one million bolivars a month ($95 to $360 at the black market exchange rate), which is far higher than minimum wage.

Miner Ender Moreno, who is only 18, has been working the gold mines for years and says he plans to continue.

"I'm not afraid," he told the news agency, "I'll probably do this till I die."

"My mom says this is no kind of life, but I can't stop because I need the money to help her," he said.

"I'm young and I want to enjoy life. But when your time is up, it's up. Everyone has to die sometime."

According to the head of the Venezuelan Mining Chamber, Luis Rojas, 90 percent of the gold produced in the country comes from illegal mines.

VENEZUELA THREATENS TO EXPROPRIATE BAKERS THAT DON'T OBEY NEW BREAD REGULATIONS

Last year, the government of Nicolas Maduro announced deals with Canadian mining firm Gold Reserve and several Chinese companies authorizing open-pit mining in the Orinoco region.

The agreements were met with resistance by environmentalists and grassroots activists who say the initiative will have severe social and ecological repercussions.

We are certain that the Orinoco Arc is an open-pit homicide against the environment, affirmed Valentin Guimares, 26, who noted that open-pit mining uses between 450 and 1060 liters of water per gram of gold extracted.

Gold mining also uses a large amount of land and pollutes water with cyanide and mercury, harming species of wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, crocodiles and countless species of birds and fish.

This project contradicts the eco-socialist principles of the revolution as well as the entire legal framework we have fought and shed so much blood for, said Yarumi Gonzalez, a member of a far-left group.

Like [late President] Chavez, we make a call to strike at the helm, to resume the revolutionary process, understanding that Chavez himself put a stop to Gold Reserve, she said.
Armenian authorities have arrested a former top Nagorno-Karabakh military official on charges of smuggling an air defense missile into the country.

Armenia's National Security Service said Samvel Babaian, who once served as the defense minister in Nagorno-Karabakh's self-proclaimed government, was arrested Wednesday along with two other men. The agency said it had seized the Soviet-made Igla portable missile smuggled from neighboring Georgia.

Nagorno-Karabakh is officially part of Azerbaijan, but since a separatist war ended in 1994 it has been under the control of forces that claim to be local ethnic Armenians but that Azerbaijan claims include regular Armenian military.

Babaian's arrest comes before Armenia's parliamentary elections set for April 2, in which he has campaigned as a leader of an opposition bloc including several former top officials.
A new study on childhood marriage conducted by Plan International shows an alarming reality in the Dominican Republic, where four out of 10 women (37 percent) got married before they turned 18.

According to a survey cited in the study, 12.5 percent of Dominican women between 20 and 49 married before they turned 15.

In the Caribbean country, females younger than 15 may not marry, but a judge may waive that requirement. As for males, the law allows them to marry at age 16 and older.

IN A PAKISTAN FAMILY, DEAL IS MADE, A GIRL IS GIVEN AS BRIDE



While child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys, data on males affected by child marriage are limited. According to UNICEF, the highest rates of boys married before age 18 are were found in the Central African Republic (28 percent), distantly followed by Madagascar and Laos (13 percent).

Plan International's study also found that one in every five females aged 15-19 is married or living with a man at least 10 years older.

"Although many people may think that a girl marries or lives with someone because she is free to decide to do so, the study found that that freedom is not as it might seem," said the study's author, Jeanette Tineo, during the presentation.

ONCE A CHILD BRIDE, SYRIAN REFUGEE IS NOW SOLE PROVIDER

She also said that of the 10 girls or teens married to adult men who were interviewed for the study, seven were pregnant at the time they established their unions.

Plan International is recommending the Dominican Congress to revise the Civil Code to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 for both sexes, without exception.

FORMER TEEN BRIDE AGREES TO $2.75M POLYGAMOUS-TRUST

SETTLEMENT

[The Dominican Republic] must honor the international commitments it has signed with regard to protecting children, put an end to impunity for attackers who are protected by marriage and provide opportunities to girls to fashion a dignified life for themselves," said Plan Internationals Raquel Casares on the organizations website.

EFE contributed to this report.
Agence France-Presse says a former photographer for the French news agency has been arrested upon his return home to Bahrain.

The news agency and the Bahrain Press Association reported on Wednesday that photographer Mohammed al-Shaikh was taken into custody at Bahrain International Airport following a trip abroad.

AFP expressed serious concern about the detention and asked Bahraini authorities to explain the arrest.

Bahraini officials did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

The arrest comes amid a renewed crackdown on free expression that over the past year has seen Bahraini activists imprisoned or exiled and the country's largest Shiite opposition group dissolved. Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya and France 24 journalist Nazeeha Saeed is being tried for reporting without accreditation.
German officials say a federal court has endorsed the planned deportation of two known Islamic extremists who are foreign nationals, although they were born in Germany and there's no proof they committed a serious offense.

The two men, an Algerian and a Nigerian whose names weren't released, were detained last month in Goettingen in an investigation of suspected attack plans.

Lower Saxony's state government ordered their deportation, and said late Tuesday the men will be deported before Easter after the Federal Administrative Court threw out a case against the decision.

The state interior minister, Boris Pistorius, said it was "a clear signal to all fanatics that we won't leave them one centimeter for their inhuman plans." He added that it is "completely irrelevant whether they grew up here or not."
Ukraine's Embassy in Russia has confirmed the fact that correspondent of the Ukrainian-based information agency UNIAN Roman Tsymbaliuk has been detained in Moscow, however, it has not elaborated on details, including the reason for the detention, head of the consular department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's Consular Service Vasyl Kyrylych has said.

"The Embassy of Ukraine in the Russian Federation confirms the detention of journalist Roman Tsymbaliuk. Now the consul is at the police station, checking and verifying information about his detention," Kyrylych told Interfax-Ukraine in a comment on Tuesday evening.

He also said that the embassy had already contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to clarify the circumstances of Tsymbaliuk's apprehension.

Tsymbaliuk, who is now at the police station, wrote on Facebook: "[I've been] at the police station for two hours already, [they] must release [me] in an hour. We will proceed from this."

Earlier reports said about Tsymbaliuk's detention in Moscow. His documents are reported to have been seized. "We were detained, taken to a local police station to check if video filming [of an interview in Moscow] was 'legal.' For the first time [I'm] in a police car:) Accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry did not work. They claim we were shouting slogans and maybe holding a 'rally,'" he wrote.
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A former Congolese vice president has been sentenced to an extra year in prison and fined 300,000 euros ($324,000) for interfering with witnesses in his trial at the International Criminal Court.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, who already is serving an 18-year prison term for crimes committed in Central African Republic by a militia he commanded, was sentenced Wednesday along with four members of the legal team.

They were convicted in October of corruptly influencing defense witnesses and presenting false testimony in Bemba's trial linked to atrocities in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003.

The four legal team members were given sentences ranging from six months to two-and-a-half years.

Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said the sentences should act as a deterrent to prevent similar crimes in the future.
ISIS sympathizers are cheering the apparent deadly terror attack in London with memes and photos on social media, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the black-clad jihadist network.

Recent posts in Telegram channels linked to ISIS are filled with chatter, calling the attack outside the U.K. parliament "blessed," and a graphic of a burning Big Ben that reads "SOON OUR Battle On Your Land" with "London" in bold letters at the bottom of the image is circulating through Twitter.

The attack in London on Wednesday comes on the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in Brussells which left 32 people dead and 300 injured. ISIS claimed responsibiblity for the coordinated suicide bombings--two at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem and one at Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels. The bombings were the deadliest terror attack in Belgium's history.

Recent posts of a prominent #ISIS telegram channel. Reads the blessed #London attack.. This is not an official account but very credible. pic.twitter.com/tTSyc2ZrJx  Ahmet S Yayla (@ahmetsyayla) March 22, 2017

1. London police are treating incident near parliament as terror. I'm monitoring ISIS channels & there's no claim. What there is is chatter: pic.twitter.com/fHdByU7jz1  Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) March 22, 2017

ISIS has long promoted the use of vehicles and knives in attacks by so-called "lone wolf" terrorists, particularly in Western countries.

While the Islamic State has not yet claimed responsibility for the attacks in London, U.K. police say they are treating this as a terrorist attack until they have further information.

The attack came as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson addressed a meeting of 68 countries gathered in Washington to discuss the fight to defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
The Edicule, the shrine that is believed to be the place Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, just received a $4 million makeover.

The renovated tomb was unveiled Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem. The ceremony was streamed online.

A team of 50 Greek scientists and restorers from the Greek National Technical University of Athens completed the tedious restoration work, which focused on a small structure above the burial chamber.

CHRIST'S TOMB UNCOVERED: THIS IS WHAT EXPERTS DISCOVERED

They worked for a little over nine months, mostly at night, to allow the pilgrims from all over the world to visit the holy site. They removed the iron cage that was built around the tomb by British authorities in 1947 and cleaned up black grime that had built up after years of pilgrims lighting candles.

The workers used modern technologies and materials to prevent the tomb from collapsing, stabilizing it with titanium bolts.

"If this intervention hadn't happened now, there is a very great risk that there could have been a collapse," Bonnie Burnham of the World Monuments Fund told the Associated Press on Monday. "This is a complete transformation of the monument."

Six denominations share custodianship of the church, Latin (Roman Catholic), Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Copts. Bitter disputes over territories and responsibilities have erupted in the past, sometimes involving physical quarrels, and police involvement. In a sign of the distrust between the different denominations, the keys to the church have been held by a Muslim family since the 12th century.

EXPERTS BEGIN FIRST RENOVATIONS OF JESUS' TOMB IN 200 YEARS

But all that animosity was briefly forgotten. All the denominations pitched in and contributed to the project.

Other donations were made by Mica Ertegun, the widow of a co-founder of Atlantic Records. Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also chipped in about $162,000 euros each. There were also other private and church donations, Burnham said.

Although the Edicule itself is now stable, experts say that another extensive renovation project is necessary to address the problems that damaged the structure: the excess humidity and smoke from candles in the ancient Jerusalem basilica. The Vatican has promised substantial support for that project.

Concern for the church's stability brought the Christian denominations together. Antonia Moropoulou, who supervised the renovation, hopes it will inspire all the religious groups to start a "new era" of cooperation. She hopes the communities will make some changes in longstanding customs inside the church, like pilgrims smashing their lit candles onto the Edicule's stone wall, so the structure is not compromised.

Money is being raised for another round of restorations  including consolidating drainage and sewage pipes underground and around the tomb to stabilize its foundations. Many hope further renovations won't be needed for years to come.

"Here is a monument that has been worshipped through the centuries, Moropoulou said, and will be worshipped forever."
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The Kremlin is dismissing a report that French presidential candidate Francois Fillon was paid 50,000 euros ($54,000) to arrange a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Lebanese magnate.

The report in investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine says his consulting company arranged the meeting between Putin and Lebanese oil magnate Fouad Makhzoumi at an economic forum in 2015.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov compared the report to "fake news." He said Wednesday: "The president's meetings are organized according to protocol" and the Kremlin "doesn't need any intermediaries."

Fillon is also the target of a newly enlarged investigation into allegations that he gave his family government-funded jobs which they never did. He denies wrongdoing, but the accusations have damaged his campaign for the April-May election.
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The Latest on reports of an incident outside Britain's parliament (all times local):

3:05 p.m.

The leader of Britain's House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Liddington also said there were "reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity."

London's police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament.

A session of Parliament was suspended after the incident.

Britain's MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related.

___

2:55 p.m.

A session of Britain's House of Commons has been suspended as witnesses reported hearing sounds like gunfire nearby.

The Commons' speaker suspended the session as police responded to an incident.

Journalists at the Parliament building said they were told to stay in their offices.

The Press Association news agency reported that two people were seen lying within the grounds of Parliament.

Police had no immediate confirmation.
A Russian lawyer linked to a case exposing corruption in Moscow plummeted from his fourth-story apartment on Tuesday -- as one of his top clients called it "extremely suspicious."

Nikolai Gorokhov, 53, fell from his fourth-floor apartment on Tuesday as a crane was lifting a large bathtub into his home.

"They were lifting a Jacuzzi through the window," according to Anastasia Berezina, 22, a neighbor who called an ambulance for Gorokhov. Berezina said that the equipment Gorokhov and other workers were using was "ramshackle," The Associated Press reported. Russian media also described it as an accident, reporting that a rope snapped.

RUSSIA TO ISSUE VERDICT IN DEAD LAWYER'S TRIAL

However, Gorokhovs former employer, British businessman Bill Browder, suggested this may not have been an accident.

"It is extremely suspicious," Browder told The AP by telephone from London, suggesting the fall could be related to Gorokhov's work challenging President Vladimir Putin's government. "Gorokhov is a serious problem for the Putin regime as he has spent the last seven years exposing their complicity in the death of Sergei Magnitsky."

EVEN AFTER DEATH, SOME IN HISTORY HAVE FACED CONVICTION, 'EXECUTION,' AND EXONERATION

The family of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian whistleblower who died in jail in 2009, had hired Gorokhov. The attorney was due to represent Magnitskys mother Wednesday in a Moscow court and was acting as a witness in a U.S. money laundering case.

Browder said that Gorokhov was determined to fight the Moscow courts refusal to investigate organized crime.

Magnitsky died in a Moscow prison at the age of 37 after accusing officials of stealing $230 million via tax rebates.



Supporters said Magnitsky died from a severe beating, the BBC reported, but official records showed that he died of heart failure and toxic shock from untreated pancreatitis.

His death -- and the exposed corruption -- weakened relations between Moscow and the West.

The U.S. passed the Magnitsky Act in 2012 that sanctioned five Russian officials involved in alleged human rights violations in the Magnitsky case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Mohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all look so easy.

To a pan full of sizzling chicken he adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, coriander, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredients between his fingers as his only measure. After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at the Taste of India in London.

Haque's deft touch isn't easy to replicate  and that's a problem for Britain's curry houses, which are shutting down at a rate of two a week, in part because there aren't enough chefs and kitchen staff.

Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed. They're angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave only to have the government fail to deliver on promises to help save their industry. Rather than easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the situation worse by cutting off the flow of East European workers who have increasingly filled the gaps in recent years.

"What's happening since Brexit is even more restaurants are closing; we can't get people from anywhere," said Oli Khan, the senior vice president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK and a celebrity chef. "Curry houses are in danger."

Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the South Asian restaurant industry in a country where chicken tikka masala is as much the national dish as fish and chips. In addition to a chef shortage, Britain's 12,000 curry restaurants are struggling with competition from prepared supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and rising food prices from a lower pound.

Though casually called Indian food, most curry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants and their offspring who fused South Asian flavors with British tastes to create a new cuisine worth an estimated 4.5 billion pounds ($5.6 billion) to the economy annually.

For example, the humble papadum isn't traditionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accustomed to being served bread when they sat down. The onion bhaji was adapted from onion rings.

What is at stake, Ali says, is not the heritage of Bangladesh, but the heritage of Britain.

"I've given my life in the curry industry and I can see with my own eyes that it is disappearing," Ali said. "I really feel the government should intervene before it is too late."

The unease of the curry houses is replicated in ways large and small across Britain, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the legal process of leaving the EU next week. High-tech companies in search of engineers, farmers in need of fruit pickers and builders looking for construction workers have all raised concerns about possible staff shortages.

The hospitality industry is particularly worried. An analysis from the Oxford Migration Observatory shows some 89,000 people from many of the EU's new entrant countries in the east are working in food and beverage services.

May has taken a tough stance on immigration after anger about high arrival numbers fueled last year's vote to leave the EU. While exiting the bloc will allow Britain to eventually limit European immigration, the government has so far refused to relax the rules for migrants from non-EU countries.

"Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system," the Home office said in a statement. "We are working across government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people."

The rules now require migrants from outside the EU to have a job paying some 35,000 pounds ($43,600) a year  more than many nurses make in Britain. Curry houses, which mostly sell food at reasonable prices, can't meet that standard.

The curry owners have in recent years filled the gap by hiring Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles and Romanians. Between 5,000 and 6,000 curry house workers are East Europeans out of a total 150,000.

These workers sometimes have had trouble communicating with chefs, who found themselves learning the Romanian words for green pepper and onion. And many of the workers had never even seen a curry, unlike earlier migrants from South Asia who often aspired to open curry houses of their own.

But the Eastern Europeans didn't balk at long hours chopping vegetables and washing dishes.

Take Aga Pozniak, a qualified teacher form Lodz in central Poland. Though she now serves customers in front of house at Taste of India, she started out as a kitchen assistant.

"I had never been in an Indian restaurant in Poland so I had no idea about the Indian kitchen," she said. "So I learned everything here. ... When you are a kitchen assistant, you do some cleaning, you prepare food, you cut food. It doesn't matter when you cut pepper if you cut pepper for Indian food or Polish food. You cut pepper."

The lack of prospects for advancement, however, often means that the Eastern Europeans soon move on to other jobs.

And the restaurants, some of which have been in the family for decades, can no longer look to the next generation to fill the gaps. As mothers and fathers have prospered and become part of British society, many of their children have moved into professions such as law and medicine rather than cooking. And with no new influx of onion choppers in the pipeline, even those that want to stay in the business are having a tough time.

Sayem Ahmed, for example, wants to transform the Taste of India into a Michelin-starred eatery, and he's studying business at Middlesex University to make that dream come true.

But the 19-year-old finds himself increasingly pulling shifts at the family restaurant  time that takes him away from his studies.

"I'd say the whole industry is in danger," he said. "They really need to think of something for us."
A North Korean ballistic missile test ended in failure when it exploded five seconds after launch, two US officials tell Fox News.

North Korea attempted to launch an intermediate-range Musudan missile, the first attempted launch of this type of missile since President Trump took office.

"The missile blew up five seconds after launch," said one official, who had seen satellite imagery of the launch showing a heavily damaged mobile launcher on a runway. The test occurred at an air base near the city of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast along the Sea of Japan.

NORTH KOREA BURNS US AIRCRAFT CARRIER, BOMBER IN PROPAGANDA VIDEO

South Korea's Defense Ministry said it also believes the launch ended in failure. It said it was analyzing what type of missile was launched.

The reported launch failure comes as the North has angrily reacted to ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

Wednesdays failure might mean that the missile is a newly developed one the North has not deployed, according to South Korean media. Last year, the country suffered a series of embarrassing failed launches of its new medium-range Musudan missile before it successfully test-fired one.

Also Wednesday, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber and South Korean fighter jets conducted joint training exercises that displayed "strong deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats," South Korea's Defense Ministry said. The U.S. military said the training was held after the bomber staged a similar exercise with Japanese fighter jets.

NORTH KOREA TESTS NEW TYPE OF HIGH-THRUST ROCKET ENGINE

The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which remains in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 U.S. soldiers are deployed in South Korea.

North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with what it calls U.S. hostility. Many weapons experts say the North could have a functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental U.S. within a few years. North Korea carried out two nuclear tests last year.

On Sunday, North Korea claimed it conducted a successful ground test of an engine capable of being used on a long-range missile.

On a visit to South Korea last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the Obama-era policy of "strategic patience" was over and called the past 20 years of negotiating with the rogue communist regime a failure.

In an interview with Fox News's Rich Edson along the DMZ separating North and South Korea, Tillerson would not rule out helping Asian allies Japan and South Korea get nuclear weapons.

North Korea last conducted a test of a Musudan missile in October, which also ended in failure. A June test was deemed successful after the missile flew 250 miles into the Sea of Japan, which separates North Korea from Japan.

Last year, North Korea conducted 24 missile and two nuclear tests.

While North Korea has not successfully conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the United States, Pentagon officials believe the communist regime could soon have that capability.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Pope Francis has described Europe's refugee and migrant crisis as the biggest tragedy since World War II.

Francis urged tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Wednesday during his weekly public audience "not to forget" the problem but instead welcome and help refugees. He also encouraged efforts to integrate them in society.

He said integration should keep in mind "the reciprocal rights and duties of those who welcome and those who are welcomed."

Francis repeatedly urged Europe to do more to help the hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers and economic migrants who've arrived in recent years.

On Friday, Francis has the opportunity to urge Europe to improve ways to handle the migrant crisis when he addresses leaders of the European Union nations on the eve of a summit in Rome.
Correspondent of the Ukrainian-based information agency UNIAN Roman Tsymbaliuk, who has earlier been detained by police in Moscow, has reported about his release.

"Thanks to everyone who was worried, we have been released," Tsymbaliuk wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening, posting a selfie against the background of the police station's entrance.

"For the first time in 36 years I have been arrested by police. Not drunken," the journalist added.

Earlier reports said about Tsymbaliuk's detention in Moscow. His documents were seized. "We were detained, taken to a local police station to check if video filming [of an interview in Moscow] was 'legal.' For the first time [I'm] in a police car:) Accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry did not work. They claim we were shouting slogans and maybe holding a 'rally,'" he wrote.

He later wrote on Facebook: "[I've been] at the police station for two hours already, [they] must release [me] in an hour."

As was reported, Ukraine's Embassy in Russia confirmed Tsymbaliuk's apprehension in Moscow. The consul went to the police station to check and verify information about his detention. The embassy also contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
A 3-year-old Atlanta girl went viral after she had an unforgettable interaction with Pope Francis on Wednesday.

Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN  Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

Estella Westrick, 3, met the pope with her godfather in Rome. He went in for a kiss and she snatched the skullcap -- known as a zucchetto -- right off his head.

EGYPT SAYS POPE FRANCIS TO VISIT IN APRIL

As shown in the video Mountain Butorac posted to Twitter, Estella is leaned forward to get a kiss from the pope and she made her move to snatch his white zucchetto.

The crowd erupted in laughter, as did Pope Francis, who simply returned the cap to his head and moved on with his greetings.

The video ends with Butorac laughing and saying in disbelief, she really took his hat!
British Prime Minister Theresa May was rushed to safety Wednesday after a knife-wielding assailant attacked a police officer and shots were fired outside Parliament in what authorities are calling an act of terror.

May is back at her office on Downing Street and monitoring the situation very closely, according to reports.

May was seen being rushed into the back of a silver Jaguar by a heavy security detail immediately after the incident -- which unfolded while Parliament was in session, according to Sky News. The vehicle left the scene at a high speed.

News footage of her exit shows May being ushered by at least eight armed undercover police officers, some of whom had their firearms drawn.

Officials said a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers at approximately 2:35 p.m. Wednesday. There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge, causing "catastrophic injuries."

At least two people have reportedly died in the incident.

London police said they are treating the gun and knife incident at Britain's Parliament "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise."

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area.

Every Wednesday, the Prime Minister appears in the House of Commons to be questioned by Parliament members about various issues. The session usually begins around noon.

Parliament was locked down Wednesday afternoon, as officers searched the buildings "room by room," according to Sky News.

Fox News' Greg Palkot and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Vladimir Putin says Russia's arms sales abroad last year have topped $15 billion.

Putin, speaking Wednesday at a meeting with officials, said Russia last year also signed $9.5 billion in new arms-export contracts, which currently total $50 billion.

He said that Russia accounts for nearly a quarter of global arms sales, coming in second after the U.S.

Putin said Moscow plans to expand its share of the global arms market, adding that a military campaign in Syria has demonstrated the "remarkable reliability and efficiency" of Russian weapons.

Russia has waged an air campaign in Syria since September 2015, helping Syrian President Bashar Assad's military to win some key ground.
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When firefighters entered the home for troubled youth, they discovered more than two dozen girls on the floor of a locked room, most of them dead.

A moan rose from one of the bodies, piled on top of each other. When firefighter Danial Perpuac turned the girl over, flames came out of her mouth  she was burning up inside.

"That is something you cannot forget," Perpuac said helplessly. "I know I will have the smell of grilled meat and hair in my nose and throat for life."

The fire on March 8 that killed 40 girls at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home started when ringleaders took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. Their hell at the government-run shelter began long before the inferno, as documented in several warnings from four different agencies. At least two orders for closure were ignored.

The Virgen de la Asuncion home is on a hill 14 miles east of Guatemala City. The shelter, protected by high walls and barbed wire, is surrounded by an idyllic pine forest covered with mist every morning. The forest and ravines have offered hiding places for more than 100 children who have escaped what they consider a jail.

About 700 children  nobody knew exactly how many  lived in a home with a maximum capacity for 500. Some dormitories housed more than twice the number of children authorized for the space.

The majority had committed no crime. They were youths sent there by the courts for various reasons  they had run away from home, they were left in the streets, they were abused, they were young migrants. Most came from families so poor they could not afford the $50 in lawyers' fees to get their children out.

Once inside, the children lost out on schooling. Because of a lack of funds, their education was limited to six hours per week in classrooms with up to 80 students.

The abuse at Virgen de la Asuncion was no secret, and the courts had intervened before. Teacher Edgar Rolando Dieguez Ispache has been in prison since 2013 and is on trial for alleged rape. Another employee, mason Jose Roberto Arias Perez, has been in prison since 2014 for raping a mentally disabled girl. He was sentenced to eight years.

Several reports criticizing the shelter were put out by the country's attorney general and the National Adoption System in 2015 and 2016. One recommended the gradual closure of the facility, and another its immediate closure.

Despite the complaints and the reports, the abuse continued.

The story of one girl who escaped the shelter on Oct. 30, after six weeks inside, was told in a case file seen by The Associated Press. The girl, 16, is not named because she is an alleged victim of rape.

She fled from her own house in August to escape the extortion demands by a gang that had been threatening her with rape for a year. On Aug. 13, she told her mother she had had found a job and would be home late. Instead, she ran away to protect herself and her family.

"She hugged me tight that day, tighter than normal," her mother said.

The mother reported her missing daughter to police. On Aug. 22, they located the girl, and a youth court sent her to Virgen de la Asuncion. Officials separated mother and daughter as they cried.

"Mama, get me out of here," the girl begged, according to her mother.

The shelter did not have a procedure for visits, and they did not see each other for a month. By the time of a hearing on Sept. 13, the girl had been beaten, forced to get a tattoo with the name of a female staffer, and repeatedly raped, her mother said.

The first time, the female staff called her in for a physical exam and sedated her. She woke up and her whole body hurt, and she realized what they had done, according to the case file.

Several days later, they took her to the same place. This time, she was awake and tied to a gurney. The young man who raped her had his face covered.

The third time, it was several men, she said. They raped her and beat her.

A little more than two months after she was sent to the shelter, the daughter escaped along with three others. The girl was afraid to return home because that could mean being sent back to the shelter, but she contacted her brother. The family contacted their lawyer, who filed a motion for habeas corpus.

The lawyer managed to return the girl to her mother, but she didn't reveal all that had happened to her until after the fire. At that point, she said she wanted to testify against her abusers.

On Nov. 11, the state attorney requested that the center be closed. He asked that areas known as "the cage" and "the chicken coop" be closed within 48 hours. Both facilities looked like punishment cells, with metal doors and no windows.

Also in November, a state human rights prosecutor filed a complaint with the Inter American Human Rights Commission charging rampant abuses. The accusations included charges as serious as "forced recruitment for human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution."

There were complaints about sexual abuse by male residents against female residents, including some under 13. One girl was killed in 2013, hanged with a scarf by two other girls.

On Dec. 12, the Sixth Court of Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan Area condemned the state of Guatemala for violations committed against the rights of minors guarded in the home. It also gave 48 hours to clarify the legal situation of a number of minors inside the home.

Nothing happened.

The secretary of social welfare, Carlos Rodas, who was responsible for the home, appealed the judicial decision. Rodas, who has since been arrested, has denied negligence and refused to resign. He blamed the girls' mutiny on them not liking the food, and said they had sharp weapons hidden in their hair.

"The problem is that judges mix children who have committed crimes with children abandoned by their families," he said. "We ask the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate but we do not directly blame anyone."

On March 7, about 60 girls escaped from the shelter, as some had done on several occasions before. They rebelled because shelter staff had tried to beat them, said a 14-year-old survivor who had been there three months.

The girl, whose family did not want her name used out of fear for her safety, said she was not raped but officials took away her food. The girls also were made to wake up at 3 a.m. to bathe in cold water, she said.

So the girls jumped from the roof of the facility to the wall, and from there into the trees.

Riot police caught them and returned them to the shelter by force. The police sprayed pepper gas in their mouths and eyes, hit them with batons and kicked them, the 14-year-old told the AP. Police did not comment on the case because of a judicial order that prohibits discussion.

The angry teens waited outside the shelter for hours. They started throwing things at the police. Girls complained that they were abused, attacked and beaten.

The escapees eventually were brought in and locked in a 500-square-foot classroom as punishment. It is as yet unclear who locked them in and who held the key.

By 7:30 the next morning, they had been held for about six hours. They were not let out even to use the bathroom, the girl said.

Four girls who were ringleaders at the home had managed to get matches to smoke cigarettes during their brief escape. In an attempt to protest the lockup and force somebody to open the doors, they set fire to a mattress propped against a window.

The foam stuffing was already coming out of the mattresses because girls used it to fashion pads for menstruation when they didn't have anything else. The burning mattress fell onto other mattresses, and the flames quickly spread.

Locked into the room, the girls shouted, "Help me! Help me!" the 14-year-old said.

Nobody did.

"I saw how they burned, how they screamed, how they died," she said.

She fainted. When she came to, somebody had finally opened the door. She ran out, and the staff doused the girls with water until ambulances arrived.

The girl suffered burns on both arms, a shoulder and part of her face. For many, it was too late. By 9 a.m., 19 of the girls were dead, burned and asphyxiated. Twenty-one more between the ages of 13 and 17 would die at local hospitals over the next few days.

Kimberly Palencia Ortiz was one of the dead. The 17-year-old had been a ward of the state for nearly a year. Her father was in prison, her mother had disappeared, and her grandmother did not have the means to take care of her.

"It is an injustice," Valeria Yojero said tearfully at her granddaughter's burial. "Nobody should die for being poor."
Five people, including a London police officer who was stabbed and the alleged assailant, were killed in a terror attack that saw more 40 people injured outside the Parliament building on Wednesday in an act described as "sick and depraved" by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Acting Metropolian Police Deputy Commissioner and Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley said there was only one attacker who authorities believe was "inspired by international terrorism."

Flag at half-mast over Scotland Yard tonight to mark the death of our officer & the other victims of this afternoons attack in #Westminster pic.twitter.com/NqaGSqJtmt  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

Rowley said three civilians were among those killed. He identified the officer killed in the attack as 48-year-old Keith Palmer.

"One of those who died was a police officer from our Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command who had 15 years service," he said.

UK PARLIAMENT TERROR ATTACK: MURDERED OFFICER NAMED AS PC KEITH PALMER

Rowley said it was "too early" to publiclly release the name of the suspect in the attack, but that officials "think we know who the attacker is and are working to establish who his associates are."

Armed and unarmed patrols have been stepped up as a precaution across the country, according to Rowley.

A full counter-terrorism investigation is underway.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES  PHOTOS FROM LONDON TERROR ATTACK

Police said a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge, leaving more than a dozen with injuries described as catastrophic.

Rowley said the car then crashed near to Parliament, and one man - armed with a knife - continued the attack and tried to enter Parliament.

The knife-wielding attacker stabbed a police officer and was shot on the grounds outside Britain's Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown for hours.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, and will remain so, according to May. The attack came on the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in Brussels in which 32 people were killed and more than 300 injured.

BRUSSELS MARKS 1 YEAR AFTER TERROR ATTACKS, BUT STRUGGLES TO RECOVER

Recent Vehicular Terror Attacks:

Jerusalem, Israel: 1/8/17

Berlin, Germany: 12/19/16

Ohio State: 11/28/16

Nice, France: 7/14/16 https://t.co/CAaDgAgko7  Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) March 22, 2017

ISIS claimed responsibility for the coordinated suicide bombings last year -- two at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem and one at Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels. The bombings were the deadliest terror attack in Belgium's history.

UK PARLIAMENT ATTACK: ISIS SYMPATHIZERS CELEBRATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

ISIS has long promoted the use of vehicles and knives in attacks by so-called "lone wolf" terrorists, particularly in Western countries. Senior U.S. officials expected an uptick of terror attacks in Europe as they ramp up the fight to take ISIS capital Raqqa, Fox News is told.

The terrorist group has not claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack, but a European government official told Reuters that investigators are considering the possibility the attack was inspired by ISIS propaganda.

London police were called to the Parliament building at around 2:40 p.m. local time (10:40 a.m. EST) after reports of a vehicle crashing into a crowd at Westminster Bridge near Britain's parliament.

This is the moment Parliament was suspended as "sounds similar to gunfire" were heard outside pic.twitter.com/to6PPxkNqL  Sky News (@SkyNews) March 22, 2017

The French prime minister said French high school students were among the injured on Wednesday.

Colleen Anderson of St Thomas' Hospital said a woman died after a vehicle apparently hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament, according to the Press Association.

Anderson said: "There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries."

A woman was also pulled alive from River Thames. The Port of London Authority said the female member of the public was recovered from the river, injured but alive.

NYPD, OTHERS INCREASE SECURITY FOLLOWING 'TERRORIST INCIDENT' OUTSIDE UK PARLIAMENT

Rick Longley told the Press Association that he heard a bang and saw a car plow into pedestrians and come to a crashing stop. Images from the scene showed pedestrians sprawled on the ground, with blood streaming from a woman surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," he said. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

The former Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video on Twitter that seems to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Sikorski, a senior fellow at the Harvard Centre for European Studies, says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being "mown down" by a car.

Sikorski told the BBC he "heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress.

"Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."

PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY RUSHED TO SAFETY AFTER ATTACK OUTSIDE UK PARLIAMENT

Prime Minister Theresa May was rushed to safety after the attack.

"The thoughts of the PM and the government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families," May's office said in a statement.

In a prime-time address to the nation outside 10 Downing Street, May praised the "exceptional bravery" of police, and thanked them and other emergency services "on behalf of the whole country."

May said it was "no accident" the attacker chose Parliament, which stands for democracy, freedom and rule of law.

The White House condemned the attacks, adding that President Trump is continuing to monitor developments out of London.

Spokesman Sean Spicer said Wednesday Trump spoke with May and said that the White House applauds "the quick response of British police and first responders."

The White House said Trump "pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States Government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice."

The U.S. State Department said it is closely monitoring the incident and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday: "We stand ready to assist in any way the U.K. authorities would find helpful."

He added that the U.S. Embassy in London is closely following the news and stands ready to help any affected Americans.

"Our hearts go out to those affected," Toner said.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the British government's "top priority" is the security of its people, following the attack.

"The British people will be united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values: values of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law," Rudd said in a clip broadcast on Sky News.

"The British people will be united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values", says Home Secretary Amber Rudd pic.twitter.com/JnCLbrAdyJ  Sky News (@SkyNews) March 22, 2017

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said he saw a man in black attack a police officer outside Parliament before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

"He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets," Letts told the BBC. "And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman."

Dennis Burns, who was just entering Parliament for a meeting, told the Press Association he heard a radio message saying an officer had been stabbed. Police and security rushed outside as he was going in.

"When I got inside I was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of panicked people running down the street," he said. "The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people. It looked like they were running for their lives."

UK PARLIAMENT ATTACK IS THE LATEST TERROR SCARE FOR LONDON

British security has thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but the UK has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Today's attack at Parliament in London, which is currently being investigated as a terrorist incident, would be the latest in a series of such events in the British capital.

There have been a half dozen terrorist attacks in London since 2005 -- resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths.

July 7, 2005: A coordinated series of suicide attacks in central London in which three bombs exploded on underground trains and one double-decker bus exploded. A total of 52 people were killed and 700 injured. The bombs were detonated by four British Islamist terrorists.

July 21, 2005: Four more bombings, unconnected with those earlier in July, were attempted. However, they failed to detonate.

June 29, 2007: Two unexploded car bombs were discovered in London.

May 22, 2013: A British Army soldier was attacked and killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in southeast London.

December 5, 2015: A man with a knife stabbed a number of people at a tube station, shouting "this is for Syria!"

October 20, 2016: Police conducted a controlled explosion of an explosive device after a passenger spotted an unattended bag filled with "wires and an alarm clock" aboard a Jubilee line train. No injuries were reported, and a suspect was later detained. The media and Government of the day referred to the event as the "most serious incident on the Tube" since the July 21st attempted bombing.

On March 6, Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police Service, told the BBC that though security services prevented 13 British terror attacks since 2013, "Now we worry about everything from fairly simple attacks with knives or using vehicles, all the way through to the more complex firearms attacks."
An Turkish official says a senior leftist militant, wanted by both Turkey and the United States, is believed to be in the Netherlands. Ankara is preparing to request her extradition.

The militant, identified as Seher Demir Sen  a leader of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C  is alleged to be behind a 2013 suicide bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, which killed a security guard.

She is among three suspected DHKP-C leaders wanted by the United States.

A government official said Turkish security officials have determined that the insurgent has recently made her way to the Netherlands from Greece. The official said preparations were underway for a formal request for her extradition.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol.
Police forces in the U.S. are stepping up security measures after a vehicle drove through a crowd on London's Westminster Bridge and a suspect was shot outside the Parliament building in what is being described by police as a "terrorist incident."

Fox News has learned that security officials at the U.S. Capitol have an "increased situational awareness" after the incidents in London but security measures remain the same.

Road closures in place so emergency services can deal with incident in #Westminster  visit our website for info https://t.co/AaDPTyx3f5  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

The New York Police Department is monitoring the situation in London and has increased security at high-profile locations, including the British Consulate and the United Nations Mission, according to WABC.

J. Peter Donald, the NYPD's assistant commissioner for communication, said long gun teams would also be deployed at City Hall and Grand Central Terminal, but that there is "no info linking London attack to NYC at this point."

Recent Vehicular Terror Attacks:

Jerusalem, Israel: 1/8/17

Berlin, Germany: 12/19/16

Ohio State: 11/28/16

Nice, France: 7/14/16 https://t.co/CAaDgAgko7  Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) March 22, 2017

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a press statement that it is "in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation. At this time our domestic security posture remains unchanged."



The U.S. State Department tweeted a warning that citizens in London should "remain vigilant, exercise caution, and monitor local news for updates."

Flag at half-mast over Scotland Yard tonight to mark the death of our officer & the other victims of this afternoons attack in #Westminster pic.twitter.com/NqaGSqJtmt  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

Security around the Scottish Parliament has been increased "with immediate effect" as a precaution, according to the parliament's chief executive office, though "there is no intelligence to suggest there is a specific threat to Scotland."

In London, the U.K.'s Metropolitan Police has asked people to avoid "Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge" and parts of Victoria Street. Officials are also asking that any perons with photos or images of the incident near Westminster Bridge turn them in to police.

Extra officers will be deployed on London's streets, according to Mark Rowley, the national lead for counterterrorism policing and the Met Police's acting deputy commissioner.

Following the events in #Westminster today there will be extra police officers - both armed & unarmed - out on our streets pic.twitter.com/h97KTQz1XK  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

According to the UK's MI5 national security agency, the threat from international terrorism remains at "severe," the same level it has been since May 2016. "Severe" is the second highest level of MI5's five-part scale and means that an attack is "highly likely."

Meanwhile, an ITV reporter said the gates of Buckingham Palace have been closed following the incident.

Transport for London, the local transportation system, also said passengers should expect delays with the closure of Westminister station and bus service diverted from the area. Met Police echoed that road closures are in place as the police investigation continues.
Non-affiliated People's Deputy of Ukraine Andriy Artemenko claims that he refused the Canadian identity card, but at the same time remained a citizen of Canada.

"I do not have passports of other countries. I have a passport of Ukraine. I had a Canadian passport that I had to suspend in 2014, as required by the existing legislation. I did it publicly in 2014, before the election," he said in an interview with the 'Komsomolska Pravda in Ukraine.'

Answering the question about the rejection of Canadian citizenship, the deputy said: "No, of course I [did not refuse] it. The procedure for renouncing citizenship is a much more complicated procedure that requires appropriate actions, including legal ones. And me, without violating any law of Canada, no law of Ukraine, I pay taxes both in Ukraine and in Canada."

Artemenko believes that he did not violate a single document in Ukraine and Canada, he "became a people's deputy in lawful way."

At the same time he stated that he has no other citizenships and nationalities.

The MP also noted that his children have the citizenship of Ukraine and live with him here. At the same time, according to the declaration for 2015, his son Edward-Daniel and his daughter Amber Kateryna are U.S. citizens, his son Vitaliy is a Canadian citizen and his daughter Khrystyna is a Ukrainian citizen.

As earlier reported by the New York City-based daily newspaper The New York Times, Artemenko presented his plan for ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the U.S. presidential administration. Under the plan, a referendum would be held on the question of leasing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula to the Russian Federation from 50 to 100 years, as well as the withdrawal of Russian occupation forces in eastern Ukraine.

Prosecutors investigate criminal proceedings against Artemenko for anti-state actions in cooperation with the Russian Federation.

On February 20, Oleh Liashko's Radical Party decided to expel deputy Artemenko from its team.

Artemenko is the initiator of the draft law on introducing amendments to the law on citizenship of Ukraine regarding dual citizenship.

Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko said that Artemenko had documented to the prosecutor's office that he has Canadian citizenship, in addition to Ukrainian citizenship: "He said at one of the interrogations that he was a Canadian citizen." Surprisingly, on the investigator's request to confirm this, he said: "Of course, the next time I'll bring the documents." At the same time, Lutsenko showed journalists a copy of the Canadian passport of the parliamentarian.
For the first time since the start of the war against the Islamic State terror group, the U.S. military deployed American-trained Syrian forces via helicopter outside Raqqa -- a tactic known as an "air assault," a military spokesman said.

The U.S.-backed Syrian Arab forces landed on American military helicopters with Apache gunships flying overhead.

UK PARLIAMENT ATTACK: ISIS SYMPATHIZERS CELEBRATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The indigenous forces were accompanied by U.S. special operations "advisors," the spokesman added.

It takes a special breed of warrior to pull off an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines, said Col. Joe Scrocca There is nothing easy about this  it takes audacity and courage. And the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) has that in spades.

"This is pretty major," said the spokesman discussing the operation with reporters on a conference call.

UK PARLIAMENT ATTACK IS THE LATEST TERROR SCARE FOR LONDON

The operation unfolded in Tabqa, Syria, where a few hundred ISIS fighters control a dam. One of the goals of the operation is to take back control of the dam from ISIS. The operation is expected to take "weeks," according to the U.S. military spokesman.

The military official would not comment on specifics of the operation.

"We'll let ISIS figure that out," he said.

A Marine artillery battery on the ground in Syria fired rounds in support of the operation, the U.S. military spokesman said.

Over the last four months, the coalition has conducted more than 300 airstrikes around Tabqah and near Raqqah that have killed hundreds of enemy fighters, destroyed more than 200 fortifications, and more than 50 ISIS vehicles, according to a statement from the U.S. military.

Separately, the U.S. military is looking at reports a U.S. coalition airstrike hit a school in Syria where reportedly 50 Syrian families had taken refuge. The American military said it conducted strikes around Raqqa, and is investigating the matter, but would not confirm it hit the school.
Vietnamese state media say a court has sentenced nine men to death for trafficking more than 1,000 pounds of heroin.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that the court in Hoa Binh province also sentenced nine others to life imprisonment and four others from 17 to 20 years in jail at the end of the 23-day trial on Tuesday.

The newspaper reported Wednesday that the ring was convicted of trafficking 495 kilograms (1,089 pounds) of heroin from Laos through Vietnam for sale in China from 2012 until the ring was broken up in 2015.

The newspaper says the ring made illegal profits of $672,000.

Vietnam has some of the world's toughest drug laws, where trafficking 100 grams of heroin is punishable by death.
Capriottis Sandwich Shop to Debut in Idaho, Add Reno Restaurants with Five-Unit Franchise Agreement

Fast-Casual Sandwich Chain Taps Boise for New Growth, Continues Nevada Growth in Reno

LAS VEGAS - March 22, 2017 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Capriottis Sandwich Shop, known for its award-winning, hand-crafted sandwiches, has signed a franchise agreement to bring a total of five locations to the Boise, ID and Reno, NV areas over the next five years. The first restaurant as part of the deal is expected to open in the Reno, NV area later this year.

Capriottis is known for its 40-year nightly tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house and hand-shredding them each morning to feature in a variety of fan-favorite subs. This includes The Bobbie, the shops acclaimed best-seller, made with homemade turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo on a soft roll.

The new locations will be owned and operated by Reno natives and entrepreneurs Ken Cassas and Anthony Reviglio. Cassas, who previously owned a retail franchise, and Reviglio, who worked in the agriculture industry, have been loyal fans of the sandwich franchise since the 90s. When it came time for the pair to begin searching for their next career venture, there was no question it would be Capriottis.

There is no other concept roasting 25-pound turkeys, making homemade meatballs, and crafting the fresh, quality sandwiches that Capriottis does, said Reviglio. One of my lifelong dreams has been to be in the restaurant industry, and Im looking forward to being a part of the Capriottis family and helping to expand the concept nationwide.

Capriottis has more than 100 fast-casual restaurant locations across the country, with a strong presence on the East Coast and West Coast.

We look forward to expanding the Capriottis footprint to Idaho and continuing to grow throughout Reno, said David Bloom, Chief Development Officer. The passion Ken and Anthony have for the brand is unmatched, and we are confident their understanding of the retail and food industries make them ideal partners for the Capriottis brand.

Capriottis will open 15 new shops in 2017 and aims to grow the brand to 500 locations by 2025 through franchising. For more information, visit http://ownacapriottis.com/.

About Capriottis Sandwich Shop

Founded in 1976, Capriottis Sandwich Shop is an award-winning fast-casual sandwich franchise that remains true to its 40-year tradition of slow-roasting whole, all natural turkeys in-house every day in a welcoming atmosphere. The Bobbie, Capriottis signature sub, was voted The Greatest Sandwich in America by thousands of readers across the country and reported by AOL.com. Capriottis currently has 100 locations in 18 states, and plans to expand to 500 locations nationwide by 2025. For more information on the Capriottis franchise opportunity visit ownacapriottis.com/. Like Capriottis on Facebook, follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Contact:

Kayla Atwell

Fishman Public Relations

847-945-1300

katwell@fishmanpr.com

SOURCE Capriottis Sandwich Shop

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Non-affiliated People's Deputy of Ukraine Andriy Artemenko claims that more than a hundred parliamentarians in the Verkhovna Rada have a foreign citizenship in addition to Ukrainian one.

"According to my calculations, 102 people's deputies have foreign passports of other states," Artemenko told journalists on the sidelines of the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday.

As it is known, Artemenko is the initiator of the draft law on amending the law on citizenship of Ukraine regarding dual citizenship.
The Virginia Gas and Oil Act requires drilling companies to replace water supplies that are contaminated by their operations. In addition, the General Assembly recently expanded the area for which operators must provide replacement water supplies if wells are contaminated by drilling. The area was expanded from 750 feet to 1,320 feet within gas or oil drilling. That information was not included in a story Saturday about a Westmoreland County public hearing on fracking.
A Rixeyville man is facing drug and traffic charges following a Tuesday morning crash on Chestnut Fork Road.

Guy Wesley Merritt, 68, was charged with possession of heroin and driving while intoxicated after the 10 a.m. accident. He also suffered a broken arm when his vehicle crashed into a utility pole, according to Sheriff Scott Jenkins.

According to Jenkins, two passengers in the vehicle admitted they had taken drugs that morning. One said he had shot up with heroin and told deputies the needle was still in the car.

The other said he had taken methadone, morphine and oxycodone about two hours earlier, Jenkins said.

Other drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the car, Jenkins said.

Merritts bond was set at $3,000.

Charges are possible against the two passengers pending lab results, Jenkins said.
UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.:

The lawsuit accusing Culpeper County of religious discrimination in its denial of a sewer permit to serve a planned mosque is headed for settlement talks.

Following a hearing Wednesday in the federal courthouse in Charlottesville, both sides requested to mediate the lawsuit. The U.S. Justice Department alleges that the Board of Supervisors bowed to anti-Muslim public pressure when it turned down a pump-and-haul permit, which the county had routinely approved for other entities in the past.

At hearing, U.S. District Judge Norman Moon pressed the county on why it had deviated from standard procedure in the matter. Moon later issued an order referring the case to mediation with U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Hoppe. The settlement conference was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on April 6 in the U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg.

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CHARLOTTESVILLEA federal judge asked Culpeper Countys attorney many questions at a hearing Wednesday on the Justice Departments lawsuit accusing the Board of Supervisors of religious discrimination in its denial of a sewer permit for a planned mosque.

U.S. District Judge Norman Moon heard about an hour of arguments from both sides before recessing without ruling on the countys motion to dismiss the lawsuit. He is expected to issue a written decision in the coming weeks.

Woodbridge-based attorney Susan Pandak represented Culpeper County, repeatedly arguing that denial of the pump-and-haul sewer permit did not preclude the Islamic Center of Culpeper from building its prayer house.

Its a self-imposed hardship, she said, contending that the Muslim congregation could have explored other options for waste disposal and reapplied to the county board.

Pandak said the center failed to demonstrate unusual circumstances existed necessitating a pump-and-haul system on land along State Route 229 that is out of reach of public utilities and will not, according to the health department, support a traditional drain field.

The United States is in a rush to tag Culpeper County with wrongdoing when the Islamic Center can build a mosque on its property in Culpeper County, Pandak said.

She repeated numerous times that the county allows religious uses on any land zoning designation.

Moon interrupted the lawyer numerous times in attempting to clarify how any building could be built without access to reliable sewer disposal. He also emphasized the countys history of approving all of the two dozen other requests for pump-and-haul permits through the years.

The allegation is [the Islamic Center] is being treated differently than the other people who applied for this permit, he said. The only one that was denied was the mosque.

The allegation, Moon went on, is that things were going along smoothly and the application was going to be approved until some members of the public raised the issue that these are Muslims and they are going to be praying out there.

Pandak said it was sheer speculation that residents who made the incendiary remarks were in cahoots with county board members.

Apparently what triggered the litigation were negative comments by random citizens and everybodys ears perked upit must be discrimination, she said. If thats all it takes for a discrimination case, we are in some very unfortunate times.

Pandak further argued that the Justice Department lawsuit inaccurately alleged that the county, in denying the permit, violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. She said the legislation pertains to land use matters and that sewer permitting is not land use, but a health regulation issue.

Moon thought it was splitting hairs, asking how could anyone develop any property without a proper sewer system. He again asked why all the other applicants didnt have to investigate other options and what the alternatives were.

Pandak said mini sewer systems could be placed on properties for $25,000.

It sounds like it would be substantially more expensive, Moon said.

Pandak said it would be a better solution.

Eric Treene, special counsel for religious discrimination in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, argued that the Board of Supervisors used its pump-and-haul process to deny a land use that the county did not want.

In seeking to get sewer service to the mosque site, the Islamic Center was told by the health department that pump-and-haul was the only way to go, he said, adding that the county administrator and then-board chairwoman also informed the group that getting approval for such was routine procedure.

Without a sewer permit, there is no site plan approval or building permit issued, Treene said. The Justice Department claims discrimination in the case based on a number of factors, he said, including a departure from precedent, a routine procedure being denied, emails from the county administrator questioning why the request was being subject to greater scrutiny and the former board chairwoman alleging that the Islamic Center was being treated unfairly.

Treene also referenced an email from local civic leader Kurt Christensen, who attended Wednesdays hearing, that questioned the construction of a mosque in Culpeper. The attorney said there was evidence that constituents took board members out to lunch to discuss the matter and that naked animus was expressed against Muslims at a local public hearing.

Moon, in his closing remarks, said Culpeper County never had any problem with approving pump-and-haul permits before or shown that it was a less favorable system as it now claims.

When all these other non-Muslim people came in, it was fine, the judge said. But then you find out they were Muslims, oh, its not going to be routine anymorewere going to look at different factors for you. Moon said the United States had some evidence in the case that someone might decide it is discrimination.
The Verkhovna Rada has appealed to the U.S. Congress regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.

Some 232 people's deputies supported the corresponding resolution on the appeal to the Congress at the plenary session of the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reports.

"In accordance with the spirit and language of the Budapest Memorandum, as well as the development of a strategic partnership between our states, we ask the U.S. to consider the issue of concluding a defense agreement with Ukraine and granting Ukraine a status of a major ally beyond NATO," the resolution says.

Ukraine seeks to deepen its security partnership with the U.S., the appeal said, adding that principal non-NATO ally status had been granted both to non-warring nations, such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and to countries in a state of war, such as South Korea, Afghanistan and Israel.

"The granting of principal non-NATO ally status to Ukraine and the conclusion of a bilateral defense agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. would be of paramount importance for terminating Russian aggression against Ukraine, deterring the aggressor, and averting a major war in Europe," the appeal said.
The two men accused of killing 21-year-old Heather Ciccone in December 2015 in Spotsylvania will make their first court appearances in connection with their first-degree murder charges Friday.

Joshua Christopher Williams, 29, and Jonathan Julian Vejarano, 28, are also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Both were already incarcerated on other charges when they were indicted by a Spotsylvania grand jury Monday.

Ciccone was shot in the back of the head late Dec. 5, 2015. She was found in her 2010 Kia, which was parked near the end of a driveway on Piney Branch Road. Residents there called the Sheriff's Office after seeing a strange car in the driveway.

The Sheriff's Office executed multiple search warrants and put in numerous manhours during the 15-month investigation before identifying Williams and Vejarano as the suspects. But police Wednesday continued keeping a tight lid on details surrounding the investigation.

Search warrants associated with the case remain sealed, and police would not discuss the motive for the slaying, even to say which suspect they believe actually fired the single shot that killed Ciccone.

It's not likely that much information will come out at what are expected to be very brief hearings Friday. A judge is expected to ask both men about attorney arrangements and set a date for them to be formally arraigned. Trial dates won't be set until the arraignment.

Vejarano won't even be in the courtroom. His hearing will be conducted via video camera from the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.

Williams was scheduled to be in circuit court Friday even before the murder indictment. He is scheduled for a trial on a felony domestic assault charge stemming from a May 4 incident involving his son and the child's mother.

According to police at the time, Williams went to the area of Cleveland Court off Harrison Road to visit the woman and the child, who was 3 at the time.

All three were in her car when a dispute erupted during which police allege that Williams severely beat the woman and took off in her car with the child.

The car was recovered a short time later, but Williams and the child were gone. An Amber Alert was issued early the next morning.

The child was found safe later that day at a relative's home in Prince William. Williams was taken into custody a few hours later.
Bright orange banners and a handful of students handing out fliers punctuated the otherwise cold and routine Wednesday afternoon outside of the University of Mary Washingtons Hurley Convergence Center.

Should we be giving money to Planned Parenthood or to Federally Qualified Health Centers? the banners asked of passersby.

Most students forged ahead to class, lunch or the library through the busy area of Campus Walk. But some stopped to speak with the students and community organizers there.

Hardly any two shared the same exact view of the issue or its solution.

UMW Students for Life chapter member Emily Gaetjen, a freshman, said that was her goal: getting the conversation started and hearing different points of view.

She said she knows people with experience in abortion and in adoption.

I want to empower women to make the best choice for them and that doesnt have to include abortion, she said.

She said there is a lot of opposition to the anti-abortion view and that its a hard subject to broach anywhere. But, she said, UMW has a healthy dialogue about both sides.

Lori Cascio, regional coordinator for Students for Life of America, said the UMW stop was part of a larger campus tour. The previous day she was at the University of Richmond. And today she will have a group at Lord Fairfax Community College.

This tour specifically is focused around the talk on Capitol Hill on defunding Planned Parenthood, she said. We are sharing information about how Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider and that we dont need Planned Parenthood. There are different, federally funded health centers our tax dollars could be used for.

Literature given out at UMW on Wednesday included an alternative for funding Planned Parenthood: funneling those tax dollars into federally qualified health centers.

The centers, which provide more comprehensive care than a female-focused clinic, including primary, dental and behavioral health, have become a Republican talking point during recent budget talks.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said during a January CNN town hall that the centers are vastly bigger in network, there are so many more of them, and they provide these kinds of services without all of the controversy surrounding this [abortion] issue.

Junior Jon Atkinson stopped for more information on his way to lunch. He talked with fellow junior Emily James, who volunteered Wednesday with Students for Life.

While they were speaking, a student called out, You know that Planned Parenthood offers way more than that.

But Atkinson said he thinks health care and politics shouldnt mix. Hes a psychology major who plans on being a clinical therapist, and said be believes tax dollars shouldnt fund health care.

Terrin Dickeron, a junior, was handed a flier along Campus Walk when he passed by with friends.

He said he wasnt sure what the demonstration was about, but that he supports Planned Parenthoodjust not government funding for it.

Ilana Bleich, a sophomore, was handed a flier and said she is a proponent of Planned Parenthood and funding its services.

I think people are misinformed about what Planned Parenthood actually offers, she said. I feel like there are so many women who need what they provide, outside of even abortion. They offer cancer screenings and an open and nonjudgmental place. They care about womens health.

James said Students for Life held a similar demonstration last year on campus.

I really just want to share information, she said. As college students, we should do our research and figure out both sides. And as a woman, I dont support a company that is basically funded by the government and that is, in my view, failing women.

Jim Davey, a Catholic missionary from Fredericksburg, also participated in handing out fliers and talking with students.

This was the first time he participated in a campus stop with the organization and said while most students just walked by, some stopped to listen, and he hadnt seen anyone that was disrespectful.

Its a taboo topic, he said. If people dont talk about it, theyll never learn what other options there are. Its part of getting the conversation started.
MILFORDFor her 90th birthday, Mike Trahos accompanied his mother back to her old home place, about 75 years after she and her family had to leave the mountain where they lived because the state was gobbling up land for the new Shenandoah National Park.

Using a walking stick for balance, Dorothy Dyer Trahos marched with purposeleading a small army of nieces, nephews and othersinto a place that looked nothing like it had in her childhood: Homes, barns and corn sheds had been demolished, leaving only remnants of foundations like archaeological relics of lost generations. Barely discernible indentations in the ground marked paths between buildings once trod by the feet of her family. Plants and trees had overtaken the once-cleared landscape.

Even so, she found her way to the family cemetery where she discovered something that made her heart sing: a rose bush, living but barely, that she had planted all those years before at her grandmothers grave.

It brought tears to my eyes, Mike Trahos said.

Trahos returned to the family cemetery two weeks ago to fulfill his mothers final wish: to have her ashes buried on her beloved mountain.

She is now back home.

She died as she had lived: a kind, good-hearted woman. But even after a long and satisfying life, she never forgave the powers that be that took her familys home. Her sentiments, even at the end, were very uncharitable, her son said.

She was a real good, Christian woman, Trahos said, but she was bitter with the park service. She was still pretty hard-hearted about it.

Trahos trek into the mountains of his mothers childhoodwith the permission of the park service and the help of a retired park ranger who looked for the old home sitecame just a few days before my March 12 story on the Blue Ridge Heritage Project, a grassroots effort to erect monuments in the eight counties bordering Shenandoah National Park that lost land when the park was created.

The monumentsfeaturing stone chimneys that symbolize all that was left of some of these homes after they were burned or bulldozedwill honor the hundreds of families displaced by the park. The first monument to be completed is in Madison County, along the old Blue Ridge Turnpike in Criglersville. Dyer is one of the names on the plaque.

Trahos emailed me to tell me about his mother. I wanted to hear more, so I drove to his farm in Caroline County where his mother lived her final years. She died in 2012 at age 95.

Trahos is a semi-retired dentist who over the years had offices in Washington and around Northern Virginia, and who still practices a few mornings a week in a building a few steps from his historic farmhouse. When I arrived, he had filled his dining room table with pictures of his mother and artifacts from her life, such as the Bible she read as a child and one of her schoolbooks. Her formal education didnt extend beyond seventh grade, but she proved to be exceptionally smart and capable.

She was the oldest of eight childrenfour girls came first, then four boys. Her family lived in something of a family compound on Robertson Mountain, next to Old Rag Mountain. Her elders included her great-grandfather, Edward Paul Dyer, who, as they say, wasnt from around there.

He was a native of Maine, a Union soldier who deserted his poorly equipped unit after the Battle of Fredericksburg. Wounded and suffering from pneumonia, he disappeared into the mountains. For an enemy soldier in foreign territory, he must have been a charming fellow: A local woman, Sarah Catherine Berry, nursed him back to health, and she became his wife. Years later, he built a pie safe for the wedding of his grandsonDorothys fatherand when she was 12 Dorothy painted it green. The pie safe resides in Trahos dental office, sturdy and weathered but still green.

The family operated a sawmill and a gristmill and, like others who lived in the mountains, were remarkably self-reliant. They had to be. But the Dyers, through the lumber they sold, had something many mountain people didnt: cash. They didnt live in luxury, but they were far from poor and underprivileged, as mountain residents were generally portrayed by park advocates making the case that displacement would be beneficial for those losing their homes.

The commonwealth of Virginia acquired the land that would be turned over to the federal government for creation of the park. Some landowners sold and moved out during the decade between when the park was announced and it was dedicated in 1936; the state acquired the rest through eminent domain.

In all, 180,000 acres of land were acquired for the park, and though hundreds of families were affected, only 7 percent of the acreage was owned by residents, said a park spokeswoman. The remainder came from absentee owners, along with businesses such as mining and lumber companies.

The Dyers moved in the early 1930s to a farm in the community of Leon in Madison County, and Trahos said his mother always felt the relocation had destroyed a way of life where the generations were interdependent on each other.

She likened her life to The Waltons,  Trahos said. She said it was much like that.

At around age 18, she moved to Orange County to work briefly for the duPont family, who owned James Madisons Montpelier. The duPonts were familiar with her family, having come to the mountains to fish for trout with Dorothys father at White Oak Falls. She also worked at a silk mill in Orange before moving with a sister to Alexandria and taking a job in quality control at the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, a factory on the banks of the Potomac River that built torpedoes for aircraft and submarines (it has since been converted into an arts center).

While in Alexandria, she ate in a restaurant operated by Greek immigrants on King Street. One day, a son of the owners cut his hand removing a soft drink from the ice box for her. She helped bandage his hand, which was Dorothys introduction to her future husband, Norman Trahos, their son said.

Norman Trahos went on to become a dentist on Capitol Hill. The family lived in Arlington, where Dorothy, the country girl from the mountains with the grade-school education, raised azaleas and roses and moved with determination and grace among the prominent and influential. One neighbor was friends with then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, who visited occasionally.

Norman and Dorothy eventually moved back to Madison to a farm, where they raised a granddaughter after their daughter died of cancer. Norman passed at age 86, heartache not being a stranger to Dorothy: As the oldest, she not only had helped raise her seven siblings, but she helped bury them all as well.

Before her death, she had watched the park services view of the displaced evolve as it revamped the exhibits in its Byrd Visitors Center at Big Meadows to reflect the sacrifices of the displaced and the less-than-stellar manner in which they were treated. A photo of her family appears in the exhibitin the doorway of a home under eviction noticeand her voice can be heard on a park service video.

It was a full life well lived. Trahos buried his mothers ashes on Robertson Mountain beneath a marker bearing the words: A Woman of Uncommon Capacity.

I thought, Trahos said, it captured Moms essence.
The issue of ensuring the rights of national minorities in Ukraine should not be used to fuel an atmosphere of distrust and misunderstanding, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on the appeals of Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen to creating autonomies for the Hungarian minority in neighboring countries.

"We must together resist attempts to use the issue of ensuring the rights of national minorities, including the interpretation of the words of Semjen, as has been repeatedly done by the Russian aggressor to create an atmosphere of mistrust and incomprehension. Because, thanks to the many years of efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and the Hungarian community, the level of cultural, religious and educational needs of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine is in many ways an example for other countries of the region," a commentary released by the Foreign Ministry's press service said on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry notes that Semjen's appeals were "appalled" and that Hungary "has always been and is an important partner for Ukraine."

"We highly appreciate the friendly nature of bilateral relations and the high level of constructive cooperation. And we expect that the position of respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and Constitution of our state remains at the heart of our good-neighborly relations. No speculation on this topic meets the interests of our two countries and peoples, and, we hope, reflect the official position of Budapest," the Foreign Ministry said.
Every fifth application filed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concerns Ukraine, repeated violations are caused by unresolved problems in the work of the law enforcement and judicial systems, Pavlo Pushkar, head of the department of the Council of Europe's department for the implementation of the ECHR decisions, has said.

During a round table on the enforcement of decisions and application of the ECHR's practice in the prosecutor's activities in Kyiv on Wednesday, he said that since 2002 Ukraine "has accumulated a large number of unresolved problems related to the functioning of the law enforcement system, the prosecutor's office and the judiciary in the aspect of criminal justice."

"The European Court during this time has identified a larger segment of problems that must be addressed to the state through the procedure of implementing the decisions of the ECHR ... At present we see that Ukraine has firmly taken the first place in the number of applications to the ECHR. About 19,000 applications are at the ECHR, every fifth case pending before the court, concerns Ukraine," he said.

According to Pushkar, the materials of the complaints mostly concern the effectiveness of the investigation of cases related to violations of the right to life, restriction of the right to freedom and personal inviolability.

He expressed the opinion that the unresolved problems of the law enforcement and judicial system had led to a large number of recurring violations.
Susan Diane Beverly, 63, of Partlow passed away Monday, March 20, 2017.

Diane was a lifelong resident of Fredericksburg who had a lasting impact on her family, her friends and her community. She loved many things in her life, but she was especially remembered by her loved ones for her remarkable singing voice, dedication to her profession and her love for horses.

Diane began singing as a child with her grandfather and aunts. Her professional performing career began in 1975 when she took the stage with her first band. Her most memorable collaborations were with the bands Star Play, Silver Wings and Cash and Carry.

As much as Diane loved singing, her professional life was highly varied and she was successful in all her pursuits. She started with the U.S. Postal Service, where she made lifelong friends and became the first female city carrier in Fredericksburg. After finishing her degree at Mary Washington College, she and a friend used their passions for math and people to open Beverly and Bucker Tax and Accounting in 1987. In addition to owning and operating her own business, Diane represented clients as an enrolled agent (EA), served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Society of Enrolled Agents, a Fellow at the NTPI and was a member of the American Academy of Tax Practice. Over the last 30 years she had many clients that she also valued as friends.

From her childhood growing up on a farm with horses to the paddock in the back of her home as an adult, Dianes love for horses truly galloped alongside her throughout her life. She was riding horses bareback through open fields and competing in horse shows before she entered high school. As an adult, she focused on draft horses and found her passion in raising and competing with Clydesdales. She owned a second business, Lock Linter Clydesdales, driving carriages and wagons with her horses.

In all facets of her life, singing, accounting, and horsemanship, Diane pursued all her passions alongside and with the never-ending love of her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, James E. Lam Sr.; children James E. Lam Jr. (Linda) and Kevin M. Lam; grandchildren Ashley Lam, Megan Lam, Kyle Lam, Dustin Lam, Mikalah Ludwig, McKenzie Lam and Rebecca Lam; great-granddaughter Alice Marie Ludwig; sisters Faith Ann Cleaves (Ben), Vicky Carroll (Gary), Debby Beverly (Michael OByrne), Karen Beverly, Kathy Beverly and Tona Kehl (Jason); brother Gene Beverly Jr. (Dana); step-mother Patricia Beverly; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Gene Beverly Sr., and mother Delores Ashby.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

A service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, March 24 at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to Fredericksburg SPCA, 10819 Courthouse Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22408 or to the Virginia Draft Horse and Mule Association (VDHMA), 1895 Preston Mill Road, Huddleston, VA 24104.

Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.
A CONTROVERSIAL, new proposal would allow veterans separated from the military for other-than-honorable discharges to receive disability benefits that were previously denied. But why is new Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin pushing for this now, with the VAs problems providing timely care for so many veterans already eligible?

Typically, veterans who receive bad paper discharges are refused benefits for education, disability payments and health care.

If the change is enacted, veterans dishonorably discharged for assault or dealing cocaine, for example, might soon receive benefits if they claim suicidal thinking at a VA emergency room and are seen by mental-health practitioners.

Suicide among veterans appears to be the main issue prompting the proposal. In a recent VA news release, Shulkin said: We know the rate of death by suicide among veterans who do not use VA care is increasing at a greater rate than veterans who use VA care.

It should be of concern when an estimated 22 veterans a day are committing suicide. But what would such expansion of benefits mean for the VA, and are there political reasons behind this measure?

So far, national and local reaction to the plan is mixed. Several lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, are seeking more details from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He sent a letter to Shulkin requesting answers.

As a disabled Vietnam War veteran receiving benefits, I question the expenditure of critical federal dollars on more than 500,000 veterans who have received other-than-honorable discharges.

Bob Thomas, Stafford Countys George Washington District supervisor who recently announced intentions to run for the House of Delegates soon-to-be vacant 28th District seat, expressed his unease when I spoke to him this week. As an honorably discharged Marine veteran, Thomas said he is concerned about military standards.

Does the good order and discipline under the Uniform Code of Military Justice now go out the window with respect to the honorable service required for receiving benefits? he asked.

But Thomas also says, being on active duty made me aware of fringe cases where bad conduct discharges have resulted that may not have been the actual fault of the service member.

He is correct. And his point painfully reminds me of the 2011 incident where four Marines in a YouTube video from Afghanistan were shown urinating on the bodies of dead insurgents.

The four were scheduled for routine, minor legal administrative punishment when the Marine Corps commandant, Gen. James F. Amos, attempted to demand the Marines be crushed. Word was the new order came as a bid to appease the Obama administration.

This is why having veterans such as Thomas serving in local, state and national office is critical. Veterans bring insight on key issues. Thats important in areas such as Stafford County where some 35 percent of the population are veterans or the family members of veterans.

First District Rep. Rob Wittman, chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, has indicated his concerns as well.

If mental health problems were brought on through a veterans service and led to the dishonorable discharge, that is one thing, he said. If a veteran committed a violent crime, which led to their dishonorable discharge, that is quite another.

Wittman also is anxious to see more details from the VA. The subject was a topic of intense discussion during his 1st District Veterans Council meeting Monday in Stafford.

Such issues could become part of the regions June 13 primary when Thomas squares off against Aquia Supervisor Paul Milde for the Republican nomination for the seat held by House Speaker Bill Howell.

The winner will face the Democratic nominee, either Karen Hyland of Fredericksburg, a Navy Reserve veteran, or Joshua Cole, an associate pastor in southern Stafford.

Its also significant to note that 2nd District Del. Mark Dudehefer, a retired Marine, is leaving the General Assembly at the end of the year. His departure would leave no military veteran from Stafford serving in the House of Delegates. And its been 30 years since a veteran represented the 28th District.

Veterans are serving in the legislature in surrounding counties. Prince William has state legislators such as Del. Scott Lingamfelter, a retired Army officer, and Spotsylvania has state Sen. Bryce Reeves, a former Army Ranger. Reeves is running for lieutenant governor against state Sen. Jill Vogel and Del. Glen Davis, who like Milde are not veterans.

With the Trump administrations greater focus on the military and veterans, issues such as benefits for veterans receiving bad paper discharges should be examined, especially when pending claims for thousands of honorably discharged veterans are still backlogged at the VA.

Legislators, who have served in the military, would bring insight and understanding about key state and federal issues affecting Virginias many veterans.

Daniel P. Cortez of Stafford is a Northern Virginia writer and broadcaster active in veterans and political affairs. Email him at dpcortez1969@yahoo.com.
Exercise and prostate cancer survivorship

Regular exercise lowers your risk of developing many cancers, including cancer of the prostate. But if youve already developed prostate cancer, can exercise help?

Yes, said prostate cancer expert Dr. Jonathan Wright, a urologic oncologist at UW and a Hutch faculty member. The American Cancer Society recommends regular cardiovascular and strength training for all cancer survivors, and it advises that survivors return to regular physical activity as soon as possible after treatment. Exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for men who are being treated for prostate cancer, from lowered anxiety to improved self-esteem  and large studies have also linked regular exercise to slowed prostate tumor growth and improved survival.

One example of exercises benefits in prostate cancer is for men on androgen-deprivation therapy, Wright said. This common treatment deprives prostate tumors of their fuel  testosterone and related hormones  but it can cause fatigue and other difficult side effects. A study published earlier this year showed that many different types of exercise help boost the energy level of men on long-term androgen-deprivation therapy. And the more fatigued the men were at the beginning of the yearlong study, the researchers found, the bigger the boost they got from exercising.

Research by Wright and others is ongoing to strengthen the evidence base for the benefits of exercise in prostate cancer. (See this trial and this one.) His hope is that doctors in the U.S. soon will be able to prescribe exercise for their patients with prostate cancer, just as patients with heart problems can be prescribed exercise-based rehabilitation. But first, Wright said, We need the studies.

Personalized care through genomics

Emerging data are beginning to paint a picture of how genetic testing could help doctors target therapies to the specific weaknesses of a given patients prostate cancer.

Genetic testing will be increasing in prostate cancer care, said Dr. Heather Cheng, the director of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic, which opened in 2016. Were actively trying to maximize benefit, not only to patients but also to their family members.

For example, Dr. Colin Pritchard and colleagues at UW Medicine developed a genetic testing service called UW-OncoPlex, which uses cutting-edge genetic-sequencing technologies (called next-generation sequencing) to characterize more than 200 actionable tumor genes  actionable meaning that there are cancer drugs available that target them. Pritchard and colleagues are testing a version of UW-OncoPlex thats optimized for prostate cancer, with promising early results, he said.

Among the many possible avenues for genetically targeted therapies in prostate cancer, said Pritchard, perhaps most exciting is in men with mutations in key genes that are involved in repairing damage to DNA  because we might already have therapies available.

Mutations in DNA-repair genes are thought to make cancers particularly vulnerable to certain therapies, including drugs known as platinum chemotherapies and PARP inhibitors. (These drugs have been FDA-approved to treat patients with other cancers and are under active investigation for patients with prostate cancer.)

Mutations in these genes, which can be passed on from parent to child, are now known to occur in men with advanced prostate cancer at rates much, much higher than anyone had previously thought, Cheng said. She and colleagues are now studying treatment strategies for men with these inherited mutations and considering how to improve early cancer-detection strategies for their family members.

We need to do larger trials to confirm this, but the preliminary data is promising, Pritchard said.

New technology for prostate-cancer imaging

New technologies for imaging prostate tumors are in development to help doctors detect tumors more effectively and, perhaps, improve treatment outcomes, researchers at the symposium said.

One is a strategy known as multiparametric MRI, said Dr. Daniel Lin, IPCR director and chief of Urologic Oncology at UW. This complex MRI-imaging technique combines multiple different types of MRI phases to create a 3-D image of a prostate that highlights an area of likely tumor activity  and indicates exactly where the doctor should place biopsy needles to collect tissue for analysis. This may help reduce the chance that a biopsy will miss a small tumor. The UW had the first multi-parametric MRI setup in the five-state Northwest region, Lin said, but the technology is now becoming more widely available.

Multiparametric MRI doesnt yet replace standard-of-care biopsy techniques that use a large number of biopsies in a grid pattern to try to catch any cancerous areas. And it may turn out not to be useful or cost-effective for every man. But stay tuned, Lin said.

Researchers are also developing new imaging compounds for use in PET scans that are easier to use and more likely to detect cancers, and research is ongoing to determine whether such scans can improve patient outcomes by helping doctors plan treatments more appropriately, said Dr. Evan Yu, a medical oncologist who treats patients with prostate cancer at SCCA, Fred Hutchs clinical care partner. PET, or positron emission tomography, uses radioactive dyes that are injected into the patients vein and then taken up into certain tissues, which are then revealed on scans. In 2016, the FDA approved a PET-scan technique using a radioactive molecule called FACBC that is taken up by prostate cancer cells to detect locally recurrent cancers. Yu expects FACBC PET scans to be available to patients locally as early as September.

The IPCR is dedicated to bringing these novel imaging and therapeutic approaches to the Northwest, Yu said.

Is clinical trial participation right for you?

All of the research above was developed through clinical trials that relied on volunteer participants. While patient volunteers are indispensable for moving medical research forward, its common for patients to be unfamiliar with clinical trials and have misconceptions about participating in them.

Sandy Thompson and Scott Atkinson once did. Both metastatic prostate cancer patients from Washington state, the men have now participated in many trials. They spoke on a panel at the symposium about their experiences.

I found that clinical trials are not exactly what I thought they were, Thompson said. Heres what the two men learned:

First, clinical trials arent limited to patients who are out of all other options  trials are available to patients at all stages of disease. And participating in a clinical trial of a new therapy doesnt mean that you have a 50-50 chance of getting just a placebo or sugar pill in lieu of treatment: Cancer clinical trials typically compare an experimental strategy with the standard of care for that disease. In many cases, trials are not blinded, meaning that the patient and his doctor know which treatment he receives.

Both Thompson and Atkinson found great personal meaning in the chance to help others by participating in research.

I try to donate my data when I can to help people in the future, Atkinson said. Because of the trials in which he and others are participating, he said, this cancer someday will be something that people die with instead of because of.

This desire to help others is common among trial participants, said Dr. Bruce Montgomery, clinical director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at SCCA. Other pluses for many are access to investigational new drugs and the greater medical attention that often is a part of trial participation. However, Montgomery said, men should consider that any investigational treatment has unknown effects, research protocols often require many more clinic visits than would be required under standard of care and insurance may not cover the costs of an experimental therapy.

Clinical research does not always test new therapies; this category includes research ranging from studies of patients blood to develop new early-detection tests, to surveys asking about mens experiences with cancer, to tests of new imaging modalities for visualizing tumors.

People interested in participating in clinical research can find trials on the government-sponsored database, clinicaltrials.gov. Men interested in prostate cancer trials through the Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium can find current listings on SCCAs clinical trials website.

Trial participation has been a wonderful journey for me, Atkinson said. Id encourage anyone to talk to your oncologist to see if any trials would be right for you at your stage.

Has prostate cancer affected your life or that of a loved one? Join the conversation on Facebook.

Susan Keown, a staff writer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has written about health and research topics for a variety of research institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reach her at skeown@fredhutch.org or on Twitter @sejkeown.
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Ukrainian SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) agents have uncovered a Russian saboteur network in Odessa and arrested nine men with Ukrainian passports.

"We conducted a multi-stage special operation to defang the network overseen by Russian special services. It worked in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. According to our information, Russia's Military Main Intelligence Directorate [Foreign military intelligence agency, known as GRU] was involved," SBU department chief Oleksandr Tkachuk said during a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Tkaschuk said the saboteur group was made up of acting and former Ukrainian military personnel, who received instructions to infiltrate critical infrastructure facilities in southern Ukraine and collect information. They also planned to spy on military facilities.

The group also planned to prepare and conduct diversions against Ukrainian citizens in southern Ukraine.

SBU counterintelligence chief Serhiy Levchenko said a woman was in charge of the saboteurs.

"We documented the arrival of this woman to Crimea, where she was trained at a special GRU facility," he said, noting members of the group all held pro-Russian views. Levchenko said documents with important information were seized on March 19.

Tkachuk said all members of the group have Ukrainian passports. Four of the nine have been remanded to pretrial custody. The remaining five are confessing to Ukrainian investigators. A criminal case pursuant to Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (state treason) and Article 263 (illegal arms possession) has been opened.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko pardoned 67 convicts in 2016, the Ukrainian Presidential Administration's Chief of the Department for Pardon Affairs Oleksandr Bukalov has said.

According to the press service of the president, Poroshenko pardoned 23 people by reducing the sentence, the rest were completely released from further serving their sentence.

There were eight convicts among the pardoned people who were convicted for committing a crime by negligence. A large number of pardoned convicts are elderly people.

"Virtually all the pardoned people have been convicted for the first time, although almost half of them had been serving significant sentences. All those pardoned are not repeated offenders and their pardon does not endanger the safety of Ukrainian citizens," a message says.
The Sub Deb Club of Gaffney commemorates its 30th Annual Presentation Ball The Sub Deb Club of Gaffney, SC, will present nine seniors and fifteen underclassmen at its 30th annual Presentation Ball on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Cherokee County History...

Contestants vie for Miss Cherokeean titles Saturday More than 40 Gaffney High students will compete for titles in the 2023 Miss Cherokeean Pageant being held this Saturday, Oct. 22. The pageant will begin at 6 p.m. in...
Story Highlights 64% of Republicans say quality of environment is "excellent" or "good"

37% of Democrats say the same

53% of GOP say environment is improving; 22% of Democrats agree

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Republicans' ratings of the overall quality of the environment in the U.S. have shifted since President Donald Trump's election. Sixty-four percent of Republicans say the quality of the environment is "excellent" or "good," up from a record-low 53% in 2016. More than one in three Democrats (37%) rate the environment this positively, similar to the 40% recorded a year ago when President Barack Obama was in office.

These results are from Gallup's 2017 Environment poll, conducted March 1-5.

The 11-percentage-point increase from 2016 to 2017 among Republicans saying the environment is excellent or good is the largest year-to-year change in Republicans' environmental ratings since Gallup began asking the question in 2001. The last time Republicans were this positive about the environment was in the final years of the George W. Bush administration, when more than 60% said the environment was excellent or good from 2006 to 2008.

Democrats' assessment of the environment as excellent or good is relatively unchanged in the most recent poll. Democrats have traditionally been less positive about the environment than Republicans have, and the current 27-point difference between the two groups is the highest since 2009. Still, Democrats' rating of the environment remains more positive than it was during most years of the Bush administration.

Large Partisan Gap Evident in Ratings of Environment's Direction

Republicans are also more optimistic than Democrats when asked about the future of the environment, with 53% saying it is getting better rather than getting worse, compared with 22% of Democrats. This marks a substantial change from a year ago, when the groups were essentially even, as they were throughout most of the Obama administration. There was a significant partisan gap on this item for much of the Bush administration.

Republican optimism about where the environment is headed has surged 16 points in the past year and is now at its highest level since 2004. On the other hand, the percentage of Democrats saying the environment is getting better has fallen, from 40% in 2016 to 22% in 2017.

The change in occupancy of the White House in 2009 did not have quite the same effect on partisan views of the environment. Unlike the Republican surge today, there was virtually no change between 2008 and 2009 in Democrats' perceptions about the quality of the environment after Obama took office. The percentage of Republicans rating the environment as excellent or good fell 10 points, from 65% in 2008 to 55% in 2009.

Democrats' views that the environment was improving jumped from 14% in 2008 to 39% in 2009. Democrats maintained this level of optimism throughout the Obama administration, with about four in 10 saying the environment was improving from 2009 through 2016. While currently down, environmental sentiments among Democrats have not yet fallen to the levels seen before the Obama administration.

Overall, Americans' Environmental Sentiments Little Changed

While there have been substantial shifts in environmental ratings among political groups, these have mostly canceled each other out in the overall numbers for the U.S., resulting in little perceptible change among Americans as a whole. Forty-six percent of Americans say the environment is currently excellent or good. This represents a modest decline from 50% in 2015, the high point in Gallup's trend.

Americans typically have had negative views on the quality of the environment since Gallup began asking them to rate it. The only year in which the percentage saying the environment was excellent or good (50%) effectively equaled that saying it was fair or poor (49%) was 2015.

Americans' outlook for the environment has also remained the same overall since 2009, despite the significant partisan shifts on this measure. Thirty-six percent of Americans say the environment is getting better, matching views in 2016. Positive sentiments on the future of the environment had jumped after Obama's election, from 26% in 2008 to 41% in 2009. So far, there has not been a corresponding dramatic shift since Trump's election.

Bottom Line

Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to roll back environmental regulations. Since he took office, he has begun following through on those promises, rallying Republicans' sentiments about the quality of the environment in the U.S. Democrats' views on the current state of the environment have changed little -- possibly because few of the new president's policies concerning the environment have yet been adopted or implemented. However, Democrats' optimism about the future of the environment has slumped.

While there have been substantial partisan shifts in environmental sentiments over the past year, there has been little change in overall views on the part of the American public in general. These partisan changes have resulted in a modest increase in positive sentiments about the current state of the environment and essentially no change in optimism about the future of the environment, despite Trump's efforts to roll back extensive environmental protections.

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.
Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has not supported at first reading bill on inland water transport and sent it for revision.

A total of 321 lawmakers backed the decision on Tuesday.

"We are convinced that the bill on inland water transport should be approved. It was several times discussed at various platforms. I repeat: Infrastructure Ministry does not want to restrict the sector. Our goal is its development. We want the development of transportation by river," Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan earlier told Interfax-Ukraine.

As reported, one of the advantages of the water transport is its carrying capacity: two barges with one tugboat carry the same amount of cargo as two locomotives and 100 wagons or 500 large trucks with grain. Fuel consumption is much less.

The Infrastructure Ministry said that for comparison in the Netherlands the share of transportation by river of total cargo transportation is 46.6%, in the United States  40%, Romania  29%, while in Ukraine  3%.

The concept for developing inland water transport of Ukraine envisages the increase in the volume of commercial goods transportation by river, the creation of a stable financial and organization structure to satisfy the current needs of rivers and the needs in capital investment, and the integration of the European Union's requirements into Ukrainian legislation.

The top priority action plan for inland waterways would be bringing the sluices to the proper technical state; adoption of the basic law; creation of a stable financial mechanism; dredging of limiting sections of rivers, restoration of river infrastructure and other things.

Among key provisions is distribution of administrative and economic functions, provision for the effective maintenance of river infrastructure, provision for equal access to infrastructure, settling problems of small vessels, creation of the conditions for redistribution of cargo flows from transportation by land, growth of competitiveness of inland waterways, deregulation and relaxation of navigation supervision rules and other things.

The bill will introduce the targeted river tax, provides for opening of inland waterways for vessels with foreign flags, relaxation of supervision, financing repair of sluices thanks to power generating companies, the annulment of the fee for sluice usage, the canal fee, the fee for passing the lifting bridge girders and demonopolization of pilot services.

Nibulon company repeatedly criticized the provision of the bill. Earlier its Director General Oleksiy Vadatursky also said that the planned introduction of the single river fee would cut competitiveness of Ukrainian river transport.

Omelyan said that Nibulon does not want to establish clear rules in the river transport segment and the current situation suits the company.

"In fact they would not pay more river fees than other companies [if the bill on domestic river transport is passed]. They carry no more than 2 million out of 7 million tonnes of cargo flow," he said at a meeting with journalists in Kyiv late on Wednesday, commenting on Nibulon's critics of the bill.

The minister said that his ministry considered many issues favorably for the company, optimizing some port duties that Nibulon considered discriminative.
Readers, we need your help to prove a merry Christmas for victims of domestic violence.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has asked Belarusian law-enforcement authorities for information about the arrest of militants who supposedly trained in camps located in Ukraine, as stated by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

During his briefing in Wednesday in Kyiv the head of the SBU's staff, Oleksandr Tkachuk, said the SBU sent a request to Belarusian authorities about the matter.

"We are waiting for an answer from our colleagues," he added.

As for information about the alleged militants crossing the Ukraine-Belarus border, this has not been confirmed.

"As far as I know, information which was spread in media about an incursion from Ukrainian territory by some means of transportation in the direction of the Belarusian border has not been confirmed," Tkachuk said, adding that no such reports were filed by Ukrainian border troops.

Lukashenko earlier declared the detainment of "several dozen militants" who were preparing to stage an armed provocation. He said most of them trained in camps located in Ukraine.
A Lebanon man charged with murdering his estranged wife pleaded not guilty in Linn County Circuit Court on Wednesday morning.

Jason Allen Garlinghouse, 33, appeared in person and was arraigned on an indictment during the brief court hearing.

Judge David Delsman scheduled the next court hearing for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 9. A discovery deadline was set for April 11, though additional evidence could be entered after that date.

Prosecutor Keith Stein said that discovery was taking longer than usual, as reports havent been finalized.

Defense attorney John Rich wasnt overly concerned with the delay and said that he had been communicating with Stein about the case. He added that he was contemplating a psychological evaluation for Garlinghouse.

However, given the lack of discovery, Rich wasn't sure on Wednesday what motions he would file on behalf of his client.

Garlinghouse is accused of murdering Sparki Garlinghouse, 34, who was killed the morning of Feb. 14 at Jason Garlinghouses home, according to authorities.

A probable cause affidavit in the case states that Jason Garlinghouse told a 9-1-1 dispatcher that his wife attacked him and he shot her multiple times. Police found her clutching two childrens backpacks and a set of keys in her left hand, and a bread knife was resting in her right hand, according to the PC affidavit.

A medical examiner and Lebanon Police Department detective reported that two of the gunshots appeared to have entered through Sparki Garlinghouses back, the PC affidavit states.

Murder is a Measure 11 crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
A Timberhill land owner has won its case before a state agency.

The state Land Conservation and Development Commission voted unanimously Monday to back a hearings officers recommendation that the city of Corvallis has violated state land-use laws in rejecting the applications of GPA1.

GPA1 is a development firm that owns 200-plus acres of land north of the Kings Boulevard-Walnut Boulevard intersection.

Hearings officer John Bagg asserted Feb. 28 and the four commissioners affirmed Monday that the city has failed to comply with the clear and objective development criteria in state statutes. The city has been directed to:

 Allow GPA1 to remove the planned development overlay designation from the property.

 Bring its buildable lands inventory into compliance with state land-use goals and statutes.

Unless the order is appealed and overturned, the commission decision likely will make it easier for GPA1 to develop its Timberhill acreage.

After spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on this enforcement issue so far it would seem fiscally irresponsible to waste more time and money with very little chance of convincing anyone that LCDC erred in their decision, said Dale Kern, a broker with Commercial Associates who has been working with GPA1 on its Timberhill proposals.

Deputy City Attorney David Coulombe represented the city at Mondays commission meeting. Coulombe chose not to comment on the decision itself, only noting the appeal process should the city choose to challenge the order.

The Oregon Court of Appeals would be the next step for the city, with a 60-day deadline to file a petition for judicial review of the commissions order.

The city filed four exceptions to the proposed order on clear and objective standards and the buildable lands inventory, but the commission rejected all four. Bagg recommended no action on a second issue pertaining to the city's standards for building on slopes. GPA1 filed an exception on the slopes issue, but the commission rejected that one as well.

Voting in favor of the order were commission chair Greg MacPherson of Lake Oswego, vice-chair Jerry Lidz of Eugene, Catherine Morrow of Bend and Sherman Lamb of Talent. Three other commissioners were excused.

GPA1 was supported by a brief from 1,000 Friends of Oregon, while the Northwest Alliance Corvallis, a community group that works on development issues in the Timberhill area, filed a brief in support of the city.
In an odd way, the shocking thing about President Donald Trump's proposed budget is that it's not really a surprise: There's nothing in the budget that should have caught anyone unawares, assuming they were paying attention to Trump's campaign rhetoric.

And if you believe that a budget serves as a road map of sorts for the direction in which you want to head, this much was clear from last week's release of the budget proposal: There's little room for science on this particular journey.

Of course, it's worth remembering that the president's proposed budget always gets worked over pretty thoroughly by Congress.

And the kinds of cuts that Trump envisions in this budget are the sorts of things that get congressional constituents worked up. Representatives and senators torn between keeping the president happy and keeping voters in their district happy may well opt to cast their lots with their constituents.

So, much remains to be written in terms of the federal budget in the months to come. And it's not as though the administration hasn't already broadly signaled its disregard for science and scientific research.

Still, one was taken aback by the scope of the cuts the president proposed to scientific programs.

Consider just three examples:

 The proposed budget cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by 31 percent, or $5.7 billion.

 It cuts funding in the Commerce Department by 16 percent, or about $1.4 billion. The proposal eliminates the $73 million Sea Grant program, which operates at Oregon State University and other schools around the nation. It cuts $250 million from coastal research programs that help communities deal with rising seas. Again, these cuts are not particularly surprising, given that the administration believes research into climate change is a waste of money. (The 29 percent cut to the State Department eliminates programs to help prevent climate change.)

 It cuts the Department of Health and Human Services budget by 18 percent, some $15 billion. This includes a $6 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health, about a fifth of its budget.

The cuts to climate-change programs have received considerable attention, as they should. But the cuts to the National Institutes of Health suggest, if not outright hostility to the work of scientists, ignorance about how scientific research works, and the role the federal government plays in that research.

More than 80 percent of the National Institutes of Health budget goes to grants for universities and research centers. Much of the work being done in those institutions is basic research into thousands of different areas; this is work in which the end result may not always be clear. But when it pays off, it can pay off big, fueling the way for major discoveries.

To be fair, the Trump budget comes on the heels of decades in which public funding for science has been declining. According to a recent article in The Atlantic, the federal government in 1965 financed more than 60 percent of research and development in the United States; by 2006, 65 percent of that research was funded by private entities.

So why not just let private parties pick up even more of the bill?

Here's the reason why: Private research tends to be more narrowly focused. Publicly funded research, with its broader focus, creates the base knowledge that eventually can lead to major breakthroughs.

President Trump famously campaigned on a promise to make America great again. Maybe one goal of his administration is to shortchange America's researchers to the point where this nation takes a backseat to nations like China and Germany in terms of scientific breakthroughs. But it's hard to see how that would fuel a resurgence in American greatness. (mm)
Ukrainian law enforcement officers have conducted searches in Kyiv and Donetsk region at homes of people from the entourage of the country's disgraced former president Viktor Yanukovych and a former National Security and Defense Council secretary, Andriy Kliuyev.

"The special investigations directorate of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, jointly with the national anti-corruption bureau, the criminal investigation department of the Ukrainian national police for Donetsk region, conducted a number of searches in Kyiv and Donetsk region at the homes of individuals from the entourage of V. Yanukovych and A. Kliuyev as part of a criminal inquiry into the illegal crackdown on protests, killings and other crimes during the Maidan [protests]," the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office said on Wednesday.

The searches led to a seizure of items and documents which, combined with the other evidence available, are highly important for the criminal inquiry, the spokesperson said.

Officers also seized several thousand cartridges and documents, including papers signed by leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, special devices enabling remote access to foreign bank accounts, financial schemes and false accounting paperwork, an offshore company seal, and electronic data storage devices, the spokesperson said.

The inquiry continues, the evidence obtained will be analyzed and evaluated and procedural decisions made accordingly.

The statement does not say whose homes were searched.
Earth Hour : Bonn turns out the lights for an hour

Bonn As Bonn will play host this year to the UN World Climate Conference, the mayor of Bonn is hoping for especially high participation in Earth Hour this coming Saturday. For one hour on Saturday evening, lights will be turned off to send a signal of support for climate protection.

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For the eleventh year, environmental foundation World Wide Fund (WWF) is calling for participation in the initiative Earth Hour which will take place this Saturday. The event is meant to send out a message of support for climate protection and call attention to wasting of natural resources. Many buildings in Bonn will turn out their lights on Saturday evening for one hour beginning at 8:30 pm.

Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan has asked for businesses and private persons to take part in the initiative: I hope that in this year, when Bonn is hosting the 23rd World Climate Conference of the United Nations, that especially many Bonn residents will take part in Earth Hour. With just a simple click of the switch, we can send a clear signal that we stand for climate protection and sustainability. There are many people working in Bonn who are very engaged in these topics, both in the UN institutions and in many other international organizations, as well as in the city administration.

From 8:30 until 9:30 pm on Saturday, the city administration building, the old town hall, district town halls, the opera and Bad Godesberg Chamber Theater will stay dark. The city public works will turn off spotlights on the Beethoven Haus, Poppelsdorf Palace, the Munster Cathedral, Koblenzer Tor, the Godesburg, and some churches. The Post Tower will remain dark as will buildings from Telekom, UN institutions on the UN campus, including at Lange Eugen.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has refuted the statements by the Belarusian leadership alleging that militants were prepared on the territory of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in a comment issued on Wednesday by its press service notes that such statements "are provocative and harmful to the development of good neighborly relations between Ukraine and Belarus."

"We would like to stress that it is Belarus' partner in the Union State - the Russian Federation  which as part of its hybrid aggression set up training camps for mercenaries and militants both on its territory and in the occupied parts of Ukraine. Through supporting and exporting terrorism, Russia is purposefully undermining stability and security in the region, which includes both Ukraine and Belarus," the comment reads.

Kyiv also said that Ukraine handed over to the UN International Court of Justice abundant evidence of support and financing of terrorism by Russia in the occupied territory of Ukraine.

"We are ready for close international cooperation in countering any manifestations of terrorism, including together with Belarus," the comment said.

As reported, on March 21, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said several dozen militants have been detained on suspicion of plotting armed acts of provocation, some of them were trained in Ukraine. "We have already detained several dozen people drilling with weapons in camps. By the way, one of those camps was situated in the area of Bobruisk and Osipovichi. The other camps were located in Ukraine [and], it seems to me, in Lithuania or Poland - I won't insist on this, but somewhere there. The money was coming here via Poland and Lithuania. Just a few hours ago, we apprehended a couple of dozen militants plotting an armed provocation," the BelTA state-run news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying during a working trip to the Mogilyov region.
Bonn central train station : New proposal for public area in front of train station

Bonn The Bonn city administration is proposing an alternative to previous plans for the public area in front of the Bonn central train station. A new version would have two sets of stairways with different entrances and exits.

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The city has come up with an alternative for the controversial stairs proposed for the Bonn central train station. Investors think they are conceivable. Version 3, as the administration calls it, would look like this: There would be two sets of stairways with different entrances and exits. "Those coming from the subway can either take the stairs to Poststrae to the left or the escalator to the right to the train station," explained deputy spokesperson Marc Hoffmann. The version would allow more space for commuters on the sides but the links between Maximilian Center (southern development) and Urban Soul (northern development) would be more limited. Fire protection authorities would still need to approve this version.

Version 1: Until now, both Ten Brinke and "Developer", the project developers for the northern area, had preferred a joint entrance and exit for outdoor steps and escalator close to the foyer of the main station. This was not enthusiastically received by local politicians but it is still the preferred version of the builders. One key issue to be considered is the placement of the entrances and foot traffic for the stores that will be opened in the complex.

Developers consider Version 2 unacceptable because it would reduce the frequency of retail business in the Lifestyle Haus and is in their view, not possible. A Version 4 would likely not receive approval in terms of fire safety and escape routes.

Version 5 is a variant on Version 1 but Ten Brinke said the stairway placement would lead to a considerable loss of foot traffic at the Maximilian Center.

Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan wants to present the advantages and disadvantages of the different versions on Wednesday in a meeting with politicians, members of the community of the physically impaired, and the traffic forum. Investors are pressing for a quick decision because construction work on the northern development is due to begin in autumn.
An opportunity for foodies and beer lovers to get lost in a world of food and drink from a hand-selected range of food trucks and breweries from around New Zealand.
Article

Protecting the worlds oceans  an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy

The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin has condemned the attack on the Houses of Parliament in London and expressed his support to its victims.

"Strongly condemn heinous attack at UK parliament in London. Our thoughts are with the victims and their relatives," Klimkin wrote on his Twitter page on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, March 22, British media reported that a car ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in central London, killing one woman and injuring about a dozen other people. Reports also say the car then crashed into the railings at the Houses of Parliament, where the attacker got out and stabbed a police officer. The attacker was reportedly shot dead.

Some media say there may be two attackers.

The London police said they treat the incident as a terrorist attack.

The Ukrainian consul in the UK is checking if any Ukrainians were hurt in the incident in London.
Apple launches iTunes 12.6 with 'Rent once, watch anywhere' feature News oi -Vigneshravi Apple launches iTunes 12.6, with a feature that allows users to rent a movie and watch it on any Apple device irrespective of the device they rented it on.

Apple had a rather eventful day yesterday where the company launched a new 9.7-inch iPad, a red color variant for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. If this wasn't good enough, Apple also released the iTunes 12.6 version of the app as well yesterday.

The highlight of the updated iTunes is a unique new feature, called 'Rent once, watch anywhere'. While it may be quite a mouthful of a name but this feature is something most if not all movie buff Apple users will enjoy. The previous version of iTunes too had an option which would allow users to rent a movie, but users were forced to watch it on the same device itself.

However, the latest update iTunes 12.6 will be available on Apple devices running on iOS 10.3 and tvOS 10.2. However, there is a small hiccup here as the iOS 10.3 and the tvOS 10.2 are both in beta testing and developer preview respectively.

Apple announces iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition

While both the iOS 10.3 and tvOS 10.2 updates haven't been rolled out officially yet, but considering the release of iTunes 12.6, and the compatibility being highlighted we could see the rollout happen soon.

As mentioned earlier as well, the previous version of iTunes did allow movies to be rented via iTunes on Mac or PC. It could also be transferred to a different device like an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Though while doing so the rented movie would disappear from your iTunes library on your Mac or PC.

While users could transfer the movie between devices, the movie could be watched only on a single device. Also, users were able to stream movie rentals from iOS to Apple TV using Apple's AirPlay feature, hence this new feature comes as a good move. The latest update will be most enjoyed by users who frequently use iTunes for movie rentals making it more convenient now.

Apple's new 9.7 inch iPad launched, to be available in India from April

The movie rented from iTunes will come with a validity period for 30 days. The user is given 30 days for watching a movie after renting it via iTunes, once the user starts watching the movie, they have 24 hours to finish it in the US, and 48 hours in other regions.

For some reason, if the rented movie has not been watched within 30 days, then the rental procedure has to be repeated again. After exceeding the validity of the rented movies, it will disappear from the users iTunes library. While users can watch the rented movie offline as well, but this option also comes with the 24-hour and 48-hour watch time limit depending on the region.

Source

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Samsung launches Samsung Pay in India News oi -Priyanka The Samsung Pay UPI solution is powered by Axis Bank and facilitates peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer of funds between bank accounts on a mobile platform instantly.

Samsung Electronics has finally today announced the launch of its flagship mobile payments service, Samsung Pay, in India, weeks after opening the registrations for early access.

The payment solution will work with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Card and Standard Chartered Banka, mobile wallets such as Paytm and UPI, while Citibank India is a forthcoming issuer and its credit cards will be live on Samsung Pay shortly.

Samsung Pay supports both Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) which allows a user to send a magnetic signal from the smartphone to the payment terminal's card reader.

Samsung Pay will be launched in India on Wednesday

HC Hong, President, and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, said, "Samsung Pay is an example of how we continue to push the boundaries of innovations to make life simpler and better for consumers. I am confident Samsung Pay will redefine digital payments and contribute to Digital India."

Samsung Pay can be accepted at all places where your physical card will work and you just need to open the Samsung Pay app on the compatible phone, select the card, authenticate using a fingerprint or PIN and bring the phone close to the PoS terminal. Samsung's MST or NFC technology will send signals to the PoS machine to complete the transaction.

Currently, Samsung Pay is available on Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A7 (2016), Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017) and will also be available on the Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch shortly.

The Samsung Pay UPI solution is powered by Axis Bank and facilitates peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer of funds between bank accounts on a mobile platform instantly. This is an upcoming feature within Samsung Pay.

Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog, said at the Samsung event that it is not just a revolutionary app but a "killer" app.

"India is a highly informal economy and the challenge is to make it into a formal economy," Kant added that if India has to become a $10 trillion economy, it has to move in that direction and Samsung Pay will aid in the digital movement.

Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Business, Samsung India. "With Samsung Pay, we give our consumers the smartest way to make digital transactions by far. Samsung Pay is highly secure through the signature KNOX Platform, fingerprint authentication, and tokenization. We have partnered with major banks and card networks to give our consumers the widest range of choices, and are working on bringing more and more partners on board soon."

Samsung Pay is fully available in 12 global markets including South Korea, the US, China, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Porush Singh, Country Corporate Officer, India, and Division President, South Asia, Mastercard, said, "As our society becomes increasingly reliant on mobile devices in their everyday lives, it is crucial for us to partner like-minded organizations who share the same goal of delivering seamless payment experiences to consumers, merchants and others in the payments ecosystem. Today's announcement brings us a step forward in the Indian government's cashless payments roadmap. We're excited to partner an industry leader such as Samsung to provide a digital payment experience that is both simple and secure for cardholders in India."

"Samsung Pay is different from Apple Pay as it uses NFC as well as MST, whereas the latter uses only NFC to make wireless transactions. The reach of Samsung Pay will be over 95 percent of all PoS machines in the country," Gizbot reported on Tuesday.

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Sony contributed in Android O by improving wireless audio quality Features oi -Shilpa Music lovers will thank Sony

After Nougat, Google is about to release its next Operating system- Android O. Few preliminary features of this new OS are already revealed and it doesn't sound impressive at this stage. Android users are waiting eagerly to test this out by themselves.

Google has partnered with many companies to bring out various exciting features in their next update. Out of so many companies, Sony stands out as an important contributor to the next version of Android. A Google spokesperson thanks Sony's extraordinary help by saying, the Japanese company has "contributed more than 30 feature enhancements and 250 bug fixes".

Google's new Android 8.0 OS tipped to come with these features; Report

Google told that Sony is providing a notable support for its LDAC wireless audio encoding format which sends data three times more through Bluetooth when compared with other formats. That is, it can transfer up to a bitrate of 990kpbs.

This, in turn, lets you listen to good quality audio without using typical wired headphones. You can check those comparisons in detail by visiting Sony's page.

Till date, Sony is the only one that uses LDAC technology inside their products such as Walkman players, its high-end wireless headphones, active speakers, home theaters and Xperia smartphones. If other companies are willing to have this technology in their products as well, then they have to pay for licensing fees.

Now, this innovative technology is going to be the part of open source Android O release, so users don't have to pay for it. Thus, letting audiophiles enjoy high-resolution audios without having to plug into a headphone jack.

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Apple announces iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition News oi -Samden Sherpa Customers can now purchase Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in a beautiful new finish and contribute to the global fund to fight AIDS.

Apple has just announced a new PRODUCT(RED) special edition of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus later this week.

As per the company, the PRODUCT(RED) models will feature vibrant red aluminum finish and that it will be available in 128GB and 256GB models. Apple goes on to say the model is in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED). Apple further adds, "This gives customers a way to contribute to the Global Fund and bring the world a step closer to an AIDS-free generation."

Apple launches Clips: A new video app for iOS

Commenting on the launch, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO said, "Since we began working with (RED) 10 years ago, our customers have made a significant impact in fighting the spread of AIDS through the purchase of our products, from the original iPod nano (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition all the way to today's lineup of Beats products and accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch." "The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can't wait to get it into customers' hands."

The new (PRODUCT)RED iPhone will be available to order on Apple's website and at select authorized resellers and carriers around the world. The new model will begin shipping to customers from 24 of March in the United States and more than 40 countries and regions around the world.

Apple's new 9.7 inch iPad launched, to be available in India from April

Countries that will receive the new variant include Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, and the UK. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Turkey and other countries will follow in April.

As for the specifications of the devices, it will remain the same.

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Nokia's new devices to be released in second half of Q2 News oi -Chandrika Nokia's new phones to hit the market soon

Tomislav Himbele, HMD Global's Head of Marketing for Easter Europe, has finally spilled the beans regarding the release of Nokia's new line of phones. He said that the company's new devices will be launched in the region sometime in Q2 2017.

Himbele said that the Nokia's new devices including Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6, and the revamped Nokia 3310 will be up for sale in the European markets around May or June. Though the release window disclosed by him is only relevant for the European region, it is expected that the new devices from Nokia will also be available in other regions around the same time or soon after.

HMD Global gets patent rights for the design of Nokia 6

All the new devices of Nokia were revealed last month at the MWC 2017. Run on Android Nougat, they are priced reasonably. All these smartphones are built from a solid block of aluminium. The Nokia 6 and Nokia 5 have a full metal body, while the Nokia 3 has a polycarbonate shell on the rear.

Himbele also added that HMD Global is pretty wishful for the future as he unconcealed that the company is trying to become one of the top three smartphone brands within the next three years, beating out the electronics giants such as Apple, Samsung, and Huawei.

Now only time will tell how well the people receive the HMD Global's Nokia-branded devices after they get released in a couple of months. Based on that, we will see whether the company gets any chance to achieve its ambitious goals.

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Xiaomi manufactures one phone a second in its new unit News oi -Chandrika Xiaomi to meet demand

Xiaomi has set up a second factory in Andra Pradesh, the company announced during the launch of Redmi 4A in New Delhi. Though Xiaomi hasn't mentioned the precise capacity of the plant, the company claimed that it manufactures one phone per second.

However, this might not be enough for Xiaomi due to the supply constraints it faces in India. Most of Xiaomi's devices sell like hotcakes during the weekly sales. "The key for us was to start hitting one phone per second kind and we thought we will announce it only when we hit that number. Now we are hitting that consistently," said Xiaomi India head and Vice-President Manu Kumar Jain.

Xiaomi Redmi 4A sales starts on 23rd March at Rs 5,999 in Amazon: Will it beat these phones

Jain also said the company had been trying to expand its production in India since 2016. Operated by Foxconn, Xiaomi's plants employ over 5000 works. Reportedly 90 percent of the employees are women.

He added that Xioami was finding it hard to meet the demand with only one plant. "We were already running at 100 percent utilisation, but we were not able to meet the demand. Even today, with Redmi Note 4, we have sold 1 million units in 45 days, but probably if we had more stock we could have sold more phones," he commented.

As of now, the company is selling four phones in India; Redmi 3S, which comes in two variants, Redmi Note 4 which is available in three variants, Mi Max which has two variants and the flagship Mi 5 phone. As claimed by them, apart from Mi 5, all of its phones are manufactured in India.

Jain also confirmed that Mi branded will soon be available in India, but he didn't reveal which products will make the cut.

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Kumar Birla, Colao met Manoj Sinha to discuss merger plans News oi -Priyanka Both Vodafone and Idea Cellular on Monday announced their agreement to combine their operations in India.

In order to discuss the merger plans, both Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Idea Cellular and Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao met Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha.

"Birla and Colao sought the government's advice regarding smoothening of the merger process. Vodafone India and Aditya Birla Group-promoted Idea Cellular has announced their much-awaited amalgamation, with Kumar Birla as the Chairman of the merged entity," according to a report.

Both Vodafone and Idea Cellular on Monday announced their agreement to combine their operations in India.

SEE ALSO: Public should not be misled by these false claims, says Jio

Commenting on the merger announcement, Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI says, that "this amalgamation will create the country's biggest telecom services provider with a customer base of over 394 million," adding that we have seen some significant consolidations in the past and this announcement is a welcome and positive step in the direction of TSP coming together and creating resilient networks with a large asset base for an enhanced consumer experience.

The combined company would become the leading communications provider in India with almost 400 million customers, 35 percent customer market share and 41 percent revenue market share.

Prashant Singhal, Global Telecom Leader EY said "Market consolidation is positive for the telecoms sector and the consumer. As operators grapple with excessive competition and pressurized margins, consolidation will help bring synergies and unlock greater cost efficiencies. The consumers will also benefit from the telco strategy will now pivot on innovation to offer value in terms of quality of service and content. Now that the sector is inching towards its ideal state, it is imperative for the Government to expedite approvals for the industry to realize the benefits."

Post the amalgamation, Vodafone will hold 45 percent in the combined entity while Idea promoters will hold 26 percent share. The rest will be held by the public.

The combined entity of Aditya Birla group's Idea Cellular and Vodafone India will have the widest network in the country and pan-India 3G/4G footprint, the companies said in a statement.

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 21, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed three wellheads and a pump jack.

-- Near Raqqa, 19 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four pieces of oil lubricant equipment, three barges, three fighting positions, three ISIS headquarters, two vehicle-bomb facilities, two vehicle-bombs, a vehicle-bomb factory, a tunnel, a vehicle, a weapons storage facility and a command-and-control node; and damaged two supply routes.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 53 engagements against ISIS targets, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Qaim, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and three ISIS sniper teams; destroyed 14 fighting positions, five rocket-propelled grenade systems, three vehicle bombs, a supply cache, an anti-air artillery system and a heavy machine gun; damaged six supply routes and two fighting positions; and suppressed four ISIS mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike destroyed 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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China hopes for new impetus for trade and investment cooperation and regional prosperity through the upcoming visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Australia and New Zealand.

This visit will send a positive signal to the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world that the three countries are committed to trade and investment liberalization and regional peace, stability and prosperity, said Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang at a press briefing here on Tuesday.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Australia and China-New Zealand relations. The official visit, scheduled from March 22 to 29, is the first by a Chinese premier since China upgraded its relations with the two to comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Australia is implementing a northern development plan while New Zealand has a 30-year infrastructure development plan. The premier's visit will promote coordination of China's Belt and Road initiative with the other plans," said Liu Qing, a researcher on Asia-Pacific studies with the China Institute of International Studies.

During Li's stay in Australia, he will meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and hold the fifth annual talks with his Australian counterpart. The two prime ministers will also attend a trade cooperation forum together.

Li will also meet Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and parliamentary leaders.

The two sides will discuss the China-Australia free trade agreement, and cooperation in areas including technology, trade and investment, energy and resources, the judiciary and law enforcement, according to Zheng.

China has been Australia's largest trading partner in the past 8 years. The two countries have witnessed booming bilateral trade since the FTA took effect in December 2015. Since full implementation last year, bilateral trade has reached 108 billion U.S. dollars and bilateral investment was over 100 billion U.S. dollars, Zheng said.

"China, Australia and New Zealand are highly complementary in their economies," said Chen Fengying, an expert on global economy with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

Trade cooperation is also on the agenda in New Zealand. Li will hold talks with Prime Minister Bill English and meet Governor General Patsy Reddy and other officials.

The two sides will expand cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, agriculture and husbandry, technological innovation, education, culture, tourism and civil aviation, Zheng said.

Bilateral trade between China and New Zealand has increased nearly threefold compared with 2008, when the two countries reached a free trade agreement. The first round of negotiations on upgrading the FTA will be held in the first half of this year.

The upgrading will bring more opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation, and promote the two sides to increase market openness and reach consensus on areas such as services trade and e-commerce, Zheng said.

Besides trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation will also be on the agenda.

This year marks the China-Australia Year of Tourism. There are already over 100 pairs of sister states, provinces and cities between the two countries.

Li and Turnbull will attend a forum with officials from localities. The two sides will expand cooperation in education, culture, tourism and localities, and sign some cooperation deals, Zheng said.
Tillerson To Visit Russia In May, Will Skip NATO Meeting In April

RFE/RL March 21, 2017

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his first visit to Russia as part of a European trip in May but will not attend a NATO meeting in April.

The State Department revealed the plans late on March 20. It did not say why Tillerson would miss the April 5-6 NATO meeting with foreign ministers from the 27 other countries in the Western security alliance.

Citing unnamed current and former U.S. officials, Reuters reported that Tillerson was skipping the semiannual meeting in Brussels to attend talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which are expected April 6-7.

Tillerson will fly to Moscow following a May 26-27 summit of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Italy, while U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon will attend the NATO meeting in April, the State Department said.

In response to questions about reports of Tillerson's trip to Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on March 21 that the ministry was "not prepared to confirm or deny this information."

"But we are certainly surprised by the regular leak of sensitive information from Washington," Zakharova said on Facebook.

The Russian news agency Interfax quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying that he "knows nothing" about Tillerson's trip.

Information about the Moscow visit comes amid an investigation by U.S. authorities over allegations of Russian cyberattacks during the presidential campaign and meetings between Russian officials and several Trump campaign officials.

Trump repeatedly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin during the U.S. presidential campaign and has said he hopes relations between the two countries, which are badly strained, will improve. But despite initial expectations of a meeting with Putin early in Trump's presidency, no date has been set for face-to-face talks, and senior administration officials, including Tillerson, have taken a tough stance on Russia in public statements.

Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil CEO who interacted with Russian officials for years as an executive at the oil giant and was given a friendship medal by Putin in 2013, has in the past criticized the sanctions imposed on Russia over its interference in Ukraine.

During the presidential election campaign, NATO members were rattled by Trump's characterization of the security alliance as "obsolete" and his questioning of whether the United States would come to the aid of NATO members in the event of an attack by Russia.

NATO has a mutual-defense guarantee that calls for a response by all members of the pact in the event of an attack on one member. At his confirmation hearings in January, Tillerson called the guarantee inviolable.

However, Trump administration officials have also said members must honor military spending pledges to ensure the United States does not "moderate" its support for the alliance. Trump recently said Germany owes NATO and the United States "vast sums" of money for defense, a claim Germany has denied.

The United States accounts for 70 percent of NATO's funding. At a summit in 2014, members not meeting an alliance guideline of spending at least 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense pledged to "aim to move towards the 2 percent guideline within a decade."

Tillerson is expected to meet with foreign ministers from nearly all the NATO members at a March 22 meeting in Washington on combating the extremist group Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

A NATO official told RFE/RL that Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on March 21 and would "discuss progress in the fight against terrorism with Secretary Tillerson" and others at the meeting on March 22.

The official said that Stoltenberg "will continue his regular contacts with the US administration, which has confirmed its strong commitment to NATO, both in words and in deeds."

"It's up to Allies to decide at what level they are represented" at NATO ministerial meetings, the official said.

With reporting by RFE/RL Senior Correspondent Carl Schreck, Reuters, AP, TASS, Interfax, and The Washington Post

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/tillerson- russia-visit-nato/28381658.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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Ukraine Lawmaker Calls On U.S. To Investigate New 'Evidence' Of Secret Payments To Manafort

Christopher Miller March 21, 2017

KYIV -- Paul Manafort is under scrutiny again after a Ukrainian lawmaker released documents he says show that U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman went to great lengths to hide $750,000 tied to his work for former President Viktor Yanukovych.

The documents, made public by lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko at a press conference in Kyiv on March 21, include an invoice that bears the name of Manafort's Virginia-based consulting company, a blue seal, and what appears to be his signature.

Initially described in a report published by The New York Times on March 20, the document seems to show that $750,000 was laundered through an offshore account and disguised as payment for computers.

Leshchenko called on Ukrainian and U.S. law-enforcement agencies to investigate the payment.

"This is money stolen from Ukrainian citizens and has been paid to Manafort for [his work] with our former corrupt president," Leshchenko charged in a brief interview with RFE/RL on March 21, speaking in English. "This corruption must be exposed."

The authenticity of the invoice and other documents Leshchenko presented could not be confirmed.

He said he received the invoice, which billed a Belize-based company called Neocom Systems Limited $750,000 for the sale of 501 computers, in January from IT company employees who found it in a safe after they rented central Kyiv office space that had been vacated by Manafort in 2014.

Leshchenko said he released the documents only now because it took time to "verify" them. He said he did so by comparing Manafort's signature on his 1996 company registration documents with the signature on the invoice.

"It is an identical signature to the one on this contract," Leschenko said.

Manafort has claimed Leshchenko tried to blackmail him via e-mail last summer when he came in possession of a secret "black ledger" kept by Yanukovych's Party of Regions showing entries worth $12.7 million from an alleged slush fund set aside for his services. Leshchenko denies the claim, saying that the threatening e-mail -- which was made public by a murky hacker website -- is a fake.

Leshchenko showed that the alleged $750,000 payment corresponds to one of 22 entries in the "black ledger."

Manafort did not respond to a text message from RFE/RL requesting comment, but he denied Leshchenko's latest allegations to The New York Times.

Leschenko's news conference came hours after a March 20 hearing by the Intelligence Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives in which FBI Director James Comey was asked about Manafort's work in Ukraine and allegations of contacts between Manafort and Russian intelligence officials.

Comey declined to talk specifically about Manafort and others with alleged ties to Russia, but he did take the rare step of confirming that the FBI is investigating communications between Russian officials and associates of Trump.

Manafort resigned from Trump's campaign last summer following allegations of contacts with Russian intelligence officials, and media reports have indicated that the FBI is investigating those allegations. He said previously that he has never had contact with Russian agents, at least not knowingly.

"It's not like these people wear badges that say, 'I'm a Russian intelligence officer,'" he said in February.

The White House tried to distance itself from Manafort as the congressional hearing was still under way on March 20, with spokesman Sean Spicer describing the former campaign chairman as having "played a very limited role for a very limited time."

Trump hired Manafort to head his delegate efforts for his Republican primary campaign on March 28 last year and kept him on staff until he resigned on August 19, after the disclosure of the "black ledger."

Before he worked for Trump, Manafort worked for more than a decade for Russia-friendly political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine.

Yanukovych fled to Russia after being pushed from power in February 2014 by pro-Western protesters incensed at his decision to abandon plans for a pact tightening Ukraine's ties with the European Union. Leshchenko was a prominent figure in the Euromaidan protests and was elected to parliament later in 2014.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-manafort- secret-payments-new-evidence -leshchenko/28382167.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 Ready to Modernize Malaysian Combat Aircraft MiG-29N to MiG-29SM Level

Sputnik News

09:34 21.03.2017(updated 09:38 21.03.2017)

Russia is ready to provide full repair and modernize Malaysia's MiG-29N fighter jets to MiG-29SM, a representative of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, during his visit to the international aerospace and maritime exhibition LIMA-2017.

LANGKAWI (Sputnik)  Currently, the country has 18 MiG-29N fighter jets, which were supplied in 1994.

"We are ready to provide full repair for these fighter jets and modernize them to MiG-29SM. We have brought a MiG-29SM simulator to this exhibition," the representative said.

MiG-29SM is a multi-role combat aircraft carrying high-precision weapons capable of destroying air and surface targets. The series is considered to be one of the best jet fighters of the fourth generation.

The prime minister noted that Malaysia also used Su-30MKM fighter jets and carefully listened to the UAC's offers concerning Russian combat aircraft MiG-35 and MiG-29K (carrier-based).

The Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) is an annual event taking place in Malaysia's resort Langkawi. This year the exhibition will last from March 21 to 25, with Russia presenting fighter jets, submarines and amphibious aircraft. LIMA is the largest exhibition in the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for 45 percent of Russian military equipment sales.

 Sputnik

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Hai Lung II [Sea Dragon]-class Submarine

Taiwan is hoping to build its first home-grown submarines within eight years and commission them into service within a decade. Taiwan has warned China that it will do whatever it takes to defend its sovereignty as the island launched production of a new fleet of submarines. President Tsai Ing-wen at the inauguration ceremony in the southern city of Kaohsiung on 24 November 2020 said "This submarine is an important part of allowing our navy to develop asymmetric warfare and to intimidate and block enemy ships from surrounding Taiwan's main island".

"Now, with the construction of the submarine to its future commission, we will certainly let the world know our persistence in safeguarding our sovereignty." The island has never produced its own submarines. The first of the eight new vessels will be delivered by 2025, with the entire project estimated to cost at least $16 billion (13.5 billion).

The groundbreaking ceremony for the special building of the Republic of China Navy submarine ship was held 09 May 2019. This place was originally intended to manufacture mine-hunting ships, but after this project was aborted due to the fraud of the Qingfu shipbuilding company, it was to become the country's secret submarine plant.

President Tsai Ing-wen attended the ground-breaking ceremony with the commander of the three armed forces. In her speech, she said that the implementation of national defense autonomy is her constant determination. She persists in determination and courage to guide everyone to face challenges and overcome difficulties. The prototype ship model was first announced at the ceremony, and the submarine developed for the first time in Taiwan is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. After overcoming challenges over the past years, Taiwan had finally obtained export permits for the key technologies needed to design its own submarines, she said, expressing hope that this first step will be a success for the project.

President Cai Ying, accompanied by the Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Chen Ju, the Vice President of the Executive Yuan Chen Qimai, the Minister of National Defense Yan Defa, and the Chairman of the Taiwan Shipage Zheng Wenlong, and so on today, the South China Kaohsiung Port Terminal, presided over the Republic of China Navys Submarine State Made dedicated plant groundbreaking ceremony.

"Central News Agency" quoted Zhou Zhiming, deputy general manager of Taiwan Ships, who said that the future prototype ship is about 70 meters long, 8 meters wide and 18 meters high. The submerged tonnage is about 2,500 to 3,000 tons. It is expected to be launched into the water in the third quarter of 2024, delivered to the ship at the end of 2025, followed by the Navy for evaluation. The Taiwan left a special ship number, No. 1168, for the prototype ship. According to the government's plan, there should be at least eight submarines in the entire Taiwan sea.

The "long-range heavy torpedo development plan", which has been interrupted for more than ten years, was expected to be restarted, allowing the country to build long-range heavy torpedoes to be deployed in the same way as the first national submarine. the "long-haul heavy torpedo development project" was implemented by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was called "The Dragon Plan". In the past, Chen Shui-bians predecessor Chen Tsang-bian has made specific development results and developed a number of long-range heavy torpedoes. Up to 40 knots were also in line with the specifications proposed by the Staff Headquarters; however, at the time, the Staff Headquarters considered that the overall reliability was insufficient, and insisted on purchasing from the United States. The national heavy torpedo plan was frustrated and the development plan was also suspended. Officials said that after the "Dragon Plan" was frustrated during the Bian government period, the project R&D personnel returned to their respective departments.

Taiwan does not have a complete warship shipbuilding system. The industry cannot produce submarine special steel plates and steel, not to mention the precise deep deep welding. The Taiwan navy has almost no modern industrial management experience. The 2017 QingFu minesweeper case dealt a huge blow to confidence in Taiwans domestic defense industry, which many saw as a lack of rigor in the Navys screening and procurement process in selecting contractors for domestic construction projects. In 2015 the Navy awarded a contract to build six minsweepers to QingFu Shipbuilding, a company with neither the financial nor technical resources to execute the contract. The company got bank loans on the basis of the contract, and embarked on a career of real estate speculation on the mainland. The Navy probably demonstrated poor judgement in the contract award, and certainly demonstrated incompetence in monitoring contract execution, or lack thereof.

Although the Taiwan ship was absent from the 2017 Taipei International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition, Vice President Chen Jianren emphasized in his opening speech that the Navy has signed the "Memorandum of the Launching and Cooperation of Submarine National Designs" and is expected to complete the design and construction of the homemade submarine in two phases. In eight years, let the submarine launch into the water, serve in the military within ten years, and step out of the national defense policy, the most challenging step.

There were two submarine models on the scene, one in the "National Shipbuilding State" exhibition area of the Ministry of National Defense, because it has been officially displayed in the past, and had not received much attention; the other interesting is Lockheed Martin. The company exhibition area, on the side of the F-16, P-3 anti-submarine model, behind the partition, invisible, with a Scorpion-derived S-80 submarine developed by Spain and France. The ship model shows the various telescopic mast configurations in the sail hood, and the combat system used is contracted by Loma.

The Lockheed weapon control system (Weapon Control Suite) displayed on the screen can provide diesel-electric submarine operation MK48 heavy torpedo for power supply, cooling, control, launch and post-shoot control interface, as well as under the depth of the periscope. A lightweight antenna system for communication. In addition, the new S-80A configuration, in addition to torpedo, anti-ship missiles, also reserved the space to install the Tomahawk missile control system.

A Taiwan shipbuilder and a ship designer signed a memorandum of understanding with the country's Navy on 21 March 2017 to jointly build submarines for the military as part of a government effort to develop an independent national defense industry. The MOU was signed by Navy Commander Huang Shu-kuang, CSBC Corp., Taiwan Chairman Cheng Wen-lon and Chang Guan-chung, president of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), at a ceremony in the southern port city of Kaohsiung.

The Taiwanese navy's memorandum of understanding with two local companies was to develop submarines over the next four years. Construction of the vehicles, ideal for warfare against China, could reach $85.8 million, though the final price was not set, the defense ministry spokesman said.

The signing was witnessed by President Tsai Ing-wen, who said the construction of submarines was the most challenging aspect of Taiwan's policy to create an independent national defense industry. The government will exhaust all means and pool its resources to solve any problems associated with building indigenous submarines, she said. The initiative involves the efforts of not only the Navy, CSBC, and NCSIST, but also the government, the military and relevant industries, Tsai said.

CSBC Corp. Taiwan Chairman Cheng Wen-lon acknowledged there were problems to be worked out because Taiwan lacks any experience in building submarines, but he said the difficulties were being addressed. He also noted that CSBC Corp. had built more than 100 ships for the Navy and said the company would use that experience in developing the local submarine program. the project will have two main phases. The first will be to complete the design for the subs and have a budget of approximately NT$2 billion (US$65.64 million), Cheng said. The second stage will involve building the submarines, he said, without giving any cost projections for the vessels or estimates of how many submarines might be built.

NCSIST Vice President Gao Chung-hsing said the most important part of the program is a system to integrate all of the equipment and ensure the safety of ships operating underwater. The NCSIST will cooperate with CSBC Corp. in these areas, Gao said.

Taiwan has long tried to acquire submarines from other countries with little success because of their reluctance to upset China. US President George W. Bush authorized the sale of eight diesel electric submarines to Taiwan in 2001, but the deal never came to fruition because of political wrangling in Taiwan and questions over whether the U.S., which did not produce conventional submarines at the time, could actually supply the vessels.

Taiwan's navy currently had four submarines, two of which are too outdated for operations and are used only as training vessels. Taiwan has long been in the market for additional diesel submarines to counter China's growing naval might. Taiwan could deploy submarines defensively at the entrances of its main ports -- at Kaohsiung in the south and Keeling in the north -- to stop Chinese submariness from mining them. Or Taiwan could use submarines to sink Chinese shipping, or blockade Chinese ports. Beijing has strongly opposed the sale of submarines to Taiwan, which it has characterized as offensive weapons.

China maintains an overwhelming numerical advantage in submarines over Taiwan and this quantitative advantage will continue through the decade. While the number of boats in service in China was expected to decline, their qualitative capabilities will increase. China was producing more modern submarines and was using submarine-related technology from Russia. Although the force was oriented principally toward interdicting surface ships using torpedoes and mines, China shortly will begin arming some of its submarines with a submerged-launch cruise missile. The capability of Chinese submarines to conduct ASW operations was expected to improve in light of the acquisition of Russian-built KILO-class submarines and the greater emphasis being placed on ASW training. As a result, China's submarine fleet will constitute a substantial force capable of controlling sea lanes and mining approaches around Taiwan, as well as a growing threat to submarines in the East and South China Seas.

Under its submarine program, Taiwan's navy plans to increase its submarine fleet and to decommission old submarines, bringing the total number of submarines to about a dozen. But Taiwan's desires to add six to ten new submarines to the Navy have long remained at the paperwork stage. The United States had not endorsed Taiwan's proposal because of fears it could upset the balance between the mainland and Taiwan. Indeed, the United States rejected Taiwan's request for subs in the 1990s.

The newly-designed diesel-electric submarine will use high-strength steel plating and sound absorption material for the hull resulting in lower noise than the nuclear submarines. It will be equipped with advanced U.S. combat systems, submarine-launched Harpoon missiles and advanced torpedoes, which will greatly increase survivability and firepower. After the navy acquires the submarines, its early warning and monitoring range will increase five-fold and mobile strike capabilities will increase by over 100 times. When complemented by Kidd-class destroyers and P-3C ASW patrol aircrafts, they will impose visible deterring effects against PRC's intents of naval blockades.

A proposed model of Taiwans first domestically manufactured submarine was displayed at Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defense Industry Exposition Sept. 15-18, 2016 in the southern port city. The inaugural Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defense Industry Exposition kicked off Sept. 15, providing a world-class platform for showcasing the leading-edge capabilities of Taiwans shipbuilding industry and promoting the development of indigenous warship and submarine manufacturing.

The construction of Taiwans first indigenous submarine prototype officially began on 03 November 2020, Liberty Times reported 01 October 2020. A ceremony will be held that day at CSBCs Kaohsiung shipbuilding plant and will be hosted by President Tsai Ing-wen. The submarine is expected to be ready for launch in the third quarter of 2024 at the earliest and will be sent to the Navy for sea trials in 2025. The Kaohsiung location has a special 45-meter-tall factory for building submarine hulls. It can accommodate three submarines simultaneously and in the future will be able to handle ship construction and maintenance.

Well-known American military journalist David Axe in "Forbes" published an article that pointed out that Taiwan alone can destroy a Chinese invasion fleet by relying on the eight submarines that are expected to be built. The ship may cost a total of 16 billion US dollars (about 455.9 billion Taiwan dollars), but every penny is worth it.

Speaking in parliament on 17 March 2021, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, who took up his post in February, said that the United States had approved export permits for all the sensitive equipment needed for Taiwans first domestically made submarine fleet. Construction on the eight attack submarines began last November with the first vessel expected to be completed by 2024.

The launch of Taiwans first indigenous submarine and the delivery of heavyweight torpedoes by the United States are expected to take place earlier than first scheduled, reports said 21 July 2021. While the submarine would have made its maiden voyage during the first half of 2024 and fully entered service in 2025, military officials now say its first trip should take place in September 2023, the Liberty Times reported.

The government had drawn up a budget of NT$49.3 billion (US$1.75 billion) for the first vessel, with work beginning last year. The assembly should be completed by the end of 2022, while electronics systems will be fitted in early 2023, according to the report. The submarines maiden journey will be followed by months of testing before the Navy can officially take delivery in 2024. If everything develops according to plan, the military would like to procure between eight and 12 more submarines, with each batch of two or three vessels more advanced than the previous one. By the end of the delivery period, the first submarine would be upgraded to match the sophistication of the later vessels, the report said.





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USS Laboon Makes Second Drug Bust in a Week

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170321-02

Release Date: 3/21/2017 9:22:00 AM

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- For the second time in five days, guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized 500 kilograms of Hashish, March 17.

Laboon, conducting maritime security operations in the region as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces, conducted an inspection of the vessel as part of a flag verification boarding and found the illicit cargo.

Lt. Dan Foley, the boarding officer who led the team which made the seizure, credited his team for their diligence and putting in many long hours in the process.

"They worked tirelessly for over 14 hours to secure the illicit narcotics," Foley said. "I cannot praise them enough for staying calm and collected in a very tense environment. Ultimately, it was a great St. Patrick's Day. We kept the drugs off the market, and most importantly, denied terrorist organizations from benefitting off the profits of the narcotics on board."

Laboon intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea, March 13, and seized 270 kg of heroin. Royal Australian navy frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) seized 800 kg of Hashish, March 2, making this the third CTF 150 seizure in the last three weeks.

CTF 150 commander, Royal Canadian navy Commodore Haydn Edmundson, praised the ship's crew for their dedication to keeping the region safe for legitimate commerce.

"These boardings, whether they result in a successful seizure or not, are some of the most complex and dangerous evolutions that our Sailors conduct on the high seas," Edmundson said. "This second seizure by the USS Laboon in such a short period of time is testament to their superb training and preparedness for this task, which is just one of the many missions the ship has while deployed."

Laboon deployed from its Norfolk homeport in January and has been deployed to the region since February. This is Laboon's second drug seizure since its deployment to the region.

Established in 2002, CTF 150 is primarily focused on disrupting terrorist organizations and their activities by denying them the freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain. In collaboration with international and regional maritime security partners, the CTF 150 teams have seized and destroyed billions of dollars in drugs and captured thousands of weapons, ensuring they are no longer available to organizations which would cause others harm.

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UK Joins US Ban on Large Electronic Carry-Ons on Some Flights

By VOA News March 21, 2017

Britain said Tuesday that it would ban passengers from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices on flights into the country from six Middle Eastern nations, following a similar measure announced by the U.S.

The new British directive will block carry-on electronics larger than 16 centimeters in length, 9.3 centimeters in width and with a depth of over 1.5 centimeters on direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

"Direct flights to the UK from these destinations continue to operate to the UK subject to these new measures being in place," a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May told reporters. "We think these steps are necessary and proportionate to allow passengers to travel safely."

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Transportation Safety Agency issued a similar ban on passengers flying directly to the United States from 10 Middle Eastern airports.

The ban is not in response to some specific threat, the agency said in a statement, but rather due to "evaluated intelligence" that shows terrorist groups' continued interest in targeting commercial flights.

The directive will require passengers to store electronic devices larger than a cellphone in checked baggage. The TSA said it chose not to include cellphones due to logistical reasons.

The TSA said it chose the airports "based on the current threat picture" and after consultation with intelligence officials, though more airports could be added in the future.

"As threats change, so too will TSA's security requirements," the agency said.

Affected airports

The airports affected by the U.S. ban are: Queen Alia International Airport, Cairo International Airport, Ataturk International Airport, King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, King Khalid International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Mohammed V Airport, Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

"Our information indicates that terrorist groups' efforts to execute an attack against the aviation sector are intensifying given that aviation attacks provide an opportunity to cause mass casualties and inflict significant economic damage, as well as generate overwhelming media coverage," the TSA statement said.

Airlines were notified of the increased security measures Tuesday and have until Friday to comply. No end date was included in the order, meaning it will extend indefinitely.

Several British airlines will be impacted by the British ban  including British Airways and low-cost carrier Easyjet as well as package-vacation carriers Thomas Cook and Thomson. The British ban affects in-bound flights from Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It is unclear why the U.S. and British bans do not exactly match when it comes to the airports and countries included.

No U.S. airline is impacted by the U.S. electronics ban  none fly direct to any of the countries listed by the Department of Homeland Security, which warns militants are seeking "innovative methods" to bring down jets amid concerns that bombs will be hidden in laptops.

A U.S. intelligence official dismissed claims by some security experts that the ban is as much politics-led as security-informed. He told VOA: "The ban is reflective of how sophisticated al-Qaida is becoming in the next generation of devices their bomb-makers are trying to develop."

U.S. intelligence agencies have long been focused on militants in the Middle East exploring a new generation of non-metallic explosives unlikely to be detected by current airport security equipment.

In 2014 U.S. intelligence officials were alarmed by what they said was a teaming up of veteran jihadists in Syria with bomb-makers and terror planners from al Qaida's affiliate in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. AQAP has been the most persistent al Qaeda affiliate in efforts to bomb U.S.-bound jets.

The group was behind the attempted Christmas Day bombing in 2009 of Northwest Airlines flight 253 by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who bungled the detonation of explosives sewn into his underwear. And it claimed responsibility for a 2010 cargo plane bomb plot foiled by British intelligence.

Al Qaida isn't the only group that's prompting concern. Last year the Somalian insurgent group al-Shabab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of Mogadishu, blowing a hole in the side of the plane. The aircraft was still low enough that the pilot was able to land the plane safely.

Meanwhile. Turkey said Tuesday it would ask the U.S. to reverse the ban, which affects travelers departing for the U.S. from Istanbul's Ataturk airport.

Turkish Transportation Minister Ahmet Arslan told reporters Turkey already takes "all kinds of security measures" at its airports and said it was wrong to group the Turkish airport with those in "less high-profile destinations."

"We particularly emphasize how this will not benefit the passenger and that reverse steps or a softening should be adopted," he said.

Jamie Dettmer contributed to this report

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Is Xi Jinping Putin-izing China?

By William Ide, Brian Kopczynski March 21, 2017

One thing that was clear during China's recently concluded high-level political meetings in Beijing is that Xi Jinping is the country's uncontested leader and the most powerful this populous nation has seen in decades.

What is less certain, though, is what he seeks to do with that authority and whether it means he could be seeking a third term in office.

Core strengthening

During the recent meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC)  China's rubber-stamp parliament and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the phrase of "Xi as core leader of the party" was used repeatedly, coming up before officials discussed a wide range of topics from the economy to the environment.

The title was not given to Xi's predecessor Hu Jintao  but Jiang Zemin also had it  and it puts him on par with former leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

It is a sign that regardless of length of term or retirement age, Xi will be around for a good time going forward, said China leadership analyst Willy Lam.

"So having been designated the core leader, that means he is virtually emperor for life, and that is the message Xi Jinping wants to tell the Chinese people and leaders of other countries, that he will be around to guide the realization of the Chinese Dream," Lam said.

Succession is a drawn out and politically sensitive process in China. Since leadership transitions became more institutionalized in the early 2000s, top leaders have served two five-year terms as president. Later this year, in October or November, a party congress (the 19th) will be held.

That meeting will lead to a major reshuffle of the party's central leadership and is a time, usually, when possible successors become more certain. However, with Xi in charge and "core" of the party, there is more uncertainty than ever about who may be next in line  if anyone.

Succession uncertain

Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University, said while Guizhou Party Secretary Chen Min'er is one individual who has been mentioned as a possible next in line candidate, some speculate that Xi could wait until closer to the end of his second term in office around 2022 to allow such a person to emerge.

"It remains to be seen whether Xi Jinping is going to promote anyone who will really be clearly identified as a successor," Cabestan said. "The theory is that he wants to wait another five years before designating a successor."

He adds that in the run up to the party congress later this year, a politically sensitive time, the emphasis on Xi as the core is likely to continue and intensify.

The 19th Party Congress will be a time of political reshuffle and members of the party's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, will be replaced. The standing committee is made up of anywhere between five and nine members. There is talk of Xi again shrinking it from the current seven down to five.

Out of those members, as many as four may be replaced, analysts said. Almost half of the politburo, a body of 25 members will need to be replaced because of age requirements and the same goes for the party's powerful Central Military Commission.

Putin-izing China

Since rising to office in 2012, Xi has been steadily and aggressively consolidating his power. In addition to serving as president and head of the party and military, he is also the head of a number of other leading groups, including the Central National Security Commission and Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs.

And many analysts see this as a sign too that he plans to be in office for years to come.

"Xi Jinping is trying to get Putin-ized, as we say in China, and stay longer than his predecessors. Now, whether he is going to stay more than 10 years as president is another story because that would require an amendment of the constitution," Cabestan said.

Lam agrees and said Xi sees himself as the Mao Zedong of the 21st Century.

"It looks like he wants to leave a big legacy, and that's why he is, in a sense, emulating President Vladimir Putin, by giving himself a virtual office for life. So, it looks like he might remain the leader as long as he's healthy," he said

Cabestan said that what may happen is Xi could step down as president, but stay in charge of the Central Military Commission or some of the leading groups which he has set up including the Central National Security Commission.

At the NPC and CPPCC meetings, representatives had little to say about what China's leadership might look like after the party congress. This was even though paving the way for the meetings success was mentioned numerous times during the meetings.

Third term OK

Some delegates that VOA spoke with just laughed or walked away when asked about the important and politically sensitive gathering. However, several did share their views on a possible third term for Xi.

"A third term?" delegate Li Yansheng asked rhetorically. "Of course he is the core. The party needs a core leader in order for it to flourish. The core can not be shaken."

Most were supportive, but several highlighted the need to follow regulations.

"According to party regulations it is two terms," said Luo Shaming. "I feel that he's [Xi Jinping] doing a very good job."

Zhao Yanfen said that while age is something to consider, Xi Jinping seems to be fine and have plenty of energy for the position.

"What is more important is whether a leader can really help promote a country's development and the development of the world," she said.

Zhao said that three terms is reasonable, but no longer than that.

"Three terms is the maximum. If a leader stays in office for more than three terms, there could be problems," she said.

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Trump administration considering economic sanctions on N Korea

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:56PM

The United States is reportedly weighing tough sanctions against North Korea to bar its access to the global financial system.

US government officials said the sanctions are meant to build up economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile tests, Reuters reported.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that the punitive measures are part of proposals being drawn up by the US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and could be finalized within weeks.

The sanctions would particularly target Chinese banks and firms that do the business with North Korea, according to the administration officials familiar with the deliberations.

Last week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Pyongyang of military action, saying Washington's policy of strategic patience on the North is over.

In response, the North Korean government said it's prepared for "any war" the US wants.

"The nuclear force of (North Korea) is the treasured sword of justice and the most reliable war deterrence to defend the socialist motherland and the life of its people," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The unidentified spokesman said the US should accept that North Korea is a nuclear-capable nation that "has the will and capability to fully respond to any war the US would like to ignite."

"If the businessmen-turned US authorities thought that they would frighten (North Korea), they would soon know that their method would not work," the official was quoted as saying.

State media on Sunday reported that North Korea had conducted a test of a new high-thrust engine at its rocket launch station and leader Kim Jong-un said the successful test marked "a new birth" of the country's rocket industry.

North Korea has so far conducted five nuclear tests and numerous missile launches.

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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US, Iraqi Leaders 'Confident' of Islamic State Defeat

By VOA News March 21, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi praised the joint battle their countries are waging against Islamic State, as they held their first in-person talks Monday at the White House.

"Although ISIS/Da'esh remains a dangerous enemy, we are confident it will be defeated," said a joint readout of the meeting, using alternative names for the militant group. "As Iraqi forces consolidate gains against ISIS/Da'esh, the two leaders agreed that the United States and Iraq will pursue a long-term partnership to decisively root out terrorism from Iraq and strengthen the Iraqi military and other key institutions."

Iraqi forces have been battling Islamic State on the ground with the backing of airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition. The major focus of that campaign right now is an offensive to retake the city of Mosul from the militants who swept into the city in mid-2014.

As Islamic State swept through northern and western Iraq nearly three years ago, Iraqi leaders blamed the military for abandoning their posts and failing to put up a fight against Islamic State, while military personnel accused the government of failing to adequately supply and train the troops.

Trump said at the start of Monday's meeting he hoped to discuss what he called the "vacuum" that resulted.

"We will figure something out. Our main thrust is we have to get rid of ISIS," Trump said.

He also lamented the 2011 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Mosul and the rest of Iraq -- a decision made in 2008 and later implemented by former President Barack Obama after Iraqi and U.S. negotiators could not agree on details for extending an immunity agreement covering U.S. forces and U.S. contractors.

"Certainly we shouldn't have left, we should never, ever have left," Trump said, in comments that followed his suggesting that "perhaps we shouldn't have gone in" in the first place.

Trump also raised the issue of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, questioning why his predecessor, Obama, signed a nuclear agreement with Tehran that lifted a longstanding Western trade embargo against the Islamic Republic.

For his part, Abadi told Trump that his government commands "the strongest counterterrorism forces," but is looking forward to more cooperation with the United States.

Later Monday, Abadi addressed an audience at the independent U.S. Institute for Peace, where he praised the Trump administration for supporting Iraqi initiatives aimed at crushing Islamic State and rebuilding Iraqi cities.

"We have been given assurances that the support will not only continue but will accelerate. I think we are happy with the [White House] meeting ... and we're looking forward to meeting with Congress and others," he said.

Abadi also said a growing number of U.S. companies have shown interest in boosting cooperation in trade, commerce, energy and education. "And we're meeting [with] them today," he said.

Coalition set to meet Wednesday

The Iraqi leader's first meeting with Trump comes as the U.S. administration prepares for a 68-nation meeting later this week of the Global Coalition working to defeat Islamic State. The gathering at the State Department is the first meeting of the full coalition since December 2014.

A U.S. statement said the agenda will target multiple objectives, including counterterrorist financing and the stabilization of areas already liberated from Islamic State control.

During a 2016 visit to Washington, Abadi sought additional financial and military support for the daunting task of rebuilding Iraqi cities ravaged by 14 years of war. He also sought aid to counter a massive humanitarian crisis spawned by the fighting, which has displaced more than 4 million people.

The joint statement from Monday's meeting said U.S. and Iraqi leaders will in the coming months work to deepen commercial times, expand energy sector collaboration and seek new cultural and educational cooperation opportunities.

But the extent of Washington's commitment to providing such aid remains unclear, shrouded by Trump's proposals to cut as much as 30 percent in funding from the budgets of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Both entities focus significantly on international peacekeeping initiatives and development programs.

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Russia Supplies to Myanmar First Three Yak-130 Combat Trainers

Sputnik News

10:39 21.03.2017(updated 12:26 21.03.2017)

Russia has completed the delivery of the first batch of Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Myanmar, the contract will be fully executed in 2017, Mikhail Petukhov, deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told Sputnik.

LANGKAWI (Malaysia) (Sputnik)  Petukhov heads the Russian delegation at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA-2017.

"The delivery of the first batch of Yak-130 aircraft to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was completed in 2016. The contract is scheduled to be completed in 2017," he said when asked whether the first three Yak-130 combat trainer planes were delivered to Myanmar under the contract signed in 2015.

Russia plans to deliver additional Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Myanmar next year, Petukhov added.

"In 2018, it is planned to deliver an additional batch of Yak-130 aircraft to the country," Mikhail Petukhov, who heads the Russian delegation at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA-2017, said.

Petukhov said Russia has completed the delivery of the first batch last year and plans to fully carry out the contract in 2017.

 Sputnik

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(Xinhua) 08:15, March 22, 2017

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the State Council's fifth meeting on clean governance in Beijing, capital of China, March 21, 2017. Wang Qishan, secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC), attended the meeting on invitation. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli also attended this meeting. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called on the country's officials to be clean and diligent in their work.

He also urged more efforts to ensure clean governance and fight corruption.

Li was addressing the the State Council's fifth meeting on clean governance, attended by vice premiers Zhang Gaoli, Wang Yang and Ma Kai.

Wang Qishan, secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC), attended the meeting on invitation.

Praising progress in clean governance and fighting corruption, Li noted that there are still problems requiring stronger measures. He called for further efforts in delegating power, streamlining administration and using Internet to improve government service.

He also said governments at all levels should promote thrift and continue to cut taxes and fees, noting that embezzlement and irregularities in public spending should be investigated and punished.

The premier called for better supervision of state assets, state-owned enterprises and the financial sector, including stricter scrutiny of major outbound investment projects.

Li stressed the importance of compliance with regulations in public biddings and government purchases, and vowed tough punishment of graft in poverty alleviation, social security, affordable housing and medical insurance.
Rohingya Refugees Worried About Bangladesh's Relocation Plan

By Paul Alexander March 21, 2017

Bangladesh has proposed moving an influx of refugees from Myanmar to an isolated island that only emerged from the sea 11 years ago, partially floods at high tide and disappears completely for three months during the annual monsoon season.

Local officials say extensive time  likely years -- and work would be required, at significant expense, to make Thengar Char habitable. The only regular residents now are a handful of water buffalo, though pirates and other criminals reportedly make use of it occasionally.

The prospect of living there is leading some of the ethnic Rohingya refugees to return to homes they fled due to rapes, arson and extrajudicial killings that they blame largely on Myanmar's powerful military.

"There was a lot of concern among the refugees when they heard about it," said Vivian Tan, a U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees representative who has been involved in the Rohingya issue. "They heard no one lives there. They're concerned about food. They're concerned about drinking water. They're concerned with where they can live. There's a huge flood risk. It sounds like it's not very hospitable."

Thengar Char was formed by the 1 billion tons of silt that flow every year from the peaks of the Himalayas to the turbid waters of Bangladesh's Meghna estuary in the Bay of Bengal. About 59 kilometers and a two-hour boat ride from the coast, it covers about 186 square kilometers, much of it marshy with a shoreline that looks ready to crumble.

The monsoons bring not only heavy rains that swamp the island, but strong winds that also concern aid agencies. Human Rights Watch has called it a "human rights and humanitarian disaster in the making." There are no roads, let alone cell phone service.

One key reason for wanting to move the refugees is clear. Two camps of registered Rohingyas (there are about 6 other smaller camps with non-registered Rohingyas) are located at Cox's Bazaar, a district that includes a long beach that Bangladesh would like to develop for tourism. But the government finds itself stuck between the needs of its own impoverished populace and international policies against forcing refugees to return to the conditions that they fled.

"UNHCR has been very clear: there has to be a feasibility study, there must be consultation, and it must be voluntary," Tan said. "There needs to be a clear overview on what needs to be done for better planning."

The estimated 1 million Rohingya, who are mostly Muslims, face official and social discrimination in Myanmar and are generally denied citizenship, even if their families have lived there for generations.

A wave of Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh from Rakhine state in 2012 to flee violence from the country's Buddhist majority, and others have left since then. However, Rohingyas started to cross inside Bangladesh in 1978. Bangladesh broached the idea of a relocation plan in 2014.

On October 9, nine policemen were killed in Rakhine in an attack blamed on Rohingya insurgents. Myanmar's military launched a "clearance operation" in the area to ferret out the insurgents. Soon after the four-month operation started, Rohingya began fleeing the area, accusing soldiers, police and local Buddhist groups who accompanied the forces during the raids, of abuses, including rapes, killings and arson. UNHCR has said the actions very likely constituted "crimes against humanity."

Myanmar's military has denied any abuses and says only 100 Rohingya were killed, while two senior U.N. officials working among the refugees said more than 1,000 may have died. About 100,000 are estimated to have left, 70,000 to Bangladesh and 30,000 elsewhere in Myanmar.

Bangladesh doesn't really know how big the refugee issue is and has been conducting a census of the Rohingya. Unofficial estimates put their number at 200,000 to 500,000.

About 33,000 registered refugees live in the squalid, overcrowded Cox's Bazaar camps, mostly in shelters made of bamboo and plastic the thickness of garbage bags. Several other camps have sprouted up, and some refugees have found temporary homes among the native Bengalis.

Despite criticism of the plan to move the refugees to Thengar Char  an earlier proposal to shift them to a populated island was abandoned -- the government has said it plans to push ahead, though there is no timeline or other specifics.

At the bare minimum, aid officials say, the government would need to build an embankment around the island to prevent flooding and create shelters from cyclones. There's no fresh water. Other infrastructure would be needed, including schools. Security would have to be bolstered.

The government has put out feelers for outside aid or grants to fund the project, presumably hoping the refugees would leave at some point, allowing Bangladeshis to take advantage of the improvements.

As they wait to learn Bangladesh's plan for them, the Rohingya continue to be victims. The conditions they live in leave them open to disease. Some have become prey for human traffickers and drug smugglers, and that would likely continue if they move to an island already used by criminals.

It's unclear if those who crossed back into Myanmar plan to stay or just want to get their families and whatever is left of their possessions before leaving again. If that's the case and they are forced or coerced into moving to the island, they could launch a second exodus by sea to India or Indonesia, shifting their burden elsewhere.

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Beijing's Anti-THAAD Moves Sour China Views in South Korea

By Brian Padden March 21, 2017

A new public opinion poll shows growing anti-China sentiment in South Korea over reports of economic retaliation by Beijing against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.

The United States military has already begun to deploy the advanced U.S. anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea over the objections of China, and it is expected to be fully operational within the next month. Seoul and Washington argue THAAD is needed to defend against North Korea's increasing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Beijing says it is a provocative regional military escalation and is worried the systems powerful radar could be used against them and other countries as well. Beijing is reportedly retaliating against the THAAD deployment by restricting the operations of some South Korean companies inside China, and putting limits on some imports and the number of Chinese tourists to South Korea.

South Korea this week complained to the World Trade Organization that China, its largest trading partner, is violating trade agreements over THAAD. Beijing has not acknowledged imposing any new economic restrictions.

Survey results

The Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul published the results Monday of a study measuring South Korean favorability ratings for the United States, China, Japan and North Korea based on a national survey of 1,000 respondents from across the country.

In Asan's March 2017 survey China's favorability rating fell to 3.21 on scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest rating.

"Interestingly it is lower than that of Japan, which was 3.33," said Kim Ji-yoon, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and co-author of the study.

In past surveys, Japan has consistently ranked lower than China due to unresolved South Korean anger over atrocities committed during Japan's past colonization of the Korean Peninsula, which included forcing thousands of woman across Asia to work in brothels as prostitutes for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Japan's favorability rating hasn't changed, but China's standing has dropped precipitously from a high of 5.0 in 2015, when then President Park Geun-hye stood beside Chinese President Xi Jinping at a WWII anniversary parade in Beijing.

The study found that the growing anti-China sentiment was fueled by the perception that Beijing is using economic pressure to interfere in South Korean national security matters.

THAAD support growing

South Korean opposition to THAAD also dropped from 46 percent in November to 38 percent in March.

The study found that even South Korean THAAD opponents voiced increased resentment over the perceived Chinese threat to sovereignty.

"Regardless of your attitude or opinion towards THAAD deployment on the Korean Peninsula, China has lost in lot of popularity among the Korean public," said Kim.

Growing public support for THAAD, said Kim, may cause some liberal presidential candidates who voiced reservations for the controversial missile system to reassess their positions.

Trump support

It is no surprise that North Korea continues to rank last in the Asan favorability rating with a score of 2.17, given the Kim Jong Un government's continued threats and provocations in the last year, including numerous ballistic missiles launches and two nuclear tests.

The United States, the South's most important military ally, achieved the highest favorability rating at 5.71, that is down only slightly from 5.77 in January before President Donald Trump took office.

The study indicates the South Korean public continues to strongly support the U.S. alliance, despite initial concerns over Trump's past campaign statements criticizing South Korea for not adequately contributing to mutual defense costs and threats to withdrawal American troops.

However among respondents 40 years old and younger, the U.S. favorability rating has dropped significantly, and that is beginning to indicate a downward trend, that Kim said is "worth paying attention to."

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Repair of Russian Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier Will Begin This Year

Sputnik News

15:38 21.03.2017(updated 15:39 21.03.2017)

Repair works of Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, which participated in the anti-terrorist operation in Syria, will start later in 2017, Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice Adm. Viktor Bursuk said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia's naval group, consisting of the Admiral Kuznetsov, the Pyotr Veliky battle cruiser, the Severomorsk and the Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyer, and support vessels, left for Syria in October 2016 to participate in anti-terror operations.

On January 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the group to return to Russia's Northern Fleet base after a new Syrian ceasefire was announced in late December 2016. The group returned to the base on February 8.

"I think, [repair works] will begin this year," Bursuk said, adding that a fault detection would be carried out to determine repair dateline.

Bursuk pointed out that the amount of funds, planned to be spent on renovation, would be "sufficient to ensure its maintenance and restoration of its technical readiness."

 Sputnik

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Russia Unfazed by US Election Hacking Hearings

By Charles Maynes March 21, 2017

If much of the United States was transfixed by the Congressional testimony of two of America's top intelligence officials on allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, the Kremlin claimed it had better things to do.

"We have many concerns in the Kremlin and following that [debate] isn't one of them," said Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"New information we're not hearing and doubtfully will hear," said Peskov, who went on to compare the hearings to a "broken record" being played ad nauseam. "It's an internal American issue ... our relationship to all this hysteria is well known."

During testimony before the House Intelligence Committee Monday, FBI Director James Comey confirmed his agency is investigating Russian attempts to interfere in the U.S. election, including whether President Donald Trump's campaign aides criminally colluded with Russian interests to help Trump win.

Nyet, Nyet, and Nyet Again

The Kremlin has been nothing if not consistent in its response to the allegations emanating from Washington. In a word: deny.

There was Vladimir Putin last September insisting that "Russia on a state level has never practiced" cyber intrusions. Putin also insisted the contents of hacked emails were a public service.

There was spokesman Peskov, last October, calling allegations of Russian hacking of Democratic National Committee (DNC) computer infrastructure simply "nonsense."

And there was Putin, in his annual news conference last December, dismissing allegations Russian hacking tipped the election in Trump's favor or colluded with Trump campaign officials along the way.

Democrats who accuse Russia of such allegations, said Putin, "are looking for someone outside to blame." The Russian leader went on to note that Democratic candidates lost big in election contests in the Congress and Senate as well.

"Is that also our work, my work?" asked Putin.

Yahoo

Just last week, the Kremlin was at it again, denying U.S. charges that Russian intelligence agents were involved in the hacking of millions of Yahoo users email accounts.

Spokesman Peskov said Russia had only learned of the indictments of its agents and two other men through the media, and hoped U.S. officials would soon shed light on the charges.

Peskov added that Russia had never been involved in any illegal state-sponsored hacking. "We have said repeatedly that there can be no discussion of any official involvement of any Russian office, including the FSB (Federal Security Service), being involved in any unlawful cyber activities," said Peskov.

Better days gone

Trump's victory in the November election was heralded by many here as an opportunity, after years of deeply antagonistic relations with the Obama administration, a chance for a Trump White House to cooperate with the Kremlin on a host of issues  including Syria and the fight against terror. Even sanctions relief over Russia's actions in Ukraine was considered within the realm of possible.

Yet the continued and open-ended investigation into Russian interference in U.S, elections has Russian officials acknowledging the tough road ahead.

"It's doubtful to consider [the hearings] a constructive in the development of joint relations," noted Peskov, speaking Tuesday in Moscow.

Time and again, Russian officials have portrayed the Congressional investigations as attempts by Trump's enemies in Washington to derail the president's calls for improved U.S.-Russian relations at any cost.

President Trump appeared to acknowledge the potential constraints the election scandal presented to detente with Moscow during his first official news conference last month.

"Probably Putin assumes that he's not going to be able to make a deal with me because it's politically not popular for me to make a deal," said Trump.

Kremlin officials appear to agree. They openly quote from President Trump's own tweets on the matter, calling the continued focus on Russia "paranoia", and a "witch hunt" reminiscent of the red-baiting McCarthy era during the Cold War.

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Syria launches counterattack near capital after militant incursion

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:24AM

The Syrian army is engaged in a military operation to repel an infiltration attempt by Takfiri Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorists and other militants in a northeastern suburb of the capital city, Damascus, state media say.

On Tuesday, the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham militants, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, re-entered a major road junction in the Jobar district leading into the heart of Damascus while the army was reportedly bombing their positions.

Jobar separates Eastern Ghouta, which holds large concentrations of Takfiri terrorists, from Damascus.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported fierce clashes between army forces and militants in the strategic area.

"There was a big blast at dawn, most likely due to a car bomb attack by the rebels against a regime position between the districts of Jobar and Qabun," said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the pro-militant monitoring group.

Meanwhile, Wael Alwan, a spokesman for the Failaq al-Rahman militant group, also announced the launch of an assault in the Abassiyin district, claiming that its members have made a number of gains against army troops.

"At 5.00 a.m. (0300 GMT) we launched the new offensive and we restored all the points we withdrew from on Monday. We have fire control over the Abassiyin garages and began storming it," Alwan said.

On Monday, the Syrian army said it had recaptured all the areas in northeastern Damascus lost after a surprise militant attack a day earlier.

The intensity of the Syrian army's counterattack forced the militants to withdraw from most of the areas they captured that day.

Militants have been trying for years to break into the heart of Damascus, but they have failed to do so amid stiff resistance from government forces.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

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Russia Summons Israeli Envoy Over Concern About Air Strikes In Syria

RFE/RL March 21, 2017

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on March 20 that it had summoned Israel's ambassador to express concern about air strikes that hit close to Russian forces last week around the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Ambassador Gary Koren was summoned on March 17 and "asked about" the strikes. The ministry "expressed concern" about the action taking place near Russian military locations, he said.

Russia, which has been backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops with a bombing campaign in the country's six-year civil war, said earlier this month that more than 180 of its troops have started demining efforts around the ancient city of Palmyra's historic monuments.

Russia and Israel have set up a "hotline" aimed at avoiding air clashes over Syria. Bogdanov said Moscow "would like this channel to work more effectively" to ensure no "misunderstanding on who is doing what."

Israeli warplanes struck several targets on March 17, prompting retaliatory Syrian missile launches, in the most serious incident between the two countries since the war began six years ago.

Israel's military said it was targeting weapons bound for Lebanon's Hizballah movement, an Iranian-backed militia which has been battling for years alongside Assad's forces.

Syria's military said it had downed an Israeli plane and hit another as they were carrying out predawn strikes near Palmyra, which the government recaptured from the Islamic State this month.

The Israeli military denied that any planes had been hit.

On March 19, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened to destroy Syria's air defense systems "without the slightest hesitation" if there was a similar incident in the future.

Russia has deployed its own high-tech missile defense systems to Syria to protect its forces there.

Russia's summons of the Israeli ambassador comes within days of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow where they said they discussed the Syrian conflict.

The slap at Israel prompted Assad to say on March 20 that his ally Russia will play an important role in preventing any further clashes between his forces and Israel.

"Russia can play a role so that Israel no longer attacks Syria," Assad told Russian journalists.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, Interfax, and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-summons- israeli-ambassador-koren-concern-air-strikes-palmyra- syria-near-russian-troops/28381560.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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(Global Times) 08:24, March 22, 2017

Will open bases in Yunnan, Xinjiang to support Chinese firms

Erik Prince Photo: CFP

Military company Blackwater's founder plans to build new bases in China, a move to support the One Belt and One Road initiative.

Frontier Services Group (FSG), a company that helps businesses operating in frontier markets overcome complex security, logistics and operational challenges, is planning to built two operation bases in Northwest China's XinjiangUyghur Autonomous Region and Southwest China's Yunnan Province, Erik Prince, executive chairman of the firm, told the Global Times in mid-March.

Prince, 47, is better known as the founder of the private military company Blackwater, now known as Academi, which provides executive security services and specialized training. It is reported that the over 5,000 Blackwater employees were working in nine countries at the company's height. But Blackwater changed its name and sold itself to other investors in 2010 due to its involvement in the Iraq War.

Prince also has close ties with high-level US officials. For instance, he is brother to the new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and a frequent Breitbart radio guest of White House power broker Stephen Bannon.

One Belt One Road

Regarding his new operation in China, Prince told the Global Times that "in late 2016, FSG has expanded its geographic focus from purely Africa to include the Northwest and Southwest corridors of the One Belt and One Road initiative."

"The Northwest corridor includes the countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Southwest corridor includes Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia," said Prince, adding that "the planned new facility in China's Yunnan Province will allow FSG to be able to better serve companies in the Southwest corridor. Subsequently, FSG will be opening a training facility in Xinjiang to serve businesses in the Northwest corridor."

Wang Dawei, spokesperson of FSG, told the Global Times that the Yunnan base will be operating within this year while the one in Xinjiang is projected to start operation in 2018.

FSG's main service is to provide Chinese customers logistical support to get in and out of African danger zones, Prince told Bloomberg in 2015.

"Africa is an important destination for Chinese investment ... We believe our team's local knowledge will greatly benefit Chinese clients," said Prince.

FSG is betting its future on serving Chinese companies, which Prince says are unprepared to help employees who suffer accidents or violence overseas, Bloomberg reported in 2015.

Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times that the security services for Chinese overseas enterprises should be bolstered to better implement the One Belt and One Road initiative. It is advisable for China to draw experience from private US companies, said Wu.

Chinese companies desperately need overseas protection services, Li Jiang, director of the international affairs department in the China Security and Protection Group, told the Global Times, adding that Chinese security service companies lack advanced management theories.

Different from Blackwater

However, FSG's operation in China and Prince's background have sparked controversies back in the US, with some media, such as Buzzfeed News, suspecting Prince's business in China "could put him at odds with President Donald Trumpand could also risk violating US law," in a report on February 17. The Activist Post reported on February 22 that Prince is bringing Blackwater to China, accompanied by a composite photo of Prince and Chinese soldiers.

Prince denied the accusation that FSG provides Blackwater-type armed security services. He said that the only thing FSG and Blackwater share in common is his involvement. "FSG employees do not carry guns and therefore do not provide any armed security services," said Prince, adding that unarmed security includes close protection, analytics, intelligence and risk assessments.

When asked if his business in China seems to conflict with the China policy set by Trump and Steve Bannon, Prince said that "FSG activity is completely separate from the US administration. We do not see any conflicts between our business and the US administration."

He added that One Belt and One Road initiative is FSG's main focus right now. "I am very familiar with the policy and believe it will transform trade across the world in the future. Trade and infrastructure are extremely beneficial to all nations. I do not see any conflict with US strategy," said Prince.

Some media cast doubt on Prince's business in China. The Intercept reported in March 2016 that the US intelligence has been monitoring Prince's communications and movements for a year and that he has close ties with Chinese government.

However, Prince said that he greatly respects Chinese companies' attitude toward frontier markets. "Chinese companies have been leading the way in developing frontier markets in recent years. This will increase with China's One Belt and One Road initiative and we look forward to supporting them," he said.

The Intercept's report was also criticized by Wu, who said that some Western media have the wrong idea that anything involving China is bad, so Prince's cooperation with China is also bad.
Kenjiebieke showing the meteorite. [photo: thepaper.cn]

The People's Court of Altay of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China opened a hearing on Monday over the possession of a meteorite.

A written order shows that Zhuman Reamazhaen, a 61-year-old herdsman, reported the discovery of a "giant stone" weighing over 17 tons on his grassland in July, 1986 and the village committee and the town government decided to let him keep the meteorite. Another certificate shows that the grassland was allocated to Zhuman and his elder son Kenjiebieke in 1984. But the Altay government arrived with mechanical equipment and carried away the meteorite in October, 2011 while Zhuman was away. Since then, the herdsman and the government have been in a legal battle over possession of the space rock.

Zhuman and his two sons filed a complaint against Altay government at the end of 2015, hoping to get the custody of the meteorite and compensation for his discovering and keeping the stone. "They took the stone away without our permission. We demanded them to return the meteorite many times but they have not," Zhuman said.

The complaint, however, was rejected by the court for the reason that "carrying away a stone is not a civil matter, but instead deserves an administrative proceeding". However, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture Branch Court of Xinjiang Supreme Court concluded last November that the case is actually in the range of civil affairs.

The Altay government states that its possession of the meteorite is written in Property Law: "Natural resources, including forests, mountains, meadows, mudflats, etc. are owned by the state". To the government, the "etc" part means that other natural resources like meteorites are also state-owned.

Sun Yi, attorney of Zhuman, accuses the state of manufacturing a loophole and denies the meteorite is covered under any state law, rendering the state's possession of it controversial. "The government took the meteorite away when the herdsman was holding its actual possession. It is against the law and the government should rehabilitate everything," said Sun, "the act of carrying away the stone itself was an illegal interference,"

To Sun, the meaning of the dispute is far more than just the stone itself. "If we do not offer award and compensation to those who discover and preserve meteorites, or even worse, collect them forcibly, the stones may be sold privately or traded out of the country," added Sun.

The stone was determined to be of siderite (meteoric steel), the value of which is comparable to gold. It is the second largest of its kind in China and ranks fourth globally.

It is a consensus that Chinese meteorite markets have always been in disorder, according to 21st Century Business Herald.

A meteorite weighing over 1 ton was privately sold by a Xinjiang inhabitant in 2000 and was found in America 5 years later. The stone was cut into pieces with a price of $300 per gram.

To Kazakhs, meteorites are worshipped as "the eye of Allah".

The case was called in court on March. 20, 2017 but no judgment nor sentence was passed in court. "The trial has a time limit of more than 5 months, so there is still a chance of reconciliation," said Sun.
Continued Progress on Prairie Creek Project

CZN-TSX

CZICF-OTCQB

VANCOUVER, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadian Zinc Corp. (TSX: CZN; OTCQB: CZICF) ("the Company" or "Canadian Zinc") reports its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016.

This press release should be read in conjunction with CZN's Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, which are available on the Company's website at www.canadianzinc.com, or under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2016, Canadian Zinc reported a net loss and comprehensive loss of $5,077,000 compared to a net loss and comprehensive loss of $8,262,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Included in the loss for the year ended December 31, 2016, were exploration and evaluation expenditures of $2,428,000 compared to $7,650,000 for the previous year and share-based compensation charges of $1,104,000 in the current year versus $124,000 in the comparable year.

At December 31, 2016, the Company had a positive working capital balance of $9,513,000 including cash and cash equivalents of $9,817,000 and short term investments of $28,000.

Prairie Creek Project

Initiation of Definitive Feasibility Study

Canadian Zinc has initiated a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") to follow up on the recommendations contained in previous prefeasibility studies and to facilitate the raising of project debt financing for the Prairie Creek Project. AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd. ("AMC") and Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. ("Ausenco") have been engaged to complete the DFS.

Ausenco will assess all surface infrastructure needs to bring the Project into operation and undertake project development/execution planning services for the Prairie Creek Mine and deliver a robust optimized project development plan that can be used to advance the project to production. At the same time this will provide a critical link to the project financing plan by providing potential providers of debt or equity with a clear path to profitable production.

Ausenco will also complete required engineering utilizing a cost-effective project design methodology to support the development of a high-level execution plan that will define the approach to constructing the Prairie Creek project. This will include the development of a contracting and procurement strategy for further stages of work, which will align with the project execution schedule and will serve to support the capital cost estimate and make provision for the identified execution risks and opportunities. The plan will be developed with the objective of converting it to an Engineering Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM") contract at the appropriate time.

The DFS is expected to be completed by mid-2017.

Engagement of HCF as Debt Financing Advisors

Concurrently, the Company has also retained HCF International Advisers ("HCF") as financial advisers to arrange debt financing for the project.

HCF has prepared a three-staged approach to source and negotiate the debt financing. The preliminary stage, which is now under way, includes development of a funding strategy, appointment of an independent technical engineer, preparation of a new financial model to be incorporated into the DFS; and conducting preliminary market soundings of potential lenders. This will be followed by formal engagement with potentially interested parties and thereafter negotiation and finalization of financing documentation. It is anticipated that up to 70% of the currently estimated $250 million of capital required to complete the Project could be supported by debt financing.

Mineral Processing Optimization

In tandem with the development of the DFS, Canadian Zinc has initiated a mineral processing optimization program. To complete the testing, the Company engaged SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") to undertake further mineral processing optimization testing on new composite bulk samples collected from underground drill holes recently drilled in the Prairie Creek Mine. The principal objectives of the program are to examine metallurgical characteristics and responses from the fresh and relatively unoxidized zones of the deposit, to optimize the proposed mineral processing flow sheet and to simplify the flotation circuit design, thereby improving the projected metal recoveries and lowering milling production costs. In addition, the waste products generated in the test programs will be utilized in designing treatment plans for the process water and in testing paste tailings for underground disposal.

Alternative Energy Options  Use of LNG

In February 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation ("NTPC") to develop an electrical power strategy for the Prairie Creek Project. The process will examine the method best suited to delivering power and the potential integration of energy alternatives such as Liquefied Natural Gas ("LNG") which is a cheaper and much more environmentally friendly source of fuel for power generation.

Prairie Creek Permitting Update

In April 2014, the Company submitted an application to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and to Parks Canada for Land Use Permits to permit the possible future upgrade of the current winter access road to all season use. The application has been undergoing environmental assessment before the Mackenzie Valley Review Board ("MVRB") over the past two years.

In February 2017, the environmental assessment process entered into the Hearing Phase. Various registered parties submitted Technical Reports on March 10, 2017 and CZN will file its responses before April 7, 2017

A revised work schedule was issued by the MVRB which indicates that community and public hearings will be held in Nahanni Butte and Fort Simpson during the week of April 24, 2017.

Central Newfoundland Properties

Canadian Zinc owns an extensive mineral land package in central Newfoundland covering three large Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") projects with known mineral deposits and excellent exploration potential, including the South Tally Pond Project, which hosts the Lemarchant deposit; the Tulks South Project, which hosts the Boomerang and Domino deposits and the Hurricane and Tulks East prospects; and the Long Lake Project.

Central Milling Facility Research Collaboration Project

In 2015, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Buchans Minerals Corp. ("Buchans Minerals", "BMC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Minco Plc (AIM: MIO), whereby the two Companies share research data on their respective central Newfoundland Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au deposits. The intent and objective of the research is to determine the technical and economic viability of developing the companies' deposits into producing operations by utilizing a central milling facility. The concept is based on the potential that collectively, the satellite deposits can be economically mined, pre-concentrated, trucked and then milled simultaneously or sequentially through a central mill. The collaborative research program, partially funded by the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador ("RDC") through the GeoEXPLORE Industry-led program,

To evaluate the potential for centralized milling of some or all of these deposits, the study included bench scale testing for process development, preliminary mine plan development and using a conceptual economic model to assess the economics of various processing scenarios.

The metallurgical research study demonstrated that the ore from the Company's Lemarchant and Boomerang-Domino deposits can be successfully processed in a central mill using a sequential flotation flowsheet, and that selective zinc, lead and copper concentrates at marketable grades can be produced from these deposits.

Highlights of Results of Research Program:

Pre-concentration of the samples by bench scale DMS testing (prior to flotation) was determined to be technically viable for the Lundberg deposit, Bobbys Pond samples and the semi-massive and stringer sulphide sample from the Lemarchant Footwall.

Metallurgical test results strongly support the development of a sequential flotation flowsheet for the processing of all five deposits using a centralized processing facility.

Bench scale flotation test programs indicated improved grade and recovery relationship for the production of copper, lead and zinc concentrates using a common sequential flotation flowsheet rather than a bulk flotation flowsheet.

Test results and METSIM TM metallurgical simulations confirm that selective zinc, lead and copper concentrates at marketable grades can be produced using a sequential flotation flowsheet.

metallurgical simulations confirm that selective zinc, lead and copper concentrates at marketable grades can be produced using a sequential flotation flowsheet. The process simulation and cost assessment results (conceptual economic modeling) provided key information on which to base future studies and development plans, including the ongoing exploration programs that are critical to expanding the deposits and advancing the viability of developing the central Newfoundland deposits through a centralized milling facility.

The positive results of the research project provide valuable direction to guide future exploration on the Company's central Newfoundland deposits and the conceptual economic modeling provided key information on which to focus future economic studies and development plans for advancing the development of these deposits through a centralized milling facility. It was recommended that further review of the satellite deposits should be undertaken to examine the potential to increase minable resource size, run of mine ore grades and mine production rates, and to evaluate alternative cost effective mining methods.

Central Newfoundland Exploration Work

In February 2017, the Company initiated a winter drill program on the South Tally Pond property based on the magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys completed in late 2016 which outlined new drill targets in three priority areas including Lemarchant North, Spencers Pond and Lost Pond.

Between February 1 and March 7, 2017, Canadian Zinc completed 2,247 metres of drilling in 9 drillholes (2,115 metres) and 2 drillhole extensions (312 metres) at the South Tally Pond property - Lemarchant deposit. The drilling to date has focused on extending the known mineralization on the Lemarchant deposit Main Zone. Assay results are pending.

Outlook

Canadian Zinc's focus for 2017 will be to complete a Definitive Feasibility Study and seek the financing required to begin initial development of the Prairie Creek Project and advance the Mine towards production.

Building on the robust economics indicated by the 2016 Pre-Feasibility Study, opportunities for optimization that could yield further economic, operational and environmental benefits are being pursued as part of the DFS process. Some of the recommended mill capacity and metallurgical testing studies have been initiated, along with the ongoing environmental assessment and permitting of the proposed all season road.

The Company is well advanced in completing the DFS with a target completion date of June 30, 2017. This independent report co-authored by AMC and Ausenco will be used by the Company, with the assistance of HCF International Advisers, to seek senior debt financing. Several commercial banks have expressed indicative interest in providing project financing for the development and construction of the Prairie Creek Mine.

The all season road environmental assessment is nearing completion, and will be followed by the permitting process.

The metallurgical testing program on the central Newfoundland properties was successfully completed and will help to plan the 2017 exploration program. A winter drill program on the South Tally Pond property based on the magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys completed in late 2016 is ongoing and a two-stage exploration program on selected targets will begin in the second quarter of 2017.

Zinc has continued to be one of the strongest performing metals throughout 2016 and into 2017, rising from the US$0.70 per pound level at the end of 2015 to a high of US$1.30 per pound in the first part of 2017. Lead has also performed well in 2016, rising from US$0.75 per pound at the end of 2015 to US$0.95 per pound during the third quarter and continuing to stay in the US$0.90 to US$1.12 per pound range into early 2017. The price of silver surged over 40% in the first half of 2016 and then retreated from a two-year high of over US$20 per ounce to approximately US$18 per ounce.

The long-term price environment for lead and zinc remains very positive and, supported by the completion of the DFS, Canadian Zinc will continue to evaluate all alternatives and possibilities for raising the senior financing necessary to complete the development and construction and put the Prairie Creek Mine into production.

About Canadian Zinc

Canadian Zinc is a TSX-listed exploration and development company trading under the symbol "CZN". The Company's key project is the 100%-owned Prairie Creek Project, a fully permitted, advanced-staged zinc-lead-silver property, located in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Zinc also owns an extensive land package in central Newfoundland that it is exploring for copper-lead-zinc-silver-gold deposits.

Cautionary Statement  Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information, including, among other things, the expected completion of acquisitions and the advancement of mineral properties. This forward looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the completion of transactions, the issue of permits, the size and quality of mineral resources, future trends for the company, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital costs, mine production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal prices and treatment and refining charges, the outcome of legal proceedings, the timing of exploration, development and mining activities, acquisition of shares in other companies and the financial results of the company. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this press release, such as "measured," "indicated," and "inferred" "resources," which the SEC guidelines prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC.

SOURCE Canadian Zinc Corp.
VANCOUVER, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased to announce that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Antofagasta plc (LSE: ANTO), under an option agreement with the Company has informed Kootenay that a budget has been approved for the drilling of 5 separate targets on Kootenay's Silver Fox Property located in south eastern British Columbia. An estimated 3,000 meter drill program is scheduled to commence on the Silver Fox Property during Q3 2017.

The Silver Fox Property is comprised of over 21,000 hectares of mineral claims covering the northern extension of an established copper-silver mineralized belt originating from Montana, where the 3 principal deposits either host or produced over 522 million ounces of silver and 2.39 million tonnes of copper at grades ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 ounce per ton silver and 0.7 to 0.8 % copper. This mineralized trend is best known as the Western Montana Copper Belt where the copper-silver deposits are hosted in Proterozoic aged sediments of the Revett or Creston Formations.

The Silver Fox Property covers approximately 35 kilometres of strike length of the prospective hosting stratigraphy in Canada. Exploration and field work conducted over the past two seasons has identified five prospective areas hosting copper and silver mineralization indicative of potential copper silver deposits similar to what occurs in the same stratigraphy in Montana. The focus areas are identified as the Oke, Jake, Yahk Mountain, Gilnockie and Ward targets.

Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Antofagasta has the option to earn up to an 80% interest in the Silver Fox Property.

Qualified Persons

The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed on behalf Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person.

About Kootenay Silver Inc.

Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Supported by one of the largest portfolios of silver assets in Mexico, Kootenay continues to provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic development of two of its priority silver projects located in prolific mining districts in Sonora, State and Chihuahua, State, Mexico, respectively.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

The information in this news release has been prepared as at March 21, 2017. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

This press release uses the terms "Measured", "Indicated", and "Inferred" resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable.

SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc.
Vancouver, March 22, 2017 - BonTerra Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BTR, US: BONXF, FSE: 9BR1) ("BonTerra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Kinross Gold Corp. ("Kinross") has agreed to acquire, by way of private placement, 14,857,440 common shares ("Common Shares") of BonTerra at a price of $0.35 per Common Share for total gross proceeds of $5,200,104 (the "Transaction"). On closing of the Transaction, Kinross will hold approximately 9.5% of BonTerra's issued and outstanding common shares on an undiluted basis.

The Transaction is expected to close on or about March 24, 2017. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares will be used for exploration on BonTerra's properties and for general working capital purposes. The Transaction remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Mr. Nav Dhaliwal, CEO and President of BonTerra, commented. "We are very pleased to have secured an important investment and a strategic relationship with an industry leader such as Kinross. Their entry into the Urban Barry gold camp further validates our ongoing progress and success at the Gladiator deposit and surrounding properties. The depth of technical expertise that Kinross offers will be of great value to BonTerra's development going forward."

Any securities to be issued under the Transaction will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the closing date of the Transaction in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws and such other further restrictions as may apply under foreign securities laws.

INFOR Financial Inc. was retained as strategic financial advisor to BonTerra with respect to the Transaction and its negotiations with Kinross and will be paid a finder's fee in respect thereof.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Nav Dhaliwal, President & CEO

BonTerra Resources Inc.

For further information regarding this matter please contact either:

Nav Dhaliwal, President and CEO: +604 678 5308, nav@bonterraresources.com; or

Investor Relations: 1 855.678.5308, ir@bonterraresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on BonTerra''s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to BonTerra's exploration and development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause BonTerra's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labour relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. BonTerra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.


Boise, Idaho (FSCwire) - Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (the Company or Thunder Mountain) (TSX-V: THM; OTCQB: THMG) announces that pursuant to its Corporate Stock Option Plan, the Company has granted 600,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its affiliates to purchase common shares in the capital stock of the Company. 400,000 options are exercisable on or before March 20, 2022 at a price of $0.09 per share, and 200,000 options are exercisable on or before March 20, 2022 at a price of $0.10 per share. In total the Company has issued 5,365,000 stock options equal to 9.8% of the issued and outstanding stock.

Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc, is a U.S.  based exploration company founded in 1935, with direct ownership interest in two U.S. precious and base metal projects. The Companys principal asset is The South Mountain Project  a former producer of zinc-silver-gold project with copper and lead, located in southern Idaho`s Owyhee County. The Company`s Trout Creek Project is a grass roots gold target, drill ready, and located in the Eureka-Battle Mountain trend of central Nevada. For more information on Thunder Mountain Gold, please visit the Companys website at www.Thundermountaingold.com, or Twitter @THMG1.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, which could change materially in the future. By their nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Cautionary Note to Investors

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce.

For further information, please contact:

Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc.

Eric T. Jones Jim Collord President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer eric@thundermountaingold.com jim@thundermountaingold.com Tel: (208) 658-1037 Tel: (208) 658-1037

To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/ThunderMountain03222017.pdfSource: Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. (TSX Venture:THM, OTCQB:THMG)

To follow Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below.

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Copyright  2017 Filing Services Canada Inc.
(Xinhua) 10:42, March 22, 2017

(Source: Website of China-Belarus Industrial Park)

MINSK, March 22 -- China will provide technical and economic assistance in the development of social infrastructure in the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone, said a senior manager from the state-owned China Merchants Group Tuesday.

The projects were discussed at the meeting between Belarus' Vice Premier Anatoly Kalinin and Hu Zheng, the general representative of China Merchants Group in Central Asia and the Baltic Region.

Hu said the Chinese government will provide financial assistance for the construction of a clinic, a dwelling for 144 apartments, an innovation commercialization center and public transport facilities, and the construction of the facilities is scheduled to start in June 2017.

The two sides also confirmed mutual interest in setting up a jointly-designed institute to develop project documents for the residents of the park.

On his part, Kalinin said the park offers all necessary infrastructure for any investors to come.
Before nursing home patient Carmencita Misa became bedridden, she was a veritable dancing queen, says her daughter, Charlotte Altieri.Even though she would work about 60 hours a week, she would make sure to go out dancing once a week  no matter what, Altieri, 39, said. She was the life-of-the-party kind of person, the central nervous system for all her friends.A massive stroke in March 2014 changed all that. It robbed Misa, 71, of her short-term memory, her eyesight and her mobility  and it left her dependent on a feeding tube for nourishment. Altieri, who has two small children, is unable to provide the 24-hour care her mother now gets at a Long Beach, Calif., nursing home three miles away  all of it paid by Medi-Cal, Californias version of the Medicaid program for low-income people.But advocates for the elderly now worry that Misa and other low-income seniors who receive long-term care in facilities or at home could see their benefits shrink or disappear under Republican-proposed legislation to cap federal Medicaid contributions to states. The proposal is part of a broader GOP plan to repeal and replace former President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act.My mom is getting the basic of basic care, Altieri said. If they cut it, I dont know what to do.Nationwide, Medicaid provides long-term care and support to more than 2 million low-income seniors. The program, funded jointly by the federal government and the states, pays more than half of all long-term care in the country  more than Medicare, private long-term care insurance and out-of-pocket spending combined, said Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.And, he said, its the only public program that offers such care on an ongoing basis. The Medicare program  for people 65 and older  provides only limited long-term care to those who need it after being hospitalized.The GOP bill, scheduled for a vote on the floor of the House on Thursday, would transform Medicaid from an open-ended system, in which the federal government matches state spending, to one in which it provides a fixed amount to each state, either through a lump-sum payment or on a per-capita basis.In an attempt to overcome opposition to the bill among some Republicans, GOP leaders agreed Monday to add the option of a lump-sum payment, known as a block grant.They also amended the bill to allocate additional money for elderly and disabled people on Medicaid. But Eric Carlson, a directing attorney in the Los Angeles office of the nonprofit group Justice in Aging, said such an allocation would not offset the wide funding gap created by caps on federal spending.It doesnt matter whether its a block grant or per-capita cap, Carlson said. Either way the federal government is setting a hard limit on federal funding available, and states are going to be forced to make due with whatever is sent to them, and its not going to be enough.Carlson is co-author of a paper released by Justice in Aging that says capping federal Medicaid spending, with either per-capita funding or block grants, would harm older Americans, in part by forcing states to cut services for them to the bone.Federal payment for Medicaid would drop sharply, resulting in fewer services for everyone who relies on Medicaid, including older adults who account for over 22 percent of all Medicaid spending, the report predicted.In 2015, Medicaid spending topped $552 billion nationwide, including more than $85 billion spent on Medi-Cal enrollees, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)Under the GOP proposal, nursing care in a facility would remain a guaranteed Medicaid benefit, though states could reduce how much they spent on it if they were forced to economize. And Republicans might well attempt to loosen or undo federal program requirements with subsequent legislation that would give states more control.Such a shift would decimate Medicaids current guarantee of adequate and affordable care, according to the Justice in Aging paper.In the meantime, states could do away with benefits not guaranteed under federal law, which include at-home nursing, personal care  which Medi-Cal covers for qualified beneficiaries  and even inpatient and nursing care in mental health facilities for the elderly.A report released last week by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office suggests states might cut provider payments or eliminate some of their optional services to fill the funding gap left by the restricted flow of federal money.Oren Cass, a senior fellow with the Manhattan Institute who specializes in anti-poverty law, doesnt believe that means the GOP plan would necessarily harm elderly Medicaid beneficiaries.A state that wants to continue the spending it does on the elderly can do that if it would rather make cuts elsewhere, he said. Or it can put up more of its own money.Cass said that having more flexibility might appeal to California legislators and health care leaders.If you ask California today whether it would rather have Donald Trump run its Medicaid program or run it itself, I think most people there, especially liberal people, would say they would rather have the state making the rules, he said.For now, however, the debate over the GOP bill is largely speculative, since there may be enough Republicans with serious concerns about the legislation to sink or significantly amend it.The CBO report shows the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by a cumulative $337 billion over a decade. The CBO also projected that the bill, if passed, would leave 14 million more people uninsured next year than under current law and 24 million more by 2026.The cost savings may not be enough to overcome the reluctance of many conservative Congress members who call the bill Obamacare Lite because it retains some of the most popular features of the Affordable Care Act.As the debate heats up in Washington, Charlotte Altieri of Long Beach remains hopeful that her mothers nursing home care will be spared any cuts.Were not at some grandiose nursing home right now, she said, Where are we going to find one that costs less than this one?
Congressional Republicans have "declared war on New York," an angry Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Tuesday, referring to a proposed amendment to a federal health care bill that would shift New York's Medicaid costs from its counties to state government.Republicans countered the change would free counties from a state-mandated burden they have borne for five decades, to the detriment of local taxpayers, particularly upstate. Rep. John Faso, a Capital Region Republican, said Cuomo should "man up" and have the state take responsibility for Medicaid as it should have years ago.The amendment, crafted by Faso and Rep. Chris Collins (R- Buffalo), was part of last-minute tinkering with the proposed American Health Care Act. The bill is championed by the GOP and President Donald Trump as the replacement to "Obamacare."With the first vote of a multipronged effort scheduled Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives, GOP leaders added the provision to try to shore up support within their own party. One lawmaker who initially opposed the health care bill, Utica-area Rep. Claudia Tenney, said she now will back the AHCA.Supporters pointed out that New York forced local governments to pick up a larger share of Medicaid than any other state and the new provision would put New York more in line with others.But Cuomo called the proposal a product of the "radical right" and said Collins and Faso were more beholden to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) than their own constituents.Cuomo said the change would result in a $2.3 billion funding loss for the Medicaid program upstate and on Long Island. The provision excludes New York City because it imposes its own residential income tax."My greatest fear from last year's election has actually come true, which is you would have a rabid conservative ideology in Washington that would tell New York to 'drop dead,' and that is exactly what is going on.," Cuomo said at a news conference in Manhattan, flanked by health care and union leaders.Cuomo, a Democrat, said hospitals and nursing homes "are going to close" because the state won't be able to make up the $2.3 billion difference.Cuomo refrained from criticizing Trump -- declining to refer to him by name, even when pressed -- who has been pressuring Republicans to support the proposal. Instead, the governor focused on Ryan, Collins and Faso."What happened to putting people before your politics?" Cuomo said. "Rather than swearing allegiance to the Ryan radical right, why didn't they think of representing the people of their district? Why didn't they think about the oath that they took and put their politics aside?"Faso said in an interview that of the $9 billion in Medicaid that local governments spend nationwide, more than $7 billion occurs in New York because of the burden it imposes on counties.County governments in New York once picked up 25 percent of the statewide Medicaid costs, but that has been reduced to about 13 percent by a cap on local share. Nonetheless, Faso said it's a burden that has been "killing" property-tax payers in New York for five decades."If governors in 49 other can take responsibility, I'd ask him to man up and take responsibility in New York," Faso said of Cuomo.Faso, a freshman from Kinderhook, also took a swipe at the billions of dollars Cuomo has spent on local development projects and promotional ads."To think that a state that has money for a Buffalo billion and Brooklyn billion and a Bronx billion and money for signs on the highways that violate federal law and money for corporate welfare and money to advertise New York is open for business when it isn't -- to think it doesn't have money to trim is ludicrous," Faso said.Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) said the House amendment would be a "jackpot" for Suffolk County homeowners, calling it "the single greatest act of fiscal relief ever provided to the County of Suffolk and its taxpayers."However, State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport) expressed a "certain amount of skepticism" about the proposal, wondering if it would work to actually reduce taxes or merely switch the tax-collection agency."If nothing happens to the taxpayer at the end of the day" to reduce taxes, he'd oppose the idea, Flanagan said.New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said the House measure would "undermine hospitals."Democrats in the Nassau County Legislature called for a report on the possible local impact of the planned repeal and replacement of Obamacare."We need to know how gravely Nassau County residents will be impacted by this," Nassau Legis. Carrie Solages (D-Elmont) said at a news conference in Mineola.Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's administration said it was "monitoring the impact of the bill" as debate continues.
DPRK may have fired missiles: Kyodo

(Xinhua) 10:43, March 22, 2017

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may have fired missiles, Japan's Kyodo News reported on Wednesday quoting government sources.
Describing himself as "merely a thankful beggar," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams sought hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from deep-pocketed donors seeking his help with their legal woes, federal authorities said Tuesday as they unveiled a 23-count indictment charging the two-term Democrat in a sprawling corruption case.Investigators accused the city's cash-strapped top prosecutor of repeatedly selling his influence and offering to fix a case for one wealthy benefactor. In exchange, they said, Williams accepted luxury trips to foreign locales, a used Jaguar convertible and other gifts ranging from a $205 Louis Vuitton necktie to a Burberry watch.When even that wasn't enough to cover the costs of his lush life, Williams allegedly resorted to stealing from his own mother _ draining more than $20,000 of Social Security and pension income intended to pay for her nursing home to cover his own mortgage and electricity bills."The alleged misconduct ... is brazen and wide-ranging, as is the idea that a district attorney would so cavalierly trade on elected office for financial gain," said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Harpster at an afternoon news conference announcing the charges. "The immense authority vested to law enforcement has to be kept in check, and that requires decision makers and leaders with a steady ethical compass."The criminal case brought to a head rumors that have dogged Williams for years and put a damning footnote on his eight-year career in office _ one that began in 2010 with accolades for sweeping changes he promised to implement within the city's justice system, only to be overshadowed more recently by a series of scandals involving his money, his dating life and his at-times controversial personnel decisions.As he announced his decision last month to forgo a re-election bid, Williams, 50, apologized for bringing "embarrassment and shame" to the District Attorney's Office through repeated ethical lapses and vowed to win back the trust of the public and his employees.But hours after Tuesday's indictment, Williams offered no indication of whether he now intended to resign. His lawyer, Michael Diamondstein, vowed that Williams would fight the charges in court."Mr. Williams vehemently denies that he ever compromised any investigation, case or law enforcement function," he said.Sources familiar with the course of the investigation said that Williams rejected a plea deal from prosecutors earlier this week. He spent the day at home with his family, an office spokesman said, and was expected to surrender and be arraigned Wednesday afternoon.But inside Williams' office of 300 line prosecutors, the allegations hit like a bomb. In an internal memo, his top deputy, Kathleen Martin, assured the staff that the office was cooperating with the investigation and that no other employees had been accused of wrongdoing."I understand and appreciate that you may be angry and frustrated with the unwanted spotlight placed upon our office, emotions that you are certainly justified in feeling," she wrote.Outside, the city's political and legal leaders offered swift condemnation.Mayor Jim Kenney called the Williams' alleged actions "deeply shameful" and a "flagrant violation of the law.""At a time when our citizens' trust in government is at an all-time low, it is disheartening to see yet another elected official give the public a reason not to trust us," the mayor said in a statement. "That this comes at the head of our justice system is even more troubling."Deborah R. Gross, chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, called for Williams to step aside immediately."The charges against him cast a shadow on the District Attorney's Office, our legal community and the entire City of Philadelphia. It truly is an embarrassment," she said.But the case against Williams, which involves charges of honest services fraud and other bribery-related counts, hardly came as a surprise.Known to frequent cigar bars and the tony Union League, Williams has been open about his financial problems since the FBI and IRS began poking into his finances two years ago. He has complained of his inability to pay for alimony stemming from a 2011 divorce and private school tuition for his daughters, despite his $170,000-a-year salary.In January, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics assessed the largest fine in its 10-year history for Williams' failure to report for years more than $175,000 in gifts he had accepted including a new roof, luxury vacations, Philadelphia Eagles sidelines passes and the use of a defense attorney's home in Florida.And Williams, as investigators described it Tuesday, was not shy about asking for handouts."I am merely a thankful beggar and don't want to overstep my bounds in asking," he said in one February 2012 text message to a donor in reference to a second planned Caribbean vacation. He told another in 2013 that he "never want(ed) to feel like a drag on your wallet," yet he allegedly returned again and again to seek the man's help in funding trips to California, Florida and Las Vegas.Some of those gifts featured prominently in Tuesday's indictment, including a $3,000 trip Williams took in 2012 with his then-girlfriend to the Dominican Republic, where they stayed in a presidential suite complete with access to a private beach and personal butler.The excursion was bankrolled by Mohammad N. Ali, a Bucks County businessman who sold old prepaid telephone cards and who, according to the indictment, spared no expense in showering Williams with other gifts, including a $3,212 custom sofa and cash payments of $9,000.In exchange, prosecutors say, Williams offered to help one of Ali's friends who faced criminal charges by drafting a plea deal that would shorten the man's sentence and keep him out of the state prison system.Prosecutors did not say Tuesday whether Williams ever followed through with his promise. Ali did not respond to requests for comment."In the future," he told Ali in an August 2012 text message quoted in the indictment, "always give me at least a week to help a friend. I have no problem looking at anything."In other instances, Williams' allegedly offered to intervene with other law enforcement offices on behalf of his friends. Ali purportedly sought his help a year later to avoid enhanced TSA screening as he returned to Philadelphia International Airport from trips abroad.Another donor _ Michael Weiss, co-owner of Gayborhood nightspot Woody's _ allegedly sought the district attorney's help in untangling a legal mess for another bar he owned in California.Authorities in that state attempted in 2013 to yank Weiss' liquor license after discovering he had pleaded guilty to tax fraud charges in three years earlier.But Williams, according to the indictment, wrote a letter vouching for Weiss and, in an effort to prove his friend's upstanding character, appointed him as a special adviser to the District Attorney Office, complete with a badge and leather carrying case.Weiss showed his gratefulness, prosecutors said Tuesday, with paying for Spring Break vacations to Florida and San Diego for Williams and his daughters. He also gave Williams his old 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible worth $4,160, the indictment says.Weiss did not return calls for comment Tuesday."Dude," Williams reportedly texted Weiss. "I never want to feel like a drag on your wallet ... but we are ALWAYS ready for an adventure."Williams' prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey, after Justice Department officials in Philadelphia recused themselves because of their frequent collaboration with the District Attorney's Office.
On Tuesday, in the morning, at Taylors University, Kuala Lumpur, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey met senior staff and students from Taylor's University, Taylor's College, and the Australian International School Malaysia, and received a briefing on collaboration with Queensland institutions.

In the afternoon, in Kuala Lumpur, the Governor attended lunch with Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Judge, Federal Court of Malaysia, and Mr Rod Smith PSM, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia.

In the evening, at the Australian High Commissioners Residence, Kuala Lumpur, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended a reception for Malaysian alumni of Queensland education institutions and Australian students studying in Malaysia, where His Excellency addressed guests.
On Wednesday, in the morning, at Cheras Road Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey laid a wreath in honour of Commonwealth personnel who died primarily during the Second World War.

In the afternoon, in Kuala Lumpur, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended lunch in support of Queenslands trade and investment relationship with Malaysia.

In the evening, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey departed Malaysia to return to Queensland.
Description

GIS - 22 March, 2017: A four-day exhibition on the theme Water and Wastewater was inaugurated yesterday at La Marie Water Treatment Plant to mark World Water Day 2017. The exhibition, open to students and the public, is being organised at the initiative of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities and the Central Water Authority.

In his opening speech the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Ivan Collendavelloo, pointed out that focus for this year is on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater. Globally, the vast majority of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused, he said. According to him, reducing and safely treating and reusing wastewater for agriculture and aquaculture activities not only protects workers, farmers and consumers but also promotes food security, health and wellbeing.

Mr Collendavelloo exhorted the population not to waste water. Water is a fundamental right and we will work towards ensuring that the population has access to water on a 24/7 basis. As at now, 80% of the population has a constant access to water and we will soon reach 100% of the population, he said.

For his part, the General Manager of the CWA, Dr Yousouf Ismael, said that it is essential to reduce water wastage, outlining that around 180 litres of water are used per person per day in Mauritius. He underscored the importance of treating wastewater and called on the population to protect the quality of our water.

Pesticides used in agriculture have a direct impact on reservoirs. This leads to the proliferation of algae which block filtration centres and impact on the treatment of water, he said.

Activities

Several activities are being organised by the Ministry and the CWA to mark the World Water Day 2017. A water testing exercise is being held at La Marie Treatment Plant from 21 to 24 March 2017. Furthermore the CWA and the HSBC have engaged in a water testing programme along river banks all year round.

A photography competition under the theme Water-Our most precious resource was held in the context of World Water Day 2017. Several photographs were received and have been displayed during the exhibition. Primary school students have been invited to showcase a short play on the theme Water-Use it wisely.

A Powerpoint Presentation Competition was held at national level for secondary school students of Form IV to VI. The theme of the competition was Water-Using Recycled Water. Through their presentation, students demonstrated a thorough understanding of waste water and provided ideas on how recycled water can be used in various ways. The finals are scheduled for 23 March 2017.

World Water Day

This year, the World Water Day focuses on the theme "Why waste water" and encourages people to stop wasting the valuable resource.

The theme relates to how much water flows down the drains every day without being reused or treated. This causes pollution to the environment and lowers water quality.

As a result of population growth, the volume of wastewater being generated has increased considerably leading to higher level of the overall pollution. According to the United Nations Organisation there are treatment processes that could be used to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater.

It is estimated that by 2030, the demand for water will have gone up by 50%  most of which will be from people living in cities. There is need for new practices to wastewater management.
Description

GIS - 22 March, 2017: The African Economic Platform (AEP) is undoubtedly the flagship project of Agenda 2063 of the African Union, said the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, while reiterating that Mauritius will stand shoulder to shoulder with its African brothers and sisters.

In a statement to the press yesterday evening at the closing ceremony of the inaugural AEP meeting which was held at the Westin Turtle Bay Resort and Spa in Balaclava on 20-21 March 2017, Mr Jugnauth said he was proud that that this landmark event has started here, on our small island. He expressed his appreciation for the interest shown by AU Member states to take Africa to another level of development.

We have always believed in the Africa strategy and we are closing this historical and successful first AEP conference with a renewed resolve to work together for the development of Africa, said the Prime Minister adding that it is time for us Africans to walk the talk.

During the two-day meeting African Member states, prominent stakeholders from the African business community and academia had the opportunity to brainstorm on issues that are paramount to the economic transformation of Africa. In light of discussions held a common strategy focused on four key areas was adopted:

establishment of joint permanent commissions which will enhance business relations, particularly through the setting up of Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones;

Member States to come up with concrete proposals to address the problem of skills mismatch through market related training;

addressing the impediments blocking seamless movement of goods and services; and

promoting a collaborative effort among the African financial services sector in view of facilitating suitable investments.

The Prime Minister recalled that Africa needs over US dollars 200 billion annually over the next four years to meet its capacity building objectives whereas the FDI into the continent is merely around 60 billion USD. He also underlined the need for a master plan on air connectivity for Africa.
(TNS) -- WASHINGTON  Gov. Jerry Brown said he saw a possibility Tuesday to get federal money for the recently stalled electrification of Caltrain during private meetings with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao Its difficult, were not there yet, but Im cautiously optimistic were going to find a way to fund Caltrain, Brown told reporters outside the Transportation Department after his meeting with Chao.Brown, on the second day of a four-day trip to the nations capital, met with McCarthy and Chao just over a month after the transportation secretary moved to withhold a $647 million federal grant to electrify the Peninsula commuter line.Chao put a stop to the funds at the request of San Joaquin Valley Republicans who see the electrification project as tied to Browns multibillion-dollar high-speed rail project, which they consider a boondoggle and is under construction now in the valley.McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is seen as close to President Trump and particularly influential on California issues. During Tuesdays meeting, Brown said McCarthy outlined possibilities for Caltrain funding, so Id say the door isnt closed.Brown is in Washington to lobby the states congressional delegation and administration officials on California issues. He was scheduled to have dinner Tuesday night with California Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who spent the day leading Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the questioning of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at his confirmation hearings.In pressing for restoration of the Caltrain electrification funds, Brown cited strong support for the project from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the tech business organization that sent its own delegation to Washington last week to lobby the administration and its congressional allies for the money.Caltrain serves 65,000 daily commuters in the crowded Silicon Valley corridor with an aging system of diesel locomotives. Electrifying the trains would reduce smog, upgrade the trains and reduce traffic congestion, supporters say. Carl Guardino , the president of the leadership group, said in an interview leaving Washington last week that it was unprecedented for an administration to withdraw funding for a project that got such a high priority rating from the Federal Transit Administration , adding that the project would create 9,600 jobs in states across the country.We need to make sure we dont start setting precedents denying projects that have been thoroughly vetted for years by career professionals for reasons not based on the merits of the project, he said.Brown said he was searching for ways to bridge the partisan divide in Washington so that the states interests can be served.Look, we have a very polarized nation, its polarized in California, its more polarized in Washington, Brown said. Republicans have certain doctrines and frameworks. Democrats have different doctrines and different frameworks. We have a president called Donald Trump . We are looking for ways to protect California and advance the cause of our country.Brown cited his collaboration with Republicans in California on a big water bond, a rainy-day fund for the budget, and a workers compensation overhaul. Im not going to say, Oh no, we dont talk to the president, we dont talk to Republicans, Brown said. I think well find a way here in Washington. I cant say were there yet, but you dont build Rome in a day. You take steps.
(TNS) -- HARRISBURG  Laws will never be nimble enough to keep up with the rapid innovations of the automated vehicle industry, said representatives of car and technology companies at a hearing Tuesday during which they urged legislators to be flexible as they craft the states first laws specific to self-driving cars.Legislators are grappling with how to foster a high-tech industry that has found a fertile home in Pennsylvania while filling a gap in the law largely silent on the issue beyond a basic requirement that every car have a human in the drivers seat.Police currently face an enforcement void because no current laws enable, prohibit or regulate the testing of [highly automated vehicles] on commonwealth highways, said Maj. Edward Hoke, director of the patrol bureau for the Pennsylvania State Police. Legislation is necessary to close that gap, he said.The hearings primary focus was Senate Bill 427 , which would create standards for testing autonomous vehicles on public roads, but does not address next steps, like deployment and broader public adoption.The current draft of the bill touches on features unique to the dawning era of driving without human hands on the wheel: establishing tiers of control over cars, whether in person or remotely; defining who counts as a driver for liability reasons; requiring officials to be notified of cybersecurity breaches; and limiting which roadways can be used to test platooning  a wirelessly connected caravan of self-driving trucks behind a human driver.Eleven states and Washington, D.C., have passed some type of legislation related to self-driving vehicles.The Senate bill incorporates ideas from those other state laws, as well as recommendations from a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation task force report published in December, federal policies, and organizations like Carnegie Mellon University and Uber that are testing self-driving vehicles in Pittsburgh.This technology is changing not on a yearly basis, and frankly not even on a weekly basis, but in some cases on a daily basis, said PennDOT deputy secretary Kurt Myers, who helped lead the state task force. We believe very strongly that policy  not the drawn-out process of regulation  is the appropriate approach here, and the Senate bill obviously addresses that, he said.The bill gives PennDOT broad authority to issue and revise policies for self-driving cars and establishes a safety advisory committee that can react with new policy recommendations as the technology is developed.But industry representatives said the bill creates onerous standards that threaten to erase the openness that brought them to the state. Their disagreements with the bill range from details they find confusing in the draft to whether lawmaking is even the proper path to achieving the safety protections legislators are seeking.One promise of automated vehicles is that they are expected to dramatically reduce the 94 percent of vehicle crashes that are due to human error.The safety focus in this area should be on the 1,200 roadway deaths that the commonwealth had in 2015, or the 1,195 they had the year before or the 1,210 the year before that, said Wayne Weikel, senior director of state government affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.The goal of policymakers should be to help automakers bring this technology to market as quickly as possible.The bills prime sponsor, Sen. Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler, signaled he is open to ideas for improving the draft before it gets to the point of a vote.Well work together on this issue, he said in the middle of the hearing. Its new.
How Companies Can Stay Ahead of the Cybersecurity Curve
1. Rethinking Procurement and Partnerships

2. Stiffer Oversight and Punishments for Cybercrime

3. The Battle for Rural Broadband

4. Better Constituent Data Protections

5. Consolidating the Enterprise

State legislatures are fairly predictable creatures when it comes to the bills they propose each session. A thing  in this case technology  becomes a major focus in the public eye for one reason or another, and a flood of potential legislative solutions pour out of capital offices, each meant to address, improve or regulate some aspect of the larger issue. But when it comes to technology, there isnt just a singular issue  there are facets that all seem to fold back to the larger conversation.In recent years, we have seen efforts to get in front of the potential problems posed by autonomous vehicles and ridesharing companies, drones and data protection. And despite the varied approaches to these efforts, successes have been measured. The need to regulate is always balanced against the need to maintain momentum and keep the ball rolling in the right direction from a business vantage point. While most bills falter and die at the hands of the fickle legislative process, looking at the early drafts is a good indicator of what states are  or think they are  grappling with.Some of the bills being proposed in states across the country are a solid indicator of what other states may begin considering to streamline, connect and protect.One direction state lawmakers seem to be moving is toward more streamlined procurement and partnership mechanisms.In Montana, Senate Bill 335 was introduced in November 2016, and takes aim at enabling the use of public-private partnerships (PPP) to meet state needs. The proposed legislation would allow the public and private entities to partner across a number of government services, including information technology delivery. In addition to allowing the state to leverage PPPs, the bill would also divide liability between the state and its partner.The 2016 presidential election stirred up a great deal of attention to cybercrime and the capabilities of hackers. Where many states and the federal government have said malicious intrusions via computer are illegal, many state lawmakers have entered legislation to better outline the rules around the use of computers and software for nefarious purposes.In Texas, the so-called Cybercrime Act ( House Bill 9 and SB 1020 ) amends the states penal code, making it a third-degree felony to intentionally interrupt computer systems or networks. The proposal also addresses the use of malware and ransomware, making intentional distribution of software against individuals, businesses and government entities for profit a felony.Across the country in Vermont, HB 474 takes a similar approach to using ransomware as an extortion tool, making it a crime punishable by incremental fines and imprisonment. The proposal, from Rep. Michael Mrowickis, D-Windham, office, would also create the Cybercrime Study Committee to study and make recommendations on computer-based crimes and enforcement.In a slight divergence from the legislation proposed in Vermont and Texas, Minnesotas HB 817 makes it a crime of varying degrees to electronically interfere or penetrate with point-of-sale terminals, such as gas pumps and ATMs.With many larger cities and towns connected to high-speed Internet, extending connections to rural and underserved communities has been a significant focus for lawmakers across the country. Where some have proposed the creation of grants funding mechanisms for utility providers, others have taken a slightly different tack and geared their proposals to create entities meant to prompt network expansion.New Mexicos Senate Bill 308 would amend the states Rural Telecommunications Act to create the Public Regulation Commission and an accompanying fund tasked with bolstering rural connectivity. The fund would be financed through a surcharge on intrastate retail public telecommunications services. Missouri Rep. Delus Johnson, R- District 9, has also proposed a bill, House Bill 2741, to create the Rural Broadband Development Fund.Tennessees Senate Bill 126 and House Bill 930 would make way for the Tennessee Rural Broadband Grant Expansion Program, which would be charged with evaluating, prioritizing and distributing grant funds to improve broadband service in unserved areas. Similarly, New York lawmakers are trying to amend existing legislation with Assembly Bill 4869 , the Credit for Rural Broadband Act of 2017, to create a tax credit for the deployment of rural broadband networks.With increasingly more constituent data routed through state and private systems on a daily basis, lawmakers in several states have proposed legislation to create notification requirements around data sharing practices and state security. In Illinois, the Right to Know Act would create an information sharing notification requirement for websites and online that share personally identifiable information with third parties. Consumers would have the right to know how their personal data was being used.As reported earlier this month, Oregons Senate Bill 90 is poised to create the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence within the office of the CIO and the mechanism needed to pursue federal funding.In an effort to protect students educational data, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed SB 102 in mid-March. The bill requires that educational institutions provide training on student privacy laws, as well as maintain records as to the authorized users of educational records. The new law also prevents the sharing of student data with anyone without authorized access.As IT agencies evolve, states are finding their own organizational stride. Agencies that once fell under the umbrella of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) are now looking to become stand-alone entities. This is the case in Oregon, where Senate Bill 872 stands ready to revamp the agency should it pass.In Kansas, House Bill 2331 creates the Information Security Office, and consolidates the functions and staff relating to executive branch cybersecurity, among other things. Similarly, Minnesotas House Bill 2298 creates a commission to review the consolidation of the states information technology systems and services.
(TNS)  A man charged with killing a Frederick County resident in an alleged MS-13 gang hit contended that police violated his rights when they seized his Facebook account and searched his apartment.This month, Raul Ernesto Landaverde Giron joined co-defendants, other accused gang members. They asked the U.S. District Court of Maryland to disregard evidence collected from social media accounts, arguing that the Fourth Amendment protected the private communications against search and seizure.Defense attorneys noted that the Maryland federal district court had not yet considered whether Facebook messages are protected under the law, but other federal courts had said private messages on the social media site are entitled to Fourth Amendment protection.The attorneys also contended that police werent specific enough about what they intended to seize when they applied for a search warrant of the accounts.Lardaverde Giron, along with Aldair Garcia Miranda and Jose Javier Salgado Machado, were accused of murdering Merlin Edjardo Alvarez Garcia in the woods between Greenwall Place and Hoke Place near Hillcrest in Frederick on Nov. 30, 2013.Alvarez Garcia had fled El Salvador for Frederick to escape an MS-13 order to kill him.Investigators intercepted messages between Landaverde Giron and Selvin Raymundo Salazar, alleged leader of the Normandie clique of MS-13. The clique operated largely in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties.Federal prosecutors said the two discussed gang activities on Facebook including disciplining other gang members. Defenders, however, interpreted the statement in question, tiene que ir a reganar los chapones, to refer to having to yell at legitimate workers. There was debate about whether the word chapones referred to gang members or to guys or people.The meaning of other Spanish words in Facebook posts were also scrutinized for possible gang references.U.S. attorneys filed a motion March 15 opposing the move to keep the evidence out of the trial. They said a search warrant to access the Facebook messages was supported by probable cause to believe the accounts would contain evidence of crimes.The Homeland Security Investigations special agent who applied for the warrant, U.S attorneys noted, was familiar with MS-13 and knew members to use Facebook to discuss gang business with associates in the U.S., El Salvador and other Central American countries. They also use the service to communicate with extortion victims, according to the government filing.An unnamed defendant cooperating with officials also indicated there may be evidence related to MS-13 crimes on the accounts.Landaverde Giron has also filed motions to keep other evidence out of the courtroom.He joined another motion by an alleged associate MS-13 member saying that police did not have probable cause to arrest him.In January, his attorney moved to block evidence collected from Landaverde Girons apartment, clothing and notes.The woman whose husband rented the room to Landaverde Giron and his girlfriend signed consent statements before the June 2015 search.However, his attorney argued that since his client did not give permission, the search was illegal.Garcia Miranda pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2015, to racketeering conspiracy, including murder and attempted murder and using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence.He faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison because the racketeering conspiracy involved a murder.Salgado Machado was not expected to stand trial in the near future, according to a U.S. attorney filing on Feb. 21, because he was incarcerated in El Salvador.
At six years old, Zhang Baolan started learning the art of cotton wool drawing from her grandmother and mother, who were both enthusiastic about paper cuttings and fabric art.

"The cotton wool drawings made by my grandma and mother were quite simple and I started to make it more elegant and elaborate from 1986 when my daughters went to universities and I had more time to work on the art," Zhang said.

Now the 69-year-old's cotton wool drawings are quite popular overseas and she has been invited to hold exhibitions in several countries and regions. Many of her artworks are collected by art institutions or private collectors in the United States, Germany, France, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Even the former US president Bill Clinton collected one of her cotton wool drawings during a state visit to China in 1998.
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2017 title favourite Sebastian Vettel has continued his tradition of naming his formula one car for the forthcoming season.

The German always gives his single seater a female name, and this year his 2017 Ferrari is called 'Gina', according to the German newspaper Bild.

"The name is Latin and is short for Regina, meaning Queen," the newspaper said.

"Will Gina take Vettel to his next coronation?" Bild wondered, referring to the quadruple world champion.

Former Ferrari driver Alain Prost thinks that's a possibility.

"At the Barcelona test I saw the Ferrari performing well on long, high-speed corners, meaning the car has efficient aerodynamics," he told France's Auto Hebdo.

"That is a good sign. Of course, tyre choice, engine tuning and fuel all affect the testing results, but it does seem to me that the Scuderia is in good shape," Prost, now an advisor for the works Renault team, added.

Others, however, think Mercedes is still ahead of Ferrari.

"Ferrari and Red Bull are a few tenths behind them," predicted former F1 driver Alex Wurz, in conversation with Sport1.

(GMM)
Jean Todt has joined fellow F1 boss Ross Brawn in saying a return of loud, normally-aspirated engines in the sport is "unthinkable".

The volume, complexity and expense of the current 'power unit' technology has been controversial since its inception, and talks about the rules beyond 2020 are set to begin.

But Brawn, who is F1's new sporting boss, said this week that going back to V8, V10 or V12 technology is "unthinkable".

"However, we are thinking about the evolution of the hybrid engine," he said.

Now, FIA president Todt has backed Brawn's prediction about the future of the F1 power unit.

"Everybody's vision is to try to do better for formula one," the Frenchman is quoted by the German news agency SID.

"We must think about new opportunities and innovations, and always look forward. But it is unthinkable to leave the hybrid engines -- the V10 and V12 of the past should stay in the past, even if it is unreasonable to spend money each year on new technologies," Todt added.

The FIA chief also praised F1's new owners Liberty Media, even though the sport's long-time supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been ousted.

"They have new ideas and are very professional, and will create new opportunities for communication," said Todt.

"The new cars? I think we will see a good show. Bernie Ecclestone gave a lot to formula one, but he gained a lot as well. Now I hope that at 86 he is happy to see his child in good hands," he added.

Finally, Todt spoke about the forthcoming FIA presidential elections, saying it is not a certainty that he will run.

"If there are younger people who want my place I'll have to think seriously," said the 71-year-old.

(GMM)
Local favourite Daniel Ricciardo's Melbourne hopes got a boost on Wednesday.

As the Australian met with the local press ahead of the 2017 season opener, it emerged that Renault has solved the recurring reliability problem with its new power unit.

Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt said: "In the Barcelona tests, the Renault teams had to use throttled performance most of the time."

Red Bull - the most competitive Renault-powered team - was a few tenths off the pace of Mercedes and Ferrari through the winter, so the news will be music to Ricciardo's ears.

Asked by local media how confident he is for the 2017 title battle, Ricciardo told Fairfax Media: "Very confident.

"If we have the package to be in the mix, then I definitely feel I can do it."

(GMM)
Chinese and Pakistani investors inaugurated the project in Hub, Balochistan province, Pakistan, on March. 21, 2017. (Photo/CRI)

The groundbreaking ceremony for a China-Pakistan joint venture, a coal fired power plant, was held in Hub, in the country's southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday.

The power complex, built at a cost of two billion US dollars, will install two 660 MW power units, and will provide electricity to four million local families after its completion in August 2019.

The power complex is also expected to generate nine billion kilowatt hours of electricity to the Pakistani national grid, and provide cheaper energy to Pakistani consumers.

Chain Power Hub Generation Company is a joint venture between the State Power Investment Corporation, China Power International Holding and the Hub Power Company Pakistan.

The Pakistani Federal Minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal laid the foundation stone for the plant, which is the first energy project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said the project is of great importance to Pakistan.

"Under CPEC, 35 billion dollars were allocated to the energy sector, because in 2013, Pakistan was facing not acute but acutest energy crisis in the country with power shortages up to 18 to 20 hours per day. Without fixing energy problem, no country can move forward on its development path. CPEC has helped Pakistan fix the biggest problem in its economy for future growth. CPEC has also proven that a friend in need is a friend indeed."

The CEO of the Hub Power Company Khalid Mansoor said with soaring crude oil prices, Pakistan has to lessen its reliance on oil and seek cheaper fuel sources to generate electricity.

"The inclusion of a coal project for the first time in the country and for the power generation portfolio will certainly diversify the fuel links, and to use the cost of electricity, which will bring down the industrial and manufacturing cost and increase the competitiveness of Pakistani export in the global area, which is a major concern these days. The project will comply with international environmental standards for coal fired power plants."

In addressing environmental pollution concerns, the chairman of the China Power International Holding Ltd Wang Binghua promised that 10 percent of the total cost of the project will be used in emission control.

"Super critical technology, which is globally used to improve coal efficiency and a highly efficient technology for desulfurization, will be used in the Hub project. The project will be equipped with an electrostatic precipitator to meet the highest requirements for emission controls in Pakistan. Low-nitrogen combustion technology will also be adopted to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides."

According to the Chinese consul general Wang Yu, a total of 11 energy projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are underway, which will have a generation capacity of more than 7,000 megawatts.
An elliot's pheasant searches for food in Mingxi County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 19, 2017. 316 species of wild birds have been found in Mingxi County, 60 percent of that of the whole province of Fujian, which attracts lots of visitors. (Xinhua/Mei Yongcun)
On March 18, U.S. Department of State Secretary Rex Tillerson arrived in Beijing for his first face-to-face talks with Chinese leaders and to lay the groundwork for a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. After his arrival, the State Department sent out a message on social media, informing the world that the U.S. looks to build a constructive, result-oriented relationship with China.

In his remarks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Secretary Tillerson spoke on the past and future trajectory of the China-U.S. relationship:

Since the historic opening of relations between our two countries more than 40 years ago, the U.S.-China relationship has been guided by an understanding of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation. It is important that the leaders of our two countries engage in further dialogue to develop a common understanding that will guide our relationship for the next half-century.

As Tillerson stated, the China-U.S. relationship has been guided by an understanding of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation for more than four decades. Over the years, the China-U.S. relationship has grown beyond all expectations, having stood the test of time. The bilateral relationship has had its share of ups and downs, but the two sides have persisted in expanding cooperation and enhancing mutual trust. As a result, the bilateral relationship has been able to grow steadily and bring benefits to both peoples. The goal now is to advance this win-win cooperative relationship for the years to come.

In China, Tillerson signaled Americas readiness to develop China-U.S. relations on a common understanding for the next half-century. The language Tillerson used to describe the bilateral relationship sent a signal that the Trump administration wants a win-win relationship with China. After Tillersons fruitful meetings with Chinese leaders, Mark Toner, acting spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, explained the meaning of Tillersons language to journalists who questioned whether or not Tillerson went too far. Toner said it was the intention of Tillerson to send a message that the U.S. is ready to develop a cooperative, productive, and forward-looking relationship with China.

By adopting Chinas language, Tillerson has endorsed the new model of major-country relations, which was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Xi and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, agreed to build a new type of major-country relationship following their historical meeting at Sunnylands, a 200-acre Annenberg Estate in Rancho Mirage, California, in June 2013. The deliberate use of Chinas language is a positive signal that the Trump administration wants to avoid the traditional path of tragedy between major countries. The new model abandons the outdated grand strategy of maximizing or maintaining ones share of power and influence, and ensures that all major countries are seen as equals on the world stage.

Some Western media outlets reported that Tillerson's Beijing visit was a home run for China. On the contrary, it was victory for the development of the bilateral relationship. Efforts to contain China might sound appealing to those who want to prevent Chinas peaceful rise in order for the U.S. to regain its global superpower status, but such efforts will only make cooperation less likely and would be fruitless in the end. Fully embracing the new model is the only correct choice for both countries. For lasting peace and prosperity, Tillerson should continue to make an all-out-effort to develop China-U.S. relations on equal footing.

Though Tillerson has set a positive tone for the development of the bilateral relationship, some have expressed disapproval. In an article by The Washington Post, Bonnie Glaser, a senior adviser for Asia and the director of the China Power Project at CSIS, criticized Tillersons choice of words, especially his use of mutual respect, because it, in effect, says that the U.S. accepts Chinas core interests at the expense of Americas core interests. This conclusion is based on the assumption that China has no intention to live up to its end of the bargain, and that the U.S. is and should remain the worlds authority. Mutual respect is a two-way street, and it is in the long-term interests of both sides to develop relations on the basis of respecting each others core interests. Solid steps toward building a more democratic international order is not a win for China and a loss for America, but a win for both countries.

In their 30-minute meeting, Chinese President Xi and U.S. Secretary Tillerson discussed the progress in China-U.S. relations, and Tillerson conveyed that U.S. President Trump is anticipating the two will soon be able to meet face-to-face for discussions, at which time both sides can jointly chart bilateral ties for the next half-century and plan all-round cooperation.

In his China debut, Tillerson has received criticism for embracing the new model, but it is a win-win for both countries, as well as for the global community, if what many experts describe as the worlds most important bilateral relationship is guided by a common understanding and continues to develop in a direction featuring no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation for many years to come.
 The issue with conductive charging is though there are plenty of standards, unfortunately many of these standards are simply not compatible. This incompatibility hurts not only the infrastructure, but also the commercialization of the electric vehicle as the customer does not accept not being able to go to a specific charging [spot],  said Dr. Uooyeol Yoon of KAIST.

Conference presentations at the 4th International Electric Vehicle Expo this week in Jeju, South Korea, explored issues related to automated driving systems, electric vehicles and infrastructure. Specifically, two presentations from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) and SAE International addressed the interdependence of standardization, autonomous electric vehicles and wireless charging.

The customer wants the freedom to know not only where the charging station is located, but expects that he can charge there. How are multiple choices for conductive charging going to work for autonomous vehicles? Its not. Dr. Uooyeol Yoon ( ET News

Dr. Yoon of KAIST, a South Korean public research university, coordinates the standards activities in Korea and is also a researcher in this area with experience in light- and heavy-duty wireless power transfer (WPT). With the harmonization of standardization between ISO, IEC and SAE, wireless charging looks like it will be universally compatible.

SAE International, which is developing the J2954 standard for wireless charging (earlier post), is one of the lead standards organizations; SAE has entered a formal agreement for the first time with ISO and is beginning a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IEC.

Harmonization is good news for the customer for using wireless charging and for the commercialization of both electric and autonomous vehicles. Jesse Schneider, chair of the SAE Wireless Charging Taskforce

Dr. Yoon showed the two different technologies (circular and DD) for wireless power transfer and how the standards allow compatibility between the two. (This was demonstrated in benchtesting at Idaho National Laboratory at the end of last year. Earlier post.)

The standards have found a way for even competing technologies to charge with interoperability, high efficiencies above 90% up to 7.7kW. Dr. Yoon

Dr. Yoon insisted it is important for the groups to work together to avoid the current situation of dissimilar systems in conductive charging. In his presentation on future charging options, he also discussed research underway at KAIST on 22kW static wireless charging.

Though is not widely known, that there is an interdependence between wireless charging and autonomous vehicles. For light duty vehicles, under all-weather conditions, the only reliable way to automatically charge autonomous electric vehicles is with wireless charging. The standardization of WPT in SAE J2954, coupled with communications, automates the charging process and helps the vehicle fine tune the parking alignment. Jesse Schneider ( ET News

It is difficult for drivers and autonomous vehicles alike to know the correct parking space location for wireless charging when there is snow covering a parking lot. SAE J2954 specifies a common alignment method for the ground assembly to assist in parking even under all weather conditions using a method of magnetic triangulation.

SAE J2954 is to be tested in the next two years by vehicle automakers to be standardized at the end of 2018. This standardization milestone was given by the industry to enable the commercialization of WPT up to 11 kW by the 2020 timeframe to assist both EVs and autonomous vehicles.
Photo shows China's first national seed bank for wild plants, the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species at the Kunming Institute of Botany, which is located in southwestern China's Yunnan province. As the largest seed bank for wild plants in all of Asia, the Yunnan base contains seeds of nearly 10,000 wild plants from around the globe. Every five to 10 years, scientists examine all the samples to be sure that they can sprout.
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.
A Kansas abortion clinic that was among the first in the country to open after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade has been inundated with patients. Some drive 10 hours or more to get there, coming from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and even Louisiana. But thats only if they can get an appointment. Planned Parenthood clinics in the state, including this newest one, are only able to take about 10% to 15% of the patients seeking abortions. Kansas is one of the few states in the region still providing abortions in the wake of the court's ruling.
Its the meanness embedded in President Donald Trumps proposed budget that is most striking.

And meanness it is, make no mistake.

Why would you add work requirements to Medicaid, other than to kick people off that coverage by framing them as freeloaders?

Why would you eliminate public funding for the arts, except to make it a privilege of the wealthy?

Why would you cut funding to human services such as affordable housing?

Why do these things, when so many of the programs and agencies targeted represent a fraction of the overall budget?

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said some of the targeted items, such as Community Development Block Grants, fund programs that sound good but arent really working.

CDBG funding provides support for affordable housing and programs that address homelessness. In Greensboro, those grants have helped more than 12,500 people and/or households afford a place to live during the past five years.

Adding work requirements to Medicaid overlooks the fact that most able-bodied people receiving this health care benefit are working. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 59 percent of non-disabled adults on Medicaid have jobs. Lack of transportation, education and other resources are often substantial roadblocks to finding employment for those who dont.

Eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by portraying these organizations as fluff that unduly burdens hard-working taxpayers overlooks the fact that the NEA and CPB bring education and the arts to communities that otherwise could not afford them.

Similarly, cuts to the Appalachian Regional Commission would hurt the very West Virginia coal miners Mulvaney used as an example of those whom these cuts were designed to help. The commission was founded in 1965 to strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian region of 13 states, including all of West Virginia and parts of North Carolina, that traditionally have struggled to climb out of poverty for lack of economic opportunity.

The list of budget cuts goes on and on. Programs targeted in Trumps budget, such as legal aid, heating assistance, housing assistance, rural airports, after-school programs and weatherization services, all benefit low-income Americans. Although some cuts would hurt all Americans, the poor will suffer most.

Who is hardest hit when the Environmental Protection Agency is cut by 31 percent? Those who have fewer choices about where to live and the conditions of the water, air and soil on which homes are built. Industrial plants, factories and landfills such as Greensboros White Street Landfill frequently are built in high-poverty areas.

Who is hardest hit when the Labor Department is cut by 20 percent? Those who need protection in the workplace, who depend on that agency to ensure that their employer pays them for a fair wage and provides reasonable working hours and safe working conditions.

Who is hardest hit when the National Institutes of Health is cut by 20 percent? Those with the least access to health education and health care services.

This funding cut also eliminates the Fogarty International Center, which supports global health.

Why should we care about global health? Because disease does not respect borders. Because AIDS, Ebola and Zika all originated in impoverished countries but ultimately struck down people everywhere, including America.

Who is hardest hit when the Department of Education is cut by 13 percent? High-need children, limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities who rely on programs such as Striving Readers to build literacy skills. Students in rural areas with less funding for schools who benefit from the Teacher Quality Partnership that helped fund the N.C. A&T Rural Teacher Residency Program.

Who loses when FEMAs Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program is cut? Towns such as Princeville, the historic African-American community in eastern North Carolina that has been flooded out twice  once by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and again by Hurricane Matthew last year  because of a poorly designed levee. The goal of the program is reducing the risk to populations and structures from future hazard events.

Its easy to see that these budget cuts are aimed squarely at the most vulnerable Americans. The wealthy will always be able to afford the best health care, send their children to the best schools and live in places with the best water, air and protection from natural disasters.

If rich people work, its not in a chicken-processing plant, a factory or coal mine, where health and safety risks are high.

Trump doesnt want to ask the coal miner in West Virginia or the single mother in Detroit to pay for programs that benefit them, but he has no problem asking them to pick up the tab for his weekend treks to Mar-a-Lago, which are costing $3 million a pop. He has taken five such weekends so far.

Education, art, health, security and prosperity should not be limited to a privileged few.
(I've updated this blog post below.)

Back in 2015, the last time we saw new members added to the UNC Board of Governors, Greensboro had three representatives on the 32-member board that oversees the UNC system.

There was Marty Kotis, the developer who lives in Summerfield but does most of his developing in Greensboro; Therence Pickett, the general counsel at Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks; and Pearl Burris-Floyd, who was vice president of Greensboro Partnership, one of the citys economic development groups.

Fast forward two years and Greensboro might be down to one rep on the BOG. Shortly after getting her seat, Burris-Floyd took the COOs job at the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce. (She actually lives in Gaston County.) And Pickett told me via email that hes not seeking a second four-year term.

That leaves Kotis, whos one of 10 people nominated by the Senate to six open seats on the board.

(A quick aside: A new state law will cut the oversized BOG to a still-large-but-more-manageable 24 members. The House and Senate each will get six picks this year instead of the usual eight and six more in 2019. That will bring the BOG to 28 later this year to 24 in 2019. Not everyone thinks this is a swell idea.)

Theres no telling if Kotis will be back on the BOG. Hes one of four current Senate-appointed members who are seeking another term. And some of the potential newcomers  the Senate is also considering former Raleigh mayor Tom Fetzer and former state Sen. Bob Rucho  are pretty heavy-hitters in political and legislative circles.

I called Kotis on Tuesday to get his thoughts on potentially being the last Greensboro rep standing on the BOG. He told me a couple of things I thought were worth mentioning.

First: The House and Senate tend to look less at the school or city someone represents and more at region theyre from. If you pull back a bit, the current BOG includes former state Rep. Laura Wiley of High Point (who isnt getting a second term) and David Powers of Winston-Salem (who has two years left on his term). Right now, the Triad has four of 32 seats  an eighth of the total.

A couple of the nominees have Triad ties. The Senate nominees include Nigel Alston of Winston-Salem and Frankie Jones Sr., who lives outside Burlington. (He's also an N.C. A&T grad.) There arent any obvious Gso/HP/WS connections on the House's list.

When the dust settles, the Triad could end up with, say, three or four of 28 seats  roughly the same share it holds now.

Second: Kotis said the who-represents-which-school game is overplayed. In his mind, its more important to have BOG members who have experience in business, finance, construction, academics, educational policy, law and other areas the board oversees. Advocating for one particular school, he added, can be troublesome. You have to be an advocate for the whole system, Kotis said.

Still, it would be nice that the only city in North Carolina with two comprehensive state universities* (N.C. A&T and UNCG) that combined have more students than UNC-Chapel Hill would have some representation on the systems governing board.

Kotis doesn't really agree.

If were the citizens of Greensboro, weve already won the lottery, Kotis said. Weve already got two (UNC) schools.

P.S. Maybe theres a silver lining here, but the UNC-Chapel Hill stranglehold on the BOG seems to be loosening. In 2011, the BOG has 19 members with a UNC-CH degree. That number was down to 17 in 2013, according to this. By my count, the UNC-CH clique is now just 13. None of the Senates six new nominees have any Chapel Hill connection that Google could spit up. What this trend means for UNC-CH or any of the other UNC campuses is anyones guess, including mine.

* Yeah, yeah, I know, Winston-Salem does have two UNC schools: Winston-Salem State and UNC School of the Arts. But Im counting UNCSA as half because its partly a high school and partly an arts school, which is to say its not a comprehensive university. Also, Greensboro > Winston, and this is my blog, so.

Update, 5 p.m. Wednesday: A reader writes to say that David Powers, who worked at Reynolds American in Winston-Salem for 20 years, has now hung up his own lobbyist shingle in Raleigh. I don't know if he's actually living in Raleigh  I guess you can commute like legislators do  so I'm giving Powers only partial credit for representing the Triad on the BOG.

Want to make sure you see these blog posts? Like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter.

Have something to say? Email me at john.newsom@greensboro.com.
March 22, 1917

It may now be stated that on Tuesday the (state) department received a long dispatch from Ambassador Francis asking authorization to recognize formally the new Russian government. The ambassador pointed out that the new Russia was formed on the same principles that had inspired the framers of the American republic, and that its leaders stood for all that this country held sacred. The revolution, he said, had been entirely successful, and good order prevailed everywhere. The ambassador particularly suggested that the United States should be the first nation to welcome the new Russian government into the family of nations. The authority was given.
GREENSBORO  Another shooting in the city, this one claimed the life of a 17-year-old Dudley High School senior.

Rontaveon Montrice Porter, of 1118 S. English St., was one of two people injured Monday night in the parking lot of an apartment complex tucked away in a working-class neighborhood in northeast Greensboro, according to police.

At 8:42 p.m., police responding to 911 calls found two gunshot victims at 2006 Niagara St., which is off the northern end of English Street.

Both were taken to an area hospital by emergency responders. The second victim, who police declined to identify, was treated and released.

Porter died while undergoing treatment, becoming the citys eighth homicide victim of the year.

His family was grieving Tuesday and chose not to comment.

Guilford County Schools administrators had grief counselors on Dudleys campus during classes Tuesday.

Neighbors said they heard the gunshots and saw most of the young men in the parking lot at the time scatter before police arrived.

Police were still looking for leads Tuesday, Capt. Nathaniel Davis said.

We hope that people will begin to come forward and talk to us about what they might know about the case, Davis said.

Thinking about the Porters Tuesday was Irish Spencer, who knows what they are going through  and is concerned about the rash of shootings in recent months.

I heard about it and immediately went into prayer for them, said Spencer, whose son was shot to death in February 2016.

Spencer remembers when police showed up at her home that day, asking for a picture of son William McKinley Spencer III, who was 25.

And then, after confirming his identify, broke the news to Spencer and her husband.

I just fell to the ground, Spencer said.

Police arrested and charged a suspect in her sons death and he remains in the Guilford County Jail without bail. Spencer and her husband started a support group, Families Against Senseless Killing.

Thats a pain no parent should feel, Spencer said.
GREENSBORO  Preliminary autopsy findings have led detectives to classify the death of a man found shot March 14 near the intersection of Julian and Omaha streets as a homicide.

Archery Monyae Thompson Sr., 40, of 506 Ireland St. died Thursday, police said in a news release.

Police were not able to immediately determine how he died due to "the complicated nature of the incident," according to the release.

Thompson was found in the road about 12:15 p.m. when witnesses called Guilford Metro 911 to report hearing gunfire.

Detectives are withholding details to help identify a suspect in the death.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000 or text the tip to 274637 using the key word badboyz.
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For more than 30 years, rivals have come and gone, but the competition for travelers business has been constant for Greenwich bed and breakfast co-owner Tog Pearson.

A few years ago, the sort of competition Pearsons Stanton House Inn faced changed dramatically. The whole industry exploded, Pearson said, with the advent of online home-renting services such as Airbnb and HomeAway. Its definitely eroded our business, he said.

Companies like Airbnb allow users to book accommodations at peoples homes, and as they have gained traction have become the target of many local and state governments. Homeowners ability to turn a profit by renting their properties in residential-zoned areas often undercuts local regulations as well as hotels and bed and breakfasts, which are required to abide by licensing and safety laws, Pearson said.

Pearson said he tried to assimilate by listing his rooms on Airbnb last year. He stopped after it yielded nothing more than some very strange solicitations.

State statistics

Last year, Connecticut residents brought in $11 million by renting out their homes and apartments on Airbnb, according to recently released data by the company. Around 2,400 hosts, as Airbnb terms them, registered 64,000 visits through the online platform. On average, Airbnb said in a statement, Connecticut hosts banked $5,500 in 2016.

We are proud to see that more and more Connecticuters have discovered home sharing as an opportunity to share their community with visitors from around the world, and earn a little bit of extra money along the way, Airbnb public policy spokesman Josh Meltzer said in a statement.

Municipalities leading the state in the number of Airbnb guests hosted last year include New Haven with 11,500 visits, Hartford with 3,700 and New London landing third with 2,950.

In southwestern Connecticut, the numbers were lower than elsewhere in the state, with with 1,000 in Bridgeport, 2,500 in Danbury, 2,000 in Greenwich, 930 in Norwalk and 2,000 in Stamford.

Airbnbs steady march into the informal hospitality industry, with homes and apartments listed in more than 34,000 cities and 192 countries, has prompted some increasingly bitter debates between neighbors, local governments and industry lobbyists.

Regulatory debate

Last winter, Stamford served as the scene for one such public quarrel, with neighbors complaining about a home on Grandview Avenue used solely to host short-term guests.

Cars were coming in and out all hours of the day, Hearst Connecticut Media reported a neighbor saying about the property. My mother was baby-sitting for me one day and she saw six or seven mattresses being brought in. The mailbox was being used as a key drop. The garbage started overflowing.

Stamfords zoning and health departments have since worked with the property owner and Airbnb to redress the situation, according to Elizabeth Carlson, a spokeswoman for Stamford Mayor David Martin, though it remains an example of frustrations that have been playing out in many neighborhoods and has prompted various levels of government to consider a response.

On the state level, the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services and Airbnb agreed last summer for Airbnb to collect and remit the states 15 percent lodging tax for short-term stays on behalf of its hosts. Local regulations are less defined, though it remains legal in most parts of Fairfield County.

In the Bridgeport area, many homeowners associations dont allow owners to list units for short-term rentals, but most towns havent gone so far as to prohibit them.

We dont have any rules that deal with Airbnb, said Jay Habansky, zoning administrator in Stratford. As long as property owners abide by the zoning regulations, such as ensuring the proper number of people allowed per unit, zoning officials dont have a problem with these types of rentals, he said.

In Danbury, short-term rentals are also legal, but Sean Hearty, a zoning enforcement officer, questioned how the concept of home-renting fit into the citys definition of a single-family dwelling.

Long-term lease agreements are one thing, Hearty said, but the daily or weekend repetition can change the residential character of a house and neighborhood.

For Norwalk, director of the citys Fair Rent Commission Adam Bovilsky last year said Airbnb may be violating Norwalks zoning laws, particularly in instances where the owner of the house is not on hand as a host during the rental period. Regardless, Airbnb hosts continue to operate in Norwalk.

Airbnb versus upscale hotels

For upscale Greenwich hotels such as The JHouse and The Delamar, Airbnb doesnt pose as big of a threat, general managers from both said.

People who are coming here are looking for something different than what the sharing community offers, JHouse General Manager Ben Webster said, adding JHouse caters to guests who want the amenities offered by a hotel but not by an Airbnb.

We dont see it as competition for our business model, Webster said. They cant do what we do because theyre not hospitality professionals.

Chris Bosak, Keila Torres Ocasio, Paul Schott and Alexander Soule contributed to this article.

MBennett@greenwichtime.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_
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GREENWICH  The lunch tables at Greenwich Catholic School were set with matzoh, beitzah, bitter herbs and charoset. The curious fifth graders seated simply saw a dry-looking cracker, half a hard-boiled egg, a piece of parsley and a mysterious mushy mixture.

Has anyone ever been to a Passover seder before? asked Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz of Temple Sholom from the center of the room.

None of the fifth-graders raised a hand.

So on Wednesday, for the 23rd year, the rabbi took Greenwich Catholic School students step by step through the symbolic meal.

He explained the meaning behind each food  the beitzah, or egg, symbolizes rebirth and spring; the bitter herbs, the difficulties of slavery  and the ceremonies associated with them  like dipping the bitter herbs into salt water to represent the tears shed because of the bitterness of slavery.

We eat history, he explained to the students on Wednesday. Each food we are going to consume is going to teach a lesson.

With dramatic storytelling, he took the students on a journey through history of the Jewish faith, speaking of Joseph, Moses, Exodus and finally, that of the holiday of Passover.

The students ran around their tables during the retelling of the parting of the Red Sea. They dipped plastic knives in grape juice for each of the 10 plagues, leaving small red dots on their yellow plastic plates. With enthusiasm and the occasional shout of Lchaim, they raised their glasses and toasted during the Hebrew prayers.

Among Hurvitzs audience was The Rev. Richard Murphy of Greenwich Catholic School. The pair compared Jewish and Catholic worship and traditions as they moved through the seder.

Jesus was a Jew, Hurvitz reminded his audience. That last supper was a Passover seder.

Greenwich Catholic School teachers explained that the school hosts a Passover seder every year for fifth-graders in order to show them the parallels between Judaism and Catholicism.

By sharing the seder meal and learning about the story of Passover, they really come to see that we have a shared heritage, said fifth-grade teacher Joanne Grecko. We see it as a real bridge-builder between our faith and other faiths. In the world that our students are inheriting, that is an understanding that is going to serve them well.

Hurvitz added, If you have relationships with people, you are automatically going to think about things differently.

Temple Sholom will host an interfaith First Night Passover seder for community members on April 10, in order to give more people exposure to Jewish traditions. Passover begins at sundown on April 10 and lasts until sundown April 18.

Were actually doing exactly what we are doing here (at Greenwich Catholic School) with families on Passover itself, he said.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
A recent poll from Quinnipiac University found a big division among Americans about legalizing marijuana at the federal level.

A large majority favored the idea. Asked if marijuana should be made legal in the U.S., 59 percent said yes while 36 percent said no.

Related: Legal Marijuana a 'Powerful Force' in Oregon Economy

However, the poll found a real dividing line when it came to two groups:

61 percent of Republicans oppose legalization at the federal level

51 percent of those over the age of 65 also oppose federal legalization

Those two represent the only groups who oppose legalization of marijuana by the federal government. Quinnipiac broke down the respondents into different groups. Here are some of them, as well as the percentage who favor legalization.

Democrats  72 percent

Independents  58 percent

Men  65 percent

Women  54 percent

Ages 18 to 34  76 percent

Ages 35 to 49  71 percent

Ages 50 to 64  53 percent

Clearly, marijuana is yet another issue that strongly divides people along political lines and, at least in the case of the oldest Americans, by age.

Related: Researchers Believe Legal Marijuana Could Hurt Beer Sales

Why it matters.

The lack of legalization at the federal level has led to all kinds of issues for entrepreneurs and investors looking to get into the legal cannabis business, both medical and recreational.

For one, the hodgepodge of state laws -- and even different municipal laws within each state -- has led to uncertainty about who can do what and where. That ranges from where you can grow, distribute and sell at the retail level. Business leaders also face different licenses and fees structures depending on where they do business.

Perhaps most importantly for businesses, the prohibition against marijuana at the federal level has kept large banks from offering services of any kind to marijuana-related businesses.

Many are looking to Canada as an example of a nation taking careful steps toward national legalization of marijuana. The government continues to move forward with national legalization even though a recent poll finds the country split on the issue.

Government leaders there say they will move slowly on national legalization, taking time to coordinate with governments across the country to establish a universal set of regulations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said legislation that legalizes marijuana at the national level should be ready to introduce to Parliament by summer.

No division on federal action.

The Quinnipiac poll initially received a lot of attention because it found that people across all age and political groups voice opposition to the federal government interfering in states where voters made either medical or recreational marijuana legal.

This question became relevant in the wake of comments by Sean Spicer, spokesman for President Donald Trump, made to reporters. He told them I do believe that people will see greater enforcement of federal law in regards to marijuana.

While approved in 28 states for medical use and eight for recreational use, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.

Of the 1,323 surveyed, 71 percent said they oppose federal action against those states, while 23 percent supported it.

Follow dispensaries.com on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news.

Related:

Everyone but Republicans Favors Legalizing Marijuana Nationally

Legal Marijuana a 'Powerful Force' in Oregon Economy

Researchers Believe Legal Marijuana Could Hurt Beer Sales



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Ad tech hit a speed bump over the last year or so as venture capital investors have pulled back slighty. However, the sector as a whole continues to grow as more ad spending shifts to digital. The segments overall revenues are expected to triple by 2020 to $100 billion. That growth, and the programmatic space in particular, attract a set of workers who are understandably interested in joining an industry with a strong future. Yet when it comes to readily usable programmatic skills, its a sellers market.

Related: The 3 Most Common -- and Costly -- Hiring Mistakes

Its the personality, stupid.

Thats why ad-tech recruiters frequently find staffing an issue. Factor in a generally fresher ecosystem with shorter tenure and quicker job rotations than in more traditional industries -- energy, banking or retail -- and you find yourself hiring younger or less experienced candidates than you normally would.

Younger, less-experienced candidates offer many benefits, including agility, fluency with the most recent tech trends and comfort with the world as it is (or is about to be). However, experience-based assessment (i.e., assessing what they will do based on what they did) is less useful when candidates draw from a more shallow well of experiences. You may find yourself interviewing a person who has only a single internship to talk about. Predicting how such a person will behave in a full-time job is tricky. Sometimes youll offer a complex problem to learn how they might approach it, and theyll talk about how they decided to study in Barcelona rather than London. I cant count the number of candidates who have told me how they decided to break up with (or stay with) their girlfriend or boyfriend. So you have to work with what they give you. How are they tackling a challenge? Any challenge?

Related: Hiring Tip: Ask About the Candidate, Don't Talk About the Position

Weeding out brilliant jerks.

You need to make sure that each new hire will commit to the companys vision and will quickly sync with the rest of the team. That requires knowing your companys ethos and culture. If the new hires commitment is unclear, invest some time to make it clear.

One thing we (and now, Arianna Huffington and Uber) look to avoid is hiring the brilliant jerk -- a person who is bright, capable and unpleasant. Some companies enjoy hiring brilliant jerks because it fits with a competitive internal environment. But at many firms, as the HBR article referenced above noted, such hires cause a great deal of damage.

Short of asking Are you a jerk? and hoping for an honest reply, there are a few questions that can suss out such tendencies. One is asking, Tell me about somebody great. The answer will demonstrate whether someone can be passionate, animated and admiring of others. You can see if they speak from the heart. If they dont, youll get a better feel for what sets their gears in motion. Do they seem to view others as stooges, praising those who tell them what they want to hear, or do they let others shine?

You want someone who can explain his or her expertise in a way thats approachable. If they cant, their skills are likely to stop with them. At the same time, look for indicators of a persons mindset. If something fails, rather than look for ways to make it better the next time, they look for someone to blame. Thats a no-go.

Related: 11 Secrets From Top Entrepreneurs on Hiring the Best Talent

Trust in consensus.

No one should enter a company after fewer than four interviews, and they should first meet all of the key people they will work with. Everyone needs to agree the person will be a good hire. Those requirements are a service to the prospective hire as well as to the company.

Some will argue that such a process takes too long. Rigorous criteria can lead you to leave a position open for months rather than fill it with the wrong employee. Make sure you have a scheduling ninja or two, so you dont lose qualified applicants to excessive delay.

The C-suite needs to understand that the quality of workers determines a companys culture, reputation and productivity. This is especially true in a fast-growing company in a fast-growing industry. It can be tough to hire methodically when supervisors are begging for help. Thoughtless hiring, though, can undo years of hard work. No one wants that.

Take your time.
OnePlus has announced that its limited edition OnePlus 3T Midnight Black is going to be slightly less exclusive, as the company will be selling more units of the device beyond the originally planned 250.

OnePlus will be making another 250 units available through Hypebeast website on March 24, 4PM GMT. Additional units will be available at a later date from OnePlus.net in North America and Europe. In India, the phone will be available for pre-order on Amazon on March 23 and will be available for purchase starting March 31, 2:00PM IST on Amazon and OnePlusStore.in.

Last week the company announced the Midnight Black edition as a limited edition model to celebrate the 20th anniversary of concept store Colette in Paris, where 250 units were to be made available at a pop-up store on March 21. The response was likely strong enough for OnePlus to consider selling more of these units. Or maybe that was the plan all along and the original announcement was a ruse; we will never know.

The phone features three layers of paint coatings 14 microns thick to maintain the look and feel of metal. The phone is then sandblasted and an anti-fingerprint layer is applied. The phone only comes in 128GB storage option and is priced at USD 479 / EUR 479 / GBP 439 / INR 34,999.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday night for an official visit.

It is the first trip to the Oceanian country by a Chinese premier in 11 years.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China's diplomatic ties with Australia. The substantial development in bilateral ties and cooperation has delivered numerous tangible benefits to both peoples, said Li in a written statement upon his arrival.

Li hoped that his visit could usher in new prospects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and push forward the continuous, sound and steady development of China-Australia relations in the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation.

Noting the sluggish global economic recovery and a rising trend of anti-globalization and protectionism, Li said that China and Australia, as two influential countries, have forged consensus, deepened cooperation, jointly sent a positive signal of facilitating trade and investment and fighting agaist protectionism, and yielded more dividends driven by free trade agreement.

It is conductive to better achieving mutual benefit and win-win, and contributing to the stability and development in the region and the world at large, Li added.

During his five-day stay, Premier Li and Turnbull will hold the fifth annual meeting of the two prime ministers. They will also attend a forum on China-Australia economic and trade cooperation.

Both sides are going to discuss their free trade agreement, which took effect in December 2015, and ways to further boost bilateral cooperation in technology, trade and investment, energy, education and tourism.

Li is also expected to meet Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and parliamentary officials.

In a signed article published on Wednesday by The Australian, a local leading newspaper, the Chinese premier called on the two countries to continue to work together and jointly help counter global instability through steady development and cooperation.

"We stand ready to work with other countries to support economic globalization and free trade, improve the global governance system and facilitate progress of mankind," Li said in the article.

China is Australia's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade hit 108 billion U.S. dollars last year. Accumulative two-way investment exceeded 100 billion dollars.

People-to-people exchanges also have soared as the two-way trips between the two countries reached nearly 2 million last year. This year marks the China-Australia Year of Tourism.

"Since coming into effect, the China-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) has yielded continuous dividends, as evidenced by the more than 50 percent year-on-year growth in Australian exports of milk powder, red wine and dietary supplements to China, which are among the most sought-after overseas products for Chinese consumers," he wrote.

Li also said that the two countries may further open up markets to each other to generate greater FTA-driven prosperity and make bilateral economic cooperation and trade more diverse and sustainable.

The Australian prime minister hailed the good momentum of bilateral relations before Li's visit.

"This visit will highlight Australia's strong economic relationship with China and our mutual commitment to encouraging trade and investment in our region," said Turnbull said in a recent statement.

After his Australian trip, the Chinese premier will pay an official visit to New Zealand. This year also marks the 45th anniversary of China's diplomatic ties with New Zealand.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 22

Trend:

Turkey and Russia have restored their relations and are currently working to settle regional problems, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

He made the remarks at the National Press Club in Washington.

We have overcome our differences. Our relations have been restored, and we cooperate to solve a number of problems in the region, noted Cavusoglu.

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.




Haiti - Economy : Sunrise Airways inaugurates two new destinations





Haitian airline Sunrise Airways will proceed on March 29, 2017 to the inaugural flight of a new destination to Georgetown, Guyana.



On 31 March, Sunrise Airways will launch its brand new flight to Santiago de los Caballeros (STI), Dominican Republic.



For reservations and more information :



visit www.sunriseairways.net/



or call in Haiti to: + (509) 2811 2222 / 305 433 2707



The Sunrise Airways announces that reservations and payment can also be made at the Big Star Supermarkets, located on the corner of Lamarre and Chavannes Streets (upstairs), Petion-ville.





Learn more about Sunrise Airways :

Sunrise Airways (IATA: S6, ICAO: KSZ) is a progressive, modern Haitian-owned commercial airline launched in December 2012 that is elevating air travel within the Western Caribbean to new heights of excellence. Sunrise Airways owns and operates a fleet comprised of Jetstream 32 EP aircraft offering the comfort of leather seating and ample in-cabin cargo room for a maximum capacity of 19 passengers. Headquartered in Port-au-Prince with a dedicated maintenance facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Sunrise Airways is owned by noted Haitian businessman and philanthropist, Philippe Bayard. Members of the airlines leadership team average more than 15 years of aviation experience with such well-known industry brands as Aerocaribbean, Air Jamaica, BAE Systems, Condor Airlines, Jamaica Air Shuttle, and LAN Airlines.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20202-haiti-economy-inaugural-flight-of-sunrise-airways-pap-havana.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19913-haiti-economy-sunrise-airways-positions-for-aggressive-expansion-in-2017.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19865-icihaiti-sunrise-airways-commissioning-of-an-airbus-a320.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18355-haiti-economy-sunrise-airways-spreads-its-wings-on-jamaica.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





FLASH, PNH denies attempted attack on Aristide

The National Police of Haiti (PNH) rejects the assertions of lawyers of former President Aristide https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20420-haiti-flash-attempted-assassination-of-jean-bertrand-aristide.html , who claimed that the shots fired during the passage of the convoy was an attempt to assassinate former President Lavalas. According to the PNH, the chaotic situation was more likely to have been caused by supporters of two political factions who threw stones and shot.



Concessions of President Moise in Parliament

To ensure the ratification of his Prime Minister in Parliament, President Jovenel Moses conceded during the negotiations, 5 ministries in the Senate and 6 Ministries in the Lower House.



Installations of Ministers in cascade

This morning, have been installed Mr. Aviol Fleurant, Minister of Planning, Mr. Heidi Fortune, Minister of Justice, Jude Alix Patrick Salomon, Minister of Economy, Max Rudolph Saint-Albin Minister of the Interior... Others installation to come...



Arrears of salaries promise of PM

"The next Government will develop mechanisms to solve the problem of the salaries of teachers in public schools, especially those in high schools," announced Prime Minister Lafontant while answering questions from deputies during the ratification session. "A fund will be mobilized for this purpose," he promised.



BCEN more than 100 cases auditioned

Carlos Hercule, Vice-President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), gave a partial account of the hearings held by the Office of National Electoral Litigation (BCEN), specifying that the BCEN had already heard about one hundred of the 165 cases that have been filed.



Congratulations of Jovenel Moise

"I welcome the ratification of Jack Guy Lafontant's policy statement by both Houses of Parliament. Let's get to work!" declared Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20422-haiti-flash-the-general-policy-statement-is-accepted-by-the-chamber-of-deputies.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20375-haiti-flash-the-general-policy-statement-is-accepted-by-the-senate.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Kat Jamieson is an author and tastemaker who has been sharing her passion for lifestyle topics such as fashion, decor, travel, and cooking since 2011 on her blog: With Love From Kat. Her first book, Blended, was recently released in October. In this book, Kat shares a seasonally inspired and holistic approach to cooking, as well as her take on entertaining and living well. She shares more than 125 recipes that have helped her to feel energized, vibrant, and balanced. Aside from these nourishing recipes, Kat also discusses how she has obtained a truly balanced and...
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 22

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijan exported goods worth $127.55 million to Georgia in January-February 2017, 38 percent more than in January-February 2016, according to a report of Georgias National Statistics Office.

The report says Azerbaijan ranks the second among main exporters to Georgia with a specific weight of 12 percent (9.9 percent in January-February 2016).

Turkey is the leader among main exporters to Georgia with $163.35 million (15.3 percent), being followed by Russia with $103.6 million (9.7 percent).

According to the report, Georgias trade turnover with Azerbaijan amounted to $146.04 million in January-February 2017. The specific weight of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Georgia is 10.3 percent of total volume of Georgias foreign trade operations.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 22

Trend:

Azerbaijan increased goods import from Georgia to $18.5 million in January-February 2017 as compared to $10.1 million in the same period of 2016, says a report of Georgias National Statistics Office.

The share of Azerbaijan in Georgias exports was 5.2 percent versus 3.6 percent in January-February 2016. As of February 2017, Azerbaijan ranked the sixth among countries importing Georgian products.

Georgia mainly exports pipes, iron alloy and other products to Azerbaijan.

A major part of Georgian goods, worth $58.9 million (specific gravity of 16.6 percent), is exported to Russia. Russia is followed by Turkey with more than $35 million (9.9 percent) and Bulgaria with $29.45 million (8.3 percent).

According to the report, Georgias trade turnover with Azerbaijan amounted to $146.04 million in January-February 2017.

The specific gravity of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Georgia is 10.3 percent of total volume of Georgias foreign trade operations.
More Than One Million Americans are in North Koreas Nuclear Crosshairs (With No Real Defense)

by Steven P. Bucci, The National Interest, March 21, 2017

Russia, China and Iran pose major challenges for U.S. missile defense. But for the new Trump administration, the most immediate problem is North Korea.

Pyongyangs most likely U.S. target is Hawaii, which means that this is no time for business as usual.

The ballistic missile threat from the Hermit Kingdom continues to grow. Kim Jong-un conducted [3] a medium range ballistic-missile test within weeks of Trumps swearing-in ceremony. The regime claims the test was successful.

Whether it was or not, the test serves as a sobering reminder that recent U.S. missile-defense policies and spending have not done enough to deter our adversaries from pursuing advanced weapons. In fact, the first real test of the Trump administration might just come from Pyongyang. Their ability to hit the West Coast of North America remains questionable, but there is little doubt that the North Koreans already have the capability to reach Hawaii.

As President Trump prepares his defense-budget priorities, our leaders have an obligation to reexamine the policies, doctrine and rules of missile defense as practiced by the Obama administration. It is a chance to correct course and ensure that the United States develops a comprehensive, robust missile defenseone that can deal with todays threats and is prepared for tomorrows.

Nowhere are those threats to homeland security more imminentor geographically closerthan in Hawaii. It is home to eleven military bases. It holds invaluable strategic assets and serves as our bridge to the greater Asia-Pacific theater. And it is one of our nations most vulnerable targets.

Defending Hawaii must be a priority for the administration and Congress. There are two major courses of action that can be followed. The first is the current plan for the Missile Defense Agency to request millions [4] to develop a new medium-range discrimination radar system, known as Homeland Discrimination Radar Hawaii (HDR-HI). There is no denying that, in the long run, this will improve our defensesfor the mainland as well as Hawaii.

But Hawaii is in imminent danger, and this plan alone would not materially improve Hawaiis defenses for years to come. That is simply not fast enough. It puts tomorrows science ahead of todays practical defense.

Given the growing and very real ballistic-missile threats from North Korea, decisionmakers in the White House, the Capitol and the Pentagon should move to swiftly strengthen Hawaiis defenses with existing technology. A modest investment in a combination of current capabilities could protect Hawaii from the North Korean (and other) threats, quickly.

For a relatively modest $41 million [5], the Aegis Ashore test facility in Hawaii could become a permanent installation. Even with the costs of procuring additional SM-3 interceptors [6] (estimated at a few million dollars per missile), Hawaii could be protected quickly and cost-effectively with this proven existing capability. This installation proved the technology now being operationally used in Romania. Make it permanent now.

Then there is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) combined with the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2). THAAD is a unique missile-defense system with unmatched precision and mobility. We are already deploying THAAD to South Korea to defend our allies. Another THAAD deployed to Hawaii would further deter North Korea from any attempt at attacking the U.S. homeland.

When it comes to defending Hawaii from the growing North Korean threat, our existing Aegis Ashore and THAAD + AN/TPY-2 capabilities offer (1) greater certainty, as theyre battle-tested systems; (2) greater value, as theyre less expensive to procure and can plug in without additional development costs; and (3) greater security realized for Hawaii in the near term.

President Trump seems to understand the threat and the need to deter it. You cannot deter today with a capability that is still many years away. Nor have unwritten, unofficial policies (i.e., the last administrations plans), the view that we should put Americans at risk to avoid triggering our adversaries, and skewed budget priorities that short-change defense done anything to mitigate the threat. Persisting along that path is irrational, especially when we have cost-conscious radar and interceptor technology available.

Ariel Cohen, director of the Center for Energy, Natural Resources, and Geopolitics at the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, observes [7], Our intelligence has been surprised again and again by technology developments by adversaries or attacks the U.S. didn't foresee. This is certainly true regarding North Korea, and it means we cant risk depending on technology that is still far off. We need to deploy what we have, what we know works, and what will provide security before North Korea shows us again that they have a capability we did not foresee.

More than a million Americans are in North Koreas crosshairs with no real defense. As Kim Jong-uns most likely target, they must be protected now. The good news is that we can do it simply by using existing Aegis Ashore, combined with THAAD and AN/TPY-2.

Steven P. Bucci, Ph.D., is a visiting fellow in The Heritage Foundations Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies.
Judge Warns 9th Circuits Use of Trump Campaign Pledge Judicial Psychoanalysis

by Fred Lucas, The Heritage Foundation, Daily Signal, March 21, 2017

A federal judge is raising an alarm about judicial psychoanalysis resulting from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on President Donald Trumps executive order on extreme vetting.

Last week, the 9th Circuit voted against rehearing the case that a three-judge panel had previously ruled on in affirming the federal district judges temporary restraining order on Trumps first executive order on immigration restrictions.

The panel in part applied the Trump campaigns assertion for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our countrys representatives can figure out what is going on.

Applying campaign statements when interpreting law sows chaos, said Judge Alex Kozinski, who has been on the 9th Circuit since 1985, in his dissent.

Does a Meet the Press interview cancel out an appearance on Face the Nation? Kozinski asked rhetorically. Does a year-old presidential proclamation equal three recent statements from the Cabinet? What is the appropriate place of an overzealous senior thesis or a poorly selected yearbook quote? Weighing these imponderables is precisely the kind of judicial psychoanalysis that the Supreme Court has told us to avoid.

The judge also wrote:

No Supreme Court caseindeed no case anywhere that I am aware ofsweeps so widely in probing politicians for unconstitutional motives. And why stop with the campaign? Personal histories, public and private, can become a scavenger hunt for statements that a clever lawyer can characterize as proof of a -phobia or an -ism, with the prefix depending on the constitutional challenge of the day. This path is strewn with danger.

Even during the campaign, Trump modified the proposal as part of his 100-day plan to suspend immigration from terror-prone regions where vetting cannot safely occur. All vetting of people coming into our country will be considered extreme vetting.

Trumps executive order in January identified seven countries that are majority Muslim, but have also been failed states that the Obama administration labeled countries of concernIraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. The order left other Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar off the list.

The state of Minnesota joined the lawsuit initiated by Washington state to block the executive order. The Trump administration crafted a second executive orderwhich among other things didnt include Iraq on the list of countries. However, after a federal judge in Hawaii struck the second executive order down, Trump vowed to defend the first order all the way to the Supreme Court.

In the 9th Circuit decision, the court held on Feb. 9:

In support of this argument, the States have offered evidence of numerous statements by the president about his intent to implement a Muslim ban as well as evidence they claim suggests that the executive order was intended to be that ban  It is well established that evidence of purpose beyond the face of the challenged law may be considered in evaluating Establishment and Equal Protection Clause claims.

Such questions about campaign rhetoricas a legal precedentcan be tricky, said J. Christian Adams, a former Justice Department attorney in the Civil Rights Division.

Finding racial and discriminatory intent is not an easy task, Adams, now the president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, told The Daily Signal. He added, It is not totally outlandish to cite comments made by a political candidate in the campaign.

However, in the case of Trump, Adams said the courts seem to be following a left-wing narrative that Trump is anti-Muslim, when nothing in the order, nor what he said in the campaign, is actually anti-Muslim.

The 9th Circuit majority cited three Supreme Court cases displaying precedent that evidence of purpose beyond the face of the challenged law can be applied in interpreting the intent of a measure. The 1977 case of Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation, the 1982 case of Larson v. Valente, and the 1993 case of Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah applied to evidence outside the actual written letter.

In the Village of Arlington Heights case, the high court ruled:

Determining whether invidious discriminatory purpose was a motivating factor demands a sensitive inquiry into such circumstantial and direct evidence of intent as may be available  The legislative or administrative history may be highly relevant, especially where there are contemporary statements by members of the decision-making body.

However, those cases pertained to deliberations in making the law rather than campaign promises, noted Bradley Smith, chairman of the Center for Competitive Politics, a group that opposes restrictions on campaign speech.

Its definitely unusual for judges to use campaign statements to define whether an action is constitutional, Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, told The Daily Signal. I doubt it would chill campaign speech, but it is a dangerous path. This could be very selectively enforced for candidates that use shorthand or off-the-cuff remarks. Already political discourse is too scripted. If this becomes a precedent, it will mean no spontaneity and pure teleprompter.

Kozinski further noted that such judicial application to campaign statements will chill campaign speech. Kozinski wrote:

Even if a politicians past statements were utterly clear and consistent, using them to yield a specific constitutional violation would suggest an absurd resultnamely, that the policies of an elected official can be forever held hostage by the unguarded declarations of a candidate. If a court were to find that campaign skeletons prevented an official from pursuing otherwise constitutional policies, what could he do to cure the defect? Could he stand up and recant it all (Just kidding!) and try again? Or would we also need a court to police the sincerity of that mea culpapiercing into the public officials heart of hearts to divine whether he really changed his mind, just as the Supreme Court has warned us not to?

Its generally inappropriate not to judge the executive order on its face, said Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation.

The logical end result is that an action by one president could be determined legal and constitutional, but the same action by another president could be determined illegal and unconstitutional, based on what they said in the campaign, von Spakovsky told The Daily Signal.

---30---
Unwanted Fukumoto to be Rejected by Democrats?

CSM: But in a profoundly ethnically diverse state that turned deep blue during the Obama years, Hawaiian Democrats are wary of Republicans seeking to join their ranks.

That might mean her past votes against same-sex marriage bills, for instance  which she says reflected the will of her constituents rather than her own beliefs  could force her to make a go of it as an independent, rather than a Democrat.

AP: Hawaii Democratic Party leader Tim Vandeveer says some Democrats are wary of accepting Fukumoto because of her votes on civil (gay) rights and women's issues.

read  Unwanted

Fukumoto: This is the Peak of My Political Career

TO: from District 36. Out of the 477 who wrote, called, or emailed, 123 said she should leave, 220 said they didnt care, 111 said she should stay, and 19 said she should stay but they would still support her if she switched. In other words, 75 percent of her constituents were okay with her leaving.

Fukumotos acceptance by the Democrats isnt certain. She must request membership and answer for her socially conservative record, which includes voting no on same-sex marriage in 2013. She will also be transitioning from a prominent position in a small caucus to a rank-and-file position in a very crowded one. She had been planning to run for higher office as a Republican, but as a Democrat, she will have to line up behind more senior members. This could be the peak of my political career, she said.

read  Downhill

* * * * *

Fukumoto? Some Democrats Urge Rep Marilyn Lee to Get Out of the Way

CB: top Democrats welcomed Fukumotos party change.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui said in a statement, Its clear that this was a decision she did not come by lightly, and that she believes this decision is not only best for her, but also in the best interest of her constituents.

He added, Going forward, I believe that Representative Fukumoto will continue to ably serve her constituents and the State of Hawaii with great respect and independent thinking.

Meantime, two state senators whose districts include the Mililani area, issued a joint statement welcoming Fukumoto and urging the Democratic Party to allow her in the tent.

We applaud her efforts to reach out to her constituents who reside in both parts of Mililani that we represent, and understand that she wants to do whatever she can to carry out her legislative work in the best interests of our communitys residents, said Sens. Michelle Kidani and Donovan Dela Cruz. We agree that as a member of the majority party, Representative Fukumoto will better be able to work more effectively on a legislative agenda that meets real needs with available resources and that is supportive of Hawaiis people. .

read  Will Marilyn Lee Step Aside?

* * * * *

Rep. Beth Fukumoto's Media Statement & Resignation Letter from the Republican Party

News Release from Office of Rep Fukumoto, March 22, 2017

HONOLULU, HI  March 22, 2017  After nearly two months of receiving constituent feedback and personal reflection, I am announcing today that I am resigning from the Republican Party and seeking membership in the Democratic Party.

When I joined the Republican Party eight years ago, I did so with a group of people my age who were full of hope, ideas and energy. We saw an opportunity to take a political party that was broken, in a political system that seemed rigged, and even the playing field. To us, Democrats represented the status quo, and what we knew was that the status quo was allowing the place that we called home to become so expensive that it was no longer affordable to local families. It seemed like the Democrats in control werent concerned with Hawaiis high cost of living, growing income inequality, our lack of high-wage jobs or our housing crisis.

After serving at the State Capitol, I discovered that it wasnt just me and my Republican friends trying to change the status quo. There were good Democrats trying to change things too. So we started working together. But, in doing so, I ran into Republican partisanship that insisted I stop working with Democrats even when it clearly benefitted our community.

The issues that Ive had with the Republican Party are well-documented and to reiterate them now would be adding fuel to a fire that doesnt need to keep burning. Its enough to say that my friends and I were wrong to think that a failing party could be changed just because we had the will to change it. In the process of trying to make a party that spoke about issues that our communities cared about in a way that Hawaiis voters wanted to listen to, my friends and I uncovered louder and more powerful voices that fought divergence, difference and diversity at every step. This election, those voices won.

Ive served at every level of the Hawaii Republican Party from envelope stuffer to party chair. And, Ive worked for Republicans in the Legislature as their file clerk and their Minority Leader. I believe that when you pick a team leaving that team should be a last resort even when you doubt whether you should've ever been on that team in the first place. I did everything I could think of to fight for a better Republican Party. I even spoke out against the President.

In the coming days, I will be talking to Democrats in my district and in the larger Democratic Party as I seek membership in their organization. Ultimately, it will be up to Democrats to decide if they want to accept me or not, but I want to assure my constituents that I will continue to uphold the convictions I have always demonstrated, regardless of my political affiliation.

In serving my district at the Legislature, Ive found significant common ground with my Democratic colleagues. Enough common ground that I believe that we can fit comfortably in the same tent. For me, I think the Democratic Party of Hawaii allows enough diversity of opinion that the values and ideas that Ive always held can find a home there. Democrats that want to change the status quo in Hawaii are still fighting to do it, and I want to help them.

PDF: Rep. Fukumotos Resignation Letter to the Republican Party

* * * * *

Republican Party loses moderate leader, dooms Party with its narrow focus

News Release from Rep Cynthia Thielen, March 22, 2017

With the coup-like ousting of Republican Minority House Leader Beth Fukumoto by three-and-a-half members of its then-six representatives, the tiny partys brand is further weakened and its relevance to the wider, diverse constituency looks bleak.

The GOP is reduced to five elected Republican officials in Hawaii, all in the House of Representatives because none were elected into the Senate. Fukumoto, a Generation Y woman, and Representative Cynthia Thielen, who joined the party in 1951, operated from the premise of teamwork, mutual respect with Democratic colleagues, inclusion and unification  as did the original GOP.

The GOP Platform of 1956 clearly states in reference to Republican President Dwight Eisenhower: In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human. In all those things which deal with peoples money, economy or form of government, be conservative. Also in that platform of 60-plus years ago is GOP Senator Barry Goldwaters support for gays in the military.

True Republican leaders dont promote a morphed, narrow version of the original Republican Party as fundamentalists or practitioners of a me-first attitude and a my-way-or-the-highway mentality, Thielen said. I am saddened and dismayed when there are power struggles by self-serving politicians and when the greater good of my party  as it was originally founded  is sacrificed by a few modern-day evangelists.

Thielen vows to remain with the GOP and fight for a moderate party. After her recent speech defending Fukumoto and upholding the genuine Republican Party was carried by global news sources, Thielen received bipartisan support, gratitude and encouragement from thousands of people worldwide.

Meanwhile, Fukumoto will continue advocating for equality and social justice. Astute leaders and I recognize the hope, inspiration and humanity that is in Beths makeup. As a State servant, she fights for the equality of all, choosing not to use her publicly funded position to parcel out rights discriminately, Thielen said.

Thielen, who has held public office longer than anyone in Hawaiis current GOP and defeated her right-wing Republican-primary opponent by a landslide in the last two elections, was honored to mentor fellow moderate Fukumoto. Both womens success resulted from wisely built relationships and finding common ground with colleagues and kamaaina of all parties.

Representatives Gene Ward, Bob McDermott and Andria Tupola led the vote of 3 to 2 to replace Fukumoto with Tupola on February 1  11 days after she and Thielen participated in the worldwide Womens March for equality and human rights. Rep Lauren Matsumoto chose not to vote.

###

HAWAII STATE GOP CHAIR'S STATEMENT ON REP. BETH FUKUMOTO'S RESIGNATION FROM THE HAWAII REPUBLICAN PARTY

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party

HONOLULU (March 22, 2017) - GOP State Chair Fritz Rohlfing released the following statement regarding the resignation of District 36 State House Rep. Beth Fukumoto from the Hawaii Republican Party:

"Rep. Fukumoto's decision to abandon the Hawaii Republican Party is unfortunate."

"We are a thriving and inclusive Party. Our deep commitment to national security and economic growth will only help the citizens of Hawaii during the coming years."

"I am extremely proud of how our Party welcomes and fosters voices from every background and I look forward to electing more Republicans in Hawaii as we move forward."

"Rep. Fukumoto was elected as a Republican just over 4 months ago by the voters in her Mililani district. She should have resigned her legislative seat first so the Party could have recommended to the Governor several qualified Republicans from whom he could choose to fill the vacancy."

# # #

Bonus Read: Who Interned Fukumoto's Grandfather?

NBC: Hawaii Republican Leader Rep. Beth Fukumoto Officially Resigns From GOP

AP: Hawaii Republican resigns from party after criticizing Trump

RS: Hawaii GOP Rep resigns from failing party citing racist and sexist bullying

R: Hawaii lawmaker resigns from Republican Party to join Democrats

SA: Fukumoto says she is leaving Hawaii GOP
Former Channel Seven employee Amber Harrison has hired prominent barrister Julian Burnside QC in her continuing legal battle against Channel Seven.



Harrison is claiming the media company contravened the Fair Work Act and breached her employment contract. She has also filed an adverse action claim under the Fair Work Act.



It comes following Sevens investigation into Harrison's alleged misuse of a corporate credit card after she complained to chief executive Tim Worner in 2014 that she was experiencing "distress, shame, helplessness, anxiety, and panic attacks".



Harrison's lawyers say the company contravened the Fair Work Act because it reformed her role with the company "to her prejudice" and "injured her in her employment" after her 18-month affair with Worner ended in the middle of 2014.



The 39-year-old claims Seven took adverse action against her after her relationship with Worner ended by investigating her alleged misuse of a corporate credit card.



Burnside told the NSW Supreme Court the matter needed to be changed to the Federal Court because Harrison's cross-claim relates to "substantial issues" under the Fair Work Act.



The Fair Work Act contains strong protections to workers who put forward concerns about the workplace, including threats to their physical or mental health.



In some cases, the law reverses onus of proof by requiring organisations to show they didn't take action against a member of staff.



Harrison also claims the company breached an implied term of contract to keep and maintain a safe system of work. She is seeking penalties against the company and compensation.



The former executive assistant has reportedly been angry ever since the Seven board exonerated Worner from wrongdoing following an independent investigation into his conduct.



Harrison is under a temporary gag order, imposed by the Supreme Court, preventing her from releasing confidential documents allegedly gathered before leaving the media company.



Harrison has been targeted by Seven for releasing confidential documents about the media company and her relationship with Worner.



A hearing on Seven's request to strike out Harrison's claim under the Fair Work Act has been scheduled for April 6.



HC contacted Channel Seven for comment.




Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Mar. 22

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistans economy continues to adjust to a challenging external environment, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Martin Sommer visited Ashgabat during March 6-17, to hold discussions for the 2017 Article IV consultation, said IMF in a message posted on its website.

During the visit, the team held meetings to assess macroeconomic and financial developments and discuss economic challenges and policy priorities with senior government officials, members of the Parliament, representatives of real and financial sectors, academics, and the diplomatic community.

The Turkmen economy continues to adjust to a challenging external environment, including persistently low natural gas prices and slower growth in trading partners, said Sommer in his statement issued after the Ashgabat visit. Growth has been broadly stable recently, supported by natural gas exports and industrial policies.

The authorities have been adjusting their strategy to the new reality of lower hydrocarbon prices. In the near term, the key policy challenge is to re-calibrate the policy mix to reduce the sizable external imbalances, added Sommer.

Options include gradual but significant cuts in public investment expenditures that remain among the highest in the world, combined with other policy measures which would help adjust domestic demand to a more sustainable level. The pace and composition of policy adjustment should be designed to reduce the adverse impact on economic growth and vulnerable segments of the population.

In this challenging external environment, maintaining strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth will require improvements in the business and regulatory environment to support further private sector development, effective implementation of reforms of state-owned enterprises and privatization, greater efficiency of public spending, and continued focus on social protection and human development outcomes, noted Sommer. The authorities are aware of these priorities, and plan to embed them in the upcoming 7-year development plan for 2017-23.

Broader dissemination and improving the quality of macroeconomic and financial data would help enhance understanding of economic trends, attract foreign direct investment, and ease access to the global financial markets, according to the statement.

Sommer said the IMF stands ready to support the governments reforms through policy advice and capacity building, including on macroeconomic statistics and forecasting, monetary policy operations, and fiscal policy.
Police have continued to investigate an incident that occurred near a public toilet in the corner of Helsinki Railway Square on Sunday.

Law enforcement authorities have made progress in their investigation into an incident in which an asylum seeker was pepper-sprayed in the face at Helsinki Railway Square on Sunday, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

Mika Helminen, the detective inspector in charge of the pre-trial investigation, revealed to the newspaper yesterday that the assault suspect has confessed to spraying the victim in preliminary interrogations.
The poll found that popular support for the Social Democrats stands currently at 19.9 per cent, that for the Centre at 19.6 per cent and that for the National Coalition at 19.0 per cent.

The Centre, the National Coalition and the Social Democrats are practically neck and neck heading into next months municipal elections, indicates an opinion poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat .

Such a result would be satisfactory for the Centre, the Green League and the Left Alliance, but quite the opposite for the Social Democrats, views Kimmo Gronlund, a professor of political science at Abo Akademi University. For the SDP, this would be a miserable result, he tweeted on Saturday.

Helsingin Sanomat also reported that as many as 43 per cent of respondents indicated that they would abstain from voting altogether or were either unable or unwilling to disclose how they would vote in the municipal elections on 9 April. A total of 2,246 people were interviewed for the poll between 13 February and 10 March by TNS Gallup.

The confusion of voters is understandable, says Li Andersson, the chairperson of the Left Alliance. Andersson emphasised in her speech to the party conference last weekend that the municipal elections should be about the reform of social and health care services rather than, for example, the mayoral race that is heating up in Helsinki.

To claim that the elections are not about the reform would be outright disrespectful to voters, she suggested.

The elections are about a government that is advocating for the privatisation of social and health care services and trying to sweep this minor, ten-billion-euro detail under the rug, stated Andersson.

There have been attempts to turn the municipal elections into mayoral elections. Many Helsinkians are consequently under the impression that they will be able to select a new mayor for their home town. This is not the case, and it is very questionable for democracy that some have sought to turn the election battle into individual elections, she added.

The municipal elections, she reminded, will determine the composition of the city and town councils of a total of 295 municipalities in Finland.

The newly-elected councils will eventually select a mayor from among their members in only a handful of the almost 300 municipalities, told Andersson.

The National Coalition emerged as the largest party from the previous municipal elections, with a vote share of 21.9 per cent. The Social Democrats received 19.6 per cent and the Centre 18.7 per cent of the vote in 2012.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Vesa Moilanen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Mar. 22

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has departed for Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) reported.

The current state and prospects of development of the Uzbek-Kazakh relations in political, trade, economic, investment, transportation, communication, cultural and humanitarian, and other areas, as well as topical issues of regional and international agenda will be discussed during Mirziyoyevs meetings and high-level negotiations.

As part of Mirziyoyevs visit, it is also planned to hold Uzbekistans national industrial exhibition in Astana and a joint business forum with participation of business delegations of the two countries.

Interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental bilateral documents, as well as big commercial contracts are also planned to be signed during the visit.
Front, from third left: Siptus Gerry Markey and Ethel Buckley, Lord Mayor Brendan Carr, and Natriums Deirdre Foley with Clerys workers outside the Mansion House. Photo: Collins

Former Clerys workers who lost their jobs without warning in June 2015 will be given a "goodwill" payment following protracted negotiations between the owners and their trade union.

Siptu has outlined details of a "confidential settlement" reached with Natrium, which closed the iconic store without warning, leaving 460 workers, including some directly employed by the company, without a job.

The settlement includes an "understanding" around fair working conditions during construction works and the operational stages of the 150m Clerys redevelopment, which includes a 176-bedroom hotel.

The communities of the north east inner city will also benefit through training and employment opportunities, and there will be a process to "recognise the service" of former Clerys workers when allocating jobs in the development.

Conflict

The agreement also provides for a goodwill payment for the former employees, with sources saying between 1m and 2m would be provided.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr, who helped broker the deal, called for changes in the law.

"As we must accept that periods of disagreement and conflict between workers and business interests are part of a normally functioning society, just as is their resolution through dialogue, there is also a need to accept that legislative measures must be introduced to ensure that a dispute of the nature of the one that surrounded the closure of Clerys cannot happen again," he said.

Natrium's Deirdre Foley said the agreement was in the "best interests of all involved".

The development would be complete within three years, she said.

Some 3,000 are expected to be employed when it is finished, and it would be "internationally renowned and create a catalyst for change", she added.
The family of a 13-year-old girl, who died after mysteriously suffering a severe allergic reaction, is desperately seeking answers as to what happened.

Georgia Murphy ate pizza with friends on June 18, 2015, and was walking home when she began to experience tightness of the chest.

The teenager, who suffered from asthma, was rushed from her home in Giltspur Wood, in Bray, Co Wicklow, to hospital in cardiac arrest.

Georgia died at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin three days later.

An inquest into her death at Dublin Coroner's Court heard that her family is seeking answers about what caused the deadly allergic reaction.

Expert

Through their solicitor, the family sought the opinion of a medical expert to help clarify the cause of the anaphylaxis.

In a poignant tribute to the teen, known affectionately as "Duck", street art depicting pictures of ducks appeared around Bray following her death.

Mourners at her funeral at Christ Church in Bray were encouraged to take a piece of chalk and draw a picture after it emerged the teen had written a list of 21 things she wanted to do during the summer of 2015 on her school holidays.

One of the items on the list was to decorate her neighbourhood with street art.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane adjourned the inquest into her death until June 27, to allow time for more information to be gathered.

Following the adjournment, Georgia's parents Janet and Niall Murphy said they would wait until the inquest was fully concluded before speaking publicly about their daughter's tragic death.

They said a Facebook page, "Ducks For Georgia", had gone viral with thousands of entries from all around the world.

The page contains images of street art depicting ducks from a myriad of locations.

Photographs and videos of ducks taken around Ireland and the globe have been uploaded in tribute to Georgia.

Visitors to the page are invited to share pictures that have been drawn or seen around Bray or any other location.

An invitation to help the research of the Asthma Society of Ireland by texting "breath" to 50300, along with a drawing of a duck, has been uploaded to the page. One of the photograph responses is the image of a duck on the back of a Wicklow Rapid Response vehicle.

Many of the images are murals drawn with different coloured chalks depicting ducks and hearts.

One of the entries submitted to the page was uploaded by her parish, Christ Church Bray. The posting was made on July 29, 2015.

"Today should have been Georgia's 14th Birthday," said the entry.

"A small group of her family and members of Christ Church met this morning at 5am, at Booterstown Strand, to mark out in the sand a huge duck for Georgia.

Memory

"As we walked over the bridge, you could hear the ducks calling. In loving memory on your birthday Georgia."

The entry concluded offering love and prayers for parents Janet and Niall, sister Rianna and brother Matthew.

Its said the love and prayers would "continue amongst all of us in Christ Church and your community".

One year after Georgia became ill, her mother posted on Facebook a message of gratitude to Georgia's friends from Newpark School in Dublin.

"This day last year Georgia went swimming in Sandycove with her best friends from Newpark," she wrote.

"Thank you girls for going back and honouring her memory today."
Locals, family and friends of the crew hold a vigil

Family members of the missing Rescue 116 crew last night gathered for a touching candle-lit vigil.

Around 200 locals joined with the family and friends of the rescue workers, near Blacksod, Co Mayo.

It came after some progress was made in the effort to retrieve the aircraft, with the deployment of an underwater robot to the crash site.

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the Holland 1, was launched shortly after 8pm last night from the Graunaile vessel.

It marks progress following days of waiting for a break in the weather to access the site.

The ROV was only able to operate for a short period of time.

The underwater robot, used to examine the wreckage of the helicopter, is expected to be deployed again in shallow waters shortly after 7am today.

Equipment

A 13-man Naval Service diving team is on standby with full equipment, including a decompression chamber, on board if required.

The primary focus of the operation is the recovery of three missing crewmen - Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby - while investigators also hope to recover the black box.

Extensive mapping has also been carried out by the Marine Institute to assist the search team and ensure no dangerous obstacles impede the operation.

It previously emerged that the aircraft had collided with the western section of the Black Rock, 12km off the Mayo coast. Jurgen Whyte, chief inspector of the Air Accident Investigation Unit, said investigators had to abseil the surface of the rock to examine the wreckage.

"We were out with the Air Corps helicopter and two rope specialists from the Defence Force army helped us abseil down the side of the cliff," Mr Whyte told the Herald.

"There, we identified more items of wreckage that are indication of impact, but as of yet we have not identified the actual impact point.

"The aircraft tail made contact with some solid structure, more likely a rock in a placement at a glancing blow.

"From there, we are of the opinion that the aircraft entered the water at some distance later."

However, investigators have not yet determined what caused the collision.

The helicopter lost contact shortly before 1am last Tuesday. Capt Duffy and Winchmen Smith and Ormsby have not been located.

The aircraft's pilot, Capt Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered but later pronounced dead.
Queen Elizabeth is sending a private message of condolence to the widow of former IRA commander Martin McGuinness.

The British monarch met and shook hands with Mr McGuinness at a charity event in Belfast in June 2012 - an event that would once have been unimaginable.

Buckingham Palace indicated that the queen would be contacting his wife, Bernie, following his death.

The handshake lasted mere seconds, but it was a moment of deep significance.

"I feel so privileged to have witnessed that significant and historic moment," said former PA photographer Paul Faith, who was there.

Relaxed

Mr Faith was the only photographer allowed access to captuure the handshake.

"I remember that Martin appeared very relaxed and confident and happy to stand beside the queen," he said.

"The significance of it for me didn't really sink in until the next day when I saw the pictures in the papers.

"Every front page was carrying the photograph, and it hit me that this was going to be a historic image.

"The day after the handshake, I was sitting in the press room at the Irish Open and Martin McGuinness came in with Peter Robinson.

"He came over to me and shook my hand and said, 'You've made me famous again'.

"He then asked for a photograph of him and I shaking hands.

"I also took the photograph of him and Ian Paisley that led to them being called the Chuckle Brothers. He later signed that one for me and said, 'So, Paul, you're the one who turned me into a Chuckle Brother. Well done'."

The day after shaking hands with the queen, Mr McGuinness spoke about its "momentous and historical" significance.

He said that the meeting had the potential to define "a new relationship between Britain and Ireland and between the Irish people themselves".

In a speech in Westminster, Mr McGuinness said the handshake "was in a very pointed, deliberate and symbolic way offering the hand of friendship to unionists through the person of Queen Elizabeth, for whom many unionists have a deep affinity".

"It is an offer I hope many will accept in the same spirit as it was offered," he said.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the handshake as "the most remarkable sign of change yet" in the Northern Ireland peace process.

A few years later, Mr McGuinness shook hands with Prince Charles when he visited a Catholic church in East Belfast.

Courage

A few years later, Mr McGuinness paid tribute to the queen for meeting him when he appeared in a BBC documentary.

"I liked her courage in agreeing to meet with me. I liked the engagements that I've had with her," he said.

"There's nothing I have seen in my engagements with her that this is someone I should dislike - I like her."
It is understood that gardai identified suspects in the case as early as Monday morning. (stock photo)

Two low-level criminals remained in garda custody last night after they were arrested over a savage hammer attack on a Dublin shopkeeper, who remains in a serious condition in hospital.

One of the pair - who are both from north Dublin - is the son of a notorious murdered gangster.

They were being questioned about the brutal assault on Kevin Tansey (44), who was struck in the head with a hammer at his newsagent's on Fitzmaurice Road in Finglas.

Neither of the suspects are considered players in organised crime, but are known to gardai for "their abuse of tablets and other drugs".

It is understood that a desperation for drug money was the motivation for Saturday's shocking attempted robbery, which took place around 8.15am.

Two men, with their faces covered, entered the popular store and are believed to have threatened Mr Tansey before one of the men struck the shopkeeper with the hammer.

The pair fled in a white saloon-type car in the direction of Glasilawn Road.

Nothing was stolen in the incident.

It is understood that Mr Tansey attempted to hold one of the raiders and this was when he was hit at least twice in the head with the hammer.

The victim has been described as a "very decent man" and the assault has caused outrage in the local community.

Mr Tansey was understood to be in an induced coma in Beaumont Hospital last night.

Spate

It is understood that gardai identified suspects in the case as early as Monday morning, which led to yesterday's arrests.

CCTV footage has played a major part in the investigation, according to sources.

Gardai in Finglas have been dealing with a spate of separate armed robberies in recent weeks but none as serious as what happened on Saturday.

Earlier this month, the Herald revealed that the Tesco Express at Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas has been the target of at least five armed robberies since the Christmas period.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 22

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Irans police seized over 1,200 kilograms of drugs including hashish and heroin from smugglers in the city of Eslamshahr in the central province of Tehran, the police chief in western part of Tehran, General Mohsen Khancharli, said.

The drugs were smuggled through the countrys eastern borders, YJC news agency reported March 22.

The security forces seized 1,160 kilograms of hashish and 76.4 kilograms of heroin from the smugglers, Khancharli said.

Six smugglers were arrested in police operations, he added.

Iran is situated on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states. The Islamic Republic shares about 900 kilometers of common border with Afghanistan, over which 74 percent of opium is smuggled.

The fight against drug trafficking annually costs Iran about $1 billion, according to the official estimates.

According to statistics, there are about two million drug users in Iran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 22

Trend:

At least 33 people were killed in an air strike that hit a school sheltering displaced people near Syrias Raqqa held by the Islamic State terrorist group, Reuters reports citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The US-led coalition was believed to have carried out the attack, said the report.

Observatory activists had counted at least 33 bodies at the site of the strike near the village of al-Mansoura, west of Raqqa, Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters.

The air strike took place on Monday night, he said.
Brazil's federal police and agriculture ministry said late Tuesday that sanitary and corruption problems found in the nation's meatpacking industry were isolated incidents, an attempt to tamp down a scandal that has led the Latin American nation's biggest export markets to ban its meats, Reuters reported.

Since police launched raids on processing plants and company offices in seven states on Friday, President Michel Temer's government has sought to downplay the crisis in the meatpacking sector, one of the bright spots of an economy struggling with its worst recession on record.

But Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Switzerland all announced partial or all-out bans on Brazilian meat imports on Tuesday, following measures similar to those taken by China, the European Union, South Korea and Chile a day earlier.

South Korea's ban on all poultry imports from BRF SA, the world's largest exporter of that meat, was lifted on Tuesday.

BRF and JBS, the world's biggest meatpacking company, are among dozens of firms targeted in the police investigation. Both companies have denied any wrongdoing.

China is the largest consumer of Brazilian meat.

"While the investigation by the federal police aims to uncover isolated irregularities in the sanitary inspection system, the facts are directly related to deviations of professional conduct practiced by a few workers," the joint police and agriculture ministry statement said. "They do not represent a widespread malfunction of the Brazilian system."
Freedom of speech is a privilege. We need to treat it that way.
Germanys new president Wednesday called for de-escalation of tensions with Turkey, stressing the importance of bilateral ties for both countries, Anadolu reported.

Addressing lawmakers at parliament after being sworn in as the countrys new president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed recent signals from Ankara towards calming tensions with Berlin, after a weeks-long standoff over Turkish campaign rallies being blocked.

Reliable signals to reduce tensions are welcome. But unspeakable Nazi comparisons should come to an end, he said, referring to the Turkish politicians sharp criticisms of moves by German local authorities to block planned campaign rallies.

Tensions between Turkey and Germany rose after dozens of rallies were cancelled where Turkish ministers and politicians were scheduled to address their countrymen ahead of Turkey's April 16 referendum.

Nearly 3 million Turkish migrants live in Germany and around half are eligible to vote in the referendum on transition to a presidential system of governance.

Turkish political leaders were outraged at the cancellations, which particularly targeted the Yes campaign of the government, and compared them to Nazi-era practices.

Turning down the tension

Despite tensions, Germanys federal government distanced itself from the cancellations by local authorities, and also last week gave its approval to Ankaras request to open polling stations in the country for the April 16 referendum.

Turkish politicians reportedly cancelled some of the rallies planned in Germany for this week, a move welcomed by Chancellor Angela Merkels coalition government, as a sign of intention to calm down tensions.

Steinmeier, who served as foreign minister from 2013 until last January, expressed hope for overcoming the recent tensions, and reviving partnership between Germany and Turkey.

The experienced Social Democrat politician praised Turkeys political reforms and economic development in the last decade during the EU membership process, and once again condemned the foiled July 15 coup attempt last year.

But he also raised expectations for democracy and press freedom in Turkey, urging authorities to release Die Welt dailys Istanbul correspondent Deniz Yucel, who was detained last month on charges of making propaganda for the terrorist group PKK.
Watches are not rocket science. Or are they? Watches are not rocket...

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Grand Prize Winner: Donna Rickey Blog Winners: A Song for her Enemies by Sherri Stewart: Mary Ann Hake Spies & Sweethearts by Linda Shenton Matchett: Connie Ruggles Sword of Trust by DebbieLynn Costello: Brenda Walters Justice for Julia by Donna Schlachter: Natalya Lakhno Party Prize winners: Sherri Stewarts Winners A Song for her Enemies: Angie Pool Bottle of Dutch Syrup: Carol Koch Alscheff Corrie ten Boom book: Deb Gramie Burgess Linda Shenton Matchetts winners: $5.00 gift card to online retailer or choice (Kobo, B&N, AppleBooks, Amazon): Karen Hadley A Bride for Seamus: Carol Osterhouse Wotring DebbieLynn Costellos winners: Sword of the Matchmaker: Melissa Planas Sword of Forgiveness: Paty Hinojosa Gomez Shattered Memories: Charlene Zall Capodice Sword of the Perfect Bride: Licha Haney Donna Schlachters winner: Leather Journal: Lisa Turley

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The Taiwanese military has already developed land-to-air missiles poised for attacking mainland China. (Photo : Getty Images)

China has 1,500 missiles aimed at Taiwan and is ready to fire when forced to do so.



According to Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan in an address to the legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, the missiles are positioned to strike Taiwan.



The DF-16 missiles can be countered by Taiwan because the country "has adequate weaponry to shoot it down outside its borders."



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These highly accurate weapons were developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. and have a mid-range of 620 miles.



The People's Liberation Army has trained for the launch during the Spring Festival.



The defense minister said that the Taiwanese military has the capability of striking targets on the mainland. The DF-16 will make the PLA able to counter such attacks.



A report was prepared by the defense ministry, stating: "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."



Experts believe that China is preparing to go to war against Taiwan and not with other countries that are asserting territorial rights in the South China Sea.



Professor Greg Austin, a leading expert on China and regional security for the University of New South Wales, said, "The issue of Taiwan remains the biggest risk to maintaining peace and security in the region."



"Nothing matters to Beijing more than preventing the separation of Taiwan away from the mainland," he added.



Austin said that Beijing treats the one-China policy very seriously and treats it as an issue of national unity and is not open for negotiation.



"The Chinese government will use force if it believes the Taiwanese government is moving firmly away from the One China Position," he said.



This is affirmed by Premier Li Keqiang, who said that the Communist Party will not back down from defending the one-China policy.


NEWTON  District Attorney David Learner has decided a narcotics investigator with the Catawba County Sheriffs Office acted lawfully in the shooting death of Irecas Rayshion Ray Valentine, 41, on Nov. 28, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the DAs Office.

I am expressing no opinion as to any issues relating to law enforcement tactics or whether officers complied with CCSO policies and procedures, Learner said via the release. My office is committed to the fair treatment of every person within the 25th Judicial District, and the equal and impartial administration of justice.

The shooting occurred outside of a residence in the 1100 block of 15th Street NE. Investigators were on the scene as part of a drug investigation, according to the release. Hickory Police were not involved with the investigation.

The State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into the shooting. The investigators then presented the case to the DAs Office for review.

Evidence collected by the SBI included witness interviews, photographs and physical evidence from the scene. According to the release, there is no known video of the event. However, responding officers did have body cameras.

The investigators were not sure of the drivers identity initially, according to the release. They did have information saying it might be Valentine, and they should approach with caution.

Valentine's window was rolled down and his radio was off, according to the release. Officers identified themselves and told Valentine to turn off the car. Valentine then attempted to reverse out of the residences driveway.

Investigators gave another warning, after which Valentine rammed two CCSO vehicles, one of which was occupied by an investigator. Another investigator fired his weapon, killing Valentine. The incident happened in just a few seconds.

The officer who shot Valentine remains unidentified. The release states Valentines Porsche Cayenne was a deadly weapon.

Catawba County EMS transported Valentine to Frye Regional Medical Center, where he died. CCSO Capt. Brian Kelly said Nov. 28 that no law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

It is unknown if Ray Valentine was suspected of any crime.

Learner reviewed the case with a team of his staff that included three chief assistant district Attorneys, four other prosecutors, Learners chief investigator and a victim witness legal assistant. In the release, Learner said the purpose of his review was to determine if the shooting was lawful or unlawful.

Learners decision on the case is the investigator acted on the grounds of self-defense.

The law of North Carolina recognizes the principle of self-defense, which is the inherent right to use deadly force to protect ones self or others from death or great bodily harm, Learner said via the release.

Learner cites the U.S. Supreme Courts 1989 ruling in Graham v. Connor. The ruling established a standard of objective reasonableness to be used in excessive force cases.

Reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments  in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving  about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation, reads part of the courts opinion.
The American public so desperately needs information on the health care debate. President Trump is right on one front. This stuff is complicated, and the seven-year debate has been plagued with politics, spin, lies and meaningless rhetoric.

I welcomed Jon LaFontaines opinion piece on the ACA and the pending GOP effort to repeal and replace the ACA. While he offers an opinion, at least it is based on a side-by-side comparison of the ACA and the GOP proposal.

I continue to wonder if the average voter understands that the ACA was primarily a reform of the individual insurance market. If you listen to Republican politicians, you might think our entire health care system is near implosion.

I love my Medicare and United supplement which has increased only a few dollars over the last three years.

Employer-provided health insurance is still the primary source of insurance in the country followed by Medicare and Medicaid. Some states with expanded Medicaid have experienced lower percentage increases on the ACA exchanges than those who refused Medicaid expansion.

The logic behind that is that sicker people are getting coverage through Medicaid instead of being forced into the individual health markets driving up the cost.

In a profit-driven health care system, the only real solution to driving down costs is a healthier population, prevention and a more health care-wise public, something the ACA nor the GOP plan does enough of.

The GOP plan assumes that more competition in the insurance market will drive down costs. The market place, while stopped by the courts for now, wants to merge not increase competition.

Furthermore, it is not clear that greater competition in the insurance market results in lower cost. Larger pools with fewer companies have more clout in negotiating lower prices with providers.

The unanswered question is whether those gains flow to the ultimate consumer or to the CEOs and stockholders. The major problem with the ACA is the exchanges. Most people like the reforms provided by the ACA. States who set up exchanges and expanded Medicaid fare better than those who didnt.

A single-payer option offered federally or on a state level makes sense. Insurance companies can compete or give up on the individual market. Patient-centered health care and repeal and replace appear to be little more than tax cuts for the wealthy and breaks for a profit-rich insurance industry.

David Turman

Hickory

Why kill the goose who lays golden eggs?

It is sad that Robert Sauer is so frightened by a Rachael Maddow piece asserting that Russia hacked the DNC ("Trump's Ties To Russia") because her conclusions pass neither the common sense nor the smell test.

Why would Putin want Trump to win the election when Hillary promised a continuation of Obama's Paper Tiger foreign policy toward Russia? Trump promised a rebuilding of the U.S. military and a re-assertion of U.S. world leadership, the opposite of what a rational Putin would want.

Further, why kill the goose who lays golden eggs? For a cheap $500K speaker's fee to Bill in 2010 and $145 million donation to the Clinton Foundation, Putin got Hillary's approval for Russia to buy 20 percent of the U.S. uranium supply (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-as-russians-pressed-for-control-of-uranium-company.html?).

Why endanger the already-established Clinton gravy train? What could the Russkies (sic) have told Trump about the Clinton campaign? She's a crook? She lied about her private server and destroyed all of her emails? She lied about Benghazi? The polls showing she would win election easily were bogus?

It will be interesting, to see if Rachael Maddow turns her bi-partisan investigatory zeal to Trump's claim of being "wiretapped" by the Obama administration.

There is no record of Julian Assange/Wikileaks' ever having lied and Assange says he got no "wiretapped" (read "electronic surveillance") information from the Russians.

The latest wiki dump says the CIA had discovered how to mimic hacks from Russia. Wonder if the hacks of the DNC were a homegrown attempt to bolster Hillary's campaign and distract from her earlier collusion with the Russians?

Nah, that would require Maddow and Mr. Sauer to ignore Obama's and Hillary's "demented and amoral" misuse of government power with scandals like Fast and Furious, the IRS assault on the Tea Party, running guns out of Benghazi, and CIA Director John Brennan's lying about the NSA "wiretapping" virtually all American citizens and even our allies.

What should scare you the most, Mr. Sauer, is that Democrats have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to ignore the Constitution and abuse their power, while the "Watchdog of Democracy," the lamestream media, look the other way.

J. V. Fitzsimmons

Hickory
NEWTON  Child Nutrition Director Tara Kelley proposed a 25 cent increase in school lunches during the Newton-Conover City Schools board meeting Monday.

While we are only required a minimum 10 cent cap increase, its my recommendation to increase lunch prices 25 cents, and it would inevitably hold off an annual price increase for approximately two to three years, Kelley said.

The last time Newton-Conover adjusted lunch prices was 2013-14 at which point it increased K through five lunch prices by 25 cents and increased grades six through 12 by 35 cents.

At that time, we also increased our breakfast prices by 25 cents. I do not propose a breakfast increase at this time, she said.

The proposed lunch increase would push the cost for K through five to $2.50 for the 2017-18 school year, and for grades six through 12, lunch costs would increase to $2.75.

The proposed increase is in response to the Paid Lunch Equity program which is a federal mandate originating out of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. It states the average paid lunch should be equal to the difference between the free and paid reimbursement districts receive.

School districts who charge less than $2.86 for paid lunches in the 2016-17 school year are required to adjust their weighted average lunch prices to a minimum of a 10 cent cap or add a non-federal fund to the nonprofit school food service account, Kelley said.

Our reimbursement rates for this year are, for free reimbursement, is $3.24; our paid reimbursement is 38 cents and our average paid lunch, the difference of those two is $2.86 cents, Kelley said.

Newton-Conovers meal prices for grades in 2016-17: K through12 breakfast $1.25; K through five lunch $2.25; and six through 12 lunch $2.50.

The system uses a paid lunch equity tool to determine the price increase based on adjusting the 2017-18 meal prices by a required 2 percent increase plus a 2.64 percent consumer price index.

Currently our minimum price increase should be $2.35 for (grades) K through five and six through 12 would rise to $2.60 if we were to stay within that 10 cent cap, Kelley said.

The district has one of the lowest meal costs for elementary school among other surrounding districts at $2.25. The average in the area is $2.47. The highest is Gaston at $2.70 with Catawba County at $2.50, and Hickory Public Schools at $2.35.

The average meal price for area middle and high schools is $2.60. In the area, the lowest middle school average is Caldwell County at $2.45; the highest is Gaston County at $2.80, which also has the highest high school average $2.80.

Superintendent David Stegall reminded the board, the district is required to at least do a 10 cent increase, and they would have to do the same the following year.

The last time we did an increase, we did a quarter and lost three years, Stegall said. Were not choosing to raise the prices because were asking for more money. Its required.

If we get reimbursed, which we do for free lunch for about 65 percent of our students right now, the only way we can continue to get reimbursed is to comply or risk losing federal reimbursement.

The board decided to pick up the discussion again at the April 3 meeting to have more time to review data and options.
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Brazil's Beef Scandal (Photo : Getty Images)

China has temporarily suspended beef imports from Brazil following the Brazil beef scandal, according to a notice issued by the country's quarantine authority, Bloomberg reported.



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According to Chinese authorities, meat products that are currently at sea or at port will not be able to get clearance from customs.



Zhao Anli, an official of China Meat Association's import and export sub-branch, said that they are still gathering information from each company about beef purchases from Brazil and the potential losses that they may have incurred.



Meanwhile, the Brazilian government is currently conducting investigations into allegations that meat exporters had bribed inspectors to allow tainted beef to be sold or exported as Brazilian President Michel Temel and the country's agriculture minister met with 19 ambassadors of EU, Canada, Sweden and other countries to assure them that Brazilian meat is safe to eat.



Temel later invited the diplomats to dine at a steakhouse to show them that the meat is safe.



"This is an urgent issue since it has repercussions for us internally and abroad," Temer told reporters.



"We spoke with embassies so that they could pass the word onto their governments in regards to any concern from the previous days. I invite everyone to go out to a Brazilian steakhouse now," he added.



Brazilian investigation



An investigation conducted on Friday, March 17, revealed that about 40 meat companies, which include JBS SA and BRF SA, were involved in illegal activities such as bribing inspectors to get the spoiled meat approved for sale and export. The companies also reportedly added chemical substances to conceal the meat's poor quality.



The report said that market shares of JBS and BRF dropped despite denial from the companies and full-page ads in Brazilian newspapers and TV.



Although the Health and Food Safety department of the European Commission said that it found no irregularities with health certificates of meat from Brazil, the EU is seeking additional information about the investigation. China and the U.S. also requested similar information.



After a meeting on Sunday, March 19, Brazil agriculture minister Blairo Maggi said that the investigations also showed that the said practice is not widespread in the industry, and gave assurance that authorities will ensure the highest standard in hygiene and transparency.



"Brazil's industry is robust and strong but it isn't infallible," Maggi said. "We're making sure that what's being produced now is getting the proper inspection."



Meanwhile, Temel said in a statement that only 21 plants out of the more than 4,000 plants in the country were being investigated and that only 33 out of the total 11,000 employees are questioned.



Last year, about one-third of the $5.5-billion-worth of beef from Brazil was shipped to China and Hong Kong, which are the biggest exporter of Brazilian meat, according to the meat exporters group Abiec.



The second-largest market in the European Union, with 13 percent of the exports, the group added.



Brazil also considers China and Hong Kong as its biggest market for chicken, while the European Union ranks third, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein Abpa said.



According to Brazilian police and Federal Revenue agency, some of the tainted meats were sold in the local market to be used for school meals and also to retail chains which included Wal-Mart stores. Some were also exported.


Certitude is often a feature of intellectualism. The belief that what is deemed right must necessarily be so is an attribute that is not limited to the bigoted or those with closed minds. It often extends to thinking professionals, most notably in academia, media and other spheres where accountability is not an expectation.

The past few days have witnessed an explosion of stupefied bewilderment in India. The Uttar Pradesh election result, followed by the election of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister, created a wave of disorientation among those deemed opinion makers. For a start, the resounding outcome was not anticipated. There was a belief that a combination of anger against demonetisation and the chemistry of the Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combination would produce a result that would deflate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and set the political stage for the 2019 general election. Indeed, a large section of the media prejudged the UP campaign in that light. Consequently, the BJP sweep and the complete decimation of its competitors came as more than a shock. It generated existential anguish.

As if this was not enough, the BJP followed its disruptive mass outreach with the anointment of Adityanath as the chief minister. This decision has proved too much for the forces of intellectual enlightenment to stomach. The prevailing image of the Mahant of the Gorakhnath temple as one of Indias foremost communal monsters, one who went a hundred steps beyond dog whistle polarisation, produced unequivocal outrage. Along with charging Modi and BJP President Amit Shah with hubris, the very fundamentals of democracy were questioned. It has been suggested that the selection of such a controversial saffron-robed sadhu implied, first, an end to the politics of development and, second, the advent of a nasty Hindu rashtra where the safety valves of democracy will be shut.

It is interesting that this outrage among a section of the intelligentsia which has been consistent in its opposition to Modi was not reflected in the political class. The conviviality that marked the presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh at Adityanaths swearing-in ceremony last Sunday in Lucknow established two things. First, that the legitimacy of Adityanaths appointment is not an issue; and, second, that despite his flamboyant, even reckless, pre-history, the new chief minister is viewed as a conventional politician by the political class. For those engaged in the rough and tumble of electoral politics where victory and defeat are occupational hazards, Adityanath will be judged on the strength of his performance rather than in terms of abstruse theory.

The political class unwillingness to over-interpret the election outcome in terms of a democratic counter-revolution is not short-sighted. All electoral mandates are read in hindsight and always in the context of the campaign that preceded voting. There was certainly a resounding vote of confidence in the direction taken by the Prime Minister in energising India. However, the sheer magnitude of the BJP victory, including a vote of nearly 42% for its alliance, indicate that there was a strong element of anti-incumbency in the final verdict.

The failure of the Akhilesh regime to keep pace with popular expectations of economic development was certainly part of the story. At the same time, the SP government was not entirely non-performing. Far more significant were accusations of bias in political management and lack of even-handedness in the allocation of state resources. Prime Minister Modi was pilloried during the campaign by the editorial classes for his samsan ghat-kabristan remark. However, it is undeniable that his plea for even-handed treatment of communities touched a chord among people because of their experiences in police stations and in the appropriation of common lands in villages. The election, apart from a few districts in western UP, wasnt fought on overt communal lines. However, there were issues that meandered along sectarian fault lines, including the unending secular obsession with Muslim consolidation.

Where the BJP succeeded much more than its rivals was in crafting a broad social coalition that spanned all the communities  upper castes, Backwards and Dalits. Only the Muslims stayed out of this coalition  a gap that, ideally, the party should, in time, address. Whether this owed to Modis image, the mobilisation of the Sangh Parivar, the ganging up of the left-outs or a blend of all three is for micro-studies to probe. Whatever the reality, the fact is that the BJP mobilisation owed less to caste exclusivity than to Hindu consolidation. For the BJP, therefore, the search was for a leader whose caste identification was tenuous and whose appeal was across castes.

Adityanath was by no means the only available candidate for the top job. What swung the decision in his favour was the fact (as gleaned from the partys various internal surveys) that he was clearly the most popular BJP leader in the state, enjoying cross-caste support.

The new administration has two principal tasks. First, to improve law and order markedly and remove the impression of partiality towards communities. Equally, and in line with the Modi Mission, the new government is expected to fight corruption quite ruthlessly. The two tasks necessitated a leader with requisite political clout and unquestioned personal integrity.

The appointment of Adityanath was a political act that factored in the social ramifications of the verdict and the tasks ahead. To bless it as a revolutionary break from democratic politics is an over-reading that tells us more about the accusers than it does of India.

Swapan Dasgupta is a Rajya Sabha MP, senior journalist and political commentator

The views expressed are personal
The apex courts suggestion for a negotiated settlement to the several centuries old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid dispute must be music to chief minister Yogi Adityanaths ears. The court has also observed that sensitive issues are best settled through negotiations. The chief justice of India in fact offered to act as a mediator between the two parties staking claim to the disputed site.

Incidentally, former Allahabad High Court judge Pulak Basu had, on behalf of the Ayodhya Vivad Samjhauta Samiti, sent a compromise formula, signed by 10,502 local inhabitants of the temple city, to the apex court in February 2017. The exercise began in 2010 and the formula includes building the Ram temple where the idols are placed and the Babri mosque, about 300 metres away from the disputed site but within the 67 acres of acquired land.

The construction of the Ram temple will perhaps be the chief ministers biggest challenge. In all his poll speeches he has promised: Is there any force that can stop the construction of temple? When they could not stop demolition of Babri mosque, how can they stop this?

As chief minister he will have to convert rhetoric to reality but the bitter truth is that not all promises made in the electoral battlefield are easy to implement.

Despite his strong conviction that the Ram temple issue is a matter of faith that no court can decide, he as chief minister has no option but to look for an out-of-court settlement. The contentious issue is caught in a legal wrangle that had compelled the BJP to push it to the backburner. Therefore, the observation of the apex court comes as a relief. Now expectations have risen with Modi in Delhi and Yogi in UP heading the majority government which the hardliners describe as a palatable situation.

The pressure has already started to build. The saffron scarves are back along with the chant Ek hi naam, ek hi shaan, Jai Sri Ram, Jai Sri Ram. The slogan, which was associated with the countrys biggest religious movement, had gone silent after the demolition of the masji in Ayodhya on December 1992.

It had also disappeared from BJPs political narratives  the emotive issue, that had lost its viability after the demolition of the disputed shrine  had been flippantly dismissed on the last pages of the partys poll manifesto.

But Jai Sri Ram is back with a bang. It reverberated throughout the state as the governor administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Yogi, bringing back the temple issue into focus.

At best, Yogi Adityanath can recreate the temple fever reminiscent of the Kalyan Singh era in the 1990s when the Jai Sri Ram slogan had become a way of life, dominating all public discourse and political meetings. But the party lost more electoral battles than winning them after the demolition of the disputed shrine in 1992. Now, after the 2014 general elections and 2017 state polls, the BJP leadership knows what works best for the party  a cocktail of Hindutva and development.

Moving beyond the rhetoric will be a gigantic task as the impediments are more challenging than what Kalyan Singh had faced in the 1990s. Even then, the chief minister had to take one step forward and two steps backward to circumvent the status quo order of the court. But how many had foreseen the demolition of the shrine when the Kalyan Singh government had taken its first step towards its hidden agenda: acquisition of 2.77 acres of land by the tourism department in the mid-1990 to promote tourism and provide amenities to visitors. The land was handed over to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas on lease for one rupee. Thereafter the government axe fell on the temples in the complex and the cleared ground became an open field for the assembly of the kar sewaks that thronged Ayodhya to liberate the Ram Janmabhoomi. The kar sewaks began the construction of the Ram temple by building a platform in June 1992. Six months later, the shrine was demolished and Kalyan Singh sacked.

After the demolition of the shrine, 67 acres of land in and around the disputed structure were acquired by the Narasimha Rao government in 1993. It was challenged and in 1994, a five-member constitutional bench delivered a judgment upholding the validity of the acquisition of the 67 acres of land in Ayodhya. Simultaneously it struck down the section of the government enactment ordering abatement of all pending suits and legal proceedings related to the Ayodhya dispute, which revived the title suits pending before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court which would decide the ownership of the land on which the Babri masjid stood and where the Rama idol was placed in December 1949. The VHP has since then been demanding that a share of the 67 acres of land be given to them and a portion was handed over by the government to them. As per the judgement, no part of the land can be handed over by the government to anyone before final settlement of the dispute. This is the justification for the demand from some quarters for a temple ordinance on the pattern of Tamil Nadu on the Jallikattu issue.

Zafaryab Jilani, contesting the case on behalf of the Sunni Waqf Board, is confident that the Centre and the state can do nothing as they will have to oppose the Supreme Court first. If they seek a revision in the court order by a constitutional bench of five judges, a bigger bench of seven judges will have to be constituted.

The other way forward is dialogue, something Jilani says they have already rejected since the matter should be decided by a court of law. However, now an observation has come from the apex court and it is unlikely that the Muslim community will agree to any settlement outside the courts.

For any legislative move, the BJP leadership may have to wait for their partys strength to rise in the Rajya Sabha and for the country to get their new President. Thus they will have to wait for 2018, which is closer to the 2019 general elections.

Till then they can play the Ram dhun!
British author Jane Austen, known the world over for her insightful take on 19th century society, created fake marriage documents with two separate men, archives have revealed.

In her novels, Austen wove tales of heroines navigating the patriarchal customs of the time to find stability and social status through advantageous marriages.

But the author herself never wed.

However, two fake marriage entries, written by Austen herself and announcing her union with two men believed to be imaginary, will soon go on display to mark the bicentenary of her death, the Hampshire Archives announced.

The documents were found in the marriage register in the parish of Steventon, in Hampshire in southeast England, where Austen grew up.

Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?  Jane Austen in a letter to Cassandra Austen (June 15, 1808). (Jane Austen/Facebook)

They announce the banns  a public announcement by the church of imminent nuptials  between Austen and Henry Fitzwilliam of London and then Edmund Mortimer of Liverpool.

Austen, believed to have been a teenager at the time, was able to access the register because her father was the rector of the parish.

This unique document uncovers another side to Jane Austens character, Andrew Gibson, Hampshires culture spokesman explained on the countys website.

Jane would have been in her teens when she wrote these fake marriage entries, and some could say it reveals a mischievous side during her younger years, Gibson added.

Austens six major novels, realistically depicting the life of the British gentry in the Georgian era, have become classics of English literature.

They are taught in schools and are also regularly adapted on screen, especially Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

Born in Steventon, Austen spent her life in Hampshire, where she died in July 1817 at the age of 41.

Events to commemorate the anniversary of her death will take place across Britain this year.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more
India is exploring setting up a new payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after its old sanctions workaround broke down, as state banks remain fearful of handling payments from Tehran in case the United States imposes a fresh financial embargo.

US President Donald Trump has denounced an agreement between Iran and major powers on its nuclear programme as a bad deal, and his administration has put Tehran on notice after the test-firing of a ballistic missile.

Under previous Western sanctions, India had devised a barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington that allowed it to make some oil payments to Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, UCO Bank.

Indian companies were then able to receive payments for goods exported to Iran using the oil money held in non-convertible rupee balances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline between two countries with long historical ties.

But since sanctions were partly lifted early last year the rupee account has been run down by more than 90% to just 20 billion rupees ($305 million) because Indian refiners have resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros.

Whilst the federal government and central bank have approved oil payments in euros - which Iran prefers because the currency is readily convertible - they have not given the all-clear for trade in the opposite direction to be settled in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck.

We are working on a mechanism through euros and looking for a common correspondent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary for India and Iran, said R.K. Takkar, chairman of UCO Bank. The euro payment system has not yet crystallised, he said, adding the government was working to find a solution.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian banks had applied to open branches in India, but gave no indication when it might approve settlement of trade with Iran in currencies other than the rupee.

Due to the geopolitical situation around Iran, and international sanctions-related measures, correspondent banking relationships are difficult, the central bank said in a written reply to questions submitted by Reuters.

The Reserve Bank has facilitated payment for Indian exporters by permitting special arrangements for rupee-based settlements.

TENSIONS GROW

Although European Union and United Nations sanctions against Iran have been removed some U.S. measures remain, and that, along with the hard line promised by the new administration in Washington, has left the country still largely shut out of the global financial system as banks steer clear of its business.

As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are considering reverting to the old rupee mechanism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO has no U.S. exposure that could lead it to fall foul of any new sanctions.

Iran has agreed in principle to accept some oil payments in rupees to fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official told Reuters.

No timeline has been fixed as yet to implement the new mechanism, however, as both sides await the outcome of Irans presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump administrations approach towards Tehran, he said.

The payment woes have hit the revenues of Indian exporters as they struggle to complete deals struck when the rupee account was flush with funds. Several containers from India are held up at Iranian ports, exporters said.

Our clients are threatening to cancel orders and procure from China, said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran.

Indias major exports to Iran include food, chemicals, engineering products, garments and drugs.

CHABAHAR PORT

The reticence of Indian banks with U.S. exposure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan and counter Chinas growing influence in the region. One official involved in the Chabahar project said contractors, concerned about getting paid, were now reluctant to supply equipment and materials for the Arabian Sea port whose completion is planned for 2018. If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we may have to wind up most of our plans, the official said.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government is still in a wait-and-watch mode and closely monitoring Trumps approach towards Iran, said a senior official who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Irans top oil client after China, boosted exports to Tehran during sanctions as Western nations boycotted it. Yet India has lost out since the lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 billion in the previous year.
E-commerce marketplace Snapdeal on Wednesday firmly denied that it was in talks to sell the firm, after Mint newspaper reported the company was in talks with domestic rivals for a potential sale.

Mint had reported Snapdeal was in talks with Paytm E-Commerce Pvt Ltd and Flipkart for a potential sale, quoting sources.

Snapdeal categorically denies having had any such discussion. The information is incorrect and without basis. We are making decisive progress in our journey towards profitability and all our efforts are aligned in this direction, a spokeswoman said in a written statement.
Flextronics, the Singapore-headquartered electronic manufacturer already has a capacity to make 10 million mobile phones in its Chennai facility. Spread over a 100-acre campus the company makes phones for Lenovo, Huawei and Motorola.

But, at Flextronics, mobile phones are only being assembled (components are imported), and the situation is same for each and every mobile manufacturing company in the country.

Still it is a huge change considering that just three years ago, most of the smartphones sold in India were imported. To put that in context, the rise of mobile phone assembly is at the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India.

The value of mobile phones assembled in India has increased 373% in the last two years, from Rs 19,000 crore in 2014-15 to more than Rs 90,000 crore in 2016-17. About 40 mobile phone making plants have started since Modi announced Make in India in September 2014. These plants manufacture 20 million phones every month.

India has similarities with China  the consumption in India, and the rise of the middle class, said Jeff Reece, president, networking solutions at Flextronics.

It has been over two years since the launch of Make in India and government hasnt tired of relaying its success story. Some of the biggest announcements of manufacturing in India has been in the electronics space, such as Foxconn, Huawei, Oppo, LeEco etc. Without these and the buzz around India as the favoured destination for mobile phone manufacturers, many suspect, the Make in India pitch would be dull.

A closer look at the oft repeated record foreign direct investment data shows that most of it has flown into sectors such as services, software and trading. The over 48% increase in foreign direct investment into India, since the campaign was launched, has not significantly flown into its centrepiece, the manufacturing sector. The exceptions are automobiles and electronics, with the latter becoming the crowning glory for the government.

FDI is driven by business environment, so it will naturally flow into the services sector which has a cleaner regulatory structure. Land acquisition and environment laws are the biggest hurdles for FDI to come into manufacturing. The problem is compounded by our federal structure as it means different states will have different laws, said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings.

In the calendar year 2016, foreign direct investment flowing into India rose 18% over the previous year. The favourites being the services sector that attracted $7.5 billion followed by telecommunications which attracted $5.5 billion.

Many experts say that the popularity of India as the electronic manufacturing destination is due to the differential duty offered by the country. If a handset-manufacturer assembles phones locally, then it pays a 1% duty, instead of the 12.5% on a phone that is imported. Along with this the Make in India programme also provides modified special incentive package scheme (MSIPS) and zero-duty on import of all components except adapters, batteries and headsets, to handset makers.

Job Creation

The genesis of the Make in India campaign was job creation and developing a skilled workforce, the stated electoral promises for the Modi government. For India to replicate the manufacturing-led model that created 64 million jobs in China between 2011 and 2016, several areas need focus.

Infrastructure is a challenge. Ease of doing business across states needs to be seamless. A component supplier base needs to come up in India, and has to be localized. There has to be a business case behind it, said Reece of Flextronics.

Mobile manufacturing units generated 38,300 new jobs in last two years with Taiwanese electronics company Foxconn being the top employer with a workforce of 8,000. This sectors contribution to the GDP likely to be 8.2% by 2020 with a potential to add 8 lakh jobs, so special attention should be given.

To scale up this employment potential, as Reece pointed out promotion of local manufacturing of mobile components is key.

Currently, the handset makers in India import semi-knocked down (SKD) units which include the circuit board and the microchip set of the mobile which account for more than half the value of the phones. Most of the other components, including the display screen, wi-fi antenna, mic are also imported and then soldered together in India. To this the Made in India components of battery, charger, USB cable and earphones are added and then the finished product is put into the box along with the accessories and the instruction manual.

It will take time for the entire process to be localised. Imports have cost advantages given that India lacks world-class component makers. And here lies an opportunity for the government.

Once the demand picks up, and the overall eco-system develops, component manufacturing will follow, hoped P. Sanjeev, India business head for Huawei & Honor consumer business.

Local component manufacturing is key to boost a sector. As NITI Aayog points out in its vision document, the time has come for India to identify sectors and create world class industries in them.

India can take a leaf out of Chinas book. To create scale and develop home-grown brands, the Chinese government has ensured local manufacturing of components, be it for mobile phones, automobiles or even solar power plants.

But till the components eco-system develops in India, the likes of Apple Inc will continue to clamour for 15-year tax holidays to set up shop in the country.
A man observes semiconductor manufacturing on wall of monitors. (Photo : Getty Images)

Three of Taiwan's science parks have earned record amounts in both revenue and exports last year, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced on Tuesday.



The three parks combined made a revenue of NT$ 2.37 trillion and exports of NT$ 1.5 trillion last year, marking a 2.94 percent and 9.91 percent increase from the past year respectively, a ministry official said in a press conference.



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Of the industries that experienced the most growth in 2015, precision machinery sector ranked first with 19.32 percent, followed by the biotechnology sector with 15.25 percent, and the integrated circuit sector with 8.67 percent.



Chiu Chiu-hui, Director General of MOST's Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, told The China Post that growth in these sectors mirrors the rising demands for automation, medical equipment, smartphones, laptops, and communication-related microchips.



2016 saw a boom in the shipments of 16-nanometer, 20-nanometer, and 28-nanometer integrated circuits, marking a new high in exports, Chiu said, noting that Hsinchu Science Park saw an 18 percent year-on-year growth in exports while Central Taiwan Science Park rose by 14 percent.



However, Chiu added that Hsinchu Science Park's revenues of NT$1.395 trillion for 2016 marked a 5.61 percent year-on-year drop, the result of the trend of new manufacturing and IT companies moving down to central and southern Taiwan.



On the flip side, this migration has led to revenue increases for both Central Taiwan Science Park and Southern Taiwan Science Park by 3.1 percent and 16 percent, respectively.



Chiu said that the country's science parks can continue to experience growth despite the current global economic rebound and see development in the communications, precision machinery and biotechnology industries.



It is estimated that Hsinchu Science Park could see a 1.2 percent growth this year and Central Taiwan Science Park a 14.3 percent growth. Southern Taiwan Science Park, meanwhile, is most likely to retain its revenue levels from the past year, according to The China Post.


It may not be a good idea to drink the white fluid bleeding from the cracks of a neem tree on Delhi Universitys north campus it is most likely suffering from a bacterial infection, say experts.

This is not a normal phenomenon. If it were normal, then other trees would be secreting the same liquid. This particular tree is diseased and needs treatment, said Dr MM Padhi.

Padhi is a researcher with the ministry of ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy (Ayush).

If scratched violently, a tree should normally secrete between 10ml and 20ml of liquid. About 10 litres in a day is clearly abnormal.

Many people, mostly labourers working in the university, queue up with containers near the freak neem tree that has been bleeding this white frothy liquid since November 2016.

It smells of toddy (naturally alcoholic sap of palm) and tastes somewhat bitter. But people from the campus and outside say it is intoxicating.

However, Padhi explains that this is not something unheard of; and similar incidents have been reported from other states in the past.

The white fluid is also known as alcoholic flux. The germs that multiply within the cracks ferment the sap, releasing alcohol and gasses.

Pressure from the gasses builds inside the tree, eventually forcing white frothy liquid through the cracked bark. The froth is known to have a slightly yeasty odour.

The liquid has yeasty texture because the bacteria ferment the sap. The liquid, if tested, could have anti-fungal properties but that does not mean it can be had raw straight from the tree. It needs processing before its medicinal properties are made use of, said Dr Padhi.

Also, the fact that out of some 15-odd neem trees near the rugby stadium towards the back end of the campus, only one tree is giving out sap is hint enough that the tree could be diseased.

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The moment her 19-year-old daughter collapsed in her arms on Wednesday morning, Kavita (name changed) knew she had erred by forgiving the attacker just days ago.

Kavita said that her daughter was allegedly being harassed by her ex-lover Ravi Kumar since Diwali last year. Last Saturday, she claimed, the harassment had taken an ugly turn after Ravi physically assaulted her daughter for the first time.

Twenty two-year-old Ravi had apparently stopped the girl when she was walking towards her workplace in Sangam Vihar. Suspecting that the girl had been talking to another man over the phone, Ravi then slapped her, Kavita alleged.

Kavita later confronted Ravi and threatened to report him to police, even as the youth begged for forgiveness. I made a mistake. Had I reported him to the police then, my daughter would not be in this condition today, Kavita told HT on Wednesday.

The familys inaction allegedly emboldened Ravi and he continued to issue threats over the next few days. Ravi had warned me that if my sister married someone else, he would kill her and then kill himself, alleged the victims older sister.

He would say kahin ka nahi chhodoonga (I will not spare her). We never thought he could carry out his threat, she added.

Ravi allegedly again confronted the victim as she walked to her office on Wednesday morning. This time he was armed with a bottle of acid that he tried to force down the victims throat, leaving her face, neck and throat burnt.

Police as well as the girls mother confirmed that the victim and Ravi had been in a relationship for two years till last Diwali. While the girls mother had consented to the couples decision to marry, Ravis parents allegedly opposed it.

Ravis parents did not want the marriage because they belonged from an upper caste. Since my daughter realized that marriage was impossible, she called off the relationship, the mother said.

But with Ravi insistent on continuing the relationship, the victim had no option but to lie to him that she was seeing someone else.
Jawaharlal Nehru University released its prospectus on Tuesday suggesting seat cuts in the MPhil/PhD programmes across different courses in line with the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines after the Delhi high court last week dismissed as infructuous the plea by some students challenging JNU admission policy for these courses.

There are some centres where the university this year will be taking just one student in the MPhil/Phd programme.

Among them are the Centre for European Studies, South Asian Studies, Geography, PhD in Visual Studies (VSAH), PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies (TPSH) and PhD in Cinema Studies (CNSH).

Even in other centres the intake numbers are not very high. The highest intake is at the M.Tech in computer and system sciences (MTCP) at 20.

The lowest intake capacity is in the social science subjects. Under the School of Social Sciences which has 15 centres, admissions will take place in just three centres.

There are no details of the intake capacity in centres like Centre for Historical Studies, Political Studies, Regional Development and others according to the figures uploaded by the university in Delhi.

Last week, the Delhi HC while dismissing the plea by some students challenging JNU admission policy for MPhil and PhD courses, said the UGC guidelines for MPhil and PhD courses are binding on all varsities and allowed JNU to begin their admission process.

The students had contended the notification would result in excess seat cuts leading to no admission in the MPhil and PhD programmes at several centres of the varsity.

According to the July 5, 2016 UGC notification, a Research Supervisor/Co-supervisor who is a Professor, cannot guide more than three MPhil and eight PhD. scholars. An associate professor as research supervisor can guide up to a maximum of two M.Phil and six PhD scholars and an assistant professor can guide up to a maximum of one MPhil and four PhD scholars.

Earlier, the university had released figures of number of MPhil/PhD students a teacher was supervising, suggesting that in some centres it exceeded the UGC cap.

The application process for the different courses in the university began on March 21 and closes on April 5.

The admissions to the courses in JNU are held through entrance examination and interview. The 80% weightage is for entrance exam and 20% for viva. Earlier the university had decided to make the entrance as qualifying and give 100% weightage to viva. But following protests from students the 80:20 formula was arrived at.

The entrance examination will be held from May 16 to 19.

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To decide this case, it was a herculean task, additional sessions judge RP Goyal wrote in his judgment on the case involving the death of a Maruti factory manager, adding, But as I believe in the saying of Napolean Bonaparte, the word impossible is nowhere in the dictionary.

A close reading of the judgment reveals the anxiety lurking in the heart of Indias criminal justice system: How to decide matters of life and death on the basis of doubtful evidence gathered by a police force that often operates outside the realm of law?

On July 18, 2012, a violent altercation between the workers and management at Maruti Suzukis Manesar plant resulted in the death of one Awanish Dev, a senior human resources manager. Soon after the event, 148 workers were arrested, denied bail, and jailed for two to four years as trial progressed.

On March 18 2017, nearly five years after the event, judge Goyal sentenced 13 of the accused workers to life imprisonment for murder, four to 5 years in jail for violent trespass, while 14 were convicted for causing grievous harm but released as they had already served out their sentence. Out of 148 accused, the court acquitted 117 men of all charges, with the judge leaving enough in his judgment for the convicts to appeal in a higher court.

In a case with 148 workers, if the court concluded there was no basis to convict 117 people, what remains of that prosecution? asked defence lawyer Rebecca John, What is the nature of that evidence?

In the Maruti case, the prosecutions task was straightforward: identify the men who killed Awanish and explain how they did it.

Instead, court documents reveal, the police arrested workers en-masse and drowned the court in dubious evidence, changed their descriptions of murder weapons and ultimately resorted to rhetoric in the hope that something would stick.

In an interview, Gurgaon Police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar declined to comment on how the investigation was conducted as, he said, was appointed to his post after the probe had been completed.

Our industrial growth has dipped, FDI has dried up, said special public prosecutor Anurag Hooda, when asked why his office demanded the death sentence for the convicted workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is calling for Make in India, but such incidents are a stain on our image.

Illegal arrests

The majority of 117 acquittals were because the court found 89 men had been arrested and detained solely on the basis of a list prepared by the Maruti management in the dead of night and handed over the police in the early hours of the morning.

Court documents show that Nitin Saraswat, assistant manager at Manesar, arrived at Marutis main factory in Gurgaon at 3am on July 19, 2012, a day after the incident, printed a list of 89 names, which he handed over to police inspector Om Prakash at 6am.

Eighty nine men were arrested and that afternoon, the police retrospectively found four labour contractors to pose as eye witnesses and name these 89 men as suspects  who were already in custody.

It can be concluded that the investigating officers arresting the aforementioned persons have violated the law of the land without any justification, judge Goyal wrote, as he acquitted the men.

Who started the fire?

The fire on the first floor of the Manesar plant has proved to be one of the cases most enduring mysteries.

To be sure, a fire did break out  the fumes, a post-mortem report reveals, asphyxiated Awanish Dev and the flames charred his body beyond recognition. Yet, the police couldnt identify the source of the fire, the fuel used or the method of ignition and by corollary the men who did it.

A solitary matchbox was produced, which  on cross-question  inspector Prakash admitted had not been swabbed for fingerprints or DNA traces.

No doubt the recovery of the matchbox is a matter of doubt, judge Goyal writes, but it does not mean that the accused did not light the fire.

Instead, the judge relies on statements by Maruti officials, and places the onus on workers to prove that they did not light the fire themselves.

In a separate petition before the court, Maruti worker and murder accused Amarjit, alleged that the fire was started by Marutis bouncers to sabotage the nascent factory union.

Amarjit failed to explainwho were the bouncers that set the M1 [first floor] on fire, the verdict reads, It means that in the absence of explanation by Amarjit and his colleagues, it were they who had set M1 on fire.

Such reasoning is visible in many parts of the judgment.

On page 458, for instance, judge Goyal finds that policemen fabricated their own meedico-legal certificates (MLCs) to falsely claim that workers had attacked them and thereby exaggerate the extent of violence on that day.

Police officials did not visit the doctors even then their MLCs are appearing, the judge observes, but merely because their MLCs are bogus does not mean the injuries of all eye witnesses are bogus.

Asked to respond to the judges observations on the conduct of his police force, commissioner Khirwar said, We will wait for our copy of the judgement, decide if we are going for an appeal and then take a decision.

Commissioner Khirwar declined to comment on whether he would take action against the investigating officers who may have forged their MLCs.

Such decisions can only be taken once we decide on our future course of appeal. All these matters are intricately linked, Khirwar said.

Ultimately, Goyal also relies on a 2013 Supreme Court judgment that holds that the mere fact of a negligent investigation cannot serve as grounds for acquittal. If this was the case, he notes, then the faith and confidence of the people in the criminal justice administration would be eroded.

In the Maruti case, this might have happened already.

The police have fabricated the entire case under pressure, said Sunehra Singh, whose brother Ram Mehar was convicted of murder. That is the whole truth of this case.

Commissioner Khirwar declined to comment on Sunehras allegations.

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The Delhi state election commission has directed the Arvind Kejriwal government and the municipal corporations to remove the word Aam from all bill boards, hoardings, name plates and banners in Aam Aadmi mohalla clinics and Aam Aadmi Byepass Express Service in the Capital as the model code of conduct is already in force for civic polls on April 22.

The order came in the wake of a complaint lodged by Vijender Gupta, leader of opposition at the Delhi legislative assembly, to the poll body last week.

The nomenclature of the clinics and bus service named after the Aam Aadmi Party is sure to influence the mind of the voters in favour of the ruling party, Gupta wrote in his letter to the state election commission.

The Delhi government runs around 150 Mohalla Clinics in various parts of the city. The Byepass Bus Service also covers large parts of the city.

The poll panel shot a letter to chief secretary MM Kutty and the three municipal commissioners on Tuesday directing them to either remove or cover the word Aam from all forms of display in government offices and services.

The model code of conduct came into force on March 14, soon after civic elections were declared. The same will remain in force till the declaration of results on April 25.

The letter written by the deputy secretary of the state election commission has also directed the chief secretary and the three commissioners to submit a compliance report of the action taken within 48 hours.

Earlier, during assembly elections in UP, the Election Commission of India had directed the UP government to cover the word Samajwadi written on 1488 ambulances under the Samajwadi Swasthya Seva initiative.

In 2012, the ECI had issued similar orders asking authorities to cover elephant statues  election symbol of the then ruling BSP  installed in Dalit memorials and parks.

Poll panel under pressure

The Aam Aadmi Party accused the Delhi state election commission of acting under pressure from its political masters, demanding that it should correct its mistake of directing the Delhi government to remove words Aam Aadmi from all government schemes, mohalla clinics and bus service.

In a letter to the state election commission, AAP (Delhi) convener, Dilip Pandey termed the order arbitrary and alleged that the commission did not follow the due procedure by not issuing notices to the state government and the Aam Aadmi Party and allow them a hearing.

Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic concept is a new revolution in the field of healthcare and the model is being appreciated world over. It is quite natural that anti-people forces like the BJP are upset and are leaving no stone unturned to derail the programme. But what shocks us the most is the fact that the a Constitutional body like the Election Commission is acting as subordinate of its political masters and is taking orders from them, Pandey said in his letter.

The AAP leader alleged that the officers in the Commission have trampled over the Constitution by following the diktats of political leaders.

It is Commissions Constitutional duty to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders and not to succumb to political pressure, which the Commission has unfortunately done. Does this mean that now the Commission will also ask the Chief Secretary to cover Bhartiya and Janata words, wherever they appear on government buildings, installations and billboards, as the two words figure in the name of a political party, the Bhartiya Janata party? Similarly, will the Commission also cover Words Indian and National from all government buildings, installations and billboards because they also figure in the name of Indian National Congress?

Urging the Commission to immediately correct the mistake, Pandey said, if at all, the commission feels the need, it must allow an opportunity to the state government and the AAP before passing any order.

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Jo desh ka mood hai, wahi Delhi ka mood hai (the countrys mood will get resonated in Delhi), thundered Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ramlila Maidan in January 2015, launching BJPs campaign for Delhi assembly elections.

Modi was referring to the BJPs electoral juggernaut that was on a roll, winning three assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand in six months, after registering a landslide in May 2014 general elections.

Delhi, however, showed a different mood when the results were declared on February 8, 2015. The fledgling Aam Aadmi Party won 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly, relegating the BJP to three seats even as the Congress, which ruled the city for 15 years, drew a naught.

The verdict initiated a new political discourse in the country.

Cut to 2017, and the city residents are headed to exercise their franchise again. Will the history repeat itself when the city electorate vote on April 22 to choose their municipal councillors, or has Delhis romance with alternative politics is over?

While this will be the second civic polls in the city after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated---into South, North and East MCD---in 2012, it will be the first full-fledged municipal poll outing for the ruling AAP.

The BJP, which rules the three municipal corporations, is facing a decade-old anti-incumbency, while the Congress, which has been in the opposition in civic bodies since 2007, is approaching the polls as an opportunity to make a comeback in the city polity after being washed out in the last assembly elections.

The municipal elections comes soon after the assembly polls in five states, with the BJP emerging the big winner, forming government in four, while the Congress won in neighbouring Punjab.

The results were a setback to AAP, which had groundswell of support in the northern state, as it failed in its first attempt towards national expansion though it emerged the principal opposition in Punjab assembly.

Will the recently-concluded assembly election results impact the civic body polls? Sanjay Kumar of CSDS says not much as the assembly and municipal elections are different, and electoral results in one state is unlikely to impact the outcome in another.

The kind of victory that the Aam Aadmi Party registered in the 2015 assembly elections was a peak that any party could reach. Its a high point for any party. If at all, the numbers would only go down. The question remains, how much will the BJP and Congress gain from it? Kumar said.

Political scientist Ajay Gudavarthy agreed. Every election has a different set of issues and hence it is unlikely that one would impact another, he said.

Gudavarthy said the MCD elections would be a statement on Kejriwal governments performance, besides a test of the national mood that seems to be going in favour of the BJP in other states.

AAP tried to pitch its work in Punjab as well. But there several other reasons were at play. So, MCD election will be the real test of their performance, Gudavarthy said.

Voting trends in Delhi show that the same group could vote differently in different elections. The Congress, led by Sheila Dikshit, won the 2003 and 2008 assembly elections comfortably, but the same electorate voted BJP to power in the municipal corporations in 2007 and 2012.

The delimitation of municipal wards in January this year has also added to the unpredictability of the behaviour of electorate. Though the total number of wards remain 272, the geographic change in the boundaries of wards has altered the demographic nature of these seats too.

Depending on the population size, the number of municipal seats in each assembly segment has also changed from the existing four wards in each assembly constituency. The reshuffling of seats reserved for women and Scheduled Castes has led to several veteran councillors being left out of the fray, or forced to scout for a new seat.

In an attempt to beat the decade-long anti-incumbency, the BJP has decided not to repeat any sitting councillor. While the jury is still out on the electoral dividend the BJP would accrue from the step, Sanjay Kumar says it is unlikely to affect the party adversely, even if it does not bring sizeable gains.

It has been observed that faces gain importance in local body polls, unlike the Parliament and assembly elections, where the larger narrative set by parties play a decisive role, Kumar added.

The Aam Aadmi Party is banking on its performance over the past two years, besides raising its anti-corruption pitch against the BJP-ruled civic bodies.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party blames the BJP and Congress, who have been in power alternatively since 1997, for having converted the corporations into a hub of corruption.

The BJP, on the other hand, blame the Kejriwal government of deliberately not providing enough funds as mandated under the statutes. The Congress has been accusing both the BJP and AAP of doing politics at the cost of functioning of the civic bodies.

Smaller parties like JDU and Swaraj India, formed by the ousted AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, will add to the competition.

The blame game among the political parties is set to get shriller as the campaign peaks.

With all major political parties claiming victory, is the civic body polls headed for a close contest? The results of bypolls held in 13 municipal seats last year is a case in point. It threw up a hung house -- five seats each for AAP and Congress and three for the BJP.

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The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) is expected to release the admission list for Class 1 on Wednesday. (Read story in links below for latest update)

More than 6 lakh children registered for admissions in Class 1. The registration process that was open for all Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in the 25 regions started on February 8.

The admission process has been online and cloud based in order to make it transparent.

Due to heavy demand from parents and students for admissions, the KVS extended the last date for registration in Class 1 by 5 days to March 15.

Click here to view the list of schools for registration in Class 1.

The registration process for Class 2 to 9 will begin in April and admissions for Class 11 in KVs will start after the declaration of the result of CBSE Class 10 board examination.

KVs are centrally funded schools that provide quality education at affordable rates in the country. Over 1.2 million students study in 1,142 KVs across the country.

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Poetry, dancing, ball engaging activities and just sharing their dreams and aspirations this sums up the journey of over 40 underprivileged kids on the Rapid Metro in Gurgaon. As part of the Sapno Ka Dibba express event and Dreamathon initiative, the half-hour ride commenced from the Sikanderpur Rapid metro station.

The initiative is not just limited to Delhi, and aims to cover around 10 lakh kids. The drive has already covered over 60,000 kids in Delhi itself. Through this, we wanted to show the kids, that the world is moving, so that they too can be a part of this India, says Srijan Pal Singh, Author, author, entrepreneur and former advisor to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

There were sessions ranging from sharing their ambitions, role models, reciting stories, singing and dancing.

Initiated by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre, the campaign is all about making kids dreams come true. Well be visiting villages, schools, to capture the dreams of children, in the form of writing, painting. The campaign is all about dreams as Dreamothon is a long run of powerful dreams.The motive is to cover over 2000 schools in over 13 states. We want to publish their books, and hold their art exhibitions. We want to capture dreams of children from different cities wherein well publish their books, and hold exhibitions of their art. says Nitin Soni, Head, Delhi, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre.

Sharing an anecdote on the former President and scientist who worked tirelessly for childrens welfare in the country, Singh shares, Dr Kalam used to say, dreams are those which you dont see while you sleep, they are those that dont let you sleep. When he was nine years old , he had a dream about flying. His teacher taught him, how birds fly, and he said I also want to fly. Then he wanted to be a pilot. He could not become a pilot initially, so he started making things which fly, and that became his career.

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A court in Jaipur on Wednesday sentenced two people to life imprisonment for the Ajmer Dargah blast in 2007 that killed three people and wounded 17.

The special NIA court had found Hindu right-wing activists Sunil Joshi and Devendra Gupta guilty of planning the blast, and Bhavesh Bhai Patel of planting the explosive.

Gupta, an RSS activist, and Patel will have to serve life in jail, the court ruled. They were convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy and under sections of the Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Joshi, the leader of an alleged Hindu extremist group, was shot dead on December 29, 2007, when he was walking back to his hideout at Chuna Khadan locality in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.

In the high-profile case, the court had acquitted Aseemanand, also an accused in the Samjhauta Express and Mecca Masjid blasts, and others, giving them the benefit of doubt. Twenty-six witnesses turned hostile during the trial.

The explosion at the famous shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Rajasthans Ajmer on October 11, 2007, came to be known as an act of right-wing terror -- a term that triggered a furious political debate --- because of the arrests of the members of the right-wing outfits.

The National Investigation Agency took over the probe from the Rajasthan anti-terrorism squad. Initially, police blamed Islamic terror groups but later a confession by Aseemanand shifted the focus on Hindu groups.
After brickbats in Uttar Pradesh, its time for poll strategist Prashant Kishor to get some bouquets from the Congress.

His efforts to ensure the defeat of ruling BJP-SAD and take the fizz out of AAP in Punjab has earned Kishor some praises in Gujarat  Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

With the Congress dismissing campaign against Kishor for poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh as propaganda by vested interest, Gujarat leader of opposition Shankersinh Vagehla has batted for a role for him in the western state. Elections to the Gujarat assembly are due at the end of the year.

His proper strategy and effective campaigning gave victory in Bihar and Punjab and will bring victory to Congress in Gujarat and Himachal, the Gujarat veteran tweeted. To defeat BJP in Gujarat is not difficult.

Kishor has been under fire from a section of Congress veterans who blame him for partys worst show in Uttar Pradesh.

A Congress leader triggered this with a poster in Lucknow, offering Rs 5 lakh as reward for anyone who can trace Kishor.

The Congress could win 7 seats out of total 105 it contested and polled just 6.2% votes.

The UP debacle, in a way, overshadowed Congress second best performance in Punjab after independence. The Congress won 77 out of 117 seats and polled 38.5% votes. The victory was crucial as Congress started on a weak wicket and was pitted against a formidable AAP of Arvind Kejriwal, which could win just 20 seats.

The Congress registered its best ever performance in 1992 when it got 87 seats with a vote share of 43%. This was post insurgency election when opposition boycotted the poll.

When he forayed into Punjab, Congress was not even in contention. Today, results speak for themselves. He got a larger say in Punjab than in Uttar Pradesh, a close aide of the poll strategist told HT.

Kishors association with Punjab started in January last year and his team moved in around early March for an image building exercise for Captain Amarinder Singh through events like Coffee With Captain, Halke Vitch Congress and the door-to-door exercise.

The Uttar Pradesh assignment for Kishore came much later after Congress leadership realised the positivity he created for the party in Punjab. Still, his ideas like active involvement of Priyanaka Gandhi in the poll campaign was blocked by the veterans, the aide said.

Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh acknowledged Kishors contributions.

As I have said many times before, PK and his team and their work was absolutely critical to our victory in Punjab, he said.

The Congress, too, has indicated that it may not get rid of Kishor.

Congress Party values the hard work and contribution of PK and team and rejects the propaganda by vested interests. Congress is determined to meet all future challenges with the entire pool of talent available, its chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

Surjewalas remarks are perhaps a reflection of the trust that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi continues to have in the poll strategist who helped Modi win India in 2014 and followed it up by guiding Nitish Kumar to victory in Bihar in 2015 and added a third feather in cap by plotting Captain Amarinder Singhs triumph Punjab in 2017.

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The foreign ministers of Egypt and Sudan have said that they reject "unacceptable transgressions" that would drive a wedge between the two countries, after exchanges between media figures erupted this week regarding which country has the historical right to Egypts southern Halayeb Triangle region.

In a phone conversation on Tuesday, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Ibrahim Ghandour expressed their "full rejection of unacceptable transgressions or insults between the two brotherly countries," a statement by Egypt's foreign ministry on Tuesday said.

The two ministers denounced what they called "attempts to stir [agitation] as well as the irresponsible handling [of issues] by some social media users and media outlets," the statement said, without elaborating.

Media outlets in both countries exchanged attacks in recent days after Sudans media minister said in public statements that his country's civilisation is older than that of Egypt.

Media figures have also argued over Egypts Halayeb Triangle region, which comprises three cities and has been a source of tension between both countries for decades, with rows occurring at times over the right to manage the area's petroleum resources.

During Tuesday's call, the two FMs agreed to put into effect cooperation plans recently endorsed by a joint presidential committee of the two countries.

Also on Tuesday, the Egyptian parliament's national security and defence committee said in a statement that it was surprised by Sudanese officials recently claiming that the two Red Sea cities of Halayeb and Shalateen are part of Sudan and that Egypt should cede them to the Sudanese government.

The committee said that Halayeb and Shalateen have always been part of Egypt, and that Sudan should respect this.

Head of the committee Kamal Amer also told reporters that "it is regrettable that Sudanese officials still insist on occasionally issuing such hostile statements."

"As Sudan itself was part of the pre-1952 Egyptian kingdom, the king of Egypt was also called the king of Egypt and Sudan," said Amer, adding that "when Sudan became an independent state in 1956, Halayeb and Shalateen remained a part of Egypt, and no Sudanese officials said at that time that the two cities were theirs."

Amer added that all internationally-recognised maps show that Halayeb and Shalateen have always been 100 percent Egyptian and most of the tribes living there are Egyptian.

Amer's statement came in response to Abdallah Sadek, head of Sudan's technical border demarcation committee, who announced last week that newly-discovered documents show that Halayeb and Shalateen are historically part of Sudan.

Mostafa Bakri, a journalist and a member of the Egyptian parliament's national security committee, told reporters that a meeting between Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir should be held to resolve this issue.

Bakri and other MPs believe that Sudan's hostile statements came after Sheikha Moza, the mother of Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad, visited Sudan last week.

"We hope that the media in Egypt and Sudan will stop pouring oil on the fire and not allow Qatar to drive a wedge between the two countries," said Bakri.

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Engineering courses in India are set to receive a syllabi revision that will make them contemporary enough to fulfill industry requirements.

The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has set up a committee of subject experts to review the existing syllabi, and recommend curricula changes at engineering and technical institutes  excluding IITs and NITs  across the country. The move is aimed at addressing concerns about the falling employability of engineers.

The regulatory body, which approved a single entrance examination for engineering colleges (National Entrance Exam or NEEM) recently, has now issued regulations that mandate affiliated technical universities to revise their syllabi annually in consultation with industry players. The institutions will have to set up subject-wise industry consultation committees (ICCs) every year, and then incorporate their recommendations into their engineering syllabi.

As it is, the AICTE has a model curriculum that is used by affiliated universities as a base for preparing their own syllabi. A committee of experts is all set to revise it for the first time in nine years, and the suggestions made in this regard will be submitted after the summer vacation  in time for the next academic session. The panel comprises sub-groups of various subject experts, each headed by an IIT professor.

Former IIT-Roorkee director Pradipta Banerji welcomed the councils move to revise the engineering syllabi. The crucial part is  it will be done in consultation with the industry. Most engineers remain unemployed because their skills are not in sync with industry requirements, he said.

The move was spurred by feedback received by the Centre on the dismal state of engineering education in the country. Though India has 3,000-odd registered engineering institutes that produce seven lakh students annually, only 30-40% of them land jobs. The low-employability levels are attributed as much to the lack of requisite skills as the falling demand in the industry.

The fields of engineering and technology undergo changes every day, and we need to keep up with their requirements. Students need to have skills required by the industry. Some of the institutes are still teaching decades-old syllabi and using obsolete teaching tools, said a senior official from the human resource development (HRD) ministry.

There has to be a constant dialogue between educational institutes and the industry. Each institution, while applying for approval, will have to mandatorily certify the completion of this process. If they fail to do so, action will be taken against them, he added.

The process of setting up ICCs and revising the syllabus has to be completed by December every year.

All the engineering institutes in India use different tools and techniques to teach students and test their skills. However, for years, many of them have neglected revising their curricula to keep up with the rapid strides in technological advancement.

HRD minister Prakash Javadekar had also asked engineering institutes to revise their curricula with industry requirements in mind.

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The Supreme Court adjourned on Wednesday a CBI plea challenging a trial courts decision to drop criminal conspiracy charges against several BJP and other Hindu right-wing leaders in the Babri mosque demolition case.

Justice PC Ghose said the matter would be heard on Thursday because justice RF Nariman, who was with him during the last hearing of the case, was not part of the bench on Wednesday.

Justice Ghose also declined to adjourn the hearing by four weeks as requested by BJP patriarch LK Advanis counsel, senior advocate KK Venugopal. Advani was among the 13 leaders exonerated by the trial court.

You want me to retire first, the judge said in a lighter vein when Venugopal made the request. Justice Ghose is due to retire in May.

On March 6, the bench had expressed anguish over the trial court dropping the conspiracy charges against the 13 leaders on technical grounds. They had hinted at reviving the conspiracy charges.

Justice Narimans exclusion from the bench for Wednesdays hearing had raised eyebrows among lawyers representing an individual who too has challenged the discharge of the senior BJP leaders.

The hearing was to be held a day after a separate bench of the top court called for an amicable settlement to the decades-old dispute over the religious site in Ayodhya, saying the sensitive and sentimental matter is best settled out of court.

Chief Justice JS Khehar even offered to mediate such out-of-court negotiations, the latest push from the courts to resolve a dispute over a 2.7-acre land that remains Indias most potent communal flashpoint between many Hindus and Muslims.

The issue has returned to the limelight after the BJP grabbed power in Uttar Pradesh with a brute majority, reviving hopes among its supporters over the partys proposed plans to build a Ram temple at the site.

Many Hindus believe that Lord Ram was born at the spot where the first Mughal king Babar had build the mosque. The mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992 by kar sevaks of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), sparking communal riots across the country that left more than 3,000 people dead.

The CBI had booked several BJP leaders including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh but they were later discharged by the Allahabad high court.

Justice Nariman was more vocal in his criticism of the trial court decision.

People cannot be discharged like this, he said at the commencement of the proceedings.

There is something very peculiar going on in this case. We prima facie do not approve of the way these people have been discharged, the bench had remarked.

The criminal cases in the Babri Masjid case stemmed from two crime files  197 and 198. Both were filed shortly after the disputed structure was demolished. The CBI, however, filed a combined chargesheet in the case.

FIR number 197 was registered against lakhs of unknown kar sevaks and dealt with the actual demolition of the structure. The accused were charged with serious offences including robbery or dacoity with attempt to murder and promoting enmity between different religious groups.

This case was being heard by a Lucknow court, which dropped conspiracy charges against the 13 leaders.

The second, FIR 198, was registered against 12 persons, including Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Ritambhara, who were present at the Ayodhya when the masjid was being demolished.

They are accused of promoting enmity, making imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration and statements conducing to public mischief.

This case is also pending before a court in Rae Barelli.

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The Bihar government on Wednesday launched an ambitious programme to provide free WiFi facilities in colleges and universities.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formally launched free WiFi facilities for students on the occasion of Bihar Divas celebrations here.

He said free Wi-Fi facility in college and university campuses was part of the seven decisions of the Grand Alliance government in Bihar to promote governance.

The objective is to provide free Wi-Fi facility to help youths to move ahead in life and to become digital smart.

He said Internet had become a part and part of daily life.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar said youths, particularly students, should use this facility to download books instead of films.
Seven members of a family from Bihar, including an assistant commandant of the railway protection force (RPF), were killed when a tar filled tanker overturned and fell on a private car on the Durgapur Expressway near Rathala in Burdwan district of West Bengal on Wednesday morning.

All the deceased were residents of Badka-Lauhar village under Barhara police station of Bhojpur district of south-central Bihar. The assistant commandant, identified as Sheshnath Singh, was posted at the east central railway's zonal headquarters at Hajipur in north Bihar.

The others killed in the mishap were identified as Rajan Kumar, Reshmi Singh, Nirmala Singh, Anwesha Singh, Araav Singh and Riya Singh.

According to reports, the incident took place at around 9 am when an Asansol bound car, while trying to overtake a tanker carrying coal tar, hit the private car in which the deceased were travelling.

Locals told the police that, the car hit a roadside railing of the Kallol Nagar-Rathtala flyover after losing control and came under the tanker, which flipped under the impact and crushed the car killing all the passengers.

Police said all the passengers of the car were severely burnt as coal tar leaked from the tanker and swamped them. The seven passengers were somehow retrieved from under the tanker and rushed to Burdwan Medical College and hospital, where all were declared brought dead.

ECR security commissioner S N Singh said that Rajan, son of Sheshnath was posted in Howrah as RPF inspector. According to him, the assistant commandant along with son, wife, daughter, grandson and daughter-in-law, was killed in the accident.

Sources disclosed that 42-year-old Rajan, had bought the car only two days before the mishap and was returning from a visit to a Tarapeeth temple when disaster struck.
A supervising teacher was caught on the camera helping students cheat in the ongoing Haryana Class 10 board examination in Jhajjar town.

In a video recorded on Tuesday, the teacher is seen reading out the answers to some of the students from an answer key in her hand during the science paper at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Jhajjar. When other students try to cheat from her answer key, she starts scolding them.

She hides the answer key once she notices the camera pointed at her from outside the window, while a student cheating in the class quickly shuts the window.

Jhajjar district education officer (DEO) Satbir Siwach said they have relieved the teacher of duty and have started an inquiry.

We will get the inquiry reports soon after which we will see what needs to be done, Siwach said, adding that the paper was not leaked as reported in the media.

The Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) has taken several measures to stop using unfair means, but incidents of copying and cheating continue unabated in the states schools.

A board spokesperson said they have registered 2,898 cases of copying so far in the ongoing Class 10 and 12 board exams.

District administrations have also imposed section 144 of the CrPC barring a collection of more than four people around the exam centres across the state. However, the police have largely failed to ensure the implementation of the prohibitory orders.
Gangster Dawood Lala, an alleged operative of underworld don Dawood Ibrahims gang, was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad on Wednesday from Ahmedabads Juhapura area.

Apart from a murder case in Gujarat, Lala was wanted for several crimes registered in Rajasthan.

ATS sources said Lala used to run the gangs network in Rajasthan and Gujarat. He is a relative of Sharif Khan, a close aide of Dawood, they added.

The ATS is now hopeful of finding the whereabouts of Lalas three brothers, who are wanted for a shootout and murder in Rajsthan.

Officials said they are yet to ascertain whether his three brothers are also hiding in Ahmedabad or in some other parts of Gujarat.

According to sources, Lala -- who was wanted in at least 15 cases in Rajasthan -- had made Juhapura, a Muslim ghetto on the western bank of the Sabarmati river, his hideout for some time now.

The arrest came following intelligence inputs, they added.
They say it with helmets.

Routine surgeries and OPD services at major government hospitals in Delhi will be affected on Thursday as 20,000 resident doctors have threatened to go on mass casual leave to support their counterparts in Mumbai who are on strike.

Junior doctors in Maharashtra are on strike since the last three days to protest the rise in violence against them by relatives of patients. Maharashtra medical education minister Girish Mahajan warned the striking doctors to join duty by Wednesday evening or face stern action, including salary cut for six months.

In Delhi, the corporation, state government and central government run hospitals treat at least 50,000 patients every day in their out-patient department.

A doctor at Delhis AIIMS at work on Wednesday.

The resident doctors have decided to be absent from the out-patient department, operation theatres and wards between 9 am and 4pm on Thursday. They, however, assured that emergency services will continue to run uninterrupted.

This step has been taken in view of increasing number of assaults on doctors. We want to show solidarity towards our colleagues from Maharashtra. We condemn the action taken by the government of Maharashtra against doctors, said Dr Pankaj Solanki, president of the national body, Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA).

On Wednesday, nearly 1,200 doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences turned up for work wearing bike helmets to express their solidarity with the Maharashtra doctors. They demanded a safe working environment through their #SavetheSaviours campaign.

Nobody has sympathy for resident doctors who are brutally beaten up. Neither has there been any discussion on providing compensations to such doctors. Instead harsh steps are being taken against thema dn they are being penalised, said Vijay Gurjar, president of resident doctors association at AIIMS.

We support doctors of Maharashtra & request ppl to have faith in our profession: Dr.Harjit Singh, Gen Secy, Resident Doctors' Assoc AIIMS pic.twitter.com/LaNMzNzZvh  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

The Bombay High Court earlier had come down heavily on 4,5000 resident doctors in Maharashtra who had gone on a mass casual leave. The doctors are protesting recent cases of violence against medical personnel, including instances in Dhule and Mumbais Sion hospital  where relatives of patients attacked their respective doctors-in-charge. The agitators said patients are usually accompanied by a large number of relatives, which puts pressure on them. They have demanded adequate security measures and a pass system, where not more than two relatives will be allowed to remain with a patient inside the ward.

The court said that if the doctors cannot work, they must resign and gave the management free reign to initiate action against the doctors.

If the administration cant provide security, then the government must resign, said a release from FORDA later in the day.

Despite a rap by the court, around 3,000 resident doctors in government hospitals in Maharashtra continued their agitation for the third day on Wednesday.

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Dhanbads former deputy mayor Neeraj Singh was struck by as many as 67 bullets after motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his SUV barely 100 metres from his home and opened fire from an AK-47 rifle and pistols around 7.30pm on Tuesday, said police.

Neeraj Singh, 37, a Congress leader, died along with three others who were with him inside the vehicle, adding yet another chapter to gang wars that erupt intermittently in the countrys coal capital.

Neeraj Singh is the nephew of Suraj Deo Singh, who is purported to be the inspiration for the iconic movie character Ramadhir Singh played by Tigmanshu Dhulia in Gangs of Wasseypur. Incidentally, Neeraj Singh also has an uncle named Ramadhir Singh, who was convicted in a murder case and is in jail.

Neeraj Singh too was accused in several criminal cases, including murder.

The 37-year-old Neeraj is the nephew of Suraj Deo Singh, who is purported to be the inspiration for the iconic movie character Ramadhir Singh played by Tigmanshu Dhulia in Gangs of Wasseypur. (HT file photo)

Gang wars have played out in Dhanbad for decades over coal trade and railway contracts. Muslim-dominated Wasseypur in the district is not unaffected by the fight for dominance and has its own set of warring sides.

One person inside the vehicle survived Tuesdays shooting. He is injured and police are guarding his identity, waiting for his statement.

Neeraj Singh, a mechanical engineer, had a bitter political rivalry with his cousin Sanjeev Singh, Jharias BJP legislator. Neeraj Singh had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Jharkhand assembly election from Jharia constituency on a Congress ticket against Sanjeev Singh.

Two months ago, Sanjeev Singhs driver, Ranjay Singh, was killed in a shootout in the heart of the city.

Neeraj Singhs mother Sarojini Singh said she had no doubt that Sanjeev Singh was behind her sons murder. We will take revenge. It was the conspiracy of Sanjeev Singh to kill my son, she alleged.

Police stepped up Sanjeev Singhs security after Neeraj Singhs killing. The Jharia MLA declined to comment over the allegations of his involvement in the murder levelled by Neeraj Singhs family. He said, Let the police investigate the matter. Truth will automatically surface.

Police remained tight-lipped about the investigation, but said the family feud was being looked into, among other aspects. We are investigating the case from all angles including the family feud, business and political rivalry. We have detained some people for questioning, said Dhanbad superintendent of police Manoj Ratan Chothe.

Parts of Dhanbad wore a deserted look on Wednesday and some schools were shut amid the unease following the killings. Additional police forces were deployed in the city ahead of the funeral of the four killed.

Neeraj Singhs funeral procession on Wednesday. (Bijay/HT Photo)

Senior Congress leaders and Neeraj Singhs family members demanded a CBI probe into his murder. The BJP government ordered a special investigation team probe into the shooting, but state Congress leaders described it as eyewash.

The district Congress committee also called for a bandh on Thursday to protest the killings.

Besides Neeraj Singh, the others killed were his driver Laltu Mahto, and his associates Ashok Yadav and Munna Tiwari.
Fake currency with a face value of more than Rs 15 lakh has been seized along the Indian borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar post demonetisation, the Centre told Parliament on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha that till now Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) of the face value of Rs 14.76 lakh have been seized from the Malda district while another such haul of Rs 1 lakh has been made from the Murshidabad district, both along the Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal.

He said that another Rs 1,000 worth of fake notes were seized from Tamenglong district of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border during the same period.

When asked whether out of the 220-km of the border area in Malda, only 150-km was fenced, Rijiju said Some portion of Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda district is unfenced due to low lying or riverine areas, pending land acquisition etc.

The government of India has decided to plug the gaps along the Indo-Bangladesh border by means of physical and non-physical barriers, he said.
A married woman in Bihars East Champaran district, 155km from state capital Patna, has accused five co-villagers of raping her, filming the heinous act and circulating it on the social media.

An officer at Lakhura police station, where the victim woman lodged an FIR on Tuesday, said the incident allegedly took place at Ajgarwa village on March 16. She reported the matter only after the video clip went viral on the social media, Lakhura police station sub-inspector Devendra Chowdhary said.

In her statement, the mother of a seven-year-old child, said co-villagers Krishna Sahani, Dipak Sahani, Gokarn Sahani, Dayanand Sahani and Nand Kishore Sahani raped her at gunpoint near a canal at Ajgarwa village when she was collecting cattle feed. They also filmed the incident on cellphone and uploaded it on the social media, she alleged.

Police said a team had been constituted to conduct raids at possible hideouts of the accused and arrest them at the earliest.
Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathi witnessed the take-off of two EgyptAir planes for the first time fully piloted by women crew members in celebration of the country's Women's Day.

The two flights, headed to Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, took off simultaneously at 9am from Cairo International Airport.

The first flight of a long range Airbus 330 landed in Abu Dhabi piloted by Captain Hasnaa Taymour, First Officer Sarah Abdel-Fattah and 10 flight attendants, in addition to two female security officers.

The second flight of a medium range Boeing 800-737 arrrived in Kuwait piloted by Captain Heba Darwish, First Officer Sarah Roshdy and five flight attendants, with two female security officers on board.

The month featured three women-related events in Egypt: International Women's Day on 8 March, Egypt's Women's Day 16 March, and Mothers Day 21 March.

Earlier this month, Egypt's Nevine Darwish was the first Arab female pilot to fly the world's largest commercial plane of Dubai-based Emirates arilines, the Airbus-380, in celebration of International Women's Day.

In February, EgyptAir assigned Magda Malek to be the first Egyptian female pilot to fly long-range Boeing 300-777 commercial planes.

Egyptian Lotfia El-Nadi in December 1933 became the first female pilot in Africa and the Arab region after flying a plane between Cairo and Alexandria.

She was also the second woman in the world to fly solo after American pilot Amelia Earhart in 1931.
Veteran Congress leader SM Krishna joined the BJP on Wednesday, almost a year before the assembly election in Karnataka.

The 84-year-old joined the BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah and union ministers Ananth Kumar and DV Sadananda Gowda.

The former Karnataka chief minister, Krishna resigned from the Congress in January taking potshots at the party for being in a state of confusion.

Krishnas move is unlikely to alter the political equations in the state, but it helps the BJP in two ways. First, it presents the Congress as a divided house with veteran like Krishna, who served in the government of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, walking out. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah battles anti-incumbency and is faced against a resurgent BJP, which is on a winning spree.

Second, Krishna can help soften the opposition that Vokkaligas  the agriculturist community forming 15 % of states population  have for the BJP. With BS Yeddurappa as its face, the BJP is considered a party of Lingayats who are at odds with the Vokkaligas in state politics. Lingayats who populates north Karnataka accounts for nearly 20% of states population.

Vokkaligas have largely voted for the Janta Dal (Secular), the party of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. Krishna is another stalwart from the community and he can help the BJP woo Vokkaligas in southern state.

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Former Karnataka chief minister and Union external affairs minister SM Krishna is scheduled to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday at its headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of party president Amit Shah.

Krishna, 84, had ended his four-decades-old association with the Congress on January 29, citing a shift from its core ideology and a lack of respect for senior leaders as reasons for the decision.

There had been much speculation on his likely move, and it had been widely anticipated that he would join the BJP after he ruled out joining the Janata Dal (Secular).

Krishna is a very senior politician with experience both at the Centre and in the state, senior state BJP leader KS Eshwarappa said. Apart from his personal influence in the Mandya region, he is liked by the educated class for his developmental work in Bengaluru, Eshwarappa said.

Political analysts, though, are not convinced about the influence he will have and his ability to pull votes.

Also, given the BJP virtually sidelining every leader over 75 years of age, it is not clear how the party can capitalize on Krishna joining its ranks.

Krishna, who was the Karnataka Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then external affairs minister in 2012. He has also served as the governor of Maharashtra

CS Dwarkanath, former chairman of the states Backward Classes Commission, said Krishna was not a big leader even among Vokkaligas, the caste he belongs to. He has never been the leader of the Vokkaligas in the same way as former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.

Dwarkanath said the BJP had some way to go to win seats in the Mysuru and Mandya regions of the state, and was doubtful of Krishnas influence in the primarily agrarian district. Krishnas tenure as chief minister is viewed only as benefitting Bengaluru, Dwarkanath added.

Krishnas inclusion might help boost morale among party workers in the region, but is unlikely to significantly impact voters, Dwarkanth said.

Narendar Pani, a political analyst, said it would be difficult for the BJP to bank just on Krishna. He is not a mass leader, but then there are no mass leaders in Karnataka. Success in the states politics has always been based on the ability to enlist support from a coalition of groups, and Krishna might help in this.

The Mysuru and Mandya regions have traditionally been tough places for the BJP. In the assembly elections of 2013, the BJP did not win even a single seat in the three districts of Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagar, which account for 22 of the 225 seats in the state. In 2008 it won three seats.

However, the BJP is not just banking on one disgruntled former Congress politician. It has managed to get into its fold former state minister V Sreenvas Prasad, who resigned his seat and is contesting the by-elections in Nanjangud constituency as a BJP candidate.

In another constituency in the area, Gundlupet, too, the BJP is aiming to make inroads before the assembly polls next year. However, in this constituency the BJP candidate faces off against Geetha Mahadev Prasad, wife of former minister HS Mahadev Prasad, who passed away in January.

The BJP was able to make inroads during the Lok Sabha elections when the party won the Mysore Lok Sabha seat on the back of the Modi wave.

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With a temple priest at the helm, the official residence of Uttar Pradesh chief minister is set for a saintly makeover.

The residence at Lucknows 5, Kalidas Marg was purified in Hindu tradition on Monday after Yogi Adityanath assumed office as the chief minister.

Adityanath is the head priest of the centuries-old Gorakhnath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. He is a member of the Nath sect, whose members perform yajnas daily.

The chief minister, who offered a 10-minute puja at 5 KD, is expected to hold yajnas at his official residence too.

And there is more to it. All leather products, including sofa sets, are being moved out of rooms reserved for personal use of the chief minister.

After his return from Delhi on Tuesday night, the chief minister has put up at the VVIP guest house raising the possibility of him shifting to 5 KD on the auspicious period of Navratras -- considered holy by the Hindus -- beginning next Tuesday.

In Gorakhpur, Adityanath used to begin his day tending to cows; a practice he is likely to bring to the chief ministers residence.

A cowshed could come up at the CMs residence where about 10 cows from the Gorakhnath temple gaushala are expected to be brought to Lucknow.

The Gorakhnath temples gaushala has about 500 cows.

Shiv Parsan, the caretaker of Gorakhnath temple, said each day at 5.30 am Yogi offered jaggery, biscuits, fruits and fresh grass to the cows, some of which were named by the chief minister.

Some of them such as Gauri, Ganga, Narmada, Yamuna... dont accept anything from anyone else, he said. These cows will be among those expected to be shifted to 5 KD to enable the chief minister to tend to them each morning.

Yogi is a saint from Nath panth which considers gau seva a religious duty. The shifting of cattle from Gorakhpur to the CMs residence in Lucknow is expected after Yogis visit to the Gorakhpur temple, possibly on Saturday.

Raja, the UP CMs pet dog is also said to be restive since Yogi was crowned king. Thats because the new responsibility has left Yogi with no time to attend to Raja, reason why the CMs pet animal could now be moved to 5 KD.

Each day, Yogi would play with him after returning in the evening. He could be moved to Lucknow, a temple staff said. Books maintained at the small library managed by Gorakhnath temple trust too could be moved to the CMs residence, said Dwarka Tiwari, an office staff of the Temple Trust.

The special saffron dress that Yogi wears while performing his daily morning rituals, the idols and other ancillary items he requires for the purpose would soon be sent to Lucknow, confirmed Kamal Nath, the priest of Gorakhnath temple.
The body of an Irish and British dual national who was found dead in Goa was on way to her home in Ireland on Wednesday as hundreds of friends and family paid tributes at a candlelight vigil held in the seaside town of Buncrana in County Donegal, Ireland.

The 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was found murdered near the Palolem beach in Goa on March 14.

Her murder highlighted growing concern over safety in the popular holiday destination, where many foreign nationals have reportedly died .

A crowd-funding campaign to raise 10,000 Euros to meet the repatriation and funeral expenses reached over 39,600 Euros as a wave of gloom and despair swept over her hometown. The murder relived similar incidents for the kin of foreign nationals who died in Goa in the past, including the 2008 murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling.

The womans kin used the vigil to call for justice for their daughter and sister. The mother of the deceased did not attend the event but the family issued a statement.

The spokesman for the vigil told the mourners: We call for justice from the Indian legal system and appeal to the authorities for a full, diligent, transparent and open investigation into all aspects of this crime and have real faith that with their help full justice will be served and the truth known which will provide some small comfort to the

family.

On memorial cards distributed were smiling pictures of the woman with some of the last words she left on her Facebook account: I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know....off on another adventure.

One of McLaughlins younger sisters, Sian, said: She was one of the kindest person you could ever meet. She told me once that you could do a lot of acts of kindness but it is no longer an act of kindness if you tell someone.

Christy Duffy, friend of the deceased who organised the crowd-funding effort, said everyone had gathered with one common goal: (We) are here to say goodbye, goodbye to an eternal optimist, goodbye to a comedian, goodbye to an adventurer, goodbye to a beautiful soul, goodbye to our friend...

Goa is one of the most popular destinations for British and other western tourists. Over the years, there have been many deaths due to alcohol and drug abuse or due to strong currents in the sea. Britains foreign office has a separate section on its India travel advice on Goa.

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Setting up anti-Romeo squads to combat eve teasing was a major cornerstone of BJPs campaign in Uttar Pradesh, but similar crack teams first set up in Gujarat work only in fits and starts sans major success.

Launched in the late 1990s, the squads are formed, disbanded and again revived across 500 police stations of Gujarat depending upon the situation. They function mostly around festivities and besides Romeos, have also often targeted Juliets with the aim of preventing couples from cozying up in parks and other public places.

Though a much-publicised initiative for bringing about greater security for women, the squads are not backed by any legislation.

A senior police officer pointed out that the teams neither do have any definitive role, nor a dedicated force. It is formed by the staff of crime branch or women police stations as and when required, he added.

The squads are mostly seen in action during occasions like Navratri, Holi and New Years Eve.

Our female staff in plainclothes patrol the venues and mingle with the crowd to prevent any eve-teasing or related incidents, said Panna Momaya, assistant commissioner of police, women police station, Ahmedabad.

There have also been occasions when squads came up on public demand, such as when residents of Gandhinagar some years ago complained about the growing menace of eve-teasing in parks and cinema halls.

Generally, the squads of five to seven members are led by a sub-inspector, said HM Gadhvi, inspector of the Rajkot crime branch.

In the run up to the just-concluded elections in UP, the anti-Romeo squads had become a major talking point after the BJP promised to set them up with a view to arrest what they said was a rapid slide in the law and order situation in the state. But the jury is still out on the effectiveness of the squads in the place of their origin: Gujarat.

Sudhir Sinha, a former police commissioner of cities such as Ahmedabad and Rajkot, argued the squads are as good as its members. They are effective only when the team members execute their duty with dedication and commitment".

Women activists claim despite the publicity blitz, the situation for women hasnt changed much in Gujarat. The state is as safe or unsafe for women as it used to be, said Jhanavi Andhraia, an activist.

National Crime Records Bureau data show that the number of eve-teasing cases in the state has been fluctuating: In 2011, it was 93, rose to 173 in 2014 before dipping to 73 in 2015. Same with the number of molestation cases: 756 were reported in 2001, 1352 in 2014 and 1164 in 2015.

Andharia argued that the statistics do not reflect the real situation. Here, if you are attached to any particular political party, you can get away with anything, she said. We are against squads like anti-Romeo as they are nothing but moral policing, she added.

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India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Wednesday.

Mukherjee said this in his message to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain on the eve of their national day on Thursday.

On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend greetings to you and to the friendly people of Pakistan on the occasion of your National Day, he said.

India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, he said.

Mukherjees missive comes amid unease in Indo-Pak ties following a series of terrorist attacks on army camps and tension along the border due to frequent ceasefire violations.

The last official dialogue between the two countries was held in December 2015 when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj travelled to Islamabad and the two sides decided to resume comprehensive talks.

However, the thaw was short-lived as Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group struck at strategically located Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on January one last year.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Islamabad in 2016 to attend the SAARC Interior Ministers Conference but there was no bilateral engagement between the two countries.
India and Pakistan are set for another showdown over the Indus waters treaty with New Delhi finding the World Banks proposal of a secretary level meeting in Washington next month against the spirit of the pact.

Earlier this week, Pakistan water and power minister Khwaja Asif announced that the two countries would hold a three-day way forward meeting on the Ratle and Kishenganga projects in April in Washington.

Sources say India believes that there is no need to look for another mechanism to break the deadlock since the treaty already had a dispute resolution system built in it.

India also believes the World Bank which brokered the pact in 1960 has lately been biased in following the treaty provisions. Sources indicated that India cannot be party to any meeting which is against the provisions of the Indus waters treaty, putting the Washington meet under a cloud.

These sources maintain that World Bank is playing the role of a mediator whereas it should be a facilitator between India and Pakistan to resolve the issues in accordance with the provisions of the Indus waters treaty. The World Bank had suggested the meeting of water resources secretaries for three days in April.

Sources familiar with the developments told HT that the World Bank proposal for the water resources secretaries meeting in Washington goes against the spirit of the treaty. New Delhi feels the World Bank continues to work against the spirit of the pact by initiating two separate dispute resolution mechanisms.

In the dispute of Kishenganga project, India wanted the neutral experts mechanism to solve the issue but Pakistan favoured arbitration. The World Bank had kicked in the two mechanisms at the same time, much to the anger of India last year.

Indian and Pakistani officials of the Indus water commission who met in Islamabad on March 21 and 22 could not make much progress on the issues. Indus water commissioner P.K. Saxena led the Indian delegation while the Pakistani side which was headed by Mirza Asif Saeed.

For the Indian side, the main issue now is resolving differences the over Kishenganga and Ratle hydro power projects.

The two projects are being constructed on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers respectively. Pakistan while objecting to the design of the 330 MW Kishenganga project maintains it would result in a 40% reduction of water flowing into the country, which it says is against the provisions of IWT. India refutes that charge.

For the 850 MW Ratle power plant, Pakistan wants the planned storage capacity of the project reduced from 24 million cubic metres to eight million cubic metres. Pakistan also wants the height of the dams to be reduced.

But India maintains it never reduced the water flow to Pakistan.

Pakistan is set to raise issues related to three dams  1000 MW Pakuldul on Chenab, 120 MW Miyar across Miyar Nalla which is a major tributary of the Chenab and the 43 MW Lower Kalnai hydro project  on Lower Kalnai Nalla, a tributary of the Chenab. Pakistan has listed these three projects in their agenda for discussion, said a source.
India on Wednesday dismissed reports in Pakistani media that it has agreed to halt work on the Miyar hydroelectric project at the neighbouring countrys request and termed them factually incorrect.

Media reports on India agreeing to halt Miyar project at Pakistans request are factually incorrect. India never agreed to halt the project(sic), the Indian High Commission in Islamabad tweeted on Tuesday night after the meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission in the Pakistani capital.

Media reports on India agreeing to halt Miyar project at Pakistan's request are factually incorrect.India never agreed to halt the project.  India in Pakistan (@IndiainPakistan) March 21, 2017

Rubbishing the reports, government sources said there was not even an iota of change in Indias position in connection with the 120 MW-capacity Miyar project, located in Himachal Pradeshs Lahaul Spiti district.

They said India has also not agreed to review the design of the Lower Kalnai hydropower project (48 MW), being built in Jammu and Kashmir, as reported by the media in Pakistan.

What has appeared in Pakistani media is distortion. Indias position on the projects remains the same as it was before going to the meeting, a top official said.

The Indian delegation for the two-day meeting, which concluded on Tuesday, was led by Indus Water Commissioner PK Saxena while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Mirza Asif Saeed Baig.

After the meeting, Pakistans ministry of water and power had said in a statement that the discussions were held on Indias proposed Miyar, Lower Kalnai and Pakal Dul hydropower projects as well as on matters pertaining to exchange of data and conducting tours and meetings of the Indus commission.

On (the) Miyar hydropower project, India has withdrawn its design after Pakistan had made objections on it in the previous meetings of the commission, the statement claimed.

It said the Indian side also agreed to a tour of inspection for Pakistans Indus Commission which is expected to be arranged before August 2017.

Besides Miyar and Lower Kalnai, Pakistan has been flagging concerns over designs of Indias Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW) and Kishanganga (330 MW) hydropower projects, being built or planned in the Indus river basin, contending these violate the treaty.
An American ban on carry-on electronic devices on planes bound from countries such as the UAE and Qatar in West Asia to the US could turn into a boon for Indian airliners, especially the heavily-indebted national carrier Air India.

The restrictions are not applicable for flights originating in India, and without stopovers in the countries facing the latest restrictions.

The latest ban by the Donald Trump administration on iPads and laptops on flights from 10 airports in the Middle-East and North Africa will not affect passengers of Air India, which operates four daily nonstop operations from India to four US cities  New York, Newark, Chicago and San Francisco, said Vinod Hejmadi, the director of finance, Air India.

Besides, the ban will not be applicable on our single-stop operation from Ahmedabad to Newark via London.

Hundreds of Indians, who regularly transit through airports in West Asia on foreign flights, could prefer their own countrys carriers once the ban is enforced.

From an Indian point of view, the announcement should be a gain for carriers such as Jet Airways and Air India that typically fly via Europe. Travelers will prefer airlines that allow them to use these gadgets, said Sharat Dhall, the COO of travel company Yatra.

About 30,000 passengers fly every month from New Delhi to American cities.

Air India is planning another nonstop service from New Delhi to Washington this July.

The recent development will have a positive impact on Air India as a large number of passengers use laptops and iPads as their mini-office and generally store a huge lot of official data in these devices. They wont risk losing or damaging these gadgets as check-in luggage, Hejmadi said.

Air India flies the long-range, wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft for its nonstop flights to the US, which are said to be popular with the Indian diaspora. The carriers load factor on US routes has been consistently above 80%, with good business in its premium class too.

Air India fliers spend hours on their laptops and iPads, clearing mails and completing assignments on long-haul flights to the US. The ban may help Air India improve business in the premium segment, the official said.

Officials with the civil aviation ministry assured that passengers from India need not worry about the ban.

The US announced on Tuesday that passengers travelling from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries, including popular stopovers Doha in Qatar and Dubai in the UAE, would have to bring devices such as tablets, laptops and cameras with their check-in luggage. The restrictions follow reports that terrorists could smuggle explosives concealed in electronic gadgets.

According to an official with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the US restrictions will impact about 350 scheduled flights a week, equivalent to about 2% of total international operations to America.

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CR Mahesh, the Youth Congress state vice-president in Kerala who criticised the leadership of the partys national vice-president Rahul Gandhi after the recent assembly poll debacle, resigned from the party on Wednesday, saying he was fed up with politics of groupism.

Addressing newsmen in Kollam, Mahesh also said he has no plan to join any other party.

It is time for me to quit politics. It doesnt mean that I am eying another party. I am fed up with politics of groupism and the party that I represented for many years is in no mood to change or reform itself, he said, announcing his decision to resign.

Soon after his press conference, the Youth Congress national leadership suspended him from the party citing indiscipline.

Mahesh had contested the 2016 assembly polls from Karunagapally in Kollam district and lost to CPIs R Ramachandran by 1,759 votes.

After the recent assembly poll setback for the Congress, he openly criticised Rahul Gandhi on Facebook, inviting criticism from senior leaders.

He had said the Congress in Kerala was without a president for two weeks.

The PCC is without leadership for two weeks. The leadership is also enjoying faction feud. Even the party student wing, Kerala Students Union, everything is decided on the lines of factions, he wrote.

He also urged former defence minister and former Kerala chief minister AK Antony to break his silence on what was happening in the Congress.

Seeing this senior leader AK Antony who grew up from student politics is sitting like a mauni baba in Delhi, Ramesh said in his Facebook post.

He also said around 80% of the memberships in Kerala claimed by the NSU leadership was fake and even the student body election was narrowed down to group politics.

Many senior party leaders, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, had criticised his posts on social media.
A specialized court in Riyadh launched the trial on Tuesday of two Egyptian brothers suspected of planning a suicide attack on a Saudi mosque in cooperation with the Islamic State (IS) group, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported on Wednesday.

According to trial procedures reported by the newspaper, the twins, who were working as blacksmiths in Saudi Arabia, face several charges relating to terrorism in the Gulf nation.

The two 30-year-old brothers, whose identities have not been revealed, were arrested by Saudi authorities in Mecca 17 month ago, according to prosecutors on Tuesday. The brothers were planning to conduct a suicide bombing inside a Saudi mosque, to be later claimed by IS, prosecutors said.

Details of the location of the mosque and the exact timing of the operation were not revealed.

Since mid-2014, the militant group has carried out a series of bombings and shootings in Saudi Arabia that have killed scores of people, mostly members of security forces and Saudi Shias in majority Shia areas.

On several occasions, Saudi Arabia has announced success in foiling major terrorism operations planned by the group in several cities.

One of the two Egyptians on trial has been charged by the country's investigation and prosecution bureau with planning to use an explosive belt to attack the mosque. The attack was to be conducted on behalf of IS following approval from one of the group's leaders in Syria, say prosecutors.

The defendant allegedly recorded a voice message pledging allegiance to the group's leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, to be used by IS in its media operations after the attack.

The same suspect is charged with joining and adopting the ideologies of the group, as well as closely following the group's propaganda operations through statements released through social media networks.

The second defendant is accused of supporting the group and following it's social media platforms, as well as saving the content provided by the group and re-sharing it on the platforms.

The prosecution added that the first brother saved files relating to jihad on his phone. He also allegedly saved a recorded video left by an IS suicide bomber following a terrorist attack that targeted a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia's Najran city, killing one and injuring several others.

On Tuesday, the bureau called for the maximum penalty for the two men, saying that it would serve as a deterrent for anyone attempting terrorist operations.

The two defendants pleaded with the court for more time to prepare their defence.

Egypt's foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment on the case.

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Lawyers are up in arms against the Law Commision of Indias proposed move to suggest nominating unelected experts to the current disciplinary action framework against them. The law panel feels the disciplinary committees managed by the bar councils are inadequate, sources said.

The Bar Council of India has asked of state bar councils to call emergency meetings to discuss the issue and prepare for an agitation. HT had reported the law commissions proposed move last Saturday.

We strongly oppose this move. Advocates will not tolerate outsiders deciding what constitutes indiscipline, BCI chief Manan Kumar Mishra told HT. Mishra said the BCI had already taken a strong view on strikes and suspension of work by lawyers. We are the ones who wrote to the commission saying strikes will be treated as illegal and should be treated as misconduct.

The recommendation was part of the measures suggested by the BCI to the law panel in an exhaustive report. Ironically, the BCIs recommendation has upset lawyers too. Last year, it had suspended 126 lawyers in Tamil Nadu for striking work.

The BCI should first clarify its stance on lawyers strikes, Delhi high court bar association president Kirti Uppal said. Lawyers have a right to go on strike to protect the independence and dignity of the bar. Uppal accused the BCI of not taking stakeholders into confidence before compiling its report to the law panel.

The Supreme Court had asked the commission last year to suggest changes to the existing Advocates Act that governs lawyers and legal practice in India, particularly in the context of disciplining errant lawyers. The law commissions report is expected to be submitted to the law ministry this week, its chairman Justice BS Chauhan told HT.

The commissions recommendations are largely based on the BCIs own report. We will make suggestions that are in concurrence with the Supreme Courts reference to the commission, he said.

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The March 8 National Investigation Agency report absolving two Pakistani teenagers of involvement in the Uri terror attack of September 18 last year says it was the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)and not the Jaish-e-Mohammad as claimed by the Armythat did it. The attack had claimed lives of 19 soldiers of 12 Infantry Brigade.

The NIA report one also names Abu Siraqa alias Mohammed Anas of Gujranwala as one of the possible attackers. The closure report filed in NIA court at Jammu led to the release of Faisal Hussain Awan and Ahsaan Khursheed, arrested after having strayed across the Line of Control (LoC) on September 21.

According to the report, accessed by Hindustan Times, the NIAs conclusion that the LeT carried out the Uri attack is based on the coded matrix sheets recovered from the neutralised attackers. Matrix sheets recovered from LeT militants like Bahadur Ali who was arrested in July last year consist of 17 columns and 21 rows or a total of 357 boxes. The JeM matrix sheet, according to the report, contains 24 columns and 28 rows or a total of 672 boxes. The shoes of the Uri terrorists also matched those recovered in Handwara attack case of June last year and those that Bahadur Ali was wearing.

North block officials said that the two teenagers were handed over to Pakistan on March 10 in exchange for 37 Rashtriya Rifles trooper Chandu Babulal Chohan, who had crossed the LoC in Kashmir hours after the September 29 surgical strike. The trooper was handed over to India through Wagah border on January 21, 2017. The entire negotiations were handled at the level of Director General Military Operations of India and Pakistan.

The NIA report on the basis of recovery of data in two GPS sets used by the Uri attackers concludes that the four terrorists were launched from Sankh post of Pakistan Army, used as a launching pad for LeT cadres in the past. The terrorists crossed the Salamabad Nala, which bisects the ridge on which the Pakistani post is sited and the ridge leading towards the rear of brigade headquarters in the Uri sector.

While the identity of three Uri attackers is still not confirmed, the NIA report points finger at one Abu Siraqa alias Mohammed Anas, whose image was printed in Jamaat-ud-Dawa posters in Gujranwala town of Pakistan after the terror strike. The report states that the image in the poster matched the dead terrorist, whose funeral in absentia was to be conducted at Sadabahar Nursery, Girijakh, Gujranwala in the presence of LeT emir Hafeez Saeed. After India raised this issue with Islamabad, the ceremony was inexplicably called off.

The two teenagers were returned to Pakistan as the NIA established their presence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 19, 2016 through data recovered from their cellphones.

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Closure of illegal slaughterhouses was the main table-talk at Tunday Kababi, arguably Lucknows most famous seller of galauti kababs, days after abattoirs were shutdown in Allahabad and Varanasi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised to close down all illegal slaughterhouses if it came to power in the state during its assembly election campaign.

The saffron party seems to be acting on its promise, with a number of abattoirs across Uttar Pradesh being subjected to raids and shutdowns. It secured a landslide victory in the February-March assembly elections.

Police have also started a crackdown on shops selling buffalo meat in the Muslim-dominated areas of Rasoolpur, Buxipur, Tiwaripur and Jafra Bazar in Gorakhpur, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanaths hometown.

Foodies in the City of Nawabs believe politics should be kept away from food and a few others claimed that the governments move may lead to a hike in the prices of meat.

It seems to be a tough time for non-vegetarians. Why mix politics with food? It should be handled separately, Riyaz Ahmed, who was out on lunch with friends at Tunday Kababi in Old Nazirabad, said.

It is an overdose of politics now. There is politics in caste, religion, development, crime, and now on food. We cannot take it anymore, Ahmed, a businessman, added.

Others sitting at the eatery, where hundreds of people jostle through the crowds on the cramped streets of the Old City to savour its melt-in-the-mouth kababs everyday, supported his views.

Politics cannot compel one to change ones food habits. It is purely impossible. If not beef then mutton, but living without meat is next to impossible, especially for the foodies in the state capital, Mohammed Miraaz Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui, however, agreed that banning cow slaughter was a good move.

Prashant Sharma, another foodie, said the drive was fine but at the same time the government should provide an alternate livelihood for butchers and ensure that meat prices did not go up.

Mohamed Usman, whose grandfather established Tunday Kababi in 1905 and who is now the owner, said the closure of slaughterhouses might affect the most preferred beef kababs.

These kababs are the cheapest and are largely preferred by those who cannot afford mutton kababs. On regular days, around 80kg of meat, including mutton and beef, is consumed at the Old Nazirabad outlet, Usman said.

He buys meat from local traders who may also face the axe in the state capital as the municipal corporation is planning to launch a drive next week.

People said they did not know what the situation is going to be but it would certainly kill a famous saying: If you want to have samosas, it is better to have kababs.

Samosas are the cheapest snack in Lucknow and kababs are equally cheaper.

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The Madhya Pradesh government spent 1.5 lakh on an average to catch and relocate one Nilgai in December, 2016.

That month, the states forest department for the first time used Boma technique and a private helicopter to capture 27 Nilgais (blue bull) in Mandsaur district. They were later relocated to the forests of Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in the same district.

Over 150 forest officers, 70 villagers, 30 horses and a helicopter were used in the entire exercise and 41.6 lakh was spent.

State forest minister Gaurishankar Shejwar gave the details of the cost incurred by the government in relocating Nilgais in a written reply to the assembly.

Shejwar stated 41,61,393 were spent in capturing the antelopes, adding that the helicopter was provided by a private party for 5,000 for the two-hour flight.

UK Sharma, divisional forest officer (DFO) Mandsaur told HT that they had to resort to a costly capturing method like the Boma technique (luring wild animals into an enclosure by chasing them through a funnel-like fencing) as the Nilgai dashes away the moment officials attempt to tranquillise and capture it.

Nilgai is a very sturdy, heavy and fast antelope. When we try to capture it, it runs away and many a times breaks its leg. Also, there have been incidents when a running Nilgai has killed a person here and also damaged the vehicle of a politician, he said.

Sharma said Boma technique reduced the chance of the animal or forest officer getting injured.

Many states have tried to capture Nilgai to check crop damage, but they were not successful. Some states opted for culling, But we decided against it, he said.

According to wildlife experts, Nilgai is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been categorised as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In June last year, HT had reported that the MP government would attempt to capture Nilgai through a trial and error method, instead of culling them. Blue bulls have been damaging crops in the state . In 2015, farmers from Neemuch went on a hunger strike, demanding compensation for the damage caused to their crops by Nilgais.

WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972, has certain provisions which allow the Centre to move wild animals from Schedule II, III and IV category to the Schedule V category of the Act (vermin) for a certain period. Those animals that damage crops, kill livestock or are a threat to people by spreading diseases can be declared vermin, paving the way for their culling for a limited period.

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A lookout notice issued by Punjab police helped immigration officials at Indo-Nepal border town Raxaul, in Bihars East Champaran district, 204km from Patna, to arrest a national from New Zealand on Tuesday.

A deputy superintendent of police (DSP)rank officer at the immigration office, Anil Kumar Singh, said Amrit Kaur was trying to enter India from Nepal by road when she was arrested.

Kaur, who worked in New Zealand after acquiring citizenship of the island nation, was wanted in a dowry case lodged in Punjab in 2014, the officer said. Daughter of Sukhbir Singh, Kaur originally hailed from Dugri village of Punjabs Ludhiana district, he added.

The officer said during scrutiny of passport and other travel documents, immigration officials detected that her name was mentioned in the lookout notice. She was immediately detained and handed over to the local police, he said.

Station house officer (SHO) of the Raxaul police station, Ugranath Jha, said the wife of Kaurs brother had made her an accused in a dowry case. Kaur, who had been working in New Zealand since 2007, had come to Dugri village when the case was lodged, he said.

Soon after she was made an accused, Kaur escaped to New Zealand and never visited India after the lookout notice issued against her, Jha said, adding that she had been sent to Punjab after her interrogation.

Kaur told reporters that she had gone to Nepal on a private visit with her friends and was trying to enter India to meet her relatives.
Bihars high and mighty, for long been given to flaunting fancy weapons, sometimes as a status symbol and at other times as an intimidation tactic, will soon experience a severe curb in such display of their power and sway..

For, kicking in on April 1 is the new arms license issuance system (ALIS), under the union home ministrys national database of arms licences (NDAL) project. It clearly lays down that any individual can hold just one arms license, instead of multiple licenses, as being held at present by held by many bahubalis in Bihar at present.

This effectively means any Bihar bahubali (muscle-endowed) criminal-politician or a politician or bureaucrat, will be able to wear just one weapon on a single arms license!

While uploading arms licenses data for NDAL, the Bihar government has found that thousands of people, including politicians, musclemen and contractors, hold multiple arms licences, even as thousands of fresh applications for issuance of arms licences remain pending with different district magistrates.

In many cases, people appear to have got multiple licenses issued just to flaunt weapons as a status symbol. In some cases, one person was found to hold up to three arms licences. Multiple licenses in the name of one individual wont be valid, come April 1, said an official of the home department.

READ: Bihar set to miss arms licenses database deadline

Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told HT that in Patna alone, from where around 8,000 entries have been made in NDAL, around 750 persons were found to be holding multiple arms licences.

The Bihar government, like other state governments, has to upload all data related to arms licences to NDAL software latest by March 31. Any arms license whose data is not uploaded by that date will be rendered invalid with effect from April 1.

So far, in eight districts of Bihar, including Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Jehanabad, Jamui, Munger, Nalanda and Patna, the process of data entry of arms licences has not been completed, partly owing to ambiguity over what was to be done with multiple arms licences issued in the past.

Now, Bihars home department has made it clear through its letter to all the district magistrates that an individual can have just one arms license in his/her name.

With the March 31 deadline close to expiry, principal secretary, home, Amir Subhani has written to DMs of all 38 districts of Bihar to complete the exercise on a priority basis. It was during a review of what was delaying the data uploading exercise, that the authorities stumbled upon incidence of people having multiple arms licences.

Reached for a reaction, Darbhanga DM Chandra Shekhar Singh confirmed that under the new NDAL rules, an individual would be eligible for only one arms license.

As such, several DMs have directed the holders of multiple arms licenses to deposit them in the offices of the district arms magistrates with a request letter for their consolidation/merger into a single license and to get the endorsement of their firearms on the new license, under his/her unique identity number (UIN) under NDAL.

An arms magistrate of a central Bihar district told HT that a license holder should deposit the arms license(s) and obtain a receipt by March 31, without fail. After this deadline expires, any license not uploaded under NDAL or submitted to the authorities was liable to be cancelled, he said.

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Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not name anyone in the conspiracy behind the Kanpur train accident, which is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He was responding to Congress leader Digvijay Singhs remarks in Rajya Sabha, quoting the PM saying at a rally in Gonda that the accident was a conspiracy from across the border.

A Nepalese citizen, a key accused in the Kanpur train derailment case and suspected of having links with the ISI and mob boss Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in Kathmandu after being deported from Dubai.

The derailment of the Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur Dehat on November 21 last year killed more than 140 people.

The home minister said Modi had not taken any names and asked the house to wait for the NIA investigation to get over.

Referring to the PMs statement, Digvijay Singh said it seems the NIA was briefing him, but the home minister was unaware.

The minister said the PM had not named anyone, but such reports appeared in newspapers. Singh also added that there have been several terror attacks in India, which were sponsored by Pakistan.

Replying to JDU leader Sharad Yadavs question on why the government had shut the door on dialogue with Pakistan, Rajnath said New Delhi is ready for talks, provided Islamabad is ready to pull the plug on state-sponsored terrorism

This was a policy followed by the previous government as well, he said.

The home minister also asserted that the number of terror attacks and ceasefire violations along the international border and the line of control have come down after India conducted surgical strikes at terror launch pads across the LoC.

He said the number of terror attacks had come down from 110 to 87 after the surgical strikes as have the casualties of civilians as well as security forces.
Pramod Sawant, BJP MLA from Sanquelim, was elected as the speaker of the Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Sawant got the support of 20 members of the house, including from allies Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa Forward Party and Independent MLAs.

Congress candidate for the post, Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco, an MLA from Curtorim, could manage only 15 votes.

Churchill Alemao, NCP MLA from Benaulim, chose not to support any of the candidates.

Also, while Vishwajit Rane of Valpoi constituency was absent from the assembly following his resignation from the assembly and Congress, Nilesh Cabral of BJP reached the assembly hall late and was therefore not able to take part in the voting.

I will ensure that I fulfil the duties and responsibilities which come with this chair, Sawant said after his election to the post. I will also remain impartial as a Speaker and will ensure that the proceedings of the house are carried out in order.

Congresss Babu Kavlekar and Ravi Nayak congratulated him. The partys Luizhino Faleiro also extended his wishes to the speaker, post which the house was adjourned.

Zero Tolerance Towards Crimes Against Women And Children

Speaking to the media after the assembly was adjourned, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that the budget which is going to be presented on Friday will ensure that it has something for all the Goans.

The spirit of goemkarponn will be maintained in the budget. We will ensure that the voters do not feel dejected by the budget, said Parrikar.

When asked about the recent rape and murder of a British-Irish woman in Canacona, Parrikar said, We are not going to tolerate any kind of injustice or crimes against women and children.

We want Goa to be a safe place so that women can walk free even in the night without any kind of fear in their mind, he said.

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Karnataka has asked the Supreme Court to review its decision to drop proceedings against late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in a corruption case, saying it should order recovery of the Rs 100-crore fine from the sale of her estate.

The court had on February 14 set aside the Karnataka high court order giving a clean chit to Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5 after a prolonged illness, and her aide Sasikala.

It upheld the trial court order declaring them guilty in toto in the Rs 66-crore disproportionate assets cases.

While appeal against Jayalalithaa abated following her death, Sasikala and two others are serving their four-year term in a Bengaluru jail.

In its review petition, the Karnataka government on Tuesday described the judgment as an error on the face of the record. It said the former CM died after the conclusion of the arguments and judgment was reserved.

There is no question of abatement of appeal and that the judgment subsequently pronounced will have the same force and effect as if the same was pronounced before the death took place, the petition stated.

Karnataka argued while the prison sentence wouldnt hold but the trial court order on fine was sustainable and the money should be recovered from the assets acquired through corrupt means.

In the circumstances, though the death of the accused no 1 (Jayalalithaa) renders sentence of imprisonment infructuous, the question whether any fine is liable to be imposed as also confiscation of illegally acquired property will survive for consideration, Karnataka said in its petition.

The Supreme Court verdict cut short Sasikalas power bid. She had taken over the ruling AIADMK and was a step away from being the chief minister when the order came.

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RJD chief Lalu Prasad and all the ministers of his party, senior partner in Bihars ruling grand alliance, did not turn up at the inaugural function of Bihar Diwas, the states foundation, addressed by chief minister Nitish Kumar, at Gandhi Maidan here on Wednesday.

The absence of all RJD ministers, including deputy CM Tejaswhi Prasad Yadav, health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, finance minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui and cooperative minister Alok Mehta, at the function, sparked speculation of growing irritants between the RJD and Nitish Kumar-led JD (U).

Last week, former CM Rabri Devi and her son, Tejashwi, had stated in public that the RJD was the rightful claimant to the post of the legislative council chairman after BJPs Awadhesh Narayan Singh retired from the post in May.

But the JD (U) leadership had remained non-committal on this issue.

The claim came amidst the suggestion in RJD circles that CM Kumar had helped Singh win the legislative council election from the Gaya graduates constituency last week and wanted him to get another term as council chairman.

Before that, RJD and JD (U) leaders had crossed swords over the utterances of senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who accused chief minister Kumar of helping the BJP win the Uttar Pradesh assembly poll by not making his JD (U) join the SP-Congress alliance in UP.

However, cooperative minister Alok Kumar Mehta was quick to scotch speculations, saying not much should be read into the absence of RJD ministers, as they were engaged in work in their respective constituencies.

I was myself in Samastipur with Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary to attend a farmers conference organised on the occasion of Bihar Diwas. I wanted to return, but the response to the programme was so big that I got delayed, Mehta said.

It is just a coincidence that the RJD ministers could not attend the Bihar day function in Patna. Its not the way it seems. The media is just speculating about differences, he added.

In the absence of RJD leaders, CM said at the inaugural function that after the success of prohibition, his government was now focused on de-addiction and was making a concerted effort to ensure that alcoholics did not shift to other forms of addiction.

The peoples response to prohibition has been overwhelming and the demand for it is now being raised across the country. Today, the campaign for de-addiction, which started with the formation of a 4 crore people human chain on January 21, ends, but the crusade will continue, he added.

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Hariri's visit comes one month after Lebanese President Michel Aoun's visit to Egypt

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Wednesday in Cairo, congratulating him on "the role played in reaching consensus between the different factions of the Lebanese society."

Hariri's visit is the first to Egypt since he took office in December 2016, and comes one month after a visit by Lebanese President Michel Aoun to Cairo.

The meeting was also attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef said.

The two leaders discussed possible cooperation in different fields including health, education and investment, according to Youssefs statement.

El-Sisi praised the Lebanese model which he said supports diversity and avoids extremism. Hariri praised Egypt's progress towards stability and economic reform.

The two leaders expressed support in fighting terrorism and extremism in the region, the statement further said. El-Sisi also declared Egypt's support for Lebanon in facing the repercussions of the war in Syria.

Lebanon has been hosting over more than one million Syrian refugees since the eruption of the Syrian conflict in 2011, according to statistics by UNHCR, the UNs refugee agency.

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Even as a debate rages in Goa over the safety of foreign tourists, especially after the rape and murder of Irish tourist Danielle McLaughlin, five women met in Glouchestershire county in the UK to fight for justice for their kin they have lost in the Indian state over the years.

Among those present at the Boston Tea Party cafe in Cheltenham on Sunday were Fiona Mackeown, who has been battling a reluctant Indian justice system after her teenaged daughter Scarlett Keeling was killed in 2008, Amanda Bennett, who lost her brother Stephen in mysterious circumstances in 2006, Minna Pirhonen, who lost her son Felix Dahl in 2015, and Maureen Sweeney, sister of Denyse Sweeney who also died in Goa in 2010. A fifth woman was also present.

According to Mackeown, apart from writing a letter to the Indian and UK Prime Ministers, the group is in the process of using the social media platforms to create awareness about the perils of Goa as a tourism destination.

We all agreed to share and spread our stories in any way we can to raise awareness that it is dangerous to go to Goa, and of how many people have actually died under suspicious circumstances. We will lobby tourism companies to put pressure on them to advise tourists to go elsewhere, Mackeown told IANS on Wednesday.

Mackeowns daughter Scarlett was drugged, sexually assaulted and left to die on north Goas Anjuna beach in 2008. Two beach shack workers, who were arrested in connection with the crime, were acquitted by a trial court last year. The case is now in appeal before the Panaji Bench of the Bombay high court.

Bennett told IANS that the statistics of foreign tourists dying in Goa were alarming and the authenticity of the investigation process in the coastal state were dubious.

The modus operandi is very predictable. The lack of investigation and blaming the victim to mitigate these murders is the status quo. All victims are deliberately maligned when the family asks questions. We are all aware that these crimes are organised and the police facilitate criminals as long as bribes are paid before the murder, she claimed.

Her sister Denyse was found drugged and dead in Anjuna, even as the post mortem ruled out foul-play blaming overdose for the death.

Sanna Cutter claims that instead of demanding justice as individual families, coming together as a group and connecting with more kin, who have victims slain in Goa, could be fruitful.

The families will be going forward as a group now. We are connecting with more families of victims worldwide. So far no one has been prosecuted for the crimes. Instead all the killers are still walking free, she told IANS.

Cutter also said that the non-committal expatriate community in Goa, many of whom are involved in tourism-related business, should take a stand on these mystery deaths.

We truly hope they have the same interests in their (expats) hearts as we do. This time around the approach love and light wont be enough. If they do not take action or demand anything to be done about this sad situation taking place in Goa, then that can be taken as agreeing with the corrupt system, she said.

That would also make them as corrupt as the place where they have made their homes and opened their businesses, she added.

One of the most popular beach tourism destinations in India, Goa attracts nearly four million tourists every year, half a million being foreigners. Over the years, the state has also been under spotlight for crimes against tourists as well as easy availability of drugs and narcotics substances.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to examine whether pension and allowances such as unlimited free train travel should be given to former MPs and MLAs.

A bench headed by justice J Chelameswar issued notices to the Centre, secretaries of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Election Commission and the attorney general on a

plea filed by an NGO, Lok Prahari, seeking a judicial order to scrap allowances given to former lawmakers.

The NGO moved the top court after the Allahabad high court rejected its plea.

Advocate Kamini Jaiswal, who was a day earlier asked by the court to assist in the case, said that there were no guidelines for such allowances for former lawmakers.

She pointed out that a government employee has to contribute to a pension fund for availing post-retirement benefits. In the case of lawmakers, she said, money is spent from a consolidated government fund, which is taxpayers money.

We have seen an era where MPs after serving in public life for long have died as paupers, the bench remarked before issuing notices. Facilities and allowances must be reasonable and not arbitrary, it said.

Questioning the various provisions of law framed by Parliament, the petitioner alleged that the perks granted to ex-MPs, MLAs and MLCs were unreasonable and should be withdrawn.

While the governors do not have the facility of pension at all, an MP even for a day and his spouse get pension for life. While even serving judges of the Supreme Court and high courts do not have the facility of free air/train travel for their spouses even on official tours, ex-MPs enjoy unlimited free train travel for life in AC-II with a companion 365 days a year, the petition said.

A former MP, the petitioner said, becomes an unwarranted burden on citizens. The NGO said it was not their birthright to fleece the public whom they no longer represent.

Politics has become the most lucrative profession even for the scum of the society, former bureaucrat SN Shukla, also the general secretary of the NGO, told the bench.

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External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj directed the envoy to Saudi Arabia to rescue 29 Indian workers belonging to Telangana, after IT and NRI affairs minister KT Rama Rao sought her intervention in the case.

Swaraj asked ambassador Ahmad Javed to initiate action for the workers release from the Saudi company. Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao, Swaraj tweeted.

Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao. https://t.co/wl5PJdJef7  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 21, 2017

Rao wrote a letter to Swaraj seeking her help for rescuing 29 migrant workers from Telangana held in captivity by a company in Saudi Arabia.

In the letter, Rao said that the workers, employed by Al-Hajry, were held in captivity at Al-Hassa in Saudi Arabia for the last 12 days without any food or basic amenities.

However, in the meantime the said company has taken all the 29 employees into their custody and is holding them captive in a room at Allsafaniya Kouqt, Bodar, city Kanji, Saudi Arabia, denying them food / water or medicines and other basic amenities for the last 12 days, Rao said.

He said that when the workers requested for leave to visit home town, the company not only demanded $50,000 but refused to provide the expenses for travel.

The workers also approached labour court and subsequently Amir Court for Justice. The Amir Court issued directions to the employer company to bear all expenses and send the said 29 employees to their native places within three days.

Rao said he was contacted by Boragalla Shekhar, a resident of Kamareddy district in Telangana who informed him about the plight he and 28 others were suffering. He also gave Swaraj with the telephone numbers of Shekhar and requested the external affairs minister to take up the matter with the Saudi Arabia government.
Three shops selling meat and fish were allegedly set on fire by unidentified persons in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, triggering panic in the area, police said on Wednesday.

The incident comes close on the heels of some slaughter houses being sealed in the state after the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath was sworn in on Sunday.

Police said the incident took place in Manyawar Kanshiram Colony on Tuesday night. The shop owners said all their stock was charred in the fire.

One of the meat shops in Hathras that were allegedly set on fire late Tuesday. (ANI photo)

Unidentified persons set ablaze three shops selling fish and meat. An FIR has been registered against them,  said Dilip Kumar Srivastava, the Hathras SP.

Sub-divisional magistrate (Hathras Sadar) Rakesh Gupta later met the shop owners and heard their grievances.

The BJP, which swept to power in Uttar Pradesh in the recently-held assembly election, had announced in its manifesto that it would take stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses if it comes to power.

On Tuesday, a slaughterhouse, which was allegedly being run illegally, was sealed by the district authorities in Kamalgadaha locality. Officials claimed that the slaughterhouse had been shutdown in 2012, but it continued to operate in a clandestine manner.

The Ghaziabad Police had also sealed 10 meat shops and four slaughter houses which were allegedly running illegally in the city.
A local court in Muzaffarnagar on Tuesday convicted two men and sentenced them to five years in jail for slaughtering cows.

According to government lawyer Javed Ali, Additional District and Sessions Judge Manoj kumar has also imposed a fine of Rs 15000 each on the accused Gayyur and Gadhe Ali after holding them guilty under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.

Police had intercepted a truck and seized beef from it at a check post under Jhunjhala police station in Shamli district in January 27, 2012, the two accused were arrested in this connection.

A case was registered against them.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed Uttar Pradesh government officials to stop chewing pan, pan masala, etc. when in office, after seeing stained walls during his first visit to the secretariat annexe building in Lucknow.

The chief minister visited all the floors of the annexe building and met officials posted there. After seeing betel stains on walls, he asked employees not to consume pan or pan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accompanied Yogi, said.

Adityanath also asked the staff to make the atmosphere in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use plastic, Maurya told reporters.

The annexe, known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan, houses the chief ministers office and his secretariat, offices of the state chief secretary, principal secretary (home) and other senior IAS officers.

The government has started working on the issue (of cleanliness) you will see the changes soon. Till now, two slaughter houses have been shut down, Maurya said.

Adityanath has directed all police officials to prepare an action plan to shut slaughter houses.

According to sources, Adityanath has also directed the police to put complete ban on cow smuggling.

The BJP manifesto for the assembly polls had said that all illegal slaughter houses would be closed and there would be a blanket ban on all mechanised slaughter houses.

After being assigned the charge of Indias most politically-crucial state, Adityanath assured that Uttar Pradesh would soon be considered as the supreme state in the country.

Earlier, on Monday, the priest-turned-politician directed all state government officers to declare their income and assets (moveable and immovable) within 15 days.

He had ordered all his ministers to do the same.
Uttar Pradesh police ordered a probe on Wednesday after a 2010-batch IPS officer alleged in a series of tweets that seniors in the department are targeting subordinates with the Yadav surname.

The tweets of officer Himanshu Kumar, attached with the director general of polices (DGP) office in Lucknow, triggered a caste controversy as the states Yadav community is typecast as supporters of the Samajwadi Party (SP) founded by Mulayam Singh Yadav.

@brajeshlive @cmofficeup Why is DGP office forcing officers to punish people in the name of caste?  Himanshu Kumar IPS (@Himanshu_IPS) March 22, 2017

The BJP dealt a crushing defeat to the SP in the recent assembly elections, winning 325 seats with its allies.

Kumar, who didnt spare even the DGP in his tweets, deleted the posts later in the day, but kept re-tweeting comments posted in his support.

He said his comments were misinterpreted. But an inquiry was ordered nonetheless.

In first of the tweets in the morning, Kumar wrote: There is now a rush among senior officers to suspend/send to reserve lines all police personnel who have Yadav surname.

But officers dismissed the allegation, saying the new BJP government in the state has not ordered any police transfers.

Kumars second post was more damaging. Why is DGP office forcing officers to punish people in the name of caste?

He tagged chief minister Yogi Adityanaths official twitter handle in some of his posts.

In his clarification, Kumar tweeted: Some people have misunderstood my tweet. I support the initiative of the government.

Kumar was removed as SP, Firozabad, after the assembly elections and attached to DGP headquarters in Lucknow. He is currently on medical leave.

The IPS officer was in the news last July for filing a case against his estranged wife, Priya Singh, in Noida. He alleged that she had hacked into his email accounts to obtain bank statements and personal details.

Inspector general of police VS Meena said additional director general PC Meena will inquire into the salacious tweets. DGP Javeed Ahmad refused comments.
A 17-year-old student drowned in the sea while clicking selfies with friends off the Jodugullapalem beach in Vishakhapatnam on Wednesday, police said.

Another student is feared drowned. Five students from Madhurawada area in Vishakhapatnam had gone to the beach as their exams had recently concluded, a senior police official from Arilova police station.

Four of them, K Amrutha (17), DM Kalyan (18), Anil and Rajesh were clicking selfies while standing on a rock Wednesday morning. A big wave lashed the rock and swept Amrutha and Kalyan into the sea, he added.

The deceased, Amrutha, was studying at a junior college here. His body was found while a search operation is underway to locate Kalyan, the official said, adding a case has been registered.
Waitlisted passengers will get the choice of travelling on reserved berths in alternative trains on the same route from April, railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced on Wednesday.

Called Vikalp, or alternative train accommodation system (ATAS), the scheme will provide reserved berths or seats within 12 hours to passengers on the waiting list in another train bound for that destination. The change wont entail any additional fare or charges.

This is an attempt to settle a long-running grudge of millions of people that travel with the countrys largest public transporter.

But there is a caveat to the plan: alternative berths will depend on the availability of vacant seats in another train.

In the overcrowded network, the possibility of finding reserved berths in alternative trains appears remote. Unconfirmed tickets have been a standard complaint of people seeking to travel with the railways, which carries 23 million passengers every day, a number equal to the population of Australia.

The scheme has additional flaws. A waitlisted passenger on the Delhi-Howrah Duronto with a travel time of 17.15 hours, for instance, might end up spending 41 hours for the journey if he is accommodated on the Delhi-Sealdah Express.

Also, a passenger seeking to cancel his ticket on an alternative train will have to pay a steep charge.

Railways minister Suresh Prabhu during a meeting in New Delhi on improving the quality of catering services provided by Indian Railways. (PTI)

The cancellation fee for a confirmed booking, which is the case for a person getting accommodated on an alternative train, is much higher than the money deducted on a refund for a waitlisted ticket.

A railway official said Vikalp cannot address these problems entirely. Smart traffic management plans can help, but unless infrastructural constraints are removed, lasting solutions cannot come.

A reverse scenario can be possible too. Passengers can get lucky. Say, a wait-listed traveller on the Shaheed Express may find an alternative berth on the faster Duronto or Rajdhani trains.

The latest move is aimed at optimizing utilisation of seats across all trains; thereby increasing earnings and reducing refunds on waitlisted tickets.

The railways run more than 12,000 passenger trains every day. But the loss-making network loses more money each time a train leaves the platform with a vacant seat. Since train tariff is heavily subsidized, just 27% of railway revenue comes from passenger tickets.

The nationwide scheme will kick in from April 1 and will be available for those buying e-tickets to start with. But it will be extended to passenger reservation service (PRS) tickets as well.

The plan is available already on six routes, including Delhi-Lucknow, Delhi-Jammu and Delhi-Chennai.

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Shrouded in series of controversies ever since it came into existence, right from its participation in Germanys Hannover messe industrial fair in 2015, the Make in India lion made a quiet exit from Udyog Bhawan under the veil on Saturday.

Make in Indias machine lion with rotating gears and wheels, was dismantled from the raised platform at the entry gates of the Bhawan and moved to BHELs Noida facility.

The giant lion did not have the required permission from the concerned agencies including the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the authorities said.

Any structure that comes up in the Lutyens zone requires permission from various agencies. The concerned department did not have the permission for the same, said Ramesh Abhishek, secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), the nodal agency for centre governments Make in India campaign.

DIPP is responsible for the upkeep of Udyog Bhawan that houses ministry of commerce and industry, textile, heavy industries and medium, small enterprises.

Make in Indias logo  a lion made of rotating gears  before being moved from its perch at Udyog Bhavan in Lutyens Zone in New Delhi (HT Photo)

The Make in India lion made its first appearance during the Republic Day parade in 2015. The electricity-propelled and with rotating gears, the lion was a special attraction then.

The same year, it travelled to Germanys Hannover Messe to participate in the industrial fair there to showcase Indias engineering might. But it was kept aside there as it failed the safety standards.

On its return from Germany, the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited that had made the lion at the behest of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, installed it in a glass cage in the compound of Udyog Bhawan.

The lion was painted too in tri-colours to make it more attractive. The lion that participated in the Republic parade bore single metallic colour.

However, awaiting formal inauguration, the lion was covered in the blue veil (plastic sheets) and it remained so until it was removed from Udyog Bhawan on Saturday.

Read | 2 yrs since Make in India launch, only smartphones thrive in manufacturing sector

The controversy did not end here. The machine lion was initially operated with electricity with its gears and wheel rotating, attracting eyeballs of the passersby. It started developing technical snags because of the heat it generated in the glass cover, especially during summer.

Air-conditioners were installed to keep the glass cage cool initially.

However, according to sources, what rankled the DIPP was the cost of maintaining this structure that ran in few lakhs annually besides a covered structure under the blue veil at the entry gates of Udyog Bhawan.

The officials at the ministry of heavy industry that is housed in Udyog Bhawan only remained tight-lipped on the issue and refused to comment.
Education minister Tarek Shawki told state TV on Wedensday evening that the ministry has halted the provision of meals to students at schools nationwide until the cause has been determined after the food poisoning of around 400 students in government-run schools in several governorates earlier, the latest in a series of cases of suspected mass poisoning from school meals.

The health ministry said in a statement that 312 students were hospitalized in the governorates of Cairo, Suez and Aswan.

The minister said the Cabinet is meeting on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Al-Ahram Arabic said the provincial governor of Aswan ordered earlier today a halt to the distribution of meals at all schools in the governorate.

State news agency MENA reported that 24 students were sent to hospital after suffering stomach aches, vomiting and fever in the Nile Delta governorate of Menoufiya, while 48 students in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Beni Suef were hospitalised with similar symptoms.

Wednesday's incidents are the lastest in a series of cases of suspected large-scale food poisoning to hit state-run schools in several parts of the country this month.

More than 3,300 students became ill and experienced similar symptoms last week after consuming school meals, according to information released by the Egyptian cabinet. The incidents prompted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to set up an impromptu committee to determine the cause.

In place for decades, Egypt's state-run National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) covers 13.5 million students and costs the government EGP957 million, according to the World Food Programme, which has been supporting the scheme since 1968.

Last year, the government launched a plan to scale up the programme to reach all government-run schools.

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath ordered officials on Wednesday to enforce a ban on the smuggling of cows in the state.

Adityanath also directed police officials to prepare an action plan for the closure of illegal abattoirs, news agency PTI reported.

The 44-year-old Adityanath is the head priest of Gorakhpurs influential Gorakhnath shrine. Also, he is a five-term parliamentarian from Gorakhpur and considered a hardline Hindutva leader.

After his swearing-in as the Uttar Pradesh CM, police launched a crackdown on slaughterhouses.

The action was in line with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys pre-poll promise to shut down illegal slaughterhouses in the state. The party secured a landslide victory in the February-March assembly elections.

Beef and the slaughter of cattle are illegal Uttar Pradesh -- like in most states across the country.
Two girls, who drowned after they jumped into a pond during a police raid at an alleged red-light area in Bharatpur, were cremated Wednesday afternoon even as a political drama played out throughout the day.

The girls, both minors, had jumped into the pond Tuesday evening to escape detention when police raided four settlements comprising 50 houses along the Jaipur-Agra highway in Bharatpur inhabited by Bedias, a nomadic tribe known for its young girls taking up prostitution as a family business.

The raid was reportedly conducted on the basis of complaints lodged by local residents. Police claimed that its teams wanted to rescue the girls forced into the trade. However, Bedias claimed that policemen chased the girls and threatened to shoot them following which they jumped into the pond to save themselves.

They also denied forcing the girls from the tribe into prostitution. When they attain puberty, we ask them if they want to study or get into this business. They get into the trade of their own free will, a resident of one of the settlements said.

On Wednesday morning, people from settlements met Congress MLA Vishvendra Singh at his house. Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Bharatpur, visited the mortuary of RBM Hospital where the bodies were kept and convinced the families of the both girls for post-mortem.

Meanwhile, Bharatpur district collector handed over cheques of 51,000 each to the families of the two girls.

However, when the bodies were taken to the settlement for cremation, BJP MLA from Bharatpur, Vijay Bansal, reached there and reportedly asked the people to demand action against police. He also said that will raise the issue in the Assembly and demand legal action against additional superintendent of police Bharat Lal Meena, who led Tuesdays raid. Bharatpur mayor Shiv Singh was also with him.

Soon, the Congress MLA too arrived there and urged the locals not to indulge in politics.

The bodies were cremated around 3pm.

Meanwhile, police booked 15 people, including nine women, for buying minor girls for prostitution and several sections of kidnapping and slavery. These people were arrested on Tuesday night under section 151 of the CrPC but later booked under different IPC sections.

Police said they have lodged two cases in Sewar police station. In the first, three men and six women, all Bedias, were arrested from Bagdhari settlement. The second case is against three men and as many women, who were arrested from Panchhi Ka Nagla.
A mahapanchayat in Rajasthans Hanumangarh district has decided to boycott Muslims of a village after a man eloped with a Hindu woman, described by Hindu right-wing groups as a case of love jihad.

Police confirmed the development but said they were trying to convince village heads to withdraw the boycott in Gudia, a Muslim-dominated village about 400 km from state capital Jaipur.

The mahapanchayat -- a gathering of people from several villages -- was attended on Monday by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, which have launched a countrywide campaign against what they refer to as love jihad, an alleged conspiracy to convert Hindu girls to Islam through coercion and allurement.

Police said on Wednesday the 21-year-old woman from Khara Khera village eloped with a Muslim man on March 13, a day before her marriage to another man. Both are undergraduate students from separate colleges in Hanumangarh.

People at the mahapanchayat in Rajasthans Hanumangarh district. (HT Photo)

Police caught the couple in Delhi on Saturday after the womans parents lodged a police complaint. The man, 22, is in police custody.

After the incident, we have decided to sever all ties with them (Muslims of Gudia) and boycott them. Today, it has happened with one family, tomorrow it could happen with some other family, said Shiv Bhagwan Jhorar, the sarpanch of Khara Khera.

Also, the Muslims marry their cousins, so they dont appreciate or understand family relationships like these.

He said the villagers sought the help of the VHP and Bajrang Dal but also told the groups that they did not want any communal tension.

No leader from the two groups were available for comments. Muslim groups have not reacted to the boycott.

Police said the situation was peaceful in the district, which has a Muslim population of 1.18 lakh (6.69%) out of a total of 17.74 lakh people.

The villagers did not want to hold the mahapanchayat after they got back the girl but they had already invited a lot of people from the nearby villages, said Ishwar Anand, the station house officer of Tibbi.

The mahapanchayat saw an attendance of 2,000-odd people.

The SHO quoted a VHP member as saying that if the man had been one of their own community, it would not have mattered.

Another police officer who requested not to be named said that while some speakers said they should be cautious of their children interacting with Muslims in schools and colleges, some called for a boycott of Muslims.

They said the villagers should sever ties with Muslims, should stop buying things from shops owned by Muslims, and if shops have been rented out to Muslims in villages they should be made to vacate, said the police officer.

He also said that the idea of boycott did not resonate with the villagers. This is a peaceful area. Ill go to the villages and speak to people and see that such ideas dont take root, he added.

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The Rajasthan government has written to the Centre for waiving different types of financial charges on Aadhar-enabled payment system (AePS) to promote cashless transactions in the public distribution system (PDS). The state has also requested the Centre to ask telecom service providers to ensure connectivity at 135 locations in the state where PoS devices dont work because of lack of connectivity.

Rajasthan chief secretary OP Meena has written to the union finance ministry to either waive financial charges  transaction, authentication and synchronisation charges  levied by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and banks or bear them itself.

In Rajasthan, 1.25 crore transactions are done through PoS devices every month. It would not be advisable to pass on these charges to either beneficiaries or the FPS (fair price shop) dealers as this would hamper the process of digital payments. The state government is also in no position to bear these charges, the letter said.

Generally, the financial charges come to around 100 per transaction because banks have a minimum charge. For 1.25 crore transaction, this money will be 125 crore a month and 1,500 crore annually.

Alternately, the financial burden of these charges may be borne by GoI to facilitate AePS model in PDS, the chief secretary suggested.

Rajasthan decided to adopt the AePS as it seems to be the most feasible model considering the fact that the FPS in the state already has been equipped with PoS machines with biometric scanners and for this model, neither the dealer nor the beneficiary is required to have a smartphone. For all other digital payment models  such as e-wallet, unified payment interface (UPI) and net banking  a smartphone is needed for completing the transaction.

The issue of financial charges on digital payments was raised at a workshop of food ministers and food secretaries in New Delhi on January 19, 2017, the letter notes.

In Rajasthan, the state leading in FPS automation, 24,724 PoS devices have been installed at FPS but 135 of them dont function because of lack of connectivity. The FPSs at these locations are distributing PDS commodities manually without biometric verification.

Subodh Agarwal, Rajasthans principal secretary of food and civil supplies department, says the state has written to the Union food and PDS department to ensure connectivity at these locations for compliance of directions of Government of India on FPS automation.

Earlier this month, a ration dealer in Kotda block of Udaipur district was seen sitting on a tree-top to operate the PoS machine. This shop is among the 135 where connectivity is not available.

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Acting on the complaint filed by a local youth for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus, Siliguri Police started a case and slapped non-bailable section of IT Act against Bengali poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay on Wednesday. One of the two sections carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison and/or fine.

On the evening of March 19, Bandyopadhyay, 42, posted a poem on his Facebook wall where he criticised the outcome of the UP elections, took a veiled dig at chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath and made a derogatory remark against Trishul, a quintessential Hindu symbol.

Read: Police complaint against West Bengal poet for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus

We have initiated a case against the accused under section 295A and 57 of the IT Act. We have also sent a requisition to Facebook to find concrete evidence to determine from whose account and from using which piece of hardware the poem was posted, a senior officer of Siliguri Police commissionarate told HT.

The police complaint against the poet has polarised the residents of Bengal, with Bandyopadhyay receiving a lot of support from the intellectuals to carry on his protest. I shall continue to write what I feel as a poet, undeterred by such complaints, Bandyopadhyay told the media on Tuesday.

Bandyopadhyay has vowed to continue writing poems to express his feelings and refused to be intimidated by such complaints. (Facebook)

Section 295A of the IT Act relates to deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

On Monday, Arnab Sarkar, a resident of Bagha Jatin colony in Pradhan Nagar area, filed the complaint in which he alleged that the poem wounded the feelings of each Hindu through the use of distasteful words.

Police is doing their work. Lets see where the case proceeds, Sarkar told HT.

Till Wednesday evening, Bandyopadhyays Facebook post recorded 3,799 shares and 4,743 comments. Though some expressed support, many lambasted the poet --- often in unprintable language --- on his wall.

Read: TN govt filed over 200 defamation cases for derogatory remarks against CM Jaya

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh has already criticised the poet. He does not have too many readers. He has not only made distasteful comments against Hindu religion, but also made disparaging comments against Yogi Aditya Nath, who is an elected representative of the people, remarked Ghosh.

I will not give much importance to the issue. The majority of people in this country believe in freedom of speech. A degree of freedom of speech still exists in this country. Our country has not become Pakistan or Bangladesh, and one has the right to speak here. Since the past two days I have been trolled in Facebook after I posted the poem, said the poet.

Some of the comments against me are dangerous threats. These people, so called flag bearers of Hindutva, never read poems and I do not expect them to understand, Bandyopadhyay also told HT.

Sarkar, a second-year student of accountancy, said: I have reservations about the last line of the poem where he makes derogatory remarks about trishul, a quintessential symbol of Hindu religion.

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After its exploits in Uttar Pradesh, BJP has trained its focus on Bengal, the state with the third highest Lok Sabha seats. The party is targeting at least 22 seats in the state that has 42 seats in the lower house of the Parliament.

The situation in Bengal is expected to feature prominently in BJPs national executive meeting on April 15-16 in Delhi, where a detailed road map may be finalised. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah are supposed to attend.

Read: Assembly elections done, Modi, Shah to rejig BJP and govt after budget session

The Calcutta high courts decision to order CBI investigation in Narada tapes and the apex courts endorsement of it will also serve as a potent tool in the hands of BJP that plans to hit the streets with a campaign against Trinamool Congress, chief minister Mamata Banerjee and those leaders of the party seen accepting cash in the sting operation.

Our national president Amit Shah has already made it clear that in 2019 the road to Delhi would go through Bengal. After Uttar Pradesh which has 80 seats and Maharastra that has 48, Bengal is the third biggest with 42 seats. We are keeping a minimum target of 22 seats, Dilip Ghosh, state BJP president, told HT.

Besides it spectacular success in UP, BJP has fared well in Maharashtra municipal polls where it became the single largest party in Nashik, Pune, Ulhasnagar, Solapur, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Pimpri-Chinchwad apart from running neck to neck in Mumbai with Shiv Sena. But in Bengal despite a steady growth in its vote share, its show has been lacklustre, and the party is yet to secure a foothold in terms of seats.

State BJP president DIlip Ghosh and national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya are expected to play more active roles in Bengal. (HT Photo)

BJP has only two MPs and three MLAs in the state.

In the national executive meeting, we will submit our state report that will include attacks on party workers and rise of fundamentalism in the state. In Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017 our vote share rose 24.7%. There is no reason why we cannot replicate the performance in Bengal, said Sayantan Basu, BJP state general secretary.

Read: RSS meet in Coimbatore fuels speculation of BJP push in Tamil Nadu

For the past few years, BJP leaders have also been highlighting infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh and the rise of fundamentalism. For the Sangh Parivar, both Assam and Bengal have been states with high importance. While BJP has already grabbed power in Assam, it has remained a marginal player in Bengal in number of seats.

On Sunday (March 19), RSS slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for remaining a mute spectator to attacks by Muslim fundamentalists and appeasing the jihadis during its National Executive Council Meet in Nagpur.

We have already requested our central leadership, including party President Amit Shah, to visit Bengal. It is expected that he will visit by end-April or May. The outcome of the UP Assembly polls had a positive effect on our workers here. We are concentrating on consolidating booth level organisation, added Ghosh.

BJP leaders in Bengal hope that Amit Shah will visit the state to address a series of public meetings soon. (HT Photo)

Apart from Dilip Ghosh, party national general secretary Rahul Sinha and Subrata Chatterjee state general secretary (organisation) is expected to participate in the national executive meet.

Despite the poor show in number of seats, more and more people are turning to BJP. Its vote share has been on a steady rise in Bengal from 6% in 2009 Lok sabha polls to 16.8% (Lok Sabha polls) in 2014 when it got two seats.

In the 2016 Assembly polls it got 10.2 % votes but got only three MLAs. In the Lok Sabha by polls in Cooch Behar in 2016, BJPs vote share reached 28.5%, though the seat went to ruling Trinamool Congress.

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered swift and proper action against the accused in a molestation case after the victims family member tweeted him seeking justice.

The incident took place on Holi when some local youths, in an inebriated state, barged into a house in Kalyanpur area in Kanpur and started molesting a woman and her daughter. When the womans husband protested, the perpetrators started hitting him, police said on Wednesday.

The husband approached Kalyanpur police station where police filed a case under charges of assault and abuse. However, the complainant alleged that police were lackadaisical in their probe and tweeted his grievance to the director general of police and the Chief Ministers Office asking for their help in the case.

I received a call from the DGPs office in Lucknow shortly after the man tweeted asking for help. I was told to promptly submit a report in the case. I personally visited the family and also arranged for their medical examination, said superintendent of police (west) Sachindra Patel.

Earlier, the case was filed on charges of abuse and assault. A few more charges have now been added, he added.

Three teams have been formed to nab the assaulters while the family has been provided security, police said.
Yogi Adityanath launched his first movement against illegal slaughterhouses in the Gorakhpur region in 2002 when residents of Humayunpur locality drew his attention to the illegal slaughter of animals and urged him to get an abbatoir closed.

The volunteers of Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), an organisation floated by Adityanath, were mobilised to launch an agitation against the slaughterhouse in question.

After instructions from Chhotey Maharaj (the name by which Adityanath is popular in the region), we organised dharna (sit-in) near the gate of the slaughterhouse, Hindu Yuva Vahini state president Sunil Singh told HT on Tuesday.

When the slaughterhouse owner refused to relent, we organised a demonstration near the district magistrates office. Residents too joined the agitation. Soon, it became a public movement. A number of Muslim families, whose homes were located adjacent to the slaughterhouse, supported our movement. Finally, the district administration sealed the slaughterhouse and the illegal occupants were evicted, he said.

After tasting success, Adityanath decided to broadbase the movement against the illegal slaughterhouses. A delegation of farmers told him that the gangs running illegal slaughterhouses often lifted a large number of cows, calf and bulls from grazing grounds, loaded them on trucks and transported to the slaughter houses.

The HYV was again asked to launch a campaign against illegal slaughterhouses and cattle lifting. Singh said the volunteers of HYV fanned out to Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Basti, Sant Kabir Naga, Balrampur and Siddharthnagar districts and kept watch on trucks transporting cattle.

The HYV activists seized trucks and forced the smugglers to release the cows.

In 2005, a railway officer alerted Adityanath that a large number of cattle were being transported to West Bengal by train from UP.

When the goods train in question reached the Gorakhpur railway station, Adityanath and his HYV volunteers raided it, Singh said. They alerted the railway administration and got the cattle seized. Later the cattle were sent to cowsheds run by voluntary organizations. Adityanath raised the issue in the Lok Sabha and the central government directed the railways to maintain vigil on transportation of cattle to slaughterhouses.

The HYV volunteers also visit the weekly animal fairs in the respective areas to keep watch on the sale of livestock.

If we get a tip-off that illegal slaughterhouse owners are active in the market, we urge the farmers not to sell their cattle. The local police are also alerted. We raid the spot where trucks carrying cows are parked. Several cases have been registered against HYV activists opposing illegal slaughter. We have also lodged counter cases at police stations, he said.

After Yogi Adityanaths appointment as CM, we hope to get cooperation of the district administration against illegal slaughterhouses, Sunil Singh said.

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The Master of Law (LLM) students at the University of Mumbai (MU) alleged that they were wrongly failed by the examiners, after an unusually high number of students were unable to clear the first semester examination in January.

The students said that around 80% of the 600 first year LLM students failed the exam. Even professors admitted that the percentage of students who failed the exams this year was significantly higher. Sixty percent of the students who had taken the exam last year had failed it.

The students claimed that the re-examinations  that will be held on April 5  have left them little time to prepare for the examination.

I was declared fail in two papers which I thought had written well. Several experienced and practising advocates failed in as many as four subjects this time, said an LLM student.

A professor from the department of law said that the high rate of failure could be a result of the university rushing the assessment. I have learnt that the papers were assessed within a couple of days by visiting faculty, he said.

While the students can apply for re-evaluation of their papers, its unlikely that they will get the revised result before April 5. The students will not benefit from re-evaluation. The university should postpone the repeat examination, said Sachin Pawar, president of a city-based students group Student Law Council.

The student groups have, meanwhile, demanded re-assesment of the papers. The university should re-check all the papers and penalise the errant examiners, said Nimesh Savla, vice president of Citizen Forum for Change student youth wing.

The department of law at MU said that it would look into the issue. The pass percentage might be slightly lower this year, but this could be because of [poor] performance of the students. We will discuss the matter at a faculty meeting on Thursday, said Rashmi Oza, head of the law department.

Read: After marking law students absent by mistake, Mumbai University declares results again

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The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file an affidavit in response to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Societys plea which challenged freezing of its two bank accounts by the investigating agency.

The controversial housing society approached the high court after its plea for de-freezing the two bank accounts was turned down by the special CBI court on September 16, 2015. Its lawyer on Tuesday submitted that the amount  totalling Rs1.47 crores  lying in the two accounts had nothing to do with the purported offence.

Both the accounts, at Wodehouse and at Cuffe Parade, are maintained by the State Bank of India, he said. The amount was collected by the society from its members to meet the possible legal expenses much after the media trial started in March 2010, he added.

The societys lawyer further pointed out that the cooperative housing society is a distinct legal entity and that it, unlike some of its members, is not an accused in the case.

Justice Ravindra Ghuge adjourned the plea of the housing society after CBI counsel Hitendra Venegaonkar sought time to file a reply.

According to the prosecution, the building was meant to be occupied by war heroes and widows. But bureaucrates and politicians usurped the 31-storey tower and twisted the rules to grab a flat or two in it.

In 2011, the CBI registered an FIR and booked 13 people, including former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a separate case against some of the accused for an alleged money laundering. On July 4, 2012, the CBI filed a charge sheet against the accused and dropped charges against two of them. It added two other people in the list of accused. The scam led to the resignation of Chavan from CMs post.

A day after registration of the FIR in the case, the central agency instructed the SBI not to allow any person to operate the two accounts.

READ

Adarsh scam: Maharashtra governor seeks legal opinion

Adarsh: Chavan challenges nod granted to CBI to prosecute him
The citys waste problems are not going to be solved soon. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to take another three years to set up a waste-to-energy plant at the Deonar dumping ground even as a Bombay high court (HC) deadline of not dumping waste in Deonar and Mulund from June, 2017 looms over it. Senior civic officials said they are likely to file an affidavit seeking an extension from the court soon.

In 2016, the HC had put a ban on new construction in the city, until BMC increases its waste treatment capacity. BMC had been asked to augment waste treatment capacity to at least 11,000 tonnes per day by June 30, 2017.

Of the 9,500 metric tonnes of waste that the city generates, Deonar receives 23.50% of it, according to BMCs recent environment status report. Senior civic officials said that the commissioning of the plant to recycle waste will in itself take another year.

BMC aims to process 3,000 metric tonnes of waste at Deonar through the waste to energy plant, generating 25-30 megawatt of energy. The plant will be functional for 25 years. A senior civic official from the solid waste management department of BMC said, The work at Deonar is progressing but the magnitude and the scope is huge. We will have a meeting with our counsel on filing an affidavit soon.

Post the constant fire incidents in 2015, BMC had also come up with short-term and long-term measures which are yet to be completed on-ground. Officials said that these measures are likely to be completed before monsoon sets in.

Of the 40 CCTV cameras to be installed, BMC has acquired all, but installed only 4-5. Of the 11 watch towers to be built, eight have been completed and 20-25 temporary vent pipes have been installed. One of the biggest measures  to build a compound wall near the creek is yet to be started. The wall will be built in 18 months at a budget of Rs5 crore once the work orders are issued, officials said.

The department is also in the process of procuring 11 special fire tenders for both Mulund and Deonar dumping grounds. Five of these fire tenders are operational at Deonar while two are stationed in Mulund, officials added.

Read

On the first day of 2017, Mumbai breathes most toxic air since Deonar fire

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While the civic planning committee has accepted 2,245 suggestions/objections by citizens to the citys development plan, it has not considered more than double the number or 4,545 suggestions. The suggestions and objections relate to errors over roads, corrections on boundaries, marking of religious structures and changes in reservations among others.

The recommendations were submitted to the corporation by a six-member panel earlier this month. The panel conducted a hearing for citizens for two months after the plan was released. Now, the plan has to be passed by the corporation, comprising 227 corporators ,who have also demanded two months to study the plan.

A ward-wise analysis reveals that the panel did not consider most number of objections from the K-West ward or Andheri West where 662 citizen objections were rejected. This was followed by K-East or Andheri East where 402 objections have not been considered. Most number of objections 175  have been accepted from the S ward which comprises Bhandup, Vikhroli and parts of Kanjurmarg.

Senior civic officials from the DP department of BMC said most objections not considered by the panel are for change or deleting reservations. The official said, "Being a land-starved city, a change in reservations is difficult because there is no other space available to develop these institutions." In its report, the panel has also said that reservations have been deleted only in case of particular orders from the Maharashtra government, a court order or any competent authority.

The official also said that objections raised on spaces encroached by slums have also not been considered in large numbers. Reservations relate to housing and social amenities for the city. The DP has retained most of the reservations made in DP 1991, of which hardly 33% was implemented in 20 years.

However, the planning committee has accepted long-pending demands of earmarking religious and heritage structures. It has also changed the marking for traffic islands marked as playgrounds, as pointed out by HT earlier. The list of accepted suggestions also include the much-contested widening of the Hazarimal Somani Marg in Fort.

Pankaj Joshi, executive director of the Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) said, "The committee has salvaged the report by accepting many recommendations from the citizen groups at larger policy levels."

Citizens can still approach their newly-elected corporators who can suggest changes to be incorporated in the plan. "There cannot be any additional suggestions, but the corporation has the authority to accept or reject the planning committee's recommendations," the official added.

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Development Plan: Final step for BMC will be giant step for Mumbai

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As the mass bunk enters the third day on Wednesday, more than 1,200 resident doctors have received show cause notices from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As many as 500 doctors from KEM Hospital and 350 each from Sion Hospital and JJ Hospital have received notices, said an official.

Doctors have been protesting against attacks on their colleagues across the state and have decided to continue the strike despite the Bombay High Courts directives on Tuesday.

The HC pulled up resident doctors and compared them with factory workers if they persisted with their demands. Your are not fit to be doctors, said the division bench of chief justice Manjula Chellur and justice Girish Kulkarni. The HC gave a free hand to the civic body and the state government to act against resident doctors if they failed to resume work.

On Tuesday night, Dr Avinash Supe, director of medical education (BMC) and Dr Pravin Shingare, director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) confirmed that notices will be issued to the agitating medicos if they failed to join work. There is a HC directive and we are in process of sending notices to the doctors, said Dr Supe.

More than 550 notices have been sent to resident doctors for failing to resume work. While a few returned to duty, many continued to abstain from work. Doctors association in the state, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), has refused to lend its support for the protest.

The civic body and the state government should also be held responsible for contempt of court as they failed to provide adequate security measures despite court orders. We have not supported the mass bunk, but if doctors are collectively deciding to not resume work until they feel safe, its not unjustifiable, said a senior doctor from KEM Hospital.

READ

Resign if you are not fit to work: HC to resident docs on strike in Maharashtra

In pics: Patients in Mumbai hospitals hit by day 2 of resident doctors strike

Mumbai: Hospitals prepare to send doctors show-cause notices
Maharashtra medical education minister Girish Mahajan has warned doctors who are on strike to join duty by Wednesday evening or face stern action, including salary cut for six months.

The government will cut six months salary of the doctors who do not follow the orders, Mahajan declared.

We have intimated to the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) to ask their doctors to resume duty by 8pm tonight (Wednesday), else get ready to face six months salary cut, the minister said.

Junior doctors in the state are on strike since the last four days protesting the rise in violence against them by relatives of patients.

Despite a rap by the Bombay high court, around 3,000 resident doctors in government hospitals in Maharashtra continued their mass casual leave agitation for the third day on Wednesday.

Health care services for the poor were hit significantly across the state as the agitation threatened to escalate with other government doctors expressing support and the state hitting back by serving show-cause notices to the resident doctors.

People return from the OPD as resident doctors of Sion Hospital in Mumbai strike work protesting the violence against them. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

Boosting the doctors cause, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday expressed support to the doctors demand for implementation of the Violence Against Doctors Act, 2010, and adequate security provisions for them as per the high court directives.

IMA president Sagar Mundada said its 45,000 member doctors in Maharashtra and over 200,000 in India also oppose any punitive action against the agitating resident medicos.

On Tuesday, Bombay high court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice GS Kulkarni made strong observations on the resident doctors and asked them to join duties, failing which the government was free to take action against them.

MARD president Yashowardhan Kabra said attacks on medicos have left them shattered and it is difficult to work under such life-threatening conditions.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Wednesday urged the doctors to resume office, saying duty towards mankind was far more important.

It (strike) could be for a genuine cause but I think that holding up an entire hospital and a state is most unfortunate. There are patients which came from various places of Maharashtra. We must be more sympathetic towards them and I hope the doctors will understand that there is duty towards mankind which is far more important than self, BJP leader Shaina NC said.

(With agency inputs)
1. End strike by this evening or face 6 months pay cut, Maharashtra govt warns doctors

Maharashtra medical education minister Girish Mahajan has warned doctors who are on strike to join duty by Wednesday evening or face stern action, including salary cut for six months. READ

2. 19 MLAs suspended: Opposition boycotts Maharashtra legislature, terms decision unconstitutional

Following the nine-month suspension of the legislators, the Opposition parties boycotted proceedings of the assembly which led to the adjournment of both the houses of the Maharashtra legislature. READ

3. Adarsh scam: Bombay HC seeks CBIs reply on de-freezing societys two bank accounts

The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file an affidavit in response to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Societys plea which challenged freezing of its two bank accounts by the investigating agency. READ

4. Woman arrested in Mumbai with party drug meow meow valued at Rs4.30 lakh

The anti-narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai crime branch on Tuesday arrested a woman for allegedly peddling mephedrone (MD), popularly known as meow meow among revellers, worth Rs4.30 lakh. READ

5. Maharashtra government decides to form task force, set-up helpline to curb mangrove destruction

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced to constitute a task force and set-up a helpline to curb the destruction of mangroves in coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane and other parts of the state. READ
The healthcare crisis in Maharashtra took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, with over 40,000 junior doctors joining 4,000 colleagues who are already on strike.

The development took place hours after state medical education minister Girish Mahajan warned earlier in the day that the agitating doctors would lose six months pay if they did not resume their duties by 8 pm. The new participants in the agitation are members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and faculty members of the Medical Teachers Association (MTA).

However, Mahajan insisted that the problem has been resolved. After meeting me, the doctors agreed to resume work by 8 pm. We assured them that we will take strong steps for their security. The measures will be put in place within 15 days, he told ANI late in the evening.

Junior doctors across the state had launched the agitation to decry a series of attacks on medical personnel by relatives of patients. The agitators said they would resume work only if government hospitals were accorded additional security by the government.

A day after the Bombay high court said the authorities were free to act against the agitators, over 1,200 resident doctors from KEM, Sion and Nair hospitals received showcause notices for not reporting to work for over 72 hours on Wednesday morning. In case you fail to resume work until 8 pm, necessary action will be taken against you. This includes suspension from duty as a resident doctor of the hospital, the letter says.

A resident doctor of KEM hospital said they will continue to agitate despite the directives issued by the authorities. They cant expel all 4,000 students simply because they are demanding their rights. We will continue the mass bunk because our demands have not been met until now, he added.

The doctors are protesting recent cases of violence against medical personnel, including instances in Dhule and Mumbais Sion hospital  where relatives of patients attacked their respective doctors-in-charge. The agitators said patients are usually accompanied by a large number of relatives, which puts pressure on them. They have demanded adequate security measures and a pass system, where not more than two relatives will be allowed to remain with a patient inside the ward.

Many doctors, including members of the MTA and IMA, have come out in support of their agitating colleagues. While all private and government members of the IMA have joined the indefinite strike, the MTA  which comprises over 1,300-1,400 senior faculty members from civic-run hospitals  has decided to show their support by not cooperating with government officials.

We will attend to serious cases and sign the register, but wont work or cooperate with the officials. Doctors are asking for their rights, and there is nothing wrong in it. The action taken by the state is too harsh, said an MTA member on the condition on anonymity.

Meanwhile, the agitation threatened to go beyond Maharashtras borders, with 20,000 resident doctors at government hospitals in Delhi deciding to go on mass casual leave between 9 am and 4 pm on Thursday. However, they will ensure that emergency services are not interrupted.

If the issue is not resolved, doctors in other states like Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh may also join the protest, said Dr Pankaj Solanki, president of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association.

(With inputs from Delhi)
As more doctors across the state joined protests against attacks at hospitals, the Maharashtra government stepped in on Wednesday and warned of strict action  expulsion and a six-month salary cut  if the protests were not called off by 8pm.

Well past the 8pm deadline, however, a majority of doctors were unrelenting, continuing the protests that has disrupted medical services across the state. Only a handful of doctors resumed duties. The government said it has now started collecting names of those still protesting, to initiate action against them.

Girish Mahajan, the state medical education minister, said the government has accepted the doctors demand of more security. Mahajan said the state will appoint 1,100 security guards at government-run hospitals and that he was confident the doctors would call off the protests.

We had a positive discussion with representatives from the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD). The government has agreed to provide them security in the next 15 days, and they assured us the protests will be withdrawn, Mahajan said.

Patients are ultimately suffering. As we have assured the doctors in writing that we will accept their demands, we appealed to them to resume duty. If they decide to continue protesting, we will have no choice but to act by cutting six months salary, Mahajan said.

Rajagopal Devara, secretary, medical education department said they have now started collecting data of the doctors who are still on strike. The state provides a stipend between Rs48,000 and Rs52,000 every month to resident doctors.

Devara said. Once we cut their six months salary, their PG course will automatically be extended, as the rules require them to work for ten months at least, Devara told HT.

Other measures the state promised include emergency alarms, a pass system for visitors and allowing only one visitor, Mahajan said. The government is also considering insurance cover to doctors against assault  one of the demands of the resident doctors.

Doctors groups across India declare support for protests

Doctor associations in various states have declared their support for the agitation by resident doctors in Maharashtra for a safe work environment. With a number of medical bodies set to join the striking doctors, medical services may be hit in various parts of the country.

A day after the Bombay HC criticised resident doctors for going on strike, state and civic officials served notices to them on Wednesday for not resuming duties. Reacting to this, the Indian Medical Association declared support to the doctors. IMA is the countrys largest body of doctors, with 40,000 members and more than three lakh branches across India  206 in Maharashtra alone. Cutting six months pay of doctors for protesting against attacks for three days is not at all justifiable. Our IMA bodies at Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab and other states have expressed support in writing and there is a possibility they will hold a one-day token strike to support doctors under attack in Maharashtra, said Dr Ashok Tambe, president of IMA, Maharashtra. Other medical bodies in the state, such as the Maharashtra Association of Practicing Pathologists and Maharashtra Teachers Association also declared unconditional support.

Resident doctors have taken the step after waiting a full year, during which the state failed to provide safety. They are only demanding fundamental rights, said a member of MTA. We will treat emergency cases but no routine work will be done, another member said. (Sadaguru Pandit)

READ MORE

End strike by this evening or face 6 months pay cut, Maharashtra govt warns doctors

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The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced to constitute a task force and set-up a helpline to curb the destruction of mangroves in coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane and other parts of the state. In the legislative assembly, state environment minister Ramdas Kadam said he will lead a team of legislators and officials to various sites in Thane where alleged mangrove destructions had been witnessed.

The ministers decision came after Yogesh Sagar, presiding officer of the assembly, asked the government to form a task force and start a helpline to prevent marine destruction.

With a space crunch in and around Mumbai, realty vultures are preying on mangroves, putting coastal eco-system in jeopardy.

The issue of mangroves destruction along the Thane and Vasai creek was raised by legislators during the question hour. Sanjay Kelkar, BJP MLA from Thane, alleged that construction of hotels and godowns had become the new norm along the coastal areas. He said no action had been taken by district officials despite complaints of the rampant reclamation by builders. He also demanded to raze unauthorised buildings.

Replying to Kelkar, Kadam informed the lower house that the action had been taken against 17 people in three villages in Thane. Strict action will be taken against officials who failed to act against violators, he said, referring to his visit with a delegation of lawmakers and officials.

Minister of state for environment and mining Pravin Pote Patil said the government would check if the action against culprits was possible under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act. He said the environment department will take the help of the other departments to launch joint efforts to protect the marine shrubs and plants.

Why you should care

Mangroves act as a buffer zone between land and sea, protecting the land from erosion

They absorb the impact of cyclones

They are a breeding ground for a variety of marine animals

They also carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from t

READ

After Kapil Sharma, owners of 53 Versova bungalows booked for mangrove destruction

Mangroves in Manori-Gorai being destroyed, say activists from Mumbai

After Kapil Sharma, owners of 53 Versova bungalows booked for mangrove destruction

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Resident doctors protesting against a spate of attacks on their colleagues were close to ending their strike on Wednesday before another assault on a doctor put paid to any hopes of a resolution.

A senior woman medical officer at Sion hospitals paediatric ward was allegedly assaulted by a patients relatives in the evening. It was the second such case at the hospital in the past four days.

Earlier, at Sangli, relatives of a patient, 27-year-old Vijay Pawar, ransacked a hospital. The police said the relatives became agitated as the hospital allegedly delayed the patients postmortem for nearly seven hours.

At Sion hospital, a four-month-old boy was admitted in the paediatric ward with bronchiolitis on Monday. Dr Mansi Patil, senior medical officer, was attending to the child at 7.30pm on Wednesday when she was assaulted, said resident doctors.

Today, five relatives, including the patients mother and four others, including two men, were present in the ward and one of them hit the doctor on her hand, said Dr Gagan Pratap, a resident doctor at the hospital.

They also threatened her, saying that doctors should be met with such behaviour if they dont perform their duties, he added. The security guard was out for dinner when the incident took place, said another resident doctor. One of the main demands of resident doctors, who have been on strike since Monday, that the states June 2016 order, allowing only two relatives per patient, be implemented.

The latest incident happened just when we were thinking of ending the strike. Three hours after the incident, no the hospital has not registered a police complaint, Dr Pratap added.

Deputy commissioner of police N Ambika said, We are still verifying the complaint. The police are at the hospital. No one has come to the police station.

A senior doctor at KEM Hospital said, There was a possibility of achieving an amicable solution through talks but now the resident doctors will continue their mass bunk until the promises of state government are implemented.

Resident doctors, who had awoken to show-cause notices from the deans of Sion, Nair, KEM and JJ Hospitals, attended meetings with medical education minister Girish Mahajan in the evening. We were still in the meeting when messages of us having backed out of the protest started circulating. We were yet to reach a settlement at the time, said Yashwardhan Kabra, of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD). After the meeting, MARD office-bearers resumed work, saying they didnt have control over individual resident doctors who continued the protest.

A resident doctor at KEM said that despite the notices, they will continue to protest. The state government is also guilty of contempt of court if they point finger at us for not adhering to the high courts directives. Let them expel us, they are in no position to pressurise us by expelling over 4,000 resident doctors across the state, said the doctor.

Some doctors said they were under pressure from their own families to resume work but added that the high courts order on Tuesday only strengthened their resolve to protest. With due respect to the high court, everybody who is threatened with violence deserves protection. The high court order disappointed many of us, said a resident from Sion Hospital.

However, the protestors continued to receive support from doctors across the country. The Medical College of Kuttack released a letter on social media condemning the attacks and supporting their fellow doctors, while doctors at AIIMS, Delhi, treated patients while wearing helmets to show their support. Around 20,000 resident doctors at government hospitals in Delhi will go on mass casual leave between 9am and 4pm today while ensuring that emergency services are not interrupted.

If the issue is not resolved, doctors in other states such as Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh may also join the protest, said Dr Pankaj Solanki, president of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA).

Read more: End strike by this evening or face 6 months pay cut, Maharashtra govt warns doctors
While mostly schools are vilified for subjecting children to harsh punishments or sexual abuse, a recent study has revealed that cases of violence against children at home are not few either and most of them go unreported. Most parents and adult family members do nothing to deal with the complaints, despite it being brought to their notice. Educators and child development specialists said this is due to the absence of child sensitive mechanisms to report violence.

Close to 5,000 children across Maharashtra, between 13 and 17 years of age were interviewed by The United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), along with non-profits such as NINEISMINE and Mumbai Smiles, to identify, record, and track the violence that children experience.

The study said children dont report violence inflicted on them at home for fear of repercussions (35%), feelings of shame (16%), lack of anyone to talk to (16%) and threats (8%). Of those who chose to report it, most (32%) got no help. The survey reveals that 24% people who knew about the abuse at home did nothing.

Pressured by the gender roles constructed by society, boys experience more shame while disclosing the instances compared to girls. The survey said 65% boys didnt report the incidents, compared to 31% girls.

Child development specialists said while new laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, emphasise mandatory reporting of child abuse but most cases at homes go unreported.

Rekha Vijayakar, director, Abled Disabled All People Together (ADAPT), an NGO, said teachers often notice injuries childrens bodies and summon their parents, but the matter seldom goes to the police. The extent of violence meted out at homes by parents would be considered a crime in foreign countries, said Vijayakar. Children are mercilessly beaten up in an attempt to discipline them or out of frustration.

Adding that some parents show an extremely callous attitude towards disabled children, Vijayakar said, We see parents from affluent homes ignoring the needs of their differently-abled children. But there are no mechanisms to report about such incidents.

It is easier for parents to get away with violence, compared to teachers or school staff, said educators. All we can do is summon the parents and warn them that violence at home will not be tolerated, said Rohan Bhat, chairperson, Childrens Academy Group of Schools, Kandivli and Borivli.

Schools admit that only a few children speak up against abuse, despite complaint boxes being available on campus, where they can report anonymously. We act immediately if we receive a complaint, but in many cases, children are afraid to speak out, said Father Francis Swamy, principal, St Marys School (Mazgaon).

Children are most vulnerable at their workplace and susceptible to exploitation and violence, the study adds. Around 13% of respondents feared being verbally abused by employers, 11% are afraid that they wont be paid and 10% fear losing jobs. Children working as domestic workers are beaten up most often, said Farida Lambay, co-founder, Pratham NGO, which rescues child labourers.

READ MORE

Study: Rural kids face more physical abuse

Only strict and speedy implementation of laws can check child abuse

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A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of a Wednesday meeting of top officials in Washington focused on defeating the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Rebels and Islamist militants pressed offensives inside the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open in Geneva.

Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end Syria's raging six-year conflict, which began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers including the US-led air coalition bombing Syria's Islamist militants since 2014.

A reported coalition strike in the northern province of Raqa early Tuesday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said Wednesday that the strike hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of IS-held Raqa city.

"We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

"Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed the coalition for the strike.

"The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," it said.

The US-led coalition is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa -- the Syrian heart of the group's so-called "Islamic caliphate" -- and Mosul in neighbouring Iraq.

Top officials from the 68-nation alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real number is far higher.

In addition to bombing raids by the coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in the north.

Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between myriad armed groups -- rebels, Islamist militants , Kurdish militia and Syrian government forces.

This week, rebels and allied Islamist militants launched two surprise offensives on government positions in Damascus and central Hama province, opposition groups and the Observatory said.

In Damascus, anti-regime factions are battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbourhood to the north.

Clashes continued Wednesday as at least nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory said.

Damascus has witnessed heavy fighting since Sunday, when the opposition fighters made their largest incursion yet into the capital's east.

On Wednesday, AFP correspondents in the city could hear warplanes buzzing overhead and intermittent mortar fire throughout the morning, as several soldiers were seen loading ammunition into machine guns.

The Damascus offensive is being led by the Tahrir al-Sham alliance, dominated by the Islamist Fateh al-Sham Front that was once linked to Al-Qaeda.

Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebels launched a fresh assault on Tuesday in the central province of Hama, overrunning the key town of Suran and several other government positions.

"They have seized several new villages today as well as old army depots," Abdel Rahman said.

"They are continuing to advance despite heavy Russian and Syrian air strikes" on Wednesday.

Footage published by Tahrir al-Sham depicted fighters firing rockets from a field onto regime positions.

The escalating violence comes just a day before a new round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva hosted by UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura.

In Moscow on Wednesday for final meetings before the talks, de Mistura said the developments "raise concerns. We must seek to achieve a political process as quickly as possible," he said.

De Mistura will travel to rebel backer Ankara on Thursday and will then return to Switzerland to lead the talks.

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A day after their colleagues were allegedly manhandled and garbage collecting vehicles were vandalised at Ambivli village in Kalyan, near Mumbai, nearly 3,000 sanitation workers of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Wednesday afternoon called off their protest after the police assured to file a case against miscreants.

On Wednesday morning, workers refused to work as they wanted the police to take cognisance of not just the damage to vehicles but also the brawl between Ambivli residents and sanitation workers.

Some of our colleagues were roughed up on duty. The police should recognise this too, said a worker.

How did the violence start?

As part of his action against property tax defaulters, KDMC chief E Ravendiran had instructed civic officials to dump trash on the premises of NRC Ltd which owes Rs55 crore in property tax for the last 12 years. The KDMC attached the company building in February 2016.

On Tuesday when KDMC workers visited the building in Ambivli village to unload garbage, locals, thinking that the civic body had chosen the site as dumping ground, allegedly manhandled them and vandalised two of the 12 vehicles.

This incident culminated into an agitation by the staff. "We were performing our duty and we were attacked. This has raised concerns over our safety. We won't tolerate such incidents," another worker said.

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Senior inspector of Trombay police station Annasaheb Sonur was relieved of his duties in the wake of Saturday nights mob attack on the police station, which left 15 policemen injured and several vehicles torched.

A senior Mumbai police official told HT that Sonur was removed on administrative grounds on Wednesday, following the police commissioners order.

Sonur failed to bring the situation under control. It could have been prevented if precautions were taken, the official said. Sonur has been transferred to the Special Branch (SB) and replaced by Sunil Gaonkar, who was posted as a senior inspector in crime branch unit 6 at Ghatkopar.

Sources said Gaonkar was chosen for the job as he had managed the neighbouring Chembur police station earlier and has a good network of informants in Cheetah camp, a sensitive pocket that falls under the Trombay police stations jurisdiction.

On Saturday evening, a violent mob of more than 200 locals  allegedly led by All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator Shahnawaz Shaikh  laid siege to the police station.

They demanded that a young man who had uploaded a morphed photo of a place of worship on a social networking site be handed over to them. The police had arrested the young man following a complaint. As they refused to hand him over to the mob, people attacked the police station with stones, iron rods and petrol bombs.

The police were taken by surprise, but managed to hold the fort. The attackers persisted, but soon reinforcements from nearby police stations and the state reserve police force (SRPF) arrived.

The police had to fire rubber bullets to disperse the mob. More than 29 people were booked for the attack, which has no precedent in the city polices 150-year-history.

So far, the police have arrested 29 people, including a local AIMIM corporator.

Read

AIMIM corporator held for rioting at Trombay

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During a fight, if one twists a womans hand or touches an end of her saree it does not amount to outraging her modesty, the Bombay high court held while striking down a lower court order convicting two Lonavla residents for outraging modesty of the daughter of their landlord.

The HC bench said the intention of the accused is an essential ingredient of the offence punishable under section 354 of the Indian Penal Code. It added that unless it is proved that the touching was with an intention to outrage modesty of the woman, a person cannot be convicted for the offence.

Culpable intention is an essential ingredient of the offence punishable under section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, said Justice AM Badar while reversing conviction of Rajesh Kankaria and his father Swarupchand. Unless the intention is proved, merely twisting the hand of a woman or catching hold of a corner of her saree during a quarrel cannot be called a deliberate act of outraging modesty of a female within section 354 of the IPC, the judge added.

The incident took place on March 22, 2006, when the father-son duo and the family members of their landlord, including the landlords married daughter, entered a scuffle. The duo was booked for outraging modesty of the landlords daughter, as one of them had held and twisted her hand and the other had tried to pull her by holding a corner of her saree.

On January 29, 2011, the local magistrate court convicted both of them for the offence and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment of two months and also imposed fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them. They then approached the high court after the Pune sessions court rejected their appeal in February 2017.

Justice Badar struck down both the lower court orders holding that their conviction and resultant sentence was totally contrary to law. The judge said if quarrel suddenly takes place, for which both the parties are more or less to be blamed, then by no stretch of imagination it can be said that in the resultant scuffle the accused persons either intended or knew that their acts were likely to outrage modesty of the woman with whom they end up fighting.

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Sindur and mangalsutra alone dont constitute a valid marriage: Bombay HC

20-year-old misuses POCSO Act, accuses uncle of molestation
Newly elected member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Jewar, Thakur Dhirendra Singh, has listed creating employment opportunities for the people of his constituency and ensuring higher education for women as his top priorities.

Singh, who contested on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, defeated Bahujan Samaj Party (BJP) candidate and sitting MLA Ved Ram Bhati by a margin of over 25,000 votes. Singh had joined the BJP just before the UP elections, before that he had been with the Congress for around 30 years. It was on his bike that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had ridden pillion to visit the village of Bhatta Parsaul during the farmers agitation there some years ago.

As BJP candidate, Singh has defeated Bhati who had been winning the Jewar seat for the last three elections.

Many attribute his victory to more than just the Modi wave. It was his reach among different communities in the constituency  be it Jatav, upper castes, Muslims or Gujjars  that led to his victory.

Read more: Backed by Muslims, BJPs Dhirendra Singh defeats three-time BSP MLA in Jewar

Post his win, Singh intends to focus on his poll promises that include construction of an airport in Jewar, setting up of a womens college and reopening of the areas closed mills.

For the last 40 years, the sugar mills in Jewar have remained shut due to various reasons. Successive state governments have not changed the conditions of the mill. Now, Singh says he wants to revive them from the ground level.

For far too long, the people of Jewar have suffered due to the unavailability of mills. I promise them that the BJP government will revive the sugar mills and factories to ensure job opportunities for the workers, the first-time MLA said.

He also believes his poll promise of construction of an airport at Jewar will contribute towards providing employment opportunities to the areas young voters.

Tourism will increase with the construction of an airport. More and more job opportunities will be created with construction of hotels and restaurants near the airport, he said.

In an election rally in Rabupura last month, Union home minister Rajnath Singh too had reiterated Singhs claims. He had also said that the permission to construct the airport has been approved by his ministry.

Singh has also promised to set up a degree college for women, the lack of which has ensured that higher education remains out of reach for many young women in his constituency.

Earlier, our sisters and daughters had to travel outside Jewar to pursue higher education. Many did not attend college because of this reason. The situation will improve once a college is set up for them, he said.

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The Ghaziabad police have failed to get any leads yet in the acid attack on a 21-year-old woman in Ghaziabad on Tuesday morning. The woman suffered more than 50% burns and is still in a critical state in the ICU of Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The woman, Gulistan, got engaged recently and was to get married after April.

She was sleeping inside her house on Tuesday morning when unidentified attackers poured a substantial amount of acid on her from a one-litre plastic can. She was rushed to MMG Hospital in Ghaziabad and later to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi in a critical state. She is being given strong antibiotics to prevent infections in her injured body.

She is still in the ICU and is able to speak in a very feeble voice. She has not said anything about whether she was able to identify the attackers or not. The police had come to our house for investigation and inquired in detail about the incident. However, there are no leads and they are still questioning us about our whereabouts during the incident, said Zahid, the victims brother.

We suspect that there were two persons as they had come from behind the house and it is not possible for a single person to enter the house from there. However, we are still not clear about this, he added. The family stays in an area under the Kotwali police stations jurisdiction.

Police officials in Ghaziabad said they are still investigating the case and also scanning CCTV footage of a nearby camera in which two persons are seen moving on a bike around the time that Gulista was attacked.

It could also be someone else who might have passed through the area. However, we are investigating the matter. The woman has not said anything substantial as she is hardly able to speak. Our teams are working and investigations are underway, said Salmantaj Patil, superintendent of police (city).

Gulista recently got engaged to a man from Khurja and her elder sister Sanjeeda too got married on March 17. The attack took place between 2-3am on Tuesday when she was sleeping on a bed generally used by her father. He and Gulistas brother had gone to the Ghazipur market to attend to their work and the attack took place after they had left.

On the familys complaint, the police lodged an FIR under Section 326A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc) of IPC at Kotwali police station.

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The district administration of Gautam Budh Nagar on Wednesday decided to issue a circular to all government offices preventing visitors and employees from chewing paan masala or gutkha and using plastic bags in the premises.

The move came after chief minister Yogi Adityanath issued directions to all department heads advising them to ensure cleanliness after he found the annexe of the Lucknow secretariat marred by paan stains. According to the chief ministers office, the decision has been taken to ensure that government offices maintain cleanliness.

Government offices in Gautam Budh Nagar will get the circulars, to be issued by the district magistrate, by Monday. The department heads will be asked that the directives be implemented strictly.

An official said staircase and boundary walls of all government offices are seen stained with paan all the time. Even if the walls are painted over, those chewing paan and gutkha are in the habit of spitting them out on the walls, defacing them again.

The official added that those found in violation of the directions could be fined Rs1,000-Rs 2,000, besides being liable for other legal action.

District magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, NP Singh, said, Prohibition of paan masala and plastic in government offices was already in force in the district. Now that the chief ministers office has issued directions, we have to comply with it. New circulars will be issued.

Singh had also issued an order on Friday that there should be no kiosk or any other shop selling paan masala within a 100-metre radius of hospitals, educational institutions and government offices. He said that the chief medical officer has been directed to ensure enforcement of that order.

We have fined many people across Noida and Greater Noida for selling gutkha where it was not allowed. Officers in various government departments are working on it. We will step up our efforts to ensure that our offices start looking neater sooner than later, said Singh.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officers (CEOs) of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna expressway authorities also issued directions on Wednesday that disciplinary action will be taken against employees found chewing paan masala inside the office complexes.

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Pankaj Singh, the newly elected member of legislative assembly (MLA) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday inaugurated a primary health centre in Raipur Khadar in Sector 126.

The building of the health centre was constructed by the Noida authority and later handed over to the health department for operations. The seven-bed facility will cater to three villages with over 10,000 residents and is supposed to provide medical care round the clock.

Officials said the health centre is a step towards taking medical facilities closer to people. The centre will also provide first aid and neonatal care on a daily basis and later have a physician and an ophthalmologist too.

After inaugurating the health centre, Singh addressed the residents gathered. He said doctors will be available to attend to the patients at the health centre where free medicines would also be available to patients.

The MLA said that his party is committed to improving medical facilities and medical care in the state so that the underprivileged do not suffer. There are villages in Uttar Pradesh where doctors do not go to attend patients, but that will not happen in the present regime, he said.

The people of Noida have reposed their faith in me and it is my responsibility to ensure that their basic facilities and amenities are not compromised, he added.

The MLA was accompanied by the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, NP Singh. He also addressed the gathering and said there are various schemes meant for the public and if they face a problem, it should be reported to the authorities so that appropriate steps can be taken to address them.

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From no power generation in 2005 to generating 2650 MW by 2018, Bihar is set to achieve remarkable success on the energy front to realise the dream of power to every household within the next two years.

Announcing this in the Bihar legislative assembly on Tuesday, energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said two new units (2x250 MW) of the Barauni Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and the Kanti Bijli Utpadan Nigam Limited (2x195 MW) would commence generation by April, 2017. In addition, three units (3x660 MW) of Nabinagar thermal power plant would also commence generation from September 2017, March 2018 and September 2018, respectively.

He said the state government was working to improve generation, distribution and transmission. From having just 268 power substations in 2005, their number would go up to 774 this year and to 792 by 2018.

BJP leader Arun Kumar Sinha moved the cut motion and said the Bihar government was way behind its target of providing electricity to all households and even the state capital was unable to get 24x7 power supply. He also raised the issue of losses of power holding companies.

Yadav said it was a challenge to ensure power to all, but the state government had accepted it despite cut in Central allocation for rural electrification and, that too, without increasing power tariff, which was among the lowest.

The energy minister reminded BJP leaders of the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated electrification work in Bihar during his Hajipur visit in March 2016.

Yadav said Bihar was purchasing power to meet its requirements and it did not come free. In fact, we have to pay more, as we do not get full allocation and have to purchase power from the market. The Indian power system for planning and operational purposes is divided into five regional grids and the eastern region, comprising Bihar, has the highest tariff . If there is uniform tariff, Bihar will save Rs 200 crore annually, he added.

The minister also heaped praises on former PM Manmohan Singh and former Union minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for understanding Bihars needs. Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, which has reduced Central share from the earlier 90% to 60%, a state like Bihar has to bear additional financial burden. The scheme has provision for dedicated agriculture feeder, rural electrification and power sub stations, he signed off.

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The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) will soon make rules to deal with plagiarism and research misconduct as there is no policy with provision of punishment if someone is found guilty in such cases.

The decision was taken after repeated instances of doctors involvement in unethical practices while conducting research came to the fore.

As many as four doctors have been charge-sheeted for research misconduct and plagiarism at the institute. They have been given time to reply as to why action should not be taken against them.

These doctors are Dr Amitava Chakravarti,head of the pharmacology department; Dr Pinaki Dutta, associate professor, department of endocrinology; Dr Santosh Kumar, associate professor in department of urology and Dr Rakesh Sehgal, head of parasitology department. Dr Pinaki Dutta recently responded to the notice and is learnt to have accepted his fault.

In November 2016, Dr Subhash Varma, dean PGIMER, who was also officiating director at that time, had formed a committee to frame guidelines to check plagiarism and govern research practices.

For instance, it mentioned that if 10 words are copied consecutively it will be considered plagiarism.

The guidelines only explained plagiarism and what preventive steps should to be taken. But it never discussed as what action should be taken against those found guilty of research misconduct. Now, the administration is planning to have a policy which will clearly describe what action will be taken. The punishment can be departmental or academic, said an officer from PGI administration.

One can be demoted, terminated from services, their increment can be stopped or they can be barred from participating in any research for 2-3 years, he said.

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As a new government has taken charge in Punjab, the major economic challenge it faces is to create a conducive investment environment. Punjabs locational disadvantage makes production of and trade in goods uncompetitive.

To illustrate, a Mumbai exporter has to pay $1,400 (around Rs 91,000) as ocean freight for shipping a container from Mumbai to Europe. An exporter from Ludhiana has to incur an additional $490 (around Rs 32,000) as inland haulage cost of moving a container from Ludhiana to Mumbai, apart from the additional time of three to four days in transit. In other words, a Punjab exporter incurs anything between 30-35% additional freight costs, thus virtually making exports uncompetitive.

According to the Economic Survey (2015-16), after Delhi, the states that attracted maximum foreign direct investment (FDI) were Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh  all four with seaports.

Punjabs economic salvation lies in opening the gates of the Attari-Wagah border to trade and commerce that will make Punjab a port state with the worlds largest market literally on its doorstep  if not at its feet. Apart from our immediate neighbour, Pakistan, this region includes Afghanistan, Iran and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of the former Soviet Union: Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Beyond, through Turkey, this region opens up to Europe.

Given the existing rail and road network linking Northwest Punjab to Zahedan in Iran, which is further connected to the CIS through an excellent road infrastructure and the transnational rail, links can be operationalised immediately.

An all-weather road connects Attari to Zahedan via Lahore, Muzzafargarh, Rohri, Quetta, Dalbandin, Mirjaveh.

A cargo truck from Amritsar (or even Delhi) can reach Zahedan in about the same time it takes to reach Mumbai for shipment of cargo by sea to foreign ports.

From Zahedan, the container trucks travel a distance of 1,455 km to reach Ashgabat, the gateway to Central Asia, from where these can reach Europe through Turkey.

According to a study more than a decade ago, at least 10,000 trucks will cross the India-Pakistan border at Attari daily from both sides if it is opened to vehicular movement. Almost 80% container traffic from Asias largest container freight station at Tughlaqabad, Delhi, which presently moves to Mumbai, will find it more economical to divert to the land route via Attari-Wagah border. The direct and indirect employment potential of such a huge movement of trucks is staggering.

A significant development is a proposed meeting of railway officials from five countries  Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey  in New Delhi, later this month, to fine-tune the plan to operationalise the TransAsian Railwaysouthern corridor, connecting Thailand to Turkey, and, if all goes well, the demonstration run can happen this year itself.

A 1,676-km broad gauge railway line already exists, running through AmritsarQuetta-Dalbandin-Mirjaveh and extending up to Zahedan in Iran. From Zahedan to Tehran, Iranians are constructing an 80-km missing link of rail tracks. Since the gauge is uniform throughout, no transhipment is involved.

If India, Pakistan, Iran and Dhaka reach to an agreement, the existing Samjhauta Express can make the trial inaugural run from Dhaka to Zahedan within two months, given the common operational protocols that govern the railways in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

There are some issues that require immediate attention:

Punjab should urge the Government of India (GoI) to be actively involved in all initiatives relating to transnational rail and road discussions because of Punjabs strategic location. This will keep Punjab in the loop and help in advance planning.

Attari is the last railhead on Indian side and will therefore have to be transformed into a modern, fully automated terminal to provide seamless travel as happens in Europe. Punjab will have to prepare the necessary infrastructure in advance, including state-of-the-art multilevel warehousing.

The Attari integrated check post (ICP) is uniquely placed to be a modern multimodal hub, because of the presence of international rail and road terminals. In other words, containerised cargo arriving by rail can move on road and vice versa.

Unfortunately, the Attari ICP is plagued by multiple problems, including inefficiency and high cargohandling costs because of exorbitant rates charged by truck unions and organised labour, virtually nullifying the intended benefits of the inland container depot (ICD).

The Punjab government should move the GoI to appoint a senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer of the Punjab cadre at Attari so that operations are run in accordance with internationally accepted competitive standards. The chairman of the JNPT container terminal at Navi Mumbai, Indias biggest, has traditionally been a very senior IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.

But the most important issue on which Punjab must push the GoI is implementation of the agreement signed between India and Pakistan in 2014 to allow 24x7 movement of containers by road through the Attari-Wagah border. The Pakistan government withheld implementation of this agreement till after the 2014 elections in India. Because of the strained relationship since then, the agreement has been put in the cold storage.

The 24x7 movement of containers will be a gamechanger for both Pakistan and India, especially Punjab. In international trade, the critical factor in container logistics is the turnaround time of containers, especially empty ones. If the Attari-Wagah border is opened to container movement, shipping lines can move empty containers from Ludhiana ICD to Lahore ICD and vice versa. This will reduce time and freight costs and become a trigger for international trade. Subject to the GoI approval, a joint survey team can be formed to undertake the road journey from Attari to Zahedan to make an assessment of the road conditions and the feasibility of movement of cargo.

dsjaspal51@gmail.com

(The writer is a retired Punjab-cadre IAS officer. The views expressed are personal)
Russia's force in Syria has suffered losses since late January more than three times higher than the official toll, according to evidence gathered by Reuters, a tally that shows the fight in Syria is tougher and more costly than the Kremlin has disclosed.

Eighteen Russian citizens fighting alongside Moscow's allies, the Syrian government forces, have been killed since Jan. 29 -- a period that coincided with intense fighting to recapture the city of Palmyra from the Islamic State (IS) militants.

The Russian defense ministry has publicly reported only five servicemen's deaths in Syria over the same period, and its officials' statements have not mentioned any large-scale Russian ground operations in the fight for Palmyra.

Military casualties abroad are not as politically sensitive in Russia as in some other countries but send a negative message ahead of a presidential election next year which is expected to give President Vladimir Putin a fourth term.

The toll was revealed in interviews with relatives and friends of the dead men, cemetery workers, local media reports of funerals and evidence collected by a group of investigative bloggers, Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT).

In each case, Reuters has independently verified information about the death by speaking to someone who knows the dead man.

The casualties since the end of January represent one of the highest tolls for the Russian contingent in Syria since the start of Moscow's military intervention 18 months ago.

An official with the Russian foreign ministry referred questions about them to the defense ministry. The Russian defense ministry did not respond to Reuters questions about the casualties and about military operations in Syria. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Most of the dead were not regular Russian soldiers but Russian civilians working as private military contractors under the orders of Russian commanders. Moscow has not officially acknowledged the presence of the contractors in Syria.

One of the 18 men killed was Yuri Sokalsky, a 52-year-old from the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik who, according to a person close to him, signed up to go to Syria in January with a group of private contractors.

In one of his last phone calls home, the person close to him said, he expressed surprise at the large numbers of Russian contractors being despatched to Syria, and relayed what he had been told about the intensity of the combat.

"Out of every 100 people, 50 are coming back in caskets,"

the person recalled Sokalsky as saying. The person asked not to be identified, fearing repercussions for revealing information that is sensitive for the Russian authorities.

Symbolic city

On March 14 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial drawdown of Russian forces in Syria, saying their mission had, "as a whole, been fulfilled." The fight for Palmyra this year tells a different story.

The 18 fatalities documented by Reuters include the five regular soldiers whose deaths were announced by the defense ministry, four private military contractors in one unit killed on the same day, seven other such contractors, and two regular soldiers whose deaths the defense ministry has not announced.

The period examined by Reuters coincided with the start of a major Russian deployment to the area around Palmyra, according to several people close to the dead fighters.

Several relatives of people killed in Syria said they had received phone calls from people involved in recruiting private military contractors warning them not to speak to media.

Out of the 18 dead, at least 10 were killed in the region of Palmyra, which IS seized in December for a second time in a year - a major reversal for Syrian government forces and their Russian backers.

On Jan. 10, Sokalsky, a land mine specialist, left his home in Gelendzhik and set off for Rostov, in southern Russia, to join a group of private contractors being despatched to Syria.

On his one previous tour to Syria, only fighters over 35 were being hired, selected to carry out specialist technical roles or train Syrian units rather than for out-and-out combat.

"This time they were taking everyone," said the person close to Sokalsky.

Two official documents seen by Reuters show that on Jan. 31, Sokalsky died from shrapnel injuries in Tiyas, in Syria's Homs province about 60 km west of Palmyra. Three other members of his unit, all private military contractors, were killed the same day, according to relatives, friends and cemetery officials. They were Alexei Nainodin, Roman Rudenko, and a third man whose name Reuters was not able to establish.

Another private military contractor, Dmitry Markelov, was also killed at Tiyas, site of the Syrian military's T4 air base, on Jan. 29, according to people close to him.

Four regular Russian servicemen were killed in the same area on Feb. 16, Russian state media cited a defense ministry statement as saying. The soldiers, described by state media as "advisors" to the Syrian military, were not named. A fifth regular serviceman, Artyom Gorbunov, was killed near Palmyra on March 2, state media quoted the ministry as saying.

A further eight members of the Russian contingent were killed since the end of January at unknown locations in Syria, the evidence gathered by Reuters showed.

They were contractors Konstantin Zadorozhny, Ivan Slyshkin, Vasily Yurlin, Alexander Sagaydak, Alexander Zangiyev, and Alexander Tychinin, and regular Russian soldiers Igor Vorona, and Sergei Travin.

Local media reports and social media posts point to more Russian deaths in Syria since the end of January than the 18 casualties, but Reuters has not been able to verify that information independently.

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A Kharar resident, Abhishek Dubey (32), was killed after a tipper loaded with sand overturned and fell on him  driving a motorcycle  at the Radha Soami Chowk in Sector 76 on the Airport Road about 1.30am on Tuesday.

Dubey, who was on his way back home to Kharar, worked at Industrial Focal Point, Phase VIII-B in the printing section of the daily newspaper, The Hindu.

Abhishek Dubey,32, the deceased. (HT Photo)

Police say that Dubey, native of Allahabad, was returning home after dropping his colleague at Sector 71. The sand tipper was coming from the Kharar side and lost control at the crossing and fell on Dubey.

It took more than two hours to remove the sand and extricate Dubeys body using a JCB . The body was removed with the help of passersby and the victim was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The body has been kept at the mortuary.

The unidentified owner and the driver of the tipper have been booked under Section 279 (rash and negligent driving) at the Mataur police station. Dubey is survived by wife and three children, including two daughters.
The new Congress government has allotted bungalows and given other privileges, such as vehicles, to all its ministers and other political appointees, but it is yet to extend the benefits to the leader of opposition, HS Phoolka, of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Phoolka told HT that he was contacted by the Vidhan Sabha secretariat regarding oath and completing other formalities, but there was no communication from the government side.I will not demand, I leave it to the discretion of the government, he said, adding that the new government wants to fulfil the needs of their partys functionaries first, ignoring the protocol. Phoolka said he would not refuse the privileges he is entitled to as the leader of opposition .

Phoolka met pro tem speaker Rana KP Singh to discuss modalities of the opening session of the 15th Vidhan Sabha. As per reports, minister Charanjit Singh Channi has decided to retain bungalow number 46 in Sector 2 here, which he was allotted as the leader of opposition in the Akali-BJP regime.

When theres a designated house for the leader of opposition, why change it, Phoolka said. Meanwhile, principal secretary, general administration, KAP Sinha, said the allotment will be made only after the leader of opposition takes over.

Will keep govt on toes over promises

Phoolka said his party will put pressure on the Congress to fulfil the promises it had made during the poll campaign. Their (Congress partys) manifesto should be the Bible now, because people of Punjab have elected them on the basis of promises in the document, he said.

We will not act as a weak opposition like the Congress was in the previous government, he said, adding the government needed to take immediate steps on drugs, farmers debt, employment, rehabilitation of the addicts and the SYL canal issue.

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Mani Ratnam, who gave AR Rahman his first break in 1992 film Roja, says success has not changed the Oscar-winning composers quest to explore unique sounds and he treats every film like a special journey.

The journey has been of 25 years. But, it feels like I met Rahman just yesterday. He sported the same smile then too, but everyone is aware of the heights he has scaled now, the director said while reminiscing about his long collaboration with AR Rahman.

For Rahman, every film is a special journey. His quest to explore new, unique sound for his films continues even today. He works really hard to get the perfect soundscape for a film. From Roja to Kaatru Veliyidai, its been an amazing journey. Thank you, he told reporters at the audio launch of the forthcoming romantic drama.

Rahman said he would not have received a platform to explore refined ideas if not for Mani Ratnam and late veteran filmmaker K Balachander, who produced Roja.

If not for Mani sir, I wouldnt have received this platform. To implement high-end ideas and refined sounds, everything has to fall in place in your collaborations. It was a divine happening when K Balachandar sir called me and introduced me to Mani sir for Roja. Im grateful for that, Rahman told reporters in Chennai.

Ratnam said he was overwhelmed to see the Indian Armed Forces at work while shooting for the film in Ladakh and Leh.

Kaatru Veliyidai is a love story narrated in the backdrop of the Indian Air Force. During the shooting in Ladakh and Leh, we came across numerous Indian military officers and security forces. I felt really overwhelmed seeing them at work.

I used to ponder, Have we ever expressed what we feel towards them and the respect we have for our armed forces? On behalf of our entire team, I would like to extend my sincere, heartfelt gratitude to our armed forces, the director said.

For an in-depth understanding of the working style of the Indian Air Force, the 61-year-old filmmaker sought help from Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (Retd).

Varthaman said films on the Indian Air Force were missing on Indian celluloid.

Mani Ratnam's Kaatru Veliyidai has the male lead playing an Indian Air Force officer.

I have many experiences in my life. But I never thought that I would be here on the stage in for movies audio release. Talking about the air force and feeling for the air force is something which is missing on our Indian celluloid... To recognise us in the film is really an honour for the Indian Air Force, Varthaman said.

Actor Aditi Rao Hydari, who plays the role of a doctor in the film, said Ratnams production house Madras Talkies feels like home to her.

Working with Mani sir is like a booster shot of vitamins. Its nourishing. I felt like Id been adopted and Madras Talkies felt like home to me. Kaatru Veliyidai has Rahmans genius score, Ravi Varmans magical camera, Vairamuthus evocative lyrics, Brinda Masters energetic choreography and Eka Lakhanis beautiful styling, said Aditi.

Kaatru Veliyidai, which stars Tamil actor Karthi in the role of a fighter pilot, is set to release on April 7.

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Two photo journalists on Wednesday alleged that they were assaulted by film director Shankars crew who were shooting Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0 in Chennai.

The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged that a key intersection in downtown Triplicane was blocked to facilitate shoot for the big ticket movie.

When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up, Raghunathan, photographer working for an English daily told PTI.

He said Barath, who works for a Tamil daily, was also badly beaten up. We have lodged a joint complaint and have sought appropriate action, he said.

He alleged that permission given for film shoot during a given time duration was manipulated by the crew to suit their convenience. He said journalists were planning to stage a road roko on the issue.

When contacted, a senior police official said, an FIR is being filed and our officials are inquiring into the complaint of journalists. Sources said efforts were being made by the film crew to end the row.

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The Buddhist island has claimed the top spot for the first time in TripAdvisors Travellers Choice Awards, published Tuesday, March 21, crowning the years best travel destinations.

Despite being a popular travel hotspot for many years, Bali makes its first appearance in the TripAdvisor top ten in 2017. The Indonesian island shot straight to the top, knocking London into second position. Paris climbed one place into third position, despite the challenging context for tourism in the French capital.

A post shared by Paris (@paris) on Mar 20, 2017 at 11:12pm PDT

Travellers Choice Award winners are determined using an algorithm that takes into account the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings published on the TripAdvisor website for hotels, restaurants and attractions in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

The Awards also highlight current travel trends. On that front, Europe is riding high in the global top 10, with Rome up three places to fourth position. Crete and Barcelona also make the top 10 for the first time this year. Elsewhere, New York continues to be popular with global travellers, climbing four places into fifth position.

In Europe, London is still the leader, ahead of Paris then Rome. Promising authenticity and charm, the Greek island of Crete takes fourth in this years European ranking. Meanwhile in the US, New York City holds top spot for the seventh year in a row.

Top 10 Travellers Choice Destinations - World

A post shared by Calvin Lin (@calzonelin) on Mar 21, 2017 at 7:56pm PDT

1. Bali, Indonesia

2. London, UK

3. Paris, France

4. Rome, Italy

5. New York, USA

6. Crete, Greece

7. Barcelona, Spain

8. Siem Reap, Cambodia

9. Prague, Czech Republic

10. Phuket, Thailand

Top 10 Travelers Choice Destinations - Europe

A post shared by M Garcia's Travel (@mgarciastravel) on Mar 21, 2017 at 7:47pm PDT

1. London, UK

2. Paris, France

3. Rome, Italy

4. Crete, Greece

5. Barcelona, Spain

6. Prague, Czech Republic

7. Istanbul, Turkey

8. Saint Petersburg, Russia

9. Lisbon, Portugal

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Top 10 Travelers Choice Destinations - US

1. New York City, NY

2. Maui, Hawaii

3. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

4. Oahu, Hawaii

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

6. Orlando, Florida

7. Chicago, Illinois

8. San Diego, California

9. San Francisco, California

10. Key West, Florida

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The ugly spat between TV comedy star Kapil Sharma and his co-star Sunil Grover is popping new twists every day. After Sunil chided Kapil following his apology, the latters professional rival Krushna Abhishek has now backed him.

Speaking to DNA, Krushna said, I wont say Kapil has become too big or success has gone to his head. Its just that even the small things he does are being blown out of proportion. I have worked with Kapil for five years in Comedy Circus and I know him very wellhis good and bad pointsand he knows mine. Sunil and Kapil are good friends and friends fight.

Kapil and Sunil, reportedly, had a fight as they were flying down with their team to Mumbai from Australia, after a show. Apparently, the former got drunk and belittled Sunil and also physically assaulted him. Kapil took to Twitter to apologise and wrote late on Monday, Paji @WhoSunilGrover sry if I hurt u unintentionally.u knw vry well how much I luv u. M also upset .love n regards always:).

Paji @WhoSunilGrover sry if I hurt u unintentionally.u knw vry well how much I luv u. M also upset .love n regards always:)  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 20, 2017

Sunil, however responded with a long note, pouring his heart out over the whole brouhaha and captioned it, From a friend, with love. The note said, Bhai ji! Yes, You hurt me deeply. Working with you has been a learning experience. Just one advice, start respecting human beings also apart from animals. All are not as successful as you are. All are not as talented as you are. But if they all are talented like you, who will value you.

Krushna also spoke on those lines. Right now, Kapil is doing well, his show is a success so people are making a big deal out of it. Kapil is talented and has been taking his entire team along with him for four years now, which is not a small thing, he said.

Also, Sunil had quit Kapils show earlier too, but went back. As I said, two friends can fight after drinking, on the sets, on creative issues, on a dinner table or at home, and theres nothing unusual about it, he told DNA.

Earlier in February this year, Krushna had expressed his desire to work with Kapil again. People would be waiting to see both of us on stage. I think that would be like Shah Rukh and Salman doing a film together. That would be a lot of fun. That time will definitely come., he had told Hindustan Times.

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The forthcoming content of American drama series Quantico, which stars Priyanka Chopra, will deal with US President Donald Trumps immigration policy and Muslim registry instead of terrorism, says showrunner Josh Safran.

Quantico has shifted its lens away from fantasy in a bid to reflect more of todays real-life political climate and cultural landscape. The series, the narrative of which is switching between the past and present, is now merged into one single story.

Quantico season two returned this week after a break internationally and in India. The show airs in India on Star World and Star World HD.

Thank you for the feedback & for watching with me!Tonight was just the tip of the iceberg...expect much more from #Quantico see ya next mon!  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 21, 2017

Asked whether there were too many shows tackling Trump on TV, Safran said: Were not special.

If its a time of good prosperity, often we dont look to politics to write about, we look to write about different times or different period of strife in peoples lives. But when theres political upheaval or unrest in the county, artists tend to skew towards politics and how they relate to people. Thats why youre seeing so many shows turning in that direction, Hollywood Reporter quoted Safran as saying.

Safran says it is liberating to not have to invent so many stories and villains, since the real world is providing the material. But he notes one important distinction.

I look to The Good Fight and their recent episode about the shelved SVU episode about Trump -- they took something very specific and turned that into a story.

TONIGHT, the new chapter of #Quantico begins at 10|9c on ABC. I cant wait for you to see what Alex is up to! @QuanticoTV pic.twitter.com/CMqFPLutFx  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 20, 2017

Instead of doing an over-arching, Were going to do Trump, were looking at specific things, like fake news and the Muslim registry, he said.

While Safran is grateful to be working on a show where he is able to tackle real life head-on, he says its probably unlikely that a lot of Trump supporters are tuning into Quantico, reports Hollywood Reporter.

Its a show about inclusion and where the women have what would have been typically male roles. Its all about people of colour working together to do whats right, he added.

We believe in women in power and everyones equal and freedom for all. We dont exactly stand for Trumpian instincts by our very nature. Youll probably find that 24: Legacy and partially Designated Survivor, which takes more of a bipartisan look at things, have more of a viewership that voted for Trump or who are pro-Trump than us.

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Comedian Sunil Grover has reportedly quit The Kapil Sharma Show after a huge fight with the shows host Kapil Sharma.

Speaking to The Quint, a close friend of Sunils said that the actor has not given any statements to any media houses as is falsely being reported. He also said that Sunil is contractually bound with Sony (which airs the Kapil Sharma Show) until April 23 and is therefore not in a position to address what happened during the fight between him and Kapil.

Akshay Kumar with comedians Kiku Sharda and Sunil Grover during the promotion of film Jolly LLB 2 on the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show. (IANS)

To even suggest that Sunil is asking for a fee hike to continue with The Kapil Sharma Show, as is being insinuated by a section of the press, is ridiculous. Even if Sunil is offered twice the current remuneration he wouldnt continue with the show. He has made up his mind to move on, the friend said.

Kapil and Sunil reportedly had a fight as they were flying back with their team to Delhi from Australia after a show. Apparently, Kapil got drunk, belittled Sunil and also physically assaulted him. Sharma apologised to him on Twitter.

Paji @WhoSunilGrover sry if I hurt u unintentionally.u knw vry well how much I luv u. M also upset .love n regards always:)  KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 20, 2017

Paji @WhoSunilGrover sry if I hurt u unintentionally.u knw vry well how much I luv u. M also upset .love n regards always:), Kapil wrote.

Sunil didnt seem to have accepted the apology.

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A lot has been said about the Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover tussle, but little official word has come from the horses mouth. But now, Grover, who is a cast member of The Kapil Sharma Show and was allegedly assaulted by Sharma aboard a flight, has finally provided an update.

Speaking to The Times of India, the comedian said that I cant talk about it right now. I will need few days time only then I can talk about it.

On March 21, Grover, in a long Twitter message spoke about the incident, saying that Sharma shouldnt act like God.

This was in response to a message tweeted by Sharma a day prior, in which he seemingly apologised for his behaviour. I love him.. I respect him.. yes I had an argument with him but are we not normal people..?I shouted at him first time in 5 years, he wrote.

When asked about the reports of other actors like Chandan Prabhakar, Ali Asgar and Kiku Sharda also boycotting the show, Grover told TOI: I dont know who has quit and who is still part of the show. I have no idea about it.

On March 20, it was reported that Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover got into an heated altercation on a flight. An inebriated Sharma was said to have hurled abuses and physically assaulted his co-star on the flight.

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The Scottish parliament was expected to vote for a second independence referendum on Wednesday -- amid dire warnings about the damage that ongoing constitutional wrangling was having on Scotland's economy.

Lawmakers were set to back First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call for a second referendum when they vote following a two-day debate in the semi-autonomous assembly in Edinburgh.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has suggested she will rebuff Sturgeon's demand for a referendum re-match before Britain leaves the European Union.

May insists "now is not the time" while she spends the next two years striving to secure a good deal on Brexit, once the EU Lisbon Treaty's Article 50 departure process is triggered on March 29.

But Sturgeon said on Tuesday it would "wrong, unfair and utterly unsustainable" for May to stand in the Scottish Parliament's way.

On Wednesday, Strathclyde University's Fraser of Allander Institute warned both sides that their ongoing squabbles were hammering Scotland's economy.

"The Scottish economy has now been stuck in a low-growth cycle for nearly two years," the think-tank said.

"With the triggering of Article 50, and plans for a further independence referendum, the Scottish economy's resilience is likely to be further tested over the next year."

Institute director Graeme Roy called on both the Scottish and UK governments to "provide clarity and reassurance" over independence and Brexit respectively.

He said: "The increase in uncertainty caused by the triggering of Article 50 and the prospects of a second independence referendum will act as a headwind for many businesses."

Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King warned independence "would be expensive" for Scotland.

King, who headed Britain's central bank between 2003 and 2013, told the BBC that Scotland "certainly" could be independent, but "it would be a challenge to borrow on the international market if Scotland decided to run a large budget deficit".

As leader of the governing, pro-secession Scottish National Party (SNP), Sturgeon has been a champion of independence although she needs the green light from London for a legally-binding referendum.

Winning the Scottish parliament's approval would pave the way for her to ask the British government for the powers to call another vote.

Scotland rejected independence in 2014, although the SNP argues Britain's decision last June to leave the EU warrants a fresh referendum as a majority in Scotland voted for Britain to remain within the bloc.

May accused the SNP of "divisive and obsessive nationalism" on Friday.

The premier has said she aims to get the best divorce package from Brussels for Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, with formal Brexit proceedings to be started by the government on March 29.

Sturgeon has suggested a second referendum should be held by early 2019 at the latest.

This would see a vote take place before Britain leaves the EU, although the first minister has left room for negotiation on an alternative timetable "within reason".

The SNP runs a minority government in the Scottish Parliament.

However, it has the support of the pro-independence Scottish Greens in Wednesday's vote, bringing it the majority needed to outnumber the unionist Scottish Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

The Greens' manifesto says there should only be another referendum if it comes about "by the will of the people" and not "calculations of party political advantage".

Despite Sturgeon's ardent drive for a second referendum, current polls show she may not win such a vote.

The September 2014 referendum saw Scotland reject independence by 55 percent. A ScotCen social attitudes study published last week found 46 percent now support independence.

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At least 33 people were killed in a US-led coalition strike on a school used as a centre for displaced people near a jihadist-held Syrian town, a monitor said Wednesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike south of Al-Mansoura, a town held by the Islamic State group in the northern province of Raqa, took place in the early hours of Tuesday.

We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

Theyre still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive, Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Map of Syria locating Al-Mansoura, where a US-led coalition strike las killed more than 30 people at a centre for displaced people, according to monitors. (AFP)

The Britain-based monitor -- which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information -- says it determines what planes carried out raids according to their type, location, flight patterns and the munitions involved.

Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, also reported the raids.

The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families, the collective said.

The US-led coalition has been bombing IS in Syria since 2014 and is backing an offensive to defeat the group in Raqa city, the de facto heart of the groups so-called Islamic caliphate.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its raids there and in Iraq and unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians.

But other monitors say the number is much higher.

More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions more displaced since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.
A baby girl from the Ivory Coast born with four legs and two spines has been successfully separated from a parasitic twin in a rare and complex surgery at a Chicago hospital.

Ten-month-old Dominique underwent a six-hour procedure involving five surgeons at the Advocate Childrens Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, on March 8. She is now thriving with the Chicago foster family who will look after her until she is well enough to return home, her doctors and foster mother told Reuters.

Its going rather well. She was only in the hospital a total of five days. Shes been home with step-mom and just doing very, very well, said pediatric and reconstructive surgeon Frank A. Vicari.

Dominique was born with a parasitic twin. The bottom half of her not-fully-developed twins body protruded from her neck and back.

A parasitic twin is an identical twin that fails to fully separate in development, said John R. Ruge, a paediatric neurosurgeon at the hospital. In other words, not another independent twin, but a twin that was dependent on her body system, such that Dominiques heart and lungs provided the nourishment.

Doctors did not give Dominiques family name.

Nancy Swabb, from Edgebrook, Illinois, has looked after Dominique since she arrived in the United States for the surgery.

Shes been a joy. We really enjoyed having her in our family, said Swabb.

We send a lot of photos and updates and so we know that Dominiques family sees what shes doing and seeing that she has two new teeth and shes learning to wave and doing all sorts of special things.

Swabb said she did not want to think about saying goodbye to Dominique when she returns to her family in the Ivory Coast.

She has touched our hearts. Shes a member of our family, Swabb said. Shes pretty amazing.
Belgium fell silent Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the Islamic State suicide attacks in Brussels that killed 32 people, on a day of emotional ceremonies designed to show that the heart of Europe is still beating.

A sombre King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with Prime Minister Charles Michel, led ceremonies at Zavantem airport and Maalbeek metro station to commemorate the victims at the exact moments the bombers struck.

The king said Belgium had stayed united after the attacks, and told families of the victims they had responded to the deadly madness of the attacks with dignity.

Watched by relatives and survivors, the royals also unveiled a new stainless steel memorial near the European Unions headquarters to the dead and the more than 320 wounded in Belgiums worst ever peacetime attacks.

It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to make our society more humane and more just, King Philippe said in a speech at the memorial.

And above all, let us dare to be tender.

In an act of defiance and solidarity, trams and buses ground to a halt across the Belgian capital and commuters and public transport workers applauded during a minute of noise.

A year on from the attacks led by an Islamic State cell that was also responsible for the November 2015 Paris attacks, Belgium remains on high alert with troops patrolling the streets and warnings of fresh risks.

A woman pays her respects at a memorial near the European Union institutions as the country marks the first anniversary of the twin Brussels attacks by Islamic extremists on March 22, 2017. (AFP Photo)

Love triumphs

But relatives of the victims called for solidarity.

I would like to speak for all those affected by the blind violence from up close and afar. The 22nd of March is also my birthday -- nothing to celebrate, and yet love triumphs, Kristin Verellen, whose 58-year-old partner Johan died in the metro attack, told the crowd at Maalbeek.

Premier Michel said Belgium, which faced accusations after the bombings of being a failed state for not stopping the terror cell despite several chances, stood strong one year on.

Today we remember the victims of the attacks. We all remain united, Michel tweeted.

The ceremonies began at exactly 7:58 am (0658 GMT) when suicide bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui struck in the departure hall of Zavantem Airport on March 22, 2016, killing 16 people.

With hundreds of people gathered under a clear sky just like that of a year ago, Belgiums king and queen led a moments silence before an airport official read out the names of the dead.

Musician Eddy Van Calster played a rock ballad in tribute to his sister Fabienne Van Steenkiste, a check-in counter agent who was among those killed.

A still image taken from a video shows staff members of Zaventem airport taking part in a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the bomb attacks in Brussels metro and the Brussels international airport of Zaventem, Belgium, March 22. (REUTERS)

At Maalbeek, there was another moment of quiet at 9:11 am, the time that Ibrahims brother Khalid El Bakraoui detonated his bomb on a crowded train and killed another 16 people.

The king laid a wreath before a subway wall scrawled with anguished messages from loved ones and stamped with a red heart.

Shortly afterwards the applause rang out on metro trains across the capital, while cars honked their horns outside the station and emergency vehicles set off their sirens.

EU leaders including the blocs president Donald Tusk and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker attended the opening of the new memorial to the victims, which consists of two pieces of curved steel punctured with holes to look like shrapnel.

Wreaths are laid during the inauguration of a steel memorial by Belgian sculptor Jean-Henri Compere at the heart of the European Union institutions based in Brussels as the country marks the first anniversary of the twin Brussels attacks by Islamic extremists on March 22. (AFP Photo)

Jihadist risk

Later, children from schools in Molenbeek, the largely Muslim area where many of the attackers hailed from, will meet victims of the attacks in a show of solidarity.

There will also be peace marches through Brussels while the citys most famous landmark -- the Manneken Pis statue of a little boy -- will be dressed up in a firemans outfit to hail the efforts of rescue services.

The anniversary comes shortly after Belgiums government warned of fresh risks from Islamic State jihadists radicalised in Europe or returning home from Iraq and Syria.

Nidhi Chaphekar, the Indian stewardess who survived the attack, attends a ceremony at Brussels Zaventem airport commemorating the first anniversary of twin attacks at Brussels airport and a metro train in Brussels, Belgium, March 22. (Reuters)

Investigators say the network behind the Brussels and Paris blasts acted on orders from the IS high command.

The shock of the attacks was compounded by accusations afterwards that Belgium, which is deeply divided between French and Flemish-speaking communities, had been unable to track down the terror cell.

Victims and their families have meanwhile complained about the difficulties of getting compensation from Belgian authorities.
A pilot who passed out in a cockpit before a scheduled flight in Canada pleaded guilty on Tuesday to being impaired while in control of an aircraft.

Miroslav Gronych was employed by Sunwing Airlines on a work visa from Slovakia. His flight was to leave Calgary, Alberta, on December 31 with stops in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before continuing to Cancun, Mexico.

Gronych, 37, was found slumped over in his seat and escorted off the plane.

I cant even describe how ashamed I am, he told court. My kids will be punished for my mistakes.

A statement of facts agreed to by the prosecution and defense and read in court said police saw his pilots wings were attached upside down on his uniform and a maid discovered an empty bottle of vodka in his hotel room. It also said he was an hour late for check-in and that he explained his tardiness by saying he had become lost going through security

When Gronych got on the plane around 7 am, the court was told, he struggled to hang up his coat, was slurring his words and was staggering. When the co-pilot suggested Gronych was impaired and should leave the plane, he seemed very nonchalant and said OK, if thats what you feel. But Gronych returned to the cockpit, sat in the pilots chair and appeared to pass out resting his face on the window, the statement said.

He was asked to leave the plane again and was held by gate agents until police arrived.

The statement said passengers on the plane were told the pilot had suddenly become ill, but some had already seen him and suspected he was drunk.

When police arrived, they found his pilots wings were pinned upside down. They smelled alcohol on his breath and he couldnt stand up straight. He had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.

Defense lawyer Susan Karpa told court Gronych couldnt sleep the night before his flight and felt like he was coming down with a cold. He took a couple of shots of vodka and a Tylenol, and planned to wake up in time to let people know he wouldnt make the flight.

He didnt set an alarm and was awakened by a call asking him where he was, Karpa said. He drank the rest of the bottle of vodka and left for the flight.

She said he doesnt know why he drank the vodka, but only that his willpower failed.

The defense asked for a three- to six-month sentence while the prosecution asked the judge for one year in jail. Prosecutor Rose Greenwood pointed to a similar case in the United States where the pilot received five years.

Mr. Gronych put the lives of 105 people at risk, prosecutor Rose Greenwood said. Hopefully he will never be permitted to fly again.

Karpa said Gronych has been in treatment while out on bail and has abstained from alcohol.

He wants his children to be proud of him, Karpa said. He wants to do everything he can to conquer his addiction.

She said Gronych is the sole breadwinner for his family, including for his elderly parents, and is living off his savings.

A statement from Gronychs wife read out in court said her husband didnt drink all the time but, when it did, it was in large quantities.

Gronych tearfully told court becoming a pilot was a childhood dream.

He was taken into custody while the judge mulls over his sentence. He is due back in court April 3.

Sunwing spokeswoman Jacqueline Grossman said Gronych, a contractor, was fired by his employer, Travel Service, shortly after he was found drunk. She declined to comment on the case but said Sunwing has formed a committee that includes management and union members to review and update protocols. Members of a flight crew are prohibited under Canadian aviation regulations from working within eight hours of consuming alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol.

Sunwing, a low-cost Canadian carrier, has said it has a zero-tolerance policy on crew members consuming alcohol within 12 hours of going on duty. It said it also trains all employees to report any unusual behavior.

After Gronych was charged, the Canadian Federal Pilots Association said Transport Canada should be responsible for checking the credentials of foreign pilots instead of leaving it to air operators.
A 15-year-old Chicago girl was apparently sexually assaulted by five or six men or boys on Facebook Live, and none of the roughly 40 people who watched the live video reported the attack to police, authorities said Tuesday.

The video marks the second time in recent months that the Chicago Police Department has investigated an apparent attack that was streamed live on Facebook. In January, four people were arrested after a cellphone footage showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.

Police only learned of the latest alleged attack when the girls mother approached the head of the police department, Superintendent Eddie Johnson, late Monday afternoon as he was leaving a department station in the Lawndale neighborhood on the citys West Side, department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. She told him her daughter had been missing since Sunday and showed him screen grab photos of the alleged assault.

He said Johnson immediately ordered detectives to investigate and the department asked Facebook to take down the video, which it did.

Guglielmi said Tuesday that detectives found the girl and reunited her with her family. He said she told detectives that she knows at least one of her alleged attackers, but it remained unclear how well they knew each other. He said investigators are questioning several people, but no one is considered a suspect yet and no arrests have been made.

He said Johnson was visibly upset after he watched the video, both by its content and the fact that there were 40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities.

Investigators know the number of viewers because the count was posted with the video. To find out who they were, though, investigators would have to subpoena Facebook and would need to prove a nexus to criminal activity to obtain such a subpoena, Guglielmi said by email.

A spokeswoman for Facebook, Andrea Saul, said she had no specific comment on the Chicago incident but that the company takes its responsibility to keep people safe on Facebook very seriously.

Crimes like this are hideous and we do not allow that kind of content on Facebook, she said.

Jeffrey Urdangen, a professor at Northwestern Universitys law school and the director of the schools Center for Criminal Defense, said it isnt illegal to watch such a video or to not report it to the police. He also said child pornography charges wouldnt apply unless viewers were downloading the video.
The foundation stone for the first energy project under the $46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes though Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has been laid in the restive Balochistan province.

Chinese state media said the coal-fired power project in Hub region of Balochistan will be built at a cost of $2 billion and its two 660 MW units will provide electricity to four million families after the projects completion in 2019.

The power complex is also expected to generate 9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to the Pakistani national grid, and provide cheaper energy to Pakistani consumers, Peoples Daily online reported.

There are plans to build 11 energy projects with a generation capacity of more than 7,000 MW under CPEC. The Hub project is a joint venture between State Power Investment Corporation, China Power International Holding and the Hub Power Company of Pakistan.

India has objected to the CPEC because it passes through PoK.

Pakistans power minister Ahsan Iqbal was quoted as saying that $35 billion had been allocated for energy in the budget for CPEC, which will have a network of infrastructure projects.

Iqbal said the large allocation had been made because Pakistan had faced its acutest energy crisis in 2013, with power shortages of up to 18 to 20 hours a day. Without fixing the energy problem, no country can move forward on its development path. CPEC has helped Pakistan fix the biggest problem in its economy for future growth, he said.

Last September, China said it was highly concerned about the security of its workers engaged in the construction of CPEC projects in Balochistan after a Baloch leader threatened to target the projects.

China is highly concerned about the security of the CPEC. We appreciate great efforts made by Pakistan side in ensuring the security of the corridor and Chinese workers there. We hope that Pakistan side will continue to do so in future, foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang had said.

According to reports from Islamabad, 15,000 Pakistani security personnel have been deployed to protect Chinese workers involved in CPEC projects.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a law that said manned missions to deep space, including to Mars, would be the US space agencys main goal in the decades to come.

According to the text -- adopted by a rare unanimous vote in the Senate and House of Representatives -- Nasa will work toward the goal of a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s.

The law also highlights the importance of the deep space capsule Orion, which is under development and aims to carry humans further into space than any spaceship ever has.

Orion will be launched atop the Space Launch System (SLS), which the space agency has described as the most powerful rocket ever built.

Nasa shall continue the development of the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond over the course of the next century, said the text.

This law reaffirms our national commitment to the core mission of Nasa, Trump said, signing the text in the presence of numerous elected officials including former Republican rivals, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

He saluted the heroic role of US astronauts over the last several decades, and called for continued partnerships between Nasa and the private sector in the realm of space exploration.

Trump later wrote on Twitter that he was honoured to sign the measure. With this legislation, we support @NASAs scientists, engineers, and astronauts in their pursuit of discovery! he wrote.

Former president Barack Obama also hailed these industry-government partnerships, and said in October, just months before leaving office, that the United States had set a clear goal vital to the next chapter of Americas story in space: sending humans to Mars by the 2030s and returning them safely to Earth.

Experts say that sending people to live on the Red Planet, which lies on average some 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) away from Earth, will take immense amounts of technological advances and cash.
US President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago.

According to documents obtained by Associated Press, Manafort proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics which appears to contradict assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort himself that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in a confidential strategy plan as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as relations between the United States and Russia under then US President George W Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally, with whom Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success, Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.

Manaforts plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosure comes as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI probe and two congressional investigations. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign. Manafort has dismissed the investigations as politically motivated and misguided, and said he never worked for Russian interests. The documents obtained by AP show Manaforts ties to Russia were closer than previously revealed.

In a statement to the AP, Manafort confirmed that he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as inappropriate or nefarious as part of a smear campaign.

I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments, Manafort said. My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests.

Deripaska became one of Russias wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlins interests. US diplomatic cables from 2006 described Deripaska as among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis and a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putins trips abroad. In response to questions about Manaforts consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008  at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. Another Deripaska spokesman in Moscow last week declined to answer APs questions.

Manafort worked as Trumps unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August. Trump asked Manafort to resign after AP revealed that Manafort had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraines ruling pro-Russian political party .

The newly obtained business records link Manafort more directly to Putins interests in the region. According to those records and people with direct knowledge of Manaforts work for Deripaska, Manafort made plans to open an office in Moscow, and at least some of Manaforts work in Ukraine was directed by Deripaska, not local political interests there. The Moscow office never opened.

Manafort has been a leading focus of the US intelligence investigation of Trumps associates and Russia, according to an official. Meanwhile, federal criminal prosecutors became interested in Manaforts activities years ago as part of a broad investigation to recover stolen Ukraine assets after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych there in early 2014. No US criminal charges have ever been filed in the case.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Monday that Manafort played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time in the campaign, even though as Trumps presidential campaign chairman he led it during the crucial run-up to the Republican National Convention.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, people who lobby in the US on behalf of foreign political leaders or political parties must provide detailed reports about their actions to the department. Willfully failing to register is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though the government rarely files criminal charges.
The German government Wednesday approved plans to quash the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives, Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was passed by Chancellor Angela Merkels cabinet and will soon head to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives, Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice.

The measure follows Britains so-called Turing Law approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named after World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure, unlike Germanys, only automatically pardoned dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

Contrary to nature

Germanys Article 175 outlawed sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals.

Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although the law dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the legislation to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

But that move didnt include those convicted after the war when Article 175 was still in force.

It was finally dropped from the penal code in communist East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

The compensation scheme under the new legislation includes a one-off payment of 3,000 euros ($3,200) for every man convicted and an additional 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison.

If the person in question has already died, his family may put in for the certificate to clear their relatives criminal record.

Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice.

I dont want to die with a criminal record, he told AFP in a recent interview at his Berlin apartment.

Ive had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die.

Guardians of virtue

Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that, although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war.

The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way, he wrote.

But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller.

Gay rights groups had long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled.

But until now, their demand had been refused on the grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal.

Justice Minister Maas, a Social Democrat (SPD), spearheaded the legislation and fought for its passage before a September general election.

Merkels main rival, SPD candidate Martin Schulz, who is enjoying a surge in the polls, has vowed to campaign on a gay rights platform.

Germany has permitted gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions since 2001 but Merkels Christian Union bloc has opposed same-sex marriage with equal treatment on matters such as adoption.

A poll commissioned by the federal government last month showed that 83 percent of Germans support marriage equality.
Three radicalised German-born teens were on Tuesday sentenced to up to seven years in juvenile detention for carrying out a religiously motivated bomb attack on a gurdwara that left a Sikh priest injured.

The judge ruled that the teens should serve sentences of seven years, six years and nine months, and six years in a juvenile detention centre, a court spokesman said.

Prosecutors had argued that the teens, Yusuf T, Mohamed B and Tolga I, who were 16 at the time of the act, had attacked the Sikh temple in Essen out of radical Islamist motivations to kill non-believers. The court agreed that their motive had been hate for other religions, it said. The trial uncovered no evidence of the three having direct contact with terror group ISIS.

Two convicts set off a homemade bomb blast after a wedding party on April 16, 2016, at Gurdwara Nanaksar, wounding three people, including one Sikh priest. The bomb, crafted from a fire extinguisher packed with explosive chemicals, also destroyed the doors of the gurdwara. The third was found guilty of conspiring to murder for participating in the planning and preparation of the attack, and was sentenced to six years in youth detention.

Over 13,000 Sikhs live in Germany, many of them based in Cologne and around 200 members of the community live in Essen in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip, two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were among the injured.

British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "sick and depraved terrorist attack" in London.

Earlier it was reported that a woman had died and other people were being treated for "catastrophic" injuries after a car crashed into pedestrians near the British parliament and an assailant stabbed a policeman in what police called a terrorist incident.

The knifeman was then shot by police when he had tried to force his way into a courtyard just outside the Houses of Parliament.

"We've declared this as a terrorist incident and the counter-terrorism command are carrying out a full-scale investigation into the events today," Mark Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, told reporters.

May has ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent people who lost their lives in the attack outside parliament on Wednesday, the BBC reported.

The announcement comes as she chairs a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, which deals with major emergencies. The Cobra committee brings government ministers together with senior officials of the emergency services and security and intelligence agencies.

The incident appeared to have unfolded in several locations, including on nearby Westminster Bridge where eyewitnesses said a car had crashed into pedestrians.

Reuters reporters inside parliament heard loud bangs and shortly afterwards saw two people lying on the ground in a courtyard just outside.

A Reuters photographer said he saw at least a dozen people injured on the bridge. His photographs showed people lying on the ground, some of them bleeding heavily and one under a bus.

Sky News reported two people had died, but the total number of casualties was unclear. The London Ambulance Service said it had treated at least 10 people on the bridge.

The incident took place on the first anniversary of attacks by Islamist militants that killed 32 people in Brussels.

"Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," police said in a statement.

"We know there are a number of casualties including police officers but at this stage we cannot confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries," Commander BJ Harrington told reporters.

"We received a number of different reports which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife."

A woman was pulled alive, but with serious injuries, from the Thames, the Port of London Authority said.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said three French nationals were injured. French media reported they were high-school students.

Messages of support

May's office in Downing Street issued a statement saying her thoughts were with those killed and injured in the terror attack on Wednesday, according to AFP.

Other world leaders, meanwhile, offered their own messages of support.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed shock at the attack, saying her thoughts were with the British people and everyone in the capital, according to Reuters.

French President Francois Hollande expressed support and solidarity with Britain.

US President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the British prime minister, offering full cooperation and support from the US.

Car "out of control"

"I just saw a car go out of control and just go into pedestrians on the bridge," eyewitness Bernadette Kerrigan told Sky News. She was on a tour bus on the bridge at the time.

"As we were going across the bridge, we saw people lying on the floor, they were obviously injured. I saw about 10 people maybe. And then the emergency services started to arrive. Everyone was just running everywhere."

Officials said an assailant had stabbed a policeman and then been shot.

Witness reports suggested the assailant and the stabbed policeman were the people seen lying on the ground outside the parliamentary building.

The House of Commons, which was in session at the time, was immediately suspended and lawmakers were asked to stay inside.

Prime Minister Theresa May was safe after the incident, a spokesman for her office said. He declined to say where May was when the attack took place.

Journalist Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail newspaper told LBC radio that he had witnessed the stabbing of the policeman and the shooting of the assailant from his office in the parliament building.

"He (the assailant) ran in through the open gates ... He set about one of the policemen with what looked like a stick," Letts said.

"The policeman fell over on the ground and it was quite horrible to watch and then having done that, he disengaged and ran towards the House of Commons entrance used by MPs (members of parliament) and got about 20 yards or so when two plain-clothed guys with guns shot him."

Reuters reporters inside parliament saw a large number of armed police, some carrying shields, pouring into the building. A helicopter ambulance landed on Parliament Square.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he had been briefed on events in London but gave no details.

In Edinburgh, the Scottish parliament suspended a planned debate and vote on independence as news of events in London came in.

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

In July 2005, four British Islamists killed 52 commuters and themselves in suicide bombings on the British capital's transport system in what was London's worst peacetime attack.

*The story was edited by Ahram Online.

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A hardline cleric has alleged that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif committed blasphemy when he said Islam does not allow forced conversion and discrimination against minorities in his speech on Holi.

Allama Ashraf Jalali, a leader of Pakistan Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah group and secretary of Sunni Ittehad Council, alleged Sharif of committing blasphemy and attacked Pakistans ideological basis in the speech he delivered in Karachi, according to a video of the clerics speech circulating online.

The prime minister said such anti-Islam and blasphemous words that the Earth should have exploded, he claimed, adding that Sharif violated his oath, ideology of Pakistan, The Quran and Sunnah of Prophet. His speech is a dangerous attack on Islam.

We demand a public apology from the prime minister (for his anti-Islam speech), the cleric said in the video.

Its not clear when and where the cleric was speaking and who his audiences were. However, it could be categorised as a hate speech and attract action under the anti-terrorism laws.

The Pakistan government has not reacted to the clerics speech so far.

On March 14, Sharif had given a bold and inclusive message saying forced conversion and discrimination against minorities were not allowed in Islam and under the laws in Pakistan.

In his greetings to the minority Hindus, Sharif had also warned against destruction of the places of worship of other religions, describing them as a crime in Islam.

Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan and those accused of committing it have been targeted by extremists in the past. Former governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his police guard for criticising the blasphemy law introduced in 1980s by then military ruler Zia-ul Haq.

Analysts say the draconian law, under which an accused can be sentenced to death, is a powerful tool to muzzle criticism in Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Airlines impacted by Britains cabin ban on electronic devices on flights from some Middle East and North Africa countries have until Saturday to implement the measure, officials said on Wednesday.

But passengers should go to the airport with the expectation that the measures are already in effect, a transport ministry spokeswoman said.

On Tuesday, Britain said it would tighten airline security on direct flights originating from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey by banning laptops, tablets, some e-readers and large mobile phones from hand luggage.

Countries affected by the British and US bans on laptops and tablet computers as hand luggage. (AFP)

The move came hours after the US government warned that extremists plan to target passenger jets with bombs hidden in electronic devices, and issued a ban passengers carrying such items onto flights from 10 airports in eight countries.

While the US announced that they had given airlines 96 hours to inform travellers before the ban came into force on Tuesday, there was some confusion over when the British ban would kick in.

It will have to be done by Saturday at 0001 GMT at the latest, another government spokesman told AFP, explaining that some airlines may need longer than others to implement the new measure.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling told MPs that while the government hopes the measure is temporary, it will keep it in place for as long as necessary.

EasyJet announced that it is implementing the measure from Wednesday, advising customers to arrive early as they may face extra security checks at the airport.

EasyJet can confirm that, in line with new UK government requirements, it will be introducing new security measures on its flights from Turkey and Egypt to the UK from today, the company said in a statement.

British Airways informed customers on its website that it is complying with the new security requirement.

It adds that customers who are part-way through their journey or about to start and feel unable to immediately comply with the measure can rebook their flight at a later date.

Stocks in British airlines, like their American and European counterparts, have suffered because of the ban and were on Wednesday among the worst performers on the Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index.

IAG, British Airways parent company, was down 1.96% to 549,50 pence at 1330 GMT, while Easyjet had shed 2.43% to 984,50 pence.
A three-year-old American girl charmed people across the world when she stole Pope Francis cap - and viewers hearts - in Rome on Wednesday.

In a video posted to Twitter by her grandfather, a tour guide, Estella Westrick can be seen being brought to the waiting pontiff. As he leans in to kiss her, the enterprising young girl takes the opportunity to reach up and pluck the pontiffs skull cap, known as a zucchetto, off his head.

The pope and all those around him react with delight, as Estella returns to her grandfathers lap, smiling and unperturbed.

Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN  Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

The video went viral and was retweeted nearly 3,300 times in four hours, with many in convulsions.

Estellas grandfather later told CNN, Right before she went up she was a little nervous. Then she stole his hat. It was hilarious, everyone was laughing including the Pope.

The pope and his cap have had a turbulent relationship in the past. Faced with gusts of wind, it has repeatedly abandoned his head in public. And in 2013, while visiting a medical centre, another cheeky child stole his cap - so Estellas gesture cant have fazed him.

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An attacker stabbed a police officer and was shot by police on the grounds outside Britains Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown on Wednesday. Around the same time, a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge. Authorities said they were treating the attack as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

London police confirmed four deaths in the attack, including an assailant, a policeman protecting the parliament and one woman. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

London police said they were called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge near the British parliament.

We were called at approx 2:40 pm to reports of an incident at #Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene, the Metropolitan police tweeted.

Meanwhile, Transport for London said the underground station at Westminster has been shut at the request of the police.

The threat level for international terrorism in the UK was listed at severe. Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people.

Londons police commander said a full counter terrorism investigation is underway.

Watch Hindustan Times Facebook Live video:

Here are updates on the incident:

12:23am: British PM Theresa May says thoughts with those killed, injured and their families in appalling Westminster terror attack, AFP quotes 10 Downing Street

12:06am: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj says no Indian casualties in London terror attack, adds that she is in constant touch with Indian High Commission

Indian High Commission is there to help all Indian nationals in London. Please note theTelephone no.s : 020 8629 5950 & 020 7632 3035.  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 22, 2017

11:35pm: AFP reports that tourists are stuck on the London Eye following the attack

11:33pm: US president Donald Trump calls UK prime minister Theresa May: White House

11:31pm: Armed police patrols to be present throughout London

11:30pm: Head of counter terrorism at Londons Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, says they believe there was only one attacker

11:25pm: Rowley confirms four deaths, including one assailant and one policeman. Also confirm 20 injured

11:14pm: BBC reports one policeman is dead

11:13pm: Police search for one more person believed to have been part of the attack.

10:58pm: The London Ambulance Service said on Wednesday it had treated at least 10 people on Westminster Bridge, near Britains parliament building, after an attack police have described as a terrorist incident.

10:50pm: India condemns the Westminster terrorist incident and condoles loss of life. An MEA statement on Twitter said, No place in democracies & civilised societies for terrorism.

Any Indians injured during Westminster incident today may reach Public Response Unit of HCI ASAP:

info.london@hcilondon.in; 02086295950  India in the UK (@HCI_London) March 22, 2017

10:45pm: Three French citizens injured in London attack, according to French diplomatic source: Reuters

10:40pm: British port officials say they pulled a woman from the Thames River following the incident on Westminster Bridge. The Port of London Authority says a female member of the public was recovered from the river, injured but alive.

10:34pm: Police say there are an unspecified number of casualties, including police officers

10:23pm: British prime minister Theresa May to chair emergency meeting: Reuters quoting Sky News

10:18pm: London police commander says a full counter-terrorism investigation is underway

10:01pm: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan issues statement. Says an urgent investigation is underway.

My thoughts are with those affected and their families... I would like to express my thanks to the police and emergency service who work hard to keep us safe.

9:50pm: Metropolitan police say officers remain on scene in Westminster. Ask people to call their contact their lines only for emergencies. Road closures in place around Westminster palace.

9:47pm: Scottish Parliament to increase its security in light of London attack, says no intelligence to suggest specific threat to Scotland: Reuters.

9:46pm: One woman killed, some catastrophic injuries in UK parliament attack: Reports.

9:36pm: Scottish Parliament suspends debate on second independence referendum following attack outside UK Parliament.

9:28pm: US state department says it is closely following the concerning situation outside UK Parliament.

9:21pm: BBC reports crowds being moved out of Parliament Square. Quotes policeman saying suspect vehicle outside UK Parliament.

9:20pm: The White House says President Donald Trump has been briefed on a gun and knife incident at Britains Parliament in London.

Trump himself said during a brief appearance Wednesday before reporters at the White House that he was just getting the news. He called it big news.

.@POTUS has been briefed on the situation in the U.K. Continuing to monitor and update  Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 22, 2017

9:19pm: British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back, he said.

9:13pm: According to a UK security source, motivation of incident outside British parliament still unclear-Reuters

LIVE: British police say they are treating incident near parliament as 'terrorist' incident until know otherwise. https://t.co/08azwmRtbk pic.twitter.com/xGJJkfew76  Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 22, 2017

9:06pm: We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise, tweets Metropolitan Police.

Incident in #Westminster: We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

9:04pm: A European security official says there was increased chatter on jihadi networks Tuesday following the UKs adoption of an electronics ban aboard flights from certain mostly Muslim countries, reports AP.

He said, however, there was no information that the incident was terror-related.

8:57pm: David Lidington, leader of House of Commons, says there are reports of further violent incidents neaby.

Westminster is the area of central London on the north bank of the Thames river that is home to some of Londons most historic buildings, including the Palace of Westminster or the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral. Whitehall, a street connecting to Parliament Square, is home to key ministries, including the defence ministry and cabinet office.

8:52pm: More armed police enter UK parliament, some carrying shields - Reuters witness.

8:49pm: An assailant who stabbed a policeman inside the perimeter of Britains parliament was shot by police, David Lidington, the leader of the House of Commons, told parliament.

The alleged assailant was shot by armed police, an ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties, he said.

8:45pm: : UK Prime Minister Theresa May is safe after attack in parliament, says spokesman: Reuters

We were called at approx 2:40pm to reports of an incident at #Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 22, 2017

8:43pm: The leader of Britains House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Liddington also said there were reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity.: AP

MORE: At least a dozen armed officers inside British parliament - Reuters witness. Watch live: https://t.co/Ib5V8tkbZ3 pic.twitter.com/m5Lk99hRiA  Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 22, 2017

8:39pm: Reuters photographs show two people lying on Westminster Bridge, bleeding heavily.

8.35pm: An air ambulance has landed at Parliament Square at the end of Westminster Bridge.

8.34pm: A parliamentary clerk tells Reuters two people have been shot, but there is no official confirmation from the police.

8.30pm: We were called at approx 2:40 pm to reports of an incident at #Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene, the Metropolitan police said on Twitter.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May struck a defiant note after chairing an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening in the wake of the UK Parliament terror attack, and insisted that London and Parliament will come together on Thursday as normal.

Five people, including three civilians, were killed as the attacker ploughed a car through teeming tourists on the Westminster Bridge and then tried to enter Parliament, when he was shot dead, but not before repeatedly stabbing a police officer to death.

May, who was in the parliament complex at the time of the attack, was whisked away to Downing Street, as Scotland Yards counter-terror personnel responded to the situation.

After the emergency meeting, a steely-faced May said: The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

These streets of Westminster, home to the worlds oldest Parliament, are engrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament representsdemocracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of lawcommand the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.

That is why it is a target for those who reject those values. But let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before. Any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure, she said.

May insisted that tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal. We will come together as normal. And Londoners, and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city, will get up and go about their day as normal.

They (Londoners) will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives. And we will all move forward together, never giving in to terror, and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart, May said.

Paying tributes to police officers who confronted the terrorist, May said the injured included three Scotland Yard personnel.

Britains threat level from international terrorism has been at severe for some time, which means an attack is highly likely. Security officials have said 13 terror plots had been thwarted since 2013.

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Suicide bomb blasts rocked a camp for migrants who have fled Boko Haram insurgents near Nigerias restive northeastern city of Maiduguri early Wednesday, officials said.

There were four explosions inside the camp, the coordinator of the Muna camp Tijjani Lumani told AFP. The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am.

The explosions triggered fires which burned down many tents, he said, adding that casualties details were not known.

The emergency services confirmed the attacks.

There were some suicide explosions in Muna camp. Our men have mobilised to the scene, Ibrahim Abduljkadir of the National Emergency Management Agency in the region told AFP.

Muna camp, on the edge of Maiduguri, is currently home to tens of thousands of people who have fled Boko Haram.

The Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million others from their homes since it began in northeast Nigeria in 2009.

Boko Haram has continued to target the internally displaced people (IDPs) and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the Muna camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal  Prachanda will make an official visit to China on Thursday to participate in the Boao Asia Forum and hold talks with President Xi Jinping.

Prachanda will hold several meetings on the sidelines of the Boao Asia Forum in Hainan province, Nepals foreign ministry said on Wednesday. This will be his first official visit to China after becoming premier last August.

He will meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 27. This will be third meeting between the leaders since Xi was elected president in 2013 and they are expected to discuss matters of mutual interest, the foreign ministry said.

The Chinese side has communicated the meeting will be no longer than 20 minutes as the president had to short cut other engagements to meet with Prachanda.

It is unlikely that any pact or understanding will be signed during the visit, Prachanda said a day ahead of the visit.

We are not going to sign any deal in this visit, Prachanda told a meeting of senior leaders of his CPN-Maoist Centre party. My visit will lay the ground for the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal and the objective of my visit is focussed on bringing him to Nepal.

Foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat told a news conference that the two sides will discuss some crucial bilateral issues, Nepals participation in Chinas flagship One Belt One Road connectivity initiative, the Nepal- China Transit and Transportation Agreement and expansion of a cross-border power transmission line.

Nepal and China had discussed the One Belt One Road venture at length but we cannot agree on free trade with China as Nepali side is still considering its merits and demerits, he said.

The Nepalese side had prepared at least five agreements but these would not be signed during Prachandas visit due to some technical reasons, he added.

These included agreements on a cross-border power transmission line, allowing Chinese companies to conduct detailed project reports for railway lines connect China to Nepals southern plains and Pokhara, harnessing Chinese investment in various sectors, establishing cross-border economic zones and enhancing the capacity of the National Planning Commission.
The US Marine Corps has revised its social media guidelines amid a scandal involving the non-consensual online sharing of nude Marines.

The scandal centres upon the revelation this month that pictures of female Marines in various states of undress had been shared in a secret Facebook group called Marines United.

Membership of the group was restricted to current and former Marines, but it had as many as 30,000 members before it was taken down.

The pictures, often accompanied by lewd commentary, gave the womens names and units in some cases.

Marines must never engage in commentary or publish content on social networking platforms or through other forms of communication that harm good order and discipline or that bring discredit upon themselves, their unit, or the Marine Corps, General Robert Neller, the Marine Corpss commandant, wrote in the updated guidelines.

The new guidelines, released last week, stressed that Marines could face criminal prosecution in military courts for bad online behaviour.

In other words, Marines should think twice before engaging in questionable online activities, the guidelines state.

All Marines will now be required to sign a statement showing they have read the guidelines.

Marines are reminded that their conduct, even off-duty or online, may violate Navy and Marine Corps orders and regulations, the guidelines state.

Other military services are also examining their social media guidelines.

The army last week warned soldiers that bad online behaviour, and turning a blind eye to it, is unacceptable.

Military investigators are examining the Marines United case and might level felony charges against some involved.
Police are still searching for one of the two people believed to have launched Wednesdays attack outside the British parliament building, assistant editor of the Daily Telegraph newspaper Christopher Hope tweeted, citing senior government sources.

A BBC journalist said two assailants were believed to have been in a vehicle involved in the attack.

BBC understands from multiple sources two assailants in vehicle on Westminster Bridge, BBC correspondent Dominic Casciani said on Twitter.

Wednesdays chaos unfolded after a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on Londons Westminster Bridge, killing at least one woman and leaving others with injuries described as catastrophic. Around the same time, a knife-wielding attacker stabbed a police officer and was shot on the grounds outside Britains Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown. Authorities said they were treating the attacks as a terrorist incident.

A police officer was also among those killed in an attack just outside Britains parliament building, the BBC reported on Wednesday, quoting a lawmaker who provided medical assistance.

The officer reportedly died at the scene.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to chair a meeting of the governments emergency security committee.

There is a COBR meeting taking place today, a spokesman at the office of the British Prime Minister said.

The attacks come on the anniversary of the suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people.
British police shot a suspected attacker outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday after an officer was stabbed in what police said was a terrorist incident.

A doctor said one woman was also killed and others had catastrophic injuries, UK Press Association reported.

The building in the heart of the British capital was immediately sealed off and MPs and staff ordered to remain inside.

Catch live updates on the incident here

Prime Minister Theresa May is safe, a statement from her Downing Street office said, and she was seen getting into a car and being driven away from parliament.

Here is what we know so far about the incident:

1) A doctor says a woman has died and about a dozen people are hurt, some with catastrophic injuries, after a vehicle apparently hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near Parliament.

Colleen Anderson of St Thomas Hospital says a female pedestrian has died.

Anderson said: There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries.

She said there might be a dozen injured in all.

2) Polands former foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, says he was in a taxi leaving Westminster and was checking his email when he heard something like a car crash, something like a car hitting metal sheet.

I look up and I see that a person is lying on the pavement. I started my camera and I saw more people lying on the street and on the pavement, Sikorski said on Polands TVN24.

People started running up to them. I saw one person who gave no sign of life, another man was bleeding from his head. In all, I saw five people who were at least seriously injured, he said.

The taxi driver immediately called the emergency number. I heard ambulances within two or three minutes, so the rescue action was really very quick. There is a hospital near there.

It all happened so fast that there was no time to get scared, said Sikorski who posted his video on Twitter.

3) The US State Department says it is closely monitoring the incident outside Londons Parliament and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday: We stand ready to assist in any way the U.K. authorities would find helpful.

He added that the U.S. Embassy in London is closely following the news and stands ready to help any affected Americans.

He said: Our hearts go out to those affected.

4) Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britains Parliament.

We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out, he said.

They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

Emergency services transport an injured person to an ambulance, close to the Houses of Parliament in London. (AP Photo)

A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

I have never seen anything like that. I just cant believe what I just saw.

Lawmaker Adam Holloway told the AP he saw people running and immediately ran into his offices in Parliament to be with his staff. A lot of us are locked in with our staff at the moment, he said.

5) The White House says US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a gun and knife incident at Britains Parliament in London.

Trump himself said during a brief appearance Wednesday before reporters at the White House that he was just getting the news. He called it big news.

Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, says the US will continue to monitor the situation and update the president.

Britains Parliament was on lockdown after  according to officials  an assailant stabbed an officer then was shot by police.

London Police also said officers were called to an incident on nearby Westminster Bridge

6) British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

Police officers walk through Parliament in London, Wednesday, after the House of Commons sitting was suspended as witnesses reported sounds like gunfire outside. (AP Photo)

Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back, he said.

7) The former Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video on Twitter that seems to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Sikorski, a senior fellow at the Harvard Centre for European Studies, says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being mown down by a car.

Sikorski told the BBC he heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress.

Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely.

8) London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britains Parliament as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

The Metropolitan Police says in a statement that the incident is ongoing. It is urging people to stay away from the area.

Officials say a man with a knife attacked a police officer at Parliament and was shot by officers.

There are also reports of a vehicle hitting pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.

9) A European security official says there was increased chatter on jihadi networks Tuesday following the UKs adoption of an electronics ban aboard flights from certain mostly Muslim countries.

He said, however, there was no information that the incident was terror-related.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about ongoing security operations.

10) The leader of Britains House of Commons says a man attacked a police officer at Parliament and has been shot by police.

David Lidington says the Parliament complex is in lockdown.

He says there are reports of further violent incidents neaby, and police say they have been called to a firearms incident on nearby Westminster Bridge.

Witnesses said a vehicle struck several people on the bridge, and photos showed a car plowed into railings.

11) The leader of Britains House of Commons says a man has been shot by police at Parliament. David Lidington also said there were reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity.

Londons police said officers had been called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge, near the parliament.

A session of Parliament was suspended after the incident.

Britains MI5 says it is too early to say if the incident is terror-related.

12) A session of Britains House of Commons has been suspended as witnesses reported hearing sounds like gunfire nearby.

The Commons speaker suspended the session as police responded to an incident.

Journalists at the Parliament building said they were told to stay in their offices.

The Press Association news agency reported that two people were seen lying within the grounds of Parliament.

Police had no immediate confirmation.
A team of scientists seeking to restore Pluto to planethood launched a campaign on Tuesday to broaden the astronomical classifications which led to its demotion to a dwarf planet a decade ago.

Six scientists from institutions across the United States argued that Pluto deserves to be a full planet, along with some 110 other bodies in the solar system, including Earths moon.

In a paper presented at an international planetary science conference at The Woodlands, Texas, the scientists explained that geological properties, such as shape and surface features, should determine what constitutes a planet.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union, struggling with how to classify a newly discovered icy body beyond Pluto, adopted a definition for a planet based on characteristics that include clearing other objects from its orbital path.

Pluto and its newfound kin in the solar systems distant Kuiper Belt region were reclassified as dwarf planets, along with Ceres, the biggest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The decision left the solar system with eight planets.

But this definition sidelines the research interests of most planetary scientists, said the papers lead author, Kirby Runyon, a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University.

Runyon said he and other planetary scientists are more interested in a planets physical characteristics, such as its shape and whether it has mountains, oceans and an atmosphere.

If youre interested in the actual intrinsic properties of a world, then the IAU definition is worthless, he said by phone.

Runyon and colleagues argue that the IAU does not have the authority to set the definition of a planet.

Theres a teachable moment here for the public in terms of scientific literacy and in terms of how scientists do science, Runyon added. And that is not by saying, Lets agree on one thing. Thats not science at all.

Runyons group advocates for a sub-classification system, similar to biologys hierarchal method. This approach would categorize Earths moon as a type of planet.

That idea irks California Institute of Technology astronomer Mike Brown, who discovered the Kuiper Belt object that cast Pluto out of the planet club.

It really takes blinders to not look at the solar system and see the profound differences between the eight planets in their stately circular orbits and then the millions and millions of tiny bodies flitting in and out between the planets and being tossed around by them, he wrote in an email.
When firefighters entered the home for troubled youth, they discovered more than two dozen girls on the floor of a locked room, most of them dead.

A moan rose from one of the bodies, piled on top of each other. When firefighter Danial Perpuac turned the girl over, flames came out of her mouth  she was burning up inside.

That is something you cannot forget, Perpuac said helplessly. I know I will have the smell of grilled meat and hair in my nose and throat for life.

The fire on March 8 that killed 40 girls at the Virgen de la Asuncion Safe Home started when ringleaders took a match to a foam mattress to protest the abuse they had suffered there. Their hell at the government-run shelter began long before the inferno, as documented in several warnings from four different agencies. At least two orders for closure were ignored.

The Virgen de la Asuncion home is on a hill 14 miles east of Guatemala City. The shelter, protected by high walls and barbed wire, is surrounded by an idyllic pine forest covered with mist every morning. The forest and ravines have offered hiding places for more than 100 children who have escaped what they consider a jail.

About 700 children  nobody knew exactly how many  lived in a home with a maximum capacity for 500. Some dormitories housed more than twice the number of children authorised for the space.

The majority had committed no crime. They were youths sent there by the courts for various reasons  they had run away from home, they were left in the streets, they were abused, they were young migrants. Most came from families so poor they could not afford the $50 in lawyers fees to get their children out.

Once inside, the children lost out on schooling. Because of a lack of funds, their education was limited to six hours per week in classrooms with up to 80 students.

The abuse at Virgen de la Asuncion was no secret, and the courts had intervened before. Teacher Edgar Rolando Dieguez Ispache has been in prison since 2013 and is on trial for alleged rape. Another employee, mason Jose Roberto Arias Perez, has been in prison since 2014 for raping a mentally disabled girl. He was sentenced to eight years.

Several reports criticising the shelter were put out by the countrys attorney general and the National Adoption System in 2015 and 2016. One recommended the gradual closure of the facility, and another its immediate closure.

Despite the complaints and the reports, the abuse continued.

The story of one girl who escaped the shelter on October 30, after six weeks inside, was told in a case file seen by The Associated Press. The girl, 16, is not named because she is an alleged victim of rape.

She fled from her own house in August to escape the extortion demands by a gang that had been threatening her with rape for a year. On August 13, she told her mother she had found a job and would be home late. Instead, she ran away to protect herself and her family.

She hugged me tight that day, tighter than normal, her mother said.

Activists stand next to a graffiti on a street during a protest outside of Guatemala's embassy in Managua to demand justice for the victims of a fire at the Virgen de Asuncion children shelter in Guatemala. (Reuters Photo)

The mother reported her missing daughter to police. On August 22, they located the girl, and a youth court sent her to Virgen de la Asuncion. Officials separated mother and daughter as they cried.

Mama, get me out of here, the girl begged, according to her mother.

The shelter did not have a procedure for visits, and they did not see each other for a month. By the time of a hearing on Sept. 13, the girl had been beaten, forced to get a tattoo with the name of a female staffer, and repeatedly raped, her mother said.

The first time, the female staff called her in for a physical exam and sedated her. She woke up and her whole body hurt, and she realised what they had done, according to the case file.

Several days later, they took her to the same place. This time, she was awake and tied to a gurney. The young man who raped her had his face covered.

The third time, it was several men, she said. They raped her and beat her.

A little more than two months after she was sent to the shelter, the daughter escaped along with three others. The girl was afraid to return home because that could mean being sent back to the shelter, but she contacted her brother. The family contacted their lawyer, who filed a motion for habeas corpus.

The lawyer managed to return the girl to her mother, but she didnt reveal all that had happened to her until after the fire. At that point, she said she wanted to testify against her abusers.

On November 11, the state attorney requested that the centre be closed. He asked that areas known as the cage and the chicken coop be closed within 48 hours. Both facilities looked like punishment cells, with metal doors and no windows.

Also in November, a state human rights prosecutor filed a complaint with the Inter American Human Rights Commission charging rampant abuses. The accusations included charges as serious as forced recruitment for human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution.

There were complaints about sexual abuse by male residents against female residents, including some under 13. One girl was killed in 2013, hanged with a scarf by two other girls.

On December 12, the Sixth Court of Children and Adolescents of the Metropolitan Area condemned the state of Guatemala for violations committed against the rights of minors guarded in the home. It also gave 48 hours to clarify the legal situation of a number of minors inside the home.

Nothing happened.

The secretary of social welfare, Carlos Rodas, who was responsible for the home, appealed the judicial decision. Rodas, who has since been arrested, has denied negligence and refused to resign. He blamed the girls mutiny on them not liking the food, and said they had sharp weapons hidden in their hair.

Former social welfare deputy secretary Anahi Keller is escorted by police agents to a courtroom after being arrested in connection with the fire at a children's shelter. (AFP Photo)

The problem is that judges mix children who have committed crimes with children abandoned by their families, he said. We ask the Public Prosecutors Office to investigate but we do not directly blame anyone.

On March 7, about 60 girls escaped from the shelter, as some had done on several occasions before. They rebelled because shelter staff had tried to beat them, said a 14-year-old survivor who had been there three months.

The girl, whose family did not want her name used out of fear for her safety, said she was not raped but officials took away her food. The girls also were made to wake up at 3am to bathe in cold water, she said.

So the girls jumped from the roof of the facility to the wall, and from there into the trees.

Riot police caught them and returned them to the shelter by force. The police sprayed pepper gas in their mouths and eyes, hit them with batons and kicked them, the 14-year-old told the AP. Police did not comment on the case because of a judicial order that prohibits discussion.

The angry teens waited outside the shelter for hours. They started throwing things at the police. Girls complained that they were abused, attacked and beaten.

The escapees eventually were brought in and locked in a 500-square-foot classroom as punishment. It is as yet unclear who locked them in and who held the key.

By 7:30 the next morning, they had been held for about six hours. They were not let out even to use the bathroom, the girl said.

Four girls who were ringleaders at the home had managed to get matches to smoke cigarettes during their brief escape. In an attempt to protest the lockup and force somebody to open the doors, they set fire to a mattress propped against a window.

The foam stuffing was already coming out of the mattresses because girls used it to fashion pads for menstruation when they didnt have anything else. The burning mattress fell onto other mattresses, and the flames quickly spread.

Locked into the room, the girls shouted, Help me! Help me! the 14-year-old said.

Marta Lidia Garcia (centre) cries over the coffin of her 17-year-old daughter Siona Hernandez, who died in a fire at a state-run shelter, during her funeral at the general cemetery in Guatemala City. (AFP Photo)

Nobody did.

I saw how they burned, how they screamed, how they died, she said.

She fainted. When she came to, somebody had finally opened the door. She ran out, and the staff doused the girls with water until ambulances arrived.

The girl suffered burns on both arms, a shoulder and part of her face. For many, it was too late. By 9am, 19 of the girls were dead, burned and asphyxiated. Twenty-one more between the ages of 13 and 17 would die at local hospitals over the next few days.

Kimberly Palencia Ortiz was one of the dead. The 17-year-old had been a ward of the state for nearly a year. Her father was in prison, her mother had disappeared, and her grandmother did not have the means to take care of her.

It is an injustice, Valeria Yojero said tearfully at her granddaughters burial. Nobody should die for being poor.
Foreign ministers from 68 countries meet in Washington on Wednesday to agree on the next steps to defeat Islamic State, the first such gathering of the US-led military coalition since the election of President Donald Trump in November.

The meeting will be hosted by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson. Trump has vowed to make the fight against Islamic State a priority and directed the Pentagon and other agencies in January to submit a plan for defeating the militant group.

The militants have been losing ground in both Iraq and Syria, with three separate forces, backed by the United States, Turkey and Russia, advancing on the groups Syrian stronghold of Raqqa.

The meeting is the first of the international coalition since Iraqi government forces, backed by the US-led international coalition, retook several Iraqi cities from Islamic State last year and liberated eastern Mosul.

While the jihadist group is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Iraqi forces, it has been using suicide car bombs and snipers to defend its remaining strongholds.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who met with Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more US support in the war against Islamic State.

A White House statement after the meeting said both Trump and Abadi agreed that terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone, and the two leaders called for deepening commercial ties.

Discussions on Wednesday will also focus on how to help Mosul rebuild and ways to tackle Islamic State operations in Libya and elsewhere.

In Syria, the US-led coalition has been working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Its current focus is to encircle and ultimately recapture Raqqa - Islamic States base of operations in Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran, has said he saw scope for cooperation with Trump, although he has dismissed the US-backed military campaign against Islamic State in Syria as only a few raids.
A vehicle mowed down pedestrians on Londons Westminster Bridge, killing at least one woman and leaving others with injuries described as catastrophic.

Around the same time Wednesday, a knife-wielding attacker stabbed a police officer and was shot on the grounds outside Britains Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown. Authorities said they were treating the attacks as a terrorist incident.

Here are some eyewitness accounts:

Guy with big knife started plunging it into policeman

Witness Rick Longley told the Press Association that he saw a man stab a policeman outside Britains Parliament.

We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out, he said.

They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

I have never seen anything like that. I just cant believe what I just saw.

The man was on the floor with blood

Another eyewitness, Jayne Wilkinson, told Press Association she had seen the drama unfold.

We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt.

He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.

Police ordered us to hit ground a nd get back, get back

British lawmaker Grant Shapps said on Twitter that he was walking through the cloisters of the House of Commons to vote when he heard four gunshots. Police told lawmakers to get down on the ground and crawl to cover.

Police response instant. Heard commotion, looked round. Police weapons drawn, 4 shots, police ordered us to hit ground & get back, get back, he said.

They shot him two or three times and he fell

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said he saw a man in black attack a police officer outside Parliament before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of Commons.

He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in yellow jackets, Letts told the BBC. And one of the yellow-jacketed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black moving his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking the yellow-jacketed policeman.

Lett said the other officer ran to get help and the man in black ran toward the entrance.

As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell, he said.
Four people were killed and at least 20 injured on Wednesday after a man drove his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before attacking a policeman close to the British Parliament in what police termed as a terror attack.

Occurring on the anniversary of the suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway, the attack forced a parliament lockdown while Prime Minister Theresa May was whisked away to safety. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Those killed included the assailant and the policeman he stabbed, and two of the victims among the pedestrians hit by the car as it tore along Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings just outside parliament.

Weve declared this as a terrorist incident and the counter-terrorism command are carrying out a full-scale investigation into the events today, Mark Rowley, Britains most senior counter-terrorism officer, told reporters.

The attack started when a car was driven over Westminster Bridge, hitting and injuring a number of members of the public, also including three police officers. A car then crashed near to parliament and at least one man, armed with a knife continued the attack and tried to enter parliament.

At present, police believed there was just one attacker, Rowley added.

How the events unfolded outside the British parliament in London on Wednesday. (AFP)

Scotland Yard triggered its swift counter-terror response with armed policeman cordoning off the area.

MPs, guests and school children visiting the Palace of Westminster were confined in the central lobby after the attack.

The high-footfall in the area, which is in the vicinity of the bustling Big Ben and Parliament, was taken over by armed police after the grey SUV mowed through people on the Bridge. All approach roads to Westminster and tube stations in the vicinity were shut.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was in the Parliament complex after addressing Prime Ministers Question Time around noon, was seen being ushered to a car by police officers and taken to her residence at Downing Street.

Prime Minister Theresa May was being kept updated and was due to chair a meeting of the governments crisis response committee.

The thoughts of the PM and the government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families, her office said in a statement.

The incidents occurred against the backdrop of heightened security measures in London, with Britain being on the second highest terror threat level of severe, which means a terror attack is highly likely. The popular London Eye stopped moving, with visitors held within its capsules.

Police officers gather around a car adjacent to Houses of Parliament in London, on March 22, 2017, after it mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. The House of Commons sitting was suspended as witnesses reported sounds like gunfire outside. (AP Photo)

David Lidlington, leader of the House of Commons, said: At the moment the very clear advice from the police and director of security in the House is we should remain under suspension and the chamber remain in lockdown until we receive advice that it is safe.

In Edinburgh, the Scottish Parliament also suspended its sitting.

An emergency services helicopter landed in Parliament Square, overlooked by statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, as eyewitnesses gave accounts of the two incidents.

Witness Don Brind, a researcher for MPs, said: I heard some shouting and saw some running out of the corner of my eye and then a short time after that there was a shot. I looked and I saw a civilian on the ground, with somebody standing over him with what I assumed to be a gun.

Then I looked and about 10 yards away, there was a yellow jacketed person on the ground, who appeared to be alive and talking.

A woman was pulled alive, but with serious injuries, from the Thames rives, the Port of London Authority said. The circumstances of her fall into the river were unknown.

Three French schoolchildren aged 15 or 16 were among those injured in the attack, French officials said.

Metropolitan Police asked people to avoid Parliament Square, Whitehall, which is home to key ministries and the Cabinet Office, Westminster Bridge, and Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.

Police were called at approximately 14:40 hours to reports of an incident in Westminster Bridge, SW1, police said in a statement. Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

Police also appealed to the public to share images or footage of the incidents.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Mohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all look so easy.

To a pan full of sizzling chicken he adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, coriander, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredients between his fingers as his only measure. After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at the Taste of India in London.

Haques deft touch isnt easy to replicate  and thats a problem for Britains curry houses, which are shutting down at a rate of two a week, in part because there arent enough chefs and kitchen staff.

Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry backed the campaign to leave the European Union after assurances it would lead to more visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed. Theyre angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave only to have the government fail to deliver on promises to help save their industry. Rather than easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the situation worse by cutting off the flow of East European workers who have increasingly filled the gaps in recent years.

Whats happening since Brexit is even more restaurants are closing; we cant get people from anywhere, said Oli Khan, the senior vice president of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK and a celebrity chef. Curry houses are in danger.

Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the South Asian restaurant industry in a country where chicken tikka masala is as much the national dish as fish and chips. In addition to a chef shortage, Britains 12,000 curry restaurants are struggling with competition from prepared supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and rising food prices from a lower pound.

Though casually called Indian food, most curry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants and their offspring who fused South Asian flavors with British tastes to create a new cuisine worth an estimated 4.5 billion pounds ($5.6 billion) to the economy annually.

For example, the humble papadum isnt traditionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accustomed to being served bread when they sat down. The onion bhaji was adapted from onion rings.

What is at stake, Ali says, is not the heritage of Bangladesh, but the heritage of Britain.

Ive given my life in the curry industry and I can see with my own eyes that it is disappearing, Ali said. I really feel the government should intervene before it is too late.

The unease of the curry houses is replicated in ways large and small across Britain, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the legal process of leaving the EU next week. High-tech companies in search of engineers, farmers in need of fruit pickers and builders looking for construction workers have all raised concerns about possible staff shortages.

The hospitality industry is particularly worried. An analysis from the Oxford Migration Observatory shows some 89,000 people from many of the EUs new entrant countries in the east are working in food and beverage services.

May has taken a tough stance on immigration after anger about high arrival numbers fuelled last years vote to leave the EU. While exiting the bloc will allow Britain to eventually limit European immigration, the government has so far refused to relax the rules for migrants from non-EU countries.

Chef Mohammed- Faizul Haque uses lemon juice to make flames as he demonstrates how to give a smokey flavour to dishes such as Kuchi Chilli Chicken at the Taste of India curry restaurant in London in March 9, 2017. (AP Photo)

Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system, the Home office said in a statement. We are working across government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.

The rules now require migrants from outside the EU to have a job paying some 35,000 pounds ($43,600) a year more than many nurses make in Britain. Curry houses, which mostly sell food at reasonable prices, cant meet that standard.

The curry owners have in recent years filled the gap by hiring Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles and Romanians. Between 5,000 and 6,000 curry house workers are East Europeans out of a total 150,000.

These workers sometimes have had trouble communicating with chefs, who found themselves learning the Romanian words for green pepper and onion. And many of the workers had never even seen a curry, unlike earlier migrants from South Asia who often aspired to open curry houses of their own.

But the Eastern Europeans didnt balk at long hours chopping vegetables and washing dishes.

Take Aga Pozniak, a qualified teacher form Lodz in central Poland. Though she now serves customers in front of house at Taste of India, she started out as a kitchen assistant.

I had never been in an Indian restaurant in Poland so I had no idea about the Indian kitchen, she said. So I learned everything here. ... When you are a kitchen assistant, you do some cleaning, you prepare food, you cut food. It doesnt matter when you cut pepper if you cut pepper for Indian food or Polish food. You cut pepper.

The lack of prospects for advancement, however, often means that the Eastern Europeans soon move on to other jobs.

And the restaurants, some of which have been in the family for decades, can no longer look to the next generation to fill the gaps. As mothers and fathers have prospered and become part of British society, many of their children have moved into professions such as law and medicine rather than cooking. And with no new influx of onion choppers in the pipeline, even those that want to stay in the business are having a tough time.

Sayem Ahmed, for example, wants to transform the Taste of India into a Michelin-starred eatery, and hes studying business at Middlesex University to make that dream come true.

But the 19-year-old finds himself increasingly pulling shifts at the family restaurant  time that takes him away from his studies.

Id say the whole industry is in danger, he said. They really need to think of something for us.
Computer hackers based in India are reported to have helped Scotland Yard access email accounts of environment campaigners and journalists over several years, prompting an investigation by Britains police watchdog.

According to The Guardian, whose two journalists were among those whose emails were hacked, a secretive unit in Scotland Yard worked with Indian police, who in turn hired hackers to access the emails.

No further details of the Indian polices involvement were mentioned in the report.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it has launched an investigation after a whistleblower detailed the practice in a letter to Jennifer Jones, former leader of the Green Party, which often takes up environment issues.

According to The Guardian, the letter, which was passed on to IPCC, states: For a number of years the unit had been illegally accessing the email accounts of activists. This has largely been accomplished because of the contact that one of the officers had developed with counterparts in India who in turn were using hackers to obtain email passwords.

Jones said: There is more than enough to justify a full-scale criminal investigation into the activities of these police officers and referral to a public inquiry. I have urged the IPCC to act quickly to secure further evidence and to find out how many people were victims of this nasty practice.

An IPCC spokesperson said: After requesting and receiving a referral by the Metropolitan police service, we have begun an independent investigation related to anonymous allegations concerning the accessing of personal data. We are still assessing the scope of the investigation and so we are not able to comment further.

The letter reportedly lists names of 10 individuals, including their passwords.

In recent years, the Scotland Yard unit monitored thousands of political activists, drawing on information gathered by undercover officers and informants as well as from open sources such as websites, The Guardian reported.

Police chiefs say they need to keep track of a wide pool of activists to identify the small number who commit serious crime to promote their cause, the report added.

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On Tuesday, US President Donald Trumps administration said passengers travelling from 10 airports in Muslim-majority countries would have to bring larger devices such as tablets, laptops and cameras in their checked baggage in response to unspecified security threat. Bemused and baffled, technology and security experts have spoken out about why these new restrictions make no sense to anyone with a basic understanding of computer science or cybersecurity or just plain common sense.

1) Smartphones are as good as laptops for attacks

If the US is worried about the plane being hacked, critics say, that could be accomplished by a cellphone just as well. The modern smartphone today is powerful enough to match larger devices in computing ability.

And if the US believes explosive devices could be hidden in laptops or tablets, these could do just as much damage in the cargo hold. So these restrictions wouldnt slow down a determined terrorist.

2) The world is a canvas for terror groups

Militant groups such as the Islamic State are no longer restricted to their countries of origin. As their followers and ability to influence people through social media has grown, cells have sprung up, spectacular attacks have been carried out and smaller groups have sworn allegiance to them across the world, from France and Germany to Bangladesh and Pakistan and Nigeria. Trying to impose restrictions on just a few countries is like locking the door of a house with no walls.

3) What does larger than a cellphone mean?

The restrictions, by the US department of homeland security (DHS), apply to devices larger than a cellphone. Which cellphone? How large can a cellphone be? If they stop us from taking along our tablet, can we whip out one of those giant cellphones with the antennas they used in the 90s to compare sizes?

Larger than the average tablet. (AP file)

The US seems to have left it to different airlines to decide, as if the details arent really important as long as some inconvenience is caused.

4) The precedents are shaky

The US says it based its restrictions on recent intelligence reports that militants were trying to smuggle explosive devices in gadgets. A state department official reportedly referred reporters to several terrorist events on airplanes in the last year, but there seems to be only one previous example of such an attempt. In Somalia a year ago, a bomb hidden in a laptop blew a hole in the side of an aircraft. The bomb failed to down the plane. The carrier, called Dallo, does not fly to the US. If thousands of passengers are to be put to so much inconvenience every day, experts are asking, shouldnt the rules be based on less vague precedents?

5) The restrictions could actually be more dangerous

The US federal aviation authority last year issued a directive to block lithium-powered batteries, used in many such electronic devices, from being carried the cargo holds of planes because they posed a serious fire risk. By forcing people to stow their laptops in checked baggage, the DHS was violating its own governments safety concerns.

Critics have suggested that the real reason for the restrictions isnt security at all. While some say it could be an excuse to go through and extract sensitive information being carried in the electronic devices of passengers, others believe the true motive is commerce. According to the Washington Post, the restrictions might be Trumps attempt to weaken competition to US airlines. Three of the airlines that have been targeted for these measures  Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways  have long been accused by their U.S. competitors of receiving massive effective subsidies from their governments, the Post quoted two political scientists as saying. These airlines have been quietly worried for months that President Trump was going to retaliate. This may be the retaliation.

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Used essentially as delivery vans in World War II and as medical evacuation vehicles in Korea, helicopters were transformed into hunter-killers in Vietnam, thanks in large part to the efforts of a former infantry officer.

My father, a combat Marine veteran of the Okinawa campaign in World War II, once told me he was evacuated from the island on a helicopter after being wounded on Sugar Loaf Hill. Questioning his story, I said, Dad, they didnt start using helicopters until the Korean War. Somewhat angered by my answer, he pointed his finger at me and said, Im tellin ya, I was evacuated off that island on a helicopter. Still skeptical, I did some research, and sure enough, both the Army and Navy experimented with helicopters during World War II. Although helicopters rose to prominence on the battlefield in the Vietnam War, most notably through the exploits of the Bell UH-1 Huey, their military service began two decades earlier with about 130 Sikorsky R-4s in the waning days of World War II. As early as 1944 the Army was using helicopters as resupply aircraft, but choppers quickly demonstrated their usefulness in evacuating injured soldiers from isolated locations. By the Korean War (1950-53), helicopters had expanded their role in medical evacuations (familiar to viewers of the M.A.S.H. television show in the 1970s and 80s).

By the late 1950s, the military was looking for ways helicopter technology could be further developed for future conflicts and began testing copters armed with machine guns and rockets. One of the leaders in this aviation experiment was Robert M. Shoemaker, who started his career as an infantryman with a regiment stationed in Germany after World War II and rose to the rank of four-star general after commanding a unit of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam.

Shoemaker, who told his story to the Armys Oral History Branch in 1987, was born on a small dairy farm near Almont, Michigan, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1946. He served with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in occupied Germany in 1946. After several assignments with the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Shoemaker went to Korea in the latter stages of the war as part of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and stayed in South Korea until 1954. While attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1959, Shoemaker decided to become an Army pilot.

During his time in Korea, as an operational planning and training officer, Shoemaker saw a training exercise for a Sikorsky H-19 unit.

It was used to airlift a reserve battalion into a blocking position, he recalled. I had to go through the planning with the aviation company commander. But I had not by any means said, Gee, I really have to get into that. Thats the way of the future. But the more I thought about it the more I thought it really might be an interesting thing. So I applied for flight school and was accepted.

After completing his pilot training, Shoemaker was placed on the staff of the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as chief of the Plans and Programs Division in the Director of Instructions Office.

During the early 1960s, Army aviation, particularly the expanded use of helicopters, became a priority for Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. In charge of the experimentation was the Continental Army Command. At the time CONARC was responsible for all units in the continental United States, the mission of todays Forces Command. It also managed all Army schoolhouses and training, handled today by the Training and Doctrine Command.

CONARC had already established an experimental Aerial Combat Reconnaissance (ACR) company in 1957 at the aviation school in Fort Rucker. Because aerial combats future in the Army was still uncertain and the ACRs aviation work was experimental, the unit also had nonaviation elements attached to it, including several companies of the 31st Infantry Regiment at Fort Rucker, an artillery battery and a small engineer component. In one of its early aviation experiments, the ACR attached a variety of weapons systems to helicopters, particularly the Bell H-13 Sioux light helicopter. Many of the weapons systems were fabricated at Fort Rucker.

In January 1962, Shoemaker, who had been selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel but had not officially received the rank, accepted command of the 8305th ACR Company, even though his peers warned that accepting a company-level position at that point in his career would limit his prospects for promotion.

A lieutenant colonel, a contemporary, who had gone with me from Leavenworth to flight school who was also assigned on the Rucker faculty, told me, This will kill your career, Shoemaker recalled. I was surprised that anyone would bring that up. I thought this would be a great opportunity to return to troop duty, have a lot of fun and learn new things. I didnt [see] how this could be bad.

As the aviation experiments continued, the 8305th ACR did further work with the H-13 Sioux and also attempted to mount machine guns and rockets on helicopters such as the Sikorsky H-37 Mojave, the Piasecki H-21 Shawnee and the Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. It also explored the feasibility of various types of airframes and weapons configurations on gunship helicopters. The researchers concluded, how ever, that none of those airframes would make a truly suitable weapons platform because of power and weight restrictions.

In May 1962, Shoemaker accompanied Fort Ruckers commander, Brig. Gen. Robert R. Williams, to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to participate in a McNamara initiative to explore expansion of Army aviation.

The Army had put together a group under the direction of XVIII Airborne Corps commander Maj. Gen. Hamilton H. Howze to determine the extent to which air vehicles could be substituted for surface systems. The Army would have to evaluate not only aircraft requirements but also new or revised operational concepts, organizations, personnel needs, facilities and training requirements and cost-effectiveness tests. Shoemaker was only a backbencher for Williams and one of the most junior officers at the Howze Boards first meeting, but he quickly became a significant contributor to the groups work.

At that meeting, Brig. Gen. Eward L. Rowny, assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, asked Shoemaker to stay a day or two at Fort Bragg to work with the staff that he was putting together. Rowny was not an aviator.

We sat down, and I was the aviation expert, Shoemaker said, noting wryly that he had been out of aviation school for only a year and commanded an experimental aerial combat reconnaissance troop. He and Rowny brainstormed the rough design and resource requirements for a test program.

Shoemaker initially was told he would command the experimental units but instead was assigned to work with the test developers. I would run all of the reconnaissance and the shooting tests. I enjoyed working on test development, and within a week I had cranked up the outline of tests.

Throughout the summer of 1962, Shoemaker designed, prepared and conducted tests on a variety of concepts involving the expanded use of both rotary and fixed-wing airframes, including several major demonstrations for senior joint military leaders and the secretary of defense. All this time I remained, on paper, the commander of the 8305th ACR, Shoemaker said, but I didnt even know where the company was most of the time. My very competent executive officer ran it. I was totally absorbed in my duty with the Howze Board.

The final Howze Board report was delivered on Labor Day. Its recommendations included the organization of an air assault division with an accompanying air transport brigade. The air assault division would be a light, quick-response force capable of being deployed anywhere in the world on short notice with minimal use of the wheeled or tracked vehicles found in a traditional Army division.

After taking some leave, Shoemaker returned to Fort Rucker to resume his command of the 8305th ACR, but soon he was told to accompany Rowny to Washington. At the Pentagon, Shoemaker was instructed to acquire a passport and depart for Vietnam on a 90-day temporary-duty assignment that included perhaps as many as eight officers, he remembered. The officers were assigned to Army Concept Teams on a mission to see what lessons could be learned from Army aviations participation in counterinsurgency operations. At the time, there were five companies of H-21 aircraft in Vietnam supporting the South Vietnamese war effort.

Shoemakers assignment was to evaluate testing of a Grumman OV-1 Mohawk, a dual-prop, fixed-wing airplane. The armed Mohawk detachmentsix planes with .50-caliber machine gun pods and the ability to fire rockets or drop napalm or bombswas based at Nha Trang on the coast, in the II Corps area of Vietnam. A newly minted lieutenant colonel, Shoemaker interviewed U.S. advisers at division and corps levels and collected his own observations on what the Mohawk could achieve in both surveillance and firepower. He completed his assessment around May 1963. After making his report on the Mohawk, Shoemaker was assigned to the Pentagon to work on aerial fire support techniques for Lt. Gen. Dwight E. Beach, chief of research and development.

During his assignment in Washington, Shoemaker was contacted by Brig. Gen. John Jack Norton, assistant commandant of the Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. The fort was organizing several OV-1 Mohawk platoons equipped with surveillance systems to be tested in the Swift Strike III exercise from May to August 1963. Because of his experience with Mohawks in Vietnam, Shoemaker was asked by Norton and Maj. Gen. C.W.G. Rich, the commander of Fort Benning, to take charge of Mohawk preparation for the exercise. Afterward, Shoemaker was selected to command the new Mohawk battalion being organized in the Aviation Brigade of the 11th Air Assault Division, which had been activated as a division at Fort Benning on Feb. 1, 1963.

But that assignment was also short-lived. Maj. Gen. Harry Kinnard, commander of the 11th Assault Division, requested that Shoemaker be his division operations officer. That made Shoemaker the center of activity in the new division. His duties included overseeing tests of helicopter tactics, techniques and procedures; ensuring the establishment of standard operating procedures and an occupation specialty structure; and drafting documents outlining the divisions organizational structure and equipment needs.

Meanwhile, the Army, as part of a major shift in emphasis from support to hunt and kill missions, was incorporating three new helicopters into its inventory. One was the UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the Huey, a troop and cargo carrier (and with modifications, a gunship). The others were the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse scout, nicknamed the Loach, and eventually the Bell AH-1 Cobra, an attack aircraft.

The Huey is one of the worlds most recognized helicopters, largely as a result of its service in Vietnam. Its primary missions included troop transport, cargo delivery, medical evacuation, search and rescue, electronic warfare and, later, ground attack. The Army soon realized, however, that unarmed or lightly armed helicopters used to transport air mobile troops were vulnerable to groundfire, particularly when the copters came down to drop off their soldiers. The troops frequently were delivered to a landing zone without support from artillery or ground forces.

The best protection for the Hueys and their troops at a landing zone during a battle would be a gunship that escorted the transport helicopters and loitered over the area as the battle progressed. An initial solution was a small number of more heavily armed Hueyswith multiple machine guns and mounted rocketsthat would serve as escorts. Within a few years, the Huey gunships were augmented and eventually replaced by the first dedicated helicopter gunship, the AH-1 Cobra.

In December 1964, Vietnam was not yet a high priority for the Army, but when Chief of Staff General Harold K. Johnson made a Christmas visit to Fort Benning, he asked Shoemaker to determine how long it would take the 11th Air Assault Division to deploy to Vietnam. Johnson also told Shoemaker to restrict knowledge of the mission to the minimum number of people needed to plan it.

By the spring of 1965, the war had heated up, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade was sent from Okinawa to Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. Kinnard, the 11th Air Assault Divisions commander, ordered several officers, including Shoemaker and the divisions logistics officer, to travel to Vietnam on a secret mission. They were to scout out possible locations for the division in case it was deployed. Working closely with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, especially Maj. Gen. William DePuy, the commands operations officer, they selected a potential area of operations for the division in the Central Highlands. Shoemaker, analyzing the terrain and using his past experience in Vietnam, recommended placing the division headquarters and one brigade at An Khe, another brigade at Pleiku and a third brigade at Kontum.

After his return from Vietnam, Shoemaker was told he would command a battalion once his division deployed. In a speech on July 18, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson said he was sending the Armys airmobile division (the 11th Air Assault Division reflagged as the 1st Cavalry Division) to Vietnam. On the day the division was reflagged, Shoemaker was given command of an airborne infantry battalion, the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). By Sept. 11, 1965, the 1st Cav was operating in its assigned area at An Khe, Pleiku and Kontum.

Throughout its first year in the war, the 1st Cavalry Division had a two-pronged mission: prevent the buildup of North Vietnamese forces in the Central Highlands and give the South Vietnamese Army time to regroup because its forces were being depleted at an alarming rate. In its first large-scale operation, the 1st Cavalry Division assisted in the relief of a Special Forces camp, Plei Me, in October 1965, a precursor to the larger actions in the Ia Drang Valley, as famously depicted in the Mel Gibson movie We Were Soldiers. Plei Me was about 40 kilometers south of Pleiku, a city in the Central Highlands, and 30 kilometers from the Cambodian border. Ostensibly, the North Vietnamese attacked the Special Forces camp to draw the 1st Cavalry Division into the fight and learn about its capabilities and tactics. During the October 19-25 battle, Shoemakers battalion, along with other units of the division, immediately proved the validity of the aviation concepts, tactics and systems that the experimental units had developed.

After leading the 12th Cavalry Regiments 1st Battalion for five or six months, in December 1965 Shoemaker was given command of a second battalion-size group, the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. The squadron, acting as the eyes and ears of the 1st Cav, hunted for the enemy. Its units included a headquarters troop, three air cavalry troops and a ground troop. Two more air cavalry troops were added later. Each air cavalry troop had 27 aircraft: 11 gunships, six troop/cargo carriers and 10 scouts.

In less than five yearsafter a series of experiments with airframes, weapons systems, tactics, techniques and proceduresthe airmobile operation became an integral part of the Armys structure. The 1st Cavalry Division showed the value of an airmobile division in countless battles throughout Southeast Asia during a time when something other than a traditional armored or infantry division was needed. The heliborne soldier became the modern-day version of the old horse cavalrymanrapidly and flexibly putting decisive firepower where needed and saving American lives in remote and austere environments. Often flying day in and day out, in good weather and bad, the 1st Squadron participated in 13 campaigns and has been credited with more than 50 percent of the enemy killed by the 1st Cavalry

Division.

The quick strike airmobile force in Vietnam was the forerunner of todays even more powerful 101st Air Assault Division. The airmobile concept, which continues to be refined, has been successful both in conventional conflicts, such as the Gulf War of 1990-91, and in unconventional fights in places such as Afghanistan.

The initiative, vision and leadership of Shoemaker at every rank from captain to general (a rank obtained with a promotion to brigadier general on Oct. 1, 1969), combined with the work of many contemporaries, was essential to the evolution of the helicopter from a glorified mule to a devastating hunter and killer on the battlefield.

Brent C. Bankus, a retired lieutenant colonel, is chief of the Oral History Branch in the Army Heritage and Education Centers Military History Institute. James O. Kievit, a retired lieutenant colonel and a professor at the Center for Strategic Leadership and Development, contributed to this article.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.
So You Thought You Had a Bad Day?

Everyone has bad days. Those days when the check engine light comes on and the computer conks out, when it seems like things could not get any worse and they do. But the next time you are bemoaning your bad day, think about the really bad days described in two articles in this issue:

A plane is hit by a missile and catches fire (bad enough) and then an ejection seat doesnt work.

An infantry company of the 101st Airborne Division starts an uphill assault in a mountain jungle and suddenly is hit by rocketsfrom its own armys helicopters, and then the enemy launches a counterattack on the troops, weakened by the friendly fire.

In Bailout! Bailout!, Paul Novak, a navigator on a B-52 bomber during the Vietnam War, tells the story of the last B-52 shot down in the war. The plane was on a bombing run in January 1973 when it was hit by a North Vietnamese missile.

The pilot ordered a bailout, but when navigator Myles McTernan pulled the handle on the ejection seat, he went nowhere. McTernan knew that if he didnt get out of the plane before it crashed into the South China Sea he would die. McTernan also knew he had to stay calm and find a solution in just a matter of seconds.

The story about the helicopter incident, Deadly Mistake on Hamburger Hill, takes place midway through the 10-day battle, one of the most famousand bloodiest engagements of the war. Its told by Frank Boccia, a first lieutenant in Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, whose company commander was seriously injured in the accidental attack on May 15, 1969.

Boccias narrative transports readers to the scene with a nearly minute-by-minute recounting of the chaos and the decisions by young officers who kept it under control until their troops could get to a safe position.

The article is an excerpt from Boccias book The Crouching Beast, A United States Army Lieutenants Account of the Battle for Hamburger Hill, May 1969.

Also in this issue, we begin tailoring our Homefront department to the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War. Homefront will look back at the songs, movies, books, fashions, celebrities and domestic news stories that caught the countrys attention exactly 50 years ago. This issue returns us to September and October 1964.

The new Homefront complements the Intel departments 50 Years Ago in the War timeline of events in the war zone. Readers can easily see which events were occurring simultaneously overseas and at home.

You will notice, for example, that in October 1964 Green Berets of the Armys 5th Special Forces Group were assigned to Vietnam, and Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his civil rights work.

The juxtaposition of activities on the front lines with events on the homefront is likely to present many interesting contrasts in the coming months.

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.
A police officer was among the people killed in an attack just outside Britain's parliament building, the BBC reported on Wednesday, quoting a lawmaker who provided medical assistance.

The officer died at the scene, the BBC said.

An assailant stabbed a policeman and was shot by police just outside Britain's parliament building in London on Wednesday in what police described as a "terrorist incident".

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B-52 Strikes a Chord

Your story Bailout! Bailout! (October 2014) brought back both good and bad memories. I was in-country 1971 and 1972, but in 1968 I was the training NCO for the munitions squadron of Project Arc Light supporting our B-52s in Operation Linebacker. We were in Guam for a 180-day temporary duty from Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, Oklahoma (Strategic Air Command). My friend and neighbor Tech. Sgt. Louis Leshane was a gunner on a B-52 and was shot down. I saw years later he came home from being a POW. Welcome home Louie and all the rest of us!

Carl L. Britton Sr.

Portales, N.M.

Swearing on Hamburger Hill

I read with interest Deadly Mistake on Hamburger Hill (October 2014). The mention of Bravo Company commander Captain Charles Littnan, 3/187th Infantry, caught my eye. When I met him in my Infantry Officer Basic Class 16 at Fort Benning in the summer of 1964, I realized who he was: the 1963-64 national commander of the Pershing Rifles. I had been a company commander that year. The description of Charles fit what I recall. The first time his platoon leaders heard him swear was when he was told his command post was destroyed by friendly aerial rocket artillery fire. I hope he made it out and recovered well.

Lt. Col. Richard Lowe, U.S. Army (ret.)

Davenport, Iowa

ASA Scrutiny

The information in the letter regarding the Army Security Agency in Vietnam (October 2014) is true. Several thousand ASA men served in Vietnam, the first one killed in action way back in 1961. I spent 31 months of the ASAs four-year enlistment there, June 1967 to January 69, and May 1969 to May 70. Our unit was an odd-looking mix: a couple of Green Berets, an airman or two (Air Force Systems Security), occasional groups of sailors (Naval Security Group) and some civilians walking around. I well remember the shock of a gung-ho second lieutenant who, after shouting some profanity at a man for not saluting, discovered that he was yelling at a Defense Department employee the equivalent rank of colonel.

Michael A. Wertz

York, Pa.

The letter writer in the October issue was right: The ASA was in Vietnam and was called Radio Research, not ASA. I was in 303rd HQ Company at Fort Wolters, Texas, where three detachments were formed, two in 1965 and one in 1966. I was in the third one, which went to support the 25th Infantry Division from Hawaii. I later ended up with the 406th Detachment, 101st Airborne Division, and we moved all over. I went to a few ASA reunions, and people could not believe I was over there in 25-man detachments.

Donald R. Schmidt

De Forest, Wis.

Wheres the Analysis?

I was a helicopter pilot flying medevac missions in support of Lam Son 719, and I must admit to some disappointment in James Willbanks article on that operation, Grinding to a Halt (August 2014). I was hoping for more in-depth analysis of the invasion. Willbanks fails to discuss, for example, that when General William Westmoreland was considering an incursion into Laos (Operation El Paso), his planning staff determined that it must use no less than four American divisions, and yet the final invasion force only numbered 17,000 Army of the Republic of Vietnam troops, while the North Vietnamese mobilized a force of over 60,000 to repel the invasion. If this was Richard Nixons chance to showcase Vietnamization, one would think the United States would use all the persuasion it could muster on the ARVN to guarantee an overwhelming victory.

John Glen

Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

Wars Enigma

I am continually amazed at the complexities of the Vietnam War and admire your devotion to revealing that history. A prime example of the difficulty in describing it is illustrated in two separate articles about the master planning of the 1968 Tet Offensive: Giaps Second Masterpiece (February 2014) and North Vietnams Big-Unit War and the Man Behind It (June 2014). In the first, all the credit is given to Vo Nguyen Giap. In fact, the author states that people who have not given Giap full credit are from the stab-in-the-back school of history. The second article not only states that Le Duan was the mastermind but also that General Giap and Ho Chi Minh were so opposed to the plan that several hundred of their subordinates were jailed and that Ho and Giap left the country during the entire campaign, so as not to be associated with it.

This conflict shows that after 46 years, we are still trying to uncover not only the truth, but the facts.

Dennis R. Moss

Orange, Calif.

Correction: In our October 2014 Arsenal, the F-105D should have been referred to as the Thunderchief.

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.
ASA Out of the Closet

Historian John Prados tells an interesting story about an occurrence that evolved into the Vinh Window program (August 2014). He gives credit to the Air Force Security Service, Naval Security Group, National Security Agency and the Armys comint men. Those Army comint men had a name: the Army Security Agency. To hide the identity of these units, they were called radio research companies or radio research units. To not mention them in his article, Mr. Prados perpetuates the myth that the ASA was not in Vietnam.

Neil Mahoney, Former communications intelligence officer, ASA

Cape Nedick, Maine

Rainy Season Sikorskys

In the My War story (August 2014), John Bercaw said that during his time in Quang Tri, immediately after Tet, Marine pilots, grounded for much of the rainy season, left their ground troops without reliable support. That statement is not quite true. As a Marine gunner, I flew in Sikorsky H-34s during most of Operation Dewey Canyon, which was in the rainy season. By the summer of 1967, the Marines were having structural problems with the CH-46, causing catastrophic airframe failures. The helicopters were sent to overhaul for major modification and were back in Vietnam by January 1968. During that time, additional H-34s were shipped to Vietnam to pick up the load. The Army, no doubt, was tasked to help. This was prior to the events in Mr. Bercaws article and explains why certain helicopters werent available; they werent grounded by the rainy season. Theres also the issue of who is qualified to fly under Instrument Flight Regulationsnavigating by instruments rather than visual references. Marine pilots, except those trained by the Army, were and are instrument rated. A good portion of Army pilots were not IFR qualified, though they had a tactical instrument rating, which helped them get out of the clouds when they entered them inadvertently. Other Marine pilots I checked with offered humorous anecdotes about working with the Army, but they all respect the work done by those young Army Huey and Chinook drivers.

Wayne Stafford

Monroe, Washington

Big Battle at Binh Gia

I was amazed to see the battle of Binh Gia mentioned in your article about Le Duan (August 2014). I was with the 68th Aviation Company stationed at Tan Son Nhut. You mentioned that two helicopters were shot down and four airmen were killed. Both Hueys were from the 68th. On December 29, Lieutenant Paul Murray and Warrant Officer Daniel Sullivan were shot down. The crew was recovered, but Murray and Spc. 4 Casprowitz were evacuated out of Vietnam with very serious injuries. On December 30, Warrant Officer Roy Azbil, Warrant Officer Steve Morgan, Sergeant Frank Porter and Pfc. Theodore Winowitch were killed when their Huey was shot down. Even though it was early in the war, the 68th Aviation Company was involved in a lot of support missions and was an all-armed helicopter company, unique at that time in Army aviation. In March 1965, the 68th became the 197th Aviation Company. In April, the 197th became the first Army unit in Vietnam to be awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions at Duc Hoa.

George Berenbrok

Essex, Maryland

Ngok Tavak POW Bracelet

I read with interest the story about the recovery of MIA remains at Ngok Tavak (June 2014). I served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1970, and Ive been returning to Vietnam since 1999. Around 1980, I acquired a POW/MIA bracelet with the name Pvt. William Dee McGonigle, one of the Marine artillerymen sent to Ngok Tavak to support the Mike Force that had been observing the North Vietnamese Army from the old French fort. I researched the circumstances surrounding McGonigles death and the recovery of his remains. In March 2010 I decided to survey some of the old Special Forces camps in I Corps. One of the camps was Kham Duc. Knowing I would be visiting this area, I took along McGonigles POW/MIA bracelet. Our group made the trek up to the old French fort, and I buried the bracelet on the spot where McGonigles remains were recovered. In that same spot, I recovered one of the plates from a Marine flak jacket.

Roland Ron Huegel

The Villages, Florida

Nam Road Truckers

I enjoyed your story on truckers, Hard Ride in a Hard War (December 2013). I was in the 442nd Transportation Company. We traveled thousands of miles in our tour and received unit citations for many firsts that we accomplished. Thank you for what you do to bring everyones stories to life.

Clement L. Reynolds

Urbana, Illinois

Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.
He was an American spy. She was a South Vietnamese chemist for an oil firm. They teamed up to root out corruption that threatened her countrys survival.

When William R. Johnson arrived in Saigon at the end of 1972 as the new chief of the CIAs base there, he badly needed two sources: someone who could provide information on the military operations of South Vietnams high command; and an oil industry insider who could help figure out why petroleum that arrived in the country often did not reach its intended destinations at airports and military bases. Johnson was fortunate to find both sources in a single person: Le Thi Ngoc Ha, chief chemist for oil company Esso Vietnam and the niece of an army general.

The two first met in January 1973 at a banquet in Saigons Caravelle Hotel for several Esso employees and Americans from the U.S. Embassy. Le Ha was a 31-year-old native of Vietnamthe eldest among five girls and six boyswith a doctorate in biochemistry from Victoria University in New Zealand. After returning to Saigon in the summer of 1968, she married, taught school for a semester and accepted a position with Esso at the end of the year. She was fluent in Russian, French and English. Her husband, Tran Ba Touc, held a position with the Central Bank of Vietnam.

Johnson, 53, was born in Colorado, majored in English literature at Yale University, served with the Military Intelligence Service in World War II and joined the CIA in 1948. Fluent in French and Italian, he was one of five base chiefs in South Vietnam. Each operated in a different city, and all reported to the CIAs top official in the country, station chief Thomas Polgar, who worked at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

That night at the Caravelle, Johnson told Le Ha he worked in the embassys political section. He said his wife, Pat, also at the banquet, was an embassy employee too. She was in fact another CIA agent. Le Ha was drawn to the couple and met socially with them several times. At first they talked about their travels and family and friends, but before long their discussions shifted to South Vietnams problems and prospects for survival.

Johnson had been optimistic about the countrys chances when he started working in Saigon. I thought as far as the military situation was concernedwith real and genuine American support, and real commitment of air support when it was needed, and with funding for the government of South Vietnamthere was a good chance the South Vietnamese could prevail, he said in an interview.

Le Ha, deeply concerned about her countrys deteriorating fortunes, told Johnson corruption was crippling the war effort. She had heard that a significant portion of the corruption involved Americans as well as Vietnamese. During one dinner conversation, Le Ha said a CIA officer in charge of a base in the Central Highlands was caught stealing funds that had been allocated to South Vietnamese armed forces. She mentioned the amount of money he had diverted and gave Johnson the name of the officers Vietnamese mistress, who participated in the scheme. The fraud was so widely known in Vietnamese military and political circles that surely people in the U.S. Embassy were aware of it, she suggested.

Johnson, aware of the incident involving the CIA officer, knew that Le Ha must be connected to an information pipeline, likely through her work or relatives. One uncle, Vinh Loc, was a cousin of Emperor Bao Dai, who lost power in 1955 when a referendum made Ngo Ninh Diem president of the new Republic of Vietnam. Vinh Loc had been an aide to the emperor and was now one of the highest-ranking generals in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Le Has boss, Do Nguyen, was in charge of Esso Vietnams logistics, marketing and supply department. He had worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Esso sent him to the United States for a year to study management and the petroleum business.

In 1971 Esso also gave Le Ha a year of specialized training in the United States. I learned that many Americans really knew very little about Vietnam, she later recalled in an interview. When I tried to speak with Americans and tell them what was happening in Vietnam, they would not listen. They did not want to hear. When Le Ha returned to Saigon, Esso named her public affairs manager as well as lab supervisor.

Le Ha had been just as curious about Johnsons connections as he was about hers. She did some research and learned of his CIA ties. Though reluctant to admit it at first, Johnson eventually revealed his true identity as the Saigon base chief. He came to trust Le Ha and in early spring 1973 asked her to work for him.

Johnson had taken to calling Le Ha Holly, a nickname derived from switching the order of the two parts of her name and mispronouncing them as Americans would: Ha Le. Johnson told her that South Vietnams survival depended on quick action to stop corrupt officials from selling to the other side supplies purchased with American dollars, including rice, weapons and petroleum. His information indicated that the culprits included people high up in the South Vietnamese government and military. He wanted to know who they were. And if they had American partners, Johnson said, he wanted to know that too. Le Ha might be able to uncover that information through her contacts in the Vietnamese government, he said.

The pilferage of supplies was not the only problem, Johnson added. South Vietnams armed forces were getting gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricating oil that was often contaminated. Fuel bound for military units was tested by the Esso lab, and Johnson suggested that Le Ha could use her contacts and position as head of the lab to help track down the people hijacking and contaminating petroleum products.

Her task was not without risk, Johnson acknowledged. If Le Ha was identified as a CIA source, her life would be in danger. On the other hand, he assured her, if she shared what she was doing with no one outside her family, the chances of being detected were nearly zero.

Le Ha did not tell her husband about Johnsons offer, but she did ask her father for advice. He cautioned that the CIA could neither gather nor keep secrets very well. She responded that all Johnson had promised her was a chance to help her country survive. A few days later Le Ha told Johnson she would help him.

In the Esso Vietnam lab, Le Ha worked closely with a prominent union leader who was outspoken in his denunciations of the government and subtly indicated he favored the Communist cause. Because other workers constantly deferred to him and seemed to fear him, Le Ha began to monitor his work more carefully. It did not take her long to realize that he, his assistants and co-workers were sabotaging petroleum tests.

The petroleum products were shipped in tankers from a refinery in Singapore. When the shipments arrived in South Vietnam, samples from the tankers were tested for contamination. The fuel then was transported on barges and trucks to military installations. Because the fuel could be contaminated at the point of import, during transportation or in the field, there were several stages of testing.

If one test was not right, it could slow down the whole operation of getting fuel to our troops and aircraft, Le Ha said. And every time we had barges loading and unloading, many people knew about it and could pass information to someone else who could either warn the enemy of an impending action or contaminate some of the fuel and slow down field operations.

Each time they sent samples of fuel to us to test, they had aircraft on the ground, waiting, literally, for us to radio them that the fuel was good so they could fly their missions. In a troubling number of cases, the fuel was contaminated or the tests were delayed when someone might drop a sample or spill it, and another sample would have to be flown in.

Anything small could slow down the tests for a number of hours or even a dayenough time to get word to enemy forces or agents or targets about what was happening. When we ruled the fuel was contaminated, we had to get more samples and order the batch we tested destroyed.

Often the fuel was good, but the test results were faked, Le Ha discovered. To make her case, she took duplicate samples of fuel that came into the lab and secretly tested them. While other lab workers tested the official samples and found contamination, her tests of the same batch showed none. Le Ha calmly asked that the fuel be tested again, in front of me. A second test often indicated no contamination, as did a third test for confirmation. She told Nguyen Do, her boss, the tests were negative for contamination.

He asked me several times if there had been more than one test. I told him two of three were good. At times he demanded a fourtha delaying test. He seemed, I thought, upset that the fuel was good.

Le Ha told Johnson what she had found, but she did not mention names and said she needed time to learn more details. I did not know how high this system went, she said. I was sure that the guilty parties were working for someone else.

After several weeks of more double checks, Le Ha called her workers into her office and told them: I have been here long enough to know what has been going on. I am not going to name or accuse anybody. I always give people a chance. I am new in my position here and you know that I can be fired if I allow this to continue. But after I leave here I can get a job next door at Shell or CalTex because of my qualifications. But you, once you lose your job here, I dont think you can find a job anywhere. This is not a threat. Then, holding up a folder, she added, All the incidents are recorded right here in my files.

She said she would forget and forgive everything that happened if her workers cooperated and signed receipts for the samples they tested to make them accountable for the results. Le Ha concluded: We are at war and if we make mistakes here in the lab we can be brought before a military court. Contaminated products can kill people. Aircraft will crash. Trucks will not run. Bad work here means lives lost elsewhere. If you dont want to be responsible for your work, you had better resign.

Her workers were being paid by the Communists to taint the tests, Le Ha said later. It was easy to be exploited by the Communists at that time. There was a wide separation between the rich and poor, and greed and envy and a sense of lifes unfairness were all very powerful motivations in Vietnam. So also was fear. Particularly fear.

Most of my workers had family members in the countryside, and those families were exposed to repercussions from the Viet Cong if they refused to cooperate. Failing to cooperate with me might mean losing their jobs. But failing to cooperate with the VC meant their loved ones would lose their lives. They were trapped.

After Le Has meeting with her staff, less and less fuel was found to be contaminated and no contaminated fuel was put into aircraft or vehicles, she said.

But there were other problems. Le Ha was convinced that much of the fuel purchased in Singapore and consigned to South Vietnam never arrived. The oil was being sold on the large black market in Asia, while only the receipts or invoices were sent to the South Vietnamese government. The ships that supposedly carried the fuel also existed only on paper. Several thousand barrels of petroleum had disappeared since 1973. No one was able to track down the culprits, particularly after so many records were destroyed in the spring of 1975 just before Saigon fell to the Communist forces.

While Americans blamed South Vietnamese corruption for the missing fuel, Le Ha suspected American malfeasance. She repeatedly warned Johnson that Americans were deeply implicated in the corrupt practices, but he appeared not to heed her. His concerns were elsewhere.

Johnson had developed an increasingly dark view of South Vietnams future. At a dinner one evening in the summer of 1974, a senior aide provided a briefing on developments in Washington, including the Watergate scandal. Watergate changed everything, Johnson recalled. It became clear to me in the course of that discussion that the whole atmosphere in Washington had changed, that congressional funding was going to be cut dramatically. The money was going to run out, and soon.

In the spring of 1975, Essos general manager in Vietnam, Edwin Ed Ketchum, asked Le Ha for her personal feelings about the military situation. After a long pause, she replied, almost in a whisper, I dont think we will survive like this much longer. The next day Le Ha was informed that Esso was preparing plans to evacuate its principal employees if North Vietnamese troops advanced to the outskirts of Saigon. Le Ha and her husband were on the list.

The final offensive of the North Vietnamese Army began on Dec. 12, 1974, in Phuoc Long province, less than 75 miles from Saigon. On March 3, 1975, the North launched an attack in the Central Highlands at Ban Me Thuot. The South Vietnamese army broke and retreated. By mid-March 1975, Le Ha remembered, few of us had much hope any longer.

In early April, one of Le Has brothers, an air force captain, visited her in Saigon. You know you are the oldest in the family, he said. You had better quickly think of a solution for mom and dad and the rest of the family because it is getting very dangerous very fast. From high above, I see the mountains moving with Communist forces camouflaged with branches. We are lost. The captain was killed on April 29.

Johnson sent his wife to Bangkok on April 20. The final evacuation of Americans and Vietnamese was set for Thursday, April 30, but the next to the last day by our planning turned out to be the last day, Johnson said.

The weekend before the planned evacuation, Johnson had assured Le Ha he would get her and her husband out of Vietnam. Johnson also promised he would make arrangements to evacuate her mother and father and the rest of her family. Stay home, stay put and wait for my call, he said.

Early on the morning of April 29, Johnson was summoned to the embassy to prepare for evacuation. A crowd surrounded the embassy as people tried to get inside and catch a ride on one of the evacuation helicopters.

I went to my office, but it was on fire, Johnson said. Somebody too enthusiastically had been burning papers and files, and the furniture caught on fire. He spent most of his time on the phone trying to contact people and tell them to get out or where to go. The damned phone system was jammed, though it had not broken down completely, he said. I continued trying to telephone Holly but without success. Id go down to the gate and check around. No sign of her.

That night Johnson boarded a helicopter with other U.S. officials. They landed on the amphibious transport dock USS Denver and sailed to Subic Bay in the Philippines. They then flew to Manila and on to Guam. Johnson said he moved into a tent and went to look for my missing people.

I looked for Holly and didnt see her and began to fear the worst, he said. We put a girl on a bicycle with a megaphone, and she went up and down the tent streets shouting names and telling people where they should go to be processed.

Holly was still in Saigon. Early in the morning on the 29th, we heard shooting, and in the early daylight we could see North Vietnamese soldiers running around, Le Ha recalled. She and her husband went to her fathers house, where they found Le Has mother and father, three of her sisters and four of her brothers listening to the radio as her uncle Vinh Loc addressed the nation.

He had just been named to a position equivalent to that of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington and said he would fight to the end and all that, Le Ha recalled. And my mother said, Well you dont have to worry; you dont have to leave now. But there was no military response in Saigon from my uncles forces.

Le Ha knew her father had to get out quickly; the Viet Cong had a bounty out for his capture because he had been a prominent South Vietnamese official, including a period as mayor of Da Nang. There were many boats leaving Saigon with refugees, but they were charging the equivalent of $200 a head.

We managed to put together $800 so four of us could go, Le Ha said. She figured the first to go should be her father, a brother who was in the military police and a brother who was the production manager of an American company.

Le Ha told her husband to go, but he would not leave. Another brother went instead. The rest of us stayed, Le Ha said, and awaited whatever fate had in store for us.

Vietnamese Communists entered Saigon in full force on the morning of April 30. News came that their tanks had crashed through the fence into the Independence Palace, Le Ha said. We saw tanks and trucks in the streets. We heard South Vietnams last president, Duong Van Minh, speak on television and say that he had given up. We were so afraid that we could hardly move.

The next day Communist officials announced on radio and television that all residents had to report to their jobs. They came to work and they came to the house, Le Ha said. We had to go to block meetings and all of us had to write out our biographies again and again. These were read and examined for inconsistencies. I was interrogated daily.

Le Ha realized that suspicions about her boss were justified. Do Nguyen, the only Vietnamese on the Esso executive committee, was in my office waiting to greet me when I returned to work, she said. But he had a new name, now, and new attire. He wore the uniform of the North Vietnamese Army and he introduced himself as comrade Dong Van Chi and boasted he had been a member of the Communist Party and an agent of the revolution for two decades.

I also learned that the Communists had used one of my supervisors, Nguyen Ngoc Chau, to destroy Esso storage tanks and tankers. He had provided a cousin who was with the Communists in the countryside with the exact coordinates of our facilities and our tankers and their scheduled time of arrival, and they sent in rockets to destroy them. Additionally, a dozen chemists revealed that they were Communists, Le Ha said.

Communist officials found the list that Esso had compiled of people it wanted to get out of the country and went to see Le Ha, who was high on the list. They wanted to know what she had done at Esso and asked about her husbands work at the bank. She responded with a carefully edited version of their careers.

Her husband was sent to a re-education camp, but Le Ha was assigned to on-the-job re-education at Esso, she said, which meant that I reported to work, where I attended intense political meetings for three days.

Top officials of the new regime wanted to keep Le Ha at the former Esso facility because of her expertise and experience. She was also the only remaining Esso employee fluent in Russian. Le Ha served as the primary translator in discussions with the Russians about petroleum facilities.

In the fall of 1975, several high-ranking Communist cadres accused Le Ha of having worked for the Americans. She feared they had found Johnsons files, but they kept referring to Ketchum and other American managers at Esso.

I reminded them that I was scientifically and technically trained, Le Ha said, and that if the Americans needed me for that sort of work, they paid me for it and they got their moneys worth of my expertise.

Le Ha discovered that the new masters were far more corrupt than South Vietnamese and American officials. I was absolutely delighted when I saw how corrupt they were, she said, because I knew I could use their corruption in order to escape from Vietnam.

She paid a few dishonest and greedy minor officials to draw up legal papers, signed by witnesses in Hanoi, attesting that her father-in-law had been a Communist hero in the 1940s in the North. Le Ha took the papers to the re-education boards office to petition for her husbands release, but was unsuccessful. She returned a dozen times, and each time was ignored or ordered to leave. A small gift to an officials secretary resulted in the address for his home. Le Ha spoke with his wife, brought her gifts and eventually paid her in gold. She told the woman she was heartbroken because her husband, the son of a Communist hero, was wrongly held in a re-education camp. The woman accepted Le Has petition and gave it to her husband. Le Has husband returned home the day before Christmas 1975.

Le Has first child, Tony Le, was born in 1977. Three years later, Le Ha paid a Communist official 35 ounces of gold to secure exit visas for her and her son so they both could get treatment abroad for toxoplasmosis, a diagnosis based on phony test results provided by a doctor she bribed. They flew to Bangkok and then on to Tel Aviv and Paris before ending their journey in Berlin. Le Ha contacted her father and brothers in the United States. They helped her immigrate in 1980. Le Has mother joined the family in 1982.

Le Ha and Tony Le became American citizens. Le Ha tried to get her husband to join them, but he had changed his mind about leaving Vietnam. They divorced, and both remarried. Le Ha was hired as a chemist by Exxon Corp., Essos U.S. parent company. Eventually, Le Ha contacted and visited Bill and Pat Johnson. Bill Johnson had retired from the CIA in 1976. He died in 2005, at age 86. Le Ha died in 2010. She was 69.

I do not bear any grudges against the United States for leaving Vietnam, Le Ha had said.

I do, however, feel sad, very sad, about them leaving so many Vietnamese behind to suffer and die in re-education camps. I see the consequences for the Vietnamese men who fought side by side with the Americans because they believed in a free country for themselves and their own families. Many of those men who survived the war paid for their idealism with their lives in re-education camps after 1975.

Larry Engelmann lives in San Jose, California. He is the author of Tears Before the Rain: An Oral History of the Fall of South Vietnam and five other nonfiction books. This story is based on interviews with William R. Johnson, Le Ha, Tony Le and Luan Le.

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.
Brad Pitt is relieved at the return of estranged wife Angelina Jolie and their six kids and plans to have a grand reunion with them. However, Jolie finds herself embroiled in a controversy as a Cambodian charity worker has claimed that he still has attorney powers over Maddox (Jolie's eldest adopted son).

Angelina Jolie and her six kids are back to the US after their London and Cambodia trip and Brad Pitt is the happiest person to see them back. According to Mid Day, the 53-year-old-actor was missing his children dearly and now that they are back, he is excited, anxious and cannot wait to see them again. Notably, this is the longest he has been away from them and that too after Jolie filed for divorce.

So, he is planning a big reunion to make up for the lost time. Sources close to Brad Pitt say that he had given his blessings to Jolie and their six kids when they ventured out for the long trip but it was not like he did not miss them. Every day was difficult for him. Well, now the tough days are over and the father can have a fine time.

In the meantime, Angelina Jolie has landed in a controversy after a charity worker from Cambodia, Mounh Sarath, said that he still has the official power of attorney over Maddox, The Sun claimed. Sarath has said that he signed official documents in Cambodia and he is also the father of Maddox. Criticizing the actress, he said that he would be happy if Cambodia did not see her again.

For those who do not know, Angelina Jolie adopted Maddox in 2002 with her then husband Billy Bob Thornton when she arrived in Cambodia for the shooting of "Lara Croft." As per Sarath, the couple did not take full custody of Maddox till 2003 and since the US had restrictions on Cambodian kids' adoption at that time, she had to change his name, which Sarath did.

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Vince, the White Rhino Killed, Shot Three Times in the Head But Only One Horn Removed: Full Story

For sheer greed of poachers to get horns for good money, rhinoceros have been killed and now their species have become extinct. Vince, a white rhino, became the first rhino killed by poachers not in the forest but inside a zoo in Paris last week. He was shot three times in the head and only one of his horns was removed probably by a chainsaw. The other horn was partially cut as the killers were probably disturbed and panicky as they might have heard somebody was coming while making their heist.

Vince was killed in his cage inside Thoiry Zoological Park Tuesday last week. The white rhino arrived in March 2015 from a zoo in Netherlands where he was born. "It's certainly the first time it happened in Europe," said Crawford Allan, senior director of TRAFFIC North America, a regional office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The zoo management said that the rhino killers forced open an outer gate leading to the cage of Vincent. Two other white rhinos in other lodges survived.

The news of the killing of the white rhino inside the Paris zoo has provoked outrage again from conservationists. There has been an international ban running since 1977 but still killings of rhino go on unabated due to high price of rhino horn. A report said that the 2014 price of rhino horn was commonly pegged at around $60,000 per kilogram, with some reports saying as high as $100,000 per kilogram.

Most of the rhinos live in South Africa, which imposed a moratorium in 2009 to meet high demand for rhino horns. The demand has been accelerating in some parts of Asia especially Vietnam. The rhino horn, in powder form, is believed to be a cure for many illnesses although there is no valid medical finding on this claim.

In Africa poachers killed1,054 rhinos in 2016, a 10-percent decrease from 2015. However, drought is also a cause of rhino deaths. By some estimates, South Africa has nearly 20,000 rhinos at present. Asia has several rhino species. But what often provokes rhino conservationists is the is slaughter news by man like what had happened to the white rhino in Paris.

(EntertainmentTicker/YouTube)

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US forces are helping other allies in a new attack on an important area in the IS stronghold. Fighters are on a mission by the American military in a bid to retake Tabqa dam of Raqqa province in Syria. The cause came to action when the US led coalition met in Washington to discuss the battle against IS.

According to BBC, the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that it is only a matter of time until the IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed. US aircrafts have already dropped allied Syrian rebel infantry forces near Tabqa Dam. The dam is situated 28 miles west of Raqqa on the Euphrates River.

The Pentagon has confirmed the decision and the aim is to seize to dam, which provides regional electricity. It appears that there is a prison and a military airfield holding IS hostages at the spot. There is no information on how many US personnel were involved, but American troops will not be engaged in front line fighting.

The dam is a significant and a strategic target and the capture will totally cut IS off from western approaches to Raqqa City. The Syrian Democratic Forces and the US allies said their fighters have already seized four villages south of Euphrates River.

With more artillery and troops on the ground, President Donald Trump has sought to reinforce the previous administration on Syria. US advisors are now closer to the front line and are able to coordinate operations in a better manner. Nothing is clear about the full extent of US involvement in the Tabqa dam.

However, there is news that Trump administration is setting out its approach to countering and destroying IS. Tillerson said that US is ready to grow stronger and stay aggressive in the battle against the so called Islamic state. He further stated that it is the policy of the US to destroy and demolish the barbaric terrorist organization.

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The programme will provide loans for energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy investments by private companies through a group of participating banks, with the aim of also achieving energy security

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), along with Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU), has launched a 140 million ($151.22 million) programme to promote green investments in Egypt, the EBRD announced.

In an emailed press statement Tuesday, the bank said that the launched programme, titled Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), will support "projects to boost energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources in the country at a time of rising energy prices."

In 2014, Egypt started a plan to introduce a number of fiscal reforms, including fuel subsidy cuts and the imposition of new taxes, to ease a growing budget deficit, currently estimated at 12.2 percent of GDP. As part of these reforms, the Egyptian pound was floated in November.

The new programme will provide loans for energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy investments by private companies through a group of participating banks, with the aim of also achieving energy security.

The loans are combined with technical support to develop projects and with incentives for the successful completion of investments, aimed at promoting energy-efficient and renewable energy technology, raising awareness, reducing operating costs and improving competitiveness.

The EU is contributing a grant of 23.8 million. The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) in Egypt and the Qatar National Bank (QNB) Al-Ahli in Egypt are the first banks to participate in the new facility.

Christophe Lucet, head of the European Investment Bank, Egypt, said: During the launch event, real-life investment examples were presented, demonstrating how high-performance technologies can help companies stay competitive during times of increasing energy costs.

In one example, an investment in a new glass furnace reduced natural gas consumption by 65 per cent and in another example waste heat is used to generate 25 per cent of the electricity needs of a large industrial company, Lucet said.

The GEFF is the latest in a series of similar programmes led by the EBRD. They have been rolled out so far in 24 countries in cooperation with 120 local financial partners, providing over 4 billion towards energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD and has been receiving funding since 2012.

The bank has invested 2.3 billion in 43 projects in the most populous Arab country, while the current portfolio of projects is about 1,928 million, according to the EBRD website.

The EBRDs areas of investment include the financial sector, agribusiness, manufacturing and services, as well as infrastructure projects such as power, municipal water and wastewater services and support for transport services such as the metro lines. The EBRD has also provided technical assistance support to more than 500 small and medium-sized local enterprises.

*The exchange rate of 1 Euro is equivalent to 1.08 US dollars, while the exange rate of 1 euro is equivalant to 19.65 Egyptian pounds.

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The Presidential Colloquium series at Hope College will open its ongoing exploration of the Protestant Reformation with the address Why the Reformation Still Matters in 2017 by Dr. Brad Gregory of the University of Notre Dame faculty on Thursday, March 30, at 4:30 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

The Protestant Reformation was sparked when Martin Luther delivered his 95 theses to the Archbishop of Mainz on Oct. 31, 1517. Hope is marking the Reformations 500th anniversary with multiple presentations in the spring and fall that will explore ways that the Reformation has shaped the world throughout history as well as its significance for Holland. Organized or coordinated through the colleges Presidential Colloquium series, the Hope events are presented within the theme The Reformation and the Making of the Modern World.

Gregory is professor of history and Dorothy G. Griffin Collegiate Chair at the University of Notre Dame, where he has taught since 2003, and where he is also the director of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study.

He specializes in the history of Christianity in Europe during the Reformation era and on the long-term influence of the Reformation era on the modern world. He has given invited lectures at many of the most prestigious universities in North America, as well as in England, Scotland, Ireland, Finland, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

Gregorys first book, Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe (Harvard, 1999), received six book awards. His most recent book, The Unintended Reformation: How a Religious Revolution Secularized Society (Belknap, 2012), received two book awards. His forthcoming book is titled Rebel in the Ranks: Martin Luther, the Reformation, and the Conflicts that Continue to Shape Our World (Harper, 2017).

From 1996 to 2003 he taught at Stanford University, where he received early tenure in 2001. Before teaching at Stanford, he earned his Ph.D. in history at Princeton University and was a junior fellow in the Harvard Society of Fellows; he also has two degrees in philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.

Gregory was the recipient of two teaching awards at Stanford and has received three more at Notre Dame. In 2005, he was named the inaugural winner of the first annual Hiett Prize in the Humanities, a $50,000 award from the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture given to the outstanding mid-career humanities scholar in the United States.

The Reformation-themed events at Hope will begin the evening before Gregorys address, with the Grand Rapids Symphony presenting A Reformation Celebration on Wednesday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the colleges Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. The program will feature Mendelssohns Reformation Symphony, as well as works by Telemann, Buxtehude, Schutz, and J.S. Bach. Tickets for the concert are $30 for orchestra and mezzanine seating and $20 for balcony seating, and may be ordered via grsymphony.org or (616) 454-9451.

The colleges annual Danforth Lecture will present the address Where Are the Nailprints? Luthers Road to Reformation by Dr. Timothy George on Thursday, April 6, at 4 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall. George is the founding dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. The public is invited, and admission is free.

The Presidential Colloquium series will present the address Dangerous Choices: Women, Clerics and Marriage in the German Reformation by Dr. Marjorie Elizabeth (Beth) Plummer on Monday, April 10, at 4 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall. Plummer is a professor in the History Department at Western Kentucky University. The public is invited, and admission is free.

The fall-semester events have not been finalized, but are anticipated to include panel discussions exploring the experience of local communities and residents.

The Presidential Colloquium, initiated by President John C. Knapp, is a recurring lecture series that brings prominent thinkers to Hope to share their insights on the academy, leadership and global civic engagement. Speakers since the series debuted in September 2013 have included Dr. Richard Carwardine, who is an internationally recognized expert on Abraham Lincoln and president of Corpus Christi College of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom; Professor H. Russel Botman, rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University; Scott Aughenbaugh, who is a deputy director of Strategic Futures at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); and David Brooks, New York Times columnist and best-selling author.

More information the series is available online. Details regarding the fall events will be posted nearer the beginning of the colleges fall semester.

The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets. Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.
This March 2830, HFTP is producing its newest endeavor, HITEC Amsterdam, a smaller, boutique version of the ongoing, popular 45-year event. Helping to guide the educational component is long-time HFTP member, Carson Booth, vice president of global technology for Marriott International (Starwood). Using his expertise in the European, and international, hotel market, Booth leads a council of advisors to make the program uniquely European, with global appeal.

What were some technology challenges that you faced early in your career? What are some of the top challenges you are facing today in the workplace? And how are you resolving them?

I started my career in the late-'80s at the beginning of the technology revolution and have since witnessed the complete immersion of technology in most essential and non-essential activities. The evolution of usage went from users who were non-technical who then became tech-savvy, but still functioned well without the support of technology. Then as personal technology became universal, the tech-savvy user became tech-dependent. Extending further, we are now in the app era where users self-support personal experiences and expect accelerated technology release cycles with new functionality  always seeking something "more."

This ultimately results in the BYOD/BYOT blurring of business and personal use. Tech-dependence and devices in every pocket create very disruptive challenges to organizations trying to control the need for standard processes and data security against app-proliferation. Neither the food and beverage director, nor their niece, should be allowed to download an inventory management app. Or even more concerning, develop one themselves.

In addition to the BYOT concerns of today, technology sophistication, especially technology security, has far exceeded most skills and capabilities of today's property-based IT manager. This creates gaps in security and service levels. Fortunately, above-property solutions with professionalized service level agreements (SLA) and security management are now maturing and the whole industry will continue to benefit.

What technology developments interest you most and why?

Augmented Intelligence  The intersection of technology advancements in mobile and cloud computing delivers untethered, real-time information, communication and enhanced decision-making capabilities. The hospitality industry has a significant opportunity to profit from these advancements by recognizing that our guests are empowered by this intersection. Companies should redefine Data as an organizational strategic asset and build customer intelligence programs to leverage this data to ultimately provide a highly personalized experience for the guest.

Micro-services Architecture  Technology sophistication for an individual hotel has surpassed its ability to manage and secure it. This sophistication tipping point, along with industry advancements in cloud services, is driving technology above property and locking hoteliers into recurring services models where product suites can stagnate. Developers and suppliers that adopt a flexible, micro-services architecture will create a significant share shift by enabling a more flexible, open and modular approach to applications which suit an operation's needs and provides best product choice.

What are some consumer-driven technology practices that have driven technology applications in the hotel?

Portable personal content is driving two distinct changes in hotel technology. First, hotel internet service bandwidth continues to be a significant detractor to the customer experience. Customers compare the internet access speed/cost ratio against their home/consumer experience and place a very vocal, highly-weighted critique against operators delivering sub-par experiences. On-street mobile technology continues to improve in speed and data caps, and is also driving increased expectations for hotel internet access performance. I look forward to the day where this expectation peaks and the on-street and in-room connection experience is ubiquitous and indistinguishable, delivering an experience on-par with in-home Wi-Fi.

Second, viewership and purchase of hotel-supplied content continues to decline due to increasing customer expectations and desire for bespoke content and lineups. These expectations are supported by capacity increases of portable media devices and cloud services like Netflix, Amazon and iTunes. These services are driving the guest's desire to display their personalized content using the in-room television and media players.

What are some best practices you have for running an IT department in a field that is always changing?

The constant evolution of technology is unsustainable for the average individual hotel with limited resources. Hotels need to carefully prioritize their investment decisions and consider the following best practices:

Remain agile in product choice and contracting terms. The balance of right fit and terms needs to be weighed against medium- and long-term technology trends in the industry. Lengthy contract terms will hinder an organization's ability to pivot when necessary.

Keep it simple. If it feels complicated and is not well-understood, then it should be reconsidered and questioned more.

Spend constrained training funds on life-long learning skills and not on IT training. The technology of the day is transitory and so are the training investments in certifications for IT staff. It is more critical and will provide greater lasting value for IT teams to learn life-long skills like public speaking and financial management for non-finance people. The technical training can be on-the-job or self-study.

Become more agile and responsive to your business partners. Do this by adopting a DevOps approach which emphasizes collaboration and communication between involved parties to break down the silos of the legacy plan-build-run organizational structures. Your business teams will thank you.

Celebrate success. Digital/mobile teams receive more praise than IT due to the front-end nature of their solutions; however, do not forget their stuff is a pretty front-end for complex back-end systems and interfaces. So be sure to celebrate success across the entire technology spectrum.

Having worked in hotels across the globe, in what aspect do you see regional differences?

There are definite technology expectation and capability differences by region driven in large part by legislation, affordability and other market considerations. For example, in the U.S., convenience outweighs privacy. Therefore services like automated credit card settlement (chip/signature vs. more secure chip/pin) and keyless check-ins (registration-free) are examples of trading additional information or accepting greater data risk for quicker service.

Global and regional operators are constantly tasked with managing legislation and requirement variances across political-economic unions, like the EU and member-states. For example, the registration card remains paper-based across some EU countries, but not all. Variations in VAT and other fiscal requirements for receipts and financial processing need to be accommodated for; as well as, differences in data nationalization efforts for countries like Russia versus the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In Asia, several differences are noticeable from highly-connected and automated Japan with pervasive 4G, cube and robot-staffed hotels, to solution inward-looking China which challenge global operators in their quest for operational, guest-service and data consistency.

There are broader inconsistencies in language requirements and staff capabilities, costs for internet services, currency exchange and average rates which impact solution affordability, as well as definite gaps in true global cloud service offerings and service-provider. Its complex and requires local knowledge with global coordination for the larger brands to efficiently deliver consistent technology solutions to enhance the customer experience.

Describe a professional experience that has stuck with you. What did you learn from this experience?

Many years ago, U.S. legislation drove the need for greater accountability in financial reporting for U.S.-owned assets held around the world. In Europe, we embarked on consolidating and raising above-property the hotel-based financial reporting systems for 68 hotels in 10 countries to a self-hosted private cloud service. We built and deployed a self-managed data center, created appropriate policies and processes, and brought the solution up technically. By today's capabilities, this seems an easy and natural solution, but at the time, it was new for our users and IT staff. This took an equally-significant effort to win their hearts and minds and to prove the solution provided the needed security and service levels.

This program has had three lasting effects. The first being, the program's IT processes and security program laid the foundation for Starwood's Global Information Security Policies and started the Information Risk Management program which is still deemed best in industry today. The second was the clear establishment of an above-property technology strategy for Starwood.

The third lasting effect, which is personal in nature, came with the realization that one success doesn't necessarily translate into a pattern. Fond memories remain of the spectacular failure of the immediate subsequent project to implement a hosted, enterprise project management solution for all departments. Learning how to develop and present a business case, bring others along and identify when to press ahead versus when to walk-away, is one of the most important lessons of my career.

Leadership and teamwork are always important. Describe an experience when you led and worked with a team to resolve an issue.

The decentralized property technology that remained local created an impediment to our company's strategy. Our team was tasked with identifying multiple paths to advance property technology agility, security and standardization across the globe. We brought together a small, but very capable team, to seek solutions internally and externally with major tier-1 technology partners.

Enterprise class solutions were preferred, but came with a significant cost premium which we knew the board would struggle to approve. Nine months of effort around design, scalability, iterative pricing negotiations and navigating the inherent sacred cows on both sides of the table, led to a tired and very frustrated internal team with significant personal/ownership stakes.

Finally, we had a proposal that we could present and defend to our senior leadership team, but we knew its price tag was a long shot and would come down to a few minutes pitch followed by a yes, revise or in this case, a no. Several weeks prior to this decision, it was important to start a coping process to help the team transition away from their personal ownership stakes and realize in any sizable business no one person can make all the decisions. Most importantly, this included helping them recognize that as a team the journey was a success regardless of the outcome.

HFTP's inaugural HITEC Amsterdam is the first of three HITEC events planned for 2017, and will take place 2830 March at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The pre-conference events will take place on 28 March, followed by the full HITEC Amsterdam event featuring two full days of education, an expo and networking party. HITEC Amsterdam registration is now available on the HITEC Amsterdam website. Co-located with HITEC Amsterdam are two additional events brought by HFTP industry allies. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Region Europe will locate its Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) with HITEC Amsterdam. Also co-locating is the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) Insight Summit Europe.
Scandinavia is set to receive a slew of new hotels openings over the coming years. 50 new projects will give the Northern European region an additional key-count of 10,972. The properties will be spread over Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, with Sweden hosting the lion's share of new hotels, 20 in total. 15 are to be constructed in Norway, 6 in Finland, 5 in Denmark and 4 in Iceland, following the predictable hierarchy of landmass and population.

As would also be expected, the capital cities of these Nordic countries will receive the highest concentration of new openings. Stockholm has the most with 8 new projects to open there, nearly half of all the new openings in the country. TOPHOTELNEWS reported recently on developments in the area and noted that local hotel group Scandic is set to construct many of the new hotels in the region, increasing their already prolific share in the market. Helsinki will see 4 new openings, while 3 new hotels will open in Oslo. 32 of the planned hotels will claim the luxury of a 5-star rating, while the remaining 18 hotels will be in the 4-star category.



13 project will open this year, and the majority of the 17 projects set to open in 2018 are currently under construction, leaving just 4 projects to welcome guests in 2019 and 16 projected openings from 2020 onwards. All in all, the Scandinavian hospitality market will be significantly boosted by the swathe of proposed developments, as the region continues to attract tourists and travelers to its shores to take advantage of the incredible landscapes and unique culture on offer.

Sweden leading in the swathe of proposed hotel developments in Scandinavia Source: TOPHOTELPROJECTS

More information on International Hotel Chains and Hotel Constructions active in Scandinavia can be found on TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the specialized service provider in the exchange of cutting-edge information of hotel construction in the international hospitality industry.

View source
Egypts agriculture ministry has announced a temporary ban on imports of meat and poultry from Brazil in view of a probe by Brazilian authorities into the export of expired meat, the ministrys spokesman told Ahram Online on Wednesday.

"We are communicating with the Brazilian embassy in Cairo over this issue, and we already have our strategic stock of meat for the coming months, Hamed Abdel-Daym said.

According to the Associated Press, Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged sale and export of expired meat by the countrys major meat and poultry suppliers.

On Friday, Brazilian police issued 38 arrest warrants related to the probe, naming several companies, including giant meatpackers JBS and BRF. Both companies have denied any wrongdoing.

China and the EU declared earlier this week that they had halted all meat imports from Brazil.

Abdel-Daym said on Wednesday, We are sure that all meat and poultry imported from Brazil and already in the markets is safe because there are three different state bodies checking these imports.

The health and agriculture ministries and the export and import control authority are the entities responsible for examining the meat imports before allowing them into the markets.

Egypt is among the worlds main importers of meat and poultry from Brazil.

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The financing will be divided between $3 billion obtained from debt markets and $5 billion to $6 billion from international finance institutions

Egypt is targeting $9 billion in foreign financing in the 2017/18 fiscal year, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk told Reuters on Wednesday.

The financing will be divided between $3 billion obtained from debt markets and $5 billion to $6 billion from international finance institutions, he said.

Egypt agreed with the International Monetary Fund in November on a $12 billion, three-year loan programme to support government efforts to reduce its budget deficit and balance its currency market.

The finance minister said last week he expects Egypt to receive the second tranche of this loan, expected to be $1.25 billion, in May or June.

Egypt is also expected to receive additional tranches of loans from the World Bank and African Development Bank in 2017/18, which together would total $1.5 billion.

Kouchouk said the $3 billion from debt markets could come in the form of Eurobonds denominated in dollars or other currencies as well as Sukuk.

He did not say when Egypt was likely to tap debt markets during the coming fiscal year, which begins in July.

Egypt raised $4 billion in sales of Eurobonds earlier this year at lower-than-expected yields, with demand for the bonds high.

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Rick Ross is a former corrections officer from Miami who named himself after a drug kingpin from L.A., so naturally, his career was always going to suffer at least a bit from stylistic and thematic discord. He started off with pedestrian coke rap on Port of Miami, sounding like, as one pundit aptly put it yesterday, Young Jeezys Desiigner. He didnt peak until he decided that realism had absolutely no place in his music, with the twin pillars of Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don functioning as opulent fantasy depictions of the mob life, and new-school trap music providing matching bombast. The Tony Montana fever dream well ran dry on 2014s Mastermind and Hood Billionaire, so Rozay tried Tony Sopranos grown man steez on for size on the following years Black Dollar and Black Market, which suited him a bit better, though it wasnt quite as engrossing as his most heavily embellished fantasies. After more than a year off, he returns with Rather You Than Me, which is where all of his various personalities, real and fake, come home to roost.

Weve met Rozay the cartoonish kingpin and Rozay the wise capo, but who we hadnt met until last week (at least in the mans music) was Rozay the successful label boss. Maybach Music Group isnt the biggest boutique label in hip hop, nor is it the one with the best track record of guaranteeing albums to its signees (paging Pill, Gunplay, Stalley, and Rockie Fresh), but especially for a big-time Southern label, it hasnt had to endure many disgruntled rants or lawsuits from its artists. Rick Ross grew up idolizing the blessed artists of No Limit and Cash Money, the triple platinum stars of the 1990s South who stunted with flashy cars (not rentals) and watches (not fake) in their videos, but somewhere in between Mannie Fresh leaving Cash Money over unpaid royalties and the Hot Boys Turk failing to receive a a fitting welcome party from his former label when he returned home from jail, Ross grew disillusioned with that facade. He spends a good deal of RYTM explaining how hes tried to avoid following in Birdmans footsteps, but also finds plenty of time for his usual flair for the fantastic. As he puts it on Trap Trap Trap, In the jungle Im Nas, in the label Im Russ, in the trap Im Rick Ross.

Rick Ross might name his daughter Hermes; he tells women his net worth just after entering them; he pays his lawyers retainer with change he found in his kitchen cabinet; he finds out your watch is fake and it breaks his heart. This is still a man who primarily traffics in the outlandishly grandiose. The albums more languid moments match this side of him perfectly, the smooth jazz strains of Apple of My Eye, I Think She Like Me, and Game Aint Based On Sympathy conjuring up idealized visions of Miami that look like Christopher Cross album covers. RYTMs bombastic moments are a little more hit-or-miss, as theyve been on all Rozay albums outside of Teflon Don Dead Presidents is fine but it feels like something weve already heard a hundred times, ditto for Summer Seventeen but the flashy Trap Trap Trap and unrepentant She On My Dick make it clear that this is still a style Rozay should be including on his albums, as long as hes not building albums around it. These more vintage Rick Ross personas do still produce their fair share of face-palm bars though. For every nimble Fresher than Groovey Lew at a Coogi shoot theres a few filthy Finger fuckin bitches in the holy water/Then I go and tell what happened to my only daughters or Im happy Donald Trump became the president/Because we gotta destroy before we elevates. You dont get Rozays most ridiculous, half-court jump shot lyricism without a few wildly off-target remarks.

The successful music magnate part of the album might be the best though. On one end of the spectrum, we get an unprecedented look into Ross humble beginnings on poignant lines like Half of my n****s headed to Attica, either traffickin or destined to be a janitor/Diabetes rampant in my blood line, that why fat boy be happy to see the sunshine and A fat ugly n****, thought Id never be nothin/Another tree stump, happy with his free lunch. Then, with the pivotal Idols Become Rivals serving as the fulcrum, Rozay sets not only himself up for success, but his Lil bruh n em too. Wale calls Ross the Lebron to his Kyrie. Ross recounts visiting Meek Mill in jail, something Birdman never did for Turk or BG. On Triple Platinum, he takes stock of all hes accomplished with his label, and although MMG was founded long after the halcyon days of No Limit and Cash Moneys huge sales numbers, hes found other, better ways to insure that everyone gets paid. More money than them n****s that went triple platinum, he gloats, noticing that the financial struggles that affected nearly every one of his idols hasnt befallen anyone in his team, despite the fact that no MMG artists outside of Ross, Meek, and Wale have even gone Gold. Rozay may be a blustery icon of excess and materialism in modern rap, but hes got business savvy and loyalty thats rare for his position.

Rather You Than Me is two things: a Rick Ross retrospective and a behind-the-scenes history of Southern rap. The former is thrilling, if only to longtime Ross fans, because its the first time Rozays been able to synthesize all of his seemingly incongruous styles under one roof. The latter should appeal to any rap fan. Idols Become Rivals houses most of this underground info, from the revelation that Birdman capitalized on Scott Storchs drug-fueled bankruptcy by buying his foreclosed Miami home with publishing money that went unpaid to Cash Money artists, to the financial hole in which Stunna put DJ Khaled when he was signed to the label. This theme extends far beyond that track though, and gives Ross possibly the first real-life fuel that his musics ever had the opportunity to ignite. On RYTM, Rick Ross makes a transition that Ive literally never seen anyone else, in or outside of hip hop, attempt: that from heavily fictionalized supervillain to a real-life crusader for justice.
The driver of a chuck wagon injured in a spill at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to rodeo officials.

The name of the injured man has not been released and there is no other updated information
A $10 billion petrochemical complex north of Corpus Christi can move forward after a local school board faced down community opposition and unanimously approved millions of dollars in tax breaks sought by two of the world's biggest companies.

The Gregory-Portland School Board, after more than four hours of debate and deliberation Tuesday night, voted 6-0, with one abstention, to approve tax abatements that would extend for more than 15 years, part of $460 million in tax breaks sought from local governing bodies by Exxon Mobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corp., or SABIC, a company owned by the government of Saudi Arabia. The San Patricio County Commissioners approved tax breaks on Monday.

The plant, the largest proposed in Texas, would create an estimated 11,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent ones, and feature the world's biggest ethane cracker, which processes a component of natural gas into ethylene, the primary building block of most plastics. Exxon Mobil and SABIC have not yet given the project the green light but are likely to now that they have the tax breaks in hand.

RELATED: $10 billion Exxon-Saudi project concerns Texas communities

The plant, to be just outside the city limits of Portland and Gregory, sparked strong opposition in the communities, which together have fewer than 20,000 residents. The debate, as in many other cities and towns where major developments are proposed, turned on the question of whether the promised jobs and economic growth were worth the plant's effect on the character and quality of life of the communities.

"I'll get out of here," said Tim Flinn, a school board member who opposed the project, but recused himself from the vote. "It's not going to be the quiet little place it was before."

Flinn said he recused himself because he lives less than a half-mile from the site and could stand to benefit financially because Exxon Mobil would guarantee the value of his home if he opted to sell.

Exxon Mobil and SABIC considered three other Texas and Louisiana sites, but preferred the location near Corpus Christi for its proximity to pipelines, railways, highways, employee housing and port access. The project, which could be completed as soon as 2021, is designed to capitalize on cheap Texas shale natural gas to make chemicals and plastics for emerging markets like China and India.

Exxon Mobil and SABIC pledged to be sensitive to concerns of the community and residents by including, for example, green spaces and a half-mile buffer around the 1,400-acre site for the plant. Local business leaders argued that the project would boost jobs, the economy and the tax base.

Board members who voted for the tax breaks said they did so because they wanted to see the schools and communities get something out of the development. The school board could only prevent the tax break, not the project, if Exxon Mobil and SABIC wanted to build it. Even with the abatements, the schools would still receive an extra $1.6 million a year on average for more than 15 years to support their programs.

The approval of the abatements also helped the schools negotiate more emissions monitoring and other safety aspects, school board President Randy Eulenfeld said. The high school and junior high are only about a mile from the site of the proposed plant, which raised particularly worries among some residents.

"You as school board members have a responsibility to ensure that our children have a clean, safe and healthy learning environment," said Jason Mutschler, who has a kindergartner enrolled at the elementary school. "Our children, who are truly innocent in this, who don't have a say, should not be put in a position where their health and safety are compromised."

The Houston area's petrochemical industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, attracting an estimated $50 billion in investment.

The plant near Corpus Christi is not Exxon Mobil's only project. Karen McKee, Exxon Mobil vice president for global basic chemical, said the company expects to complete by year-end a massive ethane cracker and plastics expansion at its Baytown and Mont Belvieu sites, with plans to sell much of the production in foreign markets.

"A decade ago," said McKee, speaking in Houston at the World Petrochemical Conference by IHS Markit, "we wouldn't have expected we'd have this huge export hub in the Gulf Coast, and particularly in Houston."
The biggest problem with House Speaker Paul Ryan's health care bill is not getting enough attention, and it is the easiest part to fix.

This fundamental flaw is the last one I'd expect from a political party that professes free-market principles and personal responsibility. The American Health Care Act, Obamacare's replacement, intentionally creates the free-rider problem that is at the root of our nation's health care crisis.

Simply put, the Republican plan requires doctors and hospitals to provide health care, but it doesn't require people to pay for it.

Generally speaking, conservatives believe in personal responsibility. Republicans have dedicated themselves to eradicating opportunities for people to game government systems. To collect food stamps, recipients must pass drug tests and prove they are looking for work. To qualify for Medicaid, the health program for the poor, seniors must show they are near bankruptcy before getting help for bills not covered by Medicare.

Yet these same politicians want to remove the Obamacare provision that requires everyone to sign up for adequate health insurance and pay what they can. Ryan has said the government shouldn't order people to buy insurance, so he is trying to make insurance so cheap and easy that people will sign up for it voluntarily.

Of course that will work. After all, Americans always eat their vegetables, exercise 30 minutes a day and never smoke. Right?

The truth is, everyone knows that if they are in an accident, an ambulance will take them to a hospital where doctors will save their lives before anyone asks for an insurance card. That's because federal law forbids health care providers from turning away anyone who walks through the emergency room door.

Complicating matters, doctors and hospitals have no way to force someone to pay a bill. A medical debt is like any other. If you can't afford it, the worst thing that can happen is bankruptcy. To make up for their losses, health care providers charge insurance companies and government agencies higher fees, which we pay for through higher premiums and taxes.

Requiring everyone to buy insurance could make a huge difference. Stephen Geri, a master general health insurance agent and owner of DEBS Insurance in San Antonio, decided to see how exactly how much we could save. He came up with a three-tier basic health care plan for every American who works more than 25 hours a week and shared it with me.

The lowest tier would provide a $25,000 maximum benefit per insured person with a $750 deductible, a primary care doctor co-pay of $30 with a $100 co-pay for urgent care and a $10 co-pay for generic drugs. The maximum out-of-pocket expense for any patient would be $5,000. And he could offer this for a grand total of $125 a month.

That's a lot less than the $1,443.50 average Americans and their employers pay today.

A top-tier plan worth $100,000 with a $1,250 deductible would cost only $225 a month. Since only 0.5 percent of Americans will run up a bill higher than $100,000, and 92 percent of claims are less than $1,500 a year, this is more than enough coverage for most Americans, explained Geri, a national broker who has written policies that generate $200 million a year in premiums a year and cover more than 100,000 people.

"Today, the premium per person problem is because we have 40 million uninsured," Geri said. "The base plan would be mandated to all employers with two or more employees and paid by the employer. Now you have insurance for all."

Yet instead of mandating insurance, the Republican plan will levy higher premiums on older people and allow younger people to pay less. That's because younger people don't need as much care.

All the Republican plan will do is convince more people to go without care and make the free-rider problem more acute.

Young people know the odds are on their side if they don't buy insurance. In an average year, most will never run up a bill that exceeds what they'd pay annually in premiums, so they take the risk and rely on the emergency room if something goes wrong.

Older people simply can't afford higher premiums and will do without insurance despite desperately wanting it.

Ryan and other Republican leaders can deny human nature as much as they want, but the Congressional Budget Office must rely on real data about real human behavior. And researchers have calculated that 24 million Americans will become free riders by 2025 under the current plan. And when they need care, you and I will pay for it.

We can't fix the human impulse to push financial risk on to other people. That's why we require drivers to buy liability insurance for when they drive. That's why we force people to buy a health insurance plan for old age called Medicare, and why we force people to pay into a retirement account called Social Security.

Obamacare failed on many levels, and we certainly can do better. But the first, most profoundly conservative step must be requiring everyone to enroll in health insurance and pay as much as they can afford. As long as we require doctors and hospitals to treat people without regard to their ability to pay, it's the only fiscally prudent option.
BISMARCK, N.D. - Authorities in South Dakota and Iowa on Tuesday confirmed incidents of vandalism against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in which someone burned a hole through an empty section of pipe.

Dallas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners said in court documents this week that there have been "recent coordinated physical attacks along the pipeline that pose threats to life, physical safety and the environment."

South Dakota attorney general's office spokeswoman Sara Rabern confirmed one incident of what she called "felony vandalism" southeast of Sioux Falls on Friday. Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Brown said it happened at an above-ground valve site that had no fencing or other security.

"When deputies arrived, they observed what appeared to be a hole in the pipe, and it looked like there was burn around the hole," Brown said, adding it was possible it was done with a blowtorch.

In Iowa, Mahaska County Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem said it appears someone used a torch to cut a hole in the pipeline at an above-ground safety valve site southeast of Des Moines. The incident was discovered March 13.

Local, state and FBI officials are investigating the incidents.

The $3.8 billion pipeline runs 1,200 miles through the Dakotas, Iowa and Illinois. State officials in North Dakota, Iowa and Illinois on Tuesday said they were not aware of any pipeline attacks in their states.

Company attorney William Scherman said in the court documents that ETP still plans to have oil flowing this week through the pipeline.

Environmental activists said Tuesday that they weren't responsible for any recent attacks on the pipeline.
"Nothing is more surprising," wrote David Hume in his 1758 First Principles of Government, than "the easiness with which the many are governed by the few."

What explains this surprising easiness? Trust is at the heart of the answer. Hume believed that since the people always outnumber their leaders (and thus retain the power of "force"), the legitimacy of all government rests merely "on opinion." Governments exist solely because "the many" trust the government to serve their needs. Once government loses the trust of "the many," then they will refuse to be governed by the few.

From my perspective as an American scholar of communication and rhetoric, Hume frames many questions, including: What tools of rhetoric and communication inspire the trust needed to support legitimate governments? And, in eras such as ours when trust in government declines, what rhetorical appeals must government leaders make to keep power? And conversely, as trust in government declines in the U.S., what role does rhetoric play in diminishing that trust?

Americans today still trust the government to do a lot of things  even if we don't always value and recognize its role in our lives. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey, 94 percent of Americans think it's the government's job to keep "the country safe from terror"; 88 percent think it's the government's job to respond "to natural disasters"; 87 percent think it's the government's job to ensure "safe food and medicine"; 76 percent think it's the government's job to maintain "infrastructure"; and 70 percent think it's the government's job to ensure "access to high quality education."

We trust, when we buy food or drinks from a grocery store or a restaurant, that the government has checked to make sure we won't be poisoned. We trust that the government has made sure that the water we drink and the air we breathe won't give us diseases. We trust that if we get sick, the government has credible research about how to cure us and has credentialed enough people as doctors and nurses to treat us. We trust that the government-provided roads we drive on won't destroy our cars and will take us in the direction that we want to go. We trust that the government-printed money we earn will be deposited into government-guaranteed checking accounts and available for us when we want to buy things. We trust that the government will make sure that the lights, heat and water will go on, and if there is a natural disaster that all these services will be restored as quickly as possible.

But such trust and legitimacy, as Jurgen Habermas reminds us, is fragile. And so political communities can be destroyed when the "system does not succeed in maintaining the requisite level of mass loyalty." What is the requisite level of "mass loyalty," and have we crossed over into a dangerous decay in trust in our government?

According to a 2015 Pew Research Poll, "only 19 percent of Americans today say they can trust the government in Washington to do what is right," which is consistent with trends since 2007. Pew reports that this widespread distrust represents "the longest period of low trust in government in more than 50 years." A 2016 Gallup poll found that we also have historically low trust for all sorts of authority figures, including clergy (44 percent of Americans have a very high or high opinion, down from well above 60 percent in the 1970s and 1980s), journalists (23 percent of Americans have a very high or high opinion), lawyers (18 percent of Americans have a very high or high opinion), and labor union leaders (18 percent of Americans have a very high or high opinion).

What explains our distrust in our government and our leaders? According to Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam, Americans have grown more distrustful of one another and our government because we have less "bridging social capital" and more "bonding social capital" than previous generations of Americans. That is, we spend more time with people like us and less time interacting with others, including government organizations and schools  we are failing to join the PTA or the bowling league and instead are cocooned in our media bubbles. Our lack of participation negatively influences our trust in one another and in the decisions made by the government because, in this case, unfamiliarity breeds contempt.

Today, not only is our trust in government and established leadership waning, but lately it is under attack by a surprising figure: the President of the United States.

Donald Trump became a political aspirant on the strength of a conspiracy theory  the "birther" argument over President Obama's birth certificate. According to one count he subsequently advanced more than 50 different conspiracies during his presidential campaign. Now, as president, Trump foments distrust by proclaiming corruption and conspiracy in many aspects of American life.

Trump has sought to undermine the trust that we have for judges by referring to them as "so-called" and implying that they are part of a plot against American safety. He has sought to undermine the trust that we have for the media, polls and facts by claiming that journalists are an "opposition party" and by preemptively claiming that any negative polls are "fake news." He has appointed Cabinet members who actively purport to distrust established science such as inoculations and climate change.

What makes such conspiracy theories appealing  and what are the consequences of such appeals for government legitimacy? As Richard Hofstadter famously noted, conspiracy rhetoric is premised on the "paranoid style." Conspiracy argument, he observed, is rife with "heated exaggeration, suspiciousness and conspiratorial fantasy" that creates a coherent narrative of a dangerous plot. Conspiracy theories in American history often have been premised on the blurring of difference between appearance and reality: What is apparent is false and hides the actual plotting that is determined to and capable of destroying America.

Conspiracy rhetoric is also premised on a self-confirming or circular reasoning (Latin: circulus in probando or "circle in proving"). Once the narrative of conspiracy and corruption takes hold within a political community, it is difficult to dispel, because conspirators cannot be trusted to tell the truth about their plot. Conspiracy argument is "self-sealing" in that any holes in the story are quickly covered up by the logic of the conspiracy. For example: Why didn't media reports show that there is a massive increase in crime, as Trump claimed? Not because crime didn't increase, but because the media are part of the plot to deny that crime has increased.

In this way, conspiracy rhetoric creates a perverse sort of legitimacy for the leader who uses it. And conditions are ripe for conspiracy rhetoric.

Communication scholar Jack Bratich explains via Michel Foucault, that conspiracy theories participate in any society's "regime of truth," or the politics surrounding the techniques and standards that a society uses to determine "true" from "false." Obviously, there is much power at stake in labeling one version of "truth" a "conspiracy" and another "fact."

It's easier for society to control what counts as "true" when there is a unified "truth" presented to the public via mass media. But the fracturing of media and the dominance of polarized news have created concurrent truth realities that enable conspiracy theories to flourish.

Trump's conspiracy arguments have exploited preexisting distrust, frustration and polarized versions of "truth." What are the potential consequences? Conspiracy rhetoric is dangerous because it creates a cohesive reality for those who adhere to its narrative, and naturally lends itself to violence.

Andrew Harnik/STF

The Civil War, for example, can be seen as the culmination of two opposing conspiracy arguments. Abolitionists believed that there was a "slave power" conspiracy determined to deprive the North of political power. Slaveholders believed that Abraham Lincoln was part of a plot to abolish slavery, deprive them of their justly owned property, and destroy the South. Despite Lincoln's assurances in his First Inaugural Address, Southerners had been convinced of the conspiracy of "miserable fanatics" against their rights and believed themselves justified in seceding from the Union.

Like the polarizing rhetoric leading up to the Civil War, Trump's distrustful conspiracy rhetoric could potentially make the nation even more distrustful of the government and established leaders. In this way, Trump is at war with his government and himself. The conspiracy rhetoric he uses to legitimize himself as president threatens the fragile trust that legitimizes his government.

Jennifer Mercieca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University in College Station and is working on a book on the 2016 presidential election.

This essay originally appeared on Zocalo Public Square.



Bookmark Gray Matters. It has a perverse sort of legitimacy.


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After almost two years on the real estate market, Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon in Old Town Spring officially has a new owner. The designated historical landmark was born in 1902 as a hotel and saloon. Years later, it was transformed into a restaurant, quickly becoming a community icon that attracted tourists into Old Town Spring to enjoy classic Southern fare and ghost tales of the "haunted" restaurant.

Wunsche Bros. met its untimely, fiery finish in March 2015, when a fire destroyed the mid-80's expansion and the original building received significant smoke damage.

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The restaurant has sat quietly in Old Town Spring for almost two years, dilapidated and surrounded by a wire fence. In September 2015, the Houston Chronicle reported that the property was listed at $450,000 "cash only, as is."

The Villages Group Realtors' Cameron Collins, the agent who listed the property, said Wunsche Bros. - previously owned by the Laviage family - was purchased by the Kosh family, owners of Amerigo's Grille in The Woodlands. While whispers of this transaction appeared in February, the official closing of the property took place on Monday.

"The sale closed today for an undisclosed amount, with an extensive long-term vision to redo the cafe better than ever and restore it to all of its 1902 splendor," Collins said.

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With the purchase of Wunsche Bros., the understanding is that the restaurant will maintain its name, theme, exterior, menus and recipes. New co-owners Nancy, Casey and their daughter Tina are long-time Woodlands residents committed to the revival of Wunsche Bros.

Click through the gallery above to see other Houston-area restaurants' transformations from their former glory.

"We always felt it would be good to be part of the heritage of the area," Nancy said. "We frequented the restaurant for many years and we love the community."

Nancy confirmed that her family intends to keep the restaurant's "integrity and history" and very similar decor, all while remaining loyal to its founding era. The Kosh's will be working with the Texas Historical Commission during the renovation.

"We're going to stay true to what people are looking forward to, the history of it, and we have confidence in what we're doing," Nancy said. "We're so excited and really looking forward to it. We want to bring it back to its original glory, enhance Old Town Spring and liven that whole area as well."

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As for the classic menu and recipes, Nancy said the food will also stay true to its roots, with some minor tweaking. She said Wunsche Bros. will incorporate a "Made in Texas" approach where the restaurant will include items from local and regional producers.

Additionally, Nancy hopes to put a larger emphasis on live music when Wunsche Bros. reopens. The Kosh family is tentatively aiming for Wunsche Bros. to reopen in spring 2018.

Following Monday's statement, Collins teased that another announcement about Old Town Spring will be made soon from The Villages Group Realtors following a meeting with the Spring Preservation League. While Collins would not reveal specifics, he said it will concern "the rebirth of Old Town Spring."

Spring Preservation League Vice President Clarence Williams did not choose to comment at this time about the future of Old Town Spring, but he did express confidence in the Kosh family.

GIVING BACK: The Woodlands restaurant plans to give percent of opening-day proceeds to preemies

"Old Town Spring is looking forward Wunsche Bros. being open," Williams said. "We're comfortable with the new owners; they're good people and a good representation of our community. We believe in them and we hope the reopening will reenergize the community."

Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon is located at 103 Midway Street in Old Town Spring.
The Waller County Sheriff's Office is investigating a complaint lodged by a female inmate that she was sexually assaulted by a male inmate working at the jail, officials said Tuesday.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards will also investigate for possible procedural violations at the facility, which drew national attention in 2015 when Sandra Bland hanged herself there after being arrested during a traffic stop.

In the sexual assault case, the male inmate was performing duties typically assigned to inmates who have trusty status, but the inmate had not been designated as a trusty, said Craig Davis, chief deputy at the Waller County Sheriff's Office.

Those duties include cleaning the jail, he said.

Both inmates were over the age of 18, Davis said.

The Texas Rangers and the Waller County District Attorney's Office are monitoring the probe, Davis said.

The Waller County Jail alerted the Texas Commission on Jail Standards about the complaint, said Diana Spiller, a research specialist at the commission.

In the Bland case, a former jail guard admitted to falsifying jail records to indicate that he had checked Bland's cell the morning before her death, when he had not. After Bland's death, the jail agreed to implement safeguards, including streamlining cell checks and adding video appointments with a doctor.

The Waller County Jail also failed a Dec. 12 inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, according to state documents. The jail failed to follow standards regarding fire and emergency drills training and regarding due process for inmates charged with a jail violation. Jail staff also did not document that inmates were getting the required three hours of recreation per week.

The jail has since moved back into compliance, Spiller said.

State law requires male and female inmates to be kept out of sight and sound from each other unless supervised, Spiller said. That applies even for inmates performing trusty duties.

As of Tuesday morning, the Waller County Jail housed 73 inmates, four of whom were women, Davis said.

There is no program for women in the jail to gain trusty status, he said.

The district attorney's office declined further comment.
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The Harris County medical examiner's office has formally identified the two victims of last week's fire at an unregulated rooming house in south Houston.

The middle-aged couple were Gregory Crawley and Sandra Bruner, who previously was incorrectly identified as Sandra K. Brewer.

Alonza Crawley said his brother moved to Houston about four years ago from their shared hometown of Richmond, Va. The brothers, born just a year apart and close throughout their lives, talked on the phone two days before the fire.

"He was different," Alonza Crawley said of his brother. "Houston had changed him, his whole demeanor. ... He was happy."

Gregory Crawley enjoyed seeing Houston host the Super Bowl last month, his brother recalled.

READ MORE: Safety complaint alerted city to problems two years before blaze at unregulated rooming house

Crawley's family is planning one memorial service in Houston and another in Richmond, Va.

The medical examiner has not yet released the cause of death in the cases, but firefighters said the couple was dead just inside the locked front door. Houston police and arson investigators were looking into the case.

The fire broke out last week -- late on March 8 or early March 9 - at Briscoe's Place in the 4500 block of Griggs Road near Cullen in south Houston.

Another person was injured trying to escape, suffering burns over about 20 percent of his body.
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At the start of winter break, Scroggins Elementary sent a letter to parents warning of an "unidentified man" who accosted a student Dec. 15 near the school's northeast Houston campus.

Just blocks away the same day, another girl was assaulted in much the same way, by a man who walked up behind her and groped her through her clothes.

That's when Houston police realized they might be looking for a serial offender, a predator targeting girls walking to and from school.

"We jumped on it," Officer Marcos Betancourt said.

At first, police had little to go on, unaware of other attacks just outside the city limits.

Then on Jan. 23, another girl reported an attack, this one more brazen. Less than a mile from the December assaults, a man tried to stuff a 7-year-old girl into the back seat of his sedan, releasing her only when her 9-year-old brother screamed.

On Tuesday, Houston police announced they had arrested a suspect believed to have assaulted at least 10 girls in separate incidents in the past three years in northeast Houston and Harris County.

Carlos Jose Ayala, a 35-year-old construction worker, faces four felony charges of indecency with a child. Authorities expect to file additional charges, possibly including attempted kidnapping, as they seek other victims.

Ayala also was charged with evading arrest after leading police on a short chase Feb. 17, when officers doing surveillance in the area spotted his car and tried to pull him over near the location of a Feb. 10 assault on Shotwell Street.

A woman who answered the door at his home Tuesday declined to comment. The attorney listed in court records as Ayala's defense lawyer, Gilbert Villareal, did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls.

Investigators asked parents in northeast Houston to report any suspected assaults to police at 713-635-0200.

Connecting the dots

The pattern became clear only in hindsight, investigators said.

Attacks in northeast Houston, many near Interstate 10. A man walking up from behind in broad daylight. Hispanic girls 7 to 15. A dark blue Toyota sedan.

And the attacks occurred near schools, including Houston ISD's Scroggins, Eliot, Pugh and Raul Martinez elementaries as well as Havard Elementary in Galena Park ISD.

Officers from the Houston Police Department's northeast gang unit connected the dots after finding at least four previous incidents near a Walmart a few blocks from Havard Elementary. It wasn't until officers reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Office that they realized similar assaults had been reported in 2014 and 2015 in the area but outside the Houston city limits.

"It's good to have him off the streets," Officer Nicole Anzola said at a Tuesday news conference.

School officials alerted parents after incidents near the schools, Houston ISD spokeswoman Ashley Anthony said Tuesday.

Scroggins sent the Dec. 16 letter. Raul Martinez Elementary sent a letter the day after the attempted kidnapping on Jan. 23. McReynolds Middle School put out a phone alert and sent a letter on Feb. 10 about an assault that day.

'We were in shock'

Galena Park ISD Police Chief Bryan Clements said the district usually alerts parents if such an incident happens near a school. However, he did not say whether an alert was issued after any of the four attacks near Havard Elementary in June, July and October 2014 and August 2015.

Ayala, who told police he is a U.S. citizen originally from Honduras, does not have a criminal history in Harris County. Public records show Ayala previously lived in the Dallas area, where he pleaded guilty to a 1999 felony charge of burglary and a 1998 misdemeanor charge of theft.

Houston police said they reached out to Dallas-area agencies but have yet to hear of assaults that could be connected.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Ayala remained in the Harris County Jail in lieu of $450,000 bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 28.

Ayala lived just a short drive from Havard, in a neat mobile home community with elaborate additions and well-kept yards.

Next door, Susan Garza said she had never seen Ayala until she saw his face on television. She said her son and daughter-in-law moved in about a month ago. Police showed up at their door about two weeks ago to alert them to the allegations.

"We were in shock," said Garza, 55. "Of course we are concerned. We want the police to do their jobs, which they have - he's in jail."

At Havard Elementary, Lynda Collins took her 6-year-old son by the hand and walked him from the school's front breezeway to her car.

Collins said she has lived in the Galena Park community since 2006 and has children and grandchildren attending Galena Park schools. She had not heard about a predator.

"He's grabbing girls?" asked Collins, 56. "I have a 24-year-old and I taught her early: Kick, bite, scratch, scream.  And to think it's in our neighborhood. The parents really need to know what's really going on."

Mae Reyes, 28, was waiting by her car for her brother and sister, who attend North Shore Middle School. She said the dismissal process is strict for leaving the building, but that youngsters fan out after they're released. She had not heard of any child snatchings, attempted abductions or sexual assaults.

"I'm surprised it went on for that long," she said. "That's why I come get them. I don't like leaving them outside for long."

Shelby Webb and Brian Rogers contributed to this report.
The first delivery is expected to arrive in Egyptian ports at the beginning of May

Russia's top oil producer Rosneft has agreed with the Egyptian gas company (EGAS) to provide Egypt with 10 shipments of liquefied natural gas this year, Al-Ahram daily reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous source at the petroleum ministry.

The deal comes as "part of the ministry's plans for imports from a number of global suppliers, to satisfy the growing demand for the product during the summer period," the source said.

The first delivery from the Moscow-based company is expected to arrive in Egyptian ports at the beginning of May, according to the report.

Last month, the Egyptian oil minister signed a $1 billion contract with three international companies, including Rosneft, to import 45 shipments of LNG.

The shipments will range between 138,000 and 156,000 cubic metres, and Egypt will have a grace period of six months to pay for them, minister Tarek El-Molla said.

Egypt was once an energy exporter but the country has in recent years become a net importer because of declining oil and gas production and growing consumption.

Last year, Rosneft supplied four liquefied natural gas cargoes to the Egypt, according to the Russian state-run Tass news service.

In June 2016, EGAS told Reuters that Egypt aims to import between 110 and 120 shipments of liquefied natural gas in 2017.

In December, Rosneft bought a 30 percent stake in the giant Egyptian gas discovery, the Shorouk concession, by Italian producer Eni.

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AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott suggested Tuesday it would be good for the Texas Legislature to pass a broad law saying that state rules always preempt local regulations.

"As opposed to the state having to take multiple rifle-shot approaches at overriding local regulations, I think a broad-based law by the state of Texas that says across the board, the state is going to preempt local regulations, is a superior approach," Abbott said at an event hosted by a think tank in Corpus Christi, adding that such a law would be "more simple, more elegant, but more importantly, provides greater advance notice to businesses and to individuals that you're going to have the certainty to run your lives."

Abbott's comments were delivered during a question-and-answer event hosted by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute. They were first reported by the Texas Tribune. The Houston Chronicle later received an audio recording of the event.

The comments come at a time when state lawmakers increasingly have found themselves involved in fights over local regulations in relation to everything from fracking and so-called "sanctuary cities" to ride-sharing companies and bathroom access. Regulations and ordinances on those topics have been implemented by an array of Texas cities, sparking frustration among conservatives at the state level.

No "broad-based law" has been introduced in the Legislature, and -- because the bill filing deadline has passed -- no such proposal will be this session. However, the governor's comments offer a potential path for the future.

The comments drew quick support from conservatives, including the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based think tank that quickly issued a statement.

"The greatest threats to liberty and property rights are happening at the local level," said James Quintero, director of the foundation's Center for Local Governance. "Governor Abbott is absolutely correct in calling for broad-based reforms to the kinds of economic regulations that local governments can impose."

Liberal condemned the remarks, saying they revealed an inappropriate desire by the governor to take over everything in the state.

"Will local governments then be but agencies of the state under Abbott's total control?" wondered aloud Glenn Smith, director of the political arm of Progress Texas, a liberal advocacy group, on Twitter. "Local voters be damned?"

Critics also have railed against the push by the Texas GOP to restrict local regulations as hypocritical. Conservatives in the state often rail against what they call "federal government overreach" but then do their own overreach at the state level, critics contend.

Abbott also responded to that argument Tuesday.

"Economic freedom in this country rests not with the federal government, not with state government, not with local government," he said. "If you really want to talk about local control, you reduce it to the lowest common denominator and that is the individual."
AUSTIN - A growing war between state and local officials over curbing skyrocketing property-tax bills statewide moved to the Texas House on Tuesday, after the Senate approved a controversial reform plan that cities, counties and school districts say will impair their ability to pay for key services.

By an 18-12 vote, mostly along party lines, the Republican-controlled Senate approved Senate Bill 2 that supporters champion as a much-needed brake to slow steadily-rising property taxes by mandating an automatic election to allow taxpayers to decide any rate hike of more than 5 percent.

Under existing state law, 8 percent is the maximum allowed before taxpayers can petition for a rollback election.

The bill also would simplify the tax-appraisal process and change other sections of the law ostensibly to give taxpayers more say over their rising appraisals and the taxing process.

"Property taxes are rising too fast. That's a fact," said Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and former Harris County tax appraiser who is the author of the bill. "This will save future money for hard-pressed homeowners and business owners."

While conservative and tax-reform groups cheered Tuesday's vote, local officials and other opponents immediately promised an all-out push to significantly modify it in the House, where a similar bill is pending with what looks to be strong support.

"This dangerous proposal is an affront to the hundreds of firefighters, police officers and other first responders - along with mayors, county judges and others - who oppose the bill," said Dick Lavine, a senior fiscal analyst with the Center for Public Policy Priorities and who also chairs the Travis Central Appraisal District board. "The Senate is playing with fire, as this revenue scheme would mean fewer resources for Texas communities that need them."

Abbott endorsement

The Texas Municipal League, the lobby group that represents Texas cities and towns, said the measure would have saved the owner of a $250,000 Dallas home only $27.69 had it been in effect this year.

"Anyone who calls this tax relief is really committing tax fraud," said Bennett Sandlin, the league's executive director.

Adding fuel to the feud between state and local interests Tuesday was an endorsement by Gov. Greg Abbott, during a conference in Corpus Christi, of a broad-based state law to preempt local regulations. While he made no mention of tax policy, the comment quickly became part of opponents' argument that Austin is big-footing local officials with Senate Bill 2, much as state officials long have complained that Washington overreaches into state policies.

On the eve of the Senate debate, Abbott tweeted that he supported the bill. However, Press Secretary John Wittman said Abbott's remarks at the conference had nothing to do with the property tax fight.

In debating his bill, Bettencourt insisted the measure would not prevent local taxing entities from paying their bills but only would limit the escalation of property taxes that he said are forcing some people from their homes, limiting business growth and creating a culture of unsustainable government growth.

"Texas has the fifth highest property tax rate in the United States," Bettencourt said. "This is not a partisan issue. This is an everybody-pays-property-taxes issue."

He said property taxes in Harris County have gone up 36 percent in three years, bringing in additional $418 million in revenues.

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Despite the bill's strong support, several Republican senators expressed hesitation at passing a measure so strongly opposed by their local officeholders.

"A lot of our officials see this as a personal assault on local government," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, whose district includes numerous mostly rural counties. "There's nothing to make this bill good in a rural area." He voted for it anyway.

Sen. Kel Seliger, an Amarillo Republican and former mayor of the Panhandle city, unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to ease what he said would be a burden on local officials. He called his last amendment "one of the last gasps of small government in this state."

Seliger then voted against the bill, the only Republican to do so.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, blamed rising local property taxes on the Legislature, noting that more than half of Texas property taxes go to pay for local public schools, which he said increasingly have had to shoulder the burden of costs pushed on local districts by state lawmakers.

"The Legislature is the real culprit," Watson said, voting against the bill.
"There's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge," Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch stated in his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, "we just have judges in this country." Judges aren't "politicians in robes," he said a day earlier.

The remarks in Tuesday's hearing came in response to a question about whether he'd be able to issue a ruling against President Donald Trump, who nominated him. "I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party other than based on what the law and the facts of a particular case require," he said. "My personal views . . . I leave those at home."

These are lovely pieces of rhetoric that reflect the American ideal of equal or impartial justice under the law. They're also at considerable odds with the reality of the modern-day judiciary.

Judges, particularly in the upper echelons of the federal courts, are in many ways politicians in robes. One of the clearest illustrations of this comes from a 2015 paper by Adam Bonica of Stanford and Maya Sen of Harvard.

Bonica and Sen trace politicization through the state and federal judiciary, showing how partisan processes used to select judges create politically polarized courts, particularly at the federal level.

They use a massive database of lawyers' and judges' contributions to political candidates between 1979 and 2012 to illustrate the effects of partisanship on the judiciary. Those donations allow them to calculate ideology scores of jurists, based on the simple logic that "someone contributing to a liberal/conservative candidate is more likely to be liberal/conservative herself."

They then look at the distribution of those ideology scores for subsets of lawyers who go on to become judges at the state or federal level. They find that at the federal court level in particular there's a significant partisan divide between liberal and conservative judges. There are many conservative judges, in other words, and many liberal judges. But not very many in between.

If federal judges were nonpartisan automatons blindly applying the rule of law you might expect more judges in the center and fewer at the poles. But that's not the case, because judges are, in fact, living, breathing partisan creatures, just like the rest of us.

There's another interesting wrinkle in these numbers. If you look not at judges but rather at all attorneys in the U.S. (e.g., the pool potential judges are selected from), you see that the attorney pool is considerably more liberal and less conservative.

If you were blindly plucking a random sample of attorneys out of this pool to fill federal judgeships, you'd expect partisan distribution of judges to match the partisan distribution of attorneys. But that's clearly not the case.

The reason, Bonica and Sen explain, is that the selection of judges is itself a highly partisan process. And conservative politicians, it seems, have done a much better job than liberals of funneling ideologically like-minded judges to the upper reaches of the judiciary - particularly when you consider that there are more ideologically liberal lawyers in the pool of potential candidates.

Bonica and Sen credit the efforts of groups like the Federalist Society, which has deep roots in elite legal institutions like Harvard and Yale, with cultivating generations of conservative lawyers more likely to go on to the judiciary than their liberal peers.

For instance, the study found that conservative graduates of Harvard, Yale and the University of Chicago law schools were 12 times as likely as their liberal peers to attain a seat on the Federal Circuit Courts.

Gorsuch himself is the product of successful partisan efforts to shape the Supreme Court, after the Senate blocked President Barack Obama's nominee for the seat until President Donald Trump took office 11 months after it became vacant.

In the end, it shouldn't be surprising that an inherently partisan selection process yields an inherently partisan court. As legal scholar Lee Epstein told the New York Times in 2012, "I think voters - not to mention senators, presidents and the judges themselves - understand that there's a difference between judges appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents. If they didn't, we wouldn't have confirmation battles."
"The FBI as part of our counterintelligence mission is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. And that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts. As with any counterintelligence investigation, this will also include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed."

With those words on Monday, FBI Director James B. Comey sent a shock through America. Our nation's highest law enforcement agency has reason to believe that individuals in the Trump campaign may have been working with Russia to sabotage the 2016 electoral process.

This haunting news has Democrats calling for a halt to business as usual in Washington - votes on Supreme Court candidate Neil Gorsuch can wait until, they say, the FBI completes its inquiry into (and possible indictments of) President Donald Trump and his allies.

Republicans, however, responded to Comey's testimony by focusing on the leaks that brought the investigation to public attention. Imagine if Congress had responded to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's Watergate reports by trying to prosecute their secret source known as Deep Throat. That political instinct to put party ahead of country only undermines the pursuit of the truth. The smartest thing that Congress can do is to depoliticize this investigation by putting it firmly in the hands of a nonpartisan, independent commission.

Each slow drip-drip-drip of information makes this scandal look more and more like a 21st century reboot of the Watergate crisis. Then, as now, information was stolen from the Democratic National Committee. Just replace a 1970s third-rate robbery with a 2016 phishing and hacking. Even one of the characters from Richard Nixon's felonious rogues gallery makes a reappearance.

Roger Stone, once a member of Nixon's money-laundering Committee to Re-elect the President, finds himself in the public spotlight as a target of the FBI investigation. He worked as an adviser on the Trump campaign and, during election season, communicated with people involved in the leaking of stolen emails. Stone was in contact with WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange and the hacker known as Guccifer 2.0, who by Stone's own admission "may or may not be a Russian asset."

There's also Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager, who received millions in off-the-books payments from allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He faces fresh accusations of attempting to launder payments from Putin-tied Ukrainian politicians through offshore accounts in Belize and Kyrgyzstan.

Trump's former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn was pushed out of his position after being caught in a lie about his relationship with the Russian ambassador. And Carter Page, a Trump policy adviser, left the campaign after facing scrutiny for his Russia connections.

Trump himself faces questions about accepting money from Russian sources. A recent investigation by Reuters found nearly $100 million worth of property in Trump-branded towers in southern Florida was purchased by at least 63 individuals with Russian passports or addresses. That doesn't include opaque limited liability companies that purchased nearly one-third of all the units in the new Trump-branded buildings.

In the middle of this continuing FBI investigation, voters should be shocked that the president still refuses to fully divest himself from his private company. The nation faces a crisis of confidence that the president and his allies do nothing to assuage.

"One of the things we radiate to the world is the importance of our wonderful, often messy, but free and fair democratic system, and the elections that undergird it," Comey said on Monday. "So when there is an effort by a foreign nation-state to mess with that, to destroy that, to corrupt that, it is very, very serious. It threatens what is America. And if any Americans are part of that effort it's a very serious matter."

The FBI is raising questions about the very soul of the White House, and the American people deserve a nonpartisan, independent answer.
Over a half-century ago, Abraham Maslow came up with a motivational theory in psychology, usually represented as a pyramid, that argues that before people are able to meet higher needs, such as a stable marriage, friendship and intellectual achievement, they have to have their basic needs met. The lowest needs in his hierarchy include food, water and air.

It doesn't take a deep thinker like Maslow to recognize that something is wrong when many community college students in our country are going to school hungry.

The problem is pervasive. According to a recent comprehensive survey out of the University of Wisconsin, 2 in 3 students attending community college are food insecure and 1 in 3 are hungry.

The survey - which covers 70 community colleges in 24 states including Texas - found hunger geographically distributed all over the country, not just in urban communities.

Gov. Greg Abbott has adopted the goal that by 2030 at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will earn a post-high school certificate or degree. If Abbott and the Legislature are serious about increasing Texas' low college-completion rate, which is currently estimated by a Washington think tank to be around 40 percent in six years - they need to squarely face the reality of student hunger.

Abbott and other policymakers can start by scaling up a model created by the Houston Food Bank. The food bank is working with San Jacinto College, Brazosport College and Lone Star College to develop food scholarships that provide food through campus pantries. Rice University has partnered with the food bank to evaluate whether food-insecure students who get a steady source of food are more likely to complete school.

Sixty-five percent of the 55 million jobs produced in the coming decade will require some kind of higher education or training, according to a Georgetown University study. Yet, it's just common sense that it's hard to pass the hurdles of college and improve your employment prospects when you don't know where your next meal is coming from.

"We do not always realize the dramatic impact that groceries can have on our educational system," an accounting major in her mid-50s who received a food scholarship through the Food for Change program while at Lone Star College North Harris said about the benefits of the program.

If our state can help students complete their educations for living-wage careers, there is a better chance they will be able to become self-sufficient and avoid stepping back into line at food pantries or SNAP offices in the future.

The food bank's model - which helps students get their basic needs met - should become an integral part of the push to drive up Texas college completion rates.
With the death earlier this month of Capt. William "Iron Bill" Dowling, who in 2013 lost both legs and suffered brain damage in the Southwest Inn fire, this might seem an awkward time to bring up the city's relationship with our firefighters' pensions system. But perhaps it's a perfect time to shine a spotlight on our concerns. Our pension fund's benefits supported Capt. Dowling and his family after his injuries in service to Houston. We will continue to do so in the future. His widow will not get a monthly Social Security check - firefighters don't pay into that system. Our pension fund is all that the thousands of other brave men and women who risk their lives each day can count on.

To support our commitment to Houston and our emergency workers, the city's firefighter pension system has developed a long-term diversified investing horizon. This matches up well with a workforce that is extraordinarily dedicated, often staying 20 or 30 years on the job.

But our future-oriented perspective doesn't always sync well with the City Council's one-year budget goals, tied as they are to frequent local elections. The Legislature in the past has helped us productively bridge these gaps by requiring us to agree to incremental, consensual changes. Given our strong financial position, especially when compared with Houston' other systems, we had hoped the same spirit would prevail at City Hall. But as we are finding in the current effort to change Houston's pension systems, this is not proving to be the case.

Despite our working hard with Mayor Sylvester Turner and city staff for nearly a year, it appears firefighters' benefits will be adjusted in a manner similar to how police benefits are being treated. The rub here is that police with the same years of service and rank have for decades been paid substantially more than firefighters.

Even beyond that disparity, it appears our successful investment management of firefighters' retirement funds also will be punished. The city calculates its long-term IOU to our pension fund as being less than one-fifth what it owes all three Houston systems, yet firefighters' retirement funds would pay for 30 to 40 percent of the city's total cost reduction.

Unlike the other municipal employee pension systems, we never agreed to previous city efforts to fill budget holes through deferring contributions. The city's steady funding helped us achieve a little known but important accomplishment: We are the best-funded of all Texas pension systems with more than $1 billion in assets. Setting us apart even further from the city's proposed solution for the other systems, we are not asking for proceeds from Pension Obligation Bonds to make up for the city's previous short-funding. We do not want more debt for city taxpayers.

Legislative committees this week began hearings on Houston's proposed pension system adjustments. While gaining our mutual agreement is not required, the Legislature traditionally has served as a check-and-balance to discussions between a city, its employee groups and its pension funds. When a city has objected to benefits changes proposed by the pension fund or employee groups, a bill goes nowhere. On the other hand, wholesale benefits cuts proposed by a city seldom address years of intentional underfunding, in addition to alienating a workforce. Those measures usually also are non-starters.

It is a real shame in this time of mourning for Capt. Dowling that the bigger picture has been lost somewhere at City Hall. We exerted significant effort to come up with solutions and yet our large impactful proposals changing the status quo were rejected. The police and municipal employees systems have fallen in line with City Hall, for their own particular needs. We hope the Legislature will acknowledge the differences between our system and the others and maintain its role as a steady, stabilizing hand to resolve this disagreement.

Keller is the board chair of the Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund and a 23-year employee of the Houston Fire Department serving as Chief Communications Officer.
A few weeks ago, a burly police detective in a coat and tie sat at a wooden table with his wife and squirmy 16-month-old daughter, Sully, explaining to state Senators what it meant to hear his little girl cry.

He described to the Texas Senate Finance Committee the joy of hearing Sully cry for the first time after she was silent for the first few months of life. Since then, Sully, who has Down syndrome, has had many more breakthroughs thanks to the family's hard work and the support provided by Sully's therapists.

But Sully's family didn't drive to Austin just to tell a heartwarming story. They told the Senate budget-writers that Sully's progress, and the progress of other kids, was now in jeopardy because the Legislature cut Medicaid funding for therapies for kids with disabilities.

And it wasn't just Sully's family. A parade of families has shared similar stories with the Legislature and in newspapers across Texas, provoking outrage around the state and regrets for many legislators since they cut funding in 2015.

Unfortunately, Texans can expect many more cuts for children like Sully if Congress passes the health care bill currently under consideration.

You may have heard about the impact the bill will have on the cost of your health care, making private insurance even more expensive for many people, particularly if you have a modest income or you're over 50. You may also know that it ends the "Medicaid expansion" for uninsured low-wage workers, an option that Texas hasn't implemented. Those are some of the reasons the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 24 million Americans will lose their coverage by 2026 if the bill passes.

But have you heard what the bill would mean for Texas kids who rely on the Medicaid program for the care they need?

The House bill fundamentally changes the successful way Medicaid is funded today, establishing a cap on the program and dramatically cutting Medicaid funding to states. According to an estimate by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, those cuts would total $116 billion for states over the next decade, not counting the cuts to Medicaid expansion for adults.

In Texas, Medicaid essentially serves four populations: children, people with disabilities, pregnant women and seniors. So when the state cuts Medicaid to accommodate the new cap, these are the Texans who would bear the direct brunt of those decisions.

These Texans are at greater risk than people in similar circumstances in other states. Because Texas spends less on Medicaid per beneficiary compared to others states, Congress would penalize us, leaving our state with a smaller share of health care funding than other states.

To be clear, these cuts would particularly threaten Texas kids, who account for nearly three out of every four Texans who rely on Medicaid for the health care they need to thrive.

Children's health is directly affected by a number of services that would be on thin ice, such as prenatal care for pregnant women; preventive care that keeps kids healthy and avoids costly challenges down the road; mental health services; coverage for kids in foster care; health services in our neighborhood schools; and Early Childhood Intervention for kids with autism, speech delays or other developmental delays and disabilities.

Quality health care, especially during the first few years of life, is essential for healthy brain development and future success in school. For example, research has linked Medicaid and CHIP eligibility at birth to higher reading scores in fourth and eighth grade. Other research ties Medicaid eligibility increases to greater success in high school and college.

The future of our state depends on the success of our children, and our children's success is directly jeopardized by the health care bill Congress is considering. For the sake of Sully and millions of children across Texas, we urge lawmakers to go back to the drawing board.

Rubin is CEO of Texans Care for Children. Bresette is executive director of Children's Defense Fund-Texas.
The Texas County Genealogical and Historical Society has a library open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Grand Avenue building. Its meetings are on the first []
Investment minister Sahar Nasr met with World Bank officials for discussions after delivery of second tranche of $3 bln loan

Egypt is negotiating the third and final $1 billion tranche of a $3 billion World Bank loan to support the governments economic reform programme, the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation (MIIC) announced on Wednesday.

The World Bank stated on Monday that it had handed over the second $1 billion tranche to Egypt, with the funds intended for fiscal consolidation, ensuring energy supply and enhancing competitiveness in the private sector.

Following the transfer of the funds, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr met in Cairo with a high-level World Bank mission that has been visiting Egypt since mid-March.

They discussed efforts to improve the business environment and advance Egypt's ranking in the Doing Business Report, according to statement on the ministrys website. The annual report examines regulations and regulatory processes involved in setting up and operating a business in different economies worldwide.

Egypt aims to carry out a number of refoms to improve its ranking among the emerging economies, the minister said, according to the statement.

In 2014, Egypt launched a plan to introduce fiscal reforms, including fuel subsidy cuts that raised prices by up to 78 percent, while levying new taxes to ease the growing budget deficit, currently estimated at 12.2 percent of GDP.

The government will continue to carry out several reforms to support the private sector, which will contribute to increasing the investment volume in Egypt, Nasr added.

According to the minister, the current discussions follow the delivery of the second tranche of funding worth $1 billion, which she said indicates that the Egyptian economy is on a steady path to comprehensive development.

Egypt received the first tranche of the loan in September.

MIIC developed a prompt action plan to achieve tangible achievements with a view to attract further foreign investments, improve the national economy, and intensify the private sectors participation nationwide, Nasr explained, adding that an integrated and comprehensive investment plan, including various investment opportunities nationwide, was also under development.

The World Bank finances several projects in Egypt, including projects related to energy, transport, water and wastewater, agriculture and irrigation, population and health, and social safety nets. It also supports employment-intensive projects and finances small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The current portfolio of the World Bank in Egypt includes 26 projects with a total commitment of $5.92 billion, according to the organization's data.

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The festival features 66 films from 10 countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Mauritania, Algeria, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Iraq, according to a statement from the Third Eye Foundation for Information and Development, the festival's media sponsor.

It runs from 15 to 25 March at Hekma University.

Ebtesam Hadiry, the director of the festival, stated that the 66 films include 20 from the Arab world who are guests of honour, and 21 Yemeni films from individuals or institutions concerned with womens issues.

Twenty-five films feature in the main competition.

Four Egyptian films are participating in the festival: Coming Forth By Day (Al-Khoroog Lel Nahar) by Hala Lotfy, A Present From the Past (Hedeya Men Al-Mady) by Kawthar Younes, Mohammad Saved from the Waters (Yango Men Al Maa) by Safaa Fathy, and two films by Nadia Kamel, The Green Mirage (El-Sarab El-Akhdar) and An Egyptian Salad (Salata Balady).

In Coming Forth by Day, Lotfy presents an intense study of a day in the life of an Egyptian family grappling with poverty and disease as a mother and her daughter care for an ill, immobile father.

A Present from the Past was shot by Younes on hidden cameras. It centres on her father, who is convinced by Younes to go to Italy to search for his former girlfriend. It is as much about the relationship between a daughter and a father, as it is an ode to the unfulfilled dream of a man to meet his old love.

In her documentary Mohammad Saved from the Waters, Fathy explores themes of the body, tradition, religion and family as she recounts the story of her brother Mohammad, who lived all his life along the banks of the Nile. The more polluted the water became, the sicker he became, until he died from a chronic kidney disease caused directly by environmental pollution.

The Green Mirage questions the idea of unlimited development, and looks at the rare case of the Tunisian village of Demmer in Gabes Oasis, where houses are still dug underground, and agriculture is blooming despite scare rainfall, providing an example for resource management.

In An Egyptian Salad Kamel documents the story of Mary Rosenthal, an Italian of Jewish descent who more than five decades ago converted to Islam and married an Egyptian Muslim, highlighting the taboos that shape Arab perceptions of Israelis and exploring the animosity between Arabs and Israelis.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Anishinabe artist and writer Jay Odjick took to Twitter Monday to call out the lack of clean drinking water on many First Nations in Canada.

Odjick, a TV producer and comics creator, tweeted that his community hasn't had clean drinking water for decades.

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In My community, Kitigan Zibi - we have not had clean drinking water for over 30 years, as far as I know.  Jay Odjick (@JayOdjick) March 20, 2017

Residents of the Quebec community haven't been able to use their tap water for cooking, drinking or brushing their teeth since 1999. But uranium was found in the drinking water as early as 1993. It took six years for Health Canada to issue the 1999 advisory, after members of the community expressed concern that people were getting cancer, according to a report by the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada.

Can't boil away radiation. Most homes have bottled water; water coolers. So we dont drink it but we wash in it. Wash our babies in it.  Jay Odjick (@JayOdjick) March 20, 2017

If anyone wants to learn more about the uranium / Radon situation in KZ: Radon: The Kitigan Zibi Experience https://t.co/3u4X3xjcVT  Jay Odjick (@JayOdjick) March 20, 2017

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The federal government's 2016 budget announced $1.8 billion to improve on-reserve water infrastructure over the next five years, including $4.9 million to improve housing, water and sewage in Kitigan Zibi.

But as of Dec. 31, 2016, there were still 127 drinking water advisories in Canada's provinces (not counting those in British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or communities in the Saskatoon Tribal Council). Out of those, 96 advisories had been in place for over a year. Some have been around for decades.

As of February, there were 20 drinking water advisories in B.C.

There are three types of drinking water advisories in Canada:

boil water advisories

an order not to consume tap water, but the water is still safe for showers or baths

do not use warnings, which mean the water isn't safe to use at all

Ontario's Neskantaga First Nation has been on a boil water advisory for 23 years.

In 2013, Neskantaga instituted a state of emergency after four members of the community of 300 committed suicide  and the First Nation's chief says he won't lift the emergency until the government has addressed the poor living conditions residents cope with daily.

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"We have not lifted that state of emergency to this day, because of the fact the [living] conditions still remain the same," Chief Wayne Moonias told CBC News last year.

One 18-year-old former resident, who moved away to seek mental health support, told CBC News that showering  which was supposed to be safe  left her body covered in blisters.

In February, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Council of Canadians released a report that found Canada's government is not on track to resolve drinking water problems within its five year goal.

The organizations looked at nine Ontario First Nations under drinking water advisories. Only three of the nine had seen significant progress in improving their drinking water over the past year, and the report said there was still a possibility that the advisories might not be lifted in five years. In the case of Constance Lake First Nation, the advisory was lifted but the community still needs nearly $800,000 in repairs to keep systems running safely.

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Other drinking water advisories remain voluntary, the report said.

The United Nations and Human Rights Watch have also called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address the issue.

"This isnt just a campaign promise but a human rights obligation," wrote HRW senior researcher Amanda Klasing in a report.

Many are concerned that the government will not fulfill its promise.

During the election campaign (Trudeau) and his party convinced a lot of our people who normally dont vote in elections to step forward and come to vote with the hope that change would come about. But change has been very slow in coming, Jean Guy Whiteduck, chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, told The National Post.

Odjick said Canadians need to speak up.

"This is the reality of First Nations in Canada in 2017. And we need Canadians to help. Tell the Canadian government this is unacceptable," he tweeted.

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OTTAWA  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is acting like a Chinese dictator, the Conservatives suggested Tuesday as the opposition continued to fight back against Liberal attempts to curb debate and filibusters in the House.

The prime minister is trying to change the rules of the Commons to fit his schedule and strip the opposition of its power to hold him accountable, interim leader Rona Ambrose charged.

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If he gets away with this, he will only have to show up to work once a week, she said. We know that the prime minister says China is a dictatorship that he admires, and he certainly had a bizarre infatuation with [late Cuban president] Fidel Castro. Can the prime minister at at least agree that he, the Prime Minister of Canada, should be accountable to the House of Commons and to Canadians more than once a week?

Trudeau shot back that he is willing to be in the House as often as is necessary to answer questions from members of the opposition.

Unlike the previous governments, we have an excellent front bench of ministers who are also able to answer questions about their own actions and their own responsibilities he said.

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The government is open to all sorts of suggestions to improve the functioning of Parliament because we know that Canadians expect a modern workplace out of this place so we can better serve them, Trudeau added.

Modern, Mr. Speaker?, Ambrose retorted. Efficient? Efficient like the Chinese dictatorship that he thinks is so efficient?, Ambrose responded, to boos from the Liberal benches. Mr. Speaker, we dont live in China  those are his words, those are his words, Mr. Speaker. We do not live in China or Cuba. We live in Canada, and we have a parliamentary democracy here. We think the prime minister should show up every day.

Here is a thought: We could have question period with the prime minister every day, he could answer all of our questions every single day, she said, to Tory cheers.

"We live in Canada, and we have a parliamentary democracy here. We think the prime minister should show up every day."

NDP democratic reform critic Nathan Cullen accused Trudeau of behaving in a manner that even Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper wouldnt have dared.

It was Stephen Harper who broke the record for shutting down debate in Parliament; yet in his darkest dreams, he never tried to stifle the voices of the opposition the way the Liberals are trying to do right now, Cullen said.

Newsflash: This House does not belong to the Liberal Party. It belongs to all Canadians.

Eleven days ago, the Liberals released a discussion paper that they said was aimed at stimulating conversation at the Commons procedure and house affairs committee. That committee is currently studying ways the rules could be changed based on suggestions from MPs of all parties raised last fall.

Few of the changes the Liberal government want were brought up by the MPs themselves.

On Tuesday, at the procedure committee, Liberal MP Scott Simms tried to introduce a motion to ensure that the reforms the government wants adopted are studied and reported back to the House by June 2, where the majority Grit MPs could accept them.

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Among the changes, the Liberals want are to:

eliminate Friday sittings  or to make them a full day rather than the current half day; set only one day aside each week for the prime minister to answer questions during question period;

lengthen the time the government can take to answer MPs written questions to 65 days from 45 days;

prevent opposition members from filibustering by bringing forward debatable motions;

prevent filibusters and possibly shorten debate time on government bills by having pre-set times to discuss and pass legislation through in the House;

allow omnibus bills to be debated and studied (despite a Liberal promise to the contrary) but hold separate votes on the unrelated subjects included in the bills;

allow parliamentary secretaries to take on a greater role at committee;

prevent filibusters at committee through a 10-minute speech limit;

introduce electronic voting in the Commons;

allow more time to debate private members business.

But the opposition refused to hand over their rights without a fight. In committee, Conservative MP Scott Reid led a filibuster that lasted at least six hours and seemed to be heading into the night as the Liberals, who hold a majority on the committee, refused to give consent to adjourn the meeting without holding a vote on the motion.

Reid said the Liberals were going to ram through whatever the fuck they want, then quickly apologized for his language.

The heated debate at committee and on the floor the Commons illustrates the stakes on both sides.

The Trudeau government is having difficulty pushing its agenda through the Commons without invoking time allocation measures that are unpopular with the opposition and scorned by the media. A Huffington Post Canada analysis found last September that the government was one of the least productive in decades, based on bills passed in Parliament.

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Last spring, when the Liberals first tried to curb the oppositions ability to filibuster, the Conservatives, NDP, Green and Bloc Quebecois banded together to denounce the changes. The government backed down.

This time, the Liberals seem less willing to throw in the towel.

Bardish Chagger, the leader of the government in the House of Commons, tried to deflect the heat away from the prime minister saying it was she who had released the discussion paper, while standing firm on its proposals.

This government recognizes that members of Parliament do work in this place as well as in their ridings, she said in defense of scrapping Friday sittings.

"Now, once again, he does not want to be here answering questions, so the Liberals are trying to force these changes on this House."

I know it is very difficult for the member opposite to understand, but our objective has always been to ensure that Parliament is relevant to Canadians and that the House becomes accountable, predictable, efficient, and transparent. I know we can work better in this place.

The Tories house leader, Candice Bergen, was having none of it. We all saw the prime minister try to elbow his way in this House last year, trying to get his way. That was not a pretty sight. Now, once again, he does not want to be here answering questions, so the Liberals are trying to force these changes on this House, she said.

Conservative MP Mark Strahl tried to appeal to backbench Liberal MPs.

Members of Parliament are just temporary occupants of these seats in the House of Commons, he said. They do not belong to us. They belong to Canadians. They do not belong to political parties or the prime minister.

When will backbench Liberal MPs stand up to the Prime Minister and defend the right of all members of Parliament to hold the government accountable?, he asked.

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Trudeau Government's Broken Promises (So Far) See Gallery
Chiara Nasti is a fashion queen. And with more than 1.3 million followers on the 'gram, she's making it clear she has no time for hateful comments from trolls trying to dull her shine.

When you have a large audience, mean remarks appear to be inevitable. But Nasti's response is probably among the most epic the internet has ever seen.

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Printing off the comments on what looks like some very cushiony toilet paper, the Italian blogger is putting all the rude criticism she receives right where it belongs  down the toilet.

Pulirsi in modo decente  #forhaters A post shared by Chiara Nasti (@nastilove) on Mar 15, 2017 at 9:24am PDT

"Pulirsi in modo decente," which translates to, "Clean yourself with decency," Nasti brilliantly captioned the pic, with a poop emoji to boot.

The post is currently sitting at over 25k likes and has received over 500 comments.

And while she has every right to call out the naysayers, the bombshell still managed to keep it classy by redacting their names.

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Nonetheless, this clap back is one for the books  and judging by her recent photos taken in Florida and Mexico, Nasti seems to be too busy living her best life to even be bothered with haters anymore.

 @plumeetheree A post shared by Chiara Nasti (@nastilove) on Mar 15, 2017 at 4:13am PDT

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The third BBC Arabic documentary and short-film festival will take place in London between 24 and 30 March showcasing 20 films from the Arab world

London will host the third BBC Arabic Festival starting Friday, featuring films and documentaries from "a changing Arab world", along with a range of special events, discussions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

The festival will take place in the Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House in Central London from 24 March to 30 March. All events are open to the public and free of charge. (Visit bbcarabic.com/festival to register for free tickets.)

At a time when global politics is affecting the Arab world in new ways, the festival will bring personal stories from across the region to a new audience. The programme of films will highlight the real stories of political violence, displacement, the social struggles of poverty, drug addiction and religious extremism, as well as alternate and uplifting views of these hard realities through fictional stories.

Head of BBC Arabic, Samir Farah says: We are proud once again to be bringing our unique festival to audiences both in person in London and across the world via our broadcasts. BBC Arabic Festival 2017 is our chance to showcase the experiences of our audiences in their own words and of some of the most exciting new journalists and film makers today, with a great emphasis on encouraging more of these voices to come out in this way.

The festival will open on 24 March at 7pm with the award-winning short films from 2015 and an opening ceremony hosted by acclaimed filmmaker Adam Curtis (Hypernormalisation, Bitter Lake) with a reception to follow.

Also marking the occasion will be the first showing of the new film, NoKids Land, by the Festivals 2015 Young Journalist Award winner Jumana Saadeh. The film reveals the story of unaccompanied children in Lebanon and Jordan in need of foster care. It was made after Saadeh received training and equipment as part of her prize. She will be in attendance at the event. (Register for free tickets to opening night by emailing [email protected])

The opening day will also see a free-to-all, un-ticketed street-food market with Arabic music. Taking place in the BBC World Piazza from 12pm will be a selection of food stalls with culinary specialties from the Middle East and North Africa. There will also be an experimental electronic performance by Khaled Kurbeh and Raman Khalaf in collaboration with Shubbak: Londons Festival of Contemporary Arabic Culture.

Against the background of the debate about fake news, An Evening with Adam Curtis could not be more poignantly programmed, offering a rare chance to hear Curtis recount his views on the backstory of how Britain and America invented fake visions of the Arab world for over 40 years. (Thursday 28 March, 7pm.)

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan says: In a rapidly changing world, we need fearless voices to bring to life the issues that affect our world today. I am very proud that London is hosting the BBC Arabic Festival and I hope that all those attending come away inspired and moved by this great showcase of talent.

Producer Nadine Toukan will be hosting a special seminar discussing the short-film format (Tuesday 29 March, 12pm), while Beyond the Script, presented by award-winning journalists, will probe the limits of filmmaking (Wednesday 29 March, 7pm).

Feature-film highlights include:

Roshmia, an intimate portrayal of an elderly couple facing displacement in Haifa Roshmia;

Valley (with a Q&A with director Salim AbuJabal, Saturday 25 March, 3pm);

The Art of Moving, directed by Liliana Marinho de Sousa, which follows a group of Syrian political satirists exiled to South-Eastern Turkey (with Director Q&A, Saturday 25 March, 6pm);

Wheels of War (Sunday 26 March, 12pm) is the debut feature by Rami Kodeih, about a group of ex-militiamen from opposing factions finding peace with their war torn past in Lebanon;

Ambulance, a Sheffield Doc/Fest 2016 favourite, is a moving account of filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly's perspective on the war in Gaza 2014 from the front seat of an ambulance (with Director Q&A, Sunday 26 March, 6pm);

Houses Without Doors (Monday 27 March, 6pm with Avo Kaprealian, director Q&A) shows the parallels between the Armenian genocide and Syria reality today.

Adam Curtis, filmmaker says, The festival is not just a place to hear present-day voices from the Arab world - and look at that world through the eyes of a diverse mix of new filmmakers. It is also an opportunity to discover stories from the past, many lost and forgotten in the chaos of everything that is happening in the Arab world. Stories that often shine a powerful and revealing light that makes you look at what is happening in a fresh way. And also reveal a great deal about the strange and distorted vision the West has often had about the Arab world.

A multi-bill screening of short films highlighting stories from a changing Arab world includes titles such as: Mare Nostrum, about a Syrian father who puts his daughter's life at risk; Aida, which alludes to the myth of Sisyphus following the oldest flower vendor in Alexandria; and Searching for Abbas Kiasrostami, a eulogy to Syrian filmmakers. (Saturday 25 March, 12pm, including Director Q&A.)

The films screened at the festival fall into four different categories: Feature Documentary; Short film; Short Documentary; and Reportage. The films cover different themes (Refugees; Lost Worlds; Human Suffering) but mainly concentrate on Stories from a Changing Arab World and short documentaries about young men in volatile places.

The winners of each category will be announced, as well as the first Liliane Landor award for Best Journalism, on the closing night gala, hosted by actor, comedian and writer Hisham Fageeh (No Woman, No Drive), with Moroccan musical guest Oum. (Thursday 30 March, 7pm. Register for free tickets to closing night by emailing [email protected]).

The festival takes place at:

BBC Radio Theatre

Broadcasting House

Portland Place

London W1A 1AA

Panel of judges:

Charlie Phillips (The Guardian), Jihan ElTahri (Filmmaker), Kate Townsend (Exec Producer, Storyville), Tony ElKhoury (BBC Arabic News), Nadine Toukan (Producer), Tarik Kafala (BBC World Service), Sultan AlQassemi (Barjeel Art Foundation), Rosa Bosch (Producer), Yalda Hakim (BBC World News).

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Conservatives have demanded a recorded vote on a non-binding motion condemning Islamophobia which has sparked deep divisions among members of Parliament.

At least five Tory MPs rose from their seats after the final debate on M-103 Tuesday evening, the minimum number needed to ensure a recorded vote set for Thursday.

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The motion is expected to pass easily. Liberals have already announced they will back the motion, tabled by backbencher Iqra Khalid, as will New Democrats.

The motion calls on the House of Commons to denounce not only Islamophobia but all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination. Though largely symbolic, the motion would direct the Commons heritage committee to study the issue and develop strategies to tackle the scourge.

Many Tories have said they cannot support the motion because it does not define Islamophobia, leading some to fear it could stifle free speech and criticism of Islam. Others have argued that the motion provides special treatment to one religion over others.

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Conservatives proposed an alternative motion in February condemning racism and discrimination against Muslims, Jewish people, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and other religious groups  without including the word Islamophobia. It was defeated by Liberals who argued Tories were simply trying to water down the very purpose of M-103.

Liberals put 'politics ahead of fighting bigotry': Tory MP

Tories, in turn, have accused Liberals of seeking only to score political points.

In the final debate, Tory MP Garnett Genuis made his case for why parliamentarians who agree there is a problem of discrimination against the Muslim community in certain quarters are so divided on this issue.

It is because the word 'Islamophobia' can be used to mean both discrimination against Muslims and criticism of Islamic doctrine or practice. It is important that we not conflate the two, he said. Religious people deserve legal protection, but religions do not.

"People should not discriminate against individuals, but should feel quite free to criticize the doctrine, history, or practice of any religion.

The MP pointedly said it was Liberals who failed to stand up for Muslim Canadians by not backing the Tory motion explicitly condemning discrimination against Muslims. Genuis accused Liberals of putting politics ahead of fighting bigotry.

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Liberal MP behind M-103 makes closing arguments

Khalid, who stood in the House last month to read a stunning list of racial slurs directed at her since tabling M-103, concluded the debate.

She addressed what she called a number of misconceptions about her motion.

On the notion that M-103 grants special privilege to Muslims, she noted it calls for a study of all forms of religious discrimination. On the fear that it would restrict free speech, she noted the motion is not legally binding and will serve as a catalyst for Canadians to speak out against religious discrimination and be heard.

She also addressed the most outrageous claims she has heard  that M-103 is somehow an attempt to bring sharia law to Canada.

I vow to be the first person to oppose any motion or law that negatively impacts our multicultural secular society, Khalid said.

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M-103 has also become a hot topic in the Tory leadership race, with only contender Michael Chong publicly committed to voting in favour of the motion.

Chong has said that, in light of Januarys deadly terror attack on a Quebec City mosque, it is appropriate for parliamentarians to tackle anti-Islamic prejudice. He has fought back against claims of M-103 granting special treatment to Canadian Muslims by noting the House has passed other motions dealing with the treatment of Jewish people, Yazidis, and Egyptian Coptic Christians.

Tory leadership hopeful Pierre Lemieux, an ex-MP defeated in the last election, had been calling on supporters to pressure MPs to force a recorded vote on M-103. He released a statement Tuesday calling it a great day for accountability and for freedom of speech in Canada.

Ask your Conservative MP to stand up for your free speech tomorrow. https://t.co/TTRYm7WqAepic.twitter.com/PyyC1eB0Vn  Pierre Lemieux (@CPCLemieux) March 20, 2017

Brad Trost also took to Twitter to say he was the only leadership candidate who bothered to be in the House Tuesday to help force a recorded vote. Trost said about 20 Tory MPs stood up.

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about 20 CPC MP's stood to demand a recorded vote on M-103, I was the only Leadership Candidate who bothered #cpcldr#cdnpoli  Brad Trost (@BradTrostCPC) March 21, 2017

Earlier Tuesday, competing groups of protesters gathered on Parliament Hill to express their views on M-103. According to The Globe and Mail, roughly 30 anti-M-103 demonstrators held signs such as No sharia for Canada, while a smaller group, holding a banner from the Revolutionary Communist Party, opposed them.

Tory MP Ben Lobb snapped some pictures and seemingly called the pro-M-103 protesters tough talking cowards.

Anti M-103 protest in Ottawa today. Pretty sure she said she would be killed in her country if she took her Burka off in public. pic.twitter.com/2MbyLoSgWp  Ben Lobb (@BenLobbMP) March 22, 2017

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Tough talking cowards with their faces covered protesting the M-103 protest. Not sure any could do a push up if they had to. #wimpspic.twitter.com/Xrz02T5706  Ben Lobb (@BenLobbMP) March 22, 2017

The full text of Khalids motion is below:

Systemic racism and religious discrimination That, in the opinion of the House, the government should: (a) recognize the need to quell the increasing public climate of hate and fear; (b) condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination and take note of House of Commons petition e-411 and the issues raised by it; and (c) request that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage undertake a study on how the government could (i) develop a whole-of-government approach to reducing or eliminating systemic racism and religious discrimination including Islamophobia, in Canada, while ensuring a community-centered focus with a holistic response through evidence-based policy-making, (ii) collect data to contextualize hate crime reports and to conduct needs assessments for impacted communities, and that the Committee should present its findings and recommendations to the House no later than 240 calendar days from the adoption of this motion, provided that in its report, the Committee should make recommendations that the government may use to better reflect the enshrined rights and freedoms in the Constitution Acts, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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Conservative MP Michelle Rempel accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of losing "his shit" in the House of Commons Wednesday after he was questioned on the government's proposed changes to Parliament's rules.

During a particularly raucous question period  and just hours before the government unveiled its second budget  Rempel rose in the House to ask Trudeau about his reaction to an earlier question from fellow Tory MP Candice Bergen.

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"This prime minister purports to be a feminist," Rempel said. "Yet when a strong, confident woman dares to question his arrogance and unilaterally changing the fundamentals of Canadian democracy, he tries to stare her down and yell at her."

Bergen was hammering Trudeau on a discussion paper the Liberals recently released, which the government said included steps to make the House more efficient and transparent.

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House cameras were on Bergen at the time and did not show Trudeau's reaction to her question.

He lost his $hit on Candice when she dared question his arrogance in trying to change the rules to show up for work one day per week. https://t.co/0zIVeuOPFN  Michelle Rempel (@MichelleRempel) March 22, 2017

Among the proposed reforms to the Commons include getting rid of Friday House sittings and setting one day aside for the prime minister to answer questions during question period. The paper does not indicate whether the PM would show up to question period on other days.

Opposition parties are warning the proposed modernization will make it harder for them to hold the government to account.

Bergen accused Government House Leader Bardish Chagger and the Liberals of trying to "ram" the discussion paper through Parliament. She called the situation "unbelievable" and later recited a quote from former Chinese communist leader Chairman Mao that she said Trudeau would be "familiar" with.

"Canada is not China. Canada is not a dictatorship. The prime minister is not the supreme emperor," she said.

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Rempel later asked if Trudeau would apologize to Bergen or if he would "once again make a woman do his dirty work for him," a presumed dig at Chagger who frequently fields questions on behalf of the prime minister.

Chagger rose to say she was very proud of being a "strong woman that's been empowered by the government."

"This House needs modernization, this House needs this conversation, this House needs a solid, substantial discussion, and that's exactly what I'm encourage all of us to do."

Once question period concluded, Rempel stood on a point of order to accuse Chagger of saying she would "get" her for asking Trudeau a question.

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.@BardishKW just said "she's going to get me for this" after I ask @JustinTrudeau a question.  Michelle Rempel (@MichelleRempel) March 22, 2017

"Our purpose during question period is to question the government and hold them to account," Rempel said. "After asking a question today the government House leader looked at me and said 'I'm going to get you for this.'"

"In that sense, I believe that my privilege and others' here has been violated and as such I task you and ask you to look into this matter," the Calgary MP told House Speaker Geoff Regan.

"Bullying, that's bullying," said another Conservative MP.

Chagger denied making the comment and said she has the "utmost respect" for the House. She said she no problem discussing the issue with Rempel and added that she believes MPs could "work better" in the lower chamber.

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With files from Althia Raj and The Canadian Press

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In a united front, Conservatives and New Democrats demanded to know what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would have done if Stephen Harper proposed to change Parliament the way that Liberals are now considering.

And in an extremely rowdy question period Wednesday, Trudeau responded by asking his colleagues to think of the children.

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Interim Tory Leader Rona Ambrose kicked things off by again accusing Trudeau of seeking to silence the opposition and duck accountability by only showing up to question period once a week.

Liberals are mulling reforms to the House of Commons, including eliminating Friday sittings and having one day set aside each week for the prime minister to field all queries in question period, as is done in the United Kingdom.

Trudeau said the ideas are just part of a broad discussion paper focused on making Parliament more efficient and striking a better work-life balance for MPs with young families.

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Ambrose charged that Trudeau is really aiming to restrict debate, shorten the work week, and limit his own attendance in the Commons.

"Id like to ask him a simple question: what would he have done if prime minister Stephen Harper proposed the same thing?"  Rona Ambrose

No one has ever attempted gutting accountability like this, Ambrose said. Id like to ask him a simple question: what would he have done if prime minister Stephen Harper proposed the same thing?

Trudeau said the last government would not have engaged the opposition about improving things in the House or propose months of discussions in committee on improving Parliament.

The prime minister said it was a conversation that apparently the members opposite really dont want to have.

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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair was evidently unhappy with Trudeaus answer to Ambrose.

As is often the case, we didnt actually get an answer to the question from the leader of the Opposition, he said, sparking applause from Conservatives.

Mulcair assists Ambrose

This prime minister is going further than Stephen Harper would have dared to do by telling Canadians he only wants to show up in question period once a week.

So Im going to ask the question again. What would the prime ministers reaction had been if Stephen Harper had dared to propose what hes proposing?

Trudeau attempted to respond by saying the government was merely seeking to open a discussion with MPs on the other side of the House. He stopped once the heckling made it difficult for him to be heard.

I wonder about the schoolchildren in the gallery who are wondering how effective this Parliament actually is right now, Trudeau offered, sparking even more commotion. Trudeau said all the shouting was not worthy of this Parliament.

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'We really could replace him with a cardboard cut-out'

The response yielded sustained applause from Liberal MPs who, not so long ago, committed to stop clapping for each other in question period in order to improve decorum.

We really could replace him with a cardboard cut-out, Mr. Speaker, Muclair shot back, a jab at how diplomatic missions in the United States were using life-size images of Trudeau to promote Canada.

And his peanut gallery would never notice the difference!

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Finance Minister Bill Morneau's big day got off to a rough start Wednesday after the Conservatives staged a filibuster to delay the release of the federal budget.

The filibuster was presumably staged to protest proposed Liberal reforms to House of Common rules to shorten the number of sitting days and question periods. Opposition parties have interpreted the proposed changes as a breach of parliamentary privileges.

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Conservative and NDP MPs stood one after the other to make statements when Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi tweeted a photo of her peers on the other side of the aisle, accusing them of infantile behaviour.

The Don Valley East MP immediately received backlash and became filibuster fodder. Opposition MPs said Ratansi was in breach of the rules.

Its against House of Commons rules for members to take pictures from inside the chamber.

Speaker Geoff Regan agreed and urged Ratansi to delete the picture immediately.

@Yasmin_Ratansi Delete the picture. Delete your account.  Tom Kmiec, MP (@tomkmiec) March 22, 2017

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Conservative Michelle Rempel used Ratansis tweet as a wedge to make a point of clarification, saying opposition MPs feel the Liberals proposal is in violation of all of our political privilege.

The generous clapping eventually subsided and the Trudeau Liberal government released its second budget minutes later.

Also on HuffPost
The trend in the latest report was for a resurgence of Asian cities.

Singapore remains the world's most expensive city to live in, a study showed on Tuesday, with two Japanese cities -- Tokyo and Osaka -- returning to the top 10 thanks to the strengthening of the yen.

Almaty in Kazakhstan was the least expensive, followed by Lagos in recession-hit Nigeria.

Only one U.S. city, New York, made the top 10 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's twice-yearly "Worldwide Cost of Living" survey. It came in ninth, dropping two places on a slightly weaker dollar but still far higher than its No. 46 slot just five years ago.

Los Angeles, in 11th place, just missed the top tier.

Europe was represented in the top 10 by four cities -- Zurich at three, Geneva and Paris at seventh equal, and Copenhagen tied with New York at nine.

The study bases its calculation on the price of at least 160 products and services including food, drink, clothing, household supplies and personal care items among others, converted to U.S. dollars.

So a one kilo loaf of bread costs (US)$3.55 in Singapore and a bottle of table wine $23.68. In Paris, they were $6.81 and $10.35, respectively.

In Almaty, it was 90 cents for the bread and $5.15 for the wine.

"Cheap but not always cheerful," the survey said of some of least expensive cities, which also included Bangalore in India, Karachi in Pakistan, and Algeria's Algiers.

The survey said the trend in the latest report was for a resurgence of Asian cities.

With Singapore on top, Hong Kong (second), Tokyo (fourth), Osaka (fifth) and Seoul (sixth) in South Korea also making it, the top 10 was 50 percent Asian.

But the steady devaluation of the renminbi, or yuan, resulted in Chinas urban centers moving down the ranking by between five and 16 places each, it said.

The survey warned that numerous difficulties faced the world economy in the year ahead and that made it difficult to predict how its findings would change.

On the economic front, shifts in the price of oil and other commodities were likely to impact prices, but also could trigger further austerity, causing a slow down in consumer spending in some places.

Equally, big political unknowns such as Britain leaving the European Union and U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policies could weigh.

"The capacity for economic shocks and currency swings can make a location very expensive or very cheap very quickly," it concluded.

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Last week Premier Christy Clark heard the four letters that every politician dreads, particularly when it's hitting close to home: RCMP.

Only five days after announcing its investigation into the Globe and Mail's report that some lobbyists may have had their personal donations to the B.C. Liberal party and NDP reimbursed by unknown third-parties, Elections B.C. called on the RCMP to take over.

The Sensitive Investigations Unit -- part of the Federal Serious & Organized Crime's Financial Integrity Group -- has been tasked with investigating the possible 'cleansing' of political donations in the province.

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One gets a sense from their reaction that the Liberal party's initial damage control plan went out the window in favour of full-blown crisis management.

Clark who has tried to ignore growing public anger over her fundraising practices -- think $10,000 a plate cash-for-access dinners -- may have finally blinked.

The Liberals suddenly felt the need to do something. Anything.

Clark skipped question period two days in a row last week, her traditional modus operandi when there's a political crisis.

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One can almost imagine the meetings that must have taken place in Vancouver with party strategists, maybe a few lobbyists, trying to come up with something they could announce that sounds good, but doesn't really mean much.

Eureka. Word began to leak over the weekend that the premier was preparing to go further than she had ever gone before on electoral finance reform.

The Diva of Deflection, as Independent MLA Vicki Huntington likes to call the premier, lived up to the billing on Monday.

Using the B.C. government's proposed real-time disclosure of political donations bill as a prop, Clark announced that if re-elected her government will move to establish an independent panel to review B.C.'s Elections Act and come up with recommendations for the legislature's consideration.

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"What I'm proposing today is a process to take political parties and politicians out of the process," said Clark. "Regular review is important because there hasn't been significant changes since 1995."

I guess that goes to how one defines "significant."

Clark didn't see the need to establish a comparable panel when the government passed legislation to muzzle third-parties in what was once called the pre-campaign period -- a move later overturned by the B.C. Court of Appeal -- or when it amended the Elections Act so that all political parties would be given an electronic copy of everyone who votes in the future.

Making her announcement, Clark was clear that members of the panel would have to be accepted by a unanimous vote of the legislature, which everyone knows is a regular occurrence in Victoria (mild sarcasm).

If that wasn't an insurmountable obstacle in and of itself, Clark added that any recommendations the panel might make four years later -- or as the B.C. Liberal party prefers to say $60 million later -- would have to be adopted unanimously as well.

When pigs fly.

Meanwhile in a remarkable display of decisiveness, B.C. NDP leader John Horgan can be marked down as squarely undecided on real-time disclosure, telling CKNW News "Take it as a yes or no, however you like it. We disclose annually, as does the Conservative party, the Marijuana Party, Libertarian Party, and the Liberal Party."

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This to CKNW's softball question on whether the public can expect the NDP to report fundraising in real-time before voting day?

Horgan and his party has had nearly a year to contemplate the idea.

Since he brought up the Marijuana and Libertarian parties as a way to show his concern over how the proposed changes might effect them, it's worth noting that B.C.'s 35 fringe political parties have accepted a grand total of 801 donations in 11 years.

Real-time disclosure is not a hill that any political party should die on.

Clark's legislation came with a couple of unexpected and positive add-ons: the threshold for reporting political contributions will be lowered to $100 annually from $250.

And we may get to find out who attends those elite cash-for-access dinners with the premier after all, albeit not retroactively.

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Clark's office was quick to point out that she had misspoken on that retroactive thing.

Call it the premier's foxtrot week: one step forward, two steps back, then sidestep the real issue.

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Daviles via Getty Images Hands holding a globe. Vintage tone effect.

Sticky Situation:

Business travel is on the rise. We are in the era of globalization.

You are travelling more and more. Your partners are planetary.

You know it; when travelling to forge links abroad, you must think globally and act locally.

You are proud to say that you do your best to conform to local customs. You follow St. Ambrose's advice: "When in Rome do as the Romans do. If you are anywhere else, live as one lives there."

Avoid a diplomatic blunder or embarrassment as a company ambassador by taking a moment to validate your cultural quotient.

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Solution(s):

This five question quiz is based on the top most visited cities of 2016: Bangkok, London, Paris, Dubai and New York. The Global Destination Cities Index is compiled by MasterCard.

Write down the letters to the correct answers only.

1) During a business meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, you avoid:

A. Wearing black.

B. If you are a man; crossing your left ankle over your right knee.

C. Pointing to a statue of Buddha.

D. Silent pauses during a conversation.

2) By way of appreciation and recognition, during your stay in London in the United Kingdom, you:

A. Offer a high-quality pen.

B. Invite your host for High Tea at 16:00.

C. Bring flowers as a hostess gift for your client who has invited you to her home.

D. Pay for round of drinks at the pub and offer a generous tip.

3) Following a first meeting during a networking event organized by the Canadian Embassy in Paris, France, you send an email to a potential client. She is of the same organizational level as you and you think that you are about the same age. You have many similarities in your professional paths. The conversation easily flowed. You:

A. You write "Bonjour ma chere (add his first name), in your email invitation.

B. Invite her to join you for a "5 a 7", meaning cocktail hour.

C. Choose a cafe close to your hotel, for your meeting.

D. Send her a bouquet of flowers the next day to thank her.

4) In Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates:

A. Coffee is served at the beginning of the meeting.

B. The exchange of business cards is simultaneous: you offer yours with your right hand and receive that of the other with your left hand.

C. Your meeting may be interrupted for prayer.

D. Your host will be very attentive to your remarks, without any possible distraction.

5) During a networking cocktail at an international congress in New York City, you:

A. Place your name tag on the left side of your jacket.

B. Hold your glass in your left hand.

C. Drink a small sip from your wine glass and smile to all, when a toast is proposed in your honor.

D. Present a potential client to your boss, by first looking at your boss and calling him by his first name. You then add "May I present...". You complete the introduction with the person's courtesy title and last name.

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Here are the correct answers.

1) A, B and C.

Wearing black is reserved for funerals, mourning and black tie events. Hence, it should be avoided for business meetings. Crossing your leg will show the sole of your shoe, which is an insult and rude. Pointing to Buddha, anyone or anything, is also rude and never acceptable. Silent pauses are common. Do not fill them with meaningless talk or giggling. Accept them and reflect on what has been said.

2) C and D.

Corporate gifts are not a common practice in the UK. High tea is a meal. A 16h00 Afternoon Tea would be very much appreciated Buying a round is a good idea, but no tipping is required for drinks in a pub.

3) C and D.

The French are quite formal in their relationships. Use the person's courtesy title: Madame, followed by her last name. A "5 a 7" is an expression used to indicate a visit to one's mistress .... I bet you're very happy that you read it here first ... ;-). A Parisian cafe is much too noisy for a business meeting. Flowers are always appreciated as a thank you gesture.

4) C only.

Coffee is served towards the end of the meeting to tell you it's time to wrap up. Never use your left hand to present anything. It is considered soiled. By using it to take, or offer, you will insult the other person. During your private meeting, your host could answer a call or invite someone walking in the hallway to join your discussion. Do not take interruptions personally; take them culturally, as part of diversity.

5) B only.

The name tag is placed on the right side of your jacket's lapel. It makes it easy for the person that you are greeting to read your name from left to right. Hold your glass in your left hand, to keep your right one dry and ready to shake hands or offer a business card. Always introduce clients, or potential clients, first. More on networking tips in this quiz Networking Cocktail Quiz.

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Before leaving, to avoid a diplomatic blunder, I also suggest you to read this previous post Travelling For Business With Style.

Write to me, if your would like me to continue with the next five countries of the index: Singapour, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Tokyo and Seoul.

. Bon voyage! Have a nice trip.  

You have a sticky situation at work or at home? This is your forum. Write to Julie and she will reply. Want more solutions to sticky situations? Go to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or order your autographed copy of Etiquette: Confidence & Credibility. Planning a conference? Julie happily travels coast to coast and beyond, to present customized activities. With Julie's help gone will be awkwardness, embarrassment and faux-pas.
Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us via Getty Images YABELO, ETHIOPIA - MARCH 05: Borana tribe woman filling jerricans in a water reservoir used for animals, Oromia, Yabelo, Ethiopia on March 5, 2017 in Yabelo, Ethiopia. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art In All Of Us/Corbis via Getty Images)

Here in Canada, most of us don't really think about water. Easy access to clean drinking water is part of our daily expectations. But in many parts of Kenya, where I recently visited to see some of Plan International Canada's programs, it's impossible not to think about water -- or rather, the severe lack of it.

Even at the primary school I visited in southern Kenya, which isn't suffering the severe drought conditions present in other parts of the country, it's easy to see how fragile water supplies can be.

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The school's nearest supply of potable water is a dam that empties during the dry season. The school tries to compensate for this by using a roof catchment system to harvest rain water that is then stored in plastic water tanks. When rain water isn't enough, the school also has solar purification units that can boil unsanitary water from local lakes and ponds until it is safe for consumption.

In a series of nearby villages, Plan International has helped to build a 10km long water pipeline that provides vital water access. Nearly 10,000 community members have access to clean and safe drinking water because of it.

these students to attend school. (Photo: Jeff Cornett/Plan International Canada)

These are great examples of how forward planning and infrastructure investments can help to mitigate the effects of water shortages to lessen the blow when disaster strikes.

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But even the best foresight won't be of any use if the rains fail to come, and that's what has happened in large parts of Kenya and throughout East Africa.

In some communities, there are ad hoc solutions in place that help to alleviate the need of those not able to use the piped water. Several times throughout my visit I saw a local Mombasa cement company distributing free water with their tanker trucks to large and grateful crowds waiting by the side of dusty roads.

In other areas, Plan International is providing humanitarian assistance programs to address the water shortage, distributing Jerry Cans and water purification tablets to families, and developing programming that will provide water in schools and water storage facilities.

Last month, Kenya declared a national drought emergency, with nearly half of the country already affected after the third consecutive year of inadequate rainfalls. As many as 2.7 million Kenyans are already suffering, with more than 325,000 children acutely malnourished. The United Nations estimates that, with low rainfall forecast for the main rainy season of March to May, more than four million Kenyans could eventually be affected.

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The consequences of this are staggering. Last week, the UN and its humanitarian partners appealed for $166 million USD to aid Kenyan farmers to provide food, healthcare, water and sanitation services to vulnerable Kenyans over the next 10 months.

But inadequate rainfall has many negative effects beyond just food shortages.

Children miss out on school because they're too weak to attend or because they're spending a lot more time fetching water. Many children walk an average of 5 to 10 kilometres to water points each day - 10 times further than in non-drought conditions.

Families often face the double impact of not being able to earn their livelihood due to their failed crops and then having to spend their savings on food and water. Malnourished people are more likely to become sick, and when they do, they don't have enough money to visit clinics or purchase medicines. People have to forego paying school fees - in some drought-affected areas, more than 40 percent of households with schoolchildren have withdrawn them from school in the past six months because they couldn't afford the fees or to pay for learning materials.

The magnitude of the crisis in East Africa grows daily.

their school with safe water. (Photo: Plan International)

In Ethiopia, for example, two million farmers need emergency food assistance as a result of the drought. Plan International has an integrated emergency response there that includes emergency nutrition, food security, seed support and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programs. We've also been engaged in water trucking, rehabilitating water schemes and installed roof water harvesting structures. But the country needs much more help to avert a humanitarian disaster.

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Meanwhile, things are even worse in South Sudan.

On February 20, the country declared famine in one of its states -- the first time in six years that a famine has been declared anywhere in the world. Nearly five million people - more than 40 per cent of the country's population -- urgently need food, agriculture and nutrition assistance. And unlike in Kilifi, there are no cement trucks ready or able to deliver water. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, which has created the largest number of refugees on the African continent.

This World Water Day, we must recognize the vital role clean water plays in our everyday lives, and recommit ourselves to improving water security in East Africa and around the world.

the only food she and her family will eat for the day. (Photo: Plan International)

Jeff Cornett is the Chief Marketing and Philanthropy Officer for Plan International Canada
Time to come out of the shadows, I guess. Something needs to be done to help those addicted to opioids.

There is no doubt that we are facing a crisis with drugs in Canada and many are dying in Vancouver, There have been 755 overdose deaths in the province since Jan. 1, 2017 -- an increase of 70.4 per cent over the same period last year.

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Politicians and health professionals are talking about treatment options and more beds but by that time, it will be too late. We need to keep drugs from these individuals and treat their pain and mental health issues first.

"I remember being so reliant on opioids that I could not function though a day without them. I would go from running a successful business to buying drugs from the streets."

Are you telling me that all of these people are repeatedly ingesting poison that may kill them, defining them as insane, and that we now have an insane population? No, it's not so simple.

One of the most brilliant minds on this topic is Dr. Gabor Mate. His forward thinking is that where there is pain, there needs to be relief. He recently said to a local journalist that fixing fentanyl means treating trauma that creates addicts. As he stresses, opioids sooth emotional pain.

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An addict in recovery

Going through my own trauma-related drug use, Dr. Mate clarified things for me that made me realize that I was not broken but simply needed good help.

He explains, "But opiates also soothe emotional pain; in fact, the suffering of psychic pain is experienced in the same part of the brain as that of physical pain."

Hence, the first question when dealing with opiate-dependent human beings should be not "why the addiction" but "why the pain?"

I remember being so reliant on opioids that I could not function though a day without them. I would go from running a successful business to buying drugs from the streets. The shame I felt when leaving a boardroom or the office to buy drugs was unbearable.

I have now been clean from opioids since April 2016 ... almost one year. It was not easy and I will always be an addict in recovery BUT if my mental illness and trauma was diagnosed earlier, I may never have sought the comfort of drugs.

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I hope that my friends and colleagues can emphasize with my disease and still know that I am a bright and capable professional. I will no longer hide behind this disease because of shame but instead celebrate my ongoing recovery and help others to feel as though they are not alone.

This is not something you need to be ashamed of.

I am also appalled that B.C. medical doctors get less than a day on addiction medical training. I was once told by a doctor that if I didn't embrace the well-known 12 steps of recovery, I would die. This was wrong and, in fact, I did my recovery as an out-patient with my own help.

The rehabilitation centre on Bowen Island did not work for me. I'm sure it's done wonders in others' lives but the lack of one-on-one time with my therapist was a huge problem. The addicts' brain is actually built differently than that of a non-addict and we have a DISEASE!

The life-saving drug Suboxone also helped to save me.

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Can I tell you something that you may not know? Opioid addicts are not having fun. They are simply trying to survive, often sick in body and mind. Stopping the drug can be the most painful experience.

The next time you see someone struggling in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, have compassion. These people are suffering and you have no idea what they have been through in their lives.

Let's make drug use and recovery the last stigma and use our hearts to reach out.

Not every day is easy

As a successful 36-years old professional, I know that this can happen to anyone with pain and I have experienced horrible pain due to this disease. I felt I could no longer be happy, or function, without drugs. It's as though my brain needed higher octane fuel!

Not every day is easy, but through therapy, exercise, hiking and spending time with animals and working, the days are brighter.
annhfhung via Getty Images

The district of Squamish in British Columbia is widely known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. But this all-season destination for climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, kite surfers, and birdwatchers is also developing a reputation as a nucleus for clean innovation.

Clean energy and clean technology represent two of the keys to victory in the fight against carbon pollution. The success of B.C.'s and Canada's efforts to live up to their climate commitments depends, in part, on progress in these sectors. As Squamish shows, clean innovation will also be a powerful economic driver in what's shaping up to be Canada's clean growth century.

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The Pembina Institute got a first-hand look at a pair of clean energy and technology plants in and around Squamish, which lies between Vancouver and Whistler in the territory of the Squamish Nation.

The first stop was Innergex Renewable Energy's run-of-river power plant on Ashlu Creek, a tributary of the Squamish River. Commissioned in 2009, the $139-million hydroelectric facility has a capacity of 49.9 megawatts and produces an average of 265 gigawatt-hours of electricity for sale to B.C. Hydro, the province's electric utility. The intake diverts water (up to 29 cubic per second) from the creek into a 4.6-kilometre tunnel and 1.6-kilometre penstock. At the powerhouse downstream, the water is fed to three turbines before being returned to the creek.

Innergex has 18 run-of-river sites in operation or under construction in B.C. Squamish is the gateway to Sea to Sky Country, which is also home to the company's hydro plants on Fitzsimmons Creek in Whistler and Miller Creek and Rutherford Creek near Pemberton, as well as facilities owned by other firms.

These plants rely on well-established technology and are proven job creators. In 2015, the Pembina Institute produced a B.C. Clean Energy Jobs Map highlighting 156 renewable energy projects and 14,100 green jobs linked to this sector. (The B.C. Green Buildings Map that followed shows over 10,000 energy-efficient buildings and 23,200 jobs in the sector.)

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Meanwhile, according to the B.C. government, over 200 clean-tech companies in the province provide 6,400 jobs and generate $1.6 billion in annual revenue.

During a tour of the Carbon Engineering plant on the Squamish waterfront, the Pembina Institute learned about the clean tech startup's efforts to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to solid calcium carbonate. The idea is to use the pure carbon dioxide extracted from these pellets to produce low-carbon-intensity fuels. The cutting-edge technology "in effect recycles the emissions for reuse in fuel production," according to the company.

Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates is one of Carbon Engineering's investors. In October 2016, the company announced a deal with California-based Greyrock Energy to team up on the development of commercial air-to-fuels systems that would produce liquid transportation fuels.

Mayor Patricia Heintzman has said her municipality's goal is to "establish Squamish as a leader in initiatives designed to address the critical issue of our changing climate." The district, the Squamish Nation, and Carbon Engineering are among the parties that last year signed on to an agreement to collaborate with the University of British Columbia's Clean Energy Research Centre, form the Squamish Clean Technology Association, and spur the creation of a clean energy innovation hub on the Squamish waterfront.

Squamish's example shows that clean growth isn't just for urban centres. Indeed, there are plenty of opportunities for logging and mining towns in transition to lead Canada's shift to a clean economy. After all, if more and more municipalities lay claim to the title of "Clean Growth Capital of Canada," the better it will be for our families, communities, and economy.

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Stephen Hui is the communications lead for British Columbia at the Pembina Institute, a non-profit think-tank that advocates for strong, effective policies to support Canada's clean energy transition. He lives in Vancouver.
For millions of people around the globe, water, sanitation and hygiene conditions have improved. Still, in 2017, 663 million people are using unsafe drinking water. VII Photo's Ashley Gilbertson photographed in seven countries for UNICEF, making portraits of families and their daily water use. As part of World Water Day, we present some of these portraits.

(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1862/Gilbertson VII

[Foreground) Foure Moussa collects the 80 litres of water her family uses daily from a borehole two kilometres from her home, in the Niger. To avoid long queues at the water source, she goes at night. The walk takes 30 minutes each way, and once there, it takes 15 minutes to fill a container.

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(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1908/Gilbertson VII)

[Third from left] Rene Visalla and his family, indigenous Guarani in Bolivia, use 140 litres of water a day. He says that running water and a toilet have brought his family safety, including from snakes in the bushes, where they once relieved themselves.

(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1838/Gilbertson VII)

Rhoda January's family draws the 100 litres of water they use from a recently installed borehole, in Malawi. Previously, their water came from shallow wells. "The water was really bad. ... We were supposed to add chemicals to clean it, but we are so poor we couldn't afford it," she said.

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(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1884/Gilbertson VII)

[Second from right] Abu Ibrahim's family, members of the Bedouin ethnic group, move from place to place in Jordan's deserts, following access to water and food for their 700 sheep. They use 8,000 litres of water daily -- 200 for themselves and 7,800 for their herd.

(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1861/Gilbertson VII)

[Centre] Hamidou Hama's family, in the Niger, has three options for obtaining the 100 litres they use daily: getting water for free from unsanitary ponds created by rainfall or paying for water either from a nearby tap, only open for limited periods during the year, or from a distant borehole.

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(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1936/Gilbertson VII)

[Centre] health worker Somashree Saha, her sister and mother draw the 80 litres of water they require for household use from a handpump. Because of its high iron content, the water turns a murky colour when exposed to oxygen, emits a pungent stench and can cause digestive problems.

(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1955/Gilbertson VII)

Seamstress Nyo Oo, her husband, Kyaw Soe, a store owner, and their daughters use 100 litres of water daily, mostly drawn from a local borehole, in Myanmar. To save money, during the rainy season, they also obtain water for bathing from a local well or ponds, despite the risk of contamination.

(Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1968/Gilbertson VII

[Left] photographer Ashley Gilbertson says he knew his own family's water use -- 1,000 litres daily -- in the United States of America would be more than in some countries where he travelled, but he didn't realize by how much. "I'm shocked by the amount of water my family uses in New York," he said.

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To learn more about World Water Day, click here.
Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images

Late last year Tom Watson, Labour's Shadow Culture Secretary asked Tracy Brabin and I to lead an inquiry into access to careers in film, TV and theatre.

Unlike Tracy, Tom and I don't have any experience of the acting profession but what we see and hear of happening reflects in many ways what is happening in the rest of Britain where high status occupations have a class ceiling for those from working class backgrounds.

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It's not just anecdotal evidence that indicates the problem. New figures based on the ONS Labour Force Survey, showed that 51% of actors surveyed were from privileged backgrounds and just 16% were from a working class background. This compares to 33% of the nation coming from working class backgrounds and just 29% coming from affluent backgrounds.

Among award winners the pattern is similar. Research by the Sutton Trust has shown that 42% of all British BAFTA winners went to a private school compared to just 25% who went to a comprehensive school.

The shortage of working class actors is an indicator of a bigger problem - that inequality, class and privilege, not talent, determine whether or not you can make it in a great career like acting.

The creative industries are too important to Britain to just stand by and ignore this problem. So what can we do about it? It's about more than just economics, although low or no pay in the acting world has a huge impact and needs to be tackled.

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As politicians you might expect us to say we have all the answers but that would be foolish, because the answers to these questions of class and inequality so rarely - if ever - come from inside Westminster.

For this inquiry we've teamed up with actors, writers, commissioners, producers, directors, campaigners, academics and more, to bring a huge breadth of industry experience to the table thinking about the issues and how to solve them.

Today we've got our first evidence session where we are bringing some contributors to a Parliamentary table to discuss the issues.

Michelle Collins and my colleague Tracy Brabin MP both found that soaps are often a platform for working class talent that provide regular employment and parts for people without London or RP accents. James Graham was a working class boy from my constituency who went on to write one of the biggest political plays of this century - This House and cares about creating stories about working class people that can inspire kids and create roles for working class actors.

Paul Roseby has spent years at the helm of the National Youth Theatre which has been a springboard for stars like Matt Smith and provided a route sometimes alternative to drama school. Lucy Milner is an experienced Head of Drama at a London school and has seen first-hand the gulf between drama provision in the metropolis and places like North Nottinghamshire where kids have to drive an hour to the nearest theatre and don't see people like themselves on TV. Geoff Colman, Head of acting at Central School of Speech and Drama has trained the next generation of British stars like Cush Jumbo and is championing access from inside the conservatoires. Ayesha Casely-Hayford chairs campaign group Act for Change that is spearheading work on issues of diversity and inclusion.

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This fantastic panel are helping us identify the weak links in the class ceiling and will be joining us in developing policies to try and smash it.
I'm in Iraqi Kurdistan.

It's my third time here. Each time I come, it's to learn more about the different forms of violence and discrimination facing women and girls in the region as part of my work with my women's rights organization Project Monma.

Each time I come, the stories and tales of indiscriminate violence and blatantly unfair discrimination, hurt.

This time, the war against ISIS is raging and as I hunker down in the Kurdish capital Erbil, reports of fighting filter in from the various journalists and filmmakers on the front lines with Mosul who are documenting the violence as it unfolds.

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Military helicopters fly overhead and the small city is brimming with refugees and IDPs who have fled ISIS's violent regime of barbarity and slavery.

As always, I'm worried about the safety of the women and girls.

Throughout the world, in both times of war and peace women and girls face the threat of violence. This could include violence from their husbands, sexual violence or blatant discrimination that prevents women and girls from participating fully in public life.

It also includes sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is one of the most pervasive problems facing women in both wartime and peace. It's a global phenomenon and it happens on the street, in the workplace and in bars. It also happens in refugee camps and at schools. It can happen anywhere and it's downright harmful.

So, if we know that women and girls are harassed in times of peace and when they should be safe, what then happens to women and girls, when made vulnerable by the brutality of war?

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I went to Iraqi Kurdistan to find out.

I met with women from women and girls from throughout Iraqi Kurdistan including refugee women from Syria, Yezidi women who had fled ISIS atrocities, local Iraqi Kurdish women and foreign women who had come to live and work in Kurdistan.

Every single woman and girl I met, reported some form of sexual harassment.

It was evident that sexual harassment is a serious problem from my own experiences. Cars slowed down to follow me down the road and men consistently stared at me in an aggressive and lewd manner. 'It's because they think you're easy,' explained one Kurdish friend over lunch one day. 'They think that all Western women are easy, that's why they stare at you like that.' I have heard such comments repeatedly throughout my travels through the Middle East. It's linked to Western conceptions of freedom and the idea that the more free you are as a woman, the more of a whore you are.

This disrespect became violently visible at a protest against violence against women. A small group of men and women had gathered in the centre of Erbil to protest violence against women. As they chanted 'women's rights are human rights' a small group of local males formed a group around them. I noticed that the men were standing way too close to the protesters. Suddenly, one of the women shouted and I saw a man push another man.

The protesters appeared to become nervous and started to move away. I heard one American woman say, 'I'm getting out of here.'

Another woman hurried past and shouted, 'they're pulling hair.'

At this point the situation was becoming violent, here were a group of men and women protesting violence against women and the local men were assaulting the women. As I watched the lecherous faces of the men surrounding us I felt threatened and wanted to leave.

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Lili Crum, an American living and working in Iraqi Kurdistan was at the women's Women's March and was the woman who was assaulted while protesting. Having lived in the Middle East for 6 years she says women's rights are often not honored or valued and so she felt that it was important to attend the march.

'After I realized that I was being groped, one of the male onlookers began to yell at him and I tried to push him away, but the rest of the men were smiling and taking photos,' she explained.

Harassment in Kurdistan is a common occurrence according to Crum. Men take photos of her while at the gym without her permission. On one occasion she was called a whore by a man as she walked down the street which she attributed to the colour of her skin and hair and her gender.

For a group of Yezidi women living in Erbil, the harassment is no better. They fled Sinjar in 2014 after ISIS stormed their small village, killing thousands and taking thousands of Yezidi women and girls to be sold in slave markets. This small group of women had managed to escape and make it to the safety of Erbil however, living in Erbil has not entirely brought the safety they were seeking.

Sitting on a small mat on the side of the construction site where they had taken shelter, they described how when they first arrived to Erbil, groups of drunk men would come by to harass them. They described the experience as a 'living hell.'

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One of the young women, Adee Mchow explained that sexual harassment is a regular part of their daily lives. It happens on the street and when they go out to do their daily activities.

For two young Syrian girls Jihan Mousa and Roj Jiwhar living in Qushtapa camp not far from Erbil, sexual harassment has also been a part of their daily experience. They fled to Northern Iraq after ISIS invaded their homes in Syria to seek safety, yet they too have had daily problems with harassment.

Jiwhar explained how she had been harassed while working in a mall in Erbil. 'An Arab man from Bagdad wouldn't leave me alone. He was drunk. Security came and took him but he said that he would be waiting for me outside. So the security had to help me get a taxi.'

Mekaieel Sabir, an 80-year-old man from Kurdistan attributes many of the problems facing women and girls in Kurdistan to traditions. There are cases where girls may not be allowed to go to school or get a job because then she would be seen by men. In the case of harassment, he attributes this to men without manners.

Whilst harassment is mostly certainly linked to men without manners, it would appear that the problem of sexual harassment goes well beyond that. Considering the large percentage of cases of sexual harassment where men seem uninhibited by consequences, it would appear that sexual harassment has its roots in the way that women are perceived within their communities. When men feel entitled to objectify, belittle and degrade women through relentless sexually predatory behavior, there is certainly a wider problem that needs to be addressed.

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The lack of shame and obvious lack of fear of consequences demonstrated by the men at the women's rights protest for example is evidence of this.
Nicky Goulder working with a participant during a Create project

Earlier this month it was inspiring to see high-profile and widespread recognition of many amazing and influential female artists as part of International Women's Day. But the need for raising the profile of female artists was demonstrated by the National Museum of Women in the Arts' #5WomenArtists campaign (mine were Diane Arbus, the Guerrilla Girls, Sylvie Guillem, Barbara Hepworth and Frida Kahlo) - which highlighted that it is a challenge to name female artists. This is indicative of the gender inequalities in the arts industries.

The Artfinder Gender Equality Report 2017, released in February, laid bare the gender inequality at the top of the art industry. The report shows that just one out of the 100 top lots at auction in 2015 was a work by a woman. In 2004, when MoMA in New York opened its new building, with a reinstallation of the permanent collection spanning the years 1880 to 1970, of the 410 works on display in the fourth and fifth-floor galleries, only 16 (4%) were by women. By April 2015, still only 7% of the works on display were by female artists.

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These statistics are specific to visual art, but are replicated across the cultural spectrum. A quick Google search will lead you to reports and articles on gender inequality in any artform you can think of, for example music, film and dance.

There is a massive disparity between the evident inequality at the top levels of the arts industries and the findings of Arts Council England's Every child: equality and diversity in arts and culture with, by and for children and young people report (published December 2016) found that. This shows that girls are more likely than boys to engage in almost all arts activities, both inside and outside school, a pattern that becomes stronger as they get older. This is reflected in employment data, which shows women outnumber men across the cultural sector workforce as a whole.

Create, the charity I co-founded and of which am Chief Executive, runs a programme to support emerging artists called Nurturing Talent, the 2016/17 pilot year of which is just reaching its conclusion. Through Nurturing Talent five graduate artists have been given the opportunity to apply their professional practice in a community setting. Across 12 months, artists on the programme work as a supporting artist alongside Create's professional artist(s) to plan and deliver three or more creative arts projects (circa 18 days) with different community groups and attend five professional development training days that focus on leadership skills, workshop planning and delivery.

The three female artists who completed the Nurturing Talent programme (Camilla Greenwell, photographer, Sara Macqueen, dancer and Cecilia Knapp, writer) told me about their experiences as young women building a career in the creative arts industries.

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Camilla said her female peers are supporting and inspiring each other while men still feel the need to explain to her how a camera works: "I think the main thing that crops up when I speak to other women, in any career, is a faltering of confidence and a wariness of asserting ourselves, lest we seem bossy or 'difficult'. I also work alongside some amazing women who have taught me strength, patience, resilience and humour - which you need plenty of in this profession!

"I do get people coming up to me whilst I'm working, questioning me about my kit and technique, and then telling me that they know better, which always feels patronising and unnecessary. In these cases it's hard to tell if it's because I am female or just a random comment, but it's never women who come up to explain shutter speed to me!"

Sara thinks the auditioning environment in the dance industry leads to gender inequality: "The irony of dance is that women are, for a change, overrepresented compared to men, but the numbers rising to the leading positions and opportunities are significantly lower. From my observations in the auditioning environment, a contributing factor to this inequality is confidence and security of self. From a young age dance classes would usually only have one token boy, a position which can't help but strengthen resolve and endorse an entitlement to individual progression. For female dancers, there is a culture that they are replaceable and this, unsurprisingly, has a marked effect on their performance in such a personal art form."

Cecilia has seen progress in the writing industry but agrees that attitudes towards women asserting themselves are a barrier to equality: "I think that women, and I include myself in this, often find it uncomfortable promoting themselves or their work for fear of being labelled aggressive or arrogant. I think society teaches girls to be quiet and easy and not to celebrate their potential for actively pursuing their desires.

"I feel that we still live in an unbalanced society and that there are still more successful male writers than there are female. It's getting better: there are now female only poetry nights; and collectives working to redress the balance and celebrate and champion female voices and experiences; but historically, writing is a male dominated world."

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I dont think there is any five-letter word that can bring instant joy to a human being the way this one can: Pizza!

Who doesnt just absolutely love this sensational mix of well-baked dough topped with mouthwatering cheese, tomato, basil and other ingredients that could make your heart pump blood like a guy whose dream girl just whispered "I love you" in his ear?



Surely you know about pizza, but do you know where it was invented, how many types there are (yes there are a lot of types), and where to find the absolute best ones?

Well, I've been on a quest to find the answers to these questions.

Over the past five years, I've repeatedly visited the birthplace of pizza: Italy. I've been north to south, tracking the history of this marvelous creation through Milan, Venice, Florence, Perugia, Bologna, Rome, and finally this year, to the precise origin of the dish: Naples.

Pizza was first created in the late 18th century. It was common for the poor in the area around Naploli to add tomato to their yeast-based flat bread, and that was the first glimpse of what we now know as pizza. Over time, various alterations were added to this simple dish.

The oldest form of the dish is the pizza marinara; with toppings of oregano, garlic and extra virgin oil. It is named marinara as it was the traditional food prepared by "la marinara" (the seaman's wife) for their husbands after a long day of fishing in the Bay of Naples.

There is a famous contemporary Neapolitan legend regarding the creation of the other original pizza: the Margherita. In 1889, the Royal Palace of Capodimonte, which you can visit in Naples in the famous Piazza del Plebiscito, commissioned Raffaele Esposito, the owner of Pizzeria Brandi, to create a pizza in the honor of Queen Margherita.

He created a pizza with the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato), green (basil) and white (cheese).

Pizzeria Brandi is still operating in Naples, and that is where I went to try my first Margherita, and God was it worth it!

If you have not tried Margherita and Marinara  the two truly Italian pizzas  in Naples, you have not yet tried pizza, my friend.

Original Neapolitan pizza must be prepared in a certain way to be considered authentic. According to the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (The association of true Neapolitan pizza):

- The pizza must be baked in a wood-fire domed oven.

- The base must be hand-kneaded and must not be rolled with a pin or prepared by any mechanical means.

- True Neapolitan pizza must be created with San Marzano tomatoes (grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius).

- The pizza must be created with mozzarella di bufala Campana, made with milk from water buffalo raised in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio.

- The pizza must not exceed 35 centimeters in diameter or be more than one-third of a centimeter thick at the centre.

- Lastly, olive oil and tomato toppings are added on the pizza in a clockwise motion.

Simple, right?

So, where can you have this real pizza?

Sorry dude, you must make the trip to Naples, where pizzerias like Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, Pizzeria Da Michele, and Pizzeria Brandi have been operating since the 1800s, following the original code and creating truly sensational pizza.

Pizza Romano

Although Napolitano is the original pizza, this creation has been through a lot of alterations and variations. There are more than 40 types of pizza in the world.

In Italy, there is also the Romano, which has thinner dough and is more crispy (as opposed to the thick, fluffy Neapolitan dough), and generally has more variety in toppings. There are also the Sfincione, which is Sicilian squared pizza (which I have not yet tried) and the famous and widespread Pizza al taglio.

Pizza al taglio

This type of rectangular, small-sliced pizza is baked in large trays with a wide variety of toppings and sold by weight. Although it is available in Naples, this pizza was created in Rome. The best can be found at the famous Pizzarium Bonci in Rome.

Pizza Americano

Another big school of pizza creation is the American method. During the early 1900s, with Italian immigrants flooding to the US, many pizza styles have been created: Chicago Pizza, New York Pizza, California Pizza and different alterations to Sicilian pizza. But thats another trip and another story.

Fun fact: Pizzeria Brandi, which is responsible for inventing the Margherita, has opened in Dubai!

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"We started it with peaceful protests and we will end it with peaceful protests".

Houria, a young Syrian woman, is boarding a bus from Holland to Geneva. She is going to protest outside the United Nations and call for the release of Syria's disappeared detainees.

It's March 2016, 5 years since protests first started in Syria in the wake of the Arab Spring.

We're following Mazen Alhummada on this trip for our film Syria's Disappeared: The Case Against Assad. Mazen worked for a French oil company in Syria and came from a left-wing family who had wanted democratic change for decades. Mazen helped organise protests in his hometown of Deir Ezzor and filmed the demonstrations to communicate the Syrian revolution to the international community.

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A young man on the bus tells us, "To say the word 'freedom' here in Europe, or to go on a protest, doesn't seem like a big deal, but for Syrians it was a very big deal".

The huge protests were unprecedented. Syria was known as the Kingdom of Silence. Life was generally good, provided you didn't question the authority of the regime. Dissent was crushed and the security services were so omnipresent that people whispered that 'the walls have ears'.

The early protests demanded political reforms. Their calls for greater freedoms were met with gunfire and the security forces conducted mass arrests. The regime's violent response provoked more protesters to take to the streets.

Like many supporters of the uprising, Mazen says, "This is the price of the revolution. The bill is very high for freedom but it is a debt that must be paid". Others wonder whether the cost was worth it. The country has since descended into a civil war and a proxy war with atrocities on all sides.

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Those on the bus, who we travel with for 13 hours, are still singing the songs of the Syrian revolution. They are men and women of all ages. The atmosphere is celebratory and hospitable, with sweet treats shared along the bus. Yet just beneath the surface lies tragedy. Every person we meet has friends or family missing in regime detention. Some were themselves detained and tortured, but were lucky enough to be released. All have made long and perilous journeys to get to Europe.

Mazen spent eighteen months in detention and has several close family members currently disappeared. The Syrian regime refuses to disclose the names of those detained or acknowledge how many people are being held in its clandestine prisons. Families and friends of detainees search for news about their loved ones, not knowing if they are dead or alive.

Tens of thousands of Syrians are currently missing in detention.

Arriving at the UN, Mazen takes out laminated photos of the missing and carefully places them on the concrete square in front of the UN building. He tries to engage tourists and passers-by to look at the photos, but most of them want selfies with the UN flags instead.

Wassim, a middle-aged man from Aleppo who travelled with us on the bus, picks up one of the photos. It's of his friend Mohammad. He's been missing in detention since 2011 and for almost five years there has been no news whatsoever. Wassim cries.

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Wassim tells us, "Unfortunately now we only see our friends in photos. If only we could find out if they are alive or not. Is this the price that people must pay for freedom? Losing their freedom, perhaps forever? Many have died. That's really hard. But we will always, in memory of these people, keep our principles and demand to be free from tyranny".

Mazen doesn't expect to see his missing relatives again. He's emotional and his friends help him scrape up the photos from the ground. Wassim quietly rolls up the Syrian revolution flags, in front of the imposing UN building and the flags of its member states.

The UN has accused the Syrian government of the murder, rape, torture and extermination of detainees. Yet a Security Council resolution to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court was vetoed by Russia and China.

The Syrian regime has consistently refused access to independent international monitors to inspect their detention facilities. Amnesty International and other groups have been calling for action on this, and for the regime to publish names of detainees, their whereabouts and what has happened to the bodies of those who have died.

It's now been one year since our bus journey. Many of the Syrians on that bus still have photographs of their missing loved ones displayed on their Facebook profiles. They are still waiting for news of their disappeared.

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Syria's Disappeared: The Case Against Assad, C4, Thursday 23 March at 10pm

Director: Sara Afshar

Producers: Sara Afshar & Nicola Cutcher

Exec Producer: Callum Macrae
Lukas Schulze via Getty Images

As we watch yet another year of record-breaking temperatures and climate crises unfold, it is high time we made universities practice what they preach: for a good reputation, they must stop investing in the fossil fuel industry - financially, socially, and politically.

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Divestment by research institutions seems natural: if research aims to improve our futures, why invest in wrecking it?

These companies make legendary profits by failing to pay the staggering costs incurred to people and the planet.

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University College London (UCL) invests over 12.2 million in the fossil fuel industry, including oil giants BP, Shell, and Total.

As in wider politics, oil is far from absent in determining UCL's stake in the industry: the UCL Chair of Council was previously chief economist at Shell and a member of BP's board from 2001 to 2011.

Many students are shocked to hear about UCL's investments. Ecuadorian students funded by their government to study at UCL, such as Camila Montesinos and Angie Farfan, "are disgusted by our University's investments in an industry that has never shown any care for the environment or people who survive from it". Masters student Mariam Salah highlights how she previously thought the University was a "progressive" institution. Founded almost two-hundred years ago, UCL was the first UK university open to women, all religions, and all classes. It is now a leading research institution in fields that consistently implicate the fossil fuel industry, including climate science, human rights, and global health.

With divestment commitments from SOAS, Queen Mary's, LSE, and KCL, UCL's rebranding as 'London's Global University' is quickly shaping itself into 'London's Global Warming University'.

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On Thursday afternoon a dozen activist students made their way up a university ladder onto the UCL Provost's balcony to map out the chasm between the University's academic community on the one hand and the Provost's investment decisions on the other - written, scrawled, and drawn across his second story window. The students then occupied the space for 24 hours before writing their messages onto the Main Quad and emblematically delivering 'oil'-covered flowers to the Provost's door as a reminder of the life ruined by the industry.

On one side of the balcony window, we witnessed quotes from the Provost himself; on the other side, students referenced climate research associated with UCL.

A stark juxtaposition was revealed: "I run UCL like a monopoly board", read the left-hand panel. The right-hand window-panes bore a quote from the Lancet Countdown based at UCL: "the response to climate change could be 'the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century' (Lancet, 2017)". This accompanied references from other disciplines reflecting activists' subjects, including Anthropology, Economics, and Earth Science.

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Credit: Real Media. "What divestment really does in these kinds of situations is it creates a social climate in which we're no longer just accepting our over-reliance on fossil fuels."

After four years of a loud campaign, campaigners' lips were taped over in a black cross, answering the university's determination to dismiss and defer their agenda as they waded through every possible diplomatic channel and demand by management; they were silenced and ignored. Just the day before, UCL deleted students' public feedback online that referred to the University's dirty investments.

The campaign has garnered more support than any other in UCL history, with an online petition of over 3300 signatures and wide support from the UCL Academic Board, and official support from the Student Union.

Fossil fuel divestment has "powerful financial reason" over and above the moral argument, as highlighted by Beth Dorsey, chief executive of the Wallace Global Fund. The decrease in investment return for universities is insignificant - typically less than one hundredth of a percent - as fossil fuel investments are a small proportion of total funds and do not yield the highest returns, including at UCL. Indeed, companies such as Shell and BP foresee that fossil fuel demand will decline in the medium-to-long-term as a growing number of investors recognise the implications of burning fossil fuels.

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As a society, we must push all energy companies to become accountable green investors and contribute meaningfully to the global shift away from fossil fuels. Until they do so, we will continue to intensify pressure on our institutions to reject an industry that compromises all of our futures in the name of profit - and, ultimately, remove its social license to operate.

Photography Credit:

Fossil Fueled Rose - Nazanin Rassa

DIVEST Flashmob - Julia Hashimoto Schaff

Provost's Balcony Scene - Julia Hashimoto Schaff
On her first day as Prime Minister, standing on the steps of Downing Street, Theresa May said "If you're black, you are treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you're white. " She is right - as starkly demonstrated in our prisons. Ethnic minorities make up 14% of our general population, yet make up 26% of our prison population. Whilst just 3% of people in Britain identify as Black British, in our prisons the proportion of black inmates is four times higher. Four times higher. A troubling discrepancy which cannot be shied away from.

So in a country that prides itself on being fair, why is there such racial disparity? Our new report, 'Building Trust' argues that, at the root of this overrepresentation of ethnic minorities in our prisons, is a concerning lack of trust in our criminal justice system. Just over half of British-born BAME people believe that the criminal justice system discriminates against particular groups and individuals, compared to a little over one third of the British-born white population. This lack of trust, in turn, drives different decisions of ethnic minority defendants in court. It means, when faced with the choice of having their case heard by magistrates, or choosing a jury trial in the Crown Court, minority ethnic defendants are much more likely to elect Crown Court. This is particularly relevant because if Crown Courts find people guilty they have the power to sentence them to prison for longer. From Crown Court, defendants from an ethnic minority background are much more likely to plead not-guilty

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What does this higher rate of not-guilty pleas in Crown Court have to do with prison numbers? If you plead not-guilty, but are then found guilty, you get a harsher sentence, longer in prison. Recent Ministry of Justice research suggests that the racial disparity in our prisons can be explained by the tendency of ethnic minority offenders to plead not guilty. In short, our prisons have a disproportional number of prisoners of colour at least in part because of lack of trust in the system. David Lammy MP, who is currently leading a government review of race and the criminal justice system, has described this as the 'trust deficit'. One man from an Asian Muslim background, Suleman, summed up his experience at Crown Court - and indeed the whole criminal justice system - 'It was me against them. I didn't trust anyone.'

Understanding the roots of this trust deficit is at the heart of tackling the problem. Compared to white individuals, minority ethnic individuals are twice as likely to be stopped and searched, are more likely to be arrested, more likely to be convicted in magistrates' courts, and more likely to be remanded in custody. Minority ethnic defendants are also more likely than white defendants to have to endure a lengthy Crown Court trial only to be acquitted - a trend that mirrors a similar pattern in the USA, where cases with weak evidence to support prosecution are more likely to be taken forward when they involve minority ethnic defendants than when they involve white defendants. The overall picture hardly inspires confidence. More stop and searches; more arrests, many of which result in no further action; more severe outcomes at court; frequent lengthy trials only to be found innocent after all. Little wonder a British-born BAME defendant's trust in the justice system is comparatively low.

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There is hope though. Our report provides evidence that that courts can and should do something about it. First, our courts can be made to feel fairer if the court process is made clearer and more understandable for all. Our research suggests that making the court process feel fairer is effective for everyone, including those defendants who come into court with lower-than-average expectations of fair treatment. It is essential that our courts go the extra mile to make every aspect of the court process understandable and the current government programme of modernisation - online and virtual courts - must prize perceptions of fairness as a measure of its success.

Second, our courts must be properly rooted in their communities, for instance through the adoption of pop-up courts in public buildings such as libraries. We must reconnect our communities to the justice system, learning from the USA and Australia and their community courts. These kind of practical steps are no silver bullet. But they go some way towards casting off the 'them and us' image many defendants, especially those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, feel.
The intact tomb of the brother of a 12th Dynasty Elephantine governor has been uncovered, containing a range of funerary goods

The Spanish Archaeological Mission in Qubbet El-Hawa, west Aswan, has discovered an intact structure where the brother of one of the most important governors of the 12th Dynasty, Sarenput II, was buried.

Mahmoud Afifi, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, described the discovery as important not only for the richness of the burial chamber, but also in shedding light on individuals close to those in power.

Nasr Salama, director general of Aswan Antiquities, said that the find is unique with funerary goods that consist of pottery, two cedar coffins (outer and inner) and a set of wooden models, which represent funerary boats and scenes of daily life.

Alejandro Jimenez-Serrano, head of the Spanish mission from the University of Jaen, said that a mummy was also discovered but is still under study. It is covered with a polychrome cartonnage with a beautiful mask and collars.

Inscriptions on the coffins bear the name of the deceased, Shemai. followed respectively by his mother and father, Satethotep and Khema. The latter was governor of Elephantine under the reign of Amenemhat II.

He explained that Sarenput II, the eldest brother of Shemai, was one of the most powerful governors of Egypt under the reigns of Senwosret II and Senwosret III. Apart from his duties as governor of Elephantine, he was general of the Egyptian troops and was responsible for the cult of different gods.

With this discovery, Serrano asserted, the University of Jaen mission in Qubbet El-Hawa adds more data to previous discoveries of 14 members of the ruling family of Elephantine during the 12th Dynasty. Such high numbers of individuals provide a unique opportunity to study the living conditions of the upper class in Egypt more than 3,800 years ago.

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Former astronaut encourages Hutchinson students to consider space exploration

Former astronaut describes his path to space flight and experiences on the International Space Station, while offering advice on how to get there
Dicken Crane says he gets most of his energy from a solar array and from forestry and he doesn't need any more natural gas.

Local Environmentalists Oppose Policies Supporting Natural Gas



Christopher Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services is pushing for 100 percent of the state's energy come from renewable sources. DALTON, Mass.  Dicken Crane has a large solar array on his Holiday Brook Farm. He has a forest management program to harvest timber to burn in a wood furnaces. He doesn't need more natural gas.

Crane is one of some 500 businesses that have signed onto a petition against Gov. Charlie Baker's push for access to more natural gas.

Baker has been supportive of new natural-gas infrastructure and had previously introduced a proposal to allow electric utilities to levy a tax on users to pay for infrastructure, particularly the price to build new pipelines, but that was rejected by the Supreme Judicial Court.

Proponents of natural gas have long said it is a bridge fuel to offset the decommissioning of coal and nuclear plants in New England and that more natural gas will keep rates down by controlling the peak times of production, such as in the high demand winter months.

Baker has supported efforts to boost the renewable energy portfolio of the state in what has been called an "all of the above" policy to shift from coal. Baker has called for more renewable energy while at the same time remained supportive of new natural gas pipelines.

Plans for new pipelines, however, have been largely opposed in the Berkshires because of the use of fracked gas, damage to the area's natural resources and potential dangers of the high-pressure lines.

Crane says the state doesn't need more gas, it just needs to focus more on renewable energies, and that includes proper forest management and solar. If rolled out more aggressively and properly, Crane doesn't believe any new gas pipelines are needed.

"The important thing, I think, to realize is that to really be both energy independent and using renewable energy is to look at all of the resources. As much as solar is important to us, the use of waste wood from forest management is equally, if not more, important to us and is equally renewable," Crane said. "It is important to see these things as a suite of options."

Crane joined environmental activists on Tuesday to share how he powers his farm and call for more renewable energy. The press conference was one of many throughout the state as Mass Power Forward, a collaborative of environmentalist groups, oppose Baker's stance. Locally, that includes the Berkshire Environmental Action Team and 350 Mass.

"We call on Gov. Baker to drop his call to place a pipeline tax on every electric ratepayer in the commonwealth. A recent study has shown that under existing laws and regulations that tax would end up costing ratepayers substantially more than any savings that might be produced in the first two years of operations," said BEAT Executive Director Jane Winn.

"In fact, BEAT sees the pipeline tax as a way to shift the cost and risk of building pipelines from big gas companies onto ratepayers, while all the potential profits from selling that fracked natural gas overseas will go to the heads of the big gas companies."

Crane simply says, "we don't need it so why are we going to pay for it?" The group oppose any pipeline project and say the state can absolutely move to 100 percent renewable energy through the development of solar, hydro, forest management, adding energy storage, implementing microgrids, and becoming more energy efficient and conserving more.

"We don't need any new gas infrastructure. It is dirty fossil fuels that are polluting our air and causing health problems. There are huge opportunities in the state to grow our green economy," said Cheryl Rose of 150 Berkshires.

Christopher Derby Kilfoyle, president of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, said what Crane does for his farm is "today's energy" and he believes not only can the state become 100 percent renewable by following his lead but that the entire world can move that way.

"We can do this globally. This year China will have 1.5 gigawatts of new solar installed and many Third World countries are skipping the industrial coal and oil level of energy use and going straight to renewables," Kilfoyle said.



Mass Power Forward is crafting a petition which is signed by about 500 businesses opposing natural gas. Kilfoyle says technology can be powered by small solar panels, and new micropower grids can allow for farms to put up solar arrays that will create additional energy for the entire grid.

"We are in transition to a new type of power grid. You've heard of microgrids, that is going to happen. That is happening in places like Haiti. Why are we wasting 30 percent of our energy power to send it from Mount Tom in Holyoke out to Dalton when you can make it on your own roof?" Kilfoyle said.

"We are going to get to the point where a microgrid can contribute to the whole network of the grid."

The opportunities are there and Kilfoyle is calling on residents and businesses to "stand up to the utilities" by fighting against pipelines. He said the electric and gas companies have tried to demonize solar when what really has hurt their business is the loss of population and large factories.

He cited Eversource's proposal to raise rates by some 10 percent as a move to continue to reliance on fossil fuels. He wants the utility to companies to turn the other way and look toward renewables.

"They are going to penalize solar," Kilfoyle said.

Secondly, he says the United States simply uses too much electricity. He is calling for significant efforts to increase energy conservation.

"We all are going to have to make sacrifices," Kilfoyle said.

Winn said the state already has requests for proposal out for more offshore wind, energy storage, and microgrids, all of which will help smooth out peak demands, when energy producers incur the most costs.

"It is important that we move quickly away from highly polluting fuels like fracked natural gas. To meet our greenhouse gas emission targets we will have to decrease our use of fracked natural gas so there is no advantage to the people to build more pipelines," Winn said.

Mass Power Forward has collected hundreds of signatures from business across the state present to the governor's office. The advocates say that while many businesses are supporting the natural gas push, a significant number of others are opposing it.
Mount Greylock Regional School students participate in Shakespeare & Company's Fall Festival of Shakespeare, a program funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Berkshire Arts, Research Take Hits in White House Budget

LENOX, Mass.  Proposed cuts in President Donald Trump's fiscal 2018 spending plan would create serious problems for the creative economy.



"The real travesty is this is actually taking money out of the pockets of people who are trying to keep food on their table while teaching kids," Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Allyn Burrows said this week.



"[Lawmakers in Washington, D.C.] may not feel their personal connection with the arts, but their kids do. This is all part of that fabric. It's doing the next generation a disservice to yank that."



"That" would be the National Endowment for the Arts, one of the federal programs that would come under the ax if Congress follows the new president's lead on fiscal priorities.



Federal spending on the arts and the sciences each would take a hit in the White House's proposal. And that would have ramifications locally, whether it's federally funded research at institutions of higher learning or arts programs at museums and theater companies that are the backbone of the region's tourist trade.



From Stockbridge's Norman Rockwell Museum to Williamstown's Clark Art Institute to North Adams' Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, area museums routinely use NEA grants to support special exhibitions and programs.



At Burrows' Shakespeare & Company, the federal grants routinely support two of the pillars of the festival's education programs: the Northeast Regional Tour that brings Shakespeare's words to students throughout the region and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare that is one of the highlights of the year for Berkshire County public schools.



Altogether, the Lenox venue receives about $50,000 per year from the NEA.



"That's a sizable chunk of our education budget," Burrows said. "It's a major hit. I'm really left somewhat speechless by this imperative to go after educational and cultural institutions.



"They can say, 'It's not that much [money] anyway. You can raise it elsewhere.' For us, exponentially, it's an important part of our programming.  We might be able to make up the money elsewhere, but then energy has to be devoted to making up that money when we already are dedicating energy to raising other money."



And if the admittedly small ($148 million in FY17) NEA budget is eliminated, as Trump's budget would do, then cultural institutions across the country will be scrambling to fill in funding gaps with money from a limited pool of private foundations. In other words, "raising it elsewhere," will be even more difficult in a new funding environment.



At Williams College, the loss of federal research money might not be a "major hit," but the impact would be noticeable.



"Our faculty do apply for federal grants  the National Science Foundation, NASA, the National Institutes of Health," Williams Associate Provost Chris Winters said. "Any contraction in the grant-making ability of those departments would have some effect on the probability of getting those awards."



According to an analysis from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Trump's budget proposal would cut nearly $6 billion from the $31.7 billion NIH budget and would eliminate the entire Advanced Research Projects Agency at the U.S. Department of Energy.



Williams researchers currently have three NIH grants and 21 through the National Science Foundation, including subcontracts with other institutions, Winters reported.



Trump's proposal for the NSF is unknown, according to an article published on AAAS' website, Sciencemag.org.



"We're lucky to provide a lot of those opportunities through institutional resources, but, obviously, every time we can offer that opportunity to someone through [a grant], it's one more time we can offer it through those institutional sources."



In the arts, the consequences of gutting federal programs could be severe.



"The arts are actually a huge part of our economy in the Berkshires and a substantial part of our organization," said Jonathan Butler, the president of Pittsfield's 1Berkshire. "The culturals depend on the money that flows from the federal and state levels, and [those cultural institutions] are the backbone of our economy because of tourism.



"An organization like the NEA or any other national organization that's under pressure now is very important to those institutions in the Berkshires.  I'm hoping the congressional leadership will see that."

A 2015 report by Williams College's C3D center found arts and cultural nonprofits employed nearly 3,000 people, had an economic impact of $163 million annually and attracted some 1 million visitors a year.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey was proactive this week with the release of a report titled, "Massachusetts Last: Impacts of the Trump Budget on the Commonwealth." In it, he cites a $463 million loss statewide in NIH funding and a $3.5 million loss in NEA grants.



"In Massachusetts, we produce more federal revenue than we receive," Markey writes. "Yet our innovative businesses, universities, institutions, and non-profits are some of the most successful in the nation because they fight for, and win, competitive federal funding opportunities."



Of course, if Markey and the Democrats still were in control on Capitol Hill, Trump's budget proposal would have been dead on arrival. As it happens, the same November election that sent Trump to the White House also gave both houses of the Congress to the GOP, which long has had programs like the NEA in its cross-hairs.



Butler recognized that the support of Berkshire County's representatives in Congress only goes so far.



"I think Rep. [Richard] Neal and Sens. Markey and [Elizabeth] Warren have demonstrated that the arts and that component of our economy is something they feel strongly about," he said. "I think I can speak for the cultural leadership throughout the Berkshires when I say we'd like to see that kind of leadership from the whole nation."



Burrows recently was at a conference of Shakespearean theater associations in Baltimore, Md., where the group drafted a letter to Washington opposing the idea of gutting the NEA.



Whether it is keeping Shakespeare alive and relevant for a 21st-century audience or fostering new playwrights through federal grants, the relatively small piece of the federal budget is a necessary investment, Burrows said.



"Take the numbers out, and it's simple things: Is thought important? Is how we talk about things and think about things important?" Burrows said. "It's an understanding of what lies beyond the physical understanding of the Earth that makes people tough.  It's infuriating that in this country, consistently and, now, particularly, there's such a lack of understanding for that.



"A lot of these folks rationale [for cutting the NEA] is, 'What do you need to write plays for?' It's really hard to answer that. They don't realize how much culture they're exposed to until it's gone."




iciHaiti - Security : Drug seizure, the BLTS not idle





Monday, during a press briefing, Gary Desrosiers, the deputy spokesperson of the National Police of Haiti revealed that in March, during 4 separate operations 9.8 kilograms of cocaine and 87 kilograms of marijuana in total had been intercepted and seized by the Brigade for the Fight against Trafficking Narcotic drugs (BLTS).



On 2 March, BLTS proceeded to Toussaint Louverture International Airport to the arrest of two Haitians Ismith Joseph and Guerda St-Cyr, who possess 4 kilos of cocaine to Miami ; On 3 March, Espinoreta Yo Merlin, a Dominican national who was leaving for New York, was arrested in possession of 2 kilos of cocaine; On March 17, 87 kilos of marijuana from Jamaica were seized in St-Louis du Sud, and on March 18, the BLTS arrested Alexandre Fabienne, a Haitian in possession of 3.8 kilos of cocaine bound for Fort Lauderdale.



IH/ iciHaiti


















Head of Turkish Aid Group Arrested for Funneling Funds to Hamas

The Fellowship | March 22, 2017 Head of Turkish Aid Group Arrested for Funneling Funds to Hamas

Last year, Stand for Israel kept you updated on news that an aid worker for World Vision had given tens of millions to Hamas. Now, JNS reports that Israeli security forces have uncovered another such incident  a Turkish aid worker who funneled funds meant for rebuilding in Gaza to the terrorist groups military wing:

Israels Shin Bet security agency revealed that Gaza resident Muhamad Murtaja, manager of the Gaza branch of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), was arrested in February for assisting Hamas.

According to the Shin Bet, Murtaja was recruited by Hamas in 2008 and became part of its military wing in 2009. He was later appointment director of TIKAs Gaza branch in 2012 and has been accused of using his position to redirect millions of shekels in funds that were intended for meaningful humanitarian projects to Hamas. This includes replacing the names of needy Gazans eligible for financial aid with those of Hamas fighters as well as directing food packages to Hamas commanders and their families.

Another man, Mehmet Kaya, who heads the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), which was behind the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident and is classified as a terror group by Israel, has also been accused of funneling funds to Hamas. Kaya has not yet been arrested.

Additionally, the Shin Bet said that IHH funds were used to hold public events celebrating Hamas terrorists and giving them gift packages, as well as for constructing terror training bases and purchasing military equipment and weapons
Three Dead, 20 Wounded in London Vehicle and Stabbing Attack

The Fellowship | March 22, 2017 Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

As Stand for Israel reported earlier, terror has struck Europe once again today  one year to the day after bombings ravaged the airport in Brussels, Belgium  when attacks were carried out in London. As more details come out, The Times of Israel reports that at least three people are dead and 20 more have been wounded  many with catastrophic injuries  in the car-ramming and stabbing attack that spanned Westminster Bridge to the House of Parliament:

At least three people were killed, along with the attacker, and 20 people were injured in a stabbing and car-ramming terror attack Wednesday outside the British Parliament in London and on the nearby Westminster Bridge.

Parliament was on lockdown after an assailant stabbed an officer, then was shot dead by police, officials said. London Police also said officers were called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby.

Police said they were treating the attack as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise. They said in a statement that the incident was ongoing and urged people to stay away from the area.

Medics confirmed a woman had been killed and said some of the wounded suffered catastrophic injuries. The London Ambulance Service said it had treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge, and police said there were officers among the injured. At parliament, a body was seen lying in the yard. It wasnt clear if it was the attacker.

On the bridge, witnesses said, a vehicle struck several people, and photos showed a car plowed into railings. Witnesses in parliament reported hearing sounds like gunfire




This Isnt Our Last Love Letter



Dear Don Don,

Way back in 92



I walked into the room and knew



Never felt this way before



I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes



And the feeling grew



As I took a seat I knew



A love that would have my heart



Forever



I knew



Way back in 92





They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true



We were the exception to that rule



Our love had no where to hide



A spark set fire



As if this is how the universe started





I never doubted our love or what we could do



Together we grew



Forming a bond everlasting



That became our glue



My euphoria was YOU



Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared



For how fortunate we were :



to have and to hold

through sickness and in health

Til death do us part



Until we are together again



This isnt our last love letter



I love you with all my heart and soul



Yours forever,



Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow)





Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus.









A True American Hero

I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus.



I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years.



I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years.

But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us.

In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about.



Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle.

I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life.

I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life.

No one will ever do what he did.

I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO





David Jurist

IMUS IN THE MORNING

FIRST DAY BACK!
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Rutger Bregmans new book isnt traditional bestseller material. Packed full of case studies, graphs and complex ideas  you might expect it to appeal to a small niche of people who are actively involved in politics, but instead its created quite a storm here in Britain.

In case you havent heard Bregman on the radio, seen him on TV or read one of the many reviews of Utopia for Realists heres the thrust of his argument: humans have moved forwards a lot in the last two centuries but were now stalling. In response to soaring inequality, stubbornly high levels of poverty and very long working hours, Bregman puts forward bold proposals for creating a better society.

Theres clearly no single explanation for Utopia for Realists finding its way onto the bestseller list, but there are certainly some obvious factors at play. For starters, its a brilliantly written page-turner. It goes into serious depth, without ever feeling dense, as it weaves its way through the challenges we face and onto proposals for doing things differently.

Many others have written about the basic income  the proposal to give every citizen a non-means tested payment from the state  but very few have done so in such a compelling way as Bregman. He cites and explains numerous examples where providing people with state provision has set them free. From a homeless project in right-wing Utah, which gave people free apartments, to the Speenhamland System of 18th century England; his use of real life illustrations of the potential for a basic income is deeply persuasive.

But it isnt just his writing style or use of case studies which has made Bregmans book take off as it has  its also tapped into something big happening in politics: the rise of right-wing populism and the consistent failure of the left to paint a picture of the kind of world we want to live in. Three stories really struck me last week as I read Utopia for Realists. The first was that child poverty in Britain is now at four million  back to 2010 levels  and the second was the continued rise in zero hours jobs. We have an economy that functions in some traditional sense (its growing a little) but leaves young people at the bottom of a ladder with rungs so far apart that they stand little chance of climbing. And we have a jobs market thats changing beyond recognition. As Bregman points out so well the left simply havent been offering a vision of how wed do things differently  instead finding ourselves trapped in a period of what he calls underdog socialism, where we accept the premise of the mainstream debate and fail to put forward serious alternatives. There are, of course, reasons for underdog socialism to have thrived. When the Government is attempting to hack away at the welfare state and deregulate the entire economy its hard not to be in defensive mode. But Bregman is right to call progressives out  and he echoes Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams in his calls for us to move away from what they call folk politics and demand what some might call the impossible.

This is where the third story comes in: the recent election in Bregmans home country of the Netherlands. The big story there, unwritten by much of the media, was a huge surge in support for a green/left offering a bold vision of a different kind of country. They were looking to the future  and providing a serious counterweight to the politics of hate championed by Gert Wilders.

Of course demanding the seemingly impossible is made a lot easier with hard evidence and whats lacking from Bregmans analysis is a rigorous economic account of how we might pay for a basic income and a shorter working week. Hes right to point out that poverty costs the economy billions, and that overworked employees are inefficient  but a detailed appendix on how a country might change its tax system to pay for such policies would have been useful.

Thankfully work on the costs of different basic income schemes is being done elsewhere. The University of Baths paper on the subject sheds useful light on the price of paying everyone a basic income and thinktanks like Compass and the RSA are pushing ahead with research in the area too. The best way to model such a scheme would, of course, be for the Government to conduct its own pilot  something Ive been pressing them to do  but such a move seems way off for now.

Theres no doubt that Bregman is a savvy operator. In his latest tour promoting his book he used right-wing language to sell his basic income proposals: Its just a floor in the income distribution. Everyone will have the means to take risks. Thats what capitalism is all about. He might be right to think that a right-wing frame for basic income will help sell it, but we must also be very wary that some on the right would like to use the idea to undermine the welfare state  and that his language could, therefore, be risky. Only by setting the payments at a high enough level, and guaranteeing additional help for those who need it, can we ensure that its not hijacked. A successful basic income should be, by its nature, taking us away from consumerist capitalism  not propping it up.

Bregmans book adds to a growing list of compelling accounts in favour of radically restructuring our economy. From Paul Masons Postcapitalism, to Naomi Kleins This Changes Everything there is a wealth of literature out there making the case for bolder, bigger left-wing politics. Its now time to put this practice into reality. As Bregman points out, the Left failed to make gains in 2008 despite a global crisis of capitalism and, as he says, it will take both the courage to be utopian, and a good sense of timing too, to ensure that at the next opportunity we dont hear the clock strike midnight and find ourselves just sitting around, empty-handed, waiting for an extraterrestrial salvation that will never come.

Rutger Bregmans Utopia for Realists is published by Bloomsbury, 15.29. Caroline Lucas is co-leader of the Green Party
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If theres one film which does not deserved to be looked on charitably, its surely Love Actually.

Things have changed since 2003  and having re-watched the movie, I can say in true Curtis sweary-Brit fashion, thank bloody Christ. For few films look as embarrassingly out-of-step with modern feminism as Love Actually.

It has become a romcom staple, and what the Americans call holiday classic, watched by millions each Christmas. Many fans are ecstatic at the thought of revisiting these characters. But  to use a phrase that definitely didnt exist in 2003  this fave is problematic.

Even on its release there were some grumblings about Curtis privileging of grand romantic gestures over character development. But even if its shown incredible sticking power, the film also dated rapidly. Increasingly, internet critiques recognise what a creepy version of romance it offers (most notably, Jezebels hilariously shouty take-down).

Because all the power and agency belongs to the male characters, while women  often their younger employees  are silent, appreciative, pretty things. The ones who have any cares or responsibilities beyond pleasing men seem to get punished, missing out on love and having to listen to Joni Mitchell.

It also seems astonishingly heteronormative: nine stories, all straight. Same-sex romance is gently mocked, but never made visible or celebrated (a lesbian scene was filmed, but cut). Obviously everyone hopes that the reunion will see ageing rock star Billy Mack and his devoted manager finally getting together. Id bet on the lack of gay narratives being addressed in some way, at least.

Keira Knightley as Juliet and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter on their wedding day in 'Love Actually'

What about the representation of women? We can but hope. Obviously, Love Actually is hardly the only film to present female characters as pure wish fulfilment. The industry has always been dominated by men. Most of the movies we watch are filmed from the point-of-view of the men, with women positioned as objects of desire to be acquired. But for such a beloved, really-not-that-old movie, Love Actually feels particularly egregious, stuffed with examples of passive women serving mens needs and desires.

So, in an act of cold-hearted cynicism against the overly optimistic, saccharine romcom, here are all the ways the relationships in Love Actually make for really uncomfortable viewing.

Mark and Juliet

The sort of man who hires unwelcome surprise prostitutes for his mates stag do is perhaps not a man with a vast well of emotional intelligence. But Mark  played by Andrew Lincoln  develops into a full-on creep. Secretly in love with his best friends fiance (Keira Knightley), he films only her at the wedding. Often in extreme close-up, and certainly not saying anything: just a pretty face, over and over again. This wank tape is an almost comically blatant example of the male gaze in cinema: the camera literally frames his lust, the viewer presented Knightley through his adoring eyes. But it also seems to visually convey something about male control  hes cropping her, containing her, imposing limits on the terrifying object of desire.

Andrew Lincoln's character mark professes his love for Juliet in 'Love, Actually' and isn't a bit creepy at all

Because Mark is scared: scared of how much he likes Juliet. And yet he doesnt even know her. Juliet says but you never talk to me ... you dont like me. Mark has put her on a pedestal entirely because of the way she looks, with no regards to her personality or intellect. Maybe if hed bothered to chat with her, he would have realised they had irreconcilably different viewpoints about the war in Iraq or the new Radiohead album or whatever else people talked about in 2003, and could have moved on.

Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

Instead, we get the most famous scene of the film: Mark turns up to declare his love via the medium of giant hand-written signs, because its Christmas and we tell the truth at Christmas. Do we? Isnt it the time of little white I love it, you shouldnt have lies? And this, after all, his best mates wife hes calling perfect. Keep it under your Santa hat, Mark.

Sam and Joanna

Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) is only a kid, but hes totally, tragically in love with Joanna (Olivia Olson), the coolest girl in the school. She doesnt even know he exists. But youre never too young to start to learn how to make a girl like you. I have a plan, he declares. Girls love musicians. So he decides to learn to play the drums.

This plot is basically a mini-me Mark and Juliet. Why not try talking to her instead of just admiring her from afar? Maybe conversation would be better than pretending to like playing music to trick them into fancying you? To thine own self be true, little Sam.

Jamie and Aurelia

Poor handsome novelist Jamie (Colin Firth) is cheated on and has to go lick his wounds in France. His housekeeper is one Aurelia (Lucia Moniz), a Portuguese woman who speaks no English. They fall in love, despite being literally unable to communicate. In another big romantic gesture/arrogant gesture of male entitlement, he shows up at Christmas to ask her  his younger employee, with whom hes never had a single conversation  to marry him. This comes across as at best shallow, at worst deranged. Its wish fulfilment for the lazy romantic: getting the perfect girl without having to bother getting to know her.

Colin Firth as novelist Jamie and his Portuguese housekeeper Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) who speaks no English

The other really annoying thing about this plotline is the moment when they jump in a lake to save the pages of his book. Cue a lascivious slow-mo camera panning up and down Monizs body as she strips off to her underwear and executes a elegant dive, while Firth is allowed to flop in fully clothed, and splash about looking daft. Come on, Colin is famous for a wet-shirt scene  if were going to ogle, can it at least be equal opportunities ogling?

Sarah and Karl

We know its not going to end well for Laura Linneys character Sarah: she wears frumpy skirts and big jumpers with terrible butterfly broaches. She also doesnt prioritise romance and a mans sexual pleasure above all else.

After the office party, dolled-up Sarah finally gets it on with her long-term crush, the hunky Karl (Rodrigo Santoro whose torso, granted, the film does linger on with female lustiness). But Sarahs phone keeps going off, and she keeps answering. To be fair, it is her mentally ill brother who literally sounds like hes about to kill himself. I like to think that most guys would get that. Theyd be up for rearranging. Heck, maybe theyd even ask some questions, see how they could help

Karen (Emma Thompson) and Daniel (Liam Neeson) in Love Actually (Universal Pictures/Photofest)

Not Karl. Not in Love Actually. In rom-com land, apparently a man cannot share a woman with another man, even if it is her sick brother. And a woman cannot have her own life or responsibilities; she must at all times be available to service his needs. Back in woollens, Sarah.

Colin and all the American babes

When we first meet Colin (Kris Marshall), he gravely insults a wedding caterers cooking to her face. Instead of being embarrassed and apologetic, he decides that his problem is that British women are stuck up. He needs to go to America to pull.

Immediately, he meets three very hot girls, who adore his accent and end up taking back to theirs for an orgy. Of course, they are pure sex objects and this plotline is total male wish fulfilment  but at least the whole thing is played with its tongue in (some kind of) cheek, being comically, knowingly ridiculous. Or maybe by the end of the film I was just too tired to care.

Harry and Karen

Alan Rickman is the suave older boss Harry; his sexy young secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch), quite literally spreads her legs at him. Shes so seductively evil, she wears devil horns to a Christmas party. Does she think it's Hallowe'en? Who knows.

Rickman was one of the best things in Richard Curtis's over-egged Love Actually (Rex Features)

The woman is certainly doing the pursuing here  but the power and status is still all on his side. Hes the boss. She calls him Sir, for gods sake (did anyone actually call their boss Sir in 2003?). And then theres the business of her asking for a nice present from him, after the very obvious offer of sex. This is queasy, at best.

Then theres poor Karen, Harrys wife, played by Emma Thompson in the only truly human, multi-faceted performance in the film. She wears voluminous velvet, worries about being fat, and is a bit harried from running around after the kids (no sign of Rickman helping make their nativity play costumes, eh). Karen is also the only person we see looking sad in the films final montage of happy couples. Why? Because she isnt a perky 20-something bombshell? Because she challenges her husband about his behaviour and makes him feel bad?

The message certainly seems to be: only women who are sexy and make their men happy get their own happy endings. Screw you, Richard Curtis. Thats not OK, actually.
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Instead of copying the competition, Disney has recently begun buying up studios producing successful franchises. For instance, after attempting to start their own sci-fi franchise with John Carter, the company just bought LucasFilm for $4.05 billion and now own the Star Wars franchise.

With so much money available, its surprising to discover Disney are being sued over they Oscar-winning animation Zootopia having allegedly stolen the idea.

Gary L. Goldman - the writer of Total Recall and executive producer of Minority Report - has filed a copyright infringement against Disney, claiming they copied from his work.

In a slightly on-the-nose gesture, the plaintiff begins by quoting Zootropolis director Byron Howard as saying: "Dont worry if you feel like youre copying something, because if it comes through you, its going to filter through you and youre going to bring your own unique perspective to it.

Zootropolis Clip - Have A Donut

Goldman claims he pitched his very own Zootopia twice - in 2000 and 2009 - but Disney rejected the idea both times, the complaint reading: The Disney Zootopia is substantially similar to the Goldman Zootopia. They copied Goldmans themes, settings, plot, characters, and dialogue  some virtually verbatim They copied Goldmans title, Zootopia. They even copied Goldmans character designs and artwork.

Included in the complaint - which you can read in full here - is a graphic, showing the similarities between Goldmans original sketches against Disneys final product.

In response, Disney issued a statement reading: Mr. Goldmans lawsuit is riddled with patently false allegations. It is an unprincipled attempt to lay claim to a successful film he didnt create, and we will vigorously defend against it in court.

The lawsuit - filed by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP on behalf of Goldman - doesnt contain any exact figures, considering Zootopia has grossed $1.024 billion so far, not including toys, Disney could end up paying out a lot of money if found guilty.

Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November

Zootropolis is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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Aware of the demand among some consumers to watch new films for the first time on VOD rather than in cinemas, six of the seven biggest studios are closing in on deals to drastically shorten the time between theatrical and digital release.

The plan, according to Variety, is that viewers would pay more to catch films at home early, with some of the extra revenue being passed on to exhibitors to compensate for the drop in cinema attendance.

Standard practice is that films are available to rent and buy 90 days after release, but an initial proposal from Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara would have them drop after just 17 days.

Fox and Universal apparently felt that his suggested $50 (40) price for this was too steep, and the studios are now negotiating a compromise between length of delay after cinema release and price.

Lionsgate, Paramount and Sony are also all in the mix, talking to exhibitors like AMC, Regal and Cineplex, but not Disney, whose films (Beauty and the Beast, Rogue One, Marvel stuff) tend to lend themselves better to a traditional theatrical release.

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have added a sense of urgency to these talks, now frequently putting out movies with A-list talent via VOD.
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The Age Of Shadows (15)



Kim Jee-woon, 140 mins, starring: Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, Han Ji-min

The Age Of Shadows is a tremendous thriller, combining Hitchcockian elements with action set-pieces and a slippery plot line as full of twists and betrayals as one of John Le Carre's Cold War thrillers. It is set in Korea in the 1920s. The country is under the yoke of the Japanese but there is a ferocious resistance movement.

The pivotal character is a rugged Korean police captain Lee Jung-chool (played by the charismatic Song Kang-ho). He was once close to the resistance leaders but has now thrown his lot in with the Japanese occupiers. At their behest, he is busy hunting down his former comrades. The resistance, though, hopes he can be turned one last time.

Director Kim Jee-woon throws in some breathtaking sequences - and some very brutal ones. There are scenes of resistance agents being tortured in extremely bloody and sadistic fashion by officers they thought were their friends. The relationships between all the main characters are in constant flux. We're never sure who is the betrayed and who is doing the betraying.

The most memorable episode here is the virtuoso sequence in which all the main protagonists are on a long train journey together. The resistance fighters know that one of their colleagues has been double crossing them and, in the course of the journey, they have a way to flush him or her out.

The Age Of Shadows will have a very different resonance for Korean viewers than it does for outsiders not steeped in the history or politics of the era it portrays. Its multiple plot twists and reversals occasionally risk becoming confusing. Nonetheless, this is pulsating storytelling, suspenseful and often very stylish too.

Another Mothers Son (12A)



Christopher Menaul, 98 mins, starring: Jenny Seagrove, John Hannah, Julian Kostov, Ronan Keating

Another Mother's Son casts light on an episode which filmmakers have largely ignored in the past, namely the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. It tells the true story of a Jersey woman, Louisa Gould (Jenny Seagrove) who hid an escaped Russian prisoner in her home.

This is a very woolly drama. With its imagery of characters in tweed caps and aprons riding rusty old bikes, the film has the look of an old Hovis ad. The screenplay by Jenny Lecoat (the great niece of the main character) emphasises the sense of community on the island. Louisa runs the grocery shop, where the locals meet for a gossip. She is very close to her brother Harold (pop star Ronan Keating), sister Ivy (Amanda Abbington) and brother in law Arthur (John Hannah) who is assistant postmaster.

The nostalgic elements and folksy humour sit a little incongruously alongside shots of Nazis whipping their Russian prisoners or even pummelling them to death. There's a hint of 'Allo 'Allo, too, about the scenes in which the islanders outwit the German officers, for instance when Ronan Keating sings in Russian.

 Another Mother's Son - Trailer

Keating acquits himself pretty well as Harold, genial and selfless in the early scenes and then deeply traumatised later on. Seagrove gives a spirited performance as the redoubtable and outspoken Louisa (who slightly bizarrely has the hint of a cockney accent). Her own son has recently been killed and she sees the Russian, Feodor (Julian Kostov), as a surrogate.

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As first encountered, he's bedraggled, filthy, and emaciated but once he has been cleaned up and has had his hair cut, he is revealed as a handsome and sensitive young man. She rechristens him "Bill" and he proves his decency by fixing a leaking tap and drawing pictures of her.

In its own soap opera-like fashion, the film is involving enough. The characters, whether local girls have flings with German soldiers or busybody ladies who may be trying to rat on Louisa to the Nazis, are vividly drawn. Nicholas Farrell registers strongly enough as the cowardly postmaster, only very reluctantly doing the right thing, while Susan Hampshire and Peter Wight have some nice moments as selfless old-timers.

This, though, feels more like a TV movie than anything cinematic. Its generally cheery tone is belied by its very brutal ending in which the doughty Channel Islanders are suddenly forced to confront the reality of the Holocaust.

CHiPs (15)



Dax Shepard, 101 mins, starring: Dax Shepard, Michael Pena, Vincent DOnofrio, Kristen Bell

Buddy movies don't come any more moronic than Dax Shepard's CHiPs (based on the cop series of the 70s). This is very low-grade comedy, smutty, witless and prurient - but at least its two stars, Shepard and Michael Pena, seem to be enjoying themselves.

Shepard plays a has-been Evel Knievel-like motorbike ace whose marriage is breaking up even faster than his battered, rain-averse, titanium filled body. Pena is an undercover agent. They become partners as motorcycle cops in the California Highway Patrol. Shepard is the oldest and most incompetent rookie on the force. Pena's character is working under an assumed name, trying to root out corruption in the force. The cops themselves seem to be behind a series of armed robberies of security vans.

Most of the jokes here revolve around sexting, voyeurism (Pena has a fetish for women in hot pants), and the attrition between the two middle-aged leads, who don't take long to start their bromance anyway. Every so often, a high-speed motorbike chase across the LA freeways (and sometimes ignoring them altogether) is thrown in for good measure. CHiPs plays like an American version of Cannon & Ball or of some other goofy 70s sitcom. Vincent D'Onofrio plays the "heavy," the rogue cop Ray Kurtz, scowling away as Pena and Shepard behave ever more inanely.

Given that this is a comedy, the storytelling becomes strangely gruesome at times. There is decapitation, characters plunge to their death from helicopters and, most horrific of all, in one grim scene, Pena lands up face first in Shepard's pubic nether regions. If you enjoy juvenile, sub-Viz humour, you may find a few scenes worthy of a good snigger but overall this is pretty lamentable fare.
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James Gray, 140 mins, starring: Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller, Robert Pattinson

It has been a while since weve had a decent film about British explorers in pith helmets roaming through the Amazonian jungles. James Grays brilliant new feature The Lost City Of Z (adapted from David Granns book) is both a throwback to an era in which rip-roaring yarns about imperial adventurers were commonplace and a story with a strong and disturbing contemporary resonance.

Gorgeously shot by Darius Khondji, it manages the feat of making the English and Irish-set scenes look just as rich and strange as those that unfold far down the Amazon. For all its epic trappings, this turns out to be a very poignant and closely focused character study of a man badly out of step in his own society, on a Quixotic journey to a destination that he knows he will never reach.

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) has many reasons for going on his far-flung expeditions. Theyre a way to redeem the family name, tarnished by the drinking and gambling of his neer do well father. If he is able to map Bolivia accurately, the British Empire stands to benefit. It isnt just money and reputation that is driving him, though. He is looking for escape.

He chafes against the jingoism and racism of fellow members of the Royal Geographical Society who persist in seeing the indigenous South Americans as savages and primitives. If Fawcett can find the fabled lost city of Z, he will be able to prove that there was civilisation deep in the jungle long before Christianity was born.

Gray has a knack of giving even the most commonplace scenes in The Lost City Of Z an epic quality. The film opens in Cork in 1905 with Fawcett as a young married officer competing in a hunt for a stag. Its a strangely morbid scene. To death, the best source of life, the officers toast one another as the stag is finally shot. The hunt and the ball that follows are shot with an extravagance and ambition that rekindles memories of Stanley Kubrick movies. There is lots of swooping camerawork. Costume and production design are lavishly detailed.

In these early scenes, Gray establishes that Fawcett is an outsider. Hes easily as courageous as any of the other officers but he has been unfortunate in his ancestors and hasnt won any ribbons or medals. He is happily married to the intelligent and strong-willed Nina (Sienna Miller) but when he is asked to lead an expedition to Bolivia, he quickly accepts. The expedition may cost him his life. At the very least, he will be gone for several years. Its one of the paradoxes of the film that, although he loves Nina, he cant wait to get away from her.

Hunnams performance is intriguing. Hes an upstanding Englishman, selfless and heroic, always trying to keep his emotions under wraps, and yet he has that same zealous, obsessive quality that Klaus Kinski brought to his roles as men on mad quests in Aguirre, Wrath Of God or Fitzcarraldo. He sometimes behaves very brutally, hitting his own son and treating Nina with a chauvinistic disdain when she has the temerity to suggest that she might accompany him on an expedition. Hes a restless soul who half realises that hell never be able to find the lost city of Z and that, even if he does, it wont provide the answers he seeks.

 The Lost City Of Z - Trailer

Grays screenplay is alert to the contradictions in British imperial society. The whiskered gentlemen who have such raucous meetings at the Royal Geographical Society talk disdainfully about the poor warlike savages in South America and yet these tribes skirmishes are as nothing to the violence of the trenches in the First World War, where Fawcett commands a group of soldiers.

The debates at the RGS verge on the comical. Fawcett shows shards of pottery to try to convince his sceptical listeners that he has evidence of a lost civilisation. Pots and pans, they jeer at him. Theres a wonderfully harrumphing and lively performance from Angus Macfadyen as veteran explorer and Edwardian gentleman, James Murray. Hes a pompous and self-important man who insists on joining Fawcett on an expedition but is far too cowardly and unfit to last the pace.

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Robert Pattinson is effective, too, in a supporting role as Henry Costin, Fawcetts loyal follower. He gets to deliver one of the best lines in the movie. Jungle is hell but one kind of likes it. Lost in the jungle, singing hymns to the natives who are trying to kill them, the British often seem very absurd but as Costins remark attests, they take a masochistic pleasure in their own discomfort.

 The Lost City of Z Exclusive Clip

Structurally, The Lost City Of Z is very loose. At times, Gray doesnt seem to have any clearer idea of his final destination than Fawcett himself. This is the story of three expeditions over a period of 20 years, all of them inconclusive. Theres a brutal First World War interlude too. Every so often, the narrative will lurch forward in time. When the explorers are heading down river, Gray cranks up the tension.

We must turn back, there is no turning back, characters will say to one another in scenes that evoke memories of King Solomons Mines. There are chases, scenes set on turbulent rapids, references to cannibalism and footage of the British explorers coming under attack from arrows and spears. The action, though, isnt really the point. Grays main preoccupation is with Fawcetts existential quest to make sense of his life.

The explorer is both a heroic figure and a forlorn and slightly pathetic one. A mans reach should exceed his grasp or whats a heaven for, a quote from Robert Browning is thrown in which sums up both the explorers reckless ambition and his realisation that hell never get where he wants to.

The Lost City of Z is in UK cinemas from 24 March.
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Who hasnt entertained the fantasy of becoming a human bounty hunter? Well, I admit I have. Theres something quite seductive about the idea of tracking down some miscreant, bringing them to justice, delivering closure to their victims  and getting a nice juicy cash bonus into the bargain. I lazily imagine you can do all this on your sofa armed with nothing more lethal than an iPad and a broadband connection. You then pop the address into your satnav and get round there. Then you shop them to the police or something. Job done.

The Scottish Bounty Hunter demonstrated why its not really like that. Christian Matlock, originally from Brechin, now spends his time roaming Virginia looking for men and women with a price on their head. Unlike me, he is the real thing  covered in tattoos, over 6ft tall, and all muscly. He also has a business model. This is how it works. Someone gets done for something and turns up in court. They are asked for bail  say, $10,000. They havent got that kind of money, so they borrow it from what you might call a boutique finance house  a bondsman (not my sexism, that, just the common term for them). The bondsmans fee is 10 per cent of the bail. When the crim fails to turn up for their hearing, the bondsman is liable for the entire bail, and is obviously down on the deal and unhappy at the default. If the bondsman cant then get his hands on the fugitive, he hands over the file to a bounty hunter. The bounty hunter then finds and delivers the fugitive back into the criminal justice system, and everyones a winner, except the miscreant. Thats the idea, anyway.

The real world is also different because before long you start to feel sorry for the accused, which usually have mitigating circumstances, to say the least. The first bounty we met was a US army veteran, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, and in his own pathetic, poetic words of attempted exculpation: I drink a lotta alcohol to get rid of the sorrow an all. You also have to feel the pain of the girl who got addicted to heroin to block out the agonies of abuse. At times Matlock resembles a kind of tough-love tooled-up social worker. He even turned down a job offer in Florida  where bails and rewards for bounty men are set much higher  to stay in Virginia to help ex-bounty prey who teeter on the verge of becoming his friends.

So far from becoming a bounty hunter myself, by the end of my time with Matlock, I realised Im more liable to become a bounty. The Scottish Bounty Hunter reminds us of a universal truth, no least for those of us in the advanced, rich West: how fragile family and economic security are for most of us, and how vulnerable we are to find ourselves so desperate we turn to drink, drugs and crime. In difficult economic times the demand for the services of bounty hunters can only go up. How long, I wonder, before their ilk appear in Britain, legally or otherwise?

Lynda Ramsey talks to Sky Newss Jason Farrell in Primodos: the Secret Drug Scandal. She took the pregnancy testing drug Primodos; her son Gary Lee died aged 12 days (Sky)

Im not qualified to judge on whether the accusations contained in Sky Atlantics Primodos: The Secret Drug Scandal were true or not, but it was certainly painstakingly researched and moving documentary. Whereas the sad and scandalous story of Thalidomide has been well-told, another drug taken by pregnant women around the same time  a pregnancy tester called Primodos  has not attracted the same attention.

The allegations about it ran into each other at bewildering pace: that the drug caused terrible and life-threatening deformities; that the drugs company that made it refused to tell the truth about this when it knew it; that the drug was never properly tested before release; that the medical establishment colluded with the pharma industry to suppress vital research; that the legal system failed the victims; and that even now the giant Bayer company, who bought the original maker, Schering, a few years ago, maintains that the law at the time was complied with and that the evidence for a causal association between Primodos and congenital malformations is extremely weak.

Sky Newss Jason Farrell, who believes he has found new evidence in official and company archives, may yet reproduce the trailblazing investigative journalism of the Sunday Times Insight team that brought justice to the victims of the Thalidomide affair. The Government has appointed an expert working group to try to determine what happened and why, and theyll report in the autumn. The surviving children and parents have waited too long to find out why they have had to lead the lives that they have, and it is heartening to see journalism at its very best playing its part in that.
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Wildlife documentary maker and national treasure Sir David Attenborough has been honoured with another discovery being named after him.

A 430-million-year-old fossil found frozen in time has been called Cascolus Ravitis, Cascolus being the Latin equivalent to the Old English word for Attenborough.

Ravitis refers in part to the Roman name for Leicester (ratae), the University from which the researchers herald and where Attenborough studied, and the word for life (vita).

The ancient crustacean - a distant relative to modern lobsters, shrimps and crabs - measures just nine millimetres in length and was found in a volcanic ash deposit in Herefordshire.

Researchers called the specimen a particularly unique example that preserves incredible detail including body parts that are normally not fossilised.

A computer render of the fossil

Attending a ceremony at the University of Leicester, Attenborough said: The biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment.

Alongside those from the Department of Geology at Leicester, researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Imperial College London and Yale University also contributed to the discovery.

Recently, a newly discovered species of frog - the Pristimantis attenboroughi, which lives high in the Andes Mountains of South America  was been named after Attenborough.

David Attenborough: Life in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 David Attenborough: Life in pictures David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1957 David Attenborough with his three-year-old daughter Susan, as they cover their ears while sulphur-crested cockatoo Georgie lets out a piercing shriek David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1950 David Attenborough with his wife Jane Oriel and older brother and film actor Richard Attenborough at St. Anne's Church, Kew Green David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1955 David Attenborough, holding his son Robert, whilst looking at an animal called a coatimundi, brought home from the combined London Zoo David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1955 David Attenborough and Jack Lester, curator of London Zoo's reptile house, plan their next expedition to British Guiana with the help of Gregory the parrot David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1956 David Attenborough with six-year-old Michael Webb of Kingsbury pets a Capybara after Sir David had lectured to children on the 'Zoological Expedition to British Guiana' at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1957 David Attenborough, with wildlife photographer Charles Lagus, preparing to depart for New Guinea to make 'Zoo Quest' at London Airport Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1958 Prince Charles with his sister Princess Anne meeting Sir David Attenborough and Cocky, the cockatoo brought back from his last Zoo Quest expedition, at the BBC Television Studios in Lime Grove, London David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1961 David Attenborough with two ring-tailed lemurs during a Christmas lecture at London zoo David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1963 David Attenborough with an armadillo from 'Attenborough's Animals' David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1965 David Attenborough after he was appointed the new head of BBC 2 David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1965 David Attenborough and Michael Peacock, Contoller of the BBC, with soft toy versions of Hullabaloo and Custard, the kangaroo mascots which were used as logos for the launch of BBC 2 David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1980 David Attenborough shows Charlie the Llama to schoolboy Patrick Flynn, the millionth child to attend London Zoo's educational lectures and tours David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1982 David Attenborough feeds orangutan David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1985 David Attenborough after being knighted by the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, London, with his wife Jane (right) and daughter Susan David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1985 David Attenborough signs his book 'the Living Planet' in a Sydney Bookstore in Australia 2004 Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1986 David Attenborough with Queen Elizabeth II filming the Christmas Message in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1990 David Attenborough poses for a photograph David Attenborough: Life in pictures 1995 David Attenborough watches nature during the filming of Natural Curiosities David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2000 David Attenborough and his wife at the Tate Modern Art Gallery opening party David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2002 David Attenborough with meerkat on his shoulder being filmed for BBC series Life of Mammals David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2003 A python greets Sir David Attenborough during a photo opportunity at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2003 Sir David Attenborough holds a baby salt water crocodile during a photo opportunity at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2005 David Attenborough poses with The Swan Hellenic Oldie of the Year Award at the 'Oldie Of The Year Awards' honouring veteran notables together with Britain's oldest celebrity superstars, at Simpsons in the Strand in London. Sir David Attenborough was announced as the Swan Hellenic Oldie of the Year at the 13th annual awards Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2005 David Attenborough plants a Wollemei Pine at Kew Gardens in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2005 David Attenborough signs copies of his latest publication Life In The Undergrowth, published in relation to the BBC One series, at the Natural History Museum in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2006 Sir David Attenborough and Lord Richard Attenborough robe up, before they are awarded the title of Distinguished Honorary Fellowships from the University of Leicester at De Montfort Hall in Leicester Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2007 Sir David Attenborough launches National Moth Recording Scheme at London Zoo in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2008 Sir David Attenborough sits in The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace in the Amazing Rare Things exhibition in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2009 Prince William, Dr Michael Dixon and Sir David Attenborough host the opening of the The New Darwin Centre at The Natural History Museum in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2011 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II speaks with naturalist David Attenborough during a special exhibition of artefacts from the Royal Collection and Royal Archives at Buckingham Palace in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2011 Sir David Attenborough with the Specialist Factual award at the Philips British Academy Television Awards at the Grosvenor House in London David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2012 Sir David Attenborough poses with a floral sculpture of himself outside the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew Gardens in London Getty Images David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2012 Sir David Attenborough at the UKTV Showcase held at the Saatchi Gallery in west London David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2013 David Attenborough during the filming of "Micro Monsters with David Attenborough," a series about insects David Attenborough: Life in pictures 2016 Sir David Attenborough attends the launch of the London Wildlife Trust's new Flagship nature reserve Woodberry Wetlands in London Getty Images

The broadcast said of that discovery: One of the nicest compliments one biologist can pay another is to name a new species after him. This is a very great compliment from this scientist.

Meanwhile, the BBC recently announced a second series of Blue Planet will be hitting TV screens later this year following the success of Planet Earth II.
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As Donald Trump pledges to put coal miners back to work in the United States, the rest of the world appears to have suddenly started moving in the opposite direction, abandoning the dirtiest of fossil fuels after 10 years of expansion, according to a new analysis.

Boom and Bust 2017, compiled by US environmental group the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and research group CoalSwarm, reported a 62 per cent fall in the number of new coal-fired power stations being built worldwide in 2016 and a 48 per cent drop in pre-construction activity.

Such a dramatic slowdown, they argued, meant that the world could now hope to keep global warming to within two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the point at which climate change is thought would become particularly dangerous.

And the more ambitious target of 1.5C, agreed at the Paris climate summit, remains possible but would require much faster retirement of existing coal plants.

The UK Government has pledged to phase out unabated coal power stations by 2025. While this suggests at least some emissions would have to be captured in some way, Ministers have not actually decided what they level they will require.

The coal industry dismissed the report, insisting that renewable energy was not displacing coal in India and that China was not moving away from it  even though the number of coal-fired power stations is being reduced.

However the Boom and Bust report expressed optimism that the tide was finally turning against coal.

For the first time since the beginning of the global coal boom a decade ago, developments in East and South Asia  in particular Chinas wide-reaching restrictions on new coal plants and Indias indication that no new coal power is needed through at least the next decade  appear to have brought global climate goals within feasible reach, raising the prospect that the worst levels of climate change might be avoided, the report said.

More progress is needed and the margin for error is tight, but the results of the past year provide good reason for optimism.

It said the surge in coal power stations over the past 10 years had been a source of deep concern.

The apparent likelihood that coal combustion would continue to grow for decades appeared to undermine any prospects for preventing irreversible climate change, the report said.

The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Show all 10 1 /10 The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Ukraine The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Bulgaria Rex Features The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Belarus The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Russia The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Armenia The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Bosnia and Herzegovina REUTERS The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Georgia The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Hungary DigitalGlobe The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths China The worst countries in the world for air pollution deaths Moldova

Beginning in 2013, power generation from coal began falling worldwide and has continued to decline.

Now the dramatic shrinkage in the coal power pipeline  nearly 50 per cent in a single year  shows that power capacity trends are moving into alignment with declining power generation and that climate goals are indeed within reach without massive asset stranding.

Greenpeace hailed the reports findings, saying 2016 had been a veritable turning point.

Lauri Myllyvirta, senior global coal and air polliution campaigner at Greenpeace, said: China all but stopped new coal projects after astonishing clean energy growth has made new coal-fired power plants redundant, with all additional power needs covered from non-fossil sources since 2013.

Closures of old coal plants drove major emission reductions especially in the US and UK, while Belgium and Ontario became entirely coal-free and three G8 countries announced deadlines for coal phase-outs.

 Sadiq Khan calls air pollution in London a killer

And Nicole Ghio, of the Sierra Club, said it was clear that renewable energy were becoming cheaper than the cheapest of fossil fuels.

The staggering uptick in clean energy and reduction in the new coal plant pipeline is even more proof that coal isn't just bad for public health and the environment  it's bad for the bottom line, said.

Markets are demanding clean energy, and no amount of rhetoric from Donald Trump will be able to stop the fall of coal in the US and across the globe.

At a rally in Louisville, Kentucky, the US President announced he was going to take action to boost coal production, which was a theme he reiterated throughout his election campaign.

As we speak we are preparing new executive actions to save our coal industry and to save our wonderful coal miners from continuing to be put out of work, he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-coal-idUSKBN16S029?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=58d0c99704d301432d02edbd&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

The miners are coming back.

People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels Show all 5 1 /5 People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels beijing-1.jpg GETTY People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels beijing-2.jpg GETTY People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels beijing-3.jpg GETTY People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels beijing-4.jpg GETTY People told to stay indoors as air pollution in Beijing reaches hazardous levels beijing-5.jpg GETTY

Paul Massara was once the chief executive of Big Six energy firm RWE npower, but now has the same role at renewable firm North Star Solar.

He described the decline in new coal plants in Asian countries as truly dramatic.

[It] shows how a perfect storm of factors are simply making coal a bad investment, Mr Massara said.

Growing awareness of the air pollution problems coal causes, the impact of policies to tackle climate change, and the rapid growth and cost-competitiveness of renewable sources of energy, along with emerging battery technologies, are making new coal plants redundant before they are even built.

For us in Britain, there are two clear messages from this report. One is that the Government's decision to phase out coal power is, far from being a risky move, actually putting us ahead of the pack in moving away from the dirtiest form of energy.

China plans emergency measures to control worsening air pollution Show all 2 1 /2 China plans emergency measures to control worsening air pollution China plans emergency measures to control worsening air pollution china-getty.jpg Getty Images China plans emergency measures to control worsening air pollution china-graphic.jpg

Secondly, it should challenge Germany and other Western nations who still rely on coal to adopt a faster timescale to close existing plants.

It also highlights that those claiming that it is pointless, our taking action to tackle climate change because Asian countries are still building coal stations, are increasingly wrong.

However Benjamin Sporton, who runs the World Coal Association, suggested that anyone who thought the coal industry was on its last legs was mistaken.

China has been a remarkable example of the role that affordable coal can play in improving access to energy and supporting economic development  the country has achieved universal energy access so has no need for a new coal station being built every week, he said.

Yes, China, is reducing the number of coal-stations but not because its transitioning away from coal, instead the new dynamics is a signal of a more developed economy.

He said Chinas promises about cutting emissions to date implied coal would continue to be central to its energy solutions albeit through efficiencies including the use of new coal technologies.

And, in Indias case, he said it was simply not true that renewables are displacing coal.

For these countries excluding coal from the energy mix is not an option  it is essential for economic growth and critical in securing energy access, Mr Sporton said.

James Thornton, chief executive of environmental lawyers group ClientEarth, said: Even with plummeting coal use, emissions from plants currently operating or under development will take us beyond Pariss 1.5C warming limit.

"In Europe alone, hundreds of plants will need to close between now and 2030 to meet this target.

Coals demise is inevitable  there is no point waiting until the bitter end. We need to phase out coal at speed.

"Countries must get ahead of the game and put their phaseout ambitions into law. Governments should implement strict policies to retire their oldest and dirtiest coal plants first, and ensure appropriate support for workers moving on from the coal industry.
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The UK will ban people from flying into the country with large electronic devices by Saturday.

The Department for Transport said that it will implement the ban on laptops and tablets from a range of countries this week. Any large gadgets flying from a range of affected countries will have to be put into the luggage hold, and can't be taken onto the plane.

Airlines are being told to implement the rules "over the coming days and no later than 25 March", a DfT spokesperson said. Passengers "should go to the airport with the expectation that the measures are already in effect", she said.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Some airlines such as EasyJet have already introduced the rules in some countries. UK carriers including British Airways, Jet2com, Monarch and Thomson are all hit by the change, as well as foreign carriers like Turkish Airlines and Royal Jordanian.

The move will affect thousands of people coming from a range of predominantly-Muslim countries. It mirrors a very similar measure imposed by the US, which has already gone into effect.

Both decisions come after specific intelligence reports suggesting that such electronic devices could be used for an attack if they were carried into a plane's cabin, officials said.

 Donald Trump's in-flight electronics ban explained

That led to large electronic devices being banned from being taken into the cabin on flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

It covers everything larger than a typical smartphone  taking in iPads, Kindles, laptops and any other big gadget.
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Microsoft has built a special customised version of Windows 10 for the Chinese government.

The operating system is available to consumers in China, but the countrys government hasnt been overly keen on Windows.

It placed a ban on Windows 8 for government use in the aftermath of Edward Snowdens NSA spying revelations, and partnered with Canonical in 2013 in an ultimately doomed effort to create a Windows alternative called Kylin.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Microsoft has so far refused to reveal how its modified Windows 10, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The company developed the Chinese government-friendly version of the software in partnership with the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group.

We have already developed the first version of the Windows 10 government secure system, Alain Crozier, the CEO of Microsoft Greater China, told China Daily.

It has been tested by three large enterprise customers.

The company is currently finalising the Windows 10 Creators Update, which looks set to arrive next month.

It will introduce a raft of new features, including Paint 3D, Beam game streaming, new accessibility features, including braille support, as well as a multitude of performance and security tweaks and enhancements.

However, a change in wording in a new preview build suggests that the Creators Update could expose users to huge internet data charges.
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Although Uber failed to dominate the vast and fiercely competitive Chinese market, Airbnb is still determined to make it a success.

Not only is the home-sharing service doubling its investment in the country and tripling its local workforce from 60 to 180 employees, it also got a new name.

The company has rebranded itself as Aibiying, which means welcome each other with love, a name that the company reportedly says should be easier for Chinese travellers to pronounce than the English version.

The company will also hope to make a success with its Trips product, a service that gives its customers ideas for things to do and see while they are traveling. The service launched last November and is now being rolled out in China.

In Shanghai, travellers will be able to book experiences such as attending a traditional opera or learning about 4,000 year-old Chinese folk art.

More than 80 per cent of Airbnb users in China are under the age of 35, a higher proportion than any other country, according to the company.

Airbnb  which connects hosts, who want to rent their homes, with short-term renters who may stay anywhere from one night up to a few weekshas become popular in China, where there are roughly 80,000 Airbnb listings that have housed nearly 1.6 million travellers, the company said.

Nonetheless, China is still only a small part of Airbnbs business. Overall, the company has 3 million listings on its site in 191 countries.

By doubling down on China, Airbnb is trying to succeed where other US tech companies have struggled.

In the same way as Uber was up against its Chinese rival Didi, Airbnb will be competing with Tujia.com.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB Show all 8 1 /8 Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB The outdoor seating area Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB The rooftop pool Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB The rooftop table Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB The living area Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB One of the five bedrooms Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB A closet Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB One of the six bathrooms Air BnB Kim Kardashian and Kanye West stay in complimentary $30m New York AirBnB Kitchen Air BnB

Airbnb has also said that, in an attempt to better adapt to local culture, it is offering local payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Theres a whole new generation of Chinese travellers who want to see the world in a different way, chief executive and co-founder Brian Chesky wrote in a statement, according to Reuters.

We hope that Aibiying and our Trips product strikes a chord with them and inspires them to want to travel in a way that opens doors to new people, communities and neighbourhoods across the world. Im really excited about our future here, he added.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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One of Barclays' most senior executives is retiring to fight for civil liberties in his adopted homeland amid concerns about the rights of Muslims, immigrants and women.

Amer Sajed, a 56-year-old Pakistan-born immigrant who moved to the US to attend college, will step down from his role leading the banks credit-card business in July. He has been working with the American Civil Liberties Union and other grassroots community organisations after being spurred into action by the acrimonious political climate under President Donald Trump, according to two people familiar with his thinking.

Mr Sajed joined Barclays in 2006 after stints at Citigroup and HSBC, rising through the ranks to become head of the Barclaycard, which is the largest credit card issuer in the UK and ranks in the top 10 in America. Mr Sajed lives in the Philadelphia area and works out of Barclaycards offices in Wilmington, Delaware.

We wish Amer and his family every happiness, and especially in pursuing his passion for the promotion of civil liberties, and contributing to the community where he lives, chief executive Jes Staley, who appointed Mr Sajed to his executive committee last year, said in a statement Wednesday.

The Trump administrations attempts to ban some Muslim immigrants and silence critical journalists, as well as comments toward women and gender rights, contributed to his decision to leave banking, one of the people said. The ACLU has already brought several legal challenges against Trumps travel ban and is also fighting the Presidents reversal of the Obama administrations order to phase out federal use of private prisons.

While Trump has stocked his cabinet with Goldman Sachs alumni and many bankers have cheered his pledges to deregulate and cut taxes, much of Wall Street hasnt been as welcoming of some of his social policies. Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein spoke out against Trumps controversial attempt to halt immigration from seven Middle Eastern nations in January, while Citigroups Mike Corbat said the lender was concerned about the message the order sends.

American Move

Mr Sajed was born to a wealthy family in Lahore, Pakistan and moved to the US when he was 19 on a one-way plane ticket with $900, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News last year. His first job brought him down to earth, cleaning toilets for a McDonalds franchise during a summer when he was at Vassar College. He only lasted a few days.

There was a lot of learning there, coming from Pakistan and from a pretty well-off family, to go and clean toilets in McDonalds, he said in the interview. It helped put in perspective that hierarchies are crap and basically what matters is what you do and how well you do it.

Mr Sajed graduated from Vassar in 1983 and later received an MBA from New York University. He met his wife as an undergraduate and has four children with her, according to a profile on Vassars website.

The Barclays executive already works on several community organisations in his local area, such as an adviser to the Select Greater Philadelphia Council, which promotes local businesses.

Barclays Chairman John McFarlane has previously described Mr Sajed as Barclayss ace as he and chief executive Mr Staley focus on boosting profitability, exiting operations like African banking to expand better-returning businesses like Barclaycard. The bank said it will look at internal and external options for the future leadership of its international consumer cards and payments business.

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

Before joining Barclays in 2006, he worked at Citigroup for two decades in a number of roles from Pakistan to St. Louis. During his five years in charge of US Barclaycard, he doubled the volume of the business, the profile says.

Barclaycard had the highest profitability of any of the banks businesses in 2015. Last year, the company stopped reporting it as one unit as it split UK and international divisions ahead of Britains ringfencing rules.

Barclays is looking to allocate more resources to the credit card division to help it expand in Germany and the US. Mr Sajeds successor will inherit his strategy to use the extra capital to invest in technology and revamp its rewards program, as a European cap on card interchange fees shakes up the industry and forces rivals to cut back on their own rewards.

Mr Sajed said he fostered a different culture at Barclaycard to the more traditional banking operations based on Canary Wharf. The division is headquartered in Northampton, 67 miles north of London, in an open-plan office dotted with sofas where employees are allowed to wear jeans and sneakers.

Bloomberg
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State schools in England are to face spending cuts of up to 7 per cent per pupil, a new in-depth report into government funding reforms has revealed, with children from the most deprived areas of the country likely to miss out.

Proposals for a new single national funding formula (NFF), to be introduced for all schools starting from September next year, have been praised by industry experts as a long-overdue and welcome reform to school spending.

Its goal is to ensure similar schools in different parts of the country receive a similar level of funding per pupil, but experts from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have warned the NFF  the largest school spending reform in more than 25 years  is unlikely to be rolled out across all schools until at least 2024.

In a briefing note published as consultation for the NFF closes, researchers also warned the proposed reform diverts funding away from schools with the most deprived student population.

The Government is to be applauded for making specific proposals and setting out the reasons for the choices it has made, the report's authors said.

School funding per pupil has been frozen in cash terms between the 2015-16 and 2019-20 academic years [however], resulting in a real-terms cut of 6.5 per cent.

This would be the largest cut in school spending per pupil over a four-year period since at least the early 1980s and would return school spending per pupil to about the same real-terms level as it was in 2010-11.

The briefing follows a report published by the Education Policy Institute last week which claimed secondary schools set to experience the largest cuts will, in real terms, lose out by an average of 291,000.

The most deprived secondary schools  with more than 30 per cent of children receiving free school meals  will see falls in funding, while the highest relative gains will go to pupils in the least deprived areas, the EPI claimed.

Announcement of the spring Budget earlier this month was met with industry-wide protest, with a wave of headteachers claiming they were ready to resign as a result of cuts to their schools funding.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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 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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 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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

The Local Government Association (LGA) said the safety of pupils will be at risk as vital services are underfunded and underresourced.

In their briefing, researchers from the IFS highlighted that grants to local authorities are currently based on information that is nearly 15 years out of date.

As a result, funding is being diverted from schools with very high levels of deprivation to those with average levels, meaning children from the countrys poorest local authorities are expected to miss out.

There is also a shift in funding towards small primary schools and large secondary schools, it said.

A large number of the countrys most deprived schools are in inner London, which will experience some of the largest cuts of around 2.5 per cent in cash-terms per-pupil funding between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

 Budget 2017: Seven key points

While proposed protections would prevent any school from losing more than 3 per cent of funding per pupil in cash terms before 2020, only 60 per cent of schools will be on the main formula by this point, researchers said.

As a result, around 1,000 schools are to face further cuts of 7 per cent per pupil after 2019-20.

Commenting on the report, Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the challenges facing schools were stark.

As the National Audit Office and many others have confirmed, our schools will have to make a staggering 3bn in savings a year in real-terms by 2020 due to the significant cost pressures they face, she said.

A cross-union analysis of Department for Education figures suggests funding will be cut for every child in 98 per cent of schools in England as a result.

Schools with the most deprived children will lose funding, said Dr Bousted. These cuts will lead to increased class sizes, fewer teachers and support staff, less support for vulnerable children, especially those with SEND, and in some cases schools will close.

To make this formula a success the Department for Education must urgently secure more funding from the Treasury. Failure to do so will deny a generation of children the quality education they are entitled to and parents rightly expect.

Chris Belfield, who co-authored the report, said: Somewhat inevitably, this reform creates winner and losers, and it comes at a time of severe pressure on school budgets as we are currently in the tightest four year period for per-pupil spending in English schools since at least the early 1980s.

The Government has put in place transitional protections to help smooth the transition process up to 2019-20. However, there is significant uncertainty about what will happen after 2019-20.

"This is a big omission considering only 60 per cent of schools will be on the main formula in 2019-20. The formula could imply around 1,000 schools would face a further 7 per cent cut to their budgets in the next Parliament.
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A second person has died following a suspected terror attack outside Parliament.

This follows the death of a woman and a number of others, including a police officer, who have been injured, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital. Some victims have been described as having "catastrophic'' injuries.

Proceedings at Parliament were suspended after a police officer was stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police outside the Houses of Parliament, shortly after a vehicle is reported to have mowed into members of the public on Westminster Bridge.

Police are treating the Westminster shooting which took place on Wednesday afternoon as a terrorist incident until further notice but details of the attack remain unclear.

Staff inside parliament found themselves on lockdown and unable to leave the building after at least three gun shots were heard by those inside the Houses of Parliament.

Early reports suggest the vehicle, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and ploughed into approximately a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the gates of Westminster just around the corner.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Theresa May was in parliament at the time of the incident but was quickly confirmed safe.

Proceedings at the House of Commons have been suspended and the Speaker said Parliament will stop activity until further notice.

Commons leader David Lidington, announced the commons would be suspended in the house, as ambulances and other emergency vehicles dominated scenes.
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I was walking back to The Independents office in Parliament with some birthday chocolates for a colleague, when terror struck.

All around me were MPs heading off to the chamber to vote. Behind me Michael Gove was discussing changes to school funding with a worried Conservative MP.

Suddenly, I heard shouting from outside Westminster Hall to my right, quickly followed by at least two gunshots, maybe more.

 Video shows terrifying moment police open fire outside parliament

Turning my head, I saw a police officer fall to the ground, clutching his arm or his shoulder.

In the confusion, as shouts and screams rang out around me, it appeared the officer had been shot, although we later learned he had been stabbed.

I saw his attacker running towards Parliaments main gates, trying to escape it seemed, but he was quickly cut down by the shots from other police officers.

There were shouts before the shots came  a warning for the man in dark clothes to drop his weapon, presumably  but it was ignored and he paid the price.

As the man lay motionless, other officers rushed to usher away a large crowd standing outside Westminster Hall, just a few yards from the violence.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Some MPs started to ask me what was going on, while others rushed away as the severity of the incident started to become clear. Then we were ordered to follow them.

Back in the office, I and other reporters watched from the window overlooking New Palace Yard as paramedics tended to the stricken officer.

A few yards away, it seemed clear that his attacker was fighting for life, a paramedic kneeling over him furiously pumping his chest over-and-over again to keep his heart going.

As we watched, Parliament went into lockdown and the Commons was suspended as disbelieving MPs were told what had happened outside the supposedly super-secure Palace of Westminster.

There has been a serious incident within the estate, Commons Leader David Lidington said. It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police.

An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties.

Only then did it emerge that an even worse horror had taken place just outside Parliaments railings, with reports of many bodies on Westminster bridge  mowed down by a car which then crashed into Parliaments gates.
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The House of Commons has been suspended following reports of a terrorist attack outside Parliament.

Parliament was under lockdown after a police officer was stabbed by an assailant, who was then shot by police. Officers said police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby.

David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told MPs: "The alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties.

Recommended Latest updates after one person shot outside Parliament

"There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate it would be wrong for me to go into further details until we have confirmation from the police and house security authorities about what is going on.

"I shall endeavour to do the very best I can, both at the dispatch box and by communicating with my opposite numbers in other political parties to ensure members are kept aware of what is happening.

"But at the moment the very clear advice from the police and director of security in the house is that we should remain under suspension and that the chamber should remain in lockdown until we receive advice that it is safe to go back to normal procedures."

Shadow leader of the house Valerie Vaz added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the police officer. [I want] to thank the police and all security services, and all the staff for looking after us so well."

On the bridge, witnesses said a vehicle struck several people, and photos showed a car ploughed into railings. Witnesses in Parliament reported hearing sounds like gunfire.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Eyewitness video has shown five people being mown down by a car on Westminster Bridge.

Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard Centre for European Studies, said he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being mown down by a car.

I heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress, he told the BBC.

Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely.

Police have said they are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.
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The police have released a statement after a suspected terrorist attack took place in Westminster.

A police officer has been stabbed and an alleged attacker shot outside the Houses of Parliament, shortly after a vehicle is reported to have mowed into members of the public on Westminster Bridge.

Two people have been confirmed dead and a number of others, including a police officer, have been injured, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital. Some victims have been described as having "catastrophic'' injuries.

Police are treating the London shooting which took place on Wednesday afternoon as a terrorist incident until further notice but details of the attack remain unclear.

Staff inside parliament found themselves prohibited from leaving the building after at least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster and ambulances and other emergency vehicles dominated scenes.

In a statement given at New Scotland Yard, Commander BJ Harrington said the police had received a number of differing reports, including a person spotted in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife.

The Commander said there had been a number of causalities, including police officers, but they were unable to confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries at this stage. He said a full counter-terrorism investigation is already underway.

Here is Commander Harrington's statement in full:

"Since 2.40pm this afternoon the Metropolitan Police Service has responded to an incident in the area of Parliament Square, and the Senior National Coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident.

"And although we remain open minded to the motive, a full counter-terrorism investigation is already underway - this is led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

"At this stage I will confirm what we know has happened, but I will not speculate.

"We received a number of different reports - which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife.

"Officers were already in the location as part of our routine policing operation. Immediately, additional officers were sent to the scene and that included firearms officers.

"We are working closely with the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

"I'd like to repeat our request for the public to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube. This is to allow emergency services to deal with this ongoing incident.

"There is an ongoing investigation being led by the Counter Terrorism Command and we would ask anybody who has images or film of the incident to pass those to police.

"We know that there are a number of causalities, including police officers, but at this stage we cannot confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries.

"Our response will be ongoing for some time as it is important that we gather all possible information and evidence. Public safety is our top priority and we are reviewing our policing stance across London and throughout the course of this afternoon there will be additional police and officers deployed across the Capital.

"I would like to ask the public to remain vigilant and let us know if they see anything suspicious that causes them concern and dial 999 immediately. The Acting Commissioner Craig Mackey is being treated as a significant witness as he was at the scene when the incident started. Whilst he is not injured, it would be inappropriate for him to talk about the incident at this stage. Ours and his thoughts are with all those involved and those responding to both incidents."
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Tommy Robinson has been widely condemned for launching into a tirade about Islamic extremism at the scene of a suspected terrorist attack in Westminster.

The former English Defence League leader rushed to the Houses of Parliament in London after news of the attacks emerged. Although details about the alleged assailant and their motive remains unclear, Mr Robinson claimed Britain was at war with Islamic fundamentalists.

While ambulances and other emergency vehicles dominated scenes, Mr Robinson shouted aggressively at those who challenged him and launched into a scathing analysis of the incident for his personal camera crew.

After a reporter suggested Mr Robinson has been quick to label the incident a foreign terrorist attack, the far-right leader said: "This is the reality. The reality is these people are waging war on us.

"This has been going on for 1,400 years and while it's going on the police leaders and the political leaders want to invite more."

But Mr Robinson has been denounced for his intervention, with people accusing him of simply inflaming the situation and exploiting the tragedy for his own gain.

Far-right figures like Tommy Robinson are vile opportunists: using victims of today's attack to spread their anti-Muslim message, Maya Goodfellow, a journalist, said on Twitter.

Far-right hate preacher Tommy Robinson is in London exploiting today's terror attack. The man lower than vermin, said Scott Nelson.

"Tommy Robinson thinking about himself and his agenda rather than the victims in the immediate aftermath. Tells you all you need to know," added another.

Tommy Robinson really jumped on the 16:09 Southeastern service to come and milk this tragedy, quipped another critic.

A video of the far-right leader, who led the EDL from 2009 until October 2013, outside the Houses of Parliament appeared on Rebel Media, a fringe right-wing Canadian media company after he went down to the scene.

Mr Robinson announced he was leaving the EDL in 2013 in a joint conference with think tank Quilliam. His departure was widely covered, with the former leader later telling police he would help with their investigations into alleged racists within the extremist group.

Proceedings at Parliament were suspended on Wednesday afternoon after a police officer was stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police outside the Houses of Parliament, shortly after a vehicle is reported to have mowed into members of the public on Westminster Bridge.

Police are treating the Westminster shooting which took place on Wednesday afternoon as a terrorist incident until further notice.
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Tributes have poured in for the policeman killed in the Westminster terror attack, which left a total of four dead and 20 injured.

The unnamed officer was stabbed to death by an attacker as he guarded Parliament at around 2.40pm this afternoon.

Scotland Yards Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley said the officer died protecting the public and his fellow officers.

Recommended Met Police release London attack statement

In a statement released after the attack, Mr Rowley said the Metropolitan Police had lost one of our own as he acted to protect the public and his colleagues.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner added: This is a day we planned for but hoped would never happen.

Sadly its now a reality. We will continue to do all we can to protect the people of London.

The scene where the police officer was killed in the grounds of Parliament (PA)

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the attack as shocking and said it demonstrated the dangers officers face.

No words can capture how members of the policing family will feel after todays horrific events, he said.

 Westminster terror attack: Timeline of events

This incident highlights the very real risks that police face each and every day.

Officers will tonight take the opportunity to hug loved ones and seek comfort in the company of friends and family.

But one will not. The pain of that officers family, friends and colleagues will be shared by us all.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Among the international messages of solidarity was a tweet from the French National Police, which voiced its support to our British colleague @MetPoliceUK stabbed in the attack near Parliament.

Several other forces issued messages, including the Los Angeles Police Department, who said their thoughts & prayers are with the people of #London.

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the knife attack: We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."
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Tributes have been flooding in for the police officer and two members of the public who were killed in a car and knife attack in Westminster.

Using the hashtag #WeAreNotAfraid, thousands of people offered their condolences the member of the Metropolitan Police.

The assailant, dressed in black and armed with two large knives as he rammed into members of the public before crashing his car into the rails outside Parliament.

Scotland Yard said the attacker, who is believed to have acted alone, then repeatedly stabbed a police officer, before being shot dead by the officer's colleagues.

A further 20 people were injured in the attack, some with "catastrophic" injuries.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, their families and friends.

The police and security staff have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the public, MPs and staff, and we are grateful for them.

Susan Rice, President Barack Obamas former national security adviser, said: We stand in solidarity with our ally as Britons face with characteristic strength continued threat of terrorism. Condolences.

Using the hashtags #PrayForLondon and #WeAreNotAfriad, people across the world have been showing solidarity with the victims, and hailing the courage of the police.
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Donald Trump has described the incident outside London's Parliament, in which one police officer was stabbed and in which five people died, as "big news". The US has offered to assist in any way.

According to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, the US President was briefed on the situation and was continuing to monitor events.

The US State Department says it was also watching developments after the incident outside London's Parliament and urged Americans in London to avoid the area.

Spokesman Mark Toner said on Wednesday: We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful.

He added that the US Embassy in London was closely following the news and stood ready to help any affected Americans.

According to the Associated Press, he said: Our hearts go out to those affected.

 Sean Spicer: Trump has been briefed on the Westminster attack and has called Theresa May

Mr Spicer said that Mr Trump has spoken with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, after the incident. He did not immediately provide details of what was said.

He also said that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, had issued statements and been inn touch with their British counterparts.

"I know the British government is investigating this now," he said. "We're going to monitor the situation. We're staying in touch with British officials."

Meanwhile, the New York Police Department has said it is increasing security at various locations across the city, including the British Consulate and Grand Central Station.
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Mourners in Republican West Belfast have gathered for a candle lit vigil in memory of Martin McGuinness.

At least a thousand people gathered in the Andersonstown area of the city to pay tribute to the politician, bringing West Belfast to a standstill as mourners overflowed into nearby streets and parks.

The former IRA commander, who renounced violence and became one of the leading figures in the Northern Irish peace process, died in the early hours of Tuesday morning aged 66. The Sinn Fein politician had been suffering from a genetic condition for several months and had resigned from front line politics in January after appearing to be increasingly frail.

West Belfast has long been known as the most Republican part of the city and is a stronghold of support for Sinn Fein.

The vigil's location perhaps embodies the journey Northern Ireland has undergone through the peace process. The site was once where security forces spent much of the Troubles stationed as they sought intelligence on local Republicans.

Since peace came to Northern Ireland, the barracks has been demolished and now stands as a grassy park for local children to play, a fitting venue which in many ways mirrors the transition from conflict to peace.

As mourners gathered in swathes, the park soon over flowed and spilt out into nearby roads, blocking off this corner of the city to traffic while the vigil was underway.

A woman touches the coffin of Martin McGuinness as it is carried through the streets of Derry, Northern Ireland (Reuters)

The park was ablaze with both the lit candles of some mourners, while the bright mobile phone screens of younger crowd members added to the glow.

A local Sinn Fein organiser addressed the crowd, celebrating Mr McGuinness' legacy as a Republican icon. She said: "Martin was a dear friend and a dear comrade to the Republican struggle, but also to the community right across Belfast and across Ireland. His loss will be especially felt in the Republican family."

During the vigil another Sinn Fein activist lead the crowd in singing a number of Irish Rebel songs including a rendition of 'The Bold Fenian Men' in the Irish language, as well as 'I wish I was in Derry' in tribute to Mr McGuinness' home city.

A local priest also led mourners in a decade of the rosary, in both the Irish and English languages.

Mr McGuinness was a controversial figure throughout his life. He has openly admitted to joining the terrorist group the IRA, while he was living in Derry during the conflict.

He has since renounced violence and has been praised for entering power-sharing as part of the peace process in Northern Ireland.

In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Show all 18 1 /18 In Pictures: Martin McGuinness In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland's Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has died aged 66 Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Martin McGuinness walking past a Bloody Sunday Mural in the Bogside in Londonderry PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with Sinn Fein politician and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle, south of Belfast in Northern Ireland Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness AP In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, shaking hands with British Prime Minister Tony Blair as First Minister Ian Paisley, looks on at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness walks past the Houses of Parliament in London AP In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Republican party Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams standing with Sinn Fein politician and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness as he arrives to give a press conference at a hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness smiling after being sworn in as ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness celebrate at Kings Hall in Belfast with a supporter after hearing the result of the Irish referendum Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein member of parliament Martin McGuinness speaks to the media outside Holloway Prison, in London Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness embracing at Dublin Airport PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness US. President Bill Clinton shakes the hand of Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness as Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams watches, following Clinton's speech at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the opening of Ireland's first IKEA store in Belfast PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness addressing Nationalists after the march in Londonderry outside the Guild Hall PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Michelle O'Neill, the new Sinn Fein leader in the north takes a selfie with Martin McGuinness on the steps of Stormont Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Bernadette McGuinness carries the coffin of her late husband Martin McGuinness in Londonderry, Northern Ireland Getty Images

Critics argued he should not have been allowed to hold the position of Deputy First Minister due to his connection with the terror group.

The surviving families of IRA atrocities have also accused him of not doing enough to reveal the truth about past attacks to assist police enquiries and help families achieve closure.

During his political career at Stormont he became known for forming a close friendship with Loyalist politician and Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley, a former sworn enemy.

The unlikely friendship earned the pair the local moniker of 'the Chuckle brothers'. Mr Paisley died in 2014.

Mr McGuinness' funeral will be held in Derry city on Thursday afternoon.
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Aviation, the creative industries and other business areas that form part of the UKs huge non-financial services sector face serious harm if the country walks away from the EU without a comprehensive free trade agreement.

A report from the Lords European Union Committee warns that aviation and broadcasting are at particular risk as there are no World Trade Organisation rules for them to fall back on if no deal is reached.

The report strongly urges politicians to seek a transitional arrangement early on in the negotiations, given the comprehensive free trade agreement required will take more than two years to negotiate.

UK broadcasters, including the BBC could lose the right to sell TV formats to European countries, an area of astonishing success in recent years, with the international success of formats like X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing making huge sums for their creators. UK airlines may also be forced to move abroad.

Recommended BMW boss hints at moving production of Minis out of UK after Brexit

Without no formal agreement or transitional deal, it is possible UK airlines could lose their right to fly to, from and between European countries. They could even lose the right to fly to the USA, an arrangement currently governed by the EU-US Open Skies agreement.

The committee heard evidence from UK airline EasyJet, who told them if no free trade agreement was reached, it would go to the EU to seek an EU certificate to carry on operating within the EU. For it to be granted, it could require the company to become majority owned by EU, rather than UK citizens.

The report also found that the movement of EU workers in and out of the UK was necessary to support growth in the services sector.

The value of the UKs non-financial services was estimated at 162 billion in 2015, making up around a third of all UK exports, and also runs at a trade surplus, meaning that it is one of few economic areas in which the UK exports more than it imports.

Committee chair Lord Whitty said: "The UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the EU receives 39% of the UK's non-financial service exports. This trade is critical to the UK's economy as it creates employment and supports goods exports - we can't afford to lose that.

"To protect the UK's status as a global leader of trade in services, the Government will need to secure the most comprehensive FTA that has ever been agreed with the EU. Walking away from negotiations without a deal would badly damage UK plc, particularly in sectors such as aviation and broadcasting which have no WTO rules to fall back on."
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Liz Truss, the Justice Secretary, is set to unveil plans for 5,000 new prisoner places and four new prisons in England and Wales in an effort to tackle overcrowding in Britains jails.

Ms Truss will outline plans to replace old and overcrowded establishments with new, fit for purpose buildings. They will include sites in Yorkshire, Wigan, Kent and South Wales  as part of the Governments intention to create 10,000 modern prison places by the end of this Parliament.

It comes after the Council of Europe claimed Britain had the largest prison population in Western Europe at 95,248.

Ms Truss has previously rejected calls to cut prison numbers, suggesting it would be reckless to public safety to reduce the number of custodial sentences in an effort to meet targets.

In a statement she said: We cannot hope to reduce re-offending until we build prisons that are places of reform where hard-work and self-improvement flourish.

Outdates prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime  nor do they provide our professional and dedicate prison officers with the right tools or environment to do their job effectively.

She continued: This significant building programme will not only help create a modern prison estate where whole scale reform can truly take root, but will also provide a thriving, economic lifeline for the local community  creating hundreds of jobs for local people and maximising opportunities for businesses.

Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "This massive investment in new prisons is not matched by a credible plan to reduce our reckless overuse of prison in the first place.

"The prison estate certainly needs an overhaul, but reducing demand would mean closing prisons, not opening them."

Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon added: "We need modern prisons fit for the modern age. But simply replacing one prison with another prison doesn't deal with the overcrowding crisis."

Last year, in a effort to tackle the growing prison populations, 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 in February the Justice Secretary said: "I want to see the numbers of people in our prison go down but it has to be for the right reasons.

"The wrong approach would be reducing sentences for serious crimes or letting people out early.

Reductions by cap or quota, or by sweeping sentencing cuts are not a magic bullet, they are a dangerous attempt at a quick fix. This would be reckless and endanger the public. And it would restrict the freedom of the independent judiciary to choose the most appropriate sentence for each offender.
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Terror returned to the streets of London on Wednesday when a black-clad assailant, armed with two long knives, drove his car through a crowd of people on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death on the grounds of Parliament.

Five people died in all, including the attacker himself, in the worst terrorist incident to hit the UK since the 7 July 2005 bombings.

Police said the attacker, who is believed to have acted alone, mounted the pavement of the bridge and mowed down more than a dozen tourists, local workers and police officers before crashing into the Parliament railings.

As people ran for their lives, he entered the gates by Westminster Hall and repeatedly stabbed a male police officer. He was shot three times by the officer's colleagues, and later pronounced dead in hospital.

Police said two people were killed as the car drove down Westminster Bridge. Twenty others were injured in all, including two people who were standing by the railings where the attacker's black Hyundai came to a stop.

Metropolitan Police acting deputy commissioner Mark Rowley said the attack had been declared a terrorist incident, and Theresa May was due to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later today.

A major counter-terror operation had been launched across the capital, Mr Rowley said, though police believe there was only one attacker. "Looking forward, people of London will see extra police officers on our streets, and we could call on the support of military," he said.

The attack began at around 2.40pm and proceedings in the House of Commons were immediately suspended. Deputy speaker David Lidington announced to the House that a police officer had been stabbed and the "alleged assailant shot by armed police".

Security sources have described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who attacked the officer on foot with a seven-to-eight inch knife.

Images have emerged of a man dressed in black, believed to be the suspect, being treated on a stretcher within Parliament grounds. A knife could be seen lying on the ground nearby.

A man believed to be a suspect in the attack is treated by paramedics (PA)

An armed officer stands with his foot on a knife, as medics provide assistance (PA)

Paramedics treat an injured person on the pavement outside the Houses of Parliament (PA wire)

Tobias Ellwood MP, a foreign minister, was one of the first to arrive on the scene and provided first aid to the police officer, who has not been named while the force offers support to his family.

The minister was pictured, his face bloodied, as he gave up efforts to provide CPR and a sheet was placed over the officers body. Later, he confirmed to the BBC that the officer had died at the scene.

Witnesses, including members of The Independent's lobby staff, said the police officer fell to the ground clutching his arm or shoulder after he was stabbed, and was seen wounded but moving in the moments afterwards.

A man, believed to be the assailant, then tried to run towards the exit of New Palace Yard, underneath Big Ben.

Police were seen shouting at him, presumably to stop. Shots were then heard.

Dozens of police, many armed, ran around the gate of parliament in the moments after the shots were fired.

Images posted to Twitter appear to show the car involved in the attack (Twitter)

The car is understood to have mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge before ramming the railings outside Parliament

Witness Rick Longley said he saw the car crash into the Parliament railings, as well as the subsequent stabbing.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out," he said.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Theresa May was still on the parliamentary estate following Prime Minister's Questions when the attacker struck.

Witnesses saw the Prime Minister being led to her car, a silver Jaguar, with the vehicle about to leave when officers then prevented it from driving into New Palace Yard where the incident occurred.

A Downing Street source confirmed Ms May was "OK".

In a statement outside No 10 on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister praised police and emergency responders who ran towards the danger "even as they encouraged others to move the other way".

She said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected. To the victims themselves, and their family and friends who waved their loved ones off, but will not now be welcoming them home.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, thanked the emergency services and praised "their bravery, their courage and their professionalism".

"The government's top priority is the security of its people and I urge everyone to remain calm but to be vigilant and if they see anything they are concerned about they should report it to the police," she said.

"We have the best police, the best security services in the world and we must make sure that we let them get on with doing their job.

"The British people will be united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values. Values of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. Values symbolised by the Houses of Parliament. Values that will never be destroyed."

Recommended Tributes to police officer killed in Westminster attack

Speaking to reporters outside St Thomass Hospital, which is situated immediately at the southern end of Westminster Bridge, junior doctor Colleen Anderson confirmed the first fatality of the attack, a female pedestrian who had been crossing the Thames at the time.

"She was under the wheel of a bus. She died, [medics] confirmed her death at the scene."

She also said she treated a police officer in his 30s with a head injury who had been taken to King's College Hospital. In his statement to the press, Mr Rowley said three officers were among those injured on the bridge.

Ms Anderson said the injuries to those walking on the bridge at the time ranged from minor to "catastrophic".

One woman was pulled from the River Thames after falling or jumping during the incident.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority said: "A female member of the public was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge. She is alive but undergoing urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier. We believe she fell from the bridge."

He said the river has been closed from Vauxhall to Embankment "as part of the security response".

One witness told Sky News: It was fairly busy and I was just walking across the bridge when suddenly a bus stopped right in front of me and everybody started screaming.

"I saw a trainer in the road and I thought somebody must have been hit by a car, but then I saw a body on one side of the road.

Then there was another body further up - and then when I looked over the side of the bridge there was another body in the water."

Van driver Mitchell Spree, 27, told The Independent he was driving along Embankment when he saw people being evacuated from nearby buildings.

He said: "Then we pulled on to the bridge. A lady was lying at the entrance to the bridge. There were about five more people.

"She was crying. She was speaking to the paramedic. I don't know what the others were like. The police asked us to leave our van. It's still on the bridge.

"It's shocking."

A second witness, Tawhid Tanim, told The Independent he heard three shots - "bang, bang, bang" - some 10 or 15 metres from the Cafe Nero coffee bar where he was waiting for friends. "It was so loud, he said. People were running like crazy."

He saw the aftermath of the car striking railings outside Parliament, he said. Whether someone, or something, was underneath, he could not be sure. "I couldn't see it properly. I started running."

Police officers told the crowds to "just keep running," he said.

An air ambulance arrived and landed in Parliament Square within 10 minutes of the start of the incident (PA wire)

Within half an hour of the incident, Parliament was in total lockdown. The chamber cleared of MPs, the restaurants of diners. Parliamentary passes no longer opened any door, any gate.

Westminster's press offices occupy the top floor of the palace along from Big Ben and round to Westminster Hall, right over the courtyard where some thought the car smashing into railings sounded like an explosion, and seconds later gunshots were heard.

Chefs, maintenance men, reporters massed at the windows. One filmed as the Prime Minister's car was hurriedly driven away.

Half an hour after the incident, along the Committee Corridor, where MPs meet for meetings all week, another wave of shouting could be heard. Through the windows, anti-terror police could be seen, in their air force blue uniforms, barking instructions to one another, apparently securing the building.

Labour MP Mary Creagh told reporters: "They are clearing it floor by floor.

"It was very frightening, to see people running towards you, to hear that shots had been heard. My thoughts are really with those people" who were victims of the attack, she said.

 Westminster attacks: Footage shows victims being treated outside Parliament

Those were the first actions of a well-rehearsed counterterror plan kicking into motion. In his statement, the assistant deputy commissioner said the Met responded in line with our plans for a marauding terrorist attack.

We are reaching out and engaging with all communities across London to help reassure them, Mr Rowley said. Our strength as a city is our ability to stand together at such terrible times.

If anyone sees anything suspicious or that causes them concern please do contact us - don't hesitate.

"My thoughts are with all those who have been affected by today's attack - and as a service we have lost one of our own as he acted to protect the public and his colleagues. This is a day that we had planned for - that we all hoped would never happen - but sadly it is now a reality.

MPs wait in the House of Commons as information drifts through via their phones and the Deputy Speaker, David Lidington (BBC News)

MPs remained on lockdown for hours with few updates, keeping spirits high with jokes about how food and drink were  for once  allowed to be consumed within the Commons chamber. They started to file out of the Commons at about 7.30pm, five hours after the incident began.

Parliamentary authorities announced that both Houses would sit at their normal times on Thursday, in a united show of determination not to let the attack disrupt democratic proceedings.

A joint statement from Commons Speaker John Bercow and Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, said: "On behalf of Members of both Houses of Parliament, we wish to offer our thoughts to all those affected and their families.

"We would also like to express our gratitude to the police and all emergency services."

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Reactions to the attack have come from governments and leaders around the world.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, who earlier in the day had taken part in commemorations to mark the first anniversary of a terror attack in Brussels, said: "Our condolences are with those who mourn and all who are affected in London. Belgium stands with UK in fight against terror."

The White House said President Donald Trump had spoken to Ms May by phone, and the President praised the response of security forces and emergency services, pledging "the full cooperation and support" of the US government "in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice".

Three French students were identified as being among those injured by the attacker's car on Westminster Bridge. President Francois Hollande was quoted by the French embassy as saying: "Terrorism concerns us all and France know how the British people are suffering today."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: "Horrible images from London. The very heart of the city has been struck. ''Our thoughts are with the British people."

And the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack in London and their families. Canadians remain united with the people of the UK."

On social media, people offered their condolences and support to the city under the hashtag PrayForLondon, and in a live TV statement on Wednesday night, Mayor Sadiq Khan tried to reassure both the British public and our visitors coming to the UK from all over the world.

He expressed his gratitude, on behalf of all Londoners, to the police and emergency services for their bravery.

London is the greatest city in the world, he said, and we stand together in the face those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have and we always will. Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.
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A pilot who passed out in a cockpit before a scheduled flight in Canada has pleaded guilty to being impaired while in control of an aircraft.

The flight piloted by Miroslav Gronych, who was employed by low-cost carrier Sunwing Airlines on a work visa from Slovakia, was to leave Calgary, Alberta, on December 31, with stops in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before continuing to Cancun, Mexico.

But before the flight, Gronych, 37, was found slumped over in his seat and escorted off the plane.

He was found to be three times above the legal blood alcohol limit.

I can't even describe how ashamed I am, he told the court in Calgary.

My kids will be punished for my mistakes.

A statement of facts agreed by the prosecution and defence and read in court said police saw his pilot's wings were attached upside down on his uniform and a maid discovered an empty bottle of vodka in his hotel room.

It also said he was an hour late for check-in and that he explained his tardiness by saying he had become lost going through security.

When Gronych boarded the plane at around 7am, the court was told, he struggled to hang up his coat, was slurring his words and staggering.

When the co-pilot suggested Gronych was impaired and should leave the plane, he seemed very nonchalant and said, 'OK, if that's what you feel'.

But Gronych returned to the cockpit, sat in the pilot's chair and appeared to pass out resting his face on the window, the statement said.

He was asked to leave the plane again and was held by gate agents until police arrived.

The statement said passengers on the plane were told the pilot had suddenly become ill, but some had already seen him and suspected he was drunk.

When police arrived, they found his pilot's wings were pinned upside down, smelled alcohol on his breath and noticed he could not stand up straight.

Defence lawyer Susan Karpa told the court Gronych could not sleep the night before his flight and felt like he was coming down with a cold.

He took a couple of shots of vodka and a Tylenol pain relief tablet and planned to wake up in time to let people know he would not make the flight.

He did not set an alarm and was awakened by a call asking him where he was, Ms Karpa said. He drank the rest of the bottle of vodka and left for the flight.

She said he did not know why he drank the vodka, but only that his willpower failed.

Recommended The truth about pilots and alcohol

The defence asked for a three to six-month jail sentence while the prosecution asked the judge for a year's term.

Prosecutor Rose Greenwood pointed to a similar case in the United States where the pilot received five years.

Mr Gronych put the lives of 105 people at risk, she said. Hopefully he will never be permitted to fly again.

Ms Karpa said Gronych had been in treatment while on bail and had abstained from alcohol.

He wants his children to be proud of him, she said. He wants to do everything he can to conquer his addiction.

She said Gronych was the sole breadwinner for his family, including his elderly parents, and was living off his savings.

A statement from Gronych's wife read out in court said her husband did not drink all the time, but when he did, it was in large quantities.

Gronych tearfully told the court becoming a pilot was a childhood dream.

He was remanded in custody while the judge considers his sentence. He is due back in court on April 3.

Sunwing spokeswoman Jacqueline Grossman said Gronych, a contractor, was sacked by his employer, Travel Service, shortly after he was found drunk.

She declined to comment on the case but said Sunwing had formed a committee that included management and union members to review and update protocols.

Members of a flight crew are banned under Canadian aviation laws from working within eight hours of having alcohol or while under its influence.

Sunwing has said it has a zero-tolerance policy on crew members consuming alcohol within 12 hours of going on duty and trains all employees to report any unusual behaviour.

After Gronych was charged, the Canadian Federal Pilots Association said Transport Canada should be responsible for checking the credentials of foreign pilots instead of leaving it to air operators.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it had recommended that the sleeping controller and one other controller also be fined.

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The online Dan Tri newspaper said the crews on two flights - one departing and one arriving - could not contact the air traffic control at Cat Bi airport in northern city of Hai Phong for 33 minutes on March 9.

The newspaper said one controller was absent while the main air traffic controller was sleeping. A technician was also suspended.

The flights were eventually able to depart and land successfully.

AP
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Donald Trump has led "the most failed first 100 days of any president, a leading historian has claimed.

To be as low as he is in the polls, in the 30s, while the FBI director is on television saying they launched an investigation into your ties with Russia, I dont know how it can get much worse, Douglas Brinkley, a best-selling biographer of presidents Gerald Ford, Franklin Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, told The Washington Post.

He added: This is the most failed first 100 days of any president.

His comments came after FBI director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee that the Bureau had found no evidence that Barack Obama had ordered wiretaps in Trump Tower during the presidential election - contradicting Mr Trump's Twitter accusations.

Testifying under oath he said that his agency was conducting an investigation into possible Trump administration ties to Russia.

As a result, Mr Brinkley, who also teaches history at a private research university in Texas, said: Theres a smell of treason in the air.

He added: Imagine if J Edgar Hoover or any other FBI director would have testified against a sitting president? It would have been a mind-boggling event.

Mr Trump's approval ratings are far worse than those of any former president at this point in their presidency. According to Gallup's tracking polls, Mr Trump had an approval rating of 39 per cent during polling conducted between 13 and 19 March.

Other presidents had far higher approval figures at the same time during their first year in office: Barack Obama had a 62 per cent approval rating, George W Bush had a 58 per cent approval rating and Bill Clinton had the previous lowest rating at 53 per cent.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Dwight Eisenhower had the highest approval rating at in March of his first year at 74 per cent, just ahead of John F Kennedy at 73 per cent.

Mr Brinkley has criticised the Trump administration in the past.

A few days after Mr Trump's January inauguration, he questioned whether the new president was sabotaging himself after he made dubious claims about the crowd size at the event.

The truth of the matter is he had a successful inauguration with a respectful crowd," Mr Brinkley told the Politico website at the time. "The transition of power went off without a hitch. His supporters were amiable by and large. But then he can never let go and stop watching cable TV. Now he's off to the worst start of a presidency in a very long time.
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House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes said at a press conference Wednesday that Donald Trump and his transition team may have been surveilled following the presidential election.

According to Mr Nunes, some communications from the Trump team  and possibly Trump himself  were subject to legal, incidental collection before his inauguration. He did not specify whether the then-President-elects communications were specifically targeted for collection.

Mr Nunes believes the surveillance to be legally collected, but nevertheless said he is alarmed by the discovery. He claimed the intercepted communications were widely disseminated among intelligence agencies, revealing the names of several Trump associates in the process.

Mr Nunes chairs the House Intelligence Committee's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in last years election. He told reporters he uncovered the potential surveillance while reviewing intelligence reports.

The representative visited the White House Wednesday afternoon to brief Mr Trump on his findings. Mr Trump said after the meeting that he felt somewhat vindicated by Mr Nuness announcement.

House intelligence committee Democrats said they were not consulted about the information before the news conference.

"If accurate, this information should have been shared with members of the committee, but it has not been," said Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Mr Nunes at first said none of the surveillance was related to the investigation of Trump campaign ties to Russia. However, Mr Nunes said later he could not be sure whether other information existed elsewhere related to Russia.

The leaders of the main House investigative committee said separately on Wednesday they had asked the White House and FBI for documents regarding Flynn's foreign contacts with Russia, Turkey and others.

After briefing Mr Trump, Mr Nunes told reporters outside the White House, I think the president is concerned, and he should be.

Mr Trump previously accused former President Barack Obama of surveilling him during the election, tweeting, Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!

Mr Nunes categorised the surveillance as normal intelligence reporting. He did not see any evidence of physical wiretapping, and did not know whether any surveillance had occurred at Trump Tower. He focused mainly on the alleged unmasking of Trump and his associates in the intelligence reports.

This is normal intelligence reporting, Mr Nunes said. The question is, should [Trump] himself or others been put into [intelligence] reports? I don't know the answer yet, but were going to try to get to the bottom of it.

FBI Director James Comey said Monday that neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice had information to support Mr Trumps allegations. He also formally announced a long-suspected FBI investigation of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Nunes said the collection he uncovered did not appear to be related to this investigation.
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Many Americans may consider Donald Trump a fake president, according to a scathing opinion piece that ran in the Wall Street Journal.

The piece was penned by the normally right-leaning Wall Street Journal editorial board full of journalists who have regularly supported Republican candidates. The paper is part of Rupert Murdoch's news empire, which includes Fox News Channel whose anchors are openly pro-Trump.

The piece - which minces no words - comes amidst a confirmation hearing for Mr Trumps Supreme Court nomination and a critical vote in Congress on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

Instead of the spotlight being on possible wins for the administration, the week has been dominated by the news that he was repudiated by his own FBI director James Comey during a Congressional hearing, according to the editorial board.

There is also the news of Paul Manafort, Mr Trumps former campaign chairman, who allegedly worked for a Russian billionaire in order to benefit President Vladimir Putin.

The editorial board said Mr Trumps promotion of fake news is doing damage to his reputation, referring to his accusations that former President Barack Obama had Trump Tower in New York wiretapped during the 2016 presidential campaign without providing any evidence.

Mr Comey said during the Congressional hearing that there was no evidence that Mr Trumps claim is true.

Mr Trump seems to have a seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods, the editorial board wrote.

The editorial board wrote that the real problem is that he does not walk back his claims once proven wrong or provide the public with any sign of his humility.

[He] clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, putting his spokespeople like White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in the line of media fire and ruining their credibility as well, they wrote.

However, the piece also points to the 2016 campaign as establishing a pattern of behaviour. It should not surprise anyone, least of all his supporters.

Slamming the administrations tendency to only open up to right wing news outlets, the board wrote that Mr Trump will need support beyond the Breitbart cheering section that will excuse anything and friendly foreign leaders who feel they can trust him and the US.

The board noted that according to a Gallup poll, Mr Trumps approval rating is a historically low 39 per cent and if he continues on this road of promoting fake news most Americans may conclude hes a fake President.
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A poll of registered voters showed they have a negative view of FBI Director James Comey by a two-to-one margin.

The Harvard-Harris Poll survey was only released in full to The Hill newspaper. It surveyed 2,092 registered voters - Democrat, Republican, and Indepedent - online from 14 to 16 March.

The poll showed that 35 per cent of those voters had a negative view of Mr Comey and 17 per cent had what the respondents deemed a positive view.

Recommended FBI Director Comey admitted something big under oath

The Hill pointed out that even at the height of the red scare and McCarthyism, when Senator Joe McCarthy led the charge to root out Communists in the US, 78 per cent of voters thought FBI Director J Edgar Hoover, Jr was doing a good job according to a 1953 Gallup poll.

Harvard-Harris Poll co-director Mark Penn told The Hill that Mr Comeys poll results likely points to a crisis of confidence in his leadership as top law enforcement officer".

Mr Comey now infamously threw a wrench into the 2016 presidential campaign only a little over a week before election day when he revealed the FBI had discovered more emails relevant to their prior investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private server for State Department communications.

On 20 March, Mr Comey appeared before a Congressional committee and refuted President Trumps absurd tweets accusing former President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower in New York during the 2016 campaign.

He also testified that members of the Trump campaign were currently under investigation by the FBI for ties to Russia.

Sixty per cent of the voters surveyed said they would prefer an independent party to investigate the investigate Russian meddling in the election and Trumps wiretapping claims, according to The Hill.

The poll also revealed something else interesting. Despite the unfavourable rating for Mr Comey, 54 per cent of voters dont think members of the Trump team illicitly colluded with the Russians over the campaign.

About 60 per cent also said they believed Trump campaign staffs meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were part of normal contact with a foreign government while 40 per cent thought the meeting was something more nefarious.

In a show that the voter respondents are following the real news, 66 per cent of voters say they dont believe the former president spied on the current president, The Hill reported.

In a sign that may explain Mr Trumps historically low 39 per cent overall approval rating, 40 per cent of survey respondents think he spends too much time worrying about Russia and wiretapping.
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A Jewish man has been accused of spray-painting swastikas on his own house after he reported the incident to police as a hate crime.

Andrew King claimed he found two swastikas on his home in Schenectady, New York, last month.

Speaking to local newspaper The Daily Gazette at the time, he said a vein of fear went right through me when he saw the graffiti. All that history attached to that Nazi symbol.

Recommended German man with Hitler moustache attacks refugees with swastika helmet

But Mr King was this week arrested and charged with falsely reporting an incident and police allege he painted the swastikas himself, CBS6Albany reports.

He is being held on a $500 (400) bail.

During his arraignment hearing Mr King alleged he had suffered injuries from the police when he was arrested. City police spokesman Sgt Matthew Dearing told reporters: He had no altercation with us in our interaction with him at all, Times Union reported.

Julia Simone, the public defender representing Mr King, told the judge he has been diagnosed as schizophrenic and receives assistance from the government for a physical disability.

Local Rabbi Matt Cutler of the Congregation Gates of Heaven told Buzzfeed News that while Mr King claims to be Jewish, he had not successfully converted to the religion.

This has brought a sense of shame to the community, he told the news site. We knew there was something peculiar about the vandalism, he said, adding that Mr King was not welcome at the orthodox synagogue over problems with previous behaviour.
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One day after the Trump administration pushed so-called sanctuary cities to comply with federal immigration programs, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti doubled down on protections for immigrants.

Mr Garcetti on Tuesday released Los Angeles Executive Directive 20, which prohibits city employees and funding from being used in service of federal immigration enforcement, except when required by law. Los Angeles law enforcement officials  from police officers to firefighters  cannot ask residents about their immigration status, or make arrests based on it.

Officers are also prohibited from keeping people in custody solely because of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.

LAPD has never participated in programs that deputise local law enforcement to act as immigration agents, and on my watch they never will, Mr Garcetti said on Tuesday, which activists had declared a national day of immigration action.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Charlie Beck said he hoped the order would increase immigrants trust in the police. He revealed that sexual assault reporting among Hispanics in the city is down 25 percent compared to this time last year, and domestic violence reporting is down 10 percent. Other cities, such as Denver, have reported immigrant women dropping domestic abuse cases for fear of being detained at the courthouse.

[Police-community relationships] are not sustained when a police department knocks on the front door to get witness information and to talk to a victim, and people run out the back door, Mr Beck said. And that is what we fear the most is happening in our city.

Mr Garcettis order cements Los Angeless place on the list of 118 sanctuary cities released by the DHS on Monday. Trump ordered the department to release the names of all localities that refuse to comply with federal immigration enforcement in a January 25 executive order. He has previously threatened to withhold federal funding from such cities.

"When law-enforcement agencies fail to honour immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders, it undermines ICE's ability to protect the public safety and carry out its mission," ICE's acting director, Thomas Homan, said upon releasing the list Monday.

Mr Garcetti, however, seemed unconcerned about retaliation from the president.

We feel very secure that it is a violation of the constitution to put a financial gun to the head of any state or city, he said Tuesday.
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Mexico's government has warned Mexican companies that it would not be in their best interests to participate in the construction of US President Donald Trump's border wall, though there will be no legal restrictions or sanctions to stop them if they tried.

While some Mexican companies stand to potentially benefit from the controversial infrastructure project, residents south of the border view the wall and Trump's repeated calls to have Mexico pay for it as offensive. That is putting public pressure on firms to abstain from participating.

We're not going to have laws to restrict (companies), but I believe considering your reputation it would undoubtedly be in your interest to not participate in the construction of the wall, said Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo.

There won't be a law with sanctions, but Mexicans and Mexican consumers will know how to value those companies that are loyal to our national identity and those that are not, Guajardo added.

His comments echo those of Mexico's foreign minister Luis Videgaray, who said on Friday that Mexican companies that see a business opportunity in the wall should check their conscience first.

Mexico's Cemex, one of the world's largest cement producers, has said it is open to providing quotes to supply the raw materials for the border wall. Competitor Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua has also signalled a readiness to work on the project.

Both companies have a strong presence in the United States.

Commenting on a media report published last week that stated Cemex will not participate in construction of the border wall, company spokesman Jorge Perez told Reuters: I confirmed that we will not participate in the bidding process. That is all we have said.

Asked if Cemex would be willing to provide raw materials, such as cement, to the companies eventually selected to build the wall, Perez said he could not comment.

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

The only Mexican company, out of some 720 in total, to put its name down on the US government's website for business opportunities as an interested vendor for the wall construction, is a small, four-member concern from the central city of Puebla that wants to provide LED lights that it imports mostly from China.

Mexican activists have called on consumers and local government officials to boycott that company, Ecovelocity.

Reuters
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Filmmaker Michael Moore has called on the Democratic Party in America to declare a national emergency, following the revelation that Donald Trump and his staff are being investigated by the FBI.

FBI director James Comey confirmed this week that investigators are looking at alleged interference by Russia in the 2016 election, and any possible ties between Russia and Mr Trumps campaign team.

Writing on Instagram, Mr Moore has called for all business with Mr Trump to be halted, including decisions on legislation and confirmation of nominees to positions of public office, while he is under investigation.

The Democratic Party needs to declare a National Emergency. For the first time in our history, the President of the United States and his staff are under investigation for espionage, Mr Moore claims in the post.

This announcement, by the head of the Trump-friendly FBI, is a shock to our democracy. The Democratic leadership in the House and Senate needs to bring a halt to all business being done in the name of this potential felony suspect, Donald J. Trump.

No bill he supports, no Supreme Court nominee he has named, can be decided while he is under a criminal investigation. His presidency has no legitimacy until the FBI - and an independent investigative committee - discovers the truth. Fellow citizens, demand the Democrats cease all business.

Mr Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, is this week attending confirmation hearings on his position.

Mr Moore, who is known for documentaries Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, ended his post on a quote from President Richard Nixon: "The American people have a right to know if their President is a crook. The famous quote comes from a 1973 televised question and answer session with the press, when Mr Nixon was being probed about his tax payments. He denied any involvement in the Watergate scandal in the same session.

Mr Trump has denied any links between the Russian government and his campaign team.

The FBI probe has been on-going since July last year but its existence was confirmed this week in a rare move by the agency. After outlining the nature of the counterintelligence effort, Mr Comey said on Monday: I cannot say more about what we are doing and whose conduct we are examining.

Mr Comey also told the Congressional hearing he had no evidence to support Mr Trumps allegation that former President Obama had Trump Tower wiretapped.
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A Muslim teen was denied permission to board a Turkish Airline plane on her flight back to America over the weekenddespite being a United States citizen.

Zubaidah Alizoti, a high school student from Knoxville, was returning from the Middle East with her family when airline security prevented her from boarding the plane. However, the officials allowed the 17-year-olds family to board the flight to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.

The teens mother, Sabrina Sadaf Siddiqi, wrote a Facebook post explaining the situation to friends and family.



I've been absent from my social media because I was taking an epic journey to surprise my mother, father, family & friends by going with them to umrah again Alhamdullilah! (Pictures to come soon iA), she wrote. But today, as we tried to board our flight back to America my daughter, my 17 year old, my kind, my courteous, my loved by many, my Tennessee born daughter was denied entry back to her country, my country, our country.

Paul Galloway, the executive director at the Center for American Outreach, told the Associated Press that the Siddiqi family joined a group of nearly 50 people who made the trip to Mecca.

In a separate Facebook post on Monday, Siddiqi said that she attempted to meet with members of the US Consulate but was told that she would need to make an appointment. The family will attempt to board a new flight on Wednesday.



Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero expressed concern over the situation and has reached out to state Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander.

"I saw the Facebook posts about the Siddiqi family's situation, and I was concerned," she said. "I contacted the offices of Congressman Duncan and Senators Alexander and Corker, and they all responded promptly and promised to reach out to the Siddiqis. I have heard from Sabrina Siddiqi that she has heard from them, and she appreciates the support."

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

The Transportation Security Administration said on Monday that Turkish Airlines failed to provide essential information required in order for the teen to board the flight.

"International carriers are tasked with providing security information to the federal government before a passenger can fly into the United States," a TSA spokesperson told the paper. "That did not happen in this case."
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The US has reportedly ratcheted up security at UK-related sites in its biggest city after the incident in London that British police are treating as a suspected terror attack.

Officers were from the New York Police Department were said to be taking heavy weapons to Grand Central Station, City Hall and other locations.

They were also stepping up security at the British Consulate and the British Mission to the United Nations, senior New York Police Department officials said at a news conference.

https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/844596758403584001

The White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said that Donald Trump had spoken to British Prime Minister Theresa May. The State Department said that it had offered any assistance that the UK may require in the aftermath of the incident in Westminster.

Long gun teams have been deployed to the British Consulate, New York City Hall and Grand Central Terminal as an extra precaution, NYPD Assistant Commissioner J Peter Donald wrote on Twitter.

He added: Strategically-placed resources have also been implemented throughout NYC.
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Authorities with the New York Police Department on Wednesday announced that a white supremacist was charged in the stabbing death of a 66-year-old black man in Manhattan this week.

The homicide is being investigated as a hate crime because police believe the 28-year-old suspect traveled from Maryland to New York to target and kill black men. They said that the suspect has a deep-seated hatred of black people.

"He came here to target male blacks," Assistant Chief Bill Aubrey told reporters at a news conference. "[He] picked New York because it's the media capital of the world. He knew what he was doing coming up here."

Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Show all 15 1 /15 Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Children play on playground equipment that was defaced with swastikas during an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz speaks at a anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: A piece of playground equipment that was defaced with swastikas stands during an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn A woamn takes a photo of messages and flowers left at a playground before a protest against racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn New York State Senator Daniel Squadron speaks as activists protest racism and hate after swastikas found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Flowers left by activists at the entrance to Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016 after swastikas were found in the park. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Messages and flowers left by activists at a playground protesting racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest Racism and Hate after swastikas found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images

The suspect was identified as James Harris Jackson, who served in the US Army for four years and had toured in Afghanistan and Germany. He told police that he identifies as a white supremacist and had written a manifesto declaring his views.

Authorities said the suspect walked into a police station in Times Square at midnight where police found two knives in his possession. "You need to arrest me. I have the knife in my pocket," he reportedly told police.

The victim, identified as Timothy Caughman, was attacked and stabbed in his chest and back at Ninth Avenue and West 36th Street around 11:30pm on Monday night. ABC reports that he managed to stumble more than a block to a police station where he collapsed. He was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
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A dog that was rescued from an abusive owner has been hailed a hero after saving a young girls life.

Peanut, arrived at the Delta Animal Shelter in Escanaba, Michigan with two broken legs and cracked ribs, last year.

After she was nursed back to health, she was taken in by a new owner, who has now credited the dog with becoming a saviour herself.

Writing on the shelter's Facebook site, Peanut's owner said her uncanny sixth sense kicked in last week and she started crazily barking.

She was running up and down the stairs, barking and yelping, the message read. She then went and got my husband, who was in the garage working on some projects, and alerted him that she wanted to go outside.

He said he could hear her running around upstairs but didnt understand why. He let her outside where she went barrelling into the field behind our house at full speed.

My husband followed her and to his surprise, he found a naked, shivering, three-year-old girl curled up in a ball. He scooped her up, wrapped her in his sweatshirt, and brought her inside.

He called 911 and reported the incident. By the time the ambulance and police arrived, the little girl could only say one thing  doggie.

Delta County Sheriff's confirmed the story in a statement on their own Facebook site, saying the girl was found lying naked in a ditch in freezing conditions.

 Shepherd dog adopts three tiger cubs

A citizen was alerted to the child's presence by his dog, it read. The citizen then located the girl and wrapped her in his shirt and rushed her back to his residence in attempt to warm the child.

The girl was taken to hospital and officers eventually found the parents living nearby in unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.

Delta Animal Shelter said in a statement: Through all of this sad news, give thanks the children are safe. The good in this heartbreaking story is the heroism of this former abused shelter dog Peanut, and her wonderful adoptive family.

Child Protection Services have now removed the girl, along with another child, Sheriff's said, adding the case had been sent to prosecutors for review.
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One of the largest ever lawsuits relating to the September 11 terror attacks has been filed against Saudi Arabia in New York.

Families of 850 victims who died and the 1,500 injured, are suing the Middle Eastern country's government, accusing it of providing material and financial assistance to al Qaeda in the years leading up to worst ever terrorist attack on US soil.

Of the 19 hijackers who took over the aeroplanes during the attack, 15 were from Saudi Arabia.

The complaint accuses Saudi officials of being aware that money was redirected to al Qaeda from charities in the country, so they could finance their attacks.

The plaintiffs have been able to utilise the US's Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. Passed last year, it allows lawsuits to be brought against foreign states.

Barack Obama opposed the law but was overruled by Congress and since then there have been six other lawsuits filed against Saudi Arabia by the families of 9/11 victims.

Explaining the lawsuits reasoning, co-chairman of the plaintiffs' committee Jim Kreindler told CNN: 9/11 could not have happened without Saudi Arabia's support for al Qaeda."

His colleague Jerry Goldman added: We intend, just like we have for over the last 13 years, to move forward to seek justice on behalf of all the families, and accountability on behalf of all the people in this country."

The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world Show all 4 1 /4 The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world 644536.bin The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world 644604.bin The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world 644534.bin REUTERS The voices of 9/11: The ripples still being felt around the world 644535.bin REUTERS

Their complaint cites both CIA and FBI reports, including the "28 pages" a section of the 2002 Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, that was declassified last year.

That suggested that the hijackers received assistance and financial support from individuals connected to the Saudi Arabian government, implicating intelligence officers, embassy staff, and members of the country's royal family.

The Saudi government has denied any involvement in the attacks and has refused to comment on the latest case to the media.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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A Texas teacher has been arrested after she was accused of having a sexual relationship with her 17-year-old student.

Sarah Fowlkes was suspended from her role as science teacher at Lockhart High School after a school administrator blew the whistle on the alleged relationship.

The married 27-year-old later turned herself in to police and was taken to Caldwell County Jail. She has been charged with felony improper relationship between an educator and student. It was unclear whether she was still being held.

Police said they had spoken to a 17-year-old male student who had been in contact with Ms Fowlkes in person and by message. Their contact was said to be of a sexual nature, according to police.

On a page on the school website, Ms Fowlkes describes herself as having very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students and I hope that this will be a formula for achievement.

Biology teacher was suspended following the allegations (Facebook)

She added: I want this to be an enjoyable year for all of my students but also a productive, challenging and encouraging year with success for everyone.

Lockhart Independent School District (LISD) said Ms Fowlkes, who had taught at the school since October 2014, had been suspended and that notice of her conduct was being sent to the State Board for Educator Certification.

"Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly," LISD superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement.

"Student safety is the district's most important priority. As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and CPS to conduct a thorough investigation. The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child."
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The US pulled out of a international meeting that was to examine the potential impact on human rights of Donald Trumps executive orders targeting refugees and immigrants.

The hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) was called following concerns about the impact of three executive orders signed by Mr Trump, including a plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

But Reuters said the US announced it would not take part in the meeting, which was held in Washington DC on Tuesday.

Maria Isabel Rivero, a spokeswoman for the IACHR, said the US advised the commission on Monday that it would not attend the panel, which includes representatives from regional human rights and immigration groups.

If the member state doesnt want to be represented there is nothing we can do about it but the hearing goes ahead anyway, Ms Rivero said.

The IACHR was created by the 35-nation Organisation of American States (OAS) to protect human rights in the Americas.

 Thousands join London protests against Donald Trump travel ban

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said government lawyers felt it would not have been appropriate to discuss the executive orders while some are under review by US courts.

We did inform the IACHR of our inability to attend these particular hearings because of ongoing litigation around some of these executive orders, Mr Toner told a conference call with reporters. We did not feel we could address concerns in an open hearing.

But critics said the decision may be a worrying indication of the attitude of the Trump administration.

Jamil Dakwar of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said the hearings have enjoyed enjoyed the support of every US administration since its founding.

In the past, when US governments have sought to express displeasure at having their records scrutinised, they have occasionally protested by sending lower-level officials, he added.

But todays refusal to engage the commission at all is a deeply troubling indication of its disrespect for human rights norms and the institutions that oversee their protection.

Marselha Goncalves Margerin, advocacy director at Amnesty International, said the lack of US representation at the panel showed a total disregard of its commitment to human rights.

The US has attended these hearings for the last eight years, she said. By failing to be present at this hearing, the US joins Cuba and Venezuela in turning its back on people in the Americas who seek justice for human rights abuses.
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The FBI did wiretap Trump Tower to monitor Russian activity, but it had nothing to do with the 2016 Presidential election, it has been reported.

Between 2011 and 2013 the Bureau had a warrant to spy on a high-level criminal Russian money-laundering ring, which operated in unit 63A of the iconic skyscraper  three floors below Mr Trump's penthouse.

The investigation led to the indictment of more than 30 people, including alleged mafia boss Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, according to ABC News.

He is a major player, said Mike Gaeta, the agent who led the 2013 FBI investigation, in a 2014 interview.

He is prominent. He has extremely good connections in the business world as well as the criminal world, overseas, in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, other countries."

The suspected mobster  who is accused of moving $50m (40m) in illegal money to the US  remains at large, even after Interpol issued a red notice for his detention.

Revelations about the surveillance came after Mr Trump claimed that previous US President Barack Obama had "wiretapped" his headquarters.

The President has failed to provide any evidence for the allegation  made in a string of tweets  and a congressional committee investigating the allegation said it did not believe it happened.

FBI director James Comey further undermined the claims on Tuesday when he told a congressional intelligence hearing he "had no information that supports those tweets".

Mr Trump has dismissed of having claims to Russia (Getty)

Five months after alleged mafia leader Mr Tokhtakhounov was indicted, the fugitive appeared near Mr Trump in the VIP section of the Russian Miss Universe pageant.

Mr Trump was not implicated in the 2013 money-laundering probe.

An investigation by ABC found that Mr Trump's properties have hosted a disproportionate number of Russians, including some with criminal records.

The Trump Organization responded saying it does not track buyers by nationality.
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Donald Trumps former campaign chairman once secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance Vladimir Putins interests, leaked documents have claimed.

Paul Manafort allegedly proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, despite claims from the Trump administration that he never worked in the Kremlins interests.

In 2005, Mr Manfort proposed a confidential strategy to influence politics, business and news coverage in the US and across Europe amid worsening relations between George W Bushs government and Russia.

We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success, Mr Manafort reportedly wrote in a memo to Oleg Deripaska, a close ally of the Russian president and aluminium magnate.

He added that the effort will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.

Mr Manafort signed a $10m (8m) annual contract with Mr Deripaskas firm beginning in 2006, business records obtained by the Associated Press, and the pair reportedly maintained a business relationship until at least 2009.

 FBI chief confirms Russia election interference probe

American diplomatic cables from 2006 that were later released by WikiLeaks described Mr Deripaskas favourable relationship with Mr Putin and said he was more or less a permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad andamong the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis.

Mr Manafort worked as Mr Trumps unpaid campaign chairman from March until August last year but was asked to resign amid claims he had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

He is now a leading focus of investigations by American intelligence services into links between Mr Trumps associates and Russia, as well as a previous probe aiming to recover

Ukrainian assets stolen after the removal of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

An FBI probe is running alongside two congressional investigations over whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Moscow to interfere in the 2016 campaign.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

James Comey, the director of the FBI, declined to say whether Mr Manafort was a target when questioned in Congress, while his name was mentioned 28 times during a House Intelligence Committee hearing.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr Manafort played a very limited role for a very limited amount of time in the campaign, despite his leadership coming in the run-up to the crucial Republican National Convention.

Mr Manafort confirmed he worked for Mr Deripaska but told the Associated Press his rule was being unfairly cast as inappropriate or nefarious as part of a smear campaign.

I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments, Mr Manafort said.

My work for Mr Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests."

Additional reporting by AP
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has claimed he didnt want his new job, and that he only took it after some persuading from his wife.

Mr Tillerson, a former oil executive with no previous diplomatic experience, said his wife convinced him by saying God wanted him to be Secretary of State.

He admitted his surprise at being offered the job by President Donald Trump, who he had never met.

Secretary of State is one of the most senior roles in the US government, and the task involves overseeing foreign relations and diplomacy.

 Rex Tillerson says 'these things happen' when asked about Russian civilians dying

In a rare interview with the conservative Independent Journal Review  the only outlet allowed to go with Mr Tillerson on his recent tour of Asia  the notoriously media shy Secretary made the frank admission.

I didnt want this job, he told the Review. I didnt seek this job.

Mr Tillerson, who turns 65 this week, was planning on retiring and going to the ranch with his grandchildren.

On being pressed as to why he accepted it, Mr Tillerson said: My wife told me Im supposed to do this.

His wife, Renda St Clair, reportedly wagged her finger and told him: I told you Gods not through with you.

Mr Tillerson said he had never met the President before the election. After his victory, Mr Trump called him to New York to talk about the world, drawing on the oil mans experience as head of Exxon Mobil.

When he asked me at the end of that conversation to be Secretary of State, I was stunned, Mr Tillerson said.

Yesterday, it was reported Mr Tillerson planned on missing a meeting with Nato ministers in April in favour of meeting Chinese President Xi Jingping, alongside Mr Trump, at the Mar-a-Lago estate. He will visit Russia soon after.

The announcement was met with concern in the alliance, amid doubts over US commitment since Mr Trump was elected.

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 former US ambassador to Nato, Ivo Daalder, told Vox the decision was unprecedented and a mistake.

He said: When it comes to meetings, which are the lifeblood of the policymaking process at Nato, showing up is 85 per cent of the job. And hes not showing up.

Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the number two ranked House Democrat, said Mr Tillerson was sending a "dangerous signal to our allies and adversaries."

"Vladimir Putin's Russia has not done anything to merit such engagement," Mr Hoyer said.
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Donald Trumps top diplomat is hosting ministers from 68 countries to discuss a secret plan to confront and defeat Isis.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed the foreign ministers to Washington, the first such gathering of the US-led military coalition since the election of President Trump in November. Mr Trump vowed that the fight against Isis would become a major priority for his government, and earlier this year he asked the Pentagon and other agencies to provide plans for defeating the militant group.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Tillerson called for new ideas to expand the fight against Isis in the Iraqi city of Mosul and accelerate the campaign to chase militants from Raqqa, Syria, while preparing for the complex humanitarian and political consequences of both efforts.

Yet Mr Tillerson did not propose, at least in his public remarks, a new approach, beyond noting the increased US military role in each country. I recognise there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating Isis is the United States number one goal in the region, Mr Tillerson said. As we've said before, when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand.

Nothing Mr Tillerson outlined departed significantly from the Obama administration's strategy, which focused on using local forces to retake territory along with efforts to disrupt Isis recruitment and financing, and the blueprint of the multilateral effort seemed unchanged.

The meeting came after a US-led coalition aircraft dropped fighters for the first time into an area near the Syrian city of Raqqa to retake territory from Isis in a mission that included Apache helicopters, US Marine artillery and special operations troops.

The air drop of Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia alliance including Arab and Kurdish fighters, took place near the town of Tabqa in northern Syria, spokesman Colonel Joseph Scrocca said in a Pentagon news conference.

About 75 to 80 per cent of the forces were members of the Syrian Arab Coalition in the alliance, and the rest were from Syrian Democratic Forces, some of whom were Kurdish fighters, he said.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, which also includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia, is fighting to encircle Raqqa city with support from the US-led coalition.

Mr Scrocca said it could be several weeks before the city of Tabqa, the Tabqa dam, and a nearby air field would be retaken from Isis.

 Syrian refugee recalls ISIS horrors

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Ababi said victory was finally within reach.

We are at the stage of completely decimating Daesh, Mr Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for Isis.

Mr Abadi had previously met with Mr Trump in Washington on Monday, said he had won assurances of more US support in the war against Isis.

A White House statement after the meeting said both Mr Trump and Mr Abadi agreed that terrorism cannot be defeated by military might alone, and the two leaders called for deepening commercial ties.
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The bodyguard who was the first to lay eyes on Adolf Hitlers dead body has described the last minutes of the Fuhrers life in intimate detail.

Rochus Misch's autobiography explains how the Nazi leader said all soldiers were released from loyalty and that he wanted his body to be burned, before killing himself.

Mr Misch, who was the last surviving member of Hitlers entourage when he died in Berlin aged 96 in 2013, also described how he walked in on mistress Eva Braun in a flimsy nightie.

The telephone operator was on the switchboard in Hitlers bunker on 30 April, 1945, when General Keitel messaged in to say the army failed to break the Soviet encirclement in Berlin and that the end of the Second World War was inevitable.

"Shortly afterwards, Misch heard Hitler talking quietly to [Nazi party official, Martin] Bormann and others. He looked and saw Hitler walk into his study. Eva, now Mrs Hitler, followed him in," said the books commissioning editor Martin Mace.

"He saw Otto Gunsche, the Fuhrer's adjutant, close the door behind the newly-married couple. Gusche told Misch that the boss was not to be disturbed.

"Hitler shook hands with Gunsche and told him that all soldiers were released from their oath of loyalty.

 Germany: Hitler painting goes on sale

"Hitler had already told his adjutant that he did not want his body to be publicly abused as Mussolini's had been and that he wanted his corpse to be burned."

He added: "Everyone in the bunker waited nervously. Then there was some commotion. The study door was opened and Misch looked inside."

Mr Misch said: "My glance fell first on Eva. She was seated with her legs drawn up, her head inclined towards Hitler. Her shoes were under the sofa. Near her  the dead Hitler. His eyes were open and staring, his head had fallen forward slightly."

The memoirs also describe how Mr Misch walked in on Eva in a "flimsy nightie" in the guestroom, which had a private passageway into Hitler's room, and she put a finger to her mouth telling the bodyguard to keep quiet.

Mr Misch, who thought he would be sacked over the incident, also said he heard Ms Braun and Magada Goebbels swearing to die with their respective men.

Mr Misch was kidnapped by the Soviet Red Army, and imprisoned in labour camps for eight years, after trying to escape into hiding.

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. 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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. 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He spoke fondly of Hitler until his later years, describing him as a wonderful boss and "no brute", and was thought to be the last survivor of the Fuhrerbunker after Siegfried Knappe died in December 2008.

The Holocaust Memorial Trust declined to comment.

Hitler's Last Witness: The Memoirs of Hitler's Bodyguard, is being republished by Frontline Books in English on 30 May this year.

Frontline Books senior editor John Grehan said Mr Misch's account is remarkably impartial and non-judgemental.

Mr Grehan, who has appeared on BBC's Time Team and wrote The Battle of Hastings 1066 - The Uncomfortable Truth: Revealing the True Location of England's Most Famous Battle, told The Independent: "We're publishing it because this was someone so close to Hitler during a crucial part of the war, especially given he was of a very junior rank, with no axe to grind, and someone with no need to cover up for anything he did wrong."
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A toddler appears to have succumbed to a source of frustration that has beset generations of children, after becoming stuck in a toy claw machine

Three-year-old Jamie Bracken-Murphy seemingly took matters into his own hands after losing a game at his local play centre in Tipperary.

His father claims that when his back was turned for moments, the child wriggled into the contraption through the hole which dispenses toys.

"We were in a play centre here in Nenagh and I took my eyes off him for about five seconds as he walked towards the claw machine, father Damien told the Irish Independent.

I then heard a muffled complaint and when I looked up, he was behind the glass of the machine.

"I tried to get him out, but it seemed like he did not have enough space to manoeuvre his way out, so I told him to be calm and wait while I got one of the staff to find the keys to the machine."

Mr Murphy said an off-duty fire fighter also happened to be in the building came to Jamies rescue.

Unintentionally terrifying children's movies Show all 7 1 /7 Unintentionally terrifying children's movies Unintentionally terrifying children's movies Most people know to steer well clear of this one by now. If not, you obviously escaped one of the most scarring childhood memories, that of cute baby Bambis mother being shot dead by hunters, leaving him sad and alone in the woods. Rex Features Unintentionally terrifying children's movies Ursula makes a pact with mermaid Ariel that she will make her human in return for her voice. Her voice! She must then get a man to fall in love with her, without being able to speak. Every feminists nightmare. Unintentionally terrifying children's movies This one is seriously trippy. Its Disneys third ever movie but instead of pretty dresses and Prince Charmings and happily ever afters, all we got was a visit to Satans lair in Night on Bald Mountain. Unintentionally terrifying children's movies That fairground is enough to put you off any old-fashioned fun for life. Its called Pleasure Island but there is absolutely zero pleasure involved whatsoever. Naughty boys are turned into donkeys and the whole wooden puppet coming alive thing doesnt really do it for us either. Unintentionally terrifying children's movies There are plenty of frankly horrifying moments in this supposed childrens film from 1941, but none so harrowing as the scene when Dumbo visits his imprisoned, supposedly mad mummy elephant and she sings him a lullaby while cradling him in her trunk. Unintentionally terrifying children's movies This movie about bunnies may look cute enough but Watership Down is proof that animation does not equal adorable. Its possibly the most traumatic film youll have seen in, well, forever. Its really bloody in parts and should quite clearly never have been rated a U, even in 1978. Unintentionally terrifying children's movies Tiny Thumbelina is kidnapped by toads shortly after birth, nearly drowns in a waterfall, betrothed to a blind old mole who lives underground, forced to dress as a bug and dance at a freaky insect ball, spanked by Mr Beetle with a cane and her lover Prince Cornelius is frozen in an ice block. Oh and her best friend nearly dies. Lovely.

The fire fighter instructed the toddler where to move and was then able to pull him from the machine

Jamie's father said he had a knack for getting into mischievous situations and managed to remain relatively calm throughout the experience - adding that he also got to keep two toys he picked up while inside.
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Two alleged Isis supporters who were born on Germany are to be deported from the country in the first such expulsion in history.

The men, who hold Algerian and Nigerian citizenship, were arrested on suspicion of planning an imminent terror attack after a gun and Isis flags were found at their homes during police raids in Gottingen.

They have not been prosecuted and the allegations have not been tested in a criminal court, but federal judges upheld their planned deportation, bolstering government plans to expel more foreign nationals believed to be terror threats.

Confiscated weapons and an Isis flag seized in Gottingen, Germany, by police investigating Algerian and Nigerian men suspected of planning a terror attack (AFP/Getty Images)

Boris Pistorius, the interior minister for Lower Saxony, said the move sent a nationwide signal to all fanatics, that we will give not even a centimetre for their inhuman plans.

They will be met with the full severity of means at our disposal  whether they have grown up here [in Germany] or not, he added.

Authorities in the state adopted a new law allowing them to expel terror suspects held to be dangerous in February, amid nationwide security crackdowns following the Berlin attack.

The two unnamed suspects launched an appeal to stay their expulsion from Germany but it was rejected by the Federal Administrative Court on Tuesday.

This has confirmed our legal position, Mr Pistorius said. We have applied the sharpest sword of law governing foreigners to avert a concrete danger and I am satisfied that the court agrees with our assessment.

The men, who hold Nigerian and Algerian citizenship through their parents, were described as having an extremist Salafist background.

They were arrested in February when investigators found two weapons, at least one of them a firearm that required no permit but had been altered to fire live ammunition.

 Police chief says Germany 'on high alert' after attack

Ammunition was also discovered alongside flags of the so-called Islamic State and a machete, with counter-terror police seizing computers and other evidence.

Lower Saxony's state government said they will be transported before Easter and could also be banned from returning to Germany for life.

In order for them to be legally deported, the German government must ensure they will not face torture or persecution abroad, and it was unclear whether appeals could be launched in higher courts.

A claim could also be launched using European human rights laws including the right to a family life, as the men are understood to have lived their entire lives in Germany and have few links to their parents homelands.

Prosecutors concluded that the two had discussed an attack plan but had no concrete plans to carry one out.

Nevertheless, the government decided to deport them, relying for the first time on measures that were part of tightened anti-terrorism laws passed after the September 11 attacks in the US.

Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Show all 9 1 /9 Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Policemen outside Rouen's cathedral during the funeral of Jacques Hamel, the priest who was killed in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy on 26 July during a hostage-taking claimed by Islamic State group Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two jihadists, both 19, slit Hamel's throat while he was celebrating mass in an attack that shocked France as well as the Catholic Church Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Muslims place flowers and hold a minute of silence in front of the church if Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, western France, where French priest Jacques Hamel was killed on 26 July Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two people hold each other by the new makeshift memorial in Nice, in tribute to the victims of the deadly Bastille Day attack at the Promenade des Anglais Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the truck attack that killed 84 people in Nice on France's national holiday. Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, 31, smashed a 19-tonne truck into a packed crowd of people in the Riviera city celebrating Bastille Day Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police work at a site where a Syrian migrant set off an explosive device in Ansbach, southern Germany, on 25 July, killing himself and wounding a dozen others Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis A Syrian migrant set off an explosion at a bar in southern Germany that killed himself and wounded a dozen others in the third attack to hit Bavaria in a week. The 27-year-old, who had spent a stint in a psychiatric facility, had intended to target a music festival in the city of Ansbach but was turned away because he did not have a ticket Friebe/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police officers walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg southern Germany on 19 July, a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe. German authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag among the belongings of the man, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, who seriously injured four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong in his rampage Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis German police killed a teenage assailant after he attacked passengers on a train in Wuerzburg, southerg Germany with an axe and a knife on 18 July, seriously wounding three people Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images

It would be the first time German-born terror suspects are deported from Germany, following a series of cases against foreign citizens including asylum seekers who have arrived since the start of the refugee crisis.

Angela Merkels government was criticised for failing to remove terror suspects swiftly enough after revelations an attempt to deport the Isis supporter who killed 12 people in the Berlin Christmas market attack had failed.

Anas Amri was investigated over a previous alleged plot and put under surveillance for several months but missing paperwork meant he could not be sent to Tunisia after his asylum application was rejected in June.

He was released from detention after the maximum period allowed by German law and moved freely around the country using fake identities before carrying out his attack.

Following two previous Isis-inspired terror attacks that hit Germany in July, the interior minister drew up proposals to boost security, including a new focus on deporting foreigners deemed dangerous and stripping dual nationals who fight for extremist groups of their German citizenship.

After the Berlin attack, the government proposed further measures to toughen the rules on deporting such individuals and on monitoring extremists.
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Germany is to officially pardon 50,000 men convicted under a Nazi-era law criminalising homosexuality that continued to be enforced after the Second World War.

Paragraph 175 was used by Adolf Hitlers regime to send thousands of people to concentration camps but even after the Holocaust, it was not dropped by the new West German government.

Following decades of work by campaigners, anyone convicted under the law will be pardoned and those living will gain the automatic right to compensation.

Angela Merkel's cabinet of conservatives and centre-left Social Democrats approved a bill granting the pardons on Wednesday but it still requires parliamentary approval.

It foresees compensation of 3,000 (2,600) for each conviction, plus 1,500 (1,300) for every year of jail time that convicted men started.

The rehabilitation of men who ended up in court purely because of their sexuality is long overdue, said Heiko Maas, the German justice minister.

They were persecuted, punished and ostracised by the German state just because of their love for men, because of their sexual identity.

Mr Maas described past judgements as blatant injustices, adding: We shall never be able to completely atone for the crimes of the judicial system, but we want to rehabilitate the victims.

Prosecuted gay men should no longer have to live with the stigma of their conviction.

Remembering the Holocaust Show all 16 1 /16 Remembering the Holocaust Remembering the Holocaust 119165.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119169.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119229.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119167.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119162.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119166.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119163.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119224.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119168.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119228.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119152.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119226.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119150.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119151.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119147.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119231.bin Hannah Bills

Paragraph 175 disrupts professional paths, destroys careers and blights lives.

The few victims who are still alive today should finally be afforded justice.

The minister pledged financial support for the Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation, which has documented the persecution and raising awareness of the effects of Paragraph 175.

The group hailed justice, finally on Wednesday, saying the draft law was an important step on a long road or rehabilitation for victims.

The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany welcomes the fact that, after long decades of ignorance, legal consequences are being drawn from the serious mass human rights violations that were committed against homosexual people by the democratic state, said its spokesman, Helmut Metzner.

Paragraph 175 was introduced in to Germanys criminal code in 1871 but was broadened by the Nazis in 1935, with the ensuing prosecutors see thousands of gay men and lesbians sent to concentration camps during the Holocaust.

A Reichstag committee had voted to repeat the law six years before but Adolf Hitlers government changed it to allow for the persecution of any lewd act between men, regardless of physical contact.

Even after concentration camps were liberated, some prisoners were forced to serve out two-year prison sentences under Paragraph 175, while those freed faced stigmatisation.

Although East Germany abolished the Nazi amendments in 1950, West Germany did not and had them confirmed by its constitutional court.

 Chris Bryant makes an emotional plea for further action in pardoning gay men

The move caused an estimated 100,000 men to be drawn into legal proceedings between 1949 and 1969, with 50,000 convicted and some taking their own lives.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Germany 1969 but the legislation was not formally removed until 1994.

Six years later, Germany's parliament approved a resolution regretting the fact that Paragraph 175 was retained after the war and in 2002 it annulled the convictions of gay men under Nazi rule, but not afterwards.

The new law will exclude men who were convicted for homosexual activities with children or for acts that involved violence or threats.

It also will apply to men convicted in communist East Germany, which had a milder version of Paragraph 175 on the books and decriminalised homosexuality in 1968.

A total of around some 68,300 people were convicted under various forms of the law in both German states.

Mr Maas said the strength of a country was marked by the courage to correct its own mistakes, adding: We have not just the right but the duty to act.

The move comes months after the British government announced that thousands of gay and bisexual men convicted under now abolished sexual offences would be pardoned under the Alan Turing law.

It was named after the pioneering mathematician, whose code-breaking skills are said to have shortened the Second World War by years, who killed himself after being chemically castrated as punishment for gross indecency.

Several other countries including Canada and New Zealand are considering pardons for those convicted under repealed laws against same-sex relationships.
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A lawyer for the family of Sergei Magnitsky, a whistleblower whose suspicious death in police custody in 2009 sparked international outrage, has been critically injured in a fall the day before he was due to appear in court.

Russian media report Nikolai Gorokhov fell when a rope snapped as he and others tried to lift a bath in through a window of his fourth-floor home near Moscow.

However, British businessman Bill Browder, who employed Mr Magnitsky, said Mr Gorokhov had been thrown.

According to a press release published on a website linked to Mr Browder, Law and Order in Russia, Mr Gorokhov was due to appear in an appeals court in Moscow on Wednesday to contest its refusal to investigate allegations of organised crime.

Mr Gorokhov was flown to hospital by helicopter, where he remains in a critical condition.

The incident occurred in the town of Troitsk, south-west of Moscow. Russian media say several workmen were helping the lawyer at the time.

A representative of Browders Hermitage Capital later told independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta that Mr Gorokhov and workers had been trying to raise the bathtub when a winch broke.

He said: We have a lot of questions relating to what happened that we cannot receive answers to.

He added that the winch was strong enough for something heavier than a bathtub and none of the workers were injured.

Life News, a Russian tabloid news site, published photos of a shattered bath lying on the ground by a block of flats.

Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara Show all 13 1 /13 Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The unnamed gunman gestures after shooting the Russian Ambassador to Turkey AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman opened fire at a photo gallery in Ankara, Turkey AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was delivering a speech when the gunman opened fire AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman addressed the room after shooting the Russian Ambassador AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman spoke in Arabic after opening fire on the Russian ambassador to Turkey AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman stands over the body of Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, at a photo gallery in Ankara, Turkey AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara People in the art gallery react moments after the Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, was shot dead AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara Turkish police secure the area near the art gallery where Andrei Karlov was shot REUTERS Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman reportedly shouted "Aleppo" and "revenge" after shooting Mr Karlov dead AFP/Getty Images Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman stands over the body of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara The gunman, a Turkish policeman, can be seen standing behind the Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, before he opened fire AP Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara An ambulance leaves the area near the art gallery where the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot dead REUTERS Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead in Ankara Guests leave as the gunman holds his weapon behind them AFP/Getty

Mr Magnitsky died in prison eight years ago after revealing alleged fraud by state officials.

He had been jailed after being accused of committing fraud himself.

Supporters say his death in November 2009 was the result of a severe beating, but official records say he died of acute heart failure and toxic shock, caused by untreated pancreatitis.

Mr Magnitsky had acted as a legal adviser for London-based Hermitage Capital Management, founded by Mr Browder, a former US citizen who was himself tried in absentia.

The case damaged relations between Moscow and the West, casting a spotlight on corruption in Russia.

It led to US sanctions on a group of Russian officials, retaliation by Russia and the bizarre spectacle of Mr Magnitsky being put on trial posthumously.
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A Czech zoo has removed the horns of its 21 rhinoceros' as a precautionary measure after one of the creatures was killed by poachers at a French wildlife park.

After sedating the animals, zoo staff used a chainsaw to cut them off.

Premysl Rabas, the director of the Dvur Kralove zoo, around 70 miles north-east of the country's capital, Prague, said it was a tough decision, but their priority was the safety of the four southern white rhinos and 17 black ones - the largest group of its kind in Europe.

The risk that the rhinos currently face, not only in the wild but even in zoos, is too high," he said. The safety of the animals is our first concern. A de-horned rhino is definitely a better option than a dead rhino.

His colleague Jan Stejskal, added that the rhinos did not suffer during the removal process.

There is no live tissue," he said. Its just compact matter, similar to nails or to hair. If you cut it, its like cutting your hair or your nails. So it has no impact on the life of the animal."

The severed horns will gradually grow back again, he said, adding that horns are often removed for safety reasons, especially when animals are being transported.

The zoo said they had taken the decision after poachers killed the five-year-old white rhino, Vince, after they broke into the Thoiry zoo near Paris to steal his horn.

It had been assumed in the past that the animals were generally safe in captivity.

But rhino horns are an incredibly valuable commodity in parts of Asia, where they considered a cure for a range of diseases including cancer, colds and fevers to high blood pressure, hangovers, and impotence.

The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Show all 12 1 /12 The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct 113809428.jpg The International Union for Conservation of Nature says the Western Black Rhino (pictured) is extinct and two other species of rhino are "possibly" extinct. Getty Images The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Reef Manta Ray_Manta alfredi_Andrea Marshall.JPG The Reef Manta Ray is also on the conservation group's Red List of Threatened Species. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Southern White Rhino subspecies _Ceratotherium simum simum_Dr Richard Emslie (2).JPG The Southern White Rhino of central Africa is now "possibly extinct" in the wild and firmly placed on the Red List of Threatened Species. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Summers Poison Frog_Ranitomeya summers_Jason Brown.jpg The Blessed Poison Frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) is currently listed as Vulnerable and the Summers' Poison Frog (pictured) (Ranitomeya summersi) is Endangered. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Tarzans Chameleon_ Calumma tarzan_Jorn Kohler.jpg The current Red List reveals that an alarming 40% of Madagascars terrestrial reptiles are threatened. The 22 Madagascan species currently identified as Critically Endangered, which include chameleons, geckoes, skinks and snakes, are now a conservation challenge. Encouragingly, there are new conservation areas being designated in Madagascar that will help conserve a significant proportion of Critically Endangered species, such as Tarzans Chameleon (Calumma tarzan) (pictured), the Bizarre-nosed Chameleon (Calumma hafahafa) and the Limbless Skink (Paracontias fasika). The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Paroedura masobe_Franco Andreone.jpg The Paroedura masobe gecko is classed as "endangered" by the IUCN. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Giant Manta Ray_Manta birostris_Andrea Marshall.jpg Giant Manta Ray (Manta birostris), the largest species of rays, is also on the conservation group's Red List of Threatened Species and classed as "vulnerable". The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Coco der Mer_Lodoicea maldivica_Jean-Christophe Vie (2).JPG The majority of endemic flowering plants in the granitic Seychelles islands have been assessed and current studies show that of the 79 endemic species, 77% are at risk of extinction. Most of these are new assessments but one species, the infamous Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) has been uplisted from Vulnerable to Endangered. Known for its supposed aphrodisiac properties, the Coco de Mer faces threats from fires and illegal harvesting of its kernels. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Chinese Water Fir_Glyptostrobus pensilis_Philip Thomas.jpg The Chinese Water Fir (Glyptostrobus pensilis), which was formerly widespread throughout China and Viet Nam, has been upgraded from Endangered to Critically Endangered. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Begonia seychellensis_Justin Gerlach.JPG The Begonia seychellensis is one of the many tropical plant species at risk. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct The Blessed Poison Frog_Ranitomeya benedicta_Jason Brown (1).jpg The Blessed Poison Frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) is currently listed as Vulnerable. The last charge as western black rhino is declared extinct Przewalski's Horse_ Equus ferus_Patricia D Moehlman.jpg The Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus) is another success story, improving its status from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

After the incident in France, it is now feared other zoos will be targeted by poachers who have killed an estimated 6,000 of the creatures, leaving a global wild population of about 30,000 of all five species remaining, according to the Save the Rhino charity.

At the Dvur Kralove zoo, Pamir, a 10-year-old male rhino, was the first to have his horn cut off earlier this week.

Pamir was anaesthetised. The intervention took less than one hour and it was performed without any complications, said Jiri Hruby, a rhino curator.

The horns will be initially stored in a safe place outside the park.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
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A former Hungarian spy has broken cover to describe how the Russians have played up and exaggerated the European refugee crisis for propaganda.

Farenc Katrein, who served in the countrys counter-intelligence agency for 13 years, said the Kremlin is aggravating the effects of migration by spreading false stories.

Mr Katrein said Russian officials, including foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, exaggerated the Cologne New Year's Eve sex attacks reports.

Russia plays a part in aggravating the migration crisis and especially in using it for propaganda and gaining influence, said the defector, who now lives abroad.

Around 2,000 women claimed they were sexually assaulted in Cologne, Hamburg and other German cities on New Year's Eve 2015 EPA (EPA)

Mr Katrein, who says he worked for the National Security Office (NBH) and then the Constitution Protection Office (AH) between 2000 and 2013, described the Russian threat to Europe as a nine or ten out of ten.

He told Hungarian news website index.hu how he followed events in Cologne closely.

More than 1,200 women claimed they were sexually assaulted by allegedly 2,000 men on the night of 31 December, 2015 in Cologne, Hamburg and other German cities.

Police identified 120 suspects  about half of them foreign nationals  and at least four were convicted.

There was confusion as to exactly how many suspects were refugees, however.

Mr Katrein said: When it comes to the events in Cologne, or other sexual offences, they (Russia) are active in emphasising that the German or Western authorities and the media are attempting to cover up these crimes.

This is true (that the majority of Cologne offenders were migrants and were linked to criminal groups) [but] this was communicated in an interesting way in Russian media and others taking stories from it.

They were not newly arrived migrants, but in that interpretational environment it did not matter.

Mr Katrein also described the Russians as having serious professional experience and traditions in playing up news stories.

 Cologne pledges tight security for Carnival celebrations

He also described how Russian officials, such as foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, reacted to phantom stories on a really high level including the Lisa case.

The 'Lisa case' centred around a 13-year-old Russian-German girl who claimed to have been abducted and raped by Arab migrants in Berlin last January.

The viral story triggered protests and Russian officials accused the German government of trying to cover up the crime.

However, an investigation by German police found mobile phone records contradicted her account of what had happened, and that there was no evidence she had been raped.

She later retracted the story, but it led to a souring of diplomatic relations between Russia and Germany, where officials accused Moscow of stoking anti-immigrant sentiment to undermine support for Angela Merkel.

Mr Katrein also claimed Hungarian state media was reporting Russian propaganda as objective news.

"I am not only talking about the wiretapping scandal, said Mr Katrein. I consider articles on the Hungarian public media broadcasting [to be] a lot of messages taken from the Kremlins propaganda.

[This is] a serious warning for the counter-intelligence profession, as the public media should be under special national security protection according to the law.

These analyses should be done by the secret service, not by journalists.

 Putin jokes that 'Russian borders don't end'.

The Hungarian government has tried to distance itself from Russia since the last remaining 40,000 Soviet troops left the Eastern bloc in June 1991.

But current Prime Minister Viktor Orban  described mockingly by opponents as Little Putin - has been accused of cosying up to their big neighbours.

He previously said he wants Hungary to be an illiberal democracy modelled on strong states such as Russia.

Around 2,000 Hungarians marched in protest against Mr Putins state visit in Budapest in 2015.
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Sweden is reportedly preparing hundreds of nuclear war shelters to prepare for a potential attack from Russia amid growing concerns in the Baltics.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has ordered a review of 350 civilian bunkers on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland, where Sweden has stationed permanent troops.

The shelters are designed to protect people against the shock wave and radiation from a nuclear detonation, as well as chemical and biological weapons.

Mats Berglund, head of civil protection at the MSB, told Sverige Radio the shelters should be checked by the end of the year.

Once a Cold-War era bunker and nuclear shelter, the Pionen White Mountain has been converted into a data centre and hosts some of WikiLeaks' servers (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

The island's 350 shelters have capacity for around 35,000 people, although Gotland has a population of nearly 60,000.

Over 65,000 shelters were established during the Cold War to protect the Swedish population from the potential threat of nuclear warfare.

All of the shelters are marked with a distinctive orange and blue logo, along with the word skyddsrum (shelter).

Which countries have nuclear weapons? Show all 14 1 /14 Which countries have nuclear weapons? Which countries have nuclear weapons? USA Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Russia Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? UK Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? France Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? China Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? India Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Pakistan Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? North Korea Say they have nuclear weapons EPA/Rodong Sinmun Which countries have nuclear weapons? Israel Believed to have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Belgium Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Germany Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Italy Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Netherlands Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Turkey Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty

It comes after the head of Sweden's intelligence agency warned there is "a real and serious threat against the security" of the country.

While Sapo head Anders Thornberg did not explicitly mention Russia, the country has been building up its military in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its "increasing pressure" in the region.

Non-Nato member Sweden has been upgrading its military with a sharp hike in spending and has urged local governments to prepare their civil defence infrastructure and procedures for a future war.

It recently reintroduced a military draft for both men and women over concerns about increased military action in the Baltic region.

Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said the left-leaning government was reintroducing the draft because of a deteriorating security environment in Europe and around Sweden.
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Europeans across the world will not be able to walk the streets safely if they keep up their current attitude towards Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned.

Turkey has been mired in a diplomatic row with Germany and the Netherlands after they banned Turkish officials from campaigning in support of an April referendum on boosting the Turkish Presidents powers.

If Europe continues this way, no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets, Mr Erdogan told journalists in Ankara.

He added: We, as Turkey, call on Europe to respect human rights and democracy.

 Erdogan accuses Merkel of Nazi practices: Any country that harms a Turk will "face the consequences"

Turkish government officials are still participating in events for expatriate Turks across Europe, but are not campaigning for the referendum, the Turkish deputy prime minister has said.

Numan Kurtulmus said the row had helped Turks in Europe better understand the constitutional changes proposed in the referendum.

He said the footsteps of neo-Nazism and extreme racism were being heard in Europe.

Numan Kurtulmus, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, claims the country is a victim of negative propaganda (Getty)

Germanys new President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, used his first speech in the role to accuse Mr Erdogan of jeopardising everything Turkey has achieved in recent years.

The way we look [at Turkey] is characterised by worry, that everything that has been built up over years and decades is collapsing, Mr Steinmeier said.

President Erdogan, you are jeopardising everything that you, with others, have built, he said, adding he would welcome credible signs to ease the situation.

Nato member Turkey has repeatedly accused Germany of using Nazi tactics and has caused anger by detaining German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel.

End the unspeakable Nazi comparisons, Mr Steinmeier added. Do not cut the ties to those people who want partnership with Turkey. Respect the rule of law and the freedom of media and journalists. And release Deniz Yucel.

Mr Erdogan has previously branded the Netherlands Nazi remnants and accused Germany of fascist actions.

He has said his country may review its ties with Europe after the referendum, which he hopes will give him sweeping new powers, and has described Europe as fascist and cruel, saying it resembles the pre-Second World War era.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

European leaders have made repeated calls for Turkish officials to avoid Nazi comparisons and the head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany accused Mr Erdogan of disrespecting the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

The comparisons between todays Federal Republic of Germany and National Socialism, which we have heard in recent days, are not only insulting and absolutely false  they also relativise the Nazis rule of terror, Josef Schuster said.

The comparison is monstrous and denigrates the suffering of the victims of the Shoah.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Turkey should stop Nazi comparisons with no ifs or buts.

A Turkish tabloid depiction of Angela Merkel

The controversy deepened last week when a Turkish pro-government newspaper depicted Ms Merkel as Adolf Hitler on its front page, branding her Mrs Hitler.

The right-wing tabloid accused the German chancellor of attempting to lead a fascist movement against Turkey.

It came days after Germanys biggest-selling newspaper Bild attacked Mr Erdogan for threatening the stability of Europe through his lust for power.

Bild tells the truth to Erdogans face  you are not a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not welcome here! the German newspaper said.

Turkish hackers also spread Nazi accusations across high profile Twitter accounts, posting pro-Erdogan messages from accounts including Amnesty International, BBC North America and Forbes.

While tensions between Turkey and Europe have boiled over in recent weeks, acrimony over Turkeys belief some European countries are harbouring suspected terrorists has festered for years.

A portrait of Erdogan in Taksim Square, Istanbul (Getty)

Europe has questioned whether fugitives would get a fair trial in Turkey and said free speech laws and other rights protect many dissidents.

A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that Turkey will ask the Netherlands to extradite a Turkish leftist militant.

Mr Erdogan criticised Germany for allowing a weekend rally of Kurds, some of whom expressed support for a jailed rebel leader in Turkey.

In January, Turkey condemned a Greek court ruling granting asylum to eight Turkish military servicemen allegedly involved in a failed coup to oust Mr Erdogan last year.
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For some in the Middle East, the sight of a barn owl has traditionally been regarded as a bad omen.

But, amid the seemingly endless failed attempts to bring peace to the region, the bird has been transformed into a symbol of hope that the bitter hatreds between different peoples can be overcome.

Talk of a miracle is not being ruled out with the extraordinary peace-building effect of a conservation project attracting interest from the Israeli, Jordanian, Swiss and Chinese militaries. There are also suggestions something similar could be tried to help heal the divide between North and South Korea.

It began 30 years ago as a modest scheme to help a barn owl population, near Beit She'an in the Hula Valley in Israel, that had been ravaged by poison used by farmers to control rodents. The barn owls would eat the poisoned bodies, then succumb themselves.

The area was near the border with Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and, with the birds not observing international boundaries, it was logical to involve people living there too.

Some 100 Israeli Jews, Jordanians, Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, who might otherwise have had little contact, began to collaborate to help the barn owls. Slowly, they found they became friends.

Recommended Palestinian doctor sues Israel for killing his three daughters

The ecologists behind the conservation project have now written an academic paper about its extraordinary side-effect, called Nature knows no boundaries: The role of nature conservation in peacebuilding, in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

One of the researchers Professor Alexandre Roulin, of Lausanne University in Switzerland, told The Independent: Initially we started this project for the barn owls. This was not for peace-building or reconciliation. The idea was to solve an ecological problem.

What we realised is once we met with all these people  we realised, wow, these people really become friends.

When you have an issue people have to solve, nothing to do with religion, tradition or culture, people really agree to be together.

For us this is a message of hope. They love each other, they are friends.

This is what we really need because we are stuck, we are always talking about the same issues and theres no clear solution.

He admitted the idea of helping to bring peace to the Middle East with barn owls initially might sound a bit of a strange idea.

But when we started to talk to people really directly involved in international relations, they really loved this idea and said we should really be building something with this, he said.

For them, this is a platform they can use to start something. I was really surprised to see how convinced they are.

Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Show all 12 1 /12 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The fire in my heart is beyond my ribs. You left me beloved - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Let me get enough of you, as Im still hungry for your smile my son - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict They besiege me in my homeland so I flew to heaven - Rodaina Al Agha, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict And I am still facing the pain all by myself - Lama Shakshak, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My brother, I watched you go while my heart was tearing - Helen Mo'amar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My new doll is lonely in the rubble - Ayah Sha'ath, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict When a soul hugs another soul they never split, even in death - Ismail Matar, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict Everyone is gone and I stayed alone to make the world witness the injustice done to me - Hamza Shaheen, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict The hand that carries the arms carries roses too - Madeeha Al Majayda, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict My eyes tell you about a dream that overcame the fence - Soliman Shaheen, 15 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict A childhood caught in an unjust siege - Hadeel Quidh, 16 Remembering the Israel-Gaza conflict Remembering Israel-Gaza conflict All the details are torn after you - Hamza Shaheen, 17

He said he had been invited to give a talk about the project to the Swiss Army and an officer, clearly impressed, had subsequently mentioned it to counterparts in the Chinese military.

The Chinese officers also expressed interest, particularly in relation to defusing tensions on the Korean peninsula.

It would be really great to start something with North and South Korea, Professor Roulin said.

You see, this is something that inspires people and they really believe this is something to go much further.

He said the project to save the barn owls had essentially given Palestinians, Jordanians, Israeli Arabs and Israel Jews a common cause, something which everybody is concerned about.

They studiously avoid talking about the conflict itself.

We never talk about politics. This is something so sensitive, so emotive, thats why we have this approach. Everything is very sensitive in the region. My God, wow, Professor Roulin said.

Actually, I experienced this once, when we started to talk about the conflict. This starts to become a nightmare.

Asked if he thought Middle East peace would ever be achieved, he said: What we need is a miracle, really, really, thats what I think.

The more I go, the more I believe we need a miracle, something which is unexpected, because this is so predictable what is going on. People always coming up with initiatives and blah, blah, blah.

 Trump float stars at Israel Purim celebration

I think this is like in India  Gandhi  we need something really special, a miracle, because it is so complex.

And asked if the barn owls could be that miracle, Professor Roulin said: I dont know, no idea. A miracle is something we cannot produce.

This is just a seed. We should put water on the seed. I dont know if this will be a tree or a small grass, but I have to behave as if I think it will become a tree.

The paper was written with other academics but also Baruch Spiegel, a former general in the Israeli Army, and Mansour Abu Rashid, Jordans former chief of intelligence, now of the Amman Centre for Peace and Development. Forty-four years ago, they would have been on the opposite sides of the October War.

The biodiversity crisis is one of the biggest challenges that humanity is currently facing. Restoring ecological integrity is essential to maintain a sustainable income deriving from ecosystem services something that can bring communities in conflict to cooperate," the papre said.

Here, we show how we succeed in bringing people from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to the same table to solve environmental problems.

Conservation efforts, through environmentally friendly agricultural practices and ecotourism, can prove beneficial for all communities and create opportunities for a constructive dialogue across divides in conflict zones.

Conservation and peace-building can thus fruitfully feed each other, a vision that should stimulate decision makers to integrate nature conservation into peace-building interventions and scientists to integrate societal issues into conservation projects.

 Barack Obama uses final interview as President to slam Israeli policy on settlements

As for the barn owls and the farmers, they have also learned to co-exist more happily  at the expense of the rodents.

While the farmers stopped poisoning them, numbers of their natural predators, the barn owls, were boosted by a nest box building programme and other measures.

Each barn owl pair can produce 11 offspring, which can eat up to 6,000 rodents a year making them an efficient alternative to pesticides for the farmers. Crop production was unaffected by the switch from pesticides to barn owl-led pest control.

Since 2002, Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians have held regular meetings, even during periods of conflict. Documents are written in Hebrew and Arabic.

This is a highly symbolic undertaking and we successfully convinced the Israeli and Jordanian armies, that were previously fighting against each other, to promote nature protection, the paper said.

An example if co-operation following the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty is the preservation of many bunkers abandoned along the border, which provide a suitable habitat for 12 species of bats, some rare and endangered.

Today, the Israeli and Jordanian armies are working hand-in-hand to conserve the bats by adding bat-gripping areas to the ceilings.

Could abandoned bunkers turned into bat roosts be a modern equivalent of swords beaten into ploughshares?
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Christianity is all but dead in war-torn Iraq, according to the so-called British Vicar of Baghdad.

Canon Andrew White, who was vicar of the only Anglican church in the country before being pulled out in 2014, said the time has come where Christianity is over in Iraq.

Mr White, from Kent, was speaking in a Fox News interview as the Iraqi military continues its offensive to drive Isis out of its major Iraqi stronghold Mosul, and after Donald Trump attempted to enforce a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and north Africa.

The time has come where it is over, no Christians will be left, Mr White said.

Some say Christians should stay to maintain the historical presence, but it has become very difficult. The future for the community is very limited.

The Christians coming out of Iraq and Isis areas in the Middle East all say the same thing, there is no way they are ever going back. They have had enough.

 Women and children treated for chemical weapon exposure in Mosul

There were approximately 1.5 million Christians (six per cent of population) in Iraq in 2003, but, according to charity Open Doors, there are only 250,000 left.

Father Emanuel Youkhana, of the Syrian Church of the East, has also said he does not see a future for Christians in Mosul.

There were approximately 35,000 Christians in Mosul a decade ago but there are thought to only be about 20 now.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr White, who is president and founder of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East but was suspended in June for inaccurate statements, continues to travel to Baghdad despite the security threat.

He still tries to mediate disputes between Shia and Sunni leaders and also undergoes stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis in the city. A leading cleric has warned defeat for Isis in Mosul could speak a sectarian "genocide".

And he defended Mr Trump's measures to restrict travel from the Middle East to the US, praising the new President for wanting to help "persecuted Christians" in the region. Many have this feeling that America is against them, and they need to show that America is not against Islam, America is against terrorism, he said.

It is important to find ways to engage with them, to look into their philosophies.

I tried to invite some of the Isis jihadists to dinner once. They told me they would come, but that they would chop my head off afterwards. I didnt think it would be a nice way to end a dinner party.
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The defeat of Isis in Mosul could spark genocide in Iraq as sectarian groups clash, a Shia leader has warned.

Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful cleric, political figurehead and warlord, believes divisions between Sunni and Shia Muslims will worsen when Iraqis lack a common enemy.

I'm afraid that the defeat of Daesh [Isis] is only the start of a new phase, he told Middle East Eye.

My proposal is inspired by fear of sectarian and ethnic conflict after Mosul's liberation,

The influential role Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has in Iraq

I want to avoid this. I am very proud of Iraq's diversity but my fear is that we may see a genocide of some ethnic or sectarian groups.

Mr Sadr is calling for dialogue between Iraqs Shia-led government and Sunni politicians, as well as Arab and Kurdish representatives to avoid new conflict.

He previously warned of a dark future for Iraq in an interview with The Independent in 2013, when he predicted that its people would disintegrate amid worsening sectarian hostility between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Mr Sadr had little hope of tensions easing after decades of a constant cycle of violence seeing Saddam Husseins rule followed by the US invasion and then the rise of al-Qaeda in Iraq and its successor Isis, which frequently bombs Shia civilians.

It is staging a last stand in western Mosul - its last city stronghold in Iraq - after months of advances by international forces that face residential areas ridden with guerilla fighters and explosives.

Mr Sadr wants wants all militias, including his own anti-Isis Saraya al-Salam militia to be disbanded after their expected victory. It is the successor of Mr Sadrs Mahdi Army, which he stood down in 2007 following alleged atrocities as the group fought against the US occupation of Iraq.

They are not among the groups fighting alongside Iraqi government forces, Kurdish Peshmerga and foreign allies to drive Isis out of the city of Mosul.

The most prominent militia is the predominantly Shia Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), who were formally integrated into government forces in November but have been continually accused of war crimes against Sunni civilians.

Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr Show all 7 1 /7 Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23533.bin Reuters Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23487.bin Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23488.bin Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23489.bin Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23490.bin Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23493.bin Warlord: The rise of Muqtada al-Sadr 23491.bin

Troops from Britain, America and other members of the US-led coalition are also on the ground in Iraq, as well as militias backed by the Iranian government.

In a document detailing Mr Sadrs proposal for peace, he demands Iraq must request all invading and friendly forces to leave Iraq, regardless of their affiliation.

His family were enemies of the Saddam regime, which assassinated his father and two brothers in 1999.

Mr Sadr was put under house arrest until the US invasion, which he then fought to oppose.

One battleground was Basra, where his Mahdi Army seized parts of the city from British forces in 2004 and forced the UK to withdraw in 2007 while battling in other parts of Iraq.

While still opposing all foreign intervention, Mr Sadr has now restyled himself as a peacemaker and politician, leading huge and occasionally violent anti-corruption protests in Baghdad.

Amid growing talk of a power struggle with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in December, the pair met in December and agreed to cooperate on political reforms after fruitful talks.
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A shrine thought to be home to Jesuss tomb will reopen to the public in time for Easter after a nine-month restoration project.

A team of scientists and restorers have completed work on the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The huge limestone and marble structure needed reinforcement and conservation, including work on the drainage network for rainwater and sewage.

The Greek Orthodox, Amernian and Roman Catholic denominations share custody of the church, where tensions often run high over control of its various sectors.

Bitter disputes between the denominations have held up restoration work for more than 200 years at the 12th-century church  which stands on 4th-century remains.

An unsightly iron cage, built by British authorities in 1947 to support the walls, has been torn down.

If this intervention hadn't happened now, there is a very great risk that there could have been a collapse, said Bonnie Burnham of the World Monuments Fund.

Nigeria unveils 'Africa's biggest Jesus statue'

This is a complete transformation of the monument.

Work began last year after the church was deemed unsafe by Israeli authorities, who have controlled East Jerusalem since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war.

Each denomination is believed to have contributed towards the $4 million (3 million) project.

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

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas contributed around 130,000 each.

Antonia Moropoulou, a professor at the National Technical University of Athens, said extensive work was carried out on the masonry of the tomb.

Around 30 people were allowed to look inside the tomb during the work in October.

Photographer Oded Balilty told National Geographic: I opened a window and showed people something that I dont think will happen [again] in my lifetime. The most important part of our job is to show people whats happening on the other side of the globe. I gave them the chance to see it. Thats a great feeling.
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At least 33 people have been killed in an air strike on a school sheltering displaced people near the Isis-held city of Raqqa, Syria, a monitoring group has said.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was believed the US-led coalition had carried out the attack.

Observatory activists counted at least 33 bodies at the site of the strike, near the village of al-Mansoura, west of Raqqa, Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters.

The air strike took place earlier this week, he added.

The activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said the school was sheltering around 50 families when it was levelled by air strikes.

"The massacres committed by [the] US-led coalition in Raqqa is unacceptable," the group later tweeted.

"The international community must intervene to stop this."

The group said families were still unaccounted for.

Both the Observatory and RBSS rely on local contacts to smuggle news from Isis-held territory.

A spokesperson for the US Central Command told The Independent: "We have no indication that an air strike struck civilians near Raqqah as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims, however, since we have conducted several strikes near Raqqa we will provide this information to our civilian casualty team for further investigation."

The Coalition routinely strikes Isis targets in the area, the spokesperson added.

 Syria conflict: Six years of war in numbers

Last week, Centcom said it was investigating reports at least 46 people, most of them civilians, were killed and dozens more injured in an air strike on a mosque in rebel-held Aleppo.

It denied US jets deliberately hit the mosque but said strikes targeted an al-Qaeda meeting location in nearby Idlib province, although a later statement clarified it was not clear where the strikes had taken place.

"We did not target, nor did we 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," spokesman Major Josh T Jaques told The Independent.

In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters

The US-led coalition recently admitted to killing at least 220 civilians in air strikes against Isis in Syria and Iraq.

Humanitarian organisations have warned the real figure may be far higher, with monitoring group Airwars estimating at least 2,700 innocent men, women and children killed in the anti-Isis bombing campaign.
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Laptops and tablet computers are now banned from the cabins of flights from six Middle Eastern and North African countries to the UK. Simon Calder, travel correspondent (and a former security officer at Gatwick airport), tackles the key issues.

Which airports and airlines are affected?

All airports in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey with direct flights to the UK are covered by the ban on larger electronic devices. In the case of Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia, the only flights are from their capitals  Amman, Beirut and Tunis  to Heathrow. But from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey there are flights from multiple airports to a range of UK destinations.

Recommended Security experts astonished by electronics ban on Middle East airlines

The airline most affected is British Airways, which flies from all the countries except Tunisia, as well as national carriers from each of the states. From Turkey, Atlas and Pegasus are included as well as Turkish Airlines.

Other UK airlines whose passengers will be subject to the ban include easyJet, Jet2, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson.

What is the new rule, and why is it being introduced?

On direct flights from any of the countries to the UK, electronic devices bigger than a mobile phone (specifically 16 x 9.3 x 1.5cm) cannot be carried in the cabin, and must be checked into the hold of the aircraft. That includes laptops, e-readers, tablet computers and some larger smartphones.

Initially the Department for Transport said: "If the device is not a large phone, laptop or tablet it is not affected by these new measures." But in the latest version of the ban, dated 28 March 2017, that policy has changed. The rules also prohibit keyboards, external hard drives and power cable transformers from travelling in the cabin. Spare batteries for these devices, or portable power sources, are banned entirely from cabin baggage and hold luggage.

First reports of the ban indicated that cameras would be banned from cabins, but they are still being allowed in carry-on luggage.

The ban is similar to a prohibition which was imposed by President Trump's administration 24 hours earlier. It appears to be based on the same basic intelligence: that bomb makers belonging to Al Qaeda in the Middle East have improved their skills and expanded their geographic spread, and are now actively recruiting would-be suicide bombers to attempt to bring down an aircraft with explosives concealed in consumer electronics.

The belief of the UK Government is that excluding anything larger than a smartphone from the cabin will reduce the risks.

How many people will it affect?

Initially, around 5,000 people per day will be on flights that meet the criteria. This will rise to 8,000-10,000 once the main summer season gets going in May.

Turkey sends more passengers to the UK than all the other countries combined.

Is this the same as the American ban?

No. The US ban, which the Department for Homeland security says is "based on the current threat picture" also covers flights from the UAE, Qatar and Morocco. The British ban does not include these countries. If it had, it would have affected tens of thousands more passengers each day. The US ban also covers larger noise-cancelling headphones.

Does the ban imply that airport security checks in the countries on the list are regarded as inadequate?

It is difficult to draw any conclusion other than that.

The UK Government is still not satisfied with security standards at Sharm el Sheikh airport, following the crash of a Metrojet plane in 2015 with the loss of 224 lives. It is believed that the Airbus to St Petersburg was destroyed by a device placed on board at Sharm el Sheikh. The airport, serving Egypts premier holiday resort, is still on a Foreign Office no-fly list.

How will the ban be enforced?

At overseas airports, passengers will be asked to check in any offending electronic devices before going through the security check. However, foreign security personnel are not being asked to enforce the ban at the main central search. A secondary search will be made at the gate, when all cabin baggage will be hand-inspected and any electronics that break the new rules will be taken away and consigned to the hold. Clearly there is no guarantee about whether, or in what condition the item(s) will turn up.

What if I have paid a hand-baggage-only fare?

The airline is likely to allow you to place items in the hold free of charge; this has been confirmed by Britain's biggest budget carrier, easyJet, which says: "We recommend that passengers do not bring large personal electronic devices if possible and would encourage customers to check in their hand baggage free of charge and bring only essential items on board the aircraft."

What if I have a connecting flight via one of the countries on the list?

The 2,000 or so travellers who each day fly in transit via Istanbul, Cairo, Beirut, Amman, Riyadh or Jeddah to the UK are generally being offered a choice. They can of course consign their devices to hold baggage at the start of the trip. Or, at least on Turkish Airlines (easily the biggest carrier), they can surrender the device at the gate for the flight to the UK. It will be placed in a special sealed case, and returned from a special desk in baggage reclaim on arrival.

What are the insurance implications?

Insurance companies generally expect travellers to keep valuable equipment with them in the aircraft cabin, rather than consigning it to the hold.

The Association of British Insurers says: Passengers travelling from the affected countries with laptops and tablets should check their policy and speak to their travel insurer to double-check what cover they have for valuables placed in the hold. Some travellers may find they also have additional cover under a household contents policy for gadgets outside of the home.

"We do know some insurers already take a flexible approach to claims if a passenger has been forced to put items in the hold by circumstances out of their control.

"If devices are damaged during a flight, theres also the potential to seek compensation through the airline.

If travelling from destinations affected by the new regulations, it may be sensible to leave valuables at home."

What are the airlines saying?

The Government has urged airlines to take a "customer-focused approach".

Monarch says passengers from Turkey (the only country on the list from which it flies) will have their hold-baggage allowance increased by 3kg free of charge to allow for devices to be carried.

British Airways says: If you are part-way through your journey (e.g. on a short business trip or holiday) or about to start your journey in one of these countries and feel that you are unable to immediately comply with the new UK government requirements, then we will be able to rebook your flight to a later date so that you are able to meet them. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Passengers on easyJet flying from Egypt and Turkey are being advised to get to the airport three hours before their flight, "for additional security checks taking place at the gate".

Privately, airlines are concerned about what is evidently regarded as an escalated security threat, as well as the inferences the travelling public may draw on the basis of the new policy.

Does this point to wider security risks in those six countries?

No. There are already wide-ranging warnings from the Foreign Office about the nations on the list, including advice against all but essential travel to the whole of Tunisia.

How is the ban regarded by the wider aviation industry?

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of the airlines organisation, IATA, slammed the rules which, he said, were launched with no consultation and little coordination by governments.

He demanded to know: Why dont the US and the UK have a common list of airports?

How can laptops be secure in the cabin on some flights and not others, especially on flights originating at a common airport?
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For years UK intelligence agencies have warned that it was only a matter of time before Britain fell victim to another significant terror attack. Realism dictated the prediction. Yet the hideous events around the parliamentary estate today have still come as a stunning shock.

Since the Tube bombings, which killed 56 people including four attackers in 2005, there have been several terrorist incidents involving attacks against individuals  the killing of Lee Rigby by Islamist extremists and the fatal assaults against Mohammed Salem and Jo Cox, both inspired by white supremacism. But while other countries around Europe have experienced mass-casualty assaults, the UK had remained free of such horrors for more than a decade. Not any longer.

A year to the day after 32 people were murdered in Brussels by Isis jihadis, fear has once again come to the streets of London. And by striking at the very heart of Britains democracy, the symbolism of this assault is clear for all to see.

The use of vehicles as weapons has long been a major concern of counter-terrorism specialists. Deadly incidents in Nice and Berlin last year demonstrated how a determined attacker could cause major and indiscriminate harm by driving a lorry into a massed crowd. Isis has made much in its propaganda of the tactic. Todays attack, which began on Westminster Bridge, shows that even an ordinary car can be weaponised in the wrong hands.

 Westminster terror attack: Timeline of events

With a trail of destruction in its wake, the car crashed into railings adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. An assailant, having apparently exited the vehicle, stabbed at least one police officer before himself being fatally shot. It remained unclear in the immediate, confused aftermath whether a single terrorist was responsible for all of the attacks discrete elements. What could not be doubted was their impact: at least four people, including a policeman and the suspected attacker; lay dead several members of the public were said to have catastrophic injuries; Parliament went into lockdown. Indeed, large swaths of central London became a major, panicked crime scene.

The security services acted swiftly and decisively, with MPs and staff across parliamentary buildings locked in as a precautionary measure. Medics, many from nearby St Thomas Hospital, were quick to the scene. As is so often the case, members of the emergency services showed their skill and calmness in the most difficult of circumstances.

With police confirming within a short time that they were treating the attack as a terrorist incident, speculation inevitably commenced about the motivation of the man or men responsible. The threat from Isis or from those inspired by the group means that the initial focus will be on Islamic extremism. That is not unreasonable, although of course police will approach their investigations with an open mind. It is an example the media and the public  and politicians at home and abroad  should follow.

In recent months, the rhetoric of religious and ethnic division has been growing louder around the world  paradoxically perhaps, given the recent losses by Isis on the battlefield.

President Trumps remarks about Muslims and his attempt to impose a travel ban have raised tensions. The diplomatic row between Turkey on the one hand and Germany and the Netherlands on the other ended with the Turkeys President Erdogan talking of holy wars across Europe. Hatred drives terrorism, but increasingly it is becoming political currency. This latest horror must not be permitted to justify further rhetorical excesses.

As always, the right response to a terrorist attack is to think first of the victims killed and injured; to grieve for them and to support all affected by this senseless violence. But more than this, we must as a society carry on as normal, find strength in each other and stand united against extremism in all its forms.

Britain has been here before, and we are likely to be here again. We will not be bowed.
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The irony of revelations from the Global Laundromat scandal landing almost exactly a year on from the Panama Paper leaks is not lost on many readers.

Clearly the lip-service to greater transparency that followed the financial leak has come to nought. The Laundromat scandal has exposed billions of dollars being moved out of Russia through anonymously owned UK companies and Britains high street banks. Anonymous companies  the common link between tax fraud, corruption and money laundering  are still yet to be dealt with.

While most companies are created for legitimate economic activity, a small percentage are formed to facilitate crime and obscure those committing it. By using nominee directors, layers upon layers of company ownership and offshore structures, the corrupt hide the trail of dirty money.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA 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

The $20bn Laundromat scheme used a series of anonymous companies to pay invoices, acquire loans and create a complex web of corporate structures that obscured the people behind them. It meant that $740m was processed by 17 of Britains high street banks including the state-owned Bank of Scotland.

Despite Operation Laundromat involving US banks, anonymous companies are a very British problem. Over 50 per cent of the anonymous companies revealed in the Panama Papers were registered in the British Virgin Islands. British Anguilla and the UK were also among the top ten jurisdictions for anonymous companies mentioned in the Papers, while the UK and the Isle of Man were among the most popular places for intermediaries (such as banks and law firms) to operate.

This year, the UK published the worlds first open and public beneficial ownership register, an important step forward. A preliminary study of this data by OpenCorporates, Global Witness and DataKind showed that almost 3,000 companies listed their beneficial owner as a company with a tax haven address and 76 beneficial owners shared the same name and birthday as people on the US sanctions list.

However, there are gaping holes in UKs anti-corruption strategy. Companies can still avoid reporting the true beneficial owners by using tactics such as nominees, offshore structures or by having multiple beneficial owners who come below the 25 per cent ownership threshold. There is still no register of trusts (notorious for their secrecy) and the UK government has not required the British overseas territories to publish a beneficial ownership register.

Meanwhile the European Union has hardened its stance on corporate transparency in its anti-money laundering initiative. The EU is currently entering the final stages of negotiations to decide whether anonymous trusts and shell companies should be banned.

The UK has a strong record on open company data and commitment to beneficial ownership transparency, but there is still a long way to go. As part of the EU, the UK has to adhere to the Anti-Money Laundering Directive which is looking at the transparency of trusts, an area on which UK has yet to take action.

Though it is too early to tell how Brexit will impact anti-corruption efforts, the resentment against EU regulation is a warning sign. We should not have to rely on leaks such as the Panama Papers or Global Laundromat scandal to catch corruption. Data on who runs, controls and benefits from company profits needs to be in the public sphere so we all can play the role of watch dog.

Hera Hussain is the community and advocacy manager at OpenCorporates.com, the worlds largest open database of company information
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I dont agree with scoring PMQs as if it were a game, but that was 5-1 to Jeremy Corbyn. He spotted that the Governments attempt to reallocate schools funding would be a breach of the Conservative manifesto  another one, after last weeks U-turn on an increase in National Insurance contributions for the self-employed.

Corbyn quoted the manifesto: Under a future Conservative government, the amount of money following your child into school will be protected. That badly drafted sentence means that no school should have funding per pupil cut in the review being carried out by Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, who looked most uncomfortable a few places from the Prime Minister on the Government front bench.

Theresa May had no answer to Corbyns question, except to say that the consultation on schools funding ended today and the Department for Education would respond in due course. She claimed that her government was addressing a question that the Labour government had ignored for 13 years. That is a feeble argument, given that there are many younger MPs in the House who think that a Labour government is an ancient myth.

But there was a reason why Labour avoided interfering in the funding formula for schools, which is that any changes create winners and losers, and losers always make more noise than winners. Since Tory MPs assumed that the review would shift money from schools in poor areas to (their) richer places, the anger of those who have discovered that they might lose out after all is enough to force a government U-turn.

 Jeremy Corbyn confronts Theresa May about breaking manifesto pledge over education funding

The review is unlikely to happen now, not because Corbyn won PMQs today, but because Tory MPs are threatening to rebel against it. Yet the Labour leader managed to press his advantage home and to make it count. This does not always happen, but his weakness became his strength today. May launched a personal tirade on the Labour front bench (Diane Abbott and Shami Chakrabarti) for sending their children to private schools, then said that Corbyn himself had sent his son to a grammar school  something he opposed so strongly that he split up with his wife over it  and said that because Corbyn himself went to a grammar school he was guilty of hypocrisy. It was a disgraceful performance, the worst since Michael Howard, who sent his son to Eton, criticised Tony Blair, who sent his children to state schools, for having been educated at a private school.

Fortunately for Corbyn, he does not think quickly on his feet. Instead of trying to think of a clever reply, he simply ignored the Prime Ministers personal abuse. This was absolutely the right decision, making May look petty.

She had an effectively prepared putdown for her final answer, but it had nothing to do with schools. And it was rather obviously prepared, because she paused, took a piece of paper out of her folder, to Labour oohs, and started to quote from Corbyns video produced to try to calm the tension between his deputy, Tom Watson, and his trade union godfather, Len McCluskey.

 Corbyn posts unity video after claims of 'hard left takeover'

In the video, Corbyn had urged his members to put the party first  so May deployed Liz Kendalls rhetoric that had been used against Andy Burnham in the Labour leadership election: Labour puts the party first; we put the country first.

It is a good point, but now she is going to have to not just abandon the review of schools funding but also find some more money for schools to abide by her manifesto promise  just a week after she and Philip Hammond lost half a billion a year in extra funds from National Insurance. The Government is in trouble and Corbyn took effective advantage of the Tory rebellion to put the Prime Minister on the defensive.
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Bustling, buzzing and bartering. That is how I would once have described a typical market (or souk) in Yemen.

Not any longer. These days theyre often barren and lifeless. During my many visits, Ive seen the devastation of once busy souks destroyed by Saudi coalition airstrikes. Skeletal structures of buildings and stalls lie empty where once vibrant businesses sold coffee, spices, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, clothes and childrens toys.

By contrast, on the other side of the world a lucrative market in high-tech weaponry is positively thriving. Over the past two years, the UK and the US have sold billions of pounds worth of arms to Saudi Arabia, arms used to obliterate Yemeni markets and much else.

In Yemen, Ive met countless victims of airstrikes whove lost loved ones or had livelihoods destroyed, leaving them impoverished and destitute. After two years of this, the country is facing a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions, with more than 18 million Yemenis requiring humanitarian assistance.

On the one hand, the UK and US have supported Yemen with around 371.5m in aid during the past two conflict-ridden years. On the other, British and American arms companies, with the authorisation of the UK and US governments, have busily supplied much of the weaponry that Saudi Arabia has used for its devastating attacks in its southern neighbour.

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

Since the war started in March 2015, the UK Government has approved no less than 194 export licences for arms and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, worth more than 3.3bn (or around 10 times that combined UK-US aid sum). Resisting a sustained chorus of calls to halt arms exports after numerous airstrikes by the Saudis that have violated the laws of war, the UK has repeatedly fallen back on arguments about assurances it had received from Riyadh about investigations of more careful targeting.

Similarly, the US sold a record amount of arms to Saudi Arabia under President Obamas administration, with sales set to continue under President Trump. Earlier this month the State Department approved a resumption in the $300m sale of US-made precision-guided missiles, a deal blocked late in Obamas administration due to (belated) concerns over civilian casualties.

These arms sales are in contravention of international law. The UK, once a champion of the landmark Arms Trade Treaty (which seeks to stem the flow of weapons that could be used for war crimes and other serious violations), is now acting in brazen violation of it. The UK has ratified the treaty, so it is bound by its rules; and as a signatory, the US must not take any action to undermine its object and purpose, one of which is to reduce human suffering.

With arms being shipped to Riyadh at a furious rate, the civilian death toll has risen quickly. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recently reported that more than 4,600 civilians have been killed and over 8,000 injured in the conflict to date.

To be sure, Houthi opposition forces have killed and injured civilians in Yemen with impunity using imprecise battlefield weapons in residential areas, displaying a total disregard for civilian lives. Such indiscriminate attacks violate the laws of war and may amount to war crimes. At the same time, OHCHR reports that airstrikes have been the single largest cause of casualties, with the Saudi-led coalition relentlessly pummelling Yemeni homes, hospitals, factories and funeral halls.

 2.1 million children are facing famine in Yemen

Aid with one hand, missiles with the other. Foreign aid from the UK does tremendous good around the world, but in Yemen its heavily compromised by the Governments security-and-trade agenda. Helping rebuild homes and hospitals is clearly very important, but it doesnt change the fact that the UK or US are complicit in having supplied the bombs used to destroy them.

Here the UK and US are following the dubious lead of Saudi Arabia itself. While heading the military coalition wreaking such havoc in Yemen, the countrys King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Relief and Works, set up in May 2015 in response to the crisis, has spent $576m in Yemen. Amid dire reports of famine and an irreversible humanitarian crisis, last month it pledged a further $10bn. Huge sums. But the context is coated with pitch-black irony.

Last May, evidence was found that British-manufactured cluster munitions had been used by Saudi Arabia in villages in northern Yemen. At the time the UK Government rejected this evidence. Seven months later, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was telling the House of Commons about an admission from Saudi Arabia that it had used them, but would not do so again. Good enough for the UK Government. The arms sales continued.

Those self-same Yemeni villagers hit by deadly cluster sub-munitions manufactured in the UK (or the US, or Brazil), might  if theyre lucky  receive humanitarian assistance from either London, Washington or Riyadh.

But thats how things are done in Yemen now. Missiles raining down one day, new kit for a bombed-out hospital the next. Such is the UKs warped Yemen policy. Meanwhile, Yemens charred markets lie abandoned and desolate.

Rasha Mohamed is a Yemen Researcher for Amnesty International

On Wednesday 22 March, ahead of the two-year anniversary of Saudi Arabias intervention in the Yemen conflict, Amnesty will erect a large mock tombstone in Parliament Square memorialising dead Yemeni civilians and calling on the UK Government to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia that could be used to carry out further human rights violations in Yemen
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There was something especially obscene about Turkish president Erdogans comparison of Angela Merkels Germany with the Nazis. Nazi practices were going on in Germany, he said, after Berlin banned Turkish political demonstrations  something which Erdogan does regularly. Its not just that Germany daily repents its destruction of Europes Jews in the Second World War. Nor that Merkels extraordinary and humane  and, for her, politically damaging  decision to allow the Middle Easts refugees to enter her country was the greatest act of contrition for Hitlers crimes. Its that Erdogans own nation stayed heroically neutral in World War Two.

Even though the Brits helped to train Turkish pilots in 1940, Ismet Inonu, Erdogans more diplomatic predecessor at the time, actually sent Turkish officers to occupied Europe as guests of the Nazi Reich to tour the Eastern Front and the Atlantic Wall opposite Britain  a happy trip during which, so the Turkish visitors later reported, they were treated with much respect and given unexpected access to Wehrmacht military planners. Thank heavens Turkey still has historians to expose such little nuggets of history, if they are not locked up today in Erdogans prisons.

The Nazis, whom Erdogan pretends to hate so much, rather liked Turkey. Not only did Turkey stay neutral in the war, but the Nazi newspaper Volkischer Beobachter and other Reich dailies had, since the early 1930s, devotedly praised the "Turkified" state which had emerged from the ruins of the First World War. This was a thinly-layered reference to Ottoman Turkeys "racial purity" after the genocide of one and a half million of its minority Christians in 1915  a holocaust which deeply influenced Hitler in his own decision to destroy the Jews of Europe.

 Turkey's Erdogan steps up anti-Europe rhetoric

In several newspaper interviews before the war, Hitler referred to Europes own forgetfulness of the Armenian massacres. He even asked who now remembers them, in a meeting with his generals before invading Poland in 1939  an open invitation to kill Jews, who then constituted 30 per cent of the population of Warsaw alone.

Several of Hitlers diplomats and Wehrmacht officers had earlier been advisers to the Ottoman Turks and actually witnessed the Armenian killings in 1915. They later turned up in the occupied Soviet Union as German officers after June of 1941, where the Einsatzgruppen murdered Jews by the tens of thousands.

And while Merkels Germany has constantly expressed its remorse for the Jewish Holocaust, Erdogan will not even admit to Turkeys Holocaust of its Armenian citizens in 1915. Modern day Turks who have mentioned this terrible precedent in genocide have been threatened with imprisonment by the Turkish state. Even today, the great Armenian cathedral of Gaziantep is used as a mosque  I saw part of its "Islamic" restoration a few weeks ago  yet Merkels Germany has restored the Jewish synagogues which the Nazis destroyed on Kristallnacht in November 1938.

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Quite coincidentally, a remarkable book is to be published in the United States this summer with the hitherto unheard story of a young Armenian who served in the Turkish army while its soldiers were slaughtering his own people  indeed, his own family. Forced into Genocide is Yervant Alexanians own frightful account of his peoples suffering, with unimpeachable documentation  in vast enough amounts to prevent the usual Turkish genocide deniers (twins of the European deniers of the Jewish Holocaust) of denouncing the book as a forgery. It has a generous foreward by Israel Charny, Israels own principal genocide scholar, and is edited by Adrianne Alexanian, the daughter of Yervant, who died in 1983.

It is a story which Erdogan should be reading  and publicising  right now, for it involves more Nazi practices than the new Sultan of Istanbul would ever want to acknowledge. Yervant, who would survive to emigrate to the US and later campaign in a series of letters to American congressmen at Turkeys refusal to acknowledge the assassination of his people.

His own story, told in his own words, is both heroic and deeply moving. Armenians were weeded out of the Turkish army and themselves butchered in 1915, but a few survived in the ranks, with the help of friends and occasionally by honourable Turkish officers. Even Yervant eventually had to convert to Islam to survive. The book contains all his military documentation, but what ultimately enabled him to survive was his ability to play the bugle. He was the only man in his Turkish army unit who could play the instrument. There is even a photograph of Yervant in full Turkish Ottoman uniform holding his precious bugle. But it is his account of the Armenian Holocaust which should shame Sultan Erdogan.

His family agreed that if he could survive by avoiding the death march on which the Turks were to send them, he should stay behind alone in the Turkish city of Sipas. Here is his description of the last day:

The worst day of my life was 3 July 1915 when I watched 51 members of my family disappear over the hill. I remember it as if it was yesterday  after spending the night on the banks of the Halys River, the grisly caravan that included my family was woken and driven up the Kartashlar Yokush Hill. They were scaling the Armenian Golgotha. I stood there and watched my mother and entire extended family climb over that hill never to be seen again. In total, I lost 51 members of my family that day.

Most of the Armenian men of Yervants city of Sipas were executed by rifle or, Isis-style, with knives. The women and children were driven into the deserts to be raped and murdered.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is urging Ibrahim Halawa to "protect his health in every possible way"

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has pleaded with jailed Irishman Ibrahim Halawa to come off hunger strike.

Amid reports of his deteriorating condition, the Government warned Egyptian authorities that they have a clear responsibility to ensure the 21-year-old's welfare while he is held in prison without trial.

Mr Halawa's trial along with hundreds of others was adjourned for a 20th time in Cairo as Irish officials seek permission to send in their own doctor to assess the young man's health.

He has been in jail for 1,313 days.

Mr Flanagan said he wanted assurances for Egypt that he was getting adequate medical treatment.

"I am, at the same time, concerned at persistent reports that Ibrahim is on hunger strike," he said.

"I urge him in the strongest possible terms not to pursue such a course of action, and to protect his health in every possible way. I also urge all parties who are in contact with him or who have influence with him to dissuade him from any actions that would be detrimental to his health."

Mr Halawa. the son of a prominent Muslim cleric in Dublin Sheikh Hussein Halawa, was imprisoned after being detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood protested over the removal of elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.

Last month, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi told a cross-party delegation of politicians that he will be freed once his trial is over.

Ireland's ambassador to the region Damien Cole and other embassy staff were in court for the latest hearing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said a number of witnesses were called and cross-examined, petitions from defence lawyers considered and judges asked for Mr Halawa to get further medical examinations.

Mr Flanagan said: "I am disappointed and frustrated by a further adjournment in the court case in which Ibrahim Halawa is a defendant.

"Ibrahim has now spent more than thirteen hundred days and nights in an Egyptian prison cell without having been convicted of any crime. This is a source of great concern to the Irish Government."

Amnesty International Ireland said Egypt continues to ignore its obligations under domestic and international law and that technical reviews of video footage from Ramses Square found no evidence against him.

Mr Halawa's lawyers said a request made at the hearing for his release on humanitarian grounds was refused.

The family called on the Government to urgently consider taking legal proceedings against the Egyptian state at the International Court of Justice.

Mr Halawa's sister Somaia said: "The sad reality is my brother is dying in an Egyptian prison, facing a mass trial which, at this rate, will take over 10 years.

"Given Ibrahim's current mental and physical state we don't believe he will be strong enough to survive that delay.

"We have tried every option to secure Ibrahim's release to no avail. There is no other alternative. The flawed trial process and conditions to which Ibrahim has been detained can no longer be accepted."

Ms Halawa said the Irish Government has not taken all the steps it can.

"There remains one step that has been ignored, the right to take court proceedings as a state against the Egyptian state," she said.

Darragh Mackin, solicitor with the Belfast-based KRW Law for the Halawas, said: "It is now a time for a line to be drawn in the sand, and action to be taken by the Irish Government against the Egyptian state for what are flagrant breaches of international law."
Michael D Higgins has sent a sympathy message over the Westminster terror attack.

The president is to write to the Queen and London Mayor Sadiq Khan to express the sympathy "of the Irish people with the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who have been injured".

President Higgins said he wanted to express "the sympathy, condolences and solidarity of the Irish people with our neighbours at this difficult time".

Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan also extended sympathies.

"I wish to extend my condolences and on behalf of my Government, my support to the people of London and the UK. Terror and violence will never triumph over democracy," he said.

No Irish are believed to have been caught up in the attack.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny took to Twitter to express solidarity and condolences.

"On behalf of Government I send our support to PM May & British people. Condolences to the families of the victims and thoughts with the injured," he said.
Nine acres of land at RTE's Montrose headquarters in Dublin 4 is being sold

RTE is to cut up to 300 jobs.

Staff at the state broadcaster have been told the redundancies will be voluntary and are expected to be completed over the next two years as it aims to improve its finances.

Nine acres of land at RTE's Montrose headquarters in Dublin 4 is also being sold with a guide price of 75 million euro.

RTE director general Dee Forbes said the broadcaster has lost 100 million euro since 2008 and also warned about the drop in income from licence fees and advertising.

"The exact numbers are not yet known. It will be in the region of two to three hundred (jobs)," she told the Today With Sean O'Rourke show on RTE Radio.

The National Union of Journalists said it was concerned about the lay-offs plan.

General secretary Seamus Dooley said the public service ethos of the state broadcaster must be protected and he also noted the changes workers have already gone through.

"The future of public service broadcasting in Ireland will not be secured without an increase in the licence fee and reform of the current outdated and grossly inefficient collection system," he said.

"Any consideration of the future of RTE must include a review of current levels of funding. Restructuring without a parallel process of investment in resources is doomed to fail. In this regard there is a need for organisational and political leadership."

Ms Forbes said the licence fee works out at 40 cents a day and is "great value".

"Any notion that it be doubled is nonsense. What I am focused on is reform of the fee collection system to recover some 40 million euro per annum that is lost to the entire Irish sector every year through evasion," she said.

The job cuts will run alongside changes to RTE's organisational structure over the next 18 months, with new content divisions replacing existing radio, television and digital sections.

RTE also said the land being put up for sale was under-utilised.

Ms Forbes said commercial and licence fee revenue has fallen from 440 million euro in 2008 to 330 million euro and that the broadcaster has maintained services and output on vastly reduced income.

"That is unsustainable. The funds from the land sale will be used to invest in much-needed technology upgrades and in key digital infrastructure, to reduce debt levels, and to carry out other essential workplace improvements," she said.
Ireland is the EU member most exposed to the UK for air traffic, with 39pc of all air passengers travelling either to or from the UK, according to the airports body. Stock image

Consumers face having flight tickets that airlines won't be able to honour if bilateral aviation agreements aren't successfully negotiated by the time the UK leaves the EU, a leading airports body has warned.

Airports Council International (ACI) Europe has urged that the rules that will govern aviation activity between the UK and the EU be quickly resolved to provide clarity for passengers, airlines and airports.

The warning came as new figures from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that the number of flyers between Ireland and the UK rose 10.5pc last year to just under 12.8 million.

The Dublin-Heathrow route remained the busiest out of Ireland, with 1.75 million passengers flying between the two airports last year, a 4pc increase on 2015.

Ireland is the EU member most exposed to the UK for air traffic, with 39pc of all air passengers travelling either to or from the UK, according to the airports body.

Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, said that the aviation industry will be left in the dark for months about what the status of the relationship between the UK and the EU will be once the UK leaves the trading bloc.

"Unless quickly resolved, this uncertainty will end up constraining route network development for airports, ultimately affecting air connectivity for their communities," Mr Jankovec said at the ACI Airport Economics and Finance Conference in London.

He said that airline route planning has a long lead time and requires legal certainty.

ACI Europe insisted that if exit terms aren't properly concluded within two years, then market access could fall back on more restrictive bilateral provisions between the UK and the EU, with potentially disruptive effects on air connectivity.

"Consumers could find themselves having purchased air tickets that airlines might not be able to honour in the absence of an appropriate legal basis for them to fly," claimed the organisation.

"The potential impact of this on air connectivity, consumers and the wider economy needs to be addressed by Brexit negotiators - on both sides," said Mr Jankovec.

ACI Europe added that 53pc of all passengers handled by UK airports are flying either to or from other EU member states.
Calls have been made for the State to purchase land from farmers near former mining sites at Silvermines, in Tipperary.

Since 2007, the Department of Environment in co-operation with Tipperary Co Council, has undertaken a programme of remediation works at a number of former mining sites at Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, with expenditure on the works totalling 11.2m to date.

Currently, plans are underway to develop a pumped storage electricity generation plant at Silvermines, according to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

The proposed development would utilise the flooded open pit at the Magcobar site, which was used to produce barite from 1963 to 1992.

The over 500m worth of an investment is set to provide 10pc of the county's electricity when it is finished.

However, in the Dail this week, local TD Alan Kelly raised the concerns of two families, who are dairy farmers and whose land, he said, is contaminated to the point where their milk is no longer accepted by dairy processors.

"There are legacy issues here that are so deep that it will not be possible to remediate these lands and invest in them unless the State compulsorily purchases them.

He described the idea that these lands could be sold for development as 'absolutely criminal' and said the State needs to own these lands.

"I am not expecting it to be done tomorrow, but I would ask him (the Minister) to ensure the lands around this very positive development are mapped out and a process and plan is put in place to compulsorily purchase these areas for the benefit of all the people living there, for human health and animal health, he said.

Sean Kyne Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources at the Department of Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment said he understands from his Department that the issue is in discussions, through the Chief State Solicitor's office, with solicitors for the owners of the property.

"That is not to say it is expediting a CPO, but it is in discussions to purchase the land."

Animal deaths

Kyne also highlighted the unknown causes of cattle deaths in the area and said the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the environment section of Tipperary County Council are investigating the issues.

"They are taking water samples, which seem to be satisfactory, and they are looking at all possibilities, including paint or batteries that may have been dumped in the general area, to try to ascertain why exactly there has been animal deaths in the area.

"Clearly, regarding Gortmore, it is the largest section of concern within the Silvermines complex.

"We are trying to expedite a purchase of that through the Chief State Solicitor's office and we will continue with that."

Deputy Kelly said that there have not been animal deaths in the area for some time and said that those that were were due to lead poisoning.

"The issue now is that the actual soil is contaminated from the river," he said.

"The lead levels have gone across into the soil and into the grass that was cut to make silage, which is fed to the animals.

"It will take a period of time for us to figure our exactly what is going on here.

"This will not end even if they find out what the issues are relating to those two farmers and their cattle. This will not end there.

"Until this State firmly takes control of this situation there will be ongoing issues here.

"The patience of the people living in the community there is worn out," he said.
Up to 300 jobs are set to be lost over the next two years at RTE as the State broadcaster unveils a radical restructuring.

Also today, it has put almost nine acres of its lands in Donnybrook on the market and is looking for 75m.

The sale of the Montrose site, which represents just over a quarter of RTE's existing 32-acre campus, is expected to attract interest from a wide range of Irish and international developers and investors and is expected to exceed the guide price by a significant margin.

It is understood the proceeds will be used by RTE to reinvest in a new editorial structure that will see its news and current affairs division retained as a standalone division.

But other areas such as TV, radio and digital will be consolidated in whole or in part to serve an "all content" strategy.

The Irish Independent understands that between 200 to 300 jobs could be lost over a two-year period - about one in six of its total staff.

However, those losses are set to be offset by new hires of more than 80 to serve RTE's new content strategy at a time when the media industry is facing a number of challenges, including Brexit, and as digital becomes the primary source of news for consumers.

Last night, sources in RTE suggested the cuts will be made up of 250 voluntary redundancies and jobs moving to digital.

RTE director general Dee Forbes is due to meet with staff today to announce the restructuring plan. According to its 2015 Annual Report, RTE has 1,833 full-time equivalent jobs.

Ms Forbes told the Oireachtas communications committee late last year that Brexit was having "a direct impact" on RTE Media and said media organisations were under "very serious financial strain".

RTE projected losses of up to 20m in 2016, with staff bracing themselves for cuts.

Meanwhile, Independent News & Media, which publishes this newspaper, confirmed it was co-operating with an inquiry by the company law watchdog into matters relating to a proposed - but abandoned - acquisition of radio station Newstalk.

INM chief executive Robert Pitt made a complaint under new whistleblowing legislation to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in relation to the possible purchase.
CALL centre giant Firstsource is to cut around 90 jobs in Belfast.

The Indian-owned business, which provides outsourcing for companies including Sky, employs around 1,500 people, but posts are set to go in the next few weeks at its site in Belfast city centre.

The firm says the move, which is related to changes to its Sky deal, "will likely impact around 90 employees".

Firstsource employs over 27,000 staff worldwide. More than 1,500 of its global workforce are based in Northern Ireland.

Just last month, Firstsource said it had reached a new 10-year customer service deal with Sky. "Firstsource is fully committed to the Northern Ireland marketplace and is continuing to invest in the region," said a company spokesperson.

"As part of our long standing relationship with Sky, we have been working with them to maximise the customer experience we provide through our service operation in Belfast.

"As a result, we are reducing the scale of operations in our Oyster House centre and this will likely impact around 90 employees."

The company, which is run by global MD and ceo Rajesh Subramaniam, said it will try to "redeploy" staff who are affected to other centres.

The bulk of the firm's workforce in the North is based in Derry, with around 950 workers, while there are around 400 staff working in Belfast.
The LE Eithne taking part in the search at Blacksod Picture: Steve Humphreys

The Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 116 helicopter was subjected to a safety and maintenance inspection just three months ago.

The revelation came as it was confirmed all five of the Sikorsky S-92A helicopters in the Irish Coast Guard fleet were checked in the wake of a service alert issued by the US aviation giant at Christmas.

Sikorsky issued the service notice after an incident involving precisely the same make and model of helicopter in the North Sea.

In that case, an S-92A encountered what were described as "unexpected control responses" during a routine North Sea shuttle flight on December 28.

The helicopter made an emergency landing on an oil rig helipad - but the aircraft spun on landing causing damage to its rotors and also gouging the landing deck.

No-one was injured in the incident.

All five Irish Coast Guard helicopters were then inspected. The Dublin and Sligo helicopters - both of which were involved in the rescue operation last Tuesday off the Mayo coast - were in the second batch inspected.

The Irish Coast Guard said no issues were raised.

One source said that while nothing was being ruled out at this stage of the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) probe, it was unlikely the rotor unit was an issue in the loss of Rescue 116.

"In the North Sea case, the helicopter was landed by the flight crew. They were also able to issue an alert over the incident before diverting to a nearby rig helipad for a landing," he said.

However, in the case of Rescue 116, whatever happened was so catastrophic the flight crew hadn't the chance to even issue a mayday. The last contact with the helicopter was a transmission that it was preparing to land for refuelling at Blacksod in Co Mayo.

Seconds later, Rescue 116 vanished from radar and radio contact.

The S-92A boasts an impressive safety record and is now the medium-range search and rescue helicopter of choice for numerous countries, and almost 290 are in service worldwide.

Boasting twin engines, the S-92A is also equipped with an array of safety devices.

However, the same type was involved in a fatal accident in March 2009.

In that case, an S-92A operated by Cougar Helicopters was on a shuttle flight from Newfoundland, Canada.

The helicopter encountered mechanical problems just 30 minutes into the flight after an oil pressure warning light triggered.

The crew was forced to ditch some 50km from St John's.

Just one of the 18 people on board survived.

An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSBC) found that 16 separate factors were involved in the tragedy.
A European court could be asked to decide on a key issue that blocked the extradition of Ian Bailey to France five years ago.

Lawyers for Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said they wished to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) before pressing ahead with a new extradition request.

The journalist is facing a charge of voluntary homicide in Paris over the death of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork in 1996.

At a European arrest warrant hearing yesterday, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he did not believe a referral to the ECJ was necessary at present as all he was tasked with deciding was whether or not to endorse the warrant.

Lawyers for the minister are now expected to return to the ECJ issue at a future hearing.

Endorsement by the High Court is a legal hurdle which must be negotiated before the warrant can be executed.

Mr Justice Hunt said the paperwork appeared to be in order and he planned to endorse it next Thursday unless Mr Bailey's legal team can convince him otherwise.

He signalled Mr Bailey is likely to be freed on bail afterwards.

Mr Bailey was not present in court for the hearing. His barrister, Ronan Munro SC, said Mr Bailey was objecting to the process as the Supreme Court had already decided in 2012 that he should not be extradited.

Read More

Mr Munro said Mr Bailey's appeal of a case in which he alleged Garda misconduct was due to begin next week and questioned the timing of the application for the endorsement.

The barrister said the Supreme Court previously identified two issues for refusing extradition. One of these was no longer an issue, he said.

However, the second, known as reciprocity, had not changed and was "an extant road block".

This was a finding by the Supreme Court that although French law allows for prosecutions in relation to crimes against French nationals abroad there was no similar law in Ireland, and as a result Mr Bailey could not be extradited.

Robert Barron SC, for Ms Fitzgerald, said his side was seeking to have the issue referred to the ECJ.
A FARMER was charged with the murder of a popular Tipperary DJ whose body was discovered in a slurry pit.

Pat Quirke (49) was charged with the murder of Bobby Ryan (52) before Tipperary District Court.

Judge Marie Keane was told that Mr Quirke of Breanshamore, Tipperary is charged with the murder of Mr Ryan on a date unknown on or about June 3 2011.

The charge also specifies an unknown location.

Det Inspector Pat O'Callaghan told the court he arrested, cautioned and charged Mr Quirke at Tipperary Garda Station on Tuesday evening.

He told the court that the defendant replied: "I don't agree with the charge."

Mr Quirke appeared in court wearing brown slacks, a purple jumper and blue shirt.

He did not speak during the brief hearing.

Mr Ryan of Boherlahan, Cashel, Tipperary vanished on June 3 2011 after leaving his home at 6am to go to work at Killough Quarry outside Thurles.

He never arrived at work and his family subsequently raised the alarm.

Mr Ryans Citroen van was found some time later by his daughter Michelle parked outside Bansha.

It had been left in isolated woodland. The Tipperary man was very well known in the area thanks to his work as a popular local DJ who operated under the name Mr Moonlight.

A huge search operation was launched which included posters being placed in virtually all shops, pubs and public offices across Tipperary and Limerick.

Mr Ryans body was discovered almost 22 months later in an underground concrete waste disposal tank on a farm some 5km outside Tipperary town.

The grim discovery was made on April 30 2013.

Following the discovery, Gardai launched a murder investigation.

A post mortem examination had indicated that Mr Ryan had been battered to death before his body was dumped in the three metres deep pit.

Judge Keane said that the issue of bail does not arise as, given that a murder charge is involved, bail can only be dealt with in the case by the High Court.

She remanded Mr Quirke in custody to appear again before Thurles District Court on March 28.

Judge Keane granted permission for Mr Quirke's solicitor, Aoife Corridan, to speak with her client after the hearing.

A large number of family and friends of Mr Ryan attended the hearing.
A garda under cross-examination by a murder accused has denied a suggestion that he guided witnesses as to what to say in their statements.

Detective Garda Brendan OHora was today being cross-examined by Vesel Jahiri in the fourth week of his trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Jahiri (35), originally from Kosovo but of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anna Finnegan (25) atAllendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on September 21, 2012.

He has also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same place on the same date.

Mr Jahiri has dismissed his legal team and is now representing himself at the trial.

Yesterday, Det Gda Brendan OHora told prosecution counsel, Mr Patrick Marrinan SC, that he conducted a memo of interview with Mr Jahiri at 5.30pm on September 23 in Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Under cross-examination by Mr Jahiri, Det Gda Brendan OHora denied he told Karl Finnegan to say that he banged his head on the floor in his statement and that is why he could not remember anything. Mr Jahiri said Karl Finnegan remembered everything else and he also said there was no evidence of Mr Finnegan banging his head.

The court previously heard evidence from Mr Finnegan in which he described blacking out after hitting the kitchen floor and awaking with stab wounds after Mr Jahiri came at him with a knife.

Mr Jahiri put it to Det Gda O'Hora that another witness, Joan Broe, said in her initial statement that she saw Mr Jahiri kicking Anna Finnegan on the night. The accused said this statement was put to him by Det Gda O'Hora during their interview. Det Gda OHora denied he told Ms Broe to say this.

The accused put it to Det Gda O'Hora that he guided Mr Finnegan and Ms Broe to say all these things at the beginning. Det Gda OHora denied this and said: Thats not correct I didnt guide anyone.

Ms Broe previously gave evidence in this trial and said that she was 100 per cent certain about her account of seeing Mr Jahiri chase his former partner, bring her to the ground and punch her to her right hand side.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and three women.
A financial institution is suing solicitor Gerald Kean over alleged very serious failure to comply with an undertaking to return to it the title deeds of two properties bought some years ago by his ex-girlfriend and former model, Dolores Corcoran.

The Educational Building Society (EBS) claims those deeds were held on trust for it and it has a first legal mortgage over both properties under security for a 2004 loan. They are a residential property at Portnahully, Carrigeen, Waterford, and a commercial property at Henrietta Street, Waterford.

It claims that 2004 loan was not repaid under a later refinancing agreement between Ms Corcoran and Permanent TSB under which three other loans made by EBS to her between 2004 and 2006 were repaid.

Mr Keans firm, based at Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin, acted for Ms Corcoran in dealings with EBS and PTSB, Andrew Fitzpatrick SC, for EBS, told the High Court.

The firm got the title deeds to both properties on foot of an undertaking, signed by Mr Kean, to hold them on trust for EBS and return them to it on demand, counsel said.

This was a straightforward undertaking entered into by solicitors every day of the week without which the conveyancing system would not operate properly, he said.

Due to an apparent mistake in Mr Keans firm, it appeared it had not realised until July 2008 that one of the loans by EBS to Ms Corcoran, a 2004 loan secured by a first legal charge on the two properties at issue, remained unpaid, he said.

Despite EBS making several requests for the title deeds from 2009, Mr Kean had undertaken to PTSB he would get it a first legal charge over the two properties, counsel said.

That undertaking, necessary for the refinancing arrangements, was irreconcilable with the earlier undertaking to return the title deeds to EBS, he said.

The firm had inaccurately certified to PTSB its mortgage ranked as a first legal mortgage over the relevant properties when that was not the case and EBS remains registered as the first legal charge holder over the properties, he said.

What was markedly wrong here was the decision to pass the title deeds to our properties, held on trust for us and telling PTSB it had a first legal charge and that he had taken action against EBS when he has not, counsel said.

The title deeds are now with PTSB and Mr Keans position appears to be it is not possible to get them back which is just too bad for EBS, he said. There was no evidence Mr Kean had asked PTSB to return the deeds, counsel said.

The only means of discharging the undertaking to EBS was if the outstanding unpaid loan was repaid but the borrower for her own reasons has declined to do so, Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Counsel was opening proceedings by EBS against Mr Kean, who denies the claims.

During the opening, Richard Kean SC, for Mr Kean, said the case has potential for significant reputational damage and his side absolutely refutes the a la carte presentation of the evidence.

The solicitor's obligation is to return the deeds or redeem the loan and the loans Keans were asked about by EBS were redeemed, he said.

The case comes down to very net issues including when exactly loan redemption figures were sent by EBS and when the Kean firm became aware of cross-securitisation of loans on some properties, counsel said.

"Systemic failures by EBS in relation to its handling of the law firms request for the loan redemption figures would be exposed by the evidence, he added.

Mr Fitzpatrick disputed the alleged failures and said the defendant had advanced inconsistent bases for his arguments he did not have to return the deeds.

The case continues.
A judge has refused a 50,000 settlement offer to a 15-year-old student who has difficulty walking since he hurt his left knee in a Dublin hotel almost two years ago.

Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke said he was concerned by the fact that it was still unclear whether student Patrick Scanlon would recover from his injury or would have walking difficulties for the rest of his life.

Patrick claimed that in July 2015 he had been staying with his family at a Dublin Maldron Hotel when he slipped and fell heavily on a wet floor in the swimming pool area and injured his knee against the base of a tiled wall.

The court heard that a piece of tile was lodged in Patricks knee and his leg had been bleeding heavily.

Counsel for Patrick said he had been taken by ambulance to The Childrens University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, where a seven centimetre, three-inch-deep laceration was sutured and the piece of tile removed.

The court heard the wound had left a significant scar on Patricks knee and he has difficulty walking long distances and climbing stairs.

He had to give up hurling.

Through his mother Mary OBrien, of Ballaghboy, Doora, Ennis, Co Clare, Patrick sued Dalata Hotel Group Plc, of Burton Court, Burton Hall Drive, Sandyford, Dublin, for negligence.

Counsel said that liability was an issue but he was confidant Patrick could win his case if it went to a full trial.

Judge Groarke heard that the defendant had made a 50,000 settlement offer which he refused to approve.

The problem is that we dont know what is causing the pain in Patricks knee nor if it will be permanent. He is only 15 and could face a knee problem for the rest of his life. I have to refuse the offer, Judge Groarke said.
A man accused of murdering his former partner and mother of their two children has alleged that there was collusion between gardai and witnesses in his trial.

Vesel Jahiri (35), originally from Kosovo but of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anna Finnegan (25) at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on September 21, 2012.

He has also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same place on the same date.

Mr Jahiri has dismissed his legal team and is now representing himself at the trial.

Yesterday, Detective Garda Brendan OHora told prosecution counsel, Mr Patrick Marrinan SC, that he conducted a memo of interviewwith Mr Jahiri at 5.30pm on September 23 in Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Under cross-examination by Mr Jahiri, Det Gda OHora denied he told Karl Finnegan to say that he banged his head on the floor in his statement and that is why he could not remember anything. Mr Jahiri said Karl Finnegan remembered everything else and he also said there was no evidence of Mr Finnegan banging his head.

The court previously heard evidence from Mr Finnegan in which he described blacking out after hitting the kitchen floor and awaking with stab wounds after Mr Jahiri came at him with a knife.

Mr Jahiri put it to Det Gda O'Hora that another witness, Joan Broe, said in her initial statement that she saw Mr Jahiri kicking Anna Finnegan on the night. The accused said this statement was put to him by Det Gda O'Hora during their interview. Det Gda OHora denied he told Ms Broe to say this.

The accused put it to Det Gda O'Hora that he guided Mr Finnegan and Ms Broe to say all these things at the beginning. Det Gda OHora denied this and said: Thats not correct I didnt guide anyone.

Ms Broe previously gave evidence that she was 100 per cent certain about her account of seeing Mr Jahiri chase his former partner, bring her to the ground and punch her to her right hand side.

Mr Jahiri asked Det Gda OHora if Karl Finnegan had told him that he (Karl Finnegan) told Joan Broe that his sister had been stabbed. Mr Jahiri suggested that this "clearly shows that Karl remembers everything. The witness denied this.

Mr Jahiri asked Det Gda OHora why certain witnesses were all saying different things now. Det Gda OHora said he could not comment on certain witnesses evidence as he did not take their statements.

Naming certain witnesses and gardai in his trial, Mr Jahiri then said there was collusion between these parties. Following an objection from Mr Marrinan, Mr Justice Paul Coffey asked the jury to leave the court room.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Coffey and a jury of nine men and three women.
NUI Galway have renamed their engineering building this week after the first woman in Ireland and the UK who earned an engineering degree.

The Engineering building was renamed the Alice Perry Engineering Building this week. Alice Perry earned a degree in engineering in 1906, graduating from Queens College Galway.

The naming of the building is the culmination of a series of activities focusing on equality and diversity in Engineering at NUI Galways award-winning Engineering building during Engineering Week and International Womens Week.

We are delighted to collaborate with Engineers Ireland on this important event during Engineers Week. This week in NUI Galway is also being celebrated as International Womens Week. We are enormously proud of Alice Perry and what her lifes work symbolises, said Professor Anne Scott, Vice President for Equality and Diversity at NUI Galway.

Decisions on career paths are shaped by the world around us. Having a visible tribute to the achievements of trailblazers like Alice Perry on campus can serve to both recognise an individual legacy and also to inspire the next generation when they make their own career decisions.

A scholarship to encourage female students to consider engineering courses has also been established by distinguished engineering alumna of NUI Galway Aine Brazil through Galway University Foundation.

Professor Peter McHugh, Dean of Engineering was very positive about the changes.

This is a fantastic development for Engineering at NUI Galway and a clear demonstration of our commitment to equality of opportunity, education and career development, he said.

It is most appropriate that we should name the Engineering Building for one of our most notable and pioneering alumni, with Alice Perry being the first female engineering graduate in the UK and Ireland. I believe that this an extremely positive and progressive decision by the University, and it should serve as an inspiration to all students as to the wonderfully rich and diverse career opportunities open to both men and women in the engineering domain.

Alice Perry will feature in the Path-Breaking Women of NUI Galway exhibition, which will take place on campus in March 2017. For further details see: www.nuigalway.ie/pathbreakingwomen

Story courtesy of NUIG's online newspaper Sin.

With thanks to Campus.ie.
A spokeswoman for the HSE yesterday blamed the rise in the number of return patients to rapid access prostate clinics for putting pressure on the service (Stock picture)

Almost four in 10 men who need to be assessed for suspected prostate cancer are not getting an appointment to be seen in a HSE-run rapid access clinic in the recommended time.

Just 65.1pc of men are getting their tests within the 20-day deadline, according to latest figures. Clinics are also failing to meet the target time to provide an assessment for all women who are urgently referred for breast cancer checks.

Only 78.1pc are getting an appointment to be seen in two weeks, although the target is 95pc.

Although the delay is unlikely to affect a patient's prognosis, it adds to the stress and anxiety of not knowing about the cause of the symptoms.

A spokeswoman for the HSE yesterday blamed the rise in the number of return patients to rapid access prostate clinics for putting pressure on the service.

While there has been a fall of 7pc in the number of new patients nationally attending rapid access prostate clinics, they have been coping with a 74pc increase in return patients.

The HSE said the rate of increase in the number of return patients creates a risk of rapid access clinics losing the capacity to promptly see and diagnose new patients.

Referring to breast cancer clinics, the HSE said they have had an increase of around 6pc - some 2,228 - in the number of new patients nationally with a corresponding 4pc rise in return patients between 2010 and 2015.

"Over the same period the number of patients diagnosed with breast cancer increased by 14pc," she said.

The HSE said it expects there to be an increase in cancer cases nationally of about 50pc between 2010 and 2025, with knock-on pressures for treatment services.

"The number of patients having cancer-directed surgery is predicted to increase by 50-55pc between 2010 and 2025, chemotherapy by 42-48pc, and radiotherapy by 32-35pc."

The rapid access clinics were set up for patients with suspected breast, prostate or lung cancer.

These clinics have improved the diagnostic pathway for patients suspected of having breast or prostate cancer, the HSE said.

"Where clinics are not meeting access targets, patients are clinically triaged to ensure that those with the highest risk are seen soonest. Where clinics have ongoing problems, initiatives are put in place to deal with those who have been waiting longer.

"The functioning of all clinics is currently under review to identify opportunities to improve processes within the clinic and also to identify where further investment is needed."

Hospitals that are finding it most difficult to meet the deadlines for breast cancer clinics are St James's Hospital, Dublin, and Letterkenny Hospital, Co Donegal.

The target was also not met by Cork University Hospital.

The target for men with suspected prostate cancer is not being met in the clinics in counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick and St James's Hospital.

The prostate cancer service is facing a key challenging in attracting and retaining consultant urologists.

The uptake of women availing of free mammograms under the Breastcheck programme is ahead of target.

This is aimed at offering checks to women over 50 who do not have symptoms.

However, the service is also under strain due to its efforts to recruit and retain radiography staff.

It now opens its clinic in Dublin on Sundays in a bid to make it easier for women to attend the screening in the form of a digital X-ray.
Primodos was used as a way of detecting pregnancy

Irish mothers believe their babies were left with abnormalities as a result of a hormonal pregnancy test drug, which is at the centre of a fresh scandal.

Primodos, also marketed as Duogynon, was introduced in the 1960s as a method of detecting pregnancy by drugs manufacturer Schering.

While it was never licensed for use in Ireland, and despite a warning issued in 1975 to all doctors, some expectant mums still took the pills until 1978 when it was removed from the UK market.

Chair of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests in the UK Marie Lyon told the Irish Independent that the drug was still taken in high numbers until it was taken off the market.

There is a possibility the drugs may also have been used in Ireland as an abortive agent, she claimed.

"Unfortunately it may have been used for a purpose it wasn't intended for but there were other women who used it as a genuine hormone test who were told it was safe," she said.

Ms Lyon has been campaigning, along with other families, for years in a bid to secure an apology from the manufacturer.

Her own daughter Sarah was born 47 years ago with one of her arms not fully formed.

The pill was a high dose of hormones that, it was assumed, a pregnant woman would be able to absorb. Meanwhile, a woman who was not pregnant would have menstruation triggered.

There were two pills and the drug was given to millions of women around the world.

The concentration of hormones would later be used in the morning after pill, in much, much smaller doses.

The drugs are the focus of a Sky Atlantic documentary called 'Primodos: The Forgotten Drug Scandal'.

Reporter Jason Farrell, who was granted access to national archives in Germany, has found evidence that UK officials were aware of a possible link between the drug and abnormalities.

The Irish Independent has learned that the drug was reported to the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB) in Ireland by mothers who suspected it had led to abnormalities in their children.

"Between 1976 and 1980 five reports of adverse reactions associated with use of Duogynon were received by the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB), a predecessor of the HPRA, describing suspected congenital abnormalities, with very limited information available in relation to these reports," the HPRA confirmed.

The company behind the pills, which operated a plant in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, has now been taken over by pharmaceutical giant Bayer.

Bayer has consistently denied that the drug had any role to play in subsequent abnormalities. A statement said: "Based on the facts and on the law, Bayer does not accept that Primodos was responsible for causing congenital abnormalities."
The crew of Rescue 116: (left to right) Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith

An underwater robot deployed this morning off the Mayo coast has located the wreckage of Rescue 116.

Search teams and rescue workers have described the discovery as "hugely significant".

The next phase of the operation is to determine if the three missing crew members- Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby- are with the wreckage.

Speaking at Blacksod lighthouse from where the operation is being coordinated, Supt Tony Healy said:

"This morning a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) from the Granuaile conducted operations on the sea bed and we located parts of Rescue 116.

"We're actively assessing what we found...this is a hugely significant step in the ongoing process of the crew of rescue 116.

"What we've recovered is wreckage and we're actively looking at that.

"We've found parts of the helicopter that we can identify as Rescue 116. Weather conditions play a huge role in enabling the Navy to conduct dives on site.

"The location is where we located in the region of the flight recorder, so that's the area we're concentrating on."

It is hoped that further examinations of the wreckage can be carried out on Friday afternoon if the weather remains favourable.

Jurgen Whyte of the Air Accident Investigation Unit said it was the "absolute hope" that the crew are with the wreckage.

"It's hugely positive, we could hear the beacon, we were homing in on the beacon and the proof in the pie is we have located the main part of the wreckage which is the helicopter itself.

"We have the wreckage so it's just a matter of getting the weather window to get the ROV down, work our way through the wreckage and hopefully we will be able to recover the crew," Mr Whyte said.

A statement from the Air Accident Investigation Unit reads; "The AAIU in consultation with An Garda Siochana, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the GSI and the Marine Institute wish to advise that following initial Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations the wreckage of R116 has been positively located on the sea bed on the Eastern side of Black Rock, at a depth of approx. 40m.

"Operations are continuing but are weather dependent."

The Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was launched shortly after 9am this morning from the Irish Lights vessel, the Granuaile.

It is the second time search teams have managed to deploy the high-tech device.

Read More

The machine, named the Holland 1 was also deployed for a short period of time last night.

Speaking to Independent.ie yesterday evening, Irish Coast Guard officer Niall Ferns said that the deployment was an opportunity to examine the underwater conditions.

"We have managed to get the ROV into the water in the last 20 minutes. We're taking this opportunity to the ROV down and have a look at what's down there," Mr Ferns said.

He added that the underwater robot will be working in water at depths of 40m.

A 13-man Naval Service dive team are also on standby at the Blacksod lighthouse from where the operation is being coordinated.

Extensive mapping has also been carried out of the water to assist search operations.
Passengers will not be allowed to use laptops. Photo: PA

Irish airports will not ban passengers travelling from middle eastern and north African countries from carrying laptops or tablets as cabin luggage - despite a new security crackdown in the UK and US amid fears of an al Qa'ida terrorist threat.

Airline passengers travelling into the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia will not be allowed to carry laptops, tablets or other large electronic devices on board planes.

Some 2.4 million passengers a year flying to the UK on airlines including British Airways, Thomson, Thomas Cook and easyJet will have to store electronic devices larger than a phone in their hold luggage, despite concerns they could be stolen or damaged.

The British government is introducing the ban after a similar move in the US, where officials revealed "evaluated intelligence" showed that terrorists are "aggressively pursuing innovative measures" to carry out attacks with devices such as laptop bombs.

However, a spokesman for the Department of Transport said Ireland had no plans to follow suit and had to abide by EU regulations.

"Aviation security in Ireland is governed primarily by EU rules and regulations and Ireland complies with the EU's common security standards," a spokesman said. "Security measures at Irish airports have not changed nor are they expected to change in the near future."

However, a spokesman for the Irish Aviation Authority said security measures were constantly under review.

"The Irish Aviation Authority has noted the directive issued by US authorities with regard to aviation security and the carriage of certain devices to the United States of America from certain other states," he said.

Read More

"The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for aviation security policy and the IAA, who has responsibility for monitoring of compliance with the European and national aviation security regulations, will ensure the implementation of any measures directed by them.

"The US directive does not affect any Irish airports."

A spokesman for Downing Street in the UK said airlines affected by this ban would be given a number of days to implement the strict new regulations.

The US ban is expected from Friday at 7am GMT.

The restrictions will cover all electronic devices more than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide and 1.5cm deep. The ban will hit tablets, laptops, handheld games consoles, e-readers such as Kindles and portable DVD players.

Insurers warned last night that laptops and tablets were not typically covered by policies for loss, damage or theft if placed in a hold.
Primodos was a hormone test designed to detect pregnancy in the 1960s and 1970s (Stock image)

A number of Irish mothers believed their babies were left with abnormalities as a result of a hormonal pregnancy test drug which is at the centre of a fresh scandal.

Primodos, also marketed as Dougynon, was introduced in the 1960s as a method of detecting pregnancy by drugs manufacturer Schering.

While, it was never licensed for use in Ireland, it was available and, despite a warning issued in 1975 to all doctors, expectant mums were prescribed the pills until 1978 when it was removed from the market.

The pill was a high dose of hormones that, it was assumed, a pregnant woman would be able to absorb. Meanwhile, a woman who was not pregnant would have menstruation triggered.

Expand Close Primodos label - Image credit: The Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Tests / Facebook

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Whatsapp Primodos label - Image credit: The Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Tests

There were two pills and the drug was given to millions of women around the world. The concentration of hormones would later be used in the morning after pill, in much, much smaller doses.

The drugs are the focus of a new Sky Atlantic documentary six years in the making called Primodos: The Forgotten Drug Scandal.

Reporter Jason Farrell, who was granted access to archives in Germany, claims evidence he found there shows that UK officials were aware of a possible link between the drug and abnormalities.

He has also found archived material which shows that the manufacturer of the drug was concerned that it would be found to have neglected its duty during a court case which was ultimately stalled.

Expand Close Marie Lyon speaking to Sky News reporter Jason Farrell in his documentary Primodos: The Forgotten drug scandal which airs on Wednesday on Sky News at 9pm / Facebook

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Whatsapp Marie Lyon speaking to Sky News reporter Jason Farrell in his documentary Primodos: The Forgotten drug scandal which airs on Wednesday on Sky News at 9pm

Independent.ie has learned that the drug was reported to the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB) by mothers who suspected it had led to abnormalities in their children.

Between 1976-1980 five reports of adverse reactions associated with use of Duogynon were received by the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB), a predecessor of the HPRA, describing suspected congenital abnormalities, with very limited information available in relation to these reports, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) said.

The company behind the pills, which operated a plant in Rathdrum Co Wicklow, has now been taken over by pharmaceutical giant Bayer.

Bayer has consistently denied that the drug had any role to play in children being born with abnormalities and did so again in a statement to this website which said:

"UK litigation in respect of Primodos, against Schering (which is now owned by Bayer), ended in 1982 when the claimants' legal team, with the approval of the court, decided to discontinue the litigation on the grounds that there was no realistic possibility of showing that Primodos caused the congenital abnormalities alleged.

Based on the facts and on the law, Bayer does not accept that Primodos was responsible for causing congenital abnormalities.

In 1975 the Drugs Advisory Board issued a warning to doctors urging them to discontinue use of hormonal pregnancy tests.

There has been no assessment of the safety for use of such preparations for this purpose and such a use has not been accepted by the Board, the letter read.

"There have been a few publications suggesting a possible relationship between the use of these preparations for such a purpose and the subsequent birth of offspring with congenital abnormalities.

Although there was a lack of strong evidence linking the drug to birth defects it would be wiser to avoid the use of oestrogen progestogen preparations for this purpose since a firm statement of safety cannot be given" the notice said.

However, chair of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests in the UK, Marie Lyon told Independent.ie that the drug was still prescribed in high numbers after this letter.

HPRA has said it does not have information on how many women may have used the drug to test for pregnancy.

Ms Lyon's own daughter Sarah was born 47 years ago with one of her arms not fully formed and Ms Lyon is convinced that this occurred due to her use of Primodos, which her doctor gave her to find out if she was expecting.

She has been campaigning, along with other families, for years in a bid to secure an apology from the manufacturer.

"The next step really is a [UK] Government expert group looking at the evidence and my hope is that once the Sky documentary and they will realise the amount of evidence that we have and the inquiry will move forward," she said.

"To see now that our Government knew was a shock," she said.

"Because there was a noninvasive test available, there was no need for these drugs except of course they made money," she added.

Ms Lyon said she was been bowled over by the number of people worldwide who have gotten in touch now that the drug is back in the headlines again.

Promidos: The forgotten drug scandal airs Wednesday 22 March at 9pm on Sky News
Gardai have charged a man in connection with an attempted robbery and serious assault that occurred at a newsagents in Finglas.

The man (22) is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court 1 this morning.

The man was arrested in the Finglas area yesterday and was detained at Finglas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He remains in Garda custody.

A second man arrested in connection with this investigation remains in Garda custody at Blanchardstown Garda Station detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 as amended.
Gardai have seized a gun and drugs worth an estimated 70,000 as part of an operation on Tuesday night.

The discovery was made during a planned search of a premises at Tolka Estate, Glasnevin at approximately 9pm.

One man, mid 30s, was arrested a short time later in the Finglas area.

He is currently detained at Finglas Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Earlier gardai in Ronanstown confirmed that they had arrested the man in his late forties after they searched a premises at a shopping centre in Clondalkin.

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The planned search was carried out yesterday afternoon at 2pm.

Gardai seized 2.65kgs of suspected cocaine during the raid.

Other drug paraphernalia was located and seized during follow up searches.

The man was arrested at scene and is currently detained at Ronanstown Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Former US president Bill Clinton has led international tributes to Martin McGuinness, who was described as 'calm, courageous, and direct'. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire

Former US president Bill Clinton has led international tributes to Martin McGuinness, who was described as "calm, courageous, and direct".

Friends and one-time enemies of the former IRA commander have remembered him as somebody who "played a defining role" in leading the republican movement away from violence.

Mr Clinton and his wife Hillary issued a statement in which they said Mr McGuinness's "integrity and willingness to engage in principled compromise" was invaluable.

Mr Clinton said his last memory of Mr McGuinness "will be the pride he took in his efforts to improve disadvantaged schools in unionist and Protestant communities".

"He believed in a shared future, and refused to live in the past, a lesson all of us who remain should learn and live by," he said.

Queen Elizabeth has not commented publicly on Mr McGuinness's passing, but Buckingham Place said she will be sending a private message to his family.

Expand Close Michael D Higgins, who defeated Mr McGuinness in the 2011 presidential election, said his death left a gap that would be hard to fill. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook

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Whatsapp Michael D Higgins, who defeated Mr McGuinness in the 2011 presidential election, said his death left a gap that would be hard to fill. Photo: Mark Condren

The monarch and the former IRA boss famously shook hands at a charity event in June 2012, an event which would once have been unimaginable.

President Michael D Higgins, who defeated Mr McGuinness in the 2011 presidential election, said his death left a gap that would be hard to fill.

"The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland," President Higgins said.

Read more: 'I'm not going to shy away from expressing my feelings' - James McClean pays tribute to 'hero' Martin McGuinness

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Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dail the former deputy first minister's passing represented "a significant loss to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond".

He said Mr McGuinness made a "remarkable political journey" and was one of the "architects of the Good Friday Agreement".

"His relationship with the late Ian Paisley was remarkable given the very different political background that they came from," Mr Kenny said. "His legacy of leadership will no doubt inspire the next generation of leaders in Northern Ireland."

Mr Paisley's son Ian Junior acknowledged many would have "mixed feelings".

Expand Close Mrs Foster reached out to Mr McGuinness in recent days as his health deteriorated. Photo: David Young/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Mrs Foster reached out to Mr McGuinness in recent days as his health deteriorated. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

The North Antrim MP said he had gone from viewing Mr McGuinness as the "godfather of the IRA" to considering him a personal friend.

"I think the Christian view in life is how a person's journey started is of course important, but it is how it finishes which is actually more important," he said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she could never condone the path he took "in the earlier part of his life" but added "Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence".

The former Sinn Fein leader's last action as a politician was to resign as deputy first minister in the Northern Assembly in a row over DUP leader Arlene Foster's involvement in a controversial renewable energy scheme. However, it emerged yesterday that Mrs Foster reached out to Mr McGuinness in recent days as his health deteriorated.

"Today's news will come as a shock to many people," she said, adding that history would record differing views on Mr McGuinness, but he had played a pivotal role in bringing the republican movement towards peace. Her predecessor Peter Robinson said the influence of Mr McGuinness will be greatly missed in the current talks on restoring devolved government to Belfast.

Expand Close Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute to Martin McGuinness: 'he was an IRA volunteer, a risk taker, a hope giver'. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute to Martin McGuinness: 'he was an IRA volunteer, a risk taker, a hope giver'. Photo: Tony Gavin

"The business of governing a divided society and coping with the endless curved balls that politics here brings tested both of us," he said.

"Yet while I knew his past, as he knew mine, we never doubted or gave up our shared commitment to create a new and better era in Northern Ireland politics. We had the best of personal relationships - keeping in touch even after my retirement and during his illness."

Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald became emotional as she paid tribute to Mr McGuinness. She struggled to maintain her composure as she told TDs he was "an IRA volunteer, a risk taker, a hope giver".

Party leader Gerry Adams said: "Martin, as we all know, was a very passionate Irish republican. He believed in our people - that people of this island should be free."
Keeping your family's teeth healthy LOOKING after your children's teeth is vital to ensure they develop a healthy dental regime that will last them into adulthood. Even though your child does not have teeth until they are about six months of age, dentists recommend that you clean their gums with a soft cloth.

And as soon as your baby's first primary or 'milk' teeth appear, Dr Abigail Moore, a paediatric dentist who is based at the Burlington Dental Clinic and The Hermitage Dental Clinic, says you should start brushing them.

With the first teeth erupting between six and 12 months, her advice is to get your child used to a cleaning routine.

"Use a clean cloth or a soft toothbrush with tap water to clean the new teeth and gums."

Toothpaste is not recommended until your child is two years old, when they should use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste, explains Moore.

After breakfast and last thing at night are the ideal cleaning times.

"It is good to have a tooth-brushing song or counting game to distract until all the teeth are sparkly clean."

Generally, she says kids under the age of six should be helped with brushing, which should last for two to three minutes.

"Children can be insistent they brush alone, but it is important that you do a good brush first, then let your child 'check' the teeth after. Your dentist or hygienist is the best person to teach a proper technique."

Moore says not all children need to start flossing early.

"If teeth are spaced there is no need to floss but if teeth are tight together (especially if your child has already had a cavity) it is advisable to clean between them."

Because younger children don't have the manual dexterity, she says an adult should help floss the tight-together teeth, ie the back two molars.

" The best time to floss is after the bedtime brush, that way floss will carry protective fluoride toothpaste between the teeth."

First trip to the dentist

Bringing your child for their first trip to the dentist by their first birthday is a good rule of thumb, says Moore, to help introduce good oral health and hygiene habits.

"In some circumstances, early diagnosis may be made of oral disease, developmental tooth defects or perhaps missing or unusual shaped teeth. All children should attend their dentist one to two times per year for regular check-ups; this way if anything does develop it is caught early so is easier to manage," she affirms.

Tooth decay

Describing dental decay as a disease caused by specific bacteria or germs that live in the mouth, Moore says these bacteria thrive in a sugary mouth, producing acid that breaks down a susceptible tooth surface, causing cavities.

" Damage starts as white or brown spots and gradually the surface enamel is broken down and a hole forms. Once a cavity is formed the spread is much more rapid as the under layer is softer and cleaning becomes more difficult."

Many cavities start in the biting surfaces of the back teeth, she says, because these surfaces are uneven with fissures, resulting in food impaction and plaque build-up.

In Irish children, with 80pc of decay occurring on the biting surfaces of the teeth, this could be prevented by using sealants, says Moore.

"A fissure sealant is a white varnish layer, which is applied to the biting surface of the back teeth. It flows into the fissures, creating a shallower, smooth surface."

While fissure sealants may be recommended in primary teeth, they are more commonly used on the first permanent molars that erupt around the age of six or seven, she adds.

Mixed dentition stage

The transition between child and adult dentition, which occurs between seven and 12 years of age, is called the mixed dentition stage.

During this stage, when children possess a mixture of baby and adult teeth, Moore says it's still essential for them to brush their teeth thoroughly, even when their primary teeth might be wobbly.

"If teeth are coming up bunched together or crooked, careful brushing and flossing will be needed. Remember, the permanent teeth should last a lifetime so it is vital they get extra attention with the brush."

Finally, she says the biggest concerns that parents have about their children's teeth include whether they are brushing them properly and if they will need to get braces.

For young teens, Moore says good brushing habits will stand to them at this age.

" If children are wearing braces we may recommend a fluoride mouthwash at a separate time to brushing and regular visits to a dental hygienist."
Mary Berry stirred up fresh controversy with her pie recipe without a pastry base

Mary Berry's latest culinary controversy - cooking a pie without a pastry bottom - caused the usual Twitter storm.

Was her "pie" really just a casserole with a lid? Now the leading authority on pies has spoken, and the answer is yes.

The annual British Pie Awards provides the following definition: "A pie is a filling totally and wholly encased in pastry."

"That's not a pie," he said. "It's just a casserole with a bit of pastry on top.

"We want a top and a bottom. Lattice, open top, only a top - they're not allowed at the British Pie Awards."

He added: "We're not going to criticise Mary, though. She came to one of our food festivals in Melton Mowbray years ago, and she was very nice."

His views backed up viewers who watched the offending episode.

"That's a pastry lid - not a pie. You're going to give Twitter a meltdown. Disgraceful," snapped one fan on Twitter. "Sort yourself out."

"Sorry Mary, but it's not really a pie if there's no pastry base," said another.

One fan wrote: "Oh Mary you didn't... A PIE WITHOUT A BASE IS A LIE."

"That isn't a pie. It has no base. That's just a lid. Disappointed. Would still eat it though," said another disgruntled viewer.

Berry's sticky toffee pudding did not escape unscathed on Monday night's show, with viewers expressing their disappointment that it did not contain dates.

One viewer insisted: "It's not sticky toffee pudding. If it don't have dates!"

Another posted: "Why are there no dates in this #maryberryeveryday sticky toffee pudding? This is madness I tell you, madness!

Piers Morgan used part of Good Morning Britain to defend Mary Berry.

He said: "Imagine calling Mary Berry, the nicest human being in existence, a liar"

The television host was shocked that so many feel so strongly about the pie versus casserole debate: "Let me get this straight. 5,000 people in our country signed a petition about a casserole not being a pie!"

"I eat a lot of pies and let me tell you if the pie is a crusty bit of pastry I am happy.

"I had a steak and kidney pie last night - I don't care if there is a bottom, all I want is a nice firm lid"

Berry's recipes on the BBC programme have been a talking point each week.

As well as "bolognese-gate", the 81-year-old surprised viewers by stirring garlic into her pizza dough last week, while admitting that she had never had a pizza delivered to her home.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Sense of impending doom: Gerard Ingoldsby found his experience of bowel cancer very lonely, despite fantastic support from his family. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

A recent survey which showed that one in seven people with cancer feel they have no close friends they can talk to about their disease comes as no surprise to one of Ireland's leading experts in the field.

Turning 60 years of received wisdom on its head, Dr Paul D'Alton, head of the Psycho-Oncology Department at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, says that coping with cancer is not always about the power of positive thinking. In fact, however well-intentioned the sentiment, telling a person with cancer to be positive can have the opposite effect by making them feel even more isolated than they already are.

In the world of psychology, the Kubler-Ross model of the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - is well-established. But according to Dr D'Alton, "there is no such thing as 'stages of grief'".

"Emotions don't progress in predictable stages," he says. "Somebody diagnosed with cancer might feel a rush of anger, denial, sadness and other emotions within 15 minutes. And those feelings can return at any point, in any order. It's not a linear process, it's erratic. Feelings can be all over the place."

Commenting on the recent Macmillan Cancer Support study of people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland, Dr D'Alton says Ireland offers an equally lonely landscape for cancer sufferers.

It's a vista with which Gerard Ingoldsby from Ballincollig, Co Cork, became all too familiar when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 42. But it wasn't until 18 months after he received his diagnosis that he was hit by the loneliness of the disease.

"I'd been open all along about having cancer," he says. "I didn't want an elephant in every room, so if some people seemed uncomfortable at first, I'd try to bring up the subject to put them at ease. By doing that I found they usually relaxed and could talk about it. Many were shocked that someone my age could get this form of cancer."

The good news was that it had been caught early. A Stage 3 polyp contained in the lower colon was eminently treatable, the doctors assured Gerard. He went through an intensive course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumour before surgery to remove it altogether. A further six months of chemotherapy completed his treatment, which was a complete success. So why, in April 2006, after he was given the all-clear, did he suddenly feel a sense of loneliness that threatened to engulf him?

"It wasn't depression, it was more a feeling that I didn't have a purpose or a focus," he says. "It felt like, 'Right, you're fixed. So what happens now?' That's when it hit me - feelings of isolation, severe anxiety and a sense of impending doom. For 18 months I'd had weekly reassurances from the hospital and suddenly they stopped.

"Despite fantastic support from my wife Mary and my family, I was under a black cloud, convinced that something awful was about to happen. Mary tried to reason with me, 'The awful thing has already happened - you got cancer.'

"My GP compared it with post-traumatic stress disorder. I felt that my mind and spirit needed to catch up with my body. My oncology nurse encouraged me to go to Cork ARC Cancer Support House. It was the best thing I ever did. From the minute I walked through the door, everything changed. Counselling, meditation and Tai Chi helped me figure out what was going on. Without their help and support I don't know where I'd be today.

"It's very difficult for family and friends to understand the feelings that are part of having cancer. Only another cancer patient has the first-hand experience to know what you're going through."

Now Gerard volunteers in the Irish Cancer Society (ICS)'s Survivors Supporting Survivors programme, where somebody with cancer can talk with a survivor of a similar form of the disease. He encourages anybody who's struggling emotionally to reach out and use this service.

"I've spoken to people at different stages of cancer. Some are very private and don't want to discuss it with their friends; others may not want their employers or co-workers to know. Sometimes the stress about things associated with cancer is worse than the disease itself. You worry about the impact it has on the family, and how you'll manage financially - things that people often don't open up about... it's not always a doctor you need, it's a shoulder, someone to listen."

And for family and friends looking for ways to support a loved one with cancer, rushing in with rapturous good cheer may not be the best approach.

"The bottom line is that cancer is a life-threatening illness, which brings with it a great deal of emotion, fear and uncertainty," says Dr D'Alton. "Humans don't cope well with uncertainty. We tend to lock down and isolate ourselves from others.

"People deal with cancer as they would with other difficulties in their lives," he adds. "If you're a pragmatic, task-focused type, you'll bring that approach to your dealings with cancer. Whatever way you choose to handle it is okay. Talking is by no means mandatory."

There is good news on the horizon, he says, with the government's new 10-Year Cancer Strategy to be launched later this year.

"For the first time, this includes key recommendations about the psychological and emotional needs of people with cancer," says Dr D'Alton. "It's quite a breakthrough, because it means that patients' emotional and psychological wellbeing will be factored into their medical care."

According to Donal Buggy, ICS head of services and advocacy, "being faced with a cancer diagnosis can be one of the most devastating things a person can go through, which is why emotional support is so vital, not just at the time of diagnosis, but throughout treatment and beyond.

"We're really proud that Gerard is one of our survivor support volunteers. Funds raised this Daffodil Day will allow us to continue running this service, which offers a one-to-one support programme, providing emotional and practical support to newly diagnosed patients," he says.

"All of our Survivor Support volunteers have had a cancer diagnosis. The volunteers have been carefully selected and trained to give support, practical information and reassurance when patients need it most. To avail of the service, patients can call our Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700, between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday."

The Irish Cancer Society's 30th Daffodil Day takes place on Friday, March 24. For more info, see cancer.ie/daffodilday. You can make a donation by visiting cancer.ie, calling CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or texting 'Daff' to 50300 to donate 4.

Five tips for helping a friend with cancer

Practical advice: Dr Paul D'Alton

1. Don't isolate the person by insisting they stay positive.

2. Don't know what to say? Try this: "I don't know what to say. I'm really sorry."

3. Never say: "Let me know what I can do to help." It's better to be specific. Say: "I can bring you to hospital on Friday," or "I can do your shopping," or "I can collect the kids from school."

4. Take the shoulder-to-shoulder approach, not eye-to-eye. Sometimes the best place to have a conversation is in the car, where you're sitting next to each other, both facing in one direction.

5. Never say: "You'll be fine." The person might not want to let you down by admitting that they feel anything but fine.

- Paul D'Alton
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John Downing Opinion New British prime minister Rishi Sunaks succession proves an important milestone in British political inclusivity

There is an old saying in British politics that goes: The right looks for converts while the left seeks out traitors. It comes to mind when one reflects upon the election of Rishi Sunak as the UKs first non-white prime minister in a party traditionally seen as most opposed to mass immigration and the dilution of national identity via multiculturalism.
The red carpet at this year's Oscars was jam-packed with stars embracing their naturally pale complexions and titian-toned hair - Emma Stone, Emma Roberts, Isabelle Huppert and Nicole Kidman being my favourites.

We have our own bevy of homegrown beauties with Celtic colouring - from Saoirse Ronan to Angela Scanlon - and research has shown that 80pc of us in Ireland have pale, porcelain skin (described as Fitzpatrick skin type 1 and 2).

We may bemoan our lack of Brazilian-bronzed babe status, but while we're busy layering on the fake tan (we are the highest users in the world, per capita), there are millions of women across the globe equally busy applying skin-bleaching products.

So, ladies, it's time to take pride and showcase our Celtic colouring! Read on for some Irish skin and hair saviours...

Treat vs cheat

Molton Brown Pink Pepperpot Wash

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This hand and body wash is gorgeously scented and a pretty addition to the bathroom, from department stores and pharmacies nationwide

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Abbot & Broome Pink Pepperpot Luxurious Wash

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If your budget can't stretch that far, check out this gift set at Aldi stores nationwide

6 of the best products for Irish skin

 Best eye cream/mask

Expand Close L'Occitane Divine Eye Balm / Facebook

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Pale Irish skin can be very dry so, to soften those crow's feet, try L'Occitane Divine Eye Balm. With shea butter, floral extracts, rosewater and aescin, this can be used as your daily eye cream, but I use it as a mask once a week. Apply, leave to absorb for 20 minutes, then gently dab away the excess. From 67 at L'Occitane stores and pharmacies nationwide.

 Best SPF

Expand Close Skin Ceuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense / Facebook

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This SPF is that very-hard-to-find mix of high broad-spectrum SPF that actually doesn't go ghostly white under make-up, take half an hour to absorb into your skin or sting your eyes! SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50 is priced from 42 at selected salons nationwide or skinceuticals.co.uk

 Best foundation fixer for pale skin

Expand Close The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops Lightening / Facebook

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If you just can't justify forking out for more foundations when you've a rake of them rattling around your bathroom cabinet - but none are quite the right shade for your pale skin - then follow model Sarah Tansey's trick and invest in The Body Shop Lightening Shade Adjusting Drops for 17. One drop into your foundation will lighten it by half a shade. Available from Body Shop stores nationwide.

 Best cleanser

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Sensitive skin experts La Roche-Posay have just launched their new Micellar Water Ultra cleanser. To avoid irritating sensitive Irish skin, use a cleansing method with no dragging and pulling of the skin or harsh cleaning agents. Use with cotton wool - this will cleanse without stripping or irritating your skin. Gorgeously soothing. Micellar Water Ultra is 15.50 from pharmacies nationwide.

 Best for extra-sensitive skin

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If you're prone to skin irritation and rosacea (described as the Celtic curse), you have to be extra vigilant about what you use on your skin - this is a balm for inflamed skin that will soothe and calm uber-sensitive complexions. Eucerin Ultra Sensitive is 20 from pharmacies nationwide.

 Best chemical-free

Expand Close Elave Sensitive Duo - Sensitive Skin Hydrating Essentials Intensive Moisture Surge and Hydrating Cream Cleanser / Facebook

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This line is a lovely discovery - I especially love their Junior range for my son. An Irish skincare company that specialises in sensitive skin, they know Irish complexions well, using no parabens, SLS, fragrances or chemical nasties. Elave Sensitive Skin Hydrating Essentials Intensive Moisture Surge and Hydrating Cream Cleanser is 25 from pharmacies nationwide.

@ruthgriffinbeauty

Ask the expert

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Joanna Gardiner is CEO of Elave Sensitive Skincare

How much of the population have 'Celtic colouring'?

We don't know for sure but we estimate that 80-90pc of the population have what is described as Fitzpatrick skin type 1 and 2. What's interesting is if you ask Irish people what skin type they have, most of them believe they have types 2 or 3 so there is a disconnect between how people think they tan and how they actually tan, i.e. burn.

What are some of the skincare issues that can arise from having pale skin?

Skin cancer is the most obvious one, as we Irish have a very low tolerance of UV exposure. Despite the fact that we don't believe we get a lot of sun in Ireland, we now have the highest reported incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in Europe, so wearing SPF is essential as part of a daily skincare routine.

Pale skin in Fitzpatrick type 1 or 2 is generally sensitive and reactive. It can be a heat-related rash in the sun right through to general sensitivity to fabrics and skincare products. Overall, pale-skinned people are sensitive souls.

Facial redness, including the condition rosacea, is a common rash that predominately affects fair-skinned people from their 30s onwards. It's characterised by redness, dilated blood vessels and can sometimes contain small spots known as acne rosacea.

Melasma is another skin condition that can affect all skin types, but that is again more obvious with pale skin. It's a common skin condition in which light to dark brown or greyish pigmentation develops typically on the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose.

What's the most common mistake women with pale complexions make with their skincare?

The single most common mistake is not wearing a daily SPF of 45+. Many women with Fitzpatrick types 1 and 2 believe that they can tan their face naturally in the sun, but these skin types do not tan, they burn. This not only greatly increases the risk of skin cancer but, from a purely aesthetic level, tanning leads to premature ageing, which speeds up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Are there any skincare ingredients or products that are an absolute no-no?

For me, parabens (a nasty carcinogenic preservative) and sulphates, which act as harsh foaming agents in shampoo, shower gels and cleansers that take away the natural oils in your skin and upset the skin barrier.

What are some good ingredients to look out for?

I think sensitive skin has as much right to the age-delay ingredients that really work, like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid - but make sure you choose a sensitive formulation without chemical overload to get the age-defying benefits and not a red-skin reaction.

If there was one thing you would stress to women with Celtic colouring to do in their skincare routine, what would it be?

Always wear a daily SPF45+ on the face between March 1 and September 30. Not only will it protect you from sun damage and premature ageing, but it will also prevent conditions such as rosacea and melasma from worsening.

elaveskincare.com
Sapporo looks set to become the first city to officially recognise same-sex partnerships between LGBTQ couples.

Thanks to a new initiative being launched by the city of Sapporo and the election of the first transgender man to public office, its been a positive week for the LGBTQ community in Japan.

Sapporo looks set to become the first city to officially recognise same-sex partnerships between LGBTQ couples. The programme will begin in May, according to the Japan Times.

In April 2015, Shibuya Ward in Tokyo became the first place to recognise same-sex partnerships as equivalent to marriage. While some other municipalities followed their example, Sapporo will be the first major city to make the move.

Its a positive move for same-sex couples, but its by no means everything. Couples are given proof of partnership (meaning they are entitled to the benefits of family members, such as becoming recipients of life insurance money), but its up to corporations to comply as it isnt actually enshrined in law.

This isnt the only positive move for the LGBTQ community. Last weekend, 25-year-old Tomoya Hosoda became a councillor for the city of Iruma  reportedly the first transgender man elected to public office in the world.

According to Stonewall, Hosoda came out and transitioned when at Teikyo Universitys Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, and changed his name and gender in the family registry in 2015.

Tomoya Hosoda

Tomoya Hosoda updated his profile picture.

Hosoda said: Until recently, people have acted as if sexual minorities do not exist. We have many hurdles to overcome, but I hope to live up to everyones expectations.

Stonewall says that Hosoda is the second transgender politician to be elected in Japan and the first transgender man to be elected in the world. He has said that he not only plans to fight for LGBTQ rights, but also for the rights of the disabled and the elderly.
The Met asked people to show common sense and restraint.

Police are requesting people use common sense and restraint when sharing pictures of the attack in Westminster.

At least two people died in an incident which saw a car mow down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before an attacker was shot by police moments after stabbing an officer.

As people shared pictures and videos of the incident, some of them graphic, police issued this warning.

That sentiment was echoed by other police forces and members of the public.

Among the images shared by people on Twitter were some showing bloody casualties of the attack being treated by emergency services.

Three French teenagers on a school visit to London were among those injured on the bridge, while at least one of the people being treated in the palace courtyard was wheeled away on a stretcher with their face covered.

One pedestrian hit by the attackers car before he reached Parliament was confirmed dead by a doctor at St Thomas Hospital, while others were said to have suffered catastrophic injuries.
It was her second day in Rome.

Meeting the Pope is kind of a big deal  unless youre the sassiest three-year-old known to man.

On a visit to the Vatican, little Estella was not content with just meeting the head of the Roman Catholic Church and one of the most important people *on this earth*.

Oh no  Estella decided to steal his hat as well.

She pulled a sneaky one, kissing the Pope and swiping his skullcap (yes, its really called a skullcap) from behind.

And fair play to Pope Francis, he had a chuckle and took the whole thing really well.

Especially seeing as the Pope is the only person allowed to wear a white zucchetto (the hat has many names)  priests, bishops and cardinals all have to wear different colours.

Estellas godfather Mountain Butorac, who shared the video, said: The Pope, security and the MCs all were laughing for a while afterwards.

We thought it was hilarious!

To top it all off, Estella only arrived in Rome on Tuesday, quickly making her name among the millions of tourists and securing legendary status.
A counter-terrorism investigation is already under way, police said.

Four people have been killed in a terror attack in Westminster in which a motorist mowed down pedestrians before stabbing a policeman.

Heres what we know so far about the attack, which is being treated by police as a terror incident.

What exactly happened?

It appears the knifeman drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge, mowing down pedestrians along the way. He then crashed the vehicle into railings outside the parliamentary courtyard and ran through the gates, armed with two large knives.

There, witnesses saw him stab a policeman before being shot by armed officers as he approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

How many casualties are there?

Scotland Yards top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley confirmed that four people died, including the officer who was stabbed and his attacker.

The two other fatalities are believed to have died on the bridge, while at least 20 are said to have been injured.

Junior doctor Colleen Anderson from St Thomas Hospital had earlier confirmed that people were being treated for catastrophic injuries.

Three French children on a school trip to London were among those injured on Westminster Bridge, with a spokeswoman for the Lycee Saint-Joseph de Concarneau confirming the injuries of the students.

What happens now?

Prime Minister Theresa May is to chair a meeting of the Governments emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the attack later today.

Police have announced a counter-terrorism investigation is already under way as Commander BJ Harrington said: A senior national coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident.

Although we remain open-minded to the motive, a counter-terrorism investigation is already under way led by the Met counter-terrorism command.

Meanwhile, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords will sit at their normal times on Thursday, parliamentary authorities have announced.

How have world leaders reacted?

US President Donald Trump described the incident as big news while State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: We are following the concerning situation outside the UK Parliament.

Our hearts go out to those affected. We stand ready to assist in any way the UK authorities would find helpful.

The safety and security of US citizens overseas is one of our priorities. Our embassy in London is monitoring the situation closely.

Several EU leaders sent messages of concern and sympathy on social media.

Among them was Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, who earlier in the day had taken part in commemorations to mark the first anniversary of a terror attack in Brussels. He said: Our condolences are with those who mourn and all who are affected in London. Belgium stands with UK in fight against terror.
People watch a TV news program showing a photo published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Koreans watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the construction site of Ryomyong Street, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 26, 2017. KCNA via REUTER

A new missile launch by North Korea appears to have ended in failure, South Korea has said, three days after Pyongyang claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The reported launch failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

Earlier this month North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

On Wednesday morning, the North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan, but the launch was believed to have ended in failure, Seoul's Defence Ministry said.

Expand Close South Koreans watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File) / Facebook

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Whatsapp South Koreans watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

It said it was analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

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American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next few days.

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Whatsapp People watch a TV news program showing a photo published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

The North's state media said on Sunday that it conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the country's space programme.

Weapons experts say such technology has applications for the North's ballistic missile programme.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (centre) helps emergency services attend to a police officer outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after a policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The UK foreign minister attempted to save the life of a police officer stabbed inside the gates of London parliament.

Tobias Ellwood was pictured giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the stricken officer. He also attempted to stem the blood flow by applying pressure to the wounds.

Mr Ellwood  himself a former soldier  remained with the injured officer waiting for the air ambulance to arrive, which landed in Parliament Square.

The politician was later seen with bloodied hands talking to officers close to the incident before returning to the Foreign Office.

Expand Close Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

A source close to Mr Ellwood told The Telegraph: "[He] tried to give mouth to mouth and stem blood flow from multiple stab wounds to the officer until the chopper and medics arrived."

Mr Ellwood has been Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office since July 2014, covering the Middle East and Africa brief. He has been an MP for Bournemouth East since 2005.

Mr Ellwood lost his brother Jon in the Bali terror attack in October 2002 which killed 202 people including 27 Britons.

He has previously talked about the difficulty in getting the body of Jon, who was a teacher, back from the country after the attack.

MPs from across the political spectrum praised him as a "hero". Sir Alan Duncan, a Tory minister who works with Mr Ellwood in the Foreign Office, told The Telegraph: "He has done very well. He was the right man in the right place."

"Good for him. He has a military background and he is the sort of person who leaps into action. He is just a proper get-on-with-it guy in a crisis. I'm going to give him a very stiff drink."

Ben Howlett, the Tory MP, tweeted: "Tobias Ellwood is an absolute hero for what he did to help the policeman this afternoon!"

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: "Today, Tobias gave MPs a good name. He was utterly heroic, pure and simple. He went above and beyond and did all he could to save a police officer."

Mr Ellwood has previously spoken about how hard it was to get his brother's body home after being killed in the Bali bombing.

"We just wanted to bring my brother's body back to Britain, as simple as that. But it's not that simple," Mr Ellwood said in 2012. "You need death certificates in both languages, embalming certificates, sealing certificates.

"All these processes require time and people to participate. None of that happened. I had to do many of those things myself to the point where I ended up screwing the lid down on the coffin myself. That can't be right."

Jake Berry, the Tory MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: "What an amazing and brave action from this former soldier. "He showed compassion for everyone who works here in Parliament and every police officer who works to keep us safe."
Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster

An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster.

An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. A man with a knife has been seen within the confines of the Palace, eyewitnesses said: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

An injured man is assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge in London, Britain March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Injured people are assisted after an incident on Westminster Bridge in London, March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Armed police respond outside Parliament during the attack on Westminster in London, Britain March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

PC Keith Palmer who was killed during the terrorist attack on the Houses of Parliament, London Credit: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Scenes following the London attack (main and insets right) and Keith Palmer (inset left)

Counter-terror detectives are continuing to search for clues about about how an armed attacker brought death and destruction to the streets of London on Wednesday.

Five people were killed in the "sick and depraved" terror attack, including a police officer who was stabbed and his assailant.

Mark Rowley, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer, confirmed that 40 people were injured after the attacker - armed with two large knives - mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing a plain-clothes policeman before he was shot by armed officers.

The officer who died was named as Keith Palmer, 48, a husband and father, whose bravery was hailed by colleagues, friends and the many British MPs whom he was charged with protecting.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament: Yui Mok/PA Wire Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Victoria Jones/PA Wire Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Police close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Paying tribute to Mr Palmer, Scotland Yard's Mark Rowley said: "He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift - and he had every right to expect that would happen."

The three other fatalities are understood to be people who were hit by the car on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Rowley declined to name the attacker, but said police suspect he was "inspired by international terrorism" - and that they believed they knew who he was.

BBC Newsnight reported there was a suggestion the car used in the attack was hired from an address in Birmingham. However, this has not been confirmed.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Westminster terror alert An Air Ambulance outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. / Facebook

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Armed police were involved in a raid at a residential property in the city late on Wednesday night, with Hagley Road reportedly closed for about 3 hours from 11pm.

There is no indication that the raid was linked to the attack at Westminster.

Witnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

The suspected attacker was pictured being treated by paramedics on a stretcher, as two knives used in the assault lay on the ground nearby.

Paramedics fought to save his life and that of Mr Palmer on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament, with British Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.

"Heartbroken" former colleague, Conservative MP James Cleverly, paid tribute to the "lovely man" he had known for a quarter of a century.

"I've known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper. A lovely man, a friend. I'm heartbroken.

"My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Pc Keith Palmer. A brave man."

British MPs said that the terror attack could have been prevented if police on duty at a well-known security weak spot had simply kept it bolted.

The killer managed to get in through a vehicle gate in New Palace Yard  used by the Prime Minister and other members of the Government  because it was not locked.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has described the attack as "sick and depraved".

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergencies committee, Mrs May paid tribute to the "exceptional men and women" of the police force who responded to the attack.

Mrs May said that any attempt to defeat the values that Parliament stands for was "doomed to failure".

And she vowed: "We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

Video compartido en Twitter por el turista taiwanes Aaron Tsang mientras la gente huye pic.twitter.com/cmVrw8lC6c #londres  Telemadrid (@InformativosTM) March 22, 2017

Footage later emerged of the moment police opened fire after the attacker drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

In other developments, another woman who apparently fell into the Thames was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge. A party of French schoolchildren were among those targeted on the bridge, with three injured.

Mrs May, who was ushered away from Parliament after the attack, was chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee.

The attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.

Witnesses said the attacker was shot by police as he approached a second officer clutching his knife during the incident at about 2.45pm.

Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.

Mr Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard Centre for European Studies, said he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being "mown down" by a car.

"I heard what I thought what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress," he told the BBC.

"Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."

That carnage was followed very shortly afterwards by a crash outside the House of Parliament, followed by a stabbing of a police officer and a number of shots being fired. A number of officers were injured in the struggle.

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the attack at Palace of Westminster.

"We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

Another witness, from South Africa and living in Ireland, said she and two friends went towards the palace gates and saw a man lying on the floor inside.

She said: "I saw a body, they were working on the floor. They were just inside the gates.

"He had one gunshot wound to the right side of his chest. I don't know if he was dead or alive, but people were working on him.

"I saw that needed medical attention and I asked if I could help because I am a doctor, but they said they were fine.

"Then the police moved us back."

Department of Foreign Affairs - Ireland

President Michael D Higgins expressed the sympathy of the Irish people with the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who have been injured, resulting from the terrible attack in Westminster.

President Higgins will be writing formally to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to express the sympathy, condolences and solidarity of the Irish people with our neighbours at this difficult time.

The Irish embassy in London say they are monitoring the situation. Anyone with serious concerns for Irish people can contact +35314082527/+44 20 72352171.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that they were not aware of any Irish caught up in the attack.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: I unreservedly condemn the attack outside the Houses of Parliament at Westminster today. I deplore the loss of life, and note that the casualties include a police officer killed in the line of duty. I wish to extend my condolences and on behalf of my Government, my support to the people of London and the UK. Terror and violence will never triumph over democracy.

The Irish Embassy and my Department have been active in London, and at this time we have no reason to believe that any Irish citizens have been affected or are persons over whom there are concerns.

Britain is on its second-highest level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

In May 2013, two British Islamists stabbed to death soldier Lee Rigby on a street in southeast London.

In July 2005, four British Islamists killed 52 commuters and themselves in suicide bombings on the British capital's transport system in what was London's worst peacetime attack.

More to follow
A 50-year-old man has denied murdering his ex-wife and dumping her body in a suitcase.

Ashwin Daudia pleaded not guilty to killing Kiran Daudia during an appearance before a judge at Leicester Crown Court via video-link from prison.

The administrative hearing was told that Daudia is alleged to have killed his former wife on January 16 this year.

A member of the public found the 46-year-old's body inside a suitcase in an alleyway off Cromer Street in Leicester the following day.

Daudia, of Lyme Road, Leicester, was assisted during the hearing by a Gujarati interpreter and spoke only to give his name and plea and confirm that he could hear the proceedings.

The father-of-two will appear for a further hearing on June 12 and face trial at the same court on June 26.

In a statement issued shortly after her death, Ms Daudia's family described her as a much-loved mother, daughter, sister and aunt who would be deeply missed.
France's interior minister resigned last night after financial prosecutors opened an inquiry into whether he hired his student-age daughters for summer jobs while a member of parliament.

The shock resignation of Bruno Le Roux came in the wake of a similar payment scandal surrounding the British wife and two children of Francois Fillon, which has severely damaged his chances in the French presidential election and placed him under formal investigation.

Yesterday, it was reported that officials had widened their investigation into Mr Fillon and wife Penelope amid suspicions they had forged documents to justify her work as his aide.

Observers said Mr Le Roux's decision to fall on his sword to "defend his honour" puts further embarrassment on Mr Fillon, who pledged to stand down if formally investigated, only to carry on with his campaign.

It came as Emmanuel Macron, the independent centrist nominee, solidified his position as favourite to win the forthcoming French election after polls suggested he won a television debate on Monday night between the five top candidates.

Mr Macron has pledged to ban the practice of MPs employing family members. He has also promised to pass a law "moralising" French politics.

In Mr Le Roux's case, a satirical television show, 'Quotidien', reported he employed his two daughters 24 times as parliamentary assistants during their school breaks for a total payment of 55,000.

By comparison, Mr Fillon is suspected of paying his wife and children 1m in parliamentary funds for fictitious jobs.

In a brief statement, Mr Le Roux said: "I have tendered my resignation to the president, which allows me without any considerations as a man and father to defend my honesty."

While it is legal in France for politicians to hire family members, the report suggests that Mr Le Roux's daughters did not perform all of the work and were first hired while still in high school.

"A summer job as assistant is a bit of a joke, as you won't find anyone in the National Assembly in August." one parliamentary source said.

Mr Fillon (63) has seen his presidential chances plummet over the disclosure that he used taxpayers' money to employ his wife and children, and suspicions that he broke rules on donations by accepting a gift of two suits worth 13,000.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Jeroen Dijsselbloem has been criticised for his comments in a newspaper interview (AP)

The head of the eurozone's finance ministers is facing pressure to resign after comments about debt-ridden nations that have sought outside help to emerge from financial crisis.

Eurozone chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem referred to crisis countries in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and said that "I cannot spend all my money on liquor and women and then ask for your support".

"We regard it as absolutely unacceptable for him to stay in his post," Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said.

"Mr Dijsselbloem has insulted us. Mr Dijsselbloem has shown himself to be sexist, racist, xenophobic and an embarrassment for Europe, and because of that he cannot hold any EU post," Mr Costa said.

Portugal needed a 78 billion euro bailout in 2011 to save it from bankruptcy as lenders demanded high rates of return for the risk of lending it money.

An unpopular three-year programme of spending cuts helped repair the country's public finances.

The budget deficit, which stood at more than 10% in 2010, fell last year to just over 2%, the lowest in more than 40 years.

The EU's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, also made clear she opposed Mr Dijsselbloem's remark. "I would not have said it, and I think it's wrong," she said.

The leaders of the European Parliament's two biggest groups, the EPP Christian Democrats and the S&D Socialists, also have criticised the comments.

Mr Dijsselbloem, a socialist, has been chairing the meetings of the 19-nation group that shares the euro currency and was in office when Greece almost fell out of the club in the summer of 2015 because of its high debt and difficulties in committing to financial and economic reforms.

Mr Dijsselbloem already faces questions about whether he can hold on to his post after his Labour Party had a disastrous showing in last week's Dutch elections.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva said the comments were "absolutely deplorable, unbelievable" and said they showed "deep contempt for the huge effort we all made to overcome" the debt crisis.

AP
A pilot who passed out in a cockpit before a scheduled flight in Canada has pleaded guilty to being impaired while in control of an aircraft.

The flight piloted by Miroslav Gronych, who was employed by low-cost carrier Sunwing Airlines on a work visa from Slovakia, was to leave Calgary, Alberta, on December 31, with stops in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, before continuing to Cancun, Mexico.

But before the flight, Gronych, 37, was found slumped over in his seat and escorted off the plane.

He was found to be three times above the legal blood alcohol limit.

"I can't even describe how ashamed I am," he told the court in Calgary.

"My kids will be punished for my mistakes."

A statement of facts agreed by the prosecution and defence and read in court said police saw his pilot's wings were attached upside down on his uniform and a maid discovered an empty bottle of vodka in his hotel room.

It also said he was an hour late for check-in and that he explained his tardiness by saying he had become lost going through security.

When Gronych boarded the plane at around 7am, the court was told, he struggled to hang up his coat, was slurring his words and staggering.

When the co-pilot suggested Gronych was impaired and should leave the plane, "he seemed very nonchalant and said, 'OK, if that's what you feel'."

But Gronych returned to the cockpit, sat in the pilot's chair and appeared to pass out "resting his face on the window", the statement said.

He was asked to leave the plane again and was held by gate agents until police arrived.

The statement said passengers on the plane were told the pilot had suddenly become ill, but some had already seen him and suspected he was drunk.

When police arrived, they found his pilot's wings were pinned upside down, smelled alcohol on his breath and noticed he could not stand up straight.

Defence lawyer Susan Karpa told the court Gronych could not sleep the night before his flight and felt like he was coming down with a cold.

He took a couple of shots of vodka and a Tylenol pain relief tablet and planned to wake up in time to let people know he would not make the flight.

He did not set an alarm and was awakened by a call asking him where he was, Ms Karpa said. He drank the rest of the bottle of vodka and left for the flight.

She said he did not know why he drank the vodka, but only that his willpower failed.

The defence asked for a three to six-month jail sentence while the prosecution asked the judge for a year's term.

Prosecutor Rose Greenwood pointed to a similar case in the United States where the pilot received five years.

"Mr Gronych put the lives of 105 people at risk," she said. "Hopefully he will never be permitted to fly again."

Ms Karpa said Gronych had been in treatment while on bail and had abstained from alcohol.

"He wants his children to be proud of him," she said. "He wants to do everything he can to conquer his addiction."

She said Gronych was the sole breadwinner for his family, including his elderly parents, and was living off his savings.

A statement from Gronych's wife read out in court said her husband did not drink all the time, but when he did, it was in large quantities.

Gronych tearfully told the court becoming a pilot was a childhood dream.

He was remanded in custody while the judge considers his sentence. He is due back in court on April 3.

Sunwing spokeswoman Jacqueline Grossman said Gronych, a contractor, was sacked by his employer, Travel Service, shortly after he was found drunk.

She declined to comment on the case but said Sunwing had formed a committee that included management and union members to review and update protocols.

Members of a flight crew are banned under Canadian aviation laws from working within eight hours of having alcohol or while under its influence.

Sunwing has said it has a zero-tolerance policy on crew members consuming alcohol within 12 hours of going on duty and trains all employees to report any unusual behaviour.

After Gronych was charged, the Canadian Federal Pilots Association said Transport Canada should be responsible for checking the credentials of foreign pilots instead of leaving it to air operators.
US Supreme Court nominee judge Neil Gorsuch testifies during the second day of his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill

Donald Trump has urged fellow Republicans to rally behind the plan to repeal and replace Obamacare or else risk losing their seats as a result of angry voters.

The president travelled to Capitol Hill to try to cement support for the American Health Care Act, the bill crafted by Republicans to replace the Affordable Care Act, passed by Barack Obama and better known as Obamacare.

The bill is expected to be voted on by the House of Representatives tomorrow evening. But the legislation has faced intense criticism from both wings of the party.

Conservatives believe it still provides too many "entitlements" to people, while other Republicans, along with Democrats, are concerned that an estimated 14 million people will lose their health insurance next year.

Mr Trump campaigned for the presidency with a vow to replace Obamacare, which he repeatedly said was a "disaster". But as he and congressional Republicans have sought to find an alternative to the Democrats' complicated, hard-won legislation, they have realised just what a challenge it is.

"Nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated," Mr Trump said recently.

Mr Trump told fellow Republicans yesterday that they faced losing their seats if they did not back it. "We won't have these crowds if we don't get this done," he said.

He added: "I honestly think many of you will lose your seats in 2018 if you don't get this done."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has been the driving force behind the bill, said afterwards: "He was truly spectacular. This is part of the job that he enjoys and excels at - closing the deal."

He said the president had told Republicans they'd made a promise to voters last year to repeal and replace Obamacare. "Now it's time to keep that promise," he said.

Meanwhile, US Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has said "no man is above the law" when pressed on whether Mr Trump could reinstitute torture as an interrogation method.

Mr Gorsuch was answering as part of a two-day confirmation hearing to fill the 13-month vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Republican Senator Lindsay Graham suggested Mr Trump might be watching the hearing, and asked Mr Gorsuch what would happen if the president tried to reinstate waterboarding, the banned torture technique he embraced on the campaign trail.

Mr Graham suggested Mr Trump "might get impeached" if he tried to do so.

"Senator, the impeachment power belongs to this body," Mr Gorsuch said, but when Mr Graham followed up on whether Mr Trump could be subject to prosecution, he said: "No man is above the law, no man."
Two teenage boys have been arrested for shooting a 14-year-old girl in the head claiming she was "annoying them with texts and snapchats".

Deserae Turner from Utah was allegedly lured to a canal by two 16-year-old boys and was shot in the head and left for dead.

Deserae was not found until the next day and she was rushed to hospital where she remains in a serious condition.

The two boys are now facing attempted aggravated murder charges.

In a police interview, the suspects said they came up with the plan to "get rid" of Deserae while playing video games, according to the New York Post.

The said they were "getting tired" of the 14-year-old "constantly contacting them" and plotted to kill her with a gun or knife.

The two teenage boys will appear before court in relation to the assualt.

In a statement the family said that Deserae has made some progress.

"Des is fighting so hard and we are grateful for the many small miracles along the way. Deserae has moved to the Neuro Trauma Unit. Her next steps include another surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

"Our sweet girl has been through so much as she battled for her life and this will be a battle she fights for a long time if not for the rest of her life."
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has urged coalition partners to step up efforts to defeat Islamic State militants.

Mr Tillerson made the appeal as top officials from 68 nations gathered in Washington to assess the fight to retake Iraq's second largest city and advance on the extremists' self-declared Syrian capital.

"I recognise there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating Isis is the United States' number one goal in the region," Mr Tillerson told the coalition's first ministerial gathering since President Donald Trump took office.

"As we've said before, when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand," Mr Tillerson said.

Mr Tillerson and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Ababi and foreign ministers from the coalition partners at the State Department to explore new ideas to expand the fight against IS in the Iraqi city of Mosul and push the militants from Raqqa, Syria.

They also are preparing for the group's defeat by lining up humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.

"We are at the stage of completely decimating Daesh," Mr Al-Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"A more defined course of action in Syria is still coming together," Mr Tillerson said. "But I can say that the United States will increase our pressure on Isis and al Qaida and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires, to allow refugees to return home."

The reference to "zones of stability" appeared to stop short of "safe zones," which the US military has been extremely reluctant to commit to enforcing in Syria, even as Mr Trump and others have raised the idea at various times.

Nothing Mr Tillerson outlined departed significantly from the Obama administration's approach, which focused on using local forces to retake territory along with efforts to disrupt IS recruitment and financing, and the blueprint of the multilateral effort seemed unchanged.

The strategy is complicated in Syria, where a partnership with Kurdish forces has prompted difficult discussions with Turkey, which sees the militants as a national security threat.

Mr Tillerson said the United States would play its part and pay its fair share of the overall operation.

But he said other nations, particularly those which have faced IS or IS-inspired attacks, must do more.

He said increased intelligence and information sharing could overcome traditional rivalries between different agencies and governments, and advocated an enhanced online effort to halt the spread of extremist views, especially as IS loses ground in Iraq and Syria.

"As we stabilise areas encompassing Isis's phony physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria, we also must prevent their seeds of hatred from taking root elsewhere," Mr Tillerson said.

"We must ensure Isis cannot gain or maintain footholds in new regions of the world. We must fight Isis online as aggressively as we would on the ground. A digital caliphate must not flourish in the place of a physical one."

AP
The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners will hold its annual meeting with members of Cabarrus legislative delegation on Friday, March 24, at 9 a.m. in the multipurpose room of the Cabarrus County Governmental Center, 65 Church St. SE in Concord.

The commissioners have invited North Carolina Representatives Linda Johnson, Carl Ford and Larry Pittman and North Carolina Senator Paul Newton to participate. The meetings provide a unique opportunity for the Board of Commissioners to meet in person with the entire delegation to exchange views and make recommendations on state legislative issues that impact Cabarrus County.

The meeting is open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend. Public comments are not part of the agenda; however, there are opportunities to network before and after the meeting.

The General Assemblys 2017 long session began on Jan. 25, and critical county issues are being discussed, including legislation specific to Cabarrus County. The legislative meetings provide an opportunity for the Board of Commissioners to share which goals and key issues are important to Cabarrus County and to receive input from the delegation for advancing and addressing these topics.

Among topics for discussion are:

1. Seek legislation to establish a new state-county partnership to address statewide public school capital challengesincluding but not limited to maintenance, renovation, construction and debtthrough a dedicated, stable funding stream that is consistent from county to county and sufficient to meet the school facility needs of all 100 counties.

2. Seek legislation to repeal the statutory authority under N.C. General Statute 115C-431 (c) that allows a local school board to file suit against a county board of commissioners over county appropriations for education.

3. Support efforts to preserve and expand the existing local revenue base of counties and oppose efforts to divert to the state fees or taxes currently allocated to the counties. Oppose efforts to erode existing county revenue streams and authorize local option revenue sources already given to any other jurisdiction.

4. Support increased state funding for transportation construction and maintenance needs and support legislation to ensure that the STI funding formula recognizes that one size does not fit all and that projects in both rural and urban areas are prioritized and funded.

5. Support legislation and funding to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18 with the exception of felony crimes.

For more information on Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting with the legislative delegation, call 704-920-2100.
CONCORD- Major Keith Eury of the Concord Police Department recently graduated from Class 267 of the FBI National Academy.

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for United States and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency because of demonstrated leadership qualities.

The 10-week program provides coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication and forensic science. The program serves to improve administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide.

Major Eurys graduation was attended by Concord Deputy City Manager Merl Hamilton and Concord Police Chief Gary Gacek, both past graduates of the academy.
CONCORD U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) is now accepting entries from all interested Eighth District high school students for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.

Every year, I am truly amazed by the talent of young artists in our district, said Rep. Hudson. This years theme is Tar Heel Pride, and Im excited to brag about our artists and showcase what makes our state so great.

Each spring, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition to recognize the artistic talents of students in North Carolinas Eighth District and throughout the nation. The competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

The Eighth District winner will be selected by an Arts Advisory Committee made up of artists from the district and announced at a reception hosted by Congressman Hudson. The winner and one guest will have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to participate in the national ceremony with other winners from congressional districts across the country.

Winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Second place artwork will be displayed in Rep. Hudsons Washington, D.C. office and third place will be displayed in Rep. Hudsons Concord office.

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not be larger than 28 x 28 x 4, including the frame. Interested students should submit entries to Rep. Hudsons Concord or Fayetteville District offices by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5.

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional Art Competition, please contact Tucker Osborne in the Concord office at (704) 786-1612, or visit Hudson.house.gov/art-competition.
MIDLAND- Midland Town Council heard some brief information about the towns 2017-18 budget at a recent meeting.

Town Manager Doug Paris told the board he wanted to present some information on the beginning stages of the budget process.

During the month of March, staff has begun estimating major revenue sources for the upcoming fiscal year, Paris said. During the month of April staff will complete revenue estimates and finalize expenditure estimates.

Paris told council members the town has done very well over the last year and he doesnt think there will be any major changes of deviations in the budget. However he does plan to recommend the town pave the worst three roads off of Old Camden, which would be covered by Powell Bill Funds.

Paris also went over a few one-time expenditure items that he plans to recommend. Those include replacement of a patrol unit driven by one of the towns Cabarrus County Sherriffs officer. The mileage on the unit is currently above 75,000 and the officer is averaging around 30,000 miles per year.

Another one-time recommendation is the purchase of new, decorative banners for the crossroads area along with installation. The town recently began working on rebranding and these new banners will be part of that initiative. Paris said he is in the process of getting quotes for this item.

And finally, Paris said he would like to commission a real estate study for a Town Center project.

Paris said staff will present a final draft of the budget during a council meeting in May and will ask the board to set a public hearing on the document for the June meeting.

This will give the board and public a month to review the budget and ask me any questions you may have, Paris told the council. No action is needed by the board at this time. I wanted to give you an update and let you know what I see coming for next years budget. If you have any feedback let me know.

The towns budget must be adopted by July 1.
Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County held its annual St. Patrick's Day fundraiser on Saturday at Great Wolf Lodge with crowds coming out to support Habitat for Humanity, which is currently working on its 150th house in the community. Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County is a non-profit Christian housing ministry. Since their founding by local churches in 1989 Habitat Cabarrus has also completed rehab work and, home repairs on more than 125 houses and has served 15 families in transitional housing. Nearly 900 people, including more than 450 children have benefitted from Habitat Cabarrus work in our community. Habitat Cabarrus has also placed a strong focus on Neighborhood Revitalization to provide a better place for local families to live and grow.
Trade standards create and enforce specific criteria in products and services  quite literally setting the standard.

These standards are applicable to both domestic and imported goods; understanding these standards makes exporting goods to India easier.

Who sets Indias trade standards?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016 established the BIS as the nodal national agency for regulating domestic and foreign goods to Indian standards. Trade law in India was also bolstered with increased penalties for the misuse of the Indian Standards Institute (ISI mark) and the mandatory hallmark identification on gold and other precious metals.

The BIS is a legal corporate entity. It comprises of 25 members who represent both the federal and state governments, as well as industry, scientific and research institutions, consumer organizations, and professional bodies. Heading the body is the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as its president and the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as its vice president.

The BIS is the National World Trade Organizations Technical Barriers to Trades (WTO-TBT) Enquiry Point: an official designation, which puts BIS in charge of responding to both foreign and domestic requests concerning Indian standards. It also notifies the WTO in case of any proposed changes to these standards.

The BIS is solely responsible for operating quality certification plans. Additionally, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates the import of articles of food into India.

Under the Bureau of Indian Standards, 2016 Act, the BIS has the authority (pending final approval of the central government) to recognize the mark of any international body on par with the Indian Standard Mark for goods, articles, processes, systems, or services.

Indian standards versus international norms

According to the BIS annual report for 2015-2016, there were 18,781 standards in effect as of March 2016. Of these, 5,119 Indian Standards have been harmonized with international standards.

The BIS has signed 21 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to the standardization and conformity assessment with their national counterparts in other countries as well as with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The BIS has also signed two Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Despite these committed efforts towards bilateral standardization, testing, certification, and training  standards in India can conflict with international norms in ways that the United States Trade Representative, along with other foreign governments and bodies, have argued creates barriers to trade.

Additionally, India has, on numerous occasions, failed to notify the WTO of changes to its trade standards in a timely manner or at all. Whether this may be the case or not, any changes or amended bills in India are published in the Gazette of India that can be accessed here.

Indian standards and trade related barriers

Legal Metrology

The Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011  updated in 2013  stipulate that all pre-packaged commodities are prohibited, unless they are in a standard quantity and carry all prescribed declarations. This sometimes creates problems for manufacturers who do not use metric units.

For example, mandatory package sizes are in metric units in India, whereas, US food products are typically packaged in fluid ounces, pounds, and pints, as is the case for bottled and canned drinks, packaged biscuits, and bottled vegetable oils.

The Indian rules also state that all products must be labelled with dates of production, importation, and expiration. Further, they stipulate that at least 60 percent of a products shelf life must remain at the time of importation.

This stipulation has resulted in Indian custom officials rejecting, and even detaining, unprocessed agricultural products, such as apples and nuts imported into India.

Testing Electronic Equipment

Problems with testing, particularly electronic goods, have arisen for foreign products. In 2012, the Indian Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) mandated compulsory registration for 15 categories of imported electronic and IT goods.

These goods have to register with BIS laboratories, regardless of whether they already meet internationally recognized quality standards. Furthermore, BIS currently has only eight certified laboratories, risking huge delays for foreign exporters.

Getting certification

Indias trade standards are voluntary with the exception of 109 goods requiring mandatory certification before they are imported into India. Additionally, there are 31 types of electronics or IT goods, which are required to register under the Compulsory Registration Scheme before being imported into India.

A complete list of these 109 products can be found here, and covers a range of items from food preservatives, types of cement, electrical appliances, to automobile accessories.

These 109 products must be tested and certified in India and by the BIS. However, a system also exists for foreign companies to receive certification in their home countries. This process involves bringing a BIS inspector to the manufacturer or exporters country (paid for by the exporter) and pre-certify the company and its production system. The inspector then authorizes subsequent monitoring by an independent inspector.

Foreign manufacturers and exporters are also required to either maintain a presence in India or else mandate a certified body to ensure standards on their behalf.
The cast of 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' who is promoting their already popular show in Indonesia has one more reason to celebrate this day.

It is Anita Hassandani's husband, Rohit Reddy birthday!

On the birthday eve, Rohit flew down to Indonesia to celebrate the day with his beloved wife and friends. The cast of 'YHM' who were not present in Indonesia such as Karan Patel, Aly Goni and Ruhanika Dhawan also took a break to celebrate Rohit's birthday and they seemed to be having the gala time.

Apart from them, the 'Pavitra Rishta' star Ankita Lokhande and Karan Patel's beau Ankita Bhargava were also a part of the celebration.

Featured Video

The celebration was followed by a high spirit party and cake cutting. Ankita Lokhande and Rohit exchanged a fun banter where they accused each other of being 'talli'. Anita and Rohit too shared a romantic moment and they kissed bringing in the celebration mood.

Anita also shared a beautiful video for her husband on her Instagram handle.

Happy Birthday, Rohit!
While we know relationship statuses as being single or committed, the tinsel town enjoys options like single, committed, it's complicated, posting cozy pictures to create a buzz but won't confirm...

Apparently, the duo's social media accounts have been time and again buzzing with each other's pictures and posts, where we recently spotted Jaskaran Singh and Ridheema enjoying Holi and posting a cozy picture together.

While it's mostly tittle-tattle, there are certain people we have our fingers crossed for.

And bringing in that light of happiness was actor Jaskaran Singh , with whom she was linked up innumerable times. The lady then went on to clarify her stand that she knew Jaskaran Singh from his modeling days and that they were 'just friends'.

After Ridheema Tiwari decided to break free out of the 5-year matrimony after an emotional trauma, she looked forward to a happier life.

The two looked adorable and it looked like there could be something more than friendship brewing here.

When we contacted Jas Karan and asked him about the same, he said, "We are good friends. Can't friends post a picture like this?"

Point taken.

But if there was nothing more than friendship, what made him delete the picture?

As responsible journalists, we contacted Ridheema too but the way she responded was a little surprising!

Instead of putting an end to our curiosity, she went on to question our journalism skills. Ridheema also amused us by asking us to seek an answer from the Bollywood film 'Maine Pyaar Kiya'.

As much as we respect the actors' and promote them when it comes to their new projects, it is our job to report on the inside happenings of their personal lives too. And as responsible journalists, when a news comes into our hands, we reach out to the concerned actors for them to have their say. The least we could expect is the same amount of respect coming our way.

However, Ridheema neither confirmed nor denied and instead asked us to find out the answer from the Bollywood film 'Maine Pyaar Kiya'! ( Probably hinting at, "Ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte maidam?")

All we can say here is, there is no smoke without fire. It is funny, how the two resorted to cliched dialogues instead of giving a clear yes or a no, further making the alleged rumour look real.
Ex-President Park Geun-hye was questioned all day and most of the night Tuesday about the massive influence-peddling and corruption scandal that drove her out of office. It took prosecutors 11 days after the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment to finally put their questions to Park, who had stalled all previous attempts to interrogate her.

Prosecutors accuse Park of 13 criminal offenses, mostly involving her fatal entanglement with Choi Soon-sil, the volatile and shameless longtime friend who was to become her nemesis.

This is the fourth time a former president of Korea has been grilled by prosecutors on criminal charges. Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were questioned and indicted in 1995, and both were found guilty and served prison terms until they were pardoned in 1997 by then-President Kim Young-sam. Roh Moo-hyun was questioned by prosecutors in 2009 but killed himself before they could press charges.

Prosecutors must investigate Park thoroughly but as swiftly as possible so social chaos does not continue forever. If the investigation drags on too long, tension between supporters and opponents of the ex-president could reach boiling point. Whether prosecutors indict Park or not, they will face the wrath of the majority or a vocal minority. They have a heavy burden to carry.

Above all the public is ashamed of having to watch another ex-president questioned on criminal charges. None has left office with his or her honor intact, but public standards have become more exacting, and there is simply no place for their antics in modern public life any more.

The root of the problem goes beyond individuals. It is that presidents are virtual emperors under the present Constitution and because of the servility that still prevails among the establishment, almost as if they were being enticed to bring about their own downfall. And they can serve only a single five-year term, which accelerates their downward spiral. This has to end.

The National Assembly has established a special committee to draft the first revision of the Constitution since it was enacted in 1987. It must present a new framework to the public that will strip the president of some powers and distribute authority. This needs to be done now, regardless of the looming presidential election and should be put to a referendum before the next local elections in 2018.

Until Korea's system of leadership is overhauled, more presidents will run the gauntlet of press and prosecutors as they leave office with their reputation in tatters.


Image: twitter.com/RailMinIndia

New Delhi, Mar 21 (IBNS): Indian Railway Ministry tweeted the rate list of food by IR (Indian Railways) Catering after receiving repeated complains from passengers for overcharging of food by some vendors, on Tuesday.

The railway ministry has asked passengers to complain if they are overcharged again.

The ministry had received several complaints of late by passengers due to overcharging of tea. coffee, meals and water bottles by some vendors.

According to the rate list, passengers can be charged Rs 7 for a 150 ml of tea/ coffee and 1 litre of packaged drinking water can be available at Rs 15.

However, the price of a meal ranges between Rs 50-55.


Guwahati, Mar 22 (IBNS) : After 16 days of the Silapathar incident, Assam police finally caught Subodh Biswas, the prime accused behind the All Assam Students Union (AASU) office attack, from a village in West Bengal, on Wednesday wee hours.

The village where Biswas was caught is along the India-Bangladesh border.



A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam police led by ADGP Mukesh Agarwala arrested Subodh Biswas, national president of Nikhil Bharat Bangali Udbastu Samanvay Samiti (NIBBUSS) from Bijoynagar area in North 24 Parganas district , two kilometers away from Bangladesh border, at around 4-30 am.



The sleuths of Assam police also caught an associate of Subodh Biswas identified as Subhash Biswas from the area.



Assam police ADGP Pallav Bhattacharya said that following intelligence input, the sleuths of Assam police with support of West Bengal Police had launched an operation at the bordering area and arrested the most wanted person of Assam police.



"Subodh Biswas had taken shelter in a house of one Krishna Biswas, a retired teacher, for the past three days," the top cop said.



Assam police had earlier declared the NIBBUSS president and prime accused of the AASU office attack in Silapathar as Most Wanted and announced a cash bounty of Rs 1 lakh to anyone who provides useful information about Subodh Biswas.



Assam police Director General Mukesh Sahay said that, Subodh Biswas and his associate had managed to flee from Silapathar to Dibrugarh and left for West Bengal by train.



"Following the AASU office attack incident, police has arrested over 50 persons in connection with the incident. A case (67/2017) was registered against Subodh Biswas under section 147/148/149/448/325/307/427/153(A) of IPC. Investigation is ongoing and no one will be excused who involved in the incident," Mukesh Sahay said.



Meanwhile, Subodh Biswas and his associate have been produced before the district court at Bongaon and Assam police would likely seek them in transit remand.



Earlier, the Assam police team had carried out operations in search of the most wanted person in New Delhi, Tripura, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andaman, and Arunachal Pradesh.



The activists of NIBBUSS led by Subodh Biswas had vandalised a local office of AASU in Silapathar in northern Assam's Dhemaji district on March 6 last.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Mar 22 (IBNS) : Over 1500 militants from the Jamat-Ul-Mujahideen of Bangladesh (JMB) and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (Huji) have infiltrated Assam from Bangladesh since 2014.

The Boder Security Force (BSF) claimed that over 3400 militants of both groups were infiltrated India from Bangladesh in past three years.

The intelligence wing of BSF had recently informed Assam police that around 3459 JMB and Huji militants had entered India through the bordering areas of Assam, Tripura and West Bengal during the period.

A top official of the BSF intelligence wing said that, in 2014, around 800 JMB and Huji militants had entered India.

"Among them, 300 militants had set up bases in Assam, while others set up their bases in different locations of Tripura and West Bengal. In 2015, 359 militants going to Tripura and 300 others entered in Assam and West Bengal," the top official said.

The BSF intelligence wing also claimed that, the JMB and Huji infiltrators into India have been rising in 2016, with 2120 militants entered into India through the three bordering states.

"Among them, 600 militants entered in Assam, while 720 to West Bengal and 600 to Tripura," the BSF official said.

Recently, the Bangladesh government warned the Union Home Ministry that, over 2000 JMB and Huji militants infiltrated India through Assam, Tripura and West Bengal.

Following the warning input received from Dhaka, the Union Home Ministry has sent warning messages to the home department of these three states and other states of North East India to take adequate measures and ordered the security agencies to launch massive operations in all suspicious locations.

Meanwhile, a top level meeting was held in Guwahati regarding the matter in presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay, Special DG of Assam police Kula Saikia and other security agencies officials.

"We are very concern about it and ordered Assam police and other security agencies to take appropriate measures," Assam CM said.

On the other hand, a top official of Assam police said that, the militants entered Assam through the porous border with Bangladesh and riverine areas.

"We have looked the issue from all angles as these militants linked with the Islamic States," the top Assam cops said.

Dhaka told the Union Home Ministry that JMB secretary Sajjad Hussain alias Iftadur Rehman was entered India on January 12 last with a fake passport and met other jihadis in Bengal and Assam.

Following the Budwan blast in October 2014, Assam police had arrested at least 54 JMB members from different parts of the state.

Recently, security forces had arrested two suspected Islamic States terrorists from Moreh area in Manipur, a bordering town with Myanmar and another suspected ISIS terrorist from Agartala in Tripura.

India sharing a 4,096-kilometer (2,545-mile) long border with Bangladesh, including 262 km in Assam, 856 km in Tripura, 180 km in Mizoram, 443 km in Meghalaya and 2,217 km in West Bengal.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News): The United Nations agricultural agency will be further scaling up its activities in drought-hit regions of Somalia thanks to a $22 million loan approved this week by the UN emergency response fund.

More than 2.9 million people are at risk of famine and many will predictably die from hunger if we do not act now, said the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, in a news release.

As under-secretary-general, O'Brien heads the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which manages the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

CERF is one of the fastest ways to enable urgent response to people most in need, he said, explaining that the loan will bridge a crucial gap and allow FAO to immediately save lives and livelihoods of farmers and herders until additional funds from donors are received.

This effort is part of the international response to prevent another famine in Somalia five years after the previous one devastated the country.

Across Somalia, 6.2 million people will face acute food insecurity through June 2017. Of these, nearly three million people are in Phases 3 (crisis) and 4 (emergency) of the five-phase International Phase Classification for Food Security (IPC), representing more than a two-fold increase from six months ago. Phase 5 is famine.

Livelihoods are people's best defence against famine and this $22 million loan is critical to FAO's famine prevention and drought response in Somalia, said FAO Deputy Director-General for Programmes, Daniel Gustafson.

Photo: FAO/Karel Prinsloo

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Hainan Airlines to add flight on Beijing-Manchester direct route

From:Xinhua | 2017-03-22 07:40

LONDON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Hainan Airways is to add a fifth weekly direct flight between Beijing and Manchester from June, it was announced Tuesday.

It follows the success of the airline's four-times-a-week service to Beijing, the only scheduled direct link to the Chinese capital outside of London. The new flight will operate from June 1, said a joint statement issued in Manchester by Manchester Airport and Hainan Airways.

The statement added the service will potentially see Hainan Airlines new Dreamliners operating on the Manchester direct route into Beijing, depending on aircraft availability.

Loic Gao, Hainan Airlines UK General Manager said "This added frequency shows Hainan Airlines commitment to the UK market and it responds to the increased demand for this route from Manchester Airport."

Gao also affirmed the success of the Beijing-Manchester route.

"This has been a successful route for Hainan Airlines since its inaugural flight on the 10th of June 2016, and as we approach our 1st year anniversary, an increased frequency is a wonderful way of celebrating such success," said Gao.

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said "In less than a year of operation, the route proves to be incredibly popular with leisure and business passengers alike. I am sure the extra service will be welcomed by the 22m passengers in our catchment area that spans north to Scotland and south to the Midlands."

By adding an extra weekly flight, Hainan Airlines opens even more opportunities for the only direct flight into Chinese mainland outside of London.
PDS board approves interim dividend of Rs2.50 per share PDS Limited has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company on Monday has approved an Interim Dividend of Rd2.50 per share. The Company adopted a dividend distribution policy... November 07, 2022 | 07-11-2022 3:10 pm

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Confucius Institute dean: essence of Chinese traditional culture, a fantastic start

By:Jiang Wenran | From:english.eastday.com | 2017-03-16 10:23

Shanghai, March 16- China, with rising international influence, is gradually attracting attention from the rest of the world. So is Chinese and Chinese culture.



Confucius Institutes in recent years have blossomed all over the world, gathering together both Chinese and western professionals who are committed to Chinese teaching and adding fresh energy to the cause of cultural exchange.

Peng Ying, a Chinese language teacher from Shanghai International Studies University was sent by Hanban to the Confucius Institute at the Oriental University of Napoli. She recently visited the famous Italian sinologist, Federico Masini and discussed the current situation of Chinese language teaching in Italy.

Masiniused to work at the Information Office, of the Italian Embassy in China, before being appointed Dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rome, La Sapienza.

A Sino-Italian Friendship Award was awarded to him due to his outstanding contribution to the language and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Many Chinese language learnersin Europe have no personalexperience of Chinese culture, which makes it totally different from teaching Chinese in China.

Masini considers it a good start to introduce them to the poetry of the Tang and Song dynasties and classical philosophy represented by Confucius and Mencius, which are the essence of Chinese traditional culture.

The history of cultural exchanges between China and the west, especiallybetween China and Italy is also an entry point.

The invention of some Italian words was influenced by ancient Chinese. Masini raised the word seta which means silk as an example.

He also pointed out thatEuropean teachers have always attached importance toliterature appreciation to improve the quality of foreign language teaching.

Documentaries, movies and literary works are often used to introduce Chinese culture in modern times. Red Sorghum filmed by Zhang Yimou and some works of Mo Yan, according to Masini, have been adopted by Chinese literature teachers in Italy as important resources, which support appreciation of the culture.

Westerners have their own traditions and characteristics of literature appreciation. Masini pointed out that they are more likely to acceptmixed works with both positive and negative information.

Teachers are also willing to choose essays as teaching materials from Chinese renowned contemporary writers for senior language learners to understand and do translation.

Insightful Chinese literary works can at the same time promote both Chinese and Italian students to better understand their native languages. Translation talents also can be cultivated in this way, said Masini.

Notably, with both Chinese and Italian students in the same class, in Masinis view, a kind of complementary learning mode can be formedwith timely discussions and cooperation which is beneficial to their language studies.

* Thanks Peng Ying for providing discussion details.




We live in a global society. The passing of information and goods and services throughout the world has never been more important. From a business standpoint, it is more important than ever to maintain an international presence.

I see the continent of Africa as an emerging economy  the last frontier, so to speak  an important location with strong potential for companies looking to invest.

China has beaten us (the United States, at least) to the punch. The country is heavily invested all over Africa  you can see it when you go to visit.

Its been eye-opening to visit the continent on numerous occasions. I went to Ghana as a faculty member with IU numerous times; the study abroad trip retraced the slave route, and we also toured the country to see businesses and schoolhouses and to get a flavor for the country today. I also was asked to teach week-long courses at the University of Ghana twice: an international business class and a class on adult education.

Each time I went I thought, Wow. If the infrastructure we have was there, they could move their goods and services a lot easier than they do now, with so many dirt roads. I had a tour bus break down two or three times when we were there because the roads were poor.

The Kelley School of Business in both Bloomington and Indianapolis has a number of ventures and programs focused on Africa. This month, many of our evening MBA students, led by professor of international strategic management Marjorie Lyles, will head to South Africa to provide unpaid consulting services to small-business owners in Johannesburg and the nearby Diepsloot Township. Students will help these businesses identify strategies for future sustainability, needing to think outside the box to address each aspect of business in another country. It challenges students to think about business problems differently and to develop an innovation mindset. This is part of an existing collaboration between the Kelley School of Business and the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa.

This summer, a number of students will head to Swaziland with professor Peggy Daniels-Lee, where students will work on social enterprises for not-for-profits; for example, one is a small business that supports female farmers. IUPUI has an ongoing collaboration with the small country in southern Africa.

There is an appreciation for entrepreneurship in Africa, as people sell commodities to make a living and survive day to day. I believe companies should look at investing in Africa in the future, as the continent is rich in resources. Consider pursuing joint ventures and partnerships with businesses already there or others looking to invest.

Darrell Brown, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor of management and director of diversity at Indiana University Kelley School of Business Indianapolis.
The local Black Church community is speaking out after learning that Nathan Bluitt Jr., general manager and former owner of Williams and Bluitt Funeral Home, has been removed from his post.

Ronald Covington Sr., pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and the founder and visionary of B.U.I.L.D (Believers United and Local Development), called the development a travesty and said he could already feel the pain of Bluitts absence.

The entire community will be upset when this gets out, Covington said. This will hurt the community because Bluitt has not only been a huge blessing to the churches, but also to the community as a whole.

Bluitt joined the staff of then-Williams Funeral Home in 1986 and purchased the business in December of 1992, changing its name to Williams and Bluitt. According to the business website, Williams and Bluitt employed 10 people and serviced 71 families in its first full year of business. Today, the funeral home employs approximately 60 part-time and full-time workers and serves roughly 500 families each year.

Bluitt sold the business in 2011 to the Wilson Financial Group, an established Black-owned funeral home acquisition firm owned by Gerald Wilson. With Wilsons upcoming retirement, Service Corporation International will assume his role in the everyday management of Williams and Bluitt Funeral Home, which, apparently, they plan to do without Bluitt.

Bluitt has carved a deep niche in Indianapolis by servicing families in the Black community regardless of their financial means, and he has also been a strong supporter of the Black Church and numerous other community organizations. There are very few people in the city of Indianapolis that have not been touched by Mr. Bluitts kindness, said Pastor Ray S. Ware, leader of Eastside Baptist Church and past president of the Ministerial Alliance, which includes 100 churches in the city of Indianapolis.

Ware said he was shocked to hear about Bluitts removal, because everyone knows Bluitt is the business. Though Ware said Bluitt treated the funeral home more like a ministry than like a commercial venture.

He is not in it to make money, but rather to help people, Ware said. The corporate world looks at individuals as numbers. Mr. Bluitt looks at people with names and hearts.

Pastor Ware said the situation makes him think of the precariousness of a snow-capped mountain. If one important piece is shifted, everything will fall apart causing an avalanche, he said. Mr. Bluitt is that important piece to Williams and Bluitt Funeral Home.

Ware said that in addition to providing funerals for families who were unable to pay, Bluitt has also been a major financial supporter of the local Black Church.

Pastor Fitzhugh Lyons, leader of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance, said the Black Church needs Bluitts support.

Without the service of Mr. Bluitt, the Black Church will be at a severe handicap, Lyons said.

Bluitt remains the sole proprietor of Bluitt and Son Funeral Home in Kokomo, Indiana, which was created in 1957 by his father.

Lyons said he has faith that God will come through, allowing Bluitt to continue his work in Indianapolis, but the court could also play a role. Bluitt has reportedly filed a suit against Wilson Financial Group to be able to sell the rights to the Bluitt and Son name to local investors looking to open a Bluitt and Son Funeral Home in Indianapolis.

Regardless of what the future holds, Covington said Bluitt has the support of local pastors who are rooting for his return to where God has placed him.

As of Recorder press time, Bluitt could not be reached for comment.
Everyone knows Mumbai as a city of dreams and aspirations. The city has attracted several people from across the country, who bring their suitcase in the hope of achieving something huge. While some come to just get a job in the city, some have clear aspirations-"Mujhe actor ban na hai.."

Leaving their families and cities, they invest their soul and energy to the city, hoping to get a reward back. However, Mumbai isn't very accommodating and the film industry might be inviting but is not very welcoming. After some gruesome rejections, one might get 'entry' into the world of films, with no guarantee of a bright future. One such person was Karmaditya Bagga.

Facebook

His love for Bollywood never took a back seat and his yearning to be a part of Hindi Cinema took over his life. Even when he was thousands of kilometers away, studying engineering in the United States, his Bollywood dreams were very much alive.

And today, Karmaditya isn't a known face in the film industry but his contribution is helping several others like him to live their dreams, thanks to his idea of building an app called strugler that helps struggling actors.

During his semester break in his third year in college, Bagga flew down to Mumbai telling his parents that he was going on a casual vacation. However, by then, he had already made up his mind to become an actor. He stayed with a friend and explored his possibilities but sadly, things didn't turn out the way he wanted to.

Talking to HuffPost India, Bagga said,

App Screenshot

"I started looking for auditions. But it's not easy to find auditions and there is absolutely no platform where you can find reliable auditions. I called random production houses, but nothing worked out."

Recalling his struggling days, he said he would just visit directors randomly and try his luck. But nothing really worked. And that's when he decided to give it all to an app. He said,

"The engineer in me met the actor and I developed an app."

He launched the app in November and within three weeks of launching the app, he has 500 hits with an 83 percent recurring customer base. The app helps struggling actors to get relevant information about auditions in Mumbai and other cities. Talking about the thought that went behind making this app, he added,

App Screenshot

"As an actor, survival depends on you cracking auditions consecutively, especially when you don't have contacts or godfathers in the film industry, which 99 percent actors don't."

The app helps the struggling actor to get relevant and new information about auditions every day in Mumbai or any other city, using GPS.
French car maker Peugeot, that had recently bought the Hindustan Motor's Ambassador brand, is all set to enter the tough Indian market once more. It first came to India back in the 1990s with the 309 notchback. Then, it made a second attempt in 2011, but had to abandon its plans.

Now, hoping it is lucky in the third attempt, Peugeot is firming up its India plans. Heres what it has in mind.

Peugeot

Like its French brethren Renault, Peugeot plans to make cars for India, in India.

According to Economic Times, the company is working on a Smart series of cars designed especially for the Indian market.

The first will be a SUV-inspired premium hatchback in the Maruti Suzuki Swift segment which means it should be priced at around Rs 5-6 lakh. The car is expected to be launched in 2020. The second product will be a small SUV, the size of Renault Duster. Companys third Make-In-India product will be a sedan that will compete with the likes of Honda City.

Peugeot

Peugeot doesnt aim to compete in the high-price sensitive entry level segment, rather aims to attract buyers who are looking to upgrade. The car that the company will make in India, will also likely be exported to other emerging markets. The car will in all probability be made at CK Birla Groups Chennai plant.
We all have witnessed posts on our Facebook timeline about injured kids asking for comments like god bless you, amen and get well soon. Some tell you to like the post stating that equals to a prayer which would be sent to them! Well, sorry to break this but its a SCAM! The makers behind these posts do not have good intentions and are gaining likes and shares for Facebook Farming.

blog.techstarters.com

Facebook Like-Farming is a process where a page tries to gain followers through exploitation or deception. The farmer (the person who makes the fake post/page) creates a sympathy-gaining post and asks people to like or share it. Once the chain starts, the number goes high up and the Facebook algorithms change.

In the process, the page gains many followers making it a viral post on Facebook.

What happens next?

You must be thinking writing god bless is such a compassionate thing and that nothing bad can happen with just one comment. But, youre wrong! Many days later, the same page which has so many followers is then sold to online marketing companies by the farmers. Scams are launched in order to encash the popularity of the page and a valuable database is sold for financial profit. The followers and commentators are then directed to malware-laden websites that steal user information.

How can we make it stop?

Stay away from such posts. Image Credit: hoaxslayer

Simply by ignoring or reporting the pages. Consider them to be spam and dont click on it. By doing that youre not making the page famous. So, avoid commenting or sharing the following posts which asks you to  watch what happen when you click like, Fake competitions like win an iPhone 7, like if you hate cancer, or share to avoid bad luck and 1 like= 1 prayer.
India's Silicon Valley Bengaluru is one of the cheapest cities in the world to live in, an international study has found.

The capital of Karnataka which has an estimated population of 8.5 million was ranked 3rd in the list of cheapest cities in the world compiled by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

BCCL

Bengaluru is closely followed by another southern city, Chennai which is ranked 6th in the list which is topped by Almaty in Kazakhstan.

BCCL

Financial capital Mumbai is the next city on the list with a ranking of 7, while national capital New Delhi at 10th position is the other Indian entry.

Other cities that made to the top ten are Lagos in Nigeria at 2nd, Karachi Pakistan at 4th, Algiers in Algeria 5th, Kiev in Ukraine at 8th and Romanian city of Bucharest at 9th.

"India is tipped for rapid expansion as Chinese growth declines, but much of this is driven by its demographic profile, and in per-head terms, wage and spending growth will come from a low base."

The study noted that even though Indian subcontinent remains structurally cheap, instability is becoming an increasingly prominent factor in lowering the relative cost of living of a location. This means that there is a considerable element of risk in some of the worlds cheapest cities.

It also pointed out that some of these cities have faced well-documented economic, political, security and infrastructural challenges, and there is some correlation between The Economist Intelligence Units cost of living ranking and its sister ranking, the liveability survey. In other words, the report says cheaper cities tend also to be less liveable.

BCCL

Among the world's most expensive city, Singapore was ranked top, the for the fourth consecutive year, while Hong Kong came second, followed by Zurich at the 3rd place.
Just three days into assuming office as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, today banned selling and consumption of gutka and pan masala in all the government offices in the state.

For Uttar Pradesh, the state notorious for its red, pan masala-stained walls (thanks to the mammoth consumption of tobacco), among other things, this direction was long due.

BCCL

The ban on pan masala comes right after ordering a blanket ban on smuggling of cows.

"After detecting betel stains on the walls (of the government annexe building), the chief minister asked employees not to consume pan or pan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness," deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters in Lucknow.

Yogi Adityanath, today, visited the secretariat annexe building in Lucknow and was displeased at the sight of betel stains on walls.

Earlier in the day, the new UP CM directed the police officials to shut down slaughterhouses in the state.

While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said: "I invite you all (parliamentarians) to visit the state as there are a lot of things that are going to shut there."

BCCL

Adityanath has also directed the staff to make the environment in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use of plastic.

Yogi Adityanaths decision is in line with the BJPs vision document Sankalp Patra (manifesto) released before the elections.

He has directed all his officials to ensure that all vision points in the manifesto are implemented with utmost seriousness.
Okay, this isn't something we hear every day but hope we do because this is stuff made of dreams. Stoner dreams.

Nagpur Government Railway Police has blamed rats for a major 25 kg-marijuana heist. The little rascals consumed the entire stash leaving all stoners high and dry.

popular science

According to Mumbai Mirror, the police also found a large quantity of liquor missing from the godown where the stash was stored.

Abhay Panhekar, senior inspector, believes that the "rats could have been damaging the pouches in which the marijuana is kept." He also claims that the rats were behind the missing liquor as well- that they'd have broken the bottles causing the alcohol to evaporate.

India Rail Info

The superintendent of police has said that a CCTV camera will soon be installed in the store room. Here's hoping the rats will stay away now.
Two days after taking over as UP Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday made an appearance in the Lok Sabha where he is still a member and vowed to work for the development of all sections by creating a "new structure" of progress.

PTI

Clad in his typical saffron robes, Adityanath was received warmly by the members who thumped the desks as he entered the House sometime after 4.30 pm when a debate was underway on the Finance Bill. As he entered the House amid chants of 'Jai Sri Ram', there was a brief interruption in the speech by TDP member Rammohan Naidu, who stopped to extend greetings to the new UP Chief Minister.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also extended her greetings as did a number of other members to the member from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. "You are welcome. You are the Chief Minister of UP and along with that you are a member of this House," the Speaker said while inviting Adityanath to speak.

The name of 44-year-old UP CM, who arrived in Delhi this morning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders, was added to the list of speakers after he came to the House. Adityanath, who spoke on the Bill after Naidu, laid thrust on allaying apprehensions over his taking over in UP. "In Uttar Pradesh, the new model of development will be based on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," emphasised Adityanath, who is known for his firebrand Hindutva image.

"My government will be for everyone, not specifically for any caste or community... We will work for development of all sections and castes and create a new structure of progress," said the Chief Minister of the country's largest state.

He said his government in the state will create a "new model" of development under the guidance of Modi. "UP will be the state which our honourable Prime Minister has dreamt of, a corruption-free state, a state free of anarchy. It would be an incident free-state," Adityanath said.

"Uttar Pradesh would work to make the dream of Prime Minister a reality," he said. The state, he said, would be a model for development and the youth would not migrate. He invited all the members of the House to visit Uttar Pradesh. "You are welcome to UP," he said.

ALSO READ: Yogi Adityanath's Father Has A Message For The New UP CM, Take Everyone Along, Women In Burqa Too Voted For You

PTI

Adityanath, the head of Gorakhpur mutt who was a surprise pick for the post of UP Chief Minister, said his government will try to create a situation where no riots take place. The five-time MP asserted this while citing the example of his constituency Gorakhpur.

"Of the 304 riots that took place in Uttar Pradesh, not a single riot took place in Gorakhpur," he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Speaker, the PM and other party leaders for permitting him to speak on the Finance Bill. "I am grateful to my party, our leader Prime Minister Modi Ji, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar jee who gave me an opportunity to speak on this issue," he said. Referring to the UP Assembly polls in which his party got 312 seats in the 403-member House, the BJP leader said the election results were a "slap on the face of those who did not perform".

ALSO READ: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Seeks Quick Allotment Of Land For Ramayana Museum In Ayodhya

PTI

In this context, he took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav whose coalition was trounched in the polls. "I am younger by one year to Rahul and one year elder to Akhilesh. I came in between them," Adityanath said with a smile while addressing the opposition benches, particularly Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge then responded by saying, "you have become the CM. You should maintain the dignity of this post of CM."

The Speaker then told Adityanath: "Kharge ji is elder to you. You should accept his blessings." Targeting the previous government in UP, the Chief Minister said out of the 2.5 lakh crore allotted to the state in the last two-and-a-half years by the Centre, only Rs 78,000 crore were spent as the SP dispensation did not have any development model.

He said when the BJP government under the leadership of Modi came to power at the Centre, the economic condition of the country was not good and the growth rate was continuously falling. "But in the last three years, there is growth in the country. India has become a role model for development for other nations across the globe... The Finance Minister has very successfully led the economy of the country," he said.

ALSO READ: For The Muslims Living Around Gorakhnath Temple, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Is The 'Real Saint'

PTI

Adityanath said there are 25 crore Jhan Dhan accounts and people of different castes and religions have theirs accounts. "There has been no discrimination," he underlined. He appreciated the various schemes of the government including 'Start-Up India' and said "these schemes have proved to be very useful."

The Prime Minister, he said, had laid the foundation stone for a fertiliser plant in Gorakhpur which was closed for 26 years. Work in the plant would be started, the CM said, adding production will also start in fertiliser plants in Sindri and Barauni.

ALSO READ: Here's What You Need To Know About The Gorakhnath Math, The One Headed By UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Former Under General Secretary to the UN and Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor in a strong statement has questioned the legacy of one of UK's biggest statesmen and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

BCCL/ File

Tharoor who has launched a sting of attack on Britain's colonial legacy through his new book, 'Inglorious Empire' said the former British PM should be remembered along with the prominent dictators of the twentieth century.

Speaking at the London launch of his book, which deals with the atrocities committed by Britishers in India, Tharoor said Churchill, who was the Prime Minister at the time was responsible for the Bengal famine of 1943, arguably the worst genocide in human history.

ITV

An estimated over 4 million people died from starvation and malnutrition during a famine in Bengal, while Britain exported huge amounts of food from India, including 70,000 tonnes of rice in the same year.

Wikipedia

This is what Churchill had to say about the incident.

I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion. The famine was their own fault for breeding like rabbits.

This is the man who the British insist on hailing as some apostle of freedom and democracy," the author said of Churchill at a launch of his book.

"When to my mind he is really one of the more evil rulers of the 20th century only fit to stand in the company of the likes of Hitler, Mao and Stalin", The Independent quoted Tharoor as saying.

Churchill has as much blood on his hands as Hitler does, Tharoor said adding, Particularly the decisions that he personally signed off during The Bengal Famine when 4.3 million people died because of the decisions he took or endorsed."

BCCL/ File

The two-time Congress MP and former minister of state for Human Resource said even after British officers informed Churchill about the situation caused by his policy, the latter's reply was, "Why hasnt Gandhi died yet?"

Tharoor though his new book has raised some serious questions to the British, something that not many have been able to do so far.

PTI/ File

Tharoor has become so popular in India, that someone launched a petition to make Tharoor the Prime Ministerial candidate of Congress in 2019, an appeal which the MP appreciated, but denied to take up.
In a tweet that was directed to Indian external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, sought help on the release of 29 Telangana workers who're held captive in Saudi Arabia.

(Also read: Swaraj Does It Again, Promises To Help 'World's Heaviest Woman' With Visa For Medical Treatment)

Reuters

Of late, Swaraj has become a one-stop-destination for all such queries, and the onus of such laudable credibility lies in the vivacity of her responses.

The Telangana government had sought immediate intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the release of these distraught Indian workers who are stuck in Saudi.

Minister @KTRTRS writes to hon'ble Union Minister @SushmaSwaraj to rescue 29 workers from Saudi company captivity https://t.co/uKAWM8pA8t  Min IT, Telangana (@MinIT_Telangana) March 21, 2017

On Tuesday, when the matter was brought to Swaraj's attention by Telangana's Minister for NRI Affairs KT Rama Rao, she immediately responded and assured genuine help.

Javed - Plz help the Indian workers and send a report to me and Mr. K T Rama Rao. https://t.co/wl5PJdJef7  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 21, 2017

The minister then sought for a report on the matter and urged for immediate action the condition of all the workers.

@SushmaSwaraj Yes Ma'am we r already working on it .. @ajxtopcop  India in SaudiArabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) March 21, 2017

A letter that was written by KT Rama Rao further drew Swaraj's attention to the gravity of the situation. He said the migrant workers were in the captivity of the employer firm for the last 12 days without any food or basic amenities.

(Also read: Superwoman Swaraj Rescues Hyderabadi Woman Who Was Being Tortured By Her In-Laws In Pakistan)

paulk/Flickr,

He further said that when one of the workers asked their employer to release them, they not only demanded $50,000 but also refused to provide the expenses for travel.

The workers are associated with Al-Hajry Overseas Company at Al-Hassa.

At last, the hapless workers approached Amir Court for justice, that asked the employer to endure all expenses and send the 29 employees to their home country within three days.

Reuters

However, as opposed to what was directed, the company has held all the 29 workers in captivity in Allsafaniya Kouqt, Bodar, city Kanji, Saudi Arabia, barring them from food and water.

The minister then asked Swaraj to ensure that all the workers are safe and sent back to India as early as possible.

(Also read: Sushma Swaraj Takes No Nonsense, Slams A Man's Twitter Request To Get His Wife Transferred)
North Korea's latest missile launch ended in disastrous failure as the projectile exploded within seconds, say US officials.

The launch was made on North Koreas east coast, near the city of Wonsan. It was the same site where the North test-fired several intermediate-range missiles last year.

Reuters

"U.S. Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma," Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an airfield in Wonsan.

Last year, the country suffered a series of embarrassing failed launches of its new medium-range Musudan missile before it successfully test-fired one.

A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch, Benham said, adding that work was being carried out on a more detailed assessment.

The increasing frequency of the missile tests has fueled a growing sense of urgency over how to respond to the isolated, unpredictable state.

North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 6 and this week conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened "a new birth" of its rocket industry.

Reuters

The latest launch came as the U.S. envoy for North Korea policy, Joseph Yun, met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss a response to the North's weapons programmes.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year in defiance of U.N. resolutions. It is believed to be working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump rebuked Kim on Sunday, saying the North Korean leader was "acting very, very badly".

A senior U.S. official in Washington told Reuters on Monday that the Trump administration was considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat.

Reuters

The United States is also deploying an advanced missile defence system in South Korea. But China objects to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, saying its powerful radar can penetrate deep into its territory, undermining its security.

Undaunted by the possibility of even tougher sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system, a North Korean diplomat said his government would pursue an "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programs.

This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile, said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the DPRK (North Korean) mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
The United Nations' General Assembly in 1993 designated March 22 as World Water Day, and year after year, we get harrowing statistics about acute water crisis that will strike the world.

Who's to blame?

Our relentless need to exploit resources, till everything comes to a verge of disappearing. And it's not getting any better.

Reuters

A new report by the United Nations' International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) warns that by 2040 one in four of the worlds children will be living in areas with extremely limited water resources.

This time around, the crisis will be greater than anything humanity has ever witnessed, warn the report.

A report tilted Thirsting for a Future explores the impending threat of rising global population, surge in demand for water, rising sea levels and droughts to the lives of millions of children across the world.

"Today, we're failing a quarter of the world's children by not ensuring the most basic component of their well-being. Clean water affects everything from a child's health to their education and to their safety. Providing access to clean, safe water must quickly become a global priority before it's too late, said UNICEF Canada President and CEO David Morley.

Reuters

According to Professor Anthony Lake, executive director of Unicef, "Children without access to safe water are more likely to die in infancy  and throughout childhood  from diseases caused by water-borne bacteria, to which their small bodies are more vulnerable."

The report warns that by 2040, the amount of water available to each person on the planet cut by 50 per cent and it's alarming.

And as always, it's only people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are the most vulnerable. Out of the 15 countries in the world most at risk of disaster, 9 are in Asia and the Pacific states a UN report.

This documentary by UNICEF traces the life of 9-year-old who hails most water-scarce areas in the world, called Vanuatu. Yet his dreams are big.

When I grow up, I want to be rich, I want to be so rich that I can buy food and I will still have some money left. he told UNICEF.

Watch the video below:




Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets.

Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details.
Israels New Travel Ban

By Alison Weir

March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " -

Dear Israeli Government:

Youve recently banned foreigners who support boycotts against Israel or Israeli settlements from being allowed to enter Israel  even Jewish foreigners, a first for the self-proclaimed Jewish state After all, your  Law of Return  has allowed (and encouraged) Jewish foreigners to freely immigrate to Israel, even as multitudes of Palestinians have been banned from returning to their homes.

People throughout the Western world have objected in outrage to your new law, particularly Jewish Westerners who have family and connections in Israel from whom theyll be cut off in retaliation for their political positions.

Critics , even some who oppose boycotting Israel and who have had no problem with excluding Palestinians, have called out the law for diverse reasons: its quashing of free debate and political expression, its anti-democratic nature, how it will affect them and others personally.

I support these objections.

But Im not trying to visit Israel.

I want to go to Bethlehem and Nablus, Ramallah and Hebron, Jenin and Tulkarem. I hope to return to Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, and numerous other towns and villages in the West Bank and Gaza.

In other words, I want to go to Palestine  a country recognized by 136 countries around the world. But your law, astoundingly, prevents me from visiting that country. You control entry and exit to the places I want to visit, even though theyre not part of your territory, or included in your exclusive democracy.

When I was born, Palestine referred to the whole of the land that your founders then ethnically cleansed and renamed. Now, it officially refers to a few segments of land, surrounded and trapped.

Unlike the residents of every other country on earth, Palestinians are not free to travel to and from their own country unless a foreign country gives them permission  a normally universal right that you routinely deny: to young and old, Muslims and Christians, professors and paupers, men and women.

Visitors are similarly obstructed. You decide whether they can get in, and whether they can get out.

When I try to visit Bethlehem, for example, I must face your armed soldiers manning the Kafkaesque, towering concrete wall you have erected on Palestinian land. These gun-toting youngsters will decree whether or not I and others  including Palestinian descendants of Bethlehems ancient shepherds  can pass through.

In other words, Israel is essentially imprisoning over 4 million men, women, and children (with some help from Egypt, its proxy to the south). Israeli jailers, euphemistically border guards, determine who may even visit this incarcerated population, and what supplies may reach them.

Over the years Ive seen you prevent numerous individuals and groups, many bringing medicines and life-saving supplies, from visiting this captive population. Youve blocked sons from visiting dying mothers, suffering children from receiving critical medical care, malnourished toddlers from receiving help.

No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter

It is a profound shame upon the world that this cruel and unconscionable condition has been permitted to persist year after year. There should have been massive and irresistible objections long before your recent legislation.

I remember when the United States opposed the Iron Curtain. Today, the U.S. gives the perpetrator of this current captivity $10 million per day.

Israel already denied me entry once 15 years ago, locking me up for 28 hours in a detention cell in Ben Gurion Airport before expelling me. I remember Israeli officials telling me I was not allowed into Israel. They didnt even supply a reason.

Next time, they may say its because I endorse BDS, which I wholeheartedly do.

But Im not trying to go to Israel. I want to go to Palestine.

 Alison Weir
John Pilger Awarded, International Journalism Prize by the Press Club of Mexico



Video and Transcript

Julian Assange in conversation with John Pilger

Posted March 21, 2017



This interview was filmed in the Embassy of Ecuador in London on 30 October 2016 - where Julian Assange is a political refugee - and broadcast on 5 November.



John Pilger:



What's the significance of the FBI's intervention in these last days of the U.S. election campaign, in the case against Hillary Clinton?



Julian Assange:



If you look at the history of the FBI, it has become effectively America's political police. The FBI demonstrated this by taking down the former head of the CIA [General David Petraeus] over classified information given to his mistress. Almost no-one is untouchable. The FBI is always trying to demonstrate that no-one can resist us. But Hillary Clinton very conspicuously resisted the FBI's investigation, so there's anger within the FBI because it made the FBI look weak. We've published about 33,000 of Clinton's emails when she was Secretary of State. They come from a batch of just over 60,000 emails, [of which] Clinton has kept about half - 30,000 -- to herself, and we've published about half.



Then there are the Podesta emails we've been publishing. [John] Podesta is Hillary Clinton's primary campaign manager, so there's a thread that runs through all these emails; there are quite a lot of pay-for-play, as they call it, giving access in exchange for money to states, individuals and corporations. [These emails are] combined with the cover up of the Hillary Clinton emails when she was Secretary of State, [which] has led to an environment where the pressure on the FBI increases.



John Pilger:



The Clinton campaign has said that Russia is behind all of this, that Russia has manipulated the campaign and is the source for WikiLeaks and its emails.



Julian Assange:



The Clinton camp has been able to project that kind of neo-McCarthy hysteria: that Russia is responsible for everything. Hilary Clinton stated multiple times, falsely, that seventeen U.S. intelligence agencies had assessed that Russia was the source of our publications. That is false; we can say that the Russian government is not the source.



WikiLeaks has been publishing for ten years, and in those ten years, we have published ten million documents, several thousand individual publications, several thousand different sources, and we have never got it wrong.



John Pilger:



The emails that give evidence of access for money and how Hillary Clinton herself benefited from this and how she is benefitting politically, are quite extraordinary. I'm thinking of when the Qatari representative was given five minutes with Bill Clinton for a million dollar cheque.



Julian Assange:



And twelve million dollars from Morocco ...



John Pilger:



Twelve million from Morocco yeah.



Julian Assange:



For Hillary Clinton to attend [a party].



John Pilger:



In terms of the foreign policy of the United States, that's where the emails are most revealing, where they show the direct connection between Hillary Clinton and the foundation of jihadism, of ISIL, in the Middle East. Can you talk about how the emails demonstrate the connection between those who are meant to be fighting the jihadists of ISIL, are actually those who have helped create it.



Julian Assange:



There's an early 2014 email from Hillary Clinton, not so long after she left the State Department, to her campaign manager John Podesta that states ISIL is funded by the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Now this is the most significant email in the whole collection, and perhaps because Saudi and Qatari money is spread all over the Clinton Foundation. Even the U.S. government agrees that some Saudi figures have been supporting ISIL, or ISIS. But the dodge has always been that, well it's just some rogue Princes, using their cut of the oil money to do whatever they like, but actually the government disapproves.



But that email says that no, it is the governments of Saudi and Qatar that have been funding ISIS.



John Pilger:



The Saudis, the Qataris, the Moroccans, the Bahrainis, particularly the Saudis and the Qataris, are giving all this money to the Clinton Foundation while Hilary Clinton is Secretary of State and the State Department is approving massive arms sales, particularly to Saudi Arabia.



Julian Assange:



Under Hillary Clinton, the world's largest ever arms deal was made with Saudi Arabia, [worth] more than $80 billion. In fact, during her tenure as Secretary of State, total arms exports from the United States in terms of the dollar value, doubled.



John Pilger:



Of course the consequence of that is that the notorious terrorist group called ISIl or ISIS is created largely with money from the very people who are giving money to the Clinton Foundation. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter

Julian Assange:



Yes.



John Pilger:



That's extraordinary.



Julian Assange:



I actually feel quite sorry for Hillary Clinton as a person because I see someone who is eaten alive by their ambitions, tormented literally to the point where they become sick; they faint as a result of [the reaction] to their ambitions. She represents a whole network of people and a network of relationships with particular states. The question is how does Hilary Clinton fit in this broader network? She's a centralising cog. You've got a lot of different gears in operation from the big banks like Goldman Sachs and major elements of Wall Street, and Intelligence and people in the State Department and the Saudis.



She's the centraliser that inter-connects all these different cogs. She's the smooth central representation of all that, and 'all that' is more or less what is in power now in the United States. It's what we call the establishment or the DC consensus. One of the more significant Podesta emails that we released was about how the Obama cabinet was formed and how half the Obama cabinet was basically nominated by a representative from City Bank. This is quite amazing.



John Pilger:



Didn't Citybank supply a list .... ?



Julian Assange:



Yes.



John Pilger:



... which turned out to be most of the Obama cabinet.



.



Julian Assange:



Yes.



John Pilger:



So Wall Street decides the cabinet of the President of the United States?



Julian Assange:



If you were following the Obama campaign back then, closely, you could see it had become very close to banking interests.



Julian Assange:



So I think you can't properly understand Hillary Clinton's foreign policy without understanding Saudi Arabia. The connections with Saudi Arabia are so intimate.



John Pilger:



Why was she so demonstrably enthusiastic about the destruction of Libya? Can you talk a little about just what the emails have told us, told you about what happened there, because Libya is such a source for so much of the mayhem now in Syria, the ISIL jihadism and so on, and it was almost Hillary Clinton's invasion. What do the emails tell us about that?



Julian Assange:



Libya, more than anyone else's war, was Hillary Clinton's war. Barak Obama initially opposed it. Who was the person championing it? Hillary Clinton. That's documented throughout her emails. She had put her favoured agent, Sidney Blumenthal, on to that; there's more than 1700 emails out of the thirty three thousand Hillary Clinton emails that we've published, just about Libya. It's not that Libya has cheap oil. She perceived the removal of Gaddafi and the overthrow of the Libyan state -- something that she would use in her run-up to the general election for President.



So in late 2011 there is an internal document called the Libya Tick Tock that was produced for Hillary Clinton, and it's the chronological description of how she was the central figure in the destruction of the Libyan state, which resulted in around 40,000 deaths within Libya; jihadists moved in, ISIS moved in, leading to the European refugee and migrant crisis.



Not only did you have people fleeing Libya, people fleeing Syria, the destabilisation of other African countries as a result of arms flows, but the Libyan state itself err was no longer able to control the movement of people through it. Libya faces along to the Mediterranean and had been effectively the cork in the bottle of Africa. So all problems, economic problems and civil war in Africa -- previously people fleeing those problems didn't end up in Europe because Libya policed the Mediterranean. That was said explicitly at the time, back in early 2011 by Gaddafi: 'What do these Europeans think they're doing, trying to bomb and destroy the Libyan State? There's going to be floods of migrants out of Africa and jihadists into Europe, and this is exactly what happened.



John Pilger:



You get complaints from people saying, 'What is WikiLeaks doing? Are they trying to put Trump in the Whitehouse?'



Julian Assange:



My answer is that Trump would not be permitted to win. Why do I say that? Because he's had every establishment off side; Trump doesn't have one establishment, maybe with the exception of the Evangelicals, if you can call them an establishment, but banks, intelligence [agencies], arms companies... big foreign money ... are all united behind Hillary Clinton, and the media as well, media owners and even journalists themselves.



John Pilger:



There is the accusation that WikiLeaks is in league with the Russians. Some people say, 'Well, why doesn't WikiLeaks investigate and publish emails on Russia?'



Julian Assange:



We have published about 800,000 documents of various kinds that relate to Russia. Most of those are critical; and a great many books have come out of our publications about Russia, most of which are critical. Our [Russia]documents have gone on to be used in quite a number of court cases: refugee cases of people fleeing some kind of claimed political persecution in Russia, which they use our documents to back up.



John Pilger:



Do you yourself take a view of the U.S. election? Do you have a preference for Clinton or Trump?



Julian Assange:



[Let's talk about] Donald Trump. What does he represent in the American mind and in the European mind? He represents American white trash, [which Hillary Clinton called] 'deplorable and irredeemable'. It means from an establishment or educated cosmopolitan, urbane perspective, these people are like the red necks, and you can never deal with them. Because he so clearly -- through his words and actions and the type of people that turn up at his rallies -- represents people who are not the middle, not the upper middle educated class, there is a fear of seeming to be associated in any way with them, a social fear that lowers the class status of anyone who can be accused of somehow assisting Trump in any way, including any criticism of Hillary Clinton. If you look at how the middle class gains its economic and social power, that makes absolute sense.



John Pilger:



I'd like to talk about Ecuador, the small country that has given you refuge and [political asylum] in this embassy in London. Now Ecuador has cut off the internet from here where we're doing this interview, in the Embassy, for the clearly obvious reason that they are concerned about appearing to intervene in the U.S. election campaign. Can you talk about why they would take that action and your own views on Ecuador's support for you?





Julian Assange:



Let's let go back four years. I made an asylum application to Ecuador in this embassy, because of the U.S. extradition case, and the result was that after a month, I was successful in my asylum application. The embassy since then has been surrounded by police: quite an expensive police operation which the British government admits to spending more than 12.6 million. They admitted that over a year ago. Now there's undercover police and there are robot surveillance cameras of various kinds -- so that there has been quite a serious conflict right here in the heart of London between Ecuador, a country of sixteen million people, and the United Kingdom, and the Americans who have been helping on the side. So that was a brave and principled thing for Ecuador to do. Now we have the U.S. election [campaign], the Ecuadorian election is in February next year, and you have the White House feeling the political heat as a result of the true information that we have been publishing.



WikiLeaks does not publish from the jurisdiction of Ecuador, from this embassy or in the territory of Ecuador; we publish from France, we publish from, from Germany, we publish from The Netherlands and from a number of other countries, so that the attempted squeeze on WikiLeaks is through my refugee status; and this is, this is really intolerable. [It means] that [they] are trying to get at a publishing organisation; [they] try and prevent it from publishing true information that is of intense interest to the American people and others about an election.



John Pilger:



Tell us what would happen if you walked out of this embassy.



Julian Assange:



I would be immediately arrested by the British police and I would then be extradited either immediately to the United States or to Sweden. In Sweden I am not charged, I have already been previously cleared [by the Senior Stockholm Prosecutor Eva Finne]. We were not certain exactly what would happen there, but then we know that the Swedish government has refused to say that they will not extradite me to the United States we know they have extradited 100 per cent of people whom the U.S. has requested since at least 2000. So over the last fifteen years, every single person the U.S. has tried to extradite from Sweden has been extradited, and they refuse to provide a guarantee [that won't happen].



John Pilger:



People often ask me how you cope with the isolation in here.



Julian Assange:



Look, one of the best attributes of human beings is that they're adaptable; one of the worst attributes of human beings is they are adaptable. They adapt and start to tolerate abuses, they adapt to being involved themselves in abuses, they adapt to adversity and they continue on. So in my situation, frankly, I'm a bit institutionalised -- this [the embassy] is the world .. it's visually the world [for me].



John Pilger:



It's the world without sunlight, for one thing, isn't it?



Julian Assange:



It's the world without sunlight, but I haven't seen sunlight in so long, I don't remember it.



John Pilger:



Yes.



Julian Assange:



So , yes, you adapt. The one real irritant is that my young children -- they also adapt. They adapt to being without their father. That's a hard, hard adaption which they didn't ask for.



John Pilger:



Do you worry about them?



Julian Assange:



Yes, I worry about them; I worry about their mother.



John Pilger:



Some people would say, 'Well, why don't you end it and simply walk out the door and allow yourself to be extradited to Sweden?'



Julian Assange:



The U.N. [the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention] has looked into this whole situation. They spent eighteen months in formal, adversarial litigation. [So it's] me and the U.N. verses Sweden and the U.K. Who's right? The U.N. made a conclusion that I am being arbitrarily detained illegally, deprived of my freedom and that what has occurred has not occurred within the laws that the United Kingdom and Sweden, and that [those countries] must obey. It is an illegal abuse. It is the United Nations formally asking, 'What's going on here? What is your legal explanation for this? [Assange] says that you should recognise his asylum.' [And here is]



Sweden formally writing back to the United Nations to say, 'No, we're not going to [recognise the UN ruling], so leaving open their ability to extradite.



I just find it absolutely amazing that the narrative about this situation is not put out publically in the press, because it doesn't suit the Western establishment narrative -- that yes, the West has political prisoners, it's a reality, it's not just me, there's a bunch of other people as well. The West has political prisoners. Of course, no state accepts [that it should call] the people it is imprisoning or detaining for political reasons, political prisoners. They don't call them political prisoners in China, they don't call them political prisoners in Azerbaijan and they don't call them political prisoners in the United States, U.K. or Sweden; it is absolutely intolerable to have that kind of self-perception.



Julian Assange:



Here we have a case, the Swedish case, where I have never been charged with a crime, where I have already been cleared [by the Stockholm prosecutor] and found to be innocent, where the woman herself said that the police made it up, where the United Nations formally said the whole thing is illegal, where the State of Ecuador also investigated and found that I should be given asylum. Those are the facts, but what is the rhetoric?



John Pilger:



Yes, it's different.



Julian Assange:



The rhetoric is pretending, constantly pretending that I have been charged with a crime, and never mentioning that I have been already previously cleared, never mentioning that the woman herself says that the police made it up.



[The rhetoric] is trying to avoid [the truth that ] the U.N. formally found that the whole thing is illegal, never even mentioning that Ecuador made a formal assessment through its formal processes and found that yes, I am subject to persecution by the United States.



To support Julian Assange, go to: https://justice4assange.com/donate.html
Home What Would Happen If Washington Gave Up On The Jihad? By Thierry Meyssan March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - President Trump's desire to fight Daesh and to put an end to international terrorism is going to be extremely difficult to implement. Indeed, it will cause damage to the states who organised it, and implies a reorientation of international politics. The new President of the United States does not seem ready to give his troops the order to attack until he has found and sealed new alliances.



The opposition against President Donald Trump is so strong that the plan to fight Daesh, which is scheduled to be presented on 22 March during a Coalition summit in Washington, is still not ready. Its political direction is still vague. Only the objective of eradicating jihadism has been agreed upon, but none of the implications of the plan have been resolved.



General Joseph Votel, the head of CentCom, still has not presented the options on the ground. He should do so only at the beginning of April.



On the ground, the plan is restricted to the exchange of information from the United States on one hand, and Russia and Iran on the other. In order to maintain the status quo, the three powers have agreed to prevent any confrontation between the Turks and the Kurds. And intensive bombing campaigns are being carried out against al-Qaida in Yemen and against Daesh in Iraq. But nothing decisive. Orders are to hold.



The weapon of international terrorism has been managed on behalf of London and Washington by the Muslim World League since 1962. It includes both the Muslim Brotherhood (composed of Arabs) and the Order of the Naqshbandis (mostly composed of Turko-Mongols and Caucasians). No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Until the war in Yemen, the military budget of the League was greater than that of the Saudi army, which meant that the League was the biggest private army in the world, a long way ahead of Academi/Blackwater. Even if it was only a land army, it was all the more efficient in that its logistics came directly from the Pentagon, and because it also had many suicide combatants.



It was the League - that is to say the Sauds - who furnished London and Washington with the personnel to organise the second Great Arab Revolt, in 2011, on the model of the Revolt of 1916, but called this time the Arab Spring. In both cases, the aim was to apply pressure on the Wahhabis in order to redefine the regional frontiers to the benefit of the Anglo-Saxons.



The point is not simply to abandon the weapon of terrorism, but also: to shatter the alliance between London and Washington for the control of the Greater Middle East; to deprive Saudi Arabia and Turkey of the weapon they have been developing on behalf of London and Washington for half a century; to determine the future of Sudan, Tunisia and Libya.



Besides which, it is also necessary to come to an agreement with Germany and France, who have been sheltering the leaders of the Brotherhood since 1978, and who have financed the jihad.



As of now, we may note that the United Kingdom doesn't see things in the same way. It turns out that it was the GCHQ (British Signal Intelligence) which wire-tapped Trump Tower during the electoral campaign and the period of transition. And according to Petra, the Jordanian news agency, Saudi Arabia secretly financed a third of Hillary Clinton's electoral campaign against Donald Trump.



This is why President Trump seems to be looking for new allies who will enable him to impose the changes he wants.



He is currently organising a meeting with President Xi Jinping during which he would be able to plan the membership of his country in the Chinese Investment Bank. He would therefore be placing his allies before the fait accompli - if the United States participate in the construction of the Silk Roads, it would become impossible for the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany and France to continue the jihad in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. Translation Pete Kimberley This article was first published at Voltaire Network The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section.
The NSAs second-highest official at the time of the Snowden leak, Chris Inglis, was similarly clear that no such evidence exists:

My own view on this question is that both Chinese and Russian intelligence officers undoubtedly pitched him  offering him millions of dollars to share the documents he had stolen and to answer any questions they had about the NSA and CIA. But my guess is that Snowden said, No, thank you, given his mind-set and his clear dislike for intelligence services of any stripe.

Most remarkably, these conspiracists were permitted by these media outlets to repeat this lie about Snowdens Missing Eleven Days over and over, all in service of suggesting that he was acting as an agent of a foreign power, despite the fact that even top intelligence officials who loathe Snowden have repeatedly said that they do not believe  and have seen no evidence to suggest  that he worked with any foreign government, including Russia. Obamas own acting CIA Director Michael Morell told the Daily Beasts Shane Harris in 2015 :

While such reckless conspiracy-mongering is often relegated to online fringes, this accusatory fable found its way to the nations mainstream journalistic venues: the Wall Street Journal, Slate, Yahoo News, Lawfare, Business Insider; these media conspiracists were subsequently joined by several former officials of the intelligence community now embedded in the pundit class in affirming this tale. These outlets have repeatedly laundered and thus sanctioned the tale of the Missing Eleven Days, despite its utter lack of any journalistic basis.

They insist that Snowden, contrary to what he has always maintained, did not check into the Mira Hotel on May 21, 2013, the day after he arrived in Hong Kong. Instead, they assert, he checked-in only on June 1, which means Snowden has 11 unaccounted-for days from the time he arrived in Hong Kong until he met with journalists at the Mira in the beginning of June. They have repeatedly leveraged this Missing Eleven Days into the insinuation that Snowden used this time to work with his Russian and/or Chinese handlers in preparation for meeting the U.S. journalists in Hong Kong.

In lieu of evidence, the propagators of this accusation have relied upon the defining tactic of tawdry conspiracists everywhere: relentless repetition of rumor and innuendo based on alleged inconsistencies until it spreads far enough through the media ecosystem to take on the appearance of being credible. In this case, there was one particular fiction  about where Snowden spent his first 11 days after arriving in Hong Kong  which took on particular significance for this group.

March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " The Intercept " - For almost four years, a cottage industry of media conspiracists has devoted itself to accusing Edward Snowden of being a spy for either Russia and/or China at the time he took and then leaked documents from the National Security Agency. There has never been any evidence presented to substantiate this accusation.

But these media conspiracists have gotten away with this fable of the Missing Eleven Days in Hong Kong and similar tales because their core assertions were deliberately designed to be insusceptible to being affirmatively disproven. Because their accusatory story rests on claims of invisible and hidden events, they could not be exposed as frauds with definitive documentary evidence  until now.

Newly obtained documents conclusively prove that the central tale invented by these Snowden-accusing commentators is a wholesale fabrication. These documents negate the edifice on which this entire fiction has been based from the start.

The campaign to depict Snowden as a Russian or Chinese spy has centrally depended upon the accusation that he is lying about how he spent his first 11 days in Hong Kong. Snowdens version of events has never changed from the very first interview we published with him at the Guardian: on May 20, 2013, he boarded a flight from Honolulu to Hong Kong, checked into the Mira Hotel on May 21 under his own name, and then stayed continuously in Room 1014 at the Mira as he waited for the arrival of the journalists with whom he was working, paying for the room with his own credit cards.

As the journalists working on the Snowden documents, Laura Poitras and I arrived in Hong Kong on June 2, and spent the next eight days working with Snowden in Room 1014 at the Mira. Snowden thus stayed continuously at the Mira from May 21, the day after he arrived Hong Kong, until June 10, when he left due to the media craze triggered by our Guardian article revealing his identity.

But this group of accusatory journalists has repeatedly accused Snowden of lying about this time-line. They insist that Snowden checked into the Mira Hotel for the first time only on June 1: eleven days after he claims he did. They have thus spent years discussing the significance of what they ominously refer to as The Missing Eleven Days. This sinister Missing Eleven Days has become key to the tale they have woven to prove Snowden is a spy.

But that claim is an outright lie, and always has been. Documents now provided by the Mira Hotel to Snowdens lawyers in Hong Kong prove the truth of exactly what Snowden has always said: that he checked into the Mira Hotel on May 21 and stayed there, under his own name, continuously through June 10.

Snowdens original reservation, made through booking.com, confirms that the check-in date was always May 21, and the reservation was originally scheduled for 10 nights (check-out on May 30). The hotel records confirm he arrived and checked-in on May 21, staying continually for the full reservation. Once that reservation ended, he extended it for one more day, then made another 10-day reservation through booking.com with a check-out date of June 13, and stayed continually through June 10, when he checked out.

These newly obtained documents (all of which are available here and here ) thus conclusively prove that the accusatory fable repeated and circulated over and over in U.S. mainstream media outlets  that Snowden did not check into the Mira prior to June 1 and thus cannot account for the mysterious Missing Eleven Days in Hong Kong  is a falsehood.

Despite its utter falsity, it is hard to overstate how continually this lie was repeated in mainstream outlets until it metastasized into Truth among a certain set of journalists and pundits obsessed with the claim that Snowden worked for the Russians and/or Chinese governments. Editors at leading U.S. media outlets continually allowed this tale to be published even though there was never any evidence to suggest that Snowden was lying. It became their give-us-the-real-birth-certificate foundation for the conspiracy web about Snowden they have spent years spinning.

That Snowden checked into the Mira only on June 1 was first asserted by a Wall Street Journal article published on June 10, 2013  the day after we first revealed Snowdens identity in the Guardian. The article made this claim in passing, with no basis identified.

It did not remotely suggest that Snowden had lied: to the contrary, it seems to be a case where reporting on rapidly unfolding events sloppily but innocuously misstated what seemed at the time to be an ancillary fact: the date on which Snowden checked into the Mira Hotel. Alternatively, the reporter may have spoken with a clerk who looked only at Snowdens most recently renewed reservation form (which began on June 1) rather than the first one Snowden signed upon checking in on May 21.

Either way, nobody ever tried to vest the WSJs misreporting about the check-in date with significance until a year later when the papers op-ed page writer, Edward Jay Epstein, seized on what he thought was a critical discrepancy to build a sprawling, accusatory conspiracy theory that he ultimately parlayed into a book, a central theme of which is that Snowden systematically lied about this key event. Epstein repeatedly cited this Missing Eleven Days to suggest that Snowden could have been in cahoots with a foreign government. The first time he implied this was in a June 29, 2014 WSJ column , when he made these claims:

From May 20, the day he landed, to May 31, according to a source familiar with the Defense Intelligence Agency report on the Snowden affair, U.S. investigative agencies have been unable to find any credit-card charges or hotel records indicating his whereabouts.  Mr. Snowden would tell Mr. Greenwald on June 3 that he had been holed up in his room at the Mira Hotel from the time of his arrival in Hong Kong. But according to inquiries by Wall Street Journal reporter Te-Ping Chen, Mr. Snowden arrived there on June 1. I confirmed that date with the hotels employees. A hotel security guard told me that Mr. Snowden was not in the Mira during that late-May period and, when he did stay there, he used his own passport and credit card. So where was Edward Snowden between May 20 and May 31?

All of these claims are outright lies, as proven by the documents we are publishing today. Snowden arrived at and checked-into the Mira on May 21, not June 1. He paid for the room with his credit cards. It defies belief that some anonymous official told Epstein that U.S. investigative agencies have been unable to find any credit-card charges or hotel records indicating his whereabouts given that the hotel records and credit cards were all in Snowdens name. The whole story is false.

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Actual journalists  ones who are careful with and care about facts  fully recognized the baselessness of this key accusation. The New York Times reporter Charlie Savage, recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, wrote a devastating denunciation last month of Epsteins book in the New York Review of Books , featuring the issue of the check-in date discrepancy in indicting Epsteins conspiracy theories as hollow:

It is unfortunate that Epstein builds his imagined scenarios upon allegations that may not be real facts. For example, Epstein gives sinister significance to the fact that Snowden arrived in Hong Kong eleven days before he checked into the hotel where he met the journalists, leaving his activities during that period a mystery. Snowden has insisted that he was in that hotel the whole time, waiting for the journalists to arrive. In one of his columns written in 2014, Epstein first claimed that there was an eleven-day mystery gap, citing his conversation with an unnamed hotel security guard. I am aware of no independent verification of this allegation. So as things stand, this fact appears to be vaporous.

In subsequent correspondence between Epstein and Savage , the New York Times reporter repeatedly points to the lack of any persuasive or substantive basis for Epsteins Missing Eleven Days claim, while noting how central this claim has become to the accusatory herd that has assembled around this theory:

I remain unaware of any other place in the public record except Epsteins work where this June 1 claim independently appears, ranging from numerous other news articles about Snowdens time in Hong Kong to a September 2016 report by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which  seeking to counter the premiere of Oliver Stones movie  scoured the governments investigative file for material to portray Snowden as a liar. Perhaps someday the Miras records will emerge into public view and we will have more solid information to evaluate this question. Either way, my central point remains unchanged: Epstein treated the check-in claim as a factual anchor for his insinuations about what Snowden might have been doing earlier, but at the time he wrote his book (and still today) the evidence for this claim was insufficient to establish it as a proven fact. This is part of a recurring pattern with his methodology.

Those Mira records have indeed now emerged into public view, and they prove what was clear all along: this whole theory was invented from whole cloth. As Savage argued: wherever one falls in the spectrum of views about Edward Snowdens actions, Edward Jay Epsteins book about him is not credible because it indulges in speculation, treats questionable claims as established facts, and contains numerous inaccuracies about surveillance.

Unfortunately, large parts of the U.S. media do not adhere to the basic standards of journalism Savage applied to these claims. Here, for instance, is Epstein spinning his tale on the podcast of Lawfares Benjamin Wittes, who concluded the published podcast with people literally applauding Epstein:



All of that was totally false. But as a result of this type of uncritical treatment, this utter fiction for which there was never any evidence  that Snowden checked into the Mira 11 days after he claims, thus leaving almost two weeks of unaccounted-for time in Hong Kong  was laundered over and over in service of casting Snowden as a liar and a traitor.

This lie about the Missing Eleven Days was repeated so often, in so many venues, that chronicling them all is impossible. Flagging some of the most flagrant, typical offenders will thus have to suffice.

One of the most aggressive disseminators of this lie is the Yahoo News reporter Michael B. Kelley, formerly of Business Insider, who has spent years repeating and mainstreaming this Missing Eleven Days fable.

So how about those 11 missing days in Hong Kong? http://t.co/5xf3LyzQ5K https://t.co/eIahZ1qmja  Michael B Kelley (@MichaelBKelley) September 29, 2015

On July 20, 2014, Kelley wrote an article for Business Insider under the headline Theres An 11-Day Hole In Snowdens Story About Hong Kong. It began this way:

Edward Snowden says that he wanted the U.S. to know where he was after he arrived in Hong Kong. But U.S. authorities still dont know what he did for the first 11 days after his arrival.

Kelley then added this sentence, in which he called a total falsehood a fact that had been confirmed: But Edward Jay Epstein of The Wall Street Journal went to Hong Kong and confirmed that Snowden didnt check into the Mira Hotel until June 1. Illustrating the slimy insinuations constantly attached to this falsehood, Kelley ended his article this way:

To answer the question in three words: I dont know where he was for these 11 days, Epstein said in an interview . Its very important because if we knew where he was, then wed know who he went to see in Hong Kong. Strangely, no one seems to know  even though Snowden says he made it obvious.

Snowden did exactly this: made it obvious where he was in Hong Kong by checking into the Mira under his own name and using his own credit cards  precisely to prevent smear artists from retroactively insinuating that he must be a spy given his untraceable activities. Yet none of that stopped Epstein or Kelley from making the claim anyway.

Kelley, during his time at Business Insider, spent years claiming that Snowden lied about these eleven days. He was rewarded with a new job working for Yahoo News chief investigative correspondent Michael Isikoff. Kelley continued to spread this lie under the banner of Yahoo News.
Cambodia Rejects US War Debt, Slams US Imperial Brutality

By teleSUR / uj-CM

March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " teleSUR " -Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been calling for the cancellation of the debt since President Donald Trump was elected, rejected paying it, saying, "I have not sent an official letter to Trump asking him to cancel the debt  They brought bombs and dropped them on Cambodia and (now) demand Cambodian people to pay.

Speaking at a conference earlier this month, Sen, a former commander with Cambodian communists, slammed recent comments made by U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt about repayment, and recalled the atrocities committed by the United States in the 1970s.

They dropped bombs on our heads and then ask up to repay. When we do not repay, they tell the IMF (International Monetary Fund) not to lend us money," Sen said. "We should raise our voices to talk about the issue of the country that has invaded other (countries) and has killed children."

In the late 1960s, the United States gave Cambodia a US$274 million loan, mostly for food supplies to the U.S.-backed Lon Nol government who had taken over the country in a coup a year earlier. The debt has almost doubled since then, as Cambodia has refused to enter into a repayment program.

As Nol fought against the Khmer Rouge between 1970 and 1975, U.S. fighter jets carried out secret carpet-bombings against the group in support of the right-wing government, killing more than 500,000 people, many of them women and children. After the Khmer Rouge took over the country in 1975, more than 2 million people died as a result of political executions, disease and forced labor, and many credited U.S. imperialism in the region for fueling the death toll.

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Moral Bankruptcy, Left and Right

By Jacob G. Hornberger

March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " FFF " - When it comes to foreign policy and the U.S. governments imperial and interventionist role in the world, it is sometimes difficult to determine which faction of statists  liberal or conservative  is the more hypocritical and morally blind.

Consider the following editorial in todays New York Times entitled  The U.S. Should Not Be Egypts Accomplice . When I read that title, my immediate reaction was, Okay, this is going to be a solid editorial calling on the U.S. government to stop partnering with and supporting, especially with money and weaponry, the brutal, tyrannical military dictatorship that has long ruled Egypt.

As I began reading through the editorial, it was clear to me that the Timess editorial board does recognize that the Egyptian regime is, in fact, a tyrannical regime.

Egypt has long been ruled by an unelected military dictatorship, which, in and of itself, connotes tyranny. But it is certainly not a benign tyranny. When it violently ousted the democratically elected president of the country  the man who Egyptian voters had elected in a national presidential election  the dictatorship then proceeded to arrest him, round up his supporters, and jail or kill them without any semblance of due process of law.

The military dictatorship also dissolved the parliament and then later reconstituted it as a rubber stamp for its dictatorial edicts. Judges do what the military dictatorship tells them to do.

The regime dominates the economy, especially through ownership of a vast array of commercial businesses, which it runs as monopolies. That is, no private competition is allowed.

Everything is done in secret, especially expenditures.

The press is censored.

The regime has the omnipotent power to round people up, incarcerate them, torture them, and execute them without due process or trial by jury and exercises that power. In fact, the dictatorships expertise in torture was one of the principal reasons why U.S. officials selected Egypt to be one of their rendition-torture partners in the so-called war on terrorism.

Egypt is an example of tyranny par excellence. It ranks right up there with the military regime of Augusto Pinochet, a military dictatorship that the U.S. government installed into power in 1973 and then proceeded to partner with and support with money and weaponry to ensure that it maintained its iron grip on power within the country.

The Times clearly sees that Egypt is run by a tyrannical regime. The editorial states:

. a military coup in 2013 that overthrew the [Muslim] Brotherhood and paved the way for more repression. As Mr. Sisi cracked down on the Islamists  including a 2013 massacre of protesters that killed more than 800 people  Egypts worsening human rights abuses. But his tactics have been draconian and counterproductive. His government has persecuted violent and nonviolent Islamist groups with equal zeal and without due process. It has maligned and harassed human rights activists, rendering their work all but impossible. And it has smothered what remains of the political opposition.

So, as I got to the end of the editorial, I fully expected a full-scale assault on the U.S. governments support of this tyrannical regime and a full-throated call to terminate any further U.S. monetary and military aid.

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Instead, the editorial ended in a weak, hypocritical, morally blind whimper. The Times writes:

The United States needs to be able to work with Egypt. But Washington should not make any more concessions without real reforms in Egypts approach to human rights and governance. Before talks between the two governments advance, Egypt should be required to release Aya Hijazi, an American-Egyptian humanitarian worker who has been arbitrarily detained in Cairo since 2014.

Thats the mindset of empire, a mindset that holds that the U.S. government should do its best to rein in its dictatorial and tyrannical partners and allies but otherwise continue to work with and support them.

The Times is wrong. There is no need for the U.S. government to work with, support, or partner with Egypts tyrannical regime or, for that matter, any other tyrannical regime in the world. It can and should put a permanent stop to the flow of U.S. taxpayer funded cash and military armaments to such regimes (and, for that matter, all other regimes), especially since such support is used to re-enforce the dictatorhips repression of its citzenry.

This is what empire does to peoples consciences and principles  it warps them and perverts them. Unlike what happens under a constitutional limited government republic empire makes people think that its necessary to maintain the allegiance and loyalty of allies and partners, including the brutal, tyrannical ones.

Of course, its not the first time that the U.S. empire has supported and partnered with brutal, tyrannical regimes. Ive already mentioned Pinochet of Chile. Also coming to mind is the Shah of Iran, who the U.S. government, operating through the CIA, installed into power and then trained his and much-feared domestic police force known as Savak. Another example: the brutal military dictatorship in Guatemala, which the U.S. government installed into power in 1954 after ousting the democratically elected president in another CIA coup. Installations of dictatorships and partnerships with dictatorships have long been a core tenant of the U.S. Empire and the U.S. national-security state, with the full support of both left and right.

At the end of its editorial, the Times takes Donald Trump to task for encouraging brutal, anti-democratic leaders in the Philippines, Turkey, and, of course, Russia.

That is truly a laughable morally blind and hypocritical obtuseness. The fact is that every Democratic and Republican president has encouraged and supported brutal dictatorships ever since the advent of the U.S. national-security state in the late 1940s, with the full support of both liberals and conservatives.

Jacob G. Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation. He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and received his B.A. in economics from Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from the University of Texas. He was a trial attorney for twelve years in Texas. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas, where he taught law and economics. In 1987, Mr. Hornberger left the practice of law to become director of programs at the Foundation for Economic Education.
The Trump GOP Prescription For America: Dont Get Sick



This Republican health care bill would actually kill people who need help most.



By Michael Winship



March 21, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Donald Trump still insists hes going to Make America Great Again! Mind you, it wont be a healthy or vigorous America  in fact, it will be coughing and wheezing to the grave, but boy, will it be great!

If you ever needed further evidence that Trump doesnt give a single good goddamn about the people who elected him, just look at his treacherous turnabout on health care. This Republican repeal and replace bill stinks on so many levels Im tempted to say it should be taken far out to sea and dumped into the deepest depths of the Mariana Trench but I have too much regard for marine life, even the kind with the big googly eyes and the really scary teeth.

Remember that Trump was the carnival barker who declared during the campaign , I am going to take care of everybody. I dont care if it costs me votes or not. Everybodys going to be taken care of much better than theyre taken care of now. And right before his inauguration he told The Washington Post , Were going to have insurance for everybody. There was a philosophy in some circles that if you cant pay for it, you dont get it. Thats not going to happen with us.

Then along comes the proposed Republican bill, which over a decade, according to the now-famous report from the Congressional Budget Office , would see 24 million fewer Americans with coverage, doubling the number of uninsured. Trumps own supporters would take it on the chin for what he tweeted is our wonderful new health care bill.

According to John McCormick at Bloomberg News : Counties that backed him would get less than a third of the relief that would go to counties where Hillary Clinton won. The two individual tax cuts contained in the Republican plan to replace Obamacare apply only to high-earning workers and investors, roughly those with incomes of at least $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples.

And remember all that nonsense about Obamacares death panels, a falsehood so rotten to the core it was declared PolitiFacts 2009 Lie of the Year ? Well, this Republican bill actually would kill people. Those older would pay more than the young, it would strip Planned Parenthood of funding and Medicaid programs would be slashed. It would eliminate money for the Prevention and Public Health Fund , which provides epidemiology, immunization and health-screening programs. And there would be no mandate that employers with 50 employees or more provide coverage.

Julia Belluz at Vox reports on:[V]ery high-quality studies on the impacts of health insurance on mortality, which come to some pretty clear estimates. This research suggests that we would see more than 24,000 extra deaths per year in the US if 20 million people lost their coverage. Again, 20 million is less than the 24 million the CBO thinks will lose insurance by 2026. So the death toll from an Obamacare repeal and replacement could be even higher.

Ignoring the Needy

Notice that Trump has barely lifted a finger to assist those who need genuine reform that would bring quality care to all, the kind of help he promised as a candidate. Instead, he has directed his energies at helping Speaker Paul Ryan win over right-wing House members by promising to make the bill even crueler to those who need health care the most.

Take a look at this statement issued by tea partier and Alabama Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt after meeting with Trump on Friday, a statement so mind-boggling its worth quoting in full :

President Trump called me to the Oval Office this morning to discuss the American Healthcare Act, because of his understanding that I could not support the current language of the bill. I expressed to the president my concern around the treatment of older, poorer Americans in states like Alabama. I reminded him that he received overwhelming support from Alabamas voters.

The president listened to the fact that a 64-year-old person living near the poverty line was going to see their insurance premiums go up from $1,700 to $14,600 per year. The president looked me in the eye and said, These are my people and I will not let them down. We will fix this for them.

I also asked the president point blank if this House bill was the one that he supported. He told me he supports it 1,000 percent. After receiving the presidents word that these concerns will be addressed, I changed my vote to yes.

Can you believe it? Trumps behind the bill 1,000 percent, the President claims, but dont worry, well fix it. Its hard to decide which of the two men is behaving more hypocritically: Trump saying he wont let the people down or Aderholt claiming to believe the President actually will keep his word. Each is endorsing a cutthroat scheme that will bring nothing but grief to the people but hundreds of billions in tax breaks to the wealthy and vast profits to the insurance industry.

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According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities : The top 400 highest-income taxpayers  whose annual incomes average more than $300 million apiece  each would receive an average annual tax cut of about $7 million, we estimate from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data.

Andy Slavitt, who was President Obamas acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told The Washington Post , This is a massive tax cut for unpopular industries and wealthy individuals. It is about cutting care for lower-income people, seniors, people with disabilities and kids to pay for the tax cut.

This is, in the words of Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, a dumpster fire of a bill that was written on the back of a napkin behind closed doors because Republicans know this is a disaster. But thanks to ineptitude and an inchoate, ill-planned rush to pass the legislation, it looks as if the current Republican bill may be on its way to failure, if not in the House then in the Senate.

Lucky us  for now. But if the GOP and Trump White House do manage to force on us anything short of whats really needed  single-payer, universal health care  were doomed to live in a nation the motto of which may no longer be In God We Trust but instead, Die young and leave a good-looking corpse.

Michael Winship is the Emmy Award-winning senior writer of Moyers & Company and BillMoyers.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MichaelWinship .
The Conspiracy Against President Trump

By Paul Craig Roberts

March 20, 2017: Listening today to the broadcast of testimony by FBI Director Comey and National Security Agency Director Admiral Michael Rogers before the House Intelligence Committee (an oxymoron) made it clear that the Democrats, Comey, and Rogers intend conflict with Russia.

The Republicans, for the most part, were interested to know how security leaks targeted at Trump Republicans came from meetings at which only the CIA Director, NSA Director, and FBI director were present. Of course, they did not get an answer, which shows how powerless congressional oversight committees are. Comey repeatedly said that he could not tell the committee anything, because it would confirm that a press leak was true. But, he said, speaking generally and of no specific leak, most leaks come from someone who heard something and passes it on to the media, which also explains the inaccuracy of some leaks. In other words, dont blame us.

The Democrats were out in force to demonize Russia, Putin, and everyone, especially Trump Republicans, who speaks to a Russian even if the person is still a private citizen, as was Gen. Flynn when he recommended to the Russian ambassador that Russia not respond in kind to President Obamas expulsion of Russian diplomats over Christmas. The Democrats bestowed yet another demonic title on Putin. In addition to being the new Hitler, a thug, and a Mafia don, today Putin became a tarantula in the center of the spy web.

The Democrats position was that Flynn, by discouraging a Russian tit for tat, had interfered with the Obama regimes policy of worsening relations between the US and Russia. Some Democrats saw this as treason. Others saw it as proof that Flynn and Trump are in Putins pocket, and still others see it as even worse.

The Democrats were also very concerned about lobbyists, if they be Republican, working for Russian interests, including Tillerson, the Secretary of State. The fact that every country employs lobbyists and that the lobbyists dont always register as foreign agents, such as Israels lobbyists, or if news reports at the time were correct, neocon Richard Perle who represented Turkey in Washington.

Democrats were also after Gen. Flynn for saying that he had not received money from the Russian government. Flynn received a fee for attending the 10th Anniversary celebration of RT in Moscow. Is RT, a news organization, the Russian government? Its budget is supported by the Russian government, but how does this differ from the US governments support of the budgets of National Public Radio, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America? Does this mean that everyone who gives an interview to NPR, Radio Liberty, and VOA is an American agent in the pocket of the US president? If you attend a function of one of these organizations, does it make you an American agent/dupe? Will there be a list of these people?

What the Democrats tried to do today was to criminalize everyone who works for better relations between the US and Russia. To be for peace between the nuclear powers is to be a Russian agent and to be put on a list. The Democrats insisted that Russia was an enemy out to get us, and the Democrats had no difficulty getting Comey and Rogers, both Obama appointees, to agree.

Comey and Rogers said that Russia was the main threat to the US, was working against our interests, and intends to harm us. Harming us includes opposing US hegemony and unilateralism. In other words, if the Russian government acts in the interests of Russia, the Russian government is harming the US. From the testimony it clearly emerged that any kind of opposition to anything Washington does is against American interests.

Both Comey and Rogers declared, falsely, that Russia had invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea by force. If Comey and Rogers are so poorly informed that they believe this, they are unfit for office. Crimea has been a part of Russia for 300 years. The population is almost entirely Russian. When the Soviet Union collapsed and Washington broke it apart, the Ukraine became independent for the first time in history. Crimea, which had been transferred by Khrushchev in 1954 from the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, was included in the transfer on the condition that Russia had a long term lease on the naval base in Crimea.

When Washingtons coup overthrew the democratically elected government in Ukraine, the Russian populations in Crimea, and in the new republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, were attacked and threatened by the neo-nazi elements in eastern Ukraine that had fought for Hitler against the Soviet Union. The populations of these areas voted overwhelmingly to reunite with Russia, from whence they had come. The votes were fair and open. As Crimea is the Russian Navys Black Sea base, Crimea was already occupied by Russian forces. For Comey and Rogers to call this an invasion displays either ignorance or a lack of integrity.

Indeed, the lack of integrity of the FBI, NSA, CIA, and Obama regime is evidenced by the sustained campaign of lies, distortions, and targeted news leaks, that is, stories planted on the presstitutes by the intelligence services about Russian interference in the presidential election. It is all about protecting the massive military/security budget and powers. Trump threatened both the budget and the power when he declared that his policy would be to normalize relations with Russia. If relations are normalized, the carefully orchestrated Russian threat disappears. The intelligence services are not willing for this to happen. The US intelligence services prefer the risk of nuclear Armageddon to a budget cut.

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The Democrats are probably not sufficiently intelligent to understand that they are fanning the flames of war between nuclear powers. The Democrats are desperate to find someone on whom to pin their loss of the election. Moreover, by pinning it on a conspiracy between Trump and Putin, they hope to remove Trump from office. Although Pence, who is a Russophobe, is acceptable to the military/security complex, the Democrats have hopes of clearing out Pence as well, as his election resulted from the alleged conspiracy, and reinstalling themselves in the White House.

Americans need to understand that the political competition between the Democrats and Republicans is over which party gets to collect the money for being the whore for the One Percent. Traditionally, the party in the White House gets most of the money, so that is where both parties want to be.

Michael Morell, a supporter of Hillary Clinton and President Obamas last CIA director in an acting capacity, who was slated to become CIA director under Hillary, said, On the question of the Trump campaign conspiring with the Russians, 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.

Morell does believe that it was the Russians who hacked Hillarys incriminating emails but not in collusion with Trump, although the evidence is that they were a leak from inside the Democratic National Committee by disaffected supporters of Bernie Sanders.

Obamas Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said on Meet the Press on March 5 that he had seen no evidence of a Putin-Trump conspiracy when he left office on January 20.

Listening to Comey and Rogers today, if they are not working against President Trump, what would classify as working against Trump? Trump supporters ask why Trump doesnt fire these two men who are working to block a reduction in the dangerous tensions between Washington and Russia. Are the Democrats, Comey, Rogers, the CIA and their media whores so stupid that they dont understand what it means when the President of Russia says, the Americans have destroyed our trust in them?

Trump doesnt fire Comey and Rogers, because he cannot fire them. If he fires them, the Democrats and presstitutes will explain the firings as proof that Trump is a Russian agent and is covering up his treason by removing those investigating it.

Trump is trying to use Twitter to respond to the orchestrated media assault against him and to achieve some organization among his supporters, the working class that elected him. However, Trump cannot even count on the Republican Party. Most Republicans are also dependent on political contributions from the military/security complex, and Republicans know that the intelligence agencies have all the dirt on them. To fight for Trump is to expose themselves.

It is undeniable that the CIA controls the media , both in Europe and in the US. Udo Ulfkottes book, Gekauftge Journalisten, exposed the CIAs hold on European journalists when it was published in Germany in 2014. An English language edition, Journalists for Hire: How the CIA Buys the News, is due out in May. In the meantime Joel Whitneys book, Finks: How the C.I.A. Tricked the Worlds Best Writers, suffices to establish that Americas most respected journalists drank the CIAs Kool-Aid and thought they were saving freedom by serving as propagandists.

People in the West need to understand that if the news they receive bears on the interests of the US military/security complex, the news is scripted by the CIA. The CIA serves its interests, not the interests of the American people or the interests of peace.
Martin McGuinness: Can Political Violence be Justified?



Mehdi Hasan challenges Martin McGuinness, exploring the definition of terrorism and when to negotiate with the enemy.



Video



The 9/11 attacks and US-led 'war on terror' have changed our perception of terrorism.



Since 2001, many have come to associate terrorist acts with radical Islam. But terrorism, as a tactic, has been around for a very long time.



During the conflict in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was branded a terrorist organisation by the British government. The Republican fighters, however, saw themselves as a legitimate army fighting against the British occupation. It was a classic case of 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter'.

Posted March 21, 2017


Trump Is Filling Top Pentagon and Homeland Security Positions With Defense Contractors

By Lee Fang

March 22, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - President Donald Trump has weaponized the revolving door by appointing defense contractors and their lobbyists to key government positions as he seeks to rapidly expand the military budget and homeland security programs.

Two Department of Homeland Security appointments Trump announced Tuesday morning are perfect examples.

Benjamin Cassidy, installed by Trump as assistant secretary for legislative affairs, previously worked as a senior executive at Boeings international business sector, marketing Boeing military products abroad . Jonathan Rath Hoffman, named assistant secretary for public affairs, previously worked as a consultant to the Chertoff Group, the sprawling homeland security consulting firm founded by former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. The firm has come under fire for advising a variety of firms seeking government contracts, including for full-body scanners deemed invasive by privacy activists. Hoffman also led a state chapter of a neoconservative military-contractor advocacy organization during the 2016 presidential campaign. Neither position requires Senate confirmation.

Personnel from major defense companies now occupy the highest ranks of the administration including cabinet members and political appointees charged with implementing the Trump agenda. At least 15 officials with financial ties to defense contractors have been either nominated or appointed so far, with potentially more industry names on the way as Trump has yet to nominate a variety of roles in the government, including Army and Navy secretaries.

Before their confirmations, Jim Mattis and John Kelly, the secretaries of the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, were primarily paid by defense firms.

Mattis was paid $242,000, along with up to $500,000 in vested stock options, as director of General Dynamics, a company that produces submarines, tanks, and a range of munitions for the military. Mattis also received speaking fees from several firms, including Northrop Grumman. Kelly previously served in a number of roles at defense contracting consulting and lobbying firms and worked directly as an adviser to Dyncorp, a company that contracts with the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Defense firms have eagerly watched as Trump recently unveiled a budget calling for $54 billio n in additional military spending next year, as well as an additional $30 billion for the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security for this fiscal year, which ends on September 31. About $15.5 billion of the $30 billion is slated to be spent on new military equipment.

The spending spree will provide a brand new opportunity for defense lobbyists to get business for their clients. And the most effective lobbying generally involves contacting former colleagues in positions of power.

Major lobbying groups for the arms companies, including the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association, welcomed the selection of Secretary Mattis, who has already scheduled meetings with industry executives. Secretary Kelly has pledged to work more closely with the private sector, promising greater collaboration with private firms to accomplish his agencys goals.

To carry out this private-sector friendly agenda, defense officials have taken major roles throughout Trumps administration.

Pat Shanahan, nominated last week by Trump to serve as deputy secretary of defense, is a vice president at Boeing who formerly led the companys missile defense subsidiary. Disclosures show that Elaine Duke, the nominee for deputy secretary of homeland security, previously consulted for Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, and the Columbia Group, a small contractor that builds unmanned naval drones.

The nominee to lead the Air Force, former New Mexico Congresswoman Heather Wilson, worked as a consultant to a Lockheed Martin subsidiary after retiring from public office. The company sought Wilsons help to maintain a $2.4 billion a year contract to manage Sandia National Laboratories, the premiere nuclear weapons research facility, and to keep the contract closed to competition. Lockheed Martin should aggressively lobby Congress, but keep a low profile, Wilson urged the company in a memo revealed later by an inspector general report.

Trumps pick for national security council chief of staff, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, has worked at a variety of defense contracting companies. After serving in senior roles in Iraqs provisional government after the 2003 invasion, Kellogg left the government for the private sector. He told the Washington Post in 2005 that he joined Oracle to establish a homeland security business unit at the firm, and later joined CACI International, a company with major contracts in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following CACI, Kellogg joined Cubic Defense in 2009 to develop the companys combat training business.

A list of temporary political appointees recently published by ProPublica reveals a number of less-known influence peddlers who have taken senior roles in the administration.

Chad Wolf and Lora Ries , two recently appointed advisers at the Department of Homeland Security, are formerly registered defense lobbyists. Wolf lobbied for Harris Corp. and the United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Ries previously lobbied for a range of defense and homeland security contractors, including Altegrity, Boeing, Implant Sciences Corp., General Dynamics, L1 Identity Solutions, and TASC Inc.

In the White House, one of the newest members of the National Economic Council staff is Michael Catanzaro, formerly a registered lobbyist working for both Boeing and Halliburton.

Palanatir Technologys Justin Mikolay, formerly a chief in-house lobbyist for the company who worked to win over billions of dollars in Army contracts , was quietly appointed to serve as a special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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Several appointees are associated with SBD Advisors, a consulting that firm that advertises its ability to facilitate engagements between the technology and defense sectors, and is advised by a high profile team of former government leaders, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Adm. Mike Mullen and former National Security Agency Director of Operations Ron Moultrie.

SBD Advisorsd Sally Donnelly and Tony DeMartino work as temporary political appointees at the Office of the Defense Secretary, according to the list assembled by ProPublica. Kristan King Nevins, recently appointed as chief of staff to Second Lady Karen Pence, also previously worked at SBD Advisors as the director of communications.

The Trump administration is the military-industrial complex personified, said William Hartung, director of the Arms & Security Project at the Center for International Policy. Hartung noted that while the administration is bringing arms industry officials into government, it is also demanding a massive increase in military spending and appears to be escalating conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
Nunes : Trump transition members were under surveillance during Obama administration



By Austin Wright

March 22, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Politico " - Members of the Donald Trump transition team, possibly including Trump himself, were under U.S. government surveillance following Novembers presidential election, House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday.

Nunes said the surveillance appeared to be legal but that he was concerned because it was not related to the FBIs investigation into Russias meddling in the election and was widely disseminated across the intelligence community.

I have seen intelligence reports that clearly show that the president-elect and his team were, I guess, at least monitored, Nunes told reporters. It looks to me like it was all legally collected, but it was essentially a lot of information on the president-elect and his transition team and what they were doing.

Nunes said he is heading to the White House later Wednesday to brief Trump on what he has learned, which he said came from sources who thought that we should know it. He said he was trying to get more information by Friday from the FBI, CIA and NSA.

Nunes described the surveillance as most likely being incidental collection. This can occur when a person inside the United States communicates with a foreign target of U.S. surveillance. In such cases, the identities of U.S. citizens are supposed to be kept secret  but can be unmasked by intelligence officials under certain circumstances.

Nunes said his new information appears to show that additional members of the Trump transition team  beyond former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn  were unmasked. This means they were identified in U.S. intelligence reports.

He said the information that he had seen and was disseminated across the intelligence community appeared to him to have "little or no apparent intelligence value."

He also said he did not know yet whether the Trump transition team members who were unmasked were communicating from Trump Tower. Earlier this month, Trump claimed in a series of Tweets that former President Barack Obama ordered a wiretap of the phones at Trump Tower  something Nunes reiterated on Wednesday he had no evidence of.

Nunes said he briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on the information on Wednesday morning.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer read from Nunes' statement during his opening remarks at a press briefing Wednesday, showing how eager Trump's team was to amplify the remarks.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, Nunes Democratic counterpart on the intelligence panel, was not informed of the news ahead of Nunes press conference on Wednesday, according to a Schiff spokesman.

The Intelligence panel is set to hold a public hearing next Tuesday with members of the Obama administration, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who was fired by Trump in January after refusing to defend his first travel ban executive order in court.

They are almost certain to face questions on the matter.

FBI Director James Comey appeared before the panel on Monday and confirmed that the FBI launched a counterintelligence investigation in July into Russias election meddling, including possible coordination with the Trump campaign.
A Breach in the Anti-Putin Groupthink





The mainstream U.S. media has virtually banned any commentary that doesnt treat Russian President Putin as the devil, but a surprising breach in the groupthink has occurred in Foreign Affairs magazine, reports Gilbert Doctorow.



By Gilbert Doctorow

March 22, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Realistically, no major change in U.S. foreign and defense policy is possible without substantial support from the U.S. political class, but a problem occurs when only one side of a debate gets a fair hearing and the other side gets ignored or marginalized. That is the current situation regarding U.S. policy toward Russia.

For the past couple of decades, only the neoconservatives and their close allies, the liberal interventionists, have been allowed into the ring to raise their gloves in celebration of an uncontested victory over policy. On the very rare occasion when a realist or a critic of regime change wars somehow manages to sneak into the ring, they find both arms tied behind them and receive the predictable pounding.

While this predicament has existed since the turn of this past century, it has grown more pronounced since the U.S.-Russia relationship slid into open confrontation in 2014 after the U.S.-backed coup in Ukraine overthrowing elected President Viktor Yanukovych and sparking a civil war that led Crimea to secede and join Russia and Ukraines eastern Donbass region to rise up in rebellion.

But the only narrative that the vast majority of Americans have heard  and that the opinion centers of Washington and New York have allowed  is the one that blames everything on Russian aggression. Those who try to express dissenting opinions  noting, for instance, the intervention in Ukrainian affairs by Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland as well as the U.S.-funded undermining on Yanukovychs government  have been essentially banned from both the U.S. mass media and professional journals.

When a handful of independent news sites (including Consortiumnews.com) tried to report on the other side of the story, they were denounced as Russian propagandists and ended up on blacklists promoted by The Washington Post and other mainstream news outlets.

An Encouraging Sign

That is why it is encouraging that Foreign Affairs magazine, the preeminent professional journal of American diplomacy, took the extraordinary step (extraordinary at least in the current environment) of publishing Robert Englishs article , entitled Russia, Trump, and a new Detente, that challenges the prevailing groupthink and does so with careful scholarship.

In effect, Englishs article trashes the positions of all Foreign Affairs featured contributors for the past several years. But it must be stressed that there are no new discoveries of fact or new insights that make Englishs essay particularly valuable. What he has done is to bring together the chief points of the counter-current and set them out with extraordinary writing skills, efficiency and persuasiveness of argumentation. Even more important, he has been uncompromising.

The facts laid out by English could have been set out by one of several experienced and informed professors or practitioners of international relations. But English had the courage to follow the facts where they lead and the skill to convince the Foreign Affairs editors to take the chance on allowing readers to see some unpopular truths even though the editors now will probably come under attack themselves as Kremlin stooges.

The overriding thesis is summed up at the start of the essay: For 25 years, Republicans and Democrats have acted in ways that look much the same to Moscow. Washington has pursued policies that have ignored Russian interests (and sometimes international law as well) in order to encircle Moscow with military alliances and trade blocs conducive to U.S. interests. It is no wonder that Russia pushes back. The wonder is that the U.S. policy elite doesnt get this, even as foreign-affairs neophyte Trump apparently does.

Englishs article goes back to the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and explains why and how U.S. policy toward Russia was wrong and wrong again. He debunks the notion that Boris Yeltsin brought in a democratic age, which Vladimir Putin undid after coming to power.

English explains how the U.S. meddled in Russian domestic politics in the mid-1990s to falsify election results and ensure Yeltsins continuation in office despite his unpopularity for bringing on an economic Depression that average Russians remember bitterly to this day. That was a time when the vast majority of Russians equated democracy with shitocracy.

English describes how the Russian economic and political collapse in the 1990s was exploited by the Clinton administration. He tells why currently fashionable U.S. critics of Putin are dead wrong when they fail to acknowledge Putins achievements in restructuring the economy, tax collection, governance, improvements in public health and more which account for his spectacular popularity ratings today.

English details all the errors and stupidities of the Obama administration in its handling of Russia and Putin, faulting President Obama and Secretary of State (and later presidential candidate) Hillary Clinton for all of their provocative and insensitive words and deeds. What we see in U.S. policy, as described by English, is the application of double standards, a prosecutorial stance towards Russia, and outrageous lies about the country and its leadership foisted on the American public.

Then English takes on directly all of the paranoia over Russias alleged challenge to Western democratic processes. He calls attention instead to how U.S. foreign policy and the European Unions own policies in the new Member States and candidate Member States have created all the conditions for a populist revolt by buying off local elites and subjecting the broad populace in these countries to pauperization.

English concludes his essay with a call to give detente with Putin and Russia a chance.

Who Is Robert English?

Englishs Wikipedia entry and biographical data provided on his University of Southern California web pages make it clear that he has quality academic credentials: Master of Public Administration and PhD. in politics from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He also has a solid collection of scholarly publications to his credit as author or co-editor with major names in the field of Russian-Soviet intellectual history.

He spent six years doing studies for U.S. intelligence and defense: 19821986 at the Department of Defense and 1986-88 at the U.S. Committee for National Security. And he has administrative experience as the Director of the USC School of International Relations.

Professor English is not without his political ambitions. During the 2016 presidential election campaign, he tried to secure a position as foreign policy adviser to Democratic hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders. In pursuit of this effort, English had the backing of progressives at The Nation, which in February 2016 published an article of his entitled Bernie Sanders, the Foreign Policy Realist of 2016.

Englishs objective was to demonstrate how wrong many people were to see in Sanders a visionary utopian incapable of defending Americas strategic interests. Amid the praise of Sanders in this article, English asserts that Sanders is as firm on Russia as Hillary Clinton.

By the end of the campaign, however, several tenacious neocons had attached themselves to Sanderss inner circle and English departed. So, one might size up English as just one more opportunistic academic who will do whatever it takes to land a top job in Washington.

While there is nothing new in such flexibility, there is also nothing necessarily offensive in it. From the times of Machiavelli if not earlier, intellectuals have tended to be guns for hire. The first open question is how skilled they are in managing their sponsors as well as in managing their readers in the public. But there is also a political realism in such behavior, advancing a politician who might be a far better leader than the alternatives while blunting the attack lines that might be deployed against him or her.

Then, there are times, such as the article for Foreign Affairs, when an academic may be speaking for his own analysis of an important situation whatever the political costs or benefits. Sources who have long been close to English assure me that the points in his latest article match his true beliefs.

The Politics of Geopolitics

Yet, it is one thing to have a courageous author and knowledgeable scholar. It is quite another to find a publisher willing to take the heat for presenting views that venture outside the mainstream Establishment. In that sense, it is stunning that Foreign Affairs chose to publish English and let him destroy the groupthink that has dominated the magazine and the elite foreign policy circles for years.

The only previous exception to the magazines lockstep was an article by University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer entitled Why the Ukraine Crisis is the Wests Fault published in September 2014. That essay shot holes in Official Washingtons recounting of the events leading up to the Russian annexation of Crimea and intervention in the Donbass.

It was a shock to many of Americas leading foreign policy insiders who, in the next issue, rallied like a collection of white cells to attack the invasive thinking. But there were some Foreign Affairs readers  about one-third of the commenters  who voiced agreement with Mearsheimers arguments. But that was a one-time affair. Mearsheimer appears to have been tolerated because he was one of the few remaining exponents of the Realist School in the United States. But he was not a Russia specialist.

Foreign Affairs may have turned to Robert English because the editors, as insider-insiders, found themselves on the outside of the Trump administration looking in. The magazines 250,000 subscribers, which include readers from across the globe, expect Foreign Affairs to have some lines into the corridors of power.

In that regard, the magazine has been carrying water for the State Department since the days of the Cold War. For instance, in the spring issue of 2007, the magazine published a cooked-up article signed by Ukrainian politician Yuliya Tymoshenko on why the West must contain Russia, a direct response to Putins famous Munich speech in which he accused the United States of destabilizing the world through the Iraq War and other policies.

Anticipating Hillary Clintons expected election, Foreign Affairs editors did not hedge their bets in 2016. They sided with the former Secretary of State and hurled rhetorical bricks at Donald Trump. In their September issue, they compared him to a tin-pot populist dictator in South America.

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Thus, they found themselves cut off after Trumps surprising victory. For the first time in many years in the opening issue of the New Year following a U.S. presidential election, the magazine did not feature an interview with the incoming Secretary of State or some other cabinet member.

Though Official Washingtons anti-Russian frenzy seems to be reaching a crescendo on Capitol Hill with strident hearings on alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election, the underlying reality is that the neocons are descending into a fury over their sudden loss of power.

The hysteria was highlighted when neocon Sen. John McCain lashed out at Sen. Rand Paul after the libertarian senator objected to special consideration for McCains resolution supporting Montenegros entrance into NATO. In a stunning breach of Senate protocol, a livid McCain accused Paul of working for Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, some Democratic leaders have begun cautioning their anti-Trump followers not to expect too much from congressional investigations into the supposed Trump-Russia collusion on the election.

In publishing Robert Englishs essay challenging much of the anti-Russian groupthink that has dominated Western geopolitics over the past few years, Foreign Affairs may be finally bending to the recognition that it is risking its credibility if it continues to put all its eggs in the we-hate-Russia basket.

That hedging of its bets may be a case of self-interest, but it also may be an optimistic sign that the martyred Fifteenth Century Catholic Church reformer Jan Hus was right when he maintained that eventually the truth will prevail .
Yes, A Call From A Members Office Was Intercepted

By Former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)

March 22, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " T he Hill " -

An open letter to members of Congress

Dear Colleague,

I have evidence that a telephone conversation, which took place in my congressional office in the spring of 2011, regarding an issue before the Congress of an urgent matter of international importance, was intercepted.

I had been working to stop an illegal attack on Libya, without congressional authorization, using the War Powers Act to force a debate and a decision in the Congress to end U.S. involvement there. After having witnessed the destruction of Iraq based on misinformation and lies, I was determined to try to stop America from getting mired in another foreign policy quagmire.

The conversation with Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, occurred after consulting with attorneys in the House General Counsels office who assured me that under Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, a conversation with a foreign leader was permitted, pursuant to the right of members of Congress to gather information.

Gadhafi reached out to me after repeated calls he made to the White House and to the State Department were spurned. His government did not understand why it was being attacked since it had reached an agreement with the Bush administration and that those attempting to overturn his government were, in fact, a criminal element.

Saif, concerned about being hit by a drone attack, used a one-time only burner phone to contact my office. If the call was nevertheless picked off in Libya, I have been told by several intelligence sources that once it is determined that a member of Congress is involved in a conversation, the interception is to be discontinued.

In this case, a tape of the conversation was leaked to the Washington Times in 2015. Investigative reporters for the Times played the tape for me. I authenticated it.

In May of 2012, unaware that any surveillance had taken place, I sent routine Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to all intelligence agencies. A reply from the director of national intelligence (DNI) received three years later proves that office was actively attempting to defeat the bipartisan effort aimed at stopping an attack on Libya.

According to information from the FOIA response, the DNI used resources to lobby against the legislation, contacting members of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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The DNIs involvement succeeded in delaying the legislation. The Republican leadership brought forth a substitute, which passed, and scuttled our efforts to stop the war.

The office of the director of national intelligence had a stake in the outcome since the Libya attack was justified, in part, based on intelligence the agency provided the executive branch. What makes this egregious is that the Libyan attack turned out to be the unmitigated disaster, which I and other members predicted.

Our ambassador to Libya and three other Americans defending his compound were killed and the black flag of al Qaeda soon flew over the municipal building in Benghazi. It turned out that no credible intelligence existed which justified the attack on Libya. The full responsibility and failure was squarely with the Obama administration and the intelligence agencies.

Five years since my FOIA requests, a number of agencies, including the DNI, have yet to fully respond. One submission to the CIA, still not answered, was delayed three years because the agency misspelled my name.

Members of Congress are entitled to know the extent to which the executive branch covertly tracks their activities, and the manner and methods used. In this regard it is important to remember that the CIA admitted to hacking the computers of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Agencies engage in interminable delays in producing information so as to interfere with congressional action, frustrate congressional oversight and mislead members of Congress.

I would advise my former colleagues to be aware that their phone conversations, while protected by the Constitution, may not be protected from intelligence agencies covert practices.

It would be wise to FOIA all intel agencies to see who has been watching, or listening in.

Considering the disaster of Iraq and Libya, and the failure of the intel agencies, Congress must reassert its Constitutional authority over matters of war, insist on its prerogatives as a co-equal branch of government and demand accountability on foreign policy. There should be severe penalties for the top executives of any intel agency found spying on Congress.

The sanctity of the Constitution, the independence of Congress and the freedom of the American people are at stake.

Kucinich served in Congress from 1997 to 2013.
Two suspected kidnappers, Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu, have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for the two German Archaeologists, Dr Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger on March 13 in Kaduna State.

The Germans were kidnapped on Feb.22 at Pahkogo in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A statement issued by an operative of the service in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Tony Opuiyo, said the suspects were being questioned to establish other possible members of the network

In a related development, Opuiyo said the service had arrested a Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti on March 20.

He said that an Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect who is presently undergoing investigation.

Opuiyo added that the suspect was in the final stages of kidnapping some high-level targets in Ekiti to raise funds and terrorise communities in the state.

He said that the suspect was arrested by a joint Military and DSS operation team.

Opuiyo said that a Boko Haram suspect, Usman Rawa, 29, a.k.a Mr X was also arrested in Lafia on March 17.

He said that Rawa rented an accommodation in Lafia for one Abdullahi Isa, who was known for his notorious terrorist activities.

His plan is to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining States, Sani, he said.

He said that the service had also arrested a suspected Boko Haram top commander, NSani, a.k.a Osama, in Bauchi on March 15.

The operative said that Sani escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno.

Opuiyo said that in continuation of the service crack down on insurgents, it arrested a suspect, Adamu Jibrin, at Jeka-da-Fari Market in Gombe on March 13.

He said the suspect who operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule, serves as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders.

He said the suspect had affirmed his membership of the sect.

Opuiyo said in sustaining its operation, the service had arrested a suspected Boko Haram commander and food supplier, Ibrahim Fulata, and three of his associates in Dustsen Tanshi area of Bauchi State on Feb. 28.

He said the suspects were being questioned to establish other possible members of the network.

Opuiyo said that the service had also arrested Boko Haram suspects in Kano, Kogi and Yobe.

He attributed the successes recorded to the cooperation and support of Nigerians who volunteered useful information to the service.

Opuiyo assured that the service would maintain the zeal to ensure the safety of lives and property of Nigerians.

Source : ( PM News)
A suspected Boko Haram leader and some other members of the sect has been apprehended in Ekiti State by men of the Department of State Service.

The agency made the arrest during a recent operation carried out in Ekiti, where the suspected Boko Haram kingpin was nabbed, with other members of the group caught in Nassarawa, Kogi, Yobe, Kano, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.

According to the spokesperson of the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, in a statement, some alleged notorious kidnappers in Niger and Kaduna states have also been nabbed.

On March 20 2017, a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdusalam was arrested in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State by a Joint Military/DSS Operation Team.

An Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect who is presently undergoing investigation. Abdusalam was on the final stages of kidnapping some high level targets in Ekiti, not only to raise funds but to terrorise communities in the State.

Prior to this arrest, several other Boko Haram suspects had been apprehended in various parts of Northern Nigeria especially the States of Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi.

Typical cases of arrest include that of 29 year Boko Haram member, Usman Ladan Rawa (a.k.a Mr. X) on 17th March 2017 at Lafia, Nasarawa State. Rawa was discovered to have rented accommodation at Lafia for Abdullahi Isa, known for his notorious terrorist actions.

His plan was to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining States.

On 15th March 2017, Nasiru Sani (a.k.a OSAMA) was arrested at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi. He is a Boko Haram top commander, and discovered to have escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Similarly, on the same 13th March 2017, at Jeka-da-Fari Market, Gombe State, Adamu Jibrin was arrested.

He operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule and served as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders especially the one simply identified as Kanumbu.

The Suspect affirmed that he is a of the Boko Haram sect.

On 1st and 2nd March, 2017, at Ngalda Town of Fika LGA, Yobe State and Nagazi area of Adavi LGA, Kogi State, Abdulazeez Umaru and Nuhu Usman a.k.a Okadigbo were respectively arrested.

Umaru, who has confessed his membership of the Boko Haram sect was arrested by the Service in concert with the local vigilante.

Preliminary investigations have revealed the participation of Usman in several deadly insurgent attacks in Kogi State.

While the Service has ensured a relative peaceful environment in the month of March, it is instructive to note that it recorded many successes in the month of February as can be seen from its operations during the period.

On 2nd February 2017, one Suleiman Yahaya, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested during a raid in Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, for his role in several terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe States.

Similarly, on 7th February, 2017, in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State, Mohammed Isyaka (a.k.a Maikwano), was also arrested for his complicity in Boko Haram attacks in the North East.

Meanwhile, on 9th February, 2017, at Ayingba, Dekina LGA of Kogi State, the trio of Uwais Abubakar, Abdullahi Umaru and Mukhtar Suleman who are Boko Haram terrorists, were arrested by the Services tactical team.

Suspects were actively involved in series of attacks on select targets in Kogi State such as the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State University and the newly constructed Kogi State Revenue House, Lokoja.

Ali Bukar and Mustapha Umar were also arrested on 17th February 2017 at Zaria Road, Kano State for their involvement in Boko Haram activities.

Abdullahi Isah, an indigene of Isari LGA of Yobe State was equally arrested at the Lafia Modern Market, Lafia, Nasarawa State for gun-running to raise funds for Boko Haram operations. He was a suspected armourer of the sect.

In furtherance of sustaining its operations against Boko Haram during the month of February, the Service on 28th February, arrested a Boko Haram Commander and food supplier, Ibrahim Fulata and his associates  Shamsudeen Aliyu, Zaharadeen Ibrahim and Suleiman Abubakar at Zaria Clinic, Dustsen Tanshi area of Bauchi LGA of Bauchi State.

Determined to sustain the prevailing peace and stamp out all cases of kidnap in various States where it is taking root, the Service staged vigorous operations which recorded successes.

The duo of Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu were arrested on 13th March, 2017 at Nasarawa town, Nasarawa LGA of Kaduna State for their suspected involvement in the kidnap of two (2) German nationals  Dr.Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger on 22nd February, 2017 at Pahkogo, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.

They are being questioned to establish other possible members of the network.

On 9th February, 2017 at Umuahia, Abia State, Tochukwu Prince Johnson and Madubuike Christopher Iromaka were arrested for alleged threat to abduct two (2) prominent businessmen in the State namely: Obioma Okorie and Chidozie Ohabuchiro.

Also on 12th February, 2017, a notorious local bandit, Saidu Musa was arrested in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State for terrorizing people of the area. On arrest, a pump action gun and twenty three (23) cartridges were discovered in his vehicle, Toyota Carina KRD 523 EZ (Lagos).

In another development, on 3rd February, 2017, Ashiru Abubakar, a suspected kidnapper, was arrested at Maraban Jos Junction, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

He was a member of the notorious gang that kidnapped eleven (11) travelers along Kaduna-Abuja road, where they extorted several millions of naira from them to buy their freedom. The Service also arrested some kidnappers in Kaduna, Kogi, and Plateau States.

While Bingel Mohammed, Kabiru Lawal, Dahiru Lawal and Shagari Usman were arrested in Maigiginya Village, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State on 4th February, 2017, Lawal Abdullahi, a notorious kidnap kingpin was also arrested on 6th February 2017 at Elka, Ohizenyi Okehi LGA of Kogi State.

On 24th February 2017, at Bosso LGA, Niger State, Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Baba Dogo, a notorious kidnapper/cattle rustler was arrested. On the same date at Ankpa Town, Kogi State, thirty (30) year suspected kidnapper, Mallam Idris Baba was shot dead while trying to evade arrest.

Earlier on 28th January, 2017, in Wudil, Wudil LGA, Kano State, the Service arrested Ahmed Muhammed a high profile Boko Haram terrorist, who kept custody of many persons abducted by sect members during their operations.

On 31st January, 2017, one Yusuf Hayatudeen, a suspected terrorist was arrested by the Service at Oziokutu Adavi LGA, Kogi State. He had threatened to bomb a Radio House in Okene, Kogi State before his apprehension.

The arrests, according to the agency, were made possible by members of the public who volunteered information.

Source: ( Premium Times)
10 drug barons and 60 internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been arrested for by the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged drug abuse and sale in IDP camps.

According to the Commandant of the agency in Borno, Mr Ona Ogilegwu, on Wednesday in Maiduguri said that the 10 barons were arrested while attempting to enter the camps to distribute the hard drugs for sale.

Ogilegwu also explained that the suspects were nabbed during a joint operation, tagged Operation Clean the Cobwebs, conducted by the military and the command at five IDP camps in the state capital.

In Bakkasi camp we arrested 18 IDPs in MOGOLIS camp; we also nabbed 18, while in Dalori we nabbed 16 of them. We also nabbed some at Teachers Village and Dikwa IDP camps. I am not too sure of the number.

It will interest you to note that we have about 84 persons in our detention facilities that were arrested with various quantities of illicit drugs between January and March, this year.

Hard drug substances like cannabis sativa, rophenol, diazepam and benelin with codeine, suck and die solution, and several other substances were seized from them.

Also, we conducted to raids in State Lowcost Housing and Kasuwan Shanu we also made some arrest. You will recall that Kasuwan Shanu is one of the most dangerous places where illicit drugs sell was the order of the day.

Some of the IDPs found with negligible quantity were counselled, handed over to the state government and placed under watch. The barons amongst them will surely go to jail.

What we are doing is to properly sanitise these IDPs so that they wont go back and continue to constitute havoc in their respective host communities.

We, therefore, continue to warn them to desist from their nefarious activities or face the full wrath of the law.

Source: ( PM News )
Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his disappointment over the continuous menace of examination malpractices and fake certificates in the country.

He also condemned the spate at which public servants and individuals of questionable wealth were being celebrated with alumni recognitions, honorary degrees, chieftaincy titles and sometimes higher religious titles.

According to the President, cheating in examination and attainment of fake certificates among Nigerians had become a normal thing because of collapse of values in the society.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), represented the President and expressed this view on Tuesday in Abuja, during the 65th Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council with the theme, 65 years of commitment to excellence in educational assessment.

He said, Today the attainment of wealth, power or educational influence is the mark of success which is not necessarily a bad thing except we are no longer concerned with the process of attaining success.

The end it appears today justifies the means which explains why cheating in examinations and fake certificates simply do not generate the sort of outrage that such conduct would have generated years ago.

Public servants and many in the private sectors who have unexplainable wealth are celebrated in one form or the other, alumni recognitions, honorary degrees, chieftaincy titles and even higher religious titles.

Often, cheating is with the collusion of parents and teachers. This only reflects the failure of values in our larger society. Educational policy within that milieu of collapsed value failure is a totally different type of task when values in society have collapsed. When values in the society have been upturned, the role of the policy maker is completely different from when values are maintained by and large.

The President said Nigerians are no longer concerned about the process of attaining success because the end justifies the means for them.

Such collapse in value, he explained, has made it difficult for policy makers to effect change in the society.

Buhari therefore called for a change in education curricula to reflect modern teaching methods.

He said, It is much more important today to emphasise also how we should teach which will obviously impact how we should examine, what questions we should be asking and what we should be looking for in our students. But regarding what we should teach, it is my respective view, more important now than ever before to redefine success.

Earlier in his remarks, Registrar of Council, WAEC, Dr. Uyi Uwadiae, said examination malpractices remained a major challenge for the council.

While declaring that the consequences of malpractices were grave, he called for collaboration to tackle the scourge.

Uwadiae also called for the strengthening and enforcement of existing legislations to combat malpractices.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in his remarks, said the Federal Government had rolled out programmes to combat some of the challenges facing education in the country.

He said,The government has also entered into collaboration with several international development partners on these issues.

Source: ( Punch Nigeria )
A couple in Pennsylvania has been sentenced to federal prison for sneaking a Nigerian woman into the country so she could essentially become what a federal judge calls a slave.

The Express-Times in Easton reports John and Godever Ibechem were sentenced on Thursday to serve nine months in federal prison each.

The Palmer Township couple acknowledged they plotted to smuggle the woman in to care for their two young boys and failed to pay her minimum wage. She was paid about $20 every other week to provide around-the-clock care.

Prosecutors say she was swindled out of about $205 000 in wages, though the attorney for the Ibechems says they also sent money to her family in Nigeria.

The Ibechems agreed to pay the nanny $50 000 as part a plea deal.
FCMB First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Lagos presented a brand new Hyundai Veloster car to Precious Onyekachi Samuel, who had emerged Winner at the draws of the FCMB Flexx Promo that held on February 14, 2017.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Adam Nuru, congratulated Miss Precious on her emergence as the winner. According to him we are excited to have the winner of the FCMB Flexx Promo here today. The promo was not just developed to reward our youth banking customers, but to serve as a platform to empower them to overcome immediate and future challenges. Thats why we encourage all Nigerian youth between ages 16-25 to #FlexxWithFCMB.

In her response, Miss Precious Onyekachi Samuel expressed gratitude to FCMB for coming up with the Flexx Promo. She described her emergence as the winner as an amazing surprise, adding that FCMB Flexx has changed my life for the better. She urged Nigerian youths to open FCMB Flexx accounts to prepare for a financially secure future. In her words, from what I have seen today, FCMB is a bank that can help youths to achieve their dreams.

The event was witnessed by top officials of the bank including: Executive Director, Finance, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu; Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Diran Olojo; Group Head, Consumer Liability Products, Mr. Shamsideen Fashola; Zonal Head, Victoria Island, Mrs. Wunmi Kalejaiye, among others.

More pictures from the event below:
Not comfortable with goverment silence, retired workers who served the Federal Government in Ogun State, have taken to the streets to protest 14 months unpaid pension and gratuities.

The Pensioners who stormed Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Ogun State armed with placards with various inscriptions, appealed to the government to pay their benefits and lessen their suffering.

Led by National President of their association, Kayode Da-Silva, the pensioners called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to declare a state of emergency on pension administration in the country.

According to Da-Silva, members had been frustrated by the protracted delay in the payment of their gratuities and pensions, months after retirement, wondering why the provision of the Contributing Pension Scheme, CPS, that gratuities of pensioners should be paid three months after workers retirement, was being breached and gratuity payment could be delayed for over a year.

Age related ailments

He accused government of not paying deserved attention to the welfare of the pensioners, saying  Only God knows how many of the pensioners have died on account of this undue and undeserved delay. A number of us suffer from age related ailments and must be on drug daily. Such drugs are expensive and how do we take care of our health, when the gratuity and pension are not paid.

At home front, there is tension because of the inability to discharge domestic responsibilities, many of us still train and feed children who are graduates and unemployed while others still have children in various higher institutions.

According to him, some of the pensioners had been driven out of their houses due to their inability to pay their rent and implored President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate payment of their pension allegedly withheld since November, 2015.

We should not be made to die before our time, Mr. President, please save us from further agony. Save our families from hunger and deprivation. We are fully aware of the fact that the current administration is fully committed to the general welfare of all Nigerians, especially those who had served this great nation, therefore we hail the Minimum Pension Guarantee, MPG, of the Federal Government in this first quarter of 2017 as promised. We hope this will translate to enhanced pension to the least paid pensioners in the Federal service, he pleaded.

Da-silva disclosed that there had been short payment in the payment of entitlements of Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, pensioners due to calculation based on 2004 pay slips submitted for verification and urged the government and NTA authority to address the short fall. He also called on the government to address the delay in the reimbursement of their contribution to the National Housing Fund, NHF, on retirement money through the Federal Mortgage Bank which was yet to be reimbursed.

Source: Vanguard
The Federal Government has blamed the nations poor water supply on improper planning of such schemes by state governments.The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who spoke yesterday at a press conference in Abuja to celebrate the World Water Day today, maintained that it was the duty of states to provide portable water to consumers.

His words: The laws of the land say the responsibility to provide portable water rests on the state and local governments. What the Federal Government does is to render assistance from time to time and provide good policy. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources does not own a water board, buy chemicals or alum. It is usually done at the state level.

To address the challenge, the minister hinted that government was ready to integrate tunnelling into its national development needs. He noted that though the concept was not new in the country, Adamu, however, submitted that government would embrace it as an integral part of its development plans in future.

Also yesterday, the United Nations (UN) charged nations to work towards making more people have access to clean and safe water.In a goodwill message to mark todays event, the global body noted that 1.8 billion people use contaminated water, thereby putting them at the risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio.

To underscore its seriousness for the issue, the UN in 2015 launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure everyone has access to safe water by 2030 as part of efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Source: Guardian
As part of ongoing measures to improve Public Financial Management across all levels of Government, the Federal Government has developed an IPSAS Compliant accounting software suite OneBook, aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and transparency.

The Ministrys Director of Information, Salisu Nainna Dambatta disclosed this in a press release on Tuesday in Abuja.

The OneBook suite offers a complete solution that allows for standardization and seamless exchange of information across all tiers of Government by providing a unified accounting and reporting solution across key areas: Government expenditure, financial, treasury and receipts management.

The adoption of the platform will help to achieve cost savings as it ensures the application of controls and standards across spending agencies for recording, processing and releasing payments.

Introduction and compliance with IPSAS also formed part of the conditions included in the Fiscal Sustainability Plan for State Governments.

The software package, which was launched on Tuesday at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, is capable of capturing various revenue types and would impact the entire financial operations from budgeting, through revenue and expenditure management to final accounts.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the software will be made available to all States and Local Governments to support their accounting and reporting processes. States that are yet to convert to IPSAS accrual accounting will be able to use this suite as it guarantees IPSAS accrual compliance.

The Minister said the software is fully compliant with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and will enhance Public Sector Financial Management, Analysis and Performance Reporting.

OneBook software captures data once, thereby eliminating redundant data processing and also provides a single source of truth on government budget, appropriation, allocations, releases, obligations and expenditure.

The advanced software is an initiative of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance.

Source: NTA
A man condemned to death by hanging has pleaded that the crime for which he is about to be executed was not committed by him.

According to a special report by Rockcity 101.9 FM, Kolade Olajide Fowoshere, who claims to be an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) ex-medical student accused of killing a police officer has narrated how he was framed and charged with the murder of a police officer during a robbery in Ado-Ekiti in 2011.

He has been condemned to death and is awaiting to be hanged at Ibara Prisons in Abeokuta.

But, in an audio special report by RockCity 101.9 FM, Fowoshere said he is a victim of circumstance and claimed that he is innocent of the alleged crime.

Here is the original story as reported in 2011:

A part four medical student of Madonna University, Anambra State, Kolade Olajide, and three other students have been arrested by the men of the Ekiti State Police Command for allegedly killing a policeman during a robbery operation at Moferere area of Ado-Ekiti.

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, said at a press conference where the suspects were paraded in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, that the deceased, Mr. Olusegun Olufowobi, was shot by the gang around 8:40pm on July 20.

The other suspects are, Blessing Ohworisi, a male student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti; Ojo Ogundare, a tyre repairer and Miss Sunkanmi Faleye, Ohoworisis girlfriend, who is the gang leader.

Faleye, who is a pre-degree student of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo in Ondo State, claimed she was not aware that her boyfriend was a criminal. She added that one of the gang members called her on the telephone and told her that her boyfriend had been shot by a robber.

Faleye, who cried throughout the period of the parade, added that she went to OAUTH to take care of her boyfriend unknown to her he had been involved in robbery.

The CP said, The policeman was murdered in his apartment at Moferere area of Ado-Ekiti. He engaged the attackers in a gun battle with his service pistol, although he died but he shot and injured one of the hoodlums who is now receiving treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife in Osun State.

The medical student, confessed to journalists that he and Ojo went with Ohoworisi aka Master Orchestral, to the residence of the deceased for the operation.

The suspect, who claimed to be a former Student of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he met Ohoworisi, said the policeman was not the target. He added that they were returning from a failed operation when they saw shinning lights at the policemans residence.

He said the gang leader went in because he thought the person using a generator in the neighbourhood must be a richman.

Olajide explained that he and Ogundare, who accompanied Ohoworisi, heard a gunshot from outside the building where they had waited. He added that the policeman rushed for his pistol with which he shot the leader of the gang.

The policeman was later rushed to hospital where he died, having lost so much blood while the injured gang leader was taken away by his members.

Olajide said they deceived the policemen at different checkpoints and managed to take the injured gang leader to OAUTH where he and others were arrested.

Listen to the RockCity 101.9 FM special report below:
The Ikeja Electric has attributed the current power outage in some communities under its network to the March 20 night heavy rainfall which destroyed its equipment.

A statement in Lagos on Tuesday by Mr Felix Ofulue, its Head of Corporate Communications, said the heavy rainfall destroyed Abule-Tailor 33kv line, Ipaja 11kv and Amikanle 11kv line.

He said that the areas affected by the outage included Ikola, Amikanle, Command Road, Olodan, Ekoro Road, Abule-Tailor and environs.

Ikeja Electric wishes to inform you that the current outage is due to the destruction of our Abule Tailor 33kv line , Ipaja 11kv line and Amikanle 11kv line by the heavy rain on Monday night.

Kindly bear with us as we will find lasting solutions to this.

IE highly regrets any inconveniences caused by this outage, he said.

Ofulue, however, said that power supply to the affected areas would be restored shortly as maintenance teams were already effecting repairs.

Source: Punch
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, has affirmed that the commission will not allow the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards by proxy.

Yakubu expressed concern over the slow distribution of the PVCs during a meeting with state resident electoral commissioners and administrative officers in Abuja on Tuesday.

He had said in a meeting with the media on Monday that the commission had not distributed 7.8 million PVCs from the 2015 elections and ordered immediate distribution of the uncollected PVCs.

The INEC boss challenged the RECs and the administrative officers to ensure that the process of PVCs distribution was expedited.

He said, There is the issue of uncollected PVCs and preparations for the forthcoming continuous voter registration. In one of our meetings on approach and update on the level of collection of PVCs, what I received as of Monday last week is not very encouraging.

Not much has been achieved since the last meeting. We would like to know before we can expedite the process. There would no delivery of PVCs by proxy. It has to be delivered to the owner.

He said that the meeting was necessary for the commission to reflect on the elections it had conducted in order to learn some lessons from them.

Yakubu stated also that it was necessary for the commission to take a look at the preparations for the next major elections in Anambra and Osun states.

He added that commission still had three elections to conduct from the 2015 general elections in Anambra Central Senatorial District, a state constituency election in Delta and a federal constituency election in Katsina State.
Residents living in defected houses have been warned by the Lagos State Government to vacate the premises through the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development on Wednesday.

The warning was given through the Chairman of the committee, Mr Setonji David in Ikeja.

He said the warning had become imperative with Lagos getting set for another raining season with the attendant rainstorms and flooding.

David said that the state government would not want to lose any resident to building collapse because of flooding and rain storms.

The lawmaker described as unfortunate, the building collapse that led to the death of a pregnant woman at Ikola in Alimosho, Lagos on March 20, following a rainstorm.

People must be careful and ensure that they are not living in defective buildings and apartments.

Lagosians should also desist from the habit of blocking the drains with refuse. Such act is like people harming themselves.

I think people are responsible for some of these building collapses and other environment hazards. Many people build without approval from the regulatory agencies.

Many build on flood plains and along drain paths while a host of others never engaged experts in their building projects which are harmful.

The Lagos State Government is doing its best to safeguard lives and property but the rate at which people flout building regulations is alarming.

According to him, the state government has taken several steps to stem the tide of building collapses and government is also determined not to fail in ensuring safety of lives of citizens.

He also advised residents of flood-prone areas of the state to look for alternative accommodations to prevent flood-related hazards.

David, who noted that some residents brought disasters to themselves and their neighbours by blocking water channels with refuse, said that people should also desist from building on waterways.

The lawmaker argued that some residents were flouting governments regulations on physical

planning while some others often built without approval.

David said that after securing an approval, an intending developer must consult an expert in building.

The lawmaker told the Lagos State Building Control Agency to intensify monitoring of building to ensure standards and prevent disasters.

According to him, many landlords and tenants often disregard governments order to vacate distressed houses marked for demolition.

Source: ( PM News )
A missile launched in North Korean has failed, the statement was released by the South Korean defence officials , but it is unclear how many were fired or what exactly was being tested.

The US military said it detected a missile which appeared to explode within seconds of being launched.

North Korea is banned from any missile or nuclear tests by the United Nations.

However, it has conducted such tests with increasing frequency and experts say this could lead to advances in its missile technology.

Earlier this month, the North fired four missiles that flew about 1,000km (620 miles), landing in Japanese waters.

This test came from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan and will be seen as a response to annual military drills under way between the US and South Korea, which the North sees as preparation for an attack on it.

North Korea is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could strike the US, and has previously claimed it had successfully miniaturised nuclear warheads so they can fit on missiles.

However, most experts believe the North is still some time away from being able to realise such a goal, according to the BBC
The joint military force in the Niger Delta known as Operation Delta Safe has confirmed the arrest of a community leader in Ogba Ndoni Egbema local council, Rivers State, Mr. Chikeobi Alali for unlawful closure of 11 oil wells belonging to Agip.

The wells were shut down by the host community over unresolved issues they have with the oil company.The community accused Agip of failing to review a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties.

The spokesman of the military outfit, Major Abdullahi Abubakar condemned the action of the community, saying it is wrong to take laws into their hands. He added that troops in the area had reinforced security around the oilfield and re-opened the facilities for operations.

Abubakar warned that the military would not tolerate interference with oil facilities or production.Alalis wife, Ngozi, yesterday said the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrested her husband last weekend.

According to her: My husband was arrested by soldiers and taken away. When we traced them to the headquarters in Yenagoa, they feigned ignorance of his detention. After much pressure, they admitted that he is in their custody but I was denied access to him.

Efforts by his family and lawyer to secure his bail has been unsuccessful. My husband is the chairman of the local council oil and gas landlords association, he was arrested with the secretary and one other person. The others have since been released.

Reacting to the issue, a social activist, Mr. Pat Obiene, called for immediate release of the community leader.This is counter-productive and not in line with the peace initiative of the Federal Government. The military should promote dialogue which the Vice President preached during his recent tour to the region, Obiene said.

Meanwhile, the former Provisional Council Chairman of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ben Naanen, says the government needs extraordinary measures to check oil theft.

Naanen spoke at the National Conference on Oil Theft and Illegal Artisanal Refineries in Nigeria, organised by Social Action in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.He said government has not done enough to stop oil theft by enforcing the existing anti-bunkering laws.

The issue of illegal and artisanal refinery would be difficult to eradicate from the Niger Delta, except the government deals with poverty, rehabilitation and empowerment of youths in the area, he added.

Source: Guardian
An Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos has charged two factory workers, Idowu Azeez, and Abdullahi Jablet, who allegedly attempted to kidnap their employers daughter.

The suspected kidnappers, Azeez, 26 and Jablet, 22, whose addresses were not given, are facing a charge of attempt to kidnap.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 7, at No. 10, Obiajunwa St., Okumula Ilasamaja, Lagos State.

He said that the accused, who worked in a sachet water factory, conspired to kidnap a daughter of their employer.

A security guard at the factory heard their plans and informed their employer, who reported the matter to the police.

The accused were apprehended when they were about to carry out the plan,  he said.

The offence contravened Section 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Otitoju, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and both sureties should be gainfully employed.

Otitoju said the sureties should own landed property in Lagos State and they should show evidence of tax payment to the state government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until April 14, for mention.

Source: ( PM News )
Authorities arrested three drug dealers accused of smuggling heroin in pieces of household furniture, officials said Tuesday.

Cops grabbed Jorge Pizarro, 41, Nelson DeJesus, 4 0, and Miguel Angeles, 27, saying they tried to make an end-run around police by secreting more than 6 pounds of heroin in high-quality wooden end tables they transported from Texas and kept in a Bronx storage unit, officials said.

The drugs were stashed in compartments in the tables, officials said.

More than $4.1 million in $20s, $50s, and $100s was also found, city Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said.

This investigation demonstrates how lucrative and highly organized the lethal narcotics trade has become, Brennan said. The potential toll on human lives represented by this amount of drug money, carefully packaged and hidden in hydraulic compartments for interstate traffickers, cannot be measured.

Drug investigators from the Special Narcotics Prosecutors office, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security arrested Pizarro and his two cohorts Saturday night as they unloaded the heavy furniture from a unit they rented at Secure Self Storage on Zerega Ave. near Bruckner Blvd. in Unionport.

Cops cuffed the trio after they loaded the furniture onto a U-Haul truck, officials said. They also had a Dodge Caravan with them.

On Monday, investigators executed search warrants on the two vehicles, finding the furniture and drugs in the U-Haul, officials said.

Cops also found a secret compartment in the Caravan and a bottle of fox urine  marked deer hunters grade  which is known to be used by traffickers to cover the smell of narcotics, police said.
Kasuwar Monday is a business place in Kaduna which serves as a major trade base for foodstuff and other goods. MIDAT JOSEPH writes that rather than operate business in shops and stalls, buying and selling of items in the market is basically done on the bare dusty floor which has become a source of worry to the people.

A visit to the ever busy market on a fateful day will make someone wonder whether the operation of the Kasuwar Monday, located in the Kurmin-Gwari area of Kaduna city, is controlled by any government agency. This is because, there is no single sign to show that a market where business thrive exist therein. The place where the market is situated serves as a T-junction that linked the major roads leading to Defense Industry Corporation , DIC and the comatose Arewa Textile Mill in Kaduna.

Every Monday of the week, the T-junction which hitherto is obviously not occupied by multitude of persons at ordinary days, strangely becomes a gathering of multitude of persons comprising buyers and sellers from different parts of the country.The Market is as old as Nigeria itself, according to some traders who were interviewed.

Mama Saratu is one of the regular sellers at the market. The 65 year-old farmer from Niger State who settled in Kaduna said she started selling yams in the market with her mother, about 40 years ago. She said after her mother died, 16 years ago, she took over the business and has continued to dwell in it till now. In her assumption, the market could be over a hundred years.

She said, the market was initially a common place where the Gwari people who, according to her, were predominantly farmers and usually take their harvested produce such as maize, beans, yams, sweet potato and other farm inputs to sell at very cheap rates.

However, it was gathered from residents of Kurmin-Gwari area where the market is located that the market had first started as a meeting point for the Gwari men and women who operated trade by barter. It was learnt that with the advent of the naira currency, it had gradually transformed into a busy market for buying and selling of all goods and food items. Hence the high patronage of traders, it jumped into a bubbling state where it has being today.

What is most striking but however, very surprising is that despite the long existence of the market, it has not transformed beyond the old state it was known for, and without any expansion of its selling and buying points. There are no shops, just as no stalls.

It was learnt that the non-existence of shops in the market is not unconnected to some traditional beliefs which probably have held that whoever build a shop or stall in the market would meet untimely death. But this notion is yet to be confirmed hence there is no assertive declaration from residents of the area where the market is situated.

In Kaduna, Kasurwa market has become the most famous trading zone within the metropolis. This is so because of its uniqueness. There is free space location which, many people confirmed makes the place very accessible to traders who attend the market every Monday with their varied goods. What has become the obvious in the place is that intending traders would simply, without any approval, grab a ground space to spread their goods and commence the business of buying and selling.

Ofcourse, it was gathered that people who operate business in the place do pay a token of between N100 and N300 for each ground space occupied. The fact is that there are no noticeable shops and stalls built and or allotted in the place. The bare ground is however dusty during the dry season and very muddy during the raining season.

The market is seemingly a highly competitive free business place. As a trader, all you need do is to get a space, with personal struggle and at relatively no cost, then make demarcation and simply spread the goods. But once the market closes at between 6 and 7pm, the temporary stands put up by traders are quivkly detached and no one claims ownership of them, a trader stated.

Meanwhile, it was discovered that the Gwari people who are said to be the original founders of the market are nearly edged out of the affairs of the market. This is because traders of Igbo, Yoruba and other tribes have taken over operation of business in the place. The market opens as early as 6am.

When LEADERSHIP visited the place, it was discovered

that sellers and buyers throng into the place. It was observed that any commodity sold in the market is far cheaper than any being sold in the shops across the other markets in the city. In fact , one of the conditions that has necessitated the large crowd that is being witnessed in the market is the low price of items.

For example, a tuber of yam , which ordinarily is sold at between N200 and N350 in other markets is sold in Kasuwa Monday at between N100 and N150. A full basket of tomato sell at N4, 000 not comparable to the price obtainable in other markets. There is a section of fairly used clothes which are sold at very cheaper rate. For example, a jeans trouser, shirts could be bought in the market between N100 and N200 accordingly, a trader who simply gave his name as Nura explained.

Another fascinating thing found in the place is that the traders have engaged a local traffic officer who regulate movement of persons and vehicles hence there is constant gridlock in the area.

The traffic controller, fondly identified as Yerima told our reporter that the market is expanding every day due to more sellers that come to do business, with different items.

Business is done here on the bare floor, there are no shops or stalls. Things are cheaper here and so, you have traders from Sheikh Gumi, Kasuwar Barchi, Sabo Market and other markets within the town moving en-mass to this place. They buy and sell here at cheaper rate before moving them to other markets to sell at higher price.

Farmers from Chikun , Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Igabi local government areas are not left out, they have consistently become regular as they register their presence every monday when the market opens.The market has graduated from being just a food market that it was known for, to a market where fairly used clothes, shoes, kitchen utensils, assorted grains, animals and other commodities are sold, Yerima stated.

At the moment, many of those who patronize the Kasuwa Monday market have maintained that trading in the place has more gains than pains. For them, the existence of the market is a means of revival and survival. Food stuff section

As it stands, patronage in Kasuwar Monday is increasing by the day. The existence of the market has served both the rich and poor with varieties of food items and other commodities. The need for government to intervene by evolving workable measures to give the place a facelift and boost business is imperative

Source: Leadership
Nigerian Ace Comedian, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth has explained why he does not enjoy clubbing.

Basketmouth, who has been on a world tour from early last year, was opportuned to make an appearance on Hip TV where he explained why he wasnt big on club parties.

Speaking to Hip TV, Basketmouth said, Its too stressful. I swear what I am about to say, some club owners would not like it. You go to a club, its crowded, you cant dance, everyone is hitting you, the drinks are expensive.

If you look at it at the end of the day, you are actually getting stressed out to spend your own money.

I would rather just stay at home. Buy the drinks and keep it real. Its cheap. Call my friends to come to my house and drink.

The money I would spend on a bottle of brandy in the club, I can use it to buy 3 at home. Its just N11,000 for a bottle (of a particular brand) but in the club, is it N35,000? I be mumu? I be igbo, I save my money. No be club?
Abubakar Ibrahim, 18, a secondary school drop out was brought before an Igbosere Magistrates Court in Lagos for allegedly defiling a minor.

Ibrahim, whose address is not given, is facing a count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge.

The Prosecutor, Sergeant Ajaga Agboko, told court that the accused committed the offence sometime this month at No. 56, A. J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said, The accused indecently dealt with the 13-year-old girl by having sexual intercourse with her, he said.

Agboko said that the offence contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, denied the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Ogunbowale, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused.

The magistrate said that the sureties must be property owners and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Ogunbowale also ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison custody, pending an advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

( PM News )
The labour unions in the aviation sector have threatened to shut down the operations of Arik Air on Thursday over the airlines managements failure to reinstate its sacked members and other issues.

The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria had on February 9 taken over the airline.

The takeover was as a result of the airlines huge indebtedness to the company and other creditors, both local and foreign.

AMCON had thereafter appointed Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, as manager of the airline, under the receivership of Mr Oluseye Opasanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

However, Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, NUATE, who spoke on behalf of the unions on Wednesday in Lagos, accused the new management of intolerance to unionism.

Abioye said workers seeking to join the unions had the right to do so under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and other International Conventions.

He, however, alleged that the new management, through a circular recently warned the workers not to join the unions in the industry and had refused to address all the pending issues, as they affected the workers.

Among the issues are the review of conditions of service, remittance of necessary union deductions to their respective unions and the non-reinstatement of sacked union leaders in the airline, he said.

Abioye recalled that the unions in December 2016 had issues with the former management of the airline, which led to the shutdown of Ariks operations for a day, before the intervention of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Certain commitments were arrived at from the meeting and we were supposed to have a feedback early this year.

When we got there, the former Arik Air management was not in sight and we later learnt that the AMCON management has taken over the airline.

As expected from responsible union bodies, we wrote a letter to the new management seeking for a meeting with them, which was approved.

We got to that meeting and the airlines Receiver Manager, acted in an uncivilised manner.

He walked out the leaders of the three unions and asked his bodyguards to send us out.

Contrary to expectation, a circular was issued by the carriers Vice President, Human Resources, to the effect that Arik workers should shun unionism.

The circular said this is because the airline had zero tolerance for trade unions. That it was a criminal offence, he said.

Abioye said after the scenario that played out, the same management wrote a petition against the unions to the Inspector-General of Police, claiming that the unions had threatened him.

(NAN)
When Scott Copeland got his associate degree in network administration back in 2004, the community college he attended didnt offer IT security courses, but it gave me the foundation to learn more about network security, he says. His determination and thirst for learning led him to his current job as an IT security engineer at FedEx Services in Memphis, Tenn.

Getting started

After being laid off in 2008 from his first IT job in tech support and systems administration, friends encouraged Copeland to use his networking talents to get a certification that would boost his career. He studied for three months and earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification in routing and switching. CCNA was the biggest helper [for my security career path], says Copeland. Its one of the hardest network certifications in the industry. Also, he notes, because it ties networking for firewalls and VPN, it has security components to it. He also scoured daily posts on Reddit, the news aggregation and discussion website, to learn as much as he could about network and IT security, and to keep up with the latest threats.

He sought out temp work to hone his security skills and found a contract security job at FedEx. We upgraded the VPN client, Copeland says. I did technical writing for our user manual, and I still maintain that today. I also did VPN support tickets and started doing firewall tickets. When the project ended, he landed his first full-time network security position at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Two years later, he re-joined FedEx Services in his current full-time role.

My specialty is VPN, and I also do firewalls, Copeland says. On a typical day, Ill do change requests  the tickets to add or make changes to the firewall  Ill review the VPN logs, work with developers, [help with] change management and handle some compliance issues, he says.

A role in flux

The IT security engineer position is a fairly new role for most companies, and the responsibilities and scope of the position are still in flux, says Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco Associates Inc., which issues an annual report on new technology positions and job descriptions. The role and responsibilities are in high demand, Janulaitis says, because the job focuses on quality control within the IT infrastructure. That is one of the things that has been cut back on in the last several years as IT organizations have been trying to maintain and control costs, and as they continue to outsource, he says.

Broadly speaking, the IT security engineer works on the operational data center systems and networks. This person helps the organization understand advanced cyber threats and helps create mitigation strategies to ensure that networks are protected, according to the Janco job descriptions report.

The logical career ladder for the IT security engineer, according to Janulaitis, would be to move into a senior IT security engineer role and then to project manager or a systems and programming position.

Copeland will earn his four-year degree in organizational management in May. He plans to get his Information Systems Security Professional certification next year when he will have the required four years of security experience. His five-year plan is to become an IT security manager. Always continue to learn more about IT security, he says.
Facebook and Nokia have found a way to push a lot more data through a submarine cable across the Atlantic, which could help the social network keep up with the growth of video and virtual reality.

On a 5,500-kilometer (3,400-mile) cable between Ireland and New York, the companies tested a new technique developed at Nokia Bell Labs for increasing the efficiency of fiber-optic cables. They say it comes close to the absolute limit for sending bits over a fiber.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said VR is the future of social media. If it is, then the networks that link consumers and data centers will have more data than ever to carry. Higher resolution video also is increasing the burden on networks. For example, Netflix recommends subscribers have at least a 5Mbps broadband connection to stream HD video and 25Mbps for Ultra HD (4K) streams.

The good thing about fiber-optic networks is that new equipment on each end of a link can boost its capacity far beyond what was available when the cable was laid. Nokia recently tested new technology on a pair of fibers Facebook uses on the AEConnect cable across the Atlantic. It increased the capacity of that fiber pair by about 2.5 times.

Facebook's fibers can carry about 13Tbps (bits per second) now. With the experimental technology they recently tested, the fibers could carry 32Tbps, said Kyle Hollasch, Nokia's director of marketing for optical networking. The companies say this is a record.

The new technique, called PCS (probabilistic constellation shaping), gives the network more flexibility to get the most performance out of a particular fiber.

"Every fiber in the ground, everywhere in the world, is different," he said. Its ability to carry data depends on how long it is, the characteristics of the glass it's made of, and other factors.

To send data over that fiber most efficiently, the network needs different settings, like gears, to adjust for those differences. Current equipment has just a few of these "gears" at most. PCS changes that equation because it's like a continuously variable transmission, so it can adjust the network precisely to best use any fiber, Hollasch said.

PCS should be available for installation in fiber networks in three years, according to Nokia. But the company is already making its equipment more efficient, with commercially available gear today that could increase the current connection by about one-third to 17Tbps.

For Facebook, which has invested in several submarine cables and bought fibers on others, higher efficiency is just good business.

"Facebook pays the same for this cable regardless of how much data they put on it. So they might as well put as much as they can," Hollasch said.
Organizations that use the popular Moodle learning management system should deploy the latest patches as soon as possible because they fix vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to take over web servers.

Moodle is an open source platform used by schools, universities, and other organizations to set up websites with interactive online courses. It's used by more than 78,000 e-learning websites from 234 countries that together have more than 100 million users.

[ Expand your security career horizons with these essential certifications for smart security pros. | Discover how to secure your systems with InfoWorld's Security Report newsletter. ]

A week ago the Moodle developers released updates for the still supported branches of the platform: 3.2.2, 3.1.5, 3.0.9 and 2.7.19. The release notes mentioned that "a number of security related issues were resolved," but didn't provide any additional details about their nature or impact.

The severity of the flaws became apparent Monday, when security researcher Netanel Rubin, who found the vulnerabilities, published a detailed blog post about them. They don't seem too critical on their own, but when combined, they allow attackers to create hidden administrative accounts and execute malicious PHP code on the underlying server.

The exploit takes advantage of some false assumptions made by the developers, which Rubin described as a logic flaw, an Object Injection, a double SQL injection, and an overly permissive administrative dashboard.

The logic issue stems from the reimplementation of a certain function without taking into account decisions made by the original function's developers. According to the researcher, it is the result of "having too much code, too many developers and lacking documentation."

"Keep in mind that logical vulnerabilities can and will occur in almost all systems featuring a large code base," Rubin said. "Security issues in large code bases is, of course, not Moodle specific."

One factor that somewhat limits the impact of the flaws is that exploiting them requires an account on the targeted website. That's not much of a barrier though considering how many registered users these websites have.

Gaining administrative privileges on the Moodle platform is not only dangerous because attackers could install a PHP backdoor by uploading malicious plug-ins or templates, but also because Moodle installations store sensitive and private information about students taking online courses.
I reported earlier this morning that we're seeing "Unsupported hardware" and "Windows could not search for new updates" messages from people who are running Windows 7 and 8.1 on Intel Kaby Lake and AMD Rizen-based computers. It's part of Microsoft's long-threatened ban on Win7 and 8.1 updates for newer seventh-generation processors.

Now there's a report of similar blockages on an older AMD A6-8570 processor. It isn't clear if there's a bug in the detection logic, or if Microsoft's going to block Win7 and 8.1 updates on some older sixth-generation processors.

The report comes from poster The Heretic on [H]ardForum:

Well it isn't just the Ryzen that's going to get whacked. I came into work this AM to look at one of the system's I'd re-imaged with Win7 Pro and started downloading updates to it as I left yesterday. I was greeted with Microsoft's gotcha.

The screen he posts clearly says the block took place on an AMD Pro A6-8570 system.

IDG

It appears as if The Heretic had tried to install the Windows 7 Monthly Rollup Preview, as explained earlier this morning.

AMD's product page for the AMD Pro A6-8570 clearly states that this is an older, sixth-generation chip.

HP's customer advisory "HP Desktop and Notebook PCs -- Determining Windows 7 & 8 Support for 2016 and Newer HP Desktop and Notebook PCs (Processor Dependent)" says:

In accordance with the Microsoft Silicon Support Policy Non-HP site, HP does not support or provide drivers for Windows 8 or Windows 7 on products configured with Intel or AMD 7th generation and forward processors.

The advisory goes on to specifically state that A6-8570 will "support Windows 7, 8 and 10."

Except, apparently, it doesn't. Or won't.

I can't tell if this is the result of an overzealous processor generation detector, a bug, or a bona fide blockage that's liable to continue. Microsoft has never been explicit in its processor blacklist, having originally said that it would block Win7 and 8.1 updates on Skylake processors. That decision was rescinded last August, and changed to:

6th Gen Intel Core devices on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be supported with all applicable security updates until the end of support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 ... future silicon platforms including Intel's upcoming 7th Gen Intel Core (Kaby Lake) processor family and AMD's 7th generation processors (e.g. Bristol Ridge) will only be supported on Windows 10, and all future silicon releases will require the latest release of Windows 10.

The A6-8570 shipped in September. Collateral damage, I guess.

Discussion continues on the AskWoody Lounge.

Thanks to zero2dash for the heads-up.
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A garage sale at a self-storage facility in Kilauea, Hawaii, last weekend raised $11,000 for the Rotary Club of Hanaei Bay. John Gillen of Kilauea Mini Storage donated the space for the fundraiser on March 18. The money will be used to support the clubs community activities, according to the source.

Hundreds of people attended the ninth annual "Greatest Garage Sale Ever, 8 a.m. to noon, at 4306 Aalona St. Donated items for the sale included antiques, books, clothes, fishing gear, flat-screen TVs and even an inflatable kayak. A tent set up outside the storage building included cabinets, chairs and desks.

The items were marked at 50 percent off starting at 11 a.m., and then for free at noon when the sale closed. It [was] all put to good use, said organizer Monica Oszust.

Rotarians dressed in bright yellow shirts assisted buyers throughout the day. Club president John Oszust called the event phenomenal.

The club began collecting contributions for the garage sale last year. More items were added last week when a homeowner who was moving donated a large amount of furniture. So, we went over there yesterday with seven trucks and moved all the furniture in a three-bedroom house into this tent, Monica Oszust said.
The South Lyon, Mich., City Council has approved rezoning of a property at 500 Stryker to allow for the development of a self-storage facility. The site, adjacent to the South Lyon Cemetery, will house a seven-building storage facility comprising more than 74,000 square feet of space, according to the source.

The planning commission recommended self-storage for the conditional rezoning, prohibiting all other uses. Residential and other types of development would be challenging because one-third of the property is part of the Yerkes Drain, a stream that flows through the area.

"It's a long, narrow property behind manufacturer-housing property and a cemetery. The property owner [looked] at residential uses and all the other uses in the light-industrial district," said Carmine Avantini, a planning consultant to the city. "Most uses would need a second means of access. After looking at all the uses, this would have low impact on the cemetery and the manufactured-housing development.

The project will be required to meet screening guidelines, particularly on the side that faces the cemetery, Avantini said. "This will go back to the planning commission for final site-plan review. They wanted to dig into the building materials and landscaping.

Councilman Glenn Kivell questioned whether the property would need more than just the single fire hydrant shown on the plans.

"I have not seen the plan yet. It is a very challenging site. They would have needed another access if it was residential and forced suppression. They will probably need two or three hydrants," South Lyon Fire Chief Mike Kennedy said.

Councilwoman Margaret Kurtzweil noted South Lyon is going through a rebirth and hopes the development, which is near downtown, will include an attractive structure. "My motto is if it wouldn't fit in Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills, don't put it in my town," she said.
A wanted man who barricaded himself inside a self-storage unit in Post Falls, Idaho, for 18 hours finally surrendered to police on Tuesday after they threatened to send in a police dog though an adjoining unit. Police were called to Post Falls Mini Storage in the 2800 block of Seltice Way on Monday around 10 a.m. after staff noticed Eric A. Gonzales, who isnt a tenant of the property, was occupying the unit, according to the source.

Officers maintained contact with Gonzales via phone and from outside the unit during the standoff. Though these conversations, it didnt appear the 35-year-old was suicidal or a threat to anyone, the source reported. Gonzales also hadnt committed a crime that prompted excessive action, police said. "It didn't seem worth destroying the property or kicking in the door over," said Post Falls Police Capt. Pat Knight.

Early reports that Gonzales had gas and was threatening to burn himself or the business were unfounded, Knight said. Gonzales did tell police he had a propane tank in the unit to heat it.

"He made himself at home and had been staying there a couple days," Knight said. "He told us that he just wanted to get some sleep as he was tired from a long day of work."

Gonzales was wanted for felony malicious injury to property, failure to appear for a no-contact order violation, and failure to appear for domestic-battery charges. His 13-year criminal history includes arrests for battery, eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, driving under the influence, probation violations and obstructing.

Residents near the storage facility were temporarily evacuated as a precaution, the source reported.
Cost estimates for the construction and maintenance of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago could lead to the establishment of an endowment as large as $1.5 billion.

The planned presidential library and museum will be the first since a 2008 amendment tripled the requirement for private fundraising support of presidential libraries. While the foundations behind the George Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush libraries raised endowments worth 20 percent of each librarys cost, the Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act states that all future presidential libraries must provide an endowment totaling 60 percent of the centers outlay.

At an annual benefit for the LongHouse Reserve in New York, Obama Center architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien suggested the South Side library and museum could require a $1.5 billion endowment, according to a February report by the New York Post. An article by The New York Times in 2015 said Obama advisers were then projecting the need for a $1 billion endowment.

A representative for Williams and Tsiens architectural firm declined to comment on the accuracy of the Post article and a spokeswoman for the Obama Foundation wouldnt comment on the expected size of the endowment.

The Obama Center will be the 14th presidential library run by the National Archives and Records Administration, and the fourth to raise an endowment. Dedicated funds to support presidential libraries were first required by the Presidential Libraries Act of 1986 to shift the ongoing building operations costs of future libraries from the taxpayer to endowment funds, according to a May 1985 report by the House Committee on Government Operations.

The size of these funds has escalated since the rule was first enacted, with the endowment for the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum exceeding $500 million  more than triple the $165 million required for the Clinton library.

The Obama Center, to be set in Chicagos Jackson Park, will house the archives of the Obama administration, as well as a museum about the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama. Construction of the buildings is expected to cost between $200 million and $300 million, according to the Post.

As of 2015 the Obama Foundation had raised $7.3 million, according to tax returns released since the foundations launch in early 2014. President Obama said he would not personally participate in fundraising for the foundation until the completion of his term, which ended January 20, and the foundation pledged not to accept donations from for-profit entities, federal lobbyists, or foreign nationals or agents while Obama was in office.

During his presidential campaigns, Obama successfully out-fundraised both his opponents and his predecessors, racking up nearly $750 million in 2008 and another $722 million in 2012. Top donors to the Obama Foundation so far include the family foundation of Star Wars creator George Lucas and Renaissance Technologies founder James Simons.

In December the foundation announced the hiring of David Simas as chief executive officer to lead the foundations work to create the Obama Presidential Center. Simas had served in various roles under the Obama administration since 2009, including most recently assistant to the president and director of political strategy and outreach.

The foundations board consists of several asset management executives, including J. Kevin Poorman, CEO of PSP Capital Partners and Pritzker Realty Group, and Michael Sacks, CEO of GCM Grosvenor.

John Rogers, the founder and CEO of Ariel Investments, also joined the board last year. Rogers, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, served as the co-chair of Obamas inaugural committee in 2009 as he prepared to enter the White House.

Compiled by staff.
The majority of TRS managers liked the new 1-or-30 fee structure, once they understood it. Those who didnt? They might no longer work for Texas Teachers.

The new 2-and-20 is 1-or-30, at least at Teacher Retirement System of Texas and other pension funds adopting the latest fee model.

In the early spring of 2016, the hedge fund team at the Texas pension plan had the same problem faced by many large investors globally: As gross hedge fund returns fell, net returns for investors fell even further because of fees they paid.

Our basic philosophy is that the approximate split of alpha between investors and managers should be 70 percent to 30 percent, says Brad Gilbert, director of hedge funds at Texas Teachers, which oversees $133 billion of assets.

"But as returns have been lower, weve seen split of alpha thats inconsistent with that standard. In a low-return environment, the deal breaks downs, he says. If the manager is earning 8 to 10 percent net annual returns, 70-30 is about the split. But in the last few years, 50 to 75 percent has been going to the manager, and we feel like thats not a split that is sustainable to the industry.

Some of Texas Teachers highest-profile peers, including California Public Employees Retirement System and New York City Employee Retirement System, have exited hedge funds entirely after suffering the short end of the alpha stick. But Gilbert and his colleagues wanted to fix the transaction, and arrived at a goal: 70 percent of alpha ought to go to them  bull markets or bear. Then they solved for that.

The first iteration of its alpha-optimized fee model succeeded with one of the funds existing managers. TRS negotiated a great deal, says Jonathan Koerner, who serves as head of implementation for hedge fund specialist consultant Albourne Partners, and previously spent seven years on the asset allocation side of the business at Utah Retirement Systems. He declined to name the fund manager.

Still, TRS investment committee thought they should do better. Members rejected the model, and sent Gilbert and company back to the drawing board. Achieving the teams explicit 70-30 split goal meant the manager would have to post a 12 percent gross return every year  which is a big assumption, Koerner says when asked about it. So the call came to us to help with this goal. I didnt necessarily have a solution in mind, but had some ideas.

An estimated 200 to 300 hours of work later, the 1-or-30 model was ready for primetime:

* 1 percent management fee: The easiest way to get alignment and not pay for underperformance is to have a zero percent management fee, says Koerner, but Im not sure as an investor you even want that. A big part of arriving at 1-or-30 was just reframing away from 2-and-20. Plus, adds TRS Senior Managing Director Dale West, Nobody can turn this management fee into a profit center.

* Management fee hurdle: Under the 1-or-30 structure, management fees are an advance on future performance fees. TRS wont pay performance fees until 30 percent of gross alpha exceeds 1 percent of net asset value. As West puts it, you can almost think of a management fee as a draw on a future performance fee.

*30 percent performance fee: The break even point between 1.5-and-20 and 1-or-30 is 12.5 percent gross returns, 8.6 percent net returns, says Koerner. The managers confident that they can achieve beyond that, once they understand the model, they jump on it. Its upside for them.

*Beta and cash hurdles: TRS does not believe in paying hedge fund fees for beta or cash, according to internal documents. We werent aiming for a fee cut per se, explains Gilbert. Were happy to pay if theres genuine value-added. And installing a hurdle over whatever beta may embedded within a hedge funds strategy ensures TRS does only pay for value-add, not reaping an exposure that could be delivered more cheaply.

Most managers that Gilbert, West, and Koerner have pitched their formula to like it, perhaps after a bit of an adjustment period. Its a shift from the traditional 2 percent management fee and 20 percent performance fee.

Source: Teacher Retirement System of Texas

In the initial conversation, theres always some defensiveness, according to Gilbert. Its a little bit more complex, and some managers havent worked with a hurdle rate. We let the managers see all the tools were using and model their past returns, to show them what it would look like over a longer term cycle. Then eventually, they get excited about it.

Or, rather, most of them get excited about it.

The acceptance rate has been very high, and the majority of our hedge fund assets are now with managers on this fee structure, Gilbert says. Its definitely the new standard, and were not bringing anybody to the investment committee that is not open to it. And those on the existing roster who werent open to it? In some cases, we have parted ways.








The good news about Article 50 finally being implemented is that it brings to an end all that news speculation surrounding when will Article 50 be invoked? The bad news, however, is that it starts another round of speculation about what Brexit will actually mean.



For those in the business world  and particularly in the insurance sector - who prefer action rather than talk, theres no time like the present. Brexit is happening, even if it takes two years to negotiate its ins and outs, and for insurers that means its time to set up base outside their usual London City headquarters: but where to go?



A couple of firms have already shown their hand  AIG has committed to a move to Luxembourg, while Lloyds of London is also expected to follow suit. Beazley meanwhile is expanding its Dublin office. However, what about those that remain? For them it seems that Dublin and Luxembourg may be outmatched: by Frankfurt.



That is, at least, according to a new Financial Times report that says the German city has the edge over not only Dublin and Luxembourg, but also over the likes of Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Madrid based on interviews with senior financial bosses.



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Over long periods of time, activity moves to the centre of gravity, and the location of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt is an example of this, John McFarlane, chairman of Barclays and TheCityUK lobby group told the publication.



The Germans are so far ahead [that] the French cant quite believe it, added another notable commentator.



London is, of course, expected to remain as the financial epicentre, and, as the AIG and Lloyds of London potential moves suggest, Luxembourg is also likely to become a hot insurance destination. However, Frankfurts positioning with the European Central Bank mean that it is emerging as a strong favourite, even while it may lack the flair of more glamorous contemporaries like Paris.



It has already emerged that three of the top five US banks  namely JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America Merrill Lynch  have all placed Frankfurt on their shortlist. Goldman Sachs too, already has an operation in the city and it is likely that other financial players, including insurers, will follow suit preferring to have a central base with a cluster of financial services grouped together rather than scattered across the continent.



It has been estimated that London could lose around 75,000 jobs in the financial sector as a result of the Brexit decision  with an EY study putting the figure at 232,000 across the UK.





Related stories:

Lloyds seen to follow AIG in post-Brexit move to Luxembourg

AIG reveals European destination
The future of warfare is hybrid  and the future is now, expert says
Most businesses aren't using best practice controls
Insurance Business discusses the succession question with Swiss Res Keith Wolfe, president for regional and national property and casualty in the US and Monica Ningen, head of property underwriting for the US & Canada.



IB: Millennials are a different type of animal as a workforce. They are not like boomers who are likely to stick with one job for the rest of their life and value integrity and purpose in their occupations. How does a career in insurance fit in with this mindset?



KW: It might scare some to picture insurance veterans handing over the keys to the millennial generation, but I really am confident we can set the table for a successful transition.



Many millennials want a job that feels worthwhile. They want to work for companies that not only make a profit but also do good for the world around them. They want a job with purpose. Insurance is about protecting lives and livelihoods, providing the means to carry on following adversity. Thats an important mission and a very compelling reason for millennials to find the industry rewarding.



We need to appeal to those who relish a challenge, and insurance really fits the bill. Theres something for everyone, because its always evolving, dynamic and challenging. Consider how a millennial might answer the following questions:



Are you inquisitive?

Are you attracted to limitless challenges?

Do you want to do good for society?



Insurance offers opportunities for continual personal growth and people of a variety of different educational backgrounds.



IB: The industry faces a workforce gap over the next five-10 years as professionals go into retirement. Apart from the obvious, which is recruitment, how can the industry maximize existing resources to address this gap? For instance, tap retirees as part-time workers, or provide training for those in other fields to pursue a career in insurance?



MN: Theres no single strategy that applies to the entire industry. Each company and organization is unique, depending on where it sits in the value chain and the markets it serves. At Swiss Re, were seeing situations where the nature of the work is changing so we are replacing those who have retired with professionals of different skill sets. Ours is a dynamic businessmore so than people realizeso replacing talent is never a like-for-like proposition. We have several examples of employees working part-time as they near retirement as well as working in our Swiss Re Academy as trainers. We have two employees with years of technical expertise that have moved into more of a consulting role and are working with new hires that do not come from insurance backgrounds on our data and technology related initiatives.



I also think how we work is just as important as the work we do. Swiss Re has Own the Way You Work, which recognizes that everyone works differently so we give people the freedom to work remotely and at their own hours so long as theres mutual trust with their manager. Given this flexibility, we can come up with some pretty creative arrangements that ensure we retain good talent in critical positions.



We all have to be as creative as possible to best utilize resources.



IB: Technology has great potential to revolutionize the industry. How can the coming changes be marketed as sexy to make an insurance career attractive to the younger generations?



KW: I think about technology as an enabler of innovation. Creating the best solutions to societys problems is what makes me passionate about our work. The marriage of these two concepts clearly shows the direct link between technology and our mission of making the world more resilient.



This influx of innovation is absolutely necessary to ensure we can meet our obligation to extend protection to a rapidly changing world.


State politicians are getting involved with the insurance sector with the launch of House Bill 80, proposed in the Delaware General Assembly, meant to prescribe rating factors to determine car insurance premiums.I think there is an awful amount of unfairness in how auto insurance rates are derived, bill author, state representative Trey Paradee told local media.In particular, I think that elderly people and people who have gone through a financial hardship in life, unfortunately, are really the people who are being treated most unfairly today by the auto insurance companies.WDEL reported that the bill will use a motorists at-fault history and safety record as the primary determining factors for pricing premiums.The bill does allow for quite a bit of leeway for the insurance companies to base their rates upon the experience of the driver, added Paradee.So young drivers, who are still getting their licenses, are still going to pay higher rates than somebody who has more experience. Theyre also able to take into account such factors as the type of car [and] the number of miles anticipated to be driven with the car.What do you make of politicians getting involved in this manner? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Backers of legalized recreational marijuana urged Massachusetts legislators Monday to hold off, at least for now, on making any significant changes to a law voters approved in November.

The appeal came during the first public hearing held by a special legislative committee formed to review the law, which passed by a 240,000 vote margin and made Massachusetts one of eight states that allow adults to use recreational marijuana.

House and Senate leaders have promised to respect the will of the electorate. Yet lawmakers also have angered many marijuana advocates by making clear their willingness to consider a higher tax rate on legal marijuana sales and address other issues, including the ability of local officials to keep pot shops out of their communities; limits on the potency of edible marijuana; and further restrictions on homegrown marijuana, now capped at a dozen pot plants per household.

The group that led the ballot initiative, Yes on 4, said the Legislature should take a hands-off approach until a state regulatory board is in place and has a chance to formulate recommendations for lawmakers.

That board, known as the Cannabis Control Commission, has yet to be appointed.

In no way are we trying to curtail any of your legislative duties, insisted Jim Borghesani, spokesman for Yes on 4, when asked pointedly by the committees House chairman, Democratic Rep. Mark Cusack, why the panel should defer to regulators.

The Legislature already has moved to delay the opening of retail marijuana stores until mid-2018 at the soonest. Among dozens of other marijuana-related bills filed are proposals ranging from minor tweaks to the law to its outright repeal  the latter an extremely unlikely scenario.

The law imposes a 3.75 percent excise tax on top of Massachusetts normal 6.25 sales tax and an optional 2 percent local tax, adding up to a 12 percent maximum tax.

State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, whose office is overseeing implementation of the law, called the relatively low excise tax an area of immediate concern.

It stands in stark contrast to the excise rates applied in other states, such as Washington at 37 percent tax rate, Colorado at 29 percent and Oregon and Alaska at 25 percent, Goldberg said.

The treasurer and other state officials have questioned whether the current tax would generate enough revenue to cover the costs of regulating recreational marijuana.

Backers of the law counter that keeping the tax rate relative low  at least initially  would encourage consumers to visit legal marijuana establishments and help put illegal dealers out of business.

State revenue officials estimated the current tax would generate $64 million in the first year and $132 million in the second year, adding that its difficult to accurately project marijuana sales.

In a letter to the committee on Monday, the Massachusetts Municipal Association complained that local elected officials are being shut out of the marijuana licensing process. Under the law, pot shops can only be barred from a community through a voter referendum. The association urged a change that would allow local governing bodies, such as city councils or boards of selectmen, to decide those questions without a referendum.

Among those attending the standing-room only hearing were Paul and Dorothy Connors, a Holbrook couple who said they support recreational marijuana law and believe lawmakers should respect voters by leaving the law alone.

Now theyre trying to change everything, said Paul Connors. Its not right.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Cannabis Massachusetts
Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. (R&Q) announced the acquisition of ICDC Ltd., a captive insurer of an American Fortune 500 company, for an undisclosed sum.

The name of the former parent of the captive was not released.

The company, originally incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, was re-domiciled in Vermont effective June 30, 2015. The company reinsured workers compensation, commercial general liability, business auto liability, business auto physical damage and property risks of the parent.

ICDC, which is in run-off, had a total net asset value of $7.95 million as at Dec. 31, 2016 with reserves estimated at circa $2.76 million.

We are delighted to complete the acquisition of ICDC from an American Fortune 500 company, said Ken Randall, chairman and chief executive officer of R&Q.

This transaction demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continue to acquire legacy insurance assets and also continues to expand our acquisition activity in the North America, Bermuda and the Caribbean region, he added.

Source: Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers Manufacturing
A huge fire at an apartment building under construction in suburban Kansas City has sparked fires at several homes blocks away.

The eight-alarm fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. on March 20 at the multimillion-dollar CityPlace development in Overland Park, Kansas, sending plumes of smoke and embers toward homes in the suburban neighborhood nearby, The Kansas City Star reported.

Once one roof caught fire, embers jumped from roof to roof, spreading the blaze, said Overland Park Fire Department spokesman Jason Rhodes.

Its a bit of a war zone down there frankly, Rhodes said. No serious injuries were reported, although one firefighter suffered a minor injury, he said.

Some residents have been evacuated as a precaution.

Neighborhood residents described hearing an explosion before debris fell on houses.

It sounded like a bomb, said Juan Roque.

Rhodes said it was largest fire he had seen in his 10-year career with the fire department.

Nothing of this magnitude, he said. This is big.

When embers started flying through the nearby neighborhood after the fire broke out, residents took their cars out of their garages in case they needed to flee.

It was unbelievable, said resident Skip Willrett, adding the building where the blaze started is completely gone.

Fires continued to break out at surrounding houses two hours after the first blaze.

Rhodes said he saw at least 12 houses on fire, but the number could be greater.

Neighboring fire departments helped the Overland Park Fire Department battle the blazes.

Ken Block with Block Real Estate, the CityPlace developer, said in a statement that they are grateful for all the fire departments for their heroic efforts.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with those who are affected and will continue to be affected by this event, Block said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Kansas
The Illinois Department of Insurance reported that Public Service Insurance Co. (Public Service) and its parent corporation Public Service Mutual Holding Co. have been placed into rehabilitation.

Policies will continue in force and policyholder claims will continue to be paid in the ordinary course of business, the department said. Policies in force on March 16, 2017, will remain in place until their contractual expiration date.

Public Service is an Illinois domestic stock property/casualty insurance company located in New York City, New York. It previously was organized as a mutual insurance company. Upon conversion to a stock company it became a subsidiary of Public Service Mutual Holding Co.

The Agreed Order of Rehabilitation was entered against the company by Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Illinois Director of Insurance Jennifer Hammer has been affirmed as the statutory rehabilitator for the companies.

As of Dec. 31, 2016, Public Service had a statutory surplus of $28,264,847 as it relates to policyholders.

The Order of Rehabilitation authorizes Hammer to pay claims by or against the Public Service policyholders as well as assumed reinsurance claims in the ordinary course of business as they come due.

A copy of the Order of Rehabilitation and additional information can be obtained at www.osdchi.com or by calling the Office of the Special Deputy Receiver at 312-836-9500.

Source: Illinois Department of Insurance

Topics Illinois
A legal battle between two insurance brokerages over whether a former employee violated non-compete agreements and poached numerous employees is not over yet but the brokerage bringing the charges has scored key early victories.

The lawsuit brought by U.K.-based Aon plc accuses defendants Newport, Calif.-based Alliant Insurance Services Inc. and executive Michael Heffernan, a former Aon employee, of staging a raid last year and allegedly taking more than two dozen Aon employees and closely-held information on Aon clients.

Aons suit, filed Feb. 3, 2016, seeks injunctive relief and damages arising out of Heffernans alleged breaches of restrictive covenants contained in agreements between Heffernan and Aon, as well as statutory and common law duties, and Alliants alleged aiding and abetting of those breaches.

The case is still in the early stages, but Alliant has been dealt two blows that several legal experts contacted by Insurance Journal believe have given Aon a definitive edge.

The first blow was Aon winning a temporary restraining order last year.

Then last month the court handed Aon another gift in ruling that the case will be heard in Illinois, rather than in California as Alliant wanted, because thats what Heffernan agreed to in a non-compete agreement he entered into while employed by Aon.

Taking the case out of California against Alliants wishes and placing it in Illinois was a blow to Alliants defense, according to Kerry Fields, professor of clinical finance and business economics at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

The laws of more than 30 states enforce covenants not to compete against employees, Fields said. Illinois is a state that will enforce these covenants.

California would likely have not done so, according to Lisa Von Eschen, partner with Lamb and Kawaskami LLP in Los Angeles.

Thats a big win for Aon, Von Eschen said. California is notoriously the worst place to try and enforce any sort of non-compete.

The agreement with Heffernan prevented him from contacting clients he worked with at Aon for two years and contacting any prospective clients for six months from the time he left.

Both of those are ways to be broad to try and be enforceable in California, Von Eschen said. In California, there is such a strong public policy in favor of free-market competition.

Attorneys for Alliant and Heffernan likely knew that and thus filed a motion to have the employment agreements ruled unenforceable under California law; they actually filed that motion before Aon filed its suit.

If they had succeeded they would be in a lot better shape to fight these claims and have these agreements held unenforceable, Von Eschen said.

Terese M. Connolly, a partner in the Chicago office of Culhane Meadows PLLC, also views the order to move the case to Illinois as a bad sign for Alliant.

Unfortunately for defendants the judge did deny the motion to dismiss and said the proceedings are going to be governed by the substantive law of Illinois, Connolly said. Thats not going to bode well for the defendants.

Alliant and Aon both declined to comment for this story.

Case History

Heffernan was an employee and executive at Aon from March 2000 through January 26, 2016. At the time he resigned, Heffernan was executive vice president and regional managing director of Aons construction services group and was the head of Aons San Jose office, according to the lawsuit.

The day of Heffernans resignation, according to the lawsuit, Alliant raided Aons officers, employees, and clients by orchestrating a mass exodus of Heffernan and 26 other Aon employees from Aons San Jose office.

Alliant appointed Heffernan executive vice president in its San Jose office the same day. According to the suit, prior to Jan. 26, 2016, Alliant did not have an office in San Jose, but following the exodus, Heffernan and most of the 26 employees joined the newly-created San Jose office.

The day he left Aon to join Alliant, Heffernan filed the preemptive action in California seeking a declaration that the restrictive covenants he signed with Aon were unenforceable under California law. The agreements with Aon included restricted stock unit agreements, according to the suit.

Pursuant to these agreements, Heffernan agreed to be bound by, among other things, restrictions from competing with Aon, soliciting Aon clients or employees to leave Aon or join an Aon competitor, and improperly taking or using Aon confidential or trade secret information, the suit states. Heffernan entered into these agreements in consideration for, among other things, substantial awards of cash or stock.

Heffernan and Alliant employees have since solicited Aon clients to join Alliant, according to the suit, in which Aon also claims it possesses an email solicitation apparently sent by Heffernan to an Aon client.

An attorney for Heffernan did not reply to requests for comment.

According to the suit, Alliant has done this sort of thing before.

In 2011, Alliant and Peter Arkley, another former Aon executive allegedly led a prior raid on Aons clients and employees. Aon filed an action in a New York court seeking to enforce the restrictive covenants in Arkleys employment agreement, and Arkley and Alliant sought to dismiss the action on grounds of the prior action pending in California.

The New York court maintained the action in New York, finding, among other things, that the evident disfavor California law holds for restrictive covenants, supports the motion courts finding that the California action was a preemptive measure undertaken to gain a tactical advantage so as to negate the force and effect of the restrictive covenants, which the parties had freely agreed upon. The case was Aon Risk Services v. Cusack.

Confidential Data

Also according to the lawsuit, shortly before resigning from Aon, Heffernan requested access to AonWrap, the companys proprietary software and data management system, which Aon says includes confidential data files on wrap up insurance projects.

No Aon competitor has access to AonWrap or the data and analysis of the data that Aon compiles, develops and maintains within it related to the thousands of construction projects for which Aons San Francisco office managed the Wrap-Up Insurance from 1998 to present, or for that expansive date range, the lawsuit states. This is utterly unique and proprietary data, and includes data for construction projects throughout the United States, from coast to coast.

According to the complaint, Heffernan on Jan. 12, 2016, downloaded a report from AonWraps database that contained data related to construction projects performed by over 8,000 companies. The lawsuit alleges that was the only time since at least August, 2015 that Heffernan downloaded any report from AonWrap.

It is evident that Heffernan wanted and improperly downloaded the AonWrap data file, and the confidential and trade secret information belonging to Aon contained therein, so that he could use it for Alliants benefit once, as planned, he resigned from Aon and moved to Alliant, the suit states.

Connolly said its at this point that Heffernan would have been best advised to talk to an attorney if he did as the suit states. Its advisable for people who are going to leave and who have agreements that contain restrictive covenants to get advice before doing anything that could remotely, possibly violate those agreements to avoid situations like this, Connolly said.

In February 2016, the court granted a temporary restraining order enjoining the client and employee solicitation and confidential information use prohibited by the stock unit agreements.

That was blow number one.

The next decision favoring Aon occurred in February of this year, when the court issued an order for the case to be heard in Illinois.

Fields, the USC professor, said most often courts try to hold cases where its most convenient for employees. Though Heffernan resides in California, the court in this case held that the claims in the case outweighed everything else.

He received a number of opportunities, which in exchange for these opportunities  which are the restricted stock  he promised that he would not use any of their confidential trade secret information, Fields said.

Days after the order for the case to be heard in Illinois, attorneys for Alliant and Heffernan filed a motion for reconsideration, claiming that Illinois law requires the application of California law to plaintiffs claims because California has a materially greater interest than Illinois in this case and Californias policy in favor of employee mobility and against restraints on employment is fundamental.

Earlier this month the court ordered plaintiffs to respond to the motion and scheduled a status hearing update on April. 7. Aon attorneys filed a lengthy response on Monday arguing for denial of the motion.

Fields offered up six questions  along with answers  that a court will ultimately entertain in a case like this:

Is there a state statute that will enforce the covenant? Yes. Whats the employers interest thats at stake. Is it material? Yes. Was the agreement executed and done without duress? Heffernan received stock. Whats the reasonableness and scope of this agreement they want to enforce against Heffernan? He could have information that pertains to Aons affairs in many states. What duty would he have as a perspective employee to disclose that hes bound by these agreements? He would have such a duty. Are there any prohibitions against solicitations of Aons customers? Yes.

Connolly believes a court trial is unlikely.

More often than not these cases settle, Connolly said.

Fields, who agreed on the likelihood of a settlement, said from what has happened in the early stages of the case, Alliant and Heffernan are not in a favorable position so far.

If I were counsel for this gentleman, I would be concerned that a well-financed industry player had sued him, Kerry said. And these cases are usually settled and rarely go to trial because the employers win so often.

Topics Lawsuits California New York Aon Illinois Construction Alliant
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday in a lawsuit over adult diapers will make it more difficult for companies accused of patent infringement to shoot down lawsuits because the plaintiffs waited too long to bring them.

In a 7-1 decision, the justices said SCA Hygiene Products AB, based in Stockholm, did not unreasonably delay in filing a lawsuit accusing First Quality Baby Products of copying its patented adult diapers.

The ruling is a blow to technology, pharmaceutical and other companies frequently targeted in patent lawsuits, including many brought by so-called non-practicing entities (NPEs) which buy and assert patents but do not make their own products.

In a jointly filed brief supporting Great Neck, New York-based First Qualitys position, Google Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and more than a dozen other companies said NPEs often delay bringing a claim until patents become more valuable through the defendants labors. The so-called laches defense allowed judges to dismiss cases in which the plaintiff was determined to have strategically delayed their claims.

But Justice Samuel Alito said in the majority opinion on Tuesday that the motives behind the delay are irrelevant as long as the patent owners lawsuit was filed within the six-year time limit from the date when its patent is first infringed.

When Congress enacts a statute of limitations, it speaks directly to the issue of timeliness and provides a rule for determining whether a claim is timely enough to permit relief, Alito wrote.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a dissenting opinion that he believed Congress intended to allow the laches defense when it created the modern-day patent system in the 1950s.

The ruling reverses a September 2015 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Michael Risch, a law professor at Villanova University School of Law, said the ruling was not unexpected, based on a similar 2014 decision banning the defense in copyright cases.

Ashok Ramani of Keker Van Nest & Peters, a patent lawyer not involved in the case, said the ruling would have had more impact on NPEs if it had come out five years ago. The Supreme Court has already clamped down on the NPE business model in recent years through prior rulings that have limited both damages in patent cases and the types of ideas that can be patented, he said.

The case is SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag v. First Quality Baby Products, LLC, 15-927, at the U.S. Supreme Court.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Anthony Lin and Jonathan Oatis)

Topics Lawsuits USA Oklahoma
Kristin S. Palmer has been named senior vice president and head of Communications at the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Palmer was previously vice president, Media Relations, for the AARP, a nonprofit organization for retirees with nearly 38 million members. During her time at AARP, Palmer oversaw earned media efforts for several consumer initiatives and products including AARP Travel, driver safety, brand campaigns, multicultural engagement, digital platforms, events and publications including AARP The Magazine.

Prior to joining AARP in 2012, Palmer was the director of Public Affairs for the child care advocacy group Child Care Aware of America and served as senior communications manager for the Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Previously, Palmer managed communications for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the Association of Public Television Stations. She began her career at Brodeur Partners, a global communications agency, and The Kamber Group, a boutique public relations firm.

Palmer, who will be based in the Washington, D.C. office, joined the I.I.I. on March 20. In addition to leading the I.I.I.s media relations operations and acting as a primary I.I.I. spokesperson, she will be responsible for developing a communications strategy that expands the I.I.I.s digital footprint, increases brand awareness and boosts engagement with the organizations key stakeholders.

Palmer will report to Andrea C. Basora, I.I.I.s chief marketing officer, and head of the I.I.I.s newly-formed Marketing and Communications Department. Basora has been with the I.I.I. since 2005. She was promoted to executive vice president in 2014 and named chief marketing officer, a new position.

Palmer is assuming the role held previously by Jeanne Salvatore, who has been appointed to a new role as chief engagement officer and senior spokesperson. Salvatore will oversee the I.I.I.s existing and new relationships with the I.I.I.s key audiences.

As the insurance industry continues to evolve to meet the needs of the marketplace through digital innovation, strategic partnerships and bolstering the use of big data, the I.I.I. is increasingly focused on effectively promoting the remarkable value of insurance for consumers, government and commercial entities, said Sean Kevelighan, the I.I.I.s chief executive officer. With a proven track record of success in strategic communications in both the private and public sectors, Kristin will work to strengthen the perception and reputation of the industry.

The hiring of Palmer and reassignment of others in the organization are signs that Kevelighan is putting his organizational and personnel stamp on the organization after about seven months at the helm. Kevelighan became CEO in August 2016, succeeding Robert Hartwig, who left for academia after being with the organization for 18 years and serving as CEO since 2007.

Kevelighan brought with him 18 years of public affairs, communications and media relations experience, most recently as global head of Public Affairs for Zurich Insurance Group.

In a recent talk at the American Society of Workers Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP) in New York, Kevelighan emphasized the importance of collaboration.

One question I have is whether we as an industry will be able to [adjust] together, he said. Were good at talking about how great the industry is, but were not very good right now about collaborating.

In an interview with Insurance Journal last August as he assumed his new position as CEO, Kevelighan said that the I.I.I. set the foundation under Hartwig to proactively promote the industry in a way that makes people understand what value its bringing and it must continue along this road.

As were moving into what you would call a next generation, an area of technology and visualization, this is going to be even more important, increasing the communication, increasing peoples understanding, he said.

The core of success in the new age is going to be the ability to strike a balance between innovation and customer protection, according to the 43-year-old CEO.

In a digital society, youre going to see things like trust be an essential element for striking this balance. That, again, is going to be an area where the I.I.I. can take the reins and begin to promote and be an information source, as were moving into a bit of an era of uncertainty, change and disruption, he said.

The I.I.I. is supported by more than 100 property/casualty insurers, reinsurers and large brokers including Allianz, Allstate, AIG, Chubb, Erie, Liberty Mutual, Lloyds, Munch Re, Swiss Re, Travelers, Hartford, Arthur J. Gallagher and Lockton.
Fire officials are suggesting a blaze that has destroyed at least nine homes in eastern Oklahoma and forced the evacuation of more than 100 others may have been intentionally set.

Highway 9 Volunteer Fire Department chief Danny Choate told KOKI-TV in Tulsa that the fire likely began in two abandoned homes in Longtown, indicating someone had to be down there doing something. Longtown is about 80 miles southeast of Tulsa.

About 250 firefighters battled the blaze that had burned about a square mile in Pittsburg and Haskell counties by Monday night. Fire crews said it has yet to be contained by Tuesday morning. The McAlester News-Capital reported that air tankers pulling water from nearby Lake Eufaula helped fight the fire.

One firefighter has been treated for smoke inhalation.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Homeowners Oklahoma
Dallas has been experiencing disruptions in its 911 service that began in October and at one point last week resulted in 360 calls being placed on hold. More dispatchers have been assigned to field 911 calls and technological glitches have been fixed, which should smooth operations, a city spokeswoman said.

But the problems plaguing Dallas can be found with other 911 systems that rely on increasingly obsolete networks that are incompatible with new technologies and protocols.

Here are some of the issues at play:

What Happened In Dallas?

It was initially believed that the citys 911 center was bedeviled by T-Mobile phones making ghost calls, which are automatically generated by a phone unbeknownst to its owner. Spikes in calls would periodically overwhelm 911 dispatchers. City Manager T.C. Broadnax said it appeared the problem was fixed in January, but it later returned and may have contributed to a delayed response to emergency situations in which two people recently died in separate incidents, including a 6-month-old boy whose baby sitter was on hold for a half-hour after the child fell from a bed.

The city blamed the problem on abandoned calls. Callers would hang up after dialing 911 and dispatchers were then obligated to return the call to determine if there was an emergency. But that created a long backlog of calls.

Deputy Police Chief Jesse Reyes said the call center received 5,352 calls between 3 and 11 p.m. on March 11, a period that might average about 2,800 calls. It was during that period that a Bridget Alex and her baby sitter were unable to reach a 911 operator after an accident involving Alexs 6-month-old son. Brandon Alex later died of his injury. On March 6, the night David Taffet said he couldnt reach 911 operators for help after husband Brian Cross collapsed at their home, the call center received 4,802 calls between 3 and 11 p.m. Reyes provided no average number for such a weeknight, but said it would have been less than the 2,800 calls seen on a weekend evening.

Reyes said no totals for the number of abandoned calls during those periods were available. He said 911 operators answer 90 percent of their calls within 10 seconds, the industry standard. He said, however, there is no industry standard for getting back to calls placed on hold during high volumes, and he has no totals of how many calls on the evenings of March 6 and March 11 were abandoned.

What Is the Fix?

More dispatchers are now fielding calls and city spokeswoman Sana Syed said T-Mobile has made modifications to its network. For example, T-Mobile engineers have disabled a function where if a person calls 911 and doesnt make contact with a dispatcher, then the phone will automatically generate a follow-up call, she said. Disabling that function will help reduce the backlog of calls. Also complicating matters were phones that would not accept any incoming calls if a person was on the line with 911. That means a dispatcher would be unable to return a call if a person was making another attempt to reach 911.

Syed said an ongoing complication is that come components of the citys 911 network are outdated and need to be replaced.

A Bigger Problem

Some of the challenges Dallas is facing are playing out nationally. Landline systems are largely incompatible with next generation 911 systems, which use mapping services to locate callers and can support text, video and other forms of communication.

We have got to make the transition quickly because the longer we stay in this transitional state with one foot in the landline world and one foot in the IP, or internet, world the more vulnerable were going to be, said Trey Forgety, director of government affairs for the National Emergency Number Association.

He said a new national perspective must take root. In the past, not much could be done to impede 911 service. But now ransomware, denial of service attacks and other cyber threats are undermining 911 operations. Forgety mentioned a case investigated by Phoenix police in which a teenager tweeted a link that contained coding that caused iPhones to repeatedly dial 911. Retweets and reposts by others would automatically generate more calls, inundating 911 centers in many parts of the country.

How Often Is 911 Service Disrupted?

The Federal Communications Commission doesnt release tallies on how often 911 service is interrupted. But large-scale disruptions occur with some regularity. Just last week, AT&T cellphone customers were unable to call 911 in several states. Law enforcement and government agencies in Texas, Florida, Tennessee and other states reported the problem and provided alternate numbers for people to call during emergencies.

In August 2014, 911 connections for millions of T-Mobile customers were interrupted. The FCC said it stemmed from a software upgrade that interfered with call routing and a $17.5 million fine later was imposed.

That same year, service was lost for some 11 million people in seven states because of what the FCC described as a software coding error by a company that provides 911 communications services.

Associated Press writer Tali Arbel in New York contributed to this report.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Tech
A Georgia man is suing a Louisiana doughnut shop over claims that his father died of an allergic reaction after eating an apple fritter.

The sons attorneys on filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dynasty Donuts LLC, a Lafayette company doing business as Rickey Meches Donut King.

The federal suit claims the business was negligent for selling Brian Allen Sr. an apple fritter without any warning that it was made with walnut flour. The suit says Allen was allergic to walnuts and died after eating the doughnut at his hotel room.

Meche on Saturday denied the allegation and said walnut flour was not used.

The 50-year-old Atlanta mans son  Brian Allen Jr., of Norcross, Georgia  is seeking unspecified damages from the business and its insurer.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Louisiana
Officials in Horry County, South Carolina, are seeking ways to reduce the high costs of insurance and workers compensation related to crashes by emergency vehicles.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports that there have been nearly 50 vehicle accidents reported since 2015 from county police, fire, sheriff and emergency medical vehicles.

A presentation to the Horry County Council this week showed that worker compensation claims for the public safety division were in the millions of dollars, and insurance premiums are expected to rise later this year.

Council members proposed rewarding safe drivers with a barbecue dinner, offering specialized training or giving pay raises for those with safety records that keep insurance costs down.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trends Auto South Carolina
Colorado workers compensation insurer Pinnacol Assurance is distributing $50 million in dividend checks this month to its policyholders.

More than 53,000 employers throughout the state  roughly 94.2 percent of the companys policyholders  will receive a dividend in recognition of maintaining safe workplaces.

Dividend checks are calculated based on the policyholders premium size and performance. The average 2017 dividend check will be $941. Checks will be delivered to employers in March and April.

This is the second consecutive year Pinnacol has issued a general dividend. With the 2017 declaration, Pinnacol has now returned $556 million in total general dividends to Colorado employers.

This dividend is possible because of our policyholders commitment to the safety and well-being of their employees, Pinnacols financial stability and strength, and a vibrant Colorado economy, Phil Kalin, Pinnacol president and CEO, said in a statement.

Topics Workers' Compensation Commercial Lines Business Insurance Colorado
A former Jackson County commissioner accused in a lawsuit of bilking investors to finance a pot shop has filed a counterclaim.

Doug Breidenthal filed the lawsuit contending his professional reputation has been damaged, the Mail Tribune reported. As a result of plaintiffs defamation, Breidenthal suffered and continues to suffer from humiliation, stress, and anxiety, the lawsuit says.

Breidenthal is seeking about $300,000 plus $24,000 a month in lost profits from Greg Allen, Larry Nelson and Mary Nelson. Those three in a lawsuit filed last month in Jackson County Circuit Court are seeking a combined $529,000 and contend Breidenthal committed elder abuse and breached fiduciary duty.

Breidenthal said that as a result of the lawsuit hes unable to find work in the marijuana industry and was fired from one job. He lost his bid for re-election to the county commission in the primary last year.

The lawsuit also contends that Allen, 53, and the Nelsons, a married couple from Prescott, Arizona, in their 80s, have defamed him.

On information and belief, plaintiff Allen is contacting Breidenthals professional acquaintances by letter and telephone in a coordinated effort to disparage Breidenthals reputation and impair his ongoing business relationships, the counterclaim says.

American Cannabis Co. was scheduled to open in February, but the Nelsons and Allen confronted Breidenthal. They said Breidenthal locked them out after a meeting with an attorney to resolve problems they found when examining business documents

Allen said the problems included Breidenthal being the only person listed with two businesses associated with American Cannabis Co., and that Breidenthals name is the only one on an Oregon Liquor Control license for the pot shop.

Allen said he approached Breidenthal last spring looking for someone local who could introduce him to others in the marijuana industry. Allen has been involved in marijuana ventures in Arizona since 2009 and in Rogue Valley Remedies LLC in Medford.

The Nelsons say they gave Breidenthal $150,000, and are seeking triple damages of $450,000 under Oregons Elder Abuse Statute.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is examining several complaints against Breidenthal. One has to do with a campaign account, and the other is about cash payments Briedenthal allegedly received for marijuana consulting while a commission member.

An attorney for Allen and the Nelsons said he agreed with Breidenthals attorneys not to discuss the case while negotiating to appoint a receiver to oversee disputed assets.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Cannabis Oregon
A California city plans to scan the license plates of all incoming cars by placing stationary cameras at key intersections in a bid to boost public safety.

The seaside city of Carlsbad will spend $1 million to add cameras at 14 intersections following a spike in property crime, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Statistics show that most of those crimes were committed by suspects from other cities, police Capt. Mickey Williams said.

The plan approved last week by the City Council has some residents concerned about their privacy rights, with police able to monitor where they travel throughout the city.

We need to look at this for what it is  mass surveillance, resident Noel Breen said.

The cameras automatically recognize license plates and check them against a law enforcement database that includes information about stolen vehicles and missing people.

Any data collected will be deleted after a year unless its part of a criminal investigation, Williams said.

Carlsbad  which has about 110,000 residents in San Diego County  isnt the only Southern California city to use the license plate readers. Many use them on a more limited basis, affixing them to patrol cars.

In nearby Orange County, Laguna Beach also has placed the cameras at key entry points to the city.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
What Is the Glass Ceiling?

The term glass ceiling refers to a metaphorical invisible barrier that prevents certain individuals from being promoted to managerial- and executive-level positions within an organization or industry. The phrase is commonly used to describe the difficulties faced by women and minorities when trying to move to higher roles in a male-dominated corporate hierarchy. The barriers are most often unwritten, meaning that these individuals are more likely to be restricted from advancing through accepted norms and implicit biases rather than defined corporate policies.

Key Takeaways The glass ceiling is a colloquial term for the social barrier preventing women from being promoted to top jobs in management.

The term has been broadened to include discrimination against minorities.

Marilyn Loden coined the phrase "glass ceiling" at a 1978 Women's Exposition.

Women make up 56.8% of the labor force in the U.S but hold only 29.1% of executive positions.

The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Glass Ceiling Commission in 1991 to address the glass ceiling.

Understanding the Glass Ceiling

Marilyn Loden first coined the phrase "glass ceiling" while speaking as a panelist at the 1978 Women's Exposition in New York. As a fill-in for her employer's only female executive, Loden was invited to discuss how women were to blame for the barriers preventing them from advancing in their careers. Instead, she spoke about deeper, ignored issues that historically kept women from occupying positions of authority: the glass ceiling.

This concept was later popularized in a 1986 Wall Street Journal article discussing the corporate hierarchy and how invisible barriers seemed to prevent women from advancing in their careers past a certain level. In 2015, the publication reported (quoting Gay Bryant, former editor of Working Woman magazine) that the concept goes back to the 1970s and may have originated with two women at Hewlett-Packard. The concept expanded in more contemporary times to include minorities in addition to women.

The equality gap varies between countries and may be driven by cultural stances against women and minority groups from participating in the workforce. Companies in the United States have responded to the equality gap by focusing on measures to increase diversity. This includes hiring personnel specifically tasked with ensuring that women and minorities see improved representation in management-level positions. By focusing on policies that reduce or eliminate the glass ceiling, companies can ensure that the most qualified candidates hold decision-making positions.

In 2021, women accounted for 56.8% of the labor force in the U.S. But when it came to chief executive positions, women held only 29.1% of these roles, and 85.7% of chief executives identified as white, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Research shows that diverse groups are more successful in making decisions than homogeneous ones, which has the effect of signaling to companies that eliminating the glass ceiling can positively affect their bottom line.



History of the Glass Ceiling

The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Glass Ceiling Commission in 1991 in response to the growing concern over barriers preventing women and minorities from advancing. It was charged with identifying the barriers that exist and policies that companies adopted or could undertake to increase diversity at managerial and executive levels.

The commission found that qualified women and minorities were being denied the opportunity to compete for or win decision-making positions. It also found that the perceptions of both employees and employers often included stereotypes that held women and minorities in a negative light.

When Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2008 and 2016, she repeatedly spoke of her goal of shattering the highest, hardest glass ceiling by becoming Americas first female president. Vice President Kamala Harris shattered the second-highest glass ceiling in the U.S. when she became the first female and first Black and South Asian Vice President on Jan. 20, 2021. She was also the first woman and first Black and South Asian attorney general of California, as well as the first Black woman to be elected district attorney of San Francisco.



41 The number of female chief executive officers leading Fortune 500 companies in 2021the highest number everbut still only 8.1% of the total list.

The Glass Ceiling vs. The Glass Cliff

The glass cliff is a closely related term, but refers to a phenomenon wherein women tend to be promoted to positions of power during times of crises, when failure is more likely. This could occur in fields as diverse as finance, politics, technology, and academia.

While the more common glass ceiling presents a barrier to reaching the highest executive levels within their respective organizations, the glass cliff addresses the tendency to place women who have broken through it into precarious positions, making it likely their performance will falter, as if they are at risk of falling off a cliff.

Had Hillary Clinton won the presidential election in 2008, which was the height of the Great Recession, she might have been seen as the victim of the glass cliff. The term was coined by professors Michelle K. Ryan and Alexander Haslam of the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, in 2004. Ryan and Haslam documented this phenomenon extensively in a study of Great Britains FTSE 100 companies.

Example of the Glass Ceiling

There are numerous examples of instances where individuals encountered and have been able to shatter the glass ceiling. As noted above, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to secure the Democratic nomination when she ran for president during the 2016 election.

As noted above, Kamala Harris shattered the glass ceiling when she became the first woman to be elected as U.S. Vice President under President Joe Biden. She is also the first Black and South Asian person to be elected to the position as well. Harris was officially sworn in as Vice President on Jan. 20, 2021.

Janet Yellen became the first female Treasury secretary after being nominated by President Biden and sworn in on Jan. 26, 2021. This isnt the first glass ceiling Yellen has broken either. She also served as the first woman to head the Federal Reserve, a role she held during President Barack Obamas administration.



What Does the Phrase Glass Ceiling Mean? The glass ceiling is a metaphor that refers to the barrier that marginalized people, such as women and minorities, encounter when seeking career advancements.

What Is an Example of the Glass Ceiling? There are many examples where individuals have broken the glass ceiling. Kamala Harris shattered a glass ceiling when she became the first woman Vice President of the United States. She is also the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the role of Vice President. From the first U.S. presidential election in 1789 until the early 21st-century, no Black person served as president. It was not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that all Black people could vote. However, in 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected President of the United States.



What Does It Mean to Break the Glass Ceiling? Breaking the glass ceiling means overcoming the barriers set to prevent access to advancement. Breaking the glass ceiling also includes removing barriers for others experiencing the same struggles.

Where Did the Saying "Break the Glass Ceiling" Come From? The term glass ceiling was coined by Marilyn Loden, a New York telephone company manager, during a 1978 Women's Exposition.
A comprehensive approach

Guaranteeing the right to abortion isnt enough. We know that economic, cultural, religious, and systemic barriers prevent many people from accessing abortion care even where its legal and available.

Our solution: We work across institutions and communities to build sustainable abortion ecosystems. In such an ecosystem, people have the information they need to make decisions about reproductive health, theres community and health-system support for human rights and abortion access, and laws and policies support full bodily autonomy.
There has been another adjournment in the trial of Ibrahim Halawa in Cairo.

Halawa has now spent 1,313 days in prison and this is the twentieth time that his trial has been delayed according to Amnesty International.

In June 2016, the judge referred audio-video evidence to a Technical Committee for further examination. The report, seen by Amnesty International, was ordered after almost three years of detention. It does not mention Ibrahim Halawa.

For the twentieth time in 43 months, Ibrahim Halawas trial has been postponed. Todays delay comes after Ibrahims innocence has been further vindicated by Egypts own legal system, which following a technical review of audio-video material presented in the case, found no evidence against him," said Colm OGorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland.

Ibrahim Halawa was 17 when he was first detained in August 2013.

He faces a mass trial alongside 493 other defendants, which Amnesty says cannot meet the standards required for a fair trial as defined under international human rights law.

This young Irish citizen has been through a horrific experience. Hes been imprisoned without trial for almost four years and endured 20 trial delays. As Ibrahim spends his 1,313th night unjustly incarcerated, Amnesty International continues to be gravely concerned for his mental and physical wellbeing," said O'Gorman.

Amnesty has reiterated their call on the Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against Halawa and to order his immediate and unconditional release. They are also urging the Irish Government to continue working on his behalf and to use every means at their disposal to secure his release.
A prison officer suspected of supplying drugs has been arrested in Northern Ireland.

The 50-year-old is also under suspicion of misconduct in public office and possession of criminal property, police said.

The officer was detained at high security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.

Four others were also arrested on Tuesday in counties Antrim and Down.

A director at the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Ronnie Armour, said: "I welcome the result of today's joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and would take this opportunity to reiterate the zero tolerance drugs policy which operates within Northern Ireland's prisons."

Detectives searched three properties in the greater Belfast area and Kinallen in Co Down and seized 10,000 cash, a quantity of suspected class A and B controlled drugs and several mobile phones.

The detained prison officer has been taken to a Belfast city centre police station for questioning.

A PSNI statement said: "A 50-year-old prison officer was arrested this morning at Maghaberry Prison on suspicion of conveyancing prohibited articles into a prison, misconduct in public office, possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of Class A Drugs following a joint operation with the Prison Service."

PSNI's head of reactive and organised crime, chief superintendent Tim Mairs, added: "This operation is a good example of how collaborative working can disrupt crime and also demonstrates our commitment to keeping people safe by removing harmful drugs from society."
A new missile launch by North Korea appears to have ended in failure, South Korea has said, three days after Pyongyang claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development programme.

The reported launch failure came as US and South Korean troops were conducting their annual military drills that the North calls an invasion rehearsal.

Earlier this month North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo.

On Wednesday morning, the North fired a missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan, but the launch was believed to have ended in failure, Seoul's Defence Ministry said.

It said it was analysing what type of missile North Korea launched.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next few days.

The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan.

The North's state media said on Sunday that it conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine, which it hailed as a breakthrough for the country's space programme.

Weapons experts say such technology has applications for the North's ballistic missile programme.

- AP
Six players from French Top 14 side Grenoble have been detained after a complaint of rape was made to police.

The players were questioned after the alleged victim told police that she was raped by members of the Grenoble squad at a Bordeaux hotel last month.

The club sacked six unnamed players last week in relation to the investigation.

In a statement last week, Grenoble said on its English language website:

"The Police Judiciaire of Bordeaux informed the FC Grenoble Rugby that players of its professional staff were going to be heard next week in the context of an "investigation for flagrance" opened last Sunday 12 March in Bordeaux. The club will respond to any solicitation from the court to assist in the manifestation of the truth.

"In order to protect the club and its staff and to avoid any confusion between this investigation, which concerns individual and private behavior, and the FC Grenoble Rugby, we decided to immediately lay off the players concerned before their audition.

"FC Grenoble Rugby also wants to make it clear that the players who will be heard are presumed innocent and that the Club does not in any way substitute for justice; the police investigation being the only one able to determine the implications of each other.

"FC Grenoble Rugby is deeply affected by these events, which in no way correspond to the values we defend and to which we firmly believe."
US President Donald Trump has said he feels "somewhat" vindicated by statements from the House intelligence committee chairman on the legal and incidental surveillance of the president and Trump transition officials.

Mr Trump said in response to a question during a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus that he felt "somewhat" vindicated following his briefing by Republican committee chairman Devin Nunes.
Yesterday, INM said that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement  the ODCE  had asked it for documents involving plans it had to acquire Newstalk.

A controversy arose last year involving a disagreement between Mr Pitt, who is INMs chief executive, and chairman Leslie Buckley about the value of a potential acquisition of Newstalk.

Denis OBrien is a significant shareholder in INM and founder of Communicorp, which owns Newstalk. The news that the chief executive used whistleblowing legislation raises the heat over the controversy.

In a short statement last November, INM had referred to an issue between its CEO and chairman but did not identify the potential acquisition.

It said at the time that Mr Pitt had raised the issue with the companys senior independent director.

Yesterday, in its 2016 results statement, INM said it was asked by the ODCE to produce records in relation to the possible acquisition by the company of Newstalk and related matters that were subject of the companys announcement last November.

It said: A requirement from the ODCE to produce books and records is a procedural matter that does not involve any conclusion that there has been a breach of law by the company or its officers.

A spokesman for the ODCE said it does not comment on individual cases.

INM indicated it would look to the UK for any large-scale future acquisitions and to Ireland for bolt-on purchases. The company holds almost 85m in cash. It expected its proposed acquisition of Celtic Media Group, which includes six weekly regional titles, to close in June. That acquisition requires the authorisation of Communications Minister Denis Naughten.

The results showed revenues increased slightly to 323.4m in a 53-week period to the end of December. Pre-tax profit rose almost 12% to 41.8m, helped by lower costs and a smaller interest bill even as overall advertising revenues fell. On the outlook, the media industry faces challenging times, it said.

INM said talks with trustees continue over its plan to halt payments into two defined benefit pension schemes. Philip OSullivan, chief economist at Investec Ireland, said INM appeared committed to making acquisitions.

A dividend payout was not on the horizon, however, until INM resolved the issue over its pensions, said Mr OSullivan.
Launched in 2012, the Succeed in Ireland programme offered Irish citizens cash incentives if they introduced foreign business to Ireland. For every job created, the person who made the introduction would get 1,500.

The IDA has paid around 2m to Connect Ireland for incentive payments, with almost 530 jobs verified as created. Another 2,000 are in the pipeline, Connect Ireland says.

The contract runs out on Sunday and at the Oireachtas Jobs Committee yesterday, Connect Ireland made a pitch for a bridging contract to extend the scheme, directly asking the Department of Jobs to take over from the IDA.

Connect Ireland chief executive Joanna Murphy said Irish diaspora abroad found the decision not to renew the scheme utterly perplexing considering its cost-effectiveness. It was confirmed that every Connect Ireland job created costs 4,000 to the taxpayer.

Ms Murphy said the scheme had been of particular benefit to rural Ireland and that stopping the scheme would mean contact with 957 companies abroad would be lost. She added that such schemes were vital in the context of Brexit.

Department officer Richard Scannell told the committee a review of the scheme would be undertaken but that no decision had been made to shut it down. He added that the scheme was never supposed to be an indefinite one when introduced in 2012.

The IDA and Enterprise Ireland chose not to appear before the committee despite being invited, which led to trenchant criticism from TDs and Senators.

TD John McGuinness said their non-appearance was shocking.

He claimed the IDA would subsequently take over the leads established by Connect Ireland upon the contracts completion.

The level of arrogance shown by the IDA in not turning up is at a level I have not seen before, he said.

TD Niall Collins said momentum built up could be for naught.

Senator Ged Nash said letting the scheme expire was bizarre and reckless.

Mr Collins said: Why doesnt the department step in and come to an arrangement with Connect Ireland? It beggars belief.
The representative association for over 4,000 independent family-owned retailers has appealed two local authority planning permission decisions to An Bord Pleanala, which had given the go-ahead for a new Aldi store at Graiguenamanagh in Co Kilkenny and a new Lidl outlet at Drogheda, Co Louth.

In respect of the Drogheda plan, which involves Lidl demolishing its existing store and replacing it with a two- storey supermarket, Tara Buckley of RGDATA has told An Bord Pleanala that the development will not act as a complimentary hub, but will draw trade from a wider catchment area and have a significant impact on the viability and vitality of Drogheda town centre.
A senior staff nurse (SSN) told an employment appeals tribunal a similar incident had occurred a week earlier.

On May 6, 2014, the SSN saw an elderly man sitting on his bed, fully undressed. The curtain was not pulled and the door to the corridor was open.

When she questioned the claimant, health care assistant, Reda Kunceviciene, about the neglect, Ms Kunceviciene said she was taking the man for a shower and she had left the door open because she thought another HCA was following her.

On the same day, the SSN wrote a report on the incident and sent it, by email, to the company, Elder Homes (Charleville) Ltd.

In both reports, she referred to a similar incident on April 29, 2014, in which the claimant had left the door open while she was assisting another resident with personal care.

On that occasion, she reminded Ms Kunceviciene, who had been working for the company since 2007 and was a nurse in her home country, that the door should be closed and the curtain pulled around the bed.

The patient shared a double room with one other resident, and the SSNs report said that the other person in the room was awake and watching.

The room was at the end of the corridor and the incident occurred shortly after 8am. The home has open visiting hours.

At an investigation meeting on June 12, 2014, the claimant admitted the infractions and told the investigation that she had made a mistake.

She said it had been early in the morning, that the room was at the end of the corridor, and that she thought another HCA was following her.

A disciplinary hearing was conducted by the director of the nursing home, and by the director of another home, on July 29, 2014.

There was a dispute as to whether a similar incident, which allegedly occurred on April 29, a week earlier, had been raised with the claimant at the investigation meeting.

The panel concluded that Ms Kuncevicienes behaviour on May 6, 2014 constituted gross misconduct, warranting dismissal.

The directors evidence to the tribunal was that neglect or omission, such as this, came within the definition of elder abuse and that this had been highlighted as such in the elder-abuse training programme.

It was not necessary for a resident to be aware, embarrassed, distressed, or observed by a third party, as the violation of the persons dignity and privacy was sufficient to constitute abuse.

She said it violates an elder persons civil and human rights, and that if she did not report the incident to Hiqa, she would be in breach of the elder policy.

The claimant appealed the severity of the sanction in September, 2014, but the dismissal was upheld.

The tribunal found the fact the company allowed Ms Kunceviciene to continue to work without any sanction or restrictions, for almost three months following the incident, was inconsistent with its position that the breach was of such nature as to constitute gross misconduct and justify dismissal.

It said a zero-tolerance policy does not mean that the most serious sanction is, or must be, imposed for all breaches, irrespective of the seriousness of the breach: Having considered the nature of the breach in this case, the tribunal unanimously finds that the sanction of dismissal was disproportionate.
Kannur VC Dr Gopinath Ravindran was the last to respond to Raj Bhavan shortly before the 5pm deadline.
Yesterday was International Day Against Racism, and a number of groups marked the occasion by gathering at the gates of Leinster House to back a Dail motion to bring about an end to direct provision.

The motion, initiated by People Before Profit TD Brid Smith in association with United Against Racism, has been signed by 36 TDs.

A statement from United Against Racism read: Speaking with Donald Trump, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that St Patrick is the patron saint of immigrants.

"We remind the Taoiseach that the asylum seekers in direct provision are immigrants too and Ireland has been keeping them in extreme poverty and inhumane conditions for many years. Its time for it to end.

Meanwhile, asylum seekers and immigration lawyers demonstrated outside Leinster House over the new single application process for asylum seekers which was introduced last month and which they are describing as chaotic and shambolic.

As part of the process, more than 3,000 asylum seekers were sent a 60-page questionnaire last month to be returned within 20 days  and they also need legal counsel to complete this form.

However, uncertainty has emerged over the exact deadline.

There are complaints of poor translation of the form. The Refugee Legal Service has found itself swamped because of the volume of enquiries and asylum seekers have encountered difficulties in retrieving the information within the deadline.

Last year, minister for state with responsibility for immigration, David Stanton, said the new process is to positively address the crucial issue of the length of time that applicants spend in the protection process and by extension in State-provided accommodation.

According to Lucky Khambule of Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, the new application process is about more than efficiency and has introduced sweeping changes to Irelands immigration law.

Many of its provisions seem designed to undermine the internationally recognised right to seek asylum, he said.

While the Department of Justice insists that the single procedure will speed up the asylum process, fears that this will be achieved through accelerated deportations, unmonitored refusals, and defective, erratic assessment processes are being proven all too accurate.
The exploratory dives come after it emerged that the R116 may have struck rocks on the western side of Blackrock island.

Yesterday evening, a spokesman for the Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport said rescue workers were hopeful of a window of opportunity to carry out the first dive of the area this morning.

Bad weather, including strong swells and high winds, have severely hampered the retrieval of R116s black box, which was detected at 4pm last Wednesday.

The Irish Lights vessel the Granuaile was being prepared yesterday in the event of a dive and retrieval of the helicopter today.

A remotely operated vehicle, a recompression chamber, and other specialist diving equipment were transferred on to the Granuaile yesterday, which has a platform and can lift up to 20 tonnes of weight.

The first dive could take place as early as 6am today.

The Irish Coast Guards Declan Geoghegan said the search team is hopeful that swells will have gone down by this morning.

It is hoped that the improved weather continues and that more diving can be carried out into Thursday.

The R116 rescue helicopter crashed in Blacksod Bay, off the Mayo coast, in the early hours of Tuesday, March 14, claiming the life of its captain Dara Fitzpatrick.

Its three other crew members, Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith, and Paul Ormsby, are still missing.

Capt Fitzpatricks funeral took place last Saturday.

While the helicopters black box was detected just 36 hours after the crash, weather restricted the search team with a mapping out of the sea only being carried out last Sunday.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) inspected R116 wreckage found on the island where Blackrock lighthouse stands.

On Tuesday evening it released a statement on its findings: There appear to be marks on some of the recovered wreckage which are consistent with the tail of the aircraft contacting rocky surfaces on the western end of Blackrock.

The investigation has not yet definitively identified the initial point of impact, it stated.

The AAIU also said that a significant amount of wreckage has been recovered from the sea, despite the main bulk of the craft yet to be recovered.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who has visited the area, said that the families of the missing crew members need answers.

Mr Kenny said: What we need to find out here is what happened. There are four families involved in this and they need to know, obviously, to bring closure to this but also in respect of the service itself and the facilities that are provided.
The planning authority has written to Indaver Ireland, the company proposing to build the 160m facility, seeking further information in relation to helicopter navigation safety on foot of concerns raised by the Department of Defence at an oral hearing into the project last year.

At the time, the department said proximity of the incinerator stack to the approach paths of Haulbowline Naval Base and Spike Island was a matter of concern.

They cited an example of a previous air accident in which a helicopter suffered engine failure after flying through an invisible exhaust plume.

The board has also requested clarification around possible discrepancies in two appendices relating to dioxin emissions which environmental group Chase claims relate to a 2008 Indaver application for an incinerator at Ringaskiddy, and not to the 2016 proposal.

In relation to helicopter safety, the board wants Indaver to comprehensively address all matters relating to the navigation and safety of helicopters using the naval base raised by the department, including the possible requirement for an exclusion zone around the naval base.

Experts for Indaver maintain there is nothing within the rules of the air which would appear to support the assertion that helicopter approaches to the island would be made unsafe as a result of the operation of the chimney.

Indaver has been given eight weeks, until May 15, to respond to the boards request for additional information. However, after the board has assessed their response, it has the option of inviting the public to respond.

If so, that would, of course, have an effect on the timelines for the making of a final decision, a spokesperson for the board said. A decision was originally due on July 12 last year.

Yesterday, Chase said Indaver had been afforded ample opportunity to respond to concerns raised by the Department of Defence at the oral hearing.

A statement from Indaver said they would respond to the request for further information by May 15.
A number of tech journalists believe the device will be marketed as the Galaxy J5, but Samsung is yet to confirm such a device exists.

The post on GFXBench was spotted by Android Headlines and reveals features including a 4.8-inch 720p display panel, 12 or 13MP cameras on the front and back, and 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.
Referring to a source familiar with the Galaxy S8, the article claims that Samsung unveiled several new display technologies during a private event at last months Mobile World Congress, one of which was force touch technology.

Force touch technology enables touch screen displays to differentiate between different levels of applied force to the screen i.e. Apples 3D-Touch feature.
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 (10:53 am) - Score 1,636

The Scottish Government has today published a new Digital Strategy, which among other things confirms their plan to make 30Mbps+ superfast broadband available to 100% of premises by 2021 via an outside-in approach (prioritising public investment for the hardest to reach rural areas).

At present the existing 410 million Digital Scotland programme has already made superfast broadband networks available to nearly 90% of premises (only 46% in rural areas) and the current plan is to reach around 95% of Scotland with high speed fibre broadband by the end of March 2018, although this figure drops to 86% for the rural Highland and Islands region by the end of 2017 (here). Clawback and savings should help to boost this (here).

However last year saw the Scottish Government publish a Prior Information Notice for their new R100 programme, which revealed that they were also aiming to achieve universal coverage of superfast broadband by 2021 (here) and todays new strategy adds a little more detail to that aspiration, albeit not a lot.

2017 Digital Strategy (Scotland)  Broadband and Mobile Our investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme has greatly enhanced Scotlands digital infrastructure, creating a fibre spine that runs through most of mainland Scotland and reaches out, through sub-sea connections, to some of our most remote rural and island communities. We want to build on this, to create high bandwidth, easily accessible fibre infrastructure across all of Scotland. This will provide a platform on which we can: > Extend superfast broadband access to all by 2021, while encouraging the growth of ultrafast services > Revolutionise performance by connecting fibre to masts, small cells and sensors and deliver further increases in speed and reliability as we move towards symmetric gigabit connectivity > Extend international fibre links, reducing our reliance on London and building greater resilience and diversity into our networks > Make targeted investments in mobile infrastructure that address gaps in 4G coverage, while laying the groundwork for 5G deployment in Scotland > Develop a national LoRa-wide area network that supports Machine-to- Machine networking and puts Scotland at the cutting edge of the Internet of Things, while supporting our businesses to innovate and take full advantage of the economic opportunities offered by IOT. We will continue to invest in digital infrastructure, focusing on areas that are beyond the reach of commercial suppliers. But our planned investment is likely to have a different focus in future. We want to promote an outside-in approach. We will prioritise future public investment on our hardest to reach rural areas while ensuring that our UK partners prioritise rural coverage when it comes to setting future coverage obligations. At the same time, we will encourage commercial suppliers to address remaining gaps in urban Scotland. We will bolster Scotlands backhaul capacity. This will underpin a wide range of connectivity services, from superfast broadband and 4G today, to ultrafast broadband and 5G tomorrow. 100% coverage will not be delivered by one technology, one supplier or one procurement. We are planning a phased approach that will see a range of projects progressed from 2017 onwards. This includes a project, supported by the European Union, to bring new sub-sea fibre and microwave connections to our island communities. We will also ensure that Scotland is at the forefront of 5G. Working with Scottish Futures Trust, we have already established relationships with key 5G players  from academia, industry, 5G working groups and regulatory bodies. We will formalise these relationships to drive the development of 5G in Scotland  and in so doing, ensure that Scotland receives a fair share of UK-Government funding to support 5G trials.

The Scottish Government intend to launch a public consultation in Q2 2017, which will aim to help define the new intervention area for reaching their aspiration of 100% coverage by 2021. Apparently this will move away from an approach based on postcodes, to one based on premises and thus removing the anomaly where some premises have missed out of the benefits of previous programmes.

Assuming all goes to plan then its envisaged that the first new contract procurements could begin later in 2017, with deployment being anticipated from 2018 onwards. Scotland also seeks to adopt an outside-in approach for this phase, both for mobile and fixed line connectivity, which will drive investment and upgrades towards disadvantaged rural areas first.

However the merits of adopting an outside-in approach at this late stage, after nearly all of Scotlands urban and suburban areas have already been or are about to be reached by faster broadband connectivity, remain debatable. One way or another the Scottish Government will soon have nothing left but rural areas to focus on and there are a lot of those.

Never the less they claim that Scotland was left poorly served as a result of previous UK-wide spectrum auctions, which prioritised revenue at the expense of rural coverage. We will work with the UK Government, Ofcom and industry to ensure that history does not repeat itself. As a result an infill programme is currently being developed alongside O2, Three UK, EE (BT) and Vodafone, which should be published by June 2017.

Derek Mackay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, said: Digital is transforming the way we live. It is connecting us faster than ever before while putting more power into the hands of service users. There is a huge opportunity here and now to ensure that people, businesses and organisations across Scotland, are given the tools and skills they need to harness this potential. Our vision is for Scotland to become even more digitally competitive and attractive. By developing our existing workforce and increasing our digital capabilities across society and the business community, we will ensure that our citizens have the opportunity to improve their digital skills with everyone who wants to get connected able to do so, and public services designed by and for citizens that are secure. This will in turn will have a positive impact on growing our economy.

A big question mark remains over precisely how much public funding will be available to achieve the new strategy. We know that the Scottish Government has already set aside around 42 million, although its unclear whether or not that includes the remaining commitment from Broadband Delivery UK.

However theyll surely need many times more funding than this if the plan is to deploy a decent 30Mbps+ fixed line broadband service, otherwise they may need to fall-back on more Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions and / or inferior Satellite connectivity. The Highlands and Islands region will be particularly difficult to complete via fixed lines due to its rugged rural terrain and sparse communities.

At present Openreach (BT) is the dominant supplier for the existing project via their FTTC and a little FTTP technology, although BT will only investment if it makes economic sense for them to do so and some of the remaining areas in Scotland may struggle to achieve such an outcome. In short, wed expect to see a lot more in the way of alternative network (AltNet) providers being used but even some of them may struggle.

Despite the many challenges we must salute Scotland for being ambitious enough to set such a target, which is something that the UK Government is still struggling to deliver (theyve committed to about 97% coverage of superfast broadband). The new strategy also covers plenty of other digital areas (skills etc.), although our focus is naturally on the telecoms and broadband side of things.

UPDATE 10:57am

The strategy also contains a simplified summary of related actions for the new strategy, which includes some interesting talk about using the business rates system to incentivise the commercial delivery of new fibre and mast infrastructure. Some of this may be linked to the UK Governments related plans (here).
Reports about the ALDC team boycotting the "Dance Moms" season 7B filming seem more legit now as most of the Junior Elite members have been spotted rehearsing with Chloe Lukasiak. Photos of the five young dancers were taken at the 8 Count Dance Academy which was shared on social media by Christi Lukaiak and Kira Girard. Brynn, on the other hand, was seen with the Minis at the ALDC studio.

Things are heating up in "Dance Moms" as the Junior Elite team seems to have taken Abby Lee Miller's return negatively. Previously, rumors surfaced about the ALDC members ditching the Devotion 2 Dance competition as a sign of their retaliation against Abby's return. Both camps did not confirm the issue and only hinted on the boiling feud on social media, but they might have just confirmed it now with the divided team posting photos of their fresh beginnings with their new groups.

Following this, it seems that fans will have to see the former ALDC group go head to head at the Fierce National Dance Competition which will be held on March 26. Both camps are reportedly busy at rehearsing for the competition and photos from their practices were posted by the members on Twitter and Instagram.

"Dance Moms" Minis captain, Lilliana Ketchman posted a photo of her so-called "new crew" on her Instagram account. She posed beside her fellow Minis members, Elliana Elliana Walmsley and Maesi Caes as well as their newly acquired mate, Brynn Rumfallo. This then makes the original dancers of Abby Lee Miller Nia Sioux, Kalani Hilliker, and Kendall Vertes as well as the newcomer Camryn Bridges boarding on the opposite team.

Kira Girard again took to Twitter to show Abby Lee Miller and Lifetime on how serious she was with her past statement that they will follow kicked out choreographers Laurie-Anne Gibson and Meagan Nugent out the door of ALDC. She did not place any caption on her post this time, but it is clear that the Junior Elites are having a reunion with Chloe Lukasiak at 8 Count. Christi Lukasiak also posted another set of photos on Instagram showing the girls having fun at the studio.

Chloe returned on "Dance Moms" during the finale of season 7 part 1. She then expressed her desire of competing again but chose to stay with Murrieta Dance Project (MDP). In fact, the team won in the group category at the Sheer Talent competition in her lead while the ALDC failed to register due to Abby Lee Miller's return.

It is now unclear whether the Junior Elites and their moms are gone for good or might run back to Abby Lee Miller again. The Minis and Brynn, on the other hand, have to perfect their routine during the Nationals as they are set to compete against the veterans. The interesting showdown between the originally solid team of ALDC is expected to go down during the "Dance Moms" season 7B finale. With only the Minis left at Abby's yard, will "Dance Moms" still have the chance to air more seasons as promised by Lifetime?
Ever since Amazon released its Alexa-powered Echo and Echo Dot, the company has arguably been at the lead in the smart speaker industry. Despite several other competitors, including Google Home, the retail giant's product line is still often the most favored. But while the device has been positively received as it is, there are still ways for users to enhance their user experience.

As PopSugar has reported, there are several ways to personalize the experience that Alexa provides. For instance, users can choose a different voice for the Echo and Echo Dot, or have a particular wake word instead of the standard name calling. It is also possible to trail the virtual assistant to pick up on user's voices better, as well as acquire new skills. All these are possible by going through the device's settings feature.

There are individuals that have questioned the safety with Alexa, particularly because the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are always listening. However, the publication confirmed that there is a way to erase everything that the device has picked up on and listened to. This is possible through the Account Settings.

And as Venture Beat has noted, there are ways to fix two of the main issues with Alexa. The first of which is WiFi connection. It is best to check the power LED at the bottom of the device, as white indicates connection and orange means there is none. If it is orange, users are advised to reboot the Echo or Echo Dot and the router as well. If that does not work, it might just be that the WiFi signal is low and the device needs to be moved closer to the router.

Another issue is oftentimes Bluetooth connection, which can be rather finicky. As the publication suggested, it is best to un-pair and then re-pair the devices. If that still does not work, the Alexa-powered Echo or Echo dot might not be compatible with the unit. The smart speaker only supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile.
Mazda and Nissan, two of the renowned Japanese automakers, have long been noted for their consistency in terms of producing the best vehicles. That said, the competition seemed to have heightened up as both the GT-R and MX-5 try to outdo each other. At the recently concluded New York Auto Show, the 2017 Nissan GT-R and Mazda's MX-5 Miata RF were some of the major stars that have been unveiled right before those who have been anticipating for it.

Nissan GT-R Versus Mazda MX-5 MIATA

According to Auto World News, the Nissan GT-R is relentless and immediately aggressive considering its roaring sound that's beautiful to listen to. Although for some, it's nothing but a loud noise, a significant number of car enthusiasts consider it as a revving sound that has been likened to Mozart's or Beethoven's classical piece. Apart from the sound, which is only one of the many noteworthy specs of the Nissan GT-R, experts say that driving this kind of vehicle may be a little challenging to drive down the freeway since the driver has to work a little extra to stay in between the lines.

On the other hand, Driving reported that as the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted last year, it seems to be missing out something. Now, Mazda has answered the call for action of a lot of people with the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF, which stands for Retractable Fastback. More than just having a top-notch targa-styled folding roof, which stows away behind the rear seats, the company says that the advantages are plenty that buyers can enjoy their MX-5 Miata year-round without worrying about snow or ice, adding that the roof panel is concealed beneath a fastback-styled rear window.

What Else Could The Cars Have To Offer?

Mazda reveals that the car is the new retractable hardtop version of the Miata but instead of a conventional design the team at Mazda has employed a cool fastback look. Meanwhile, it was found that Nissan has apparently improved the GT-R's ride which is a sore point on previous models, which, in turn, has been credited to a more rigid body structure and new suspension.
Avid fans of the time-traveling drama of Starz might have been shocked at the rumors that "Outlander" season 3 will follow a major change regarding its episode count. The talks have been immediately debunked though by the show's co-executive producer. Meanwhile, lead stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan were spotted cozying up as they reportedly shopped together where they even allowed fans to capture their moments.

"Outlander" season 3 is yet to premiere sometime in September, but fans have been getting reports that the installment will cut down the episodes from 13 down to 10. Co-executive producer Maril Davis has however trashed the talks labeling them as "fake news." He took the announcement on Twitter as one fan called him out on the social media site asking if reports are true about the episode count. Fans then can now enjoy a full-episode season where Jamie and Claire will try to find ways to get back together.

Speaking of reviving a romance, new spoilers have it that Jamie will be seen with another woman before she gets back with Claire. It is already known to fans by now that the couple was separated at the end of "Outlander" season 2 where Claire returns to her true time. Jamie, on the other hand, will stay in the past, not knowing what happened to his love.

It was already revealed in previous reports that Claire will try to forge a new life with her husband Frank in the present time. However, the two are set to reunite sometime in the new installment, but it might be a heartbreaking rendezvous for the lovers. There are speculations that Jamie will also try to adjust to his life without Claire by finding a new love which might, later on, pose a threat to their relationship when they meet again.

While the love between Jamie and Claire will wear off with a love triangle, actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe who play the characters respectively are reportedly growing more comfortable with each other. As the stars continue to film scenes in South Africa, many fans of "Outlander" spotted the two taking a break from shooting by spending time to shop at a mall. Reports say that the actors were sport enough to pose for photos with fans which later were posted online.

Fans then are becoming more convinced that a secret relationship is happening between Caitriona and Sam. An unfounded buzz even went out claiming that Caitriona is already pregnant with Sam's baby. The duo has strongly denied the rumors and seeing them together might not be an issue as they are working together in filming some of the episodes of "Outlander" season 3.
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While the idea of living mortgage-free and downsizing might not quite be mainstream yet, it has been getting more and more recognition and acceptance as a way of living. Will Hitchcock and Alyssa Pelletier of Outside Found represent a great example of two brave people who not only made it work, but did so in style.

Both Will and Alyssa were once employed by start-ups in Silicon Valley, which was a very stressful time for them. Being lovers of the outdoors, they soon found themselves feeling cramped and unhappy. They solved the problem by leaving their respective jobs, moving to Boulder, Colorado, and starting their own tech consulting company. They also wanted to work remotely while travelling, and to realize that dream, they turned a 2001 GMC Bluebird bus into a home on wheels. They bought the 38-foot-long (11.6 m) bus off Craigslist and did most of the renovation themselves, despite not having any previous construction experience. The process took four months, and according to Alyssa, each day offered a new challenge to overcome.

They started the renovation by first completely insulating the interior. The majority of the interior is taken up by the main sitting area, across from which they installed a fold down desk that can serve a variety of purposes, such as an extra worktable or a dining table. The custom build sofa hides a storage area.

The kitchen is also quite spacious, with plenty of counter space. It is fitted with a sink, stove and fridge. Across from it is the main working station, which has a nice amount of legroom as well as offers ample amounts of storage. The bus is powered by a solar power array, and all the equipment needed for it to run is also hidden away out of sight in this space.

The bathroom is small, but functional and features a composting toilet and a custom built shower. The bedroom is located at the back of the bus, and raised a little on an elevated platform. This area also features a hand built shelving unit that really works to free up the space. They also built a sort of storage shed at the back of the bus, which is used to store their outdoor gear and muddy shoes.

For a few years, theyave travelled across the US in the bus, visiting Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. But they have recently decided to settle in Arizona, and are now selling their home on wheels for $64,500.
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NEW YORK  Wells Fargo plans to upgrade all 13,000 of its ATMs next week to allow customers to access their funds using their cellphones instead of traditional bank cards.

The announcement was made by Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan on Tuesday at an employee town hall in Orlando.

While banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have announced similar upgrades to their ATMs, those are still being rolled out. Wells would be the first to upgrade all of its ATMs with the feature across the United States.

To access their money, customers would get unique eight-digit codes from their Wells Fargo smartphone app, and enter the code into the ATM along with their PIN number. The machines will still accept debit cards as well.

Whether a customer happens to have a card on them or not, (the upgrade) provides another simple and secure way to withdraw cash at any of our ATMs, said Adam Vancini, head of virtual channel operations at Wells Fargo.

One limitation of the one-time code, though, is that it wont work on the secure doors that many branches have for non-business hours that require a customer to swipe an ATM or debit card to gain entry. Wells Fargo said those secure doors are found at a small percentage of branches, mostly in major metropolitan areas like New York City or Chicago.

Wells said it plans to roll out another upgrade to its ATMs later this year, which will allow customers to access the ATMs by holding their smartphones up to a reader on the machine, instead of entering the eight-digit code. It would be similar to using Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, the bank said.

Chase, Citigroup and Bank of America all announced last year similar upgrades to their ATMs, but the rollout has been slow. Chases upgraded machines are still in major markets like New York, Miami and San Francisco, while Bank of America says roughly half of its ATMs have the cardless capabilities.

Wells Fargos announcement on the ATMs comes as the bank is looking for ways to woo back the customers it alienated after the San Francisco-based bank admitted that employees opened as many as 2 million checking and credit card accounts for their customers without getting authorization. The bank said Monday that activity at its branches remains depressed from a year ago, with customers opening 40 percent fewer checking accounts per day last month compared to a year earlier, while the number of customer interactions with branch bankers per day was down 17 percent.

In another effort to move past the scandal, Sloan announed Tuesday Wells Fargo plans next month to launch a new advertising campaign. He told the Orlando gathering that the campaign will be built around the theme Building Better Every Day. It marks Wells first new national ad push since October, when a Commitment campaign including TV and full-page newspaper ads was rolled out following news of its scandal in September. Sloan also said Wells Fargo plans this year to invite its 269,000 employees to participate in a new culture survey.

The new tool will be a confidential, in-depth, 20-to-30 minute culture survey designed by an academic who specializes in corporate culture, he said. Employees will be invited in May to take the voluntary surveys.

The survey will help us understand how you experience our culture, Sloan told employees. Our goal is to uncover our cultures positive attributes and its potential weaknesses, so our leaders can understand how best to foster an ethical, inclusive and customer-focused culture.

Wells Fargo declined to disclose information about the academic involved in the survey. In a statement, spokesman Peter Gilchrist it is being developed using a well-tested, reliable and valid assessment tool designed in partnership with an expert on culture.

Gilchrist said the bank will share themes from the survey results with employees and talk openly internally and externally about changes Wells Fargo makes as a result of the findings.

Material from the Charlotte Observer was used in this report.
They still dot our region, landmarks of originality in a sea of homogeneity. They are the restaurants packed with memories of good food and good fun, community gathering places that have held us together through bad economic times and overseas wars and all else, comfort zones to which we love to return and introduce to our children.

The owners remember us and embrace our children. Such eateries are bridges that bind. We all lose when one of them is threatened.

Thats the case right now with Snooks barbecue, that beacon on Juney Beauchamp Road in Advance that even the haughty New York Times once cheered, calling its sandwiches the real deal: an exemplary squish of smoke-tinged pork and slaw on a plain-Jane burger bun.

Indeed. As our area rapidly grows, we need places like this more than ever to balance our past with our future, places that show the world all thats right about us and our region. We need places like this where we can come together, at least for an hour or so, and let talk of our towns, and yes, even gossip, override heated conversations about our nations political divide.

But one morning earlier this month, law enforcement officials say, a driver crashed into the low-slung frame building that is home to Snooks. That man faces charges of driving while impaired and careless and reckless driving.

A lot of things came crashing down when the truck hit the building, among them an antique drink machine that the patriarch of this restaurant had once used in one of his restaurants in Yadkin County in the 1970s, Lisa ODonnell reported in last weeks Journal West.

Dreams came crashing down as well, those of the owners and all who love them and their restaurant. Owner Rita Reavis told Journal West that she will re-open. I cant see myself sitting at home all the time. Ive always been at work.

But judging from what Reavis daughters posted later on the restaurants Facebook site, the push to reopen will be a hard one. A restaurant whose purchase by Reavis father in the 1970s (the restaurant may have been as old as 20 years then) was spelled out on a brown bag now will have to cut through a tangle of red tape to survive.

And ODonnell reported that The wreck is one more piece of bad luck for Snooks. Reavis got sick around Christmas, then it snowed. Because so many of her customers are older folks, Reavis typically does not open during bad weather. Plus, heating the dining area can be expensive. Man, alive, I feel like theres a dark cloud hanging, she said.

But in typical fashion, Reavis finds the good. I feel so blessed it happened on a day when nobody was there, she told Journal West. It couldve been devastating. The Saturday before, there were all kinds of younguns in the parking lot. It just about made me sick to think about it.

Hundreds of friends and customers have reached out to her, letting her know they care a lot about her restaurant. One person said he grew up with Snooks, Reavis told Journal West. It just makes me feel good to know that.

We hope this good family finds a way to reopen their restaurant. We need Snooks and fine old places like it, now more than ever.
In the morning today, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories. The conference is first time hosted by India.

In a statement as per the sources news, the Finance Ministry said that the representatives of the participating nations will look into the scope of leveraging technology in public audit as well as share experiences on environment audit.

The conference is of three days and 52 Commonwealth Countries and nine British Overseas Territories will attend it.

In 2014 the last conference held in Malta.

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Before FBI Director James Comey began his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee Monday, President Donald Trump was back, compulsively tweeting  and underscoring the growing perception that his allegation that President Barack Obama had Trumps wires tapped is nonsensical, his attachment to reality fleeting and his concern about Russian interference in the election on his behalf is palpable.

He tweeted: James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it! (Interestingly, he limited the denial of collusion to him, POTUS, only.) Certainly, he had been rattled by a parade of Republican Congress members affirming there was no evidence of wiretapping. He was right to be anxious.

Comey did in fact confirm that the FBI is currently investigating Russian interference with our elections, including any links with members of the Trump campaign, and whether the latter constituted any crimes. A short time later, Comey lowered the boom. What about evidence of wiretapping, as Trump claimed in tweets? Comey was succinct: I have no information that supports those tweets.

That testimony is not fake. Trump cannot change the fact that his own national intelligence team is attempting to determine whether a foreign power tried to manipulate our election. Try as he might, there is no way for Trump to discount or conceal that reality. The stone-faced Comey crisply providing definitive, unemotional testimony that was compelling, as was that of National Security Agency chief Michael Rogers, who, with furrowed brow, often answered with a simple yes or no.

Comeys statement was not surprising, but it was nevertheless devastating. To hear the head of the FBI in essence call the president a liar or wide-eyed conspiratorialist is bracing, if not humiliating, for the chief executive. And reflecting on the morning tweet, Trump now seems desperate, childish and vulnerable. Hes been tripped up by his own grandiose lies. At some level he must know it.

Perhaps now Republicans can stop treating the presidents outbursts seriously. They need to call them what they are: Wild lies and accusations designed to distract from the very real investigation into Russian attempts to throw the election his way.

In just a few brief lines, Comey eviscerated whatever credibility Trump still had. Whether the intelligence agency will find evidence of collusion remains to be seen. But what we do know is that Trump will not be able to lie his way through this nor distract the public.

Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, who appeared Sunday on ABCs This Week, made an interesting observation. Its going to go down in the history of Mother Russia as the greatest covert action campaign, not because President Trump won, he said. There was no manipulation of the vote-tallying machines. Its going to go down as the greatest covert action because it drove a  created a wedge, whether real or perceived, between the White House, the intelligence community, and the American public.

Well, it will also go down as the greatest covert action in history because Russia sought to manipulate the outcome of our election and provided assistance to the Trump campaign. Moreover, Vladimir Putin has convinced a significant chunk of the American electorate that Trump is illegitimate. (One poll shows 57 percent of young voters between 18 and 30 consider him illegitimate.) And worse, its convinced many Americans that our presidents word cannot be trusted.
A ruling from the N.C. Supreme Court last week means that victims of the states forced sterilization program who have been waiting for more than a year for their last compensation payment could have to wait a lot longer. We urge Gov. Roy Cooper and the state legislature to get that final payment issued now.

These victims of the program that ran from 1929 through 1974, most of them of modest means and many of them haunted by physical and mental ills from their operations, have done all the state asked them to do in filling out paperwork for compensation since the state approved it in the summer of 2013. Theyve received two payments, but a third, which should bring their total compensation to more than $45,000, has been delayed as a few heirs of those denied compensation because they didnt meet a deadline have appealed.

Thats certainly their right, and they have valid claims that bear thorough review. But in the meantime, the state must make the final payment to the victims who have qualified and have already been waiting too long. This despite the fact that, almost four years ago, the state approved a $10-million compensation pool for qualified victims to share in equally. More than 200 victims have qualified.

The heirs of those denied have appealed their cases through the state Industrial Commission, the N.C. Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court. Now the states highest court has kicked the matter back to the court of appeals, which had said that a panel of Superior Court judges should decide the matter.

This could take many more months.

In the meantime, qualified victims who have done everything right in this process keep waiting. Many are elderly. Some died waiting for compensation to be approved. When the state sterilized them, saying they were mentally or physically unfit to reproduce (often on flimsy evidence), it moved quickly. But now the state is moving far too slowly to compensate them.

This idea of compensation was one thing our state government got right in the last several years. We are the first in the nation to compensate victims of a state sterilization program. Virginia became the second a couple of years ago, and more states are likely to follow.

We should set a model for doing this right, instead of adding insult to injury by making victims wait. And wait. And wait. Aggravating the problem is the fact that the state has done little to update the victims on the delay.

We urge the governor and the legislature to act now and get the final payment out to qualified victims. If that means more compensation money must be allocated for appellants who prevail, an amount equal to whatever final amount the qualified victims receive, so be it. But in the spirit of righteousness and decency, the qualified victims must be compensated now.
Fans of the namaste bow or tree pose will soon have a new studio to practice their regular stretching and breathing techniques, as Essential Yoga recently held its soft opening at 140 West Richardson Street (upstairs from Katie Mae's) in Summerville's historic downtown area. Read moreEssential Yoga debuts in Summerville
The Baltimore City Council [official website] voted 11-3 Monday to approve a bill [materials] that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022. Marylands current minimum wage [materials] is $8.75 and is slated to increase to $10.10 by 2018. The proposed bill would increase Baltimores minimum wage with Marylands until 2018 then continue to rise to $11.25 in 2019, $12.50 in 2020, $13.75 in 2021, and $15.00 in 2022. Employees under the age of 21 are exempt from the wage increase in this bill. Additionally, the bill has an exemption for small businesses (fewer than 50 employees and annual gross income of $400,000 or less), which gives them until 2026 to meet the minimum wage requirement. The proposed bill will now be considered [Baltimore Sun report] by Mayor Catherine Pugh [mayoral website], who has not indicated whether she will sign the bill into law. If the bill is vetoed by Pugh, 12 votes would be needed to override the veto.

The US has not seen [Reuters report] an increase in federal minimum wage since 2009, which has led many states, and now cities, to raise their minimum wages. Last week the Arizona Supreme Court upheld [JURIST report] a state law raising the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2020. Also in March, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that St. Louis may raise its minimum wage next year. In January the Supreme Court of Missouri [official website] ruled [JURIST report] that the Kansas City Board of Commissioners must place a minimum wage proposal on their upcoming ballot. That same month, the Kentucky Legislature passed [JURIST report] the right-to-work legislation. In November voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and Washington all approved minimum wage increase initiatives [JURIST report], while South Dakota voters rejected a measure to lower the minimum wage.
Former South Korean president Park Geun-Hye [BBC profile] met with The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office [official website] for several hours on Tuesday in connection with the ongoing corruption probe. Park began the day by giving an apology [Arirang report] in front of the media. Park previously refused to speak [Yonhap report] with prosecutors, citing her presidential immunity. However, since her removal from office, she has agreed to cooperate with the investigation into the misappropriation of funds resulting in allegations of coercion and bribery [JURIST report]. According to local sources [Korea Herald report], the interrogation lasted more than 20 hours, was not taped and did not result in any confession. During the meeting Park had an opportunity to review the complaints against her and respond to the allegations. Prosecutors will decide [DNA report] whether to charge Park this week.

Earlier this month South Koreas Constitutional Court upheld parliaments decision to impeach [JURIST report] Park over a scandal related to government bribes paid by Samsung. In February Samsungs head Lee Jae-yong was arrested [JURIST report] on charges of bribery and undue influence in connection with the scandal. Five Samsung executives denied charges [JURIST report] of bribery, embezzlement and corruption that were leveled against them in connection with Park. Park may also be subject to charges that may relate to the indictment [JURIST report] of former culture minister Cho Yoon-sun and former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon over the coercion, abuse of power and perjury due to suppression of artists involved with the impeachment process
Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] said Tuesday that members of the Libyan National Army (LNA) may have committed war crimes [press release] in Benghazi on and around March 18. Benghazi has been center of stand-off between the LNA and the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) for almost two years. On March 18, dozens of civilians attempted to flee the Ganfouda neighborhood of the city. Some of the civilians were accompanied by BRSC soldiers. Relatives of some of the civilians who fled stated that LNA fighters had intercepted roughly seven fleeing families, attacking and killing some of them and arresting others. There have also been photos and videos of LNA fighters mutilating and desecrating the corpses of BRSC fighters. LNA leadership has made statements denouncing the actions of those fighters. The LNA has stated that they will arrest those who have committed the violations. The LNA has also justified some other actions believed to be war crimes. This includes a video of an LNA captain shooting three restrained men in the back with a machine gun as they kneeled facing a wall.

Libya has been politically unstable since the 2011 disposition of Muammar Gaddafi [JURIST backgrounder] and subsequent civil war. Earlier this month, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] urged [JURIST report] Libyan officials to ensure human rights are not violated in the country. In September the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore spoke on the deteriorating human rights situation [JURIST report] in Libya and called for accountability and reform. Earlier last year the UN released a report detailing a litany of violations and abuses being committed by both state and non-state actors in Libya that may amount to war crimes [JURIST report].
[JURIST] The Ganges and Yumana rivers were granted the same legal rights as people by the high court [official website] in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Monday. The two rivers are considered sacred by Indians but have faced harm from widespread pollution. The court cited [Guardian report] New Zealands recent granting of legal person rights to the Whanganui River [JURIST report]. The rivers and their tributaries are [AP report] legal and living entities having the status of a legal person with all corresponding rights, duties, and liabilites. The court also established three officials to protect the river as legal custodians and directed the government to form a board to protect the rivers through the Namami Gange Mission.

Indias government has been facing numerous religious and environmental issues in recent months. In January the Supreme Court of India rejected a public interest litigation [JURIST report] seeking an all-India ban on cow slaughter. In the same month the Supreme Court of India ruled that seeking votes [JURIST report] based on religion, caste, community, race or language is not permitted. In September Indias highest court ordered the state of Karnataka to share water [JURIST report] with the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
[JURIST] Republican lawmakers on Monday released two amendments [press release] to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) [materials], the proposed replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [materials], in an effort to appeal to both conservative and liberal critics. Besides some technical and policy changes [materials, PDF], the bill also incorporates recommendations from Republican officials and the House Budget Committee [official website], which approved [JURIST report] the original bill last Thursday. The bill dictates that ACA taxes on the health industry will be repealed as soon as 2017. Tax credits will no longer be deposited into health savings accounts, and there is room for such credits to be increased for older Americans in the future. The bill also addresses Medicaid in numerous ways, including allowing states to enforce work requirements and receive federal funding while prohibiting such states from further expanding the current Medicaid system. Upon presenting these modifications, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) [official profile] declared that the bill will fulfill the governments promise to the American people and properly terminate the ACA. The modified bill will be evaluated [CNN report] by the House Rules Committee and undergo a vote this Thursday.

Repealing the ACA was a significant element of the latest election cycle. Senators proposed [JURIST report] the initial ACA replacement bill at the end of January. This came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order [JURIST report] aimed at repealing the ACA, shortly after being sworn in. The Senate had prepared for the repealing of the ACA earlier that month when it voted 51-48 [JURIST report] to prevent the process from being subject to a filibuster. Also in January, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion [JURIST report] to stay a federal court order preventing the federal government from enforcing an ACA regulation that protects transgender people and women from discrimination in health care. On the same day the former Secretary of Health and Human Services warned [JURIST report] that a repeal of the ACA without an immediate replace would create a dangerous situation for American healthcare.
[JURIST] The US Supreme Court [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] Tuesday that Fourth Amendment [text] protections against unreasonable seizure can continue after the legal process has concluded. In Manuel v. City of Joliet [SCOTUSblog materials], the court reversed the lower court in a 6-2 decision. The case arose when police found a vitamin bottle containing pills when searching Elijah Manuel at a traffic stop. After a field test showed the pills were not a controlled substance, they arrested Manuel and brought him to the police station. The evidence statistician there received a negative result when testing the pills, but claimed one pill tested positive for the probable presence of ecstasy. The arresting officer stated in his report that he knew the pills were ecstasy. On this basis, Manuel was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and a judge found probable cause to detain him pending trial. Later laboratory results definitively proved the pills were not ecstasy, but Manuel remained in custody for a total of 48 days of pretrial detention. Two years after his arrest, but less than two years after his case was dismissed, he filed a  1983 [text] lawsuit against the City of Joliet, claiming his arrest violated the Fourth Amendment. The district court dismissed his claim in part because precedent held that pretrial detention following the start of legal processhere, the judges probable cause determinationcannot give rise to a Fourth Amendment claim. The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit [official website] had affirmed [opinion, PDF] the district court. Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court:

The Fourth Amendment protects [t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons  against unreasonable  seizures. Manuels complaint seeks just that protection. Government officials, it recounts, detainedwhich is to say, seiz[ed]Manuel for 48 days following his arrest. And that detention was unreasonable, the complaint continues, because it was based solely on false evidence, rather than supported by probable cause. By their respective terms, then, Manuels claim fits the Fourth Amendment, and the Fourth Amendment fits Manuels claim, as hand in glove.

The court recognized that the Fourth Amendment establishes the standards and procedures governing pretrial detention, and those constitutional protections apply even after the start of legal process in a criminal case.

The decision was 6-2, with Justice Clarence Thomas filing a dissenting opinion, and Justice Samuel Alito filing a dissenting opinion in which Thomas joined. The court heard arguments in the case in October after granting certiorari [JURIST reports] in January of last year.
[JURIST] The Texas Senate [official website] approved bills on Wednesday that would prevent doctors from encouraging abortions to avoid lawsuits from birth defects and to require doctors to ensure a fetus is deceased before performing certain procedures. Texas Bills 25 and 415 [texts] now move to the Texas House of Representatives [official website]. The bills have been met with protests [Huffington Post report]. In addition Representative Jessica Farrar [official profile] has introduced a bill [Times report] to fine men $100 for masturbating to protest the recent anti-abortion legislation.

Abortion restrictions have been a much contested issue in Texas and other states in recent years. In February a judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction [JURIST report] to halt Texas plan to cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. Much of the discussion is about when a proposed state law regulating abortion can be considered an undue burden on access to abortion. The US Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a Texas law in June 2016, that imposed certain requirements on abortion clinics and doctors. A regulation mandating the burial of fetal remains in Texas was challenged [JURIST report] in court in December by abortion rights groups. Sparks temporarily suspended the regulation in December and extended the suspension [JURIST reports] in January.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation, Leo Heller [official profile], on Tuesday urged the international community involved in development cooperation to work toward ensuring that people everywhere have rights to water and sanitation [press release]. Heller stated that development programs for developing countries can better achieve these rights if they are guided by a human rights approach. He further urges that these programs prioritize helping the most disadvantaged groups and for states to develop strong legal frameworks to focus on water and sanitation. Heller is continuing to conduct research on these issues to present a report to the UN in October.

People throughout the world still lack access to drinking water and adequate sanitation. Last year Human Rights Watch reported that the Bangladeshi government has failed to respond adequately [JURIST report] to naturally occurring arsenic in rural drinking water. In March 2010 Bolivian President Evo Morales called on the UN [JURIST report] to declare access to safe drinking water a basic human right and introduced a resolution to that effect. In July of that year the UN General Assembly adopted [JURIST report] a resolution declaring that access to clean and sanitized drinking water is a basic human right. The resolution passed by a vote of 122-0. One of the Millennium Development Goals [official website] to reduce social and economic harms by 2015 includes decreasing by half the number of people who cannot reach or afford safe drinking water and do not have basic sanitation. The resolution expressed concern that approximately 884 million people are without access to safe drinking water and more than 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Michael Lynk [official profile] warned [draft report, PDF; press release] Tuesday of worsening conditions for human rights workers in the region. Lynk called on the Israeli government to improve its treatment of rights workers, saying, [t]hey have experienced sophisticated interference with their vital work, and have faced toxic denunciations aimed at silencing them and discouraging their supporters. He also expressed concern over Israels continued construction of settlements under the Regularization Bill [text, PDF] and urged the government to comply with Security Council Resolution 2334 [text, PDF] calling for an end to the settlements.

The situation in Israel and Palestine continues to draw international attention. On Thursday the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia took a move against the current position of the Secretary General when they released a report that accused Israel of implementing an apartheid regime [JURIST report] in the settlements, which was later taken down by the agency. It is not the first time that the UN has been critical of Israel. Earlier in March two UN rights experts denounced Israel [JURIST report] for increased restrictions on human rights advocates. The country has even begun to deny visas, as in February when Israel denied an entry visa [JURIST report] for an advocacy researcher.
[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Tuesday by making a statement [text] emphasizing the importance of curtailing hate speech. Highlighting the racially motivated atrocities occurring worldwide, Zeid noted how several reputable organizations have reported an increase in hate crimes, potentially due to racially charged rhetoric. He cited examples from the US:

FBI figures indicated a rise in hate crimes nationwide in 2015, a year when the US presidential election campaigna campaign that often focused on the supposed threats posed by migrants, Hispanics and Muslimsbegan in earnest. Data collected by the Southern Poverty Law Center indicates that migrants, African-Americans and Muslims were the most affected by hate crimes in the immediate aftermath of the election.

Zeid concluded his remarks by urging states to adopt new legislation expressly prohibiting racist hate speech, including the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination, and threats or incitement to violence.

Racial discrimination has been an international issue. Last year a UN human rights expert called on all Australians to end racial discrimination within the country. UN Special Rapporteur on racism Mutuma Ruteere asked [JURIST report] the country to strengthen efforts to end racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination within the country. Also last year, the Dutch district court of Haarlem said [JURIST report] that Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch right wing political party, Party for Freedom, was convicted of inciting discrimination. The incident in question happened in March 2014 during a political rally, where Wilders promised to reduce the number of Morrocans in the Netherlands.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert [official website] on Monday signed [press release] amendments to SB 196 [text], repealing language that barred advocacy of homosexuality in Utah public schools. The bill was amended to bar advocacy of any premarital or extramarital sexual activity, and continues to bar public school teachers from encouraging students to use contraceptives. The bills signing was celebrated by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy groups in Utah, while Herberts signing was not accompanied by any kind of statement addressing the contents of the bill.

The rights of LGBTQ students has been a recent topic of controversy. Last week the Texas Senate approved [JURIST report] a bill that would override city ordinances allowing people in public schools, universities and government facilities to use their bathroom of choice, instead requiring people to use public bathrooms that correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificate. Two weeks ago the US Supreme Court recently declined [JURIST report] to rule on a transgender bathroom case following the Trump administrations rescinding guidelines that public schools should allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice, sending the case back to The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The circuit court had ruled [JURIST report] to defer to the Obama administrations decision that students could use their bathroom of choice.
Logistics operator, GEFCO says its Russian operations have been able to largely cope with the downturn in the domestic automotive market by diversifying and leveraging expertise from parent company, RZD.

RZD or Russian Railways owns 75% of GEFCO and PSA Group the remaining 25%, with the giant train operator employing a colossal 1.2m staff making it the largest employer in the country.

PSA divested its majority stake in 2012, but late last year inked a colossal EUR8bn (US$8.6bn) deal with GEFCO to manage the automakers entire global manufacturing supply chain for five years.

Russias much-publicised economic downturn  triggered in large part by heavily falling oil prices  although this is now stabilising at a far more palatable US$50 or so  has seen companies in the automotive sector having to hold their nerve to stay in what was once touted as a possible 4m market  or in the case of GEFCO to broaden its portfolio.

One of the ways GEFCO Russia succeeded was the development of customs excise operations fairly early, GEFCO regional vice president and board member, Phil Shankley told just-auto in his Moscow office. The complexity of customs and border controls [means] to have expertise is definitely a leading edge.

Geopolitically, we face the same issues as any other logistics company. We also put ourselves in other places such as Nizhny Novgorod [home to Russian LCV manufacturer, GAZ Group], largely because of its automotive cluster. We have got dots in the map where we feel we need to be.

The other aspect is road versus rail. Up until the ownership by RZD, we were pretty exclusively road, but we have people now in our team in Moscow who are more rail expert. We have been learning rail and learning where to build that into our solution domestically in Russia  with the distance involved there is huge opportunity.

GEFCO has been established in Russia since 2003, seeing the rising curve of automotive sales starting with General Motors mid-range models, followed by Peugeot and subsequently capitalising on overseas OEMs who established domestic manufacturing bases and joint ventures with home-grown companies.

Also, in 2015, the company inked a 4PL contract with Ferronordic Machines, where GEFCO provides logistics for oversized and heavy equipment throughout Russia, including remote regions guaranteeing cost reduction by 10% within five years.

Shankley himself moved to Moscow in 2014 to be the representative of the CEO in the relationship with RZD. In addition, he has executive management responsibility for the 1520 zone, covering GEFCO operating companies in Russia, the Baltics and Kazakhstan.

This core of automotive stuff began to build, added Shankley. I remember hearing a debate, we are doing rather well, we are developing a reputation which goes with our global reputation.

However, the post-2012 period gave rise to the severe decline in the Russian automotive sector, which saw the Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee (AEB AMC) issue successive and decidedly gloomy monthly sales reports, although there is cautious optimism the worst may have been weathered as the oil price recovers.

At various points in the Russian experience there have been deep falls, noted Shankley. You are left with a real logistical challenge. Everybody in the market learned a lot in those days as there were shortages of capacity.

This time it has been different because when the decline came  precipitated by the oil price reduction and not sanctions  the decline has been much more steep and permanent.

Our reaction at GEFCO has been to diversify and we have been looking into other industries. One of the things that happened at the same time as RZD ownership [was] it gave us access to Russian strategic industries, large former State-owned corporations like Severstal and Gazprom.

Two years ago we were talking about recovery and at the start of 2017 the figures are slightly less, so we are still bottoming out. We work with a fairly wide range of OEMs, contracts with all the big guys, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Jaguar Landrover.

Echoing GEFCOs view the worst of the storm may have passed, AEB AMC chairman, Joerg Schreiber told just-auto in Moscow last week that after four years of consecutive decline where the Russian market lost 50% volume, 2017 could be the year of a soft return.
During a rally in February, President Trump had these disparaging words about Swedens humane immigration policy... but nothing of note actually happened the previous night in Sweden.

Editor's note: This blog is the winner of Data Science vs Fake News Contest, organized by KDnuggets, Data for Democracy, and data.world. Additional entries will be published in the coming weeks.

By Jacob Igono, Charles University, Prague.

The Alternative Fact



During a rally in February, President Trump had these disparaging words about Swedens humane immigration policy,

"You look at whats happening last night in Sweden. Sweden. Who would believe this? Sweden.

They took in large numbers. Theyre having problems like they never thought possible."

...But nothing of note actually happened the previous night in Sweden, leading many in the twitterverse to wonder if Mr. Trump had been self medicating when Jeff Sessions was out of the room.

As the holder of the highest elected office in the land, we know that Mr. Trump is privy to best in class intelligence and should have his finger on the pulse of all major world events. Yeah... if only he went to intelligence briefings and didnt ask for complex matters to be simplified whenever he actually attends.

It appears, however, that the President prefers to gather intel from alternative sources which sometimes lead to alternative facts. By now, the public can deduce that the validity of the statement is nowhere near as important as the narrative that President wants to push.

The False Premise



If you have had access to a television in recent years, you would most likely have heard the assertion that bad hombres were overrunning developed countries and bringing in bad hombre stuff with them, including crime.

While academic research has proved this to be demonstrably false, lets look at the numbers in Sweden to see if this idea holds any weight.

No... it doesnt. While Sweden took in large numbers, the change in the crime rate, year over year, has ebbed and flowed in the same manner that it has for decades. Many factors contribute to the change in crime rates, but visually we can see that bad dudes are not a major one.

While crime is no more of a problem than it was in previous years, this perception that the others commit crimes at higher rates is real and harmful enough for the Swedish government to work on dispelling the notion by reiterating facts about the situation.

Impending Reality Check



So, is Sweden a great country for accepting thousands of people in need? The short answer, yes. The long answer, they also will get a lot in return. The reason for this is that their population is aging, bigly. The amount of retirees as a percent of the population increased significantly over the last 50+ years, while the youth population has simultaneously declined.

This spells trouble for their earned benefit system if actions arent taken to correct it. The Swedish government will need additional taxpayers to prop up their economy and support retirees for years to come. A great way to supplement the workforce is to welcome in people from other countries in search of better opportunities.

Its safe to say that they are winning with this policy.

Data Sources:

Bio: Jacob Igono is currently pursuing a PhD in economic theory from Charles University in Prague. His previous studies include master degrees from the Sorbonne in economics and a bachelors in finance from Arizona State University. He has worked in strategy and data science consultancy roles for startups and young companies in Europe and Africa. He is particularly interested in fintech, machine learning and applied microeconometrics. Lastly, he was a Manchester City supporter before they were good.

Related:
LEXINGTON  A Lexington man is displaced from his home after a fire damaged his roof today (Wednesday).

Lexington volunteer Fire Chief Dallas Hoelbein said at about 12:30 p.m. a neighbor reported smoke coming out of the roof of a one story home at 1506 N. Adams Street. The owner of the home Gary Shadduck was working on a fuse panel in his home when the Lexington VFD arrived. However, Shadduck escaped the home safely.

The wiring may have been the cause of the fire.

"It appears to have started in some wiring just above the fuse panel where the wiring goes into the roof," Holbein said.

Most of the damage to the home was in the ceiling and roof.

Its going to be unliveable for a while because of the wiring shortage," Holbein said. "And it actually burned through the roof in one spot, so it did significant damage."

According to an American Red Cross press release, it is providing assistance to Shadduck following the fire.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 15-20 minutes, Holbein said, and they were on scene for about an hour checking for hot spots.
According to a Williamsburg United Methodist Church news release, it is seeking to honor the values and traditions that make this area a place people will want to come, and a place children and grandchildren will want to stay and raise their families.
More than 20 dead snow geese were dumped in a ditch near Third and Bismark Road in Merrick County, according to the Merrick County Sheriffs Department.

State conservation officer Tim Williams visited the site after being contacted by a Merrick County deputy but hasnt yet identified any suspects.

Weve had no leads on it, Williams said on Tuesday.

The Merrick County Sheriffs Department posted information about the dead geese online Monday. The Sheriffs Department estimated the number at about 30. Looking at the pictures, Williams counted 21 whole goose carcasses.

If the person who dumped the geese is caught, he or she will be charged with wanton waste, Williams said. That charge applies if edible portions, such as breast meat, remain on a bird.

The fine for wanton waste is $150, with an additional charge of $50 per bird.

Nebraska is currently in spring snow goose season, when there is no limit on the number of geese shot.

The location is not far from similar cases of dumping in March 2016, Williams said. Those cases involved snow geese and sandhill cranes.

If the birds had been discarded after being cleaned, the violator would be charged with littering, Williams said.

It happens every season, Williams said.

I get several calls a year on either carcasses that have been partially cleaned or full carcasses dumped in the ditch, he said.

Williams has received three or four reports of dumping since Jan. 1. One of those cases involved five or six birds in Adams County. Another case was in Hall County.

Asked about a motive, Williams theorized that hunters can shoot so many snow geese that maybe they get tired of cleaning them. That was only one possible explanation.

But he wouldnt regard people who dump full-bodied birds as good hunters, he said.

Dumping takes place in the fall as well as spring, Williams said. It can involve both waterfowl and game.

No one from the Merrick County Sheriffs Department was available for comment.
One person was injured and five people displaced in a fire at a Scottsbluff apartment building overnight.

Scottsbluff Fire Capt. Justin Houstoun said firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire at about 12:47 a.m. Wednesday morning at an apartment building at 101 E. 19th St. It was reported people were possibly trapped in the building.

At 0047hrs on Wednesday, March 22, Scottsbluff Fire received a page for a structure fire at 101 East 19th Street in Scottsbluff with possible people trapped in the two-story apartment building.

Scottsbluff Police Officers went door to door in the apartment complex and were able to evacuate all of the residents. Firefighters made entry into the apartment and quickly extinguished the fire. A search of the building confirmed all occupants were outside.

One resident suffered burns and smoke inhalation and was transported to Regional West Medical Center by Valley Ambulance. Five residents were displaced by the fire.

Investigation of the fire determined that the fire originated from a faulty electrical connection. The residence sustained approximately $20,000 in damage.

Carissa Smith of Firefighter Ministry said that her organization assisted residents with food and hotel vouchers. The American Red Cross also responded.

Scottsbluff Fire received assistance from Gering Fire, Scottsbluff Police and Valley Ambulance.
The Platte River Whooping Crane Trust has lost its bid to have its land declared tax exempt.

On Friday, the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) issued its decision to uphold the 2015 determination of the Hall County Board of Supervisors to deny tax exemption for six parcels of land for the Crane Trust.

The commission finds that there is not clear and convincing evidence that the county boards decision was arbitrary or unreasonable, TERC said in its ruling. The commission also finds that the applicant for the exemption has failed to prove its entitlement to the exemption. For all of the reasons set forth above, the decision of the county board is affirmed.

In 2015, the trust asked the county board for tax exemptions for its three parcels that are already tax-exempt, including its nature center and research facility, which the board voted to approve. It also asked to have six additional parcels exempted. The county board voted to deny that request.

Hall County Assessor Jan Pelland said the property taxes collected on the land totaled more than $130,000 in 2015.

Hall County board Chairwoman Pam Lancaster said the board voted to deny tax exemption for the Crane Trust in 2015 after looking at the statute and seeking Pellands advice. Because Pelland did not believe the Crane Trusts request met the criteria for tax exemption, it voted to deny it.

In 2016, the trust again asked to have those six appealed parcels exempted, plus the remaining 28 that it owns.

Pelland said the Crane Trust currently has 34 total parcels. Of that number, three are tax-exempt and 31 are not.

We have 31 appeals pending for 2016 because last year they applied for everything they own, Pelland told the county board at its meeting on Tuesday. She and Hall County Attorney Jack Zitterkopf briefly discussed it, and my feeling is that they (the Crane Trust) will probably take this on to the Nebraska Court of Appeals. If they do go on to the Court of Appeals, I anticipate TERC will not schedule our 2016 cases until they see what the decision is.

Lancaster said TERCs decision is so valuable to the county board because it means Hall Countys tax base is not eroded.

Its a great thing for the taxpayer to say that we have six parcels that are included in the valuation at the level that we felt was appropriate. No valuation goes away, she said. The only way to keep our levy intact is to maintain or broaden the tax base. This is a step in the right direction.

The Crane Trust is also challenging the county boards tax exemption decision for 2016. Lancaster anticipates the six parcels that TERC voted to uphold on Friday will remain in that status.

Common sense tells me that the six parcels upheld for 2015 would probably continue, she said. But that would still leave the other parcels in question as to whether or not they receive an exemption. We will just wait and see what TERC has to say.
FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2009 file photo, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Citizens Energy Corporation Chairman and President speaks during a news conference in Boston where he announced that Citgo ended the suspension of its free heating oil program for the poor, crediting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for his intervention to help keep the program going. Amid continuing economic turmoil, Venezuela skipped heating oil contributions to the Massachusetts-based nonprofit program during the winter of 2016-2017. (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2014 file-pool photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Russian metals magnate Oleg Deripaska while visiting the RusVinyl plant in Kstovo, in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for Deripaska, a Russian billionaire, to advance the interests of Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service, File)
Actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is currently visiting Morocco with her husband, Captain Ekeinde.

She shared new photos on her Instagram page and captioned it; Hajia Omosexy! And we visited the famous New Medina market. Pls if #thecaptain comes back alone arrest him oh. Hes been threatening leaving me here, cause the men say I look like their wivesmight be a ploy to use come back and re marry rolls eyes 
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The young woman sat in the corner of my exam room, facing away from me as I asked her questions. Her answers were short. Im from El Salvador. Why did she come? Because of the violence. Her voice was flat. Her hands trembled. I knew she had suffered terribly and I needed to ask her how.

Slowly, quietly, she recounted the gang violence she had fled in El Salvador. The assault shed been too afraid to tell her family about lest they be targeted. The death threats to her children that finally led her to seek asylum in the United States.

They can do what they want to me, she said. But they are not going to hurt my children. She gradually met my eyes as hers filled with tears.

As my patient unburdened herself, I was grateful for her trust. I knew that there were hundreds more young women like her who were afraid to set foot in the clinic.

I wanted to reassure her that she would be safe in the clinic. I wanted to tell her that she would be safe when she went back to her home in Everett, Massachusetts. But as awareness of the world outside filled the space between us, I wasnt sure I could.

On January 25 President Trump signed an executive order that calls, among other things, for a 50 percent increase in the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers; the expanded use of detention centers; and the use of local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration policy. Officers will be allowed to deport immigrants who have been charged with any crime, even if they havent been convicted.

In the shadow of the first travel ban, this order did not initially receive much attention. But on February 21, the Trump administration published new Department of Homeland Security rules clarifying that this order greatly expands the classes of people who will be targeted for deportation.

For those who have worked with immigrants for years, it is difficult to explain how the current situation differs from the last 20 years. Both President George W. Bush and President Obama massively increased deportations  sending home 2 million and 2.5 million people, respectively, a huge increase over previous years. They created an efficient system for removals which our current president has inherited.

But under the Obama administration, deportations were typically done under a Priority Enforcement Program, said Liza Ryan of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Priority was given to those who had committed serious crimes, had recently entered the country, or were deemed a threat to national security. Now, under the executive order currently in force, they basically dont have priorities. Its so extremely broad that it basically encapsulates everyone, she told me.

My medical school in Atlanta didnt offer a class on immigration policy. We discussed politics between classes. Taking care of a diverse population in Georgia, our first concern was always not to offend with our personal political beliefs, damaging in some way the patient-physician relationship.

In my third year of medical school, however, I had a crash course in immigration policy while taking care of migrant laborers in rural Georgia. We set up tents in the fields and treated hundreds of patients under the hot Georgia sun.

While we were there, the state of Georgia passed a law allowing local police to demand immigration papers from anyone they stopped. Overnight, before the law was even enforced, thousands of immigrants fled the state, leaving $140 million in crops rotting on the ground. Some mornings, we would pitch our tents only to find the camps had become ghost towns.

Now, with ongoing changes in federal immigration policy, many patients are afraid to even come to clinic. Once again, I sometimes feel like Im pitching a tent in an empty field.

Dr. Rob Marlin, a primary care physician in Cambridge who directs the Refugee Health Assessment Program, recently provided training for physicians who take care of immigrant patients. He told us we must individually and institutionally have greater knowledge of immigration policy to take care of our patients.

Knowing a patients immigration status and the reasons they came to this country can affect the services they are eligible for, the relative costs of medications, the fears that may keep them from returning for needed services, and even the diagnosis of unexplained symptoms.

Immigration policy, Marlin told us, is no longer a spectator sport for us or for our patients.

But it is not simple to practice medicine under these new and uncertain circumstances. The fear that young woman from El Salvador felt in clinic was partly a fear of me  an authority figure she did not know if she could trust. While we like to think our clinics and hospitals are safe for everyone, thats not always the case.

A woman who showed up to her gynecologists office in Houston two years ago presented a fake ID. Staff reported her to ICE officers, who waited for her in the clinic room. Instead of having a pap smear, she was deported, leaving her 8-year-old daughter in the waiting room.

In my current practice, I need to know why my patients might be afraid of the police and of me. However, I do not directly ask about their immigration status because I dont want them to be fearful of how that information will be used.

Im also careful what I document in the medical chart because we can never assume any data are secure. Though federal medical privacy law is commonly understood to protect our clinic notes from immigration and law enforcement officers who dont have a warrant or patients permission to disclose, its not clear that will always be the case.

The renewed focus on deportation, and shifting rules for who will be targeted, has created a climate of fear that overshadows our care. One of our primary roles as doctors is to relieve our patients anxieties. If you have a lump, I know what tests to order to determine if its cancerous or benign. We can never be 100 percent sure of anything, but our knowledge, exams and systematic ways of approaching problems give us road maps to help our patients through uncertainty.

Unclear and changing immigration rules make it impossible for me to assure my immigrant patients that their fears are unwarranted.

Nonetheless, there are many things we caregivers can do to improve our current situation. We can refer patients to local agencies that can help. We can get trained in asylum evaluations. We can leave the hospital and go into the community to let patients know we provide a safe space for them.

We can advocate for bills like the Safe Communities Act in Massachusetts, which prevents local law enforcement in our state from acting as immigration officers. Bills like these do not prevent deportations. But they do mean that I, as a physician, can confidently tell women who are being abused or young men who are assaulted that it is safe to call the police before checking their zip code.

We can also seek to understand the existential threat that our patients face and the ways it is changing. Only then can we avoid false reassurance.

Meanwhile, executive orders continue to be signed and shift the ground beneath us. A narrower travel ban, replacing the currently court-suspended order, was signed on March 6. It will cut the number of refugees admitted by half, preventing families from reuniting and exacerbating the worst refugee crisis since World War II.

There may be more executive orders coming. A leaked draft of one order reveals it might become possible to deport immigrants who are legally here simply because they access federal aid, including federally funded health insurance programs.

Few immigrants qualify for Medicaid, but for legal permanent residents who do, such an order could threaten their ability to stay if they enroll in the insurance program.

In the room that day with my patient, I wanted to tell her that she was going to be fine. I wanted to assure her that her children wouldnt be sent back to El Salvador, perhaps to be killed. But I couldnt. All I could do was say, I am here for you. Right now, you are safe.

Elisabeth Poorman is an internal medicine physician. She can be reached on Twitter @DrPoorman. This article originally appeared in WBURs CommonHealth.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Caution, no drinking water. Only 0.3 percent of the water on the Earths surface is suited for use as drinking water. KIT scientists study possibilities of improving wastewater use. (Photo: KIT)

Wastewater is considered to be of no use  quite wrongly! Washing water has an average temperature of 30C. Toilet water might not only be used to produce biogas or fertilizers, but also valuable resources that otherwise would enter the sewer system unused. And even worse: Annually, more than 2 million people die from diarrheal diseases due to the wrong use of wastewater. Experts of the Water-Energy Group of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) study possibilities to eliminate these problems.

Although about 72% of the Earths surface are covered by water, only 0.3% are suited for use as drinking water. With that in mind, wastewater is no waste. It contains thermal energy, chemical energy in the form of carbon compounds, and valuable plant nutrients. Now, we have to develop processes for the use of these resources, Helmut Lehn of the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) says. Waste heat of domestic wastewater, for instance, might be used with the help of heat exchangers in sewage pipes. And it is even more effective to use the warm wastewater from the washing machine and the bathroom directly in the house for preheating fresh water for the shower, Witold Poganietz adds, who heads the research group together with Lehn. Such a system already is in operation in a housing block in Berlin.

A major prerequisite for the intelligent use of wastewater is the separation of wastewater flows from the toilet (black water) and from the bathroom and kitchen (grey water), Lehn continues. If feces were removed separately and undiluted  by using e.g. vacuum toilets as on airplanes or ICEs  three liters of biogas might be produced from one liter of wastewater. Adding biowaste might even increase the energy yield and the organic waste bin would no longer be required, Lehn says. And he adds: Urine is an ideal fertilizer, as it contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. As the latter is considered a non-renewable resource that is supposed to run short even before coal and petroleum, studies concentrate on recovering it from municipal wastewater and sewage sludge. This might also help reduce the demand for artificial fertilizers, whose production requires much energy.

According to Franka Steiner, ITAS, the existing infrastructure will continue to require complex cleaning of mixed wastewaters, whereas separation of wastewater flows might be implemented easily in development areas, where new houses are built. This also applies to growing metropolitan areas in threshold and developing countries. Here, sanitary systems are often lacking completely, the geoecologist says. All over world, she advises municipal administrations in the planning of wastewater systems. A separation system that produces both energy and nutrients from the wastewater of several thousand inhabitants is being tested by the city of Hamburg in a conversion area. This project is observed by ITAS researchers with high interest.

UN World Water Day Commemorates the Millions of Deaths Due to Wrong Use of Wastewater

To attract attention to the worldwide wastewater problem, the motto Wastewater was chosen for this years United Nations World Water Day on March 22. With good reason: According to the World Health Organization WHO, diarrheal diseases due to the improper use of wastewater cause 4% of all deaths worldwide, with increasing tendency.

Many of the more than 2 million victims per year are children living in developing countries, Lehn says. For comparison: In 2015, about 440,000 people died from malaria (half as many as 15 years before) and 1.1 million people died from AIDS. ITAS researcher Lehn thinks that one reason of the increase in fatal diarrheal diseases is progressing urbanization with more and more people living in densely packed urban slums without hygienic wastewater treatment.

ITAS Informs Citizens about Potential Uses of Wastewater

On Thursday, May 11, 6 to 9 p.m., visitors can inform themselves about potential uses of wastewater at the ITAS building (Karlstrae 11, 76021 Karlsruhe). Experts of the Water-Energy Group and practitioners in the wastewater and development aid sectors are invited to give advice. Citizens will be informed about our current wastewater treatment system, potential alternative uses of wastewater, and the steps that have to be taken by house owners and municipalities, Helmut Lehn says.

Relationships of Water, Energy, and Waste: ITAS Simulation at the World Water Week

At the World Water Week in Stockholm from August 27 to September 01, 2017, the Water-Energy Group of ITAS will present a simulation. More than 3000 visitors from all over the world are expected to come to the event under the motto of Water and waste  reduce and reuse. Our simulation will highlight technoeconomic, sociocultural and ecological relationships of water, energy, and waste and we plan to design concepts for various urban contexts, Jasmin Friedrich says, whose studies focus on the waterenergy nexus.

KIT Educates Specialists for the Sustainable Use of Water

Another contribution to solving the worlds water problems is KITs masters program Water, Science & Engineering. KIT offers interdisciplinary, research-oriented education at the interface of hydrological engineering and natural sciences. The program conveys expert knowledge in water engineering and natural sciences, including water technology and urban water management, hydrological engineering and hydraulics, environmental systems science and water resources management. The program is of international character, many of the courses are in English. Graduates qualify for responsible activities at planning and engineering offices, industrial companies, in the public service sector, international development cooperation, and science.

Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,800 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
TAIPEI, March 22 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks on Wednesday retreated from a near two-year high hit in the previous session, tracking a sharp pullback on Wall Street, with techs and financials dragging the index down.

Wall Street fell sharply on Tuesday as investors were worried that President Donald Trump will struggle to deliver promised tax cuts that propelled the market to record highs in recent months, with nervousness deepening ahead of a key healthcare vote. As of 0144 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 1.3 percent at 9,843.07, after closing up at 9,972.49 in the previous session. The broader market has climbed around 6 percent so far this year.

The electronics subindex fell as much as 1.3 percent, while the financials subindex slid up to 1.2 percent.

Among the biggest decliners, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) , the world's biggest contract chipmaker, slipped as much as 1.8 percent. Cathay Financial Holding , parent company of Taiwan's biggest life insurer, dropped up to 2.5 percent.

Bucking the trend, TPK Holding Co Ltd surged as much as 8.8 percent, on news that Shenzhen O-Film Tech plans to invest a stake in the Taiwanese touch panel maker. The Taiwan dollar softened T$0.054 to T$30.512 per U.S. dollar.

(Reporting by Faith Hung; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
* Risk aversion drives selling of Asian currencies

* South Korean won, Indian rupee lead declines

(Adds detail, updates prices)

By Patturaja Murugaboopathy

March 22 (Reuters) - Doubts the Trump administration would be able to pass a new healthcare plan this week to replace "Obamacare", let alone deliver promised tax cuts and corporate deregulation, dragged down Emerging Asia currencies on Wednesday.

Investors worried that a failed healthcare reform push would portend trouble for policy promises that have propelled financial markets in recent months.

"One thing we know for sure now is that there are no rubber stamps for Trump's agenda," said Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA.

Asian stocks posted their biggest drop in two weeks on Wednesday, hitting regional currencies as investors pulled out of risk assets. The South Korean won and the Indian rupee , which were the major gainers over the past week, fell about a quarter of a percent each.

The Taiwan dollar and the Philippine peso also slipped, although China's yuan bucked the regional trend after the People's Bank of China set its trading midpoint at the strongest level this week.

Analysts said North Korea's failed missile test on Wednesday had litle if any effect on the South Korean won and other Asian currencies. Asian equities and currencies have risen this year on improving economic data which has attracted risk-taking investors.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan has risen nearly 12 percent this year, while currencies such as the South Korean won and the Taiwan dollar have gained more than 5 percent each.

But now doubts over the Trump administration's ability to pull off big reforms has raised questions over whether Asian markets could still lure investors in a more risk-averse investment climate.

A few analysts, however, are still positive.

"Data from Asia has been pretty good compared to the end of last year. We have seen the bottom of the the Asian economies' lows," said Irene Cheung, senior FX Strategist at ANZ Bank

"My core perspective is, you could see some currencies in Asia outperforming based on fundamentals."

CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR Change on the day at 0701

GMT Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move Japan yen 111.370 111.71 +0.31 Sing dlr 1.399 1.3994 +0.01 Taiwan dlr 30.490 30.458 -0.10 Korean won 1123.300 1120.3 -0.27 Baht 34.640 34.669 +0.08 Peso 50.290 50.185 -0.21 Rupiah 13326.000 13318 -0.06 Rupee 65.458 65.29 -0.26 Ringgit 4.423 4.423 +0.00 Yuan 6.886 6.8928 +0.10

Change so far Currency Latest bid End 2016 Pct Move Japan yen 111.370 117.07 +5.12 Sing dlr 1.399 1.4490 +3.56 Taiwan dlr 30.490 32.279 +5.87 Korean won 1123.300 1207.70 +7.51 Baht 34.640 35.80 +3.35 Peso 50.290 49.72 -1.13 Rupiah 13326.000 13470 +1.08 Rupee 65.458 67.92 +3.76 Ringgit 4.423 4.4845 +1.39 Yuan 6.886 6.9467 +0.89 (Reporting by Patturaja Murugaboopathy; Editing by Eric Meijer)
By Huw Jones

LONDON, March 22 (Reuters) - Several European banks are being closely monitored by the agency responsible for closing lenders which go bust in the euro zone, but none are failing or about to fail, the head of the Single Resolution Board (SRB) said on Wednesday.

Elke Koenig did not mention any EU country by name but told the European Parliament's economic affairs committee the SRB was studying a number of banks in "shaky waters".

Since the 2007-09 financial crisis, the EU has adopted rules to shield taxpayers from having to bail out lender again and attention in the single currency bloc has been focused on Italy's plans to bail out two regional banks.

This has posed a dilemma for European regulators who are still considering whether another, bigger Italian lender, Monte dei Paschi , qualifies for state aid. "So far we are in a position that we have to conclude that banks might be having... quite some challenges ahead of them, but they are not failing or likely to fail," Koenig said.

German Green Party lawmaker Sven Giegold said there were doubts that the European Central Bank (ECB), which supervises euro zone lenders on a day-to-day basis, was being tough enough in dealing with banks struggling with poorly performing loans.

Italian lenders in particular are burdened by large amounts of so-called non-performing loans.

Koenig declined to comment on individual banks, but said:

"There are a number of situations where we have a very close eye on... It's a number of cases. It's not just one or two."

Earlier she said most banks across the sector were not in such a position that their failure would endanger financial stability.

Koenig also called for banks to be given time to issue debt that can be written down to replenish capital that has been burnt out in a crisis, and thus shield taxpayers.

The biggest banks, such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, and BNP Paribas must begin building up this debt from 2019.

However, the total shortfall for euro zone lenders is between 100 and 200 billion euros, and the bloc's European Banking Authority has said markets won't be able to absorb such amounts of new debt issuance quickly.

"There needs to be sufficient time," Koenig said.

(Editing by Alexander Smith)
* Popolare Vicenza, Veneto Banca have requested state aid

* Italy wants to spare senior bonds, retail investors from losses

* EU authorities need to ensure credibility of banking rules

By Stefano Bernabei and Francesco Guarascio

ROME/BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - Italy's plans to bail out two regional banks pose a tough dilemma to European regulators, who are still considering whether Monte dei Paschi qualifies for state aid, three months after giving a preliminary green light.

Banca Popolare di Vicenza and Veneto Banca said on Friday they had requested a so-called precautionary recapitalisation by the state - a mechanism that exploits an exception to European rules meant to prevent the use of taxpayer money to save banks.

Italy is already seeking to use the scheme for its fourth biggest bank Monte dei Paschi , where the state is expected to inject 6.6 billion euros to fill an 8.8 billion euro capital shortfall.

The rest of the money needed by the Tuscan bank is due to come from holders of its junior debt, but retail investors in its subordinated bonds will be compensated by the government, on the grounds that they were mis-sold the securities.

Rome wants to replicate that framework to inject an estimated 5 billion euros in the two unlisted Veneto-based banks, already rescued once, last year, by government-sponsored, privately funded bank bailout fund Atlante.

The government is keen to avoid imposing unpopular losses on tens of thousands of ordinary Italians who put their savings in the banks. It also wants to spare senior bond investors and big current account holders - who would otherwise have to take a hit under a strict interpretation of European bail-in rules.

Those rules say state aid can be allowed on a temporary basis to banks that have failed regulatory stress tests but are still deemed solvent, if refusal would risk seriously disturbing the economy and financial stability of a member state.

The European Central Bank decided not to disclose the outcome of stress tests on smaller banks - so there is a question mark over the Veneto banks' exact state of health.

The ECB will have to assess whether they are viable and determine the size of their capital shortfall, while the European Commission will decide whether Italy's public support for the two banks is in line with EU state aid rules.

Some analysts question whether the two banks can be considered systemic, given that their combined assets are around 70 billion euros - less than half Monte dei Paschi's total.

GERMAN CONCERN

Two sources familiar with Italy's position said Rome argues in private that the two banks' failure would send shock waves through the wider Italian financial industry. It would also boost anti-euro political forces such as the 5-Star Movement at the next national election, scheduled for 2018.

The Italian treasury declined to comment.

The ECB and the European Commission that governs the bloc are under pressure not to allow Italy to sidestep the rules, which critics say would undermine their credibility.

Germany, the euro zone's largest economy, raised concerns about the Monte dei Paschi plan in December. After weeks of negotiations, Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said on Tuesday there was no date set for a final decision by European regulators on whether it ticked all the boxes. Asked whether the request for state aid by the Veneto banks was stretching EU rules, an EU source said overuse of the precautionary recapitalisation scheme could set an unhealthy precedent for countries seeking to avoid winding down weak banks.

"If the instrument is used often, and therefore loses its extraordinary nature, as foreseen by the rules, that could be interpreted as an attempt to avoid banking resolution," the source said.

A European Commission spokesman said only that the commission had ongoing contacts with Italy over its banking sector. The ECB declined to comment.

SHAREHOLDERS DECIDE

A further problem for the Veneto lenders is that government bailouts cannot cover losses already incurred or likely in the near future - such as those stemming from bad loan writedowns.

In Italy, lenders are saddled with 360 billion euros of gross problematic debts, a third of the euro zone's total.

The market is pricing in doubts over whether the two Veneto banks fit the bill. Senior bonds in both lenders fell last week on concerns they could be hit should the state aid scheme not come to pass, although they partly rebounded this week.

As neither bank has published full-year results for 2016, investors are in the dark about their real capital needs.

Based on the latest available figures for the first half of last year, problematic loans at the two lenders after writedowns totalled 10.2 billion euros at end-June, almost double their combined equity capital of 5.7 billion euros.

Last October the head of Atlante, which owns more than 97 percent of each bank, said their cost-income ratio stood at around 100 percent, a level which he said would make it impossible for any bank to stand on its feet.

A source close to the two banks said they should just about be able to offset expected loan loss charges by using their existing capital, imposing losses on junior debt holders and selling assets. The source however said this course of action still needed to be discussed with regulators.

Spokespeople for both banks declined to comment.

With a criminal investigation underway over fraud allegations, the banks are offering to settle with around 170,000 shareholders who were in many cases persuaded to buy their shares in exchange for loans. The aim is to shield the banks from future lawsuits and further losses.

The two lenders said initially they were aiming for an 80 percent take-up. As of Friday both stood at around 50 percent.

The source close to the two banks said that if they can reach a take-up of 60-70 percent by the time the offer ends on Wednesday, this should be enough to convince European authorities that legal risks have been greatly reduced.

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GRAPHIC-Italy's bank crisis ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (additional reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Rome and Valentina Za in Milan, writing Silvia Aloisi, editing by Philippa Fletcher)
* Saudi insurance sector extends losses

* Al Othaim falls after dividend announcement

* Builder Jabal Omar up on asset sale, bridging loan

* Abu Dhabi and Qatar retreat on profit-booking

By Celine Aswad

DUBAI, March 22 (Reuters) - Major stock markets in the Middle East fell on Wednesday, following international bourses lower as crude oil prices traded down near $50 a barrel, but Kuwait jumped in heavy trading by local retail investors.

The Saudi Arabian index lost 1.2 percent in low turnover, with all but one of the 14 petrochemicals makers falling by at least 1 percent and bellwether Saudi Basic Industries dropping 1 percent.

Insurer Gulf Union was down 3.2 percent after its board recommended reducing its share capital to 150 million riyals ($40 million) from 220 million riyals by cancelling 7 million shares.

In recent days several small insurance companies have announced plans to reduce losses and improve their capital structures by reducing share capital. However, many investors expect tough competition in the sector to drive merger activity in the near future and are exiting positions until there is more clarity.

Supermarket operator Al Othaim declined by 0.7 percent after its board recommended a cash dividend of 2 riyals per share for 2016. The payout was more than the previous year's but short of market expectations. Analysts at NCB Capital had forecast a dividend of 2.3 riyals.

Construction company Jabal Omar , meanwhile, rose 1.5 percent after the company said it had signed an agreement to sell three hotels and a mall to a real estate fund for 6 billion riyals ($1.6 billion). The company will then lease and operate the assets, using the proceeds to reduce outstanding loans and finance other projects.

Jabal Omar also said it had extended a bridging loan with a local lender, Bank Albilad , for four years, attributing the longer term to improvement in the company's liquidity position. It did not give the size of the loan.

Dubai's index fell by 0.6 percent. Builder Arabtec , the most heavily traded stock, dropped by 0.7 percent and Dubai Financial Market , the only listed exchange in the Gulf, lost 2.3 percent.

In Abu Dhabi, the index retreated 0.7 percent, weighed down by profit-taking in some of the blue-chip stocks that had risen in the previous session.

Real estate developer Aldar Properties retreated by 0.8 percent and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank was down 1.3 percent.

In Cairo, the blue chip index fell 0.2 percent in thin trade as three fifths of traded shares declined. Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals lost 1.3 percent.

KUWAIT JUMPS

In stark contrast to the rest of the region, Kuwait's main index jumped by 2 percent, with most trade focusing on small and mid-sized companies favoured by short-term investors. Construction materials provider National Industries rose by 5 percent.

The index is now up 22 percent since the start of the year, outperforming regional benchmarks by a large margin and outpacing the MSCI Emerging Market Index .

Kunal Damle, senior institutional broker at SICO Bahrain, said the Kuwaiti market had been overlooked for the past four years and was now benefiting from government austerity measures that have been less stringent than those neighbouring Gulf countries over the past two years.

A Doha-based asset manager, however, said he saw no fundamental justification for the surge in Kuwait's index, which he described as highly speculative.

"Most of the volume is coming from retail investors who come into the market to turn a quick profit and leave. This is not the characteristic of a stable rally," he added.

The manager said that Kuwait is not cheap in terms of price-to-earnings ratios. "I think the market will witness a huge correction before the summer," he said.

WEDNESDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

SAUDI ARABIA

* The index fell 1.2 percent to 6,832 points.

DUBAI

* The index was down 0.6 percent at 3,475 points.

ABU DHABI

* The index lost 0.7 percent to 4,482 points.

QATAR

* The index declined 0.9 percent to 10,396 points.

KUWAIT

* The index rose 2.0 percent to 7,020 points.

EGYPT

* The index edged down 0.2 percent to 12,879 points.

OMAN

* The index lost 0.2 percent to 5,618 points.

BAHRAIN

* The index was up 0.1 percent at 1,367 points.

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ OPEC in first joint oil cut with Russia since 2001, Saudis take "big hit" ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Editing by Andrew Torchia and David Goodman)
HANOI, March 22 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0434 GMT.

March 22 USD/VND mid-point 22,253 USD/VND interbank 22,765/22,775 USD/VND unofficial 22,760/22,790 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.10-36.38

Interbank offered rates Overnight 4.8-5.2

1 week 4.9-5.2

1 month 5.0-5.2

3 months 4.9-5.3

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)
ZURICH, March 22 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.5 percent lower at 8,571.5 points on Wednesday, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer .

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks:

CREDIT SUISSE Credit Suisse will say as soon as possible whether it will go ahead with plans to float a minority stake of its Swiss bank, Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam told Swiss paper Finanz und Wirtschaft, adding the bank still needs more capital. "We're still analysing," Thiam said in the interview published late on Tuesday. "We have a broad palette of options after our settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. We will communicate further details as soon as possible." For more click on NOVARTIS Novartis said on Wednesday its serelaxin drug for patients with acute heart failure had failed a global phase III trial which tested its ability to reduce deaths from the condition. "We are disappointed this study did not confirm the efficacy of in acute heart failure, especially given the urgent need for effective new treatments for this condition," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, at Novartis. "We will continue to further analyze the data to better understand and learn from these results as well as evaluate next steps for the overall program." For more click on RICHEMONT French luxury group Kering said on Tuesday that its Kering Eyewear unit and Richemont-owned Maison Cartier will partner to develop, manufacture and distribute worldwide the Cartier eyewear collection. Under the deal, Richemont will buy a 30 percent stake in Kering Eyewear. For more click on NEWRON PHARMACEUTICALS Newron said it would accelerate the U.S. launch of Xadago (safinamide) after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its Parkinson's disease treatment as an add-on therapy to levodopa, a drug widely used to treat the disease. For more click on COMPANY STATEMENTS * Emmi expects conditions in the dairy market to stay challenging, but says acquisitions and positive momentum in the Americas will help it to grow sales in 2017. It expects these to be up 1 - 2 percent in like-for-like terms, after sales grew 1.4 percent to 3.26 billion francs in 2016. * Meyer Burger is targeting a similar level of net sales in 2017 as in the previous year and a substantial improvement in profitability after hitting a 97.1 million franc loss in 2016. * Schaffner Group expects higher earnings before interest and tax and stable sales development in the first half of its 2016-17 reporting year, the group said on Wednesday. Its half-year report is due for release on May 11. * Investis has proposed a dividend of 2.35 francs per share after upping operating profit by 27 percent to 76.4 million francs in 2016. * U Blox Holding said it has raised 60 million Swiss francs in debt through issuance of a fixed rate domestic straight bond. * Orpheee narrowed its 2016 loss to 3.2 million francs from 10.4 million francs the year before.

ECONOMY (Reporting by Zurich newsroom)

Daily Swiss stock market report in German................ All SMI constituent stocks............................ News on major Swiss stock price moves.................. FTSE Eurotop 300 index................................ DJ STOXX index........................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors............................. Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors........................ Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors....................... Top 25 European pct gainers... , losers... Swiss mid-cap index SMI futures Swiss all-share index Market statistics Swiss market digest Sector overview All Swiss news Swiss research news All equity news INTERNET ADDRESSES: Swiss Exchange / Eurex STOXX Ltd SPEED GUIDES: ))

Keywords: MARKETS SWISS STOCKS/
(Adds Reuters reporting on FBI, background)

NEW YORK, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors are building potential cases that would accuse North Korea of directing the theft of $81 million from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York last year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The charges, if filed, would target alleged Chinese middlemen who prosecutors believed helped North Korea orchestrate the theft, the newspaper said.

Federal Bureau of Investigation offices in Los Angeles and New York have been working on the heist and believe that North Korea is responsible, an official briefed on the probe told Reuters.

A Department of Justice spokesman declined to comment.

The Journal reported that the current cases being pursued may not include charges against North Korean officials, but would likely implicate North Korea, with the United States accusing a foreign government of orchestrating one of the biggest bank robberies of modern times.

The FBI is leading an international investigation into the early September heist, in which hackers breached systems at Bangladesh's central bank and used the SWIFT messaging network to request nearly $1 billion from its account at the New York Fed.

The branch of the U.S. central bank rejected most of the requests but filled some of them, resulting in $81 million disappearing into casinos and other entities in the Philippines. A top police investigator in Dhaka told Reuters in December that some Bangladesh Bank officials deliberately exposed its computer systems, enabling the hackers to get in. The New York Fed did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer and Joseph Menn; Editing by Eric Walsh and Jonathan Oatis)
A guest post by Sandra Grey, National President of the Tertiary Education Union:

Productivity Commissions advice to extend governments failed experiment in free market education could turn in us into Golgafrinchans

The importance of giving New Zealanders control of what they need from their education system seems to have passed the Productivity Commission by in its final report into tertiary education published on Tuesday. Rather they seem to think it would better to leave decisions over how to manage the system to the invisible hand of the market.

We already have evidence from here and other nations of what happens if an invisible hand gets to work in tertiary education. Trusted quality public institutions are merged, downsized, courses cut, and students abandoned. Over the past five years the governments experiment in free market education, trialled in some levels of provision, has seen institutes of technology and polytechnics closing courses in small rural and regional communities because theyve lost out to for-profit providers. Crazily those very same for-profit providers then have to negotiate to use the resources of the public institutions because they are the only ones with adequate classrooms, labs, workshops, and libraries.

We only need to look across the ditch to see what extending this market experiment will do. A few years after beginning a disastrous experiment in marketisation the Australian government has begun to back track because the market is failing students, communities and employers. It has seen profiteering blow out student loan debt, students induced to sign up to courses that are never delivered but the taxpayer paid for, and TAFEs (polytechs) closing courses and shedding expert staff due to a lack of government support.

Whats perhaps even more strange is that the recommendations to extend the invisible hand over all tertiary provision seems at odds with the Productivity Commissions own findings. After listening to those who work in tertiary education the Commission noted that the system is stuck and unable to adapt because of the regulations placed on the pseudo market that exists in tertiary education by successive governments. Why would they want to extend this approach?

In its findings the Commission provides example after example of innovative and creative teaching in our public institutions  polytechnics, wananga and universities. Why then would we as a nation want to pin our hope for disruptive innovation on new entrants to the market rather than working with established providers that have been shown time and time again to be innovative? What is really needed to allow for innovative teaching is the removal of performance based funding approaches, which do little to guarantee quality education (something the Commission definitely gets right).

Instead of assuming the answer lies in expanding the governments failed experiment in free market education, lets start a national conversation about what we want from our tertiary education system. This includes kiwis having a say  as we always have through our elected representatives  over where and how we want education provided in New Zealand. Sitting on Queen Street with colleagues we note the dozens of shop fronts for our tertiary providers all competing to get Auckland students while provision in other parts of the country withers. The Commission noted we need more collaboration in tertiary education, but failed to explain how a more market-based approach with institutions scrambling to get more Auckland students benefits communities up and down the country that are already losing out from these approaches.

Interestingly in its report the Commission criticised the government for having a political interest in maintaining existing levels of regional provision, regardless of demand (p. 355). Why is this wrong? If the market is failing communities, resulting in education access being stripped away, then the government should listen to employers, families, communities and students to ensure they provide for those communities.

In the report the Commission encourages the government to use pricing to improve education access. Why not simply retain a publicly managed tertiary education system and pool our resources to meet the needs, rather than waiting for the market to fail and then provide even more public funding to profit seekers who might agree to fill the gap? The government shouldnt gamble on an experiment to ensure people get access to tertiary education, rather ensure there are sound, reliable, and dynamic public providers here for current and future generations.

The problem with the market experiment is we might find ourselves like the Golgafrinchans in Douglas Adams Restaurant at the end of the universe, who foolishly banished all hairdressers and telephone sanitisers to the B ark believing them unnecessary. While we arent banishing people to arks, leaving tertiary education provision to an open market could see students stepping away from studying hairdressing and telephone sanitisation. Before long this would lead to tertiary providers closing those unviable courses and getting rid of staff. Before we know it, we have a missing set of skills and no one to teach them. We then just hope the market might deliver. But while waiting for the market to respond we, like the Golgafrinchans, could find ourselves wiped out by a virulent disease which thrived in wars covered by unkempt hair and contracted from dirty telephones.
John Key gave his valedictory speech to Parliament yesterday, after just over 14 years as an MP. He became a front bencher and Finance spokesperson in his first term in Parliament and party leader in his second term. He spent 10 years as party leader and eight as Prime Minister and left National polling in the high 40s.

It was a funny, and at times poignant speech. He paid tribute to his mother Ruth, who was so hugely influential in shaping him. Some extracts:

While I was at high school, I had a weekend job in some stables. I remember coming home one day at the age of 15 to tell Mum I had this brilliant idea: I was leaving school to train racehorses. No., she said. Shall we talk about it?, I enquired. No., she said. Not even the pros and cons?, I suggested. No,she saidyoure going to university to study accounting. That was it. To Mum, no meant no. I do not think she would have lasted very long in coalition Government

Heh.

By nature, I am a pragmatist, not an ideologue. That is because, in my experience, most people just want results that work. Some people have said that my pragmatism indicates the lack of a clear set of principles. I do not think that is true. It is just that my principles derive mostly from the values and ethics instilled in me by my upbringing, rather than by the Politics 101 textbook.

A lesson others could reflect on.

When I first came here, like all of us, I was an eager backbencher with much to learn. I remember walking out of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee with Roger Sowry, who was an experienced MP, and so I started asking him a million questions. He gave me what I thought was great advice. John, he said, every moment you get, go to the House and watch the politicians who are good in the Chambernot necessarily the ones you agree with or whom you want to be friends with, but those who can move the place with the power of their argument. Dont stay in your office or go drinking. You are here to learn. It was good advice, and I followed it, so every chance I had I came down and watched Michael Cullen, Richard Prebble, Winston Peters, Rodney Hide, Bill English, Simon Power, and Gerry Brownlee. Roger also gave me another lesson in the peculiarities of the place when he added, in the very next breath: And by the way, John, just because I talk to you, it doesnt mean I like you.

That is such a Sowry thing to say!

One time, I was at the Pacific Forum in the Marshall Islands, and when the summit finished, we had some downtime before leaving, so I hatched a plan to go tuna fishing. The trouble was I was due to get an important phone call from the then British Prime Minister, my friend David Cameron, about the atrocities taking place in Libya and to talk about why Britain was taking military action. No worries, someone said, we have the satellite phone. So we headed out to sea, and just as I had hooked a big one and was hauling it on board, the phone rang. I handed the rod to my diplomatic protection officer, who found some implement to finish off the tuna, which was flapping mightily in the boat. It is fair to say there was a huge amount of noise in the background, and Cameron, who was used to taking calls on secure phones and in a quiet office, said to me: What the hell is going on there?. Oh, I said, dont be alarmed. Its just that were on a fishing boat about a mile out to sea in the Marshall Islands, and Ive landed a big tuna. There was this long silence, and then he wistfully said: God, I wish I ran a small country.

This is the line that got the most laughs.

I will also never forget the Pike River mine disaster. As the full gravity of the situation became clear, I flew to Greymouth. The impact that event had, and continues to have, on the small community of the West Coast is profound. It also had a far-reaching impact on New Zealands workplace health and safety laws. No one should leave home to go to work and never return. One thing that maybe is not well known is that 5 days after the initial explosion the Mines Rescue Trust had decided it was safe to re-enter the mine. That Wednesday, I was receiving regular briefings on the planned re-entry, so when the phone rang I thought it was to inform me they had gone in. Instead, I learnt that a massive explosion had occurred. Had those rescuers been in the mine, they too would have perished. Let me say to those families directly affected by the disaster that I sincerely wish you could have been provided with the closure you deserve, but I can honestly say I never, in my time as Prime Minister, saw a credible and safe plan to achieve that.

A few people should reflect on that.

The truth is that my confidence in the air force and the SAS grew so much that late last year I decided to tag along on an SAS training day to do a parachute jump from Whenuapai, in my electorate. Needless to say, my office was a touch nervous about the jump, and the kitchen cabinet did not find out until the day before. Anyway, I jumped from 12,000 feet, and sometime after 7 a.m., when I was on the ground again, I rang Bronagh, buzzing with excitement, to declare I was alive and well. I then texted Bill English. I kept it short. Im alive., I said. His reply was even shorter: Bugger!. One minute later, I got another text from him: Going to give it another go?.

Heh.

For example, the first death threat I got as Prime Minister, and I kid you notone of those milestones that goes with the jobwas from a not-very-bright guy who faxed it from his house, not realising his phone number was on the fax. I think my secretary had solved it before the DPS even got to her.

Oh dear.

And so, Mr Speaker, my time here is done. I take away many memories of this most remarkable place. I would like to think I leave having made a positive difference to the country, and that is satisfying. I have few regrets in my life, but one is that Mum did not live to see how it all turned out. I hope that she would have been proud.

I have no doubt of that.

So that is it. It has been a privilege, an honour, and a blast. Goodbye, and good luck.

And thanks for all the fish.

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Stuff reports:

In a surprise move Labours Maori seat MPs have opted to stand as electorate MPs only, and not go on the party list. Labour Leader Andrew Little said the party was backing a request from its Maori electorate MPs in a move that was a direct challenge by the Maori MPs to the Maori Party. Were confident our outstanding Maori electorate MPs will win their seats.

No, youre worried they will lose their seats, which is why they are going electorate only. It is a signal to voters that they have no list parachute, so it is important to vote for them.

It is a tactically smart thing to do, as it may help them hold in in seats where the Maori or Mana parties are likely to run them close.

But it may be less smart strategically as now none of the Maori MPs have any incentive to campaign for the party vote, and they will focus on the electorate vote only.

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The Guardian reports:

Martin McGuinness, the former IRA chief of staff and a key figure in the Northern Ireland peace process, has died just two months after stepping down as deputy first minister.

The Irish republican died after a short illness in Derrys Altnagelvin hospital surrounded by his family. He was 66, and had a rare genetic disease caused by deposits of abnormal protein  amyloid  in tissues and organs.

Gerry Adams, his closest political ally, confirmed that McGuinness had died. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Adams said: Throughout his life, Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.
Pellissippi State hosts 10th annual Festival of Cultures





Pellissippi State Community College's popular Festival of Cultures celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and the community is invited.





Pellissippi State Community College is celebrating its 10 year of the Festival of Cultures on Friday, April 7 from 4-8:30 p.m.



The Festival of Cultures honors East Tennessee's and Pellissippi State's diverse community and heritage. This year's 10th annual celebration will include not only the popular "Taste of International Food" but performers as varied as bagpipers and belly dancers, traditional rangoli kolam (Indian folk art) and even an international fashion show.



The event is free and open to the community and will be held in the Goins Administration Building on the college's Hardin Valley Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road.



Pellissippi State alumni Rashmi Gomatom, Neelima Mertya and Niloo Ranjan will return to the college to create rangoli kolam, a type of Indian folk art that has been a popular staple at the Festival over the past ten years.



Entertainers include: Bella Wang classical Chinese dancers, bagpiper Kelly Shipe, Debka and the Oasis Dancers, Carlos Gonzales, Ogya World Music Band and Dancers, Tollkretsen Skandinavian Dancers, Natana Manohari School of Performing Arts Indian classical dancers, John Hausmann on the sitar and Pellissippi State's own bluegrass band, the Hardin Valley Thunder.



Booths will allow attendees to try Asian calligraphy, hair braiding and Spanish conversation. Additional exhibits will showcase the cultures of Brazil, Congo, Eastern Europe, Haiti, Kenya, Spain, Romania, Vietnam and more.



New this year, the Festival of Cultures will culminate in an international fashion show coordinated by Pellissippi State's international students.



The Festival of Cultures is part of The Arts at Pellissippi State, an annual arts series that includes music and theatre performances, cultural celebrations, lectures and fine arts exhibits. The event is co-sponsored by Student Life and Access and Diversity at Pellissippi State, as well as Bellevue University.



For more information about The Arts at Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu/arts or call 865-694-6400. To request accommodations for a disability at this event, contact the executive director of Equity and Compliance at 865-539-7401 or accommodations@pstcc.edu. Published March 22, 2017






Helen Ross McNabb Center hosts Walk for Child Abuse Prevention







Community members gather for the 2016 Ready, Set, Unite! Walk for Child Abuse Prevention to show their commitment to protecting children in East Tennessee.





KNOXVILLE  The Helen Ross McNabb Center will host a free community prevention walk during Child Abuse Prevention Month on Friday, April 7 at Market Square, located in downtown Knoxville, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.



A community information fair will begin at 3 p.m. with an opportunity to gather information about child abuse prevention and Helen Ross McNabb Centers services as well as the opportunity to enjoy festive, family-friendly activities such as face painting. Mona Blanton-Kitts, vice president of clinical services at the Helen Ross McNabb Center, will begin the prevention walk at 3:30 p.m. with a short program on the stage located in Market Square. An inspiring story will be shared about overcoming child abuse, and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will present a proclamation. Then, the Ready, Set, Unite! Walk for Child Abuse Prevention will begin around Market Square.



Attendees are encouraged to wear royal blue, the designated color of child abuse prevention, and will be given pinwheels, which are considered the symbol of hope for children impacted by abuse. The event is intended to unite the community in support of child abuse prevention and demonstrate a commitment to protecting children in East Tennessee. There is no registration required for this free event, and everyone is invited to attend.



We love uniting our community each April to recognize our countys commitment to East Tennessees children. The Helen Ross McNabb Center and our partner agencies demonstrate child abuse prevention through our work all year long, said Blanton-Kitts. By strengthening and empowering families every day, we know that we can prevent the negative mental and physical effects of child abuse and provide children and families with the opportunity to live a healthy, productive and happy life.



According to the Childrens Advocacy Centers of Tennessee, a child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds in the United States. The Helen Ross McNabb Center works to lower this statistic by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children. The Center provides multiple programs that promote children's social and emotional well-being and stop child maltreatment within families and communities.



For more information about this event or child abuse prevention programs offered by the Helen Ross McNabb Center, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org or contact Houston Smelcer at houston.smelcer@mcnabb.org or at (865) 329-9119.



The Helen Ross McNabb Center is a premier notforprofit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center celebrates nearly 70 years of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; Improving the lives of the people we serve. For more information, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org or call (865) 6379711. Published March 22, 2017


















Cherokee Distributing, MillerCoors provide relief to fire departments following wildfire disaster

MARCH 22, 2017 at 3:39 p.m.





Cherokee Distributing Company area manager Mike Dunn (center) presents a check for $1,000 to the Blount County Fire Department. Cherokee Distributing Company and MillerCoors teamed up to donate a total of $12,000 to the fire departments who bravely fought the wildfires in Blount and Sevier counties in 2016. Pictured from left: Blount County Fire Department Lieutenant Tim Ogle, Mike Dunn and Blount County Fire Department Captain Kermit Easterling.



KNOXVILLE  In the wake of the devastation caused by the wildfires in East Tennessee, Cherokee Distributing Company and MillerCoors teamed up in an attempt to provide relief to those affected by this tragedy. The two companies are pleased to announce a joint donation of $12,000 to the fire departments who bravely fought the wildfires in Blount and Sevier counties. Each of the following fire departments will receive a $1,000 gift for their bravery and sacrifice:



Blount County Fire Department

Caton Chapel Volunteer Fire Department

English Mountain Volunteer Fire Department

Kodak Fire Department

Pigeon Forge Fire Department

Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department

Sevier County Rescue Squad

Sevier County Volunteer Fire Department

Sevierville Fire Department

Seymour Fire Department

Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department

Wears Valley Volunteer Fire Department



More often than not, our first responders go under appreciated while risking everything, said East Tennessee MillerCoors representative Brandon Johnson. We are grateful for our firefighters whose service is the highest level of bravery and selflessness.



For every case of Coors Banquet beer sold during the month of December, Cherokee Distributing Company and MillerCoors donated 50 cents to local fire departments whose areas were affected by the fires. The proceeds from the campaign totaled $12,000.



Thanks to MillerCoors for stepping up to help provide solace to these brave first responders who sacrificed so much to save lives and protect our Smoky Mountains, Cherokee Distributing Company General Manager Jeff Knight said. Published March 22, 2017
Gastrointestinal Associates opens $15 million state-of-the-art medical clinic

MARCH 22, 2017 at 11:55 a.m.





Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) CEO Jeff Dew, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and GIA founder Dr. Bergein Gene Overholt celebrate the opening of the GIAs new Dowell Springs facility on March 20. The new $15 million patient-centered facility is located in Dowell Springs Business Park and includes a GI clinic, Endoscopy Center, GIA 180 Weight Management Center and Crohns and Colitis Institute. Image courtesy of Gastrointestinal Associates.



KNOXVILLE  Continuing to lead the way in gastroenterology care in East Tennessee, Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) held a grand opening March 20 to celebrate its $15 million, state-of-the-art Dowell Springs location that features a GI Clinic, Endoscopy Center, Crohns & Colitis Institute and GIA 180 Weight Management Center.



GIA has long been recognized for groundbreaking work in the field of gastroenterology and leading the way in East Tennessee, and this new location builds on that 45-year foundation to strengthen our practice and better serve our patients, Gastrointestinal Associates CEO Jeff Dew said. Our Dowell Springs location will serve as the premier health care facility in the region for endoscopic procedures like screening colonoscopies and many other clinical services centered around our patients health.



This facility was meticulously planned with the patient in mind. It includes wider hallways, improved appointment flow, including valet parking, private or communal infusion rooms with natural light and much more.



The ceremony included raising the American and Tennessee state flags on the new location site to signify the official opening. The American flag and Tennessee flag were provided by the offices of U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan and Gov. Bill Haslam, respectively.



Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett noted GIAs impact on the quality of health in the Knoxville-area community, and business partners in attendance included Realty Trust Group, BarberMcMurry Architects, Design Innovation Architects, Merit Construction and PYA Knoxville. Later, community and business leaders, elected officials and members of the medical community took tours of the facility.



Were extremely proud of our new facility and to have this talented team of GIA physicians stand with us to celebrate, GIA co-founder Dr. Bergein Gene Overholt said. All of our physicians are board-certified, highly experienced and have specialized training. GIAs outstanding quality of care has been recognized by the health care community, GIAs colleagues, patients and their families. GIA, in turn, believes in investing in Knoxville. The new Dowell Springs facility is a $15 million commitment aimed at continuing to deliver state-of-the-art health care service to the region.



The Dowell Springs location will continue to offer superior levels of quality, value and convenience for patients, which include:



 The Dowell Springs Endoscopy Center, one of GIAs three ambulatory surgery centers. Over the last 30 years, GIA has performed more than 250,000 screening colonoscopies in order to provide early detection and prevention of colon cancer in East Tennessee.



 Crohns and Colitis Institute, a center for diagnosis and treatment for these diseases. Many people suffer in silence with these conditions, and the institutes leading staff will provide treatments and support to help ease their pain and restore the freedom of wellness.



 The GIA 180 Weight Management Center. The center delivers innovative and personalized approaches, including endoscopic treatments to help those who need to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle for better wellness.



The new facility has absorbed the operations and services currently housed at GIAs nearby Weisgarber Road location, including the administrative offices, clinical services and ambulatory surgery center. GIA will continue to operate its locations off Emory Road in Powell and Parkside Drive in West Knox County, as well as offer physician services in Oak Ridge.



Gastrointestinal Associates is one of the Southeasts leading GI practices and is the only GI practice in Knoxville that operates three licensed and certified endoscopic ambulatory surgery centers in the north, central and west areas of Knoxville and Knox County. For more information, visit www.gihealthcare.com. Published March 22, 2017


















USS Laboon makes second drug bust in a week

MARCH 22, 2017 at 4:23 p.m.





ARABIAN SEA (March 17, 2017) Sailors assigned to USS Laboon (DDG 58) inspect bags containing Hashish during an inspection of a dhow in the Arabian Sea, March 17. Laboon Sailors intercepted the dhow and seized 500 kg of Hashish, their second successful drug interdiction operation in five days. Laboon, operating as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, is attached to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22. (U.S. Navy photo)



ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- For the second time in five days, guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized 500 kilograms of Hashish, March 17.



Laboon, conducting maritime security operations in the region as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces, conducted an inspection of the vessel as part of a flag verification boarding and found the illicit cargo.



Lt. Dan Foley, the boarding officer who led the team which made the seizure, credited his team for their diligence and putting in many long hours in the process.



"They worked tirelessly for over 14 hours to secure the illicit narcotics," Foley said. "I cannot praise them enough for staying calm and collected in a very tense environment. Ultimately, it was a great St. Patrick's Day. We kept the drugs off the market, and most importantly, denied terrorist organizations from benefitting off the profits of the narcotics on board."



Laboon intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea, March 13, and seized 270 kg of heroin. Royal Australian navy frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) seized 800 kg of Hashish, March 2, making this the third CTF 150 seizure in the last three weeks.



CTF 150 commander, Royal Canadian navy Commodore Haydn Edmundson, praised the ship's crew for their dedication to keeping the region safe for legitimate commerce.



"These boardings, whether they result in a successful seizure or not, are some of the most complex and dangerous evolutions that our Sailors conduct on the high seas," Edmundson said. "This second seizure by the USS Laboon in such a short period of time is testament to their superb training and preparedness for this task, which is just one of the many missions the ship has while deployed."



Laboon deployed from its Norfolk homeport in January and has been deployed to the region since February. This is Laboon's second drug seizure since its deployment to the region.



Established in 2002, CTF 150 is primarily focused on disrupting terrorist organizations and their activities by denying them the freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain. In collaboration with international and regional maritime security partners, the CTF 150 teams have seized and destroyed billions of dollars in drugs and captured thousands of weapons, ensuring they are no longer available to organizations which would cause others harm. Published March 22, 2017
USS Lake Erie assists distressed mariners

MARCH 22, 2017 at 4:36 p.m.





Official U.S. Navy file photo of guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) underway in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro/Released.



PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) provided assistance to 25 mariners in the early hours of March 19, after receiving a distress call from a civilian ship taking on water.



Lake Erie deployed a rescue and assistance team aboard its rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), and after embarking the distressed vessel, the eight-member team began dewatering the ship and searching for the source of the flooding.



"After making sure everyone was alright, we noticed water was coming in at about 1,200 gallons a minute," said Lt. Ruben Maldonado, Lake Erie's damage control assistant, of Junction City, Kansas. "We estimated 24 inches of water to be flooding the deck."



The team found two cracks in the hull of the wooden vessel and used wooden shoring to reduce the flow of water.



"We wanted to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel," said Maldonado. "Over time, with wooden ships, something like this is bound to happen."



The Lake Erie team turned over the operation to the U.S. Coast Guard once the flooding was under control and the water level dropped.



"We train every day for these types of situations," said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Mark C. Grizer of Pataskala, Ohio. "Every situation is unique, so we have to have a creative mind to fix any problems we find. This was a great opportunity to help our fellow Americans in need."



Lake Erie is currently underway conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. COMPTUEX tests the mission readiness of the strike group's assets through simulated real-world scenarios and their ability to perform as an integrated unit. Published March 22, 2017


















The cast of "Pagliacci and Il tabarro" rehearses a scene from the opera "Pagliacci," Tuesday. Soprano Rim Sae-kyung, left, plays Nedda while baritone Park Joung-min plays Tonio. / Courtesy of KNO





KNO to showcase Pagliacci, Il tabarro

By Yun Suh-young





The Korea National Opera (KNO) will showcase two "verismo" operas - "Pagliacci" written by Ruggero Leoncavallo and "Il tabarro" by Giacomo Puccini - at Seoul Arts Center from April 6 to 9.

A verismo opera refers to an opera based on realism, influenced by the French literary movement of naturalism practiced by writers such as Emile Zola and Alexandre Dumas. Verismo operas realistically portray the tragedies of human society represented by topics such as poverty, love, murder, betrayal and conspiracies. Verismo operas are usually set in remote regions such as islands or impoverished areas.

Some representative verismo operas include Bizet's "Carmen" and Puccini's "Tosca" and "La boheme," other than "Cavalleria Rusticana" by P. Mascagni and the likes of "Pagliacci" by Leoncavallo and "Il tabarro" by Puccini. Of the latter three, "Cavalleria Rusticana" and Il Pagliacci are usually paired together as a back-to-back performance, due to their similarity in storyline as well as the short running time.

However, the KNO attempted an unusual pairing this time, combining "Pagliacci" and "Il tabarro" into one show. The pairing of the two is unusual, as is their merger into a single opera, allowing the audience to view the two operas in one sitting.

"We wanted to find a fresher pairing of operas since Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci had always been paired together for such a long time. The two we will be presenting have not been paired before," said Kim Hak-min, artistic director of the KNO during a press conference, Tuesday.

In "Pagliacci," Canio the clown leader finds out just before walking on stage that his wife Nedda, also a clown, is having an affair with Silvio, a local villager. While performing the role of Pagliaccio, Canio tries to suppress his emotions at first but ends up losing control. He realizes how much the plot of the story he's acting is similar to his real life and kills his wife Nedda who is on stage playing the role of Colombina. He then kills Silvio who enters the stage. While the audience runs away in shock, the curtain falls with Canio shouting "The play is over!

"Il tabarro" is the story of Michele, the captain of a barge, who barely makes a living on the boat with his young wife. When he tries to kiss his wife Giorgetta one day after work while she serves wine to his stevedores, she refuses him and he takes offense. He goes into the barge lighting up his pipe in distress when Giorgetta's secret lover, Luigi, appears, mistaking the light as a sign for a rendezvous with her. Michele discovers him and when Luigi confesses his relationship with her, Michele kills him. The curtain falls with Giorgetta screaming after finding Luigi's dead body.

For the Seoul performance, "Pagliacci and Il tabarro" will be directed by experienced Italian director Federico Grazzini and conducted by Giuseppe Finzi, renowned for his interpretations of verismo operas.

"This will be a unique opera," said conductor Giuseppe Finzi, who returns to Seoul after a visit last year.

"Usually two opera pairs are shown separately back-to-back, but this time they're combined into one which will be the special characteristic of the opera. The commonality of the two operas we combined is that they both are about passionate love, betrayal and murder. They're very provocative operas."

Grazzini said it wasn't easy combining the two.

"The reason we could merge them was because of the similarity in plots and realism. We set the background of the two operas as one city divided by two social stratums _ one represented by the lavish stage and the other by the poverty-stricken peripheral region of the city," he said.

"In the end, both plots lead to death. Although the plot is based on a real-life story, the society we live in right now is much better than the ones represented in the opera. It will give audiences hope."
By Nam Hyun-woo



The government on Wednesday announced another package of policies to address the country's youth unemployment problems, but the efficiency of those plans is being questioned.



The government held an economy-related ministers' meeting and released plans to contain the country's youth unemployment rate, which stood at a record-high 9.8 percent last year.



The government decided to ease regulations so that young entrepreneurs will be able to postpone their mandatory military service. It also pledged to prevent universities from charging tuition fees for students who took a leave of absence.



In Korea, many university students postpone their graduation until they get jobs. And some colleges take advantage of their troubles to collect various fees from them, something the government pledges to stop from now on.



It also vows to encourage public institutions to hire more employees by giving them extra credit in their management assessments. The central and municipal governments are expected to hire 43,000 employees this year and public institutions are projected to recruit 20,000.



However, critics question whether such plans would work because the Seoul administration's efforts to boost the youth job market have previously fallen apart.



Since October 2013, the government has come up with 10 youth employment packages, one every three months. But the jobless rate for those aged between 15 and 29 continued to rise from 9 percent in 2014 to 9.2 percent in 2015 and 9.8 percent last year.



For example, the government poured 15.8 trillion won ($14.06 billion) to create jobs last year, but the number of new jobs increased by only 299,000.



Against this backdrop, few seem to believe that the new policies will be different. Some claim that the nation should prioritize dealing with its structural problem of labor market duality.



According to an OECD report, titled "Addressing labor market duality in Korea," the country's labor market managed to create many jobs over the past several decades thanks to "the increase of temporary employment, or non-regular jobs, but such a trend has raised much concern about the risk of persistent labor market duality and the various downsides."



During the meeting, the government also decided to allow issuing electronic visas to Southeast Asian tourists beginning in May to support the local tourism industry suffering from China's retaliation over Korea's decision to deploy a U.S. anti-missile defense system.




By Park Hyong-ki



Labor unions and companies here are locking horns over the latest political decision to reduce working hours.



The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee recently reached a bipartisan agreement to reduce working hours from 68 to 52 hours per week.



Lawmakers have yet to come up with a detailed outline for a bill.



The government said it needs to reach a social consensus before shorter working hours become legally effective.



It would also have to come up with preemptive measures to minimize shock from the new system.



"We need to strike a balance so small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) will not be negatively affected by it," Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Joo Hyun-hwan said in a meeting with corporate researchers in Seoul, Wednesday. "Also, this should aim to improve working conditions and create more jobs."



Korea hopes the adoption of shorter working hours would increase jobs especially for young adults.



The reduction from 68 hours per week, including 16 hours on holidays, would lead businesses to hire more laborers to fill in the gaps following the legal adoption of 52 working hours.



Also, the country has sought to improve its working conditions as Koreans work the second-longest hours after Mexicans.



OECD data showed Koreans worked 2,113 hours in 2015. About 3.45 million laborers, or about 18 percent of the total, worked more than 52 hours per week.



The Korea Labor Institute projected that the reduction of its working hours would create 150,000 jobs over the next five years after implementation.



The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said the time is ripe for better working conditions as companies have long taken advantage of the old system.



It has led to an increase in unpaid overtime and wages, the union group added.



"Politicians should not attach any conditions to allowing longer working hours beyond the legal limits," a KCTU official said.



The business community expressed its disappointment, saying shorter working hours would increase costs and affect their operations.



"There are concerns it would negatively affect SMEs," an official of the Korea Employers Federation said.



The committee is expected to pass the bill on Thursday, sending it to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for review.




The U.S. Air Force's B-1B Lancer bomber flies in formation with two F-15Ks and two KF-16s of the ROK Air Force over the West Sea during a joint drill, Wednesday. / Courtesy of ROK Air Force



B-1B strategic bomber flies over West Sea in joint drill



By Jun Ji-hye

North Korea launched a missile from its east coast Wednesday but it appeared to have exploded in mid-air shortly after liftoff, according to officials in South Korea and the United States.

The launch attempt came as South Korea and the U.S. are conducting the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises mobilizing a set of U.S. strategic assets including the Nimitz-class supercarrier USS Carl Vinson and the nuclear-powered submarine USS Columbus as well as B-1B strategic bombers.

"North Korea launched one missile from an area near an air base in Wonsan this morning, but it is presumed to have failed," the Ministry of National Defense said, adding that it was "not fired normally."

The ministry said officials in South Korea and the United States are conducting detailed analyses to determine the type of missile and the exact cause of the launch failure.

The U.S. Pacific Command also confirmed the failed test-firing in the vicinity of Kalma, saying the missile exploded "within seconds of launch" before fixing its vector angle.

"We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment," said Commander David Benham, a spokesman for the command. "We continue to monitor North Korea's actions closely."

The North pushed ahead with the latest provocation hours before Washington dispatched a B-1B Lancer to the vicinity of South Korea in the latest in a series of deployments of strategic assets.

The strategic bomber from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam conducted joint drills with ROK Air Force's F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets in airspace over the West Sea, the ministry said, adding that the Lancer conducted a simulation-based bombing drill in the event of a war on the Korean Peninsula.

Maj. Ryan Simpson, Pacific Air Forces bomber operations chief, also said, "Working and training side-by-side with our ROK partners increases our ability to integrate air operations more effectively in order to deter aggression in the region."

Before flying to South Korea, the bomber conducted a mission in the vicinity of Japan with Koku-Jeitai F-15J Eagles, according to the Pacific Air Forces.

The U.S. sent two B-1Bs to South Korea, March 15, in a show of force against Pyongyang.

The B-1B Lancer is a four-engine supersonic, variable-sweep wing, strategic bomber with a speed of Mach 2. The aircraft is capable of carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the USAF inventory.

The aircraft was designed as a nuclear bomber but is no longer armed with nuclear weapons in accordance with a bilateral treaty between the United States and Russia on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. But the Lancer is capable of carrying the AGM-86B air launch cruise missile (ALCM) and the AGM-69 short-range attack missile, which are capable of striking the North's key nuclear facilities as well as its military leadership.
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun, left, shakes hands with South Korea's Representative to the six-party talks Kim Hong-Kyun during their meeting at Foreign Ministry in Seoul, Wednesday. / AP-Yonhap





By YI Whan-woo

Top U.S. nuclear envoy Joseph Yun urged China to contain North Korea, Wednesday.

He made the comment following talks with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul.

Yun, who is visiting Seoul after meeting Chinese officials in Beijing, said "I hope so" when asked whether he expects China to send a strong message to North Korea over a missile test in Wonsan earlier Wednesday.

"It is not helpful at all," Yun said. "These are tests that have been banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions, so it's not very helpful."

Yun held talks with Kim Hong-kyun, Korea's top nuclear negotiator, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in downtown Seoul.

He downplayed the possibility that the long-suspended six-party talks on North Korea's denuclearization could resume soon. He said the U.S., South Korea and Japan should work with China to stop North Korea's provocations and ensure that Pyongyang will no longer threaten U.S. allies in the region.












By Jun Ji-hye



North Korea's continuous provocations are raising the possibility of harsher countermeasures by the United States, including the use of military force.



The White House is conducting a review of its North Korea policy in an effort to determine what the Donald Trump administration could do differently to address Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats. This review is expected to be finalized by the end of the month, according to diplomatic sources.



During his visit to South Korea last week, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared an end to the Barack Obama administration's policy of strategic patience in handling the North, vowing to explore all options including military action.



Military options would include shooting down North Korean missiles or even launching a preemptive strike before they are fired.



The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the Trump administration is considering "a pre-emptive strike" and regime-change operations against Pyongyang as part of a review of U.S. strategy.



The New York Times reported, also earlier this month, that President Trump has been discussing the possibility of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea for the first time in 26 years. The report added that the possible redeployment was aimed at sending a "dramatic" warning to the North.



In 1991, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush decided to pull tactical nuclear weapons out of South Korea in the prelude to the two Koreas issuing a "joint declaration on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." At the time, Seoul and Washington said the withdrawal would allow diplomacy toward North Korea to go forward to persuade the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions.



But Park Hwee-rhak, the dean of the Graduate School of Politics and Leadership at Kookmin University, said no one can deny that the redeployment of such weapons would be an effective countermeasure to cope with the North Korean threats.



"The redeployment will have a great effect in deterring a nuclear attack by the North," he said in a column. "Tactical nuclear weapons can strike only a designated target, so their use will not damage neighboring countries."



Other options being mentioned also include the possible installation of additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries or the deployment of strategic assets such as bombers on a rotational basis.



One THAAD unit is scheduled to be deployed to the United States Forces Korea this year, possibly before the South Korean presidential election slated for May 9.



But skeptics say the use of military force is improper, adding that any military actions toward Pyongyang will only provoke retaliation that could plunge the peninsula into war.




KT Olleh Square in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul is busy with visitors interested in mobile devices. / Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea's telecommunications authority has fined the nation's three major mobile carriers and their retailers billions of won for providing expat customers with illegal benefits.

A Korea Communications Commission (KCC) investigation found they offered the expats subsidies worth more than the legally defined maximum to attract them, the authority's plenary meeting revealed Tuesday.

The authority fined SK Telecom 794 million won ($705,000), KT 361 million won, LG Uplus 969 million won and 43 related retailers a total of 45 million won.

The KCC was first tipped off about the irregularity when a National Assembly audit last year caught SK Telecom allegedly providing the illicit customer service. An investigation revealed a suspiciously large amount of money funneled to the firms' retail branches.

The investigation further discovered the retailers offered over 5,300 expat customers subsidies exceeding the legally defined maximum by 195,000 won on average. The retailers also offered separate subsidies ranging from 81,000 won to 219,000 won to some 2,200 expats, depending on whether they were a new customer or just wanted to change their phone numbers or devices.

The KCC ruled that the companies "neglected in carefully monitoring and controlling the retailers so as not to infringe the distribution laws for mobile device retailers."

The authority fined the retailers 1 million to 1.5 million won each.

"Raising the bar of the maximum amount of subsidies is not on our agenda," the KCC said, according to ZDNET Korea. "We will instead keep reining in firms that deliberately take care of a certain group of customers with illegally prepared subsidies."
Former President Park Geun-hye exits the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Wednesday, after more than 21 hours of questioning and reviewing statements on criminal charges made against her, including bribery. / Korea Times photos by Ko Young-kwon



Former president returns home after more than 21 hours of questioning

By Jung Min-ho

The prosecution will decide on whether to seek an arrest warrant for former President Park Geun-hye in accordance with the "law and principle," according to investigators, Wednesday.

Park returned to her home in Samseong-dong in southern Seoul early Wednesday, after spending more than 21 hours at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

The questioning by two senior prosecutors  Han Woong-jae and Lee Won-seok  about her alleged involvement in the massive corruption scandal ended at around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, but it took more than seven hours for Park to review her statements in investigation documents.

Emerging from the prosecutors' office at around 6:55 a.m., she declined to reply to questions from reporters.

The prosecution is expected to decide on the warrant as early as this weekend.

Asked about this, an official from the special prosecution unit said, "Nothing has been decided. We will closely look into what's been investigated and decide in accordance with the law and principle."

He said the prosecution has no immediate plan to resummon Park.

Given the severity of the case, Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam is expected to make the final call on whether to seek a warrant.

During questioning, the prosecutors focused on the money Park and her friend Choi Soon-sil allegedly received from major companies through two foundations controlled by Choi. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong has already been indicted on charges of giving them 43.3 billion won ($39 million) in bribes.












Two women take a selfie in a field during the Canola Festival in Busan on Apr. 10 last year. / Korea Times file



By Eom Da-sol

Busan is experiencing a boom in foreign tourists.

According to the city, 2.68 million people from abroad visited last year  a 43.2 percent increase on 2015. The number of Korean visitors rose 2.2 percent.

Much of the increase has been attributed to Busan's many festivals: the Canola Festival in April, the Ocean Festival Aug. 1 to 7, the International Rock Festival Aug. 26 to 28, the Fireworks Festival on Oct. 22 and the Sunrise Festival on Dec. 31.

"Tourists visited the city more on those festival weeks or national holidays," a city official told Maeil Business News Korea.

Newly introduced attractions in the western part of the city are attracting more tourists although the city did not promote them with dedicated marketing.

There were fewer visitors at famous tourist spots like Haedong Yonggung Temple, Taejongdae and Beomeosa Temple.

"Tourism in Busan seems to have perfectly recovered after the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea in 2015," the official said.

"The city will find even more ways to boost tourists this year."
By Kim Se-jeong

Seoul will host a tourism road show in New Delhi, India, next week, in an effort to fill the hole created by the decreasing number of Chinese tourists the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday.

Scheduled to open on March 29, the road show will be the first such trip to India.

The plan shows the city's desperation after seeing a drop in Chinese tourists. Recently, shopping destinations such as Myeong-dong and COEX as well as historic sites such as palaces have had fewer visitors.

The city's delegation will target local companies in India involved in the meeting, incentive travel, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry.

"We would like to diversify the people who visit Seoul, and we hope this will help us achieve the goal," the city government said in a statement.

Representatives from 19 local tour operators will join the city's delegation.

For a long time, the city's tourism has relied heavily on Chinese tourists.

According to the city, 6.35 million Chinese visited Korea last year, 46.8 percent of the whole.

However, the Korean and U.S. decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Korea changed the landscape. The Chinese government outspokenly discouraged tour operators from booking tours to Korea and airlines and cruise operators from selling tickets. On March 15, the travel ban went into effect fully, and the city expects the number of tourists will drop further.

The announcement came one day after the city's emergency measures were unveiled to help affected small tourism companies cope with losses. The measures included giving each small tour operator a credit guarantee of up to 500 million won, and training tour operators who can speak languages other than English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Arabic and Spanish. The city also offered to create emergency jobs for Chinese tour translators who will lose their jobs with the drop in Chinese tourists.
By Kim Hyo-jin



The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) started its two-week-long primary voting Wednesday to elect its presidential candidate.



The first round of voting took place at 250 polling stations nationwide from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Party members and registered citizens without membership were eligible to cast their ballots.



The results from this will be combined with those from voting via telephone and regional conventions scheduled to take place in four different locations next week.



The party plans to announce its candidate April 3. However, if a leading contender fails to win a majority of votes, a run-off election will take place April 8.



The DPK's primary is drawing much attention because its candidate is largely anticipated to win the presidential election. Former party leader Moon Jae-in has been leading opinion polls by large margins for several weeks over other hopefuls. South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung is trailing Moon as a strong runner-up, while Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung is among a pack of next-tier contenders.



The party said 2.14 million ordinary citizens registered to take part in the primary, the largest number in the party's history. The figure is double that for the 2012 primary elections.



The party will conduct regional polling of its members in the Jeolla provinces, March 27; Chungcheong provinces, March 29; Gyeongsang provinces, March 31; and the greater Seoul area and Gwangwon Province, April 3.



Registered citizens can cast a vote in a telephone survey for two days before the designated ballot day for their region.



Voting totals will be released on each ballot day, and combined with the result of Wednesday's poll.



Contenders are now making every effort to secure support from the Jeolla provinces, the traditional liberal home turf. Party officials say a victory there will have a significant ripple effect in the remaining areas considering the number of Jeolla natives residing in other regions.



Former President Roh Moo-hyun gained a boost in his 2002 presidential campaign after a surprising victory in the primary election there.



Amid a heated competition ahead of the Jeolla ballot, candidates are accusing each other of engaging in negative electioneering.



"You do not know how much Moon and his aides make us detest them. If that is the goal, he is successful," An wrote on Facebook. "But with such an attitude, neither winning the presidential election nor successful state management will be possible."



This came after they exchanged barbs over Moon's controversial comment during a televised debate Sunday.



After he said that he was proud to be awarded a citation for his military service in the Special Forces by its then head and later former President Chun Doo-hwan, An's supporters bombarded him with criticism for making a reckless remark. They said it could hurt the feelings of people in Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces.



Chun is the controversial figure who ordered the bloody suppression of the May 18 Uprising in Gwangju, a democratization movement held against his military coup in 1980.



Moon, along with his aides, accused An of waging a negative campaign. "It is too much that they take the remark as a target for vicious attacks," he said.



An replied, "Moon is too generous to himself, and too critical of others. He thinks that if his camp attacks others, it is just conservative criticism; but if he is targeted, it is negative campaigning."












By Lee Kyung-min and Kim Se-jeong

The ferry Sewol will be finally brought to the surface today, 1,073 days after it sank off the southwestern island of Jindo, government officials said Wednesday.

"We started work to raise the Sewol at 8:50 p.m., and if everything goes well, we expect parts of the ship to be lifted 13 meters above the surface at around 11 a.m., Thursday," a spokesman for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.

"The salvage team will work overnight. The weather is fine and the currents are not strong."

The 145-meter, 6,825-ton ferry has been lying 44 meters underwater since it sank on April 16, 2014. Among 476 passengers on board, 304 lost their lives. Nine are still unaccounted for.

The ministry said it will take at least one week to raise the entire ferry, and 13 days in total to see it transported to Mokpo Port, South Jeolla Province.

The salvage team raised the ferry from the seabed by 1 meter at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in a test lift, which began at 10:30 a.m.

"The ferry Sewol was lifted 1 meter from the seabed at around 3:30 p.m.," said Lee Cheol-jo, a ministry official supervising the team, at a press briefing on Jindo.












By Kim Se-jeong

The Gangdong-gu Office in eastern Seoul is opening six new urban farms for district residents on Saturday.

Gangdong has the largest urban farm land  164,188 square meters in size  among 16 districts in Seoul.

Two additional farms will open the next weekend, according to the office. On Thursday, the district office is also offering a workshop for new urban farmers on how to use the farms and organic farming techniques.

Gangdong's urban farming project began in 2010. With the goal to give every household one urban farm by 2020, the district office is turning auxiliary pieces of land and public building rooftops into farms.

Urban farmers take harvests home and donate some to the district office, which later shares them with people who don't have enough to eat in the community.

Local food companies cater lunches to kindergartens and schools in the district using the farm vegetables. Last year, 41 schools joined the program, and it will grow to 50 this year.
By Song Young-ju





"Master," "Will You Be There?" "My Annoying Brother," "Derailed," and so on. There is no single female protagonist among these new movies screened recently. Most of them have two or three male leading actors, and some of them do not even have a supporting actress.

Son Ye-jin, one of the most beloved actresses in Korea, said in her interview with the Asia Business Daily in 2014 that female actors do not have many opportunities to choose their parts with their roles becoming limited. The dwindling status of actresses is not something that started just recently, and this tendency comes to the fore with the application of the Bechdel Test.

The test, which first appeared in 1985 in Alison Bechdel's comic strip "Dykes to watch out for," is used as an indicator for the active presence of females in movies and other fictions. To pass the Bechdel Test, a film needs to satisfy the following requirements:

1. The movie has to have at least two women in it.

2. They should talk to each other.

3. And they need to talk about something besides a man.

These simple three standards seem quite easy to fill, and lots of people doubt the possibility of failure of this test. Surprisingly, the majority of cultural works do not correspond to it, and Korean films are no exceptions.

Among the top 10 successful films in 2016 that the Korean Film Commission announced, only four passed the Bechdel Test; "Train to Busan," "The Handmaiden," "The Last Princess" and "Spirit's Homecoming." Besides "A Violent Prosecutor," the most successful domestic movie of this year, does not pass even the first criteria _ having two female characters with names in it. In the case of 2015, only "Assassination" and "Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island" passed these standards.

This test cannot evaluate the content with the criteria of gender equality, and just indicates the presence of women in films. There are the possibility that some good movies cannot fulfill the standards because of their time periods and settings. Also, a movie that passes the test might contain sexist values or derogation of women. It is one of the attempts at the quantitative analysis of works and not a totally required condition for good movie.

However, these unfortunate results in Korea do represent the gender-biased structure of its film industry. This tendency to exclude female protagonists affects directly to the diversity of domestic movies and lets some genres disappear from theaters. We cannot find many romantic comedies, melodramatic films, or horror movies anymore. Furthermore, this trend has standardized the domestic film industry.

There are correlations between culture and society. Culture projects the tendency of its community and exerts influence on social members in some direct and indirect ways. The Korean society is rapidly changing, and the participation of women in society is prevalent more than ever before.

However, the film industry goes against the stream of the time, and the position of female actors is shrinking as days go by. For the development of the movie industry and the progress of society, filmmakers and directors need to discard their gender bias.





The writer is a senior majoring in English literature and linguistics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Her email address is youngjusong.93@gmail.com.
The finished product - my first radish kimchi

/ Korea Times photo by Do Je-hae

By Do Je-hae



I had a breakthrough in the kitchen a few weeks ago. I made cubed radish kimchi or"kkakdugi" for the first time.



I used to think that making kimchi was something only skilled housewives did. Making kimchi, which requires multiple processes, seemed like too much of a project for someone like myself who cooks to relax.

For those who like "hansik," or Korean food, it's very useful to have some kind of kimchi in the refrigerator because it is the essential ingredient for so many Korean dishes. Up until now, I bought cabbage and radish kimchi, or waited until mom offered some. But I decided not to spend money on buying after a series of disappointments, mostly because the store-bought kimchi didn't have the taste I wanted. When making kimchi stew or fried rice, a cook needs a lot of kimchi. Because I was buying only small portions, I often ran out of kimchi.



A few weeks ago I suddenly got a taste for kimchi after watching a TV program. A cable channel series recently featured the newly-wedded bliss of the actress Ku Hye-sun and her actor husband Ahn Jae-hyun. In one of the segments, Ahn made ramen with "ponytail kimchi," which is kimchi made with little radishes called "chonggakmu," for a late night snack to enjoy with his wife. Since chonggakmu is harder to find than regular radishes, I decided to make kkakdugi instead.



For those who are torn between making or buying, here are some things to consider.



First, I want to first talk about the pros of making. Price wise, it is cheaper to make rather than buy. In the "banchan" or side dish section at a department store in my neighborhood, a mid-sized container of cubed radish kimchi cost 14,000 won. But I did not want to buy it because the radishes did not look very fresh and they did not have the thick coat of red pepper flakes and paste that make kkakdugi so delicious.



After seeing the unappealing display of kkakdugi, I drove my shopping cart to the vegetable section and picked out some radishes. I wasn't sure how many cubes I would end up with, so I got two big radishes and ended up with much more than I expected. I paid about 10,000 won for two radishes, which were cut into four smaller pieces. With just three pieces, I ended up with two big containers and a small container of kkakdugi. This is slightly more than what one would need to pay at a regular grocery store for two radishes. I did not have to buy a lot of extra ingredients other than green onions. The essential ingredients such as salt, sugar, red pepper flakes, sweet rice powder for a thick rice mixture to go into the paste, onions, apples and garlic were already in my kitchen. If quantity is important to you, in addition to taste and freshness, it is better when making kimchi.



Now comes the bad part about making kimchi. It does take some hard labor. Cutting the radishes into little cubes takes quite a bit of time and can be monotonous. There is also some more cutting to do with other vegetables. After all the cutting, the muscles around my right wrist felt tight for a few days.



Getting the right texture and spice level of the red pepper mixture is also no easy task. My paste ended up being a little too sweet because I substituted sugar with maple syrup. The mixture for any dish is something that needs a lot of practice.



One of the worst aspects of cooking is that there is as lot of cleaning up to do during and after. Making kimchi is an all-day job that involves multiple utensils and bowls. In order not to end up with too many things to wash, I kept washing the little spoons, knives, mixing bowls and cutting boards in between. But after I put the finished product in the containers, I still had a lot of stuff to wash.



After having both bought and made, I came to the conclusion that the pros of making outweigh the cons. The best part of making kimchi was that it gave me more confidence in the kitchen to try other dishes that seemed too labor-intensive.



So the answer for the title question, for me, is definitely "make." If you are willing to sacrifice comfort for taste, then making is the sensible, cost-effective choice.



Tips for beginners





Kimchi - simple ingredients, great taste / Korea Times photo by Do Je-hae



For The Korea Times readers, many of whom are foreigners, here are some tips for making kimchi for the first time.



1) Start with radish kimchi, because cabbage kimchi is more difficult. After kkakdugi, I tried cabbage kimchi, and it was harder to make. This is because there are more ingredients that go into cabbage kimchi, which means more cutting, preparing and washing. It could be easy to get discouraged from making kimchi again if the first attempt is too taxing.



2) Do not buy too many ingredients. When cut up into little cubes and pieces, just one radish or one cabbage will be enough to last several weeks. And it is easier to work with and make the mixture for just one than two or more. Also, kimchi does not taste fresh if it has been sitting in the fridge for too long. It is better to make small portions regularly, rather than to store a huge chunk for a lengthy period.



3) Find a YouTube inspiration for your kimchi. There are numerous kimchi recipes on YouTube, and the key is to find one that is easy to follow. I suggest following the recipe of "Seonkyoung Longest," who operates a YouTube channel called "Asian at Home." Some of her kimchi videos are under five minutes. To learn more about the history of kimchi and recipes using it, visit the website of Lauryn Chun, CEO of Mother-in-Law's, a popular kimchi brand in the U.S at https://milkimchi.com.



Do Je-hae is an editorial writer for The Korea Times. Write to jhdo@ktimes.com.
By Sah Dong-seok

Whether President Park Geun-hye is responsible for the Sewol tragedy is one of the reasons that prompted the National Assembly to vote to impeach her on Dec. 9. The ruling Saenuri Party opposed it, but the opposition parties strongly pushed to have that reason included in her impeachment documents. The opposition claimed that it reflected the will of the people displayed in nationwide candlelit rallies that erupted over the unprecedented corruption and abuse of power scandal engulfing Park and her shadowy confidant Choi Soon-sil.

The Constitutional Court will ultimately hand down a judgment on Park's responsibility for the nation's biggest maritime disaster. What is notable, however, is that even before the court's ruling, many people seem to believe that had the nation's first female head of state commanded rescue operations properly from the outset, there would not have been so many deaths. Unsurprisingly, this belief has been caused by the public's resentment of the magnitude of Choi's influence peddling by making Park her puppet. Furthermore, the President and the presidential office have failed to respond properly to demands from the opposition and civic groups that she reveal what she did during the ''seven missing hours.''

In fact, there have been suspicions concerning Park's whereabouts and actions on the day of the ferry sinking that claimed more than 300 lives, mostly high school students. One of the suspicions is that Park couldn't perform her duties that day because she was undergoing plastic surgery  a charge vehemently denied by Cheong Wa Dae.

But many of these accusations about her alleged nonfeasance have been raised without accurate facts, largely motivated by politics. The core of all these doubts must be whether rescue operations failed because Park didn't perform her duties during the crucial early hours while the ferry was sinking on April 16 2014.

Testimony by one of Park's aides last week before the Constitutional Court may shed light on this controversy.

Kim Kyou-hyun, Park's senior secretary for foreign affairs and national security, denied Park's responsibility in the failure to rescue more people, saying it was too late when the President was informed of the disaster after 10 a.m. ''At 9:30 a.m., the ferry was already listing at 51 degrees. By 10:15 a.m. when Park gave her first instructions, the ship listed further, making it impossible to rescue the passengers trapped inside,'' Kim said.

Unfortunately, Park also came to know the gravity of the ferry sinking belatedly because of false news reports that all the passengers had been rescued, according to Kim who then served as the first deputy head of the National Security Office at Cheong Wa Dae.

Kim's testimony might not be convincing enough to soothe the people who suffered the trauma of seeing innocent children drowning inside the vessel. But given the urgency of the ferry sinking, it might be too much to demand that Park be held accountable for failing to rescue more people.












Song Dae-hyun, left, president of LG Electronics' home appliance division, and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, right, sign a memorandum of understanding, Feb. 28, to build a plant in the U.S. state. / Courtesy of LG Electronics



State official says that it has shovel ready' site



By Kang Seung-woo



Bob Rolfe, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development



Tennessee will be a perfect fit for LG Electronics' first production facility in the United States, its economic commissioner said, Wednesday.

LG, a global home appliance and electronics heavyweight, announced last month that it will build a $250 million (281 billion won) washing machine plant in Clarksville, Tenn., expected to open in 2019. The facility is expected to create 600 new jobs.

"It means a great deal to Tennessee that LG chose our state to invest $250 million in a state-of-the-art home appliance production facility that will provide 600 jobs to Tennesseans. We are proud to have LG in Tennessee," Bob Rolfe, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, said in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times.

"We look forward to having one of the greatest manufacturing companies in the world do business and invest in Tennessee, and we anticipate a long and prosperous partnership in the years ahead."

The commissioner said that there are other critical advantages in addition to the economic support that Tennessee has to offer.

"Tennessee has an excellent shovel ready' site that will allow LG to move quickly with the construction of its new facility. Speed to market' is always an important consideration in significant projects of this magnitude," Rolfe said.

"Tennessee has a world class workforce that will be ready to support LG in its mission to manufacture world class products. In Tennessee, we pride ourselves on the fact that we still make things here, and our workforce understands the artisan craftsmanship of manufacturing the highest quality goods for their employers."

He also said that Tennessee has a central geographical location within the U.S. and close proximity to over two thirds of the country, which will offer significant logistical cost savings on both bringing in raw materials to LG's facility as well as savings on getting its finished goods to the market.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, he has pressured global firms as well as local business entities to build their plants in the U.S. as part of efforts to create jobs for Americans.

The LG decision also raised speculation that it was due to the Trump administration's protectionist moves. Along with LG, Samsung Electronics also considers building a plant there.

However, the commissioner said that LG and Tennessee had already been in talks over the plan ahead of Trump's inauguration.

"We were working with LG on this project long before President Trump was elected," he said. "But LG has stated that the company's investments in America are consistent with President Trump's goals of creating jobs and improving the economy of the U.S."

The commissioner also said that the U.S. state is actively hosting and pursuing several other global companies to invest there, adding that it was named the No. 1 state in the nation for foreign direct investment job commitments in 2015, according to IBM's 2016 Global Locations Trends report.

Some analytics reports say that LG will have to shoulder higher personnel costs in the U.S. than those of Mexico, where it currently manufactures home appliances shipped to North American markets.

But he said that the Tennessee selection will provide other benefits to offset it.

"We believe that any higher labor costs versus other countries will be balanced by logistical cost savings and production efficiencies," he said. "As LG has pointed out, labor costs are only part of the equation."
By Lee Min-hyung



KT has narrowly escaped sanctions over a recent controversy surrounding the firm's ad on its wireless transmission speed.



The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) decided Tuesday to leave the mobile carrier unpunished, as no one suffered damages due to the marketing gimmick.



"From the users' perspective, the mobile network's speed and its coverage area are very sensitive issues, so we need to draw up specific measures for carriers to make public exact information," KCC Chairman Choi Sung-joon said.



The watchdog, however, did not penalize the carrier, as the details on KT's website and in the ads on theoretical maximum speeds did not cause big financial harm to users, according to the KCC.



This came months after Rep. Park Hong-geun from the Democratic Party of Korea denounced the mobile carrier last October for hyping up its GiGA long-term-evolution (LTE) service. At that time, KT said the service offers four-times faster wireless internet service of up to 1.167 gigabits per second (Gbps) than existing ones.



But the lawmaker criticized the telecom company for not specifying that the service is only available for 3.8 percent of all KT base stations.



"We should continue to hold talks with carriers to come up with best practices in ads," Choi said. "The KCC has so far failed to present concrete standards or guidelines for such issues. We are going to proceed with informing carriers of essential and fundamental guidelines."








By Lee Hyo-sik



The Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) will buy Toshiba's stake in a consortium that plans to build a nuclear power plant in Britain, CEO Cho Hwan-eik said Tuesday.



Cho also said the state-run utility company will not take over the debt-ridden Westinghouse Electric Corp.



"We are not interested at all in acquiring a stake in Toshiba (or any of its corporate entities)," KEPCO CEO told reporters. "But we will act quickly to purchase the Japanese firm's 60 percent stake in the British nuclear consortium, NuGen, as soon as its stakeholders reach a consensus on the planned sale."



Last month, Toshiba said it will dispose of its unprofitable nuclear firm Westinghouse and a 60 percent stake in NuGen to raise funds to prop up its deteriorating financial health.



French utility firm, ENGIE, holds the remaining 40 percent stake in the consortium that plans to begin the construction of a nuclear power plant near Sellafield, Britain's nuclear fuel reprocessing and decommissioning site, in 2018.



If KEPCO acquires Toshiba's NuGen stake, this would be its first new nuclear power plant project in eight years after it won a $20 billion one in 2009 to build four nuclear reactors in Barakah, the United Arab Emirates.



"As far as we know, the British and Japanese governments have not yet agreed on how to proceed with Toshiba's NuGen stake sale," Cho said. "As soon as things clear up, we will take necessary steps to enter the British nuclear market."



KEPCO's disinterest in Westinghouse shows that it is easier for the firm to acquire a stake in an entity, set up for solely undertaking a certain project, according to company officials.



If the company was to take over Westinghouse or other private firms, it would have to undergo a rigorous regulatory procedure.



When asked about KEPCO's failure to secure new nuclear power plant contracts since 2009, the CEO pointed to falling global demand for plants following the meltdown of Japan's Fukushima in 2011, and low crude oil prices.



"KEPCO has been working hard to win new deals abroad. We will soon submit a bid for a planned nuclear power plant project in South Africa," Cho said. "We will also continue to monitor what happens in Saudi Arabia as the oil-rich country is expected to start a nuclear project in two years. I think it will likely take some time until we clinch new deals."



Cho has become the longest-serving head in the utility firm's history after shareholders approved a one-year third term Tuesday. If he remains in office until March 2017, he would have served as KEPCO CEO for five years. After completing his three-year term in March 2016, he renewed his contract for one year.




This is the eighth in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.





Burberry Korea Representative Director Kim Min-hee

By Park Jae-hyuk

Burberry, which has become a byword for trenchcoat, has made public its Korean unit's business records so far, unlike other luxury brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, which have avoided disclosing their sales volume and donations in Korea.

The transparent business practice of the British luxury brand, however, has been overshadowed by its stingy social contributions in Korea in consideration of the amount of money it earned here.

According to Burberry Korea's financial statement, Wednesday, the company donated 17 million won ($15,000) in 2015, 7.4 million won in 2014 and 4.2 million won in 2013. Last year's figures are not yet available.

The absolute sum of donations may seem better than those of other luxury brands such as Bulgari Korea and Swatch Group Korea, both of which do not even have donation categories on their financial statements.

But the ratios of donations to profits before taxes were a mere 0.06 percent in 2015, 0.02 percent in 2014 and 0.02 percent in 2013  a far cry from what the global head office posted on its official website.
By Park Jae-hyuk



OMM, a Chinese cosmetics brand which opened a flagship store in Seoul's Myeong-dong shopping district in January, faces a backlash from Korean consumers amid mounting tensions between the two countries over a U.S. anti-missile defense system, according to industry officials, Wednesday.



Established by Quanjian Cosmetics Korea, a local subsidiary of the China-based cosmetics and health supplements manufacturer Quanjian Group, the flagship store sells cosmetics made by Kolmar Korea, a local original design manufacturer.



After signing a supply agreement with Kolmar in November 2015, Quanjian set up the Korean subsidiary last July, saying it wants to check whether its brand can succeed in the center of the Asian beauty market.



Considering the awkward Korean-language text written on its official website and leaflets, however, OMM has been suspected of merely taking advantage of the reputation of Korean cosmetics in order to sell its products in the Chinese market, which is more lucrative than Korea's. In other words, critics say they want to promote that "we compete in the Korean market."



Moreover, some of the products sell at 1.6 million won ($1,400), which is unusual for Korean cosmetics firms that rarely price products above 800,000 won.



Because overpriced cosmetics hardly survive in the saturated domestic market, industry officials said the pricy products seem unlikely to target Korean consumers.



Irritated by Beijing's economic retaliation against Korean businesses over the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here, Korean consumers did not give a warm welcome to OMM, beyond being reluctant to buy the products at the unusually high prices.



But a Quanjian Cosmetics Korea official dismissed the suspicions, claiming OMM is a Korean brand selling Korea-made cosmetics. The official said the company has concern about Korean consumers who regard OMM as a made-in-China brand.



"Quanjian Group is merely one of our major shareholders," she said. "We will open additional stores in Korea and will also update our official website as soon as possible."



Lately, the number of Chinese tourists in the Myeong-dong district has noticeably declined after the Chinese government's ban on the country's tour agencies from offering group tours to Korea went into effect.




Norwegian Seafood Council manager Jan Eirik Johnsen talking during an interview with The Korea Times at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Norwegian Seafood Council



By Jhoo Dong-chan

Mackerel has been one of Korea's favorite seafoods for hundreds of years and it appears in various historic literature. Mackerel has been caught mostly along the nation's east coast but now a large portion is coming from far away _ Norway.

"Norwegian mackerel products are enjoying surging popularity among Korean customers," Norwegian Seafood Council manager Jan Eirik Johnsen told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Wednesday.

"Norwegian mackerel is caught in the clean and cold north Atlantic Ocean. Since the fish live in such low water temperature, they tend to have more fat compared to the mackerel caught in Asia."

Sales of Norwegian mackerel have soared in the 2010s.

"I believe Korean consumers care so much about food safety. After the east Japan earthquake in 2011 and following the radiation leak to the Pacific Ocean, they stopped buying not only Japanese but also Korean and Chinese mackerel products," Johnsen said.

"It was a good opportunity for us. Since then, an increasing number of Korean customers have had the opportunity to eat Norwegian mackerel and recognized our excellence in taste and safety."

Before 2011, the market share of Norwegian mackerel was only 11 percent of Korea's imported mackerel, following China with 26 percent. But Norwegian products are dominating the scene now with a market share of 88 percent.

"Koreans love seafood products. Each Korean eats on average 68 kilograms of seafood every year, the largest seafood consuming nation in the world," Johnsen said.

"Norwegian firms are now diversifying their mackerel products. The most popular at the moment are the fillets. They are easy to cook, and it doesn't take a long time to prepare them."

Norway exported over 35,000 tons of mackerel products to Korea in 2015 and the amount topped 40,000 tons last year.
KARD is going big time! The co-ed group confirmed on Tuesday, March 21 that they will be visiting their fans in America.

According to reports gathered by All Kpop, KARD has been confirmed to perform to their fans in the U.S cities of Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles sometime in May. The co-ed group is also slated to perform in Canada.

KARD is also slated to visit the South American country of Brazil. This is the co-ed group's first ever tour outside South Korea.

KARD just recently released a "hidden version" of their second title song "Don't Recall". This is in response of the fans' warm appreciation for the co-ed group.

The hidden version of "Don't Recall" music video featured KARD members wearing matching suits in which they looked sharp like a bodyguard. It also featured scenes from the original music video as well.

Also in the hidden version of the music video, KARD members can be heard singing the song in English, which surprised the fans. The video was also switching between black and white backgrounds, to colorful ones.

In other news, KARD held a V Live app broadcast for the fans last month. The co-ed group broadcasted to thank the fans in their support.

According to Soompi, the V Live broadcast happened on Feb. 21 entitled "KARD's Thank you song battle". Member Somin then revealed on V Live that blessings came to the group before the broadcast.

KARD's Somin revealed that they ranked 63rd on the U.S. iTunes chart and that they reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. K-pop chart. Somin also declared that they ranked 22nd on the U.K. Pop chart, and No. 32 on Brazil's Song chart.

"It's all thanks to you guys," expressed Somi. We never thought our song would be received so well. We didn't think we'd get this much interest for our song."

Ever since KARD debuted in December of 2016, the co-ed group has been receiving much love from the K-pop community. KARD has also been garnering fans internationally as well.
Sandara Park's first major Korean movie finally has a release date. After months of waiting for the movie to come out, it has been announced that "One Step" will be released in Korea on April 6, while the film will hit theaters in the Philippines on May 10.

According to a report by the Philippine Inquirer, the Philippines will get its chance to see Sandara Park again in the big screen on May 10 for what is touted to be the Korean version of Holllywood movie "Begin Again." While the movie marks Sandara's debut in a Korean film, the former 2NE1 member appeared as the lead in several Filipino romantic comedies like "Can This Be Love?" "D' Lucky Ones" and "Volta."

The Philippines is considered for be Sandara's second home where she was embraced by many as the "Pambansang Krung Krung "after she became the finalist of a talent reality show "Star Circle Quest before her 2NE1 days. Even when she was establishing a name for herself as a member of international hit K-pop group, she still came back to the country to visit with friends and fans.

She recently became one of the judges of a local talent search "Pinoy Big Band Superstar" and remains one of lead endorsers of local clothing brand Penshoppe. When in Korea, Sandara also plays host to her artist friends from Manila. In one of their recent visits to Seoul , Sandara dined out with Sam Concepcion, James Reid, Nadine Lustre and their friends and took time out of her busy schedule to show her friends around.

According to Sandara, "One Step" will revolve around the character of Si Hyun, a girl who loses her memory because of an accident but is haunted by an unfinished melody in her mind. Because of the accident, she also begins to see sounds in color. She will be helped along by Jee Il, played by actor Han Jae Suk, a composer suffering from a slump, reported Kpopstarz.
The year 2016 had indeed kept Sandara Park. It was a year which had been a rollercoaster ride for her, as her girl group, 2NE1 has disbanded, leaving her with no option but to take on a solo career.

However, this didn't stop Sandara Park from moving on and achieving greater things in her career. After the infamous 2NE1 breakup, Sandara went for a comeback in the Philippines, as she performed in "Pinoy Boyband Superstar", which is a Filipino music talent competition.

According to Inquisitr, Sandara is now working on her upcoming movie entitled, "One Step". It will premiere this month, and will be a debut film of Sandara in the movie industry.

The first time that news regarding Sandara's role in a K-movie surfaced in BNT News and K-pop Herald. Reports suggest that the upcoming movie is all about a girl who had lost all of her memories due to an untimely accident. Sandara Park will play the lead role as Si Hyun.

The spice will then start as she gets to meet Ji Il, who is then played by Han Jae Suk. Han Jae Suk is a composer who has a natural talent in music and writing songs.

However, due to an undisclosed reason, he prefers to not write anymore songs. The plot of the story will then me more about how they are going to recover the lost part of their selves.

There will also be another man who will get in the way of the supposed love story of Si Hyun and Ji Il, and that is going to be Woo Hyuk. The character will be played by Jo Dong. Reports say that he is a guitarist and will support Si Hyun throughout her recovery process.

Surely, the upcoming movie, "One Step" will be another Korean blockbuster. This will surely be a masterpiece and stepping stone for Sandara Park.
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...
Editors Note: La Jolla Lights People in Your Neighborhood series shines a spotlight on notable locals. Light staff is out on the town talking to familiar, friendly faces to bring you their stories. If you know someone youd like us to profile, send the lead via e-mail to editor@lajollalight.com or call (858) 875-5950.

Dean Blundell cut La Jolla mens hair for 50 years, first working for a third party, and since 1978, out of his own Village Barber Shop at 7517 Fay Ave. From Gregory Peck and John Wayne to generations of locals, men have sat in his chair to have their hair trimmed and spill their thoughts and feelings, which led to solid bonds of respect and friendship. Blundell retired earlier this year.

Where are you from?

I grew up in San Diego, in Point Loma, but Ive been working in La Jolla for 50 years. Now, I live in Santee.

What brought you to La Jolla?

I worked in Point Loma for five years, and then I saw an ad for a barber job in the paper, answered it, and Ive been here ever since. At first, I worked by what used to be Johns Waffle shop for 12 years, then I started my own.

How did you learn your craft?

After high school, I went to barber college for one year, and then I started working right after that.

Did you have many loyal clients?

Yes, I had a handful of clients whose hair Ive cut for over 40 years. Some were not even married (when I started cutting their hair) and now they have grandchildren. So, its been a while. And I really appreciate all the nice people Ive met over the years.

Are you married?

Yes, I had a wife pass away, so this is my second marriage. Weve been married 17 years, so I feel like Ive been married all my life, but thats a good thing. I have three children, Lisa (52), Kim (50) and Mark (48), and three grandchildren, Niko, Deven and Tehya, my youngest granddaughter, who started college at NYU this year.

Whats it like being retired?

Its difficult when you just retire; I have nothing to do. I find or create jobs around the house, and try to stay out from underneath my wifes feet, because shes retired, too. Her name is Denise.

It happened very quickly; a man came along who had been after me for 15 years to buy my shop. And I think I was getting tired, my shoulders and that kind of thing ... but my clients, sometimes I feel like I deserted them, but theres nothing I can do, is just the way it is ... life goes on.

I also wanted to have a little life after I retired. We want to travel a little bit, and Im looking forward to that. Im beginning to think that I deserve it (laughs). It takes a while.

What did you like about having your business in La Jolla?

I think the personal relationships with people. The work was OK, it was fine. I got to where I could do it with my eyes closed. But its the personal relationships that were important to me.

Whats your secret for keeping clients loyal?

Treating them like I like to be treated. Thats an old time thing, but its very true. Every single time it works.

Whats the craziest haircut someone asked you to do?

I didnt really have that, no mohawks or that sort of thing. In the 1970s and 80s, the kids wanted their hair long, and their parents wanted it short. There were some battles in the shop. Not with me, I stayed out of it!

How have La Jollans hairstyles evolved through the years?

It was just a normal mens haircut, like I have, and then it got longer for a while, long sideburns, even the news people had long sideburns and hair over their ears, and its gone back now to something like I have, a normal haircut.

What were your business hours?

I had a lot of early business. Id open at 6 a.m. and close at 2 p.m.

Were there people getting haircuts at 6 a.m.?

Absolutely! I had a couple of 5 a.m. walk-ins, and a lot of appointments at 6 a.m. So I built a business on being there early.

What were some of your routines?

I got up very early in the morning, and got ready for work, and there was no traffic. I would come to work, get my coffee, read the paper, and then either have appointments or walk-ins early. And I enjoyed that, I enjoyed the people. Its been a great run.

Did you ever cut famous peoples hair?

When I worked on Girard Avenue, I cut the hair of a lot of movie stars. Gregory Peck, John Wayne  and former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover used to hang out here! He was short, like I am, and he was surrounded by big tall guys. It was a different time!

Which haircuts would the stars ask for?

Just a trim. They didnt want anything radical because they might be filming or doing something. John Wayne came in one day for a trim, and there was a little man sitting in a chair waiting, he must have been age 80 or so, and when he saw John Wayne he got so excited. John Wayne got up out of the chair after I trimmed his hair and went over and talked to that guy for 20 minutes. That made that guys day! Wayne was a nice man, very sweet. Of course, you didnt mess with him (laughs).

Did you have a favorite client?

I had many clients who were my favorites. Thats the truth! I made personal friends, I got a couple of buddies who were clients, we would go get lunch together and hang out. Its more than just a customer-barber relationship, its a personal relationship.

What do you miss the most?

The people and the conversations. People shared a lot. And of course, they knew that nothing left the shop, just like Las Vegas (laughs).

How has La Jolla changed over the years?

In 1967, when I started working here, the University had just started. It grew and grew, and it brought art, music, theater, and a lot of well-educated people. It changed the town dramatically, and I think for the best. It was a nice town, but it was small. Its a nice mix of people now.

What do you do for fun?

I do everything I can do in a hobby, and then I get bored with it. Photography is one I really stick with. I mostly take pictures of family, some scenery. And whats funny is that people now take pictures and get them in their computers, but never get them developed. Ive got 4,000 pictures in my computer, and maybe 10 that Ive developed. Thats crazy!

If you got to do it all again, would you change anything?

I might have chosen something else to do. I did two years in college, but figured that I was not going to make a living in biology and I was married and had a little girl, and I needed to make a living, so thats what I did. I might have done that differently somehow ... Ive always had this wish to have a job or career where I could help people. If I did so with the barbering, fine, but I would have liked to be a scientist, a doctor or something like that.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Italy meets France in La Jolla. That could well be the motto of Ligne Roset & Poliform La Jolla on Girard Avenue. But CEO Amir Kazerani would probably prefer calling his residential- and commercial-furnishing business a one-stop shop.

Theyre both European, Kazerani said. Poliform is Italian and Ligne Roset is a French company. What makes them special is that both brands offer full service, meaning if you go with either one you can buy closets, you can buy carpet, you can buy furniture and more.

What also distinguishes these two lines is the quality of the brand and the design, Kazerani explained. Everything these two brands carry is designed by an iconic designer from their region or from somewhere else in Europe. Every year they come up with new collections. Ligne Roset comes out with a new collection each January in Cologne, Germany. Poliform? They come out in April in Milan. These two brands just keep updating.

Both Ligne Roset and Poliform are family-owned businesses, the latter in existence since the late 1800s. Poliform is a relatively new brand, having been founded only 61 years ago, in 1946.

The Ligne Roset brand, Azerani said, focuses on furniture, while for Poliform it is closets and the kitchen. Ligne Roset is more affordable for a median household, but Poliform is definitely for the niche market, he added. Thats one of the reasons we want to carry these two lines in Southern California  we capture the two different markets.

The La Jolla showroom is staffed by two designers (one for residential, the other for commercial), and an architect is also available for clients who want to plan their closets, kitchens or other spaces in the home. Azeranis business offers master planning, which includes interior design and architectural design services.

Customers at Ligne Roset & Poliform La Jolla come in two varieties: those who browse and buy on site, and those who come in with a plan (or want help with formulating one) for their home, multi-unit residential property or business. You can do both, Azerani explained. You can come to this showroom and buy pieces as shown or you can order pieces and customize any item that both companies offer.

The furniture youll see in the showroom is a European-crafted triumph of form and function all in one. These two brands care about design, Azerani emphasized. Theyre beautiful, but theyre also functional and comfortable. This is their (Ligne Rosets and Poliforms) philosophy, their vision, and the reason that I decided to carry these two designs in La Jolla. People dont have to travel to LA.

In fact, its been the other way around, Azerani has discovered. Perhaps its the lure of La Jolla? I have clients, he said, from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.

Ligne Roset & Poliform La Jolla, 7726 Girard Ave., La Jolla. (858) 876-2138. facebook.com/LigneRosetLaJolla

 Business Spotlight features commercial enterprises that support La Jolla Light.
On Jan. 21, a woman swept up by the current was rescued by a citizen at La Jolla Childrens Pool (aka Casa Beach). Lifeguard Sgt. Ed Harris, who is a steward for the Teamsters 911 union, said lifeguards were made aware of the emergency call with a 5-minute delay. We couldnt see it from lifeguard tower because of high tide, he explained.

In his opinion, the delay was caused by changes in how emergency calls are dispatched at the Fire Department. Historically, all water rescues would come straight to the lifeguards, also all medical aids within a few blocks to the beach. The changes add a step, and thats whats delaying us, he said.

However, San Diego Fire Department Chief Brian Fennessy said in a press conference March 15 the changes in the dispatch service were directed to improve the system. Lifeguard calls often go unanswered because they dont have training or technology to respond to more than one call at once, he explained, adding that as a result no calls went unanswered during extreme weather events this year.

Harris said the lifeguards are starting to think of separating from the Fire Department. San Diego has a so many lifeguards and we make 9,000 water rescues per year. Most of us believe that the city has to start looking at separating us, he reported.

La Jolla Light will continue to follow this story and report any updates.
The David family, visiting from Arizona, walked behind a cellphone flashlight the night of Wednesday, March 15, to find their way around La Jolla Shores. The lack of street lights and malfunctioning street lamps is keeping the area in the dark.

According to La Jolla Shores Business Association president Angie Preisendorfer, 33 out of 74 acorn lights in La Jolla Shores have been out since Monday, March 13. She took the concern to the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation (LJT&T) board meeting March 15, hoping for resolution to the safety problem. On La Jolla Shores Drive, between Vallecitos to Camino del Collado, all of them are out, but every other street has five or six lamppost lights out on each street, as well, she said.

But thats not all.

La Jolla Light canvassed The Village the night of March 16 and found that all the acorn lamppost lights on Wall Street and Herschel Avenue (plus some on Ivanhoe and Fay Avenues) arent working either. Erika Torri, executive director of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, said at the LJT&T meeting that she noticed the acorn lights on Wall Street have been out for a very long time. Weve called the City about it, but havent seen any (repairs) yet.

At the same meeting, La Jolla Shores resident Nancy Lo petitioned for street lights for Ardath Road, which runs parallel to La Jolla Parkway. There is a quarter mile where there are no light (fixtures). If you head east, our street has one light fixture. If you head west, there are no lights until you get to Hidden Valley and Ardath Road, she said.

Lo added that she used to go for walks from her house to the beach, but doesnt anymore because, in the evening its very scary to walk around ... a lot of people walk to the beach for sunset, but walking back (in the dark) is scary.

LJT&T board chair Dave Abrams forwarded Los request to the City.

Old wiring?

LJT&T board member Brian Early said the acorn light wiring in La Jolla Shores was installed in the 1930s, and suggested the cable work might be running thin.

According to the Citys website, San Diego has more than 40,000 street lights in operation and there are two types: Induction Lights, which emit a white light; and Low Pressure Sodium (LPS), which emit a monochromatic yellow light, aka acorn lights.

The newer Induction Lights largely remain running in different areas of La Jolla.

Preisendorfer, who in the past worked with former District 1 Council member Sherri Lightner to repair street lights when they went out, said her efforts got a few fixed, but now there are so many out, I think its more than a light-bulb issue.

The Light contacted the City for background information. Public information officer Anthony Santacroce said the City is aware of the outage along La Jolla Shores and the lights were energized last week, but suffered another outage over the weekend. These lights are series circuit lights. Imagine a string of old Christmas lights. When one goes out, the entire strand goes out, he explained.

Santacroce added that 11 circuits malfunctioned across the City. Troubleshooting circuits can be a time-consuming process that involves staff manually checking the wiring for each light until the damage/short is located so the proper repairs can be made, he said. City crews are working diligently to resolve the core circuitry issues brought on by an incredibly wet season so far. We are aware of the other lights out in the surrounding area  Wall Street, Herschel Avenue, etc.  and will be working on them shortly.

Santacroce said recent rains and flooding caused many of the series circuits throughout the City to stop working, but in La Jolla Shores, its possible that construction in the area might have affected circuit infrastructure  but thats just speculation.

Preisendorfer is certain that, whatever the cause, the outage in The Shores is a public safety issue. With all the damage to our streets from construction, and the potholes (caused by rains), weve got a dangerous situation here, she said.

The Light has received an e-mail from a San Diego Gas & Electric liaison requesting information about the street names and cross streets involved with the malfunctioning street lights.

A statement from District 1 Council member Barbara Brys office said, Our La Jolla representative is out in the community, hes aware of the issue and in communication with local merchants. Were going to continue to monitor it.

 Ashley Mackin and Susan DeMaggio contributed to this report.
City Council land-use committee to hold discussion March 24

San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott issued a memo March 15 stating the Municipal Code doesnt allow short-term vacation rentals in single-family residential zones. The City has a permissive zoning ordinance,  the memo reads, This means that any use that is not listed in the Citys zoning ordinance is prohibited. Short-term rentals are not specifically defined, expressly permitted, or listed in any of the zone use categories, including residential or commercial.

The City has been dealing with the short-term vacation rental issue for years, since the explosion of web portals such as AirBNB or VRBO made it easy for owners to rent out their properties for short periods of time. On the two sides of the issue, neighbors demand peace and tranquility in their residential zones and owners claim their right to make ends meet by renting parts (or the whole) of their homes.

Shortly after Elliotts memo was issued, District 1 City Council member Barbara Bry circulated a statement saying she was pleased to confirm the short-term rentals do not fall under any permissible use in the Municipal Code and are therefore prohibited in the City of San Diego. Both Elliott and Bry were endorsed by Save San Diego Neighborhoods, a local group seeking to tighten the restrictions on vacation rentals.

However, the memo admits that the Municipal Code alone doesnt offer enough grounds to tilt the balance in one way or another. This office appreciates that the Municipal Code, as currently written, does not allow the reasonable compromise our communities seek; a compromise respectful of those who wish to enjoy the quiet enjoyment of their homes and those who wish to take advantage of the innovation economy, it reads.

The attempt to stop the expansion of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods by former City Council president Sherri Lightner in October 2016 failed when the City Council voted down her proposal to enforce the Municipal Code as Elliott understands it.

The City Council Smart Growth & Land Use Committee will hold a discussion on short-term rentals during their on Friday, March 24 meeting. We understand that the Planning Department will present options that provide a regulatory framework for short-term vacation rentals during that meeting, the memo states.

The memo is a game-changer in a struggle begun by citizens in 2007 to regulate short-term vacation rentals, reads the Save San Diego Neighborhoods website. Armed with this memo, as well as dozens of supporting legal opinions, Save San Diego Neighborhoods will be working to protect San Diego neighborhoods by stopping the sale of homes that may be converted to (short-term vacation) hotels.

However, not all the players have the same view. La Jolla Light reached out to La Jolla Vacation Rentals owner Michelle Aarons, whose company shows short of 20 single-family residences available for short-term rental within La Jolla. We still have a majority of the votes in City Council, so thats a good thing, she said. Theyre going to explore a little further, but I dont think the City Attorney can change regulations like that, I think it would come down to a vote.

Aarons added that, would the City Council vote to regulate the short-term vacation rentals, lawsuit actions would be forthcoming. We will play by ear and hope this doesnt amount to anything like that, she said.

Brys rhetoric on short-term rentals has been consistent since the start of the District 1 campaign in differencing owners who rent rooms in their own homes, which she is fine with, from entire homes rented out in residential neighborhoods, which she opposes.

Elliotts memo hints at a three-way solution coming from City planning staff. It is our understanding that there are three options that would regulate short-term vacation rentals of whole homes and three options that would regulate short-term vacation rentals through home-sharing, it reads.

Bry, who is not a member of the Smart Growth & Land Use committee, said at a previous public meeting that her hope was the issue would come out of the committee without recommendation for full discussion in front of City Council. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to determine the best way to allow property owners to participate in home sharing, while also enforcing existing City Code to protect residential communities from the proliferation of mini-hotels, her statement reads.
GENEVA  The town chairman candidates tore after each other not long after filing to run in the April 4 election.

And in their responses to the Regional News questionnaire last week, incumbent Geneva Town Board Chairman Joe Kopecky and his challenger, Town Board Supervisor Gene Decker, made more statements against each other.

Kopecky accused Decker of stonewalling his attempts at initiating such town programs as stronger local code enforcement, drainage fixes and repairs to the Lake Como dam and dike.

Decker said nothing gets done unless it has Kopeckys concurrence, because the chairman sets the board agendas and fills most major committee and commission appointments in the town.

Are they right?

Kopecky: Decker has stonewalled my attempts at initiating town programs, such as creating stronger local code enforcement, drainage problem resolution, repair of the Lake Como dam/dike, etc., long enough so that he can now pretend that in fact these are his ideas which he wishes to initiate.

Decker opposed actions related to some of these things, but he didnt stop them from happening.

On Dec. 14, 2015, the board voted 4-1 to authorize then Supervisor Mike Mumford to proceed with a grant application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for dam repairs.

Decker voted against the motion.

According to the meeting minutes, Decker thinks the state should repair and maintain the dam and the spillway.

On Sept. 12, 2016, the board voted 3-2 to conduct another study to determine drainage improvements at Lincoln Drive at Willow Road.

Decker opposed the motion.

If he stopped any local code enforcement initiatives, theres no record of it in Geneva Town Board meeting minutes from April 2015 to January 2017.

Last week, Kirch said there was a 2016 budget which had money set aside for a code enforcement officer, but that money ended up going toward police staffing needs.

Decker: Unfortunately, Chair Kopecky is the remaining roadblock to further progress. Chair may have only one vote, but Chair sets the agenda and fills most of the major appointments on committees and commissions.

Yes, the town chairman has one vote and sets board meeting agenda, but according to Town Clerk-Treasurer Deb Kirch, most major committee and commission appointments involve the town board.

Kirch said that, by town ordinance:

Appointments to the Plan and Park commissions are suggested by the chairman, but require town board approval.

Lake Como Sanitary District Board members are recommended by the Lake Como Beach Property Owners Association, but approved by the town board.

The chairman appoints members to the Police Commission and Lake Committee. The chairman also must appoint a town board member as liaison to the Lake Committee.

Decker should know this, since he actually tried to stop one commission appointment last year.

The town board voted 4-1 in favor of appointing Shirley Gorz to the Park Commission, with Decker opposed.
ELKHORN  House Speaker and Rep. Paul Ryan may not have been in attendance, but a cardboard cut-out of his likeness was on display in front of the room.

The Southern Wisconsin Grassroots Network hosted a town hall meeting Sunday, March 19 at the Elkhorn Recreation Center to give local residents an opportunity to express their concerns to Ryan. The grassroots group invited Ryan to attend, but Ellen Holly, administrator for the Southern Wisconsin Grassroots Network, informed the audience that she had received an email from Ryan stating that he would not be able to attend due to prior commitments.

The meeting was streamed through Facebook Live, and Holly said a recording of the meeting will be sent to Ryans office.

This is just not among us. It will be shared widely among other groups in the area, Holly said. It will be shared with many groups across the state, but it will go to Ryan, as well.

About 60 people from throughout Walworth County attended the meeting with more than 20 people speaking and sharing their concerns about health care, North Korea, funding for the arts and the environment. Each person was given three minutes to speak with a few house rules.

We dont want profanity. We dont want a lot of name calling, Holly told the audience. Theres children in the room, and thats why we want to be respectful. Were attacking the issues and the legislation, not just the person.

John Henderson of Elkhorn, who spoke during the meeting, said he is concerned about the proposed American Health Care Act, which could replace the Affordable Care Act.

Unfortunately (the Republicans) have a plan now that does nothing for people who need (health care), Henderson said. Im very fortunate that Im not going to be in any trouble with or without that plan but what makes this country work is people taking care of each other. You have to have a plan that takes care of the less fortunate, and the current plan that the Republicans are putting forth as a health care plan does nothing of the sort.

Mark Rhodes of Lake Geneva said affordable health care should be available to all U.S. citizens.

I would simply say, Everybody in, nobody out, Rhodes said.

Rhodes comments were met with cheers and chants of Everybody in, nobody out.

Jody Rendall, director of the LGBT of Walworth County, said equal rights should be available for transgender people.

Were not looking for special rights. Were looking for equal rights, Rendall said. We want the right to be able to have a job without worrying about being fired. We would like to be able to feel secure that if we go in the hospital, we will be treated and not turned away. We also would like to go to the restroom and not be afraid of being verbally or physically abused.

Suzanne Radtke of Elkhorn said she is concerned about funding being cut for the arts, humanities and public broadcasting.

As citizens, we are artistic, we are creative and sometimes our best ideas come from those avenues, Radtke said. What are we going to do? Who is going to replace that funding that also trickles down to education? What are we going to do for our children, music and orchestra? Please do not cut the budget on the arts.

Tom Porter of Elkhorn advised the audience that if they want to express their concerns to Ryan that they should contact his office.

Almost always someone answers the phone, Porter said. I would not expect to talk with (Ryan), but most of the time when I call, I get someone in the office whose job it is to write down what your opinion is.

Holly said she is pleased with the number of people who attended the town hall meeting, but is disappointed that Ryan was unable to attend.

For a Sunday night, Im very pleased (with the attendance), Holly said. We wouldve been more pleased to have Mr. Ryan, and we hope that he starts attending town hall meetings in his district. Its a part of his job.

Holly said the Southern Wisconsin Grassroots Network is an independent group that is not affiliated with any political party. She said the group hosts events about once a month to give people an opportunity to discuss issues that are affecting the country. For more information, go to grassrootswi.org.

Were just trying to educate and activate the public into issues that are really important, Holly said.
Honoring Cesar Chavez

Op Ed by Ruben Martinez, Ph.D.

Cesar Chavez died near his hometown of Yuma, AZ on April 22, 1993 at the age of 66. Chavez was in San Luis, AZ to assist UFW attorneys defend the union against a lawsuit brought by Bruce Church Inc. (BCI), a giant California-based lettuce and vegetable producer.

Eastern Michigan University's 12th annual Cesar Chavez celebration

YPSILANTI: Eastern Michigan University is the most diverse university in Michigan, which it holds as a defining and singular strength. As part of that, EMU is proud to host various events throughout the year that celebrate all races, cultures and ethnicities.

Por: Isabel Flores, corresponsal La Prensa

DETROIT, MI: La Comision Nacional de Libros de Textos Gratuitos (Conaliteg) cuenta en su portal de internet con el acervo digital de todos los libros de texto gratuitos para el ciclo escolar 2019 - 2020. El catalogo puede consultarse en la direccion: http:/libros.conaliteg.gob.mx De esta manera, los ninos podran mantenerse entretenidos con informacion en su propio idioma y estar al dia con sus materias, mientras se encuentran en casa por la contingencia.

Census 2020: Todos Debemos ser Contados
PRESS RELEASE

Famine in Somalia Claims More Victims, Threatens Millions in East Africa

March 21, 2017 (EIRNS)Reuters reported 26 deaths from hunger in the semi-autonomous Jubbaland region of southern Somalia in just a day-and-a-half, citing Somalia government radio.

"Somalia, like other countries in the region, is facing a devastating drought that has killed livestock, cut harvests and left 6.2 million people, about half its population, in need of food aid. The acute hunger gripping Jubbaland caused an exodus of hundreds of families into the capital Mogadishu seeking help,"

the Reuters report said.

On March 20, Bloomberg reported the European Union committing an extra 165 million ($178 million) to battle humanitarian crises in East Africa, including a famine in South Sudan and drought in Somalia.

"From the total, 100 million euros will be allocated to help responses to the crisis in South Sudan and an influx of its refugees to neighboring countries, the EU said Monday in an emailed statement. Humanitarian assistance for droughts in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya will be targeted with 65 million,"

the Bloomberg article noted.

On March 8, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, visiting Kenya, had warned that East Africans are facing starvation and that the situation might worsen if nothing is done to avert the crisis.

"The United Nations estimates more than 17 million people are facing hunger in nine countries. Somalia is facing its second famine in less than six years, South Sudan has declared some parts of the country in famine, and Kenyas government declared the drought there a national disaster. More than 5.5 million people are going to bed hungry in Ethiopia alone,"

Voice of America reported.
PRESS RELEASE

Tillerson To Go to Russia in April, After Trump-Xi Confab

March 21, 2017 (EIRNS)U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Russia in April, reported TASS today, citing confirmation from the U.S. State Department. The TASS report also said, citing an unnamed U.S. official, that Tillerson would skip the April NATO foreign ministers meeting, so as to be able to take part in the talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who would be visiting the United States around the same time, and likely meeting with Pres. Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, April 6-7.

The schedule of April meetings for Sec. Tillerson, subject to confirmation is:
As the House of Representatives prepares to vote Thursday to repeal the Affordable Care Act, theres a new estimate of the cost of one of its hidden provisions, a rollback of rules designed to restrain executive pay at health insurance companies.

Heres the bottom line: Rolling back the provision will result in an even bigger ripoff of the American taxpayer than previously calculated.

The rule in the GOP crosshairs placed a stringent limit on corporate tax deductions for executive pay among health insurance companies. Most public companies cant deduct more than $1 million in pay for their top executives, but theres a huge loophole: performance-based compensation, such as stock options or restricted stock grants, are exempt from the limit. The Affordable Care Act, however, cut the limit on the deductibility for health insurers to $500,000 in pay per executive and eliminated the performance-pay loophole for them entirely.

Advertisement

I dont think the American people voted in November for more incentives for higher CEO pay.  Sarah Anderson, Institute for Policy Studies

The limitation was imposed partially to balance the bounty health insurers would receive from Obamacares expansion of health coverage, both through the individual exchanges and Medicaid expansion. Consumers across America, then-Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said when the ACA was passed, should know that when they pay their hard-earned dollars to cover the soaring cost of premiums, they are not just chipping in to pay for the CEOs next new yacht.

The GOP repeal bill to be voted on Thursday eliminates those restrictions, effectively equalizing the tax treatment of health insurance executives with that of other public companies. According to calculations by the progressive Institute for Policy Studies based on the pay of top executives at the five biggest publicly traded insurers in 2015, the deduction constraint saved taxpayers about $92 million that year. The calculation is an update of the Institutes original calculation of the value of the limit, which was about $70 million a year. That figure was based on executive pay 2013 at 10 top insurers.

Repealing the limit amounts to a perverse incentive for companies to overpay their CEOs, says Sarah Anderson of IPS, who prepared both studies. She thinks that as more taxpayers learn about the ramifications of the repeal, Republican lawmakers could pay a political price. I dont think the American people voted in November for more incentives for higher CEO pay, she told me.

The drafters of the GOP repeal bill were crafty about this provision. Its shrouded within six bland lines on Page 67 of the 123-page repeal bill, headed, Remuneration from certain insurers. One has to chase down paragraph (6) of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the only concrete reference to the tax deduction limit, to discover whats being repealed and what it means.

Indeed, even Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was hopelessly at sea when asked by CNNs Dana Bash about the provision during a broadcast town hall last week.

He seemed to think the provision raised taxes on the executives directly, rather than merely limiting the deductibility of their compensation by their companies. At best, that creates an indirect effect pushing up executive pay. (To be fair, he was abetted in this error by Bash, who had the same misconception that it was about a tax break for healthcare company executives who make over half million dollars a year.)

HHS Secretary Tom Price defends tax breaks for health insurance CEOs #CNNTownHall https://t.co/blqm9eX7MZ https://t.co/wCmO07JMCZ  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 16, 2017

I think the previous administration singled out healthcare executives, Price said. And what they said is healthcare executives ought to be punished.Think about what this is, Dana. This is the federal government before saying to a certain sector of society, a certain individual, You cant make what that company is willing to pay you for your services. That doesnt sound like America to me.

He added, What were saying is we ought not single out certain individuals in this nation and have the federal government have the power to be able to say, Youre going to be treated differently from that individual even though you make the same amount of money.  What the previous administration did was  identified individuals in a certain sector of our society and said, youve got to pay more than the guy or the gal down the street whos making exactly the same amount of money as you.

Obviously, the ACA provision has nothing to do with punishing healthcare executives but is about getting their companies to help cover the cost of their own expanded business opportunities  and despite their whining about losses on the Obamacare exchanges, those companies have reaped huge profits by serving Medicaid expansion under the ACA.

Its proper to observe that the ACA limitation on tax deductibility had a precedent. Under the $700-billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, which bailed out American banks after the financial crash of 2008, banks that received TARP funds faced the same deduction limits until they paid off their government loans.

More to the point, the provision did little to rein in health insurance executive pay. The average compensation for the top five or six executives in the five companies in Andersons current sample earned an average of $14.6 million in 2015, up from an average $10.9 million collected by the executives of the 10 top companies in her original survey.

Anderson says the weak effect was predictable, since imposing the restrictions on executives in a single industry wouldnt keep their boards from using compensation in other industries as a benchmark. Until the limits are applied to all publicly traded companies, Anderson says, we wont see much of an effect.

The GOP repeal bill, obviously, would make that goal more remote. This was a small step forward, Anderson says, and it would be a shame to go in the opposite direction.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
A timely question from Cherlyn in light of Thursdays expected House vote on the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. She asks: Does the president get special healthcare?

The answer: Bigly.

The president of the United States currently falls under the same rules as members of Congress when it comes to health coverage. If they so choose, they can pay out of pocket for any insurance they please.

But if they want taxpayers to cover up to 75% of the costs of their health coverage  and most do  they have to purchase insurance through the Washington, D.C., Obamacare exchange.

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In 2013, former President Obama signed up for a bronze plan costing less than $400 a month. He had to pay the full amount because his presidential salary of $400,000 made him ineligible for federal subsidies.

It was a symbolic move. The president in no way is lacking for healthcare.

While insurance would be required if the president went to a private hospital, he receives as much free treatment as he desires from military doctors in the White House Medical Unit.

In fact, theres always a doctor on call within the White House and a medical staff accompanying the president wherever he goes. The White House clinic contains exam rooms, hospital equipment and supplies, and a crash cart for emergency resuscitation.

Dr. E. Connie Mariano, a White House physician from 1992 to 2001, described the facility to CNN as being like a mini urgent-care center.

The White House Medical Unit also serves the presidents family, as well as the vice president and his family.

Members of Congress enjoy similar healthcare perks. They have access to the Office of the Attending Physician in the U.S. Capitol for the super-low price of about $600 a year.

The congressional clinic is staffed by Navy doctors, nurses, technicians and a pharmacist. All treatment, including the services of specialists, is covered by the annual fee.

If more advanced treatment is required, the president and Congress members have access to military facilities.

None of this will change under the Republican healthcare plan.

So when President Trump says, as he did the other day, that the Republican plan will end in a beautiful picture, the reality is that he wont be a part of that picture.

If he gets sick or hurt or diagnosed with a chronic illness, top-quality medical help is always at hand.

And he wont pay a dime for his treatment.

Youll pay all his bills.

Got a question? Email me at AskLaz@latimes.com. And follow me on Twitter @Davidlaz.

MORE FROM DAVID LAZARUS:

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Doctors have tied a superbug outbreak at a foreign health facility to a medical scope that Olympus modified last year in an attempt to reduce its risk of spreading bacteria between patients.

Five patients treated with the modified device tested positive for the same potentially deadly bacteria, according to a report filed with the Food and Drug Administration.

One of those patients died, but the report blamed the death on the persons pre-existing condition rather than the infection.

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American hospitals are currently using about 4,400 of the devices that Olympus voluntarily recalled last year to replace a small mechanism linked to deadly outbreaks around the world.

Several of those outbreaks happened in Southern California hospitals, including at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center two years ago where three patients died, and at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena where 16 patients were sickened. Eleven of the Huntington patients died.

The $40,000 reusable device known as a duodenoscope is a long snake-like tube with a tiny camera on the tip that is inserted into a patients throat and upper gastrointestinal tract. It is used to treat cancer, gallstones and other problems in the bile or pancreatic ducts.

In January 2016, Olympus said it was voluntarily recalling all duodenoscope models identified as the TJF-Q180V from American hospitals so that it could replace the mechanism. The company has also recommended new cleaning procedures.

The new outbreak, which happened in December, appears to have occurred in a health facility in another country. A foreign health professional filed the report with the FDA. The facilitys name and location were not disclosed.

The report said that the mechanism on the device had been replaced in October.

Lawrence Muscarella, a medical safety expert in Montgomeryville, Pa., said the outbreak raises questions about whether Olympus recall and replacement of the mechanism was enough to keep patients safe.

Does this new fix work? asked Muscarella, who discovered the outbreak report in the FDAs database of medical device injuries. He said it was not clear whether the hospital had properly disinfected the device using the process that Olympus now recommends.

The FDA said in January 2016 that it had approved Olympus new design of the device.

Deborah Kotz, an FDA spokeswoman, said Wednesday that the agency was was aware of these reports and continues to investigate adverse events associated with duodenoscopes as appropriate.

Olympus, a Japanese company with extensive operations in the U.S., told the Times it had notified the FDA of the reported event.

In the interest of patient safety, it is premature to reach a conclusion regarding the cause, said Mark Miller, an Olympus spokesman.

The five patients in the new outbreak tested positive for a type of Klebsiella pneumoniae that has a gene that makes it resistant to all but last-resort antibiotics.

A series of Times stories reported that Olympus knew of the potential flaws in the scope as early as the spring of 2012, following an infection outbreak in the Netherlands, but failed to alert American hospitals or regulators until after the UCLA outbreak in February 2015.

In 2010 Olympus engineers had changed the scopes design to seal a narrow internal channel to keep out blood and other infectious material. The change was aimed at making the scope easier to clean.

But three independent investigations  the first in early 2012  found the design could allow bacteria to remain inside the scope even after it was cleaned according to Olympus instructions.

A U.S. Senate probe, initiated by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), backed up those findings in January 2016, noting it is now evident that the scopes design could trap and transmit bacteria even after cleaning.

The Senate report concluded that at least 25 outbreaks were linked to scopes made by Olympus and two other manufacturers.

Olympus is now fighting lawsuits brought by patients and their families.

The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating.

American doctors use duodenoscopes nearly 700,000 times a year in a procedure known as ERCP, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

melody.petersen@latimes.com

Follow @melodypetersen on Twitter

UPDATES:

5:40 p.m.: This article was updated to include the companys comments.

The article was originally published at 4:20 p.m.
Googles advertising machine is under siege.

Two of the nations biggest ad buyers and several other major companies announced Wednesday their intention to halt or reduce deals with Google over concerns that the search-engine giant had failed to protect their brands from being intertwined with terrorist content on the Web.

The decisions by AT&T and Verizon, along with rental car provider Enterprise Holdings and drugmaker GSK, intensifies the repercussions from a British newspaper investigation last week as the fallout spreads to the U.S., Googles largest market.

Britains The Times detailed how ordinary ads appeared alongside user-uploaded YouTube videos that promote hate and extremism. The account spurred the British government and the local arms of scores of companies to suspend purchases.

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The report showed how LOreal ads appeared next to videos by homophobic British preacher Steven Anderson and how government-funded ads for the Royal Navy and Scottish tourism appeared next to clips by white supremacist David Duke, an American who has been head of the Ku Klux Klan.

The uproar is centered on ads placed on YouTube as well as websites and apps that use Googles ad technology. It could deliver a hit of tens of millions of dollars this year to Google parent Alphabet Inc., which charges about $20 for 1,000 ad viewers on the high end and gives a portion of the revenue to content creators.

It appears that technology has gotten ahead of the advertising industrys checks-and-balances, Enterprise said in a statement. There is no doubt there are serious flaws that need to be addressed.

Even before the latest wave of companies withdrew their ads, financial analyst Brian Wieser found the Google boycott serious enough to downgrade his recommendation on Alphabet stock to hold from buy. Alphabet has struggled to generate significant profits outside of advertising.

Fear about where ads appear online have persisted since the advent of digital advertising. But the problem has become more pervasive and high profile in recent years.

And the stakes have never been higher.

For the first time, advertisers this year are expected to spend more on digital than television, according to eMarketer.

Google, the worlds top seller of online ads, places them on its own websites and a gigantic network of third-party destinations. Both efforts have swelled as advertisers retreat from newspapers, magazines and TV.

But increasingly, Google interacts with advertising clients only through automated software  a break from traditional ad-buying. Though people set some guidelines and parameters, Googles computer algorithms ultimately determine where ads appear and how much they cost. That means companies have little insights into where their ads will show up until after the fact.

The development of more sophisticated tracking and analysis software has helped companies identify that their ads are showing up on music and movie piracy websites and next to extremist propaganda videos and deliberately misleading news articles.

Now, advertisers are warning Google that the checks it has in place are insufficient.

Google on Wednesday reiterated its vow to begin adding controls for advertisers in the coming weeks. It declined to comment on announcements by individual advertisers.

Weve begun an extensive review of our advertising policies, the company said. Were also raising the bar for our ads policies to further safeguard our advertisers brands.

Companies such as Verizon and AT&T have separate reasons to take aim at Google. Both have their own ad technologies are working to poach business from Google and Facebook.

AT&T said it would restore its spending when Google can ensure that ads wont show up with YouTube videos promoting terrorism and hate.

Britians The Times reported the AT&T messages specifically had been found with videos showcasing an Islamic State flag and another featuring sermons of a senior Al Qaeda recruiter.

The newspaper also said Verizon suspended its digital advertising after it learned its ads appeared alongside videos by two Muslim clerics: Wagdy Ghoneim, an Egyptian who the U.S. government said participated in fundraising activities that could have helped terrorist organizations, and Hanif Qureshi, a Pakistani whose preaching reportedly inspired the assassination of a politician in that country.

Some companies may try to leverage Googles bad publicity as a way to negotiate better ad deals, said Eric Franchi, co-founder of digital advertising firm Undertone and a board member for the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

This stuff has been happening for more than a decade, Franchi said. This seems like a pile on by marketers to gain a little leverage on Google.

For its part, YouTube has begun selling subscriptions and promoting video from TV networks as a way to reduce its dependence on ads placed on unpredictable user-generated content.

Even if advertisers arent happy now, they still rely heavily on Googles massive audience and powerful advertising technology and expressed no desire to abandon the tech giant permanently.

As GroupM, the ad-buying arm of the worlds largest ad agency holding company, noted, quick delivery of improved advertising tools would be welcomed by the thousands of advertisers counting on them.

david.pierson@latimes.com

paresh.dave@latimes.com

Follow @peard33 or @dhpierson on Twitter

UPDATES:

4:20 p.m. This article was updated throughout with additional comments and background.

This article was first published at 2:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo & Co. continues to provide a counter-example to the adage that theres no such thing as bad publicity. Six months after the scandal broke of widespread fraud in its customer sales practices, the bank is still struggling to line up new customers.

Potential customers may feel they have good reasons to steer clear of Wells Fargo: Its commitment to do everything it can to rectify the fraud  to make things right and restore trust, as its publicity material says  is still highly questionable. The company has acknowledged that its retail sales force opened as many as 2 million checking, savings and credit card accounts without customer authorization over the last several years, and it agreed to pay $185 million to regulators to settle investigations into the scandal.

The bank says it has refunded millions of dollars to potentially defrauded customers and reached out to 43 million more. But Wells Fargo still is trying to force aggrieved customers into binding arbitration, rather than in court, where they might have a better shot at gaining redress. As long as Wells Fargo insists on playing on a field tilted in its own favor, all its claims about doing the right thing by its customers ring hollow.

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Wells Fargo admitted in sworn testimony that it broke the law, and that it stole customers money.  Mitchell vs. Wells Fargo

Before we get into that, lets look at the raw numbers. Since October, as part of a campaign aimed at greater transparency, the bank has issued monthly customer statistics, including account openings and closings. So far, theyve been ugly. (See accompanying chart.)

New checking account openings are running an average of 40% behind the same months a year earlier, and new credit card accounts are down by almost 50%. It isnt entirely clear whether the comparisons are so bad because the year-ago period includes bogus accounts.

In any event, Wells executives point out that new checking accounts have been running ahead of customer-initiated account closings each month, which they take as a good sign. But its not that good: Net new account openings have run about 100,000 per month since the scandal broke. In the year-ago period, net new accounts were running 300,000 to 400,000 per month. And customer loyalty scores, the bank concedes, are still significantly below pre-scandal levels. Those factors suggest that the bank is still facing strong headwinds in attracting customers.

Why might that be? First, much of Wells Fargos commitment to making things right is indistinguishable from advertising persiflage. Its chief executive, Tim Sloan, who took over from disgraced Chairman and CEO John Stumpf in October, uttered some of this boilerplate at an employee town hall on Tuesday, where he unveiled a new corporate brand ad campaign erected around the slogan Building Better Every Day.

Its not just a tagline, Sloan said of this vacuous marketing phrase. Its our commitment. He talked about fostering an ethical, inclusive and customer-focused culture. Among the companys six new goals, he said, were that we want to know and understand our customers and their financial goals.

Yet when it came to concrete commitments, there was not much new. The $3.2 million in refunds the company has made? Thats gone to 130,000 customers, so it comes to $24.61 each. Is that enough to compensate customers whose credit scores may have been torpedoed by accounts they didnt know they had, or checks they bounced because a Wells employee had drained their real account to bankroll a fake one? No, but their anguish is covered by Sloans assurance that were researching how our customers credit scores may have been impacted as the result of potentially unauthorized credit cards.

If one pays attention to actions and not words, however, Wells Fargo is still failing to make things right for its customers. The best illustration of that is its treatment of the customers who have filed suit in federal court over the bogus accounts. Citing customer account agreements the customers allegedly signed, the bank wants these cases thrown out of court and moved to arbitration.

Wells Fargo contends that once a customer signs an agreement with an arbitration clause, all disputes that customer has with the bank are subject to arbitration  including, as in these cases, allegations of fraudulent activity. In a motion in Utah federal court, the bank points to a clause in the agreement that subjects to arbitration claims based on broken promises or contracts, torts (injuries caused by negligent or intentional conduct), or other wrongful actions.

The bank also maintains that the very issue of whether these cases are subject to arbitration is itself subject to arbitration.

The customers, however, argue that once the bank allowed criminal activity to take place, it breached the customer agreements, so they no longer apply. And the bank has acknowledged that its employees were setting up bogus accounts for years, that it knew enough about the activity to have fired more than 5,000 wrongdoers, but that it failed to disclose the activity to the customers or the public  at least not until the scam was uncovered by the Los Angeles Times in 2013.

Wells Fargo admitted in sworn testimony that it broke the law, and that it stole customers money, the customers say in their lawsuit. Since the illegal conduct took place outside the accounts the customers had opened, that should place it outside the arbitration agreement, says the lawyer handling the Utah case, Steven A. Christensen.

Wells Fargo has been urged by senators and members of Congress to drop the arbitration clause, which has been upheld by one federal judge in a case related to the scandal, Vince Chhabria of San Francisco. And Christensen says Wells Fargo shows no signs of relenting in his case, which he says involves 100 customers. The bank is holding fast and firm, he told me. A bank spokesman confirmed that.

As we observed when the Wells scandal first broke, arbitration clauses in customer agreements are a scourge that work largely against the customers. Typically, theyre buried in the lengthy documents you sign when you enroll with a cable company, go to a doctor or hospital, or take a new job, and almost always they favor the bigger party  Wells Fargo, for example, will be party to perhaps hundreds or thousands of arbitration hearings per year, while the average customer may face one in a lifetime. The arbitrators know who butters their muffins, and theyll tend to avoid getting a reputation as pro-customer, lest their business dry up.

Even worse, arbitration cases are generally held behind closed doors and their evidence kept out of public view. The Wells Fargo scandal might have been uncovered much sooner had customer complaints reached open court.

If Wells Fargo truly wants to show its commitment to putting this scandal behind it and making things right, it will forgo the arbitration clause. Until it does so, its pledges to act transparently and to be Building Better Every Day are just so much hot air, and its potential customers will know it.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
If youve always thought of Kenny Scharf as a Pop artist, youre in for a big surprise when you visit his exhibition at Honor Fraser Gallery in Culver City. Kenny Scharf: BLOX and BAX makes it clear that Scharf is a folk artist.

The three-gallery exhibitions fun-loving array of painted assemblages (and a smattering of paintings) reminds visitors that Pop got its start as a kind of urban folk art, the scrappy street ethos of its screen-printed posters, newspaper comics and tabloid pablum more DIY fugitive than is often remembered, much less acknowledged.

Scharfs recent works are eye grabbing and visually dynamic like a Pop painting, but theyre also funky and funny, so salt-of-the-earth and extravagantly outlandish that they make you think twice  or three timesabout what you have come to expect from Pop.

Like Warhol, Scharf is a customizer. Like Lichtenstein, he works in series. And like Ruscha, he creates art that makes heavy-duty discourse sound pretentious  and ridiculous.

Scharfs lusciously painted pieces pack loads of pleasure into seemingly simple things. To make the largest group of wall sculptures here, he junk-picked 22 old televisions, removed their plastic backs and used those oddly shaped covers as surrogate canvases on which to paint portraits of a wildly imaginative cast of characters.

Installation view of Kenny Scharfs Blox and Bax at Honor Fraser. (Josh White / JW Pictures / Honor Fraser Gallery)

Kenny Scharfs #23, 2017, oil and mixed media on found television, 17 inches by 19 inches by 19 inches (Josh White / JW Pictures / Honor Fraser Gallery) (Josh White / JW Pictures / Honor Fraser Gallery)

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Hung on the walls, like gigantic masks from some futuristic tribe or the ceremonial armor of a rogues gallery of Transformer castoffs, Scharfs Bax are anthropomorphic. Each has its own personality and power, benevolent or otherwise, and reminds you what it was like to be a child, when everything around you was alive with possibility.

Scharfs Blox are oils on canvas and linen on which he has painted one or six cartoon faces. These images lack the whiplash magic and goofy generosity of his repurposed TVs.

Innocence and its discontents are Scharfs great subjects. That double-edged drama plays out in eight intimately scaled wall reliefs, each made from a hodgepodge of consumer products and packages Scharf has glued together and painted in a rainbow of colors.

These quirky assemblages recall the mobiles that parents often hang above cribs. But Scharfs brightly tinted constellations seem to suggest that each newborn might be better off on another planet. And the more time you spend in his exhibition, the more it seems that that might be true for all of us.

Honor Fraser Gallery, 2622 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. Through April 22; closed Sundays and Mondays. (310) 837-0191, www.honorfraser.com

Kenny Scharfs Gary ONeal, 2016, mixed media assemblage, 19 inches by 22 inches by 7 inches. (Josh White / JW Pictures / Honor Fraser Gallery)

Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.

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We live in an era in which image memes are lobbed as political salvos. In which security is theater and defining who controls the narrative in a world of facts and alternative facts is the daily bread of the hot-take class. In which words are bombs, delivered in 140-character installments in the new culture war  a phrase that can and has referred to all manner of cultural conflicts: The face-off between elite versus populists, urban versus rural, Hollywood versus the heartland.

Culture is a weapon  a pretty effective one at that. And its a topic that New York-based curator Nato Thompson takes on in his latest book, Culture as Weapon: The Art of Influence in Everyday Life, which explores the ways in which the tools of culture are deployed to do everything from sell iPhones to wage war.

As far as timing goes, the books landing during the early days of the Trump administration couldnt have been more impeccable. Culture as Weapon provides a broad overview on how individuals, corporations and governments employ design, storytelling, imagery and art to stir emotion and mold sentiment. The prominence of the Internet and social media, naturally, makes this all the more profound and far-reaching than in the past.

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Thompsons book kicks off with an extensive historical primer. Over the course of the 20th century, the fields of public relations and advertising have created visually resonant cultural icons  such as the Marlboro Man  to move merchandise. Thompson shows how political figures have employed those same techniques to sway elections and stoke fear. For example: the 1988 presidential campaign ad for George H.W. Bush about Willie Horton, the Massachusetts convict who raped a woman while on furlough  an ad that ignited anxiety about crime (and African American men) and likely cost Michael Dukakis the election.

Thompson also provides a backgrounder on how visual symbols have been historically wielded socially and politically. The Nazis, for example, were famously meticulous about their aesthetics. Adolf Hitler himself devoted great care and attention to the design and look of the Nazi flag.

The Nazis loved culture, notes Thompson. They used culture. They distributed culture. Cinema, music, flags, banners, book burnings, rallies, and holidays were all deployed in a phantasmagoria of stark blood red, swastikas, and blinding white.

Interestingly, political groups, such as the Nazis, have also been perfectly happy to co-opt the symbols of those they impugn. Hitlers propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, decried so-called degenerate art  anything Modernist or made by Jews  even as he put that art on view in an extraordinarily well-attended touring exhibition titled, naturally, Degenerate Art.

A similar phenomenon occurred during the U.S. culture wars of the 1980s and 90s, when Congress attacked some of the artists funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA hubbub, writes Thompson, was an opportunity to condemn luridness and bask in it in equal measure. An artists own work weaponized against him. (The Trump administrations proposed budget cuts are part of a long-running conservative animosity toward the NEA.)

The look back is interesting, and in the process Thompson delivers priceless instances of cultural manipulation, such as when the American Tobacco Co. used the trappings of womens liberation to encourage women to smoke in the late 1920s.

But far more vital are the chapters that the author devotes to the recent past and the present  to the ways in which big business and government have liberally borrowed from culture for their purposes. (These are topics he comes at from the left, with a healthy skepticism of capitalism and its habit of turning everything into sellable merch.)

Thompson examines how art and architecture have been used as an implement of urban development, via so-called starchitectural development projects and family-friendly public art installations such as Cows on Parade. The commodification of bohemia, as he calls it, has led to art being viewed as an engine rather than the cultural mirror of a nation. The NEAs motto, for example, has gone from Because a great nation deserves great art to Art works  a model that would no longer be focused on excellence based on taste, writes Thompson, but rather on the way that culture could make things happen.

This, interestingly, has led to an increasing mistrust toward the idea of culture itself. Los Angeles certainly offers a vivid case in point: The anti-gentrification efforts in Boyle Heights have specifically targeted art galleries (though, curiously, Thompson doesnt mention them).

Culture as Weapon covers myriad other topics: How the U.S. military employed cultural anthropologists during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, how staged social relationships are as intriguing to artists as they are to corporations, and how culture informs our everyday retail experiences. (The maze-like layout of Ikea is inspired, in part, by the disorienting ramps of Frank Lloyd Wrights Guggenheim Museum in New York.)

In taking on so much disparate material, Culture as Weapon can feel scattered and often delves into topics that the reader is likely already familiar with. (Do we really need another overview that covers the improbable rise of the personal computer from Steve Jobs garage to our back pocket?)

Instead Thompson is at his most effective when he is dissecting what it is about culture that makes it such a potent social tool.

Art, in its appeal to emotion, can override rationality, he notes. Fear, he writes, motivates faster than hope and appeals to emotion do not rely on the truth.

How the rational brain might counter the barrage of cultural string-pulling that we experience on a daily basis, and how the world of culture might save itself from becoming a mere tool, Thompson doesnt say. But Culture as Weapon provides a compelling manual for determining how the manipulation begins.

::

Culture as Weapon: The Art of Influence in Everyday Life

by Nato Thompson

Melville House: 288 pp., $27

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carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstah
Lourdes Ramos, who for the past dozen years has led the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in San Juan as executive director and chief curator, has been named the new president and chief executive of the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach. She will be the first Latina to hold the post.

We were looking for someone with the academic qualifications that Lourdes has, that could give us curatorial direction, says Robert Braun, co-chair of the museums board of directors. Thats very important. Wed like to see the museum become a thought leader in the field of Latin American, Latino and Chicano art.

Ramos brings plenty of museum experience to the job.

Prior to her tenure at the Museo de Arte, she was was the director of the San Juan City Museum and the National Collection of Puerto Rico at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. She received a masters degree in fine arts from Illinois State University and her doctorate, in the same subject, from the University of Barcelona in Spain. She is also an accreditation commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums, which is how she first came to the attention of the board at MOLAA.

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She was the head of the accreditation team, says Braun, who also sits on the board of the Long Beach Opera. I could tell the type of woman she was, her leadership skills, and, really, how much she cares for the whole Latin American art perspective.

At the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico she managed both the museums financials and the curatorial program.

She recently led the [museum] through a strategic planning process focused on audience development, building the collection and ensuring financial stability, says Braun. MOLAA will begin that process when she comes in  developing a new strategic plan.

Ramos, a native of Puerto Rico, arrives at the museum at a crucial period. MOLAA, which marked its 20th anniversary last year, has been without a director since the previous president, Stuart Ashman, left the institution last summer to join the Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe in New Mexico.

The museum is also in the process of bouncing back from a financially turbulent period that began in 2009, after the death of its founder, Robert Gumbiner, left the institution facing annual deficits. In 2012, Ashman slashed budgets and laid off staff, stabilizing the financial picture  and within a year, the museum was back in the black.

In the process, MOLAA has rebounded in other ways. Last year, the institution received accreditation from the AAM (making it easier to secure important loans) and it has undertaken innovative new partnerships.

This summer, the museum is teaming with Long Beach Opera to debut Frida, a new opera by Robert Xavier Rodriguez about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Currently, the museum is displaying a career retrospective of the work of groundbreaking Los Angeles painter Frank Romero.

But the exhibition program has remained uneven. This, says Braun, is where Ramos curatorial experience comes in: She has helped organize exhibitions on myriad subjects, including shows devoted to Puerto Rican impressionist Francisco Oller and 80s New York painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was half Puerto Rican.

Its really about shaking up the program and the vision, he says, and to really bring in thought-provoking exhibitions.

Ramos assumes her new role on May 1.

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carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstah

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There were firm handshakes.

Intense eye contact.

And the sincere repetition of first names.

Over the weekend, in a bare-walled art gallery on Highland Avenue, well-scrubbed job seekers came, resumes in hand, to connect with prospective employers.

But this was a job fair with a twist: All the employers are in the cannabis business. And almost without exception, their companies are growing explosively.

Sales-wise, we are doubling every year, said Leo Dai, 33, who owns Growers Choice, an indoor light company in the City of Industry. Dai had come to recruit for sales and customer service jobs. Knowledge of horticultural lighting fixtures, while helpful, was not a must.

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Our product sells itself, he said. Our customers are educated. They know what they want.

Nearly 900 people signed up for the free fair on Eventbrite; about 200 showed up to chat with a dozen or so employers, who had paid less than $400 to attend. Employers included cannabis cultivators, edibles manufacturers, dispensaries and a cannabis trade magazine.

This is not a revenue generator for us, said Michael Ray of San Francisco-based Bloom Farms, the job fair sponsor. Its more of a community service. And the truth is, by organizing it, we get first crack at the best candidates.

So far, Ray has organized seven or eight job fairs. Bigger, he has learned, is not better. One fair in Oakland drew 2,000 job seekers, far too chaotic. You cant really get to know someone in two minutes if you have a line behind you thats 20 people long.

Now, he brings in fewer employers and caps attendance. Over time, hundreds of people have found work.

Everything is coming out of the shadows in the cannabis space, Ray said. And just like any other industry, we need an organized system to bring qualified job seekers together with top level brands.

Last year, the cannabis website, Leafly, estimated that the legal cannabis industry employs about 122,000 people full-time. A third of the jobs are based in California. Now that the states voters have approved recreational marijuana, that number is, of course, expected to skyrocket. Arcview Market Research estimates the legal cannabis industry in the U.S. at about $6.8 billion in 2016. It is expected to more than triple by 2020.

I told Ray I was surprised not to smell even a whiff of cannabis anywhere.

Well, we urge people to leave it at home for this kind of event, he said. We are all very cannabis friendly, but there is a time and a place for it.

::

When I approached Gay Gelman, she was deep in conversation with Emmanuel Madrigal, a first-year student at Ventura College who is interested in brand marketing. From the look on his face, it seemed Gelman was giving him bad news.

She was being realistic, Madrigal told me a few minutes later. I acknowledge her skepticism, but thats because I am young. Im just 18. I legally couldnt even get into the business before.

Gelman does not need branding help. She is already working with an acclaimed Chicago company, the Adrienne Weiss Corp., which has created logos for Baskin Robbins, DiGiorno pizza and a host of other famous brands.

What she needs is a few good sales reps for her new company, Upside Edibles, which makes high-quality cannabis-infused chocolate-covered fruit. Gelman, 73, owns an event-marketing company in Illinois, and was inspired to start her L.A.-based edibles business by her two sisters, who were helped enormously by medical cannabis during bouts with cancer.

She anticipates her sales reps will be able to earn six figures easily.

I have found many great people here today, she said. And some who are clueless. But mostly, I am blown away by the caliber of the people. Its amazing to me how many just cant stand their jobs and want to get out of them, and they are passionate about cannabis.

Kaiya Bercow of Utopia Farms in Santa Cruz takes a card from a job seeker, right, who asked not to be identified because he works for a bank. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

Kaiya Bercow, 27, an indoor grower in Santa Cruz whose company, Utopia Farms, sells flowers, extracts and edibles to dispensaries, was looking for a Southern California account manager. Weve been hiring based on world of mouth, said Bercow, who has 20 employees. Were here to make better use of our resources.

Across the way, at a table for the West Los Angeles dispensary BSE, its 41-year-old owner Zahur Lalji was telling a young man, Everyone starts at the bottom, and you work your way up as fast as you can. The young man did not want to give his name; he is a bank branch manager and wasnt keen on exposing himself to his employer.

Poster for cannabis job fair at LAM Gallery in Los Angeles (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

As it happens, Lalji spent 20 years in banking before leaping into cannabis. It was nice to see someone coming from the banking industry, he said, but what bothered me is he didnt know enough about this industry. When I left banking, I spent nine months doing my homework. Most people dont take the time to do that, because they still think this is a very lax industry. Which most dispensaries still are: They want a hot girl as a budtender. Thats their criteria. I want the smartest guy.

He needs four new employees. On Tuesday afternoon he told me hed already scheduled six interviews and was looking forward to more. He makes new employees volunteer for 40 hours before deciding whether they fit in, he told me. That sounded kind of funky to me, but he said, I do compensate them. I did not ask how.

Over at the table for MG, a trade magazine that is distributed to dispensaries, Stephanie Smith made some notes on a resume. The publication is looking for advertising salespeople, and shed just spoken with a 40-something-year-old man, who looked into her eyes as he spoke, and grasped her hand.

I dont know if hed be good for sales, she said. His handshake was so hard that it hurt my hand. You need to be able to read the person youre dealing with.

So what did you write down? I asked.

She held up the resume: Ouch.

Drew Rothe, left, who is recruiting drivers for the cannabis delivery service Eaze, chats with Stevie Ray-Vance, who recently moved to L.A. from Denver, and is looking to break into the cannabis industry (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

More columns 

For more on politics 

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

ALSO

Los Angeles may finally get cannabis right, and help minorities get a stake in the industry

Your business is legal, but you cant use banks. Welcome to the cannabis all-cash nightmare

Legalization is opening doors for new marijuana entrepreneurs. Are we about to see a pot gold rush?

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USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook

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State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding  which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million  is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook

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Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook

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Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook

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6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook

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Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook

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This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education.  What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook

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USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary  at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions  longtime stalwarts of the party  and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook

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Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans  saying repeatedly, stay tuned  but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook

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Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook

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The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers  members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees  marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook

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Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook

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School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook

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Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner  whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook

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UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook

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We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook

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Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook

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School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist  who has agreed to modify the artwork  to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook

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New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook

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More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook

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New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event  his first speech and news conference  with a photogenic background of students. His message  that he would put those students first  seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook

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In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook

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Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp  months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military  retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator  largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook

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Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook

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Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook

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Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook

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Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook

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Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook

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Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook

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UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook

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A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook

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After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman  who also was black  that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American  the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook

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El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook

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Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged  and pressured  the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members  enough to control the outcome  were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it  because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook

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Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook

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L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people  12 students and one teacher  killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests  written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut  the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students  at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet  plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook

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Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends  a 16-year-old boy  made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook

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Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus  which the president said is less than 55% white  that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook

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The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces  an arch and a garden  after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook

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L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook

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Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook

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Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook

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Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook

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Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook

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Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract  the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling  approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies  better known as CAVA  had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook

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School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years  a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook

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Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation  not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook

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Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook

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Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook

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New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook

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Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading  and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results  out Monday night  were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook

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Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired  some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook

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Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she said. Read More Facebook

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Kentucky teachers rally at Capitol over state budget By Associated Press Thousands of Kentucky teachers filled the streets near the state Capitol in Frankfort on a cold, overcast Monday to rally for education funding. Teachers and other school employees gathered outside the Kentucky Education Assn. a couple of blocks from the Capitol chanting, Stop the war on public education and holding or posting signs that say, Weve Had Enough. Were madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today, said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal. Read More Facebook

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A Los Angeles-based charter school network on Monday defended its spending practices  speaking out for the first time since The Times published a story documenting a history of potential conflicts of interest and questionable use of public money.

Leading up to the publication of the story, Celerity Educational Groups founder and former CEO Vielka McFarlane declined to speak to reporters. When The Times sent Celerity and its lawyer a list of questions about its finances, the network said it was having difficulty providing answers because many of its computers and records had been seized when federal agents raided its offices in late January.

The nonprofit organization, which currently runs seven schools in Los Angeles County and four in Louisiana, remains the subject of a federal inquiry. It is also under investigation by the inspector general of the Los Angeles Unified School District. No one at Celerity, including McFarlane, has been charged with a crime stemming from the schools operations.

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On Monday evening, the network sent parents a newsletter with a detailed response that criticized the press coverage as full of numerous errors and insinuations.

The newsletter justified McFarlanes 2013 income of $471,842  about 35% more than the salary of the superintendent of L.A. Unified  as comparable with peer organizations in the education world.

It said that her base pay was $257,000, plus a $10,680 auto allowance, and that it had reached nearly half a million dollars because she had been paid for unused vacation time.

Celerity Educational Groups credit card statements, which The Times obtained through a public records request, show that when McFarlane was the networks CEO she paid for expensive meals and hotel stays with a credit card belonging to her nonprofit organization, which receives the bulk of its funding from the state. Asked if she ever repaid Celerity, McFarlane and Celeritys lawyer did not comment.

Yet the networks newsletter said that many of these expenses were appropriate and were paid for by Celerity Educational Groups parent organization, Celerity Global Development, which McFarlane currently runs.

The newsletter conceded that some of these transactions were personal expenses mistakenly put on the school credit card, which Ms. McFarlane paid back. It offered no evidence of repayment and did not say how much McFarlane reimbursed her schools.

The Times also reviewed financial records showing that McFarlane had steered hundreds of thousands of public dollars to several companies providing services to her schools. State records show the companies are registered to her and list their addresses as either Celerity Educationals or Globals offices.

Celeritys newsletter states that McFarlane does not own any of these companies and was never paid by them. It did not address The Times finding that McFarlane has employed both her brother and her son at entities that work for her schools.

Celeritys decision to speak out comes as the organization is ramping up its efforts to build public support for its schools and bolster its reputation.

Two of its charter schools, Celerity Dyad in South L.A. and Celerity Troika in the Eagle Rock neighborhood, are in danger of being closed if the State Board of Education does not agree to renew them. The board is expected to vote on the matter this spring.

L.A. Unified and the Los Angeles County Board of Education both have refused to authorize the schools, basing their decisions on mounting concern that Celeritys leaders may have misused public funds and attempted to obscure their actions behind multiple layers of bureaucracy.

Now more than ever, our community leaders need to hear from our families, Celerity urged in its newsletter.

To read the article in spanish, click here

anna.phillips@latimes.com

Twitter: @annamphillips
A 15-year-old former student was arrested Tuesday after allegedly tweeting that Chino High School needs a good shooting and suggesting that he would repeat the Columbine massacre, according to authorities.

The teen posted two messages about 2:30 p.m. on Twitter, saying, Im recreating Columbine! and Chino needs a good shooting, said Bob Dowling, founder and president of the Tactical Institute, a Washington, D.C., organization that monitors social media for threatening statements and notifies law enforcement agencies and other organizations and institutions.

After spotting the threats, his group notified Chino High officials, who called police.

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The Chino Police Department identified the teen as an Ontario boy who had been expelled from the high school, said Tamrin Olden, a department spokeswoman. He was arrested at his home on suspicion of making criminal threats and taken to the San Bernardino County Juvenile and Assessment Center. His identity was not released because he is a minor.

Police who searched the boys home in Ontario did not find any weapons, she said.

We dont believe there are any additional threats to the students and staff at Chino High, she said.

According to police, the threat was made after classes had ended.

Nevertheless, police remained on high alert after learning about the tweets, Olden said.

Columbine High School outside Denver was the scene of one of the nations worst massacres. On April 20, 1999, two heavily armed students killed 12 high schoolers and one teacher. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold injured 24 other students, then committed suicide.

In a statement sent to parents, the Chino Valley Unified School District said classes would be in session Wednesday and Thursday. Spring break starts on Friday.

We are grateful that someone saw something and said something, the district said. All threats are taken seriously and once notified, the district and Police Department worked together in partnership to keep our students safe.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
Residents of the upper Central Valley were told to seek shelter immediately Tuesday afternoon as a turbulent weather system moved across Northern California and triggered the first tornado warnings of the year for the region, the National Weather Service said.

The weather services offices in Sacramento and Hanford issued tornado warnings about 12:20 p.m. and then again about 1:45 p.m. A funnel cloud was spotted above Turlock but no one witnessed it touch down, said NWS forecaster Brooke Bingaman.

The storm dropped up to three-quarters of an inch of rain in 30 minutes at one point, flooding streets in downtown Sacramento. Lightning exploded a tree and damaged three homes, Bingaman said.

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 Take Cover! Tornado Warning including Winton CA, Cressey CA, Snelling CA until 1:45 PM PDT pic.twitter.com/CObjVyFwne  NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) March 21, 2017

California averages about 10 tornadoes a year, most, if not all, on the low end of the Enhanced Fujita scale that goes from 0 to 5, officials said.

The tornado warnings come as the state transitions out of its traditional rainy period into the warmer spring, Bingaman said.

That transition is fraught with turbulence, she said.

We still have cold winter storms moving over California and those storms have very cold air up above. But we have sunshine and the surface air gets really warm, she explained. Warm air wants to rise, cold air wants to sink. That makes the atmosphere topsy turvy.

In Oakdale where lightening hit a tree and caused a fire. Three homes damaged. Power out in the area. pic.twitter.com/Gda1ZEWPqG  Erin Tracy (@ModestoBeeCrime) March 21, 2017

Hail the size of marbles was reported in Oakdale and wind gusts were clocked above 40 mph in the Sacramento Valley, the weather service said.

Another storm series is expected across the region over the weekend that could drop as much as a foot of snow in the Sierra Nevada and several inches of rain in the valley and foothills. But because the last two weeks have been relatively dry, the storms shouldnt flood low-lying communities as did storms in previous months, Bingaman said.

California is in the middle of its wettest year in decades and possibly its rainiest year on record. The state has been hit with more than 30 so-called atmospheric rivers, warm storms from the Pacific that carry massive amounts of rain that have saturated much of the state and built up the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
A rare species of frog that all but disappeared from the Santa Monica Mountains nearly 100 years ago has been found breeding on its own again in the coastal range, officials announced Wednesday.

National Park Service rangers and scientists who surveyed the mountains mossy, muddy creeks on March 14 found nine egg masses belonging to the California red-legged frog, a species popularized by Mark Twains The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County in 1865, Park Service officials said.

A single egg mass can contain 1,000 to 3,000 eggs, said Park Service ecologist Katy Delaney, who spearheaded the frogs replenishment program.

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The egg masses were likely laid by newly matured frogs that were part of the first class of eggs the Park Service introduced into the wild in 2014. That year, scientists took about 350 eggs from the only known population of red-legged frogs in the mountains, a small group located in the Simi Hills, to the north, and put them in a protective pen in a stream where they eventually hatched and were released.

Since then scientists have relocated batches of eggs from the Simi Hills population in groups of 400 to 500 every year and placed them in four locations across the Santa Monica Mountain range  one on the western edge of the mountains and three in the central area, Delaney said.

The egg masses found last week are the first sign the population is sustaining itself without human assistance, Delaney said.

I dont think its too much to stay that this could be the start of a comeback. This wouldve never happened naturally, Delaney said, before joking, They wouldve never gotten across the freeway the way we drive them.

According to the Park Service, the California red-legged frog nearly vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains in the 1920s and 1930s when ranchers introduced the invasive crayfish, a 3-inch-long crustacean thats used as fish bait and eats fish, insects, eggs, tadpoles and everything in between.

A single red-legged frog was spotted in the 1970s. In 1999, the first population of red-legged frogs was found in Simi Hills and contained about 100 adults, Delaney said. Only two other populations of the species are known to exist in Los Angeles County and neither one is in the Santa Monica Mountains, the park service said.

The red-legged frog is the only species missing from the parks ecosystem and because the species is so sensitive to its environment, experts view it as an indicator of the ecosystems overall health, officials said.

When the surveyors revealed their discovery to Delaney, there was a lot of shouting, whooping and high-fiving, she said. Im really happy for every single milestone, but this is sort of the one weve been looking for.

Park officials declined to specify where the egg masses were found or where the other relocation sites were so they could remain undisturbed by humans. Park scientists will relocate more eggs from the Simi Valley population in the spring and if they receive more funding, in the years to follow, Delaney said.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
Two students at a Riverside County high school were arrested this week after officials learned that the pair were allegedly planning to carry out an on-campus shooting.

Police were notified Monday afternoon of the potentially deadly plot at Banning High School in Banning, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles.

Witnesses overheard an unnamed student making threats to open fire Tuesday, according to the Banning Police Department.

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Investigators mobilized and recovered evidence that allegedly shows two students had planned an active shooter-type incident, police said in a statement.

The specifics of the alleged plot were not disclosed.

The students, both 15 years old, were arrested and booked on suspicion of criminal threats; they are being held in Riverside County Juvenile Hall. Their names were not released.

Felicia Adkins, a Banning Unified School District administrator, told KCBS-TV that police searched the two students homes and did not find any weapons.

There is no threat to Banning High School and students at this time, Adkins told the news station.

Police asked anyone with information about the alleged plot to contact Banning police at (951) 922-3170.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattHjourno
Officials continued their plans Wednesday to demolish 10 dams throughout the Santa Ana mountains, starting with three along Silverado Creek.

About a dozen community members protested the Orange County demolition Tuesday and Wednesday near the Maple Springs Visitor Center, authorities said.

Residents and visitors say the dams in Silverado Canyon create beloved swimming holes, and they dont want to see the area and wildlife disrupted by razed debris. But biologists have captured animals to relocate them, and demolition blasts will go no farther than about 50 feet, said Cleveland National Forest spokeswoman Olivia Walker.

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On Tuesday, the Forest Service compromised with protesters: Instead of demolishing five dams along Silverado Creek, theyll leave two alone  for now.

Our goal is ecological restoration, said Darrell Vance, the agencys Trabuco District ranger. But it sounds like those swimming holes are more important to folks around here than the dams themselves.

Eventually, those dams will have to come down too, he added. In the meantime, were going to try and figure out a way to keep those swimming holes intact after the dams are gone.

The other dams the agency is demolishing this month are in Holy Jim and San Juan creeks.

The dams, which range from 12-feet high and 60-feet wide to 4-feet high and 30-feet wide, were built between the 1940s and the 1970s and werent meant to be permanent, Walker said. They initially were used for fishing and to provide a source of water, which is obviously not needed anymore, she said.

Theyve sat unmaintained for decades and prevent wildlife like steelhead trout and toads from traveling upstream, she said.

They serve zero purpose, Walker said.

Ed Amador, president of the nonprofit Canyon Land Conservation Fund, called the demolition a tragic event for the arroyo toads that are supposed to breed in the area.

But Walker said he is misinformed. There are no arroyo toads that live there. Were actually destroying these dams so that arroyo toads can live there.

Times staff reporter Louis Sahagun contributed to this report.
A Southern California woman has been accused of running a fake rescue organization and selling sick puppies to unsuspecting families.

Megan Ann Hoechstetter, 42, was charged Monday with 20 misdemeanor counts of keeping an animal without proper care and two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse by a caretaker, according to the Orange County district attorneys office. She is scheduled to be arraigned April 28 in Newport Beach.

The Irvine Police Department launched an investigation into Hoechstetters fake organization, Pawlosophy, in January when they received a report from a family saying their puppy named Bailey died from parvovirus just eight days after they adopted the animal from her.

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On Jan. 11, police contacted Hoechstetter as she was selling six puppies from the trunk of her vehicle, according to the district attorneys office. Police later searched her hotel room in Cypress, where they found 13 sick puppies, prosecutors said.

Hoechstetter was arrested after the discovery, police said.

The Irvine Police Departments Animal Services unit removed 19 puppies from the hotel and Hoechstetters vehicle, authorities said. Nine puppies have been nursed back to health and were made available for adoption Wednesday.

Police later discovered that 155 people had purchased sick puppies from Hoechstetter. Authorities said Hoechstetter abused and neglected more than 100 puppies from March 21, 2014, to March 1 this year.

According to prosecutors, Hoechstetter advertised puppies through her website and claimed she was running an animal rescue operation. However, Hoechstetters business was not a legitimate rescue organization, police said.

Authorities believe she may have acquired the puppies from Mexico and sold each 8-week-old puppy for $400.

Hoechstetter apparently knew that the puppies were sickly and that they did not have proper veterinary care, but she still failed to disclose the infections to families buying the dogs, according to the district attorneys office. The puppies suffered from viral and parasitic infections, including coccidia, giardia and parvovirus.

Authorities said 30 dogs died or had to be euthanized after they were adopted. Most of the dogs suffered from severe diarrhea.

Anyone interested in adopting one of the nine puppies that were rescued is urged to call Irvine Animal Care Center Supervisor Jim Warren at (949) 724-7162. To view photos of the puppies, visit the centers website.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
The manufacturer of the powerful painkiller OxyContin on Tuesday asked a judge to dismiss a novel lawsuit by a city seeking to hold the company financially responsible for a raging opioid epidemic sparked by illicit trafficking.

In a motion filed in federal court in Seattle, attorneys for Purdue Pharma wrote that the suit by Everett, Wash., suffered from multiple, independent legal failings  including statute of limitations problems and a failure to demonstrate a close connection between the companys conduct and the criminal acts of drug dealers and addicts.

[T]here is no basis in law for a municipality to bring such an action against a pharmaceutical manufacturer, Purdues lawyers wrote.

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Everett, a blue-collar city of 100,000 people on Puget Sound, filed the first-of-its-kind lawsuit in January, prompted by a Times investigation of the companys internal security team.

The newspaper revealed how lawyers, analysts and investigators at Purdues Connecticut headquarters had worked to identify corrupt physicians and pharmacies colluding with OxyContin traffickers and addicts but, in many cases, did not share the information with law enforcement or cut off the flow of pills.

One Los Angeles ring tracked by Purdue and highlighted by The Times supplied large quantities of OxyContin to gang members and other criminals who trafficked the drug to a Crips leader in Everett between 2008 and 2010. That dealer sold the highly addictive pills to low-level dealers, who blanketed the entire region.

Many addicts later switched to heroin, a cheaper opioid.

By the time Purdue shared what it knew about the L.A. ring with law enforcement years later, a million pills had spilled onto the black market, and the ringleaders were under indictment.

Everett claimed in its lawsuit that the heroin crisis gripping the city is directly attributable to Purdues callous and unconscionable practices. The city said the company should cover the costs of stepped-up policing, drug treatment, homeless outreach and other services  a figure the mayor estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Purdue was successful last month in moving the case from the state courthouse in Everett to federal court, traditionally seen as a more friendly venue for corporations.

In the dismissal request Tuesday, company attorneys wrote that even if U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez accepted all of Everetts allegations as true, the case still was legally defective and should be thrown out.

Everett lacked standing to sue, the lawyers wrote, in part because the U.S. Justice Department is responsible for enforcing federal law governing narcotics manufacturers. Allowing other parties to go after drug companies would create disarray with respect to the federal regulatory framework governing prescription medications, they wrote.

In addition, Purdues lawyers said that Everett should be barred from seeking damages because OxyContin trafficking into the city had occurred outside the four-year statute of limitations for consumer protection violations alleged by the city.

They also contended that the role Everett accused Purdue of playing in criminal trafficking was too removed for the company to pay the citys costs. A whole range of other parties, from wholesalers to pharmacists to traffickers to street dealers to addicts, also were part of the chain, they noted.

Simply put, this theory of causation is, as a matter of law, too attenuated and remote to meet the legal requirements of proximate cause, they wrote.

They also argued that the suit was flawed because law enforcement, aware that black-market OxyContin was a problem, had been investigating the L.A. ring and the Everett Crips leader during some of the years in question.

As The Times reported last year, the companys security team possessed a trove of highly detailed evidence of illicit OxyContin sales  including prescribing data, pharmacy sales records, field reports and surveillance information  that allowed Purdue to quickly identify problems.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents who helped bring down the L.A. ring and local investigators in Everett who arrested the gang leader there did not have that information and told the paper it would have aided their work.

In a statement, an Everett spokeswoman said officials look forward to presenting our arguments to the court refuting Purdues position.

harriet.ryan@latimes.com

@latimesharriet

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Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell says he understands the struggles of immigrants trying to make a better life in America.

His parents moved to Boston from Ireland a year before he was born. His father was a laborer whose gigs included digging ditches.

But McDonnell now finds himself walking a political tightrope, breaking ranks with many other Los Angeles politicians by opposing a sanctuary state bill that aims to prevent federal immigration agents from taking custody of people being released from California jails.

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In deep blue, immigrant-rich California, its proven to be good politics for officials to stand up to President Trumps policies, especially over his promise of mass deportation for people in the U.S. illegally. But McDonnell and some other sheriffs who oversee jails say they have no choice but to make a stand against a sanctuary proposal that they believe is more likely to hurt immigrants than protect them.

I am not a Trump guy. I am not an anti-Trump guy, McDonnell said. I am just a cop. I am about protecting public safety. I am getting hit by the Trump administration  one day and then the next day getting called anti-immigrant.

The sanctuary state bill is being pushed by Democratic leaders in Sacramento as a way of shielding people in California illegally from Trumps policies.

But McDonnell says the bill would have unintended consequences for immigrant communities. If immigration agents cannot pick up people from the jails, he said, they will go looking for those people on the streets, instilling fear among immigrants and making them less likely to cooperate with law enforcement in criminal cases.

They are going to have no choice but to go into the communities and arrest not only the individual they are seeking but also people who are with that person, or other people in the area who are undocumented, McDonnell said. That is something none of us want.

Other sheriffs, including Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, have voiced similar objections. The California State Sheriffs Assn. opposes the bill. But McDonnell is parting ways with other officials in L.A. County, where supervisors Hilda Solis and Sheila Kuehl, as well as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, are among those who support the bill.

Charlie Beck, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, where McDonnell spent most of his career before becoming Long Beach police chief and then sheriff, said Tuesday that he agrees with the bills underlying tenets, though he wants to make sure it does not protect criminals.

As the overseer of L.A.s massive jail system, McDonnell is facing high stakes. Even without the sanctuary state bill, the L.A. County Sheriffs Department is at risk of losing federal funding if Trump makes good on his threat to punish law enforcement agencies that do not help with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. On Monday, the Trump administration named the L.A. County Sheriffs Department on a list of local agencies that endanger Americans by failing to hand over all of the jail inmates requested by immigration authorities.

For decades, law enforcement agencies in California and beyond have been wrestling with how to deal with people here illegally.

Under Special Order 40, adopted in 1979, LAPD officers may not approach people solely to inquire about immigration status.

Sheriffs deputies who patrol county streets follow a similar policy. In its jails, however, the Sheriffs Department cooperates with immigration authorities in a limited fashion.

The names and fingerprints of people booked into L.A. County jails are automatically sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who identify those they would like to pick up. The Sheriffs Department also forwards lists of inmates who are scheduled to be released soon.

Last year, Los Angeles County jail officials handed about 1,000 inmates to immigration agents  a small fraction of the more than 300,000 people released from the jails that year.

In California, sheriffs can comply with ICE requests, known as hold requests, to hand over only inmates who have been arrested for certain serious or violent crimes or who have prior convictions for certain crimes.

The sanctuary state bill, SB 54, which was introduced by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), would limit the information ICE receives about inmates in county jails, making it harder for immigration agents to know who is behind bars.

Under the bill, sheriffs would not be able to share databases with ICE or provide an inmates release date.

Hold requests, which are typically used by ICE to request an inmate, allow the inmate to be held for an extra 48 hours and would be barred under the bill. Requests to notify ICE of an inmates release date or help with an inmates transfer would also be barred by the bill.

Sheriffs would still be able to notify federal authorities about inmates who have been convicted of certain violent felonies, but the list of crimes is narrower than currently allowed by California law. And the notification would be made to the FBI, not ICE.

What, in effect, this would do is say we could not talk to ICE about who is in our custody, and we cannot tell them when someone is going to be released, said Hutchens, the Orange County sheriff. Then, they get released to the street, and I am talking about violent, convicted felons.

Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said that under the bill, sheriffs will still forward inmates fingerprints to federal authorities. He accused McDonnell of colluding with ICE to destroy the bill instead of trying to improve it.

It is pretty unfortunate that he appears to be siding with the Trump administration in opposition to the most important human rights bill of a generation, perhaps, Newman said.

In addition to the provisions specific to county jails, the sanctuary state bill contains a general prohibition against local law enforcement agencies assisting in any type of immigration enforcement.

Claude Arnold, a retired special agent who was in charge of ICEs Los Angeles region, said that the bill, if enacted, could lead to a showdown with federal officials, who might subpoena a police agencys records or sue the agency in court.

It forces sheriffs and police departments to harbor aliens  a federal crime, he said.

In a March 9 letter to De Leon explaining his opposition to the bill, McDonnell raised the specter of immigration agents casting a wide net in local communities after being shut out of the jails. He also wrote that the list of violent felonies where sheriffs would be permitted to notify federal authorities is too narrow, leaving out crimes including assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an occupied dwelling and rape of an unconscious victim.

Deporting dangerous people makes immigrant communities safer, McDonnell said.

I look at myself as a son of immigrants, and I feel somewhat sensitive about the needs of that community, he said. But at the same time, we dont want to put predators back in the communities from where they came, to victimize people over and over again.

Alejandra Valles of SEIU addresses supporters of state sanctuary bill SB 54 at rally held outside the Hall of Justice against Sheriff Jim McDonnell who is opposing the bill. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

On Tuesday, supporters of the bill protested outside the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles, where McDonnell occupies a corner office high above the city, accusing him of siding with the Trump administration and its plans to ramp up deportations.

Carrying signs and chanting in Spanish for the sheriff to listen to them, the protesters tried to enter the building and were blocked by security guards who held the doors shut.

We are going to remember which side McDonnell was on, Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said at a news conference on the steps. We understand the Department of Homeland Security is bullying Sheriff McDonnell into joining its deportation force.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

cindy.chang@latimes.com

richard.winton@latimes.com

Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.

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As representatives from more than 60 nations gathered here to share strategies on defeating Islamic State, U.S. helicopters ferried hundreds of Syrian fighters into a battle Wednesday in southern Syria in a major new offensive.

During the night, U.S. helicopters carried nearly 500 Syrian fighters for the first time behind the militants defensive lines near the Tabqa Dam, about 25 miles west of Raqqah, the militants self-declared capital and a crucial stronghold, according to the Pentagon.

Marines fired artillery while Apache helicopters delivered airstrikes, and Special Forces advisors worked with Syrian commanders to direct the assault, which aimed to retake the dam and a nearby airfield, Pentagon officials said.

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Col. Joseph Scrocca, a U.S. spokesman based in Baghdad, said in a teleconference with Pentagon reporters that the Americans supported the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Arab and Kurdish rebel groups that operates chiefly in northern Syria.

Our advisors are advising, he said. They are not fighting on the front line.

The operation is expected to take weeks, he said. Retaking the dam, under Islamic State control since 2013, is considered a critical step to cutting the militants supply lines and defensive positions around Raqqah.

The offensive came as foreign ministers and other delegations from 68 nations and international organizations in the U.S.-led coalition gathered at the State Department for their first full meeting since 2014.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the Trump administration views defeating Islamic State as its number one goal in the region.

Hard-fought victories in Syria and Iraq have swung the momentum in our coalitions favor, but we must intensify our efforts and solidify our gains in the next phase of the counter-ISIS fight, said Tillerson, using an acronym for Islamic State.

While his remarks were short on specifics, Tillerson offered a glimpse of a new U.S. strategy as the militants come under growing pressure.

Tillerson said the United States will work to establish interim zones of stability, through cease-fires, to allow refugees to return home, using language that suggests creation of no-fly zones to protect refugees in northern Syria.

The Obama administration resisted creating no-fly zones because it said doing so would tie up too many aircraft and other military resources. During the presidential campaign, both Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, said they favored creating such havens.

Tillerson did not say where, when or how safe havens would be created, or how they would operate. But there are patches along the Syrian border with Turkey where Turkish troops and others have enforced cease-fires.

Tillerson made clear he was not committing to an open-ended U.S. presence in Syria.

As a coalition, we are not in the business of reconstruction or nation-building, he said.

He urged the other nations to contribute more to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State, and to help rebuild Syria.

Circumstances on the ground require more of all of you, Tillerson said. He said the coalition had identified $2 billion in humanitarian needs, including infrastructure and de-mining, for the millions of people displaced in the fighting.

We will continue to facilitate the return of people to their homes and work with local political leadership, he said. They will provide stable and fair governance, rebuild infrastructure and provide essential services.

The Pentagon has about 5,200 troops in Iraq and 1,000 in Syria. They rely on local ground forces to carry out combat operations, while the U.S. and its allies provide intelligence, launch airstrikes and fire artillery to support the ground attacks.

Over the last year, the combined attacks have pushed the Sunni militants from most major cities in Iraq. Despite a five-month U.S.-backed assault, heavy fighting is still underway to retake the groups remaining stronghold in Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city.

The challenge is tougher in Syria, where a separate multi-sided civil war has drawn Russia and Iran as backers of President Bashar Assads government. The U.S. and its allies oppose Assad and try to focus on fighting Islamic State and its allies.

On Wednesday, humanitarian groups said at least 30 civilians were killed when an airstrike hit a school in Mansoura, south of Raqqah. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group that relies on activists in Syria, said people had been using the facility for shelter.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter

william.hennigan@latimes.com
U.S. intelligence agencies inadvertently intercepted communications involving the Trump transition team late last year, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday, a disclosure that President Trump said somewhat vindicated his claim that he was wiretapped by President Obama.

But Democrats immediately disputed that claim, asserting that the intercepts appeared to be court-authorized intelligence gathering that did not target Trump or his aides and may not have disclosed their names even in classified intelligence reports.

Rather than confirming Trumps claims, the disclosures by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), chairman of the House committee, sparked a political uproar that threatened to obliterate attempts to conduct a bipartisan congressional investigation into whether Trump campaign aides coordinated with Russian intelligence agencies during the 2016 presidential race.

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Nunes said he had learned of dozens of classified reports that recounted communications between members of Trumps transition team  and possibly the then-president-elect himself  and individuals who were legally targeted for government eavesdropping for foreign intelligence.

When asked by a reporter whether he felt vindicated by the disclosure, Trump responded, I somewhat do. I must tell you, I somewhat do. I very much appreciated the fact that they found what they found.

Although Nunes said the surveillance had picked up Trump transition officials inadvertently and appeared to be authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, he said he was alarmed that details about U.S. persons involved in the incoming administration with little or no apparent foreign intelligence value were widely disseminated in intelligence community reports.

In response, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, the top Democrat on the House committee, blasted Nunes for going to the White House and briefing Trump on the material before he shared it with other members of the committee.

The chairman will either need to decide if hes leading an investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House. Because he cannot do both, Schiff said at a Capitol Hill news conference.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) speaks with reporters on Wednesday. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

He called Nunes actions a profound irregularity, adding, I have expressed my grave concerns with the chairman that a credible investigation cannot be conducted this way.

The unusual brawl between the two Californians came two days after they led a nationally televised House hearing that showed an unusual degree of comity and bipartisan cooperation. That goal now appears in jeopardy.

Chairman Nunes is deeply compromised and he cannot possibly lead an honest investigation, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco).

During Mondays hearing, FBI Director James B. Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers said they had no information to confirm Trumps claims on Twitter that he was wiretapped.

Comey also disclosed that the FBI was conducting a counter-intelligence investigation into whether Trumps aides coordinated with Russian authorities. That investigation began last July and officials said Wednesday it was separate from the surveillance Nunes disclosed.

Nunes and other Republicans used the five-hour hearing to argue that leaks of classified information, especially those involving U.S. surveillance, were a threat to national security and should be prosecuted.

The actual targets of the surveillance that picked up the Trump teams conversations were not disclosed. It could have involved foreign diplomats based in the United States or other foreign government officials.

Nunes implied that unidentified sources who provided him the information came from within the intelligence community. Former congressional aides disputed Nunes claim that intelligence officials had acted improperly in conducting the surveillance or circulating the reports.

Without knowing exactly what was brought to Nunes, its hard to know whether or not this is serious or the normal course of business of our intelligence community trying to figure out what foreign governments are up to, said Mieke Eoyang, a former House Intelligence Committee staffer who is now with Third Way, a Washington think tank.

Essential Washington: Updates on the Trump administration and the rest of Washington 

Under the law, identities of Americans whose communications are picked up by intelligence eavesdropping of foreign targets are supposed to be kept confidential unless the conversations relate to espionage or some other potential crime that warrants further investigation.

Details about Americans picked up by surveillance can also be included in intelligence reports circulated within the government  a step known as unmasking  if senior officials decided that the information is necessary to understand the intelligence.

The FBI is required to get a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a federal law governing eavesdropping, in order to intercept telephone conversations, emails, texts and other types of communications involving foreign intelligence operatives and Americans suspected of espionage.

As long as the identities of Trump transition officials were properly masked, intelligence agencies would have few qualms about circulating intelligence reports about what a foreign leader said, especially if the conversation seemed to touch on possible policy changes by the foreign government, the former officials said.

U.S. intelligence agencies are always trying to gather information about possible policy shifts by foreign governments, and their conversations with transition officials would be a possible source of such information, former officials say.

It is also possible that such reports were written to leave little doubt that the foreign officials conversations had been with a Trump transition official, they said.

In some cases, intelligence officials may have decided to unmask transition officials involved in the conversation to make the significance of the intelligence report clear.

The president needs to know that these intelligence reports are out there, said Nunes. He said it appears the surveillance was authorized by FISA warrants.

Trumps decision during his transition to shun many briefings from U.S. government officials and to use his own channels to reach out to foreign leaders may have contributed to an increased flow of intelligence reports about what foreign leaders were saying, the former officials said.

On Dec. 2, for example, Trump spoke with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, in a conversation that at least temporarily threatened to upset delicate relations between the U.S. and the Chinese government.

It was believed to be the first call between a president or president-elect with a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when the U.S. recognized Chinese governance and cut ties with Taiwan.

Nunes said he wants to know who wrote the classified reports, and who ordered the unmasking of additional names.

Schiff said that Nunes had told him the Trump transition officials were not identified in the intelligence reports, but that Nunes said he could still figure out the probable identity from other information in the reports.

During Mondays hearing, Republicans repeatedly cited the case of Michael Flynn, who 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 the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

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.

On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee asked for records related to whether Flynn had fully disclosed his foreign business dealings as required by law.

Flynn received a fee for speaking at a 2015 Moscow event for RT, the Russian news agency that U.S. intelligence considers a propaganda arm of the Russian government.

The committee sent letters seeking the records to the FBI, the White House, the Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Such surveillance was likely how Flynns communications with Kislyak came to light, the former officials said.

david.cloud@latimes.com | @davidcloudLAT

michael.memoli@latimes.com | @mikememoli

brian.bennett@latimes.com | @ByBrianBennett

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Despite President Trumps personal appeals to lawmakers, the fate of the Republican healthcare bill remained uncertain Tuesday, as the fraught relationship between the president and congressional Republicans faces what could be a defining test.

Honestly, a loss is not acceptable, folks, Trump warned lawmakers, bluntly telling fellow Republicans that failure to pass the bill to repeal much of the Affordable Care Act could cost the GOP its majorities in the House and Senate.

The morning strategy session at the Capitol was the first time in his two months as president that Trump met with almost the full House Republican Conference that was elected with him in November. The membership reflects the disparate coalition of Republicans who aligned to make him their standard-bearer last year. The question for the party now is whether that ideologically diverse group can govern.

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Before Trump spoke, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) made a characteristically wonky presentation of changes that had been made to the legislation in hopes of winning over both conservatives and centrists.

After Ryan spoke, the president followed with a presentation that attendees described as trademark Trump, focused less on the substance of the bill than on the consequences should he and his party stumble out of the gate on an issue on which they had long promised to deliver.

He came into the room armed with an index card identifying specific lawmakers, some of whom he singled out for praise after they were convinced to support the legislation, and others who were holding out. Among the latter were Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus and also an early Trump backer in last years contentious Republican primaries.

Mark, Im gonna come after you, Trump said in a remark interpreted by some as a joke, by others as a threat, and by still more as potentially a little of both.

The president was very direct, said Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), another longtime Trump backer who plans to vote for the bill. We get this done  and tax reform  he believes we pick up 10 seats in the Senate and we add to our majority in the House. And if we dont get it done, we lose the House and we lose the Senate.

Trump certainly put all of the elements of The Art of the Deal together in one speech, said Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), who had agreed to support the bill before Trumps visit.

But by days end, vote tallies indicated that the White House could still not firmly count on a majority in the vote, which is scheduled for Thursday. I think well continue down the path to get the votes, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said. But, he conceded, weve got a ways to go.

How much Trumps appeals or the changes in the bill have done to shift skeptics from no to yes remained unclear. Assuming all Democrats vote against the bill, Republican leaders can afford to lose no more than 21 votes on their side.

I havent heard anyone who changed their mind after this morning, said Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), a member of the Freedom Caucus, who remains opposed.

The presidents a persuasive guy, and hes well-liked, said Davidson, adding that most of those who plan to vote against the bill worked hard to see our president elected.

But he added, I didnt run on a pretty slogan like repeal and replace. I ran on fixing the problem.

Outside groups were adding pressure, with Heritage Action and the Club for Growth, both influential conservative groups, opposing the bill and the Chamber of Commerce supporting it. All the groups promised the vote would be counted in their annual scorecards of lawmakers performances.

The Club for Growth started running ads in the districts of 10 Republican lawmakers who had expressed reservations about the bill, pushing them to vote against it.

Congressional aides concede some members remain skeptical about just how full-throated a case Trump will ultimately make for the legislation and how much political capital he might spend to see it through.

The presidents own comments have helped fuel those doubts.

Trump promised repeatedly throughout the campaign to repeal the disaster known as Obamacare. But he has often seemed more interested in other long-elusive Republican goals. He has seldom spoken about repealing the Affordable Care Act with the same kind of passion he has about trade, taxes or immigration; it usually was part of a list of issues he knew were important with the base.

Have to do it, folks, he would say, adding little else before returning to issues that excited him more. The one health-related issue he repeatedly does mentiongovernment authority to negotiate prices for prescription drugs  is not in the bill and has been strongly opposed by Republican leaders in the past.

Trump repeated his pattern Monday night at a rally in Louisville, Ky., saying little about the bill he was ostensibly there to promote.

Were going to be doing some trade deals as soon as we get the healthcare finished. Oh, Im looking forward to these trade deals, he said.

But Ryan and other Republican leaders have worked with Trump since just after his election to lay out their legislative agenda in an order they believe gives them the greatest likelihood of success. For both procedural and policy reasons, healthcare emerged at the top of the list.

And while Trump has never been interested in the technical details of health policy, officials say he has seized on the interpersonal aspect of legislative horsetrading over the last week, especially as hes seen his efforts translate into shifting votes.

The changes that GOP leaders made in the bill Monday night include giving states new authority to limit who qualifies for Medicaid, the government health plan for the poor, and to impose work requirements for some aid recipients.

For more-centrist lawmakers, subsidies that help older Americans buy insurance were made more generous. The proposal, however, punted many of the toughest issues to the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky promised to take up the bill as soon as next week.

But Tuesday, neither those tweaks nor Trumps appeals appeared to have quite closed the deal. Some of the most conservative Republican lawmakers remained deeply skeptical despite the presidents hard sell. On the other end of the GOP caucus, some centrists also said they would oppose the bill.

Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.), a conservative who has often bucked the party leadership, said he was taken aback by Trumps behavior. It did not win his vote.

For me, Im raised in the South, Ive learned to say thank you, no thank you, said Jones. Thats no way  you shouldnt single anybody out. Theyre not up here to represent a president or an administration. Theyre up here to represent the people of their district.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) skipped Trumps talk for an unrelated meeting on water issues important to his state. He said he was voting no and would not be moved by tactics like Trumps.

I dont care who says it. Ive lived this, said Gosar, a dentist. The process is being arbitrarily rushed, he complained.

Im tired of this place, he said. You got to pass something because theres some little deadline? Do the right thing.

Democrats, clearly relishing the tensions within the GOP, spent the day stirring the pot. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the late changes that Republican leaders had made in the bill were no better than putting a fresh coat of paint on an old jalopy.

Republicans were walking the plank, he said, by taking votes on a bill that will not pass the Senate.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

For more White House coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter.

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When Michael Flynn, President Trumps short-lived national security advisor, resigned last month, Mark Levin was outraged.

Not because Flynn had falsely denied speaking with the Russian ambassador about U.S. sanctions before Trump took office. Rather, the conservative talk radio host was furious that U.S. surveillance had picked up Flynns venture into freelance diplomacy.

How many phone calls of Donald Trump, if any, have been intercepted by the administration and recorded by the Obama administration? Levin demanded on his program, which reaches millions nationwide. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the real scandal.

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With that, what began as rumors and unverified accounts percolating through right-wing media coalesced into a wild conspiracy theory adopted by a president with an itchy Twitter finger, a penchant for intrigue and eagerness to embrace information  however sketchy  that reinforces, rather than tests, his beliefs.

Trumps unfounded claim that President Obama had wiretapped his telephone ricocheted throughout the country, shook Washington and stunned disbelieving U.S. allies. The fallout continues to rattle the embryonic Trump White House.

The presidents own Justice Department, the head of the FBI and the bipartisan leaders of two congressional oversight committees have all said theyve found no evidence to substantiate the outlandish assertion.

Everything President Trump has tweeted (and what it was about) 

But the president and his chief spokesman, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, have refused to back down, aligning themselves with Levin and others operating in what amounts to a hall of mirrors, where the unproven claims of one media outlet are cited as evidence by another and facts are twisted, misdirected or ignored in the service of political propaganda.

Were living in a world in which people are making false assumptions that because something exists in print and is circulating, it has a legitimacy that it otherwise wouldnt merit, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communication professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has spent decades studying the intersection of media and politics.

Someplace along the line, she said, we failed to teach some people how to evaluate evidence and how to recognize legitimate versus illegitimate.

Its all the more startling when the president of the United States is the one trafficking in falsehoods.

::

Levin, who began his current show in 2003, is a 59-year-old constitutional lawyer who heads a conservative, nonprofit public-interest law firm in Washington. During the Reagan administration, he served as chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III.

He first broached his unfounded theory on his program on Feb. 15. He laid out the supposed details on March 2.

Obama and others who backed Clinton, Levin said without evidence, used the instrumentalities of the federal government intelligence activities to surveil members of the Trump campaign and to put that information out in the public.

Levin said he had spoken with his buddy Andy McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor who had written a column in the conservative National Review suggesting the media-Democrat complex was avoiding the story.

The information that Levin read from McCarthy was apparently based on a Nov. 7 report by Louise Mensch, a novelist and former British Parliament member, on Heat Street, a website run by Rupert Murdochs News Corp. Murdoch is a key Trump supporter.

Mensch, citing sources in the counter-intelligence community, wrote that the FBI had named Trump in a June 2016 application for a surveillance warrant but was turned down by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The court secretly reviews applications for warrants related to national security investigations.

A more narrowly drawn application was approved in October 2016, Heat Street reported.

No major news organization has verified the Heat Street report, although FBI Director James B. Comey confirmed in congressional testimony Monday that the FBI was investigating whether Trump associates cooperated with Russians accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

On his March 2 show, which originates on New Yorks WABC, Levin told listeners that in order to obtain a surveillance warrant from the intelligence court, the government must show probable cause that the target is an agent of a foreign regime.

The incredible scandal here is the Obama administration was investigating top officials in the Trump campaign, maybe even Trump himself, during the course of the election, Levin said.

He expressed further outrage at a New York Times report that outgoing Obama administration officials had disseminated information about the Russia investigation throughout the government to ensure the inquiry was not squelched once Trump took office.

This is a silent coup, Levin shouted. Silent, nonviolent coup: Thats whats going on here.

The next day, Breitbart  the right-wing tabloid website once led by Stephen K. Bannon, Trumps chief strategist  devoted a story to Levins conspiracy theory. The account, which rehashed Levins assertions, said the Obama administration had eavesdropped on the Trump campaign, then relaxed National Security Agency rules to allow evidence to be shared widely within the government.

The intent, the March 3 article stated, was ensuring that the information, including the conversations of private citizens, would be leaked to the media.

The piece circulated in the White House before Trumps tweet storm the following morning and, according to CNN, infuriated the president.

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

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

The predawn rat-a-tat of accusations added up to an unprecedented attack by a president on his predecessor. This is Nixon/Watergate, Trump tweeted, invoking one of the worst scandals in American political history.

During his 1972 reelection campaign, President Nixon plotted with White House advisors to cover up his campaigns illegal bugging of the Democratic Partys headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington. Under threat of impeachment, Nixon resigned; several aides went to prison for conspiracy, obstruction of justice and other crimes.

But Trump, who for years spread the lie that Obama was born in Africa and thus ineligible to serve as president, produced no evidence to support his wiretap claim. Through a spokesman, Obama vehemently denied the charge.

Still, Trump called on Congress to investigate his assertions, which many doubted from the start. Confounded lawmakers in both parties urged Trump to either put up evidence or recant his claim.

After probing the allegations, top law-enforcement and intelligence officials said there was nothing to back them up. Lawmakers were eager to move on.

But the president would not budge.

Rather, at a combative March 16 media briefing, White House spokesman Spicer made yet another unsubstantiated claim: that British intelligence agents had tapped Trumps phones on Obamas behalf. This time, the source was Fox & Friends, a morning chat show that cheerleads for the administration and is a Trump favorite.

Spicer read from a transcript of Andrew Napolitano, a Fox commentator, saying three sources claimed that Obama went outside the chain of command by calling on Britains Government Communications Headquarters, the British equivalent of the NSA, to eavesdrop on Trump with no American fingerprints.

The British were furious. GCHQ issued a rare and angry denial. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May also rejected the allegation. The British Embassy in Washington complained to the White House.

Yet Trump declined to back down Friday when asked about the charge at a White House news conference with Angela Merkel. He wisecracked about having something in common with the German chancellor, a key U.S. ally that was upset when it was revealed the NSA, under Obama, had tapped her cellphone.

As for Napolitanos account of British skullduggery, the president praised the former New Jersey judge. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television, Trump said. I didnt make an opinion on it.

He told reporters they shouldnt blame him, but should be talking to Fox.

Soon after, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith repudiated Napolitano, saying the network 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, Smith said. Full stop. Napolitano has since been kept off the air.

At a House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday, NSA Director Michael S. Rogers denied that the Obama administration had asked the British to spy on Trump. And FBI Director Comey said the Justice Department couldnt back up Trumps wiretapping charge.

I have no information that supports those tweets, Comey said. And we have looked carefully inside the FBI.

On Wednesday, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) told reporters that U.S. intelligence incidentally picked up communications of Trump transition team members. Incidental intercepts of Americans speaking with foreign targets of U.S. surveillance  such as Flynns conversation with the Russian ambassador  are routine, and have nothing to do with illegal wiretaps.

Asked whether his findings meant Obama ordered phones in Trump Tower to be tapped, Nunes said simply: That never happened.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com | @finneganLAT

mark.barabak@latimes.com | @markzbarabak

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UPDATES:

3:45 p.m.: Updated with additional comments from Nunes.

3:35 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Rep. Devin Nunes.

This article was originally published at 3 a.m.
The Trump administration has indicated it plans to take the federal governments Countering Violent Extremism program in a new direction. Media outlets report that it might be renamed the Countering Islamic Extremism program, or Countering Radical Islamic Extremism.

The current program, which seeks to deter potential attacks, certainly needs an overhaul. But not in the way the administration is suggesting.

The extremist threat in the United States is multifaceted, inspired by many violent ideologies. It is not a homogeneous threat from Muslim extremism. Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, and so-called sovereign citizens, who violently reject the authority of the state  these and other extremists present a growing threat to the United States that must be addressed with purposeful engagement and study. A re-imagined Countering Violent Extremism program has an important part in that but not if it is narrowly focused on one ideology.

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If the administration and Congress intend to reform the CVE program, they should consider where it has fallen short. The underlying concept is that by engaging community stakeholders in dialogue and sharing information about the risk of extremism and radicalization, we can develop strategies that prevent people from embracing ideologies that advocate violence. The beating heart of CVE is collaboration, but the current effort has actually dissuaded collaboration by stoking alienation.

Although the strategy is ostensibly designed to address any violent ideology, in practice it has focused primarily on the risk of extremism in Muslim communities.

Pilot programs have run in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Boston, cities with Muslim communities and where distrust and animosity toward the CVE initiative has manifested.

In this March 2015 photo, Muslim, Christian, minority and government leaders watch a video as part of a federal pilot program called Countering Violent Extremism, at Roxbury Community College in Boston. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

In each of these cities, there has been pushback and protest, with many of the stakeholders who are essential to the CVE effort rejecting it, arguing that it targets and disparages Muslim communities.

As such, these trials have objectively failed, because they have cultivated community animosity rather than collaboration.

Going forward, there are several important points that should serve as guideposts as the CVE program is evaluated and improved.

1. Data providing evidence of potential threats should drive how and where the CVE effort is implemented. Muslim extremism is not the only terrorist threat. This is not a subjective matter of political correctness, but a fact backed by statistics. For example, according to the Anti-Defamation League, since 2009, there have been 77 shots fired in police confrontations with violent extremists; more than 80% of those were in clashes with white supremacists and antigovernment extremists.

2. There was a fundamental error in charging U.S. attorneys with managing the CVE pilots. A successful program cannot be run by the same arm of government that prosecutes terrorism cases. That demands an unrealistic level of trust on the part of the community. Why would someone participate in such an initiative if they fear their questions, comments and concerns could lead to an FBI agent knocking on their door? At best, the involvement of the Department of Justice sends a message that the intended collaboration is more about criminal justice than public safety. At worst, it raises legitimate suspicion that CVE is an avenue for detecting, arresting and prosecuting individuals who may be on the path to radicalization. The program should be purely focused on deterring extremism and the justice system should have a limited role, if any.

3. The CVE program needs to be led by the affected communities. Too often, federal employees seeking to address violent extremism parachute into a community and dictate public safety priorities to residents. This is akin to doing surgery before a physical exam. A federally led CVE program that tells a community what their safety concerns should be fails to cultivate the necessary buy-in because it runs counter to concerns people have on the local level.

In this June 2015 photo, sisters of the Order of the Daughters of St. Paul pray outside the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where self-proclaimed white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine people during a prayer meeting. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

What is needed is a Mosaic of Engagement, where the objective is for the community to identify the factors endangering public safety and forge consensus that reducing violent extremism is a desired byproduct of a safe community. By empowering the community to reach consensus, build lines of communication and identify local concerns, we can help create the social infrastructure needed to identify extremist threats and develop specifically local strategies to overcome them.

Now is the time to take a fresh look at the CVE effort and make thoughtful changes to the way it is managed and implemented. With data and genuine collaboration, we can prevent extremism and save lives. But if CVE becomes even more focused on Muslim extremism, it will exacerbate the problems that already exist and the program will certainly fail.

Dr. Erroll Southers is a former FBI special agent and currently director of Homegrown Violent Extremism Studies at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy. He is author of the book Homegrown Violent Extremism.

Follow Southers on Twitter: @esouthersHVE
This weeks Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court provide an opportunity to ask basic questions about the hearing process itself. What follows is a quick Q and A about Qs and As.

Q: Are senators allowed to vote for or against a nominee for partisan or political reasons?

A: Yes. The politicization of this process is a feature, not a bug. Judges do not pick other judges; politicians do, thanks to a Constitution designed to accommodate a two-party system, a system reinforced by the 12th Amendment (adopted in 1804) and by a landmark congressional statute in 1842. The amendment facilitated a two-party presidential contest, and the statute encouraged a two-party congressional system. Presidents have historically picked justices from their preferred side of the political spectrum; senators are likewise free to take political affiliation into account. Judge Merrick Garland never even got a hearing, and Judge Neil Gorsuch is now getting a nice one for the simple reason that Republicans controlled the Senate last year and still control it. Elections matter.

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Q: Do senators owe the president any special deference?

A: No. Historically, senators have given the president leeway in picking his Cabinet, especially at the outset of his administration  the traditional honeymoon period. But less deference has typically been given to a presidents judicial nominations. Even George Washington saw the Senate reject one of his top judicial picks (John Rutledge). This double standard makes good sense. Cabinet heads answer to the president and will leave when he leaves. The president should generally be allowed to choose his own executive-branch team. Judges are different. They occupy a separate and independent branch whose job routinely involves negating the president. They are not part of his team and will not leave when he leaves.

Justices have life tenure. A president can fire a naysaying Cabinet officer but cannot fire a justice who reneges.

Q: Should senators think twice before rejecting a nominee?

A: Yes. There is no guarantee if the nominee loses that the next nominee will be better (from the perspective of the naysaying senators). A clever president should follow up a no vote with a nominee whom obstructionist senators will like even less, but who will be harder, politically, to vote down.

Q: Can a president or senator ask the nominee for a promise about how the nominee will vote on the bench on any issue?

A: Absolutely not. A promise  whether public or private, to a senator or president or anyone else  would be a violation of legal ethics and judicial impartiality. A judge must keep an open mind while a case is pending and rule for the side that has the best legal claim, period. Also, any promise, even if made, would be unenforceable. Justices have life tenure. The confirmation process is political, but the adjudication process is not. A president can fire a naysaying Cabinet officer but cannot fire a justice who reneges.

Q: Can the nominee refuse to answer questions that might come before the court in the foreseeable future?

A: He can if the Senate lets him get away with that evasion. But in principle, this is the wrong line to draw. So long as a nominee makes no promise  and makes clear that he will change his mind if future legal arguments persuade him  there is nothing wrong with elaborating his views on any legal issue, even one that might come before the court tomorrow. Justices do this every day in judicial opinions. They take positions on todays case that have implications for tomorrows fact patterns. But in most recent confirmations, nominees have ducked questions that might come before the court  and the Senate has meekly submitted.

Q: So whats the point of hearings?

A: A cynic would say, face-time for senators and full employment for pundits. Less cynically, Americans can assess the temperament and learn the biographies of would-be justices. They can see how knowledgeable a nominee is and how he thinks on his feet. Even if a nominee refuses to answer questions about hypothetical future cases, he should be pressed to say what he thinks about decided cases. Eventually, hearings should become a two-part process in which the conversational component (akin to the courts oral arguments) is followed by a writing phase (akin to the drafting of court opinions). In phase two, the nominee (with the help of handpicked law clerks) should be required to draft short concurring or dissenting opinions on a handful of previously decided Supreme Court cases  say, three from last year and three from earlier eras.

Akhil Reed Amar teaches constitutional law at Yale and is the author of The Constitution Today: Timeless Lessons for the Issues of our Era.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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At the end of the House Intelligence Committees long hearing on the FBI investigation of Russian meddling in the presidential election this week, the Republican chairman, Devin Nunes of California, made a last, vain attempt to clear the White House of suspicion.

Do you have any evidence, he asked FBI Director James Comey, that anyone in the Trump administration was working with the Russians?

Not a question I can answer, Comey answered implacably.

That drew a frown from Nunes. Comeys silence put the White House under a big gray cloud, the congressman complained.

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The faster you can get to the bottom of this, its going to be better for all Americans, he said.

On that count, Nunes is right. The FBI investigation is likely to take more than a year.

Counterintelligence investigators have more leeway than criminal investigators to seek evidence of foreign meddling  including financial records.

But theres always been one thing Nunes  and Trump, for that matter  could do to dispel the clouds around the administration: Join the call for an independent public inquiry and urge every Trump campaign aide to cooperate.

They havent done that. Indeed, Trump seems to be moving in the opposite direction. A few months ago, the president acknowledged briefly that Russia had tried to meddle in the election. This week, he was backsliding again, describing the whole affair (in a tweet) as fake news invented by Democrats to excuse their terrible campaign.

Thats not going to move Comey, a Republican former prosecutor with a well-developed sense of his own righteousness. His tormented Hillary Clinton throughout last years campaign; now, it appears, its Trumps turn.

The headlines from the hearing went to Comeys statement that his investigation includes any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russias efforts.

Less noticed, but just as important, was Comeys description of the probe  as a counterintelligence investigation, not a criminal inquiry.

At first glance, that might sound like good news for the White House. It suggests that the FBI has not found evidence that any federal crimes were committed.

But in the long run, thats likely to prove cold comfort.

Unlike criminal investigations, counterintelligence probes arent aimed mainly at gathering evidence that crimes have been committed.

Instead, their main purpose is to determine what foreign powers, especially hostile powers, are doing inside the United States. They dont always lead to criminal prosecutions.

[Counterintelligence] investigations have to be very thorough. The FBI is going to look under every rock, Donald B. Ayer, a top Justice Department official under President George Bush, told me.

That means the investigation is likely not only to be long, but also wide  potentially much wider than a simple criminal inquiry.

This investigation is about what the Russians are up to, and whether there is Russian influence over U.S. decision-makers, said Jeffrey H. Smith, a former general counsel at the CIA. Its going to be very hard to limit it to the narrow question of interference in the election. It would be logical to look at whether there is any continuing influence over people close to the president, or the president himself.

Also, counterintelligence investigators have more leeway than criminal investigators to seek evidence of foreign meddling  including financial records.

They have considerably more leeway, Smith said. They can look at bank records, tax records. Theyre likely to want to track down as many of Trumps business partnerships and financial accounts as they can. Think of how long thats going to take.

Never mind how long it will take. Think of how unhappy the president will be when the FBI requests those records.

Comeys decision to cast his inquiry as a counterintelligence effort has one more consequence: Once the probe is complete, hell be under inescapable pressure to disclose his findings to Congress and the public.

The FBI director said the question of Russian meddling goes to the core of the democratic system. It threatens what is America, he said. That doesnt sound like something that can be settled with a simple case closed.

Besides, this is the same Comey who closed his investigation into Clintons e-mails with an unusual statement that she had been extremely careless, even though her conduct didnt merit prosecution.

Comey still seems compelled to talk more about his findings than most prosecutors, Ayer said. I worry that he may not have learned much from the Clinton debacle.

Maybe not. Maybe Comey feels an obligation to stick to his Clinton precedent, and to show hes even-handed after helping Trump win the election (inadvertently, his defenders insist).

Either way, it spells trouble for Trump. The president faces an FBI director who is deeply committed to his investigation, willing to spend as long as it takes, and able to send agents around the world in search of evidence.

If Trump has anything to hide, hell regret that he didnt come clean earlier, when he had the chance. But that wouldnt be the Trump weve come to know, would it?

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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To the editor: My organization, the League of Women Voters of Orange Coast, agrees with law professor David A. Supers concerns about a constitutional convention called by the states. (A constitutional convention is the last thing America needs, Opinion, March 15)

The league believes that Representation at the Constitutional Convention must be based on population rather than one state, one vote, and delegates should be elected rather than appointed. The delegates represent citizens, should be elected by them, and must be distributed by U.S. population, and that voting at the Constitutional Convention must be by delegate, not by state.

We are also concerned about the possibility that a convention called for one purpose could choose to consider other topics  the so-called runaway convention. There are no laws to prevent that from happening.

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Diane Nied, Irvine

The writer is president of the League of Women Voters of Orange Coast.

..

To the editor: After President Trumps victory, there was a lot of frustrated and loose talk about California secession. But cooler heads have prevailed, and we have settled for merely undermining every horror that Trump pulls.

But lets think through this constitutional convention gambit. Lets say that the conservatives pull it off, and thats a huge if.

In that event, it would not be loose talk. California would have no choice but to withdraw from the newly constituted union with its punitive, mean-spirited public policies, because the new union would be unrecognizable and unacceptable to California. New York might come to the same conclusion.

So the right-wing fantasy would result in a new country without California and possibly without New York. Good luck.

Jeff Goodwin, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: I graduated from a Los Angeles high school in 1967, which places me on the older end of the age spectrum. Over many decades, I have witnessed the sad dumbing-down of public education in California. (Californias new education ratings tool paints a far rosier picture than in the past, March 16)

It seems intuitively obvious that in order to fix a problem, you need to first recognize not only the existence of a problem, but also the extent of the problem. Some sort of quantitative measurement is essential, hence the value of student test scores to measure student achievement and proficiency.

With the new California School Dashboard system, we are now seeing the dumbing-down of school assessment. School improvement apparently being weighted as much or more than actual test scores will make many school principals and unknowing parents feel better.

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However, how can any rational person think this will contribute to the much-needed improvement of public schools?

Judy Field, Laguna Niguel

..

To the editor: Playing with the numbers to change the picture on the effectiveness of our schools does not change the fact that most kids are doing poorly in math and English.

Dashboard, the new system, will make our poorly performing public schools look better, but how does that help the kids? The schools should know whether their students are learning well without spending funds to manipulate the numbers so as to present a rosier picture for the poor-performing schools.

In the final analysis, its all about teaching our kids what they need to know.

George Epstein, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: Now that FBI Director James B. Comey has confirmed that there is no evidence of President Obama having wiretapped Trump Tower and acknowledged that his agency is investigating possible collusion between the current presidents campaign team and the Russian government, Congress must appoint an independent investigator and hold public hearings on any ties President Trump might have with Russia. (FBI chief debunks Trumps wiretap claim and confirms probe of possible campaign links to Russia, March 20)

This should include a thorough examination of Trumps tax records to understand his financial ties to that country.

We may never know whether Russias meddling in the 2016 campaign made the difference in Trumps surprise win, but at a minimum we need to know just how deep his interests in Russia are.

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Mike Greene, Tustin

..

To the editor: This is what we learned from Comeys testimony on Capitol Hill:

Trump was lying about Obama wiretapping Trump Tower, the FBI has been investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia since July 2016, and on election day in November, one of the campaigns was being investigated by the FBI for possible collusion with a foreign government, and it wasnt Hillary Clintons.

Alba Farfaglia, San Clemente

..

To the editor: The hypocrisy of the latest talking over each other debate in Washington  with the Democrats fuming over possible Russian campaign interference and the Republicans decrying leaks to the media  is beyond obvious.

After all, those same Republican voices championed WikiLeaks a few months ago. Similarly, those Democrats now demanding that we focus on the content of the leaks (possible Russian influence in the elections), instead of the criminality, were singing a different tune when the target was Clinton.

These are the days of our lives.

Stephen Wagner, Valencia

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TV ads target lawmakers on the fence over Gov. Jerry Browns plan to raise gas taxes to repair roads By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown talks to Steve Glazer in 2011, when Glazer was still an advisor to the governor and before he was elected to the Senate. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) With supporters of a road repair bill still counting votes, a coalition of business and labor leaders on Friday began running television and radio ads that target eight legislators who have not yet committed to vote for the measure. The Fix Our Roads Coalition is spending $1 million on a statewide, week-long ad blitz that urges legislators to vote next week for Senate Bill 1. The bill would raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to generate $52 billion the first 10 years to repair crumbling roads, highways and bridges, and expand mass transit. We are closer than ever to finally passing a transportation funding package to fix our long-neglected and crumbling roads, said Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs, which is co-funding the commercials. These new ads are part of an all-out grassroots, earned media, advertising and social media campaign to support passage of this bill by next week. In addition to ads that call on legislators to support the bill, eight advertisements call on legislators by name to support the plan. Those targeted include Sens. Steve Glazer (D-Concord) and Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), and moderate Democratic Assembly members Adam Gray of Merced, Rudy Salas of Bakersfield, Sabrina Cervantes of Corona, Sharon Quirk-Silva of Buena Park and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance, as well as Republican Catharine Baker of San Ramon. The bill needs a two-thirds vote in both houses, which would require all of the Democrats to support the measure. Cannella and Baker are being wooed by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders to step in if one of the Democrats gets cold feet. Representatives of Cannella and Glazer said earlier this week that they were still weighing the issue. Brown and legislative leaders have called for the Legislature to act by Thursday, after which time the lawmakers head out on spring break. Facebook

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Former Assembly Speaker John A. Perezs views on the L.A. congressional race he dropped out of By Christine Mai-Duc (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Before he suddenly dropped out of the running citing health reasons, former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez was widely considered the favorite to replace Xavier Becerra in the 34th Congressional District. With Perez out, the race is wide open and isnt likely to be decided Tuesday, when 24 candidates compete in the primary. Instead, the top two vote-getters regardless of party are expected to advance to a June 6 election. (If any one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote Tuesday, its all over). Perez offered his thoughts on the race in an interview published Friday by Politico. Some of his major points: Perez said he thinks state Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez is significantly ahead of the pack and will make the runoff.

A cluster of candidates, including Alejandra Campoverdi, Wendy Carrillo, Arturo Carmona, Maria Cabildo and Robert Lee Ahn, are in a close enough race that any one of them could advance.

If Carrillo were to move forward, Perez says, the narrative in the runoff would be about which candidate is more progressive and whos an insider versus an outsider.

Perez says if he were the front runner, Campoverdi is the one Id be most concerned about running against due to her connections in Washington and her national profile, which could create a new level of viability. Facebook

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To fight against human trafficking, this state senator wants to train motel employees to spot signs of abuse By Jazmine Ulloa Former Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) State Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) wants to increase services for human trafficking survivors and make it easier in court to put away their abusers. Flanked by prosecutors and hotel industry officials at a news conference Friday in San Diego, the former Assembly speaker announced new housing and mental health assistance for victims and introduced legislation that would require hotels and motels to train their employees to spot signs of human trafficking. Another of her proposals would expand the character evidence that prosecutors can bring forth at trial against defendants charged with selling victims for sex or labor. The bills are meant to attack a multibillion-dollar trade that has a wide sweep in California, home to three cities on the FBIs list of 13 top human trafficking destinations: San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. National human trafficking hotline calls across California generated 1,323 cases in 2016  nearly twice as many as any other state. Atkins is among lawmakers pushing the issue at the Capitol, where legislation has focused on targeting traffickers, protecting victims and addressing what advocates say is a law enforcement culture in which child survivors sometimes are treated like criminals. But funding for victims services and programs has been an obstacle. A bill by Atkins to develop pilot projects in three counties to address the commercial sexual exploitation of youth sailed through the Legislature without opposition last year only to be vetoed by the governor. Her second bill for a statewide task force died in the Senate appropriations committee. Atkins latest proposal to provide training for motel employees follows a similar bill by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). It failed in the last legislative session amid opposition over costs to businesses. That hasnt stopped Atkins from trying again. Hotels are ground zero for sex trafficking in this state, she said in a statement. Sex traffickers are exploiting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children. These victims are often hiding in plain sight, and traffickers take advantage of the fact that many hotel employees dont recognize the signs. Facebook

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State Controller Betty Yee says Californias tax collection agency has been mismanaged and needs a complete overhaul By Patrick McGreevy Citing a review that found widespread mismanagement at the state Board of Equalization, State Controller Betty T. Yee on Friday called for stripping the panel of responsibilities for tax administration and audit and compliance functions so it can focus on handling taxpayer appeals. Yees proposal came in response to an evaluation by the state Department of Finance that found board officials were improperly redirecting resources and employees to pet projects in their districts. In order to rebuild taxpayer trust, meaningful reform is essential, said Yee, who serves as an ex-officio member of the board. I urge the Legislature and the governor to strip the board members of all statutory functions and permanently move these duties and assigned staff to a separate new department under the governor. The Department of Finance review found the board had difficulty providing complete and accurate documentation in response to inquiries, and various levels of management were not aware of and could not speak to certain actions, including the informal establishment of a call center, creating an unofficial office location and inconsistent use of community liaisons. The evaluation said personnel records showed workers assigned to administrative jobs that they were not doing, having been transferred to help board members in their districts. Even though each elected board member has a $1.5-million budget to cover office costs, some members borrowed workers from the head office, taking them from jobs that involved bringing in tax money and having them instead reach out to board members constituents, the review found. The redirection of workers violated state budget rules. In addition, the reviewers said the board provided 11 different versions of its proposed sales and use tax allocation adjustment and the Department of Finance found errors and omissions throughout. Facebook

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Sen. Kamala Harris has opened a gubernatorial fundraising account  but she has no plans to run for governor, aide says By Seema Mehta (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) Sen. Kamala Harris opened a campaign fundraising account to run for governor in 2026, but that does not mean Californias newest U.S. senator has any plans to seek the office. Harris plans to use the account to store the $1 million in leftover funds from her successful 2014 reelection campaign for attorney general, said Sean Clegg, Harris political spokesman. Harris left her post as state attorney general mid-term when she was elected in November to the Senate seat opening created by the retirement of Barbara Boxer. She faced a March 31 deadline to shutter the attorney general account, and under election law cannot mingle money raised for state campaigns with funds raised to run for federal office. Its purely political bookkeeping, Clegg said. The 2026 date could raise eyebrows because after the 2018 gubernatorial election, that will likely be the next time the governors office is open because its occupant is termed out. But Clegg said Harris did not open an account for a lower office like lieutenant governor  as politicians in similar situations typically do  because, he said, we werent interested in being cute about it. So we designated the only potential future office one could conceivably contemplate, although were not contemplating it, he said. Were focused on the job were doing. Facebook

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This California lawmaker wants to crack down on toys and electronics that pick up conversations and personal information By Jazmine Ulloa State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), left (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press ) A California state senator wants to prevent companies from selling products that can listen in on conversations and collect personal information from unknowing consumers. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has filed legislation that would require manufacturers to equip their Internet-connected devices, including toys, clocks, kitchenware and electronics, with certain security and privacy features. Dubbed the Teddy Bear and Toaster Act, Senate Bill 327 takes aim at the so-called Internet of Things, the inter-networking of everyday devices that some tech and privacy experts say amounts to a growing industry with little oversight. The more we know and the more we learn about the Internet connection of all sorts of devices, many are realizing that we dont know the extent to which these devices are invading our lives, Jackson said. Under her proposal, companies would have to design their products so that they alert consumers  through visual, auditory or other cues  when they are gathering data. They would have to obtain user consent when they intend to transfer the information. And they would have to disclose at point of sale whether the devices are capable of sweeping up sensitive data, so that customers can take that into account while shopping. Most states, including California, have privacy breach laws to protect personal information. The proposal, which would extend those provisions to consumer devices, could be the first of its kind nationwide. But it is expected to garner wide opposition from retailers and manufacturers. A My Friend Cayla doll (AFP/Getty Images) Still, supporters point to growing privacy concerns. Some toys, like the My Friend Cayla doll banned in Germany, prompt children to give personal information, such as their parents names and their addresses, and their manufacturers reserve the right to target young buyers in direct marketing campaigns. Other smart devices lack the most basic security features that make them vulnerable to a hack or coordinated cyberattack. In a statement, James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Kids Action, which is sponsoring the bill, said such toys and electronics can put consumers at risk. These products get rushed out to the market without the privacy issues being addressed in advance, and then consumers end up paying the price, he said. Facebook

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President Jerry Brown? Dont rule it out, governor quips By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislative leaders appealed Thursday for support for a proposed gas tax and vehicle fee increase to fix the states roads and bridges. (Patrick McGreevy / Los Angeles Times) In arguing for approval of a new transportation package on Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown appeared to enjoy himself in refusing to shoot down a supporters suggestion that he run for president  even as he noted his 79th birthday is next week. Standing next to other elected officials and construction workers at the rally in in Concord, Brown argued that gas tax and vehicle fee increases are needed to address a backlog of much-needed repairs to Californias crumbling system of roads, highways and bridges. Im telling you the truth because why would I lie to you? Brown said. I dont think Im running for office. All Ive got left is lieutenant governor, treasurer and controller. Or president, someone in the crowd shouted. Brown responded that he would be 82 when the next presidential election comes around. But you know, dont rule it out, he quipped, drawing laughter and applause. Lest the comment turn into a national story, an aide later clarified the governors intentions: He was joking. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown is making appeals to legislators for votes on his new transportation plan  one district at a time By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown stumps for the new transportation funding plan on Thursday in the Bay Area city of Concord. (Patrick McGreevy / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders on Thursday took their campaign for higher transportation taxes and fees to the Bay Area district of state Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Concord), one of the holdouts in the state Senate who has not yet committed to vote for the package. Surrounded by dozens of construction workers, Brown warned that if the transportation bill unveiled on Wednesday isnt approved this year, it may not happen in the foreseeable future. There is nothing more fundamental in the business of government than making sure the roads and bridges dont fall apart, and they are falling apart, Brown said. Glazer recently withheld his vote from a bill proposing a similar plan for repairing state bridges, roads and highways, and on Wednesday, a spokesman said he had still not committed to any plan but wanted to review the detailed proposal before taking a position. Construction workers at the rally held signs that pictured crumbling roads and said, Senator Glazer Fix This Now. Vote for SB 1. Brown said Glazer, his former senior advisor, does not disagree with the intent of the bill. He loves this plan, but he has another idea on his mind and he wants to marry the two and see if he can get some outcomes that I dont want to get into at this particular place, Brown told reporters. Sen. Jim Beall, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said Glazer wants the transportation funding bill to include a clause barring employees of Bay Area Rapid Transit from going on strike. Beall said that is a labor-relations issue that cannot be included in the bill raising taxes. You cant do that, Beall said. A spokesman for Glazer said the senator is still undecided on the bill. The senator is continuing to have conversations with the principals, said Steve Harmon, a spokesman for Glazer. He declined to comment on Bealls statement. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said there may be similar rallies in Los Angeles and Riverside in the coming days. Two other Democrats who have not yet committed to the plan are Riverside Sen. Richard Roth and Woodland Hills Sen. Henry Stern. Brown acknowledged that there is work to do to secure the two-thirds vote needed in both houses of the Legislature to raise the base excise tax on gasoline by 12 cents per gallon, to a total of 30 cents per gallon, and to create a new annual vehicle fee that would average $51 based on the value of the car or truck. Rendon said approval of the transportation bill would cost the average California motorist an extra $10 per month, which he said is a deal compared to the current cost of $720 in annual vehicle repair costs required because of running over potholes and other rough road conditions. Hoping to force a Senate vote on the package early next week, Brown was accompanied to the Concord news conference by Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). They urged lawmakers to support the bill, which would generate $5.2 billion annually for the first 10 years for road and bridge repairs, mass transit improvements and other projects to reduce congestion. Glazer, known as a maverick in the Legislature, was Browns campaign manager during the 2010 gubernatorial election and remained a senior advisor to the governor before running for the state Senate in a special election in 2015. ---- 1:23 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from a representative for state Sen. Steve Glazer. This article was originally published at 12:42 p.m. Facebook

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Who will be Californias next governor? New poll shows Newsom leads with 1 in 3 voters undecided By Seema Mehta (Nick Ut / Associated Press) In the race to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown, the largest number of voters in a new statewide poll does not favor a candidate in the race. About 1 in 3 voters said they were undecided, according to the survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. Among candidates who have entered the race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a strong lead with 28% of the vote, followed by Republican businessman John Cox with 18%, according to the poll, which was released Wednesday. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa clocks in at 11%, state Treasurer John Chiang at 8% and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin at 3%. Because the race is far away and public campaigning has not yet started in earnest, the poll could primarily be an indicator of name recognition. The field of candidates is also likely to grow. Newsom has several natural advantages: He was the first person to enter the race in 2015 and has a large fundraising edge. He has perhaps been the candidate most in the spotlight among the Democrats running, notably for his support of the marijuana legalization measure on the November ballot. Cox may have benefited from being the lone Republican in that version of the poll. Pollsters conducted a second version of the poll with five additional potential candidates, none of whom have announced a run for governor in 2018  San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and former state Controller Steve Westly. Newsom still led the pack to come in at 24%. The two Republicans, Faulconer and Cox, tied at 11% each. Faulconer has said he does not plan to run for governor. Garcetti, Villaraigosa, Chiang, Steyer, De Leon, Westly and Eastin all placed in the single digits. Steyer and Westly have the personal wealth to self-fund a campaign, giving them time to decide whether to enter the race. Westly unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2006, losing in the Democratic primary to state Treasurer Phil Angelides. In the 2018 contest, the two candidates who receive the most votes in the June primary will move onto the November general election. The poll of 1,000 registered voters in California was conducted online in English and Spanish between March 13 and 20, and has a margin of error in either direction of 3.6%. Facebook

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California legislators team up to expand John Muir National Historic Site By Sarah D. Wire Californias senators and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) filed legislation Thursday to add 44 acres to the John Muir National Historic Site. The John Muir Heritage Land Trust has offered to donate the additional land to the National Park Service, which operates the site, and the bill would authorize the agency to accept the parcel. The time John Muir spent with his daughters at their scenic home and its neighboring property played a major role in launching the national parks movement. Expanding the existing park to preserve more of this history and beauty is a fitting tribute to Muirs legacy of protecting land for all to enjoy, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement. Located about 30 miles east of San Francisco, the John Muir National Historic Site consists of Muirs Alhambra Valley home and 325 acres outside of Martinez. DeSaulnier said in a statement that expanding the property is a fitting celebration of his legacy, and will offer nature-goers greater access to enjoy the beauty of the East Bay. DeSaulnier sponsored the same bill last year, which passed the House unanimously but was not considered by the Senate. Feinstein and former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) carried the Senate version, which died after a committee hearing. Such bills often take a few attempts to pass, even without major opposition. Muirs writings helped inspire the creation of the National Park Service, starting with his lobbying of Congress to protect the Yosemite Valley from dams. He also was a founding member of the Sierra Club. Californians owe him a debt of gratitude, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said in a statement. Facebook

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Californias attorney general could investigate local police shootings under new legislation By Liam Dillon Attorney John Burris, center, comforts Robert and Deborah Mann, family members of Joseph Mann, who was killed by Sacramento Police in July, after a news conference on Oct. 3, 2016. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP) Californias attorney general could investigate local police shootings under a new bill authored by a Sacramento lawmaker. Democratic Assemblyman Kevin McCartys Assembly Bill 284 would allow local police departments or district attorneys to ask Atty. Gen. Xavier Becceras office to independently investigate police shootings of civilians. The legislation was prompted by high-profile police killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Eric Garner in New York City and last summers police shooting of Joseph Mann, a mentally ill homeless man, in Sacramento, according to McCartys office. In all three cases, local prosecutors declined to charge the officers. There is a growing skepticism and a perceived conflict of interest, of the current process of local district attorneys investigating local police, said a fact sheet on the bill provided by McCartys office. Given that they work so closely, it is a valid question of whether this is the most transparent process for the public. There is a growing appetite, both at the national and local level, to create a better and more transparent system for [police shootings] that is fair to police, families, and the community in order to restore public trust. McCartys bill would make state investigations voluntary in these cases and would be implemented only if lawmakers also give Becceras office money to pay for the effort. In 2015, McCarty tried to pass legislation that would have made state investigations of local police shootings mandatory, but that bill failed to make it out of legislative committees. This year, lawmakers have generally scaled back prior efforts to change the states rules governing police discipline and transparency. Facebook

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Former offenders will help award millions in Proposition 47 grants to rehabilitate inmates By Jazmine Ulloa We have listened to law enforcement talk about how horrible Prop. 47 is, said Vonya Quarles, an advocate for the formerly incarcerated. Now we have a chance to help the people who are hurting. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)) California officials will begin the process this spring of awarding $103 million in grants to programs for inmates centered on rehabilitation, substance abuse and reentry into society. The efforts will be funded with dollars saved from prison spending under Proposition 47, the sweeping 2014 ballot measure that downgraded six drug and theft crimes to misdemeanors and allowed defendants to renegotiate their punishments. For the large coalition of criminal justice advocates that poured millions into getting the proposition passed and that has closely tracked its implementation, this is a long-awaited step. Other states have passed similar laws, but California is the only state to invest those savings into services meant to help people stay out of prison. On the executive committee helping award the grants are formerly incarcerated people who know the system from the inside. Read More Facebook

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What would single-payer healthcare look like in California? Lawmakers release new details By Melanie Mason Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A proposal in California for a single-payer healthcare system would dramatically expand the state governments presence in medical care and slash the role of insurance companies. New amendments released Thursday fill in some key details on the universal healthcare measure proposed by state Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), although the biggest political question  how it would be paid for  remains unanswered. Under the proposal, which was announced in February, the state would cover all medical expenses for every resident regardless of their income or immigration status, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency services, dental, vision, mental health and nursing home care. Insurers would be prohibited from offering benefits that cover the same services as the state. The program would eliminate co-pays and deductibles, and patients would not need to get referrals to see eligible providers. The system would be administered by an unpaid nine-person board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. A universal healthcare system run by the government has long been a dream of liberals, with many rallying behind insurgent Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders proposal for Medicare for all in the 2016 race. After a GOP effort to replace Obamacare stalled last week, Sanders said he intends to introduce a nationwide single-payer bill in the U.S. Senate. Proponents in California, who are no longer playing defense to preserve the Affordable Care Act, also touted a broader healthcare plan. With Republicans failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Californians really get what is at stake with their healthcare, Lara said in a statement. We have the chance to make universal healthcare a reality now. Its time to talk about how we get to healthcare for all that covers more and costs less. The cost  sure to be the biggest hurdle for the measure  so far remains unknown. The authors say they intend to pay for the program through broad-based revenue, but details of a funding proposal have not been hashed out. Gov. Jerry Brown sounded wary of a sprawling single-payer plan while speaking to reporters last week on his trip to Washington D.C. Where do you get the extra money? This is the whole question, Brown said. The bill is sponsored by the California Nurses Assn., which already has been rallying its members in support of the bill, SB 562. There has been a seismic shift in our political system through grassroots activism; we have an inspired, motivated base that will make its voice heard, RoseAnn DeMoro, the labor groups president, said in a statement. Facebook

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California backs San Francisco court challenge of Trump administration threat to withhold funds from sanctuary cities By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Wednesday he has filed an amicus brief supporting San Franciscos court challenge to President Trumps order targeting so-called sanctuary cities and counties that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws. The move marks a half-dozen times the state has filed briefs supporting legal challenges to various Trump orders. Last week, Becerra filed papers supporting a lawsuit by Santa Clara County. That case and San Franciscos challenge the legality of the Trump administrations threats to withhold federal funds from states and local jurisdictions that the administration deems to be sanctuary jurisdictions. Becerras brief cites Californias interest in protecting state laws and policies that ensure public safety and protect the constitutional rights of its residents. Threatening to take away resources from sheriffs and police officers in order to promote misguided views on federal immigration policy is reckless and puts public safety at risk, Becerra said in a statement. It is the right and responsibility of California and each state under the Constitution to determine how it will provide for the safety and general welfare of its residents and to safeguard their constitutional rights. Facebook

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asks the federal government to define a sanctuary city By Sarah D. Wire View Instagram post Amid a new call from the Trump administration to cut off federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck had a question for the head of Homeland Security on Wednesday: What exactly is a sanctuary city? Garcetti and Beck joined a bipartisan handful of mayors and law enforcement leaders from across the country in Washington to air their concerns about President Trumps recent executive orders on immigration to Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly. Los Angeles is among the jurisdictions  often called sanctuary cities  that dont assist with federal immigration enforcement. State and local leaders in California have said they will continue to protect people in the country illegally despite the Trump administrations threats. After the closed-door meeting, mayors and police chiefs said their main request for Kelly was for a firm definition of what the federal government considers a sanctuary city. We think that as long as were complying with federal law then we shouldnt be labeled with whatever label intimates that were not, Beck said. Were looking for clarification; we are looking to be involved in the conversation so that decisions arent made that affect us without our input. Homeland Security spokesman Dave Lapan said the department is working on a definition but does not have a timeline for when it would be finalized. Although there is no legal definition of the term, the administration has seemed to define sanctuary jurisdictions as ones that dont comply when Immigration and Customs Enforcement asks them to detain prisoners after they have served their sentences so they can be picked up for deportation. Multiple federal courts have said the detainer orders differ from an official warrant and are not legal justification for holding someone who has served his or her sentence or is no longer under arrest. Los Angeles is one of several cities in California that does not hold people for immigration officials without a warrant, and Garcetti said that is going to continue. We see it as abiding by the Constitution, because there is case law that says we cant hold people for longer than permitted, Garcetti said after the meeting. Lapan said the Department of Homeland Security is working on ways to address concerns about the legality of holding someone for immigration officials, as well as the concerns of mayors of cities that have laws instructing law enforcement officers not to comply with immigration officials. Part of having this discussion is to find out, How can we get around this? Lapan said. If we are dealing with a criminal alien, somebody who is both in the country unlawfully and has committed crimes, the best place for us to take them into custody is in a jail or prison. Thats the safest for everyone, both our officers and the communities. Garcetti also disputes the administrations assertion that it can withhold federal funds from cities that dont comply with ICE orders. Garcetti pointed to a 2012 Supreme Court decision that said the government couldnt withhold Medicaid funds if states chose not to expand access to the program under the Affordable Care Act. I think we all feel on very strong constitutional and legal footing that it was decided in the Obama administration you cant put a legal gun to the head, a financial gun to the head of jurisdictions, whether its states or localities, and take their money if you dont agree with what they are doing in a different area, he said. Garcetti invited Kelly to visit Los Angeles. We need to make sure that we also are showing the perspectives of everyday people in cities like Los Angeles, he said. Garcetti also attended California congressional Democrats weekly lunch and met privately with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) before appearing on an immigration panel hosted by House Democrats. Facebook

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Anti-discrimination measure or blow to religious freedom? California bill sparks debate on employer codes of conduct By Melanie Mason Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A measure that would bar employers from firing workers for having an abortion or giving birth to a child out of wedlock is getting pushback from religious groups who say such a bill would prevent them from requiring employees to act in accordance with their faith. Under the bill by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), employers would not be able to discipline or fire workers for any reproductive health decision, such as pregnancy, in-vitro fertilization or abortion. What this bill does is make sure that people can make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and for their families without the fear that theyll risk their livelihoods in doing so, Rebecca Griffin of NARAL Pro-Choice California, a sponsor of the measure, said at a Wednesday afternoon hearing at the Capitol. A teacher at a Christian college in San Diego was fired in 2012 for becoming pregnant while unmarried. The school said her pregnancy violated its employee code of conduct, which prohibited premarital sex. In 2015, San Francisco Archibishop Salvatore Cordileone sparked a backlash when he proposed a new morality clause in the faculty handbook and contract for local Catholic schools that opposed same-sex marriage and certain reproductive medical procedures. With employees being fired for code of conduct violations in other states, proponents said California should set an example for the country, Right now, while were facing a federal government that is attacking reproductive freedom at every turn and condoning the type of discrimination that this bill prohibits, we feel like this is the time for California to take a stand for our values and make sure that our workers have the best protections possible, Griffin said. But the proposal faces opposition from religious groups, who argue such codes of conduct are integral to the relationship with their workers. The bill would specifically deny religious employers our 1st Amendment protections to infuse our codes of conduct with the tenets of our faith, said Sandra Palacios of the California Catholic Conference. The reaction from religious groups was not uniformly negative. The Rev. Rick Schlosser, executive director of the California Council of Churches, which represents mainline Protestant and Orthodox denominations, pointed to the diverse positions on reproductive issues among his groups members to explain his support for the bill. Any legislation that limits peoples ability to make their own moral decisions is harmful to religious freedom, said Schlosser. But other religious groups said the measure threatened to undermine the very purpose of requiring their employees to abide by a code of conduct. An organization specifically chartered to support or oppose a specific set of beliefs or actions cannot fulfill its mission without requiring adherence to a code of conduct, wrote Jonathan Keller, president of the conservative California Family Council, in an opposition letter. Assemblyman Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) asked why such codes of conduct should govern a personal decision an employee makes out of the workplace. Our community covenant does say that our employees are required to uphold our biblical values, and that certainly is a round-the-clock priority for us, responded Phillip Escamilla, the public policy chair of William Jessup University, a Sacramento-area evangelical Christian college Gonzalez Fletcher, herself a practicing Catholic, said she was not trying to unfairly target religious institutions. But, she said, she was trying to combat an inherent sexism that comes with enforcing such codes of conduct. A female employees reproductive decisions  such as entering an abortion clinic or being pregnant out of wedlock  can be seen by her employer, Gonzalez Fletcher said. A males decisions to whether or not theyre going to abide by a conduct never rise to that level, she said. So that inherent difference in how women and men are treated with these types of decisions just show how little privacy women are able to maintain. The bill, AB 569, cleared the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, its first legislative threshold, on a 4-2 vote. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown, legislative leaders propose raising $5.2 billion annually to repair Californias roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Acknowledging that the states transportation system has been neglected, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders on Wednesday announced a proposal to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to generate more than $5 billion annually for repairing Californias crumbling system of streets, highways and bridges, as well as to increase mass transit. It remains uncertain whether Brown will be able to muster the two-thirds vote in both houses of the Legislature needed to approve the new revenue sources, which include a 12-cent-per-gallon increase in the existing 18-cent base excise tax on gasoline. The package also includes a new, annual vehicle fee that would average about $48 based on the value of the car. The package was announced at a news conference on the Capitol steps attended by Brown, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). California has not approved an increase in the base excise tax on gas for 23 years, according to Brian Kelly, secretary of the California State Transportation Agency. As a result, the state faces a $130-billion backlog of repairs to state highways and bridges and local streets. There is sizable money here to make things better, Kelly said. People are going to get improved neighborhood streets. They are going to get improved highways and bridges, more faith that they are traveling on safe structures. And we are going to invest to improve the congestion into our trade corridors and congestion on their commute. Assembly and Senate Republicans released a joint statement opposing the plan. Californians already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the nation, the statement said. The transportation proposal announced by the Capitol Democrats is a costly and burdensome plan that forces ordinary Californians to bail out Sacramento for years of neglecting our roads. Brown has set a deadline of April 6, the day before the Legislature leaves on its spring break, to have the new package voted on by lawmakers. Because Republicans have generally opposed the tax increases, the package may need the vote of every Democrat to get the two-thirds majority for passage. Three Democratic senators had been holding off their support before the new plan was released. Read More Facebook

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Election officials say mistake on Korean language ballots substantially smaller than previously thought By Christine Mai-Duc (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County election officials say a mistake made on Korean-language sample ballots in the upcoming 34th Congressional District race likely affected fewer than 780 voters. The error, which listed the races 23 candidates in the wrong order on some Korean-language sample ballots, was discovered last week after Korean American voters pointed out their mail-in ballot materials looked different than English-language sample ballots sent to the same home or apartment building. Initially, election officials said they didnt know how widespread the problem was. As a precaution, they sent bilingual notices and corrected sample ballots to all 8,251 voters in the district who received Korean-language sample ballots. None of the sample ballots enclosed with actual mail-in ballots were affected, officials say. In a letter to election officials and L.A. County supervisors Tuesday, the Korean American Coalition called it a violation of federally protected voting rights. The letter asked officials to host a 24-hour hotline for Korean-speaking voters until election day, provide more information on the scope of the error and extend the mail-in voting deadline for those who had received the misprinted ballots. In a response sent Wednesday morning, County Registrar Dean Logan said the error was limited to a small number of sample ballots in a single print run of 777 sample ballots. Based on the agencys review, Logan wrote, it appears that substantially fewer than the 777 voters were affected. The registrars office says it is extending the hours of operation for its voter hotline and staffing it with Korean-speaking operators. Voters concerned that they may have been affected can call 1-800-815-2666 and select option 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this weekend. Voters will also see additional signage at polls addressing the issue and Korean-speaking poll workers will be instructed to remind voters to check their ballots. Facebook

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Talks at Capitol focus on boosting California transportation funding by some $5.2 billion annually By Patrick McGreevy On Highway 1 in Big Sur, the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge has buckled, cutting off a community of hundreds from schools and isolating renowned businesses from customer traffic. (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times) With a deadline looming, Gov. Jerry Brown is winding up negotiations with legislators in hopes of reaching an agreement on a plan that would provide at least $5.2 billion annually for a transportation backlog that includes repairing Californias aging and crumbling system of streets, highways and bridges, officials said Tuesday. Those close to the talks said an agreement on the package could be announced as early as Wednesday afternoon. The question remains whether Brown and leaders can muster the two-thirds vote needed to approve a phased-in gas tax increase of up to 12 cents by the April 6 deadline set by the governor. Key senators remained uncommitted to any plan as of Tuesday. And a new voter-approved rule requires a bill to be in print for 72 hours before it can be passed. The bill needs approval in both houses. Assembly Democrats were briefed on the evolving plan behind closed doors on Tuesday and some officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, said talks are progressing on a plan that would provide the bulk of money to a fix-it first program of road repairs divided evenly between state projects and those of cities and counties. Money would also be dedicated to mass transit, bicycle, pedestrian and trucking routs for ports. The proposal also would include reforms proposed by lawmakers, including Republicans, that would hold officials accountable for proper use of the money, including a requirement for regular audits, creation of an inspector general position and a ballot measure requiring new money to be spent on transportation projects. Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) authored a bill that would put a measure on the ballot, saying Tuesday such guarantees are required given the urgency of the deferred maintenance backlog, and the additional burden we are asking Californias taxpayers to carry. John Myers contributed to this report. Facebook

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Watch: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director attends community meeting in Sacramento Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown calls for countermovement against Trumps colossal mistake on climate change By Evan Halper 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 countermovement, 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 change, 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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California and its allies hint at new legal battles over Clean Power Plan By Chris Megerian California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) President Trumps effort to roll back the Clean Power Plan could quickly run into legal challenges from California and its allies across the country. State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and his counterparts from states including New York, Massachusetts and Oregon said they wont hesitate to protect those we serve  including by aggressively opposing [Trumps actions] in court. The joint statement was also issued by Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and other cities. Californias stance isnt surprising because the state joined Obama administration efforts to defend the Clean Power Plan in 2015. Further legal action could underscore the determination of local and state governments to push forward with fighting climate change even as Trump withdraws federal regulations. Read More Facebook

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Meeting climate change goals will require billions for transportation and housing improvements, reports say By Liam Dillon A major push to get Californians out of their cars and onto their feet, bikes and public transit is essential if the state wants to meet its aggressive goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, according to new reports from the state and UC Berkeley researchers. Californians will have to drive an average of 1.6 miles less a day  and regional government agencies believe it will cost billions of dollars to make the mass transit and housing improvements needed for that to happen. UC Berkeley researchers argue in a new study that a boom in dense housing across the state will bring major greenhouse gas reductions and economic growth. Read More Facebook

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California expects to be unscathed as Trump targets Clean Power Plan By Chris Megerian A solar farm in Kern County (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Although Californias leaders may protest President Trumps announcement Tuesday that hes scrapping the Clean Power Plan, his decision is expected to have little effect on a state already marching toward renewable energy. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in the Golden State are already below what the federal government would have required by 2030, and theyre expected to drop even further. Rollback of the Clean Power Plan is pretty much irrelevant to California, said Frank Wolak, a Stanford University economist who has advised state leaders on climate regulations. The federal rules, enacted by former President Obama as part of his campaign against climate change, were intended to push states away from coal and toward cleaner energy sources. But that was already underway in California. Los Angeles, one of the last places in the state to rely on coal, was already planning to stop importing electricity from out-of-state coal plants by 2025. In addition, state law requires California to generate half of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030, and state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) has suggested pushing even further. When it comes to fighting pollution and climate change, there are some areas where California relies on the federal government. For example, they share authority on regulating vehicle emissions, and Trumps preparation to roll back federal rules has caused alarm here. However, theres less of a concern when it comes to generating electricity. Trumps moves have caused some anxiety among California companies that are developing clean energy technologies and looking for new markets to sell them. Bob Keefe, executive director of Environmental Entrepreneurs, said the Clean Power Plan would have been a huge economic catalyst. President Trump is basically telling Californias more than 40,000 clean-energy businesses and the 500,000 workers they employ that they dont matter to him, he said. Rail cars filled with coal in Wyoming (Ryan Dorgan / Associated Press) Its an open question how Trump could affect various efforts for California to integrate its electricity grid with neighboring states, an idea that has failed to gain traction so far. Advocates of the concept say regional cooperation could expand the market for renewable energy, but the lack of federal pressure to cut emissions could dampen enthusiasm in places such as Utah and Wyoming, which rely on coal. They dont have the Clean Power Plan bearing down on them, said Don Furman, who directs the Fix the Grid campaign thats seeking closer relationships among West Coast states. Ralph Cavanagh, an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said he doesnt expect changes to the Clean Power Plan to harm efforts to create a regional electricity grid, because of the falling cost of renewable energy. The rationale is stronger today than it was yesterday, he said. Facebook

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California GOP lawmakers introduce bills to boost healthcare and jobs for veterans By Liam Dillon Sen. Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) speaks at a press conference introducing a package of bills aimed at helping California veterans. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Republican state lawmakers unveiled a package of six bills Tuesday aimed at improving job training and healthcare services for California veterans. Our veterans have served this country bravely and it is only right for us to recognize their contribution and see that when they do come home they receive the care and assistance they deserve, said state Sen. Janet Nguyen of Garden Grove, who authored three of the measures. The six bills are: Senate Bill 410 from Nguyen and Assembly Bill 353 from Assemblyman Randy Voepel of Santee, which would expand hiring preferences. for veterans.

SB 409 from Nguyen and SB 485 from state Sen. Jim Nielsen of Gerber, which would increase mental health services and oversight at state veterans homes.

SB 411 from Nguyen, which would pay some military reservists $100 a month once they turn 50 if theyve served for 10 years or more.

SB 197 from Sen. Pat Bates of Laguna Niguel, which would waive state and local sales taxes for nonprofits that donate facilities to the U.S. Department of Defense  a measure aimed at helping construction of a mental health care facility at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Facebook

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These Los Angeles girls went to Capitol Hill to ask the Senate to fight new immigration enforcement efforts By Sarah D. Wire Fatima, left, and Yuleni Avelica, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) during a news conference on Capitol Hill. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Fatima Avelica, 13, was training for the Los Angeles Marathon with her father before he was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping Fatimas sister off at her Lincoln Heights school. Fatima had to pause repeatedly, pressing her fingers to her eyes, as she told the story to reporters at a news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) handed handkerchiefs to Fatima and her sister Yuleni Avelica, 12. The girls had medals from completing the marathon dangling around their necks. Democratic senators held the news conference to urge their Senate colleagues to reject President Trumps request for $3 billion to hire thousands of new immigration agents, expand detention facilities and build a wall among the southern border as part of his pledge to deport millions of people in the country illegally. The White House has characterized the moves as necessary for public safety. Californias Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris said Trumps immigration enforcement orders are too broad, sweeping up nonviolent offenders or people accused of the civil offense of being in the country illegally. She called the executive orders, which vastly broadened who can be targeted for deportation and leaves a lot of discretion to local immigration officials misguided and misinformed. Its irresponsible to paint a whole population of people as racists and murderers and bad hombres, she said, referencing one of Trumps own lines about immigrants. Its actually ignorant and we cant afford to run our country that way. The girls father, Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, a Mexican citizen, has lived in the U.S. for 25 years. ICE officials cited two misdemeanor convictions as the reason for his arrest. His four daughters were all born in the U.S. Fatima said the family is waiting for word every day on whether he will be deported. Fatima said she now wants to become an immigration lawyer. Its like a new marathon for me, and I know I can finish it, Fatima said, tears welling up again. But, I need my coach there. I need my dad. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blast President Trump on climate change By Chris Megerian California Gov. Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown joined with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday to criticize President Trumps pending announcement to roll back climate regulations and insist that their states will push forward anyway. Dismantling the Clean Power Plan and other critical climate programs is profoundly misguided and shockingly ignores basic science, they said in a joint statement. With this move, the Administration will endanger public health, our environment and our economic prosperity. Brown and Cuomo represent the two largest states with the most ambitious goals for fighting global warming, and theyve already set equivalent targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Theyre also pushing to generate half of all their electricity from renewable sources by 2030. With or without Washington, we will work with our partners throughout the world to aggressively fight climate change and protect our future, Brown and Cuomo said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) Facebook

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To stem rising prices, a California lawmaker is taking on how hospital chains craft their contracts By Melanie Mason Amid concern that sprawling hospital chains are leading to higher prices, a California state senator is trying to clamp down on how hospital networks craft their contracts to win market dominance. Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) is offering a measure that would prohibit hospitals from certain contracting practices he sees as anti-competitive, such as requiring health plans to contract with all affiliates of the hospital or mandating that health plans agree to binding arbitration for antitrust claims. Weve lost a level of transparency thats affected affordability and access and fairness, Monning said in an interview. Multi-hospital chains are becoming prominent throughout the country, with proponents saying such mergers make care more efficient and better coordinated. But a recent USC study found that while hospital prices in California have grown overall, the costs are higher in the states largest chains. Once you control a market, you can artificially increase costs, said Monning, adding those higher prices can spill over to neighboring hospitals, too. Competitors think if they can charge this much for a hip replacement, were going to as well, Monning said. Another study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found premiums in Northern California were 30% higher than those in Southern California, in part because of the dominance of a few healthcare systems in the north. Micah Weinberg, the institutes president, said hospital consolidation was a logical issue to look at, particularly because healthcare coverage expansion under the Affordable Care Act is now under less threat from Congress following the failure of the House Republicans replacement bill. We have to double down on the real work, which is getting people access to quality healthcare and affordable costs, said Weinberg. One of the biggest barriers to that is the lack of competition among healthcare providers. Weinberg said much of the question is a matter of federal antitrust enforcement. Its really difficult to do things at the state level that are effective here, he said. Still, consolidation has increasingly come under scrutiny in California. The state attorney generals office under Kamala Harris, now serving as U.S. senator, investigated consolidation of hospital and physician groups, and the effect on consumer prices. Last year, the healthcare trust for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, sued Sutter Health, alleging antitrust violations. The Pacific Business Group on Health, an organization that represents major companies such as Wells Fargo and Chevron, also raised alarms on Sutters requirement that firms use arbitration to resolve disputes--or face higher rates for Sutters healthcare services. The business group is a supporter of Monnings bill, as well as the California Labor Federation. The California Hospital Assn. has not taken a position on the bill. ------------ FOR THE RECORD March 29, 2017, 1:52 p.m.: A previous version of this article reported that the Pacific Group on Health sued Sutter Health. The United Food and Commercial Workers healthcare trust filed the suit. Facebook

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Los Angeles assemblyman returns to work in Sacramento after more than two-week absence By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) After more than two weeks away from the state Capitol, Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) was back at work Monday, with his staff blaming the absence on unspecified medical reasons. Im not going to comment on what the illness was, said his chief of staff, Darryl Lucien, who added that the legislator was feeling better Monday. Ridley-Thomas, 29, was not available for an interview to discuss his absence. He originally went on leave March 7. At the time, he did not specify an illness and so Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendons office considered him to be on personal leave. Under legislative rules, those absences did not allow him to receive per diem payments  a subsidy intended to offset the costs of traveling and living in Sacramento. On March 21, he informed Rendons office that he was on medical leave, thus becoming eligible for the $183 per diem. Lucien said the original personal leave request was an error and that all of Ridley-Thomas time away from work was for health reasons. Its medical leave, Lucien said. He has a doctors note that was submitted, excusing him for the time he was out. Ridley-Thomas was not entirely absent from legislative work during that time. While on leave, he yanked one high-profile piece of legislation  a measure that would exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from sales tax  from a hearing in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation committee, which he chairs. The bills author, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), said she spoke directly to Ridley-Thomas about a request to amend her bill days before that committee hearing. Lucien said Ridley-Thomas was working on a very limited basis, fielding calls from members to the extent he was able to speak with them. A fellow Democrat, Assemblyman Bill Quirk of Hayward, stepped in to chair the Revenue and Taxation panel during a March 13 hearing. A subsequent hearing on March 20 was canceled. Facebook

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Adam Schiff calls on Devin Nunes to remove himself from Russia investigation By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) on Monday urged fellow Californian Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) to remove himself from their investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Before late last week, Schiff had gone out of his way not to be critical of Nunes throughout the fledgling investigation. They have held the top positions on the House Intelligence Committee for two years, and have served in Congress together for more than a decade. This is not a recommendation I make lightly, as the Chairman and I have worked together well for several years; and I take this step with the knowledge of the solemn responsibility we have on the Intelligence Committee to provide oversight on all intelligence matters, not just to conduct the investigation, Schiff said in a statement. After much consideration I believe Chairman should recuse himself from involvement in investigation/oversight of Trump campaign & transition pic.twitter.com/jpfA1x80Si  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 27, 2017 Nunes last week surprised many when he told reporters that conversations between Trump and his transition team may have been accidentally picked up during legal intelligence gathering. Nunes briefed the media and President Trump before informing his committee. A spokesman for Nunes, who was a member of Trumps transition team, said Monday he obtained the information from a source on White House grounds, which raised even more questions. Nearly a week after Nunes announcement, committee members still havent seen the evidence, Schiff said. There was no legitimate justification for bringing that information to the White House instead of the committee. That it was also obtained at the White House makes this departure all the more concerning, Schiff said. Nunes spokesman would not comment on calls for the chairman to recuse himself. House Democrats have called for an entirely independent investigation, but short of that were coalescing around the call for Nunes to step aside. Among others, Schiffs Intelligence Committee colleagues Reps. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) and Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) have also called for Nunes to step aside from the investigation. The House and Senate intelligence committees are both investigating allegations that Russia tried to interfere with the presidential election and what, if anything, the Trump campaign knew about it. So far, too many people in the White House and administration, and now the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, have betrayed their duty to conduct an independent, bipartisan inquiry into the Trump teams ties with Russia, Swalwell said in a statement. Chairman Nunes should no longer be anywhere near this investigation, let alone leading it. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said in a statement that Nunes had tarnished the chairmanship. She also said it was long overdue for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) to ask him to recuse himself from the investigation. Facebook

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Blasting federal action on immigration, Californias chief justice warns the rule of law is under threat By Patrick McGreevy California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye warned Monday that the rule of law in state is under threat. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye did not mention President Trump by name in her annual State of the Judiciary speech Monday, but she blasted federal actions on immigration and warned that the rule of law in the state is under threat. In addressing the Legislature, she also called on members to end years of underfunding of the state court system. The chief justice said the rule of law has failed repeatedly in the state, including when her husbands parents were among 120,000 Japanese Americans put in internment camps during World War II. Simply put, the rule of law means that we as a people are governed by laws and rules, not by a monarch, she said. People take the rule of law for granted until it is under threat, she added. I submit to you today that the rule of law is being challenged, she said. We are living in a time of civil rights unrest, eroding trust in our institutions, economic anxiety and unprecedented polarization. Cantil-Sakauye cited a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center that California was home to 79 ethnic hate groups  more than any other state. Our values and our rules and laws are being called into question, and all three branches of government and the free press are in the crosshairs, she said. Without naming Trump, the chief justice criticized recent federal enforcement of immigration laws in which agents have gone into courthouses to take immigrants into custody. She said it was concern over the rule of law that caused her to write to the U.S. attorney general and the Homeland Security secretary recently, asking them to refrain from conducting immigration raids at or near courthouses. When we hear of immigration arrests and the fear of immigration arrests in our state courthouses, I am concerned that that kind of information trickles down into the community, the schools, the churches. The families and people will no longer come to court to protect themselves or cooperate or bear witness, she said. I am afraid that will be the end of justice and communities will be less safe and victimization will continue. The chief justice also repeated her concerns about the lack of sufficient funding for the judiciary even as legislators are adding laws by the thousands. Since 2011 when I became chief justice, 6,408 bills have become law in California, while the judicial branch budget has been shrinking, Cantil-Sakauye said. I have said before that we are on the wrong side of justice when it comes to funding our courts. Facebook

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Its not just Berniecrats: Korean voters could also swing L.A.'s congressional race in a big way By Christine Mai-Duc Robert Lee Ahn, center, is the only Korean American candidate running in a field dominated by Latinos in the 34th Congressional District race. (Christine Mai-Duc / Los Angeles Times) The crowded race to replace Xavier Becerra in the 34th Congressional District, which includes most of Los Angeles Koreatown, appears to be bringing Korean American voters out in large numbers. Thats in part because in a field dominated by Latinos, Robert Lee Ahn has a shot at becoming the only Korean American in Congress and the first Korean American Democrat to be elected to the body. Ahn, a businessman and former L.A. city planning commissioner, has raised a formidable amount of money in a short period of time, much of it from donors in the Korean American community. His campaign spent weeks helping register voters at Koreatown malls and restaurants, and says they registered more than 600 new voters so far. Part of our campaign is to build awareness and get the community more civically engaged, Ahn said on a recent Friday morning as his campaign embarked on a 34-hour voter registration drive outside the BCD Tofu House restaurant. As a Korean American, obviously thats a natural base of mine. Inside, Ahn shook hands with supporters and navigated the lunchtime rush to ask for voters support table side. Some of it may be paying off. More than a quarter of the 10,841 mail-in ballots turned in for the race so far were cast by Korean American voters, according to an analysis of surnames, birthplace and translated ballot materials by Political Data. Koreans make up just 6% of registered voters in the district. Nearly half of Korean American voters who have already cast a ballot in the race did not vote in the March 7 city elections. Ahn, who has said hell bring a business sensibility and common sense to the office, says he has been running a campaign that reaches out to all kinds of voters. But the fact that there hasnt been a Korean American in Congress for more than 20 years means his candidacy has gotten plenty of attention from the Korean American press. I think people recognize the importance and historic nature of this election, Ahn said. I think theres a hunger for a voice ... and theres a palpable frustration of not being heard, not being properly represented, and I think thats what were seeing in the early returns. But the result of those early votes so far is unclear, particularly after elections officials disclosed that a number of Korean-language sample ballots had been misprinted with the candidates listed in the wrong order. Those who used the faulty sample ballots to cast their vote could have inadvertently voted for a candidate they didnt intend to support, and officials still dont know how widespread the problem is. Ahn isnt the only Korean American candidate to energize the community in recent years. David Ryu, the first Korean American elected to the L.A. City Council, rode to victory in 2015 with the help of a wave of support from Koreatown leaders. I believe a political awakening is occurring in the Korean American community all over the nation, but especially here in L.A., said Joon Bang, executive director of the Korean American Coalition. Our community is evolving and its beginning with understanding the power of their vote. Facebook

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Nothing short of blackmail: California Senate leader denounces plan to cut funding from sanctuary cities By Jazmine Ulloa California Senate Leader Kevin de Leon. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Monday called U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions move to cut federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities nothing short of blackmail. In a statement, De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said Sessions and the Trump administration stuck to alternative facts when describing immigrants and sanctuary counties and cities, where local policies limit the cooperation of law enforcement agencies with federal authorities on immigration laws. Instead of making us safer, the Trump administration is spreading fear and promoting race-based scapegoating, he said. Their gun-to-the-head method to force resistant cities and counties to participate in Trumps inhumane and counterproductive mass-deportation is unconstitutional and will fail. De Leon was responding to an earlier announcement made by Sessions at a White House press briefing. Sessions urged all states and local jurisdictions to comply with federal immigration laws and said it would be a condition for receiving federal grants. Jeff Sessions: "countless Americans would be alive today. And countless loved ones would not be grieving" if sanctuary cities were ended. pic.twitter.com/sEgH3bvPwi  BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 27, 2017 State leaders are still calculating the fiscal impact of the move in California, where the Senate leader has filed a bill that would prevent state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Data shows sanctuary counties have lower crime rates than comparable nonsanctuary counties #SB54 https://t.co/rKZDsB8x8E  Kevin de Len (@kdeleon) March 27, 2017 Facebook

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California National Guard official tells legislators forced bonus repayments will be resolved by mid-summer By Melanie Mason A top official for the California National Guard told state legislators Monday that he hopes lingering issues from the soldiers being forced to repay enlistment bonuses will be resolved by mid-summer. A Times investigation last year found that the Pentagon demanded thousands of soldiers repay enlistment bonuses up to a decade after going to war in Iraq or Afghanistan. The claw-back came after audits revealed vast overpayments of bonuses, due in part to mismanagement and pressure to hit enlistment targets. The Times story prompted outcry that soldiers, who were not at fault for accepting the bonuses, were now facing financial hardship. Matthew Beevers, the deputy adjutant for the California National Guard, told a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly Veterans Affairs committees that just over 1,000 soldiers currently hold debt due to the bonus recoupment. Soldiers who are affected by the repayment demand must go through a federal waiver adjudication process, which Beevers described as unnecessarily long, complex and resource-intensive. He said the state-run Soldier Incentives Assistance Center was working with those who need to navigate the complex process to get those debts waived. "[If] you got a bonus and you completed your obligation and for some reason, you werent entitled to it, weve done everything we can do ensure that those soldiers get to keep those bonuses and we continue to do that today, Beevers said. Beevers said the state is trying to locate all soldiers who may be carrying debts due to the enlistment bonus. For those who complete the federal adjudication process, around 50% get their debts waived, he said. At the end of the day, there might be 600 or so soldiers out of 16,000 who might have to pay money, which is a very very small number, he said. Facebook

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Former California legislator Henry Perea will lobby for the oil industry in Sacramento By Chris Megerian (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) As lawmakers debate the future of Californias climate policies, the oil industry is boosting its lobbying firepower with a former Democratic assemblyman from Fresno who has bedeviled environmentalists in the past. Henry Perea resigned his Assembly seat to work for a pharmaceutical group. Now hes jumping to the Western States Petroleum Assn. as a senior vice president, a role hes scheduled to start on May 1. Henry brings us unique expertise, said a statement from Catherine Reheis-Boyd, the associations president. He understands our state, our industry and how smart public policy can ensure Californias continued leadership in environmental protections while maintaining a diverse, vibrant economy. While serving in the Assembly, Perea led the so-called moderate caucus of business-friendly Democrats. He played a key role in stalling 2015 legislation that would have created tough new targets for reducing oil consumption. Environmentalists have made progress since then, successfully pushing through legislation to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Now these issues are being debated again as lawmakers consider whether to extend the states cap-and-trade program, which is intended to provide a financial incentive to reduce emissions. The oil industry supports extending the program, but its working to ensure favorable terms and to loosen the states other regulatory plans. Facebook

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Democrats out with ads targeting Rep. Mimi Walters for supporting GOP healthcare bill By Sarah D. Wire Republicans didnt vote on their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act on Friday, but Democrats already have ads out criticizing vulnerable GOP House members like Rep. Mimi Walters of Irvine for backing the bill. The Internet ads, paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will target 14 Republicans who voted for the bill in the House Budget, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce committees. The ads will run for at least a week on social media sites, including Facebook and Instagram. Walters knowingly voted for a bill to raise premiums and deductibles, slap an age tax on older folks, and rip insurance away from 24 million hardworking Americans. Its critical that voters in Californias 45th District know where Walters stood on this harmful legislation, DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan said in a statement. Walters, who serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, was one of the earliest supporters of the bill among the California Republican delegation. Rep. Walters is committed to improving and expanding healthcare choices, lowering costs and protecting taxpayers. Her votes in the House reflect those principles and she will not be deterred by campaign ads created in Washington, D.C., by Nancy Pelosis political committees, said her campaign consultant, Dave Gilliard. The DCCC has already announced plans to target Republican representatives of the seven California congressional districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president. Clinton won Walters Orange County district by 5 percentage points. Walters was elected for a second term with 58.6% of the vote. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown says California wont be running to the courthouse every day to fight President Trump By John Myers With many of his fellow Democrats demanding multiple challenges to President Trumps proposals, Gov. Jerry Brown said this week he will continue to support a more measured approach. Were going to fight very hard. But were not going to bring stupid lawsuits or be running to the courthouse every day, Brown said during an appearance Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Were going to be careful. Well be strategic. The governors interview, taped on Thursday in Washington, came at the end of a four-day visit where he sought common ground on issues ranging from transportation to disaster relief. Brown also took aim in a visit to Capitol Hill at the now-failed Republican healthcare proposal. In the interview, Brown acknowledged that he is seeking a different path forward than Californias legislative leaders and other Democrats who are aggressively pushing back on a variety of Trump proposals. Well, if everythings a lawsuit, yeah, were in trouble here. I do curb the exuberance on either side, he said. People like to escalate. Republicans do that, and Democrats also do that. So Im there somewhat as the senior statesman now, and Im going to keep everything on an even keel. The governor used the national television interview to repeat recent suggestions that California has a number of projects that are ready to go should Trump make good on his promises to fund a major infrastructure effort. But Brown staunchly defended Californias acceptance of immigrants, including those who are in the U.S. illegally. He argued that immigration has been a major boon to the states economy and invoked the teachings of Christianity to criticize Trump and his fellow Republicans. Trumps supposed to be Mr. Religious Fellow, and I thought weve got to treat the least of these as we would treat the Lord, said Brown, who trained to become a Jesuit priest in his youth. So I hope he would reconnect with some of these conservative evangelicals, and theyll tell him that these are human beings, theyre children of God. They should be treated that way. The programs host, Chuck Todd, asked Brown whether he could offer national leadership for Democrats in the Trump era. The governor, who ran unsuccessfully for president three times, said he was willing to speak out in any way he could be helpful. Following last weeks historic defeat of a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, Brown also offered Trump advice on how to help the economically struggling states whose voters put him in the White House. Its going to take some income support from the federal government, the governor said. Its going to take healthcare. Its going to take the kind of programs that the Republican Party traditionally doesnt like. So heres the dilemma. Yes, Obama was not able to help those people in the way they felt they had a right to. But Mr. Trump, now the burden is on you. And you better figure it out, or youre not going to be there again. Facebook

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Small donations play big role in the 34th Congressional District By Christine Mai-Duc Congressional candidate Kenneth Mejia raised 90% of his money from small donors in the most recent campaign finance filing. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) More than 17% of individual contributions to all candidates in the 34th Congressional District came in small donations of less than $200, according to the latest campaign finance reports. The reports, which cover fundraising and spending between Jan. 1 and March 15, show that more than $250,000 of the $1.4 million raised by the candidates in the race came from un-itemized small donors, or those who gave less than $200 and are not named in campaign finance reports. Three candidates who raised a significant chunk of money from small donations were Arturo Carmona, Wendy Carrillo and Kenneth Mejia, all of whom are vying for votes from supporters of former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has preached the need to rid politics of special interest money. Many of the candidates have sent email pitches to supporters asking for donations of $10, $20 or $27, the amount made famous by Sanders, who often cited the number as the average donation given to his presidential campaign. Carmona, a former Sanders campaign advisor, raised the most in small donations, with $57,125, or 52% of his total. Small donors gave Carrillo $25,948, about 32% of her fundraising total and Mejia, an accountant and Green Party candidate, received nearly 90% of his total funds, or $31,957, in amounts of $200 or less. Federal law does not require candidates to itemize, or report the names of, donors who give below that amount. Alejandra Campoverdi raised $44,210 from small donors, who made up 28% of her haul, while Raymond Meza raised 48%, or $14,764 of his money from small-dollar contributions. UPDATE: 7:45 p.m. This post was updated to clarify that the numbers reported are based on un-itemized donations of $200 or less to candidates. Facebook

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Robert Lee Ahn raised the most money by far in latest campaign finance reports for L.A.'s congressional race By Christine Mai-Duc Robert Lee Ahn, left, and Vanessa Aramayo, second from left, join the other candidates for the 34th Congressional District. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles TImes) Congressional candidate Robert Lee Ahn far outstripped some of the top fundraisers in the 34th Congressional District, taking a surprise lead in campaign finance reports filed Thursday. The reports cover fundraising and spending between Jan. 1 and March 15 and will be the last numbers well have before the April 4 primary election, in which 24 candidates are running. Ahn, a former L.A. city planning commissioner, raised a whopping $338,702 in contributions and loaned himself an additional $295,000, bringing his total to more than $630,000 raised since January. Ahn, an attorney and the only Korean American candidate in the race for a district that includes Koreatown, got more than $100,000 in contributions from donors with Korean surnames. The closest behind Ahn was Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, who raised $244,766 over the same period, the majority of it from political action committees, including many donations from fellow legislators in Sacramento. Sara Hernandez, a former teacher and L.A. City Hall aide, was close behind Gomez with $224,783 raised. Alejandra Campoverdi, a former White House staffer and former Los Angeles Times employee, raised $156,432. Ahn has also spent the most money so far this year, at $352,538, and has $271,271 in the bank, more than any other candidate. Gomez ended the period with $274,830 cash on hand, while Hernandez and Campoverdi have $149,990 and $122,961 left to spend, respectively. Facebook

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Dispute in California Senate leads to ethics complaint against leader Kevin de Leon By Patrick McGreevy Then-state Sen. Isadore Hall III, left, talks with Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon in Sacramento last year. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Republican state Sen. Andy Vidak on Friday filed an ethics complaint asking for an investigation into whether Democratic Senate leader Kevin de Leon engaged in an improper cover-up of threats allegedly made by former state Sen. Isadore Hall III against a group of farmers. Anthony Reyes, a spokesman for De Leon, defended the decision not to investigate allegations against Hall. With due respect, the state Senate doesnt waste taxpayer resources investigating dubious hearsay accounts of private conversations held in hotel lobbies  and thats what Senator De Leon clearly and politely communicated to Senator Vidak, Reyes said. Any suggestion otherwise is patently ridiculous. Hall, a Democrat from Compton, was appointed in January to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board by Gov. Jerry Brown. The appointment was opposed by farm industry groups, including the Western Growers Assn., which complained he received contributions from the United Farm Workers for his unsuccessful campaign for Congress last year. Vidak said that he had heard from multiple people that on Feb. 28, the evening before Halls confirmation hearing in the Rules Committee, Hall allegedly made threats in an obscenity-laced tirade in the lobby of the Sacramento Hyatt Hotel that he would get the farmers opposing his appointment, the senator wrote in a letter to the Senate Legislative Ethics Committee. The board is a quasi-judicial agency that rules on disputes between farm worker organizations and growers. The alleged threats were made to four farmers who are members of the California Fresh Fruit Assn., Vidak said. Vidak said he had formally asked De Leon, as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, to have the panel investigate the allegations and report the findings to the Senate. On Thursday, Vidak said, De Leon allegedly informed him that there would be no investigation. Senator De Leon told me yesterday that he and the leadership of the CFFA have worked things out so Hall wont be investigated,'" Vidak said in a statement Friday. Is this really how the Senate handles reports of threats and intimidation by someone pending a Senate confirmation vote? The association called the allegation that it worked out an agreement with De Leon baseless and false. The group said in a statement that Vidak did not talk to its members before he filed the complaint. If he did, he wouldve learned there is no agreement and that CFFA remains opposed to the confirmation of Senator Hall, the group said. Hall declined to comment on Vidaks complaint, said J. Antonio Barbosa, the boards executive secretary, responding on his behalf. Further, his testimony at his Senate Rules Committee confirmation hearing makes clear that he will be fair and impartial, make sound decisions, and speak to growers and farmworkers, Barbosa said. Reyes disputed Vidaks allegations. Chasing goofy conspiracy theories might fly on President Trumps Twitter feed, but it has no place in the California Legislature, Reyes said. In his letter to the ethics panel, Vidak says his complaint is that the Senates confirmation process of gubernatorial appointees may have been compromised in this situation. He asked for an investigation into whether credible information about potential criminal activity by an unconfirmed gubernatorial appointee has been intentionally ignored/withheld, and whether a member of the Senate Rules Committee is making arrangements with representatives of private organizations to bury investigations of gubernatorial appointees. Updated at 4:40 p.m. to include a comment from the California Fresh Fruit Assn. Facebook

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L.A.'s GOP congressman: It is hard to find a consensus on something that impacts more than 1/6th of our economy By Sarah D. Wire A handful of California Republicans had declined to take a position on the House GOPs healthcare bill, and now they wont have to. Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale), the only Republican who represents L.A. County, said he was conflicted up until the vote on the bill was canceled Friday afternoon. In the past two weeks my colleagues worked to build a consensus on how best to repair our flawed healthcare system and build a patient-centered system that works for the American people, Knight said in a statement after the vote. We learned that it is hard to find a consensus on something that impacts more than 1/6th of our economy and the lives of almost every American. Saying they didnt have enough votes to pass it, House Republican leaders canceled a vote on their healthcare bill minutes before vulnerable Republican members like Knight would have had to vote on the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Knights district is among seven Republican districts being targeted by Democrats in 2018, and several of the members who represent those districts never took a stance on the bill, saying they were worried about the effects on their districts and were still hearing from constituents. Experts estimated millions of Californians would have lost insurance under the bill. Just two of the targeted members, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine), said they would vote for the bill. Walters had no comment after the bill was pulled, but the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee came out swinging, with committee spokesperson Evan Lukaske saying, Walters now owns this until election day. Other targeted members seemed to brush off President Trumps plan to let Obamacare go its way for a little while. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), who didnt take a stance on the bill, said afterward Congress needs to keep working on healthcare. Congress must come together to enact legislation to stabilize our healthcare market, reduce federal spending, and ensure we are able to maintain access to healthcare for Americas most vulnerable populations. Any potential solution must be thoughtfully considered, he said in a statement. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) flirted with voting against the bill, saying he was not yet prepared to support it, but never committed either way. The [GOP bill] was an imperfect approach and I believe that we can do better, he said in a statement. We will go back to the drawing board and get this right for each and every American concerned with high costs in their healthcare and ever-dwindling choices and access to care. Facebook

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Despite threat of legal battle with Trump, California stays the course on vehicle emission rules By Chris Megerian Electric cars charge at a San Diego utility. (Rob Nikolewski / San Diego Union-Tribune) California will keep pushing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, state regulators decided Friday, even though President Trump is preparing to roll back rules in Washington. The restrictions represent a key part of Californias battle against climate change, and theyre intended to force automakers to build cleaner cars and sell more electric vehicles. Environmentalists cheered Fridays decision from the Air Resources Board. Were very disappointed by what were seeing at the federal level, so today feels warm and welcoming, said the Sierra Clubs Kathryn Phillips. California has the unique ability to set tougher standards than the federal government, but Fridays decision could put the state on a collision course with Trump. Under the presidents direction, federal officials are examining whether to loosen vehicle rules that were finalized in the waning days of the Obama administration. The California Air Resources Board meeting in Riverside this week. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) At risk is the existence of a national standard on vehicle emissions, something the auto industry has prioritized to reduce the complexity of its manufacturing operations. We should all be getting back to work on this, said John Bozzella, who advocates for international car companies as head of the Assn. of Global Automakers. Mary Nichols, chair of the Air Resources Board, questioned the industrys commitment to higher standards given their request for Trump to review the rules. What were you thinking when you threw yourself upon the mercy of the Trump administration? she said. A dozen other states have adopted Californias standards as their own, and environmentalists hope Fridays decision will foster a broader market for electric cars. This agency has seen federal administrations come
Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, President Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court, sought to assure senators Tuesday he would be independent, impartial and willing to rule against the occupant the White House.

Nobody is above the law in this country, and that includes the president of the United States, he said.

He also told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had made no promises or commitments to Trump or his aides, including whether he would vote to overrule the landmark abortion ruling in Roe vs. Wade.

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Senator, I would have walked out the door if the question had been asked, he said. Thats not what judges do. They dont do it at that end of Pennsylvania Avenue, and they shouldnt do it at this end either.

Calm and unruffled, Gorsuch frustrated Democrats by refusing to be drawn into revealing his thoughts on current legal controversies or past rulings. If I were to start telling you which are my favorite precedents or which are my least favorite precedents, he said, I would be tipping my hand.

Instead, Gorsuch said he was there to defend his qualifications and his record as an appeals court judge.

He survived the all-day-session relatively unscathed, though Democrats appeared unimpressed by his Jimmy Stewart-like earnestness or folksy yarns about his family. Questioning by senators will resume Wednesday.

Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) began the second day of hearings by giving Gorsuch an opening to distance himself from the president. Grassley asked whether Gorsuch would have any trouble ruling against the president who appointed you.

Thats a softball, Mr. Chairman, Gorsuch replied. I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party other than based on what the law and the facts in a particular case require.Theres no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge.

And anticipating that Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat, would press him on abortion, Grassley asked Gorsuch to discuss his views on adhering to Supreme Court precedents, a topic that can sometimes provide insights into a judges thinking on Roe vs. Wade and other controversial rulings.

You start with a heavy, heavy presumption in favor of precedent in our system, Gorsuch said. That is particularly so, he said, for cases decided many years ago. In addition to the age of the precedent, he said other key factors he would consider in deciding whether to overturn a decision are whether it has been reaffirmed over the years and to what degree the precedent is currently relied upon.

Without quite saying so, his comments appeared to signal to the Democrats that he would be skeptical about overturning the right to legal abortion set in 1973.

But Democrats grew increasingly frustrated with Gorsuchs refusal to frankly discuss his views about others cases, something no almost Supreme Court nominee does anymore because the process has become so partisan.

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) grilled Gorsuch about the case of the freezing truck driver who had been fired after he had driven away from his broken trailer after waiting several hours for help. The temperature was 14 degrees below zero.

While the 10th Circuit Court panel upheld an administrative judges ruling in favor of the fired driver, Gorsuch dissented. He said the law would have protected a driver who refused to operate an unsafe vehicle, but it did not protect a trucker who drove away from his trailer.

I had a career in identifying absurdity, and I know it when I see it, said Franken, a former Saturday Night Live performer and writer. It makes me question your judgment. He pressed Gorsuch to say what he would have done when faced with the drivers predicament.

I dont know what I would have done if I were in his shoes, Gorsuch replied. I dont blame him at all for doing what he did do. I thought a lot about this case. I totally empathize.

Franken shot back. I would have done exactly what he did. And I think everyone here would have done exactly what he did. And I think it is an easy answer.

Then Franken turned to this years annual Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in Washington, where, the senator noted, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior advisor Stephen K. Bannon pointed to the Gorsuch nomination as a central part of their plan to deconstruct the administrative state and roll back 40 years of regulatory law.

Are you comfortable with your nomination being described in such transactional terms? Franken asked Gorsuch.

There is a lot about this process that makes me uncomfortable, Gorsuch said.

Earlier, Feinstein aggressively questioned Gorsuch about his involvement in defending the torture policies of the George W. Bush administration during the year he served in the Justice Department.

Feinstein produced documents that she said appear to show Gorsuch condoning the use of waterboarding and other torture techniques, and offering ways to defend or explain their use. Such methods have since been abandoned by national security agencies as inhumane and ineffective. She pointed to a set of talking points she said Gorsuch prepared for then-Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales for a 2005 news conference.

Feinstein said the talking points asked whether aggressive interrogation techniques employed by the administration yielded any valuable information.

And in the margin next to this question, you hand-wrote, Yes, she said. Then she asked Gorsuch what information he had showing that the techniques were effective, a finding that was contradicted by a 7,000-page report congressional investigators published on the issue.

Gorsuch demurred. He said he was unfamiliar with the document from which Feinstein was quoting. They agreed he would review it and offer more fully informed answers during the second round of questioning on Wednesday.

Feinstein then moved on to an anti-torture bill passed by Congress, and quizzed Gorsuch about his advocacy to craft Bushs signing statement in a way that would enable the administration to continue using techniques like waterboarding and that would limit the ability of prisoners subjected to them to sue the government.

Gorsuch said that his memory was hazy on the discussions, which took place 12 years ago. However, he said that he recalled there were officials in Vice President Dick Cheneys office who were aggressively pushing to preserve some of those techniques in the signing statement, but that he said he was not among those who concurred. He said he was on the side of preserving the anti-torture provisions in the legislation.

When Feinstein moved to Gorsuchs apparent advocacy in favor of a White House policy aimed at wiretapping U.S. citizens, he again said the documents she produced did not reflect his point of view.

I was acting in my capacity as a speechwriter, he said. I think people liked my writing.

david.savage@latimes.com

Twitter: @DavidGSavage

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As House Republicans move toward a vote to roll back the Affordable Care Act, nearly every major organization representing patients and doctors now opposes the legislation.

The American Cancer Societys advocacy arm warned in a letter to lawmakers this week that the House bill threatens patients ability to afford insurance that covers the healthcare services they need to treat a cancer diagnosis.



For the record: This article initially gave the wrong last name for a woman who helps patients at the American Cancer Societys call center in Austin, Texas. She is Barbara Jones, not Jordan.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, another leading patient advocate, called the legislation life threatening, cautioning that it would destroy countless hopes for recovery.

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And a coalition of 87 patient and physician groups  including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the March of Dimes and the American Lung Assn.  told GOP congressional leaders in another letter that the House bill could be devastating to people with serious diseases.

Also on record against the legislation are the American Medical Assn., the American College of Physicians and the American Nurses Assn.

The outpouring of opposition from dozens of organizations, many of whom for decades have advocated for patients health, has not deterred the GOP push to repeal the 2010 law, often called Obamacare.

But it underscores how out of step the plan put forth by President Trump and his congressional allies is with the widely held views of doctor and patient advocacy groups about what works best for patients, particularly the sickest and most needy.

The bottom of my stomach falls out when I look at some of what is being proposed, said Barbara Jones, who for 14 years has been helping patients, many uninsured, who phone the American Cancer Societys call center in Austin, Texas, seeking help.

Do these politicians really know what happens when someone is diagnosed with a catastrophic cancer?

The House GOP bill, which would cut more than $1 trillion in federal aid that helps low- and moderate-income Americans get health insurance, is projected to nearly double the number of people without health coverage over the next decade, increasing the ranks of uninsured by 24 million.

Millions of consumers also would see skimpier health coverage and higher deductibles under the GOP plan, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates.

Hardest hit in the long run would be lower-income Americans and those nearing retirement, according to the budget office.

Republican leaders dismiss those dire predictions and say they are clearing away government regulations to reduce costs and create what House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) often calls a more patient-centered system.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said recently the House bill would restore, protect and preserve the doctor-patient relationship, the trusting partnership that is fundamental to quality healthcare.

Trump and other Republicans note that, in contrast, the current law is pushing up premiums for some consumers and leaving fewer insurance choices in some parts of the country.

The GOP push has picked up support from several influential groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Retail Federation. And some supporters of the repeal push are doctors, including Price, a former orthopedic surgeon.

Most patient advocates and leading physicians agree that Obamacare has shortcomings.

But across the country  in community clinics and hospitals, doctors offices and healthcare call centers like the one in Texas  many of the people who work closest with sick patients say they dont understand how stripping away health coverage and scaling back what insurers must cover will improve patients lives.

The fact is, people are not going to go to the doctor if they dont have insurance, said Dr. Mary Newman, a primary care physician in suburban Baltimore, adding that even wealthier patients are reluctant to seek routine care for something like a suspicious skin mole or a breast lump if theyre uninsured.

It is really scary, Newman said. We help them any way we can, but they are ashamed or in denial about asking for help without insurance coverage.

The obstacles for doctors and nurses who care for poor patients often are even larger.

At HealthLinc, a network of health clinics in northwestern Indiana that historically served large numbers of uninsured patients, doctors and nurses were routinely forced to skip recommended tests or treatments because patients couldnt afford them, said Beth Wrobel, the clinics chief executive.

Id have to get on the phone and beg the local hospital for an MRI or something like that, Wrobel said. We want to be able to send our patients on their way to wellness, but our options were very limited.

The expansion of Medicaid coverage in Indiana through Obamacare has begun to change that, she said, as patients now can go see specialists they need, or get MRIs and other tests the clinic cant provide.

The healthcare law has extended coverage to more than 20 million previously uninsured Americans and is driving the nations uninsured rate to the lowest levels recorded, data show.

A growing body of research shows that is dramatically improving patients access to care.

The share of adults who skipped medical care because of costs dropped by nearly one-fifth between 2013 and 2015, according to a recent report from the Commonwealth Fund. The gains were even more dramatic in the states that have most expanded coverage through the federal healthcare law.

The improved access is leading to better results, other studies indicate, including helping poor patients better control diseases such as asthma and high blood pressure.

And still other research suggests that the coverage expansions made possible by Obamacare ultimately may save lives.

That is what researchers found occurred in Massachusetts after that state enacted its trailblazing coverage expansion in 2006, a model that was replicated in the federal law that President Obama signed in 2010.

At the cancer call center in Texas, Jones worries all that progress may now be reversed.

Im afraid well be back to hearing people ask us, You mean they are going to let me die?  she said. And we wont have many answers.

A side-by-side comparison of Obamacare and the GOPs replacement plan 

noam.levey@latimes.com

@noamlevey

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Since the collapse of Richard Nixons presidency in the Watergate scandal 43 years ago, nothing has shaken the Republican Party more profoundly than Donald Trumps ascent to the White House.

He upended party orthodoxy with an agenda that drew a fiercely loyal following of white working-class voters, but left many well-to-do Republicans uneasy as Trump condemned trade deals and vowed to preserve Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits that GOP leaders have long sought to scale back.

In the opening weeks of his presidency, Trump has tried to avoid friction within the party, leaning to the right on immigration, abortion, the environment, the military and business issues, among others. Apart from resistance from the partys right wing to his plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, Trump has stayed largely in sync with the Republicans who control Congress

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Its the job of Ronna Romney McDaniel, 44, the new chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, to make sure the party maintains its dominance in the 2018 and 2020 elections  an uphill task, as she acknowledged in an interview with The Times.

Here are excerpts from the conversation:

McDaniel, a former Michigan Republican Party chairwoman, sought to play down conflict within the party over Trumps vow to resist cuts to Social Security and healthcare benefits for the elderly and the poor.

These are promises to people who paid into a system with an expectation that they would get benefits back, and he has said time and time again that the way that were going to fix the issues that we have with our Social Security system is by growing our economy and expanding growth in the marketplace, and by getting rid of regulations and tackling tax reform. And then when you unleash the economy in this country and we have the type of growth that we need to see, then were not going to have the same deficits in those programs.

McDaniel suggested that even GOP critics are fine with Trumps cancellation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, despite Arizona Sen. John McCains calling it a serious mistake.

I think a lot of them recognize that we needed to focus on fair trade more, and that there were some aspects of that deal that could have been better. And the president has not said hes not going to engage in trade  quite the opposite. He said were going to benefit more from more bilateral trade deals rather than multilateral trade deals so that we can put terms together that support our economy and the American worker.

As for Republicans who object to the healthcare overhaul proposed by Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, McDaniel said the party was going through the proper transparent process of passing the measure.

It would be great if Democrats would be part of this conversation, and certainly the president has welcomed them and said we want you to be part of the fix. Please come help us because the people who are really hurting right now are people whose premiums are going up at a rapid clip and people whose deductibles are so high that in essence they dont even have health insurance, and people in states who now have only one choice of a provider because all of the other insurers have pulled out. So this is a problem that Democrats and Republicans should be working on together.

After Mitt Romney (McDaniels uncle) lost the 2012 presidential election to President Obama, an RNC report found that minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. But Trump ran a racially tinged campaign and fared no better than Romney with blacks and about the same with Latinos.

He has said he wants an open and inclusive party, and thats something that Im definitely going to focus on as chair. We want to continue to have outreach in communities that havent traditionally voted Republican and continue to take our message to those communities and talk about shrinking the size of government, and school choice, and unleashing ones potential in this great nation.

She suggested Trumps hard line on illegal immigration and deportations would pose no obstacle in that effort.

If we can find a way to enforce our laws and keep people from coming into our country illegally while maintaining a strong legal immigration system, I think thats going to benefit everyone. If you come here illegally and you commit a crime, youre not going to be able to stay in our country.

McDaniel said Republicans would strengthen the partys organization in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the states that drove Trumps electoral college victory. Voters there and elsewhere in the 2018 elections, she said, will see Trump as a president who champions the average working person.

In the midterms, typically the party that has the White House loses seats, or loses the majority in the House or the Senate. I want to buck that trend. I want to keep our majorities. And thats going to be a combination of putting together the best ground game, building on the momentum we have from this past election, working with the state parties, being in states early, having those conversations, and then talking about the accomplishments that weve seen from President Trump and his administration.

Live coverage from the campaign trail 

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

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A unanimous Supreme Court strengthened the rights of nearly 7 million schoolchildren with disabilities Wednesday, and did so by rejecting a lower standard set by Judge Neil Gorsuch.

The ruling, one of the most important of this term, came as President Trumps Supreme Court nominee is wrapping up his third day of testimony before a Senate committee.

Justices ruled for the parents of Endrew F., a Colorado boy with autism who pulled their son from the public school after his progress essentially stalled.

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They enrolled him in a private academy that specialized in autism, where his behavior and learning improved markedly. They then sued the school district for reimbursement, alleging a violation of the federal law which promises a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said the school district had not met its duty under the law. Children like Endrew F. have a right to an educational program that is reasonably calculated to enable [them] to make progress, he said. And the learning program must be appropriately ambitious in light of the childs capabilities.

This stand is markedly more demanding than the merely more than de minimus test applied by the 10th Circuit, he said, including in a 2008 opinion written by Gorsuch. Under that standard, a school need only show that it was providing a minimal special program with some level of benefit.

The high court did not mention Gorsuchs opinion in the earlier case, but it reversed a 10th Circuit ruling which had relied on it.

Asked about the issue on Wednesday, Gorsuch said he was a part of a unanimous three-judge panel that had sought to follow a Supreme Court standard set in the 1982.

Several liberal groups described the courts decision as a direct rebuke of Gorsuch.

However, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) noted that Gorusch was not part of the three-judge panel whose ruling was directly reversed in the courts decision in Endrew F. vs. Douglas County.

Trumps victory assures a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. 

For the 4th time, the Electoral College picks the loser of the popular vote. 

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

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Supreme Court grants emergency order to block transgender male student in Virginia from using boys restroom

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The questions started pouring in immediately.

Am I at risk of being detained even though I havent committed any offenses?

What should I say to ICE if they ask me where I was born?

Will massive raids happen in public spaces?

As the Trump administration released its new immigration rules, immigrant rights groups have been grappling with an uptick in concerns. One of the most common: What happens to my child if Im sent away?

In the United States, there are roughly 5 million children under the age of 18 with at least one parent whos living in the country illegally. About 79% of those adolescents are U.S. citizens, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

According to the Pew Research Center, 10% of the 11.1 million immigrants who are living in the country illegally live in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The details of Trumps immigration crackdown remain blurry. He has talked about mass deportations, but has also said he wants to focus on individuals who have criminal records. The latter was also a focus of the Obama administrations immigration policy.

The lack of specifics has fueled rumors and fears in immigrant communities.

Trumps promised crackdown has won praise from supporters who say people who broke the law coming into the country should be sent back, no matter how long theyve lived here. But others have strongly criticized the presidents tough rhetoric and say its cruel to tear apart families.

I can't expose them to the dangers.  Guadalupe Galindo, who has lived in the U.S. illegally for 29 years, on the prospect of taking her children with her if she's deported to Mexico

Guardian slips and information sheets distributed to Los Angeles-area immigrant families by aid organizations. (Los Angeles Times) (LA Times)

Guadalupe Galindo, 46, has lived in the United States for 29 years. If shes sent back to Mexico, she would leave her 10- and 8-year-old girls in the care of her 24-year-old daughter. Though she says the distance would be painful, she wont fathom an alternative.

I can't expose them to the dangers, she said about life in her native country.

She has kept her two younger girls in the dark, protecting them from worry. The weight of reality falls on her oldest daughters shoulders.

It's one thing being a sister, and it's another thing to take responsibility like a mother, Galindo said. Like taking them to school, and like a mother, representing them in everything.

For others, permanent separation isnt an option.

Mario Castillo is a father of two  one 5-year-old and one just shy of 2. If deported to El Salvador, he and his wife plan to leave the children with someone in the United States who could send them on later, aware of what that might mean for their future.

Theyll be living a different life than the one they deserve here. They were born here, he said.

Theyll be living a different life than the one they deserve here.  Mario Castillo, who says he'll have his children sent from the United States to join him and his wife in El Salvador if they're deported

Every case is different, and immigrant rights groups suggest that anyone fearing deportation make a plan and meet with a lawyer before the situation escalates.

Groups such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advise people who are detained by authorities to give only their name and date of birth, request an attorney, hand over a rights card, which provides this information in both English and Spanish, and then remain silent. Individuals are also advised to ask to see a warrant before opening the door to law enforcement, and to keep valuable documents such as birth certificates and passports in an accessible and safe location.

Immigrant rights organizations have been actively distributing and notarizing guardian slips for their children to help families prepare for such a scenario. Parents are instructed to write down the names of those theyd trust to watch over their children. If deported or detained, their child would become the immediate responsibility of one of the guardians on their list.

CHIRLA has handed out at least 250 guardian slips in the three weeks since reports of new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps circulated, according to Jorge-Mario Cabrera, the groups director of communications. Last year, they handed out about 25 in total.

The decision of who to name as guardian is not made easily. For parents of disabled children, its foreboding.

One couple spoke anonymously through their lawyer, Erika Pinheiro of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) immigrant rights group in Los Angeles. The father, originally from Mexico, and mother, originally from Central America, worry most about their middle child, a 10-year-old with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Hes been shaking and crying. He doesnt want to sleep by himself anymore. Hell wake up and want to sleep with his parents, Pinheiro said, translating the parents Spanish to English.

At a recent Know Your Rights workshop at CHIRLA, a room that typically a couple of dozen Latinos would be learning what they should and should not do or say if stopped by ICE officers was packed and brimming with kids.

Some were too young to understand the growing fear of deportation their mothers and fathers faced. Others were old enough to know all too well. While the smallest played with toy trucks and tumbled at their parents feet, those teetering between tween and teen sat patiently. One girl steadfastly took notes as her mom and dad listened intently to instructions at the edge of their seats.

Maria Rosas, a 36-year-old mother of four boys, attended the meeting to figure out a plan. She has already told her children not to be afraid. If she and her husband are deported, they wont leave them behind.

Whatever happens, we'll always be together.

We asked immigration rights groups what type of questions theyve been receiving. Now we want to hear from you. What kinds of questions or conversations have you been having since the Trump administration released its new immigration rules? Tell us below.

Times staff writer Steve Saldivar contributed to this report.

colleen.shalby@latimes.com

Twitter: @cshalby

ALSO:

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Column: Trump needs to stop terrifying immigrant families and consider the real cost of mass deportations
With the vote scheduled for today, a handful of Californias 14 Republican members of Congress are still weighing how to vote on the GOP plan to undo and replace parts of the Affordable Care Act.

Californias 38 House Democrats have lined up pretty firmly against the bill, as have most of the chambers Democrats, so Republicans are on their own to pass the bill. House Republicans can afford to lose around 20 members and still pass it with a simple majority.

Constituents are flooding House offices with calls today, and both conservative and liberal interest groups are pushing reticent members to vote no.

More than half of Californias Republicans have said theyll vote yes or are leaning yes. None of the 14 Republicans in the delegation have committed to voting no on the bill.

All but one of the undecided members represent congressional districts that picked Hillary Clinton for president and have already been named as districts Democrats think they can flip in 2018. Several also represent districts with a large number of residents who are on Medi-Cal, a program that would likely shrink if the bill passes.

Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) (Douglas Graham / Roll Call) (Douglas Graham / Roll Call)

Rep. Jeff Denham: Undecided

Denham of Turlock was among a group of Republican members who met with President Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon. He said hes still reviewing the bill, but were actually working on finding a resolution.

We need greater access in California. We continue to expand our Medicaid population without reimbursing doctors, so we end up having not only a doctor shortage but doctors that wont see Medicaid patients," Denham said.

Rep. David Valadao : Undecided

Valadao of Hanford said between votes Tuesday that he is still looking at the changes House leaders put forward Monday night to make the bill more palatable, and is still weighing our options.

Rep. Paul Cook : Undecided

Ensuring that Americans have access to affordable quality care is paramount. As far as the American Health Care Act , Im still studying the details of it, Cook, of Yucca Valley, said in a statement last week.

Rep. Steve Knight : Undecided

Knight of Palmdale has said he doesnt have a position on the bill at this point.

The future of our nations healthcare is extremely important and warrants thorough examination and discussion, which is why we will continue to carefully review the recent proposed changes to the bill and discuss its impacts with members of our community, Knight said in a statement.

Rep. Ed Royce : Undecided

I remain concerned about the rising cost of healthcare for Southern Californians and am listening to the feedback Ive received from my constituents on this bill, Royce of Fullerton said in a statement. He had remained silent until Friday.

Rep. Darrell Issa: Leaning no

Issa of Vista said last week hes not prepared to vote for the bill. He said the Republican Party could do better. His staff said Tuesday that even with changes, he still has reservations.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa : Leaning yes

LaMalfa of Richvale said hes still looking at the details, but as long as hes satisfied that the original recipients of Medicaid will continue to be covered, he's expecting to vote yes.

Im hearing good things, so I'm leaning that way for now, he said. There are aspects of Medicaid that need to be able to ride this out through the transition.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher : Yes

After being initially unsure, Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach said he plans to vote in favor because of the changes to the bill this week.

Reagan always said dont let the perfect be the enemy of the good, Rohrabacher said. Were accomplishing something good, but its not perfect. Its going in the right direction.

Hes been warning colleagues that killing Trumps first major effort will stop his momentum on other Republican priorities.

If this goes down, were going to be neutering our President Trump, Rohrabacher said. You dont cut the balls off your bull and expect thats hes going to go out and get the job done.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: Yes

McCarthy of Bakersfield has vocally defended the bill.

Thursday will be a big day. Thursday will be the day that we keep our word that we will repeal and replace, he said in a news conference.

Rep. Mimi Walters : Yes

Walters of Irvine indicated last week that she supports the bill.

She said in a statement that it offers real solutions that will allow Americans to have healthcare plans that work for them and keeps Republicans healthcare promises.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) (Los Angeles Times) (Los Angeles Times)

Rep. Tom McClintock: Yes

McClintock of Elk Grove was once a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans who largely oppose the bill. He was initially leery of the bill, especially when the Congressional Budget Office s report showed it would have a substantial negative effect on older, low-income workers.

But he announced Tuesday that he would vote for the bill, saying changes to the bill had satisfied him.

I wish it did everything necessary to restore an optimal health insurance market, McClintock said on the House floor Tuesday. But it moves us toward that goal, and even as a stand-alone measure, I am confident it will ultimately create a market in most states that will produce better services, greater choices and lower costs for the vast majority of Americans.

His move won him praise from Trump during Republicans closed-door meeting Tuesday morning, according to a person in the room.

Rep. Devin Nunes : Yes

Im for it, yes. Its a no-brainer," Nunes (R-Tulare), who served on Trumps transition team, said between votes Tuesday. Were going to give good quality healthcare to all Americans. Coming from the San Joaquin Valley where we play second fiddle to big cities, this is a huge advantage for us.

Rep. Ken Calvert : Yes

Calvert of Corona has been a vocal supporter of the bill since it was first announced, and his staff said he supports the amended bill, though he will keep an eye on any changes that could happen on the House floor.

Rep. Duncan Hunter: Yes

Hunter of Alpine was an early backer of Trumps campaign and supports the bill.

The longer Congress sits idle, the longer its going to take to create room for the market to adjust and foster the type of competition that will actually compel lower rates and access, said his chief of staff, Joe Kasper.

10:23 a.m.: This story was updated with a comment from Rep. Ed Royce.

9:19 a.m.: This story was updated with Rep. Dana Rohrabachers decision. It was originally posted March 23.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

Read more about the 55 members of California's delegation at latimes.com/politics

ALSO

Updates on California politics

UPDATES:

March 24, 11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with last-minute pressure being placed on House members to vote against the healthcare bill.

March 23, 9:15 a.m.: This article was updated with the vote being rescheduled.

This article was originally published on at 5:35 p.m., March 21.
As the leader of a state that seems more a country of its own in its isolation from the Republican revolution, Gov. Jerry Brown saw his visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday play out like that of any foreign ambassador to the nations capital.

Brown played the role of diplomat, sitting with friends and foes alike to assess Californias standing as decisions are made on federal funding and priorities. And like a good envoy, he carefully chose his words about the path forward.

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I do think we all have to work vigorously to defend our position, but to find as many openings with a very different kind of politics, Brown said after his final meeting Tuesday.

His caution no doubt was reinforced by a state delegation deeply divided, 53 members of the House of Representatives hunkering down for whats likely to be one of the biggest political battles of modern times.

We appreciate the governors thoughts, but in my estimation were a long way from having a president who has the wisdom and understanding to be our leader, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said.

By most accounts, Brown was well received in separate, private meetings with both Democrats and Republicans. The governor, lawmakers said, did his best to listen. Democrats in particular praised the variety of topics that he discussed at length, including education and the shrinking Salton Sea.

He took every member of Congress question, freshman Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) said.

The governor and his top advisors worked hard to limit expectations for the trip. They frequently pointed out that Brown is merely trying to plug in to Washington this week, not take it by storm.

Even so, the governor acknowledged the enormous challenges California faces in adapting to the evolving politics ushered in by President Trump. That includes a substantial rollback in environmental enforcement, a pause on expected funds that are a building block for Californias high-speed rail plans, and the threat of losing at least $16 billion in healthcare funding.

A bevy of prominent state officials, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders of the Legislature, have made it clear where they stand in the early days of the Trump presidency. For months they have taken aim at Trumps statements on social media and in public, and even his legitimacy as president. That reality may not sit well with some Republicans, and one lawmaker said it could be remembered when it comes time for Trump and Congress to divvy up federal dollars.

California gives at least as much as it gets from the federal government when it comes to money 

If the political leaders of California are using their authority and their efforts to block President Trumps efforts to control the illegal flow of immigrants into our country, then they cant expect to get preferential treatment when it comes to other issues of government, said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) as he made an early exit from the meeting with Brown.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), who met with the governor privately after the group gathering, was more upbeat. A spokesman said the two men discussed issues important to California and the country  including infrastructure, healthcare and innovation.

The governor also dived in to conversations on climate change and transportation. A private meeting with Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) included a discussion of this months action by the Environmental Protection Agency to back away from strict enforcement against climate-changing pollutants produced by vehicles. Markey, a strong advocate for the environment in Congress, spent more than an hour mulling over the issues with Brown, later tweeting out a photo of the two taken in his Capitol office.

Were going to fight as hard as we can for efficient cars that pollute less, cause less asthma, less respiratory disease and deal with climate change in the way we think it should be, Brown told reporters Tuesday.

And the veteran governor ended his second day in Washington with perhaps the most real-world lobbying effort of his trip so far: a meeting with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who in early March delayed a $647-million grant to expand commuter rail in the Bay Area.

The project, designed as an integral link to the states high-speed rail construction, was targeted by California Republican lawmakers to possibly kill the train project they have long opposed.

After the meeting with Chao, Brown said he was hopeful the presidents team will take a second look.

We dont have a deal yet, he told reporters. But Id say were opening doors. Its difficult; were not there yet.

Brown, who will spend much of Wednesday at a board of directors meeting for the nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative, also made time to meet separately with Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. He and Feinstein dined together on Tuesday night.

If the governor seemed to settle on anything, it was that he wont close off any political doors in the weeks and months ahead.

Im not going to say, Oh no, we dont talk to the president, we dont talk to Republicans, Brown said. Im here to negotiate, to make friends and to advance the cause of California.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast

ALSO:

Gov. Jerry Brown talks about dangers at home and around the world as he arrives in Washington

Updates on California politics
By now, most of the storylines have been set. The news thats dominated Donald Trumps presidency is likely to be here for a while. Might as well settle in:

Last weekend

I.O.U.S.A.? President Trump met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday. In back-to-back tweets Saturday, he said they had a good meeting but to make no mistake: Germany still owes the U.S. money.

Intruder alert. For the second time since Trump took office, someone attempted to get inside the White House. This time, a man jumped a low barrier outside the security fence. Trump wasnt home.

The Department of Justice asked a Hawaii judge to revise his ruling on halting the travel ban. The judge said no.

Another Conway in the house. Kellyanne Conways husband, George, was selected to head the civil division of the Department of Justice. The group is responsible for dealing with lawsuits filed against the Trump administration and defending the travel ban.

Monday

Did Trump collude with Russia to win the election? Thats fake news, the president tweeted.

Let the hearings begin! FBI Director James B. Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers testified before a House committee for more than five hours about Russias meddling in the U.S. election. A major takeaway? Comey confirmed that the FBI is investigating Russias interference in the campaign and looking for potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. The White House is downplaying that revelation. Supreme Court nominee Neil M. Gorsuch is undergoing his confirmation hearings. David G. Savage noted that his opening statement was deeply personal. These days we sometimes hear judges cynically described as politicians in robes, Gorsuch said. But I just dont think thats what a life in the law is about.

Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano is being kept off the air after backing Trumps unverified wiretap claims.

Speaking of wiretapping. The National Security Agency director said the Obama administration didnt ask British intelligence to spy on Trump.

House Republican leaders made last-minute changes to their healthcare bill in an attempt to sway some conservative and moderate lawmakers.

Ivanka Trump is getting a West Wing office and security clearance. The first daughter is not technically an employee of the White House.

Tuesday

Gorsuch said he would be reluctant to overturn past court rulings, like Roe vs. Wade. As Evan Halper wrote, how a judge would rule on an issue like abortion is a longstanding litmus test at hearings.

The U.S. and Britain have banned tablets and laptops on flights from eight Middle Eastern and African countries.

Trump warned House members that they have little choice but to vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Some still werent convinced.

The Trump administration skipped a human rights hearing that looked into how U.S. policies hurt asylum claims or trigger other alleged immigration abuses, after the meeting was deemed not appropriate by its lawyers.

Wednesday

Back to Russia. Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, worked for a Russian billionaire about 10 years ago to advance Russian President Vladimir Putins agenda.

Rep. Devin Nunes said U.S. intelligence officials intercepted communications involving Trumps transition team. According to Nunes, the conversations were picked up because Trump associates were communicating with individuals under surveillance. When asked if Trump felt vindicated by the revelations, he said he somewhat did.

Courtroom drama. The Supreme Court unanimously strengthened the rights of 7 million schoolchildren with disabilities, rejecting a lower-court ruling that relied on a standard set by none other than Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch. The ruling came down during Gorsuchs nomination hearing. Ouch.

Thursday

Friday, March 24

Its vote day. Just kidding! The GOP plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act was already on shaky ground moving into the scheduled vote Friday. Paul Ryan and Trump met last-minute to talk about where the count stood. And then, at Trumps request, the bill was pulled, making it the second time House GOP leaders had to delay the vote.

Remember Manafort? He volunteered to be interviewed by the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russias alleged interference in the presidential election.

Welcome back big oil. The Trump administration issued a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which had previously been rejected by Obama.

A Virginia judge ruled in favor of Trumps travel ban, saying that it likely falls within the bounds of Trumps authority as president. His ruling doesnt have an immediate effect on the ban, which was put on hold by federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland last week.

Cant get enough? Weve got you covered for all of Trumps first 100 days.  

Grade the president

Now that youre all caught up, heres your chance to tell us what you think of Trump as we track his major moves in the first 100 days.

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Grading opens every Friday and closes at the end of Monday. Well be posting your responses, so subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when they go up.

Missing something? Email colleen.shalby@latimes.com and melissa.leu@latimes.com or tweet us @cshalby and @melissaleu.

Need a recap of Trumps first 100 days so far? Look no further:

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8
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
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) speaks to the news media on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) speaks to the news media on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. (Shawn Thew / European Pressphoto Agency)

The White House says the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee will brief President Trump on the possible monitoring of Trump associates.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) said Wednesday that the communications of Trump transition officials  possibly including Trump himself  may have been monitored after the election as part of an incidental collection.

Nunes said the intercepted communications do not appear to be related to the ongoing FBI investigation into Trump associates' contacts with Russia. He said he believes the intelligence collections were done legally.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer provided no further details on the pending meeting between Trump and Nunes later Wednesday.
Army ant colonies are home to a treasure trove of raided food and helpless juveniles that other insects would love to feed on. But one does not simply walk into an army ant colony and start eating.

Ill-prepared intruders would face swarms of aggressive ants eager to defend their nest. Thats why many insects  such as silverfish, mites and wasps  have developed armor or clever disguises to raid ant colonies.

Several species of rove beetles, a diverse family of tiny elongated insects, take this to the extreme.

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These beetle species are able to infiltrate ant nests through an elaborate mimicry scheme, evolving ant-like antennae and legs, ant-like smells and even ant-like behaviors to assimilate within the ranks of their hosts.

In the last 60 million years, this beetle-to-ant disguise has emerged 12 different times in various genera of rove beetles around the world, according to research published this month in Current Biology.

Theres nothing else quite like it in biology, said Joseph Parker, the Columbia University evolutionary biologist who led the study. These beetles have independently evolved to live with army ants. They sort of morphed into the shape of their ant hosts and their behaviors have changed, too.

Parker and his colleague, Munetoshi Maruyama of Kyushu University in Japan, spent a decade in the field searching for the tiny insects among thousands of marching army ants and collecting them for later DNA analysis. Many of the species they found were new to science.

By reconstructing the evolution of the ant-mimicking rove beetle subfamily Aleocharinae, the researchers found that the insects descend from a common ancestor that lived 105 million years ago in the early Cretaceous Period. This is around the same time flowering plants and modern mammals appeared.

The ant impostors ancestor would have looked more like todays free-living rove beetles, the ones that do not live as parasites inside ant colonies.

As army ants and termites conquered the tropics during the Cenozoic Era, at least 12 separate lineages of rove beetle took on ant-like characteristics.

The researchers call this an ancient example of convergent evolution, in which unrelated or separate groups of organisms follow seemingly parallel evolutionary paths.

Rove beetles ant mimicry is surprising, in part because of the complexity their adaptions. Convergent evolution is generally limited to a single trait, such as the shape of eyes or wings.

Its also unusual that the beetles developed these disguises over such a long period of time.

Usually, convergence takes place over just a few million years. Thats because the species, though separate, share a similar genetic blueprint that allows their evolution to follow similar courses.

Thats not the case for the rove beetles, whose ancient ancestor split into separate groups more than 50 million years ago. In that time, each beetle species became more genetically distinct. Even so, more than a dozen rove beetles still managed to evolve their own ant-like disguises.

All of these beetles evolved to survive in a very particular niche, in this case the inhospitable colonies of army ants. In other words, the beetles had no freedom to evolve different ways of life, he said.

If the selective conditions are right and the starting material is right, then evolution can be extremely predictable, Parker said. To live in an ant colony, you presumably have to obey specific rules. Thats smelling like an army ant and behaving like an army ant.

The ant impostors last common ancestor likely passed on a set of adaptations that predisposed the insects to eventually develop traits that approximated the appearance, smells and behaviors of various army ant species.

But first, the beetles needed a reason to venture into a dangerous army ant den: the nests ant brood and scavenged arthropods are an attractive source of food. To survive such a hostile environment, the beetles defensive gland on their abdomen allowed them to secrete an irritating chemical, called a quinone, that allowed them to defend themselves against aggressive ants.

They can walk into an ant colony, eat their resources and sort of blast them in the face with quinones, Parker said. They can get in the door because they can chemically defend themselves.

Finally, rove beetles possess a body plan thats much easier to remodel into the shape of an ant. Free-living rove beetles have a relatively short wingcase and a flexible abdomen, so theyre only a few steps away from being ant-like, Parker said. Then all the myrmecoid beetles needed was elongated antennae and legs.

Each myrmecoid rove beetle is adapted to parasitize a single species of ant. The beetles probably live their entire lives inside the ant colony, although no one has ever found their larvae, Parker said.

Its also unclear whether the ants ever realize that theres an impostor among their ranks. Parker said myrmecoid beetles have defensive modifications, including thickened, club-like antenna and sturdier body segments in case they do get caught.

Its possible, Parker suggested, that the ants and beetles are engaged in an evolutionary arms race. As the impostors feed off the ants brood, perhaps the ants ability to detect the parasites has also evolved.

Parker said more specialized parasites typically dont undermine the hosts they depend on. The beetles probably only produce enough offspring to propagate the species  although more research is needed on the impact the impostors have on their host colonies.

Maybe intruders who cant keep apace were detected and killed, Parker said.

sean.greene@latimes.com

@seangreene89

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The dinosaur family tree may need to be radically rewritten  and even uprooted and replanted elsewhere, a new analysis of about 75 different species shows.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, hint that dinosaurs may have originated in the northern hemisphere rather than the southern, and could upend an understanding of dinosaur evolution that has gone largely unchallenged for some 130 years.

We might all have to rearrange our mental furniture, Kevin Padian, a UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology who was not involved in the study, wrote in a commentary.

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To figure out the family tree of long-extinct animals with fossilized bones, scientists have to carefully study their shared features to see which ancient species were related, and what their common ancestors looked like. Its tricky and painstaking work, especially since similar physical features can sometimes emerge independently in two different species  a phenomenon known as convergent evolution. (Wings emerged separately in birds and bats, for example.)

Historically, dinosaurs have largely been categorized according to the shape of their pelvic bones  grouped either into bird-hipped dinosaurs such as Ornithischia, a group that includes stegosaurus, triceratops and duckbilled hadrosaurs, or into the reptile-hipped Saurischia. Saurischia is split further into theropods (including Tyrannosaurus rex and all birds) and Sauropodomorphs (which includes sauropods such as long-necked Apatosaurus).

But the fossil record hasnt been entirely supportive on that point, Padian pointed out. The black-sheep ornithischians, for example, have brought a bagful of uncomfortable issues to family get-togethers.

In this dinosaur family-grouping game, the joker in the pack has always been Ornithischia, he wrote. From their earliest appearance, they have been weird. They have a strange additional chin bone, their incisor teeth are smaller than those of other dinosaurs, their cheek teeth are regular and closely spaced like molars, they have beaks, and their hip bones are enigmatically organized. Also, unlike nearly all the other dinosaurs except Sauropoda, they are clearly herbivores, as their teeth and jaws show.

Stranger still, he pointed out, was that ornithischians didnt start diversifying in a major way until about 200 million years ago, around the Late Triassic or Early Jurassic period  even though they should have had plenty of time to do so.

Thats not to mention that the bird-hipped ornithischians actually show an uncanny resemblance to lizard-hipped theropods (such as T. rex and velociraptor). This caught the eye of lead author Matthew Baron, a paleontology doctorate student at the University of Cambridge who wondered if that 19th century definition could be wrong.

When I was looking at them, I noticed that many of the earliest ones had features that were very similar to those of theropods (meat eaters). This was odd to me as the old model for how we classify dinosaurs said that these two groups were distantly related, Baron said in an email.

Other papers classifying early dinosaur relationships also did not include an adequate sample of early ornithischians as a point of comparison, the study authors wrote.

Because of their weird anatomy and rarity, Baron said, people have often overlooked Ornithischia when asking questions about the earliest dinosaurs.

For this paper, Baron and his colleagues decided to take another look at the relationships between these dinosaur groups  one that threw out the assumptions that guided those previous groupings.

Other studies that looked at ornithischians, for example, tended to analyze what they already saw as shared traits of the group. But here, the scientists compared about 75 species using a whopping 457 different characteristics. Some of those traits would previously have been noted as points of comparison only in theropods or sauropodomorphs, but the scientists included ornithischians in their analysis of those traits, too.

This is roughly 35,000 individual data points that had to be input by hand, based upon my observations, Baron said.

The researchers analysis of the dinosaurs skulls, teeth and skeletal structures appears to result in a significant reshuffling of dinosaur relationships. Rather than being an earlier, basal group, ornithischians are the sister group to theropods, together in a new clade the authors called Ornithoscelida. (The term itself is not new: It was coined by English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley around 1870.) The group Saurischia keeps sauropodomorphs but loses theropods in favor of herrerasaurids, which could never find an agreed-upon home in the traditional family tree.

The results of this study challenge more than a century of dogma and recover an unexpected tree topology that necessitates fundamental reassessment of current hypotheses concerning early dinosaur evolution, palaeoecology and palaeobiology, the study authors wrote.

If other scientists test the authors hypothesis and also find that the family tree is in for major pruning and grafting, the findings could have major implications for our understanding of dinosaur evolution.

For example, Padian pointed out, its now possible that ornithischians may be descended from theropods (though he was quick to point out that the study authors didnt go so far as to say that).

Also puzzling is Baron and colleagues finding that the primitive-looking herrerasaurids, from the South American Triassic, are the sister group to the sauropods, Padian added. This link is not strongly supported, but it is intriguing. Herrerasaurids were carnivores, and they are usually linked to or included with the carnivorous theropods.

This suggests that the meat-eating traits in herrerasaurids and theropods (such as sharp teeth and large skulls) actually arose independently in those two lineages, rather than being a shared characteristic. That means that dinosaurs original ancestor may not have been purely carnivorous  an idea supported by recent research, which shows that the earliest dinosaurs were probably small, omnivorous and walked on two legs.

The new family tree also means that dinosaurs may have originated not in South America (on the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana), but instead somewhere in the northern hemisphere, on what was then supercontinent Laurasia.

We know this will be controversial, Baron said. We are disagreeing with 130 years of consensus. Some people have expressed a desire to test our hypothesis for themselves, and we really do welcome that. We want this to start a great new debate in our field, and we hope that people test our ideas and search for new specimens and new evidence that might support or refute our finds.

amina.khan@latimes.com

Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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Scientists have discovered the fossil remains of a 430-million-year-old crustacean previously unknown to science  a proto-shrimp that theyre naming in honor of British naturalist and television personality David Attenborough. The new species, described in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, could shed fresh light on crustacean evolution.

Our analysis suggests that it is an early representative of the line leading ultimately to modern shrimps, lobsters and crabs, study co-author Derek Briggs, a paleontologist at Yale University, said in an email.

Cascolus ravitis may not sound like the name of the 90-year-old Attenborough, famed for his work on Life on Earth and other well-known documentary series, but look closely: Cascolus, a blend of the Latin castrum (stronghold) and colus (dwelling in), is inspired by the naturalists surname, which has Middle and Old English roots.

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The species name, ravitis, is also partly in honor of the University of Leicester campus, where Attenborough grew up while his father served as principal of what was then called University College Leicester. Ravitis is a blend of the Latin Ratae (the Romans name for Leicester), vita (life), and commeatis (messenger). The blend appears to allude to the broadcaster, who, in his instantly recognizable voice, has long communicated the wonders of the natural world to the public.

We thought this would be a way of recognizing his remarkable career creating and presenting natural history programs which have reached millions around the world, Briggs said.

C. ravitis was found in the deposits of volcanic ash that eventually became rock in present day Herefordshire. Given the specimens extremely high quality, with evidence of multiple limbs and even soft tissue such as eyes and antennae preserved, the researchers were able to construct a virtual fossil that allowed them to examine it in three dimensions.

We ground the fossil away in very thin increments  some 50 for every millimeter  imaging the details at each stage (which are like slices through the specimen) and then combining the images into a three-dimensional reconstruction, Briggs explained. So the specimen we treated in this way no longer exists but survives as images and a reconstruction that can be provided to any researcher. The nature of these fossils is such that there is no density contrast between fossil and the nodule in which it is found so they cannot be revealed by normal scanning methods.

This proto-shrimp was tiny  the entire specimen is just 8.9 millimeters long; its widest point is its head shield, measuring 1.3 millimeters wide. This little critter had a long, segmented body with several biramous (or two-branched) limbs, which are typical of crustaceans today. It featured rows of strange, petal-shaped appendages, which scientists think probably helped it both to swim and to breathe in the ancient sea, some 100 to 200 meters beneath the water.

Their relatively large surface area would presumably facilitate efficient oxygen uptake, the study authors wrote.

This is actually a pretty normal situation for living shrimp, Briggs said.

The potential of shrimps and their relatives to diversify their limbs for different modes of feeding and locomotion certainly contributed to their success, he added.

Based on its features, the scientists concluded that C. ravitis is a malacostracan, making it an ancient relative to todays lobsters, crabs and shrimp  one that may help shed light on this part of the crustacean family tree.

Cascolus provides important clues into the morphological evolution of the sister-taxon of Eumalacostraca and of the Malacostraca, one of the major groups of Crustacea, the study authors wrote.

amina.khan@latimes.com

Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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8:28 p.m.: This story was updated with quotes and information from paleontologist Derek Briggs.

This story was originally published at 5:05 p.m.
Days after a judge ruled that the herbicide glyphosate could be classified by state officials as a cancer risk under Proposition 65, Burbank school officials announced they would no longer use the chemicals brand name, Roundup, citing concerns from parents and residents.

School officials had previously relied on the Monsanto-manufactured product to spray weeds growing in between asphalt cracks, along fence lines and near shrubs, said Rick Nolette, chief facilities and information technology officer for Burbank Unified.

For the past several months  amid questions about the products safety, and concerns from local parents and residents  Burbank school officials began to consider other options, he said, and had started using an organic weed killer called Avenger.

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Unlike Roundup, organic products kill the leafy top portion of weeds, but are less likely to kill the roots, Nolette said.

His crews will now use a combination of weed whacking and spraying weeds with organic products.

Its going to be less effective, he said. My team is concerned it will appear were not doing our job well. Its a fine line to walk  but safety first.

Glendale Unified officials announced this week they would stop using Roundup.

In a letter Glendale Unified Supt. Winfred Roberson Jr. sent to employees and families on Tuesday, he said the districts decision to no longer use products containing glyphosate was in response to residents concerns.

The health and safety of GUSD students and employees is our top priority, Roberson said. If glyphosate is under consideration by the California EPA as being potentially hazardous, then we believe it is in our students and employees best interest to discontinue its use.

Drew Sugars, a city of Burbank spokesman, said the city has been using Roundup for many years, and officials have decided to continue using the product until told otherwise.

We always take the health of our residents and our employees very seriously, so we take appropriate action when we think theres a reasonable threat to safety, he said.

City employees who use Roundup are highly trained to use the chemical, which, if used properly, does not rise to a level of concern, Sugars said.

He added that the product is not used during windy or rainy days or if people are immediately nearby. When it is used, employees only use it in specific areas and make sure that the chemical has dried before leaving the site.

Our employees who are out there applying it are at the forefront of contact with this pesticide, Sugars said. They deal with a much higher concentrated level, so were very clear that they understand the proper application.

We are ... proud to be part of a community where such rapid response is given to the concerns of the community.  Leigh Ann Kato

In Burbank, local parents began raising concerns about Roundup about a year ago, said Leigh Ann Kato, a Burbank parent.

She and others who belong to the group Non Toxic Burbank met with school officials to ask them to stop using the product.

They were working to collect signatures to submit a petition to Burbank Unified to halt the use of Roundup when school officials announced last Friday they would no longer use the product.

We are, of course, thrilled at not only their agreement to discontinue the use of any glyphosate-based products, but proud to be part of a community where such rapid response is given to the concerns of the community, Kato said in an email.

Kato said the group is currently working on a petition theyll turn in to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department next month, and also ask the City Council to follow suit.

In the city of Glendale, Roundup is still used but only for maintenance when needed by the citys parks department, said city spokesman Tom Lorenz in an email.

We only purchase and use the over-the-counter [Roundup] from local stores and nurseries like Home Depot, Lorenz said. Only the household-grade residents use at home, no commercial product is used.

He added that if the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, as well as other labs, reverse their determinations that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure, the city would take appropriate precautions and/or stop using the product.

From here, we will continue to follow the issue, as safety is of the utmost importance, Lorenz said.

kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
The newly announced ban on electronic devices, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday, confused travelers, especially after it was followed up by an announcement from Britain on Tuesday about a similar ban.

Homeland Security said the changes were necessary for added security and to thwart potential terrorist attacks on commercial airlines.

Here are six things you need to know to navigate the ban.

1. The U.S. ban does not apply if youre on a flight within the United States.

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2. The U.S. ban does apply to flights flying to the U.S. from 10 international airports in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

They are:

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Jordan

Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Egypt

Ataturk Airport (IST) in Turkey

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kuwait International Airport (KWI) in Kuwait

Mohammed V Airport International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco

Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar

Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), United Arab Emirates

The ban affects foreign airlines that fly nonstop to the U.S. from those destinations.

3. The ban does apply to anything electronic other than a smartphone (but not medical equipment). Homeland Security did not provide details, such as brand name or size, about the type of phone you may take on a plane.

Smartphones are commonly available around the world, and their size is well understood by most passengers who fly internationally, an online agency statement said.

If youre in doubt, the DHS suggested checking with your airline.

Banned items on flights into the U.S. from affected airports include laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, electronic game devices (bigger than a smartphone) and travel printers/scanners.

4. The electronics ban does not affect anyone flying from the U.S. to those 10 airports or any other airport. If youre flying, say, from the U.S. to Istanbul, you may take tablets, laptops and video game players on board your flight.

But on the return flight from Istanbul to the U.S., everything except your cellphone must be stowed in checked luggage.

5. The ban does apply to fliers regardless of trusted traveler status, according to Homeland Security. It appears youre not exempt if you are enrolled in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which allow you to leave laptops and other electronics in your carry-on luggage during expedited airport screening.

6. After the U.S. announcement, Britain enacted a similar ban with some key differences: If you are flying into Britain from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia, everything but your smartphone must be in checked luggage.

Also, Britain is specific about the size of the smartphone you are allowed to bring on board. It can be 6.29 inches long, 3.6 inches wide and .59 inches thick. Some larger phones may not meet these specs.

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The 27 European Union nations will hold a special Brexit summit on April 29  one month after Britain plans to trigger divorce proceedings with the EU  to decide on the guidelines for the next two years of negotiations with the U.K.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday that the Brexit guidelines aims to give citizens, companies and all member states certainty and clarity on how the talks will go.

Britain  which is excluded from the summit  announced Monday it will formally trigger negotiations to exit the EU on March 29. That is expected to create two years uncertainty for all sides because no member state has ever walked away from the bloc.

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We must do everything we can to make the process of divorce the least painful for the EU, Tusk said.

The two sides will have until March 2019 to agree on a divorce settlement and  if possible  establish a new relationship between Britain, the worlds No. 5 economy, and the EU, a vast single market containing 500 million people. If both sides agree, the negotiating deadline can be extended.

Britons voted in a June referendum to leave the EU after more than 40 years of membership.

Tusk stressed again how unfortunate he thought it was for Britain to leave, but said that the first task now was to create as much certainty and clarity as possible for all citizens, companies and member states that will be negatively affected by Brexit, as well as our important partners and friends around the world.

The summit will give EU negotiator Michel Barnier a framework to deal with the British side. Tusk is expected to make his proposals for the guidelines before the end of the month.
Immigrants from an obscure corner of Mexico are changing heroin use in many parts of America.

Farm boys from a tiny county that once depended on sugar cane have perfected an ingenious business model for selling a semi-processed form of Mexican heroin known as black tar.

Using convenient delivery by car and aggressive marketing, they have moved into cities and small towns across the United States, often creating demand for heroin where there was little or none. In many of those places, authorities report increases in overdoses and deaths.

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Immigrants from Xalisco in the Pacific Coast state of Nayarit, Mexico, they have brought an audacious entrepreneurial spirit to the heroin trade. Their success stems from both their product, which is cheaper and more potent than Colombian heroin, and their business model, which places a premium on customer convenience and satisfaction.

Users need not venture into dangerous neighborhoods for their fix. Instead, they phone in their orders and drivers take the drug to them. Crew bosses sometimes call users after a delivery to check on the quality of service. They encourage users to bring in new customers, rewarding them with free heroin if they do.

In contrast to Mexicos big cartels -- violent, top-down organizations that mainly enrich a small group -- the Xalisco networks are small, decentralized businesses. Each is run by an entrepreneur whose workers may soon strike out on their own and become his competitors. They have no all-powerful leader and rarely use guns, according to narcotics investigators and imprisoned former dealers.

Leaving the wholesale business to the cartels, they have mined outsize profits from the retail trade, selling heroin a tenth of a gram at a time. Competition among the networks has reduced prices, further spreading heroin addiction.

I call them the Xalisco boys, said Dennis Chavez, a Denver police narcotics officer who has arrested dozens of dealers from Xalisco (pronounced ha-LEES-ko) and has studied their connections to other cities. Theyre nationwide.

Their acumen and energy are a major reason why Mexican heroin has become more pervasive in this country, gaining market share at a time when heroin use overall is stable or declining, according to government estimates.

The Xalisco retail strategy has absolutely changed the user and the methods of usage, said Chris Long, a police narcotics officer in Charlotte, N.C., where competition among Xalisco dealers has cut prices from $25 to $12.50 per dose of black-tar heroin. Its almost like Wal-Mart: Were going to keep our prices cheap and grow from there. It works.

Xalisco bosses have avoided the nations largest cities with established heroin organizations. Instead, using Southern California and Phoenix as staging areas, they have established networks in Salt Lake City; Reno; Boise, Idaho; Indianapolis; Nashville; and Myrtle Beach, S.C., among other places. From those cities, their heroin -- called black tar because its sticky and dark -- has made its way into suburbs and small towns.

In Ohio, where Xalisco networks arrived around 1998, black tar has contributed to one of the countrys worst heroin problems. Since then, deaths from heroin overdoses have risen more than threefold, to 229 in 2008, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The number of heroin addicts admitted to state-funded treatment centers has quintupled, to nearly 15,000.

In Denver, fatal heroin overdoses rose from six in 2004 to 27 in 2008 after Xalisco networks became established.

The dealers have been especially successful in parts of Appalachia and the Rust Belt with high rates of addiction to OxyContin, Percocet and other prescription painkillers. They market their heroin as a cheap, potent alternative to pills.

There are no official estimates of how much money Xalisco networks make, but narcotics agents who have busted and interrogated dealers say that a cell with six to eight drivers working seven days a week can gross up to $80,000 a week.

Among the idiosyncrasies of Xalisco dealers is that they generally do not sell to African Americans or Latinos. Instead, they have focused on middle- and working-class whites, believing them to be a safer and more profitable clientele, according to narcotics investigators and former dealers. Theyre going to move to a city with many young white people, Chavez said. Thats who uses their drug and thats who theyre not afraid of.

Xalisco networks have expanded despite federal investigations in 2000 and 2006 that sent almost 300 people to prison.

Only in recent years have narcotics agents grasped the full reach of the system and its origins in Xalisco, which lies at the foot of volcanic mountains where opium poppies grow.

The county consists of the town of Xalisco and 20 villages with a total population of 44,000 -- about the size of Los Angeles Silver Lake neighborhood. Landless sugar-cane workers, eager to grasp their version of the American Dream, provide a virtually endless supply of labor for the heroin networks, one reason the system has proved so hard to eradicate.

The rise of the Xalisco networks is a peculiar tale of dope, poverty and business smarts that connects a remote corner of Mexico with vast stretches of Americas heartland.

Max tells his story

Two pioneers of the Xalisco model met in the early 1990s in the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, where they were serving time for drug offenses. One of them agreed to discuss the systems beginnings and its spread on the condition that he be identified only as Max, an alias he said he used as a heroin dealer.

Max said he was familiar with the U.S. heroin trade and that his partner, a native of Xalisco, had access to supplies of black tar and workers from his hometown. When the two were released from prison, Max said, they set up a heroin ring in Reno.

At the time, dealers sold heroin from houses, which police could easily target. Max and his partner had a better idea: Dealers could circulate in cars and receive instructions via pager (and later by cellphone).

Soon a system evolved: Drivers carried heroin doses in their mouths in tiny uninflated balloons, each about the size of a pencil eraser. Addicts dialed a number, as if ordering pizza. The dispatcher would page the driver with a code indicating where to meet the addict.

If drivers were busted, the small amounts of heroin and the absence of paraphernalia reduced the risk of lengthy prison sentences. To avoid attracting attention, they dressed modestly, drove beat-up cars and never carried weapons.

From Reno, the partners expanded to Salt Lake City, Denver, Honolulu and other cities.

Max said the heroin was manufactured in Xalisco. According to court records, dealers and investigators, the Xalisco entrepreneurs paid the Arellano-Felix cartel for permission to take it across the border in Tijuana.

The heroin wound up in the Panorama City apartment of a couple from Xalisco, who repackaged it and sent it to the networks via courier or Federal Express, according to federal court records.

Max, who went to federal prison for his role in the scheme, said one reason the system did not evolve into a cartel controlled by one person or family is that Xalisco County is made up of ranchos, small villages famous for their independent spirit and intense rivalries.

Were real envious of each other. Families cannot work together, he said.

Still the system was there for anyone to use. It also appeared in Southern California, where many Xalisco immigrants live. Its unclear whether those dealers copied Max and his partner or came up with a similar system on their own.

Returning frequently to Xalisco, immigrants compared notes on how to improve the business model. As word spread, more farm boys went north to see how it was done. Youths hired as drivers would learn the business, then go back home and secure their own supplies of black tar. They returned to the United States as crew chiefs.

Whoever gets the customers, its because hes got better stuff or better service, Max said. Nobody tells anybody what to do.

New business model

In the summer of 1995, Ed Ruplinger, a sheriffs narcotics investigator in Boise, noticed Mexicans tooling around town selling heroin packed in small balloons hidden in their mouths.

After arresting a few of them, Ruplinger found they were from a place hed never heard of: Nayarit, Mexico. Tapping their phones with court approval, he discovered most of the calls were placed to a man named Cesar Polla Garcia-Langarica in Ontario, Calif.

He was the first McDonalds in town, so to speak, Ruplinger said.

Almost all of his calls were to people in Xalisco, later identified as his assistants.

Ruplinger determined that Garcia-Langarica also had cells in Portland, Ore., Honolulu and Salt Lake City. He overheard him saying hed moved into Boise because competition from other Xalisco networks had forced him out of Denver.

Boise wasnt Garcia-Langaricas for long either. One of his former drivers became a competing crew boss. Still, they were not shooting each other in the street, Ruplinger said. Theyd know each other. It was just a job. I kept realizing that this is huge.

In 1998, officers raided apartments in Boise. Five of Garcia-Langaricas employees pleaded guilty and received prison terms. Garcia-Langarica, who was also indicted, remains a fugitive.

In Portland, black-tar heroin had been dealt on downtown streets by Hondurans or Guatemalans -- until the late 1990s. Then, police noticed that new dealers, all from Nayarit, were making deliveries by car all over the city.

In 1999, Multnomah County Health Department workers, examining coroners reports, found that deaths from black-tar heroin overdoses had more than doubled since 1996, to more than 100 a year. An ad campaign urging junkies not to shoot up alone helped drive down that figure, although lately it has crept back to the levels of the late 90s.

In Portland and elsewhere, competition among Xalisco dealers and the resulting lower prices changed the nature of the heroin trade. No longer were burglaries and holdups the measure of a citys heroin problem. Junkies could maintain their habits cheaply. A spike in overdoses was the mark of black-tar heroins arrival.

The classic picture of a heroin addict is someone who steals, said Gary Oxman, a Multnomah County Health Department doctor who conducted the study of overdoses. That disappears when you have low-cost heroin. You could maintain a moderate heroin habit for about the same price as a six-pack of premium beer.

It was the same in other cities where Xalisco dealers settled. In Denver, addicts say the cost of a dose of black tar has dropped as low as $8.

In the Utah County suburbs of Salt Lake City, it was more than $50 a dose in the early 1990s.

Now were seeing it for $10 to $15 per balloon, said Bruce Chandler, program services manager for the countys Foothill Treatment Center.

Eastern expansion

Until the late 1990s, Mexican black-tar heroin was available only west of the Mississippi. To the east, Colombian powder heroin predominated.

But over the last decade, production of Mexican heroin has climbed rapidly, reaching an estimated 18 metric tons in 2007, while Colombian output has dropped, partly because of U.S.-funded efforts to eradicate Colombian poppy fields, according to the 2009 National Drug Threat Assessment issued by the U.S. Justice Department.

As a result, Mexican criminal groups are expanding Mexican heroin distribution in eastern states, where previously only South American heroin had been available, the report said. Estimates of Mexican and Colombian heroin production in the report suggest that black tar now accounts for two-thirds or more of the U.S. heroin market.

According to narcotics agents and former dealers, Xalisco immigrants drove black tars eastward expansion, moving into Columbus and from there to parts of rural Ohio and Pennsylvania and to Nashville and Charlotte.

In many of these places, heroin had been rare. Addicts more commonly used prescription pain pills.

Black tar is cheaper than pain medications. Xalisco dealers exploited that advantage and pushed relentlessly for new customers. Addicts in Columbus say they offered rewards for referrals to new users: eight or 10 free balloons of heroin for every $1,000 in sales an addict brought in.

Typical of these heroin entrepreneurs was a youth who called himself Manny Munoz-Lopez. He began as a driver in Columbus and rose to become a cell leader when others sold their networks and returned to Mexico.

In 2006, he expanded to the suburbs of Pittsburgh, where police say he took the name Julio Ramirez. Prosecutors say he recruited junkies at methadone clinics to be salesmen as well as customers.

Gary Palacios, now serving a prison term in Pennsylvania for selling heroin, said he became Ramirezs wholesaler for north Pittsburgh. Ramirez shook up the local market, he said. Before, dealers waited for users to come to them. Ramirezs drivers actively sought out customers. For every 20 balloons an addict bought, Ramirez gave five free ones, Palacios said.

Pittsburgh junkies had been using diluted white powder from Colombia. We brought that tar up and . . . the junkies fell in love, Palacios said in a telephone interview. It was way cheaper and way more powerful.

In 2007, state narcotics agents busted the ring, arresting Ramirez, Palacios and others. Ramirez, sentenced to seven to 15 years for conspiracy to distribute heroin, did not respond to a letter requesting an interview.

They really created a market that didnt exist before they got here, said Marnie Sheehan-Balchon, the deputy state attorney general who prosecuted the case.

Xalisco networks soon were operating across the Eastern United States. In Charlotte, Chris Long noticed them when he became a narcotics investigator in 2001, and he has been arresting dealers ever since.

Theyre all from Xalisco, Long said.

Expanding from Charlotte, they carved out territories in Greenville, N.C., and Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

It will not go away, said Will Kitelinger, a Myrtle Beach narcotics agent. When a driver is arrested, a replacement arrives within two weeks and is quickly up to speed, he said. They literally know where the customers live and go to their houses and introduce themselves.

Xaliscos Sanchez family turned Nashville into a distribution hub, according to federal investigators and an indictment. In 2006, they dispatched a young driver named Hector to Indianapolis to conquer new territory.

We were looking to expand the heroin market to more places in the United States, Hector said by phone from the federal prison where he is serving time for conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was interviewed on the condition that his last name not be disclosed.

They told me Were going to give you three ounces to go to Indiana. You want to begin in a place thats clean and you make it grow.

Hector said he paid his drivers, all from Xalisco, $1,000 a week plus expenses. He soon had dozens of customers and was ordering new supplies every four days, he said.

It was some of the strongest Ive ever seen, said Floyd Warriner, a longtime drug user from Indianapolis who is serving a 10-year federal prison term for conspiracy to distribute heroin.

More than 50 Sanchez workers were arrested in a nationwide bust in 2006. But the Xalisco networks continued to proliferate, and their product began to appear in communities where users werent prepared for its potency.

Among them was a small town in West Virginia, 160 miles south of Columbus, where before the fall of 2007, few people had ever heard of black-tar heroin.

sam.quinones@latimes.com
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
No one has ever seen a black hole before and it is always the product of imagination by scientists and astronomers as they try to picture one of the mysteries of the solar system. There have been studies that black holes are covered by an atmosphere of dust and gas going around it while its gravitational field will distort even the passing of light and color. With modern equipment, the collaboration of astronomical labs and accurate insights, black holes can now be studied on its influence to the galaxy.

According to reports from Phys, on April 5 to 14, 2017, a team up of telescopes will try to capture the first-ever image of a black hole called Sagittarius A* lying within the Milky Way. The Event Horizon Telescope consists of nine stations spanning the globe - some individual telescopes, others collections of telescopes - in Antarctica, Chile, Hawaii, Spain, Mexico, and Arizona. With the recent support of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile and the South Pole Telescope, these two are believed, can boost more power.

The huge effort will make the earth as if it is a big telescope focusing on these powerful energies, as reports from Concord Register, another black hole other than Sagittarius A* will be studied. Although the Event Horizon Telescopes were already studying the galaxies for decades, it needs the power of radio telescopes like Atacama Large Millimeter Array and the South Pole Telescope. Using the highest resolution, the study hopes to finally capture the true image of a black hole, changing the image created by the imagination of experts and artists.

M87 and Sagittarius A* images will answer all the questions about black holes since Jon Michell in 1783 first introduced it in a letter to the Royal Society. Then, Karl Schwarzschild, a German astrophysicist explained the occurrence of a black hole in a mathematical way in 1915, parallel to Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Will the study prove what was believed before to be true or will it invalidate it?
Reports suggest that countries of Latin America and the Caribbean could be richer and enjoy the level of efficiency in labor and capital same as the United States of America. But for some reason, the commodity boom in these countries are now over and the region again is struggling to find its footing.

LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) countries reportedly could have been twice richer. This is according to the findings of World Bank in Understanding the Income and Efficiency Gap in the Caribbean and Latin America. These countries considered being one of the fastest growing of the 2000s.

Latin America and the Caribbean achieved several degrees of per capita income than the United States and that was the glory days as the commodity boom is now over. The countries are now struggling to finds its footing in the lighting of widespread fiscal imbalances. The question might rise as to why did the long-term productivity is back and why is it LAC has failed as they had implied the traditional theory? World Bank Group has reported.

Efficiency gap has something do with it. Measuring the LAC's per capita compared to the United States has a massive income gap. The region's workers could produce just a fifth output than a US worker and known to be "capital poorer."

With a massive efficiency gap, it perpetuates low productivity, hence lower returns and reduces incentives to further invest in some activities. But what is really behind the Latin America and Caribbean efficiency gap? So, one of the causes of low efficiency is the slow adoption of new technology from abroad, The World Post has reported.

Acquiring technology adoption lags has something to with the Resource misallocation. It is the underlying problem why Latin America and the Caribbean have such a massive efficiency gap. Back in 2000 Colombia and Mexico is much productive compared to the U.S and adopting technology than reducing resource misallocation.

Latin America does a better job in 2000 but then millions of workers in LAC moved from high productivity of manufacturing to much lower-productivity jobs in several sectors like the wholesaling, government, retailing, and construction. The structural shift resulted into lower value-added per worker.
The Samsung brand is widely known today as the top competitor of Apple in the recent years. Coming up with their own flagship, the Galaxy S series, avid smartphone users are really anticipating the annual release of Samsung. Now, the next in line is the Galaxy S8 and many want to know the innovation that Samsung has done with their new phone. Now, recent leaks indicate that phone has changed its fingerprint scanner for users.

According to The Verge, the Samsung Galaxy S8's fingerprint sensor is right next to the camera. The news comes from Evan Blass on Twitter showcasing some leaked photos of the upcoming smartphone. Samsung Galaxy S8 decided to put the sensor to more comfortable position since it would utilize the index finger more than the thumb. However, many think that it will make the camera lens smudgy with the sensor being too close. Meanwhile, part of the leaked photos include the colors wherein it was revealed that Samsung Galaxy S8 will have a black front.

BGR also reported that Blass' tweet include the Orchid Gray and Black Sky versions of the phone with every angle on point. There is the display with narrow bezels, the phone will have no home buttons and the Samsung logo is on the back. Samsung recently revealed a poster for the marketing of the Galaxy S8 where they promised to deliver a "never-before-seen experience." There is a video that was uploaded in Samsung Mobile Korea showcasing the smartphone.

Lastly, Samsung is also scheduled to appear before the world for the Unpacked press conference scheduled on the last days of March. Fans should expect a wide array of rumors and news surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S8 and its features in the following days. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is set to go on sale during the late days of April.
Nature has backfired again as torrential rains flooded the city of Lima in Peru and parts of northern Peru due to the occurrence of El Nino, a man-made shift in the normal climate bringing in extreme heat or rain. The phenomenon was already felt at the start of the year, but the onslaught of rains started on March 11, bringing in mudslides and flood even on cities. Thousands of residents are already displaced and there is a need to address health issues, food, and water, on which the local government is striving to provide.

A state of emergency has been declared in different areas in Peru with 75 casualties already recorded according to reports from ReliefWeb. As thousands were affected by the flood, the incident was the worst that ever happened after 20 years as roads were also damaged due to the excessive overflowing of rivers. Water pipes have crashed and agricultural lands did not survive either, resulting in water and food shortage.

On Monday, the Chilean Air Force brought in humanitarian assistance from Chile consisting of 18 tons of potable water, food and basic necessities as reported by Latin American Herald Tribune. The donations were handed out by the Chilean military in charge to Peruvian Foreign Minister, Ricardo Luna, while the team will be staying in Peru to help out in the ongoing rescue operations. The Ambassador of Chile in Lima, Roberto Ibarra have also declared an additional of 1,000 food kits, 1,000 bathroom kits, 3,000 blankets, 3,000 mosquito nets and 2,000 igloo-shaped tents which can take in six people.

Nearby Latin countries have also pledged their help to the victims of the massive flood, among them were Ecuador and Colombia. Colombia has already extended their help and has brought in two rescue helicopters to support the ongoing rescue operations of the local government, while Ecuador distributed 3,000 packs of food bundle good for three meals. Paraguay has also committed to donating 10 tons of rice to Peru this week, along with 1,000 grooming and cleaning kits.

The Peruvian government is now accepting donations through posts installed in its cities, while an ACT Alliance response was constructed to observe and take note the kind of help a specific area needs. Unfortunately, El Nino phenomenon will extend until April and will continue to bring unprecedented rains, reaching the middle and lower areas of Peru.
The latest admission of a former Allentown city official's role in a City Hall pay-to-play scheme has again raised a call for Mayor Ed Pawlowski to resign.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

On Wednesday, former Managing Director Francis Dougherty agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a $3 million street light contract with the city.

Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Schlossberg took the opportunity to again call for Pawlowski, who is seeking re-election this year, to resign.

"The people of Allentown deserve a mayor who can completely concentrate on improving their lives and governing the city. By staying in office, Mayor Pawlowski continues to deny the people of Allentown the fully-engaged, honest government they deserve," Schlossberg said in a statement.

In January 2016, city council approved a symbolic resolution calling for Pawlowski to resign in the wake of the pay-to-play investigation into campaign contributions and city contracts.

Federal court records do not identify Pawlowski by name, but refer to him as Public Official #3. Pawlowski has not been charged in connection with the investigation.

"Today, I am reiterating that call: For the good of the people of Allentown, Ed Pawlowski should resign as mayor. https://t.co/k4OodCxBgr  Mike Schlossberg (@RepSchlossberg) March 22, 2017

Schlossberg said calling for the mayor's resignation was painful, especially after the two worked together on initiatives for the city over the past decade.

"Allentown has come a long way, and the mayor deserves credit for the good work he has done. But the alleged crimes, of which he has been implicated by seven people, clearly demonstrate that he is no longer fit to lead the city," the representative said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Saucon Valley schools' superintendent says she struggled with her decision to retire, but ultimately, spending more time with her family won out.

Superintendent Monica McHale-Small announced at Tuesday night's school board meeting that she plans to retire this summer instead of extending her contract another three years.

Saucon Valley School District Superintendent Monica McHale-Small is shown at a school board meeting in this 2015 lehighvalleylive.com file photo.

She notified the board of her plans Feb. 28.

In October, the school board signed off on an early-bird contract extension for the superintendent despite opposition from some parents. On Tuesday night, the board found itself instead voting to accept McHale-Small's retirement.

"I have gone back and forth on this decision many times over many months now," McHale-Small said. "I am certain this district is moving in the right direction and I know that decisions have been made with a focus on what is best for all students. I know the positive momentum will be sustained whether I am here or not."

McHale-Small, 56, joined the district in August 2014, coming from the Bensalem Township School District where she was assistant superintendent. She has continued to commute from the Philadelphia suburbs throughout her tenure.

The long commute, long hours and time away from her family took its toll, she said.

"I am looking forward to having more flexibility to be available to my children, my parents and most especially, my infant grandson Finn," she said.

Saucon plans to again hire Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 to conduct a superintendent search.

McHale-Small is proud of the academic progress the district has made, she said. Under her watch, Saucon has added full-day kindergarten, a new elementary reading program and created a gifted task force. She helped teachers and the school board reach a contract settlement after years of strife.

Saucon just launched a new committee focused on diversity and equity sparked by racial tensions and bullying in the district. The district made headlines when Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli decided a high school teen should be charged with a crime for shooting a racist video about a fellow student.

Those incidents caused McHale-Small to reflect on her passion for educational equity and her desire to devote her time to achieving it.

"While my sense of responsibility and my commitment to the work we are doing remains strong, a calling to engage in some other work on behalf of children, education and social justice has become stronger," McHale-Small said.

She plans to continue her volunteer work with numerous educational boards and adjunct teaching, but she believes her time in the K-12 public school system is done. So much of the work of a superintendent does not deal with educating students, but involves transportation and budgets and the like, McHale-Small said.

"I'm not getting any younger, so I want to more fully engage in the things I am passionate about and have more flexibility," she said.

When McHale-Small agreed to the contract renewal she had some reservations, but appreciated the confidence the board had placed in her and for the work she's accomplished with district staff, she said.

"I did note at the time of the renewal I was fairly certain I would not serve through the renewal term," she wrote in her letter of resignation.

Yet, as recently as winter break, she was leaning towards sticking it out until the end of new contract.

"I have had a sense of responsibility to persevere with the work that I believe is moving the district in the right direction," she wrote in her resignation letter. "The work of the last 29 months has been quite difficult but ultimately rewarding."

Her salary was to be $155,714 for the 2017-18 school year.

McHale-Small has clashed with some parents who feel that the district has not been transparent, communicative or responsive enough.

She thanked the board and community for the opportunities given her and promised to continue all of the work that must be done.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Pedestrian struck at South Fourth and Ferry streets in Easton

Rescuers from the Easton Emergency Squad and Easton Fire Department load Kenneth Austin Sr. into an ambulance after he was struck by a minivan at South Fourth and Ferry streets on March 21, 2017. He had been on the ground near the snow pile at right. (Jim Deegan | For lehighvalleylive.com)

A West Ward woman who ran over her ex-boyfriend and tried to beat up his new girlfriend on Tuesday afternoon in Downtown Easton surrendered soon after, city police said.

Bonnie Starner (Courtesy photo)

Bonnie B. Starner, 61, of the 1300 block of Lehigh Street, was arraigned Tuesday night before District Judge Roy Manwaring II on two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct, according to court records.

She was ordered to Northampton County Prison in lieu $100,000 bail, with the possibility of a 10 percent option.

Starner was driving a brown 1999 Chevrolet Astro minivan at 2:55 p.m. when she saw Kenneth Austin Sr. and his new girlfriend Traci Brown at South Fourth and Ferry streets, police said. She pulled a U-turn, ran over Austin and tried to hit Brown, police said. Then Starner got out of the van and attacked Brown, police said.

Austin, who police found lying in a snow bank near the intersection, told an officer he didn't feel well and that his ribs, back and legs hurt, authorities said. Brown had a bruised and swollen right wrist, police said.

Austin and a witness described the incident to officers and Austin provided contact information for Starner and a detailed description of the van, police said.

Starner surrendered about 4 p.m. at the Downtown police station, Capt. Matthew Lohenitz said.

If freed on bail, Starner can't have any contact with the victims or the witness, court papers say. She didn't have an attorney listed in court papers.

Her preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled 9:30 a.m. April 4 in District Judge Antonia Grifo's court.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A U.S. Army employee from the Poconos was accused Wednesday of taking bribes linked to renovation work at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire- Dix Lakehurst in New Jersey, federal prosecutors announced.

Kevin Leondi, 56, of Stroudsburg, Pa., was arrested at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and to accept bribes, Acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said in a news release. He is set to appear in Newark federal court Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecutors allege Leondi abused his position as a liaison with contractors working on renovations at the New Jersey military bases to demand and accept bribes.

The investigation found an unnamed contractor that owned a Pennsylvania construction company that had subcontracts with a business linked to various work at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst, according to federal court papers.

Between December 2010 and August 2015, Leondi demanded and received more than $125,000 in bribes from the contractor in return for helping secure and retain subcontracts along with "other favorable assistance" from both bases, a criminal complaint alleges.

The bribes included direct payments from the contractor to Leondi, the contractor buying unnecessary equipment from Leondi at inflated prices and payment for work by another contractor at Leondi's property, according to the compliant.

He is also accused of taking more than $30,000 in bribes from an unnamed person who managed large construction projects for the contractor. The payoffs came in cash and a deeply discounted truck that Leondi bought from the contractor, the complaint said.

Prosecutors said Leondi faces a maximum possible five year prison term and $250,000 in fines.

A defense attorney for Leondi was not immediately available to comment on the allegations.

Picatinny spokeswoman Audra Calloway said base officials were cooperating with the investigation.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Phillipsburg 10-year-old honored for lifesaving actions

Julio Herrera, 10, receives a Phillipsburg proclamation from Council President Todd Tersigni recognizing his actions that saved his choking grandfather, Kenneth Allen, who looks on. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Tuesday was Julio Herrera Day in Phillipsburg.

The honor was bestowed upon the local 10-year-old for his heroic actions on Jan. 31, when he performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved his choking grandfather.

"There's no greater deed than to save someone's life," town police officer Anthony Goodell told Julio on Tuesday after the elementary school student was recognized at the town council meeting. A proclamation officially named the day for Julio.

Julio Herrera, 10, shows the Phillipsburg proclamation naming March 27, 2017, as Julio Herrera day for his actions that saved his choking grandfather. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Julio said he was watching TV when his brother noticed their grandfather, Kenneth Allen, was choking on popcorn and turning blue, which also spurred a seizure. While Julio's grandmother Brenda called 911, the youth sprang into action.

"I got up behind him and started pushing up on his lower stomach area," he recalled.

Officer Goodell was the first to arrive at the Washington Street home after 911 was called, and found Allen breathing.

Brenda Allen said she was "very, very proud" of her grandson. "He knew what to do quicker than I did."

Asked how he knew to perform the Heimlich in that situation, Julio deadpanned: "I watch too many cop shows."

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A motorist was taken to a hospital after a crash Tuesday night in Oxford Township, authorities said.

A Toyota 4Runner traveling east in the 100 block of Axford Road was rounding a right curve about 7:45 p.m. when it struck a utility pole and overturned, according to Washington Township police, who cover Oxford, and an on-scene report.

The pole broke and wires hung long across the street immediately after the crash.

The Oxford Rescue Squad took driver Ryan Winter, 21, of Oxford Township, to St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg with minor injuries, police said.

Winter was cited with careless driving, police said.

Washington Township police investigated and were assisted by the rescue squad and the Oxford Fire Department.

Freelance photographer Rich Maxwell contributed information for this report.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Nick Clegg has been writing for the Independent in the wake of the Dutch elections in which the racist populist Geert Wilders didnt do as well as expected. He recounted a family gathering in the Netherlands at Christmas time.

What was striking when we were talking about the Dutch elections, however, was almost everyone around the table wanted to cast a vote that provided the best guarantee of keeping Wilders out of power. For most, that seemed to point towards supporting Mark Rutte, the affable and skilled Dutch PM, even if theyd never voted for him before.

It worked and the lesson, he finds, from D66s success is not to pander to populism. Be yourself.

The polarisation of politics along new lines  no longer left vs right, but now open vs closed  is mobilising voters against right-wing populism. We are witnessing the beginnings of a liberal backlash against the backlash against liberalism. Of course, it wasnt just Mark Ruttes VVD which benefited, but other parties too. D66, the second Liberal party in the Netherlands (lucky Dutch to have two liberal options) did well, surging to almost level pegging in the polls with Geert Wilders and adding seven seats to their tally in the Dutch Parliament. D66 are, ideologically, most similar to the Liberal Democrats in Britain. Alexander Pechtold, their experienced leader, told me when we met how he was going to run an unapologetically pro-European campaign. He was not going to bend to the populist times. His decision paid off handsomely.

And he sees the chance of reforms that would make British voters want to stay in the EU.

But just imagine if Emmanuel Macron, a truly internationalist politician, won instead? And what if Martin Schultz, who unlike Angela Merkel appears to be wiling to entertain radical reforms to strengthen the Eurozone, were to win in the German elections in the Autumn? Then the assumption of Trump/Farage/Gove that the EU will collapse like a house of cards will look like a spiteful delusion. Whats more, if the EU were to regroup and reform  sorting out the Eurozone, straightening out its external borders  then the balance of power in the Brexit negotiations would shift sharply in the EUs direction. That, in turn, might prompt some British voters to think again about the wisdom of flouncing out of a club which is successfully standing up to the regressive chauvinism of Trump, Putin and Erdogan.

You can read the whole article here.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.
Mar 21, 2017, 11 PM

William Shatner is featured in his role as Star Trek's Captain James T. Kirk on this 2016 permanent-rate stamp from Canada.

By Michael Baadke

Canadian-born actor William Shatner, known worldwide for his portrayal of starship captain James T. Kirk on the science-fiction television series Star Trek, turns 86 years old today. Shatner was born March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec.

Shatner is also an accomplished author who has written or cowritten some 35 books, including several novels set in the Star Trek universe, and his most recent book, a nonfiction tribute to his friend and Star Trek co-star Leonard Nimoy, who died in 2015: Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man.

Shatners early acting experiences include performing Shakespeare at the annual festival in Stratford, Ontario, and guest roles on numerous popular TV series in the 1960s, such as The Twilight Zone, Route 66, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Gunsmoke.

He was cast as Captain Kirk when the original Star Trek series debuted in 1966, and remained in the role for the three seasons the show was in production. He voiced Kirk for an animated Star Trek series that lasted two seasons, and returned to occasional TV and film roles.

The 1979 feature film Star Trek the Motion Picture reunited the original cast, and led to six additional Star Trek films starring Shatner, concluding with Star Trek Generations in 1994.

He also starred in the television series Barbary Coast (1975-76), T.J. Hooker (1982-86), Boston Legal (2004-08) and others.

Shatner continues to take on various film and television roles, as well as occasional appearances at Star Trek and media fan conventions.

In his role as Kirk, Shatner has appeared on stamps from several different countries. Canada honored the actor in 2016 on two nearly identical nondenominated permanent-rate (85) stamps (Scott 2912a, 2917), in its Star Trek commemorative series.
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New Apple iPad wants to play the affordability game, again Apple's new tablet replaces the iPad Air 2 and could be a potential low-cost alternative to iPad Pro 9.7 /smart-living/innovation/new-apple-ipad-wants-to-play-the-affordability-game-again-111646891416603.html 111646891416603 story

At its current price, the new iPad will be competing against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 T819.

Apple has updated its tablet line-up with a new iPad. Dubbed as just the iPad, the new device comes in a cellular and a non-cellular variant and will be available in silver, gold and space gray colour options. The 32GB + WiFi model will cost Rs28,900, while the cellular variant with 32GB storage is priced at Rs39,900. The iPad also has a 128GB variant which starts at $429 (approximately Rs28,093) in some countries.

In the Apple hierarchy, the new iPad replaces the iPad Air 2, and is positioned at a more affordable price point when compared with the 9.7-inch screen iPad Pro tablet which is currently selling at a starting price of Rs49,900.

The new iPad is expected to be available in India in April.

The new iPad is not compatible with the accessories of the iPad Pro such as Apple Pencil and the Smart keyboard.

How it compares with iPad Pro 9.7

The new iPad looks a lot like the iPad Pro 9.7 and has a similar aluminium exterior. However, it is heavier and thicker as well. Its WiFi only variant tips the scales at 469g and the cellular version weighs 478g. In comparison, the iPad Pros WiFi variant and cellular models weigh just 437g and 444g, respectively.

Though the width and the height remain the same, the new iPad looks a bit thicker at 7.5mm. The iPad Pro at 6.1mm is one of the thinnest tablets we have ever come across.

The iPad Pro is also available in rose gold colour, which isnt yet an option with the new iPad.

The common ground

Not much has changed in terms of the display. The iPad also has a 9.7-inch Retina display with screen resolution 2048x1536p and pixel density of 264 ppi. The display also carries a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. The only thing missing in the new iPad is the anti-reflective coating of the iPad Pro 9.7s display.

Apple claims the battery back-up on the new iPad will be similar to the iPad Pro, which means itll be close to almost 10 hours for web browsing on WiFi and up to 9 hours on cellular data. Also, the new iPad runs iOS 10 like the iPad Pro.

The other difference

The major differentiator between the two tablets is the hardware that powers the two. The new iPad runs on Apples third-generation 64-bit A9 chip with the embedded M9 co-processor, whereas the iPad Pro runs on a slightly faster 64-bit A9X third generation chip with the M9 co-processor in tow.

The 8-megapixel camera on the new iPad has an aperture size of f/2.4 and can record full HD (1,920x1,080p) videos at best. The iPad has a 12-megapixel camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and can record 4k (3,840x2,160p) videos.

At its current price, the new iPad will be competing against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 T819 (Rs39,900), which also offers a 9.7-inch display with same screen resolution, offers 32GB storage with the option to add more via microSD cards, runs Android 6.0 and supports cellular networks.
Humans are in the process of changing the planet in a way that hasn't happened in 2.6 million years.

For eons, the Laurentide Ice Sheet has been a fixture of North America. At its peak, it covered the majority of Canada and sent icy tendrils down across the Midwest and Northeast, covering Chicago, New York and Toronto in a mile or more of ice. It helped carved mountains as it advanced, and it filled the Great Lakes as it receded at the end of the last Ice Age.

About 2,000 years ago, the ice sheet remnants reached equilibrium on Baffin Island, Canada's largest island, now dubbed the Barnes Ice Cap. But that equilibrium has been disrupted by human-driven climate change.

A new study shows that the last vestige of the once-mighty ice sheet faces near certain death, even if the world rapidly curtails its carbon pollution. The results indicate the Arctic has entered a state nearly unheard of since the Pliocene, an epoch when the Arctic was largely free of ice.

Related:

"This is the disappearance of a feature from the last glacial age, which would have probably survived without anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions," said Adrien Gilbert, a glaciologist at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada and lead author of the new study.

The Barnes Ice Cap covers an area about the size of Delaware. After reaching a near steady state 2,000 years ago, the ice cap began shrinking in the late 1800s, with a marked increase in its decline since the 1990s. That coincides with the rapid rise in human carbon pollution, which has also driven a roughly 1.8 degree Fahrenheit increase in the global average temperature over that period.

But researchers can look back much deeper into the ice cap's history using other clues. The new research, published on Monday in Geophysical Research Letters, looked at an array of amazingly named cosmogenic radionuclides in bedrock around the ice cap to tease out when the ground was free of ice.

Cosmogenic radionuclides are isotopes that form when exposed to cosmic rays. That can only happen when the ground isn't covered by ice, giving researchers a way to see how rare the current shrinking ice cap is.

Their findings show that there were two periods where ice extent was roughly as tiny as it is now. Both periods came hundreds of thousands of years ago and were due to natural changes in the earths tilt and orbit that helped warm the planet.

Today's rapid change is different because human carbon pollution is the main driver of the unrelenting warmth in the region, which is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. The findings indicate that the Arctic likely hasn't been this warm in 2.6 million years.

Looking into the future using climate models, sustained warming almost certainly spells doom for the ice sheet. On our current trajectory of carbon pollution, the research indicates that the ice cap is likely to disappear in the next 300 years. That's a geological blink of an eye for an icy legacy that stretched across millions of years.

Even under a best-case scenario, with human carbon pollution peaking in 2020 and decreasing rapidly thereafter, the ice cap will still likely melt away in the next 500 years.

"Their study convincingly reveals that the Barnes Ice Cap will likely disappear within 300 years, taking with it the last remnants of the Laurentide Ice Sheet that once blanketed northern North America some 20,000 years ago," Alex Gardner, an ice researcher at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said while lauding the state of the art ice modeling effort.

The findings underscore the wealth of alarming information coming out of the Arctic. Sea ice is set to hit a record-low maximum for the third year in a row, warm air has repeatedly cranked up the thermostat this winter and forests are burning at an unprecedented pace.

The fate of the Barnes Ice Cap is similar to other land ice across the region, including the monstrous Greenland ice sheet. Their melt will help fuel sea level rise around the globe.

"If it was just the Barnes Ice Cap that melted, there would be little need for coastal communities to worry," Gardner said. "Unfortunately the Barnes Ice Cap will not respond in isolation. As the atmosphere and oceans warm in the coming decades, ice sheets and glaciers will retreat globally resulting in massive transfers of ice into the oceans, raising sea levels by multiple feet by 2100."

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Originally published on Climate Central.
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Until a few decades ago, scholars believed that young children know very little, if anything, about what others are thinking. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, who is credited with founding the scientific study of children's thinking, was convinced that preschool children cannot consider what goes on in the minds of others.

The interviews and experiments he conducted with kids in the middle of the 20th century suggested that they were trapped in their subjective viewpoints, incapable of imagining what others think, feel or believe. To him, young children seemed oblivious to the fact that different people might hold distinct viewpoints or perspectives on the world, or even that their own perspectives shift over time.

Much of the subsequent research on early childhood thinking was highly influenced by Piaget's ideas. Scholars sought to refine his theory and empirically confirm his views. But it became increasingly clear that Piaget was missing something. He seemed to have gravely underestimated the intellectual powers of very young kids  before they can make themselves understood by speech or even intentional action. Researchers began to devise ever more ingenious ways of figuring out what goes on in the minds of babies, and the resulting picture of their abilities is becoming more and more nuanced.

Consequently, the old view of children's egocentric nature and intellectual weaknesses has increasingly fallen out of favor and become replaced by a more generous position that sees a budding sense not only of the physical world but also of other minds, even in the "youngest young."

Dark Ages of intellectual development?

Historically, children didn't receive much respect for their mental powers. Piaget not only believed that children were "egocentric" in the sense that they were unable to differentiate between their own viewpoint and that of others; he was also convinced that their thinking was characterized by systematic errors and confusions.

For example, the children he interviewed seemed unable to disentangle causes from their effects ("Does the wind move the branches or do the moving branches cause the wind?") and could not tell reality apart from superficial appearances (a stick submerged halfway into water looks, but is not, bent). They also fall prey to magical and mythical thinking: A child might believe that the sun was once a ball that someone tossed up into the sky, where it grew bigger and bigger. In fact, Piaget believed that children's mental development progresses in the same way historians believe human thought progressed over historical time: from mythical to logical thinking.

Piaget firmly believed kids were focused entirely on their own actions and perceptions. When playing with others, they don't cooperate because they do not realize there are different roles and perspectives. He was convinced that children literally cannot "get their act together": instead of playing cooperatively and truly together, they play side by side, with little regard for the other. And when speaking with others, a young child supposedly cannot consider the listener's viewpoint but "talks to himself without listening to the others."

Piaget and his followers maintained that children go through something like a dark ages of intellectual development before slowly and gradually becoming enlightened by reason and rationality as they reach school age. Alongside this enlightenment develops an ever-growing understanding of other persons, including their attitudes and views of the world.

Changing mindset about minds

Today, a very different picture of children's mental development emerges. Psychologists continually reveal new insights into the depth of young children's knowledge of the world, including their understanding of other minds. Recent studies suggest that even infants are sensitive to others' perspectives and beliefs.

Part of the motivation to revise some of Piaget's conclusions stemmed from an ideological shift about the origin of human knowledge that occurred in the second half of the 20th century. It became increasingly unpopular to assume that a basic understanding of the world can be built entirely from experience.

This was in part instigated by theorist Noam Chomsky, who argued that something as complex as the rules of grammar cannot be picked up from exposure to speech, but is supplied by an innate "language faculty." Others followed suit and defined further "core areas" in which knowledge allegedly cannot be pieced together from experience but must be innate. One such area is our knowledge of others' minds. Some even argue that a basic knowledge of others' minds is not only possessed by human infants, but must be evolutionarily old and hence shared by our nearest living relatives, the great apes.

To prove that infants know more in this realm than had been acknowledged, researchers needed to come up with innovative ways of showing it. A big part of why we now recognize so much more of kids' intellectual capacities is the development of much more sensitive research tools than Piaget had at his disposal.

Instead of engaging toddlers in dialog or having them execute complex motor tasks, the newer methods capitalize on behaviors that have a firm place in infants' natural behavior repertoire: looking, listening, sucking, making facial expressions, gestures and simple manual actions. The idea of focusing on these "small behaviors" is that they give kids the chance to demonstrate their knowledge implicitly and spontaneously  without having to respond to questions or instructions. For example, children might look longer at an event that they did not expect to happen, or they might show facial expressions indicating that they have empathy with another.

When researchers measure these less demanding, and often involuntary, behaviors, they can detect a sensitivity to others' mental states at a much younger age than with the more taxing methods that Piaget and his disciples deployed.

What modern studies reveal

In the 1980s, these kinds of implicit measures became customary in developmental psychology. But it took a while longer before these tools were employed to measure children's grasp of the mental lives of others. Recent studies have revealed that even infants and toddlers are sensitive to what goes in others' minds.

In one series of experiments, a group of Hungarian scientists had six-month-old babies watch an animation of the following sequence of events: A Smurf observed how a ball rolled behind a screen. The Smurf then left. In its absence, the infants witnessed how the ball emerged from behind the screen and rolled away. The Smurf returned and the screen was lowered, showing that the ball was no longer there. The authors of the study recorded the infants' looks and found that they fixated longer than usual on the final scene in which the Smurf gazed at the empty space behind the barrier  as if they understood that the Smurf's expectation was violated.

In another set of experiments, my colleagues at the University of Southern California and I found evidence that toddlers can even anticipate how others will feel when their expectations are disappointed. We acted out several puppet shows in front of two-year-old children. In these puppet shows, a protagonist (Cookie Monster) left his precious belongings (cookies) on stage and later returned to fetch them. What the protagonist did not know was that an antagonist had come and messed with his possessions. The children had witnessed these acts and attentively watch the protagonist return.

We recorded children's facial and bodily expressions. Children bit their lips, wrinkled their nose or wiggled in their chair when the protagonist came back, as if they anticipated the bewilderment and disappointment he was about to experience. Importantly, children showed no such reactions and remained calm when the protagonist had seen the events himself and thus knew what to expect. Our study reveals that by the tender age of two, kids not only track what others believe or expect; they can even foresee how others will feel when they discover reality.

Studies like these reveal that there is much more going on in toddlers' and even infants' minds than was previously believed. With the explicit measures used by Piaget and successors, these deeper layers of kids' understanding cannot be accessed. The new investigative tools demonstrate that kids know more than they can say: when we scratch beneath the surface, we find a fledgling understanding of relations and perspectives that Piaget probably did not dream of.

Old ways have value, too

Despite these obvious advances in the study of young children's thinking, it would be a grave mistake to dismiss the careful and systematic analyses compiled by Piaget and others before the new tests dominated the scene. Doing so would be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater, because the original methods revealed essential facts about how children think  facts that the new, "minimalist" methods cannot uncover.

There's no consensus in today's community about how much we can infer from a look, a grimace or a hand gesture. These behaviors clearly indicate a curiosity about what goes on in the mind of others, and probably a set of early intuitions coupled with a willingness to learn more. They pave the way to richer and more explicit forms of understanding of the minds of other. But they can in no way replace the child's growing ability to articulate and refine her understanding of how people behave and why.

Piaget may have underestimated infants' cognitive powers, perhaps for lack of modern tools. But his insights into how a child gradually comes to grasp the world around her and understand that she is a person among a community of other persons remain as inspiring as they were 50 years ago. Today's challenge for us developmental scholars is to integrate the new with the old, and understand how infants' sensitivity to other minds gradually develops into a full-blown understanding of other persons as distinct from, and yet similar to, oneself.

Henrike Moll, Assistant Professor in Developmental Psychology, University of Southern California  Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
The female green turtle, nicknamed "Bank," underwent an operation to remove 915 coins from her stomach on March 6, 2017.

After undergoing surgery two weeks ago to remove 915 coins from her stomach, a sea turtle nicknamed "Bank" died due to complications, according to news reports.

In Thailand, tourists throw coins at turtles due to a superstition that the activity brings longevity and good fortune. Bank swallowed the loose change that visitors tossed into her enclosure, which led to an 11-lb. (5 kilograms) mass in the sea turtle's stomach, Live Science previously reported. Veterinarians surgically removed the coins on March 6, in an hours-long procedure performed by five veterinary surgeons.

After the surgery, Nantarika Chansue, head of Chulalongkorn University's veterinary medical aquatic animal research center, where the sea turtle underwent the surgery, posted to her Facebook page that Bank was recovering well, reported CNN. [See More Amazing Animal Surgeries]

"She was swimming and eating normally for a week," Chansue wrote, according to CNN. "We planned to return her to the Royal Thai Navy turtle pond on Thursday."

Unfortunately, the sea turtle was found to be breathing too slowly on Sunday night (March 19). The veterinarians discovered Bank had a serious intestinal infection, and they performed an emergency surgery on Monday (March 20), CNN reported. The infection was too much for Bank to fight, however, and the sea turtle slipped into a coma before dying on Tuesday morning (March 21).

"We are all very sad," Chansue told CNN. "We tried our best, but due to her physical weakness and multiple complications, including toxicity in her blood system, she couldn't make it."

Bank's cause of death was blood poisoning, one of the vets told Reuters. An autopsy will be performed so the vets can learn from Bank and be better prepared to treat turtles in such a condition in the future, Reuters reported.

Original article on Live Science.
Atractus dunni

(Image credit: Alejandro Arteaga)

Atractus dunni, an Ecuadorian ground snake first discovered in 1955. The Atractus genus has more species than any other genus of snakes. There are 140 different members, 33 of which were discovered in the last decade, according to herpetologist Alejandro Arteaga and colleagues. Snakes of this genus typically live in burrows and eat insect larvae.

[Read more about the snakes from hell]

Atractus elaps

(Image credit: Alejandro Arteaga)

Atractus elaps is an Atractus species found in Ecuador, northern Peru, eastern Colombia, Brazil, Venezuel and Bolivia. It is one of the most colorful species in the genus, easily recognizable by its striking red-and-black ring pattern.

Atractus multicinctus

(Image credit: Alejandro Arteaga)

The banded ground snake, Atractus multicinctus, is found in rainforests in Colombia and Ecuador. It is a rare species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but is not known to be endangered or at risk as its distribution covers a wide area.

Atractus touzeti

(Image credit: Alejandro Arteaga)

Touzet's groundsnake (Atractus touzeti) is an Ecuadorian ground snake discovered in 1992 and named after Jean-Marc Touzet, founder of Ecuador's Fundacion Herpetologica Gustavo Orces. The snake is known to live only in Ecuador.

Atractus Cerberus

Two adult male Cerberus groundsnakes (Atractus Cerberus), newly discovered near the gates of the Refineria del Pacifico, a massive petrochemical complex that reminded the snake's discoverers of hell. These snakes are presumed to be critically endangered, as they were found in a small area of forest surrounded by land that had been cleared for industrial activites.

Atractus esepe

The indistinct ground snake, Atractus esepe, was found in an evergreen lowland forest in the Ecuadorian province of Esmereldas. The specimen is about 9 inches (232 mm) long and was named for the Spanish pronunciation of the scientific abbreviation "sp," for species. In the field, Spanish-speaking herpetologists often describe Atractus snakes as "Atractus sp." if they don't know the proper species name.

Atractus pyroni

Pyron's ground snake, Atractus pyroni, is decorated with glimmering golden scales along the top of its back. The snake is known from a single specimen found dead on a dirt road in the province of Bolivar. The snake was about 17 inches (443 mm) long.

[Read more about the snakes from hell]

Mapping the Serpents

A map of Ecuador showing the known location of six species of Atractus snake. The snakes can be found under rocks and logs in the Andean highlands and are sometimes seen crossing paths or trails in the forested lowlands, said herpetologist Alejandro Arteaga.
The sprawling Refineria del Pacifico is an enormous industrial complex stamped out of the tropical forest in Ecuador. So, when herpetologists discovered a new species of snake outside the petrochemical plant's gates, their minds went immediately to the underworld.

And thus, Atractus cerberus was born. The brown-and-yellow ground snake  named after Cerberus, the mythological three-headed hound who guards Hades, the god of the underworld in ancient Greek mythology  is one of three new serpents discovered in Ecuador. All three newfound species are members of the genus Atractus, a secretive bunch that tends to evade scientific scrutiny, said Alejandro Arteaga, the scientific director of the conservation organization Tropical Herping who co-discovered and helped describe the new snakes.

"If there is a group of snakes that harbors the greatest number and percentage of new and poorly studied species of snakes, it is Atractus," Arteaga told Live Science. "Many are extremely rare, restricted to a valley or mountaintop and living underground. Therefore, they generally go overlooked by normal visitors and even trained biologists." [Gallery: See Images of Secretive Ground Snakes]

Cerberus snake

When Arteaga and his colleagues set out for the forests of Ecuador, they weren't just interested in finding new Atractus species; they were also hoping to reorganize the group's taxonomy. These ground snakes come in various patterns of browns and reds, sometimes with stripes or splotches. But their coloration and scale pattern alone aren't enough to distinguish the various species, Arteaga said. He and his team wanted to analyze genetic information on the snakes to better untangle their evolutionary relationships and distinguish one species of Atractus from another. [See Stunning Photos of the World's Snakes]

The team collected 39 individuals from more than 20 species to build a genetic tree of serpentine relationships. Their results, reported March 15 in the open-access journal ZooKeys, revealed that at least 27 species of Atractus live in Ecuador.

Three of those species were new to science. Two specimens of A. cerberus, the only individuals of this species ever found, were slithering on leaf litter and crossing a forest trail, respectively, in the only patch of woods left around the Refineria del Pacifico. Given the fractured habitat and the fact that this species has never been found elsewhere, the researchers determined that it is probably a critically endangered species.

The Cerberus ground snake, as the researchers are calling it, is brown with a yellow belly and grows to be about a foot (309 millimeters) long. Thin, black, dashed stripes run lengthwise down its back.

Silent snakes

In contrast, the other two new species of ground snake sport bolder color patterns. Atractus esepe is now known from two specimens found in an evergreen lowland forest in the province of Esmeraldas. These snakes grow to be about 9 inches (232 mm) long and have white bellies and brown backs dotted with darker and lighter spots. The researchers named the species in honor of the Spanish pronunciation of the scientific abbreviation for "species," "sp" (AY'-say-PAY'). For its common name, the researchers call the new species the indistinct ground snake.

The final new Atractus species is the Pyron's ground snake (Atractus pyroni), a single specimen of which was found dead on a dirt road running through pastureland and the remnants of cloud forest in Ecuador's Bolivar province. The snake was more than 17 inches (443 mm) long and had black scales with two block-like yellow stripes running along its back. The name of the snake honors R. Alexander Pyron, a herpetologist at The George Washington University.

Atractus species can be hard to find and are often discovered lurking under rocks and logs in the Andean highlands, Arteaga said. But they're particularly hard to find in leafy, dense forests unless they are crossing roads or paths. Understanding the group is important, he said, because their larvae-eating ways may be a crucial part of the tropical ecosystem.

Original article on Live Science.
The new map of the lithospheric magnetic field. The red area shows where the field is especially strong on the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic. It's possible that a meteorite impact more than 540 million years ago led to this anomaly in the magnetic field.

Satellites have provided a detailed view of the small but vitally important magnetic signals emitted by Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.

The satellites, three identical spacecraft collectively known as Swarm, were launched in 2013 to study's the Earth's many magnetic signals. These signals create a magnetic field that can be likened to an enormous cocoon, a shield that protects the planet from cosmic radiation and charged particles from solar wind.

The planet's molten iron core generates the majority of the magnetic field, according to ESA. The remaining 6 percent is created, in part, by electrical currents in space that surround Earth, as well as by magnetized rocks in the upper lithosphere, an area encompassing Earth's crust and upper mantle. [50 Amazing Facts About Planet Earth]

After three years of collecting data, the Swarm satellites were able to plot the highest-resolution map to date of the lithosphere's relatively weak magnetic signals.

"By combining Swarm measurements with historical data from the German CHAMP satellite, and using a new modeling technique, it was possible to extract the tiny magnetic signals of crustal magnetization," project lead researcher Nils Olsen, a professor of geomagnetism at the Technical University of Denmark, said in a statement.

The new map of the lithospheric magnetic field. The red area shows where the field is especially strong on the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic. It's possible that a meteorite impact more than 540 million years ago led to this anomaly in the magnetic field. (Image credit: ESA/DTU Space/DLR)

Understanding the Earth's crust was no easy feat, said Rune Floberghagen, ESA's Swarm mission manager.

"We can't simply drill through it to measure its structure, composition and history," Floberghagen said in the statement. "Measurements from space have great value, as they offer a sharp global view on the magnetic structure of our planet's rigid outer shell."

The map, presented this week at the Swarm Science Meeting in Canada, shows variations in the field with greater precision than previous satellite-made reconstructions, the researchers said.

One such anomaly was discovered around Bangui, a city in the Central African Republic. The map shows a red spike, indicating that the magnetic field there is especially sharp and strong, the researchers said.

It's anyone's guess why the lithosphere has such a strong magnetic signal under Bangui, but it's possible that the signal emanates from a meteorite that crashed into Africa more than 540 million years ago, the researchers said.

The European Space Agency's Swarm satellites can measure magnetic signals from Earth's core, mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere and magnetosphere. (Image credit: ESA/AOES Medialab)

The team also pointed out that Earth's magnetic field is constantly changing: Its magnetic north is known to wander, and the planet's polarity flips every couple of hundred thousand years. Researchers can figure out when these flips happened by determining which direction iron-rich minerals are facing in Earth's crust. (When new crust is made from volcanic activity, its iron orients toward magnetic north before it cools into rock.)

These iron-rich rocks form "stripes" on the ocean floor and help researchers keep track of Earth's many magnetic flips. Swarm's new map gives an unprecedented, worldwide view of these stripes, which are associated with plate tectonics moving underwater at mid-oceanic ridges, the researchers said.

"These magnetic stripes are evidence of pole reversals," said Dhananjay Ravat, a professor of geophysics at the University of Kentucky, who was part of the project. "Analyzing the magnetic imprints of the ocean floor allows [for] the reconstruction of past core field changes," and that analysis also helps "to investigate tectonic plate motions."

The new map includes magnetic field features down to roughly 155 miles (250 kilometers), "and will help investigate geology and temperatures in Earth's lithosphere," Ravat said.

Original article on Live Science.
This image shows a shrine called the "Edicule," which is built over a cave where, according to legend, Jesus was buried after he was crucified. The Edicule is located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

A shrine built over a cave that is revered as the tomb of Jesus is in danger of "catastrophic" collapse, according to a report by National Geographic.

The shrine (or the "Edicule," as it is often called) is located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. According to legend, Helena, the mother of emperor Constantine the Great (A.D. 272-337) visited Jerusalem in the fourth century and discovered the cave where Jesus was buried after being crucified. Whether Jesus was actually buried in the cave is unknown, and many scholars doubt that Helena actually discovered it; nevertheless, the cave has been a place of Christian pilgrimage for many centuries.

Since the fourth century, a series of shrines and churches have been built over the cave, each one eventually being destroyed or falling into disrepair. Today, the cave is covered with the Edicule, which in turn is covered by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. [See Photos of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem]

Repair and restoration work at the Edicule has been going on for the past year, during which the limestone bed that Jesus' body was supposedly buried on was revealed. Today (March 22), National Geographic reported (opens in new tab) that the Edicule is in danger of "catastrophic" collapse if further repairs are not undertaken soon.

The National Geographic Society is a partner in the repair work and has access to a report on the structure's stability, which was written by a team of scientists from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).

"When it fails, the failure will not be a slow process, but catastrophic," said Antonia Moropoulou, chief scientific supervisor of the NTUA team, National Geographic reported.

National Geographic says the NTUA team needs to conduct a new 10-month project, one that would cost 6 million euros (about $6.5 million), to repair and strengthen the Edicule's foundations. The project would also add new sewage and rainwater drainage to protect the Edicule from water damage. Archaeological excavations would need to be conducted before repairs begin so that the foundations of the shrine can be strengthened without destroying archaeological remains.

This new archaeological research could shed light on the history of the various churches and shrines that have been built over the cave since the fourth century.

The report has not been made public, and Live Science could not verify the details reported by National Geographic.

Originally published on Live Science.
A new device that attaches to a smartphone can detect whether a man's sperm concentration or motility is abnormal with 98 percent accuracy.

Researchers hope the device, which is about the size of a small box of crayons and costs less than $5 to make, can address the need for a rapid and cheap way to detect male infertility. Problems with sperm contribute to infertility in 40 percent to 60 percent of cases where a couple has trouble conceiving, said study leader Hadi Shafiee, a professor of engineering in medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Current laboratory methods of semen analysis are either inaccurate or expensive and require men to provide a sperm sample in awkward circumstances. [Trying to Conceive: 12 Tips for Men]

"This device is going to make male infertility screening as simple as home pregnancy tests for a woman," Shafiee told Live Science.

Smartphone semen analysis

The device has two parts: a box-like piece that attaches to the phone as if it were a larger-than-normal phone case, and a chip, which is about the size of a microscope slide. To test his sperm, a man uses a pipette (a turkey baster-like tube, but smaller) to put a semen sample onto a chip, and then he inserts the chip into a slot on the box-like attachment. Lenses on the attachment essentially turn the smartphone's camera into a microscope, and a software app automatically counts the total number of sperm, calculates their concentration per milliliter and detects their movement and speed, or motility.

A smartphone attachment that can be manufactured for less than $5 can accurately detect abnormal sperm motility and concentration without the need for a trained technician. (Image credit: M.K. Kanakasabapathy et al., Science Translational Medicine (2017))

Over-the-counter sperm checkers available now measure only sperm concentration, Shafiee said, which isn't enough to determine a man's fertility; it's also important to know how effectively the sperm cells move.

The researchers had untrained users test the device using 350 semen specimens from the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. They found that the untrained testers could use the device to detect abnormal sperm samples with 98 percent accuracy. That rate is based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for an abnormal sperm sample, in which there are less than 15 million sperm cells per milliliter of fluid, and less than 40 percent of sperm are motile.

The sensitivity of the test, or the ability to correctly diagnose abnormal samples, was 99.3 percent; the specificity, or the ability to correctly detect normal samples, was 89.4 percent. [Conception Misconceptions: 7 Fertility Myths Debunked]

The test cannot detect if a man's sperm has abnormal morphology  meaning the cells are misshapen or malformed, Shafiee noted. However, abnormal sperm morphology is a contributor to infertility in less than 1 percent of infertility cases, he said.

At-home testing

The test could be sold as an over-the-counter product, Shafiee said, but it might also be a boon for fertility clinics and small hospitals. Currently, the standard for semen analysis is a computer-and-microscope system called computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Those systems cost between $50,000 and $100,000, Shafiee said, so many smaller clinics can't afford them and resort to having the staff conduct manual sperm counts using a microscope. Manual counts are not as accurate as computer-based ones, Shafiee said.

The device might also be helpful for men who don't want to father any more children. There are 500,000 vasectomies in the United States each year, Shafiee said, and men are supposed to return to the clinic for follow-up analysis at least twice in the months following the procedure to ensure that it was successful.

But many men don't. "Something like 30 percent actually return," he said.

Offering men an at-home option could boost this compliance, Shafiee said.

The researchers published their findings in the journal Science Translational Medicine today (March 22). Their next step is to submit materials for Food & Drug Administration approval.

Original article on Live Science.
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Albany

Rep. John Faso will vote for the American Health Care Act when it comes to the House floor on Thursday, he told the Times Union on Tuesday.

As the House GOP's Affordable Care Act repeal and replace bill gathers steam, Faso moved into the yes column with the addition of "manager's amendments" on Monday night. Those tweaks to the original legislation include an amendment backed by Faso, a Kinderhook Republican, and introduced by Rep. Chris Collins, R-Erie County, that would give New York state  and New York state only  an ultimatum: Absorb $2.3 billion in Medicaid costs shouldered by counties outside New York City beginning in 2020 or risk losing federal funding of the same value.

His goal is to reduce county property tax burdens by getting rid of in some cases the most expensive cost for county governments.

But that amendment has drawn a sharp rebuke from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration, with the governor himself on Tuesday angrily charging that the "rabid conservative ideology" behind the amendment, the full AHCA and President Donald Trump's budget is telling New York "to drop dead."

Faso's response: "It's always easier to spend someone else's money."

Of the AHCA writ large, Faso was nuanced.

"There are a number of provisions in the bill that I don't like," Faso said when asked specifically about one piece that would freeze funding for reproductive health services and abortions for one year. "But on balance, I think it moves the process forward to fixing what is wrong with the (Affordable Care Act)."

He said he likes amendments to enhance an advanced refundable tax credit and per capita grants for the state that would go toward the disabled and elderly in nursing homes.

Still, Faso said there are things he would like to see improved as the bill moves through the Senate  assuming of course it makes it through the House. The Kinderhook Republican also said he believes there is an opportunity for further adjustments through the federal budget process, such as re-implementing public health funding (should it be slashed) that is afforded under the current ACA.

It's the Medicaid spending amendment that is Faso's baby. He first proposed legislation shifting county costs to the state on the campaign trail last year and has been an advocate on this issue for decades as he toiled in the Assembly Republican Minority.

Now that he's in the House Republican Majority, it took him just two-and-a-half months to get ground-shaking policy for New York to the floor.

While Faso may not like provisions such as the reproductive health service spending freeze  potentially poisonous to vote in favor of for a congressman who has held that Planned Parenthood funding shouldn't be cut out of "political spite" as long as clinics provide services in a legal and licensed way  he sees huge positives for local property taxpayers. His office estimates that individual county property taxpayers would save $358.72 annually once the costs are shifted.

But one politician's positive is another's cataclysm.

Cuomo projected a doomsday scenario for the state if the amendment comes to pass. The administration says some 250,000 total residents in Collins' and Faso's districts are at risk of losing health care through Medicaid, a chunk of some 7 million people statewide. They also point to hospitals and nursing homes facing dire financial straits that could lead to closures and service reductions.

Of course, that scenario assumes that the $2.3 billion in question is never borne by the state.

"What happened to putting people before your politics?" Cuomo asked. "Rather than swearing allegiance to the (House Speaker Paul) Ryan radical right, why didn't they think about representing the people in their district? Why didn't they think about the oath that they took and put their politics aside? That's what this is about. They have declared war on New York, and this is just the beginning."

In less heated rhetoric, state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, R-Long Island, told reporters that he is skeptical of the Faso-Collins amendment. The crux of his argument is this: Under the current Medicaid financing structure, counties pay 13 percent of costs, the state shoulders 36 percent of costs and the federal government picks up the remaining 51 percent. So if the county costs are pushed onto the state, who foots the bill?

"It's the same taxpayer at the end of the day," he said.

"I don't want to see New York adversely affected," he added. "And I would go back to some basic questions: Does that mean that if this happens, the counties' are going to reduce their sales tax or their property tax? Or are they just going to continue to spend at different rates?"

Ultimately, Faso and House colleagues will face criticism over more than just the Medicaid cost-shifting if the House's bill glides through the Senate (early handicapping indicates that it won't without changes).

According to Cuomo's Department of Health, more than 1 million New Yorkers would face a significant loss of health coverage, and $4.5 billion in costs would be shifted to the state, counties and hospitals over four years if the AHCA is approved.

So, in 2020, overall state, county and hospital costs of the AHCA and the Faso-Collins amendment are projected at $4.7 billion ($2.4 billion in annual costs related to the original AHCA; $2.3 billion in costs to the state for shifting Medicaid).

That has made for an uncertain opening to the state budget season. Legislative leaders already have raised the specter of a special session later this year to address losses in federal aid for health care.

The budget must be approved by April 1.

Faso, a numbers wonk, is no stranger to the state budget process. When it comes to the Medicaid cost shifting amendment to the health care bill, he sees plenty of time for the state to figure out what to do next: Two-and-a-half years to be precise.

As Faso prepared to vote in favor of the AHCA, Rep. Elise Stefanik's position remained elusive. A spokesman for the Essex County Republican sent the Times Union a lengthy statement outlining Stefanik's efforts to weigh the bill and her general desire to make sure the AHCA includes reforms to lower health care costs, protect coverage for those on their parents' plan and with pre-existing conditions and protect the needs of rural communities.

Asked if that statement meant Stefanik hadn't decided yet which way she would vote, Tom Flanagin, the spokesman, repeated, "She is still reviewing the legislation with constituents and stakeholders."

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
Spencer Platt / Getty Image/Getty Image

Details have emerged regarding the arrest of a man who sexually abused a girl for about seven years, according to court documents.

A criminal complaint obtained Tuesday states Yeshua Loera, 37, would also abuse the girl verbally. Loera would allegedly call the girl names when he would see her with a boy, according to court documents.
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As a Houston firefighter, James Morrell is accustomed to the unpredictable.

He's handled wild Texans and blazes alike.

But Morrell was caught off guard when his wife Torri, needed to be taken to the hospital just hours after he returned from a 12-hour shift, early on Christmas Eve morning.

Torri Morrell, 52, is a charge nurse who oversees labor and delivery. She has bright olive green eyes and short, dirty blonde hair. She sits, mostly quiet, in a fuzzy, black Columbia jacket that she's become well-acquainted with since that hospital visit.

More Information Want to help? What: Fundraiser for James and Torri Morrell Where: Track Shack Ice House, 25811 W. Hardy Road, Spring When: 1 p.m. April 15 Features: Live music, a raffle and silent and live auctions Admission: $10 door fee and $10 for BBQ plates Presale: Tickets are $20 which include admission, a BBQ plate and an entry in the raffle Details: Email teamtorri7@gmail.com about questions or donations See More Collapse

She had been at the Kingwood Medical Center - where she works - on Dec. 23 when she started feeling dizzy around three or four in the afternoon. There was a ringing in her ear, so she called her daughter to say she wasn't feeling well.

"When your mom is a nurse and your dad is a firefighter, you know there's got to be a bone sticking out or something," Taylor, her eldest daughter said, recalling her surprise.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Taylor saw her mother bundled in blankets despite the warm temperature in the room. Torri could barely move. She was nauseous too.

While she initially went to urgent care, she was eventually sent home. Doctors said she would feel better tomorrow.

James returned home from his regular shift at Station 7 around 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve the next morning. Hours later, Torri was vomiting and struggled to stay balanced. By noon, she was back at the hospital.

"It was bad," Morrell said of his wife's condition, reiterating that he's a first responder.

He took her to the emergency room, thinking she was experiencing some sort of ear infection. James wondered if she should be taken to the Texas Medical Center instead, but she was shuttled away for scans and blood work.

There, on Christmas Eve, in the quiet hospital where their wife and mother worked for 25 years, the family waited.

When the doctor re-emerged with news, he said they were fortunate to have gotten her to the hospital when they did.

Torri, for her part, doesn't remember any of this; or what happened next.

She had suffered a brain aneurysm.

Through a scanner, the aneurysm resembles a large cotton ball, slightly askew at the top, on the left side of her brain.

In reality, the aging walls of her blood vessels gave way. As blood inflates the weakened wall, ballooning into a growth of sorts, it disrupts the brain's blood flow.

James recalls what the doctor told him.

"The brain is an enclosed space, so any swelling moves things around," he had said.

She underwent a 5-hour surgery three days later and spent 16 days in intensive care; James not far from her side when he could be - his truck was stolen from the hospital parking lot in the process.

The first day after surgery, Torri couldn't walk but by the second day she regained limited mobility, continuing to drag her legs.

Still, the aneurysm had damaged her speech and memory.

Taylor and her sister, Morgan, just hoped that they'd hear their mother's voice again.

And while physical therapy helped bring her body back to speed, the doctors told them it would take time for her brain to recover. She had also sustained significant hearing loss in her left ear.

Three months later, Torri appears well but her speech is still limited.

The family jokes that she saves most of her words to talk to the people who call or visit to check in on her.

"It feels like it happened five years ago," Taylor said, with a blend of exhaustion and elation.

Unfortunately, the medical bill is less fleeting. James said the sum exceeds $600,000 - insurance not considered.

To help offset those costs, a fundraiser is being held for the family at 1 p.m. on April 15 at Track Shack Ice House in Spring.

Torri left the hospital on Jan. 27. Her children say James didn't leave her side throughout the month that she was bedridden. Since then he's worked shifts here and there.

For Morgan and Taylor, the episode inspired them to re-examine their own health - the tendency to develop aneurysms is hereditary or comes with aging. It's also given them a greater appreciation for their parents' bond.

For the couple, retirement had been on the horizon but those plans have been tabled for the time being.

For now, the family is hopeful their mother will continue on the upswing, and are happy she can talk again.

"It'll be good," Torri said.
Some members of Parliament remain sequestered inside government buildings after an attacker stabbed a police officer and witnesses reported seeing a vehicle strike people on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday.

MPs were meeting in the House of Commons when they were told police had shot an assailant outside the building.

From within the building, MPs have been tweeting about their experiences during the incident and sending well-wishes to those injured in the chaos. Although they are normally not allowed to take photos in the chamber, some have posted images on Twitter:

"We can't go in or out. I was in the area where the incident happened. We heard gun shots. We dropped to the floor," Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis told BBC News.

"I heard the shots and I thought this can't be real. I was behind a pillar and I thought I will take a chance and run back to Portcullis House."

Prime Minister Theresa May was also at Parliament at the time; her office says she is safe.

London Metropolitan Police are treating the attack as a"terrorist incident until we know otherwise." The BBC reported that one woman has died and an unspecified number of other victims have "catastrophic" injuries.
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U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, a former Texas governor and Texas A&M University Aggies Yell Leader, said Wednesday the election of the first openly gay president of the institution's student body was "stolen" and that the student who had the most votes was disqualified through a process that "made a mockery of due process and transparency."

In an extraordinary submission to the Houston Chronicle's Editorial Board, the energy secretary also suggested that Bobby Brooks' victory was engineered by the Student Government Association in a quest for diversity on the traditionally conservative campus.

BACKGROUND: Openly gay junior to be Texas A&M student body president

Brooks was declared the winner in the campus election by the SGA even though he came in second in the vote count to Robert McIntosh , who is white and was disqualified by student election officials.

McIntosh was disqualified on charges that he did not provide receipts for glow sticks used in a campaign video. He also faced charges of voter intimidation, which were later dismissed on appeal.

Story continues below...

The student body's Judicial Court, Perry said, "admitted that the charges were minor and technical, but incredibly, chose to uphold the disqualification."

"The desire of the electorate is overturned, and thousands of student votes are disqualified, because of free glow sticks that appeared for eleven seconds of a months-long campaign," Perry wrote. "Apparently glow sticks merit the same punishment as voter intimidation."

Perry then went on to suggest that the outcome would have been different had McIntosh not been a white male.

BIG JOB: Here's what the Energy Department does

"What if Mr. Brooks had been the candidate disqualified? Would the administration and the student body have allowed the first gay student body president to be voided for using charity glow sticks? Would the student body have allowed a black student body president to be disqualified on anonymous charges of voter intimidation?"

Texas A&M University didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Political scientists who study Texas politics were astounded by Perry's decision to weigh in on College Station campus politics.

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

"It's astounding," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University who has studied Texas politics for decades. "He's written it as a call for fairness, not that he's come out against the first gay student body president at A&M, but the extraordinary part is that he took the time to do this when he should have so many bigger fish to fry in his current job."

AGGIE EDUCATION: The traditions, secrets and myths of Texas A&M University

Mark Jones, a Rice University political science professor who has watched Perry political career rise and fall for years, said he, too, was surprised by Perry's intervention into the A&M election.

"This must be his inner Aggie speaking, because this is certainly not something you expect a cabinet secretary to weigh in on  actually, probably not even a governor," Jones said. "It's strange. Of all the things he could have an opinion on, this is probably not the smartest move for a cabinet secretary. He must really be upset about it."

You can read Perry's full opinion on HoustonChronicle.com.
There are 4,048 brilliant gold stars on a curved wall in Washington, D.C, each one representing 100 Americans who died or went missing while serving in World War II.

Some of them were like brothers to Charles Posey, who was a machine gunner on the front lines of the war.

The 91-year-old San Antonian is one of many WWII veterans who have never seen the memorial erected in their honor.

But Honor Flight San Antonio hopes to change that, with the help of local students like Gina Monaco.

I always wanted to do a project that could somehow give back to veterans or any sort of military because theyre the real heroes, theyre the ones that risk their lives for people they dont even know, said 17-year-old Monaco, a student at MacArthur High School in North East ISD.

She along with about 100 other students in the MacTeach after-school program are raising $3,000 to send two San Antonio veterans to Washington, D.C.  and one of them is Posey.

We just really, really appreciate it, Posey said. Its a way that they can honor the fact that we were in combat and risked our lives, and these young people are really working to raise the money. Im just amazed.

The students goal is to raise the money by today, when the veterans will be visiting the school to talk about their experience in war. Whether the students will have enough raised by then is yet to be seen.

The community service program tutors students before and after school, as well as refugee families. Steve Davidson, an English teacher at MacArthur who runs MacTeach., said he had felt for some time that they werent doing enough volunteer work for veterans and the military.

If I can enlighten my kids to people who made sacrifices so other people can benefit and live their lives, I feel like its my duty to do that, I feel obligated to that, Davidson said.

So the students formed a partnership with Honor Flight San Antonio, which has been sending San Antonio World War II veterans to the nations capital for years. The nonprofit picked the veterans and is collecting the donations raised by the students efforts on their website.

Those of us who were lucky and didnt get killed, we appreciate the fact that citizens at home recognize what we were doing for them, said William Batty, 91, the other veteran who will make the flight if the funds are raised.

Batty was a telephone repairman during the war. Hed fix the telephones and theyd get attached to trees miles apart, so different army units could communicate with each other throughout the day.

It made Batty interested in electrical engineering, which became his major at Mississippi State University when he returned home from war at the age of 21.

Right now the younger generation thinks we live in a wonderful world. Youve got all the conveniences you can afford to pay for and maybe a few more. Youre able to live very comfortable and youve got a nice life, said Batty. But people in these warring nations dont have that, and theyre trying to get that kind of a thing and theyre fighting whatever the thing of the day is, and trying to improve their real life.

We were trying to improve the way of life the same way in World War II and the Korean War and all the others, he said. People dont go to war for the fun of it, they go to war for a reason.

sfosterfrau@express-news.net
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A federal judge issued an order to arrest a key witness in the Marquise Jones case after determining the witness was in contempt of the court for continually avoiding being served a subpoeana.

If arrested, James Brantley, who told investigators last year that he saw the fatal 2014 shooting, will likely be deposed by city lawyers and will serve as a witness in the case next week.

A lawyer representing the family of Jones, who was shot in the back by an off-duty San Antonio police officer, said the witness was avoiding a subpoena because he was intimidated by employees of the Bexar County District Attorneys Office and the San Antonio Police Department.

He encountered a large level of intimidation and harassment, said Daryl Washington, a lawyer for the family, in a pretrial conference. He and his family have talked about leaving San Antonio.

RELATED: 'It's been hell,' Marquise Jones' aunt says as she awaits trial in suit against City of San Antonio

Specifically, Washington said James Brantley was apprehended by police officers and taken to a police station. On other occasions, Washington said employees of the Bexar County District Attorneys visited Brantleys home. He did not make clear when the alleged harassment occurred.

This has caused Brantley to experience fear of retaliation if he continued to stay involved, Washington wrote in court documents.

City officials said Tuesday they were not aware of any intimidation by the San Antonio Police Department.

In a statement, the district attorneys office said that Washingtons characterization of the facts is completely false.

At no time ever has this Office harassed James Brantley in any shape form or fashion, the office said in the statement. To say otherwise, is completely false. We are happy to provide the audio and text message evidence to substantiate our position.

RELATED: New evidence emerges in case of San Antonio man killed by police officer

The Jones family filed a civil suit against the city and the officer for wrongful death. It is supposed to go to trial next week.

The judge also strongly questioned city lawyers on Tuesday about a new revelation that San Antonio police detectives did, in fact, test the handgun police say Jones was carrying for fingerprints.

Read the judges comments about another controversy in the case and Brantleys account of the fatal 2014 shooting at ExpressNews.com.

eeaton@express-news.net

Twitter: @emilieeaton
WASHINGTON  The last ditch effort to pass the Republicans' Obamacare replacement bill included two Texas lawmakers in a "Women in Healthcare" panel at the White House Wednesday.

State Sens. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) and Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), both physicians, met with President Donald Trump to rally support for the embattled legislation, which faces a close vote in the U.S. House on Thursday.

"We're excited. We think it's going to have a positive effect on the state of Texas," Buckingham said in an interview after the White House meeting. "We think we'll have flexibility to move forward and provide patient-centered health care that haven't had for a long time."

Their trip came a week after another Texas physician, Republican National Committeeman Robin Armstrong, took part in another White House panel billed as the "victims" of Obamacare.

Buckingham, an ophthalmologist, and Campbell, an emergency room physician and retired ophthalmologist, also met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to help press the case for the House Republican health care bill.

A Chronicle survey of Texas Republicans in the U.S. House found more than a half-dozen conservatives who were still undecided Tuesday, as pressure groups on both sides have been lobbying overtime.

Leaders of the House Freedom Caucus, who argue that the GOP bill doesn't go far enough to repeal Obamacare, said they have enough votes to block passage.

House leaders said they believe there are sufficient Republican votes to pass the bill, even without any Democratic votes.

Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, meanwhile, told Texas reporters that the upcoming House vote could be the GOP's "only opportunity to keep the promise we made to repeal and replace Obamacare."

"I don't think we' going to pass this way again anytime soon," Cornyn added.

In a letter to Trump, Buckingham outlined her arguments for repealing the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, which she said has added layers of regulation and bureaucracy to her health care practice.

Buckingham, who supported Trump for president, also wrote that she and other Texas officials are "advocating for a block grant from the federal government to administer our state's healthcare system."
WASHINGTON  California Republican Devin Nunes may have handed House Democrats on Wednesday their strongest argument yet for an independent investigation of Russian interference in Novembers election.

In an extraordinary series of moves, Nunes, a Tulare native who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, held two news conferences and rushed off to the White House to tell President Trump personally that U.S. intelligence services may have picked up incidental information on Trump and his transition team as part of a court-approved surveillance of foreign powers.

Before his meeting with the president, Nunes said he briefed House Speaker Paul Ryan on the information he had, but hadnt discussed it with committee Democrats, including its ranking Democrat, a fellow Californian.

Without seeing it, said Rep. Adam Shiff, D-Burbank, "It is impossible for us to evaluate any of the merits of what the chairman has said.

By late Wednesday, Shiff said he still had not received the information and accused Nunes, who served on Trumps transition team, of jeopardizing the credibility of the Intelligence Committees investigation into possible connections between Russian election tampering and members of Trumps election and transition teams.

The chairman will either need to decide if he's leading an investigation into conduct which includes allegations of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, or he is going to act as a surrogate of the White House because he cannot do both," he told reporters.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona also criticized Nunes and called for the independent investigation Democrats have been seeking. No longer does the Congress have credibility to handle this alone, McCain said.

Members of the House and Senate Intelligence committees, evenly divided between the parties, have traditionally attempted to be nonpartisan. But Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, who sits on the Intelligence Committee, called the way Nunes handled things Wednesday profoundly irregular.

It smacks to me of something that was orchestrated out of the White House because the president spent five hours Monday watching our hearing and tweeting about it, Speier said. This can make the waters murky and give him some semblance of credibility.

Trumps claim that former President Barack Obama had wiretapped his phones at Trump Tower has been widely rejected by domestic and foreign intelligence officials as lacking any basis in fact, and on Wednesday, Nunes said repeatedly there was no evidence in dozens of intelligence reports hed received to support the presidents allegation.

But when asked about what Nunes told him, Trump said he felt somewhat vindicated.

Nunes told reporters that all the information hed received and shared with Trump was legally collected. But he said he was certainly alarmed, because the reports had nothing to do with Russia and its interference in the November election, and because the information was widely disseminated among intelligence officials, who had revealed the identities, or unmasked, the people involved.

The Trump campaign is under investigation by the FBI and the House and Senate Intelligence committees over Russias interference in the November election, and potential collusion between Trump officials and the Russians. FBI director James Comey confirmed the existence of the probe by his agency in House testimony Monday, during which he revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin "hated" Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and wanted Trump to win the election.

What I saw has nothing to do with Russia and nothing to do with the Russia investigation, and everything to do with possible surveillance, Nunes said. He said he took the information to the White House because the president needs to know these intelligence reports are out there. And I have a duty to tell him that.

Nunes raised more questions than he answered, however. Surveillance often picks up routine communications by the targeted foreign agents that may incidentally name a person in the United States. Comey testified Monday that Trump was never under court-ordered surveillance during the campaign, the transition or after taking office.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, an Intelligence Committee veteran from San Francisco, referred to Comeys testimony Wednesday in calling for an independent investigation.

Republicans are grasping at straws because the FBI director confirmed that President Obama did not wiretap President Trump, and affirmed an investigation of coordination between the Russians and individuals affiliated with the Trump campaign, Pelosi said. Chairman Nunes is deeply compromised, and he cannot possibly lead an honest investigation.

At Mondays hearing, Schiff, a former U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, had built a careful but circumstantial case of publicly known contacts between numerous Trump associates, including current cabinet members, and various Russian officials. The White House has flatly denied any wrongdoing.

In an interview Wednesday, Schiff alluded to a larger picture from classified information that members of the committee have seen and explained his approach in the public hearing.

The reason that we referred in the open hearing to the circumstances around all the Trump personnel is that thats all were able to talk about in the open, Schiff said. So people are only seeing a small window into what the investigation is looking at. I certainly feel that if the American people were able to review the evidence, that they would find the investigation more than warranted.

Schiff pointed to the importance of Comey acknowledging the FBI investigation. They don't do that without specific and credible information that someone may be acting as an agent of a foreign power, Schiff said. Thats pretty telling. Its not something undertaken lightly, particularly when it involves the nominee of one of the major political parties running for president.

Carolyn Lochhead is the San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com
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A community-wide open house event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9, in Vintage Oaks, the Texas Hill Countrys fastest-selling community.

This is a spectacular time for San Antonio-area residents to visit the Hill Country and find their dream home or acreage property during this special weekend.

From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 15 beautiful move-in ready and model homes will be open for touring. The event will feature the grand opening of four model homes, built by the areas top custom homebuilders, as well as food trucks and door prizes.

Move-in ready homes range from 2,300 to 3,700 square-feet of living space with spacious floor plans, Hill Country flair, state-of-the-art appliances, and high-end fixtures and finishes. The homes are all on 1-acre sites and priced from the $440s to $600s.

In addition, eventgoers may tour a variety of 1- to 14-acre properties available within the community featuring panoramic views, wooded and private greenbelt sites starting in the $60s. Vintage Oaks property owners enjoy the luxury of using any builder they like with no time frame to begin building.

This is the ideal weekend for customers to visit the community and find the Vintage Oaks home or lot they have been dreaming about, said Cole Haley, regional sales director for SouthStar Communities, developer of Vintage Oaks. Its a great opportunity to get a feel for the community and view the homes being built in the neighborhood  whether its to find that perfect home or get ideas for building your own.

During the two-day event, Vintage Oaks famed Tuscan Clubhouse area will be open for touring, featuring a community gathering space with full outdoor catering kitchen as well as meeting rooms, two swimming pools, a lazy river and a fitness room.

Community maps with home locations will be available at the Vintage Oaks Sales Center, located at 1110 Vintage Way, New Braunfels, TX 78132. Appointments are available for private property and amenity tours.

For more information on the open house event, call (830) 224-2961 or click here to visit our website.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by Vintage Oaks. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
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By Long Island News & PR Published: March 22 2017

Prestigious "Distinguished Teacher of 2017" award presented to "teachers who change lives."

Farmingdale, NY - March 22, 2017 - Celia Blumm of Celia Blumm of Farmingdale High School has been named a Distinguished Teacher of 2017 by the Harvard Club of Long Island.

This award honors teachers who transform lives, explained Dr. Judith Esterquest, Harvard Club of Long Island Chair of the Distinguished Teacher Selection Committee. Devoted teachers like Celia Blumm offer Long Island students deep expertise, extraordinary talents, and countless hours of attention. By capturing the minds and imaginations of our children and preparing them for challenges that were unknown even a few decades ago, these teachers shape the future of our country.

Celia Blumm will be honored at the Harvard Club of Long Islands annual University Relations Luncheon on April 30, along with 11 other teachers from across Long Island. Following the award ceremony, Professor Annette Gordon-Reed who holds chairs in Legal History at Harvard Law School and in History at Harvard College, will lecture on The Hamilton Image in the American Mind. Gordon-Reed has won numerous awards, including the MacArthur Foundation (Genius) Award and the Pulitzer Prize in History in 2009 for The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family.

Celia Blumm has taught Humanities at Farmingdale High School for the past 15 years. After raising her children as a stay-at-home mom, Ms. Blumm served as a part time HIV/AIDS educator and activist. Working with high school students reaffirmed her empathy for students going through their teenage years, the most joyous and trying time of life. Ms. Blumm eventually graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a degree in Comparative Literature.

Teaching at Farmingdale has allowed Ms. Blumm to combine my love for literature and my desire to spend my life among teenagers. The Humanities program at Farmingdale is a rewarding and rigorous programa unique team-taught course of study which combines the historical and literary achievements of Western Civilization with its cultural development throughout the centuries, including art, architecture, music and philosophy.

Ms. Blumm is passionate about her purpose in the classroom: I strive to reignite the curiosity, the wonder, the awe and love of learning. Our goal is to help to craft citizens: critical and nuanced thinkers who are comfortable living in a word of varying shades of complex greys.

Ms. Blumm was nominated for the award by Suraj K. Muralidharan, a Farmingdale High School alum who is currently a freshman at Harvard College. Mr. Muralidharan said that Ms. Blumms class was rigorous and closely simulated a college classroom. Despite her high expectations, she also maintained a unique and always witty sense of humor and approachability. I have never enjoyed an English class as much as Mrs. Blumms.

John Lorentz, Superintendent of Schools for the Farmingdale School District, supports Mr. Muralidharans views. "Celia Blumm is an exceptional teacher who has combined a life time of experience and incorporated it into her teaching. Her work has produced some of the highest achieving graduates of Farmingdale High School. We are honored and proud to have her as part of our team.

The Farmingdale School District has had three previous winners: Peter Macchia in 2014, Scott Drucker in 2012 and James Hughes in 2008. Mr. Macchia, who teaches science, was also honored with a scholarship to visit Harvard.

At the ceremony on April 30, the Harvard Club of Long Island will also announce the Distinguished Teacher of 2017 who will also receive a scholarship for a Harvard experience at the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Mass. Past winners of the scholarships have enhanced their teaching by sampling the resources available to Harvard students: meeting with faculty; visiting research laboratories, rare book archives, and specialty museums; and enjoying visual and performance art. The scholarships are funded by contributions from Harvard alumni living on Long Island.
Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: March 22 2017

The legislation allows Nassau County to reinstate a tax abatement for seniors

Senator Kaminsky announced that legislation that will reinstate a property tax abatement for Nassau County seniors that expired last year.

Albany, NY - March 22, 2017 - NY Senator Todd Kaminsky announced that legislation he co-sponsored, NY Senator Todd Kaminsky announced that legislation he co-sponsored, S3142A , has passed the Senate with his vote of support. This bill will allow the Nassau County legislature to reinstate a property tax abatement for seniors that expired last year.

Senator Todd Kaminsky issued this statement:

"I'm proud we have finally passed this legislation that will provide relief to many senior homeowners in Nassau who already pay exorbitant enough taxes. We have to do everything we can to help those on fixed incomes, and the fact they have had to wait so long is a shame."

Previous legislation that included an abatement for seniors 65+ with incomes less than $86,000 recently expired, surprising residents and affecting over 35,000 seniors.
The Village is committed to advancing education and supporting Village residents of all ages to help excel both in the classroom and beyond. For more information about advocacy and educational programs happening throughout the Village, visit http://www.villageofhempstead.org
The Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) confirmed in a statement today that Qari Muhammad Yasin, a senior al Qaeda military commander, was killed in a US drone strike. The bombing took place in the Laman area of the eastern Paktika province on Mar. 19. The statement confirming Yasins demise was released online and is attributed to Mohammad Khurasani, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman.

Khurasani describes Yasin as a close assistant of the Pakistani Taliban and a trainer of Mujahideen. He claims that three of Yasins companions were also killed in the US drone strike.

Khurasani confirms that Yasin was one of the closest companions of Shaheed Amjad Farooqia famous personality of Pakistan Jihad.

Yasins relationship with Farooqi was previously reported by The Nation. Farooqi engineered two assassination attempts against Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf in Dec. 2003 at the behest of al Qaeda leader Abu Faraj al Libi and is suspected of involvement in other terror attacks as well. Farooqi was a member of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, the Harkat-ul-Ansar and its successor  the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen  as well as Harakat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Yasins connections with Farooqi positioned him to become a key leader in what is often described as the Punjabi Taliban, which includes jihadists from various other Pakistani terrorist organizations who are aligned with al Qaeda. Khurasani refers to Yasin as a Punjabi Taliban commander, thereby confirming his role in the group.

The Punjabi Taliban is led by Asmatullah Muawiya, the commander of what Osama bin Laden described as one of several al Qaeda military companies. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Bin Laden docs hint at large al Qaeda presence in Pakistan].

Khurasani refers to Yasin in glowing terms, describing him as as one of the greatest trainers of explosives and electronics in the fields of jihad. Yasins students are stillperforming their duties in the field of jihad relating to such sectors of jihad, meaning they are manufacturing explosives.

Therefore, Khurasanis eulogy confirms that Yasin trained his potential replacements long ago. As has often been the case in the 9/11 wars, the US kills a senior al Qaeda figure, only to then face his successors.

Khurasani adds that Yasin participated enthusiastically in the various jihadi operations in Pakistan, including an attack on the Pakistani Armys general headquarters (GHQ). Yasin was considered as the master mind of that plan and attack on the GHQ, Khurasani writes.

The Pakistani Talibans eulogy contains the standard language about martyrdom, saying Yasin wished to be martyred and now he has joined others who have perished along the way.

We, [the Pakistani Taliban], send our deep condolence to the survivors and companions of respected Ustad (trainer) on his martyrdom, Khurasanis statement reads. May ALLAH grant patience to the survivors.

Those survivors likely include Yasins students, some of whom are likely operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For more information on Qari Yasin and his web of connections to al Qaeda and Pakistani jihadist groups, see FDDs Long War Journal report: Al Qaeda commander believed to be killed in US airstrike.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Site of the suicide bombing near the presidential palace today. (Source: Garowe Online)

Shabaab, al Qaedas branch in East Africa, claimed a suicide bombing in Somalias capital city of Mogadishu yesterday. The blast left at least 10 people dead just 150 meters from the presidential palace.

The jihadist group said on its Shahada News Agency Telegram channel that the suicide bombing targeted a gathering of officers, officials, and government militias at a checkpoint near the palace. Shabaab said 20 people were killed, however as jihadists like to exaggerate casualty totals, CNN has reported that at least 10 people were killed and 15 others were wounded.

The bombing came shortly after Somalias new prime minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, appointed a new cabinet. Shabaab has increased the frequency of attacks in Mogadishu since the countrys elections earlier this year. In the wake of Somalias new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, being sworn in, Shabaab threatened to escalate assaults in the capital.

Since the elections in early February, there has been a spate of car bombs in Mogadishu. On Feb. 19, a suicide car bomb killed at least 30 people at a market in Mogadishus Wadajir district. On Feb. 27, another suicide car bomb targeted Somali soldiers at a checkpoint just outside the city. On March 13, another car bomb was detonated near the Wehliye Hotel, killing at least 13. On that same day, Shabaab attempted to ram a minibus full of explosives through a military checkpoint, but the bus was stopped before reaching its target.

In January, before the elections, Shabaab perpetrated a suicide assault on the Dayah Hotel in Mogadishu. The attack, which included two suicide bombings, left at least 28 people dead near Somalias parliament building. Targeting popular hotels in Somalias capital is a common tactic of the jihadist group. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Shabaab suicide assault at Mogadishu hotel kills at least 28.]

In addition to car bombs, Shabaab has also initiated coordinated assaults and assassinations against public officials. Before yesterdays suicide bombing, Shabaab militants also launched an assault on the Somali Defense Ministry headquarters in Mogadishu. Approximately 20 militants attacked the compound before it was repulsed. Earlier this month, a local government official was assassinated in the Yaqshid district, while last month, a former MP was killed outside his house in the Dharkenley district.

Attacks in Mogadishu serve as a reminder that the jihadist group retains the ability to strike in high-security areas. Since 2014, Shabaab has attacked the parliament, the presidents compound, and a high security intelligence headquarters. In June 2013, a Shabaab team struck at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) compound in Mogadishu; several UNDP employees were killed and the jihadist group briefly took over the compound. And in 2010, Shabaab was even able to launch a suicide assault on an African Union medical clinic in the Mogadishu airport.

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.
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Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has spent the past 20 years developing Chopards manufacturing capabilities, and the brand has much to leverage on thanks to this

Mar 22, 2017 | By Jamie Tan

It is almost too easy to be envious of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. As one of Chopards two co-presidents alongside his sister Caroline, he manages a group thats vertically integrated to the extent of virtual self-sufficiency, while being wholly family owned and free from any shareholder influence or pressure. Thus, he has the freedom and ability to pursue his interests, and the man is very specific about what he likes.

Chopards Classic Racing collection, for instance, was borne out of Scheufeles love for classic cars and their associated races, some of which he participates in personally. The brands involvement in this universe extends to sponsorships for specific events, as well as the Porsche Motorsport team. Ferdinand Berthoud is another example, as the latest addition to the Chopard group, it began as a passion project and only debuted its first watch, a time-only chronometer with a tourbillon escapement, in 2015. In many ways, Scheufele is a holdover from an earlier era when owners, guided by their personal interests, had a direct hand in  and heavy influence on  the activities of their companies. With Chopard entering its third decade of reestablishment as a manufacture, this does not look set to change, and the brand is all the better for it.

It is the 20th anniversary of Chopards manufacture. Looking back, what were some of its biggest milestones?

The first was of course 1996, when we began to re-establish the manufacture and reacquire the knowledge and know-how of producing watch movements in-house. That really developed the commercial possibilities for the group, and we started to be recognised as a serious watchmaker again. We presented our integrated chronograph 10 years later, so that was another milestone. We unveiled the L.U.C Full Strike, our first minute repeater, this year, and this was another highlight because with it, we have more or less covered the full spectrum of complications. It is almost like weve cleared the tests that a manufacture needs to pass in order to be recognised as one.

Was there any single factor that drove your decision to re-establish the manufacture?

It was all about credibility in the beginning  to be recognised as a manufacture. Later on, independence became as important a consideration, which prompted me to work on vertical integration.

The point about credibility is an interesting one, because the term in-house has become somewhat diluted in recent years.

Oh yes, I agree. The French term manufacture has been diluted a lot, because it is used too easily nowadays, although we really do live the part. There are many brands that claim to but dont, because it is a bandwagon that everybody wants to get on.

What do you consider necessary for a brand to possess, before it can call itself a manufacture?

It is about mastering the different stages of production, from conceptualising a calibre, to prototyping, to the production of essential movement parts such as baseplates and hairsprings. Then, there is assembly, and quality control. In my opinion, a brands movements must also reach certain levels of precision and finissage quality. Weve started reacquiring this capability in 1996, and finally declared ourselves fully integrated in 2006.

This organic growth took you a very long time, compared to brands that chose to acquire assets like production facilities and watchmakers.

Yes. Our choice was to start with a blank slate, partly because there wasnt anything suitable for us to acquire then. Maybe it is also because I prefer to take the harder route.

You highlighted the integrated chronograph as one of Chopards milestones. Several other brands that weve spoken to also consider their integrated chronographs to be significant, instead of a high complication like a perpetual calendar, or even a tourbillon. Why?

With the tourbillon, for example, the real complexity is limited to just the parts that are linked to the tourbillon mechanism, while the rest of the movement is relatively easier to design. An integrated chronograph has many parts interacting with each other  the moment you actuate the pusher, you start off a chain of events that affect various parts of the movement. Because there is so much to consider, and because everything has to be adjusted to work together and run smoothly, it is more indicative of a manufactures capabilities.

Has Chopard crossed the finishing line with its release of the L.U.C Full Strike?

Oh no, there are many different areas that we want to explore, including high frequency movements and complications. There is also general R&D work to improve our watches precision, service intervals, and even aftersales service.

How did the idea to use crystal gongs in the L.U.C Full Strike come about?

It is like every L.U.C watch that weve presented so far. In our first L.U.C movement, for example, we didnt just want a calibre with a micro-rotor  it needed to have additional value, which took the form of bidirectional winding and a stacked, two-barrel configuration. Every other L.U.C movement also offers a little extra bit of innovation. For the minute repeater, we worked on adding to what has already been achieved so far. The idea was to make a minute repeater that can be shared  if a group is sitting around a table, everyone should be able to hear it. At the same time, it must have a good sound; Im an audiophile, and I wanted the minute repeater to be like a good Hi-Fi system that offers the same playback quality independent of its volume. We settled on the idea of using sapphire crystal as the sound had to escape from somewhere, and it is the watch crystal anyway. What had previously been done was to connect the crystal to the gongs, but there was never an integrated system. The challenge for us was to construct the gongs and crystal as a single structure.

It looks like youre still very personally involved in the watches developments.

Lets put it this way, if I could delegate everything else and just do what I want to, this is precisely it.

The industry has many standards now, from COSC to region-specific ones like Poincon de Geneve, to in-house ones like Superlative Chronometer. Do you think the watch industry will benefit from having a single overarching standard?

It will probably benefit consumers, because a single standard is easier to understand. I dont think this will happen though, because the industrys players like to develop their own standards. Some companies want to do it in-house, because they can. Thats fine, but if you look at bookkeeping, the practice is to have external auditors. Similarly, I prefer third-party certification such as COSC, because we cannot influence anything, so it is the most objective way to judge if our movements are performing well. In any case, there is no right or wrong answer  it is a philosophical question.

What about minute repeaters? Should a standard be developed for it?

I think this is one of the few areas of watchmaking that really comes down to preference. Acoustics and the perception of sound are very personal matters.

But surely some aspects can be quantified, such as the cadence, or the gap between the hours and the minutes should there be no quarters to strike.

Our idea was to have a short gap, but Ive heard from someone who prefers to have a longer period of silence. At the end of the day, there will be some who prefer our minute repeaters chimes, and others who will prefer another brands. You can tell me that you prefer Chateau Haut-Brion 1961 to Romanee-Conti 1995. I will say both are top quality wines  it is just that you prefer Bordeaux, while I prefer Burgundy.

Who, then, was the final arbiter of how the chimes of the L.U.C Full Strike would sound?

It was a group decision. Minute repeaters are rare animals, so we didnt have the chance to listen to every possible one before starting the project. However, as the project progressed, I was able to listen to more examples of them in the course of my travels. Thankfully, these opportunities only reassured me that our project was on the right track.

Why did you start Ferdinand Berthoud as a new brand instead of just integrating it as a new collection under Chopard?

I think that Chopard already has so many facets, and it is difficult to communicate them all. In fact, rather than adding a new collection, Chopard ought to focus on just a few of its existing ones. We didnt go out there with the intention of adding another brand to the group anyway. It was almost a coincidence that I came across the Berthoud name and learned about his work. Here was an opportunity with a really interesting watchmaker whose work was worth reviving, and it led to a passion project. This was why I started Ferdinand Berthoud, not because we were looking for a reason to increase sales.

With Ferdinand Berthoud, you dont seem concerned with releasing novelties every year.

Well, I completely disapprove of the recent race to present novelties continuously, because serious watch collectors just cannot follow this tempo any more. Were not in the fashion industry, and do not have the same approach.

What kind of pace would you like to see then?

Id like to see a more organic, natural cadence, where brands launch new products when they are genuinely ready to. In recent years, Ive been getting the feeling that products are being launched too early, before they are fully developed, just to satisfy the need for communication, or for the brand to be talked about and remain visible. It just isnt in the long-term interest of the brand or industry.

In a way, this has been the result of shorter attention spans.

Yes, that is true, but put yourself in the shoes of a potential Ferdinand Berthoud buyer whos considering whether to spend such a large sum of money. If he does, and if we were to launch the FB 2 next year, he may think, Oh, I should have waited. It becomes very difficult to make a decision in such circumstances. The last new Porsche that I bought was the 1997 model of the 911, because it was the final one with an air-cooled engine, and the last 911 that corresponds to exactly what I think that car is all about. Of course, there are people who will buy the latest Ferrari every few years and get rid of the previous one, but Im not that type of person. It is a different type of buying behaviour, and I think that the Ferdinand Berthoud client is someone who will consider his acquisitions seriously like I do, and we should afford him the time to do so.

Unfortunately, companies do have shareholders to answer to, which leads to such a pace of product development and release.

But that is, unfortunately, not necessarily compatible with the essence of watchmaking.

This article was originally published in WOW #43 (Festive 2016) issue.
Amazons Alexa has successfully challenged Apple on your home turfliterally. The Echo and other various Alexa-equipped devices are rapidly becoming the go-to when you need assistance at home, though Apples HomeKit has the edge when it comes to automation and security standards. But the real battle comes down to Alexa vs. Siriwhich voice-activated assistant is more useful? Now hotel chains are trying to decide for themselves.

The high-end Wynn Las Vegas resort chose Alexa last December, adding Amazon Echo devices in its suites. Now Marriott International is trying to decide between Amazon and Apple, according to a Bloomberg report. The JW Marriott in San Antonio, Texas has been testing Amazon Alexa-integrated devices since October as an operator of sortsthe conduit to room service and housekeeping. Alexa can also control the lighting in a handful of the Marriotts rooms, though that isnt her primary role.

But Marriott International, which owns Marriott, W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, etc., etc., is trying to decide between Alexa and Siri to control a wide variety of functions, including lighting, drapes, room temperature, and TV. The company is testing out both Amazon and Apple devices at one of its Aloft hotels in Boston. Aloft is Marriotts experimental brand, where the company has used robot butlers and Apple Watches to replace room keys. According to Bloomberg, Marriott will decide between the two companies devices sometime this summer. Its unclear whether Alexa or Siri will come to just the Aloft hotels, of which there are 130 in the U.S., or to all Marriott brands down the line.

The race is still on, Toni Stoeckl, Marriotts global brand leader of lifestyle brands, told Bloomberg.

Why this matters: Putting HomeKit-compatible, Siri-capable devices in hotel rooms would be key to getting those devices in more homes. If you have a good experience at a resort and can replicate that at home with a splurge from the Apple Store, why not? The same applies for Amazon. The hotel room could be a gateway to the smart home, and not vice versa.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
If the Republicans get a majority in the US House of Representatives, as is expected, theyll focus on lawsuit investment transparency and Chinas IP practices
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Located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti is one of the most revered places not only in Rajasthan but also throughout India. Popularly known as Ajmer Sharif, the dargah is visited by numerous devotees every year.These devotees include not only the Muslims of India but also a large number of Hindus who revere and follow the teachings of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti popularly know as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz who is considered to be the preacher of humanity among the mankind.Born in Chisti region in Afghanistan, Saint Moinuddin Chisti was above the material and worldly things. In his process to teach mankind the high way of living he came to India and settled in Ajmer. There, he attracted large number of followers which even included kings and other people of high rank. In Ajmer he practiced the Sufi Sulh-e-Kulh which focused on Hindu-Muslim unity.It is open from 5 am to 9 pm during winters and from 4 am to 10 pm in summers.Popularly known as Ajmer Sharif, the Dargah of Moinuddin Chisti is visited by lakhs of devotees every year in order to get their wishes fulfilled by offering prayers at the sacred dargah. The Dargah popularized by the name of the place at which it is located is easily accessible from different parts of India.Here are guidelines on how you can reach the famous mosque:Jaipur's Sanganer Airport is the closest airport from the city of Ajmer. It lies at a distance of 132 km from Ajmer. Several airlines carriers provide connectivity to Jaipur from where one can catch a taxi or a bus to Ajmer.Several trains operate regularly between the Ajmer Central Railway Station and other important stations of Indian Railways. Trains connecting all the major cities of India pass through the station.It is very easy to reach the popular Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Government run buses are available from every corner of Rajasthan to the Ajmer Central Bus Station. It is situated 2kms from the Ajmer town. These buses can take you directly to Ajmer Sharif from nearby cities and states. Buses are available to and from Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai and Delhi. The National Highway 8 connecting Delhi and Mumbai passes through Ajmer thus giving an access to the city of Ajmer from both Delhi and Mumbai. One can also hire private taxis to reach the place.
Created in 2010, Ivory Cocoa Products (ICP) is a cocoa bean processing company based in San Pedro (south-west of Ivory Coast). It started its operation during the 2012/2013 campaign launched by the CCC (Coffee and Cocoa Council).

Interview with Ismail El Khalil, Founder and CEO of ICP (Ivory Cocoa Products)

What is your assessment of the cocoa sector globally and in Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast is the biggest producer of cocoa in the world. Production is estimated to be between 1.8 and 2 million tons of cocoa per year. This amounts to about 40 percent of world production. Out of this, the capacity installed for processing is approximately 650,000 to 750,000 tons. The government wants to increase this capacity to reach at least 50 percent of world production, totaling approximately 900,000 tons. To achieve this, new tax breaks for processors have been introduced, which were quite overdue. If this policy continues, we will surpass the goal of 50 percent production. Many people want to invest in cocoa processing locally.

Can you provide more detail about this incentive?

We pay the same taxes that bean exporters pay. To the US, we pay 14.6 percent, equivalent to all cocoa processors. They have reviewed this and have suggested 13.6 percent for cocoa liquor (also known as cocoa mass), 11 percent for butter and cake, and 9.6 percent for powder.

Has this incentive been implemented?

These new taxes would normally be applied at the beginning of the year on the 1st of January; however, due most likely to administrative issues, they have been postponed to the 1st of April. We have signed the agreements with the government and we will wait.

When the incentives are implemented in April, will this make the sector more attractive? Will it cause more investors to enter this field?

Our current capacity is 50,000 tons per year. We have a small structure, unlike other big multinationals, and it is very efficient and effective.

It will be more attractive for existing processors that are already in Ivory Coast. The conditions that must be met in order to benefit from these tax breaks are that you must already have a factory or plant, and you must increase the capacity of the plant according to your capacity. For example, if your capacity is less than 50,000 per year you must increase your capacity over 5 years by 15 percent per year. If it is above 50,000, you must increase by 10 percent, and above 100,000, you must increase by 7.5 percent. For those who are already in the field and already processing cocoa in Ivory Coast, it gives them an incentive to increase their capacity. For newcomers who are not in the field of cocoa processing, it is a challenge because it is not an easy job. Anyone can buy and install machines, but the commercial side is quite complicated.

Cocoa pods.

What will the impact be on the sector?

Factories are more mechanized than before, some even fully automatic. Therefore, it will not contribute greatly to the job market in Ivory Coast. Concerning added value, we will use more electricity, more energy, and they will buy parts locally. So, it will contribute a great deal to the economy.

Will this affect your end price?

Of course, but this depends on the world market.

How do you situate yourself towards competition in Ivory Coast? What are your competitive advantages?

Our competitive advantage is our structure. Our current capacity is 50,000 tons per year. We have a small structure, unlike other big multinationals, and it is very efficient and effective.

What is the history behind ICP (Ivory Cocoa Products)? What do you want the company to achieve?

We entered the cocoa sector because Ivory Coast is the biggest producer of cocoa in the world. It's a local, raw material. We thought, why not transform it locally and export it, instead of exporting it in its raw form. We developed this idea and we found a marketing partner who was willing to buy the whole production and assist us technically to start the plant.

During this process, did the BOAD (West African Development Bank) finance your initial investment?

We were assisted by the BOAD and other banks as well.

Are there any areas you are exploring now for expansion?

We are not looking to expand as ICP (Ivory Cocoa Products) itself, but we are looking to build another factory as partners with Eurofind. We will do this through loans, our proper means, and banks.

What are the major challenges you face in terms of the development of your business in this field?

The major challenges that we have locally are all manageable. The only challenge is the world market. The previous forecast was that demand would outstrip supply. It was estimated that by 2020, there will be a production deficit of one million tons. This was based on the fact that the emerging markets, the BRICS, were increasing their chocolate consumption, which now seems to not be the case. This can be attributed to the world economic crisis. China's growth has fallen, Brazil is in a crisis, and India may be the only hope for these BRICS. Chocolate is consumed largely by the middle class, so in order for chocolate consumption to increase, you need growth in the middle class. Due to the financial crisis of 2008 and other factors, this did not happen.

The cocoa bean is the dried and fully fermented seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter can be extracted.

What is your prospective on this matter?

Ivory Coast increased its production because world prices increased greatly from 2011 to present. The CCC (Coffee and Cocoa Council) should not discourage production, but they should put a cap on production increase in order to stabilize the cocoa market and cocoa prices. They should not encourage more production because it will affect world prices, which will eventually negatively affect the farmer himself.

What is the current situation for the farmers?

The farmers situation now is much better than it was before the new reforms were introduced. For example, the current price we pay the farmer is 1,100 CFA francs, which was due to the increase in world cocoa prices. Now that the cocoa price has decreased, this price will go down as well. So, for the farmer that is currently paid 1,100 francs, when the new price for the mid-crop is set at the end of this month, it will be much less. But this is the new policy and the new reform. The farmer was guaranteed to be paid 60 percent of the world price. It was a good idea. Before these reforms, the government had an official price for the farmer and no one respected it. Now, it is essentially respected. The farmer is paid better than before, which is why he takes better care of his plantation and why we have better quality. This high quality is one of the positive points of this reform. Before, the quality was very bad, but it has now improved greatly.

What is your vision for the future of ICP (Ivory Cocoa Products)?

ICP (Ivory Cocoa Products) has doubled its capacity in just 3 years. We started with a capacity of 25,000 tons and we have increased it to 50,000 tons, which is very good. In respect to capacity increase, we have an upcoming project as partners to install another plant. We want to venture into other crops, such as cashew. We also aim to go further down the processing line into chocolate, which will all depend on the market. Industrial chocolate is very complicated and requires more elaboration and preparation.

Is there already a local company that produces chocolate?

Cemoi is a chocolatier that produces couverture and industrial chocolate for their own proper production. They have their own brand in France and Europe. They are the biggest industrial chocolatiers in the world.

FAIR USE POLICY

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Singapores museum scene has a new kid on the block, in the form of the Parkview Museum Singapore, which will no doubt have contemporary art lovers all across the island swooning. Now open to the public, this private museum, taking up the third floor of the gargantuan art deco building Parkview Square, will host carefully curated exhibits that aim to strengthen the appreciation and understanding of contemporary art in Singapore.

The opening exhibition, titled On Sharks and Humanity, will appeal to conservationists, being part of a travelling global exhibition that addresses the critical importance of shark protection, ocean conservation, and the preservation of the marine ecosystem. With a slew of 33 works by 29 local and international artists comprising of large-scale installations, photography, sculptures and videography, this exhibition will prompt visitors to consider the environmental message behind the exhibit.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, youll be glad to know that the Parkview Museum Singapore is open daily with no admission charge, making it accessible to anyone interested in exploring the facets of contemporary art. Head up to the gallery for a sneak peek of what to expect from the opening exhibition.

Parkview Museum Singapore is located at 600 North Bridge Road, Level 3, Parkview Square. Opening hours: 1pm  7pm. Admission is free.

Angela Goh

Photos: Parkview Museum Singapore

Read more:

Oils & Easels: 7 Best art jamming spots in Singapore

Strange Sights: 10 Weirdest museums around the world

Staycation Review: Spending 24 hours at PARKROYAL on Pickering
Less to fear upon closer inspection. (Photo by -Oxford-/iStock.)

The G-20 finance ministers' meeting finally achieved its annual goal of hogging headlines Monday, when news broke that US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin forced his colleagues to delete this sentence from the summit statement: "We resist all forms of protectionism." It was a slow news day. Most observers concluded Mnuchin had fired the first shot in the Trump trade war, fulfilling investors' widespread fear. But in our view, this is too hasty. For one, G-20 statements have always been unenforceable platitudes that don't mean much once you diagram the sentences. Moreover, it's an isolated incident. Other recent developments suggest the Trump administration is actually softening its stance on trade, lowering the risk of a big protectionist push and global backlash.

Actions speak louder than words, but a lack of action can also be telling-especially if it involves timestamped campaign pledges going unfulfilled. Consider, for instance, what has come of Trump's trade-related day-one pledges: "I will announce my intention to renegotiate NAFTA or withdraw from the deal under Article 2205 [and] I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator [supposedly a prelude to tough trade sanctions]."[i] It's now 62 days in, and the only movement on either of these fronts has been to walk them back.

On the Origin of Auto Parts

Talk is cheap, but comments from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross-who has taken the lead so far[ii] on NAFTA-suggest building on it and crafting a "sensible" deal rather than scrapping it outright. When asked for specifics, Ross has focused on where auto parts are sourced: "First of all, I think the rules of origin were far too lenient [in NAFTA] ... Rules of origin means how much goods can come in from countries outside NAFTA - and yet get all the benefits of absolution from tariffs. ... I think those can be tightened up quite a bit." The implication, at least for auto parts, is NAFTA's requirement that 62.5% of content comes from North America can be raised, more strictly enforced or both.

On one hand, this highlights that trade pacts are mercantilist and hardly "free." But it also shows talks are likely to center on tweaks to existing rules and additions to cover digital markets, rather than just ripping up the agreement. What markets care about are major disruptions to existing trade patterns. This doesn't look like that. It might even make trade within NAFTA freer, depending how the negotiations evolve, positively surprising investors.

The Yuan Yawn

Labeling China a currency manipulator might sound like a meaningless procedural move, but it technically would allow the administration to slap broad tariffs on Chinese imports, which could invite retaliation. On the campaign trail Trump threatened to slap a 45% tax on Chinese imports as punishment for "unfair" trade practices. But when Mnuchin was asked directly whether he would label China a currency manipulator, he said: "No announcement on currency manipulation will come before the Treasury's April report." Going from day one to maybe in April isn't that reassuring, but under Treasury's own definition, China isn't a currency manipulator. That requires:

A bilateral trade surplus with the US exceeding $20 billion. A current account surplus greater than 3% of its GDP. Foreign exchange intervention over 2% of its GDP.

China meets only the first criterion.[iii] To the extent it is intervening in currency markets, it is to push the yuan up, not down, as evidenced by its steady selling of US Treasurys. The Treasury could change the definition to single out China or Ross could declare currency manipulation an "unfair subsidy," which would allow US companies to bring anti-subsidy actions to the Commerce Department. But here, too, China's support of the yuan makes it rather beyond the point.

President's Priority Is Reelection

Trump's campaign rhetoric on trade wasn't yuuuuuugely different from Barack Obama's, Bill Clinton's, Mitt Romney's or John McCain's. In 2008, President Obama campaigned on renegotiating or killing NAFTA, just like Trump. Bill Clinton also campaigned against NAFTA. McCain and Romney talked tough on China and currency manipulation. Presidential candidates long ago figured out protectionism is an easy sell with voters. But once in office, faced with the reality that trade is good for the economy and jobs, presidents have relented. Or, at least, their protectionist actions don't amount to very much. Virtually all presidents slap minor tariffs on selected (highly visible) imports from time to time. Even George W. Bush, who largely postured as a free trader, tried to protect American steel from "dumping." But contrary to campaign trail bluster, Obama finished the Korean and Colombian Free Trade Agreements and then championed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (a US-EU pact). Clinton signed NAFTA and became one of its biggest advocates.

Given the amount of chatter, much of it contradictory, it's impossible to say where things go from here. But politicians like getting reelected, and destroying jobs with protectionist policy doesn't improve their chances. Some 5 million US jobs depend on trade with Mexico, and around 14 million rely on North American trade. Chinese trade supports an estimated 2.6 million US jobs. Quibble with the numbers, but once (mutually beneficial) cross border trade is established, it's difficult and painful to break up the supply chain.

Actions-or lack thereof-are what matter, and the Trump administration's first 62 days look a lot less protectionist than campaign rhetoric suggested. While we can't rule out trade tensions rising eventually-it's still early days-the more Trump's trade team and policies takes shape, the less uncertainty investors face, reducing a sentiment headwind for stocks.

[i] Never mind that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was not confirmed until day 25 (February 13).

[ii] US Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer has yet to be confirmed.

[iii] Funnily, Germany-which doesn't have a currency to manipulate-meets two of three.
MARTINSVILLE  West Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Jody Hershey urges caution in interpreting data for emergency department visits for unintentional overdose by opioid or unspecified substance because, among other reasons, with small numbers of incidents, statistics can vary dramatically from month to month.

Because opioid addiction and overdose is a complex issue and the ESSENCE discharge data only provides information on health trends rather than an exact measure of illness/injury in our communities, I recommend using these ED (emergency department) overdose discharge visit data in combination with other data sources (law enforcement arrests/seizures, deaths, healthcare provider prescribing practices, etc.) to better understand the context of the issue in our West Piedmont Health District localities, Hershey said Tuesday.

ESSENCE is a system the Virginia Department of Health uses to analyze data from near real-time surveillance to monitor the health of the community and identify emerging trends of public health concern, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The West Piedmont Health District includes the city of Martinsville and Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as powerful pain relievers available legally by prescription, says a report on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website. [That includes] oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and many others. These drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain.

It adds: Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they are frequently misused (taken in a different way or in a greater quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctors prescription) because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief. Regular useeven as prescribed by a doctorcan produce dependence, and when misused or abused, opioid pain relievers can lead to fatal overdose. The current epidemic of prescription opioid abuse has led to increased use of heroin, which presents similar dangers.

Hershey said: As VDH (Virginia Department of Health) continues to collect more ED (emergency department) discharge overdose data through ESSENCE, we will be able to better determine what this data really means, is it statistically significant, are there cyclical/seasonal trends, and how we can best use it. Right now, we are working on how to incorporate statistical indicators into the future monthly reports so that we can determine if these trends are significant. Until then, this data is useful to a degree, but we need to be very careful and cautious about how we interpret it.

Hershey added: We also need to be very cautious about interpreting our local ED (emergency department) discharge data for several statistical reasons as well. Rates based on small numbers of events (less than 20) and small populations are unstable and unreliable due to random error. From month to month, these rates may look like a drastic change with only one or two added cases. Therefore, in a single month or year, the overdose discharge rates in the City of Martinsville and Henry County can fluctuate dramatically. For these reasons, these rates should be interpreted with caution, and we also need to look at the number of actual cases too!

He cited some other data limitations in interpreting health trends. Emergency department visit data for unintentional overdose by opioid or unspecified substance is based on chief complaint and requires defining a syndrome likely to capture drug overdose as the primary reason for the emergency department visit. Also, Virginia residents who are seen in emergency departments outside the commonwealth or who are seen in federal facilities are not captured in ESSENCE, thus the rates in some jurisdictions will be underestimates.

In addition, Hershey said, some hospital emergency departments are not reporting to ESSENCE or have not reported consistently to ESSENCE over the three years, so the rates in some jurisdictions will be underestimates and year-to-year comparisons must be looked at with care.

Our local ED (emergency department) did not start reporting data to VDH (Virginia Department of Health) until August 2015, so we cannot provide data prior to this date, Hershey said.

According to data Hershey provided, the numbers of emergency department visits for unintentional overdose by opioid or unspecified substance in Martinsville and Henry County combined were higher in each of the first two months of 2017 than the first two months in 2016: 21 in January 2017 vs. 16 in January 2016, and 10 in February 2017 vs. 8 in February 2016.

Virginia Department of Health monthly data for Martinsville-Henry County from July 2016 through February 2017 follow. Count refers to the number of emergency department visits for unintentional overdose by opioid or unspecified substance. Rate is rate per 100,000 people. Hershey said Martinsville and Henry County are combined because these localities have small populations and small numbers of reported overdose discharges.

July 2016: Martinsville-Henry County (M-HC) number of emergency department visits for unintentional overdose by opioid or unspecified substance (which is called count), 14; rate per 100,000: 21.4.

August 2016: M-HC count: 18, rate per 100,000: 27.5. Virginias rate was 8.8 per 100,000 population. Four Virginia localities had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County in August.

September 2016: M-HC count: 7; rate per 100,000: 10.7. Virginias rate was 9.4 per 100,000. More than 20 localities had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County in September;

October 2016: M-HC count: 17; rate per 100,000: 25.9. Virginias rate was 9.2 per 100,000. Three Virginia localities had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County in October.

November 2016: M-HC count:13; rate per 100,000: 19.8. Virginias rate was 8.5 per 100,000. Five localities had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County in November.

December 2016: M-HC count: 17; rate per 100,000: 25.9. Virginias rate was 8.5 per 100,000. Three localities had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County in December.

January 2017: M-HC count: 21; rate per 100,000: 32.0. Virginias rate was 9.2 per 100,000. Martinsville-Henry County had the highest rate in Virginia per 100,000 people for January.

February 2017: M-HC count: 10; rate per 100,000: 15.3. Virginias rate was 8.2 per 100,000. In February, 10 localities in Virginia had higher rates per 100,000 than Martinsville-Henry County.

Hershey said: One means of addressing the statistical problems with our ED (emergency department) overdose discharge data is to combine the data from localities (as has been done with Martinsville and Henry) and to look at five-year rates where the number of discharges will be larger. Even with five-year rates, some of our localities may still have few ED overdose discharges, and therefore, unstable rates. However, since our local ED only started reporting this data to VDH in 2015, we do not have five-year trend data at this time.
MARTINSVILLE  Some local environmental and public health officials and advocates expressed concerns over recently proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the Office of Management and Budgets America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again: The (proposed 2018) budget for EPA reflects the success of environmental protection efforts, a focus on core legal requirements, the important role of the States in implementing the Nations environmental laws and the Presidents priority to ease the burden of unnecessary Federal regulations that impose significant costs for workers and consumers without justifiable environmental benefits. This would result in approximately 3,200 fewer positions at the agency. EPA would primarily support States and Tribes in their important role protecting air, land, and water in the 21st Century.

The Presidents 2018 Budget requests $5.7 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, a savings of $2.6 billion, or 31 percent, from the 2017 annualized CR level. (CR stands for continuing resolution.)

(See details in related story.)

West Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Jody Hershey is one of the local people concerned.

If you care about the water you drink and the air you breathe, you should care about the Trump administrations proposal to cut the EPA budget and reduce its staffing, Hershey said. Some of EPAs key programs such as The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, are facing potential elimination. These programs provide initiatives/grants to improve water and air quality, as well as enforce a number of regulations that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Hershey said the proposed EPA budget could reshape or possibly eliminate environmental programs in neighborhoods and jeopardize enforcement of environmental protection regulations, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

This could affect all of us in many other waysincluding such things as axing or privatizing the EPA labeling program for energy-efficient products, hampering U.S. weather forecasting and monitoring of natural disasters, and decreasing EPA-produced data and scientific reports, Hershey said. Since most of us rely on TV weather forecasts, use weather apps, eat fish, and enjoy recreational water sports, these cuts potentially have significant implications.

Brian Williams, program manager for Dan River Basin Association, said regardless of political views, everyone depends on clean water and clean air to survive. He added that the Clean Water Act and other federal regulations have been instrumental in protecting the environment.

Since 2002, DRBA (Dan River Basin Association) has been working hard to clean up our waterways and ensure our citizens have access to clean water not just for recreational use, but for their everyday drinking water, and we will continue to advocate for the protection of our local natural resources, Williams said.

He said DRBA has partnered with local municipalities to put into effect clean water initiatives under the EPA 319 Grant Program for polluted water runoff and non-point source pollution. However, we do not currently receive federal funding from the EPA or any other federal agency.

Williams added: The proposed budget cuts at the EPA may have a critical impact on our local ability to get inspectors to our area to enforce clean water and clean air regulations. Laws and regulations without enforcement do not mean much. Other proposed cuts such as studies on fracking and coal ash directly impact our watershed because we have uranium mining, fracking, and coal ash currently threatening our waterways. Proposed cuts to the National Forest Service could also further decrease our ability to protect our watershed.

Williams said state budget cuts to environmental education and stewardship programs already have weakened our ability to keep our rivers and streams clean. The Department of Environmental Quality has stopped funding its Environmental Programs and dissolved the Adopt-a-Stream Program.

According to Williams, in 1972 public opinion and outcry helped pressure Congress to develop and put into effect the Clean Water Act. He called that one of the most significant pieces of environmental legislation to date and he doesnt want to see it negated.

Now more than ever, we need our citizens to care about clean air and clean water, Williams said. We (need) people to volunteer, to donate, to contact their state and federal representatives and to be an example of a local community that respects our valuable natural resources. Community is the key and someone once said, All politics are local. Each voice is important in making decisions that will affect our environment and our future. No matter the politics, we need to work together for the good of the community and the region and come together to protect our natural resources.

Naomi Hodge-Muse, former president of the local Sierra Club chapter and currently environmental chair of the State Conference NAACP, said, We have great concern over these cuts. Our rivers and streams and air quality will be hurt. Citizens will go unprotected and the incidents of bad decisions will escalate. A case in point (is) Flint, Michigan. With little or no oversight people will suffer.

(She was referring to the crisis in Flint, Michigan, in which tap water became toxic to residents.)

Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin and can be reached at paul.collins@martinsvillebulletin.com.
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The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes.

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Policy amendments

We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email.

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We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website.

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scott-wolf.jpg

Dr. Scott Wolf will leave as president of Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Providence Health System at the end of the month, Trinity Health - New England announced Tuesday.

(Submitted)

SPRINGFIELD -- Dr. Scott Wolf is out as president of Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Providence Health System, Trinity Health - New England announced Tuesday.

A successor has not been named. Trinity is the Catholic health care system that includes Mercy Medical Center and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke.

Spokeswoman Mary Orr sent the following statement:

"All of us at Trinity Health - New England are grateful for Dr. Wolf's leadership, and thank him for his many contributions in support of our mission. We wish him well on his future endeavors. As our regional health ministry continues to evolve we will develop an interim leadership plan and ensure the necessary focus on our mission and patient care at Mercy Medical Center and its affiliated services."

Orr said staff members were told Tuesday of Wolf's departure. It's effective March 31.

Wolf took over for Daniel P. Moen in January 2016 after Moen was promoted to be the executive vice president and COO for Trinity Health - New England.

Sisters of Providence Health System became part of Michigan-based Trinity Health in 2013.

Prior to his promotion, Wolf's total compensation was $536,658, according to a 2015 document on file with the Massachusetts attorney general's office.

Before succeeding Moen, Wolf joined Sisters of Providence in 2010. He served as senior vice president of medical affairs, chief medical officer and chief operating officer for Mercy Medical and the health system. He is board certified in internal medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Wolf had a 10-year association with Hartford Hospital, serving in various capacities including director of clinical operations for ambulatory medicine, director of ambulatory medical education and associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Previously he was medical director for strategic initiatives at Pfizer Health Solutions and was a as senior medical director of the Northeast region for Aetna in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was responsible for Aetna's medical management initiatives.

Wolf is a graduate of Union College and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Connecticut. He has a master's degree in Public Health from UConn.

Moen had been CEO and president at Sisters of Providence since 2011.

Mercy Medical Center is a 182-bed acute care hospital in Springfield. Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke is licensed for 126 beds. Sisters of Providence also has:
Earns Sears

Sears Holdings has announced that it might not have enough money to continue operating.

(AP FILE)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sears, once the monolith of American retail, says that there is "substantial doubt" that it will be able to keep its doors open.

Company shares, which hit an all-time low last month, tumbled more than 5 percent before the opening bell Wednesday.

Millions of dollars have been funneled through the hedge fund of Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert to keep Sears afloat but with sales fading, it is burning through cash. Lampert combined Sears and Kmart in 2005, about two years after he helped bring Kmart out of bankruptcy.

According to a regulatory filing late Tuesday, Sears Holdings Corp. lost more than $2 billion last year. Adjusted for one-time charges, its loss was $887 million.

Sears has been selling assets, most recently its Craftsman tool brand. But it says its pension agreements may prevent the spin-off of more businesses, potentially leading to a shortfall in funding.

"Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Sears said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sears sold Craftsman to Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker, the same company that now owns the Lenox American Saw a factory and research center in East Longmeadow.

Sears, which employs 140,000 people, announced a major restructuring plan in February with hopes of cutting costs by $1 billion through the sale of more stores, jobs cuts and brand asset sales. And it's reconfiguring its debts to give itself more breathing room.

Locally, Sears has stores in the Holyoke Mall, Springfield Eastfield Mall and the Berkshire Mall in Lanesboro. Sears has an outlet center on Route 5 in Holyoke and a franchised "Hometown Store" in Hadley focusing on hardware, tools and appliances.

The Kmart locations are in Holyoke, Springfield Plaza and Palmer. Kmart closed in Great Barrington last year.

But it has to get more people through the doors or shopping for Sears brands online. Sales at Sears and Kmart locations that have been open at least a year, a key indicator of a retailer's health, dropped 10.3 percent in the final quarter of 2016.

The company plans to use a big portion of the $900 million it got for Craftsman to shore up its pension plan. It will put $250 million in cash and some income from annual payments toward the plan as part of a deal with the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp., a federal agency that protects private pension plans.

The company said in its regulatory filing, however, that its agreement with the agency might stand in the way of more asset sales that would buy it more time.

Lampert has long pledged to return Sears to greatness, leveraging best-known brands like Kenmore and DieHard, as well as its vast holdings of land.

Those aspirations have been scrambled by a new consumer that has ripped up the decades-old playbook that the industry has relied upon for years.

There are also new and dynamic players that have also revolutionized the market, namely Amazon.com.

Sears has upped its presence online, but is having a hard time disguising its age. Stores are in need of a major redo.

Longtime rivals like Wal-Mart and Target are spending heavily to revitalize stores and they're intensely focused on a new consumer that goes online before stepping into a store.

Sears in January announced that it would close 10 percent of the 1,500 stores that are still operating.

In its most recent quarter, Sears, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, just northwest of Chicago, lost $607 million. Revenue declined to $6.05 billion from $7.3 billion during the same period the year before.

It was the sixth consecutive quarter of losses. The company has not turned annual profit since 2011.
Teaching students about the real-world applications of science is one of professor Barbara Washburn's passions.

The chairwoman of the physics department at Springfield Technical Community College, who has degrees in electrical and laser engineering, is constantly looking for ways to engage her students.

Her most recent idea was to let students in her engineering class work with Gateway to College high school students to build "solar suitcases" that can be used by health workers and schools in third-world countries to provide light and electricity.

According to the We Care Solar website, the suitcases that go to schools and community centers include high-efficiency LED lighting, a universal cell phone charger and outlets for 12V DC devices.

"I attended the Society of Women Engineers national conference with two other STCC professors last year and that's where I saw the We Care Solar demonstration," Washburn said. "I knew I wanted to have my students build these."

Normally We Care Solar's "We Share Solar," educational program is for teachers in California who have been trained by the organization to build the suitcases with students.

Washburn was so passionate about bringing the project to STCC that she made a plea to the organization and applied for a grant from the STCC Foundation to purchase the materials for the suitcases, which cost $1,985 each.

"I think that based on my degrees and how serious I was about doing this, I was able to convince the company to trust us with this project," Washburn said. "They have been so helpful and encouraging throughout this process."

Washburn decided that not only were her students going to build the suitcases, they were also going to create a lesson plan that could be used to guide high school physics students through the process.

Todd Morehouse, who is interested in robotics, and Chris Wycoff, who is interested in computers, are both engineering students at STCC and helped create the lesson plans and build the suitcases.

"It was pretty interesting because just a few years ago we were high school students much like them and now we are directing them and helping them out," Morehouse said.

The group built two solar suitcases with the collaboration of seven electrical engineering and 10 high school students, overseen by Washburn and fellow engineering professor Zahi Haddad.

"It was cool because you could tell some of the high school students were really getting interested in it and thinking about studying electrical engineering," Wycoff said. "It also gave them a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes and how much work it takes to make a simple light bulb light up."

The two suitcases will go to schools in Kenya to provide light and electricity in cases of sudden outages. Students were encouraged to write letters that will be delivered along with the suitcases by We Care Solar.

"I explained to them that the suitcases are providing light and emergency electricity for people who need it," Washburn said.

"It feels good to know we built something that would help people," Wyckoff said. "All the stuff we take for granted, like being able to see in the dark, we just turn on a light switch and think nothing about it, but this will help other people to have that."

Washburn hopes to establish the suitcase project as a regular part of her curriculum.
1973 Press Photo Chuck Barris

Chuck Barris, the former host of "The Gong Show," has died at the age of 87.

(Plain Dealer file photo)

Chuck Barris, producer of some of television's most notable game shows, died Tuesday at the age of 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing his publicist.

Barris created "The Gong Show" and also produced "The Newlywed Game" and "The Dating Game."

In his autobiography, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Barris claimed to have been a CIA assassin during the 1960s and '70s, a claim the CIA has denied.

The book was made into a film in 2002, directed by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell as Barris.

Born Charles Hirsch Barris in Philadelphia in 1929, he worked backstage at "American Bandstand" and wrote the Freddy Cannon hit "Palisades Park" before forming Chuck Barris Productions in 1965.

"The Dating Game" first aired that year, hosted by Jim Lange. Bob Eubanks hosted "The Newlywed Game," which launched the following year.

Barris got in front of the camera for "The Gong Show," which aired for two seasons starting in 1976 and was revived for one season in 1988. ABC has ordered a 10-episode revival of "The Gong Show" hosted by Will Arnett.

Chuck Barris was one of the more bizarre American icons of the 1970s. RIP.  John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) March 22, 2017
Willie Ross awards 2017.jpeg

Pictured left to right: Heidi Reed, Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Karen Stackow, WRSD's School Counselor and Transition Specialist; Kelly Kim, Chair, Statewide Advisory Council; and Betsy McCarthy, Vice Chair, Statewide Advisory Council.

(Willie Ross School for the Deaf)

LONGMEADOW  The commonwealth's human services department has recognized the Willie Ross School for the Deaf, selecting the Longmeadow school for its Outstanding Organization of the Year Award.

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing -- a division of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services -- also presented Willie Ross transition specialist Karen Stackow with their Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award.

The school said the state recognized its "50 years of serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing children of Western Massachusetts with outstanding attention to the unique needs of a diverse population." The school was founded in 1967.

Stackow's recognition stems from her years of work as a counselor for deaf people.

"The Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award is in recognition of Stackow's accomplishments as school counselor and transition specialist, working as a tireless advocate for the well-being of deaf and hard-of-hearing students and a passionate promoter of universal communication access for all students at all times," a statement from the school says.

Awards were given out March 13 at the Statehouse as part of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Constituents Day, which is hosted annually by the Statewide Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The presentation was attended by community members, family members, service providers and state agency representatives who spoke about priorities of importance to the governor and legislature.

Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus in the East Longmeadow Public Schools.
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Parlor ice cream flavor "Berry Cheesy" combines Farmer's Cheese and Berry Jam. (Courtesy ParlorBoston.co)

Those craving New England-flavored artisan ice cream are in luck: Jacqueline Dole, the creator of Parlor Ice Cream, will host pop-up shops at Bantam Cider in Somerville on Saturday and at the Prudential Center next Tuesday.

The 28-year-old is known for whipping up original ice cream concoctions that combine her mastery in the kitchen with tastes native to New England. On Dole's summer line-up? - Chocolate potato chip ice cream made using Cape Cod Potato Chips and a Maine-themed "Vacationland" flavor that mixes maple pie and blueberry. Other signature local flavors include Polar Orange Dry, Polar Grapefruit Dry, Moxie and Coffee Milk.

A former Boston pastry chef and student of Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Dole began Parlor in February 2016. Dole says when she was working at restaurants, she found herself constantly thinking of new ice cream menus.

"There's something about the old ice cream parlor that is charming, something that is accessible to everyone rather than just fine dining," Dole said.

A year later and Dole says Parlor's supply cannot keep up with the demand. The company consistently hosts pop-ups in restaurants like Trillium Brewing Company in Canton, Lonestar Taco Bar in Allston and Cambridge and even up in Portland, Maine at Tandem Coffee Roasters. After quickly establishing strong partnerships around New England, Dole created a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to keep the growth going.

"I have so many people asking me to supply their restaurants and cafes and shops with ice cream. I can hardly keep up which is why I need this."

Dole says Parlor's Kickstarter campaign, which will end on April 6, aims to help the small business purchase the equipment it needs to continue expanding its pop-up business, like an ice cream cart and a larger ice cream machine.

Dole will host two more public tasting events before the end of the campaign, offering a taste of spring:

Pop-up at Fifth birthday party of Bantam Cider Company in Somervillle

Where: 40 Merriam Street, Somerville

When: Saturday, March 25, 2-5 p.m.

Ice cream: An original "Wunderkind" apple ice cream, based on the brewery's Wunderkind cider, infused with honeycomb crunch.

Price: $4.00 for one scoop, $6.00 for two scoops.

Pop-up at opening of Madewell clothing store at Prudential Store

Where: Prudential Center

When: Tuesday, March 28, 6-9 p.m.

Ice cream: Strawberry Rose, Maple Blueberry, Salty Honey-Comb (sweet cream and roasted honey base, chunks of chocolate honeycomb candy)

Price: Free

In May, after the finish of the Kickstarter, Parlor will also host a pop-up in Worcester:

Taco night at the Diver Bar in Worcester

When: Tuesday, May 9

Where: The Dive Bar, 34 Green St., Worcester

Ice cream: Choco tacos
John Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

(Alex Brandon)

John Kerry will deliver the commencement for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government this May, the university announced on Tuesday.

Since ending his tenure as Secretary of State, Kerry, 73, is on track to publish a memoir and head a new program at Yale University. Kerry has served in public office for more than 30 years.

The memoir, announced by publishing company Simon & Schuster earlier this month, will reflect on Kerry's entire life, from his child experiences in Cold War Europe to his presidential run in 2004.

Kerry is also set to teach The Kerry Initiative at Yale next fall. The curriculum will allow students to discuss public policy ideas and engage with international leaders.

Much of Kerry's rising political career occurred in Massachusetts, where he began as a public prosecutor before being elected lieutenant governor of the state in 1982. He would go on to serve five terms to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate before stepping into the country's leading diplomatic role under President Barack Obama.

The commencement ceremony at Harvard Kennedy School will be held on May 24 at 2 p.m.
The Montana Department of Commerce works with statewide and local partners, private industry and small businesses to enhance and sustain economic prosperity in Montana. - Montana Is On The Move
Montana leads national movement to recognize impact of Small Business Development Centers

Governor Steve Bullock today joined Montana small businesses to celebrate their successes and spearhead the first-ever national Small Business Development Centers Day.

"Montana is a great place to do business, and with the support of Small Business Development Centers, entrepreneurs are even more equipped to succeed." said Governor Bullock. "I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate Montanas small businesses who have translated good ideas into a successful business."

Full Story: http://commerce.mt.gov/News/PressReleases/governor-bullock-celebrates-the-success-of-small-businesses-across-montana

***

Welcome to the Montana Business Navigator where Montanas businesses can find the requirements and tools they need to own and operate a business in Montana. http://www.matr.net/article-76041.html
LONDON - An assailant fatally stabbed a police officer at the gates to Britain's Parliament compound Wednesday after plowing a vehicle through terrified pedestrians along a landmark bridge. The attacker was shot and killed by police, but not before claiming a total of three lives in what appeared to be Europe's latest high-profile terrorist attack.

Personal details about the suspected attacker were not immediately made public. Police said the man traced a deadly path across the Westminster Bridge, running down people with an SUV, then ramming the vehicle into the fence encircling Parliament.

Finally, the attacker charged with a knife at officers stationed at the iron gates leading to the Parliament grounds, authorities said.

The dead and injured - numbering more than 20 people - were left scattered on some of London's most famous streets.

Crumpled bodies lay on the Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, including at least two people killed. Outside Parliament, a Foreign Office minister - covered in the blood of the stabbed police officer - tried in vain to save his life.

Parliament chambers and offices were put on full lockdown for more than two hours and officials shut down the famous London Eye Ferris wheel, which overlooked the scene.

"This is a day that we planned for but hoped would never happen. Sadly it has now become a reality," said the assistant Metropolitan Police commissioner, Mark Rowley, outside Scotland Yard's headquarters.

As he spoke, the bells of Big Ben tolled six times to mark the hour.

Even before full details emerged, the apparent attacks and chaos were certain to raise security levels in London and other Western capitals and bring further scrutiny on counterterrorism measures.

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," said a Twitter message from London Metropolitan Police.

The attack occurred on Parliament's busiest day of the week, when the prime minister appears for her weekly questions session and the House of Commons is packed with visitors.

The Palace of Westminster, the ancient seat of the British Parliament, is surrounded by heavy security, with high walls, armed officers and metal detectors. But just outside the compound are busy roads packed with cars and pedestrians.

Britain has been on high alert for terrorist attacks for several years, with top security officials warning that a strike was all but inevitable. But until Wednesday, the country had been spared the sort of mass-casualty attacks that have afflicted France, Belgium and Germany in recent years.

David Lidington, a member of Parliament, said a police officer was stabbed and the suspected assailant was shot.

"Suddenly police cars drove down the road and locked it down. People threw themselves to the ground and hid behind trash cans, walls and in cafes. But the situation seemed to be under control fairly quickly," said Lee Stevens, 34, who was standing outside Downing Street, about 500 yards from Parliament and near the offices of British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Among those providing emergency aid was Tobias Ellwood, a senior official at the Foreign Office and a British military veteran. Photos showed Ellwood's face streaked with blood after supplying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a police officer who had been stabbed just inside the gates of the Parliamentary compound.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that among those wounded in the vehicle attack were a group of French students

Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said the rapid response suggested that police "were expecting that an attack was highly likely for some time."

Images from the bridge showed a man dressed in a suit lying on his back, his legs splayed to either side, as pedestrians huddled around him administering first aid. The shoe was off his right foot, and blood stained the sidewalk beneath his left.

In another image, a woman with long blond hair and running shoes lay in a pool of blood on the bridge's sidewalk. Blood stained the corner of her mouth as another pedestrian cradled her head.

Other photos showed people sitting on the sidewalk looking dazed amid broken glass and bits of automotive debris, with Big Ben looming beyond.

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority said a woman was pulled alive from the River Thames, and he confirmed reports that she had serious injuries.

As police investigated, much of the activity in the area around Westminster came to a standstill.

A nearby hospital was put on lockdown and the London Eye - the enormous Ferris wheel above the River Thames - was stopped and visitors were slowly let off hours later. Those who were locked inside the Eye's capsules at the time of the attack were kept there, hovering above as emergency responders swarmed the scene below.

In a brief news conference just before 5 p.m. outside the nearby headquarters of Scotland Yard - London's police force - a spokesman said he was "not going to speculate" on whether the incident was over.

Another witness, Kirsten Hurrell, 70, said she first heard the crash of a car hitting the fence outside parliament.

"I thought initially it was some kind of accident," Hurrell told the Guardian newspaper. "Then I heard a couple of sharp noises. It could have been gunshots. I wasn't sure."

"There was a lot of steam from the car," added Hurrell, who runs a newspaper kiosk in Parliament Square. "I thought it might explode."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States was "ready to assist in any way."

The Department of Homeland Security said it was in "close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation." It noted that U.S. security threat levels remained unchanged.

A year ago to the day, attackers carried out three coordinated suicide bombings in Belgium, killing 32 civilians and injuring more than 300 others in two blasts at Brussels Airport and one at a metro station in the Belgian capital. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, in which three perpetrators were also killed. Another bomb that failed to explode was found at the airport.

The attacks occurred shortly after Belgian police staged a series of raids targeting suspected terrorists. Those who carried out the bombings belonged to a cell that was involved in a series of gun and bomb attacks that killed 130 people in Paris in November 2015. The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

As the aftermath of the attack unfolded in London, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament both suspended their sessions. Scottish lawmakers had been due to debate legislation authorizing a new referendum on independence.

In July last year, a Tunisian resident of France perpetrated a new type of terrorist attack in the Riviera city of Nice, using a cargo truck to mow down revelers celebrating Bastille Day on a seaside promenade. Eighty-six people were killed and more than 400 injured before the driver was fatally shot by police. The Islamic State said the attacker was "a soldier" of the group who responded to its calls to use all means, including vehicles, to strike "behind enemy lines."

The Nice attack apparently served as a template for another truck assault in December, when a Tunisian who had sought asylum in Germany plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring more than 50 others before fleeing. The attacker, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State's leader, was later killed by Italian police in a shootout near Milan.

In October 2014, a Canadian of Libyan heritage went on a shooting spree at the Parliament building in Ottawa, killing a soldier on sentry duty and engaging in a shootout with parliamentary security guards in what police described as a terrorist act. The attacker was fatally shot at the scene.
Detecting breast cancer is of vital importance in terms of treating it early and effectively. Mammography is the gold standard in routinely screening women for breast cancer. However, in a subset of women with dense breast tissue, mammography doesnt work as well as one would hope. In fact, it can miss up to a third of breast tumors in this type of tissue. To address this issue, GE Healthcare has developed the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS), as a supplementary screening system for women with dense breasts. The scanner uses ultrasound to detect malignant tumors and is radiation-free. The system can reportedly improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts by up to 55%, compared with mammography alone.

Medgadget had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear, Chief of the Department of Breast Imaging at NorthShore University Health System in Illinois, prior to her presentation at the National Consortium of Breast Centers Conference on NorthShores success using the ABUS detection system.

Conn Hastings, Medgadget: Can you explain why it is difficult to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts? Roughly what percentage of women fall into this category?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear, NorthShore: Dense breast tissue limits our ability to detect breast cancer with mammography due to the masking effect. Density appears as white on a mammogram, as does breast cancer. Therefore, breast cancer can hide in dense tissue and we know that we can miss up to 1/3 of breast cancers with mammographic screening alone. Nearly half of all women screened for breast cancer have dense tissue, so the impact of this limitation can be great.

Medgadget: Is breast density routinely checked when women are screened for breast cancer?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear: Breast density is a term used by radiologists to describe the amount of fibroglandular tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breast. We describe a patients breast density in every mammography report.

Medgadget: Can you explain in simple terms how the ABUS technology works? How does it differ from a conventional mammogram?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear: ABUS is a painless, non-invasive, non-radiation producing technology that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to scan the breast tissue w hile the patient is lying on her back with her arm raised over her head. The examination is performed by a technologist in about 20 minutes using standardized scanning protocols. The images are then post processed in 3D planes and interpreted by a radiologist. A mammogram is performed using x-ray technology and two standard views of each breast are obtained for the purpose of screening for breast cancer. ABUS imaging overcomes the superimposition of breast tissue that is a limitation with mammography.

Medgadget: How long has the ABUS technology been used at NorthShore hospitals? Is it always used in conjunction with mammography?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear: NorthShore implemented ABUS 15 months ago and our results are extremely promising. Numerous mammographically occult breast cancers have been found with the addition of ABUS as a supplemental screening tool. ABUS is always performed with the gold standard for screening, mammography. The two exams are complementary and ABUS is not recommended to replace mammographic screening. Mammography is essential for screening for breast cancer, as there are findings that can alert us to early breast cancer on a mammogram, such as calcifications, that are not seen on any other imaging modality.

Medgadget: Has the ABUS technology improved breast cancer detection rates at NorthShore hospitals?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear: ABUS is showing great promise as a supplemental screening tool and our cancer detection rate has improved. We have found over 25 mammographically occult, small, invasive cancers within a year of implementing this technology. We are also noting that our recall rate is very low. These results show great promise that ABUS can make a tremendous impact on the health of the women that we screen.

Medgadget: How commonly is ABUS used in breast screening programs nationally and internationally? Are there any plans to expand the ABUS program at NorthShore hospitals?

Dr. Georgia Giakoumis Spear: ABUS is an emerging, growing technology and at this time about 180 systems are in use. Due to our success with ABUS as a supplemental screening tool, NorthShore plans to expand the ABUS supplemental screening program to better serve the large number of women affected by breast density.

Product page: Invenia ABUS

Flashbacks: GE Introduces Invenia ABUS, an Improved Automated Breast Ultrasound System; GE ABUS Automated 3D Ultrasound Breast Imaging System Approved in U.S
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, March 22, 2017

Jimmy Fallon's playful hair-tousling of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on The Tonight Show last September may or may not be one of the reasons viewers are abandoning Fallon and flocking to Stephen Colbert on CBS.

But it can't be helping Fallon that so many editors and bloggers have chosen this photo to illustrate their stories about Colbert's rise to the late-night top spot and Fallon's decline.

It is not difficult to obtain this photo. Any news organization with a username and password for NBC's proprietary media site can find this photo and download it there any time free of charge.

It is one of what might be hundreds of photos from The Tonight Show (and from every other show on NBCUniversal's dozens of networks) on the company's media site.

In the context of stories and commentaries about Fallon and Colbert, the photo has come to represent Fallon's perceived frivolousness when it comes to politics in the Trump era.

advertisement advertisement

These commentaries insist that Colbert's barbs on the subject of Trump have a sharper sting than the Trump monologue jokes delivered by Fallon, who is generally accused of glad-handing his celebrity guests with kid gloves -- including Trump during that appearance last September.

And since Trump-bashing is all the rage these days, Colbert's approach is trumping Fallon's, according to the theorizers. As a result, Colbert has been in first place for the last seven weeks.

NBC's New York-based publicists cannot stop the ornery press (as they were once so quaintly called) from bashing Fallon, but they could rob the critics of access to this photo if it would only occur to the publicists to take it down.

But details like this tend to elude the publicity pros of today. In days of old -- days that were not that long ago, come to think of it -- TV publicists were protective enough of the personalities they represented that they would at least make an effort to take a photo out of circulation if it wasn't flattering.

I have been on the receiving end of such requests many times in my career. And while I never agreed to stop using the offending photos, I at least had to give credit to the publicists for trying.

Removing this Fallon hair-tousling photo from the press site would not be unprecedented. The same site has many photos of Trump -- most from the long presidential campaign, including shots of Trump being interviewed on NBC News shows and participating in the televised debates of 2015 and 16.

There was one photo of Trump that NBC had available that I can no longer find. It was a photo of Trump standing next to a colorful NBC peacock logo.

And I used it myself several times in TV blogs here to illustrate commentaries about Trump's checkered history with NBC. The network has had a love-hate relationship with Trump, starting with The Apprentice in 2004.

In 2015, the network joined the Trump boycott bandwagon after he bashed Mexicans as rapists when he announced his candidacy for president in June of that year.

NBC jettisoned him from The Apprentice (which by then was known as The Celebrity Apprentice) and severed its ties with him, giving the impression that the ban was for life.

However, by fall 2015, the lifetime ban ended when the network welcomed him back to guest-host Saturday Night Live. The show was awful, but it scored well in the ratings -- which Trump bragged about, naturally.

That photo of Trump next to the NBC peacock came in handy back then, and it could come in handy again. But the last time I looked on the press site, it was gone.

I wish I had saved it, but I did not. I have saved the Fallon hair-tousling photo, however. You never know when that might come in handy too -- again.
by Larissa Faw , March 22, 2017

International Airlines Group (IAG) has appointed Brand Union as its AOR for its new discount long-haul airline brand Level following a formal review.

Launching in June, Level will become IAGs fifth airline brand, alongside Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.

While discount airlines are common in both Europe and the U.S., low-cost nonstop flights between the two continents has yet to gain much traction. Level will offer prices as low as $149 as it flies from one airport, Barcelona, to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and Punta Cana, while costing extra for services, such as baggage and meals.

The initial creative, which rolls out this month, features bright bold colors and block lettering. The airline will be particularly active across social media. The branding is aimed at people who have seen the world on screen having grown up with the internet and now want to see it for themselves," says IAG.

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"How often do you get to launch a brand new, truly global, airline brand?" asks Alex Clegg, CEO, Brand Union London. "Everyone wanted to work on Level and I believe this passion shows in the minimalist design style that speaks very directly to the audience that we want to reach."

IAG, the sixth-largest airline group, was formed in January 2011 through a merger of British Airways and Iberia.
by Sara Guaglione , March 22, 2017

After operating for eight months without an editor, The Washington Post Magazine has snagged Richard Just for the top job.

In a memo announcing his appointment, the magazine's feature editors said Just would lead coverage of the myriad aspects of Washington life in "ambitious, provocative and thoughtful ways.

He begins April 3.

Just was previously editor at The New Republic, Newsweek and National Journal. His editing jobs have ended with sales and closings.

He left The New Republic after it was bought by Chris Hughes and Newsweek when it was sold to IBT Media in 2013. In 2015, Atlantic Media decided to shutter National Journals weekly print edition.

Under his tenure, TNR received its first National Magazine Award nomination for general excellence in 20 years.

Just replaces Lynn Medford, who retired after 15 years at The Washington Post and six years as editor of its magazine.

Published Sundays, The Washington Post Magazine focuses on long-form narrative journalism about the Washington, D.C. area. Popular features include matchmaking Date Lab, fashion and beauty column Trend Report, restaurant reviews from food critic Tom Sietsema and the humor column from Gene Weingarten.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 22, 2017

The Senate could vote as early as Wednesday evening on a resolution to revoke sweeping broadband privacy rules, according to press reports.

The resolution, introduced earlier this month by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), has drawn 23 GOP co-sponsors, including John Thune (R-South Dakota) head of the Senate Commerce Committee. The measure would overturn the rules under the Congressional Review Act -- a 1996 law that allows federal lawmakers to vacate recent agency decisions.

If Congress uses that vehicle to overturn the rules, the FCC will not be able to replace them with new privacy regulations.

The broadband privacy rules, passed 3-2 last October, impose a host of new requirements on Internet service providers. Among others, the regulations require carriers to obtain opt-in consent before drawing on subscribers' data for ad targeting.

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Trade groups representing the ad industry and broadband carriers oppose those rules, as does FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Critics argue that the opt-in consent requirement subjects carriers to tougher standards than search engines, social networking services and other Web companies. The Federal Trade Commission -- which has jurisdiction over companies other than common carriers -- broadly recommends that Web companies allow people to opt out of the collection and sharing of non-sensitive data. The FTC also suggests that companies should obtain opt-in consent before sharing a narrow category of "sensitive" data -- including health information and precise location data.

Privacy advocates counter that broadband carriers are not comparable to other online companies -- largely because broadband carriers can glean detailed knowledge about subscribers' online activity by examining all unencrypted traffic that passes through their networks.

Recode and The Hill report that the Senate could vote on the bill Wednesday night. The House is not expected to vote on a similar measure for at least several weeks.
Community coffee shops and automated teller machines, or ATMs, might be ideal locations for public access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device that can check a person's heart rhythm and recognize a rhythm that requires a shock and advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take.

Placement of AEDs in communities is an ongoing effort to provide access to these lifesaving devices to bystanders, so they can help people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

To determine where best to place AEDs in the community, researchers studied different businesses and municipal locations in Toronto, Canada. They ranked the businesses and other locations according to how many cardiac arrests occurred within 100 meters of the locations, and when they were open.

"We found that coffee shops and ATMs ranked highly across several related metrics, and that those rankings were stable over the years," said Timothy C.Y. Chan, Ph.D., study author and Canada Research Chair in Novel Optimization and Analytics in Health, University of Toronto in Canada.

Among the findings:

There were 2,654 publicly located, non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Toronto from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2015. Coffee shops from three major chains and ATMs from the five largest Canadian banks occupied eight of the top 10 spots for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Toronto and its Downtown area. The rankings remained stable over time. "What this means is that health organizations, foundations and policymakers aiming to develop public access defibrillator programs could use our rankings to identify promising businesses to develop partnerships with for AED deployment," Chan said. "Ultimately, we want to get AEDs in the right locations, so they are accessible when needed most."
Rising temperatures across the world may be playing a part in the growing numbers of people developing diabetes, suggests research published online in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

Worldwide, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly. In 2015, 415 million adults globally had the condition and it is expected that prevalence will rise by almost 55% - up to 642 million cases by 2040.

In the human body, the function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is to transfer energy from food into heat and previous studies have shown that exposure to cold stimulates BAT, thus leading to modest weight loss and improved insulin action and sensitivity - making a person less likely to develop diabetes.

A team of Dutch researchers from the Leiden University Medical Center led by Professor Patrick Rensen, set out to investigate if global increases in temperature were contributing to the current type 2 diabetes growth by negatively impacting on glucose metabolism via a reduction in BAT activity.

The intention was to assess the association of outdoor temperature with diabetes incidence and prevalence of glucose intolerance, on a countrywide and global scale.

The researchers used data on diabetes incidence amongst adults in 50 states of the USA and three territories (Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) for the years 1996 to 2009 from the National Diabetes Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Data was also analysed from the World Health Organization's Global Health Observatory online data repository system on country-wise prevalence rates of raised fasting blood glucose and obesity in 190 countries.

In addition, country-wise average annual temperature data was obtained via the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in the UK.

The researchers found that on average, per 1C increase in temperature, age-adjusted diabetes incidence increased by 0.314 per 1,000.

Similarly, the worldwide prevalence of glucose intolerance increased by 0.17% per 1C rise in temperature. These associations were the same after obesity was taken into account.

Such findings indicated that the diabetes incidence rate in the USA and prevalence of glucose intolerance worldwide did increase with higher outdoor temperature.

Using their findings, the authors calculated that a 1C rise in environmental temperature could account for more than 100,000 new diabetes cases per year in the USA alone, given a population of nearly 322 million people in 2015.

This was an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, but the authors analysed longitudinal state-level data for each state separately before pooling the results.

They also found that once they had taken into account important intercountry differences, such as age, sex, income and obesity, this did not materially change the results on the global level.

The study was unable to evaluate the directness of an association between body mass index (BMI) and diabetes incidence or prevalence in its models because continuous data on BMI were not available.

The authors acknowledged that once they adjusted the results to take into account obesity prevalence - which only slightly reduced the association between outdoor temperature and diabetes - other studies could evaluate further any impact that BMI might have on their findings.

The authors conclude: "These findings emphasise the importance of future research into the effects of environmental temperature on glucose metabolism and the onset of diabetes, especially in view of the global rise in temperatures with a new record set for the warmest winter in the USA last year."

Article: Diabetes incidence and glucose intolerance prevalence increase with higher outdoor temperature, Lisanne L Blauw, N Ahmad Aziz, Martijn R Tannemaat, C Alexander Blauw, Anton J de Craen, Hanno Pijl, Patrick C N Rensen, BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2016-000317, published online 21 March 2017.
Microbiologists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a new way to prevent bacteria from growing on medical devices such as hip replacements or heart valves implanted in the human body. The discovery is a step towards developing new preventive strategies that could have a direct impact on the recovery of patients in the immediate aftermath of a surgical operation.

Medical devices are routinely used in modern medicine to prevent and treat illness and disease but their use is compromised when an accumulation of bacteria called "biofilms" attach to the device surface after it is implanted in the human body. Communities of these bacteria called "staphylococci" growing on catheters, heart valves and artificial joints avoid being killed by antibiotics and the human immune system, meaning that the removal and replacement of the medical device is usually necessary. Each incident of biofilm infection costs 50,000-90,000 to the healthcare system.

The research team led by Dr Joan Geoghegan, Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Trinity's School of Genetics and Microbiology is studying new ways to prevent medical device-related infection. A recent breakthrough published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that it is possible to prevent communities of staphylococci from forming by targeting the linkages that hold the bacteria together.

In collaboration with atomic force microscopy expert Professor Yves Dufrene and his team at the Universite Catholique de Louvain, Leanne Hays, PhD student in Trinity's Department of Microbiology, has found that it is possible to stop bacteria from attaching to surfaces and to each other using a small blocking molecule. The target of the molecule was a protein attached to the surface of the bacteria called SdrC. In laboratory experiments the blocking molecule prevented the SdrC protein from recognising other bacteria and stopped the staphylococci from growing as biofilm communities.

Dr Geoghegan said: "These new findings show that it is possible to stop bacteria from building communities using molecules that specifically target proteins attached to the surface of the bacteria. This exciting breakthrough will inform the design of new, targeted approaches to prevent biofilm formation by staphylococci and reduce the incidence of medical device-related infection. "

The research at Trinity College Dublin was supported by an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship awarded to Leanne Hays.

Article: Molecular interactions and inhibition of the staphylococcal biofilm-forming protein SdrC, Joan A. Geoghegan et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1616805114, published online 20 March 2017.
People who mix highly caffeinated energy drinks with their alcoholic beverages may be at increased risk for injury, according to a review in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Researchers at the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC), in Canada, searched for peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic of alcohol and energy drinks published from 1981 to 2016 and found 13 that fit their criteria and were able to be analyzed. Of those studies, 10 showed evidence of a link between the use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) and an increased risk of injury compared to drinking alcohol only. The study classified injuries as unintentional (such as falls or motor vehicle accidents) and intentional (such as fights or other physical violence).

"The stimulant effects of caffeine mask the result that most people get when they drink," says lead study author Audra Roemer, M.Sc. "Usually when you're drinking alcohol, you get tired and you go home. Energy drinks mask that, so people may underestimate how intoxicated they are, end up staying out later, consume more alcohol, and engage in risky behavior and more hazardous drinking practices."

AmED use is increasingly common across North America, the researchers say, either as premixed drinks sold in liquor stores or by combining the two beverages by hand (Red Bull and vodka is a common example).

Roemer says she became interested in the topic while reading research on the effects of alcohol and cocaine."Cocaine is obviously a strong stimulant, and I was curious about lower level stimulants that are more socially acceptable," she says. "I wondered if they were having a similar impact but to a lesser degree."

Three of the studies looked at whether risk-taking or sensation-seeking tendencies play a role in injuries associated with AmED use.

"We know that these are risk factors for alcohol-related injuries, and some research has suggested that people who have these traits might prefer the awake-drunk state that you get from mixing alcohol and energy drinks," Roemer says. "This could be a population that's at even higher risk for injuries."

The biggest surprise for Roemer and her colleagues was the lack of research in this area, as well as the wide variability in these studies that made it difficult to compare results. Consequently, they were not able to statistically determine the extent of the risk associated with AmED use.

"At the end of the day, we looked at all of the studies, but more research is need to confirm our findings," says Roemer.

Roemer says the current study is the first of three planned articles that they hope to publish on the link between AmED and the risk of injury.

"We're currently running a controlled emergency department study to look at the relationship a little more closely," she says. "Hopefully that will bring more answers. The research we've done so far points to an increased risk of injuries with the use of AmED that could be a serious public health concern. Our hope is to conduct and facilitate future research in order to identify limitations and get a closer look at the topic to see what's really going on."

The study was co-authored by Centre for Addictions Research of BC director, Tim Stockwell, Ph.D., and funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.

Article: Alcohol Mixed With Energy Drinks and Risk of Injury: A Systematic Review, Roemer, A., & Stockwell, T., Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.175, published online 21 March 2017.

Commentary: Exploring the Use of Alcohol With Energy Drinks: Time for Another Round? A Commentary on Roemer and Stockwell (2017), Droste, N., & Miller, P., Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, doi:10.15288/jsad.2017.78.184, published online 21 March 2017.
In a feat of medical and scientific coordination, doctors across 138 hospitals in seven countries shared treatment protocols and harmonized data collection of three clinical trials resulting in the most comprehensive analysis to date on care for sepsis, the leading killer of hospital patients worldwide. The international evaluation was overseen by physicians at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, who expect the work to serve as a model for future research of this scale.

When combined, the trials confirm that, even in acutely sick patients, the previously accepted, standardized approach to diagnosing and treating sepsis did not change survival chances for patients. The findings were announced at the 37th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine in Brussels, Belgium, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"These results are reassuring because we've already been changing sepsis care based on individual findings from the three trials," said Derek Angus, M.D., M.P.H., Distinguished Professor and Mitchell P. Fink Chair, Department of Critical Care Medicine at Pitt, and principal investigator of the U.S. trial, which was the first of the three to get funded. "What is truly inspiring is how we have collaborated across oceans to garner outcomes powerful enough to grant us this validation and confidence when caring for our sickest patients."

Sepsis arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs, sometimes progressing to septic shock. According to the National Institutes of Health, it may occur in more than 1 million U.S. patients every year, and - despite best practice - an estimated 28 to 50 percent of these people do not survive.

In 2008, the U.S.-based "Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock"" (ProCESS) trial, the U.K.-based "Protocolised Management in Sepsis" (ProMISe) trial and the "Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation" (ARISE) trial, based in Australia and New Zealand, launched with federal funding from each country. They were designed to build on a 2001 study of 263 patients at a single Detroit hospital suggesting that early, goal-directed therapy (EGDT) reduced mortality from sepsis by 16 percent.

Before enrolling a single patient, the scientists leading each trial worked together to ensure that their trials tested treatments and collected information in a way that would make the findings compatible. In doing so, the scientists effectively tripled their data, allowing more detailed analyses compared to any single trial.

The combined meta-analysis of the three trials included 3,723 sepsis patients, approximately half treated with "usual care," in which the bedside physician directs the course of treatment based on what he or she determines is best for the patient, and the other half treated with EDGT, which requires the clinician to follow a protocol that includes placing a catheter called a central line in the jugular vein to monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels, as well as delivery of drugs, fluids and blood transfusions.

The meta-analysis determined that EGDT did not improve patient outcome and increased hospitalization costs when compared with usual care, supporting previously announced findings from the ProCESS trial. More simply stated, good early bedside sepsis care with therapies matched to severity is key, not use of a singular protocol.

"Randomized clinical trials are the gold standard of medicine, but are very difficult and expensive to perform, and are best when merged with data from other trials to get the best picture possible," said Donald M. Yealy, M.D., professor and chair of Pitt's Department of Emergency Medicine and lead author of the previous ProCESS trial publication. "However, merging such data is a challenge because often the information is not collected consistently across trials. We planned ahead, two years before these three big sepsis trials started, and created an approach allowing each trial to not only stand on its own, but also be able to contribute to a 'whole' that is greater than the 'sum of its parts.'"

At Pitt, additional study authors are Amber E. Barnato, M.D., M.Sc., Elizabeth Gimbel, R.N., B.S., David T. Huang, M.D., M.P.H., John A. Kellum, M.D., and Edvin Music, M.S.I.S., M.B.A.

This research was funded by U.S. National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant P50 GM076659, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council grants 491075 and 1021165, the Intensive Care Foundation, The Alfred Foundation, and U.K. Health Technology Assessment Programme of the National Institute for Health Research grant 07/37/47.

Article: Early, Goal-Directed Therapy for Septic Shock - A Patient-Level Meta-Analysis, The PRISM Investigators, New England Journal of Medicine, doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1701380, published 21 March 2017.
Chronic lung infections can be devastating for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and infection by Burkholderia cenocepacia, one of the most common species found in CF patients, is often antibiotic resistant. In a study published in Genome Research, scientists sequenced and phenotyped multiple B. cenocepacia isolates from 16 CF patients. They found extensive variation among isolates during chronic lung infection as well as changes in clinically relevant bacterial phenotypes.

"We expected, based on anecdotal observations and single strain reports, that the genome of B. cenocepacia was flexible, but we had no idea of the scope and scale of how promiscuous the gene content and genome architecture would be in a modest-sized patient cohort," said co-corresponding author, Corey Nislow, from University of British Columbia.

The researchers collected 215 isolates from 16 CF patients from the Canadian Burkholderia cepacia Complex Research and Referral Repository (CBCCRRR), with samples spanning a period of 2 to 20 years for each patient. Most patients demonstrated significantly decreased lung function during this time. Using whole genome sequencing, the genetic content of all isolates was profiled and genome assemblies were generated for 11 isolates. "By looking at changes in the genome over time, we were able to see patterns - common themes that help us better understand how this particular species evolves in its environment and how CF patients become chronically infected," said study co-corresponding author Joshua Chang Mell, from Drexel University College of Medicine.

Similar to previous studies, the researchers found chromic infection of B. cenocepacia resulted in genome reduction, specifically loss of genes encoding non-essential functions, such as putative virulence genes. Phenotypic changes also occurred in a patient over time, including progressive decreases in motility and acute virulence, and changes in growth and biofilm formation. Although infections originated from a single strain, there was large phenotypic variation from samples taken later from the same patient at the same time, suggesting subsequent diversification within an infection.

While some isolates showed strong positive correlation between traits such as motility and biofilm formation, isolates from another patient showed an inverse correlation, suggesting the genetic architecture of the same trait may be distinct across strains.

Testing for associations between genetic variation and phenotypic differences, researchers identified numerous variants in genes associated with motility and biofilm formation. In addition, the loss of three genes previously associated with biofilm formation was correlated with both reduced motility and biofilm formation phenotypes in B. cenocepacia. The genetic determinants of motility and biofilm phenotypes may be promising targets for anti-virulence drugs.

"The outbreaks of B. cenocepacia in Canada and the UK in the 1990's have been largely contained by introduction of infection control measures, but we believe that, rather than 're-fighting the last war', the insights into which genotypic and phenotypic elements are pathogenic will let the B. cenocepacia community be proactive in responding to the next outbreak when it arrives," Nislow said.

Researchers from the University of British Colombia and Drexel University College of Medicine contributed to this work. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, Genome BC, NASA, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and The UBC Faculty of Pharmacy.

Article: Phenotypic diversity and genotypic flexibility of Burkholderia cenocepacia during long-term chronic infection of cystic fibrosis lungs, Corey Nislow et al., Genome Research, doi: 10.1101/gr.213363.116, published online 21 March 2017.
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AmED use is increasingly common across North America, the researchers say, either as premixed drinks sold in liquor stores or by combining the two beverages by hand (Red Bull and vodka is a common example).Roemer says she became interested in the topic while reading research on the effects of alcohol and cocaine."Cocaine is obviously a strong stimulant, and I was curious about lower level stimulants that are more socially acceptable," she says. "I wondered if they were having a similar impact but to a lesser degree."Three of the studies looked at whether risk-taking or sensation-seeking tendencies play a role in injuries associated with AmED use."We know that these are risk factors for alcohol-related injuries, and some research has suggested that people who have these traits might prefer the awake-drunk state that you get from mixing alcohol and energy drinks," Roemer says. "This could be a population that's at even higher risk for injuries."The biggest surprise for Roemer and her colleagues was the lack of research in this area, as well as the wide variability in these studies that made it difficult to compare results. Consequently, they were not able to statistically determine the extent of the risk associated with AmED use."At the end of the day, we looked at all of the studies, but more research is need to confirm our findings," says Roemer.Roemer says the current study is the first of three planned articles that they hope to publish on the link between AmED and the risk of injury."We're currently running a controlled emergency department study to look at the relationship a little more closely," she says. "Hopefully that will bring more answers. The research we've done so far points to an increased risk of injuries with the use of AmED that could be a serious public health concern. Our hope is to conduct and facilitate future research in order to identify limitations and get a closer look at the topic to see what's really going on."Source: Eurekalert
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It found that, 86 percent of tobacco was easily available in their cities. 5 percent said that they were tough to find and 9 percent of the respondents were not sure about it.The Supreme Court decision came almost 5 years after the tobacco manufacturers had found a way to overcome the regulation on chewable tobacco by selling pan masala and tobacco in separate pouches.While some states had issued orders to comply with the order, most of the states have still done nothing to enforce the ban, said the survey.It found that enforcement has not been effective in states namely Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.Citizens of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Hyderabad and Karnataka said that the tobacco ban enforcement in their state has been poor.According to the survey, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the only two states where the effectiveness of chewable tobacco ban has been somewhat noticeable.In a related poll, 97 percent of participants had said that print and television advertisements of chewable tobacco products should be completely banned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in line with the Supreme Court's order to ban these products.When asked if the government should revoke the production licenses and direct closure of all guthka and chewable tobacco product factories, 89 percent citizens responded affirmatively.Only 10 percent said that it should not be done and 1 per cent chose not to answer.Citizens also listed different ways in which the tobacco ban could be enforced. They suggested that the nodal central government agencies should ensure that all factories producing chewable tobacco in any form are shut down.They also said that agencies need to work in very close coordination with state and other local authorities like police and health department to ensure that the ban is implemented.Source: IANS
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Wei Li et al. Secretogranin III as a disease-associated ligand for antiangiogenic therapy of diabetic retinopathy The Journal of Experimental Medicine; (2017) doi/10.1084/jem.20161802

Diabetic retinopathy causes dramatic loss of vision as the blood vessels supplying the retina become leaky and new, abnormal blood vessels are formed to replace them.In children, the growth of abnormal blood vessels causes a condition called retinopathy or prematurity (ROP). This condition causes loss of vision in children and it affects around 16,000 premature infants per year in the US.The growth of blood vessels and leakiness is regulated by a molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Two VEGF inhibitors, ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea), have been approved to treat retinal vascular leakage, though they are only successful in about a third of patients. But these inhibitors are not approved for use in infants and children because VEGF is crucial for vascular development in newborn children.The researchers including study lead-author Wei Li, Ph.D., research associate professor, and his colleagues at Bascom Palmer, developed a technique called "comparative ligandomics".This technique allowed to identify additional molecules that regulate the behavior of blood vessels in diabetic mice.The approach allows compare the signaling molecules that selectively bind to the surface of retinal blood vessel cells in diabetic animals but not healthy animals."It is estimated that between one third and one half of all marketed drugs act by binding to cell surface signaling molecules or their receptors," says Li. "Our ligandomics approach can be applied to any type of cell or disease to efficiently identify signaling molecules with pathogenic roles and therapeutic potential."Using comparative ligandomics, a protein called secretogranin III (Scg3), that efficiently binds to the surface of retinal blood vessel cells in diabetic, but not healthy mice was discovered.Scg3 increased vascular leakage. In addition, when administered to diabetic mice, it stimulated blood vessel growth, but did not stimulate blood vessel growth in healthy animals.VEGF, in contrast, stimulates blood vessel growth in both diabetic and healthy mice.Researchers believe that Scg3 binds to a distinct cell surface receptor that is specifically up-regulated in diabetes.When the diabetic mice were treated with Scg3-neutralizing antibodies, it dramatically reduced the leakiness of their retinal blood vessels and significantly inhibited the growth of new blood vessels in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, which is a well-established animal model of human ROP.Researchers conclude that inhibiting this protein could be an effective treatment for both diabetic retinopathy and ROP, especially as it appears to have no role in normal vascular development."Scg3 inhibitors may offer advantages such as disease selectivity, high efficacy, and minimal side effects," Li says. "Because they target a distinct signaling pathway, anti-Scg3 therapies could be used in combination with, or as an alternative to, VEGF inhibitors."The study, "Secretogranin III as a disease-associated ligand for antiangiogenic therapy of diabetic retinopathy," is published inSource: Medindia


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Social unrest, the African-American community, conflict in the world and Reggae. And the one thing connecting all of these elements is a band called Big Mountain. During the time of the American Civil War and prior to thatduring the era of slaverymusic, as a culture, became an undercurrent that helped serve as an escape route for most African Americans; a way to escape the realities of their circumstances, an outlet to their sufferingsmental, emotional and physicalby the hands of the prevalent white bureaucracy. That's as early as I can trace back the beginnings of what would, in later years, come to be known as Reggaea genre of music that originated out of Jamaica and resonated as the voice of African-Americans, everywhere.

 Big Mountain

In the late 80s, says Joaquin Quino' McWhinney, the front man of one of the world's biggest phenomena in reggae, Big Mountain, a generation of folk got to see a lot of great reggae back in those days. I am sitting with the artist on an interview, discussing the unchartered course of Reggae, Big Mountain and the intertwining of their paths. I like to tell people that reggae is the anti-colonial music, Quino quips. After colonialism has been trying to get us to believe that we're not good enough and have the wrong-coloured skin, the wrong religion and speak the wrong language, reggae is the medicine and psychology that's trying to change that mindset.

 Big Mountain

 MensXP

Quino has a strong sense of awareness when it comes to Reggae music. He's been around enough to have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Bob and tell stories about it. So that's exactly what he did; narrating to me the legacy of Big Mountain and how the band has, over the years, been influenced by history, race, culture and art. I've known about the tendencies of tribalism in my land and that's why Big Mountain has always educated people with their music, he explains. Formed towards the latter part of the 1980s, the band's first album Wake Up came out in 1992 and the song, Touch My Light was an instant hot seller. But, it was Pete Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way' revisited by Big Mountainand roped in as the soundtrack for the Ben Stiller-Winona Ryder-Ethan Hawke starrer, Reality Bitesthat really struck a chord. But, there's so much more to Big Mountain and, by an extension, to front man, Quino. It's the history of the land; the people; their voices and their stories that Quino knows so much of. The man is easily a walking encyclopedia on Afro-American culture and I've never heard someone tell it better. To be a young person in the US back then was about the message of reggae music, racial harmony, all people having the right to be proud of who they are with their heritage and the languages that their forefathers spoke, he tells me. Overtime, Big Mountain has become synonymous with reggae.

 Big Mountain

 MensXP

We're dedicated to always put the message first and let the live concerts be events where people come and really feel harmonious with everyone they're with, says Quino. While their music is up for interpretation, as one might like, Quino is of the belief that reggae will always remain prominent, through different time periods and circumstances. And it can never sound superficial, he adds. This deep understanding of the music, the culture and an amalgamation of the two is probably what validates why Big Mountain has been labeled, King of Reggae. We're very wealthy in that regard, Quino says. But, the musician would much rather bestow that title on the likes of Bob Marley and The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Gregory Isaac, Rita Marley and Marcia Griffith. I played so many shows with her, he quickly adds, about Griffith.

 Loop Jamaica

The band took a break in between to pursue more regular lives. During this time, Quino went back to school to complete his education. I'm someone who believes that education is one of the institutions in the world that is worth our investments, he announces; adding soon after that the break had been good for the band. And while Quino seems to be a man who goes with the currents of time, he isn't exactly a fan of the current scene'.

 Blogspot

 MensXP

Modern record businesses don't make that kind of money anymore so they can only focus on so many artists, he explains. In the 60s and 70s, the business plan was more like a five-album plan. Nowadays, it's not even a one-album plan; it's like a 2-3 song plan! In an age when labels and artists are constantly obsessed with a consumer-driven shock value for every track they produce, Quino reminds me of a time when Pink Floyd probably had people sitting in the studio for thousands of hours, learning how to write songs. We're never going to see another Led Zeppelin, another Earth Wind and Fire, or another Rolling Stone, he affirms. I hate to sound so pessimistic, he confesses, but, the songs today are like cookie-cutters. A style comes in; everybody copies that style and then, you move on to the next thing. It's unfortunate. Just like the state of affairs back in his home, in United States. As he puts it, the United States is in pain. I'm not surprised by this Right-Wing backlash and by everything that's going on in the States, he says. Donald Trump is just the product of what's already been there; he didn't create this. He's just a circumstance of the healing that needs to happen for the country. And that's why Quino believes that the world needs Big Mountain, now more than ever. We're all about building bridges between people. We're not for the hate; but, only for searching for ways to create love.
The scorching sun, hours of waiting in audition halls, the constant insecurity of not being good enough and the thick air that smells of disappointments  being an outsider in the Indian film industry entails a lot more struggle than one can ever prepare for. Years are gone auditioning and chasing casting directors and sometimes, to no avail. Mumbai isnt just the city of dreams, its also the land of brutal reality checks.

 Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images

A 21 year old Indian guy, Karmaditya Bagga dropped out of engineering from a university in the United States to move to India to live his childhood dream of being a Bollywood actor.

"I started looking for auditions. But it's not easy to find auditions and there is absolutely no platform where you can find reliable auditions," he told HuffPost India.

Being an outsider, it was quite a struggle for him, to turn up at random production house offices and casting agencies hoping hed get a chance to prove his worth. This harrowing experience led him to realize so many actors were giving up on their dreams or moving around in circles without any guidance. And thats what led to the creation of his app, Strugler.

 Facebook

"The engineer in me met the actor and I developed an app," he said. "As an actor, survival depends on you cracking auditions consecutively, especially when you don't have contacts or godfathers in the film industry, which 99 percent actors don't," he added.

Strugler helps users find the auditions around them so they know exactly where to go to try their luck. One has to simply sign up for an account, select the city where theyre located to get all the information about auditions in their city.

 Strugler

The best part is, the app also allows one to list an audition. That means even casting directors could use it as a reliable platform to announce auditions. Heres to Karmadityas initiative to help thousands of other actors dreaming of making it big in Bollywood!
We express our abhorrence of the heinous and cowardly act of terrorism perpetrated today in London.

Greece unequivocally condemns terrorism and stands by the government and people of the United Kingdom.

The Greek Embassy in London is monitoring developments closely, in cooperation with the competent British authorities.
TUSCOLA COUNTY  All Saginaw and Tuscola county school districts will receive CPR and AED training equipment thanks to a $15,000 gift the Pulse3 Foundation received from the Douglas C Iles Charitable Trust.

The gift was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Frankenmuth Credit Union's Foundation for our Communities. The equipment will help the schools comply with recently-passed school legislation.

On Dec. 28, the CPR in Schools legislation (Michigan Public Act 388 of 2016) was signed into law.

This effort was spearheaded by the American Heart Association with a simple purpose  to save lives and to empower Michigan's youth to be those lifesavers.

Taking effect with the 2017-18 school year, the law requires schools to incorporate hands-only CPR (at a minimum) training, into health curriculum offered between seventh and twelfth grades. The law gives schools flexibility over how the training is implemented within their school, with three main training requirements.

 The training must be based on the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or another nationally recognized organization's evidence-based guidelines.

 The training must include hands-on-a-manikin practice. Watching a CPR-training DVD alone is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the law.

 The training must include education on automated external defibrillators (AEDs).The training does not need to be hands-on-an-AED practice. For example, education regarding what they look like, how they work, and why they are needed if someone is suffering a cardiac arrest would satisfy law requirements.

"I believe Nelson Mandela said once that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, and in the war against heart disease Pulse3 is fighting the good fight," said Jenny Bickel, Frankenmuth Credit Union Foundation marketing manager. "Frankenmuth Credit Union's Foundation for Our Communities is proud to assist in Pulse3 endeavors to bring CPR education to youth in Tuscola County."

For more information, call Pulse3 at 989-754-7283.
A congressional hearing to address military social media policies in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Marines who shared female colleagues' nude photos online began with a statement of frustration from the panel's ranking member that the discussion was happening at all.

The military's uniformed personnel chiefs appeared before the House Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee Tuesday to discuss their services' responses to the scandal. But training and rules governing appropriate online behavior do not address the true problems behind the Facebook misconduct, said Rep. Jackie Speier.

"Framing the issue as military social media policies frankly misses the point," she said in a sternly worded opening statement. "No one has ever gone on Facebook, looked at non-consensually posted intimate photos, typed a rape threat, and then stopped and said, 'Oh, I better not make rape threats! That's against the social media policy!'"

The hearing on policy, Speier said, happened despite her requests to hear from the service chiefs directly on the cultural roots of the scandal. It was "appalling," she said, not only that the committee had framed the issue the way it did, but that it had not opted to hear from military victims of the illicit photo-sharing directly. The issue at hand now, she said, is how to end "this hatred and misogyny."

"This is about service members deliberately trying to degrade, humiliate, and threaten fellow service members," she said. "They encouraged stalking, distributed stolen intimate photos, and have reduced their comrades to a collection of body parts."

Speier, a Democrat from California, first brought the online harassment of women by male Marines and veterans on certain Facebook groups to the attention of then-commandant Gen. Jim Amos in 2013. While Amos told her at the time in a letter that he shared her indignation about the online behavior, she complained that then as now, the issue was framed as an internet technology problem, rather than a cultural issue.

"This cultural rot -- which has clearly regressed even further since 2013 -- harms our troops and our readiness," she said. "It is abundantly clear that this is not a few bad actors, but rather is a sort of cancer that has continued to spread and thrive in both the enlisted ranks and the officer corps. The collateral damage has been the countless women and men who have answered the call to serve their country and have been betrayed."

Despite accusations of past failures, the personnel chiefs testifying before the hearing emphasized their interest in appropriately punishing perpetrators of social media abuse, as well as providing protection and care for victims.

"We are all disturbed and hugely disappointed by the recent online conduct of some of our Marines," said Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, the Corps' deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs. "Every Marine who takes the oath to support and defend our Constitution, who puts on the uniform and who puts their life on the line to defend our way of life here at home, is provided and has earned the trust and respect of the American people. So too should they be given that same trust and respect by those of us in uniform. Any breach of that trust and respect within the ranks cannot be tolerated. We will be immediate, decisive, unceasing in fixing this problem."

Personnel chiefs for the Navy and Air Force said that their investigations had yet to turn up Facebook pages specific to their services that engaged in the kind of harassment and photo-sharing activities that allegedly took place on Marines United, the page at the heart of the Marine Corps scandal.

Maj. Gen. Jason Evans, director of military personnel management for the Army, said he is aware of a multi-service investigation into abusive posts by service members on the popular microblogging site Tumblr.

All services except the Army have set up task forces to address social media behavior and abuse in light of Marines United, the witnesses said. While only the Marine Corps issued a formal update to its social media policy in the wake of the scandal, all four services issued guidance to troops making clear what the expectations are for their online behavior.

Vice Adm. Robert Burke, chief of naval personnel, said the Navy has organized a senior leader working group to attack the culture that fostered the bad online behavior and root it out of the service.

To date, Naval Criminal Investigative Service officials have confirmed they've identified about 15 members of Marines United who were active-duty Navy, and multiple outlets have reported that sailors have been found to be involved in non-consensual photo-sharing on another site, AnonIB, in the wake of the scandal.

"The bad actors we've discovered have found a new home, underground," Burke said. "We will not tolerate their cowardice in the dark shadows of the internet. We will be relentless in exposing these perceived sanctuaries and reinforcing our expectation of sailors' conduct, whether in uniform, at home, or online."

Tony Kurta, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, acknowledged the problem behind the internet behavior is cultural, but added he is cautiously optimistic in light of the military's past success in addressing cultural ills and implementing discipline.

"Whether it's integration of the races, whether it's the rampant drug abuse we used to see in the '70s and '80s, whether it's the alcohol problems we've seen in the '70s and '80s, we've taken on some of those large issues, cultural issues, and had great success over time when we applied leadership," he said.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
The Chinese military issued a warning to a U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber flying in the East China Sea Wednesday morning amid escalating tensions in the region, two U.S. officials told Fox News.

The Chinese said the U.S. bomber was flying in Chinese airspace. Both American officials said the bomber was flying in international airspace and continued on its mission.

The Chinese warning came over the emergency radio frequency known as "guard," according to one official. The incident occurred when the American bomber was flying 70 miles southwest of the South Korean island of Jeju.

The episode occurred amidst rising tensions with North Korea, which tried to launch another ballistic missile Wednesday, but failed.
The personnel chiefs for the Navy and Marine Corps revealed Tuesday that both services are considering updating their policies to require mandatory processing for administrative separation for troops found to have engaged in abusive social media activity, a move that would make online violations akin to drug use and sexual assault.

Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, Marine Corps deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, told Military.com that a task force organized to address the aftermath of a social media scandal implicating Marines is considering the option.

The scandal centers on a private Facebook page called Marines United, where hundreds of active-duty troops and reservists apparently viewed and exchanged nude and compromising photos of female service members without their consent. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service probe into the illicit activity has since expanded beyond the page to other groups and users, NCIS officials said last week.

"There is mandatory processing for administrative separation in a number of different cases. Use of drugs requires mandatory administrative processing, sexual harassment requires mandatory administrative processing, sexual assault requires mandatory administrative processing," Brilakis said, following a congressional hearing on military social media policies on Capitol Hill.

"We are considering whether events wrapped up in Marines United, those things, would rise to the level where the commandant would recommend or direct me to begin mandatory administrative processing for separation," he said.

Processing does not guarantee that an individual will be separated from the service, but it does direct that the relevant commander begin a review, and an administrative board review the case of the service member in question. Such a move would require a change to the Marine Corps separations manual, Brilakis said.

The Navy, which organized a senior leader working group in the wake of the scandal, is considering a similar step, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke told the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel Tuesday.

"We are reviewing the [Uniform Code of Military Justice] and Navy policy governing mandatory administrative separation to ensure they are adequate," he said.

The fact that both services are considering such a move, reserved for violations for which the military has a zero-tolerance policy, underscores how seriously the military is now addressing the problem of social media harassment and the pressure from lawmakers to produce results fast.

Similar policies implemented in the 1980s to combat drug use in the services resulted in a huge reduction. According to Defense Department statistics, 47 percent of troops were found to have used drugs in 1973, compared to just 3 percent by 1995. More recently, the military has worked to apply the same approach to sexual harassment and assault, though the results to date have been more muted.

The policy reviews come as multiple lawmakers express outrage at service members' alleged behavior and call for decisive action.

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a freshman Democrat from New Hampshire, called on the military to boot offenders, reading aloud from an enlistment document that states troops will be subject to separation if their behavior falls short of military standards.

"I don't know why we have to debate and you tell them at the very beginning and you sign off saying their behaviors are unacceptable," she said. "I don't understand why we have to then pursue many various avenues. Do you still have the power to throw them out if it's very clear they can't do this?"

Brilakis, however, emphasized that everyone in uniform deserves due process and will continue to receive it.

"Whether it be through an administrative procedure or a military justice procedure, there are processes," he said.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
NATO is growing stronger with an increasing U.S. commitment despite allies' concerns over recent comments by President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday.

"We have a very strong trans-Atlantic bond," Mattis said at the start of a meeting at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "It's getting stronger," he said, though "relationships don't stay the same" in the 28-member NATO alliance. "They are always changing," he said.

"In this case, the bond is getting stronger," Mattis added. "It's built on a legacy of common commitments and common defense and we never forget that in this building."

Stoltenberg ignored shouted questions for comment on reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would skip a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in April but will travel to Russia for high-level talks.

In a statement, Stoltenberg commended Mattis "for your strong personal support and leadership when it comes to NATO and the trans-Atlantic bond." The general's commitment was on display last month at the NATO defense ministerial in Brussels where Mattis pledged an enduring U.S. commitment to the common defense of Europe, Stoltenberg said. "We are very grateful for that," he said.

"I think we all understand that in times of turmoil, in times of uncertainty, the need for strong international institutions like NATO is even greater," Stoltenberg added, "so therefore we need to adapt, we need to strengthen NATO in response to the challenges and the unpredictability we see surrounding us today."

Stoltenberg has been walking a fine line between getting guarantees of continued U.S. support while seeking to ease the increasing concerns of member states over Trump's rhetoric and tweets suggesting that some NATO members were not paying their "fair share" in the alliance.

Only five NATO states  the U.S., Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland currently meet or exceed the goal of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense.

Germany and other NATO members were rattled by Trump's comments during the campaign that NATO was "obsolete" and his repeated expressions of admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. German also took exception to Trump's tweet last week that the U.S. was owed "vast sums" for supporting NATO.

"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 at the time.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen hit back Sunday, charging that Trump misunderstood how NATO is financed.

"There is no debtor's account at NATO," she said. "To tie the 2 percent of defense spending, which we want to achieve in the middle of the next decade, only to NATO is wrong."

Von der Leyen added, "Defense spending also goes into United Nations peacekeeping missions, into our European missions and into our contribution to the fight against ISIS terrorism."

In a readout of the private session of the Mattis-Stoltenberg talks, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said "the two leaders discussed ways to encourage allies to assume a more equitable share of alliance security and defense responsibilities."

Matts met separately later Jussi Niinisto, the defense minister of Finland, which is not a NATO member but works closely with the alliance.

In response to a question on Tillerson's possible absence from the NATO foreign ministers meeting next month, Niinisto said, "Finland is not part of NATO so it's really not our business. We are good partners with NATO, of course, and we would like to see that the United States is represented at the NATO meetings, but after all it is not our business."

On Capitol Hill Tuesday, retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, the former NATO supreme commander, said the NATO member states must get past their differences to unite against the common threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Breedlove said Putin "has made clear that he wants to upend the post-World War II order established in Europe." The retired general said that NATO must adopt "a more forward defensive posture to deal with the Kremlin's challenges in Europe."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Wednesday he sees no need to send U.S. ground troops into Syria to recapture the Islamic State capital of Raqqa, even if the country opts to prosecute the fight without the aid of Kurdish forces.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, said he "saw no scenario" in which the fight would call for the deployment of ground troops, based on his own analysis of the fight and the strength of the enemy.

"I've been there, inside Syria. I've seen what they can do," McCain said. "I think it would take longer, but I don't think it would speed it up that much if we send American ground forces in. We've got air controllers, we've got a whole lot of advisers there, but I wouldn't advise sending ground troops in."

Deploying additional ground troops is reportedly one of the options Pentagon leaders presented to President Donald Trump to accelerate the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS. As anti-ISIS forces close in on Raqqa, some U.S. forces have already been strategically placed in the region to provide additional support.

In late February, an artillery detachment of several hundred Marines quietly moved into northern Syria to establish an artillery base to provide fire support to friendly forces in the Raqqa fight. A team from the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment has also established a visible presence in the region, operating Stryker vehicles displaying large American flags in Manbij, about 85 miles to the northwest.

Now the White House is reportedly considering a plan to send another 1,000 troops to Syria in support of the fight.

Rep. Mac Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee who also spoke to reporters Wednesday, was unwilling to rule out a deployment of additional troops entirely.

"We have been overly constrained on numbers of people, what they can do, permissions and so forth, so this is more like a dial rather than a light switch," the Texas Republican said. "There are situations where U.S. security is going to be directly threatened, and any president has to have the option to use U.S. military to deal with it."

Both officials agreed the U.S. was now faced with a troubling conundrum concerning whether to formally partner with Kurdish militia forces on the Raqqa assault. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been adamant in his insistence that the Kurds not be involved, as Turkey has longstanding conflict with the Kurdish people and considers certain Kurdish groups to be terrorist organizations.

McCain said the U.S. stood to see lost or limited access to Turkey's Incirlik Air Base if a partnership with the Kurds was realized -- a development that would hurt American presence in the region for this and future fights.

But without the Kurdish militia forces, he said, the fight will be slowed, even as Raqqa continues to produce terrorists who post a threat to the U.S. Even without the Kurds, he said, he didn't believe the fight required U.S. ground forces.

McCain proposed sending Defense Secretary Jim Mattis or National Security Adviser Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster for a formal conversation with Erdogan, to restore a line of communication with the Turks that he said had been lost.

"There's no doubt the Kurds are great fighters. I'm a great admirer of the Kurds," he said. "But we also understand that without the Turks, we will take Raqqa, but it will take a lot longer time  it's an enormous challenge, and that's got to be addressed."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
(Representative image: PTI)

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Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland is looking to strengthen presence in the country's logistics sector that is estimated to touch USD 370 billion by 2020.

The company is enhancing its range of fully built vehicles in order to tap the sector which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16 percent.

The Chennai-based firm, which is the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the country, has around 45 per cent share in the truck segment in the logistics sector.

"We want to further strengthen our position through our vehicles, offering the latest in technology, which help our customers earn better margins," Ashok Leyland President Global Trucks Anuj Kathuria said.

While the inflow on new investments will create new opportunities in this sector, the Make in India campaign will see these investments connect India to global markets, he added.

"Trucks are the most popular mode, accounting for 65 percent of freight in India, translating into a big opportunity for manufacturers like us to contribute to the positive change in making our country's logistics sector globally competitive," Kathuria said.

The scope of improvement of efficiencies is huge as India spends around 14 per cent of its GDP on logistics and transportation compared to 8 percent in other developing countries, he added.

"With a renewed push from the government for infrastructure and integrated, multi-modal logistics and transport policy, we expect a lot of improvements in this sector. Estimates of this sector are projected to be worth USD 370 billion by the year 2020," he added.

The company today showcased its range of fully built logistics vehicle solutions here.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18s Latha Venkatesh, Sonia Shenoy and Anuj Singhal, SK Acharya, Chairman of NLC India spoke about the buyback and the interim dividend of Rs 7.34/share declared by the company. He also spoke about the outlook of the company going forward.

Anuj: With the buyback and the dividend, that is quite a bit of cash which is given back to the promoters and of course shareholders. What is the current cash situation now?

A: It is comfortable. In fact, the buyback we did as well as the dividend we declared is well within the affordable capacity of the company. There is no issue regarding our cash position as such. No difficulty is faced by the company by doing these two things which were needed. It is best for the promoters as well as the shareholders.

Latha: You are doing exceptionally well in terms of margin and profits. How is Q4 generally, will you be maintaining at 34-35 percent margins and strike a net profit of about Rs 350-400 crore?

A: The Q4 is very promising; in fact we have eight to nine days more to go, so, no issue on that. However, with the Q4 results coming in, for the entire financial year, all the results are going to be all-time high in terms of turnover and in terms of profit both; that is what I expect.

Latha: What hereafter, what kind of expansion plans can we expect will bear fruition in FY18?

A: Big expansion activities are on cards. So far as the thermal side is concerned, construction activities are going on. For lignite based, it is 1,000 megawatt  they are at Neyveli itself, 500 megawatt at Rajasthan, and then we are also going to add 660 megawatt into two with supercritical boilers lignite-fire, they in Neyveli in the expansion phase.

So far as coal based thermal is concerned, in Uttar Pradesh (UP), we are adding 1980 megawatt. Construction work is already going on and there is a possibility, rather the proposal is in advance stage to bring a pitted power station at Talabira in Odhisha in district Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, there we may add around 3,200-4,000 megawatt.

Latha: We know that these are all on the anvil; I am asking you which will be completed in FY18.

A: Our solar 130 megawatt will be commissioned and maybe the 500 megawatt recently that we awarded, that also we expect to be commissioned by March 2018. It could be difficult but slightly around that it would be done.

Sonia: On the solar projects itself, can you give us more details, you said 130 megawatts in 2018, a total commissioning of 3,700 megawatt is what you are looking at in various states. Can you break that up for us over the next couple of years?

A: Solar, it all depends on me getting power purchase agreement (PPA) from the concerned states. As of now, what we have in hand is 10 megawatt already commissioned and operating at Neyveli complex and then 130 megawatt more which we expect in March 2017, a part of that will be commissioned and rest will be commissioned something around July 2017. 500 megawatt for Tamil Nadu we have recently awarded and that commissioning we are expecting by March 2018.

We are in talks with government of Odisha for which PPA is likely to be signed, that is for 500 megawatt. With UP, before the elections, we were given the consent for 2,000 megawatt. However, all the formalities need to be completed. We are in talks with Maharashtra as well as government of Karnataka. There also we are expecting some more PPAs to come.

Latha: That is a bunch of PPAs you are talking about. All of 2016 we heard of hardly any PPAs, probably one from Andhra Pradesh, now you are talking about a bunch of them. Which is on the anvil, say in the next three to six months, how many PPAs?

A: As of now I cant tell. All these things are at the stage where the formal things have not come. As of now, my solar strength is going to be 640 megawatt and Odisha is next on the cards for which we have already received the consent letter for 500 megawatt. In UP the next phase as I said, it was before the elections but now we are expecting that that also should be translated into reality. Karnataka and Maharashtra are in talking stage now.

Anuj: What would all this mean for financials going forward because last quarter was good for you at the bottomline front? What kind of numbers can we expect in next financial year?

A: It is too premature to give though I will not hazard a guess. However, definitely it will be more than what we clocked in last year in all fronts.

Latha: What are the merchant rates at the moment for power and what is this Odisha PPA rate likely to be?

A: Odisha PPA rate likely to be -- thought initial consent letter we got for Rs 4.50 for kilowatt; still there is a feeling that there could be some more discussion on that. So, things have now been frozen. So, if I keep the cost into account for which I have already done my tender, it would be somewhere around -- below Rs 4.45 it could be difficult for us to do that because it is basically under the capex based board. So, as the owner and the promoter, I would expect a good margin at least as per the government guidelines to be coming in for investments.

Latha: Merchant rates are at?

A: It depends on the state where the capacity utilisation factor is more so there the price is less. We talk of say Chhattisgarh, their utilisation factor is around 22 percent plus. However, in case of Odisha, the capacity utilisation factor is only 17 percent and the entire land and evacuation is on the part of the promoter. So, all the things have to be factored in.
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March is leaving cement industry watchers quite confounded. Price hikes are a no-no in the last month of the financial year as they bog down sales and make achieving year-end targets tougher.

But cement players in the north have decided to take a different trajectory this time  raising cement prices not once but twice in this month.

On the other hand, cement prices in the south continue to head further in the direction of the peninsula, eroding by Rs. 5-10 per bag.

Companies were unable to effect any price hikes in the north during November-January as demand crashed because of demonetization and then construction activity slackened further due to elections in five states including the large and politically most significant Uttar Pradesh. In this period, input costs like those of coal, pet coke and freight also rose.

After undertaking a Rs. 10-15 price hike at the start of the month, cement companies have again raised their product prices in the north  this time by Rs. 10 per bag. A bag of 50 kgs now costs anywhere between Rs. 300 and Rs. 330.

Large, well-known brands like UltraTech, Ambuja and ACC now come for Rs. 320-Rs. 330. All others, say Birla, Shree, JK are being sold for Rs. 300-310, a dealer selling multiple brands told Moneycontrol.

A senior official with JK Cement told Moneycontrol the company had not hiked its prices again but the hike was being felt with a lag as it had not been able to push the first hike in certain markets in one shot.

So it was only one hike that has happened but it got staggered as we were not able to push it in all the markets at the same time, he said.

While cement companies in the north are busy passing on the pressure of input costs to consumers, those in the south are not so lucky.

Excessive hard selling by smaller players, extreme dry conditions, subdued demand and some dumping from manufacturers based in Gujarat has forced the cement makers in the south to cut prices by another Rs. 5-Rs. 10.

Thus while the north market is sitting on twin prices hikes this month, the south is depressed by as many cuts in the same time period.
Siddharth Shriram, Chairman of Mawana Sugars in an interview to CNBC-TV18's Mangalam Maloo and Reema Tendulkar spoke in detail about how the company has been planning to settle their debts with various banks - State Bank Group, Punjab National Bank and foreign banks.

Below is the transcript of Siddharth Shriram's interview with CNBC-TV18.

Mangalam: What exactly does this one-time settlement do to your debt? You settled for about Rs 110 crore. How much is remaining on your balance sheet and what is the plan for that going forward?

A: Our accounts have become NPA. Mawana Sugars was in serious distress and then we sold one of our sugar factories and with the proceeds of the sugar factory we paid a good chunk to the farmers and we are settling, as far as possible, with our bankers to whom we have been neither paying interest nor principal for the last four years.

Therefore, we settled with foreign banks at 40 percent. We settled with State Bank Group to have a schedule of payment over the next four years with zero interest and now we have settled with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to settle their Rs 109 crore worth of debt for about Rs 80 crore payable over 15 months with no interest.

One of the problems with our company is that we had no bank facility; being NPA we had zero bank facility, no cash credit, no long-term debt other than what is NPA and so we were stressed in terms of not getting government subsidies, government excise loans as well as soft loans. Therefore, we were unable to pay our farmers to that extent. In the next 12 months, I believe these problems will be behind us

Mangalam: What is the debt on your books right now?

A: The debt on our books is Rs 280 crore.

Reema: After making this settlement of Rs 110 crore?

A: The settlement is agreeing a debt of Rs 109 crore for Rs 80 crore and we will be paying this Rs 80 crore over the next 15 months.

However, there is one more bank left, State Bank of Hyderabad with whom we are negotiating to settle their debt and that will happen in next four-six weeks.

Mangalam: What is your exposure with the State Bank if Hyderabad?

A: It is about Rs 45 crore.

Reema: How is the company making these payments - Rs 80 crore to Punjab National Bank? You will have to make some payment to State Bank of Hyderabad as well. Could you tell us where is the cash going to come from?

A: We have sold one of our sugar factories.

Reema: You said you have used that  the Titawi plant, right? You said you have used to pay the farmers?

A: We have not fully used that because part of the payment is still to come once we deliver the no objection certificate from Punjab National Bank and State Bank of Hyderabad to them. So, that amount of money will help us to manage the farmer debt as well as the debt to the banks. Second, the EBITDA this year and last year is quite powerful; we are getting over Rs 100 crore EBITDA.

Mangalam: Let us shift focus to the sugar industry itself. It has been a buzz for a while. We understand that production in the south has completed halted what is your sense on the production for UP how long is it going to last in this sugar year?

A: The production is going to go on till April 15th. As the agricultural produce declines the factory will slowly stop shutting down and the amount of cane that will come in keep getting less from now steadily up to April 15th but we will produce it will be less than 9 million tonne.

Mangalam: What exactly would your outlook on sugar prices be what is your ex- mill price currently and what is the trajectory likely to be?

A: Ex-mill price currently is about Rs 3,650-3,700 quintal that is Rs 37,000 a tonne. It has come down in the industry. The reason is that there is quite a lot of confusion whether imports will take place or they will not because the prices are going up higher than what the government wanted. But the government want higher sugarcane price and they want low sugar price. So, what we have recommended very strongly and a letter has gone to our government including Prime Minister and to the new Chief Minister of UP that why dont we have a linkage formula of sugarcane.

Reema: You said that you had sold the plant; I remember it was Titawi plant and I think you got a profit close to about Rs 235 crore on the back of that. What amount of that will be used to pay-off the farmers and how much will be left to pay-off the current debt on the books?

A: We will use about Rs 150 crore to pay the bankers and the rest will go to the farmers.

Reema: Then the farmers dues will be completely eradicated?

A: The last years dues are completely gone. It is this current season dues - because we produce sugar during a season but we sell it over the whole year. So, we are carrying stocks and the stocks are sufficient to pay for the farmers dues by around September of this year. As we are selling more sugar we are paying the farmers.

Mangalam: Could you tell us the quantum of stocks you are currently sitting on?

A: It is about Rs 350 crore. One more thing about Mawana is that in 2004 the government of UP had announced a sugar investment incentive plan against which we invested Rs 700 crore, that is the start of our debt problem and against this, the government of UP were to give us and to other millers who had similarly invested certain incentives, those incentives never came forward. So, we are due a capital subsidy of over Rs 70 crore and other benefits if we total them up plus interest it may come as high as Rs 200 crore. This was done in the Samajwadi Party government when Mulayam Singh Yadav was Chief Minister after that Mayawati came to the Chief Minister and she cancelled.

Mangalam: Irrespective of the political discussions can we expect the company to be debt free in the next say 15 months or 24 months?

A: Not debt free but certainly on a very healthy wicket.
UAE-headquartered online travel firm Musafir.com today launched a technology centre in Pune as the company plans to double the strength of its tech team globally to over 100 by the year-end.

The company's Pune centre will complement the technology and product teams that are already operating out of centres in Mumbai and UAE, Musafir.com said.

The company currently has around 50 people in it's technology team in the three centres.

Commenting on the development, Musafir.com Co-founder and CTO Albert Dias said: "Musafir.com was founded with the promise of a stellar user experience backed by the best technology".

The establishment of the company's third technology centre in Pune reinforces our commitment to this promise, he added.

"Our aim is to double the strength of our engineering team by the end of the year, and herald a new generation of innovative user experiences for our travellers," Dias said.

The technology and product team based in Pune will help to accelerate the delivery of next-generation web and mobile applications, along with products and solutions for travellers worldwide, Musafir.com said.

The launch of the technology centre in Pune reiterates the company's ever growing focus on the Indian market, Musafir.com Group CEO Rajesh Pareek said.

Musafir.com was founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Sachin Gadoya and Albert Dias in August 2007 and launched services in India in 2010.
Rupa and Company entered into a license agreement with Fruit of the Loom, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Siddhant Agarwal, VP-Business Development & Acquisitions at Rupa and Company said that the plan is to launch 'Fruit of the Loom' brand in September-October.

He further said the company will be paying a fixed royalty to Fruit of the Loom. We have rights to manufacture and market Fruit of the Loom products in India, said Agarwal. the company is looking for a distributor model for the brand with an aim to reach 30,000 retailers in four years.
Kanpur-based Regency Healthcare today said it has raised around USD 14 million (over Rs 90 crore) from a consortium of leading investors IFC, KOIS and Healthquad.

The company will utilise this corpus to fund expansion and offer quality healthcare services at an affordable price, Regency Healthcare said in a statement.

"Regency has a clear plan to grow to 1,500 beds and consolidate its position as a leader and preferred healthcare provider to patients across Uttar Pradesh," Regency Healthcare Chairman and MD Atul Kapoor said.

Over the next two years, the company plans to invest more than Rs 350 crore to add new hospitals and clinics across important locations in central and eastern UP.

The company also plans to add 15 new dialysis treatment centres, for which it has an exclusive joint venture with Fresenius, Kapoor said.

"IFC supports Regency's mission to provide access to affordable, quality healthcare in the under-served and densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh," IFC Principal Investment Officer Matt Eliot said.

The thrust to provide best infrastructure and technology at an affordable price point will deliver the much-needed benefit and outcomes to all the stakeholders, Healthquad sponsor Amit Varma said.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ phones are displayed at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2015 event in New York August 13, 2015. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd unveiled a new Galaxy Note phablet and a larger version of its curved-screen S6 edge smartphone on Thursday, marking a fresh bid by the South Korean tech giant to revive momentum in its handset business. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RTR4Z1FK

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Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of its flagship mobile payments service in the country.

Apart from allowing users to simply tap and pay on the go using their registered cards, the service, Samsung Pay, has integrated Paytm as well as the government's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) into the application, the South Korean giant said in a statement here.

"Samsung Pay is an example of how we continue to push the boundaries of innovations to make life simpler and better for consumers. I am confident Samsung Pay will redefine digital payments and contribute to Digital India," HC Hong, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, said.

With its 'Make for India' initiative, Samsung is committed to building tailored products and services, customised to meet the needs of Indian consumers, it said.

Samsung Pay provides a mobile payment option built natively on the UPI, a payment system launched by the National Payments Corporation of India.

The Samsung Pay UPI solution is powered by Axis Bank and facilitates peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer of funds between bank accounts on a mobile platform instantly. This is an upcoming feature within Samsung Pay.

"Samsung Pay is highly secure through the signature KNOX Platform, fingerprint authentication and tokenisation. We have partnered with major banks and card networks to give our consumers the widest range of choices, and are working on bringing more and more partners on board soon," Asim Warsi, Senior Vice-President, Mobile Business, Samsung India, said.

So far, it has partnered with a number of issuers and card networks, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Card and Standard Chartered Bank.

Samsung Pay was launched in July 2015 and is available in 12 global markets.
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A foreign institutional investor sold shares worth Rs 184 crore in Tata Motors DVR.

Swiss Finance Corporation (Mauritius), one of the public shareholders of Tata Motors DVR, sold 64,81,660 shares to Merrill Lynch Markets Singapore Pte, according to the bulk deal data available on the BSE.

These shares are valued at Rs 184.46 crore, with the average price being Rs 284.6 per scrip.

Merrill Lynch Markets Singapore Pte sold 2,000 shares of Tata Motors DVR at a sum of Rs 5.70 lakh. However, the buyer could not be ascertained.

Tata Motors DVR settled for the day at Rs 285.05 on BSE, down 1.26 percent from the previous close. It had touched a high of Rs 292.95 and a low of Rs 283.20 during the intra-day trade.
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Tata Motors has started talks with the union at its Lucknow plant for negotiating a new wage agreement. The existing agreement expires at the end of this month, according to the companys 2015-16 (April-March) annual report.

"We have started discussions at Lucknow where the agreement falls due next month and we expect to close it in a cordial manner as in the past," a company spokesperson said in an e-mail to Moneycontrol.

The company's Lucknow plant makes light commercial vehicles and medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

Tata Motors' India plants are located at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, Pune in Maharashtra, Pantnagar in Uttarakhand, Sanand in Gujarat and Dharwad in Karnataka. The company has separate long-term wage agreements -- typically lasting three to four years -- with the recognised unions at each of the plants.

The company has labour unions for operative grade employees at all its plants across India, except at the Dharwad plant. In 2015-16, the company had witnessed some incident of labour unrest at its Dharwad plant. The matter was amicably resolved.

Tata Motors Marcopolo, which is also in Dharwad and an associate company, has a union.

On the issue of wage agreement at the Dharwad plant where the company does not have a union, the company spokesperson said, "With respect to Dharwad, we have the Works council wherein there are equal representatives of workmen and management. This works council meets regularly, at least once a month, discusses and manages all the day to day affairs including conditions of work etc."

According to the annual report, around 98 percent of the operative employees at Lucknow, Jamshedpur, Pune, Pantnagar and Sanand plants are members of these employee unions. These employees represent 53 percent of the total permanent employees at these five plants.
Auto_car_cars_vehicle

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Export of cars from Britain to India grew almost 11-fold in the past seven years with Tata Motors-owned JLR's Land Rover and Jaguar models topping the best selling list, according to UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

On the other hand, Indian-built models accounted for 31,535 new car registrations in the UK last year, a growth of 12.6 per cent from 2015.

"In 2016, Indian motorists bought 3,372 British-built cars, up from 309 in 2009," said the automotive industry body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Last year, demand rose 15.8 per cent compared with 2015, lifting India from 10th to 8th place in the UK's Asia export markets, it added.

SMMT said the top five British bestsellers in India are Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XE and the Jaguar F-Pace.

SMMT Director of Communications and International Tamzen Isacsson said: "As a car market, India really understands British brands, and thanks to its engineering excellence and highly skilled workforce, the UK has a rich heritage of producing the highest quality, globally competitive premium vehicles".

Growing prosperity in Asian markets in recent years has seen a surge in demand for premium cars, even despite high import duties in many countries, she added.

Indian motorists are now also able to buy more British- built components than ever before, SMMT said.

Last year, around 14 million pounds worth of UK car parts were bought by the Indian automotive aftermarket.

This is set to increase significantly, by around 15 per cent annually over the next five years as the Indian car parc grows, and more owners look for high quality British brands to fit to their vehicles," it added.

SMMT said Asia is now the third biggest export market for British built cars, after Europe and America, accounting for 13.4 per cent of sales.

Economic growth has led to increased demand for high-quality luxury vehicles. Key to the UK sector's success has been meeting this demand with a 'shift to premium', it added.

SMMT said UK car production achieved a 17-year high in 2016 with a production of 1,722,698 vehicles, up 8.5 per cent from 2015.

Last year, total exports of British-built cars rose by 10.3 per cent to an all-time high of 1,354,216 units, a second consecutive annual record, it added.

"Around 8 out of every 10 cars manufactured in the UK is now exported, bound for one of 160 markets worldwide," it said.
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The ban on electronic gadgets by US and Britain on direct flights from 10 Muslim-dominated countries could prove to be beneficial for Indian operators like Jet Airways and Air India.

Business travelers prefer carrying laptops and iPads on flights and the ban could make them shift preference to Indian carriers, industry experts told Economic Times.

Air India official too agreed that the ban will benefit the airline. However, he added that their flights to the US go 90 percent full already and it will be difficult to accommodate many people.

According to the media report, three carriers namely Emirates, Qatar Airways and Eithad carry about 50 percent of the traffic to US out of India.

The ban, implemented for security reasons, will be applicable on non-stop flights from 10 international airports in countries like Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Travelers will have to check-in any electronic device bigger than a smartphone, including cameras and Kindle before boarding.

The US ban will impact nine airlines flying out of the above countries. These include: Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

The move comes at a time when Air Indias focus is now more on international and smaller domestic routes as revenues from the metro and tier I cities have fallen substantially, according to a report in The Financial Express.

The downtick in revenues is due to competitive pricing and increasing competition. At present, Air India earns more than 60 percent of its standalone profit from international routes.

The national carrier is planning to add two more routes in US and 3-4 in Western Europe.

Ashwani Lohani, chairman and managing director of Air India expects 15 new ATR aircraft to join its fleet by 2017-end. These will help increase strengthen its regional connectivity where competition is not much.
business We should encourage investment & skill development in steel sector: Tata Steel's MD Tata Steel expects government's new policy to give a boost to investments. Tata Steel MD told CNBC TV18 that hike in steel prices from April does not worry the company.
Kunal Bahl, CEO of India's e-commerce firm Snapdeal, poses after an interview with Reuters in Mumbai, India, February 6, 2017. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade - RTX2ZT38

Japanese investor Softbank is leading the potential sale talks of Snapdeal with rivals Flipkart and Paytm, sources privy to the development told Moneycontrol.

"Talks are happening with both the parties and it is only about who gets convinced first," said the person quoted above adding that nobody in the Snapdeal office is likely to have been involved in it so far.

Sources also said that post a successful merger, Softbank is likely to invest a decent amount of funding into the merged entity.

According to a media report, the deal size could be seen anywhere between USD 1.5-1.8 billion. Snapdeal has so far raised USD 1.76 billion in funding from multiple investors including Softbank, Alibaba, Kalaari Capital, Nexus Venture Capital and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan among others.

The talks are expected to be led by senior executives at Softbank Group International (SBGI) such as Managing Director Kabir Misra.

Misra, an e-commerce veteran at Softbank, was taken onboard to look after Snapdeal.

"A merger with Flipkart will be a win-win situation for both the firms. Tiger Global is a hedge fund and is unlike a pure finance investor like Softbank that it would keep investing. Entry of Softbank will give them a breather too," said one of the source.

While Flipkart is expected to have good command in the southern and western markets of the country, Snapdeal is said to be having a strong foothold in North India.

"Flipkart can also benefit from the data center which Snapdeal has created. Freecharge is also another synergy given that Flipkart is still building its payments platform," said another person.

Earlier this month, Moneycontrol reported how Snapdeal has been trying to downsize its team and reducing cash burn citing profitability targets.

The same is also seen as an attempt to making the company leaner for an apt consolidation.

The company in a statement said, Snapdeal categorically denies having had any such discussion. The information is incorrect and without basis. We are making decisive progress in our journey towards profitability and all our efforts are aligned in this direction."

Softbank also declined comment on the issue.

priyanka.sahay@nw18.com
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi waves following a joint statement to the press with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, in Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Modi met with the Mexican President Wednesday evening during a short working visit to the country.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation, India's longest road tunnel built on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which will cut short the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by nearly 30 km.

"The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on JK highway on April 2," Union Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh told PTI today.

Modi will also address a public rally after the dedication the tunnel project to the nation, he said.

The work on the 9.2 km-long twin-tube tunnel, which is part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway, started on May 23, 2011 in lower Himalayan mountain range, and cost Rs 3,720 crore, officials said.

The tunnel, which is located at an elevation of 1200 meters, will be the first in India to be equipped with world class "integrated tunnel control system" through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication and electrical systems will be automatically actuated.

It will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two-and-a-half hours.

The road distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 km, instead of the existing 41 km, they said.

IL&FS is all set to handover the tunnel project to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) soon after its formal inauguration by the Prime Minister.

"The formal trial run was successfully completed for peak, off peak hours between March 9 and March 15," Project Director, IL&FS, J S Rathore said.

Once the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce the traffic jams on National Highway-1A that occur due to snowfall and avalanches in winter at Patnitop, he said.

Travel will cost an LMV vehicle Rs 55 on one side and Rs 85 for to-and-fro journey and Rs 1,870 for one month travel, while bigger vehicles like mini buses will have pay Rs 90 as one side toll and Rs 135 for to-and-fro toll.

Buses and trucks will have pay Rs 190 as one side toll and Rs 285 as two-side toll.

Rathore informed that Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Company has setup a well-equipped fully computerised operation room for surveillance of vehicles inside the twin tubes.

"For feeding input to the Operation Room, 124 CCTV cameras have been installed at equal intervals of 75 meters, three-tier system has been fitted to light-up the tunnels round the clock," he said.

A SOS system has also been introduced to make contact with the team sitting in the Operation Room in case of an emergency besides effective fire fighting gadgets and hyper-sensitive ventilation system to ensure hassle free journey.

"The maximum speed limit permitted for vehicles plying inside twin tunnel tubes is 50 km per hour with head lights on at low beam. Containers carrying inflammable material are banned from entering the tunnel," he said.

Rathore said maximum height limit permitted is five meters and for checking the height special sensors have been installed just before the toll points at both ends.

"Besides providing mobile network of telecom operators, FM Radio channel facility is also functional inside the tunnel," he said.

The tunnel project involves construction of 9-km-long two lanes (13 metre diameter) of main tunnel along with parallel escape tunnel (6 metre diameter) interconnected with 29 cross passages at 300 meter interval

Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day, he added.

The tunnel will also ensure preservation of pristine forest in ecological sensitive Patnitop area and will provide for better integration of Jammu not only with people of Kashmir but also with Kishtwar, Doda and Bhaderwah by providing better connectivity.
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed The Finance Bill 2017.

The government has proposed some sweeping reforms to shake-up tribunals across the country. In the Finance Bill that was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 21, the centre is proposing to merge seven tribunals -- these include tribunals that adjudicate on competition, company law, foreign exchange management, and employee provident fund among others.

The government is also proposing to enforce uniform appointment rules for 19 tribunals including those that adjudicate on income tax matters, excise and service tax matters, securities dispute, and advance rulings among others. The consolidation of appointment rules will apply to president, vice presidents, chairman, vice chairmans and members of these 19 quasi-judicial bodies.

All these proposals need the consent of the parliament.
New Delhi: Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman walks to attend a Cabinet meeting at Parliament Library in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI Photo by Kamal Singh (PTI3_15_2017_000320B)

The government today said it has not accepted 'most of the demands' of iphone maker Apple which wants to set up manufacturing unit in India.

To a question in Rajya Sabha on whether the government has accepted most of the demands of the iphone manufacturer, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "No".

Apple India has sought concessions including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment and consumables for smartphone manufacturing and service/repair for a period of 15 years, she said in a written reply.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for incentives from the Department of Revenue and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeITy).

Apple also wants relaxation in the mandated 30 per cent local sourcing of components.

It also wants reduction in customs duties on completely- knocked-down and semi-knocked-down units of devices that are to be assembled in the country.

In January, Apple had indicated to the government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iPhones in India, but wants fiscal concessions, including Customs duty waiver on import of components.

Apple executives had made a detailed presentation to an inter-ministerial group headed by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ramesh Abhishek on its road map.

With sales tapering in the US and China, Apple is eyeing India -- the fastest-growing smartphone market in the world -- and looking to set up a local manufacturing unit to cut costs.

It, however, does not manufacture devices on its own and does it through contract manufacturers.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today expressed hope that GST, the new indirect tax regime, will be rolled out from July 1.

"I am hopeful and looking forward to the GST. Union cabinet has approved it and I hope Parliament will also pass it," Sisodia told reporters here.

Sisodia was replying to a query on whether GST will be rolled out from July or not.

The Union Cabinet this week cleared four supplementary GST legislations which will be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing budget session.

On ease of doing business in the national capital, Sisodia, who also holds finance portfolio, said the government is taking steps in improving Delhi's ranking.

"We are making things online and easy for industry and trade...Skill development and education is feeder for the industry and we are working on that," he added.

As per the report of the World bank and the DIPP, Delhi was ranked 19th in ease of doing business in India.

He said there are several reasons for dip in Delhi's latest ranking since it is not a manufacturing state.

"It is largely a trade and services state and in that, we are improving. Industry (manufacturing) is very limited in Delhi. In services, we will make Delhi number one," he said.

Speaking at a function on 'Building Competitive North', he asked the industry chambers to provide clear inputs on issues they are facing so that the state government can work on them.

He also said that an informal group of finance ministers of Northern India is meeting time and again to discuss and resolve issues related to industry.

Delhi government is working on imparting quality skills in youth so that they get good employment opportunities, he said urging the industry to come forward and work on framing a "perfect" training centre.

"We also need to evaluate the work going on in the skill centres to improve the quality," Sisodia said.
India jumped four positions to rank at 131 out of 188 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI). With the move India is now classified in the medium category, a significant improvement from low category in the 1990s.

Devised and launched in 1990, HDI is a statistic, which ranks countries into four tiers of human development on the basis of indicators such as life expectancy, education, and per capita income. A higher lifespan, higher level of education, and higher GDP per capita results in a country scoring higher HDI.

Norway holds the number one position on the list, a position it has held consistently since 2009 rankings, followed by countries such as Australia, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark. India, with an HDI value of 0.624, stood far behind its Asian peers such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives on the index.

For India, unfortunately, regional disparities in education, health and living standards resulted in a 27 percent fall in HDI value from 0.624 to 0.454. However, the report also suggests a steady decline in relative global inequality over the past few decades, driven by declining inequality between countries arising from the extraordinary economic growth in, primarily, China and India.

As per the report, improvement in India's ranking shows the progress made by the nation in life expectancy and mean years of schooling over the last 2.5 decades. The report estimates India's life expectancy at birth at 68.3 years, whereas mean schooling years stood at 6.3 years.

While life expectancy for women was estimated at 69.9 years, for men the figure stood lower at 66.9 years. However, mean years for schooling estimates 4.8 years for women, which stood lower than 8.2 year for the same for me. India ranked 125 on gender inequality index.
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India is exploring setting up a new payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after its old sanctions workaround broke down, as state banks remain fearful of handling payments from Tehran in case the United States imposes a fresh financial embargo.

US President Donald Trump has denounced an agreement between Iran and major powers on its nuclear programme as a bad deal, and his administration has put Tehran "on notice" after the test-firing of a ballistic missile.

Under previous Western sanctions, India had devised a barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington that allowed it to make some oil payments to Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, UCO Bank.

Indian companies were then able to receive payments for goods exported to Iran using the oil money held in non-convertible rupee balances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline between two countries with long historical ties.

But since sanctions were partly lifted early last year the rupee account has been run down by more than 90 percent to just 20 billion rupees (USD 305 million) because Indian refiners have resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros.

Whilst the federal government and central bank have approved oil payments in euros - which Iran prefers because the currency is readily convertible - they have not given the all-clear for trade in the opposite direction to be settled in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck.

"We are working on a mechanism through euros and looking for a common correspondent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary for India and Iran," said R.K. Takkar, chairman of UCO Bank.

"The euro payment system has not yet crystallised," he said, adding the government was working to find a solution.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian banks had applied to open branches in India, but gave no indication when it might approve settlement of trade with Iran in currencies other than the rupee.

"Due to the geopolitical situation around Iran, and international sanctions-related measures, correspondent banking relationships are difficult," the central bank said in a written reply to questions submitted by Reuters.

"The Reserve Bank has facilitated payment for Indian exporters by permitting special arrangements for rupee-based settlements."

TENSIONS GROW

Although European Union and United Nations sanctions against Iran have been removed some US measures remain, and that, along with the hard line promised by the new administration in Washington, has left the country still largely shut out of the global financial system as banks steer clear of its business.

As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are considering reverting to the old rupee mechanism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO has no US exposure that could lead it to fall foul of any new sanctions.

Iran has agreed in principle to accept some oil payments in rupees to fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official told Reuters.

No timeline has been fixed as yet to implement the new mechanism, however, as both sides await the outcome of Iran's presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump administration's approach towards Tehran, he said.

The payment woes have hit the revenues of Indian exporters as they struggle to complete deals struck when the rupee account was flush with funds. Several containers from India are held up at Iranian ports, exporters said.

"Our clients are threatening to cancel orders and procure from China," said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran.

India's major exports to Iran include food, chemicals, engineering products, garments and drugs.

CHABAHAR PORT

The reticence of Indian banks with US exposure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan and counter China's growing influence in the region.

One official involved in the Chabahar project said contractors, concerned about getting paid, were now reluctant to supply equipment and materials for the Arabian Sea port whose completion is planned for 2018.

"If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we may have to wind up most of our plans," the official said.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The government is still in a wait-and-watch mode and closely monitoring Trump's approach towards Iran," said a senior official who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Iran's top oil client after China, boosted exports to Tehran during sanctions as Western nations boycotted it.

Yet India has lost out since the lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 billion in the previous year.
The government has no immediate plan to provide telecom companies with an option to buy spectrum annually, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said today.

The minister also said that the government has not yet decided to conduct another auction of airwaves soon.

"The government has not yet made any plan to provide industry with an option to buy spectrum every year," he said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Responding to a separate query on whether the government is considering another spectrum auction very soon, the minister said, "The government has not yet decided to conduct another spectrum auction immediately."

In February, then telecom secretary J S Deepak had said that the government is looking to make spectrum auction an annual event.

"We are not worried if there is no demand for spectrum.

We are interested in giving the industry an opportunity to buy spectrum," Deepak had said on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona just a day before he was named India's next Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) from June this year.

Sinha said his department has conducted spectrum auction every year from 2012 in various bands of airwaves as per availability.

"In the last spectrum auction conducted in October 2016, spectrum was put on auction in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands," he said.

Also, the government has permitted sharing and trading of spectrum among telecom service providers.

"Auction, sharing and trading all alleviate shortage of spectrum, besides yielding other desirable outcomes," he added.

On Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), the minister said that Rs 678.85 crore has been disbursed to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd towards implementation of telecom infrastructure development schemes in inaccessible, rural and remote areas for fulfilling USOF obligation.
trends Passion to Win: The story of Hari Mohan Bangur of Shree Cement Through the course of this 4-part special series, we will bring you the stories of 12 entrepreneurs who have disrupted their industries through their ideas and innovation. They have spurred new trends which is an inspiration for all.
Shankara Building Products will be the new entrant on the initial public offering (IPO) street on Wednesday. The retailer of home improvement and building products is set to open an issue of Rs 350 crore, with an issue price of Rs 440-460, on March 22 and will close on March 24. The issue will constitute at least 25 percent of the post offer paid-up equity share capital of the company.

"The issue comprises of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 45 crore and an offer for sale of up to 8,16,252 shares by promoter Sukumar Srinivas and up to 57,05,488 shares by Fairwinds Trustees Services (acting in the capacity of trustee of Reliance Alternative Investments Fund  Private Equity Scheme I)," the company said in its press release.

The company sells products at its various stores that operate under the trade name Shankara BuildPro. Its products include structural steel, cement, thermo mechanical treatment bars, hollow blocks, pipes and tubes, roofing solutions, welding accessories, primers, solar heaters, plumbing products, tiles, sanitary ware, water tanks, plywood, kitchen sinks, and lighting and other allied products

It operated 103 stores spread across 9 states and 1 union territory in India. It also provides customised solutions to enterprise customers through bespoke steel products, which is backward integrated through its own processing facilities in select building

products.

Analysts are positive on the issue and recommend subscribing to it with a long term perspective.

Angel Broking recommends subscribing to the issue on the back of long term prospects and its valuations.

Considering the companys strong retail presence, diversified product offering, substantial same store sales growth and robust retail revenue of 29 percent over FY2012-16, we expect the company to witness higher revenues from its retail business going ahead, the brokerage house said in a report.

It places its bet on the firms plan to expand footprint in retail business. The company has increased its store count from 43 to 103 in the nine months that ended in FY2017. It also cites the instance of the company putting efforts to increase retail sales. Based on this, it also expects margin expansion as well.

Anand Rathi has a subscribe recommendation on the stock on a long term asis. It cites the IPO's pricing at 19X FY17 earnings at upper price band of Rs 460.

Among its business strategies, it cites scaling up of retail presence, enhancing of product offerings and focus on brand equity and marketability in home improvement and building space.

Religare, meanwhile, has highlighted the companys commentary on its strengths. It offers a comprehensive range of home improvement and building products and has a strong vendor network and relationship over two decades.

Among risks, it cites uncertainty in housing market, real estate prices and other factors to be a challenge. Along with them, disruptions in logistics or supply chain network and increase in lease rentals where it plans to set up stores as risks.
The Nifty on Wednesday breached its crucial support level of 13 day- exponential moving average (EMA) of 9,038 on Wednesday. This is critical as the level has supported the index seven times so far in 2017.

The index, which saw its biggest fall of the year, slipped below two crucial support levels of 9,100 and 9,050 respectively, and now a fall below gap area of 9,080-9,075 could change the trend for the market on the downside.

Albeit Nifty marginally closed below 13-days EMA which offered support to the indices on multiple occasions in the past is currently trading close to its lower boundary of a channel support and inside the critical gap zone of 9060  8975 registered on 14th March, Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist  Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in told Moneycontrol.

A bounce from this zone cant be ruled out in immediate trading session whereas a failure to sustain above 8,975 on closing basis shall put the indices into the bear grip for prolonged period in near term, he added.

The 13-day EMA being a Fibonacci number, has its own importance. Within the calendar year, it has acted as a demand zone and was successful in pushing the index higher soon after it had a touch and go moment.

But, on Wednesday, it closed below this crucial moving average. In the past when Nifty breached this level, the index bounced back in the next couple of session.

This is a crucial moving average for traders and it remains to be seen if Nifty follows the same trend in next couple of sessions or not.

A close below 13-days EMA would certainly have repercussions for the traders; however, this moving average is a short term demand and supply region and long-term investor need not worry much at this juncture, Vidnyan Sawant, Senior Analyst - Technical Research at GEPL Capital told Moneycontrol.

A break of 13-day EMA is the first marker for the short term weakness. After the gap-up opening of last week, the Nifty has seen consistent selling at higher levels around 9,100-9,200 mark, he said.

What should investors do?

The movement of the index for the next few days will be important for traders. The Moving Average Convergence and Divergence, popularly known as MACD, gave a 'sell' signal on the daily charts for the first time since February, 2017.

Not just the index, but over 60 stocks on the NSE and over 100 stocks on the BSE gave a sell signal based on the MACD which include names like HDFC Bank, Jubilant FoodWorks, Raymond, 8K Miles, Alembic Pharma, Escorts, TVS Motor Company, NIIT Technologies, Arvind, DB Corp etc. among others.

If the Nifty closes below 8975, Nifty index would erase all the gains made post the state election results, and if that happens then this rally should be construed as euphoric and 9,218 may as well become an intermediate top.

Profit booking may continue further that may see closing out of the Gap which was formed between 10th March 2017 and 14th March 2017, suggest experts. It created a visible gap from Fridays high of 8,975 to Mondays low of 9,060.

The NIFTY has currently reached the half way mark of the said GAP. Hence one may play shorts with targets around 8950 while the stops may be maintained around the 9,130 mark, said Sawant of GEPL Capital.

We reiterate that this is a short term trade and any levels around 8,930 would lend a good support given that this also happens to be consolidation zone of February 2017, he said.
Akzo Nobel India Q1 | Loss at Rs 20.26 crore versus profit Rs 57.14 crore, revenue at Rs 258.5 crore versus Rs 719.6 crore YoY. (Image: Reuters)

U.S. paint maker PPG Industries said on Wednesday that its takeover bid for Akzo Nobel would benefit shareholders and staff after its Dutch rival rejected its 22.7 billion euro ($24.5 billion) offer as too low and too risky.

The statement came as investors piled pressure on Akzo to hold talks with its rival after PPG's Monday bid of $88.72 per share. PPG said its deal was worth 90 euros a share if Akzo's dividend payments were included -- the level at which one investor told Reuters a sale would become attractive.

In a nod to the political sensitivity of any deal, PPG said its cash and share offer would reflect the interests of "shareholders, employees, customers and the communities" served by Akzo and that regulatory approval could be obtained.

Pittsburgh-based PPG's dogged pursuit of Akzo has raised hackles at the paints and coatings maker, which, like many Dutch companies, is ringed with defences designed to make hostile takeovers difficult.

"PPG's first proposal came during an election campaign, at a time of high sensitivity," said Akzo Chief Executive Ton Buechner in a media call earlier on Wednesday, highlighting cultural differences that he said would hamper a merger.

Akzo said it had considered and rejected PPG's second proposal as not good enough even to merit engaging with the bidder. PPG's initial offer of 83 euros per share on March 9 valued the company at 21 billion euros.

"It created tremendous uproar," Buchner said of the bid, which came before a March 15 election in which nationalist sentiment played a prominent role. "That's just one example of cultural differences."

PPG urged Akzo to sit down and negotiate a deal, adding the latest bid was a 40 percent premium compared to before the first approach was announced.

"A combination of PPG and AkzoNobel would result in enhanced financial growth prospects for the combined company in the coming years, which will also accrue to the benefit of all stakeholders of the combined business," said PPG Chairman and CEO Michael McGarry.

TIME TO TALK?

Several of the company's shareholders have said they see merit in a deal and encouraged management to enter talks.

"A price in the 90s would represent a chunky multiple and could be tempting," one top 20 investor told Reuters. "At this price we would believe it is up to management to convince us not to sell."

Elliott Advisors, which has a more than 3 percent shareholding in Akzo, said that while it considered PPG's first and second bids "inadequate", Akzo had not adequately consulted shareholders before rejecting them.

Shareholder Columbia Threadneedle also said a takeover made sense and the Akzo board should engage in talks.

PPG said its bid valued Akzo's equity at around 22.7 billion euros. Factoring in net debt and minority interests, it said the valuation was 24.5 billion euros ($26.3 billion).

Akzo said any bid would bring job losses and substantial divestitures. PPG disagreed, saying the two companies' cultures were a good match, while employees would benefit from improved career opportunities inside a larger company.

Shares in the Dutch company, known for Dulux paint and advanced coatings that make submarines go faster, were down 2.1 percent at 75 euros at 1335 GMT after Akzo's rejection. Akzo acquired the Dulux brand when it bought Britain's ICI in 2008.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION

Dutch politicians including Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp publicly opposed PPG's first bid, saying it was not in the Dutch national interest.

Four provincial governors also oppose a takeover, saying it would cost Dutch jobs. Akzo employed more than 45,000 people as of the end of 2015 and PPG has a similar workforce.

Politicians have voiced concerns about possible foreign takeovers of Dutch companies, especially after Kraft's failed bid for totemic Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever, where many of the country's top business leaders trained.

Akzo's anti-takeover defences include a foundation with the power to appoint company officers. Buchner said the foundation was not consulted on the bid, though its board, composed of Akzo supervisory board members, were "part of what's going on".

Akzo has said it wants to to pursue its own strategy of selling or floating the company's chemicals division. ($1 = 0.9263 euros)
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Shares of Axis Bank rallied 3 percent intraday on Wednesday following the banks clarification on its MDs resignation as well as Kotak Mahindra Bank founders comments on Tuesday.

 (The rumour) is false, speculative and is being circulated with the malafide intention of misleading the investors and the general public, the lender clarified in a notification to the exchanges.

Meanwhile, Kotak on Tuesday appealed to the government to send strong signals to encourage the private sector to take honest risks and grow fearlessly and said the time had come for hostile takeovers in the country.

He was speaking in a panel discussion at The Growth Net event.

I would love to see the merger and acquisition (M&A) market in India get developed further, he said, adding, may be a time has come where we should see some hostile takeovers as well. We have not seen them for a long-time in this country.

The time has come to move forward and be bold and there will be challenges in sectors. You are seeing telecom sector going through its challenges and moving forward, he said.

Kotaks remarks are significant considering the persistent speculation that Kotak Mahindra Bank was likely to make a bid for Axis Bank.

Before posting Wednesday's gain, the stock fell over 4 percent in the past three days. At 11:20 hrs, it was quoting at Rs 494.25, up Rs 6.25, or 1.28 percent on the BSE. It touched an intraday high of Rs 502.35 and an intraday low of Rs 484.30.
Bull's Eye, CNBC-TV18's popular game show, where market experts come together to dish out trading strategies for you to make your week more exciting and compete with each other to see whose portfolio is the strongest.

Remember these are midcap ideas not just for the day, but stocks that look attractive in the medium-term as well.

This week, Rakesh Bansal, Jay Thakkar and Vijay Chopra battle it out for top honours.

Below their top stock picks and analysis:

Rakesh Bansal of RK Global

Buy Ajmera Realty with a stoploss at Rs 187.50 and target of Rs 225

Buy Britannia Industries with a stoploss at Rs 3240 and target of Rs 3419

Buy Ajanta Pharma with a stoploss at Rs 1807 and target of Rs 1914

Buy UPL with a stoploss at Rs 709 and target of Rs 753

Jay Thakkar of Anand Rathi

Buy Electrosteel Castings with a stoploss at Rs 29.65 and target of Rs 31.90

Buy Jubilant Life with a stoploss at Rs 780 and target of Rs 832

Buy Bharti Infratel with a stoploss at Rs 306.80 and target of Rs 322.40

Buy UPL with a stoploss at Rs 715.50 and target of Rs 748.50

Vijay Chopra of enochventures.com

Buy Apollo Tyre with a stoploss at Rs 198 and target of Rs 212

Buy Vadilal Industries with a stoploss at Rs 830 and target of Rs 865

Buy Sintex Industries with a stoploss at Rs 97 and target of Rs 104

Buy Dredging Corporation India with a stoploss at Rs 675 and target of Rs 715
I will look to buy two stocks. One is Jai Corp , it can climb to levels closer to around Rs 80 zones, keep stop loss below Rs 75. The risk reward ratio in our favour so far it is into a trading zone with a bias on the upside."
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Shares of gaming company Delta Corp rallied 7 percent intraday Wednesday after Motilal Oswal has initiated coverage with a buy rating as it feels approval of Daman casino could be an icing on the cake.

The company is awaiting regulatory approval for a casino housed in Daman's only five-star hotel. "Approval of the Daman casino has the potential to nearly double its gaming capacity to 3,000 from 1,700 currently. Delta would be in a better position to exploit the potential that the nascent industry offers," it says.

Given its location advantage, Daman (caters to a catchment area of 35 million people over Mumbai and Gujarat) is likely to attract higher footfalls than Goa, the brokerage house feels. It expects Delta to replicate its success in Goa's offshore casino market in the land-based casino market in Daman.

India's only listed gaming company Delta Corp has a dominant share of India's offshore casino market, with three of the six offshore casino licenses (five operational) in Goa. It has around 1,700 gaming positions in the state across its three offshore casinos, one onshore casino and recently commenced casino in Sikkim.

Given that the Goa government is unlikely to issue new licenses and that land-based casinos are allowed only in five-star hotels, Delta's competitive advantage should sustain, it believes.

Motilal Oswal feels gaming is an emerging industry in India; given its paltry size of around USD 150 million, the growth potential is huge.

Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) estimates the total global gaming casino market in 2015 at USD 183 billion and that it has grown at a CAGR of 7 percent over the last 10 years.

The brokerage house has set a target price for the stock at Rs 229, indicating an upside of around 39 percent over closing price on March 21, as it expects 35 percent revenue CAGR, 45 percent EBITDA CAGR and 62 percent PAT CAGR over FY17-19. EBITDA would be driven by strong operating leverage, it says.

The gaming company has also forayed into online gaming, with the acquisition of Gauss Network, which holds Adda52.com (online poker), for Rs 210 crore (part cash and part equity deal is expected to be completed by April 2017). The size of the global online gaming industry is estimated at USD 110-120 million.

Motilal Oswal believes Delta is at an inflection point. The investment phase is behind and approval of the Daman casino and M&A opportunities in online gaming (like Adda52.com) could trigger significant growth and cash generation as well as return on capital employed / return on equity improvement. It expects return on equity to improve from 9 percent to 17 percent over FY17-19.

At 11:28 hours IST, the stock was quoting at Rs 179.80, up Rs 10.65, or 6.30 percent amid high volumes on the BSE.

Posted by Sunil Shankar Matkar
9. Vishwaraj Sugar Industries: Listed on October 15, 2019 on the BSE and NSE, the stock has returned 33 percent so far. It had an issue size of Rs 60 crore. (Representative Image Source: Reuters)

Angel Commodities' report on Sugar

Sugar Futures closed unchanged on Tuesday due to steady spot demand and good supplies from mills. Market participants are expecting better summer demand from the industrial buyers as there is probability of lower production this season.

Moreover, government is likely to revise down its estimate on sugar output in 2016-17 (Oct-Sep) from 22.5 mt forecast earlier due to shortage of cane in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Outlook

We expect sugar prices to trade sideways on sufficient supplies in the near term as sugar mills continue to sell sugar to control domestic prices. However, due to lower production estimated this season and anticipation of higher sugar demand during summer the price may improve.

For all commodities report, click here

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

Read More
In an interview to CNBC-TV18's Reema Tendulkar and Sumaira Abidi, Dilip Bhat, Joint MD at Prabhudas Lilladher shared his readings and outlook on market and specific stocks.

Reema: You are profiling a lot of midcap companies this time in your conference. There are more than 30 of them which are a part of your conference. So, straight away chatting about sectors and individual stocks, is there any particular midcap sector where we can take a top down approach and perhaps buy a couple of stocks in that sector?

A: Just to put things a little in perspective, we have got almost about 31 companies in the midcap space and there are more than 350-400 meetings that are being lined up for various investors. The whole purpose of this particular conference was to make investors feel connected with the ground realities and then try to see how they really take off from these levels.

Coming back to your question in particular, if one were to say midcap, midcap itself is a sector. In a way, it becomes a little sector agnostic, but still some two-three sectors certainly looks pretty interesting from this particular space, whether it is logistics space -- retail will be a little more cliched to say, but certainly, that will be one of the things.

Our idea is that it is not going to be confined to a particular sector. It will be companies, broadly from various sectors that we have really brought and our idea is to really go through this particular maze and try to identify a few good ones which can really make it big over the coming years.

Sumaira: I want to get a sense of what the mood overall is like amongst your participants over there. Is the 'demon' of demonetisation completely behind them? What is the take on FY18? Are they confident of a revival in Q4 itself? Could things be protracted to the next financial year? What is the kind of sense that you are getting?

A: The conference has just begun with a few companies, but the initial sense that we are getting at the moment, yes, FY17-FY18 looks very promising for a lot of these companies out over here. Demonetisation is really a thing of the past. Possibly, people are looking forward and people have even navigated through these kind of situations at the moment.

One thing is becoming very clear that as we run into Q3 or Q4 of FY18, the run rate that we will see for most of these companies will inspire a lot of confidence and will provide a lot of tailwind to the midcap sector and to the markets too as economy really stabilises and moves ahead.

Reema: As a house, what is the advice that you are giving to the investors on the broader markets, the big market call itself at the index level? We have seen a spectacular run up, but is it time to book profits or do you see higher levels from here on?

A: It goes without saying that markets are trading in an expensive zone and possibly, you might be aware, but the fact remains that today, the largecaps and the midcaps are trading almost at the same valuation one year forward for the indices. However, as far as the broader markets are concerned, we will be very happy if there is a timewise correction. Even if there is some small correction index-wise, in terms of a couple of 100 points, that will still be looked upon as an opportunity.

Everybody is just thinking when to buy. This is what I think is prominent topmost in the minds of the investors and also on the radar. So, it is not a question of whether to sell, but it is a question of when to buy because if we have to invest, there is no doubt that the investment has to be over a timeframe of 18-24 months because currently the valuations being what it is. So, as the earnings catch up, they will make a lot of companies look much more reasonable in terms of valuations.

Sumaira: I was seeing your midcap picks and you had also spoken about logistics earlier. You have VRL Logistics as one of your top midcap picks. With the goods and service tax (GST) finally now seeing the light of day, what are the other stocks, perhaps apart from logistics that you will be looking at?

A: Apart from logistics, we are looking at select midcap pharmaceuticals also. For quite some time now, we have been recommending Jubilant Life Sciences which fortunately for us has done pretty well. There is something like Rallis India which also looks pretty interesting.

That is a company which has really underperformed over the last 1-1.5 years but going forward, that is a company that looks pretty interesting going forward. The valuations on a peer basis also looks pretty comparable at the moment. These are a couple of companies we like. Navneet Education is another stock that we are recommending at the moment; that looks pretty good.

Reema: You have got a lot of sugar companies who will be attending and participating in your conference. Dwarikesh Sugar Industries today and over the course of the next two days, Dhampur Sugar Mills, Balrampur Chini Mills, etc. will also be participating. These stocks have been multi-baggers in the last few years, so the sugar cycle has started at least 12-18 months ago. What is the early sense that you are getting? Is that upturn going to continue for sugar stocks and companies?

A: That is what it appears, that the momentum should continue at least for next 8-12 months. That is what it looks like. The ground setting is such that it is really difficult to take a bearish call on sugar at the moment. The way it is moving, of course you have seen the best as what you said, it has been a multi-bagger already.

However, even going forward, whether it can give a reasonable return, very much. Some of the sugar companies that we have brought, they provide a very interesting insight as to why one should invest in some of the sugar companies.
Representative image.

Dr Reddys Laboratories was in focus on Tuesday after it received observations from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued these observations for its Duvvuda oncology formulation facility. The facility, called Unit-7, is located in Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ). The site manufactures cytotoxic and hormonal injectables and is an important plant given Dr Reddys focus on complex generic filings.

The Unit-7 had received a warning letter in November 2015 for batch failures, a probable microbial contamination and certain lapses quality control procedures.

Typically, the US drug regulator conveys its concerns on manufacturing practices through Form 483. Companies that receive its observations must respond in writing with a corrective action plan and implement it quickly.

Two other major facilities including the API plant (CTO-6) and SEZ formulation facility at Srikakulam will also be coming up for inspection in the second week of April. Srikakulam API facility is also under USFDA warning letter.

Analysts, though, are not very negative on the stock and have largely maintained their buy or neutral ratings barring a few.

CLSA has maintained its buy call on Dr Reddys Laboratories as it waits for US drug regulators action at its Srikakulam plant. The US Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) inspection result at Srikakulam will be a major catalyst for the stock. It further adds that investors should not compare Duvvuda and Srikakulam inspections due to different compliance requirements. CLSA estimates Duvvuda to be 4-5 percent of the companys US sales and 2-2.5 percent of total sales.

Jeffries has retained an underperform rating on the stock with a reduced target price of Rs 2,350 from Rs 2,800. It believes the observations at Duvvada are serious and such actions increase the risk of delay in resolution of Srikakulam plant. It has adjusted the estimates for delay in Duvvuda resolution to Q2FY19 and Srikakulam resolution to H2FY18.

Macquarie has a neutral call with a target of Rs 2,950. It believes the resolution timelines may extend beyond earlier assumption. Moreover, the uncertainty over warning letter resolution could be an overhang. It recommends adding the stock on weakness for investors with 12-18 month view.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) has reiterated its buy call on the stock with a reduced target price of Rs 3,200 from Rs 3,800. It expects the warning letter resolution to get further delayed, while cutting the earnings per share for FY18-19.

However, it expects strong pipeline to drive US growth despite regulatory setback. Simultaneously, it also sees no further downside to the stock from its current valuations.

Credit Suisse is cautious on the stock as observations at Duvvuda plant are worse than expected. It believes that the chances of escalation are high and approval for Gleevec is now delayed. It is treading with caution ahead of Srikakulam clearance.

Motilal Oswal has maintained its neutral stance with a target price of Rs 2,875. It cut its FY18-19 EPS estimates by 5 percent. It foresees Duvvuda plant to be under warning letter status for 2-3 quarters and sees delay in Gleevecs approval by 6-9 months.

JM Financial has a sell call on the stock with a target price of Rs 2,400. It has cut EPS estimates for FY18-19 by 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively. It also feels that resolution at Duvvuda is now an event to happen in FY19. We are of the view that the ominous contents of Duvvada 483 lend themselves to further escalation, it said in a report. Therefore, it is cutting earnings estimates on high remediation cost, increasing competition and push back of critical launches.
9. Vishwaraj Sugar Industries: Listed on October 15, 2019 on the BSE and NSE, the stock has returned 33 percent so far. It had an issue size of Rs 60 crore. (Representative Image Source: Reuters)

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Shares of Mawana Sugars rose 4.6 percent intraday Wednesday as it has agreed to enter into one time settlement with Punjab National Bank.

"The board of directors of Mawana Sugars vide resolution dated March 21, has agreed to enter into one time settlement with Punjab National Bank (PNB) Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh," as per company press release.

The company has entered into one time settlement with PNB for resolution of its NPA debt.

With this one time settlement, the company is going to settle its total memoranda dues of Rs 109.46 crore, for a consolidated agreed amount of Rs 79.79 crore, payable over 15 month without interest.

At 10:23 hrs Mawana Sugars was quoting at Rs 90.45, up Rs 3.30, or 3.79 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
Prakash Gaba of prakashgaba.com told CNBC-TV18, "Reliance Industries is still weak. There is a tiring out pattern in the upper regions. It has got more of exhaustion and has broken down level of around Rs 1280-1285 zone. RIL can slide down to Rs 1220 zones, it is still not strong."

"As far as Infosys is concerned, it is trading sideways. It is against a stiff resistance of Rs 1040 and needs to cross Rs 1040 if it has to go to Rs 1080. If it doesnt go up, it could tire itself out here and slide down to levels closer to Rs 1000. So, maybe we could see a slide in Infosys," he said.

: Reliance Industries owns Network 18 that publishes Moneycontrol.com.
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Moneycontrol News

Investment in high dividend yielding stocks could be quite tempting as they offer steady flow of income to shareholders but on the other hand, not all stocks provide capital appreciation or become multi-baggers which most investors want.

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing dividend per share by the current market price. A high dividend yield can be a function of either higher dividend or fall in price because of a market correction.

For example, if the market price of the stock is Rs 100 and it pays an annual dividend of Rs 4, the dividend yield will be calculated as dividend/market price = 4/100 = 4%.

It represents the annualised return a stock pays out in the form of dividends. Investment decision based on dividend yield should be taken after looking at the movement of the stock price.

High dividend yielding stocks should not be by virtue of sudden fall in the companys stock price. If the fall pertains to the reasons like poor financial performance as well as weak demand scenario, then such companies should be avoided, suggest experts.

IDBI Capital in its latest report highlighted more than 50 stocks which have been consistent performers based on various parameters such as return on equity (ROE), profit margin, and has a market cap of minimum Rs 1,000 crore in the last 5 years.

Top fifteen stocks which fit the criteria of quality dividend yielding stocks include names like Hindustan Zinc which has a dividend yield of 9.5 percent, followed by Coal India, REC, Power Finance Corporation, MindTree, VST, Hexaware Technologies, Infosys, Castrol India etc.

Investing in the high dividend stocks makes sense; however, one has to see if the company has been able to increase the dividends and how the stock price has moved, Shrikant Akolkar, Sr. Equity Research Analyst, Angel Broking Pvt Ltd told moneycontrol.

While investing, one must also see if the company has high dividend record and is able to maintain stable growth along with good balance sheet, he said.

Not necessarily multi-baggers

High dividend yielding stocks are at best characterised as safe stocks and should not be mistaken with those stocks which can turn multi-baggers.

Investors turn to high dividend yielding stocks at times when the market is in a downtrend and these stocks are least impacted by the volatility.

For a portfolio to withstand volatility at all times, investors should construct a portfolio with some percentage of high dividend yielding stocks which can act as a hedge.

There stocks are safe stocks which can pay a dividend and not necessary they be multi-baggers. Indian PSU companies pay a good dividend and are not multi-baggers. Take Coal India or NTPC as an example which continues to pay a dividend and stock prices remain flat over past many years, said Akolkar.

When should investors buy high dividend yield stocks?

Smart investors should also look at another metric apart from dividend yield, i.e. dividend payout ratio. Dividend Payout Ratio is calculated by dividing dividends with Net income.

It gives an indication how much money company is giving out as dividends and how much it is keeping to reinvest in growth, payoff debt or add to reserves.

A dividend payout ratio might not be something which the company can sustain for long and investors should give them a miss.

One cannot generalise that all high dividend yield stocks are good investment candidates. High dividend yield is not always sustainable, Devarsh Vakil, Head - Advisory (Private Client Group), HDFC securities told moneycontrol.

Investors should buy a high dividend yield company only when she is confident that company will be able to sustain the dividend for a long time to come. The companys stock price has fallen much more than fundamental value of the company and its prospects are improving, he said.

Vakil further added that investors should look at companies from those industries which have reached a saturation phase and does not require much capital to sustain the business. They will also keep on giving a steady stream of dividends.
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The Nifty slipped below its crucial level of 9,100 on Wednesday tracking muted cues from global markets. The index was trading around its crucial support of 9,050 and investors who missed the rally which started in December 2016 will be eager to buy into select stocks.

The markets are in strong hands and every dip is a buying opportunity. With strong support around 9,000 in Nifty, the downside seems capped from the current level, Jayant Manglik, President, Retail Distribution, Religare Securities Ltd told moneycontrol.

Participants should follow top to down approach in stock selection for better results. Among the sectoral pack, avoid pharma and telecom for short term trades, he said.

Going by the buzz on D-Street, we have collated a list of five stocks from various brokerages which investors can look at buying on dips with a time horizon from 3-12 months:

Voltas: BUY| Target Rs 462| 12 months

HDFC Institutional Research in a note maintains its buy rating on Voltas with a 12-month target price of Rs 462 as the AC market is highly underpenetrated at 8.2 per cent, (especially when compared to discretionary categories like cars).

This provides multi-year growth prospects for Voltas (VOLT). While the market share in this category could vary each year, VOLTs strong distribution, branding and attractive price points should enable it to maintain its leadership in a largely price-sensitive

market like India.

Jay Bharat Maruti (JBML): BUY| Target Rs 446-489| 2-3 quarters

HDFC Institutional Research in a note maintains a buy on dip approach on Jay Bharat Maruti for a target price of Rs 446-489, with a holding period of 9 months or 2-3 quarters.

Maruti Suzukis revamp plans to launch new cars across all categories in next three to four years could benefit JBML. Further, Suzukis plant coming up in Gujarat could also result in better visibility for MSIL.

We expect JBML could report decent revenue andprofitability growth over FY16-FY19. JBML will benefit due to the healthy outlook for the auto industry, as it translates into healthy demand from OEMs and replacement markets, said the report.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance: BUY| Target Rs 394-428| 6-8 quarters

HDFC Institutional Research in a note maintains its buy on dips approach with respect to ICICI Prudential Life Insurance company with a potential target price of Rs 394-428. The holding period specified by the research firm is 6-8 quarters.

ICICI Prudential has consistently generated the newest business premiums on a retail weighted received premium basis among all private sector life insurers in India for every year since fiscal 2002. Its market share increased from 5.9 percent in fiscal 2012 to 11.3 percent in fiscal 2016.

The growth rate of total premium written by the insurance industry has outpaced the GDP growth rate over the period of FY2002-FY2016. Going forward, the domestic research firm believes that the trend will continue and the insurance industry will have tremendous change and ICICI Pru is best places to auger benefits.

HCL Technologies: BUY| Target Rs 950| 12 months

ICICI Securities maintain a buy rating on HCL Technologies with a 12-month target price of Rs 950. The buyback programme which the company initiated was in line after TCS massive buyback of Rs 16,000 crore.

We believe this may mount pressure on other tier-1 IT companies to follow suit to reward shareholders. Our back-of-the envelope calculation implies a marginal impact on FY18E EPS, said the report.

ICICI Securities expects HCL to report revenue, PAT CAGR of 13.3%, 6.7% in FY15-18E with average 20.1% EBIT margins in FY17-18E led by order book conversion, IP-led revenue contribution and steady execution.

IDBI Bank: BUY| Target Rs 98| 6 months

ICICI Securities maintains a buy rating on IDBI Bank with a target price of Rs 98. The holding period of the stock is around 6 months based on technical parameters.

The share price of IDBI Bank has formed a higher high and higher low on the monthly scale and has recently registered a breakout past the major overhead trend line joining the multi-year highs thereby signalling a positive turnaround and provides fresh entry opportunity to ride the next up move going forward.

The stock is attractively poised and offers good entry opportunity from a medium term horizon. ICICI Securities expect the stock to resolve higher from here on and retrace 80 per cent of the of the entire decline from 2014 high of Rs 116 to 2016 low of Rs 48 there by projecting upside towards Rs 98 levels in the medium term.

(Views and recommendations given in this section are analysts own and do not represent those of Moneycontrol.com. Please consult your financial adviser before taking any position in the stock/s mentioned.)
The US and UK, citing terrorism concerns, barred passengers on some international flights from mostly Muslim-majority countries, from carrying large electronic devices like cameras and laptops as cabin baggage.

Passengers travelling to the US from 10 airports in eight Muslim-majority countries, including from global hubs like Dubai and Istanbul, cannot carry large electronic devices like cameras and laptops as cabin baggage under a new Trump administration order.

According to the tough security restrictions, passengers will have to check in any devices bigger than a smartphone -- including iPads, Kindles and laptops -- before clearing security or boarding, US officials said.

The open-ended ban by the US will affect more than 50 flights from 10 airports in Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; and Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The nine airlines are Egyptair, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

The nine airlines affected by the ban were notified of the procedures by the Transportation Security Administration today and must comply within 96 hours.

The British security rules will cover around 14 airlines that operate direct flights from six Muslim-majority countries Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia.

Under the new arrangements, passengers boarding flights to the UK from the countries affected will not be allowed to take any phones, laptops or tablets larger than a normal sized mobile or smartphone (Length: 16.0cm, Width: 9.3cm, Depth: 1.5cm) into the cabin of the plane.

"The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals," a UK government spokesperson said

Senior US administration officials said the rules were prompted by "evaluated intelligence" that terrorists continue to target commercial aviation by "smuggling explosives in portable electronic devices."

The officials said US carriers are not affected because none of them fly from the airports in question to the US.

The ban involves some of the widest reaching aviation security measures taken since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Royal Jordanian Airlines told passengers yesterday that medical devices were still allowed.

If the airlines don't comply with the order within the 96 hour time frame, "we will work with the FAA to pull their certificate and they will not be allowed to fly to the United States," CNN quoted one senior US official as saying.

He said the move is partly based on intelligence that they believe indicates Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is close to being able to hide explosives with little or no metal content in electronic devices in order to target commercial aircraft.

British Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a number of meetings on aviation security over the last few weeks, including this morning, where the new aviation security measures were agreed.

The government said it has also been in close touch with the Americans to "fully understand" their position.

The British airlines affected include British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson.

The foreign airlines hit by the new ban include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.

They have been informed about the changes and will begin implementing the ban immediately.

The attempted downing of an airliner in Somalia last year was linked to a laptop device, and some media reports have claimed that the new security precautions are an attempt to stop similar incidents.
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,
Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity
Friends In Pink is still on the radar and growing every year
Letter to editor: Voting is necessary to protect democracy
March 22, 2017

Fool Me Once ... DNC Ally Crowdstrike Claimed Two Cases Of "Russian Hacking" - One At Least Was Fake

The cyber-security company Crowdstrike claimed that the "Russia" hacked the Democratic National Committee. It also claimed that "Russia" hacked artillery units of the Ukrainian army. The second claim has now be found to be completely baseless. That same is probably the case with its claims related to the DNC.

Sometime around May 2016 the Democratic National Committee lost control over its email archives. It claimed that its servers had been "hacked" by someone related to Russian interests. DNC emails were published by Wikileaks and provided that the DNC had worked during the primaries against its statutes and in favor of one presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. The DNC chair was forced to resign over the case.

The DNC had called in Crowdstrike, a company led by a one Dimitry Alperovich, a Senior Fellow of the NATO aligned "think tank" Atlantic Council. After a short investigation Crowdstrike claimed to found intruding software on the DNC servers that, it says, has been exclusively used by Russian intelligence services. From there followed claims that "Russia hacked the U.S. elections".

When the DNC went public with the Crowdstrike claims the FBI never requested access to the servers to determine if a crime had been committed and to detect the culprit. Access to the servers had been informally denied by the DNC. The FBI simply followed (pdf), without any own forensic investigation of its own, the conclusions Crowdstrike had made.

Imagine that some white guy claims that his house has been broken in and a large amount of money has been stolen. He hires a private investigators who says a window was broken and therefore the crime must have been committed by those "niggers" down the road. But others ask if the man hides the money himself, or if the man's son might have taken it. But the police does not investigate if a crime has actually happened. It does no forensics at the crime scene. It does not even check if a window has indeed been broken. It simply follows the conclusion of the private investigator and accuses the "niggers". This is what happened in the DNC case.

Month later and in a different case the same Crowdstrike investigators claimed (pdf) that the artillery units of the Ukrainian army had had "excessive combat losses" of up to 80% in their fight with Ukrainian separatists. Crowdstrike asserted that Russian intelligence hacked an application used by the Ukrainians to aim their guns. The hack, it was claimed, enabled well targeted counter-fire that then destroyed the Ukrainian guns.

The author of the application denied that any such hacking had taken place. His software was provided only directly from him to Ukrainian army units. Independent cyber-security researchers also doubted the claims.

Crowdstrike had based its numbers for "excessive losses" of Ukrainian artillery units on statistics collected by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The IISS now says that its statistic do not provide what Crowdstrike claimed. There were no "excessive losses" of Ukrainian artillery.

VOA first contacted IISS in February to verify the alleged artillery losses. Officials there initially were unaware of the CrowdStrike assertions. After investigating, they determined that CrowdStrike misinterpreted their data and hadnt reached out beforehand for comment or clarification. In a statement to VOA, the institute flatly rejected the assertion of artillery combat losses.

It seems that the whole "Ukrainian artillery hack" claims by Crowdstrike was simply made up. There was no "hack" and the claimed damage from the "hack" did not occur at all. Crowdstrike evidently found a "crime" and "Russian hacking" where none had happened.

In the case of the DNC hacking Crowdstrike also alleged a "crime" and "Russian hacking". No hard evidence was ever provided for that claim, no competent police force ever investigated the crime scene and serious security researchers found that the Crowdstrike claims were likely taken from hot air.

The DNC was likely not hacked at all. Some insider with access to its servers may have taken the emails to publish them. On July 10 2016 the DNC IT administrator Sean Rich was found fatally shot on the streets of Washington DC. To this day no culprit has been found. The crime is unsolved. Five Congressional staffers and IT administrators from Pakistan, some of whom also worked for the DNC chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, are under criminal investigation for unauthorized access to Congressional computers. They had the password of Wasserman-Schultz and may have had access to the DNC servers.

Crowdstrike's claims of "Russian hacking" have evidently been false with regards to the Ukrainian artillery. Crowdstrike's claims of "Russian hacking" in the case of the DNC have never been supported or confirmed by independent evidence. There are reasons to believe that the loss of control of the DNC's email archives were a case of unauthorized internal access and not a "hack" at all.

A company related to a NATO aligned "think-tank", which is financed by weapon producers and other special interests, raises allegations against Russia that are quite possibly unfounded. These allegations are then used by NATO to build up a public boogeyman picture of "the Russian enemy". In consequence the budgets for NATO militaries and the profits of weapon producers increase.

It is a simple racket, but with potentially very bad consequences for all of us.

Posted by b on March 22, 2017 at 13:59 UTC | Permalink

Comments
Even with a giant new public garage, a shortage of parking near popular restaurants and shops in downtown Morgan Hill is resulting in lost business and more headaches, according to some who spoke to the city council on the issue March 15.

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The recent loss of a handful of formerly public parking areas on the north end of downtown, due to new construction, has had a notable impact on sales. At least one merchant has moved out of downtown recently due to a decrease in customer parking.

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Making matters worse, employees of late-night establishments worry about walking to their cars several blocks away in the dark.

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Others who spoke at the March 15 council meeting are concerned about what they see as a shortage of parking spots for disabled visitors.

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Parking is just ridiculous, said Susan Azar Benyamin who, with her brother and sister, owns Noahs Bar and Bistro at First Street and Monterey Road. We dont have any parking for our side of downtown Morgan Hill.

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The council offered a list of possible solutions for city staff to consider. These include enforcement of posted two-hour parking limits in marked spots (these restrictions are currently not enforced) and implementing a valet parking program in which businesses can share the cost.

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City staff presented the results of a February 2016 parking study that shows there are nearly 1,300 public parking spaces downtown, and at peak hours (Friday evenings) the occupancy rate of these and 779 private spots is about 39 percent. The study was commissioned by the city and compiled by Hexagon Transportation Consultants.

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Morgan Hill Economic Development Director Edith Ramirez said this occupancy rate is well below the preferred standard of 92 percent, and the overall downtown parking supply is robust.

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However, members of the public panned many of the studys key findings. In particular, they noted that some of the largest lots identified in the studyincluding the new garage, Community and Cultural Center, and VTA parking on Butterfield Boulevardare concentrated in areas that are out of the way for customers and visitors to the north end or west side of downtown.

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Even though we have a healthy supply of parking, that is not the sense we get from the community, Ramirez said.

Lost sales

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Three siblings who own and operate Noahs Bar and Bistro pointed out, as the citys study noted, that an influx of new business and construction in the downtown has decreased parking supplies but increased the demand.

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Benyamin added that the shortage has affected sales at Noahs. When people cant find parking they get disgruntled, and they dont want to come inside. They want to go somewhere else.

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Furthermore, while employees of Noahs and other businesses that stay open late often park a few blocks away as a courtesy to their customers, it can be scary walking back to their vehicles at night, Benyamin noted.

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Rich Bergin, co-owner of Rosys At The Beach on Monterey Road near Third Street, questioned the studys validity of assigning a 39 percent occupancy rate to downtown parking inventory on Friday nights. He noted that the study uses a ratio of one parking space for every five seats at a restaurant. It should be more like one space per 2.5 restaurant seats, Bergin said.

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Bergin added with at least six new restaurants and 60 hotel rooms under construction downtown, parking is a blooming problem that needs an immediate solution.

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Downtown property owner Nora Monaco used a map from the citys parking study to illustrate why the problem has grown, especially on the north side of town. A formerly public lot next to Wells Fargo Bank is now leased by developer Frank Leal, who uses the space for valet parking for his newly remodeled Granada Theater. Leal is also building the 60-room Granada Hotel across First Street from Noahs. That project has already eliminated 50 public parking spots that were behind the Downtown Mall.

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Plus, Monaco said, Wells Fargo has recently employed private security to enforce customer-only parking in its lot on the north end of downtown.

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Monacos 5,100-square-foot building on First Street, next to Maurizios restaurant, has space for three commercial tenants. One of theseOne80 Salonrecently moved out of downtown.

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The privately owned lot now used by Leal was previously leased by the citys Redevelopment Agency, which was dissolved in 2012, leaving the city without the means to pay rent, Ramirez explained.

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Solutions?

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Mayor Pro Tem Larry Carr said at the March 15 meeting that the council implemented a policy several years ago that exempts new downtown retail businesses from providing their own parking.

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We wanted to bring more retail. It seems it was successful, but part of the problem is because we took that responsibility away from businesses, Carr said.

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He added that a unified valet parking program could provide some relief. The top level of the new 273-space garage or other underutilized lots on the edges of downtown could support such efforts, Carr and city staff suggested.

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Weve got to focus on that north downtown area, Carr added. There may be some opportunities just north of Main (Avenue) for additional parking.

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Councilman Rich Constantine asked Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing what it would take to begin enforcing downtown parking time limits. Swing said he could get one or more of MHPDs young cadets trained and qualified to issue parking citations, perhaps as soon as September.

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And the downtowns private sector has offered to help out. The Morgan Hill Downtown Association sent the council a letter offering to help in the citys ongoing effort to educate visitors and businesses about available parking. They also suggested creating a parking task force to formulate new ideas, such as negotiating with private parking lot owners to allow public uses during off-peak hours.

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City staff will return to the council with more information on these and other recommendations at an upcoming meeting.

<

Below are some of the highlights of a downtown parking study, completed by city staff and Hexagon Transportation Consultants in 2016.

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 There are 2,073 parking spaces downtown, including 779 private spots (this includes the South County Courthouses 273 spots) and 1,295 public parking spots.

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 New downtown construction projects will cause the permanent net loss of 79 previously public parking spots.

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 Downtown parking supply is projected to increase by 10 private and 61 public spots as the development of four new projects and a public park are complete.

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 The study considered the impact on parking of projects currently under construction, including Barley Place on Depot Street, Granada Theater and Hotel, City Ventures Depot Center mixed use and the citys Depot Street park.

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 Since the study was compiled, more new downtown projects are in development that could impact parking supplies: Edes Gallery (Second Street and Monterey Road), Sunsweet on East Third Street (83 residential units, 7,000 square feet of commercial) and Fourth Street Wine Bar.
A local East Burke High School student who has been making her way in the world of gymnastics ever since she was 4 years old recently showed off her skills at the State Gymnastic Competition.

Claire Guittard, a junior at EBHS, a gymnast at Shooting Stars in Hickory , competed in the State Gymnastic Competition at the Hickory Metro Center on March 11-12.

She competes in several different events and, at this particular competition, she participated in every event including vault, bars, balance beam and floor exercise just to name a few.

She competed against many other gymnasts from across the state in hopes of qualifying to go to the regional contest.

I first got involved in gymnastics when I was 4 years old, Claire said. I started doing it because one of my friends who I danced with had gone to a gymnastics class at shooting stars gymnastics and asked me if I wanted to come also, so I went and loved it and ever since then it has stuck.

At this past weekends competition she was competing at the Level 10, which is the highest level of gymnastics.

She scored an 8.550 on the Vault, an 8.650 on the Bars, an 8.375 on the Balance Beam, an 8.175 on the Floor for an all around score of 33.750, said her father and EBHS teacher Gilbert Guittard.

She placed 13th all round in the senior division, he said.

Level 10 is the highest level of Junior Olympic gymnastics, she said.

After Junior Olympics is 'elite' which is the highest level gymnastics that you see at the Olympics, Claire said. Level 10 gymnastics is what you would see in collegiate gymnastics.

To qualify for this competition, Claire had to score a certain all-around score at a previous qualifier meet, she said.

Since gymnastics is such a small sport in America, if you score a certain all-around score at the state meet , you move on to regionals which includes the states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana," Claire said. If you place in the top six all-around at regionals, then you move on to nationals which is the highest level 10 competition in the country.

She says, as a gymnast, she has faced many challenges.

Gymnastics is a very scary sport, she said. There are a lot of skills that you could potentially fall and get hurt doing.

In overcoming many of those fears that come with competing in gymnastics, Guittard has been able to face difficulties in her own everyday life outside of gymnastics.

She practices close to 30 hours a week and is very dedicated to her sport.

I don't have much time for anything other than school and gymnastics, " Claire said. "When I was younger, I would get jealous of other people being able to hang out with their friends all the time, but it doesn't bother me too much anymore. 

With the relationships she has built during her time in gymnastics and the skills she has learned, she says it has helped to keep her out of trouble and away from bad influences.

Gymnastics has taught me how to set goals and achieve them, Claire said. I have learned to never give up even on the days when you want to so badly and you feel like quitting, but you have to push through and that's what makes you stronger.

What she says she loves most about the sport is how challenging it is and how there is always more to learn.

It drives you to want to always achieve more and it ' s crazy to see how far I have come since I was 4, she said. I love this sport so much and I couldn't survive without it.

Claire will be will be attending the Lenoir - Rhyne High School program next year as a senior in high school and has plans to pursue gymnastics in college, Gilbert said.

I am very proud for Claire to have accomplished so much and (how she has) never quit, he said. I know how much she has given up for the sport  but she (always) finds her way to be a very good student and a good friend for so many.

Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
To the Citizens of Morganton, Burke County and Surrounding Area:

A year ago, Food Matters Market and Cafe opened its doors at 210 Avery Avenue in Morganton. Since that time, we have the opportunity and pleasure to serve many of you in Burke County and the surrounding area.

We came to Morganton because the area fit our business model of serving smaller communities, working with local producers, and providing healthy alternatives often only found in larger cities. Various local governmental agencies, as well as the local community and its organizations stepped forward to help us understand the Morganton area, as well as to provide opportunities for Food Matters to partner and to be a good citizen. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Key to the success of any organization is its people. We have been fortunate in finding team members who love this area, take pride in the store, and enjoy friendly relationships with our customers. As we move into our second year, and as sales continue to grow, we want to ensure that what brought us to your community will be what makes us successful, both business wise as well as community wise. Thanks for having us as a citizen of the area.

North Carolina owned and operated, we are honored to be your neighborhood partner in healthy living.
Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive.

To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research.

Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
Dustan Woodhouse examines just how preposterous the recent mortgage rule changes were by comparing lending practices of big banks and monolines.



Our Government has concerns about their role with CMHC -- essentially a mortgage insurance company -- a role in which taxpayers are technically liable for their clients actions and behaviour (despite current CMHC premium reserves on hand to withstand up to a 40% market devaluation).



These concerns were apparently part of justification used regarding recent significant changes to not only the amount of debt Canadians can access (~20% less mortgage money) but also just which companies Canadians can access mortgage debt through. Limiting exposure to potentially bad behaviour seems a common refrain in Ottawa these days.



But what about bad behaviour with regard to unsecured debt?



Not our problem they state. Citing their lack of guaranteeing unsecured debt as they do mortgage debt.



Lets view this through the lens of an analogy using cars, booze, and sales tactics.



Instead of mortgage insurance lets call it car insurance, and consider the sales process of two different types of car dealers.



Company #1 strives to maximize profits by giving away a six pack of wine coolers (a new credit card) and a 40oz bottle of whisky (an unsecured line of credit) with every car (mortgage) sold. They place these extras right there on the passenger seat at the time of delivery. Easy access.



Now hey, you dont have to open these products up, and they cost you nothing if left unused. After all you only pay for what you consume. The sales agent is directly compensated for upselling you on the use of said wine & whisky; in fact their annual bonus depends upon it.



Company #2 has no Whisky (unsecured debt) to offer you. Their business model is simply to place you the right car (mortgage) for you and that is it. Often at a sharper price, with a few more bells and whistles, and a vastly superior trade in value (prepayment penalties). They send you on your way with a smile and a wave. No follow-up to cross-sell you on multiple other tempting products, like the wine & whisky for example.



Admittedly not everyone is going to crack that bottle open and consume the entire thing during their first drive home. But it seems reasonable, at least it should be to the insurance company (The Federal Government) witnessing this sales process, that there ought to be some greater concerns about the increased claims from company #1 and perhaps some stiffer regulations and legislation may be in order  especially when the governments own research shows that twice as many clients of company #1 (0.28%) get into trouble and make a claim is do clients of company #2 (0.14%).



Table 1-A: Characteristics of median mortgage borrowers 2013Q12016Q3
Last week, the second defendant in a $27-million mortgage fraud case has pleaded guilty to a total of three counts of violating existing securities laws in Alberta.



On Thursday (March 16), Kenneth Charles Fowler pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in the following: selling TIE Mortgage Corporation securities, unregistered trading in these securities, and illegally distributing said securities.



Fowler, who is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, was captured in Mexico in January 2016 and was subsequently deported to Canada. He was formerly the president of TIE Mortgage, which acquired $27 million from around 200 investors between 2002 and 2013, the Calgary Herald reported.



According to Grant Thornton Ltd.the court-appointed receiver of TIE Mortgage and Fowlerfinancial statements revealed that none of the mortgages or loans were ever made to third parties. The only mortgages in TIEs records up to 2015 were inter-company or shareholder loans that remained unpaid.



Previously, TIE Mortgage salesman Douglas Schneider was apprehended in California in 2015, eventually pleading guilty in July 2015 to trading in securities without registration, distributing securities without a prospectus, and making misleading statements.





Related stories:

Vancouver real estate developer committed fraud, securities panel finds

Mortgage fraud rising in lockstep with home prices - report
The Wells Fargo fake-accounts scandal just wont go away, with a Fed official saying Tuesday that the scandal has a lot of similarities to the subprime mortgage crisis and a top Democrat accusing the bank of dodging congressional inquiries.



The scandal broke last year when it was revealed that Wells Fargo employees, under constant pressure to perform, had opened 2 million unauthorized customer accounts. The scandal resulted in congressional hearings, the ouster of CEO James Stumpf, and a broad conversation about the place of sales incentives in the banking industry.



Its sales incentives that worry the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to a HousingWire report. In a speech in London, New York Fed President William Dudley said that Wells Fargos intense, sales-driven culture reminded him of the culture that shaped the days before the subprime mortgage meltdown.



As I have argued before, incentives shape behavior, and behavior drives culture, Dudley said. If you want a culture that will support your long-term business strategy, you need to align incentives with the behaviors that will sustain your business over the long haul.



But, the culture of every bank should share a common theme: stewardshipa word that implies professional care, exercised year after year for the benefit of the firm and its stakeholders, Dudley said. A commitment to the long term must be at the core of banking. Incentives within a firm should support that goal, not undermine it.



Dudley said that bad incentives were a key contributing factor in the financial crisis of 2008, comparing Wells Fargos incentive plans to pre-2008 incentives for mortgage brokers, who were paid based on the volume of loans they generated, not their quality.



Meanwhile, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, has accused the bank of dodging additional congressional inquiries about the scandal.



In a letter to Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan, Waters pointed out that Sloan and other executives had given unrecorded interviews to Republican staff for the committee in December, but have yet to comply with Democrats repeated requests for the same.



If this is indicative of how Wells Fargo responds to its customers, I can understand why so many of them are upset with their treatment, Waters wrote.





Related stories:

Wells Fargos scandal hasnt touched its mortgage business

Government blocks severance pay for former Wells Fargo employees
A recent challenge from a colleague led me to write this article. Melissa Horner, principal of Bowie Fine Arts Academy, challenged us to speak up for Midland ISD and the great experiences that should not go unnoticed. It would actually be unfair and unjust to continually focus on the problems of MISD without, at some point, calling attention to the good. As a principal of a Midland ISD school and also a parent, I support this challenge and want to share some of my experiences.

-- Washington MSI.

Six years ago, I made the move to Washington Math/Science Magnet as a first-time principal. At that time, my experiences in elementary were extremely limited. I was scared, I was unsure and I was anxious. I will never forget my first few weeks at Washington. The teachers and staff embraced me, they welcomed me and they accepted me. Over the next few years, I learned so much from them. I never even knew how much elementary teachers did on a daily basis until I observed the best of the best at WMSI.

They taught me about guided reading and workstations. They taught me about compassion and bonding with families. They showed me that even our littlest learners could be successful, engaged and learning. My time at Washington shaped me as a leader. The staff at Washington shaped me as a leader. I am forever grateful.

-- Teachers.

I have worked with so many teachers over my career, and some of the finest teachers are right here in Midland ISD. Its very personal to me when talking about teachers and staff because my own children have been fortunate to have such amazing individuals working with them.

From Kathy Noel to Sara Burleson, from Crystal Anuszkiewicz to Emily Patton, from Kaci Haynie to Sabrina Gonzalez, from Charla Long to Judy Bridges -- there are too many to name. But, each of these women played an important role in the education of my children in Midland ISD. My children are readers and writers, they are complex thinkers, they are involved in extracurricular activities and they are good citizens because teachers in Midland ISD believed in them and invested in them. I am forever grateful.

-- Scharbauer Elementary.

My daughter attends Scharbauer and is having the absolute best year. This school is definitely a bright, shiny spot in Midland ISD. Every single morning during our drop-off routine, I see Principal Aimee Stroope greeting her students and welcoming them to school. This is routine and provides structure to the school.

As my daughter makes her way to her classroom, she is greeted and welcomed by so many others. Once in class, her day is jampacked with learning. The second grade team at Scharbauer is dynamite. Her teacher, Bailey Strouhal, is absolutely amazing. Every day, there is excitement with learning. There is creativity and there is hard work. She engages her students in writing and reading, science and math.

She is shaping students who love learning, and that is something that should not go unnoticed. My daughter loves school, loves Scharbauer Elementary and loves learning. I am forever grateful.

-- Abell Junior High

Currently, as the principal of Abell JH, I get to see daily a large staff, a team that invests in students. Our goal is to make sure that each student who enters our doors is successful and makes progress.

Every, single day I see teachers working with students, before or after school, to help our students become successful. I see cars in our parking lot at all hours, either for extracurricular activities or teachers planning, grading and working. I see the tears of teachers who feel the frustration and pressure that come with the profession. I see creativity and I see rigor. I see heartache and I see smiles. I see our staff making the difference with our students. I am forever grateful.

Midland ISD has so many bright spots. Midland ISD also has problems -- problems that we are all working together to solve. Unfortunately, problems take time to solve and that is what we need: time. The people of MISD are committed to improving.

As we work together to get better, lets make a conscious effort to remember the bad times along with the good, and we need grace in times of uneasiness. We must not forget that many Midlanders are products of Midland ISD, and we need your positive experiences, your success stories and your insight as we move forward. Being part of Midland ISD, I am forever grateful.

---

Jennifer Seybert is principal at Abell Junior High School.
The Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University has several events planned to commemorate World Water Day. While officially celebrated on Wednesday, March 22, there will be events throughout the week of March 20 to focus on the issue of clean water.

The theme of this years World Water Day is Wastewater. Globally, 80 percent of all wastewater flows back to nature without being treated or reused. Not only does this pollute the environment, but valuable nutrients and potentially recoverable materials are lost. Daisuke Minakata from Civil and Environmental Engineering says Wastewater is no longer a collection of liquid and solid wastes but our valuable resource so that we can create potable water from wastewater with advanced treatment technologies and recover valuable materials and even energy from waste. In this sense we no longer call it a wastewater treatment plant but water resource recovery facility.

Reuse of wastewater is the theme of Michigan Techs World Water Day Keynote lecture. George Tchobanoglous, professor emeritus in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis will present Planned Potable Reuse: The Last Frontier. His talk will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 in Dow 641.

The nations water supplies are derived from a variety of sources, including local and imported surface water, groundwater and other sources. Public water supplies in many regions are becoming stressed because of population growth, urbanization, the growth of megacities, cyclical droughts and climate change.

Tchobanoglous says, One way to meet the increasing demand of fresh water is to augment public water supplies by means of planned potable reuse of a communitys treated wastewater. In this talk he will address wastewater reuse by discussing water quality, technological developments, cost, and public perception. There will be a reception following the lecture.

Tchobanoglous will be a member of a panel discussion at 10 a.m. March 22 in the Great Lakes Research Center, room 202. The panel, moderated by Latika Gupta from the School of Business and Economics, will discuss Water: Health, Energy, Ecosystems and Sustainable Communities. Joining Tchobanoglous will be Evelyn Ravindran and Stephanie Kuznick of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Neil Hutzler of the Portage Lake Sewage Authority, and Ratish Namboothiry and Joe Azzarello of Kohler Co.

Making water cleaner will be the aim of the Dirty Water Competition from 4 to 5 p.m. on March 22 in the MUB commons on the Tech Campus. Teams of three or four members will attempt to clean up dirty water using only the materials provided  sand, gravel, alum and activated charcoal. Registration is free, but limited to the first 30 teams. Members of the winning team will each receive a $25 Michigan Tech gift certificate.

The latest in the Green Film Series, Last Call of the Oasis, will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23 in Hesterberg Hall of Michigan Techs Forestry Building. A discussion will follow the film moderated by Martin Auer of Techs department of civil and environmental engineering.

"... we no longer call it a wastewater treatment plant but water resource recovery facility." Daisuke Minakata

Other activities include a student poster session March 21-22 in the lobby of the Dow building with students available for discussions from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a Water Footprint display in the Memorial Union Commons throughout the week will show the average persons daily use of water, and the art exhibition Waters Edge: Paintings by Danielle Clouse Gast, is on display on the first and second floors of the Great Lakes Research Center through June 15.

In 1993, the United Nationals General Assembly officially designated March 22 as World Water Day. The commemoration is coordinated by UN-Water in collaboration with governments and partners. For more information on Michigan Techs celebration, visit the Great Lakes Research Centers website mtu.edu/greatlakes.

Michigan Techs World Water Day events are sponsored by the following Michigan Tech departments and centers: The Great Lakes Research Center, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, the Ecosystem Science Center, the Sustainable Futures Institute, Visual and Performing Arts, and The Center for Science and Environmental Outreach.

World Water Day will be the topic of the second half of the radio program, Copper Country Today, beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday, March 19, on 97.7 The Wolf, 8 a.m. on 1400AM/99.3FM WCCY and 9 a.m. on K-Bear 102.3. The program is online at http://www.keweenawreport.com/c-c-today/copper-country-today-march-19-2017/

Keweenaw Report did a news story about Tech's World Water Day celebration. See http://www.keweenawreport.com/news/local-news/michigan-tech-celebrate-world-water-day/

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Signage for an AT&T store is seen in New York October 29, 2014. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo (Reuters)

By Anjali Athavaley

(Reuters) - About 17,000 AT&T Inc workers in California and Nevada went on strike on Wednesday, alleging that the company violated contract terms by forcing employees to do work outside their areas of expertise.

The employees, who work in the company's phone, landline and cable services businesses, have been working without a contract for almost a year. Last year, the workers, who are represented by the Communications Workers of America, voted to authorize a strike.

AT&T had 268,000 employees as of Jan. 31, according to a filing. The company said it was prepared to continue serving customers.

"A walkout is not in anybodys best interest, and its unfortunate that the union chose to do that," AT&T said in a statement. "Were engaged in discussion with the union to get these employees back to work as soon as possible."

(Reporting by Anjali Athavaley; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
We are collating signatures to petition ...
Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky poses for Reuters in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

$31 billion hospitality company Airbnb is redoubling its push into China, a market where fellow Silicon Valley titan Uber and many a tech company have very visibly stumbled.

Airbnb plans to announce Wednesday that it's rebranding its Chinese subsidiary as "Aibiying," which means "welcome each other with love." Airbnb says that, alongside the rebranding, it's doubling its capital investment in Aibiying, as well as tripling its 60-person workforce in the country.

Airbnb did not comment on the size of the investment it's making in Aibiying.

Airbnb, which lets users rent rooms and homes from each other, is no stranger to China: The service has been active in the country for some years, and China already hosts Airbnb's only engineering center outside of San Francisco. Still, the launch of Aibiying signals a readiness to take China more seriously as it expands past its California roots.

The expansion into China is both a huge opportunity for the company, and a huge risk. Many technology companies have tried to expand into the country, but faced fierce competition from favored local rivals. In the same way that Uber saw its ambitions in China thwarted by Didi (and spent over $1 billion in the fight), Airbnb will be up against Chinese company Tujia.com, a direct competitor that's also raised a lot of cash and is valued at over $1 billion by its backers. It's also facing Xiaozhu, a Chinese rental service that Airbnb was rumored to be acquiring in December 2015. Airbnb declined to comment on any rumors.

Airbnb, though, is pinning its hopes on the slow and deliberate steps it's taken to expand into China, versus the more aggressive tactics Uber used to gain market share.

The company first started talking about its plans to court Chinese travelers in 2014 when it added Alipay as a payment option. Since then, Airbnb has been working over the last two years to open offices across China and build relationships with local governments, while simultaneously wooing Chinese travelers leaving the country to try Airbnb throughout the world. Already, the number of outbound Chinese travelers staying in Airbnbs globally grew 142% in 2016, the company said.

Story continues

Now, some of the focus will turn to making homesharing popular, even within China. Airbnb already has 80,000 listings in China on its platform, despite little marketing spend, and its new brand in China will only seek to grow that number.

"Theres a whole new generation of Chinese travelers who want to see the world in a different way, said Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky in a press release. We hope that Aibiying and our Trips product strikes a chord with them and inspires them to want to travel in a way that opens doors to new people, communities and neighborhoods across the world."

NOW WATCH: You can rent this isolated island off the coast of Belize for $495 a night





More From Business Insider


GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
A Deltona woman was arrested Monday after her 3-year-old son was able to get a hold of her loaded gun and fire it in a school parking lot, deputies said.

Boy, 3, grabbed loaded gun and fired in parking lot

The boy's mother was charged with felony child neglect

No one was injured in the incident, deputies said

Abbie Maldonado, 30, was charged with felony child neglect. She was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail but has since posted bond.

The incident happened in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Academy in Deltona as parents were picking up their children for the day.

Maldonado was picking up her older son from school when the shooting happened.

She got out of her vehicle to walk around and left the boy unsecured in the back of the vehicles, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. She said she left a rear door propped open so she could keep an eye on the child.

She told investigators that several people heard a loud bang, but they thought it was construction in the area. Maldonado told deputies that she went to the vehicle and took the child into the school to go to the bathroom, still not realizing anything was wrong.

When Maldonado returned to the vehicle, she heard the sound of a glass window crackling and realized the gun had been fired. Law enforcement was notified, and Volusia County deputies responded to the school at about 3:45 p.m.

No one was injured in the incident, deputies said.

"It put this child in harms way, it put everyone else in the immediate vicinity in harm's way," said Gary Davidson, public information officer with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Maldonado told investigators she normally keeps her gun secured in a backpack in the trunk of the car, but on Monday, she left it in the storage pocket of the driver's side door.

Maldonado bonded out of jail, and her attorney said her children are back in her custody. The Department of Children and Families has launched an investigation, but Maldonado's attorney said he doesn't expect DCF to take the children away from her.

"They could be at a funeral home planning a child's funeral, Davidson said. "It's just frightening to think what could've happened."

Good Shepherd Academy sent out a statement to parents, urging them to exercise caution and to not leave children unattended. The school's principal said the school would report any suspected violation of Florida gun statutes on property to law enforcement.

"We are thankful to God that no one was injured," Principal Jared Rathje said in a statement.

Rathje declined to answer any additional questions when asked if the school has a weapons policy.
A Brevard County humanitarian continues to spread hope in countries that need it the most.

Titusville-based Air Mobile Ministries headed to Peru

Joe Hurston to bring a dozen portable water purifiers

72 people have been killed, according to Associated Press

Joe Hurston, of Titusville-based Air Mobile Ministries, is headed to flood-ravaged Peru on Thursday.

"It's just dumping rain on an area that is already inundates," Hurston said.

Just hours after returning from Haiti, he is set to fly to Peru  a country suffering from the worst torrential rain and flooding in decades.

More than 70 people have been killed, according to the Associated Press.

"That's what moved us to go, because we know the situation is only going to get worse," Hurston said.

The Brevard County man is taking a dozen portable water purifiers with him on the 2,700-mile, 15-hour journey to South America.

Each purifier can deliver clean water to more than 1,000 people per day. About 12,000 flood victims can be helped in a 24-hour period.

"I could do 40, 80, 120 people an hour and give them clean drinking water right there on the spot," he said.

Hurston is ready to take flight once again to a place where life hangs in the balance. He hopes to save lives  one sip of water at a time.

If you're interested in following along on Hurston's latest relief trip, go to his website.
A former Orlando Police officer struck by a vehicle in 2015 while responding to a call is pleased the trial against the man accused of running him over is going forward.

Edward Kelty accused of running over Officer William Anderson

Anderson says Kelty should get more than 15 years

RELATED stories: OPD Officer William Anderson being released from treatment facility

Injured Orlando Officer William Anderson out of the hospital





Former Officer William Anderson was in court at the Orange County Courthouse on Wednesday, concerned that the State Attorneys Office was going to seek a plea deal for Edward Kelty, accused of running him down in July 2015.

Anderson was against any deal that would have put Kelty away for a maximum of 15 years. In the end, prosecutors decided not to strike the deal.

Anderson, who still uses a cane to walk and has a service dog named Polo, can no longer work for the Orlando Police Department.

(Kelty) deserves to do more time than that. Im suffering life-long injuries. He needs to be in there for more than 15 years. It has already been a year and a half, almost two years, and here I am still suffering every day, Anderson said.

The nearly two-year-old dashboard video was shown in court Wednesday. It shows Anderson stopping a vehicle and rushing toward it with his gun drawn. Anderson was responding to reports of shots fired.

As Anderson reaches the driver's window, a passenger is seen jumping out the other door. Anderson appears to run in front of the car. That is when the driver accelerates, hitting Anderson, officials say. The former officer said he fired twice at the driver.



Anderson told News 13 he would consider a change of heart about the plea deal if Kelty apologized to him.

I can forgive him if he accepts what he did was wrong, even just being there, he said.

Anderson says there is still a chance the State Attorneys Office could agree to a plea deal.
More than 50 Pulse survivors and victim families have filed a lawsuit against the shooter's employer, saying the massacre could have been prevented.

Pulse survivors, families say Omar Mateen's gun license should have been taken

Survivors speak of attack that left 49 people dead, dozens wounded

Mateen's former employer G4S calls lawsuit "without merit"

RELATED stories: What we know so far about Omar Mateen THE VICTIMS: Pulse victims came from all walks of life



The families argue that Omar Mateen's employer and wife knew about his mental state and didn't nothing to prevent it.

During a news conference Wednesday at the Aloft Orlando Downtown hotel, victims and families said Mateen's employer, G4S, could have pulled his gun license they acquired for him but didn't.

A Pulse survivor who is now confined to a wheelchair said he wished someone would have stopped Mateen before the June 12, 2016 shooting.

"Instead, I woke up two months later from an induced coma, and I learned I will never walk again," Juan Jose Cufino Rodriguez said.

Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, who is representing the families, said in a news release that because Mateen was mentally unstable and made terrorism-related comments prior to the shooting that left 49 dead and dozens wounded, his employer should have done something.

Wigberto Cintron, brother of vicitim Luis Omar Ocasio, speaking about lawsuit being filed by Pulse survivors and victims against G4S. pic.twitter.com/IFNl8qBO4O  John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 22, 2017

Ilka Reyes says she was shot 8 times in the back by Omar Mateen. Also lost her pinky finger when she was wounded. #pulselawsuit against G4S. pic.twitter.com/ZZoyaNGSgX  John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) March 22, 2017

The FBI reported that Mateen was put on its watch list in 2013 after one of his coworkers said he made comments alleging possible terrorist ties. At the time, he was working as a security guard for a courthouse. Mateen told investigators he made comments about his ties to Islamic extremists because he was angry.

In 2014, Mateen again was interviewed by the FBI over a possible connection to an American suicide bomber, Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha.

The FBI conducted interviews with Mateen. Physical surveillance was conducted, and Mateen was introduced to undercover FBI agents during the investigation. Both times, he was investigated, and officials were unable to verify the substance of his comments.

During a 911 call when the shooting at the gay nightclub was taking place, Mateen pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State.

Security company G4S maintained that Mateen was an excellent employee; however, plaintiffs argue that Mateen's prior statements about extremism and allegations that his wife, Noor Salman, may have had prior knowledge of the attacks should have been enough for G4S to do something before Pulse.

The evidence weve seen clearly shows there were multiple warning signs before the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting, and we believe those named in this complaint  the employer of Omar Mateen and his wife  could have and should have taken steps to prevent this senseless act of violence, stated Antonio Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, in a news release.

G4S stated to News 13 that it considers the lawsuit "wholly without merit."

"G4S continues to have the deepest sympathy for the victims, friends and families who were affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting," the company explained to News 13 in an email. "(G4S) notes the lawsuit filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. G4S intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit which it considers to be wholly without merit."
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Young entrepreneurs set up 38 lemonade stands across Plainview in 2016 for the citys first Lemonade Day, with one group amassing $738 in sales.

This year, organizers expect even bigger and better things with excitement already building.

Were starting a little earlier this year so the kids will have more time to build their own lemonade stands if they wish, reported Linda Morris at Tuesdays Plainview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting.

We already have made a presentation at Estacado Middle School and have one planned later this morning at Coronado Middle School, said Morris, who is executive director of the Chamber.

Students from Plainview Christian Academy also will have an opportunity to participate, she said.

The efforts at Estacado are being coordinated by the Junior National Honor Society while a business class at Coronado is taking the lead at that school. Although middle school students are the primary target of the Lemonade Day effort, it is open to students in other grade levels as well.

Plainviews Lemonade Day is Saturday, May 13, Morris reports. It was initially set for May 6, put delayed a week since many of the middle school students will be involved in UIL band contest on May 6. Several other local events are planned for May 6 as well.

National Lemonade Day is Sunday, May 7, Morris noted.

The Chamber and City of Plainview will again split the franchise fee for an official Lemonade Day event. This year there is a local corporate sponsor  Express Employment. Morris said that business will be furnishing supplies and manpower for the activity as well as assisting young entrepreneurs with worksheets and planning.

Representatives from Express Employment will serve as judges with awards given for Best Stand, Best Lemonade Flavor and Best Overall Plan.

In other action Tuesday, Chamber President Tim Hardage reminded the board that the Second Annual Chamber of Commerce Farmer Appreciation Breakfast is 8 a.m. Friday, March 24, at the Ollie Liner Center. There will be a brief video presentation and short program. The breakfast is sponsored by three local farm implement dealers  Ray Lee Equipment, James Brothers Equipment and JMS Equipment. Hardage said employees from Ray Lee will serve as cooks. Its purpose is to say thanks to the farming community and to recognize the fact that agriculture remains the foundation of our local economy.

Morris reported that 10 educational mini-grants of $150 each will be awarded this spring through the Chamber and Plainview ISD. The grants are funding by local service organizations and civic groups. Teachers are invited to apply for the classroom grants which can be used for a variety of special classroom projects.

Upcoming events include:

--A ribbon cutting and open at 11 a.m. April 7 in the John Anderson Building at Covenant Hospital to welcome a new general surgeon, Paresh K. Rajajoshiwala, M.D., to the community. Dr. Raja, who has a distinguished career spanning almost 20 years, will share office space with Dr. Ilhan Yildiz.

--Business After Hours, Thursday, March 30, Hale County Farm Bureau.

--Business After Hours, Thursday, May 11, Inspirations and Allegiance Behavioral Health on the fourth floor of Covenant Health Plainview

--Business After Hours and Open House, Wednesday, June 21, Rocket Aviation/Hale County Airport in connection with the All Women Air Classic Race. Reminiscent of the old Powder Puff Derby, female airplane pilots in the annual air race will stop in Plainview on their way to Santa Fe.

--Business After Hours, Aug. 3, Holiday Inn Express.
HARTFORD  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy warned lawmakers Tuesday against straying too far from his budget proposal, saying he wont support a spending plan that doesnt adhere to his key goals.



Malloy, during an open-forum discussion with reporters in his office, reiterated his goals are to redistribute municipal aid to benefit the neediest cities, balance the budget without the use of gimmicks, and achieve his criminal justice reform proposals.



Any budget that Im willing to support will have to address the three areas that I just laid out for you, he said Tuesday.



Lawmakers have been especially critical of Malloys proposal on municipal aid, which would hold total funding flat but dramatically shift funding to the neediest cities. The plan, if adopted, would see Meriden receive an additional $1.4 million, but calls for a $10.2 million cut for Wallingford, for example.



At the same time, Malloy has proposed requiring towns to provide a collective $400 million for the teachers pension system, a benefit that is currently funded entirely by the state. Lawmakers from both sides have warned that the changes would result in massive spending cuts or tax increases at the local level, and likely a combination of both.



Rep. Cathy Abercrombie, D-Meriden, and vice chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, said municipal aid remains the largest area of concern when legislators discuss the budget.



She also said lawmakers have every right to be concerned when the budget proposal hurts their constituents.



I think at the end of the day we all have a job to do, she said. We have a job to represent our districts and to protect our districts.



Malloy, though, said the state needs to respond quickly to last summers ruling in the lawsuit filed by the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, which found that the states current Education Cost Sharing grants are driven by politics instead of a formula.



Malloy said he disagrees with portions of the rulings, but shares the view that the state continues to fall short of its constitutional obligation to provide equal educational opportunities.



His education proposal would eliminate a hold-harmless provision that has protected school districts from cuts in ECS  the single biggest municipal aid grant  when enrollment drops, and would recalculate need in an attempt to shift more funding to struggling cities.



The pool contains roughly the same amount of money as this fiscal year and Malloy said Tuesday said he has very little interest in looking for new revenue.



This is not going to a revenue-driven solution, this is going to be an expenditure-driven solution, he said. Malloy seemed opposed to attempting to find more than the $700 million in labor savings included in his budget, saying state employees have been trying to help on the budget for years with pay freezes and concessions.



I agree with our labor folks that they cant be the sole solution, he said. They have to be part of the solution, but they cant be the sole solution.



Still, lawmakers are trying to find ways to minimize the impact of ECS cuts on towns. Abercrombie agreed the legislature needs to look at changes, but objected to such a dramatic shift.



In order to do ECS, we really need to sit down and have a conversation about it, and I dont believe that just adopting the governors proposal is the way for us to go, she said.



The Education Committee Monday held a public hearing on a bill that would shift a smaller amount of funding in ECS grants, roughly $18 million, from a smaller group of towns that have be receiving significantly more than the formula dictates.



The bill would also call for a study on education funding, as many lawmakers have also agreed that the issue needs to be addressed going forward.



Malloy said Tuesday that proposal would not come anywhere close to what is necessary,and state officials should act before another state Supreme Court ruling dictates action.



Who should make these decisions? he asked. Should we leave it to the Supreme Court of the state of Connecticut, or should we as a legislature and an Executive Branch step forward and address?



msavino@record-journal.com 203-317-2266 Twitter: @reporter_savino






AUSTIN  A Texas Senate committee kicked off its first round of hearings Tuesday on a controversial measure that would give public funds to parents who want to enroll their children in private schools or public charter schools  an idea that faces stiff bipartisan opposition in the House.

Senate Bill 3, authored by Republican Sen. Larry Taylor of Friendswood, would establish educational savings accounts and tax credit scholarships to fund various costs associated with parents moving their children from traditional public schools to private, parochial, or charter schools.

In an online payment process, parents could use the accounts, called ESAs, to pay for items like private school tuition, educational software and tutoring for home school students. However, the bill would prohibit parents from using the money for food or child care.

SB 3 would also allow low-income students to qualify for a tax break, Texas businesses can donate to the scholarship fund, according to the proposal.

Senators did not take a vote on SB 3 after Tuesday's meeting, leaving the matter pending for another day. However, Taylor's counterpart in the House, Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty of Humble, long has opposed so-called 'school choice' measures and said the bill likely is dead on arrival in his committee.

At Tuesday's hearing, which drew more than 100 witnesses, Taylor defended his bill from charges that it diverts public money from cash-strapped public school districts and gives it to private schools. He said districts would retain some funding in the first year that a student decides to leave a public school, giving it time to adjust without losing all per-pupil money they currently receive from the state.

"Basically, the school will have money without a student. It will actually have more money to spend on the kids who are still there," he said. "It gives them a year to transition or maybe in the year, to see what they need to do to move their program forward, to be more competitive."

Facing criticism that his bill pits public schools against private and religious ones, Taylor said his committee's responsibility is to consider various education reform efforts and that SB 3 is a single measure a larger process.

"This is not a winner-take-all system. This is just a choice  it's another option. We're not trying to decimate anybody," Taylor said. "This is competition to a healthy degree, but it's not like we're coming in and people are trying to take out certain schools."

Opposing Taylor's measure, Dallas Sen. Royce West, a Democrat, echoed many of the bill's detractors who said the committee cannot discuss voucher programs without also considering how the state funds traditional public schools.

"The public school system is the default in our country," West said. "To the extent that we decide to take resources out of a public school system that's inadequately funding right now, I think our priorities are wrong."

Republicans on the panel, most of whom back Taylor's measure, said SB 3 does not involve school finance policy, to which West replied that both issues are "inextricably intertwined."

Several of the bill's supporters urged Texas to join a handful of other states which implemented either pilot programs or full-scale voucher programs in recent years, which they said have spurred competition and made schools more accountable to parents and students.

Lindsey Burke, an education policy fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the ESA proposal in Taylor's bill would create an "unparalleled form of accountability" after citing statistics about Texas' poor student performance.

"Real accountability means being directly accountable to those who bear the consequences of your performances, which is exactly what ESAs do," she said.

The Texas State Teacher Association and other advocacy groups who oppose the measure have refuted Burke's claim about increased standards that benefit students.

"The most recent studies in several other states continue showing that voucher programs do not improve academic outcomes," said Noel Candelaria, the association's president.

Other objections to the bill ranged from warnings that allowing parents to buy religious education material with state money could violate the U.S. Constitution, to concerns that it would disproportionatlly hurt students with special needs.

On average, those students require roughly double the amount of money it takes to educate their peers, said Janna Lilly, the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education's government affairs director.

She told the committee that SB 3 would make special educators' jobs harder and would deprive parents and students of "hard fought" civil rights protections that require public school districts to work families who have children with disabilities.

"It's an oxymoron to me. With the most vulnerable kids, we're sending public money to private schools without requirements," she said. "Before 1975, these kids were not in school."
Internap (INAP (INAP) is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and has an A for both Growth and Momentum. The stock has been bouncing up against 52 week highs and looks to continue to do more of the same. It is the Bull of The Day today.

Description

Internap Corporation provides information technology infrastructure services. It operates through two business segments, Data Center Services and Internet Protocol (IP) Services. The Data Center Services segment provides colocation services comprising physical space within data centers and associated services, such as power, interconnection, environmental controls, monitoring, and security. Internap Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sticking With What Works

There is little doubt that we are in a long term bull market. One of the best ways to play this market is by buying the stocks that are seeing positive developments and are hitting new highs. INAP has both of these even and the market breaks a long streak of days without a 1% drawdown.

Earnings History

The earnings history isnt exactly a stellar one. I see two beats and two misses in the last four outings. None of the last four reports saw the company outperform on the top line either. But something did catch my eye.

The most recent report was a beat of $0.03 which translated into a positive earnings surprise of 20%. This solid beat caused the stock to jump more than 31% in the session following the release. That has a way of making the chart look great!

Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CY2017 saw a huge boost following the most recent earnings report. The number moved from a loss of $0.57 in January to a loss of $0.52 in February and is now at a loss of just $0.34. That is a big move in the right direction.

The CY18 number has also seen a dramatic move higher, going from a loss of $0.50 to a loss of $0.24 and settling at a loss of $0.16 over the same time period.

Story continues

If the company continues to beat expectations, profitability could come by the end of the year.

Valuation

Without the benefit of positive earnings we dont get to lean on the PE for our look at valuation. Instead we have to look at the conservative measure of price to book which has the stock trading at a discount to the market. INAP trades at about 4x book, but the industry average is trading closer to 6.5x. The more aggressive measure of price to sales show the stock trading at 0.7x compared to a 6.2x industry average. Both of these metrics show considerable room for growth.

Internap Corporation Price and Consensus

Internap Corporation Price and Consensus | Internap Corporation Quote

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Police are investigating possible cyberbullying at Albany High School after what officials called a small number of students allegedly posted deeply hurtful and racially offensive photos of African American girls on Instagram.

Racially offensive and hurtful behavior are not welcome in Albany, and wont be tolerated in our schools, Valerie Williams, superintendent of the Albany Unified School District, said Wednesday.

Several students brought the photos to the attention of school Principal Jeff Anderson on Monday, Williams said. The Instagram account where they were posted has since been deleted, and neither Albany police nor the district would elaborate on what the photos showed or on the nature of the accompanying comments.

Late Tuesday, the superintendent sent an email to parents in the school district alerting them to the alleged cyberbullying. She said district officials and Albany police were investigating.

Police Lt. Daniel Adams confirmed his departments probe but offered no further comment.

Williams praised the students who went to the principal, and said the high school was providing whatever support services our (affected) students need.

Im shocked and heartsick that something like this could happen in our community, said Vivian Jaquette, whose son attends Albany High. I know the majority of our community are not racist.

According to district records, less than 5 percent of Albany Highs 1,231 students are African Americans. Whites and Asian Americans each make up more than 30 percent of the student population, and Latinos about 17 percent.

Williams said she is unaware of any other racially charged incidents during her three years as district superintendent.

What I am concerned about is that we maintain a safe campus environment, Williams said. This has got my full attention, and we are taking this extremely seriously.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
Oakland lawmakers Tuesday withdrew a legally questionable component of their newly minted cannabis ordinances that would have largely barred non-city residents from opening a pot business there. The latest revisions  an effort by City Council members to contain the fallout from their attempt to put Oakland residents ahead of outsiders  mean the implementation of the laws will be delayed by several weeks.

The residency condition would have blocked anyone from the citys expected cannabis bonanza who hasnt lived in Oakland for at least three years. It was an eleventh-hour addition two weeks ago to a batch of laws meant to leverage the marijuana permitting process as a way to help the people whose drug use has been heavily policed in recent decades  believed to be a first-in-the-nation form of reparations.

But details within the legislation  the first iteration of which was drafted in May  have prompted heated debates within the council over how to best create racial equity in the industry. Council President Larry Reid called it one of the ugliest processes Ive gone through.

The laws give a head start to so-called equity applicants  people who were either convicted of a cannabis-related offense in Oakland in the last two decades, or people who live in neighborhoods that have historically seen high numbers of pot arrests. For the latter group, applicants can qualify only if they make less than 80 percent of the citys median income.

At least half of the initial cannabis permits the city plans to issue will go to equity applicants under the ordinances.

At their last meeting, as City Council members sought to overhaul the legislation, one clause added by Councilman Noel Gallo quickly aroused questions of legality. The proviso would have required that non-equity applicants be city residents.

A mass of public speakers at the Tuesday council meeting aimed to make the case that allowing general applicants to be from outside the city would hurt the equity program. Their efforts were ultimately futile, when all but council members Reid and Desley Brooks voted to overturn the residency rule.

The residency requirement is patently, blatantly unconstitutional, said Rob Selna, an Oakland attorney advising equity and general cannabis applicants. As a lawyer, you hear that theyre going to exclude businesses owned by non-residents  it just hits you in the gut as illegal.

State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, agreed.

The mission and goals are right, Bonta said. Maximum equity  thats spot on. Those who were the victims of the war on drugs and drug policy should be able to benefit now. But as you chart a course to get there, you need to be compliant with the Constitution and all state and local laws.

Its not the first time the legality of an element in the citys equity cannabis laws has been challenged.

Last year, council members Gallo, Brooks and Reid sought to compel cannabis business to hand over one-quarter of their ownership and at least one seat on their board of directors to the city in exchange for an operating permit. Bonta was among those who cried foul, and the idea was eventually scrapped.

The amended ordinances will have to be approved at the next City Council meeting before going into effect.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Livestock producers are seeking $750 million to beef up the nations vaccine bank for foot-and-mouth disease, saying an outbreak on U.S. soil would quickly reach epidemic proportions and cause hundreds of billions of dollars in losses to producers of cattle, pork, sheep and other livestock.

Foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD, is a highly contagious viral disease that was considered eradicated from the U.S. in 1929, but remains endemic in Africa, Asia, some South American countries and the Middle East. While it does not affect humans and is not considered a public health or food safety threat, it sickens cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer and other animals with divided hoofs. Infected animals usually must be euthanized.

There hasnt been a recent outbreak in the U.S. to cause alarm, but the nations vaccine bank in Plum Island, New York, has antigens for only 10 of the 23 strains currently circulating around the globe, David Herring, vice president of the National Pork Producers Council said at a hearing Tuesday of the House Agriculture Committees Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

The hearing was part of a whirlwind of events setting the groundwork for the next farm bill, a roughly $1 trillion five-year spending plan that covers food stamps and other federal nutrition programs and sets standards for crop insurance, farm support programs and an array of other programs affecting U.S. agriculture and forestry. House Agriculture Committee Michael Conaway, R-Midland, has said he is committed to getting the 2018 farm bill passed on time.

U.S. pork exports reached a record 2.3 million metric tons in 2016, accounting for 26 percent of production. Those markets would quickly close if the disease was detected, he said, adding that it wouldnt take much for terrorists to unleash FMD in the U.S. as a way of hurting the U.S. food supply and inflicting serious economic damage.

The U.S. pork industrys top priority for the next farm bill is establishing a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank, Herring said. If this country ever had an FMD outbreak not only could it devastate my farm and the whole livestock industry but the entire U.S. economy.

Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemens Beef Association, said an FMD outbreak would cause enormous economic losses not only to livestock producers, but also auction markets, slaughterhouses, food processors and related industries, and consumers.

We feel that this vaccine bank is vitally important to the beef industry as FMD is still a threat as countries around the world continue to grapple with the disease, Uden said.

Herring cited research from Iowa State University concluding an FMD outbreak could cost pork, beef, corn and soybean producers $200 billion over 10 years. Since any of the strains could be the culprit, an adequate vaccine strategy would require 10 million doses for each of the 23 strains as well as surge capacity for 40 million doses, he said.

The producers are asking for $150 million for each of the five years of the farm bill to contract for an offshore, vendor-maintained vaccine antigen bank with inventory to cover the first two weeks of an outbreak. The money also would allow for a contract with an international manufacturer to provide surge capacity.

David Anderson, an agricultural economist at Texas A&M University, said it wasnt surprising that disease outbreak control would be a top priority for livestock producers.

The avian flu outbreak that spread through northern U.S. flocks in 2014 and 2015 forced destruction of some 50 million birds and caused more than $3.3 billion in economic damages. A current outbreak of avian flu has already forced euthanasia of some 200,000 animals in three southern states. In 2013, porcine epidemic diarrhea showed in U.S. swine for the first time, and by mid-2014 had spread through 27 states.

Its really an economic disease, Anderson said. The procedure around the world is that when a country has an outbreak, everybody bans their product. Its really devastating. The response has been you quarantine the area and kill all the animals.

Cattle ranchers in Texas, the nations leading cattle producing state, were among those opposed to the USDAs Aug. 1 decision to allow imports of fresh and frozen beef from Brazil. The announcement coincided with Brazils decision to reopen its markets to U.S. beef, which had been banned due to a 2003 incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Ranchers said they were not convinced Brazil has a handle on foot-and-mouth disease.

Its nothing about trade or having their beef come into the United States, the issue is health and herd security, Saginaw rancher Pete Bonds said. Theres still some cases of foot-and- mouth disease in Brazil. Theyre saying theyve got it under control with vaccinations; I dont believe them.

The problem is if hoof-and-mouth would ever hit in the state of Texas, the cattle industry as we know it today is over, Bonds said. Hogs are actually more susceptible to hoof-and- mouth than cattle. And with the wild hog population in the state of Texas theres no way we can control it.

An inquiry into a devastating 2001 FMD outbreak in England determined a likely cause to be domestic hogs that were fed contaminated beef.

It was not cooked properly. It was fed to hogs and hogs got it and transferred it to cattle, Bonds said. If you think about it, you dont cook hamburger well enough, you throw it down, a wild hog comes and eats it and then it gets started.

lbrezosky@express-news.net

@lbrezosky
They swore to protect the inmates they guarded, but on Tuesday three Santa Clara County correctional officers went on trial in a San Jose courtroom, charged with murder in the 2015 fatal jail-cell beating of a mentally ill man who prosecutors said died begging for his life.

In a rare case of correctional officers being prosecuted for murder, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Matt Braker told the jury that the three defendants beat defenseless inmate Michael Tyree to death and then attempted to cover up the crime.

Power and the abuse of power. Thats what this case is about, Braker said. This abuse of power culminated with the events of Aug 26, 2015. ... They beat him so bad that they ruptured his spleen and lacerated his liver and then they left him in his cell to die.

But attorneys for Officers Jereh Lubrin, 29, Matthew Farris, 27, and Rafael Rodriguez, 27, said Tyrees death was the result of him standing on his cell toilet and falling back onto the sharp edge of a stainless steel sink, either accidentally or intentionally.

We have determined what the actual cause of death is, defense attorney William Rappoport, who represents Farris, said. Its not a homicide.

Retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell said she does not recall any cases in the county involving correctional officers in her 19-year tenure that ended in 2001, nor does she remember any since.

First of all, its rare for any law enforcement people to be prosecuted, Cordell said, recalling only one murder case in Santa Clara County that involved a retired police officer. This is especially rare.

The 31-year-old Tyree died naked, covered in filth, inside a cell at the Main Jail in San Jose that he should have already been released from.

The court had ordered on Aug. 12, 2015, that Tyree, a 31-year-old mentally ill inmate, be released to a mental health clinic in San Jose, according to a transcript of that hearing.

But beds at the facility were full, and 15 days later he was found dead in his cell suffering from a damaged spleen and liver that had caused him to die from internal bleeding. The Santa Clara County medical examiner ruled he was beaten to death.

Lubrin, Farris and Rodriguez were charged with the murder of Tyree in September 2015, after the findings by Dr. Joseph OHara, the medical examiner. They also are accused of assaulting inmate Juan Villa on the same night that Tyree died.

An investigation found Tyree had cried out, Im sorry, and, Stop, as he was being beaten, prosecutors said.

The family of Tyree has already settled a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim in his death. Santa Clara County agreed to pay $3.6 million to the family in 2016, according to attorneys.

The opening statements in the trial revealed two vastly diverging theories of what happened the night Tyree died. As the prosecution sought to suggest Tyrees death was the culmination of a pattern of inmate abuse by the deputies, defense attorneys suggested Tyree died from his own actions.

The three defendants sat in suits, expressionless, as Braker showed the court evidence ranging from personal Internet searches and phone records to a photo of Tyrees naked body alongside vomit and feces.

He showed text messages from Rodriguez and Farris that discussed using force with inmates. Braker said Lubrin wiped his text history clean before authorities could seize it as evidence.

I slapped a guy yesterday cu(z) he was cussing at the nurse, read one text Rodriguez sent from his phone to a friend, and I told him to shut the f up and have some respect.

The text continued, I told him I bet your parents never spanked u but I will.

Braker presented a text an officer sent to Farris in which the officer said he wanted to start pulling inmates out and twisting them at 2 in the morning.

Farris replied, Come to the 6th bro, referring to a section of the jail. We do it at 12:01.

Braker told the court a friend of Lubrins said in an interview that Lubrin had told him, Beating people up was my job.

Braker laid out a timeline of the night, starting with the first confrontation involving Tyree, a 7:25 p.m. pill call. At that time a nurse informed Lubrin that Tyree did not take his pills, and when Lubrin approached Tyree he began yelling, calling the nurse the devil and Satan, Braker said.

Authorities said Tyree was housed by himself in a sixth-floor cell in the 6B wing of the jail for inmates with special needs on warrants for misdemeanor theft and drug possession.

The alleged abuse began hours later, during nightly cell searches, Braker said. Sometime between 10:48 p.m. and 11:09 p.m. the three deputies entered Tyrees cell, and inmates in nearby cells told investigators they heard Tyrees screams shortly after. One reported hearing a loud thud and dead silence afterward. Tyree was found dead during a cell check shortly after midnight on Aug. 27.

In the morning, several inmates made calls to their families telling them, They killed a guy last night, Braker told jurors.

After Tyrees death, Braker said, records show Rodriguez searched online, Can someone die if they are punched in the ribs?

Tyree had cuts on his right eye and left chin, along with bruising on his left temple, armpit, backside and arm. His spleen, nearly ruptured in half, and his lacerated liver showed force the medical examiner said is usually seen in a high-speed car crash, Braker said.

But each of the deputies defense attorneys said in their series of short opening statements that anatomical evidence was on the side of their clients.

The important part of the case is the science, said Judith Odbert, representing Lubrin. What you are going to hear at the end is that its not a homicide.

Odbert brushed off the shouting claims while casting doubt on the veracity of inmate testimony, suggesting they revised their statements to match each others and received perks for testifying for the prosecution.

Michael Tyree yelled. He yelled on occasion. Michael Tyree yelled in reaction to things that werent occurring. We know that for a fact, she said.

Jereh Lubrin did not commit these crimes. He did not intend to kill anyone, she said. They dont have a motive, but some of these inmates do.

Defense attorney Matthew Pavone, representing Rodriguez, criticized the handling of Tyrees death investigation. He said OHara was at the scene for 55 minutes. When he performed an autopsy on Aug. 28, he ruled on the cause of death within six hours, Pavone said.

The evidence in this case will show a jump to conclusions by the county medical examiner and the prosecution as to Michael Tyrees cause of death, he told jurors. It is critical that you keep an open mind until the very end.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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Add another chapter to the ongoing star war between President Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger. By way of dimly-lit video shot from an urban waterfront, Schwarzenegger mocked the president's low approval ratings via Twitter on Tuesday.

The former California governor and actor was not above tossing a few barbs in the president's direction. "Donald, the ratings are in, and you got swamped," said Schwarzenegger, a Republican but not a Trump supporter. "Wow. Now you're in the 30s?"

Trump's daily approval rating, per the Gallup poll, hit 37 percent over the weekend. It marked a new floor for the young presidency and was, in the context of past presidents, dismal. The approval rating was "lower than Barack Obama experienced at any point over the course of his presidency," as The Washington Post's Philip Bump pointed out (while noting the Gallup survey represented only one data point from one poll).

In the Trump vs. Terminator feud, Twitter appears to be the preferred battleground. And poor ratings are the ammunition.

While president-elect, Trump drew blood in early January. He publicly pointed out that Schwarzenegger, who succeeded Trump as host of NBC's "The New Celebrity Apprentice," in 2017 was unable to match the audiences that the Trump drew when "The Apprentice" first premiered.

"Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got 'swamped' (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT," Trump tweeted on Jan. 6. (Although Trump's earliest episodes of "The Apprentice" had high Nelson ratings, by the time Trump hosted season 15 the rush of viewers had petered out to a trickle.)

Observers noted that it was a bizarre move for the executive producer of a show to publicly excoriate its host. Schwarzenegger responded by quoting Abraham Lincoln: "Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

And, yet, even an invocation of Honest Abe could not derail Trump from knocking Schwarzenegger.

"They hired a big, big movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to take my place. We know how that turned out. The ratings went right down the tube," Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast in February. "I want to just pray for Arnold for those ratings."

If this friction was somehow embellished to draw eyeballs to "The New Celebrity Apprentice," it proved to be a failure. And when Schwarzenegger announced on March 3 that he was leaving after a poorly-viewed first season, Trump skewered the former host for a swift exit.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't voluntarily leaving the Apprentice, he was fired by his bad (pathetic) ratings, not by me. Sad end to great show," tweeted Trump on March 4.

Schwarzenegger responded that, not only was it his choice to leave, Trump's association with the show proved to be toxic. "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," he told Empire in an interview.

On Tuesday, it was Schwarzenegger's turn to dissect the president's low approval ratings. He drew a line from the survey to the proposed 2018 federal budget, which slashes funding to the Environmental Protection Agency and State Department and cuts that would impact popular aid programs like Meals on Wheels.

"What do you expect? I mean, you take away after-school programs from children and Meals on Wheels from the poor people," Schwarzenegger said in the video. "That's not what you call 'Making America Great Again.' Come on."

Included in the tweet was link to After-School All-Stars, which Schwarzenegger founded, and an offer to accompany the president for a visit to the Hart Middle School in Washington, D.C.

"Let me give you some advice, go to a middle school. The Hart Middle School, right in Washington, six miles away from the White House. I take you there, so you can see the fantastic work that they're doing for these children. Let's do it, yeah?"

As of early Wednesday morning, the presidential Twitter feed remained silent on the matter.
"Explore your palate," is San Antonio chef Jason Dady's mantra when it comes to cooking, and dining out.

Dady, who will be on the next season of Food Network's "Iron Chef," revealed to Uproxx his favorite places to put the mantra to use in the Alamo City. When asked where to go for the best Mexican food in town, Dady suggested Los Barrios.
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DANBURY  An immigrant and decorated combat veteran announced plans Tuesday to lead the Democratic ticket in November and challenge GOP Mayor Mark Boughton for a ninth term.

Al Almeida, a veteran and investigator in the public defenders office who has run twice for City Council, said he has spent his adult life serving the public.

I have given a lot to our nation and to our state and now I feel like it is time to give back to the city of Danbury, said Almeida, 57, who came to the United States when he was 11 from Portugal.

The taxpayers are not getting the right return for their property taxes, Almeida said. Danbury has unlimited potential, and the mayor is looking at other opportunities and neglecting the city.

Almeida, who made his announcement official Tuesday at the citys Democratic Town Committee headquarters in downtown Danbury, was referring to Boughtons interest in running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018.

Boughton said he was focused on Danbury first.

Danbury is in great shape  we are leading the state in several economic indicators and the crime rate, he said. I am proud of our city and I look forward to making my argument to the people in the summer and fall.

Danbury Democratic Party leader and former mayor Gene Eriquez said he was not aware of other candidates interested in running for mayor, but that could change at the election draws nearer. Democrats will not nominate candidates for mayor, City Council, school board, and other races until the July convention.

But Eriquez called Almeidas early announcement an encouraging sign, especially since Democrats failed to nominate a mayoral candidate to challenge Boughton in 2015.

A lot of people are excited that we have a candidate while there is still snow on the ground, Eriquez said.

Almeida, who served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army has received the Legion of Merit Medal and three Bronze Stars, among other military honors.

He is a command sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserve at the 99th Regional Support Command, which oversees 2,300 civilians and 570 service people.

He hasnt held previous elected office, but he is a most capable leader, based on his professional military experience, Eriquez said.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 1 of 6 Contributed Photo / Botsford Fire Rescue / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 6 Contributed Photo / Botsford Fire Rescue hoto / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 6 4 of 6 Contributed Photo / Botsford Fire Rescue hoto / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 5 of 6 Contributed Photo / Botsford Fire Rescue / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 6 of 6











A man who crashed the vehicle he was driving on Rouote 25/South Main Street in Newtown on Tuesday night after allegedly leading police on a chase in a stolen car has a lengthy criminal history, records show.

The state Department of Corrections confirmed Wednesday that Rasheim Lewis, 32, has been staying at a halfway house in Waterbury after being paroled on a 2012 felony conviction of second-degree larceny. He was sentenced to four years in prison followed by six years of special probation.
Albany

A retired Ithaca teacher and ally of the state's powerful teachers' union will join the State Board of Regents next month, a 17-member body responsible for setting education policy in the state.

Susan W. Mittler taught in the Ithaca City School District for 33 years, first teaching prekindergarten and kindergarten students and then those in the gifted and talented program. She served as president of the Ithaca Teachers Association for nearly two decades, and spent several years as a policy board member for New York State United Teachers, the state's major teachers' union.

Mittler won a seat on the Board of Regents after state lawmakers cast 109 votes in her favor Tuesday  enough to beat the only other nominee, retired SUNY Delhi professor and Army veteran Joseph Greenfield.

"She knows well that if we want the best for our children we have to recruit, train and then continue supporting excellent teachers who know their field and care deeply about children," said Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, who represents Ithaca.

A graduate of Cornell University and SUNY Cortland, Mittler leads her own education consulting business, which focuses on issues such as teacher mentorship, curriculum development and collective bargaining.

She will succeed James Tallon Jr., a longtime member of the Regents who represented the 6th Judicial District, which covers most of the Southern Tier region. He was honored Tuesday for 15 years of service on the board.

Incumbents T. Andrew Brown and Nan Mead each won another five years on the board after receiving a majority of votes Tuesday.

Brown won 117 votes and had one opponent  longtime teacher Ellen Prusinowski. He was elected to the board in 2012 and currently serves as vice chancellor. Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan praised him Tuesday for his "tremendously calm and thoughtful approach" to the job.

Mead won her seat easily with 145 votes and no opposition. She was elected to the board last year to fill the remaining year of a five-year term. She represents the 1st Judicial District in Manhattan.

Board members are unpaid, and are elected to five-year terms by the state Legislature, a process currently controlled by Assembly Democrats.

bbump@timesunion.com  518-454-5387  @bethanybump
By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp <000063.SZ> <0763.HK> on Wednesday pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in Texas for conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by illegally shipping U.S. goods and technology to Iran. The guilty plea was part of an agreement the company reached earlier this month with U.S. authorities that also called for nearly $900 million in fines and other penalties. U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade in Dallas accepted the company's plea to three charges: conspiring to export American-made items to Iran without a license, obstructing justice, and making a material false statement. Shenzhen-based ZTE has a U.S. subsidiary in Richardson, Texas. A five-year investigation found ZTE conspired to evade U.S. embargoes by buying U.S. components, incorporating them into ZTE equipment and illegally shipping them to Iran. ZTE, which devised elaborate schemes to hide the illegal activity, agreed to the guilty plea after the U.S. Department of Commerce took actions that threatened to cut off the gear maker's global supply chain. The investigation followed reports by Reuters in 2012 that ZTE had signed contracts to ship millions of dollars' worth of hardware and software from some of the best-known U.S. technology companies to Iran's largest telecoms carrier. As part of the deal, ZTE will be under probation for three years and agreed to cooperate with authorities in any investigation of the company or third parties. The judge appointed a former Texas judge to monitor ZTE's compliance. The company settled with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Commerce Department in early March. In addition to $892 million it agreed to pay in fines and penalties, an additional penalty of $300 million could be imposed if it does not comply with its agreement with the Commerce Department over the next seven years. One of the world's biggest telecommunications gear makers, ZTE purchases some $2.6 billion worth of components a year from U.S. firms, according to a company spokesman. Qualcomm , Microsoft and Intel are among its suppliers. It also sells handset devices to U.S. mobile carriers AT&T Inc , T-Mobile US Inc and Sprint Corp . (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and James Dalgleish)
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Troy

The 10 members of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church congregation will celebrate their final service Sunday afternoon as they close the door on what had been a vibrant part of the community for decades.

"It's sad. It's tough watching the members who have been here for 40 years," said Thomas Cushman, the church treasurer, who is an eight-year member of the congregation.

"We tried everything we could to extend the life of the parish," said Betty Madison, the church secretary and member since 1994. She became emotional speaking about the approach of the last church service, which the Rev. John Medwid will celebrate. Lutherans from around the area are expected to attend.

Prince of Peace's 70-year-old church at 111th Street and Third Avenue on the east side of Powers Park in Lansingburgh opened in 1947, in the merger of Immanuel Danish Lutheran Church and the Church of the Redeemer.

Prince of Peace closes a month after Trinity Lutheran Church in West Sand Lake combined with St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in North Greenbush to form West Central Rensselaer County Lutheran Parish until a new name is selected. Two Southern Rensselaer County Lutheran parishes are considering a merger with churches in Columbia and Greene counties.

Gilead Lutheran Church in Brunswick, which had been paired with Trinity Lutheran, opted not to merge.

"We decided to stay where we are. We're needed in the community," said Eleanor Bode, a former Gilead council member, who is among the 31 active parishioners.

Gilead holds popular community dinners, donates backpacks to students, has a food pantry and has other community outreach programs.

Prince of Peace also had its place in the community, hosting meetings for about 100 Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous members, dinners and other events.

The changes in Rensselaer County's Lutheran landscape come during the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's writing of his 95 Theses launching the Reformation, which will be celebrated in October.

On Tuesday, Cushman and Madison worked at their church packing up valuables and preparing items for donation. The church organ is going to the new West Central Rensselaer County Lutheran Parish. Bibles and altar articles are headed to the Missouri Synod for use in new Lutheran churches in the Bronx and Mexico. Historical documents may be donated to the Rensselaer County Historical Society for preservation.

The building has been sold to V and J Homes LLC of Latham, which has city approval to convert it into five apartments. Much of the stained glass and altar is to remain in the converted building, Cushman said.

The church's $100,000 treasury will be donated to local nonprofits, Cushman said.

"I've finally come to grips with it," Madison said. "Sunday will not be a good day for me."

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
Albany

In January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed reforms aimed at increasing low turnout in New York elections.

On Tuesday, Cuomo said that the measures may have to wait until after this year's budget is passed, even though they were included in his proposed budget measure.

"We're going to try like heck," Cuomo told reporters. "It's not necessarily a budget discussion. The budget is primarily about finances. And if it's a policy matter that's related to finances, I try to include it because the budget is a good vehicle to reconcile as much as you can."

Cuomo added, "Many of the democracy issues that you talk about, we're going to take up after the budget."

Cuomo has proposed allowing early voting before Election Day and for people to be able to register to vote on Election Day and a process that would automatically register people to vote. Senate Republicans, in particular, may be a roadblock.

Cuomo has often included ethics reforms measures in the budget, with mixed success. Placing measures in the annual spending bill, which faces an April 1 deadline, puts extra pressure on lawmakers to pass measures favored by the governor.

Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, said that Cuomo needed to push harder, noting that New York ranks 41st in the country in voter turnout.

"It's not enough to 'try like heck,'" Lerner said in a statement. "New Yorkers deserve the same rights as voters in Alaska and Vermont. We need voting reform now, and that means including funding in the 2017 budget to ensure that the next election cycle is an example for the nation, not a national embarrassment."
Albany

Expanding and extending New York's so-called "millionaires' tax" would raise nearly $6 billion in annual revenue, over $2 billion more than the current tax, which is set to expire in 2017, the Fiscal Policy Institute said.

The union-backed advocacy group contends that with cuts in federal funds coming to New York from the Trump administration and a Republican Congress, wealthy New Yorkers should pay more in state taxes.

The plan calls for expanded tax rates for the top 1 percent of New Yorkers and a continuation of the lower rates enacted last year for middle-income New Yorkers. That's similar to an Assembly-passed plan.

A group of more than 80 wealthy New Yorkers have sent an open letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature urging passage of an expanded and permanent millionaires' tax, the institute said in a news release Tuesday. The signers of the letter include Steven C. Rockefeller, George Soros, Eileen Fisher, David A. Levine, Dal LaMagna, Lewis B. Cullman, Abigail Disney, Agnes Gund and Leo Hindery Jr., all of whom have incomes of over $650,000.

As the April 1 budget deadline approaches, the fate of the tax is in flux. In their budget bill, Senate Republicans rejected an extension of the tax. Cuomo wants a three-year extension of the current tax.
Five bills trying to stop the cost of college from increasing came before the Senates higher education committee on Wednesday morning.

The bills' authors are responding to soaring college costs that have burdened Texas families and students as they try to receive post-secondary credentials. Statewide, tuition and fees more than doubled from fall 2003, when lawmakers began allowing universities to set their own tuition, to fall 2015. Universities say that's because state appropriations haven't kept pace with growing student and research needs.
AUSTIN -- Rural Republican Texas House members are sounding the alarm after a significant number of them say they received letters promoting school vouchers from what at first appeared to be constituents but turned out to apparently be sent by someone in Austin. But the actual sender of the letters is a mystery.

The letters, described by members who received them as "fraudulent," included the names and addresses of constituents but were not signed. And even though constituents' addresses were used from places like Gatesville and Vernon, the envelopes had an Austin postmark.
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Want to go?

What: Dinner theater production of Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam"

When: March 31-April 1, April 7-8; Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. through April 8

Where: Franca's Real Italian Restaurant, 1101 E Nasa Parkway, Houston.

Cost: $35-$45

Details: http://francasrealitalian.com, 281-488-2207

John Lofaro doesn't subscribe to the macho mating advice his character gives a neurotic divorce in "Play It Again, Sam."

A self-described romantic, the Friendswood resident portrays the ghost of tough-guy actor Humphrey Bogart in a dinner thetater production of Woody Allen's 1969 Broadway comedy that plays through April 8 at Franca's Real Italian Restaurant in Clear Lake.

"Dames are simple," says Lofaro's "Bogey" character. "I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth."

But in real life, Lofaro offers this advice to the male of the species: "Be a good listener. Don't talk too much. Let the woman do most of the talking."

Watching from the wings are Lofaro's daughters, stage manager Melanie Lofaro, 23, and assistant stage manager Catherine Lofaro-Rangel, 25, who also play minor roles in the production at the restaurant, 1101 E Nasa Parkway, Houston.

"His character says to slap women around, but he's nothing like that," Lofaro-Rangel said.

More Information Want to go? What: Dinner theater production of Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam" When: March 31-April 1, April 7-8; Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. through April 8 Where: Franca's Real Italian Restaurant, 1101 E Nasa Parkway, Houston. Cost: $35-$45 Details: http://francasrealitalian.com, 281-488-2207 See More Collapse

"It cringes him more than us," she said, for their father to speak Bogey's lines, which are tendered to timid Allan Felix, as he embarks on dating after a sudden divorce.

Lofaro-Rangel plays both "Dream Sharon," the imaginary likeness of a "blind date" that Allan is set up with, and a go-go dancer who gyrates in a disco to the songs "Wipeout" and "Secret Agent Man."

A recent bride, she said that her husband, Tony, "likes that I'm finally back on stage."

At O'Connell College Preparatory School in Galveston, Lofaro-Rangel choreographed and portrayed "the Cowardly Lion" in a production of "The Wizard of Oz," which featured her sister as "the Munchkinland Mayor."

In "Play it Again, Sam," Melanie Lofaro plays a character who is called either "the museum girl" or "the intellectual girl."

"I like calling her 'the intellectual girl' because it makes me sound smarter," she said.

John Lofaro and the show's director, Kathleen Pero, also attended O'Connell, with Lofaro a member of the school's first graduating class in 1969.

Now 65, Lofaro, who is divorced, considers himself a confirmed bachelor.

He was born in Aci Trezza, a town in Sicily, Italy, but as an infant, he was already an American citizen when his family immigrated to Galveston because his father had U.S. citizenship.

"I am trying to be semiretired," as a database developer, John Lofaro said.

A few years ago, his longtime friends in the Pignataro family, which founded Franca's Real Italian Restaurant, "kept pestering" him until he accepted a role in their dinner theater.

"I've been booked ever since," he said.

"When John isn't on stage or backstage, he can often be seen here at the bar at Franca's bragging about the loves of his life: his daughters, the Pignataro sisters (including Franca and dinner theater manager Lina) and the University of Houston," states his bio in the playbill for "Play it Again, Sam."

Other cast members include Steve Quimby as Allan Felix, Kathy Edge, Jeff Luchsinger, Steph MaGaha, Amy Morneau, Teri Muse and Lina Pignataro.

Dinner for "Play It Again, Sam" starts at 6:30 p.m., with the show at 8 p.m. at Franca's Real Italian Restaurant, 1101 E Nasa Parkway, Houston. Performances are March 24-25, March 31 through April 1 and April 7-8.

Details: http://francasrealitalian.com, 281-488-2207.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net
Every week we get the Kleenex ready, put Hulu on our screen, and watch the latest episode of "This is Us." I admit I'm usually the one who has a tear form first. I don't even try to hide it. You can revoke my "man card" if you want. I'm one of those that gets into a well-written story. In this case, it's like I'm somewhere in the room with these people as we walk with them through life.

You can only imagine the blubber fest when Randall is at his biological father's hospital bed knowing it is his father's final moments. Randall's Bible is open. Already he's lost a lifetime with this man. Now, after getting to know him in a rushed kind of way, he is about to lose him.

William took the oxygen mask off his face and began to speak. He gave Randall a collection of poems he had written for him. The aged cover page read, "Poems for my Son" by William Hill.

Randall says he can get his wife and daughters to the hospital in a matter of hours but William responds: "I said goodbye when they were laying down. I want them to remember looking up at me, not down. Up."

Then he repeats advice he had given him earlier. "Roll all your windows down Randall. Crank up the music." His dying words were ones his son could live by.

Last moments are holy ones. You may have experienced some in your life. Truth is, someday we will be the ones uttering final words. Can you imagine what will they be? It seems as if our last words are words that reflect what our life was about.

At least that is true for Jesus. What he says in his dying words we see reflected in his life.

The first words uttered from the cross were these: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). He had preached forgiveness from the start of his ministry. "Pray then like thisforgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

But his final pulpit was his most powerful. On the cross he could ask for forgiveness because forgiveness was part of his being. Listen carefully to his words.

"Father." The Greek word is "pater" but Jesus would have uttered an Aramaic word, "Abba." It was a first word learned by young Jewish children, like our children learning to say "dada" or "mama." But it was not just a word for young children. By Jesus' day it was used by adult children to speak of their fathers. It was a term of intimacy and security and simplicity.

It was common to refer to your father in this way, but it was not common to refer to God with this word. And yet, Jesus did. There are 17 unique prayers of Jesus in the Gospels and each one begins with "Father," "Abba." Jesus had a special relationship with God.

Because he had a special relationship he could ask his Father to act. He asks his Father to "forgive them." The Greek word "aphiemi" can mean to "let go/send away" as with crowds. But here the meaning has the sense of "pardon" or "forgive."

Jesus is able to ask for forgiveness of those who have wronged him because he sees them differently. "for they don't know what they are doing."

And neither do we. And neither do the ones who wrong us.

These dying words of Jesus are words to live by. We listen intently and let Jesus' words become part of us. We begin to see people as he did, people who don't know what they are doing. And we do as he did, we ask the Father to forgive them.

And when we can't, we at least learn to "desire to have the desire" to forgive.

James Martin writes: "wanting [to forgive] is a good start, because true forgiveness is a gift from God. It's a grace. Moreover, to paraphrase St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, even if you don't have the desire to forgive, if you have the desire for the desire, that's enough. God can work with that."

Jesus wants us to remember looking up at him. On the cross. Forgiveness frees us and the other person to roll down the windows and crank up the music.

Read more from Rick Brown at www.rickbrown1Life2Love.com.
The gap between north and south Pasadena is closing - at least on the pavement - with three major road projects.

When Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman mentioned three major road construction projects as part of his recent State of the County address, he noted their location.

"I do want to point out that all three of these projects happen to be in north Pasadena," Morman said.

Those projects - the recently completed Randolph Road extension that connects Space Center Boulevard to Red Bluff Road and major improvements to Garner Road and Pasadena Boulevard - are all expected to improve connectivity and resolve some drainage issues in the region.

While much mobility work has been done on Pasadena's south side to match growing retail and business growth over the years, residents on the northern, older part of the city frequently ask why their needs fall farther down on the priority list.

These projects, in partnership with the city of Pasadena, are expected to go a long way in changing that.

Working with the city, Precinct 2 determined key spots to address issues with roads and connectivity.

"In general, with all the cities in Harris County, the commissioner works with all the elected officials to understand their priorities," said Jeremy Phillips, Precinct 2's senior director of infrastructure.

Randolph extension

The $3.9 Randolph Road extension, which had been in the design stage for several years, transforming the two-lane asphalt roadway to a four-lane concrete street.

Taking just over two years to design, bid and complete at a cost of $1.5 million from the county, and $2.4 million from the city, the project is the final extension of Space Center Boulevard.

"This completes an expansion of Space Center Boulevard all the way from Nasa Road 1 (in) Clear Lake to Red Bluff Road, which immediately takes you to the Beltway 8 or (Texas) 225," said Mark Gardemal, the city of Pasadena's assistant director of public works.

Before, Space Center stopped at Spencer Highway. The extension will give residents in the region an alternative route if a storm surge occurs.

Garner street widening

Garner Street, which connects Pasadena Boulevard to Shaver, is one of city's older roadways, and past improvements have been erased by wear and tear from heavy traffic. Work is underway to widen and convert a two-lane street to three and add a continuous center turn lane with surge drainage.

The $5.7 million project will extend from Shaver Street to Pasadena Boulevard and is scheduled to be completed in this year's third quarter.

Drainage work should spur business development, Gardemal said.

Pasadena Boulevard rebuild

Pasadena Boulevard is considered the north entrance to the city, and having nixed a previous improvement design that would have only resurfaced the roadway, the city and Mayor Johnny Isbell, initiated the partnership with the county to design a more complete overhaul of the 100-year-old road, Gardemal said.

"That plan remains fluid, but its goal is to build the corridor out," he said.

The preliminary design, which starts at Harris and ends at Texas 225, is expected to update a narrow four-lane concrete road to include a center lane.

The work will improve north-south connectivity between Harris Avenue and Texas 225 and the widening will make turning safer for motorists, Phillips said.

These projects are expected to attract larger businesses and manufacturing to the region, Gardemal said.

"You've got to go out there, set up the framework, and the businesses find a way to fill themselves into their niches," he said.

Randolph Road, Garner Street and Pasadena Boulevard all played a major role in the city's development, Phillips said.

For more information on these and other road projects in Pasadena, visit www.ci.pasadena.tx.us
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Northwest Harris County families and other community members will have soon be able to enjoy nature at the new Precinct 4 park, Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve.

The two-phase, $3.4 million project which spans 80 acres and features the 40-acre Marshall Lake with a 1.7 mile paved trail that circles the water, will be celebrated in a grand opening on Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will provide community members the opportunity for visitors to explore the lake by canoe or from Precinct 4's pontoon boat, fish from the banks, and experience nature presentations.

"The park is also an important birding destination and will feature activities from Precinct 4's Trails and Parks program. I'm also excited by the partnerships that have formed while developing the greenway system," Commissioner R. Jack Cagle said. "Our goal is to connect as many parks and locations as possible, not just Precinct 4 parks. We connect communities, local MUD District Parks, and even other precincts. Cypress Park is a wonderful park in Precinct 3 that you can visit along the greenway."

The park is located along Texas 249 and the property serves as an anchor park for the Cypress Creek Greenway. Park officials say the 40-mile linear trail will stretch from west of U.S. 290 eastward to the Spring Creek Greenway at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center. The reserve also provides restrooms and showers. Park officials believe the park will be an ideal camping site for scouts and other community groups.

"This location is adjacent to Cypress Creek and will be a key anchor park within the Cypress Creek Greenway. It is adjacent to a newly developed area including The Vintage, St. Luke's Hospital, new single family homes such as Vintage Lakes, condominiums, new apartments, senior living centers, and hotels," said Jim Robertson, chairman of the Cypress Creek Greenway Project. "The location sits in the center of a larger, established residential community centered near Cypress Creek and Highway 249. The Kickerillo Mischer Preserve is just across Highway 249 from the HP/Lone Star University Park/Centre at Cypress Creek/Chasewood Technology Park shared campus. Thousands of area residents will have easy access to the new park via the developing Cypress Creek Greenway trail system."

Additionally, Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve serves as a natural floodplain buffer. Serving as a buffer means that during storm events the preserve act like giant sponges by slowing floodwaters, capturing sediment, and absorbing run-off.

Originally, in 2009, Kickerillo Companies and Mischer Investments first donated the land to Precinct 4, but construction of staff offices deep in the floodplain made cost prohibitive. Eventually, Prestonwood Forest Utility District agreed to lease its former fire station building, located directly adjacent to the property.

Precinct 4 park programming and educational offerings in collaboration with Bayou Land Conservancy will be provided by a director and onsite caretakers.

"That agreement with PFUD saved taxpayers about $2 million," Dennis Johnston said in an official statement, Precinct 4 parks administrator.

The project includes road improvements, hike-and-bike trails, construction of parking lots, utility infrastructure, trail connections to the parking lot, renovation of the old firehouse, fencing, and a bridge across Cypress Creek. Prestonwood Forest Utility District also donated 25 percent of the $212,832 cost of the new bridge.

The commissioner and park officials greatly appreciate the grassroots efforts of the Friends of Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. Beginning in the early 2000s, the organization worked with then-owner, Hewlett-Packard, to preserve the land for hikers, bikers, and community members who enjoy nature.

"The park was originally a recreational area used by Hewlett-Packard employees with pre-existing dirt nature trails and a large lake" Commissioner Cagle said. "When Hewlett-Packard announced they were selling the land; residents didn't want to lose a valuable piece of acreage along Cypress Creek. They worked out a deal that benefitted everyone."

According to Harris County Precinct 4, Hewlett- Packard stipulated that the wooded preserve be set aside for use as a passive recreational park when the company sold 462 acres to developer Vincent Kickerillo in 2005. Harris County Commissioners Court accepted conveyance of the 80-acre property in 2009 from Vincent Kickerillo and Walt Mischer's V&W Partners. Harris County Precinct 4 officials also confirm that V&W brought together representatives from Precinct 4, the Friends of the Kickerillo- Mischer Preserve, and local landscape architect, Clark Condon Associates, to create a master plan for the park. The strategy won a Best of the Best Award from the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

Future amenities for the park include fishing piers, a picnic pavilion, outdoor classroom, and an amphitheater.

"I'm proud of all the partnerships that made this preserve possible," Commissioner Cagle said. "Residents started advocating for the preserve 12 years ago, and now we can finally deliver."
FILE PHOTO: The MV Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller is led by pilot ships as it makes a port of call at a PSA International port terminal in Singapore, September 27, 2013. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

By Jonathan Saul and Keith Wallis

LONDON/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has ordered top executives from several container shipping lines to testify in an antitrust investigation over practices by an industry that is the backbone of world trade, the companies said on Wednesday.

The world's biggest container group, Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), together with second largest line MSC of Switzerland, Germany's Hapag Lloyd (HLAG.DE), Taiwan-based Evergreen and Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) said their executives were among those who had been subpoenaed.

None offered details on what exactly was being sought by the U.S. authorities, although OOCL said its subpoena called for the production of documents.

The subpoenas were issued during a meeting of top container shipping executives last week in San Francisco. They are members of the International Council of Containership Operators, commonly known as the Box Club.

"We can confirm that we conducted an operation," an FBI spokesman in San Francisco told Reuters on Wednesday. "It is part of an ongoing investigation and we are unable to release any additional details at this point."

The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment.

Container lines, which transport everything from TVs to bananas, have tried to save money by setting up alliances to pool their ships' sailing schedules and port calls. Critics say this can lead to reduced services and increased prices for customers.

The U.S. inquiry follows ones by other jurisdictions including South Africa and the European Union. These have examined pricing practices by the sector, which is still struggling with its worst slump and has seen companies going to the wall due to a glut of ships and sluggish global economic growth.

Such investigations could result in large fines at a time when the firms are still struggling to cut costs.

In July last year, EU anti-trust regulators accepted an offer from Maersk and 13 competitors to change their pricing practices in order to stave off possible fines.

Story continues

Previous inquiries by the U.S. Justice Department had looked into price fixing within the shipping industry, which has resulted indictments of various executives.

Sydbank analyst Morten Imsgard said such investigations had become "almost everyday life" in the shipping industry and lines had to take them seriously, given the risk of fines.

"What can be severe is that every time authorities dig into this it might result in tighter regulation," Imsgard said. "The industry needs co-operation and alliances. So, if a tightening of the possibilities to form partnerships across the industry makes it harder to consolidate, it will be more difficult to get a more profitable industry."

Shares in Hapag dropped 6 percent to 28.5 euros earlier on Wednesday, while Moller-Maersk shares declined 3 percent to 11,390 Danish crowns.

South Korea's Hanjin Shipping was declared bankrupt in February after it collapsed last year, sending sent shockwaves through the container industry.

In September South African authorities raided some of the worlds biggest container lines on suspicion of colluding to inflate rates on shipping routes.

GLOBAL TRADE

The United States is concerned that the proposed alliances of several major companies, covering about 45 percent of all global shipping capacity, could lead to anti-competitive behavior.

This could slow global trade as about 90 percent of the world's traded goods by volume and over 60 percent by value - $4 trillion - is transported by sea on container ships. The rest is on other vessels such as oil or gas tankers.

Spokesmen for Maersk Line and Hapag Lloyd said that the subpoenas did not set out any specific allegations, adding that the companies would fully cooperate with authorities.

MSC said several lines including itself received subpoenas last week from the Department of Justice, declining further comment at this stage "due to the ongoing nature of the investigation".

OOCL and Evergreen also confirmed they were involved.

"OOCL has received a subpoena from the Department of Justice Antitrust Division calling for the production of documents. OOCL intends to comply fully with the subpoena," said Stephen Ng, OOCL Director of Trades.

The Evergreen spokesman said: "We are cooperating with the authorities in this matter. Evergreen's policy is to conduct business in compliance with applicable competition laws.

The Hapag Lloyd spokesman said its planned merger with United Arab Shipping Company would not be affected by the inquiry.

ALLIANCES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Justice Department has raised concerns over possible anti-competitive behavior by container shippers with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) after shippers sought approval to form the Ocean and THE alliances.

The proposed Ocean Alliance involves CMA CGM with APL, China Cosco Shipping, Evergreen and Orient Overseas Container Lines while THE alliance is planned between Hapag Lloyd-UASC, Yang Ming Marine, Mitsui OSK Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and NYK Lines.

In a letter to the FMC in September, Renata Hesse, acting assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's antitrust division, urged it to prohibit or insist on changes to the Ocean Alliance agreement.

"The parties to the proposed agreement are seeking to undertake joint activities that are likely to reduce competition and also may be inconsistent" with the U.S. shipping act, Hesse said in the letter, which was published on the Justice Department website.

The Hong Kong Shippers' Council, which represents manufacturers and exporters, said it welcomed the inquiry. "We look forward to hearing their result, chairman Willy Lin said.

(Additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Matthias Inverardi in Duesseldorf and Komal Khettry in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Pullin, Anna Willard and David Stamp)
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  State officials have announced the opening date for the New York State Canal System, which will be free for recreational boaters this year.

The state Canal Corp. says the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals will open at 10 a.m. May 19 for the 2017 navigation season.
san francisco housing

In San Francisco, the rent  as they say  "is too damn high."

In an effort to help employees avoid the high cost of living, a small tech company will pay new hires $10,000 to move out of the Bay Area and work remotely.

In a blog post published March 17, Zapier CEO Wade Foster announced an experimental "de-location" incentive program that will reimburse moving expenses up to $10,000 if a person accepts a position at the startup and moves out of the Bay Area in the first three months.

"Some of us fall in love with the area and are financially able to make this home. But for the rest of us, it can be a real challenge to turn the Bay Area into a life-long home rather than a short stop somewhere in our twenties and thirties," Foster wrote.

zapier de-location

Zapier, which creates products for automating tasks across apps, is currently hiring freelance writers, engineers, product managers, and other admin roles. Foster told The San Francisco Chronicle it received a lot of interest in the deal since the blog post went up.

The company may broaden the program to support workers looking to leave other pricey cities.

Zapier already has a "100% remote team." There are no offices, and the three cofounders all work from home. In his blog post, Foster says the company wants to support people's personal growth, as well as their career goals. Sometimes, that takes employees outside the tech hub.

The Bay Area is one of the most competitive rental markets in the US. In San Francisco, the median rent tops $4,200 a month, according to real estate site Trulia. One analysis suggests mid- to senior-level engineers at companies like Google, Uber, Airbnb, and Twitter can expect to pay between 40% and 50% of their salary renting an apartment near work.

Millennials, who make up roughly 30% of the San Francisco population, are driving prices sky high.

Zapier's answer to the red-hot housing market? Let someone else battle it out.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: Only in San Francisco  inside the 232-square-foot micro apartment that sold for nearly $425,000





More From Business Insider


NORWALK  In what may be a precedent-setting case, a 22-year-old Norwalk man facing up to seven years in prison on narcotics possession charges was found not guilty this week at state Superior Court in Norwalk.

A six-member jury Monday cleared Omari Caldwell of possession of narcotics  specifically oxycodone  and criminal trespass, following his Dec. 28, 2013 arrest at the Roodner Court public housing complex on Ely Avenue.

Caldwell was represented by Stamford-based attorney Darnell Crosland, who maintained that his client was legally entitled to possess the bottle of oxycodone pills that were prescribed to his grandfather.

The case centered on Connecticut General Statute 21a-240, which defines the ultimate user of a drug as a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household. Under state law, such a user is legally allowed to possess prescription drugs.

The charge seemingly offered no protection to the innocent transporter of the pills, Crosland said. Here, a 69-year-old grandfather had all his teeth removed four days earlier and forgot his pills in his sons car ... Until we were able to find whats called the ultimate user provision in the statute, he (Caldwell) had no defense.

The trial may be a case of first impression, Crosland said, meaning that the states interpretation of its ultimate user provision had never before arisen in a criminal context.

The statute has never been used. Many other states have cited it as persuasive, but in Connecticut theres been no controlling use of the statute, Crosland said.

States Attorney Richard Colangelo said that while he respects the jurys verdict, he disagrees with Croslands assessment of the appropriateness of the defense.

My understanding is that an argument was allowed that we dont believe works with the statute. I dont know how many times that argument would be used in the future, said Colangelo, who was not directly involved in the case. The jury has spoken and we respect their decision.

During the two-week trial, Caldwell testified that he was driving his fathers car on the day of his arrest when he was pulled over for illegally tinted windows.

Caldwell testified that he was driving some friends to Roodner Court and had plans to visit his grandmother there. After realizing his grandmother wasnt home, Caldwell said he drove out of the complex when he was pulled over by police. Crosland said that Caldwell consented to a search by police and turned over the pills.

I told the officer that these were my grandfathers dental pills, Caldwell testified. I put them in my pocket (for safekeeping) when I picked up my friends.

He and his grandfather testified that the older man had undergone dental surgery several days prior and the pill bottle had been left in the car.

The three-woman and three-man jury deliberated for two hours before returning their not guilty verdict.

We all applaud the Norwalk police for fighting to keep drugs off the streets of Norwalk. But we must not cast such a wide net that in the end that prosecutions become unjust, Crosland said after the verdict was announced, adding, This was a racially insensitive prosecution.

Caldwell is African-American.

To Croslands claim of racial insensitivity, Colangelo said, Its sad that inflammatory comments are made about things that happen in court. There has never been any indication that anyone in my office has been racially insensitive.

At the time of Caldwells arrest, possession of narcotics was a felony, and if found guilty he would have faced corresponding penalties. The charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor in 2015.

The case was prosecuted by Attorney Nadia Prinz. Judge Thomas Colin presided over the trial.

Caldwell was also found not guilty to a charge of first-degree criminal trespass, but still has a number of cases pending, ranging from motor vehicle violations to breach of peace to second-degree assault charges.

As for the pending matters, his license has been fully restored and reinstated ... In the pending assault charge, he has a firm self-defense claim, Crosland said.

llake@hearstmediact.com
DailyFX.com -

Talking Points:

Crude oil prices may extend drop if weekly inventory build tops forecasts

API reported 4.53mb increase vs. 1.77mb projected for official EIA data

Gold price rally may stall to consolidate Before Janet Yellen commentary

Sentiment-sensitive crude oil prices fell alongside stocks as risk appetite soured across the markets. Financial names led Wall Street issues lower, falling nearly 3 percent. Disappointment with a Fed that opted against signaling a steeper rate hike cycle last week may have sparked the move. Speedier tightening would likely translate into improved interest income prospects for lenders.

US Treasury bond yields echoed the drop in equities and the priced-in 2017 monetary policy outlook implied in Fed Funds futures flattened in tandem. Not surprisingly, this bolstered the relative appeal of non-interest-bearing assets and sent gold prices upward. The metal has now erased nearly all of its March losses. Timid comments from Fed officials proved to be an insufficient offset.

A lull in big-splash event risk might make for a period of consolidation for gold prices in the day ahead as investors look ahead to comments from Fed Chair Yellen on Thursday. As for oil, the weekly EIA inventory report is expected to show stockpiles grew by 1.77 billion barrels last week. A print closer to the 4.53 million barrel build projected in private-sector figures from API may weigh on prices.

Are retail traders buying gold, and what does that say about the price trend? Find out here!

GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS  A fifth consecutive gain gave gold prices their longest winning streak since mid-January. Near-term resistance is at 1248.58, the 38.2% Fibonacci expansion, with a daily close above that targeting the 50% level at 1265.23. Alternatively, a turn back below the 23.6% Fib at 1227.99 exposes the 14.6% expansion at 1215.29.

Crude Oil Prices May Break 7-Month Uptrend on Inventory Swell

Chart created using TradingView

CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS  Crude oil prices remain locked in a familiar congestion range above key support at 47.22, the intersection of the 50% Fibonacci retracement and a rising trend line set from August 2016. A break below this barrier exposes the 61.8% level at 45.33. Alternatively, a daily close back above the 38.2% Fib at 49.11 sees the next upside threshold at 51.44, the 23.6% retracement.

Story continues

Crude Oil Prices May Break 7-Month Uptrend on Inventory Swell

Chart created using TradingView

--- Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

To receive Ilya's analysis directly via email, please SIGN UP HERE

Contact and follow Ilya on Twitter: @IlyaSpivak



original source

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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Editors Note: The leadership profile being sent out appears in its entirety at the end of this article.

---

Midland ISD interim Superintendent Rod Schroder said Tuesday that education is going through a transformation -- from a less autocratic system to a more entrepreneurial system.

The Midland ISD board has been working this year to adjust to the new education reality. District officials expect trustees superintendent search will show that.

On Tuesday night, the board put the finishing touches on a leadership profile that will be part of a package of information given to interested candidates. This package includes the districts recently completed Lone Star Governance Report, which is the districts road map moving forward.

The governance report includes superintendent and board constraints, goals, progress measures and a theory of action. For Schroder -- who spent 15 years as Amarillo ISDs superintendent before coming to Midland this school year -- that document (officially called the districts AE Local document) will be a big hook.

Earlier in the day at the State of Education event, Schroder described how the Midland ISD board has made the moves to create a district that is less top heavy.

When they (Hazard, Young Attea & Associates search firm members) said they shared the draft of the AE local, it was clearly received well by candidates they are talking to, Schroder said. That is somewhat unique to see a board that is focused and has the roles defined for a superintendent and a board already laid out ahead of time. That will be exciting based on (the firm members) comments.

The leadership profile was based on feedback from the community, including board members, business leaders, teachers, administration and other interested groups. Listening session results included that the No. 1 challenge for the district was facilities. Student performance came in at No. 4.

Superintendent attributes included integrity, believes/supports every student and is committed/invested to stay in Midland.

Communication topped the list of expertise or experience sought. Academic leadership experience was second, followed by cultural competency and turnaround success.

The need to collaborate and be visible are the styles sought most. Those were followed by being approachable and data-driven.

This should be an attractive place for someone who really wants to make a difference to want to come to, board President Rick Davis said. I look forward to seeing if that comes true.

---

Leadership Profile of Superintendent

Superintendent of Schools

Midland Independent School District, Texas

After seeking input from administrators, community members, faculty, parents, students, and support staff, the Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees seeks an individual who is focused on student outcomes with a commitment to integrity, who is an effective communicator with all stakeholders. This professional is a people person, who is passionate about providing excellent education for all students, while promoting and overseeing instructional best practices based upon a career of successful educational leadership and school district administration.

In addition, the selected candidate will have demonstrated turnaround success experience in a diverse setting, while possessing the necessary financial management skills. The next superintendent of Midland Independent School District will be a leader, invested in the community and committed to stay for an extended tenure. This individual will be culturally competent, embrace and value diversity while leading the continuous improvement of a School District with a plan for school improvement.

This outstanding collaborative leader openly seeks the input of others, demonstrating the value of the students, staff and the community. The next superintendent of the Midland Independent School District will balance being visible and approachable throughout the District with being actively engaged in the community.

Midland Independent School Districts next leader will demonstrate the qualities of a strategic thinker and leader who makes recommendations to the Board through data driven decisions that will enhance the plan developed by the Board and staff (see attached governance report). Further, the new superintendent will engage all stakeholders so as to reinforce the bonds among the schools, the central office, and the community to advocate for children.

Further, the Midland School District seeks a superintendent who has a proven track record of implementing the following priorities 

Further, the Midland Independent School District seeks a superintendent who has a proven track record of implementing the following priorities 

-Establish a culture of high expectations for all students and personnel

-Foster a positive professional climate of mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff, and administrators.

-Demonstrate a deep understanding of educational research and emerging best practices and implement strategies

-Recruit, employ, and retain effective personnel throughout the District and its schools

-Effectively plan and manage the long-term financial health of the District

-Provide transparent communication

-Be visible throughout the District and actively engaged in community life

-Understand and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse student population
LAREDO  Gun and human smuggling and assassinations are among the crimes committed in Mexico using vehicles reported stolen in the Laredo, Austin, San Antonio and Houston areas, according to Laredo police.

One recent case stood out for Laredo Police Departments auto-theft task force. Authorities said they received information Jan. 4 that a Toyota Tundra was used in the fatal ambush of the top state prosecutor in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Tamaulipas authorities said assailants gunned down Ricardo Martinez Chavez and three other public servants after they left a work-related meeting. The Tundra had been reported stolen in Laredo on Dec. 11, 2016.

LPD said Monday it has arrested 16 people who took part in an auto-theft ring that operated in various parts of Texas. Suspects would take the vehicles to a criminal organization in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Seven more people are wanted in connection with the case. LPD said the enforcement efforts were part of Operation Metal Rain. All suspects face charges ranging from engaging in organized criminal activity, theft, drug possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

LPD said the case unfolded Jan. 12, 2016.

That day, the Department of Public Safety pulled over a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The two occupants were detained.

Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman, said that detention led to the dismantling of the auto-theft ring.

The reason these people are stealing isnt for just joy-riding purposes. These individuals are part of a bigger net of criminals, international criminals who are stealing these automobiles and using them in Mexico for the criminal enterprises, Baeza said.

Suspects in San Antonio would steal the vehicles, he said. People in Laredo would then go pick them up, drive back to the Gateway City and cross them into Mexico, Baeza said.

They would deliver the vehicles to two men identified as Guadalupe Diablo Javier Nunez and Roberto Beto Castaneda Silva. The duo were making the vehicles available to the drug trafficking organizations, police said.

Both are wanted for engaging in organized criminal activity and theft.

LPD said it counted at least 18 vehicles, mostly pickups, that were stolen and crossed into Mexico.

We collaborated with quite a few agencies ... We needed peoples help, said LPD Chief Ray Garner.

District Attorney Isidro R. Chilo Alanizs office was instrumental with its border prosecution unit, which focuses on cases like this one to dismantle criminal organizations.

We look forward to continuing putting a stop to these kinds of threats, Alaniz said.
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Converse City Council voted 4-2 to proceed with plans to annex land currently in the city of San Antonios extraterritorial jurisdiction. The move is expected to triple the citys size by 2032.

Mayor Al Suarez joined council members Christopher Boyd, Kathy Richel and Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Droneburg in voting for the interlocal agreement while Deborah James and Chris Clark voted against the proposal.

The vote sets into motion the boundary changes and annexation efforts that, by the year 2032 will see Converse with a population of at least 68,000 and cover 22 square miles, more than triple its current size of 7 square miles and 22,000 people.

The city of San Antonio in June 2016 dropped its plan to annex portions of unincorporated Bexar County along Interstate 10, stating the proposal would cost San Antonio more than it would be able to recoup from the area through property and sales taxes.

Read more about Converses vote to annex portions of unincorporated Bexar County on ExpressNews.com

jflinn@express-news.net
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Nearing the end of his first full two-year term on the San Antonio City Council, Roberto Trevino faces five challengers in his re-election bid to retain the District 1 job.

A licensed architect and pilot, Trevino portrayed his council experience as a balancing act between fighting broad systemic problems, such as income inequality and gentrification, and tackling daily nuts-and-bolts complaints about sidewalks, streetlights, sewers and potholes.

District 1 is like the rudder for the city, he said. We are the city center, the focus of arts and culture, tourism, the central business district and some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.

Trevinos opponents say he doesnt adequately stay in touch with his constituents and are promising to do more to keep the elderly in their homes and improve infrastructure.

The incumbent dismisses the criticism as campaign rhetoric.

Ive gone to over 60 neighborhood association meetings, he said. Weve hosted six public safety summits, 37 coffee with the councilman gatherings, two health fairs, and participated in 44 community outreach programs, such as the Feast of Sharing.

I work seven days a week, said Trevino, 46. You wont find anyone who puts in more hours at City Hall and in their district than I do.

He said he has championed a program called Under1Roof that has replaced the leaking roofs of 28 homes in his district with a reflective radiant barrier under white heat-repelling shingles.

More Information District 1 candidates Roberto Carlos Trevino Age: 46 Occupation: Architect Education: Texas Tech (B.A. and MBA) Family: Single Elected/appointed posts: Bexar County Appraisal District Lauro A. Bustamante Age: 66 Occupation: Attorney Education: St. Gerard's Catholic School (SA) Family: Married (Rebekah Bustamante), with 10 children. Elected/appointed posts: Board member, Edwards Aquifer Authority, 4 years. Robert Feria Age: 32 Occupation: Organizer, American Federation of Teachers Education: 12 years of public schools throughout the U.S.; attended Goucher College (Baltimore) and Georgia State University, majoring in philosophy. Family: Single Elected/appointed posts: None Adrian Flores, Jr. Age: 53 Occupation: Political consultant/landlord Education: St. Mary's (private school, SA), Edison High School; St. Philips culinary school Family: Single Elected/appointed posts: Precinct chair, 7 years for Democratic Party. Michael Montano Age: 36 Occupation: Attorney Education: Central Catholic High School, Yale, Stanford Law School. Family: Single Elected/appointed posts: none Ross Adam Trevino Age: 37 Occupation: Association manager See More Collapse

Working with UTSA, weve lowered the temperature in some homes by 23 degrees with these roofs, at a savings of $80 to $120 a month on some utility bills, Trevino said. These are older people, generally, and if we can keep them in their homes we keep the neighborhoods more stable.

He said he wants a truly independent ethics officer for the city, a tree-planting fund for distressed neighborhoods, and continued emphasis on arts and urban design projects that enhance the citys cultural charm.

Also in the race are perennial candidate Lauro Bustamante, a lawyer; Robert Feria, an organizer for the American Federation of Teachers; Adrian Flores Jr., a landlord and political consultant; Michael Montano, a lawyer, and Ross Adam Trevino, who listed his occupation as association manager.

Bustamante, 66, has made unsuccessful runs for city council, mayor, justice of the peace, the U.S. House, the 4th Court of Appeals and multiple state district judgeships over the past two decades. He won a 2010 bid for the Edwards Aquifer Authority board.

In May 2008, the State Bar of Texas suspended Bustamante for two years for professional misconduct stemming from his 1998 divorce, the Express-News reported in 2014. His failure to comply with the divorce decree prompted his ex-wife to sue in state and federal courts to force payments he owed her.

Court records indicate Bustamante was jailed twice for contempt of court. In a 2005 ruling, a bankruptcy court found he had created a sham real estate partnership to manage an office building he owned under the name of his aging mother.

Bustamante emphasized his desire to see environmental and energy innovations in the district, such as solar energy cells, desalination plants, driverless cars and electric buses, and for public school children to have laptops or tablet computers.

San Antonio has to attract that market, by offering incentives for those kinds of companies to develop their new technologies here in our city, Bustamante said. Texas must allow Tesla to sell its vehicles in the state. (Like many states, Texas requires automobiles be sold through third-party dealers, which the electric car maker Tesla refuses to do.)

I think Austin is far ahead of us in technology, he said. San Antonio is ripe for catching up, but we must keep our people here and train them.

Feria, 32, said he is dissatisfied with the attention Roberto Trevino gives to corporate interests and developers rather than working-class families and stressed the need for City Hall to focus on social justice and transparency.

A former philosophy major at Georgia State University  Im one or two classes short of my degree, he said  the first-time candidate vowed to work to establish a $15-an-hour living wage throughout the city. Feria said he supports bringing high-paying technology jobs to San Antonio, but only if the city aggressively works to train its residents to qualify for those jobs.

More of the citys boards and commissions should put their meetings on live TV and it should be easier for residents to track council members votes on specific issues, he said.

A simple solution is to tabulate the council votes from the minutes in a separate column on a spreadsheet and put that on the city website, Feria said.

There is a joke among community activists, he said, that the regular item on the city councils agenda called Citizens To Be Heard should be renamed, Citizens To Be Ignored, stemming from the feeling people get that all the important decisions have already been made.

Feria said Trevino sees himself as a mediator between the city and developers, rather than a representative of his constituents.  Its a shame were spending millions on sprucing up Broadway, but not doing much for those people who have been in their low-income homes for generations.

Flores, 53, a longtime Democratic Party precinct chair, said too much of the citys money has been spent on out-of-town consultants and pet projects like the Hardberger Park land bridge in the recent bond program.

We need to bury the utility lines in District 1, Flores said. They look horrible. And most of our sewage pipes are clay, creating a huge problem for city workers.

He wants less food waste in the citys schools and restaurants, more help for homeless veterans  and housing for them that could be converted from shipping containers  and more solar-powered schools.

A former seminarian and piano mover, Flores said the city should fund a comprehensive job training center where veterans could go for basic health, showers and clothing.

It would have to be run by the churches to be successful, he added. Haven for Hope doesnt take everyone yet.

As for the incumbent, We gave him a chance, Flores said. I get nothing out of his office. He wont return my calls.

Court records indicate that Flores was twice arrested for misdemeanor DWI, in 1995 in Austin and in 2014 in San Antonio. I do not let those (arrests) define me, Flores said. I am a Boy Scout compared to some other politicians.

Montano, 36, with degrees from Yale University and Stanford Law School, is making his first run for elected office and spoke of a leadership vacuum in this district.

What I keep hearing is that Trevino focuses too much on his own vanity projects, like all those new white roofs and $100,000 toilets (the Portland Loo project downtown), over what the district really needs, Montano said.

Montano, who grew up on the South Side, said he wants to focus on streets, sidewalks and drainage problems in District 1. Statistics he obtained from the San Antonio Police Department show violent and property crimes both increased in the district last year, but a more collaborative effort between the city and SAPD could help reduce crime, he said.

Older and lower-income families are being pushed out of some of the districts rapidly changing neighborhoods, and the city must continue to use financial incentives to attract affordable housing development, but not the high-end condominiums that are popping up in some older neighborhoods, Montano said.

Im not anti-development, he said. But we have to protect the people who have lived in these neighborhoods for decades and give these neighborhoods their character.

He has acknowledged to the Express-News that in October 2002, as a Yale student, he was charged with nine counts of providing a false statement in absentee balloting. According to reports in the Yale Daily News, he was charged by the Connecticut states attorney with falsely affirming that he aided nine Fair Haven voters in completing applications for absentee ballots in a local election.

Though the articles say Montano was allowed to perform community service, he and the attorney who represented him in the case said all the charges were dismissed. The state attorneys investigator on the case, Thomas Trocchio, did not return calls.

In the eyes of Connecticut, Michael Montano was never arrested. The case was without merit, New Haven attorney Mark Goodman said.

The judge recognized I did nothing wrong, Montano said. I was a young, naive college student. I collected a bunch of (applications for) ballots, and the town clerk said I had to sign them, so I signed them.  It was an innocent mistake.

Ross Trevino, 37, was contacted four times by the Express-News and did not respond to interview requests.

bselcraig@express-news.net
At roughly 268,820 square miles, the Lone Star State has plenty of room for new developments, and developers know it. The hotel industry is seeing a boom throughout the country, but it's expanding at a particularly rapid rate within this state.

The New York Times recently noted the thriving hotel development industry in Texas, especially in Dallas, Houston and Austin.
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SAN ANTONIO --- A man was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the shooting death of a woman who was killed following an argument Saturday on the Northeast Side.

Montrail "Tre" Thomas Butler, 21, was charged with murder in the death of Stephanie Woodford. She was 34.

Butler was quiet with an empty expression as he was escorted to a police vehicle Wednesday in the San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters, 315 S. Santa Rosa Ave.

RELATED: Driver killed after SUV slams into wall, catches fire on northbound Hwy. 281

An affidavit for Butler's arrest said he walked into the back of a home in the 4900 block of Teasdale to pick up his belongings Saturday because he didn't get along with Woodford.

When Woodford saw this, she confronted him in the back yard.

After they argued, a witness told police Woodford went to the front yard to smoke a cigarette and Butler went to the bathroom.

As Woodford returned inside, Butler walked out of the bathroom with a pistol in his right hand, the witness said.

RELATED: Witness arrested in case of S.A. man killed by police officer

That's when he fatally shot Woodford in the head, according to the affidavit.

Police found Woodford's body just inside the front entrance when they arrived.

Butler then turned his attention to a 21-year-old woman also inside the house and began pistol whipping her, police said.

She ran out of the house, followed by a witness who drove her to a nearby medical clinic.

EMS transported her to San Antonio Military Medical Center where they discovered she too had been shot in the head.

There were several metal fragments lodged in the back of her head, but the bullet did not penetrate, the warrant states.

jbeltran@express-news.net

Twitter: @JBfromSA
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Spring is in full bloom in Texas, including one state park that will welcome almost three dozen new additions in the coming months.

Caprock Canyons State Park announced the births of 11 bison this month, with the first of the new generation being born about two weeks ago, park superintendent Donald Beard told mySA.

The total number of new calves is expected to reach 35 by the end of May, Beard said.

Last year, the park, located about 100 miles south of Amarillo, welcomed 25 new calves. At least 44 calves are expected to be born next year.

RELATED: Orphaned baby armadillos saved after being 'washed up' in Texas

Visitors to the state park are likely to spot the bison easily, Beard said, as he drove through a herd of "about 70" of them.

But drivers beware: Free-ranging herds have the right of way.

"It's like Yellowstone in Texas," Beard said.

All of the bison at the "Home of the Official Texas State Bison Herd" are descendants of a herd started by Charles and Mary Ann Goonight in 1878 during the height of the bison slaughter.

The animals were "one of five foundation herds that brought bison back from extinction," Beard said. "As far as we know, this is the only of the five foundation herds still intact."

RELATED: Your vehicle can help fund Texas' environmental efforts

Last year, the federal government designated American bison as the national mammal of the United Sates.

See photos of the baby bison in the gallery above.

erobinson@mysa.com

Twitter: @eeelizzzabeth
A 62-year-old woman was held in Hale County jail Wednesday on $2,500 bond for assault domestic violence causing bodily injury. She was arrested about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of Houston after officers were called to the scene due to a disturbance.

--A JVC TV valued at $2,000 was damaged in a criminal mischief incident about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 1700 block of West Seventh Street.
Fishermen travel on a boat in front of a container ship in the Suez canal at Ismailia port city, northeast of Cairo, Egypt February 27, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

CAIRO (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects to invest about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in Egypt this year, following a revival in investor interest after it floated its pound currency in November, EBRD officials said on Tuesday.

The EBRD has invested 2.3 billion euros in 42 projects in Egypt since it began operations there in 2012, making the country the bank's third-biggest investment destination worldwide.

The bank, which works with companies to support market economies and develop the private sector, had hoped to work on more projects last year but a foreign currency shortage in Egypt caused many investors to put their plans on hold.

"There's been more investor interest in Egypt since the currency reforms and some of the other economic reforms that Egypt is undertaking," Janet Heckman, the managing director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean, told Reuters in Cairo.

Egypt has struggled to revive its economy since the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule and ushered in a period of instability that scared off investors and tourists, key earners of foreign exchange in the import-dependent country.

Supporting Egypt's dollar peg had drained the central bank's foreign reserves, forcing it to impose capital controls.

In November, Egypt's central bank floated the pound, in a dramatic move that has seen the currency halve in value. The flotation helped Egypt clinch a $12 billion IMF loan to support a government reform programme.

The EBRD welcomed the liberalisation of the currency at the time and Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, the bank's deputy head for Egypt, said interest from private sector investors had picked up.

"In the autumn things slowed as people put on hold projects both before and after the devaluation. In February, we saw companies resume activity," Hansen told Reuters.

"I am optimistic but it is important to stick to the plan and not to take any shortcuts, which is tempting when things get cumbersome."

Story continues

Hansen said the EBRD was expecting to invest in a larger number of smaller projects this year than the 17 it worked on last year.

Established in 1991 after the fall of communism in eastern Europe, the EBRD expanded its remit to the southern and eastern Mediterranean in the wake of the Arab uprisings of 2011.

(Reporting by Lin Noueihed; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Monika Bickert might have one of the toughest jobs at Facebook right now.

As Facebooks (FB) head of counterterrorism efforts and global product policy, she sets community standards and monitors content that its 1.86 billion users share and consume every day.

Its only through public-private partnerships, particularly with students, that Facebook can really crack down on prejudice, online hate and extremism, Bickert told Yahoo Finance in an interview at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Beyond managing her own team of counterterrorism researchers and analysts who review content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Bickert is relying heavily on community policing.

Through a joint venture with the US Department of Homeland Security and marketing firm EdVenture Partners, Facebook has doubled down on Peer to Peer: Challenging Extremism, its attempt to crowdsource and aggregate insights from students across the world.

EdVenture Partners

Bickert says student-created and student-driven initiatives have been one the most effective way to combat hate speech and terrorist activity; collaborations like Peer to Peer ensure that speech doesnt have a home on Facebook, she says.

Take, for instance, the University of Rochesters Its Time campaign that increases awareness about violent extremism and teaches students how to stay safe online through videos, info booths, lectures and art exhibits. Through the hashtag #ExOut, it encouraged people to avoid social media containing extremist messaging.

Were taking these local voices at more than 200 universities around the world and asking students: What are the issues in your community? Where is violent extremism coming from? And how can we best counter that? Bickert explained.

Universities participating in Peer to Peer

Source: EdVenture Partners

How do you scale these efforts?

But given Facebooks incredible reach, the question remains whether grassroots movements and human-focused initiatives will stop extremist activity and behavior from finding a home on the platform.

Story continues

Bickert believes local communities are, in fact, the best way to keep extremist activity away from Facebook.

We want campaigns that are global. We want to reach a big audience, but weve seen  both from the research that weve done and also from talking to civil society groups around the world  that in order to really succeed with counter-speech, it has to be local, she said.

University students, in particular, form solutions that may seem specific to their communities, but that can actually be extrapolated beyond the college campus.

Students are the most credible voices and they know the issues better than anybody. At the same time, the insights are shared among all the universitiesthat allow the program to reach tens of millions of people, Bickert said.

Previously lead security counsel at Facebook and a federal prosecutor, Bickert acknowledged that these cooperative efforts are vital because 24/7 active policing will never be the antidote to removing terrorist content from the platform.

We want to make sure were removing any content from our site if it glorifies terrorism, if it promotes a terrorist group or if its from a terror group, she said.

But we know that even if Facebook could perfectly keep any terrorist activity from hitting our community and even if every other internet company or social media platform could do the same, we know that thats still not ultimately the solution to countering violent extremism. Instead we need to make sure that we are allowing people to have a dialogue in a constructive way and help amplify voices from the community that are pushing back on these violent ideologies, she added.

Of course, the proliferation of terrorist content is not unique to Facebooks platform.

Twitter (TWTR) said on Tuesday that it has suspended 636,000 accounts over the past two years in an effort to tackle violent extremism. It got rid of 376,890 accounts in the last six months of 2016 alone, according to its latest transparency report.

Even with humans and algorithms constantly mining user content, its become increasingly clear that social media giants rely heavily on their users to keep their platforms free of extremist speech.

Melody Hahm is a writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm.

Read more:

How this ride-hailing startup is learning from Ubers mistakes

How a 114-year-old automaker is taking cars off the road

Why one Apple expert says to look beyond the iPhone
By Roy Poses, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University, and the President of FIRM  the Foundation for Integrity and Responsibility in Medicine. Originally published at Health Care Renewal

Amidst all the chaotic noise emanating from Washington, DC, little snippets of news keep slipping out reminding us that the US health care system remains monumentally dysfunctional, and that the dysfunction serves the interests of the systems insiders.

Putting Commercially Insured Patients First

On March 15, 2017, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune first reported that the CEO of the august Mayo Clinic had stated in a late 2016 speech to Clinic personnel that henceforth the institution would preferentially accept patients with private insurance over those with public (Medicaid or Medicare) insurance under certain circumstances.

when two patients are referred with equivalent conditions, he said the health system should prioritize those with private insurance. Were asking  if the patient has commercial insurance, or theyre Medicaid or Medicare patients and theyre equal, that we prioritize the commercial insured patients enough so  we can be financially strong at the end of the year to continue to advance, advance our mission, [CEO Dr John] Noseworthy said in a videotaped speech to staff late last year. The Star Tribune obtained a transcript of the speech, and Mayo has confirmed its authenticity.

In response to the Star-Tribune, spokesperson Kari Oestreich stated:

Mayo remains committed to publicly funded patients  who make up half the health systems business  even with the new policy. We can provide the care they require for complex medical issues, he said. However, we need to balance requests from these patients with their specific needs  if its necessary for them to come to Mayo  as well as the needs of commercial paying patients.

CEO Noseworthy felt that the problem was that publicly insured patients did not bring in enough money:

In his speech, Noseworthy said a recent 3.7 percent surge in Medicaid patients was a tipping point for Mayo. If we dont grow the commercially insured patients, we wont have income at the end of the year to pay our staff, pay the pensions, and so on,

Note that this tipping point was apparently reached under the US Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) and had nothing to do with any attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare by the current Trump administration.

Was the CEO Just Being Honest?

A variety of people interviewed by the Star-Tribune and other news sources suggested that other hospitals may have previously thought to subtly discourage patients whose insurance coverage was less lucrative for the hospitals. However, what was unusual was that this policy at the Mayo was expressed openly, at least to hospital personnel if not the larger world.

The Star-Tribune reported, without further comment:

The most interesting thing isnt that its happening, its that a high level executive actually said it out loud, said Mat Keller, who monitors health care policy and hospital finances for the Minnesota Nurses Association.

StatNews reported,

There is this thought that hospitals treat whoever comes to their door, but this is a statement that lays out what happens, said Christine Spencer, a health economist at the University of Baltimore. Its a surprise to hear it out loud like that, but hospitals, probably for decades, have engaged in these more subtle attempts to get privately insured patients over Medicaid or the uninsured.

Maybe CEO Noseworthy is just more honest than leaders at other institutions?

A Violation of Mission

Similarly, some experts also raised ethical concerns about the new Mayo Clinic policies. For example, as reported by Modern Healthcare,

A cornerstone of our ethical thinking is you get the same care whether youre rich or youre poor, and we dont triage by the size of your wallet, Caplan said. A wealthy leader like Mayo is sending a grim message not only to other hospitals but to those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid.

Also, per the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin,

Dr. Gerard Anderson, the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Hospital Finance and Management who writes many national papers about health care funding, said Noseworthys directive was like something from a Third World country.

This is what happens in many low-income countries. The health system is organized to give the most affluent preference in receiving health care. It does not happen in most affluent counties, he wrote in response to the Star Tribune article. Hospitals spend nearly all the money they get. If private insurers pay less than public insurers, then it will appear that public payers are paying less than costs. However, what is really happening is that hospitals are spending all the money they receive and those that pay less are accused of not paying the full cost.

Putting more lucratively insured patients first seems to violate the Mayo whose Mayo Clinic Mission

To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research.

and hence is an example of mission-hostile management.

Moreover, the new policy seemed to directly contradict other policies of the Mayo Clinic:

Mayo Clinics nondiscrimination policy statement states, As a recipient of federal financial assistance, Mayo Clinic does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person based on race, gender, religion and other characteristics, including status with regard to public assistance. This statement applies to admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, through Mayo itself or any contractors. The system also states on its website that it appropriately serves patients in difficult financial circumstances and offers financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services and meet criteria for assistance.

Note that ideally, the whole purpose of a non-profit organization is defined by its mission. Non-profit organizations ostensibly raise money, through contributions, and by charging for programs and services, to support that mission. To repeat, the money is supposed to support the mission. The money is supposed to be a means to an end. The mission is not too make money.

So the explicit choice to go against the mission for the purposes of making more money should be a red flag, and should only be justified if there is real peril of immediate financial collapse threatening the whole mission. I did not see any evidence suggesting such a danger in the articles describing Dr Noseworthys speech.

A Violation of Non-Discrimination Policies, or Even Laws and Regulations?

It seems possible that the explicit policy to disfavor patients with government insurance vis a vis those with private insurance could violate existing regulations or laws. For example, per the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin, the new Mayo Clinic policy was raising related concerns on the behalf of Minnesota state government.

Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper, who oversees the agency that manages the states MinnesotaCare and Medicaid programs, said she was surprised and disturbed to read the comments that Noseworthy made in an internal message to employees. Fundamentally, its our expectation at DHS that Mayo Clinic will serve our enrollees in public programs on an equal standing with any other Minnesotan that walks in their door, she said Wednesday afternoon. We have a lot of questions for Mayo Clinic about how and if and through what process this directive from Dr. Noseworthy is being implemented across their health system.

Fear of Catastrophe, or Inconveniencing the Rich?

The new explicit Mayo Clinic policy to disadvantage patients insured by Government programs compared to those insured by commercial insurers has caused some experts to question whether Clinic leadership has proposed mission-hostile, discriminatory, unethical, or even illegal behavior. Is the threat the Clinic faces justify taking such actions?

As noted earlier, the Mayo Clinic CEO implied the institution was in danger of running out of money at the end of the year if we dont grow the commercially insured patients, But was that a serious concern? Or when he said we wont have income at the end of the year to pay our staff, pay the pensions, and so on, was he really worried about the ability of the Clinic to pay its top leadership in the style to which they have become accustomed?

The CEO did not present and evidence that the Clinic is in such dire straits that it is likely to go bust this year. The Clinic does not rapidly disclose details of its finances. However, the latest Mayo Clinic Facts stated that total revenue from current activities is approximately $10,315,000,000. The most recently available detailed financial report in the form of a Form 990 filed with the US Internal Revenue Service by the Clinic in 2014, covering 2013, stated 2013 total revenue as $4,560,196,033. This suggests a greater than 100% increase over four years. That seems to be an impressive growth rate, not suggesting imminent risk of bankruptcy.

On the other hand, the Mayo Clinic leadership does seem accustomed to living in style. While Mayo Clinic executive salaries since 2013 have not been disclosed, the same 2014 990 form showed that in 2013 CEO Noseworthy received $2,336,662 in total compensation. Other executives receiving more than $1 million in total compensation included Trustee and VP Dr William C Rupp ($1,049,333), Assistant Treasurer Paul A Gorman ($1,117,598), Treasurer Harry N Hoffman III ($1,835,134), and former CAO Shirley A Weis ($1,530,320). In addition, the form included statements that trustees received reimbursements for first-class travel for themselves and spouses; the institution purchased the former chief administrative officers (CAO) house when she relocated; many leaders received lucrative supplemental retirement plans (whose value was included in total compensation); inventors including named employees are entitled to a share of royalties received by Mayo, including instances where such royalties are in the form of equity-based instruments; named employees received tax -indemnifaction and gross-up payments, and that named employees included personal services (e.g., maid, chauffeur, chef). This seemed to be pretty rich living for leaders of a non-profit institution whose mission, to repeat is

To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research.

So is the Mayo Clinic about to go bankrupt if it does not move selected patients with less lucrative government insurance coverage to the back of the line? Or are its executives so used to their remunerative bubble that they simply cannot conceive of trying to control costs to uphold the mission if such stringencies might reduce the money flowing to management?

Similarly, StatNews quoted [Chief executive of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform Harold] Miller.

True leadership would be to figure out how to deliver high-quality services at the lowest cost possible, Miller said. If institutions are simply going to say, Im not going to serve patients unless I get paid more, thats only contributing to the problem.

Summary

But these days, the actual leaders of health care organizations have become accustomed to the pay and perks of top executives of big commercial firms. We have documented again and again the ever rising and increasingly monumental pay of health care CEOs, even of ostensibly non-profit organizations, seemingly out of proportion to their organizations abilities to help patients and the publics health.

This has gone on in an era of ascendant neoliberalism. Krimsky summarized the tenets of neoliberalism in his review of Science-Mart by Phillip Mirowski.

The term neoliberal, which arises from the work of postWorld War II economists such as Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman and others belonging to the Chicago school of economics and law, has little in common with what is usually thought of as liberalism. The important tenets of neoliberalism, Mirowski says, include such propositions as the following: The Market is a better processor of information than the state; politics operates as if it were a market; corporations can do no wrong; competition always prevails; the state should be degovernmentalized through privatization of education, health, science and even portions of the military; a good way to initiate privatization is to redefine property rights; the nation-state should be subject to discipline and limitation through international initiatives; the Market . . . can always provide solutions to problems seemingly caused by markets in the first place; there is no such thing as a public good; freedom means economic freedom within the Market.

The logic appears to be that leaders of organizations that can do no wrong should be entitled to market levels of compensation, however high they may be, and without concern of whether the market is perfect (because all markets are by definition, perfect). Also, the logic appears to be that corporations that can do no wrong should be immune from questions about actions that appear to not put patients first.

All the distractions in Washington, DC should not put us off how the commercialization of health care in an era of neoliberalism (and managerialism) has led to ever worsening dysfunction, and ever increasing advantages to the insiders within the system.

But where will patients end up in such an era?

We need true health care reform that would enable leadership that understands the health care context, upholds health care professionals values, and puts patients and the publics health ahead of extraneous, particularly short-term financial concerns. We need health care governance that holds health care leaders accountable, and ensures their transparency, integrity and honesty. What we will get is endless resistance to such reform from those who personally profit from the current dysfunctional, and increasingly corrupt system. And the current chaos and dysfunction in government at large is making it easier for those who personally profit to profit even more.
Weve written repeatedly that Brexit boosters and their allies in the UK media are acting as if the EU will accede to their pet wishes, for no logical reason whatsoever. The most common fantasies seem to that the UK has more bargaining leverage and that the EU needs to be nice and/or fair to the UK, when divorces rarely have those as driving considerations.

Yet more confirmation of the depth of this delusion comes in a Politico update on Brexit. Theresa May has announced that she will trigger Article 50 on March 29. Yesterday, the Financial Times described some of the key dates in the timetable. Notice how attenuated the start of the process is:

March-April 2017: EU-27 adopt guidelines

After Mrs May activates Article 50 on March 29 the EU will draw up guidelines on handling Britains withdrawal. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council of leaders, said this month that the EU could give a first response within 48 hours. But the formal guidelines will need to be endorsed by a summit of the remaining 27 EU countries. Mr Tusk announced on Tuesday that the event would be held on April 29  even though some countries are worried about holding a big gathering in-between the two rounds of the French election. The guidelines  which will in part show how hard a line the EU is taking  are one of the most critical parts of the Brexit process. They are expected to specify priorities for the EU-27, principles that cannot be compromised, and the structure of the talks. May-June 2017: EU-27 agrees negotiating directives

Once the guidelines have been decided, the EU-27 must formally nominate the European Commission as its lead negotiator and develop confidential directives giving the body a more detailed mandate. The commission will make a proposal and the EU will spend roughly four weeks discussing these terms. The mandate must then be approved by EU-27 ministers. Negotiations cannot take place until this happens. Diplomats are pencilling in late May or early June for the start of formal face-to-face talks with the UK.

The UK is already, or one might say yet again, getting a warning of what the EUs stance on guidelines or what is often referred to as the shape of the table, meaning negotiating parameters and process.

EU officials continued to tell the press, in this case Politico, that the UK will get no breaks in the negotiation process.

For instance, Theresa May has repeatedly acted as if Britain can ignore the EUs demand for a squaring up of outstanding obligations, which the EU estimates could be as high as 60 billion. The UKs House of Lords opined that the UK had no legal obligation to settle up, although they also said that if the UK wanted access to the European markets, they might need to think twice. Its hard to imagine that anyone on the EU side of the table will be moved by a UK legal reading, particularly since the EU has the upper hand.

EU officials yet again nixed that idea, and sent another warning shot, that contrary to the UKs repeated insistence, it will not negotiate a new trade deal in parallel with exit talks. From Politico:

EU leaders aim to use the legal requirements under Article 50 to force the U.K. to settle the most important divorce terms first. As in human relations, to get to the terms of a new relationship you have to go through an orderly divorce, a senior EU official said. First, its the money and the kids, the car and the flat.

As we indicated from the very Brexit vote, the EU treaties do not allow for the EU to negotiate a trade pact with a member state within the EU. The country must be outside for the process to take place. That means Brexit first, any successor deal second. The Politico story gave more detail on the legal foundation:

Article 50 clearly requires that negotiators take account of the framework of a future relationship with the U.K. But EU officials and law experts said that the treaties also effectively block [chief Brexit negotiator Michel] Barnier from negotiating such a relationship  whether that is a free trade deal, some kind of association agreement, or something else. To do so, Barnier must receive new negotiating directives under Article 218, which governs how accords are reached with third countries or international organizations. You cannot conclude an agreement on trade with the U.K. on the basis of Article 50 because the aim, the content, of the procedures are different, said Jean-Claude Piris, who served as director-general of the legal service of Council of the European Union from 1988 to 2010, and worked as a legal adviser during negotiations on the Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon treaties. If the negotiators overstep their legal authority, Piris warned, the European Court of Justice could invalidate any deal they reach.

And although the EU has said it will present its official preliminary response by March 31, Politico indicated this is how the Eurocrats expect the negotiations to proceed:

On Tuesday, officials told POLITICO they expected negotiations to proceed in three stages, with the first stage beginning with setting the parameters and location of the talks, before focusing on the divorce terms. The second stage would focus on terms of a potential transition period beyond Article 50s two-year deadline if such a transition is needed. And the third phase, they said, would be the negotiations over a future relationship, but would begin only after Barnier requested and received a new set of directives from the European Council  once we have clarity, a senior EU official said.

The sources stated that everyone realizes things will go better if the talks are amicable. But with so much distance between the two sides, and the British history of demonizing the EU, its hard to see how that will come about.
When helium behaves like a black hole (Nanowerk News) A team of scientists has discovered that a law controlling the bizarre behavior of black holes out in space--is also true for cold helium atoms that can be studied in laboratories.

"It's called an entanglement area law," says Adrian Del Maestro, a physicist at the University of Vermont who co-led the research. That this law appears at both the vast scale of outer space and at the tiny scale of atoms, "is weird," Del Maestro says, "and it points to a deeper understanding of reality."

The new study was published in the journal Nature Physics ("Entanglement area law in superfluid 4 He")--and it may be a step toward a long-sought quantum theory of gravity and new advances in quantum computing.

Scientists have discovered that a sphere of cold helium atoms (in green) -- interacting with a surrounding larger container of the same kind of atoms (in blue) -- follows a bizarre rule of physics, called an entanglement area law, also observed in black holes. This discovery points to a "deeper reality," says University of Vermont physicist Adrian Del Maestro and may be a step toward using superfluid helium as the fuel of a new generation of ultra-fast quantum computers. (Image: Adrian Del Maestro)

At the surface

In the 1970s, famed physicists Stephen Hawking and Jacob Bekenstein discovered something strange about black holes. They calculated that when matter falls into one of these bottomless holes in space, the amount of information it gobbles up--what scientists call its entropy--increases only as fast as its surface area increases, not its volume. This would be like measuring how many files there are in a filing cabinet based on the surface area of the drawer rather than how deep the drawer is. As with many aspects of modern physics, check your common sense at the door.

"We have found the same type of law is obeyed for quantum information in superfluid helium," says Del Maestro. To make their discovery, UVM's Del Maestro and three colleagues from the University of Waterloo in Canada first created an exact simulation of the physics of extremely cold helium after it transforms from a gas into a form of matter called a superfluid: below about two degrees Kelvin, helium atoms--exhibiting the dual wave/particle nature that Max Planck and others discovered--become glopped together such that the individual atoms cannot be described independent from each other. Instead, they form a cooperative dance that the scientists call quantum entangled.

Using two supercomputers, the scientists explored the interactions of sixty-four helium atoms in a superfluid. They found that the amount of entangled quantum information shared between two regions of a container--a sphere of the helium partitioned off from the larger container--was determined by the surface area of the sphere and not its volume. Like a holograph, it seems that a three-dimensional volume of space is entirely encoded on its two-dimensional surface. Just like a black hole.

This idea had been guessed at from a principle in physics called "locality" but had never been observed before in an experiment. By using a complete numerical simulation of all the attributes of helium, the scientists were, for the first time ever, able to demonstrate the existence of the entanglement area law in a real quantum liquid.

"Superfluid helium could become an important resource--the fuel--for a new generation of quantum computers," says Del Maestro, whose work is supported by the National Science Foundation. But to make use of its huge information processing potential, he says, "we have to understand more deeply how it works."

Spooky neighborhoods

In the 1920s, Albert Einstein famously--and skeptically--referred to entanglement as "spooky action at a distance." Since that time, entanglement has been demonstrated as real by numerous laboratory and theoretical experiments.

Instead of defying the universe's maximum speed limit--the speed of light--what entanglement increasingly seems to show is that our human macro-scale understanding of distance, and time itself, may be illusory. A pair of entangled particles may have a quantum communication, seeming to "know" each others' state instantly across miles.

But this intuition mixes up our classical view of reality with a deeper quantum reality in which a form of information--entanglement entropy--is "delocalized," spread out in a system, with millions of possible states, or "superpositions," that only become fixed by the action of measuring. (Consider Schr?dinger's cat--both dead and alive.)

"Entanglement is non-classical information shared between parts of a quantum state," notes Del Maestro. It's "the characteristic trait of quantum mechanics that is most foreign to our classical reality."

Being able to understand, let alone control, quantum entanglement in complex systems with many particles has proven difficult. The observation of an entanglement area law in this new experiment points toward quantum liquids, like superfluid helium, as a possible medium for starting to master entanglement.

For example, the new study reveals that the density of the superfluid helium regulates the amount of entanglement. That suggests that laboratory experiments and, eventually, quantum computers could manipulate the density of a quantum liquid as a "possible knob," Del Maestro says, for regulating entanglement.

Hunting gravity

And this new research has implications for some fundamental problems in physics. So far, the study of gravity has largely defied efforts to bring it under the umbrella of quantum mechanics, but theorists continue to look for connections.

"Our classical theory of gravity relies on knowing exactly the shape or geometry of space-time," Del Maestro says, but quantum mechanics requires uncertainty about this shape.
Towards super-efficient, ultra-thin silicon solar cells (Nanowerk News) Despite a surge in solar cell R&D in recent years involving emerging materials such as organics and perovskites, the solar cell industry continues to favor inorganic crystalline silicon photovoltaics. While thin-film solar cells offer several advantagesincluding lower manufacturing costslong-term stability of crystalline silicon solar cells, which are typically thicker, tips the scale in their favor, according to Rana Biswas, a senior scientist at Ames Laboratory, who has been studying solar cell materials and architectures for two decades.

Crystalline silicon solar cells today account for more than 90 percent of all installations worldwide, said Biswas, co-author of a new study that used supercomputers at Berkeley Labs National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), a Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility, to evaluate a novel approach for creating more energy-efficient ultra-thin crystalline silicon solar cells. The industry is very skeptical that any other material could be as stable as silicon.

Thin-film solar cells typically fabricated from semiconductor materials such as amorphous silicon are only a micron thick. While this makes them less expensive to manufacture than crystalline silicon solar cells, which are around 180 microns thick, it also makes them less efficient12 to 14 percent energy conversion, versus nearly 25 percent for silicon solar cells (which translates into 15-21 percent for large area panels, depending on the size). This is because if the wavelength of incoming light is longer than the solar cell is thick, the light wont be absorbed.

Nanocone Arrays

This challenge prompted Biswas and colleagues at Ames to look for ways to improve ultra-thin silicon cell architectures and efficiencies. In a paper published in Nanomaterials ("Nano-Photonic Structures for Light Trapping in Ultra-Thin Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells"), they describe their efforts to develop a highly absorbing ultra-thin crystalline silicon solar cell architecture with enhanced light trapping capabilities.

Proposed crystalline silicon solar cell architecture developed by Ames Laboratory researchers Prathap Pathi, Akshit Peer and Rana Biswas.

We were able to design a solar cell with a very thin amount of silicon that could still provide high performance, almost as high performance as the thick silicon being used today, Biswas said.

The key lies in the wavelength of light that is trapped and the nanocone arrays used to trap it. Their proposed solar architecture comprises thin flat spacer titanium dioxide layers on the front and rear surfaces of silicon, nanocone gratings on both sides with optimized pitch and height and rear cones surrounded by a metallic reflector made of silver. They then set up a scattering matrix code to simulate light passing through the different layers and study how the light is reflected and transmitted at different wavelengths by each layer.

This is a light-trapping approach that keeps the light, especially the red and long-wavelength infrared light, trapped within the crystalline silicon cell, Biswas explained. We did something similar to this with our amorphous silicon cells, but crystalline behaves a little differently.

For example, it is critical not to affect the crystalline silicon waferthe interface of the waferin any way, he emphasized. You want the interface to be completely flat to begin with, then work around that when building the solar cell, he said. If you try to pattern it in some way, it will introduce a lot of defects at the interface, which are not good for solar cells. So our approach ensures we dont disturb that in any way.

Homegrown Code

In addition to the cells unique architecture, the simulations the researchers ran on NERSCs Edison system utilized homegrown code developed at Ames to model the light via the cells electric and magnetic fieldsa classical physics approach, Biswas noted. This allowed them to test multiple wavelengths to determine which was most optimum for light trapping. To optimize the absorption of light by the crystalline silicon based upon the wavelength, the team sent light waves of different wavelengths into a designed solar cell and then calculated the absorption of light in that solar cells architecture. The Ames researchers had previously studied the trapping of light in other thin film solar cells made of organic and amorphous silicon in previous studies.

One very nice thing about NERSC is that once you set up the problem for light, you can actually send each incoming light wavelength to a different processor (in the supercomputer), Biswas said. We were typically using 128 or 256 wavelengths and could send each of them to a separate processor.

Looking ahead, given that this research is focused on crystalline silicon solar cells, this new design could make its way into the commercial sector in the not-too-distant futurealthough manufacturing scalability could pose some initial challenges, Biswas noted.
(Natural News) Postmates is a U.S. corporation based in San Francisco with a mission to allow anyone to have anything your heart desires to be delivered on-demand. The company was birthed in 2011 by three engineering and tech-savvy entrepreneurs, and has been nicknamed the Uber for The Courier Industry by Techcrunch.com. In pursuit of their mission, Postmates has hired, and still is hiring, a bevy of homo sapiens who drive, run, walk or bike to deliver a wide variety of products over an ever expanding network of cities throughout America. Recently, robots have joined the line-up of the Postmates workforce, according to Brietbart.com.

These robots are currently navigating deliveries of food, hopefully from organic sources, throughout the streets of Washington, D.C. It appears that you can say goodbye to your food delivery person and all those worries about having sufficient money for a tip.

The robot, which looks like a sleek black and white curved container on four wheels, was developed by Starship Technologies at their London headquarters and manufactured in Estonia. They built their first robot prototype in 2014 and, as of December 2016, they report three million people encountered the Starship robots driving around Germany, Switzerland, the U.K. and Estonia. This type of delivery is becoming the norm throughout Europe, and now in our nations capital, the Starship robot navigates itself to the restaurant to pick up the food, and then to the front door of the person who ordered it. The article didnt indicate if the robots can transverse government buildings or high rise apartments.

The navigation is done with technology similar to systems being tested in driverless cars. The robot sees and makes travel decisions with sensors and cameras . . . to read traffic signals and road signs. As of this writing, theres been no indication of anyone attempting to break into the delivery robot, or anyone trying to steal the contents, which can only be received by the human who ordered them. But there are other ways to get your food delivery.

If you live in New Zealand, your pizza order can be flown in and dropped by a drone, says CNBC. Dominos Group Managing Director Don Meji says this type of delivery is the future. Rather than a delivery person, or a robot, navigating red lights and backed-up traffic, Meji believes the drones will safely reduce delivery time by going straight to the customers home or back yard, as it did when it dropped off the first drone-delivered pizza to Emma and Jonny Normans house in Whangaparaoa, New Zealand, located twenty miles from Auckland.

These determined robots and fluttering drones may be just a quiet whisper of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Professor Klaus Schwab, the founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, has decreed this revolution as a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. Theres no doubt that all economies will reverberate with these effects, from the loss of food delivery jobs to possibly 90% of federal workers in government jobs, as well as, says Newsweek, having AI replace humans at diagnosing medical images, or researching case law.

You might say, were in for one wild economic, social and political ride. But if you do encounter a human delivery person in the mean time, make sure youve got enough for the tip. (Follow more news about robotics at Robotics.news)

Sources:

Postmates.com

TechCrunch.com

Breitbart.com

Cnbc.com

Weforum.org

Newsweek.com

YouTube.com
(Natural News) Institutions of education are supposed to be safe places where individuals are free to learn, and where instructors are free to teach  even on subjects that some might consider to be controversial. But at Grand Erie High School in Waterford, Canada, teachers are apparently only allowed to teach what the government says they can teach, even when doing so puts students lives at risk.

Timothy Sullivan, a teacher at Grand Erie, learned this the hard way recently after he was found guilty of misconduct for trying to educate his students about the dangers of vaccines. Pointing out whats publicly available in manufacturer-issued vaccine package inserts, Sullivan warned his students not to believe everything they hear on television or from public health officials about vaccine safety, and for this he is now paying the price.

Reports indicate that Sullivan was forced to face a disciplinary hearing for telling his students the truth, and could ultimately face the suspension of his teaching role  all for merely doing his job as a professional educator. Since the nurses at his school who were administering vaccines during a recent vaccine clinic were failing to explain to students that there are, indeed, risks involved with vaccination, Sullivan stepped in and warned them himself.

Doing this led to major backlash at the government facility, where he was falsely accused of threatening students and shouting at them. What Sullivan apparently did was simply go near the line of students waiting to be jabbed in the schools cafeteria and remind them about the side effects listed in the package inserts for the vaccines that they were about to receive.

I work in a school where Im responsible for young people, Sullivan explained during testimony at his hearing, for which he represented himself. What was taking place 10 steps from my door was assault and battery, he added about the vaccine clinic, noting that he didnt actually tell his students not to get vaccinated, but rather to consider the facts that they werent receiving from the nurses who were administering them. I had an obligation to go do something about it.

School administrators who lie to students about vaccine safety are promoters of chemical violence against children

The nurses who were putting on the vaccine clinic  none of whom were properly doing their jobs by explaining to students the risks of vaccines  claim that Sullivans comments about vaccines made them uncomfortable. This is rather ironic, considering the nurses werent at all concerned that possible side effects of the vaccines they were administering could make students physically uncomfortable  or possibly even kill them.

Sullivan, in his own defense, argued before the panel that his students have a right to know that the substances being injected into their bodies could injure or kill them. This information should have been made available to students as part of the vaccine clinic, and yet it wasnt, suggesting that the school itself was, indeed, engaged in chemical child abuse.

And yet the panel ultimately took the schools side in condemning Sullivan for his actions, declaring them to be inappropriate. He was eventually declared guilty of professional misconduct by the Ontario College of Teachers, and must now enroll in and complete a series of courses on professional boundaries, professional ethics  and get this  anger management.

I felt it was my role to make students aware of possible side effects, Sullivan stated before the panel. Im negligent if I dont point out different side effects of products. Im responsible for every student in the school. It was actually one of the most professional things I did, making students aware of the side effects.

Sources for this article include:

TheVaccineReaction.org

TheStar.com
(Natural News) While youd be hard pressed to find anyone willing to use a known herbicide for medicinal purposes, that hasnt stopped Monsanto from patenting the star ingredient of their flagship herbicide, Roundup, as a type of antibiotic. In 2003, the corporate giant first submitted a patent for glyphosate as a parasitic control-type antimicrobial agent  or, in other words, a type of antibiotic.

The patent was granted in 2010, and you can view it here. Monsanto patented the combination of glyphosate and polyvalent anion oxalic acid as a method for preventing and treating pathogenic infections like malaria. As the patent explains, parasites from the phylum of Apicomplexa are often responsible for diseases in humans and other animals  and glyphosate is capable of inhibiting the growth of these parasites.

This patent certainly brings even more concerns about the impending Bayer-Monsanto merger, but more importantly, it raises a significant question: is glyphosate contributing to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Study finds glyphosate causes antibiotic resistance

Recent research has revealed that the herbicide could indeed be a contributing factor to the superbug epidemic that is being seen around the world. Scientists from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand have piloted new research that shows glyphosate is not just an herbicide, but a potential vector for antibiotic-resistant disease.

The study is the first of its kind. Professor Jack Heinemann, from the university, says that while herbicides may be tested for their ability to kill bacteria, they are not tested for what other effects they may have on microbes.

We found that exposure to some very common herbicides can cause bacteria to change their response to antibiotics. They often become antibiotic resistant, but we also saw increased susceptibility or no effect. In most cases, we saw increased resistance even to important clinical antibiotics, Heinemann commented.

The professor went on to explain that their results were so surprising that they enlisted another researcher from a different institution to conduct the same exact experiments in a different environment and without knowing exactly what she was adding to the bacteria, to help ensure the validity of their findings. The research conducted at Massey University yielded the same results as that done by the University of Canterbury.

According to the researchers, the effects they uncovered would be relevant to people and animals who are exposed to pesticides used in similar concentrations to that of what was tested. While the amounts used by the team were of greater concentration than what is currently supposed to be allowed in food  as we all know, the amount of glyphosate residue in and on food often surpasses what is deemed permissible. [RELATED: Keep up with the latest herbicide scandals at Glyphosate.news]

As antibiotic resistance continues to grow, the threat that glyphosate poses simply cannot be ignored. The effects of herbicides like glyphosate can have on bacteria are very real  especially given the chemicals tendency to be intentionally misused by farmers as a desiccant.

Does glyphosate alter healthy bacteria in the gut, too?

Pathogenic bacteria are not the only microbes susceptible to the ill effects of glyphosate. The bacteria that reside in the human gut can also be harmed by the toxic herbicide. The very same shikamate pathway that glyphosate uses to target weeds and pathogenic bacteria species is the same pathway it would use to destroy the friendly and beneficial bacteria that inhabit the intestinal microbiome. This, of course, would come with its own host of adverse health effects.

There is no reason to believe that if glyphosate is capable of killing or altering one type of bacteria, that it would not harm other bacteria via the same pathway. Some research has already alluded to the potential for glyphosate to wreak havoc on the human digestive system. Given that the microbiome is of great importance to overall human health, findings such as this are not surprising: if glyphosate is killing off intestinal bacteria, it stands to reason that may be the first point of disease. Furthermore, some research has shown that glyphosate is capable of altering gut bacteria in other animals  for example, in 2014 German scientists found that glyphosate negatively affected the gut bacteria of cows.

It seems that the more we learn about glyphosate, the more dangerous it becomes.

Sources:

NaturalHealth365.com

SustainablePulse.com

GMOFreeUSA.org

FoodDemocracyNow.org

Agrigator.nz
(Natural News) Glyphosate has been the subject of many heated debates. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has linked this controversial chemical  used in Monsantos best-selling Roundup weed killer  to cancer and other diseases, others firmly deny any potential risk.

Recently, the U.S. Right to Know website has revealed a series of bombshell court documents raising serious questions about the weed killers safety and the research practices of its producer. The unsealed documents exposed the friendly and highly suspicious relationship between Monsanto and the former Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Jess Rowland.

The leaked documents, which bear Rowlands signature, buried scientific evidence linking glyphosate herbicides to cancer in humans, thereby making sure toxic herbicides like Roundup remained approved by the EPA. The documents were discovered during a court filing by cancer patients who are suing Monsanto in San Francisco.

Big cover-ups in favor of the agricultural industry

Ever since the WHO declared glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, the industry has been trying to cover up the evidence of the cancer-causing properties of glyphosate through fake science reports. Last year, the EPA produced a report, overseen by Monsantos mole Jess Rowland, stating that glyphosate was not likely to be carcinogenic. A month later, after the report had been leaked to the media, it was quickly removed from the EPAs website while Rowland quietly resigned a few days later.

At that time, Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) of the House Science Committee, raised serious questions about the removal of the report and Rowlands abrupt resignation. The EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, however, carefully dodged all his questions, stating that the report was a mistake that had caused all kinds of conspiracy theories to erupt.

Whats more, Glyphosate.news also reported on a heartbreaking letter sent to Rowland in 2013 from a dying EPA toxicologist, Marion Copley, begging her colleagues to tell the truth about the dangers of glyphosate. The letter stated that based on the latest studies, glyphosate should be classified as a probable carcinogen. She listed more than a dozen health-damaging effects of glyphosate.

Furthermore, Copley accused Rowland of playing political games, intimidating staff members, and altering documents for the industry. Additionally, she also accused Anna B. Lowit, director of the EPAs Office of Pesticide Programs, of taking bribes while engaging in science intimidation tactics to change the EPAs conclusions about glyphosate in favor of Monsanto.

For once in your life, listen to me and dont play your political conniving games with the science to favor the registrants. For once do the right thing and dont make decisions based on how it affects your bonus, Copley said. You and Anna Lowit intimidated staff on CARC and changed HIARC and HASPOC final reports to favor industry, she added.

In the hope of safeguarding the world from glyphosate, Marion Copley signed off her letter with: I have cancer, and I dont want these serious issues in MED to go unaddressed before I go to my grave. I have done my duty.

Thanks to outstanding investigative work at the U.S. Right to Know website, a backup of the original PDF of the court document, which also includes a copy of Marion Copleys letter, can now be found at the Natural News archives.

Let us hope that these revelations come just in time to halt the European Commissions decision to relicense the use of glyphosate for another 15 years. Last year, they agreed to temporarily extend glyphosates license pending further investigations.

Recently, the European Chemicals Agencys (ECHA) risk assessment committee concluded that the available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogen, as a mutagen, or as toxic for reproduction.

Now, it is up to the European Commission to decide whether they will reauthorize glyphosate or finally put an end to the use of one of the worlds most toxic substances, poisoning millions of people worldwide.

Sources:

Glyphosate.news

USRTK.org

NaturalNews.comPDF

TROFire.com

Glyphosate.news

Independent.co.uk
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The Death and Life of the Great Lakes Dan Egan W. W. Norton: 2017. 9780393246438 | ISBN: 978-0-3932-4643-8

The Great Lakes that straddle the border of Canada and the United States hold one-fifth of Earth's surface fresh water, and cover almost 250,000 square kilometres  an area larger than the United Kingdom. They are home to 3,500 species of plant and animal, including more than 170 species of fish. Some 30 million people live in their watershed. Their scale and natural beauty are inspiring, yet for hundreds of years they have also been viewed as a resource to be conquered. Now, a perfect storm of invasive species, pollution, climate change and other pressures is playing out in the region. The Great Lakes on the USCanadian border are under intense pressure. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

In his engaging The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, journalist Dan Egan traces the lakes' history, from the arrival of the first Europeans, such as French explorer Jean Nicolet  who in 1634 set out on Lake Michigan in a birch-bark canoe, looking for a passage to Asia  to the present. Egan's focus is on invasive species that tagged along as humans re-plumbed the Great Lakes to serve their needs. Starting with the parasitic sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which had spread across the Great Lakes by the 1930s, these have dramatically altered the lake system and devastated native populations. Egan tells a tale of human ambition, ingenuity and hubris. He also speaks of redemption and opportunity.

The Great Lakes had a central role in the industrialization of the continent, and have thus seen massive engineering projects with two primary goals: to open up the North American interior to shipping, and to dispose of its sewage. These, Egan shrewdly dubs the front and back doors.

The completion of the first canal and locks goes back to 1781, culminating in 1959 with the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. As seagoing vessels made their way deeper into the Great Lakes, they brought with them freshwater species from around the world, especially in ballast waters used to stabilize ships. Along with the lampreys, the protagonists of Egan's story are alewives (a type of herring, Alosa pseudoharengus) and zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis), which have successively upended the food web and overtaken the ecosystem.

The management responses to these invasions parallel the broader history of environmental-restoration efforts. A selective poison was developed to control lampreys in the 1950s, after fisheries collapsed in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Non-native coho and Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, respectively) were introduced to tackle alewives, starting in the 1960s. The dual mussel infestation that began in the late 1980s continues but, in a fascinating twist, native whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) seem to be evolving to feed on the mussels and on another non-native fish, the mussel-eating round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Biologists are now exploring other ways to take advantage of native predators to tackle invasives. This shift towards leveraging the strength and complexity of natural systems is a recurring theme in environmental restoration.

The construction of the back door that links the Great Lakes to the Mississippi watershed  which drains 40% of the continental United States  was completed in 1848. This safeguarded the water supply for Chicago, Illinois, by sending sewage down the Mississippi River rather than into Lake Michigan. With it, the Great Lakes have become vulnerable to yet more invasive species, most notably the Asian carp that have overrun the Mississippi watershed.

We are still far from a solution, as Egan shows. Record-shattering extremes have abounded over the past decade across the Great Lakes, ranging from record low water levels immediately followed by record high ice cover and rises in lake levels, to massive 'dead zones' of hypoxia  low oxygen  and harmful algal blooms. One bloom shut down the water supply in Toledo, Ohio, for two days in 2014.

Egan weaves solid quantitative scientific information into a narrative rich with tales of individuals who have spearheaded engineering projects, witnessed their consequences or studied their implications. This leaves the reader with a trove of knowledge, told like a great story rather than an academic lecture. I did wish for a few maps, pictures or diagrams to illustrate key ideas and to introduce the invasive protagonists. A deeper exploration of parallels with the expansion of non-native species in other parts of the world would also have been welcome, and links to water quality, fluctuating lake levels and climate change felt a bit tangential in places. Overall, however, the book is an impeccably researched portrayal of a fascinating story.
The Ground Beneath Us Paul Bogard Little, Brown (2017) 9780316342261 | ISBN: 978-0-3163-4226-1

Science writer Paul Bogard chronicled the invasion of nocturnal darkness by light pollution in The End of Night (Little, Brown, 2013; see T. Radford Nature 499, 2627; 2013). Here he delves into another overlooked resource  soil. This wonderland may be packed with one-third of all organisms, but we treat it like dirt: much of Manhattan is entombed under 125 million tonnes of materials. Bogard reminds us of the riches underfoot, from New York's Central Park soil biome, which teems with thousands of freshly discovered species, to terrestrial pitstops that keep migrating birds on the wing.

Life on Ice: A History of New Uses for Cold Blood Joanna Radin University of Chicago Press (2017) 9780226417318 | ISBN: 978-0-2264-1731-8

These frozen populations, these time-travelling resources  so medical historian Joanna Radin describes the estimated 600 million human tissue specimens biobanked for US medical research. Her sharply original history focuses on serum collected from indigenous communities and frozen during the cold war. Some samples have had a starry afterlife: one from the Belgian Congo, taken in 1959, later became the oldest trace of HIV/AIDS on record. Radin sweeps from the emergence of cryonics to the rise of genomics  and from burning ethical debates over indigenous rights to ancestral remains.

Bee Quest Dave Goulson Jonathan Cape (2017) 9781911214137 | ISBN: 978-1-9112-1413-7

Entomologist Dave Goulson journeyed as far as Patagonia to track down populations of the world's rarest bumblebees. The result is this fun serial travelogue and ode to diverse countryside. But Goulson is no misty-eyed nostalgic; he notes that subsidizing traditional farming practices could create a Disneyesque parody of rural life. He ends on steps to bring insects back to cities, and the conviction that nature left alone recovers. In a world skewed towards saving photogenic mammals, Goulson extols the intrinsic importance of insects, rather than their economic value.

Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs

Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker. Little, Brown (2017)

9780316343695

The real war on terror is the fight against pandemics  foes that can devastate entire regions at speed. Here, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, with Mark Olshaker, describes science at that fraught frontline. A veteran of campaigns against SARS and Ebola, Osterholm draws on medical history and bruising personal experience to examine challenges ranging from political complacency to the microbial free-for-all of globalization. A 'tabletop exercise' imagining the impact of a virulent influenza epidemic today, and a clear plan for a global crisis response, give added weight to this call to arms.

Wild Nights: How Taming Sleep Created Our Restless World Benjamin Reiss Basic (2017) 9780465061952 | ISBN: 978-0-4650-6195-2
I think you're making history, Gene! So said Nobel laureate and molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg to his friend Eugene Garfield in 1962. They were building the Science Citation Index (SCI), now the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science, with long-sought grants from US funding agencies. Today, we cannot imagine research without indexes that reveal how articles are cited. Garfield enabled an entire field: scientometrics, the quantitative study of science and technology.

Credit: Courtesy of Clarivate Analytics Garfield died on 26 February. We met in 1992, when I was writing a history of the index. That was a few months before he sold the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), the company he had founded (initially named Documation) in 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomson Reuters. He stayed on as chairman emeritus, a bomb of energy, still coming up with ideas for applying citation indexes.

Garfield also launched The Scientist  a monthly magazine for life scientists  together with indexes in the social sciences and humanities, and services that alert researchers to new relevant publications. The ISI's flagship product was Current Contents, which compiles the tables of contents for recent scientific journals. He built a host of services to summarize, filter, index and classify articles. His tools allowed scientists to learn how publications were used in later research and to find related ones  an ability now so crucial that it is hard to imagine that it had to be invented. Garfield was also a prolific letter-writer; he developed his best ideas in communication with scientists, scholars, policymakers and technical experts. This correspondence and his more than 1,000 published essays are gold mines for historians.

Garfield was born on 16 September 1925 into a family of second-generation Jewish immigrants living in New York City's East Bronx. He and his sisters were raised by their mother and her family, a mix of left-wing labour activists and entrepreneurs. Garfield picked up traits from both.

In 1949, he graduated from Columbia University in New York as a chemistry major. When he went to work there as a laboratory assistant, he discovered that he was not good at the bench. He indexed a closet full of previously synthesized compounds so that he did not have to remake them.

This exercise convinced Garfield that he was more information scientist than chemist. In 1951, he landed a job at the Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where almost all information services of the National Library of Medicine were born. He explored new ways to deal with the exploding medical literature, which was outpacing the capacity of human indexing, and developed machine methods for searching and cataloguing using punch cards.

In 1953, the library organized what it billed as the First Symposium on Machine Methods in Scientific Documentation. This introduced Garfield to Shepard's Citations, a system for legal citations invented in 1873 that tracked how US court cases cited earlier ones. It was a radical departure from subject indexing, which then dominated thinking in science.

Garfield contacted William Adair, a former vice-president at Shepard's who had expertise in citation indexing, to see whether computers could be applied to the problem. So began a mutual education  Garfield learnt about citation indexing and taught Adair about the scientific literature. While working, Garfield did a master's degree in library and information science at Columbia University in 1954, and obtained a PhD in structural linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1961. By 1955, Garfield had developed the concept of a scientific citation index and introduced it to readers of the journal Science (E. Garfield Science 122, 108111; 1955).

It would become one of his most highly cited articles, yet the response at the time was lukewarm. He campaigned relentlessly, presenting at conferences, making prototype indexes and sending proposal after proposal to the US Patent Office, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Funding finally became available after 1957, when the launch of the Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite unleashed panic in the United States about the information crisis in science. Funders wanted ways to evaluate their effectiveness. Lederberg and Garfield joined forces to build an automated citation index across science.

Nonetheless, for many years, the SCI made a loss, supported by profits from Current Contents and other ISI services. Neither scientists nor librarians saw much use for these expensive books (a ten-year set could cost US$25,000) with their long lists of code in small print. The exception was the community of historians and sociologists of science. For example, Derek de Solla Price, a science historian at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and sociologist Robert Merton at Columbia University immediately saw the SCI as an instrument for analysing the dynamics and structure of science, and each developed theories about citations in research.

Since the early 1970s, the SCI's influence has extended. Quantitative analyses of output and citations have been used to evaluate funding programmes, research groups, individuals and nations. This use increased markedly after the Journal Impact Factor was marketed in the SCI Journal Citation Reports starting in 1975 (the impact factor had been computed for selected journals in the SCI from the early 1960s). Garfield came to see the impact factor as a mixed blessing, like nuclear energy. Although he felt that citation indexing and the impact factor could be remedies for the limitations of peer review, he was uncomfortable with their misuse as performance indicators.

Garfield was fascinated by art. The former ISI building, designed by architects Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi, housed an impressive collection, including striking murals by Huichol artists from Mexico.
Credit: Yasha Hetzel Asha de Vos is fascinated by pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus indica), a population of which breed and calve off Sri Lanka's southern coast, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. A TED Fellow and National Geographic Explorer, the marine-mammal researcher works to protect the subspecies and is using her US$150,000 fellowship from the Pew Charitable Trust, awarded last year, to create and help to fund Oceanswell, a marine-research and outreach organization in her native Sri Lanka.

How did you first encounter pygmy blue whales?

In 2002, after doing a marine-biology degree at the University of St Andrews, UK, I was in New Zealand for field experience when I wangled my way onto a whale-research vessel that was circumnavigating the globe. On the trip, I saw my first group of six pygmy blue whales  the smallest species of blue whale.

Why did the sighting matter to you?

Scat nearby indicated that the creatures had been feeding. Typically, large whales migrate between cold feeding areas and warm breeding areas. But these were feeding, breeding and calving in the tropical waters of Sri Lanka. I decided I wanted to spend my life understanding and protecting these whales. Six years later, I launched the Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project  the first long-term research project on blue whales of the Northern Indian Ocean. It is now part of Oceanswell.

How did you go about that?

I earned a master's degree in integrative bioscience from the University of Oxford, UK, so that I could learn field-research techniques. Then I returned home, where I worked with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature on wetland and reef projects. But I had to leave because of a lack of funding. So, in 2008, when the Sri Lankan civil war was coming to an end and the whale-watching industry was beginning, I approached a tour operator.

To do what?

I was the scientist on board answering questions about whales. My real motive was to sight blue whales  I hadn't seen them in six years  and get Global Positioning System locations for them. With the data I had gathered, I went to the University of Western Australia in Perth to do postgraduate work in marine-mammal research, becoming the first Sri Lankan to earn a PhD in the subject.

What is Oceanswell doing?

We are continuing our research on Sri Lankan blue whales: we have unravelled the mysteries of what these creatures feed on and their diving and surfacing behaviours, and have identified some of the threats they face and ways to limit the number of whale deaths. With my Pew funding, we will create a training and education platform for future marine conservationists in Sri Lanka.

You were named National Geographic Explorer last year.

Yes, and this title, which comes with a cash award of $10,000, is very close to my heart. I decided to be an adventurerscientist at the age of six, after leafing through pages of that very magazine. I wanted to be one of the people featured in them  discovering, exploring and contributing to humanity.

What are your next steps?

Sri Lankan pygmy blue whales live all year round near shipping lanes that see heavy traffic, and their biggest threat is getting struck and killed by ships. During my postdoc at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), I gathered field data on these ship strikes and built mathematical models to try to address the problem. I've assembled a team of scientists from UCSC and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop recommendations for reducing collisions between ships and whales.

In my new role as adviser to the minister of sustainable development and wildlife in Sri Lanka, I am using our findings to push for policy changes that will help to protect the blue-whale population in our waters.
Yoichi Ochiai wants to transform online interaction. His company has developed an ultrasonic speaker that projects sound so it's only audible in specified points in space  an innovation that could advance voice-recognition applications. Pixie Dust CEO Yoichi Ochiai has designed an ultrasonic speaker that could revolutionize voice recognition technology. Credit: Irwin Wong

I believe that direct manipulation of the internet, like tapping or pinching or scrolling up the browser, will be replaced with more audio technology, says the 29-year-old CEO of Pixie Dust Technologies.

An assistant professor at the University of Tsukuba, northeast of Tokyo, Ochiai is also the type of academic the Japanese government wants to see more of: young, commercially-minded researchers with bright ideas who act as a conduit between industry and academia.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to make Japan the world's most innovation-friendly country in a bid to reverse more than two decades of shaky economic growth. Since 1992 its gross domestic product has only risen annually by an average of 0.8%, according to data from the World Bank.

While Japan is well known for innovations in electronics, robotics and photonics, and its annual number of patent applications trails only the United States and China, by its own admission, Japanese science and tech has been limited to our national borders and is thus unable to explore its full potential.

That's according to the government's 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, which came into force in April 2016 and introduced policies designed to help the country to become more international.

Japan's nearly 800 universities are being urged to take on a more global outlook for their collaborations and to recruit greater numbers of young and foreign academics.

Along with these guidelines, experts say significant changes are required outside the higher education sector if Japan is to succeed in its quest to become an economy driven by research and innovation.

Research tie-ups

Credit: SenSprout Ochiai may lead the next wave of commercially-driven researchers Japan is trying to cultivate, but the robotics entrepreneur and University of Tsukuba professor, Yoshiyuki Sankai, has established a pathway to success for others to follow.

While teaching and researching at the University of Tsukuba, over 20 years Sankai developed wearable robotic technology to assist people with impaired mobility. Cyberdyne, the company he founded with the university in 2004, is now building full-body robotic suits that can help a person move their limbs. The technology is life-changing, especially in a country with an ageing population. When the company went public in 2014, it raised 7.8 billion (USD$79 million).

It is this kind of collaborative research between universities, institutions and the private sector that the government is promoting. Its plan notes that joint projects involving universities, research institutions and industry have since 1995 steadily increased, as has the numbers of patents held and ... income for patents in universities. In this respect, Japan will be adding to an existing strength. Data from Nature Index show that the country already is a world leader in the numbers of such collaborations that yield high-quality papers.

SenSprout's device is an innovative sensor that measures soil moisture and temperature to make farming more efficient. But, the science and technology plan warns that collaboration between industry and academia is yet to reach full maturity. Limited capacity for researchers to move between the two sectors and between organizations is leading to deficiencies in Japan's ability to innovate through science and technology, the plan cautions. A 2015 report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) underscores those conclusions. It found only 2.6% of university research was funded by companies, compared to 5.2% in the US, indicating Japan's weak linkages between academia and business.

To strengthen those ties, bodies in Japan have shifted towards funding research with a visible impact. Recently the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology funded the development of electrochemical transistors that can be used to search for superconductors, and the adaptation of sustainable-development models to suit a disaster-prone country with a decreasing population.

Another initiative to forge business and academic links is the recent introduction of cross-appointments. This allows researchers to work simultaneously at a university or public research institute as well as in industry, without penalty from Japan's social security system. However, such arrangements are still rare, says Atsushi Sunami, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.

The OECD report urges the country to better integrate itself in global innovation networks. In 2014 only 0.4% of Japanese research and development was financed from outside the country. It also says the proportion of scientists who have immigrated to Japan is among the lowest in the organization's 35 member countries  in line with the mere 1.7% of Japan's population who are foreigners. The result is very low levels of international co-authorship of academic papers and international co-patenting.

One reform, under consideration in Tokyo's government district of Kasumigaseki, could help Japanese universities recruit global talent. The Justice Ministry has proposed fast-tracking permanent residency for certain highly skilled workers, shortening the process from five years to as little as 12 months.

The Japanese government's goals of making universities more international and more focused on collaborations and commercializing innovation are as admirable as they are necessary, says Kyorin University vice president, Paul Snowden, who has worked in Japan's post-secondary system for nearly four decades. But, he worries that smaller schools in particular are afraid to institute significant changes, unsure of how best to compete for the diminishing number of university-age students among Japan's ageing population. Some smaller colleges and universities have begun to close their doors.

Universities should be confident that the reforms will actually work.

The universities have been very nervous about instituting such reforms, Snowden says. Especially the smaller second- and third-grade universities who are afraid to rock the boat too much just in case the risk fails. Now, that's the wrong approach by the universities. They should be confident that the reforms will actually work.

Broader considerations

One indicator that connections between universities and industry are increasing is the number of patent licenses issued by Japanese universities. According to the Tokyo-based University Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer, that figure rose to 2,841 in 2014  a 15% increase from the previous year.boxed-text

But, says William Saito, an entrepreneur and special adviser to the Cabinet Office, there are still challenges to commercializing university research, such as a lack of venture capital and strict workplace laws that dissuade people from starting their own business. He says that the government should offer financial incentives to large corporations to buy from venture companies, and that labour laws should be reformed to make it easier to hire and fire. Bankruptcy laws should also be overhauled to make it less painful to wind up an unsuccessful startup and to make it less dangerous for a business to fail, Saito says.

Commercial ties

Japan's top 10 collaborations between a university and industry partner in the Nature Index in 2016. Collaboration score (CS) sums the contribution from papers with authors from both institutions.

Patent licenses

Number of patent licenses issued by Japanese universities 20112014. Credit: Source: UNITT

One initiative is the special economic zone in the southern city of Fukuoka, where authorities have relaxed regulations. For example, it has made it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to obtain visas to start their own companies. Yoshiyuki Sankai, the Cyberdyne CEO, and HAL, the robotic exoskeleton he developed to help people with impaired mobility to move. Credit: Irwin Wong

Cultivating a startup culture will be essential to making Japan's innovation economy more dynamic. Indeed, the proportion of early-stage entrepreneurs in Japan was the second-lowest among the 70 economies surveyed in 2014 for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, a research project conducted by an international consortium of universities.

The tendency 10 years ago was to look down on people with startup businesses, says Nicholas Benes, head of the non-profit Board Director Training Institute of Japan. Entrepreneurship wasn't celebrated like it was in the US or the UK. He urges policies that encourage universities to file patent applications earlier in the development process, and make it easier for companies to licence innovations developed on campus.

Meanwhile, this aversion to entrepreneurship may be shifting. Lisa Kikuchi is a young manager at SenSprout, a startup developing sensors that measure soil moisture and temperature to make farming more efficient. She says choosing entrepreneurship or joining a startup is becoming a more realistic option. But this is still a very small population, even in Tokyo, she says. I still feel that many of my friends go into government or major companies before considering working for or establishing startups.boxed-text Credit: Source: UNITT
BERLIN, March 22 (Reuters) - German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Wednesday that an attack in London in which at least a dozen people were injured and two were reported dead was likely a terrorist attack.

"There are many indications that there was a terrorist background," de Maiziere said in an emailed statement, adding that German security authorities were in close contact with their British counterparts.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin and Andrea Shalal)
The people behind South Africa's apartheid regime never meant for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on the outskirts of Cape Town to excel at anything. Created in 1960 as a 'bush college' to provide black South Africans with limited training, it was not expected to compete with the country's well-resourced research universities. UWC's squat buildings were erected far from the city's wealthy shopping malls, leafy parks and pristine beaches. An impression of the MeerKAT radio telescope which comes online this year. It will be the world's most powerful and a boon for UWC astronomers. Credit: Photowise

But UWC is not defined by its past. Since the fall of apartheid in 1994, the university has an impressive record, increasing its articles in the Web of Science from 31 that year to 657 in 2015. In 2014 the university ranked fifth in South Africa for the number of staff with PhDs.

But, it is in physical sciences that the university really holds its own with South Africa's elite institutions. The university's contribution to physical science research in the Nature Index, measured by weighted fractional count (WFC), more than doubled between 2012 and 2015.

Over the same time, the University of Cape Town, which boasts a century of academic excellence, saw its WFC in physical science fall slightly.

UWC's rise in the index is largely due to publications in astronomy, says Roy Maartens, the head of the physics department's astronomy research group. Maartens returned from the United Kingdom to his native South Africa in 2011 to take up UWC's new chair in radio astronomy.

The position was part of the government's push to boost the country's chances of winning its bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a giant radio telescope. South Africa was a joint winner with Australia. The telescope will comprise thousands of radio antennae spread across a vast area, including countries further north in Africa.

Astronomical ambitions

Investments in the SKA have helped expand UWC's astronomy group to six staff, 15 postdoctoral researchers and 13 postgraduate students. The group is leading efforts to turn the SKA into a state-of-the-art cosmology experiment, probing the structure of dark energy and testing Einstein's general theory of relativity.

The achievements of the university's faculty offer great personal satisfaction to staff such as materials science professor Reggie Madjoe, who could only study at UWC. I have to pinch myself, he says. UWC's students are still mostly non-white, but this makes its academic successes all the more vital for the future of South Africa, Madjoe says. We are shaking off the shackles of history, he says. This is a place for everybody, a place for quality, a place to grow.

Maarten believes this is just the beginning for UWC and its astronomy group. When a precursor of the SKA, MeerKAT, comes online this year it will be the world's most powerful radio telescope until the SKA is built, says Maartens.

UWC researchers will use MeerKAT to study how galaxies evolve. It presents a fantastic opportunity, he says.

Both Maarten and Madjoe acknowledge the university may face tough times. Violent protests suspended classes at campuses all over the country in 2015 and 2016, with protestors demanding an end to tuition fees, which universities have been increasing to offset increasing costs.

There are widespread concerns that extended unrest will threaten research at the country's universities. Projects such as the SKA, which are high national priority, are giving UWC astronomy a buffer for now, says Maartens. But there's a concern about the future.boxed-text
Villagers in Zimbabwe shot and cut open a crocodile after suspecting that the massive reptile has eaten an eight-year-old boy, local reports said.

The boy was reportedly attacked by the crocodile at the Hunyani River in Mushumbi, Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. Gruesome footage showing some villagers slashing the belly of the crocodile and pulling the boy's remains surfaced online.

As the villagers were dissecting the crocodile, the hand of the boy appeared, confirming that they caught the beast who attacked him, ZimEye reports.

The boy who was not named was given a funeral and buried in the village two days later.

Read Also: Mystery Looms as Rare Crocodile Shark Spotted in UK for the First Time

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that in a separate incident, another crocodile was shot dead in a farming community in the province of Mashonaland East. Remains of a suspected fisherman was also found inside the crocodile's belly.

As explained by UNILAD, the rising crocodile attacks in Zimbabwe might have been caused by the heavy downpour that the community has been experiencing recently. The flooding caused by heavy downpour carried the crocodiles from sites where they are normally not found.

Melissa Hogenboom of BBC reported that a study conducted by researchers in the U.K. noted that crocodile attacks are often seasonal. They are most prevalent during rainfall, when temperature increases or when it's their breeding season.

The study also added that most attacks took place while people were swimming and that boys were attacked most often.

Different crocodile species live in many different regions around the world, including South Africa, Australia, Zimbabwe and Florida.

Nile crocodile, the second largest extant reptile in the world, next to saltwater crocodiles is found in Zimbabwe. With its razor sharp teeth and strong jaws, it is known as a "man-eater," National Geographic cited.

In Africa alone, there are several hundred crocodile attacks on humans per year, and most of it occur in small communities.

Read Also: Stoned to Death: Visitors Kill Helpless Crocodile Inside Tunisia Zoo
A new type of Li-Fi has reportedly cracked 40 Gbps, which is 100 times faster than the best Wi-Fi we currently have.

Unlike Wi-Fi, which relies on radio frequencies for Internet, Li-Fi allows us to access the Internet via light. Digital Trends reported that the innovation, first developed in 2011, is capable of delivering speeds of up to 42Mbps and is already being used by various business partnerships.



Although Li-Fi has already improved the Wi-Fi, it still needs some enhancements. Previously, Li-Fi only relies on LED Bulbs. In addition, one bulb is used to transmit data to all connected devices, meaning as devices connected to it increases, the speed also slows down.

Researchers explored possible types of Li-Fi to address these limitations. And through many experiments, they have come up with a type which transmits data via infrared light.

PhD student Joanne Oh from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands used passive antennae to send out the data, with no moving parts, Science Alert reported. This means the speed would not be affected by the number of devices connected.



In a statement released in the website of the Eindhoven University, the researcher wrote, "Current wi-fi uses radio signals with a frequency of 2.5 or 5 gigahertz. The system conceived at TU Eindhoven uses infrared light with wavelengths of 1500 nanometers and higher."

"This light has frequencies that are thousands of times higher, some 200 terahertz, which makes the data capacity of the light rays much larger," she added.

For it to work, Daily Mail mentioned that several light antennas, equipped with a pair of gratings that transmit light rays at different wavelengths and angles, would be set up in areas. These antennas will allow you to retain your Internet connection while moving from one place to another.



The work of doctoral student Oh is part of the wider BROWSE project headed up by professor of broadband communication technology Ton Koonen, and with funding from the European Research Council. The findings are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
A 10-month-old child from Ivory Coast, West Africa, is currently recovering from an operation that successfully remove her parasitic twin.

The girl, named Dominique, was born with two spines and four legs. Her condition was caused by a parasitic twin that was not fully developed. Due to the potential of the extra body parts to paralyze Dominique and cause damage to her heart and lungs, the parasitic twin is needed to be removed immediately.

"It's as if the identical twin sort of dove into her body from the back and the only part sticking out were the hips and legs," said Dr. John Ruge, who was part of the team that operated on baby Dominique, in a report from Chicago Tribune.

Doctors and specialists at the Advocate Children's Hospital conducted an MRI, an MRA, a CAT scan, X-rays and a CT myelogram in order to analyze the parasitic twin's anatomy and determine how it connected with the main body. Using scans and advanced imaging, doctors also created a 3D model of Dominique's two spines.

The surgery was conducted on March 8 and was attended by a team of five surgeons and over 50 specialized physicians. According to the report from Fox31 Denver, Dominique's surgical team was made up of neurosurgeons, plastic and craniofacial surgeons, pediatric orthopedics, anesthesiologists, nephrologists, radiologists, the Pediatic Intensive Care Unit, physician assistants, nursing staff and therapists.

The doctors were able to remove the extra pair of limbs and a second bladder. However, they left the second spine inside Dominique's body because they are not sure which one controls and support her structure and bodily functions. The doctors believe that having two spines won't affect Dominique that much as she grow older.

After the surgery, which lasted for six hours, Dominique is about 2 pounds lighter. At present, Dominique lives with the Swabb family until mid-April. Dominique's surgery was made possible by Children's Medical Missions West, Advocate Children's Hospital and Nancy Swabb and her family.
A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip and two Romanian tourists were among the casualties.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on." He said an unarmed policeman, three civilians and the attacker died. Forty others, including three police officers, were injured.

Islamic extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailant's identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.

"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a "marauding" terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

In the House of Commons, legislators were holding a series of votes on pensions when deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced that the sitting was being suspended and told lawmakers not to leave.

Parliament was locked down for several hours, and the adjoining Westminster subway station was shuttered.

Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 yards away lay the assailant.

"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood," Ellwood said. "He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back."

The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a gray SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.

Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard "something like a car hitting metal sheet" and then saw people lying on the pavement.

"I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," Sikorski told Poland's TVN24.

Ambulances arrived within minutes to treat people who lay scattered along the length of the bridge. One bloodied woman lay surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.

The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 yards (meters) from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.

"The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," said witness Rick Longley. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

The attacker managed to get past a gate into Parliament's fenced-in New Palace Yard, a cobbled courtyard in the shadow of the Big Ben clock tower.

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," Letts told the BBC.

The attacker fell to the cobbles just yards from the entrance to 1,000-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the parliamentary complex, busy with visitors and school groups. Beyond that, a corridor leads to the building's Central Lobby, flanked by House of Commons and House of Lords chambers.

The prime minister was among lawmakers near the Commons at the time of the attack, and was quickly ushered away by security officers and driven back to Downing Street.

To get that far, the attacker would have had to evade the armed officers who patrol the Parliament complex in pairs, as well as Parliament's own security staff, who don't carry guns.

The attack unfolded near some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.

London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and eight who were less seriously hurt.

Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas' Hospital said some of the wounded had "catastrophic" injuries.

The French Foreign Ministry said that three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured. Two Romanians were also among the injured, the country's Foreign Ministry said.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with May by telephone and applauded "the quick response of British police and first responders," spokesman Sean Spicer said.

London has often been the target of terrorist attacks, from IRA campaigns in the 1970s and 80s to more recent Islamist plots.

On July 7, 2005, four al-Qaida-inspired British bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

British security forces say they have thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but in recent years the U.K. has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker claiming to be motivated by Syria stabbed three people at a London subway station.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.
Firefighters battled a raging and smoky blaze at an abandoned factory building Wednesday in Rockland, Massachusetts.

The initial call for the fire at 76 Park St. came in around 4:45 a.m., and high winds fueled the flames into a 7-alarm inferno.

By 7:30 a.m., the massive fire was under control, but still burning, according to Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey.

The fire was also contained to the abandoned building, but surrounding homes were evacuated. Fire officials say about 20 residents have been affected. The roaring blaze was so powerful that it caused heat damage to several homes on Webster Street.

Haz-mat crews have been called to the scene, and power was also shut off in the immediate area.

Rockland Fire Capt. Thomas Heaney, one of the first firefighters at the scene, said he never expected to encounter a fire like this one in Rockland.

"It was the most impressive thing I've ever seen," he said.

Surrounding streets have been shut down, including Union Street between Taunton and Belmont; Webster Street from Union to Liberty; Church Street from Franklin; Howard Street from East Water to Webster; Stanton Street; Everett Street; and Wall Street. Residents are encouraged to take alternative routes and to be aware of traffic in the area.

Crews are expected to be on scene all day to put out hot spots, and a total of 13 communities responded with mutual aid to the massive fire.

No injuries were reported.

Rockland schools went on a 2-hour delay due to the fire.

We've been told the building has been vacant for at least 10 years.

Although the fire is not considered suspicious at this time, the cause of the fire is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are asking for anyone with video of the fire in its earliest stages to contact Rockland police at 781-871-3890 or the State Fire Marshal at 1-800-682-9229.
Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. says his family is $1.8 million in debt and it would be in everyones best interest to sell the couples Washington home, but his wife Sandis alleged intransigence on the issue makes that effort impossible.

Sandra has, through her counsel and various ways indicated that they have no interest in selling that home, Jackson said Tuesday outside the courtroom where his divorce case is being heard. By not selling it, particularly as two unemployed people, it makes it impossible for us to settle the marital obligations and differences.

The former congressman spoke in a Daley Center hallway, shortly after participating over the phone with a counter-proceeding in Washington D.C.

Sandra will not return to Chicago, Jackson said. Shes made it clear to members of my family, and even our children, that she will not return to Chicago ever again.

Jackson declared that the future well-being of the couples children is not an issue, and that he and his family are absolutely committed to securing their futures.

Whether it is what I did in prison cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, becoming a street sweeper, any other job in the society thats available to me, Im putting my daughter and my son through college, Jackson said.

The one-time power couple shared a soaring political career which ended with all the makings of a Shakespearian tragedy. He served nine terms in Congress, while she was elected to two terms as a Chicago alderman. But their lives came crashing down when they pleaded guilty to charges of looting the congressmans campaign fund of three quarters of a million dollars. Both resigned their positions. Both did time in federal prison. Now the two are divorcing each other -- he in Chicago, she in Washington D.C.

Sandi has argued in court that the couples true home is in Washington, and that the divorce proceeding belongs there. Her husband is fighting to keep it in Chicago.

"Sandi Jackson possesses, owns, or uses the Chicago residence as those terms are defined, Jacksons attorney Brendan Hammer told reporters, noting that the utility bills and real estate taxes have been paid consistently on the Chicago home, and that it is in that home where the former congressman currently resides.

"Ms. Jackson gave an interview from the South Shore residence, where she was apologizing for moving toys and trains and workout equipment out of the way, Hammer said. Now Ms. Jackson has nothing to do with the Chicago residence, and we just dont believe thats credible."

Mrs. Jackson was not present in court.

She hasnt responded to Congressman Jacksons statements about their family, because her focus is on protecting her children who live in Washington but have access to all of the information and allegations Mr. Jackson is putting out there, Ms. Jacksons attorney Jessica Bank Interlandi told NBC5. Shes authorized me to speak to the media because she hopes Mr. Jackson will be judicious with his statements. They serve no useful purpose.

In the meantime, Jackson says finances are dwindling.

Something has to give, because its impossible to pay two sets of lawyers in this city, another set in Washington D.C., be asked for temporary child support and alimony and mortgages that exceed $6,500 a month," he said.

Jackson spoke of the personal toll the divorce was taking.

Short of the incarceration experience, he said, I dont know of anything thats been more taxing than this.

For now, it does not appear there is any resolution in sight for the jurisdictional dispute which Jacksons own lawyer noted has resulted in continuing payments to four expensive attorneys..

We are fully prepared to come to the table and operate in good faith to settle this matter, Hammer said.
A 19-year-old Indiana man will face trial in connection with an attack on a Michigan State Police trooper.

MLive.com reports that a preliminary examination was held Tuesday in Berrien County for Travis Wise of Middlebury.

Wise and 21-year-old Michael Barber of Gobles, Michigan, face assault with intent to murder and other charges.

Police have said Trooper Garry Guild was chasing a stolen motorcycle on Feb. 20 in Berrien County near the Indiana state line. The driver charged Guild after crashing the motorcycle. That man's half brother then pulled up in a car and joined in attacking Guild.

Two motorists stopped the men, allowing the officer to arrest his attackers.

An April 19 pretrial conference is scheduled for Wise and Barber. Their trial is to start May 17.
An Illinois elementary school district closed Wednesday after a student mysteriously died at a hospital this week.

Officials with Peru Elementary School District 124 said both Northview and Parkside elementary schools would be closed after a student at one of the schools died at a hospital Monday.

According to officials, the child became ill Friday evening and was transported to Rockford Mercy Health where she passed away a few days later.

An official cause of death had not been released as of Wednesday, but the districts superintendent, Mark Cross, posted in a Facebook note to parents that schools were closed Wednesday as a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Tuesday evening, the child's parents informed us that they were contacted and the child may have died from another illness than what they initially thought, Cross wrote. This immediately caused us to seek information and we have been in contact with various health agencies since that time. Since we could not verify with absolute certainty that there were no concerns, we decided it was best to cancel school for today.

The district said it was working with the hospital, health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and maintenance staff was conducting additional cleaning procedures at Northview Elementary School.

"We understand there is concern," the LaSalle County Health Department said in a statement. "We were made aware of the school's decision to close this morning. We are working in conjunction with the school district and the Illinois Department of Public Health on this ongoing investigation. Any type of health action that needs to be taken, those individuals are being notified."

The Winnebago County coroners office confirmed the 8-year-old girl died just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday but a cause of death was "pending further study," according to coroner Bill Hintz.

Hintz confirmed the child did test positive for the flu, but said several other tests were being conducted.

We will share any symptoms as soon as we possibly can, Cross wrote. If you have any concerns with any illness or symptoms that your child has, then you should seek medical attention or speak to your family doctor, just as you would at any other time. We are not medical professionals and we are not able to provide any information that is going to tell you whether or not you should go to a doctor or seek medical attention.

Cross said schools are expected to reopen Thursday.

Peru is located about 100 miles southwest of Chicago.
On a bipartisan vote, the Commerce committee sent a message to the governor and his economic development agency that they want to see more transparency on the incentives the state provides to companies.

"It's important that we have a lot of accountability and regular reviews of performance metrics to see if the program is working, said Sen. Scott Frantz, the GOP Chairman of the committee.

Hes bothered by the fact that the governors signature economic development program, First Five, has extended far beyond its original purpose. It's not really the First Five program, because we're up to 15 companies in the program."

The state has provided $250 million to 13 companies since its inception. The millions are provided in multiple forms that include forgivable loans, grants, and tax breaks.

The governor and his Department of Economic and Community Development negotiate all deals and manage the program, including its clawbacks, to ensure compliance with the program.

"I'm not against more accountability, Malloy said of the bills committee passage.

He also said he recognizes the timing of the bill, because just a week ago, pharmaceutical company Alexion announced the layoff of 200 workers globally. The company employs more than 1,000 in Connecticut, but a spokesman wouldnt say how many would be felt in Connecticut. Since the company received a package that could be worth as much as $50 million, it rubbed lawmakers and some taxpayers the wrong way.

You know, there are these things that puts everyone's hair on fire because they say well a company is going to lay off part of its workforce when in fact that company has far exceeded their expectations and guarantees with respect to what our agreements required."

According to DECD records, the company had a target to hire between 200 and 300 people, when it eventually hired more than 500 in compliance with the First Five program.

Sen. Frantz says he wouldnt mind having the General Assembly approve all economic incentive agreements.

"These deals are typically negotiated for about two or three months or so things, like that, so they would be able to take into account the potential legislative approval and say look, we either need to either speed things up or slow things down."

The governor said he would never turn down more scrutiny over incentive packages, because he maintains they are good for Connecticut and even better for taxpayers.

"If you're asking me do I mind people looking over my shoulder, the answer is no."
U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly announced Tuesday that 21 members of a now broken up street gang in New Haven have been convicted of federal charges.

It brings to a close a very dark chapter in our city, Acting New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said of the resolution to local police working with federal law enforcement to target some of the citys most violent criminals.

Robert Short, the 21st defendant from the Red Side Guerilla Brims gang, pleaded guilty in connection to a 2011 homicide in Hamden in Bridgeport Federal Court on Tuesday.

They had a brutal and cold blooded presence in New Haven and in neighboring cities, Daly said at a press conference. Now due to the efforts of devoted law enforcement officers and agents the gang has been dismantled.

These members of the New Haven sect of the Bloods street gang will be locked up for a long time. Some are facing life in prison, Daly said.

Best case scenario for the defendants, they serve 85 percent of the time that they get, Daly added.

In January 2014, New Haven Police and the ATF launched operation Red Side. Detectives tracked gang members trafficking semi-automatic guns and crack cocaine between Connecticut and Bangor, Maine.

Last Friday, Jeffrey Benton, the leader of the gang admitted to his role in three murders, Daly said.

The joint local-federal investigation has resolved seven cold case murders, four attempted murders and four armed robberies in 2011 and 2012, Daly said.

When we work together, Chief Campbell said. We get the job done in a way that brings closure, that allows those seven families who have loved ones whose lives were taken in very violent manners to have closure and justice.
A committee of the Connecticut General Assembly will hold a hearing today on a proposal to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for adult use.

The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. in room 2C in the Legislative Office Building on Capitol Avenue in Hartford to discuss the bill, Senate Bill 11.

"Our states current marijuana prohibition policy is causing far more harm than good for our communities," Sam Tracy, director of the Connecticut Coalition Regulate Marijuana said in a statement. Connecticut voters overwhelmingly support regulating marijuana. This is a product that is objectively less harmful than alcohol. It should be produced and sold by licensed businesses, similarly to alcohol, rather than criminals in the underground market.

The bill, which Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney sponsored, allows residents 21 years old and older to have, purchase from legal establishments and grow limited amounts of marijuana.

Marijuana sales would be taxed at 30 percent and supporters said it could bring a lot of money in tax revenue to combat the $3 billion budget deficit over the next two years.

Opponents say that other states that already have legalized marijuana have more fatal crashes and accidental poisonings.

AAA opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Its understandable that lawmakers would want to address traffic safety concerns by setting a legal limit for marijuana as we have for alcohol. Unfortunately, it just cant be done Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in greater Hartford, said in a statement. This is just one of the many complexities that make the legalization of recreational marijuana a concern for law enforcement and traffic safety advocates across the state,

There are also concerns about raising money at the expense of public health.

The Liquor Control Commission would be responsible for overseeing marijuana retailers and transition to the Liquor and Marijuana Control Commission.
The Connecticut state legislature is considering debt-free higher education.

The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee approved a bill that would allow a study on the feasibility of the implementation of a debt-free higher education program for in-state students attending public institutions of higher education.

It would look at other states and how they have done it, including Tennessee, which has a tuition waiver program for students to attend two years of community college.

There is no proposal to allow college for free in Connecticut, but lawmakers said they need to at least look at ideas because neighboring states are.
Dallas police said Tuesday they've made an arrested related to the hit-and-run death of 23-year-old Rachel Spelman.

NBC 5 News

Spelman was killed when she was struck at about 2 a.m. Saturday on Cedar Springs Road and Pearl Street in Uptown.

Police said a dark sedan traveling southbound on Cedar Springs fatally hit Spelman as she ran across the street -- not in a crosswalk. Dallas police said after the driver hit Spelman, he stopped, got out of his vehicle, looked at Spelman on the ground and drove away.

During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Dallas police Lt. Robert Arredondo said 38-year-old John Adrian Esparza was arrested in Madill, Oklahoma on Monday and confessed to his role in the fatal crash.

Arredondo said Dallas police were notified by the Freestone County Sheriff's Office of individuals who had knowledge of the crash and that during an interview with those people they learned of the suspect's name.

Dallas police said Tuesday they've made an arrested related to the hit-and-run death of 23-year-old Rachel Spelman.

Police then tracked Esparza's vehicle to Madill, Oklahoma, where Marshall County Sheriff's deputies were able to confirm the vehicle's location and damage consistent with striking a pedestrian.

Dallas police traveled overnight to Oklahoma to arrest Esparza. He was later interviewed at the Marshall County Jail where he confessed to his role in the crash, Arredondo said.

Dallas police said Tuesday they've made an arrested related to the hit-and-run death of 23-year-old Rachel Spelman.

Arredondo did not elaborate on the details of the interview with Esparza.

On Tuesday, Spelman's father Tom released the following statement on behalf of the family:

"On behalf of my wife and daughter, I would like to thank the Dallas Police Department, government officials and concerned citizens everywhere for all of their efforts in bringing closure to this case so quickly. I understand there was great community support. As we grieve for our beloved Rachel, I would like to also thank those witnesses that responded immediately in an effort to assist and comfort her before the first responders arrived. To you we are forever grateful. I also ask that there is improved safety for the pedestrians in the Uptown area. As you know the demographics of the area are mostly young, bright, and ambitious people with a lot to contribute to the world. Finally, Thank you for your prayers and support and please find it in your hearts to pray for those that have been apprehended and are responsible for this tragedy."

Esparza is charged with accident involving death, a 2nd degree felony. He is currently being held in the Marshall County Jail and will be extradited back to Dallas at a later date.

"Now that that individual is in custody, we can turn to celebrating her life and her legacy and we can go into the grieving process, said Spelman's cousin, Jennifer Lackey, who lives in Washington, D.C. and spoke to NBC 5 via Skype on Tuesday. Im personally still in a state of shock and I think my family would say the same.

Police said they are not looking for any other vehicles in connection with the fatal hit-and-run but did say that Esparza's girlfriend may also face charges in the incident.
A Texas high school anatomy teacher has been arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a student.

The Lockhart Police Department said 27-year-old Sarah Fowlkes of Lockhart High School "engaged in sexual contact" with a 17-year-old male student earlier this month.

Police told NBC Austin affiliate KXAN Fowlkes turned herself in on Monday and bonded out later that day.

Fowlkes' attorney Jason Nassour said, "You've got a young lady who was arrested on the statement of a 17-year-old kid with no corroborating evidence."

Nassour said his client is smiling in her mug shot because she is innocent.

He added that "this isn't a guilty person sitting there like they just got caught. When everything's fleshed out it won't be as it appears."

The Fort Worth Zoo proudly announces the successful hatchings of 13 lesser flamingo chicks from January to March 2017 -- a very difficult bird to breed in captivity.

Fowlkes has been employed with the Lockhart Independent School District since October 2014, according to KXAN.

She has since been suspended by the district pending an investigation.

Arrest Affidavit

DV.load("https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3521397-PC-Affidavit-Fowlkes.js", { width: 650, height: 800, container: "#DV-viewer-3521397-PC-Affidavit-Fowlkes" }); PC Affidavit Fowlkes (PDF)
An email scam is taking aim at Bank of America customers.

Customers may receive an email that looks like it came from Bank of America.

In some cases, the mail asks the customer to click a link or call a phone number to update your personal information.

But Bank of America says not so fast.

These emails are fake and the person, or people, behind it is coming after your account.

Here are Samanthas Solutions:
The former head of a Massachusetts pharmacy was convicted Wednesday of racketeering and other charges over a meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people across the country and was traced to fungus-contaminated drugs.

Prosecutors said Barry Cadden, 50, ran the business in an "extraordinarily dangerous" way by skirting regulations on cleanliness to boost production and make more money.

Cadden, president and co-founder of the now-closed New England Compounding Center, was charged with 25 counts of second-degree murder, conspiracy and other offenses under federal racketeering law.

After five days of deliberations, the jury found Cadden wasn't responsible for the deaths and acquitted him on the murder counts. He was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud. Sentencing was scheduled for June 21.

The 2012 outbreak of meningitis and other infections in 20 states was traced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contaminated injections of medical steroids, given mostly to people with back pain. In addition to those killed, 700 people fell ill. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee were hit hardest.

"I wish I could give him the same shot he gave me. I think they should pay for their crime," Alfred Rye, 77, of Maybee, Michigan, said upon learning of the verdict.

Rye became ill after getting a contaminated injection 4-1/2 years ago. He said he continues to suffer from a loss of balance and other ill effects.

"Life has been totally hell," he said.

Federal prosecutor Amanda Strachan told the jury during the two-month trial that the deaths and illnesses happened because Cadden "decided to put profits before patients."

Cadden's lawyers said he was not responsible for the deaths. They said Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist, ran the so-called clean rooms where drugs were made. Chin has pleaded not guilty.

"As horrible as each of these stories is, there is nothing that shows that Mr. Cadden did something that the government can link to the death of that person," attorney Bruce Singal told the jury.

Cadden could face a long prison term, although prosecutors would not immediately say what sentence they will seek. The racketeering charge and the 52 counts of fraud carry up to 20 years each, but federal sentencing guidelines typically call for far less than the maximum.

Prosecutors said NECC, among other things, used expired ingredients and falsified logs to make it look as if the clean rooms had been disinfected. After the outbreak, regulators found multiple potential sources of contamination, including standing water and mold and bacteria in the air and on workers' gloved fingertips.

NECC filed for bankruptcy after getting hit with hundreds of lawsuits. NECC and several related companies reached a $200 million settlement with victims and their families.

In 2013, Congress increased federal oversight of compounding pharmacies, which custom-mix medications and supply them directly to hospitals and doctors.
Whoops  Sen. Lindsey Graham killed off U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Tuesday morning.

"Justice Alito passed away in February," the South Carolina senator said as he questioned President Donald Trump's nominee for the vacancy on the high court, Judge Neil Gorsuch.

Graham's comment came as he addressed the controversial decision by Senate Republicans not to consider former President Barack Obama's pick for the court, Judge Merrick Garland. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued in March 2016 that the American people should have a voice in the process.

There had already been three primaries by then, Graham said.

"The campaign season in my view was afoot," he said.

There was only one problem: Alito of course is very much alive.

Graham meant Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on Feb. 13 last year.

He soon realized his error and said he had to correct the record. "Bad news, bad mistake," he said.

For Gorsuch's part, the second day of his hearing went more smoothly, as he declined to comment on difficult topics Democrats pressed him on, including Trump's campaign promise to ban all Muslims from entering the United States.

And he declined to respond to a question about the Judiciary Committee's handling of Garland's nomination.

"I can't get involved in politics and there's judicial canons that prevent me from doing that," Gorsuch said. "I think it would be imprudent."

In a lighter exchange with Gorsuch, Graham praised Trump's choice. He said he had been worried about whom the "Celebrity Apprentice" reality star would pick.

"Maybe someone on TV," Graham joked.
The family of a teenager killed after drinking an amber-colored liquid -- which turned out to be liquid methamphetamine - in front of federal agents at the U.S.-Mexico Border will receive $1 million in a settlement, according to court documents.

The family had argued the teen was "coerced and intimidated" into drinking the liquid then was taken into custody instead of being given medical attention. A medical examiner had ruled his death an accident.

The settlement comes three years after the death of Cruz Marcelino Velazquez Acevedo, 16, of Tijuana.

On Nov. 18, 2013, Acevedo was stopped by agents after he entered the U.S. from Mexico on foot at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

At the primary checkpoints, agents asked the teen about two containers he was carrying.

When an agent asked what was in the bottles, Acevedo called the liquid a juice, according to the lawsuit filed by his family.

"The agent took a capful and poured it on the counter, because he thought if it was liquid methamphetamine it would instantly evaporate and leave behind crystals," according to the lawsuit.

When it did not immediately evaporate, agents sent Acevedo to a secondary inspection point. The agent was later told by his supervisor that this was not a proper, safe test for detecting meth in liquid, according to the suit filed by the family.

At secondary inspection, the teenager was questioned again, according to the lawsuit. Acevedo once again explained the bottles contained juice, but agents believed they contained controlled substances.

The family claims in the lawsuit that agents "coerced and intimidated Cruz into taking a big sip from one of the bottles." A previous Medical Examiner report said Acevedo voluntarily took a sip.

A K-9 then came into the room and alerted agents that Acevedo had controlled substances, according to the lawsuit.

Agents then handcuffed Acevedo and took him into custody.

"Despite the fact that they knew Acevedo had ingested drugs, agents did not take Cruz for medical attention," the lawsuit states.

Shortly after, Acevedo began sweating, and then "screaming in pain and clenching his fists," according to the suit.

In the lawsuit, the family alleges that Acevedo began yelling "the chemicals" in Spanish and then, "Mi corazon! Mi corazon!", or "My heart! My heart!" He began to seize uncontrollably, according to the suit.

Agents called paramedics, who had to sedate the teen before transporting him to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital several hours later, according to the Medical Examiner. The ME ruled his death an accident.

Agents said they ran tests on the liquid that tested positive for liquid methamphetamine.

When asked about the potency of methamphetamine in a liquid form, a member of the UCSD Poison Control center said the substance can show life-threatening side effects within minutes because it hits the stomach quickly.

In a settlement with the agency, the family received $1 million.

U. S. Customs and Border Patrol authorities released the following statement in response to the settlement:

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 California State University Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to raise tuition for the 2017-18 school year to address a shortfall in funding from the state in the face of increased demand for programs.

The proposal voted on Tuesday morning included an amendment stating that the CSU would rescind the hike if adequate funding comes through. The board vote was 11-8 in favor of the increase.

Under the plan, annual in-state tuition would increase by $270, from $5,472 to $5,742. A similar increase is proposed for non-resident tuition, along with increases in graduate, doctoral and teacher-credential programs. The increase is projected to generate $77.5 million in the 2017-18 school year.

"The CSU remains committed to keeping costs as low as possible for students,'' according to a staff report to the board. "More than 60 percent of all CSU undergraduate students receive grants and waivers to cover the full cost of tuition. Nearly 80 percent of all CSU students receive some form of financial assistance. The CSU does not expect these percentages to change as the result of a potential tuition increase.''

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Buena Park, with bipartisan support from seven fellow legislators, sent a letter Tuesday urging the CSU trustees to vote against the tuition increase.

"It is my belief that funding our systems of higher education should not be done on the backs of students and their families,'' Quirk-Silva wrote. "For this reason, we strongly oppose this tuition increase which would continue to put a burden on low-income and middle-class families."

Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal released in January included a $157.2 million increase in state funding for the CSU system, but it was still $167.7 million short of what the CSU had requested. In addition to the tuition increase, CSU officials said they plan to continue lobbying for increased funding from the state.

"With the historic gains made in four-year and six-year graduation rates, the aggressive targets set out in Graduation Initiative 2025, and the state recently focusing on these same goals, CSU arguments for increased state funding have never been stronger,'' according to the CSU staff report. "While additional state funding is the preferred course, the state allocation will not be known until a final budget agreement is reached in June 2017.''

Failing any additional funding the CSU will look at reducing programs and services.

"Fewer course sections would be available to students, average unit load would go down and ultimately it could take longer for students to graduate," according to the staff report.

The possibility of a tuition increase has had students on the defensive for months. In November, members of a group known as Students for Quality Education gathered outside the CSU Chancellor's Office in Long Beach in protest as the Board of Trustees met.

About a dozen students, some dressed like zombies, held what they called a "Walking Debt" protest, complete with headstones featuring the names of each of the CSU campuses. Inside the board meeting, students condemned even the possibility of a tuition hike.

"You keep reaching into our pockets, and we're suffering," one student told the board. "Every time you all come up with these crazy concepts and you want to dig into our pockets, like, I feel less and less valued. I feel like a dollar to all of you."

The group contended that while tuition has been frozen for four years, the cost of attending CSU increased by 283 percent between 2002 and 2012.

More student protests are planned Wednesday morning.

In January, the University of California Board of Trustees approved a roughly 2.5 percent tuition increase for the 2017-18 academic year, raising base in-state tuition from $11,220 to $11,502, along with a $54 increase in the student services fee, from $1,074 to $1,128.

Out-of-state UC students will pay the same increases in base tuition and fees, along with a $1,332 jump in supplemental tuition, which will increase to $28,014. The total increase for non-resident students will be $1,668.
Chanting a familiar chant but fighting a new fight in downtown LA, immigrant rights groups, faith leaders and day laborer organizations argued against LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell's opposition of Senate Bill 54.

SB54, authored by State Senator Kevin DeLeon, would restrict state and local resources from assisting in deportation efforts of the federal government.

"We deserve more, we deserve dignity and respect," said Yamilex, a Guatamalan immigrant with deferred action status in California under DACA, who applauds the bill. "And to know the sheriff wants to take that away, to take away my safety, is so heartbreaking."

But McDonnell, in a letter to Senator DeLeon obtained by NBC4, writes that his worry lies solely on the safety of the county's residents. In the letter, the sheriff writes that if he can't safely arrange for federal agents to take certain criminals into custody, he's worried it would lead to a larger net cast over the community, "apprehending and detaining those not originally the target of enforcement actions."

"The result," he writes, would be "complete and total loss of trust and cooperation with any law enforcement agency."

That trust may already be an issue in Los Angeles. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced Tuesday that crime reporting in Latino neighborhoods is down for 2017. He cites 25 percent less reporting for sexual assaults and 10 percent less reporting of domestic violence cases in the Latino community. But Beck agrees with SB54, partly because he says his department had conversations with lawmakers about its concerns over keeping violent criminals in custody.

"We have come to some agreement that those criminals are not protected by it," Chief Beck said. "That was the only issue we had."

But McDonnell's issues with the bill have yet to be addressed, even with new revisions of the legislation.

"He's insinuating the same hate messages towards our communities and we need to stand together," Yamilex said, believing McDonnell's message sides with the Trump Administration's call for the arrest of certain undocumented immigrants.

"First and foremost, I'm a human being and I deserve respect," she said. "And the fact that I can be deported any day back home to where I came running from is heartbreaking."

Members of the non-profit National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON) also called out the sheriff for his opposition, believing the sheriff is fighting to keep federal funds President Trump threatened to take away - while mobilizing other sheriff's departments in the state to help kill the bill.

"It's exactly that kind of threat that we need to break the connection of the Sheriff and ICE all together," said NDLON attorney Chris Newman.

"Some people call it a Sanctuary State Bill, some call it a wall between California and Trump's deportation force," he said. "Whatever you call it, it's legislation required to protect California residents from the threat posed by the Trump Administration."

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti again voiced his support of SB54. He says it puts into practice at the state level what LA has been doing for four decades and that LA will not change its values over Trump's threats of losing federal funding.

"It is time for action," Garcetti said. "To fix a broken system."
President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to advance the interests of Vladimir Putin a decade ago and proposed an ambitious political strategy to undermine anti-Russian opposition across former Soviet republics, The Associated Press has learned.

The White House on Wednesday acknowledged the AP's revelations had "started to catch a lot of buzz" but brushed them aside, though some members of Congress expressed alarm. Manafort's activities appeared to contradict previous assertions by the Trump administration and Manafort that he never worked for Russian interests.

Manafort proposed in confidential strategy plans as early as June 2005 that he would influence politics, business dealings and news coverage inside the United States, Europe and the former Soviet republics to benefit the Putin government, even as U.S.-Russia relations under Republican President George W. Bush grew worse.

Manafort pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom he eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006, according to interviews with several people familiar with payments to Manafort and business records obtained by the AP.

Manafort and Deripaska maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, according to one person familiar with the work.

"We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success," Manafort wrote in the 2005 memo to Deripaska. The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer indicated Wednesday that President Trump had not been aware of Manafort's work on behalf of Deripaska. "To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from 10 years ago is a bit insane," Spicer said. He noted the AP's reporting "has started to catch a lot of buzz" but said Manafort's work occurred long before he became Trump's campaign chairman.

"I don't know what he got paid to do," Spicer said, adding, "There's no suggestion he did anything improper."

Manafort's plans were laid out in documents obtained by the AP that included strategy memoranda and records showing international wire transfers for millions of dollars. How much work Manafort performed under the contract was unclear.

The disclosures come as Trump campaign advisers are the subject of an FBI investigation and two congressional inquiries. Investigators are reviewing whether the Trump campaign and its associates coordinated with Moscow to meddle in the 2016 campaign, an allegation that Manafort has dismissed as politically motivated.

Manafort confirmed in a statement to the AP he worked for Deripaska in various countries but said the work was being unfairly cast as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

"I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments," Manafort said. "My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russia's political interests."

Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the disclosures "serious stuff" and more evidence that an independent congressional committee should investigate the Trump administration. "Other shoes will drop," McCain said. His Republican colleague, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, another frequent Trump critic, called the disclosures "something that needs to be looked at."

"I don't know if he violated the Foreign Agent Registration Act, but it's something I think we all need to know more about," said Graham, referring to a U.S. law that requires people who lobby on behalf of foreign political leaders or parties to provide detailed reports about their actions to the government.

Deripaska became one of Russia's wealthiest men under Putin, buying assets abroad in ways widely perceived to benefit the Kremlin's interests. U.S. diplomatic notes from 2006 described Deripaska as "among the 2-3 oligarchs Putin turns to on a regular basis" and "a more-or-less permanent fixture on Putin's trips abroad."

Democrats on the House intelligence committee said the new revelations will feature in their congressional investigations. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said on MSNBC that Manafort should appear before that committee, and he raised the specter of a subpoena should Manafort not come on his own.

Another committee member, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said the disclosure is "not a drip, drip, drip. This is now dam-breaking with water flushing out with all kinds of entanglements."

In response to questions about Manafort's consulting firm, a spokesman for Deripaska in 2008  at least three years after they began working together  said Deripaska had never hired the firm. An official representative of Deripaska said in a statement Wednesday: "There was an agreement between Mr. Deripaska and Mr. Manafort to provide investment consulting services related to business interests of Mr Deripaska which now is a subject to legal claims."

In the U.S., Manafort worked as Trump's unpaid campaign chairman last year from March until August when Trump asked him to leave after the AP revealed that he had orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine's ruling pro-Russian political party.

Manafort told a colleague this year he continues to speak with Trump by telephone.

Associated Press writers Jack Gillum, Eric Tucker, Julie Pace, Ted Bridis, Stephen Braun and Julie Bykowicz contributed to this report in Washington; Nataliya Vasilyeva contributed from Moscow and Kiev, Ukraine; and Jake Pearson contributed from New York.
Coast Guard crews suspended its search for a missing Florida man who fell off of a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Cuba.

Officials say that 23-year-old Brandon Paul went overboard from the Carnival Victory as it was sailing around 30 miles north of Pinar Del Rio around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Planes and boats from the Coast Guard were deployed, as were search and rescue crews from Cuba, who were advised of the search effort.

Paul is a native of Floral City, located between Tampa and Ocala.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Brandon Paul, said Chris Eddy, search and rescue mission coordinator, Seventh Coast Guard District Command Center. Making the choice to suspend a search is never an easy decision and one the Coast Guard doesnt take lightly, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to reunite Paul with his family.

The Coast Guard searched for more than 16 hours covering 3,469 square miles.
A South Florida senator who once hunted down a 9-foot Burmese python wants the state to pay private contractors to eradicate pythons and other invasive species from the Everglades.

Miami Republican Sen. Frank Artiles, who doubles as a python hunter, said during a committee meeting Tuesday that the effort is needed because "furry creatures" and American alligator nests are being destroyed by the voracious snakes.

Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources agreed and advanced the bill (SB 230) toward its final stop before heading to the full Senate.

The two-year, $600,000 pilot program would allow the state to hire python hunters to capture or kill non-native animals in public lands and waters. It would also require pet dealers to tag such animals before selling them.
Haitian police are rejecting claims by ex-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's associates that he was the target of an assassination attempt.

Shots were fired at the former leader's motorcade on Monday and two people were wounded.

Aristide ally Yvon Feuille has described the incident as an "assassination attempt" and alleges the shooters were police.

But Deputy Commissioner Jean Alix Pierre-Louis asserts the chaos was caused by partisans of political factions who threw rocks and fired guns when Aristide's motorcade wound by an intersection.

A cellphone video made public by Aristide's faction doesn't capture the full incident, but shows rocks raining down on patrolmen, who take cover and fire their weapons.

Inspector Prenel Duval acknowledges that officers fired weapons. But he says there was "a lot of shooting from different directions."
What to Know Vinny Asaro allegedly asked John J. Gotti to help him firebomb a man's car after a traffic dispute in 2012

Asaro is perhaps best known for being acquitted of racketeering charges in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa case at Kennedy airport

John J. Gotti was recently convicted on state drug charges

John J. Gotti, the 23-year-old grandson of the late Gambino crime boss for whom he is named, has been arrested in an arson case, along with reputed mobster Vincent Asaro, who investigators allege solicited the younger man to commit the crime.

Gotti was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of conspiracy to commit bank robbery.

Asaro and two other men pleaded not guilty. Their attorneys said they were blindsided, and that the statute of limitations on these crimes would have expired in two weeks.

The arson dates to 2012 in Howard Beach, authorities said. According to the FBI, Asaro, 82, was angry about a traffic dispute and wanted the man's car firebombed. He allegedly turned to Gotti for help.

Gotti and two associates allegedly robbed the Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Association for nearly $5,500 two weeks after the arson.

Asaro is perhaps best known for being acquitted of racketeering and other charges in 2015 in connection with the notorious Lufthansa heist at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where more than $6 million in cash and jewels were stolen.

He was inducted into the Bonanno family more than 30 years ago and has previously held the position of captain.



In total, seven reputed members and associates of the Bonnano crime family were arrested Wednesday on a range of charges, including arson, bank robbery and home invasion.

Four of the seven men signed orders of executable delay. Their next court date is May 1. None of them made bail.

Outside court, Asaro's lawyer questioned the timing and the point of the government's decision to again go after her client, who was leading a quiet life until FBI agents came to his door Wednesday.

"We have encountered unfounded charges brought by the United States attorney's office before, and we're confident that we'll be able to refute these unfounded charges as well," said the attorney, Elizabeth Macedonio.

Gotti was recently sentenced to eight years in prison earlier this month after pleading guilty to selling drugs in his Queens neighborhood, and was preparing to head to prison in the case.

"He pleaded guilty to the state case, he turned his life around, he took full responsibility, he beat his drug habit," said Gerard Marrone. "He's doing excellent and now this is something else he has to deal with."

Marrone said the case blindsided Gotti.

"We didn't even know this case was happening," said Marrone. "He was actually told he was going to be moved to another state facility upstate today, and the FBI met him and put him in federal custody. So this really was a shock to us."

Gotti had been arrested in early August in the home where his grandfather, dubbed the "Teflon Don" once lived, and had faced up to life in prison if the case had gone to trial.



Like his grandfather, Gotti was brought down by covert listening devices. In recorded conversations, Gotti said he sold more than 4,200 pills every month, netting about $100,000 a month in drug sales, and once calculated that his trafficking business generated roughly $1.6 million annually.

Gotti is the grandson of John Gotti, who died in federal prison in 2002 following his 1992 conviction on federal racketeering and murder charges.

All of the suspects in the arson case face up to 20 years in prison on the charges, three of whom each face a mandatory five-year prison sentence if convicted of arson. Two associates face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years if convicted on gun charges.

During a 2014 home invasion, one of the suspects served as a lookout while another tied up the homeowner's girlfriend and plucked a Cartier ring from her finger. The thieves made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, including designer watches, and $50,000 in cash.

Two of the men allegedly robbed a Franklin Square, Long Island jewelry store at gunpoint for $250,000 and attempted to rob two others in the same area between 2011 and 2012.
Federal immigration officers are not allowed to enter New York City public schools without a court order, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.

The new policy to protect immigrant families is meant to be a measure of protection to help ease the fear felt by those living in the country illegally.

"I want students and families to know that we will do everything possible to keep immigration agents out of schools," de Blasio said in Spanish during a press conference.

The new guidelines reinforce a protection policy already in place in response to executive orders issued by President Donald Trump to facilitate the detection, arrest and deportation of unauthorized immigrants.

About a month ago, state authorities reminded schools in the state that ICE agents can't remove students from school grounds for interrogation without parental consent, unless a crime has been committed.

School personnel are also instructed not to share any student information unless required by law. Staffers are told to contact the NYPD and legal counsel if ICE agents come to their school.

While no students have been arrested by immigration agents in the citys schools, fear continues to be felt by students and their families.

Our focus today is protecting all of the families who make up this city and protecting our children, De Blasio said.

New York Public schools do not track the immigration status of their students and will continue to maintain this policy.

De Blasio also stressed that the city has organized more than 100 informative workshops for students and their parents about their rights if approached by ICE agents.

This is your city. Your city will stand by you. Your city will protect you, de Blasio said.

You can wat de Blasio's press conference here.
A woman wanted on two continents for allegedly killing a neighbor and drugging and robbing people she met online was tracked down in New York City Monday, authorities say.

Viktoria Nasyrova, wanted for murdering her neighbor in Russia back in 2014, fled her country and hid in plain sight in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, just months after the alleged killing, police say.

"It couldn't be determined how she was murdered because her body was set ablaze," NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce said of the victim.

Boyce told News 4 that Nasyrova's Russian neighbor isn't the only victim of her crimes.

"She's a con artist who meets people online through a dating site and then drugs them at some point, and takes their property from them and flees," said Boyce.

Boyce says the 42-year-old Nasyrova met at least three men on a Russian dating website in New York City, drugged them and ripped them off. He says she's being investigated for drugging a woman and taking her property as well, and Boyce believes there could be more victims.

"She embarked on a life of crime here, and we don't have the whole story yet. We only have bits and pieces," Boyce said.

The international fugitive met her match in retired NYPD detective Herman Weisberg.

The now-private eye from Sage Intelligence Group took the case after the daughter of the murdered Russian woman asked for help.

"It kind of tugged at my heartstrings, and when I heard this long horrible tragic story that just wouldn't end for this lady because there was no end in sight," said Weisberg.

"It was my job to go and locate her," he said.

Weisberg tracked down Nasyrova, who also goes by Mara and Rachel, and the NYPD put her in cuffs.

"It was a travesty that she was walking around here, and now justice is being served," he said.

Boyce and the NYPD are now working to determine if Nasyrova is tied to other crimes.

"We will look for other cases where someone was drugged and property was taken. We're doing that right now," said Boyce.

Police say they have another possible case fitting the drugging and theft in Queens. Anyone who has had contact with the woman is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
What to Know Laura Russo of Plainfield, Connecticut, hadn't been seen since St. Patrick's Day; a silver alert had been issued for her

Police say Russo died in a car crash in New Jersey early Wednesday

Her whereabouts since her disappearance are not known

A Connecticut woman reported missing on St. Patrick's Day has died in a car accident on a New Jersey highway, authorities say.

State police say a car driven by 63-year-old Laura Russo of Plainfield, Connecticut, was in the left lane on Interstate 80 west when her vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. She was pronounced dead at the scene in Saddle Brook.

A silver alert that was issued after Russo disappeared on St. Patrick's Day was canceled. Her whereabouts since her disappearance are not known.

The tractor-trailer driver wasn't hurt. No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation.
Declaring the ISIS's destruction its top Middle East priority, the Trump administration on Wednesday urged coalition partners to contribute more to forces who are retaking Iraq's second largest city and readying an assault on the extremists' self-declared Syrian capital. There was no apparent announcement of a new overall strategy, however.

Addressing top diplomats of the 68-nation coalition, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for new ideas to expand the fight against ISIS in the Iraqi city of Mosul and accelerate the campaign to chase militants from Raqqa, Syria, while preparing for the complex humanitarian and political consequences of both efforts.

Yet Tillerson did not propose, at least in his public remarks, a new approach, beyond noting the increased U.S. military role in each country. As the officials were meeting at the State Department in Washington, the Pentagon announced that it provided an airlift for Syrian fighters taking part in an offensive west of Raqqa, in an escalation of U.S. involvement. At least one country participating in the meeting, France, voiced frustration that Tillerson and other U.S. officials had not offered specifics.

"I recognize there are many pressing challenges in the Middle East, but defeating ISIS is the United States number one goal in the region," Tillerson said. "As we've said before, when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. We must continue to keep our focus on the most urgent matter at hand."

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Ababi said victory was finally within reach.

"We are at the stage of completely decimating Daesh," al-Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

Nothing Tillerson outlined departed significantly from the Obama administration's strategy, which focused on using local forces to retake territory along with efforts to disrupt ISIS recruitment and financing, and the blueprint of the multilateral effort seemed unchanged.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he was disappointed the U.S. hasn't outlined a more detailed plan, particularly for Raqqa's future. He said he understood Trump's administration was still formulating policy, explaining that he will be more concerned if decisions aren't made before the end of April.

"We are expecting some further clarity from the U.S.," he told reporters, citing France's desire for the city to be run by moderate opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad and not the country's Russian-backed government. He also wants to hear what America seeks from U.N.-led talks on a broader political settlement to the six-year civil war between Assad's military and various rebel groups.

Tactics for fighting the ISIS are complicated in Syria, where a partnership with Kurdish militants has prompted difficult discussions with Turkey, which sees them as a national security threat. The Pentagon made clear that in Wednesday's offensive near Raqqa, U.S. forces were still in a support role.

Tillerson said the United States would play its part and pay its fair share of the overall operation. But he said other nations, particularly those which have faced ISIS or ISIS-inspired attacks, must contribute more militarily or financially.

He said increased intelligence and information sharing could overcome traditional rivalries between different agencies and governments, and advocated an enhanced online effort to halt the spread of extremist views, especially as ISIS loses ground in Iraq and Syria.

Although Tillerson alluded to the intensified campaign, he said the Trump administration was still refining its strategy. As a candidate, Trump spoke broadly about radical changes to the approach adopted by then-President Barack Obama. As a president, Trump has moved more cautiously.

"A more defined course of action in Syria is still coming together," Tillerson said. "But I can say that the United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through cease-fires, to allow refugees to return home."

The reference to "zones of stability" appeared to stop short of "safe zones," which the U.S. military has been extremely reluctant to commit to enforcing in Syria, even as Trump and others have raised the idea at various times.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Hungary's foreign minister said he liked what he heard.

"We are enthusiastic about the new U.S. strategy," Peter Szijjarto said, adding that he saw Trump's administration determined "not only to fight against ISIS, but totally eliminate ISIS." He said his country would send 50 more soldiers to Iraq, taking its contribution to 200.

As the militants become more encircled, the mission will change. Officials expect in the coming months to see the dissipation of surviving fighters into underground cells that could plan and mount attacks throughout the Middle East, South and Central Asia, Europe, South America and the United States. Washington has been trying to get NATO, coalition and other partners to take actions to adapt to changing threats.

"As we stabilize areas encompassing ISIS's physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria, we also must prevent their seeds of hatred from taking root elsewhere," Tillerson said. "We must ensure ISIS cannot gain or maintain footholds in new regions of the world. We must fight ISIS online as aggressively as we would on the ground. A digital caliphate must not flourish in the place of a physical one."
Pennsylvania would face a $3 billion hole in current Medicaid funding to poor, disabled and senior residents if the proposed health care reform by Republican Congress goes into effect, the states human services secretary said Wednesday.

The projected decrease in funding would be a result of the Republicans current plans to undo the expansion of Medicaid that has occurred through the Affordable Care Act and implement a new funding formula for traditional recipients like the disabled and seniors, Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas said.

That is something we simply couldnt afford, he said. We would have to decide who we could cover and who we couldnt and those are not decisions we want to make.

Dallas, along with state Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy, Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne and Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller held a conference call to address the growing chorus of concerns from a broad spectrum of interests, including the medical and educational fields, about large-scale cuts to Medicaid.

The U.S. House of Representatives are scheduled to vote Thursday on the Republicans proposed American Health Care Act, but the legislations fate is still very much up in the air. No House Democrats are expected to vote for it, which means just 22 Republican no votes would doom it before the bill is given to the Senate for consideration.

Some moderate Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County, have already said they could not support the plan in its current form. Fitzpatrick wrote in a long Facebook post March 18 that "after considering the current healthcare bill in a thorough and deliberate manner," he would not support it.

The $3 billion chasm would be created by a decrease in the federal governments portion of Medicaid funding for Pennsylvanians: $2.2 billion lost to the ACAs expansion coverage and another $860 to $1 billion by the change from reimbursement-based to annual lump sum-based, which Republicans describe as per capita caps in their proposed American Health Care Act.

NBC10 reported last week that Sen. Bob Casey believes the AHCA would decimate Medicaid funding for thousands of Pennsylvanians.

I think a lot of people dont know how dependent and how important Medicaid is to peoples lives, even a lot of people who voted for the president by the way, he told NBC10 in an interview.

Meanwhile, parents of children with special needs as well as caregivers at hospitals like Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are mobilizing against the AHCAs proposed slashes to Medicaid.

Seniors and the disabled in Pennsylvania make up one-third of the states Medicaid population, Dallas said, but they account for two-thirds of the funding.

In addition to those vulnerable populations, he said, the ACAs expansion has dropped the uninsured rate to 6.4 percent in Pennsylvania. By expanding Medicaid coverage to people making up to 134 percent of the federal poverty rate, an additional 716,000 Pennsylvanians have gained health coverage, Dallas said.

If the AHCA is passed, a lot of those things could change and become memories, he said.

Pennsylvanias Democratic U.S. senator described the healthcare reform proposals from the Republican-controlled Congress as devastating to older Americans and adults and children with disabilities. He said the proposal to overhaul healthcare is a transfer of wealth and resources to the wealthy over the next decade. Its a several hundred billion dollar transfer, and its unacceptable and we have to stop...
The father of a missing 15-year-old girl who authorities say disappeared with her 50-year-old former teacher more than a week ago was overcome with emotion to learn that her alleged abductor had been recently looking up teenage marriage online.

"It's just very disheartening," Anthony Thomas told NBC News Tuesday after finding out that new piece of information. "I'm afraid he's married her."

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations has said that Tad Cummins, a teacher at a rural high school in Maury County, possibly planned to abduct Elizabeth Thomas, and the two have been missing since March 13.

The TBI issued an Amber alert for Elizabeth last Tuesday.
A woman was found bound and stabbed to death inside a rowhouse in Northeast Washington Tuesday afternoon, days after she was last seen at the art school where she worked.

Now, police are searching for her missing car and any information that will lead to her killer.

Corrina Mehiel, 34, was found dead in a basement apartment on the 600 block of 14th Street NE, near the busy H Street corridor, about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Acting Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a news conference that there's no indication the crime was random, and police found no signs of forced entry in the apartment where her body was found.

Mehiel was an artist and art teacher who was working at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. She was last seen at the school Sunday night. She talked with her father by phone that night, too, her stepmother said Wednesday.

"She was full of life, full of plans," Mehiel's stepmother, Lari Mehiel, said by phone.

Getty

She sobbed as she spoke about the artist's murder.

"I think some heinous, hate-filled, evil person killed her. I don't know why. Why would he kill her?" she said.

Mehiel, who originally was from Burnsville, North Carolina, was living in D.C. temporarily. She specialized in art that engaged communities and was working with the artist Mel Chin.

"Corrina was a vibrant and talented individual who will be dearly missed," a George Washington University spokesman said in an email to Corcoran School members.

Mehiel's parents said the apartment in which Mehiel was staying was one that Chin kept for people who were helping him on projects.

Anyone who sees Mehiel's car is asked to call police.

Metropolitan Police Department

It's a blue four-door 2004 Toyota Prius. The car has the Kentucky license plate 722RMY. A yellow, diamond-shaped bumper sticker about looking out for motorcycles is on the rear bumper.

No information on a suspect or possible motive was released immediately.

On Wednesday, Newsham also talked about the murder of Ayana McAllister.

As News4 reported, the 18-year-old college freshman was shot and killed while watching the filming of a music video Monday evening.

McAllister was home on spring break from Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina, her father, Anthony McAllister, said.

Police did not immediately release any information on the gunman or a possible motive in McAllister's death.

"By all accounts, these were bright, promising women whose lives were cut short," Newsham said.
So youre saying theres a chance?

The Washington Business Journal reported Wegmans is in talks to take over the property of the Fannie Mae headquarters located in the Tenleytown neighborhood of northwest Washington, according to sources close to the situation.

The WBJ said the highly popular grocer would be an anchor to planned redevelopment of the site in the 3900 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. Fannie Mae is leaving the location for a new along 15th Street, Northwest.

However, the developer told WBJ to be cautious, saying they do not have a deal in place but would be pleased if Wegmans was one of the tenants. If Wegmans does find a home on Wisconsin Avenue, it would be the first location for the grocer inside the D.C. beltway.

Currently, they have locations in Alexandria and Fairfax in Virginia and Lanham in Maryland that are closest to Washington.

The property on Wisconsin Avenue was purchased in 2016 by Sekisui House, Japans largest homebuilder, and D.C.-based real estate firm Roadside Development. The mortgage company will remain at the location until their new headquarters is complete.
The students in Boston Public Schools are now looking at the world in a different way.

"The new map really allows the students to get a greater sense of how large the continents are in relations to others," said Natacha Scott, director of social students at Boston Public Schools.

On Thursday, the Peter's Map was officially implemented into the curriculum - believed to be the first public school district in the country to do so.

When you first see the map, it's a head scratcher.

Continents and countries are elongated compare to what has been traditionally taught in school.

For hundreds of years the Mercator Map was seen as the resolute look at the world.

Turns out, the Mercator Map is not entirely accurate.

The Mercator's Map is better for navigational purposes, while the Peter's Map shows land masses more to scale.

"Here we have Greenland," said Scott. "Over here is just about the same size if not larger as Africa on the Mercator map and then when we think about the actual area that's all the way up there in relation to Africa, it's actually much smaller."

The map is being introduced to the 2nd, 7th and 11th grades.

"I didn't get that when I was a student," said 5th grade teacher Denise Sonnie. "I think it would have been really important for me to see this type of map."

The Mercator Map will stick around. The Peter's will simply be taught side-by-side

It's all a part of the school district's 3-year plan to added different perspectives to the classroom.
A beloved Massachusetts firefighter who died while battling a blaze last week was laid to rest on Wednesday.

Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano's body was driven to the church on the back of a fire truck - a vehicle he spent his life working on - as his wife and five children looked on.

Highway signs around Boston conveyed a simple message before Wednesday's service: "Rest in Peace Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano."

His body was carried into St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Watertown as more than 1,000 firefighters and other public servants lined up in rows to pay respects to one of their own.

Inside the church, family, friends and fellow firefighters packed the pews. The Toscano family's long-time priest from St. Mary's Parish in Randolph gave the homily, talking about how welcoming Joseph was and how devoted he was to his family.

His friends and his daughter gave the eulogies.

"Walking into that hospital is a scene I keep playing over and over in my head," daughter Alyssa Toscano said. "My lifelong fear as a fireman's daughter came true. I always feared this day would come, but I never thought it would become my reality. I'm now living my worst nightmare.

"We will miss him so much every day, but we know that he will be watching over us and will be in our hearts forever."

Toscano, 54, a 20-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department, died while fighting a 2-alarm fire in Watertown, Massachusetts on Friday. City officials say he collapsed from an apparent heart attack.

Fire department colleagues remembered him as a talented cook and a devoted family man.

"He never had a bad word to say about anybody," Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Robert Quinn said. "He was a true renassance man. He made me a better deputy fire chief. I was fortunate to have him by my side."

The Watertown Firefighters Relief Association has set up a fund to benefit the Toscano family. Donations can be sent to the following address:

Watertown Firefighters Relief Association, Toscano Fund, 99 Main St., Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
As police in London respond to a possible terrorist attack near Britain's Parliament on Wednesday evening local time, state police in Massachusetts say they are monitoring the situation.

State police said that while they're not aware of any direct connection between the incident in London and the United States or Massachusetts, they're receiving updates from Homeland Security and the FBI.

U.K. authorities say an attacker drove into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge, crashed outside Parliament and stabbed a police officer, all within a span of minutes. Four people, including the attacker and the police officer, are dead and 20 others have been injured.

Police said they are treating the events as a "terrorist incident until we know otherwise."
A new coalition of law enforcement, drug treatment, and health care experts has started a provocative project: researching whether the Burlington area should be home to a facility where heroin users could shoot up, under the watchful eye of someone who could help in case of an overdose.

Everybody understands the urgency of this, observed Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah George, describing the scope and seriousness of the national epidemic of fatal drug overdoses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. That includes overdoses from prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl.

In Vermont, 2016 was a record year for fatal overdoses. Preliminary numbers from the states health department showed more than 100 Vermonters lost their lives to heroin, fentanyl, or a combination of the two.

George said a monitored injection site in the Canadian city of Vancouver has been successful in saving lives, so the concept should at least be studied for Vermont.

To truly make a significant impact, we have an obligation to explore all possible solutions to the opioid epidemic, George said at a press conference Wednesday announcing the formation of a coalition to consider a supervised injection site.

Just because they work elsewhere doesnt mean they will work here, George continued. We do not currently know whether safe injection sites will work in Chittenden County. But not knowing or not understanding does not mean we dont talk about it or have a conversation about it.

Tom Dalton, the director of the Howard Centers safe recovery program, is one of the committee members.

We know of people who use in unsafe settings who would like to be using in safer settings, Dalton said in response to a question from necn. A lot of people are having to use in secret. So they may be alone and if they were to overdose, theres nobody there to give them [the overdose-reversal treatment] Narcan, theres nobody there to call 911. So we definitely believe there are people who would be interested in having a safer place.

But a supervised drug use center would face a lot of hurdles. Some major questions include: how would one be funded? Would one butt heads with state law, and how would federal controlled substances laws be addressed? And would the public accept it?

Rep. Selene Colburn, P/D-Burlington, recently introduced a bill in the Vermont House allowing for the creation of supervised drug consumption sites.

The pending legislation called for such facilities to register with the Vermont Department of Health. The proposed rules would allow clients to use illegal drugs purchased elsewhere to use their drugs in the center while trained staff members look on.

The bill would remove the potential for criminal prosecution for consuming drugs in a registered center.

It may well normalize behavior that we dont want normalized, Chief Brandon del Pozo of the Burlington Police Department said of one possible concern about the concept.

Del Pozo, who will serve on the committee, said he has not yet formed an firm opinion on the issue.

However, del Pozo said before the community goes down the route of supervised injection sites, hed first like to see Vermont care providers be able to offer drug treatment on demand. Right now, there are wait lists for drug addiction treatment.

I would have a hard time accepting this if it were not offered to  at least  offer treatment without delay to anyone who wants it, del Pozo told reporters Wednesday.

The prosecutor leading this conversation said she knows a supervised injection site would be a divisive topic, which may seem raw or immoral to some in the community.

So Sarah George assured people she would only support such a facility if her committee convinces her it would save lives, and if the community has the resources to handle it.
Thursday morning's FCC meeting promises to be dramatic: It will feature testimony by an ex-corrections officer who survived after being shot six times at his South Carolina home as the result of a hit ordered on him hit by an inmate using a contraband cellphone.

Capt. Robert Johnson (ret.) of the South Carolina Department of Corrections has become an advocate for putting the clamps on contraband cellphones since that 2010 incident, and he has an ally in new FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. A year ago Pai and then South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley co-authored an op-ed piece in USA Today titled "Cellphones are too dangerous for prison."

MORE: New FCC Chair calls net neutrality rules "a mistake"

There's a push by some to implement technological methods, such as airwave jammers, to neutralize contraband cellphones, but the FCC has restrictions on its authority at the state and local levels. Some states, such as California, are putting their own plans in place  in California's case it is in partnership with a provider of prison cellphone services that will provide all sorts of surveillance, scanning and decryption technology to stymie inmates from using wireless networks for illegal purposes.

The FCC earlier this month released a fact sheet on Promoting Technological Solutions to Combat Contraband Wireless Device Use in Correctional Facilities. The FCC cites major concerns over the use of contraband cellphones for everything from orchestrating hits to running drug operations to conducting phone scams.

"Some correctional facilities have implemented radio-based technologies to detect and block the use of contraband wireless devices located inside their facilities. These technologies, called Contraband Interdiction Systems (CISs), require FCC authorization. While there is no single solution for every situation, this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would introduce a range of potential solutions to address the needs of correctional facilities nationwide," the FCC states.

Wireless carriers in the past have rejected FCC proposals to jam cellphones in prisons, calling such actions unlawful and possibly harmful to those with legitimate access to phones in prison. Not to mention, the carriers could lose business.
* Exports +11.3 pct yr/yr in Feb vs forecast +10.6 pct * Feb imports +1.2 pct yr/yr vs forecast +0.6 pct * Trade balance back in black at unadjusted 813.4 bln yen * Seasonally-adjusted surplus nearly 7-yr high of 680.3 bln yen * Trade surplus with United States widens * Trump's trade protectionism clouds outlook (Adds analyst's quote) By Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO, March 22 (Reuters) - Japan's exports grew the most in more than two years in February, rebounding from a Lunar New Year slowdown in January, as a widening trade surplus with the United States potentially raises tensions in the face of rising U.S. protectionism.

Annual export growth of 11.3 percent topped a 10.6 percent increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll and followed a 1.3 percent rise in January, marking the biggest gain since January 2015, Ministry of Finance data showed on Wednesday.

Exports to the United States rose 0.4 percent in February from a year ago, largely from bigger shipments of cars and auto parts.

Any rise in Japan's trade surplus with the United States could be a cause of concern for Japanese policymakers, given that U.S. President Donald Trump has singled out Japan, China and Germany for their high net exports into the U.S. market.

"Japanese policymakers must be sensitive about trade surplus with the United States. The trade surplus is not at an alarming level, but is historically very low. However, such a logical argument may not get across to Trump," said Tomoyuki Ota, head of the economic research department at Mizuho Research Institute.

"The fact that the trade surplus with the United States has been driven by rising car exports may cause Trump to pile pressure on Japanese carmakers to boost investment in America." Japan and the United States will start a high-level economic dialogue in mid-April, with Tokyo seeking ways to avoid trade friction on issues such as car exports by proposing an agenda focused on investment in U.S. infrastructure.

Story continues

Japan's trade surplus with the United States rose an annual 1.5 percent to 611.3 billion yen ($5.48 billion), posting the first increase since November although it had dropped a revised 26.5 percent in January.

EXPORT-LED RECOVERY The trade data highlighted an economic recovery led by overseas demand although the rebound from a Lunar New Year slowdown in China and other parts of Asia in January played a large part.

Exports to China, Japan's largest trading partner, rose 28.2 percent year-on-year in February, accelerating from a 3.1 percent gain in the previous month.

Demand for auto parts from China and for electronics components from Hong Kong contributed to export growth in February.

This performance helped Japan log a surplus of 111.8 billion yen with China - its first in five years.

Analysts said February's 8.3 percent growth in the volume of exports, and average export volume growth of around 4 percent in January and February, was a positive sign for Japan's export-reliant economy in the current quarter.

($1 = 111.6200 yen) (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Chris Gallagher and Eric Meijer)
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The government plans to hike the foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance broking from 49 per cent to 100 per cent to provide necessary impetus to the sector and also to attract more funds. Currently, 49 per cent foreign cap as defined by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion restricts additional FDI in insurance broking, insurance firms, third-party administrators, surveyors and loss assessors.

It is a win-win situation for the insurance firms and the segment, since it will not only bring in technology but also professionalism, said Charanjit Attra Partner Member firm Ernst and young global.

Insurance broking is like any other financial or commodity broking services. The government is in principle ready to take up an issue that is for the betterment of the sector This matter (hike in FDI limit for insurance broking) is also being examined, said a DIPP official.

Broking firms recently requested the government to treat insurance brokers at par with other financial services intermediaries where 100 per cent FDI is permitted. This will help inflow of more players and investment, that will boost the sector, said S V Ramanan, CEO, CAMsRep.

Insurance penetration in India was 3.4 per cent in 2015 against the world average of 6.2 per cent.

NEW DELHI: The government plans to hike the foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance broking from 49 per cent to 100 per cent to provide necessary impetus to the sector and also to attract more funds. Currently, 49 per cent foreign cap as defined by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion restricts additional FDI in insurance broking, insurance firms, third-party administrators, surveyors and loss assessors. It is a win-win situation for the insurance firms and the segment, since it will not only bring in technology but also professionalism, said Charanjit Attra Partner Member firm Ernst and young global. Insurance broking is like any other financial or commodity broking services. The government is in principle ready to take up an issue that is for the betterment of the sector This matter (hike in FDI limit for insurance broking) is also being examined, said a DIPP official. Broking firms recently requested the government to treat insurance brokers at par with other financial services intermediaries where 100 per cent FDI is permitted. This will help inflow of more players and investment, that will boost the sector, said S V Ramanan, CEO, CAMsRep. Insurance penetration in India was 3.4 per cent in 2015 against the world average of 6.2 per cent.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The government will sign contracts for the 31 small discovered oil and gas fields on March 27. Touted as an auction round that would replicate the shale gas revolution of the US, half of the fields went to new and lesser known entrants like engineering company Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, KEI-RSOS Petroleum, Enquest Drilling and Nippon Power.

IOC, BPCL and HPCL had cornered a third of the fields. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the award of 31 fields out of 34 that received bids in the auction that closed on November 21.

These fields have reserves of 62 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas. These could produce a peak of around 15,000 barrels of oil per day and 2 million standard cubic metres per day of gas, the Directorate

General of Hydrocarbons said in a statement. The peak oil and gas output envisaged is about two per cent of Indias current oil and gas production.

The development of these fields is crucial in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modis target of reducing oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022.

In all, 46 fields that were taken away from state-owned ONGC and Oil India were put on bidding. Thirty-four received bids. Bharat PetroResources, a unit of Bharat Petroleum Corp, won the most number of five fields. Indian Oil Corporation and PFH Oil and Gas have bagged three fields each.

This is a major development in the energy sector in the country. But, the production should be in line with the estimates, said energy expert M P Sukumaran Nair, director, Centre for Green Technology and Management.

KOCHI: The government will sign contracts for the 31 small discovered oil and gas fields on March 27. Touted as an auction round that would replicate the shale gas revolution of the US, half of the fields went to new and lesser known entrants like engineering company Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, KEI-RSOS Petroleum, Enquest Drilling and Nippon Power. IOC, BPCL and HPCL had cornered a third of the fields. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the award of 31 fields out of 34 that received bids in the auction that closed on November 21. These fields have reserves of 62 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas. These could produce a peak of around 15,000 barrels of oil per day and 2 million standard cubic metres per day of gas, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons said in a statement. The peak oil and gas output envisaged is about two per cent of Indias current oil and gas production. The development of these fields is crucial in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modis target of reducing oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022. In all, 46 fields that were taken away from state-owned ONGC and Oil India were put on bidding. Thirty-four received bids. Bharat PetroResources, a unit of Bharat Petroleum Corp, won the most number of five fields. Indian Oil Corporation and PFH Oil and Gas have bagged three fields each. This is a major development in the energy sector in the country. But, the production should be in line with the estimates, said energy expert M P Sukumaran Nair, director, Centre for Green Technology and Management.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Even though Budget 2017-18 had proposed capping of cash transactions at Rs 3 lakh, the government on Tuesday moved a fresh proposal to lower the limit to Rs 2 lakh. This was among the 40-odd amendments suggested to the Finance Bill.

Amendments to laws such as the Companies Act, Employees Provident Fund, Smuggling and Foreign Exchange Act, TRAI Act and Information Technology Act have been moved with the aim of making the functioning of tribunals more efficient by merging the smaller ones and reducing their numbers from 40 to 12.

While presenting the Budget on February 1, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to cap cash transactions at Rs 3 lakh with effect from April 1.

In the official amendments to the Finance Bill, the government has proposed that the limit of Rs 3 lakh for cash transactions, beyond which it is illegal, be reduced to Rs 2 lakh. The penalty for violating this is a fine equivalent to the amount of transaction, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said in a tweet.

NEW DELHI: Even though Budget 2017-18 had proposed capping of cash transactions at Rs 3 lakh, the government on Tuesday moved a fresh proposal to lower the limit to Rs 2 lakh. This was among the 40-odd amendments suggested to the Finance Bill. Amendments to laws such as the Companies Act, Employees Provident Fund, Smuggling and Foreign Exchange Act, TRAI Act and Information Technology Act have been moved with the aim of making the functioning of tribunals more efficient by merging the smaller ones and reducing their numbers from 40 to 12. While presenting the Budget on February 1, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to cap cash transactions at Rs 3 lakh with effect from April 1. In the official amendments to the Finance Bill, the government has proposed that the limit of Rs 3 lakh for cash transactions, beyond which it is illegal, be reduced to Rs 2 lakh. The penalty for violating this is a fine equivalent to the amount of transaction, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said in a tweet.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that the government was hoping to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by July 1, after the enabling Bills get Parliament nod in the current budget session.



"GST is the biggest reform in India. Hopefully, GST will be implemented by July 1. GST Bills will hopefully be cleared in Parliament," Jaitley said here at the 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth Nations hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that the government was hoping to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by July 1, after the enabling Bills get Parliament nod in the current budget session. "GST is the biggest reform in India. Hopefully, GST will be implemented by July 1. GST Bills will hopefully be cleared in Parliament," Jaitley said here at the 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth Nations hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
By Reuters

NEW DELHI: India is exploring setting up a new payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after its old sanctions workaround broke down, as state banks remain fearful of handling payments from Tehran in case the United States imposes a fresh financial embargo.

U.S. President Donald Trump has denounced an agreement between Iran and major powers on its nuclear programme as a bad deal, and his administration has put Tehran "on notice" after the test-firing of a ballistic missile.

Under previous Western sanctions, India had devised a barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington that allowed it to make some oil payments to Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, UCO Bank.

Indian companies were then able to receive payments for goods exported to Iran using the oil money held in non-convertible rupee balances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline between two countries with long historical ties.

But since sanctions were partly lifted early last year the rupee account has been run down by more than 90 percent to just 20 billion rupees ($305 million) because Indian refiners have resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros.

Whilst the federal government and central bank have approved oil payments in euros - which Iran prefers because the currency is readily convertible - they have not given the all-clear for trade in the opposite direction to be settled in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck.

"We are working on a mechanism through euros and looking for a common correspondent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary for India and Iran," said R.K. Takkar, chairman of UCO Bank. "The euro payment system has not yet crystallised," he said, adding the government was working to find a solution.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian banks had applied to open branches in India, but gave no indication when it might approve settlement of trade with Iran in currencies other than the rupee.

"Due to the geopolitical situation around Iran, and international sanctions-related measures, correspondent banking relationships are difficult," the central bank said in a written reply to questions submitted by Reuters.

"The Reserve Bank has facilitated payment for Indian exporters by permitting special arrangements for rupee-based settlements."

TENSIONS GROW

Although European Union and United Nations sanctions against Iran have been removed some U.S. measures remain, and that, along with the hard line promised by the new administration in Washington, has left the country still largely shut out of the global financial system as banks steer clear of its business.

As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are considering reverting to the old rupee mechanism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO has no U.S. exposure that could lead it to fall foul of any new sanctions.

Iran has agreed in principle to accept some oil payments in rupees to fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official told Reuters.

No timeline has been fixed as yet to implement the new mechanism, however, as both sides await the outcome of Iran's presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump administration's approach towards Tehran, he said.

The payment woes have hit the revenues of Indian exporters as they struggle to complete deals struck when the rupee account was flush with funds. Several containers from India are held up at Iranian ports, exporters said.

"Our clients are threatening to cancel orders and procure from China," said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran.

India's major exports to Iran include food, chemicals, engineering products, garments and drugs.

CHABAHAR PORT

The reticence of Indian banks with U.S. exposure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan and counter China's growing influence in the region. One official involved in the Chabahar project said contractors, concerned about getting paid, were now reluctant to supply equipment and materials for the Arabian Sea port whose completion is planned for 2018. "If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we may have to wind up most of our plans," the official said.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The government is still in a wait-and-watch mode and closely monitoring Trump's approach towards Iran," said a senior official who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Iran's top oil client after China, boosted exports to Tehran during sanctions as Western nations boycotted it. Yet India has lost out since the lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 billion in the previous year.

NEW DELHI: India is exploring setting up a new payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after its old sanctions workaround broke down, as state banks remain fearful of handling payments from Tehran in case the United States imposes a fresh financial embargo. U.S. President Donald Trump has denounced an agreement between Iran and major powers on its nuclear programme as a bad deal, and his administration has put Tehran "on notice" after the test-firing of a ballistic missile. Under previous Western sanctions, India had devised a barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington that allowed it to make some oil payments to Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, UCO Bank. Indian companies were then able to receive payments for goods exported to Iran using the oil money held in non-convertible rupee balances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline between two countries with long historical ties. But since sanctions were partly lifted early last year the rupee account has been run down by more than 90 percent to just 20 billion rupees ($305 million) because Indian refiners have resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros. Whilst the federal government and central bank have approved oil payments in euros - which Iran prefers because the currency is readily convertible - they have not given the all-clear for trade in the opposite direction to be settled in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck. "We are working on a mechanism through euros and looking for a common correspondent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary for India and Iran," said R.K. Takkar, chairman of UCO Bank. "The euro payment system has not yet crystallised," he said, adding the government was working to find a solution. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian banks had applied to open branches in India, but gave no indication when it might approve settlement of trade with Iran in currencies other than the rupee. "Due to the geopolitical situation around Iran, and international sanctions-related measures, correspondent banking relationships are difficult," the central bank said in a written reply to questions submitted by Reuters. "The Reserve Bank has facilitated payment for Indian exporters by permitting special arrangements for rupee-based settlements." TENSIONS GROW Although European Union and United Nations sanctions against Iran have been removed some U.S. measures remain, and that, along with the hard line promised by the new administration in Washington, has left the country still largely shut out of the global financial system as banks steer clear of its business. As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are considering reverting to the old rupee mechanism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO has no U.S. exposure that could lead it to fall foul of any new sanctions. Iran has agreed in principle to accept some oil payments in rupees to fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official told Reuters. No timeline has been fixed as yet to implement the new mechanism, however, as both sides await the outcome of Iran's presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump administration's approach towards Tehran, he said. The payment woes have hit the revenues of Indian exporters as they struggle to complete deals struck when the rupee account was flush with funds. Several containers from India are held up at Iranian ports, exporters said. "Our clients are threatening to cancel orders and procure from China," said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran. India's major exports to Iran include food, chemicals, engineering products, garments and drugs. CHABAHAR PORT The reticence of Indian banks with U.S. exposure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan and counter China's growing influence in the region. One official involved in the Chabahar project said contractors, concerned about getting paid, were now reluctant to supply equipment and materials for the Arabian Sea port whose completion is planned for 2018. "If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we may have to wind up most of our plans," the official said. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The government is still in a wait-and-watch mode and closely monitoring Trump's approach towards Iran," said a senior official who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Iran's top oil client after China, boosted exports to Tehran during sanctions as Western nations boycotted it. Yet India has lost out since the lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 billion in the previous year.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The past two months have borne discouraging news as far as employment prospects in the information technology sector are concerned. Those in the sector continue to live in an uncertain job atmosphere, even as several companies are announcing lay-offs of their employees.

Helping engineering students to make an entry to this challenging job market, Nasscom, in association with Aricent launched ARISE, a skill employability programme here on Tuesday. At the end of the training period, candidates will be Nasscom-certified, enhancing their job prospects.

ARISE aims at equipping students from tier-2 and tier-3 engineering colleges with job skills. It aims to reach out to 3,400 college students in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the National Capital Region.

Emphasising the need for skill enhancement training in the present scenario, senior director and regional head, Nasscom, Ashok Pamidi said over the next three years, at least 50 per cent of the workforce will become redundant, unless they adapt to automation. While automation would not reduce jobs, it would create a new set of jobs that requires different skills.

ARISE will impart skills concerning computer programming languages, database management, software testing, project design, etc. Students will also be given training in spoken and written communication, etiquettes and interview skills.

Shrikant Sinha, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, said a pilot programme was launched last year and encouraged by the response, they decided to launch ARISE. It is a training programme that is tailor-made for engineers, who want to join the IT industry. The programme is being executed in coordination with iPRIMED, MindMap and Centum Learning.

BENGALURU: The past two months have borne discouraging news as far as employment prospects in the information technology sector are concerned. Those in the sector continue to live in an uncertain job atmosphere, even as several companies are announcing lay-offs of their employees. Helping engineering students to make an entry to this challenging job market, Nasscom, in association with Aricent launched ARISE, a skill employability programme here on Tuesday. At the end of the training period, candidates will be Nasscom-certified, enhancing their job prospects. ARISE aims at equipping students from tier-2 and tier-3 engineering colleges with job skills. It aims to reach out to 3,400 college students in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the National Capital Region. Emphasising the need for skill enhancement training in the present scenario, senior director and regional head, Nasscom, Ashok Pamidi said over the next three years, at least 50 per cent of the workforce will become redundant, unless they adapt to automation. While automation would not reduce jobs, it would create a new set of jobs that requires different skills. ARISE will impart skills concerning computer programming languages, database management, software testing, project design, etc. Students will also be given training in spoken and written communication, etiquettes and interview skills. Shrikant Sinha, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, said a pilot programme was launched last year and encouraged by the response, they decided to launch ARISE. It is a training programme that is tailor-made for engineers, who want to join the IT industry. The programme is being executed in coordination with iPRIMED, MindMap and Centum Learning.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In yet another attack on young working women in the city by men known to them, a 31-year old woman employee of the research and development department of Ashok Leyland was stabbed by a former colleague today in the morning hours. Luckily, she survived the attack and is under treatment at a private hospital.

Suchismitha, a native of Kolkata who lives in a hostel in the city and works at Ashok Leyland, was stabbed by her former colleague right outside her place of residence in West Mambalam on Wednesday morning. Police have arrested the suspect R Raghunath (23), a native of Sivakasi.

R Raghunath (File | EPS)

Raghunath apparently hid in the street where Suchismithas hostel is located, and sprang on her as she stepped out to commute to her office at 6.30 in the morning, a senior police official said.

As she was walking towards the bus stop, he allegedly confronted her, stabbed her with a knife in her stomach, and tried to flee immediately, the officer added.

Passersby tried to nab him but he threatened them by brandishing the knife he used to stab the woman, and managed to get on his motorbike to leave. A neighbour, who saw what happened, let loose his two pet dogs on the attacker. "The dogs stopped the bike by jumping over it. As the man fell off his vehicle, the public caught hold of him, an eyewitness said. The public then handed Raghunath over to the police.

During inquiry, it was revealed that Raghunath, who too worked in Ashok Leyland in Minjur, had apparently lost his job after a public quarrel he had with Suchismitha on the staff bus. "Last July, Raghunath had reportedly got into a quarrel with Suchismitha in their office bus. The other staff present in the bus warned Raghunath and let him go. Following the incident, Suchismitha then complained to her father, Chatterji, who also works in the same company. Based on the complaint, Raghunath was sacked from the company and has been unemployed since, the investigating officer said.

Angered by this, Raghunath decided to attack Suchismitha, the police said.

Suchismitha has been working in the Research and Development department of Ashok Leyland for the past three years. Raghunath graduated from a private college in Coimbatore and joined the company last June.

She is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.

A spokesperson for Ashok Leyland said, "Yes, we are aware of the unfortunate incident earlier this morning. Thankfully, she is out of danger due to timely medical care and attention by fellow colleagues. Prima facie it appears to be a case of personal vendetta. We are extending all cooperation to the investigation authorities. Safety of all our employees is of prime importance and we will ensure all care and attention is taken to avoid such incidents in the future."

Adhok Leyland also claimed that the attacker was not directly emplyed with them but was a sub-contract staff. "The attacker was a not an employee of Ashok Leyland; he was a sub-contract employee," the spokesperson said.

CHENNAI: In yet another attack on young working women in the city by men known to them, a 31-year old woman employee of the research and development department of Ashok Leyland was stabbed by a former colleague today in the morning hours. Luckily, she survived the attack and is under treatment at a private hospital. Suchismitha, a native of Kolkata who lives in a hostel in the city and works at Ashok Leyland, was stabbed by her former colleague right outside her place of residence in West Mambalam on Wednesday morning. Police have arrested the suspect R Raghunath (23), a native of Sivakasi. R Raghunath (File | EPS)Raghunath apparently hid in the street where Suchismithas hostel is located, and sprang on her as she stepped out to commute to her office at 6.30 in the morning, a senior police official said. As she was walking towards the bus stop, he allegedly confronted her, stabbed her with a knife in her stomach, and tried to flee immediately, the officer added. Passersby tried to nab him but he threatened them by brandishing the knife he used to stab the woman, and managed to get on his motorbike to leave. A neighbour, who saw what happened, let loose his two pet dogs on the attacker. "The dogs stopped the bike by jumping over it. As the man fell off his vehicle, the public caught hold of him, an eyewitness said. The public then handed Raghunath over to the police. During inquiry, it was revealed that Raghunath, who too worked in Ashok Leyland in Minjur, had apparently lost his job after a public quarrel he had with Suchismitha on the staff bus. "Last July, Raghunath had reportedly got into a quarrel with Suchismitha in their office bus. The other staff present in the bus warned Raghunath and let him go. Following the incident, Suchismitha then complained to her father, Chatterji, who also works in the same company. Based on the complaint, Raghunath was sacked from the company and has been unemployed since, the investigating officer said. Angered by this, Raghunath decided to attack Suchismitha, the police said. Suchismitha has been working in the Research and Development department of Ashok Leyland for the past three years. Raghunath graduated from a private college in Coimbatore and joined the company last June. She is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai. A spokesperson for Ashok Leyland said, "Yes, we are aware of the unfortunate incident earlier this morning. Thankfully, she is out of danger due to timely medical care and attention by fellow colleagues. Prima facie it appears to be a case of personal vendetta. We are extending all cooperation to the investigation authorities. Safety of all our employees is of prime importance and we will ensure all care and attention is taken to avoid such incidents in the future." Adhok Leyland also claimed that the attacker was not directly emplyed with them but was a sub-contract staff. "The attacker was a not an employee of Ashok Leyland; he was a sub-contract employee," the spokesperson said.
By IANS

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF) has decided to allow the new Disney film "Beauty and the Beast" to premiere in the nation uncut after controversy erupted over "gay elements" in the movie.

The standoff between Disney Malaysia and the censorship board, which requires all foreign films to apply for public screenings, over a song-and-dance scene between two male characters was perceived to have a moment of intimacy.

The vetting department run by the Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to allow the uncut remake of the animated film to be screened in cinemas two weeks after its scheduled release, reports Efe.

"Disney's 'Beauty And The Beast' has now been approved to be released in Malaysia with no cuts, with a PG13 rating," said Disney Malaysia in a statement.

The film will premiere on March 30.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF) has decided to allow the new Disney film "Beauty and the Beast" to premiere in the nation uncut after controversy erupted over "gay elements" in the movie. The standoff between Disney Malaysia and the censorship board, which requires all foreign films to apply for public screenings, over a song-and-dance scene between two male characters was perceived to have a moment of intimacy. The vetting department run by the Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to allow the uncut remake of the animated film to be screened in cinemas two weeks after its scheduled release, reports Efe. "Disney's 'Beauty And The Beast' has now been approved to be released in Malaysia with no cuts, with a PG13 rating," said Disney Malaysia in a statement. The film will premiere on March 30.
By BNS

In his next fi lm, The Noblemen, by debutant director Vandana Kataria Kunal Kapoor will be teaching about Shakespearean plays to students. Talking about the fi lm he says, I have had the opportunity to play such varied characters last year.

This again, is very different from anything I have done before. The character is rebellious, and his teaching methods are unique and unconventional. I connected deeply with that rebellion.

With the need to break stereotypical ideas about how things should be done. Ask him about what draws so many actors to Shakespeare, the actor says, The range of Shakespeares characters is just enormous. Each character, whether its a man or woman, prince or pauper, hero or anti hero, is so complex, layered and yet deeply identifi able.

And his stories are timeless. Audiences, actors and readers across generations can relate to them. The unit recently wrapped the fi lm after a month long schedule in Mussoorie, followed by a shoot in Mumbai. The fi lm is produced by Saregama, Shivani Saran and casting director Seher Latif. Kunal will also been seen in Tigmasnhu Dhulias Raagdesh.

In his next fi lm, The Noblemen, by debutant director Vandana Kataria Kunal Kapoor will be teaching about Shakespearean plays to students. Talking about the fi lm he says, I have had the opportunity to play such varied characters last year. This again, is very different from anything I have done before. The character is rebellious, and his teaching methods are unique and unconventional. I connected deeply with that rebellion. With the need to break stereotypical ideas about how things should be done. Ask him about what draws so many actors to Shakespeare, the actor says, The range of Shakespeares characters is just enormous. Each character, whether its a man or woman, prince or pauper, hero or anti hero, is so complex, layered and yet deeply identifi able. And his stories are timeless. Audiences, actors and readers across generations can relate to them. The unit recently wrapped the fi lm after a month long schedule in Mussoorie, followed by a shoot in Mumbai. The fi lm is produced by Saregama, Shivani Saran and casting director Seher Latif. Kunal will also been seen in Tigmasnhu Dhulias Raagdesh.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: After five years, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are back together, shooting for their upcoming film Tiger Zinda Hai in Austria.

The Sultan actor, today, shared an adorable picture on his Twitter handle where both the stars are seen romantically staring at each other.

The 51-year-old captioned the picture as, "BACK TOGETHER, IN TIGER ZINDA HAI"

BACK TOGETHER , IN TIGER ZINDA HAI . pic.twitter.com/H8D0Gv8cTT  Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) March 22, 2017

While Salman is seen sporting a printed black tuxedo with white shirt and bow tie, Katrina looks gorgeous in an off-shoulder pink dress.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to the 2012 spy thriller Ek Tha Tiger.

NEW DELHI: After five years, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are back together, shooting for their upcoming film Tiger Zinda Hai in Austria. The Sultan actor, today, shared an adorable picture on his Twitter handle where both the stars are seen romantically staring at each other. The 51-year-old captioned the picture as, "BACK TOGETHER, IN TIGER ZINDA HAI" BACK TOGETHER , IN TIGER ZINDA HAI . pic.twitter.com/H8D0Gv8cTT  Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) March 22, 2017 While Salman is seen sporting a printed black tuxedo with white shirt and bow tie, Katrina looks gorgeous in an off-shoulder pink dress. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to the 2012 spy thriller Ek Tha Tiger.
By BNS

The first shooting schedule of YRFs much-anticipated film, Tiger Zinda Hai commenced recently at Austria.

Director Ali Abbas Zafar started the schedule by shooting for a love song, Dil Diyan Gallan composed by Vishal - Shekhar. Featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, the romantic track is shot at exquisite locations in Austria that includes the historic Golden Roof.

Several Hollywood films have been shot at the location that includes two films from the iconic Bond Franchise, Quantum of Solace and Spectre.

The film is set to release in Christmas this year.

The first shooting schedule of YRFs much-anticipated film, Tiger Zinda Hai commenced recently at Austria. Director Ali Abbas Zafar started the schedule by shooting for a love song, Dil Diyan Gallan composed by Vishal - Shekhar. Featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, the romantic track is shot at exquisite locations in Austria that includes the historic Golden Roof. Several Hollywood films have been shot at the location that includes two films from the iconic Bond Franchise, Quantum of Solace and Spectre. The film is set to release in Christmas this year.
Nikolai Gorokhov, a lawyer representing the family of a Russian whistleblower, was reportedly thrown out of the fourth floor of his Moscow apartment building on Tuesday  a day before the 53-year-old was due to appear in court regarding a contentious corruption case.

According to a news release from a website linked to the lawyer's spokesman, Bill Browder , Gorokhov had severe head injuries and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Botkin hospital. The release indicated he was in critical condition.

Some reports indicated that Russian media outlets had claimed Gorokhov's fall was an accident related to moving a Jacuzzi, but CNBC could not immediately confirm.

Gorokhov was working to launch a probe into the death of Sergei Magnitsky , a lawyer who died in prison in 2009 after claiming that organized criminals colluded with Russian government officials to claim a fraudulent $230 million tax rebate.

At the time of his findings, Magnitsky was working for Hermitage Capital Management under Browder, an American-born hedge fund boss and human rights activist who was an alleged victim in the scheme. He launched an international justice campaign following Magnitsky's death, which many activists believe was a result of abuse under police custody.

Timing of Gorokhov's accident

On March 22, Gorokhov was scheduled to appear in front of the Moscow City Appeals Court to argue against the Tverskoi District Court's refusal to consider a new criminal complaint filed by Magnitsky's mother in regards to new evidence, Tuesday's press release said.

A series of electronic communications, known as the Pavlov Leaks, had been uncovered and it showed collusion of individuals responsible for the fraud case that Magnitsky uncovered, the release alleged. Members of the Klyuev crime syndicate and police officers were involved, the release claimed.

Gorokhov is also a key witness in the U.S. government's case against Prevezon Holdings, a Cyprus company owned by Denis Katsyv, son of senior Russian official Petr Katsyv, the release said. The trial, scheduled to begin on May 15th, is in relation to Prevezon's alleged money laundering that Magnitsky discovered, the release continued.



Story continues

Former New York attorney Attorney Preet Bharara was handling the Prevezon affair before President Donald Trump fired him.

The Magnitsky case has drawn international attention towards Russian corruption and has been the source of inspiration for tighter human rights regulations in the West .

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.

Correction: This article has been updated to accurately reflect the most recent updates about Gorokhov's condition.





More From CNBC


By Express News Service

With Puri Jagganadhs upcoming film Rogue clearing the censors with a U/A certificate, the film is set to hit theatres on March 29 on Ugadi .

CR Manohar is making sure that the debut film of his newphew Ishan will be a memorable one. Accordingly, the bilingual film made in Kannada and Telugu will release in more than 1,000 theatres world-wide.

We are glad that Ishans debut will release on the auspicious day of Ugadi, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu lunar calendar, he says. Rogue directed by Puri has already generated the pre-release buzz and according to the producer, the film will be a festive treat.

The action thriller Rogue features Mannara Chopra, Angela Krisinzki, Thakur Anoop Singh among others in the cast.

The films music is by Sunil Kashyap and cinematography is by Mukesh G.

With Puri Jagganadhs upcoming film Rogue clearing the censors with a U/A certificate, the film is set to hit theatres on March 29 on Ugadi . CR Manohar is making sure that the debut film of his newphew Ishan will be a memorable one. Accordingly, the bilingual film made in Kannada and Telugu will release in more than 1,000 theatres world-wide. We are glad that Ishans debut will release on the auspicious day of Ugadi, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu lunar calendar, he says. Rogue directed by Puri has already generated the pre-release buzz and according to the producer, the film will be a festive treat. The action thriller Rogue features Mannara Chopra, Angela Krisinzki, Thakur Anoop Singh among others in the cast. The films music is by Sunil Kashyap and cinematography is by Mukesh G.
Shevlin Sebastian By

Express News Service

On a windy day in January, director Lijo Jose Pellissery, cinematographer Girish Ganghadaran, a few crew members, as well as the hero of Angamaly Diaries Antony Varghese were standing on the terrace of a building in Bahrain. Next to the building was a tower crane.

In the film, Vincent Peppe, played by Antony, following his marriage to Lichi (Reshma Rajan), in Angamaly, was working as a tower crane operator in a construction company at Bahrain.We wanted to use a drone, and show Antony sitting in the cabin of the crane, says Lijo. It was a sunset scene.

However, what came as a shock, was that there was no lift to enter the cabin. So, we did not know how Antony was going to enter it, says Lijo. In the end, Anthony had to hold onto the side of the crane, on the 27th floor, and carefully make his way to the cabin.

At that height, there was a strong breeze blowing. But Antony was brave, although it was a risky thing to do, says Lijo. In the end, it turned out to be a brilliant and realistic shot. In fact, it was the last scene of the film.

There were many realistic scenes in Angamaly Diaries. At the start of the film, a group of actors, in fancy dress, looking like Jesus Christ, a nun, and a solider were having drinks. The soldier, Paripp Marti, was played by actor Sreekanth Dasan. Soon, there was a skirmish with an opposing group and the two groups rushed down the steps of the first-floor bar.

In the melee, Sreekanth got his nose dislocated, says Lijo. We had to rush him to the hospital. It took him four days to recover.

There were several fight sequences in the film. As a result, there were quite a few injuries. This happened so often, that the nurses and doctors asked us, half-jokingly, whether it was actually a cinema shoot that was going on, says Lijo with a smile. But the actors were all dedicated to making a true-to-life movie.

This dedication could also be seen in Lijos earlier blockbuster, Amen. In a scene, on a narrow bridge, there was a confrontation between Solomon (Fahadh Faasil) and his love interest Shoshanna (Swati Reddy), with the local Catholic priests assistant Kochuousep (played by Sunil Sukhada) standing in the middle.

As Shoshanna accuses Solomon of wanting to abandon her, because of his plans to become a priest, Kochuousep tries to persuade the girl to forget about Solomon. But so incensed is Shoshanna that she pushes Kochuousep away. And Kochuousep falls from a height into the water. It was not very clean water, says Lijo. But Sunil unhesitatingly jumps. That showed his dedication.

But sometimes, this dedication can be risky, too. In Lijos Double Barrel, he wanted to shoot a fight sequence between two gangs using a helicam. The location was on a hill in Goa. At one side was the famous Vagathor beach. For some reason, the helicam signal was not working. So, the operators were running after the helicam, with their remote, to get the signal working.

Without realising it, they had reached the edge of the hill, says Lijo. At the last moment, our crew members managed to hold on to them before they slipped over the edge. I have never forgotten how close they were to falling off.

Thankfully, the signal soon started working and they were able to shoot the scene. For everything to work well, on a shoot, you need a large dose of luck, says Lijo.

On a windy day in January, director Lijo Jose Pellissery, cinematographer Girish Ganghadaran, a few crew members, as well as the hero of Angamaly Diaries Antony Varghese were standing on the terrace of a building in Bahrain. Next to the building was a tower crane. In the film, Vincent Peppe, played by Antony, following his marriage to Lichi (Reshma Rajan), in Angamaly, was working as a tower crane operator in a construction company at Bahrain.We wanted to use a drone, and show Antony sitting in the cabin of the crane, says Lijo. It was a sunset scene. However, what came as a shock, was that there was no lift to enter the cabin. So, we did not know how Antony was going to enter it, says Lijo. In the end, Anthony had to hold onto the side of the crane, on the 27th floor, and carefully make his way to the cabin. At that height, there was a strong breeze blowing. But Antony was brave, although it was a risky thing to do, says Lijo. In the end, it turned out to be a brilliant and realistic shot. In fact, it was the last scene of the film. There were many realistic scenes in Angamaly Diaries. At the start of the film, a group of actors, in fancy dress, looking like Jesus Christ, a nun, and a solider were having drinks. The soldier, Paripp Marti, was played by actor Sreekanth Dasan. Soon, there was a skirmish with an opposing group and the two groups rushed down the steps of the first-floor bar. In the melee, Sreekanth got his nose dislocated, says Lijo. We had to rush him to the hospital. It took him four days to recover. There were several fight sequences in the film. As a result, there were quite a few injuries. This happened so often, that the nurses and doctors asked us, half-jokingly, whether it was actually a cinema shoot that was going on, says Lijo with a smile. But the actors were all dedicated to making a true-to-life movie. This dedication could also be seen in Lijos earlier blockbuster, Amen. In a scene, on a narrow bridge, there was a confrontation between Solomon (Fahadh Faasil) and his love interest Shoshanna (Swati Reddy), with the local Catholic priests assistant Kochuousep (played by Sunil Sukhada) standing in the middle. As Shoshanna accuses Solomon of wanting to abandon her, because of his plans to become a priest, Kochuousep tries to persuade the girl to forget about Solomon. But so incensed is Shoshanna that she pushes Kochuousep away. And Kochuousep falls from a height into the water. It was not very clean water, says Lijo. But Sunil unhesitatingly jumps. That showed his dedication. But sometimes, this dedication can be risky, too. In Lijos Double Barrel, he wanted to shoot a fight sequence between two gangs using a helicam. The location was on a hill in Goa. At one side was the famous Vagathor beach. For some reason, the helicam signal was not working. So, the operators were running after the helicam, with their remote, to get the signal working. Without realising it, they had reached the edge of the hill, says Lijo. At the last moment, our crew members managed to hold on to them before they slipped over the edge. I have never forgotten how close they were to falling off. Thankfully, the signal soon started working and they were able to shoot the scene. For everything to work well, on a shoot, you need a large dose of luck, says Lijo.
By PTI

CHENNAI: The shooting of Rajinikanth's mega budget film '2.0' here was marred by an unsavoury incident today when two photo journalists were allegedly assaulted by the crew for questioning the blocking of a road.

Though the agitated journalists initially lodged a police complaint against the concerned crew members, they withdrew it after the film director Shankar expressed regret.

The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged they were beaten up when they questioned the blocking of a key intersection in downtown Triplicane by several vehicles of the film crew.

"When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up," Raghunathan, photographer of an English daily, told PTI.

He said Barath, working for a Tamil daily, was also assaulted following which they lodged a police complaint seeking appropriate action.

He claimed that though permission was given for the film shooting during the evening hours, the crew violated it to suit their convenience.

The scribes later withdrew the complaint after Shankar visited the Press Club and expressed regret over the incident.

"This incident happened without my knowledge, I feel very sorry for that, I will see that it won't happen again," he said.

When pointed out that he was seen in the vicinity of the incident spot, Shankar clarified that he had around that time moved into a nearby house for shooting a scene.

Raghunathan told reporters that the complaint was withdrawn following the director's intervention. Billed as one of the mega budget films, '2.0', is considered a sequel to the earlier superhit 'Endiran' which featured Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai.

The film, nearing completion, also has Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.

CHENNAI: The shooting of Rajinikanth's mega budget film '2.0' here was marred by an unsavoury incident today when two photo journalists were allegedly assaulted by the crew for questioning the blocking of a road. Though the agitated journalists initially lodged a police complaint against the concerned crew members, they withdrew it after the film director Shankar expressed regret. The journalists, Raghunathan and Sri Barath, alleged they were beaten up when they questioned the blocking of a key intersection in downtown Triplicane by several vehicles of the film crew. "When we asked if it was proper to inconvenience public by blocking roads especially during (morning) peak hour, two crew members used foul language against us and we were beaten up," Raghunathan, photographer of an English daily, told PTI. He said Barath, working for a Tamil daily, was also assaulted following which they lodged a police complaint seeking appropriate action. He claimed that though permission was given for the film shooting during the evening hours, the crew violated it to suit their convenience. The scribes later withdrew the complaint after Shankar visited the Press Club and expressed regret over the incident. "This incident happened without my knowledge, I feel very sorry for that, I will see that it won't happen again," he said. When pointed out that he was seen in the vicinity of the incident spot, Shankar clarified that he had around that time moved into a nearby house for shooting a scene. Raghunathan told reporters that the complaint was withdrawn following the director's intervention. Billed as one of the mega budget films, '2.0', is considered a sequel to the earlier superhit 'Endiran' which featured Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai. The film, nearing completion, also has Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.
By PTI

SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri Pandit organisation today alleged that the 2003 Nadimarg massacre in South Kashmir was planned by militants and local youth to "take revenge for 2002 Godhra riots" in Gujarat.

Twenty-four Kashmiri Pandits were killed by terrorists in South Kashmir's Nadimarg hamlet in March 2003. "When KPSS did ground zero investigation about this crime, we found that it was a well-planned attempt by some armed insurgents and local youths from the adjoining villages to take revenge for the Gujarat riots and to celebrate Pakistan Resolution Day by killing Kashmiri Pandits," Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay K Tikoo said in a statement here.

He alleged that 24 Kashmiri Pandits were murdered in cold blood by the militants at Nadimarg in Shopian district on March 23, 2003. "From the last 14 years, not a single person has been punished for the same," he said.

SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri Pandit organisation today alleged that the 2003 Nadimarg massacre in South Kashmir was planned by militants and local youth to "take revenge for 2002 Godhra riots" in Gujarat. Twenty-four Kashmiri Pandits were killed by terrorists in South Kashmir's Nadimarg hamlet in March 2003. "When KPSS did ground zero investigation about this crime, we found that it was a well-planned attempt by some armed insurgents and local youths from the adjoining villages to take revenge for the Gujarat riots and to celebrate Pakistan Resolution Day by killing Kashmiri Pandits," Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay K Tikoo said in a statement here. He alleged that 24 Kashmiri Pandits were murdered in cold blood by the militants at Nadimarg in Shopian district on March 23, 2003. "From the last 14 years, not a single person has been punished for the same," he said.
NEW DELHI: A total of 48 cases of sexual harassment of foreign women tourists were registered in different parts of the country during 2014-15, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"As per the information provided by the National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 33 cases in 2014 and 15 cases in 2015 were registered under assault on women (foreign tourists) with intent to outrage her modesty (Section 354A to 354D IPC," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said while replying a written question.

Among the cases registered in 2014, only two persons have been convicted so far and among the cases registered in 2015, no one has been convicted.

A total of 45 such cases were pending for trial by the end of 2015, he said.

NEW DELHI: A total of 48 cases of sexual harassment of foreign women tourists were registered in different parts of the country during 2014-15, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. "As per the information provided by the National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 33 cases in 2014 and 15 cases in 2015 were registered under assault on women (foreign tourists) with intent to outrage her modesty (Section 354A to 354D IPC," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said while replying a written question. Among the cases registered in 2014, only two persons have been convicted so far and among the cases registered in 2015, no one has been convicted. A total of 45 such cases were pending for trial by the end of 2015, he said.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Despite nine failed attempts to find an out-of-court settlement to the contentious and sentimental issue, the Supreme Court on Tuesday advised all parties involved in the Ayodhya dispute to resolve the issue amicably. The apex courts suggestion comes days after the BJP won the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with a historic mandate. The construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site featured prominently in the ruling partys Sankalp Patra (poll manifesto), and the appointment of firebrand Hindutva poster boy Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister is being viewed as a favourable factor in fulfilling this promise.

These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting, said a bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar. The observations have come after BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy sought an urgent hearing on the issue. Six years have passed since the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court ordered a three-way division of the disputed area (2.77 acres) in 2010.

You must make fresh attempts to arrive at a consensual decision. If required, you must choose a moderator to end the dispute. If the parties want me to sit with mediators chosen by both the sides for negotiations, Im ready to take up the task. Even the services of my brother judges can be availed for the purpose, the CJI said, adding that the judge who mediates between the parties would not be a part of the bench hearing the case later. The Bench then asked Swamy to consult the parties and inform it about the decision on March 31.

The observations were lapped up by leaders of the saffron party, with Adityanath calling it a solid and welcome move. The RSS also welcomed it, stating it always favoured an out-of-court settlement. While the RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosbole said his organisation would stand with the decision of the Dharma Sansad of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), senior functionary Manmohan Vaidya said the grand Ram temple should be built either through dialogue or legislation.

The Congress, too, favoured a negotiated settlement for lasting peace. If all stakeholders can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus-based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peace and goodwill, Congress Randeep Surjewala said.

NEW DELHI: Despite nine failed attempts to find an out-of-court settlement to the contentious and sentimental issue, the Supreme Court on Tuesday advised all parties involved in the Ayodhya dispute to resolve the issue amicably. The apex courts suggestion comes days after the BJP won the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with a historic mandate. The construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site featured prominently in the ruling partys Sankalp Patra (poll manifesto), and the appointment of firebrand Hindutva poster boy Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister is being viewed as a favourable factor in fulfilling this promise. These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting, said a bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar. The observations have come after BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy sought an urgent hearing on the issue. Six years have passed since the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court ordered a three-way division of the disputed area (2.77 acres) in 2010. You must make fresh attempts to arrive at a consensual decision. If required, you must choose a moderator to end the dispute. If the parties want me to sit with mediators chosen by both the sides for negotiations, Im ready to take up the task. Even the services of my brother judges can be availed for the purpose, the CJI said, adding that the judge who mediates between the parties would not be a part of the bench hearing the case later. The Bench then asked Swamy to consult the parties and inform it about the decision on March 31. The observations were lapped up by leaders of the saffron party, with Adityanath calling it a solid and welcome move. The RSS also welcomed it, stating it always favoured an out-of-court settlement. While the RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosbole said his organisation would stand with the decision of the Dharma Sansad of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), senior functionary Manmohan Vaidya said the grand Ram temple should be built either through dialogue or legislation. The Congress, too, favoured a negotiated settlement for lasting peace. If all stakeholders can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus-based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peace and goodwill, Congress Randeep Surjewala said.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: A hardline Hindu group has filed a police complaint against aspiring Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay (42) for a poem hurting Hindu religious sentiments and criticising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Following this, a First Information Report (FIR) has been booked against Bandopadhyay, who is based in Siliguri.

Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay

The complainant, 20-year-old Arnab Sarkar  a member of the group Hindu Samhati  mentioned in his complaint that the last line of the poem hurts Hindu sentiments.

The controversial last line of the 12-line poem titled Curse, posted by Bandopadhyay on Facebook on March 19  the day Yogi Adityanath was sworn as UP Chief Minister  reads: As long as women are raped after being excavated from their graves, condoms should be worn on Trishuls. His indirect reference sought to highlight a diktat by one of Adityanaths men to rape dead Muslim women by digging up their graves. The complainant mentioned that the holy Hindu weapon Trishul has been insulted in the poem.

The case against poet Srijato Bandopadhyay was booked in the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station. However, police officers said they wont be able to take the case forward due to restrictions imposed by Facebook, Arnab Sarkar told New Indian Express. The second year accountancy student of Bagdogra College indicated that he may move the local court.

Though Sarkar is an active member of Hindu Samhati, he claimed that he filed the complaint on his own.

Curse had garnered around 4,600 likes, 801 shares and 1,800 comments until Tuesday afternoon. While criticism flooded the comments section, litterateurs from across Bengal shared their own poems against religious extremism and supported Bandopadhyay.

The poem also compares Yogi Adityanath with a disease that must be contained before it becomes endemic. It says that every election pushes Indians a century behind and women are victims of violence even after death. The poet compares Muslim women with deer, whose flesh is sought even after death.

Bandopadhyay could not be contacted as his cellphone was switched off. He also did not respond on Facebook.

KOLKATA: A hardline Hindu group has filed a police complaint against aspiring Bengali poet Srijato Bandopadhyay (42) for a poem hurting Hindu religious sentiments and criticising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Following this, a First Information Report (FIR) has been booked against Bandopadhyay, who is based in Siliguri. Bengali poet Srijato BandopadhyayThe complainant, 20-year-old Arnab Sarkar  a member of the group Hindu Samhati  mentioned in his complaint that the last line of the poem hurts Hindu sentiments. The controversial last line of the 12-line poem titled Curse, posted by Bandopadhyay on Facebook on March 19  the day Yogi Adityanath was sworn as UP Chief Minister  reads: As long as women are raped after being excavated from their graves, condoms should be worn on Trishuls. His indirect reference sought to highlight a diktat by one of Adityanaths men to rape dead Muslim women by digging up their graves. The complainant mentioned that the holy Hindu weapon Trishul has been insulted in the poem. The case against poet Srijato Bandopadhyay was booked in the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station. However, police officers said they wont be able to take the case forward due to restrictions imposed by Facebook, Arnab Sarkar told New Indian Express. The second year accountancy student of Bagdogra College indicated that he may move the local court. Though Sarkar is an active member of Hindu Samhati, he claimed that he filed the complaint on his own. Curse had garnered around 4,600 likes, 801 shares and 1,800 comments until Tuesday afternoon. While criticism flooded the comments section, litterateurs from across Bengal shared their own poems against religious extremism and supported Bandopadhyay. The poem also compares Yogi Adityanath with a disease that must be contained before it becomes endemic. It says that every election pushes Indians a century behind and women are victims of violence even after death. The poet compares Muslim women with deer, whose flesh is sought even after death. Bandopadhyay could not be contacted as his cellphone was switched off. He also did not respond on Facebook.
MUMBAI: Slamming government doctors who have been on strike for their irresponsible behaviour, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday remarked that resident doctors are fit only to be ordinary factory

workers and not medical professionals entrusted with the task of saving human lives. Tuesday was the second day of the sudden agitation of the resident doctors in Maharashtra wherein more than 4,000

resident doctors in government hospitals stayed away from work.

The agitation came after a couple of incidents last week wherein resident doctors from government hospitals in Dhule and Sion in Mumbai were beaten up by relatives of patients on suspicion of negligent

behaviour.

On Monday, it was said that the agitation was a token protest and the doctors would resume duties. But, on Tuesday they refused to resume work unless better security facilities are provided.

Against this backdrop, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G S Kulkarni, which was hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Afak Mandaviya, said, If you

(doctors) do not want to work, then resign. You are not factory workers who resort to such protests. Shame on you. How can doctors behave in such a manner?

The petitioners counsel, Datta Mane, said the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors had last year assured the High Court that the doctors would not resort to agitations in the future.

If that is the case, the protesting doctors have committed contempt. The hospitals concerned should initiate action against them, the court said. However, the agitation appeared to have fizzled out by late evening.

MUMBAI: Slamming government doctors who have been on strike for their irresponsible behaviour, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday remarked that resident doctors are fit only to be ordinary factory workers and not medical professionals entrusted with the task of saving human lives. Tuesday was the second day of the sudden agitation of the resident doctors in Maharashtra wherein more than 4,000 resident doctors in government hospitals stayed away from work. The agitation came after a couple of incidents last week wherein resident doctors from government hospitals in Dhule and Sion in Mumbai were beaten up by relatives of patients on suspicion of negligent behaviour. On Monday, it was said that the agitation was a token protest and the doctors would resume duties. But, on Tuesday they refused to resume work unless better security facilities are provided. Against this backdrop, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G S Kulkarni, which was hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Afak Mandaviya, said, If you (doctors) do not want to work, then resign. You are not factory workers who resort to such protests. Shame on you. How can doctors behave in such a manner? The petitioners counsel, Datta Mane, said the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors had last year assured the High Court that the doctors would not resort to agitations in the future. If that is the case, the protesting doctors have committed contempt. The hospitals concerned should initiate action against them, the court said. However, the agitation appeared to have fizzled out by late evening.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Nuclear power generation capacity in the country is expected to reach nearly 15,000 MW by 2024 as the government has expedited the process of setting up new plants, Lok Sabha was informed today.

In 2014, India's nuclear power generation capacity was 4,780 MW.

Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh said a number of steps have been taken by the Narendra Modi government to fast-track all ongoing nuclear projects and setting up of new plants in different parts of the country.

"When we came to power in 2014, we had set a target of generating nuclear power by three time in 10 years and we hope to reach that target," he said during Question Hour.

The Minister, however, said for generating targeted nuclear power, there has to be enough uranium available - both from domestic as well as foreign sources.

Singh said the government was actively pursuing the process of acquiring uranium from different sources, including exploration in new places like Bihar and Meghalaya.

He said for the first time, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India has been allowed to go for setting up of joint venture nuclear plants along with Public Sector Undertakings.

The Minister said the third stage of India's nuclear power programme contemplates using thorium along with uranium- 233 as fuel in thorium-based reactors.

With sustained efforts of years, India has gained experience over the entire thorium fuel cycle on a semi- industrial scale, he said.

"The developmental activities include studies in thorium extraction, fuel fabrication and irradiation, reprocessing studies including construction of an engineering-scale power reactor, thorium reprocessing facility and setting up of uranium-233 fuelled Purnima and KAMINI research reactors," he said.

Singh said the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and research organisations attached with DAE are engaged in various R&D activities to address the utilisation of thorium in different types of reactors, including efforts aimed at enlarging the existing thorium cycle experience to a bigger scale.

NEW DELHI: Nuclear power generation capacity in the country is expected to reach nearly 15,000 MW by 2024 as the government has expedited the process of setting up new plants, Lok Sabha was informed today. In 2014, India's nuclear power generation capacity was 4,780 MW. Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh said a number of steps have been taken by the Narendra Modi government to fast-track all ongoing nuclear projects and setting up of new plants in different parts of the country. "When we came to power in 2014, we had set a target of generating nuclear power by three time in 10 years and we hope to reach that target," he said during Question Hour. The Minister, however, said for generating targeted nuclear power, there has to be enough uranium available - both from domestic as well as foreign sources. Singh said the government was actively pursuing the process of acquiring uranium from different sources, including exploration in new places like Bihar and Meghalaya. He said for the first time, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India has been allowed to go for setting up of joint venture nuclear plants along with Public Sector Undertakings. The Minister said the third stage of India's nuclear power programme contemplates using thorium along with uranium- 233 as fuel in thorium-based reactors. With sustained efforts of years, India has gained experience over the entire thorium fuel cycle on a semi- industrial scale, he said. "The developmental activities include studies in thorium extraction, fuel fabrication and irradiation, reprocessing studies including construction of an engineering-scale power reactor, thorium reprocessing facility and setting up of uranium-233 fuelled Purnima and KAMINI research reactors," he said. Singh said the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and research organisations attached with DAE are engaged in various R&D activities to address the utilisation of thorium in different types of reactors, including efforts aimed at enlarging the existing thorium cycle experience to a bigger scale.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir has launched a crackdown on separatist leaders to disallow them from attending the Pakistan Day function in countrys embassy in New Delhi.

Police today arrested senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan from Srinagar Airport when he was on way to New Delhi to attend the Pakistan National Day function at Pakistan embassy tomorrow.

The separatist leader was lodged at a police station.

Police today also placed under house arrest Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Shahid too was scheduled to leave for New Delhi today to attend the Pakistan day function tomorrow.

Pakistan envoy to India had invited all top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Khan, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai to attend the Pakistan National Day function at countrys embassy in New Delhi tomorrow.

The PDP-BJP coalition government has launched a crackdown on separatist leaders. Most of the separatist leaders have either been detained or placed under house arrest to prevent from visiting New Delhi to attend Pakistan Day function.

The government has placed Geelani, Mirwaiz, Shah, Sehrai and others under house arrest. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been arrested and lodged at central jail, Srinagar.

Sources said the authorities have deployed police and intelligence officials at the Srinagar airport to prevent separatists from flying to New Delhi to attend Pakistan Day function.

They said the security officials are also keeping watch on the movement of vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway to prevent separatists from travelling to Delhi via road.

In past, the separatist leaders have been attending the Pakistan Day function at Pakistan embassy in New Delhi.

A spokesman of hardline Hurriyat Conference said conglomerates chairman Syed Ali Geelani and many separatist leaders were invited by Pakistan to attend Pakistan Day function at its High Commission in Delhi.

However, the state authorities didnt allow leaders to attend the event by either detaining them or placing them under house arrest, he said.

Terming these measures as frustration of authorities, he said it was a routine exercise of separatist leaders to attend the function. However, barring leadership from attending such function is extremely strange and uncalled.

SRINAGAR: The PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir has launched a crackdown on separatist leaders to disallow them from attending the Pakistan Day function in countrys embassy in New Delhi. Police today arrested senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan from Srinagar Airport when he was on way to New Delhi to attend the Pakistan National Day function at Pakistan embassy tomorrow. The separatist leader was lodged at a police station. Police today also placed under house arrest Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Shahid too was scheduled to leave for New Delhi today to attend the Pakistan day function tomorrow. Pakistan envoy to India had invited all top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Khan, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai to attend the Pakistan National Day function at countrys embassy in New Delhi tomorrow. The PDP-BJP coalition government has launched a crackdown on separatist leaders. Most of the separatist leaders have either been detained or placed under house arrest to prevent from visiting New Delhi to attend Pakistan Day function. The government has placed Geelani, Mirwaiz, Shah, Sehrai and others under house arrest. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been arrested and lodged at central jail, Srinagar. Sources said the authorities have deployed police and intelligence officials at the Srinagar airport to prevent separatists from flying to New Delhi to attend Pakistan Day function. They said the security officials are also keeping watch on the movement of vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway to prevent separatists from travelling to Delhi via road. In past, the separatist leaders have been attending the Pakistan Day function at Pakistan embassy in New Delhi. A spokesman of hardline Hurriyat Conference said conglomerates chairman Syed Ali Geelani and many separatist leaders were invited by Pakistan to attend Pakistan Day function at its High Commission in Delhi. However, the state authorities didnt allow leaders to attend the event by either detaining them or placing them under house arrest, he said. Terming these measures as frustration of authorities, he said it was a routine exercise of separatist leaders to attend the function. However, barring leadership from attending such function is extremely strange and uncalled.
By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Failing to reach a comprehensive free trade deal with the European Union risks significant damage to Britain's trade in non-financial services, a committee of members of the upper house of parliament said in a report published on Wednesday. While much attention has been on safeguarding the interests of Britain's financial sector in any Brexit deal, the House of Lords EU Internal Market sub-committee said that the total volume of UK exports to the EU of non-financial services was more than double that of financial services exports. Prime Minister Theresa May, who is due to trigger the formal two-year exit process on March 29, has said she wants a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU but is prepared to walk away from negotiations if she believes the deal on offer is poor. In the absence of a deal, trade between Britain and the other 27 EU members would default to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and tariffs, but the committee said those do not provide for trade in several service sectors, potentially forcing businesses to relocate. "You would actually be in a limbo situation if there were no deal," committee chairman John Whitty told Reuters, adding that it would badly damage UK business, particularly in sectors such as aviation and broadcasting. Airlines have called on the government to speed up plans for aviation because the deadline for preparing post-Brexit flight schedules is fast approaching. Luton-based easyJet has already said it is seeking a new operating licence in another EU member state. The committee said the government should either seek full membership of the European Common Aviation Area or a comprehensive UK-EU air services agreement to ensure UK airlines can continue to fly to any point within the EU. With services traditionally less covered by FTAs, the committee also warned that even the most ambitious trade deals agreed by the EU to date would represent "a deterioration of trading conditions for UK businesses". "The UK will require the most comprehensive FTA in services ever agreed with the EU," it said in its report. Whitty said this would be too complex to do within the two-year time frame set out under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, and urged the government to seek a transitional period while details are hammered out. As part of an FTA, the government should seek specific reciprocal arrangements in areas such as mutual recognition of professional qualifications, broadcasting licences and data protection standards, the report said. (Editing by Stephen Addison)
By PTI

JAMMU: The Election Commission of India today decided to hold the biennial elections for the six seats of Jammu and Kashmir legislative council on April 17, two days before they fall vacant.

While slating April 17 as the date for polling, the ECI notification issued today, fixed March 29 as the last date for filing nominations. The scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 30 while the candidates would be allowed to withdraw their candidature till April 3, said the ECI notification.

While fixing April 17 as the date for the polling, the notification slated the voting hours from 9 AM to 4 PM. The ECI also appointed the J&K legislative assembly's secretary as the returning officer and its deputy secretary as the assistant returning officer to conduct the polls.

Among the six members, to be elected, the three members each shall be from Kashmir and Jammu provinces, said the notification. Among the three members of the Jammu province, one would shall be the resident of Poonch district, it added.

The five seats of the state legislative council is to fall vacant on April 19 following retirement of Jehangir Hussain Mir, Jugal Kishore, Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Master Noor Hussain and Yasir Reshi, while the sixth one has become vacant after the death of S Dharambir Singh Oberoi recently.

JAMMU: The Election Commission of India today decided to hold the biennial elections for the six seats of Jammu and Kashmir legislative council on April 17, two days before they fall vacant. While slating April 17 as the date for polling, the ECI notification issued today, fixed March 29 as the last date for filing nominations. The scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 30 while the candidates would be allowed to withdraw their candidature till April 3, said the ECI notification. While fixing April 17 as the date for the polling, the notification slated the voting hours from 9 AM to 4 PM. The ECI also appointed the J&K legislative assembly's secretary as the returning officer and its deputy secretary as the assistant returning officer to conduct the polls. Among the six members, to be elected, the three members each shall be from Kashmir and Jammu provinces, said the notification. Among the three members of the Jammu province, one would shall be the resident of Poonch district, it added. The five seats of the state legislative council is to fall vacant on April 19 following retirement of Jehangir Hussain Mir, Jugal Kishore, Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Master Noor Hussain and Yasir Reshi, while the sixth one has become vacant after the death of S Dharambir Singh Oberoi recently.
By ANI

BHARATPUR: Two minor girls drowned after they jumped into a pond to escape detention at a red-light area during a police raid in Bharatpur yesterday.

After the cops received information that girls were held hostage and pushed into prostitution near Pankshi Nagla red light situated on National Highway 11, the Bharatpur Police raided the area. However, the raid went horribly wrong after the girls jumped into a pond to escape from getting caught.

One of the girls was rescued alive by the police after senior officers of the team jumped into the pond in an attempt to save the girls.

The girls were aged between 16 to 18 years. The police has so far maintained a studded silence on the matter.

The raid was reportedly conducted on the basis of complaints lodged by the local residents.

BHARATPUR: Two minor girls drowned after they jumped into a pond to escape detention at a red-light area during a police raid in Bharatpur yesterday. After the cops received information that girls were held hostage and pushed into prostitution near Pankshi Nagla red light situated on National Highway 11, the Bharatpur Police raided the area. However, the raid went horribly wrong after the girls jumped into a pond to escape from getting caught. One of the girls was rescued alive by the police after senior officers of the team jumped into the pond in an attempt to save the girls. The girls were aged between 16 to 18 years. The police has so far maintained a studded silence on the matter. The raid was reportedly conducted on the basis of complaints lodged by the local residents.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In one of the most macabre methods of protest Delhis Jantar Mantar has seen, Tamil Nadu farmers have been sitting with skulls of fellow tillers who allegedly committed suicide due to crop failure  two each day since last October. Their relentless, 14-day agitation finally got them an audience with the Union government on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met with a representative group of Tamil Nadu farmers led by Ayyannakannu, in the presence of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, M Thambidurai. It was seen as the first sign of hope that maybe, if not all their demands of Rs 40,000 crore drought relief, loan waivers, a new Cauvery Management Board and river linking are met, some broader initiative would be taken to address their plight.

To wipe away their tears, if not the entire loans, as a source privy to the discussions said. About 12 lakh acres of farm land in the Cauvery belt have been affected in what is the worst drought in a century and a half. Indeed, the tangible contours of how the demands of the protesting TN farmers would be kept was not clear. But Jaitley did indicate that the Finance Ministry would be talking to the RBI to try and see what kind of relief measures can be given. It could be noted here that the nationalised banks have shown resistance towards a blanket waiver of farm loans.

NEW DELHI: In one of the most macabre methods of protest Delhis Jantar Mantar has seen, Tamil Nadu farmers have been sitting with skulls of fellow tillers who allegedly committed suicide due to crop failure  two each day since last October. Their relentless, 14-day agitation finally got them an audience with the Union government on Tuesday. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met with a representative group of Tamil Nadu farmers led by Ayyannakannu, in the presence of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, M Thambidurai. It was seen as the first sign of hope that maybe, if not all their demands of Rs 40,000 crore drought relief, loan waivers, a new Cauvery Management Board and river linking are met, some broader initiative would be taken to address their plight. To wipe away their tears, if not the entire loans, as a source privy to the discussions said. About 12 lakh acres of farm land in the Cauvery belt have been affected in what is the worst drought in a century and a half. Indeed, the tangible contours of how the demands of the protesting TN farmers would be kept was not clear. But Jaitley did indicate that the Finance Ministry would be talking to the RBI to try and see what kind of relief measures can be given. It could be noted here that the nationalised banks have shown resistance towards a blanket waiver of farm loans.
HATHRAS: Three shops selling meat and fish were set afire by unidentified persons here, triggering panic in the area, police said today.

The incident comes close on the heels of some slaughter houses being sealed in Uttar Pradesh after the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath was sworn in.

Police said the arson incident took place in Manyawar Kanshiram Colony last night. The shop owners said all their stock was charred in the fire.

Superintendent of Police, Hathras, Dilip Kumar Srivastava, said, "Unidentified persons set ablaze three shops selling fish and meat. An FIR has been registered against them."

Sub-divisional magistrate (Hathras Sadar) Rakesh Gupta later met the aggrieved shop owners and heard their grievances.

The BJP had announced in its manifesto that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.

Yesterday, a slaughterhouse, which was allegedly being run illegally, was sealed by the district authorities in Kamalgadaha locality.

Officials claimed, that the slaughterhouse had been shutdown in 2012, but it continued to operate in a clandestine manner.

The Ghaziabad Police had yesterday sealed 10 meat shops and four slaughter houses which were allegedly running illegally in the city.

HATHRAS: Three shops selling meat and fish were set afire by unidentified persons here, triggering panic in the area, police said today. The incident comes close on the heels of some slaughter houses being sealed in Uttar Pradesh after the BJP government led by Yogi Adityanath was sworn in. Police said the arson incident took place in Manyawar Kanshiram Colony last night. The shop owners said all their stock was charred in the fire. Superintendent of Police, Hathras, Dilip Kumar Srivastava, said, "Unidentified persons set ablaze three shops selling fish and meat. An FIR has been registered against them." Sub-divisional magistrate (Hathras Sadar) Rakesh Gupta later met the aggrieved shop owners and heard their grievances. The BJP had announced in its manifesto that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power. Yesterday, a slaughterhouse, which was allegedly being run illegally, was sealed by the district authorities in Kamalgadaha locality. Officials claimed, that the slaughterhouse had been shutdown in 2012, but it continued to operate in a clandestine manner. The Ghaziabad Police had yesterday sealed 10 meat shops and four slaughter houses which were allegedly running illegally in the city.
By PTI

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A local court has convicted two men and sentenced them to five years in jail for slaughtering cows.

According to government lawyer Javed Ali, Additional District and Sessions Judge Manoj kumar has also imposed a fine of Rs 15000 each on the accused Gayyur and Gadhe Ali after holding them guilty under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, Government lawyer said.

Police had intercepted a truck and seized beef from it at a check post under Jhunjhala police station in Shamli district in January 27, 2012.

A case was registered against both the accused who were arrested in this connection.

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A local court has convicted two men and sentenced them to five years in jail for slaughtering cows. According to government lawyer Javed Ali, Additional District and Sessions Judge Manoj kumar has also imposed a fine of Rs 15000 each on the accused Gayyur and Gadhe Ali after holding them guilty under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, Government lawyer said. Police had intercepted a truck and seized beef from it at a check post under Jhunjhala police station in Shamli district in January 27, 2012. A case was registered against both the accused who were arrested in this connection.
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: As three-day-long celebrations of Bihars 105th foundation day began in the State on Wednesday with prohibition as the theme, the Opposition BJP and its allies questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumars oft-repeated claims that prohibition led to drastic fall in crime rate in the State.

Kumar, who inaugurated the main celebrations of Bihar Diwas at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna in the evening, proudly listed the multifarious benefits accrued from his governments decision to implement total prohibition in the state since April 2016. He cited reduction in crime and rise in sales of food items and consumer products among the major socio-economic gains from prohibition.

Keeping in view the fact that 2017 is the centenary of Mahatma Gandhis Champaran movement, Bihars grand alliance government, led by Kumar, decided to have prohibition as the theme of this years Bihar Diwas. Gandhi had been a staunch advocate of prohibition, and it is Bihars way of paying tributes to the iconic leader by celebrating this Bihar Diwas with prohibition as the theme, said Neeraj Kumar, MLC and a spokesperson of Kumars JD(U).

But the main Opposition BJP and its allies LJP and HAM rubbished the governments claims of decline in crime, saying the spate of crimes witnessed in the state in recent months proves otherwise. The Opposition leaders engaged in verbal duels with leaders of the ruling alliance over crime rate even as hundreds of government-sponsored and privately organised programmes were held across the State to observe Bihar Diwas.

Where is the fall in crime rate when every other day one finds people being murdered with guns in the state? The chief minister and his government are merely trying to justify prohibition by proffering unsubstantiated figures about crime rate, said Nand Kishore Yadav, senior BJP leader and former minister.

According to data provided by the State government, murders fell by 22 per cent, loots by 18 per cent, robberies by 23 per cent, rioting by 33 per cent, abductions for ransom by 42 per cent and road accidents by 17 per cent in the past 11 months. The CM, ministers and government figures have attributed it to prohibition. Besides, sales of consumer products such as FMCG items, electronic goods, plastic products and sewing machines grew by 23.91 per cent, 30.88 per cent, 65.5 per cent and 4.53 per cent respectively, according to government sources.

PATNA: As three-day-long celebrations of Bihars 105th foundation day began in the State on Wednesday with prohibition as the theme, the Opposition BJP and its allies questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumars oft-repeated claims that prohibition led to drastic fall in crime rate in the State. Kumar, who inaugurated the main celebrations of Bihar Diwas at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna in the evening, proudly listed the multifarious benefits accrued from his governments decision to implement total prohibition in the state since April 2016. He cited reduction in crime and rise in sales of food items and consumer products among the major socio-economic gains from prohibition. Keeping in view the fact that 2017 is the centenary of Mahatma Gandhis Champaran movement, Bihars grand alliance government, led by Kumar, decided to have prohibition as the theme of this years Bihar Diwas. Gandhi had been a staunch advocate of prohibition, and it is Bihars way of paying tributes to the iconic leader by celebrating this Bihar Diwas with prohibition as the theme, said Neeraj Kumar, MLC and a spokesperson of Kumars JD(U). But the main Opposition BJP and its allies LJP and HAM rubbished the governments claims of decline in crime, saying the spate of crimes witnessed in the state in recent months proves otherwise. The Opposition leaders engaged in verbal duels with leaders of the ruling alliance over crime rate even as hundreds of government-sponsored and privately organised programmes were held across the State to observe Bihar Diwas. Where is the fall in crime rate when every other day one finds people being murdered with guns in the state? The chief minister and his government are merely trying to justify prohibition by proffering unsubstantiated figures about crime rate, said Nand Kishore Yadav, senior BJP leader and former minister. According to data provided by the State government, murders fell by 22 per cent, loots by 18 per cent, robberies by 23 per cent, rioting by 33 per cent, abductions for ransom by 42 per cent and road accidents by 17 per cent in the past 11 months. The CM, ministers and government figures have attributed it to prohibition. Besides, sales of consumer products such as FMCG items, electronic goods, plastic products and sewing machines grew by 23.91 per cent, 30.88 per cent, 65.5 per cent and 4.53 per cent respectively, according to government sources.
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: With the Supreme Court having suggested resolution of the lingering Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute at Ayodhya through out-of-court settlement by talks, the Opposition BJP in Bihar on Wednesday sought to draw Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav into the issue.

Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi urged RJD chief Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to use their influence over Muslims to get them to agree to the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Courts decision is truly commendable. Now Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav should use their influence over the Muslim community to get them to agree to construction of the Ram temple, said Modi.

Neither Kumar nor Yadav has spoken on the apex courts decision since it came on Tuesday. Even after Modis statement came, leaders of both RJD and JD(U) refrained from reacting on it.

Since BJPs thumping victory in UP, BJP leaders in Bihar have been claiming ad nauseam that it is a clear indication that the politics of minority appeasement practiced by regional leaders is set to end forever. Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav carry the formidable image of being secular leaders sensitive to the needs of minority communities. BJP leaders have been depicting such traits as minority appeasement to the disadvantage of majority communities, read the Hindus.

BJP wants that CM Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad Yadav actively help in making Muslims agree to an amicable solution of the Ram temple issue The Supreme Courts decision offers a great opportunity to end a long-lingering dispute, added Modi.

Modis appeal to Nitish Kumar was specific and sharper. The way Nitish Kumar has acted out of the dotted line of politics and supported surgical strike and demonetisation, he can similarly play a historic role by adopting a constructive attitude on the Ayodhya issue, said Modi.

Sources in JD(U) said BJP, which is keen to ensure that Kumar ditches RJD and allies with BJP, is aiming at extracting a pro-temple and supposedly pro-Hindu statement from the chief minister and JD(U) national president that could be added to the list of Kumars previous statements in favour of PM Narendra Modis decisions.

PATNA: With the Supreme Court having suggested resolution of the lingering Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute at Ayodhya through out-of-court settlement by talks, the Opposition BJP in Bihar on Wednesday sought to draw Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav into the issue. Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi urged RJD chief Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to use their influence over Muslims to get them to agree to the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The Supreme Courts decision is truly commendable. Now Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav should use their influence over the Muslim community to get them to agree to construction of the Ram temple, said Modi. Neither Kumar nor Yadav has spoken on the apex courts decision since it came on Tuesday. Even after Modis statement came, leaders of both RJD and JD(U) refrained from reacting on it. Since BJPs thumping victory in UP, BJP leaders in Bihar have been claiming ad nauseam that it is a clear indication that the politics of minority appeasement practiced by regional leaders is set to end forever. Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav carry the formidable image of being secular leaders sensitive to the needs of minority communities. BJP leaders have been depicting such traits as minority appeasement to the disadvantage of majority communities, read the Hindus. BJP wants that CM Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad Yadav actively help in making Muslims agree to an amicable solution of the Ram temple issue The Supreme Courts decision offers a great opportunity to end a long-lingering dispute, added Modi. Modis appeal to Nitish Kumar was specific and sharper. The way Nitish Kumar has acted out of the dotted line of politics and supported surgical strike and demonetisation, he can similarly play a historic role by adopting a constructive attitude on the Ayodhya issue, said Modi. Sources in JD(U) said BJP, which is keen to ensure that Kumar ditches RJD and allies with BJP, is aiming at extracting a pro-temple and supposedly pro-Hindu statement from the chief minister and JD(U) national president that could be added to the list of Kumars previous statements in favour of PM Narendra Modis decisions.
Agency Havas, the precursor of the international news agency AFP (Agence France-Presse), was started in 1835. Its founder Charles Havas used carrier pigeons to deliver the news faster than the official state services

Divided by technology

Charles Havas

In 1845, the news agency started to use electrical telegraphs. An agreement between the three major news agenciesReuter (as Reuters was known back then), Wolff, and Havaswas signed in 1859. The agreement divided the world between them for the collection and dissemination of information

In 1930, shortwave wireless transmission arrived. This profoundly changed the way international news could be passed on. This brought the alliance of agencies to an end, according to afp.com. Earlier, in 1880, other means of communication such as telephone had arrived

Going fully digital

In 1975, information technology paraphernalia first entered AFP bureaus, and in 1993, the agency went fully digital. In December 2011, the agency launched its official Twitter account and earlier this month, it reached one million followers on the social media platform

Stalins death, the first scoop

In late 1944, after the liberation of France from Nazi clutches during World War II, the modern AFP was born. The death of Joseph Stalin, on March 5, 1953, brought AFP its first global scoop that will leave its mark on the fledgling agencys history. At the time, foreign journalists in Moscow were unable to instantly transmit news in real time because of the regimes censorship. AFP, however, was constantly monitoring Radio Moscows domestic broadcasts from Paris, according to the agencys website.

Agency Havas, the precursor of the international news agency AFP (Agence France-Presse), was started in 1835. Its founder Charles Havas used carrier pigeons to deliver the news faster than the official state services Divided by technology Charles HavasIn 1845, the news agency started to use electrical telegraphs. An agreement between the three major news agenciesReuter (as Reuters was known back then), Wolff, and Havaswas signed in 1859. The agreement divided the world between them for the collection and dissemination of information In 1930, shortwave wireless transmission arrived. This profoundly changed the way international news could be passed on. This brought the alliance of agencies to an end, according to afp.com. Earlier, in 1880, other means of communication such as telephone had arrived Going fully digital In 1975, information technology paraphernalia first entered AFP bureaus, and in 1993, the agency went fully digital. In December 2011, the agency launched its official Twitter account and earlier this month, it reached one million followers on the social media platform Stalins death, the first scoop In late 1944, after the liberation of France from Nazi clutches during World War II, the modern AFP was born. The death of Joseph Stalin, on March 5, 1953, brought AFP its first global scoop that will leave its mark on the fledgling agencys history. At the time, foreign journalists in Moscow were unable to instantly transmit news in real time because of the regimes censorship. AFP, however, was constantly monitoring Radio Moscows domestic broadcasts from Paris, according to the agencys website.
Happiness is increasingly being considered as the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy, says the UN. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan measures prosperity by gauging its citizens happiness levels, not the GDP. But how exactly does one measure happiness? Not just of a person, but of each nation? If you ask the pollsters, you will be told how a cross section of people in each country are asked to rate themselves on various parameters, which are then collated and added up to arrive at a measure of happiness.

Apparently, the higher you score, the happier you are. To account for mood swings, some pollsters even conduct periodic happiness check-ups and arrive at an average. Theres a physiological way too: Happiness leads to increased activity in the brains left pre-frontal lobe and decreased amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone) in your bloodstream. But the number of volunteers willing to undergo these intrusive tests to get a fair sampling is mind-boggling. (Unless you are in North Korea or Saudi Arabia, where these tests or perhaps even happinesscould be made mandatory by royal decree).

The annual World Happiness Report, compiled by the UN since 2012, has just been released for 2017. Its analysis is based chiefly on individual life evaluations, roughly 1,000 per year in each of more than 150 countries, as measured by answers to the Cantril ladder question: Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top.

The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom represents the worst ... On which step would you say you feel you stand? It also measures six other factors: Income, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on in times of trouble, generosity, freedom and trust, and GDP. Expectedly, not a single Asian nation ranks among the top 10. But the question is, can something as subjective as happiness really be broken down into a number or ranking?

Happiness is increasingly being considered as the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy, says the UN. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan measures prosperity by gauging its citizens happiness levels, not the GDP. But how exactly does one measure happiness? Not just of a person, but of each nation? If you ask the pollsters, you will be told how a cross section of people in each country are asked to rate themselves on various parameters, which are then collated and added up to arrive at a measure of happiness. Apparently, the higher you score, the happier you are. To account for mood swings, some pollsters even conduct periodic happiness check-ups and arrive at an average. Theres a physiological way too: Happiness leads to increased activity in the brains left pre-frontal lobe and decreased amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone) in your bloodstream. But the number of volunteers willing to undergo these intrusive tests to get a fair sampling is mind-boggling. (Unless you are in North Korea or Saudi Arabia, where these tests or perhaps even happinesscould be made mandatory by royal decree). The annual World Happiness Report, compiled by the UN since 2012, has just been released for 2017. Its analysis is based chiefly on individual life evaluations, roughly 1,000 per year in each of more than 150 countries, as measured by answers to the Cantril ladder question: Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom represents the worst ... On which step would you say you feel you stand? It also measures six other factors: Income, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on in times of trouble, generosity, freedom and trust, and GDP. Expectedly, not a single Asian nation ranks among the top 10. But the question is, can something as subjective as happiness really be broken down into a number or ranking?
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The High Court on Tuesday set aside the Union government's order to entrust the probe of RSS secretary R Rudresh's murder case to the National Investigating Agency (NIA). The probe has now been handed back to Bengaluru city police after the accused challenged the move.



Justice John Michael D'Cunha pronounced the judgment which will now allow Commercial street police to continue their probe.



The accused Waseem Ahmed, Mujeeb, Sadiq, Irfan Pasha and Popular Front of India (PFI) local leader Asim Sharif had challenged the charges against them and also NIAs takeover of the case.



The main contention of the petitioners was that the Union government had gone beyond the law while referring the matter to the NIA suo motu without any cogent material or request from Karnataka.



They also contended that assigning a local murder case to the NIA was an arbitrary use of executive power under political pressure, and that the alleged offences against them could not be traced to any terrorist activity for inclusion of provisions Sections 15,16,17,18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967.



Appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Solicitor General Prabhuling K Navadgi argued that the decision to entrust the probe to NIA was taken based on what he termed as credible information gathered independently, as well as material collected regarding certain scheduled offences by the accused.



Prabhuling K Navadgi further claimed that the decision was in public interest but the issue pertained to national security as well as unity and integrity of the nation. He also placed before the court two files pertaining to the case, and argued that the accused have no say in choosing the investigating agency.



Rudresh, RSS secretary for Shivajinagar unit was hacked to death by two men on a motorbike in broad daylight in on October 16, 2016. Four of the accused were apprehended on October 27 and Asim Sharif on November 2 last year.



During the hearing, senior counsel C H Jadhav appearing for the NIA argued that an accused has no right to choose the investigating agency. It is not for the accused to choose the investigating agency he said while citing a couple of Apex court judgments in support of the same.



Jadhav further claimed that the probe by NIA would not take away the investigation done by the State police in terms of the explanation contained under section 6 of the NIA Act.

BENGALURU: The High Court on Tuesday set aside the Union government's order to entrust the probe of RSS secretary R Rudresh's murder case to the National Investigating Agency (NIA). The probe has now been handed back to Bengaluru city police after the accused challenged the move. Justice John Michael D'Cunha pronounced the judgment which will now allow Commercial street police to continue their probe. The accused Waseem Ahmed, Mujeeb, Sadiq, Irfan Pasha and Popular Front of India (PFI) local leader Asim Sharif had challenged the charges against them and also NIAs takeover of the case. The main contention of the petitioners was that the Union government had gone beyond the law while referring the matter to the NIA suo motu without any cogent material or request from Karnataka. They also contended that assigning a local murder case to the NIA was an arbitrary use of executive power under political pressure, and that the alleged offences against them could not be traced to any terrorist activity for inclusion of provisions Sections 15,16,17,18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967. Appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Solicitor General Prabhuling K Navadgi argued that the decision to entrust the probe to NIA was taken based on what he termed as credible information gathered independently, as well as material collected regarding certain scheduled offences by the accused. Prabhuling K Navadgi further claimed that the decision was in public interest but the issue pertained to national security as well as unity and integrity of the nation. He also placed before the court two files pertaining to the case, and argued that the accused have no say in choosing the investigating agency. Rudresh, RSS secretary for Shivajinagar unit was hacked to death by two men on a motorbike in broad daylight in on October 16, 2016. Four of the accused were apprehended on October 27 and Asim Sharif on November 2 last year. During the hearing, senior counsel C H Jadhav appearing for the NIA argued that an accused has no right to choose the investigating agency. It is not for the accused to choose the investigating agency he said while citing a couple of Apex court judgments in support of the same. Jadhav further claimed that the probe by NIA would not take away the investigation done by the State police in terms of the explanation contained under section 6 of the NIA Act.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: In a major fillip to the public health care sector in Ernakulam district, the state government has cleared projects worth Rs 681 crore, through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), for the proposed Cochin Cancer Research Centre, Government Medical College and Ernakulam General Hospital.

The KIIFB board which met on Tuesday cleared these projects.

It is learnt the Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL) would float a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of these projects. After that a tripartite agreement will have to be executed with the Health Department, INKEL and KIIFB as parties, detailing the plans for implementation of the projects.



Though the institutions established using the fund need not repay it, they should generate funds for operating the projects.



Of the Rs 681 crore cleared, the proposed Cancer Centre and Government Medical College Ernakulam will get Rs 310 crore each, while the General Hospital will get Rs 61 crore.



The amount sanctioned for cancer centre will be utilised for constructing a fully operational 300-bed cancer hospital and research institute with various departments, blood bank and rehabilitation centre for the cured patients.

The project will be implemented in two phases with a 217-bed hospital in the first phase and a 183-bed section in the second phase.



The amount cleared for Government Medical College will be used for setting up a Mother and Child Centre, super specialty block with Cathlab, dental wing and enhancement of the Radiology Department.



Though the original proposal was for Rs 355 crore, the cost was curtailed to Rs 310 crore after scrutiny by the technical and engineering wing of the KIIFB.



The authorities had submitted a proposal for the renovation of Ernakulam General Hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 76 crore. The KIIFB, after scrutiny allotted Rs 61 crore.



The fund will be used for construction of a super specialty block, cancer care block, drawing high tension (HT) lines for augmenting the power supply to the hospital and renovation of existing blocks.

KOCHI: In a major fillip to the public health care sector in Ernakulam district, the state government has cleared projects worth Rs 681 crore, through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), for the proposed Cochin Cancer Research Centre, Government Medical College and Ernakulam General Hospital. The KIIFB board which met on Tuesday cleared these projects. It is learnt the Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL) would float a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of these projects. After that a tripartite agreement will have to be executed with the Health Department, INKEL and KIIFB as parties, detailing the plans for implementation of the projects. Though the institutions established using the fund need not repay it, they should generate funds for operating the projects. Of the Rs 681 crore cleared, the proposed Cancer Centre and Government Medical College Ernakulam will get Rs 310 crore each, while the General Hospital will get Rs 61 crore. The amount sanctioned for cancer centre will be utilised for constructing a fully operational 300-bed cancer hospital and research institute with various departments, blood bank and rehabilitation centre for the cured patients. The project will be implemented in two phases with a 217-bed hospital in the first phase and a 183-bed section in the second phase. The amount cleared for Government Medical College will be used for setting up a Mother and Child Centre, super specialty block with Cathlab, dental wing and enhancement of the Radiology Department. Though the original proposal was for Rs 355 crore, the cost was curtailed to Rs 310 crore after scrutiny by the technical and engineering wing of the KIIFB. The authorities had submitted a proposal for the renovation of Ernakulam General Hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 76 crore. The KIIFB, after scrutiny allotted Rs 61 crore. The fund will be used for construction of a super specialty block, cancer care block, drawing high tension (HT) lines for augmenting the power supply to the hospital and renovation of existing blocks.
By Express News Service

KOLLAM: Barely 24 hours after the Facebook tirade against Congress deputy chief Rahul Gandhi,Youth Congress(YC) state vice president C R Mahesh on Wednesday announced his decision to quit the party.

Even as Maheshs sudden move caught the state Congress brass completely by surprise, the young turk said he was taking a sabbatical from politics. According to him, he will now find some other means of livelihood.

The party has become rotten. I dont want to remain on this sinking ship. The leadership alone is to blame for the debacle in the recent state elections . With no one taking the initiative to fix the problems, I am tendering my resignation from the party to register my protest, he said. Anyway I am bidding good bye to politics temporarily and will find a job to eke out a livelihood. For the time being, I am not interested in joining any other party, Mahesh told reporters at the Press Club here on Wednesday.



Maheshs decision to quit Congress came even as the Youth Congress national leadership ousted him from the organisation for flouting the party discipline.In last years Assembly polls, Mahesh was the only UDF candidate in the district, who managed to put up a tough fight against the LDF rival. He went down to R Ramachandran of the CPI by a margin of just 1,759 votes.

KOLLAM: Barely 24 hours after the Facebook tirade against Congress deputy chief Rahul Gandhi,Youth Congress(YC) state vice president C R Mahesh on Wednesday announced his decision to quit the party. Even as Maheshs sudden move caught the state Congress brass completely by surprise, the young turk said he was taking a sabbatical from politics. According to him, he will now find some other means of livelihood. The party has become rotten. I dont want to remain on this sinking ship. The leadership alone is to blame for the debacle in the recent state elections . With no one taking the initiative to fix the problems, I am tendering my resignation from the party to register my protest, he said. Anyway I am bidding good bye to politics temporarily and will find a job to eke out a livelihood. For the time being, I am not interested in joining any other party, Mahesh told reporters at the Press Club here on Wednesday. Maheshs decision to quit Congress came even as the Youth Congress national leadership ousted him from the organisation for flouting the party discipline.In last years Assembly polls, Mahesh was the only UDF candidate in the district, who managed to put up a tough fight against the LDF rival. He went down to R Ramachandran of the CPI by a margin of just 1,759 votes.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR/RAYAGADA/BHAWANIPATNA: Left wing extremists on Tuesday killed a tribal villager of Rayagada for declining to withdraw a minor rape case against member of a local organisation which they allegedly support.

Mali Pushika, who belonged to the primitive tribe Dongoria Kondha, was kidnapped by the Maoists two days ago along with Mandru Pushika from Salphajhola village under Muniguda police limits. On a day when State Police top brass gathered at Bhawanipatna to discuss strategies to contain Left Wing Extremists (LWE) movement in the region, body of Mali, with his throat slit, was found. Mandru, however, was freed.

Police said, Mali was receiving calls from the Maoists who wanted him to withdraw a rape case which he had registered against one Bari Pidikaka, supposed to be a member of Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti. Bari was charged with rape of Malis minor niece. The accused was arrested last year and is behind bars.



Rayagada SP Siva Subramani said, Mali had refused to withdraw the case which is why he was receiving threat calls from the Maoists. Mali had even gone to Muniguda police station a couple of days back. This apparently left the rebels furious. On Sunday, the Red rebels abducted both Mali and Mandru. While Mali was brutally killed, Mandru was released with warnings of dire consequences if he continued to be a police informer.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police KB Singh visited Bhawanipatna where he convened a meeting to review the counter-Maoist strategies for the Rayagada-Kalahandi axis. IG (Operations) RP Koche, DIG, South Western Range S Shyni and Kalahandi SP Brijesh Rai were present.



Sources said, State Police is planning wholesome changes in the counter-extremist strategies in view of the resurgence of the rebels and their movements. More Central para military forces could be mobilised in the region to flush out the Maoists. On March 15, the ultras had gone on a rampage in Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi where they had abducted three villagers. Two days later, one of them was killed.

BHUBANESWAR/RAYAGADA/BHAWANIPATNA: Left wing extremists on Tuesday killed a tribal villager of Rayagada for declining to withdraw a minor rape case against member of a local organisation which they allegedly support. Mali Pushika, who belonged to the primitive tribe Dongoria Kondha, was kidnapped by the Maoists two days ago along with Mandru Pushika from Salphajhola village under Muniguda police limits. On a day when State Police top brass gathered at Bhawanipatna to discuss strategies to contain Left Wing Extremists (LWE) movement in the region, body of Mali, with his throat slit, was found. Mandru, however, was freed. Police said, Mali was receiving calls from the Maoists who wanted him to withdraw a rape case which he had registered against one Bari Pidikaka, supposed to be a member of Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti. Bari was charged with rape of Malis minor niece. The accused was arrested last year and is behind bars. Rayagada SP Siva Subramani said, Mali had refused to withdraw the case which is why he was receiving threat calls from the Maoists. Mali had even gone to Muniguda police station a couple of days back. This apparently left the rebels furious. On Sunday, the Red rebels abducted both Mali and Mandru. While Mali was brutally killed, Mandru was released with warnings of dire consequences if he continued to be a police informer. Meanwhile, Director General of Police KB Singh visited Bhawanipatna where he convened a meeting to review the counter-Maoist strategies for the Rayagada-Kalahandi axis. IG (Operations) RP Koche, DIG, South Western Range S Shyni and Kalahandi SP Brijesh Rai were present. Sources said, State Police is planning wholesome changes in the counter-extremist strategies in view of the resurgence of the rebels and their movements. More Central para military forces could be mobilised in the region to flush out the Maoists. On March 15, the ultras had gone on a rampage in Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi where they had abducted three villagers. Two days later, one of them was killed.
By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: THE Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Courts offer to be the moderator to settle the decades long Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.



RSS always supported an out-of-court settlement or legislation to solve the sensitive issue. RSS is not a party in the case. We will support any decision taken by the Dharma Sansad, which is involved in the case, said Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS joint general secretary. He was interacting with media persons after the three-day meeting of its highest policy making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham here.

He expressed hopes that saints and those representing various akhadas, who are part of the Dharma Sansad, would take a positive view of the courts offer.



Reacting to the selection of Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, he said, It is the prerogative of the party that has come to power and its legislators. Public have also accepted him as CM. Had they not accepted him as CM, clashes would have occurred.



About the outcome of the three-day meeting, he said, the thrust was on how to ensure free entry to temples, access to water resources and cremation grounds irrespective of caste to promote social harmony across the country.

We have been conducting surveys in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to find out the extent of social inclusiveness. Establishing social harmony is the pre-condition to achieve the constitutional goal of equality, liberty and justice, he said.



Hosabale said the RSS has grown in Tamil Nadu, especially in South Tamil Nadu, which was why the Pratinidhi Sabha was held in Coimbatore.

Responding to a question on the nationwide agitations the RSS organised against attacks on Sangh workers in Kerala, he said there were no plans to continue them.



On the alleged infiltration from Bangladesh, Hosbale said, It is surprising that despite the large influx of Hindus displaced from Bangladesh to West Bengal, the Hindu population of West Bengal, which constituted 78.45 per cent in the year 1951 has declined to 70.54 per cent as per 2011 census.



The Pratinidhi Sabha, he said, condemned the extremist violence and the Muslim appeasement policy of the Trinamool Congress government in Bengal.

COIMBATORE: THE Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Courts offer to be the moderator to settle the decades long Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. RSS always supported an out-of-court settlement or legislation to solve the sensitive issue. RSS is not a party in the case. We will support any decision taken by the Dharma Sansad, which is involved in the case, said Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS joint general secretary. He was interacting with media persons after the three-day meeting of its highest policy making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham here. He expressed hopes that saints and those representing various akhadas, who are part of the Dharma Sansad, would take a positive view of the courts offer. Reacting to the selection of Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, he said, It is the prerogative of the party that has come to power and its legislators. Public have also accepted him as CM. Had they not accepted him as CM, clashes would have occurred. About the outcome of the three-day meeting, he said, the thrust was on how to ensure free entry to temples, access to water resources and cremation grounds irrespective of caste to promote social harmony across the country. We have been conducting surveys in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to find out the extent of social inclusiveness. Establishing social harmony is the pre-condition to achieve the constitutional goal of equality, liberty and justice, he said. Hosabale said the RSS has grown in Tamil Nadu, especially in South Tamil Nadu, which was why the Pratinidhi Sabha was held in Coimbatore. Responding to a question on the nationwide agitations the RSS organised against attacks on Sangh workers in Kerala, he said there were no plans to continue them. On the alleged infiltration from Bangladesh, Hosbale said, It is surprising that despite the large influx of Hindus displaced from Bangladesh to West Bengal, the Hindu population of West Bengal, which constituted 78.45 per cent in the year 1951 has declined to 70.54 per cent as per 2011 census. The Pratinidhi Sabha, he said, condemned the extremist violence and the Muslim appeasement policy of the Trinamool Congress government in Bengal.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: A helicopter belonging to the Indian Air Force made an emergency landing in the agricultural fields near Gajwel of Siddipet district on Wednesday.

The helicopter developed a technical snag forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. The helicopter landed in the agricultural fields in Anantaraopally village.

The pilot is safe and two helicopters from IAF Hakimpet Station in Hyderabad carrying technical experts rushed to the spot.

HYDERABAD: A helicopter belonging to the Indian Air Force made an emergency landing in the agricultural fields near Gajwel of Siddipet district on Wednesday. The helicopter developed a technical snag forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. The helicopter landed in the agricultural fields in Anantaraopally village. The pilot is safe and two helicopters from IAF Hakimpet Station in Hyderabad carrying technical experts rushed to the spot.
By AFP

LAGOS: At least 46 people were killed and almost 100 others wounded in clashes between rival ethnic groups in southwest Nigeria earlier this month, police said on Wednesday.

Special forces were deployed to the city of Ile-Ife in Osun state following two days of violence that broke out between local Yoruba and Hausa people on March 7, Nigeria's national police spokesman Moshood Jimoh told AFP.

"The casualty figures are 46 dead and 96 wounded in the violence in Ile-Ife. Of those injured, 81 had been treated while 15 are still in the hospital," Jimoh said.

Police arrested 20 suspects following the violence, Jimoh said, adding that they would be prosecuted after thorough investigations.

"Our appeal to people is to learn to tolerate one another. We should encourage peaceful co-existence among the different tribes in Nigeria," Jimoh said.

"We should stop seeing ourselves as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba," he said, referring to the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Bisi Adisa, a retired Yoruba driver in Ile-Ife, told AFP that the uproar started when a Hausa trader in the Sabo area of the city was accused of assaulting a Yoruba woman.

"Instead of showing remorse, other Hausa traders mobilised and killed a Yoruba man and paraded his corpse around the area which angered the Yoruba," he said.

Adisa said that the town was still gripped by terror despite the arrest of some suspects.

Nigeria, an economic giant of 180 million people, is home to some 250 ethnic groups.

Ethnic tensions have long divided the oil-rich west African country, which is almost equally divided between a Muslim north and Christian south.

Mutual suspicion between the groups continues to simmer and often erupts in bloody clashes.

LAGOS: At least 46 people were killed and almost 100 others wounded in clashes between rival ethnic groups in southwest Nigeria earlier this month, police said on Wednesday. Special forces were deployed to the city of Ile-Ife in Osun state following two days of violence that broke out between local Yoruba and Hausa people on March 7, Nigeria's national police spokesman Moshood Jimoh told AFP. "The casualty figures are 46 dead and 96 wounded in the violence in Ile-Ife. Of those injured, 81 had been treated while 15 are still in the hospital," Jimoh said. Police arrested 20 suspects following the violence, Jimoh said, adding that they would be prosecuted after thorough investigations. "Our appeal to people is to learn to tolerate one another. We should encourage peaceful co-existence among the different tribes in Nigeria," Jimoh said. "We should stop seeing ourselves as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba," he said, referring to the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria. Bisi Adisa, a retired Yoruba driver in Ile-Ife, told AFP that the uproar started when a Hausa trader in the Sabo area of the city was accused of assaulting a Yoruba woman. "Instead of showing remorse, other Hausa traders mobilised and killed a Yoruba man and paraded his corpse around the area which angered the Yoruba," he said. Adisa said that the town was still gripped by terror despite the arrest of some suspects. Nigeria, an economic giant of 180 million people, is home to some 250 ethnic groups. Ethnic tensions have long divided the oil-rich west African country, which is almost equally divided between a Muslim north and Christian south. Mutual suspicion between the groups continues to simmer and often erupts in bloody clashes.
By Associated Press

CANBERRA: Australia is close to resettling the 12,000 refugees from the war in Syria and Iraq it promised to urgently take more than a year ago, an official said on Wednesday.

All 12,000 have been issued visas and more than 10,000 have already been brought from Middle Eastern refugee camps to Australia, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement. The remainder will be resettled in the coming months, he said.

The refugees are in addition to the 13,750 refugees that Australia accepts each year.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in September 2015 that the 12,000 refugees would be resettled as quickly as possible. He was replaced by Malcolm Turnbull, the current prime minister, less than a week later.

Peter Shergold, coordinator-general for refugee resettlement in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, said careful screening would hold up the resettlement process.

Some conservative government lawmakers had urged the Cabinet to rethink the commitment because of the threat that extremists among the Syrian refugees might pose in Australia.

Turnbull told President Barack Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia, which has a population of 24 million, would increase its annual refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 places from mid-2018.

Australia also agreed to accept an unspecified number of Hondurans and Salvadorans from a U.S.-led program to resettle refugees currently in a camp in Costa Rica.

Obama then agreed to accept up to 1,250 refugees rejected by Australia because they attempted to arrive by boat. Australia pays Papua New Guinea and Nauru to keep more than 2,000 asylum seekers in island camps as a deterrent to boat arrivals.

President Donald Trump has agreed to honour the deal, although he described it as "dumb."

CANBERRA: Australia is close to resettling the 12,000 refugees from the war in Syria and Iraq it promised to urgently take more than a year ago, an official said on Wednesday. All 12,000 have been issued visas and more than 10,000 have already been brought from Middle Eastern refugee camps to Australia, Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement. The remainder will be resettled in the coming months, he said. The refugees are in addition to the 13,750 refugees that Australia accepts each year. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in September 2015 that the 12,000 refugees would be resettled as quickly as possible. He was replaced by Malcolm Turnbull, the current prime minister, less than a week later. Peter Shergold, coordinator-general for refugee resettlement in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, said careful screening would hold up the resettlement process. Some conservative government lawmakers had urged the Cabinet to rethink the commitment because of the threat that extremists among the Syrian refugees might pose in Australia. Turnbull told President Barack Obama's Leaders' Summit on Refugees in September that Australia, which has a population of 24 million, would increase its annual refugee intake by 5,000 to 18,750 places from mid-2018. Australia also agreed to accept an unspecified number of Hondurans and Salvadorans from a U.S.-led program to resettle refugees currently in a camp in Costa Rica. Obama then agreed to accept up to 1,250 refugees rejected by Australia because they attempted to arrive by boat. Australia pays Papua New Guinea and Nauru to keep more than 2,000 asylum seekers in island camps as a deterrent to boat arrivals. President Donald Trump has agreed to honour the deal, although he described it as "dumb."
When you hear the eight letter word c-h-i-c-k-e-n, your mind may go to KFC chicken bucket or fried wings. But here's a chicken that will definitely leave you shocked!

A minute long video has managed to scare the internet relm. It starts with a chicken walking out of a coop in a farm, and it just walks around, flaunting the big (very big) size of its body, tail and most importantly, its feet.

According to a Quartz report, the video was first posted in a Facebook group dedicated to decorative poultries on March 17. Daily Mail revealed that the bird, named 'Merakli', is owned by Fitim Sejfijaj from a farm in Kosovo.

Here's the video:

Am I the only person wondering why this chicken is so damn big pic.twitter.com/ZIWmEL2h2w  LifesBook_Ceo (@LifesBook_Ceo) March 19, 2017

Your first feeling?

As the video went viral, several questions surfaced on Twitter. Is it a human who thought it was cool to walk in a chicken costume? Is it some kind of hybrid poultry that we didnt know about? Is it a dinosaur? Or is it good video editing skills?

everytime i close my eyes i see that big chicken. i cant breathe. it's all i think about  Swiggity Swooty (@CominForDaBooty) March 20, 2017

twitter is now the website to talk about the big chicken and not politics. everyone has to pretend to know a lot about the big chicken only  matt lubchansky (@Lubchansky) March 19, 2017

Me when I saw The Big Chicken video... pic.twitter.com/OyM7QCpVrV  Rob (@ZeroFuchsToGive) March 21, 2017

But it doesn't end there! Here's a sequel to that video, where another giant chicken steps out-

So how did the scare of the terrifying "big chicken" finally subside? An organization called the Livestock Conservancy from US took matters to their own hands.

This organization, which is working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction, posted on their facebook page, about the whereabouts of the huge chicken. These big birds were developed in the US from large fowls that were imported from China back in the 1840s. They belong to a breed of chicken family known as the Brahma. Theyre also known as the King of all Poultry and weigh 13-14 pounds for hens (6 kgs) and 17 to 18.25 pounds for cocks (8.7 kgs).

The brahma is rare and considered an endangered livestock by the conservancy. Data collected by the conservancy during a 2015 national census indicates there were 7,505 brahmas across the US.

Here are additional details on the heritage breed.

When you hear the eight letter word c-h-i-c-k-e-n, your mind may go to KFC chicken bucket or fried wings. But here's a chicken that will definitely leave you shocked! A minute long video has managed to scare the internet relm. It starts with a chicken walking out of a coop in a farm, and it just walks around, flaunting the big (very big) size of its body, tail and most importantly, its feet. According to a Quartz report, the video was first posted in a Facebook group dedicated to decorative poultries on March 17. Daily Mail revealed that the bird, named 'Merakli', is owned by Fitim Sejfijaj from a farm in Kosovo. Here's the video: Am I the only person wondering why this chicken is so damn big pic.twitter.com/ZIWmEL2h2w  LifesBook_Ceo (@LifesBook_Ceo) March 19, 2017 Your first feeling? As the video went viral, several questions surfaced on Twitter. Is it a human who thought it was cool to walk in a chicken costume? Is it some kind of hybrid poultry that we didnt know about? Is it a dinosaur? Or is it good video editing skills? everytime i close my eyes i see that big chicken. i cant breathe. it's all i think about  Swiggity Swooty (@CominForDaBooty) March 20, 2017 twitter is now the website to talk about the big chicken and not politics. everyone has to pretend to know a lot about the big chicken only  matt lubchansky (@Lubchansky) March 19, 2017 Me when I saw The Big Chicken video... pic.twitter.com/OyM7QCpVrV  Rob (@ZeroFuchsToGive) March 21, 2017 But it doesn't end there! Here's a sequel to that video, where another giant chicken steps out- So how did the scare of the terrifying "big chicken" finally subside? An organization called the Livestock Conservancy from US took matters to their own hands. This organization, which is working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction, posted on their facebook page, about the whereabouts of the huge chicken. These big birds were developed in the US from large fowls that were imported from China back in the 1840s. They belong to a breed of chicken family known as the Brahma. Theyre also known as the King of all Poultry and weigh 13-14 pounds for hens (6 kgs) and 17 to 18.25 pounds for cocks (8.7 kgs). The brahma is rare and considered an endangered livestock by the conservancy. Data collected by the conservancy during a 2015 national census indicates there were 7,505 brahmas across the US. Here are additional details on the heritage breed.
By AFP

BEIRUT: A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of a Wednesday meeting of top officials in Washington focused on defeating the Islamic State group.

Rebels and jihadists pressed offensives inside the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open in Geneva.

Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end Syria's raging six-year conflict, which began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers including the US-led air coalition bombing Syria's jihadists since 2014.

A suspected coalition strike in the northern province of Raqa early Tuesday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The monitor said Wednesday that the strike hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of IS-held Raqa city.

"We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

A Pentagon spokesman on Wednesday said the coalition would investigate the alleged strike.

"Since we have conducted several strikes near Raqa we will provide this information to our civilian casualty team for further investigation," he said.

"Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed the coalition for the strike.

"The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," it said.

The coalition is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa -- the Syrian heart of the group's so-called "caliphate" -- and Mosul in neighbouring Iraq.

Top officials from the 68-nation alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February.

Earlier this month, the coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real number is far higher.

In addition to bombing raids by the coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in the north.

Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between myriad armed groups -- rebels, jihadists, Kurdish militia and Syrian government forces.

This week, rebels and allied jihadists launched two surprise offensives on government positions in Damascus and central Hama province, opposition groups and the Observatory said.

In Damascus, anti-regime factions are battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbourhood to the north.

Clashes continued Wednesday as at least nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory said.

Damascus has witnessed heavy fighting since Sunday, when the opposition fighters made their largest incursion yet into the capital's east.

On Wednesday, AFP correspondents in the city could hear warplanes buzzing overhead and intermittent mortar fire, as several soldiers were seen loading ammunition into machine guns.

The Damascus offensive is being led by the Tahrir al-Sham alliance, dominated by the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front that was once linked to Al-Qaeda.

Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebels launched a fresh assault on Tuesday in the central province of Hama, overrunning the key town of Suran and several other government positions.

"They have seized several new villages today as well as old army depots," Abdel Rahman said.

"They are continuing to advance despite heavy Russian and Syrian air strikes" on Wednesday.

Footage published by Tahrir al-Sham depicted fighters firing rockets from a field onto regime positions.

The escalating violence comes just a day before a new round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva hosted by UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura.

In Moscow on Wednesday for final meetings before the talks, de Mistura said the developments "raise concerns".

"We must seek to achieve a political process as quickly as possible," he said.

De Mistura will travel to rebel backer Ankara on Thursday and will then return to Switzerland to lead the talks.

BEIRUT: A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of a Wednesday meeting of top officials in Washington focused on defeating the Islamic State group. Rebels and jihadists pressed offensives inside the capital Damascus and the central province of Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open in Geneva. Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end Syria's raging six-year conflict, which began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad. The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers including the US-led air coalition bombing Syria's jihadists since 2014. A suspected coalition strike in the northern province of Raqa early Tuesday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said Wednesday that the strike hit a school being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of IS-held Raqa city. "We can now confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. "They're still pulling bodies out of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out alive," Abdel Rahman told AFP. A Pentagon spokesman on Wednesday said the coalition would investigate the alleged strike. "Since we have conducted several strikes near Raqa we will provide this information to our civilian casualty team for further investigation," he said. "Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently," an activist group that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed the coalition for the strike. "The school that was targeted hosts nearly 50 displaced families," it said. The coalition is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa -- the Syrian heart of the group's so-called "caliphate" -- and Mosul in neighbouring Iraq. Top officials from the 68-nation alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US President Donald Trump in February. Earlier this month, the coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had unintentionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real number is far higher. In addition to bombing raids by the coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in the north. Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between myriad armed groups -- rebels, jihadists, Kurdish militia and Syrian government forces. This week, rebels and allied jihadists launched two surprise offensives on government positions in Damascus and central Hama province, opposition groups and the Observatory said. In Damascus, anti-regime factions are battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbourhood to the north. Clashes continued Wednesday as at least nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory said. Damascus has witnessed heavy fighting since Sunday, when the opposition fighters made their largest incursion yet into the capital's east. On Wednesday, AFP correspondents in the city could hear warplanes buzzing overhead and intermittent mortar fire, as several soldiers were seen loading ammunition into machine guns. The Damascus offensive is being led by the Tahrir al-Sham alliance, dominated by the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front that was once linked to Al-Qaeda. Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebels launched a fresh assault on Tuesday in the central province of Hama, overrunning the key town of Suran and several other government positions. "They have seized several new villages today as well as old army depots," Abdel Rahman said. "They are continuing to advance despite heavy Russian and Syrian air strikes" on Wednesday. Footage published by Tahrir al-Sham depicted fighters firing rockets from a field onto regime positions. The escalating violence comes just a day before a new round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva hosted by UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura. In Moscow on Wednesday for final meetings before the talks, de Mistura said the developments "raise concerns". "We must seek to achieve a political process as quickly as possible," he said. De Mistura will travel to rebel backer Ankara on Thursday and will then return to Switzerland to lead the talks.
jpn f35

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson said that President Donald Trump "absolutely" made a difference in the savings and timelines for production of the fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II.

"He helped accelerate that along, and I think he put a sharper focus on price and how we drive the price down," Hewson said in a media brief cited by DoD Buzz. "He absolutely did contribute to us getting to closure on that."

Trump originally criticized the program in December on Twitter, alleging "tremendous cost and cost overruns." The president's words sent Lockheed's shares tumbling 5% immediately after he tweeted.

The Pentagon's latest order includes 90 F-35s  55 for the US and 35 for international partners  which is estimated to cost $8.5 billion, about a $728 million cost-reduction compared to the previous batch.

Trump has since given speeches where he took credit for the cuts in the F-35's price. "To save taxpayer dollars, I've already begun negotiating better contracts for the federal government, saving over $700 million on just one set of airplanes," said Trump during a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner on Tuesday night.

Critics pointed out that the program's costs would have been lowered regardless of Trump's involvement. "He's not responsible for the savings, they were already in the pipeline long before he came on the scene," said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, in a Politifact report published last month.

The Pentagon is negotiating the next batch of F-35s  120 of them  which are estimated to cost more than $10 billion, according to The Hill. Hewson says that Trump hasn't been involved in the negotiations, but said Lockheed Martin was "working well" with officials from the US Defense Department to reach a deal by 2017.

NOW WATCH: 'These jobs are not coming back': Watch Mitch McConnell get confronted by an upset constituent





More From Business Insider


By AFP

BERLIN: The German government Wednesday approved plans to quash the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation.

The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code.

An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive.

The legislation was passed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet and will soon head to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority.

"Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. "The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice."

The measure follows Britain's so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967.

The legislation was named after World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41.

However the British measure, unlike Germany's, only automatically pardoned dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation.

Germany's Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals".

Sex between women was not explicitly illegal.

Although the law dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the legislation to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour.

More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps.

In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule.

But that move didn't include those convicted after the war when Article 175 was still in force.

It was finally dropped from the penal code in communist East Germany in 1968.

In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994.

The compensation scheme under the new legislation includes a one-off payment of 3,000 euros ($3,200) for every man convicted and an additional 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison.

If the person in question has already died, his family may put in for the certificate to clear their relative's criminal record.

Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice.

"I don't want to die with a criminal record," he told AFP in a recent interview at his Berlin apartment.

"I've had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die."

Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that, although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war.

"The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way," he wrote.

"But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller."

Gay rights groups had long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled.

But until now, their demand had been refused on the grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal.

Justice Minister Maas, a Social Democrat (SPD), spearheaded the legislation and fought for its passage before a September general election.

Merkel's main rival, SPD candidate Martin Schulz, who is enjoying a surge in the polls, has vowed to campaign on a gay rights platform.

Germany has permitted gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions since 2001 but Merkel's Christian Union bloc has opposed same-sex marriage with equal treatment on matters such as adoption.

A poll commissioned by the federal government last month showed that 83 percent of Germans support marriage equality.

BERLIN: The German government Wednesday approved plans to quash the convictions of 50,000 men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war, and offer compensation. The measure marks a triumph for activists after a decades-long struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under Article 175 of the penal code. An estimated 5,000 of those found guilty are still alive. The legislation was passed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet and will soon head to parliament, where her ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large majority. "Article 175 destroyed careers and ruined lives," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. "The few victims who are still alive today deserve to finally have justice." The measure follows Britain's so-called "Turing Law" approved in October, which offered pardons to thousands of men convicted of homosexuality before its decriminalisation in 1967. The legislation was named after World War II hero Alan Turing who was prosecuted under the law in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 41. However the British measure, unlike Germany's, only automatically pardoned dead people while the living must still make an individual application to have their names cleared. It also failed to provide compensation. Germany's Article 175 outlawed "sexual acts contrary to nature... be it between people of the male gender or between people and animals". Sex between women was not explicitly illegal. Although the law dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced until the Nazis came to power, and in 1935 they toughened the legislation to carry a sentence of 10 years of forced labour. More than 42,000 men were convicted during the Third Reich, and sent to prison or concentration camps. In 2002, the government introduced a new law which overturned their convictions, and also applied to those convicted of desertion during Nazi rule. But that move didn't include those convicted after the war when Article 175 was still in force. It was finally dropped from the penal code in communist East Germany in 1968. In West Germany, it reverted to the pre-Nazi era version in 1969 and was only fully repealed in 1994. The compensation scheme under the new legislation includes a one-off payment of 3,000 euros ($3,200) for every man convicted and an additional 1,500 euros for each year spent in prison. If the person in question has already died, his family may put in for the certificate to clear their relative's criminal record. Convicted under the law as a teenager in 1957, Fritz Schmehling, 74, said time was running out for victims to see justice. "I don't want to die with a criminal record," he told AFP in a recent interview at his Berlin apartment. "I've had cancer twice and was operated on but maybe I will still get to enjoy the moment my name is cleared. As sad as it is, in the time it takes, many of the older ones among us are going to die." Noted historian of the Nazi period Wolfgang Benz said in a 2016 book that, although it was less brutal, the subjugation of gays continued seamlessly after the war. "The authorities and other guardians of virtue in the post-Hitler era differed from the Nazis in that they tended to believe people were seduced (into homosexuality) rather than being born that way," he wrote. "But their rage against the unwanted minority was no smaller." Gay rights groups had long pushed for the post-war convictions to be annulled. But until now, their demand had been refused on the grounds that the sentences were handed down by a court in a democracy and confirmed by a federal tribunal on appeal. Justice Minister Maas, a Social Democrat (SPD), spearheaded the legislation and fought for its passage before a September general election. Merkel's main rival, SPD candidate Martin Schulz, who is enjoying a surge in the polls, has vowed to campaign on a gay rights platform. Germany has permitted gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions since 2001 but Merkel's Christian Union bloc has opposed same-sex marriage with equal treatment on matters such as adoption. A poll commissioned by the federal government last month showed that 83 percent of Germans support marriage equality.
By AFP

BAGHDAD: Iraqis should not carry out hurried or ad hoc exhumations of mass graves left by jihadists, as this makes identifying victims more difficult, Human Rights Watch said today. Dozens of mass graves have been discovered in areas retaken from the Islamic State jihadist group, whose rule in Iraq and Syria has been marked by widespread atrocities including mass summary executions.

"The strong desire to exhume the remains of loved ones from (IS) mass graves is perfectly understandable, but hastily conducted exhumations seriously harm the chances of identifying the victims and preserving evidence," Lama Fakih, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said in a statement.

"While exhuming the remains of those killed at (Khasfa) may be difficult, authorities should do what they can to make sure that those who lost their loved ones there have access to justice," Fakih said, referring to a mass grave site south of Mosul.

HRW said that the Khasfa site, a large sinkhole where IS reportedly shot victims and pushed them in for disposal, could contain the bodies of hundreds of people executed by the jihadists. But IS has planted explosives at the site, which killed a journalist and three members of Iraqi paramilitary forces in February.

HRW called for Iraqi authorities to fence it off "for the protection of the mass grave and those in the area, until deminers can clear the site." "If exhumation is possible, the process should be carried out under international standards," the rights group said.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained much of the territory they lost. Iraqi forces launched a massive operation to retake Mosul in October, recapturing its eastern side before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely-populated west.

Paramilitary forces said earlier this month they had discovered another suspected mass grave at Badush prison, near Mosul. IS reportedly killed up to 600 people after seizing Badush in 2014, and was also said to have held hundreds of kidnapped women from Iraq's Yazidi minority at the facility.

BAGHDAD: Iraqis should not carry out hurried or ad hoc exhumations of mass graves left by jihadists, as this makes identifying victims more difficult, Human Rights Watch said today. Dozens of mass graves have been discovered in areas retaken from the Islamic State jihadist group, whose rule in Iraq and Syria has been marked by widespread atrocities including mass summary executions. "The strong desire to exhume the remains of loved ones from (IS) mass graves is perfectly understandable, but hastily conducted exhumations seriously harm the chances of identifying the victims and preserving evidence," Lama Fakih, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said in a statement. "While exhuming the remains of those killed at (Khasfa) may be difficult, authorities should do what they can to make sure that those who lost their loved ones there have access to justice," Fakih said, referring to a mass grave site south of Mosul. HRW said that the Khasfa site, a large sinkhole where IS reportedly shot victims and pushed them in for disposal, could contain the bodies of hundreds of people executed by the jihadists. But IS has planted explosives at the site, which killed a journalist and three members of Iraqi paramilitary forces in February. HRW called for Iraqi authorities to fence it off "for the protection of the mass grave and those in the area, until deminers can clear the site." "If exhumation is possible, the process should be carried out under international standards," the rights group said. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained much of the territory they lost. Iraqi forces launched a massive operation to retake Mosul in October, recapturing its eastern side before setting their sights on the smaller but more densely-populated west. Paramilitary forces said earlier this month they had discovered another suspected mass grave at Badush prison, near Mosul. IS reportedly killed up to 600 people after seizing Badush in 2014, and was also said to have held hundreds of kidnapped women from Iraq's Yazidi minority at the facility.
By PTI

PESHAWAR: Five Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed today during clashes with the security forces that also left a Major and a soldier dead in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region.

The clashes took place in Utmankhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency during an intelligence-based operation by security forces, the army said in a statement.

Five Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, including commander Shah Dauran, were killed by the security forces. During clashes, Major Mudassir and Sepoy Matiullah were killed.

The security forces arrested several terrorists from the area when a search operation was conduction after cordon-off.

Heavy arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of terrorists.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

Pakistan last month launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to clean the country of remnants of militants after dismantling their hideouts in remote tribal region.

PESHAWAR: Five Taliban militants, including a key commander, were killed today during clashes with the security forces that also left a Major and a soldier dead in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region. The clashes took place in Utmankhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency during an intelligence-based operation by security forces, the army said in a statement. Five Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists, including commander Shah Dauran, were killed by the security forces. During clashes, Major Mudassir and Sepoy Matiullah were killed. The security forces arrested several terrorists from the area when a search operation was conduction after cordon-off. Heavy arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of terrorists. Orakzai is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds. Pakistan last month launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to clean the country of remnants of militants after dismantling their hideouts in remote tribal region.
By AFP

NIGERIA: Suicide bomb blasts rocked a camp for migrants who have fled Boko Haram insurgents near Nigeria's restive northeastern city of Maiduguri early Wednesday, officials said.

"There were four explosions inside the camp," the coordinator of the Muna camp Tijjani Lumani told AFP. "The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am.

"The explosions triggered fires which burned down many tents", he said, adding that casualties details were not known.

The emergency services confirmed the attacks.

"There were some suicide explosions in Muna camp. Our men have mobilised to the scene," Ibrahim Abduljkadir of the National Emergency Management Agency in the region told AFP.

Muna camp, on the edge of Maiduguri, is currently home to tens of thousands of people who have fled Boko Haram.

The Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million others from their homes since it began in northeast Nigeria in 2009.

Boko Haram has continued to target the internally displaced people (IDPs) and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible.

Aid workers said last week that the Muna camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.

NIGERIA: Suicide bomb blasts rocked a camp for migrants who have fled Boko Haram insurgents near Nigeria's restive northeastern city of Maiduguri early Wednesday, officials said. "There were four explosions inside the camp," the coordinator of the Muna camp Tijjani Lumani told AFP. "The bombers struck at different locations around 4:30 am. "The explosions triggered fires which burned down many tents", he said, adding that casualties details were not known. The emergency services confirmed the attacks. "There were some suicide explosions in Muna camp. Our men have mobilised to the scene," Ibrahim Abduljkadir of the National Emergency Management Agency in the region told AFP. Muna camp, on the edge of Maiduguri, is currently home to tens of thousands of people who have fled Boko Haram. The Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million others from their homes since it began in northeast Nigeria in 2009. Boko Haram has continued to target the internally displaced people (IDPs) and there have been several attempted suicide bomb attacks near Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easily accessible. Aid workers said last week that the Muna camp residents are facing a severe lack of water, compounding widespread food shortages and security fears.
By AFP

SINGAPORE: A Singapore migrant welfare group has started distributing 3G-enabled mobile phones to cash- strapped foreign workers days before the city-state shuts down its 2G network. Telecom operators in the highly wired island will end second-generation services on April 1, forcing thousands still relying it to upgrade their handsets or become a casualty of technology's relentless advance.

Migrants group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) said the first batch of handsets was given to 50 jobless foreign workers late yesterday. The labourers are out of work due to wage disputes or workplace injury.

Many rely on cheap 2G handsets to keep in touch with loved ones back home while awaiting a resolution to their problems. TWC2 said it would hand out 120 more handsets next week, while some of the remaining 80 phones which have been collected would be given to other migrant welfare groups for distribution.

The group had urged the public to donate used 3G handsets or money to buy phones for the workers. Singapore, with one of the world's highest mobile penetration rates, is re-allocating scarce radio frequency spectrum to meet surging consumer demand for high-speed data. But some 132,300 people in the city-state were still using 2G phones as of December, official data showed.

"Phones are a lot more important to these workers than to all of us who have access to computers. It's their only link to their family... a very important social lifeline for them," TWC2 treasurer Alex Au told AFP. There are almost 1.4 million foreign workers in labour- scarce Singapore, many in the construction and marine industries.

Bangladeshi Ahamed Mohammad Faruk, 30, who has been jobless for eight months after his employer withheld his salary, was among those who got a phone. He had been wondering how his three-year-old daughter has grown since he left for Singapore two years ago with just a few pictures of her. His old 2G phone could only be used for calls and texting.

"I am excited to see her (recent) pictures," a smiling Ahamed told AFP after getting a touch-screen phone that can send and receive multimedia and browse the internet. Japan, South Korea and US telecom giant AT&T have already shut down their 2G networks and Australia is set to stop the service in September.

But globally, 2G is not set to vanish, even as the number of smartphones is projected to soar from four billion last year to some six billion by 2020, according to IHS Markit data.

SINGAPORE: A Singapore migrant welfare group has started distributing 3G-enabled mobile phones to cash- strapped foreign workers days before the city-state shuts down its 2G network. Telecom operators in the highly wired island will end second-generation services on April 1, forcing thousands still relying it to upgrade their handsets or become a casualty of technology's relentless advance. Migrants group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) said the first batch of handsets was given to 50 jobless foreign workers late yesterday. The labourers are out of work due to wage disputes or workplace injury. Many rely on cheap 2G handsets to keep in touch with loved ones back home while awaiting a resolution to their problems. TWC2 said it would hand out 120 more handsets next week, while some of the remaining 80 phones which have been collected would be given to other migrant welfare groups for distribution. The group had urged the public to donate used 3G handsets or money to buy phones for the workers. Singapore, with one of the world's highest mobile penetration rates, is re-allocating scarce radio frequency spectrum to meet surging consumer demand for high-speed data. But some 132,300 people in the city-state were still using 2G phones as of December, official data showed. "Phones are a lot more important to these workers than to all of us who have access to computers. It's their only link to their family... a very important social lifeline for them," TWC2 treasurer Alex Au told AFP. There are almost 1.4 million foreign workers in labour- scarce Singapore, many in the construction and marine industries. Bangladeshi Ahamed Mohammad Faruk, 30, who has been jobless for eight months after his employer withheld his salary, was among those who got a phone. He had been wondering how his three-year-old daughter has grown since he left for Singapore two years ago with just a few pictures of her. His old 2G phone could only be used for calls and texting. "I am excited to see her (recent) pictures," a smiling Ahamed told AFP after getting a touch-screen phone that can send and receive multimedia and browse the internet. Japan, South Korea and US telecom giant AT&T have already shut down their 2G networks and Australia is set to stop the service in September. But globally, 2G is not set to vanish, even as the number of smartphones is projected to soar from four billion last year to some six billion by 2020, according to IHS Markit data.
By AFP

SEOUL: North Korea will hold a rare parliamentary session next month, state media reported on Wednesday, as regional tensions intensify following the nuclear-armed state's recent missile tests.

The country's legislative body meets only once or twice a year, mostly for day-long sessions to rubber-stamp budgets or other decisions deemed necessary by the ruling Workers' Party.

The last meeting was held in June 2016 when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was elected chairman of a new, supreme governing commission -- underlining his absolute control over every aspect of state policy.

"The fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly will be convened in Pyongyang on April 11," the official KCNA news agency said.

As usual it gave no other details, including the session's agenda. Such meetings are carefully monitored by observers for any changes to economic policy or a reshuffle of high-ranking officials.

The upcoming session comes against the backdrop of rising international alarm over Pyongyang's military ambitions.

The impoverished North carried out a series of missile launches and nuclear tests last year, and earlier this month, it fired four rockets in what it described as practice for an attack on US military bases in Japan.

Seoul has meanwhile blamed Pyongyang for the death of Kim Jong-un's half-brother, who was poisoned with the lethal nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 at a Kuala Lumpur airport.

The murder and subsequent row with Malaysia over the handling of the body and several North Korean suspects has sent diplomatic friction between the two soaring.

On Sunday, Kim also personally oversaw and hailed a "successful" test of a powerful new rocket engine, which can be easily repurposed for use in missiles.

The test was apparently timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who warned that regional tension had reached a "dangerous level".

SEOUL: North Korea will hold a rare parliamentary session next month, state media reported on Wednesday, as regional tensions intensify following the nuclear-armed state's recent missile tests. The country's legislative body meets only once or twice a year, mostly for day-long sessions to rubber-stamp budgets or other decisions deemed necessary by the ruling Workers' Party. The last meeting was held in June 2016 when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was elected chairman of a new, supreme governing commission -- underlining his absolute control over every aspect of state policy. "The fifth session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly will be convened in Pyongyang on April 11," the official KCNA news agency said. As usual it gave no other details, including the session's agenda. Such meetings are carefully monitored by observers for any changes to economic policy or a reshuffle of high-ranking officials. The upcoming session comes against the backdrop of rising international alarm over Pyongyang's military ambitions. The impoverished North carried out a series of missile launches and nuclear tests last year, and earlier this month, it fired four rockets in what it described as practice for an attack on US military bases in Japan. Seoul has meanwhile blamed Pyongyang for the death of Kim Jong-un's half-brother, who was poisoned with the lethal nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 at a Kuala Lumpur airport. The murder and subsequent row with Malaysia over the handling of the body and several North Korean suspects has sent diplomatic friction between the two soaring. On Sunday, Kim also personally oversaw and hailed a "successful" test of a powerful new rocket engine, which can be easily repurposed for use in missiles. The test was apparently timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who warned that regional tension had reached a "dangerous level".
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that former dictator Pervez Musharraf had offered him a "secret deal" to return to the country from exile in Saudi Arabia to form a joint government in 2008.

At a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) parliamentary committee yesterday, Sharif said, "Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007", according to a report in Dawn. "Musharraf offered me the deal directly, but I turned it down," he said. Sharif said Gen Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past. "But I declined."

The revelation about the going-ons in Pakistan's polity in 2007 has come for the first time from Sharif, who at the time was living in Saudi Arabia after his government was toppled by Gen Musharraf in a coup in 1999.

Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007. "We left the country in a miserable condition and were not allowed to return for a long time," Sharif said, and made it clear he would do the same to Gen Musharraf, who left Pakistan last year for Dubai ostensibly for medical treatment. "Now Musharraf can't come back to Pakistan, this is retribution," Geo News quoted the prime minister as saying.

However, according to the report in Dawn, Sharif's claims were disputed by former Musharraf aide Ahmed Raza Kasuri. "I have been working with Gen Musharraf for a long time and I have never heard any such thing," he said. Kasuri said everyone knew that the Sharifs went abroad under an agreement for 10 years and there could be no question that Musharraf offered him a deal to form a joint government.

"It was, in fact, Nawaz Sharif who was begging to return to the country in 2007," he maintained. "[The claim is] absolute rubbish and [a] bundle of lies, which has only been propagated for [the prime ministers] image-building that was badly affected due to his lies in the Panama scandal," Kasuri concluded.

On November 3, 2007, then-ruler Gen Musharraf had declared an emergency, suspending the Constitution, which lasted until December 15, 2007. The move then had appeared as an effort by him to reassert his fading power in the face of increasing opposition from the Pakistani Supreme Court and the political parties.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that former dictator Pervez Musharraf had offered him a "secret deal" to return to the country from exile in Saudi Arabia to form a joint government in 2008. At a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) parliamentary committee yesterday, Sharif said, "Musharraf wanted a secret deal with me in 2007", according to a report in Dawn. "Musharraf offered me the deal directly, but I turned it down," he said. Sharif said Gen Musharraf was willing to meet him and made several attempts to do so in the past. "But I declined." The revelation about the going-ons in Pakistan's polity in 2007 has come for the first time from Sharif, who at the time was living in Saudi Arabia after his government was toppled by Gen Musharraf in a coup in 1999. Many members of the Sharif family too had to live in the Gulf nation after the coup until their return to Pakistan in November 2007. "We left the country in a miserable condition and were not allowed to return for a long time," Sharif said, and made it clear he would do the same to Gen Musharraf, who left Pakistan last year for Dubai ostensibly for medical treatment. "Now Musharraf can't come back to Pakistan, this is retribution," Geo News quoted the prime minister as saying. However, according to the report in Dawn, Sharif's claims were disputed by former Musharraf aide Ahmed Raza Kasuri. "I have been working with Gen Musharraf for a long time and I have never heard any such thing," he said. Kasuri said everyone knew that the Sharifs went abroad under an agreement for 10 years and there could be no question that Musharraf offered him a deal to form a joint government. "It was, in fact, Nawaz Sharif who was begging to return to the country in 2007," he maintained. "[The claim is] absolute rubbish and [a] bundle of lies, which has only been propagated for [the prime ministers] image-building that was badly affected due to his lies in the Panama scandal," Kasuri concluded. On November 3, 2007, then-ruler Gen Musharraf had declared an emergency, suspending the Constitution, which lasted until December 15, 2007. The move then had appeared as an effort by him to reassert his fading power in the face of increasing opposition from the Pakistani Supreme Court and the political parties.
By AFP

BANGKOK: The Philippines tourism secretary urged the media today to "tone down" coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war, complaining that reports on extrajudicial killings were scaring away foreigners.

On a trip to Thailand accompanying Duterte, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo insisted the Philippines was a safe destination but said journalists were making the country a hard sell because of their focus on the killings. "Help us because you know, it's really difficult for me to sell the Philippines, especially when extrajudicial killings becomes the topic," Teo told Filipino reporters following the Duterte entourage.

Teo said tour operators abroad were "always" asking her about the issue, citing Asia and Europe as regions where people were particularly concerned. "I would always say it's safe in the Philippines," Teo added. "To the media, please tone down a little the extrajudicial killing (reports)," she said.

Duterte was elected last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. Since he took office nearly nine months ago, police have reported killing 2,594 people in the drug war while rights groups say thousands more have been killed in a state- sanctioned campaign of mass murder.

While most of those killed have been poor people living in slums, some foreigners have also died. Duterte briefly suspended all police from the crackdown in January after it was revealed anti-drugs officers used the drug war as cover for kidnapping and murdering a South Korean businessman. But, after describing the police force as "corrupt to the core", Duterte brought it back a month later and vowed to continue the crackdown until all drug traffickers were off the streets or killed.

Duterte has over the past year become a well-known figure internationally because of the drug war and his caustic rhetoric against critics. Duterte this week boasted that calling then-US president Barack Obama a "son of a whore" had made him famous. He then used more foul language to respond to criticism from European lawmakers of the drug war, and called them "crazies".

The Philippines, despite picturesque tropical islands and spectacular mountains, has long lagged behind its neighbours as a tourist destination. This is partly due to decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies, as well as frequent kidnappings of foreigners by Islamic militants. About 5.9 million tourists visited the Philippines last year, compared with 32.6 million for Thailand.

BANGKOK: The Philippines tourism secretary urged the media today to "tone down" coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war, complaining that reports on extrajudicial killings were scaring away foreigners. On a trip to Thailand accompanying Duterte, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo insisted the Philippines was a safe destination but said journalists were making the country a hard sell because of their focus on the killings. "Help us because you know, it's really difficult for me to sell the Philippines, especially when extrajudicial killings becomes the topic," Teo told Filipino reporters following the Duterte entourage. Teo said tour operators abroad were "always" asking her about the issue, citing Asia and Europe as regions where people were particularly concerned. "I would always say it's safe in the Philippines," Teo added. "To the media, please tone down a little the extrajudicial killing (reports)," she said. Duterte was elected last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. Since he took office nearly nine months ago, police have reported killing 2,594 people in the drug war while rights groups say thousands more have been killed in a state- sanctioned campaign of mass murder. While most of those killed have been poor people living in slums, some foreigners have also died. Duterte briefly suspended all police from the crackdown in January after it was revealed anti-drugs officers used the drug war as cover for kidnapping and murdering a South Korean businessman. But, after describing the police force as "corrupt to the core", Duterte brought it back a month later and vowed to continue the crackdown until all drug traffickers were off the streets or killed. Duterte has over the past year become a well-known figure internationally because of the drug war and his caustic rhetoric against critics. Duterte this week boasted that calling then-US president Barack Obama a "son of a whore" had made him famous. He then used more foul language to respond to criticism from European lawmakers of the drug war, and called them "crazies". The Philippines, despite picturesque tropical islands and spectacular mountains, has long lagged behind its neighbours as a tourist destination. This is partly due to decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies, as well as frequent kidnappings of foreigners by Islamic militants. About 5.9 million tourists visited the Philippines last year, compared with 32.6 million for Thailand.
WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court today limited the president's power to temporarily fill vacant government posts while nominations are tied up in partisan political fights. The 6-2 ruling said a former top lawyer at the National Labor Relations Board had served in violation of a federal law governing such appointments.

Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts said that Lafe Solomon was not allowed to serve as acting general counsel of the agency that enforces labor laws while he was at the same time nominated to fill that role permanently. At issue is a 1998 law aimed at preventing the president from using temporary appointments to bypass the Senate's advice-and-consent role.

The Federal Vacancies Reform Act says a person nominated for a post requiring Senate confirmation can't serve in the same position on a temporary basis. But the law contains an exception if the nominee served for 90 days as a "first assistant" to the person who previously held the office. The Obama administration said the exception also covered Solomon because he had been a director at a different office at the NLRB. President Barack Obama named Solomon acting general counsel in June 2010 and he held the office until Nov. 4, 2013.

But he never won Senate confirmation because Republicans viewed him as too favorable to labor unions. Roberts said a close reading of the law's text shows that the exception did not cover Solomon. He rejected the government's argument that a ruling against it would hamstring future presidents and call into question dozens of temporary appointments made over the years. "This does not mean that the duties of general counsel to the NLRB needed to go unperformed," Roberts said.

"The president could have appointed another person to serve as the acting officer in Solomon's place." Solomon's authority was challenged after an Arizona-based ambulance company was accused of unfair labor practices. The company, SW General, Inc., said the complaint was void because Solomon's tenure was invalid.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the company. Roberts dismissed arguments that historical practice supported the government. Since the law was enacted in 1998, three presidents have nominated 112 people for permanent posts who also were serving as acting officials.

There was never any objection from Congress. Roberts said those 112 nominations "make up less than two percent of the thousands of nomination to positions in executive agencies" that the Senate has considered during that time. He said the Senate either may not have noticed a problem or opted not to reject a candidate just to make a point about the law. It's the second time in recent years that the presidential appointment process has come under scrutiny by the high court.

In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that Obama's recess appointment of three NLRB members violated the Constitution. That ruling invalidated hundreds of NLRB rulings and forced the agency to reissue those decisions. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, noting that the Senate never objected over the years while more than 100 people served in an acting capacity pending their nomination for a permanent post.

WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court today limited the president's power to temporarily fill vacant government posts while nominations are tied up in partisan political fights. The 6-2 ruling said a former top lawyer at the National Labor Relations Board had served in violation of a federal law governing such appointments. Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts said that Lafe Solomon was not allowed to serve as acting general counsel of the agency that enforces labor laws while he was at the same time nominated to fill that role permanently. At issue is a 1998 law aimed at preventing the president from using temporary appointments to bypass the Senate's advice-and-consent role. The Federal Vacancies Reform Act says a person nominated for a post requiring Senate confirmation can't serve in the same position on a temporary basis. But the law contains an exception if the nominee served for 90 days as a "first assistant" to the person who previously held the office. The Obama administration said the exception also covered Solomon because he had been a director at a different office at the NLRB. President Barack Obama named Solomon acting general counsel in June 2010 and he held the office until Nov. 4, 2013. But he never won Senate confirmation because Republicans viewed him as too favorable to labor unions. Roberts said a close reading of the law's text shows that the exception did not cover Solomon. He rejected the government's argument that a ruling against it would hamstring future presidents and call into question dozens of temporary appointments made over the years. "This does not mean that the duties of general counsel to the NLRB needed to go unperformed," Roberts said. "The president could have appointed another person to serve as the acting officer in Solomon's place." Solomon's authority was challenged after an Arizona-based ambulance company was accused of unfair labor practices. The company, SW General, Inc., said the complaint was void because Solomon's tenure was invalid. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the company. Roberts dismissed arguments that historical practice supported the government. Since the law was enacted in 1998, three presidents have nominated 112 people for permanent posts who also were serving as acting officials. There was never any objection from Congress. Roberts said those 112 nominations "make up less than two percent of the thousands of nomination to positions in executive agencies" that the Senate has considered during that time. He said the Senate either may not have noticed a problem or opted not to reject a candidate just to make a point about the law. It's the second time in recent years that the presidential appointment process has come under scrutiny by the high court. In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that Obama's recess appointment of three NLRB members violated the Constitution. That ruling invalidated hundreds of NLRB rulings and forced the agency to reissue those decisions. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, noting that the Senate never objected over the years while more than 100 people served in an acting capacity pending their nomination for a permanent post.
By IANS

BANGKOK: Thailand and the Philippines pledged here on Tuesday to boost military cooperation between the two countries to address security issues like terrorism and illegal drugs.



The pledge was made at a joint press conference after the meeting between Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Xinhua reported.



"We stress the need to address traditional and emerging threats to our collective security and stability. This includes transnational crimes such as terrorism and violent extremism, piracy at sea as well as the trafficking of persons and illicit drugs," Duterte told the press.



Thailand, like the Philippines, continues to wrestle with the spread of illegal drugs.



During their meeting, the two leaders also believed that the South China Sea should be a sea of peace, stability and sustainable development" for the sake of the region and its peoples.



The two also witnessed the signing of agreements on tourism, agriculture as well as science and technology aimed at boosting economic growth in their countries.



This is Duterte's first official visit to Thailand.

BANGKOK: Thailand and the Philippines pledged here on Tuesday to boost military cooperation between the two countries to address security issues like terrorism and illegal drugs. The pledge was made at a joint press conference after the meeting between Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Xinhua reported. "We stress the need to address traditional and emerging threats to our collective security and stability. This includes transnational crimes such as terrorism and violent extremism, piracy at sea as well as the trafficking of persons and illicit drugs," Duterte told the press. Thailand, like the Philippines, continues to wrestle with the spread of illegal drugs. During their meeting, the two leaders also believed that the South China Sea should be a sea of peace, stability and sustainable development" for the sake of the region and its peoples. The two also witnessed the signing of agreements on tourism, agriculture as well as science and technology aimed at boosting economic growth in their countries. This is Duterte's first official visit to Thailand.
By Associated Press

ANCHORAGE: Anna McConnaughy was flying to Alaska's largest city when the announcement came over the intercom: a passenger on a previous flight had brought a pet snake on board.

The passenger had gotten off the plane. The snake had not.

"The pilot came, and said, 'Guys, we have some loose snake on the plane, but we don't know where it is,'" McConnaughy said Tuesday.

Unlike the movie "Snakes On A Plane," this one wasn't venomous. Mostly, it was sleepy.

A little boy, one of seven passengers on the Ravn Alaska commuter flight Sunday from the Alaska village of Aniak to Anchorage, was climbing on his seat when he spotted the slumbering snake. It was lying partially covered by a duffel bag near the back of the plane.

"He said, 'Oh, Mom, look at this. What's that?'" McConnaughy said. "That's how we figured out there was a snake sleeping in the corner."

There was no panic. McConnaughy said. Mostly people wanted to see the snake.

A pilot came back to help, she said, leading to a short discussion with a flight attendant on how best to capture it.

"He said, 'I'll hold the bag, and you grab the snake,'" McConnaughy said. "Quite a gentleman."

The flight attendant grabbed the snake by the belly and dropped it into a plastic trash bag. It spent the rest of the flight in an overhead storage bin, and the plane reached Anchorage on schedule.

Anchorage television station KTVA first reported the incident.

McConnaughy's photos show a pale snake about 4 to 5 feet long. She said it appeared to want only to go back to sleep.

A spokesman for the airline, William Walsh, said in a statement that the snake owner had not registered the pet for travel in the cabin of the Ravn Alaska flight. After arriving in Aniak, he reported that his snake was missing and likely on the return trip to Anchorage.

The airline was thankful for the heads-up, Walsh said. However, it has specific requirements for carrying on reptiles. Ravn Alaska does not allow any large animal that's not a dog to be used as a service animal.

McConnaughy said there are plenty of snakes where she grew up in the Russian Far East. However, there are no wild snakes in most of Alaska, and she's not crazy about them, she said.

"Here in Alaska, it's kind of weird," she said.

ANCHORAGE: Anna McConnaughy was flying to Alaska's largest city when the announcement came over the intercom: a passenger on a previous flight had brought a pet snake on board. The passenger had gotten off the plane. The snake had not. "The pilot came, and said, 'Guys, we have some loose snake on the plane, but we don't know where it is,'" McConnaughy said Tuesday. Unlike the movie "Snakes On A Plane," this one wasn't venomous. Mostly, it was sleepy. A little boy, one of seven passengers on the Ravn Alaska commuter flight Sunday from the Alaska village of Aniak to Anchorage, was climbing on his seat when he spotted the slumbering snake. It was lying partially covered by a duffel bag near the back of the plane. "He said, 'Oh, Mom, look at this. What's that?'" McConnaughy said. "That's how we figured out there was a snake sleeping in the corner." There was no panic. McConnaughy said. Mostly people wanted to see the snake. A pilot came back to help, she said, leading to a short discussion with a flight attendant on how best to capture it. "He said, 'I'll hold the bag, and you grab the snake,'" McConnaughy said. "Quite a gentleman." The flight attendant grabbed the snake by the belly and dropped it into a plastic trash bag. It spent the rest of the flight in an overhead storage bin, and the plane reached Anchorage on schedule. Anchorage television station KTVA first reported the incident. McConnaughy's photos show a pale snake about 4 to 5 feet long. She said it appeared to want only to go back to sleep. A spokesman for the airline, William Walsh, said in a statement that the snake owner had not registered the pet for travel in the cabin of the Ravn Alaska flight. After arriving in Aniak, he reported that his snake was missing and likely on the return trip to Anchorage. The airline was thankful for the heads-up, Walsh said. However, it has specific requirements for carrying on reptiles. Ravn Alaska does not allow any large animal that's not a dog to be used as a service animal. McConnaughy said there are plenty of snakes where she grew up in the Russian Far East. However, there are no wild snakes in most of Alaska, and she's not crazy about them, she said. "Here in Alaska, it's kind of weird," she said.
BEIJING: At least two students were killed and 20 others injured today in a stampede at a primary school in China's central Henan Province.

The injured were being given medical assistance, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The incident happened when some students were going to the toilet around 8:30 a.m. in the No. 3 experimental primary school of Puyang county.

The cause of the accident is being investigated, the report said.

BEIJING: At least two students were killed and 20 others injured today in a stampede at a primary school in China's central Henan Province. The injured were being given medical assistance, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The incident happened when some students were going to the toilet around 8:30 a.m. in the No. 3 experimental primary school of Puyang county. The cause of the accident is being investigated, the report said.
MOSCOW: Participants of the US Congress public hearing on Russias alleged interference in the US 2016 elections have gotten lost in details of the matter as they struggle to find proof of their own assumptions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.



"The hearing participants are apparently confused about the situation. They are trying to find confirmation of their own assumptions somewhere but are failing to do that, to find any proof... and just go around every time," Peskov was quoted by RT online.



He also said that the hearing itself could hardly contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations between the US and Russia. "It is clear that (this hearing) could hardly be regarded as a constructive contribution to the issue of development of bilateral relations," he said.



The Russian President's spokesman also refused to comment on the issue of how the Kremlin assessed Trump's prospects of winning the elections by saying that he "does not regard it as a reason to give comments."



Speaking about the US speculation over Trump's alleged ties to the Kremlin, Peskov said that "it is more of a sort of such permanent internal discussion in the US," adding that Moscow "would like to stay away from such futile discussions."



He then said that Moscow "already got tired of commenting on the same things for so long and does not see it as a necessary thing anymore."



Earlier, Peskov also called the hearing "an internal affair of the US," adding at the same time that Moscow is "generally well aware of this hysteria and has nothing to add on that matter."



On Monday, FBI Director James Comey confirmed during the hearing that his agency is still investigating possible Russian interference in the US elections but refused to reveal any details of the issue citing an "open ongoing investigation" which is "classified."



On Sunday, the House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes told Fox News ahead of the hearing that "no evidence of collusion" between the US President Donald Trump's team and Russia has been found so far.

MOSCOW: Participants of the US Congress public hearing on Russias alleged interference in the US 2016 elections have gotten lost in details of the matter as they struggle to find proof of their own assumptions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. "The hearing participants are apparently confused about the situation. They are trying to find confirmation of their own assumptions somewhere but are failing to do that, to find any proof... and just go around every time," Peskov was quoted by RT online. He also said that the hearing itself could hardly contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations between the US and Russia. "It is clear that (this hearing) could hardly be regarded as a constructive contribution to the issue of development of bilateral relations," he said. The Russian President's spokesman also refused to comment on the issue of how the Kremlin assessed Trump's prospects of winning the elections by saying that he "does not regard it as a reason to give comments." Speaking about the US speculation over Trump's alleged ties to the Kremlin, Peskov said that "it is more of a sort of such permanent internal discussion in the US," adding that Moscow "would like to stay away from such futile discussions." He then said that Moscow "already got tired of commenting on the same things for so long and does not see it as a necessary thing anymore." Earlier, Peskov also called the hearing "an internal affair of the US," adding at the same time that Moscow is "generally well aware of this hysteria and has nothing to add on that matter." On Monday, FBI Director James Comey confirmed during the hearing that his agency is still investigating possible Russian interference in the US elections but refused to reveal any details of the issue citing an "open ongoing investigation" which is "classified." On Sunday, the House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes told Fox News ahead of the hearing that "no evidence of collusion" between the US President Donald Trump's team and Russia has been found so far.
PK Balachandran By

Express News Service

COLOMBO: Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday, that Sri Lanka must appoint foreign judges to thejudicial mechanism it is to set up to try war crimes cases. But the Sri Lankan Representative, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr.Harsha de Silva, avoided using the term foreign judges in his reply, and instead said that Sri Lanka will take foreign expertise and assistance.

Calling for foreign judges as per the resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka in September-October 2015, Prince Zeid said that the consistent failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish serious

crimes appears to reflect a broader reluctance or fear to take action against members of the security forces.

Combined with a general lack of trust in the impartiality of the justice system regarding past violations, this continuing unwillingness or inability to address impunity reinforces the need for international participation in a judicial mechanism. For this to be credible, it should include a special counsel, foreign judges and defense lawyers, and authorized prosecutors and investigators.

Dr.Harsha de Silva (File |EPS)

In his reply, the Sri Lankan representative Dr. de Silva said:  As we go through the complex process of establishing new mechanisms, we will continue to consult with all segments of our society. We will also

seek international expertise and assistance, as all countries do, when they undertake such responsibilities.

Dr.de Silvas rejection for foreign judges is in line with the policy of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who have categorically ruled out the use of foreign

judges, except as observers and experts as it has done in the past.

The Prime Minister has said that Sri Lankan law does not provide for the use of foreign judges to give judgments. Sri Lanka has not accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court either.

The minority Tamils, who consider themselves to be the victims of the war, want foreign judges because they fear that the majority Sinhalese will be biased against them and will not take action against the

predominantly Sinhalese armed forces. On the other hand, the majority Sinhalese fear that foreign judges will be biased against the Sinhalese dominated armed forces and will also not consider the

Sinhalese to be victims of Tamil terrorism.

The question of foreign judges is proving to be divisive as it makes the Tamils band together against the Sinhalese, and the Sinhalese to band together against the Tamils. Many activists in the reconciliation

movement fear that the foreign judges issue will hamper and not promote ethnic reconciliation.

Pleading Sri Lankas case and asking for patience and tolerance, Dr. de Silva said: This Council knows that no countrys human rights record is perfect. It is always work-in-progress. The people of Sri Lanka

have been through extremely difficult and painful times, and although much has been done, there is much still left to do, including strengthening our institutions and achieving economic progress. There

are multiple challenges that we face.

But, as a responsible and committed Government, under the leadership of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, we are determined to stay the course. We will listen to all, we will study

all reports carefully, we will exchange information, share our concerns and comments, engage constructively and meaningfully with our partners, and take the necessary steps required to ensure that Sri Lanka is a nation that is prosperous, united in its diversity, upholding human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

Dr.de Silva said that Sri Lanka expects the council to give two years time to implement the 2015 resolution, and said that it will co-sponsor this years resolution too.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Prime Zeid took an accommodative stance even as he doubted the impartiality of the Sri Lankan judicial system.

I note promising progress regarding constitutional reform, with the Parliament establishing itself as a constitutional assembly. Inclusive public consultations conducted by the Public Representations Committee were followed in November by reports from six subcommittees appointed by the Constitutional Assembly to make recommendations regarding fundamental rights, the judiciary, finance, law and order, public service and centre-periphery relations.

Although progress to establish transitional justice mechanisms has been slow, I am heartened by the recent report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, synthesizing thousands of

submissions from across all ethnic and religious groups, he said.

However, Zeid stressed that the need of the hour is agreement on a comprehensive strategy, with a time-line and detailed benchmarks, to address all the transitional justice pillars identified in Resolution

30/1 (September 2015) resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka.

Further, in the face of rising frustration among victims, a number of confidence-building measures must be accelerated, he added.

These include the release of land occupied by the military, which remains slow. While an effort is underway to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with legislation that complies with

international human rights law, this work has yet to be concluded. Numerous pending cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have not yet been resolved.

The design of truth and reparations processes appear to be underway, but these efforts need to be in consultation with the victims and civil society. It is important for the countrys future to send the

signal that impunity is no longer tolerated. I am particularly troubled by the lack of progress in a number of emblematic cases, Zeid said.

Finally, the High Commissioner urged Sri Lankas Government to regularly consult the independent commissions, and particularly the Human Rights Commission, which have an invaluable role in

strengthening good governance.

I encourage respect for their mandate and autonomy, adequate financing, and implementation of their recommendations, he added

COLOMBO: Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday, that Sri Lanka must appoint foreign judges to thejudicial mechanism it is to set up to try war crimes cases. But the Sri Lankan Representative, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr.Harsha de Silva, avoided using the term foreign judges in his reply, and instead said that Sri Lanka will take foreign expertise and assistance. Calling for foreign judges as per the resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka in September-October 2015, Prince Zeid said that the consistent failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish serious crimes appears to reflect a broader reluctance or fear to take action against members of the security forces. Combined with a general lack of trust in the impartiality of the justice system regarding past violations, this continuing unwillingness or inability to address impunity reinforces the need for international participation in a judicial mechanism. For this to be credible, it should include a special counsel, foreign judges and defense lawyers, and authorized prosecutors and investigators. Dr.Harsha de Silva (File |EPS)In his reply, the Sri Lankan representative Dr. de Silva said:  As we go through the complex process of establishing new mechanisms, we will continue to consult with all segments of our society. We will also seek international expertise and assistance, as all countries do, when they undertake such responsibilities. Dr.de Silvas rejection for foreign judges is in line with the policy of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who have categorically ruled out the use of foreign judges, except as observers and experts as it has done in the past. The Prime Minister has said that Sri Lankan law does not provide for the use of foreign judges to give judgments. Sri Lanka has not accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court either. The minority Tamils, who consider themselves to be the victims of the war, want foreign judges because they fear that the majority Sinhalese will be biased against them and will not take action against the predominantly Sinhalese armed forces. On the other hand, the majority Sinhalese fear that foreign judges will be biased against the Sinhalese dominated armed forces and will also not consider the Sinhalese to be victims of Tamil terrorism. The question of foreign judges is proving to be divisive as it makes the Tamils band together against the Sinhalese, and the Sinhalese to band together against the Tamils. Many activists in the reconciliation movement fear that the foreign judges issue will hamper and not promote ethnic reconciliation. Pleading Sri Lankas case and asking for patience and tolerance, Dr. de Silva said: This Council knows that no countrys human rights record is perfect. It is always work-in-progress. The people of Sri Lanka have been through extremely difficult and painful times, and although much has been done, there is much still left to do, including strengthening our institutions and achieving economic progress. There are multiple challenges that we face. But, as a responsible and committed Government, under the leadership of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, we are determined to stay the course. We will listen to all, we will study all reports carefully, we will exchange information, share our concerns and comments, engage constructively and meaningfully with our partners, and take the necessary steps required to ensure that Sri Lanka is a nation that is prosperous, united in its diversity, upholding human rights, justice, and the rule of law. Dr.de Silva said that Sri Lanka expects the council to give two years time to implement the 2015 resolution, and said that it will co-sponsor this years resolution too. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Prime Zeid took an accommodative stance even as he doubted the impartiality of the Sri Lankan judicial system. I note promising progress regarding constitutional reform, with the Parliament establishing itself as a constitutional assembly. Inclusive public consultations conducted by the Public Representations Committee were followed in November by reports from six subcommittees appointed by the Constitutional Assembly to make recommendations regarding fundamental rights, the judiciary, finance, law and order, public service and centre-periphery relations. Although progress to establish transitional justice mechanisms has been slow, I am heartened by the recent report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, synthesizing thousands of submissions from across all ethnic and religious groups, he said. However, Zeid stressed that the need of the hour is agreement on a comprehensive strategy, with a time-line and detailed benchmarks, to address all the transitional justice pillars identified in Resolution 30/1 (September 2015) resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka. Further, in the face of rising frustration among victims, a number of confidence-building measures must be accelerated, he added. These include the release of land occupied by the military, which remains slow. While an effort is underway to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with legislation that complies with international human rights law, this work has yet to be concluded. Numerous pending cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have not yet been resolved. The design of truth and reparations processes appear to be underway, but these efforts need to be in consultation with the victims and civil society. It is important for the countrys future to send the signal that impunity is no longer tolerated. I am particularly troubled by the lack of progress in a number of emblematic cases, Zeid said. Finally, the High Commissioner urged Sri Lankas Government to regularly consult the independent commissions, and particularly the Human Rights Commission, which have an invaluable role in strengthening good governance. I encourage respect for their mandate and autonomy, adequate financing, and implementation of their recommendations, he added
By AFP

BRUSSELS: Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women" but rejected calls to resign.

Dijsselbloem faced a firestorm with Portugal's prime minister and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi calling for his immediate departure, and the head of the European Parliament condemning the "racist and sexist" remarks.

"I regret it if anyone is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness," Dijsselbloem said in a statement to AFP.

Monday's gaffe by Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, and the resulting backlash exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone.

"If Europe were serious, Dijsselbloem would be already sacked," said Portuguese premier Antonio Costa at an event in Portugal.

"It is unacceptable that someone who behaves ... with such a racist, xenophobic and sexist attitude towards some European countries remain as head of the Eurogroup," the socialist Costa said.

"The sooner he goes the better," Italy's Renzi said in a post on his Facebook page that reflected criticism from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who is also from Italy, said the remarks were "unacceptable."

- 'Unacceptable' -

"To say these racist and sexist comments is wrong, for me it's unacceptable, especially when one has an important role to play," he told AFP in an interview in Brussels.

But Dijsselbloem, already reeling from his party losing heavily in last week's Dutch election in a result that puts his role as finance minister at risk, said he had "no intention to step down" as Eurogroup head.

In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Dijsselbloem stressed the importance of eurozone members obeying the bloc's strict rules on spending.

Dijsselbloem said that while committing to financial rescues for poorer nations in the eurozone was important, "I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help."

These words were misinterpreted, Dijsselbloem said.

"The sentence referring to alcohol and women was about myself. I said that I cannot expect that if I spend my money in a wrong way that a can then ask for financial support," Dijsselbloem said.

But the words stung in Mediterranean countries Portugal, Greece and Cyprus that have all received eurozone bailouts in recent years -- as has Ireland in northern Europe -- while Spain's banks have also received support.

"I regret that my message was misunderstood and I regret that it emerged as north against south," Dijsselbloem added.

Dijsselbloem, 50, holds one of Europe's most influential positions, chairing the meetings of finance ministers from the 19-country eurozone.

Although the fate of his job as finance minister has been thrown in the air by last week's Dutch elections, his mandate as head of the Eurogroup lasts until January 2018.

- 'Clogs, tulips and windmills' -

The row was a top story on Italian news bulletins Wednesday as commentators rounded on a politician already regarded with suspicion because of his views, seen as hawkish, on the application of EU budget rules to Italy.

"One would have thought that in Amsterdam they know a thing or two about pubs and brothels, even spending their loose change in their coffee shops," the Corriere della Sera daily said in a reference to the Netherlands' legal cannabis cafes.

La Stampa also mocked the Dutch politician's use of what it termed tired old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to apologise, the Turin daily said Dijsselbloem "then pulled on his clogs and went back to his marvellous windmill in a field of tulips".

Dijsselbloem has won praise for steering the eurozone through part of its seemingly never-ending debt crisis, but there have long been tensions in the single currency area between austerity-pushing northern countries and the debt-hit south.

"Knowing him well, what Dijsselbloem seems to have said does not reflect his most sincere beliefs," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also Dijsselbloem's predecessor as Eurogroup chief.

Waiting in the wings to replace Dijsselbloem is Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos, who is both from a southern country and a member of the European People's Party, the party of Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble, the most powerful minister in the Eurogroup.

BRUSSELS: Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women" but rejected calls to resign. Dijsselbloem faced a firestorm with Portugal's prime minister and former Italian premier Matteo Renzi calling for his immediate departure, and the head of the European Parliament condemning the "racist and sexist" remarks. "I regret it if anyone is offended by the remark. It was direct, and can be explained from strict Dutch, Calvinistic culture, with Dutch directness," Dijsselbloem said in a statement to AFP. Monday's gaffe by Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, and the resulting backlash exposed simmering north-south tensions within the European Union's single currency zone. "If Europe were serious, Dijsselbloem would be already sacked," said Portuguese premier Antonio Costa at an event in Portugal. "It is unacceptable that someone who behaves ... with such a racist, xenophobic and sexist attitude towards some European countries remain as head of the Eurogroup," the socialist Costa said. "The sooner he goes the better," Italy's Renzi said in a post on his Facebook page that reflected criticism from across the EU's so-called Club Med group of countries. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who is also from Italy, said the remarks were "unacceptable." - 'Unacceptable' - "To say these racist and sexist comments is wrong, for me it's unacceptable, especially when one has an important role to play," he told AFP in an interview in Brussels. But Dijsselbloem, already reeling from his party losing heavily in last week's Dutch election in a result that puts his role as finance minister at risk, said he had "no intention to step down" as Eurogroup head. In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Monday, Dijsselbloem stressed the importance of eurozone members obeying the bloc's strict rules on spending. Dijsselbloem said that while committing to financial rescues for poorer nations in the eurozone was important, "I can't spend all my money on drinks and women and then ask for help." These words were misinterpreted, Dijsselbloem said. "The sentence referring to alcohol and women was about myself. I said that I cannot expect that if I spend my money in a wrong way that a can then ask for financial support," Dijsselbloem said. But the words stung in Mediterranean countries Portugal, Greece and Cyprus that have all received eurozone bailouts in recent years -- as has Ireland in northern Europe -- while Spain's banks have also received support. "I regret that my message was misunderstood and I regret that it emerged as north against south," Dijsselbloem added. Dijsselbloem, 50, holds one of Europe's most influential positions, chairing the meetings of finance ministers from the 19-country eurozone. Although the fate of his job as finance minister has been thrown in the air by last week's Dutch elections, his mandate as head of the Eurogroup lasts until January 2018. - 'Clogs, tulips and windmills' - The row was a top story on Italian news bulletins Wednesday as commentators rounded on a politician already regarded with suspicion because of his views, seen as hawkish, on the application of EU budget rules to Italy. "One would have thought that in Amsterdam they know a thing or two about pubs and brothels, even spending their loose change in their coffee shops," the Corriere della Sera daily said in a reference to the Netherlands' legal cannabis cafes. La Stampa also mocked the Dutch politician's use of what it termed tired old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to apologise, the Turin daily said Dijsselbloem "then pulled on his clogs and went back to his marvellous windmill in a field of tulips". Dijsselbloem has won praise for steering the eurozone through part of its seemingly never-ending debt crisis, but there have long been tensions in the single currency area between austerity-pushing northern countries and the debt-hit south. "Knowing him well, what Dijsselbloem seems to have said does not reflect his most sincere beliefs," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also Dijsselbloem's predecessor as Eurogroup chief. Waiting in the wings to replace Dijsselbloem is Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos, who is both from a southern country and a member of the European People's Party, the party of Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble, the most powerful minister in the Eurogroup.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: At the on-going session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at Geneva on Wednesday, the US expressed concern over the Sri Lankan governments statements against having foreign judges in the judicial mechanism it is to set up to try war crimes cases. But the UK laid stress on the importance of devolving power to the Tamils to bring about post-war reconciliation.

William J. Mozdzierz, the US representative said that the governments statements against international participation in any future Sri Lankan judicial mechanism raise understandable concerns among victims and families about the integrity of any judicial process.

Reminding Colombo about its commitment to have foreign judges as per the resolution it co-sponsored at the September 2015 session of the UNHRC, the US delegate said: Lasting peace requires that the government remain committed in word and deed to implementing its international commitments fully.

Worried over the slow progress towards reconciliation, he said:  We encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to make public a strategy and timetable for implementation of the reforms and commitments outlined in this Councils Resolution 30/1.  Priorities should be reforming the constitution, operationalizing the Office of Missing Persons, passing new counterterrorism legislation, establishing a truth commission, continuing releases of military-occupied land, and implementing fully all outstanding international commitments.

These reconciliation processes are complex, but we had hoped to see greater and more sustained progress over the past 18 months.  While over 4,500 acres of land have been returned to private owners, many thousands of acres seized during the conflict period remain under military control. While arbitrary and illegal actions by security officials appear vastly reduced from the number reported during the previous government, we are concerned by reports of continued arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence, and harassment by security officials.

But Mozdzierz acknowledged that since September 2015, when the last UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka was passed, Sri Lanka has taken important steps toward implementing its key human rights, justice, and reconciliation commitments.  In particular, we commend the governments public consultations with civil society and victims across Sri Lanka. We also recognize the joint efforts of President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and Opposition Leader Sampanthan in drafting a new, more inclusive and democratic constitution, passing legislation to establish an Office of Missing Persons, and ratifying the Convention on Enforced Disappearances.

UK stresses need for devolution

In his statement, the British delegate did not mention the issue of foreign judges but called for a credible transitional justice mechanism among other things.

While noting progress in democratization and restoration of checks and balances in the constitution, the UK delegate said that still much remains to be done. He commended the work of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms but asked the Sri Lankan government to give due consideration to its recommendations.

He urged the government of Sri Lanka to provide the determined leadership required to deliver fully on the commitments it made when co-sponsoring resolution 30/01 and to develop a comprehensive and time bound implementation strategy. In particular, we (the UK) would encourage the Government to deliver meaningful devolution through constitutional reform, establish credible transitional justice mechanisms, return all remaining military-held private land and replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act with human rights compliant legislation, the UK delegate said.

COLOMBO: At the on-going session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at Geneva on Wednesday, the US expressed concern over the Sri Lankan governments statements against having foreign judges in the judicial mechanism it is to set up to try war crimes cases. But the UK laid stress on the importance of devolving power to the Tamils to bring about post-war reconciliation. William J. Mozdzierz, the US representative said that the governments statements against international participation in any future Sri Lankan judicial mechanism raise understandable concerns among victims and families about the integrity of any judicial process. Reminding Colombo about its commitment to have foreign judges as per the resolution it co-sponsored at the September 2015 session of the UNHRC, the US delegate said: Lasting peace requires that the government remain committed in word and deed to implementing its international commitments fully. Worried over the slow progress towards reconciliation, he said:  We encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to make public a strategy and timetable for implementation of the reforms and commitments outlined in this Councils Resolution 30/1.  Priorities should be reforming the constitution, operationalizing the Office of Missing Persons, passing new counterterrorism legislation, establishing a truth commission, continuing releases of military-occupied land, and implementing fully all outstanding international commitments. These reconciliation processes are complex, but we had hoped to see greater and more sustained progress over the past 18 months.  While over 4,500 acres of land have been returned to private owners, many thousands of acres seized during the conflict period remain under military control. While arbitrary and illegal actions by security officials appear vastly reduced from the number reported during the previous government, we are concerned by reports of continued arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence, and harassment by security officials. But Mozdzierz acknowledged that since September 2015, when the last UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka was passed, Sri Lanka has taken important steps toward implementing its key human rights, justice, and reconciliation commitments.  In particular, we commend the governments public consultations with civil society and victims across Sri Lanka. We also recognize the joint efforts of President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and Opposition Leader Sampanthan in drafting a new, more inclusive and democratic constitution, passing legislation to establish an Office of Missing Persons, and ratifying the Convention on Enforced Disappearances. UK stresses need for devolution In his statement, the British delegate did not mention the issue of foreign judges but called for a credible transitional justice mechanism among other things. While noting progress in democratization and restoration of checks and balances in the constitution, the UK delegate said that still much remains to be done. He commended the work of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms but asked the Sri Lankan government to give due consideration to its recommendations. He urged the government of Sri Lanka to provide the determined leadership required to deliver fully on the commitments it made when co-sponsoring resolution 30/01 and to develop a comprehensive and time bound implementation strategy. In particular, we (the UK) would encourage the Government to deliver meaningful devolution through constitutional reform, establish credible transitional justice mechanisms, return all remaining military-held private land and replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act with human rights compliant legislation, the UK delegate said.
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IIT Kharagpur to get Supercomputing facility

Kharagpur, Mar 21 : Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur is among the first academic institutions to receive a supercomputing facility of 1 Peta-flop computing power under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), which will usher new age research and innovation in the country.





(Posted on 21 March 2017, 1667851980 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php  (Posted on 21 March 2017, 1667851980 173O212O198O32)

IIT Kharagpur is in the process of setting up a new Centre for Computational and Data Sciences (CCDS) around such a supercomputing platform to build, manage, and operate the high performance computing facility to provide large computational support to the users to carry out both Research and Teaching activities that involve state-of-the-art high performance computing (HPC).Faculty members and their research groups at IIT Kharagpur are engaged in research activities in several areas of national importance that require large computational (both hardware and software) support. The 1 Peta-Flop new system with both CPU and CPU-GPU based servers along with the already existing HPC equipment will provide about 1.5 Peta-Flop capacity support to several such areas in which the researchers of IIT Kharagpur are actively engaged. This will accelerate and evolve the level of research currently being done exponentially improving the output and efficiency, said Prof. P P Chakrabarti, Director, IIT Kharagpur.The facility will cover cutting-edge research in different interdisciplinary areas that include Biomolecular Simulations, Drug Design and Bioinformatics; Climate Change and Digital Earth; Geo-Scientific Exploration, Infrastructure Design and Sustainable Cities; Modeling and Mining of Heterogeneous Information Network; Design and Multi-scale Modeling of Novel Materials for Next Generation Technology; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Designing and Attacking Cryptographic Ciphers and Protocols; Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics studies of Materials Fracture, etc.Other than research, the Centre will also focus on education and capacity building. It will promote high performance computational research excellence in different areas for PhD and Post doctoral fellows as well as focused courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, added Prof. Chakraborty.Elective courses have been planned for B.Tech. students across all streams under this Centre. Besides, the students may opt for any of the above areas and avail a Microspecialization certification in addition to the regular B.Tech. degree. These courses are planned from the coming semesters. M.Tech., Dual Degree and MS courses will also be launched by the Centre at a later phase. Short-term courses for working professionals and external students will be launched soon under this Centre, said Prof. Sanjoy Bandyopadhyay, member NSM Expert Group on Human Resource Development, who is coordinating the project at IIT Kharagpur.More than sixty faculty members and their research groups across various disciplines of Science and Engineering will be actively engaged in this centre. Additionally, IIT Kharagpur will also recruit core faculty members for the Centre.IIT Kharagpur has been chosen as a nodal center for HPC-related educational activities by NSM. The objective of NSM is driven by the aim of consolidating efforts to achieve a self-reliant supercomputing platform in India, and to develop and expand the culture of using high performance computing (HPC) systems to solve complex problems that are of national importance in different application domains of Science and Technology. The initiative is supported by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).This mission envisages building supercomputing capacity and capability in the country with an estimated budget of Rs. 4500 Crore over a period of 7 years.
Nowruz a reminder that heritage helps make resilient, sustainable societies - UN cultural agency

New York, Mar 21 : In a message on the occasion of Nowruz - the day that celebrates the arrival of the spring season - the head of the United Nations cultural agency urged everyone to embrace the day's values and be inspired by its universal message of peace and solidarity.





(Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851981 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851981 173O212O198O32)

At a time when violent extremism seeks to destroy diversity and freedoms, Nowruz is a reminder of the power of culture and heritage to build resilient and sustainable societies, said Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in her message.Highlighting that in the midst of global challenges such as violent extremism, Nowruz is a source of confidence and belonging for all, Bokova noted that the message it conveys is all the more important given the efforts around the globe to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.Through dance, poems, songs, meals and other social practices, the celebration of Nowruz is a moment for men and women, boys and girls, to pay their respect to nature and wish for a better future, she added.Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring and the renewal of nature, is celebrated by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.In 2009, Nowruz was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a festivity of rich diversity promoting peace and solidarity across regions and generations. The following year, the UN General Assembly welcomed its inclusion on the List.Quoting Rumi, the famous poet, Bokova said: Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there. Nowruz is a field where reconciliation and dialogue can take their roots.It is a field where traditions and rituals are passed from generation to generation, to share moments of togetherness, tolerance, harmony and joy, she noted.Also on Tuesday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlighted the importance of Nowruz in promoting cultural diversity and friendship among people.Extending its best wishes to the people of the country on Nowruz, the UN Mission said that it was a time for renewal and celebration, as well as for promoting values of peace and solidarity between generations and communities.On the eve of this important day, the UN family in Afghanistan expresses hope that the year ahead brings peace to the Afghan people, who deserve a future free from conflict and filled with hope, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.Photo: UNAMA/Fardin WaeziSource: www.justearthnews.com
UN agency voices concern about forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon

New York, Mar 21 : The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday expressed concern that forced returns of refugees from Cameroon's far north region to crisis-gripped north-eastern Nigeria are continuing despite the recent signing of a tripartite agreement aimed at ensuring the voluntary nature of returns.





(Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851982 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851982 173O212O198O32)

So far this year, Cameroon has forcefully returned over 2,600 refugees back to Nigerian border villages against their will, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).UNHCR is particularly concerned as these forced returns have continued unabated after the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon signed a tripartite agreement with UNHCR in Yaound on 2 March, UNHCR Spokesperson Babar Baloch told reporters at the UNs Geneva Office.The forced return of asylum-seekers and refugees is known as refoulement, or forced return, and constitutes a serious violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention, both of which Cameroon has ratified.While acknowledging the generosity of its Government and local communities that host over 85,000 Nigerian refugees, UNHCR calls on Cameroon to honour to its obligations under international and regional refugee protection instruments, as well as Cameroonian law.Insecurity persists in parts of north-eastern Nigeria, and access to basic services remains limited. Most returning refugees find themselves in situations of internal displacement upon return and are unable to return to their places of origin.Inside Nigeria, UNHCR teams have heard and documented accounts about Cameroonian troops returning refugees against their will without allowing them time to collect their belongings.Amid the chaos, some families were separated and some women were forced to leave their young children behind in Cameroon, including a child less than three years old.While recognizing the legitimate national security concerns of the Cameroon Government, UNHCR reminds authorities that refugees are themselves fleeing violence and attacks from Boko Haram and that their access to asylum and protection must be ensured.Source: www.justearthnews.com
Dhanbad former deputy mayor, three others killed in shootout

Dhanbad (Jharkhand) , Mar. 21 : Former deputy mayor of Dhanbad, Neeraj Singh and three others died in a shootout near Steel Gate on Tuesday.





(Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851984 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php  (Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851984 173O212O198O32)

The incident took place just few miles away from Singh's residenceThe three others who were killed are the driver, bodyguard and one close associate of the former deputy mayor.AK-47 was used to kill Singh when he was returning to his home.
Bangladesh, Canada discuss political, bilateral issues

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Mar. 22 : Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit-Pierre Laramee met with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday and discussed political and other bilateral issues.





(Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851985 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 22 March 2017, 1667851985 173O212O198O32)

The meeting began around 4:15 p.m. at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office and lasted for nearly two hours.The current political situation and mutual cooperation between the two countries were discussed at the meeting, Shairul Kabir Khan, a press wing staff of BNP chairperson told the Dhaka Tribune.Earlier, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat called on Khaleda on February 22.
JD (U) takes on Adityanath over his 'age' remark, says he should be courteous

Patna/New Delhi Mar. 22 : Day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that he coming in between Rahul-Akhilesh could be one of the reasons for the Samajwadi Party's defeat in the state assembly polls, the Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday said the former is living in wrong perception, adding that he should act courteously.





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"If Yogi Adityanath considers himself as the reason of failure of Rahul and Akhilesh then this is his wrong perception because when Rahul and Akhilesh were campaigning for the elections then Adityanath's name was not there even in the fray. After victory, one should behave politely and courteously," JD (U) leader Ajay Alok told ANI.Echoing similar views, another JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that soon the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would realise its mistake."Yogi Ji is saying that Rahul and Akhilesh defeated in the elections because of him and somewhere he is trying to say that he won the elections because of them. This statement has some more meaning to it," Anwar told ANI.Adiyanath yesterday took a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, saying that he coming in between them could be one of the reasons for their defeat in the recently held state assembly elections.Delivering his maiden speech in the Parliament two days after taking over as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Adityanath jocularly said that he is an year elder to the Samajwadi Party chief and a year younger to the Congress vice-president, symbolically suggesting 'how he came between the duo' and led to their failure."I am a year younger to Rahul and an year elder to Akhilesh. Me coming in between them could be one of the reasons for the loss," Adityanath said.
Jaitley to address Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth nations, British Overseas Territories

New Delhi , Mar. 22 : Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the 23rd Conference of Auditors General of Commonwealth nations and British Overseas Territories in New Delhi this morning.





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This is the first time India is hosting this prestigious conference.The Finance Ministry in a statement said the representatives of the participating nations will look into the scope of leveraging technology in public audit as well as share experiences on environment audit.It said the three-day conference will be attended by 52 Commonwealth Countries and nine British Overseas Territories.The auditing organizations in these countries come together every three years to discuss the major challenges before them.The last such conference was held in Malta in 2014.
New Zealand vs South Africa: De Kock, Boult in doubt for Hamilton Test

Wellington [New Zealand], Mar. 22 : South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock and New Zealand pacer Trent Boult both are in doubt for the third and the final Test beginning March 25 at Seddon Park as both are suffering from an injury.





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De Kock, who injured himself in the field during the second Test in Wellington which the Proteas won by eight-wickets at the Basin Reserve, was not present at the start of Wednesday's training session but was set to join the squad later, reports ESPNcricinfo.However, in case De Kock fails to be fit for the final Test, the visitors have reserve gloveman, Heinrich Klaasen, in their squad.On the other hand, Boult is recovering from an upper leg injury and is in doubt for the last Test.According to New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling, Boult is not yet 100 percent fit and the team management would take the final call on his availability later this week.
Melbourne based Institute of Railway Technology lends support to Indian Railways

New Delhi , Mar 22 : Melbourne based Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) signed an agreement with DFCCIL (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited), a state-owned corporation in India to assist with the establishment of a new research and development institute in India. The agreement was signed on March 16, 2017 in New Delhi, India.





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The research institute, SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology and Holistic Advancement), will impact the entire Indian railways system, with the outcomes of the researches making some significant advancements in the field. SRESTHA aims to become a world leader in innovation for railway infrastructure. The institute will be engaging teams of top scientists and experts from the industry to analyze and innovate to create cutting edge technology. This project will also work in an advisory capacity to the Indian Railways on International models that can be adapted to the Indian railway ecosystem.The move to create SRESTHA has been part of Indian Railway 2017 budget which put forward several technology-led initiatives for the improvement of railways and passenger amenities.The institute, its core ideologies and focus will be created under the guidance and professional expertise of IRT. Accompanying the IRT on the advisory panel will be Balaji Railroad Systems Ltd. (BARSYL), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB).The Director of the IRT, Ravi Ravitharan said, "That the partnership will help to advance railway technology both in India and around the world. He also added "I am extremely pleased to be invited along with our partners to assist with this significant project, which will support future research and technology development related to critical infrastructure for India. Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world and this is a very important project not only for IRT but also for the State of Victoria and Australia."Victoria's Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis congratulated Monash and DFCCIL on a collaboration that he said would benefit all parties involved."Victoria leads the country in research and development and it's great to see Monash making partnerships that showcase our infrastructure expertise to the world.""This collaboration will not only help develop one of the world largest rail networks, it will further strengthen Victoria's strong cultural relationship and business ties with India."Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) is the premier track and vehicle railway research centre in Australia. It provides efficient and practical solutions to the railway industry, creating linkages with people and institutions which deliver a range of mutual benefits in railway research and operations. IRT's projects extend from heavy haul to mass transit, high speed, general freight and passenger systems.Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) was set up under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways to undertake planning and development, mobilization of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of the Dedicated Freight Corridors.
BJP will gain strength from S.M. Krishna's 'progressive image': Ananth Kumar

New Delhi Mar. 22 : Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday expressed his delight over former Congress veteran S.M. Krishna joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the saffron party will get strength from his progressive image in Karnataka.





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"He is a well-known experienced politician of the country. We will acquire strength from his progressive image in Karnataka. I welcome him in the party whole-heartedly," Kumar told ANI."He has shown interest in joining the BJP under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is my friend and a senior colleague," he added.Krishna, who will join the BJP later in the day, put off his plan last week after the death of his sister.Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with BJP president Amit Shah, the former Karnataka chief minister had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her demise.84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needed mass leaders or not.Krishna, who was the Karnataka Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as the External Affairs Minister in 2012.He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.
PM Modi greets people of Bihar on state foundation day

New Delhi, Mar 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the people of Bihar on their state foundation day.





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Greeting to the people of Bihar on the occasion of Bihar Diwas, the Prime Ministers tweet in Hindi read.Bihar was carved out from West Bengal in 1912 and declared an independent state by the then colonial British government.
FreeCharge promotes Ankit Khanna to Chief Operating Officer

Bengaluru, Mar 22 : FreeCharge on Wednesday announced the promotion of Ankit Khanna to Chief Operating Officer of the company, an official release stated.





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As a part of his expanded role, Ankit will be managing Product, User Growth, User Experience and Business Development at Freecharge.Before taking charge as the COO, Ankit was the Chief Product Officer with the company.Prior to which, he was the Senior Vice President, Product at Snapdeal and has been with Snapdeal since the Companys inception in 2010, where he joined as the Product head.Welcoming Ankit, Jason Kothari, CEO of FreeCharge said, We are proud to announce Ankits elevation as the COO of FreeCharge. Ankit has brought in tremendous value and energy to the team and has played a pivotal role in the Companys journey to become one of the fastest growing digital wallets in the country today. He has also helped build highly complex and scalable products encompassing various aspects of e-commerce and digital payments ecosystem and helped build a frictionless user experience.Speaking about his appointment, Ankit Khanna said, I am excited about my new position at FreeCharge and look forward to continue my fruitful association with the Company. As digital payments gain more and more precedence in our lives and in the Indian economy, I am thrilled to be a part of the space. Along with the talented team at FreeCharge, I look forward to making further contributions to the Company going forward.Ankit holds a Bachelors in Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.Before joining Snapdeal, Ankit also co-founded Itasveer in 2006, an online solution for photo printing which was later acquired by a Pune based IT Services company.
Japanese companies make inroad into Thai market

Bangkok [Thailand], Mar. 22 : Storage of data is an essential part of digital transformation in modern era. NTT Communications, one of the largest IT service providers in the world, runs system integration and network services in the Mekong area of Thailand.





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Bangkok 2 Data Center is the biggest storage area around the Easter Economic Corridor. Safe from natural disasters and other calamity, the data center meets NTT Communications' high global data center standard."Quality-wise, we are the first international data center operators in Thailand. Customers can benefit from our knowledge worldwide. We can have clients connect to any provider of ISP and any local telecommunication inside our data center. We believe that our data center can provide customer with more cost efficiency compared with what they do on their own," said Suthipat Lueprasert, Chief Technology Officer, NTT Communications (Thailand) Co., Ltd.As a submarine cable service provider in the world, there are plans to provide sub-marine cable services to the neighbouring countries.The data service environment in the Mekong area will become more and more enriching."As a hub in the Mekong area, our data center provides services that we emphasize with our network partners, and enhances network services from Thailand to Myanmar, Lao, and Cambodia," said Manabu Kahara, President, NTT Communications (Thailand) Co., Ltd.As the leader in solar power in ASEAN, Thailand is the driving force behind the development of this market.Sharing the same vision and determination, Japan-based Kyocera cultivated a partnership with SPCG, Thailand's leader in solar project development.Kyocera, which started R&D to manufacture solar panels more than 40 years ago, is now expanding its business worldwide.The SPCG developed 35 solar farms utilizing Kyocera panels and is now expanding the business to rooftop solar systems, thereby supporting the people in producing clean energy for their own consumption."As Dr Inamori, who is the founder of Kyocera Corporation says, his belief is "What is the right thing to do as a human being". He will always do his best as much as he can. That is why I believe in Kyocera Corporation, because it's a company with philosophy. Strength of the company and strength of quality is the key, so SPCG is pleased to choose Kyocera to be used in our solar farm since 2010," said Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, Chairperson and CEO, SPCG Public Company Limited.SPCG and Kyocera continually commit to promote solar energy use in Southeast Asia."Southeast Asia has many countries with a high solar irradiation. I believe the market potential for solar as clean energy is very high. Kyocera and SPCG will contribute to the expansion of renewable energy by using solar system with high reliability," said Kazunori Minamikawa, Dy. GM, Solar Energy Division, KYOCERA Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co., Ltd.Since August 2016, Meidensha Corporation has initiated an endowed lecture in King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) of Thailand targeted with senior student group activities in the Electrical Engineering major.On October 2016 and February 2017, keynote lectures were held to introduce the latest technologies.Students listened eagerly, exchanged questions and answered lively after the lectures.The students with good result of the lectures will join the internship at Meidensha Numazu plant in Japan.Before the internship starts, the faculties at KMITL had a plant tour.Including observing the production lines, visiting environmental materials analysis center, faculties highly interested in the basic research of quality improvement and quantitative evaluations."Their motivation is that they feel their career in the future, and they know what they should work in the future and what they should prepare now for their future career," said Dr Sompob polmai, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang."The impression is the Japanese style, the Meidensha style, the working style, the Meidensha system is very very good and is very beneficial for Thai people," said Dr. Issarachai Ngamroo, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang."I think our students can not only learn about technology, but also about the culture and how to work in a Japanese company. This company is, I can say, maybe one of the most successful companies in Japan," Said Dr. Supat Kittiratsatcha, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.The connection between corporations and the Southeast Asia area will be more improved due to educational exchanges.
Lankan President leaves for Russia to boost ties

Colombo [Sri Lanka], Mar. 22 : Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left on a three-day official visit to Russia beginning today on the invitation extended by his counterpart Vladimir Putin.





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Sirisena will be the first Sri Lankan Head of the State to visit Russia in over four decades since 1974, when Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow, reports the Colombo Page.The visit signifies an important milestone in the government's foreign relations as both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.President Sirisena is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Russian counrepart tomorrow.The official discussions are expected to review progress made in the longstanding bilateral relationship, including the way forward to further promote trade and investment between the two countries.Several bilateral agreements in the areas of fisheries, tourism, cultural and education cooperation, including cooperation in the science and technology sector, are scheduled to be signed during the visit.A Sri Lanka-Russia Business Forum will be also held in Moscow, and Colombo will be represented by a delegation of the Sri Lanka -Russia Business Council.Sirisena is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and five other Cabinet Ministers on this visit.
Jabong adds American fashion wear brand Forever 21 to its product portfolio

New Delhi , Mar 22 : India's leading online fashion portal Jabong has announced the addition of American fashionwear brand Forever 21 to its product portfolio.





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The brand, which is the fifth largest specialty retailer in the United States, will be available on Jabong in variants across the apparel, accessories and footwear categories such as play-in tops, dresses, t-shirts, cosmetics, intimates and shoes with prices ranging from Rs.499 to Rs.2400."At Jabong, we continuously strive to offer the best of global fashion brands to our shoppers. Forever 21 is a pioneer and global leader in the fast fashion category and its addition will strengthen the comprehensive line of finely curated international portfolio on Jabong," said Gunjan Soni, Head of Jabong."We are thrilled to launch on Jabong, which has carved a unique niche among the up market fashionistas of India who swear by the hottest international designs. The combined strengths of Jabong and Myntra help us cover a major share of the online fashion retail market and uniquely curate our products to cater to the shopper preferences on each platform. This complements our aggressive offline strategy and we are excited to herald a long association with Jabong," said Abhinav Zutshi, India Business Head, Forever 21. Since 1984, Forever 21 has redefined fashion for the youngsters and has expanded its footprint in more than 47 countries worldwide.With Forever 21, Jabong has now added 20 new brands on its platform in March itself and will be taking the number to 35 by the end of this month.Brands added to Jabong this month include New Era Caps, WROGN, Mothercare, Roadster, Cover Story, AAY, Zivame and Mast and Harbor among others. Jabong now has approximately 2000 brands in its product portfolio, out of which 50 brands have been launched in 2017 alone.Jabong's Head, Gunjan Soni adds, "We are super-charged with an array of top label launches on Jabong this month, which has injected fresh energy in our team. We have more compelling labels in the offing and will continue to delight our shoppers with the latest and hottest in fashion."Jabong is known to have introduced a multitude of fashion brands in India in the past such as TOPSHOP, TOPMAN, Dorothy Perkins, Missguided, Next to name a few.
Centre approves reconstruction package for flood-ravaged Uttarakhand

New Delhi , Mar. 22 : The Government of India on Wednesday approved a medium and long-term reconstruction package following the Uttarakhand disaster in 2013.





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Specific relaxation in the existing guidelines of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Scheme (AIBP), Flood Management Programme (FMP), Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) & Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Employment of Adolescent Girls (SABALA) and Indira Gandhi Matritva Yojana (IMGSY)] were applicable in all the disaster affected areas in the entire State of Uttarakhand.Concerned Central Ministers earmarked central outlays under respective CSS for an amount of Rs. 1884.92 crores allotted during the financial years of 2013, 2014-15 and 2015-16 within its overall budgetary allocation for the 12th Five Year Plan.An amount of Rs. 50 crores allotted under Central Sector Plan Scheme during the financial years of 2014-15 and 2015-16 within its overall budgetary allocation for the 12th Five Year Plan for establishment of "Environment Research and Training Center at Dehradun".An amount of Rs. 1100 crores allotted under SPA during the financial years of 2014-15 and 2015-16 for reconstruction work restricted to five districts in Uttarakhand. The GOI released Rs. 1100 crores((Rs. 165 crores during 2013-14, Rs. 495 crores during 2014-15, Rs. 116.22 crores during 2015-16 and Rs. 323.78 crores during 2016-17) to the State on this account.This package was taken by erstwhile Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) on 9th December 2013.This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Mahendra Singh Mahra in the Rajya Sabha today.The 2013 Uttarakhand floods were the country's most disastrous natural calamity since 2004 Tsunami in Tamil Nadu. Flash floods, cloudbursts and subsequent land slips led to massive floods in Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of thousands of pilgrims on chardham yatra for Himalayan shrines (Badrinath,Kedarnath,Gangotri and Yamnotri) were stranded.As per the list provided by the state government on 16th July 2013, more than 5,700 people were declared in the "presumed dead" category, which included 934 local residents.
On March 21, 2017, Crown Princess Victoria attended the seminar called "2017 Stockholm Peace Talks" held at City Hall in Stockholm. The purpose of Stockholm Peace Talks held with the theme "Better Together" is to inspire people and to start a discussion on how everyone can play a role in encouraging a greater harmony and participation in Sweden and abroad. Crown Princess Victoria wore Dagmar Classic Dress
A new restaurant has plans to move into the former Carmella's Pizzeria
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 59F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
A world-first grass-roots guide for doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals will give them a much-needed common language to deal with the growing number of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

Edited by Professor Gerry FitzGerald, from QUT's School of Public Health, and launched yesterday by Rob Cameron Acting Director General of Emergency Management Australia, Disaster Health Management: a primer for students and practitioners covers events including Cyclone Yasi, the US Ebola outbreak, Victoria's bushfires, Iceland's 2010 volcano eruption, Tokyo's Sarin nerve gas attack and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

"Whether it's fires, floods, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, influenza outbreaks, terrorist attacks or industrial accidents; there is always a disaster somewhere in the world," said Professor FitzGerald.

"Disaster health management is an emerging but rapidly growing field focusing on health problems caused by disasters throughout the continuum of prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

"There are plenty of research-based texts out there but none present a common language and consistent approach to the principles and practices involved in disaster health management.

"What, for example, is a disaster? The International Red Cross defines it as a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community's or society's ability to cope using its own resources.

"Our book features the work of 54 authors from across the world and provides new players in disaster health with an overview of the core principles and practice underpinning disaster health management throughout the continuum of getting ready, responding and recovering."

Acting Director-General of Emergency Management Australia Rob Cameron welcomed the book as a vital addition to the disaster management field.

"We must learn from past events and ensure that we as a community are as prepared and resilient as we can be, and it's though collaborations such as this book that we are able to apply lessons from the past towards mitigating the effects of future disasters," Mr Cameron said.

Professor Fitzgerald said emergency and disaster management was such a broad field of activity and people, covering areas including clinical care, management and scientific research.

"It is often difficult for people from diverse professional backgrounds to understand the complexity of this field and the concepts and principles," he said.

"The aim of this text is to craft a common language that students and practitioners from different professional fields may use to gain a common understanding of the principles and practice of disaster management; at least in Australia but hopefully around the world."

The book outlines definitions for the language of disaster; words like risk, risk management, mass casualty, resilience, hazard, protection and vulnerability. To emphasize its message, a range of case studies of past disasters in Australia and overseas are used.

"It's interesting to look at Hobart's Tasman Bridge disaster of 1975. As well causing the death of 12 people, around 40,000 people were cut off from the city's hospitals, schools, businesses and government offices. It took 34 months for the Tasman Bridge to be reopened so the disaster actually hastened the development of commercial and public facilities in the eastern suburbs of the city," Professor FitzGerald said.

"Fast forward to 2011 and Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi in Queensland and you discover the emergency response directly led to the establishment of the Asbestos Working Group which in turn has improved responses to public health risks associated with future disasters.

"Ultimately the text demonstrates how leadership can make a difference in building a community's resilience before, during and after a disaster."
We live in a three-dimensional world, but everything we see is first recorded on our retinas in only two dimensions.

So how does the brain represent 3-D information? In a new study, researchers for the first time have shown how different parts of the brain represent an object's location in depth compared to its 2-D location.

Researchers at The Ohio State University had volunteers view simple images with 3-D glasses while they were in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner. The fMRI showed what was happening in the participants' brains while they looked at the three-dimensional images.

The results showed that as an image first enters our visual cortex, the brain mostly codes the two dimensional location. But as the processing continues, the emphasis shifts to decoding the depth information as well.

"As we move to later and later visual areas, the representations care more and more about depth in addition to 2-D location. It's as if the representations are being gradually inflated from flat to 3-D," said Julie Golomb, senior author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State.

"The results are surprising because a lot of people assumed we might find depth information in early visual areas. What we found is that even though there might be individual neurons that have some depth information, they don't seem to be organized into any map or pattern for 3-D space perception."

Golomb said many scientists have investigated where and how the brain decodes two-dimensional information. Others had looked at how the brain perceives depth. Researchers have found that depth information must be inferred in our brain by comparing the slightly different views from the two eyes (what is called binocular disparity) or from other visual cues.

But this is the first study to directly compare both 2-D and depth information at one time to see how 3-D representations (2-D plus depth) emerge and interact in the brain, she said.

The study was led by Nonie Finlayson, a former postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State, who is now at University College London. Golomb and Xiaoli Zhang, a graduate student at Ohio State, are the other co-authors. The study was published recently in the journal NeuroImage.

Participants in the study viewed a screen in the fMRI while wearing 3-D glasses. They were told to focus on a dot in the middle of the screen. While they were watching the dot, objects would appear in different peripheral locations: to the left, right, top, or bottom of the dot (horizontal and vertical dimensions). Each object would also appear to be at a different depth relative to the dot: behind or in front (visible to participants wearing the 3-D glasses).

The fMRI data allowed the researchers to see what was happening in the brains of the participants when the various objects appeared on the screen. In this way, the scientists could compare how activity patterns in the visual cortex differed when participants saw objects in different locations.

"The pattern of activity we saw in the early visual cortex allowed us to tell if someone was seeing an object that was to the left, right, above or below the fixation dot," Golomb said. "But we couldn't tell from the early visual cortex if they were seeing something in front of or behind the dot.

"In the later areas of visual cortex, there was a bit less information about the objects' two dimensional locations. But the tradeoff was that we could also decode what position they were perceiving in depth."

Golomb said future studies will look to more closely quantify and model the nature of three-dimensional visual representations in the brain.

"This is an important step in understanding how we perceive our rich three-dimensional environment," she said.
An interview with Richard Harvey, Medical Group Leader, Hamamatsu, conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab)

Can you please give a brief introduction to silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) and their use in medical imaging?

The silicon photomultiplier, or SiPM, is a solid state detector representing the next generation of photon counting detector that can be used in medical imaging.

Traditionally, medical imaging modalities such as PET were carried out using photomultiplier tubes (PMT), which are a glass vacuum tube technology and have been in production since the 50s. This next generation of photo detector instead uses silicon and this brings many advantages.

One of the key benefits to medical imaging that we are seeing is that the SiPM is insensitive to magnetic fields. This means that you can combine a PET detector with an MRI detector and use them simultaneously in multimodality imaging.

This cannot be done with a PMT because electrons inside the glass tube are affected by the high magnetic field, affecting their trajectories through the dynode chain. If the electrons impact in the wrong place, the signal is completely destroyed. Because the silicon photomultiplier is insensitive to magnetic fields, a PET ring can be used inside the MRI machine.

The early generation PET systems were known as clip-ons, and were used in pre-clinical research. Here the PET ring would be attached to the front of the MRI machine. However, the next generation will be up the bore where the PET ring is fully integrated in the scanner. This is one of the key areas of PET development at the moment.

The SiPM can also be used in SPECT, which is the most commonly adopted imaging modality, and again this has been the home of PMTs in the past. Additionally, it is possible to combine SPECT with PET and MRI.

How have SiPM products advanced over recent years?

The technology has been around on paper for decades but the manufacturing techniques took longer to develop. Hamamatsu has had SiPM detectors (which we call MPPC for Multi-Pixel Photon Counter) commercially available since early 2007.

The first generation of SiPM was adopted by high energy physicists working at the T2K experiment in Japan and later the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. They were able to utilize the benefits of these detectors at a very early stage, but they weren't yet suitable for commercial use in the medical environment.

Over the last 10 years, there have been multiple generations of these detectors released. With each generation there has been an improvement in the fill factor, sensitivity, reduction of afterpulsing, crosstalk and also in the dark count rate. All of these different parameters contribute to the overall performance of the detector.

Fill factor is a very important parameter because the detector itself is made up of many small pixels ranging from 10-100m in size. Each one of these small pixels is an avalanche photodiode operated in Geiger mode and all are connected to a common output.

A certain proportion of the available silicon is taken up by the detectors architecture including quenching resistors on each pixel. The fill factor is telling you how much silicon is available to detect light, compared to how much silicon there is in total. So it makes sense that the higher the fil factor, the better the detector will perform. The current fill factor can be as high as 82%, and that has increased from 60% in the first generation of detectors.

For time-of-flight PET (TOF PET), afterpulsing is an important factor and the detector technology is being improved in this area too. An afterpulse is created when a charge carrier generated by a photon is trapped in the silicon crystal lattice and is then released after the main photon event. The afterpulse will look like another photon has arrived and can lower the resolution of timing based measurements. The afterpulse rate in the first generation of detectors was very high, close to 100%, but today this has been reduced to less than 3%.

At the same time crosstalk has also been reduced. Crosstalk occurs due to the pixelated structure of the SiPM. If a pixel is triggered by a photon, an adjacent pixel may fire as well. Similar to an afterpulse, this will look like the detector has measured two or more photons rather than the one photon that was incident on the detector. Crosstalk is reduced with an advanced wafer processing technique that adds trenches around each individual pixel. This process reduces crosstalk from approximately 50% to less than 2%. These two improvements mean that in current generations, afterpulsing and crosstalk can be ignored in most general applications.

The final parameter that has been improved is the dark count rate. There has been approximately a 20 times improvement in dark count rate since the first SiPM detectors were released in 2007. Again, we are now at the point now where in many applications the dark count rate can be effectively ignored. The technology has come a long way over the different generations.

Since the Hamamatsu MPPC SiPM was released we have offered integrated detector modules. Today this range of modules has expanded further and we now offer complete assemblies for PET and TOF PET. These modules include the detector array, scintillator crystals (also manufactured by Hamamatsu), ASICS and all associated drive electronics.

This is one of the ways that Hamamatsu is trying to differentiate itself from competitors, by utilising all of our, often unique, in-house technologies.

What challenges still need to be overcome and how do Hamamatsu plan to assist?

We regularly hear from users that the Hamamatsu SiPM detector is the best on the market in terms of performance. There is always room for improvement and so this means going back to the areas I mentioned in the previous question. Fill factor is one of the key areas to continually improve, as you need to make sure as much of the silicon in your detector as possible is capable of measuring light. Dark count rate, crosstalk and afterpulsing will also be further improved in future generations.

Today different detectors are being released with an extended different spectral response. Soon we will have a near-infrared (NIR) SiPM tailored towards different application areas. In this case an NIR SiPM is ideally suited to laser range finding (LIDAR) in the automotive industry, where there is vast amounts of R&D underway working towards self-driving cars.

The SiPM technology itself is now matured to an advanced stage. Several years ago, when doing a Google Scholar search, you would find a high number of papers detailing improvements made in the technology. Whereas performing the same search today will reveal that the majority of papers are discussing the applications that can use the SiPM. This is an important shift and shows how the SiPM has been accepted by the market.

Is SiPM a good technology for point of care?

The whole premise of point of care is that it needs to be low cost, in some cases disposable, compact, reliable and simple to use. Point of care has been discussed for many years and it is now becoming a reality. The Hamamatsu PMT has always been a contender for point of care, but it is often slightly larger and more expensive (although there is much progress in the PMT technology field today as well).

The PMT is still the gold standard for low light detection, but in many cases in the point of care environment a silicon photodiode, APD or an SiPM can be used. Using a semiconductor detector will usually give some benefit in terms of size and cost. Today we are seeing a marked increase in enquiries from the point of care sector, and more often than not for the SiPM.

Hamamatsu can offer complete OEM detector modules that can be easily integrated in to various instruments in a production environment. At the development stage we can also provide the customer simple but powerful evaluation circuits which allow them to get up and running very quickly.

The SiPM is an enabling technology in the point of care field, which at this stage is unrivalled in terms of cost to performance ratio.

What other techniques can be used?

Hamamatsu is in an excellent position whereby we can offer multiple technologies to a customer. This means that we can select the most appropriate detector technology for their measurement and are not tied to any particular detector type.

In terms of increasing sensitivity with semiconductor detectors we start with simple silicon photodiodes, moving avalanche photodiodes (APD) and finally the MPPC SiPM. APDs are typically used in high speed applications such as LIDAR but, can also be found in other areas such as ophthalmology.

The other major technology used today is the Hamamatsu micro-spectrometer. The benefit of the micro-spectrometer, compared to the SiPM, is the fact that it will output spectral information. The SiPM covers a broad spectral range, approximately 320 to 900 nanometers, but the only information gathered by the detector is the number of photons incident on the detector. In a measurement with a broad spectral output, without filters it is not possible to know what wavelength these photons were. The micro-spectrometer will break down the input light via a grating and CMOS image sensor, telling you how much light of each wavelength was received over the range from 340 to 950nm.

Micro-spectrometer

By looking at the spectrum of your signal, you could identify multiple fluorescence markers simultaneously. This can be achieved with a single compact detector which is now fingertip size. To achieve this with a SiPM or similar detector the user would need either multiple excitation sources, multiple detectors or filtering, so increasing the cost of the detection system.

For point of care, the micro-spectrometer is a very important product. Although the sensitivity is not as high as the SiPM, the low cost alongside the rich spectral information make the micro-spectrometer a key enabling technology for point of care.

What do you think the future holds for silicon PM in medical imaging?

The SiPM is now being widely adopted in PET and SPECT, so the future of the technology looks very strong. As the technology continues to improve, the transition speed from PMT to SiPM will likely increase. However, we think there will still be a place for the PMT in the future as it does offer some key advantages. The SiPM is going to be the technology of choice particularly for medical imaging though.

MPPC SiPM

What is Hamamatsus vision for the future?

On our website, we have an area called Life Photonics and this details some of the key areas that we feel will be impacted by photonics over the next twenty to thirty years. The path to a sustainable future is not without obstacles. At Hamamatsu, we believe that photonics technology can provide the means to overcome many of these challenges, in areas such as healthcare, medicine, energy, and the environment. All of these facets of life fall under our research & development theme of Life Photonics.

Across the company we are looking at grand long term technologies such as laser fusion whilst also more immediate medical device development. Hamamatsu invests between 10% and 15% of our annual turnover back into R&D activities across the company.

We have a centre called the Central Research Laboratory in Hamamatsu City as well as the Graduate School of Photonics, which is similar to a small university purely focussed on photonics and its application.

Hamamatsu Photonics definitely sees itself firstly as a technology company.

How do Hamamatsu differ from competitors in this space?

Hamamatsu is a very customer-relationship focused company. We prefer to work closely with customers, large or small, assisting them through their development process and eventually becoming a strategic partner with the organisation going forward. It is not uncommon for a customer to use their relationship with Hamamatsu as a selling point for their own technology or product.

Hamamatsu looks, where possible, to supply a complete solution and not just a component. In medical imaging for example, we will manufacture the scintillator crystal, the detector and the control electronics for a detector assembly. All of which can be mounted in a custom housing. Our ability to offer a tailor made solution we feel is what differentiates us most from other competitors.

Another way in that we are different from our competitors is that we provide a huge variety of product ranges. This not only includes PMT and SiPM but also lasers, LED, image sensors, lamps, complete end user camera systems and products sold directly into the medical field. The actual number of products we can offer is in the thousands and nearly all are developed in-house.

Due to this wide product range, we often have multiple solutions for a single problem. This means that a customer has much more choice and, because we understand the multiple technologies on offer, we can help them to choose the best technology for that customers needs.

Where can readers find more information?

Our website: http://www.hamamatsu.com

About Richard Harvey

I joined Hamamatsu in 2007 after studying for a masters in physics at the University of Birmingham. Being able to work in a business environment whilst still using knowledge gained during my degree course was very attractive.

In 2009 I became a field based Sales Engineer focusing across all application areas and also responsible for sales into Ireland.

In 2015 I was promoted to be the Medical Group Leader. In this new position I am responsible for developing and increasing the medical and healthcare related business for Hamamatsu in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

This includes responsibility for all sales, business development and a deep input in marketing and promotional activities.
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) urges Congressional leaders to reject the U.S. administration's recent FY18 budget proposal, which seeks to drastically cut National Institute of Health funding by nearly $6 billion, or 20%. These cuts would be devastating to the current and future efforts of the eye and vision research community and to patients who desperately count on the efforts of researchers and clinicians to save their sight.

In the U.S., over 23 million adults have significant vision loss. Eye disorders are the fifth leading chronic condition among those aged 65 years and over, and vision impairment is associated with increased mortality. Among children, eye disorders are the third most prevalent chronic condition.

The Administration's proposal would severely slow or even halt progress on research to find treatments and cures for Americans suffering from eye disease and disorders. In addition to the stark consequences for patients and families, these cuts threaten the careers of a generation of young researchers, the industries developing and bringing sight-saving treatments and devices to patients who need them, and the U.S. economy.

As the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research noted, " ... by supporting research at universities, medical schools, teaching hospitals, and other institutions across the country, NIH also has fueled local and regional economies by creating jobs and catalyzing new industries. For decades, the federal commitment to scientific discovery has strengthened our country's competitiveness in a global market that is actively working to unseat the U.S. as the world's leader in medical research." ARVO firmly believes that the future of vision research in this country depends upon the investments that are made today.

ARVO stands with other biomedical research societies in urging Congress to reject any cuts to NIH and continue its tradition of bipartisan support for investing in medical science. ARVO stands behind the proposed FY17 package of $34.1 billion for NIH, which represents a $2 billion increase over current funding and includes $800 million for the National Eye Institute, as well as continued support for the National Science Foundation.

Source: http://www.arvo.org/About_ARVO/Press_Room/ARVO_opposes_cuts_to_medical_research_budget;_urges_increased_investment/
Research note from MindMetre questions whether enough is being done to protect nurses who administer cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs against being exposed to  and damaged by - the harmful effect of these drugs

Independent research organisation MindMetre, which regularly addresses patient and healthcare worker safety across Europe, has examined evidence from qualitative interviews, clinical research and case studies that harm is being sustained by chemotherapy nurses in UK NHS Trusts as a result of exposure to hazardous cytotoxic drugs. Having considered the body of evidence that has emerged in Europe, MindMetre is raising the question of whether official guidelines should be interpreted more rigorously or even whether further specific legislation/regulation should be introduced.

The MindMetre research note draws on a variety of different pieces of evidence that, together, suggest that the question of potential damage to staff administering hazardous cancer drugs should at least be further scrutinised. A number of robust studies from around the USA and Europe have confirmed harm is being sustained from such exposure, and in the UK specifically, some chemotherapy nurses have reported significant symptoms, such as hair loss and an unusually high rate of miscarriage.

As well as investigating claims about the effects of such exposure, the MindMetre report considers whether measurement and monitoring of exposure levels is sufficiently rigorous. A recent investigation in a Spanish hospital found that cytotoxic drug contamination levels on the ward were extremely high. The report notes that many national regulations in Europe make specific reference U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines mandating the use of closed systems to prevent any escape of hazardous drugs, from the point of preparation to administration and disposal. NIOSH defines closed systems as a drug transfer device that mechanically prohibits the transfer of environmental contaminants into the system and the escape of hazardous drug or vapor concentrations outside the system. Initial evidence suggests that this definition is not consistent with current transfer and administration protocols, and that contamination is not being regularly monitored at the ward level. In the paper, MindMetre notes that although the risk of contamination has been widely recognised across Europe, there is not yet any Europe-wide specific legislation, guidelines or minimum standards to precisely define administration processes.

Paul Lindsell, Managing Director of MindMetre Research, notes:
SURGERIES FOR THE OBESE AND ELDERLY, ANTIBIOTICS AND SCANS FOR ENT CONDITIONS

Surgical options for people with medical conditions including obesity, and the risks of operating on the elderly, feature among 10 new recommendations released today under the Choosing Wisely Australia initiative.

In addition, the number of antibiotics being prescribed and scans ordered for a range of common ear, nose and throat conditions are being questioned to address unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures.

Choosing Wisely Australia, facilitated by NPS MedicineWise, is part of a global social movement aimed at improving the safety and quality of healthcare for patients by eliminating healthcare practices that are not evidence-based and potentially could cause them harm.

Five new recommendations each from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (ASOHNS) and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) aim to guide discussions between doctors and patients about testing and treatment options.

Obese and elderly should quiz doctors about surgery: Anaesthetists

ANZCA recommends that patients with significant co-morbidities should have their surgeries in hospitals that are staffed and equipped for high-risk patients.

ANZCA President David A. Scott said:

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and obese patients are at high risk, particularly when their pain management includes opioid analgesics. This is because their breathing can be suppressed by the opioids and they must be monitored carefully by skilled staff.

The hospital must have appropriate staff and resources for the particular patient and their proposed surgery: Patients and doctors must consider staffing ratios and skill sets required for monitoring, medical support and high dependency unit care, as well as optimal pain management, Professor Scott said.

ANZCA also recommends doctors weigh the benefits of giving anaesthesia to patients with limited life expectancy, or patients at high risk of death or severely impaired recovery, and first discuss these risks with the patient concerned.

The college warns that many patients aged over 70 are at high risk for problems after surgery, with 20 per cent experiencing complications within five days, 10 per cent needing to be admitted to critical care and five per cent dying within 30 days.

Discussion with the patient and family about the risks and benefits of hospitalisation and surgery in this context are important, Professor Scott said. Quality of life is an important part of this discussion.

Other recommendations include:

Pre-surgery tests including blood investigation and chest X-rays should not be routine but be ordered only when the patients condition requires it.

Cardiac stress-testing should not be routinely required for patients with no symptoms who are having low or intermediate risk cardiac surgery.

Blood transfusions should not be given to otherwise healthy young patients with a haemoglobin count of above 70 grams per litre who do not have ongoing blood loss.

Professor Scott said:

Our recommendation is to avoid blood transfusions in patients with haemoglobin of 70 or more g/L, as there is no evidence of benefit and there are risks in administering a blood transfusion to young healthy patients with stable blood flow.

New advice on antibiotics and imaging for ENT conditions: Surgeons

ASOHNS recommends reducing the instances in which antibiotics are prescribed and computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are ordered for certain common conditions.

RACS Sustainability in Healthcare Committee Chair, Dr Lawrence Malisano, said:

The new guidelines had been designed to encourage dialogue between clinicians and consumers, to ensure optimal patient safety and the sustainability of the healthcare system in the long term.

Three out of our five recommendations advise against patients undergoing CT and MRI of the head/brain for three commonly presented conditions  hearing loss, acute rhinosinusitis and hoarseness, he said.

CT and MRI scanning is expensive, exposes the patient to radiation and offers no useful information to assist with the initial management of sudden hearing loss.

In addition to reducing requests for medical imaging, doctors are advised to reconsider prescribing antibiotics for uncomplicated acute outer ear infections and discharge from grommets without other symptoms.

With these conditions, oral antibiotics can cause significant adverse effects and do not provide adequate coverage of the bacteria that cause most episodes, Dr Malisano said. Avoidance of unnecessary oral antibiotics can reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance and the risk of opportunistic infections.

Patients should be informed of the latest evidence-based advice relating to their specific health condition and are encouraged to discuss all of their options with their doctors and specialists.

There have been 133 recommendations released through Choosing Wisely Australia by 28 colleges, societies and associations since the initiative launched in April 2015.
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.

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 Cardiologys 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.
A pioneering iPad case that enables clinical staff and surgeons to use iPads in sterile environments will soon be available in Texas.

FlipPad protects medical practitioners and patients from the risk of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) such as Norovirus and C-Difficile.

The technology was showcased in the State last October by UK based FutureNova as part of a British medical technology (MedTech) mission and now the company is working alongside Apple to line up a number of major US distributors.

The company is already starting to see sales flood in and is forecasting sales of over $4.8 million from the US alone and $8.5 million before the end of 2017.

FlipPad is easy to clean with standard infection control sprays and the antimicrobial glass coating provides a solution to minimising the spread of infection.

A second UK company, who also took part in the Medtech mission, has also announced a partnership with a Texan company that will enable patients to receive quicker access to patent centric healthcare solutions.

Mediplus, who specialise in Urology and Anaesthesia products, will work with a growing number of specialist distributors to launch a selection of new products in the US. The products include a pioneering Foley catheter insertion system, S-CathTM System that prevents bowel injuries from occurring.

The transatlantic partnership will include introducing warehousing and logistics facilities in Houston; allowing Mediplus to deliver their products anywhere in the USA quickly and more efficiently.

Having a Texan base will also help the company ensure high quality levels of service to customers across the USA.

Over the last 12 months, there have been three UK Medtech missions to the State of Texas, which have brought over 20 UK companies to the region.

The missions have been organised by the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) - the industry association for the medical technology sector in the UK - and is supported by the UK government.

UK companies have benefited from introductions and engagement with hospital and clinical leaders including the US military as well as GPOs, distributors and professional business support organisations.

Paul Benton, International Director from ABHI, said:
Scientists identify two signaling proteins in cancer cells that make them resistant to chemotherapy, and show that blocking the proteins along with chemotherapy eliminate human leukemia in mouse models.

Reporting results March 20 in Nature Medicine, researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center suggest that blocking the signaling proteins c-Fos and Dusp1 as part of combination therapy might cure several types of kinase-driven, treatment-resistant leukemia and solid tumor cancers.

"We think that within the next five years our data will change the way people think about cancer development and targeted therapy," Azam says. "This study identifies a potential Achilles heel of kinase-driven cancers and what we propose is intended to be curative, not just treatment."

The weak spot is a common point of passage in cells (a signaling node) that appears to be required to generate cancer cells in both leukemia and solid tumors. The node is formed by the signaling proteins c-Fos and Dusp1, according to study authors. The researchers identified c-Fos and Dusp1 by conducting global gene expression analysis of mouse leukemia cells and human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells donated by patients.

CML is a blood cancer driven by an enzyme called tyrosine kinase, which is formed by the fusion gene BCR-ABL. This fusion gene is the product of translocated chromosomes involving genes BCR (chromosome 22) and ABL (chromosome 9). Analysis of human CML cells revealed extremely high levels of c-FOS and DUSP1 in BCR-ABL-positive chemotherapy resistant cells.

Cancer sleeper cells

Cancer cells often become addicted to the mutated gene that causes them, such as BCR-ABL in kinase-driven chronic myeloid leukemia. Most chemotherapies work by blocking molecular pathways affected by the gene to shut down the disease process. In the case of CML, a chemotherapy called imatinib is used to block tyrosine kinase, which initially stops the disease. Unfortunately the therapeutic benefit is temporary and the leukemia comes back.

Azam and colleagues show in their CML models that signaling from tyrosine kinase - and growth factor proteins that support cell expansion (like interleukins IL3, IL6, etc.) - converge to dramatically elevate c-Fos and Dusp1 levels in the cancer cells.

Working together these molecules maintain the survival of cancer stem cells and minimal residual disease. The dormant cells wait around under the radar screen to rekindle the disease by acquiring additional genetic mutations after initially effective chemotherapy.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Azam says Dusp1 and c-Fos support the survival of cancer stem cells by increasing the toxic threshold needed to kill them. This means conventional imatinib chemotherapy will not eliminate the residual disease stem cells. Doctors can't just increase the dose of chemotherapy because it doesn't target the Dusp1 and c-Fos proteins that regulate toxic threshold.

Targeting c-Fos and Dusp1

After identifying c-Fos and Dusp1, the authors tested different treatment combinations on mouse models of CML, human CML cells, and mice transplanted with human leukemia cells. They also tested treatments on B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

The treatment combinations included: 1) solo therapy with just the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib; 2) solo treatment with just inhibitors of c-Fos and Dusp1; 3) treatment with all three combined - imatinib along with molecular inhibitors of c-Fos and Dusp1.

As suspected, treatment with imatinib alone initially stopped CML progression but the leukemia relapsed with the continued presence of residual disease cells. Treatment with c-Fos and Dusp1 inhibitors alone significantly slowed CML progression and prolonged survival in a majority of mice but wasn't curative. Treatment for one month with c-Fos/Dusp1 inhibitors and imatinib cured 90 percent of mice with CML, with no signs of residual disease cells.

Azam and his colleagues also point to an interesting finding involving solo treatment with just the deletion of c-Fos and Dusp1. This eliminated expression of the signaling proteins and was sufficient to block B-ALL development, eradicating the disease in mouse models.

Next steps

The authors stress that because the study was conducted in laboratory mouse models, additional research is needed before the therapeutic strategy can be tested in clinical trials.

They are following up the current study by testing c-Fos and Dusp1as treatment targets for different kinase-fueled cancers, including certain types of lung cancer, breast cancers and acute forms of leukemia.
Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN  Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017

When Travel blogger Mountain Butorac took his god daughter Shirley to meet the Pope at the Vatican city, little did he know that the little girl would leave the 80-year old Pope Farncis in splits with her antics.As Butorac held Shirley and lent her towards the Pope for a kiss, the little one grabbed his skull cap. Luckily for her, the Pope took it in the right spirit and grabbed his cap back and laughed out loud much to everyone's amusement.Butorac shared the hilarious video on his Twitter page and captioned it as "Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat!(sic)".The Pope placed his cap back on his head after a hearty laugh and went on to greet other well wishers. The video has Butorac later looking at the camera and saying, "She really took his hat.(sic)"The Pope is known to have a sense of humour. In 2015, during his visit to USA, he was left in splits when an onlooker raised her child towards his emerging cavalcade. The mother had dressed up her baby as Pope and the Pointiff could not help but laugh at the cute sight. He had then taken the baby on his carriage, planted her a kiss and gave her his blessings.
Have had a wonderful couple of days engaging with the recipients of Cochlear Implants  I'm so lucky to be the global ambassador of Cochlear who are changing the lives of millions of people around the world. No one deserves to live in silence. If you know someone that could be suffering from hearing loss please make sure that they see a health professional ASAP. #hearnowandalways A post shared by Brett Lee (@brettlee_58) on Aug 23, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT

Fomer Australian pacer Brett Lee, who was appointed as the global brand ambassador of Cochlear, the hearing implant maker, said the early screening of the problem should be made compulsory to avoid any problems.Hearing impairment is the second most common cause of disability after locomotor disability. As per the 2011 census, India has more than 50 lakh citizens who suffer from some form of hearing loss.Lee informed that he had a traumatic experience when his son, who was then just five years old, had a fall and fractured a small part of his skull. The injury was close to his ear and led to hearing loss in one ear.(Photo by Jamie Fawcett/FilmMagic)"Fortunately over the next eight months or so, his hearing got back to normal. But those days just made him realize that no one deserves to live in silence," Lee said.(Courtesy:/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)"Around 63 million people in India suffer some form of hearing loss.Parents and family members should not ignore the smallest signs of hearing loss and should take speedy action. Australia has a mandated hearing test for every newborn," Lee told IANS."In India, however, awareness about Universal Newborn Hearing Screening still remains low. I was in Kerala last week and we need to applaud the efforts taken by the State Government in conducting newborn hearing screening in most hospitals.There are even looking at a plan to make screening for hearing compulsory in all hospitals. Kerala has set a shining example for us and I would urge the other parts of India to take note and act on this," he added.The 40-year-old said his mission is to spread the awareness of the significant medical, social and economic impact that hearing loss can make on individuals and their families.With inputs from IANS
Jaipur: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court on Wednesday has awarded life imprisonment to two convicts in the 2007 Ajmer Sharif Dargah bomb blast case.



The magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Patel and 5,000 on Gupta. The court has directed NIA to present a final report on three accused, who are still absconding, in the case by March 28.



The special NIA court earlier on March 8 convicted three people in connection with the Ajmer dargah blast case, while acquitting seven others, including RSS worker Swami Aseemanand. Those convicted were Sunil Joshi, who has figured in other cases, Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel. Of these, Joshi died soon after the blast.



Three people were killed and at least 15 others injured when a bomb exploded on October 11, 2007 inside the premises of the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti.







The case was handed over to the ATS Rajasthan and was later transferred to NIA which re-registered the case with the NIA police station in New Delhi on April 6, 2011.



There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined and the NIA filed three supplementary charge sheets in the case.
New Delhi: The fight over the AIADMK's election symbol between its rival factions on Wednesday reached the Election Commission where both sides staked claim to it ahead of the prestigious bypoll necessitated by J Jayalalithaa's demise.



The Commission on Wednesday heard the camps led by V K Sasikala and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. The order could come either on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Officially, the poll panel said it would come out with "some information" relating to the issue later tonight.



Both the camps had hired legal heavyweights like former Law Ministers M Veerappa Moily and Salman Khurshid, former Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran, senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan, G Krishnakumar and B Srinivasan. At the outset, the Commission had asked the two sides to restrict their arguments on the symbol issue alone and not to bring in the appointment of Sasikala as the interim general secretary.



The Panneerselvam camp claimed that since Sasikala is only an interim general secretary, she cannot allot party symbol of 'two leaves' to any candidate contesting the R K Nagar assembly bypoll which was necessitated by the demise of J Jayalalithaa.



It claimed that only the party's presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan can allot the symbol. Since her appointment as interim general secretary was bad in law, she has no rights to allot the symbol. It said that Sasikala's election was violative of the party constitution as she was chosen by the general council of the party and not the primary members. The Sasikala camp maintained that after the demise of M G Ramachandran, late J Jayalalithaa too was appointed an interim general secretary to run the party affairs.



It also claimed that Panneerselvam and Madhusudhanan had earlier supported Sasikala's elevation as interim general secretary and now they were opposing the same before the Commission. Sasikala's counsels said she enjoys the support of majority of party delegates, MPs and MLAs and hence has a right over the symbol. They said since the majority was with her, there was no vertical split in the party.



The OPS camp has announced E Madhusudhanan's name as its candidate for the bypoll in R K Nagar. T T V Dinakaran, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary and nephew of Sasikala, is the candidate of the other camp. Thursday is the last the date of filing nomination for the bypoll.
Curfew like situation in Dhanbad.Deputy Mayor shooted in broad daylight.Crime at its Height in BJP ruled Jharkhand.BJP sponsoring criminals  Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 21, 2017

A former Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad, Neeraj Singh and three others were killed in suspected gang war in Dhanbad on Tuesday evening, said police."Four persons, including former Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad Neeraj Singh, have been killed in a shootout in Dhanbad district. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the incident," Jharkhand Police spokesperson R.K. Mallik.Some unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants fired indiscriminately on the vehicle, in which Neeraj Singh, his driver Laltu and his two associates Ashok Yadav and Santosh Tiwary were travelling, near Steel Gate of Dhanbad. According to police sources, an AK-47 was used in the firing. More than 20 bullet marks have been found on the vehicle.Police said that this could be a part of mafia war over control of billion dollar coal business.The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been deployed in the city for security reasons.(Inputs From Agencies)
Varanasi: The discovery of some handwritten letters with ISIS initials, hailing Pakistan and threatening destruction in eastern UP on Friday has prompted police to beef up security in the area.



"A case has been registered against unidentified persons after nearly 5-6 handwritten letters were recovered on which Pakistan Zindabad slogans and ISIS initials were scribbled along with threats given for carrying out destruction in Purvanchal," SP (rural) Ashish Tiwari said today.



An alert has been issued and Intelligence agencies are also probing the matter.

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"A probe is on and primarily it appears to be the handiwork of some mischievous persons," he added.



The anonymous handwritten letters were found by the roadside in Mirzamurad police station area.

"24/3/17 Ko Purvanchal Mein Tabahi. Bacha Sakte Ho to Bacha Lo (There will be destruction in Purvanchal. Save it if you can)," said the letter.
Lucknow: Several meat shops were set on fire by mob in Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday night.



The incident happened only two days after a BJP government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath was sworn in Uttar Pradesh. Since the new government has come to power, there is a sudden rise in demand against slaughterhouses in the state.



Recently, Moradabad, SSP, issued notice to his subordinates asking them to be strict against cattle smuggling and operations of illegal slaughter houses. Similar orders have been issued across districts.



"We will register a case if someone lodges complaint. A police picket has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation," Police said.



On March 21, a slaughterhouse was sealed by the district authorities in the Kamalgadaha locality under Jaitpura police station, police officials said.







The BJP had announced, in its manifesto titled 'Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra', that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.
New Delhi: Indian aviation authorities will wait for official communication from the US before deciding on whether to issue any travel advisory following the American governments ban on big electronic devices in cabin baggage on flights from select Middle East and African nations.



In a new order, the American government has barred travellers going to the US on flights from select countries from carrying large electronic devices like cameras and laptops as cabin baggage.



As per the restrictions, passengers would have to check-in any devices bigger than a smartphone -- including iPads, Kindles and laptops -- before clearing security or boarding.



The latest decision of the US administration is "more of a security issue rather than a safety issue", a senior DGCA official told PTI. There is no official communication so far from the US authorities in this regard, he added.



Since the matter pertains more to security aspects, a decision on whether to issue any kind of travel advisory is likely to be taken by the BCAS after discussions, the DGCA official said. Only after getting an official communication from the US, any decision would be taken, he added.



The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is primarily responsible for the safety aspects while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) deals with the security issues.



The open-ended ban would affect more than 50 flights from 10 airports, including major global hubs like Dubai and Istanbul, according to senior administration officials.



Many flights to the US transit through the airports which have been included in the restrictions list. There is a possibility that Indian travellers transiting through these airports would have to comply with the new US norms.



The 10 international airports covered under the ban are in Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; and Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


Uttar Pradesh: Three meat shops torched by unknown persons in Hathras, police registers case. pic.twitter.com/Ro0B2jhoJ6

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the state police chief to prepare an action plan to shut illegal slaughterhouses and take stringent measures to prevent cow smuggling.Yogi's directive came amid confusion as what this action plan will incorporate because there are several legal slaughterhouses in the state.On cow smuggling, Yogi reportedly asked district police chiefs to show 'zero tolerance' toward those who are involved in such illegal activities.The UP Chief Minister also asked senior police officers to remain more vigilant when it comes to Anti-Romeo Squad to curb rising number of eve-teasing cases in the state.UP Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The CM also advised against the use of pan masala, plastic and pan in government buildings and offices."Corroborating the same, state minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, "This is nothing new. Banning of illegal slaughter houses is a part of our manifesto. We will not allow any illegal activities in state."The BJP had announced, in its manifesto titled 'Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra', that it would take "stern steps to close down all illegal slaughterhouses besides banning mechanised slaughterhouses" if it comes to power.Last night, meat shops were set on fire by a mob in Hathras district. The development comes only two days after Yogi was sworn in as CM. "My shop was set on fire twice since the new government came to power. This shop was the only income source for me and my family," one of meat shop owners in Hathras said.Reacting to the incident BSP leader MH Khan said, "Everyone eats meat, hotel industry and so many people are dependent on this industry. The government should think before acting in this industry.""I condemn the Hathras incident. Vigilantism of any kind will not be allowed. No one can take law into their hand," Singh said.Recently, Moradabad SSP issued notice to his subordinates asking them to be strict against cattle smuggling and operations of illegal slaughter houses. Similar orders have been issued across districts.Today, six slaughter houses and meat factories were sealed in Meerut. On March 21, a slaughterhouse was sealed by the district authorities in the Kamalgadaha locality under Jaitpura police station, police officials said.Since the new government has come to power, there is a sudden rise in demand against slaughterhouses in the state.
New Delhi: Mushrooming 'Anti-Romeo Squads' in Uttar Pradesh post the arrival of Yogi Adityanath at the helm have raised concerns about the danger of mainstreaming vigilante culture, but at the Shakespeare Society of India they are mourning the Indian tragedy that has befallen the bard's beloved Romeo Montague.



The tragic hero who has been the universal byword for self-less love has now been reduced to a predator, a crass paan chewing, swaggering Casanova who harasses every woman crossing his path, society president and Ashoka University Professor Jonathan Gil Harris told News18.



"What has happened to the word Romeo makes me laugh. But what is happening at the policy level doesn't make me laugh," Gil Harris said.



BJP had promised 'Anti-Romeo Squads' in its poll manifesto in UP to counter what it said was systemic harassment of women, and reports have come in from across the state that police have set up such squads in the last 48 hours.



Shiv Visvanathan, prominent social commentator who is also on the advisory board of the Shakespeare Society, felt that the threat looming is larger than mere misrepresentation of an idealistic hero like Romeo.



"What is happening is a merging of civil society and government to create a policing state, so when the state itself becomes vigilante it get a bit threatening," he told News18.



"How do you decide who is the Romeo and what are the Romeo clauses? If I hold a girl's hand am I Romeo?," he asked, citing examples of earlier instances of vigilantism when Bajrang Dal put up hoardings in Manipal that said "Don't hold hands."



To me here is a man promising minimum governance and creating maximum surveillance, he commented about UPs new chief minister.



Gil Harris said Romeo and Juliet came from different backgrounds and fell in love, and the word Romeo has become a code word for love jihadis. It will be used for trading communal tensions if people from different communities come together, he said.



He added that the people have not read the tragedy by Shakespeare and miss the fact that the two were mutually in love  Romeo and Juliet. "Romeo is someone who accepts the agency of the woman he loves, and the community cannot accept that agency," said Harris.



Both Visvanathan and Gill Harris said that problem is with the world Romeo and Juliet live in and not in the lovers. If the people read the play it will speak back to them saying problem is with you, not us, said Harris.



Harris felt the denigration of Romeo to a swaggering Casanova is unique to India, one of the first countries where Shakespeare was taught. There are films from East Asia where Romeo is comically represented but it is not the deep tradition the way it is here  know nothing about Romeo and show him as sexually predatory man, he said.



Viswanathan said that before weighing their understating on literature we should worry on how they have no understanding of law and politics. Forget literature, they have no understanding of law and politics. They have created an epidemic of suspicion and Romeo has fallen in their hand for that. Romeo is a fiction that has become fact, he said.



The Shakespeare society is an organization formed to promote wider interest in the works of the Bard of Avon.
After a massive crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday has ordered ban on plastic, Pan Masala, Gutka in all government establishments from immediate effect.Speaking to the media people, UP Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said, "The CM has advised against the use of pan masala, plastic and pan in government buildings and offices."He said, "CM inspected government offices and directed officials to maintain cleanliness of both the Annexe & state so that change is visible."Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Yogi is committed to make Uttar Pradesh a clean and green city.Earlier, today Yogi has directed all police officers to prepare an action plan to shut illegal slaughterhouses and to prevent cow smuggling.Yogi's directive came amid confusion as what this action plan will incorporate because there are several legal slaughterhouses in the state.On Cow smuggling, Yogi reportedly asked district police chiefs to show 'zero tolerance' toward those who are involved in such illegal activities.
A survey participated in by more than 10,000 people found that majority of them have chewable tobacco easily available in their cities despite a Supreme Court ban on the product.



In September 2016, the Supreme Court had banned the sale of all forms of chewable tobacco and nicotine, and directed the authorities to strictly enforce its directions.



Citizen engagement platform LocalCircles ran a set of surveys across 18 states in India to understand if guthka and other chewable tobacco products were easily available in the cities.



It found that it was that 86 per cent find tobacco easily available in their cities. 5 per cent said that they were tough to find and 9 per cent of the respondents were not sure about it.



The Supreme Court decision came almost 5 years after the tobacco manufacturers had found a way to overcome the regulation on chewable tobacco by selling pan masala and tobacco in separate pouches.



While some states had issued orders to comply with the order, most of the states have still done nothing to enforce the ban, the survey said.



It found that enforcement has not been effective in states namely Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.



Citizens of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Hyderabad and Karnataka said that the tobacco ban enforcement in their state has been poor.



According to the survey, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the only two states where the effectiveness of chewable tobacco ban has been somewhat noticeable.



In a related poll, 97 per cent of participants had said that print and television advertisements of chewable tobacco products should be completely banned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in line with the Supreme Court's order to ban these products.



When asked if the government should revoke the production licenses and direct closure of all guthka and chewable tobacco product factories, 89 per cent citizens responded in an affirmative.



Only 10 per cent said that it should not be done and 1 per cent chose not to answer.



Citizens also listed different ways in which the tobacco ban could be enforced. They suggested that the nodal central government agencies should ensure that all factories producing chewable tobacco in any form are shut down.



They also said that agencies needed to work in very close coordination with state and other local authorities like police and health department to ensure that the ban is implemented.
The much-awaited 2.0 starring Superstar Rajinikanth is all set to hit the silver screens come Diwali this year. While shooting for the film is still on, the film has been mired in controversy. On Wednesday, two photo journalists from The Hindu were attacked by the movie crew around 9:15 AM. One of the photo journalist said he tried to take pictures of the commotion and in turn was assaulted by three members of the crew. Other journalists went to the Ice House police station to file an FIR and the Assistant Director of 2.0 Pappu was detained.



Raghunath, who was attacked by the 2.0 crew said: I started from my house for the RK Nagar assignment and the narrow road was blocked because of the shoot. A pregnant woman was stuck in the same street as the road was blocked because of the shoot. When I questioned the crew if they have the permission to shoot during the day, I was attacked by the crew. My colleague too was assaulted."



In fact no permission was given to the crew to shoot during the day. The permission letter CNN News 18 accessed clearly states that the crew can shoot in Triplicane between 11pm and 6 am but in reality, they continued shooting during the day effected public life immensely.



Later, director Shankar addressed the media issuing an apology to the two journalists who were attacked. "I was not aware of the incident. I have shot many films and I have always ensured public life is not affected. I feel sorry. My apologies to the two journalists."



The two journalists who were attacked, later, withdrew their complaint.



Shankar's 2.0 is touted as India's most expensive film and is also the sequel to Enthiran which was a blockbuster. It stars Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson in prominent roles.


Chennai: Mani Ratnam, who gave A R Rahman his first break in 1992 film Roja, says success has not changed the Oscar-winning composer's quest to explore unique sounds and he treats every film like a special journey.



"The journey has been of 25 years. But, it feels like I met Rahman just yesterday. He sported the same smile then too, but everyone is aware of the heights he has scaled now," the director said while reminiscing about his long collaboration with Rahman.



"For Rahman, every film is a special journey. His quest to explore new, unique sound for his films continues even today. He works really hard to get the perfect soundscape for a film. From Roja to Kaatru Veliyidai, it's been an amazing journey. Thank you," he told reporters at the audio launch of the forthcoming romantic drama.



Rahman said he would not have received a platform to explore refined ideas if not for Mani Ratnam and late veteran

filmmaker K Balachander, who produced Roja.



"If not for Mani Sir, I wouldn't have received this platform. To implement high-end ideas and refined sounds, everything has to fall in place in your collaborations. It was a divine happening when K Balachandar sir called me and introduced me to Mani sir for Roja. I'm grateful for that," Rahman told reporters here.



Ratnam said he was overwhelmed to see the Indian Armed Forces at work while shooting for the film in Ladakh and Leh.



"'Kaatru Veliyidai' is a love story narrated in the backdrop of the Indian Air Force. During the shooting in Ladakh and Leh, we came across numerous Indian military officers and security forces. I felt really overwhelmed seeing them at work.



"I used to ponder, 'Have we ever expressed what we feel towards them and the respect we have for our armed forces?' On behalf of our entire team, I would like to extend my sincere, heartfelt gratitude to our armed forces," the director said.



For an in-depth understanding of the working style of the Indian Air Force, the 61-year-old filmmaker sought help from Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman (Retd). Varthaman said films on the Indian Air Force were missing on Indian celluloid.



"I have many experiences in my life. But I never thought that I would be here on the stage in for movie's audio release. Talking about the Air Force and feeling for the Air Force is something which is missing on our Indian celluloid... To recognise us in the film is really an honour for the Indian Air Force," Varthaman said.



Actress Aditi Rao Hydari, who plays the role of a doctor in the film, said Ratnam's production house Madras Talkies

feels like home to her.



"Working with Mani sir is like a booster shot of vitamins. It's nourishing. I felt like I'd been adopted and Madras

Talkies felt like home to me. 'Kaatru Veliyidai' has Rahman's genius score, Ravi Varman's magical camera, Vairamuthu's evocative lyrics, Brinda Master's energetic choreography and Eka Lakhani's beautiful styling," said Aditi.



Kaatru Veliyidai, which stars Tamil actor Karthi in the role of a fighter pilot, is set to release on April 7
Mumbai: Actress-producer Twinkle Khanna says her upcoming film Padman will encourage people to talk about things like menstruation and sanitary napkins, which are still considered taboo in Indian society.



Padman is based on life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who invented first low-cost sanitary napkins in the country.



"It (shoot) is going very well and Mr Muruganantham was also there. It's a wonderful project. It's a film which will bring awareness about something which has so far been cloaked and shamed and I am very happy to be a part of the film," Twinkle told reporters here at an event.



Padman stars Akshay Kumar as Murugunathan, while Radhika Apte plays his wife in the movie.



Actress Sonam Kapoor will also be seen in a special role in the film to be directed by R Balki.



Twinkle was talking on the sidelines of launch of French Browns, by L'Oreal Professional.
(Updates with statement from Energy Transfer Partners in paragraph 7)

By Timothy Mclaughlin

March 21 (Reuters) - South Dakota authorities are investigating an act of vandalism at the Dakota Access pipeline, a day after the project owner said oil could begin flowing through the pipeline soon, officials said on Tuesday.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was alerted on Friday to a small crack near a valve site on a stretch of the pipeline outside Canton, South Dakota, 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Sioux Falls, Lincoln County Chief Deputy Chad Brown said by telephone.

"It was definitely intentional, it wasnt from the pipe flexing or anything like that," Brown said.

The state Department of Criminal Investigations was investigating the incident as an act of "felony vandalism," said Sara Rabern, a spokeswoman for the state's attorney general.

Energy Transfer Partners LP, according to court documents filed on Monday, believes oil could begin flowing through the 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline as early as this week.

The documents cited "coordinated physical attacks along the pipeline," but there were no details provided on where the incidents took place, and many of the documents are sealed. The attacks would not affect preparations for the start of operations, the documents said.

"I am not commenting beyond the information in the filing that was made last night," Energy Transfer Partners spokeswoman Vicki Granado said in an email to Reuters.

In neighboring North Dakota, on Tuesday, a stretch of highway closed by months of protests against the pipeline was to reopen, officials said.

Traffic would be allowed on Highway 1806 from Fort Rice, south of Mandan in the state's southwest, to the Cannonball Bridge near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation starting at noon, the Morton County Sheriff's Department and North Dakota Highway Patrol said in a statement.

The nearly 9-mile (14-km) stretch of highway was closed in October when Native Americans and environmental activists descended on the area in an effort to force the rerouting of the multibillion-dollar pipeline away from a lake upstream from the reservation.

Story continues

The demonstrators said the pipeline could pollute water supplies and destroy sacred tribal sites. Backwater Bridge was the site of clashes between law enforcement and protesters and barricades were erected on it to keep protesters from reaching the site of the pipeline.

Law enforcement swept through the protest camp late last month, clearing the remaining protesters.

Earlier this month, a federal judge denied a request by a Native American tribe for an emergency injunction to prevent oil flowing through part of the pipeline, saying such a move would be against the public interest.

(Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Dan Grebler and Peter Cooney)
The Election Commission (EC) to decide which faction of the AIADMK is the lawful claimant to the partys poll symbol  Two Leaves  a ruling that could potentially have far-reaching impact on both O. Panneerselvam and Sasikala Natarajan in Tamil Nadu politics.

The fight over party symbol has picked up in view of byelection to the R K Nagar assembly constituency in Chennai on April 12.

Stay tuned for Live updates:

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
New Delhi: Former Congress member and Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday formally joined the BJP, after resigning from his parent party in January.



"It has been a great journey and have landed at a very important stop in service of the nation," said the 84-year-old Krishna.



The veteran also expressed belief in "a great India emerging under the leadership of PM Modi".



Amit Shah welcomed Krishna joining the party and said: "With his wide experience in different portfolios, he is an asset to the country."



Krishna, on his part, returned the compliment and said: "I am deeply humbled that I am joining a political party which has given lot to the country."



BJP hopes Krishna will help BJP's prospects in the upcoming by-polls in Nanjangud and Gundulpet - both constituencies bordering old Mysore region, as Krishna is from the same region.



Krishna belongs to OBC Vokalliga community which has a strong presence in 28 seats in Bangalore.



Krishna has both the stature and experience to take on the fellow Vokalliga leader and JDS President HD Deve Gowda.



Also, Krishna's induction into BJP underscores depletion in Congress' political capital.



Mr Krishna put off his plan to join the BJP last week after the death of his sister. Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with Amit Shah and to join the party, he had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her death.



The former Karnataka CM had announced his resignation from Congress on 29th January, saying the party was in a state of confusion on whether it needed mass leaders or not. But according to sources, SM Krishna was unhappy with being ignored by the party high command.
New Delhi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna is all set to join BJP today in Delhi, around seven weeks after he resigned from Congress.



According to the sources, SM Krishna will be joining BJP around 4 pm in Delhi.



Krishna will be inducted into the saffron party in the presence of its National President Amit Shah and other leaders, including Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda and CT Ravi, they added.



Mr Krishna put off his plan to join the BJP last week after the death of his sister. Though he had reached New Delhi to hold consultations with Amit Shah and to join the party, he had to rush back to Bengaluru after hearing the news of her death.



The former Karnataka CM had announced his resignation from Congress on 29th January, saying the party was in a state of confusion on whether it needed mass leaders or not. But according to the intel sources, SM Krishna was unhappy with being ignored by the party high command.



Krishna, who was Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as then External Affairs Minister in 2012. He has also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.



It is learnt that the BJP State unit is keen to have SM Krishna into its fold before by-elections to the Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly constituencies are completed, as it wants to use his political influence in this part of the State to its advantage.



The BJP was planning to organise a reception for Krishna when he arrives at the Bengaluru International Airport from New Delhi on Thursday morning. The party wants to take him in a procession from the airport to its State headquarters in Malleshwaram. Party workers would take out a motorbike rally from the airport to the BJP office.



BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa will not attend SM Krishnas BJP joining programme as he will be campaigning in Nanjangud and Gundlupet. Other prominent BJP leaders from the State would be present, it is learnt.


New Delhi: After missing the writing on the wall in Punjab, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is all set to address many rallies in the national capital ahead of the MCD polls.



A senior party leader said Kejriwal will begin campaigning from March 31 for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, which are slated for April 22.



Apart from Kejriwal, other senior party leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will also begin campaigning from the end of this month.



"Kejriwal is expected to address a series of meetings all over Delhi. These will be ward-centric on the lines of Kejriwal's campaign in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections," the party leader said.



The party fared badly in the recently held Assembly elections in Punjab and Goa, where it drew a blank.



AAP was expecting that a win in either of the states will bolster its ambitions for a nationwide reach, and give a major push to its prospects in the Delhi MCD polls and the Gujarat Assembly elections, which are to be held later this year.



However, the poor showing has demoralised the party workers in the national capital. A win in its home turf would surely give a boost to the party in the upcoming Gujarat polls.


Srinagar: Alleging "systematic erosion" of Jammu and Kashmir's special status by the rulingc alliance, opposition NC president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday called for a united front to foil the machinations of communal and divisive elements.



Stating that the spirit of inclusiveness alone can steer Jammu and Kashmir out of the prevailing morass and political instability, Abdullah claimed the state government was carrying out "systematic erosion" of the state's special status.



Stepping up his electoral campaign for by-polls to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Abdullah cautioned against attempts to divide people, generate mistrust and hate between various segments of society and subjecting the people of Kashmir to humiliation and harassment on a daily basis.



"PDP has volunteered to be RSS' flag-bearer to trample the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir and demolish its time-tested secular ethos," the former Chief Minister said while addressing party workers at National Conference headquarters here.



Abdullah exhorted the people "to stand guard against sinister moves being perpetrated by forces inimical to the uniqueness of Kashmiriyat and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood".



He hoped the people of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts will come forward in a big way and endorse their commitment to safeguarding singular entity of the state and ending the era of uncertainty in Kashmir.



The PDP-BJP combine has developed vested interest in keeping Kashmir on the boil, he alleged adding, the people of the Valley have become target of their ulterior motives.



He said NC will fight tooth and nail against the "anti-people policies" of the state government.
New Delhi: BJP ally Shiv Sena on Monday joined the chorus by some opposition parties questioning the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines, with its member in Lok Sabha asking the Centre to ensure that all voters get paper slips as a proof of their voting preference.



Raising the issue during Zero hour, Sena's Shrirang Appa Barne said several parties have questioned EVMs' functioning and claimed that many of them had raised questions during the recent local body polls in Maharashtra.



The BJP had left its rivals, including the Sena, far behind in the results.



"The government should ensure that voting print slip is made a must," he said, with other Sena members supporting him.



Among other issues raised in the House, Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) spoke about an AIIMS report that said long-term exposure to mobiles can increase the risk of brain tumours.



The government should set up a committee to evaluate the report, he said recalling that an inter-ministerial committee had said in 2011 that mobile towers should not be installed in densely-populated areas.



Industry-funded reserch to look into the health impact of mobile radiation was "not of good quality", he said.



Maheish Girri (BJP) asked the railway ministry to take steps to prevent non-passengers from entering railway stations as is the case with airports and metro stations where only valid ticket-holders are allowed.



It will help decongest railway stations and make them cleaner, he said.



Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) raised the issue of "illegal termination" of the services of journalists by media houses and said the existing laour laws have become toothless.



Ashwini Kumar Choubey (BJP) said the prohibition law in Bihar was not working, claiming that some BJP leaders were attacked recently by some government officials drinking in office premises when they had reached there on being informed about it.
New Delhi: The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, who also happens to be the chief patron of Hindu Yuva Vahini, is not less than any God for Sunil Singh, who heads the outfit.



Singh, who was once expelled from the Vahini on charges of indiscipline, claims his mentor has reinstated him. So now that Adityanath is at the high seat in Lucknow, whats on the cards for the Yuva Vahini? Singh explains in an exclusive interview:



Q: How do you see Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of the state?

A: I have been associated with Maharaj Ji (Yogi Adityanath) for a very long time and I am a big fan of his style of working. He has been a five-time Member of Parliament and I always felt that he has the potential to become Chief Minister of the state one day. The state of Uttar Pradesh was lagging behind in development; corruption was visible in the entire state, the overall condition of Uttar Pradesh was so bad that I cannot even describe in words. The only man I could see who could actually improve the condition of UP and set everything right for the state was Yogi Aditya Nath Maharaj Ji.



Q: You two had but fallen apart. Are the issues resolved now?

A: My only difference with him was that I wanted him to be the CM candidate and Maharaj Ji kept on avoiding it. That was the only difference between us. And today after 15 years of hard work we all have done for Hindu Yuva Vahini, we all feel that our dream has come true. My happiness is equal to how happy Hanuman Ji was when Prabhu Ram came to Ayodhya after Lanka Dahan. I am his Hanuman and he is my Ram. Yogi ji never asked me to propose his name for CM candidature, but has Ram ever asked Hanuman to go for Lanka Dahan? I fought with Yogi for Yogi. Now, all the issues have been resolved and Maharaj Ji has given me his blessings, and I hope Hindu Yuva Vahini will live upto the expectation of Maharaj Ji.



Q: Did you meet him after he took oath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh?

A: Today, Maharaj Ji is the CM and lots of people are coming with sweets and good wishes. Yes, I met Maharaj Ji and he reciprocated happiness and gave his blessings. For me he is my Guru and a Guru can never be angry with his followers. My happiness cannot be gauged on any parameter, I am sure Uttar Pradesh will be a changed state soon, I know Maharaj Ji is the right man to bring development to the state.



Q: How do you plan to take Hindu Yuva Vahini forward?

A: Hindu Yuva Vahini does not have any political aspirations; we have always worked for betterment of society, country and culture. Yogi Adityanath Ji has always taught us to fight for our culture, country and society. If at any point of time administration needs our help, we will be more than ready. We want to see Ram Rajya in the state and we will go to any extent to do it.



Q: Whats your take on anti-Romeo Squad?

A: It is for the safety and betterment of females of our state and it is a welcome step by the government. We will try and propagate the idea behind anti-Romeo Squad to the people as many youngsters have a misconception about it. It will be for their help and not for unnecessary disturbance. Hindu Yuva Vahini will always be ready for any kind of help if needed from administration but we certainly do not have any plans to run parallel administration.



Q: People are scared about Hindu Yuva Vahini and its people, how will you deal with it?

A: See, Hindu Yuva Vahini is a cultural outfit founded by Yogi Ji, now with him becoming the Chief Minister of State we have more responsibility to undertake. If any member of Yuva Vahini goes wrong, then it will be directly a blot on the image of Maharaj Ji, which we will never want to happen. We will continuously work for the betterment of the state under the guidance of Yogi Ji and will make sure that our Maharaj Ji turns out to be the best Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh could ever have.
Apple Inc has launched the Red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus as part of the company's collaboration with RED, to raise money for HIV/AIDS programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. The Red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available through online channels and retail stores in over 40 countries and regions starting Friday.Also read: iPhone 7 Plus Review: This iPhone Will Be The Apple Of Your Eye The special Red edition iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have a vibrant red aluminium finish. In India, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Red Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models starting at Rs 82,000 from Apple authorised resellers.Read more: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Retro Edition With Dark Beige Stripes, Apple Rainbow Logo is Here The special edition red colour iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 128GB and 256GB versions will start retailing from March 24 at $749.Read more: iPhone SE Available for Rs 19,000: All You Want to Know Apple had participated in the RED programme long back, but this is the first time that the company has announced a red coloured variant of their flagship phone. Apple's other Red lineup of products include - Beats products and accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad and the original iPod Nano."The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can't wait to get it into customers' hands," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.Read more: Xiaomi Redmi 4A vs Redmi 3S: What's the Best Budget Xiaomi Phone A statement from the company read: "Both special edition models are available worldwide beginning Friday, March 24 and start shipping to customers by the end of March in the US and more than 40 countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK and United Arab Emirates. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Turkey and other countries will follow in April."iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models starting at price of Rs 82,000 from Apple Authorised Resellers.However, there is no official confirmation on the pricing from Apple on the price in India of the other red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus variants.
Global Web-hosting company GoDaddy on Wednesday launched a new mobile-friendly "Website Builder" in India to help small businesses and entrepreneurs grow their ventures.The "Website Builder" features an integrated suite of online tools to help small businesses and entrepreneurs create an audience for their businesses and drive traffic to their website."India is our largest market outside of the US and we at GoDaddy have made big investments here. We have over 7,50,000 customers in India," Andrew Low Ah Kee, Executive Vice President, GoDaddy International, told IANS."In India, over 34 million small businesses are still offline. GoDaddy's new Website Builder' is designed to help small businesses across country to create a professional online identity with ease, helping to grow their business online," he added.Website Builder' with integrated marketing features enables small businesses to quickly improve their Google search rankings and help jumpstart email marketing campaigns.The company also launched a new integrated marketing campaign focused on educating Indian small businesses on the value of going beyond traditional marketing and the importance of being visible on the Internet."The campaign reinforces that with a strong digital presence, small business owners have an opportunity to be more visible and potentially grow their business," added Nidhi Hola, Senior Director, Marketing, GoDaddy India.Powered by smart algorithms and machine learning, the website builder helps customers with continuous activity updates and ways to improve results and evolve their businesses throughout their lifecyclesThe new Website Builder is available in four different pricing options following a one month free trial: Personal (Rs99/month), Business (Rs 479/month), Business Plus (Rs 679/month) and Online Store (Rs 999/month).
South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that North Korea failed in its test-firing of a missile that was believed to have exploded in the air, a media report said.A South Korean Defence Ministry official said via phone that North Korea fired one missile near the Wonsan airfield on its eastern coast and it was estimated to have failed, Xinhua news agency reported.According to local media reports, the missile exploded in the air right after blasting off from the ground.The test-firing was an apparent show of force toward the ongoing US-South Korea military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.The Foal Eagle fielding training exercise, which started off from March 1, is scheduled to continue by the end of April, with the Key Resolve command post exercise set to end on Friday.Pyongyang has denounced the springtime war games as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.
Police fatally shot a man who stabbed a police officer to death inside the grounds of the UK Parliament in London.

A car drove into a crowd of pedestrians on the nearby Westminster Bridge.

Four others died as a result of the attacks. At least 40 are injured.

Police put Parliament and the Westminster area on lockdown

WARNING: Some of the images below are graphic.

Five people were dead and at least 40 were injured Wednesday after an apparent terrorist attack in central London.

A lone assailant mowed down dozens of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a 4X4 vehicle before killing a police officer with a knife in the grounds of Parliament just after 2:30 p.m. local time. The attacker was shot dead by the police outside Parliament gates.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley told reporters they have identified the attacker, but will not yet name him publicly. Investigators believe the attack was inspired by Islamist-related international terrorism, he said.

In a statement, UK Prime Minister Theresa May called the attacks "sick and depraved" and thanked the "exceptional men and women" who protect London.

Rowley told reporters that the police believed there to be only one attacker but that it would be "foolish" to rule out the possibility of more. He advised the public to be vigilant and confirmed that additional officers would patrol the capital Wednesday night and Thursday.

A photo emerged later Wednesday of the man shot by the police:

London attacker

Journalist Quentin Letts gave an account of what he saw to MSNBC.

"I saw a fairly thick-set man wearing black clothes running through the open gates, the security gates where people drive their cars," Letts said. "He seemed to have something in his hand, maybe a knife, maybe a stick."

Letts continued: "He started beating a policeman who had fallen over on the ground. The policeman managed to shake him off and the attacker then ran towards the entrance of the House of Commons, which is used by our members of Parliament and he got about 15 yards before the authorities responded."

Story continues

Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood attempted to give mouth-to-mouth to the stabbed police officer before the officer died. The officer was identified as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old veteran with 15 years of service.



Police Parliament Square London

Aside from the five dead, others are suffering from "catastrophic injuries" after a car mowed down pedestrians on a packed Westminster Bridge no more than a few hundred meters from the houses of Parliament.

Three of the injured are French students, according to French media.

US President Donald Trump called May, his British counterpart, to express condolences for the attack, the White House said.

"He pledged the full cooperation and support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice," the White House said.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. New York Times terrorism correspondent Rukmini Callimachi noted on Twitter, however, that pro-Islamic State channels on the chat app Telegram were talking about the attack.

"Numerous ISIS-linked channels are sharing blow-by-blow updates on events in London," Callimachi said. She went on to note that this pattern followed that of some recent terrorist attacks: "We saw this post-Paris, post-Nice, post-Orlando etc."

"The mode of attack, according to reporters at the scene, includes stabbing and car-ramming, both ISIS signatures," she said.

Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in Belgium's history, in which 32 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in bombings carried out by the Islamic State in Brussels. Callimachi said that "ISIS, like al-Qaeda, loves anniversaries."

London attack

'Panic and confusion'

A witness close to Westminster Bridge has told Business Insider that there were "lots of sirens" and "people running" at the scene.

Steve Voake, 55, a witness on the scene who said he was visiting London for the day, told NBC News that he was walking on the bridge when he heard screaming.

"I thought it was a road accident," he said. "There was lots of panic and confusion. Then I saw a shoe [on the] ground. I [saw] one body on one side of the road and one body face down in the water with blood all around it."

Metropolitan Police Commander BJ Harrington described the attack in a statement.

"We received a number of different reports  which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians, and a man with a knife," Harrington said. "Officers were already in the location as part of our routine policing operation."

A woman was pulled alive from the River Thames shortly after the attack on Westminster Bridge.

London attack map

All government and civil-service offices were on lockdown, and all inside were told to remain indoors as the situation unfolded.

The Westminster tube station and nearby buildings including St. Thomas' Hospital and the Gherkin building were on lockdown after the attack. Dozens of armed officers were inside the grounds of Parliament.

Facebook activated its safety-check feature to allow those in London to let people know they're safe.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn released a statement after the attack.

"Reports suggest the ongoing incident in Westminster this afternoon is extremely serious," he said. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, their families and friends. The police and security staff have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the public, MPs and staff, and we are grateful to them."

Mayor Sadiq Khan of London also released a statement on the attack.

"There has been a serious incident near to Parliament Square this afternoon which is being treated as a terrorist attack until the police know otherwise," Khan said, adding: "The Metropolitan Police Service is dealing with the incident and an urgent investigation is underway. My thoughts are with those affected and their families."

These are the latest images from Westminster:

Pedestrians made their way across Westminster Bridge after the attack:

london police

Some victims were hit near the Eye end of the bridge, below, while others were injured closer to Parliament:

London attack

Armed police officers were on the scene in minutes to escort people out of the area:

An armed police officer assists a woman after an incident on Westminster Bridge in London, March 22, 2017.

Bystanders tried to help the wounded:

London attack

A man lies injured after a shottingt incident on Westminster Bridge in London, March 22, 2017.

The vehicle appears to have struck several people along the length of the bridge as it headed toward Parliament:

A woman lies injured after a shottingt incident on Westminster Bridge in London, March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The area around Big Ben, the House of Commons, and the London Eye was brought to a standstill:

westminsterbridge2

Debris littered the bridge:

Westminster

Here is the scene at Parliament after the car drove into the gate:

An emergency helicopter landed inside the grounds of Parliament:

VIDEO London Helicopter Emergency Medical Services landing near parliament in Westminster after firearms incident (footage: Gary Kittle) pic.twitter.com/XNuZTsg2vW  AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) March 22, 2017

Here was the scene on Westminster Bridge earlier Wednesday:

Video sent to me from Westminster Bridge where it's shut off due to the shooting incident at Parliament. Police breaking up a group of guys who were allegedly "yelling about ISIS, waving Union Jack flags". They were "looking for a fight" apparently. (Disclaimer: I do not give permission for any other media outlet - other than Business Insider- to use this video or derivatives of it without permission from me first) A post shared by Lianna Brinded (@liannabrinded) on Mar 22, 2017 at 8:15am PDT on Mar 22, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

A car on Westminster Bridge has just mowed down at least 5 people. pic.twitter.com/tdCR9I0NgJ  Radosaw Sikorski (@sikorskiradek) March 22, 2017

This is a developing story...





More From Business Insider


"It looked as if something exploded ... I always thought it had to be a wheelchair with lithium batteries."

"With the help of a person, I sat on the chair and I was finding it very difficult because I wanted to stop the bleeding of the left leg because seeing so many casualties around I knew its going to be a tough task for everyone and I don't know how long it would take for me to reach the hospital," she tells CNN.

: On March 22, 2016, exactly a year from this day when three coordinated suicide bombings ripped through Belgian capital Brussels, a flight attendant found herself in the vortex of despair. Her photograph gained traction after it was picked up by major international news outlets.In a yellow jacket, torn apart by the blast, revealing her stomach, a perplexed Nidhi Chaphekar sat in a chair. Her blood-streaked face told the story of victims and became a representative of the deadliest terror attack in the history of Belgium.Wednesday marked a year since the blasts shook Brussels airport followed by explosions at a metro station in the city; 32 people were killed and over 300 more were injured. ISIS would later claim responsibility for both. The Islamic State would later claim the responsibility for all the attacks.A year later, 41-year-old Nidhi recalls preparing for a routine flight to Newark, New Jersey. She had arrived a day before from Mumbai. "I saw the first human suicide bomb attack but I couldn't figure out what it was," she tells CNN.Initially, oblivious of injuries she had sustained, she tells, she thought of helping others, but a colleague held her back."The crowd started running towards all directions. The exit was on the right side there. And those who couldn't find the exit in that chaos they were coming rushing towards us. The cries. The people started screaming," she tells CNN.Nidhi tells CNN that she cried for aid when she saw a soldier run past her.Nidhi's injuries were severe, so much so that she was placed in a medically induced coma. When CNN correspondent Erin McLaughlin told her that the photograph had become an iconic image, a defining image of this attack, Nidhi says, "It was an awful scenario to accept. It was a very horrible moment. It shows the pain you have. Everything.And that was the picture which gave hope not only to my family not only to my colleagues. Not only to my friends and everybody. That I'm alive."Still recovering from the trauma that attacks subjected her to, Nidhi says she feels reborn. When asked what she wants the world to know about a terror-victim, she says she wants to tell people that "alone you cannot survive"."Our survival depends on each other's survival. We need to plant the seeds of love and compassion," she says, adding that we need to water them with faith and relationship and reap the beautiful fruits of peace and prosperity."Prosperity, faith, relationship, love, compassion. They are not the luxuries of life. They are the necessities of being human. That's what I want to tell."
Details from the attack outside UK parliament were still trickling in more than an hour after the news broke. Here is what we know so far.



- Shots rang outside the Palace of Westminster and a man ran through the gates into the front yard of the compound apparently waving a knife.



- A policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers.



- A short while later Reuters photographs showed at leaded four people on the ground bleeding heavily. An air ambulance landed in Parliament Square as medics rushed to help the injured people.



- Armed police cleared the area around the incident and Parliament Square was closed to traffic.



- A spokesperson said British Prime Minister Theresa May is safe , but did not say where she was when the attack took place.



- British police in a statement said they were treating it as terrorism-related incident, "unless it is known otherwise".



- A car reportedly ploughed through pedestrians on Westminster Bridge just before the incident, leaving up to a dozen injured.



Coincidentally, the London attack has taken place on the first anniversary of the Brussels terror attacks. Exactly a year from this day, on March 22, 2016, three coordinated suicide bombings had ripped through Belgian capital Brussels, killing 32 civilians.
Washington: President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill authorising USD 19.5 billion funding for NASA programmes and setting a new goal to send humans to Mars.



The law, known as the NASA Transition Authorization Act, gives the space agency USD 19.5 billion in funding for the fiscal year 2018. It also asks the agency to create a plan to send a "crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s."



Opening a new vista to human exploration of the space, Trump signed the bill in his Oval Office of the White House in the presence of the Vice President Mike Pence.



In his brief remarks, Trump praised the bill as a boon for NASA and a job creator.



"For almost six decades NASA's work has inspired millions and millions of Americans to imagine distant worlds and a better future right here on Earth. I'm delighted to sign this bill," Trump said.



"It's been a long time since a bill like this has been signed reaffirming our national commitment to the core mission of NASA, human space exploration, space science and technology," he said.



"With this legislation, we support NASA's scientists, engineers, astronauts and their pursuit of discovery. We support jobs. It's about jobs. Also this bill calls for ongoing medical monitoring and treatment of our heroic astronauts for health conditions that result from their service," Trump said.



Trump said the bill will make sure that NASA's most important and effective programmes are sustained.



"It orders NASA to...Continue transitioning activities to the commercial sector where we have seen great progress. It's amazing what's going on," he said.



The bill he said continues support for the commercial crew programme which will carry American astronauts into space from American soil once again.



"It supports NASA's deep space exploration including the space launch system and the Orion spacecraft....It advances space science by maintaining a balanced set of mission and activities to explore our solar system and the entire universe and it ensures that, through NASA's astronauts and aeronautics research, the United States will remain a total leader in aviation," he said.



The NASA Acting Administrator, Robert Lightfoot, said the workforce has proven time and again that it can meet any challenge, and the continuing support for NASA ensures our nation's space programme will remain the world's leader in pioneering new frontiers in exploration, innovation, and scientific achievement.



"This law will promote innovation, support NASA's Space Launch System and Orion programmes, improve collaboration between the agency and commercial space sector, and benefit thousands of workers across Florida, particularly at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center," Senator Marco Rubio said in a statement.
In an attack, described by London Police as an act of terror on Wednesday, at least four people were dead and twenty others injured.

A policeman was stabbed inside the perimeter of Britains parliament building on Wednesday, and the assailant was shot dead outside and several people lay bleeding on a nearby bridge, Reuters witnesses and officials said.

The attacker apparently ploughed through pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge in central London before reaching the parliament.

Here are the highlights

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
APPOMATTOX  Appomattox County supervisors signed off this week on a slew of documents necessary for the disbursement of $880,000 in federal funds to help homeowners still awaiting rebuilding from the 2016 tornado, but not before asking several questions about a lien clause for those who receive aid.

That clause requires a lien be placed on the repaired property for 10 years. After that, the lien is dropped, said Matt Perkins, special projects manager with Region 2000 Local Government Council, which applied for the grant on behalf of Appomattox County.

Lets say Joe Smith had damage. We go in there for $16,000 to fix that. A lien will be placed on his house; after 10 years, that is dropped, Perkins told supervisors at a meeting Monday evening.

If the property is sold before that 10 years is up, the property owner must pay the county back for the years left on the lien unless the property is sold to a low- to moderate-income family, he said.

Perkins said the lien is standard procedure in Urgent Needs grants like the one Appomattox will receive through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. A similar requirement was part of the allocation of about $1.4 million in grant funding for homeowners recovering from the Pulaski tornado in 2011, he said.

He said the lien would prevent people from profiting from the reconstruction grants. Liens can be forgiven, but only with DHCDs consent and approval.

Wreck Island Supervisor Bryan Moody said he would hate to see someone lose their home because of the lien if they got a job elsewhere and had to move.

Piney Mountain Supervisor Sara Carter shared that concern but also noted a benefit of the 10-year lien.

It is possible we could have someone hindered  if they wanted to sell their property, she said. The purpose of the lien is to motivate people to stay in the community.

The clause was part of more than three dozen pages that outlines numerous procedures for the Housing Rehabilitation Program for the Appomattox Tornado Recovery Project. Approval of those steps by supervisors  who are responsible for the fair disbursement of the grant money  was a key step in moving toward allocation of the funds.

Soon, homeowners needing assistance will be able to apply for funding. A determination of how to disburse the money will be made by a housing oversight board according to detailed scoring criteria outlined in the Housing Rehabilitation Program, which factors in everything from income level to home insurance.

Earlier assessments made by Region 2000 Local Government Council in fall 2016 has estimated the moneywill be used to rehabilitate at least nine houses and one rental mobile home, substantially reconstruct six houses and remove debris and stumps in the tornado-affected area, according to the housing program documents and officials.

Also Monday, supervisors approved the membership for the projects housing oversight board, which will be responsible for reviewing and approving rehabilitation awards, accepting pre-qualified contractors and responding to complaints.

The five-member board will consist of County Administrator Susan Adams, Falling River District Supervisor Chad Milner, Appomattox Long-Term Recovery Group Chairman Adam Tyler, Appomattox County Building Official Lonny Hamlett and Appomattox County Community Development Director Johnnie Roark.

The board will meet no more than once per month, but a date and time for the first meeting was not set as of Tuesday.

The project also will have a tornado recovery management team that will report to the housing oversight board. Along with Adams, Perkins, Roark and Hamlett, other members of that team will be Appomattox County Administrative Assistant Vicky Phelps, Appomattox County Attorney Thomas Lacheney, Evergreen resident Stanley Baker, Kelly Hitchcock with Region 2000 and Brian Goldman as housing rehabilitation specialist.

Perkins said the tornado recovery management team plans to hold community meetings to educate potential participants on all the policies and requirements before they apply. Officials have not yet announced meeting dates, though they will be held at the Appomattox Community Center.
BEDFORD  The Bedford County Planning Commission recommended approval to the board of supervisors the development of more than 400 townhomes, apartments and houses in Forest right off U.S. 221.

The vote was 6-1, with commissioner Harold Brown voting against the development.

Jefferson Manor LLC is requesting to build a new multifamily and apartment development that could total up to 418 units. If approved, it would be called Westin Village.

The 40-acre property is located on Perrowville Road at the U.S. 221 intersection. Currently owned by Tom Bell, of Thomas Builders, it currently is zoned for planned commercial development, but Jefferson Manor is asking to rezone that to high density multifamily residential.

The plan is to construct 53 lots for single family development, 141 lots for townhouses, 224 apartment units and eight three-story buildings each containing 25 units for multifamily units.

The property currently is vacant and not being used.

Properties surrounding the site include Jefferson Forest High School and Forest Elementary School, both zoned for medium density residential. On the south side of Virginia 221 is Forest Middle School, zoned agricultural residential.

If approved, the sites open spaces will be maintained as grassed community areas with things like park benches, playgrounds or picnic tables to provide benefit to the homeowners and tenants of the development. There also will be sidewalks and a community center that could house events, meetings, meals and movie nights. The center also will have a swimming pool. The dumpster area will be enclosed in a three-sided brick enclosure.

According to planning documents, there are no identified environmental constraints, such as floodplains or karst features.

Gregg Zody, community development director for Bedford County, said there will be access points at both Perrowville and Forest roads.

The commissioners were most concerned with the safety of the school kids nearby.

I think were gonna need at least a crossing guard at Forest Middle, commissioner Tom Woodford said. Kids are gonna cross the road. We can plan and request that they not, but I know they are crossing now to go to Sheetz, and its amazing they havent gotten hit.

During the public hearing, Mary Sloan, a parent, said she didnt understand how adding the new community would help the schoolchildren when the Bedford County Public Schools Superintendent has requested smaller class sizes in his current budget.

Sloan said there are nearly 30 children in each classroom currently, and it is impairing their learning and putting pressure on teachers.

Its premature to approve a plan like this and say the schools need to figure it out, she said. The schools need to figure this out first. Think of the community as a whole. This will have an impact on our teachers and kids.

School board chairman Gary Hostutler, who represents the Forest area, said he mostly is concerned with the density of the proposal.

There is very little green space and lots of units jammed in. There will probably be 1,000 people who will live there. This is not a city; its suburbia. The capacity is too tight, he said.

Eric Nelson, who has two small children, said the reason he moved to Forest was not for the apartments and townhomes.

I think the majority of people are not interested in seeing more apartments and townhomes, he said. Im not opposed to growth, but it should be smart, and theres nothing smart about this.

Given the adjacent locations of three public schools, staff strongly urged the applicant to work with the Virginia Department of Transportation to establish appropriate crosswalks, maintained paths and sidewalks from the site to the schools, particularly Forest Middle School, located on the south side of U.S. 221.

According to documents, Mac Duis, chief operating officer for Bedford County Public Schools, said when not considering new developments, school enrollment is projected to remain steady in the Forest zone during the next several years.

Jefferson Forest is projected to remain below capacity with some room to grow, but Forest Middle and Forest Elementary schools currently are at or over capacity, a trend that he doesnt see a change with.

He said he wants all traffic patterns to be well planned and safe.

Within the past three years, the schools have redrawn the elementary school district lines to relieve Forest Elementarys enrollment, and as a result, more neighborhoods have shifted to the Thomas Jefferson and Boonsboro elementary zones.

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School has seen recent growth in the zone with new townhomes and condominiums along the [U.S.] 221 corridor and development off Everett Road, he said in documents. While Thomas Jefferson is below capacity, there is not sufficient room to again redistrict a large portion of the current Forest Elementary zone to Thomas Jefferson. We are aware of the developers plan to provide walking trails/paths or sidewalks to Forest Elementary and Jefferson Forest. It is understood that it will be unsafe for students to walk across [U.S.] 221 to Forest Middle.

Based on a traffic study, without the availability of signal protection and with the lack of any existing accommodations, it would not be recommended to pursue a pedestrian crossing at this time, VDOT said in the documents.

The traffic impact assessment will not be available until Wednesday.

The study looked at seven different intersections.

The report did point out pedestrian accommodations along Perrowville Road will be provided to create access from the development to both the elementary and high school.

Norm Walton, engineer with Perkins & Orrison Inc. who is representing the developer, said there are is required remarking on U.S. 221 and Perrowville Road for turn lanes into the proposed development.

If approved, he said the project would take 10 years to be developed. The townhomes would be developed first, all of which would be three bedrooms. The apartments would offer one, two and three bedrooms.

We havent gotten into hard designs, he said. We would be in design for one or two years, and it would be phased. This project wouldnt happen overnight.

He said Jefferson Manor has been considering this plan since 2015.

The economy is turning around, more houses are coming up and if this project doesnt trigger it, there will be another one that will, he said.

Walton said Forest is one of the areas in the county that has been determined as a growth center.

This would be on a major corridor coming out of Lynchburg, and its becoming relatively urbanized, he said. If there is going to be development and growth in this county, this is the place it should be.

Commissioner David Mays said the growth of Forest says a lot about the school system, the community and the quality of the homes being built, and it says a lot about the people who attended the meeting.

My concern is why do we have to prohibit any other growth when everyone says its inevitable, its gonna happen, thats the hot spot in Bedford, he said. I would rather have a residential community versus some industrial site.

Woodford said he went through the proposal with a fine-tooth comb looking for reasons, zoning wise, to vote no.

With the perspective of zoning and whats allowed, these guys might have as well written the zone for [residential district], he said. I see a community development that will be very well done.

Planning staff recommended approval of the application, based on the surrounding zoning, land use and future land use designation with the additional recommendation the owner and developer work with the schools and VDOT to provide safe pedestrian access for students to all adjacent schools.

The recommendation will go next to the board of supervisors, but Zody said it has not been scheduled yet.
Lynchburg community and business leaders lent a helping hand to Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg volunteers Tuesday during the 10th annual March for Meals.

Participants went door-to-door in the warm and sunny weather, delivering meals to about 335 people on 23 routes across the city and surrounding areas. Among those helping out were Lynchburg Police Chief Raul Diaz, Lynchburg City Councilman Randy Nelson and the Lynchburg Hillcats mascot, Southpaw.

Kris Shabestar, Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburgs executive director, introduced the event as one of about 5,000 being held in various communities throughout the month.

Your being out here today has a huge impact, she told participants Tuesday morning.

Lynchburgs event comes in the midst of some national turbulence for Meals on Wheels America. The White House budget proposes cutting two community block grant programs and Department of Health and Human Services funding, which provide some money to some Meals on Wheels programs.

Shabestar expects her program, which is supported by local funding and donations, to weather the storm. Individual donations accounted for 50 percent of the Lynchburg organizations fiscal year 2015-16 income, according to a fact sheet.

While the block grant[s] that [are] up for change will not directly impact our immediate funding, there is definite potential that it will add to future needs, Shabestar said.

She said Meals on Wheels and Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living Inc., which provides a variety of services to elderly and disabled persons in the Central Virginia area, refer meal recipients to each other based on recipients needs and location.

Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg delivers meals to individuals ages 24 to 104 located in Lynchburg and immediately surrounding communities like Forest and Madison Heights.

The alliances meal delivery program mostly serves people 60 years old and older in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties.

Betty Brickhouse, director of community impact for the alliance, said the Older Americans Act administered by the Department of Health and Human Services provides a large portion of funding for the alliances meal delivery program.

Like Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg, Brickhouse said the alliances meals program provides for isolated and vulnerable individuals, with volunteers checking in on meal recipients. She said the alliance is watching budget developments very closely.

The Older Americans Act funds a large portion of what we do, she said. Its still speculation on how any kind of cuts would affect the transportations that we offer  its hard to know how those cuts would affect all the programs that we have at this point.

One resident at Hillcrest Apartments asked the same of Meals on Wheels volunteer Tom Manley on Tuesday. Manley reassured him the Lynchburg office doesnt receive any federal or state funding. Manley was accompanied by Lynchburg Fire Chief Brad Ferguson while making the rounds at a few retirement communities around the Blackwater Creek area, introducing him to meal recipients and checking in on them.

Manley has volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg for about 15 years and said hes recently been making delivery trips about six times per month. Rather than the retirement communities visited Tuesday, he said he typically delivers to more isolated homes, where meal recipients dont have a network of neighbors down the hall.

Theres people that like for you to speak to them because they dont see anybody else, he said.

Many meal recipients, like 95-year-old Catherine Robey, are unable to cook their own food. With a history of knee issues and weak arms and legs, Robey said shes gotten a daily lunch for about three years.

Its hard for me to stand up long enough to do anything  I dont use the stove much; I just use a microwave, she said.

Other recipients thanked Manley and Ferguson, saying the meals are delicious or that they didnt know what theyd do without them.

Manley said recipients seem to appreciate getting to meet community leaders as part of the March for Meals. Ferguson said its the third or fourth time hes helped out, but this was the first time hes delivered meals to those in apartment-style housing.

The ones that are in a home by themselves, they see nobody for days until the Meals on Wheels person, and then they really like to talk, he said. And thats good, thats the good part about it  it gets a lot of interaction.
Liberty University and non-affiliated Liberty Counsel have been named co-defendants in a Vermont court case connected to the 2009 international kidnapping of Isabella Miller-Jenkins.

The civil case originally was filed in 2012 but was placed on hold while criminal proceedings in the kidnapping played out. On Monday, a Vermont judge allowed Liberty University, Liberty Counsel, Mathew Staver  founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel and a former dean of the LU law school  and Rena Lindevaldsen, a current LU law professor and Liberty Counsel attorney, to be attached as co-defendants in the case.

Other defendants include Response Unlimited, a direct mail business headed by Philip Zodhiates of Waynesboro, and Victoria Hyden, Zodhiates daughter, who is named as an agent of Response Unlimited.

The case, brought by Janet Jenkins, of Vermont, was filed because she alleged the defendants named had knowledge of a plot by Lisa Miller, Jenkins ex-wife, to flee the country with their young daughter, who was conceived through artificial insemination when the couple was still together.

Zodhiates, a Virginia businessman charged with smuggling Miller and her then 7-year-old daughter to Canada where they then fled to Nicaragua, is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday in Buffalo, New York, allowing the civil case against Miller to be reinstated with new defendants added.

Jenkins contends that Miller, fearing that courts would award Jenkins full custody over her daughter, left the country with the Defendants' aid after failing to comply with a Vermont court's orders granting Jenkins parental rights and visitation, reads an excerpt from the civil case.

Litigation initially began in 2004, when Jenkins and Miller had their civil union dissolved, well before same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide by a 2015 Supreme Court decision. Complications arose from a custody battle as Miller, who had converted to Christianity and reportedly left the lesbian lifestyle, sought to keep Jenkins from seeing their daughter, who lived with Miller in Forest.

Vermont recognized same-sex marriage, while Virginia did not, setting off a lengthy legal showdown. As Miller continued to deny Jenkins visitation rights, a Vermont court warned her she could lose custody.

Miller responded by allegedly fleeing the U.S. with her daughter. She is believed to still be in Nicaragua.

With Zodhiates to be sentenced Wednesday on charges of international parental kidnapping, the stay on the civil case has been lifted.

Liberty University previously was dismissed as a defendant in the civil case in October 2013.

Liberty is now a co-defendant, which David Corry, LU general counsel, said came as a surprise.

We were surprised to learn [Monday] that weve [been] brought back into a case that weve previously been dismissed out of, Corry told The News & Advance.

He added LU is seeking input from outside counsel in Vermont on how to proceed.

Both Liberty University and Liberty Counsel dispute an affiliation with one another, which the lawsuit alleges, claiming Staver and Lindevaldsen were acting on behalf of the university.

Plaintiffs also allege that, in her role as a professor at Liberty University, Lindevaldsen essentially espoused the notion that Miller should commit civil disobedience rather than comply with a Vermont court's orders granting her former same-sex partner parental rights and full custody of Miller Jenkins, reads an excerpt from the civil case filed by Jenkins against the defendants.

The plaintiff goes on to claim both Staver and Lindevaldsen were in contact with Zodhiates on the day he helped Miller to flee the country, a claim Staver rejected as false when contacted Tuesday.

According to excerpts from the civil case, the plaintiff alleged, Lindevaldsen falsely claimed that she was unable to communicate with Miller to the Vermont family court in an attempt to delay contempt proceedings aimed at locating Miller-Jenkins, and that allowed Miller to leave the U.S. with the assistance of Lindevaldsen and others.

Anyone can make any allegation, and thats what this complaint does; it makes absolutely outlandish allegations that are completely false, Staver said in a phone interview from Orlando.

Liberty Counsel was founded by Staver in 1989, who worked at LU from 2006 to 2014, and he serves as chairman and general counsel of the law firm. Staver is no longer affiliated with the Liberty University School of Law.

Liberty Counsel is headquartered in Orlando and has offices in Washington, D.C., and locally in Lynchburg.

Staver said the last contact his firm had with Miller was about a week before her disappearance, when she communicated via email she would be heading to Northern Virginia to seek employment. After that, she disappeared, and Staver said Liberty Counsel was unaware of her plans to do so.

We had no knowledge, we had no information, and at the end of the day, thats what well present, and at the end of the day, theres nothing that would show otherwise, Staver said.

Staver also took exception to Liberty University being named as a co-defendant in the case.

Its ridiculous that Liberty [University] is a named defendant, because Liberty [University] had no involvement at all, and the representation of Lisa Miller had nothing to do with Liberty University, Staver said.

Sarah Star, a family law attorney based in Middlebury, Vermont, disputes that notion. In a phone interview with The News & Advance, Star claimed new details had emerged in Zodhiates case.

During the criminal case, and also in our jurisdictional discovery that we carried out regarding Response Unlimited, we learned more information about these new defendants and the previously dismissed defendant, Star said.

Star is aided in the civil case by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national left-leaning nonprofit dedicated to civil rights, and Langrock Sperry & Wool LLP, another Vermont-based law firm.

The SPLC is no stranger to Liberty Counsel, which it identifies as a hate group based on the law firms stance against same-sex marriage and statements made by Staver regarding homosexuality.

In a news release posted to the SPLC website Monday night, David Dinielli, SPLC deputy legal director, said the organization was pleased with the decision by a Vermont judge to begin the case.

The court has given the green light to a full exploration of Liberty Counsels role in the kidnapping of Isabella, as well as the role of the Liberty Counsel lawyers, Dinielli said. We are pleased the court recognized that our allegations suggested significant wrongdoing by these lawyers, including Mat Staver, and we will move swiftly to learn more about their wrongdoing and to hold everyone involved in the kidnapping to account.

With the case approved by a judge to move forward, Star said the next step in the legal process would be documentary discovery, followed by depositions in the summer and then a trial.

Kenneth Miller  no relation to Lisa Miller  a Mennonite pastor, was convicted in 2013 on charges of aiding an international parental kidnapping and is serving time in prison for his role.
WASHINGTON  Freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Garrett, R-5th, has introduced legislation to void the nation's capital's strict gun laws as one of his first bills, sparking a retort from District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton that he should pay more attention to the lax gun laws in his own state.

Garrett's bill, filed March 15, would eliminate the city's prohibition on semiautomatic guns and high-capacity magazines, while making it easier for residents and visitors to carry concealed firearms.

The Daily Progress had been reaching out to Garrett's staff since the bill was filed, seeking comment and a copy of the bill's text, which has not been posted to congress.gov. On Tuesday, Garrett's spokesman acknowledged the request and provided a link to this Washington Post story. On Tuesday evening, a copy of the 42-page bill was provided.

The bill is the House counterpart to legislation re-introduced this year by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

"My citizens should be able to come to their capital and protect themselves, just the way they can at home," said Garrett, a former state senator who represents Charlottesville and a conservative swath of central and southern Virginia. "This should be something that D.C. leadership looks at. It's their responsibility to protect their citizens."

Norton, who leads the charge to defend local laws against Congressional intervention as the city's non-voting representative, said it was hypocritical for Garrett to try to make it easier for people to carry weapons in the District of Columbia without addressing the prohibition of firearms on U.S. Capitol grounds. And she questioned using Virginia's relaxed gun regulations as a model for the nation's capital.

Virginia's laws drew national attention this month when New York authorities busted what they called an illegal gun trafficking ring that funneled more than 200 handguns and semi-automatic assault rifles and boxes of ammunition from Virginia into New York City.

New York police charged 22 Virginia residents and one Washington man in a 627-count indictment in what they termed the biggest gun case in Brooklyn history. The indictment alleged that straw purchasers legally bought guns at Virginia stores and that 10 defendants, took between two and 12 guns at a time to Brooklyn or Manhattan where they were resold at hefty prices.

Officials said defendants were heard on wiretaps mocking Virginia's gun laws, with one saying "our laws are so little, I can give guns away."

Virginia "is major thoroughfare, beginning with the state itself, for illegal gun running into the District of Columbia. That's in small no part because of its own very soft gun laws," said Norton.

Garrett counters that the murder rate is much higher in the District of Columbia even with stricter gun laws. In 2016, there were 105 fatal shootings in Washington and 26 in northern Virginia, according to a Post analysis.

Those numbers, he says, suggest Washington residents should be better armed.

"It's not the law-abiding people we need to worry about," said Garrett.

Norton said Garrett and other conservative lawmakers who want to limit the federal footprint should not second guess local laws decided by elected D.C. officials.

"No freshman who has only put in four bills should be looking into somebody else's jurisdiction," said Norton in an interview.

The District of Columbia's unique status as a federal district, population 681,000, leaves it at the mercy of Congress under the Constitution, which gives the federal government the power to void District laws and approve how it spends local tax dollars.

With unified GOP control of the White House and Congress, Republican lawmakers have been aggressively offering legislation to scale back some of the Democratic city's liberal laws and policies.

Several Republican lawmakers failed in their attempt to block a law allowing terminally ill District of Columbia residents to end their lives. But they may pursue an alternative line of attack against the law by preventing the city from spending money to implement it.

The House passed legislation in February that would permanently ban the District of Columbia from spending its local tax dollars to subsidize abortion for low-income women. It has not come up for a vote in the Senate, where Democrats could block the bill through a filibuster.

Garrett's legislation follows several unsuccessful attempts to void the District of Columbia's gun laws in recent years, including one that derailed a 2009 deal that would have granted the city's delegate to Congress the right to vote on federal legislation.
James "Lowell" Owen, 91, of Appomattox, Va. passed away peacefully on March 18, 2017. He was born on March 28, 1925, in Halifax County, Va. to the late George Edward Owen and Virginia Irby Owen. He is finally reunited with his late loving wife of 62 years, Ariana Ferguson Owen, and his precious grandson, Cameron Owen Mays. In addition, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Evelyn West, Marion Ford Harwood, Elizabeth Brooks McMaster and Louise Owen; and two brothers, Leroy and Herman Owen. In his early adult life Lowell worked for Trailways in Lynchburg as a ticket agent and also as a tour guide on trips to New York City and Washington, DC. Later he owned and operated the Airport Esso service station for 10 years. In 1961 he began his career as a Nationwide Insurance agent in Lynchburg and later became an agent in Brookneal where he retired in 1987. Lowell was a charter member of Hyland Heights Baptist Church where he faithfully served for many years as a deacon, choir member, Sunday School teacher and in many other capacities. In his later years he moved his membership to Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox. He was a Gideon for 43 years (beginning in June 1973) and served at the local and state levels in leadership positions. He never missed an opportunity to share the gospel with everyone he met and he never met a stranger! He will also be remembered for his love of singing and his kind and loving spirit. Lowell is survived by his four loving children, Sandra Moore (Tom) of Fincastle, Va., Brenda Lee of Williamsburg, Va., Denise Mays of Appomattox, Va., and Jim Owen of Charlotte, N.C. He is also survived by six precious grandchildren,Ashley Moore Schoombee (Mark), Sara Moore Jackson (Scott), Justin Lee (Sloan), Erin Lee McFarland (Mark), Dustin Mays, and Joshua Owen; and seven great-grandchildren,Emma and Matthew Schoombee, Ryan and Tyler Jackson, and Barrett, Augusta and Maggie Lee. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca Edwards of Charlotte Hall, Md., and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends. The family wishes to thank his caregivers at The Summit Health and Rehab Center (James River Unit) and the staff of Centra Hospice for their excellent care and compassion for Lowell and the love they extended to him and the family. A Celebration of Lowell's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Liberty Baptist Church, 1709 Church Street, Appomattox, Va. with Dr. Rusty Small officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg. The family will receive friends from 6until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Whitten Funeral Home - Timberlake Chapel, 7404 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg, Va. and also at the church prior to the service from 11:30 amuntil 12:45 pm. For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Lowell's memory, please consider donating to the Gideon's International c/o Appomattox Gideon's,P.O. Box 486, Appomattox, VA 24522,or the "Building Fund" c/o Liberty Baptist Church, P.O. Box 485, Appomattox, VA24522. Whitten Timberlake Chapel is serving the family, (434) 239-0331. www.whittentimberlake.com
Tax-loss harvesting can be useful in an array of situations, but understanding when to best utilize this strategy is key. Tax-loss harvesting is the practice of selling an investment for a loss. By realizing, or harvesting, a loss, investors can offset taxes on gains and income.

SEE ALSO: Mortgage Interest Tax Deductions May Get Extra Scrutiny This Year

The following example illustrates the concept:

On the first day of the year, you invest $50,000 in a fund that tracks the entire U.S. stock market. The market drops approximately 20% by May 1, and as a result the value of the fund has dropped to $40,000. While few people enjoy watching the market fall, there is one potential benefit: You can sell the investment, realizing a $10,000 loss for tax purposes.

At this point, you can then purchase a different fund that tracks only the S&P 500. Per IRS rules, you must wait at least 30 days from the day the loss was realized before purchasing a "substantially identical" investment, but by choosing this method you can immediately purchase a fund that tracks a different index. After 30 days elapse, you may then switch back to the original investment, or continue to hold the new investment if it meets your needs.

Continuing with this scenario, by Sept. 1 the market rallies and the S&P 500 fund you purchased is now sitting at $55,000. You are satisfied with holding the S&P 500 fund for the long term, therefore you have locked in a loss for tax purposes while the value of your investments has increased.

Tax-loss harvesting has the potential to add value in a number of circumstances, but it does not make sense for every situation. Tax-loss harvesting both creates a capital loss for tax purposes in the current year and also lowers the cost basis of the investments you own.

Taking long-term advantage of this tax tool

One of the most powerful benefits of tax-loss harvesting stems from the fact that after offsetting other capital gains, the first $3,000 ($1,500 if married filing separately) you accumulate in capital losses offsets ordinary income each year. Any remaining losses can be carried forward to future years. Since tax rates for ordinary income tend to be higher than long-term capital gains rates, your tax savings on the first $3,000 each year is equal to the difference between tax rates for long-term gains and ordinary income, multiplied by $3,000.

Story continues

Another situation where tax-loss harvesting is likely to make sense is when you have substantial assets in taxable brokerage accounts that you are investing for future generations, and do not anticipate spending down these assets in the near future. Assets receive a step-up in basis at death, which means that the lower basis that is created from tax-loss harvesting does not create any negative impact.

When tax-loss harvesting may not be a good idea

Conversely, a situation where it might be best to avoid tax-loss harvesting is if your long-term capital gains rate is 0%. In this scenario, it actually might be best to "tax-gain harvest," which means selling investments with long-term capital gains and immediately repurchasing the same investment. There is no 30-day waiting period to repurchase a similar investment when realizing gains.

For example, a retired couple owns a mutual fund with $10,000 in unrealized long-term gains. This couple is currently in the 15% tax bracket for ordinary income and the 0% bracket for long-term capital gains. They have significant assets in IRA accounts and will begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) next year. These RMDs will push their income into the 25% bracket for ordinary income and the 15% bracket for long-term capital gains. They take advantage of the lower rates this year by selling this fund now and immediately repurchasing the same fund at the same price. Their cost basis in the mutual fund will increase by $10,000 with no tax burden for federal tax purposes.

Realizing this gain in the 0% long-term capital gains bracket provides a tax savings of $1,500 over selling the fund when their capital gains tax rate increases to 15%.

It is also important to consider state tax rules when considering tax-loss harvesting. For example, New Jersey and Pennsylvania do not allow you to carry losses forward to future years. Alabama does not allow losses to be carried forward, but does allow you to fully offset ordinary income in the year the loss occurs.

Your current and future tax rates matter

Finally, a circumstance where tax-loss harvesting is likely to add value, but needs to be carefully analyzed, is when you have relatively high current income and expect lower income when spending down taxable assets in retirement. In this case, you need careful planning. If you anticipate that your capital gains tax bracket in retirement will be the same or lower than it is currently, tax-loss harvesting should work to your benefit.

Beyond the $3,000 per year in tax losses that offset ordinary income, it is important to remember that your current and future capital gains tax rates matter. Since tax-loss harvesting lowers the cost basis, investors who are currently in the 15% long-term capital gains tax bracket need to analyze the risk of future realized gains pushing them into a higher tax bracket.

For investors who anticipate that they will be in the same tax bracket in the future as they are now, the gain beyond the first $3,000 each year is derived from time value of money (the concept that a dollar is worth more today than in the future because of its potential to grow). The best way to maximize the time value of tax-loss harvesting is to invest any tax savings into the market so these savings are likely to compound at a much higher rate over time.

Tax-loss harvesting can be beneficial for some investors, providing the opportunity to create value based on the structure of tax laws. This may help to slightly ease one's pain during the next market downturn.

See Also: Harvest Your Tax Losses Throughout the Year

EDITOR'S PICKS



Copyright 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors
Fiery protest after police shooting

While police are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, residents remain convinced that the victims only crime was to dare to be friendly with a woman who is with a policeman.

Akim Maddo Armstrong, 35, of building 54-56 George Street was shot in the chest by an officer from the Central Police Station at 1.30 pm. Residents claimed they heard a single gunshot and minutes later saw a policeman emerge from the apartment building with Armstrong, who was bleeding from his chest.

He was taken to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital and is warded in stable condition. The bullet remains lodged in Armstrongs body, residents told Newsday. A woman who was in the apartment at the time of the shooting, has been detained by police. Shortly after the shooting, livid residents staged a protest and blocked off Prince, Nelson and George streets with debris which was set on fire.

As soon as the fires were put out on one street by firemen, protesters - all masked - moved to another, setting fire to debris and blocking off that street with a seemingly limitless supply of old fridges, garbage bins, trash and plywood. The protest led to a massive traffic pile-up in the Capital.

Up to press time, police did not give much information on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to police, officers were conducting an operation in the area and Armstrong was shot. It was claimed that an illegal substance was found at the apartment. However, residents say Armstrong was shot by police because an officer believes he (Armstrong) was romantically with his woman.

Corey Armstrong described the victim - his brother - as a quiet person who kept to himself.

Armstrong works as a messenger with the Ministry of Local Government.

While on his hospital bed, the wounded Armstrong told relatives that he and the woman had just, gotten together. We begged the police officer to talk to him, said Armstrong (C).

He was still weak so he did not talk much. He said that some new girl he was with has a policeman friend. He told us that he heard a knock on the door and when he opened it, he heard a loud bang.

He did not even know that he was shot until he felt a burning sensation in the chest, Armstrong said.
110-year-old cookbook revived

Cassique Publications is back in business today with A Handbook of Trinidad Cookery.

The cookbook itself takes the reader into the kitchens of named Creole and British immigrants, living in Trinidad at the turn of the 20th century.

Indigenous foods, methods of preparation previously passed on by oral tradition and practical demonstration were penned, printed and published for the public for the first time in 1907.

It is on the bookshelves 107 years after a second reprint in 1910.

The cookbook, a Cassique Publication, researched, designed and edited by Danielle Delon, originated from the kitchens of English households in Trinidad. While those women decided what should go on their tables, no doubt the cooks were of Indian, African and in some instances Portuguese DESCENT.

The result is a medley of imported and local ingredients used along the lines of French and British and other international methods, that formed the basis of 484 recipes featured in this book.

Delon told Newsday: I feel very privileged and fortunate to have been given the opportunity to publish this book. It is said that there is no such thing as coincidence, therefore this, I think, was un don de Dieu! [a gift of God! I was working on The Bridges of Trinidad and Tobago and went to interview the doyenne of the Bovell clan, Margaret Bovell who came to marry and live in Manzanilla at a time when ferries were used for river crossings. We frequently spoke about food. When she heard that I was the creator of the original Hi-Lo Calendar, first published in 1978, she gifted me a copy of the handbook with the understanding that I could reprint it.

There were no copies anywhere at the time that we knew of, so it was a big surprise when the existence of the manuscript was revealed to the public. She added: The important thing is that the integrity of the recipes has been maintained. The instructions have not been changed, only the layout.

In addition I invite readers on a 1907 full-colour tour around Trinidad in the book. We sail through the Bocas, and after landing at the St Vincent Jetty, visit popular tourist attractions and travel East to Sangre Grande then south to Mayaro and across to Cedros and the Southlands, up to the Pitch Lake and back to Port-of-Spain. I also added a glossary, and reproduced every ad that was in the original book. This is an important fact for researchers as it remains true to the content of the 1907 edition.

I worked with every big local printer in Trinidad and Tobago in the 70s and 80s. I have printed in London, New York, Miami, Barbados and the final result of all the work, the challenges of creating beautiful artwork can be ruined at the last stage in the printing of a book.

My current printer is one of the most excellent printers in the Caribbean Rhett Gordon I have the greatest respect for Gordon and his staff.

I am a demanding client, but am happy to leave my work in his professional hands. He cares about standards and delivery. A Handbook of Trinidad Cookery 1907 is the second cookbook to share recipes of West Indian cookery with the world and is therefore an important historical document. It was published 14 years after Caroline Sullivans The Jamaican Cookery Book (1893), which is recognised as the first published British West Indian cookbook.

This m?lange of recipes, which includes a timeless Amerindian pepperpot, mangoes pickled in mustard oil (anchar) contributed by Bhupsingh, callaloo, bobotee today a national dish in South Africa  and the very best classic British chocolate cake, also farina, coconut and orange puddings and pommerac pie, create a mirror in which Trinidadian society of that era is reflected.

Delon said hunting game was unrestricted, so recipes with wild meats such as agouti and lappe and venison can be found in the book, as well as the use of mountain cabbage pickled, among many other unique recipes. Endangered species are stamped with protection notices but I could not delete those recipes and readers are advised about the current regulations regarding the purchase of local wild meat in the introduction. A Handbook of Trinidad Cookery 1907 is now available at the special price of $450 at the office of the National Trust, and retails for $495 at major bookstores RIK , Mohammeds and Paperbased in St Anns.

Delon said she has used some of the recipes herself, and quipped: You will certainly find some surprises within the cover that are simple and cheap and the 11 useful hints that end the book as one of them gives instructions for A Cheap and Effective (Water) Filter.
HELP FOR PROBLEM CHILD

The parents are demanding the boy be transferred out of the school so his reign of terror on their children, can end. Education Ministry sources told Newsday this was the first time they could recall the entire PTA body of a school staging a mass demonstration against a student. The parents claimed on Monday during their placard protest that this student has been physically abusing not only students but teachers as well.

In fact, they further alleged, two teachers sought and got transfers after being assaulted by the boy.

The Student Support Services Unit intervened with counselling, but interim PTA president Savitri Persad said this intervention has done little to change the boys behaviour.

Personally, I dont think he has to be removed from the school...he just needs help, said Persad. But the majority of parents in the PTA are adamant that he must be removed because they are fearful for the safety of their children. Education Minister Anthony Garcia on Monday expressed doubt over the truth in the parents claims against the boy.

Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan, on the other hand, said the ministry is aware of the situation at the Rio Claro school and has recommended that an aide be assigned to work with the boy.

Ministry officials yesterday confirmed to Newsday that the aide was officially assigned.

According to the official, the aide is someone with the professional expertise to handle such cases and will be responsible for designing an individually tailored educational plan for the nine-year-old boy, in the hope of modifying his anti-social behaviour.

The aide will work with the child on the school premises. The source reiterated that the student has not been suspended.

The PTA is not happy with this move. We want him removed from the school, one parent told Newsday Is two years now they assigning people to this boy and nothing has changed. We want him removed, said the parent, who did not want to be publicly identified.

Up to press time, the PTA was locked in a meeting to determine whether or not they would continue protesting through the end of this week.
Citizens urged to dispose of items or return them

This comes after the European Union, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Chile placed a ban on Brazilian meat imports.

According to a March 21 BBC Report, the, crisis was triggered by a huge federal police operation last Friday. It found evidence that meat-packers had been selling rotten and substandard produce for several years. The article further stated Brazilian president, Michel Temer, held emergency meetings over the weekend and invited foreign diplomats to a steak house on Sunday evening to try to reassure them.

It added that Fridays raids at meat-processing plants ended in the arrest of more than 30 people.

The government suspended more than 30 senior civil servants who should have spotted the unhygienic and illegal practices - they are being investigated for corruption. Three packing plants have been closed and another 21 are being investigated Operation Weak Flesh was launched in the early hours of Friday in six Brazilian states after a two-year investigation. Federal police carried out raids in 194 locations, deploying more than 1,000 officers,  the article said.

In a release issued to media, the agriculture ministry said, The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries today imposed a temporary restriction on imports of all meat products from Brazil.

This step is being taken as a precaution in the light of news this week of an investigation into that countrys meat industry which has raised serious health and food-safety concerns. It added that yesterday, the Ministry also advised the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health to embark upon an immediate recall from supermarkets and other retail outlets of corned beef, chicken patties and chicken nuggets originating from Brazil. The recall does not affect meat products which do not originate from Brazil.

The release said futher, Also, with immediate effect, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries will stop issuing import permits for meat products from Brazil. These restrictions also apply to permits that have recently been issued, regardless of the status of these imports. This means that import permits for Brazilian meat products that are on order, in transit, landed or bonded in Trinidad and Tobago will be cancelled. Rambharat assured the public that he is working with several agencies, including the Ministries of Health, Trade, Local Government, the Customs and Excise Division, and the Consumer Affairs Division to protect consumers from potentially unsafe Brazilian meat.

Rambharat said, I want to emphasise that the products subject to recall are processed meat products only, as Trinidad and Tobago has never issued permits to import raw beef or chicken from Brazil. So while we are cancelling imports of all meat products, the food items being recalled are the corned beef, chicken patties and chicken nuggets made in Brazil. The relese added that Rambharat was working with Dr Amery Browne, Trinidad and Tobagos ambassador in Brazil, to be kept informed of actions being taken by the South American country to restore integrity to its valuable meat-producing sector. It advised citizens to report stores where items subject to this food-safety recall were still being sold by calling the Consumer Affairs Hotline toll-free at 800-4277.
Imbert: Funding for PSIP projects

He referred to Section 15 of the HSF Act which indicates that where petroleum revenues collected in any financial year fall before the estimated petroleum revenues for that financial year by at least ten percent, withdrawals can be made from the fund, based on whichever is the lesser amount. The minister said this is either 60 percent of the amount of the shortfall of petroleum revenues for that year or 25 percent of the balance standing to the credit of the fund at the beginning of the year.

In this case, 25 percent of the balance in the fund would be US$1.43 billion and 60 percent of the shortfall in revenue is US$251 million. So the lesser amount has been used, Imbert explained.

The minister also said it is public knowledge that the projected fiscal deficit in the budget of $6 billion will be financed by a combination of borrowing and a withdrawal from the HSF. Against this background, Imbert said the $1.71 billion or US$251 million withdrawal from the HSF, is therefore consistent with the 2017 Budget statement. He told senators that the net asset value of the HSF on March 17 was US$5.721 billion. Recalling that the previous figure given on March 3 was US$5.695 billion, Imbert said this meant the fund increased in value by US$26 million over the last two weeks. The minister said an examination of the period May 16, 2016 to March 17, 2017, showed that the HSF increased in value by US$301 million, from US$5.420 billion last May to US$5.721 billion, last Friday.

Imbert further explained that this second drawdown is US$50 million less than the income earned by the Fund over the last ten months. He said after this drawdown, the actual value of the HSF will be US$5.470 billion which is US$26 million more than previously estimated, and US$50 million more than the balance after the first drawdown last year.




Rex Tillerson China

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered some insight into how he views his role as America's top diplomat. In an interview with the conservative-leaning Independent Journal Review published Tuesday night, Tillerson said, "I didn't want this job. I didn't seek this job. My wife told me I'm supposed to do this."

"I was supposed to retire in March, this month," Tillerson said, "I was going to go to the ranch to be with my grandkids."

President Donald Trump chose Tillerson in December, just over a month after Trump's surprise election victory. After a meeting with the then-president-elect, Tillerson said he was "stunned" when Trump asked him to be secretary of state. Tillerson's selection also came as a surprise to some observers due to his lack of government experience.

IJR reporter Erin McPike wrote Tillerson indicated that Trump saw his decades-long career at Exxon Mobil as a qualifying factor for the role, which is responsible in part for establishing US diplomatic policies globally.

Trump had been mulling over several other candidates for the job. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was one of them. Romney was seen as a favorite by some, but the Romney-Trump meetings stirred up a grassroots furor among some Trump loyalists because Romney strongly opposed Trump during the campaign.

Despite Tillerson's apparent reticence, he indicated he is committed to sticking with the job: "I serve at the pleasure of the president," he said, according to McPike.

The secretary of state has had a rough first few weeks on the job. He has been caught up in controversy over his longstanding ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his discussions about climate change, and his attitudes toward reporters.

NOW WATCH: Trump's pick for secretary of state has a personal relationship with Putin that's been called a 'matter of concern'

Story continues





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It May Not Be the Time

You Think It Is
(Refiles to clarify in paragraph 7 that RAPID will be one of Aramco's biggest new refinery projects outside Saudi Arabia)

* Saudi king's lavish tour belies hardnosed oil strategy

* Aramco's $7 billion JV in Malaysian refinery key

* Deal with Malaysia's Petronas helps diversify Saudi Aramco

* It also gives Saudi's more leverage over oil product prices

* Deals seen helping Aramco valuation ahead of IPO

By Henning Gloystein

SINGAPORE, March 20 (Reuters) - Saudi King Salman's lavish tour of Asia, arriving in each country on a golden escalator with 400 tonnes of luggage, had a hardnosed marketing mission - to cement the kingdom's place as leading oil supplier to the world's biggest consumer region.

The string of deals inked on his three-week tour to Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China also point to a fresh strategy, one to increase Saudi leverage over refined product and petrochemical markets, known as the downstream sector.

"Our strategy is about growth in the downstream," said Amin Nasser, chief executive officer of state oil company Aramco, told Reuters on Sunday. "The growth in that sector is very important, and anything integrated between refining, petrochemical, with marketing and distribution, is of interest to us."

Saudi Arabia's main influence on oil markets has been via the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which it is the de-facto leader.

But OPEC's ability to control prices by turning the oil pumping spigots on and off has waned as non-OPEC producers like Russia and, more recently, U.S. shale drillers, have ramped up output and eroded its grip on market share.

One indication of a shift in Saudi strategy came on the first leg of the tour in Kuala Lumpur. Aramco signed a deal to take a $7 billion investment, in a joint venture with Malaysia's state oil company Petronas in a refinery and petrochemical project known as RAPID (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development).

'THE WINDOW'

Under construction in Malaysia's southern Johor state, RAPID is just across a narrow strait from Singapore, Asia's oil trading hub. Some 70 percent of the oil for the project, set to start in 2019, will come from Saudi Arabia, giving the kingdom a key outlet for its crude in Asia, the world's fastest growing market. It is one of Aramco's largest new refinery projects outside the kingdom.

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Aramco also recently made a deal with Indonesia's Pertamina over a $5 billion expansion of the country's largest oil refinery, for which Aramco will supply the crude.

"The investments are intended to enhance Aramco's competitive position in Southeast Asia," said Ihsan Buhulaiga, a Saudi economist.

The Malaysian investment also allows the Saudis to join the hub of refineries in and around Singapore that help determine fuel prices in the region.

Price agency S&P Global Platts assesses dozens of fuel products during a set time every day, based on deliveries in and out of this region. Platts calls it Market-on-Close, but traders dub it "the window", and it influences pricing of oil products worth billions of dollars each day.

While crude and fuel products by many companies flow in and out of the pricing region, known as FOB Straits. But the only refineries now in this price region are operated by U.S. Exxon , Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell, and Singapore Petroleum Corp (SPC), owned by PetroChina.

"When you control refining capacity with the capability to deliver petroleum products into the window, you have access to a physical outlet which also plays a key role in daily price discovery," said John Driscoll, director of consultancy JTD Energy in Singapore.

ARAMCO IPO

The Saudi move deeper into refineries and petrochemical plants would likely help the potential valuation of Aramco in what could be the world's largest-ever initial public offering.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who oversees the kingdom's economic policy, has said the sale is expected to value Aramco at $2 trillion or more. Analysts have estimated a valuation between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion.

Singapore, along with Hong Kong and Tokyo have been mentioned as possible exchanges where Aramco's shares would be traded. The primary listing will be on Saudi Arabia's domestic exchange, and Riyadh is also looking at New York or London for the secondary listing.

Aramco's joint ventures in Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere are not only aimed at increasing its refining capacity. Its new deals in the region would also greatly increase its participation in the petrochemical sector, which involves all forms of plastics and where profits have soared thanks to strong demand.

"We have capacity of about 5.4 million barrels per day of participated refining capacity, and our target is to reach 10 million barrels by 2030," Aramco's Nasser said.

Ultimately, the big prize is China, where the Saudis signed deals that could be worth as much as $65 billion during the last leg of the king's Asian tour, covering energy, manufacturing and even a theme park in the kingdom.

The deals included a memorandum of understanding between Aramco and China North Industries Group Corp (Norinco) to look into building refining and petrochemical plants in China.

John Sfakianakis, director of the Riyadh-based Gulf Research Centre, said that the trip was "the beginning of a long-term strategy of Saudi Arabia to open itself to Asian investors and vice versa" as part of its Vision 2030 policy to diversify its economy beyond crude exports.

(Reporting by Matthew Miller in BEIJING, Reem Shamseddine in RIYADH, Rania El Gamal in DUBAI, and Florence Tan in SINGAPORE; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
An Army veteran died a slow death in an Oklahoma jail in 2011 after breaking his neck and receiving no medical attention, despite his insistence for days that he could not move. On Monday, a federal jury ruled in favor of Elliot Williams' estate in a wrongful death lawsuit over the incident, ordering Tulsa County to pay $10.2 million in damages and former Sheriff Stanley Glanz to pay $250,000, KRMG reports. The attorney for Williams' estate says he believes this may be "one of the worst civil rights violations in US history"and the final 51 hours of it were caught on the Tulsa County jail's surveillance system. The difficult-to-watch video shows Williams on the floor of his cell as his cries for help are ignored and food and water are placed just out of his reach. In an extensive look at the case last year, the Daily Beast explained what happened.

Williams, who had a history of mental illness, was arrested in a hotel lobby Oct. 21, 2011, after hotel staff called police saying he appeared to be having a mental breakdown. On Oct. 22, in the jail's booking area, he was slammed to the floor by an officer who said he landed on Williams' shoulders and head. After that incident, Williams started screaming and having difficulty standing; investigators were concerned he may have broken his neck but offered no medical treatment, even as Williams insisted he was paralyzed. Officers told Williams' parents he was faking his injuries, despite the fact that he stopped eating and drinking, urinated and defecated on himself, and had a seizure. He died Oct. 27 of complications from the neck injury and dehydration. Charges had not yet been filed against him when he died, Fox 23 reports. (In Florida, an inmate died after being forced in a shower with dangerously hot water.)
A fall off an LA pier led to the unraveling of a mystery that's been haunting Kayannette Gabrielle's family for over a decade. People tells the story of the California woman, originally from Colorado, who disappeared from the lives of her grown kids in April 2006. At first Brett, Colette, and Jared Hanlon speculated their mom had traveled to Australia, but she never came backnot even for the funeral of her own mother. Even the private investigator they hired came up empty. "We had no luck," Brett saysuntil Feb. 28 of this year, when he got a phone call from the LA County Sheriff's Department. "Are you sitting down?" was the text Brett sent next to Colette, per the Denver Post, revealing the news that Gabrielle, who'd apparently been suffering from severe memory loss, was alive and homeless in Santa Barbara, where she'd been living for several years as "Mary Roberts."

Gabrielle's fall led to her being treated at a hospital, then placed in a shelter, where a few weeks ago she suddenly remembered her name. Cops ran that name, found her driver's license, and contacted her kids, whom she started to remember as their names were mentioned and their pictures shown. Although Gabrielle hadn't exhibited signs of memory loss before she vanished, she told Colette and others she'd been attacked in an Oregon park and her memory deteriorated after that. The family had an emotional reunion in early March in Santa Barbara, and now Gabrielle's kids are trying to help her recover lost memories. "The more we talk to her, the more things pop into her head," Colette tells the Post. (The family of a man with dementia may have dumped him in England.)
Around 40 people watched a 15-year-old girl being gang-raped on Facebook Live and none of them bothered to call authorities, police in Chicago say. Police say the girl, who went missing on Sunday, was tracked down after her mother showed Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson screenshots of the disturbing attack on Monday afternoon and he immediately assembled a team of investigators, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Facebook was told to take the video down and investigators located the girl Tuesday morning after working "around the clock," police say. The girl was taken to a children's hospital, where police say she's in stable condition, NBC News reports.

The superintendent "was visibly upset when he saw the pictures of the girl and was dismayed when he learned that people were watching the incident live and no one called police," a police spokesman tells the Chicago Tribune. No arrests have been announced yet, but police say they've identified several persons of interest. Reginald King, the girl's uncle, tells the Tribune that he believes the attackers were part of a 50-strong gang of teen boys, known as the "beam team," that has been terrorizing the girl's Lawndale neighborhood. "I want to make sure this never happens to anybody else's kids, and if that starts with taking down this one group, I'll make that my life's mission," he says. (Another sickening Chicago attack aired on Facebook Live led to hate crime charges for four people.)
If you have an infestation of ants in your basement, do not follow the example of David Doucette and try to kill them with fire. The 21-year-old Maine man may have succeeded in exterminating the pests, but he burned down his parents' home in the process, killing their dog and two cats, the New York Daily News reports. The state's fire marshal says Doucette, the only one home at the time, was trying to kill the ants with wooden matches when he ignited nearby combustible materials in the basement. He received second-degree burns to his hands while running out of the house with some of the burning items, WCSH reports. The marshal says Doucette is not expected to face charges.

Parents Maurice and Barbara Doucette are known as enthusiastic volunteers in Old Orchard Beach and the community stepped up with an impressive response within hours of the blaze. Residents organized a temporary apartment, donated items, and started a GoFundMe fundraiser that has now collected more than $2,000 more than its $12,000 goal. "We're a small community. When something like this happens, it's nice to see people step up for the family," John Suttie, principal of the high school the Doucettes' daughter attends, tells the Portland Press Herald. "Everyone knew within 10 minutes what had happened and how to help. It goes to show you the power of community and the power of technology and social media." (Read more house fire stories.)
One photo shows a group of men holding a drink up to Justin Trudeau's mouth. Another shows a woman licking his face. But such selfies with life-size cardboard cut-outs of the Canadian prime minister at diplomatic events are now a thing of the past. After complaints from opposition members of parliament, Canada's global affairs department has asked diplomats to stop using cut-outs of Trudeau at events, reports the CBC. It isn't clear how often the cut-outs were used, but one appeared at a Canadian tourism booth at the South By Southwest festival in Texas earlier this month, reports the Toronto Star. The Canadian embassy in Washington also rush-ordered a $110 cut-out of Trudeau ahead of Canada Day celebrations last year.

Noting the US embassy in Ottawa has a cut-out of former President Obama, diplomats described the idea as a "hoot" that would generate "serious selfie action," though some said it didn't seem "very prime ministerial," according to emails revealed by a freedom of information request from members of Canada's opposition Conservative Party. A Conservative MP has used the opportunity to compare Trudeau to a cut-out, noting his "shallow facade," while a party spokesman argues the "Canadian brand is much more than the prime minister." Global Affairs Canada, however, gave no reason for its order to abandon the Trudeau cut-outs, which can still be purchased by anyone at HistoricalCutouts.com. Plenty of other political figures are available, too. (Read more Justin Trudeau stories.)
Customs and Border Protection has paid $1 million to the family of a Mexican teen who died three years ago after sipping liquid meth at the US-Mexico border. Cruz Marcelino Velazquez Acevedo, 16, was traveling through the pedestrian entrance at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on Nov. 18, 2013, when border officers discovered two jars of amber liquid inside his knapsack, reports the San Diego Union Tribune. The Tijuana high school student said the liquid was juice, according to his family's lawyer, Eugene Iredale. But officers Adrian Perallon and Valerie Baird told him "to drink the liquid to prove [it]," Iredale says. The boy took four sips of what turned out to be liquid meth and began "screaming in pain," reports NBC San Diego.

Acevedo died of acute methamphetamine intoxication two hours later. And though Iredale suspects he was paid a small sum to carry the drugs, he was "basically a good boy" who was treated with "the most inhuman kind of cruelty," he tells the Washington Post. "To cause him to die in a horrible way that he did is something that is execrable," especially as officers could have tested the liquid easily, he adds. While "it's never enough when you lose a human life," the Mexican Consul General in San Diego notes Acevedo's family is "at peace" with the $1 million settlement reached in January after a lawsuit accused Parallon and Baird of wrongful death and other crimes. Both officers remain at work with Customs and Border Protection. (Officers previously found a Mexican snail statue stuffed with meth.)
Paul Manafort, the Trump campaign manager who stepped down last summer amid controversy over his ties to a pro-Russia party in Ukraine, is facing a fresh allegation of hiding secret payments. Ukraine lawmaker Serhiy Leshchenko has published a contract and invoice supposedly from Manafort, a former adviser to pro-Russia former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, detailing a $750,000 payment to Manafort's consulting company in 2009, the BBC reports. The invoice is for 501 pieces of computer equipment, though Leshchenko says it matches a payment to Manafort listed in a secret ledger uncovered by anti-corruption investigators in Ukraine. Manafort resigned days after reports on the ledger surfaced.

"So, it looks like Manafort wasn't a political consultant. He was a trader of computer processors," Leshchenko quips to CNN. "But I'm sure it's a fake contract and a fake invoice just to establishartificially establisha legal basis for a transaction." He alleges that the payment, which went through offshore accounts in Belize and Kyrgyzstan, was really for consulting work for Yanukovych's Party of Regions. Manafort has denied receiving cash payments from the leader, and a spokesman says the latest claims are "baseless." At a House hearing Monday, FBI chief James Comey declined to say whether the US is coordinating with Ukraine to investigate the alleged payments, the Washington Post reports. (Read more Paul Manafort stories.)
A ban on US-bound passengers on flights on certain airlines from airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa bringing laptops, tablets, and cameras into airline cabins was prompted by intelligence about a possible terror threat, US officials say. Federal officials haven't been specific about the threat, though a source tells CNN that the ban was brought in after intelligence indicated that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was perfecting "battery bombs" powerful enough to bring down a plane and that could be hidden in electronic items. According to the Daily Beast's sources, this intelligence was seized during a US raid on Yemen in January. In other coverage:

The UK introduced a similar ban on laptops and other electronics bigger than cellphones Tuesday, though with a slightly different list of countries, reports the AP, which has a list of the countries, airlines, and airports affected by the American and British bans.

A source tells ABC that the threat to bring down a plane came from ISIS associates, and the government considers the information to be both "substantiated" and "credible."

The ban comes as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosts a meeting in Washington Wednesday and Thursday with 68 countries involved in the fight against ISIS, reports the BBC, which describes the summit as a chance for the Trump administration to "put its stamp on" the battle against the extremist group.

Experts tell the AP that while a bomb in the cargo hold could be just as deadly as one in the cabin, passengers are still allowed to have laptops in checked baggage because more sophisticated technology is used to scan those bags. One of the Daily Beast's sources say the kind of bomb authorities are worried about needs to be manually triggered.

Airline industry analyst Robert Mann, however, tells the Guardian that filling a plane's cargo hold with hundreds of devices containing lithium-ion batteries increases the danger of fire and explosions. He warns that fires in the hold are harder to detect and fight than ones in the cabin.

The Washington Post reports that some analysts suspect the ban is more about business interests than about security. They note that US airlines accuse some of the affected airlines, which fly from hubs in the Gulf, of receiving unfair subsidiesand that the ban is likely to cause many first-class and business class passengers who want to use laptops to work while they fly to choose US airlines over competitors like Emirates.

(Read more airport security stories.)
Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz would not be the right replacement for Chancellor Angela Merkel because of his choice to prioritize the needs of Greek communists over German taxpayers, Germany's deputy finance minister Jens Spahn told CNBC on Wednesday.

"(Schulz) is part of the political elite in Brussels and Berlin but he tries to shape himself as someone from outside and so far it seems to work but of course we have to tackle him on this and to ask him about his positions in the past," Spahn told CNBC on Wednesday.

"He was always a better friend to the communists in Athens than to the German taxpayers and that for example is an issue we will bring up," he added.

SPD party delegates officially backed Schulz with 100 percent of the vote on Sunday as they nominated the former European Parliament president as their new leader.

Schulz's approval ratings have rocketed skywards in recent months and the center-left candidate now finds himself as the political frontrunner to become Germany's new premier, according to the latest opinion polls.



Merkel and Spahn's Chrisitan Democratic Union (CDU) were accused of showing signs of nervousness in response to the deputy finance minister's remarks on Wednesday, an SPD spokesperson told CNBC via email.



"It's obvious that the CDU is quite nervous about the outstanding performance of Martin Schulz. Spahn's comments are hilarious at best. Our campaign will be about policy and not about personal attacks," Niels Annen, SPD foreign affairs spokesperson, told CNBC via email.



A question of homeland security

Schulz has built a political reputation in Brussels and Berlin as a straight-talking champion of Europe who has campaigned for the bloc's best-performing economies to help ailing euro area members, such as Greece.

The SPD leader has yet to outline his campaign policies, given the embryonic stage of the election campaign, and Spahn argued Schulz's "establishment" past could come back to haunt him later in the year. German voters head to the polls on September 24.



A potential headache for Schulz could prove to be that while he has historically been in favor of Germany doing more to help Athens, a stark contrast to Merkel's stance, most citizens do not appear to support this concept.



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Spahn suggested that economically Berlin is in better shape than it has been for decades under Merkel's tenure and while the conservative government plans to emphasize this during the campaign, he told CNBC the political campaign is likely to revolve around immigration concerns.

"The question of homeland security How safe is it actually to walk through our train stations? That's a big issue for many many people in Germany and so if we talk about this and we have two parties with different positions on that, that's going to be a good campaigning year," Spahn predicted.











More From CNBC


The man who tried to kill Ronald Reagan to impress actress Jodie Foster was released from a mental facility in September after nearly 35 years, and now that he's home (under rigid limitations) with his nonagenarian mom in Williamsburg, Va., 61-year-old John Hinckley Jr. is trying to rebuild his life, once telling doctors: "I would like to be known as something other than the would-be assassin." But in her piece for Daily Intelligencer, Lisa Miller dives into the questions that have haunted those examining Hinckley's case for years: namely, did Hinckley truly suffer from extreme mental illness or was he simply a narcissistic criminal? And if mental illness was to blame for the 1981 assassination attempt that wounded Reagan and three others (including press secretary James Brady, who died more than 30 years later from his injuries), is it possible Hinckley is now rehabilitated and able to safely co-exist in society?

Miller examines Hinckley's complicated mental status: A professor once wrote Hinckley "didn't seem like a stereotypical crazy person," and a psychiatrist testifying at his trial called him a "defiant, arrogant, spoiled brat." Yet he was obsessed with Foster; had "grandiose, homicidal, and suicidal" thoughts; and was initially deemed a "schizotypal personality" who was "unpredictably dangerous." Hinckley's apparent mental improvement over the years (he was eventually allowed furloughs home) and empathy toward feral cats at the hospital bolstered his case that he was "better." But Miller offers glimpses of cracks in the veneer (lies about insignificant items, inappropriate interactions with women) that underscore the complexity of figuring out whether a violent person still lurks underneath the recluse, now living what Miller calls "a curious life." More at New York. (What Reagan's daughter said about his release last year.)
North Korea's latest missile launch appeared to have ended in a failure on Wednesday, three days after the North claimed a major breakthrough in its rocket development program. Seoul's Defense Ministry said it was analyzing what type of missile was launched from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan but gave no further details. Yonhap news agency reported the missile was believed to have exploded in mid-air. The failure might mean that the missile is a newly developed one the North has not deployed, according to South Korean media. Last year, the country suffered a series of embarrassing failed launches of its new medium-range Musudan missile before it successfully test-fired one.

American officials said earlier this week that the US military expected another North Korean missile launch in the next several days, the AP reports. The officials said the US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved, as well as the construction of VIP seating in Wonsan. The reported launch failure comes as the North is angrily reacting to ongoing annual US-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Earlier this month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles that landed in waters off Japan, triggering strong protests from Seoul and Tokyo. (Pyongyang's latest propaganda video depicts a US warship being blown to bits.)
Her heroines may have found advantageous marriages, but Jane Austen never did. That's precisely why records detailing the Pride and Prejudice author's impending nuptials to two separate men are so remarkable, according to historians. In honor of the 200th anniversary of the British author's death, Hampshire Archives in the UK plans to showcase two fake marriage entries Austen is believed to have written in a register in her home parish of Steventon, England, where her father was rector, when she was only a teenager. The announcements of upcoming marriages, written in the late 18th century, identify Austen's apparent betrothed as Henry Fitzwilliam of London and Edmund Mortimer of Liverpool, reports AFP.

While it isn't clear if either man actually existed, Austen did strike up an early romance with Tom Lefroy, who would become Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. However, his family objected to the relationshipdetailed in the 2007 film Becoming Janefor financial reasons, reports History Extra. Austen is later said to have fallen in love with a clergymen who died or married someone else. She eventually accepted a proposal from Harris Bigg-Wither, the younger brother of friends, but reportedly rescinded her acceptance the next day. More than providing any romantic insight, the little-known marriage entries reveal "a mischievous side" to Austen, says a Hampshire rep. They will go on display in Winchester in May, reports the BBC. (Austen may have been poisoned.)
President Trump is known to bristle at criticism. Plus, he happens to be a teetotaler. Which makes a scathing new editorial in the Wall Street Journal likely to be one of his least favorite bits of presidential commentary yet. In the piece, the editors say Trump is seriously damaging his own presidency "with his seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods." As a prime example, it points to his allegation that former President Obama wiretapped him, complaining that Trump "clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle," despite all evidence to the contrary.

The problem is one of credibility, the editors say. What happens when Trump tweets about something serious and real, say a missile strike by North Korea? It was one thing when he was a candidate and his hyperbole was largely forgiven, but as president he "needs support beyond the Breitbart cheering section that will excuse anything." Instead of a week dominated by headlines about his Supreme Court nominee or the ObamaCare alternative, news that Trump has been repudiated by his own FBI chief has been the big story. Trump's approval rating is now dismally low, and while he may dismiss that as "fake news," the WSJ says he'd better be careful: "If he doesnt show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude hes a fake President." Click for the full editorial. (Read more President Trump stories.)
Tad Cummins researched "teen marriage" and how his Nissan Rogue might be tracked by authorities in the days before he allegedly kidnapped 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says, per the Tennessean. While his Internet search history "might potentially speak to his intentions," it also raises "major concerns," a rep tells CNN. Adding to the unease is a report suggesting Cumminswho authorities believe fled with two gunstook Elizabeth against her will. Her brother reportedly tells HLN that Elizabeth warned a sibling to call police if she wasn't home by 6pm on March 13, the day she and Cummins disappeared.

"She didn't think she was going to be gone that long, I guess, because she did expect to be home by dinner," James Thomas says; authorities say they are trying to authenticate the report. According to police, a friend dropped Elizabeth at a restaurant in Columbia, Tenn., on the morning of March 13. She was seen pumping gas in the area around that time but may have been 80 miles south in Decatur, Ala., by that afternoon, authorities add. Despite 650 leads as of Tuesday, there has not been a single verified sighting of Elizabeth since. Cummins, who authorities say took out a $4,500 loan in the days before the pair vanished, has not been sighted either. (Read more missing teen stories.)
A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage at the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, first using what NBC News describes as a 4x4 vehicle to mow down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing an armed police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the attacker, and about 40 others were injured, the AP reports. Lawmakers, lords, staff, and visitors were locked down as the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament and just yards from entrances to the building itself after he scaled the security wall toward the Parliament's grounds. He died, as did two pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer. A doctor who treated the wounded said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three teenage French students were among those injured on the bridge, the Guardian reports.

Police said they were treating the attacks as a terrorist incident and had launched a full counterterrorism investigation. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. "We are satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker," said Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley. "But it would be foolish to be overconfident early on." The threat level for international terrorism in the UK was already listed at severe, meaning an attack is "highly likely." Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France. As lawmakers were voting inside Parliament, many reported hearing the sound of gunshots. Parliament was locked down for two hours, and adjoining Westminster subway station was shuttered. (Read more Britain stories.)
Authorities on Long Island say an 83-year-old man has been arrested after checking himself out of a hospital and stealing an ambulance, the AP reports. Police say Donald Winkler was upset with the quality of care he was receiving and checked himself out of New York's Nassau University Medical Center around 1am Tuesday. Investigators say Winkler then stole an ambulance from the hospital parking lot that had the keys in the ignition. Police say they later found the man at a nearby 7-Eleven. Investigators say he admitted to taking the ambulance. Winkler was arrested and taken back to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Bail was set at $3,000 at a bedside arraignment. Winkler is charged with second-degree grand larceny. (Read more weird crimes stories.)
Bill Gates is one of the richest men on the planet and he is set to meet President Donald Trump. The list of the richest people is out and the number rose to 13% this year.

According to a report, Bill Gates who has been listed as the number one richest man on the planet does not agree with President Trump to cut aids towards the world's poorest countries. Gates had a chance to air his concerns regarding the matter in a meeting with the president at the White House.

Gates and Trump met at the White House and the conversation between the two personalities had been closed to the press. However, Gates Foundation spokeswoman, Sarah Logan shared in an email that the meeting would be about development initiatives.

It is reported that Trump released a statement that the government will cut aids to foreign countries by 28.7%. Gates then responded in a blog post that foreign aids benefit the poor but also is helping Americans. Gates pointed out that a U.S. program under President George Bush donated $70 million in funds to other countries. The amount treated more than 11 million people with HIV and AIDS. It is indicated that the instability and violence then decreased significantly.

Additionally, the blog post also indicated that by initiating programs such as health, security, and economic opportunity it will help promote the other countries' stability. Gates believes that foreign aid can actually make America safer.

Meanwhile, Forbes' list of the richest people on the planet is out. It is indicated that Bill Gates is the number one richest person for four years already. His fortunes rose to $86 billion from $75 billion last year. In the meantime, Jeff Bezos of Amazon is also on the list and his fortune rose to $72.8 billion this year. This made him part of the top three richest people on the planet this year. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook rose to number five for the first time.
President Donald Trump signed the NASA funding bill that aims to launch humans to Mars by 2030. With the bill, the Space Agency will receive a total funding of $19.5 billion for fiscal year 2017 to initiate the mission. It is reported that the administration showed the aggressiveness on the proposed Mars mission and it wants to ensure that there should have consistent progress in the coming years.

Trump signed the bill at his Oval Office in the presence of Mike Pence, the Vice President along with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tracy Caldwell Dyson. "For more than six decades the work of NASA has inspired millions of Americans to dream about the distant worlds and promising future in our planet, I am extremely happy to sign the bill," Trump said while signing the bill. "It took quite long to sign a bill like this which reassures our commitment to human space exploration and the core mission of NASA."

"With the bill, the people of America and the government support the scientists, astronauts, and engineers of NASA to continue their efforts to discover. This also supports jobs and create a situation of ongoing medical monitoring for our astronauts and timely treatment to ensure their service," Trump further added. The legislation offers lifetime healthcare for the retired astronauts as well. The bill specifically mentioned 2033 as the target year for Red Planet mission.

The legislation also confirms the collaboration with other space companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Blue Origin of Jeff Bezos by awarding contracts. Interestingly, Musk has already spoken about the aggressive plans of SpaceX to colonize Mars by the next decade. As expected, the bill did not make any reference to theearth science efforts of NASA. Recently, Trump directed the agency to focus on space exploration than on Earth.
* Lost more than $2 bln last year

* Sale of Craftsman brand to help satisfy capital needs this year

* Limits on further assets it can sell (Adds shares, removes extraneous text)

By Ankit Ajmera and Nathan Layne

March 21 (Reuters) - Sears Holdings Corp, once the largest U.S. retailer, warned on Tuesday about its ability to continue as a going concern after years of losses and declining sales.

"Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Sears said in its annual report for the fiscal year ended Jan. 28. (http://bit.ly/2mRUcce)

The company said an inability to generate additional liquidity might limit its access to new merchandise or its ability to procure services. Continued operating losses also could restrict access to new funds under its domestic credit agreement, according to the filing.

The warning comes less than six weeks after the company announced what it called the "next phase of its strategic transformation," in which it hoped this year to reduce costs by $1 billion and cut its debt and pension obligations by at least $1.5 billion.

Sears shares were down 17.6 percent in premarket trading on Wednesday.

The company is also considering selling some of its businesses, such as the Kenmore appliances and DieHard car battery brands.

The Sears catalog was an emblem of the post-World War II consumer boom in the United States but the company was unable to adjust to the changing retail landscape and rising competition from Wal-Mart Stores, Target Corp and others.

The company lost $2.22 billion in the year ended Jan. 28. Since 2013 it has accumulated $7.4 billion in losses and seen revenue fall 44 percent to $22.1 billion.

During that time, Sears cut the number of its U.S. stores by nearly a third, reduced holdings in Sears Canada, and spun off the Lands' End clothing chain.

Its total liabilities stand at $13.19 billion.

In recent years, Sears has placed some of its stores into a real estate investment trust (REIT), sold its Craftsman line of tools, and repeatedly raised debt from billionaire Chief Executive Edward Lampert's hedge fund.

Story continues

Lampert owned nearly 10 percent of the REIT that paid Sears $2.6 billion in 2015 for stores that it purchased, many of which were then leased back to the retailer.

The announcement of Sears' potential demise is a blow to Lampert, a hedge fund investor who took control of Sears after merging it with Kmart, which he controlled, in 2004.

He soon published a 15-page manifesto, in which he stated that conventional measures of retail success, such as same-store sales, were no longer relevant. Sears would regain its health by closing struggling stores and focusing instead on profitable sales, he wrote.

Sears last turned an annual profit in 2011.

Sears said on Tuesday actions taken during the year to boost liquidity, including the $900 million sale of the Craftsman tool brand to power tool maker Stanley Black & Decker Inc early this year, could satisfy its capital needs for the current fiscal year.

But the filing also makes clear that additional asset sales could prove problematic.

As part of the Craftsman sale, Sears Holdings reached an agreement with the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. That puts a claim on some Sears' assets in an effort to protect pensions of retired employees.

The agreement "contains certain limitations on our ability to sell assets, which could impact our ability to complete asset sale transactions or our ability to use proceeds from those sales to fund our operations," the company said.

Already, the pension board agreement requires Sears to make a $250 million cash payment to its pension plan by March of 2020, and the pension board has a 15-year lien on revenue owed to Sears from future sales of Craftsman products.

(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru and Nathan Layne in New York; editing by Jason Neely and Louise Heavens)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 19F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening. A few snow showers developing late. Low around 15F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 30%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Mumbai:

Actress-producer Twinkle Khanna says her upcoming film "Padman" will encourage people to talk about things like menstruation and sanitary napkins, which are still considered taboo in Indian society.



"Padman" is based on life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, who invented first low-cost sanitary napkins in the country.



"It (shoot) is going very well and Mr Muruganantham was also there. It's a wonderful project. It's a film which will bring awareness about something which has so far been cloaked and shamed and I am very happy to be a part of the film," Twinkle told reporters here at an event.



"Padman" stars Akshay Kumar as Murugunathan, while Radhika Apte plays his wife in the movie.



Actress Sonam Kapoor will also be seen in a special role in the film to be directed by R Balki.



Twinkle was talking on the sidelines of launch of French Browns, by L'Oreal Professional.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Bangladesh government sent a report to Union Home Ministry over the recent spike in infiltration of terrorists to India. The report has rung alarm bells in security establishments.

According to the report, the year 2016 witnessed an over three-fold increase in infiltration by Harkat-Ul-Jihadi-Al-Islami (HUJI) and Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) extremists into the border state of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.

The development holds important significance as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found overseas terror links and the direct role of JMB in the October 2014 Burdwan blast at Khagragarh in which two suspected terrorists were killed.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

In a shocking incident, a man wielding-knife entered womenas hostel of Maharani womenas college in Bengaluru and fled with womenas innerwear.

A CCTV footage showed that he was roaming in semi-nude condition in the hostelas campus.

While talking to media, the college principal told that the man was psycho and they have lodged a complaint with police in the matter.

The girls said that it was a not an isolated case as they had already complained about it in past but no action was taken

#CAUGHTONCAM: Man enters college hostel in Bengaluru, flees with women's innerwear pic.twitter.com/FcvE7Bnicn a ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Now for the fourth consecutive year.

Singapore maintained its position as the most expensive city for expats, according to a report from Economist Intelligence Unit.

Five of the ten most expensive cities are from Asia, with Hong Kong following Singapore on the list. Singapore has been ranked first for four years now. Despite this, it still offers relative value in some categories, especially compared with its regional peers, said EIU.

For instance, personal care, household goods, and domestic help make Singapore significantly cheaper than its peers. However, it is still the most expensive place in the world to buy and run a car, as well as the second-priciest destination to buy clothes.

Meanwhile, in terms of food and drink, the cost of living in Singapore is on a par with that of Shanghai in China. Seoul, Tokyo, and Osaka are the three most expensive places in the world to buy staple goods. In Seoul, topping up a grocery basket is almost 50% more expensive than in New York.

Check the table below to compare prices of commodities from the top ten most expensive cities.





More From Singapore Business Review


New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that no arbitrary power will be provided to the Income Tax department and the government has no plans to tax the income of farmers.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

#The Finance Bill has been passed in Lok Sabha



#Govt to bring a bill to amend Excise and Customs Act, along with 4 bills on GST



#We are moving towards a time when there will be no shadow economy but some are still seeing virtues of cash transactions



#No arbitrary power will be given to Tax Dept; no plans to tax farmers' income

#Tax buoyancy has improved in the last 2 years

Hopeful of the GST rollout from July 1, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said earlier on Wednesday that it will create one of the worlds biggest single markets and make commodities cheaper and tax evasion difficult.

Speaking at the 23rd Conference of the Commonwealth Auditor General, Jaitley said India has hugely a non-tax compliant society and the government banned higher denomination notes to curb the tendency of people to deal in cash that lead to tax evasion as well as terror financing.

ALSO READ | Aadhaar card made mandatory for filing I-T return, applying for PAN card and more: What does it mean

He said the reform measures undertaken by the government will help India clock 7-8 per cent growth and retain the tag of fastest growing major economy in the world, but challenges remain in volatile global oil prices, reviving private sector investment and health of state-owned banks.



With regard to GST, he said the new indirect tax regime will ensure seamless transfer of goods and services, while stronger information technology backbone will make evasion difficult.



Despite being one political entity, India currently is not a single economic entity as there are multiple layers of taxation that make goods costlier. GST - first proposed in 2006 - will replace at last 17 state and central levies.



The biggest taxation reform what we are trying to implement from July 1 is Goods and Services Tax ... It will increase the volume of taxation, there is no tax on tax and therefore makes goods, commodities and services little cheaper and far more convenient, Jaitley said.



The Union Cabinet this week cleared four supplementary GST legislations which will be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing budget session.

ALSO READ | Trying to implement GST from July 1, says finance minister Jaitley



The laws which enable this (GST) are now before Parliament which hopefully should get cleared and once they do get cleared then by the middle of this year we hope to see the implementation as far as this law is concerned, Jaitley said.



In terms of tax compliances, he said India ranks fairly high as a non-compliant state.



Therefore, one of the efforts of the state has been how to bring non-compliance to an end. Once the GST is introduced it will be a great check as far as evasion is concerned, he said, adding that the government has amended direct taxation law by bringing in curbs on cash currency.



Jaitley, on Tuesday, in Parliament introduced an amendment to Finance Bill 2017 proposing to ban cash dealings above Rs 2 lakh.



Cash component of Indian economy was exorbitantly high about 12.2 per cent of GDP and of this, 86 per cent was high denominational currency and therefore the tendency to deal excessively in cash did exist and this created its own challenges for economy, he said.



Cash facilitated crime, corruption, incentivised tax non-compliance and was facilitator for funding terrorism and insurgency, he said, as he defended November 8 decision of the government to demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.



(With demonetisation) Anonymity which was attached to this high level of cash operating in market that anonymity disappeared as it had to be deposited in bank.This has also increased the trend towards digitisation of economy, (will) act as disincentive to continuing to deal in a shadow or parallel economy and lead to a further integration of informal with formal economy, Jaitley said.



For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Yogi Adityanath, who sworn-in as the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, has set the ball rolling by taking several crucial decisions in just three days of his governance. Yogi Adityanath is up in arms against corruption and has promised that he will work for all sections of the society without any discrimination as he will pursue Prime Minister Narendra Modis agenda of sabka sath, sabka vikas.

The BJP's hardline Hindutva mascot Yogi Adityanath on Sunday took over as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh with the promise of working for all sections of the society without any discrimination.

He heads a 47-member Council of Ministers, including two deputy CMs, which was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ram Naik at a grand 90-minute ceremony.

Below are some key decisions taken by UP CM Yogi Adityanath in 3 days:

Day 3:

#Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday pulled up several officials over cleanliness at CM's office.

Video: UP CM Yogi Adityanath departs from Lucknow to meet PM Modi and Amit Shah

#The UP CM has ordered strict action against those who consume pan masala and instructed that smoking will not be allowed in government offices across the state. He asked the state government officials to not chew paan, paan masala etc during duty hours.

#In keeping with the BJP's manifesto, Yogi Adityanath has directed police officials to prepare an action plan for closure of slaughter houses across the state.

ALSO READ | Who is Adityanath Yogi: Hindutva mascot, controversy's favourite child, five-term MP from Gorakhpur and now 21st CM of Uttar Pradesh

#He has also ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows and said zero tolerance would be exercised in this regard.

#In his orders issued on Wednesday, Adityanath also directed the police to act tough against anti-social elements.

#He has warned that those using police security as "status symbol" would come under the scanner and after review of their threat perception their security might be changed.

UP police's Anti-Romeo squads patrolling underway across the state. Visuals from Lucknow and Jhansi. pic.twitter.com/cJHAQD8zuQ  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 22 March 2017

Day 2:

#Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday met Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma and is learnt to have discussed the construction of Ramayana museum in Ayodhya. The two leaders discussed various tourism-related projects in the northern state, including construction of Ramayana museum for which the Centre has allocated a fund of Rs 154 crore, a source said.

It is also learnt that Adityanath has accepted the Centre's proposal for the museum and agreed to provide land for the project in a week's time.

ALSO READ | Yogi Adityanath effect: 66 cops suspended in Gautam Budh Nagar, 48 policemen shunted in Ghaziabad

#The newly appointed Chief Minister also met Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and discussed various projects related to urban development in the state.

#A day after receiving strict orders to ensure the safety of women across the state directly from DGP, the Lucknow Police on Tuesday cracked down on roadside romeos in Hajratganj area. Police's special Anti-Romeo squad arrested at least three people for eve-teasing related activities outside National PG College.



Day 1:

ALSO READ | UP CM Yogi Adityanath asks police officials to prepare action plan for closure of slaughter houses, orders blanket ban on cows smuggling



#Yogi Adityanath implemented BJPs promise of cracking down on illegal slaughterhouses. Two slaughterhouses  one in Rambagh and another in Atala (both in Allahabad) were sealed. Also, a slaughterhouse in Ghaziabads Dasna was also sealed.

#Yogi Adityanath at his maiden meeting with top bureaucrats asked cops to ensure that law and order situation in the state improved within a week.

#The new UP CM also cracked down on the VIP culture in the state. He ordered that no minister UP will be allowed to use red beacons atop vehicles.

ALSO READ | Yogi Adityanath effect: Lucknow police launches crackdown against people consuming liquor at public places

#UP CM handed officials the BJPs vision document, Sankalp Patra, for the 2017 state assembly elections, asking them to study the document and ensure its speedy and complete implementation.

#CM Yogi directed senior administrative and police officers to monitor social media effectively in order to ensure timely police intervention in incidents that could disrupt communal harmony in the state.

#He also sought zero tolerance in matters related to womens security.

#Yogi Adityanath also discontinued services of all advisers, vice-chairmen and chairmen appointed by the previous SP government in different departments and corporations. These advisers enjoyed unbridled powers, sometimes equivalent to that of a minister.

#Going hammer and tongs against corruption, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to declare their assets within 15 days, a day after issuing a similar order to his ministers.

#Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has relieved all non government advisers, chairmen, deputy chairmen and members in corporations, committees and departments of their charges with effect from March 21.

Yogi Adityanath in Parliament: UP CM's teasing remark against Rahul-Akhilesh gets round of laughter, sends opposition into tizzy

What Yogi Adityanath said in Parliament on Day 2?



"I came in between" Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said today, taking a dig at the leaders of Congress and Samajwadi Party who had formed a coalition to take on the BJP.

"I am younger by one year to Rahul jee and one year older to Akhilesh Yadav. And I came between the two (Rahul and Akhilesh). This could be a major reason for their failure," Adityanath said in Lok Sabha while speaking on the Finance Bill, 2017.

Adityanath, who is still a member of the Lok Sabha, was apparently referring to the coalition formed by the Samajwadi Party and the Congress to take on the BJP in the just-held Assembly polls. However, the BJP trounced the coalition by grabbing 312 seats in the 403-member Assembly.

Video: UP DGP's video conferencing with all DMs and SPs

The Chief Minister, who assumed charge on Sunday, took the dig while addressing Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge then responded: "You have become the Chief Minister. You should maintain the dignity of the post of the Chief Minister."

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then told Adityanath: "Kharge jee is elder to you. You should accept his blessings."

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi:

The Lucknow police launched a crackdown on Tuesday against people who were consuming liquor at public places in the state capital.

After receiving a directive from senior superintendent of police, all senior police officials and station house officers raided at liquor shops across the city. The police raided the liquor shops between 8 pm to 10 pm and conducted checks at major beer and wine shops.

The police also took tight measures for upcoming Chaitra Navratra festival as a directive was issued by UPDGP Javeed Ahmed in this regard.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued instructions to strengthen security in temples across Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Basant Navratra festival.

Also Read: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Govt, Day 2: Security in UP temples to be strengthened ahead of Navratra

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation Asias longest bi-directional road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on April 2, which will cut down travel time between the two by two hours.

The Rs 2,519-crore all-weather tunnel is equipped with world-class safety features and has been built in a record four years on the hilly terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said at a press meet here.

This state-of-the-art 10.89-km tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir, an engineering marvel on the most difficult terrain of the Himalayas, was built in a record four years, the minister said.

Gadkari was accompanied by Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, a parliamentarian from Jammu. The project will result in a saving of Rs 27 lakh per day based on traffic estimates and would cut the travel distance between Jammu and Sringar by 41 km, Gadkari said.

He said the tunnel will be equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. The project forms part of the proposed widening of NH-44 (old NH-1A) from Jammu to Srinagar.

The longest highway tunnel in India also happens to be Asias longest bi-directional highway tunnel with fully transverse ventilation system, he said. It also comes with fully-integrated tunnel control system with ventilation, communication, power supply, incident detection, SOS call box and fire fighting.

Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel will have fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations.

The minister added that very few tunnels in the world have fully integrated tunnel control and the Jammu one is fitted with world-class safety features for detection of accidents and fire with a parallel 9-km long escape tunnel.

Elaborating, Gakdari said it will boost economic activity and tourism in the state, adding that it has precluded large-scale deforestation as tree cutting was not required. The work on the twin-tube tunnel, which is part of a 286-km-long four-lane project on the highway, started on May 23, 2011, in the lower Himalayan mountain range.

The tunnel is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres. Constructed by IL&FS, the tunnel is all set to be handed over to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) soon after its formal inauguration by the Prime Minister.

The formal trial run was successfully completed for peak and off-peak hours between March 9 and March 15, Project Director, IL&FS, J S Rathore said.

Once the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce traffic jams on National Highway-1A caused by snowfall and avalanches in winter at Patnitop, he said.

Travel will cost an LMV vehicle Rs 55 for one side and Rs 85 for to-and-fro journey and Rs 1,870 for one-month travel. Bigger vehicles like mini buses will have to pay Rs 90 as one side toll and Rs 135 for both sides.

Buses and trucks will have to shell out Rs 190 as one-side trip and Rs 285 for a two-way journey. Rathore said Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has set up a well-equipped fully-computerised operation room for surveillance of vehicles inside the twin tubes.

For feeding input to the Operation Room, 124 CCTV cameras have been installed at equal intervals of 75 meters, three-tier system has been fitted to light-up the tunnels round the clock, he said.

A SOS system has also been introduced to make contact with the team sitting in the Operation Room in case of an emergency besides effective fire fighting gadgets and hyper-sensitive ventilation system to ensure hassle free journey.

The maximum speed limit permitted for vehicles plying inside twin tunnel tubes is 50 km per hour with head lights on at low beam. Containers carrying inflammable material are banned from entering the tunnel, he said.

Rathore said maximum height limit permitted is five meters and for checking the height special sensors have been installed just before the toll points at both ends.

Besides providing mobile network of telecom operators, FM Radio channel facility is also functional inside the tunnel, he said.

The tunnel project involves construction of 9-km-long two lanes (13 metre diameter) of main tunnel along with parallel escape tunnel (6 metre diameter) interconnected with 29 cross passages at 300 meter interval Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day, he added.

The tunnel will also ensure preservation of pristine forest in ecological sensitive Patnitop area and will provide for better integration of Jammu not only with people of Kashmir but also with Kishtwar, Doda and Bhaderwah by providing better connectivity.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Terror attacks and ceasefire violations have relatively declined in Jammu and Kashmir afterarmy carried out surgical strikes across Line of Control (LoC)in September last year, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

During the question hour, which saw a heated debatebetween opposition and treasury benches, Minister of State forHome Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the ceasefire violations byPakistan have come down post-surgical strikes.

"There were 228 ceasefire violations at the LoC in 2016and 221 at the IB (International Border). However, tillFebruary 2017, there have only been 22 ceasefire violationstill now and six on the IB," he said said while replying tosupplementaries in the Rajya Sabha.

Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader GhulamNabi Azad criticised the minister for not giving a properreply and said he had never "witnessed butchering" of such animportant issue during his 36 years of his Parliamentarycareer.

However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh came to the rescueof his junior minister and rejected the charges of Azad sayingthat appropriate answer had been given to the question.

He read out a statement which was similar to a writtenreply given by Ahir in Lok Sabha today which showed thatterror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have come down after thesurgical strikes were carried out by the Indian Army on terrorlaunch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

In his reply, Ahir said that during the three monthsprior to the September 29 surgical strikes, there were 110terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 34 securitypersonnel and seven civilians were killed.

But during three months, post-surgical strikes, therewere 87 terror incidents in the state in which 19 securitypersonnel and six civilians were killed, he said.

The surgical strikes were carried out by the Army afterthe terror attack at Uri in North Kashmir on September 18 lastyear in which 19 soldiers were killed.

The government had said that during the strikes, manyterror launch pads were destroyed and several militants killedin Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

"The government has continuously encouraged to mainstreamthe youth, including providing employment opportunities towean them away from militancy," Ahir said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Twitter is buzzing with news alerts from India and rest of the world. Here are the latest updates from the micro-blogging site in one scroll:

#9:49 PM

Woman killed, some 'catastrophic' injuries in #UKParliament attack:AFP - ANI

#9:42 PM

Chhatarpur (MP): More than 10 security personnel injured after their vehicle collided with a tractor. - ANI

#9:25 PM

Delhi MCD Polls postponed to April 23, counting to April 26 due to CBSE board exams: State Election Commissioner S K Srivastava.

#8:36 PM

UK parliament shooting: Minister says the alleged assailant has been shot by police at Parliament - ANI

#8L34 PM

Cabinet approves Rs 2,029 cr project for Mumbai harbour channel at #JNPT. - PTI



#8:30 PM

British police say incident on Westminster Bridge being treated as firearms incident: Reuters - ANI

#8:30 PM

At least a dozen injured people on Westminster Bridge near UK parliament: Reuters - ANI

Read More: Live Updates | Firing outside UK Parliament, assailant shot down; PM Theresa May safe

#8:27 PM

Reports of shots fired outside UK Parliament, Palace of Westminster reportedly in lockdown: BBC - ANI

#8:15 PM

Cabinet clears 400 km border road from #Mizoram to #Meghalaya at a cost of Rs 6,221 cr: Sources. - PTI

#7:18 PM

India and Asian Development Bank sign $350 Million loan for upgrading 1,500 kms of district roads in Madhya Pradesh - ANI

#7:17 PM

CM said that File index should be maintained in order to track the movement of any file :Shrikant Sharma, UP minister. - ANI

#7:13PM

Licensed slaughterhouses are allowed to function, there should be no confusion in this: Sidharthnath Singh,UP Minister - ANI

#7:11 PM

In the cabinet meeting CM said that we have to restore rule of law in the state and address problems of the public:SN Singh,UP Minister - ANI



#7:08

Madhya Pradesh: Fire had broken out in shops near Mahakaal temple in Ujjain. - ANI

#7:01 PM

Its for the first time in 12 years,since June 2005 that India has won an International friendly match away from home - ANI

#7:00 PM

India beat Cambodia 3-2 in an International friendly match in Phnom Penh - ANI

#6:45 PM

After meeting me, doctors have agreed to resume work by 8 pm:State medical education minister Girish Mahajan - ANI

#6:42 PM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar launched free Wi-Fi project for 273 colleges, 16 universities and 30 institutes on the occasion of Bihar Day in Patna. - ANI

#6:27 PM

Maharashtra Congress writes to state EC requesting use of VVPAT machines for upcoming local body polls in Parbhani Latur and Chandrapur - ANI

#6:13 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow. - ANI

#6:09 PM

Arguments were heard by EC and orders are expected tomorrow: A Sundaram, AIADMK Sasikala faction counsel on two leaves symbol case - ANI

#6:07 PM

Grade B: Rohit Sharma,KL Rahul,Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuvraj Singh - ANI

Read More: BCCI Grade A Contract includes Kohli, Dhoni, Ashwin, Rahane, Pujara, Jadeja, Murali Vijay with Rs 2 crore annual retainer amount

#6:06 PM

Grade A Contract: Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Murali Vijay - ANI

#6:06 PM

BCCI Committee of Administrators announces annual men players contracts - ANI

#6:02 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow - ANI

#5:44 PM

The Finance Bill has been passed in Lok Sabha. - ANI

#5:39 PM

US-led coalition to probe alleged civilian casualties near Raqa: Pentagon - AFP



#5:21 PM

Former Foreign Minister SM Krishna joins BJP - ANI

#5: 19 PM

Yogi Adityanath Cabinet:

1. Keshav Prasad Maurya: Public Welfare Department

2. Chetan Chauhan: Sports

3. Mohsin Raza: Minority Affairs

4. Siddharth Nath Singh: Healh

5. A Tondon: Basic Education

6. Rita Bahuguna Joshi: Secondary Education

7. Dinesh Sharma: Higher Education

8. Swati Singh: Women Welfare

#5:05 PM

Illegal slaughter houses and meat shops sealed by Police and Nagar Nigam in Lucknow, UP. - ANI

#4:56 PM

DIG suspends 13 constables deployed at Noida's Sector-20 Police Station after complaints that they took bribes. - ANI

#4:08 PM

Ex-Congolese VP jailed for one year for corruption, fined 300,000 euros: ICC - AFP

#4:46 PM

No arbitrary power will be given to Tax Dept; no tax of farmer's income: FM Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha - ANI

Read More: Live updates | Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha: 'No plans to tax farmers' income'

#4:45 PM

Tax buoyancy has improved in the last 2 years: FM Jaitley responds on Finance Bill in Lok Sabha - ANI

#4:34 PM

SC directs formation of a high power committee over uploading of sexual videos on social media matter - ANI

#4:21 PM

Delhi: In wake of attacks on resident doctors in Maharashtra, resident doctors at AIIMS wear helmets as a precautionary measure. - ANI

#4:17 PM

Grenade hurled at Government Girls' High School in Balochistan's Qilla Abdullah district near Pak-Afghan border: Pakistan Media - ANI

#4:01 PM

He also has Culture Ministry so we may have to change his portfolio, but if it's permissible then we have no issue: Punjab CM on Sidhu - ANI

#3:45 PM

Cases of crime against women have to be investigated, no matter how small an incident: Goa CM Manohar Parrikar on Irish women murder case - ANI

#3:41 PM

Sensex tanks 317.77 points to close at 29,167.68; #Nifty falls 91.05 points to 9,030.45. - PTI

#3:39 PM

All OPD and elective surgeries stand withdrawn, only emergency services to continue: Dr Parthiv Sanghvi, India Medical Association. - ANI

#3:33 PM

Trump's ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort secretly worked for Russian billionaire to "benefit Putin government," files show - AP



#3:29 PM

There will be strict action against officers who consume pan, gutka & tobacco in official premises: DM Bareilly Surendra Singh - ANI

# 3:29 PM

Safety of girls/ladies is the sole intent of the anti Romeo squads. No moral policing: UP DGP Javeed Ahmed - ANI

#3:26 PM

Bareilly: DM Surendra Singh issued advisory to all govt officers to dress formally to encourage discipline & an effective working environment - ANI

# 3:24 PM

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament - ANI

# 3:00 PM

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asks state government officials to not chew paan, paan masala etc during duty hours - PTI

# 2:54 PM

Got purported ISIS threat letter last night. 5-6 similar letters found on road in Mirza Murad area; investigation on: Asheesh Tiwari, SP Rural - ANI

# 2:48 PM

10 drought affected states are Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangna, Karnataka, MP, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra - ANI

# 2:03 PM

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh and cabinet minister Manpreet Singh Badal met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley - ANI

# 2:01 PM

Chhattisgarh: 5 Naxals arrested by security forces in Bastar's Jagdalpur; 2 security personnel injured during operation - ANI

# 1:48 PM

Zakir Naik not likely to appear before NIA on 30th March as he has not received any summons- Zakir Naik's Lawyer - ANI

# 1:38 PM

Chennai: 2 photo journalists allegedly manhandled by bouncers during shoot of Rajinikanth's film 2.0 in Triplicane; Police complaint lodged - ANI

# 1:34 PM

Maharashtra: Dean of Government Medical College, Nagpur suspends 301 of its resident doctors over issue of their strike - ANI

# 1:34 PM

Maharashtra: Dean of Government Medical College, Nagpur suspends 301 of its resident doctors over issue of their strike - ANI

# 1:24 PM

SC issues summons to Chief Secys of 11 states on hearing plea seeking proper rehabilitation & financial assistance to drought affected ppl - ANI

# 1:20 PM

Uttar Pradesh: Purported ISIS threat letter recovered from Varanasi, police register case against unknown persons - ANI

# 1:07 PM

Ya, looks like: SM Krishna, Former Congress leader SM Krishna on question if he would join BJP - ANI

# 1:05 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm - ANI

# 1:04 PM

Yogi Adityanath also orders blanket ban on smuggling of cows - PTI

# 1:03 PM

UP CM Yogi Adityanath directs police officials to prepare action plan for closure of abattoirs in state - PTI

# 1:02 PM

6 months salary of doctors on strike to be cut if they dont get back to work by 8 PM today:Maharashtra Medical Edu Minister Girish Mahajan - ANI

# 1:01 PM

Maharashtra: Mumbai's JJ Hospital initiated expulsion process of doctors striking over recent incidents of assault against them - ANI

# 12:55 PM

Uttar Pradesh: Three meat shops torched by unknown persons in Hathras, police registers case - ANI

# 12:48 PM

Multiple blasts rock migrant camp in Nigeria - ANI

# 12:46 PM

Ghaziabad: A case against five including doctor was lodged due to involvement in Audi crash which took four lives in Indirapuram on 27th Jan - ANI

# 12:41 PM

Govt considering imposing import duty on wheat to protect farmers' interest: AgricultureSecretary: PTI

# 12:20 PM

2007 Ajmer dargah blast case: Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel sentenced to life imprisonment by Special NIA court - ANI

# 12:15 PM

Chhattisgarh: Police jawan shot dead by Naxals at his residence in Farsegarh, Bijapur - ANI

# 11:56 AM

Parliamentarians' pension after retirement- SC issues notice to Union of India and EC on the issue, seeks reply within four weeks - ANI

Supreme Court also issues notice to Secretary General of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Parliamentarians' pension after retirement issue - ANI

# 11:52 AM

Separatist leader Nayeem Khan arrested at Srinagar airport ahead of his visit to Pak High Commission, Delhi tomorrow to celebrate Pak Day - ANI

# 11:48 AM

Ahmedabad ATS arrests gangster Dawood Lala, relative of Dawood Ibrahim's aide Sharif Khan - ANI

# 11:44 AM

BMC serves notices to 500 resident doctors on strike,asks to resume work in wake of HC directions as soon as possible else face consequences - ANI

# 11:14 AM

Junior doctors' mass leave: Bombay HC likely to hear the case tomorrow, which couldn't be done today because of unavailability of CJ's bench - ANI

# 11:10 AM

First Cabinet meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Government to take place at 5 PM today - ANI

# 11:09 AM

Delhi Police seize demonetised notes worth Rs 6.18 crores from Safdarjung police station area, detain 7 people in this connection - ANI

# 10:58 AM

Delhi: Int'l Kick Boxing Champion Tajamul Islam, who had urged Govt for indoor facilities for athletes in J&K, meets Sports Min Vijay Goel - ANI

I had written to Mehbooba Mufti when I saw Tajamul's post, to provide facilities in order to promote Kick Boxing: Sports Minister Vijay Goel - ANI

I am grateful to them, I want all children like me to gain recognition in the field of kickboxing:Int'l Kick Boxing Champion Tajamul Islam - ANI

# 10:50 AM

Babri Demolition case: Supreme Court adjourns the matter till tomorrow - ANI

# 10:42 AM

ED attaches assets worth Rs 10 crores ( Market Value) of B. K. Vohra of Bengal India Global Infrastructure, Kolkata, in a bank fraud case - ANI

# 10:41 AM

MHA issues advisory regarding strict compliance of 'Flag Code of India, 2002' and 'The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971' - ANI



# 10:23 AM

19 MLAs suspended by speaker till Dec 31 2017, in connection with the uproar in Maharashtra assembly during budget announcement on March 18 - ANI

# 10:20 AM

Bus falls into a gorge in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, three dead and more than 20 people injured - ANI

# 10:16 AM

All India Muslim Personal Law Board ready for out of court settlement under SC directives in Ram Mandir case: Maulana Khalid Rasheed, AIMPLB - ANI

# 10:15 AM

Demonetisation will act as disincentive to continue with shadow economy, will integrate informal with formal economy: FM - PTI

GST will be the biggest reform; trying to implement it by July 1: FM - PTI

GST will transform complex indirect tax system to simple system; GST will make evasion difficult: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley - PTI

# 10:10 AM

Three dead, one critically injured after car falls into a gorge near Parsundakhal in Uttarakhand - ANI

# 10:05 AM

Encounter between police and naxals in Chhattisgarh's Kanker took place today, no casualties - ANI

# 9:10 AM

Rajasthan: 2 minor girls drowned after they jumped into a pond to escape detention at red light area,during a police raid in Bharatpur yday - ANI

# 9:00 AM

RK Nagar bypoll: Election Commission to hear O Panneerselvam, Sasikala factions over party symbol today - ANI

# 8:43 AM

North Korea fails in new missile test - ANI

# 8:11 AM

Babri Masjid demolition case: SC likely to examine whether to revive conspiracy charges against LK Advani, Murli M Joshi,Uma Bharti & others - ANI

# 7:58 PM

Uttarakhand: Leopard rescued by the forest officials of Ramnagar Division after it got trapped in barbed wire fence - ANI

# 7:28 AM

Bombay HC to hear the junior doctors' mass leave matter today, HC had yesterday asked them to resume their duties immediately - ANI

# 7:17 AM

NIA Special Court to announce the quantum of sentence for the two convicts in the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case - ANI

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed the police officials to prepare an action plan for closure of slaughter houses in the state.

The chief minister also ordered blanket ban on smuggling of cows across the state.

On Tuesday, slaughter house, which was allegedly being run illegally, was sealed by the district authorities in the Kamalgadaha locality under Jaitpura police station here, police officials had said.

UP CM #YogiAdityanath directs police officials to prepare action plan for closure of #abattoirs in state.  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 22, 2017

The development comes after a BJP government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath was sworn in Uttar Pradesh.

Officials had claimed, that the slaughterhouse had been shutdown in 2012, but it continued to operate in a clandestine manner.

A joint team of Pollution Control Board, municipal authorities, along with administrative and police officials had sealed the slaughterhouse and also recovered over five dozen cattle.

Officials said that the slaughterhouse was sealed after the caretakers were unable to furnish valid papers for the cattle.

Also Read | UP: Allahabad Nagar Nigam seals two slaughter houses

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who represent Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency respectively, may not tender their resignation from the Lower House until the presidential polls which would be held in July.

Manohar Parrikar is also unlikely to resign from Rajya Sabha who recently took charge as Chief Minister of Goa.

According to The Times of India reports, the newly appointed chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya will have to be elected within six months of their appointment.

The leaders will either have to contest a bypoll or they could represent legislative council as the state has dual House.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath may contest the bypoll as Campierganj MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh, son of former UP chief minister Veer Bahadur Singh, has offered to vacate his seat for the chief minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma already resigned from te post of Lucknow Mayor.

Also Read | Yogi Adityanath in Parliament: UP CM's teasing remark against Rahul-Akhilesh gets round of laughter, sends opposition into tizzy

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Washington:

US President Donald Trump will visit Brussels on May 25 on his first foreign trip to attend a meeting with leaders from countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which he had dubbed as obsolete.

The President looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATOs role in the fight against terrorism, the White House said in a statement.

Trumps trip to Brussels, Belgium for the NATO Summit would be his first overseas visit after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20.

During his election campaign, Trump had asserted that the NATO allies must pay their fair share for the cost of defence, while in January he dismissed the alliance as obsolete.

However, Trump last week reaffirmed the US commitment to the military bloc.

He has also committed himself to travel to Germany later this summer to attend the G-20 Summit which among others would be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi has been invited by Trump for a White House meeting this year. Modi has also extended Trump an invitation to visit India. Both have accepted the invitations and dates are being worked out. In case of no additional travel, the G-20 Summit could be the earliest opportunity for a Modi-Trump meeting.

Trumps first visit to a NATO summit is considered as significant given that traditionally the new US Presidents overseas travel has been to a neighbouring country.

In addition to the Presidents participation in the NATO Leaders Meeting, the President will also welcome Secretary General (Jens) Stoltenberg to the White House on April 12, 2017, where they will talk about how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security, the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary James Mattis met Stoltenberg at the Pentagon today wherein they discussed the fight against ISIS and the situation in Afghanistan among other things.

We all understand that in times of turmoil, in times of uncertainty, the need for strong international institutions like NATO is even greater so therefore we need to adapt, we need to strengthen NATO in response to the challenges and the unpredictability we see surrounding us today, Stoltenberg said in a joint media appearance with Mattis at the Pentagon.

A strong NATO is good for Europe, he said.

We are also grateful for commitment of the US and the security guarantees to Europe. But strong NATO is also good for North America because stability in Europe is good for all of us. Two world wars and the Cold War have taught us all that the peace and stability is important for Europe of course but also North America, he said.

Mattis said he looks forward to engaging with the coalition members who are here in Washington this week on the counter-ISIS fight. I am confident that NATO will as always be one of the leaders as we deal with this threat, he said.

World leaders have gathered in Washington to attend the US lead international meeting of anti-ISIS coalition.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Jerusalem:

The head of Israel defence forces said on Tuesday that Hezbollah's military commander in Syria, Mustafa Badreddine, was killed by members of his own Lebanese Shiite group in 2016.

Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, speaking to a security conference, said intelligence had led Israel to the conclusion and matched previous reports. Hezbollah itself has said Mustafa Badreddine, who was on a US terror sanctions blacklist and wanted by Israel, was killed in an explosion in May 2016 near Damascus international airport.

A probe had concluded that Sunni Islamist radicals known as "takfiris", who consider Shiites to be heretics, had killed Badreddine, according to Hezbollah. Eisenkot said Israel "believes that he was killed by his own officers".

"Those findings show to what degree relations between Hezbollah and its patron Iran are tense and complex," he said. Hezbollah has deployed thousands of fighters in Syria, where Badreddine had led its intervention in support ofPresident Bashar al-Assad's forces, which are also backed by Russia and Iran.

The Shiite movement has said Badreddine was killed by artillery bombardment of one of its positions near Damascusairport. It did not name any specific Islamist group, and there has been no claim of responsibility for the killing.

Badreddine was a key suspect in the 2005 assassination in Beirut of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. His predecessor, cousin and brother-in-law Imad Mughniyeh was killed in Damascus in a 2008 bombing that Hezbollah blamed on Israel.

Israel considers Hezbollah among its top threats and fought a devastating 2006 war against it. Its military believes Hezbollah has between 100,000 and120,000 short- and medium-range missiles and rockets, as well as several hundred long-range missiles, with the medium-range missiles capable of reaching Tel Aviv.

Israeli military officials have said regularly in recent months that they will respond with heavy force against Lebanon if Hezbollah were to attack from there.

However, many analysts say the Lebanese militia's involvement in Syria has made another conflict with Israel less likely for now. While Israel has sought to avoid being dragged into Syria's civil war, it acknowledges carrying out air strikes there to stop deliveries of advanced arms to Hezbollah.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

A British police officer was on Wednesday stabbed in the Houses of Parliament in central London, in what police are treating as a aterrorist incidenta.

The incident prompted lockdown within the House of Commons chamber. Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a car as what sounded like gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident, the BBC reported.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the aalleged assailant was shot by armed policea. There are also reports of as many as five people being amowed downa on nearby Westminster Bridge.

MPs said they had heard three or four gunshots. Staff inside Parliament were told to stay inside their offices.A

Transport for London said Westminster underground station has been shut at the policeas request, and buses diverted.

Live Updates -

#11:45 PM

Police say that 4 people dead in London attack including 1 police officer, attacker; 20 injured



#11:28 PM

London attack: The police officer who was stabbed outside UK Parliament has died



#11:02 PM

French PM says French students have been hurt in London attack: AFP



#10:55 PM

India strongly condemns Westminster terrorist incident&condoles loss of life.No place in democracies & civilized societies for terrorism: MEA



#10:45 PM

London attack: British PM Theresa May to hold an emergency security meeting



#10:15 PM

Police is treating the incident as a terror attack, full counter-terrorism investigation under way,A



#9:49 PM

Woman killed, some 'catastrophic' injuries in UK parliament attack: reports



#9:15 PM

UK parliament incident treated as 'terrorist': police



#9:09 PM

We are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise: Metropolitan Police UKA



#9:04 PM

A European security official says there was increased chatter on jihadi networks Tuesday following the UKas adoption of an electronics ban aboard flights from certain mostly Muslim countries, reports AP



#9:01 PM

A car mounted the pavement and ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge at around 2.30pm today. A witness said he saw eight to 10 people on the ground.



#8:58 PMA

Deputy speaker announces that UK Houses of Parliament suspended after shooting incident (visuals from Westminster Bridge) #London pic.twitter.com/9JoFCI78Uj a ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

#8:55 PMA

Shooting outside UK Parliament: Visuals from the spot #London pic.twitter.com/z4ihqdmZqs a ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

# 8:48 PMA

UK Prime Minister spokesman says that PM Theresa May is safe after the attack in parliament

# 8:44 PMA

A leader of House of Commons says that a policeman has been stabbed inside parliament

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
At the Starbucks annual shareholder meeting, one investor, Justin Danhof from the National Center for Public Policy Research, expressed frustration with the companys vow to hire 10,000 refugees in response to President Trumps travel ban order.

Danhof questioned why CEO Howard Schultzs heart wasnt heavy when the Obama administrations State Department in 2011 stopped processing visas for six months for refugees from Iraq.

I have two quick questions: I understand that as you said not every decision is based on economics, but economics are a hard reality. So, the first question is how much will investors have to spend so that company can properly vet refugees that the federal government admits it cant always afford to vet? And why were you willing to have Starbucks reputation take a beating by attacking President Trumps executive order when you lacked the courage to speak out against Obama/Clinton travel ban.

Danhofs question was met with audible boos from the audience.

Schultz responded that its not about politics, but instead its about compassion.

If theres one message that I think, I hope, you came away with today its that none of the things weve tried to do as a company, which is based on humanity and compassion, is based on politics. But its based on principles and our core beliefs, Schultz said.

He reiterated that this hasnt hurt the business either.

I can unequivocally tell youthat theres zero, absolutely no evidence whatsoever, that theres any dilution in the Starbucks brand, reputation, or core business as a result of being compassionate, Schultz said.

Justin Danhof from the National Center for Public Policy Research, expressed frustration with the companys vow to hire 10,000 refugees.

What the surveys have said

Earlier this month, Starbucks released a letter from a market research firm, Kantar Millward Brown, that refutes that the coffee giants brand perception dropped after the company vowed to hire 10,000 refugees in response to President Trumps travel ban order.

In mid-February, YouGov released a report that Starbucks brand perception had fallen by two-thirds after Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz released his letter promising to hire refugees.

Story continues

YouGov

More recently, Bloomberg News reported that xAd  a market insights firm that uses customers mobile phone apps to track foot traffic  showed Starbucks share of foot traffic dropped to 11% in February, down from 12% in January. xAds methodology uses location data from ad requests from 100,000 mobile apps each month. A visit to a location is only recorded when the app is open and the ad has been served.

On Jan. 29, Schultz sent out a company-wide letter following Trumps decision to sign an executive order temporarily halted citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the US. (That order has been stymied in court. This week, Trump signed a new travel ban executive order that excludes Iraq.)

In the letter, Schultz detailed plans to hire 10,000 refugees in the countries where the coffee chain operates. This was met with some backlash on social media, with some users calling for a boycott of Starbucks.

We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination, Schultz wrote.

Howard Schultz

The letter continued: There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business. And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.

Afterward, the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks started trending on Twitter, with some criticizing the company for not hiring 10,000 veterans. Others, however, showed their support for the coffee giant on social media.

Starbucks already has a program in place dedicated to hiring military veterans. At the shareholder meeting, Starbucks revealed that it already surpassed its goal of hiring 10,000 military veterans, so theyve pledged to hire 25,000 more vets and spouses. Theyve also detailed plans to open up 100 new military family stores.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.



Read more:
Starbucks (SBUX) unveiled plans on Wednesday to create 240,000 new jobs, with 68,000 of those being in the U.S.

The coffee giant also plans to open 12,000 new stores, with 3,500 in the U.S. One-hundred of those new stores will be Military Family Stores.

The company has reached its goal of hiring 10,000 military veterans by 2018. The coffee chain announced plans to double-down on its efforts to hire military veterans with a new goal of hiring 25,000 veterans and military spouses by 2025.

The company also surpassed its goal of hiring 10,000 Opportunity Youth. Starbucks has now hired 40,000. The company also aims to hire 100,000 Opportunity Youth by 2020 in the U.S.

The announcement came at the companys annual shareholder meeting where Starbucks outgoing CEO Howard Schultz is also expected to touch upon the companys commitment to hiring refugees.

Reuters/ David Ryder

On Jan. 29, Schultz sent out a company-wide letter following Trumps decision to sign an executive order temporarily halted citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the US. (That order has been stymied in court. Earlier this month, Trump signed a new travel ban executive order that excludes Iraq.)

In the letter, Schultz detailed plans to hire 10,000 refugees in the countries where the coffee chain operates by 2022. This was met with some backlash on social media, with some users calling for a boycott of Starbucks.

We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination, Schultz wrote in the letter.

The letter continued: There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business. And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.

Story continues

Starbucks currently employees 330,000 people globally. The company operates 26,000 stores in 75 countries.

Schultz will step down as CEO on April 3, handing the keys over to Kevin R. Johnson, the companys current COO and president.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.



Read more:
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WASHINGTON  The state Freedom of Information Commission has dismissed a residents complaint that First Selectman Mark Lyon failed to hand over all pertinent documents in a public records request about the Gilmore Girls Fan Fest last fall.

The dismissal, approved by a 7-0 vote Wednesday afternoon, upheld a Feb.1 decision made by commission attorney and hearing officer Tracie Brown. In that decision, Brown urged the board to reject George Bartholomews complaint on the grounds that Lyon had complied fully with the request.

Bartholomew, at a November hearing in Hartford with Brown and Lyon, had accused the first selectman of handing over just one document, an agreement with Fan Fest promoters that Bartholomew described derisively as unsigned three pages of random clauses.

Bartholomew, citing news reports, contended that more documents undoubtedly existed but Lyon chose not to disclose them.

Lyon insisted otherwise.

I gave him all the documents I had when he made the request, Lyon testified.

Lyon said the town later signed an insurance policy and a rental contract for Gilmore events at Town Hall, but those did not exist when Bartholomew made his initial request. At that time, he said, the three-page agreement was the only document that existed, and it remained unsigned because it was not a formal contract.

This year, the Fan Fest will be in Kent. Jennie Whitiker, the weekend festivals promoter, said the move wasnt made because of the records spat or complaints from Washington residents, but because of scheduling conflicts.

The festival was held in Washington originally because Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino came up with the idea for the show, which ran from 2000 to 2007 on the WB Network, after visiting the town. The show centered on the relationship between a single mother and her daughter, played by Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, in the fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow.

Interest in the show grew again after Netflix released a Gilmore Girls mini-series last year.

blytton@hearstmediact.com;
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BETHEL - Several rows of cadets stand an arms length apart from each other in a Bethel High School classroom, dressed in their military attire.

It is Uniform Day for the schools Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC), where cadets wear their service dress blue uniform, which is kept to active-duty standard.

At least twice a month, the unit holds Uniform Day, or Dress for Success day, where cadets wear their military or professional attire. The day is meant to teach students how to be presentable and professional, Lt. Commander Mark Dwinells said.

Seniors patrol the rows, inspecting sophomores uniforms, which include the NJROTC insignia on the collar and bear the medals the students have earned.

The aim is not to militarize the students, Dwinells said, but to build loyalty between cadets.

The ceremony is also an example of the mixed grouping the program prides itself on, Dwinells said, where upperclassmen serve as role models for younger students

The quickest way to de-knucklehead freshmen is to put juniors and seniors in charge of them, he said. It gets them to mature very quickly.

The bonds between the younger and older students help keep the programs retention rate at 60 to 70 percent  much higher than the national average of 20 percent, Dwinells said.

About 190 studentsmore than 20 percent of the schoolare enrolled in NJROTC, making it the largest unit in New England. Since the program was established in 2002, Dwinells said, hundreds of students have learned sailing, flying, marksmanship and even ballroom dancing, all while participating in community service and getting leadership experience.

This is a citizenship development program, and what we teach the students is to bond and to lead and to care for each other, he said.

Each class begins with a recitation of the cadet creed, which sophomore Rheanna Flores compares to the Pledge of Allegiance. The creed, in part, stresses bringing honor to ones family, school and fellow cadets. Flores said the creed reminds cadets who they are and what they live by.

We say that every day, and I know once I started coming here, I live by that creed, she said.

Flores joined NJROTC as a freshman and has gained self-esteem through the program.

Im more outspoken, more confident in myself and the leadership roles I take on, she said.

Flores also earns high honors at school.

Its mostly because of the ROTC and the discipline its taught me, she said.

Fifteen cadets are in honors societies and nearlh half are on the Honor Roll.

Dwinells said the structure of NJROTC and its activities, such as marksmanship, where cadets learn how to shoot an air rifle safely, teach them the focus and discipline they need to excel academically.

One senior, Battalion Commander Emily Johnson, will attend Yale University in the fall on a full ROTC scholarship and plans to serve in the Air Force after college.

ROTC has taught me the fundamentals of how to take care of myself.how to manage my time, she said. All of that contributed to having the qualifications to go [to Yale] and be ready for it.

Michael Pasquella, a junior, said he has changed a lot since joining the program after moving from Ridgefield in 2015. The short-haired Pasquella said he used to wear his hair long and was not physically fit.

But ROTC allowed my character to develop, he said. It really gives you a sense of self and boosts your character.

Pasquella plans to join the Marines, but not all the students enlist. Of 42 cadets who graduated last year, 11 joined the military.

For the cadets, the program is about the lessons theyve learned and the friendships they've made.

ROTC is sort of like a family, a second family, sophomore John Williams said.

While some freshmen may struggle adjusting to high school, Williams said, the program gives cadets a surefire group of friends.

In ROTC we have everyone," he said. We always talk to each other. Theres no one thats put higher than anyone.
The legislatures Transportation Committee this year was home to some of the most controversial legislation in the General Assembly. On Friday, March 17, we had our deadline for voting on bills that originated in the committee. As co-chair of the Transportation Committee, Id like to tell you about some victories, some losses, and where we go from here.

One of the bills I am pleased to say we approved is HJ 41, Resolution Proposing An Amendment To The State Constitution Limiting The Use Of Moneys In The Special Transportation Fund. For many years, Republicans have tried to pass a bill that would create a transportation funding lock-box. This bill puts us on a path to create a mechanism so that money in the Special Transportation Fund can be spent only on transportation projects.

I also am happy to report that SB 76, An Act Concerning The Power Of The Commissioner Of Transportation To Conduct A Mileage Tax Study With State Funds, was also approved by the committee. This bill would prevent the Commissioner of Transportation from spending the $300,000 on a study of a mileage-based tax on motor vehicles. The people of Connecticut dont want Big Brother tracking where they drive and taxing them on it. It is something that just riles them. By approving this bill, which I co-sponsor, we will prohibit the state from spending your tax dollars on a ridiculous study so it can be put toward something much more worthy, like funding the honor guard for Connecticut veterans funerals.

As I said, we had some controversial bills this session. One that moved forward is HB 7097, An Act Concerning The Licensing Of New And Used Car Dealers. This was also known as the Tesla bill. I know many car dealers are concerned about this bill and what it could mean for their future business in Connecticut. I want people to know that even though this bill was approved by the committee, it still must go before the House and Senate, where its language can be changed. We expect the bill that makes it to a floor vote to include limits on the number of Tesla facilities in Connecticut.

A bill I wish was defeated is HB 6058, An Act Concerning Electronic Tolls. As you may know, I have strongly opposed any move toward reinstituting tolls in the state of Connecticut. This topic is probably just slightly higher on the opposition scale than the mileage driven tax.

Before voting against this bill, I told my fellow committee members that the bottom line I am hearing from the public is: This is just another tax. Its tax on those that least can afford it. Tolls, particularly with congestion pricing, would amount to a pay cut for average workers that dont have the liberty of picking their work hours.

We are in serious financial difficulty, I said. The way to go is not to add more tax burdens; make it more costly for someone to get to work . . . I do think this is the wrong approach.

Some other bills failed to be approved by the committee, but that does not mean these proposals are dead. SB 257, An Act Concerning Legislative Approval For The Department Of Transportation To Increase Railroad Or Bus Fare, was defeated, as were proposals to install seatbelts on school buses. However, because these bills had public hearings, it is possible to add the language to another bill during the remaining legislative process.

As the legislative session continues, know that I am fighting for you, the taxpayers of Connecticut. I will continue to fight against tolls and other tax increases, and I will continue fighting for a transportation lock box and more oversight of bus and rail fare increases.

Feel free to contact me about these and any other bills before the General Assembly by email at Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov. You can also look for more updates on my website at www.SenatorBoucher.com and on social media.

State Sen. Toni Boucher represents the 26th District, which encompasses the communities of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
Latest Eye Health Innovation Indicated for Seasonal and Chronic Eye Allergies to "Stop the Itch"

LAVAL, QC, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced through its Canadian affiliate the availability in Canada of BEPREVE (bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution) 1.5%w/v, an innovative fast acting eye drop indicated for the treatment of itch associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the eye caused by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, house dust, or animal dander. Affecting as many as 30% of the population, allergic conjunctivitis is increasing in incidence.1

"In my practice, I see many patients who suffer from allergic conjunctivitis and experience discomfort from itchy eyes," said Dr. Randall Thomas. "BEPREVE has been a welcome medicine that has allowed me to effectively help patients with itchy eyes due to seasonal and chronic allergies."

BEPREVE is the first innovative product for allergic conjunctivitis to be introduced to the Canadian market in six years. It is a dual acting antihistamine that works by blocking the effects of histamine - a chemical that plays an important role in allergic reactions, and stabilizing mast cells - cells that contain chemicals involved in allergic reactions. In clinical trials, BEPREVE demonstrated a 73.4% reduction in itchy eyes in as rapidly as three minutes.2

"Bausch + Lomb Canada is proud to offer patients an innovative product that reduces the intensity of allergic reactions and associated eye itchiness, allowing them to focus on what is important in their lives," says Lorenzo Santini, general manager, Bausch + Lomb Canada. "BEPREVE will complement Bausch + Lomb's existing prescription ophthalmology family of products, including ALREX, LOTEMAX Gel, PROLENSA, and branded OTC eye vitamins, PreserVision and Ocuvite."

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing and restoring people's eyesight. Its core businesses include over-the-counter supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in more than 100 countries.

/ are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

 2017 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

______________________________

1 Macejko TT , Bergmann MT, Williams JI, Gow JA, Gomes PJ, McNamara TR, Abelson MA, The Bepotastine Besilate Ophthalmic Solutions Clinical Study Group. Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of Bepotastine Besilate Ophthalmic Solutions 1.0% and 1.5% to Treat Allergic Conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2010 Jul;150(1): 122-127.

2 1. BEPREVE (bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5%) Product Monograph. Bausch & Lomb Canada Inc.; July 22, 2016.

2. Meier EJ, Torkildsen GL, Gow JA, et al. Integrated phase III trials of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Allergy Asthma Proc 2012;33:26574.

SOURCE Bausch + Lomb

For further information: News Media Contacts: Elif McDonald, [email protected], 514-856-3855, 877-281-6642; Boyd Erman, Longview Communications, Inc., on behalf of Bausch + Lomb Canada, 416-649-8007 (direct), 416-523-5885 (mobile) or [email protected]
TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Multi-Marques, a company based in Laval just north of Montreal which makes bread for Pom, Bon Matin and Villaggio, is one of Canada's worst employers. The company has been deliberately blocking pension payments to its retired employees since 2002, some of whom have since passed away, according to the Confederation des syndicats nationaux (CSN) and the Federation du commerce (FCCSN). As a result, many of the 150 members of the Multi-Marques Workers' Union occupied the Canada Bread offices in Toronto this morning to call for the parent company and its owner, the Mexican multinational Grupo Bimbo, to meet their moral and contractual obligations, which include around $6 million in unpaid pension payments.

For David Bergeron-Cyr, Vice President of the FCCSN, "It's completely unacceptable that a company belonging to food multinational Grupo Bimbo would ignore the many court decisions, including one from the Supreme Court of Canada, ordering them to pay retirement pensions to its employees. We will not stop pressuring Multi-Marques, Canada Bread or Grupo Bimbo until they resolve the claims of these 150 workers. They should not underestimate the determination of the Multi-Marques Union, the FC and the CSN."

150 employees unpaid

Some 150 employees are being targeted and are currently engaged in legal disputes with the bread company. Among them, ten are retired and five others have passed away without having received a single dollar. Almost 70 of these employees are still working, with 62 having left the company. All of them, including those eligible to receive payments on behalf of deceased workers, should have received pension payments.

The facts of the matter

In 2002, in accordance with the Quebec Labour Code, the employees decided to leave the Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) to join the FCCSN. The company then started a legal process related to the retirement plan in place at the time. Today, fifteen years later, the issue is still not resolved.

In 2002, the company unsuccessfully argued that the bylaws of the BCTGM retirement plan relieved Multi-Marques of its obligation to pay off the plan's deficit, which was caused by the recognition of prior years of service in pension calculations. The deficit amounts to around $1.6 million. Not only did Multi-Marques refuse to pay that amount into the retirement plan as required by law, but the ensuing legal battle has meant that no pension payments have been paid to these workers, despite the fact that the pension plan holds $6 million in assets.

Numerous court decisions have been handed down ordering the company to comply with Quebec's laws and judgements, including obligations related to the Regie des rentes du Quebec, now called Retraite Quebec. Despite these court rulings, Multi-Marques has continued to pursue legal action: its latest attempt has been to dispute the calculations established by both the actuaries at Retraite Quebec and those assigned to the retirement plan.

"The employer seems to have adopted a combative attitude, conducting numerous futile appeals," affirmed Pascal Rene de Cotret, president of the union representing the 150 workers. "And we, the workers, end up paying for their stubbornness, even as they make money off of our labour. The problem here is not a lack of financial resources, but rather the company's systematic refusal to pay us the pensions that are our due, thereby penalizing workers who have worked hard for them throughout their lives."

Grupo Bimbo had sales in 2016 of almost $7 billion US and recorded a profit of over $360 million. It does business in 19 countries and employs 126,000 people in 144 factories and over 1,600 distribution centres.

About the Multi-Marques Workers' Union

The Multi-Marques Workers' Union is affiliated with the FCCSN, which has a membership of around 30,000 workers in the sectors of food processing, tourism, hospitality, finance, retail, wholesale and various services. Its parent union, the CSN, has over 325,000 unionized members working in both the private and the public sector.

SOURCE CSN

For further information: Mathieu Murphy-Perron, 514 773-0060, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.csn.qc.ca/


BURLINGTON, ON, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) is disappointed that the 2017 Federal Budget did not include measures to protect our private campground members in Canada from economically crippling and retroactive tax increases even though the Standing Committee on Finance had included a recommendation to have campgrounds classified as an 'active business' and therefore qualify for the small business tax deduction (SBD) in their final report to the Finance Minister last December.

Despite the vast majority of private campgrounds in Canada operating as seasonal, family owned businesses, Canada Revenue Agency began to reclassify small campgrounds as not being eligible for the SBD and thus unable to qualify for the same rate of corporate income tax as any other Canadian owned small business would, including motels.

For the past year, stakeholders of the Canadian Camping and RV Industry have urged the relevant federal ministers and all MPs across Canada to consider the negative impacts this will have on the thousands of families involved in providing camping facilities and the millions of Canadians who visit private campgrounds on their vacations.

"Leading up to the budget, this government continually reminded us that its focus will be on middle class Canadians" said Shane Devenish, CCRVC's Executive Director. "But the irony here is that while our private campgrounds offer an opportunity for middle-class families to spend time together, create life-long memories and discover Canada's natural landscape, the private campgrounds themselves are owned and operated by middle-class Canadians and their families"

While we are deeply disappointed by the Government of Canada's inaction in the Budget which now allows CRA to continue to retroactively tax Canadian campgrounds for a 300% increase, seeking relief in the Federal Budget represented only one opportunity available to our members. We remain firmly committed to the issue and our continued dialogue with the Federal Government and CRA in order to reach a much needed successful resolution.

The Canadian Camping and RV Council

CCRVC is an Association comprised of Provincial Private Campground Associations, CRVA (RV Manufacturers & Suppliers) and the RVDA of Canada.

In a 2014 Economic Survey, Canadian Camping and RV Industry contributed $4.7-billion to the economy, generated over $1-billion in taxes, employed 60,420 full-time workers, generated $2.9 billion in salary and wages.

SOURCE Canadian Camping and RV Council

For further information: Media Contact: Shane Devenish, Executive Director, CCRVC, (905) 315-3156
Do you have a question about your taxes? Email them to us at moneyquestions@yahoo.com

Each spring, Americans are collectively aggravated by filing taxes. The problem isnt paying themthats usually done each paycheckthe problem is filling out arcane forms, using a website to help you, or having to hire someone to just take care of the whole thing. Its a massive waste of time. There is a better way, however.

The tax forms, like the W-2s and 1099s, that arrive in your mailbox are not just sent to you. Your employers and financial institutions also send them to the IRS, which compares those forms to the numbers you or your accountant puts in the little boxes.

Intuit, the company that makes TurboTax, lobbies hard to make your taxes so irritating you cant do them yourself. Source: Getty Images

Do you have a question about your taxes? Email them to us at moneyquestions@yahoo.com



If they already have this information, why the heck are they asking you for it? This is the idea behind pre-prepared returns, which is a system favored by many countries in Northern Europe like Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

According to the Tax Foundation, the vast majority (just under 70%) of Americans take the standard deduction instead of itemizing. For pre-populated returns, the idea would be the IRS sends a filled-out tax 1040 with the standard deduction and information filled in. For 70% of the country, filing taxes would be as simple as reading over the form, sending it back, and waiting for a refund.

In the past, this idea has enjoyed bipartisan agreement, and supporters for this kind of tax filing reform have included Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Last year Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2016. It was introduced and died in the Committee on Finance, as many bills do.

Bipartisan support, no progress

So why has there been no progress despite Reagan/Obama unity? In addition to the general difficulties Washington has reaching agreements, there has been strong lobbying and pushback from companies that benefit from complicated, difficult tax filing, like H&R Block and Intuit, the maker of TurboTax.

Story continues

This is a classic story of a very profitable industryin this case the tax-preparation industryhiring an army of lobbyists to help rig the system in their favor, Sen. Warren told Yahoo Finance. Taxpayers should have the option of choosing return-free filing if they want, but that would mean lower profits for the tax-prep companies that are fighting tooth and nail to block it.

Both H&R Block and Intuit have in fact a spent a fortune to stifle filing simplifications. Intuit has spent about $2 million on lobbying each year since 2008, according to public lobbying disclosures. In 2016, H&R Block upped its lobbying budget to over $3.2 million. According to an investigation by ProPublica, Intuit has also been linked to efforts to stir up grassroots support against pre-prepared tax returns.

Tax-prep companies do not cite profit as motive, however, generally citing rhetoric along the lines of, do you trust the government? These companies also usually note that free solutions like the Free Fillable Forms and Free File exist already, though filling out PDFs may not cut it for angry taxpayers.

In a statement to Yahoo Finance, Intuit VP of corporate communications Julie Miller argued it is in consumers best interest to have control over filing, because they alone understand their situation. The taxpayer alone has all the information regarding the circumstances of their personal lives, Miller told Yahoo Finance. This underscores the inherent importance and value of direct citizen engagement in the American Voluntary Compliance process. Additionally, Miller argued that doing ones taxes was a good annual ritual that compels people to review their finances.

In a statement responding to ProPublicas reports about its lobbying efforts, Intuit also described return-free filing as removing the ability for the government to employ the tax system as a channel for implementing economic policy, such as tax credits to eligible filers.

This is correct, but the argument is a straw man, since filing simplifications like pre-populated tax returns isnt the same thing as return-free filing, which is doing away with tax returns altogether and letting the government simply send you a bill or a check.

If its just government pre-populating return system, then [Intuits} statement doesnt apply at all because in pre-population, its sending you info it already has, William Gale, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, told Yahoo Finance. If youre talking about a literally return-free system, then they are correct that it limits the extent that tax policy can be used to provide target subsidies.

In the pre-populated scenario, taxpayers would still check over work, demonstrate eligibility for tax credits, and review their yearly finances.Return-free requires a much stronger set of simplified tax rules than pre-population does, said Gale. And most countries [that have tax return simplification] do pre-populated, not return-free.

It seems likely nothing will change anytime soon, but its clear that the current way is just not working out that well, perhaps best illustrated by an analogy from Joseph Bankman, a Stanford law professor. Imagine if your vehicle registration fee was done the same way. Imagine if the state said, Go to your car, find your [Vehicle Identification] number and then look at this table that has different tax rates to find out how much you owe. In this analogy, the VIN number is your income, which the government already knows. If they did, people would probably need to hire an expert for that too.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumer issues, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Got a tip? Send it to tips@yahoo-inc.com.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A VISION-BASED DRONE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

A Next Generation Drone Auto-Pilot Beyond Visual Line of Sight Technology

Highlights:

Development of Next Generation Drone Auto-Pilot Beyond Visual Line of Sight Technology





Partnership with University of Toronto and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)





and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) DDC will have rights to use the developed intellectual property and integrate into its Proprietary FLYTE Auto-Pilot System

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Drone Delivery Canada 'DDC or the Company' (CSE: FLT), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Sponsored Research and Collaboration Agreement with the University of Toronto and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Development granting program to jointly develop a vision-based navigation solution for UAV's (drones) to safely navigate without the reliance of GPS technology.

For DDC, the partnership will provide the Company leading technology on the forefront of Drone Auto-Pilot Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Technology to safely navigate without the reliance of GPS technology, moving DDC another significant step closer to commercialization. In this partnership, DDC will benefit from the intellectual property developed and will Integrate into its Proprietary FLYTE Auto-Pilot System.

"We are working on this next generation BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) drone technology with some of Canada's smartest minds", commented Paul Di Benedetto, CTO of Drone Delivery Canada. "This collaboration will greatly accelerate our development of vision-based navigation technology for our FLYTE software management and auto-pilot systems required for commercialization", added Di Benedetto.

The development initiative will be co-led by Professor Angela Schoellig and Professor Tim Barfoot of the University of Toronto's Institute of Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). Professor Schoellig heads up the Dynamic Systems Lab at UTIAS. She is also an Associate Director of the newly founded Center for Aerial Robotics Research and Education (CARRE) at the University of Toronto. With her team, she conducts research at the interface of robotics, controls and machine learning. Professor Schoellig has been working with aerial vehicles for the past eight years and, more recently, has applied her motion planning, control and learning algorithms to self-driving vehicles. Professor Barfoot, who holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Autonomous Space Robotics, is an expert in vision-based navigation and is the Principal Investigator of the Autonomous Space Robotics Lab (ASRL) at UTIAS.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is co-funding this project alongside DDC. DRDC is the national leader in defence and security science and technology and is the agency of Canada's Department of National Defence (DND), DRDC provides DND, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments as well as the public safety and national security communities, the knowledge and technological advantage needed to defend and protect Canada's interests at home and abroad.

For more information, please visit www.dronedeliverycanada.com

About Drone Delivery Canada

Drone Delivery Canada is a drone technology company focused on the design, development and implementation of its proprietary logistics software platform utilizing drones. The Company's platform will be used as Software as a Service (SaaS) for government and corporate organizations. Drone Delivery Canada Corp. is a publicly listed company trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol FLT.

SOURCE Drone Delivery Canada

For further information: Richard Buzbuzian, President, Telephone: (416) 361-6167, Email: [email protected]; Bill Mitoulis, Investor Relations, Telephone: (416) 837-7147, Email: [email protected]; Nelson Hudes, Media Relations, Telephone: (905) 660-9155, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.dronedeliverycanada.com


OTTAWA, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) welcomes the modest investments in public services announced in this year's budget, but we are disappointed that it did not go far enough to restore the services Canadians rely on.

"This budget was an opportunity to improve front-line public service delivery. While it is encouraging to see investments in food safety and transportation infrastructure, the Liberals missed the opportunity to substantially restore and improve public services," said Robyn Benson, PSAC National President. "PSAC is disappointed that the government ignored our demand to include a contingency fund to address problems with the Phoenix pay system."

Quality public services

Federal public service workers see first-hand the impact that years of cuts have had on the quality of Canada's public services. The second Liberal budget was an opportunity to restore what was cut so that our members can deliver the high-quality public services that Canadians deserve.

Instead of significant reinvestment in public services, like creating more permanent employment opportunities, we are concerned about the possibility of the government pursuing privatization and P3 initiatives. Privatization and P3s are often more expensive than public ownership and not in the public interest. Furthermore, public funds should not be used for private profits.

Phoenix pay system

On the first anniversary of Phoenix, we asked the government to include a $75 million contingency fund in the federal budget. If departments and agencies don't have the proper resources to deal with Phoenix, pay problems will never be resolved.

By not including the contingency fund, the government is going to prolong and worsen the problems with the pay system. It also sends the message that fixing Phoenix is not a priority for this government. This is unacceptable; public service workers deserve to be paid correctly and on-time.

SOURCE Public Service Alliance of Canada

For further information: Information and interviews: Jonathan Choquette, Acting Communications Coordinator, [email protected] or 819-773-2511; Veronique Breton, Communications Officer, [email protected] or 343-540-8882

Related Links

http://psacunion.ca/


COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - March 22, 2017 marks the official launch of TastePlease, a Copenhagen initiative that offers food lovers across the globe a new platform for social dining and interaction. Experienced chef and former restaurant owner Frank Lantz is the man behind the project, and he is not afraid of thinking big.

"TastePlease will revolutionize the way we dine, meet and interact," he states. "The new social platform makes it much easier for people with a passion for food to come together - it's a worldwide dining club where everybody is invited."

Unlike other social media platforms, TastePlease's food universe is mainly focused on sharing in-person experiences. It is all about using modern technology to socialize the old fashioned way.

Connecting people through food

From blinis to burgers, food has the power to bring us together. Today's busy lifestyle, however, makes it hard to schedule meals with family and friends as often as we might wish.

The new TastePlease platform offers its users the opportunity to create, host and join culinary events anywhere, anytime. Professional chefs can find tasters to try out new menus, hospitable home cooks can fill the seats around their dining table, and hungry foodies can find their next unique meal.

Taste the world!

Thanks to the rise of Airbnb, we already travel the world living like the locals do. With the introduction of TastePlease, we can eat like - and with - the locals, too. It may finally be time to say goodbye to the infamous tourist traps and start indulging in true local flavours.

"The search for authentic food experiences was essential to me when I first got the idea for TastePlease," says founder Frank Lantz. "I wanted to make it easy for travellers to get a real taste of local culture and find something like that little family restaurant we all look for when we go abroad."

Link: Press Kit

About TastePlease

TastePlease is based in Copenhagen , created by local chef Frank Lantz

, created by local chef From day one, TastePlease is available in 190 countries and 14 languages

Go to http://www.tasteplease.com or downloaded as an app for iOS and Android

About Frank Lantz

Frank Lantz is an award winning Danish chef and entrepreneur

is an award winning Danish chef and entrepreneur He has been working passionately with food and cookery since 1994

After many years as a restaurant owner, he is now dedicated to innovation and experiences

SOURCE TastePlease.com
OTTAWA, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will speak to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade about key elements of Budget 2017 and the next steps in the federal government's economic plan to support Canada's middle class. Minister Bains will also discuss how Budget 2017 will prepare Canadians for a rapidly changing economy.

Date: Thursday, March 23, 2017



Time: 12:45 (PDT)



Location: Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel

Crystal Pavilion

999 Canada Place

Vancouver, British Columbia

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/home


OTTAWA, March 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Massimo Bergamini, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) will be on Parliament Hill to give his organization's perspective on the federal budget. Of particular concern to Canadian air carriers is the continued uncertainty over the future of Canada's airports and its cost, service and competitive implications.

"Media reports suggest that the federal budget will be silent on the issue of airport privatization, but we find little comfort in that," said Bergamini. "What is needed is not the continued ambiguity of a tactical retreat, but a simple, clear repudiation of an idea that carries no demonstrable benefits for travellers, communities or Canada's airlines."

DATE: Wednesday, March 22, 4:00pm



WHAT: National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) available for comment following the tabling of the 2017 Federal Budget



WHERE: Parliament Hill, Centre Block, Room 253-D



WHO: Massimo Bergamini, President and CEO

Mr. Bergamini will be available for comment in person on Parliament Hill as well as by phone, immediately following the tabling of the budget.

About the National Airlines Council of Canada

The National Airlines Council of Canada is the trade association representing Canada's largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. We promote safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating the development of policies, regulations and legislation to help foster a world-class transportation system. Collectively, our member airlines carry over 60 million passengers annually, directly employ 46,000 people and create over 260,000 jobs.

SOURCE National Airlines Council of Canada

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Eric Collard, 613-878-0180 or [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.airlinecouncil.ca


For photos, videos and more information relating to NUDURA, visit https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8059451-nudura-safe-resilient-homes/

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Building technology has seen rapid advances in recent years, with owners, architects, designers, and builders looking for newer, more efficient ways to build their projects. NUDURA Insulated Concrete Forms have met these demands on all sorts of projects, from small residential homes to large educational facilities, providing buildings that are safe, comfortable, energy efficient, and eco-friendly.

"Insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, consist of two panels of Expanded Polystyrene foam, which we refer to as EPS, with a hollow core in between. The panels are held tightly together by a patented web system, and can be stacked on top of each other in a way similar to Lego blocks," says Keven Rector, Technical Services Manager at NUDURA.

These high tech industry leading forms have proven technologies to make building easier and faster, and are available in all form types and sizes to accommodate all types of building and design requirements. Each form is stacked, steel reinforced and filled with concrete to complete the building envelope of a home in one building step.

With their steel reinforced solid concrete core, these structures can withstand some of Mother Nature's worst. NUDURA ICFs can endure winds of up to 402 kph (250 mph) and the non-toxic fire retardant expanded polystyrene foam provides a fire protection rating of up to 4 hours, ensuring that your family and home are safe and secure in almost any situation.

"The environmental benefits of our ICFs are seen from development through transportation, the build and even years into the future. With our DURAFOLD Technology NUDURA ICF products can be shipped flat, allowing for 40% more product on a truck compared to other ICF products. We also have a 4-WAY REVERSIBLE System that almost eliminates waste because it removes left and right corners. This allows NUDURA Insulated Concrete Forms to be used in twice as many scenarios as non-reversible forms," says Mr. Rector.

ICFs provide significant energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint of the building. In fact, when you combine two panels of 2 5/8" EPS foam with the structural strength and thermal mass of concrete, a NUDURA ICF home can provide up to 50 percent savings in energy costs.

To learn more about how NUDURA can get you in a safe, disaster resilient, eco-friendly home visit www.nudura.com.

About Nudura

Introduced to the market in 2001, NUDURA is now the world's leading Insulated Concrete Forming (ICF) system. With a commitment to providing innovative products and unprecedented service, our ICF's have become the preferred building method of installers and designers. NUDURA walls have met, and most often exceeded, statutory building codes around the globe. Tested to the highest standards, NUDURA provides customers with the safest, most comfortable project possible and has a wide variety of code approvals for North America and Europe.

SOURCE NUDURA

For further information: NUDURA Marketing Manager, [email protected] | 705-726-9499 ext. 263, www.nudura.com
Continued investment in education will help youth from low-income communities succeed beyond high school



TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, with the tabling of the 2017 federal budget, the Government of Canada has announced continued investment in the education of youth from low-income communities through the Pathways to Education Canada Program (Pathways).



The Pathways to Education Program provides a comprehensive set of academic, financial, social, and one-on-one supports to youth from low-income communities to graduate from high school and transition into post-secondary education, training, or meaningful employment. The results of this Program have been successful in increasing high school graduation rates by an average of 85 per cent across communities where Pathways is offered. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 18 communities across Canada.



"Every year, thousands of Canadian students make the life-altering decision to drop out of high school," says Sue Gillespie, President and CEO of Pathways to Education Canada. "In low-income communities across Canada, the high school dropout rate can reach up to 50 per cent, taking a dramatic toll on our communities, our health and social systems, and our economy."



The Program addresses the barriers that can stand in the way of high school graduation. Some of the barriers young people face are insufficient financial means, lack of positive role models, adapting to a new language, or integration into a new country and culture. Over 73 per cent of all students who graduated from high school while in the Pathways Program have gone on to post-secondary education or training.



"The Government of Canada is a valued partner to Pathways to Education," says Sue Gillespie. "The partnership between Pathways and the Government of Canada is built on aligned objectives, including working to reduce poverty in Canada through ensuring that youth from low-income communities receive the supports and services necessary to graduate from high school and succeed in the work place. We are grateful for the continued support and investment in our Program."



With the support of the Government of Canada, Pathways is contributing to the achievement of the Government's commitment to ensuring access to education for all of Canada's youth. The Government of Canada has provided key funding for the Pathways Program since 2010.

About Pathways to Education Canada  www.pathwaystoeducationcanada.ca

Pathways to Education Canada is a charitable organization that helps youth from low-income communities to graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education, training, or employment. The Pathways Program addresses systemic barriers to education by providing academic, financial, social, and one-on-one supports, proven to lower dropout rates. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 18 communities across Canada, with programs in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and British Columbia. The first Canadian organization to be recognized with a World Innovation Summit for Education Award (WISE) for its innovative and effective work in education, Pathways plans to continue to expand to serve more students across the country.

SOURCE Pathways to Education Canada

For further information: Colleen Ryan, Director, Marketing and Communications, Pathways to Education Canada, Tel: 416.646.1234 x503, [email protected]
TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) commends the Government for its decision to maintain tax fairness on retail purchases, whether made from retailers here in Canada or from online vendors outside our borders. RCC has led the retail industry's fight to ensure a continued level playing field on the annual sale of more than $80 billion-worth of shippable consumer goods.

The current de minimis rule exempts imported parcels with a value under $20 from sales taxes and customs duties. Foreign online vendors have been pressing the Canadian government to increase that level to as high as $200 in this year's budget. Had that lobbying effort succeeded, the tax-included price on every item under $200 sold by a merchant in Canada would have been significantly more expensive than the comparable item shipped from a foreign source.

"The Government's decision not to change the de minimis rate is a victory for tax fairness and recognition of the importance of Canada's $530 billion+ retail industry and our workforce of two million Canadians," said Diane J. Brisebois, CEO. "Foreign online vendors have lobbied relentlessly to obtain favourable tax treatment for themselves but there is no policy rationale for providing an incentive to shop literally anywhere but Canada and to invest and hire outside our borders," Ms. Brisebois added.

The government's approach is in keeping with policy moves elsewhere in the World. This year, Australia will lower its de minimis rate to $0 and the European Commission recently proposed a 0 de minimis level throughout the EU. Even in online market leader Amazon's U.S. home, 39 states[i] now have regimes in place to collect state and local taxes on interstate shipments, levelling the playing field with local businesses.

Retail is Canada's largest employer with over 2 million Canadians working in our industry. In 2015, the sector generated payroll over $59 billion and $340 billion in sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline). Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members' represent more than two-thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association and represents small, medium and large retail business in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants.

________________________

[i] Of the 45 states that have state sales taxes.

SOURCE Retail Council of Canada

For further information: Caroline Hubberstey, Senior Vice President, Communications & Member Relations, Retail Council of Canada, (o) 416-467-3748, (c) 647-331-3748, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.retailcouncil.org


OTTAWA, March 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the attack in London, United Kingdom (U.K.):

"We strongly condemn today's attack in London. I was shocked and saddened to learn of the innocent people who were killed and injured as a result of this cowardly attack.

"Canada and the U.K. are the closest of friends and allies. Our friendship is based on shared values and history  indeed, Canada's Parliament is a descendant of the Chamber targeted this morning.

"Today's attack on the U.K. Parliament is an attack on democracies around the world.

"The Canadian Parliament withstood a similar attack not so long ago by those who sought to instil fear and divide Canadians against themselves. Instead, Canadians came together. I am confident the British people will do the same, and will emerge from their grief stronger and more united than ever before.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I offer our full support to Prime Minister May and to the people of the United Kingdom. We stand ready to offer all possible assistance to the British government, to do what we can to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous act.

"Canadians stand united with the British people in the fight against terrorism. We will continue to work together with the U.K. and all our allies to show the world that freedom and democracy will always triumph."

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555

Related Links

http://pm.gc.ca/


If you thought Trumps travel ban was controversial, take a look at these immigration bans

As President Donald Trump attempts to appeal a series of federal court orders blocking his revised travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, there are several other travel bans currently being enforced around the world; one which was passed as recently as March 2017.

Furthermore, if the new administration's ban does go ahead, it wouldn't be the first time America closed its doors to foreign visitors.

Current travel bans

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the countries listed below currently impose the following travel restrictions:

Middle East/Africa

Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Sudan  which make up five of the six countries included in Trump's revised ban - all block the entry of Israeli passport holders into their countries. A policy upheld by 16 countries in total, all but one of which are Arab League nations, who don't officially recognize the state of Israel and actively choose to boycott it.

Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Sudan are also among eight countries who impose even stricter restrictions on the state of Israel, and won't accept passports which contain Israeli visas or stamps.

Libya

In 2015, Libya's "official" government also decided to ban entry to Yemenis, Pakistanis, Syrians, Palestinians, Iranians, Sudanese and Bangladeshis. The country's then top army commander Khalifa Haftar cited a need for greater "security and stability" in Libya as the reason behind the policy. Due to Libya's fractured political state and ongoing civil war though, there is no single authority in full control, and border policies are inconsistent.

Israel



On March 6, 2017, just hours after Donald Trump announced the outline of his revised executive order on immigration, Israeli lawmakers passed a travel ban of their own. Israel's policy doesn't target any particular ethnic group, but rather the law states that any foreign national "who has knowingly issued a public call to boycott the state of Israel or pledge to take part in such a boycott", will not be permitted entry.

Story continues

The law is seen as targeting pro-Palestinian protesters or activists who have in the past held demonstrations inside Israel, and it also affects anyone who publicly disapproves of or undermines Israeli settlements.

Travel bans in US history

Banning the immigration or entry of certain ethnic, religious, or political groups into the U.S. on the grounds of "national security" is not a historically new concept, and since the late 19th-century there has been several instances where the American government has successfully done so.

Immigration only became a matter of federal regulation after the end of the American civil war in 1865. Prior to that, the flow of people was largely controlled on a state-by-state basis, due to slavery and the Confederate States wanting control over their human chattel.

China

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first U.S. federal law which blocked the mass migration of a particular ethnic group. The law was passed to curb the flow of Chinese laborers into America due to fears that they were taking too many jobs, and was then modified to prohibit Chinese citizens who had left America from returning.

The act wasn't repealed until 1943 when China officially became a U.S. ally in World War II, and even then Chinese migrants were subjected to a competitive quota system in order to enter the country.

'Undesirables'



The Immigration Act of 1917, which is also known as the "literacy act", was the next big federal law which prevented the migration of specific groups. After World War I the fear of Communism began to take hold of everyday Americans, and during the early 20th century millions of migrants were being processed on New York's Ellis Island.

As the ethnic mix of settlers from Europe diversified, the U.S. Congress responded by passing three key laws, each more restrictive than the last. The laws imposed literacy tests on immigrants and created a series of "undesirable" categories under which people could be considered "inadmissible", such as: "illiterates", "political radicals", "prostitutes", and "persons being mentally or physically defective." One section of the act also outlined an "Asiatic Barred Zone", which barred migration from most of Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Arabs, Asians and Europeans



The Johnson Reed Act of 1924 solidified America's return to nativism during the turn of the 20th century, and was aimed at preserving racial uniformity. Enacted May 26, 1924, the act drastically culled migration numbers by banning Arabs and Asians outright, and capping migration quotas further to reduce the total number of immigrants to 150,000 per year.

The chief author of the laws was Albert Johnson, a eugenicist who dabbled in racist pseudoscience and was head of The Eugenics Research Association. Johnson strongly opposed interracial marriage and supported sterilization of the mentally ill, and his scientific findings formed the basis of his immigration initiatives.

Johnson was confident that the act would fulfill its intended purpose, which was to end America's "indiscriminate acceptance of all races." The act remained one of the controlling forces behind U.S. immigration policy until 1965 when the Immigration and Nationality act was established. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions praised the Johnson-Reed act during a 2015 interview with Breitbart's Stephen Bannon  who is now Donald Trump's chief strategist.

Jews



Donald Trump's original travel ban indefinitely banned entry to Syrian refugees due to security concerns, but has since been revised to consider Syrian refugees on a case-by-case basis. This is not dissimilar to how Jewish refugees were treated during World War II, as President Franklin D Roosevelt asserted that Jews fleeing Europe posed a serious threat to American national security, as Nazi spies could hide among them and infiltrate the country.

Under Roosevelt, the allowed number of German Jews who could be admitted into America dropped to 26,000 annually, and it is estimated that during Hitler's reign less than 25 percent of that quota was filled.





More From CNBC


president donald trump signs nasa transition authorization act 2017 law oval office white house GettyImages 656080636

President Trump has signed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017.

The new law calls for a $19.5 billion NASA budget and asks the space agency to reach Mars by 2033.

However, the law leaves out earth science, which the Trump administration intends to cut heavily.

For the first time in nearly seven years, the US government has passed a new long-term vision for NASA's future.

President Donald Trump signed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, a bill also known as S.442, into law in the Oval Office on March 21.

The Senate and House had collaborated on the document for months, and it requests a $19.5 billion-a-year budget for the space agency. (NASA received $19.3 billion in 2016, or 0.5% of the total federal budget.)

In an image that Trump tweeted on Tuesday, the president said he's "delighted to sign this bill reaffirming our national commitment to the core mission of NASA: human space exploration, space science, and technology."

However, that core mission is missing something that has been a part of the space agency since its creation: earth science.

End of an atmospheric era?

earth

The 1958 document that formed NASA called upon the new space agency to contribute to the "expansion of human knowledge of phenomena in the atmosphere".

This includes climate research, which Trump and his appointees reject despite of centuries' worth of evidence and an overwhelming scientific consensus in support of conclusions drawn from that data. (Namely, that human activity is helping warm Earth's atmosphere and accelerate changes to its climate.)

As Business Insider's Rafi Letzter has reported, NASA has carried out that mission "with gusto under six Republican administrations and five Democratic ones."

The new law doesn't even mention earth science, which troubles scientists  especially considering what the Trump administration laid out in its proposed budget for NASA, released last week.

Story continues

If enacted, that budget would cut several major space agency initiatives, including the Office of Education, and seeks to terminate the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE), Orbital Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3), Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), and CLARREO Pathfinder missions.

These four satellites allow scientists to monitor and predict the behavior of Earth's weather, shifting climates, ocean ecosystems, and other vital aspects of our planet. They help save peoples' lives, protect wildlife, and prepare America and other nations for long-term changes.

However, these deep cuts may or may not come to pass.

While S.442 is now a law, a long and complex budgeting process remains before NASA knows what its actual funding levels are for fiscal year 2018, which runs from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018.

Trump's proposed budget says NASA should receive $19.1 billion per year, or $400 million less than Congress' law calls for. Meanwhile, Trump is receiving pressure from Republican groups to acknowledge and support the science of climate change.

The new roadmap for NASA's future

space launch system

The law asks NASA to create a plan for getting humans "near or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s."

It also calls on the space agency to continue developing the Space Launch System (SLS)  a behemoth rocket  and the Orion space capsule in order to eventually go to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Trump has expressed support for a crewed exploration of Mars, and in his inauguration speech he said he's "ready to unlock the mysteries of space." Administration officials, meanwhile, have said they want NASA to return to the moon in the 2020s.

The American Astronomical Society has a convenient breakdown of the $19.5 billion in the bill, including funding for human space exploration, space-station operations, science, and more.

Here are some notable titles, articles, and sections of the 146-page document:

NOW WATCH: Astronomers discovered a solar system with 7 Earth-sized planets  and its the perfect place to search for alien life





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Kogi-born Nigerian Senator, Dino Melaye is currently in the eye of the storm over certificate scandal as exposed by Sahara Reporters.

Kogi-born Nigerian Senator, Dino Melaye is currently in the eye of the storm over certificate scandal as exposed by Sahara Reporters. The news medium alleged that the controversial lawmaker did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University as he claims. Well, it is still a boiling issue at the moment, but begs the question of who are those that seek the downfall of the outspoken lawmaker. In the past, the Senator has been involved in some controversial issues that may be shooting him in the leg now. They can be tagged as the 'Political sins', some of which are:Nigerians are not quick to forget the altercation between Senator Melaye and Senator representing Lagos Central senatorial district, Oluremi Tinubu in 2016. Mrs Tinubu alleged that Melaye Denigrated her as a woman and threatened to beat her on the floor of the senate simply because she dared to express an opinion different from his.For the second time on March 14, The Senate rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the State Security Service, SSS, reaffirmed its position that the nominee lacks integrity to lead the countrys anti-corruption agency. Mr. Magu's rejection was premised on a DSS report, dated March 14 raised by Senator Dino Melaye. Likewise in December 2016, Melaye and Senator Ali Ndume engaged in a fierce exchange of words during a pre-sitting meeting in the office of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.It was gathered that while Ndume gave nod to the screening of Magu, Melaye on the other hand, kicked against it, after which they were locked in a shouting match.Both Senator Dino Melaye and Ali Ndume are not in good terms. Ali Ndume of Borno South was in January 2017 removed as the Senate Leader by APC caucus and replaced with Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North. Thirty-nine out of the 63 All Peoples Congress (APC) senators signed the letter which demanded for the replacement of Ali Ndume. Dino Melaye was among the Senators that endorsed the 'Notice of Vote of No Confidence/Change of Leadership letter to the Senate. Ali Ndume, after his removal, told journalists that he was removed for insisting that the Senate did not follow the proper procedure before declaring that it had rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The Kogi-born Senator may be joining forces and alliances for 2019 elections as evident in a recent visit to Ibrahim Babangida last Sunday at his Minna residence. Melaye, with Senate president Bukola Saraki, among other top politicians paid the elder statesman a visit. Though the lawmakers are yet to disclose the purpose of their meeting with the former military ruler, some pundits have suggested that the meeting may be connected with Bukola Sarakis strategies for 2019 elections.Just like he opposed the confirmation of Magu as the chief, Senator Dino Melaye also contributed to why Senate sent out the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, after he appeared before the lawmakers in mufti. Mr. Alis appearance without uniform, last Thursday after his failure to appear on Wednesday, was contrary to the resolution of the Senate which asked that he must wear appropriate uniform to brief them over the now suspended policy on duty payment. Again, he is expected to appear the Red Chambers today but said he won't honour the invitation. He explained that his decision not to appear before the senate was based on a writ of summons he received on a case filed by a lawyer at an Abuja court, and noted that it would be subjudice for him to appear before the Senate on the pending issues before them which were also part of what was before the court.Well, the Flamboyant legislator and self-styled anti-corruption activist, Dino Melaye, is Senate President Bukola Saraki's 'godson'. Melaye in 2016 declared that Saraki, despite the allegations of corruption hanging on him, must remain in office for four years. He had also drummed support for his becoming the Senate President, and faulted the APC leaders for attacking Saraki, saying that he had no regrets supporting Saraki, promising to protect and defend the people of his senatorial district and the Nigerian constitution.
Intelligence report coming from security sources in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital revealed that about seven Hilux trucks and 40 motor...

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Neil Gorsuch

The second day of Judge Neil Gorsuch's Senate confirmation hearing featured hours of grilling, the first sustained public questioning of the man who is hoping to be confirmed for life and take the long-vacant seat on the Supreme Court.

Gorsuch, the 10th Circuit judge nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the seat vacated after Justice Antonin Scalia's death last February, faced questions directly related to the president, to his past decisions, and to some of the most controversial cases the Supreme Court has ruled on.

If you weren't glued to the TV for the better part of Tuesday, here's what you missed.

Trump

One of the first questions Gorsuch faced was whether he'd be able to rule against Trump if he were confirmed to the bench.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, asked Gorsuch the question right at the opening of his questioning.

Gorsuch didn't find the question too difficult.

"That's a softball, Mr. Chairman," he responded. "I have no difficulty ruling for or against any party ... and I'm heartened by the support I have received from people who recognize that there's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge. We just have judges in this country."

The Supreme Court nominee continued, saying he "offered no promises on how I'd rule in any case, to anyone," adding it was not "appropriate for a judge to do so, no matter who's doing the asking."

Gorsuch was asked later about the most heated subject involving Trump and the courts: the president's controversial travel ban that is making its way through the court system. The judge acknowledged he thought the case could make it to the Supreme Court, but he wouldn't elaborate on how he'd rule on the case.

"We have a constitution, and it does guarantee free exercise," he said. "It also guarantees equal protection of the law ... I will apply the law. I will apply the law faithfully and fearlessly ... Anyone, any law, is going to get a fair and square deal with me."

Story continues

Gorsuch cited Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, a case that limited presidential power in emergencies, when asked whether such actions as the travel ban were reviewable by the judiciary.

As the hearing moved into the early evening, Gorsuch was asked about attacks on the integrity of the judiciary. Trump has held little back  sometimes launching tweets attacking federal judges since he's been elected. The president also attacked a federal judge's Mexican heritage during the campaign amid a case involving Trump's namesake program of real-estate classes, Trump University.

Echoing sentiment he shared to senators following his nomination, Gorsuch said it was "disheartening" and "demoralizing" for anyone to launch attacks at the integrity of the judiciary.

That included Trump.

"When anyone criticizes the honesty, integrity, the motives of a federal judge, well, I find that disheartening, I find that demoralizing, because I know the truth," Gorsuch said to a question from Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

"Anyone including the president of the United States?" the Connecticut Democrat asked.

"Anyone is anyone," Gorsuch said.

The White House attempted to clear Trump's name specifically in the exchange.

"Wrong and Misleading: he spoke broadly and never mentioned any person," the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said in a tweet quoting an Associated Press headline that read, "BREAKING: Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch publicly calls President Trump's attacks on judges 'disheartening,' 'demoralizing.'"

Neil Gorsuch

Abortion rights

Gorsuch was asked at various points in his hearing about Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion nationwide in the early 1970s.

Ranking Judiciary Committee member Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, asked Gorsuch whether Roe v. Wade had reached "super-precedent," given the number of times the case had been upheld on challenges. Gorsuch, who earlier proclaimed his belief in the great value of judicial precedent, said the case "has been reaffirmed many times."

In an exchange with Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Gorsuch said he was not asked by Trump to overturn Roe v. Wade.

During the campaign, Trump had said he would select a judge who would overturn Roe v. Wade once nominated and confirmed to the bench.

Asked by Graham what he would've done if Trump had made such a demand before nominating him, Gorsuch said he "would have walked out the door."

"It's not what judges do," Gorsuch said. "I don't do it at that end of Pennsylvania Avenue, and they shouldn't do it at this end either, respectfully."

Chevron deference

Gorsuch's views on the precedent known as "Chevron deference" was a focal point of the hearing, as it's an area on which some court experts believe he will differ from Scalia, the conservative justice he would be replacing.

Named for a 1984 case, Chevron deference is the precedent by which the court ruled the judiciary should defer to the interpretation of a government agency when a law or statute it administers is under question.

In a concurring opinion last August, Gorsuch said Chevron deference allowed the executive branch to "swallow huge amounts of power" from the judicial and legislative branches, which "seems more than a little difficult to square with the Constitution of the framers' design," as CNN reported. Scalia had spoken out in favor of the Chevron ruling.

During Tuesday's questioning, Gorsuch used opportunities when he was pressed about Chevron to explain that he viewed the issue as one that concerned him in terms of both separation of powers and due process. And he said bureaucracies should not be put above "neutral, dispassionate judges."

"I was concerned about the due process implications that arise in cases  where an individual is not aided by an army of lawyers and lobbyists, can they anticipate changes in law by agencies back and forth willy-nilly, even to the point of overruling judicial precedent," he said during an exchange with Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

If a case that could overturn Chevron deference came up during his time on the bench, should he be confirmed, he said, he would "try to come at it with as open a mind as a man could muster."

Al Franken

The 'frozen trucker'

A 2016 Gorsuch dissent that Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota called "absurd" and said made him question Gorsuch's judgment also took center stage at the hearing.

Critics of Gorsuch said the case showed he took the side of big corporations over "the little guy."

The "frozen trucker" case involved Alphonse Maddin, a TransAm truck driver, who claimed he was wrongfully fired after he abandoned a faulty trailer because he nearly froze to death.

After waiting hours in temperatures more than 10 degrees below zero for roadside services to assist him in fixing his trailer, he detached it from the cab and drove away. While he was waiting for assistance, he grew numb and his speech began slurring as he waited inside the unheated cabin.

In his dissent from the 10th Circuit, which sided with Maddin, Gorsuch wrote that the court's job was not to determine whether the trucking company made "a wise or kind" decision.

"It might be fair to ask whether TransAm's decision was a wise or kind one," Gorsuch wrote in his dissent. "But it's not our job to answer questions like that. Our only task is to decide whether the decision was an illegal one."

Franken ripped Gorsuch's rationale, calling the dissent "absurd."

"It is absurd to say [the company was] in its rights to fire him because he made the choice of possibly dying from freezing to death or cause other people to die possible by driving an unsafe vehicle," Franken said. "That's absurd. Now, I had a career in identifying absurdity. And I know it when I see it. And it makes me question your judgment."

Gorsuch said his "heart goes out to" Maddin.

Fellow Democrats used the case as proof the judge was not someone who sides with the little guy.

Feinstein and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois also questioned him extensively on the case.

"It was 14 degrees below. So cold, but not as cold as your dissent, Judge Gorsuch," Durbin said.

"All I can tell you is my job is to apply the law you write," Gorsuch replied.

Gorsuch did say that he acknowledged the human toll in such cases.

"I can't tell you that when I go home and take off the robe, I don't think about some of those cases," he said. "My job isn't to write the laws. It's to apply the laws."

Neil Gorsuch

Law-school controversy

In a testy exchange earlier in the day, Durbin pressed Gorsuch on a letter from a former law student of the judge's that was posted Sunday.

The student who wrote the letter, Jennifer Sisk, claimed the judge told a class at the University of Colorado Law School last year that law firms should ask women about their family planning during job interviews. Additionally, Sisk wrote that Gorsuch implied that women seek to gain maternity benefits by manipulating employers in interviews.

But Sisk, formerly a Democratic staffer, faced backlash from fellow students after the letter went public, as another student came to Gorsuch's defense and disputed the characterization. Women who worked for Gorsuch as clerks also came out to defend the 10th Circuit Court judge from Sisk's claim, NPR reported.

The exchange between Durbin and Gorsuch began when the Illinois senator asked whether Gorsuch personally believed there were situations in which "the costs to an employer of maternity leave can justify an employer asking only female applicants and not male applicants about family plans."

"Senator, those are not my words and I would never had said them," Gorsuch answered.

"I didn't say that," Durbin replied. "I asked you if you agreed with the statement."

"And I'm telling you I don't," Gorsuch fired back.

Durbin then brought up the letter, which was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee late last week. Durbin said the complaint was originally made to the University of Colorado Law School in April, long before Gorsuch was nominated by Trump.

"I want to get to the bottom of it," Durbin said, later asking, "Did you ask your students in class that day to raise their hands if they knew a women who had taken maternity benefits from a company, then left the company after having the baby?"

"No, senator, and I'd be delighted to actually clear this up," Gorsuch answered. "Because the first I heard of this was the night before my confirmation hearing."

Gorsuch said the incident most likely stemmed from discussion of one chapter of a textbook he uses while teaching legal ethics. The chapter, he said, "confronts lawyers with some harsh realities that they're about to face when they enter the practice of law."

He said, among the topics discussed, which include increased rates of suicide, alcoholism, divorce, and depression being at higher rates in the legal professions, was the subject of maternity benefits coming up in the context of job interviews.

"There is one problem in the book ... which asks the question and it's directed at young women, because sadly this is a reality they sometimes face," Gorsuch said. "The problem is this: Suppose an older partner working at the firm you're interviewing at asks you if you intend to become pregnant soon. What are your choices as a young person? You can say yes, tell the truth, a hypothetical ... and not get the job. And not be able to pay your debts. You can lie, maybe get the job, say no, that's a choice too. That's a hard choice. Or you can push back in some way shape or form."

"And we talk about the pros and the cons in a Socratic dialogue that they can think through for themselves how they might answer that very difficult question," he continued.

Gorsuch said he asked his students to raise their hands if they were asked "an inappropriate question" about family planning in a job setting.

"And I am shocked, every year, senator, how many young women raise their hand," he said. "It's disturbing to me."

"I'm shocked it still happens every year, that I get women, not men, raising their hand to that question," he added.

NOW WATCH: Watch Trump's budget director explain proposed cuts for after-school programs that feed children





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Nigeria's Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has urged the National Assembly to reduce the powers of the governor of the Central Bank of ...

Nigeria's Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has urged the National Assembly to reduce the powers of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.According to her, the extensive powers of the governors is responsible for the disconnect between Federal Governments monetary and fiscal policies.She spoke on Tuesday morning while receiving members of the House of Representatives Tactical Committee on Recession led by Bode Ayorinde.I want to correct the impression that the CBN is under us. They are not. Unfortunately, a law was passed, making them independent and giving them more powers. This has resulted in one person having so much power," she said.In the time of Prof. Charles Soludo as CBN governor, he went to the National Assembly asking for more powers and you can see where that has taken us to. So we are back to the legislature to help us correct this problem of too much power. As a result, there are no checks and balances, she said.Former central bank governors are yet to react to her statement.
A 90-year-old Internally Displaced Person, Zahrah Musa, on Wednesday rushed to save her N300 potatoes, minutes after she escaped a bomb at...

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The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned that the partys court-backed National Chair...

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Security operatives have said that Nigerian soldiers based in Magumeri village of Borno State received early warning about a deadly Bok...

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Shanghai Shenhua's Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has launched his charity campaign in Lagos by donating over 5,000 wheelchairs ...





Shanghai Shenhua's Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has launched his charity campaign in Lagos by donating over 5,000 wheelchairs and crutches to special athletes at the National Stadium in Surulere.

The wheelchairs and crutches, valued at tens of millions of naira, will also be given to physically challenged non-athletes in Surulere, Orile Iganmu, Lagos Island and Yaba.

According to a representative of Martins, 2000 wheelchairs and 3000 crutches were distributed to special athletes in the first phase of the charity work in Lagos.

The manager of the Obafemi Martins Foundation, Deji Olusesan, told newsmen that the first set of beneficiaries for the wheelchairs were the Paralympians who represented Nigerian at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

"Giving out these items is nothing to Martins because God has blessed him and he has also made a pledge to always give back to the society, Olusesan told newsmen on Wednesday .

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The senate has called for the resignation of Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

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The Senate has asked its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate its President Bukola Saraki for alleged im...

The Senate has asked its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate its President Bukola Saraki for alleged importation of bullet-proof car with fake Customs duty certificate.It also mandated the committee to probe the allegation of certificate forgery leveled against Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).The resolution to launch the investigation followed a motion of privilege by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South).Ndume drew the attention of his colleagues to a publication that Saraki sanctioned the invitation of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to appear in uniform to throw light on the controversial import duty payment on old vehicles because the Service impounded his (Sarakis) bullet-proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle on the orders of Ali.On Melaye, Ndume referred the Senate to a publication by a national newspaper that Melaye did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.Ndume told the Senate that an online platform claimed Melaye did not obtain a degree in Geography from ABU, Zaria.The Borno South lawmaker, who prayed the Senate to investigate the issues, noted that there was nothing untoward about investigating the Senate President.He said a former Speaker of the House of Representatives Salisu Buhari was accused of certificate forgery and investigated to clear his name.Ndume added that a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, was also accused of corruption and investigated.He noted that Wabara was also given opportunity to clear his name.Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, he said, was also accused of certificate forgery and given opportunity to clear his name.He said another presiding officer of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, was also accused and investigated to clear his name.Ndume said: This matter borders on our privileges. One has to do with Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President and it was reported in a paper; I have it here. The newspaper said the Senate is on vengeance after Nigeria Customs Service seized Senator Sarakis bullet-proof Range Rover over fake documents.My colleagues that are following events, particularly online, have seen or heard or read the rain of abuses on this Senate and the misconception of the fact that we invited the Customs boss based on a very unpopular policy that affects the people we represent, but now we are faced with this.During the 4th Assembly, Salisu Buhari was accused of certificate forgery. He was investigated and determined after that. In the 5th Assembly, Bello Masari was accused of certificate forgery (secondary school). He was investigated and was cleared.In the 6th Senate, Dimeji Bankole was accused of not having NYSC certificate, it was investigated and he showed his NYSC certificate.Now, that brings me to the second matter in the National Assembly. In the 4th Assembly, Senate President Adolphus Wabara was accused of collecting a bribe and it was investigated and determined. So, a lot of precedence has been set.Now, the second matter of privileges affects my colleague Dino Melaye and it is in the paper today? Therefore, accordingly, I will appeal we refer the matter to Ethics and Privileges to investigate so that our colleagues would be cleared and this Senate will stand as it supposed to.After the plenary, Melaye described the issue Ndume raised about him as a welcome development.The Kogi West senator noted that democracy is about investigation, where no senator is above investigation.He said those bandying the report that he did not graduate from ABU were obsessed with him.He said Nigerians would not be surprised that one day the same people would say he is not a Nigerian.Melaye, however, assured he would submit himself to investigation as a law-abiding citizen of the country.He added that as a member of the committee saddled with the responsibility to investigate him, he would excuse himself from the committee, unless invited.Melaye, who said he would not be deterred by negative reports about him, noted that he has seven degrees already pursuing the eight one.He said ABU would not allow him to do higher degrees, if he did not have a degree certificate.Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, asked Ndume to lay the documents he has.Ndume submitted some newspaper publications.Ekweremadu referred the two matters to the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.He gave the committee four weeks to report back.
By Jason Lange and Alexandra Alper

GARNER, Iowa/MEXICO CITY, March 22 (Reuters) - Farmers in the U.S. agricultural heartland that helped elect Donald Trump are now pushing his administration to avoid a trade dispute with Mexico, fearing retaliatory tariffs that could hit over $3 billion in U.S. exports.

The value of exports at risk is based on a Reuters analysis of a tariff list which Mexico used in a trucking dispute six years ago and which Mexican officials have said could serve as a model if President Trump sets new barriers to Mexican goods.

Pork producers contacted Trump's transition team soon after the Nov. 8 election to stress that tariff-free access to Mexico has made it their top export market by volume, said John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council.

The council has sent the administration multiple letters, including one signed in January by 133 agricultural organizations, and is arranging for several hog farmers to fly to Washington next month to talk to officials.

"We just keep pounding them on how critical trade is to us," said Weber, who fears Mexico could revive the list of mostly agricultural products it successfully used to push Washington into letting Mexican truckers on U.S. highways in 2011.

Pork products topped that list and, if revived, the tariffs would apply to over $800 million of annual pork exports, according to data compiled by IHS Markit's Global Trade Atlas. "We'll be the first to take the hit," Weber said.

The lobbying effort by U.S. businesses which rely on the Mexican market shows how Mexico can press its case in Washington despite having an economy 1/17 the size of America's and relying on the U.S. market for nearly 80 percent if its exports.

In Iowa, where pigs outnumber people seven to one, hog and grain farmer Jamie Schmidt voted for Trump in part on his promise to cut regulatory burdens for businesses.

Now he and others who farm the flat, rich land around Garner, Iowa, worry about trade. Schmidt gets about half of his income from hogs, earning $4-5 for each of the 425 pigs he sells per week, usually to a Tyson Foods packing plant in nearby Perry, Iowa.

Story continues

Tariffs from Mexico could depress U.S. wholesale prices and wipe out his profits, Schmidt said. "It would be devastating."

IN THE CROSSHAIRS

In December, after fears of a trade dispute fueled a deep peso slump, Mexico started mapping out U.S. states that are most reliant on its market, replicating the strategy it used in the trucking dispute, said two senior Mexican officials.

Mexican officials also prepared briefs, seen by Reuters, on Mexico's own risks in a dispute, including losing much of its cost advantage in building cars, such as the Ford Fusion made in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Reuters could not verify a complete list of products and states Mexico considered targeting this time around.

But the country's foreign minister said last month tariffs could target Iowa, which raises a third of U.S. hogs and exports about a quarter of its pork production, $100 million of which went to Mexico last year.

The minister also said tariffs could aim at Wisconsin, the center of U.S. cheese production, and has singled out Texas for its "notable" trade surplus with Mexico. All three states voted for Trump in the 2016 election, with the president taking Iowa and Wisconsin by slim margins.

Trump has accused Mexico of destroying U.S. jobs and has vowed to leave the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico if he cannot renegotiate better terms with Mexico. United States went from running a small trade surplus with Mexico in the early 1990s to a $63 billion deficit in 2016.

Besides pork, cheese was also a top target in the trucking dispute in which Mexico retaliated with tariffs against rules that banned its trucks from U.S. roads. Some $200 million in current annual exports of cheese would be targeted if the tariff list were revived, according to the IHS database, which the U.S. government uses to measure the impact of trade disputes. The full tariff list would apply to $3.25 billion in current U.S. exports.

John Holevoet, the director of government affairs at Wisconsin's Dairy Business Association, said he has attended multiple meetings with Wisconsin federal lawmakers this year where risks of Mexican trade were discussed.

Weber of the pork producers group said he believed the Trump administration "gets it" when it comes to the vulnerability of U.S. farm exports. Republican Congressman Steve King, who represents Iowa's agriculture-focused fourth district, also pointed out that Iowa's role as the first state to hold presidential primaries helps keep farm interests in Washington's view.

But King told Reuters he was worried the White House is still not taking trade risks seriously enough.

A possible 20 percent tax on Mexican imports, which White House spokesman Sean Spicer has said could also pay for Trump's proposed border wall, would cause a trade war, he said.

King said he has been in contact with the White House on the matter but has yet to secure a one-on-one meeting with the president. "I'm making sure that here in Washington they know what this means."

(Reporting by Jason Lange in Garner, Iowa and Alexandra Alper in Mexico City; Additional reporting in Mexico City by Michael O'Boyle and Christine Murray; Editing by David Chance and Tomasz Janowski)
Haruna Usman, chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has alleged that ...

Haruna Usman, chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has alleged that soldiers killed 17 herdsmen in Daile Alkariyo village in Jamaa local government area of Kaduna state, on Monday.Usman said many herdsmen sustained injuries, while some were arrested.He alleged that over 47 houses belonging to the cattle owners were torched, calling on the military authorities to call them to order.Usman said trouble started after a farmer was attacked by some persons believed to be herdsmen.A farmer was attacked in the community and they invited soldiers to settle the situation, he told reporters on Tuesday.When the security personnel arrived, they started to kill our people. As I speak to you now, about 17 of our members have been killed and 47 houses burnt.Why should this happen for Gods sake? It is not the indigenes of the area that killed our people, it is the military who killed them.The military men burnt their homes and killed them. In fact one old man, almost 75 years old, was shot on the leg, he has only one leg, but they shot the other leg.Asked if he had reported the incident to appropriate authorities, he said: Some hours after the attack, I called the garrison commander to inform him, and he promised to check with the commanding officer of the area, but I have not heard from him since then.Contacted, Kingsley Umoh, spokesman 1 division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, said he was not aware of the incident.I cant confirm that incident, but I will soon give an update on happenings in southern Kaduna, he told TheCable.Aliyu Usman, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, could not be reached for comments, as he did not answer his phone or respond to the text message sent.
CHAIRMAN House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Rita Orji Wednesday begged Nigerians in South Africa to quickly relocate to N...

CHAIRMAN House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Rita Orji Wednesday begged Nigerians in South Africa to quickly relocate to Nigeria after five Nigerians were attacked barely 48hours after the Nigerian delegation arrived from South Africa for peace talks.Orji made the appeal this morning(Wednesday) after receiving the news and declared in a press briefing that if they must continue killing us despite our efforts to make peace then they should just come back home for good.She said:It is not to go and massage the ego of South Africans or their envoy, the truth of the matter is that there is a gang up against Nigerians in South Africa, I made it clear that the manner the reoccurrence of xenophobic attack is coming in 2015, 2016 and 2017, that time shall come when it will not take 6 months before it reoccurs because previous ones nobody has been sentenced to death, no remedy has been given to those that were attacked, those their businesses were looted were not compensated.People do not understand the story of what is happening in SA, it is a mere jealousy, the fact that the government is providing everything they needed and the fact that the people working hard to survive are still making it better than them.This is the clue and the problem because everything they want is being provided by the government, if you want to start business you are given money and if you are sick you are given money to go to hospital and treat your self, everything is on their doorstep, Nigerians are not beneficiaries of this yet they are hustling and working hard and they are living well because Nigerians are known to be hardworking men and women who do not rely on anybody than God.When I said enough is enough of this madness they said I was trying to incite violence but the truth is Nigeria is supposed to take a critical look, tell their embassy over here if they cannot control these people they call unknown soldiers that are killing human beings, let the diplomatic relationship be strengthened it is not an issue of talking because there are lot of issues Nigerians can do and they know they can. Going to massage their ego in the name of trying to make peace how long will that tarry.Today the delegate came back about two days ago and today five people are attacked does it show you there is remorse in any way that these people are interested in making peace, they are not, Nigerians should be weary because when you are there everything you are asking for is God protection.Recall that the House of Representatives two weeks ago sent a powerful delegation to SA to mediate on the issue after Nigerians were attacked.At Tuesday plenary, leader of the delegation, Majority Leader of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, Surulere Fed Constituency, Lagos had promised to submit the report of its findings next week for deliberations.
Senator Abaribe Enyannaya representing Abia south senatorial district on Wednesday mocked his colleague Senator Dino Melaye over certifica...

Senator Abaribe Enyannaya representing Abia south senatorial district on Wednesday mocked his colleague Senator Dino Melaye over certificate scandal.In what looks like a soft scuttle, the Senator said Dino Melaye is yet to show him his certificates while contributing on the issues of non- appearance of Customs at the Upper ChamberHe said: "Lest we forget Customs Boss, Hameed Ali made an obnoxious policy, it was in this process that we invited him to explain his policy.He stated that it makes no sense for the CG @CustomsNG to rush to court to secure a deliberate injunction over his invitation by the Nigerian Senate.He urged the Senate to reject the letter written by the Attorney general of the Federation.
TRENTON -- A majority of New Jersey voters think the state should spend more on education, including additional state funds for districts in low-income areas, according to a new poll.

Of 1,098 New Jersey voters polled, 63 percent said the state should spend more to improve all public schools, compared to 34 percent who did not, a Quinnipiac University poll found.

Meanwhile, 65 percent said the state should spend more to improve public schools in the poorest areas; 32 percent disagreed.

"New Jerseyans don't like taxes, but they do like school kids," said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the poll. "Almost two-thirds want to spend more money for school kids -- not just poor kids, but all kids."

Conducted via phone between March 9 and March 13, the poll comes as state lawmakers are reviewing Gov. Chris Christie's 2018 budget proposal.

Christie proposes spending a record $13.8 billion on education -- about 39 percent of the state budget -- including more than $9 billion in direct support to school districts.

But about 85 percent of the state's school districts wouldn't see any increase in direct state aid because most of the new money Christie added this year goes to pension and debt service payments.

Christie last year floated a sweeping overhaul of school funding that would give all districts the same amount of state aid per students. And he's been critical of the landmark Abbott vs. Burke ruling by the state Supreme Court, which guarantees high levels of funding to districts in low-income areas.

Most Republicans who responded to the poll oppose spending more on education (59 percent) and agree with the governor that the Supreme Court ruling was wrong (also 59 percent).

However, the majority of voters polled don't see eye-to-eye wth the governor.

Sixty-two percent said they agreed wth the state Supreme Court decision, and 58 percent said school districts in low-income areas should get more state aid per student.

The poll's margin of error is 3 percentage points.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A convicted sex offender admitted Wednesday that he assaulted a sleeping woman on a flight from Israel to Newark Liberty International Airport last year, federal authorities said.

Yoel Oberlander, 36, of Monsey, N.Y., pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to assault with intent to commit stalking, acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said.

Oberlander was seated next to the woman on the El Al flight on May 29 when he "touched her in the area of her chest, upper thigh, and hand without her consent," according to prosecutors.

Authorities previously identified Oberlander as a registered sex offender stemming from a 2002 conviction in New York for sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl.

Oberlander faces a maximum 10-year prison term and a $250,000 fine. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
ESSEX FELLS -- Their tributes are a heartbreaking goodbye to a mother and doctor whose unexpected death Tuesday sent shockwaves through her large family and entire community.

"I love you mom. I love you so much," one of Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor's daughters wrote on Facebook. "My rock, my everything. I just can't believe you're gone."

Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor. (Courtesy of HackensackUMC Mountainside)

Another daughter wrote that the 66-year-old was an "amazing, strong, confident woman" who she was "so proud" to call mother.

Huston-Pryor, a mother of 12, grandmother of three, and prominent vascular and breast cancer surgeon, died Tuesday after being struck by a car while walking in her Essex Fells neighborhood.

The story of Huston-Pryor's family reads almost like a movie script.

She was 40 and single when she decided she wanted to become a mom, and gave birth to her first two sons via in vitro fertilization.

She was in the midst of adopting a daughter from China when she met and married Jonathan Pryor, who friends say shared her passion for helping children. In total, the couple adopted 10 children, many of whom were older and from troubling situations when they joined the family.

The kids, who now range in age from 10 to 28, are from other parts of the United States, as well as Mexico, Russia, China, Guatemala and Ethiopia.

"Jonathan was her soul mate," Susan Viviano, a longtime friend who met Pryor at church more than 20 years ago, said in a phone interview Wednesday. "He just matched her, and her zest for life."

Susan Hale, who described Huston-Pryor as her best friend of 27 years, called her death "just tragic and awful."

"Her voicemail said, 'you've reached Jan, mother, wife and doctor.' ... She was so humble. She was a wonderful surgeon, but she was just such a phenomenal mother and an incredible human being," Hale said.

Huston-Pryor has held prominent positions, most recently as a surgeon at HackensackUMC Mountainside. In the late 1990s, she opened the Summit Breast Care center, which offered affordable breast care for women.

She became known for treating women, whether or not they were insured or could pay, and for giving out her home and cell phone numbers to patients.

"We would be at their house on a Sunday afternoon, and a patient would call, and she would just sit there and talk," Viviano said. "She would just take as long as they needed."

Connie Dwyer, who worked with Huston-Pryor at the Connie Dwyer Breast Center at Saint Michael's Medical Center, called the late doctor a "generous and compassionate person."

"We have all lost a hero in the fight against breast cancer," she said.

"We're shaken to the core," said Pastor Rick Somers of the First Presbyterian Church in Caldwell, where Pryor's family is active.

Friends and other members of the congregation on Wednesday remembered Pryor's unique life path, one they said should be revered, admired, and missed.

"She was just over and above," Viviano said. "She was amazing. Amazing and inspiring."

Authorities said Tuesday the unidentified driver of the car that struck Huston-Pryor stayed at the scene of the crash and was not charged.

Somers said the family has not yet finalized funeral arrangements. Though he called her death an "incredibly difficult" time for her family, congregation, and the community, he said her spirit has left a lasting impact.

"Her passion was helping the most vulnerable among us," he said. "That is the legacy that she will leave."

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at

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LOGAN TWP. -- More than 130 employees at Walgreens in Logan Township will lose their jobs at the end of May as part of the distribution center shutdown.

Walgreens Distribution Center in Logan Township, which supports the company's eCommerce operations, will be closing down following the consolidation of these centers. The location will be closing its doors on May 24, according to a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) notice, which inform workers of facility closings and mass layoffs.

The layoffs account for 121 general warehouse workers, as well as drivers, managers and IT support. Those employees being laid off will receive normal wages until their last day of employment.

Representatives from Walgreens did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the closure.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Barry Cadden

Barry Cadden, center, arrives at the federal courthouse in Boston, before scheduled closing arguments in his trial. Cadden, a former pharmacy executive and the president of New England Compounding Center, was found guilty of causing the deaths in 2012 of 25 people who received tainted steroids manufactured by the pharmacy. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

BOSTON -The owner of a New England pharmaceutical compounding firm whose mail-order products sickened patients in 20 states - including New Jersey - was convicted Wednesday of racketeering and mail fraud.

The case stems from a 2012 outbreak of fungal meningitis that sickened at least 753 people, including 51 in New Jersey.

The New England Compounding Center's tainted steroid injections are tied to 64 deaths. None of those deaths was in New Jersey.

After a nine-week trial, a federal jury convicted Barry Cadden, 50, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead. Sentencing is scheduled sentencing for June 21.

The victims all received injections of a a steroid, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), manufactured by the company. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the outbreak the largest public health crisis ever caused by a pharmaceutical product.

Pharmacy compounding firms prepare personalized medications for their patients.



The trial showed Cadden's company shipped out its products before they'd received the results of testing for sterility. In addition, he sold products compounded from expired ingredients.

The pharmacy, which was supposed to dispense drugs only in response to patient prescriptions, routinely shipped drugs in bulk, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. It even used fake or celebrity names, such as "Michael Jackson," "Freddie Mae" and "Diana Ross," according to officials.

As the outbreak unfolded in the fall of 2012, up to 15 lawsuits were filed in New Jersey on behalf of patients who became ill after receiving steroid injections to battle pain.

At the time, the N.J. Department of Health said tainted lots of the medication were administered at six New Jersey locations, exposing 671 patients before a nationwide recall on Sept. 26.

Cadden faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison on each of the mail fraud and racketeering counts.

Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
By Jamie McGeever

LONDON, March 22 (Reuters) - JP Morgan retained its place atop the global investment banking league table last year, with the top five places now firmly in the hands of U.S. banks, reflecting their domination over struggling European peers, data on Wednesday showed.

JP Morgan's revenues from trading, mergers and acquisitions and other investment banking activity rose 11 percent to $25.2 billion last year from $22.7 billion in 2015, according to industry analytics firm Coalition.

That strong increase was mirrored by U.S. peer Citi, which rose in the overall ranking to joint second from joint third, a performance that far exceeded the average 3 percent decline across the 12 banks surveyed.

JP Morgan retained its crown in fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) trading, its position solidified by dominance in G10 rates and foreign exchange trading. JP Morgan held the top two spots in all but one - municipal finance - of the seven FICC categories, Coalition said.

Morgan Stanley secured fifth place in the ranking by consolidating its leadership position in equities, meaning all top five spots are held by U.S. banks. In 2015 Morgan Stanley shared fifth spot with Germany's Deutsche Bank.

U.S. banks now take in around a two-thirds share of the investment banking revenue pie, the gap widening consistently since 2011 when the U.S.-European split was roughly 50-50. But that may be about to reverse.

"European banks had some significant trading underperformance last year, which we don't see repeating," said Amrit Shahani, research director at Coalition. "They should improve, albeit from a low base. We expect them to maintain and build on their market share this year."

Shahani said banks at the top and bottom ends of the ranking are taking market share from those in the middle.

H2 TRUMPS H1

The world's big banks had a tough start to last year as worries over China and plunging commodity prices threatened to send world markets into a tailspin. Revenue fell 15 percent in the first six months, the worst first-half-year performance since the 2008 financial crisis.

Story continues

But trading surged in the second half of 2016 thanks to the twin shocks of Britain voting to leave the European Union and Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election victory, and revenues followed suit as market volatility rose. U.S. banks' total for the second half of last year jumped 37 percent to $24.6 billion.

Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, still in the throes of restructuring programmes, were particularly hard hit, and both slipped in the overall rankings to 6th and 8th place, respectively.

As well as Morgan Stanley, the winners included Citi, Barclays and HSBC, which each rose a notch to 2nd, 7th and equal 9th, respectively.

Most of JP Morgan's revenue was accrued on its home turf, with the $14.3 billion from its U.S. operations up 10 percent from the year before. The bank also posted a 10 percent revenue increase in its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations to $7.7 billion, Coalition said.

Deutsche was forced to share its 2nd place in EMEA with Goldman Sachs, which edged up from 3rd the year before.

The biggest shift at the top was in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, where JP Morgan stormed up from joint 5th last year to take the top spot outright. Its revenue of $3.3 billion was the same as Deutsche and Citi's joint leadership total in 2015.

Coalition tracks Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Societe Generale and UBS.

Below are the global rankings:

2016 2015 JP Morgan 1 1 Goldman Sachs =2 2 Citi =2 =3 BAML 4 =3 Morgan Stanley 5 =5 Deutsche Bank 6 =5 Barclays 7 8 Credit Suisse 8 7 HSBC =9 10 UBS =9 9 BNP Paribas 11 11 Societe Generale 12 12 (Reporting by Jamie McGeever and Anjuli Davies; editing by Mark Heinrich)
According to the British newspaper The Sunday Telegraph and as stated by Reuters, the London-based Unilever plc UL is planning to sell some of its food brands worth 6 billion pounds ($7.4 billion).

According to sources, consumer products leader Unilever is seeking to sell its Flora margarine and Stork butter businesses. Further, some private equity firms including Bain Capital, CVC, Clayton Dubilier and Rice have also begun to build offers for the companys spreads business, as Unilever has been witnessing a slowdown in its spreads business which is hurting profits at its Foods segment.

Even though the company is not very keen on segregating food business from the home and personal care businesses in the near term, major shareholders of Unilever have expressed views supporting the separation.

Unilever PLC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Unilever PLC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Unilever PLC Quote

We note that last week, the Anglo-Dutch company stated that it is considering a comprehensive review in order to return more cash to shareholders and undertake medium-sized acquisitions as well as indulge in more aggressive cost cuts, as per Financial Times.

The move to undertake a business review came after the maker of Dove products and Ben & Jerrys rejected Kraft Heinz Co.s KHC $143 billion surprise offer in Feb 2017, as Unilever did not find any strategic or financial benefit in it. The business review will evaluate its options regarding its portfolio, organization, cost structures, balance sheet and use of cash.

In this regard, Unilever is considering raising its net debt from 1 times now to 2.5 or 3 times earnings before interest, tax and depreciation. Further, in order to boost shareholder returns, the company has already announced a program to save 1 billion euros by 2018.

Overall, we are encouraged by the fact that Unilever is consistently focusing on product improvement through innovation. The company has also accelerated its cost containment measures to cut down unnecessary costs. Unilever has inked multiple deals to fortify its position in home care and personal care products. The company has expanded its portfolio of personal-care brands with recent acquisitions such as Seventh Generation, Dollar Shave Club, Living Proof and Blue Air. These acquisitions are likely to strengthen its portfolio and generate substantial revenues.

Story continues

Coming to the share price movement, prices have spiked following the news of the probable takeover. The stock rallied 19.0% since Feb 16, outperforming the Zacks categorized Soap & Cleaning Preparations industry which gained just 6.7%.

Unilever currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Stocks That Warrant a Look

Other favorably placed stocks in the food industry include ConAgra Foods, Inc. CAG and Pinnacle Foods, Inc. PF, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

While ConAgra Foods has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.00%, Pinnacle has a growth rate of 8.33%.

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Emirates Airbus A380

On Tuesday, the US Department of Homeland Security announced the introduction of an electronic-device ban for flights coming to the US from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa.

Many of the eight affected airlines seemed to have been blindsided by the news.

With only four days to comply, it's still uncertain how many of the carriers will be able to work out the logistics of the ban.

In addition, the thought process behind the decision and the intelligence on which the ban has been based remain unclear.

Terrorist threat

According to senior administration officials, the decision to implement these security measures is a result of intelligence showing a risk for terrorist activity involving commercial aviation.

"Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items," an official said on Monday.

Whatever this intelligence consists of, it was substantial enough for the national-security apparatus to act.

Laptop ban airlines and airports DHS TSA

According to James Norton, who served as deputy assistant secretary of the DHS during the George W. Bush administration, security actions such as this will take place if there is evidence of a credible threat. An example of this happened in 2006 when the Bush administration issued an immediate ban on liquids after law enforcement in the UK foiled a terrorist plot to blow up airliners traveling across the Atlantic using liquid explosives, Norton told Business Insider.

Confusing, however, was that the UK issued a similar ban Tuesday but excluded four airports  in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, in Doha, Qatar, and in Casablanca, Morocco  featured in the US ban.

In addition, many in the aviation community question whether a ban of this type would even be effective in countering a terrorist attack.

Story continues

Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are major international transit hubs with extensive multilayered security procedures. US-bound flights are also screened in dedicated facilities using well-trained security professionals who often have experience in law enforcement or the military.

Hamad International Airport Qatar

In fact, Abu Dhabi International Airport is equipped with a US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility where passengers and bags headed for the US are screened by US customs officials.

Lithium-ion batteries

The new rule is not an outright ban. Instead, it prohibits larger electronics such as laptops, cameras, and tablets from being brought into the cabin of the aircraft. This means they will most likely have to be stored inside the cargo hold of the aircraft with the checked luggage.

Such behavior, however, is explicitly prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"FAA battery fire testing has highlighted the potential risk of a catastrophic aircraft loss due to damage resulting from a lithium battery fire or explosion," the agency wrote in an alert in February. "Current cargo fire suppression systems cannot effectively control a lithium battery fire."

Administration officials told journalists on Monday that they were working with the FAA to maintain a safe flying environment, but they did not state specifics. Business Insider asked DHS for specifics on Tuesday but has not yet heard back from officials.

This is particularly concerning for Michael Mo, the cofounder and CEO of KULR Technologies, a company that specializes in thermal-management systems for batteries.

"Lithium-ion batteries are inherently volatile with an average of one out of 5 million units expected to blow," Mo told Business Insider in an interview. "It's statistics. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when one of these things blow.

"So when that happens, it's better to have humans nearby to react and put out the fire."

Etihad Airbus A380

Spare lithium-ion batteries stored in a cargo hold could be particularly dangerous because they would be packed into checked suitcases that would most likely also include incredibly flammable items like hairspray or deodorant.

Protectionist politics?

Of the 10 airlines affected by the US ban, three  Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways  have been at the heart of a heated rivalry with the US carriers American, Delta, and United, which are not affected. For some, the inclusion of these airlines seems too convenient to be a coincidence.

"If you squint hard enough, there is some justification on a security basis for this, but the implementation has been haphazard and in manner that is particularly targeted at and does harm to the commercial interests of a set of airlines that has been the source of much competitive hand-wringing from US airlines," Airways senior business analyst Vinay Bhaskara told Business Insider.

When asked about the topic on Monday, a senior administration official denied any relationship between the electronics ban and the feud between the American and Middle Eastern airlines.

But the reasoning behind the UK's decision to exclude the Middle East's big three from its ban remains unclear, as it is believed that the UK government acted on the same intelligence as US officials.

Business impact

The immediate effect of the ban will most likely weaken the Persian Gulf's three mega-carriers along with Turkish Airlines, Bhaskara said. Based on the latest rankings from the respected consumer-aviation website Skytrax, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines represent the first-, second-, sixth-, and seventh-ranked carriers in the world.

Since the US government's ban calls into question the security of their home airports, these airlines will have to contend with the resulting negative publicity and uncertainty among customers.

A new Emirates ad argues that one doesn't need a laptop to have a good time aboard its flights.

boeing 777 turkish airlines

But many corporate customers do not allow their employees to ship work computers in their checked luggage. This is due to concerns over theft of equipment and any sensitive information stored on the computers.

As a result, they may push some clients toward carriers that are not affected by the ban.

No US carriers offer nonstop flights into the Middle East. As a result, they won't benefit directly. The ban, however, will most likely drive lucrative business travelers back toward European hubs such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris. This means US airlines will benefit through joint ventures and alliance relationships with Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and KLM.

That said, not all US carriers will benefit. Airlines like JetBlue and Alaska have partnership agreements with Emirates. A reduction in business for Emirates cuts into the number of passengers who depend on JetBlue's and Alaska's planes to connect them to secondary and tertiary cities in the US.

Qatar Airways Business Class Q Suite

According to Bhaskara, the long-term effects of the ban are unclear. The strategic decisions the affected airlines and their competitors make will be determined by how long with ban is in place.

Many of these questions will be answered, however, as airlines and the flying public work through the new guidelines.

If you're currently a business traveler affected by the US laptop ban, you can share your story with transportation@businessinsider.com.

NOW WATCH: This $41K plane ticket comes with a shower, bed, and butler service





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Mario Diaz-Balart Florida Republican congressman

President Donald Trump took a hardline on thawing US relations with Cuba during the final weeks of his campaign, likely in a move to shore up his support with some segments of the electorate.

In the two months since he took office, though, Trump's Cuba policy  to the extent that it exists  has been far from clear, especially because of Trump's past vacillations on the issue.

A New York Times report about wrangling on Capitol Hill over the Republican healthcare bill indicates that at least one Florida Republican sees the debate as a way to gauge Trump's stance on Cuba.

According to The Times:

As part of the discussions, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, made it clear to White House officials that he wanted assurances that the president would hold to his pledge to consider reversing President Barack Obamas opening with Cuba, the White House official said. Mr. Diaz-Balart backed the measure in the Budget Committee last week, although the official said there had been no explicit discussion of trading his vote for a promise on Cuba.

Ads about the repeal of Obamacare, many of them negative, have saturated South Florida airwaves in recent weeks, according to the Miami Herald. The ads appear to be targeting Diaz-Balart (a Cuba hardliner), Carlos Curbelo, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, all Republican representatives.

Ros-Lehtinen has said she doesn't support the repeal, and Diaz-Balart, though undecided, is leaning against it, according to the Herald. Curbelo passed the bill to repeal out of the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this month, and a spokeswoman told the Herald Curbelo was "encouraged" by changes made to it after a CBO report.

Man Watches Television TV Barack Obama Cuba

A Diaz-Balart spokeswoman told the Miami Herald that the congressman is "still reviewing the recent changes to the bill and continues to negotiate with House Leadership about multiple aspects of the bill, including how the legislation handles older, low income constituents."

Story continues

While Trump's feelings on Cuba remain unclear, the people who ushered his administration into office are decidedly against the island nation and its isolated Communist regime.

Trump's transition team reportedly ceded the staffing of government positions dealing with Latin America to Cuban-American legislators.

According to Chris Sabatini, a professor at Columbia and editor of Latin America Goes Global, the people appointed to those posts may push for a return to a strict embargo and a more aggressive stance toward Cuba.

NOW WATCH: 4 things every American should know before booking a flight to Cuba





More From Business Insider


Uptown plastic surgeon Dr. Alireza Sadeghi, flanked by defense attorneys Michael Magner and Lisa Wayne, leaves the Orleans Parish criminal courthouse Wednesday (March 22) following his acquittal on four counts of video voyeurism.
An aerial shot of part of the St. Bernard Parish floodwall. State and levee authority officials have demanded a review of the levee's design because of concerns that corrosion of pilings could cause the wall to fail when hit by storm surges. (David Grunfeld, NOLA.com |The Times-Picayune archives)
President Donald Trump listens to a speaker in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, during a signing ceremony for a bill to increase NASA's budget to $19.5 billion and directs the agency to focus human exploration of deep space and Mars. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In this photo taken Feb. 7, 2017, released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an arrest is made during a targeted enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aimed at immigration fugitives, re-entrants and at-large criminal aliens in Los Angeles. The Trump administration is wholesale rewriting the U.S. immigration enforcement priorities, broadly expanding the number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who are priorities for deportation, according to a pair of enforcement memos released Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. (Charles Reed/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via AP)
The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all.
MFS Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock R4 Fund ( MIGKX ) seeks to long-term growth of capital. MIGKX invests a minimum of 80% of its net assets in common stocks that represent an ownership interest in a company.

This Large Growth product has a history of positive total returns for over 10 years. Specifically, the funds returns over the 3, 5 year benchmarks; 3 year 8.4% and 5 year 12.2%. To see how this fund performed compared in its category, and other #1 and #2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here.

MIGKXs performance, as of the last filing, when compared to funds in its category was in the top 75% over the past 1 year, and in the top 31% over the past 3 years and in the top 44% over the past 5 years.

The MFS Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock R4 Fund, as of the last filing, allocates its fund in two markets: Large Growth and Foreign Stock. Further, as of the last filing, Alphabet Inc, Accenture Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific were the top holdings for MIGKX.

This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) was incepted in April 2005 and is managed by MFS. MIGKX carries an expense ratio of 0.49% and requires a minimal initial investment of $0.

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After a decade of discussion, a splash pad for children may become a reality in Carter Lake.

The Carter Lake City Council has set aside $150,000 for the splash pad project, which is proposed to be built along Redick Boulevard near Carter Lake Elementary School and the public library.

The council had been considering the splash pad project for close to a decade, said Carter Lake City Councilman Ronald Cumberledge, but the citys budget couldnt support the additional cost until recently.

We passed a resolution two or three months ago to move forward and we have received two or three bids, Cumberledge said.

The proposed splash pad would be 4,000-square feet in size and oval in shape. It would feature seven or eight different motion-activated stations. The councilman said the pad could be up and running in 90 days and be open every summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

City Clerk Jackie Stender stressed patience.

Its still in the planning stage, she said. Things may change, but its a start.

Councilman Pat Paterson had similar comments.

We have money in the budget and Im assuming well cautiously move forward and make the right decision for the whole community, he said.

Meanwhile, a new beach along the lake may also be in the works.

The council approved moving forward on a application to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the possibility of a beach in Mabrey Park on the lakes southeast corner. The size and cost of the beach would have to be determined, pending DNR approval.

We cant do it without (DNRs) blessing, Paterson said.
The 10th annual Crime Victims Gala and Silent Auction will be held April 11 at the Mid-America Center to raise funds for domestic violence and human trafficking awareness in southwest Iowa.

The event, scheduled from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in rooms D through F, will hold a silent auction, informational booths, music, a cash bar and more.

A plated dinner is set for 6:15 p.m. before a variety of local and state officials, professionals and survivors will speak.

Speakers include:

Shari Kastein, who has worked in the field of victim services for more than 30 years. A victim and survivor of violent crime, Kastein is a humanitarian and CEO of the Family Crisis Centers in Sioux Center. Under her direction, Family Crisis Centers created housing projects for victims of crime and developed the Western Iowa Survivors of Homicide Unit for survivors of homicide and victims of violent crimes. In addition, FCC embraced Iowas Regionalization project to increase the agencys service area and designed and implemented the Iowa Domestic Violence and Victim Service Call Center. It recently developed Integrated Advocacy Model, which places victim advocates in medical clinics around the region.

Chris Baker, founder of the non-profit arm of INK 180, which offers the opportunity for a second chance to those in need. Since its inception in 2011, INK 180 has grown to offer services to former gang members, victims of sex trafficking, victims of domestic violence, former self-abusers and young people enlisting in the military. Baker provides his time, supplies and artwork free of charge to the victims. INK 180 is a free service to the community.

Naeda Elliott, Mills County Attorney, grew up in Underwood. After high school, Elliott went to The University of Iowa and earned her bachelors degree in political science. She interned for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C. and earned a law degree from the University College of Law in 2010. Elliott interned for the Johnson County Attorneys Office prosecuting simple misdemeanors 2009 and 2010. She worked for an employment/personal injury law firm in Cedar Rapids until August 2011 and was the Assistant Johnson County Attorney from 2011 through 2016. Elliott has since been appointed county attorney in Mills County in June 2016 and then elected as the Mills County Attorney in November 2016.

Cocktail attire is required for the dinner. Due to the sensitive nature of the evening, no children are allowed.

Those interested in attending must register online by March 31. For more information, go online to eventbrite.com. For special accommodations or to request a vegetarian meal, email Jen Foltz at Jen.Foltz@iowa.gov.
HAMBURG  In the wake of voters rejection of a $2.5 million bond issue last month, members of the Hamburg school board are starting to discuss Plan B.

During the March 13 regular meeting, board members heard from the Hamburg Community School Districts facilities committee on alternative plans to renovate and expand Marnie Simons Elementary School.

Superintendent Mike Wells said one recommendation is to construct a 3,800 square-foot middle school industrial arts shop that would be attached to the east side of the gymnasium and cost around $600,000. The funds would be borrowed and paid back through the districts physical plant and equipment levy.

We would take the science classroom we have now and gut it, turning it into a science laboratory at an estimated cost of $60,000, Wells said. Then we would use state sales tax money to renovate a couple classrooms a year until we get it done, which would take about seven years.

More discussion will take place at a Thursday committee meeting, Wells said.

The district heard the bond request was too high, so one option might be asking for a smaller bond  anywhere from $1.8 million to $2 million, which would increase the levy by about $1 per $1,000 in taxable valuation.

We can also go back to the public and ask them to extend the PPEL, Wells said. We have five years left on our PPEL and we can have up to 10. This would allow us to borrow more money.

Hamburg is operating as a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade district, with its high school students attending Sidney through a tuition agreement. The district was part of the Nishnabotna grade-sharing partnership, but the state dissolved the Farragut Community School District at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
WASHINGTON  After President Donald Trump proposed deep cuts to domestic spending programs, Iowa lawmakers were quick to point out that the final word on spending belongs to them.

In our system of government, the president proposes and Congress disposes, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement. Congress has the power of the purse strings. Ive never seen a presidents budget proposal not revised substantially.

A member of the Senate Budget Committee, Grassley said the administration is right to scrutinize federal spending but says hell be looking closely at how those cuts would affect Iowa.

Several other Midlands lawmakers struck a similar tone.

Among the areas they are likely to examine: the $4.7 billion in trims to the U.S. Department of Agricultures discretionary programs, which do not include nutrition assistance commonly referred to as food stamps. An administration summary indicates part of those savings would result from staffing reductions in USDA service center agencies that handle everything from subsidies to rural development.

Taxpayers for Common Sense notes that presidents from both parties have proposed such reductions in the past, only to be rebuffed by rural lawmakers. In fact, Congress has repeatedly placed restrictions on USDA closing agency offices.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, noted the countrys debt and said its vital for government to find places to cut, including unnecessary and duplicative programs such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Commission.

But she said shell look to protect programs important to the heartland and said that those agriculture programs facing cuts have value.

Im troubled by how dramatic his proposed cuts are to programs across the USDA that our rural communities rely on, Ernst said.

Other cuts include the elimination of Essential Air Service subsidies that keep planes flying in small communities.

Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, noted that hes the only House member from Iowa who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

My priorities will be focused on the specific funding needs of Iowans and the nation, while also ensuring we do our best to be fiscally sound and responsible with the taxpayers dollars, he said.
* More than 20 million people face famine

* Nigeria and South Sudan also affected

* Crops wrecked by war and drought

* Food and medical supplies blocked

* Money needed for emergency assistance (Adds details, quotes throughout)

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA, March 22 (Reuters) - The world has got three to four months to save millions of people in Yemen and Somalia from starvation, as war and drought wreck crops and block deliveries of food and medical care, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

The aid agency still needs $300 million to bring emergency assistance to a total of 5 million people in Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria as well as areas of South Sudan, where famine has already been declared.

"We have probably a window of three to four months to avoid a worst case scenario," Dominik Stillhart, the ICRC's director of operations worldwide, told a Geneva news briefing.

"We have kind of a perfect storm now where protracted conflict is overlapped or exacerbated by natural hazard, drought in particular, in the Horn of Africa which is leading to the situation we are facing now," he said.

More than 20 million people are facing famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria, say aid agencies.

Cholera, which can be deadly for children, is on the rise in Somalia, where drought is killing livestock and driving people to flee in search of water, said Bruce Orina, ICRC deputy regional director for Africa.

At least 300,000 malnourished children are trapped by fighting in northeast Nigeria.

"If we do not avert these water-borne related diseases then we are exposing these huge numbers of children to a likely scenario of death," Orina said.

The ICRC has received $100 million towards the $400 million needed for its operations in the four countries this year.

SIGNIFICANT NEEDS

The United Nations has appealed for about $5.6 billion, bringing total funding needs to $6 billion, Stillhart said.

"There are significant needs and, of course, there are serious concerns in terms of having funding available sufficiently fast in order to avert what I said is large-scale starvation," he said.

Story continues

The United States, whose average contribution finances about one-quarter of ICRC field operations, has yet to donate, he said, noting a top ICRC official was to speak about the famine to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.

"In 2011 the response was too slow and too late, leading to the starvation of 260,000 people in Somalia alone," he warned.

Robert Mardini, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, said that an average of 20 people die each day from curable disease or war wounds in Yemen where less than half of health facilities still function.

"The children are going hungry... This conflict is pushing Yemen closer to famine day after day," he said.

An ICRC team on Tuesday reached Taiz, a city of 400,000 "on the verge of collapse", Mardini said. "Food is extremely scarce in the city and it's not affordable for the vast majority of people." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, editing by Tom Miles and Ken Ferris)
The bench trial lawsuit filed against a former Council Bluffs doctor accused of shifting funds to avoid paying compensation to his victims was postponed without a future date set.

The suit, filed by Council Bluffs attorney Randy Shanks on behalf of 16 plaintiffs, alleged Dennis Jones transferred assets worth more than $1 million to an account in the name of his wife, Marianne, after his arrest in 2013 on sexual abuse and child pornography charges.

Messages left for Jones attorney Michael Winter and Shanks were not returned Tuesday afternoon.

The suit names both Dennis and Marianne Jones and calls the financial transfers fraudulent, claiming Dennis Jones transferred the assets to avoid paying damages to the victims of the 2013 criminal case.

The first alleged transfer occurred in June 2013. In February 2015, Dennis Jones allegedly transferred real estate holdings worth $400,000 to his wife.

Authorities found a cache of child porn on the then-doctors computer including videos of patients taken secretly during appointments at Methodist Physicians Clinic in Council Bluffs. He relinquished his license to practice medicine in 2014.

Several civil suits have since been filed against Dennis Jones and Physicians Clinic for damages inflicted upon those patients. The plaintiffs in the first civil suit, who were awarded $325,000, are also part of the new suit.

Iowa online court records show Dennis Jones has filed a number of motions, including asking for a new trial.

No further information about the lawsuit was available Tuesday afternoon.
Vietnam War veterans will be honored at 10 a.m. March 29 at a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration at the Pottawattamie County Veteran Affairs Office, 623 Sixth Ave. in Council Bluffs.

During the Vietnam War era and the years proceeding it, nearly 9 million Americans served in the U.S. armed forces. More than 7 million of these veterans are alive today.

Staff and commissioners from Pottawattamie County Veteran Affairs will honor Vietnam veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, regardless of location, between Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Those who served during that time period are invited to attend and will receive Vietnam War Commemorative lapel pins.

This Vietnam War commemoration is a long-overdue opportunity for all Iowans to recognize, honor and thank our Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices during one of Americas longest wars, said Darlene McMartin, administrator for the Pottawattamie County Veteran Affairs.

To learn more about the Vietnam War Commemoration, go online to vietnamwar50th.com.

Along with the commemoration ceremony, a VA hospital representative will be on hand to assist with eligibility applications and questions.
The brother of the former maintenance manager for a Council Bluffs apartment complex was sentenced to 25 years in prison Tuesday for stealing thousands of dollars worth in jewelry from elderly tenants.

Jason Hull, 40, received an indeterminate time for ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Several victims  current and former tenants from the Colonial Plaza apartments  addressed Hull before his sentencing.

I was one of the few people who befriended Jason at the beginning. Little did I know he was going into our homes, stealing my jewelry, said Patricia Lawson.

She added while losing precious heirlooms was scarring, her sense of safety has been destroyed.

I cant trust in anyone anymore, Lawson said. Im scared all the time.

Before sentencing, Hull stood and apologized to those present and the others he affected. Reading from a statement, he said he could offer no excuse for his behavior.

During my incarceration I came to realize how much I took from you. Items with value in more ways than one that cannot be replaced, he said. Everyone deserves a second chance. Please dont throw mine away.

Hulls attorney, Michael Hooper, asked for the court to understand Hull has battled a methamphetamine addiction for most of his adult life.

Hooper said Hulls drug abuse does not excuse his behavior, but helps explain his clients actions.

He has never known a sober day in his life off of meth until he went to jail, Hooper said. Hes willing to do a drug court program, hes willing to get help.

However, Pottawattamie County Attorney Thomas Nelson said such a program was not an option the state was willing to consider at the time.

According to the police report, several residents at the apartment complex, located at 38 Dillman Drive, reported to authorities jewelry was missing from their apartments despite no signs of forced entry.

Hull, who is the brother of the former maintenance manager at the apartments, was interviewed by police in April 2016 and admitted he had stolen from his own neighbors.

Hull told investigators he would wait until tenants were not home and use his brothers master key without his brothers knowledge, enter the apartments and steal jewelry to pawn. He used the money to buy meth.

Officers reported at least one tenant lost as much as $17,000 in jewelry.

The total damages are significantly higher, Nelson said in court.

Nelson read a letter from the daughter of one of Hulls victims, who said her mother no longer feels safe and suspects everyone and that Hull showed a lack of compassion by robbing the tenants.

It has caused tremendous stress to us all, Nelson read from the letter.

Hooper said Hull showed remorse after spending time in jail and sobered up.

He would get overly emotional when I would meet with him, saying how sorry he was for stealing their memories, Hooper said.

Iowa District Four Judge Kathleen Kilnoski said Hull failed to do a drug screening from the time he pleaded guilty to his sentencing date.

She said that was evidence he was not willing to admit he was still using narcotics and not likely to become sober outside of incarceration.

I think your biggest need is drug treatment. You need sustained sobriety as this has been a problem your entire adult life, Kilnoski said before sentencing Hull. I hope, sincerely, that this will give you time to get away from meth and clear your head.
Dissent can be important for institutions to make corrections or establish a better path forward, but it can also create problems  such as the one Omaha Public Schools has following this weekends collapse of a search for its next superintendent.

The two finalists for the OPS post withdrew from consideration Saturday after learning that neither was expected to earn the support of a majority of school board members. The school board in Omaha has been publicly split in half, drawing out a choice on whom to name its president into a second meeting and requiring a compromise to resolve.

We wont judge the board for having members sitting on opposite sides of weighty issues. OPS has its share of challenges to address, and how much to change the status quo is important to determine as a new leader is selected.

However, disagreement cant last  or else the district will find it continues to get in the way of doing business. As the OPS board looks ahead, it must find common ground and agree to give unanimous support to its next superintendent.

So, too, must the Council Bluffs school board as it looks to replace Martha Bruckner as its superintendent. The board must speak with one voice as it selects the next leader of the Council Bluffs Community School District.

That does not mean board members have to agree as they look through candidates and conduct interviews. But, when it comes time to make a choice, they cant quibble  too much is at stake as the district works to preserve its improvements and continue to show gains.

So far, Council Bluffs search seems to be going well.

Ray & Associates, the firm brought in to recruit and screen possible candidates, says that 55 people have applied, which includes six people from Iowa. By contrast, 33 applied for the Omaha Public Schools job.

The school board will start the winnowing process next week, with the hopes of holding interviews in early April and selecting a new superintendent by mid-April.

Board members have already selected several priorities for Bruckners replacement, including inspiring trust, showing strong communication skills, being able to delegate authority, having experience with resource management, maintaining a student first philosophy, developing vision of quality education, promoting positive behavior, setting goals for continuous improvement and the capacity to develop mutually beneficial business relationships.

The Council Bluffs school board should rally behind someone meeting those criteria and learn from OPS by making its choice unanimously.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  China has been a popular market for investors, but it is always a controversial one. A potentially better way to play the market could be by focusing on the countrys five year plans and seeing what the Chinese government is prioritizing right now. This could be the key to navigating the Chinese market with Trump in the White House, and we explore this topicand several other China investing related issuesin this weeks Dutram Report. To listen to the podcast, click here: ( https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/253090/investing-in-china-in-the-age-of-trump-and-beyond )

Investors are usually wrong when it comes to predicting doom and gloom for the Chinese economy. Many had thought that the nation would succumb to an economic crisis in recent years, but China keeps growing at an impressive clip anyway, and it is managing to diversify its economy beyond heavy manufacturing too.

But with the election of Donald Trump, some investors are having doubts regarding Chinese investments again. After all, the rhetoric from the Trump administrationincluding chief trade adviser Peter Navarrohas been less than friendly (to put it mildly) and some are worried about tensions or worse between the U.S. and China as a result. But is this sort of pessimism warranted?

To get to the bottom of this important question, I spoke with Brendan Ahern, the CIO of KraneShares for this edition of the Dutram Report. His company is a China-focused ETF shop, so he is a top-notch resource for all things investing when it comes to China.

I get his take on the Trump question, as well as what the future holds for Chinese-American relations in the near term. Additionally, we talk about other major risk factors to China and what is going on in the economy right now that investors need to know about.

Beyond Trump

We also go beyond politics though, since the China economic story is much bigger than worries about relations with a single country. In particular, we take a look at the shifting focus of the Chinese government and the idea of their Five-Year Plans.

Story continues

These plans tend to be the priorities for the Chinese government and can be indicative of where big investments or help will go towards in the near term. For the latest Five-Year Plan, China is moving towards growth industries further up the value chain, and is trying to shift away from sectors like materials and energy in the process. We talk about what this means for investors, and KraneShares approach to tackling these trends with their KFYP ETF as well.

Investing in China

KraneShares KFYP dives deep into these trends by selecting stocks based on which appear to be important to the governments most recent Five-Year Plan, while also looking at fundamental factors too. This technique gives investors more of a focus on consumer and technology industries while also running the gambit of different Chinese share classes as well. We also discuss the pros and cons of this more sector-focused approach, which includes allocations to somewhat well-known Chinese companies such as Tencent (TCEHY) or Netease (NTES), and skews away from energy and banking sectors.

This difference is especially important when you consider what the current crop of most popular China ETFs focus on these days. The most popular fund,FXI, puts close to half of its assets in financials, while we see a 26% weight to this sector in MCHI and a 25% weight in GXC.

Obviously, this makes KFYPs approach unique, and we go over what this means for investors who are looking for China exposure in todays climate, as well as a bit about those just seeking a technology play which is something their KWEB ETF focuses on. So, make sure to tune in for that, and more, in this weeks podcast.

Bottom Line

China is an economy that cannot be overlooked. And while there could be some rockiness in the next few years, it is hard to bet against continued growth in the nation and a further push towards the diversification of their economy. This could make China ETFs tilted away from industries like banks and energy worth a closer look, making KFYP an especially intriguing choice due to its focus on Five-Year Plans.

So, make sure to listen to this edition of the Dutram Report for a closer look at China and how U.S. investors could play the nation in the near term, as well as the economic focus of the Chinese government right now. And if you have any thoughts or comments, reach us on SoundCloud or at podcast @ zacks.com for email. Wed love to know what you think of this chat, and if you have any other topics youd like us to cover in the future too.

But for more news and discussion regarding the world of ETFs, make sure to be on the lookout for the next edition of the Dutram Report , and check out the many other great Zacks podcasts as well!

Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?

Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>

In the interest of full disclosure, KFYP is based on an index run by Zacks Index Services.

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ISHARS-CHINA LC (FXI): ETF Research Reports



SPDR-SP CHINA (GXC): ETF Research Reports



ISHARS-MS CH IF (MCHI): ETF Research Reports



KRANS-C CHN 5YP (KFYP): ETF Research Reports



KRANS-C CHN INT (KWEB): ETF Research Reports



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
With increasing interest in alternative energy sources, Dawson Public Power personnel hosted a class Tuesday night focused on solar power.

Under Nebraskas net metering law, residents can use power from an alternative energy source  such as a solar panel  and put it on the grid.

If a home generates enough solar power, the power can reduce a home owners electric bills. In the current Nebraska Legislative session, Legislative Bill 660 proposed to expand the metering law and reduce restrictions from third-party suppliers. According to the legislatures website, the bill was postponed indefinitely.

If we have too much energy on the system, it may not be stable, said Marsha Banzhaf, manager of customer service for Dawson Public Power District, ahead of the meeting. The power districts website lists guidelines for up to 25 kilowatts of renewable energy.

At the meeting, Bobby Johnson, an energy services specialist with the district, explained what to expect when installing a solar panel. The panel provides energy to the meter, and what isnt used to power the home goes on the grid. The amount of energy the panel produces increases over a series of years and decades, he said.

The solar panel is expected to have full power about three hours a day based on annual average, or about 12 1/2 percent of each day. The peak sunlight times  typically at high noon  may also be when a resident isnt home, Johnson said. He added that some companies may try to oversell the use of solar power.

Weve heard horror stories, Banzhaf said.

Johnson told attendees to research companies selling solar panels  while Dawson Public Power District can tell residents which companies they have worked with, they cannot give recommendations. A good solar power company will have references, and isnt always the least expensive, Johnson said.

When a persons panel has extra power, they would be given a credit on their next months bill, then cut a check for at the end of the year for whatever remains, Banzhaf told the audience. She emphasized safety in installing a panel, which much be done by professionals and undergo specific steps  all to keep the power districts workers safe, she said.

A lack of inspection, proper equipment and/or incomplete paperwork could all deny someones application, Banzhaf and Johnson said. Residents are encouraged to visit the power districts website, or call at (308) 324-2386.

Johnson also spoke of the future of solar power, with panels being installed on cars and, in Idaho, roads to power lights at night. He said solar panels are very durable, even through tough hail storms.

When one attendee asked why the meeting didnt touch on wind energy, Johnson said small-scale wind operations arent as popular, sustainable in the long term or as financially beneficial to the customer.
City council votes to award $30,000 QGF grant to couple; pair hopes to open by August

The North Platte City Council approved a $30,000 Quality Growth Fund grant to Mark and Dee Luttrell on Tuesday.

A historic downtown building that housed The Depot Grill & Pub for many years was purchased by the Luttrells, and the money will be used to renovate the building. The Luttrells plan to open a restaurant under the name of the The Switch Yard Pub and Grill in that location.

The QGF committee had made a point that the funds would be used to upgrade the building and not go toward the business itself. The council offered several questions concerning the project.

Are you guys planning to give us adequate documentation to make sure that [the grant] goes toward building repairs? council member Andrew Lee asked. And whats your time frame on getting this building finished?

Mark Luttrell said his company would provide documentation and that they plan to open by the first of August.

Will you provide receipts, and you should be able to have most of those receipts in by that time? Lee said.

Luttrell affirmed his company would be able to have that documented.

Im putting all new windows in, siding, theres some tuck-pointing thats got to be done that I was going to address a little bit later, Luttrell said. Ive still got the corner of the canopy to fix. Weve already braced that front parapet wall up.

The motion passed on a 7-1 vote with council member Jim Carman voting against.

Another QGF committee recommendation was heard and passed concerning the implementation of the workNP.com program by the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation.

The $350,000 grant would be used in the recruiting workforce into North Platte and Lincoln County.

Did you do any research in determining that this is a big enough carrot to actually draw people here to North Platte? Lee said. What kind of basis do you [have to] think that this is enough?

Gary Person, CEO and president of the chamber, spoke in response to questions.

Its an experiment, but its certainly going to give our employers a bit of an edge, Person said. Everybody is competing for the very same workforce out there. The skill trades especially are very challenging for employers and it is inhibiting their ability to grow here.

Person said there is a uniqueness to the program.

We are reaching out to local businesses that have already made a major investment here, Person said. They have a successful track record.

A presentation from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development recently given to the chamber offered supporting statistics.

They shared that 80 percent of a communitys economic growth comes from within, from existing employers, Person said. So everything we can do to assist those folks who have already committed to this community, the better off were all going to be.

Council member Brook Baker said he has spoken with constituents about the grant.

I did speak with one business owner in town today regarding this and he said he had two people lined up right now they could use this for, Baker said.

Other council members agreed the grant was a good thing.

I think youre on the right track, council member Lawrence Ostendorf said. We have to do everything we can to get people here.

The motion was passed 8-0.

 The council passed a motion to authorize Mayor Dwight Livingston to sign contracts for the citys self-insuring Health and Accident Plan beginning April 1.

 A public hearing concering a Community Development Block Grant Program 2016 Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program Grant Funds to assist the city with rehabilitation of 12 owner-occupied dwellings was opened with no comment from the public. The council approved the grant by a 7-1 count with Carman as the dissenting vote.

 The council authorized Livingston to execute an interlocal cooperative agreement with Nebraska Community Energy Alliance to promote the development of electric and compressed natural gas vehicles.

 The council passed Ordinance 3963 to create Street Improvement District No. 321 in East Francis Street from 445 east of the centerline of South Poplar Street to the west right-of-way line of South Tabor Avenue. The council waived the three readings rule by a 7-1 vote with Martin Steinbeck as the dissenting vote.
The Big Idaho Potato visits North Platte on its way to Macon, Georgia on Tuesday.

A 12,130-pound potato made a stop in North Platte on Tuesday. The spud was spotted near the Hampton Inn.

The Big Idaho Potato was designed to bring attention to Idahos biggest agricultural product and to help communities around the country through a program call A Big Helping. The program is the trucks personal way of helping raise funds and food for charities.

The tater has visited every state in the continental U.S., according to its official website bigidahopotato.com. It sits atop a custom trailer pulled by a red semitrailer truck. The tater goes on annual cross-country tours and is scheduled to visit 60 cities over the course of a 23,000-mile journey this year.

The tater took to the roadway last week. According to the spuds schedule, North Platte is one of several stops on the way to the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia, on March 26.

The potato will also make appearances at the Mcdonalds Childrens Festival in Houston, Texas, and the National Memorial Day parade in Arlington, Virginia.

The Big Idaho Potato is 1,102 times heavier than the largest potato ever grown, which weighed in at 11 pounds. If the potato were real, it would take more than 10,000 years to grow and two years and nine months to bake. It would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes or 1.4 million fries, according to the taters website.

You can track the 'tato by following it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by visiting its website.

Can't see the video? Click here to learn more about the tater's tour.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch declared Tuesday hes made no promises to Donald Trump or anyone else about how hell vote on abortion or other issues and testified hell have no trouble as a justice holding anyone accountable, including the president who picked him.

Gorsuch also called Trumps attacks on federal judges disheartening and demoralizing.

During the long second day of his Senate confirmation hearings, Gorsuch made two other notable statements in response to questions from members of the Judiciary Committee, and both also related to Trump, who nominated him.

Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asked Gorsuch whether Trump had asked him to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case establishing a right to abortion, and what he would have done had Trump asked him to do so.

Senator, I would have walked out the door, Gorsuch replied. Thats not what judges do. Later in the day, Gorsuch acknowledged that he and Trump discussed abortion during his Supreme Court interview, but only how divisive an issue it is. Their conversation touched on abortion, Gorsuch said, after Trump bemoaned his loss of Gorsuchs native Colorado in November.

When Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy asked Gorsuch if a president is free to ignore laws on national security grounds, Gorsuch replied that nobody is above the law in this country, and that includes the president of the United States.

Some Democratic senators who are not on the Judiciary Committee called for a pause in the confirmation process after FBI Director James Comey said Monday that the bureau is investigating Russian meddling in last years election and potential ties between Trump associates and Russia.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said on Twitter that while the investigation continues, lifetime court appointments can wait.

Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley dismissed the idea as ridiculous.

On a day mostly devoid of drama, Gorsuch batted away Democrats efforts to get him to reveal his views on abortion, guns and other controversial issues, insisting he keeps an open mind for the entire process when he makes rulings. His comments were similar in response to questions from majority Republicans as they tried to help him highlight his neutrality in the face of Democratic attempts to link him to Trump.

Republicans are unanimous in support of Gorsuch. Democrats remain incensed over how Republicans treated former President Barack Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, who was denied even a hearing last year after Antonin Scalias death created an opening on the high court.
Nebraska Congresswoman, Deb Fischer, March 2017, town hall meeting, Holdrege, in response to a prominent physician supporting Medicare (single-payer) for all Americans: Half of Americans oppose universal health care.

Gallup poll, May 2016, 3 percent margin of error: 58 percent of Americans favor replacing Obamacare with a universal health care system, 37 percent percent opposing it and 5 percent having no opinion (and probably no clue).

Who to believe? One says trust me and the other cites documented material.

Make your choice, kinsmen. One system is administered by the government, financed by tax money and employers, and does not require payment of a monthly premium. The care itself is largely in the hands of doctors and hospitals not linked to the government. This system insures equality and coverage of all citizens for their lifetime regardless of their social, political or financial standing. Everyone is treated the same, black, white, brown; young and old; rich and poor; healthy and unhealthy. Bankruptcies due to catastrophic medical costs are non-existent and fund-raising drives to help the unfortunate are no longer necessary.

The other plan claims health insurance access for all and then places high monetary barriers at the feet of its poorest, oldest and most vulnerable. It proposes to cut federal funding for Medicaid and dump it in the laps of the states. It gives tax credits to people who cannot afford the premiums under any circumstances. A huge take-a-way will snatch insurance from millions who had it in their grasp. Pre-Medicare seniors will pay as much as eight times more for their monthly premium than young people. It is a proposal that claims less is more. It reeks of discrimination and elitism and assures politicians of steady contributions (bribes) from special interest groups and lobbyists seeking favors and huge profits.

It is my belief that we, the people, have come to expect more than another hackneyed, rag-tag, band-aid, discriminatory plan reminiscent of some third-world country. These patchwork, complicated packages that are thrown together do little more than insult and antagonize people. Congress, give us something with substance that befits what some think is the greatest country in the world  Medicare for all.

Ron Holscher

Ogallala
The answers to this week's big NRL Fantasy questions, from NRL.com's resident Fantasy guru the Lone Scout.

Hey Scout, in regards to the whole Seggy and Brailey situation at the Sharks: when should the people who have Brailey cash him out, whether to Seggy or to upgrade to a gun or money he has made and go with a cheapie? From Jam Jam Hatch

Jayden Brailey still has a negative break even so will get another price rise if he gets any game time this week, and he's set to start once again. James Segeyaro may not even play this week. Brailey is a definite hold for me, and will be while he's still making money  even if that's when he's coming off the bench. He's a definite hold.

When you do trade Brailey you'd ideally go straight to a keeper (Cameron McInnes, Andrew McCullough or Cameron Smith if you haven't got him already) but trading in Segeyaro himself is also a decent move considering his low $253,000 price tag. That price could actually drop if he plays a few games off the bench, but if he gets big minutes in the long run he should jump in price enough to ride up to a keeper.

Should we wait a week to see what the Sharks do with Segeyaro before we buy him, or do we take the risk now because his price is so low? From Jonny White

Definitely wait a week, at least.

Suli came crashing back to earth on the weekend, and the Tigers are a shambles at the moment reckon it's time to flick him for another cheapie or stay the course?

From Dom Griffin

Stay the course. Moses Suli has earned $69,000 in price rises and is still going, with a break even of 15. Sure he only scored 10 on the weekend, but that's going to happen for a winger in a team that gets beaten by 40. He scored 28 in Round 2 and a whopping 52 in Round 1 so is more than capable of hitting at least the mid-20s a few more time and pushing his price up towards $250,000.

Could Jacks or Yates still make $100k each in the upcoming weeks? Or should I consider buying some gun players that I don't have already  eg. Buhrer, Papalii, Bodene Thompson... From Peter Li

Ryley Jacks and Luke Yates both have a fair bit of cash to make. Jacks is the safer option as Melbourne's starting five-eighth for the next half a dozen weeks with Cameron Munster out with a broken jaw, while Yates has had his minutes inflated so far this season due to a few mid-game injuries to Knights players. I reckon Jacks is probably still worth buying, Yates is a riskier bet.

If you want to bring in a value keeper in the forwards, I can recommend Elliott Whitehead this week or next.

Is it worth bringing in Jacks for Field? From Stefan West

Yep.

When is the right time to bring in Elliott Whitehead or PODene Thompson?? From Mitchell Palmer

Whitehead and Bodene Thompson were both keepers last season, with Thompson not being picked in many Fantasy teams despite scoring 55 points a week (becoming the ultimate 'point of difference' Fantasy buy). Both have dropped in price after playing out of position at the start of this season  Whitehead at centre, Thompson off the bench  and will probably be at their cheapest next week or the week after. They both have break evens in the 60s, with Whitehead already great value at just $375,000.

Am I crazy or genius? With Whitehead on everyone's lips for obvious reasons what's to say he's not Mitch Aubusson 2.0? From Richard Nicol

Interesting point. The obvious difference I see is Whitehead's job security  he's never likely to get dropped back to the bench (he didn't miss a minute last season) while Aubusson could potentially become a bench player when Sio Siua Taukeiaho returns for the Roosters mid-season. Canberra also have English import Jordan Turner in their squad who could fill in at centre if another injury strikes Jarrod Croker or Joey Leilua this year. It's certainly something to consider, but Whitehead's still not quite an Aubusson-style risk in my eyes. (To be fair, Aubusson himself is looking a lot less risky this season as well.)

Is Capewell worth it? Job security good or bad with Beale? From Matthew Kirsner

With a price tag of $178,000 and a break even of -2, I can see why Kurt Capewell looks like a promising cash cow. Although he's been playing in the centres for Cronulla he's available in the second row in Fantasy, and there aren't too many cash cow forwards these days. Still, as you say there are questions about his job security  Capewell wasn't in Cronulla's Round 1 team when Gerard Beale was available, and he could easily be bumped out of the side when Beale returns (with Jack Bird likely to return to centre). He could also be replaced with a specialist winger if Valentine Holmes moves to fullback. Capewell's still a gamble that could pay off, but he is a gamble.

Hey LS what do I do with Hayne, Idris, Elgey and Hampton? Trade or keep? From Nathan Sheaff

For now, if you can cope without scorers in their positions: keep, keep, keep, trade. Hayne, Idris and Elgey should make money eventually.

In the long run: trade, trade, trade, trade.

Who is better...McCullough or McInnes? From Joe Duggan

McInnes. He has better scores, plus he's a little more likely to play the full 80 minutes all year. McCullough could lose minutes if Kodi Nikorima grabs a Broncos bench spot, while for McInnes to lose minutes it would probably take Jai Field getting the halfback spot and Josh McCrone playing off the bench.

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Carson's has launched new "Close to Home" in-store shops in its department stores in Hammond, Hobart and Michigan City.

The stores in the Southlake Mall, Marquette Mall and what was the Woodmar Mall carry specialty products made by local artisans, such as hand-crafted soap, metal 219 signs and purses and clutches made from the fabric from the roof of the demolished RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

Parent company The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. has been rolling out the concept nationwide. Carson's department stores have been setting aside special sections to sell products from local makers, including jewelry, soy-wax candles, various Indiana-themed T-shirts and Lake Michigan coasters.

As the areas hometown department store, we take great pride in showcasing products made right here by businesses in our local communities and state, said Ryan Nekola, Store Manager at the Carsons in Southlake Mall. Carsons regional merchandising team has carefully curated a selection of specialty products from Indiana artisans that provide our customers with a hometown shopping experience, and, with our Close to Home Online Sourcing Fair, were excited to showcase even more local makers.

Local "Close to Home" stores sell products from Indianapolis-based small businesses like Hoosier Proud, the Handmade Society, Pittman Design & Fabrication, The Onyx Exchange, United State of Indiana and People for Urban Progress. They also carry craft soaps and small batch lip chaps from Pure GRACE Soap, which got its start at a farmers market in Terre Haute.

Carson's is looking to add new items "frequently and seasonally" and is in search of more suppliers from Northwest Indiana. Local artisans or makers who are interested in selling their wares, clothing, jewelry, artwork or "other one-of-a-kind items" at local Carson's stores can apply online by a Friday deadline.

Anyone interested in the business opportunity should visit closetohome.bonton.com.
Business professionals can now get certification in Lean Six Sigma, the methodology that emerged from Japan and has been used to streamline manufacturing and other business operations to eliminate waste.

Indiana University Northwest is now offering both intermediate- and expert-level certifications known as green and black belts to its business students and the general public. An open house will take place at 6 p.m. March 29 at the Dunes Medical/Professional Building, Room 1156.

We are excited about being able to offer this program to the business community of Northwest Indiana, Director of the Center for Management Development Jana Szostek said. The Lean Six Sigma methodology will help any business be competitive in our region, as well as our increasingly global marketplace. It has become the gold standard of quality and continuous improvement and is a highly sought-after certification. Its methods are applicable to any organization.

Enrollees learn tools and tricks for implementing processes in businesses that improve efficiency, the bottom line and customer satisfaction. The practice involves a collaborative approach to scrapping non-value added activities, like waiting, overproduction and excessive travel to the assembly line.

Jim Waters, a senior maintenance planner for ArcelorMittal who earned a weekend MBA from IUN last year, said the he uses the analysis and problem-solving involved in Lean Six Sigma on a daily basis at his job.

Six Sigma provides a systematic approach to problem identification and solving," Waters said. "Because my career relies heavily on problem solving, having a structured tool is invaluable. It provides me with a competitive advantage over my peers in that I have applied a world renowned discipline to my work.

IUN will offer a Green Belt program from April 19 to July 1, with classes on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. A Black Belt program will run from Sept. 7 to Oct. 28, with classes on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

For more information, call (219) 980-6910 or visit www.iun.edu/business.
Methodist Hospitals has signed a letter of intent to "explore a partnership" with Franciscan Alliance, which would join together two of the largest health care systems in the Region.

Methodist has been looking for a merger partner since last year amid a changing health care landscape. Health care providers across the country have been consolidating to get bargaining power over insurers, better recruit physicians, compile more patient data and adjust to a shift to risk-based contracting where they're paid for performance and patient outcomes instead of by the traditional fee-for-service model.

Methodist President and Chief Executive Ray Grady sent an update to employees Wednesday telling them the system signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore a partnership with Franciscan over the next 120 days.

"We are optimistic about this opportunity, which offers a path forward to enhance the delivery of high-quality, accessible, cost-effective health care in our region, improving the quality of life of our families and neighbors," he wrote.

"The LOI allows for a 120-day due diligence period of exclusive discussions between Franciscan Alliance and Methodist Hospitals, allowing us to explore whether the relationship is in the mutual best interest of our employees, physicians, patients and communities."

Grady told employees the deal includes an agreement to determine what services and how many services would take place at each hospital in a combined system.

"The LOI articulates a commitment to enhance investments and improvements to the current health care delivery model in the Gary community, as well as additional investments to update our Merrillville facilities, expand our clinical services models and develop centers of excellence," he wrote.

"These robust investments represent new jobs and development that will fuel growth and opportunity for our employees as well as the broader community."

Franciscan, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest, would consolidate with the not-for-profit Methodist, which operates two hospitals, one in Gary and one in Merrillville.

"The Boards and management of Methodist and Franciscan are interested in exploring the possibility of combining our two health systems," Franciscan Alliance President and CEO Kevin Leahy said. "We believe that, together, we can provide better access to care, enhance patient services, improve quality, and lower costs through cooperation. By leveraging the talent and expertise of our physicians and clinical staffs we can improve the patient experience for those whom we are privileged to serve.

The two health care providers said they planned to meet with physicians, employees, and community representatives to discuss the impact of a merger, which would require regulatory approval.

We look forward to maximizing the benefits of this partnership that will bring the best of both systems to our communities, Grady stated.
Sales of existing homes in Northwest Indiana were down significantly in February from the same month a year ago, dropping 10 percent to 531, according to the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors.

The median sale price in February was $134,500, down 2 percent from a year ago, in the seven county area represented by GNIAR.

The drop follows a long period of growing sales and increasing prices.

"It was bound to happen," GNIAR CEO Peter Novak said.

With a tight inventory of homes for sale and prices rising, a down month was likely at some point.

"This is just buyers finally responding," he said.

Novak said it's not clear whether the February numbers are an indication of a longer-term market correction.

"It's one month's worth of data, so you're not able to tell off of that," he said.

For the first two months of 2017 combined, sales are down 3.4 percent, to 1,149, while the median price is up 1.1 percent, to $140,000.

Declining inventory continues to be the main concern, though for sellers it's proved valuable.

"If it's a good home and it's priced decently, it's gone," Novak said GNIAR member Realtors tell him.

Lake County saw the largest decline in sales in February, 16.9 percent to 291. The median price in the area's largest county was down 5.7 percent, to $131,500.

Porter County's sales decline was negligible, down only one home from a year ago to 118. And its median price rose to $181,450.

LaPorte County was down 9.3 percent to 68. It also saw a median sale price increase of 10.3 percent, to $107,000.

Sales nationally continued their year-over-year advance, growing 5.4 percent to 5.48 million, with a median price increase of 7.7 percent to $228,400, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Sales were down from January, though, and the NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, said low inventory and the resulting price increases continue to be a concern nationally.

"Realtors are reporting stronger foot traffic from a year ago, but low supply in the affordable price range continues to be the pest that's pushing up price growth and pressuring the budgets of prospective buyers," he said in a news release announcing the February numbers.

The NAR's quarterly Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey, published last week, showed an increase in consumer confidence in the economy as compared to the last quarter of 2016 and as compared to a year ago, and it showed most households believe now is a good time to buy or sell a home.

But that did not hold true for renters. The survey showed a decline in the percentage of rental households believing it's a good time to buy.

Rates for a conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage were 4.17 percent in February, up from 4.15 percent in January, according to Freddie Mac. The average rate in 2016 was 3.65 percent.
As a way to increase awareness of Census Day, which is scheduled for April 1, Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella decided to issue the challenge to the town's surrounding communities, and they all accepted.
EAST CHICAGO  Tara Adams said she heard a knock on the door Tuesday afternoon.

When she went outside to see who it was, she said she saw a letter from the East Chicago Housing Authority wedged in the doorway.

It was a 10-day emergency relocation notice explaining that the local housing authority will soon have a moving company transport her belongings to a housing unit assigned to her on Chicago's South Side. The company will begin moving her household items the week of April 3 through 7 as she continues to search for permanent housing.

"I am not moving to Chicago. I will not put my son and my daughter and myself in that situation," said Adams, a a longtime resident at the lead- and arsenic-contaminated West Calumet Housing Complex. "I need somewhere that I feel safe. Listen, I know that East Chicago is not the best city, but it's home for me. It's home."

The West Calumet Housing Complex, built in the early 1970s on the footprint of a former lead smelter, is eyed for demolition by the city. Families first learned last summer that they were being forced to relocate due to high lead levels in the soil.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave local housing officials the power to initiate emergency transfers beginning March 31 if they so choose. Adams' letter, obtained by The Times, states that boxes for self-packing are available at the ECHA's property management office and tenants are responsible for ensuring "all items are ready for transport."

Most households' relocation vouchers do not expire until the end of June, HUD has said. Even as they move to temporary housing, families will have about 12 more weeks to continue searching for a new home, HUD has said.

HUD and ECHA officials have said they remain committed to assisting families in finding permanent housing. HUD, in granting ECHA the ability to initiate emergency transfers, argued the 346-unit housing complex was turning into an unsafe environment due to the high vacancy levels. About 80 families remain at the complex.

Adams' letter states rent abatement, as required under a civil rights agreement reached between ECHA and a housing justice watchdog group in November, will end March 31 and tenants will be required to pay rent effective April 1.

"Failure to pay rent may also result in the initiation of legal proceedings," the letter states.

HUD officials have said families can work with the ECHA if they have found another unit and the move-in date is during the first week of April.

Emily Coffey with Chicago-based Shriver Center, a housing justice nonprofit that represents families at West Calumet, said several families will have to cross state lines into Illinois with the emergency transfer  even those who intended to remain in Indiana once they found permanent housing outside of West Calumet.

Coffey said the notices sent out Tuesday were "unnecessary and harmful," adding that the "the families just began working with a new housing counseling program and this move-out will seriously obstruct that effort."

She said the transfers to Chicago "will adversely affect schooling and employment."

"It will also force families to re-apply for public assistance, including Medicaid health benefits and (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) in Illinois. When they again move back to Indiana they will have to do it all over again," Coffey said. "HUD and ECHA have seriously failed to consider the harm and chaos they are creating for these families."

Residents have a right to file a grievance and have an informal hearing with ECHA, Coffey said. The request for a hearing must be made within 10 days.

Akeesha Daniels, of West Calumet, said she is concerned about moving her 13-year-old boy, who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, from East Chicago to Chicago. She has two other sons, ages 19 and 25.

She was assigned an apartment unit on the city's South Side, according to a letter she provided to The Times.

"I don't understand. We would have to switch over everything to Illinois. This is not a permanent spot. This is just for a minute," Daniels said. "So they're going to pay to have someone move me all the way to Chicago and then you're going to turn around and pay someone else to move me back to Indiana? I don't understand."
CROWN POINT  Khabaugh Musgrave was charged Wednesday in Lake Criminal Court with aggravated battery and battery resulting in the death of a child on allegations he shook his infant daughter to death.

Gary police learned the morning of March 6 that a 1-year-old girl was transported to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus after she was found unresponsive in her home in the 4400 block of East Sixth Avenue in Gary, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Doctors told police Najae Musgrave had eye and head injuries that suggested she was violently shaken, the affidavit states.

Najae was transported to a Chicago hospital, where she was pronounced brain dead on March 8, according to the affidavit.

Musgrave, 23, told police he arrived home from work about 7:30 a.m. March 6 and slept until the mother of his two children left for work at 8:30 a.m., the affidavit states.

The father said he checked on his children and ate some food, and then told the children to take a nap so he could sleep more, according to the affidavit.

He said he awoke at 11 a.m. and picked up Najae, but found the child could not lift her head and had labored breathing, the affidavit states.

He said he then called the children's mother, who called 911, the affidavit states.

When told about Najae's injuries, Musgrave denied shaking the girl, but said he may have playfully tossed the child into the air when he came home from work, according to the affidavit.

He suggested he may have handled the child too roughly, the affidavit states.

The Indiana Department of Child Services had investigated an allegation of child abuse against Musgrave and the child's mother in May 2016, according to the affidavit.

The outcome of that investigation is not detailed in the affidavit.

Musgrave's bond is set at $50,000.
CROWN POINT  Two letters Jarod T. McMillan sent to a criminal court judge may have invalidated his guilty plea to neglect in the death of his 3-month-old son.

Judge Samuel L. Cappas said at a court hearing Tuesday he would determine by April 11 whether the letters, in which McMillan said he did not intend to cause the death of Kannon McMillan, would invalidate McMillan's plea agreement.

McMillan, 32, of Gary, pleaded guilty Feb. 23 to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a level 1 felony, on allegations he failed to adequately care for Kannon McMillan, who was pronounced dead July 5 at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary.

Police noted in a probable cause affidavit that Kannon gained less than a pound in the three months before his death from dehydration and malnutrition.

McMillan reluctantly admitted under oath at the plea hearing the facts needed to establish that he knowingly or intentionally deprived his son of necessary support, which caused the child's death.

But Cappas said at a court hearing Tuesday that McMillan claimed in two letters sent to the court the death was unintentional, and he did not believe the child was in danger before July 5.

The judge said McMillan's equivocation on his culpability caused him to believe that he needed to vacate McMillan's conviction and schedule the case for trial.

Both prosecutors Reginald Marcus and Infinity Baulos, as well as defense attorney Lemuel Stigler, attempted to salvage the plea agreement by questioning McMillan again Tuesday under oath about the death.

McMillan seemed to agree under questioning that Kannon would not have died if the child had been brought to a doctor, but the judge said only that he would take McMillan's new statements under advisement.

McMillan remains convicted of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, as well as seven lesser counts of neglect.
GARY  Police took a 23-year-old Gary man into custody Tuesday after he was accused of firing two shots into a vehicle during a road rage incident, police said.

Gary police initially responded about 2:30 p.m. to the area of East Fifth Avenue and Delaware Street for reports of shots fired, Lt. Thomas Pawlak said.

A 28-year-old Gary man told police he was at a stop light near Broadway and 21st Avenue when he honked at the driver in front of him as the light turned green. The other driver, who was in a gold Ford Explorer, became angry and began following the 28-year-old's Grand Prix, police said.

The driver of the Explorer fired a handgun at the 28-year-old near Fifth and Delaware, and two shots struck the driver's side door of the Grand Prix, police said. The driver of the Grand Prix wasn't wounded.

The driver of the Grand Prix fled south on Virginia Street and later flagged officers down, police said.

Police later located the Explorer near West Fourth Avenue and Polk Street, took the person of interest into custody and found a .45-caliber handgun in the car, Pawlak said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Sgt. William Fazekas at 219-881-1210. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.
EAST CHICAGO  Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man accused of stealing more than $600 in allergy medication from Walgreens.

Police were dispatched at 1:41 p.m. Tuesday to a Walgreens location in the 2100 block of Columbs Drive in reference to a shoplifting incident, according to East Chicago police Lt. Marguerite Wilder.

The store manager told police that a man, described as approximately 6 feet tall and 250 pounds, stole more than $600 in over-the-counter allergy medication. He was wearing a black jacket.

The same man is accused of stealing the same type of merchandise from a Walgreens store near Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue about one week ago, Wilder said.

East Chicago Detective Justin Orange is requesting the public's assistance in identifying this man. Anyone with information is asked to contact him at 219-391-8435. To remain anonymous, call 219-391-8500.
GARY  Police took a 21-year-old Gary man into custody in connection with a shooting Tuesday that left an 18-year-old Indianapolis man dead, officials said.

Corey Brazelton, 18, and his cousin were outside a home in the 2500 block of Tyler Street at 7:30 p.m when Brazelton was shot in the chest, officials said.*

Gary police responded to the home, where a woman told police her son  Brazelton's cousin  had taken him to a local hospital, Lt. Thomas Pawlak said.

Brazelton was pronounced dead at 8:10 p.m. at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

Police were investigating the shooting as a homicide, Pawlak said. The Lake County coroner's office said Brazelton died from a gunshot wound, but the manner of death was pending.

Pawlak described the man in custody as a person of interest.

The Lake County sheriff's Crime Scene Investigation Unit is assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jeremy Ogden, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, at 219-755-3852. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.

*Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately described the events surrounding the shooting. The inaccurate information was provided by authorities.
VALPARAISO  Police said a report of a random robbery Tuesday morning has turned into a theft that occurred during a prearranged meeting between the parties.

The woman called police at 8 a.m. claiming she was robbed by two men while sitting in the parking lot of 2001 Calumet Ave., accordiing to Valparaiso Police Sgt. Mike Grennes.

The woman reportedly told police she pursued the men northbound on Calumet Avenue and then into the 3600 block of Maplewood Street where one of the men fled on foot.

Officers from the city and county searched for the man as doubts surfaced about the woman's story, Grennes said.

Police said they learned the woman had set up a meeting with an acquaintance, during which time items were taken from her car by a suspect. The man fled and entered another vehicle resulting in the woman pursuing them.

Police are still investigating.
A Chicago woman who allegedly tried to run over officers twice with a vehicle March 14 during a police pursuit in Highland was charged Tuesday with two counts of attempted murder, court records show.

Kahdijah Terry, 22, has also been charged with two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of attempted theft. Court records also show Megan B. Kelton, 25, of Chicago, the vehicle passenger, faces a count of attempted theft in connection with the March 14 incident.

A manager at Dicks Sporting Goods, 10251 Indianapolis Blvd., allegedly saw Terry and Kelton enter the store that afternoon, court records show. The manager was familiar with both women because of previous shoplifting encounters, she told police.

The manager called 911 when she allegedly saw Terry and Kelton split up, pull items off the racks, throw them into shopping carts, and move closer and closer to the exit, according to court records.

The manager told police she observed one of the subjects appear to notice multiple squad cars waiting outside the doors, so they left behind carts of merchandise that totaled about $1,140, court records show.

An officer working security at the Highland Grove Mall said he caught up with Terry and Kelton's vehicle in the ATM lane of a nearby bank, court records show. As the women allegedly refused to identify themselves, the officer overheard the dispatch state on the radio that the vehicle had been reported stolen. Terry allegedly accelerated the vehicle in the path of another officer approaching from the front, but the officer managed to get out of the way, court records show.

The officer then got into his squad car and pursued the vehicle. Another officer heard about the pursuit, so he positioned his squad car across the inner north lane of travel along northbound Kennedy Avenue in an attempt to stop the vehicle, court records show. Terry allegedly struck the squad car with her vehicle attempting to go around it. When the vehicle moved in his direction, the officer fired multiple shots into the vehicle.

The vehicle jumped onto the median and became stuck. After the officer punched out the driver's side window, Terry allegedly kept her hands on the wheel and continued to shift back and forth to reverse and drive in an attempt to free her vehicle, court records show.

Highland police Cmdr. George Georgeff previously told The Times police had to use a Taser to subdue the driver once they made contact in the 7800 block of Kennedy Avenue in Hammond.

Terry was allegedly in violation of her parole from Logan Correctional Center in Illinois, court records show.
INDIANAPOLIS  State lawmakers recently hit pause on their usual legislative business to commemorate the 40th anniversary of WDSO-FM, the student-run radio station at Chesterton High School.

House Concurrent Resolution 42, which the House and Senate passed unanimously, congratulates the thousands of student operators over the years and everyone at Duneland Community Schools who helped the station get and stay on the air at 88.3 FM.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, explained the station is a unique training ground for the Region and state's future broadcasters where students learn the ins-and-outs of programming a 24-hour a day radio channel that reaches up to 150,000 listeners in and around Porter County.

"I listen to the station. It's pretty remarkable," Moseley said. "You can really count on getting a lot of good information from WDSO."

State Reps. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, and Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, co-sponsors of the resolution, both said one reason the station gets such good information is because its student journalists study the issues and ask tough questions.

"In this day and age, we need the next crop of young, responsible broadcasters and members of the media," Pelath said. "Our democracy relies on that and they're getting it done at this radio station."

The resolution honoring the station also was co-sponsored by state Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron; and state Sens. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, and Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes.
HIGHLAND The Town Theatre and two adjacent buildings north of it will be razed, likely this summer.

The Highland Redevelopment Commission has awarded a contract to Actin Contracting of East Chicago. For a fee of $35,700, Actin will bring the theater and the two adjacent buildings to the north down to ground level.

Four other contractors presented bids ranging from $61,000 to $88,900 to tear down the same three buildings, all of which are owned by the town.

The commission, which also doubles as the Town Council, said the two north buildings will be inspected for asbestos before the demolition takes place.

"We found asbestos where the ticket booth flooring is," Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro said.

While the commission does not expect asbestos to be found in the other two buildings, the board said it is best to check first.

There are also various artifacts inside the 71-year-old building that need to be saved, including a few statues, some vertical lighting and the projector, Petro said.

The commission said the Public Works Department will be asked to remove them.

Commissioner Michael Griffin asked if there was any chance the marquee could be saved.

Rehabilitating the 10-foot wide marquee, which is badly in disrepair, would cost $50,000, but Commissioner Bernie Zemen said he will check with a Homewood man who has expressed an interest in buying it.

"It's to be determined when that's going to happen this year," Commissioner Dan Vassar said of the tear-down.

Zemen estimated it will probably happen during the summer.

Actin's bid also included razing the adjacent town-owned building south of the theater, 8620 Kennedy Ave., for $13,430.

This will be done later and could require a new bidding process, board members said.

The commission said it wants to delay the destruction of that building until it finds a new home for Maria's Buena Cocina, a Mexican restaurant with a lease through 2018 that is held by the town.

"I've been looking and working on it," Petro said. "She wants to keep her size small."

The recently vacated First Midwest Bank building, downtown on Highway Avenue, is too large, Petro said, adding that Maria is also looking for a new location.

Petro said she is even checking to see if the restaurant can be matched with an existing business.

In any event, the commissioners said they will not tear down the building and leave the business without a home.

The commission also approved a resolution to have appraisals performed on seven buildings near the theater.

These properties are 8600 Kennedy Ave., 2726 Garfield St. and 2712, 2716, 2720, 2733 and 2736 Condit Ave.

The board would like to acquire these buildings so the entire block can be leveled and prepared for future redevelopment.
CEDAR LAKE  Hanover Central High School students attended the 14th Focus on Your Future, career and technical education conference. The conference was coordinated by the Hanover Central Career and Technical Advisory Committee and provided students the opportunity to meet and listen to representatives from nine different career fields related to CTE classes offered at Hanover Central High School.

Students were able to choose and attend five short seminars from the nine fields offered, including; Marketing and Graphic Design, Indiana National Guard, Certified Personal Training, Firefighting/EMS, Building Trades, Engineering, Nursing, Banking and Culinary Arts. Each presenter freely offered their personal history and the path they followed to reach the current positions they hold.

Silva Devarj, owner and executive creative director for Devarj Design, focused on the specialized choices available in corporate communications and emphasized how many different tools and technology aids have come to play an important part in the communications field and how students seeking a career in communications have more opportunities than ever before. Her suggestion to students; Seek out opportunities to see professionals at work to see if this field is right for you."

Tyler Asche, a senior at HCHS intends to study marketing at Purdue University following graduation and found Silva Devarjs presentation about the future of the industry particularly interesting. Its exactly what I expected and we got to learn from people who have done what we want to do for 20 or 30 years and have some real insights, said Asche.
While the city of Gary accounted for more than 60 percent  or 46  of Lake Countys 71 homicides in 2016, local law enforcement are focused on the changes they see within the citys limits: Gary saw four fewer homicides last year than the year before.

The way you got to look at it is thats four lives that werent lost. Thats four families that werent ripped apart by homicide. Anytime you see a deficit, Im not looking at it as a number. Thats a person, Gary Cpl. Doug Drummond said. Anytime we see a reduction, thats a success.

The city also is down from 51 homicides in 2014 and 55 in 2013.

'What we're doing is working'

Those in law enforcement are crediting the citys Gary For Life Initiative that launched in mid-2014 as a way to combat the citys violent crime rates.

The program relies on local, state and federal partnerships, focusing on high-crime areas and known criminals believed to be responsible for much of the citys more serious offenses.

The strategy itself, what it is were doing, is resonating. What were doing is working, said Joy Holliday, coordinator for Gary For Life.

The Gary for Life initiative is based on the NOLA For Life program, developed in New Orleans in 2012, she said.

The citys Police Department recorded 18 gang-involved homicides in 2016, down from 29 in 2015, for a 38 percent decrease, according to department data.

Nonfatal, gang-involved shootings also were down slightly  to 46 from 48. There were 22 unknown, or uncategorized, homicides in 2016, up from 19 in 2015.

The number of nonfatal shootings in which police could not determine if they were gang-related dropped about 18 percent  to 55 in 2016 from 67 in 2015.

Interrupting gang activity

As part of the Gary For Life initiative, law enforcement partnered with several local, state and federal agencies to form the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, also known as MAG. The MAG unit is responsible for carrying out targeted enforcement in gang-riddled neighborhoods, focusing on known, violent offenders and gang associates.

In 2015 and 2016, after targeting members of the Glen Park Affiliated, Get Fresh Boys, Aetna Boys and Fame, the Fifth Avenue Boys and All Sets in neighborhoods where the gang groups are known to operate, police recorded fewer instances of violent crime  specifically homicides, shootings, home invasions, robberies and criminal recklessness  during and after the MAG units increased presence.

The targeted enforcement interrupts gang activity and drug operations, he said.

In interviews with offenders, they tell us they are fully aware of the MAG unit and our anti-crime initiative, Drummond said. Most oftentimes, they tell us 'Our friends, our associates, they are laying low.'"

Gary Sgt. Samuel Abegg said the MAG unit has made a number of significant arrests in the past two years, including in August 2015, when the MAG unit executed a search warrant in the 4300 block of Massachusetts Street. Among the several people arrested on weapons and narcotics charges was a known Glen Park Affiliated member, Jiovanni "Bon Bon" Murphy, then 19. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to federal prison, Abegg said.

We need your help

Another aspect to Gary For Life: Engaging people, mostly individuals on parole or probation or potential offenders, during meetings known as call-ins, Holliday said. There, law enforcement, prosecutors, social service providers, and members of the community are on hand to talk to participants.

At those meetings, the participants are given two choices: Turn your life around by taking advantage of workforce development or education opportunities  or expect to be held accountable, she said. They are warned police are watching and that any serious crimes committed will result in harsh penalties or prison time, she said.

What the citys Police Department has found is that crime goes down after each call-in  and crime goes down after each targeted enforcement by the MAG unit, data show.

Dr. Reuben Rutland, chief of trauma at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, recently spoke at the Jan. 12 call-in  encouraging those on parole or probation to consider an alternative to gang life.

I purposely shook the hands of every guy that was there. Anybody can get up and give lip service to a group, but I wanted to talk to each individually to tell them, We need you. We need you to be a part of this community. We cant go on without you. We need your help,  Rutland said.

Rutland said his job often places him in direct contact with young men  some of them victims of gang violence  in the emergency room. He cant help but tell his own story  he grew up with a single mother after his father died when he was 4  or try to steer them in the right direction, he said.

I tell them you want a job someday where you wont have to look over your shoulder walking down the street every day, Rutland said.

Rutland said its up to young men in Gary to step up and serve as role models for the next generation.

Talking to these young guys, I tell them as African-American men, we cant just be parents to our kids. We have to be parents to our community, and step up as male role models. If we dont take the lead, someone else will, and theyre going to exploit them for personal gain, Rutland said.

Officials have said only a small percentage of the city's population is responsible for much of the violent crime that occurs in Gary.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said she is proud of the work Gary For Life has done so far. She hopes the success continues.

"One of the things that we understand is if we focus our attention on those folks, the ones most likely to be involved in violent crime, we can make a significant difference," Freeman-Wilson said.

Moving forward

The Gary For Life initiative is now approaching its third full year, Drummond said. Soon, the MAG unit will be revisiting communities where they underwent targeted enforcement activities last year, he said.

Even if we were to eradicate a group by reforming, incarceration, anything like that, youre always going to have younger kids coming in, Drummond said. Groups will change their names, their dynamic.

The Gary For Life initiative has been so successful, Drummond said, that other cities are asking the program to serve as a model. The initiative last year began partnering with GoodWill Industiries to provide workforce development assistance, support networks and mentoring.

Holliday said they hope Gary For Life can increase the involvement of residents, particularly youth and the faith-based community, this year.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP  A 74-year-old Valparaiso man was airlifted to a Chicago hospital Tuesday night following a head-on collision on U.S. 6.

According to a police report, William Williams was driving a mini van westbound on U.S. 6 about 9:30 p.m. when he crossed the center line, causing three vehicles to drive off the roadway, and striking two other vehicles.

Williams' van ended up on its roof with Williams trapped inside. After he was extricated, Williams was transported to Porter Regional Hospital and then flown to the University of Chicago Hospital.

No other drivers were injured.

The accident continues to be under investigation, according to police.
A third education-themed workshop has been added to World Civility Day events April 13.

Stand Up, Speak Up, Stop Bullying will be presented by Edgewater Systems from 2 to 2:45 pm. at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

Tim Thomas, chief clinical officer of Edgewater, will present a video showing bullying from childhood to adulthood and host a discussion.

Studies have shown that nearly half of children in grades 412 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month. But bullying extends beyond students. Studies also show that up to half of workers have been exposed to bullying or some other form of workplace harassment.

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.

A series of workshops will take place at the Indiana Welcome Center during the day. Other education-themed workshops are Civility in the Classroom, presented by teachers from Lighthouse College Prep Academy and Steel City Academy in Gary and Summer Moore of Community Civility Counts, from 2:30 to 3:20 pm; and Cyberbullying, presented by Cathie Bledsoe of Indiana State Police, from 3:30 to 4 pm.

An awards dinner and World Civility Day celebration will be held at Avalon Manor in Merrillville in the evening.

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.

Like the Civility Counts Facebook page for updates on World Civility Day and to follow the activities of Community Civility Counts.
Police have arrested a Bronx man after they say he attacked someone with a tire iron at JFK Airport.

Port Authority Police say 26-year-old Nathaneal Santana started attacking another man inside Terminal 5's baggage claim area around 8 p.m. Monday after the two got into a dispute.

Police say when they arrived, they ordered Santana to stop, but he ran to his car and took off.

Officers later caught him near North Conduit and 134th Place in Queens and found a tire iron on the floor of his car.

The 25-year-old victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital with cuts and bruises.

Santana faces a slew of charges, including assault and resisting arrest.
Police say the deadly stabbing of a man in Midtown was racially motivated.

Police say 28-year-old James Jackson traveled from Baltimore to the city specifically to attack black men.

Investigators say the Army veteran got into an argument with 66-year-old Timothy Caughman on Ninth Avenue near 36th Street while Caughman was collecting bottles from trash cans Monday night.

Jackson then allegedly attacked Caughman with a sword, stabbing him in the chest and back several times.

"It is believed that he was specifically intending to target male blacks for assault," said NYPD Assistant Chief Bill Aubry. "Based on certain information, it appears that this subject has been harboring these types of feelings for quite some time."

Caughman's neighbors say the attack has them on edge.

"I'm terrified, and I am lucky that it was not me that he targeted that day," said one neighbor. "It's horrifying. I mean, who would've ever thought? Some things come closer to home than you think."

Police say Jackson turned himself in after seeing himself on the news.

He has been charged with second-degree murder. Officials say that will probably be upgraded to a first-degree murder or hate crime charge.
The city's only Republican congressman says he will vote no on the American Health Care Act.

Rep. Dan Donovan announced his decision in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

In the release, the congressman, who represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, said a New York State-specific Medicaid amendment weighed into his decision. The amendment exempted state counties outside of New York City from contributing to the state's Medicaid fund.

Donovan also said he opposes increases in insurance premiums for seniors.

The Staten Island Advance was the first media outlet to report that Donovan was voting no. The congressman published an op-ed in the newspaper explaining his decision.

The bill goes up for a vote in the House Thursday.

A White House official says about 20 GOP representatives are against it or undecided. It would take 22 of them, and universal opposition from Democrats, to block it.
Karuma hydropower dam, if completed, is likely to operate below capacity due to defects on the dam, especially those that could emerge as a result of poorly-aligned concrete on the structure, according to officials from the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited.

During a tour of the 600MW project last week, Harrison Mutikanga, the chief executive officer at the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), said the draft tube  a key structure that is connected to the turbines that produce energy  was aligned poorly.

They cast concrete badly and this [part of the draft tube] comes up a little bit. Now when you do that, the diameter expands. That means you will have some head losses, Mutikanga explained to Proscovia Njuki, the UEGCL board chairperson, during the tour of the facility.

By losing a few millimeters, there is a very big amount in terms of head-losses. Because this was aligned a little bit badly, we are losing a lot of head and then it might affect the energy output, Mutikanga said.

Proscovia Njuki, the board chairman UEGCL (C), Albert Byaruhanga (L), Karuma project manager and Harrison Mutikanga , the CEO UEGCL (in red reflector)

Construction of the 600MW hydroelectric project is estimated to cost $2.2bn. The contractor of the project is Sinohydro. Wang Yanto, the executive vice president at Sinohydro, simply said aligning is very difficult to control.

UEGCL said the issues at the Karuma power project have been further compounded by the lack of enough technical staff from the contractor. Also, officials from UEGCL say the contractor has gone against some of the specifications they agreed with the government of Uganda.

It is very clear to us that our specifications say lime. So, if the contractor is still insisting to going back to steel, contrary to specifications, then we are not shooting in the same goal, Albert Byaruhanga, project manager of Karuma, said.

On the alteration of designs and specifications as agreed in the contract, Yanto told the UEGCL members that sometimes its not about the design, but the methodology used.

CONTRACTOR QUIZZED

After the tour, UEGCL board members met with the contractor and expressed their frustrations with the slow pace at which work is being done at the dam.

Gilbert Kimanzi, one of the board members, was particularly disturbed by the fact that the contractor had failed to produce a revised project implementation schedule, which would give a clear picture on when the project would be commissioned.

Where are we on this contract? Can we say we are still on schedule? We have been asking you, please submit your revised project implementation schedule [but] we dont have it, Kimanzi fumed.

Should we terminate the contract for you to listen to us? Should we start the process of terminating the contract? If you have challenges, please tell us and we discuss and solve them. But you cannot just ignore us, he complained.

Njuki added: We ask [these questions] because there are several missing parts in the project as we have been briefed by our team.

Karuma dam is expected to be commissioned by December, 2018. However, it appears that deadline will not be met.

We are a little bit behind the schedule. It seems to us we cannot meet the deadline as the contract [says]. We understand you want to finish the project in time. But honestly, we have to agree we cannot do that, however much we try. We think we are about three months behind schedule, Yanto said.

alitwaha9@gmail.com
SANTA ANA  A career criminal was convicted Wednesday of killing an aspiring model more than two decades after her battered body was found in an Irvine orange grove.

An Orange County Superior Court jury found Leonardo Pimental Sanchez, now 59, guilty of first-degree murder, but the panel disagreed with the prosecutions contention that the slaying occurred during a rape.

Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy told jurors during the trial that DNA evidence found on the body of 19-year-old Cari Ann Parnes tied Sanchez to the 1992 slaying.

Sanchezs attorney, Adam Vining, acknowledged that his client had sex with Parnes, who was a prostitute, but denied that he killed her.

The manager of the long-gone orange grove off of Jeffrey Road discovered Parnes body on March 26, 1992. She was fully clothed with a bashed-in skull and broken jaw.

Parnes had moved to California two years before to pursue modeling. A cocaine addiction derailed her plans, as she turned from magazine shoots to private dancing to escort work and finally to street prostitution.

The investigation into her death went cold until 1997, when sexual-assault swabs taken from the crime scene were run through newly created DNA tests.

The test linked Parnes to Sanchez, who several years earlier had been convicted of rape in a nearby orange grove. During the trial, McGreevy told jurors that the lesson Sanchez learned from his earlier conviction  which resulted in five years in prison  was to not leave a witness alive.

Sanchez was located in 2014 in Mexico. A Mexican national, Sanchez has been arrested at least 25 times in Orange County and deported six times. He used at least 27 aliases and 19 separate birth dates.

Vining told jurors that Sanchez had paid to have sex with Parnes and was simply the only person who authorities could forensically tie to her in the days leading up to her death.

Vining noted that Parnes was leading a risky lifestyle and was known to rip off drug dealers or trade sex for drugs. He outlined the web of drug underworld ties that surrounded Parnes, and criticized detectives for supposedly not following up on numerous investigative strands.

Vining has filed a motion with the court arguing that the 25-year delay since the killing violated Sanchezs right to a speedy trial.

If the judge were to uphold the defense motion, the jurys verdict could be thrown out.

Had the jurors found that Sanchez murdered Parnes during a rape, he would have faced life in prison without parole. Now, Sanchez faces 25 years to life in prison.

Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com
Scott Schwebke is an investigative reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was previously a breaking news and multimedia reporter for the Ogden, Utah, Standard-Examiner. Scott has also worked at newspapers in Utah, Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia covering everything from methamphetamine trafficking cops to hurricanes. He has also accompanied police on undercover drug buys and also provided an award winning, eyewitness account of the execution of a North Carolina death row inmate. Scott was part of the OC Registers investigative team that in 2017 produced the year-long, award winning Rehab Riviera series, examining problems in Southern Californias drug rehabilitation industry. He also teamed up with reporter Joe Nelson in 2019 on Bad Apples, an award winning investigation that exposed years of sex abuse cover up in the Redlands Unified School District. Having spent two years living in England including Liverpool, he is an avid Beatles fan and memorabilia collector.
NEWPORT BEACH  An Arizona couple helplessly watched Sunday as their cash, credit cards and drivers licenses went up in smoke during a bizarre electric bike fire in Newport Beach.

We couldnt believe it, Lisa Vondran of Phoenix said Monday. It sounded like fireworks going off.

Lisa Vondran and her husband, Steve Vondran, an attorney, purchased two classic beach cruisers for about $2,800 each a week ago from the Electric Bike Company, which is based in Newport Beach.

On Sunday morning, the couple rode the bikes to breakfast and then walked them over to the beach for a leisurely afternoon on the shore.

Around 4:30 p.m., the Vondrans parked the bikes at the end of an access ramp on 18th Street and strolled toward the beach.

We put the kickstands down and started to walk away, when my husbands bike went up in flames, Lisa Vondran said. We backed away. Stuff from the electric battery was shooting everywhere. We were in shock.

The blaze melted and charred Steve Vondrans bike and damaged the tires and handlebars on his wifes beach cruiser.

A cell phone and all of the couples cash, credit cards and drivers licenses kept in a wallet in the basket of Steve Vondrans bike were also destroyed.

We literally didnt have any money to buy any water, Lisa Vondran said, adding she had to reach out to friends and family for money and a passport.

We were both mesmerized, Steve Vondran said. I was wanting to put out the fire but I didnt have anything to use.

The Vondrans were not injured and Newport Beach firefighters used dry chemicals to extinguish the blaze, said Mike Halphide, lifeguard battalion chief for the Newport Beach Fire Department.

The fire was likely caused by an isolated assembly problem with the bikes battery management system, a computer chip that regulates voltage, Bob Anderson, sales manager for the Electric Bike Company said Tuesday.

It was a one-in-a-million thing, Anderson said. It could have happened to anybody, but it happened to us.

As a result of the incident, the president of Electric Bike Company expedited a trip Monday to China to meet with the batterys manufacturer, he added.

The Electric Bike Company has also replaced the Vondrans bikes.

We have new bikes and rode them Monday, said Lisa Vondran, adding she is extremely pleased by the companys response. The fire was just one of those fluke things.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter:@thechalkoutline
Newport Beach paid over $200,000 in attorneys fees to place a residents lawsuit to bed over the citys timeliness in fulfilling a public records request regarding a 2010 trip to France involving the Newport Beach Sister City Association.

A lawyer for former Sister City Association member Kent Moore received $202,129.50 in January, said Aaron Harp, city attorney for Newport Beach.

Moore filed a public records request with the city in February 2015 over concerns about how teens were supervised on the trip to Antibes, France. The sum is less than what he spent to take the city to court, Moore said last week.

They (initially) tried to say that they didnt owe us anything, Moore said. They put me through three years of hell.

The city came back with new documents several times throughout the three-year ordeal and claimed some documents Moore asked for were either missing or destroyed. Harp said the city made an effort to locate requested documents, but that there was trouble in locating some documents given the time lapse since the trip and employee turnover.

Occasionally you get somebody who comes in looking for records for something that happened a long time ago and the employees that worked on it dont work here anymore, Harp said. It can make locating those records fairly difficult.

Moore said he was looking into allegations that some children attending the trip were not supervised and that at least one brought alcohol. In addition, he asked for details about grants the association received from the city through 2014 along with documents relating to any investigation into whether grant agreements were violated during the trip.

An investigation conducted by the city determined there were no serious issues during the trip and grant terms were not violated.

The association was founded in 1984 and sets up student exchange programs with sister cities Antibes, Okazaki, Japan and Ensenada, Mexico. In addition, the nonprofit organizes hosts stays, business exchanges and cultural awareness events.

Last year, Orange County Superior Court Judge Linda S. Marks said she was troubled by how the records requests proceeded, saying the process is not meant to be lengthy.

Moores attorney, Melinda Luthin, said the city stonewalled her client throughout the process.

Calls to Luthin were not immediately returned.

The city has reviewed the way it maintains, stores and organizes records to better respond to public records requests, Harp said.

This has resulted in a more streamlined procedure for processing requests and greater access to records online, he said.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@scng.com
Puppet and Bouncer, a pair of jailhouse snitches who were paid $335,000 over a four-year window for working dozens of cases in Southern California, have inspired a state bill to limit the rewards given to criminal informants.

Assembly Bill 359 on Tuesday sailed unanimously through the state Assembly Public Safety Committee, passing its first hurdle. The bill next goes to the Assembly floor for a full vote at a yet-to-be determined date.

Under the bill, snitches like Mexican Mafia members Raymond Puppet Cuevas and Jose Bouncer Paredes would no longer be able to live like kings behind bars, raking in as much as $3,000 a case as well as cartons of Marlboro cigarettes, fast-food, Xbox machines and other perks.

Court ledgers obtained by the Orange County Register show that between 2011 and 2015 police in Orange County paid $14,200 to the men, Riverside County paid $6,000 and law enforcement in San Bernardino County paid $3,750. The rest of the informant pay came from police agencies in Long Beach and Los Angeles County.

Police typically sent the men into jails to befriend suspects, usually other members of the Mexican Mafia, who hadnt yet obtained legal representation. Cuevas and Paredes, in cells wired with recording devices, offered to help the suspects dodge a death penalty from the Mexican Mafia, but only if they confessed a complete history of their alleged crimes.

In Orange County, court records indicate that both men were among the informants sometimes employed to get information from suspects who already have lawyers, a practice that violates federal law. The countys so-called snitch scandal also was mentioned by sponsors of AB 359 as inspiration for the law.

The integrity of our criminal justice system is crumbling and one contributing factor is Californias long history of unethical and illegal use of jailhouse informants, like we are seeing play out in Orange County, said the bills sponsor, Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles.

This bill is a small but significant step to make sure our criminal justice system does what it is intended to do, which is to deliver on the promise of justice for all.

Special report: How jailhouse informants and the snitch tank put Orange County justice system in turmoil

The Orange County District Attorneys Office did not answer a request for comment, and the California District Attorneys Association reported that it had no opinion on the bill at this time.

The bill caps all monetary and non-monetary payments to informants at $100 per case, including any investigatory work. Currently, the cap is $50 per case for testimony and no limit in compensation for investigation.

Additionally, the bill requires prosecutors to keep databases that track informant work and locations, and to turn detailed informant histories over to defense attorneys no later than 30 days before the preliminary hearing.

In Orange County, prosecutors have repeatedly failed to turn over details of their informants past work with police, a violation of discovery law.

The use of jailhouse informants is mostly unregulated in California and often susceptible to abuse, because there is an incentive for snitches to lie in order to receive payment or lenient treatment in their own cases, often called consideration, experts say. Cuevas and Paredes received leniency on charges that could have kept them in prison for life.

Alexandra Natapoff, an expert on informants and a professor at Loyola Law School, said California is behind other states in regulating the use of jailhouse snitches, but the bill would be an important start.

Its a no-brainer, Natapoff said. She added that while monetary incentives would be capped, the bill does not address the most important reward for informants: leniency in their own criminal cases.

Its a great first step and the lesson from Orange County has only begun to resonate in Sacramento, Natapoff said.

In Orange County, the DAs office was booted in 2015 from the worst mass-murder case in county history because the judge came to believe that deputies were hiding records about jailhouse informants. Additionally, six murder and attempted murder cases have resulted in overturned convictions, dismissed charges and lenient penalties because of problems with jail informants. The California Attorney Generals Office, the Orange County Grand Jury and the U.S. Department of Justices civil rights division are each investigating the countys snitch crisis.

The problems were first unearthed by Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders while battling to spare mass killer Scott Dekraai the death penalty.

The hidden and unregulated use of jailhouse informants, as we have seen in Orange County, breaks down the integrity of the criminal justice system in three key ways: innocent people go to prison, justice for victims is delayed and public trust in the criminal justice system is eroded, said a statement from Jones-Sawyers office.

While informants can provide helpful information for sheriffs and district attorneys, and may help to obtain criminal convictions, it is essential that the means used be consistent with affording all defendants their constitutional rights to a fair process.

Contact the writer: tsaavedra@scng.com
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Wednesday stepped in to the national conversation on police practices, wrestling with a California police shooting case where sheriffs deputies shot an innocent couple during their search for a wanted man.

The justices heard oral arguments in a 2010 case involving Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies. The deputies were searching for a wanted parolee when they entered a shack at the back of a home in the city of Lancaster, north of Los Angeles. Seeing a man with a gun, they fired. But the man wasnt the suspect they were searching for and they struck him and his pregnant girlfriend. The gun was a BB gun used by the man to shoot rats and mice, and he was moving it at the time.

Lower courts ruled that the deputies, who didnt have a warrant, provoked the confrontation, and the couple was awarded $4 million. The man, Angel Mendez, had to have his leg amputated below the knee as a result of the shooting.

During oral arguments Wednesday, the justices crafted a variety of scenarios involving law enforcement officers. They asked lawyers to discuss examples including a plainclothes officer who breaks into a home in the dead of night and officers trying to negotiate with a mentally ill person with a hostage.

Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor at times seemed outraged at the California case.

A lawyer for the deputies and Los Angeles County asked the justices to put themselves in the shoes of the deputies, who believed they were in danger and thought they were going to die.

Chief Justice John Roberts told a lawyer for the couple who was shot that even if the officers had gotten a warrant the shooting would have occurred.
You may commit Three Felonies a Day, if attorney and author Harvey A. Silverglates book on How the feds target the innocent with voluminous, vague and inappropriately applied laws is accurate, but how many crimes are perpetrated by your money and possessions? The question may seem odd, but is central in cases involving the controversial practice of civil asset forfeiture.

Under asset forfeiture, police seize money or other property that they suspect  or claim they suspect  has been derived from or otherwise related to a crime. Incredibly, such seizures usually do not require a conviction  and oftentimes the property owner is not even charged with a crime. Sometimes the proceeds may be kept even if the owner is innocent.

Even worse, law enforcement agencies are generally allowed to keep the vast majority of the proceeds seized. This provides a perverse incentive to engage in asset seizures without regard to whether justice is being done, leading critics to dub the practice policing for profit.

Though originally intended to go after ill-gotten gains, such as the proceeds from illegal drug sales or Ponzi schemes, civil asset forfeiture has too often been abused to pad agency budgets. As then-Las Cruces, N.M, City Attorney Pete Connelly gushed at a forfeiture conference in 2014, it is a gold mine for police agencies. We could be czars, we could own the city, he told attendees.

Groups like the libertarian Institute for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union have helped to spur reform by publicizing some of the more brazen abuses, like the elderly West Philadelphia couple who had their home seized because, unbeknownst to them, their son allegedly sold $20 of marijuana to an informant three times from the front porch. There are numerous cases of seizures taking place at routine traffic stops: a business owners proceeds, a rock bands concert earnings, two poker players $100,000 in winnings.

In many cases, the significant time and legal expenses necessary to contest the seizure simply exceed the value of the property taken, so its easier to just give it up. Even if one is willing and able to mount a defense, the property owner typically bears the burden of proving that his property was not derived from nefarious means. Which gets us back to the question of whether property, and not an individual, is capable of committing a crime.

Law enforcement agencies have increasingly pursued civil forfeitures instead of criminal forfeitures due to the lower standard of evidence required. Bizarrely, under civil procedures, police agencies may sidestep constitutional issues by charging the property itself, rather than the owner, with involvement in a crime. This has resulted in cases such as U.S. v. $124,700 in U.S. Currency and State of New Jersey v. One 1990 Ford Thunderbird.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently called this practice into question in a discussion of a case the court ultimately declined to hear. Though it can be traced to the early days of the nation, when laws allowed for the forfeiture of pirate ships and of the cargo of ships in customs violation cases, he notes that these laws were narrower in most respects than modern ones and typically covered only the instrumentalities of the crime (such as the vessel used to transport the goods), not the derivative proceeds of a crime.

There is reason for optimism, however. The exposure of forfeiture abuses has prompted nearly 20 states to pass reforms  and almost 20 more are considering changes. Some, like New Mexico, have abolished the practice altogether, while others have severely restricted it by requiring a conviction or plugging a loophole that allows state and local agencies to get around limitations in state laws by partnering with federal agencies. And Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has reintroduced his Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act to ensure that due process is restored in such proceedings.

For a crime to be committed, one must have done something illegal, and the government should have to prove it before rendering punishment by seizing ones assets. Implicating the property, rather than the individual, is a cop out, and taking property without charging one with a crime  much less a conviction  is a blatant violation of individual rights unbecoming of those who are supposed to protect us from thieves and other criminals. Civil asset forfeiture must be abolished, or substantially reformed, to ensure that the cops do not end up becoming the robbers.

Adam B. Summers is a columnist with the Southern California News Group.
A Santa Ana urologist who mistakenly removed a patients spleen instead of a kidney can no longer perform surgeries on his own, according to California Medical Board documents.

An administrative law judge last week decided that Dr. Huey Chou Lin cannot practice medicine or perform surgery without supervision. He is also barred from performing nephrectomies, the surgical removal of one or both kidneys.

The restrictions are temporary, pending a full hearing on Lins fitness to practice medicine.

His attorney, Ray McMahon, said the removal of the spleen occurred during a complicated procedure in which a number of factors contributed to the error. He said more than 60 colleagues have signed a letter of support on Lins behalf.

Dr. Lin is an incredibly kind, generous physician who is beloved by the medical staff that he works with, McMahon said.

According to the legal documents, in 2015 Lin erroneously removed a patients spleen instead of the left kidney at Fountain Valley Regional. Afterward, the hospital revoked his nephrectomy privileges and required him to work with a co-surgeon, the legal documents say.

The documents do not describe the condition of the patient or how the error was discovered.

In making the decision to restrict his practice, Judge Julie Cabos-Owen wrote that Lin is unable to independently practice medicine safely at this time. She noted that the restrictions were necessary to protect patients at the other hospitals where he practices with full privileges.

To view a doctors disciplinary record, go to mbc.ca.gov.

Contact the writer: cperkes@scng.com 714-796-3686
LONG BEACH  Hundreds of thousands of Cal State University students will be required to pay higher tuition rates next school year.

After hours of debate punctuated by angry shouts from student protesters, the CSU Board of Trustees approved a $270 tuition hike for resident undergraduate students. The 11-8 vote was taken by hand, provoking outrage from the students.

Roll call, you fascists, one voice called out.

Chants of No justice, no peace, shouted profanities and a promise of further protest followed the final vote.

Although CSU officials have said financial aid programs will keep some 60 percent of CSU undergraduates immune from the tuition hikes, the vote followed several students impassioned testimonies of lives spent working long hours, needing to provide financial support to relatives and even being on the brink of homelessness while taking university classes.

We are hanging onto a sliver of hope that well graduate and get a degree and everything will be worth it, Cal State Fullerton student Brittany Goss said before trustees debate.

The new 2017-18 CSU rates:

Resident undergraduate students tuition would increase by $270 to $5,742.

Tuition for resident students in credential programs, like future teachers, would increase by $312 to $6,660.

Resident graduate students tuition would increase by $438 to $7,176.

CSU tuition rates have not increased since the 2011-12 school year. Chancellor Timothy White said at the outset of Wednesdays meeting that he took no joy in bringing forth a proposal to increase tuition for the coming academic year, the 23-campus system needs greater financial resources than what the governor and other state officials have shown a willingness to provide.

Although Gov. Jerry Browns January budget proposal would give CSU a funding increase of about $157 million, that amount would still fall nearly $168 million short of CSU trustees full support budget request. The systems funding ask totaled to about $5.8 billion.

Its an embarrassment that were stuck with this awful choice between access and quality, Trustee Peter Taylor.

Trustees budget request included $75 million to be outlined to implement the CSUs new attempt to speed up graduation rates and $139 million for already-approved pay increases.

Steve Relyea, CSUs executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer, said during the meeting the system would have to forego plans to hire new faculty and offer additional classes needed to accomplish the graduation initiative, among other sacrifices.

Protesting students, many of whom dressed for the meeting in black graduation caps and gowns, frequently interrupted Wednesdays meeting to shout at trustees considering the tuition hike. Their repertoire of chants included the couplet the more we pay / the longer we stay, suggesting higher tuition rates will force them to spread out the costs of their educations over more time than they would otherwise need to earn

Trustees who supported the tuition increase, however, said imperatives to increase graduation rates justify raising tuition.

Almost half of our students, we lose, before they get their degree. That is not acceptable, Trustee Rebecca Eisen, who chairs CSUs governing board, said.

CSU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget Ryan Storm acknowledged that despite financial aid programs, some students will have to pay higher tuition rates and work longer hours. He also offered that if CSU administrators can help students complete school at faster paces, they could save more than $3,000 for every semester they dont need to be enrolled.

CSU trustees and others attending the meeting, which took place at the CSU Office of the Chancellor building near the Long Beach shoreline, did so to the sounds of protesters chanting and pounding paint buckets put to use as makeshift drums.

Fewer classes, higher fees. The CSU is run by thieves, some protesters chanted outside a doorway before the meetings start.

The sounds of protesting voices and loud drum beats could be heard inside the auditorium throughout

Nonetheless, Cal State Long Beach student Courtney Yamagiwa said before the meeting she was optimistic that CSUs governing board may vote against higher tuition rates.

Its definitely not a done deal, said Yamagiwa.

Yamagiwa said she studies consumer affairs and German at the Long Beach campus, and the said the only acceptable tuition level would be a $0 rate, which is what she said a fully-funded state university would charge.

Among the trustees who took students side, Lateefah Simon said state government should be providing more money to CSU.

This is really on the backs of our Legislature. Three weeks ago I was going to vote yes, and I just cant, she said.

Raising tuition at the CSU is projected to bring in a net $77.5 million. Prior to the final vote, trustees adopted an amendment from Trustee Jane Carney calling for all of that money to be spent on classes and other student support programs with connections to CSUs graduation initiative.

Carney also won approval for an amendment calling for the tuition increase to be rescinded if the final state budget gives the CSU its full funding request.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is a trustee by virtue of his office and a 2018 gubernatorial candidate, said that kind of tactic will actually relieve lawmakers from the pressure that may otherwise convince them to adopt the kind of budget that CSU trustees want.

In Sacramento, Newsom said, legislators know that can count on CSU and University of California leaders to adopt tuition increases to make up for funding gaps. He instead tried to convince trustees to refuse the tuition increase and effectively dare the Legislature to ignore CSUs requests.

We have become excellent sheep. We are predictable, Newsom said.

Other trustees, however, said they didnt want to risk Sacramento being unable or unwilling to provide additional resources.

Gov. Browns office is scheduled to release an updated version of his budget proposal in May.

Although there may be a chance the governors May revision may call for different funding levels for the CSU, White said trustees could not have waited until their May meeting to decide on tuition.

CSU has a legal requirement for any vote on a tuition increase to take place at least 90 days before it goes into effect. White said a May vote would come too late to meet that obligation, and a delay would also complicate CSU staffers work to compose financial aid offers for 2017-18 students.

Earlier this month, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, and other Assembly Democrats announced their support for a proposal they said would reduce future student debt burdens by creating a new publicly-funded scholarship program and offering a free year to first-time California Community Colleges students.

Rendon is also a trustee by virtue of his office and voted against the increase. He also criticized the CSU for not asking for more funding when the Legislature fully-funded its budget request two years ago.

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Buena Park, has also submitted a bill that would bar CSU or Community Colleges from increasing tuition or enrollment fees before the end of the 2019-20 school year.
At a turbulent moment in the online media business, the fate of Yahoo and buzzed-about CEO Marissa Mayer offers cautionary tales for policymakers and the public.

Mayer, who has been the boss since 2012, is to step down when Yahoo closes its sale to Verizon, it was announced last week. Like the industry consolidation now folding one company into another, the meritocratic hoopla undiminished amid Mayers departure suggests too much hype still surrounds attitude and algorithms in tech  at the expense of concrete ideas applied to the physical world we live in.

The demise of Yahoo as we know it underscores three kinds of weakness plaguing new media: too little value, too little content and too much glamor.

When it comes to value, Verizons acquisition of Yahoos core assets included its search and advertising components. While search is being eclipsed by social media as the primary driver of online traffic, web-based advertising still has not proved itself as a business model with legs, leading other search-and-ad behemoths like Google to start shifting toward other revenue streams with firmer foundations.

When it comes to content, meanwhile, Yahoo failed to break out of the same trap so much of new media finds itself in. At one end of the product scale is costly, slickly produced flagship programming; at the other, low-brow click bait churned out by so-called content farmers. The quest to find big, mainstream audiences willing to pay for quality content has yet to be won online.

The exception is the major cable channels, which dont have to scramble as so many smaller web-native firms do to pivot to video production when text-based content creation fails time and again to rack up the impressions funders use to assess their viability.

Yet the glamor of new media endures  for now. While Mayer has pointedly placed work above self-promotion and the can-do corporate progressivism that defines much of Silicon Valley culture, industry peers such as Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg have actively fueled the impression that tech titans, and those aspiring to share their power, can and should have it all.

Their inclusive elite culture shrugs off losses like Yahoos, doing little to assuage concerns that data is unsafe from the kind of hacking that caused Verizon to seek a $1 billion discount on the sale price (before agreeing to a $350 million price cut).

By the lights of some of Silicon Valleys most glamorous moguls, its almost as if success is just a matter of killer self-esteem and the skill set to match. No way theyll let their glow be dimmed by the deep structural problems plaguing new media, much of social media included.

Mayer, who faces a $23 million payout for her labors, will surely land on her feet. But if she remains in the new media business, where will she go?

Even relatively fresh faces in powerhouse media, like Megyn Kelly, set their sights on becoming the next Oprah. Thats a striking sign of just how little innovation there has been in their industry despite all the disruption. The sheer talent produced in Silicon Valley needs better and fresher outlets than that.

To find them, its time techies looked past screens big and small, back to the real world, where infrastructure is stagnating and people are struggling.
SANTA ANA Thirteen people were barricaded inside a Santa Ana internet cafe for two hours Tuesday during a reported armed robbery, according to police.

Police responded around 9:30 p.m. to the internet cafe in the 1400 block of West McFadden Avenue, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

As officers detained an individual, who was not identified, outside of the cafe for questioning, 13 people ran back inside of the establishment and locked the door, he added.

Police are trying to determine if those who went back into the business were ordered to do so by a robber or went voluntarily, he added.

For two hours, police used a public address system to order those inside to surrender, said Bertagna.

They also communicated by phone with a person, who claimed to be a victim, locked inside a room at the back of the internet cafe.

Around 11:30 p.m. everyone inside the establishment came out, Bertagna said.

Officers also recovered a handgun hidden in the ceiling tiles of the business.

Frank James Mosqueda, 38, of Santa Ana, was arrested for being in possession of a firearm by a felon and other weapons offenses, Bertagna said.

Possible robbery charges are pending against Mosqueda as well as another person detained by police, he added.

The incident is under investigation.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter @thechalkoutline
SANTA ANA  As time ticks away on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements contract at Santa Ana Jail, a city councilman tried Tuesday to restart talks for a new agreement with the federal agency  and fell short again.

Councilman Jose Solorios item to direct city staff to negotiate and execute a contract with ICE failed on a 3-3 vote, with councilmen David Benavides, Sal Tinajero and Vincent Sarmiento opposing and Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez absent.

Solorios request Tuesday to reduce the likelihood of local residents having to travel to faraway facilities to visit and help family members and friends that may be detained by ICE, and in recognition of the Mexican Consulates announcement to offer increased legal services to immigrants, and local availability and access to immigration attorneys in Santa Ana  died on the same vote count as his similar motion two weeks ago.

However, the absent council member at that meeting was Sarmiento.

Sarmiento said he visited Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Lou Correas offices in Washington, D.C., last week to gauge where feds were since last month, when ICE gave Santa Ana a 90-day notice to end the existing contract.

Theres nothing that explained to me or expressed to me that they would invite us back to reinstate this contract, he said. In fact, to the contrary, theyve been expanding ICE contracts in existing facilities and looking for new facilities as well.

Sarmiento made a substitute motion to axe ICE references in Solorios item and replace them with the U.S. Marshals Service, which also has a contract at the jail, but that failed on the same split 3-3 vote, with Solorio, Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilman Juan Villegas opposing.

Police Chief Carlos Rojas said there are 17 immigration detainees remaining in the 128 beds contracted to ICE  only one of them from Santa Ana.

So this argument, Oh, (families) are going to have to travel to far distances falls flat on its face, Tinajero said of Solorios rationale.

Solorio said many immigration detainees at the jail are from the region or the western U.S., so families would have to travel farther if they are transferred to other ICE facilities.

Several Santa Ana Jail correctional officers and supporters asked the council for a new contract, calling services high quality and humane, and preserving jobs important, but they were outnumbered by immigration rights activists who spoke against it.

Weve led becoming a sanctuary city. We need to lead again against Trump, Latino Trump, Resilience OCs community engagement advocate Roberto Herrera said, referring to Solorio, and everyone else that wants to profit off of immigration detention.

Santa Ana faces a $3 million debt annually through 2024 for building the jail it opened in 1997. It receives about $340,000 in monthly revenue from the ICE contract.

If Solorio brings the matter back a third time, he would have to sway at least one council member to succeed.

Like I said last time, I think its going to continue, Solorio said. Its not just about the ICE contract, but the overall need for the city to continue to have a jail and have a strong public safety system.
On the first of three Southern California stops on his 22-night I Decided trek, Big Sean was greeted by a capacity crowd at the new House of Blues of Anaheim that showed up eager and early on a school night. While Seans status among hip-hops marquee names is typically that of an arena star, he is spending his spring playing clubs and theaters across the country to introduce fans to his latest studio effort.

Sean wasted little time in doing so as the stage lights faded to black and Voices In My Head/Stick To The Plan rumbled through the room. Following up with the Eminem supported No Favors, Sean would run into some technical difficulties that mightve derailed less seasoned performers. Mid-song the microphones went dead and house lights came up. The glitch would last some five-plus minutes. Sean actually came out on stage and filmed the crowd with his phone as they chanted his name. The reaction clearly showed the fans were ready tonight and Sean, despite the hiccup, would eventually oblige.

As the show resumed, the Detroit native fired off stanzas from Paradise and Mercy that literally caused the balcony to shake. Quickly sliding in a new selection, Jump Out The Window, mightve been thwarted the momentum, had it not been for the thunderous performance of Seans accompanying live drums, programming, and keys. In fact, while many hip-hop artists have made the move to include a live rhythm section, Seans trio proved clutch in adding an obvious compliment to every one of the evenings selections.

Among the standout portions of the set, Play No Games from Dark Sky Paradise brought that locomotive-like groove. The combination of bass and bounce was accented by Seans penchant for clever wordplay and stylized cadence. His rapid-fire delivery on fan favorites such as All Me and Blessings actually seemed to sharpen as new tunes like Sacrifices functioned as strong showings of Seans ability to wax poetic. Accentuating his anthems with crafty turns of phrase almost flies in that face of modern hip-hop. Without forgetting to deliver a catchy hook, Sean indulges his lyrical prowess in a balance that has proven potent. Seans singles are radio friendly and still manage to flex some depth via dynamic lyrical delivery.

The highlight of the evening was his rendition of Sunday Morning Jetpack. The narrative of humble beginnings, familial support, and falling in love with his craft through the contributions of Camron and J Dilla, Seans defines his stock as a star while emphasizing his strength as a storyteller. In the middle of a party, Sean took command by compelling the crowd to stop dancing, put down their phones, and listen.

While essential hits such as IDFWU, a stylish retooling of Dance, and his current radio smash, Bounce Back brought on a wave of pandemonium, Seans tasteful candor rivaled the spectacle of Big Sean the rapper, as some of the evenings most memorable moments. Sean thanked the fans, encouraged them to follow their dreams, and doubled down by performing in a way that suggest they are not taken for granted. Seans dexterity as a showman is a reflection of his passion for not only his brand but his fans that support it.

There were no corners cut as both the sound and the spectacle of the I Decided Tour asserted Seans rank as one of hip-hops biggest and brightest.
The corporate owner of Sears and Kmart said on Tuesday that there was substantial doubt that it could continue operating, as brick-and-mortar stores continue to face challenges in an e-commerce world.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the corporate owner, Sears Holdings Corp., cited its efforts to cut costs, sell property, tap new funding sources and make other moves to stanch the flow of red ink. Still, it reported a $2.2 billion loss for last year and said it had to use money from its investments and financing activities to fund operations.

Our historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the companys ability to continue as a going concern, it said in the filing, its annual report.

The disclosure is a setback for the company and for Edward S. Lampert, the hedge fund manager who engineered the combination of the two legends of American retail 13 years ago. Lampert has shut down stores, reshuffled the companys organization and pushed to have a greater online presence. Still, Sears Holdings has lost more than $5 billion over the last three years as sales have declined.

Sears, through its catalog, has been a fixture of U.S. homes for more than a century. Kmart, which has its own lengthy history beginning as a five-and-dime store in Detroit, became a major national presence in the 1960s as a big-box department store, with Blue Light Special discounts geared toward penny-wise middle-class Americans.

To cope, Sears Holdings has been shrinking. This month, it sold its Craftsman tool brand to Stanley Black & Decker in a deal valued at more than $775 million. Still, its long-term debt as of January totaled nearly $4.2 billion, almost double from the same period the previous year, according to the filing.

In February, Sears Holdings said it had started a restructuring program that it said would save $1 billion annually. The program is focused on streamlining its back-office corporate and support functions, tweaking its product offerings and supply chain and looking for ways to reshuffle its real estate portfolio.

As of January, Sears Holdings said, it had 1,430 Sears and Kmart stores in the United States. By contrast, a decade ago it had about 3,800 stores in the United States and Canada.
DERGE, China  The dozen or so Tibetan men wearing aprons sat in pairs in low chairs, facing each other. Each pair bent over a thin rectangular wooden block and worked by sunlight streaming into the second-story room open to a courtyard.

Their hands moved quickly. Over and over they went through the same motions, several times each minute: One man slathered red or black ink on the block, which was carved with Tibetan words and religious images. Then his partner placed a thin piece of white paper atop the block and, bending even lower, ran a roller over it. Seconds later, he whipped off the paper and put it aside to dry.

That bending was an act of prostration to the Buddha, said Pema Chujen, a Tibetan woman who was leading a group of ethnic Han visitors around the monastery. I stood at the back of the tour, having walked in during a two-week road trip across this part of Tibet.

They are like this every day, she said. This is just the faith in their hearts. Of course, its good to make offerings to the Buddha using a lot of money, but its more faithful to make offerings using your body, mouth and mind.

So went a typical afternoon in one of the most revered institutions in the Tibetan world, the Derge Parkhang, or printing lamasery, in the mountainous heart of the Kham region. On Chinese maps, it is in the far west of Sichuan province, across the Cho La, a vertiginous pass at 16,600 feet.

The press, in the town of Derge, dates to 1729 and draws pilgrims from across the Tibetan plateau to the three-story monastery, its walls painted scarlet and its roof adorned with golden Buddhist icons.

The printing press is the embodiment of a hallowed tradition and is one site where the Tibetan language is being preserved, despite the lack of government support for immersive Tibetan-language education on the plateau. It has more than 320,000 wooden printing blocks that are on average more than 260 years old, said Pema, a volunteer who cleans the monasterys objects and guides visitors.

The monastery also houses collections of sutras, including 830 classic scriptures and copies of more than 70 percent of ancient Tibetan manuscripts, she said. The founder of the monastery, Chokyi Tenpa Tsering, embraced works from the range of Tibetan Buddhist schools.

He was very open-minded, like the ocean containing water from all rivers, she said.

Besides trying to preserve the old blocks, the printing house has been making new ones since the 1980s. A decade from now, it is expected to have 400,000 blocks, Pema said.

The printing blocks are constructed from red birchwood in 13 steps. At an early stage, the raw pieces of wood have to be soaked in feces for a half-year. Those that do not crack or break during this period are then made into printing blocks, Pema said. Craftsmen apply an herbal solution that repels rats and insects.

The printing operations employ about 60 people. The men have been here for two decades on average, despite low pay, Pema said. Each day, they print about 2,500 pieces of paper, on both sides, to be collected as sutras and distributed across the Tibetan plateau.

At its height, the press employed more than 500 people, and almost all were monks from the neighboring Gonchen Monastery. These days, the printers are laypeople.

The monastery is a warren of hallways and rooms. On the third floor, a few men sat with wooden boards in a small, dark room. Here they made simple thangkas, large hangings with Buddhist iconography.

Clipped to a string were thangkas showing popular aspects of the pantheon: the seated Sakyamuni Buddha, the fingers of one hand touching the earth; Medicine Buddha, holding a bowl; Mahakala, the fierce protector deity that appears in paintings as a blue, multiarmed, fanged demon.

In one corner of the room, an abbot sat discussing a text with one of the printers.

A few feet away, a tall Tibetan man in a black Arcteryx jacket pointed out items in the room to a friend. He was Chime Dorje, a prominent doctor and advocate of traditional medicine who ran a clinic in the town center.

He said the monks here had once operated a clinic. Now he and others were the inheritors of the tradition. Like the printing process here, the practice of Tibetan medicine had managed to survive the Mao era and the advent of a quasi-market economy.

There were myths that Tibetan medicine contained a large amount of mercury and lead, but actually its ingredients are just normal, he told me. Some theoretical studies have also proven that Tibetan medicine is scientific.

Outside, pilgrims walked around the building to complete a kora, or holy circuit. Old women spun hand-held prayer wheels and hobbled along with walking sticks. Pema said the monastery was one of three pilgrimage sites in the Tibetan world, each representing the body, mouth and mind of the Buddha.

One visitor, Sonam, said he saw more traditional dress in Derge than anywhere else in the region. He pointed to women circling the monastery with coral and turquoise stones entwined into braids in their hair. They have money, he said.

Chanting emanated from loudspeakers. In hills to the east of the monastery stood clusters of red three-story wooden homes, a traditional design around religious centers in Kham.

Even if the scene around the monastery evoked ancient customs, the town did not. Modern five-story buildings lined the valley walls along the river. Yellow construction cranes loomed above the skyline, a sight typical of cities big and small across China. At night, neon signs glowed.

Katia Buffetrille, a scholar of Tibet at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris, said the sprawl of the town had surprised her when she visited last year. She had last come here three decades earlier.

The monastery was in bad shape in 1985, she said. But the printing press was functioning back then, years after the end of the destructive Cultural Revolution.

The operations of the printing press are today similar to what they were in 1985, Buffetrille said. Its amazing how many pages they print every day.

That can explain the bad quality of the printing sometimes, she added.

But the traditions endure. On the afternoon I visited, in a monastic building uphill from the printing press, monks held a dharma ceremony, which they do every few weeks. One monk walked around a crowded courtyard sprinkling drops of water on worshippers. Others sat on a dais at the front, reading aloud from scriptures that had been printed by hand next door.
SANTA ANA  A woman was wounded in a shooting Tuesday night in Santa, police said on Thursday.

The 19-year-old reported that at around 7 a.m. she was riding in a vehicle on North Ross Street that had turned onto 16th Street. She heard gunshots from a vehicle with four men inside, said Santa Ana police Cmdr. Anthony Bertagna.

The woman, who was driven to St. Josephs Hospital and then transferred by ambulance to UCI Medical Center, sustained a non-life-threatening injury to the lower torso, he said.

A motive for the shooting has not been determined, and the suspects have not been identified.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
Jordan Peele Wants Scripts From Young Black Horror Filmmakers Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When



Photo by Justin Lubin for Universal Pictures

Get Out director Jordan Peele wants scripts from aspiring young black horror filmmakers.

Speaking with Digital Spy, Peele talked about how Hollywood still believes that films where black people are in lead roles do not do well (considering that Get Out, which was made with $5 million, has since earned more than $100 million, Hollywood obviously does not know what it is talking about), which results in black talent not being nurtured.

But I think even more, the reason we dont see more films about the African American experience is because we havent nurtured black talent, we havent encouraged young black filmmakers to dream big, Peele said. When you have that, thats when you have this systemic problem where artists arent getting their platforms, arent given their platforms.

He then proceeds to encourage young black horror filmmakers to reach out to him.

For young black horror filmmakers, if you have a script, reach out and Ill try to help it get made, Peele said. Monkeypaw Productions is my production company and were really trying to promote untapped voices in genre.

Peele has received plenty of commercial and critical success from his directorial film debut. Recently, it was announced that he would be the recipient of this years CinemaCon Director of the Year Award, which is given to a director each year during the annual CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards.

With the phenomenon known as Get Out, Jordan Peele has instantaneously become a force to reckon with as a gifted and enormously talented director and filmmaker, Mitch Neuhauser, CinemaCon Managing Director, said in a statement. He has audiences and critics around the globe enamored and spellbound, dare I say hypnotized, with his wildly inventive directorial debut, and we are ecstatic to be honoring him as this years Director of the Year.'

The awards ceremony will take place on March 30.
Agricultural News

Gallagher Planted on Twenty Percent of Oklahoma's Wheat Acres as OSU Accounts For Well Over Half of Varieties Named in 2017 Variety Report

The Oklahoma wheat crop now in the ground and about ten weeks out from the 2017 harvest is dominated by Oklahoma State University (OSU) varieties- and one of those varieties- Gallagher- was the overwhelming choice by wheat producers when they planted the current crop last fall. Fully one in every five acres of of the hard winter wheat crop in the state is planted to Gallagher, first released to the public in 2012. During his time as OSU State Wheat Specialist, Dr. Jeff Edwards called Gallagher as one of the "Sons of Duster" after it was released for public use. Gallagher took over as the most planted variety in 2016 from Duster and extended that leading position for the crop that will be havested this year.



According to the March 2017 "Oklahoma Variety Report" from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the top six leading wheat varieties planted in the state were developed by OSU. A few changes appeared in the lineup compared to last year when 4 of the top varieties came out of the OSU wheat breeding program.



Click here to review the report relesed by NASS of the USDA.



According to the release on the Variety report from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission- "This year we saw Doublestop CL Plus increase in planted acres moving ahead of Fuller and Jagger and landing it in the sixth spot following Gallagher, Duster, Endurance, Iba, and Ruby Lee. The Gallagher variety held in 1st place with a much larger increase in reported plantings from the previous year. Duster and Endurance now tie while Iba acreage also increased. Ruby Lee had slightly lower plantings than in the past. The roots of success continue to be firmly anchored with several other up-and-coming OSU varieties being adopted by Oklahoma wheat producers. Although it did not make it in the top 10, Bentley, a new release from 2015, increased its presence with more acres planted for this pristine variety next year.



"Gallagher, the leading variety of all wheat seeded in Oklahoma, accounted for the largest percentage of the state's 2017 planted wheat acres. The primary area of adaptation for the Gallagher variety is from the Northern regions of Texas to the Southern regions of Kansas throughout the Hard Red Winter wheat production area of southern, central and north central Oklahoma.



"Gallagher an early maturing variety, known best for its good grazing tolerance. It is resistant to Hessian fly and moderately resistant to leaf rust, powdery mildew and barley yellow dwarf. It is resistant to the wheat soilborne mosaic and wheat spindle streak mosaic complex, and to stripe rust in the adult-plant stages. Gallagher has intermediate septoria leaf blotch resistance for no-till high residue systems. This variety also has the ability to exceed 12 percent wheat protein with adequate fertilization. It also carries a key segment of a rye chromosome that lends greater yielding ability, but unlike so many varieties with this feature, Gallagher has provided above-average milling and baking quality.



"Duster has been a consistent top performer in OSU wheat variety tests for several years. It performs well in both grain-only and dual-purpose systems and has above-average tillering ability which allows it to recover well from grazing. It emerges well in hot, dry soil conditions and closes the canopy rapidly. These traits, along with good forage production and medium-late first hollow stem, make Duster a nice fit for dual-purpose production systems. Duster has effective resistance to several diseases common to Oklahoma, including leaf rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew, wheat soilborne mosaic, wheat spindle streak mosaic and barley yellow dwarf. Moderate susceptibility to tan spot and septoria means Duster should be monitored for these diseases in continuous no-till wheat production systems.



"Duster is highly resistant to the Great Plains biotype of Hessian fly. This is of particular benefit to producers wishing to sow early to maximize forage yield or those who no-till wheat after wheat.



"Endurance wheat, a mainstay released by Oklahoma State University Wheat Improvement Team in 2004, has performed well in dual-purpose and grain-only systems throughout the state of Oklahoma and beyond. It shows an unusual ability to break winter dormancy consistently late from year to year, yet will catch up on heading date relative to Duster. Still Endurance finishes relatively late and often benefits from moderate temperatures during May. Years of yield data indicate that Endurance has the ability to maintain good yield potential in a wide range of stress environments as well. Given these attributes, it should be no surprise that the OSU Wheat Improvement Team has used Duster and Endurance as a sturdy foundation for creating new, improved varieties.



"Don't forget about Iba, a variety also with Duster parentage that has outstanding test weight and a broad area of adaptation with proven yielding ability in performance tests from Kansas to Texas. It is resistant to current races of leaf rust, and moderately resistant to powdery mildew, tan spot and barley yellow dwarf, but susceptible to septoria leaf blotch. It is resistant to the wheat soilborne mosaic and wheat spindle streak mosaic complex. Iba is best suited for soil pH of 5.5 and above, and adequate nitrogen fertility is required to ensure 12% wheat protein.



"The Ruby Lee variety has Endurance as one of its parents with large seed size and outstanding milling and baking characteristics. The Endurance influence lends excellent forage production and recovery from grazing. On the other hand, Ruby Lee is highly responsive to intensive management with great top-end yield potential. Stripe rust and powdery mildew can restrict yield of Ruby Lee, so foliar fungicides are recommended when justified by yield potential. The Ruby Lee variety is Hessian fly resistant with good tan spot resistance for no-till systems. Ruby Lee is best suited for a soil pH of 5.5 and above. Ruby Lee has good drought tolerance and a wide area of adaptation throughout the Southern Plains but appears best fit for downstate Oklahoma.



"Last but not least, Doublestop CL Plus with its two-gene Clearfield technology offers improved weed control of problem weeds such as feral rye and jointed goat grass. It has excellent test weight in a late-maturity wheat with good protein content and quality. Yield stability of this variety across a wide range of environments is a virtue, including drought stressed and high-yield systems. This variety has an Endurance-type graze-ability with great forage production and late first hollow stem. It is tolerant of acid soils and is moderately resistant to leaf and stripe rust. It is resistant to wheat soil borne mosaic while having an inconsistent resistance to wheat spindle streak mosaic.



"Thanks to wheat improvement programs like the one at OSU, producers continue to have improved options of wheat varieties to plant. Whether it is improved stress or pest tolerance or increased yields, at the level of end-use quality expected by our food industry, the Oklahoma Wheat Improvement Team at OSU is working at creating varieties that are meeting producers' changing needs.



"Wheat varieties released by OSU continue to feature these traits:

*High grain yield with or without grazing

*Heat and drought tolerance

*Resistance to multiple fungal and viral diseases

*Resistance to aphids and Hessian fly

*High quality for both milling and baking characteristics





"Most importantly, OSU wheat varieties are locally adapted but globally marketed.





"It is important to note the varieties released by the Wheat Improvement Team at OSU have been through several years of testing for the quality-based attributes that both domestic and foreign customers are looking for with regards to milling and baking characteristics. Variety development programs that rush a variety to release may not provide the same level of scrutiny for end-use performance. By finding important traits that are beneficial to grain buyers, the OSU Wheat Improvement Team is also working to capture more market share for the farmer by creating varieties that have the most benefit for end users.





"Other important OSU varieties planted by Oklahoma wheat producers as sighted in the "Oklahoma Wheat Variety Report" from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service include:





Bentley- a new and upcoming OSU variety released in 2015, that provides good forage production with excellent recovery from grazing

Billings- still maintains resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust

Garrison-the best-fit OSU variety for high-residue systems

Deliver- a reliable beardless type with all the expectations of a high-quality bearded variety

OK Bullet- tall but lodging-resistant variety, soon to be replaced with the shorter statured Spirit Rider

Centerfield- the first Clearfield (single gene) variety targeted and best fit for central Oklahoma"











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Think of it as an eye doctors office on steroids  and Rice Krispies treats.

One by one, dozens of students from the Omaha Public Schools Central Park Elementary School took turns Tuesday at eye exam stations set up inside the University of Nebraska Medical Centers College of Public Health and in a OneSight Vision Van parked outside.

At the stations: eye charts to check visual acuity and devices to measure internal fluid pressure and needed vision correction.

Most students were fitted with free prescription glasses crafted in a mini-lab in the back of the van before heading back to school.

The operation, which is expected to serve about 650 students from eight OPS schools this week, is a project of the Child Vision Collaborative, a team effort of 18 local community organizations, nonprofits and others and spearheaded by Building Healthy Futures. It also represents a new focus for Building Healthy Futures, an independent nonprofit that strives to improve the health of underserved children in the community. The organization already oversees school-based health centers in eight schools and has facilitated oral health services in 32 schools.

Jeanee Weiss, Building Healthy Futures CEO, said vision care represents a significant gap in services for area children. Younger children in particular may not recognize that they have vision problems or know how to articulate them.

It truly requires an exam to make sure, she said.

Scott Sturgeon, Central Parks principal, said academic and social needs are easier to spot than vision problems. This is a way where we can ferret it out and remove a barrier to academic success, he said.

Indeed, he said one Central Park third-grader who got glasses on Monday returned to school, looked around and commented how different everything looked. Of the schools 370 students, about 130 were referred for exams. Its just such a neat experience for the school and for our kids, he said.

The program is in its second year. Volunteers conduct initial screenings in schools. Students identified as having vision difficulties, either through the screening or by teachers, are referred for exams. Last year, the organizations worked with 13 schools  12 in OPS and one private school with high need. In total, about 9,900 students have been screened, said Kathy Austin, Building Healthy Futures vision services coordinator.

But program participants knew from the start that not all kids identified through screening were going on to get needed eye exams, Austin said. Many dont have insurance or lack the time off work or the language skills to arrange them. Medicaid has vision coverage for kids exams and glasses, she said, but only about 10 percent of those eligible use that feature.

Many eye conditions, such as lazy eye, are reversible if diagnosed and treated, said Dr. Donny Suh, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Childrens Hospital & Medical Center and UNMCs Truhlsen Eye Institute. But early detection is critical, because poor vision can affect brain development and result in permanent vision loss. Without diagnosis and treatment, kids may struggle with eye-hand coordination and motor skills, not to mention school work.

We are trying to help them stay engaged in school so they can excel and fulfill their dreams, he said.

OneSight, a nonprofit that provides access to vision care and eyewear in underserved communities worldwide, has provided the Vision Van both years, staffed by volunteers affiliated with eyewear giant Luxottica. Melissa Standridge, program manager, said local eye doctors also volunteer their services, as do nursing and medical students. Without these doctors, it wouldnt be possible, she said.

Weiss said about 90 percent of students who receive prescriptions get glasses on site. Last year, 570 pairs were dispensed. OneSight sends the rest to an outside lab, which will mail the finished glasses to Building Healthy Futures for distribution. The cost of the donated services, from last falls screening to this weeks exams and glasses, is expected to total about $175,000.

In addition, between 5 percent and 10 percent of students will be referred for more advanced care, which Building Healthy Futures will coordinate. Last year, such students included one with a detached retina and another with a serious infection.

Weiss said the program also is giving the group an opportunity to gauge the need for such services and to evaluate options for providing them. Organizers already have switched to a more streamlined process for initial screenings thats more accurate and requires half the volunteers.

Weiss said Building Healthy Futures next hopes to develop a permanent solution, whether its a van or a fixed clinic site, within two years. Im feeling very confident this will be addressed within the community in the short term, she said.
American National Bank this week announced that it has promoted Bill Klein to the roles of chief executive and vice chairman of the banks board.

Klein most recently held the title of chief executive of Western Bank, a division of American National, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He replaces Adrian Breen, who was installed as president and chief executive of American National in October 2013.

Breen assumed the chief executive role at the $1.3 billion-asset Bank of Missouri earlier this year. Before his stint in Omaha, Breen was president of the Cincinnati region of First Financial Bank of Cincinnati.

American National Executive Co-Chairman John Kotouc said he expects Kleins perspective from the banks Minnesota operations will translate well into the home market in Omaha.

As American Nationals geographic footprint has expanded, Bill brings a regional understanding of the banks broader markets, Kotouc said.

With more than $1.7 billion in local deposits as of June 30, 2016, American National is the fifth-largest bank in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. It has assets of $3.3 billion, according to the most recent regulatory figures.

By the time March comes to an end, two of Nebraskas largest banks will have promoted new people into the ranks of top executive.

First National Bank, which has nearly $19 billion in assets and is the biggest bank in Nebraska and Omaha in terms of deposits, in January announced that bank President and Chairman Dan ONeill will retire on March 31.

He will be succeeded by Clark Lauritzen, who currently oversees the banks markets outside of Omaha and is in charge of First Nationals corporate banking and wealth management divisions.
SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazils president said Tuesday that a scandal over the sale of expired meat is an economic embarrassment, and Hong Kong joined several countries in suspending some meat imports from the South American nation.

President Michel Temer sought to downplay the scandal, calling it a fuss and noting that only three of the more than 4,000 meatpacking plants in Brazil have been forced to close.

Still, he acknowledged that it has caused an economic embarrassment for the country as he spoke to a conference organized by the Council of the Americas.

The European Union, mainland China and Chile have halted some meat imports from Brazil, a major blow to the struggling economy of a country that is among the worlds largest exporters of meat.

And on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement that it had instituted testing of all Brazilian shipments of raw beef and ready-to-eat products for pathogens and had increased the examination of those imports.

Brazilian investigators charge that health inspectors were bribed to overlook the sale of expired meats. Police also allege that the appearance and smell of expired meats were improved by using chemicals and cheaper products like water and manioc flour.

Brazils trade associations for beef, pork and poultry producers warned that the scandal could have a massive effect on employment and the economy because the sectors exports represent 15 percent of total exports.

Gilberto Braga, a finance professor at Ibmec University in Rio de Janeiro, said the news might also feed an image of Brazil as a country where corruption is rampant. Separate from the meat scandal, police and prosecutors are currently investigating massive corruption at the state oil company that has implicated dozens of executives and politicians.

So far, Brazils government has barred the exports of meats from 21 plants being investigated, but that has not fully allayed concerns of the countries it exports to.
Monroe G. Evans III, shot by police in January, was struck nine times and may never walk again, his father said on Tuesday.

And his sons account of the shooting differs from the account that police have provided, the elder Evans said.

He has told me his story, and it does not seem to jibe with what the police said, Monroe Evans Jr. said.

Evans, 20, is recovering at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln after being treated at the Nebraska Medical Center.

He doesnt have use of his legs. His left arm is totally (unusable). He has partial movement with his right arm, Evans Jr. said He has major damage from his nerves being severed in his left shoulder.

Two officers stopped Evans on the edge of Dewey Park in central Omaha on Jan. 30. He was on foot and matched the description of a person who had been seen looking into vehicles and checking for open car doors on Park Avenue.

According to police, Evans shot Officer Jill Schillerberg on the inside of her lower left leg with a round from a Norinco Tokarev 9 mm handgun.

Schillerberg and her partner, Matthew Skradski, together fired upon Evans 12 times. Police have said Evans was aiming his gun at Schillerberg.

Evans has not been charged with a crime but will be, police have said.

The elder Evans would not go into specifics as to how his sons story differs from that of police. But Evans Jr. said his son did not aim the weapon at or fire on the officers. The father is questioning if it was his son who shot Schillerberg.

There seems to be some questions on both parts, Evans Jr. said.

Police say a 9 mm shell casing and shell, possibly from the Norinco Tokarev, were recovered at the scene.

The senior Evans does not know where the Norinco Tokarev came from. His son does not have a concealed carry permit that he knows of. He also continues to question why his son was shot so many times.

Im not saying hes not culpable. We are responsible for our actions and what we do, Evans Jr. said.

Tuesday a police spokesman said the department stood by its version of events, released shortly after the incident.

Evans will probably be recovering at Madonna for the next few months. He is wearing a turtle shell-type brace so he can sit up until he heals enough for his back to support him.

He is fortunate to have survived this at all, Evans Jr. said. This is not going to be a quick two-, three-week kind of thing.
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would create a new program to help address the shortage of decent rural housing.

A grant program to boost construction of new single-family houses and apartments in counties with fewer than 100,000 residents advanced from the first round of debate on a vote of 41-0. A bill must obtain three rounds of approval by lawmakers before it goes to the governor for consideration.

Legislative Bill 518 would create a rural workforce housing program with a transfer of $7.3 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Before advancing the bill, lawmakers adopted an amendment that reduced the proposed transfer from $10.3 million.

Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln proposed the amendment, saying the smaller transfer was necessary to avoid leaving the affordable housing fund short of money to complete its obligated projects. The affordable housing program, created in 1996, receives funding from document fees charged on every real estate transaction in the state.

Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, sponsor of the rural housing bill, said he supported the smaller transfer. He pointed out that grant applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match of any funds they receive.

This will clearly help our communities and our state grow, Williams said. Economic development professionals say a lack of new and high-quality housing is a major barrier to job creation in communities outside of Omaha and Lincoln.

The rural housing grants would be administered by the Department of Economic Development. The grants could be used for construction of houses valued up to $275,000 or rental housing valued at up to $200,000 per unit.
LINCOLN  In an effort to help close a projected budget shortfall, Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a proposal that would hold the line on child care subsidies that help low-income parents.

Legislative Bill 335 cleared first-round consideration on a 31-10 vote. The measure was introduced for Gov. Pete Ricketts by State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee.

As introduced, the proposal would reduce projected state spending by an estimated $9 million over the two-year budget period ending June 30, 2019.

Riepe called the bill difficult, but critical in addressing the states fiscal situation. We dont have a lot of other options, he said.

LB 335 would keep child care subsidy rates flat for the first 15 months of the two-year budget period.

While current state law requires subsidy rates to increase as rates on the private market increase, the bill would suspend that requirement for the upcoming budget period.

Its unclear how much would be saved under an amendment lawmakers adopted Tuesday. The amendment by Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha would prevent state officials from lowering the subsidy rates below current levels.

Second-round debate wont begin until the results of a child care market rate survey are available later this month, Riepe said.

Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont called the proposal troubling because lawmakers ask young women to make the decision to protect life, yet turn their backs on working families who need help once a child is born.

To qualify for the subsidy program, a familys income cannot be higher than about $25,500 for a family of three.

Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln urged lawmakers to consider the people who would be affected, including the young mother of a child Wishart and her husband had fostered.

I just really hope that people will think about the impacts of the decisions were making on the most vulnerable people in our community, she said.
Moments before a car drove into a crowd in London on Wednesday, an Omaha couple were taking a selfie on Westminster Bridge.

I was on the bridge when the car came through, Jeff Pope said in a phone interview. He said he and his wife, Jaimee, heard the people get hit.

I thought maybe it was a car hitting one car after another.

After the car came through, he said, I looked around and saw at least four people laying down. It looked like a car accident.

A police officer told the couple to run and pointed in the opposite direction from the injured people.

The Popes, who were on the third day of a 10-day vacation, were not injured. They found refuge in a hotel about a half-mile from the incident.

When it appeared the danger had passed, the Popes left the hotel and went to a nearby pub to watch TV news coverage of the attack. Helicopters were circling Westminster Bridge as he spoke by cellphone.

Its kind of scary, but I dont think its anything to worry about, said Pope, a 45-year-old senior designer with an Omaha engineering firm. I think, from what the news is saying, it was an isolated incident.

Were not going to let it stop our plans, he said. You have to be able to live your life.
LONDON (AP)  A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip, two Romanian tourists and five South Korean visitors were among the injured.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on." He said an unarmed policeman, three civilians and the attacker died. Forty others, including three police officers, were injured.

Islamic extremism was suspected in the attack, Rowley said, adding that authorities believe they know the assailant's identity but would not reveal it while the investigation was ongoing.

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.

"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a "marauding" terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

In the House of Commons, legislators were holding a series of votes on pensions when deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced that the sitting was being suspended and told lawmakers not to leave.

Parliament was locked down for several hours, and the adjoining Westminster subway station was shuttered.

Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 yards away lay the assailant.

"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood," Ellwood said. "He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back."

The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a gray SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.

Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard "something like a car hitting metal sheet" and then saw people lying on the pavement.

"I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," Sikorski told Poland's TVN24.

Ambulances arrived within minutes to treat people who lay scattered along the length of the bridge. One bloodied woman lay surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.

The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 yards (meters) from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.

"The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," said witness Rick Longley. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

The attacker managed to get past a gate into Parliament's fenced-in New Palace Yard, a cobbled courtyard in the shadow of the Big Ben clock tower.

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," Letts told the BBC.

The attacker fell to the cobbles just yards from the entrance to 1,000-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the parliamentary complex, busy with visitors and school groups. Beyond that, a corridor leads to the building's Central Lobby, flanked by House of Commons and House of Lords chambers.

The prime minister was among lawmakers near the Commons at the time of the attack, and was quickly ushered away by security officers and driven back to Downing Street.

To get that far, the attacker would have had to evade the armed officers who patrol the Parliament complex in pairs, as well as Parliament's own security staff, who don't carry guns.

The attack unfolded near some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.

London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and eight who were less seriously hurt.

Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas' Hospital said some of the wounded had "catastrophic" injuries.

The French Foreign Ministry said that three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured. Two Romanians were also among the injured, the country's Foreign Ministry said.

Trump spoke with May by telephone and applauded "the quick response of British police and first responders," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said.

London has often been the target of terrorist attacks, from IRA campaigns in the 1970s and 80s to more recent Islamist plots.

On July 7, 2005, four al-Qaida-inspired British bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

British security forces say they have thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but in recent years the U.K. has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker claiming to be motivated by Syria stabbed three people at a London subway station.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.

Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WASHINGTON - Democratic senators more aggressively questioned Judge Neil Gorsuch on Wednesday in hopes of drawing him out on his potential independence from President Donald Trump, while Republicans began congratulating him - signaling they anticipate his successful confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Senators completed two days of questioning Gorsuch with repeated inquiries about abortion rights, money in politics and a Supreme Court ruling issued on Wednesday that reversed a decision of his appeals court. The hearings will continue Thursday with testimony of those who support and oppose the nomination of the 49-year-old judge on the Denver-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee became increasingly frustrated by Gorsuch's bland answers. "You have been very much able to avoid any specificity like no one I have ever seen before," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

When pressed by Sen. Amy Klobacher, D-Minn., on various noncommittal answers, Gorsuch said it would be wrong for him to be more candid about what he would do on the bench. "It's like a campaign promise for office, it seems to me," Gorsuch said.

Klobacher responded: "We have to figure out what your philosophy is."

Both Democrats and Republicans seemed pretty sure that Gorsuch would be a conservative very much in the mold of the justice he would replace, Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.

The politics of the nomination again were at center stage. When Gorsuch said he did not think of judges as Democrats or Republicans, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii,responded if that were true, the committee would be considering the man President Barack Obama nominated, Judge Merrick Garland. Senate Republicans denied Garland a hearing and a vote on his nomination.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., pressing Gorsuch on the issue of campaign finance, said "commentators" now describe the Supreme Court "as instruments of the Republican Party."

Gorsuch put both hands to his chest and responded he was "distressed that you think that judges or the Supreme Court is an organ of a party."

But partisan rancor over Supreme Court nominations is not new, and Republicans were less interested in questioning Gorsuch than congratulating him.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who has participated in 14 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, told Gorsuch, "I've seen an awful lot of great people in the law come before this committee. And I haven't seen anybody any better than you."

"Why anybody in this body would vote against you, I'll never understand," Hatch said later.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, credited Gorsuch for enduring the marathon hearings and said he was passing the test "with flying colors."

Trump again was frequently mentioned.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., questioned Gorsuch on the Constitution's "emoluments clause," which states the president cannot accept gifts from foreign agents without approval from Congress. Given "ongoing litigation" involving that clause, Gorsuch said, "I have to be very careful about expressing any views."

Leahy also noted Gorsuch has strong support from Trump senior counselor Stephen Bannon, whom the senator accused of "giving a platform to extremists and misogynists and racists." Another senior White House aide, chief of staff Reince Priebus, had said Gorsuch could potentially change 40 years of law, Leahy said.

"What vision do you share with President Trump?" the senator asked.

"Respectfully, none of you speaks for me," said Gorsuch. "I am a judge. I am independent. I make up my own mind."

At one point, Gorsuch seemed to reject a Feb. 13 comment from senior White House policy adviser Stephen Miller that Trump's actions on national security "will not be questioned," which some interpreted as a signal that Trump could ignore judicial orders.

"You better believe I expect judicial decrees to be obeyed," Gorsuch said.

Gorsuch also declined to give his view on Scalia's characterization of the Voting Rights Act as a "perpetuation of racial entitlement."

"I don't speak for Justice Scalia. I speak for myself," he told the committee.

"You have been very hesitant to even talk about various Supreme Court precedents," Leahy told Gorsuch, noting that Justices John Roberts Jr. and Samuel Alito took positions on specific cases during their confirmation hearings.

The latest hearing produced an emotional exchange between Gorsuch and Feinstein on the subject of women's rights.

"You are pivotal in this," she told Gorsuch, saying that the "originalist'' interpretation of the Constitution to which he adheres has been used in the past to say that the Constitution does not cover women and gays.

"No one is looking to return us to horse-and-buggy days," Gorsuch responded. Supreme Court precedent has established that the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause is wide enough to encompass those who were not recognized when it was written.

"A good judge starts with precedent and doesn't reinvent the wheel," Gorsuch said, adding that it "matters not a whit" that some who wrote the Constitution were racists or sexists, "because they were." What matters, Gorsuch said, were "what the words on the page mean."

The two also discussed a book that Gorsuch wrote in which he opposed physician-assisted suicide and said any taking of a human life was wrong.

Feinstein mentioned the death of her father and a close friend, which she said were agonizing. She mentioned California's recent physician-assisted suicide law.

"My heart goes out to you," Gorsuch said, and then appeared to choke up when he mentioned the death of his own father. He said his personal views would have no role in his duties as a judge and noted the Supreme Court has ruled that states may allow laws such as California's.

Democratic senators also raised questions about a decision that had just been issued across the street from the hearing room at the Supreme Court.

The eight sitting justices decided unanimously on Wednesday to boost the standards of education that public schools provide to learning-disabled students, rejecting an earlier ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit - the one that Gorsuch serves on - saying that it had set the bar too low for students. Gorsuch had ruled similarly in a different case.

At issue was whether schools must provide disabled children "some" educational benefit - which several lower courts have interpreted to mean just more than trivial progress - or whether students legally deserve something more.

In response to questions from Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Gorsuch defended his court's decision, saying that they were applying what the 10th Circuit had decided in a 1996 case, which adopted the standard that the services have to be more than de minimis.

"I was bound by circuit precedent," Gorsuch said, saying that ruling against an autistic child and his parents was "heartbreaking."

Republicans are hoping to refer Gorsuch to the full Senate by April 3, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that the judge will be confirmed to the Supreme Court before Easter.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said this week that it would be "unseemly" for the Senate to confirm Gorsuch while the FBI is investigating whether Trump's presidential campaign was swayed by Russian interference.

But Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., a key moderate and a member of Schumer's leadership team, said on Wednesday that the ongoing FBI investigation "shouldn't have any bearing" on Gorsuch's confirmation.

"I want to get a working court, okay? What they did to Merrick Garland was wrong. I don't want to do the same. Two wrongs don't make a right," Manchin said at a Washington Post Live event on Trump's early weeks in office.

Manchin later visited the Judiciary Committee room to watch the proceedings for a few minutes - a notable appearance given that he is one of several moderate Democrats facing reelection next year who are the targets of a multimillion-dollar ad campaign bankrolled by conservative groups in hopes of securing Gorsuch a filibuster-proof vote tally. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, another potential vote for Gorsuch, made a similar visit on Tuesday.

Manchin said at the Post event that he plans to meet again with Gorsuch before deciding how to vote.

"If Gorsuch is the right person or not, I can't say that as of yet," he said. "Is there 60 votes as of yet, I don't think, I don't see it. Can it happen? Anything can happen."
AIIMS bans cell phone use by OPD registration counter staff; to add extra buses for internal transport

PM Modi inaugurates AIIMS Bilaspur, lays foundation stone for several projects in Himachal Pradesh

AIIMS fee structure for education could be modelled along lines of IITs, IIMs

AIIMS doctors wear helmets while treating patients to show support to strike

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi were seen wearing helmets while treating patients to show their support to resident doctors' strike in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Over 4,000 resident doctors are on strike in Maharashtra for the third consecutive day in protest against attacks on two doctors last week.

Delhi: In wake of attacks on resident doctors in Maharashtra, resident doctors at AIIMS wear helmets as a precautionary measure. pic.twitter.com/401IZTmbkp  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

General secretary of Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, Dr Harjit Singh, told ANI that they support the strike of doctors in Maharashtra and urged people to have faith in their profession.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday warned the doctors of six month's salary cut if they do not resume work.

The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the management of government hospitals to take disciplinary action against the striking doctors.

The court said contempt action should be taken against the striking doctors.

A public interest writ petition was filed on Monday in the Bombay high court against the doctors' agitation by a social activist.

There have been at least five attacks on resident doctors in one week, including two in the past 72 hours, said Indian Medical Association (Youth) state President Sagar Mundada.

OneIndia News
Delhi-NCR likely to choke in the coming days

'Pollution not a state problem': As Delhi chokes, AAP leader passes the buck to Centre

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

Amarinder seeks special package for farmers after meeting Modi

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 22: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special central government package to provide one-time loan waiver to the beleaguered, debt-ridden farmers of Punjab.

Amarinder, who met the Prime Minister on Wednesday at his Parliament House office, said the meeting was a courtesy call, during which the issue of farm debt waiver was also discussed.

The Chief Minister said though he had sought financial assistance from the central government, his government was committed to waiver of the farmers' loans in the state and had already initiated a time-bound process for the same.

Expressing concern over the recent spate of farmer suicides in his state, Amarinder said he had requested the Prime Minister to announce a special package to pull the farmers of Punjab out of the debt-trap.

"The mounting farm debts was making agriculture in Punjab increasingly unsustainable, endangering not only the food security of the nation but also the social fabric of this sensitive border state," Amarinder pointed out.

Green Revolution state Punjab contributes 50 per cent food grains to the central kitty despite having just 1.54 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

In recent years, hundreds of farmers in the agrarian state have committed suicide due to increasing debt and dwindling land holding.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said the total farm debt in Punjab amounted to over Rs 80,000 crore, including the crop loans in the cooperative sector amounting to about Rs 12,500 crore.

"The average debt per farm household in Punjab works out to be Rs 8 lakh (including crop loan), while the state's per hectare debt of small and marginal farmers was the highest in India," he pointed out.

"The problem had become so severe that many farmers were driven to suicide to escape the social and moral consequences of not being able to repay their debts," the letter stated.

Citing data, the Chief Minister said the state had produced a record 160.50 lakh tonnes of wheat during 2016-17, of which 108.24 lakh tonnes was procured for the central pool.

Despite the prevailing drought-like situation, Punjab also produced a record 186.76 lakh tonnes of paddy during 2016 and procured 143.33 lakh tonnes for the central pool.

"Despite their contribution, farmers were suffering from the woes of increasing costs, shrinking resource base and declining incomes, leading to accumulation of debt burden of the Punjab farmers, especially the small farmers," Amarinder Singh said.

"While these factors had forced the farmers into a vicious debt trap, the rising agricultural subsidies and deteriorating natural resources were further aggravating the state's agricultural woes," the Chief Minister added.

IANS
BJP councillors deserting party ahead of MCD polls?

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 22: With their terms set to end soon, Bharatiya Janata Party councillors of the three municipal corporations on Wednesday met at the civic centre amid speculation that some of them may desert the party ahead of the MCD polls.

Though a senior BJP leader said the meeting was a 'get together' of outgoing councillors, sources indicated that many representatives from rural wards were mulling fighting the upcoming MCD polls as independents.

"It was an informal meeting of the councillors as their terms are coming to an end. They wanted to get together and bid farewell to each other," the senior BJP leader said, requesting anonymity.

Sources also indicated a group of councillors also later met a top BJP leader and a party MP.

Resentment has been brewing among a section of sitting BJP councillors over the party's decision to field only fresh faces in the MCD polls, amid speculation that it may trigger defection by a few of them from the party's ranks.

The civic polls are due on April 22 and some of the leaders in all three BJP-ruled municipal corporations -- NDMC, SDMC and EDMC -- have contested that the strategy must be a "mix of experienced hands and fresh blood".

"While we respect the decision taken by our party's high command, it would have better if some of the old councillors were also included along with new faces for candidacy.

"Many of these councillors have served for decades and are a household name in their areas. In a local election like that of the MCD, a known face is very important, as new faces will not be able to connect in short period," a source had said last week.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari has also sought to diminish the apprehensions of the sitting councillors, who may be feeling resentful about the party's decision to field only fresh faces.

"Twenty-six 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 had told media person at Ramlila Maidan on March 17.

PTI
In J&K, first multiplex to open on Sep 20 after 32 years; Laal Singh Chaddha, RRR likely to be screened

Centre has no plan to sell spectrum annually to telcos

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, March 22: The government has no immediate plan to provide telecom companies with an option to buy spectrum annually, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday. The minister also said that the government has not yet decided to conduct another auction of airwaves soon.

"The government has not yet made any plan to provide industry with an option to buy spectrum every year," he said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. Responding to a separate query on whether the government is considering another spectrum auction very soon, the minister said, "The government has not yet decided to conduct another spectrum auction immediately."

In February, then telecom secretary J S Deepak had said that the government is looking to make spectrum auction an annual event. "We are not worried if there is no demand for spectrum. We are interested in giving the industry an opportunity to buy spectrum," Deepak had said on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona just a day before he was named India's next Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation from June this year.

Sinha said his department has conducted spectrum auction every year from 2012 in various bands of airwaves as per availability. "In the last spectrum auction conducted in October 2016, spectrum was put on auction in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands," he said.

Also, the government has permitted sharing and trading of spectrum among telecom service providers. "Auction, sharing and trading all alleviate shortage of spectrum, besides yielding other desirable outcomes," he added.

On Universal Services Obligation Fund, the minister said that Rs 678.85 crore has been disbursed to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd towards implementation of telecom infrastructure development schemes in inaccessible, rural and remote areas for fulfilling USOF obligation.

PTI
DA case: Karnataka wants to recover Rs 100 crore from Jaya's estate

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

It would be interesting to see what the Supreme Court would have to say on the review plea filed by Karnataka in which it sought a reversal of the verdict abating Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case. While delivering the verdict, the court had made observations against Jayalalithaa albiet posthumously of how she had criminally conspired with co-accused Sasikala to launder ill-gotten wealth.

The court, however, said that the case against Jayalalithaa stood abated with her death. Effectively, this would mean that the Rs 100 crore fine imposed by the trial court on Jayalalithaa could not be collected by Karnataka.

It may be recalled that OneIndia had first reported on March 3 that Karnataka had planned on seeking a review of the order pertaining to the fine amount.

[Can Rs 100 crore be recovered from Jayalalithaa? Karnataka to seek clarification in SC]

What has Karnataka contended?

In the review petition, Karnataka said that if a party dies after the conclusion of arguments and the judgment is reserved, an order of abatement cannot be passed. The judgment subsequently pronounced shall have the same force and effect as if the same was pronounced before the death took place, Karnataka has contended.

It has been contended that there is no provision in the Constitution or the Supreme Court rules for such an abatement of appeal. It was also pointed out that as per the 2013 rules of the Supreme Court in both civil appeals and election petitions, there shall be no abatement if the death takes place after the conclusion of the hearing.

There cannot be an order of sentence since it is infructuous in the event of her death. However, the SC should have ordered that the fine of Rs 100 crore which was levied by the trial court must be paid. The fine should be recovered from her estate, Karnataka has also contended.

Even though the question of A 1 (Jayalalithaa) undergoing further imprisonment does not arise, sentence to pay fine is legally sustainable which has to be recovered from the estate. This is particularly so where the offence alleged is of illegally acquiring disproportionate assets. Therefore, the finding that the appeal has abated is not correct, it was further argued.

Karnataka also pointed out that a criminal appeal involving offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act stand on a slightly different footing where the allegation is of acquisition of disproportionate assets by a public servant. In the circumstances, though the death of the accused no 1 [Jayalalithaa] renders sentence of imprisonment infructuous, the question whether any fine is liable to be imposed as also confiscation of illegally acquired property will survive for consideration.

OneIndia News
This donkey will appear for a recruitment exam in Jammu and Kashmir

Gujarat ke gadhe? No, donkeys on sale in Uttar Pradesh

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Lucknow, March 22: The 'poor' animal--donkey--was a much-talked topic in the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. It was former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and president of Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav, who attacked his 'opponent' with the 'Gujarat ke gadhe' jibe, during his campaign.

His remark, definitely backfired, and Akhilesh faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Post-election and a new government in Uttar Pradesh--helmed by firebrand Hindutva leader Yogi Adityanath -- donkeys are back in news.

This time, they are not from Gujarat. In fact, the local donkeys in Uttar Pradesh are selling like 'hot cakes' at a fair -- 'Gardhabh Mela' (donkey fair) -- dedicated to the animal. Donkeys and its brethren are up for sale at Kaushambi's 'Gardhabh Mela' that concludes on Wednesday, reported ANI.

Unlike the usual insult and torture thrown at donkeys, at the Kaushambi fair they are revered. They are decorated with colours and fed food before putting them on display for sale in the fair.

According to reports, the price of donkeys ranged between a few thousand rupees to more than a lakh in the fair. Along with donkeys, mules and horses are also sold in the traditional mela.

During the campaign, Akhilesh made an 'opaque' attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to an advertisement of Gujarat government in which Amitabh Bachchan promotes tourism in the state.

He had said: "Ek gadhe ka vigyapan aata hai, main iss sadi ke sabse bade mahanayak se kahunge ke ab aap Gujarat ke gadhon ka prachar mat kariye (I would urge the Superstar of the Century-Amitabh-to stop advertising for donkeys of Gujarat)."

In reply to Akhilesh's jibe, PM Modi said he was proud to take inspiration from the donkey that serves its master day in and day out without prejudice and caring for itself.

"The people of the country are the bosses. I work tirelessly for them and will continue to do so." "For the donkey, it didn't matter if it was carrying a sack of sugar or lime on its back but just committed to doing its duty," the PM added.

OneIndia News
Hopeful of GST rollout from July 1, says Manish Sisodia

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Mar 22: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday expressed hope that GST, the new indirect tax regime, will be rolled out from July 1. "I am hopeful and looking forward to the GST. Union cabinet has approved it and I hope Parliament will also pass it," Sisodia told reporters here.

Sisodia was replying to a query on whether GST will be rolled out from July or not. The Union Cabinet this week cleared four supplementary GST legislations which will be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing budget session. On ease of doing business in the national capital, Sisodia, who also holds finance portfolio, said the government is taking steps in improving Delhi's ranking.

"We are making things online and easy for industry and trade...Skill development and education is feeder for the industry and we are working on that," he added. As per the report of the World bank and the DIPP, Delhi was ranked 19th in ease of doing business in India. He said there are several reasons for dip in Delhi's latest ranking since it is not a manufacturing state.

"It is largely a trade and services state and in that, we are improving. Industry (manufacturing) is very limited in Delhi. In services, we will make Delhi number one," he said.

Speaking at a function on 'Building Competitive North', he asked the industry chambers to provide clear inputs on issues they are facing so that the state government can work on them. He also said that an informal group of finance ministers of Northern India is meeting time and again to discuss and resolve issues related to industry.

Delhi government is working on imparting quality skills in youth so that they get good employment opportunities, he said urging the industry to come forward and work on framing a "perfect" training centre. "We also need to evaluate the work going on in the skill centres to improve the quality," Sisodia said.

PTI
Has missing JNU student Najeeb left the country?

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Has the missing Jawaharlal Nehru University student, Najeeb Ahmed been radicalised? This is one of the aspects that the Delhi police is looking into. There are many aspects that the Delhi police has been looking into where this case is concerned. The possibility of him leaving the country and entering Nepal after possible radicalisation is one such aspect. Special Commissioner of the Delhi Police Dependra Pathak informed that so far no IS link has come up.

In November, an inquiry conducted by JNU suggested that Najeeb had been assaulted by an ABVP member following which he went missing. In January the Delhi police had arrested a person who had made a call to Najeeb's house demanding Rs 20 lakh. Najeeb has been missing since October 2016.

Delhi police sources say that the matter is under investigation.

OneIndia News
'Two-finger test' should be banned in matrimonial dispute cases too, says Maharashtra doctor

Khota sarkar left with egg on their faces: Team Uddhav on Andheri win

Maha minister warns striking doctors of 6-month pay cut

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

With the strike by over 4,000 resident doctors entering its third day, leaving the health services in Maharashtra paralysed, state Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday warned the doctors of a six-month salary cut if they do not resume work.

6 months salary of doctors on strike to be cut if they dont get back to work by 8 PM today:Maharashtra Medical Edu Minister Girish Mahajan pic.twitter.com/0liSKr05oL  ANI (@ANI_news) March 22, 2017

Meanwhile, dean of Government Medical College in Nagpur has suspended 301 of its resident doctors for striking, said reports.

The Bombay high court on Tuesday had directed the management of government hospitals to take disciplinary action against the striking doctors, who are protesting against attacks on two doctors last week. The court said contempt action should be taken against the striking doctors.

A public interest writ petition was filed on Monday in the Bombay high court against the doctors' agitation by a social activist.

There have been at least five attacks on resident doctors in one week, including two in the past 72 hours, said Indian Medical Association (Youth) state president Sagar Mundada.

On Monday, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors office-bearers had met Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation announced some tough measures to curb violence against medicos, including limiting the number of relatives who will be permitted to accompany patients.

"Henceforth, only two relatives of any patient shall be permitted with special passes and those found without, shall be prosecuted," said Additional Municipal Commissioner I A Kundan.

OneIndia News
'Two-finger test' should be banned in matrimonial dispute cases too, says Maharashtra doctor

Maharashtra: Doctors to resume work today, IMA says false news

India

oi-Lisa

Mumbai, March 22: After meeting Maharashtra medical education minister Girish Mahajan, doctors who have been on strike have agreed to resume work by 8 pm on Wednesday.

State medical education minister Girish Mahajan said after meeting the doctors that, "After meeting me, doctors have agreed to resume work by 8 pm." He added that, "Assured doctors that we will take strong steps for their security and measures will be in place in 15 days."

The doctors were supported by Indian Association's Maharashtra chapter. The association had expressed deep pain at the recent spate of events of unabated violence against doctors.

As the news of doctors calling off the strike broke, Dr Parthiv Sanghvi of IMA told media that the news is absolutely false and misguiding. He said doctors have not taken their strike back and that they are supporting strike completely.

Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine official in a late night statement said that almost 80,000 BAMS doctors are not taking part in onging strike.

The doctors had been asked to resume work by 8 pm on Wednesday or risk losing six months' salary. Over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra had been agitating against dangerous conditions at the hospitals.

The strike was sparked by an incident last week when relatives of a patient who died beat up a resident doctor at Mumbai's Sion Hospital.

Girish Mahajan had promised the doctors that the government will provide 500 guards to civic-run hospitals within five days and 600 guards within 20 days and 1,100 guards within a month.

OneIndia News
'Two-finger test' should be banned in matrimonial dispute cases too, says Maharashtra doctor

Khota sarkar left with egg on their faces: Team Uddhav on Andheri win

Maharashtra: Speaker suspends 19 opposition MLAs from assembly

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Mumbai, March 22: Maharashtra Speaker Haribhau Bagade on Wednesday suspended 19 opposition legislators till December 31 for creating a ruckus over farm loans on Saturday.

The house, which re-assembled after three days, adopted a resolution moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat, seeking suspension of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party legislators who disrupted Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's budget speech.

The resolution was adopted, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and ally Shiv Sena members voting in favour after which the Speaker issued the suspension orders.

On Saturday, Mungantiwar's budget for 2017-18 was presented amid chaos as the combined opposition demanded a complete waiver of farm loans in the state.

The opposition parties greeted the suspension order with protests and said the government resorted to the measure to avoid defeat over a cut motion which requires voting in the house.

Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil accused the government of being insensitive to the farmers' plight and trying to muzzle the opposition voice by resorting to undemocratic measures like suspension.

Among the legislators suspended on Wednesday include nine from the Congress and 10 from NCP and they have been barred from even entering the legislature premises.

They include heavyweights from both parties including Bhaskar Jadhav, Vijay Vaddetiwar, Jitendra Awhad, D.P. Sawant, Abdul Sattar and Avdhoot Tatkare.

They were among the opposition members who raised slogans in the house, carried banners inside the assembly, sang bhajans and later made a bonfire of budget copies.

IANS
Meat shops vandalised in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras

India

oi-Anusha

Even as BJP government began its crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, a mob set several meat shops in UP's Hathras ablaze on Tuesday night. Suspected cow vigilantes set shops on fire and indulged in vandalism but police claim that no complaints have been filed so far in this regard.

Uttar Pradesh: Three meat shops torched by unknown persons in Hathras, police registers case. pic.twitter.com/Ro0B2jhoJ6  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

The incident comes three days after Yogi Adityanath took over as the chief minister of the state and authorities started shutting down illegal slaughterhouses. While the government has made it clear only illegal slaughterhouses will be shut, suspected cow vigilantes have already started running amok. The local police have claimed that no complaints have been registered against the incident and action will be initiated if anyone comes forward to register a case.

Meanwhile, civic authorities continued to issue notices and shut more illegal slaughterhouses across the state. Close to 20 meat shops were also shut down in Ghaziabad on Tuesday. The police have been asked to keep strict vigil against cattle smuggling apart from identifying illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops.

OneIndia News
Narada sting: Here are the TMC leaders under CBI scanner

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Supreme Court on Tuesday maintained that the Narada sting operation would be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Following the order of the Calcutta high court which ordered the CBI probe, the West Bengal government, which is in the eye of the storm following this sting, moved the Supreme Court.

The sting operation had created a storm ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections 2016. It showed 12 TMC ministers and leaders accepting bribes. The sting came out at a time when several TMC members were also embroiled in the Saradha case.

[Setback for Mamata Banerjee: SC says Narada sting will be probed by CBI]

What is the Narada Sting operation?

Several ministers were approached after a fictitious company was set up. The ministers were asked for favours in return for money

Who were the leaders in the sting?

The sting showed ministers and leaders of the TMC allegedly taking bribes. The leaders were Mukul Roy, Subrata Mukherjee, Sultan Ahmed, Sugata Roy, Suvendhu Adhikari, Kakoli Ghosh Dastikar, Prasoon Banerjee, Suvon Chatterjee, Madan Mitra, Iqbal Ahmed and Farhad Hakim. The sting also showed M H Ahmed Mirza a senior police official accepting money and claiming that he had raised funds for the party.

Where does the sting operation stand?

The operation is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Calcutta high court had ordered a CBI probe while observing that the state police had behaved like puppets of the government. On Tuesday, the SC rejected an appeal challenging the HC order. The CBI has been given a month's time to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter and also file a first information report if appropriate material is found.

OneIndia News
No proposal to introduce yoga as optional subject in UPSC exams

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 22: The Centre is not considering any proposal to introduce yoga as an optional subject in Union Public Service Commission exams, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said the Union Public Service Commission has constituted an expert committee under the chairmanship of BS Baswan to comprehensively examine the various issues, raised from time to time regarding the Civil Services Examination, with respect to the eligibility, syllabus, scheme and pattern.

"The report of Baswan Committee is currently under UPSC's consideration and its recommendations on the report are yet to be received," Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

IANS
What is Anti-doping bill? Does India really have a doping crisis?

Opposition walks out from LS, says Aadhaar forced on people

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 22: An opposition member in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday accused the government of forcing Indians to get Aadhaar Cards, with Congress, Trinamool Congress and Biju Janata Dal members walking out before the Finance Bill was passed.

The opposition also objected to one of the amendments in the bill that makes Aadhaar Card mandatory for filing of income tax returns, but it was eventually passed.

As Finance Minister Arun Jaitley finished his reply to a debate on the Finance Bill, Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said the government is forcing Indian citizens to get Aadhaar Cards by making it mandatory for filing of tax returns.

"You are forcing the citizens," Mahtab said, to which Jaitley said: "Yes, we are."

The minster, justifying the move, said people were using more than one PAN card to evade paying taxes.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Mohammad Salim wondered if an Aadhaar Card cannot be duplicated. "If duplicate PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card can be made, can't a duplicate Aadhaar card be made," Salim asked.

Soon after, Mahtab said his party was not satisfied with the Finance Minister's reply, and the BJD staged a walkout.

Congress leader in the house, Mallikarjun Kharge, then urged the government to announce a loan waiver for farmers across the country.

"The Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Agriculture Minister are all sitting here. As you promised in Uttar Pradesh, waive loans of farmers across the country," Kharge said.

"Jaitley sahib has got so much money -- as you yourself have said. You have got more than Rs two lakh crore; why don't you make the announcement," he said.

The treasury benches, however, remained quiet, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan moved ahead with the process of bill passage, which agitated the opposition members.

The Congress and Trinamool Congress members then walked out, leaving most opposition benches empty as the Finance Bill was passed.

IANS
OPS or Sasikala? Who will get the AIADMK symbol

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Election Commission will take a call on which faction of the AIADMK would get to retain the party's symbol. Both the Sasikala and O Panneerselvam factions would argue before the EC to stake a claim to the two leaves., the AIADMK's symbol.

There are two issues before the EC that would need to be clarified. First, whether Sasikala's appointment as the general secretary of the party was in accordance with the rules of the party. The second issue would be relating to the symbol.

[Sasikala faction files reply on AIADMK symbol row]

The Sasikala faction would quote the rule of the majority in this case. This faction has referred to the decision of the EC in the Samajwadi Party case in which the majority faction led by former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had got the symbol. The EC's order in this case read, "Any democratic institution, which the political parties are, the will of the majority should prevail in the internal functioning of the party, and if the majority will is suppressed or not allowed."

On the other hand, the OPS faction says that the SP's order would not be applicable in this case. "The observation of this hon'ble commission in the Samajwadi Party case has no application in the present matter as the factual matrix are entirely different. Unlike the present case, the party bylaws weren't given a go-by as they have been in this case," the OPS faction has contended. Further it has been contended that, Sasikala's election as general secretary was in dispute. Only Panneerselvam or Madhusudhanan, who were appointed party treasurer and presidium chairman respectively by Jayalalithaa, had the powers to authorise the use of the symbol for contesting the polls.

OneIndia News
Away from politics, PM Modi turns poetic; shares his best verses

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, March 22: After a busy election schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took solace in poetry on the occasion of World Poetry Day celebrated on Tuesday. "On #WorldPoetryDay I congratulate all poets, budding & established for their efforts to popularise this splendid medium of expression," tweeted PM Modi.

On #WorldPoetryDay I congratulate all poets, budding & established for their efforts to popularise this splendid medium of expression.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2017

Celebrating the myriad colours of poetry, the PM said, "Poetry is at the heart of the oral tradition, giving voice to countless people across the world and bringing out their magnificent creativity."

The 66-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader did not just praised the art form, but also shared some of his verses for his fans on Twitter. The PM, who is known for his powerful speeches, is also a popular poet.

"I have occasionally penned my thoughts through poetry. The book 'Sakshibhav' is a collection of some of the works," he tweeted.

I have occasionally penned my thoughts through poetry. The book Sakshibhav is a collection of some of the works. https://t.co/5viOHLGkvp  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2017

Like PM Modi, a few of our former PMs including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Late VP Singh, to name a few, used to write powerful poetry while heading the country. Now, who says politics and poetry don't go well together? PM Modi proves everyone wrong, once again.

OneIndia News
When Twitter blue tick will come to India? Elon Musk answers

No warning. Impersonators will be suspended: What else did Musk say today?

Twitter to delay badge changes until after US midterm elections: Report

PM Modi wishes people on 105th Bihar Day

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greeting to people on the occasion of 105th Bihar Day.

"On the occasion of Bihar day, I offer my heartiest greetings to the people of Bihar," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

           !  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2017

Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day is celebrated every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. The state was carved out from West Bengal in 1912 and declared a separate state by the then colonial British government.

IANS
No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question

Twitter down as several users report login issues on website

Talented, driven and great potential: President Putin is all praise for India and Indians

Pranab Mukherjee: India wants terror-free ties with Pakistan

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 22: India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.

The President greeted the government and people of Pakistan on the occasion of their National Day (March 23).

In a message to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain, Mukherjee said: "On behalf of the government and people of India and on my own behalf, I extend greetings to you and to the friendly people of Pakistan.

"India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence."

IANS
Bharat Jodo Yatra will proceed to Srinagar, come what may, says Rahul Gandhi as march enters Maharashtra

Rahulji, not interested to take lead; please make way: Kerala Congress leader

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, March 22: This is probably for the first time when a Congress leader has openly asked party vice president Rahul Gandhi to relinquish his responsibility as the party head and make way for someone more 'efficient'.

In a Facebook post, a Congress leader from Kerala has asked Rahul to make way for others if he does not want to lead the party. Although, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul's mother, is the party president, currently Rahul is leading the party in all matters.

"Respected Rahul Gandhi, if you are not interested to take the lead, please make way, as this great entity that has roots all over the country is getting snapped," Youth Congress leader from Kerala, CR Mahesh, wrote on Facebook.

A Youth Congress vice president, Mahesh contested the 2016 assembly polls from Karunagapally in Kollam district and lost to the Communist Party of India's R Ramachandran by 1,759 votes. Mahesh said the Congress in Kerala was without a president for two weeks.

"This comes at a time when the failures of the CPM and the Bharatiya Janata Party have to be highlighted and also when the top leadership of the party in the Congress is watching from the sidelines the factional feud going on in the KSU," he said, referring to the student wing of the Congress.

He also urged former defence minister AK Antony to breaks his silence on what's happening in the Congress. "We are prepared to die to see that the Indian National Congress stays alive in the country but it should be ensured that merit should be given due credit," Mahesh said.

In recent times, several Congress leaders have openly voiced their discontentment against the party's top leadership after the Congress' poor performance in the assembly polls in five states. However, no one has directly asked Rahul to leave his post. Currently, Rahul is in the United States with Sonia, who is undergoing treatment in the country.

OneIndia News
RBI to soon launch e-rupee on pilot basis for specific use cases

RBI rate hikes to contain price rise; inflation to fall below 6 pc next year

RBI confirms Mahila Bank with merge with SBI on April 1

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Mumbai, March 22: The Bharatiya Mahila Bank will be merged with the State Bank of India on April 1, along with five associate banks, the Reserve Bank of India said on Wednesday.

"All branches of Bharatiya Mahila Bank will function as branches of the SBI from April 1. Customers, including depositors of BMB, will be treated as customers of SBI," the RBI said in a statement here.

It was earlier notified that five associate banks -- State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad -- will be merged with the SBI on April 1.

The government had issued the acquisition order for Bharatiya Mahila Bank Limited on March 20.

On Monday, the Centre said it had decided to merge the bank with the SBI to ensure greater banking services outreach to more women.

The objectives of affordable credit to women as well as propagation of women-centric products need to be quickly achieved through a wider network and lower cost of funds, the Finance Ministry had said.

The SBI group already has 126 exclusive all-women branches across the country while the BMB has seven.

In the three years since BMB was set up in 2013, it has extended loans of Rs 192 crore to women borrowers. The SBI group has provided loans of about Rs 46,000 crore to women.

The SBI has more than 20,000 branches. Out of its workforce of around two lakh, 22 per cent are women.

IANS
Who is V G Siddhartha? Here's all you need to know about India's coffee king

Today I gave up said V G Siddhartha in letter to Coffee Day family before he went missing

S M Krishna, the 'gentleman' politician's journey

India

oi-Anusha

After spending 46 years of his political life as a Congressman, S M Krishna joined the BJP on Wednesday. While he held coveted positions while in the Indian National Congress, S M Krishna's political beginnings were humble and with a lesser-known party. We track the political journey of S M Krishna, the gentleman politician.

He is 84 years old and began his political journey with the Praja Socialist Party in the year 1962 at the age of 29. A Law graduate and alumnus of Southern Methodist University, Dallas-Texas, S M Krishna managed to win his first election from Maddur. He was contesting against a candidate of the Congress for whom Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had campaigned. His victory registered the first mark of the sway he holds in the region.

In a weird coincidence, Praja Socialist Party, S M Krishna's political launchpad is now an alliance partner of the BJP-led NDA. S M Krishna represented the Madya parliamentary constituency in the fouth, fifth, seventh and the eighth Lok Sabha from the Praja Socialist Party.

Entry into Congress

S M Krishna was instrumental in bringing the members of Praja Socialist party and Congress together and joined the Congress under Indira Gandhi's leadership. Between 1983 and 1985 he served as a minister under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. S M Krishna was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1996 as well as 2006 and was a member of the Karnataka legislative assembly and council multiple times.

Various posts that S M Krishna held

Apart from holding the office of the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, S M Krishna had served as Speaker of the Karnataka assembly between 1989 and 1992. He also functioned as the deputy chief minister of Karnataka during the period.

He held the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president in 1999 and led the party to victory in the assembly polls that year.

On December 12, 2004, S M Krishna was appointed Governor of Maharashtra, a post he held until March 5, 2008. His resignation from the Governor's post was said to be an attempt to make a comeback to Karnataka politics.

Krishna, however, became a member of the Rajya Sabha and subsequently took the oath of office as Union Cabinet Minister of External Affairs in the Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 22 May 2009. He resigned from the post on 26 October 2012 once again hoping to return to Karnataka politics.

Krishna, the BJP man

On January 20, 2017, however, S M Krishna resigned from the Congress accusing the party of sidelining leaders like him. he claimed that the party only needed managers and not leaders. He joined the BJP on March 22, a week later than initially scheduled. S M Krishna, with his entry into the BJP, once again hopes to return to Karnataka politics.

S M Krishna is credited with introducing reforms in electricity boards in Karnataka and digitisation of land records in the state. Senior Karnataka Congress leaders like D K Shivakumar owe their political victories to S M Krishna. The vokkaliga strongman, the BJP hopes, will help them woo the community ahead of the 2018 assembly polls in Karnataka.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 18:34 [IST]
COVID-19: These 10 states account for over 71 per cent of new infections

Is Wearing Mask Mandatory in India? Full List of States Where Wearing Mask is Not Compulsory

States clueless over existence of 23 fake universities

India

oi-Madhuri

The University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education listed out 23 fake universities and 279 fake technical institutes across India. And what is more surprising is Delhi tops the list with 66 fake colleges while Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra also have a huge number of such institutes. The UGC further asked the state governments to initiate action.

According to the UGC, these colleges don't have the authority to grant degrees without its permission. If any person issues education certificates from these mentioned colleges, then it is nothing but worthless pieces of paper.

[Also read: Check if your university is fake: Here is the list]

But however, the fake list has now triggered controversy across the states.

According to Bihar Higher Education Council vice chairman Kameshwar Jha, by including the name of Maithili University or Vishwavidyalaya in Darbhanga, the UGC is trying to tarnish the image of the state because no such university has never existed in Bihar for over two decades.

Whereas Raja Arabic University in Nagpur is a residential madrasa or Islamic seminary with around 240 students. But however, the head of the institute had already apologised to the UGC for naming the seminary as a university. Yet, the name has been cropped up in the list mentioned by the UGC.

Similarly, St John University in Kerala does not exist. Yet the UGC had sent reminders about this university, said an official.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Mahendra Nath Pandey said that they have been sending notifications to the respective states regarding the fake institutes so that the students do not get trapped and duped.

OneIndia News
The Andaman island named after man who fought Indians in 1857

India

pti-PTI

A demand was made in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday to change the name of Havelock island in the Andamans with a Bharatiya Janata Party member saying that naming a place after a person who had fought Indian patriots in 1857 was a matter of shame.

BJP member L A Ganesan raised the matter during the zero hour, saying that British General Henry Havelock had fought against Indians during 1857 revolt led by leaders such as Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. He said there was a statue of him in the Trafalgar Square in London for his role in crushing the forces of Indian patriots. Ganesan questioned that over 60 years after Independence, there is still an island named after such a person.

"Can there be a greater insult than this to our patriots," Ganesan asked. He also said that Andaman islands is a place where people like Veer Savarkar had been jailed. After Ganesan raised questions about an island being named after an East India Company's general, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said it was a good suggestion which the government should examine.

Let us know more about this island:

The recapture of Cawnpore Havelock Island is named after a British general, Sir Henry Havelock, who served in India, and is associated with his recapture of Cawnpore (now Kanpur) from rebels during the 1857 revolt. The siege was a major episode in the rebellion. He died a few days after a siege in Lucknow. Image:A natural rock formation in Laxmanpur beach in Neil Island. Photo credit:andamans.gov.in Diving in Andaman waters The Havelock island is a picturesque natural paradise with beautiful white sandy beaches, rich coral reefs and lush green forest. It is one of the populated islands in the Andaman group with an area of 113 sqkm, and is located 39 km of north-east of Port Blair. The island's population consists of mainly Bengali settlers. Many of these settlers have Bangladeshi origin as these people were given settlement by the Indian government after the 1971 war between India and Pakistan. Image: The costal belt surrounding these islands is the abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world. Untouched by the Tsunami It is one of the few places that the Andaman and Nicobar administration union territory of India has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism. It avoided most of the devastation in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its resulting tsunami, with no documented casualties. Image: The Bharatpur beach. With its own airport This island, with beautiful sandy beaches fringed with green canopy of the rain-fed forests beckons everyone to enjoy the frolic and fun at the azure sea. The island has its own airport. There are many beaches on the island - Elephant, Kalapathar, with the Radhanagar beach named the Best beach in Asia' by the Time magazine in 2004. Image: The Radhanagar beach. PTI
TTV Dinakaran candidature case: Petitioner asked to approach EC

India

oi-Anusha

The Madras high court on Wednesday asked petitioner in the TTV Dinakaran candidature case to approach the election commission. Joseph, an AIADMK worker had sought a stay on Dinakaran's candidate in the R K Nagar bypoll.

In a petition that was filed in the Madras high court on Tuesday, Joseph had deemed Dinakaran a 'convict' and sought the court's intervention to stop him from contesting the April 12 bypoll. The bench headed by Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh deemed asked the petitioner to seek redressal from the Election Commission.

Joseph, who had earlier filed a petition seeking a probe into Jayalalithaa's death, had claimed that TTV Dinakaran was ineligible to contest polls since he was a convict. he also highlighted that a bench of the Madras high court had confirmed the fine imposed on him by the enforcement directorate earlier this year. The last day to file nominations for the bypoll is March 23 and scrutiny will take place on March 24.

OneIndia News
What will S M Krishna do in 'few days of life left', asks Kharge

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

With SM Krishna set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress on Wednesday asked how the former external affairs minister's ideology, which he followed for over 50 years, changed in a few days.

Leader of Oopposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Karge, told ANI that the Congress gave Krishna everything and honoured with all kinds of posts.

[S M Krishna to join BJP today]

"Few days of life are left and he is committing a very big mistake by changing his principles at this age," Kharge told ANI.

A week after his plan of joining the BJP was postponed, Krishna, a former Karnataka chief minister, is set to join the saffron party on Wednesday. He is expected to join the party in the presence of the party's national president Amit Shah.

Krishna had earlier lashed out at the Congress earlier, saying that there was 'hereditary leadership' in the grand old party.

The strong Vokkaliga leader from Karnataka was to join the BJP on March 15 but had to cancel plans and return to Bengaluru owing to a personal loss. Krishna, who had left for Delhi on March 14, returned to Bengaluru on an early morning flight on March 15 owing to his sister's demise.

Krishna, who resigned from the primary membership of the Congress by submitting a single-line letter to party president Sonia Gandhi was invited by Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa to add strength to the saffron party.

OneIndia News
To Sir, with love

During his Delhi visit, Uttar Pradesh CM made it a point to first meet PM Modi. He gifted his guru a beautiful flower bouquet. As we see in the picture, the PM is happy to host his guest from Lucknow.

Picture credit: PTI

Its a sweet meeting

The leaders of the BJP are still in a celebratory mood after the party's massive assembly election victory, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Thus we see how happily both Singh and Adityanath feed each other sweets.

Picture credit: PTI

Sir, please accept my offer

Once again, CM Adityanath decided to gift a bouquet to the President, when he met the latter at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Picture credit: PTI

Listen to me, dear parliamentarians

In his Parliament address, the new Uttar Pradesh CM attacked opposition parties and promised to bring development in his home state.

Picture credit: PTI

Salaam, Amit Bhai

If in Delhi, CM Adityanath had to meet his mentor and BJP president Amit Shah.

Picture credit: PTI

Finally, say hello to the veteran

The BJP leader also met party stalwart L K Advani in Delhi.

Picture credit: PTI
Why government will not extend deadline to deposit old currency notes

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday directed the Centre to file an affidavit asking if it would allow deposit of old currency notes till March 31. The Centre, however, made it clear to the SC that the law will prevail over this issue. Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi said that it was decided that demonetised currency could not be deposited after December 30, 2016.

[SC to Govt: Why can't RBI accept scrapped notes till March 31]

The submissions were made on a petition that sought to know why the government had closed the March 31 window to deposit old currency notes. He said while the prime minister had said in his speech that March 31, 2017 would be the last date and the law stated it as December 20, 2016, then the law would prevail.

"We are not on the prime minister's speech anymore. We are looking at the law now," the AG said while referring to the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of liabilities) Ordinance, 2016.

The AG said that neither the PM not the RBI can now exercise discretion or jurisdiction to entertain the request for extending the deadline as the law is in force now. The court, however, said that the people were in the lurch. "Why did you have this clause," the court asked. The AG said that Parliament had given the government this discretion to use its powers.

The government added that there was no requirement to give a notice before bringing in a new law. "Old currency is as good as a scrap of paper," he said.

OneIndia News
Will TTV Dinakaran contest R K Nagar by-poll: Here is what the law says

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A court in Chennai would decide on the fate of AIADMK candidate TTV Dinakaran on whether he can contest the R K Nagar by-elections or not. It would be interesting to see if the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act case, under which he was ordered to pay a fine would bar him from contesting the elections under the Representation of Peoples' Act.

A petition has been filed to declare his candidature as null and void on the ground that he was held guilty in the FERA case. If the court upholds the contention, then Dinakaran would be barred from contesting the elections and the AIADMK would have to look for another candidate.

[Held guilty in FERA case, can TTV Dinakaran contest the RK Nagar by-poll?]

It would be interesting to see what the court has to say. In this context, it would be necessary to discuss the provisions of the law and what it says about a person held guilty in a FERA case.

Can T T V contest the RK Nagar by-election?

It may be recalled that he was recently asked to pay up a penalty of Rs 25 crore in connection with a Foreign Exchange Regulation Act violation case.

A reading of the Madras high court order suggests that this order amounts to a conviction. The penalty was levied by the FERA Appellate Board in 2000. The case related to large amounts of cash in his bank account held outside India and his failure to repatriate the same to India. The original penalty was Rs 31 crore, but was reduced to 28 crore following an appeal.

If the Madras high court has confirmed the penalty that would mean he is guilty of the offence. Will the Representation of Peoples' Act apply to Dinakaran? The RP act says that a person convicted will not be entitled to contest an election for six years. The other question is does an offence under FERA apply in the RP act?

In this context let us understand the RP act in which there is a subchapter titled Disqualification on Conviction for certain offences. The chapter lists out the various offences under which a person is convicted which would bar a person from contesting an election.Sub clause e of the chapter says that a person convicted of an offence punishable under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 26 of 1973 will be barred from contesting an election.

The other question is will the imposing of only a fine bar a person from contesting the elections. The act states that a person who has been slapped with a fine shall be barred from contesting the election from the date of the order of conviction.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had convicted Sasikala and others in the disproportionate assets case. She was sentenced to undergo imprisonment for 4 years. This means that from the date of her finishing her sentence she will not be able to contest an election for the next six years.

OneIndia News
Yogi Adityanath effect: No pan masala, plastic bags in govt offices

India

oi-Anusha

No more pan, pan masala or plastic bags will be allowed in government offices and buildings in Uttar Pradesh. The deputy Chief Minister of the state, K P Maurya told reporters that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had advised against the use of pan, plastic bags and pan masalas in government offices after inspections.

Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters that the Chief minister sought to ban selling and consumption of gutka, pan, pan masala and plastic bags in state government offices and buildings to ensure they are clean. Stains inside the office premises seem to have irked Yogi Adityanath who ordered the cleanup.

CM advised against the use of pan masala, plastic and pan in government buildings and offices: UP Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya pic.twitter.com/ABq4hFyuTA  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 22, 2017

In his speech in the parliament on Tuesday, Yogi Adityanath had stated that 'many things will be stopped in Uttar Pradesh'. While he did not reveal much about what his government intended to stop, the cleanup drive seems to have kickstarted with government offices.

OneIndia News
In UP 166 criminals killed in encounters in past five years: Yogi

Yogi seeks action plan to ban cow smuggling in UP

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a directive to the police to prepare an action plan to ban cow smuggling. He also ordered the police to come up with a plan to shut down illegal slaughterhouses.

The directive comes in the wake of several raids being conducted on illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh. Raids were conducted in Ghaziabad and Allahabad where two slaughterhouses were sealed on Saturday.

The closure of illegal slaughterhouses was one of the main issues raised by the BJP in the recent assembly elections. It was highlighted by both Adityanath and BJP president Amit Shah.

BJP's move has gotten support from animal rights groups. The groups have been running a campaign against illegal slaughterhouses and they have alleged that animals are treated cruelly.

OneIndia News
UP ATS picks up two more accused in Al-Qaeda radicalisation case

Yogi should focus on work instead of taking jibes at Rahul-Akhilesh: Congress

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Taking a strong exception to Yogi Adityanath's remark that he sneaked between Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav to topple their alliance, the Congress on Wednesday said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister should focus on work instead of targeting the opposition.

Congress leader P L Punia told ANI that Adityanath should focus on fulfilling expectations of the people as it is immaterial to compare his age with that of Rahul and Akhilesh.

Another Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told ANI that Adityanath was not even the face of BJP's election campaign in Uttar Pradesh, so how can he make such claims.

JD-U leader Ajay Alok said that Adityanath should be 'polite and courteous' after assuming the top post.

In what was his last address at the Lok Sabha, Adityanath on Tuesday mocked the Congress and the Samajwadi Party alliance in the state. Adityanath said he sneaked between Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav to topple their tie up.

Adityanath, who dedicated much of his speech in praising the prime minister, branded Modi as an icon. He said that Modi worked for the betterment of the poor and the farmers without any discrimination.

He slammed the former SP-led government in Uttar Pradesh for not utilising the funds allocated for the state for development.

"My government will be for everyone, not specifically for any caste or community," he said.

On Tuesday morning, Adityanath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and BJP chief Amit Shah. He took oath as UP CM on Sunday, days after BJP won 325 out of 403 seats in the politically most significant state in India.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 10:52 [IST]
North Korea: Missile tests were practice to attack South, US

N Korea's latest missile test fails, claims S Korea

International

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Seoul, March 22: North Korea test-fired missiles on Wednesday but apparently ended in failure, South Korea's military said.

Yonhap news agency quoted the military as saying that South Korea and the US were aware of the related issue.

The statement came as a response to reports that North Korea test-fired several missiles from Wonsan on its eastern coast, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to reports, Japan first detected the launch earlier on Wednesday, with government sources telling Kyodo News that Pyongyang may have launched several missiles from the North Korean city of Wonsan.

Earlier this month, North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un's government fired four ballistic missiles that prompted harsh condemnation from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.

IANS
Close-up photo of a cliff

Here's a close-up photo of a cliff, called Aswan, on comet 67P, taken in September 2014. The arrow here points at the crack on the cliff edge.

About the size of Mount Fuji

In this image taken on July 2015, shows that the cliff edge appears to have broken off in a landslide.

Bright spot on cliff

This bright spot was first spotted in July 2015, just five days after the landslide. The bright spot shows the cliff of the edge exposing the ice underneath.

About the comets

Comets and asteroids were formed in the solar system, when the planets were just being formed. Comets like 67P are thought to have originated in the water- and volatile-rich outer solar system.
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Jonathan Masci Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva for New Managers:

NNAISENSE, a Swiss start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications, and ACATIS Investment, a German long-term value investment company, have partnered and will launch a European AI hedge fund imminently.

Quantenstein The AI application that will be used by the fund is called Quantenstein, which has been developed for almost two years and will be presented at the NextGen Alpha conference in Frankfurt on 30th March.

"What we get is a portfolio manager which is completely automated," Jonathan Masci, one of NNAISENSE's co-founders, tells Opalesque.

A discretionary manager comes up with portfolio positions based on what he knows, he explains, and AI tries to mimic that, but following different principles, through a system that uses analytical and time-series data.

"For example, the price or any other information that the company might expose can be turned into a training set, which is usually what you do in machine learning, consisting of inputs, the observed company data, and outputs, what should be predicted based on this observation.

"It's the same for balan......................

To view our full article Click here
Opalesque Industry Update - The SS&C GlobeOp Forward Redemption Indicator for March 2017 measured 3.48%, up from 3.25% in February. "SS&C GlobeOp's Forward Redemption Indicator for March 2017 was 3.48%, sharply lower than the 4.26% reported a year ago for March 2016. In fact, the 3.48% for March 2017 was the lowest level of redemptions for any month of March in the past five years," said Bill Stone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SS&C Technologies. "We will be watching future data points very closely to see whether this improvement can be sustained and, if so, it would represent a very favorable trend for the hedge fund industry." The SS&C GlobeOp Forward Redemption Indicator represents the sum of forward redemption notices received from investors in hedge funds administered by SS&C GlobeOp on the SS&C GlobeOp platform, divided by the AuA at the beginning of the month for SS&C GlobeOp fund administration clients on the SS&C GlobeOp platform. Forward redemptions as a percentage of SS&C GlobeOp's assets under administration on the SS&C GlobeOp platform have trended significantly lower since reaching a high of 19.27% in November 2008. The next publication date is April 24, 2017. Published on the 15th business day of the month, the SS&C GlobeOp Forward Redemption Indicator presents a timely and accurate view of the redemption pipeline for investors in hedge funds on the SS&C GlobeOp administration platform. Movements in the Indicator reflect investor confidence in their allocations to hedge funds. Indicator data is based on actual investor redemption notifications received. Unlike subscriptions, redemption notifications are typically received 30-90 days in advance of the redemption date. Investors may, and sometimes do, cancel redemption notices. In addition, the establishment and enforcement of redemption notices may vary from fund to fund.
A few years ago, we shared a version of R.EM.s 1991 alternative hit Losing My Religion as reworked from a minor to a major key through digital processing by Ukranian musician Oleg Berg and his daughter Diana. Many people thought the project a travesty and railed against its violation of R.E.M.s emotional intent. But the stronger the reactions, the more they seemed to validate Bergs tacit argument about the important differences between major and minor keys. We know that, in general, minor keys convey sadness, dread, or moody intensity, all familiar colors in the R.E.M. palate. Major keys, on the other handas in the bands inexplicably bouncy Shiny Happy Peopletend to evoke shininess and happiness.

Why is this? Goldsmiths University Music Psychology Professor Vicky Williamson has an ambivalent explanation at the NME blog. Her answer: the association seems to be cultural but also, perhaps, biological. Scientists have shown that the sound spectrathe profile of sound ingredientsthat make up happy speech are more similar to happy music than sad music and vice versa.









This thesis may reduce down to a water is wet observation. A more interesting way of thinking of it comes from Aristotle, who suspected that the emotional impact of music was at least partly down to the way it mimicked our own vocalizations when we squeal for joy or cry out in anger.

Do these expressions always correspond to major or minor scales or intervals? No. Emotions, like colors, have subtleties of shading, contrast, and hue. Williamson names some notable exceptions, like The Smiths I Know Its Over, a song in a major key that is almost comically morbid and maudlin. These may serve to prove the rule, achieving their unsettling effect by playing with our expectations. In general, as you will learn from the video above from Minnesota Public Radioin which a lumberjack explains the distinctions to an animated blue birdmajor and minor keys, scales, intervals, and chords are tools composers use to give their music a certain mood, atmosphere, and strength.

If you were to ask for a song that contains these qualities in abundance, you might get in reply Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit, which, like Beethovens 9th Symphony or most classical opera, relies on exaggerated quiet-to-loud dynamics for its dramatic effect. But it also uses a minor key as an essential vehicle for its anxiety and rage. So important to the song is this element, in fact, that when shifted into a major key, as Berg has done at the top of the post, it sounds nearly incoherent. The clarity with which Smells Like Teen Spirit communicates angst and confusion evaporates, especially in the songs verses. The digital artifacts of Bergs processing become more evident here, perhaps because the change in key is so destructive to the melody.

Can we closely correlate this loss of melodic integrity to the critical importance the minor scale plays in this song in particular? I would assume so, but lets look at the example of a similar type of moody, quiet-loud alt-rock song from around the same time period, Radioheads Creep. Heres one of those exceptions, originally written in a major key, which may account for the pleasant, dreamlike quality of its verses. That quality doesnt necessarily disappear when we hear the song rendered in a minor key. But the chorus, underneath the digital distortion, loses the sense of anguished triumph with which Thom Yorke imbued his defiant declaration of creepiness.

In the case of the original Creep, the G major key seems to push against our expectations, and gives a song about self-loathing an unsettling sweetness that is indeed kinda creepy. (And perhaps helped Prince to turn the song into a genuinely uplifting gospel hymn). What seems clear in the Nirvana and Radiohead examples is that the choice of key determines in large part not only our emotional responses to a song, but also our responses to deviations from the norm. But those norms are mostly down to learned associations, writes Williamson, both ancient and modern.

Perhaps shes right. University of Toronto Music Psychologist Glenn Schellenberg has noticed that contemporary music has trended more toward minor keys in the past few decades, and that people are responding positively to music that has these characteristics that are associated with negative emotions. Does this mean were getting sadder? Schellenberg instead believes its because we associate minor scales with sophistication and major scales with unambiguously happy-sounding music like The Wheels on the Bus and other childrens songs. The emotion of unambiguous happiness is less socially acceptable than it used to be, notes NPR. Its too Brady Bunch, not enough Modern Family.

Maybe weve grown cynical, but the trend allows brilliant rock composers like Radioheads Johnny Greenwood to do all sorts of odd, unsettling things with major and minor modulation. And it made Shiny Happy People stick out like a shockingly joyful sore thumb upon its release in 1991, though at the time the mope of grunge and 90s alt-rock had not yet dominated the airwaves. Now we rarely hear such earnest, unambiguously happy-sounding music these days outside of Sesame Street. Find more of Bergs major-to-minor and vice versa reworkings at his Youtube channel.

Related Content:

R.E.M.s Losing My Religion Reworked from Minor to Major Scale

The Beatles Hey Jude Reworked from Major to Minor Scale; Ellas Summertime Goes Minor to Major

Patti Smiths Cover of Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit Strips the Song Down to its Heart

Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness
Disposable Blood Pressure Cuffs Market To Experience Lucrative Growth Due To Increasing Incidence Of Cross Contaminations In The Hospitals Till 2025: Grand View Research, Inc.

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The global disposable blood pressure cuffs market is expected to reach USD 356.8 million by 2025, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is driven by the growing adoption of disposable BP cuffs by healthcare professionals to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, there is a significant rise in the occurrence of infections at hospitals over the past two decades, which has created a momentum in the implementation of infection control policies in order to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.Moreover, the introduction of technologically advanced products is attributing towards the growth. These products are meeting all the regulatory requirements and available at an affordable cost which thereby boosting the usage rates in coming years. For instance, GE CRITIKON BP Cuffs offered by GE Healthcare meeting all the sizing standards of the American Heart Association to take accurate blood pressure readings. The aforementioned factors are presumed to fuel the growth over the forecast period.Browse full research report on Global Disposable Blood Pressure Cuffs Market: (Further Key Findings From The Study Suggest: Clinicians call point segment is expected to show lucrative growth in coming years due to rising patient population visited clinics for the regular monitoring of blood pressure The existing industry participants are actively involved in the development of customized & specialized blood pressure monitoring products, to sustain the competition Introduction of digital sphygmomanometer and mHealth technology, which is expected to impede the growth in coming years as they used as a substitute for these products Furthermore, introduction of antimicrobial reusable BP cuffs which gives accurate results and offers enhanced safety to the patients may hamper the growth The Asia Pacific regional market for disposable BP cuffs is expected to showcase significant growth over the forecast period owing to supportive government initiatives for increasing awareness amongst people and rapidly growing target disease population base In addition, improving healthcare facilities is propelling the further growth in the near future. In addition, cheaper cost of disposable products is expected to provide this market with lucrative growth opportunities in the near futureGrand View Research has segmented the disposable blood pressure cuffs market on the basis of call point, and region:Disposable Blood Pressure Cuffs Call Point Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Surgeons Physicians CliniciansDisposable Blood Pressure Cuffs Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North Americao U.S.o Canada Europeo UKo Germany Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao India Latin Americao Mexicoo Brazil MEAo South AfricaFor more information:About Grand View ResearchGrand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.Press ContactSherry James - Corporate Relations Specialist28 2nd Street, Suite 3036San Francisco, CA 94105United StatesPhone: 1-415-349-0058Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Cloud-based Database Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Data Center Colocation Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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Interior Design 2017 Global Key Players  Gensler, Gold Mantis, HOK, HBA, Jacobs, Interior Architects, SmithGroupJJR Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Interior Design Market

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Interior Design Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Interior Design -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.The Global Interior Design Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Interior Design industry.Request for Sample report @The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Interior Design market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.The report focuses on global major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product pictures and specifications, revenue cost, gross margin and contact information. 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Peach Wine 2017 Global Key Players - Lafite, Romanee-Conti, Chateau Latour, Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Margaux, HALL, WALT Wines, Jacobs Creek Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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Peach WineReport Details:Global Peach Wine market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingLafiteRomanee-ContiChateau LatourChateau Haut-BrionChateau MargauxChateau Mouton RothschildChateau Condamine BertrandHALLWALT WinesJacobs CreekAngelusConcha y ToroPenfolds WineryE&J Gallo WineryConcha y ToroCasella WinesConstellation WinesAccolade WinesTreasury Wine EstatesClick here for sample report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Peach Wine in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoStweet Peach WineDry Peach WineOtherOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Peach Wine for each application, includingRestaurantHomeOther......Some Major Points from Table of content:Global Peach Wine Market Research Report 20171 Peach Wine Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Peach Wine1.2 Peach Wine Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Peach Wine Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Peach Wine Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Stweet Peach Wine1.2.4 Dry Peach Wine1.2.5 Other1.3 Global Peach Wine Segment by Application1.3.1 Peach Wine Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Restaurant1.3.3 Home1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Peach Wine Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Peach Wine Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Peach Wine (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Peach Wine Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Peach Wine Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)For Detailed Reading Please visit @7 Global Peach Wine Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Lafite7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Peach Wine Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Lafite Peach Wine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Romanee-Conti7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Peach Wine Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 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High Strength Steel 2017 Global Key Players  Arcelor Mittal, SSAB, POSCO, United States Steel Corporation, Baosteel Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

High Strength Steel Market

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High Strength Steel Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds High Strength Steel -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.The Global High Strength Steel Market 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the High Strength Steel Market.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of High Strength Steel in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest for Sample report @Global High Strength Steel market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingArcelor MittalSSABPOSCOUnited States Steel CorporationVoestalpine AGThyssenKrupp AGBaosteelAnsteelOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHigh Strength Low Alloy SteelsDual Phase SteelsBake Hardenable SteelsCarbon Manganese SteelsOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of High Strength Steel for each application, includingAutomotiveHoisting and Mining EquipmentAviation&MarineOthersTo get complete report visit@Key Points in Table of Content:Global High Strength Steel Market Research Report 20171 High Strength Steel Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of High Strength Steel1.2 High Strength Steel Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global High Strength Steel Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global High Strength Steel Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 High Strength Low Alloy Steels1.2.4 Dual Phase Steels1.2.5 Bake Hardenable Steels1.2.6 Carbon Manganese Steels1.3 Global High Strength Steel Segment by Application1.3.1 High Strength Steel Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Automotive1.3.3 Hoisting and Mining Equipment1.3.4 Aviation&Marine1.3.5 Others1.4 Global High Strength Steel Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global High Strength Steel Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of High Strength Steel (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global High Strength Steel Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global High Strength Steel Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)7 Global High Strength Steel Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Arcelor Mittal7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Arcelor Mittal High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 SSAB7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 SSAB High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 POSCO7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 POSCO High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 United States Steel Corporation7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 United States Steel Corporation High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Voestalpine AG7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Voestalpine AG High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 ThyssenKrupp AG7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 ThyssenKrupp AG High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Baosteel7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Baosteel High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Ansteel7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 High Strength Steel Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Ansteel High Strength Steel Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business OverviewContinued...Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Sperm Analytical Devices Manufacturers: 2017 Global Market Outlook & Forecast Up To 2022

Sperm Analytical Devices Market

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1105583-global-sperm-analytical-devices-market-research-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1105583-global-sperm-analytical-devices-market-research-report-2017

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/check-discount/1105583-global-sperm-analytical-devices-market-research-report-2017

www.wiseguyreports.com

Sperm Analytical Devices Market ReportThe Sperm Analytical Devices market provides detailed market segment level data on the international market. The Sperm Analytical Devices market report addresses forecast and growth patterns by company, regions and type or application from 2017 to 2021.Browse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Sperm Analytical Devices Market Research Report@Description:In this report, the global Sperm Analytical Devices market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Sperm Analytical Devices in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Sperm Analytical Devices market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingOrigioVitrolifeMedical Electronic SystemsMMCSoftFertiProHamilton ThorneSelinion MedicalMicropticOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFully Automatic Sperm Analytical DevicesSemi Automatic Sperm Analytical DevicesOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Sperm Analytical Devices for each application, includingFertility ClinicsHospitalsSample Report Request of Sperm Analytical Devices Market Research Report@Table of ContentsGlobal Sperm Analytical Devices Market Research Report 20171 Sperm Analytical Devices Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Sperm Analytical Devices1.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Fully Automatic Sperm Analytical Devices1.2.4 Semi Automatic Sperm Analytical Devices1.3 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Segment by Application1.3.1 Sperm Analytical Devices Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Fertility Clinics1.3.3 Hospitals1.4 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Sperm Analytical Devices (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Sperm Analytical Devices Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Sperm Analytical Devices Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Sperm Analytical Devices Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion7 Global Sperm Analytical Devices Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Origio7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Origio Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Vitrolife7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Vitrolife Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Medical Electronic Systems7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Medical Electronic Systems Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 MMCSoft7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 MMCSoft Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 FertiPro7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 FertiPro Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Hamilton Thorne7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Hamilton Thorne Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Selinion Medical7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Selinion Medical Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Microptic7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Sperm Analytical Devices Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Microptic Sperm Analytical Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview..CONTINUEDAsk for Discount @CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations and Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India
Author Kyle Keyes Releases Book Two In The Quantum Roots Satire Series - Quantum Roots II: Worm Holes

Quantum Roots II

http://www.kylekeys.com

http://bookbuzz.net/blog/fictionsatire-quantum-roots-ii-worm-holes

Author Kyle Keyes Releases Book Two In The Quantum Roots Satire Series - Quantum Roots II: Worm HolesAuthor Kyle Keyes is pleased to announce the release of the second book in his satire series, Quantum Roots - Quantum Roots II: Worm Holes.In this sequel to Quantum Roots, the meekish Olan Chapman faces danger as vigilante Samuel Leroy McCoy, a US deputy marshal who upheld law and order in 1876, Dodge City.The metamorphous holds an eerie transformation, cloaked with rolling sagebrush and horse whinnies from yesteryear, which causes DPA Director, Alexis Grumman to rethink the validity of worm holes."Creation is a worm hole," replies Dr. Norman Daly, "Atoms require hadrons to form a nucleus, and each hadron comes through it's own worm hole. Two quarks form the bi-dimensional plane needed to support the hole. The remaining quark squeezes through this hole, after which the first two quarks follow to shape the hadron to a given genetic, configuration. The hole then closes to divide time from timeless."The gunfighter is wanted for multiple killings, a consequence that keeps the slender computer wizard on the run from authorities - and domineering wife, Ivy Chapman.As in Quantum Roots, aka The Vigilante Sightings, Quantum Roots II is based on mounting evidence that people form from recycled energy.Quantum Roots II: Worm Holes is available for purchase in both print and ebook formats.Book Details:Quantum Roots II: Worm HolesBy Kyle KeyesPublished: February 2017ISBN: 978-0986437496Pages: 296Genre: Fiction, SatireAbout the Author:Born To Write: Older Americans often come from whistle stop towns painted by Norman Rockwell. Kyle Keyes grew up in Clayton, a South Jersey borough first founded as Fislerville. Clayton had a small urban district with street lights, but no indoor plumbing. Farmland and outhouses were a sign of the times.Clayton was so small, that Keye's aunt doubled as his Sixth Grade school teacher, who once said that Kyle lived with his nose between the bookends. She must have known something.Keyes went to Temple Tech for concrete and steel design in 1956 and 1957. He never became an engineer, but still has a red, tinker toy motor and his World War II, Erector Set.The early Sixties found Kyle in the U.S. Army where his top sergeant would daily bark, "You just say morning, trooper. I'll decide if it's good or not!"Keyes wholesaled bakery products to food chains for thirty years, and wrote odd items for local newspapers. He is widowed and currently lives in Florida. He has two children, Kathleen and Daniel. Grand children are now grown and too old for tales about railroads and yesterday's America. This leaves Keyes no option but to write books.For review copies, author interviews, or more information please contact:Kyle KeyesWebsite:Promo Link:Born To Write: Older Americans often come from whistle stop towns painted by Norman Rockwell. Kyle Keyes grew up in Clayton, a South Jersey borough first founded as Fislerville. Clayton had a small urban district with street lights, but no indoor plumbing. Farmland and outhouses were a sign of the times.Clayton was so small, that Keye's aunt doubled as his Sixth Grade school teacher, who once said that Kyle lived with his nose between the bookends. She must have known something.Keyes went to Temple Tech for concrete and steel design in 1956 and 1957. He never became an engineer, but still has a red, tinker toy motor and his World War II, Erector Set.The early Sixties found Kyle in the U.S. Army where his top sergeant would daily bark, "You just say morning, trooper. I'll decide if it's good or not!"Keyes wholesaled bakery products to food chains for thirty years, and wrote odd items for local newspapers. He is widowed and currently lives in Florida. He has two children, Kathleen and Daniel. Grand children are now grown and too old for tales about railroads and yesterday's America. This leaves Keyes no option but to write books.BookBuzz.net59 Heritage Way DriveRome, GA 30165
Oxygen Generator Company JuvAir, Launched a New Product Called Oxyple

Award-winning Oxygen Generators Design 2017 OXYPLE

www.juvair.com/blog

www.juvair.com

Seoul, Korea (March 22, 2017)  JuvAir Co., Ltd is thrilled to announce that as their new product launches in January 2017, they will focus on finding Distributors. This new product Oxyple is intended to illustrate the distinction and advantages of previous ones. This product is a modified version of the existing ones.JuvAir is a subsidiary of Oxus Co., Ltd. Korea, and Oxus was founded in 1999 and specializes in the development and manufacture of oxygen generators. JuvAir was established as an overseas sales and sales subsidiary of Oxus. JuvAir Co., Ltd had an office in Seoul and established a sales office in China in Chengdu in January 2017.Oxyple is the world's first 4th Generation Oxygen Generator and has a big difference especially in economy and energy saving. It is a modular type product whose best strength is extensibility. The product is easily modifiable in any quantity. It has low initial installation and maintenance cost. This modular type air generator is proportionally controlled based on usage, reducing maintenance energy cost compared to other air generator products. Also, since low-pressure PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) process is applied to air generator module, low-pressure feed air type compressor is used, which reduces the initial installation cost.Maintenance cost of this product was minimized. Air generators performance and alarm can be ubiquitously checked using a smartphone. The maintenance technician can perform regular maintenance, and it can be managed without receiving a high level of training. JuvAir plans to aggressively promote the features of this product and discover sales distributors in various countries.Juvair.com until date will continue to participate in global exhibitions. JuvAir is conducting on-line/off-line activities to promote new products. These online/offline activities include;-Medical Equipment Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey-International water treatment, pump, pipe equipment exhibition in China-IE Expo 2017 in China-China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) in China-Asia-Pacific Aquaculture Expo 2017 in China-Asia Pacific Aquaculture in Malaysia-China Homecare show in China-China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) in China-Qingdao International Aquatic Expo in China-MEDICA in GermanyThese exhibitions are mainly on water treatment, aquaculture, and medical equipment, which are the main applications of oxygen generators.JuvAir's new product won the Red Dot Design Awards 2017, IF Design Award 2017 (latest), and the US patent of the product is registered.For more insight information on JuvAir Co., Ltd and its new product, visitJuvAir is a subsidiary of Oxus Co., Ltd. Korea, and Oxus was founded in 1999 and specializes in the development and manufacture of oxygen generators. JuvAir was established as an overseas sales and sales subsidiary of Oxus. JuvAir Co., Ltd had an office in Seoul and established a sales office in China in Chengdu in January 2017.Oh SeungKwonJuvair Co., Ltd.Phone: +82-2-704-5251Address: 706 BerchmansWoojung Hall, Seogang University 35, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea 04107E-mail: info@juvair.com
VROOM Announces Spring 2017 Caravan Challenge Lisbon Finalist

VROOM Announces Spring 2017 Caravan Challenge Lisbon Finalist

www.vroomsummit.com

http://whitecastle-partners.com

https://www.allianz.fr/accelerateur/en/index.html

https://getfindster.com

MONACO  February 20, 2017. VROOM announces Findster Duo as the winner of the Lisbon, Portugal VROOM Caravan Challenge, which took place February 6, 2017. Findster Duo is a GPS pet tracker that works in real time without a SIM Card.Findster Duo was selected as a finalist out of 10 prequalified and preselected accelerator start-ups and now moves forward to represent Lisbon, Portugal at VROOM Summit in Monaco.At VROOM Summit, VROOM Caravan Challenge finalists will present their innovative and disruptive ideas to tech industry investors and the Cote dAzur investment community in the beautiful principality of Monaco, April 27, 2017.The Lisbon panel was composed of three seasoned Portuguese entrepreneurs and investors, namely Goncalo Reis, Joao Nuno Ferreira Bogalho and Joao de Sousa Arosa, in association with Managing Director of White Castle Partners, Peter Madsen.White Castle Partners is the founder and organizer of VROOM Caravan Challenge and VROOM Summit. The next VROOM Caravan Challenge will take place in Warsaw, Poland at the Google Campus on February 16.It was a great VROOM Caravan kick-off and a successful day with Portuguese entrepreneurs! said Madsen, We look forward to building on the Lisbon, Portugal Vroom Challenge and meet equally disruptive start-ups in our next stop in Warsaw, Poland.Allianz Accelerator is the main partner of the 2017 VROOM events. At the heart of the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France, the Allianz Accelerator supports the growth of innovative, promising start-ups by offering them an intensive 5-month acceleration programme benefiting from a network of mentors and experts, backers and major investors and given structured assistance in their development."The Allianz Accelerator is happy to partner with VROOM to meet the best entrepreneurs and disruptive start-ups in Europe." said Sylvain Theveniaud, Managing Director, Allianz Accelerator.If you would like to pitch your idea or find additional information on the challenge dates, please visit the VROOM website.VROOM Summit attendance is by invitation only. Participating investors include angel, government agency, private individual, family office and venture capital. Interested investors will find more information on the website and may contact VROOM for more information.Stay in touch. Sign up to the newsletter through the website. Chat and follow via the VROOM Summit social media channels.Website:Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @vroomsummit###Links:Disclaimer:White Castle Partners and/or VROOM do not hold any financial services license or financial advisers license or capital markets services license and do not offer investment advice or any other financial service to any person. They do not sell, or offer to sell, any securities. Any information provided by VROOM and/or White Castle Partners during its event/s is not intended to be advice in relation to an investment in securities. Any investor intending to pursue investments with entities introduced to them through White Castle Partners and/or VROOM does so at their own risk and is solely responsible for obtaining (and should obtain) their own independent legal, financial, accounting and other professional advice.EDGETracy Rohan+377 97 97 55 68VROOM announces Findster Duo as the winner of theLisbon, Portugal VROOM Caravan Challenge, which took place February 6, 2017.
Luit Infotech Introduces The First Ever Completely Responsive Business Applications Suite LuitBiz

Try LuitBiz - The First ever completely responsive business applications suite

http://www.luitinfotech.com/

https://luitbiz.luitinfotech.com/registration/luitbiz-registration-form.php

http://www.facebook.com/luitbiz

http://bit.ly/1QbVPJN

www.luitinfotech.com

Bangalore, March 22, 2017  Luit Infotech, a Bangalore based SaaS Software Company, which develops and licenses business applications software LuitBiz that helps businesses manage their entire processes over the Internet, today announced the launch of its newly revamped business applications suite LuitBiz in a completely responsive design. This newly redesigned software is extremely easy to use, fits all devices, supports multiple business locations and comes with complete audio guides in each screen making it extremely easy to use.The new interface of LuitBiz has a clean uncluttered design, improved functionality and easy-to-use features based on the Company's mission to provide the world's completely responsive business applications suite that can be accessed via any device connected to the Internet anywhere, anytime without downloading any mobile apps. The software is available for free trial at the companys website:LuitBiz has CRM (Sales, Marketing, Support, Contact Management, Customer Portal), ERP (Item Management, Supplier Management, Accounts Receivable), HRM & Employee Self Service (Recruitment, Core HRM, Leave & Attendance, Training, Appraisal, Bonus & Reimbursement, Payslips, Employee Helpdesk & Events), Document Management, Business Process Management and Corporate Communication Modules  all sharing the same database."We are pleased to announce the launch of the first ever responsive Business Applications Suite LuitBiz. We believe that with the help of LuitBiz, we could achieve our vision of enabling every SMB with an affordable and complete business software that can be accessed from anywhere anytime, using any device without downloading any mobile apps or desktop software" said Boijayanta Bezbarua, Founder and CEO of Luit Infotech. "We believe that this look and feel of LuitBiz will allow users to get started off within minutes of signing up as we continue to grow and increase our market presence."Luit Infotech will continue to upgrade the features of LuitBiz to include modules required by businesses to run their day-to-day affairs including ERP modules, throughout the lifespan of the product. Luit Infotech also provides services to implement LuitBiz and data entry services to help customers get started within the shortest possible time.Businesses are encouraged to sign up for a free trial of LuitBiz atFounded in 2004, Luit Infotech is an India based software company with its registered office in Bangalore. The company is a leading provider of web based SaaS business software. Luit Infotech has developed a SaaS Business Applications Suite "LuitBiz" that has has ERP, CRM (Sales, Marketing, Support, Contact Management & Customer Portal), Human Resource Management (HRM), Employee Self Service (ESS), Document Management (DMS), Business Process Management (BPM) and Corporate Communication modules. Since its inception, Luit Infotech has served a diverse range of customers from enterprise, education, research and manufacturing sectors and built a substantial market presence with many prestigious installations.Follow LuitBiz on Twitter at @LuitBizLike "LuitBiz" on Facebook atSubscribe to "LuitBiz" videos and training programmes atFor more information on Luitbiz visitor contact Luit Infotech at+91 80 42061217, sales@luitinfotech.comS3-201,GREENWOOD REGENCY,KAIKONDRAHALLI SARJAPUR ROAD,Bangalore (India), PIN: 560035
Jsouv Launches First Collection of Finely Crafted, Minimalist Souvenirs for The Modern World Traveler

Russian designer launches collection of iconic souvenirs of architectural wonders from around the world in tiny sculptures you can

https://igg.me/at/jsouv

https://igg.me/at/jsouv

Tuesday, March 21st, 2017Designer Konstantin Kolesov launches Indiegogo campaign for Jsouv, a collection of souvenirs highlighting architectural landmarks from around the world that fit in the palm of your hand and with a modern decor.Natural materials, minimalistic design and precision machining are the focus of this collection featuring 15 landmarks from New York, London, Berlin, Istanbul, Tokyo, Dubai and more.We all love to travel and want to bring back something that reminds us of our trip. Its hard to find a memento that is stylish, minimal and compliments a modern home or office, said Jsouv creator, Konstantin Kolesov. My passion for travel and background in civil engineering inspired me to create architectural souvenirs with clean lines, durable materials, and a style that could complement a modern decor.The solid aluminum and brass keepsakes exhibit quality and precision, and come with a natural walnut base, engraved with a 2D emblem of the citys landmark that can be engraved with a personal message.Magnets enable the souvenir to be experienced by itself or with the base to create a different type of display. Each souvenir varies in size, but their approximate dimensions are 6 x 6 x 6 centimeters (or 2.3 x 2.3 x 2.3 inches) and weigh between 70 and 180 grams.Jsouv is raising funds on Indiegogo to launch its first collection. Project backers will be able to choose their own monuments as well as stylish t-shirts that feature the unique 2D emblems of each citys landmark. The first supporters of the project will get access to exclusive discounted pricing at a limited quantity and will help to launch this unique collection.For more information about Jsouv please visit:Based out of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Konstantin graduated from university with a degree in civil engineering. He has over seven years of experience as a designer and has spent the last 2 years creating the ideal collection from sketching ideas to machining and assembling each souvenir.Jsouv1411 Bay StreetSanta Cruz, CA 95060Contact Person: Tom BeckettPhone Number: 1-661-347-6685Email Address: Tom@CrowdfundingStrategy.netWebsite URL:Facebook: @JsouvSouvenirsInstagram: jsouvenirs
ULVAC Launches NA-1500 Dry Etching System for 600mm Advanced Packaging Substrates

http://bit.ly/2nJgf4M

www.ulvac.co.jp/en/

Chigasaki, Japan - (JCN Newswire) - ULVAC, Inc. is pleased to announce the NA-1500 dry etching system for 600mm advanced packaging substrates, providing for uniform Descum and Ti etching processes.Higher data transfer speeds require higher-density packaging technologies, while advanced mobile and wireless devices require thinner and higher-pin-count IC packages. Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging (FO-WLP) is widespread, while Panel Level Packaging increases substrate size from 300mm to 600mm.While there are many 200mm/300mm wafer dry etching systems in the market today, there was no dry etching system for 600mm substrates, providing for a uniform Descum process and Ti etching process. ULVAC developed the new system to address this need, and support mass-produced packaging processes.The new NA-1500 dry etching system is made possible by enhancing our proven plasma source. Our plasma source enables fast, low-temperature etching in the resin layer, which had been previously impossible with existing CCP methods.Our plasma source is also applicable to fluorine gases, so seed layer Ti etching, which requires a wet process, can proceed without side etching. SiO2 and SiN etching is available on the NA-1500 as well.The NA-1500 dry etching system provides stable transfer and processes without abnormal discharge, ensuring warpage from the enlarged substrate is never an issue.Applications:1. Descum2. Desmear3. Surface treatment (Hydrophobicity Hydrophilicity)- Pretreatment for wet process such as plating, etc.- Pretreatment for underfill4. Resin material ashing5. Seed layer Ti etching6. SiO2/SiN etchingNotes:1. Descum: Removal of residue (scum) in photolithography of photopolymer2. CCP: Capacitive Coupling Plasma3. Desmear: Removal of residue (smear) in Via formation with laser drill4. Full Release with Process Performance (PDF)ULVAC has sold more than 200 dry etching systems since releasing its first 200mm wafer system more than 20 years ago. We continue to support the industry by providing systems that meet customer's future needs for flexible, invisible and wearable devices.ULVAC, Inc. is a Japan-based vacuum equipment manufacturer. Founded in 1952, ULVAC has contributed to the development of industry and technology through the comprehensive use of vacuum technology and its peripheral technology. Our solutions comprise equipment, materials, analytic evaluation, vacuum components and various services for flat panel displays, solar cells, semiconductors, electronic components, and general industrial equipment. For more information, please visitMasahiro HaradaULVAC, Inc.Corporate Sales & Marketing Division IAdvance Electronics Equipment Sales Dept.Chigasaki, JAPANTEL: +81-467-89-2139 / FAX: +81-467-89-2254
Which individual technologies of Global Artificial Intelligence Market will prevail and how will these shifts be responded to?

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https://www.researchnreports.com/healthcare-it/-Global-Artificial-Intelligence-IndustryAnalysis-Research-Share-Growth-Sales-Trends-Supply-Forecast-to-2021-44393

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Global Artificial Intelligence Market Research Report (2016-2022) Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The market research majorly assists by providing brief insight into innovations, opportunities and new improvements in the Artificial Intelligence and its globally interconnected industries. There is a regional as well as a global study of fundamental trends and dynamics of market for the given forecast period. Among the many aspects covered, this report will give an acute understanding of business strategies, latest and upcoming developments, market study, competitive players and many more. Their revenue share, contact information and detailed SWOT analysis is also available.Download PDF Sample Copy of This Report:A comprehensive analysis of the situation of Global Artificial Intelligence market is been done in this intelligence report. It includes the investigations done of the past progress, ongoing market scenarios and future prospects. An accurate data of the products, strategies and market shares of leading companies in this particular market is mentioned. The global Artificial Intelligence market is accounted for $X.XX billion in 2016 and is estimated to reach $XX.XX billion by 2022, at a CAGR of XX.X%.It elucidates a detailed outline of Global Artificial Intelligence market depending on the important parameters. End users, products, regions and many other segments are studied and explained. A brief idea about the driving forces which help make the market more flourishing are discussed in order to help client understand the future market position. Estimated revenue growth in terms of volume with respect to the Global Artificial Intelligence market for the upcoming years have been mentioned in depth.For More Details Inquire Here:This report analyzes the global Artificial Intelligence market, checks and researches the Artificial Intelligence development status and forecast in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. This report also focuses on the top players in this particular global market.An additional regional data of the key geographic segments with respect to Global Artificial Intelligence market is explained in detail. This gives an idea about which region is leading in this particular market helping make better future investment plan. Upcoming challenges, ongoing trends, strengths and weaknesses are meticulously researched and discussed.The regions which have been studied in depth are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. This helps gain better idea about the spread of this particular market in respective regions. A list of leading manufacturers have been given prime value to ensure their strategies are understood in this particular market.Explore the Entire Analysis Report in Detail at the Below Mentioned Link:The aspects that are anticipated to affect the growth of the market, May it be in an undesired or desired way, have been cleared out in the best possible manner. Considering the produce and worth of the Global Artificial Intelligence market, detailed studies have been done during the forecast period which is mentioned. Each year in the forecast period is examined for better precise data with respect to every aspect affecting the market.About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact:(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com ,
Infrared Heating Company sees surge in sales with their energy efficient heating systems.

https://www.infraredcompany.com

Indoor heating is always a tough choice, regarding what type to choose. With different types offering varying levels of effectiveness and cost. People are seeking for efficient and reliable heating systems that heat an entire area uniformly. While conventional heating did not allow this, infrared heating has proven to be highly efficient in providing customers with natural heating, like the heat of the sun.The main saving is that by heating the materials in the room the heat is held in the room long after even the panel is switched off. As with a conservatory or porch that faces south in the evening it remains warm until late evening although the sun has set long ago. The reason is the same; the infrared energy is stored as heat in the walls and floor and things and later slowly is given out to the air meaning you get free heating. This makes so much more sense than just heating the air that quickly loses heat and of course escapes when the doors or windows are opened.Thus, the running costs of using infrared heating is relatively less than other electrical heaters and even gas central heating. The panels have no moving parts so they have a life expectancy of 30 years, making them very reliable too, offering heat that you can depend on. By combining them with a thermostat and or timer, you can maintain your room at a desired temperature and enjoy the pleasant ambient environment inside your room. These heating panels come in all different shapes and sizes meaning you are sure to find something to fit your budget and your preference.Although, infrared heating has an original set up cost it is much cheaper than setting up a gas central heating (wet system) that can cost about 3000 - 5000 for the whole house and much more simple than a under floor option (that if it goes wrong) needs to be all torn up!! Some panel types simply plug in while others need hard wiring. Your energy bills also drop significantly saving you money and these will prove to be very economical in the long run. This way, you can maintain optimum temperatures in your house while taking care of the environment due to the minimal energy usage.Many people in UK have already switching from conventional heating systems to infrared heating which makes so much sense. As well as sleek stylish wall panels with the option of built in thermostats you may rather wish to have ceiling panels meaning no need for wall panels whatsoever. Various chic designs in Glass metal or ceramic are all possible. There are multiple options for infrared heating available with the UK Infrared Heating Company and they have a proven track record for supplying the best infrared heating systems in UK.About UK Infrared Heating CompanyBased in Mancheter, the UK Infrared Heating Company has been serving customers for 4 years and have catered to the needs of a variety of customers. They place customer satisfaction over everything else in the first place and by offering infrared heating services at affordable prices; they are helping customers switch to greener heating solutions. You can call them or write to UK Infrared Heating Company and one their friendly staff will be happy to help you with your infrared heating requirements giving free consultation.The Infrared Heater Company Ltd13 Wordsworth avenueBoltonBL4 9TBUnited KingdomTel: +44(0)120 477 2265Mob: +44(0)775 340 4642Email: infraredheaters@yahoo.comWebsite:
GLOBAL O-CARBORANE MARKET- SIGMA, SANTA CRUZ, KATCHEM, KVABPHARM, WANXIANG, UNITED BORON

https://goo.gl/dt3AnJ

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Global Market Study Evaluate on O-Carborane Industry by Type, Manufacturers, Application, Type, and Regions, Forecast up to 2022The scope of the global O-Carborane market report is:This report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the O-Carborane market. It does so by in-depth qualitative insights, historical O-Carborane market data, and verifiable projections about global O-Carborane market size. The projections featured in the O-Carborane market report have been derived using proven research assumptions and methodologies. By doing so, the O-Carborane market research report serves as a repository of analysis and O-Carborane industry information for every facet.The global O-Carborane market can be segmented on the basis of Type, O-Carborane Manufacturers, Regions, and Applications. Geographically, O-Carborane market can be divided into Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East & Africa (MEA), and South America.Enquire Here Before Accessing the O-Carborane Report with complete TOC atGlobal O-Carborane Market Segment: By Key Players/Manufacturers Analysis* Zhengzhou JACS* Wuhan Kemi-Works* Wanxiang* United Boron* Sigma* Santa Cruz* Manus Aktteva Biopharma* Katchem* KVABpharm* INDOFINE-SB* FineTech* Alfa Aesar* ABCRGlobal O-Carborane Market Segment: By Applications Analysis* Biomedical Materials* High Temperature Materials* High-Energy Fuel* OtherGlobal O-Carborane Market Segment: By Type Analysis* Concentration of 95%* Concentration of 98%* OtherGlobal O-Carborane market regional analysis covers:* Latin America O-Carborane Market (Middle and Africa)* EuropeO-Carborane Market (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)* Asia-Pacific O-Carborane Market (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)* North America O-Carborane Market (Canada, Mexico and USA)Highlights of Global O-Carborane market report:Global O-Carborane Market includes Manufacturers Profiles in O-Carborane Market with their Business OverviewIt also includes O-Carborane market by Type and ApplicationO-Carborane Market by Price, Revenue, Sales and O-Carborane Business ShareGlobal O-Carborane Market Competition, by manufacturer, O-Carborane Sales and O-Carborane Revenue by Regions (2012-2017)Request Sample O-Carborane Research Report atGlobal O-Carborane Market report mainly covers 12 sections. They are as follows:Section 1 gives us O-Carborane Introduction, market overview, product scope, O-Carborane market opportunities, market threat, O-Carborane market driving force;Section 2 shows the global O-Carborane market by regions, with sales, O-Carborane market share and revenue of O-Carborane, for each region, from 2017 to 2022;Section 3 and 4 displays O-Carborane market forecast, by regions, application and type, with revenue and sales of O-Carborane market, from 2017 to 2022;Section 5 shows the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share of O-Carborane market in 2016 and 2017;Section 6 covers the global O-Carborane market key regions, with sales, market share and revenue by key countries in these regions, from 2012 to 2017;Section 7, 8 and 9 analyzes the top manufacturers of O-Carborane, with revenue, sales and price of O-Carborane, in 2016 and 2017;Section 10 shows the global O-Carborane market by type and application, with sales O-Carborane market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Section 11 and 12 at last, gives details about O-Carborane sales channel, traders, distributors for O-Carborane industry, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source;About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact Us:James JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Global Coronary Stents Market expected to register a CAGR of 6.6% during 2016-2026

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A coronary stent is a small cylindrical device used during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Coronary stents help relieve the symptoms of coronary heart disease by reducing blockages and improving blood flow to the heart. They are beneficial for patients suffering from coronary artery diseases such as myocardial infarction and unstable angina. The global coronary stents market is estimated to be valued at US$ 11.32 Bn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period.Increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases expected to drive overall market growthThe global coronary stents market is driven by an increasing occurrence of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and ischemic heart disease especially in developed countries. Also, an increasing meditech progress in the cardiovascular field is expected to drive the growth of the global coronary stents market during the forecast period. Cardiologists the world over prefer advanced stenting procedures and this is another important factor boosting market growth. However, various complications and risks associated with stenting procedures and high costs of drug eluting stents is expected to adversely affect the revenue growth of the global coronary stents market over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Market segmentationBy Product TypeBy Raw MaterialBy End UseBy RegionDrug Eluting StentBare Metal StentBioresorbable Vascular StentCobalt ChromiumStainless SteelPlatinum-ChromiumNickel-TitaniumPolymerHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentresCardiac Catheterisation LaboratoriesNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAPEJMEAJapanDrug Eluting Stent product type segment estimated to account for significant market share by 2016 endThe Drug Eluting Stent segment is anticipated to account for 75.6% value share of the global coronary stents market by the end of 2016. This segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.8% in terms of value over the forecast period. The Bioresorbable Vascular Stent segment is projected to register a CAGR of 9.4% between 2016 and 2026 and reach a market valuation of US$ 1,617.6 Mn by 2026.Send An Enquiry@Polymer raw material segment likely to be the most lucrative segmentThe Polymer segment is expected to register high Y-o-Y growth throughout the forecast period and is expected to be valued at US$ 4,215.6 Mn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. The Cobalt Chromium segment is estimated to account for 21.4% market share of the global coronary stents market by the end of 2016.Hospitals end use segment expected to dominate the global coronary stents market in terms of valueThe Hospitals segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 7,851.8 Mn by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories segment is estimated to account for 19.8% revenue share by 2016 end.APEJ market likely to register significant Y-o-Y growth throughout the forecast periodThe APEJ coronary stents market is expected to hold 36.8% revenue share of the global coronary stents market by 2026. The APEJ market is expected to witness a CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period. The North America market is anticipated to account for 29.2% market share of the global coronary stents market by 2016 end. Revenue from the North America market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.9% during 20162026, to reach a market valuation of US$ 3,426.0 Mn by 2026.coronary stents marketGlobal coronary stents market players are focussing on product innovation and geographical expansion to augment market shareTerumo Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Vascular Concepts, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Abbott Laboratories, Biosensors International Group, Ltd., Hexacath, and Stentys SA are some of the top companies operating in the global coronary stents market. Key market players are focussing on increasing their footprints in emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and are expanding their manufacturing facilities and distribution network to gain a larger share of the global coronary stents market.Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific Corporation emerged as the market leaders in the global coronary stents market for both the Drug Eluting Stent and Bare Metal Stent segments in 2015. The top three market players are estimated to hold more than 70% revenue share of the global coronary stents market in 2016. Abbott Laboratories accounted for the largest share in the global coronary stents market in 2015. Boston Scientific Corporation held maximum revenue share in Brazil in 2015. The company has a strong foothold in the domestic market of Latin America, particularly in the rapidly growing cardiovascular devices market in Brazil and other emerging countries.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Dealozo.com, a website where you find best deals on anything and everything

Press ReleaseWith the presence of numerous cashback and coupons site, the job of hunting for deals and comparing price has become quite tiresome. As of now finding a deal is not very hard, but to find a legitimate deal or working coupon can be really irritating. This made us launch Dealozo on September 2016, which is an effort to revamp the existing model. Dealozo was a brainchild of Shartaj Ahamed and Kunal Roy who have more than 10 years of experience in the field of affiliate marketing.After doing a couple of research, we arrived at a conclusion that there is a need to showcase the individual product deals with working coupons instead of the store-wide sales which are put up by many other sites. Hence, we have put more effort in hand-picked product deals followed by brand specific deals and store-wide sales. There is a need to organize all these available deals and present only the best and genuine ones to the public.How Dealozo works? Deals are added by both staff and community members Moderators verify to filter and show only the best deals Community members can engage in discussions and track their activitiesWhat do consumers get? Do not have to hunt for deals and working coupons Do not have to compare price across many e-commerce sites before purchasing Ad free and non-biased deals Saving time and moneyOur AIM is to become the largest and the most trusted destination for sharing and discovering deals. The objectives include: Make finding and sharing deals rewarding Become one-stop destination for bargain hunters Building a strong and trusted community Sharing only the best and verified dealsOur mission is to collect and showcase the genuine deals, coupons, and cash-back which can be used by all users with maximum success rate. With this goal in mind, we have created a community driven platform for deals wherein the members share genuine deals and coupons. To ensure the authenticity, we moderate and verify each and every deal put up by other community members. Hence, each and every deal available at Dealozo is non-biased.The results are quite obvious. We have witnessed an exponential rise in the user base since its inception. The growth in the user base is more than 100% month on month with more than 9000 registered users till date. The flight deals segment has been launched recently and is seen to have become a favorite pick among the users. This is for the simple reason that the deals are very carefully picked and explained. Unlike other site which only list the airline sales, we give very specific deals from all major Indian cities to other popular destinations.Some examples of great deals listed at Dealozo are: Roundtrip flight deal from Delhi to New York at just Rs 32,532 Roundtrip flight deal from Mumbai to Penang, Malaysia at just Rs 9,843 Roundtrip flight deal from Bengaluru to Paris at just Rs 28,035 51% Off on L'Oreal Paris Kajal Magique 60% Off On Lavie Women FootwearWe believe that you should not pay the full price whenever you shop online. Basically, we focus on saving money and time while shopping online. Thus, every deal listed in Dealozo is verified and is in its best price which is sold by a reputable store. Unlike many other coupon sites, which show a majority of store-wide sales, we focus primarily on individual product deals followed by brand or category specific deals which are popular and often bought by people. We do not sell anything but we guide our users to find the best price for any popular product. Says Shartaj, Co-Founder of Dealozo.comIn future, we plan to make Dealozo a trusted social community for deals. Reward programs for the deal hunters will be implemented shortly to make the deal hunting experience more rewarding. We shall also be launching mobile apps in a short while for easy access and finding deals on the go.Launched in September 2016, we have 9000+ registrations so far.For media queries or more information please get in touch with shruthi@dealozo.com or call on 9880917606Dealozo.com is a Bengaluru-based startup company founded by Mr. Kunal Roy and Mr. Shartaj Ahamed, affiliate marketers. Dealozo.com is a social community of deal ninjas sharing the latest ongoing deals across the Indian Ecommerce websites. Our experts find the hidden deals from various e-commerce sites and curate the best deals for the consumers. Dealozo.com is a social platform for deal aggregators and buyers who can help and interact with each other.Dealozo.com also has exclusive service on providing cheapest flight deals for both domestic and International deals.#443, 1st Floor, 7th Block, Koramangala, BangaloreKarnataka. India.
Global Ulcerative Colitis Market Scenario, Leading Players, Segments Analysis and Growth Drivers to 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/ulcerative-colitis-market-2354

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2354

Market HighlightsGlobal Ulcerative Colitis Market has been evaluated as growing market and expected that the market will reach high growth figures in the coming future. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that usually affects the lower section of body such as sigmoid colon and the rectum. Belly pain or cramps, diarrhea and bleeding from the rectum are some of the common symptoms of the diseases. According to CDC, the worldwide incidence of ulcerative colitis is between 0.5 to 24.5 cases per 100,000 persons per year.The reappearance of the diseases symptoms is also high. According to Colitis Foundation of America, about 30% of the people on remission are expected to suffer from the disease flare-up in the future following the treatment and remission.Major factors leading to the growth of the market includes increasing prevalence of ulcerative colitis, higher preference for symptomatic therapeutic, better treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, arrival of enhanced drugs and healthier investments in R&D programs. Increasing patient pool with unmet needs, new drugs entering the market, increasing global incidence & prevalence rate, and increasing investments towards research in small molecules are some of the other factors leading the market growth. Blockbuster drugs losing patent protection and growing the propensity for generic drugs are turning out to be restraints for the market. The lack of curative therapy and personalized therapy and medication are big opportunities for the market.Access Report Details @Key Players:Key players profiled in the report are Allergan, Inc., AbbVie Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and Bayer AG, UCB S.A., Perrigo Company plc, Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Ferring B.V., Janssen Biotech, and MerckGlobal Ulcerative Colitis Market:North America is expected to account for the largest share of the Global Ulcerative Colitis Market in 2016, followed by Europe, the region will continue to lead the pack during the forecast period. In Asia-Pacific, China leads the market. Economic development and improvement of healthcare facilities are propelling the growth of the market. The entry of Simponi and Entyvio is likely to petrol the growth of the market. However, Humira which lost its patent in 2016 and Remicade, which will lose its patent in 2018 and will not have a positive impact on the market.Request a Sample Copy of Report @Segmentation:Global Ulcerative Colitis Market is segmented on the basis of types and medication. Based on types, the market is segmented as ulcerative proctitis, proctosigmoiditis, left-sided colitis, pancolitis or universal colitis, and fulminant colitis. Ulcerative proctitis is expected to command the largest market share during the forecast period. Further on the basis of medication the market is classified into 5-aminosalicylates, steroids, purine analogs, immunomodulators, and biologics. Biologics are expected to command the largest market. Steroids drugs are expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Access the market data and market information presented through more than 25 market data tables and 25 figures spread over 85 numbers of pages of the project report Global Ulcerative Colitis Market - Forecast to 2022List of TablesTABLE 1 Global Ulcerative Colitis Market, By Type, 2013-2022 (USD MILLION)TABLE 2 Global Ulcerative Colitis Market, By Medication, 2013-2022 (USD MILLION)TABLE 3 Global Ulcerative Colitis Market By Region 2013-2022 (USD MILLION)List of FiguresFIGURE 1 Research ProcessFIGURE 2 Porters Five Forces ModelFIGURE 3 Global Ulcerative Colitis Market, By TypeContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Manila Hemp Market Research Report 2017

Manila Hemp Market

http://www.9dresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-manila-hemp-market-research-report-2017.html

http://www.9dresearchgroup.com/report/116126/request-sample

The recent report on Manila Hemp Market 2017 throws light on the various factors governing the market across the globe. The report, titled Manila Hemp assesses the growth of the Manila Hemp market and estimates the valuation of the overall market by the end of the forecast period. The report provides an overview of the market and lists down the key drivers and restraints which will affect the market during the forecast horizon. Analysis of Porters Five Forces on Manila Hemp market in the world has been mentioned in the report. The report also compiles insightful information about the key players in the market.Read Complete Report @The report segments the Manila Hemp market in the globe on the basis of product types and end-use application segments. The report analyzes the entire value chain of the Manila Hemp market and forecasts the market size and revenue to be generated by each of the segments. Various micro- and macro-economic factors governing the global Manila Hemp market has been mentioned in the report. In globe, the present slow growth of the economy and the impact of the governments latest initiatives have been taken into account while forecasting the growth of the Manila Hemp market in the region.The report discusses in details about the vendor landscape of the Manila Hemp market. The market has been analyzed on the basis of market attractiveness and investment feasibility. The report lists down the key players in the Manila Hemp market and provides crucial information about them such as business overview, revenue segmentation, and product offerings. Through SWOT analysis, the report analyses the growth of the key players during the forecast horizon.Request for Sample Report @The report determines the leading players in the global market. The company profiles of the major participants operating in the global Manila Hemp market have been reviewed in this study.9D Research Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442, USA
U.S Lime Market projected to represent incremental $ opportunity of US$ 1,096.8 Mn during 2016  2026

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Lime is a low cost-high volume commodity that is derived from heating limestone and is consumed on a large scale in the United States. There are two types of lime generally available in the market  quick lime and hydrated lime  and are used across various applications including metal processing, cement manufacturing, pulp and paper processing, etc. Revenue from the sales of lime in the U.S. market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2,538.1 Mn by 2016 end. The U.S. lime market is estimated to register a value CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 20162026.Increasing use of lime to remove impurities during metallurgical operations likely to boost market growthThe domestic metal industry in the U.S., which suffered from dumping of low cost products in the country, is expected to strengthen its position over the coming years. A huge amount of lime is used to eliminate impurities during metallurgical operations such as in the manufacturing process of ferrous (iron and steel) and non-ferrous (alumina & bauxite, magnesium, copper, zinc, lead, etc.) metals. Due to developments in the metal industry, the demand for lime is also anticipated to experience significant rise and the market is forecast to register healthy growth over the coming years. Another key driver impacting the demand for lime in the U.S. market is its increasing use for producing precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). PCC, due to its high calcium content, is progressively being used in the manufacture of paints, paper, plastic, rubber, calcium-based antacid tablets and liquids, multi-vitamin/mineral tablets, etc. The growing use of PCC, specifically in the healthcare, polymer, and paper industries, is expected to drive demand for lime in the U.S market over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Growing prominence of lime alternatives such as limestone, calcined gypsum, magnesium hydroxide etc. are expected to pose challenges to its market growth in the country. Besides, less storage time is another challenge faced by market players in the U.S. lime market. Lime, when stored for more than six months, changes its physical and chemical characteristics due to absorption of carbon dioxide and moisture, and the product becomes unsuitable for use. These factors are likely to restrict revenue growth of the U.S lime market over the forecast period.Market SegmentationBy Product TypeBy ApplicationBy RegionQuick LimeHydrated LimeCement ManufacturingMetal ManufacturingChemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others)FertilizerPulp & PaperOthersNortheastMidwestSouthWesternQuick Lime product type segment anticipated to continue a disproportionate dominance throughout the forecast periodThe Quick Lime segment accounted for a volume share of 85.2% in the U.S. lime market in 2015. This segment is anticipated to register a volume CAGR of 3.1% over the forecast period.Metal Manufacturing and Chemical application segments estimated to consume approximately two-thirds of the total lime consumed in the U.S. by 2016 endThe Metal Manufacturing segment accounted for 32.7% value share in the U.S lime market in 2015. The Chemical segment is estimated to register a value CAGR of 3.7% between 2016 and 2026.Send An Enquiry@The South and Midwest regions expected to remain the key markets for lime through 2026The Midwest and South regions, collectively accounting for 76.2% value share, dominated the U.S. lime market in 2015. Growth of the steel industry in South U.S. is expected to boost lime consumption growth in the region.CARMEUSE, United States Lime & Minerals Inc., CHENEY LIME & CEMENT COMPANY, Lhoist, Linwood Mining & Minerals Corporation, Pete Lien & Sons Inc., Mississippi Lime Company, Graymont Limited, and Valley Minerals LLC are some of the leading players operating in the U.S lime market. Some of these companies have followed a strategy of acquisitions and alliances to expand their presence and retain market share.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Radiopharmaceuticals Market projected to soar steadily at 5.9% CAGR, 2016-2026

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North America is anticipated to be the most attractive regional market in the global radiopharmaceuticals marketNorth America accounted for more than 40% market share in the global radiopharmaceuticals market in 2016 and is expected to witness an increase of more than 100 BPS in its market share over the forecast period. In terms of Y-o-Y growth, North America dominated the global radiopharmaceuticals market and was valued at more than US$ 2,000 Mn in 2015. The market is expected to expand at 6.2% CAGR over the projected period to reach more than US$ 4,000 Mn by the end of 2026. The North America radiopharmaceuticals market is estimated to represent absolute $ opportunity of more than US$ 100 Mn in 2017 over 2016. The growth is stagnant and slow due to major reactors having been shut down in Canada and new reactors installed in place of old ones for better production of radioisotope. North America is expected to be the most lucrative market in the global radiopharmaceuticals market, recording an attractiveness index of 3.6.Request Report Sample@Significant growth in the number of cancer and cardiovascular diseases patients in North America is expected to boost the global radiopharmaceuticals marketWidespread availability of SPECT and PET scanning machines will result in a growing number of radio diagnostic and radio therapeutics events in North America. For instance, the number of PET scanning machines installed per head of population in North America are more compared to that installed in Europe, thus leading to increased usage of radiotracers in the region. This growth in North America is expected to continue along with continuous technological improvements in PET scanning devices. The high level of awareness and accessibility to these machines is expected to account for high revenue generation in North America. This factor is boosting the overall growth of the global radiopharmaceuticals market. The other factor impacting the global radiopharmaceuticals market is the rising prevalence of cancer in North America. This has significantly increased the number of nuclear medicine procedures performed in the region and this is the precise reason that the market for radiopharmaceuticals is steadily growing in North America. There has been a rising number of cardiovascular diseases among the people in North America due to aging population, unhealthy food habits and rising obesity. The increasing number of cardiovascular patients is expected to boost the sales of radiopharmaceuticals, which would eventually create growth in the global radiopharmaceuticals market.Gallium-68 and Lutetium 177 sub-segments of the radioisotope segment are likely to dominate the North America radiopharmaceuticals marketGallium-68 and Lutetium 177 are dominant sub-segments of the radioisotope segment in North America. Gallium-68 has gained immense popularity since the last one year in the field of nuclear medicine, especially in the diagnosis and evaluation of prostate cancer. This is in heavy reliance with incorporation of several technological leaps and entry of new radiotracer- 68Ga-PSMA-11, developed by the University of Heidelberg. Additionally, marketing authorisation of the first 68Ge/68Ga generator, manufactured by the German company Eckert & Ziegler, has also positively impacted the penetration of 68Ga-PSMA-11 tracer in the treatment of prostate cancer in North America. Despite a shorter half-life, Gallium-68 has an ideal profile as a PET imaging agent. Several manufacturers in North America are focussing on introducing cold kits for the 68Ga-labeling of tracers (ANMI, Belgium), thus opening the gateways for 68Ga in PET scanning. Iodine-131, a therapeutic radiotracer continues to be the ideal tracer for the treatment of not only thyroid cancer but also other therapeutic indications. However it is being slowly replaced by Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in North America. Lu-177, low-energy -particle emitter is identified to be one of the emerging radiotracers for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and neuroendocrine tumors.Send An Enquiry@radiopharmaceuticals marketMarket share of companies operating in the global radiopharmaceuticals marketThe global radiopharmaceuticals market is highly consolidated with a few companies that offer advanced technology systems and nuclear medicines for treating diseases. However, the global market is dominated by top five players accounting for over 89% share. Siemens Healthineers accounted for the largest share of around 41.2% of the global market in 2015. The company dominated the market owing to its diversified product portfolio, extensive geographical presence, and acquisition strategies. GE Healthcare accounted for the second largest share of around 30.1% and Mallinckrodt plc. accounted for the third largest share of around 9% in the global radiopharmaceuticals market.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Reprocessed Medical Devices Market to exceed USD 5 billion by 2023

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Reprocessed Medical Devices Market size is driven by continuously increasing amount of medical wastes being generated along with the lack of proper disposal mechanisms. Reprocessed Medical Devices Market size was USD 1.12 billion in 2015, with revenue forecast to surpass USD 5 billion by 2023, growing at about 20% CAGR estimations from 2016 to 2023.Reprocessed cardiovascular market accounted for over 58% of the overall share in 2015, as a result of growing use of products such as blood pressure cuffs, cardiac positioning and stabilization equipment and diagnostics electrophysiology catheters in numerous cardiac surgeries and blood pressure monitoring applications. The sector is forecast to grow at a CAGR of above 19% from 2016 to 2023. Among this segment, diagnostic electrophysiological catheters accounted for the largest share while positioning devices are predicted to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast timeframe.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @North America reprocessed medical devices market share was over 50% of the global revenue generated in 2015. This was mainly on account of tangible cost savings and favorable regulatory landscape regarding sustainable waste disposal methods.There is increasing pressure to minimize the waste in light of environmental concerns. Benefits obtained over original equipment including initial cost savings as well as enhanced quality, coupled with favorable reprocessed medical device market price trend are also forecast to fuel revenue.Increasing proclivity amongst medical professionals towards one time use reprocessed devices that serve as a patient safety measure owing to the reduction in risk of acquiring infections will favorably impact growth. Key growth restraint factors are the low awareness rates and the false negative perceptions about the quality of the equipment, along with low adoption. Another hindrance is the lack of appropriate regulatory guidelines.Browse key industry insights from the report, Reprocessed Medical Devices Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023 in detail along with the table of contents:Lower costs coupled with the strengthening network of distributors in emerging industries provide an opportunity for reprocessed medical devices market size. The European industry stood second in terms of revenue share in 2015, itis predicted to be driven by increasing awareness in healthcare savings leading to higher demand, steps taken by the government such as reduced funding, higher prices and operational costs for operative procedures for manufacturing original equipment.The Asia Pacific reprocessed medical devices market share is predicted to witness high growth due to the increasing investment by the companies in countries like India and China in setting up manufacturing facilities along with attempts at cost reduction.Based on the type of product, the global reprocessed medical devices market is divided into cardiovascular (blood pressure cuffs/tourniquet cuffs, electrophysiology cables, cardiac stabilization and positioning, diagnostic electrophysiology catheters and compression sleeves), gastroenterology, orthopedic/arthroscopic, laparoscopic, and general surgery equipment.Laparoscopic equipment accounted for the second largest share as a consequence of rapidly increasing demand for minimally invasive techniques and is predicted to follow a similar trend in the coming years.Make an inquiry for buying this report @Hospitals account for nearly 40% of the revenue as owing to the increase in third party and in-house reprocessing caused by tremendous waste production. As per a report by the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR), hospitals can save up to 50% of their equipment costs on using these aforementioned products.Major companies in the global medical reprocessed devices market include Centurion Medical Products Corp., GE Healthcare, Hygia Health Services, Mediline ReNewal, Midwest Reprocessing Centre, ReNu Medical Inc., Siemens Healthcare, Soma Technology, Steril Med Inc., Stryker Sustainability, SureTek Medical, and Vanguard AG.The companies are engaged in various strategic alliances like mergers and acquisitions and product approvals as this industry is highly competitive. For example, the acquisition of Nuvo-Med which manufactures Disimpactor class I medical devices used in the treatment of fecal impaction by Centurion Medical Products Corp. in January 2016. Intalere Choice signed an agreement with HYGIA Health Services to enhance the supply of reprocessed medical devices.Key players also engage in sustainable waste reduction programs in an endeavor to strengthen their position in the industry and establish global presence.Browse Related Reports: Disposable Incontinence Products Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Development Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Stretcher Trolleys Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Analysis, Trend & Forecast 2017-2022

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The Global Stretcher Trolleys Market 2017 Industry Research Report is a professional and in-depth study. This study covers, Global Stretcher Trolleys Sales and Stretcher Trolleys Revenue by Regions and industrial review, market analysis, market demands, opportunities and forecast. Market overview is provided on the basis of definition, product overview, applications and future scope of Stretcher Trolleys.The Global Stretcher Trolleys Market report provides Production and Revenue Data of Stretcher Trolleys Industry. Production means the output of Stretcher Trolleys and Revenue means the sales value of Stretcher Trolleys.This report provides comprehensive analysis of1. Key market segments and sub-segments2. Evolving market trends and dynamics3. Changing supply and demand scenarios4. Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market5. Forecasting6. Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges7. Competitive insights8. Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsRequest for Sample of Global Stretcher Trolleys Market Report @Some Major Key Points Covered in this report: This Report Studied on the basis of types, application, products, technology, etc. The Report Covered Market Segments by region:1. North America2. China3. Europe4. Japan5. Latin America6. India7. Row This Market Research Report of 2017 Global Stretcher Trolleys provides market demand, market size and forecast for different regions. This Report Divides by product type, with production, revenue, price, consumption, market share and growth rate of each type can be divided into:1. Transport2. Emergency This Report Divides by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Global Stretcher Trolleys in each application, can be divided into :1. Hospital2. Ambulance3. ResidentialBrowse The Complete Report @Topmost Leading Manufacturer Covered in this report:1. Hausted Patient Handling Systems2. Savion Industries3. Detaysan4. Wardray Premise.5. K.H. Dewert6. Knight Imaging7. PICOMED8. Ferno (UK) Limited9. Kenmak Hospital Furnitures10. BMB MEDICAL11. MEDICAL Mega Andalan Kalasan12. HONGKONG MEDI CO LIMITED13. Medi-Plinth14. Demirtas Medikal15. ME.BER.16. Hebei Pukang Medical Instruments17. Inmoclinc18. PROMEK19. Joson-Care Enterprise20. A.A.MEDICALSome Points Covered In List Of Tables:Chapter One: Stretcher Trolleys Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Stretcher Trolleys1.2 Stretcher Trolleys Segment by Types1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Stretcher Trolleys by Types in 20161.2.2 Transport1.2.3 Emergency1.3 Stretcher Trolleys Segment by ApplicationsChapter Two: Global Stretcher Trolleys Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Stretcher Trolleys Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Stretcher Trolleys Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Stretcher Trolleys Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Stretcher Trolleys Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types2.5 Stretcher Trolleys Market Competitive Situation and TrendsChapter Three: Global Stretcher Trolleys Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Regions (2012-2017)3.1 Global Stretcher Trolleys Capacity and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.2 Global Stretcher Trolleys Production and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.3 Global Stretcher Trolleys Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)3.4 Global Stretcher Trolleys Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5North America Stretcher Trolleys Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Stretcher Trolleys Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)Reason to Purchase this Report:1. The report of Global Stretcher Trolleys Market provides the detailed segmentation in terms of types, applications, manufacturers and regions.2. The current market scenario and future growth has also covered in this report.3. The research also offers manufacturing cost analysis, industry chain analysis in terms of upstream raw material sourcing and downstream buyers.4. Moreover, an extensive analysis of production, consumption, and revenue for each segment is offered for the forecast period.Enquiry about this report:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.comFollow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:For More PR's Visit @
Automotive Sunroofs Market - Global Industry Trend, Size, Share and Forecast Analysis For 2016 - 2024

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Global Automotive Sunroofs Market: SnapshotThe global automotive sunroof market is currently being driven by the rising consumer demand for safety and comfort. Increasing disposable incomes are allowing a greater number of consumers to afford high-end luxury cars, while technological advancements in architecture and materials is allowing lower range cars to be optionally fitted with quality sunroofs. Both factors are likely to provide a substantial impetus to the global automotive sunroof market over the coming years. The global automotive sunroof market is also being propelled by the increasing development of passenger cars in general. However, the market is currently being stifled by utility issues such as the crushing of sunroofs during accidents or due to manufacturing defects. The installation of sunroofs also increases the overall maintenance cost of a car, making it an unwanted feature for low-end car buyers.The overall global automotive sunroof market was calculated at US$4.3 bn in 2015 and is projected to reach US$11.4 bn by the end of 2024, after expanding at a CAGR of 11.5% within a forecast period from 2016 to 2024.Browse Full Report@Europe Leads Demand for Automotive SunroofsThe automotive sunroofs market across the globe is currently driven by its exceptionally high volume of demand in the European region. Europe also holds a high potential demand for premium vehicles and along with increasing consumers demand for comfort systems, the adoption of sunroofs in all passenger vehicles has increased over the forecast period in Europe. Glass sunroofs are adopted in approximately 60% of the vehicles using sunroof systems in Europe.Asia Pacific occupies the second position in terms of demand in the global automotive sunroof market, after Europe. A majority of the car buyers as well as manufacturers treat sunroofs as an after-sales market in Asia Pacific, allowing a massive scope of entry for all levels of players in this region. The complementing growth of the automobile sector in Asia Pacific is expected to further drive the market for sunroofs in India, China, and Japan. Governments from Asia Pacific, MEA, and Latin America are providing incentives to environment friendly industries, of which the global automotive sunroof market can be a part of. This has in turn helped in draw in huge investments from leading global companies of automotive sunroofs providers for setting up new facility manufacturing units in these regions.Glass Sunroofs Top Demand VolumeBased on material types, in terms of revenue, the global automotive sunroofs market was primarily driven by glass sunroofs with the leading market share in 2015 and is also expected to hold the top market share over the forecast share. Glass is a commonly used material in the manufacturing of sunroofs. Glass sunroofs are preferred by consumers since they offer better transparency, along with an open and spacious atmosphere. The market for fiber sunroofs will experience declining growth owing to the decline in demand for convertible tops. With growing lightweight and fuel efficiency trends, carbon fibers and polymers are also gaining popularity. In the glass sunroof type market segment, the in-built glass sunroof sub-segment occupies the leading market share. Pop-up, tilt and slide, panoramic, top-mount, foldable, and removable sunroofs are the most commonly available varieties. Solar sunroofs are the new entrant and the energy from the photovoltaic cells of the solar sunroofs are now being used to power the vehicles climate control systems.Leading players operating in the global automotive sunroofs market so far, have included Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. (Japan), Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V. (Netherlands), Inteva Products, LLC. (Troy), Webasto SE. (Germany), and Valmet Automotive (Finland).Know More Information, Download Brochure@About Us:-Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Release Liner Market - Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry

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Global Release Liner Market: OverviewThis report provides forecast and analysis of the release liner market on the global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2015 along with forecast from 2016 to 2024 based on volume (Mn m2) and revenue (US$ Mn). It includes drivers and restraints of the release liner market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of opportunities available in the market for release liner on the global and regional level.Browse Market Research Report @In order to provide the users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and company players with unique selling propositions. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis and basis point share analysis, by application, substrates type and labeling technology.Market numbers have been estimated based on the average usage of release liner for different kinds of substrates such as film, glassine, polyolefin paper, clay coated paper and art paper. Market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. Market dynamics prevalent in China, Japan, South Korea, North America, and Europe have been taken into account for estimating the growth of the global market. Market estimates for this study have been based on volume, with revenue being derived through regional pricing trends. The release liner market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Market data for each segment is based on demand volume and corresponding revenue.Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are average regional prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All market numbers have been derived on the basis of demand for release liner in different applications in different regions. All existing key end-users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback by primary respondents.Make an Enquiry @Global Release Liner Market: SegmentationSegmentation comprises demand for release liner in all the regions and important countries in the region. Application segmentation includes current and estimated demand of release liners for applications such as envelopes & packaging, graphic arts, hygiene, industrial, medical, pressure sensitive label stock and tapes segment. While labeling technology segmentation includes present and forecast demand for release liner with technology such as adhesive applied, in-mold, pressure sensitive labeling and sleeving. Substrates segmentation includes current and estimated demand of film, glassine, polyolefin paper, clay coated paper and art paper.Regional demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various application for release liner in different regions. We have used the top-down approach to estimate the global release liner market, split by regions. The global application, labeling technology and substrates segment of the market has been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each regions demand. Regional demand is the summation of sub-regions and countries within a region. Market share of companies has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers.The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates. Several primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include OneSource, Factiva, Hoovers, International Federation of Robotics (IFR), Robotics Industries Association (RIA), Magazines published by the ABB Limited, label expo, packaging world, Alexander Watson Associates BV (AWA) and company annual reports and publications among many others.Companies mentioned in this reportThe report provides detailed competitive outlook including market shares and company profiles of key participants operating in the global market. Key players in the global release liner market include Mondi, Avery Dennison, 3M, Gascogne laminates, Rayven Inc., UPM Reflatac and Loparex. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategy and recent developments.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMRTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Vacuum Packaging Market - Global Industry Trends and Forecast Analysis For 2016 - 2024

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Global Vacuum Packaging Market: SnapshotThe vacuum packaging market has expanded at a rapid pace over the past few years and is likely to observe healthy growth over the next few years. Approximately 20% of the product manufacturers have switched to vacuum packaging from conventional packaging options in the past five years. The trend is likely to amplify over the next few years, resulting in the increased demand for vacuum packaging solutions globally. A host of factors can be attributed to the markets remarkable growth trajectory in the past, including the rising consumption of packaged and processed food and rising consciousness about food safety and hygiene among consumers. Factors such as rising household income and the rising inclination to spend for hygienic food are anticipated to bolster the growth of global vacuum packaging market during the forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Transparency Market Research estimates that the global vacuum packaging market, which valued at US$15.0 bn in 2015, will surpass US$22.8 bn by 2024, registering a CAGR of 4.9% between 2016 and 2024.Demand for Polypropylene to Rise at Most Promising PaceOf the key materials used in vacuum packaging, the segment of polyethylene (PE) is expected to dominate the global vacuum packaging market, accounting for over 38% of the overall market by 2016. The segment is also expected to remain the dominant contributor to the revenue of the global vacuum packaging market throughout the forecast period, but witness stagnant growth, registering a 4.6% CAGR over the forecast period.The rate of growth of the polypropylene (PP) segment is expected to outpace that of the other key material types used for vacuum packaging over the forecast period. The segment is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the period between 2016 and 2024, and grab a bigger piece of the pie by the end of the forecast period. High-barrier films and extended shelf life of polypropylene packaging are the key factors leading to the materials increased adoption in the vacuum packaging industry. Segments with vinyl content i.e. polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyvinylidenchloride (PVDC) are estimated to collectively account for over 20% of the market by the end of 2016 and are anticipated to lose 0.5% of their share in the market by 2024.For more information on this report, fill the form @Market to Gain High Traction in North America and Latin AmericaIn terms of geography, the market for vacuum packaging in Europe is expected to be the most favorable in terms of incremental opportunities for high revenue generation over the forecast period. The market in Europe is also estimated to dominate the global vacuum packaging market with a 32.4% of the market in 2016, followed by markets in North America and Asia Pacific. Markets in Asia Pacific and North America are highly regulated and are likely to create a substantial demand for vacuum packaging, worth more than US$5.2 mn in 2016, approximately 10% higher than 2015.Over the forecast period, the market in North America is expected to exhibit the most promising growth and gain high traction, registering a healthy CAGR of 5.3% from 2016 through 2024. In North America, US is likely to continue to dominate the market for vacuum packaging. The country does not only consume vacuum packaging in large volumes, but also features the presence of a large number of manufacturers.The market in Middle East and Africa, which is another prominent market for vacuum packaging, is expected to suffer the most prominent loss in terms of incremental opportunities. Consumption of vacuum packaging in Latin America, which presently accounts for a very small share in the global market, on the other hand, is expected to exhibit a 4.9% CAGR over the forecast period, second only to North America.Some of the key players in the global vacuum packaging market are Amcor Limited, Berry Plastics Inc., Bemis Company, Wipak Group, Sealed Air Corporation, and Mondi Group.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Fire Extinguisher Market Growth, Trends and Value Chain 2015-2025 by FMI

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Fire extinguishers are excellent tools for putting out fires and saving lives. The fire protection sector is poised for an upsurge due to rising demand for fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher is a fire protection instrument used to extinguish or control fires, often in emergency situations. Every fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel comprising an agent which can be discharged to put out fire. As people today are more concerned regarding safety, fire extinguishers have always been a requirement in every commercial and residential buildings. Fire extinguishers have been made mandatory in developed countries and similar norms are being adopted by developing countries around the world. Safety standards and norms adopted in almost every industries such as oil & gas, power and chemicals fuel the overall demand for global fire extinguishers market.Global Fire Extinguishers Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe factors that are contributing to the growth of the global fire extinguishers market are safety government and industrial norms. Increased fire safety expenditure from the industrial segment, and technological innovations in equipment and safety systems are other factors which drive the growth of global fire extinguishers market. Use of automatic and portable fire extinguisher is preferred due to its light weight and is in high demand from consumers end. Growth in infrastructure and construction industry are key drivers for global fire extinguishers market, as fire extinguishers are being made mandatory in every commercial and residential project. Rise in raw material prices and agents used in fire extinguishers is a challenge for global fire extinguishers market.Request Report Sample@Global Fire Extinguishers Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, the global fire extinguisher market is segmented into,Multi-Purpose Dry ChemicalRegular Dry ChemicalPortable Fire ExtinguishersAutomatic Fire ExtinguishersOthersOn the basis of fire type, the global fire extinguisher market is segmented into,SolidsFlammable LiquidsFlammable gassesElectrical EquipmentCombustible MetalsCookingOthersOn the basis of agents, the global fire extinguishers market is segmented intoMonoammonium PhosphateSodium BicarbonatePotassium BicarbonateCarbon DioxideAqueous Film Forming FoamsOthersOn the basis of application, the global fire extinguishers market is segmented intoResidentialCommercialWarehousesFactories and Food Processing PlantsManufacturing and Construction sitesOthersGlobal Fire Extinguisher Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, the global fire extinguisher market has been divided in to seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa and Japan.The global fire extinguisher market is expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is the dominant market for fire extinguishers followed by Europe and North America. With growth in infrastructure in regions like Europe and Asia Pacific, mainly in emerging economies such as China, Japan and India, global fire extinguisher market is expected to showcase steady growth over the forecast period. Support of the government and safety initiatives such as increasing fire protection expenditure is expected to fuel the demand for fire extinguishers in Asia-Pacific.Visit For TOC@Global Fire Extinguishers Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global fire extinguishers market are Amerex Corporation, BRK Electronics, Minimax GmbH & Co. KG and Nationwide Fire Extinguishers.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Healthcare Payer BPO Market to grow at 7% CAGR from 2016 to 2023

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https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-payer-bpo-market

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Healthcare Payer BPO Market is driven by increasing geriatric population and healthcare costs, shift in ICD-10 coding system, innovations and developments in IT and regulatory changes. Healthcare Payer BPO Market size was valued at over USD 15 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to grow at over 7% CAGR from 2016 to 2023.Claims processing services was leading product sector and accounted for more than 50% of the total healthcare payer BPO market share in 2015. Increased diffusion rate of insurance coverage across the developing and developed countries is the major driver.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @North America healthcare payer BPO market led the global industry with over 50% of the total revenue generated in 2015. Factors such as high number of number of public and private medical expenses, presence of strong repayment agenda, high number of claim records and favorable government policies played key role in this share. U.S. and Canada spend huge capital on medical reimbursement thus ensure strict agreement and implementation of healthcare policies.Asia Pacific is forecast to be the most attractive region, mainly due to high economic growth, increase in public and private medical expenses, growing number of insurance services in rural and urban areas, and government policies.Rising geriatric population is anticipated to be the key driver, due to susceptibility to numerous health issues including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respiratory disorders, cancers, eye care problems, orthopedic disorders, etc. Increasing prevalence of these diseases has led to growing amount of work for the insurance companies. In order to handle such large volume of patients and claims data, and to assure rapid turnaround time, the payer companies need to invest in infrastructure, technology and skilled personnel, leading to higher operational cost which is expected to accelerate the healthcare payer BPO market.Browse key industry insights from the report, Healthcare Payer BPO Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023 in detail along with the table of contents:The shift from ICD-9 to ICD-10 coding system generated huge workload for the payers to upgrade their systems, train staff and thereby increased their financial burden. The ICD-9 code system had 13,000 codes, while ICD-10 code system has nearly 68,000 codes. This variation has augmented the need for medical coding, HR, accounting, skilled personnel and other technical operations, thus estimated to positively strengthen industry growth during the forecast timeframe.Many public and private organizations outsource administrative operations to payers so as to reduce the economic burden, to increase operational efficiency, to provide universal access to healthcare, and to rationalize the complete service delivery to the clients. Outsourcing vendors establish services to provide 24 hours customer support to patients, providers, and other shareholders. Data security and confidentiality concerns are restraints for healthcare payer BPO market growth.According to data reported by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), in 2013 approximately 900,000 healthcare providers were together paid USD 80 billion as medical expenses. Of this, USD 70 billion originated from healthcare and medical services, while USD 10 billion was attributed to drugs administered.Make an inquiry for buying this report @On the basis of services offered, the industry is categorized into HR, member, claims processing, accounting and finance services. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) usually titled the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, is a United States centralized act that have improved access, affordability, and quality in healthcare. It provides Medicare and healthcare access to millions of Americans, and according to ObamaCare and CMS report, about 11 million people registered in 2015.Member services sector is anticipated to show significant growth over the coming years owing to the need for value added services, upsurge in customer service requirements, and high competition to register new customers and retain existing clients.Key participants in the industry are Xerox Corporation, Hinduja Global Solutions, DSM Pharma, Accenture, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Wipro, Genpact, EXLService, Hewlett-Packard, Catalent, and HCL. These corporations accumulate significant share owing to their robust capability in BPO delivering functions, technology platforms, and the ability to meet high regulatory and compliance values of the U.S. and European regions. Other prominent companies contributing to global healthcare payer BPO market share are Lonza, Inventive, BoehringerIngelheim, GeBBS Healthcare, Quintiles and Medusind.Browse Related Reports: Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Market Size By Product (Integrated, Standalone), By Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud Based), By Component (Services, Software), By End User (Hospitals, Physicians, Diagnostic & Ambulatory Care Centers), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Cosmetic Ingredients Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Analysis For 2017 - 2025

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Global Cosmetic Ingredients Market: SnapshotThe global market for cosmetic ingredients has been growing at a steady pace, thanks to the escalating demand for cosmetic products across the world. The pursuit of beauty, together with the increasing consciousness of consumers towards physical appearance, and the rising awareness among them pertaining to skin care has fueled the demand for cosmetics substantially. Apart from this, the increasing trend of the anti-aging formulations is also driving the growth of this market.Browse Full Report@On the flip side, the implementation of stringent government rules and regulations upon a number of ingredients is likely to act as a restraint in the growth trajectory of this market in the near future. However, the frequent and continual changes in the preferences of consumers are anticipated to generate lucrative opportunities for the progress of this market over the years to come.The global cosmetic ingredients market was worth US$22.89 bn in 2016 and is expected rise at a CAGR of 4.60% from 2017 to 2025, increasing to US$33.80 bn by the end of 2025.Moisturizing Agents to Enjoy Continued High DemandCosmetic ingredients are mainly utilized as cleansing agents, moisturizing agents, and coloring agents. Among these, the moisturizing agents segment holds the most prominent share in this market, thanks to the extensive usage of moisturizing agents in skin care, hair care, and makeup cosmetics. Researchers anticipate the scenario to remain same over the next few years.The demand for cleansing agents is also expected to increase considerably in the near future, especially in the skin care and hair care products. The growing awareness among consumers regarding the benefits offered by cleansing agents, such as effective removal of oil and dirt from skin and hair, is expected to influence their demand in the years to come.Asia Pacific to Remain Dominant in Global Cosmetic Ingredients MarketOn the basis of geography, the worldwide cosmetic ingredients market has been segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Primarily driven by China, India, Japan and the Rest of Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific led the global market in 2016 with a total share of 32.02%. The strengthening economy of Asian countries has increased the disposable income of Asian consumers, reflecting greatly on their living standard, which consequently, is influencing their aesthetic consciousness. With the increased purchasing power, consumers are willing to spend on high-end expensive cosmetic products, in a bid to look good. This, as a result, is likely to stimulate the market for cosmetic ingredients in Asia Pacific over the forthcoming years remarkably, ensuring its dominance on the global market.China has surfaced as the most prominent domestic market for cosmetic ingredients in Asia Pacific as well as the whole world, thanks to the presence of a large pool of cosmetic product manufacturers. Analysts expect that China will remain sitting in this position over the next few years, thanks to the availability of low cost of raw materials and the increasing investments by leading players. Europe, among other regional markets, is expected to witness healthy growth in the years to come. France, Italy, Germany, the U.K., and the Rest of Europe are likely to drive the Europe cosmetic ingredients market in the near future, in which, France is anticipated to emerge as the leading domestic market, closely followed by Italy and Germany.Ashland Inc., Croda International Plc, BASF SE, Akzo Nobel N.V., Evonik Industries AG, The Dow Chemical Co., Innospec Inc., Solvay SA, Lonza Group, and Clariant AG are some of the key vendors of cosmetic ingredients across the world.For More Information, Download Brochure@About Us:-Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Biaxially Oriented Polyamide Film Market 2021- Unitike, Toyobo, Hyosung, Kolon, JK Materials

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For overview analysis, the report introduces Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market basic information including definition, classification, application, industry chain structure, industry overview, policy analysis, and news analysis, etc.Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Global Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market: Product Segment AnalysisPrinted filmComposite filmGlobal Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market: Application Segment AnalysisFood packagingDaily chemical packingMedical packingElectronics packingOthersRequest a sample copy of Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Research Report @Global Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaThe Players mentioned in our reportUnitikeToyoboHyosungKolonJK MaterialsBiaxis?Mf-FolienGreen SealCangzhou MingzhuHoneywellFSPG Hi-TechTianjin YunchengZidong ChemicalThe listed pricing for this Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market report starts at $ 2960. Request Discount for Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Industry Research Report @Table of Content Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Research ReportChapter 1 About the Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.1.1 Printed film1.1.2 Composite film1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2011-2021Sales and Growth Rate 2011-2021Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20162.2 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market by TypesPrinted filmComposite film2.3 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market by ApplicationsFood packagingDaily chemical packingMedical packingElectronics packingOthers2.4 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Analysis2.4.1 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2011-20162.4.2 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Consumption and Growth rate 2011-20162.4.3 World Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Price Analysis 2011-2016Browse full table of contents and data tables For Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (Nylon) Film (BOPA) Market Research Report @Related Reports: -Global Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract (TDAE) Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022TDAE is a kind of aromatic extract as a raw material for tyres, and is a DAE that is further refined to meet the HSE criteria. This makes it the alternative that most closely resembles DAE from a chemical perspective. MES is mildly refined paraffinic base oil, sufficiently refined to meet HSE requirements, but not as closely related to DAE as TDAE, and therefore it doesn't display characteristics and performances as similar to DAE as TDAE does.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract (TDAE) in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Residential Intellectual Disability Facilities Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability FacilitiesIntellectual disability refers to people who have been classified by one or more terms such as developmental disability, developmental delay and mental handicap. Recently, people classified as having mental retardation are also being referred as having intellectual disability. Usually, people are considered to have intellectual disability if they have greater difficulty than most people with intellectual and adaptive functioning. These limitations are expressed in the persons conceptual, social and practical everyday living skills. Intellectual disability is usually diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of adaptive behavior and intelligence. The precise number of people having intellectual disabilities is not known. However, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) estimates that roughly 1.5% to 2.5% of the general population have intellectual disability which translates to roughly 4.6 million to 7.7 million people as per the most recent U.S. Census (2011). Over last 30 years, services provided to the people with intellectual disabilities have been changed radically and the institutional care has been replaced by community residential service in several countries.To know about the assumptions considered for the study, Download the PDF Brochure:The global market for the residential intellectual disability facilities can be segmented on the basis of size of facility, type of facility, mode of operation and geography. Based on the number of beds in the residential intellectual disability facilities the market can be segmented further into 4 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 49, 50 to 99, 100 to 199, and 200 & more beds. Besides, there are different types of facilities that provide intellectual disability facilities  hospitals, group homes, private home, intellectual and developmental disability facilities. Based on the mode of operation, the global residential intellectual disabilities market can be segmented into state-run facilities, Medicaid funded services, private large facilities, and privately run small facilities. The demand for these residential facilities is largely dependent on the reimbursement through Medicare and Medicaid programs.Demand-Supply Gap Persist in the MarketSince 2008, increased federal funding for these programs and the additionally enrolled or eligible people for either of the federal programs, have led to the growth of the residential intellectual disability facilities in the U.S. Although the demand for housing or residential facilities for people with intellectual disabilities has been increasing in the recent years, the adequate supply of such facilities has not kept the required pace. Therefore, there is a huge deficit in the demand and the supply of these facilities. Another major restraint in the market growth is the difficulty in avoiding hospital admission for patients with intellectual disabilities who usually present challenges with their behavior and/or mental health problems.Increasing support from Governments across the Globe to aid Intellectually Disable PatientsOn the basis of geography, the global residential intellectual disability facilities market can be segmented into five major geographies - North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of the World. Aging population, particularly in North America, and Europe, provide a good market opportunity for the market players. Another driving factor is the increasing age of caregivers. Presently, most of the people affected with intellectual disability reside with family caregivers. Due to the changing demographics, caregivers will also age in the coming years and the shortage of caregivers will create more demand for the residential facilities for intellectually disable individuals.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :The market for such facilities has been very insignificant in most of the Asian countries and little progress is expected during the forecast period from 2014 to 2023. There are many local and national centers in the developing economies too which offer such facilities. For instance, Muskaan, Sandesh and Alamara Residential Centre for Persons with Developmental Disabilities are the centers that offer residential intellectual disability facilities in India.There are government and private players in addition to local bodies offering residential intellectual disability facilities  NHS Allegheny Valley School, St. Josephs Center, Durham County Community, Residential Support Services, Lutheran Family Services and Arlington County Government.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
System Integration Market : Global Snapshot by 2021

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System integration market is segmented on the basis of system integration service type, end-use industry and geography. On the basis of type the system integration market is broadly segmented into three major types namely infrastructure system integration services, application system integration services and business consulting services. Infrastructure system integration services are segmented into network management, data center management, building management, security and surveillance management, cloud based integration management and enterprise management. Application system integration services are segmented into data integration, unified communication, integrated social software, application integration and others. Further business consulting services are segmented into business process integration, business transformation and application lifecycle management.System integration (SI) enables to build computing systems for end users by combining hardware and software products from several vendors. By implementing systems integration, a company can acquire cheaper, pre-configured components of software. These small components of software help company to achieve key business goals. Otherwise the companies have to purchase customized, more expensive software; this may also require manufacturing of unique products or original programming. Creation of these information systems include designing and building a new customized applications or architecture, after building software components, they are integrated with the existing or new software and hardware packages and communication infrastructure. There are some system integrators such as SAP providing more specialized and specific applications.High investments in IT in last decade have created a huge demand for the system integration market. As the information technology developed the adoption and implementation of information technology system were high, this generated the distributed information system all over the industries and organization generating the demand for integration of the distributed systems. Thus high investment in distributed information technology system is the main driver for the system integration market. With this there are many emerging technologies supporting system integration market such as bid data and cloud. Cloud implementation and big data solutions implementation is the new trend in the information technology systems market. Thus companies are adopting the integration of their data with adoption of these technologies such as big data and cloud providing added advantages to the companies implementing it. Development in automation sector is driving system integration market, as adoption of system integration technologies is high in automation sector.High implementation cost and time required for the effective implementation of system integration is resulting into less adoption of system integration technologies. With this there are very less number of international standard protocols for the communication between two or more information technology sub-systems resulting into complexities for the system integrators. If the industry previously is using legacy systems then it results into increased complexities for system integration. For system integration the network infrastructure must be standard, thus lack of network infrastructure is resulting into deferred demand for the system integration market.A sample of this report is available upon request @System integration market is segmented on the basis of end-user industry into banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), defense, healthcare, telecommunication and IT, oil gas and energy, transportation, retail and others (pharmaceuticals, public sector, education and automotive). And on the basis of geography system integration market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world (RoW).Request to view table of content @Some of the major players in system integration market are Accenture Plc., BAE Systems Plc., Capgemini S.A., Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Fujitsu Limited, General Dynamics Corporation, Harris Corporation, IBM Corporation, Infosys Technologies, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, Leidos Corporation, Tata Consultancy Service Limited and Wipro Limited. With this global players system integration market in Asia Pacific is dominated by local players, such as there are many local players in China and India dominating and holding the maximum market shares.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Online Advertising Market : Global Snapshot by 2021

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The global online advertising market continues to rise in tandem with the global internet user base, social networking websites, income and widespread adoption of broadband. The industry is being motivated by mobile internet activity, increasing attractiveness and fame of mobile devices which includes tablets and smart phones that are proving to be beneficial.Online advertising is likewise known as internet advertising or digital advertising which makes usage of the cyberspace to communicate the promotional marketing message to the customers.The online advertising term is broadly categorized on the basis of types of advertising which includes search engine optimization (SEO), banner marketing, search engine advertising (SEA), email marketing, online video advertising, local online advertising, social media optimization (SMO) strategies and additional types of online advertising. These online advertisings appear on the internet more often than traditional advertising media such as television and newspapers.Search engine advertising and pay per click marketing are the fastest evolving advertising concepts for numerous assortments of businesses. Pay per clip is comparatively simple and effortless to carry out scalable, enormously cost efficient and in house. PPC is a huge component of effective and efficient online advertising for the business.Online advertising uses numerous tools and techniques for online marketing functions which include sales CRM, e-commerce, e-mail, marketing automation, WCM, social CRM and web analytics. All these software tools collectively facilitate an organization to develop and implement effective and efficient marketing strategies.The main factors that are driving the online advertising market are increased focus on digital media, cost effective, smart phone penetration, advertising by content providers and rising numbers of advertisers on social networking sites. The main factor that is restraining the growth of online advertising are lack of skilled personnel and still use of tradition advertising factors such as television and newspapers. The main opportunity for the growth of online advertising in future would be the emergence of SAAS based solutions.The online advertising market is segmented on the basis of advertising sectors which include online classifieds, search, directories, and general advertising. In addition, the market is segmented on the basis of its mode of interaction which includes web sites, commercial online services, email providers, as well as other companies selling online advertising. Further, the online advertising is segmented on the basis of end use industry which includes BFSI and automotive industry among others. Furthermore, the market could be segmented on the basis of geography which includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW.Request to view table of content @The North American region dominates the market of global online advertising industry and is remain the market leaders in future as well. Asia Pacific region is expected to be the biggest emerging market for online advertising because of the large customer base.A sample of this report is available upon request @Some of the major companies that are dominating in the online advertising market include IBM Corp., SAP AG, Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc., Aplicor LLC, Adobe Systems Inc., ComScore Networks Inc., Ebay GSI Commerce, Lithium Technologies Inc., Demandware Inc., Attensity Corp., Microsoft Corp., LongJump CRM, OpenText Corp., StrongMail Systems Inc., Percussion Software Inc., Zoho CRM Inc., Yahoo Analytics, SugarCRM Inc., Netsuite Inc. and Sitecore Inc. among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Tax accountants can help you grow business in Adelaide

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Australia 22-03-2017. Shaw Accounting is the leading accounting firm in Adelaide is glad to provide you the professional and skilled accounting services. Accounting or bookkeeping is being the key area of any kind and size of business and it serves the crucial role for growth of businesses. Any business who wants to keep a close eye over the business financial transactions should prefer to professional accounting services. These services are provided by highly professional and skilled accountants who are just capable to provide specialized services for accountancy, taxation and business advisory.When it comes to accounting services in Adelaide then finding leading accounting firm can make difference. Accounting serves the central part for any kind or size of business as it only a way that helps you know the current financial position. With regular accounting, it is also easy to make plans for future and to know the future business requirements. Accounting is necessary for both the large to small sized businesses who want to grow in present time.If we talk about the role of tax accountant in Adelaide then they also serve most effective role. Taxation is one of the crucial practices for any firm and it can be done efficiently with the help of tax accountants. They are simply expert to calculate your tax or even advise you to manage your expenses and incomes in such a way so that you can make maximum profits. Basically, hiring professional accounting services is good decision instead of doing such things ownself. A businessman doesnt need to put his precious time on accounting or taxation as he can focus on business targets while ensuring accounting tasks are performed by accountants.For extremely professional and specialized accounting services in Adelaide, if you are looking for the accounting firm in Adelaide then simply prefer Shaw Accounting.To know more about Adelaide accounting services simply visit at:Shaw Accounting is the local, trusted and experienced accounting firm offers highly professional, skilled and superlative accounting services in Adelaide. It has long-term experience in this area so can easily take care of your business accounting needs.If you are looking for the professional, reliable and trusted tax accountants in Adelaide then Shaw Accounting is the firm to contact.Shop 1, 411 Mount Barker Road,Bridgewater SA 5155Australia
Baby Diapers Market by Products - East Africa Industry Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Analysis For 2016 - 2024

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The market for baby diapers in East Africa has gained substantial traction in the past few years owing to a notable decline in infant mortality rate, rise in disposable incomes, and increased awareness regarding the need to maintain hygiene to ensure the healthy growth of infants. A vast surge in the regions urban and educated population and efforts undertaken by government and non-government organizations to increase awareness about personal hygiene across rural parts of the region have equally contributed to the development of the market in the past few years.Transparency Market Research estimates that the East Africa baby diapers market will expand at a healthy CAGR of 3.6% from 2016 through 2024. Rising at this pace, the market will rise from a valuation of US$155.7 mn in 2015 to US$218.7 mn by 2024. Volume-wise, the market will exhibit a 3.2% CAGR over the period.Browse Full Report@Baby Diaper Market in Kenya Emerges Leading Contributor in Terms of RevenueKenya, estimated by the World Bank to be the fastest growing economy in East Africa, is presently the largest market in the East Africa baby diapers market, in terms of both volume-wise consumption and revenues. The baby diapers market in the country accounted for a 42.7% share in the overall markets revenues in 2015. Volume-wise, the country accounted for over 40% of the East Africa baby diapers market in the same year. Large population base, a notable reduction in child mortality rates, stable growth of economy in the past few years, and rising disposable incomes are the key factors driving the baby diapers market in the country. Over the period between 2016 and 2024 as well, the country is expected to retain its dominance in the East Africa baby diapers market.Tanzania is the second largest revenue contributor to the East Africa baby diapers market, accounting for over 24% share in the market in 2015, and is expected to expand at a healthy pace over the forecasting horizon as well. Uganda is the third largest country for the baby diapers market in East Africa. All the three countries are expected to maintain their positions in the overall market through 2024.Disposable Diapers are Leading Product Type but Cotton Diapers Present Sizeable OpportunityOf the key product varieties available in the East Africa baby diapers market, the segment of disposable diapers is presently the most popular and leading revenue generator. The segment held a share of over 80% in the East Africa baby diapers markets revenues in 2015. Volume-wise, the segment fared even better, accounting for over 91% share in the market in the same year. Disposable diapers are expected to remain the dominant product segment in the East Africa baby diapers market over the next few years as well. However, their popularity is witnessing a notable decline owing to concerns about adverse long-term health effects and short-term skin rashes with their continuous use.These concerns are also stimulating the increased demand for cotton diapers, the product varieties that contain no harmful chemicals and are considered safer than most varieties of disposable diapers. The demand for cotton diapers is also surging in East Africa owing to the rising awareness about environment safety the need to switch to biodegradable products. The segment of cotton diapers is expected to expand at a high CAGR of 5.8% over the period between 2016 and 2024, rising from a valuation of US$13.5 mn in 2015 to US$23.0 mn by 2024.Some of the leading vendors operating in the East Africa baby diapers market are Unicharm Corporation, Procter and Gamble, Indevco Group, Johnson and Johnson, SCA Hygiene, Interconsumer Products Ltd., and Mega Soft (Fujian) Hygiene Products Co. Ltd.For More Information, Download Brochure@About Us:-Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Impact of Existing and Emerging Specialty Paper Market Trends 2015-2025

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Increasing standards of living, urbanization, and changes in consumer behavior is intensifying the need for products that comprises of specialty papers. The specialty paper is considered as one of the niche segment of the paper industry. Specialty papers are superior grades of paper which are manufactured or converted subsequently for a specific use. These specialty papers have specific features and properties and requires competencies within the design, print technologies, and specialized know-how about paper along with impregnation techniques. For manufacturing specialty paper, it principal materials includes wood pulp, fibers, composites and nano based materials, fed into the machine and with the help of chemicals it is converted into specialty paper for a specific end users.Specialty Paper Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe key driver contributing to the growth of the global specialty paper market is its increasing usage in the E-technology. The growing acceptance of the online shopping in both developed and developing regions, is likely to push the demand for global specialty paper market. Also, acceleration in the global industrial output, along with increase in the consumer expenditure on packed goods across the globe, and demographic drifts such as increase in the number of urban population is further going to drive the market for specialty paper market. Green related issues are another major factor contributing the development in the global specialty market. The availability and high cost of the raw materials is a major constraint in the global specialty paper market.Request Report Sample@Specialty Paper Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, the global specialty paper market is segmented into:Decor papersRelease & LabelFlexible packaging papersPharmaceutical leaflet papersOthers (Abrasive backings, Automotive, Construction, Kitchen worktops and furniture, among many others)On the basis of raw materials, the global specialty paper market is segmented into:AdditivesFillers and BindersPulpOthers (Coatings, Fiber and Chemicals, among many others)On the basis of application, the global specialty paper market is segmented into:Building & ConstructionIndustrial applicationPrinting & WritingOthers (Banking among others)Specialty Paper Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region, Europe (followed by North America) is anticipated to grow at a comparatively higher CAGR, as the market is escalated by factors includes increasing disposable income, increasing specialty paper end-use application, and its easy availability. Asia pacific is expected to show the fastest growth in the global specialty market mainly due to increasing population growth, urbanization, industrial trends and growing international trade in Asia Pacific region. In last few years, the market has grown much and this growth is projected to continue. Apart from regions, across all countries, US holds the largest market share. The highest growth rates are expected in India, China, and Indonesia along with regions such as Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Russia are expected to show healthy growth in the near future.Visit For TOC@Specialty Paper Market: Key PlayersSome of the key participants identified in the global specialty paper market are Nippon Paper Group, International Paper, Domtar Corporation, Imperial Tobacco Company, Stora Enso, Mondi Plc, Sequana, Sappi ltd., Munksjo Corporation, and Glatfeller among many others.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Refrigerated Counters Market: Rising Stringency of Food Safety and Quality Regulations Driving Adoption

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Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Hoshizaki Corp., Ali Group, Electrolux AB, and Liebherr - the top five players in the global refrigerated counters market - accounted for a share of just under 62% in 2015. Transparency Market Research notes that this fragmented market is characterized by the presence of an increasing number of players attempting to gain market share via mergers, acquisitions, and divestments. Product innovation and technology differentiation are expected to be the major competing parameters for manufacturers in the next few years. With the number of players looking to enter the refrigerated counters market expected to rise, the degree of competition is slated to increase by the end of forecast period.The revenue of the global refrigerated counters market stood at US$4.5 bn in 2015; this is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period to reach US$8.7 bn by 2024. By volume, the market is estimated to register an 8.4% CAGR from 2016 to 2024.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Hotels End-use Segment Holds Immense Promise of GrowthSystem catering emerged as the top end-use segment of the global refrigerated counters market and is projected to hold a whopping 80.9% share by the end of 2016. However, the segment is expected to lose a marginal share in the market by 2024. The hotels segment, on the other hand, will exhibit a strong 9.3% CAGR in terms of revenue from 2016 to 2024. Within the system catering segment, quick service restaurants (QSR) are expected to contribute the highest revenue to the overall refrigerated counters market.By design, counters with doors and with prep-table tops are expected to dominate the market due to increasing demand in kitchens. By product, the others segment, which includes counters without standard dimensions, is expected to lead the refrigerated counters market in the coming years.Geographically, North America and Asia Pacific are the most promising markets for refrigerated counters. While North America is expected to account for a 36.9% share in the global market by 2024, Asia Pacific is anticipated to register an impressive CAGR of 10.1% from 2016 to 2024.Browse Market Research Report @Growth of Hospitality and Tourism Industry a Major BoostPublic health and safety regulations play a vital role in the refrigerated counters market. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the outbreak of food-borne diseases and the contamination of food are posing a major threat to public health at a global level. It has been observed that production, processing, and transportation of food are the primary causes of food contamination. In a bid to reduce the incidences of food-borne illnesses, several food safety organizations are introducing stringent food preparation and storage regulations, which includes the use of refrigerated counters, the author of the report states.The ongoing expansion of fast food chains is also expected to benefit the market for refrigerated counters as these facilities require an extensive range of refrigerated equipment. This trend is particularly going to impact the demand for counters with drawers, doors, and prep-table tops. A rise in the number of hotels, restaurants, and other food service outlets catering to the needs of tourists across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific will also support the refrigerated counters market.In contrast, the high total cost of operation (TCO) of refrigerated counters acts as a moderate threat to the growth of the market.Top Research Report by TMR :Hyper Spectral Imaging System Market -Gas Detection Equipment Market -Over the Top (OTT) Services Market -About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Plastic Additives Global Market is Expected to Rise at a Remarkable CAGR by 2022

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The Global Plastic Additives market is estimated to be $46.24 billion in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% to reach $69.36 billion by 2022. The market is majorly driven by factors such as increasing consumption of plastics driven by the growing applications and rising disposable income of the people from emerging economies. Moreover, factors such as rising environmental awareness and government intervention to promote non-toxic plastic additives are boosting the market growth. The affluent packaging application in emerging countries and increasing usage of additives in medical and agricultural applications are anticipated to provide more opportunities for this market. Future growth in the market pivots heavily onto developing economies in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South America.Request a free sample copy of Report with Table of contents@The Asia-Pacific region remains the largest market due to large consumer coverage, and rapid urbanization in China and India. China is anticipated to be the top consumer growing at a highest CAGR. In the U.S., manufacturing of toys and other children's product by phthalates is banned under the regulation of Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Packaging tends to be the most promising application area followed by automotive segment driven by the new packaging technologies such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, heat and UV resistants over the past few years. Flame retardants segment is estimated to have the highest growth rate owing to growing demand by the consumer goods especially in Asia Pacific.The key players in the Plastic Additives market include Chemtura Corporation, Akzonobel N.V., Albemarle Corporation, Clariant AG, BASF SE, Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd, The DOW Chemical Company, Bayer AG, Evonik Industries AG, and Lanxess AG.Product Types Covered:AntimicrobialsAntioxidantsFlame RetardantsImpact ModifiersPlasticizersUV StabilizersPlastic Types of Plastic Additives Covered:CommodityEngineeringHigh Performance PlasticApplications Covered:AutomotiveConstructionConsumer GoodsPackagingOthersEnquiry Before buying Report@Regions Covered:North AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalyUKSpainAsia PacificJapanChinaIndiaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of AsiaRest of the WorldLatin AmericaMiddle EastAfricaOthersAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com
Non GMO Yogurt Market Global Industry Analysis and Forecast Till 2026

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Non-GMO and organic foods, apart from natural food stores, Non-GMO products now came in mainstream and sold in major supermarkets nationwide. It has been noticed, consumer is demanding more organic & Non GMO products. Non-GMO yogurt is where the presence of toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones and antibiotics, for production of the milk is zero. The use of Non-GMO reached nearly 11% on food and beverages since 2013, the demand has been increased of Non-GMO products. In the US, a survey was conducted for GMO and Non-GMO food products, Maximum Americans agreed on the fact that GMO food product are not safe to eat and also not good for health.Non-GMO Yogurt Market: SegmentationNon GMO yogurt market is segmented on the basis of types, flavors & distribution channel. On the basis of types: Regular Yogurt, Blended Yogurt, Low fat yogurt, nonfat yogurt, Purely Unsweetened Yogurt, Sour Yogurt, Plain Yogurt, Drinkable yogurt and Heavy Cream Yogurt. On the basis of Flavors: Fruit (mango, Strawberry, Blueberry, Kiwi and Peach), Chocolate and Vanilla. On the basis of distribution Channel: Super Market/ Hyper Market, Food Service Outlets, Convenience Stores, Specialty Stores, Online Stores and others.Request Report Sample@Non-GMO Yogurt Market: Region wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global Non-GMO yogurt market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.North America is the prominent market for Non-GMO yogurt due to the key players in this region and the availability of raw materials. Whereas, in Europe it is projected to grow at a substantial growth due to consumer as they are becoming concerned about their health, the global Non-GMO yogurt market value exhibiting a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2016-2026. In the USA, Chobani is the largest manufacturer of greek yogurt, which covers 50% of the market share. Dannon is also one of the largest manufacturer of Non-GMO yogurt in USA which contain more natural ingredients, it has also partnered with Non-Government Organization (NGO) Green America and the Non-GMO Project, So that they can develop Sources of Non-GMO feed for cows.Non-GMO Yogurt Market: DriversAs the demand of Non-GMO product is rising every day as consumers are becoming more concerned about their health. Consumers are becoming more aware about Non-GMO products and easy availability of raw materials in some regions. Raising awareness about the Non-GMO products all across over the Globe is also one of the major factors anticipated to expand the growth of Non-GMO Yogurt market over the forecast period. In 2018, Dannon will introduce 3 brands of Non-GMO Yogurt i.e. Dannon, Oikos & Danimals, that will be fed by the Non-GMO Feed.Request For TOC@Non-GMO Market: Key PlayersSome of the international key players identified operating in Non-GMO yogurt market includes Brown Cow Yogurt, Stonyfield Farm, Maia inspired nutrition, Chobani, General Mills, THE GREEK GODS and others. The company is likely to expand its share over the next coming years as consumers are becoming more aware about Non-GMO products and are more concerned about their health. More companies are expected to enter into manufacturing of Non-GMO products in future.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Sun Care Market - Industry Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Analysis For 2016 - 2024

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Sun Care Market: SnapshotThe rising awareness regarding the importance of sun protection and the launch of new products with more effective formulations have significantly driven the global market for sun care products. The growth in this market in the coming years is pinned on the development of products with natural and organic ingredients. Emerging economies in Latin America and Asia Pacific are anticipated to present lucrative opportunities for players in the sun care market as increasing disposable income and growing awareness levels direct their purchasing patterns.The global sun care market is poised to expand at a 5.8% CAGR during the forecast period, rising from a value of US$14.8 bn in 2015 to US$24.9 bn by 2024.Browse Full Report@After Sun Products to Expand at Rapid Pace through 2024Sun care products have come a long way from being products exclusively meant for skin care to being a beauty necessity. One of the key factors driving the sun care market is the growing multifunctionality of almost all sun care products. Apart from sun protection, these products also serve multiple purposes. Based on type, there are three main products available in the sun care market: self-tanning, sun protection, and after sun. Among these, sun protection products held the leading share in 2015 in terms of revenue and are likely to retain their dominance through 2024. After sun products are anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, followed by sun protection products.Growing Risk of Skin Cancer Driving Sales of Sun Care Products in Asia PacificThe global sun care market is segmented on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America led the overall market in 2015, contributing over 35% of the total revenue generated by the sun care market that year. Expanding at a steady pace, this market is anticipated to retain its lead throughout the forecast period. The persistent demand for sun care products in various forms is spurring the growth of this market in North America, especially in the U.S. The market is also fueled by several other factors, including rising customer knowledge, growing skin care concerns, and considerable research and development in the U.S. Sun protection products, especially cream-based and liquid sunscreen products, have been witnessing increased demand in the region. Encouraged by the massive size of the North America sun care market, several local and low-grade products have been flooding the market. However, these lowly-priced poor quality products are a restraint in the growth of the sun care market in North America.Consumers across Asia Pacific are increasingly becoming more conscious about skin care and the use of specialized skin care products. Products with additional benefits such as anti-blemish, anti-aging, and dark spot reduction have gained much popularity in Asia Pacific and are likely to push this market to become the fastest growing regional segment during the forecast period. Owing to the harsh climatic conditions in the region, the adverse impact of sun rays and the risk of skin cancer is high. With the increased knowledge about this fact, consumers are driven to purchase more sun care products.Some of the leading players in the sun care market are Beiersdorf AG (Germany), Groupe Clarins. (France), Johnson and Johnson (U.S.), Coty Inc. (US), Shiseido Company Ltd. (Japan), LOreal (France), Bioderma Laboratories. (France), Estee Lauder Companies (U.S.), Burts Bees (U.K.), and Unilever (Netherlands).For More Information of Research Report, Download Brochure@About Us:-Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Europe Specialty Printing Consumables Market: Move to Digital Printing Inevitable for Sustainable Returns

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In the highly competitive and fragmented Europe specialty printing consumables market, a notable transformation has been observed from focus on traditional printing technologies such as lithographic and offset printing to digital ones such as laser printing in the past few years, observes a recent report by Transparency Market Research. This trend is expected to gain strength with time and an increasing number of companies operating in the specialty printing consumables market are expected to venture into the field of digital printing in the near future. Many companies, such as Electronics for Imaging, Inc., which acquired Reggiani Machine in 2015, a leader in digital textile printing machines, are already making their move into the world of digital printing.TMR estimates that the Europe specialty printing consumables market will exhibit a 3.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024. As a result, the market, which had a valuation of US$20.22 bn in 2015, is expected to reach US$28.21 bn by 2024. In terms of product variety, the segment of toners, which occupied nearly 51% of the market in terms of revenue, dominated in 2015. The segment is also expected to retain its dominance over the forecast period. In terms of geography, the market in Germany emerged as the most prominent consumer of specialty printing consumables in 2015. The market in Germany accounted for over 31% of the Europe market in the said year.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Rising Adoption of Advanced Technologies to Bolster Markets Growth ProspectsThe Europe market for specialty printing consumables is chiefly driven by the rising use across the textile industry for textile printing applications, availability of effective technologies for printing processes, and rising applications in the packaging industry. Rising applications in the form of packaging printing and label printing are expected to make the packaging industry one of the key growth drivers of the Europe specialty printing consumables market in the near future. The growing volume of exports and online orders for products through e-commerce websites will add to the rising demand for printing consumables in the packaging and labelling sector in Europe.Availability of cost effective and less time consuming printing techniques such as 3D printing are becoming a growing trend in the Europe specialty printing industry. The rising adoption of such technologies is opening new and diverse growth avenues for manufacturers of specialty printing consumables in the Europe specialty printing consumables market. In addition to this, the increasing adoption of technologies such as mobile and cloud printing are also expected to lead to growth opportunities for new players in the market in the next few years.Browse Market Research Report @Low-cost Printing Services from Asia Pacific to Restrain MarketSpecialty printing consumables companies in Europe are expected to bear the brunt of the cheaper printing services provided by countries in the Asia Pacific region. Vast investments in the printing industry in Japan and China, especially in the 3D printing sector, have helped the Asia printing industry become one of the most promising regional markets in the global printing industry of late.In addition to this, the availability of cheap labor and advanced technologies enable these countries to meet quality demands of the European consumer at a fairly lower cost as compared to European service providers. The European commission has stated that printing exports from China to Europe have increased by about four times over the past decade.The Europe market for specialty printing consumables is also expected to be restrained owing to the increasing rate of digitization, which is resulting in the rising preference of businesses to conducting their work online and using digital media substitutes instead of papers. This factors is expected to lead to a significant decline in the specialty printing consumables demand in the region in the next few years.Top Research Report by TMR :Data Center Networking Market -Surface Mount Switch Market -Wireless Intercom Market -About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global 3D Printing Market : New Business Opportunities and Investment Research Report, 2014 - 2022

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The Global 3D Printing market accounted for $2.89 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach $12.53 billion by 2022 growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.1% during the forecast period 2014 to 2022. The factors driving the market include high degree of precision, ability to build customized products, and competency over traditional techniques, etc. However, higher production cost, expensive 3D printing software, shortage of skilled labor and inability to manufacture massive outputs are inhibiting the market growth. Moreover, application of 3D printing in different industries and manufacturing process are creating opportunities for the market. The economies of scale gained due to advancement in technology and enhanced manufacturing process will boost the market in future.Request a free sample copy of Report with Table of contents@Stereolithography has the largest revenue and accounted for more than 30% of the total market. While, Electron beam melting is anticipated to be the fastest growing technology segment with a CAGR of around 30% during the forecast period. Polymer occupies major share of the global market and Metals segment is estimated to be the fastest growing material segment and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 38% during the forecast period. Consumer products segment remains the largest application segment with more than 20% of the market share, whereas healthcare application segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period.Increasing demand for 3D printing technology, broad adoption of this technology across the education and government sectors, favorable regulatory policies from the government boosts the 3D printing materials market in the future. The US dominates the market in terms of revenue generation, the growth is due to the advances in healthcare, automobile, aerospace, consumer industry and the initiative taken by the government to develop the technology. North America is expected to represent more than 35% of the market share in 2014, while Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market led by the rapid adoption of 3D printing in the developing industrial sectors. Demand for 3D printing is anticipated to increase in countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea owing to the rising adoption and implementation of 3D printing in diverse industrial applications.The key players in the 3D Printing markt include 3D Systems, Stratasys, Envisiontec, Exone, Luxexcel, Materialise NV, MCOR Technologies Ltd, Optomec Inc, Voxeljet AG, and Microtec Gesellschaft Fur Mikrotechnologie MBH.Technologies Covered:StereolithographyElectron Beam MeltingJetting TechnologyBinder-Jetting TechnologyPolyjetLaser SinteringDirect Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)Deposition ModellingWax Deposition ModellingFused Deposition Modelling (FDM)Laminated Object ManufacturingThree Dimensional PrintingOthersDigital Light ProcessingMultiphase Jet Solidification (MJS)Material Type of 3D Printing Covered:PolymersPhotopolymerThermoplasticMetalsAlumideGoldGrapheneSilverSteelTitaniumCeramicsGlassQuartzSilicaOthersOther MaterialsClayEdible MaterialsLaywoodPaperPorcelainWaxApplications Covered:AerospaceAutomotiveConsumer ProductsEducation and ResearchGovernment and DefenseHealthcareIndustrial ProductsOthersArchitectureArtsForensicsEnquiry Before buying Report@Regions Covered:North AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalyUKSpainAsia PacificJapanChinaIndiaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of AsiaRest of the WorldLatin AmericaMiddle EastAfricaOthersAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com
Meat, Poultry and Seafood Packaging Market: Industry Analysis, Future Growth and Global Forecast to 2022

Meat, Poultry, Seafood Packaging Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2351

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/meat-poultry-seafood-packaging-market-2351

Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on global meat, poultry and seafood packaging market.Market Highlights:The growing population, improved standard of living, growing demand for ready to eat meals in emerging economies is expected to drive the growth of the global meat, poultry and seafood packaging market. Features such as longer shelf life and user friendly solutions in terms of storage are expected to fuel the market. Meat, poultry & seafood packaging are designed to meet all the physical requirement of the supply chain to ensure that the product arrives on time along with preserving the texture, nutritive quality and taste. Heightened demand for single portion and other smaller sized products will give the market significant level. Moreover, new trends shows that shift towards ready packaging as well as ready to eat meat, poultry & seafood which drives the demand for meat, poultry & seafood packaging market.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Meat, Poultry, Seafood Packaging Market: Bemis Company Inc. (U.S.) AEP Industries Inc. (U.S.) DuPont (EI) de Nemours (U.S.) Smurfit Kappa Group (Dublin) Visy Industries Holdings Pty Ltd (Australia) Tri-Mach Group Inc. (Canada), Printpack, Inc.(U.S.) ABBE CORRUGATED PTY. LTD (Australia) Cambridge Packing Company (U.S.)Market Research Analysis:Asia pacific region holding largest share in the global market. Awareness among consumers about healthy products and preference towards convenience are driving the market of meat, poultry & Seafood packaging. Moreover, Rapid lifestyle changes and economic growth, coupled with rising population in Asia Pacific countries such as China and India has spiked the growth rate of meat, poultry & Seafood packaging in the region.Brief TOC for Meat, Poultry, Seafood Packaging Market:1. Executive Summary2. Research Methodology2.1. Scope of the study2.1.1. Definition2.1.2. Research Objective2.1.3. Assumptions2.1.4. Limitations2.2. Research Process2.2.1. Primary Research2.2.2. Secondary Research2.3. Market size Estimation2.4. Forecast Model3. Meat, Poultry & Seafood Packaging Market Dynamics3.1. Market Drivers3.2. Market Inhibitors3.3. Supply/Value Chain Analysis or Market Ecosystem3.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis4. Meat, Poultry & Seafood Packaging Market, by Material4.1. Introduction4.2. Plastic4.3. Paper4.4. Metal5. Meat, Poultry & Seafood Packaging Market, by Type5.1. Introduction5.2. Rigid Packaging5.3. Flexible PackagingContinueScope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global meat, poultry & seafood packaging industry, tracking three market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global meat, poultry & seafood packaging market as material, type and application. On the basis of material it is segmented as plastic, paper and metal. On the basis of type it is segmented as rigid packaging, and flexible packaging. Additionally on the basis of application, it is segmented as fresh & frozen products, processed products, and ready-toeat products.Access Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Research report explores the Occupancy Sensor Market for the forecast period, 2016-2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1823

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1823

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Occupancy sensor is a heat and light control device used to detect occupancy of space by people and accordingly turns light on or off by using infrared light rays, ultrasonic rays and microwave technology. Occupancy sensor is commonly used for providing automatic control, saving energy and complying with building codes etc. Increasing demand for energy saving devices have resulted into several technological advancement in occupancy sensors.Global Occupancy Sensor Market: Drivers and RestraintIncreasing demand for energy-efficient devices is one of the major factors responsible for the growth of global occupancy sensor market across the globe.Other factors such asfavourable government regulations and policies with regard to energy saving, continuous development and advancement of advanced and cost-effective sensors are expected to fuel growth of the global occupancy sensor market over the forecast period. In contrast, false triggering of switch and inconsistency issues associated with wireless network system are anticipated to impede the market growth during the forecast period. However, introduction of advanced occupancy sensors such as intelligent occupancy sensor, image processing occupancy sensor and micro-phonics in is boosting growth of global occupancy market.Request Report Sample@Global Occupancy Sensor Market: SegmentationGlobal occupancy sensor market is segmented on the basis of type, network connectivity and application. On the basis of types, the global occupancy sensor market is sub segmented into ultrasonic sensors, passive infrared sensors, microwave sensors and others. Ultrasonic sensor uses high frequency sound waves in order to detect space occupancy. Passive infrared sensor uses heat movement detection to detect infrared radiation radiated out of human body movement while microwave sensor works on the same principle as of ultrasonic sensor but with high sensitivity as well as detection range as compare to other two types of occupancy sensor.On the basis of network connectivity, the global occupancy sensor market is segmented into wired network and wireless network. Wireless network is further sub segmented into Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave and others.By application the market can be segmented into government, industrial, commercial and residential sectors.Global Occupancy Sensor Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of region, the global occupancy sensor market can be segmented into seven major regions such as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Of these regions, the North America occupancy sensor market is expected dominate the global occupancy sensor market over the forecast period. However, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to growth in construction and real estate sectors in developing countries such as India and China in the region.Request For TOC@Global Occupancy Sensor Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the global occupancy sensor market are Eaton Corporation Plc., Honeywell International Inc., Schneider Electric SA, Johnson Controls Inc., Acuity Brands Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Legrand SA and Hubbell Incorporated among others. Major players in the market are focusing more on development of advanced and innovative sensors such as image processing sensor, micro-phonic based sensor and intelligent occupancy sensor in order to gain competitive advantage in the long term.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Natural Cotton Extract Market Expected to Expand at a Steady CAGR through 2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1869

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1869

www.futuremarketinsights.com

The natural cotton extract included in the various cosmetic products does not contain any synthetic ingredients and are extracted from eco-friendly extraction methods that preserve its properties. Natural cotton extracts include various ingredients such as proteins, minerals and variety of essential oils that protect the skin against irritation and dehydration. Natural cotton extract is primarily used to nourish the skin and provides protection from oversensitive skin. The natural cotton extract is also used in various skincare products in order to protect sensitive skin and helps aids softness and suppleness.Natural Cotton Extract Market SegmentationGlobal natural cotton Extract Market is segmented on the basis of source, application and region. Based on the source from which natural cotton extract is extracted the natural cotton extract segmentation includes seed and flower. Of which, seed source sub-segment is expected to be the dominating segment over the forecast period followed by the flower natural cotton extract source owing to the high usage of cotton seed as a cotton extract source. On the basis of application natural cotton extract market is segmented into skincare and haircare sub segments. Of which skin care sub-segment is expected to be the leading segment in the coming five to six years due to the wide application of natural cotton extracts in the skincare products as it one of the active ingredient for the moisturizing function.Global natural cotton extract market is segmented on the basis of region into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan.Request Report Sample@Natural Cotton Extract Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global natural cotton extract market is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the wide application of natural cotton extract in the cosmetic products including haircare products and skincare products. Cosmetic products that include natural cotton extract are used for soothing and moisturizing the skin .Globally, among all regions, North America is expected to contribute highest market share, followed by Europe during the forecasted period. In North America, U.S. is the most dominating region that contributes the maximum revenue to the total natural cotton extract market. However other region including Asia Pacific is expected to show significant growth owing to rising health awareness among consumers related to the consumption of natural cotton extract.Natural Cotton Extract Market: DriversMajor factors that are expected to fuel market growth of the natural cotton extract market is various benefits associated with application of cosmetics containing natural cotton extract as it is the major ingredient for moisturizing and soothing skin. Major factor expected to restraint the market growth of the natural cotton extract is lack of awareness among consumers related to the benefits of use of cosmetics containing natural cotton extract.Request For TOC@Natural Cotton Extract Market: Key PlayersMajor companies that operates in the natural cotton extract market are bioten, Centerchem Inc., ZIAJA Ltd. And others. Companies operating in natural cotton extract product market are primarily launching new varieties of natural Cotton extract based products in order to specific requirements of the consumersABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Virtual Reality Market : Global Snapshot by 2021

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4723

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4723

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is segmented into two major categories, on the basis of technology into augmented and virtual reality technologies, on the basis of sensors and components into sensors, semiconductor components, augmented reality sensors and components, virtual reality sensors and components. The market is also segmented by application into E-commerce, gaming, medical, education, military and other industrial applications. The market is further segmented by geography into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and rest of the world regions. Among these regional markets, Asia Pacific registered the fastest growth rate during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019.The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is expected to grow at a substantial growth rate especially in training and infotainment market. Heavy penetration is the wide spectrum of application areas for these technologies. Virtual reality application in healthcare shows a tremendous growth and driving the market for augmented reality & virtual reality. It is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real-world and computer generated data. Augmented reality consists of various benefits which includes interactive in real time, also data can be generated in real-time. Augmented reality has various applications which include video games (physical interaction with 3D models), presentations, television, theme park, and simulations (driving, flying etc.).The report contains the global scenario of augmented reality & virtual reality market discussing detailed overview and market figures. The research report analyses the industry growth rate, industry capacity, and industry structure. The report analyses the historical data and forecasts the augmented reality & virtual reality market size, production forecasts along with key factors driving and restraining the market growth.The global augmented reality & virtual reality market is driven by factors such as the increasing demand in healthcare, boosting demand for smartphones. Rising Prevalence of Computer Technology and Internet Connectivity will also act as drivers for the global augmented reality & virtual reality market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Some of the factors inhibiting the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market are privacy and awareness, image latency. Requirement of hardware is also restraining the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market. Programming physics, costs, under development and graphics are also other factors restraining the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market. The emerging applications and increase in R&D initiatives will serve as an opportunity, fuelling the growth of the global augmented reality & virtual reality market.Request to view table of content @Some of the key players dominating the market are Blippar, Catchoom, Innovega Inc., Laster Technologies, Metaio Gmbh, Total Immersion, Vertalis Ltd, Augmented Pixels Co., Kooaba AG, Kishino Limited, Qualcomm Incorporated, Wikitude Gmbh and others. Earlier the global augmented reality & virtual reality market was dominated by players with relatively low brand image. However, after the entrance of new big players in the industry, the demand for augmented reality & virtual reality has increased among the consumers.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Camel Meat Market  Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-camel-meat-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-camel-meat-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/

https://www.slideshare.net/IndexBox_Marketing/world-camel-meat-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020

www.indexbox.co.uk

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Camel Meat - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025" (This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global camel meat market. Within it, you will find the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption and production, food balance and price developments, as well as global trade (imports and exports). The forecast reveals market prospects to 2025.Countries coverage: WorldwideProduct coverage:Camel MeatData coverage: Camel meat market size and value; Per Capita consumption; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Global camel meat production, split by region and country; Global camel meat trade (exports and imports); Producer, export and import prices for camel meat; Camel meat market trends, drivers and restraints; Key market players and their profiles.Reasons to buy this report: Take advantage of the latest data; Find deeper insights into current market developments; Discover vital success factors affecting the market.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 KEY FINDINGS2.2 MARKET TRENDS3. MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 20254. PRODUCTION4.1 PRODUCTION, STOCK AND YIELD IN 2007-20154.2 PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY4.3 STOCK AND YIELD BY COUNTRIES5. IMPORTS5.1 IMPORTS IN 2007-20155.2 IMPORTS BY COUNTRY5.3 IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY6. EXPORTS6.1 EXPORTS IN 2007-20156.2 EXPORTS BY COUNTRY6.3 EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY7. PRICES AND PRICE DEVELOPMENT7.1 PRODUCER PRICES7.2 PRODUCER PRICES INDEX8. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERSDownload a free sample of the report now!You can also find a template on SlideShareIndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. We conduct market research and publish reports.You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.We collect this data from hundreds of highly reliable sources, verify it and carry out market analysis, uncovering new business opportunities and empowering you with actionable insights.The structure of our reports is intuitive and clear. We do our best to allow you to make strategic decisions and take immediate action. If you want to go further and be a step ahead of the market, just tell us your goals and we will tailor a report to your needs.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QWWebsite:
Global Molding Compounds Market 2017: Focuses on top manufacturers Menzolit GmbH, Hexion Inc., IDI Composites International, Core Molding Technologies Inc.

Molding Compounds

http://bit.ly/2n63wtK

http://bit.ly/2n6aeAh

The Molding Compounds research report by QY Research represents an inclusive evaluation of the Global Molding Compounds Market and comprises considerable insights, historical data, facts, and statistical and industry-validated data of the global market. Additionally, it consists of estimated data that is evaluated with the help of suitable set of methodologies and assumptions. The research report highlights informative data and in-depth analysis of Molding Compounds market and its corresponding segments that are based on technology, geography, and applications.The examination on value chain of Molding Compounds market is provided which covers the growth factors and restraints of the industry along with the key market competitors.To Request Sample Copy Of This Report:The report comprises precise information, comprehensive analysis in two waysqualitative and quantitativeindustry experts inputs, and information provided by industry analysts and industry participants involved in the entire value chain. The report highlights exhaustive study of major market and their present trends, along with corresponding market segments. The Molding Compounds report also provides data regarding various market factors and their impact on the overall market and its segments.Global Research report analyzes the scope of Molding Compounds industry including size, share, analysis, sales, supply, production, definition, specification, classification, demands, application, forecast trends, industry policy, and news. The report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Molding Compounds market.Furthermore, the report evaluated major market points such as production, revenue, capacity utilization rate, gross, price, capacity, gross margin, supply, cost, demand, export, consumption, import, growth rate, market share, and so on.Browse Complete Report At:The global Molding Compounds market report is a helpful source which assists manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, customers, and individuals and investors who have interest in this market.SummaryThis report studies Molding Compounds in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2011 to 2015, and forecast to 2021.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringIDI Composites InternationalMenzolit GmbHContinental Structural PlasticsCore Molding Technologies Inc.Showa Denko K.K.Hexion Inc.BASFKyocera Chemical CorporationHitachi Chemical Co.Eastman Chemical Co.By types, the market can be split intoPhenolicEpoxyPolyesterOther ResinsBy Application, the market can be split intoElectricalAutomotiveAerospaceAbout Us:MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news. Reports published on the million of category like chemical, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, manufacturing and construction etc. Latest national, international, business News published under news portal.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Global Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market to Approach US$ 2,436.4 Mn by the end of 2024

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12379

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/medical-implants-sterile-packaging-market/toc

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12379

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

According to a new report by Persistence Market Research titled Medical Implants Sterile Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the global medical implants sterile packaging market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 1,427.8 Mn by the end of 2016 and this is estimated to increase to US$ 2,436.4 Mn by the end of 2024, registering a CAGR of 6.5% in terms of value during the forecast period (2016  2024). Orthopedic implants (including spinal implants, reconstructive joint implants, and extremity braces & support) is expected to gain a significant market share owing to a large global baby boomer population prone to orthopedic ailments.Global medical implants sterile packaging market dynamicsA growing demand in medical packaging and increasing usage of hygiene packaging among multiple end users is anticipated to drive advances in the industry. Medical implants sterile packaging is one of the emerging packaging solutions, widely used for pharma packaging, and is driven by factors such as increasing implant surgeries, innovative medical equipment and implants, increasing chronic degenerative diseases, and changing lifestyle of people.Global medical implants sterile packaging market forecastThe global medical implants sterile packaging market report is categorically split into four sections  based on product type, material type, application, and region. On the basis of product type the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into pouches & bags, blister, clamshell, tubes, vials, and others. On the basis of material, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into plastic, foils, paper, and others. On the basis of application, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into spinal implants, extremity braces & support, dental implants, cardiovascular implants, reconstructive joint implants, and other implants. On the basis of region, the global medical implants sterile packaging market has been segmented into the five key regions of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.The pouches & bags product type is likely to emerge the dominant segment throughout the forecast period due to its wide application in multiple pharma industries. The pouches & bags product type segment is estimated to create a large market share of 53.1% in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2016 to 2024 in terms of value. The clamshell product type segment is anticipated to witness high Y-o-Y growth rates ranging from 5.8% to 7.2% over 20162024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.6% in terms of value over the forecast period.The foils material type segment is expected to create a significant CAGR of 7.3% in terms of value over the forecast period. The paper material type segment is projected to grow at lower Y-o-Y rates ranging from 5.6% to 5.7% over 20162024.The dental implants application segment is estimated to account for 13.7% market share by 2016 end and is anticipated to remain stagnant at 13.8% during the forecast period. The cardiovascular implants segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% in terms of value during 20162024.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Among regions, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the key region driving overall demand for medical implants sterile packaging owing to the increasing usage of packaging and growing consumer spending power in the region. Mature markets such as North America and Europe are expected to witness uneven growth while Latin America and MEA are expected to register sluggish growth throughout the forecast period. Europe is anticipated to witness higher Y-o-Y growth rates ranging from 5.9% to 6.2% over 20162024, and is estimated to record 7.3% CAGR in terms of value over the forecast period.Request to View Tables of Content @The global medical implants sterile packaging market report studies business operations including short-term and long-term strategies, product offerings, and key developments of some of the top companies in the global medical implants sterile packaging market. Key market players featured in the report are Sealed Air Corporation, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions LLC, Selenium Medical, Bemis Healthcare, Janco Inc., Multivac Group, Oliver-Tolas Healthcare Packaging, and Steripack Contract Manufacturing.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Memristor Market Global Industry Analysis, size, share and Forecast 2016-2026

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1877

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1877

www.futuremarketinsights.com

Memristor is an innovative electric component consists of memory resistor, two terminal electrical component related to the magnetic flux linkage as well as electric charge. The memristor has properties of both memory element and resistor. The electrical resistance isnt constant but it depends on current flowed through it and resistance depends on how much electric charge flowed in what direction in the past. The device has memory history. When current flows in a direction resistance increase, and current flows in opposite direction resistance decreases. Memristors can replace the flash memory. The advanced technologies and rapid innovations enables create opportunities for the companies. The global memristor market anticipated to exhibit a significant CAGR as well as annual growth rate over the forecast period.Memristor Market: Drivers and restraintsThe memristor market can be driven by the following factors, increased chip performance can be done by addition of transistors on circuit. The higher densities increase the problem of heat generation which affects the devices. Memristor enables replace the increasing number of transistors on a circuit. Memristor enables replace D-RAM. The computers using the D-RAM lack of ability to retain information once they shut down. Memristors can remember voltage and no need to reboot the computer. Increased applications of memristors enables drive global memristor market. Increased awareness among the people regarding the technological advancements and innovations in computers enables create lucrative opportunities for the memristors market. Regulatory bodies are implementing stringent regulations towards maintain the required quality of products is major challenge for the market. However, lack of skilled professionals is the major challenge and memristor costlier than the conventional devices, which may hamper the global memristor market.Request Report Sample@Memristor Market: SegmentationGlobal Market can be segmented as following typesBased on RAM4 GB8 GB16 GB32 GB64 GBBy Product TypeStatic RAM (S-RAM)Dynamic RAM (D-RAM)EPROMMemristor Market: OverviewGlobal memristor market is gaining uptake in surge across the globe due to increased awareness among people. The memristor has its significance such as it can replace flash memory and D-RAM. The global memristor market is witnessed a significant CAGR as well as annual growth rates over the forecast period.Memristor Market: Region-Wise OutlookGlobal market is segmented into seven key regions, those are North America (N.A), Latin America (L.A), Eastern Europe (E.E), Western Europe (W.E), Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Japan.Request For TOC@North America is anticipated to have a maximum market share in global market due to increased awareness among the people in the countries like US and Canada. Asia-Pacific follows North America in terms of market share in global memristor market owing to the drastic change in Asian countries economy as well as information technology industries in India and china. European region is expected to witness a significant contribution in global memristor market. The global memristor market is anticipated to account for significant CAGR as well as lucrative opportunities for the companies over the forecast period.Memristor Market: Key playersSome of the key players areToshiba CorporationSanDisk CorporationIntel CorporationFujitsu Ltd.Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Cypress Semiconductor CorporationIBMHewlett PackardSeagate Technology LLC.SK HynixSony CorpABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Mobile Health Apps and Solutions Market  Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Mobile Health Apps and Solutions Market OverviewProliferation of mobile devices provides an entirely new and effective dimension to the healthcare industry, wherein solutions can be provided to end users in an extremely easy-to-use manner that can be accessed irrespective of the use location. Advent of mHealth apps and solutions have led the healthcare solutions market to expand its reach from hospitals to primary care and office space. The industry is witnessing influx of various start-ups venturing into the market, leading to high competition.Mobile health apps segment is expected to grow at impressive double digit CAGR over the forecast period (20162024), creating new market opportunities for the players worldwide.Request a sample copy of this report:Proliferation of smartphones fueling mobile health apps and solutions market growthOver 600 million people are expected to use mobile healthcare apps by 2017, creating a highly lucrative market opportunity for healthcare players. The industry is projected to be mainly driven by growing healthcare expenditure and consumer changing lifestyle. Advancements in computing ability of mobile devices would bridge the gap between patients expectation and treatment delivered. The technology is perceived to be an enabler of quality healthcare.Though the industry is set to grow at a robust rate, lack of collaborations among healthcare service providers and low healthcare apps utilities awareness among the masses are major industry pitfalls.Mobile Health Apps and Solutions Market Taxonomy:Coherent Market Insights has segmented the mobile health apps and solutions market on the basis of following:Operating SystemProduct TypeTherapeutic ApplicationDevicesOn the basis of operating system, iOS mHealth app is expected dominated the market in 2015. However, the segment is expected to lose major market share to android app segment by 2024.Among device segments, smartphones are expected to dominate the market, followed closely by tablets through 2024. Tablets are expected to be most prominent in developed regions.Emergence of connected and integrated healthcare solutions driving growth of North America and Europe marketsThe mobile health apps and solutions market report covers market analysis across regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.Ask for Discount before Buying,Geographically, Europe, followed closely by North America is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. Presence of leading mHealth service providers, along with wide availability of high-quality healthcare amenities, and increased healthcare awareness is expected to bolster market growth.The market in Asia Pacific is growing at the fastest rate, driven primarily by rising demand in China and India. China and India account for over 36% of global population, creating lucrative market opportunity for players in the long run. Markets in Latin America, Middle East, and Africa are expected to grow at a relatively sluggish rate, with upward growth traction expected in the mid of the forecast period.Mobile Health Apps and Solutions Market  Competitive LandscapeMajor players in the mobile health apps and solutions market include Runtastic, Nike, MyFitnessPal, Azumio, GP Apps, Pacer Health, Kinosis, GoodRX, Leafly, and Epocrates.Get More Details About This Report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.CONTACT USMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel : +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Multiplex Detection Immunoassay Market Accounting for US$ 3.0 Bn by 2024 End

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According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Multiplex Detection Immunoassay: North America to Dominate the Global Market Through 2024 , the global multiplex detection immunoassay market is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period 20162024.Factors influencing the growth of the global multiplex detection immunoassay marketManufacturers in the global multiplex detection immunoassay market are focusing on introducing differential products with enhanced safety and application to increase market share. This market is significantly determined by the rising aging population, high pervasiveness of illnesses, rising utilization and enhanced focus on diagnostic testing and expanding the use of multiplex detection assay test procedures in clinical diagnostics. Moreover, concern in getting federal or government approvals due to changes in medical procedures coupled with manufacturing processes, fluctuation in result outcomes, and deficient reimbursements for multiplex detection immunoassays are representing a few difficulties to the general growth of the market during the forecast period.The capacity of multiplex detection immunoassays is to produce reportable outcomes from one example prompts to its more prominent reception for clinical or purpose of care diagnostics. Multiplex immunoassays yield an abundance of data on the parts of various proteins and different biomolecules in assorted natural procedures, in this way giving clinicians knowledge into the distinguishing proof and evaluation of disease progression. The aim for manufacturers is to create assay kits with market driving technologies, problematic levels of multiplexing and popularize these through bigger business partners.Multiplex stages can offer distinct advantages over singleplex measures. The requirement for lower test input has been suggested as of now; commonly 2550 L test volume is required to test different markers as compared with 100 L per target required for ELISA. Moreover, multiplex stages frequently give a pickup in examining dynamic range. While ELISA quickly loses linearity over a couple orders of magnitude, multiplex assays are accounted for to keep up linearity more than three or even five orders of magnitude.Global multiplex detection immunoassay market forecastThe global multiplex detection immunoassay market is segmented into technique, assay type, end users, and application. The planar assays segment is expected to exhibit the highest growth over the forecast period. Currently, in the U.S. market, planar assays are the mostly used for detection followed by the European market. The planar assay segment is expected to be the most lucrative in the North America multiplex detection immunoassay market, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.8%.Based on technique, the market has been segmented into nucleic acid-based techniques, protein-based techniques and biomarker-based techniques. Protein-based techniques currently account for the highest revenue share in the market followed by nucleic acid-based techniques. Increasing focus on disease predisposition studies and drug efficacy studies would create a good opportunity for growth of multiplex detection immunoassay market.Based on application, the market has been segmented into disease testing (infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and others), food contamination testing, drug development and veterinary disease testing. Drug development currently accounts for the highest revenue share in the market followed by disease testing. Increasing focus on disease predisposition studies and drug efficacy studies would create a good opportunity for growth of multiplex detection immunoassay market.Based on end users, the market has been segmented into pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, food & beverages companies, academic research institutes, diagnostic centers and biotechnology companies. Currently pharmaceutical companies account for the highest revenue share in the market followed by other end users. An increasing number of multiplex assays labeled for research use only increase the growth prospects for academic research institute end users in North America during the forecast period.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @On the basis of region, the market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the MEA. This report assesses trends driving each market segment and offers analysis and insights into the potential of multiplex detection immunoassay in specific regions. North America is estimated to dominate the multiplex detection immunoassay market with a maximum value share of the overall market by end of 2016. North America multiplex detection immunoassay market is set to register a CAGR of 8.2% through 2024. The presence of key regional players, strong distribution network, and developed healthcare infrastructure are the key factors driving the growth of the market in North America.Request to View Tables of Content @Some key companies covered in this report include QIAGEN N.V, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, EMD Millipore, Bio-Rad, Microsynh AG., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., BD biosciences, Luminex Corporation, Unisensor, Quansys Bioscience, and Danaher Corporation. These companies are primarily focused on enhancing their market share by entering new markets and by introducing innovative and cost-effective immunoassays in order to gain higher market share and to strengthen their respective position in the global market.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Mobile Printer Market Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2016-2026

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Today the use of mobile devices in industries ranging from IT, health sector, retailers, hospitality, services and government had increased drastically and has changed the way they communicate, interact & work.The demand for mobile printing has also grown at par with other mobile technologies. Mobile printing is the process to send data wirelessly from smartphone or tablet to the printer. The use of mobile printing facilitates the user to print where and when needed seamlessly. Businesses which replace handwritten forms with mobile printers recite improvement in their workers productivity, accuracy and response to the customer needs which in turn produce revenue gains and expansion without adding labor.Request Report Sample@Modern mobile printers implement tasks like barcode scanning and read RFID labels, printing receipts, invoices and tickets through a wireless network which can reduce number of hidden costs. Today mobile printers are light weight, durable and easy to use and offer good quality printing.Many mobile printers come with Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) wireless interface which is most widely used which connects to LAN and offers multiple connections at faster speed and greater range. These days mobile printers come along with inbuilt credit/debit card readers to facilitate payments faster, easier & secure. These printers also use short ranged Bluetooth Technology which offer one-to-one connection to receive commands from smartphones or tablet. The main benefit is once paired they can communicate each other at any point of time with improved security. Use of wireless technology instead of cables can also improve the ergonomics and improves reliability.Thermal based technology is ideal for printing due to high quality print output and low maintenance of the equipment.Market Drivers and challengesMajor drivers for mobile printer market was flexibility and responsiveness which they offer. Due to the increase in demand for smartphone and tablet which in turn can have significant increase the demand and revenue for mobile printers.With innovations like cloud computing, cloud storage services and with cross-platform integrations mobile printers market can improve their strong foothold. The other major drivers of mobile printer market are ease of use, reliability, and power management technology and customer support. Mobile printers compatible with recent invention of 802.11n standard can deliver faster speeds and greater range with data rates reach to 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s.For remote application like in logistics business there is a critical need to have better battery life which remains as a challenge for the manufactures. Other challenges which manufactures should look upon were like low weight, good balance, grip & ease to carry the device.Market SegmentationMobile printer market primarily can be segmented based on the end users like services, hospitality, postal & parcel services, hospital, retail, law enforcement and securities.Mobile printers can also be segmented based on the technology used for wireless transfer of the data for printing like 802.11 b/g, IrDA (infrared data association) and Bluetooth Technology.Mobile Printer can also be segmented based on the printing technology used like direct thermal and thermal transfer of which direct thermal is dominant because of the simplicity of design and satisfies most mobile needs.Request For TOC@Market forecast:The mobile printer market in North America dominates all the other regions which is followed by Europe. The mobile printer market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow due to increase in demand for handheld devices, smartphones and tablets. The mobile printer market in Middle East and are among the potential markets but are tallied after Europe and Asia Pacific.Mobile printers: Key market playersThe key players in the Mobile printer market are Hewlett Packard, Canon, Epson, Xerox, Zebra Technologies, Intermec, Lexmark, and Printeron.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Food Processing Equipment Global Market 2017 Focuses on top manufacturers GEA Group, Buhler AG, JBT, Meyer Industries, Haas, Heat and Control

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The Food Processing Equipment Market report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Food Processing Equipment market.Request for FREE SAMPLE Report @The report includes rigorous data, in-depth analysis in two ways, namely, quantitative and qualitative, industry professionals inputs and data given by the industry members and industry analysts involved in the complete value cycle. The report features thorough study of important market and their current trends, coupled with respective market segments. Information about the numerous factors and their influence on the global market and its segments is also mentioned in the Food Processing Equipment report.The study report evaluates the range of factors of the Food Processing Equipment industry, such as definition, demands, share, analysis, supply, sales, size, specification, forecast trends, production, classification, industry policy, news, and application. The global Food Processing Equipment market report will provide significant and reliable information on the market clearly in structured format. The report will offers you a key manufacturer of the products, applications, DROS and others.Do Inquiry For Buying Report @The report Food Processing Equipment market Split by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoFrozen Food Processing MachineryBakery and pasta Processing MachineryMeat Processing MachinerySplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Food Processing Equipment in each application, can be divided intoFood processing plantsRestaurantsMRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Ventilation Equipment Market Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2015-2025

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Ventilation equipment are used in buildings to maintain the temperature and to improve the quality of indoor air. These equipment are utilized in both the exchange of air  inside to outside and circulation within the building. Ventilation equipment are essential to maintain indoor quality of air in building. Different type of equipment available in ventilation equipment market includes heat recovery ventilation units, room air distribution units and fume hoods. Fume hoods are majorly used in kitchen and laboratories to remove heat, odor and smoke. Room air distribution units are used to mix the existing air with new conditioned air in homes and offices.Ventilation Equipment Market: Drivers & RestraintsConstruction industry is expected to register a substantial growth worldwide in upcoming years which is expected to be driver for the increasing demand for ventilation equipment market during the forecast period. Increasing urbanization supported by regulation for energy efficient building across the globe is likely to spur the growth of the ventilation equipment market.Request Report Sample@Ventilation Equipment Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, ventilation equipment market is broadly segmented as:Axial FansCentrifugal FansCross Flow FansDomestic Exhaust FansPower Roof FansRange HoodsOthersOn the basis of Application, the ventilation equipment market is segmented into:ResidentialNon  ResidentialVentilation Equipment Market: OverviewRegulations for energy efficient building implement by government all over the world increased the demand for ventilation equipment as it helps in maintain the temperature in an area with less energy consumption. With growing environmental concerns and increasing awareness among the end users ventilation equipment market is expected to register a substantial growth during the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Ventilation Equipment Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in the ventilation equipment market we identified includes, Centrotec Sustainable AG, Greenheck Fan Corp., CaptiveAire Systems Inc, Twin City Fan Companies Ltd., Munters AB, Nortek Incorporated, Flakt Woods Group and Soler & Palau Group.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Synthetic Biology Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Synthetic biology is a combination of biology and biomedical engineering principles that favors designing and construction of novel biological parts & systems and also the reconstruction of preexisting designs according to specific application requirements. Synthetic biology is extensively used in the field of medical and pharmaceuticals to produce and manufacture improved biological drugs and systems to meet various challenges in the healthcare sector. Synthetic biology offers various opportunities in the field of healthcare such as recreating highly complex pathways, DNA sequences, and natural biological systems. In synthetic biology market, genetically modified organisms is the new approach for researchers. However, currently only one engineered gene has been developed, with increasing focus on creating clusters of genes. Also, due to the rising demand for vaccines in high income countries, synthetic biologists are more inclined towards research of various types of vaccines that can be used as prophylaxis. According to WHO, in in 2011, high income countries such as the U.S., Japan, and the U.K. contributed around 80% of global vaccine sales revenue, with these regions accounting for 20% volume share.To know about the assumptions considered for the study, Download the PDF Brochure:Synthetic biology market taxonomy:By Product TypeSynthetic DNASynthetic cellsSynthetic genesChassis organismsGenetically modified organismsOligonucleotide SynthesisBy ToolXeno-nucleic Acids (XNA)Cloning and Assembly kitsOligonucleotidesEnzymesBy TechnologyEnabling TechnologiesBioinformaticsSite-saturation MutagenesisMeasurement and ModelingMicrofluidicsCloning and SequencingGene SynthesisGenome EngineeringNanotechnologyEnabled TechnologiesPathway EngineeringNext-generation SequencingBy ApplicationEnvironmental ApplicationBioremediationWhole-cell BiosensorsIndustrial ApplicationBiofuels and Renewable EnergyIndustrial EnzymesBiomaterials and Green ChemicalsMedical ApplicationArtificial Tissue and Tissue RegenerationPharmaceuticalsDrug Discovery and TherapeuticsGovernment funding supporting synthetic biology market growth:Growing demand for synthetic biology products such as synthetic DNA, synthetic genes for treatment of diseases and for developing genetic modified products such as hybrid crop, genetically modified animals for enhancing the nutritional value of the food is also contributing towards the growth of the synthetic biology market. Also, various governments are investing in research and development of novel synthetic biology products. For instance, according to the report from U.S. Trends in Synthetic Biology Research at the Wilson Center, during the period of six years from 2008 to 2014, the U.S. invested around US$ 820 million in research for products in synthetic biology. Among different funding agencies, the defense department became a key funder of synthetic biology research dominating the funds by national science foundation. The above key fact also suggests that U.S. is expected to be a significant contributor in synthetic biology market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Regional analysis of synthetic biology market:Developed countries such as the U.S., Germany, U.K., France, and Japan have mature markets for synthetic biology mainly due to large funding and favorable government regulation regarding the approval of synthetic biology products. According to genetic engineering & biotechnology news in 2010, the government of three European countries namely the Netherlands, U.K., and Germany invested around US$ 160 million in a span of five years between 2005 and 2010. Regulations such as Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1997, cover commercial uses of new microorganisms not regulated by other agencies: primary rules covering industrial biotechnology. European Commission and research agencies have also increased their funding for research in synthetic biology. In emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, governments are focusing on tackling major issues such as under-nutrition by encouraging adoption of GMO crops. For example, Indian government is had put efforts in the past regarding in terms of intervention programs to combat malnutrition such as Integrated child development services and mid-day meal program This creates a highly conducive environment for market growth.Major acquisitions to support the growth in synthetic biology marketThere are few recent acquisitions by the big brands in biotechnology that is expected to favor the market for synthetic biology. QIAGEN N.V acquired OmicSofta software solutions company that offers scientists and researchers tools to efficiently analyze and visualize the data in bioinformatics. This acquisition is further expected to favor the working efficiency of the company. Key players operating in the synthetic biology market include DuPont, Amyris, Inc., GenScript USA Inc., Integrated DNA Technologies, Intrexon Corporation, New England Biolabs, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Synthetic Genomics, Inc., Royal DSM, and Novozymes.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit Coherent Market Insights Blog @Connect with us on LinkedIn @
Adaptive Cruise Control System Market Global Industry Analysis, size, share and Forecast 2015-2025

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Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a special form of the conventional cruise control systems which is used to maintain and control the speeds of cars and other intelligent vehicles. Adaptive cruise control is an intelligent form of cruise control systems that slows down and speeds up automatically to keep pace with the car in front of you. It dosent make use of any satellite, any roadside infrastructures or any cooperative support from other vehicles, rather it uses sensors and lasers to control the speed of vehicles. The main impact of adaptive cruise control system is on drivers safety as by adjusting the distance between according to the traffic conditions. The overall process is achieved through a radar headway sensor, longitudinal controller and digital signal processor. Adaptive cruise control systems are being enhanced to guide through collision warning capabilities to warn drivers through audio or visual signals that a collision is imminent and that evasive steering is required. Now-a-days, Adaptive cruise control system is often paired with a pre-crash system which alerts the driver and often starts braking. Adaptive cruise control is also known as autonomous cruise control, active cruise control, intelligent cruise control or radar cruise control.Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market: SegmentationThe Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market can be segmented on the basis of Geography, Vehicle Type and Technology. On the basis of Geography, the Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and Latin America. On account of type, the Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market can be segmented into passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. Passenger vehicles include luxury cars, mid-range cars and premium cars. Further, considering technology, the Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market can be segmented into infrared sensors, laser sensors, image sensors, radar sensors and ultrasonic sensors.Request Report Sample@Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market: Region-Wise OutlookThe key regions in the field of adaptive cruise control systems are Asia Pacific, Europe, Americas. The Asia Pacific region includes the emerging markets like Thailand, India and China. The factors such as rising demands of premium and luxury cars in such regions are effective to the overall growth of the global adaptive cruise control system market. Europe is the region which is a major market to the product and is home for the major suppliers of adaptive cruise control systems. The key regions in Europe comprises of Germany, France and Italy. The American region comprises of Brazil, Mexico, Canada and others; Brazil and Mexico being the emerging markets of this region.Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market: DriversThe growth of the global adaptive cruise control system market highly depends on the rising number of accidents due to increase in traffic. Moreover, with the advancement of technology, people tend to be on a safer side and thus are willing to pay to install adaptive cruise control systems and thus are willing to pay. The increasing disposable incomes and greater sales of premium and luxury cars is also a major factor driving the growth of the global adaptive cruise control system market. The increasing use of sensors with the advancement in the technology is another fuelling factor. Moreover, government initiatives to improve fuel efficiencies and safety attributes of vehicles are motivating the manufacturers to apply such integrated systems to ensure safety as well as to comply with the government regulations.Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market: ChallengesThe regions with higher intensity of fog, rainfalls and snowfalls are repelling to the adaptive cruise control systems. Regions with such weather conditions make such safety systems inefficient in making and monitoring the speeds of the surrounding objects and vehicles making the owners of the vehicles reluctant to implement such systems. Since each and every manufacturer competes with each other, each manufacturer implements high end safety sensors thus making the car owners difficult to understand the exact operating procedures of the product.Visit For TOC@Global Adaptive Cruise Control System Market: Key PlayersVarious companies are into manufacturing the adaptive cruise control system market. Some of the key players involved in the global adaptive cruise control system market are Denso Corporation, Magna International Inc., Mando Corporation, Valeo SA, TRW Automotive, Autoliv Inc., Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmBH, Delphi Automotive PLC and others.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Healthcare Provider Network Management" to its huge collection of research reports.This research report on the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management market provides in-depth and information on the key factors that influence the movements in this market. The prominent trends and the recent research and development in the field of Healthcare Provider Network Management have been studied thoroughly and analyzed in detail in this market study.Researchers have employed efficient analytical tools, such as market feasibility and investment return analysis to determine the attractiveness of the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia market for Healthcare Provider Network Management while performing this research. Based on these results, experts have analyzed the growth of this market over the years and provided a deep insight into the crucial strategies and plans of the leading participants in this market, which they can implement in the forthcoming years for the further expansion of their business. Researchers have also predicted the future status of this market on the basis of results achieved.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @The market study further analyzes the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management market on the basis of the availability of products. The manufacturing volume, the pricing structure, and the revenue garnered by these products are the prime factors, based on which the performance of this market has been determined. Moreover, it evaluates the manufacturing chain and the dynamics of demand, supply, and sales of Healthcare Provider Network Management across the world. The government norms and policies, fueling the demand for Healthcare Provider Network Management have also been explained at length in the report.At last, the research report presents an assessment of the competitive landscape prevalent in the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia market for Healthcare Provider Network Management by reviewing the profiles of the leading participants and also lists key recommendations concerning the market from both, demand and supply perspective.Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Healthcare Provider Network Management1.1 Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Overview1.1.1 Healthcare Provider Network Management Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Healthcare Provider Network Management Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 32 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 TRIZETTO CORPORATION (A COGNIZANT COMPANY)3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 AYASDI, INC.3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 MCKESSON CORPORATION3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 OPTUM, INC.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 GENPACT LIMITED3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 INFOSYS BPO, LTD.3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 SYNTEL, INC.3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 MPHASIS LIMITED3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 VESTICA HEALTHCARE, LLC (A SKYGEN USA COMPANY)3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 LDERA, INC.3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Healthcare Provider Network Management Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.10.5 Recent DevelopmentsFill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @4 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.1 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.2 Potential Application of Healthcare Provider Network Management in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Healthcare Provider Network Management5 United States Healthcare Provider Network Management Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Healthcare Provider Network Management Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Healthcare Provider Network Management Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Sales of Hot Stamping Foil Market Evaluated by Type, Applications and Regions

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2016 Global Hot Stamping Foil Market Status, 2011-2022 Market Historical and Forecasts, Professional Market Research Report is the latest market intelligence on growth drivers, industry and regional trends, competitive landscape scenario as well as upstream and downstream sectors.2017 Global Hot Stamping Foil Market Research Report is a deep market research report in this market.This report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the segment market details on different classifications and applications.First, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news in Chapter 1.Second, the analysis on industry chain is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players. And the analysis on manufacturing including process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted in Chapter 2.Request a sample copy of Global Hot Stamping Foil Market Research Report @Then the global and regional market is analyzed. In these chapters, this report analyzed major market data like capacity, production, capacity utilization rate, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, supply, import, export, consumption, market share, growth rate and etc. For regional market, this report analyzed major regions like Europe, North America, South America, Asia (Excluding China), China and ROW. This analysis are conducted in Chapter 3 and 4.The listed pricing for this Global Hot Stamping Foil Market report starts at $ 2800. Request Discount for Global Hot Stamping Foil Market Research Report @In Chapter 5, the performance of major manufacturers are analyzed and then in Chapter 6 and 7 the analysis on major classification and application.Then the marketing channel analysis is provided including the major distributors in Chapter 8.Then this report analyzed Global Hot Stamping Foil Market forecast from 2017 to 2022 for global and regional market in Chapter 9 and the new project investment feasibility analysis in Chapter 10.At last, this report provided the conclusions of this research in Chapter 11.This report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.Browse full table of contents and data tables For Global Hot Stamping Foil Market Report @Related Reports: -Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Copper Foil Market 2017 Forecast to 2022Copper foil is a foil form of copper less than the thickness of 150?m and there are two types, a rolled copper foil and an electrolytic copper foil. Normally, a rolled copper foil is made by rolling and annealing electrolytic copper continuously and there is a restriction of the length.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Rising Concerns over Threat to Security to Impel Adoption of Wireless Intercoms in Asia Pacific

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The intense competition between RTS Intercom, Clear-Com Ltd., and Commend International GmbH characterizes the competitive landscape of the market for wireless intercom in Asia Pacific, finds a report by Transparency Market Research.These wireless intercom manufacturers rely on product innovations and integration of latest technologies in their existing offerings to grab an edge over each other. For instance, Commend Int. introduced an advanced version of its intercom solution in April 2015, integrated with intelligent volume control function to enhance the speech volume and degrade the background sound in noise-polluted environments. By September 2015, Clear-Com also came up with DX410, a 2.4GHz base station, offering a two-channel, frequency hopping system.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Over the forthcoming years, other than innovation and advancements, competitors in this market will look for strategic alliances with companies in the media and technology sector in order to incorporated technological developments in their products, strengthening their position in Asia Pacific.Need for Robust Security Solutions Boosts Demand for Wireless IntercomsAsia Pacific is undergoing a phase of rapid advancements in terms of economy and infrastructure. This infrastructural development has fuelled the need for robust security solutions across the region. The demand for efficient security in Asia Pacific is also witnessing a remarkable surge due to the growing concerns over threats to safety and security, considering the increased crime rate and terror attacks.Intercoms, being one of the most essential components of a security systems, is, thereby, also witnessing an immense surge in demand in this region. Wireless intercoms, owing to their easy handling, experience a higher demand compared to traditional wired ones. Technical advancements in wireless intercoms, such as the integration of encryption techniques, is also an important factor behind the increasing preference for them over wired intercoms.Going forward, the rocketing urbanization, together with the speedy growth of smart cities across Asia Pacific, is likely to prepare ground for the widespread application of wireless intercoms over the next few years in this region.Browse Market Research Report @Increasing Demand for Wi-Fi-based Wireless Intercoms to Impact Growth Rate of RF-based Wireless IntercomsThe Asia Pacific market for wireless intercom has witnessed a tremendous rise since the last decade, says TMR. Analysts expect it to remain registering steady growth in the near future. Rising at a CAGR of 12.30% between 2015 and 2023, the opportunity in wireless intercom, across Asia Pacific, is likely to increase from US$0.4 bn in 2014 to US$1.1 bn by the end of the forecast period.Based on technology, radio frequency-based wireless intercoms led the overall market in 2014 with a demand share of more than 80%. The segment is likely expand at a CAGR 10.5% during the forecast period; however, with a 19.80% CAGR, the demand for Wi-Fi-based wireless intercoms will register the fastest growth over the next few years.By end user, large enterprises are the key consumers of wireless intercoms in Asia Pacific. The trend is expected to remain the same during the forecast period. In terms of industry verticals, security and surveillance have emerged as the leading segment and is projected to continue to lead in the coming years.Regionally, wireless intercoms enjoy maximum application in the Rest of Asia Pacific. Any change in this condition is not expected in the near future.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :-Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Smart Meter Market Value Share, Supply Demand, share and Value Chain 2015-2025

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On a global scale, many countries are facing challenges to meet the growing demand for energy. Thus utilities are looking for innovative and efficient ways to manage generation, transmission and worldwide distribution of energy. Global smart meter market consists of digital electronic devices for measuring and two-way information sharing to manage and control power consumption by customers. Customers also have the advantage of tracking their energy consumption and billing through internet. Global smart meter market demand is more in residential areas as compared to commercial areas and electric smart meter is prominently used among the types of smart meters. Environmental concerns for reducing carbon and energy wastage and for regulating supply of energy, are major factors driving global smart meter market. Global smart meter market is anticipated to grow with a single digit compound annual growth rate during the forecast period.Smart Meter Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe major driving factor for the growth of global smart meter market is government support and incentives, as utilities are initially reluctant to make huge investment in new technology without their support. Technological advancements such as smart grid development, infrastructure development, growing population and rise in economic developments are some of the other factors boosting the growth of global smart meter market. The successful deployment of global smart meter market is dependent on logistics which influences the delivery, installation and performance of smart meter. The health effects concerning wireless signals in smart meter, security concerns, regulatory constraints and stiff competition are some of the challenges faced by global smart meter market.Request Report Sample@Smart Meter Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, global smart meter market can be segmented into following segments:Smart electric meterSmart gas meterSmart water meterOn the basis of application, global smart meter market can be segmented into:Residential applicationCommercial applicationOn the basis of technology, global smart meter market can be segmented into:Radio Frequency (RF)Power Line Carrier (PLC)Smart Meter Market: Region-wise OutlookGlobal smart meter market is expected to exhibit healthy growth in Asia-Pacific and Western Europe regions which is either due to increasing installation of new smart meters as well as upgradation of the existing smart meters. China is expected to display substantial progress of global smart meter market, as incorporated in its five-year nationwide plan to upgrade its grid infrastructure. In Japan, large scale installation by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) started on 2014 which is expected to last during the forecast period leading to increase in demand for global smart meter market. In North, America, the growth of global smart meter market is expected to slower down as infrastructure for energy is well developed and funding for the new projects has become limited. In Latin America, global smart meter is set to exhibit steady growth of global smart meter market, as compared to Middle East and Africa.Visit For TOC@Smart Meter Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global smart meter market are: Aclara Technologies LLC., Echelon Corporation, Elster Group GmbH, General Electric, Holley Metering Limited, Iskraemeco d.d., Itron, Kamstrup A/S, Landis+Gyr and Sensus.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and IndiaContact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
The foreign trade turnover of the Lipetsk region has increased

The foreign trade turnover

Significant increase in the foreign trade turnover - for 77,4 percent  is noted in January-February in the Lipetsk region. In comparison with the same period of last year it has grown by 322 million dollars - to 737 million dollars, the LipetskMedia portal reports with reference to data of the Lipetsk customs.Export has increased for 91%, and import - for 13,5%, balance of a trade turnover is positive. Commercial relations were supported with 65 near and far-abroad countries. The largest volume of export-import transactions is noted with China, Germany, Holland, Turkey, Belgium, Mexico.The growing volumes of foreign trade demonstrate sustainable development of the economy of the Lipetsk region and improvement of the quality of people's life. "The favorable investment climate, introduction of innovative technologies do production with the Lipetsk brand competitive, demanded in the international market. The mechanical engineering and metallurgy, agro-industrial complex, other branches are developing successfully", - the head of the region Oleg Korolev notes.JSC Management Company "Investment Projects Fund" acts as the strategic tool for increasing of enterprise and investment activity in the Lipetsk region. Among our main goals are creation of new approach to development of territories and as a result improvement of investment climate of our region.We invite projects initiators and investors from all Russian regions and from abroad to mutually beneficial cooperation.JSC Managing company Investment Projects FundPhone: +7 (4742) 39-32-43E-mail: invest-lip@mail.ruAddress: 2 Slavyanova Street, Room 2, LipetskPresscontact: AnastasiaPhone: +7 980 262 32 46
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Hospital Information Systems (HIS)" to its huge collection of research reports.This all-inclusive research report on the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) market carry out a detailed manufacturing and supply and demand and sales analysis of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) across the world and presents deep insights into the overall performance of this market in terms of both volume and value.This research report on the worldwide Hospital Information Systems (HIS) market deals with the historical data and information and the present statistics of this market and predicts its future growth on the basis of the comprehensive analysis of its overall performance. The market study concentrates on evaluating this market on the basis of a number of industry parameters in order to provide a clear picture of it to the readers.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @This research study has been based on the results obtained by employing several analytical tools, such as investment return analysis and investment feasibility analysis to determine the markets appeal. The SWOT analysis of the leading market participants has also been carried out to identify significant strategies adopted by them for the expansion of their businesses across the world.In this study, the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia market for Hospital Information Systems (HIS) has further been assessed by carrying out an analysis of the prevalent industry chain and the government regulations, policies, and initiatives to promote the adoption of Hospital Information Systems (HIS).Along with this, an in-depth study of the products manufactured in the United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia market for Hospital Information Systems (HIS), their production chain, and the pricing structure has also been provided in this report with a detailed list of key recommendations from the perspectives of both, demand and supply, for the readers.Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Hospital Information Systems (HIS)1.1 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Overview1.1.1 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 32 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Cerner Corp.3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Epic Systems Corp.3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 McKesson Corp.3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Siemens Healthcare Ltd3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Agfa Healthcare Corp.3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Allscripts3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Healthcare Solutions Inc.3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Computer Program and Systems Inc.3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 CompuGroup Medical AG3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 GE Healthcare3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Keane Care Inc3.12 Medical Information Technology Inc4 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.1 United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.2 Potential Application of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Hospital Information Systems (HIS)Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @5 United States Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)7 Japan Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (2011-2016)7.2 Japan Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)8 China Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (2011-2016)8.2 China Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)9 India Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size (2011-2016)9.2 India Hospital Information Systems (HIS) Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Oxygen Scavenger Market Volume Forecast and Value Chain Analysis 2017-2027

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Oxygen scavengers are irreversible chemical absorbers which belong to molecular oxygen that are used to prevent or to control oxygen deterioration rate and to prevent spoilage in packaged foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and in medical devices. Oxygen scavenger are also used to prevent metal and alloy fabricated equipment from corrosion caused by dissolved oxygen in steam boiler at atmospheric condition, as well as to control corrosion of industrial liquid separation process such as in distillation, extraction and in wastewater treatment plants where salt water are generally produced in large quantity.However, in industrial applications, it may create several difficulties. Boiler corrosion is a major problem in steam generation systems. It is capable of damaging equipment as well as increasing downtime and replacement rate of equipment and piping. Corrosion can take place in pre-boiler feed water systems. The primary cause of corrosion is the presence of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide. The partial amount of oxygen present is removed through thermal de-aeration and the rest of the corrosion can be controlled by adding oxygen scavengers, which absorb dissolved oxygen. Additionally, oxygen present in food products packaging creates problems for food products. Oxygen present can deteriorate food products either directly or indirectly, thereby removing or reducing oxygen content level from packaged food.Oxygen scavengers are used to maintain products and equipment safety and extend the shelf life of products simultaneously.Request Report Sample@Oxygen scavengers are available in the sachet form and are essentially a mixture of iron powder, sodium and activated charcoal, in which, iron powder acts as a primary component, sodium acts as an activator and activated charcoal acts as a gas absorbent. Iron can effectively reduce the oxygen content level of the surrounding atmosphere by 0.01%. Other than iron powder, many other chemicals are also used as oxygen scavengers to reduce the oxygen content of products. These include photosensitive polymers, ascorbic acid, enzymes, etc. These chemicals can reduce the oxygen level to 0.3%3% in the conventional system of modified atmosphere. The oxygen scavenger packets are made from materials that allow oxygen and moisture to enter but do not allow the iron powder to leak out. Sodium is an extensively used material in oxygen scavenger pouches. Hydrazine (N2H4) and Sodium sulphite (Na2SO3), both of which are sold as catalysed systems to enhance reactivity with oxygen at lower pressures and temperatures.Oxygen scavengers have numerous applications in the industrial sector. They not only help to retain the fresh-roasted flavour of coffee and nuts but alsohelp in avoiding oxidation of oleoresins existing in spices and in seasoning foods. Theyalso help in extending life of pharmaceutical drugs. Oxygen scavengers can provide several benefits such as enhancing production efficiency, improving operational reliability and ensuring safety compliance along with environmental regulations. They also help to issues arising out of dissolved oxygen and provide continuous and trouble-free steam production through boilers.Oxygen Scavenger: Market DynamicsInnovative technologies and sustainable developments are expected to lead to a significant increase in demand for oxygen scavengers market during forecast period. Oxygen scavenger products maximise product life and improve product safety. They improve water quality for boiler feed water by reducing its oxygen content. Food packing sector is expected to drive the demand for the oxygen scavenger market. Various trends are expected to drive the demand for oxygen scavengersmarket. For instance, manufacturers are planning to replace iron powder with other materials to improve the quality of oxygen scavenger products. They are also putting efforts to improve equipment quality and extend the shelf life of products.Oxygen Scavenger: Market SegmentationOn the basis of application, the global oxygen scavenger market is segmented into:Boiler Feed WaterFood ProductsProcessed FoodOn the basis of end use industry, the global oxygen scavenger market is segmented into:ChemicalPharmaceuticalsFood & BeveragesOthers (Sugar Industry, Pulp and Paper Industry, etc)Visit For TOC@Some of the market participants identified across the value chain of oxygen scavenger market areBASF SEGE Water & Process TechnologiesDOW Chemical CompanyHenkel AG & CoArkemaEcolab IncAbout Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Graphene Nanocomposites Market Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2017-2027

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Graphene, an allotrope of carbon, is also the basic structural element of several other allotropes such as charcoal, graphite, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. This material finds application in high-performance markets such as electronics, medical and military among others, and could re-define the nanocomposites market in the future. Graphene nanocomposites have shown a great growth potential in certain industry segments such as electronics, aerospace, green energy and automotive. Over the past few years, technology has advanced significantly and the synthesis of graphene in bulk amount became possible. This is a milestone in the development of graphene based composite and hybrid materials.Owing to the high cost of material manufacture and production techniques, as well as the high cost of technology and patent protection, some materials in the nanocomposites market have posed difficulties in terms of costing and manufacturing delays for various high-performance end-user segments. Graphene based polymer composites show prevalent mechanical, thermal, fire resistance and electrical properties in contrast with a routine polymer.Request Report Sample@Its contribution to the host framework enhances electrical and mechanical properties superior to different Nanocomposites, for example, clay and carbon nanotubes (CNT). In spite of the fact that CNTs are practically identical in mechanical properties to that of graphene, graphene nanocomposites are ideal over the previous one due to its better electrical and thermal conductivity. The exceptional thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of graphene nanocomposites are expected to propel the nanocomposites market growth. Graphene nanocomposites also possess the properties of fracture toughness, lightweight, fatigue strength and cost-effectiveness. All these features promote its usage as primary filling agents in conventional composite applications.Graphene nanocomposites are also utilized in energy storage and conversion devices such as lithium (Li), Li-sulphur Li-air batteries and super capacitors or ultra-capacitors. Graphene nanocomposites exhibits fabulous material features, for example, quicker recombination rate and longer stability. Li-ion batteries by means of solution blending improves the recharging capacity and its performance level. Research & Development to utilize graphene nanocomposites in microbial fuels are being carried out in order to generate electricity from organic matters.Asian countries such as Indonesia, South-Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China and North America region are the major manufacturers and consumers of graphene nanocomposites in terms of volume. Major growth in these countries is expected from the growing electronics & electrical, packaging, automotive and electronics & semiconductor sectors. The presence of a large number of manufacturers, research institutes and universities, combined with an increased demand for graphene nanocomposites, the global graphene nanocomposites market is projected to witness an exponential growth over the forecast period.Global Graphene Nanocomposites Market: SegmentationGlobal Graphene Nanocomposites market is segmented as followsBy Type;Graphene Oxide (GO)Graphene Nano Platelets (GNP)Graphene PolymerBy Application;Electro catalystsHigh performance materialsBiosensorsBiomedical materialsBy End-Use;PackagingBuilding & ConstructionElectronics & ElectricalAutomotiveMedicalGlobal Graphene Nanocomposites Market: Key Trends and DriversThe swift growth of electronics industry and perennial development in technology drive the graphene nanocomposites market growth to an extent. Because of certain unique properties of graphene nanocomposites such as high carrier versatility, good electrical conductivity and direct optical transmittance, they are used as part of electrode applications for manufacturing active solar cells, liquid crystal devices, field emission devices and natural light radiating diodes, which drives the graphene nanocomposites market. Graphene nanocomposites are also suitable for biomedical applications such as gene delivery and nano medicine, which bolsters its growth in medical sector also. Another major application of graphene nanocomposites is ceramic-based nanocomposites. They exhibit excellent electrochemical properties with high carrier features applicable in energy sector. The relatively high cost associated with the production of graphene nanocomposites is expected to hamper the market growth.Visit For TOC@Global Graphene Nanocomposites Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants identified across the value chain include, 2-D Tech, Abalonyx AS,ACS Material, Angstron Materials, Applied Graphene Materials plc., DFJ nanotechnologies Co Ltd, Gramor, William Blythe Limited, Graphene Laboratories Inc., Graphenea and Graphene Tech, among others.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics Market by Type & Application 2016 - 2024

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As the incidence of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, eczema, cell carcinoma, pruritus, and dermatitis increases globally, in return it will create opportunities for the expansion of the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market. Besides, having an adverse impact on the well-being of millions, these diseases also put burden on an economys healthcare finances. As per Transparency Market Research (TMR), skin conditions such as these permeate all cultures, they can occur at any age, and affects 30% to 70% individuals globally. The situation necessitates the efficient research and development on novel dermatology therapeutics.The global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market will therefore gain from the rising prevalence of such chronic ailments, increasing geriatric population, and the changing pool of patients. However, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the looming patent expirations, the growth trajectory of the market is likely to be hindered to an extent. Nevertheless, TMR projects positive growth for the market between 2015 and 2023.Rising at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2015 and 2023, the global market for dermatology diagnostic devices is poised to reach US$1 bn 2023, from a valuation of US$0.6 bn in 2014. Conversely, the global dermatology therapeutics market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 1.9% during the forecast period, rising from a valuation of US$17.5 bn in 2014 to US$20.1 bn in 2023.Obtain Report Details @North America Emerges at Fore of Global Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics MarketRegionally, North America has emerged at the fore of the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market. The region constituted a share of 43.8% in 2014, thus sealing its dominance in the global market. Besides witnessing a growing prevalence of skin disorders, North America also boasts easy access to best-in-class healthcare facilities. This makes the region very lucrative for most companies operating in the market. Growth witnessed by the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the region has been a result of the presence of a highly structured healthcare industry and access to well-designed reimbursement policies.The dermatology diagnostic devices market stood at US$245.1 mn in North America and is projected to reach US$470.4 mn by the end of 2023, thus exhibiting a CAGR of 7.6% during the period. The dermatology therapeutics market in the region however is expected to report moderate growth in the forecast period. It is poised to surge at 2.1% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.While Europe is expected to emerge as the second-largest market for dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics, the distinction of the fastest growing market will remain with Asia Pacific. The latter is expected to demonstrate the fastest CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period. The presence of large pool of geriatric population in Asia Pacific, apart from increasing healthcare spending in the emerging economies is boosting prospects for the market in the region. The increasing government support will also prove lucrative for the enterprises operating in Asia Pacific.Demand for Antibacterial Drugs to Surge in Response to Increasing Incidence of Chronic Skin ConditionsIn the dermatology diagnostics market, the demand for imaging equipment is rising at a high pace. The segment also accounted for the dominant share of in the market in 2014 based on revenue. The lead of this product segment is largely attributed by the high price of imaging equipment. However, TMR projects the demand for high sensitivity imaging equipment to rise at a faster pace in the near future due to their proven result in diagnosis of chronic skin diseases.By drug class, antibacterial drugs accounted for the largest share in the global dermatology therapeutics market. This segment is projected to report a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period. The demand for these drugs are expected to increasing in the forthcoming years because they have proven efficient treating and preventing infections. Furthermore, the demand for topical antibacterial drugs and oral antibiotics is also expected to rise in the future due to their use in the treatment of various skin conditions.Some of the leading companies operating in the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market include Astellas Pharma, Inc., Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Novartis International AG, Cutera, Inc., Galderma S.A., Dino-Lite Europe/IDCP B.V., Genentech, LEO Pharma A/S, Michelson Diagnostics Ltd., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., and others.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
South Africa Printing Inks Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Research Report 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Printing Inks Market - South Africa Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.South Africa Printing Inks Market: Research MethodologyPrinting inks is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes mixed with oil or solvents or water. Printing inks are used to color surfaces such as paper, cardboard, and ceramic tiles to produce an image, text, or design. These inks can be classified into liquid and paste. Liquid inks are employed in gravure and flexographic printing processes, while paste inks are used in offset printing process. Pigments are extensively used in printing inks as colorants (except in flexographic printing process). Invisible or fluorescent printing dye stuff is used as colorants in flexographic printing process and some other special applications such as heat transfer printing.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report provides in-depth analysis and forecast of the printing inks market in South Africa. It includes forecast for the period from 2016 to 2024 in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn). Quantitative data has been derived through extensive secondary research of the printing inks market in South Africa. Secondary sources typically include company websites, relevant magazines, government documents, and press releases. The top-down approach has been adopted to derive the revenue and volume figures for the printing inks market in South Africa. Furthermore, the bottom-up approach has been employed to derive data for various application segments based on demand for printing inks. A combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches helps validate the quantitative data. The data was further validated with the help of primary research with industry experts to ensure accuracy of derived numbers.South Africa Printing Inks Market: Scope of the StudyDetailed analysis of various factors driving the printing inks market in South Africa has been included for astute decision making. Impact of these drivers has been analyzed with data to substantiate research findings. Furthermore, factors restraining market growth have been included for better understanding of the market. Impact of these restraints has been analyzed over the course of the forecast period. The report also comprises various opportunities available for market growth during the next eight years. Opportunities entail untapped or recently explored factors that are anticipated to drive the printing inks market in South Africa during the forecast period.The report includes value chain analysis to help understand the industry thoroughly. Value chain analysis comprises detailed evaluation of the roles of various entities involved in the printing inks industry, from raw material suppliers to end-users. Various processes employed in the manufacture of printing inks have been included in the value chain analysis. Porters Five Forces model has been employed to determine the degree of competition in the market during the forecast period. Company market share analysis has been included for better understanding of the competitive landscape. Company market share analysis comprises the market share of dominant players in 2015, based on their production capacities. Furthermore, market attractiveness analysis has been conducted to analyze product segments that are expected to be lucrative during the forecast period. This is based on various factors such as market size, growth rate, profitability, raw material procurement, and competition in each product segment.South Africa Printing Inks Market: SegmentationBased on application, the printing inks market in South Africa has been segmented into screen printing inks, flexographic printing inks, gravure printing inks, offset printing inks, digital printing inks, and specialty inks. The report comprises detailed analysis of all the segments in the printing inks market in South Africa and forecast based on current and future trends in the industry in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn). In terms of end-user, the market has been segmented into publication & commercial printing, packaging, textiles, metal cans, and others (decorative inks, etc.). Demand for printing inks in each of its application segments has been analyzed and forecast for the period of eight years.South Africa Printing Inks Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also comprises profiles of leading companies in the printing inks market in South Africa. These include New Africa Inks (Pty) Limited, GL Specialized Inks (Pty) Ltd., Constantia Printing Inks, Hi-Tech Inks (Pty) Ltd., Millian Inks, Select Inks, Flint Group South Africa Ltd., NUtec Digital Ink (Pty) Ltd., and Hostmann-Steinberg South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Various attributes of these companies such as company overview, business strategies, and recent developments form the core of the company profiles section.This report segments the printing inks market in South Africa as follows:Printing Inks Market  Application Analysis- Screen Printing Inks- Flexographic Printing Inks- Gravure Printing Inks- Offset Printing Inks- Digital Printing Inks- Specialty InksPrinting Inks Market  End-user Analysis- Publication & Commercial Printing- Packaging- Textiles- Metal Cans- Others (Decorative inks, etc.)Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Cosmetic Packaging Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Cosmetic Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Cosmetic Packaging Market: Scope and MethodologyThis report provides forecast and analysis of the cosmetic packaging market on the global and regional levels. It provides historical data of 2015 along with forecast from 2016 to 2024 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Million units). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on packaging consumption globally. It includes drivers and restraints of the cosmetic packaging market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of current issues with end users and opportunities for cosmetic packaging manufacturers. It also includes detailed pricing analysis by container type and value chain analysis.In supply chain analysis the report also provides approximate profit margins garnered by industry stakeholders such as cosmetic packaging product raw material suppliers and cosmetic packaging product manufacturer. The report also enlists some of the key buyers of cosmetic packaging products across the globe.In order to provide users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and company players with unique selling propositions. The dashboard provides detailed comparison of cosmetic packaging manufacturers on parameters such as operating margin, unique selling propositions, collective market share, and geographic concentration. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, by material type, application type, container type, declared capacity type and region.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Cosmetic Packaging Market: SegmentationThe report includes consumption of cosmetic packaging and the revenue generated from sales of cosmetic packaging in all regions and important countries in these regions. By material type, the global cosmetic packaging market has been segmented into glass, paper, plastic, metal and others. Plastic segment is further sub-segmented into PET, PP, PE and others. By application type, the market is segmented into skin care, hair care, make up and nail care. On the basis of container type, the global cosmetic packaging market is segmented into jars, tubes, bottles, pumps & dispensers, sachets and other. On the basis of declared capacity type the global cosmetic packaging market is segmented into Type 1(Below 50 ml), Type 2(50 ml  100 ml), Type 3(100 ml -150 ml), Type 4(150 ml  200 ml) and Type 5(Above 200 ml).Market numbers have been estimated based on average consumption and weighted average pricing of cosmetic packaging by container type and the revenue is derived through regional pricing trends. Market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The cosmetic packaging market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are average regional prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional cosmetic packaging manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All key end users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents.Regional demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various end users of cosmetic packaging in different regions. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the cosmetic packaging market by regions. Market numbers for global material type, application type, container type and declared capacity segments have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each regions demand. Company-level market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, World Bank, Packaging Digest, and Hoovers, and company annual reports and publications.Global Cosmetic Packaging Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of key participants operating in the global market. Key players in the global cosmetic packaging market include Aptar Group Inc., RPC Group Plc, Gerresheimer AG, Amcor Limited, Albea S.A., Libo Cosmetics Company, Ltd., Quadpack Industries, HCP Packaging, Fusion Packaging, ABC Packaging Ltd.The market has been segmented as below:Global Cosmetic Packaging Market  By Material- Glass- Paper- Plastic- - PET- - PP- - PE- - OthersGlobal Cosmetic Packaging Market  By Application Type- Skin Care- Hair Care- Make up- Nail CareGlobal Cosmetic Packaging Market  By Container Type- Jars- Tubes- Bottles- Pumps & Dispensers- Sachets- Other (Rolling Balls, Sticks, Pen type etc.)Global Cosmetic Packaging Market  By Declared Capacity Type- Type 1 (Below 50 ml)- Type 2 (50 ml  100 ml)- Type 3 (100 ml  150 ml)- Type 4 (150 ml  200 ml)- Type 5 (Above 200 ml)Global Cosmetic Packaging Market  By Region- North America- U.S.- Canada- Latin America- Brazil- Argentina- Rest of Latin America- Europe- EU-5- Russia- Nordic- Benelux- Poland- Rest of Europe- Asia Pacific (APAC)- China- India- Japan- ASEAN- Oceania- Rest of Asia Pacific- Middle East and Africa (MEA)- GCC Countries- South Africa- North Africa- Rest of MEAMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Krill Oil Market is expected to account USD 720 Million by 2023

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Research Nester has recently announced its latest research on Krill Oil Market : Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023.The Global Krill Oil market is majorly driven by health benefits associated with the consumption of omega-3 fatty acid and increasing use of krill oil in food and beverages industry according to our research report Global Krill Oil Market Outlook 2023.Regionally, the krill oil market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World (ROW). Among these, Europe is anticipated to witness a significant growth and occupy the largest share of the krill oil market by 2023.Global krill oil market is anticipated to reach USD 720 million by 2023, witnessing a compound annual growth rate of 13.2% owing to the increasing health concerns among the consumers and health benefits associated with the consumption of omega-3 fatty acid.Europe is expected to contribute highest share in revenue of global krill oil market due to highest krill oil harvest units in the region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness a compound annual growth rate of 13.1% owing to the increasing use of krill oil in functional food and beverages industry.Health Benefits Associated with the Consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acid: UpliftRising awareness related to various health benefits such as prevention of heart disease, cholesterol reduction and so much more has increased the demand and consumption of krill oil. Intake of krill oil component (omega-3s) can lead to a lower risk of infant allergy; rising awareness associated with the consumption of krill oil will further boost the demand of krill across the globe.Increasing Use of Krill Oil in Food and Beverages Industry: ImpetusKrill oil contains fats that reduces swelling, helps to maintain low cholesterol, makes blood platelets less sticky which prevents blood clotting. On the other hand krill oil is beneficial for heart patients, maintain cholesterol level etc. various benefits associated with the consumption of krill oil has increased the use of krill oil in food and beverages industry. This will further propel the growth of market in upcoming 5-6 years.The report titled Global Krill Oil Market Outlook 2023 delivers detailed overview of the krill oil in terms of market segmentation by regions, by types, by end use industry applications.Further, for the in-depth analysis, the report encompasses the industry growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis and Porters five force model.This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the krill oil industry which includes company profiling of NWC Naturals Inc., Neptune Technologies, Bio-resources Inc., Aker Bio-Marine, Enzymotec Ltd. The profiling enfolds key information of the companies which encompasses business overview, products and services, key financials and recent news and developments. On the whole, the report depicts detailed overview on the global krill oil market that will help industry consultants, equipment manufacturers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.To know more about this research, kindly visit:For Table of Content & Free Sample Report Contact:Ajay DanielEmail: ajay.daniel@researchnester.com1820 Avenue M, Suite# 1113,Brooklyn, New York 11230U.S. +1 646 586 9123U.K. +44 203 608 5919Research Nester is a global firm with clients from America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Presence of our clients from global geographies reflects our strong hand in the market research and consulting services.We believe that every organization can reach to its new horizon provided a right guidance at the right time is available through strategic minds. And, this belief drives us to arrange concrete ground, focusing on the quality, actionable insights and a strong understanding of the market dynamics for our business partners.1820 Avenue M, Suite# 1113,Brooklyn, New York 11230Phone : +1 646 586 9123
China Air Compressor Market share to cross USD 9 billion by 2023: Global Market Insights Inc.

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China air compressor market share has applications in mining, power, metallurgy, machinery manufacturing, electronics, food, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and textile & light industries. The industry is currently moving towards structural adjustments. The regions stable economy coupled with expansion of the equipment manufacturing sectors is likely to surge the demand growth over the forecast period.China air compressor market size was valued over USD 3 billion in 2015 and is likely to reach around USD 9 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of over 7.5%. This can be attributed to continuous growth of economic scale coupled with rising demand on quantity and variety of air compressors in the region. This is anticipated to drive the industry demand over the coming few years.China air compressor market size can be segregated across three levels. The first level is multinational enterprises, which include by Ingersoll Rand, Sullair, Fusheng Group and Atlas Copco. These players posses strong independent design and R&D capabilities and are foremost high end screw air compressors. The second level is superior enterprises with major e-design capabilities, high manufacturing and processing level including, Shanghai Hanbell Precise Machinery, Ningbo Baosi Energy Equipment and Zhejiang Kaishan Compressor.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Air compressors mainly consist of piston and screw types. Screw air compressor market was valued USD 2.5 billion in 2014 and expected to exceed USD 3.5 billion by 2023. These compressors are adaptive towards compressor development and are likely to replace the latter in numerous applications. This can be primarily attributed to several advantages offered such as low energy consumption, high reliability and low noise.Increasing acceptance of remote sensing technology in order to monitor and evaluate performance is likely to contribute to demand growth from 2016 to 2023. Strong demand from application segments such as food & beverage is likely to gain significant industry revenue. This can be attributed to mandates on health and food safety requirements which is anticipated to propel industry growth over the forecast period. Low maintenance, efficient operation at low cost, growing adoption of variable speed systems and retrofitting of existing systems are some other factors driving growth across chief end use industries.Next-generation compressed air systems market with an eco-friendly stance will encourage end-users to adopt the novel technology in the region. Oil free systems with increased capacitive ability can provide better efficiency. Easy installation and maintenance can entice end users. The above-mentioned factors are surging the industry demand in the region. Single phase and dual phase compressed air systems have been adopted by oil & gas and home appliance industries. By eliminating supplementary devices in its installation, these industries are anticipated to earn profits by saving significant costs. However, the volatility in prices of raw materials is likely to pose a challenge for the industry growth.Make an inquiry for buying this report @China air compressor market share can be segmented on the basis of lubrications which include oil filled and oil free. The industry can be further bifurcated by technologies into centrifugal, reciprocating and rotary. By products, the industry can be divided into stationary and portable. Moreover, the industry is segregated on the basis of applications which include manufacturing, oil & gas, energy, home appliances, food & beverage, healthcare and semiconductors & electronics.Major players in the China air compressor market share include Zen Air Tech, VMAC Company, Vanair, Sullair, Rolair Systems, Parker, Oasis Manufacturing, MAT Industries, Kaeser Compressors, Ingersoll Rand, Hoerbiger, Hitachi Industrial Equipment, Heyner, Grainger Company, GE Energy, Gast Manufacturing, Gardner Denver, Galaxy Auto Service Equipment, Frank Technologies, CPI, Cook Compression, BelAire Compressors, Bauer Group, Atlas Copco and AireTex Compressors among others.Other key players include Zen Air Tech, VMAC Company, Vanair, Sullair, Rolair Systems, Parker, Oasis Manufacturing, MAT Industries, Kaeser Compressors, Ingersoll Rand, Hoerbiger, Hitachi Industrial Equipment, Heyner, Grainger Company, GE Energy, Gast Manufacturing, Galaxy Auto Service Equipment, Frank Technologies, CPI, Cook Compression, BelAire Compressors, Bauer Group and Gardner Denver.Browse Related Reports: Air Compressor Market Size By Technology (Screw/Rotary, Reciprocating, Centrifugal), By Product (Portable, Stationary), By Lubrication (Oil Free, Oil Filled), By Application (Home Appliances, Food & Beverage, Oil & Gas, Energy, Semiconductors & Electronics, Manufacturing, Healthcare), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market Expand Their Businesses with New Investments

Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market Expand Their Businesses with New Investments

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Allied Market Research has recently published a report on the non-alcoholic drinks market, which is an in-depth study of the entire industry for the time period 20142022. The report is a comprehensive analysis of the market and examines the key driving factors, restraints, opportunities, and challenges faced by industry players operating in the market. It emphasizes on the various products types available in the market, such as soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, juices, and dairy drinks. The report profiles the major market players working in the industry, along with a close look at their product profiles, business performances, and marketing strategies. The vital statistics, tables, and charts provided in the report are provided to give more credibility to the research conclusions and findings.To Get Recent Industry Research on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market:The non-alcoholic drinks market report highlights the progressive growth of the industry in the given forecast period. According to the study, the entire market is expected to reach an impressive value of $1,548 billion by the year 2022. This will be exhibited by an expected CAGR of 4.4%, during the period 20142022. The industry is expected to reach great heights with several factors and government regulations augmenting its growth in the current decade.Key Findings of the Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market: In 2015, the bottled water segment accounted for nearly one-fourth share of the entire market value. The soft drinks segment is projected to hold on to its dominant position, in terms of revenue generation, in the forecast period 20162022. The segment generated for nearly half of the entire market share by generating the highest revenue in the year 2015. The Asia-Pacific region is estimated to lead the global market, in terms of geography. China is touted to witness the highest growth with a CAGR of 9.2% during the given forecast period. The largest country, in terms of demand and supply of non-alcoholic drinks, is USA. This was observed in 2015.The report includes critical data and inputs about the various production volumes and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages across various geographical regions. The significant data relating to product analysis and value chain analysis of the industrys supply chain are also included in the report.View Detailed Summary of the Report:The key players in the non-alcoholic drinks market are expanding the scope of their business operations in the developing countries by including innovative products in their product portfolios. The report includes a detailed competitive analysis of the major market players, such as A.G. Barr, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Dydo Drinco, Attitude Drinks, Co., Livewire Energy, Calcol, Inc., Danone, Nestle S.A., PepsiCo, Inc., and The Coco-Cola Company.The study is an in-depth analysis of the non-alcoholic drinks market. It enables the interested business owners and individuals understand the market landscape with the help of critical industry insights. Investors can assess the driving factors and restraints, and decide how to be a part of the markets growth. The non-alcoholic drinks market report takes a closer look at the consumer preferences and the potential innovations that can enhance the markets potential. The geographical synopsis of the industry portrays the market presence in various regions and opportunities for growth. The assessment of risk factors and restraints to the market gives sufficient insights to stakeholders on how to mitigate potential losses. For those planning to expand their reach in various regions, along with development of product lines, the report offers more than just insights.About us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Contact Us:Dhananjay Potle5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesInt'l: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 (U.S. & Canada)E-mail: sales@alliedmarketresearch.com
Global Signal Jammer Industry Will Grow Steadily At A CAGR Of 4.94% During The Period 2017-2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Signal Jammer Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Signal jamming is based on the concept of generating a signal of the same frequency (also called noise) to overpower and destruct the user signal, which a mobile service provider allocates to end-users. The manufacturing of a signal jammer device requires the use of discrete components such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, and transistors. The components generate the desired frequency (noise) and then amplify the frequency generated within the range of 800 MHZ to 1.4 GHZ. This allows a signal jammer to match the frequency used by mobile phones, which is being transmitted by the radio base station.Technavios analysts forecast the global signal jammer market to grow at a CAGR of 4.94% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global signal jammer market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of signal jammers.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Technavio's report, Global Signal Jammer Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsBAE SystemsNorthrop GrummanRaytheonOther prominent vendorsHSS DevelopmentHarrisIsrael Aerospace IndustriesLockheed MartinMCTECH TECHNOLOGYNDR Resource InternationalStratignWolvesFleet TechnologyMarket driverRegular investments in military expensesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeBlocking coverage in the desired areas through central serverFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendEase of building software reprogrammable radios and related systemsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Precision Farming Market Is Expected To Reach USD 7 Billion By 2022

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Market Research Future announced the publication of half cooked research report on Precision Farming Market. The global market for Precision Farming is majorly driven by factors such high adoption of technology in agriculture, need of efficient farming techniques.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 35 market data tables and 20 figures spread over 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Precision Farming Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2022.Market Highlights:Precision farming can be very helpful in the management of the crop production with very low damage to environment. By the use of site-specific knowledge, precision farming can be helpful in the division of fertilizer, seed and chemicals for the soil and in the other conditions. Precision farming collects information and knowledge from the field by the deep analysis of the every aspects of farming. A study shows that precision farming can be very helpful in the long-term sustainability of farming and can reduce the environment damage by providing the fertilizers and pesticides only when the crops and soil needs it. Use of precision farming may help in reduction of losses caused by nutrient imbalance, insect damages and many other factors.An on-farm trial conducted in Argentina provided an example of how on site information and variable rates could be used to maintain the profitability while reducing the many application. Results of this trial also showed that precision farming is a modesty more profitable than the whole field management.Request a Sample Copy @Precision farming method incorporate modern technologies for the fertilizer application along with the land leveling, crop protection, irrigation. Other agronomic techniques are being helpful to the farmers for increasing yields with the lower damage to the environment and low pollution. To reduce the greenhouse gases associated with traditional irrigation system, waterharvesting and terrace farming system can be very helpful.Whereas some of the factors such as high cost of and lack of technical knowledge about the use of technologies and equipments are some of the restraints to the market of precision famring.The global market of precision farming is expected to grow at CAGR of 12% and estimated to reach at market size of US ~$7 billion by the end of forecast period.Key Players of Precision Farming Market: AGCO Corporation (U.S.) Deere & Company (U.S.) AG Leader Technology (U.S.) AgEagle Aerial Systems (U.S.) Aglytix Inc. (U.S.) AgGateway (U.S.) Precision Planting (U.S.) AgJunction Inc. (U.S.) Agribotix (U.S.) Dickey-John Corporation (U.S.)Brief TOC for Precision Farming Market:1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope Of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure:1.3.1 Global Precision Farming Market: By Components1.3.2 Global Precision Farming Market: By Application1.3.4 Global Precision Farming Market: By Region2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Type2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size Estimation2.4.3 Market Crackdown & Data Triangulation3 Market Dynamics3.1 Introduction3.2 Market Drivers3.3 Market Challenges3.4 Market Opportunities4 Executive Summary5. Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis5.2 Supply Chain AnalysisContinueAccess Report Details @Market Research Future Analysis:The global market of Precision Farming is dominated by North America. U.S. holds largest market share in North America followed by Canada. The main factor which supports this is presence of key companies in this region which gives North America a competitive advantage over other countries. Also government of North America countries are promoting use of advance technology in the agriculture for low emission of greenhouse gases into environment. North America is also technologically advance country as compare to other countries which also gives a lead. Europe stands as second biggest market for Precision Farming. Presence of developed nations such U.K. Germany, France and Italy generates most of the revenue in segment of precision farming in Europe. Also, farming culture in Europe is very rich and farmers are adopting new technologies to maximize their yield and profits. Growing application areas of precision farming is leading to wide adoption in the Europe region. Asia-Pacific has emerged as fastest growing market for the precision market. Growing economy of Asian countries such as China and India and high dependency on agriculture are some of the factors which is supporting the adoption of precision farming in Asia-Pacific.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Technologies and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Nuclear Air Filtration Market to grow at $6.7bn by 2023: Global Market Insights Inc.

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Nuclear air filtration market mainly involves the proficient use of pre-filters, carbon filters and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. HEPA filters market furnishes high efficiency and exhibit high potential to eliminate contaminants, droplets, and sub-micron sized particles employing diffusion techniques and advanced particle attraction. It has a tendency to remove over 99.97% of air pollutants. These filters are likely to incarcerate harmful particles way before the air reaches the final filtration. Thus, it also aids in escalating the product life cycle.Nuclear air filtration market size is anticipated to exhibit potential growth from 2016 to 2023. Rising safety concerns regarding emission of radioactive particles is expected to drive industry growth over the forecast period, with the global industrial air filtration market size expected to exceed USD 6.7 billion by 2023.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Nuclear power plant and equipment market is likely to exceed USD 67.3 billion by 2020. These systems play vital role in nuclear power plants, as it completely relies on proficient filtration of water, air as well as process fluids for efficient operation. Proliferating demand of these filters from nuclear industries is estimated to positively impact nuclear air filtration market growth. In addition, implementation of these filters also aids in enhancing reliability and also assures safety.Flourishing integration of these filters in nuclear installations namely fuel processing installations, waste management, power generation units, and nuclear energy research facilities are anticipated to fuel the industry demand over several forth coming years. Rising emergence of nuclear industry globally is estimated to surge the growth of nuclear associated industries as well as nuclear facilities which is turn is likely to fuel the industry demand for these filters. Strong focus on nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) air filtration systems market should also support industry development.In addition, stringent regulatory norms for nuclear industries regarding diminishing radioactive air pollution in numerous nations are projected to boost the industry growth. Optimized implementation of these filters enables in preventing the release of radioactive material. Industrial operations such as chemical extraction, separation, or fixation along with mechanical operations are likely to surge the nuclear air filtration market growth. Moreover, air filtration systems are likely to use of low-efficiency filters to avoid contaminants prior to letting the air reach the ultimate filtration stage, thus enhancing product life.Make an inquiry for buying this report @In addition, these filters are also used for removal of various bacteria, viruses, asthma triggers and allergens such as mold, pet dander, pollen and dust mites. Carbon filters are also being significantly used in various applications to remove airborne chemicals, including organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, chlorinated hydrocarbons, esters, halogens, ketones, sulphur dioxide, phosgene and sulphuric acid among numerous others. It also helps in removing odour from animals and humans.Furthermore, it is projected to be successful in sanitizing household chemicals, perfumes and also in eradicating volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air purifiers with different kind of activated carbon are estimated to gain significance as they are treated with various chemicals to filter specific noxious aerosol compounds. However, many air filters now contain both HEPA as well as carbon filters to achieve better output. Pre-filters are mainly used to provide high resistance to the air flow and ensure controlled flow of air through the filtration system. It also aids in extending the life of HEPA filters, as it does not allow the fibres and large particles to enter the air filtration system.North America nuclear air filtration market is anticipated to witness significant growth U.S. is projected to positively impact the industry growth owing to presence of large number of nuclear power industries in the region. Countries such as France, Japan, South Korea, Russia, UK, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, China and India are estimated to pose huge industry potential for the filters over the forecast period.Key industry players occupying major nuclear air filtration market share include, Camfill Farr Air Filters, Freudenberg & Co. KG, AAF International, Flanders Corporation, Vokes-Air Group, SPX Corporation, Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc., Cambridge Filter Corporation (kondoh) EMCEL Filters Ltd and CLARCOR Inc. A.L.Filter, Aerospace America Inc., Hollingsworth & Vose Company, LLC, Waltz-Holst Blow Pipe Co., Superior Fibers, Sogefi SpA, Trion Inc., Lydall, Inc., Pall Corporation, 3M Company, Air Filter Service Company, UCI-FRAM Group, Mann Hummel, Purafil, Inc., and Ahlstrom.Browse Related Reports: Industrial Air Filtration Market Size By Application (Cement, Power, Food, Metals, Pharmaceuticals), By Product (Dust Collectors, HEPA Filters, Mist Collectors, Baghouse Filters, Cartridge Collectors & Filters), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2015  2022About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
LTE Base Station Market to Hit 17.01% to 2021: Growth Analysis, Company Profiles & Trends

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This New Version Global LTE Base Station Market Research Report is a deep market research report in this MarketSizeForecasters. Report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the segment market details on different classifications and applications. First, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news.The Report Announces the Publication of its Research Report  Global LTE Base Station Market 2017-2021Marketsizeforecasters.com adds new global LTE Base Station market report that lists top active companies as Ericsson, Huawei Technologies, Nokia, and ZTE.Global LTE Base Station Market Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: Airspan, Alpha Networks, ATC IP, Anvaya Networks, ARGELA, AT&T, CCI, China Mobile, Cisco, CommScope, ip.access, Juni Global, KT, NEC, Qualcomm Technologies, Samsung, TEKTELIC Communications, Telenor, Telia Company, Verizon, and Vodafone.The Report analysts forecast the global LTE base station market to grow at a CAGR of 17.01% during the period 2017-2021.Request a sample copy of Global LTE Base Station Market Research Report @Commenting on the Global LTE Base Station Market report, an analyst said: One trend in the market is the growth of complementary technologies such as SDN and NFV. By 2020, approximately 2.2 billion mobile connections will be using LTE technology out of the total 8.5 billion mobile connections. An increase in the number of data-capable devices and high-bandwidth applications is contributing to the growth in the mobile data traffic. It is expected that the global mobile data traffic will surpass 30 exabytes by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 59% from 2015 to 2020.Software-defined networking (SDN) facilitates new revenue streams for telecom operators by re-examining network architectures, introducing virtualization, and providing intelligence solutions. SDN and network functions virtualization (NFV) enable more flexibility and seamless integration with infrastructure layers. NFV leverages advancements in server virtualization and enterprise IT virtualization. On the other hand, SDN allows logical centralization of control functions.Request Discount for Global LTE Base Station Market Research Report @According to the Global LTE Base Station Market report, one driver in the market is the increasing demand for network capacity to access connected services. There is a continuing growth in demand for faster mobile broadband communication for a seamless integrity of connected devices. Internet connectivity is an important access channel to support and enable communications over large-scale IoT devices.The advent of high-speed 4G LTE wireless networks has supported high-bandwidth M2M applications. The roll out of 4G LTE-M and LTE-U, and 5G networks is expected to facilitate faster transmission and higher volumes of data in the smart ecosystem.Further, the Global LTE Base Station Market report states that one challenge in the market is the High deployment costs. The cost of acquiring a site, the high installation cost of small-cell networks, and the requirement for security for remotely placed outdoor power systems are some of the factors that are expected to hinder the market growth. In addition, large organizations in the industry are compelled to adhere to stringent spectrum regulations laid by the telecommunication standard organizations.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The Global LTE Base Station Market report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Browse full table of contents and data tables For Global LTE Base Station Market Report @Related Reports: -2017-2022 Global Top Countries Educational Software Market ReportThis report studies Educational Software in Global market, especially in United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, India, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, Middle East and Africa, focuses on the top Manufacturers in each country, coveringMarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Global Retail E-commerce Packaging Market to Expand at 5% CAGR during 2017-2022

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Latest development in the e-commerce marketLatest development in the e-commerce market, availability of product and attractive offers increase the online-shopping market which ultimately boost the retail e-commerce packaging market. Additionally, advancement in technology in the household appliances market expected to uplift the retail e-commerce packaging market. Retail e-commerce packaging market is expected to grow at CAGR of 5% from during the forecast period.Key Players Georgia-Pacific LLC International Paper Company DS Smith Plc Arihant Packaging Commonwealth Packaging Company DynaCorp Fencor Packaging Group Limited Lil Packaging Ltd. LINPAC Senior Holdings Limited Pioneer Packaging, Inc.Request a Sample Copy @Asia-Pacific is the largest growing marketAsia-Pacific region dominates the market with its largest market share for Retail e-commerce packaging. Expanding manufacturing & electronics sector, increasing internet penetration, growing competition of ecommerce players are the factor driving this market in this region.Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the Retail e-commerce packaging market, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the Retail e-commerce packaging market as Material, and Application.Target Audience e-commerce packaging manufactures Distributors & Suppliers Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsTaste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread in 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Retail E-commerce Packaging Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022Browse full report with TOC @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Scope Of The Report2.1 Market Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations2.3 Markets Structure3 Market Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Secondary Research3.3 Primary Research3.4 Forecast Model4 Market Landscape4.1 Five Forces Analysis4.1.1 Threat Of New Entrants4.1.2 Bargaining Power Of Buyers4.1.3 Threat Of Substitutes4.1.4 Segment Rivalry4.2 Value Chain Of Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market5 Industry Overview Of Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging MarketContinue.List of TablesTable 1 World Population By Major Regions (2015 To 2030) (Billion)Table 2 Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market: By Region, 2014-2022 (Usd Billion)Table 3 Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market: By Region, 2014-2022 (Kt)Table 4 North America Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market: By Country, 2014-2022Table 5 Europe Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market: By Country, 2014-2022Table 6 Asia-Pacific Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market: By Country, 2014-2022Continue..List of FiguresFigure 1 Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market SegmentationFigure 2 Forecast MethodologyFigure 3 Five Forces Analysis Of Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging MarketFigure 4 Value Chain Of Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging MarketFigure 5 Share Of Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market In 2014, By Country (In %)Figure 6 Global Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market, 2015-2022, (Usd Billion)Continue..Make an enquiry before buying @The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Related ReportsGlobal Corrugated and Paperboard Boxes Market Information by Material (Paperboard, Adhesives, Inks, Waxes, and others) by Product (Corrugated & Solid fiber boxes, Set-up Paperboard boxes, Folding Paperboard boxes, and others) by Application (Durable goods, Food & beverages, Paper & Publishing, Chemicals, and others) and Region - Forecast to 2022.Know more about this report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Food Enzymes Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 5% by 2022

Food Enzymes Market

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-food-enzymes-market

Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on the global food enzymes market has been estimated to grow over 5% post 2022.Market Highlights:Increasing demand for catalysts to improve the production efficiency, quality of the food and beverage products and versatility in various food and beverage applications will continue to support growth in the food enzymes market. Hence, global Food enzymes market is expected to grow at CAGR over 5% post the year 2022.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 60 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on The Global Food Enzymes Market Research Report -Forecast to 2022.Market Research Analysis: Secondary data reveals that the global Food enzymes market is expected to grow with the CAGR of more than 5% from 2016 to 2022. The top 5 exporters of Food enzymes include Denmark, USA, Germany, China and France. Digestive health drinks is the new emerging segment having a positive impact on the Food Enzymes Market.Request a Sample Copy @Key Player of Food Enzymes Market: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.) Associated British Foods plc (U.K.) Koninklijke DSM N.V. (The Netherlands) Novozymes A/S (Denmark) Chr. Hansen A/S (Denmark) Dyadic International, Inc. (U.S.) Advanced Enzymes (India) Puratos Group (Belgium) Amano Enzyme Inc. (Japan)Brief TOC for Food Enzymes:1 Introduction1.1 Definition1.2 Scope of Study1.3 Research Objective1.4 Assumptions & Limitations1.5 Market Structure:2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research3 Market Dynamics3.1 Drivers3.2 Restraints3.3 Opportunities3.4 Challenges4 Market Factor Analysis4.1 Porters five forces model5 Market, By Type5.1 Introduction5.1.1 Lipase5.1.2 Amylase5.1.3 Rennet5.1.4 Lactase5.1.5 Protease5.1.6 Invertase and5.1.7 Others (Actinidin, Papain, Catalase, Lipoxygenase, Lipoxygenase and Pectinase)ContinueBrowse Full Report @Intended Audience: Juice extractor manufacturers Food equipment manufacturers Fast food chain companies Retailers, wholesalers E-commerce companies Traders, Importers and exportersAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Best Domestic Moving at Santosh Packers and Movers

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Flexible Electronics and Materials Industry DuPont, BASF, Merck Kgaa, ALTANA AG, LG Corporation and Samsung Electronics

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/flexible-electronics-materials-market

Market ScenarioThe major growth driver of Flexible Electronics and Materials Market includes growing demand for compact and light weight electronic products, increasing competition among commercialized technologies such as LCD, LED, and OLED, and rise in demand for technically upgraded wearable devices among others. Hence the market for Flexible Electronics and Materials is expected to grow at XX% CAGR (2016-2022).Industry News: Altana AG has announced in July 2016 about its expansion of additive business by acquisition of Addcomp, a Dutch company. The Addcomp will be unified into Plastic additives business of Altana. Merck Kgaa has done partnership with UK based Flex Enable company, which is one of the leader of flexible orgaRequest a Sample Report @SegmentsGlobal Flexible Electronics and Materials Market can be segmented as follows:Segmentation by Components: Silicon materials, dielectrics, sensors, transistors, displays and contact materials among others.Segmentation by Application: Healthcare, automotive, consumer electronics, military & defence and biometrics among others.The Key Players of Global Flexible Electronics and Materials Market DuPont (U.S.) BASF (Germany) Merck Kgaa (Germany) ALTANA AG (Germany) LG Corporation (South Korea) Samsung Electronics (South Korea) Cymbet Corporation (U.S.) Fujifilm Dimatix (U.S.) Hewlett Packard (U.S.) Solar Frontier (Germany)Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 60 market data tables and figures spread over 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Flexible Electronics and Materials Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2022.Regional AnalysisNorth America is expected to dominate the Global Flexible Electronics and Materials Market with the largest market share due to presence of major electronic players such as DuPont, Fujifilm Dimatix, and Hewlett Packard in U.S. , and therefore accounting for $XX million and is expected to grow over $XX billion by 2022.Brief TOC of Instant Noodles Market1 Executive Summary2 Market Introductions2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions3 Research methodologies3.1 Research process3.2 Secondary research3.3 Primary research4 MARKET TRENDS4.1 Trends in Supply/Production4.2 Trends in Demand/Consumption4.3 Emerging Markets (Supply & Demand)4.4 Emerging BrandsContinuedBrowse full FEM Market @Objective of Flexible Electronics and Materials Market Study: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Flexible Electronics and Materials market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyse the Flexible Electronics and Materials Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by component, by application and sub-segments.Geographics AnalysisAmericas North America US Canada Latin AmericaEurope Western Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia Pacific Asia China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia PacificAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Bromine Market will Reach 483 KMT In 2016

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Global demand for bromine market will reach 483 kilo metric tons (KMT) in 2016, up from 470 KMT in 2015. Demand will be impeded by growing regulation and legislation, especially in the European Union (EU), where the use of certain brominated flame retardants is banned or restricted.Sample of this report is available upon request @Flame retardants will continue to remain the largest application segment, accounting for 203 KMT volume in 2016, a y-o-y increase of 2.8% over 2015. Use of bromine in oil and gas drilling will continue its upward momentum in 2016, growing at 4.3% in terms of volume  the fastest among all the application segments.The chemicals industry will remain the largest consumer of bromine, accounting for 292 KMT volume in 2016, representing market value worth 1,284 Mn. Use of bromine in the oil and gas sector will also continue to witness steady growth, as clear brine fluids gain traction for drilling purposes. Demand will be offset by sluggish adoption in the electronics industry, as use of brominated flame retardants continues to face stricter regulations. Demand for bromine from electronics sector will witness a growth rate of 2.1% in 2016 over 2015.Asia Pacific will remain the largest market for bromine, representing annual revenues worth US$ 1,087 Mn in 2016, up from 895 Mn in 2015. This is primarily due to expansion of end-use industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronic in APAC. Latin America will continue to offer growth opportunities to manufacturers, with global demand witnessing a 2.0% volume growth in 2016 over 2015. Demand will face constraints in the mature markets of North America and Western Europe in 2016 as well.Request to view Table of Content @Israel Chemicals Limited, Chemtura Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Gulf Resources Inc., Tosoh Corporation, Tetra Technologies Inc., Tata Chemicals Limited and Hindustan Salts Limited are the key players in the market. Top players are continuously focusing on expanding their product offerings, especially in flame retardants segments. Collaborations and joint ventures are key business strategies to develop green brominated flame retardants.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @Long-term Outlook: PMR projects the global bromine market to witness moderate growth during the forecast period 2016-2024. APAC will continue to remain the largest market for bromine, growing at 4.1% revenue CAGR during the forecast period.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
CNG Compressor Aftermarket Share, Overview, Growth, Trends, Demand and Forecast to 2021

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https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-cng-compressor-after-market

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/world-diamond-tools-market

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Market Research Report on Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket is a professional and in-depth research report. The Report include basic information like definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview, industry policies and plans, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures and so on. The Report Spread Across 57 Pages with Tables and Figures in It.The Report Announces the Publication of its Research Report  Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket 2017-2021Marketsizeforecasters.com adds new global CNG compressor aftermarket report that lists top active companeis as Ariel Corporation, Atlas Copco, BAUER Compressors, Clean Energy Compression, and Ingersoll Rand.Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: J-W Energy Company, Fornovo Gas, Natural Gas Compression Systems, John Energy, Natural Gas Services Group, Sopan O&M, CSI Compressco, Diversified Industrial Service Company, ANGI Energy Systems, Everflo Compression, Kodiak Gas Services, Deep Industries, Chicago Pneumatic, and Cryostar.The Report analysts forecast the global CNG compressor aftermarket to grow at a CAGR of 2.42% during the period 2017-2021.Request a sample copy of Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket Research Report @Commenting on the Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket report, an analyst said: The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is government support for NGV infrastructure. Natural gas has the potential to contribute toward climate change mitigation. Increasing natural gas infrastructure developments will drive this trend. The development of NGV fueling stations is strongly supported by governments in various countries. In the US, CNG and LNG are considered as alternate fuels.According to the Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket report, one of the major drivers for this market is growing use of CNG as fuel. The transportation sector alone contributed about 14% of the total GHG emissions across all the sectors in 2014. GHG emissions adversely affect the environment, leading to several health problems. To curb the widespread pollution from vehicles, governments of various countries are taking initiatives to replace gasoline and diesel with CNG in the transportation sector. This is because gasoline and diesel are responsible for harmful emissions. To reduce emissions and meet stringent anti-pollution norms, governments are promoting the use of CNG fuel and NGVs.Request Discount for Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket Research Report @Further, the Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is volatility in oil prices. The volatility in oil and gas price has affected the CNG compressor aftermarket. The recent fall in crude oil prices will upset NGV sales across the globe. This will affect the vendors installing or planning to install CNG refueling stations. This is expected to hinder the demand for CNG compressors in refueling stations, which, in turn, will affect CNG compressor aftermarket.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Browse full table of contents and data tables For Global CNG Compressor Aftermarket Report @Related Reports: -World Diamond Tools Market by Product Type, Market, Players and Regions-Forecast to 2022The Diamond Tools Market Research report provides the latest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry analysis of the key factors influencing the market. The report includes the forecasts, analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Global Mango Butter Market 2017 - Hallstar BIOCHEMICA, Manorama Group, Jarchem Industries Inc., AOT

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Global Mango Butter Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Mango Butter market globally, providing basic overview of Mango Butter market including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure, Mango Butter Market report provides development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Mango Butter market size, share and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.Get Free Report Sample @The study Global Mango Butter Industry 2017 is a detailed report scrutinizing statistical data related to the Global Mango Butter industry. Historical data available in the report elaborates on the development of the Mango Butter market on a Global and national level. The report compares this data with the current state of the market and thus elaborates upon the trends that have brought the market shifts.The market forces determining the shaping of the Mango Butter market have been evaluated in detail. In addition to this, the regulatory scenario of the market has been covered in the report from both the Global and local perspective. Market predictions along with the statistical nuances presented in the report render an insightful view of the Mango Butter market.The demand and supply side of the market has been extensively covered in the report. The challenges the players in the Mango Butter market face in terms of demand and supply have been listed in the report. Recommendations to overcome these challenges and optimize supply and demand opportunities have also been covered in this report.Growth prospects of the overall Mango Butter industry have been presented in the report. However, to give an in-depth view to the readers, detailed geographical segmentation within the globe Mango Butter market has been covered in this study. The key geographical regions along with their revenue forecasts are included in the report.Browse Full Report @The competitive framework of the Mango Butter market in terms of the Global Mango Butter industry has been evaluated in the report. The top companies and their overall share and share with respect to the Globalmarket have been included in the report. Furthermore, the factors on which the companies compete in the market have been evaluated in the report.This report also presents product specification, manufacturing process, and product cost structure etc. Production is separated by regions, technology and applications. Analysis also covers upstream raw materials, equipment, downstream client survey, marketing channels, industry development trend and proposals. In the end, the report includes Mango Butter new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, investment return analysis, and development trend analysis. In conclusion, it is a deep research report on Global Mango Butter industry. Here, we express our thanks for the support and assistance from Mango Butter industry chain related technical experts and marketing engineers during Research Teams survey and interviews.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Waterproofing Chemicals Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Waterproofing Chemicals are a class of fine/specialty chemicals which arrest or inhibit permeability of water or moisture to interior or exterior surfaces of wide range of materials e.g. cement/ concrete walls, fabrics, leather articles, paper, electronic goods etc. It is applied mainly in form of sheet membranes, cementitious coating, liquid coating membranes, sprays and coatings etc. The major product types include bitumen, EPDM, TPO, PVC, PTFE and silicone, while the end use applications include Construction, Infrastructure, Automotive, Textile & Leather and others.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Scope of the ReportThe report estimates and forecasts the waterproofing chemicals market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product, technology and end use segments highlighting the process and the key participants involved. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition and profit margins earned at each stage. The study includes market dynamics i.e. drivers, restraints, opportunities and trends for the waterproofing chemicals market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the waterproofing chemicals market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report includes waterproofing chemicals global average price trend analysis and regional market trend analysis as well.Download Sample Copy Of This Report:The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the waterproofing chemicals market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, end use applications and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for waterproofing chemicals between 2016 and 2024.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the waterproofing chemicals market by dividing it into product, technology, end-user and geography segments. The waterproofing chemicals market has been segmented into bitumen, TPO, EPDM, PVC, Silicone and PTFE based on product. Application segment have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for waterproofing chemicals in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level market sizing in terms of volume and revenue under each respective region. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Spain, GCC, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, etc. have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual applications in all the regions and countries.Browse More Power Market Research Reports:Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Competitive DynamicsThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. The companies included in this reports are major global/regional players which are catering to all types of end use markets such as Construction, Automotive, Leather, Textile, Electronics etc. such as Archroma Management LLC in textiles and Liquipel LLC in electronics .Key players profiled in the report include The Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Akzo Nobel NV, Evonik Industries, Wacker Chemie GmbH, W.R. Grace and Company and Other major market players. Prominent regional company profiles have also been mentioned such as Pidilite Industries Limited, MUHU (China) Construction Materials, RPM International Inc. etc. The Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable). Competitive Analysis as well as SWOT analysis of top companies have been provided in this report.Global Waterproofing Chemicals Market: Research MethodologySecondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.The primary research sources consists of key officials from the companies mentioned in competition landscape, other mid-small size company representatives, industry experts, volunteers from industrial associations etc. In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The global waterproofing chemicals market has been segmented as follows:Waterproofing chemicals Market  Product AnalysisBitumenTPOEPDMPVCPTFESiliconeWaterproofing chemicals Market  Technology AnalysisSheet MembraneLiquid Coated MembraneCementitious WaterproofingOthersWaterproofing chemicals Market  End Use AnalysisConstructionInfrastructureAutomotiveTextile and LeatherOthersWaterproofing chemicals Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.ItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCEgyptSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Superabsorbent Polymer Market Segmented by Product type, Application and Regions- Trends and Forecasts (2017-2022)

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SummaryOrbis Research Presents Global Superabsorbent Polymer Market Segmented by Product type, Application and Geography- Trends and Forecasts (2017-2022) has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts.DescriptionThe Global Superabsorbent Polymer Market stood at XXXX kilotons in 2015. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period, to reach a value of $8.76 billion. North America is the largest market for superabsorbent polymers and this region is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is likely to be the fastest growing region, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2015 and 2020. Demand for superabsorbent polymers in Europe is also anticipated to witness moderate growth due to the mature market for baby diapers and female hygiene products in the region.Get a PDF Sample of Global Superabsorbent Polymer Market Report at:Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are materials that possess the ability to absorb and retain large volumes of liquid or aqueous solutions. This makes them ideal for usage in water absorbing applications such as baby nappies, adult incontinence pads, absorbent medical dressings and controlled release drugs.Product segments in this industry are majorly three:sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylamide copolymer and others. These polymers are commonly available in granular, solid or powder and cross-linked forms.Expansions and new investments for SAP plants in the recent past indicates that the industry is on its way to expand globally and as a result, global SAP suppliers are strengthening their presence in emerging markets. Along with these factors, the growing diaper industry will also continue to drive the demand for SAP. However, the SAP industry will have to overcome challenges, such as the availability and price volatility of raw materials and changing health regulations, in order to meet the increasing demand from the growing diaper industry.This report contains information on analysis of the market segmented by product type (Polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate and others), By application (Baby diapers, adult incontinence products, Sanitary napkins, agriculture support products and others) and by geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world). Some of the key players in this market are BASF SE, Procter and Gamble Co., Bayer AG and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings.Drivers:Increase in population and awareness of personal hygiene are the decisive drivers in this market.Restraints:Expensive raw materials and lack of a fixed price margin along with global changes in health regulations norms are identified to be the major restraints impending market growth.Place a Purchase Order for Global Superabsorbent Polymer Market Report at:WHAT THE REPORT OFFERS1) Market Definition along with identification of key drivers and restraints for the market.2) Market analysis with region specific assessments and competition analysis on a global and regional scale.3) Identification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenarios, rising prospective opportunities and identification of key companies which can influence the market on a global and regional scale.4) Extensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their strategic initiatives and market shares.5) Identification and analysis of the Macro and Micro factors that affect the industry on both global and regional scale.6) A comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial information.Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:
Global Automotive Air Filters Market

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3478

Air filters are essential component of an automotive which serves basically two purposes based on its type. There are two types of automotive air filters namely intake air filters and cabin air filters. Where the former acts as a barrier against foreign particles such as dust to enter engine's combustion chamber, the latter restricts the entry of dust in the cabin of the vehicle through the vent of HVAC system. Non-performance of intake air filters may lead to inefficiency of engine and increase in its emission levels. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the vehicle user to clean it at regular intervals and replace it with new once it completes its lifetime.Request to view Table of Content @Automotive air filters have both OEM as well as replacement markets wherein the latter dominates the global sales. The automotive air filter market is driven by increasing demand for automobiles, strict emission norms and changing lifestyles. The increasing number of vehicles with air-conditioned cabins is boosting the market for cabin air filters. The increasing health consciousness of people wherein they require resistance from dust, pollution, harmful exhaust gases and other contaminants while driving is attracting the car users for the cars with cabin air filter. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), the urban outdoor air pollution causes about 1.3 million deaths every year worldwide. Apart from the developed countries, the developing countries are also becoming conscious about their safety from outdoor pollution which is a positive sign for the growth of cabin air filters market in the long term.Based on vehicle type, automotive air filter market can be segmented under passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. However, there exist certain restraints for automotive air filters market including large interval of their replacement in the developing countries and increasing market for duplicate automotive air filters.Growing per capita income in other Asian countries such as India is propelling the demand for passenger cars. On the other hand, the increasing industrialization and commerce in Asian countries are boosting the market for commercial vehicles which is driving the automotive air filters market in the region. Commercial vehicles in the developing countries need more care and maintenance as the quality of parts used in them is low as compared to the commercial vehicles manufactured in the developed countries. Moreover, due to less developed infrastructure the chances of entry of dust and dirt in the combustion compartment are high. Due to these factors, the replacement market in the developing markets including Asia Pacific is high as compared the developed countries. However, cabin air filters finds very less usage in commercial vehicles as the requirement for cabin convenience is very less in their case.Among the regions, Asia Pacific dominated the global sales of automotive air filters followed by North America. China surpassed U.S. in 2010 to become the country with largest automotive population. Some of the key companies operating in automotive air filter market include AC Delco Inc., Affinia Group, Denso Corporation, Hengst GmbH and Company KG, Cummins Inc, Toyota Boshoku Corporation and Hollingsworth & Vose Company Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Advanced Materials Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Global Advanced Materials Market: OverviewAdvanced Materials generally have superior properties than conventional materials available. They can outperform conventional materials, in terms of their applications. They are materials that are novel or have undergone modifications in existing materials to gain superior performance with respect to one or more characteristics that are essential for the applications under consideration.Global Advanced Materials Market: Drivers and TrendsAs climate change statistics are continuously rising, there's growing pressure from all areas  consumers, businesses, and governments  to search for more eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. This acts as another opportunity for advanced materials market because of always advancing technologies that are used for production of advanced materials. North America and Europe are major regions for the global advanced materials market, with them currently being and projected to remain comparatively mature markets.The market is anticipated to undergo constant changes due to emerging technologies in various segments, as any advancement carried out on existing products results in the inclusion of the modified product in the existing market. Limited number of players operate in the advanced materials market. Their share of R&D expenditure is expected to reflect on the overall investment in R&D for advanced materials.Download Sample Copy Of This Report:Global Advanced Materials Market: ScopeThe report estimates and forecasts the advanced materials market on the global and regional levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (million tons / kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Bn / US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage.Global Advanced Materials Market: Research MethodologyThe study includes drivers and restraints for the advanced materials market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the advanced materials market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of advanced materials and global average price trend analysis.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the advanced materials market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for advanced materials between 2016 and 2024.Browse More Power Market Research Reports:Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to, company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Global Advanced Materials Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the advanced materials market by dividing it into product, application and geography segments. The products have been segmented into ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites and metals & alloys (M&A). The applications are segmented into medical devices, automotive, aerospace, electricals & electronics (E&E), industrial, power and others. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of advanced materials in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the regions individually.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:The report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include 3M Advanced Materials, Morgan Advanced Materials plc, Huntsman Corporation, Hexcel Corporation, Hanwa Group, Materion Corporation and Others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The global advanced materials market has been segmented as follows:Advanced Materials Market  Product AnalysisCeramicsGlassesPolymersCompositesMetals & AlloysAdvanced Materials Market  Application AnalysisMedical devicesAutomotiveAerospaceElectricals & ElectronicsIndustrialPowerOthersAdvanced Materials Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.SpainItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Furfural MARKET, HISTORICAL MARKET, GROWTH, ANALYSIS, OPPORTUNITIES AND FORECAST TO 2022

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https://marketsizeforecasters.com/enquire-for-discount/14156

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/2017-global-furfural-market

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/north-america-chlorogenic-acid-market

http://marketsizeforecasters.com/

The Global Furfural Market 2017 research offers a feasibility analysis for investment and returns supported with data on development trend analysis across important regions of the world.2017 Global Furfural Market Research Report is a deep market research report in this market.This report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the segment market details on different classifications and applications.First, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news in Chapter 1.Second, the analysis on industry chain is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players. And the analysis on manufacturing including process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted in Chapter 2.Request a sample copy of Global Furfural Market Research Report @Then the global and regional market is analyzed. In these chapters, this report analyzed major market data like capacity, production, capacity utilization rate, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, supply, import, export, consumption, market share, growth rate and etc. For regional market, this report analyzed major regions like Europe, North America, South America, Asia (Excluding China), China and ROW. This analysis are conducted in Chapter 3 and 4.The listed pricing for this Global Furfural Market report starts at $ 2800. Request Discount for Global Furfural Market Research Report @Then the marketing channel analysis is provided including the major distributors in Chapter 8.Then this report analyzed the Global Furfural Market forecast from 2017 to 2022 for global and regional market in Chapter 9 and the new project investment feasibility analysis in Chapter 10.At last, this report provided the conclusions of this research in Chapter 11.This report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.Browse full table of contents and data tables For Global Furfural Market Report @Related Reports: -North America Chlorogenic Acid Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022The global market size of chlorogenic acid was 122.16 million USD in 2015 and is expected to reach USD 143.50 million USD by 2021, at a CAGR of 3.27% between 2016 and 2021.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:
Worldwide Packaging Automation Market Future Estimate 2025

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Global Packaging Automation Market: OverviewThis report proposes strategic analysis of the global packaging automation market, and growth forecast for the period from 2017 to 2025. The scope of the research study covers competitive analysis of several market bifurcations based on the application, type and industries of the packaging automation market across different regional segments.It also provides breakdown and analysis of several factors affecting the market growth, which are applicably defined as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. In all, the report includes a complete analysis of the global packaging automation market, and provides an assessment of progress for the period 2017 to 2025, considering the numerous factors affecting the market.Browse The Report @Global Packaging Automation Market: Key Trends and Growth DriversPackaging is one of the significant elements of the product manufacturing process. It aids in protecting the products from physical damage, dust, and various other factors, adding further value to the products. In order to attain maximum profits, cost cutting becomes important in the light of intense competition and increasing globalization of manufacturing. Standardized HMI helps in reducing the learning curve required for training machine operators. HMI templates that are designed to offer consistent look and feel help the end users to reduce training and development time. While creating customizable and standardized HMIs, screen and navigation options are planned for various uses, so that the screens are easily customized as per the machines efficiently.Safety regulations are major concerns among manufacturers especially in health care and food and beverage industry, more so in emerging economies such as India, China, and Latin America. Safety regulations can be adhered to by developing applications which include automated reporting capabilities that helps in generating brief reports for each packaging line.Automation helps in reducing labor cost both directly and indirectly as well. Directly in the sense that every task that is done autonomously requires no labor force, thereby, cutting down the cost. Indirect labor saving is attained through automation that helps in reducing scraps, defective packaging, material handling and component orientation time. Large industries where bulk of items are packed per minute require robotic automation to fulfil the packaging demand. Application of automated machines means it requires less labor to accomplish the packaging process, thus lessening the labor cost in the long term period. Automation is boosting the demand of packaging automation in the global market since the present automated machineries needs less maintenance, thereby reducing the machine downtime. Investment in automatic equipment is costly that is easily recoverable; but smaller companies do not want to invest huge amounts as they do not want to take risks at the preliminary stage.The E-commerce sector is booming globally especially in developing countries. Due to the rapid growth of e-commerce, worldwide logistics has become complex and difficult to keep up with. Packaging is an important part of the e-commerce sector. Demand for online shopping has increased in the past couple of years due to which online retailers require large e-fulfilment centers and efficient machinery for packaging the ordered products in bulk.Global Packaging Automation Market: Key SegmentsOn the basis of industries, the market is bifurcated into logistics, food and beverages, healthcare, retail, electronics, automotive among others. The food and beverage segment accounted for the highest revenue share in 2016. Health care segment is one of the fastest growing market in the global packaging automation market. The packaging automation market is bifurcated into six segments based on the applications. They are palletizing, labeling, filling, capping, wrapping among others. Among these six application segments, palletizing segment held highest market revenue share during the forecast period. Based on types, the market is bifurcated into packaging robot, automated packagers and automated conveyors. The packaging robot segment accounted for the highest revenue share during the forecast period. Based on the region is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Europe accounted for the highest market revenue followed by Asia Pacific, North America, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Make an Enquiry@Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the principal players in the global packaging automation market are Schneider Electric SE (France), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Schneider Electric SE (France), Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Emerson Electric Co. (U.S.), Beumer Group GmbH & Co., Kg (Germany), Swisslog Holding AG (Switzerland), and Kollmorgen (U.S.)among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Power Transformer Market to witness tremendous growth: Asia Pacific to lead global landscape over 2015-2022

https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/128

https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/128

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Rising demand for power and increasing investments in grid expansions and power transmission networks will fuel power transformer market growth. Increasing power requirement in the oil and gas industry and the necessity of optimum electricity usage will drive product demand, increasing the need for efficient power components such as cores, insulation, windings, and cooling systems. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., Power Transformer Industry is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.9% over 2015 to 2022.Request for Sample PDF of the Report @North America power transformers market, led by the U.S., is set to register a revenue of USD 8.54 billion by 2022.Asia Pacific power transformer industry contributed to 36.56% of the overall share in 2014. It is anticipated to witness tremendous growth at a CAGR of more than 6% over 2015-2022, driven by increasingly developing infrastructure and a spur in government funding in countries such as India and China.Government initiatives such as Revised Accelerated Power Development and Reform Program and Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) supporting T&D level investments to ensure uninterrupted power supply and reduce technical losses will escalate India power transformer market.In terms of product, power transformers are classified based on power capacities, as 100 MVA to 500 MVA, 501 MVA to 800 MVA, and 801 MVA to 1200 MVA output power.100 MVA to 500 MVA output power transformer industry was valued at USD 14.7 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach USD 24.11 billion by 2022, driven by the increasing product demand.Key industry participants such as ABB Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Siemens Energy, Alstom, GE, and Crompton Greaves contributed to over 60% of the global market share in 2014.Manufacturing large transformers is a high-tech, convoluted process, involving high initial capital, raw material attainment, and transportation issues. Moreover, the production of large power transformers requires process fragmentation, which can lead to collateral damage.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Unstable raw material prices, high initial investment, and the requirement for standardization in products are likely to hamper industry growth. Other vital factors such as technological advancements, lack of skilled human resources, costs involved in infrastructure modernization, discrepancies in the manufacturing process, and not-so-stringent government regulations are also likely to hinder power transformer market growth.However, the rising global population, rapid industrialization, high requirement for electricity across various sectors, and increasing demand for highly efficient transformers will significantly drive global product demand, prompting manufacturers to offer customized products as per consumer specifications.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Global Organic Spices Market  Industry Challenges, Key Vendors, Drivers, Trends and Forecast to 2022

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1852

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/organic-spices-market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-organic-baby-food-market-research-report-forecast-to-2027

Market HighlightsIncreasing importance of spices for various flavors in foods and medicinal properties has resulted in higher demand for spices. On the other hand, rising awareness for food safety related to pesticide residues in spices and related health hazards has triggered higher demand or organic spices. Change in food trends and adoption of various international food forms encouraging spices consumption in raw form further encourages demand for organic spices. Hence organic spices market is growing at CAGR of more than 4% from 2016 to 2022.India being a major producer of spices boosts stronger potential for organic spices supply. Spice exports contribute to nations gross income considerably in countries like China, India, Africa and the Middle East. Organic spices are generally sold at premium spices and also in greater demand which can further enhance export revenues in major spice producing countries.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players Organic Spices Inc. (U.S.), SOAP (Sapthsathi Organic Agriculture Project) (India), Frontier Natural Products Co-op (U.S), Sun Impex (Netherland), Earthen Delight (India), Salzhausl Himalaya Kristalllsaiz (Germany), Alemad Herbs (Egypt), Simply Organic (U.S), Yogi Botanicals (India), Live Organics Pvt Ltd (India)Organic farming mechanism starts at grass root level conserving the generative and renewing capacity of the soil, plant nutrition, and soil management, yields nutritious food rich in vitality which has resistance to diseases. Food safety, flavors, medicinal properties and health benefits are driving the organic spices market. There is high demand for organic spices from countries like Europe, USA, Japan and Australia.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread in 115 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Organic Spices Market Research Report- Forecast to 2022Browse full report @Market Research Analysis: Increasing demand for natural flavors and robust industrial demand especially in convenience foods is having a positive impact on organic spices market Inclusion of authentic varieties of mixed spices and herbs, organic and ethically sourced spices and herbs has encouraged consumers to buy organic spices Increased demand from the downstream markets like Ready-to-Eat foods, pizzas, sauces and other convenience foods is further supporting the market.Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Markets Structure2.4 Stakeholders3 Research methodology3.1 Research process3.2 Secondary research3.3 Primary research3.4 Forecast model3.5 Market Size estimation4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges5 Market TrendsContinueLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Pestle Analysis - U.S.Table 2 Pestle Analysis- IndiaTable 3 Pestle Analysis- ChinaTable 4 Pestle Analysis- JapanTable 5 Pestle Analysis- GermanyContinueLIST OF FIGURESFigure 1 Research MethodologyFigure 2 Primary Data Analysis ApproachFigure 3 Secondary Data Analysis ApproachFigure 4 Trend In Organic Spices Imports 2011-15Figure 5 Growth Rate In Organic Spices Imports 2011-15Continue.Related ReportGlobal Organic Baby Food Market Information- by Ingredient (fruits, vegetables, grains & cereals, meat, and dairy), by Product type (baby milks, baby cereals dry meals, finger foods, baby drinks & other organic baby foods), by Region - Forecast to 2027.Know more about this report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Australia Lime Market is Anticipated to Grow US$ 211.0 Mn by 2016

Australia Lime Market, Australia Lime

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The lime market in Australia is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.7% in terms of value over the forecast period, 20162024. The market has been segmented by product type and application. The application segmentation consists of mining & metallurgy, building materials, agriculture, water treatment and others of which the mining & metallurgy segment is expected to account for the highest share of the lime market in Australia throughout the forecast period, to account for 31.4% by 2024.Sample of this report is available upon request @Demand for energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions is expected to be a priority for lime manufacturers in the country over the forecast period. By product type, slaked/hydrated lime segment is expected to continue to dominate the market in terms of both value and volume throughout the forecast period. The segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 146.7 Mn and account for volume share of 68% in 2016. By application, mining & metallurgy and building materials, segments in the Australia lime market are expected to account for significant volume shares of 38% and 35%, respectively.New South Wales is expected to be the largest market for lime in Australia throughout the forecast period. The market in the region is estimated to be valued at US$ 59.1 Mn by 2016 end. In terms of production, Western Australia is expected to be a major producer, contributing over 65% to the total lime production in the country, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 0.8% over the forecast period.Request to view Table of Content @Key players in the Australia lime market include Adelaide Brighton Ltd., Boral Limited, Sibelco Australia, Omya Australia Pty. Ltd, Wagners, and Lime Group Australia. Key players in the Australia lime market are focusing on enhancing their product portfolios. They are focusing not only on basic lime products but also on importing quicklime from ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries such as China to minimize a cost of raw materials involved in a lime production. Manufacturers are focusing on capitalizing on economies of scale to increase production, profitability, and offer cost-effective products in order to target cost-sensitive population in the region. Joint ventures, acquisitions, and strategic collaborations in terms of production and distribution of lime have been the common strategies employed by these companies to achieve their production objectives.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @Long-term Outlook: The long-term outlook on the Australia lime market remains on the conservative side, with the market expected to expand at a modest CAGR of 1.7% in terms of value during the forecast period. The revival of the mining sector in the country, increasing demand from the construction sector, particularly in the countrys east coast region, and demand from the water treatment industry are some of the factors expected to sustain a growth of the lime market in Australia.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
More than 10.000 WINAICO solar modules installed on Hollands largest roof-top system

WINAICO WST-260P6

www.winaico.com

9,3 MWp project will be completed at the end of May 2017Creglingen, 22.03.2017  WINAICO, a subsidiary of Taiwans biggest solar module manufacturer Win Win Precision Technology Co, Ltd., has  as already reported in July last year - received the order to provide Hollands largest roof-top system with solar modules.The photovoltaic system, consisting of more than 35.000 WINAICO solar modules WST-260P6, is spread over 26 roofs.With a total output of 9.3 MWp on a roof area of more than 155.000 square metres, the solar plant is Hollands largest roof-top system.The project is carried out by the Dutch company Royal Dekker together with other system suppliers and installation partners.We are very satisfied with the previous construction progress! The installation team already mounted 10.845 WINAICO solar modules and we are confident that the installation works will be completed until the end of May this year, said Marc Ortmanns, Head of European Sales & Marketing.WINAICO  Manufacturer and system supplierAs a global PV brand based in Taiwan, WINAICO manufactures and distributes crystalline high performance modules worldwide. Furthermore, as a systems house for photovoltaic, WINAICO delivers complete PV system packages.Target customers include solar specialists, solar technologists, installation specialists and project developers. Installation specialists profit here from the superior product quality of products manufactured in Taiwan in accordance with the highest quality standards, as well as from the comprehensive consultation, planning and maintenance services from WINAICO. Generous stock levels ensure the rapid availability of WINAICO products.WINAICO Deutschland GmbHIndustriestrae 6897993 CreglingenMarketing Europa: Katharina LinkTel.: +49 7933 700 30-16Fax: +49 7933 700 30-22Mail: k.link@winaico.com
United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Size, Shares, Industry Analysis, Forecast Report 2017

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Modified Atmosphere Packaging in United States market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringAIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.AMCOR LIMITEDBEMIS COMPANY, INC.BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATIONCOVERIS HOLDINGS S.A.LINDE AGMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoEthylene Vinyl AlcoholPoly EthyleneOriented Polyethylene-TerephthalatePolyamideOthersSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Modified Atmosphere Packaging in each application, can be divided intoBakery & ConfectioneryPoultry, Seafood, & Meat ProductsFruits & VegetablesDairy ProductsConvenience FoodOthersDownload Sample Copy Of This Report:Table of Contents1 Modified Atmosphere Packaging Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Modified Atmosphere Packaging1.2 Classification of Modified Atmosphere Packaging1.2.1 Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol1.2.2 Poly Ethylene1.2.3 Oriented Polyethylene-Terephthalate1.2.4 Polyamide1.2.5 Others1.3 Application of Modified Atmosphere Packaging1.3.1 Bakery & Confectionery1.3.2 Poultry, Seafood, & Meat Products1.3.3 Fruits & Vegetables1.3.4 Dairy Products1.3.5 Convenience Food1.3.6 Others1.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (2011-2021)1.4.1 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.4.2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionBrowse More Power Market Research Reports:3 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2011-2016)3.1 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales and Market Share by States (2011-2016)3.2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Revenue and Market Share by States (2011-2016)3.3 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Price by States (2011-2016)4 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)4.1 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)4.2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)4.3 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Price by Type (2011-2016)4.4 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales Growth Rate by Type (2011-2016)5 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales (Volume) by Application (2011-2016)5.1 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)5.2 United States Modified Atmosphere Packaging Sales Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)5.3 Market Drivers and OpportunitiesMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Head Positioning Cushions Sales Market 2017 Key Vendors are : Alma Medical, Eswell, Mizuho OSI, Handicare, Arden Medikal

http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/34665/request-sample

https://goo.gl/OBPWtA

www.fiormarkets.com

www.9dimenreports.com

The report Global Head Positioning Cushions Industry provides a comprehensive analysis of the Head Positioning Cushions market. The report features industry insights from experts. A detailed segmentation of the Global Head Positioning Cushions market has been included in the report. Furthermore, the report also covers the sub-segments. The leading sector, the emerging sectors, along with their growth statistics have been mentioned in the report.Download Free Sample Report @After a brief overview of the Global Head Positioning Cushions market, the report analyzes the market dynamics. The top drivers supporting market growth and the key restraints hampering market growth are covered in this report. Additionally, the report also states the threats and opportunities that companies in the market need to look out for. The most influential trends that will shape the market during the forecasting horizon are also covered in this report. Current market development trends such as partnerships, M&As, collaborations, etc., have also been discussed in detail in the report. Moreover, the report elaborates on the regulatory scenario governing theHead Positioning Cushions market and its potential effects on the market in the foreseeable future.Detailed business overview, revenue analysis, strategies, and SWOT analysis of the key players has been included in the report. Players in the Global Head Positioning Cushions market are aiming to expand their operations to emerging regions. Further, companies in the Head Positioning Cushions market are focusing on innovation and positioning their products at competitive prices. An in-depth supply chain analysis in the report will give readers a better understanding of the Head Positioning Cushions market.Access Full Report @To evaluate the market better, each market segment and its sub-segments are evaluated in the report with their market drivers, restraints, shares, and growth rates. Valuable forecasts and other market statistics in this research study make it an indispensable intelligence tool for companies operating in this market.Table of ContentsGlobal Head Positioning Cushions Sales Market Report 20171 Head Positioning Cushions Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Head Positioning Cushions1.2 Classification of Head Positioning Cushions1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of Head Positioning Cushions1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 Head Positioning Cushions Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Head Positioning Cushions (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Head Positioning Cushions Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Head Positioning Cushions Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Fior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Mark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Global Gas Leak Detectors Market 2017- Agilent, PerkinElmer, ABB, Horiba, Hy-Lok USA and Testo

Gas Leak Detectors

https://goo.gl/tcffEa

http://www.qyresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-gas-leak-detectors-market-2017-industry-trends.html

This report studies sales (consumption) of Gas Leak Detectors in Global market, especially in United States, China, Europe and Japan, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringAgilentPerkinElmerABBHoribaHy-Lok USALA-CO IndustriesHoneywell InternationalMine Safety AppliancesTestoYokogawa ElectricHitech InstrumentsAmetekThe market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Gas Leak Detectors market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Gas Leak Detectors market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Click Here to Request Sample Report @The qualitative segmentation of Gas Leak Detectors market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Gas Leak Detectors report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Gas Leak Detectors market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report @The overall information of the Gas Leak Detectors market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Gas Leak Detectors market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Legal Marijuana Market (Medical & Recreational) with Focus on US & Canada: Industry Analysis (2016-2020)

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Cannabis, also known as marijuana, belongs to a family of plants called Cannabaceae. There are over 700 varieties of cannabis, which have been described till date. Based on characteristics such as shape, color, height, smell, it is usually recognized by two main types: Cannabis Sativa, which originated in the Western hemisphere and Cannabis Indica, which originated in Central and South Asia.The report Marijuana Market provides an in-depth analysis of the US and Canada market on the basis of its segments. The major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the industry are being presented in this report. The key players in the industry, American Cannabis Company, mCig, Inc., GreenGro Technologies, Inc. and Mentor Capital Inc. are being profiled.Download Sample Copy of This Report at:The key factors driving the growth of the marijuana/cannabis market are technological advancement, premium pricing due to high energy consumption in marijuana production, rising social acceptance of marijuana and growing business opportunities, increasing business sophistication, large base of potential cannabis consumers, medical cannabis on the rise, growing popular support in cannabis market and the growth of the vaporizer industry. Some of the noteworthy trends and developments of this industry are national expansion & brand growth, emergence of large grow, banking & financial services, cannabis as healthcare treatment and innovative product development. However, the expansion of marijuana/cannabis market is hindered by legal issues.In addition to the legalization of medical marijuana, there are states which have also legalized the recreational use of this drug for adults who are 21 years old or older. So far, four states as well as the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use, and 23 states allow marijuana use for medical purposes. These changes in state laws have helped the growth of the cannabis industry. The new and revised laws show that people are finally starting to realize that this drug can have legitimate uses.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
French True Fleet Market stumble continues for a 2nd Month

www.dataforce.de

The True Fleet Market in France produced its 2nd negative month in a row finishing with a negative growth of 17.1% and producing its lowest February volume since 2014. The Total Market was down by 2.9% finishing with around 162,000 registrations with the Private Market registering a - 2.1% and Special Channels the only positive with + 7.7%.For True Fleet the Top 5 manufacturers maintained their positions while only 2 out of the Top 10 delivered positive growth for the month. The home grown three of Renault, Peugeot and Citroen took the first 3 places. VW retained 4th and was the first of the two manufacturers with positive growth achieving a +7.8% for the month. They were followed by BMW, Ford, Audi and Mercedes and while none of them achieved growth in February, Ford was able to still jump three places from 9th into 6th. Toyota was the 2nd manufacturer to post growth with a +35.6% which moved them inside the Top 10 at 9th from 12th while Nissan completed the line-up and took the dubious honour of having the highest percentage drop in growth of - 57.3%.Once again it seems the question of fuel choice has been raised and inevitably it seems to turn to diesel and whether it is a temporary decline in the market or in fact the newest trend from consumers for the future. While we focus most often on passenger cars we also have the LCV market (0- 3.5t) to consider. True Fleet for 2016 LCV registered around 322,000 units or 69% of what the passengers cars volume was in France. This then makes for interesting reading when looking at diesel share. Why? Because for LCV unsurprisingly 96.7% choose diesel as their fuel and this has remained steady since 2003 with only a maximum 2% difference in share over those 14 years (2016 being the lowest). So for the LCV market diesel is secure and moving very little.Meanwhile for True Fleet PC it was 78.6% and after looking further into the PC segments it shows perhaps an even clearer trend. The Dealership/Manufacturer segments diesel share has changed from the high of 81.1% in 2008 to last year it finishing on 51.5%, Short Term Rentals high was 83.7% in 2012 while it was down to 62.0% last year and the Private Markets top result of 71.3% in 2008 was also brought back to a low of 37.8% in 2016. So with France looking to improve air quality across its major cities and also investing in higher rebates for alternative fuels it looks like Passenger car diesel needs to become cleaner & greener to deliver its CO2 savings or continue along its current decline.We decide to again ask our Forecast and Automotive analyst for a view on how he sees the diesel question in France:While changes in the French bonus-malus taxation system caused negative repercussions, uncertainties from the upcoming presidential elections may well have added to the True Fleet Markets weaker performance at the beginning of the year. However, the business cycle is continuing to improve as domestic brands have introduced lots of new models. Only 2 in the True Fleets Diesel Top 10 models are more than 2 years old. Still, the Diesel technology stays under pressure, since the French crit-air sticker system may cause even Euro 6 diesels to be banned from cities in the early 2020s  Benjamin Kibies, Dataforce Automotive AnalystDATAFORCE  Focus on FleetsDataforce is the leading provider of fleet market data and automotive intelligence solutions in Europe. In addition, the company also provides detailed information on sales opportunities for the automotive industry, together with a wide portfolio of information based on primary market research and consulting services. The company is based in Frankfurt, Germany.Contact: Richard WorrowPhone: +49 69 95930-253Fax: +49 69 95930-333Email: richard.worrow@dataforce.deDataforce Verlagsgesellschaft furBusiness Informationen mbHHamburger Allee 1460486 Frankfurt am Main
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Phablets Market in the APAC Region to grow at a CAGR of 15.84% 2015-2019 owing to rising Consumer Demands and Trends

http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=879288

http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=879288

http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG

Albany, NY, March 22, 2017: A phablet can be defined as an integration of a tablet and a phone. Basically, this device offers functionalities of a tablet along with the calling and texting functions of a cellphone. A phablet can be compared with a smartphone but is different from a standard smartphone in terms of its screen size. Phablets were introduced in the market to facilitate easy internet browsing, watching videos, and navigating documents for end-users. They have wide screens and powerful processors, which are increasing their popularity among consumers.The Phablets market in the APAC region in terms of revenue to grow at a CAGR of 9.32 percent over the period 2014-2019. In terms of volume, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.84 percent during the forecast period.This report covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the Phablets market in the APAC region for the period 2015-2019. The report considers phablets as smartphones with a screen size in the range of 4.8 to 6.5 inches. It presents the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the top four vendors in the Phablets market in the APAC region. In addition, the report discusses the major drivers that influence the growth of the Phablets market in the APAC region. It also outlines the challenges that are faced by the vendors and the market at large, as well as the key trends emerging in the market.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:TechNavio's report, Phablets Market in APAC 2014-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion on the key vendors operating in this market.Key Vendors- HTC- LG Electronics- Samsung Electronics- Sony Mobile CommunicationsOther Prominent Vendors- Apple- HP- Huawei- Lenovo- Xiaomi- XoloKey Market Driver- Increased Adoption of Phablets- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey Market Challenge- High Production Costs- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey Market Trend- Increased R&D Spending- For a full, detailed list, view our reportEnquiry at:Key questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2019 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Cocoa & Chocolate Market 2016 Historical Market, Growth, Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022

Cocoa & Chocolate

https://goo.gl/TzHwIC

https://goo.gl/7WA1An

The report that is written on the title Cocoa & Chocolate Market 2016 covers all the aspects of the global market study. This report has an estimation about the Cocoa & Chocolate Market size in terms of value (US$). The report contains the broad segmentation of the market. The report provides the information about the Cocoa & Chocolate Market and also forecasts its position in the coming years.To understand the competitive landscape of Cocoa & Chocolate Market in the industry Porters Five Forces model has been implemented in order to analyze the data that is gathered. The study encompasses various concepts such as its popularity in the segmentation of the industry, the factors that are contributing towards the industry growth and the restraining factors that are hampering the growth.Browse Full Report:The report includes the opportunities that are provided by the Cocoa & Chocolate Market in the different end user industries.The different key Cocoa & Chocolate Market players involved in this industry are also included in this report. The major geographical regions that are studied in this report are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World. Different segments are discussed in a detailed way in the report and the segments that are dominating the industry are also discussed. This helps in better understanding about the Cocoa & Chocolate Market and also its industry share in the market.The Cocoa & Chocolate Market report helps in understanding the new trends in the market, the trends in the supply chain, the technological advancements that are made in the industry, the developments that are driving the market and its future plans and strategies.Global Cocoa & Chocolate Market Segment By Key Players/Manufacturers,Archer Daniels MidlandBarry CallebautBlommer ChocolateCargill IncorporatedCemoiMars Inc.Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd.Nestle S.A.Olam International LimitedPuratos GroupHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Global Cocoa & Chocolate Market Segment By ClassificationCocoaChocolateGlobal Cocoa & Chocolate Market Segment By ApplicationsConfectioneryFood & BeverageCosmeticsReport on (Cocoa & Chocolate Market Report) mainly covers 15 Topics acutely display the global Cocoa & Chocolate Market.Topic 1, this report analyzed the basic scope of this industry like definition, specification, classification, application, industry policy and news;Topic 2, the analysis on industry chain is provided including the up and down stream industry also with the major market players. And the analysis on manufacturing including process, cost structure and major plants distribution is conducted;Topic 3, 4 global and regional market is analyzed. In these chapters, this report analyzed major market data like capacity, production, capacity utilization rate, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, supply, import, export, consumption, market share, growth rate and etc. For regional market, this report analyzed major regions like Europe, North America, South America, Asia (Excluding China), China and ROW. These analysis are conducted;Topic 5, 6 and 7, the performance of major manufacturers are analyzed and then in Chapter 6 and 7 the analysis on major classification and application.Topic 8, Then the marketing channel analysis is provided including the major distributorsTopic 9 and 10, this report analyzed the market forecast from 2017 to 2022 for global and regional market in Chapter 9 and the new project investment feasibility analysis;Topic 11, At last, this report provided the conclusions of this researchThis report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market.About Market Research Store:Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United States
An Industry First: Teradata Debuts Open Source Kylo to Quickly Build, Manage Data Pipelines

Oliver Ratzesberger, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Teradata

www.kylo.io

https://github.com/Teradata/kylo

Dubai, UAE  March 22, 2017  Teradata (NYSE: TDC), a leading analytics solutions company, announced a new and important contribution to the open source community that will deliver unprecedented efficiencies for companies creating data lakes. Teradata is introducing Kylo, a data lake management software platform built using the latest open source capabilities such as Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark and Apache NiFi. Kylo is a Teradata sponsored, open-source project that is offered under the Apache 2.0 license. Kylo evolved from code harvested from proven data lake engagements led by Think Big Analytics, a Teradata company, which will provide services and support for Kylo.With substantive experience creating business value from data lakes, Teradata is contributing Kylo to help organizations address the most common challenges they face in data lake implementation efforts. These include the central problem that data lakes simply take too long to build, and in the average 6-12 month build cycle, users find that use cases can become out of date and less relevant to quickly evolving businesses. Second, despite the lower cost of software, engineering costs quickly mount. Finally, a data lake, once created, may fail to attract users who find it difficult to explore, and so little value is realized.Derived and developed from data lake deployments across industries, Kylo can easily help resolve these challenges, because it integrates and simplifies pipeline development and common data management tasks, resulting in faster time to value, greater user adoption and developer productivity. With Kylo, no coding is required, and its intuitive user interface for self-service data ingest and wrangling helps accelerate the development process. Kylo also leverages reusable templates to increase productivity.Many organizations find that implementing big data solutions on the Hadoop stack is a complex endeavor. Big data technologies are heavily oriented to software engineering, developers and system administrators, said Nik Rouda, senior analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). Our research found 28 percent of organizations still struggle to staff teams with enough BI and analytics talent, much less big data and open source solution expertise. 77 percent of those surveyed say new big data initiatives will take between seven months and three years to show significant business value. It doesnt have to be that way. I commend Teradata for open sourcing Kylo  an innovative and meaningful contribution.Encapsulating extensive experience from over 150 data lake engagements, Kylo helps organizations address the most common challenges they face in data lake implementation efforts, including:- Skill shortage for experienced software engineers and administrators.- Learning and implementing best practices around data lake governance.- Driving data lake adoption beyond engineers.When these challenges are overcome, high impact business outcomes are realized. In fact, Teradata has already helped many organizations save money and create new revenue streams from data lakes:- A semiconductor manufacturer increased the yield quality of wafers; reducing waste, saving time, boosting output and thus increasing value to the business.- An industrial equipment manufacturer enabled new service models, service-level agreements, intervention processes, and, notably, new revenue streams.- A world-renowned research hospital reduced patient prep times, allowing doctors to treat more patients.Kylo is an exciting first in open source data lake management, and perfectly represents Teradatas vision around big data, analytics, and open source software, said Oliver Ratzesberger, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Teradata. Teradata has a rich history in the development of many open source projects, including Presto, and Covalent. We know how commercial and open source should work together. So we engineer the best of both worlds, and we pioneer new approaches to open source software as part of our customer-choice strategy, improving the commercial and open source landscape for everyone.Teradatas vision for the blend of commercial and open source is recognized by customers, who continue to use Teradata to unleash their potential.At Discover Financial Services, we are focused on leveraging leading-edge technology that helps us quickly bring products to market while providing exceptional customer service. Kylo has a unique framework that has the potential to accelerate development and value on new data sources that leverage Apache NiFi, said Ka Tang, Director, Enterprise Data Architecture, Discover. Kylo may provide an opportunity to leverage open source innovations while allowing the opportunity to give back to the open source community."Open source software has an appeal to users seeking independence, cooperative learning, experimentation, and flexibility for customized deployments, said Rick Farnell, President of Think Big, a Teradata company. Our contribution is all about helping companies build a scalable data lake foundation that can continuously evolve with their business, technology data and analytical goals. We are removing impediments to use data to solve complex business problems and encouraging analytical users to contribute to the growing Kylo community. Going forward, our primary focus as a company is to help our customers create business value through analytics, rather than commodity capabilities. Kylo, along with our Teradata Everywhere approach to software and services, is a great example of our innovative strategy for the future."To this point, a major telecommunications company implemented Kylo after a large team of 30 data engineers spent months hand-coding data ingestion pipelines. Using Kylo, one single individual was able to ingest, cleanse, profile, and validate the same data in less than a week. Kylo not only improved data process efficiencies, it allowed those additional engineers to focus on multiple major business priorities.Kylo software, documentation and tutorials are available now, via the Kylo project website:- or the GitHub web site: --On request, Think Big offers these optional services, if required:- Kylo support- Kylo implementation services- Kylo training- Kylo managed servicesKylo provides tooling on top of Apache NiFi to make it faster and easier to get data into your data lake, said Scott Gnau, Chief Technology Officer, Hortonworks. Hortonworks is pleased to announce Kylos certification with Hortonworks DataFlow and our expanded joint support relationship for NiFi.Teradata will play a leadership role in the governance, stewardship and community-building around open-source Kylo.About TeradataTeradata empowers companies to achieve high-impact business outcomes. Our focus on business solutions for analytics, coupled with our industry leading technology and architecture expertise, can unleash the potential of great companies. Visit teradata.com.TeradataCentria Center , 4th floorOlaya streetP.O.Box 9629Riyadh , 11423Saudi Arabia
Global Solar Rooftop Market 2017 - Hero Future Energies, Thermax Limited, CleanMax Solar, Fourth Partner Energy, SOLON India Private, Jaksons Engineers Limited

http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/31083/request-sample

https://goo.gl/BwuJMY

www.fiormarkets.com

www.9dimenreports.com

Global Solar Rooftop Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Solar Rooftop market globally, providing basic overview of Solar Rooftop market including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure, Solar Rooftop Market report provides development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. Solar Rooftop market size, share and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies.To analyze the growth trajectory and present an industry overview of the global Solar Rooftop market, the report titled Solar Rooftop begins with definition, application, classification, industry chain analysis, news analysis, and policy analysis of the market.Throughout, the report has maintained an analytical approach to present an executive-level blueprint of the globalGear Shaping Machines market. The primary aim of the report is to study the market potential exhibited by the Solar Rooftop industry and evaluate the concentration of the Solar Rooftop manufacturing segment. Through a detailed analysis, the report finds the best avenues of investment for the global Solar Rooftop market. Market classification in terms of geography included in this section of the report will help companies understand individual growth prospects for the Solar Rooftop market across the key geographic regions over the forecast period.Download Free Sample Report @To study the Solar Rooftop industry in the global scenario, the report segments the market in terms of products, applications, end-use industries, and key geographic regions. Development trends witnessed by the market in terms of each individual segment are discussed in detail in the report. To provide a detailed industry value chain analysis, the report analyzes the downstream client survey, equipment, supply chain network, upstream raw material, and other valuable information pertaining to the marketing channel.Manufacturing process, product cost structure, and product specifications are other factors evaluated in the report. To present a detailed competitive analysis of the Solar Rooftop market, the report profiles the leaders of the industry. The individual contribution of these companies to overall market performance is also analyzed in detail by the report, together with specifying their respective market share. With the help of the information obtained through the analysis of the competitive landscape, the report estimates the prospective investment feasibility of the Solar Rooftop market.Access Full Report @The Solar Rooftop market research study has been composed using key inputs from industry experts. Furthermore, the extensive primary and secondary research data with which the report has been composed helps deliver the key statistical forecasts, in terms of both revenue and volume. In addition to this, the trends and revenue analysis of the global Solar Rooftop market has been mentioned in this report. This will give a clear perspective to the readers how the Solar Rooftop market will fare in China.Fior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Global Polyamide 12 Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/get-sample/14710

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/enquire-for-discount/14710

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-north-america-europe-and-asia-pacific-south-america-middle-east-and-africa-polyamide-12-pa-12-nylon-12-market

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/2017-2022-india-polyimide-film-market

http://marketsizeforecasters.com/

Worldwide Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market report of 2017 provides a detailed market overview as well as industry analysis for / of companies, manufacturers and distributors covering data on gross margin, cost structure, consumption value, sale price and morePolyamide 12 (PA 12, Nylon 12) is a polymer with the formula [(CH2)11C(O)NH]n. It is made from ?-aminolauric acid or laurolactam monomers that each have 12 carbons. It is Semi-crystalline-crystalline thermoplastic material. Relatively low density, low water absorption. Polyamide 12 has a broad range of applications as polyamide additives.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversEvonikArkemaEMS-GrivoryUBE IndustriesRequest a sample copy of Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Research Report @Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Segment by Type, coversType 1Type 2The listed pricing for this Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market report starts at $ 4880. Request Discount for Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Research Report @Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoAutomotive ApplicationsIndustrial ApplicationsConsumer GoodsElectronicsOthersBrowse full table of contents and data tables For Global Polyamide 12 (PA 12/Nylon 12) Market Report @Related Reports: -2017-2022 India Polyimide Film Market Report (Status and Outlook)The Polyimide Film market size will be XX million (USD) in 2022 in India, from the XX million (USD) in 2016, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) XX% from 2016 to 2022.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Plastisol Ink Market Forecast  Profiled PolyOne, Lancer Group, ICC, Huber Group, Fujifilm, Sunlan Chemicals

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/get-sample/14721

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/enquire-for-discount/14721

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-plastisol-ink-market

https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-and-chinese-acetamide-industry-2017-market

http://marketsizeforecasters.com/

The latest trending report Global Plastisol Ink Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, forecast to 2022 offered by Market Size Forecasters in an informative study covering the market with detailed analysis. The report will assist reader with better understanding and decision making. The report spread across 120 pages with table and figures in it.Plastisol ink is a PVC-based industrial coating for screen printing cotton, polyester, nylon etc. New generation of products appeared in the market in recent years: non-phthalate plastisol inks and non-pvc plastisol inks.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Plastisol Ink in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request a sample copy of Global Plastisol Ink Market Research Report @Top players have been profiled in this research report such as PolyOne, Lancer Group, Rutland Plastic Technologies, ICC, Huber Group, Fujifilm, Sunlan Chemicals, KARAN, Zhongyi Ink & Paint, Sophah Screen Printing Technology, DexinGlobal Plastisol Ink Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Global Plastisol Ink Market Segment by Type, covers General Plastisol Inks Non-Phthalate Plastisol Inks Non-PVC Plastisol InksGlobal Plastisol Ink Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into Cotton Fabric Polyester & Nylon Fabrics Blend Fabric OthersEnquiry for discount Global Plastisol Ink Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Plastisol Ink market.Chapter 1, to describe Plastisol Ink Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Plastisol Ink, with sales, revenue, and price of Plastisol Ink, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Plastisol Ink, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Plastisol Ink market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Plastisol Ink sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceBrowse full table of contents and data tables for Global Plastisol Ink Market Report @Related Reports: -Global and Chinese Acetamide Industry, 2017 Market Research ReportThe 'Global and Chinese Acetamide Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Acetamide industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Acetamide manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Market Estimated to Grow at a CAGR of 2.73 % during 2016 to 2022

Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2347

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/anti-hypertensive-drugs-market-2347

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2347

Market Forecast:Market Research Future published a half-cooked research report on Global Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market. The Global Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~2.73 % during the period 2016 to 2022.Market HighlightsAnti-Hypertensive Drugs are used for the treatment of high blood pressure arising due to several factors. The Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market is characterised by low rate of return on most drugs due to greater penetration of generics due to loss of patents of major blockbusters. Thus the strategy of most companies revolve around same for less or more for more. Availability of a number of effective substitute and fragmentation of market along with good efficacy and cost effectiveness of traditional anti-hypertensive drugs act as a drag on charging a premium. This also reduces any propensity of volatility in the future market unless the development of drug having a special property such as additional benefit for patients suffering from other diseases. Thus a premium can be charged on special anti-hypertensive drugs such as /angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors which prolong survival in patients with congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus. Thus combination therapy will be on the rise. The uptake of any newer drug will be slow in face of competition and apprehensions about its safety, efficacy and special benefit potential. Thus marketing cost will tend to be higher further reducing profits.Request a Sample Report @Key Players:The major participants of this market are: Novartis AG, Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd., Astra Zeneca plc, Sanofi S.A., Pfizer Inc., Acetelion Ltd, Merck & Co., Boehringer Ingelheim, Lupin Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical, Bayer AG etc.Regional Analysis:Depending on geographic region, Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market is segmented into four key regions: Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Globally developed countries led by North America is the largest market for Anti-hypertensive drugs. Europe is the second-largest market for anti-hypertensive drugs. The developed region will lose the lead to the developing in the nearest future. Anti-hypertensive drugs will be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the disease shift from developed to developing regions. But there seems to be no greater benefit except greater sales to the companies.Browse Report Details @Market Analysis:The global Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market has been laggard as can be seen from historical data and it is expected to continue in the future. The global Anti-Hypertensive Drug Market is expected to grow with a sluggish CAGR of ~ 2.73 % during the forecasted period.Segmentation:Global anti-hypertensive drugs market has been segmented on the basis of pharmacological class which comprises diuretics, ace inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, adrenergic blockers, central sympatholytic, renin inhibitors and vasodilators. On the basis of application; market is segmented into primary or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. On the basis of hypertension type into systemic hypertension drugs and pulmonary hypertension drugsMake an Enquiry for Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Aluminum Pigments Market for Paints & Coatings, Growth in Asia Pacific for Better Opportunities By 2024

Aluminum Pigments Market

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aluminum-pigments-market.html

https://goo.gl/aU1Yku

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Paints and coatings was the largest end-user industry of the global aluminum pigments market in 2015, with a market share of over 45% in terms of volume. Plastics, personal care, and printing inks were the other prime end users of aluminum pigments at the time. Competitively speaking, the global aluminum pigments market is dominated by large and mid-sized players, with little scope of entry for new players. Altana AG, Silberline Manufacturing Co. Inc., Carl Schenk AG, and three others held about 48% of the global aluminum pigments market in 2015, showing the high level of consolidation that new entrants will have to tear through.In coherence with the above points, the global aluminum pigments market is expected to be valued close to US$581 mn by 2024. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% between 2015 and 2024 in terms of revenue, and stood at US$332 mn in 2015. In terms of value, the global aluminum pigments market was estimated at nearly 47 kilo tons in 2015.Browse Market Research Report @aluminum-pigments-marketAuto Industrys Demand for Aluminum Pigments Leads Companies to Asia Pacific for Better OpportunitiesAluminum pigments have always witnessed high demand in paints and coatings manufacturing, owing to the wide scope of utility they offer. Aluminum pigments impart smoother surfaces and metallic finishes to paints and coatings along with other highly sought-after physical properties. These pigments are largely concerned with the aesthetic side of paints and coatings, which means that nations with a low economic situation will not hold a feasible market for its consumption. On the other hand, major nations in Asia Pacific and Latin America are currently showing a very high rate of industrial development. China especially is showing a very high demand for aluminum pigments owing to its rapidly growing production and consumption rate of automobiles.Additionally, consumers in the Asia Pacific region are showing a steadier growth in disposable income, which is allowing them to opt for better quality of products and higher aesthetics. This applies to automobiles as well, consequently creating a much higher demand for aluminum pigments and specialized coatings.For more information on this report, fill the form @Personal Care Industry Shows Exceptional Growth in Aluminum Pigments DemandThe personal care industry makes a significant use of aluminum pigments in products such as body washes, hair gels, shampoos, lip gloss, nail polishes, and eye shadows. Aluminum pigments are preferred as they provide a highly attractive silver white effect to the personal care products, which can help increase the product sales. Consumers are currently showing a high rate of interest in aesthetically pleasing personal care products and cosmetics, due to which the global aluminum pigments market is finding excellent opportunities of growth in the personal care industry.Similarly, the global aluminum pigments market is also experiencing growth in demand from the manufacturers of printing inks, as the pigments can be used in a wide array of ink types, including gravure, screen, and flexographic inks. Aluminum pigments can improve the opacity of printing inks on difficult surfaces, thereby enhancing the visual appeal and legibility of the print.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insights for decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, TMR employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us:-Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog:
Natural Astaxanthin Market Research, Trends, Analysis, Demand, Outlook and Forecast 2017

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Natural Astaxanthin Market Research Report 2022 (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) is the latest market intelligence on growth drivers, industry and regional trends, competitive landscape scenario as well as upstream and downstream sectors.Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring dark red carotenoid found in nature primarily in aquatic animals such as salmon, trout, krill, shrimp, crayfish, and crustaceans. It has the unique capacity to quench free radicals and reactive species of oxygen and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Studies have shown natural astaxanthin to be over 500 times stronger than vitamin E and much more potent than other carotenoids such as lutein, lycopene and -carotene.Request a sample copy of MIM (Metal Injection Molding) Furnace Market Research Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Natural Astaxanthin in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversCyanotechFujiBGGParry NutraceuticalsAlgatechnologiesBiogenicJingzhou Natural AstaxanthinIgeneYunnan Alphy BiotechMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversAstaxanthin OleoresinAstaxanthin PowderMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoNutraceuticalsCosmeticsFood & BeveragesFeedOthersThe listed pricing for this MIM (Metal Injection Molding) Furnace Market report starts at $ 4480. Request Discount for MIM (Metal Injection Molding) Furnace Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Natural Astaxanthin market.Chapter 1, to describe Natural Astaxanthin Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Natural Astaxanthin, with sales, revenue, and price of Natural Astaxanthin, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Natural Astaxanthin, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Browse full table of contents and data tables For MIM (Metal Injection Molding) Furnace Market Report @Related Reports: -World Polylactice Acid (PLA) Market Research Report 2021(Covering USA, EU, China, South East Asia, Japan and etc)Polylactic acid (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester made up of lactic acid (2-hydroxy propionic acid) building blocks. It is also a biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic derived from renewable plant sources, such as starch and sugar. PLA can be processed through different production lines including injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming or extrusion, and further used to produce various items such as plastic films, bottles, and biodegradable medical devices.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:
Rheology Modifiers Market primarily driven by booming paint & coatings industry.

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Global rheology modifiers market is primarily driven by booming paint & coatings industry. Global paints & coatings industry was valued more than USD 130 billion in 2015 and is projected to touch USD 210 billion by 2024, with estimated gains more than 5% CAGR.Paints & coating industry, which is forecast to exceed USD 210 billion by 2024, is estimated to be the most lucrative sector for this billion-dollar market over the coming period. Paints and coatings industry accounted for nearly 30% of the global rheology modifiers share in 2015. These modifiers are witnessing a huge demand across this industry, owing to their ability to improve the durability, consistency, emulsion stability, leveling, and anti-sagging properties of the paints. The increasing urbanization coupled with the growing automotive and construction industry is favorably impacting the paints & coatings market, which in turn will drive the rheology modifiers market size.Request for sample of this research report @Personal care industry, which is yet another booming industry, is also a vital driving factor for rheology modifiers market. personal care industry, having had a market value of USD 580 billion in 2015, is estimated to surpass USD 790 billion by 2024. This growth will in turn boost rheology modifiers market owing to its rising demand across various personal care products to impart desirable properties such as suspension, consistency, and stabilization to these products. Inorganic modifiers are mainly used for the personal care industry. Rheology modifiers application in the personal care industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% over the period of 2016-2024.The paper industry is also a significant contributor towards this market. However, the growth in this sector is sluggish due to the growing digital trends which has reduced the growth of paper industry. Moreover, the fluctuating crude oil prices may also negatively impact rheology modifiers industry growth, crude oil being the essential raw material for these compounds.The growth in the end user industries across the globe will fuel rheology modifiers market size. US, being the largest hub of the geriatric population, is estimated to account for a significant share in the rheology modifiers market. Moreover, the growth of the pharmaceutical and personal care industries in US will also drive the regional revenue.Browse key industry insights spread across 100 pages with 152 market data tables & 18 figures & charts from the report, Rheology Modifiers Market Size By Product (Organic, Inorganic), By Application (Paints & Coatings, Personal Care, Adhesives & Sealants, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp & Paper, Construction), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, GCC), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2013  2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Asia Pacific market, which accounted for 35% of the global revenue in 2015, is estimated to register a CAGR of over 4% over 2016-2024. Rapid industrialization coupled with the expansion of automotive and construction industry are the major driving forces behind APAC rheology modifiers market growth.The industry is highly fragmented with key market participants comprising Ashland, Arkema Group, BASF SE, DOW Chemical Company, and Lubrizol CorporationAbout Global Market Insights, Inc.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105
Anti-hypertensive Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Anti-hypertensive Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2021 - Increasing Prevalence of Hypertension Drives Market Growth despite Weak Pipeline" to its huge collection of research reports.Hypertension is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries. It affected an estimated 517 million people in 2014, a figure that will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.2% to 561 million in 2021 in the four Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions of China, India, Australia, and Japan. This high prevalence is a substantial contributor to healthcare costs and a major cause of morbidity. Despite this, awareness of hypertension is low among physicians, patients, and the public alike, leading to poor blood pressure control.The classes of drugs prescribed to treat hypertension are Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB), beta-blockers, renin inhibitors, and diuretics. The percentage of patients treated using monotherapy and combination therapy (including fixed-dose combinations) varies from country to country. The most commonly prescribed drugs in the CCB class are amlodipine and lercanidipine, while the leading ARBs are telmisartan, candesartan, olmesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, azilsartan medoxomil, and eprosartan. Ramipril, imidapril, perindopril, enalapril, lisinopril, benazepril, fosinopril, trandolapril, and quinapril dominate the ACEIs.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Scope- Hypertension prevalence is a prominent contributor to market size in the assessed countries. The market is mostly dominated by generics, and there are only a few patented products.- Will generics continue to dominate treatment?- How do the elderly populations and their associated risk factors affect prevalence?- The current anti-hypertensive therapeutics pipeline is weak, comprising 124 molecules in various stages of development, dominated by small molecules.- Will the upcoming molecules change the treatment paradigm in the near future?- How will the weak pipeline affect the market?- Analysis of clinical trials since 2006 identified that anti-hypertensive products have a high rate of attrition.- How do failure rates vary by product stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action?- How do other factors such as average trial duration and trial size influence the costs and risks associated with product development?- Over the 20142021 forecast period, the APAC anti-hypertensive therapeutics market is expected to increase in value at a CAGR of 3.4% from $15.7 billion to just over 19.9 billion. Growth is projected to vary considerably across the four assessed markets.- Which markets make the most significant contribution to the current market size?- What are the epidemiology trends in these markets?- Will branded products patent expirations pose a significant threat?- Will new market entrants over the forecast period lead to substantial changes in annual therapy costs?Reasons To BuyThis report will enable you to:- Understand the clinical context of hypertension by considering symptoms, etiology, pathophysiology, co-morbidities and complications, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.- Identify the therapeutic strategies, products, and companies that dominate the current marketed products landscape, and recognize gaps.- Appreciate key anti-hypertensive pipeline trends in molecule type, administration route, mechanism of action, and novelty.- Consider market opportunities and potential risks by examining trends in anti-hypertensive clinical trial size, duration, and failure rate by stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action.- Compare treatment usage patterns, annual therapy costs, and market growth projections for the China, India, Australia, and Japan.- Discover trends in licensing and co-development deals concerning anti-hypertensive products and identify the major strategic consolidations that have shaped the commercial landscape.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Latest Research Report on Pancreatic Cancer - Identifying and Commercializing First-in-Class Innovation

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Frontier Pharma: Pancreatic Cancer - Identifying and Commercializing First-in-Class Innovation" to its huge collection of research reports.Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer globally, and the fourth most fatal, with a mortality rate of 10.9 deaths per 100,000 people per year. The poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients has highlighted a significant need for new and improved approaches to treatment, which is not being met by the current market.A highly active pancreatic cancer pipeline contains an array of products with varying molecule types and mechanisms of action, which provides a striking contrast to the current, chemotherapy dominated, market. Within the pipeline, there are 185 products that act on a first-in-class molecular target, representing 52% of the total pancreatic cancer pipeline products that have a disclosed molecular target. A drastically different pipeline and market composition implies that the approach to pancreatic cancer treatment is changing and first-in-class innovation is playing a significant role in this.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Scope- Gemcitabine based regimens continue to dominate the market, which has seen few new entrants over the past decade. The continued reliance on generic chemotherapies is one reason why the prognosis has shown little improvement.- What survival benefits do current therapies provide?- What are the current unmet needs that the pipeline needs to address?- The pipeline contains a plethora of molecule types and molecular targets not present on the market, including a large focus on therapies targeting common oncogenic pathways and signaling intermediates such as PI3K/Akt.- What impact will the emergence of biologics have on the pancreatic cancer landscape?- Will pipeline diversity translate to clinically and commercially successful therapies?- How will the rise of novel molecular target categories, such as signal transduction, impact future treatment options?- 52% of pipeline products act on a first-in-class target, which is higher than the oncology and industry averages.- Do first-in-class products show strong progression into the later stages?- Why is the greatest number of first-in-class products seen in signal transduction?- Numerous early-stage, first-in-class products have high promise, often supported by preclinical evidence.- How well are first-in-class targets, such as Akt2, aligned to known disease causing pathways?- Does scientific literature provide significant rationale for therapies acting on early-stage promising, first-in-class targets?- What does preclinical data on Akt inhibition suggest about its potential as a target in pancreatic cancer?- Deals for first-in-class products typically take place in earlier stages than non-first-in-class counterparts, with 79% of first-in-class licensing deals occurring in Phase I or earlier.- To what extent does first-in-class status influence deal value?- Can biologics command a greater deal value than other molecule types?Reasons to buyThis report will allow you to- Understand the current clinical and commercial landscape. This includes a comprehensive study of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis and the available treatment options available at each stage of diagnosis.- Visualize the composition of the pancreatic cancer market in terms of dominant molecule types and targets, highlighting what the current unmet needs are and how they can be addressed. This knowledge allows a competitive understanding of gaps in the current market.- Analyze the pancreatic cancer pipeline, and stratify by stage of development, molecule type and molecular target. There are promising signs in the pipeline that the industry is seeking novel approaches the treating pancreatic cancer.- Assess the therapeutic potential of first-in-class targets. Using a proprietary matrix, first-in-class products have been assessed and ranked according to clinical potential.Promising targets, including MAP3K7 and P70-S6 Kinase 1 have been extensively reviewed using peer-reviewed literature and preclinical data.- Identify commercial opportunities in the pancreatic cancer deals landscape by analyzing trends in licensing and co-development deals and producing a curated list of pancreatic cancer therapies that are not yet involved in deals and may be potential investment opportunities.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Healthcare Cloud Computing Industry Share, Growth, Analysis, Statistics, Trends, Forecast Report, 2023

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Healthcare Cloud Computing Market assists in storing, managing, and processing the data from different locations, and delivers it to hosted services through internet. It is increasingly being implemented in the healthcare industry due to the rising pressure to restrict healthcare costs while maintaining the quality of care provided to patients.Global Healthcare cloud computing market size forecast to reach USD 7 billion by 2023.The prime factors driving the demand of cloud computing in healthcare sector include it enables on-demand access to computing and large storage facilities which are not provided in traditional IT environments. In addition, it also offers big data sets for radiology images, genomic data offloading and electronic health records. Furthermore, it improves the ability to track and analyze the data so that information on treatments, performance, costs and effectiveness studies can be analyzed and acted upon. These factors are boosting the demand for the healthcare cloud computing market over the forecast period.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Healthcare data has rigorous requirement for confidentiality, security, availability to authorized users, reversibility of data, long-term preservation and traceability of access. Thus, cloud computing dealer need to account for the aforementioned while criticizing to industry and government regulations. The need to shared healthcare data across several regions would further delays the treatment of the patient and results in loss of time. Cloud computing caters these requirements thus providing the healthcare industries to improve services by sharing the useful information easily and enhance the operational efficiency.Reforms in various countries directly benefiting healthcare sector coupled with the proliferation of cost-efficiency and new payment models of cloud are the major driving factor for the global healthcare cloud computing market. In addition, increasing adoption of IT to surge cloud computing and reduce healthcare costs are also expected to boost the industry demand from 2016 to 2023. Moreover, implementation of the patient protection and affordable care act along with the health benefit plan designs is anticipated to fuel the industry demand over the forecast period.Issues related to interoperability & standardization of cloud and rising concerns related to security of patient information is likely to hamper the industry growth over the forecast period. The potential opportunities to the industry include formation of care organizations to augment the scope for the industry.The healthcare cloud computing market can be segmented on the basis of application which includes Non-clinical Information System (NCIS) and Clinical Information System (CIS). The industry is segregated on the basis of deployment model which consists of private cloud, public cloud and hybrid cloud. In addition, the industry is segmented on the basis of service model which include Infrastructure-As-A-Service (IAAS), Software-As-A-Service (SAAS) and Platform-As-A-Service (PAAS). Furthermore, the industry is further segmented on the basis of end user, which includes healthcare providers and healthcare payers. Moreover, the industry can be further bifurcated on the basis of geography which includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and MEA.Make an inquiry for buying this report @North America healthcare cloud computing market was the largest regional industry in 2014 and is also the fastest growing over the forecast period. It is expected to be closely followed by the Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2014, healthcare providers were leading the industry followed by healthcare payers. More number of companies is functioning in order to reduce investments in maintaining and creating a physical IT infrastructure and moving towards cloud computing for effortless management. The healthcare industry is expected to largely favor a SAAS cloud computing framework for greater advantages. The private cloud segment is anticipated to account for the largest share of the overall industry share.Major players for the global healthcare cloud computing market share include Carecloud Corporation, Athenahealth, Inc., Dell Inc., Carestream Health, Inc, Oracle Corporation, Cleardata Networks, Inc., Global Net Access (GNAX), Iron Mountain, Inc, IBM Corporation, VMWare, Inc and Merge Healthcare, Inc. among others.Browse Related Reports: Cloud Computing Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Development, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Eubiotics Market worth US$ 7 Billion Globally By 2020

Eubiotics Market

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New York, March 22: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Eubiotics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2020Eubiotics help in improving the nutritional value of the feed and also help in improving the health of the animals. The eubiotics are gaining a higher significance as many of the developed countries have imposed a ban on the antibiotics. The increasing health awareness of the people has also led to the rise in the demand of Eubiotics.The global Eubiotics market, in terms of value, is projected to reach USD 7 Billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 7 % till 2020.Browse Full Report:North America will emerge as lucrative market in the coming yearsThe major driving factors of Eubiotics market are as follows: There is an increased concern related to safety of animals from diseases. There is restriction imposed on the use of antibiotics as a potent growth promoter. There is an increase in the awareness about the quality of meat and bolstered swine production in Europe and Asia Pacific.The restraints factors of Eubiotics market are as follows: Low expenditure in research and development High cost of proteomics research.Download Free Sample Report:The Eubiotics market is segmented based on on type as Probiotics, Prebiotics, Organic acids, Essential oils. Eubiotics market is segmented based on livestock as Swine, Poultry, Ruminants, Aquaculture and others.The Eubiotics market geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geography market is further segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, U.K. Germany, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and GCC countries.This report provides:1) An overview of the global Eubiotics Market and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2020.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for Eubiotics Market.4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.REPORT SCOPE:The scope of the report includes a detailed study of global and regional markets for various types of Eubiotics market with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Chr. Hansen (Denmark), Cargill Incorporated (U.S.) and ADDCON (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Kemin Industries Inc. (U.S.), and Behn Meyer (Singapore). Company profile includes assign such as company summary, financial summary, business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis and current developments.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide our buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Market Segmentation of Eubiotics Market:Based on type: Probiotics Prebiotics Organic acids Essential oilsBased on livestock: Swine Poultry Ruminants Aquaculture OthersBased on region: North America Europe Asia-Pacific RoW (Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa)Reasons to buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all active and planned Eubiotics Market globally.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of Eubiotics Market industry and unit capacity data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.About MarketResearchEngine.comMarket Research Engine is a global market research and consulting organization. We provide market intelligence in emerging, niche technologies and markets. Our market analysis powered by rigorous methodology and quality metrics provide information and forecasts across emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models. Our deep focus on industry verticals and country reports help our clients to identify opportunities and develop business strategies.Media ContactCompany Name: Market Research EngineContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862, +91-860-565-7204Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2025

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Real-time e-healthcare system is one of the best ways to keep your health records and track it anytime, without any geographical constraint. Patients can always stay in touch with their doctors and communicate with them about any health issue. They can self-check also for an immediate result without any third partys dependence. With advanced technology and rapid innovation, these days products are being made in such a way that it should be more consumer friendly and easy to use. Real-time e-healthcare system fulfills all the above criteria and hence, the market is growing at a positive rate.Recently, Kaiser Permanente implemented an EMR protocol in Community Health Centres in Oregon, US, to improve clinical decision support for patients with diabetes, which can remind them to prescribe hypertension medications to reduce heart attack and other strokes. iPatientCare EHR, Praxis, EMR, Insta HMS, e-MDs Chart, WRS Health, AccuMed, WEBeDoctor, A.I.med are some of the top Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software products.Request Report Sample@Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Drivers & RestraintsTechnological advancement, increasing disposable income, increase use of online services, increase use of mobile devices, increased health cost and expenditure, increasing need of an integrated healthcare system are the most important driving factors in real-time e-healthcare system market. Sine real-time e-healthcare system reduces medical errors and easily accessible information, the demand for real time e-healthcare system has increased regardless of the geographical location.Lack of inexperienced professionals, high maintenance and service cost, privacy concerns, the complexity of systems, less presence of real-time e-healthcare system in rural areas including developed nations like Europe and are acting as a barrier for real-time e-healthcare system market.Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: SegmentationReal-time e-healthcare system is broadly classified on the basis of the following segments By Product:Fitness Bands/wristband deviceClip on monitor devicesThermometerBlood-pressure monitor deviceM-health applicationsBlood glucose monitor devicesBy End-user:Public/Private HospitalsPharmacyIndividualsOthersRequest For TOC@Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: OverviewThe real-time e-healthcare market has grown substantially at a healthy CAGR due to rising disposable income, increasing health awareness by consumers, ageing population and increasing healthcare expenditure. With rapid technological advancement and variety of options available in the market, real-time e-healthcare market is expected to grow globally. North America represents the largest market for this product category. Asia Pacific will emerge as the fastest growing region in real-time e-healthcare market.Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Region-wise OutlookThe real-time e-healthcare market is expected to register a double-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, real-time e-healthcare market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market due to the improved healthcare infrastructure and high healthcare cost and rising disposable income. Increase demand of cloud computing from the developed nations like Europe and North America may also increase the demand for real-time e-healthcare systems by the end of forecast period.Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in real-time e-healthcare market are Fitbit, Garmin, Jawbone, Misfit Wearables, DexCom, Medtronic, Abbott, Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, Epic Systems Corporation, Medical Information Technology Inc. (MEDITECH).Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Photo Sharing Market Revenue and Value Chain 2015-2025

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Social media is a networking tool which helps any individual to exchange, create, and share information photos, videos and others. In the current scenario social media tool has become the best mode for marketing, promotion and building social relationship across the globe. Photo sharing tool helps in storing, organising and sharing ones photo collections. Increasing internet penetration coupled with adoption of photo sharing tool as a marketing strategy among the social media platforms is fuelling the growth of photo sharing market across the globe.Photo Sharing Market SegmentationPhoto sharing market is segmented on the basis of platform which includes paid services membership and free services membership. Among both these segments free services membership segment is expected to account for the major market share as compared to paid services membership. However, services provider are offering increased features and add on services in paid services membership which is expected to support the demand of paid services membership during the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Photo sharing market is also segmented on the basis of application, which includes personal computers and mobile devices. Personal computers can be further sub segmented as desktop and laptop. Among both of these sub segments laptop is expected to be the major contributor on the pie for photo sharing market as compared to desktop. Increased in number of usage of laptop across the globe is expected to support its growth in photo sharing market during the forecast period. Mobile devices sub-segments include smart phone, tablets and notebook. Among all of these sub-segments smart phones is expected to account for the major share in photo sharing market as compared to other sub-segments. This growth has been supported by the increased usage of smart phone across the developing countries. Moreover, contribution of tablets in terms of share in photo sharing market is also expected show a substantial increase during the forecast period.On the basis of end user, the photo sharing market segmentation includes enterprises and individual. Enterprises can further be sub segmented as large scale enterprise, medium scale enterprise and small scale enterprise. Among all these sub segment large scale enterprise is expected to account for the major share in photo sharing market. Increased adoption of online marketing among the product manufacturers and service providers is expected to support the growth of enterprises in photo sharing market during the forecast period.Globally, photo sharing market is expected to reflect a double digit growth during the forecast period. North America is expected to account for major share followed by Europe in the near future. Moreover developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America are expected to show a substantial growth in photo sharing market during the forecast period. Countries such as Singapore and Japan are expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue in photo sharing market. Increased penetration of internet in developing regions is expected to support the growth of photo sharing market.Photo Sharing MarketDriversAvailability of wide features for creating and sharing or collections of photos with one and another coupled with increasing connectivity medium is expected to drive the growth of photo sharing market in the near future. Moreover, increased adoption of social media for generating awareness and promotion of the product and services is predicted to fuel the growth of photo sharing market during the forecast period.Request For TOC@Photo Sharing Market Key PlayersKey players operating in photo sharing market includes Yahoo Inc., Cooliris Path Inc., Photobucket Corporation, Phonezoo Communications Inc., Trover, Facebook Inc., Bump Technologies LLC., and Hewlett Packard among others.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Flat lithium-ion Battery Market 2017 -2022 Research Report Explores Economic Impact in Global Industries Manufactures

Flat lithium-ion Battery Market

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The Global Flat lithium-ion Battery Market 2017-2022 industry, Starting with a broad overview of the Flat lithium-ion Battery Industry globally as well as with a specific focus on Manufactures. By conducting a check of the current status of the Flat lithium-ion Battery in Globe 2017-2022 Industry, the report is able to delver deeper into the various forces that directly and indirectly impact the Industry. Global Flat lithium-ion Battery Industry Segments are based on the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. For this, specific data has been gleaned from journals, trade magazines, revenues of leading Industry participants, as well as news reports.Check Free Sample Research Report @Research report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringSonyElectrovayaLishenHunan Soundon New Energy...The impact of the economic condition prevailing in Globe is assessed in the context of the Flat lithium-ion Battery in Global 2017-2022 Industry. The report ends with definitive and authoritative conclusions about the Flat lithium-ion Battery in Global 2017-2022 Industry.The report provide Vendors, Traders and distributors analysis with contact details. For material and equipment suppliers also, contact details are given. New investment feasibility Studied and Industry growth is included in the report.Send your Query @Some Important Things Cover in Research Report :Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis by Regions, Types and ManufacturersGlobal Capacity, Production and Revenue by RegionsGlobal and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth RateGlobal Production and RevenueTypesGlobal Capacity, Production and Revenue by ManufacturersMRS Research Group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Another Number App Enables Busy Professionals to Take Control of Work Calls

Innovative mobile app helps users to achieve a better work-life balance.22nd March 2017, London, UK - Introducing Another Number, a new iPhone app that provides people with a secondary mobile number on their existing device without the need for a second SIM, additional phone or contract. The app enhances how professionals manage their work relationships and enables users to easily switch off from work in evenings, weekends or when they simply want a break.Another Number is packed full of features and benefits including: Mobile operator reliability  uses the mobile network rather than just VoIP technology Independent UK mobile number  activated in seconds to use alongside current SIM No additional mobile contract or phone  works on the users existing device and inclusive minutes/data allowance Clearly displayed work calls  all business texts and calls are identified as via Another Number Do not disturb mode  divert all work calls and texts outside of work hours Voicemail transcriptions  save time by reading voicemail content Environmentally friendly  only one phone to charge; less discarded phonesAndy Munarriz, Founder and CEO comments:Most professionals prefer to use just one phone for both personal and professional purposes. Carrying two phones is cumbersome and people have specific preferences regarding their phones brand or system. Additionally, using two phones is not environmentally friendly.At the same time, I know from my own experience how difficult it is to switch off from work when you receive countless business calls and texts even if youre on holiday or spending time with the family. While our careers enhance our lives, everyone should feel comfortable switching off and enjoying life away from work. Thats how Another Number came to life  an app that easily lets any professional separate work calls and messages from personal ones without the hassle of two phones or the expense of an additional contract.Another Numbers service is enabled by Engage Hub using the Three mobile network. Users receive the same quality of service through the app as they would with a standard mobile contract.Voicemail transcription, enabled by Nuance Loop allows users to quickly and easily read, save and forward their voicemail messages as SMS texts.Another Number is available on Apples App Store for a monthly subscription of 9.99. Calls and texts between Another Number users are free and customers can buy credits to call and message non-subscribers. The app subscription renews every month with no long term contract.Another Number is particularly useful for contractors, freelancers and professionals apprehensive about sharing their personal number with work contacts. By using this app, they can manage their contacts expectations better, adds Munarriz.Were happy to partner with Another Number and help busy professionals achieve a better work-life balance. This is a new and innovative way of using mobile numbers and Another Number offers many benefits - personal, economic and environmental. We strive to make it easier for businesses to send more personalised and relevant communications to their customers and we expect to see Another Number making it even easier for professionals across the UK to manage their ever-increasing workloads, says Ray Tierney, CEO, Engage Hub.In the battle for work-life balance, busy professionals are always looking for ways to drive efficiencies and save time. Nuance Loops voicemail-to-text service integrated as part of Another Number gives people the ability to not only quickly and easily read their voicemails via text message, but also stay organised with the ability to save or forward messages, said Daniel Faulkner, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nuance Mobile.About Another NumberAnother Number provides an easy, cost-effective way of adding a secondary phone number to an iPhone. The app uses the mobile network, provided by Three to ensure a seamless experience and full coverage domestically and across the world.With Another Number users avoid the burden of an additional contract with a phone operator, benefit from call management features to manage work-life balance better and an affordable subscription that can be cancelled at any time.iTunes billing facilitates clear and easy payment management and expenses claims for business phone allowance.Developed by the team behind HulloMail, Another Number is currently available for iPhones.About Engage HubEngage Hubs cross-channel customer engagement platform enables organisations to deliver better customer experiences through SMS, MMS, web, email, voice, push notifications, Facebook Messenger and more. From customer services to marketing, Engage Hub gives businesses centralised control over all channels, simplifying the process of engaging customers with intelligently targeted, interactive communications.Headquartered in London and with offices throughout Europe, Asia and The Americas, Engage Hubs platform is used by some of the worlds most successful enterprises, including, Sainsbury's, MBNA, Hermes, Experian and Telefonica to communicate effectively with customers.About Nuance Communications, IncNuance Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuances proven applications.Media Representative:1 Portsoken StreetLondonE1 8BT
Global Commercial Boilers Market 2017 : Lochinvar, Vaillant, Lennox, Erensan & Teha

Commercial Boilers

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Global Commercial Boilers market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Commercial Boilers sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingOKIViessmann Werke GmbH & Co KGBoschs ThermotechnologyHTPLochinvarBritish GasVaillantLennoxBryant CarrierECR InternationalFerroli Industrial HeatingErensanThe survey report by Market Research Store is an overview of the global Commercial Boilers market. It covers all the recent trends including key developments in the global market in present and in future. Analyses of the global Commercial Boilers market trends along with the projections of CAGRs (compound annual growth rates) are provided in the research report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Further, an evaluation of the history of the global market and the basic information of the global market is included in the report. A developmental perspective of the industry is also documented in the report. Competitive profiles of the key players in the industry are also discussed.The research report provides both an assessment of recent developments in the industry along with forecasts examining the industry from the perspective of major competitors, present players and prospective end users in the Commercial Boilers market.To Complete Report With TOC @Forecasts are generated on the basis of region, type, product, supply, demand, and other vital factors of the global market. The research report analyzed the major factors driving the global Commercial Boilers market in various countries with a satisfactory and manufacturing and structure of the global market. Forecasts are also provided region-wise in the research report.The research report comprises several chapters, tables, figures, graphs, and various other presentations formats so as to provide a precise overview of the market. The sequence of the report is maintained in such a way that highlights the overall flow of the global market. Recent developments in the global market are further described in the research report. The report also summarizes latest trends along with abstracts of the Commercial Boilers market. Major competitors of the global market including commercial and non-commercial participants in the global market are also covered in the report.Inquiry For Buying @Thus, the research report provides in-depth analysis covering all the major regions, competitors, and vital aspects of the Commercial Boilers industry.About Us:MarketResearchStore.com is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803
Major Opportunities for the kola nut extract Market

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Global kola nut extract market: Market OverviewKola nut extract is obtained from the seed of kola tree which is native to Africa's tropical rainforest. It is also known as bissy nuts, guru nuts and cola nuts. Kola nut extract contains the certain percent of caffeine which is used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages. Inside the kola-fruit about a dozen square and round seeds develop in a white seed shell. The aroma of the nut is sweet it tastes bitter at first but sweetens upon chewing. The nut is boiled to extract kola, as kola nut extract has a high amount of caffeine content in it can help with drowsiness and gastrointestinal fatigue problems, atonic diarrhea, dysentery, it helps in stimulation of gastric acid production and aids digestion. The stimulants present in the kola nut extract dilates blood vessels and increases the blood flow as a result increases the blood flow to the head and helps in the treatment of a migraine. Kola nut extract is said to create a feeling of euphoria and also stimulates mental focus and is useful as an aphrodisiac. Kola nut extract is also termed as a cardiotonic that strengthens and stimulates the heart. Kola nut extract is also considered as an excellent remedy for food poisoning, as it contains antioxidants it enhances the immune and protects the cells.it is also used for bronchodilator and diuretics.Obtain Report Details @Global kola nut extract market: Market DynamicsThe global kola nut extract market is driven mostly by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries as it has curative properties and also by food and beverage industry as a flavoring agent since it has a unique taste. Kola nut extract was once used to make the popular soft drink coco-cola in America, and kola nut extract was used as a primary ingredient in the beverage. The key factors restraining the global kola nut extract market is due to the use of synthetic derivatives in beverages that mimic the flavor of kola nut extract. Regularly chewing the kola nut can stain the teeth giving a rusty color. The kola nut extract also has a high level of nicotine content which would affect the body chemistry. High intake of the kola nut extract would lead to insomnia, high heartbeat, high blood pressure, and high-level toxicity, locomotive effects and over simulation.Global kola nut extract market: Market SegmentationOn the basis of end user industry, global kola nut extract market can be segmented into:Food industryBeverage industryPharmaceutical industryNutraceutical industryEnter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @On the basis of product type, global kola nut extract can be segmented into:LiquidPowderGlobal kola nut extract market: segmentation overviewThe beverage industry has a higher rate of usage of kola nut extract followed by pharmaceutical and food industry. However, the nutraceutical industry is rising due to the use of kola nut extract in weight loss supplements.Global kola nut extract market: Regional OverviewBased on the geographies, the global fumaric acid market is fragmented into seven key regions- North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Japan. Among the regions mentioned above in the Middle East and Africa, the production of kola nut extract is maximum as kola nut trees are commercially grown in Africa. The kola nut extract is a cherished commodity that has increased into enormous economic prospects with kola nut extract trade with North America and Asia-pacific. With the increase in awareness and people becoming more con about health the use of kola nut extract is expected to grow in the regions of western and eastern Europe and Latin America. Overall the market for kola nut extract is expected to grow in the forecasted year due to increase in the use of the extract in beverage instead of synthetic products.Global kola nut extract market: Market PlayersSome of the market players identified in the global kola nut extract market include:Indigo Herbs LtdMood & Mind, LLC.Eternal Delight.Centerchem Inc.EC21 Inc.FeedStimulantsBaldwin & CoTHE HAPPY HERB SHOPEcuadorian RainforestAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Solar PV Consumer Products Market 2017 -2022 Research Report Explores Economic Impact in Global Industries Manufactures

Solar PV Consumer Products

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The Global Solar PV Consumer Products Market 2017-2022 industry, Starting with a broad overview of the Solar PV Consumer Products Industry globally as well as with a specific focus on Manufactures. By conducting a check of the current status of the Solar PV Consumer Products in Globe 2017-2022 Industry, the report is able to delver deeper into the various forces that directly and indirectly impact the Industry. Global Solar PV Consumer Products Industry Segments are based on the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. For this, specific data has been gleaned from journals, trade magazines, revenues of leading Industry participants, as well as news reports.Check Free Sample Research Report @Research report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringPanasonicAngaza DesignBarefoot PowerD.light designGoal ZeroBBOXXGreenlight PlanetGrape SolarThe impact of the economic condition prevailing in Globe is assessed in the context of the Solar PV Consumer Products in Global 2017-2022 Industry. The report ends with definitive and authoritative conclusions about the Solar PV Consumer Products in Global 2017-2022 Industry.The report provide Vendors, Traders and distributors analysis with contact details. For material and equipment suppliers also, contact details are given. New investment feasibility Studied and Industry growth is included in the report.Send your Query @Some Important Things Cover in Research Report :Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis by Regions, Types and ManufacturersGlobal Capacity, Production and Revenue by RegionsGlobal and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth RateGlobal Production and RevenueTypesGlobal Capacity, Production and Revenue by ManufacturersMRS Research Group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Strategies Major Players are Goji Berries Market

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Goji berries are the fruits of the wolfberry or goji plants. These plants belong to the Lycium genus and are of two varieties, Lycium barbarum, and Lycium chinense. Goji berries are known by several names including wolfberry, boxthorn and matrimony vine. Goji berry plants are native to China and have a long history of consumption and use in traditional medicines. The berries gained widespread popularity in developed countries owing to their prolific vitamin, nutrient, and anti-oxidant profile.Obtain Report Details @Global Goji Berries Market Trends and Market Drivers:The primary driver of the goji berry market is the health benefits that goji berries provide. They are a good source of fiber and are low in calories and fat. Due to these properties, the fruits are being increasingly used in weight management and digestive supplement products. Goji berries are also considered as ideal products for people suffering from hypertension, anxiety disorders, diabetes and common ailments such as cold and fever.The regulatory restrictions placed by the EU and North America on goji berries import and labeling are a major drawback for the market. Most of these restrictions are due to the unreliability of Chinas organic certification system, wherein the use of a certain amount of pesticides and fungicides is permitted.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @The other area of regulatory focus is on labeling of products containing goji berries. In 2007, the U.K. Food Standards Agency declassified goji berries as novel foods due to the significant history of goji berry consumption prior to 1997. The agency also voiced concerns regarding the health claims usually associated with products containing goji berries as an ingredient.Goji Berries Market SegmentationThe goji berry market is segmented on the basis of application and product type.On the basis of application, the market is further segmented into food and beverage, therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications, personal care products and others. The food and beverage segment occupies a significant market share due to the high and increasing use of goji berries in food and beverage products. Several health-based beverages that use goji berries as an ingredient rely on its vitamin and antioxidant profile. Personal care products represent a rapidly growing market due to the increasing consumer demand for natural, safe and effective ingredients in cosmetic products. The historically high use of goji berries in traditional medicines is a strong driver for the increasing use of these fruits in therapeutic and pharmaceutical products.On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into direct fruit, juices, and processed products. The direct fruit segment is further segmented into raw fruit and dried fruit. The processed products segment is further segmented into purees, liquid extracts, powder extracts and others. The consumption of processed goji berries is mainly due to increasing applications in food and beverage, therapeutic and personal care products. Goji berries ingredients are mainly used in the liquid form.Goji Berries Regional Market SegmentationThe goji berry market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa is covered in the report.China dominates the market in terms of production, with the cultivation of these berries being the major source of revenue in several of Chinas northwestern provinces. The Ningxia and Xinjiang provinces in China produce the largest quantity of goji berries. The production capacity of the berries is very limited in North America and Europe as these berries are not native to these regions. However, with the increasing demand, many farmers belonging to the U.S. and Canada have taken up cultivation of goji berries. Northern California and parts of Northwest are considered ideal places for goji berry cultivation in the U.S.The consumption of goji berries as part of food products is based on the increasing consumption of exotic, healthy and natural fruits. This demand for goji berries is particularly strong in North America and the EU. The historically high consumption of the fruit in Asia is also significant but is largely based on direct fruit and juice consumption.Goji Berries Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the global goji berries market include Navitas Naturals, Gojix Ltd., Ningxia Red-goji berry trade Co., Ltd., Goji Berry Farm (Bulgaria), Ningxia Zhengyuan Wuzhong Halal Food Co., Ltd., Shaanxi NHK Technology Co., Ltd., Xian Yuensun Biological Technology Co., Ltd. (Yesherb), Natierra, and The Berry Company.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market to Register Substantial Expansion by 2023

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Climbing Numbers of Chronic Conditions Drive API MarketThe growing pool of geriatrics is driving the demand for various types of drugs, which in turn is leading to a soaring demand of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) market. Active pharmaceutical ingredients are primarily used for making drugs that are used for treating a range of chronic conditions such as cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurology disorders as well as for other therapeutic uses. Given this strong background, Transparency Market research states the opportunity in this market will be worth US$219.60 bn by 2023 from US$134.7 bn in 2015. Between the forecast period of 2015 and 2023, the overall market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.3%.Browse Market Research Report @The improving access to healthcare with the rapid penetration of technology and other developments in the healthcare sector has also increased the consumption of drugs, thereby directly creating a positive impact on this market. Furthermore, growing healthcare budgets of developed and developing countries are also making a significant contribution towards propelling the sale of active pharmaceutical ingredient market. Furthermore, the compliance by Indian active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturers with U.S. FDA norms is also anticipated to result in increasing applications of this substance.Complicated Cardiovascular Diseases to Keep Fueling Demand for APIsAs of 2015, the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and other metabolic disorders led these therapeutic segments to account for a collective share of 50% in the global market. In the forecast period, the prevalence of complicated cardiovascular conditions is going to propel this therapeutic area at a 6.63% CAGR. Furthermore, as the majority of the blockbuster drugs lost patents between 2011 and 2015, it has opened a huge ground for other companies to introduce their drugs, thereby increasing the competition and probably reducing costs.Asia Pacific to Emerge as Key Manufacturer of APIsAs of 2014, North America held a dominant share in the overall market, accounting for about 35.1% share in the market. The presence of big pharmaceutical companies in North America that require large amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients is the major factor driving the API market in North America. Analysts predict that introduction of biosimilars as the regulatory process get relaxed will further accelerate the consumption of active pharmaceutical ingredients in North America. The active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing will experience an upsurge in the emerging economies of Japan, China, South Korea, and India due to the presence of manufacturing facilities and cheap cost of labor.Make an Enquiry @Some of the leading companies operating in the global active pharmaceutical ingredient market are Zhejiang Medicine Co., Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd , North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp. (NCPC), Dr.Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Northeast Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Sandoz (Novartis AG), Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. amongst others. Currently, these players are focusing on partnering with other companies to acquire a new line of products to add value to their portfolio. Furthermore, companies are also anticipated to focus on expanding their capacities to cater to the vast unmet medical needs of the world.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market Foreseen to Grow Exponentially by 2023

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Global Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market: SnapshotThe demand for blood pressure monitoring devices has taken off with the emergence of home care. Blood pressure monitoring can usually be carried out in a competent manner by the patient or their relatives, removing the need for hospitalization and constant monitoring. This has led to a growing demand for blood pressure monitoring devices for use in cases where the patient has a low risk of complications and is thus not hospitalized.Browse Market Research Report @The global blood pressure monitoring devices market was valued at more than US$2 bn in 2014. Exhibiting a robust 7.30% CAGR from 2015 to 2023, the market is expected to almost double in valuation, with a valuation of US$3.8 bn expected by 2023.One of the key drivers for the global blood pressure monitoring devices are the consistent product advancement efforts made by key companies in the market. The strong R&D avenues of the blood pressure monitoring devices industry have resulted in widespread adoption of the devices due to increased patient confidence. The growing geriatric population across the world has also boosted the demand for home care involving blood pressure monitoring devices, since the elderly are more likely to suffer from long-term cardiovascular conditions requiring constant monitoring.Rising Demand from APAC Threatens Dominance of North America Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices MarketNorth America is the leading contributor to the global blood pressure monitoring devices market, with the regions share calculated at close to 33% in 2014. While North America is likely to retain its dominant position in the global scenario in the coming years, the emergence of Asia Pacific as a lucrative investment destination is likely to lead to many Western medical devices manufacturers making significant inroads into the APAC market in the coming years. Asia Pacific is thus expected to become a close contender to the North America market for blood pressure monitoring devices in the coming years, with the two expected to hold near-equal market shares by 2023.Rising Utilization of Blood Pressure Monitoring Kiosks Favors Global MarketBy end use, the home care segment accounted for the leading share in the global blood pressure monitoring devices market in 2014. The US$911.8-mn valuation of the home-based blood pressure monitoring devices market in 2014 was twice that of the other key contributor to the market  hospitals. While home care is likely to exhibit a strong CAGR in the 2015-2023 forecast period and remain the leading contributor to the blood pressure monitoring devices market, the growing popularity of blood pressure monitoring kiosks in developed nations presents significant promise for the global blood pressure monitoring devices market.Blood pressure monitoring kiosks have become common in developed countries, notwithstanding the concerns raised about the use of a standard-sized cuff, which can alter the blood pressure readings for patients whose arms dont fit the cuff. The demand for blood pressure monitoring devices in kiosks is expected to exhibit a formidable growth rate in the coming years, and is likely to benefit from the steady expansion of blood pressure monitoring kiosk infrastructure in developed countries. The kiosks segment of the blood pressure monitoring devices market is expected to exhibit a robust 10.30% CAGR from 2015 to 2023.Make an Enquiry @In terms of competitive dynamics, the global blood pressure monitoring devices market is reasonably consolidated, with the top five companies likely to account for more than 50% of the market through the forecast period. Omron Healthcare, Welch Allyn, and Panasonic Corporation are among the key players in the global blood pressure monitoring devices market.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Malt Ingredient Market: Demand for Healthier Food Items Spikes Consumption, Observes TMR

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VIVESCIA Industries, Group Soufflet, and Cargill, Incorporated collectively held a share of about 30% in the global malt ingredient market in 2015. Players in the market are expected to focus on developing good quality malt ingredient and other gluten-free products. The growing awareness about eating healthy is expected to be the undercurrent of the growth of the global market in the near future.The research report states that the global malt ingredient market for bakery is likely to reach a valuation of US$7.3bn by the end of 2024 from US$4.2 bn in 2015. The steady progress of CAGR 6.6% will be due to changing lifestyle of consumers.Obtain Report Details @Cookies Segment to Lead Global Market due to High Penetration and SalesThe demand for malt ingredient in making bakery products is expected to rise in the coming years as the food habits are being characterized by natural and organic items. The awareness about health benefits of consuming malt over the sweeteners has also augmented the demand for this product in recent years. Furthermore, the fact that malt is rich in enzymes and vitamins, which translates into higher nutritional value of baked products, is also expected to favor the market growth. Additionally, increasing consumption of confectionary and bakery items has also spiked the demand for malt ingredients. The various types of malt ingredients available in the global market are liquid market, dry malt, malt flour, and others.These products are predominantly being used for the production of cookies, which is closely followed by biscuits. The convenience of consuming these items, relatively high nutritional value, and availability of a wide range of flavors is expected to keep the cookies and the biscuits segment in the lead, states the lead author of this research report. The other applications of malt ingredient are seen in bread, brownie, cakes and pastries, doughnuts, and pizza production. Analysts expect that the cookies segment will expand at a CAGR of 7.3% CAGR between 2016 and 2024 due its penetration and high sales.For more information on this report, fill the form @North America Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery to Expand at CAGR of 7.1% 2016-2024Geographically, the global malt ingredient market for bakery is segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Of these, North America is anticipated to lead the pack as it promises to surge at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2016 and 2024. Analysts anticipate Asia Pacific to also show steady progress as the emerging economies in the region are poised to encourage the baking and confectionary industry. Additionally, demand for malt ingredient in Asia Pacific will be supported by countries such as China, Japan, and India with the improving purchasing power of consumers.Inroads of Breweries and Pharmaceutical Companies on Malt Harvest to Impede GrowthDespite the steady market drivers, the global malt ingredient market for bakery is being hampered by the shortage of grains. The impact of protean weather conditions has exacerbated the harvest of malt grains, which has significantly restrained the market over the past few years. Furthermore, inroads of pharmaceutical companies and breweries into overall malt produce has also led to grain shortage to a noticeable extent. However, stringent regulations set by the governments about food additives has encouraged food labels to focus on packaging cleaner and healthier items. This factor is expected to offer several lucrative opportunities to the overall market.The aforementioned analysis of the market is based on Transparency Market Researchs report, titled Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery (Product Type - Dry Malt, Liquid Malt, Malt Flour; Grade  Standard, Specialty; Source - Barley, Wheat; Application - Bread, Biscuits, Brownie, Cookies, Cakes & Pastries, Doughnuts, Pizza) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024.Global Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery, By Product TypeDry MaltLiquid MaltMalt FlourOthersGlobal Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery, By SourceBarleyWheatOthersGlobal Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery, By ApplicationBreadBiscuitsBrownieCookiesCakes & PastriesDoughnutsPizzaOthersGlobal Malt Ingredient Market for Bakery, By GradeStandardSpecialtyAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Self Compacting Concrete Market 2017 CEMEX SAB de CV Mexico, Sika Switzerland, BASF Germany

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Self Compacting ConcreteA market study based on the " Self Compacting Concrete Market " across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Self Compacting Concrete Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Self Compacting Concrete industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Self Compacting Concrete market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This Research Report1. CEMEX SAB de CV Mexico2. Sika Switzerland3. BASF Germany4. LafargeHolcim Limited (Switzerland)5. Tarmac (U.S.)6. ACC Limited (India)The report studies the industry for Self Compacting Concrete across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Self Compacting Concrete market & dynamics of demand and supply of Self Compacting Concrete into consideration. The ' Self Compacting Concrete ' research study covers each and every aspect of the Self Compacting Concrete market globally, which starts from the definition of the Self Compacting Concrete industry and develops towards Self Compacting Concrete market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Self Compacting Concrete market is classified and analysed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Self Compacting Concrete market. The geographical segmentation of the Self Compacting Concrete industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Self Compacting Concrete is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Self Compacting Concrete market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Self Compacting Concrete market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Self Compacting Concrete market 2017 is also analysed on the basis of product pricing, Self Compacting Concrete production volume, data regarding demand and Self Compacting Concrete supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Self Compacting Concrete across the globe.About Us :Market and Research are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Market and Research, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries including Energy, Chemicals and Materials, Automotive and Aerospace.Contact Us :Market and ResearchUnited States
Radiopharmaceutical Market to Reflect Impressive Growth Rate During 2016  2024

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Radiopharmaceutical Market: SnapshotThe global market for radiopharmaceuticals is poised for steady growth in the coming years, driven primarily by the rising use of radioisotopes for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, bone palliation, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Around 35 million patients undergo treatment procedures for these diseases each year and this will continue to boost the demand for radiopharmaceuticals.Browse Market Research Report @According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, radioisotopes are essential for biomedical research in order to cure AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimers disease. The World Nuclear Association states that around 10,000 hospitals across the world use radioisotopes in medicines and 90% of this is dedicated toward disease diagnosis.The global radiopharmaceutical market was valued at US$4.7 bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach US$7.4 bn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2016 to 2024.Growing Incidence of Cancer Driving Demand for Most RadioisotopesBased on radioisotope, the technetium-99 segment led the global radiopharmaceuticals market, accounting for a share of 50.3% in 2015. This can be attributed to the high availability of technetium-99 from molybdenum-99, which is generated through the decay of uranium radioactive raw material inside the sources.The 18F radioisotope segment is expected to gain market share during the forecast period due to the increase in demand for cyclotron-based radioisotopes for nuclear medicine and the advancement of technological systems such as PET and SPECT. The demand for other radioisotopes such as lutetium-177, rubidium-87, and gallium-62 is also high due to the rising demand for radioisotopes for cancer treatment, the surge in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, and the detection of other infectious diseases. Based on application, oncology took the lead owing to the growing use of various radioisotopes in the treatment of different cancers.Radiopharmaceutical products are used by various end users such as hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and diagnostic centers. Hospitals formed the leading segment of the market in terms of revenue in 2015 due to the growing usage of radiopharmaceutical. This can be attributed to technological advancements in various systems to cure cancer patients and the rise in favorable government reimbursement policies to help patients recover their costs and provide precaution against biohazards. The ambulatory surgical centers and diagnostic centers segments are expected to gain market share by 2024 due to the introduction of advanced imaging technologies such as SPECT and PET.Developing Regions to Witness Steady Growth despite Small Share in Global MarketThe global radiopharmaceuticals market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. North America led the radiopharmaceuticals market in 2015 in terms of revenue, with the U.S. emerging as the most prominent contributor to the radiopharmaceuticals market in North America. This can be attributed to the existence of several large nuclear reactors such as NRU, which accounts for a 30% to 40% share in the Mo-99 supply for the global production of nuclear medicine.Europe is also expected to account for a significant share by 2024 due to the increase in the number of cyclotron installations for the production of radioisotopes used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.The Middle East and Africa is projected to account for a small share in the global market by 2024. However, growth in this market is likely to be attributed to the introduction of cyclotrons by the IBA Group and the setting up of new nuclear reactors such as ETRR-2 in South Africa for the production of radioisotopes.Latin America is estimated to account for a meager share by the end of the forecast period. However, it continues to be driven by the increase in domestic collaborations with foreign radiopharmaceutical companies and major suppliers of radioactive raw materials and the establishment of hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for cancer patients.Make an Enquiry @Prominent players operating in the radiopharmaceutical market include Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), Eckert & Ziegler, GE Healthcare, IBA Radiopharma Solutions, Lantheus Holdings, Inc., Mallinckrodt plc., Nordion, Inc., Siemens Healthineers, and Positron Corporation.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Strategies Major Players are Adopting in Still Drinks Market

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Still Drinks Market: OverviewAs sales of carbonated and aerated drinks report a gradual but sure deceleration, the scales are now tipping in favor of still drinks. A rapidly expanding base of health conscious consumers is stirring up new consumption trends in the global beverage industry. Although carbonated, sugar-sweetened drinks currently hold a massive portion of both sales and value in the global beverage industry, growth is expected to be the fastest in the still drinks and natural drinks category. Options such as flavored water, non-aerated soft drinks, and juices are gaining more favor among consumers, creating a highly fertile ground on which the global still drinks market will grow in the coming years.Browse Market Research Report @Although the still drinks market currently has sizeable volume sales coming from densely populated countries such as India and China, value gains are substantial in developed markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Japan, France, Germany, and Russia. With these trends poised for a change in the coming years, the report forecasts the growth of the global and key regional markets in terms of value and volume. The projected value growth of the market has been expressed in US$ Mn.This report assesses the different kinds of still drinks available in the market currently and recommends strategies to fill white spaces in the market. Leading end-use segments have been studied in the report to understand which of these would hold the maximum potential in terms of revenue and volume growth. Likewise, the regional markets are analyzed at length for the period ranging from 2015 to 2024 to create a holistic perspective of where the future opportunities like.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Still Drinks Market: Trends, Opportunities, and RestraintsThe most evident opportunity in the global still drinks market lies in cultivating consumers in the new urban areas in Asian, Latin American, and East European countries. The underdeveloped still drinks market in these countries means that an appreciable number of unharnessed opportunities still exist in key markets within these regions. However, even as companies do so, the focus needs to remain firmly on availability and affordability. Retail channels across several emerging countries still need to be developed to suit the distribution plans of beverage manufacturers and the competitive prices of sparking and aerated drinks continue to be a roadblock in the growth of the still drinks market.With beverage industry data showing a continued increase in per-capita consumption of soft drinks in countries such as India, new opportunities are likely to emerge in the coming years. Moreover, countries with a large young population represent a target market for still drink brands. Currently, the fruit juice segment accounts for nearly 30% of the global still drinks market. Growth in the Asia Pacific still drinks market is expected to outshine that of other regions.Still Drinks Market: Competitive OverviewGiven that numerous growth opportunities lie for the global still drinks market between conventional category lines, companies are now investing both time and money in launching innovative still beverages. As sales figures show telltale signs of consumers inclination toward non-carbonated drinks, the competition in the still drinks space is also expected to become fierce in the long term. Tropicana (PepsiCo) and Minute Maid (The Coca-Cola Company) are the two leading brands in the global still drinks market. The other key companies in the global still drinks market are: Nestle, Unilever, Asahi Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., Yakult, Calpis Co. Ltd., and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Ready To Drink (RTD) Tea And Coffee Market - Spicing Up due to Changing Lifestyles and Increasing Demand

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Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee are seeing mounting demand owing to the busy and fast-paced lifestyle of consumers, and also as an alternative to carbonated drinks. RTD tea, in particular, is considered as a vital health drink. While RTD coffee is considered as a source providing instant energy.Browse Market Research Report @This report presents a detailed review of the market for RTD tea and coffee and also provides an evaluation of the market in terms of cumulative revenue. This report segments the market in terms of types, additives, packaging and pricing, ingredients, and geography. The study draws extensively from both primary as well as secondary research. The information collated in this report has been compiled after consulting senior analysts and leading industry experts for obtaining and verifying critical information and in order to assess the future prospects of the market for RTD tea and coffee. Secondary sources include directories, databases, and encyclopedias for the identification and collection of information.A number of market dynamics such as market drivers, opportunities, restraints, and trends, among others have also been elaborated upon in this research report. These dynamics have been evaluated on the basis of their respective effects on the growth of the market. A number of leading market players dominant in the market for RTD tea and coffee have also been highlighted along with their strategic industry activities and recent developments.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Overview of the Ready-to-drink (RTD) Tea and Coffee MarketRTD tea and coffee are gaining popularity due to a number of benefits associated with their consumption, such as, their antioxidant property, presence of low calories, and as an instant energy source. In addition, the rising cafe culture serving RTD tea and coffee is predicted to fuel the market. Consumers are more inclined towards healthy drinks due to a global rise in diseases such as diabetes and obesity.In terms of additives, the market is segmented into preservatives, flavors, sweeteners, acidulants, and nutraceuticals. On the basis of type, the RTD tea market is segmented into fruit tea, black tea, green tea, herbal-based tea, and oolong tea. In terms of packaging and pricing, the market is segmented into glass bottle, pet bottle, canned, and cartons/fountain. On the basis of ingredients, the RTD coffee market is segmented into yerba mate, guarana, acai berry, ginseng, and taurine.The market for RTD tea and coffee is fuelled by a number of factors including rising per capita disposable income and increasing health awareness of consumers. In addition, the increasing trend of marketing, smart advertising, rising functionalities, and strong positioning of RTD tea and coffee also act as chief drivers for the market for RTD tea and coffee. On the other hand, the growing consumption of coffee that is freshly ground and increasing prices of raw materials may impede the growth of the market in the coming years.On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, Asia Pacific led the market and is trailed by Europe. On the other hand, the demand for RTD tea and coffee is expected to rise in North America owing to increasing awareness on the hazardous effects of carbonated drinks and growing health awareness.Key Players in the Ready-to-drink (RTD) Tea and Coffee MarketThe prime players dominant in the global RTD tea and coffee market include Starbucks Corporation, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., The Coca-Cola Company, Pepsico Inc., Monster Beverage Company, San Benedetto, Hangzhou Wahaha group, Ferolito Vultaggio and Sons, Dr, Pepper Snapple Group, Taisun Enterprise Co. Ltd., and Japan Tobacco Inc., among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Ready Meals Market Growing at a Healthy Rate

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Global Ready Meals Market: OverviewThe global ready meals market is primarily driven by the convenience these products offer to students and working professionals. Ready meals are precooked and prepackaged meals that can be consumed with minimum or no preparation. Due to the busy lifestyles, consumers prefer ready-to-eat meals that decrease the preparation time, thereby propelling the demand for ready meals. These meals provide a healthier alternative to junk food and cheaper alternative to eating out. Moreover, the rising disposable income of consumers is contributing to the growth of the market. According to a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 90% of the population in the U.S. consume ready meals daily; they provide more than 7% of the total daily energy to Americans, studies show.Obtain Report Details @The report provides a 360-degree view of the global ready meals market. It offers valuable insights into several aspects of the market including its dynamics, geographical landscape, technological developments, and competitive landscape. Information from a number of press releases, presentations, white papers, paid databases, and journals has been taken under consideration for collating this report.Global Ready Meals Market: Restraints and OpportunitiesDespite the convenience offered, the negative perception of ready meals among health-conscious consumers is adversely affecting the growth of the global market. The increasing consumption of these meals is concomitant with the rise in the prevalence of obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases. Moreover, events such as the horse meat scandal in the U.K. have drawn consumers away from these meals. Such events are increasing the skepticism regarding the purity of raw materials amongst consumers, thereby impeding the growth of the market. Furthermore, with the existing storage and transportation system, several manufacturers are unable to ensure quality and consistency, which is hampering the growth prospects of the market.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @On the other hand, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the packaging as it plays a vital role in retaining the product quality, vitamin content, taste, texture, color, and shelf life. Manufacturers are collaborating with packaging companies to develop advanced and innovative packaging such as biodegradable barrier tray to expand their consumer base. This is likely to provide a significant push to the market in the near future. Moreover, consistent PR efforts by the leading manufacturers are expected to help in rebuilding the positive image of ready meals.Global Ready Meals Market: Geographical SegmentationRegional markets studied in the report are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America is expected to witness robust growth during the forecast period owing to the presence of a large working population. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to flourish owing to the financially strengthening consumer base, rising population, and rapid industrialization in emerging economies such as India and China. The growth of the ready meals market in Europe is driven by countries such as Spain, the U.K., France, Germany, and Russia. The introduction of various healthy ready meals such as frozen salads, vegetables, and gluten-free meat is contributing to the growth of the Europe region.Companies Mentioned in the ReportDue to the low scope of product differentiation, the global ready meals market is characterized by high competitive rivalry. Companies are investing large capital in research and development to launch innovative products in order to stay ahead in the market. Some of the leading players in the market are Bakkavor Foods Ltd., ConAgra, Greencore Group Plc., JH Heinz Company Ltd., Nestle, Northern Food Ltd., Kerry Foods Ltd., and Premier Foods Group Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Market 2017 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2022

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Big Market Research include new market research report" Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Industry Development and Investment Report, 2017-2022Do Enquiry For Sample Report:This report studies Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems in China market, focuses on the top players in China market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAcellent TechnologiesAero SekurCedrat TechnologiesCrane Aerospace & ElectronicsEatonEmbraer-Empresa Brasileira De AeronauticaGoodrich CorporationLufthansa TechnikMeggittMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesMTU Aero EnginesPhase IV EngineeringRockwell CollinsRolls-Royce GroupTE ConnectivityDo Enquiry For Discount :Key Points from Table of Contents:China Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Market Research Report 20173 China Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis3.1 Airbus SAS3.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors3.1.2 Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Product Type, Application and Specification3.1.3 Airbus SAS Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)3.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview3.2 Boeing3.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors3.2.2 Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Product Type, Application and Specification3.2.3 Boeing Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)3.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview3.3 GE Aviation3.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors3.3.2 Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Product Type, Application and Specification3.3.3 GE Aviation Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)3.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview3.4 Pratt & Whitney3.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors3.4.2 Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Product Type, Application and Specification3.4.3 Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)3.4.4 Main Business/Business OverviewBrowse Complete Report @About Big Market Research:Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim.Our strength is in our research analysts who with their proactive approach can source best and correct information which can be detrimental in organizations success. We follow six sigma standards leaving no scope for error.Contact Big Market Research:Direct Contact: + 1-503-894-6022Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market Will Flourish by 2016  2024

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled "Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024"Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: OverviewNoise vibration harshness is a study wherein the modification of the noise and the vibration characteristics are studied. These noise and vibrations are particularly of the vehicles such as cars, trucks, and others. The measurement of the noise and the vibrations are an easy while to measure harshness is quite a task as it is a subjective quality and is measured with the help of jury evaluations or with the analytical tools. There are two types of NVH, namely, interior and exterior NVH. As the name suggests the interior NVH deals with the noise within a room or cabin while the exterior NVH deals with noise and vibrations from the vehicles and it includes the drive-by noise testing. The sources from where the sounds and vibrations are generated in a vehicle include driveline, brakes, engine, tire contact patch and the wind.Request Free Sample Report @Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: SegmentationThe global noise vibration harshness testing market is segmented into its type, verticals, application and the regions. On the basis of the type, the global market is separated into two types, hardware, and the software. The hardware category is further sub-segmented into meters, data acquisition systems, signal conditioners, sensors and transducers, analyzers and the shakers and controllers. The software segment is further sub-segmented into acoustic software, signal analysis software, acquisition software, vibration software and the calibration software. Based on the verticals, the global noise vibration harshness testing market is segregated into automotive and transportation, industrial, consumer electronics, metals and mining, aerospace and defense, construction, power generation and education and research. On the basis of the application, the global market is categorized into environmental noise, human vibration, building acoustics, sound power, torsional vibration testing, ground vibration testing, powertrain NVH, psychoacoustics test, pass-by-noise, product vibration, noise mapping, sound quality, telecom testing, modal analysis, impact hammer testing and transient acoustic holography. Based on the region, the noise vibration harshness testing market is diversified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World.Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: Growth FactorsThe growing noise levels in the environment are forcing the manufacturers of the automotive to minimize the noise levels and focus on the fuel efficiency, this factor is driving the noise vibration harshness testing market. In the coming years, there will be an increase in the production of the automobiles, which in turn will compel them to adopt multi-channel equipment for the NVH testing. The segment that is contributing maximum to the market growth is the meters segment. It is due to the rise in demand for measuring the noise that is emitted from the vehicles and others. The automotive and transportation is also growing owing to the rigid pass-by-noise levels from the vehicles which in turn is increasing the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles and their increasing demand for the measurement of the low-level noise is having a positive impact on the noise vibration harshness testing market. The strict regulations implemented by the government are also one of the major factors that are driving the noise vibration harshness testing market growth.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: Regional AnalysisThe region that is dominating the global noise vibration harshness testing market is the North America. The major reasons for this growth are the large industrial base, aerospace and defense, automotive and transportation and the power generation. The stringent regulations for the noises generated during the construction are primarily driving the Middle East market and the strict laws for the automotive manufacturers are propelling the South American market.Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: Competitive PlayersThe key players in the global noise vibration harshness testing market are National Instruments Corporation, Head Acoustics GmbH, DEWEsoft d.o.o, G.R.A.S Sound and Vibration A/S, Prosig, Ltd., Bruel & Kjr Sound & Vibration Measurement A/S, IMC Mesysteme GmbH, Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software, Inc., Muller-BBM Holding AG, M+P International Mess and Rechnertechnik GmbH.Browse detail report @Global Noise Vibration Harshness Testing Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeGermanyFranceUKAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaWhat Report ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Ask for a customized report @About Us:Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Catalytic Converter Market to witness Impressive Growth by 2016  2024

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled "Catalytic Converter Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024"Global Catalytic Converter Market: OverviewA catalytic converter is an emission control device that reduces emissions caused due to combustion of fuel within automobiles. It assists in removing toxic compounds such as hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide from the exhaust system of vehicles. The converter enhances energy efficiency, safety measures, and operational efficiency of the automobiles. Catalytic converter is usually used in the exhaust systems in automobiles and is also applied to mining equipment, locomotives and motorcycles, forklifts, electrical generators, buses, and trucks. Also, it used in several wood stoves to control emissions. Catalytic converters are deployed in response to government regulation due to rising concerns about health & safety and the environment.Request Free Sample Report @Global Catalytic Converter Market: Growth FactorsOwing to characteristic features offered by the catalytic converter such as improved operational efficiency, energy efficiency, and safety measures, the demand for these converters is anticipated to increase in the market in the near future. Additionally, the rise in the vehicle production & sales globally and implementation of the stringent emission norms for vehicles by the government is anticipated to foster the demand in the global market in future. Most of the key players are adopting improved strategies such as partnerships & collaborations, R&D, product launches, business expansions, and acquisitions, which will contribute to the growth in future for the global catalytic converter market. Product launch is one of the prime strategies adopted by key market players. These strategies make market players remain competitive and expand their market reach. However, the higher cost required for R&D and increased prices for electric & hybrid vehicles may hamper the global market growth.Global Catalytic Converter Market: SegmentationThe global catalytic converter market is segregated based on the catalyst as rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Of these, rhodium catalyst is the leading segment due to increasing adoption of the catalytic converter in the automotive sector. It is expected to remain dominating in the near future. Based on the type, the global market is fragmented as three-way oxidation-reduction catalytic converter, two-way oxidation catalytic converter, and diesel oxidation catalyst.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Catalytic Converter Market: Regional AnalysisGeographically, the global catalytic converter market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Europe contributed for the largest market share due to growth in the automobiles sector. North America and Asia Pacific are holding the largest market share, which is propelling the global market growth. Increasing disposal income and changing lifestyle in North America may open up new opportunities for the global catalytic converter market growth. Emerging economies such China and India are anticipated to grow in the global market due to changing consumer preferences for safer and greater operational efficiency.Global Catalytic Converter Market: Competitive PlayersLeading market players in the global catalytic converter market include Jetex Exhausts Ltd., Tenneco Inc., Futaba Corporation, Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Eberspaecher GmbH Holding & Co., and HJS Emission Technology GmbH & Co. KG. Other influencing players include Clean Diesel Technologies Inc., Faurecia SA, Standard Motor Products Europe Ltd., Bosal Group, Magneti Marelli S.P.A, Benteler International AG, and BASF Catalysts LLC.Browse detail report @Global Catalytic Converter Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaWhat Report ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Ask for a customized report @About Us:Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:
C4ISR Market - Leading Players Pushing for Innovation to Gain Competitive Edge

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According to TMR, the global C4ISR market is expected to reach US$134.89 bn by the end of 2025. Its valuation stood at US$98.46 bn in 2016. If these figures hold true, the global C4ISR market will exhibit a CAGR of 3.5% between 2017 and 2025. By end user, the airborne segment emerged dominant holding a share of 56.5% in the market in 2016. Regionally, the overall market was dominated by North America with a share of 32.3% in 2016. However during the course of the forecast period, Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as the lead in the overall market.Browse Report:Airborne Segment to Emerge as Dominant End User; Electronic Warfare to Emerge as Lead Application SegmentSurveillance and reconnaissance, computer, tactical communication, electronic warfare, command and control, and others are the various application segments in the global C4ISR market. The others sector includes radar, sensor, advanced electronically scanned array, GPS, and countermeasures. Of these, electronic warfare constituted the emerged dominant in the global market, followed by surveillance & reconnaissance and tactical communication segments. Increasing cross-border tensions are expected to seal the dominance of the electronic warfare segment through the course of the forecast period.Based on end user, the global C4ISR market is segmented into airborne, land, and naval. Of these, the airborne segment led the market with a share of 56.5% in 2016. The rising demand for C4ISR from airborne markets, especially in countries such as India and China is expected to boost the segment. Besides this, the increasing demand for technologies for advanced border protection is expected to demand for C4ISR from the airborne segment. Moreover, increased acquisitions of unmanned aerial combat vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles is the major factor giving impetus to the airborne segment in the C4ISR market during the forecast period of 2017  2025.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Asia Pacific to Emerge Dominant in Forthcoming YearsRegionally, the global C4ISR market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Among these regions, North America emerged dominant with a share of 32.3% in the overall market in 2016. However, it is expected to lose its dominance to Asia Pacific during the forecast period, relegating to the position of the second-leading regional market. Europe, which emerged as the second most lucrative market for C4ISR in 2016, is expected show steady growth during the forecast period.In North America, the rising demand from the electronic warfare segment is helping the market gain momentum. Besides this, governments across the region are consciously implementing measures and the latest technologies to annihilate terror activities. This is a chief driver of the C4ISR market in the region. In Asia Pacific the market is forecast to gain from the rising demand from India, China, Japan, and rest of the region. As governments across these nations look for the latest technologies to thwart any terror plots, the demand from the Asia Pacific market will continue to increase. Among the aforementioned nations China emerged dominant in 2016, exhibiting high spending towards defense and military forces.Key players profiled in this report include Lockheed Martin Corporation (United States), The Raytheon Company (United States), Rockwell Collins, Inc (United States), BAE Systems PLC. (United States), Northrop Grumman Corporation (United States), General Dynamics Corporation (United States), Elbit Systems Ltd (United States), L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (United States), Thales Group (France) and Harris Corporation (France).About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Double Pushchairs Market 2017 : Shinybb, Kinderwagon, Wellborn, Micralite, Pigeon Pida

Double Pushchairs

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A market study based on the "Double Pushchairs Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Double Pushchairs Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Double Pushchairs industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Double Pushchairs market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This Research ReportShinybbKinderwagonWellbornMicralitePigeon PidaThe report studies the industry for Double Pushchairs across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Double Pushchairs market & dynamics of demand and supply of Double Pushchairs into consideration. The 'Double Pushchairs' research study covers each and every aspect of the Double Pushchairs market globally, which starts from the definition of the Double Pushchairs industry and develops towards Double Pushchairs market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Double Pushchairs market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Double Pushchairs market. The geographical segmentation of the Double Pushchairs industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Double Pushchairs is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Double Pushchairs market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Double Pushchairs market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Double Pushchairs market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Double Pushchairs production volume, data regarding demand and Double Pushchairs supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Double Pushchairs across the globe.About Us :Business Worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business Worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries such as Automotive and Aerospace, Medical Devices, Technology, Machinery & Manufacturing.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States
Global Oleochemicals Market Projected to Reach USD 29.50 billion by 2020, Growing at 5.5% CAGR

Oleochemicals Market

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Zion Research has published a new report titled Oleochemicals (Fatty Acid, Fatty Alcohol, Glycerin and Others) Market for Polymers, Food and Beverages, Pharmaceutical & Personal Care, Soaps & Detergents and Others Applications: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2014  2020. According to the report, global demand for oleochemicals market was valued at USD 21.25 billion in 2014, is expected to reach USD 29.50 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of slightly above 5.5% between 2015 and 2020.Get a copy of Sample Report:Oleochemicals are chemicals derived from naturally occurring feedstock material such as plant, vegetable oil and animal fats. Mostly, oleochemicals refer to the fatty acids and glycerol derived from the splitting of the triglyceride structures of oils and fats. Fatty acids, fatty alcohols and glycerin are some of the major types of oleochemicals. Oleochemicals are used in wide ranging applications in a number of industries including pharmaceutical, personal care products, food & beverages, soaps & detergents and polymers. Oleochemicals are also used in lubricants and greases, textile, rubber, drying oil, paints & coating, surface coatings, biodiesel, bioplastics, and others industries.The oleochemicals market is mainly driven by increasing demand for environment friendly products. Rising demand for green and sustainable chemicals is another key driver of the global oleochemicals market. Additionally, rising demand for bio-based products from a range of application industries such as soaps & detergents, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and personal care is also driving the demand for market growth. However, feedstock cost and variable prices of raw materials in the industry is expected to major restraints for oleochemicals market.Global Oleochemicals MarketFatty acid, fatty alcohol, glycerin and others are the key product segments of the oleochemicals market. Fatty acid was the largest product segment in 2014 and it accounted for over 54% share of the total market. Rapidly increasing demand for glycerin in food & beverage industry is expected to drive the demand for oleochemicals market through forecast period. Hence, the market for glycerin is expected to grow at the fastest rate.Key application segments of the global oleochemicals include polymers, pharmaceuticals and personal care, food and beverages, soaps and detergents, and other applications. In 2014, the personal care, and soap & detergents segment dominated the global oleochemicals market. Food and beverages application is the fastest growing segment in oleochemicals market over the forecast period. Pharmaceutical is also the largest application segment for oleochemicals market.Browse the full report atGeographically, Asia Pacific was the leading regional market for oleochemicals and accounted for over 65% share of the oleochemicals market in 2014. Asia Pacific was followed by Europe with the second largest market share in global oleochemicals in 2014. Asia pacific is the fastest growing market in the global oleochemicals such as glycerin, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols. North America is expected to grow at sluggish rate as compared to Asia pacific and Europe.Some of the key participants in the global oleochemicals market Genomatica, Myriant, Amyris, Solazyme, Goldschmidt, Wilmar international, Kao chemicals, Oleon, BASF, Emery oleochemicals and SABIC.Global Oleochemicals Market: Product Segment AnalysisFatty AcidFatty AlcoholGlycerinOthersGlobal Oleochemicals Market: Application Segment AnalysisPolymers,Pharmaceutical & personal careFood & BeveragesSoaps & DetergentsOthersGlobal Oleochemicals Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaAbout UsZion Research 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. Zion Research experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants uses 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.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@marketresearchstore.comWebsite:
Smart Hospitality Management 2017 Global Key Players - IBM, Cisco, Samsung, Wisuite, NEC, Oracle, Qualsoft Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Smart Hospitality Management

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Smart Hospitality ManagementReport Details:This report studies the global Smart Hospitality Management market, analyzes and researches the Smart Hospitality Management development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeIBMCiscoSamsungWisuiteNECOracleQualsoftHoneywellSiemensClick here for sample report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Smart Hospitality Management can be split intoConnected Guest Experience ManagementHotel Operation ManagementAutomation ManagementReal-time Monitoring ManagementSecurity Management SystemMarket segment by Application, Smart Hospitality Management can be split intoHotelsResortsLuxury YachtsOthers......Some Major Points from Table of content:Global Smart Hospitality Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Smart Hospitality Management1.1 Smart Hospitality Management Market Overview1.1.1 Smart Hospitality Management Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Smart Hospitality Management Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Smart Hospitality Management Market by Type1.3.1 Connected Guest Experience Management1.3.2 Hotel Operation Management1.3.3 Automation Management1.3.4 Real-time Monitoring Management1.3.5 Security Management System1.4 Smart Hospitality Management Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hotels1.4.2 Resorts1.4.3 Luxury Yachts1.4.4 OthersFor Detailed Reading Please visit @3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 IBM3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Cisco3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Samsung3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Wisuite3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 NEC3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Oracle3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Qualsoft3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Honeywell3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Siemens3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Smart Hospitality Management Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments..ContinuedBuy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042info@wiseguyreports.com
Global Halal Bodywash Market 2017 : Aveeno, Toms of Maine, White Rain, Clara International, White Rain

Halal Bodywash

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A market study based on the "Halal Bodywash Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Halal Bodywash Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Halal Bodywash industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Halal Bodywash market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This Research ReportAveenoToms of MaineWhite RainGolden RoseSahfee HalalcareShiffa Dubai skin careIvy BeautyClara InternationalThe report studies the industry for Halal Bodywash across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Halal Bodywash market & dynamics of demand and supply of Halal Bodywash into consideration. The 'Halal Bodywash' research study covers each and every aspect of the Halal Bodywash market globally, which starts from the definition of the Halal Bodywash industry and develops towards Halal Bodywash market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Halal Bodywash market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Halal Bodywash market. The geographical segmentation of the Halal Bodywash industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Halal Bodywash is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Halal Bodywash market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Halal Bodywash market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Halal Bodywash market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Halal Bodywash production volume, data regarding demand and Halal Bodywash supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Halal Bodywash across the globe.About Us :Business Worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business Worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries such as Automotive and Aerospace, Medical Devices, Technology, Machinery & Manufacturing.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States
Compounding Pharmacy Market Research Report 2017 Global Key Players - Fagron, PharMEDium Services, LLC, Lorraines Pharmacy Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Compounding Pharmacy Market

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Compounding Pharmacy Market 2017The Global Compounding Pharmacy Market 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Compounding Pharmacy industry.The major players in global Compounding Pharmacy market include B. Braun Melsungen AG Company., Fagron, PharMEDium Services, LLC., Institutional Pharmacy Solutions., Cantrell Drug Company., Triangle Compounding Pharmacies., Lorraines Pharmacy., Fresenius Kabi AG.Request for Sample report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Compounding Pharmacy in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaOn the basis of product, the Compounding Pharmacy market is primarily split intoOral MedicationsTopical MedicationsMouthwashesSuppositoriesOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report coversPain ManagementHormone Replacement TherapyOthersTo get complete report visit@Key Points in Table of Content:Global Compounding Pharmacy Market Research Report 20171 Methodology/Research Approach1.1 Research Programs/Design1.2 Market Size Estimation1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation2 Data Source2.1 Secondary Sources2.2 Primary Sources3 Disclaimer1 Compounding Pharmacy Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Compounding Pharmacy1.2 Compounding Pharmacy Segment by Types (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Compounding Pharmacy Production Market Share (%) by Types (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Oral Medications1.2.4 Topical Medications1.2.5 Mouthwashes1.2.6 Suppositories1.3 Global Compounding Pharmacy Segment by Applications1.3.1 Global Compounding Pharmacy Consumption (K Sets) Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Pain Management1.3.3 Hormone Replacement Therapy1.3.4 Others1.4 Global Compounding Pharmacy Market by Regions (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Compounding Pharmacy Market Size and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Regions (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Compounding Pharmacy Market Size (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Compounding Pharmacy Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)7 Global Compounding Pharmacy Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 B. Braun Melsungen AG Company.7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 B. Braun Melsungen AG Company. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Fagron7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Fagron Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 PharMEDium Services, LLC.7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 PharMEDium Services, LLC. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Institutional Pharmacy Solutions.7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product A7.4.3 Institutional Pharmacy Solutions. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Cantrell Drug Company.7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Cantrell Drug Company. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Triangle Compounding Pharmacies.7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Triangle Compounding Pharmacies. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Lorraines Pharmacy.7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Lorraines Pharmacy. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Fresenius Kabi AG.7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Fresenius Kabi AG. Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Company Nine7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Company Nine Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Company Ten7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Compounding Pharmacy Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Type A7.10.2.2 Type B7.10.3 Company Ten Compounding Pharmacy Production (K Sets), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Set) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview...Continued...Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market to Hit 5.19% to 2021: Growth Analysis, Company Profiles & Trends

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Market Research Report on Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market is a professional and in-depth research report. The Report include basic information like definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview, industry policies and plans, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures and so on. The Report Spread Across 71 Pages with Tables and Figures in It.The Report Announces the Publication of its Research Report  Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market 2017-2021Marketsizeforecasters.com adds new global ready-to-drink (RTD) green tea market report that lists top active companies as Associated British Foods, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, Ito En, Tingyi, and Unilever.Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: AriZona Beverages, DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP (DPS), Hangzhou Wahaha Group, International Beverage, and Sweet Leaf Tea Company.The Report analysts forecast the global ready-to-drink (RTD) green tea market to grow at a CAGR of 5.19% during the period 2017-2021.Request a sample copy of Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market Research Report @Commenting on the Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market report, an analyst said: The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is innovative flavors. Increasing awareness about the health benefits of green tea has raised the number of green tea consumers as well as the consumption rate per capita every year. Ease of preparation is yet another factor driving its consumption.According to the Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market report, one of the major drivers for this market is medicinal aspects of green tea.The consumption of green tea has gained momentum across the globe and is being perceived as a healthier alternative in the beverages industry. It has been found that adults who drink just over two cups of green tea per day can reduce their risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 22%-23%.Request Discount for Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market Research Report @Further, the Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is side effects of green tea. Green tea is one of the oldest known herbal tea and has gained quick prominence in the west because of its medicinal benefits, weight loss being one of them. Most of these health benefits are backed by research studies while some are not.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Browse full table of contents and data tables For Global Ready-To-Drink Green Tea Market Report @Related Reports: -Brown-Forman Corp in Spirits (World)Synonymous with the resurgent American whisky category and riding the wave of the on-going brown spirits renaissance, Brown-Forman is also facing rising competition and the promiscuous drinking habits of the millennial generation. Opportunities and pitfalls are deciphered, putting the companys corporate prospects in context as part of a global spirits narrative in flux.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Visual Analytics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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This report on global Visual Analytics market is a research study that answers pertinent questions about the emerging trends and growth opportunities in this industry. It also identifies each of the prominent barriers to growth, apart from identifying the regional trends and trends within various application segments of the global market . Collecting historical and recent data from authentic resources, and based on all the factors and trends, the report presents a figurative estimation of the future of the market, along with compound annual growth rate (CAGR).To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The study segments the market by geography into: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. It provides forecasts of revenue of the market as a whole as well as each application segment. The competitive landscape is mapped based on product and technology. This study also offers an overview of pricing trends and ancillary factors that will influence pricing in the global Visual Analytics market. The market study, estimation, and market sizing have been done utilizing a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches.Of special value are the key recommendations and predictions by our analysts, intended to steer your strategic business decisions. The company profiles section of this research service is a compilation of the growth strategies, product portfolio, financial status, and recent developments of key market participants. The report provides detailed industry analysis of the global Visual Analytics market with the help of proven research methodologies such as Porters five forces. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of the buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and the degree of competition.Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Visual Analytics Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Visual Analytics1.1 Visual Analytics Market Overview1.1.1 Visual Analytics Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Visual Analytics Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Visual Analytics Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 3Browse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Visual Analytics Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Visual Analytics Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Microsoft3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 SAS Institute3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 SAP3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Tableau Software3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 QlikTech International3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Arcadia Data3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Visual Analytics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)For Latest MarketResearchreports Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles Market Systems - Global Industry Analysis 2024

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The ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories market in Morocco is primarily dependent on the presence of unorganized regional players and a handful of key international players, such as Roca, RAK Ceramics, NG Kutahya Seramik, PORCELANOSA, and Marazzi. Transparency Market Research has observed that a few regional companies with a significant presence have established a strong and loyal customer base in various cities across Morocco. This has intensified the degree of competition with other local players as well as with international companies supplying imported tiles and other bathroom materials.Browse Market Research Report @The ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories market in Morocco is expected to rise from a valuation of US$1.5 bn in 2015 to US$2.7 bn by 2024.Casablanca and Tangier to Present Promising Scope for Growth in MoroccoFull-body porcelain tiles led the ceramic and porcelain tiles market in Morocco, accounting for a 34.6% share in 2015. The segment is also projected to witness strong growth over the coming years. Registering a 7.3% CAGR from 2016 to 2024, glazed porcelain is likely to emerge as the most attractive investment option for the market. Thin tiles are a relatively newer generation of ceramic and porcelain tiles and the segment is expected to be highly lucrative in the near future.Within the bathroom materials market in Morocco, ceramic led the market for floor as well as wall materials. On the other hand, porcelain was the most rapidly expanding segment in both cases. The bathroom furniture and accessories market is dominated by the bath and sanitary ware segment and faucets are anticipated to register a high growth rate during the forecast period.Casablanca led the ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories market in Morocco, accounting for a share of more than 30% in 2015. Tangier, on the other hand, is projected to be the most lucrative market, exhibiting a CAGR of over 6% from 2016 to 2024.Government of Morocco Plays Key Role in Boosting MarketMorocco has gained much popularity as a tourist destination in the recent past, with an estimated 9.8 mn tourists in 2011 alone. A surge in the inflow of tourists translates into a rise in the construction of hotels, thereby driving the demand for ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories, the TMR analyst states.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Further supporting the building and construction sector is the Government of Morocco, with its efforts in undertaking new construction projects under its housing scheme. The promise to construct 150,000 social housing units by 2020 and the rise in the renovation of old properties is anticipated to boost the market for ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories in Morocco.Availability of Substitutes Hampering Demand for Ceramic and Porcelain TilesThere are several factors that are going against the Morocco ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories market, the key one being the availability of substitutes. On the one hand, porcelain and ceramic tiles are higher priced compared to tiles made of cement and terracotta, or even zellige tiles, the author of the study points out. Moreover, the benefits offered by cement tiles, for instance, are many, including water resistance, durability, and environment-friendliness. This drives consumers to opt for the substitute rather than porcelain and ceramic tiles.Another factor acting as a deterrent is the fact that construction activities in Morocco are limited to just a few major cities. Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir are among the cities that have been reporting a rise in construction projects. This is likely to restrict the demand for ceramic and porcelain tiles, bathroom materials, and furniture and accessories in the rest of the country.Get Request For Discount On This Report @This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles Market (Product Type - Glazed Porcelain, Full-body Porcelain, Ceramic Floor Tiles, Ceramic Wall Tiles, and Thin Tiles), Bathroom Materials (Type - Floor (Ceramic, Porcelain, and Natural Stone) and Wall (Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone, Glass, Aluminum, Paint, and Wallpaper)), and Furniture and Accessories (Furniture (Modular and Fitted), Bathroom Accessories (Mirrors, Toilet Roll Holders, Robe Hooks, Towel Rods and Rings, Wall Trays, and Soap Dishes), Baths and Sanitary Ware, and Faucets) - Morocco Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024.Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles Market: Product AnalysisGlazed PorcelainFull-body PorcelainCeramic Floor TilesCeramic Wall TilesThin TilesBathroom Materials Market: Product AnalysisFloorCeramicPorcelainNatural StoneOthersWallCeramicPorcelainNatural StoneGlassAluminumPaintWallpaperOthersAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Corporate Wellness Market Research Report : forecast up to 2024

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Corporate wellness services such as fitness, health risk assessment, weight management, and health screening have witnessed significant growth in revenue in the past few years. Corporate wellness programs are designed to support employees in understanding their health risk and accepting healthy behavior at workplace and to reduce their health care expenditure. These programs reduce the cost of hospitalization, emergency room visits, specialist visits, and surgeries. Moreover, corporate wellness programs result in decrease in absenteeism, increase in productivity, and improvement in quality of life of employees. Increase in non-communicable diseases, government support and initiatives, growingnumber of white collar employees, rising health consciousness among the population, willingness of employers to incorporate wellness programs, and mandatory laws to implement wellness programs in organizations are the factors likely to drive the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific. However, high cost of services andinefficient execution of corporate wellness services are anticipated to hamper the growth of the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific.The executive summary of the report comprises a market snapshot of the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific and comparative analysis by geography in terms of value % for 2015 and 2024. Based on service type, the corporate wellness market in the region has been segmented intohealth risk assessment, fitness, smoking cessation, health screening, weight management, nutrition, and others.Market revenue analysis of all the segments mentioned abovehas been provided for the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year and 2014 as historical year. The executive summary also comprises majordrivers and restraints along with key trends likely to drive the growth of the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific.Browse full report on Corporate Wellness Market -The market overview section of the corporate wellness market report analyzes the market dynamics and trends such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that influence the current and future status of the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific. Impact factors such as market attractiveness analysis by geography of the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific have been provided in this section of the report. Furthermore, the report includes market opportunity map, industry developments and opportunity analysisfor the market.Geographically, the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific has been segmented into ninecountries: China, Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and Rest of Asia Pacific. The study further offers recommendations and key trends for the corporate wellness market in the region, which would be useful for existing and new players to sustain and grow in the market.The report on the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacific concludes with the company profiles section that includes key information in terms of company overview, financial information, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent development about the major players operating in the corporate wellness market in the region. Key players operating in the corporate wellness market in Asia Pacificinclude Central Corporate Wellness, ComPsych Corporation, Optum, Inc., JLT Australia (Recovre Group), Truworth Wellness, SOL Wellness, Sodexo, ConneXions Asia, and Bupa Wellness Pty Ltd.The corporate wellnessmarket in Asia Pacifichas been segmented as follows:Asia Pacific Corporate Wellness Market, by ServiceHealth Risk AssessmentFitnessSmoking CessationHealth ScreeningWeight ManagementNutritionOthers (stress management, diabetes management, and vaccinations)Asia Pacific Corporate Wellness Market, by CountryChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandRest of Asia PacificRequest for sample of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Prefilled Syringes Market Research Report by Share, Size, Growth & Forecast 2024 Illuminated by New Report

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Prefilled Syringes Market: Scope and SegmentationThis report provides a forecast and analysis of the prefilled syringes market on the global and regional levels. It provides historical data of 2015 along with forecast from 2016 to 2024 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Bn Units). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on prefilled syringes consumption globally. It includes drivers and restraints of the prefilled syringes market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of current issues with distribution channels and opportunities for prefilled syringes manufacturers. It also includes pricing analysis by material and value chain analysis with a list of industry stakeholders at each node in the value chain.In order to provide users of this report with a comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and company players. The dashboard provides a comprehensive comparison of prefilled syringe manufacturers on parameters such as operating margin, unique selling propositions, collective market share, and geographic concentration. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, by material type, product type, application type, and region.The report includes consumption of prefilled syringes and the revenue generated from sales of prefilled syringes in all regions and important countries in these regions. By material, the global prefilled syringes market has been segmented into glass based and polymer based prefilled syringes. By application, the market is segmented into vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and others. On the basis of the distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and mail order pharmacies.Browse full report on Prefilled Syringes Market -Prefilled Syringes Market: Research MethodologyMarket numbers have been estimated based on average consumption and weighted average pricing of prefilled syringes by material and the revenue is derived from regional pricing trends. Market size and forecast for each segment has been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The prefilled syringes market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are regional average prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional prefilled syringes manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All key distribution channels have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Regional demand patterns have been taken into account while assessing the market for various end users of prefilled syringes in different regions. Bottom-up approach has been used to estimate the prefilled syringes market by regions. Market numbers for global material, application and distribution channel segments have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each regions demand. The company-level market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.Several primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include FACTIVA, NCBI, Google Books, company websites, journals, press releases, Hoovers, and company annual reports and publications.The report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of key participants operating in the global market. Major players in the global prefilled syringes market are Becton Dickinson & Co., Gerresheimer, Medtronic, Baxter International, SCHOTT AG, West Pharmaceuticals, Vetter International, Unilife Corporation, Stevanato Group, and Terumo Corporation.The market has been segmented as below:Global Prefilled Syringes Market  By MaterialGlass based prefilled syringesPolymer based prefilled syringesGlobal Prefilled Syringes Market  By ApplicationMonoclonal AntibodiesVaccinesOthersGlobal Prefilled Syringes Market  By Distribution ChannelHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersMail order pharmaciesGlobal Prefilled Syringes Market  By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeGermanyU.KFranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)ChinaIndiaJapanAustraliaNew ZealandRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and Africa (MEA)Saudi ArabiaUAERSARest of MEARequest for sample of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Healthcare Information Systems Market Research Report : forecast up to 2024

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Global Healthcare Information Systems Market: OverviewThe purpose of health care information systems is to manage the information that health care professionals need to perform their job effectively and efficiently. health care information systems automates administrative, financial, and patient care activities of hospitals, produces extensive management reports, operational statistics, and provides a powerful query module. health care information systems provides benefits such as easy access to patient data, reduces scope of error, increases security, provides better cost control, and improved efficiency. The market for health care information systems is expected to grow at a double-digit figure during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 and shall be driven by factors such as reduction in overall healthcare cost of personal, easy access of data to healthcare professionals, reduction in errors and riddance of time and efforts spent on overall procedures.Global Healthcare Information Systems Market: Scope of the StudyThis report on the global health care information systems market analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year.Market related factors such as technological developments, product innovation, expansion of infrastructural facilities by major and small health care IT players, and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. Growth rates for each segment within the global health care information systems market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, drug development life cycle, and regulatory requirements. These factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their share in the global market.Browse full report on Healthcare Information Systems Market -Global Healthcare Information Systems Market: Segmentation AnalysisBased on application type, the global health care information systems market has been segmented into hospital information systems, pharmacy information systems, laboratory information systems, medical imaging information system and revenue cycle management. The hospital information systems market is further segmented into electronic health record, electronic medical record, real-time healthcare, patient engagement solutions, population health management and others.Pharmacy information systems market is further categorized into prescription management, automated dispensing systems, inventory management and others. Medical imaging information systems market is further segmented into radiology information systems (RIS), monitoring analysis software, picture archiving & communication systems (PACS) and others. Hospital information system is the most promising segment of health care information systems market.In terms of deployment the healthcare information systems market is segmented into web based, on premise and cloud based. The web based segment is expected to gather significant revenue during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. On the basis of component the market is segmented into software, hardware and services. The software segment is projected to gather highest market revenue during the forecast period increasing demand for data analysis and management. Major end-users of health care information systems include hospitals, diagnostics centres, academic and research institution and others.Global Healthcare Information Systems Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global health care information systems market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The regions have been further segmented by major countries. A global overview has been provided, and the North America region has been analyzed in depth at country as well as application, component, deployment and end-user segment level. The countries in North America section include the U.S. and Canada. The regions of Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa have been briefly profiled at country level.The countries include the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Mexico, the UAE, and South Africa. The competition matrix section included in the report is likely to assist the existing players to increase their market shares and new companies to establish their presence in the health care information systems market. The report also profiles major players in the health care information systems market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:Key companies profiled in the report include Cerner Corporation, McKesson Corporation, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., athenahealth, Inc., and Medidata Solutions, Inc. GE Healthcare, Agfa- Gevaert, Epic Systems Corporation, Siemens Healthineers and NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC.The global healthcare information systems market has been segmented as follows:Global Healthcare information Systems Market, by ApplicationHospital Information SystemsElectronic Health RecordElectronic Medical RecordReal-time HealthcarePatient Engagement SolutionsPopulation Health managementOthersPharmacy Information systemsPrescription ManagementAutomated Dispensing SystemsInventory ManagementOthersLaboratory Information systemsMedical Imaging Information SystemRadiology Information systemsMonitoring Analysis SoftwarePicture Archiving & Communication SystemsOthersRevenue Cycle ManagementGlobal Healthcare information Systems Market, by End-userHospitalsDiagnostics CentreAcademic and Research InstitutionOthersGlobal Healthcare information Systems Market, by ComponentSoftwareHardwareServicesGlobal Healthcare information Systems Market, by DeploymentWeb-basedOn PremiseCloud-basedGlobal Healthcare information Systems Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaAsia PacificChinaJapanAustralia & New ZealandRest of APACEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalyRest of EuropeLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaUAESouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaRequest for sample of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Document Outsourcing Market - Future Demand and Growth Analysis

Document Outsourcing Market

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16901

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Today organizations are finding problem in providing quality information to their customers due to lack of expertise in quality writing. Hence, document outsourcing providers are providing email writing service where content writers provide relevant information based on customer query. Document outsourcing is also used in creating technical brochures, product specifications and repair manuals. Document outsourcing is also used in creating both printed and digital marketing communication documents to promote brand image. Thus, the role of document outsourcing has increased in many areas of a business.Many financial institutions too, such as banks and insurance, favor document outsourcing for delivering accurate and complete archiving of financial information. Thus, document outsourcing providers are becoming strategic partners for organizations through providing value added services. Document outsourcing also helps to improve process as well as distribute risk between the organization and the service provider.Obtain Report Details @The major challenge for document outsourcing service provider is the flexibility in service level agreement (SLA). Organizations which do not plan on future business strategies, may not include relevant clauses in the service level agreements. These may later result in problem for document outsourcing service providers in providing service to organizations as the service requirements would vary as per the clients they cater to.The demand for document outsourcing market will increase in coming years as organizations will try to reduce operational cost and gain competitive advantage among its competitors. Although, the document information may be critical for organization, document outsourcing solutions such as marketing analytics can help organization to use information in order to improve organization operations. Document outsourcing service finds its application in the area of financial services, insurance, healthcare, legal, telecommunication and manufacturing.Make an Enquiry @Some of the key document outsourcing service providers are Hewlett-Packard Company, Lexmark International Inc, Integreon Inc, Ricoh Company Ltd, Xerox Corporation, Canon Inc, Konica Minolta Holdings Inc, Swiss Post Solutions AG, Kyocera Document Solution Inc, Williams Lea Holdings Plc, Firstsource Solutions Ltd, Formost Mediaone, Pitney Bowes Inc and Toshiba Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
Learn Details of China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution

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This report studies Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution in China market, focuses on the top players in China market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringABBEatonEmerson ElectricSchneiderSiemensSplit by product Type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoSwitchgearPower CablesTransformersSmart MetersSplit by Application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2For Sample Report Request:Table Of Content:China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Market Research Report 20171 Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution1.2 Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Segment by Type1.2.1 China Production Market Share of Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Type in 20151.2.2 Switchgear1.2.3 Power Cables1.2.4 Transformers1.2.5 Smart Meters1.3 Applications of Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution1.3.1 Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.4 China Market Size (Value) of Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution (2012-2022)1.5 China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Status and Outlook1.6 Government Policies2 China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 China Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Type2.5 Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Electrical Equipment for the Power Distribution Market Concentration RateAbout Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
Solid States Drives (SSD) Market: Demand from Information Technology Industry to Impel Markets Growth

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solid-states-drives-market

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Market Segmentation Segmentation by type: SLL (Single Level Cell), MLL (Multi Level Cell) and TLL (Triple Level Cell) Segmentation by Storage Interface: SATA, SAS and PCIe. Segmentation by Storage Capacity: Less than 250 GB, 251GB to 500GB, 501GB to 1 TB and more than 1 TB. Segmentation by Application: PCs, laptops, data centers among othersMarket Highlight:Solid State Drive or SSD is a new technology in the data storage and an alternative to the traditional storage device HDD. SSD performs faster than HDD and currently growing with rapid space. Data centers are the key application area where the SDD can be used. Currently this market has been valued at US billion and expected to reach US billion by the end of forecasted period with the CAGR.Request a Sample Report @Key playersThe prominent players in the market of solid state drive are- Samsung (South Korea) Intel (U.S.), SanDisk (U.S.) Micron Technology, Inc. (U.S.) Toshiba (Japan) Lite-On (Taiwan) Western Digital (U.S.) Fusion-Io (U.S.) Google (U.S.) Kingston Technology (U.S.) Netapp (U.S.) OCZ (U.S.)Industry News In July 2016, Samsung launched worlds largest SSD which has storage capacity of 15 TB. In April 2016, SanDisk launched Half-Terabyte SDD for everyday computing. In April 2016, Micron Technology, Inc. announced the increase in product portfolio by adding two PCIe SSDs.Browse Report Details @Study Objective of Solid States Drives (SSD) Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Solid States Drives (SSD) Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Solid States Drives market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by type, by storage interface, by storage capacity, by application and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Solid States Drives (SSD) MarketRequest Table of Contents for this Report @Regional AnalysisCurrently North America is dominating the market of solid state market. North America has high consumption rate for laptops and desktop and SSDs are the new replacement for hard disks. As it comes with bundle of features and advances that hard disk, market for SSD in North America is growing. Asia-Pacific has emerged as fastest growing market and also the second biggest market for solid state drives. Currently Asia-Pacific holds market share and has been valued at US followed by Europe which accounts for market share.The reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:Americas North Americao USo CanadaEurope Western Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo Spaino U.Ko Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia Pacific Asiao Chinao Indiao Japano South Koreao Rest of AsiaPacificAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Automotive Steering Systems Market by Steering System (Manual, Electrically Powered, Electro-Hydraulic Powered, & Hydraulic Powered)

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-steering-systems-market

Market ScenarioSteering is the connection point between car and driver. It provides control and the feel of the road and plays a key role in the vehicles personality and performance. Increasing demand for driving comfort & fuel efficient vehicle from the consumers are the primary driving factors of the Automotive steering system market. In addition, factors such as increasing vehicle production globally are also the driving factor for the Automotive steering system market. However high cost of system, restraint the automotive steering system market.Thus the Automotive Steering Systems market is expected to register a CAGR of about 6%.Market SegmentsGlobal Automotive Steering Systems Market can be segmented as follows: Segmentation by Type: Paraxylene, Polyethylene, Acryonitrile, Ethylene glycol Segmentation by Application: Textile, Automobile, Petrochemicals, Plastic Industry Segmentation by End User : Fabrics, Plastic cards, Dixinfactants, Synthetic fibersRequest a Sample Report @Study Objectives of Automotive Steering Systems Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Automotive Steering Systems Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Global Automotive Steering Systems Market based on various factors such as supply chain analysis, and Porters five force analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by Vehicle Type, and by Steering System, by Components and by End market. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Automotive Steering Systems Market.Browse Report Details @Key PlayersThe leading players in the Automotive Steering Systems markets are- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan) TRW Automotive Holdings (U.S.) Sona Koyo Steering System Ltd. (India) JTEKT Corporation (Japan) Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Gmbh (Germany) Nexteer Automotive (U.S.) China Automotive System Inc. (China) Thyssenkrupp Presta AG Aktiengesellschaft (U.S.)Intended Audience Automotive Steering Systems manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesCompany Information Profiling of key market players SWOT analysis, and strategy information of top five profile players in the report Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesRegional Analysis of Automotive Steering Systems MarketEuropean region hold the largest market share in Automotive Steering Systems market, due to the rising production of technologically advanced vehicle. This region will witness slow growth in the forecast period. Asia-Pacific region will show the fastest growth in forecast period because increasing automotive manufacturing activities and increasing eco-friendly initiatives in this region will increase the Automotive steering system market.The report covers brief analysis of country level market information North America U.S. Canada MexicoSouth America Brazil Argentina Rest Of South AmericaEurope Germany U.K. France Italy Rest Of EuropeAsiaPacific China India Japan Rest of Asia PacificMiddle East & Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Qatar South Africa Rest Of Middle East & AfricaAbout Global Automotive Steering Systems Market of Market Research FutureThe report for Global Automotive Steering Systems Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Why Europe Organ Transplantation Cases To Grow CAGR 0f 3.0%, Research Report Based On Statistical Analysis, Market Analysis, Forecasted Period - 2016-2027

Europe Organ Transplantation,

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/statistical-reports/europe-organ-transplant-rejection-market-2141

Market IntroductionEurope Organ Transplantation cases, by type of organ are projected to grow at the CAGR 0f 3.0% during the forecasted period 2016-2027. The total organ transplantation cases in Europe in 2027 are expected to reach 46,577 from 31,849 in 2015. Liver transplants cases are the fastest growing segment at the CAGR of 3.6%. On the other hand, the total organ transplantation rejection cases in Europe were 6,992 in 2015. Europe Organ Transplantation rejection cases, by type of organ is expected to grow at CAGR of 2.5%. Liver transplant rejection cases are expected to grow at CAGR of 3.5%.The increase in the number of liver transplants is due to various factors including excessive consumption of alcohol leading to the liver failure, fatal diseases of the liver such as liver cirrhosis. Kidney transplants are the most common type of transplants as the rate of kidney failure among population is quite high. Number of people undergoing organ transplants is highest in Kidney patients which were more than 20,000 in 2015, and kidney transplant rejection cases in 2015 were more than 3,800 in Europe.The Europe Organ Transplantation rejection statistical report published by Market Research future contains a brief overview of Europe Organ Transplantation rejection cases. The report has the organ transplantation rejection data exclusively for the European countries and total 28 countries were considered in this report study. The major countries included in the report are France, Spain, UK, Germany, and Italy. Apart from that other European countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech. R., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden.The Europe organ transplantation cases has been significantly growing over a certain period of time concerning to the increasing population in European countries along with improving economic condition of consumers. With the developing technologies and advancement in the healthcare sector, it is expected that the rate of organ transplantation rejection will go on decreasing in the future. The report is segmented on the basis of type of organ and type of rejection. The report also consists of the systematic data about the country-wise percentage of the organ transplants and organ transplant rejections in the European regionThrough this report of Market Research future aims to provide understanding of the Europe organ transplantation & rejection and assists identification of ongoing trends along with anticipated growth in the coming years. For this research extensive primary research was conducted to gain a deeper insight of the market performance. Various industry experts and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) were contacted. It consisted of the experts from the healthcare service providers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies among others. Moreover the deep and thorough secondary research was conducted through various sources such as company websites, healthcare registry, governmental websites, and world health organization among othersEnquiry for this report@About Market Research FutureAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersAccess to report@About Market Research FutureAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Software Defined Perimeter Market - Deployment Type, Application, Component Type, End-User and Regional 2024

Software Defined Perimeter Market, Software Defined Perimeter

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

https://tmrresearch.blogspot.com/

The global software defined perimeter is driven by the growing demand for cloud-based software defined perimeter solutions as it is cost-effective and feature more scalability in comparison to the traditional software defined perimeter. Organizations are rapidly deploying security testing solutions either on-premises or on cloud to ensure efficient security solution to the organization. Moreover, organizations are increasingly adopting these solutions to minimize human intervention in security functionalities and enable synchronization between security policies and enterprises dynamic computing environment which in turn is boosting the deployment of software defined perimeter.However, factors such as increased adoption of freeware security applications is expected to hamper the market growth. Lack of security awareness on virtual environments is also thwarting the growth of SDP market. Learning about SDP now and starting to plan accordingly could have significant benefits for the security team are opening new opportunities for the participants in software defined perimeter market. Also increasing number of connected devices due to IoT are expected to create growth opportunities for the SDP market.Obtain Report Details @The software defined perimeter market is segmented on the basis of deployment type, application, component type, end-user and region. In terms of deployment segment, the market can be classified as cloud and on premise. The application segment includes security and authentication. The market can also be classified on the basis of component used for building the software, such as software and service. The software can be further segmented as end-point, controller and gateway. The service segment can be further broken down into consulting, system integration and operation and maintenance. On the basis of end-user, the market can be classified into banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), technology, manufacturing, electronics, telecom and healthcare and life sciences among others.The market segments in terms of geographical regions include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and Middle-East and Africa (MEA). The North America market is expected to generate high revenue as there is high focus on innovations obtained from research and development and technology in the developed economies such as the U.S. and Canada. Moreover, the APAC region is expected to exhibit high growth potential due to the high demand for adoption of cloud based software defined perimeter from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in this region during the forecast period.Make an Enquiry @Software defined perimeter (SDP) which is also known as a "Black Cloud", is an approach to computer security which is evolved from the work done at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) under the Global Information Grid (GIG) Black Core Network initiative around 2007. Software defined perimeter is a security framework that has been developed by cloud security alliance, a not-for-profit organization promoting security assurance within cloud computing. This framework is based on the Department of Defense's "need-to-know" model. The mentioned model states that all endpoints attempting to access a given infrastructure must be authorized and authenticated prior to entrance. Successful network-based attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and lateral movement and server vulnerabilities attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting are lowered due with the adoption of SDPs.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
Detailed examination of Global Alkylphenol Ethoxylates

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Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Report by Material, Application, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Alkylphenol Ethoxylates basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) basic information;2.) the Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Market;3.) the North American Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Market;4.) the European Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Market;5.) market entry and investment feasibility;6.) the report conclusion.For Sample Report Request:Table Of Content:Chapter One Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Industry Overview1.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Definition1.2 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Classification Analysis1.2.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Application Analysis1.3.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Product Market Development Overview1.6 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisPart II Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Market Analysis3.1 Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Product Development History3.2 Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Competitive Landscape Analysis3.3 Asia Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Market Development TrendAbout Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
Global Anthracite Consumption To Drive Growth/Demand

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Global Anthracite Consumption 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Anthracite marketThe report provides a basic overview of the Anthracite industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states importexport consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report then analyzes the global Anthracite market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, applications and region.The major Anthracite market is analyzed, data including market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and applications. Then we forecast the 2017-2022 market size of Anthracite.The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 206 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.For Sample Report Request:Table Of Content:1 Industry Overview 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Anthracite 11.1.1 Definition of Anthracite 11.1.2 Specifications of Anthracite 11.2 Classification of Anthracite 21.3 Applications of Anthracite 21.3.1 Electricity Industry 31.3.2 Chemical Industry 31.3.3 Cement Industry 41.3.4 Steel Industry 41.4 Industry Chain Structure of Anthracite 51.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Anthracite 51.5.1 Industry Overview of Anthracite 51.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Anthracite 61.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Anthracite 61.7 Industry News Analysis of Anthracite 72 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Anthracite 82.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Anthracite 82.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Anthracite 82.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Anthracite 102.4 Other Costs Analysis of Anthracite 132.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Anthracite 142.6 The Formation of Anthracite 14About Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
Stem Cell Umbilical Cord Blood Market by Current & Upcoming Trends Analysis 2024

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Stem Cell Umbilical Cord Blood Market: OverviewUmbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells have gained much significance in medical science owing to their ability to transform into any type of human cells. UCB refers to the blood that remains in the attached umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth. Stem cells that UCB contains are considered unique in their applicability in treating several life-threatening diseases. UCB stem cells are also used to treat genetic and hematopoietic disorders.The cord blood collected during childbirth is cryopreserved and stored. UCB stem cells are stored either at private cord banks or at public cord blood banks. This preserved blood is generally used at the time of treatment of chronic ailments or transplantation, if needed, in the later stages of life.Governments around the world have been proactively financing campaigns to spread public awareness about the potential benefits of UCB stem cells. This has been a crucial factor boosting the global stem cell umbilical cord blood market in the last few years. Furthermore, such steps taken by governments also provides economic and social benefits.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:The report covers the various factors influencing the growth exhibited by the stem cell umbilical cord blood market. It features an in-depth analysis of the key market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Other highlights of the report include a market attractiveness analysis, representation of prominent enterprises in the market in terms of key shares, competitive analysis, SWOT analysis, and Porters five forces analysis.Stem Cell Umbilical Cord Blood Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesUCB stem cells have emerged as an effective treatment option for over 80 diseases including immunodeficiency disorders, cancer, and other chronic blood disorders. Many of these diseases have no cure but can be treated effectively using stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord. UCB stem cells travel to the location of the damage, identify the infected cells, and then initiate a healing process. Moreover, the risk of rejection is nonexistent, because they are obtained from the same individual.With research being underway for developing UCB stem cells to effectively treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart failure, and brain tumor, the future of the global stem cell umbilical cord blood market seems very impressive. Owing to their inherent health benefits, UCB stem cells are identified as a successful mode of treatment for various life-threatening ailments.Government authorities are also supporting clinical trials and research into cord blood stem cells, which has been a crucial factor increasing the interest of the healthcare industry and compelling major healthcare players to invest in the commercialization of UCB stem cells therapies. For instance, Cytori Therapeutics Inc., Athersys, and California Stem Cell Inc. are engaged in developing novel stem cell therapies from UCB stem cells. This is a key factor offering impetus to the global market for stem cell umbilical cord blood.Stem Cell Umbilical Cord Blood Market: Competitive OutlookCompetition prevailing in the global stem cell umbilical cord blood market is currently intense, with enterprises focusing mainly on creating brand awareness. This is compelling enterprises operating in the market to formulate innovative strategies. To study the competition prevailing in the market, the report profiles companies such as Nuo Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Cytori Therapeutics, and others.These companies are studied on the basis of their financial overview, business structure, supply chain network, strategies adopted, and current development status.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaThis report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsThis report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porters five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.Reasons for Buying this ReportThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsIt provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Single-use Bioprocessing Systems Market by Key Manufacturers Analysis and Forecast 2024

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Global Single-use Bioprocessing Systems Market: SnapshotThe world single-use bioprocessing systems market is analyzed to experience an apparent change in adoption patterns on the part of biopharmaceutical firms and biotechnology startups. This shift is primarily steered in the direction of single-use technologies. Over the recent years, there has been an upscale growth observed in the world market, not just on account of the acceptance of single-use technologies. The biopharmaceutical sector is advancing toward maturation at a swift rate. In this regard, novel treatment solutions are being cumulatively concentrated upon by a majority of organizations. Such treatment solutions are esteemed to have a contracted pipeline for development and come across unprecedented compared to those of other competitors in the market.As per the profound analysis performed by the expert researchers at Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global single-use bioprocessing systems market is prognosticated to leapfrog at a decent CAGR of 11.1% between 2016 and 2024. The global market had raked in an impressive US$2.3 bn in 2015 and is expected to keep coining it while maintaining the same pace to reach US$5.9 bn by the concluding year of the forecast period.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Monoclonal Antibody Production Towers over Other Applications with Topping ShareThe worldwide single-use bioprocessing systems market finds application in a variety of biotechnology segments such as patient specific cell therapies, plant cell cultivation, vaccine production, and monoclonal antibody production. Amongst these, for the forecast period, the monoclonal antibody production segment is anticipated to secure a whopping 66.0% share in the worldwide market at a significant CAGR. The success of this market is stemmed from the important support by the U.S. and Europe governments which gave the green signal in 2015 for 10 antibody therapeutics. The latest consents given by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union (EU) for monoclonal antibodies have offered a strong boost to the monoclonal antibody production segment. Much of the demand is also attributed to the clinical trial phases accommodating a robust increase in the count of monoclonal antibodies.Bioprocessing bags are one product which have gained immense impetus in the global single-use bioprocessing technologies market. This could be on account of their extensive usage across a gamut of applications such as transfer, storage, mixing, and filtration during the production of drug molecules, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Besides different downstream and upstream functions, bioprocessing bags can be customized as per the requirements of end users.With a swelling awareness about the advantages of single-use bioprocessing technologies, the pharmaceuticals market is envisioned to take grip of a colossal share in terms of end user.Europe and North America Lead Global Market Shoulder to ShoulderThere has been a pilot adoption of single-use bioprocessing technologies by specialized multiproduct biopharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, not to forget contract research organizations (CROs) and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), in Europe and North America. As a result, both the regions had shared their dominance in the global single-use bioprocessing technologies market in 2015 and are predicted to continue with it until 2024. The clustered developments and innovations in bioscience and avant-garde biologics research and development in these geographies could raise the bar of revenue growth. Besides this, most giant vendors in the field have headquartered their companies in Europe and North America, which is undoubtedly prophesied to welcome higher shares in these regions.The elevated unmet need of the developing countries in Asia Pacific regarding revolutionary vaccines and therapies for cancer could offer lucrative hopes for the region in the single-use bioprocessing technologies market. The Asia Pacific market is not only poised on the back of its disease-burdened population but also the resourceful contract research services furnished to China and India by various pharmaceutical organizations.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) Market by Product, End User and Forecast 2024

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Global Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) Market: OverviewScanning probe microscopes include imaging technologies that measure surface of small molecules, atoms and fine scales. This technique uses interaction of sharp, electrically charged probe with the surface of samples at particular points. This electrically charged probe is used to interact with sample that helps researchers to understand the properties of sample specimen. In addition, scanning probe microscope scan sample surface with sharp probe in order to observe three dimensional images at high magnification rate. Scanning probe technology is widely used for the study of macro-molecules and biological specimens. Additionally, scanning probe microscopy technique is used for the measurement of wide variety of inorganic (e.g. to measure surface chemistry of the molecules), synthetic (e.g. identify surface of polymers) and biological materials (like polymers and polymer matrix). In addition, scanning probe microscope technology can also be used for manipulation and observation of environmental non-conductive specimen.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Global Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) Market: Trends and ProspectsThe market of scanning probe microscopes is witnessing positive growth owing to development of advanced technologies in this field coupled with wide application areas of scanning probe microscopy in science, environmental and engineering field. For example, RHK Technology, Inc. offers innovative and well engineered RHK UHV Scanning Probe Microscopes. This microscope provides variety of applications in science and environmental field. In addition, Danish Micro Engineering A/S offers ProberStation 150 scanning probe microscope. This microscope offers accurate sampling and flexibility for customer specific modifications by combining with other types of analytical heads. Thus, these types of offering will help key manufacturers to attract more number of customers hence drives the market growth. In addition, various advantages of scanning probe microscope as compared to conventional optical microscopes will further drive the market growth. For example, scanning probe micros offers highest possible magnification i.e. more than 800 to 1000 times greater than conventional microscopes. Thus, this advantage will offer proper analysis of sample specimen hence drives the market growth of scanning probe microscopes. Moreover, these types of advanced microscopy is rapidly growing in developing countries like North America and Europe due to their innovative features and novel applications in variety of disciplines that will further boost the overall market of scanning probe microscope. However, high cost of these types of microscopes will restrain the market growth.The market of scanning probe microscopes can be segmented on the basis of:By TechnologiesAtomic Force Microscopy (AFM)Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM)OthersGlobal Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, North America is the largest market of scanning probe microscopes due to the launch of novel and innovative products by domiciled key manufacturer coupled with increasing uptake of these technologies by consumers. Europe is considered as the second largest market of scanning probe microscopes. The growth of this market is attributed to the presence of large number of companies like NanoTechnology GmbH, Danish Micro Engineering A/S and others. This factor would help European market to grow consistently in future and hence stimulate the market growth. Additionally, Asia-Pacific region in emerging markets for scanning probe microscopes because of increasing awareness about scanning probe microscopy technology among customers.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Global Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPM) Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportVarious key players contributing to the global scanning probe microscopes market comprises Danish Micro Engineering A/S (DME), Klocke Nanotechnik, Agilent Technologies, Omicron NanoTechnology GmbH, Hitachi High-Tech Science Corporation, RHK Technology, Inc., Bruker Nano, Danish Micro Engineering, Schaefer Technology and 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.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Oncology Information System Market Research Report by Regional Analysis, Key Players, Share, Size and Forecast 2024

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Oncology information system is an image and information management system that allows to check all parts of oncology care for patients. Oncology information system combines medical, surgical, and radiation oncology information into a comprehensive, oncology electronic medical record that allows to manage patient's details from start of the patients admission through diagnosis and follow-up details.The factors driving the growth of the oncology information system market are increase in technological adaption and technological advancement. Increase in health care infrastructure in developing nations, growth in prevalence of secondary tumor, and rise in incidence of cancer are the other factors anticipated to propel the growth of the oncology information system market during the forecast period. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide; in 2012, there were 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, lack of health care IT professionals and strict regulation are likely to restrict the growth of the oncology information system market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:According to a report by the American Cancer Society, 50% of men and 30% of women are estimated to develop cancer in some form or the other in their lifetime. Increase in amount of cancer patients is a major driver of the sales of the oncology information system market. Additionally, rise in amount of tobacco consumption and increase in amount of carcinogens present in the polluted air or in any other form are projected to drive the oncology information system market in the near future. Some of the factors driving the growth of the market are rising disposable income, which enables patients to avail expensive treatments, easily available medical insurance policies, and growing medical tourism activities. Heavy investments in R&D further act as an opportunity for the growth of the market since innovative and technologically advanced products always have the capability of substituting its predecessors.The oncology information system market has been segmented by product, application, end-user, and geography. Based on product, the oncology information system market is classified into patient information system, treatment planning system, consulting/optimization, implementation, maintenance, services, and others. Based on application, the market is segmented into care management, treatment management, and knowledge management. Based on end-user, the oncology information system market is segmented into hospital, government institution, research center, and others.Geographically, the oncology information system market in segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to account for a large market share in terms of revenue, followed by Europe. The oncology information system market in North America is expected to grow due to technological advancement and increase in demand for advanced product. The growing need to implement advanced systems in the health care sector in the region and, at the same time, deliver quality care to patients are the factors likely to drive the market in the near future. Asia Pacific is expected to rise at a high CAGR owing to increase in adoption of technological advanced products, growth in disposable income, and rise in health care infrastructure in countries such as India, China, Australia, and other countries in the region. The Latin America oncology information system market is mainly driven by the increasing adoption of technological products in countries such as Brazil and Mexico. The Middle East & Africa oncology information system market is estimated to grow in the near future due to rise in incidence of cancer. According to World Health Organization, women in the African region had the highest incidence of cancer of the cervix uteri.Major players operating in this market include CureMD Healthcare, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Flatiron Health, Inc., Epic Systems Corporation, Bogardus Medical Systems, Inc., Cerner Corporation, McKesson Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Elekta AB, and Accuray Inc.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.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Laboratory Information System Market

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A laboratory information system is a complex information system designed for data and information management related to industrial and medical-related laboratories including clinical and analytical laboratories. Laboratory information system allows users to obtain, store, manage, retrieve and record laboratory data. Laboratory information system provides information that helps in the diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of disease, as well as being an indicator for individual and population health. There is no standard laboratory information system designed due to the fact that client laboratories are highly diverse and have different requirements. Therefore, a laboratory information system is developed, customized and configured according to the needs of a laboratory. Globally, improvement in healthcare services is playing a major role in increasing the demand of laboratory information system. As a result, this market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 7.7% during 2013  2019.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Some of the key driving factors for the laboratory information systems market are increasing need for integrated healthcare information systems, rising government initiatives and rising investments by healthcare IT players. Also, improvement in healthcare services in different parts of the world is increasing the global laboratory information systems market. However, the market faces some restraints such as lack of experienced professionals, high maintenance and service expenses and interoperability issues. Increasing use of mobile phones and companies focusing on new product launches are some of the major trends witnessed in the laboratory information systems market.North America has the largest laboratory information systems market. Rising cases of fatal diseases and their diagnostic and treatment needs are some of the major factors driving the demand for laboratory information systems in the region. Also, its public funded structure is acting as a significant driver for the North American market for laboratory information systems. In addition to increasing disease incidences, government initiatives to promote the use of laboratory information systems have resulted in Europe becoming the fastest growing laboratory information systems market. At the country level, some of the fastest growing markets for laboratory information systems market include Japan, Germany, U.S. and U.K.. Emerging markets which hold huge potential and increasing demand for powerful IT systems in diagnostic and medical laboratories are some of the major opportunities for the laboratory information systems market.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Clinical diagnostics laboratory information system has the largest market share on the basis of its applications and is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 8.9% during 2013  2019. On the basis of its mode of delivery, the market can be classified into web based technology, on-premise technology and cloud based technology market for laboratory information systems.McKesson Corporation is the leading player in the laboratory information systems market. Other major players of laboratory information systems market include Merge Healthcare Incorporated, Cerner Corporation and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
X-Ray Detectors Market: Emerging Market Trends, Size, Share and Growth Analysis

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X-Ray Detectors Market: OverviewX-ray detectors are used majorly for two purposes  imaging and dose measurement. Analog X-ray systems used photographic plates and films for image detection. However, owing to a shift in technology from analog to digital X-ray systems, the photographic plates and films are rapidly replaced by digital image plates (flat panel detectors). Flat panel detectors are highly sensitive and faster than a photographic film. With improving technology and rising demand for digital X-ray systems, the X-ray detectors require more robust structure with high transmission capability and temperature endurance, and resistant to ionizing radiations.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:X-Ray Detectors Market: SegmentationThe global X-ray detector market is analyzed based on the different types of detectors used in the X-ray devices. This includes flat panel detectors, charge coupled device (CCD) detectors, image intensifiers, line-scan detectors and computed radiography (CR) detectors. A rapid increase in demand for digital X-ray systems has led to incorporation of newer detection technologies such as flat panel detectors and charge coupled device (CCD) detectors. Moreover, with further advancement in research, an X-ray machine can have a large area or small area flat panel detector.A difference in the size of detector matters for different applications or subjects to be scanned. Advance fluoroscopy and C-arm systems incorporate flat panel detectors. Other X-ray detectors available in the market include gas ionization detectors, scintillation, gas-filled detectors, semiconductor detectors and gas electron multiplying detectors.Further, based on the applications or end-use, the global X-ray detectors market is categorized into dental, medical, veterinary, industrial, and security applications market. Medical applications include general radiography, surgical imaging, cardiovascular imaging and mammography.X-Ray Detectors Market: DriversIncreasing prevalence of chronic disorders such as arthritis, orthopedic diseases, and respiratory diseases is driving the demand for X-ray imaging and hence the market for X-ray detectors. Moreover, increasing number of diagnostic centers worldwide fueled by growing need for early diagnosis is propelling the demand for advance X-ray systems, thus contributing to the growth of X-ray detectors market. Additionally, more time consuming, low sensitivity and the need for processing after exposure is culminating the demand for photographic films and boosting the demand for flat panel detectors and line-scan detectors.X-Ray Detectors Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the global X-ray detectors market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. The market for X-ray detectors will be growing rapidly in the regions where the demand for X-ray systems is increasing. This basic fact marks the potential of X-ray detectors in Asia Pacific and Latin America regions where along with the demand for X-ray systems, manufacturing capacity is also increasing. Increasing adoption of digital X-ray systems is touted to fuel the demand for X-ray detectors in Asia Pacific.Further, emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Russia and Mexico are target markets for companies offering X-ray equipment owing to rapidly growing economy and presence of untapped opportunities in these countries. GE Healthcare bought a Brazilian X-ray equipment firm Xpro in 2012 to increase its market presence in the Latin America region.X-Ray Detectors Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players present in the global X-ray detectors market include Varian Medical Systems, PerkinElmer, Inc., Agfa Healthcare, Analogic Corporation, Canon Inc., Konica Minolta, Inc., Teledyne Technologies, Inc., Thales Group and Fujifilm Medical Systems and others. Intense competition is compelling market players to innovate in their product and marketing strategy. Teledyne Technologies, Inc. introduced two new models of X-ray detector Shad-o-Box 3K HS and Shad-o-Box 6K HS in March 2014, which utilizes latest generation CMOS X-ray technology offering higher resolution and faster imaging of objects.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types and applications.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia PacificJapanWestern EuropeEastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts, and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors, along with market attractiveness within the segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and various geographies.Report highlights:Detailed overview of parent marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintThe 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.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Urinary Catheters Market: Future Demand and Growth Analysis with Forecast 2020

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At present, the global market for urinary catheters is experiencing a healthy growth rate due to the constantly growing awareness levels of the people, availability of improved urinary catheters and improving economic condition as well as healthcare infrastructure in many nations. Urinary incontinence, urinary retention, prostate or genital surgery and medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis and neurological disorders, such as Parkinsons disease, dementia, etc. are some of the major causes that lead to the use of urinary catheters. Urinary catheters are available in various shapes, sizes and types that have been categorized into three major segments, namely, indwelling or Foley catheters, intermittent or temporary catheters and male external or condom catheters.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Intermittent catheters held the largest share of 58.7% of the global urinary catheters market followed by Foley catheters in 2013. Intermittent catheters are increasingly preferred over Foley or condom catheters by healthcare professionals as well as patients all over the world, especially in developed economies, such as the U.S., Western European nations and others. This is due to the fact that, Foley or indwelling type of urinary catheters have been largely associated with the occurrence of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in healthcare settings. In addition, male external or condom catheters have been found to be associated with leakage issues, hence are less preferred by healthcare professionals. However, patients have begun to opt for condom catheters due to their non-invasive nature, compared to the other types of urinary catheters that are available in the global market.Some of the key driving factors contributing to the growth of this market are increasing incidences of various urinary disorders, rising prevalence of chronic disorders leading to urinary disorders, aging population and growing awareness and affordability for improved urinary catheters. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, presently, over 200 million people are suffering from one or the other bladder control problems that essentially require urinary catheterization. According to the National Health Service (NHS) of the U.K., approximately 3 million to 6 million people were suffering from some degree of urinary incontinence in the U.K. in 2013. Hence, a large number of patients across the globe would require administration of urinary catheters at one or the other instance during their lifetime. Aged individuals would increase the patient pool in major regions of the world, which in turn would help the urinary catheters market generate higher revenues and grow rapidly in the near future. However, increasing incidences of CAUTIs and leakage issues associated with male external catheters would restrain the growth of the global urinary catheters to some extent. But, improvement in available urinary catheters and incoming of new and technologically advanced urinary catheters in future would bring future growth opportunities for this market.In 2013, North America held the largest share of 37.5% of the global urinary catheters market closely followed by Europe. North America comprises the developed economies of the U.S. and Canada, which have a large number of elderly individuals suffering from various urine system disorders. Hence, the rising occurrence of various urinary disorders in the region increases the demand for urinary catheters, and in turn increased market share of the region. On the other hand, Asia is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020 especially due to the expected rapid growth of this market in countries, such as China and India. The key factor responsible for the high growth of the market in the region is the presence of a large geriatric population suffering from a range of urinary disorders requiring urgent catheterization. Other factors include rising government support, increasing awareness and affordability, and corresponding demand for advanced urinary catheters across the major economies in the region.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Coloplast A/S, C. R. Bard, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Teleflex Incorporated, Hollister Incorporated, Covidien plc, Boston Scientific Corporation, AdvancedCath, Cook Medical, Inc. and Cure Medical are the major players operating in the global urinary catheters market. Most of these players constantly innovate and develop technologically advanced and/or improved catheters to maintain their position in the global urinary catheters market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Theranostics Market: Opportunities and Forecasts, 2016 - 2024

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Global Theranostics Market: OverviewTheranostics is considered as a fusion of diagnostics and drug therapy. It helps in optimizing safety, effective results, and streamlining of overall drug development. The combination of advanced diagnostic tests and effective medical drugs has been given several names, such as pharmacodiagnostics, integrated medicine, Dx/Rx partnering, and companion diagnostics. Research activities in this field are contributing extensively towards the growth of the market, as this is considered as a highly emerging field and is projected to generate strong growth opportunities from regulatory bodies and the healthcare industry. This market is expected to focus on developing specific analysis in order to predict the use of the most effective drug for patients.The research report on global theranostics market offers a thorough overview, emphasizing on the promising growth opportunities and challenges in the market. The research study, with the help of analytical tools, helps in determining the latest trends and key growth prospects that are estimated to encourage the growth of the global theranostics market in the forecast period. In addition to this, the product segmentation, key applications, geographical segmentation, technological advancements, and the competitive landscape of the global market have been discussed at length in the scope of the research study.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Global Theranostics Market: Drivers and RestraintsAs this field is considered to hold immense growth potential, the global theranostics market is projected to register a progressive growth rate in the next few years. The improved co-operation between diagnostics companies and drug manufacturers is one of the important reasons estimated to fuel the growth of the global theranostics market in the near future. In addition, the effective communication with physicians in order to understand theranostics penetration in the market is likely to result in commercialization in the global market.On the other hand, the regulatory timelines and cost of theranostics products are some of the primary factors anticipated to restrict the growth of the global market in the forecast period. Nonetheless, the leading companies emphasizing on the theranostics with licensed drugs are projected to play a crucial role in reaching out to a large number of pharmaceutical companies. In addition, the increasing number of strategic collaborations and partnership are projected to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the coming years.Global Theranostics Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global theranostics market can be categorized in terms of geography into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. Among these regions, North America is expected to lead the global theranostics market and account for a key share throughout the forecast period. The rising incidence of serious medical conditions, such as neurological disorders and cancer and the rising awareness among patients regarding the benefits of these treatments are expected to encourage the growth of the theranostics market in North America. In addition, the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure in the U.S. is expected to contribute extensively towards the development of the overall market.Furthermore, Europe is expected to follow North America and grow at a substantial pace throughout the forecast period. The high awareness among consumers and health providers concerning the theranostics devices is one of the important factors projected to fuel the growth of this region in the coming years. The rising focus of key players on the expansion of product portfolio and the research and development activities are projected to supplement the growth of emerging nations across the globe.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:Some of the prominent players operating in the global theranostics market are National Health Service, European Medicines Evaluation Agency, Pfizer, Myriad Genetics, National Genetics Institute, Monogram Bioscience, Enterix, Food and Drug Administration, Abbott Laboratories, ViroMed Laboratories, Dickinson & Company, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Becton, Vermillion Diagnostics, Genetics & Public Policy Center, Litholink Corporation, World Health Organization, Roche, 23andMe, Prometheus, Cellestis, Oxford Immunotec, US LABS, Laboratory Corporation of America, Home Access Health, and EntroGen.The research study has offered a thorough overview of the competitive landscape of the global theranostics market. The company profiles, contact information, financial overview, SWOT analysis, and recent developments. In addition, the business policies and tactics used by these players have been highlighted in the research report to offer a clear picture of the overall market.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Key Segments of the Global Theranostics MarketMajor regions analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this report:Overview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Market: Popular Trends & Technological advancements to Watch Out for Near Future; Global Industry Analysis 2023

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy Market: Pipeline Analysis SnapshotThe number of people affected with spinal muscular atrophy is increasing globally. As stated in a publication by CureSMA, at least one in fifty people carry the defective spinal muscular atrophy gene. It should be noted that the research does not include the entire global population and therefore the total number and proportion of SMA gene carriers can be much higher than estimated. This is a key reason for the growth of research and development efforts put into understanding spinal muscular atrophy and discovering feasible treatments for it.The market is, however, currently restrained by the overall lack of research in terms of the types of spinal muscular atrophy that exist. Research organizations and government bodies are constantly working to measure the growth of spinal muscular atrophy in concerned regions. However, they do not include the various types of spinal muscular atrophy in their research, thus creating a large gap in the mapping of SMA.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:There is currently no treatment available for spinal muscular atrophy. Most options available only target the symptoms and not the clinical problem. At the same time, the pipeline for spinal muscular atrophy is fairly dry except for the presence of a few advanced drugs.North America Scores Highest on SMA Treatment Market AttractivenessTaking several factors including regulation policies, drug pricing, competitive intensity, and population, it can be said that North America leads in most sub-segments. Researchers and manufacturers concerned with the spinal muscular atrophy are therefore looking to the advanced healthcare infrastructure of North America and Europe.The North America demand for spinal muscular atrophy treatments largely stems from the U.S. This region shows a higher diagnosis rate of spinal muscular atrophy. It also holds a high amount of government incentives that are given for the development of orphan drugs. The high price of spinal muscular atrophy treatment can be mitigated by the availability of feasible reimbursement policies. Additionally, a large portion of the pharmaceutical industry policies are in favor of this market.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Orphan Drugs to Get Greater Government IncentivesWith the U.S. and Europe already having distinguished spinal muscular atrophy as an orphan drug, the government incentives for this category are expected to increase accordingly. Governments are trying to encourage research and development organizations for spinal muscular atrophy to expedite the process of drug development and drug discovery.Most of the pipeline drugs for spinal muscular atrophy are given several economic advantages such as the clinical research tax credit, a priority new drug application review. This applies especially to the pipeline drugs being developed in the U.S. Similar benefits are also being given to SMA drug developers in Europe. In 2015, only one drug had cleared through to the third phase of clinical and can be expected to enter the market in 2018.The key players included in the spinal muscular atrophy pipeline assessment are AveXis, Inc., Cytokinetics, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Novartis AG, and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The key pipeline drugs for spinal muscular atrophy currently include Olesoxime (TRO19622), LMI070, RO6885247, RG3039, scAAV9.CB.SMN, CK-2127107, and ISIS-SMNRx.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Skin Diseases Treatment Market: Technological Advancements, Evolving Industry Trends and Insights- 2024

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Skin Diseases Treatment Market: OverviewThe dermatology industry, on the whole, has been undergoing several changes over the past decade on account of the rising prevalence of skin diseases and the development of innovative therapies to combat them. The global skin diseases treatment market has been gaining much prominence as small to large companies dedicate resources in the R&D of more effective and affordable treatment options.The report has been segmented on the basis of various key parameters so as to give readers a 360-degree overview of the skin diseases treatment market and also shed light on the nuances that define this market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:By product type, the market can be categorized into medicated creams and ointments, antibiotics, vitamins and steroids, antihistamines, laser therapy, antifungals, and various targeted prescription medications. Based on type of disease, the market for skin disease treatment can be segmented into genetic skin diseases, autoimmune skin disorders, allergic skin diseases, cancers, and infectious skin diseases, which can be fungal, bacterial, or viral. By way of end use, the skin disease treatment market comprises dermatology clinics, skincare clinics, hospitals, and aesthetic centers. Geographically, the global market covers Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East and Africa.The evaluation of the vendor landscape makes for an interesting read as research analysts have not only identified the top-notch players but also profiled them in detail. Key aspects such as company overview, business strategies, financial standing, product portfolio, and recent developments have been taken into consideration to gauge the performance of the prominent players in the skin diseases treatment market. With the help of a SWOT analysis, readers are given a clear understanding of each companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.Skin Diseases Treatment Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe creation of tissue engineered skins substitutes is perhaps one of the most revolutionary developments in the treatment of skin diseases. Artificial or bioengineered skin has given hope to many patients around the world and advancements such as these bode well for the skin disease treatment market. The market is also considerably driven by the high frequency of various skin diseases in developed as well as developing countries. For instance, more than 3.5 million people across the U.S. alone are diagnosed with skin cancers each year, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.Analysts note that the presence of a number of leading players makes the skin diseases treatment market immensely competitive. Product and technology differentiation in terms of the devices and equipment used during procedures and OTC products such as creams and ointments enables companies to enhance their marketability and also helps them survive the competition. Product innovation and unique marketing initiatives can also lend players a strong boost to increase or sustain their share in the skin diseases treatment market.Skin Diseases Treatment Market: Regional OutlookNorth America is perhaps the most prominent market for skin disease treatment, followed by Europe. There are several factors driving the demand for these treatments in the region, the primary one being ongoing technological advancements and subsequently, the availability of the latest products and devices for the treatment of skin diseases. Skincare management has been a growing market in the developed regions of North America as well as Europe on account of these advancements, and also owing to the fact that the incidence of skin cancers and allergic skin reactions has been steadily rising.The Asia Pacific skin diseases treatment market is slated to witness strong growth in the coming years, thanks to increasing awareness about skin disorders and their repercussions, a massive population base, and the ongoing development of new treatment methods and devices. Economic development in several APAC countries has resulted in improving purchasing power and greater spending on healthcare. In addition to this, growing medical tourism in countries such as Thailand, India, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia has spurred the demand for skin disease treatment from countries around the world.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key players in the global skin diseases treatment market are Pfizer, Inc., Allergen, Plc., Celgene Corporation, AbbVie, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., and Almirall S.A.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :This report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this reportOverview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsThe report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Radiation Hardened Electronics Market - Regional Market, Technology, Type, Applications and Forecast 2024

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The major factor driving the radiation hardened electronics market is rising demand for power management devices. Another factor augmenting the market for radiation hardened electronics market is rising demand for diodes, transistors, and MOSFETs in various defense and space applications. More technological advancements is leading to focus on integration of radiation hardened electronics chip into various devices. Another major driver for the market is the increase in the number of the space missions.One of the driver for the radiation hardened electronics market is rise in demand for communication satellites. Growing ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations, multicore processor technology and FPGA advancements will drive the radiation hardening electronics market in future. However the major challenge for the market is high cost involved in developing and testing the radiation hardened electronic devices. But rise in investments in R&D (research and development) of semiconductors and electronics will minimize the impact of this challenge. Another challenge being faced by the radiation hardened electronics market are the emerging of small satellites (SmallSats) with small life cycle. This small satellites market is called Space 2.0.Obtain Report Details @The radiation hardened electronics component market can be segmented based on components (power management, ASIC, logic, memory, FPGA), manufacturing technique (RHBD radiation hardening by design, RHBP Radiation hardening by process), application (space, aerospace & defense, nuclear power plant), geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, rest of the world).North America is the largest market for radiation hardened electronics market. Europe is the second largest market for radiation hardened electronics followed by APAC. In North America, U.S. accounts for the largest share in radiation hardened electronics market. Canada and Mexico follow the numbers in U.S. for radiation hardened electronics market. The rising demand of the radiation hardened electronics market in North America region could be due to presence of rad-hard component manufacturers in large numbers. Also presence of some famous defense and space research institutes is the major reason for growing radiation hardened electronics market.Space application is leading the radiation hardened electronics market. Space application is further segmented into commercial & military application.Make an Enquiry @Key players in the market include Honeywell Aerospace (U.S.), Xilinx, Inc. (U.S.), Atmel Corporation (U.S.), and BAE Systems (U.K.). Other Players include STMicroelectronics, Microsem, Texas Instruments, and IRC.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
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THIS WEEK

The Oregon State Beavers (15-11 overall, 0-3 Pac-12) travel this weekend to take on the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils (19-8, 0-3) in a three-game series starting Saturday afternoon at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. All three games are set to air on Pac-12 Networks.

Saturday, March 25

Oregon State at Arizona State, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Sunday, March 26

Oregon State at Arizona State, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Monday, March 27

Oregon State at Arizona State, 1 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

LAST WEEK

March 19

Arizona 7, Oregon State 4 (8): The Beavers comeback fell short as Natalie Hampton blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie it at 4-4, but the Wildcats replied with three runs in the eighth to seal a three-game sweep in Corvallis.

March 18

Arizona 7, Oregon State 1: In the second game of a doubleheader at OSU Softball Complex, Alysha Everett doubled to score pinch runner Michelle Sass from first for the Beavers' lone run.

Nerissa Eason started and tossed five innings before Taylor Cotton came in to close. Eason was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on four hits. The pair combined for five strikeouts.

Arizona 6, Oregon State 2: Taylor Cotton made her 12th start and pitched 5 1/3 innings before being relieved by Meehra Nelson in the top of the sixth. Nelson finished the remaining 2 2/3 innings and was charged with the loss after allowing four runs.

Five different Beavers recorded a hit, including Stephanie Merwin who hit a double in her first Pac-12 at bat. Sammi Noland knocked in both runs for Oregon State.

PAC-12 STANDINGS

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PAC-12 STATS

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NCAA SOFTBALL RANKINGS

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A former Oregon doctor -- who fled the country for several years more than a decade ago to avoid state and federal drug charges before being found, deported and convicted -- was sentenced Tuesday to 44 years and two months in prison for raping a teen for three years after he returned to the U.S. and was living in Beaverton.

A Washington County jury on Thursday found Steven Moos, 47, guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and tampering with a witness.

Senior Judge Rita Batz Cobb said the sentence would ensure the protection of the victim as well as the community, considering his crimes and criminal history. The length was above a 25-year prison term Moos' attorney Ted Occhialino asked for and above the minimum 35 years requested by Kevin Barton, county senior deputy district attorney.

Moos was ordered to register as a sex offender, have no contact with the victim or any children, and not live within three miles of the victim if he is released from prison, among other other sanctions.

Before being sentenced, Moos asked Cobb for mercy, to leave him with "something to hope for and something to live for." He said he would like to tell his children that he'll be able to one day walk out of prison.

Moos, a former licensed physician with a clinic in Tigard before the state revoked his license in 2004, didn't apologize Tuesday to his now 19-year-old victim. She wasn't in the courtroom.

Moos told the judge he agreed with the jury's verdict.

"I would have voted me guilty as well," Moos said.

The teen reported the abuse to Beaverton police in October 2016. In addition to being found guilty of sexual abusing her between 2012 and 2015, ending when she was 17, Moos tried to get some of his family members to pressure the teen to recant her statements to police, Barton said.

After his arrest last year, Moos is recorded in calls from the Washington County Jail telling his wife that he should have murdered the victim, according to the prosecutor.

"I would have been better off if I killed her," Moos said, according to Barton.

The prosecutor also said Moos tried to bribe the teen with a car and other items to prevent her from reporting the abuse.

The Oregonian/OregonLive typically does not identify victims of sexual abuse.

Moos also is accused of separate federal crimes related to child sex abuse during a period in China and Dubai from 2004 to 2010. Charges of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and attempting to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places were filed last week in U.S. District Court in Portland.

The teen testified during the three-day trial that the abuse has caused her to attempt suicide, Barton said.

"The hell that she went through, not only during the abuse but also during the trial, can never be undone," Barton said. "(Moos) should spend every minute of the rest of his life, and perhaps ought to die in prison for what he did."

He also mentioned Moos testified in his own defense and was "combative, unrepentant and dishonest" while on the witness stand.

While arguing for leniency, Occhialino told the judge that a 25-year sentence would be strong enough to act as a deterrent and that by the time Moos is released in his 70s, "the chances are that he wouldn't be a threat to anyone."

"I think 25 years certainly speaks a loud message to anybody who would ever consider acts like this, but it also shows that the court does have some mercy when it comes to the sentencing that it chooses to impose upon an individual," Occhialino said.

Moos' troubles in this latest case stretches back to 2000, when he was sanctioned by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners for illegally prescribing Viagra, Rogaine and other drugs to people who weren't his patients. He was placed on probation for 10 years and fined $5,000.

He was indicted in 2003 after Portland and Washington County authorities searched his home and Tigard office and seized cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, MDMA and other drugs. In 2004, he was indicted on federal charges accusing him of attempting to import mislabeled human growth hormone from China and lying to the Drug Enforcement Agency about his medical sanctions.

While out of custody that same year, Moos fled to China with his wife and four children. The family later traveled to Cambodia and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

He was discovered in 2010 by authorities in the United Arab Emirates, where he had been illegally performing plastic surgery in his kitchen. He assumed the name of a renowned American cosmetics surgeon to do it.

Moos was convicted of criminal charges in that country and served 10 months in prison. He was then extradited to Oregon to face his state and federal charges.

In March 2011, Moss was sentenced to a year and a half of probation in Washington County for possession of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a minor. He was sentenced by a U.S. district judge a month later to prison time he already served, three years of probation, four months of home confinement and perform 200 hours of community service.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
President Donald Trump's budget blueprint would eliminate the federal programs that have fueled the Portland area's transit expansion in recent years.

The spending plan calls for major investments in national defense and tax cuts offset by reductions to domestic programs. It includes a winding down of the Federal Transit Administrations' capital improvement program, a version of which has funded almost every MAX line (with the exception of the extension to Portland International Airport) and the Portland Streetcar's eastside expansion.

If the cut makes it into Congress' final budget, which at this point is far from certain, it could slam the brakes on two proposed transit lines from downtown Portland to Gresham and Tigard respectively, as well as eliminate a possible source of funding for future streetcar expansions.

TriMet is moving ahead with the proposed Division Street and Southwest Corridor transit projects.

"It's very early in the budget process, and too early to predict the future," spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said in an email. "Also, Congress holds the purse strings."

The federal grant program is funded through 2020, but Trump's proposal calls for cutting off new applications, sending payments only to those projects it's already agreed to fund. That would include TriMet's Orange Line, for which the agency expects to receive $100 million in fiscal year 2018.

TriMet planned to apply in August for a $100 million grant under the federal Small Starts program to build a new rapid-bus line along Southeast Division Street from downtown Portland to Gresham Transit Center.

The total project cost of $175 million would cover new boarding platforms, high-capacity buses and reconfigured traffic signals that would prioritize buses.

But it's unlikely the project would be approved for funding by the end of the fiscal year.

The much larger Southwest Corridor project, which would run a new light-rail line from downtown Portland to Bridgeport Village on the Tigard-Tualatin border, planned to tap the New Starts program for at least half of its $2.4 billion price tag.

But TriMet is still years away from a funding application for that project, which also would probably depend on a regional funding vote.

Conservative groups have long favored cutting New Starts and its sibling grant programs, saying they encourage local governments to overspend on big, flashy transit projects.

The Heritage Foundation, on whose work the Trump administration is said to have relied heavily in crafting its "skinny budget," said eliminating the $2 billion-a-year New Starts program should start the government on a path toward eliminating federal support for building out transit.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus
Like many of Portland's grand old houses, the elaborate Wilcox Mansion in Southwest Portland's affluent King's Hill district was first an architectural trophy for a tycoon, and later, an assortment of business owners, running a dance studio to a radio station.

Soviet military suppliers even commandeered the four-level showcase during World War II.

Over more than a century of use, the Queen Anne-style mansion at 931 SW King Ave. was repuposed. Its 11 bedrooms became offices and the kitchen and five-and-a-half bathrooms were updated.

Fortunately, a series of owners retained its original red sandstone and cedar siding exterior and most of the interior woodwork.

Fast forward: The huge estate sold March 15 for $2.65 million.

Evidence of grandeur starts inside the front door. The foyer has mahogany paneled walls, a beamed ceiling and a massive central staircase.

"Usually, when guests enter the house, they become quiet and their eyes open wide with surprise," says Blake Ellis of Windermere Stellar, who listed the house, built in 1900. "Walking in almost feels as if you're stepping back in time."

Around 1893, banker and land baron Theodore Burney Wilcox hired Portland's dominant architectural firm Whidden & Lewis to design a stately residence for his family.

Wilcox, who arrived as a young man in Oregon from Massachusetts in the 1870s, was a self-made millionaire who developed railroads, harbors and docks, and pushed to develop the Columbia River for commercial purposes to became one of the West Coast's leading grain importers.

He also expanded his banking and real estate businesses throughout Portland's boom after the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition. And as the confidential advisor and protege of developer William S. Ladd, he rose to become president of Equitable Savings and Loan.

Wilcox's prominent residence, which had seven fireplaces surrounded by onyx or marble, was to show that he had achieved the "ultimate attainment and creation," according to historians who helped have the mansion listed as a primary contributing feature of the King's Hill Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.

During his era, Wilcox also funded the 1911 Wilcox Building, a 12-story steel frame construction with terra cotta skin at Sixth Avenue and Washington Street, which also was designed by Whidden & Lewis and was listed in the National Register.

Wilcox and his wife, Nellie Stevens Wilcox, lived in their Queen Anne mansion for more than 20 years. "It is the home which may be most closely associated with Wilcox's years of wheeling and dealing," according to the historic document.

In 1917, when Wilcox retired, the family moved from "his medium-size city home," according to the historic document, to the fashionable suburbs, where he had built a Georgian Colonial Revival-style mansion on part of 50 acres below Council Crest.

Wilcox died in 1918, leaving behind his wife, two sons, daughter Claire Wilcox Squires, and an estate valued at $10 million.

When the family moved out of the King's Hill mansion, an assortment of businesses took over. The house was a Soviet purchasing mission during World War II, then became a school of music and dance, founded by Russian concert pianist Ariel Rubstein.

The property on a third-acre lot was purchased in 1957 by Rod and Betty Johnson, who moved their Country Music radio station KWJJ into the building on Halloween in 1957. Public records show it was sold in 1998 and 2002.

-- Janet Eastman



jeastman@oregonian.com

503-799-8739

@janeteastman




Fight for the Future is funded by Media Democracy Fund  a George Soros group.The Washington Examiner reported:A group known for its successes fighting digital wars, notably net neutrality, is offering $15,000 to activists who quit their jobs and form A-Teams to jump into a war on President Trumps agenda.Fight for the Future, started in 2011 as a digital activist group, on Monday issued the offer with this eye-catching opening: Terrified about Trump? Quit your job, start an A-Team. Well fund it.Were currently taking applications for an initial launch of the project, and will be providing a few select teams with funding, guidance, and support, said Evan Greer, campaign director for Fight for the Future.Our goal is to spawn a movement of small, dedicated, groups of people using the tactics that weve used effectively to defend Internet freedom to win major victories in other issue areas affecting our basic rights and freedoms, such as immigration, freedom of press, police brutality, drug reform, and government corruption, she added.you all wanted to know why we are surrounded here by some very fake news typesWell...NOW YOU KNOW WHYSoros the naziSoros Lost Nearly $1 Billion After Trump Election, WSJ ReportsenjoyLeaked Memo Exposes George Soros' Plan To Overthrow Putin & Destabilise RussiaThe recent DC Leaks, of over 2,500 documents from George Soros NGOs, has shed a bright light on how the billionaire uses his vast wealth to create global chaos in an never ending push to deliver his neo-liberal euphoria to the peasant classes.While Soros has managed to thoroughly destabilise the European Union by promoting mass immigration and open borders, divided the United States by actively funding Black Lives Matters and corrupting the very corruptible US political class, and destroyed Ukraine by pushing for an illegal coup of a democratically elected government using neo-nazi strong menone country that Soros has not bee able to crack has been The Russian Federation.Russias political pragmatism and humanist value system rooted in a traditional, nation-state culture most likely infuriates Soros.Russia is Soros white whale... a creature he has been trying to capture and kill-off for nearly a decade.Unfortunately for Soros (and fortunately for the entire planet) the Russian government realised the cancerous nature of Soros backed NGOs, and took the proper preventative measureswhich in hindsight, and after reviewing the DC Leaks memos, proved to be a very wise move.How did George Soros "break the Bank of England"?...Soros pocketed $1 billion on the deal and cemented his reputation as the premier currency speculator in the world.How did George Soros "break the Bank of England"?
A steady trickle of customers came through the Third Eye Shoppe on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard to browse the bongs, vaporizers and crystals. Some picked up an item or two, but most came to say goodbye.

Owner Mark Herer is calling it quits, closing one of Portland's oldest head shops at the end of the month -- the casualty of a steep drop-off in sales, escalating health care costs for employees and the changing tastes and preferences of the modern cannabis consumer.

For years, the Third Eye has been a reliable source for rolling papers, pipes, Jerry Garcia posters, tie-dyed T-shirts, bongs and incense. But it's also served as a link to the city's lively and long history with marijuana activism. Herer's father, Jack, is an iconic figure in the national marijuana legalization movement. Cantankerous and opinionated, the elder Herer toured the country in the 1980s and 1990s, evangelizing about hemp and later marijuana. He was living in Portland when he wrote the book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes," which details hemp's storied history and extols its virtues.

In the late 1980s, Jack Herer and lifelong friend in "Captain" Ed Adair, paid about $100,000 for the funky building near Southeast 39th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard and opened what Herer's son calls "a hippie, Grateful Dead department store" in the "hippie hollow" of Southeast Portland. Jack Herer died in 2010.

Madeline Martinez, a longtime cannabis legalization advocate in Oregon, recalls how activists gathered on the second floor of the shop to draft a voter initiative that became the state's medical marijuana law.

"A lot of the beginnings of the movement itself took place in that building," Martinez said.

Top sellers at Third Eye

Pipes and bongs

Vaporizers

Crystals and stones

Jewelry

Tie-dye items

Monkey Pipes, locally made pipes made from wood and metal

Detox products to help people pass drug tests

Russ Belville, another well-known figure in Portland's marijuana community, likened the Third Eye to a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

He called the store's closing "a natural evolution" of the cannabis movement, which in recent years has tried to shed its counterculture associations to appeal to a more mainstream audience.

"It's just a relic from another era where those of us in the cannabis community were always outlaws," he said.

Mark Herer, 51, took over the business 16 years ago and watched it flourish. He employed about a dozen people at one point, providing health insurance to all of them. People bought crystals and incense on the first floor and headed to the second floor for bongs, pipes and vaporizers.

But business plummeted last year. Herer estimates he lost $500,000 in sales in 2016 compared to the previous year. Competition from online stores hit his shop hard, along with the opening of other head shops in the neighborhood. He also faced competition from state-regulated cannabis shops that sell a variety of accessories.

He said health insurance premiums became such a burden that he couldn't afford to renew coverage. He started out paying $300 a month per employee for the benefit. By the time coverage ran out, he was spending $500 a month. He's struggled to make payroll.

Third Eye farewell party

The public is invited to celebrate the end of an era. Owner Mark Herer will host a sendoff from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the shop, located at 3950 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.

"It's just pretty impossible to overcome that cash flow loss and continue to do business the way you want to do," he said, smoking a cigarette on the second-floor deck overlooking bustling Hawthorne.

The neighborhood has changed, too. A New Seasons opened a couple doors away. Property values have skyrocketed.

The overall leasing rates for Hawthorne have steadily climbed over the past two decades, said Craig Sweitzer, founder of Urban Works Real Estate, a retail brokerage firm in Portland. He said the trend is playing out all across the city.

"It's hard for these guys who have been there forever," he said, "Some developer can walk in your door and can offer you three or four times the value of your property."

Herer said the building - an old two-story home -- sold two hours after it was listed for $1 million cash. He suspects the shop will be torn down. He said he leaves the business with $60,000 in debt. He's behind on mortgage payments and taxes. He said he faces a hefty tax bill from the sale.

"The hippies are getting forced out," he said. "There is little affordable housing left in this neighborhood."

The marijuana movement, too, has undergone a radical transformation since the store opened. Herer's father became famous for his activism during the just-say-no era of the Reagan administration. Medical marijuana went on to become legal and today cannabis is as available as liquor in Oregon: Anyone 21 and older can buy it.

On a recent morning, the Grateful Dead played in the background as a handful of people browsed the shelves. The tie-dyed shirts are gone. The rest of the inventory is thinning out. Dozens of bumper stickers with messages like "Follow your bliss" and "What would Buddha Do?" cover one wall. Images of Jerry Garcia and Jack Herer keep watch over the shop.

Kaitlyn Ryan, 21, was among those who stopped in for one last visit. She said she's sad to see "the landmark" go and rattled off a list of people who bought their first marijuana pipe here.

"This is what makes Oregon Oregon - irreplaceable shops like this," said Ryan, who lives a nomadic life along the West Coast out of her car.

As for Herer, he plans to move to southern Oregon to grow marijuana and may dabble in marijuana advocacy at the Legislature. For now, he's spending time reminiscing with longtime customers. Some give him a hug. He's invited them all to a final farewell party at the store Saturday. The public is invited.

"We will all sit around," he said, "and tell some stories and cry."

-- Noelle Crombie

503-276-7184; @noellecrombie
Jaap Buitendijk

Critic Marc Mohan runs down the week's highlights

Renton (Ewan McGregor), Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) in "T2: Trainspotting."

Don't Edit

'T2: Trainspotting'

It's been 20 years since director Danny Boyle chronicled the grimly hilarious shenanigans of a quartet of Scottish junkies, in the process making a star of Ewan McGregor. Boyle's a (relatively) respectable Oscar winner (for "Slumdog Millionaire") and McGregor has played Obi-Wan Kenobi. Can they, along with returning co-stars Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Ewen Bremmer, recapture the anarchic, youthful vigor of 1996? Do they still have that "Lust for Life"? (Opens Friday, March 24, Regal Fox Tower)

Don't Edit

'Wilson'

When people hear the phrase "comics-based movie," they usually think of Caped Crusaders and Men of Steel, not crotchety white guys having mid-life crises. But that's exactly what this Woody Harrelson vehicle, based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes ("Ghost World"), is about. And, when you think about it, isn't that really what Batman and Captain America are about, too? Laura Dern co-stars. (Opens Friday, March 24, multiple locations)

Don't Edit

'Soylent Green'

Debates have raged in recent months regarding exactly which dystopian vision of the future our society is beginning to most resemble. "1984"? "Brave New World"? "Robocop"? In fact, this 1973 sci-fi classic (set in 2022) from Charlton Heston's post-apocalyptic phase might be the most spot-on: Corporations and wealthy elites lord over the teeming masses, the environment has been poisoned, and people subsist on ubiquitous processed food. You know there's a real product today called Soylent, right? (Friday, March 24, Hollywood Theatre)

Don't Edit

'George Washington'

The 2000 debut feature from director David Gordon Green focuses on a group of kids in an economically disadvantaged North Carolina town. It immediately established the lyrical cinematic style that Green and cinematographer Tim Orr used to great effect before Green went off to Hollywood and made "Pineapple Express." Shown along with the 1969 short film "A Day with the Boys," one of Green's primary inspirations. (Sunday, March 26, Northwest Film Center)

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

'Donald Cried'

Yes, it's another low-budget indie about a guy who goes back to his hometown after the death of a relative and has awkward encounters with people he used to know, forcing him into a new perspective on his life. What redeems Kristopher Avedisian's debut feature, at least somewhat, is the gale-force performance of the director as Donald, the personification of every socially inept but good-hearted high school friend you ever left behind. (Opens Friday, March 24, Living Room Theaters)

Don't Edit

'The Cameraman'

One of Buster Keaton's last great silent comedies, this 1928 effort has the Great Stone Face wrangling a job as an MGM newsreel filmer in order (of course) to impress a girl. It was the first film Keaton made for the MGM studio, and the last time he was allowed to operate with full creative freedom. Presented with live organ accompaniment. (Saturday, March 25, Hollywood Theatre)
Colin Meloy of the Decemberists

Colin Meloy performs at Crystal Ballroom. (David Greenwald/The Oregonian)

(David Greenwald/The Oregonian)

One of Portland's most beloved bands is launching their own music festival.

It's, uh, in Montana.

The Decemberists will follow in the footsteps of artists such as Jay Z, Wilco, Bon Iver and Mumford & Sons by curating their own music fest, which will be held in Missoula, Montana on Aug. 12 and 13. So far, they've tapped Belle & Sebastian, the Head and the Heart, Sylvan Esso, Shakey Graves, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Real Estate, and Julien Baker for the event they're calling Travelers' Rest, which will be held at the Big Sky Brewing Company Amphitheatre.

The band has good reason to give back to Montana: frontman Colin Meloy is a Helena native and went to college at Missoula's University of Montana.

"Growing up, it drove me crazy how many national touring bands skipped Montana altogether," Meloy said in a press release. "I'm glad we can do our small part to bring more music to the area."

But the Decemberists, of course, are famously a Portland project, coming together after Meloy moved to town, became roommates with Chris Funk and met musicians such as former Colabo members Jenny Conlee and Nate Query. The band was honored by the city of Portland with the official Decemberists Day on Jan. 20, 2015.

Along with the August festival, the band has announced a handful of April tour dates, but nothing in our neighborhood just yet. Their latest album is 2015's sturdy "What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World."

Tickets for Travelers' Rest will run just $79.50, with a VIP weekend pass available for $149.50. $1 of each ticket will go towards ACLU Montana. Sales begin this Friday at 10 a.m. at travelersrestfest.com.

-- David Greenwald

dgreenwald@oregonian.com

503-294-7625; @davidegreenwald

Instagram: Oregonianmusic
COMEY3.JPG

FBI Director James Comey testifies during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing concerning Russian meddling in the 2016 United States election, on Capitol Hill, on Monday.

(Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

By Noah Feldman

FBI Director James Comey's testimony Monday that the bureau is investigating possible connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia sparked complaints among Democrats that he should've said so back in July. But that gets things exactly backward. The time for the FBI director to disclose an investigation is not when it's just getting started, and he chooses to make the announcement unilaterally. It's when the investigation is under way, and Congress is asking for a sworn statement in reply.

Comey's historic error in announcing in October that the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server would be reopened because of possible new evidence was that he acted on his own, and before any meaningful investigation had actually happened. A summer or fall announcement of the Russia investigation would've been just as bad.

As a general matter, of course, it's inappropriate for law enforcement to comment on ongoing investigations of any kind, not just those of political significance. In that sense Comey had it right in January when he told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he "would never comment on investigations -- whether we have one or not -- in an open forum like this," and therefore wouldn't "answer one way or another" with respect to the question of an investigation into the Trump campaign's possible Russia ties.

The reason not to comment lies with the tremendous power of the investigative wing of the modern state. Just to be investigated by the government is to be cast under suspicion.

What's more, the aura of accusation can itself be politically harmful. That's a key reason President Trump himself was so wrong to accuse Barack Obama of "wiretapping" his campaign headquarters. An accusation not backed up by evidence is government by innuendo.

If the president shouldn't make accusations without evidence, neither should the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. And there's no way to have evidence if the investigation hasn't really taken place. The crucial aspect of Comey's error in the Clinton case was that he said there was going to be an investigation when a few days of inquiry would have revealed -- as it indeed did reveal -- that there was nothing new to be investigated.

Beyond the timing lies the question of who authorizes or asks for the disclosure.

Comey made an enormous mistake by acting on his own authority and under his own impetus by announcing the reopening of the Clinton investigation. Regardless of his motives, which very possibly could have been well-meaning, it was beyond the ambit of the FBI director to decide what the public needed to know on the eve of an election. Whether Comey admitted it to himself or not, he was interfering in electoral politics, a cardinal constitutional sin for a law enforcement official.

In contrast, the statements Comey has now made before the House Intelligence Committee were delivered in a very different context. The public, or at least some part of it, has been clamoring to know whether the FBI is investigating the Trump campaign. Duly elected officials from the legislative branch are asking for Comey's testimony.

Although Comey's testimony was in essence voluntary -- witness his refusal to testify on the same topic before the Senate committee a couple of months back -- it still matters that another branch of government was asking for the information. Even if it might have been possible for Comey to fight a congressional subpoena successfully, his willingness to answer reflects respect for Congress's supervisory authority over the executive branch.

What's more, we're not in the middle of a campaign. Although Comey's answer certainly has substantial political implications, it's unlikely to sway an electoral outcome at this point in the voting cycle.

The upshot is that if we were to draw a general principle about when it's OK for the FBI director to reveal the existence of an investigation, it would probably be something like: when there's been time for the investigation to develop, Congress is asking, and the answer won't have any imminent electoral effect.

None of these conditions existed when Comey threw Clinton under the bus. And they wouldn't have existed either when the FBI investigation of Trump began in July. He was right to disclose the FBI investigation now. But he would've been wrong to do so on his own initiative in the summer.

Taking those views together should enable FBI directors to do better in the future.

(c) 2017, Bloomberg View

Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg View columnist and professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard University.
1mortgage.JPG

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

HOT BUTTON: Mortgage interest deduction

On Sunday, we asked another Hot Button question: How influential is the mortgage interest deduction in the decision to buy a home?

Today, we're publishing some of the responses. If you'd like to add to the discussion, please see the 'Share your opinion' info box on this page and let us know what you think. Look for a new Hot Button question on Sunday.

Cap deductions: The mortgage interest deduction is important to making homeownership affordable. But there should be a cap on the total amount of deductions. Owners of $1 million homes don't need the full deduction. The same is true for vacation homes. Limit the deduction and direct the increased revenue to affordable housing programs.

Tom Armstrong, Southeast Portland

Influential in buying: The mortgage interest deduction holds substantial influence. Currently renting in the Orenco area, I calculate I can save $400 per month on housing costs with the tax deduction, so I am actively looking for a house/townhome/condo.

Scott Cowan, Hillsboro

Not a big factor: How influential is the mortgage interest deduction in the decision to buy a house? In our case, not much. We have a 3% interest mortgage so the deduction wasn't a great motivator. The greatest motivator was the ability to fix our housing costs. Our mortgage is about $800 per month (including taxes and insurance) - almost the same as our rent 13 years ago. The rent for the same apartment now is pushing $2000/month. My wife and I both would have to have second jobs to remain living in the Portland area and continue renting.

Richard Patton, Southeast Portland

Unnecessary housing subsidy: I don't think the proposed change to the mortgage interest deduction, as outlined in House Bill 2006, is going to do serious damage to anyone. If you can afford a second home, you don't need this housing subsidy. Let's get people into their first home instead of helping folks with their second home.

The limitation for those of us with large mortgages, or nice incomes, seems fair too.

I have a mortgage for $396,000 and my interest was $15,179 last year. Under HB 2006, if my taxable income is below $100,000, I'll be minimally impacted by the change in the mortgage interest deduction in HB 2006. I'd pay $16.11 more in tax. This is pretty good proof that middle income folks won't be damaged.

If I make more than $100,000 as a single person, say $120,000 or $220,000, I'll not get to deduct my $15,179 in mortgage interest on my state taxes. I will still deduct my property taxes of $4900 (and get a state subsidy of $441). The proposed change would raise my state taxes by $1366.11. Can a single person with twice, or perhaps three times the average Oregon household income afford $1,366? It might sting, but it won't kill. And being homeless can kill.

Jody Wiser, Northwest Portland

The author is founder of Tax Fairness Oregon, a member of the coalition that helped develop HB 2006.

Deduction not just for the 'well off': As an Oregon homeowner who is retired and living on a fixed income, I was puzzled to read your editorial supporting the notion that the tax deduction is a benefit for the "well off," ("Oregon's massive housing subsidy to the well-off deserves legislators' scrutiny: Editorial Agenda 2017," March 16). I'm still paying the mortgage for this "mansion" - a modest, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in Gresham. My wife and I are neither well off, nor in a high-income bracket.

In 1960, I bought my first house on a reporter's salary. Because I couldn't make the monthly mortgage payment of $113.00 on my weekly salary, I asked for a raise. Didn't get it. In those days we had no company pension program. Senior reporters had to negotiate a monthly pension with the publisher when they retired.

When the clown-in-chief gets done with his cutbacks, I suspect that federal assistance to we seniors will be reduced or eliminated.

The premise for your support for an "excessive giveaway" is laughable.

Kurt Engelstad, Gresham
1ballot.JPG

In this Nov. 8, 2016, file photo, ballots are processed at Multnomah County election headquarters in Portland, Ore.

(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

There are few minds that can rival Sen. Richard Devlin's when it comes to his knowledge of the state's budget - encyclopedic and precise, practically down to the decimal point.

As the senate's chief budget writer, the Tualatin Democrat is not only well aware of the $1.6 billion deficit facing the state, he and his counterpart in the Oregon House of Representatives sounded the alarms for the public by painting a dire picture of how those cuts could play out. And in a recent meeting with The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board, Devlin acknowledged that legislators must deliver on multiple fronts in a short amount of time to close the gap in a manner that limits fallout. In other words, do nearly the impossible.

So it's perplexing that he, of all people, would be a chief sponsor of a bill that calls for new spending to solve a dubious problem of questionable magnitude. But Devlin, along with Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, and Sen. James Manning Jr., D-Eugene, is pushing SB 683 to save Oregonians from the apparently monumental challenge of securing a stamp for their mail-in ballots.

The bill revives an effort from the 2016 session that Devlin backed with then Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eugene. It would require the state to send postage-paid envelopes with ballots to Oregon voters for all elections held on or after Jan. 1, 2019. If enacted, the legislative fiscal office estimates the requirement would cost Oregon up to $500,000 for the 2017-2019 biennium and as much as $2.6 million in the biennium after depending on how many ballots are returned.

Editorial Agenda 2017

Boost student success

Get Oregon's financial house in order

Help our homeless

Honor our diverse values

Make Portland a city that works

Expand access to public records

________________________

.

Why provide postage-paid ballots? Because millennials aren't into "the stamp culture," as Dembrow contends. Supporters say low-income people may find it difficult to afford a 49-cent stamp. And it's not easy for people with disabilities or those in communities with fewer collection boxes to drop off their ballot if they can't get a stamp.

All of these things may well be true. But that still brings up the question that any legislator should ask before pushing a new bill: Is this a problem of significance that the government ought to solve?

It's not. It is difficult to see how Oregon, which reported 80 percent voter turnout for the November election, could make it any easier for people to vote. People have ample time to mail in their ballots or drop them off at collection boxes in their community.

It's ridiculous to devote any revenue to a problem that's really about civic enabling rather than expanding voter access. The state cannot and should not spend taxpayers' money trying to eliminate any possible inconvenience or save people from their own forgetfulness. People make choices and sometimes voting just isn't one of them.

But the severity of Oregon's impending deficit - despite projections of record revenue - should have killed this bill before it was even introduced. Instead, it's scheduled for a Wednesday work session by the Senate Rules Committee.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom.

Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches, John Maher and Len Reed.

To respond to this editorial:

Post your comment below, submit

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If you have questions about the opinion section, contact Laura Gunderson, editorial and commentary editor, at 503-221-8378 or lgunderson@oregonian.com.

Devlin's commitment to expanding voter access is genuine and runs deep, a quality apparent in his unsuccessful run last year for secretary of state. He told the editorial board about his efforts as a volunteer decades ago braving ice and snow in a Ford Escort that had no tire chains to retrieve ballots from voters living near Mount Hood.

But it's as if the stark cuts facing child-welfare services and community colleges and K-12 school districts exist in some other parallel universe - not the one that he and the rest of Oregon must operate in. And Devlin is far from the only legislator dreaming up new programs, increased employee benefits or other ways to spend Oregonians' money. It goes to show that even the savviest legislators can ignore fiscal realities when it involves an issue for which they are passionate.

Devlin contends that in the grand scheme of things, covering postage for ballots amounts to a small sum of money. But that's the problem. He's forgetting the grandest scheme of things: This state is expecting deep cuts to basic public services despite record revenue. That should shock any legislator's conscience to, at the very least, jolt him or her out of this destructive cycle of spending what we don't have.

The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
By David Ignatius

WASHINGTON -- The House Intelligence Committee hearing on Monday marked the end of the opening installment of "The President," the must-watch reality/horror show that has transfixed the nation and the world. Now the plot line gets more serious, perhaps darker, with some new characters likely to emerge in key national-security roles.

President Trump should be less of a stage hog going forward, and his Twitter storms less intense. He's often described as a narcissist, but he's not suicidal. He knows he has been rebuffed in a public hearing that he can't ridicule as "fake news." With his approval rating below 40 percent, he needs to broaden his base. Trump wants to disrupt, but he also wants to succeed.

Trump and the nation would be well served if his two leading Cabinet secretaries, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, played more prominent roles. Trump needs the solid outriggers that Mattis and Tillerson can provide. This presidency is wounded at a time of potentially serious crises.

Mattis and Tillerson are stabilizers. They have both led big organizations under pressure, and they know what command is. Both have been moving cautiously in the early weeks, feeling their way and mostly keeping their mouths shut in public. They don't like talking to the press, but in that they're hardly alone among former chief executives and military leaders.

Mattis and Tillerson aren't communicating much with the public, but they're talking to Trump and to each other, while they figure out the strategic positions this administration will take on key issues. The two Cabinet secretaries try to have breakfast once a week, talk frequently by phone, and hash out common positions before each big meeting in the Situation Room.

These two know how to say no to Trump. Mattis famously did so on torture, and Tillerson did the same rebutting a presidential musing about abolishing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Mattis and Tillerson have three paramount tasks -- matters of war and peace where their advice will be crucial for a beleaguered president with big ideas but limited experience.

The first test is "eradicating" the Islamic State. Trump claimed during the campaign he had a secret strategy, but in office he has sensibly expanded the approach recommended by Gen. Joseph Votel, the Centcom commander, which focuses on capturing Raqqa, the ISIS capital in Syria, using a force that's led by Syrian Kurds from a militia known as the YPG.

U.S. commanders rightly argue that while the Kurdish warriors are anathema to Turkey, they're the only hope for quickly seizing Raqqa. Turkey's claims about an alternative Sunni militia known as the "First Corps" aren't credible. Raqqa is an urgent priority: Terrorists there are hatching plots targeting Europe and the U.S.

The message to Turkey should be blunt: Let the U.S. work with the Kurds to clear Raqqa now (and get them out afterward), or Russia, Iran and the Syrian regime will seize the initiative.

A second crisis is building in North Korea. Here, Mattis and Tillerson have combined in warning Pyongyang that "strategic patience" is over; the U.S. will not permit the erratic regime of Kim Jong Un to develop a nuclear strike capability targeting the U.S. The key to avoiding war is to bolster allies, in Japan and South Korea, and to enlist China's cooperation.

Tillerson was in Beijing last weekend for talks with President Xi Jinping about joint action. I wish Tillerson had taken reporters with him, but it was the right destination and message.

Trump's third challenge, perhaps the trickiest, is to repair the dangerously strained relationship with Russia. That's complicated by President Vladimir Putin's reckless covert action against the U.S. presidential election last year, and by Trump's courtship of Putin and his oligarchs, which was foolish, at best.

The FBI's counterintelligence investigation must run its course. Until it's completed there will be a "big gray cloud" over the administration, as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said Monday. But this doesn't mean that diplomatic dialogue with Moscow and, where possible, cooperation, should cease. After all, "detente" and nuclear-arms control began in the dark days of the Cold War.

Tillerson, who knows Putin from his Exxon Mobil days, is planning to visit Russia in April. Tillerson should attend the NATO summit, too, countering reports he might skip it. But he's the right messenger to Moscow.

As Mattis and Tillerson work on these complex problems, they need to communicate their strategy to America and the world. America is facing big questions, and the answers can't be conveyed in 140-character tweets.

David Ignatius' email address is davidignatiuswashpost.com.

(c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
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Judge Neil Gorsuch testifies during the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, March 21, 2017 in Washington.

(Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, "Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action," and this is aptly demonstrated by Sen. Jeff Merkley's recent comments regarding Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch. The senator said, "This is a stolen seat being filled by an illegitimate and extreme nominee, and I will do everything in my power to stand up against this assault on the court." It is clear by his statement that he must be unaware of the credentials of Judge Gorsuch as well as what the role of a Supreme Court justice is supposed to be. It is apparent that the senator is unable to represent the constituents of all of Oregon but limits himself to the marching orders dictated to him by the ultra-left factions of the Democratic party. Perhaps in the senator's case, "ignorance is bliss." Unfortunately, his actions are embarrassing and are a disservice to the state of Oregon and to the country.

Steve Sommerfeld, Sheridan
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President Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House on March 23, 2010.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

ObamaCare's clear problem: It was interesting reading the interview Gordon Friedman had with Earl Blumenauer concerning the GOP health care proposal ("Oregon's Earl Blumenauer explains his frustrations with Republicans' push for Trumpcare," March 16). Mr. Blumenauer mentioned that Congress is opaque. In 2008, when the Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act with no votes from the Republicans, I would ask Mr. Blumenauer one question: Before voting for the ACA, did you and all your Democratic colleagues read the entire ACA bill? I think I know the answer to the question. Was the vote really opaque? Even a blind man could see that there was nothing opaque about the ACA bill. It was too big.

Monte Stowell, Damascus

An open letter to the secretary of state: Sec. Richardson, you are not "second-in-command" in Oregon - you are merely the designated successor. As secretary of state, your purview and responsibilities do not cover education policy, let alone meeting with Education Secretary DeVos to compare schemes to use public money to pay for private education.

You were elected only to serve as secretary of state - not "second-in-command." Please stop using your state time to run your 2020 gubernatorial campaign and instead concentrate on the business of your elected office.

Eric Gleske, Corvallis
A police officer has been stabbed in the Houses of Parliament in central London, Commons Leader David Lidington has said.He told MPs the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" following a "serious" incident.Staff inside Parliament were told to stay inside their offices.The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg said police told her someone had been shot and MPs said they heard "three or four gunshots".Tom Peck, political editor for The Independent, tweeted: "There was a loud bang. Screams. Commotion. Then the sound of gunshots. Armed police everywhere."Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar car as what sounded like gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident.A Downing Street source confirmed that Prime Minister Theresa May was "OK"Mr Lidington said: "It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police."An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties."There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate that it'd be wrong of me to go into further details until we have confirmation from the police and from the House security authorities about what is going on."An eye witness, Radoslaw Sikorski, a senior fellow at Harvard's Centre for European Studies, posted a video to Twitter purporting to show people lying injured in the road on Westminster Bridge.He wrote: "A car on Westminster Bridge has just mowed down at least 5 people."
Homelessness in Vancouver a 'humanitarian emergency' (REPORT)

HELL NO!! We have refugees coming from the USA that need help first.. screw Canadians..

Nearly one in 18 people in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside are homeless, according to the latest hotel and housing report by the Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP).The report, which was released on March 20, examines how soaring rental rates and gentrification are impacting the lives of those living in the Downtown Eastside.Homelessness in the DTES is a humanitarian emergency, said the CCAP in the report.According to the CCAPs findings, one of the main reasons for the neighbourhoods staggering homelessness rates is rent increases at Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels.In 2016, the average rent in privately owned and run SROs hit a higher than ever $548 a month, said the report.The CCAP found that the average rent at 10 hotels including Alexander Court, the Lotus, New Columbia, and Metropolehad reached an average of $1,101 per month. The report highlights that this increase is due to the gentrification of these areas.Welfare rates not helpingIndividuals living on the social assistance rate of $610 a month and paying the average SRO rent of $548 have to live on $62 a month, or about $2 a day, the report points out. This is all the money they have left to spend on food, laundry, transportation, and other costs.Because welfare is so low, people who lose their jobs, come out of prison or foster care, or people who cant work for health reasons, simply will not have enough money to pay rent unless they can get into social housing or have friends or family helping them, said the report.All levels of government must take immediate actionThe CCAP says that all levels of government must take immediate action to prevent homelessness from continuing to escalate in Vancouver.The report recommends the provincial government raise the welfare rate to $1500 a month and disability rate to $1800.The report also calls on the City of Vancouver to designate enough land for 5,000 units of social housing in the Downtown Eastside.source: Homelessness in Vancouver a 'humanitarian emergency' (REPORT) | Daily Hive Vancouver ///////////////////////////////////WOW!! Not one comment.. you bunch of heartless Trumptards..
A Fremont man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term by Judge Geoffrey Hall Tuesday in Dodge County District Court for sexually assaulting a child in March of 2016.

Isaias Lorenzo-Mayic, 21, was sentenced to spend the next 15-20 years in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Lorenzo-Mayic was credited with serving 249 days in Saunders County Jail and under the Good Time Law of Nebraska could be eligible for release in 7  years.

Lorenzo-Mayic was arrested on July 13, 2016, after an investigation led by Det. Aaron Howe determined the defendant knowingly had sexual contact/intercourse with a 13-year-old child. The defendant pleaded no-contest on Nov. 3, 2016, to first-degree sexual assault of a minor, a Class II felony.

If convicted to the fullest extent of the law, Lorenzo-Mayic could have faced up to 50 years in prison. The minimum sentence the state could pursue only had to be less than the maximum of 50 years, Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass said.

Through the plea agreement, lesser charges of third-degree sexual assault of a child and child abuse were dropped.

Glass said that a pre-sentence investigation report indicated that the defendant victim-blamed and didnt take accountability for his actions.

In a warrantless arrest affidavit, Det. Howe wrote that Lorenzo-Mayic described himself as being weak and said that he gave into temptation, acknowledging that what he did was wrong.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Mostly sunny. Near record high temperatures. High 87F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 64F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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One major Texas stereotype is that residents ride around on horses all day, so when a man trots through a Houston Walmart on top of a horse, it can't help but go viral.

Woody Fields and two of his friends ride their horses together each weekend. Sunday evening, they decided to mix up their routine by going into a Walmart on Bissonnet and the Beltway, while still riding their four-legged friends.

VIRAL HOUSTON: Texas mom shares harrowing photo of her son, 10, fighting cancer

"It really wasn't my idea to go in," Fields said during a Facebook Live. "That security guard just sat there looking - we walked on in." He continued to explain that no one said anything to him and his friends, so they went in to buy a candy bar.

While he was there, Walmart patrons were startled by the horses, with a few of them jumping when they turned the corner to see a tall horse looking down at them.

Warning: The video below contains graphic language.

KTRK reported that Walmart issued a response following the incident: "We in no way condone yesterday's reckless stunt inside our store and are thankful no one was hurt by these actions."

The Facebook video has gone viral with over 31,500 shares and 8,300 comments as of time of publication. The Oklahoma native said on Facebook that the post has reached people across the country and many people have commented in different languages.

BEAST OF A POST: Massive Florida alligator goes viral in Facebook video

Prior to the Walmart adventure, Fields and his friends were riding around the Galleria area, stopping by the water wall by the Williams Tower to give rides to people.

Click through the gallery above to see photos of Fields' adventures on his horse Sunday.
The sentencing stemming from a traffic stop for speeding 115 mph on M-20 includes the successful completion of the Tri-Cap program.

Damontae Lavonn Fluellen, 26, was charged with furnishing contraband to jail prisoners, as well as second-offense marijuana possession, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license in connection with the Oct. 19 traffic stop.

Fluellen entered a guilty plea to the final three charges in exchange for the dismissal of the furnishing contraband charge.

Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Beale recently sentenced Fluellen to successfully complete the Tri County Community Adjudication Program in Saginaw. While Fluellen is at the treatment program, nine months of jail with credit for two days served is held in abeyance, with the condition that he will go to jail if treatment is not successfully completed.

Other sentencing terms include $1,200 fines and costs, and three years probation.

An affidavit in the case states a Midland police officer was stationed at M-20 and Sandow Road, running radar. At 12:49 a.m., the officer saw a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed and the radar showed 115 mph.

The officer conducted a traffic stop, during which Fluellen said he did not have a driver license. He was arrested for driving while license suspended, and was driven to the Midland County Jail.

While Fluellen was seated in the backseat of the patrol car, the officer smelled an extremely strong odor of marijuana, the affidavit states. The officer asked about the smell, and Fluellen said he had been with some people who had smoked marijuana. The officer patted down Fluellen twice without finding any drugs, and warned he would be searched at the jail. The officer also asked numerous times if he had any marijuana, and Fluellen said no.

At the jail, a baggie of marijuana was found in Fluellens groin area.
Critics were quick to predict doom and gloom after President Donald Trump released his preliminary 2018 budget for the federal government last week.

The budget, which was Trumps vision for the discretionary spending side of the federal government  about one-third of the overall federal budget  called for increases in defense spending and a few other priorities and cuts in just about everything else.

The budget does not address entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare, which Trump has promised not to touch. But it does cut funding from nearly every major federal government department, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and many more, along with funding for various arts and cultural agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Among the items cut is the $300 million that has gone to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which would impact Michigan and other Great Lakes states.

Criticism of Trumps budget from those on the left was predictable  liberals oppose anything the president says or does. However, the fact that many of Trumps fellow Republicans also voiced opposition shows how entrenched federal government spending is in Washington. Republicans often call themselves fiscal conservatives but when the president had enough courage to introduce a budget that calls for some very difficult decisions, they sounded a lot more like liberal lawmakers than conservatives in terms of protecting their pet project areas.

Thats not to say that Trumps budget is a perfect blueprint for federal government spending going forward. His budget increases defense spending so much that the federal governments deficit spending problem is not addressed. But his budget does raise questions about whether all discretionary spending is essential.

Lawmakers, government agencies, state governments, local governments and citizens need to realize that federal spending habits must change. The U.S. debt clock shows the nation is just days away from being $20 trillion in debt. Having the courage to make cuts in federal discretionary spending so that the deficit is reduced would be a good starting point.

That means lawmakers need to decide what programs are really necessary and in need of federal government funding. Citizens might have to provide greater support for some programs  such as the arts and cultural programs  if they really do value them, rather than expecting a federal handout to pay for these things. States might need to pick up the cost of other programs if they really are needed  even things such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

If the federal deficit spending train wreck is to ever be turned around, lawmakers  Republican lawmakers in particular  are going to have to start sounding a lot more like fiscal conservatives when it comes to cutting the budget.
To the editor:

State Rep. Gary Glenn is at it again. He is proposing that Michigan eliminate Common Core as the states educational standard. His replacement is the standards abandoned by Massachusetts nearly a decade ago. That must be what he calls progress.

Mr. Glenns bill provides parents the right to opt out of any public school activity, practice or testing that the parent finds unacceptable, with no negative repercussions to, or financial impact on, the child, parent or school and with no interference from the state. With those kinds of options, how does Mr. Glenn propose that we know the standards he proposes have been met? It appears that his standards are no standards.

When asked, How a teacher is supposed to assess a students academic needs, his response was, Its an issue that it would have to be looked into. This displays a significant lack of understanding what he is proposing.

His bill further prohibits the adoption of any national standards. Is he sure he wants any standards? Does he understand the purpose of having standards?

Mr. Glenns bill prohibits the collection of any medical, behavioral, mental or psychometric data on a pupil. This may well be in conflict with the law providing services to special needs students. That may not be a concern to Mr. Glenn, but it is a concern for a very significant number of parents with special needs children. His proposed legislation paves the way for publicly funded charter schools and private academies to avoid having to provide for any special needs students.

Maybe Mr. Glenns time would be better spent working on the more basic problem of funding public education.

HERB SCOGG

Midland
Editors note: This letter is in response to a March 3 meeting that Rep. Gary Glenn held during his regularly scheduled office hours. Following that meeting, the Daily News began to receive letters to the editor criticizing Glenn for his actions and words during the meeting.

1. I want to clarify something of which WOMAN members may not have been aware, so that they arent frustrated or disappointed if they attend my advertised office hours in the future.

Legislative office hours  which is what was advertised March 3 at the library  are intended to provide constituents the opportunity to meet face to face with me if they have a problem with state government. Often times, these are matters involving an unemployment claim, Medicaid coverage, or some other private matter a constituent wouldnt feel comfortable discussing in front of others.

Its only because no one came for that purpose on March 3 that I was happy to meet with WOMAN members as a group. If there had been constituents who came Friday for that purpose, I would have met privately with them while the WOMAN members, as a group, had to wait.

I gather that would have been a source of frustration, given that the first person from the group who spoke that Friday rebuked me for not agreeing to meet with members for more than the hour I was scheduled to be at the library, after which I had 30 minutes to arrive at the next advertised office hours in Sanford.

I trust the members agree it would have been disrespectful to those waiting in Sanford if I had spent more than the announced time in Midland. (I note that even after I explained that I had another scheduled event in 30 minutes, the last person who spoke regarding Planned Parenthood seemed intent on trying to force me to stay beyond the time scheduled.)

2. I gather that at least some of the WOMAN members thought that my office hours event constituted an open forum or town hall meeting. It did not. However, later in my first year in office in 2015, I began holding town hall meetings at the Dow Library, the first Monday of each month, in the same room that was used for the office hours. In the half dozen town halls I held, we had 50 people in attendance at one of them, but usually, it was half that or even less, and surprisingly, the news media never covered them. I discontinued them in early 2016 when I had to start chemotherapy, but am open to having more.

Perhaps a town hall could be planned in which I dont speak at all, so that the full time period is available to simply listen to members views? As was obvious I hope at my office hours, Im also entirely comfortable expressing my views when given the opportunity.

3. In the Dow High student newspaper, Amy Rogers is quoted as saying of the WOMAN group, Anyone is welcome. You dont have to be a Democrat, you dont have to be a Christian, you dont have to be anything except dedicated to progressive ideals.

http://update.dhs.mps.k12.mi.us/2017/02/the-w-o-m-a-n-behind-the-marches/

To be clear in whatever future communications may occur, should I understand from Ms. Rogers comment  if accurately quoted  that WOMAN welcomes and represents only those who hold progressive views, and that women at large who may hold more moderate or conservative views are not welcome?

Her comments seem to suggest that women have to be dedicated to progressive ideals to be welcome in the WOMAN group. I want to make sure I dont misunderstand, since my duty is to represent 90,000 citizens, over half of whom are female, but many of which may hold opinions diverse from WOMANs progressive views.

4. Finally, because this seems to be a source of frustration expressed by some members, please let me state my view of my role as state representative for the people of Bay and Midland counties.

On many issues before the legislature, it is simply not possible that a legislators vote will represent the views of all the people. If a legislator votes pro-life on abortion legislation, his vote will not represent the views of those who support abortion. If he capitulates under pressure from a pro-abortion group and votes in favor of abortion, as I gather WOMAN would like me to do, his vote will not represent the views of constituents who are pro-life.

For example, on some of the issues discussed during my office hours, I told voters as a candidate in 2014 that if they elected me, I would vote against raising taxes, that I would vote pro-life, that I would oppose legally redefining the institution of marriage and that Id oppose stricter gun control laws that criminals ignore but which restrict the Second Amendment right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families.

I gathered from our meeting that WOMAN would like me to vote  in order to satisfy the groups ideology  exactly the opposite of how I told voters in two successive campaigns Id vote. You can be certain, however frustrating, that that will not happen.

Having been as crystal clear as I could in telling voters what to expect from me as their state representative if elected, they elected me in 2014 by a 10-point margin, and after two years of my voting as I said I would, they elected me by twice that margin the second time.

I can only conclude from those election results that my stated views, at least in general, do in fact represent the views of the majority of voters in Bay and Midland counties. So as to keep faith with what I judge to be the views of a majority of voters in our district, I will continue to vote on matters of principle as I pledged to voters I would, and no single group  WOMAN or any other  will succeed in pressing me to do otherwise.

And on issues that require compromise and negotiation, I will simply exercise my best judgment, which voters in two successive elections have entrusted me to do as well.

But even though my vote cant possibly represent the views of every single individual on every single issue, here is how I interpret my obligation nonetheless to be a representative of all the people of our district:

1. Im willing to listen respectfully to all constituents, so long as those with different views respectfully understand that the result of my listening will not necessarily be that I change my views  or what I believe to be the majoritys views, or what I believe to be in the best interest of our state  to accommodate theirs.

2. If any constituent needs help on an issue involving state government  other than seeking my vote one way or the other  be it an unemployment or Medicaid or regulatory issue involving some state agency, my office staff and I will do our best to help all citizens equally, without regard to their political affiliation or ideology. In fact, well never ask.

Which means if any member of WOMAN has such a need, you can expect that my office will be as open and willing to assist that member as it will any citizen whose views may be closer to my own. Whether I agree with someone on any political issue doesnt matter because, again, well never ask.

In any case, I wish WOMAN members the best in continuing to exercise their First Amendment free speech rights as aggressively as they see fit in the years ahead. Thank God that in America, agreeing with each other on every issue is not required.

State Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland, represents the 98th District in Michigans House of Representatives.
Now that we have had a chance to admire the picture above, lets focus on the topic at hand. A couple of months ago, I travelled to Hurghada for a break and had a lovely time. We were in Soma Bay to be exact, and the Divers resort we stayed at was rather lovely, if not a bit too German.

Our first choice would have been Dahab. Sadly Sharm El Sheikh, the nearest airport, has been plagued by travel bans from a lot of countries, including the UK. It all started when the Russian plane went down over a year ago. We were in Dahab back then, enjoying an even lovelier time. We felt safe. We felt protected. We felt looked after. Of course, none of that matters when you are travelling by plane.

Egyptian government has been trying very hard to rectify the situation. They have been investing heavily in security, and that much was evident when we travelled back to the UK. There were a LOT of checks in place before we got on the plane. A whole load.

The following is a list:

As you enter the airport

Yes. You cannot enter the airport without showing a valid boarding pass and passport/ID. Now, it is not that uncommon in some countries for you to not go as far as check-in without those, but here you couldnt even go inside the building without this.

Before you get to the check-in desk

As you get to the check-in desk, you have to queue up and put all of your luggage through a security scanner. This is actually not that uncommon in places like Pakistan, so I wasnt that surprised.

At the check-in desk

Whether you have luggage or not, you still have to go to the check-in desk, and of course, you have to show your passport there too.

They also hand you an Immigration card which you have to fill in and hand to the passport desk, which comes up next.

At the passport desk

Of course, the place where your passport really needs to be checked. They take your Immigration card and stamp your passport.

Through security

At this stage, you go through what we deem in Europe as regular security. The bit where they scan your hand luggage and put you through a metal detector.

Right after the security

Right after, a guy checks whether the passport is stamped or not and if you have your boarding pass or not.

UK Flight? Another check!

Yeah. From the above, you head to the departure terminal. However, if you are travelling to the UK, you have to go through to another section where your passport and boarding passes are checked once again.

Guess who got picked up for a random check

Me. Yes. I got picked up for a random check. Wasnt expecting that in Egypt, but there you go. Got patted and all that, pockets emptied, everything thoroughly looked at.

When your boarding pass is scanned

Yeah, this one we are all aware of and expect. Fair play. They scan your boarding pass, and look at your passport.

And out of the terminal, before the plane

Oh yes, there was one more check as we came down the stairs and were about to board the plane. Another chap checked that our passport was in fact stamped, we were who we said we were and had a valid boarding pass!

So there you have it. The ten checks I had to go through before being able to come back to the UK from Hurghada airport. Of course, this is just a statement by the Egyptian authorities telling the Europeans and specifically the Brits that they are paying a lot of attention to security. As such, I wish and hope that the situation remains peaceful and calm over there, and travelling and holiday does return to Sharm el Sheikh soon!
On March 21st a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a bilateral mission in the vicinity of Japan with Koku-Jieitai F-15J Eagles, followed by a bilateral mission with Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles and F-16s carried out in ROK airspace.

During the training mission, Koku-Jeitai F-15J Eagles from Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, and a B-1B Lancer deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of U.S. Pacific Commands Continuous Bomber Presence Mission, conducted intercept and formation training.

The purpose of the training was to foster increased interoperability between Koku-Jieitai and U.S. aircraft. Participating in bilateral training enables the operational units to improve their joint capabilities and tactical skills while also building bilateral confidence and strong working relationships.

Bilateral cooperation with bomber aircraft, especially in the face of security challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, is an outstanding demonstration of the U.S.s commitment to our allies, said Maj. Ryan Simpson, Pacific Air Forces bomber operations chief. Our increased cooperation enables our combined forces to rapidly react to counter aggression against Japan and other allies and partners.

Training engagements like these demonstrate the strength of the fellowship between Japanese and U.S. Airmen.

After the combined training with Koku-Jieitai, the bomber seamlessly transitioned to fly in the vicinity of the Republic of Korea where they conducted bilateral training with Republic of Korea F-15K Slam Eagles and F-16s, furthering the ROK-U.S. Alliance.

Working and training side-by-side our ROK partners increases our ability to integrate air operations more effectively in order to deter aggression in the region, Simpson said. As an added bonus, the ROK offers an excellent training environment for increasing the capability of our bomber crews.

The B-1Bs rotational bomber presence allows U.S. forces to integrate with aerial platforms from our allied nations and take advantage of opportunities to advance and strengthen the long-standing military-to-military relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
NORMAL  If there's one thing that farmers know it's that you can't change the weather, you just have to deal with it.

That goes for Illinois State University agriculture students marking Ag Day Tuesday on the quad. The blustery, drizzly day made it difficult to persuade fellow students to stop long enough for a free can koozie, pencil and farm facts.

I tell them, 'You're ag students. You can handle this,' said agriculture professor Aslihan Spaulding, faculty adviser to ISU-NAMA, the campus chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Even a brief bit of sleet didn't deter them from their mission  although it did send them under their tent for a bit.

Members on ISU-NAMA were on the quad as part of a nationwide celebration of Ag Day.

Spaulding said the purpose of Ag Day is promoting agriculture to everybody and making them aware that it's a huge contributor to the economy.

Amanda Diesburg of Paxton, an ag communications senior who is president of ISU-NAMA, said that when it comes to students without a farm background, They don't know what they don't know.

They think agriculture is just about farming, she said, but, as Spaulding noted, it also includes many related fields, from marketing to education to transportation to horticulture.

Last year, Diesburg attended the Agriculture Future of America Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., which included learning how to communicate with public officials about ag issues. As part of the institute, she visited with several lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Republican from Taylorville.

A lot of them were especially interested in students coming to Capitol Hill, she said.

When Spaulding joined the faculty 14 years ago, there were 220 students in the department. Now the department has more than 600 majors, about half of them in agribusiness, she said.

Employment opportunities are a major reason for that growth, according to Spaulding.

There are more jobs than there are students  good-paying jobs, she said.

Kody Smith, a junior in agribusiness from Clinton whose grandfather farmed, is hoping to get a job in crop insurance or another field that will keep you close to farmers and be involved in farming.

Diesburg plans to work in marketing or public relations for an agriculture company when she graduates.

Dana Cocanig, an agribusiness junior from Orland Park, said the problems faced by agriculture include misunderstandings resulting from not being in touch with people in the cities. That's one reason for events such as Ag Day: to teach people more about the broad scope of agriculture, she said.

Students passing between classes barely seemed to notice the large John Deere farm tractor driven down from the University Farms and parked on the quad for the event. But Captain Cornelius, a costumed superhero with a head of corn on the cob, saved the day by attracting a number of students for pictures.
BLOOMINGTON  A trial date could be set in April after DNA test results are finalized in the attempted-murder case involving a double stabbing in Saybrook.

Arthur "AJ" Corry, 47, of Gibson City is charged with stabbing two people during an argument in September at a home on West Harrison Street. He also is charged with home invasion, aggravated battery and violating an order of protection.

McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Mary Koll said the Illinois State Police crime lab is expected to submit its report of DNA testing within the next several weeks.

Koll and defense attorney Adam Dill agreed that a trial date could be set when the case is reviewed on April 28.

According to police, Corry was acquainted with the 54-year-old man who was stabbed in the chest, flank and back. A woman, 46, had lacerations, said police.

Corry remains jailed in lieu of $30,035.
LINCOLN  Heartland Community College officials are concerned that cutbacks made because of the state budget impasse could hurt the progress the school has made in keeping students in school.

In addition, Doug Minter, vice president for business services, told the board of trustees, meeting Tuesday at Heartlands Lincoln Center, that the college has drawn about $135,000 from its contingency fund two-thirds of the way through its fiscal year, which is not standard process in a normal budget year.

Heartland is still working from stopgap state funding from last year as the governor and lawmakers seek agreement on a balanced budget for this fiscal year, which began July 1.

In a report to the board, Heartland President Rob Widmer said the college has made gains in student persistence  the measure of students returning to school from semester to semester and earning certificates or degrees.

Widmer credited that improvement in persistence  coupled with programs such as College Now, which enables students to get college credit while still in high school  for Heartlands ability to show an overall gain in enrollment from 2013 to 2017.

Heartland was among only three public community colleges in the state to register enrollment gains in that period. Heartlands overall enrollment rose 2.5 percent from spring 2013 to spring 2017. The only others to show increases were Harper College, with a 2.6 percent increase, and the College of DuPage, with a gain of 1.9 percent.

This is where it gets a little scary," said Widmer. "Weve had to cut student support services.  Is that going to have a longer-term impact if we dont have more money to put into it?

The cuts include reduction in tutor availability and library hours, he said after the meeting.

While the college does not have evidence that the cut in support services is having a negative impact, it is a concern, said Widmer.

The college has made a conscious effort to focus on keeping students in school not only to stabilize its enrollment but also to fulfill its commitment to student success.

Citing figures from the National Student Clearinghouse and the National Community College Benchmark Project, Widmer said Heartland is far exceeding the national benchmarks, indicative of the commitment weve made to our students  our commitment to student success.

For example, among Heartland students who started in 2009 and attended college exclusively full time, 79 percent received a certificate or degree within six years compared to a national benchmark of 54.5 percent. More dramatically, 61.5 percent of those full-time students received a bachelors degree in that six-year period compared to a national benchmark of 24.7 percent.

In another matter, the board discussed a bill moving through the General Assembly that could give some community colleges the authority to grant bachelors degrees in nursing.

Widmer said, based on discussion among staff, Heartland would not pursue authority to grant such degrees, even if the legislation passes. Heartland officials would support passage of the legislation, however.
BLOOMINGTON  U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will host a town hall meeting Friday in the Twin Cities.

Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, will lead the meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Illinois Wesleyan University's Westbrook Auditorium, 1210 Park St., Bloomington, according to a Facebook posting by his office.

The event has no scheduled end time but is expected to last 90 minutes, including about 10 minutes of prepared statements from Durbin with remarks on the Affordable Care Act and a question-and-answer session.

Attendees are asked to register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/kkjs2mw. No signs are allowed, and space is limited; doors open at 4:45.

"Please note that while individuals who RSVP first will be given priority and expedited entry into the auditorium, any seats that have not been claimed 15 minutes prior to the event start time will be filled on a first come, first served basis," according to the page.

Those with questions are asked to call Durbin's Springfield office at 217-492-4062.

Illinois People's Action and other activist groups have held rallies in the Twin Cities to persuade Republican U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Darin LaHood of Dunlap to host local town hall meetings, but they've declined and hosted telephone events instead.

After House Republicans revealed their plan to replace the ACA, the American Health Care Act last week, Durbin released a statement calling the plan "reckless" because it "will hurt middle class families and seniors."

Durbin, the state's senior senator and the Senate minority whip, also has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, asking repeatedly for Trump to release his tax returns. He has also called for a special prosecutor to investigate Trump's ties to Russia, including its interference in the presidential election.
The Normal Town Council on Monday will consider an ordinance for the 2022 property tax levy estimated to be $13,381,652, which is the same as last year's levy.
As President Ronald Reagan said, The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help. 

Congressman Rodney Davis is taking that conservative mantra to heart.

Davis, first elected in 2012, is one of numerous U.S. House members who have refused to have town hall meetings on the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. This despite Davis serving as a deputy whip in the House, having met with President Donald Trump in person to talk about issues, and being the representative for a congressional district in which the U.S. Census Bureau estimates 18.6 percent of the population is below the poverty line.

Were not here to debate Obamacare, Trump or insurance plans. Weve burned far too much ink for another rehash. But in not having any large-scale public conversation about health care, Davis is missing a chance to listen and explain to voters whats happening in Washington and what we can anticipate as a community regarding health insurance.

Instead, Davis held telephone town halls in which people could call in and ask questions; 7,500 participated in the February one. He has been criticized on Facebook for not being a part of bigger public forums, saying in interviews he doesnt like the idea of grandstanding and prefers discussions without yelling.

Problem is, Davis rebuffing town halls doesnt dampen the fury. In fact, it might even contribute to it, and some protesters have shown up at events where Davis is appearing anyway.

And exactly where is Davis? On March 11, he did an interview on the NPR show All Things Considered, aired nationally. He also was on WGN-AM radio in Chicago talking about the Affordable Care Act. And, according to a photo on his Twitter feed, he recently met with area hospital officials about making sure people can afford to use insurance they buy.

So he is talking about health care  just not in town halls.

Davis spokeswoman Ashley Phelps said the congressman has 52 constituent advisory boards, regular office hours across the district and plans for another telephone town hall session.

Truth be told, Davis is in a tough spot because he withdrew support for Trump about a month before the election, after the infamous video of Trump talking crudely about woman. Now, as whip, hes charged with nudging along enough GOP votes for the replacement plan. And he faces at least one opponent in the election next year in David Gill, a Democrat. In other words, he has a lot to lose in having a town hall meeting.

We hope he reconsiders.

Town hall meetings are a time-honored part of our democratic process. Its the job of elected officials to be a part of that constructive dialogue and take our angry or supportive or indifferent voices to Washington. The more input, the better.

Heres our challenge to Davis: We want a town hall. We want to hear what we can expect about the future of health care coverage in America.
I met Taunia Leffler at Brigham Elementary when our boys, who are now freshmen at NCHS, started kindergarten. Three years later, Taunia joined the Brigham PTO team and we became friends.

I have watched as Taunia has worked non-stop to support the students within Unit 5 to be their most successful. Taunia worked on Unit 5s CAC and diversity and inclusion committees. Taunia helped found the Cedar Ridge Promise Council and now serves in leadership on the council, creating Promise Councils in both Unit 5 and District 87 schools. Taunias hard work was honored; she won the Illinois State Board of Education's Those Who Excel Award.

Taunia is my perfect choice for the Unit 5 school board. Taunia Leffler has been helping Unit 5 students be their most successful for 10 years. Your vote for her will enable her to continue that success. Vote Taunia Leffler April 4.

Patti Patty-GSell, Bloomington
Mohawk's Tom O'Connor Jr. and Ted O'Connor Earn AIPPM's 2017 Peyton Shaner Award Tom O'Connor Jr. March 21, 2017 - Mohawk announced that Tom O'Connor Jr., Mohawk's Chief Executive Officer and Ted O'Connor, Mohawk's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Envelopes and Converting have been named 2017 Peyton Shaner Award recipients by the Association of Independent Printing Paper Merchants (AIPPM). The Peyton Shaner award was established to commemorate the founder of AIPPM. The recipients are recognized as someone who has shared Shaner's passion for the industry. I have always been a big fan of the O'Connor family and feel they run a top notch family business that is not afraid to explore new markets or reenergize traditional ones, said Don Clampitt of Clampitt Paper. Bayard Tynes of Strickland Paper added, Tom and Ted are a dynamic duo. They are lions in our industry that represent the first family in paper with old fashioned values and exciting new products and services that make this crazy business fresh and fun. When the O'Connor family succeeds, we all succeed. Tom O'Connor Jr. joined Mohawk in 1986 and was named Chairman and CEO in 2004. As CEO, Tom doubled Mohawk's business and positioned the organization for the future by leading Mohawk into new areas of growth. Tom has served as chairman of the National Paper Trade Association, and on the boards of the American Forest Products Association, St. Gregory's School, and the Advisory Board of M&T Bank. He is also a former member of The Capital Region Economic Development Council (CREDC). Ted O'Connor Ted O'Connor has been in the paper business on and off since 1980. From 1980-1982 he worked for the Carter Rice Paper Company as a Sales Representative for their Boston and West Haven, CT divisions. In 1982, Ted came to work for Mohawk Fine Papers as a Specification Sales Representative for the New York City market. In 1985 he became the District Sales Manager for upstate New York and Canada. In 1987, Ted was promoted to National Sales Manager. In 1992, Ted left Mohawk to work in Bond Sales for Lehman Brothers in New York City. Ted returned to Mohawk in 2008 as National Sales Manager for the Eastern Region and in 2011 was promoted to Senior Vice President Sales, responsible for sales of fine paper across the United States and Canada as well as Mohawk's growing envelope business. In 2016, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mohawk Envelope and Converting. Mohawk is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates. To learn more, please visit: www.mohawkconnects.com. SOURCE: Mohawk
Poyry Awarded Detailed Design Contract for Paper Machine Rebuild at Sappi's Somerset Mill

The $165 million capital project involving paper machine No. 1 will expand Sappi North America's manufacturing capabilities and flexibility to include a variety of consumer packaging grades.

March 21, 2017 - Poyry announced that it has been awarded a contract from Sappi for a detailed design for the rebuild of Sappi North America's No. 1 Paper Machine at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine (USA).

According to Poyry, the rebuild will impact nearly every component of the machine  from pulp makedown to finishing and shipping.

The $165 million capital project will expand Sappi North America's manufacturing capabilities and flexibility to include a variety of consumer packaging grades. The rebuild of the No. 1 paper machine will increase the mill's annual production capacity to nearly one million tons per year.

"Somerset's existing world class infrastructure, together with its talented workforce and access to high quality fiber, makes the mill an excellent and obvious choice for this investment," said Mark Gardner, President and CEO of Sappi North America.

"By tapping into Poyry's expertise on this important project, we are increasing our flexibility and expanding the paper mill's capability and capacity, ensuring that we continue to make superior products for years to come," Gardner added.

The planned project at the Somerset Mill in Maine is expected to come online early in 2018.

SOURCE: Poyry
Blondie is back with a new song written by Blood Orange's Dev Hynes, and it's sumptuous. "Long Time" is the third single off Blondie's upcoming album Pollinator, to be released on May 5th. Blondie has collaborated with Dev before, when Debbie Harry provided vocals for "E.V.P." on Hynes's third album, Freetown Sound.

Blondie has been innovating and embracing change since their early new wave days. Harry recently told Harper's Bazaar, "One thing I object to: When people stop going to clubs at a certain age and say there's no good music now," she said. "This always shocks me. There is so much good music." Pollinator will feature a number of newer artists, including Sia and Charli XCX.

With echoes of Blondie's iconic "Heart of Glass" synths and Debbie Harry's familiarly soulful-yet-airy vocals gliding over a modern beat, "Long Time" embodies the paradoxical spirit Blondie has been pulling off for four decades.

Listen below:

[h/t Dazed]

Image via @blondieofficial
Tura Satana, 6-foot tall burlesque star and badass cult legend Varla in Russ Meyers 1965 cult exploitation film Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, is getting the documentary treatment.

A new crowdfunding campaign has launched to raise money for TURA!, director Cody Jarretts seismic documentary about the Asian-American actress and exotic dancer. John Waters, Dita Von Teese, Patton Oswalt and Bruce Lees daughter, Shannon Lee, will appear in the film to gush over the cult icon. The film will be narrated by comedienne Margaret Cho.

Satana was more than her blunt fringe and signature winged eyeliner. Born in Japan, she moved to the States and interned at Californias WWII Japanese relocation camp, Manzanar. Satana was also a victim of a racially-motivated gang rape before she celebrated her 10th birthday. In one interview, she admitted to tracking down the perpetrators of the rape years later, Kill Bill style, and exacted her revenge.

I made a vow to myself that I would someday, somehow get even with all of them, she told The Guardian. They never knew who I was until I told them.

Satana refused to let what happened to her define her, leveling up as a successful burlesque dancer at age 15 (she used a fake ID) who dated both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. She went on to an illustrious career in the film business, starring in Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and 1968s The Astro-Zombies. She died in 2011.

She was absolutely lovely, Waters says in the teaser. The fans went crazy when they saw her. She was really nice to everybody, and really great, really smart. [Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!], I know she's in other movies, but that ones tough to top!

To date, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $13,000 of its $50,000 goal. Click here to donate.

Splash image via YouTube


About 1,750 public school teachers, as well as counselors and administrators, in California will soon receive layoff notices or pink slips from their school district. The teacher's union says this is the largest layoff in the state so far and it's going to happen even as there is a shortage of teachers.

Most layoffs affect special education, bilingual education and math and science teachers. The California Teachers Association says these are the most in-demand teaching jobs but the layoffs are still happening as a way to purge and prepare for the next school year, as per City Watch LA.

Among the reasons for the layoffs include budget cuts and the decline of student enrollments, according to Hanford Sentinel. Some teachers attest the layoffs do take place around this time of the year until May, but these aren't unusual and it's not entirely bad news.

Come June, when funding problems are resolved, some of those laid-off could likely be employed again in other schools. In other words, school districts can eventually rescind pink slips. "The actual number of layoff notices is higher than what we expect the number of layoffs to be," Superintendent Mike Matsuda of Anaheim said, as per OC Register.

There is, however, still that level of uncertainty, especially if school districts do not come up with better solutions. What makes this year's action different is because of the number of pink notices and the noticeable lack of teachers knowledgeable in the most in-demand jobs. Meanwhile, the school districts are still poised to make cuts.

Some of these problems might also remain permanent, thus threatening the longevity of state schools. For instance, other teachers are opting to leave public schools because of the lure of teaching in charter schools, where more students are already attending.

"Our school has a problem because many teachers are leaving," one teacher told the Register. "Because there aren't enough students coming to our school, so we need more students," she added.
A senior high school student made the "cheesiest" prom proposal ever. Shaedon Wedel asked Carlie Wittman, a 15-year-old girl with Down syndrome, to the prom using Doritos as props. The Doritos-inspired prom-posal has gone viral on the internet.

Wittman is Wedel's best friend's sister and the senior student has seen her grow up. The 18-year-old explained he and Wittman's brother, Carson, had been planning to bring her to the prom before.

His best friend, however, decided he'll take his girlfriend but Wedel stuck with the idea of bringing Wittman as his date. He even planned an elaborate proposal.

Last March 18, Wedel walked up to the Wittmans' house wearing a funny Doritos shirt. On the shirt's front side were the words, "I know I'm NACHO typical Dorito but..." When he turned around, the back side of the shirt read, "I'm going to be CHEESY and ask: will you go to prom with me?" as People reported.

The high school senior also brought a bouquet of flowers and bag of Doritos chips. The prom-posal was caught on video and Wittman was seen jumping up and down in excitement.

"I have known her for seven years and there has not been a day that I have not seen her eat Doritos," Wedel said, CBS News reported. He also described the teen with Down syndrome as someone who always had a smile on her face and she's "one of the sweetest gals."

The viral video has received over 113,000 views, 1,600 comments and 558 shares on Facebook. Many commended Wedel for his gesture.

Wedel said his proposal was not a stunt for publicity, much less Doritos-sponsored. The 18-year-old only wanted to make the teen with Down syndrome happy as she has been making other people happy with her presence.

Wedel said his best friend's sister deserved it. The prom will take place on April 22 at Newton High School in Kansas.
From 1941 to 1945, more than 16 million Americans went to war. In arid deserts, dark jungles, and shattered cities; in the air, on land and sea, and beneath the sea, they took up arms against a perverse and tyrannical ideology.

Most of these young Americans were not professional soldiers. They were farm boys, car mechanics, and coal miners. They were bus drivers, store clerks, and students.

And they won the war.

For their service, many received medals and decorations from the government. Typically a few inches of ribbon or a narrow strip of medal, these honors may seem like small items, but they told of service that was, in many cases, too great for words.

Some who earned medals never received them. For a host of different reasons  bureaucracy not least among them  a number of these veterans came home without the recognition they deserved. Time passed. And while many veterans try later in life to get their long overdue honors, they are not all successful.

This was the case for Walter Piasecki, a World War II Army veteran in Kearney, Nebraska.

Walter passed away in 2012, but his son, Roger, hoped to retrieve his dads medals. He knew it was a way to honor his fathers service. It was also part of his familys heritage. Despite his best efforts, Roger was unable to get his dads medals. Frustrated, he reached out to my office in February.

My diligent staff went to work at once. They contacted the National Personnel Records Center, the federal agency responsible for tracking the service of veterans from all branches of our military. The agencys research team then verified Walters service to determine which honors he was owed.

I am proud to report that Roger now has his fathers World War II Victory Medal and Honorable Service lapel button. At the moment, my office is also in the process of helping Roger obtain his fathers service records.

This is just one example of the many kinds of constituent service work my office performs on behalf of Nebraska families. Through mobile office hours, my staff assists Nebraskans in navigating federal agencies and answers questions about legislation. They provide help in grant applications and give guidance on veterans issues and resources for military families. They also shepherd applicants for nominations to attend our nations military academies.

Every constituent case is important; there is something that stands out about ensuring the proper honors for our veterans.

Valor does not dim with the passage of time. Families do not forget the courage of their loved ones.

Neither should we.

The past is important. The Greatest Generation made great sacrifices that seem almost mythical to us today. Yet greatness is available to us, too. It requires a clear sense of purpose and a willingness to sacrifice for that purpose. It requires courage. It requires love. But it is absolutely within our reach.

Thank you for your participation in our democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Parents who always argue with their teenagers about their smartphone addiction might have a new reason to let this slide next time. A new study reveals there's a noticeable drop in drug or alcohol use among teens and experts believe it's likely because of they are more hooked on smartphones these days.

Researchers from the University of Michigan conducted a study among 45,000 students from grades eight to 12 in public and private schools in 2016. Only 5 percent of teenagers admitted to using illicit drugs, while 9.4 percent admitted to marijuana use, as per the study Monitoring the Future.

Alcohol drinking, which is more prevalent in teens than drug use, has also gone done to half their percentage in 2016. Fewer kids also engaged in binge-drinking these days compared to 10 or 20 years ago.

The institution's 1996 study reflected 13 percent of teens used illicit drugs, while marijuana use among teenagers was between 18 to 34 percent, depending on the grade level. The study also noted fewer overdosing incidents among teenagers in 2016 compared to previous years. There were also more adult victims of the opioid epidemic than teen victims.

Experts say a likely factor to this drop in drug and alcohol use among teens is smartphone use, according to Harvard Health. Today's teenagers are getting so much more gratification from their connections online and the smartphone has become a necessarily lifeline.

Experts, however, noted that drug and alcohol use among teens started dropping as early as 2006 when smartphones weren't even on trend. They said that raising awareness to the dangers of drug use could have also brought on the positive effects. Parents, schools, pediatricians and anti-drug advocacies have been helpful in reaching teenagers. The researchers said more studies should be done in order to prove these assumptions.

Parents do you have teens who are mostly engrossed on their smartphones? Does this study bring relief or more worries? Share us your thoughts on this matter in the comments section below.
The Trump family is growing! Eric Trump, the third child and second son of President Donald Trump with ex-wife Ivana, is having his first baby with wife Lara Yunaska Trump.

The president will be a grandfather all over again with this new addition. He already has eight grandkids so far.

Eric announced the pregnancy on Twitter. He told his followers he and Lara are expecting a baby boy come September.

Eric and Lara, both 33-years-old, have been together for a long time before marrying in Florida last Nov. 2014. Lara works as an associate producer for "Inside Edition."

.@LaraLeaTrump & I are excited to announce that we are adding a boy to #TeamTrump in September. It's been an amazing year. We are blessed! pic.twitter.com/ENrhdxdziA  Eric Trump (@EricTrump) March 20, 2017

Congratulations Eric & Lara. Very proud and happy for the two of you! https://t.co/s0T3cTQc40  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017

Lara, who considers herself as an active person, experienced exhaustion during the first trimester of her pregnancy. "Until the fatigue hit, I didn't believe it would actually happen to me," the mom-to-be said, as per People. "It really affected me. But I'm feeling really good now."

Lara, a native of North Carolina, met Eric in New York where she moved right after graduating with a communications degree in 2007, according to Forward. She said she have always loved the name Charlie for a baby but they already gave this to their dog. Lara was also reported as an animal rights advocate and a pet rescuer.

The coming Trump baby will be the ninth grandchild of the president. He already has three grandchildren from daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, and five grandkids from Donald Jr. and his wife Vanessa. Learn more about Eric and Lara in the video below.
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
Competition for Apple's business is tight between suppliers and we reported earlier this month that both TPK and GIS are building new capacity to accommodate Apple's next-Gen 3D Touch OLED Panels. Today we're learning that TPK has made a strategic move in order to better compete for Apple's business.

Today we learn from a Nikkei Asian Review report that TPK Holding has reached agreement with its rival O-Film to invest in each other, develop new technologies together and share customers as the sector consolidates.

Freddie Liu, TPK's chief financial officer, told reporters that "We are absolutely complementary for each other, as 90% of our revenue comes from American and European customers while 90% of O-film's customers are from China."

The two companies will form a joint venture to create next-generation technologies and share their customer bases, according to Liu.

O-film Chairman Ricky Tsai Rongjun said in a statement that the partnership between the two companies is a "win-win strategy," and they will work together to foster businesses in new areas of the automotive sector, augmented reality, virtual reality, and other connect devices as well as in the mature mobile devices market.The two companies will run independently without participating in each other's operations and having a seat on each other's board, TPK's Liu said.

The report noted that the new partnership could put pressure on GIS, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) Technology Group.



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.
Bank of England reluctant to help facilitate Iran-UK trade

03/22/17

Source: Press TV

While the British government has reaffirmed its commitment to help Iran's reintegration into the global financial system, reports say the country's central bank is still reluctant to facilitate trade between the two countries.

Reuters in an exclusive report quoted informed sources as saying that the Bank of England (BoE) had recently turned down a request by Tehran to set up special clearing accounts for its banks.



Such accounts, for Iran's own Central Bank or for the British subsidiaries of Iranian banks, would allow them to make and receive payments in sterling, business so far rejected by commercial banks.



"That would send a huge message to the market. What commercial bank is practically going to stop Bank of England payments? None," Reuters quoted one Western source as saying.



However, the sources said the BoE seems uninterested in resolving the problem for now.



"The Bank of England has proved resistant to intervening in any kind of positive way in order to assist trade between Iran and UK," said the Western source.



Reuters further quoted a senior Iranian banking official in Tehran as saying that the BoE had suspended anything related to Iran. "Everything has been put on hold."



The UK government, eager to boost trade with new markets like Iran after last year's vote to leave the European Union, has struggled to convince British banks to boost trade with Iran, sources have told Reuters.



British trade minister Liam Fox told a parliamentary committee last week he had commissioned work from his department to look at how to normalize "effective payment channels" with Iran to try to open up trading opportunities.



In response to questions from Reuters, the British government said it was still committed to working closely with all parties, including UK banks and industry groups, to help open opportunities for trade between Britain and Iran.



"This will be a vital part of Iran's re-integration into the international community and we will continue to work to strengthen and expand our trading relationship for mutual benefit," said a statement attributed to a government spokesperson, as reported by Reuters.
mSecure password manager review TechRadar Pro

Updated In our mSecure password manager review, we take an in-depth look at this password manager to help you decide if its the most secure way to handle your sensitive data.
We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to cluttering our inboxes with unwanted email, thanks to our zeal for email subscriptions. And in this time of heightened civil activity, many of us have added political emails to our already unwieldy collection of daily deals, newsletters, and alerts. The bulk of these messages languish in our inboxes unread and obscuring the really important one that require our action.

Fortunately, there are a few tools to help you prune these offenders without having to scroll message by message through your inbox. Give one of these a try.

Unroll.me

This free service uses a simple web interface to surface all your subscriptions and let you unsubscribe from each with a single click.

PCWorld Unroll.me displays all your subscriptions and lets you unsubscribe from each with a single click.

Just go to Unroll.me and sign in with your Google, Yahoo!, Outlook, or AOL account (if your provider is not one of those, you can sign in with your email address). Unroll.me then displays a list of all you subscriptions with three options next to each one: Add to Rollup, Unsubscribe, or Keep in Inbox. Click the Unsubscribe button next to each one you no longer want to receive.

Inevitably there will be some subscriptions you want to keep. In those cases, click Add to Rollup to have them added to a daily digest of newsletters to be sent to you each morning, afternoon, or evening. Rollups can be viewed as a list or grid, and you can add or remove subscriptions from them at any time. You can also opt to have Unroll.me notify you monthly of your new subscriptions.

Unlistr

PCWorld Unlistr lets you keep or unsubscribe to email with the push of a button.

Similar to Unroll.me, Unlistr finds all your email subscriptions and allows you to easily opt out of them on iOS, Android, or in Outlook.

Once you sign in with your email account, Unlistr asks you to choose an inbox or folder to clean up. It then scans that selection and presents you with a list of senders. For each one, you just tap the radial button next to it then select either the Keep or Unsubscribe button at the bottom of the screen. Be sure about your decisions, though, as Unlistr warns that any subscriptions you keep will be ignored in future scans.

Unlistr is free for iOS and Android but requires a $20 annual subscription for Outlook.

With Unsubcriber, theres no new app to download or separate interface to use. It allows you to unsubscribe from senders from right inside your email client.

PCWorld Email senders added to your Unsubscriber folder are compiled in a list on the Unsubscriber website.

Once you sign in on the Unsubscriber website with your email account, this service adds a new Unsubscribe folder to your inbox. Just drag unwanted messages into it, and those senders wont show up in your inbox anymore. The process is similar in your mobile devices email app.

All the email senders in this folder are compiled in an Unsubscribed list on the Unsubscriber website, from which you can resubscribe to any email.

Unsubscriber is free to use.
Airbnb will rebrand its short-term home rental service in China as Aibiying and triple the size of its workforce in the country as it tries to woo a large but complex market for foreign tech companies.

Aibiying translates as welcome each other with love, which is the kind of reception that Airbnb may require to compete with local platforms such as Tujia and Xiaozhu.

A number of tech companies targeting the Chinese market have had to make adjustments to their traditional business models, including by setting up joint ventures with local partners to gain market access.

Qualcomm said last year it was setting up a server chipset design and sales unit with the investment arm of the Guizhou provincial government. Hewlett Packard Enterprise sold a majority stake in its server, technology services and storage business in China to a Tsinghua Holdings subsidiary to boost sales of HPEs enterprise products in the country, while Intel said in 2014 it was planning to invest in local chip companies for the design of mobile phone chips.

Ride-hailing company Uber decided the best way in China was to cooperate rather than compete with a large local player Didi Chuxing. It said in August that it had struck a deal with Didi Chuxing, which would acquire all assets of Uber China, including its brand, business operations and data. Didi Chuxing would also acquire a minority equity interest in Uber.

In 2015, two investors  China Broadband Capital (CBC) and Sequoia China  were brought in by Airbnb to help it continue to navigate the Chinese market and create a localized presence for the company. That plan is being continued now with a brand name that locals can relate to, and which sounds similar to its global brand.

The company, which recently received a fresh infusion of US$1 billion of funds, also announced the expansion of its Trips and Experiences service in China, which tries to go beyond the usual tourist experience by offering app users access to a list of interesting activities such as local handicrafts and cuisine. It also said it was increasing the number of engineers at its engineering center in the country, which is the only one outside the U.S.

Airbnb has also worked on the integration of local payment methods such as Alipay and sign up options such as WeChat, besides providing 24 X 7 customer support in Mandarin. It has also sought partnerships with cities, having signed memoranda of understanding with Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Guangzhou.

Airbnb has about 80,000 listings in China and has seen nearly 1.6 million guest arrivals at these listings. The company has more than 3 million listings in more than 190 countries around the world. The company had so far focused largely on outbound Chinese tourists.
Thanks to Vodafone, the Taurus-Littrow Valley will get its first mobile phone base station next year.

It hasnt needed one up to now, as the last visitors drove through in 1972, the year before the mobile phone was invented.

Next year, though, it will get the very latest in 4G LTE coverage, when it receives a visit from two very special self-driving vehicles.

Taurus-Littrow is the landing site of Apollo 17, where humans last walked on the moon. Next year, an international group based in Berlin plans to send a mission carrying two lunar rovers to explore the site.

The group, Part Time Scientists, has been working on the project for longer than eight years and already has sponsorship and support from auto manufacturer Audi to develop the rovers.

Peter Sayer Karsten Becker of Part Time Scientists shows off a lunar rover like the ones the organization will send to the moon in 2018.

Its mission will spend about 10.5 days on the moons surface, where temperatures during the lunar day (which lasts about two earth weeks) can hit 120 C, while during the lunar night they can plunge to minus 180 C.

Thats quite a challenge for the electronics, so there is a chance it will not survive the first lunar night, said Karsten Becker, head of the PTS embedded electronics development team.

NASA has asked private space missions to touch down at least 2 kilometers from Apollo sites so that they are not covered by dust kicked up during the landing.

That distance presents a challenge for PTS because it will not have line-of-site communications between its landing module and the Apollo 17 site in the bottom of the valley.

To help deal with that, PTS has found a new sponsor, mobile network operator Vodafone.

At the Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany, Vodafone executives described the communications systems the PTS rovers will use to communicate with the landing module and with one another.

The systems will be based on LTE and C-V2X, a planned extension to LTE that smart cars can use to communicate with one another and with their surroundings, said Vodafones head of machine-to-machine communications for Central Europe, Marc Sauter.

C-V2X, when it becomes part of the LTE standard, will allow vehicles to exchange live data from sensors and cameras without having to go through the network infrastructure, so they can share information about road conditions and traffic with their neighbors with much lower latency.

Latency and heavy traffic wont be a problem in the Taurus-Littrow Valley, but the lack of network infrastructure will. With the vehicle-to-vehicle variant of LTE, though, one rover on higher ground will be able to act as a temporary base station, relaying data between the lander and the other rover down in a dip, Sauter said.

Peter Sayer Vodafones stand at Cebit 2017 included a lunar rover like the ones Part Time Scientists will send to the moon in 2018.

Once the data reaches the lander, it can use the European Space Agencys satellite communication network to send the data back to the control center on earth.

Another reason for using the C-V2X modules is that they are power-efficient, given the limited energy resources the rovers will have on the moon, he said.

For now, Vodafone has just four of the necessary C-V2X LTE modules, and theyre all in Hanover for another demonstration. By the time PTS is ready to launch three into space, though, manufacturer Huawei Technologies should have delivered more.

Vodafone wont say how much its support for the mission is worth.

Becker put the cost of its first mission to the moon at around 50 million (US$54 million) but said subsequent missions would be cheaper.

PTS has financial support from Audi, Vodafone, and a third, yet-to-be-named sponsor, and the group is also covering its costs by running experiments for other organizations. Becker mentioned two of them: one to accurately measure the moons gravity, which is around one-sixth that on earth and another to study how plants grow in that reduced gravity.

To keep costs down, PTS has asked Space Flight Services to find it a shared flight riding on top of a geostationary satellite.

Its very likely to be on a Space X Falcon 9, Becker said.

If so, then PTS just has to hope that its mission doesnt suffer the same fate as a satellite Facebook planned to use to beam internet connectivity to Africa.

The PTS launch is planned for around the middle of next year  around the time the European Union will abolish roaming charges for mobile subscribers. So if youre traveling to the moon next summer, let Vodafone know, and perhaps they will include your data traffic in the new roam-like-at-home rules, too.
The U.S. Air Forces top-secret autonomous space plane, the X-37B, is days away from breaking its own longevity record. The aircraft, which looks like a mini Space Shuttle, will on March 25 begin its record-setting 675th day in orbit, but we still dont know much about what its doing up there.

The X-37B looks a little like the Space Shuttle, but its much smaller. It began life as a NASA project but was transferred to the Air Force in 2004 as part of the U.S. militarys little-known space program. Thats when it moved into the shadows.

The program is owned by the U.S. Air Forces Rapid Capabilities Office, which is charged with expediting development and deployment of select Defense Dept. combat support and weapon systems. The office helps take strategic technology and accelerate its development, and the X-37B appears to be playing a part in that.

The current flight, the fourth in the X-37B program and the second flight for this particular aircraft, began on May 20, 2015, when the plane was launched on an Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral.

Boeing Recovery crew members process the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle shortly after it landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base on October 17, 2014. The autonomous plane had just completed a mission totaling 674 days in space.

At the time, the Air Force said the mission would help test new propulsion thrusters that it wants to use on communications satellites. NASA said it also had a experiment on the aircraft that would test various metals in the space environment.

The crafts cargo bay, which is about the size of a pick-up truck bed, is probably crammed with other experiments too, but the Air Force isnt saying much about those.

A clue about the mission can be gleaned form its orbit. While the U.S. government doesnt include the X-37B in its comprehensive list of satellite orbits, several amateurs have spotted it and published details of its path through the skies.

That means it can be regularly observed and, with the right gear, even recorded. In this YouTube video from January 2017, the X-37B can be seen as a small spot traversing from the lower right to the mid left of the image.

The orbit is similar to those of military surveillance satellites, leading some to believe its acting as a testbed for new surveillance imaging technology.

Using the X-37B would allow the military to test out technologies and perfect them before building entire satellites around them. It also means new technology can be sent into space quickly, potentially giving the Air Force new capabilities years before it would otherwise have them.

In February, the X-37B made a slight change to its orbit, prompting speculation that it was maneuvering in preparation for a landing. That hasnt happened yet, but when it does, it could happen at Kennedy Space Center. The craft has landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California until now, but NASA has said future landings will happen in Florida.
Youth who have previously struggled with attaining a higher education may now have a better chance at succeeding through the newly created Graduate Success Program.

Partnering with the San Francisco-based College Futures Foundation, The Community Foundation will be offering needs-based scholarships, as well support services to high school students in 2018. The foundation is one of seven foundations chosen for a statewide initiative to improve college graduation rates for low-income and underrepresented students.

College Futures is a nonprofit organization invested solely in enabling college entry and achievement, which the group feels is an important component to the success of Californias future. Established in 2005, College Futures awards nearly $20 million in grants annually and has an endowment of nearly $500 million.

The youth of the Inland Empire, in particular, have a great need for a leg up in both getting into college and for completing their degree.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2014 that the Inland Empires high school graduation rates are lower than the states 81.2 percent: In Riverside County, 79.6 percent graduate and in San Bernardino County, 78.2 percent graduate.

The Community Indicators Report 2014 from The Community Foundation paints an even bleaker picture. While the college completion rate in California is 30.5 percent, it is 20.5 percent in Riverside County and 18.6% in San Bernardino County.

According to Celia Cudiamat, executive vice president of programs at The Community Foundation, access to postsecondary education through scholarships can be critical in leveling the playing field, particularly for low-income students. She noted that the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino rank last among the 25 largest metro areas in the United States when examining education, health and income levels.

It is imperative to increase college attainment for low-income students residing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in order to move the needle forward in the well-being and opportunity index, said Cudiamat.

The Community Foundation is working with Inland Empire institutions of higher education to ensure that the programming makes an impact. More than just providing scholarships, the Graduate Success Program will offer services to both prepare students for college entry and ensure they are aware of the resources available to them.

Students in the program will be introduced to the requirements for admission to a four-year university, including instruction on writing impactful college essays. The programming will also involve students families.

Many of the students we will be working with are the first generation in their family to go to college, said Cudiamat. They may not realize that there are state and federal financial aid resources available that could cover costs or have experience with a higher educations overall value, including that of stabilizing families.

Students will also have the opportunity to get a taste of college before they attend by sitting in on summer classes on campuses. In addition, they will be instructed on the resources available to them on campus so that they can maneuver and navigate their time pursuing a degree.

Persistence rates in college are low, said Cudiamat. There are a lot of factors that lead to students not graduating, but some of that can be attributed to not knowing resources for assistance and financial support.

Colleges Futures has awarded the programming $595,000 to be spent over two years, but the hope is that program will continue and grow. The Community Foundation has created a Graduate Success Fund for the programs continuation. Interested donors can contribute and assist in the continuation of needs- based scholarships and preparing these students to succeed.
This post has been modified from the original version to correct the wrong name for San Bernardino Countys chief deputy district attorney.

A 17-year senior prosecutor in the San Bernardino County district attorneys office is challenging his bosss re-election bid in 2018.

John Thomas announced his campaign for district attorney Monday, March 20. He will run against District Attorney Mike Ramos, who has served as the countys top prosecutor for 15 years.

The current elected district attorney is an absentee district attorney and career politician, Thomas said in a written statement. Mike Ramos is more concerned about his own political agenda and career than the job the voters of this county elected him to perform. The time for change is here and now.

In a telephone interview, Thomas said Ramos and one of his senior attorneys traveled the country  Washington, D.C., Hawaii, New Orleans and Chicago, among other destinations  at taxpayer expense while serving as board members for the National District Attorneys Association. Ramos is president of the association.

Via telephone, Ramos defended his work in the association and that of Chief Deputy District Attorney Mary Ashley. Other district attorney offices nationwide look to San Bernardino County as a model for prosecuting human trafficking and crimes against children, Ramos said.

This is a democratic society and if people feel they can run and do a better job, I think thats what makes the whole system great, Ramos said. Its too bad. Its one thing to attack me but its too bad they need to attack the excellent staff I have.

Thomas, a Notre Dame Law School graduate, helped create a countywide Cold Case Homicide Unit in conjunction with the county Sheriffs Department and other law enforcement agencies in 2008. While with the cold case unit, Thomas prosecuted 50 defendants for homicides.

Thomas campaign team includes Supervising Deputy District Attorney Steve Sinfield; Deputy District Attorney Kent Williams; and deputy DA Michael Risley, who served as Ramos assistant DA over criminal operations from 2003 to 2007.

A Redlands native, Ramos last week dropped out of the 2018 race for California attorney general to focus on his re-election.

Thomas is the second candidate to announce he will challenge Ramos. Ed OBrien, a former prosecutor turned public defender, announced last week he will run for DA.
FBI Director James Comey revealed that the bureau is investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 elections, but he offered no details or evidence of wrongdoing.

That left room for each party to try to bend news of the FBI probe to its own purposes  which Democrats and Republicans both did.

It is good to know that Russias apparent effort to help Donald Trumps presidential campaign is being investigated. And it is good to know that leaks about the potential scandal from the U.S. intelligence community are being investigated.

But will Americans end up knowing what did or didnt happen? Or will the probes and the interpretation of the conclusions be politicized like everything else?

Comeys disclosure, made during a House Intelligence Committee hearing Monday, was the first time he publicly acknowledged the existence of such an investigation, which has apparently been under way since July.

Comey previously drew strong criticism from Democrats for publicly announcing an investigation of Hillary Clintons emails during the waning days of the campaign.

Some Democrats have seized on the investigation to suggest Russian interference tipped the scales of the election and handed Trump the presidency, but both Comey and National Security Administration Director Adm. Michael Rogers said there is no evidence that the Russians compromised vote tallies in battleground states.

The more serious allegation from Democrats is that the Trump campaign may have conspired with an enemy nation.

Republicans have chosen to use the hearings as a forum to complain about leaks from intelligence agencies. We aim to determine who has leaked or facilitated leaks of classified information so that these individuals can be brought to justice, said Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Tulare.

It is certainly possible that this is all much ado about nothing, and is merely being used as a power play in a struggle for political influence.

Both sides have a point. There is enough circumstantial evidence to conduct an investigation, as exemplified by the leak that revealed that former White House national security adviser Mike Flynn lied when he said publicly, and to Vice President Mike Pence, that he did not discuss the Obama administrations sanctions on Russia when he spoke with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak shortly before Trump took office. (This led to Flynns resignation.)

The Russia investigation, already eight months old, should be conducted as expeditiously as practicable to clear the names of innocent parties and minimize politicization.

And there are understandable concerns about the leaking of sensitive information, particularly in an era when the government, and especially the intelligence community, has unprecedented power to obtain private information about people. But we should not be too quick to prosecute whistleblowers except in the most extreme cases, where national security is truly jeopardized.

The Obama administration infamously used the Espionage Act of 1917 to prosecute more whistleblowers and leakers than all other administrations combined. Continuing such a precedent would be chilling to the ability of insiders, with the aid of the press, to reveal wrongdoing by the government.
Random thoughts about Auto Club Speedway as it celebrates its 20th anniversary, and wondering whatever happened to Kenny Smith, a California lottery million-dollar winner who crashed on the first lap of the first race in 1997.

 Long before Roger Penske officially opened California Speedway in 1997, while it was still under construction, he won over the hearts of the men and women who had worked for years at Kaiser Steel. He had invited them to lunch for their first up-close look at their former work site.

Never mind the day in 1995 was nearly ruined by wind, but Fontana residents and those who work in the area have grown accustomed to the gusts that reached close to 50 mph that afternoon. So what if the catered sandwiches were coated by a little sand? The invited guests were proud their place of employment for so many years was being turned into a world-class racing facility.

Penske and Les Richter, his administrative person in charge, welcomed the guests and spoke of the future. In reality, neither Penske or Richter needed to say much. The Kaiser retirees knew these two men were going to guard their retirement funds. They were going to be proud of the site once again.

They wanted to know where they could buy tickets, if they could bring their families to the site. Penske and Richter had created a support group who would also act as cheerleaders and ambassadors with their effort, an unprecedented public relations home run.

It was a deep personal moment for this writer. Penske and Richter made it a point to search out my parents, Louis and Sara Brewster, and thank them  him for his service in World War II and at Kaiser. They also mentioned that their son was doing a good job and that must have come from his parents.

As my dad beamed, he was surrounded by his fellow Kaiser workers, all of whom I knew. They were proud of Penskes words and beaming because the son of Ace, my dads nickname, was playing a role in securing their future. 

 For at least two years before the speedway opened, Richter was a regular on the rubber chicken circuit as he went out to various service clubs in Southern California. His reputation as a member of the Los Angeles Rams often preceded him, especially the trade  11 players for Richter  the team pulled off for his services. Though he was an executive with NASCAR and former general manager at Riverside International Raceway, the public wanted to know about the Rams.

He would eventually get around to pitching the track and answering questions, often the same ones but in different cities.

How bad did (the Kaiser Steel mill) look when we started? Richter would ask his spellbound audience. Well, I can tell you this. It was used to shoot the TV movie Hiroshima  and it didnt need any help.

By the time the folksy Richter departed to return to Fontana, he had the support of the service club and a few ticket orders. 

 Richter was the right man at the right time. During the mid-1990s construction of the ultra-modern track, billed at the time as the best in the world, there were financial concerns on the part of San Bernardino County. There came a time when money for the widening of Cherry Avenue was scarce and the project appeared to be in jeopardy months before the opening.

In a move that remained private for a time, Richter wrote a personal check to keep the project on schedule. A grateful county eventually repaid Richter. 

 Fly-overs at the speedway before a NASCAR race are nothing new, although the government stopped the practice a few years ago due to economic reasons. There have been a few exceptional pre-race aerial shows, including a low pass by the U.S. Navys Blue Angels not too long ago that had the crowd roaring.

In another pre-race military show, members of the U.S. Armys famed 101st Division rappelled out of helicopters onto the tri-oval and helped unfurl a giant American flag, drawing a tremendous ovation.

There was also a close call. One year, a pair of Air Force F-16s were forced to bank sharply to the north when two planes got a little too close to the closed airspace. With afterburners glowing, the jets made a low pass over the Village of Heritage.

From a personal standpoint, the favorite was one without jets. Rather, it was a Marine Corps helicopter formation  from large transports to smaller gunships  flying low and slow from the east to the west. It was quite a sight, enough for tears to trickle from my eyes of a writer who lost his son Bryan on a helicopter mission when his Army Chinook went down in Afghanistan in 2006. 

 Late in 2005, NASCAR received a call asking why the sanctioning body had hurt driver Bill Elliott in an X-rated movie.

A scene in an adult film showed a couple acting atop a motorhome in the speedway infield, only to have the camera cut away to catch Elliott after he had spun out between turns 1 and 2 and was slow getting out of the car.

It was the beginning of quite a legal firestorm.

The information was passed along to Penske. Imagine, if you will, executives in an high-rise office watching the movie, taking careful notes as to how the speedway was portrayed. Penske immediately took legal action, won in court and forced the movie producers to halt sales and hand over all unsold videos.

It remains a collectors item, but quietly. Even years later, the ruling still has plenty of legal bite. 

 Kyle Busch has recorded a dozen wins on various levels at Fontana, including his first Cup victory. Perhaps it just his way of remembering his biggest setback.

In 2002, it was determined the 17-year-old Busch could not participate in the CART Marlboro 500 weekend because he was too young to be around cigarettes. Busch was replaced by Chino Hills Tim Woods in the Jack Roush truck before qualifying.

Busch later returned to the truck series at Fontana, winning the final two races in 2008-09.

 Hard to believe there have been more than two million fans who have attended races at the speedway, and there has never been a baby born on the grounds. The NASCAR races of the past few years have been exciting enough to trigger a birth, but no.

Perhaps the first baby will receive lifetime tickets from track, especially if the parents name their new arrival for track president Dave Allen or his wife Leddy.

Unfortunately, several fans have died at the track in the infield. The wildest rumor is that several years ago, a fan literally drank himself to death, passing out in his motorhome on Saturday but not discovered until Monday. Whos to argue about urban legends?
The 909 is running out of phone numbers.

The California Public Utilities Commission is aiming to introduce a new area code to the region served by the 909  which includes cities from Walnut to Yucaipa along the 10 Freeway  because the number of available prefixes are expected to run dry in two years, CPUC spokeswoman Constance Gordon said in an emailed statement.

The new area code  whose three-digit number has not been announced yet  is expected to debut by September 2018 to avoid any service disruptions.

The new area code would be an overlay, which means existing 909 area code holders will be able to keep their numbers, said Joe Cocke, senior area code relief planner for the North American Numbering Plan Administration, the organization responsible for creating new area codes in the United States and Canada.

RELATED: The 909 reacts to running out of 909 numbers

The overlay process differs from the geographic split method, which the CPUC chose when the 909 area code was carved out of the 714 area codes region in 1992. In decades past, 714 was the area code for east and south of Los Angeles, including the Inland Empire, Orange and San Diego counties.

Phone numbers for the 951 area code are not expected to be exhausted until the third quarter of 2026, according to John Manning, senior director of the North American Numbering Plan Administration.

In a geographic split, which also occurred when Riverside County broke off from the 909 to become the 951 in 2004, Cocke said, existing phone numbers must be changed, which is difficult for residents and businesses.

Cocke said the overlay method, which places the new area code within an existing area code region, makes more economic sense.

Having to change your area code has a negative impact to residential and business customers, Cocke said in a phone interview. Its not an easy thing to have a geographic split. With overlays, you dont end up having anybody negatively impacted.

Judi Penman, president and CEO of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

Its much better this way, Penman said in a phone interview. It is definitely an inconvenience for businesses to change their phone numbers.

Kathie Thurston, executive director of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, remembers the difficulties businesses faced when the 909 was born.

The hardship was having to change the numbers, ergo, change everything that occurs in business: your envelopes, your returns, invoicing and everything that goes along with it, Thurston said in a phone interview. So I think theres been more thought put into it this time around and more consideration of what the impact is.

Marcia Godwin remembers the hassle back in 2004, when the 951 area split from the 909. The associate professor of Public Administration at the University of La Verne was working for the city of Chino at the time, girding its emergency preparedness plans. She recalls the nuisance of having to verify employee contact numbers for those who had suddenly disappeared from the 909.

Just about everybody had a cellphone, and it was difficult to keep that up to date, said Godwin, who added she was happy to hear the CPUC plan is to use the overlay method for new numbers.

The CPUC plans to hold three local meetings to discuss the potential changes and to hear any concerns:

 The Pomona meeting will be 1 p.m. April 4 at City Council chambers, 505 S. Garey Ave.

 The San Bernardino meeting will be 6 p.m. April 4 at the Ruben Campos Community Center, 1717 W. Fifth St.

 The Redlands meeting will be 11 a.m. April 5 at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave.

For those unable to attend, written comments may be mailed to the CPUC Public Advisors Office, 320 W. Fourth St., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90013; submitted at the CPUCs website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/909areacode; emailed to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov, or by phone at 866-340-6147.
A Temecula man was arrested Tuesday, March 21, after a scuffle with a Riverside County sheriffs deputies that left one deputy with facial injuries, authorities say.

Deputies first made contact with the man about 2 p.m. near the Promenade mall at Ynez and Winchester roads in Temecula, according to a Sheriffs Department news release. People had called the department to report that the man was acting erratic and disrupting traffic and disturbing shoppers in local stores.

When deputies tried to detain the man behind a business, he tried to take one of their batons, the news release said.

The officers successfully defended the takeaway attempt and (the man) was arrested, the news release said.

Devynald Morrison, 22, was evaluated by medical professionals before being booked into jail on suspicion of resisting arrest and causing injury to a peace officer.
The Riverside woman accused of abandoning her 2-year-old daughter at a grocery store pleaded not guilty to the charges against her Tuesday, March 21, and was denied the opportunity to be released from jail without bail.

Chiengkham Cindy Vilaysane, 31, is charged with felony desertion of a child younger than 14 and misdemeanor child endangerment. She has been in jail in Riverside for the past week, and her bail is set at $10,000.

Her defense attorney wanted that amount reduced or eliminated. At a hearing Monday, Judge Samuel Diaz Jr. said if she were released without bail  on her own recognizance, in legal terms  she would be supervised, undergo drug tests several times per week and have her home searched.

But when Vilaysane wasnt able Tuesday to tell the court where she would live, Diaz denied her release without bail because the defendant has nowhere to go, he said. Her bail remains set at $10,000, and as of Tuesday evening, she had not posted bond.

Few of Vilaysanes relatives were in court Tuesday. Her defense attorney stood in front of her, blocking her from TV news cameras.

Her attorney had previously asked the judge for his client to undergo a mental health evaluation; on Tuesday, he reiterated that request and also asked for the records from her past mental health evaluations at local jails.

During Mondays hearing, the judge said examination had found that Vilaysane may have mental health issues and that she has been on meth.

Riverside police say that on the evening of March 12, Vilaysane went to the Food 4 Less on Van Buren Boulevard with her 2-year-old daughter. As Vilaysane shopped, the girl wandered off, and when someone brought her back, Vilaysane reportedly told the person, Oh, just leave her. Vilaysane left the store without her daughter. She was arrested two days later.

Her relatives have defended her as a good mother but acknowledged she has had drug issues. The day after her arrest, a Riverside detective said the family told police that they were fed up with her and had kicked her out of their house. However, her family denied that in an interview with The Press-Enterprise.

Vilaysanes next court appearance is scheduled for March 29.



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Mom accused of abandoning daughter has drug, possible mental health issues, judge says
Riverside County schools chief Judy White called Tuesday, March 21, for the creation of affordable housing villages to help fill teacher shortages.

Master-planned education neighborhoods could offer low-cost housing and convenient services that would lure teachers to work in the Inland area, White said in her hour-long State of Education Address and Luncheon in Riverside.

White was appointed in January to finish the remaining two years of former Superintendent of Schools Kenn Youngs term. Young left the post for a job with an education nonprofit group in San Diego.

Its a competitive marketplace out there for the best teachers, and one of my goals is to establish Riverside County as the destination for top-quality teachers and educators, White told about 600 people at the Riverside Convention Center.

Whites idea is modeled after education villages in Los Angeles, the Bay Area and other regions with high home and rental costs. A state law that took effect last year allows school districts to use surplus property to develop affordable housing exclusively for teachers and other employees.

This is a very big dream, and it will take commitments and collaborations from within every district, city government, local business and neighborhood, said White, who had been Moreno Valley Unified School Districts superintendent.

White noted a California School Boards Association survey last fall that showed three-fourths of school districts in the state have a teacher shortage. Eighty percent of those districts said the shortfall has grown in recent years and the worst may be yet to come, White said.

White asked audience members to write their ideas for making teacher villages a reality on notecards at their tables.

We need to do things to attract people to enter and stay in our profession, Harold Acord, president of the Moreno Valley Educators Association, said by phone. Housing in the Inland Empire is more expensive than many places in the United States. Its hard, especially for younger people coming out of college with a lot of debt.

White outlined her priorities as schools superintendent, an elected official who leads the Riverside County Office of Education. The 1,600-employee agency has a $285 million annual budget and fiscal oversight of the countys 23 school districts. The county office provides special education, early childhood education and alternative education programs.

Whites other goals include lifting the countys graduation rate, increasing college financial aid applications, helping English learners and removing the real barriers that prevent our students from succeeding.

White urged schools to focus on the arts, career and technical education and programs to help children before they reach kindergarten.

White also wants to see a drop in the number of chronically absent students who miss 18 or more school days a year. On a given day, 21,500 Riverside County students arent in class, costing schools more than $176 million per year in state dollars, she said.

Reach the reporter:

951-368-9292, stwall@scng.com or @pe_swall on Twitter
The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has described the 2017 budget as an ambitious one that seeks to address the challenges confronting the country.



It further described it as a budget consistent with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos statement that he was in a hurry to return Ghana to a growth path that would bring prosperity to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their sex or location.



The budget has set a growth target of 6.5 per cent. We believe the economy must be set on a growth path as soon as possible. But the fundamentals must be right to sustain rapid economic growth, the TUC said in a statement on its view of the 2017 budget.



In its earlier submission, the TUC had called on the government to consider reducing personal income taxes (PAYE) and also suggested to it to raise the tax-free threshold to GH12,000 per annum (or GH1,000 per month).



The government seems to have ignored this suggestion. The implication is that even minimum wage earners will pay income tax. We urge the government not to tax workers into poverty, the statement said.



It also drew the governments attention to the need for clear targets for employment creation to serve as a guide for assessing performance, sector by sector, region by region and district by district.



Employment



Welcoming the job creation initiatives in the budget, the TUC underscored the need to set clear employment targets to guide the governments actions and pledged to work with the government and other stakeholders to support both the growth and jobs initiatives.



It stated that the country required a harmonious industrial atmosphere to advance the goals set out in the budget; the atmosphere also required all the social partners, particularly the government, to commit to and invest appropriately in the mechanisms for social dialogue in the true spirit of social partnership and mutual respect.



Before the budget was presented to Parliament, the TUC had submitted a 17-page budget proposal for the consideration of the government, in which it shared its perspectives on the economy in a number of areas.



The statement indicated that a careful reading of the budget indicated that the government recognised the employment challenge as such and had a clear intention to address it.



We have taken note of the special programmes such as the one district, one factory, one village, one dam, small business development, planting for food and jobs, national entrepreneurship and innovation programme, one million dollar, one constituency, among other initiatives aimed at creating jobs for Ghanaians, it said.



It said the initiative to undertake an employment audit of government-funded projects was very much appreciated and that the successful implementation of those initiatives would go a long way to alleviate the employment challenge which, in the view of the TUC, was the greatest challenge facing the country.



We find these job creation initiatives very positive and refreshing. We will support the government to ensure the successful implementation of these employment creation initiatives, the statement added.



Taxation



On taxation, the statement said one policy initiative that set the budget apart from previous budgets had to do with tax reliefs.



Consistent with the NPPs manifesto to shift the focus of economic management from taxation to production, it pointed out that the 2017 budget had reduced or eliminated several taxes.



The government, the statement added, had also introduced tax credits and other incentives for establishments that employed young graduates from tertiary institutions and tax incentives for young entrepreneurs.



We share the view that some of these taxes were a nuisance. The elimination of these taxes may spur the growth of businesses and raise the disposable incomes of Ghanaians, it said.



Labour administration



The TUC, in its earlier submission, had called on the government to reverse the situation by investing in labour market institutions, including the National Labour Commission (NLC), the Labour Department, the Factories Inspectorate Department, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.



Per the budget, the TUC said, for the 2017 fiscal year, the Ministry of Employment and all its agencies would receive GH60.7 million for their operations, which represented 0.001 per cent of the total Appropriation Bill and 0.04 per cent of the allocation to the Presidency.



We cannot achieve industrial peace for economic growth if the government continues to treat the ministry responsible for employment and labour relations as a non-priority ministry, the statement said.



Pensions



The TUC expressed concern that instead of the budget addressing the fundamental weaknesses in Ghanas pension system, it only indicated that the supervisory responsibility of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) would move from the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to the Ministry of Finance and gave the justification for that change as pensions are about finance.



But the TUC, in the statement, explained that pension was not only about finance but more about the welfare of pensioners.



With the transfer of the supervisory responsibility of NPRA from the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to the Ministry of Finance, we can only envisage more government interference in the pension system that may gravely affect the operations of SSNIT, NPRA and second tier pension schemes, the statement added.



The TUC reiterated its opposition to the intended privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and urged the Akufo-Addo government to pull out of the Ghana Compact II programme of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.











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 whole nation has been saddened by the tragic event at the Kintampo Waterfall in the Brong Ahafo Region involving the loss of nearly 20 precious lives, with 22 others sustaining serious degrees of injuries.



The sad event follows the falling of a tree on a group of students from Wenchi Senior High School, Wenchi, and University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, who had gone on separate visits to the area.



The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, has on behalf of the government gone to the disaster area and visited the surviving victims, offering them undisclosed sums of money to help defray their hospital bills, promising government assistance in helping to bury the dead and also giving support to those whose relatives are on admission.



On his part, President Akufo-Addo has sent in a message expressing his condolence to the victims and the bereaved families.



Again, the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and former President John Mahama have all expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.



During his visit, the Vice President was accompanied by officials such as the Minister for Interior, Minister for National Security and also the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Some NADMO officials have also visited the area.



All these go to show the readiness of the government and the people of Ghana to sympathise with all affected families and to share in their sorrows.



Whenever disasters of this kind occur it becomes the responsibility of the nation, devoid of politics, to do all it can to wipe off the tears of the immediate families directly affected by the incident as well as all other Ghanaians.



Irrespective of where any person in the country comes from, we are all Ghanaians and, when struck by unfortunate disasters, ought to be given well-deserved consolation as required, but not to play needless politics with such issues for cheap political points, since what has happened is a serious matter that cannot be joked with.



That is why what has happened at the Kintampo Waterfall cannot be limited to only the direct families of the affected victims but to everyone in the country.



Let us depoliticise the tragic event, contrary to the statements and pronouncements of certain people who see it as an opportunity to cash in and harvest political scores, but rather think about how seriously and genuinely such disasters can be prevented in various forms or dimensions in any part of the country in future.



It is in the light of this that the announcement by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture that the government is to undertake safety audits in all tourist sites is most welcome.



Such audits should not be carried out only after post-disaster events or occurrences such as the Kintampo incident, but be manifestly seen to be consistently and continuously carried through for the non-negotiable purpose and good reason to preserve the safety of the lives of all existing and potential tourists, whether domestic or foreign.



Furthermore, what has happened, though very sad and unforgettable, should urge us on and also encourage or help us to carve out the right path of safety progress in addition to also defining the appropriate steps needed to prevent any future recurrence.

KINTAMPO WATERFALL DISASTER, NEVER AGAIN!

The whole nation has been saddened by the tragic event at the Kintampo Waterfall in the Brong Ahafo Region involving the loss of nearly 20 precious lives, with 22 others sustaining serious degrees of injuries.



The sad event follows the falling of a tree on a group of students from Wenchi Senior High School, Wenchi, and University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, who had gone on separate visits to the area.



The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, has on behalf of the government gone to the disaster area and visited the surviving victims, offering them undisclosed sums of money to help defray their hospital bills, promising government assistance in helping to bury the dead and also giving support to those whose relatives are on admission.



On his part, President Akufo-Addo has sent in a message expressing his condolence to the victims and the bereaved families.



Again, the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and former President John Mahama have all expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.



During his visit, the Vice President was accompanied by officials such as the Minister for Interior, Minister for National Security and also the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Some NADMO officials have also visited the area.



All these go to show the readiness of the government and the people of Ghana to sympathise with all affected families and to share in their sorrows.



Whenever disasters of this kind occur it becomes the responsibility of the nation, devoid of politics, to do all it can to wipe off the tears of the immediate families directly affected by the incident as well as all other Ghanaians.



Irrespective of where any person in the country comes from, we are all Ghanaians and, when struck by unfortunate disasters, ought to be given well-deserved consolation as required, but not to play needless politics with such issues for cheap political points, since what has happened is a serious matter that cannot be joked with.



That is why what has happened at the Kintampo Waterfall cannot be limited to only the direct families of the affected victims but to everyone in the country.



Let us depoliticise the tragic event, contrary to the statements and pronouncements of certain people who see it as an opportunity to cash in and harvest political scores, but rather think about how seriously and genuinely such disasters can be prevented in various forms or dimensions in any part of the country in future.



It is in the light of this that the announcement by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture that the government is to undertake safety audits in all tourist sites is most welcome.



Such audits should not be carried out only after post-disaster events or occurrences such as the Kintampo incident, but be manifestly seen to be consistently and continuously carried through for the non-negotiable purpose and good reason to preserve the safety of the lives of all existing and potential tourists, whether domestic or foreign.



Furthermore, what has happened, though very sad and unforgettable, should urge us on and also encourage or help us to carve out the right path of safety progress in addition to also defining the appropriate steps needed to prevent any future recurrence.





Source: The Ghanaian Times









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Forty-one police trainees have been dismissed from police training schools for allegedly using fake certificates to get recruited into the Ghana Police Service.



Out of the number, 22 trainees were dismissed from the Puwalugu Police Training School in the Upper East Region, 10 from the Kumasi Police Training School in the Ashanti Region, five from the Police Training School in the Greater Accra Region, two from the Police Training School in Koforidua, Eastern Region, while two were from the Ho Police Training School in the Volta Region.



The affected trainees, who have been arrested, were recruited on November 15, 2016 and had been in the training schools for the past four months.



The police trainees, who have been granted police bail, are said to have either altered results on their certificates or changed the names on the certificates.



Others were also found to have submitted certificates belonging to the opposite sex.



Investigations



Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Mr Cephas Arthur, said the dismissal of the recruits was part of background investigation being undertaken by the Police Administration to prevent undesirable persons from the Ghana Police Service.



He said the process would continue to the end of the six-month training process for the newly recruited personnel in the various police training schools across the country.



We are still doing background checks on the recruits that we have in our training schools and anytime we stumble on any fact that will make someone unsuitable to be a police officer, we will expel the person, he said.



Verification



As part of the process to verify some of the academic credentials of the trainees, Mr Arthur said, the documents of the trainees were forwarded to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for assessment and verification and some of them were found to have been forged.



He said the trainees dismissed from the Police Training School in Kumasi had been put before the Kumasi Circuit Court and granted bail by the court to reappear next week.



The others, he said, who had also been charged for impersonation and forgery of documents, among other offences, had been granted police enquiry bail, while they were being processed for court.



Mr Arthur cautioned that the law would be brought to bear on all the expelled recruits for forging their academic documents, an act which was a criminal offence, and for deceiving public officers in the submission of their documents to be recruited into the Ghana Police Service.



Background



To qualify for police training, applicants are required to have obtained a WAEC certificate or higher, be Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 25.



Applicants must also have an average height of 173 centimetres or 5.8 feet for males and 165 centimetres and 5.4 feet for females. Additionally, they should have no criminal record and be medically fit.



In February 2017, the Police Administration dismissed 206 new recruits who were undergoing training at the Pwalugu Police Training School in the Upper East Region because they did not meet the academic requirements for recruitment into the service.

Source: Daily Graphic









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Further cross-examination of Akua Donkor, founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and failed presidential hopeful, in the case in which she is accusing four persons, including her driver, of robbery, took a dramatic turn yesterday.



This time round, Akua asked private legal practitioner, Vincent Aikins, to drop the English language and speak Twi for the hearing of the case.



The GFP founder, who was speaking through an interpreter, threw the court into spontaneous laughter when she again said that she did not know her destination, although she was heading to America on the night of the robbery incident.



She stated that the destination was on her ticket, adding that her purpose for the trip was to meet Ghanaian supporters of her party for interactions after the 2016 polls.



Asked what use it was to meet the supporters after the elections, Madam Akua Donkor emphasized that she was not voted for and as such was meeting the supporters ahead of the next elections, hoping to be voted as president of the country.



The accused persons are Yakubu Yusif, trader; the Central Regional Chairman of the GFP, Banabas Kayase; driver/secretary of the party, Opoku Agyemang, trader and Abdul Razak Shaibu, a member of the GPRTU Task Force.



Two other suspected accomplices  Joe and Nuamah aka Lion  are currently on the run.



According to Chief Superintendent Duutu Tuaruka, the six persons on December 30, 2016 at Taifa in Accra, conspired to rob the GFP flag bearer.



The prosecutor said the accused persons at about 2:30 am at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra, robbed Akua at gunpoint and snatched her travelling bag containing plane ticket, Ghanaian passport, voter ID card, $30,000 and GH3,000.



Under further cross-examination in the court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh, Akua Donkor said Banabas is not the secretary of her party.



The GFP founder denied that she reported the accused to the police as the secretary of the party.



Answering questions on Opoku Agyemnag, she said shes not related to the accused, although they both hail from the same village.



She denied the assertion by the lawyer that Opoku Agyemang had asked for $400 to be given to Barnabas because she had not been paying him for his service as a driver.



Sitting continues tomorrow.

Source: Daily Guide









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The world marks World Water Day on Wednesday, March 22 to tackle water crises resulting from bad practices.



The annual event which is celebrated on March 22 focuses on the importance of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries as well as developed ones.



Though the event is supposed to promote clean water for people, it's a sad day today to find several of Ghana's water bodies contaminated particular by the activities of illegal mining operators.



Peace FM's Correspondent, Sally Ngissah took a trip to Sekyere Hemang at Elmina District in the Central Region to make some studies on the nature of the water bodies in the vicinity.



She reports that due to the activities of small-scale illegal mining (galamsey), the water bodies at Sekyere Hemang have turned yellowish and destroyed by the galamseyers.



Speaking with the Regional Production Manager of the Ghana Water Company in Cape Coast, Mr. John Eric Kwofie; she noted that the company is unable to tap water from the water bodies to supply communities in the Region.



"This has resulted in more cost for the company," he stressed.



Below are some disturbing images of the water bodies in the Central Region, specifically Sekyere Hemang:









Source: Sally Ngissah/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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An angry Muslim cleric, Sheikh Hussaini Yusuf Mabera threatened to come really hard on highly revered Nigerian cleric, TB Joshua for calling Jesus God. Sheikh Hussaini Yusuf Mabera, a Muslim cleric and front-line Islamic lecturer, has threatened to drag renowned Nigerian Pastor Trmitope Joshua to court.



In a message he shared on his Facebook wall, Mabera berated the pastor for regularly describing Jesus Christ as God.



He wrote: I am filing a case to the Federal High Court of Nigeria against Pastor T.B. Joshua and co-pastors for speaking a lie against Jesus Christ by calling him God.



The Islamic teacher said he regularly watched Joshuas popular television channel Emmanuel TV, wondering why the prophet should address Jesus as God in front of thousands of his listeners.



He added: I was completely aghast when I heard the so-called Prophet T.B. Joshua of Emmanuel TV calling Jesus God in the presence of thousands of his audience, among whom were professors, doctors, reverend fathers and mothers, pastors and bishops.



Sheikh Mabera said from his own findings, the Bible itself has so many evidences contradicting the belief that Jesus Christ is a spirit being.



Mabera, who owns an Islamic school where he trains other Muslims in the art of defending their faith, continued that T.B. Joshua and his ilk lacked proper understanding of Scriptural truths.



As I was watching T.B. Joshua speaking through Emmanuel TV and his audience helplessly watching and listening to his accumulated lies and unfounded praise-singing directed at Jesus, I almost cried with automatic alacrity when he said that Jesus is Almighty God.



My conclusion was that both TB Joshua and other Christians actually read their Bible without proper understanding of what they are reading, he claimed.



Islamic cleric threatens court action against T.B Joshua for calling Jesus God



The fiery Islamic advocate then quoted several Scriptures to support his claims that Jesus Christ was a servant of God, not God Himself.



There are millions of facts from the Scriptures and other rational facts that authentically proved that Jesus does not have even the least qualification of being God, he opined.



Mabera ended his post by declaring that Joshua was deceiving and misguiding his innocent followers with preposterous lies.



Let us meet in the court of law and debate it out. Enough is Enough, he declared.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com









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The National Ambulance Service has debunked claims that an ambulance conveying victims of the Kintampo Waterfalls disaster to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital had been involved in an accident earlier today.



Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ambulance Service, Simmons Yussif Kewura noted that the said ambulance which was stationed at Chiripone in the Northern Region was tasked to transport a patient from the Tamale Teaching Hospital to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and on its way "to Kumasi between Kintampo and Techiman it collided with on-coming vehicle in an attempt to over take another vehicle in front of the ambulance".



There were earlier reports that a State-owned ambulance conveying victims of the Kintampo Waterfalls disaster to Konfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, was involved in car crash, killing the driver in the process.



The ambulance whose registration number was given as GV 375-12 was said to be carrying the victims in critical condition to the hospital when the accident occurred at a farming community called Gwenewoho.



Eyewitnesses told mynewsgh.com that the accident occurred Tuesday morning around 4am.



According to them, the Ambulance driver attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him but unfortunately he hit a stationary vehicle in front of him and another vehicle behind him smashed the ambulance against the stationary car.



It would be recalled that a large tree fell down at the Kintampo waterfalls on Sunday, killing about 18 people and leaving over 30 others injured.



The injured were receiving treatment at the Kintampo and Techiman General Hospitals.



But in a statement, copied to Peacefmonline.com, the ambulance has no links with the Kintampo incident.







Read full statement below:







The information that is been circulated on the social media and some online networks that the National Ambulance Service ambulance car carrying victims of Kintampo waterfalls which some of them were report dead has been involved in accident was not true.



The facts on the accident involving the ambulance are that; the said ambulance was stationed at Chiripone in the Northern Region. It was tasked to transport a patient from Tamale Teaching Hospital to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and its way to Kumasi between Kintampo and Techiman it collided with on-coming vehicle in an attempt to over take another vehicle in front of the ambulance.



I want to emphatically state that the said ambulance has nothing to do with the Kintampo waterfall victims.

Currently the driver of the Ambulance who sustained injury is responding tp treatment at Holy Family Hospital.











PRO -National Ambulance Service

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Traditional authorities of Kintampo area are angry with government delegation led by the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who were there to commiserate with the families of the Kintampo Waterfalls victims.



The delegation was in the area to show solidarity with students of Wenchi Methodist Secondary School currently responding to treatment after a storm was said to have caused a tree to fall on revellers, killing at least 20 students and injuring several others.



The delegation including the Brong Ahafo Region Minister, Hon Asoma-Cheremeh announced government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured persons and the funeral expenses of the dead.



But the traditional authorities of Kintampo Traditional Council are dissatisfied with government.



According to the Kontihene of the area, Nana Effah, they had messages from the constituency executives of NPP that the Vice President will pay them a courtesy call.



So we were seated in our palace waiting for the Dr. Bawumia and his entourage to come so it can afford us opportunity to brief him the whole issue .We waited for hours only to hear on radio this morning that he has gone back to Accra.



How come you be in a traditional home like this and refused to seek permission from us a custodians of the land?.. This is uncalled for and we will want government to come with better explanation, the aggrieved Kontihene fumed during radio interviews.????

Source: mynewsgh.com









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Owners of unlicensed motorcycles in the Kumasi metropolis will be given a 30-day grace period to get them registered, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has disclosed.



In an interview on Adehye FM in Kumasi on Tuesday March 21, Mr Osei-Mensah said he, in concert with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), was drawing up a number of measures to improve the general security situation in the region, specifically Kumasi.



He announced that spots known to be targeted by criminals in Kumasi at night would be provided with streetlights, with increased police patrols in some areas, adding that security was also being tightened to curb armed robbery in the metropolis.



Concerning increased criminal activity involving motorbikes and cars, the Minister spelt out measures to address the situation.



Another policy that will soon be rolled out is to give all persons who have unlicensed motorbikes in Kumasi up to a month to license such vehicles. If you do not license it within that one month and you are arrested and your documents show you have owned that motorbike for more than one month, well seize it, because many people use unregistered motorbikes and cars to commit crimes, he noted.



He admitted that though some offences in the region involve registered vehicles, most often the ones used in crimes are unlicensed vehicles and motorbikes, adding: So we are coming to get rid of those.



The exercise, he added, would be extended to persons who use cars with DVLA plates for several years as well as other West African nationals using foreign-registered number plates who overstay the 90-day period allowed for use of such cars in the country and refuse to register with Ghanaian authorities, revealing that there were many of such persons who have managed to continue using such cars in the country for years by simply driving across the border to get their passports stamped and return to the country to begin another cycle.



We dont entertain those tricks and we are not going to entertain those tricks, he promised.

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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The founder and head pastor of Gods Crown Chapel Prophet Reindolph Oduro Gyebi popularly called Eagle Prophet has disclosed that he refused to pray to avert the Kintampo disaster because God did not instruct him to do so.



Prophet Oduro who prophesised on Abusua FM on March 13, 2017 about the Kintampo disaster where about 20 students and revellers were killed when a tree from the uphill fell on them has heavily been criticised by a section of Ghanaians for refusing to pray to prevent the disaster.



But speaking with Lantam Papanko on Ultimate Breakfast Show, he indicated that God only ordered him to warn the schools to stop embarking on the excursion or change their venue.



The prophet who said he has been very sad after the incident blamed one of the schools authorities who listened to him when he was prophesying but failed to act.



He revealed that he didnt know the schools that were going on the excursion but the prophesy was an accurate one.



I saw it like I was watching TV, after receiving the message, I hit it up, this scripture of God reveals to redeem must be well addressed. The redemption that God gives to us, sometimes, he would say pray and stop it, but this one was a direct one, he said, tell them to they should stop. If its would have been prayer, that is my work God has called me.



I will not say the person who was listening to me, did not act, there were lots of things running through my spirits that day. Either the person heard it and took it as one of those prophecies, or refused to tell the message, or heard the message and said they could pray about it.



The good thing is that if God wants to save you, he brings you on the right line and alert you on certain things. The person knew it, I didnt know the schools, but if God wanted me to directly go to them, he would have revealed to me, the prophesy was on point, nothing was missed. I have done my job of what God just told me, what is prayer, I am a prophet and I go by instructions, I dont do things out of my own power, people should take this, he explained.



The Eagle Prophet advised Ghanaians to desist from being obstinate to Gods prophecies calling for a national prayer for the country.

Source: ultimatefmonline.com









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Archbishop of Internal Province of Ghana, Most Reverend Dr Daniel Yinka Sarfo says people who commit suicide will go to hell.



He indicated that parents are to blame for the increasing cases of suicides especially among the youth.



Dr. Safo explained that, parents these days are more concerned about getting money rather than bringing up their children in the Godly way.



Those who will commit suicide especially the youth in this country will go to hell straight away. It is not a good thing to take your life because God has a purpose for each and everyone in this world. I blame some parents because they fail to train their children he said on Accra based Accra FM.



Just in the past weeks, close to three young persons have taken their lives under different conditions  a development which raises the concern of how mentally safe Ghanaians are.

Source: adomonline









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The management of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has met with leadership of the various hawker groups in the metropolis and had agreed on implementing the redline policy.



The AMA initiated the redline policy last year to streamline the activities of hawkers which had impeded the movements of pedestrians and motorists and posed as a major challenge to the activities of the assembly.



A statement signed by Numo Blafo III, the Head of the Public Affairs Department of the AMA and copied to the Ghana News Agency expressed the hope that the hawkers would comport themselves in the implementation of the policy.



It urged the hawkers to report any grievance to the assembly for amicable resolution.



The statement, however, warned that notwithstanding the AMAs willingness to allow the hawkers some space along the streets, their indiscriminate activities violated the AMA Hawkers Bye-Laws of 2011 and Article 117 (Section 1A-F) of the Road Traffic Regulation 2012.

Source: GNA









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Dr Sekou Nkrumah, son of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to allow Ghanas first presidents role in the struggle for independence untouched.



President Akufo-Addo renewed the debate over whether Ghana should have founding fathers or a founding father while delivering his speech Monday to mark Ghanas 60 independence anniversary.



According to him, the struggle for independence was started by members of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).He listed Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, William Ofori-Atta, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei and Edward Akufo-Addo as the pioneers of the independence fight.



Mr Akufo-Addo added that it was when the UGCC leaders decided they needed a full-time general secretary that they brought in a younger nationalist in Mr Nkrumah.



Soon thereafter, on 28th February, 1948, the notorious and senseless killings of three ex-servicemen, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey... undoubtedly, quickened the pace of the independence movement, he said.



This narrative of the president has not gone well with several Nkrumahists who believe he is re-writing history.



Dr Sekou Nkrumah, in a short letter addressed to the president, said: Dear Nana Addo, I am with you in elevating 6th March to advance the interest of all Ghanaians as well as project all our heroes in a positive and dignified way so as to unite our dear country. However, I beg of you to leave 21st September for Nkrumah alone!



I had my differences with the late Professor Mills but I stood with him in all humility for the honour he gave our first President Kwame Nkrumah in declaring his birthday a public holiday.

Source: classfmonline.com









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APG has been appointed as the General Sales Agent of Cobalt in Belgium, France, Israel, Spain and will be providing full sales and marketing services as well as call centre facilities.

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Further information is available at www.cobalt.aero
NDC MP for Yunyoo, Hon. Joseph Bipoba Naabu has given a detailed account as to why the party lost the 2016 general elections.



In his view, President John Dramani Mahama was a huge contributor to the partys defeat when he appointed young boys who couldnt even hire a chamber and a hall as ministers of State to help him run the economy knowing very well that they had no experience in politics.



In an interview with some journalists of the Parliamentary Press Corps, the Yunyoo lawmaker also revealed that that arrogance of the President Mahamas Ministers also contributed to the defeat the NDC.



Below is a transcript of excerpts of the interview:



The arrogance of most of the Ministers was very serious and it affected their elections. I dont want to mention names. I know a minister went to his constituency and told a former MP that, that MP was not qualified to be a minister and that is why he was not made a minister and he is qualified that is why he was made a minister. Can you imagine which was not good. And most of the ministers that were appointed under NDC  they were young boys who have not been able to settle down well. Some of them just came from school  they couldnt even hire a chamber hall for themselves  they cannot even buy a bicycle. When they were made ministers and deputy ministers, within a year or two they were riding in posh cars. With me they had no experience and that affected us.



He added: You can see that we lost the Vice-Presidents constituency and that of President Mills constituency. That of the Minister for Education, Prof Nana Jane Opoku we lost her constituency as well. General Mosquito we lost, Mark Woyongo we lost, Baba Jama we lost, because of arrogance. Ask for the Minister of Education, some of them were just brought from nowhere. We dont know even how the President appointed them and the President did not appoint those people who actually deserve as NDC members. The President went and brought outsiders and that is why we loss and why didnt we lose? His appointment was very bad. Look, it is not everything that we will talk.



Hon. Naabu continued: Go and take the Konkomba issue  I am not trying to be tribalistic now that I want to raise ethnicity issue but in politics we cant do away with ethnicity. Even when you go to Legon to study Political Science, we have something we call ethnicity in Ghanaian politics  so we cannot do away with ethnicity. President Mahama did not appoint Konkombas. We were eight Konkombas on NDC ticket in Parliament and none of we the members of Konkomba were made a minister or deputy minister. That even affected the Konkombas and my brother, Bugri Naabu, the Regional Chairman  he used that and ensured that the whole of the Eastern Corridor we loss to the NPP, why?

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Allotey Jacobs has called on the Aglow International Fellowship Ghana to declare a day for prayers for the nation.



Allotey Jacobs implored the women to offer prayers for Ghana because he believes the country is currently in dire condition.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, the NDC Central Regional Chairman expressed his premonitions over the fate of the nation stating emphatically that recent happenings in the country are somehow demonic.



Allotey Jacobs was commenting on the Kintampo Waterfalls disaster that occurred on Sunday, March 19.



According to him, the disaster which claimed about 18 lives and left several students seriously injured should not only be attributed to a physical cause but spiritual as well.



Expressing worry over the calamities that have befallen the nation, Allotey Jacobs pleaded with the women prayer group "not to rest because whats happening is so terrifying. Its terrible too much. Something is wrong somewhere that we will need to seek the face of God in this country. Something is wrong somewhere. When there are calamities like this, for us as Christians; youll know that theres something wrong somewhere.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Obiri Boahen has refuted allegations that the party's vigilante group, Invincible Forces, has forcefully taken over the Kintampo waterfalls.



The Invincible Forces were alleged by a traditional ruler at Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region to have driven away the authorities of the waterfalls and taken over management of the site.



The group was accused of partly contributing to the tragic incident that occurred at the waterfalls last weekend, due to their shoddy maintenance of the facility.



But the NPP Deputy Chief Scribe debunked the claims in an interview with Class FM, saying "I doubt if the Invincible Forces have taken over the management of the Kintampo Falls. I dont have any information to that effect . . . Some people claiming to be Invincible Forces of NPP in the area took over the facility and all efforts to get them out have been unsuccessful."



Speaking in relation to the comments made by Obiri Boahen, the Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide, Kweku Baako has cautioned him to stop talking.



Kweku Baako feared Obiri Boahen may make a blunder if he continues to talk to the media.



He noted that, as for media practitioners, they will keep asking questions and should the NPP Deputy Secretary continues to make comments in the air waves; he may fall into the media trap.



He shouldnt talk too much. Its not every issue that when radio personalities call him that he should talk," Mr. Baako advised.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A very wise man once said When you gotta go, you gotta go. That man was Jeff Goldblum playing chaos mathematician Dr Ian Malcolm in the film Jurassic Park, and he was right: when it is necessary for you to go, you do indeed to have to go. Sometimes (admittedly quite rarely), that presents itself as a need to run to the toilet while under attack by an escaped t-rex, at other times, it presents itself as a need to temporarily break out of jail to make sure your kid is doing OK.

A teenager has handed himself into authorities after breaking out of Darwins Don Dale Youth Detention Centre to check that his baby was OK.

The 17-year-old sustained minor cuts and abrasions after hopping over a razor wire fence at 7:45pm last night. Duty Superintendent Rob Burgoyne said that he became worried after his ex-partner, the childs mother, arrived at Don Dale:

There were a few concerns over the baby that they had together. He decided hed go out and find out exactly what the case was.

The boy returned at roughly 5 this morning in the company of an older relative after finding that the baby was alright

It appears he also found out that the baby was OK and was fine and he decided to head back to Don Dale. So alls well that ends well, as they say.

A police spokesman told the ABC there is a chance he may face a charge of escaping custody.

Source: ABC.
In a welcome step away from the whole plebiscite, determine human rights via opinion poll rhetoric, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman has confirmed that theres a push for a free vote on marriage equality within the government.

The North Sydney MP said the government should abandon the plebiscite, after it was successfully killed off by Labor, and that a free-vote would naturally be the best way forward.

The plebiscite has failed, the parliament has indicated it wont support it. So we need a pathway forward and its my strong view that the best pathway would be a free vote in the parliament.

Zimmerman also confirmed that hed push his case with Malcolm Turnbull when the opportunity arose, and hopes a free vote might be possible within the year.

His announcement follows bizarre reports that fellow MP, Immigration Minister and general sack-of-shit Peter Dutton has counterintuitively been pushing for marriage equality behind the scenes in an effort for the Coalition to claim credit and control the legislation.

For his efforts, Zimmerman has more sincere reasons behind his advocacy, marching in a conservation float at this years Mardi Gras and making history as Australias first openly gay member of the House of Representatives.

And while at this point the free vote is just talk, with the party still officially backing a plebiscite (urgh gross), Zimmermans comments are a welcome show of progress on the issue and a good reminder that, while the Coalition has a largely terrible track record on LGBTIQ rights, there are still conservative members of the LGBTIQ community.

So good work Zimmerman and keep up the fight for equality gang, regardless of where you land on the political spectrum.

Source: 9News.

Photo: Facebook / Trent Zimmerman.
Following the passage of a number of progressive reforms overnight, abortion has finally been decriminalised and access heavily expanded in the Northern Territory.

Abortion, which is currently subject to differing state laws across Australia, was previously listed in the territorys criminal code, restricted to women who were assessed by two medical practitioners, and could only be performed in hospitals, with only two in Darwin and one in Alice Springs properly equipped to carry out terminations.

But after the Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 was passed 20-4 Tuesday night, surgical and medical abortions can now be performed in day surgeries and women up to nine weeks pregnant can access drugs such as RU486. The criminal listing has also been removed.

The reforms mean rural and remote NT women will no longer have to travel to either of those cities for terminations, and brings the territory into line with most of Australia.

The legislation fulfils an election promise by the new Labor government, but Health Minister Natasha Fyles emphasised the [mostly] respectful, bipartisan nature of the reforms:

I particularly acknowledge the Deputy Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and the Independent members Kezia Purick and Robyn Lambley for their support in the passage of this bill.

We believe all Territory women are entitled to control over their lives. Thats why weve introduced new legislation that gives Territory women the same access to medical termination drugs, like RU486, that other women in Australia have.



The legislation also promote safe access zones around abortion clinics, and require that health staff who conscientiously object to the procedure must refer women to doctors who can provide the service.

But while most NT politicians are praising reforms that, frankly, sound long overdue, there were still those four dissenting voices, one of which is kind of terrifying.

Labors Gerry McCarthy and Independents Terry Mills, Yingiya Mark Guyula, and Gerry Wood opposed the reforms, with Wood saying they will take the territory back to the dark ages and, horrifically, invoking the Stolen Generation:

It will make abortion more accessible and I have no doubt will increase the number of abortions in the Territory. We talk about stolen generations but if the Territory is losing 600 to 1000 unborn Territorians each year, isnt that a stolen generation lost each year, why dont we make a fuss about that?

Right, because women having control over their bodies and access to reproductive health care is definitely the same thing as the systematic, decades-long and actually ongoing destruction of thousands of Aboriginal families.

The legislation means that only Queensland and NSW now have abortions listed under their states criminal codes, although the procedure is considered lawful in certain circumstances.

Queensland has the especially niche requirement of convincing a doctor that a pregnancy constitutes a serious danger to a womans life or health, and while the state government is also attempting reform legislation was scrapped in late February due to opposition from the LNP.

The NT reforms come into effect in July this year.

Source: SMH.

Photo: Getty / NurPhoto.
President Trumps approval ratings are well and truly in the shitter.

According to a Gallup poll released over the weekend, his approval rating has dropped to a new low of 37%. By comparison, Obamas lowest approval rating ever was 38%, in September 2014.

And like the spineless cretin who wasnt praised by daddy enough, Trump craves approval. For example *gestures wildly to his entire existence* and his weird pot shots at Arnold Schwarzenegger, his replacement on Celebrity Apprentice.

Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got swamped (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT. So much for.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017

being a movie star-and that was season 1 compared to season 14. Now compare him to my season 1. But who cares, he supported Kasich & Hillary  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017

Well, Arnie is gearing up for a fight. Hes in Australia at the moment for his Arnold Classic Australia Tour (whatever that is), and has taken time out of his busy schedule of speaking, boating, and hanging with the cops to film a Trump takedown right here from Sydney.

Hello Donald, he says, dejectedly. The ratings are in. And you are swamped. Wow! Now youre in the thirties??

But what do you expect? You take away after school programs for children, and Meals on Wheels for the poor people? Thats not what you call making America great again, cmon. I mean, who is advising you?

Let me give you some advice. Go to a middle school, the Hart Middle School, right in Washington, six miles away from the White House. Ill take you there, so you can see the fantastic work that theyre doing for this children. Lets do it, huh?



In his first 61 days in office, Trump has signed seventeen executive orders, had his Muslim travel ban blocked (twice), had over four million women (and allies) march against him across America alone, cut funding to Meals on Wheels, and is now trying to repeal Obamacare and replace it with his own shitty healthcare bill (i.e. Obamacare Light), which will leave 24 million Americans uninsured, which has even been criticised by Republican lawmakers.

But yeah, go play another round at Mar-a-Lago, why dont you.

Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger / Twitter.
Silverchairs original lineup may never head out on another tour, according to a legal writ lodged by drummer Ben Gillies.

The muso claims an injury sustained during his first personal training session at a Melbourne gym in 2014 resulted in permanent damage to his shoulder, limiting his ability to perform.

Gillies alleges that despite his protestations, his trainer at Melbourne Health and Fitness pushed him to attempt bench pressing a heavier weight than he was capable of lifting. He claims he suffered a torn tendon as a result, was incapable of drumming for nearly a year afterwards, and still suffers limited mobility.

That impairment is allegedly enough to keep him from reaching pre-injury level of drumming skills to enable him to tour or return to his previous ability, and would keep him from dealing with the strenuous nature of actually being in a travelling act.

Gillies claims the injury hasnt only hampered his musical career, but any possible forays into television. The husband of Real Housewives of Melbourne star Jackie Gillies reckons hes had to turn down gig on Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother over the ordeal.

Part of the claim hinges on the allegation that Gillies trainer didnt conduct a prior fitness test to adequately judge his physical capabilities, and hes seeking an unknown figure in damages from both the trainer in question and the gym.

Wait to see how this one plays out, and perhaps revisit the bands back catalogue in the meantime.

Source: The Herald Sun.

Photo: Martin Philbey / Getty.
When Ellen DeGeneres puts a call out on Twitter, her fans respond in full force.

That's true even when they're asked to just show up on the 1600 block of Walnut St. in Philadelphia at 4 p.m. on March 22.

More than a hundred gathered on the block to get a glimpse of the star, who was going to interact with fans via a satellite from her show's studio in California.

"Ellen is my favorite," said Karen Davis of Philadelphia. "I watch 'Ellen' every day."

Davis had gotten to the street at 11 a.m. "I wanted to make sure I didn't miss nothing," she said.

For Davis, and many in the crowd, DeGeneres is a source of joy.

"She makes me happy," Davis said. "Even when I'm sad, when I see her show she just makes me happy."

That happiness is something Kevina Renwrick of South Philadelphia really needed.

"I just lost a sister to brain surgery. Funeral Tuesday," she said. "I was waking up crying and I looked at 'The Metro' and it said Ellen's at 17th and Walnut and I said we gotta go.

"I need something to smile about," she continued. "Through the sadness, she always brings smiles and joy. So I'm here. I need it today."

DeGeneres message of kindness and acceptance resonated with many in the crowd.

"Honestly, she's everything -- she's such a perfect person I feel like," said Ashley Garman of Pottstown. "She's so sweet, very giving."

"I like her motto," said Linda Collins of Philadelphia. "Treat people just like how you want to be treated and love everyone."

Those who came included longtime "Ellen" fans Richie French and Arielle DiDonato of South Philadelphia. They were carrying a sign they had made in high school for a project.

"I was the host of a talk show," French said. "We modeled it after the 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' because I think we look so much alike." He and DiDonato laughed (French is currently rocking a beard). Ten years later, the sign could be seen by its inspiration.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness was also present at the filming, in attempt to be seen by DeGeneres.

They hoped DeGeneres would see them and take the time to raise awareness.

"Ellen is all about kindness, so we talk to the kids about being kind to each other," said Lori Pepe with the organization. "That reaches them not only on the mental piece but to be kind in their language and thought and action."

"She embraces diversity, which we do too," she said later. "We're all inclusive...we're trying to get kids to open up the circle and to accept everyone just the way she does."

The Philadelphia episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" will air at 3 p.m. on March 23 on NBC.

Want more Philadelphia stories? Click here for all our coverage on the City of Brotherly Love. You may also enjoy these videos from our Life and Culture team:
In this Nov. 28, 1980 file photo, Chuck Barris, host of the television's "Gong Show," and friend Robin Altman leave the Pierrre Hotel in New York. Barris, the madcap producer of "The Gong Show" and "The Dating Game," died of natural causes Tuesday afternoon, March 21, 2017, at his home in Palisades, New York(AP Photo/Sands, File)

21 best game shows of the 1960s

Chuck Barris, television producer and game show host extraordinaire, died on March 21.

His passing got us thinking about the epic era of game shows, with some lasting only a season, while others continue to this day. Here is the list of 21 of our favorite game shows, with two of Barris' own projects at the top of the list.

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'The Dating Game'

One lady has a chance to ask her three unseen suitors a few questions. Whoever she picks gets to take her out on a fantastic date. It seems a little weird, until you remember that nowadays, people watch "The Bachelor."

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'The Newlywed Game'

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'Jeopardy!'

Long before Alex Trebek and the prime-time classiness that we know today, "Jeopardy!" was just another fun trivia show. It was still probably a big step up from the neighborhood bar's trivia night, though.

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'Hollywood Squares'

While it was also a legitimate game show, "Hollywood Squares" was mostly a platform for comedians and other celebrities to dole out one-liners as they offered contestants answers to true-or-false questions. Lining up three in a row, tic-tac-toe style, means that you win the round.

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'Let's Make a Deal'

Players, known as "traders" on the show, could swap whatever item they had with another prize. The only trick is that they don't know what they're swapping for: it might be a piece of junk, or it might be a new car.

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'Supermarket Sweep'

Knowing your way around the grocery store was key for this game. Round one had contestants guessing at prices of various items, while round two was a race to collect as costly a shopping cart full of items as possible.

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'Password'

Two contestants were each paired with a celebrity guest, who would attempt to give one-word clues to a secret password. Of course, using the password, or any part of it, was against the rules.

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'Call My Bluff'

Contestants were given an obscure word, and provided with three potential definitions - one was real, while the other two were made up by their competition. Guessing the real definition earned your team points, but picking one of the competition's words benefitted the other team.

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'PDQ'

Named for the PDQ brand of drink mix, the goal of this game was to guess at a mystery as quickly, and with as few letters revealed, as possible.

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'Personality'

"Personality" was a bit like "The Newlywed Game," but with a celebrity twist. Instead of newly-married couples, famous folks would try to guess the correct answers as written by their equally-famed counterparts.

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'Say When!!'

A bit similar to the more-famous "The Price Is Right," this show had contestants collect various items in order to rack up a total price that came closest to a goal number, without going over.

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'Seven Keys'

Much like a giant board game, contestants moved across a field of squares by answering trivia questions or identifying mystery objects. Reaching the end of the board earned you a key, which unlocked a prize - and getting all seven keys earned an even bigger grand prize.

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'Video Village'

Another kind of living board game, "Video Village" had players moving around a board, collecting money and prizes as they answers questions or solved puzzles.

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'About Faces'

Two contestants were each given clues about an event in the other contestant's life. The first person to guess said event correctly was the winner.

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'The Match Game'

The object of this game show was to come up with answers to fill-in-the-blank questions that match the answers given by the celebrity panelists.

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'Eye Guess'

"Eye Guess" combined a typical trivia-style game of questions with a memory game, similar to the board game Concentration.

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'The Generation Gap'

Two competing teams, each with a celebrity guest, would compete to answer trivia questions. The trick was that one group was composed of people above 30 years of age, and the other group was younger - and they had to answer questions about the opposing group.

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'100 Grand'

Lasting only three episodes, "100 Grand" brought in experts in a specific field, such as the Civil War or opera, and pit them against amateur attempt to stump their knowledge. Since the show ended so quickly, no one came close to earning the proposed $100,000 prize.

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'Liar's Club'

A bit like "Call My Bluff," "Liar's Club" featured celebrity guests who would offer explanations on an obscure object. The contestants would have to decide which explanation was true and which were works of fiction.

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'I'll Bet'

The precursor to the more-successful "It's Your Bet," this show featured celebrity couples trying to answer questions. One half of the couple would bid on whether or not their partner would be able to answer the question - thus, you could still win the game by getting the answers wrong.

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'Shenanigans'

Like "Video Village" for children, "Shenanigans" featured Stubby Kaye as the host/mayor. Players answered questions or performed stunts in order to earn Shenaniganzas they could trade in for prizes.

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Which was your favorite?

Did you watch any of these classic game shows, or any of the numerous revivals they spawned since their initial release? Which did you most enjoy? Share your thoughts on these classic TV gems in our comments section!

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More entertainment news?
Pennsylvania has its share of laws, customs and cultural offerings that may seem peculiar to transplants.

Consider the fact that many municipalities don't celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31 or how the first day of deer hunting season is essentially a holiday. Pennsylvania is weird.

In addition, the commonwealth has regional differences. Pennsylvania is essentially split into six areas: northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest, south-central and north-central. Of course, south-central Pennsylvanians refer to the area as "central PA" or the "midstate." Yes, it's confusing.

Here are some of the biggest surprises in store for newcomers to Pennsylvania.

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(PennLive file photo)

This is a commonwealth, not a state.

Pennsylvania is technically not a state, though there's no real difference between how states and commonwealths function in the United States. The term is meant to denote a focus on the common welfare for all citizens.

However, Pennsylvania has a Department of State and a nickname of "The Keystone State," both of which add further confusion to the identity.

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Whatever you call it, Pennsylvania is an amalgam of counties, cities, boroughs and townships.

Cities operate under a mayor and local government. There are 59 cities in Pennsylvania.

Boroughs are typically smaller than cities but also have local government structures. These municipalities give more power to their councils than mayors, who serve as tie-breakers on council votes but otherwise simply oversee law enforcement. There are 959 boroughs in Pennsylvania.

Townships are usually less populous than either cities or boroughs. Supervisors or commissioners make all decisions in these municipalities. There are 1,546 townships in Pennsylvania.

The only incorporated town is Bloomsburg. It has both a council and a mayor, who is a regular voting member of the council.

However, McCandless adopted a home rule charter that identifies the area as a town, though it was incorporated as a township in 1857.

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(PennLive file photo)

Mailing addresses don't always match municipalities.

Derry Township residents might say they live in Hershey (which is not a municipality) and have a Hummelstown mailing address.

When the United States Postal Service assigned ZIP codes in 1963, it determined those based on which post offices served certain areas. Those borders do not always align with municipal boundaries, as is the case for Derry Township.

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You have to pay local wage and service taxes.

In addition to federal and state taxes, Pennsylvanians have to pay local earned income tax and local services tax each year to the municipality in which they reside. Employers are required to withhold these taxes.

Rates vary by municipality and school district. Find your withholding tax rates and political subdivision (PSD) code with this tool by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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Not everything is taxed.

The 6 percent state sales tax applies to most goods, but not all. You do not have to pay sales tax on food, clothing, tattoo and piercing services, parking lots and garages, amusement parks and recreation industries in Pennsylvania. A lot of those exemptions were eyed for taxation during 2016 budget talks, but digital downloads became the only new item subject to sales tax under the final budget.

Philadelphia has an additional 2 percent sales tax for a combined rate of 8 percent. Allegheny County levies an additional 1 percent sales tax for a combined rate of 7 percent in and around Pittsburgh.

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Pennsylvania has a range of dialects.

Youse guys can thank the region's early settlers for the variety of accents and terminology in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia's English settlers mixed their language with some Dutch and Swedish to become the Atlantic Midland dialect. There's also Appalachian, North Inland and Pittsburgh dialects.

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Pennsylvania places are hard to pronounce.

Pennsylvanians are proud people. They will correct you if you mispronounce a city's name, and repeat it correctly until you learn from the error.

Here are some commonly mispronounced locations and how the locals say them:

Bethlehem: beth-lum, beth-le-um

Lancaster: lang-kiss-ter

Lebanon: leb-uh-nin, leb-nin

Lititz: leh-tits

Schuylkill: skool-kill

Versailles: ver-sales

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The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) as seen from the South Street Bridge. (camera_obscura via Flickr.com)

The on-ramps are always a surprise.

Be cautious the first time you take a highway on-ramp here.

Some are long and turn into a temporary lane, allowing drivers ample time to merge.

Others are short and run directly into the lanes of traffic.

And some have stop signs at the end of the ramp, like the entry to Interstate 376 east just before the Squirrel Hill Tunnel in Pittsburgh. You'll find drivers across the state who act as if there are stop signs at the end of any short ramp, however, so be prepared.

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(PennLive file photo)

The turnpike takes cash, credit cards and passes.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike stretches from the Ohio border just north of Pittsburgh to the Delaware River Bridge in Philadelphia, with an northeast extension branching off to the Poconos.

Drivers can pay with cash, credit card or an electronic transponder at toll plazas.

Traveling the 357 miles from Ohio to Philadelphia currently costs $51.85 cash or $37.03 with an E-Z Pass. View the online calculator to determine tolls for other routes.

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PennDOT worker George Pintrach repairs potholes on Park Avenue in Hershey Feb. 27, 2014. (Sean Simmers, PennLive file photo)

Potholes are inescapable.

The entire commonwealth suffers from pothole problems.

Get used to driving around them.

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Interstate 81 travels over the Susquehanna River in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County. (Dan Gleiter, PennLive file photo)

Highways don't always go the direction posted.

In central Pennsylvania, you can hop on Interstate 81 south while traveling westward. And if you're heading from State College to the capital, expect to spend stretches of Route 322 east heading directly south.

Pennsylvania highways and local routes generally travel in the directions they are designated, but spans may confuse newcomers.

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The Pittsburgh left is not a political party.

The Pittsburgh left is a courtesy among drivers in the city. At an intersection, a driver may allow a vehicle in the opposing lane of traffic to turn left before proceeding themselves. Often, the yielding driver will flash their headlights or wave to signal the action.

While there are no rules about the Pittsburgh left, you're most likely to encounter one as the first car at a stop light or at an intersection without a stop light or stop sign. In both cases, drivers might be compelled to aid in the flow of traffic by allowing that left-hand turn.

Let us be clear: The Pittsburgh left can only be granted, not taken. Drivers who speed up to get through an intersection before the other cars is not taking a Pittsburgh left.

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Gov. Tom Wolf takes part in a press conference to introduce the sale of wine at Wegmans in Silver Spring Township Sept. 1, 2016. (Sean Simmers, PennLive.com)

Pennsylvania liquor laws are outdated, but it's getting easier to buy beer and wine.

Pennsylvanians used to get their wine at the state-run liquor store or a case of beer from a distributor. There were no alcohol sales allowed at gas stations or privately operated stores.

Last year, however, Gov. Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania's first major liquor reform bill since Prohibition. The law is taking time to implement, but some changes are already in effect.

You can now purchase beer at select gas stations and wine at grocery stores.

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Ordering "a lager" means a specific drink.

If you go to a bar and order "a lager," the bartender will get a pint of Yuengling. The Pottsville brewery is so well-known in Pennsylvania that its signature brew is known statewide.

It's the opposite of how people say Band-Aid but mean any brand of adhesive bandage.

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Pretty much every place drops something on New Year's Eve.

New York City is known for its New Year's Eve ball drop. Here in Pennsylvania, we drop a strawberry in the capital. Boroughs and townships across the commonwealth drop their own icons. There's a beaver, a pickle, bologna, kettle, a giant Hershey kiss ...

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Halloween festivities are not always on Oct. 31.

Halloween is not really the same without children asking for candy on October 31.

In Pennsylvania, many areas designate trick-or-treating for a couple hours on other dates. Harrisburg celebrated on Oct. 27 last year. Hanover was even earlier with kids trick-or-treating on Oct. 25.

Parades are often even earlier. Carlisle's Halloween parade was on Oct. 17 last year.

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The first day of deer hunting season is a holiday.

Hunting culture is so prominent in Pennsylvania that many school districts don't schedule classes for the first day of deer hunting season. The theory is students would take the day off to go hunting with their families even if it was a school day.

While not an official holiday, it acts as one.

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(PennLive file photo)

It is easy to buy a gun.

Pennsylvania has 2,500 federally licensed gun dealers within its borders and also allows private sales and purchases at gun shows.

To purchase a firearm, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Additionally, they cannot be subject to a protection from abuse order, an undocumented immigrant, convicted of a violent crime, declared mentally ill by a court, drug addict or drunkard, fugitive or convicted of three DUI charges within five years.

Gun owners are allowed to open carry in Pennsylvania. In order to carry it hidden, the gun owner must have a license to carry. It is illegal to transport a loaded firearm without that license, so gun owners without one are required to transport firearms and ammunition in separate containers.

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Firehall weddings are common.

Firehalls may not seem romantic, but they're one of the most popular wedding reception venues in Pennsylvania. The large venues can be rented for any type of event and are inexpensive. Also of note: receptions at the local Legion/VFW.

In Pittsburgh, expect to see massive cookie tables at wedding receptions.

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Be prepared for snow.

Buy a snow shovel.

State College averages 45.6 inches of snow annually, followed by Pittsburgh with 41.9 inches, Harrisburg at 31.2 inches and Philadelphia at 22.4 inches.

Each municipality has its own laws regarding snow removal. Lancaster property owners are required to clear sidewalks no longer than 5 hours after snowfall has ceased, while Pittsburghers have 24 hours to clear the snow. Renters should check their lease or ask their landlord if snow removal is the tenants' responsibility or if sidewalks will be cleared by staff.

Pennsylvania winters can also experience a drastic shift in weather from one week to the next. The commonwealth experienced a streak of 70-degree temperatures ahead of winter storm Stella.

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Convenience stores actually have good food.

Most of the United States has to survive off of prepackaged snacks and reheated hot dogs at gas stations on road trips. In Pennsylvania, gas stations are popular stops for dinner even if you're not in a hurry.

Sheetz and Wawa both offer made-to-order sandwiches, burgers, fried appetizers and a variety of drink options. Sheetz territory is western and central Pennsylvania, while Wawa rules the east.

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(Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com)

Pork and sauerkraut bring luck on New Year's Day.

Holiday superstitions are common in many cultures. On New Year's Day, southerners eat black eyed peas and Italians eat lentils. Here it's pork and sauerkraut.

The Pennsylvania Dutch tradition supposedly comes from the fact that pigs root forward, symbolizing a forward movement for the year ahead, and swollen cabbage representing bounty.

Here are some recipes from the PennLive archives.

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(Joe Hermitt, PennLive file photo)

Pennsylvania has the real pizza capital of the world.

In northeastern Pennsylvania, you get a cut instead of a slice and a tray instead of a pie.

USA Today recently dubbed Old Forge, Pennsylvania, "the American pizza capital you've never heard of." Um, we've heard of it. The borough in Lackawanna County is known for its grandma-style pizza.

Order the red to get a classic taste of tomato sauce and cheese or opt for the white, which has its crust folded over similar to a calzone.

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Chicken pot pie from the food court at the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg Jan. 6, 2017. (Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com)

Chicken pot pie isn't a pie here.

Pennsylvania Dutch-style chicken pot pie does not look like the chicken pot pie most people are used to. It is more like a soup or stew with large noodles.

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(Sean Simmers, PennLive file photo)

Expect to see Amish and Mennonite residents.

You'll see plenty of buggies on the roads, as well as Amish people selling produce at farmers markets. You may even hear people speaking Pennsylvania Dutch.

The Anabaptists settled here in the mid-1700s after leaving Switzerland. More than 50,000 Amish people live in Lancaster County today.

Pennsylvania also has Mennonites, another Anabaptist group that settled in the region. Unlike the Amish, Mennonites use electricity and some drive cars. Mennonite men do not have beards, and Mennonite women usually have patterned clothing.

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A smorgasbord is more than just a buffet.

There are a few Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbords, but Shady Maple in Blue Ball should be on your bucket list. Shady Maple has more than 100 offerings at its 200-foot buffet. If you've always wanted a taste of Amish cooking, this is the place to go.

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You'll probably hear nuclear plant sirens.

In the Harrisburg area, expect to hear the Three Mile Island sirens tested from time to time. The Beaver Valley, Peach Bottom, Limerick and Susquehanna nuclear power plants also have sirens to warn residents of an incident.

Other sirens you might hear are used to alert volunteer firefighters their help is needed or signal curfews for underage residents. These sirens may also be used in the event of severe weather.

Active weather alerts can be found on the National Weather Service website and are also broadcast on television and radio stations in affected areas.

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Pennsylvania has a wealth of historic landmarks.

The commonwealth contains 169 National Historic Landmarks recognized by the National Parks Service that range from roller coasters to battlefields.

Notable selections include Fallingwater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Fayette County, the Leap-the-Dips roller coaster in Altoona, Gettysburg National Military Park, the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster and City Hall in Philadelphia.

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Vast wilderness provides an escape.

Those looking to explore the outdoors will also find plenty to do.

Pennsylvania's 18 state forests alone have nearly 800 miles of trails. The commonwealth also contains part of the Appalachian Trail and hundreds, if not thousands, of other trails across the state.

One natural spectacle worth the trip to rural Lancaster-Lebanon county is the annual snow geese migration, which brings upward of 100,000 waterfowl to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.

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A Steelers fan at an AFC Championship pep rally at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. (Barry Reeger for PennLive)

A state divided.

Philadelphia or Pittsburgh? Both cities have great assets, but Pennsylvanians tend to pick one and stick with it. Be prepared to argue that Wawa is better than Sheetz or about how much better the Steelers are than the Eagles.

In central Pennsylvania, you will find some Baltimore fans, but the in-state rivalry is bigger than battles with other regions.

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Times Square in New York City. (AP file photo)

Pennsylvania is close to dozens of other destinations.

Baltimore is a short jaunt down Interstate 83 from central Pennsylvania; New York is less than 100 miles away from Philadelphia; and Niagara Falls is less than a 4-hour drive from Pittsburgh.

No matter where you settle down in Pennsylvania, there are cities and natural wonders close enough for day trips out of state.

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From Harrisburg:

1 hour, 20 minutes to Baltimore

2 hours, 20 minutes to Washington, D.C.

2 hours, 50 minutes to Atlantic City

3 hours to New York

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From Philadelphia:

1 hour, 5 minutes to Atlantic City

1 hour, 50 minutes to New York

1 hour, 50 minutes to Baltimore

2 hours, 40 minutes to Washington, D.C.

5 hours, 40 minutes to Boston

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From Pittsburgh:

2 hours, 10 minutes to Cleveland

3 hours, 45 minutes to Niagara Falls

4 hours to Baltimore

4 hours, 15 minutes to Washington, D.C.

5 hours, 15 minutes to Toronto

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This is Pennsylvania

Want to learn more about Pennsylvania's past and present? Here is a selection of stories to get you started:
Sears - 11 major chains on life support - Wikimedia Commons.JPG

File photo

(Picasa)

The company that owns Sears and Kmart informed the government on Tuesday it has "substantial doubt" about whether the stores can continue.



Sears Holdings, which has also included Kmart for the past 13 years, lost $2.2 billion last year and has lost more than $5 billion over the last three years, according to a report in the The New York Times.



The Times report was based on information Sears Holdings has filed with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. It notes that the losses come after assorted moves to turn the stores around, and that Sears Holdings told the SEC it has been relying on income from sources including investments to keep the stores running.



In March, Sears Holdings sold the Craftsman tool brand for $775 million: it had long-term debt of more than $4 billion as of earlier this year.



As of January it had 1,430 stores in the United states, less than half the number of a decade ago.



Both stores have long been hurt by Walmart and Target, and now are being hurt further by the rise of Internet retailers.
UPDATE: British police now say five people died in the terror attack outside Parliament. Counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley said one policeman, three civilians and the attacker died and 40 people were injured.

LONDON -- A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain's seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Four people were killed, including the assailant, and about 20 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a "sick and depraved terrorist attack."

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did two pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

A doctor who treated the wounded from the bridge said some had "catastrophic" injuries. Three police officers, several French teenagers on a school trip and two Romanian tourists were among the casualties.

Police said they were treating the attack as terrorism. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said police believed there was only one attacker, "but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on."

The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already listed at severe, meaning an attack was "highly likely."

Speaking outside 10 Downing St. after chairing a meeting of government's emergency committee, COBRA, May said that level would not change. She said attempts to defeat British values of democracy and freedom through terrorism would fail.

"Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal," she said. Londoners and visitors "will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world leaders offering condolences, and in Paris, the lights of the Eiffel Tower were to be dimmed in solidarity with London.

London has been a target for terrorism many times over past decades. Just this weekend, hundreds of armed police took part in an exercise simulating a "marauding" terrorist attack on the River Thames.

Wednesday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people last year, and the latest events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.

In the House of Commons, legislators were holding a series of votes on pensions when deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced that the sitting was being suspended and told lawmakers not to leave.

Parliament was locked down for several hours, and the adjoining Westminster subway station was shuttered.

Conservative lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, whose brother was killed in the Bali terror attack in 2002, performed first aid on the wounded police officer, who later died. About 10 yards away lay the assailant.

"I tried to stem the flow of blood and give mouth to mouth while waiting for the medics to arrive but I think he had lost too much blood," Ellwood said. "He had multiple wounds, under the arm and in the back."

The attack began early Wednesday afternoon as a driver in a gray SUV slammed into pedestrians on the bridge linking Parliament to the south bank of the River Thames.

Former Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski was in a car crossing the bridge when he heard "something like a car hitting metal sheet" and then saw people lying on the pavement.

"I saw one person who gave no signs of life. One man was bleeding from his head. I saw five people who were at least seriously injured," Sikorski told Poland's TVN24.

Ambulances arrived within minutes to treat people who lay scattered along the length of the bridge. One bloodied woman lay surrounded by a scattering of postcards.

Police said one injured woman was pulled from the river.

The car crashed into railings on the north side of the bridge, less than 200 yards (meters) from the entrance to Parliament. As people scattered in panic, witnesses saw a man holding a knife run toward the building.

"The whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben," said witness Rick Longley. "A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."

The attacker managed to get past a gate into Parliament's fenced-in New Palace Yard, a cobbled courtyard in the shadow of the Big Ben clock tower.

Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said a man in black attacked the police officer before being shot two or three times as he tried to storm into the building.

"As this attacker was running towards the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or three times and he fell," Letts told the BBC.

The attacker fell to the cobbles just yards from the entrance to 1,000-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the parliamentary complex, busy with visitors and school groups. Beyond that, a corridor leads to the building's Central Lobby, flanked by House of Commons and House of Lords chambers.

The prime minister was among lawmakers near the Commons at the time of the attack, and was quickly ushered away by security officers and driven back to Downing Street.

To get that far, the attacker would have had to evade the armed officers who patrol the Parliament complex in pairs, as well as Parliament's own security staff, who don't carry guns.

The attack unfolded near some of the city's most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel with pods that overlook the capital. It was halted after the attack, stranding visitors in the pods, with an aerial view of the attack scene.

London Ambulance Service said medics treated 12 people for serious injuries and eight who were less seriously hurt.

Dr. Colleen Anderson of St. Thomas' Hospital said some of the wounded had "catastrophic" injuries.

The French Foreign Ministry said that three students on a school trip from Saint-Joseph in the Brittany town of Concarneau were among the injured. Two Romanians were also among the injured, the country's Foreign Ministry said.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with May by telephone and applauded "the quick response of British police and first responders," spokesman Sean Spicer said.

London has often been the target of terrorist attacks, from IRA campaigns in the 1970s and 80s to more recent Islamist plots.

On July 7, 2005, four al-Qaida-inspired British bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

British security forces say they have thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but in recent years the U.K. has largely been spared major international terror attacks such as the ones seen in Belgium and France.

Last year, a far-right supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had campaigned for the U.K. to remain in the European Union. Prior to that, an attacker claiming to be motivated by Syria stabbed three people at a London subway station.

The most gruesome recent attack occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent attacked Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was walking down the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in horror.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Several city officials and sheriffs around the U.S. lashed out Tuesday at a White House report aiming to shame them over what the Trump administration sees as lax immigration policies, saying it includes wrong or misleading information about recent arrests of immigrants or their jail policies.

The pushback was not just from liberal local governments that are at odds with President Donald Trump over immigration crackdowns and his promise to deport "bad dudes" living in the United States illegally. In Texas, the elected Republican sheriff of conservative Williamson County said his jail didn't refuse four recent immigration detainer requests as claimed.

The list was prompted by an executive order signed by Trump in January that called on the government to document which local jurisdictions aren't cooperating with federal efforts to find and deport immigrants in the country illegally.

The first list was released Monday, citing 206 examples of immigrants who were said to have been released from custody by local jails despite requests from federal agents. The requests, often called "detainers," have taken on a greater role in the immigration debate under Trump, who strenuously opposes local policies that grant leniency to people in the country illegally.

Many "sanctuary cities" choose to not honor the requests when immigrants complete their sentences and are released from jail.

Among the Pennsylvania communities listed were Franklin, Philadelphia, Erie, Lycoming, Montour, Perry, Bedford, Butler, Westmoreland, Delaware, Bradford, Chester, Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery, Lebanon, Clarion and Pike. Franklin County was listed among the top "non-compliant jurisdiction," WITF reported.

ICE arrests more than 240 foreign nationals across region in last two weeks; a third have criminal convictions

City and county officials in Oregon, Rhode Island and Texas either disputed how the report characterized their handling of immigrant arrests, or challenged some of the cases. Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody called the report from U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement "misleading."

The list was published as some cities and counties are concerned about the administration pulling federal funding over so-called "sanctuary cities," something the new president has vowed to do.

"They cast a very broad net in who they included in this list. We're all still trying to figure out what is accomplished by this list, and also how it's going to be used," said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Rhode Island generally does not honor most ICE detainer requests, but Elorza said Providence appeared to have been included over a 2011 non-binding city resolution that he says wasn't about detainers.

An ICE spokeswoman did not immediately comment on the disputed reports. The agency has already acknowledged some mistakes: Hours after the report was released Monday, ICE corrected 14 rejected detainers in Texas that were mistakenly listed from the Travis County State Jail. That facility is run by the state prison system and not Travis County, which is home to liberal Austin and had roughly two-thirds of the total number of cases on the list.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has blocked $1.5 million to Travis County after the newly elected Democratic sheriff announced after Trump's inauguration that her jails would no longer honor all detainer requests. Abbott called the DHS report "deeply disturbing" and used it to rally his call for a statewide ban on so-called "sanctuary cities" in Texas.

The report wasn't the only ICE concern for Texas officials. A federal magistrate judge said in open court this week that ICE officials told him a recent immigration sweep in Austin was set off by the change in Travis County's immigrant detention policy. ICE has previously said the operations in Austin and other cities were business as usual.

In Oregon, Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett said the report doesn't accurately describe the legal problems with complying. A 2014 federal court ruling in Oregon found that law enforcement could be held liable for keeping someone in jail for immigration agents without probable cause.

The sheriff in Riverside County, California, had similar concerns. Sheriff's authorities there won't turn over immigrants to ICE because of the federal court ruling, but they will provide information about immigrants' scheduled release dates when a detainer is filed, said Assistant Sheriff Jerry Gutierrez.

The ICE report highlights a variety of crimes that included everything from traffic violations and drunken driving to rape and homicide. It does not list names, making it difficult to verify the facts surrounding the cases.

And the number cited in the report is somewhat murky. It doesn't represent all the cases in which immigration authorities sought custody of people facing criminal charges, with major cities like New York and Los Angeles underrepresented on the list. It's also unclear what period it covers.

Declined Detainers by Hope Stephan on Scribd
The smiles in these photos will eventually ease the pain.

At least that's the hope.

Words are slow to come now from this grieving family, still reeling from a fatal fire that resulted in the deaths of two young girls.

The clothing drives and fundraisers throughout the city reveal the family lost everything.

But that deep love remains.

Love, memories and those precious smiles were not left among the ashes after a charging hoverboard on March 10 sparked a house fire on the 2500 block of Lexington Street.

READ MORE:

Even in that horrifying moment when a handful of people tried to escape smoke and fire, 10-year-old Savannah Dominick ran into harm's way.

"She didn't even care about herself," said Chaka Crawford, the "stepmommy" to Savannah and fiancee to her father, Steven Dominick Sr. "Her first reaction was to get upstairs and help the babies."

Savannah went to a higher floor in the row home to help her younger relatives, including her 4-year-old sister Raelynn Billups, 3-year-old Emoni Jackson and 2-year-old Ashanti Hughes.

Ashanti died the next morning in Lehigh Valley Medical Center - Cedar Crest from injuries sustained in the fire.

Savannah died five days later in the Lehigh Valley Burn Center with her mother, Elaina Wolfe, holding her hand.

Emoni and Raelynn were released from the hospital two days before Savannah died, and Crawford believes Savannah helped save those girls.

"Savannah was magnificent," Crawford said. "She was any mother's perfect child. She was very giving. She helped out a whole lot. She loved the kids. She was an outgoing, spiritual child. She had a smile that could light up a room."

That smile will also be remembered by her third grade teacher, Jessica Dalinsky, who taught Savannah last year at Downey Elementary School.

"Vannah would hug me every day in the hallway with the most beautiful smile," Dalinsky said. "She read my heart and she always knew if I was having a good or difficult day."

"I do believe God has a plan for her," the teacher said. "He never gives us more than we can handle, but this is certainly devastating to all of the teachers who have been touched by Savannah's love."

Dalinsky also described Savannah as "one of the most spunky, gorgeous, lively and motivated 3rd graders I've ever had in 20 years at the Harrisburg School District."

Savannah also loved hip-hop music, dancing, horses "and so many other things that little girls like," her family said.

As often as Savannah is described as the "sweet" one is as often as Ashanti is described as the "feisty" one.

"She's my little fighter," Crawford said of her granddaughter. "She's my heart and joy, my son's only daughter. She was the little feisty one. She always wanted to play fight."

Ashanti especially loved to wrestle with her dad, Daerell Holmes.

"She thought she was in control," Crawford said. "She was grandma's baby girl."

Ashanti, known by the nickname "Puddin'," especially loved her morning hugs from her mom, Marteekah Hughes, and her nana.

The 2-year-old also liked singing the songs she learned at McLamb Memorial Church of The Living God Daycare.

Ashanti also loved playing with her cousin and best friend, Emoni.

Crawford said she and her family are still struggling through the loss of Ashanti and Savannah every day.

And while the grandmother is managing her own grief, she's also trying to comfort her son, who lost a daughter, and her fiance, who also lost a daughter. That's on top of being displaced after the fire and living in a hotel.

But she's not worrying about the clothes and home they don't have.

"All that stopped for us," Crawford said. "We're not worrying about us. We're just trying to get both babies laid to rest to start the healing process."

Savannah's funeral services, at the request of family, are private.

Condolences and memorials may be sent to her grandmother, Rachelle Hughes, at 265 Frisch Drive, Duncannon, Pa., 17020.

Ashanti's memorial services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday with a visitation followed by a funeral service at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Harrisburg. Burial will follow in the William Howard Day Cemetery in Steelton.

The family is seeking help with Ashanti's funeral costs. Contributions can be made directly to Major H. Winfield Funeral Home at 704 N. Front St. in Steelton or by calling 717-939-3342.

Crawford thanked those who have already helped: "The community is so amazing. There are people reaching out, people we don't even know."

Donate to a family GoFundMe page here

Donate to a separate GoFundMe page here

How to help victims of Harrisburg blaze

Harrisburg council members collect gift cards for fire victims

Harrisburg City Council teams with Mother's Subs to support fire victims

Though the city council has fundraisers going on, and there's an existing clothing and furniture drive, Crawford is requesting all donations right now go toward Ashanti's funeral.

"We just want to give my grandbaby a good homecoming," Crawford said. "We're not worrying about us."

But at some point soon, it will be time to try and move forward. The family has already set up counseling, individually and together, she said.

"We're going to stick together," Crawford said. "We're going to live our lives for them. I'm going to keep my babies alive."

In the meantime, she's trying to find comfort in those smiles.

"It actually gets me by day by day," she said. "They always had a smile on their face. They were the children who would light anyone's days."

Despite the pain, Crawford knows those smiles will outlast the scars.
A man who advertised marijuana for sale on his Facebook page has been sentenced to 20 months of probation in Lebanon County court.

Shatique Timothy Batista, 22, of Lebanon, pleaded guilty in January to five drug charges, including sale and possession of drugs.

He was sentenced March 8 to 20 months on probation, and was fined $400 and ordered to have a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Batista was accused of posting marijuana for sale on Facebook last summer. He agreed to sell it to an undercover officer June 17 on the 300 block of North 10th street in Lebanon, where he was caught with 28 bags of marijuana worth $280, police said.
Ravert, Buzzard.jpg

Elliott Ravert, left, and Alicia Buzzard

(submitted)

A man accused of taking a woman out of a Lebanon County mental health facility after threatening staff with a fake gun has pleaded guilty.

Elliott Ravert, 19, of Narvon, is accused of taking Alicia Buzzard, 21, from Philhaven in West Cornwall Township Aug. 9.

They were found Aug. 12 when they were arrested for shoplifting in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 11-and-a-half to 23 months in prison, with two counts of robbery dismissed, and credit for time served, reports the Lebanon Daily News. His sentencing will be April 26.

Ravert had been charged with 14 counts, including robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and terroristic threats.

Ravert is accused of threatening a Philhaven nurse with gun to gain access to Buzzard. The nurse said Ravert told her "I'm not afraid to shoot you," and she thought the gun was real, although it turned out to be fake. Ravert took her portable radio, took Buzzard and fled.

Buzzard's mother said Ravert wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with her daughter, who had mental health issues, LancasterOnline reported.
LGBT One School

Associated Press file photo of students at high school in Seattle, Washington in 2016. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

(Elaine Thompson)

A family who says their son's privacy was violated by the presence of a transgender student in the high school locker room is suing the Boyertown Area School District.

the suit was filed by Alliance Defending Freedom and Independence Law Center, a pair of conservative, faith-based organizations. The family and their son aren't named in the suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The suit claims the Berks County school district didn't inform parents it was allowing students to use the restrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender.

According to the philly.com account of the suit, the student felt his privacy was violated when he saw a transgender student undressing in the locker room. He asked school officials to protect his privacy, and was told he must tolerate the situation.

Philly.com quoted the director of an organization that advocates for transgender rights as saying nondiscrimination law offers a simple solution: the student who felt uncomfortable should be given separate accommodation.
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Pennsylvania officials are disputing claims made by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that they did not cooperate with the agency by detaining illegal immigrants.

(File)

*This post was updated as of 1:20 p.m. Wednesday to provide comments from county officials*

Pennsylvania officials are disputing claims made by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that they did not cooperate with the agency by detaining illegal immigrants.

ICE's Declined Detainer Outcome Report seeks to show which local law enforcement agencies release illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of crimes without holding them for the agency. However, several jurisdictions in Pennsylvania are disputing the report and its characterizations.

ICE asks local jurisdictions around the country to detain illegal immigrants that are scheduled to leave police custody. Local jurisdictions argue -- citing the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- that they cannot hold a suspect after they are released from custody without a warrant.

Franklin County was listed as the 10th most "non-cooperative" jurisdiction in the report, which came as a surprise to County Solicitor Mary Beth Shank.

The report, which is being developed at the order of President Donald Trump, looks how many ICE detainer requests were made to local jurisdiction between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3. The report indicates that Franklin County did not detain five people at ICE's request.

But that's not right, Shank said. When Franklin County checked their records, they only had three outstanding ICE detainers. Two of the subjects were detained by ICE and the third was still in jail.

"Any reasonable definition of cooperation would have Franklin County's actions defined as cooperative," Shank said.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2014 that it was illegal to hold Ernesto Galarza, of New Jersey, for three days at the Lehigh County Prison in Allentown at the request of ICE. The federal agency thought Galarza might be an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, which he was not.

Shank said the while it does not honor detainer requests, Franklin County provides ICE with a daily list of illegal immigrants charged with a crime and communicates when they are being released.

"The court has held that those detainers are not mandatory, they are a request," Shank said. "In light of that case, the county met with ICE. We want to cooperate as much as we can."

Several jurisdictions were listed in the report as having "enacted policies which limit cooperation with ICE."

These jurisdictions include Philadelphia as well as Franklin, Lycoming, Montour, Perry, Bedford, Butler, Westmoreland, Bradford, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery, Lebanon, Clariion and Pike Counties.

Perry County District Attorney Andrew Bender said it's not accurate to say that the county is not cooperating with ICE.

"We will freely share information with ICE, accept information from ICE about inmates that may have detainers lodged against them, share information regarding when an inmate with an ICE detainer may be released from county custody under state charges," Bender said.

"We make every effort not to be obstructionists at all. We recognize that the federal government absolutely has the authority to enforce immigration law."

On Tuesday, the Perry County Prison Board voted to clarify its policy that it will work with ICE. However it still cannot hold someone past their release date without a warrant. Lehigh County was forced to pay Galarza $95,000 for holding him on an ICE detainer.

"What we're trying to accomplish is trying to work with immigration officials... at the same time we have to protect the county from liability wherever we can," he said. "We're trying to walk that fine line."

Lebanon County Chief Clerk Jamie Wolgemuth said it fully cooperates with ICE but the county does require the federal agency provide a warrant if they want someone held.

"Plain and simple, we have never limited ICE's ability to take an illegal into custody if they are incarcerated in Lebanon," he said.

Wolgemuth said the county has always been and are still willing to cooperate with ICE, but the county must also be mindful of being exposed to possible financial liabilities.

Philly.com reported that officials in Philadelphia and Chester County disputed claims that it released two people listed in the report.

ICE said it requested a detainer for a person from El Salvador that was convicted of a probation violation. But county officials told Philly.com that they have no record of a Salvadoran either in custody or released on dates ICE specified.

ICE also said it requested a detainer for a Jamaican arrested on homicide charges in Philadelphia. ICE said their detainer was denied but Philadelphia officials said they had no record of a Jamaican national charged with any crime on or around April 2015.

But the reports are expected to keep coming. ICE plans to release a new report each week, showing which jurisdictions it believes are not cooperating with them.

Shank said she's reached out to ICE in hopes of clarifying the information provided in the first report.

"We're still waiting on a response," Shank said. "We're monitoring the situation. We just want the correct information going out."
UPDATE: Missing Middletown teen located.

Police in Middletown are searching for a runaway male teenager.

Jyhier Mosley-Williams, 13, was last seen in his home in Middletown at about 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Jyhier Mosley-Williams.

Mosley-Williams is believed to be wearing a black puffy jacket, a black-and-gray/camouflage Jordan hooded sweatshirt, gray skinny jeans, black Nike boots and a Seattle Seahawks knit cap.

He is believed to be hanging out in the Hall Manor housing complex in Harrisburg.

Anyone with information about Mosley-Williams whereabouts is asked to contact Middletown police via Dauphin County emergency dispatch at 717-558-6900, or submit a tip to Nixle Tip.
A Steelton man has been indicted on charges he had more than 100 grams of heroin and a gun used in drug trafficking, said the U.S. attorney.

A heroin epidemic is taking lives across the country.

Johnnie Spriggs, 29, is accused of having more than 100 grams of heroin in his home, which is the equivalent of about 4,000 doses, authorities said. A Rossie Arms .357 caliber Magnum revolver was also found.

The items were found in his home Nov. 12, 2015, said the U.S. attorney.

If convicted, Spriggs faces up to life in prison.

The case was brought as part of an initiative to combat heroin trafficking in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, said U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler.
It's Board Room 101: In times of great upheaval, it's vitally important that corproate management is in the room.

Congress could learn this lesson from U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-4th District.

His town hall last weekend in Red Lion was a rare example of in-person constituent outreach when there's far too little of that coming from the rest of our delegation in D.C.

The Dillsburg Republican fielded heated questions and fended off catcalls for more than two hours from a crowd of several hundred constituents. Many of those in attendance were deeply unhappy with the policies and practices of the eight-week-old Trump administration.

Public disruptions have greeted lawmakers across the country who've held post-Election Day town halls. And activists were out in number on Saturday. In the room were members of Indivisible York, Gettysburg Rising, Perrywatch and Rise Up York, among other progressive groups.

Perry didn't blink when face-to-face with a lot of irate voters.

He did request pre-submitted questions: Topics ranged from the president's budget plan to global warming, health care reform and immigration. Attendance was limited to persons living within his south-central district.

But he also replied to questions from an audience not always happy with his answers. He respectfully held his ground with the raucous crowd, then met with people individually after the session was over.

Perry ended up winning kudos for the York County face time - even from those not satisfied with his responses:

"He was very brave to come out and face people who disagree with him," said Deana Weaver, a member of Dillsburg Area Free Thinkers. "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..

Meanwhile, many of his colleagues are avoiding going up-close-and-personal with upset voters.

Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey - under increasing fire for not having public town halls - hosted a teleconference with little advance notice in February. It still drew thousands of listeners.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta's, R-11th District's, closest brush with a public gathering was last month's appearance at a Shippensburg forum where the subject was confined to opioid abuse.

"Any person or group that wants to meet with me, I will be happy to sit down with and talk about their concerns," the Hazleton Republican told Fox-43 that night. "What I don't want is to have a town hall where people become disruptive."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., held a town hall earlier this month -- but before a reliably liberal university audience in the friendly blue confines of Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, Casey's office confirmed that the road show will continue with town hall events in Scranton on April 2 and Pittsburgh on April 9.

Perry appeared none the worse for wear after his eventful town hall.

"This is representative government," he told PennLive reporter Ivey DeJesus. "This is what it's all about. Quite honestly this is standard fare as it should be."

The upcoming Easter Recess, when lawmakers will spend two weeks back in their home districts, is the perfect time to follow Perry's lead.

The voters have a lot of questions about what's going on in Washington. They want to hear from their representatives. And they want to hear from them in person.

They'll be watching to see who shows up.
Paul Ryan,Cathy McMorris Rodgers

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., accompanied by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., right, speaks at a news conference following a GOP party conference at the Capitol, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Washington.

(Andrew Harnik / AP)

By Marc A. Scaringi

As Republicans brace themselves for an expected vote this Thursday on U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan's Obamacare replacement bill, they're failing President Donald Trump and the millions of Americans who voted for real change.

Marc A. Scaringi (PennLive file)

Instead of going through with an exercise seemingly guaranteed to hit a brick wall in the Senate, House Republicans should start over and pass a clean bill that repeals Obamacare lock, stock and barrel.

By any measure, former President Barack Obama's signature piece of public policy has been a disaster, driving up costs and premiums even as it limited consumer choice.

Our bankrupt federal government is borrowing and printing money to pay for it.

Trump and Republicans in Congress campaigned on the promise of repeal and replace. They won and it's now their turn.

The Republican leadership under U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., has proposed a plan: the American Health Care Act.

However, conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus oppose the plan; and US Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, declared Ryancare is dead-on-arrival in the US Senate.

Trump has both lauded the Ryan plan and indicated his willingness to negotiate and compromise in order to pass a repeal and replace bill.

Ryan drafted the AHCA in private without input from House and Senate conservatives. He's been ramming it through the various House committees allowing no amendments.

Trump was left in the unenviable position of trying to defend it.

Trump made a mistake deferring to Ryan. Trump is now negotiating from the middle instead of from the right. He went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to meet with Republican leaders to build support for the proposal.

He and America would have been in a better place had he demanded from the Republican leadership a clean repeal first to be followed later by separate bills making free-market based reforms.

Instead we're starting with Ryancare, which is only slightly better than Obamacare. It deserves the pejorative moniker Obamacare Lite. It keeps the prohibition on pre-existing conditions instead of pursuing the market-based high risk pools.

It continues the unaffordable Medicaid expansion for at least another three years.

It continues the "essential," but often unnecessary, unwanted and costly benefit mandates.

Instead of eliminating tax subsidies, the Ryan plan will pay them directly to the insurance companies.

These massive subsidies are a bailout - more crony capitalism. And, the last-minute changes to Ryancare made by House leadership are too little too late.

Trump should demand Congress repeal Obamacare altogether. Then he should work to return health insurance to what it's supposed to be - insurance against risk of catastrophic loss, not a payment system for regular health care expenses.

By phasing out third-party pay for most health care expenditures, and returning to first party pay for regular health care needs, insurance costs will decline significantly.

They'll go down further if we eliminate the benefit mandates. Also, by decoupling health insurance from employment and expanding Health Savings Accounts, we'll achieve portability and put the patient first.

With Obamacare, we've seen the future and it doesn't work. Let's now remember what does - freedom and free markets.

Let's dismantle the mandates, regulation, subsidies, restrictions and controls and get the federal government out of the health insurance business.

The competition of the free market will drive costs down and increase affordability and most importantly access to health care providers, which is by the way what health insurance is for.

Marc A. Scaringi, an attorney, is a PennLive Opinion contributor, whose work appears biweekly. He hosts "The Marc Scaringi Show," which airs Saturdays at 12 p.m. on WHP 580 AM in Harrisburg and online at iHeart Radio. He writes from Camp Hill, Pa.
Paul Ryan,Steve Scalise,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,Kevin McCarthy

In this March 8, 2017, photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee Headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans are working on a companion to their bill replacing "Obamacare," a legislative second act that would ease cross-state sale of health insurance and limit jury awards for pain and suffering in malpractice lawsuits. The problem: the so-called "sidecar" bill lacks the votes in the Senate.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

With a vote looming in the U.S. House on Thursday on the Republicans' Obamacare replacement plan, the 13 members of Pennsylvania's Republican Congressional delegation have been all over the map with their positions.

Some have been publicly ambivalent, others have been forthright in their opposition or support.

As crunch-time closes in, and when every vote counts, here's the most recent tally on where the Keystone State's GOP House members stand on the issue.

We'll update as we receive fresh information.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11th District.

Where He stands: No

The Hazleton Republican is one of

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta

President Donald Trump's staunchest allies. But when it comes to TrumpCare/RyanCare, he's just not feeling it.

Writing on his Facebook page, Barletta said he's committed to repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, which he says is "is destroying our health care system."

But when it comes to the GOP-authored replacement, "I cannot support the bill in its current form. I am concerned that the bill lacks sufficient safeguards for verifying whether or not an individual applying for health care tax credits is lawfully in this country and eligible to receive them. Under Obamacare, a half a million people received a total of $750 million in health care subsidies, even though the recipients could not prove their lawful presence in the United States. I cannot vote for a replacement plan that fails to address this problem."

(*Updated: On Wednesday afternoon, Barletta announced he'd shifted from "no" to "yes" after U.S. House leadership met his concerns about language dealing with tax credits for undocumented immigrants.)

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th District:

Where He stands: Unclear

In a constituent newsletter, the suburban Philadelphia Republican says he's

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello

continuing to review a Congressional Budget Office report critical of the House GOP bill. He's also sent out a survey to constituents on the issue.

"While we've gotten a lot of feedback so far, I've heard that some constituents might not have received this survey - if you're getting this email, you should have! As you can imagine, with that volume of emails we do experience some technical difficulties from time to time. Please make sure to check your spam folders and add me as a 'safe sender.' If you are a resident of PA-6 and didn't get the email this weekend, please click here to take it now. I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond."

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th District

Where He Stands: Leans No

The Allentown Republican has been among the most publicly ambivalent of all of

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent

Pennsylvania's GOP Congressional delegation.

Dent, who's gaining a national profile, was among the 15 members of the more than 50-strong "Tuesday Group" who met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss the bill. A source close to the discussion said the caucus of moderate Republicans got the "soft sell" from a Trump White House realizing they were likely a lost cause. The White House has instead focused its firepower on the so-called "Freedom Caucus" of hardline conservatives. Dent has said he has "serious concerns and reservations" about the bill. (*UPDATED: Dent is now a solid "no" vote against the bill, The Morning Call reported Thursday morning.)



U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-8th District

Where He Stands: No

Fitzpatrick, the brother of former U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, is one of the the newest

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-8th District

additions to Pennsyvlania's Congressional delegation, having won election last fall (as did frosh U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-16th District).

According to The Morning Call of Allentown, the Bucks County lawmaker is a "No" vote because "After considering the current health care bill in a thorough and deliberate manner, I have concluded that, although the American Health Care Act focuses on several much-needed reforms to our health care system, in its current form I cannot support this legislation." Citing a statement from Fitzpatrick's office, the opposition stems primarily from the effect on it would have on those fighting opioid abuse, The Call's Laura Olson reported. "I have many concerns with this bill, and first among them is the impact on the single most important issue plaguing Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and the issue that I have made my priority in Congress: opioid abuse prevention, treatment and recovery," Fitzpatrick said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd District

Where He Stands: Yes.

(*Updated to make Kelly a strong yes) Kelly, a northwestern Pennsylvania Republican, came out strong on his Facebook page in favor of the bill: "Obamacare is a failed law that is actively hurting

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly

countless families and workers in Pennsylvania and across America. Those of us who have promised to repeal and replace Obamacare (as I have done) have a real responsibility to keep our word. Very soon, the House of Representatives will vote to do exactly that! Phase 1 of this open and transparent 3-phase process is the American Health Care Act, which will repeal Obamacare and begin replacing it with a more affordable, patient-centered system with more choices and flexibility for all. Read more about it here. Read about Phase 2, which will be the administrative actions that HHS Secretary Tom Price takes to deregulate the marketplace to lower health care costs: Read about Phase 3, which includes other commonsense bills to increase the affordability and accessibility of health care insurance. I am proud to stand with President Trump, Vice President Pence, and every American who is trusting us to keep our promise to finally end the Obamacare nightmare and pave the way for a choice-filled system that makes sense."

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10th District

Where He Stands: Unclear

Marino, a northeastern Republican and Barletta's BFF (at GOP functions, they do a

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino

double-act, christening themselves "Thunder and Lightning"), hasn't made any public statements about where he stands on the bill. In a March 1 statement posted to his website after President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress, Marino said he "[looks] forward to working with the president on more legislation that replaces Obamacare with a more cost effective and patient centered plan, ensures that those entering our country are doing so the right way, provides our middle class families much needed tax relief and works to bring jobs back to our country."



U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7th District

Where He Stands: Unclear

The Delaware County Republican hasn't made any public statements about he'll vote on the repeal bill. But as The Morning Call reports, he did vote in favor of it in the

U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan

Ways & Means Committee. But after the CBO analysis was made public, a Meehan spokesman told The Philadelphia Inquirer that his boss "would be talking to colleagues to determine 'whether it's prudent to move forward with the legislation,'" The Call reported. In a statement posted to his website, Meehan, the husband of a nurse-practitioner, set down a broad statement of principles on healthcare reform. Among other things, any reform has to "be implemented correctly and thoughtfully, based on effective solutions that represent the best of our health care system: maintaining strong doctor-patient relationships, the opportunity for Americans to have a voice in the way their care is administered, access the best and most effective technology, treatment, and cutting-edge therapies, and leading the world in research and development."

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-18th District

Where He Stands: Probably

Murphy, a psychologist, has focused particular attention on how the bill treats those

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy

with mental illnesses and people struggling with opioid addiction. He's proposed an amendment to specifically address mental illness and addiction issues. The southwestern Republican, defended the bill in a Tweet, saying that "#AHCA will SAVE $1B, cover pre-existing conditions, protect #mentalhealth & #addiction #parity & much more. Murphy also told The Beaver County Times that "The American Health Care Act creates a better framework by putting the patient at the center. With our plan, you can get the care you need from the doctor you choose at a price you can afford." (h/t BillyPenn)

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-4th District

Where He Stands: Likely No.

Perry, of York, is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a bloc of conservative lawmakers who are among the staunchest opponents

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry

of the healthcare bill coming before Congress on Thursday. The group is so important that leaders and the Trump administration have reached out multiple times to try to win their support. Freedom Caucus members are set to meet with President Trump on Wednesday again, according to CNN. In a Town Hall on Saturday, before House GOP leaders trotted out changes they hoped would win over restive conservatives, Perry told constituents he was a "no" vote. "I'm not happy with this bill," Perry said. "I've expressed that to my leadership." Perry told an angry crowd that he's 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. In a March 7 statement posted to his website, Perry called Obamacare "broken" and he supported a House repeal vote. "While I support the repeal, I'm still concerned about the alternative. We need something that significantly reduces costs, increases access, provides the flexibility to choose your coverage, and re-connects patients with their providers - with less decision-making by the insurance companies. I agree with President Trump that this is a starting point for negotiation. I'll continue to seek and hear your thoughts as the Congress moves forward in the replacement process."

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-12th District

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus

Where He Stands: Undecided

Rothfus, another southewestern Republican,

. The rest of the story is behind a paywall. So if you want to know more, you'll have to pay up. We were too cheap. Rothfus' official Twitter feed and his website were both silent on the healthcare bill.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-9th District

Where He Stands: Likely Yes

On his Twitter page, the north-central Republican and chairman of the House

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-9th District

Transportation Committee had some nice things to say about the bill: "ICYMI: @NRLC supports the American Healthcare Act because of its major wins for the #prolife community." As BillyPenn reports, he was the only Pennsylvania Republican to meet with Team Trump to talk about whipping votes for the bill. Speaking to a transportation industry publication on Tuesday, Shuster hammered home the urgency of Congress passing major pieces of legislation before the 2018 mid-terms: "We've got to get something done before next spring across the board, whether it's taxes, Obamacare or health care reform, or infrastructure spending because the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate, they're going to be on the line," said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), noting that next year those lawmakers will be up for re-election. On his website, Shuster makes it clear he's no Obamacare fan and says the law has to be repealed.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-16th District

Where He Stands: Yes

The other freshman member of Pennsylvania's GOP Congressional delegation came

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-16th District

right out earlier this month

. "Obamacare has failed the American people. In 2010, supporters of the health care law said costs would go down. Instead, families and individuals across Pennsylvania face skyrocketing premiums and deductibles they simply cannot afford. They have been forced off their plans and forced to find new doctors. It's time for change. "While more work needs to be done, the American Health Care Act is a good start to ensuring Pennsylvanians will have access to the care they need at a price they can afford. I will work with my colleagues in the House to advance this critical legislation, and will fight for a stable transition to a better system for everyone." In a

, Smucker gave Trump big ups for meeting with Republicans to discuss the bill. He was even kind enough to share a photo:

I appreciate @POTUS coming to the @uscapitol to discuss health care with the @HouseGOP this morning. pic.twitter.com/HyNcd4uu2U  Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) March 21, 2017

U.S. Rep. Glenn "G.T." Thompson, R-5th District

Where Does He Stand: Likely No

In

, Thompson, a former healthcare

U.S. Rep. Glenn "G.T." Thompson

executive, voiced grave reservations about the bill. But, again, that was before Ryan, et.al, trotted out a revised version to try to win over skeptics. "As a former licensed nursing home administrator, I also need better assurances that services for our most vulnerable populations will not be jeopardized," Thompson said

And while he believes "the House bill contains a lot of good, it is a work in progress. I have met with the House leadership and committees of jurisdiction throughout the week to express these concerns and advocate for additional changes to the bill. I stand by my principles that health care reform must lower costs, increase quality and ensure that rural populations have access to care," Thompson told the newspaper. The mid-state lawmaker's Twitter feed and his official website are silent on the issue.
Legislation that would give dying people in Pennsylvania the chance to try experimental drugs to extend their life won approval of the House Human Services Committee on Tuesday.

The driving force behind the so-called Right to Try bill is Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery County, who shared his personal story with the committee as a testament to why Pennsylvania should become the 34th state to provide this option to terminally ill patients.

Godshall told the committee that his doctor diagnosed him with a form of bone marrow cancer known as multiple myeloma 13 years ago. He asked what he could do and was told, ""there's no cure. You have a year or less to live. Get your things in order and that's the way it's going to be."

Godshall attributed his being alive today in part to saving a card he got at a health screening from a doctor from the Mayo Clinic who told him of stem cell replacement as a possible treatment.

Then Godshall said he used his clout as an elected official and the work he had done as the chair of the House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee that benefitted Philadelphia, to pressure doctors at University of Pennsylvania Health System to perform the experimental procedure using stem cells from his twin brother.

"I have something going for me," the 18-term incumbent lawmaker said. "I was in the House of Representatives and that's the only thing I had going for me. I went down to the University of Pennsylvania. And originally was absolutely totally no. I finally convinced them to do it."

After signing a stack of papers acknowledging that he recognized there was only a small chance he would survive the procedure and indicating neither he nor his estate would hold doctors or hospital responsible if he died, he said, "They did it and it worked for me and I came through it."

He said that procedure kept his cancer at bay for a couple of years and then an approved medication called Revlimid came along "to make my cancer livable."

Godshall told the committee of a neighbor diagnosed with cancer who traveled to Kentucky, one of the Right to Try states, for an experimental treatment that extended her life by 10 years.

"When you are terminal and if there's something out there that could possibly save you ... you should have the right to do it," he told the committee. "And you shouldn't have to be in the Legislature like I was to force the issue. It's not right."

It can take as long as 15 years for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a drug and as Godshall's bill indicates, "patients who have a terminal illness do not have the luxury of waiting until an investigational drug, biological product or device receives final approval."

The FDA offered testimony last year to a U.S. Senate committee that spoke of its concern about federal Right to Try legislation. It said it could undermine the agency's ability to protect and promote public health t

hrough science-based regulation of drugs and devices.

Further, it cautioned against efforts that might hinder its clinical trial development through its existing process, known as the Expanded Access or Compassionate Use Program. That program grants access to investigational drugs to up to about 1,000 patients each year but as Right to Try proponents point out, that process can be lengthy.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society, which represents the state's physicians, has not taken a position on this bill and neither has the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Godshall's bill would provide immunity for a health care provider (namely a physician, certified nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant) from being held liable for unprofessional conduct by performing the experimental treatment. It also protects their license to practice medicine.

This Right to Try legislation passed the House by a vote of 182-0 last June but never received a vote in the Senate before the legislative session ended in November.

Godshall attributed the Senate's inaction to political game-playing. He anticipates no problem passing the bill through the House, possibly as soon as next week, and hopes it stands a better chance of getting through the Senate this year.

"This bill saves people's lives," he said "It's hard for me to take and rougher yet for the people's whose lives were lost last year because it wasn't passed by the Senate."
LESLIE ACOSTA ART.jpg

The guilty plea and resignation of former state Rep. Leslie Acosta, D-Philadelphia kicked off a series of events leading to Tuesday's special election. (PennLive file)

The lone candidate on the ballot in Tuesday's special election for North Philadelphia's vacant 197th district state House seat earned just 198 votes, or less than 8 percent of the total number cast, according to Philly.com.

Republican Lucinda Little was the only candidate on the ballot in the predominantly Democratic district after a judge removed the Democratic nominee, Freddie Ramirez, for failing to meet the residency requirement.

Philly.com reported that the rest of the 2,483 votes cast were split between a number of write-in candidates. A city official said a formal count of the ballots will begin at 9 a.m. Friday. The official winner won't be declared until after that process begins.

Meanwhile, House Republicans called for an outside investigation Wednesday of alleged election code violations by poll workers. The elections officials allegedly marked up pink sample ballots to show residents how to vote for write-in candidates and how to use stamps to cast their votes.

"We're realistic," said Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, at a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda. "That's a 5-percent Republican district. We were under no pretense that we would win the election."

But the irregularities still must be investigated, Reed said. He called upon Attorney General Josh Shapiro to lead the investigation in light of the corruption charges against Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.

Shapiro spokesman Joe Grace had this response: "The Office of Attorney General has been made aware of the allegations and takes seriously the office's responsibility to enforce election law."

Of course, the race has been quite irregular in the lead up to election day.

The last politician to hold the seat, Leslie Acosta, was re-elected in November despite pleading guilty to a federal embezzlement charge. Because the proceedings were under seal, that guilty plea did not become public until September.

After the election, Acosta resigned and formally left office in January, leaving the seat open.

Ramirez, the Democratic nominee to replace Acosta, was removed from the ballot after a judge ruled that he did not live in the district. Opponents used Ramirez's utility bills as evidence. The same judge also ruled that Democrats missed their chance to name a replacement.

Several alternates, including Democrat Emilio Vazquez and 2012 Green Party vice presidential nominee Cheri Honkala, mounted write-in campaigns to challenge Little.

Regardless, the outcome won't affect control of the House, where Republicans hold a 121-82 majority.

This article was updated with comment from the Office of Attorney General.
Office of Open Records

When is a public records request legitimate and when is it a nuisance? That's one question that led House lawmakers to unanimously approve a new study to analyze how much Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law costs state agencies and local governments.

(PennLive file photo)

When is a public records request legitimate and when is it a nuisance?

How many requests should a journalist (or a community gadfly) reasonably file at one time? Should the law allow a flurry of them from prisoners seeking information about their arrest? And what about businesses seeking an edge over their competition?

These are some of the questions that led House lawmakers to unanimously approve a new study to analyze how much state agencies and local governments spend to comply with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Within a year, a bipartisan committee will report its findings along with recommendations on how to "decrease the administration burdens of the law."

Rep. Kate Harper, the Montgomery County Republican who pitched the study, said it came out of a desire to gather data instead of relying on the word of put-upon records officers.

"You hear all these anecdotes," she said, "but are these a good basis for making changes?"

Eric Epstein

Government watchdogs and transparency advocates, however, point to the study as a possible step toward undermining a 2008 law that--despite its flaws--has helped taxpayers hold their officials accountable.

"My concern is it's a mechanism to weaken the law," said Eric Epstein, an ethics watchdog who co-founded Rock the Capital. "Most elected officials are allergic to public exposure."

Terry Mutchler, the former executive director of the state Office of Open Records, said she supports the study but she also cautioned that costs must be weighed against benefits. Requests have uncovered waste, fraud and abuse, such as incidents where government employees remained on payroll for months after being dismissed, she said.

"There were a lot of times you'd see local and state agencies talk about the costs of the Right-to-Know Law," she said, "and, really, that's coded language for, 'I really don't feel strongly about open government and I want to find ways to slow it down'."

Teri Henning, president of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said the organization that represents various news organizations generally supports shedding light on how the law works.

"We also urge the committee to recognize the importance of public access and government transparency in its review of the law and certainly in making any recommendations regarding the law," she said.

Interestingly, the House resolution for the RTK cost analysis came during Sunshine Week, amid a series of events to promote the use of local public records laws.

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, which is tasked with the study, is composed of 12 lawmakers evenly split between the parties and the chambers. It produces a variety of in-depth audits and reports on the impact of legislation or broader issues, such as the

Harper said the resolution renews the body's commitment to open and transparent government while also recognizing the expenses that can be involved. It was not drafted with any specific solutions in mind, she said.

"It's a matter of resources," she said, citing reports of--among other things--private companies flooding townships with requests for recent pool permits in order to drum up new business. "[Records officers] are spending a lot of time on those things and not on things to benefit her own taxpayers."

Epstein, who also serves on the Central Dauphin Board of School Directors, has seen the problem from both sides. Vendors often use the law in order to find information that could be advantageous in contract negotiations. On the other end, however, many agencies appear to purposefully delay the release of common public records by automatically invoking the 30-day extension permitted in the law.

"We need a system that's expanded and fast-tracked," he said, "but also deals with the unintended consequences of the law."

The process can also become mired in litigation since, for most agencies, the next step after an Office of Open Records appeal is Commonwealth Court. That can prove costly for both the agency and the individual arguing for access, including ordinary citizens who may lack the wherewithal to pursue a long-running appeal.

In the event that a government entity thinks a request is frivolous, Epstein said there should be some kind of arbitration available that eschews the courts.

And, of course, frivolous is in the eye of the beholder.

Reformers--whether it be Harper, Epstein or Mutchler--all point to repeated requests designed to harass public officials or the intensive use of the system by prison inmates or commercial interests. They also concede that there are no easy solutions.

Harper said most people would agree that fulfilling multiple requests from companies looking to build a list of possible customers is not a good use of a small municipality's time. But she added: "I don't want to hazard a guess how we fix that."

On the nuisance requests, Epstein said, "there's no doubt some requests are designed to gum up the works but that's democracy."

And Mutchler said the RTK process is sometimes the only way inmates can access public records, even if some of the requests--such as one seeking information about uniform material--seem frivolous.

Some states have barred prisoners from their public records process altogether, she said. Others created a separate system for inmates apart from the ordinary citizen or journalist requests.

Terry Mutchler

Mutchler, who now works as a private attorney specializing in transparency issues, advocates for a middle road that balances the value of transparency against the real-world costs.

"There are citizens and journalists who believe every public official is hiding records," she said, "and there are public officials who don't like the public."

In reality, Mutchler said, many delays often comes down to agencies or municipalities that lack the resources to keep up with requests. Some townships may have a single employee who fills them as part of their other duties. But there are many things they can do to reduce costs without changing the law, including asking requesters for copying fees up-front for requests where the costs exceed $100 or putting commonly requested documents online and directing requesters there.

Mutchler said it's too early to judge the intentions behind the House's study of RTK costs. In the past, other states have used similar studies to improve access to public records or as a rationale for severely limiting it. The real test will be what the Legislature does with the committee's findings.

"The bedrock of democracy is transparency in government," she said. "When we get to that stage, I'll be a strong voice to say we need to keep government open."
To support its robust global expansion, Rosewood Hotel Group has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Michael Dojlidko as senior vice president  general counsel and group head of legal.

Mr. Dojlidko has nearly 20 years experience in corporate law, specialising in mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies, hotel agreements and real estate dispositions as well as supervising finance and legal departments, and acting as senior advisor to company leadership. Prior to joining Rosewood Hotel Group, he held various positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts for over 12 years, based in Starwoods U.S. headquarters and its Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME) division in Brussels, Belgium. Most recently and since 2013, Michael was senior vice president, general counsel  EAME, where he oversaw all legal matters for the division and served on the divisions senior leadership team. Prior to joining Starwood, he was an associate in the mergers and acquisitions department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York.

Mr. Dojlidko holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and B.A. degree from Fordham University.
FILE - In this March 16, 2017, file photo, Barry Cadden arrives at the federal courthouse in Boston. A verdict has been reached Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in the case. Cadden, president of New England Compounding Center, faces multiple counts in a fungal meningitis outbreak from tainted steroids manufactured by the pharmacy, which killed dozens and sickened hundreds of people in 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Front Street Gallery artist Diane Way with the kindness meter she painted, which will soon be installed downtown to collect money for the citys homeless population.
Members of the community look on as firefighters battle hotspots after a fire damaged St. Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, N.S. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Officials say 10 trucks responded to the blaze that was contained to the rear of the structure. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Enbridge company logos on display at the company's annual meeting in Calgary, Thursday, May 12, 2016. Enbridge Inc. says it is cutting about 1,000 jobs or six per cent of its workforce following the takeover of Houston-based Spectra Energy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
At least one person has died and several people were injured including a police officer outside UK Parliament today. Met commander BJ Harrington said that the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.

There are reports that the vehicle which struck people on the bridge then careered into Parliament Square where it crashed into railings.

An unconfirmed version of events is that the intruder then entered parliaments grounds and stabbed a police officer, before being shot.

Peer and former police officer Lord Paddick says he understands there was a suspect package attached to a vehicle outside Parliament and this is the reason the building has not been evacuated.

A spokesman for the prime minister has said that Theresa May is safe.
Here, there, everywhere  why car washes seem to be on every corner
Shell to drill 161 new gas wells at its Australia's Queensland operations in 2018

MELBOURNE

Petroleumworld.com 03 22 2017

Royal Dutch Shell said on Tuesday it will drill 161 new gas wells at its Queensland operations by the end of 2018, helping to underpin its promise to continue supplying 10 percent of the domestic gas market to help prevent a shortage.

The project at its QGC operations in the Surat Basin in southeast Queensland has been planned for some time as existing wells decline, with the new wells due to be drilled this year and next. The wells will help sustain Shell's 75 petajoules of gas supplies a year to eastern Australia's gas market.

The new drilling will not affect exports from Shell's Queensland Curtis liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.

The announcement came a week after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hauled in Australia's gas producers, led by Shell Australia and ExxonMobil Corp, to discuss how to boost supplies in face of warnings from the nation's energy market operator of a looming shortage within the next two years.

Gas supply has become a hot issue, following blackouts and brownouts in Australia's eastern states over the past year, and as growth in LNG exports has led to soaring gas prices for manufacturers.

Thanks to onshore production in Queensland, businesses there will pay less than rivals further south, where onshore drilling has been banned or restricted due to opposition from landowners and green groups, said Shell Australia Chairman Andrew Smith.

"This is a competitive advantage for Queensland business in attracting manufacturing jobs from Victoria, where gas customers will be forced to pay more for political reasons," Smith said.


PDVSA will met 2017 bond payments amid stronger oil prices - local Newspaper

CARACAS

Petroleumworld.com 03 22 2017

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA will honor some $17 billion in bond payments due this year thanks to stronger oil prices, Economy Vice President Ramon Lobo said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.

Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, surged in January above $58 per barrel in the wake of output cuts, although it slipped last week to a three-month low.

Cash-squeezed Venezuela depends on oil for over 90 percent of its hard-currency revenues, so market fears have grown over its ability to service major debt payments. President Nicolas Maduro's government, however, has repeatedly ruled out a default.

"If we managed to pay last year, which was a harder and trickier year, we'll certainly achieve it this year," Lobo told state-owned newspaper Correo del Orinoco. He added that an increase in oil prices at the start of the year gave the country a boost.

Analysts largely expect Venezuela to pay, although the recent slip in oil prices is a worry.

"The estimated $5 decline in oil prices that translates into $3.2 billion fewer petrodollars is not yet a trigger for default," Siobhan Morden, managing director and head of Latin America Fixed Income Strategy at Nomura, said in a note to clients last week.

"However it clearly raises concern without yet knowing the bottom for oil prices."


Mexican underwater welding Mexssub, makes Houston its launchpad

BOGOTA

Petroleumworld.com 03 22 2017

Completing welding repairs on underwater pipelines while oil flows through them seems like a dangerous business.

Houston's Mexssub is out to prove its system is perfectly safe for oil and gas companies worldwide, saving them many millions of dollars in the process by avoiding shutting down production. Granted, convincing them is easier said than done, especially when companies fear even the slightest chance of a pipeline exploding or gushing oil.

"That is the biggest obstacle," said Franco Silva, Mexssub's international business development manager. "Once they open their minds to it, they can see the upside is massive."

Mexssub, which claims a perfect track record over 30 years, on Tuesday said it entered into an alliance with Houston offshore engineering company Intecsea, which is owned by Australia-based WorleyParsons, to sell its technology and repair process internationally.

The business alliance represents a new frontier for Mexssub. For most of its history, the company, founded in Mexico City, did nearly all its work for Mexico's state-owned energy monopoly, Petroleos Mexicanos, called Pemex. After Mexico began to deregulate its energy sector in 2013, Mexssub moved its headquarters to Houston in 2014 and, last year, moved into an office and warehouse in Cypress.

The Intecsea alliance is intended as the next step.

"They were just setting up a plan to expand internationally," Mac McKee, Intecsea's strategic development manager, said of Mexssub. "In us, they get that global presence."

Mexssub and its expansion are examples of how the liberalization of Mexico's energy market is providing opportunities for Texas energy firms. Companies such as Kinder Morgan of Houston and Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas are building or expanding pipelines to transport natural gas to Mexico. Raven Petroleum of The Woodlands has proposed a $500 million refinery east of Laredo to export nearly all of its fuels to Mexico.

More broadly, said Kurt Barrow, vice president over oil markets for IHS Markit, Mexssub's moves illustrate that energy services has become an increasingly international business as companies not only from Mexico, but also China and South Korea, branch out beyond their borders

"One thing we've seen is more globalization and diversification of services companies," Barrow said.

The Mexssub technology uses a protective sleeve that's installed on damaged subsea lines. The process involves a watertight chamber that's temporarily placed around the pipeline that needs repair. The chamber, which has sufficient air to breathe, allows welders to work safely on the repairs.

The patented sleeve is clamped onto the pipeline, slid into position and permanently welded into place. Several sections can be added for repairs or preventative measures. A patented resin plastic formula is then filled into the sleeve, filling the gaps around the pipeline to further protect it from corrosion. Finally, a coating wrap is applied to protect the metal sleeve itself.

Mexssub contends it saved Pemex close to $4 billion over the years by making more than 900 repairs with zero pipeline downtime.

The technology was originally used to repair and protect the risers on the offshore oil platforms that drill into the depths of the ocean. But Pemex only has so many rigs, so the business expanded to service all subsea pipelines.

McKee sees a need for the technology not only with U.S. companies in the Gulf of Mexico, but with companies worldwide, especially Asia. Mexssub has already done some work with Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell for projects off Nigeria.

"There's tons of subsea pipelines that are really quite old and need to be addressed," McKee said.

Intecsea touts Mexssub as the only technology that offers immediate temporary repairs as well as permanent fixes to pipelines without having to shut off the flow of oil or gas. The goal also is convincing companies to spend more money upfront to use the technology as a preventative measure on pipelines and risers. The company declined to provide figures comparing its costs to traditional repairs.

Just like all energy companies, Mexssub took a beating during the two-year oil bust, and the offshore sector remains mired in a slump. Mexssub only has about 10 people in its Cypress headquarters, with a larger base still in Mexico. Silva's father, Jesus, founded the company and remains CEO.

It's up to Franco Silva to expand the company internationally.

"We know there's enough opportunities out there to justify the risk," Silva said.

- Original article




Oil at lowest since November, crude inventories rose 3 million barrels -EIA

NEW YORK

Petroleumworld 03 22 2017

Oil closed at the lowest level since November, erasing the gains that followed OPEC's deal to cut output, as U.S. crude supplies are forecast to climb.

Futures dropped 1.8 percent in New York, erasing an early gain, while the S&P 500 Index fell the most in five months, as investors assessed the prospects for Donald Trump's pro-growth policies gaining congressional approval. The industry-funded American Petroleum Institute was said to have reported that U.S. supplies rose last week. Government data Wednesday will probably show stockpiles climbed to a record, a Bloomberg survey showed. Prices increased earlier amid speculation OPEC may extend its supply-cut deal past June.

There's a generalized selloff here, Bill O'Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis, said by telephone. Oil has been tracking the S&P 500 pretty closely, and of course has its own issues. General expectations about what Donald Trump would do for growth helped both oil and stocks. Those are fading fast.

Oil dipped below $50 a barrel this month for the first time in 2017 as record U.S. stockpiles and rising output weighed on the reductions by OPEC and its allies. While the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries won't decide until May whether to prolong the cuts, ministers and officials from outside the group, including Russia's Alexander Novak, will meet this weekend in Kuwait to discuss the deal's progress.

West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, which expired Tuesday, dropped 88 cents to $47.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the lowest close since Nov. 29. The more actively traded May contract slipped 67 cents to $48.24. May futures traded at $48.14 at 4:39 p.m. after the API report.

Brent for May settlement declined 66 cents to $50.96 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude settled at a $2.72 premium to May WTI.

Trump Agenda

Trump met with House Republicans Tuesday morning in Washington to rally support for the repeal of Obamacare as investors look for signs that his plans to cut corporate taxes and boost spending will move forward. House Republicans warned that a failure to pass a health-care bill could imperil tax and spending reform.

The catalyst is concern over demand due to potential difficulties with President Trump getting his pro-growth agenda through, Bart Melek, the head of global commodity strategy at TD Securities in Toronto, said by phone.

U.S. crude inventories eased off the highest level in more than three decades in the week ended March 10, dipping to 528.2 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg forecast a 3 million-barrel increase for the week ended March 17, which would take supplies to a new high.

Nationwide crude stockpiles rose 4.53 million barrels last week, the API said, according to people familiar with the data. Supplies at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for WTI and the biggest U.S. oil-storage hub, rose 1.97 million barrels. If the EIA reports a Cushing gain of the same size it would leave stockpiles at a record high.

Technical Resistance

WTI is nearing key technical resistance levels, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The 50 percent Fibonacci retracement from the August low of $39.19 to the January high of $55.24 stands at $47.22. The 38 percent retracement of rally is $45.32. Investors typically sell contracts when prices dropped below technical support.

This is a do-or-die time for the oil bulls, Stephen Schork, president of Schork Group Inc., a consulting company in Villanova, Pennsylvania, said by telephone. Prices have to hold in the $47.22-to-$45.32 range or there will be a flush back to $40, and even lower.

Oil-market news:

Saudi Arabia reduced crude exports in January as it led OPEC members in cutting output to rebalance the market. Shipments fell 3.8 percent to 7.7 million barrels a day, according to data published Monday on the Joint Organisations Data Initiative website.

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. is seeking to raise about $2 billion in its debut bond sale, the first step of a plan by the energy giant to tap markets for $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

Libya's major oil ports of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf are resuming operations and preparing exports after a two-week halt in shipments due to clashes.








Philadelphia is ranked amongst the top 50 most dog-friendly cities in America. This comes as no surprise since the town is home to countless beautifully maintained parks for pets to enjoy. Were breaking down the best dog parks in Philly
Oregon Trooper Paul Rushton picks up injured bald eagle earlier this month near Gold Beach. (Photo: Oregon State Police/Facebook)

A pair of injured bald eagles in Gold Beach, OR, were recently rescued by an Oregon state trooper.

Senior Trooper Paul Rushton came to the birds' rescue in Gold Beach on March 9, the Oregon State Police shared in a new Facebook post. Authorities said the birds had been spotted injured in a ravine: when Rushton arrived, he placed them into animal carriers and had the experts at Grants Pass' Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center take a look.

It turned out one had a "small tear in its wing muscle," and may have become tangled up with the second eagle in a fall: eagles often hold each others' talons during fights or pair bonding.

The eagles are now said to be doing well, Oregon Live reports.


TASER International has announced the addition of two key leadership roles: Kathy Trontell joins from Tesla as chief information officer and Jason Hartford joins from GoPro as senior director of product management.

I am thrilled to have Kathy and Jason joining our team, says Rick Smith, TASER CEO and co-founder. Both of these leaders are bringing key domain expertise from great companies to help our vision of building out the Axon network.

Trontell joined TASER from Silicon Valley in December to lead the companys Information Technology & Services organization, which works to enable TASERs growth, agility and success with technology. She has held senior leadership roles in diverse disciplines, including IT, finance, sales strategy and operations, manufacturing, and more, at Tesla Motors, Salesforce, Symantec, and NetApp. Trontell holds a combined degree in architecture and mechanical engineering from Princeton University.

TASER's mission to protect life depends on the impressive collection of talented people theyve amassed over the years, said Trontell. The Axon network is in a position to grow with robust technological bedrock underpinning it. This work truly matters, and Im delighted to be experiencing the best attributes of Silicon Valley here in the Valley of the Sun.

Hartford comes most recently from GoPro where he was senior director of product management of cameras. There he led the product teams to successful launches of the flagship HERO4, HERO5 and Session cameras, as well as GoPro's 360/spherical capture rigs. In addition, Hartford led the development of features to enable a smart and connected camera experience with apps and the cloud. He has also had leadership roles in product management, business planning, operations and sales support at Hewlett-Packard and other technology companies. Hartford holds a B.S. degree from Montana State University and an MBA from Arizona State University.

I've always been passionate about delivering product solutions that make a meaningful difference in peoples lives, says Hartford. At TASER, I get to join a talented team where I can continue to push the limits of technology to create devices and applications that truly impact public safety. I couldnt be more excited to get to work with this amazing team.

These new hires follow the pivotal 2016 hire of Todd Basche, who now leads the hardware engineering (CEWs and cameras), hardware product management, and test and validation teams. At Apple, Basche was hired to pitch new ideas to Steve Jobs and led all software development for iLife, the integrated suite of software including iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto.

With the addition of Trontell and Hartford, TASER and Axon's leadership team is well positioned to take Axon to its next phase of growth. These key additions mark a significant milestone in the company's plan to build out the Axon network. TASER's transition from a weapons manufacturer to global leader in software and connected devices started when the company announced Axon and Evidence.com in 2008. In 2010 the company added Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org and an early investor in Facebook and Dropbox, to their board to advise their software strategy. In 2014 the company added Bret Taylor, CEO of Quip and former CTO of Facebook to their board to further advise their strategy on connected devices, software, and artificial intelligence.

In addition to adding board members and key leaders, TASER & Axon have also made a number of strategic acquisitions, starting with Familiar, a photo sharing app, in 2013. The CEO of Familiar, Inc., Marcus Womack, now serves as the EVP of Software and Services and is the GM for Axon's Seattle office. Earlier this year the company announced the acquisition of two artificial intelligence companies to form a new group in the company called Axon AI.

Recruiting the right talent has been a major strategic focus for the company over the last five years. In that time, the company has employed a number of recruiting tactics, including placing billboards on the highways in between San Francisco and San Jose and offering Tesla Model 3s to critical hires as signing bonuses.

I've been very pleased with our 'Write Code. Save Lives.' recruiting campaign, says CEO Rick Smith. We've been able to attract great talent from the best companies in tech. These latest leadership additions are part of a much larger strategic initiative. We've got some exciting announcements in the days and weeks to come. Stay tuned.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) doesnt think the Senate should proceed forward with the Supreme Court nomination hearings as if there is no Russian smoke clouding President Trumps nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Warren noted that Gorsuch is up for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court by a President whose campaign is under FBI investigation for collusion w/ Russia. Lifetime court appointments can wait.

Neil Gorsuch is up for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court from a President whose campaign is under FBI investigation.  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 21, 2017

I've strongly opposed the Gorsuch nomination. Giant companies don't need another Supreme Court justice to tilt the law in their favor.  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 21, 2017

But is the Senate really going to pretend there's no cloud over @realDonaldTrump & move on w/ the Gorsuch nomination like things are normal?  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 21, 2017

The FBI Director testified @realDonaldTrump's campaign is under investigation for collusion w/ Russia. Lifetime court appointments can wait.  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 21, 2017

Elizabeth Warren has never been afraid to go there  the place where logic and common sense meet and force elected people to say obvious things that others lack the courage to say.

For some reason Republicans are always good at being on message and disregarding any negative feedback, whereas Democrats are a bit all over the place (democracy and all).

Warrens message is what all Democrats should be saying in public appearances. This is not about revenge or even Gorsuchs stance on issues. This is about the investigation into Donald Trumps ties to Russia. What kind of insane government would sit back and allow someone under investigation for treason to appoint a lifelong position to the highest place in the third arm of the government, part of the checks and balances that are supposed to make this country work.

The founders never anticipated Congressional Republicans being willing to sell their own country out, so Congress is not functioning as a check and balance due to Republican cowardice or perhaps something more sinister.

The only area of federal government left untainted by Russian control right now is the Supreme Court.

Of course Donald Trump should not be allowed to choose someone to fill the seat that President Obama constitutionally should have filled, but didnt because Republicans blocked Obamas excellent choice for no reason.

Republicans blocked Obamas choice with no reason, but they wont block Trumps choice even though there is a good chance he is a Russian Trojan Horse.

Nope. That makes no sense, and Warren isnt going to pretend like it does. Its not normal, none of this is normal.

Its not hyperbole to say our national security and sovereignty are on the line. Anyone who isnt standing with Elizabeth Warren against moving Gorsuch forward until the FBI finishes its investigation, and indeed all investigations are completed, should not be getting paid by the people to represent them.
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After Rachel Maddow drew attention to a fake Bernie Sanders supporters Facebook page that appears to be part of the Russian information warfare effort against the United States liberal and progressive patriots have flooded the page to fight back.

Video of Rachel Maddow:

Maddow explained that the Russians are using information warfare to confuse, divide, distract, demoralize and ultimately defeat their rival.

The MSNBC host said, When The Huffington Post did their dive on how Bernie supporters online got targeted in this Russia attack in part on a Bernie Sanders Facebook page called Bernie Sanders Lovers which says it is based in Burlington, Vermont. It is not based in Burlington, Vermont. Its based in Albania, and nobody whos not from Albania appears to have anything to do with that site. The important thing here is that Bernie Sanders page run out of Albania. Its still there. Its still running. Its still churning this stuff out. Now. This is not part of American politics. This is not partisan warfare between Republicans and Democrats. This is international warfare.

This is what the Bernie Sanders Lovers page looked like during and after Maddows segment:

Republicans pretend to be patriots, but it is liberals, progressives, and Democrats who are fighting back against the Russian attempt to destroy our democracy. The real patriots are those people who are standing up to the Russian efforts, not the Republicans who are turning a blind eye and pretending that the problem doesnt exist.

Trump promised to make America great, but it is the left that is fighting to keep America great.
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Yes, even Republicans are shaking their heads trying to figure out what Donald Trump is thinking. Long-time Trump critic and Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse joined MSNBCs Morning Joe this morning to explain to the hosts that the Donald Trumps behavior is literally beyond his understanding:

I dont really understand what motivates the president

Hes not alone. While Sasse was talking to Morning Joe, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) was professing ignorance on CNNs New Day, saying that,

I think we still need to figure out what the president was talking about when he talked about wiretapping, we know that President Obama personally would not have done that.

When co-host Mika Brzezinski asked Sasse if Trump should apologize for those wiretapping accusations, Sasse professed ignorance of Trumps motivations:

Mike Brzezinski: How do you recover from a lie that has really put a stain on the presidency? At this point, should President Trump apologize? Would that even help at this point?



Ben Sasse: Well, I dont really understand what motivates the president, but I hope that the president will take a long-term view of what the country needs. When people look back on his administration 



Brzezinski: Would it help if he got real with everybody and said Im sorry?



Sasse: Yes. Listen, Russia has tried to do terrible things, not just to America but to NATO, the most successful military alliance in two millennia.



Brzezinski: Doesnt seem to get it.



Sasse: The president should, if he had nothing personally to do with Russia, he should care deeply about saying, hey, Im the man that has the sign that says the buck stops here. I wanna figure out everything that happened and I want the exhaustive investigation to clear the deck.

Clearly what we think Trump needs to do, should do, and must do, is something very different than what Trump will do. His decision-making process, as Sasse points out, and as his decision to have Rex Tillerson skip a NATO meeting to go to Russia instead, is beyond explanation or understanding.

Ben Sasse had reservations before the election, explaining then that Trumps platform was nebulous to him and apparently, he has found no enlightenment since.

While his is not the only head shaking on Capitol Hill, he is, unfortunately, one of the few Republicans willing to speak his reservations about Donald Trump.
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They have finally found evidence of voter fraud, and no surprise to anyone, it is Republican voter fraud.

The Washington Posts Jennifer Rubin tweeted the news:

OK THIS is funny.. finally found voter fraud in Colorado. It's the GOP chair. https://t.co/jD3X9VsyW2  Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) March 22, 2017

Thats right. As Denvers ABC affiliate 7News reported, Former Colorado GOP chairman Steven Curtis charged with voter fraud.

Steven Curtis was the chairman of the state party from 1997 to 1999. He was charged Feb. 1 with one count of forgery of a public record, a fifth-degree felony, and an elections mail-in ballot offense, a misdemeanor.

Denver Tea Party Patriot Curtis allegedly forged his wifes mail-in ballot from last years election. The truly funny part of this is that Steven Curtis was an outspoken critic of voter fraud.

In fact, it was just before this election that Curtis told KLZ 560:

It seems to be, and correct me if Im wrong here, but virtually every case of voter fraud I can remember in my lifetime was committed by Democrats.

The Republican Party has been projecting for years, accusing Democrats of everything they themselves have been guilty of. Donald Trump has been the practices most astute student, showing there is at least one thing the so-called president has been able to learn.

News7 adds this juicy tidbit, that The Colorado Secretary of States Office says this is the only voter fraud case that has ended in charges stemming from last years election.

Republicans complain about voter fraud all the time. There is no little irony, after all the finger-pointing at minorities and immigrants, when evidence is finally found, it turns out to be a white male Republican.

Photo: Screen grab ABCs 7News
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According to career law enforcement officials in this authors family, criminals will do anything to deflect blame away from themselves and when possible are more likely to blame the police, prosecutors, and judges when they catch up to the bad guys. In fact, last week one of those relatives shared a story of a rapist who raised Hell in court and complained that the real crime was committed by the victim and her parents for ratting him out to the police over the sexual assault caught on one of those nanny-cams; the criminal demanded that the district attorney drop the rape charges and launch an investigation into who actually reported the crime and prosecute the parents for capturing the assault on video.

Over the past few months Americans have witnessed some high-level Republican criminals in Congress, and corrupt Donald Trump in the White House, attempt to blame the intelligence community for doing its job protecting Americans and national security. Trump has been beating the blame drum that the only crime regarding his campaigns conspiracy with a hostile foreign nation was whomever leaked information that Trumps people were in bed with Putin. That criminal behavior was on display before, during, and after the House of Representative held a meeting with directors of the FBI and NSA because they refuted a libelous charge from Trump about President Obama, and revealed the IC is investigating the Trump campaigns collusion with Russia to help Trump and congressional Republicans, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, in the last election.

One would have thought the so-called patriotic Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee would have at least feigned concern over what they learned from FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Michael S. Rogers about the lying fascist in the Oval Office. Mr. Comey, for his part, debunked the libelous Trump claim that President Obama went outside of America and enlisted British contractors to wiretap the paranoid nut-job in the White House. Mr. Rogers agreed with Comey and verified claims by Americas angry British allies that it was utterly ridiculous that their IC followed a direct order from a foreigner, President Barack Obama, to illegally spy on the Trump; whether through wiretaps or microwave ovens. Add to that, congressional Republicans learned that Americas IC was doing its due diligence and has been officially investigating the ties between Trump, his treasonous lieutenants and, the Kremlin. The Republicans response, like that of Trump, was to pretend that colluding with a hostile foreign government wasnt really a crime and demanded that the focus of any congressional investigation should be on the intelligence community they all claim leaked information that the country has known to be true since last summer.

What was very revealing about just how closely tied to criminals in the Trump White House two Republicans on the House Intel Committee really are, both Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Trey Gowdy (R-SC) were absolutely enraged over the revelation that Turkeys foreign agent, retired Lt. General Michael Flynn the short-lived NSA chief, was caught lying about his contacts with the Russians. NO, they were not outraged that a retired general accepted payments from, and conspired with, a hostile Russian operator, they were livid that the American people learned that the man in the White House appointed a foreign agent and Russian sympathizer as head of the National Security Agency. Nunes and Gowdy agree with the Trump and believe the focus of any congressional or Justice Department investigation should target the intelligence community, not the alleged criminals colluding with the Russians. In that sense they are precisely like a common criminal blaming law enforcement because they were investigated.

Heres the thing about the intelligence community that Republicans are well aware of; every agent of every one of the 17 intelligence agencies serve the United States of America and work tirelessly to protect its people, interests and national security. In fact, the reason Americans feel safe flying the friendly skies is because of the intelligence community; not the brave men and women of the military. Like the military, the intelligence community does not serve whomever is in the Oval Office. This is particularly true when the current occupant is under investigation for what normal people call treason, and despite the protection by congressional Republicans who are arguably complicit in a cover-up by attempting to deflect attention away from the traitorous Trump-Russia connection.

If, and it is a monumental if, someone or many ones in the intelligence community did alert the public or the press about anyone in the Trump camp colluding with Russia or its spies to undermine American democracy, then they should be hailed as heroes. Instead they are being railed against by common criminals like Trump and congressional Republicans for doing their jobs protecting national security. In fact, the Trump is due to appoint one of his billionaire corporate cohorts, a wealthy elitist with no intelligence experience, to investigate the intelligence community and clean house; probably of any agent who refuses to take a blood oath swearing fealty to Donald Trump at the expense of American national security.

As the Washington Posts editorial board said yesterday, mildly one might add:

Congressional Republicans ought to consider larger national interests. Russias intervention in the election was not incidental and haphazard, but part of a concerted campaign to disrupt Western democracy. Given Trumps refusal to acknowledge the threat, it is essential that Congress discover the truth about Russias activities

The Washington Posts editors also agreed, sort of, with this author that what Republicans should be doing is what the Trump and some Republicans want to punish the intelligence community for; fully informing the public about the alleged traitors in the Trump camp. Either congressional Republicans are terrified of Trump ordering the liar leading the Justice Department to investigate and punish them, or they are colluding with Trump to conceal his and his close advisors treason against the United States; something it appears that only the intelligence community can protect us from now that Republicans revealed they are part of the cover up.
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Former NSA and current national security columnist John Schindler was not impressed with Republican House Intel Committee Chair Devin Nunes desperate outing of (alleged) incidental collection on Wednesday.

Instead of it exonerating President Donald Trump from his unfounded, wild accusation against President Obama, Schindler wrote, We are now just one diligent special prosecutor away from a whole bunch of Republicans getting indicted for major crimes over #TrumpRussia.

We are now just one diligent special prosecutor away from a whole bunch of Republicans getting indicted for major crimes over #TrumpRussia.  John Schindler (@20committee) March 22, 2017

The spies are not happy with Rep. Nunes performance today.

If DC #GOP follows the lead of Nunes & his cynical, illegal stunt today, you can forget about any good-faith Hill inquiry into #TrumpRussia.  John Schindler (@20committee) March 22, 2017

Suffice it to say, every move Donald Trump and his allies take in this Trump Russia investigation is an example of what not to do if you are under investigation, especially if the reason youre under investigation involves our national security. Kicking the intelligence community in the face and stabbing them in the back while you misrepresent and impugn their work and deny what they seem to have proof of is just not a great plan.

Its becoming more and more obvious why Republicans are refusing to appoint a special prosecutor and call for a legitimately independent investigation, and are instead enabling, giving cover for, and assisting the Trump Russia connection.
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House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes tried to exonerate President Donald Trumps unfounded wiretapping accusations against President Obama, but in the process he ended up revealing that the alleged wiretap was legal and done under a FISA warrant, which means the people being surveilled are either foreign powers/agents and or may be involved in the commission of a crime.

So thats not exactly a win for Nunes or Trump.

Nunes said on Wednesday that Trump might have been wiretapped as a part of incidental collection. Nunes said he found these bits but they have nothing to do with Russia, and he feels the president needs to know. (One might think the President would have been briefed but if he, and perhaps Nunes were a part of whatever the concerns were, they wouldnt have been briefed.)

Nunes said the incidental collection appeared to be all legally collected foreign intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The problem with that is a FISA warrant must certify that the target of the proposed surveillance is either a foreign power or the agent of a foreign power and, in the case of a U.S. citizen or resident alien, that the target may be involved in the commission of a crime.

Nunes made things worse by saying multiple FISA warrants out there involving Trump.

Wow  Nunes just said there are "multiple FISA warrants out there" involving Trump.  Tom Watson (@tomwatson) March 22, 2017

Nunes said it appears that the subjects were under a FISA warrant during his White House presser, but that he wasnt concerned that bringing this claim forward would implicate the President or any of his team given that the only way to get a FISA warrant is if the target is a foreign power, agent or may be committing a crime. No, I think  what this is- this is normal intelligence reporting.

And yet, Nunes said it was legally collected. Which means one of the above, and none of them are good. Without offering any proof or any claim that this was done illegally, Nunes took refuge in his idea that what he found would bother the American people. Translation: It bothers Nunes, and Trump.

John Schindler pointed out that when one talks to legitimate foreign intelligence targets who are already being monitored, they will be swept up in that collection. This is something Ive written about quite a bit, as it seems someone who is president would/should know this already. If he was talking to foreign targets, Trump should have known he would be listened to. This is not the same thing as Obama putting a wiretap on Trump at all.

It means Team Trump was in contact with legitimate FI targets who were being monitored totally legally via SIGINT.https://t.co/0Xb9cVSrTM  John Schindler (@20committee) March 22, 2017

Schindler is also not impressed with Nunes handling of this info:

If we are still a republic of laws, Nunes must be removed from HPSCI, stripped of clearances & prosecuted for this.https://t.co/HIMD9hH2Ss  John Schindler (@20committee) March 22, 2017

Seriously: mention of specific FISA targets is classified TOPSECRET/SCI/ECI (Exceptionally Controlled Information)https://t.co/MXrndr631l  John Schindler (@20committee) March 22, 2017

Nunes wouldnt answer if he thought the collection was political as President Trump claimed, but he instead offered a vague accusation that he thought it was inappropriate. So thats a no to Trump being vindicated on his baseless claim.

Being caught up in collection is not the same as the former President putting a wiretap on you.

No doubt Nunes is trying to change the subject after he denied ever even hearing of Roger Stone or Paul Manafort.

.@DevinNunes is not carrying-out the House investigation in good faith, quite the opposite actually. He made that much clear today, again. https://t.co/YJ4YwzQpcv  Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) March 20, 2017

Nunes was, of course, named to the Trump transition team, which he is saying was wiretapped, in December. So Nunes thinks he just found proof that he, or other members of the Trump transition, were wiretapped.

Multiple sources confirm that Nunes didnt share his findings with Adam Schiff, the ranking Intelligence Committee Democrat. Nunes instead went to the White House with his information, since he felt the President needed to know.

One might wonder how Nunes can veer like a drunken sailor from chastising the intelligence community for leaks of incidental collection to leaking alleged incidental collection himself, but then that would require holding Republicans to a consistent standard.

This was a Hail Mary move by Nunes to save Trumps presidency, and perhaps his own career. It will distract the press for another few days.

But then it will dawn on everyone that if it was collectedly legally under a FISA warrant, this is bad news for Trump. All roads look like they lead to impeachment for this President.

That is not a speedy process, and it has to be done correctly  that is to say, unlike how Republicans operate, the evidence must dictate direction. Justice is slow, but when she gets there, she is brutal.

What Nunes did today was out himself as unfit to run the investigation into Trumps Russia problem, and thats not good for Donald Trump or Nunes, because until today, Nunes was functioning as a gatekeeper stopping a real investigation into Trump and Russia.
Charleston, SC (29403)

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Lots of sunshine. High 81F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph..

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Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Recovery Room Tavern owner, Chris "Boston" DiMattia, owns the property, and after Palace Hotel moved out during the COVID-19 pandemic, he came up with the idea to do something with the space himself. Read moreLucky Luchador is now open with Irish pub, Mexican cantina influences
It wasnt immediately clear whether Murdaugh would actually take the stand. Prosecutors said they anticipated the disgraced attorney would invoke his right against self-incrimination. Read moreAlex Murdaugh could be called as witness in trial of ex-banker Russell Laffitte
Deanna Pan is an enterprise reporter for The Post and Courier, where she writes about education and other issues. She grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in English from Ohio State University in 2012.
At the northeastern tip of the Grand Strand lies a hidden sanctuary  an undeveloped maritime forest and beach in an area where nearly every acre of oceanfront land has been converted to condominiums, hotels and residential subdivisions. The soon-to-be designated state heritage preserve is c Read moreCommentary: Saving Waties Island is South Carolina conservation at its best
The oft-told story of a frog perishing in a pot as the water slowly warms and then cooks him is not actually based in fact; the metaphor persists because it describes something that is true: We are less aware of change that occurs gradually than when it happens all at once. Read moreEditorial: Referendums based on slow evolution: Berkeley, Dorchester aren't so rural anymore
South Carolina voters head to the polls Nov. 8, casting ballots in midterm elections that will not only determine the state's next governor but will also act as the first major referendum on the Biden era. Read moreYour voter guide to top races, key issues in South Carolina's 2022 midterm elections
When you're getting married, you usually have months to plan, along with a partner and plenty of wedding magazines to help.

But divorce is a lonely place, with room for one plus an attorney who charges per minute. So we rounded up divorce advice from real people who have been there, done that  and made it through to the other side, better than ever.

Here's some advice your lawyer may not have told you.

Document everything: If you need to go to court to seek out any damages or restitution, it's essential to provide backup to support the case, said Sheri Silver, a New York-based blogger. Silver suggested saving all emails and saving all bills. "It couldn't be easier these days to keep a file on your computer that is designated for this, and the earlier you get into the habit of doing it, the better off you'll be in the event that you have to produce any evidence of some kind," Silver said.

Get financial disclosures: You'll need this as early as possible to make the divorce go quickly and smoothly, Silver said. While you may be tempted to do this yourself, hand control of it over to your lawyer because it removes you from the stress and trauma of the proceedings, Silver said. "Doing it yourself is not always productive," she said.

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Find a therapist: "The most important lesson I learned from going through my divorce is that divorce is 45 percent emotions, 45 percent numbers and 10 percent legal," said Sandy Arons, founder of Arons & Associates, a Tennessee-based company that helps clients get financially smart divorces. "My therapist was essential to manage the emotional roller coaster." While friends and family were helpful, Arons said having an objective third person provided clarity.

Give a price to everything: Because divorce is a numbers game, Arons spent time figuring out the value of her house, the Blue Book value for the cars, the amount of mortgage left on her home, the bank accounts, the amount left in their retirement accounts and student loans and more. "Gathering these numbers for all your assets and debts is necessary so your attorney can give you meaningful legal advice," Arons said. And because she did her own research and gathering, she avoided the very expensive formal discovery process, felt more confident and was able to have productive and efficient conversations with her attorney.

Think before getting an attorney: There are some divorces that aren't going to end up in litigation, said Liza Feiler, founder of Divorce Concierge Group, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that helps newly divorced people navigate their way to independence. "When you're finding an attorney, you need to figure out early on if you're going to end up litigating, and if you are, you need to find an attorney who has a fantastic reputation winning their cases in litigation, which is different than doing something that's more cut and dry," Feiler said. "So first, you really need to figure out how this all is going to play out."

Don't make a rash decision: It's important not to make decisions based on emotions, said Jackie Pilossoph, creator of Divorced Girl Smiling, a divorce support website, and a freelance columnist for Chicago Tribune Media Group. "When you make an impulsive decision, you suffer the consequences of saying or doing something you might not have done had you given it more thought," said Pilossoph, who writes the weekly advice and dating column "Love Essentially." The consequences could play out in the courtroom if you send an email in the heat of the moment and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse forwards the angry email to his or her lawyer who routes it to the judge, who decides you're unfit to parent your children. Instead of making that impulsive decision, Pilossoph suggested venting to friends or family, exercising, meditating or journaling.

Understand the fine print: "When I got divorced, I did not know what I was doing legally because I had never heard any of the terms. I trusted my attorney and did what he said instead of empowering myself, learning the terminology and making a decision based on his advice and my own knowledge," Pilossoph said. The result: You could sign something unknowingly that could make your soon-to-be-ex-spouse upset, which could make the divorce more unpleasant than it needs to be, she said. Your divorce attorney is trying to get you the best outcome but doesn't necessarily know the private agreements made between you. "I have a master's degree, but I don't have an understanding of the law," Pilossoph said, suggesting you ask your attorney plenty of questions before signing anything. Ask him what everything means in common terms and what it will mean for you.

Engage in good coping mechanisms: When you go through a divorce, you aren't you. "You're a different personality: emotional, frightened, depressed, short-tempered," Pilossoph said. While a glass or five of wine may look tempting at this time, you should avoid alcohol until you go back to being you, because you need to stay away from this and other things that could add to your depression, Pilossoph said, adding when people are going through a divorce, they're vulnerable to addiction. Better coping mechanisms would include therapy, exercise, a new hobby or anything that would benefit you in a positive way. Avoid jumping into a new relationship right away, drugs, alcohol and giving up on life, Pilossoph said.

Hold it in: As much as you're hurting, your kids are hurting just as much or worse, Pilossoph said. "They shouldn't be your therapist," she said. "Talk about it in front of your girlfriend, not in front of your kids."

Stay on speaking terms: When you have children, you still need to have a partnership with your spouse; it just needs to be a different type of relationship, Feiler said. "You have to figure out how to communicate and have a working relationship," she said.

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Outsource: There are businesses out there that make the transition smoother  beyond your attorney  that help you figure out what steps to take, said Feiler, who started one of these companies herself after her own divorce. "I realized how much in need I was, and I didn't want people to feel as lost as I was," she said. If your spouse was the person who handled the bills, the paperwork and the organizing of your daily schedule, then find an assistant or even a local college student who can help with this to make the transition smoother until you get back on your feet, Feiler said.

Her company, Divorce Concierge Group, helps with everything from finding health insurance to selecting a real estate agent, an accountant, a new school for the kids and more. "When I created this four years ago, there was nothing like this out there, but in the last four to five years, they've become a little more available," Feiler said. You can see if there's one in your area simply by Googling your state and "divorce concierge" or asking your attorney if he or she knows of anyone who can help.
Almost 12 hours after it first began, a police standoff with a man described as having "a psychological crisis" ended peacefully this morning.

The man, who reportedly had a rifle and has made threats of suicide, was in the detached garage of a home in the 1100 block of 13th Avenue Northeast all night, said Rochester Police Capt. John Sherwin.

About 9 a.m., "he came out, ended (the standoff), and we'll take him for evaluation" at a local hospital, Sherwin said. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor, he said.

The incident began about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, when dispatchers received a call about a domestic incident involving the man. Before officers arrived, the man retrieved a gun from the home and went to the garage.

Within 30 minutes of their arrival, the officers had established contact with the man, who refused to come out. Police were on the scene all night, Sherwin said; about 7 a.m., the emergency response unit was called to the scene to help with negotiations.

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Though no threats were made to members of law enforcement or anyone else, authorities worked with Rochester Public Schools officials; Jefferson Elementary School is nearby.

The school's principal also was on the scene this morning, discussing how best to get children in the immediate area to school safely, Sherwin said. Classes begin shortly after 9 a.m.; there was no delay or lockdown.

The school liaison officer and supervisor "worked with the Jefferson administration to develop a plan which involved escorting students into the building at the start of the school day, as well as walking our students who live in the immediate area to school this morning," Heather Nessler, communications director for the district, wrote in a statement.

"Students began their morning inside the school opposed to the playground. ... Teaching and learning is occurring as normal," she wrote.

"Given the isolated nature of the incident, we believe there's no threat to neighbors," Sherwin said shortly before the standoff ended.

"Our concern is a person in a psychological crisis with a weapon," he said. "That's what we're here to deal with. Anything that led up to it, we'll deal with later."

In situations involving mental health issues, "we can wait all night, and that's what we did," Sherwin said, "and we're prepared to be here all day, if need be."

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AUSTIN  A man charged under Minnesota's "revenge porn" law was sentenced last week to a year in jail.

William Arthur Clennon Jr., 33, was accused of posting nude photos of a former girlfriend, leading to one count of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a gross misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to the charge Dec. 19 and was sentenced Friday to the jail time, with credit for 47 days already served.

The investigation began Sept. 7, when a woman reported to law enforcement that nude photographs of her were posted on a website called "My Ex." The woman believed Clennon posted the pictures.

The website contained a profile for the woman, which included her full name, age and eight photos, three of which showed her genital area, court documents say.

The victim said that day, she'd received a message on the internet from a man she didn't know, referring to her profile on the website. The woman found the profile and the photos she'd taken with her cellphone, then sent to Clennon's cellphone. She hadn't sent the photos to anyone else, the report says.

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Clennon admitted to posting the photographs on the website, describing his actions as "stupid and immature." He told the investigator he'd asked for the woman's profile to be removed and had deleted the photos from his phone.

The law took effect Aug. 1.
MINNEAPOLIS  Saint Mary's University announced that it will offer a bachelor of science in public health degree in Minneapolis, beginning fall 2017.

The program is a response to the nationwide need for workers to meet community health needs, the university said in a news release. As the population ages, chronic health challenges are on the rise, worldwide viral epidemics and a focus on preventative health all mean there's a need for more professionals in the field.

The bachelor's completion program "fills a gap in local education" for working adults that have earned at least 30 transferable college credits, including community health workers, those with health or human service-focused two-year degrees, and anyone interested in the field of public health.

The series of eight-week courses are designed for working adults who need flexible options to complete a bachelor's degree. Evening classes will be offered one night a week.

For details about the program or the schedule of information sessions, contact Laurie Roy at 877-768-4545. Learn more at smumn.edu/publichealth.
Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. John Noseworthy will speak to the Economic Club of Minnesota at a Minneapolis luncheon today.

He is scheduled to "share his perspective on leading the 150-year-old organization through a period of significant growth and innovation while facing external challenges."

The Economic Club has many top Minnesota business leaders as members. The club was co-founded by former Minnesota lawmaker Tim Penny, who remains on the board of directors.

There will be a question-and-answer period with the club members following the talk, and after that, Noseworthy will field questions from the media.

It will be Noseworthy's first public appearance since news reports emerged last week regarding comments he made last year to employees in a video message, telling them in certain cases to prioritize commercially insured patients over those on public assistance programs.

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The comments generated public discussion, including some criticism and a pledge from state Health and Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper to ask "hard questions" about Mayo Clinic's priorities. Noseworthy has since clarified Mayo's stance, saying the clinic is "committed to serving those (public assistance) patients."

A story about the event will be posted later today at PostBulletin.com.
AUSTIN  Don't worry, "bee" happy.

The Austin City Council on Monday unanimously approved a "bee-safe" resolution, which prohibits city employees from using systemic pesticides that are lethal to bees, according to City Administrator Craig Clark.

Clark said in a news release that the city council "recognized the importance bees and other pollinators play in our food production by promoting these best practices."

Bees across the country are losing one-fourth to one-third of their hives each winter, a dramatic decline that has exposed bees as a fragile link in the nation's food chain. Austin's resolution also committed the city to creating and protecting pollen-favorable habitats and encouraging residents to adopt pollinator-friendly practices.

Austin joins 14 other Minnesota cities that have passed similar resolutions, including Winona.

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At the state level, Gov. Mark Dayton issued broad new guidelines designed to restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Minnesota, and ordered state agencies to develop "pollinator-friendly" practices.

Insect pollination is a crucial part of food security in the United States. There are more than 20,000 different species of bees, and many enable food production of at least 90 commercially grown crops on this continent, according to the city's statement.

Throughout the world, 87 of the leading 115 food crops evaluated are dependent on pollination, which contributes to about 35 percent of global food production.

Minnesota is home to more than 400 different species of native bees, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

What Winona has done

In November, the Winona City Council approved a pollinator resolution, committing the city to promoting and maintaining a "healthy urban and natural environment today and in the future."

John Howard, Natural Resources Sustainability Coordinator for Winona, said that the city intends to educate city staff on how to protect pollinators and create favorable habitats for them.

There were also plans to reference the city's chemical inventory that is not pollinator-friendly, including pesticides used by subcontractors, and find alternatives.

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"The reason why we passed our resolution was to protect pollinator health and also work on identifying areas that are good habitats for pollinators," Howard said. "We're also looking to add equipment whenever possible to source plants that don't have treatments on them, or other systemic pesticides and are more pollinator friendly."

Pollinators are all the buzz

Beekeeper John Shonyo knows the importance of pollinators. He and Chris Schad, own the Bee Shed in Oronoco and care of about 80 honeybee hives in rural Minnesota. They supply several grocery stores and other businesses in the region with honey that's collected from their hives.

However, their hives aren't immune to disease or weather.

"A number of our hives die over the winter, and we don't always know why that is," Shonyo said. "It's more prevalent now. Bees going into winter are much weaker and it's much harder to stave off disease.  we know some of the issues, some we don't understand."

Interest in beekeeping has increased. Shonyo estimated there are "10 times" more bee keepers now than six years ago.

Hearing that cities like Austin and Winona are looking for ways to protect pollinators, raises awareness of their role in the world food supply.

"Any time there's anything to bring awareness of bees or pollinators to a city is a good thing," Shonyo said. "They say that honey bees account for a third of the food we eat. Bees and other pollinators, they make for a healthier environment. We see more flowers do well, and the trees do better.  they're just part of our ecosystem and that's pretty important."

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The new normal in the Time of Trump is for too many things to be happening all at once, such that it is hard to keep up. So lets just go down a short checklist.

 OMG! Add to the list of the things the media find defective about President Trump is that he is likely to be the first president in 100 years who doesnt have a pet in the White House! The Washington Postnatchwonders whether Trump is petophobic:

Trump doesnt appear to hold the highest regard for mans best friend. In fact, one of his go-to insults is comparing someone to a dog: Ted Cruz was choking like a dog. Marco Rubio was sweating like a dog. David Gregory, Bill Maher, Glenn Beck, Chuck Todd, Mark Cuban  all of them, Trump declared in various tweets and speeches, had been or should be fired like a dog.

So desperate is the rabid-canine-like media to bring down Trump that theyre resorting to rallying dog lovers against him. They miss their days of slobbering over Obama. Their distemper shots have clearly failed. Sad! (P.S. I know: Some people would say Trumps pet is Melania, but thats just what some people say.)

 According to one tweet I saw this morning, CNNs John King reported that the phones are ringing off the hook in the offices of the Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee, with complaints that they arent being aggressive and nasty enough to Judge Gorsuch. Oh please, please Democratskeep it up with the complaints about Judge Garlands stolen Supreme Court seat, please, please keep attacking a cartoon version of constitutional originalism, and can you also turn up the volume on Al Frankens microphone? That man deserves to be heard more clearly. Watching Gorsuch easily swat away every attempt to corner him is like watching a professor handle dull freshmen (or first-years if youre attending Yale Day Care University) on the first day of class.

Above all, please, please filibuster Gorsuchs nomination on the Senate floor. It wont go down well with the public. Because when this triggers Senate Republicans to nix the filibuster, they might as well just go all the way and abolish it for everything (as Democrats will surely do the next time they have a Senate majority), and then the Senate can pass everything it needs to pass to reverse Obamacare completely. And Democrats will have Harry Reid to thank.

There is one clear lesson to be gleaned from watching the self-immolation of Democrats over Gorsuch: the Borking drill could only work once.
Sen. Al Franken has become something of a hero to the left because it was in response to one of his questions that Attorney General Sessions said he did not have communications with the Russians. Franken never asked Sessions whether he had. Instead, Sessions volunteered this information.

So this wasnt Al Franken getting Sessions to misstate something in response to withering questions; this was dumb luck. (It is also lucky for Franken that his admirers in the mainstream media arent pointing out the context of Sessions answer; he was talking about conversations in his capacity as a surrogate for Trump.)

Today, Franken didnt get lucky. He came up empty. His questioning of Neil Gorsuch was farcical.

Franken began by asking Judge Gorsuch about his dissent in TransAm Trucking v. Administrative Review Board (discussed by Ed Whelan here). This is the one case the Democrats have found out of the nearly 3,000 Gorsuch has decided that they think they can hammer him on. Because Gorsuch resisted allowing hard facts to make bad law, its easy to attack him by emphasizing the hard facts.

This is what Franken did. But two other Democratic Senators had already pursued the same line of questioning. By rehashing the case, Franken was just wasting everyones time.

After that, things got weird. Franken wanted to talk about the treatment of Judge Merrick Garland by Senate Republicans. He mentioned that when he asked Gorsuch, during the office visit, whether he thought Garland had been treated fairly, Gorsuch declined to answer because this is a political type question, and he tries to avoid politics.

Franken said he accepted this answer at the time, only to learn that Gorsuch has been involved in politics. He cited Gorsuchs work for the Bush campaign in 2004, and noted that Gorsuch touted this work when he later sought a position in the Bush Justice Department. He also said that Gorsuch is knowledgeable about past confirmation battles.

Having taken pains, and a fair amount of time, to show that Gorsuch isnt a stranger to politics, Franken returned to Judge Garland. Why, given his past involvement in politics, couldnt Gorsuch opine on the treatment of Garland?

Gorsuch exploded that balloon with a simple answer: hes a judge now, and judges shouldnt opine on political questions.

Strike one.

Frankens next line of questioning was ridiculous. Returning to the 2004 election, Franken noted that Gorsuch worked on the team of lawyers that assisted the Bush campaign in Ohio. He noted that in Ohio that year, Republicans arranged for the issue of gay marriage to be on the ballot. Franken said (correctly, I think) that they did this in the hope of maximizing turnout by social conservatives.

Franken views this as an outrage  as if theres something immoral about letting Ohioans vote on gay marriage. But Gorsuch was just part of a team of lawyers helping in Ohio towards the end of the campaign. He had nothing to do with the strategy of putting gay marriage on the ballot.

Franken tried to get around this problem by noting that Gorsuch was a law school friend of Ken Mehlman, who, apparently was behind the Ohio gambit. So what? Friend or not, Gorsuch isnt responsible for strategic campaign decisions made by Mehlman.

Getting nowhere slowly, and seeking an exit, Franken asked Gorsuch about his view on gay marriage. As he had in response to this sort of question all day  and as the last six Supreme Court nominees (at least) have done  Gorsuch declined to answer a question that has implications for how he might vote in a future case.

Strike Two.

Frankens last line of questioning was about statements made by Reince Priebus at C-PAC last month. Priebus apparently made some comment about how having Judge Gorsuch on the Supreme Court will enable conservatives to win cases for the next 40 years, or maybe reverse 40 years of bad law  it wasnt clear which, at least in Frankens telling.

Franken then asked Gorsuch what Priebus meant by his statement.

We all know that Franken isnt a lawyer. But you dont need to be one to understand the foolishness of asking a witness what another persons statement means.

Straining, or so it seemed, not to laugh at Franken, Gorsuch delivered the obvious answer: Franken should ask Priebus.

Strike three.

Franken gave it the old junior high school try today. Maybe that will be enough to keep his base happy. If so, his base has very low standards.
In September 2012 Susan Rice made the rounds of the Sunday gabfests to promote the lie that a YouTube video prompted a riot that led to the deaths of our men in Benghazi. She was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations at the time, faithfully peddling the transparently false Obama administration line. I wrote about Rices performance that morning in Fools and knaves.. Rices performance perfectly represented the Obama administrations methodically twisted way with the truth, explained forthrightly by Obama NSC spokesman Ben Rhodes in the invaluable New York Times Magazine article by David Samuels.

Today the Washington Post runs Rices column When the White House twists the truth, we are all less safe.. Rice does not look back. She does not engage in self-reflection. Rather, she admonishes the Trump administration.

I could say she should know. I could say she is a flawed messenger. I could say that Susan Rice embodies the problem of the unreliable narrator. But words fail me.

Glenn Reynolds comments: Pathetic of WaPo to run this. Thats certainly true.

Quoting himself, Glenn adds: And speaking of less safe, The troika made up of Susan Rice, Samantha Power, and Hillary Clinton was perhaps the most disastrous foreign policy crew in American history. Thats true too.

But wait! There is more. Glenn notes in an update: Trumps credibility is shot, says . . . Jen Psaki? Really, CNN? Thats what youve got? Of course, if legacy media banned Obama officials who lied to the public, they wouldnt be able to have many Obama officials on. . . .
FirstNation Airways has appealed to the Federal Government to address the issue of compensation for airlines over losses incurred as a result of closing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The airline made the plea in a statement signed by its Manager, Corporate Services, Rasheed Yusuf, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The Federal Government on March 8 closed the Abuja airport for a period of six weeks to carry out a major rehabilitation of its runway.

Mr. Yusuf said the airline was in total support of the on-going repair of runway and commended governments efforts at addressing infrastructure decay, especially in the aviation sector.

He said that the closure of the airport had affected the operations of the airline, adding that this informed the airlines decision to temporary reschedule its operations.

According to him, this was to accomplish crew training and other important capacity building exercise that would further raised quality raise of service and enhance safety.

It is our prayer that the government will urgently address the issue of financial compensation to airlines for losses incurred as a result of the closure with the same fort rightness being displayed with respect to the runway repair.

We also acknowledge that within the last 30 days Foreign Exchange constraints continue to ease.

However, the current 60 days forward bid is more suited for bill for collections and foreign airline remittances but challenges remain for airlines headquartered in Nigeria, who have to also wait 60 to 90 days for value.

We hope that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will start offering a mixture of spot foreign exchange availability to ease planning as forward transactions is unduly prolonging airlines maintenance, training, and thus compounding planning.

He further expressed optimism that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, would continue to engage the government on how to improve the operating environment of the industry.

FirstNation remains bullish about her future outlook and will return to Kaduna and Port Harcourt as from March 29 when we anticipate that traffic would have stabilised in preparation for Easter season, Yusuf added.

NAN reports that the airline had temporary suspended its operations as a result of low passenger demand which it claimed was due to the diversion of Abuja flights to Kaduna International Airport.

The General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a text message to aviation correspondents.

The NCAA spokesperson had also in a recent interview with journalists confirmed that FirstNation was operating with only a single A319 aircraft instead of the prerequisite two aircraft.

Mr. Adurogboye said the airline was granted waiver for a few months to use one aircraft due to the unserviceable nature of its second aircraft, adding that the NCAA was closely monitoring its operations.

The airline in August 2016 voluntarily suspended operations for two months, due to lack of operating aircraft.

(NAN)

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The Federal Government has deployed more than 1,473 newly graduated basic midwives to Primary Health Care Centres, PHCs, across the country.

Faniran Sanjo, the Assistant Director, International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr. Sanjo disclosed this in a sideline interview with NAN at a two-day meeting of the National Task Force Committee, and Partners in Population and Development (PPD) on South-South Cooperation.

He explained that the recruitment and deployment was undertaken by through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA.

He said that Nigeria had showcased the achievement of the agency and other projects implemented by the partners at the 2016 International Inter-Ministerial Conference and Board Meeting of the PPD in Senegal.

The midwives were deployed to PHC facilities in rural areas throughout the 36 states and FCT in 2016.

The deployment of the midwives was aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes and consolidation on the gains of the Midwives Services Scheme (MSS) of the Federal Government, Mr. Sanjo said.

The official said the federal government through the relevant MDAs had developed series of programmes on reproductive health and had implemented them accordingly.

He said reproductive healthcare was one of the priorities of the current administration.

The focus of the government is to make sure that the issue of primary healthcare, the issue of productive healthcare, the issue of child birth and pregnancy are adequately addressed.

Some of the programmes and projects were on addressing sexual and reproductive health because issues of social and reproductive health affect mostly women and young people, and in particular young girls.

Mr. Sanjo said that relevant MDAs had carried out programmes on the National Response to Young Peoples Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Sexual Rights and Gender Issues.

They have carried out programmes on improving Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth Corps Members and Young People, and on the strategies to improve knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive in Northern Nigeria.

Others included programmes to explore the Social Reproductive and Social Development needs of adolescents living with HIV in Nigeria.

In addition, programmes on media interventions for adolescents reproductive and sexual health, and Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative focused on Urban poor were also carried out, he said.

According to him, women in Nigeria begin childbearing early with too frequent pregnancies and on average have six children.

Reports of last two Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS 2008 and 2013) consistently show that 23 per cent of our teenage girls (ages 15-19) are already mothers or pregnant with their first child.

The director said that the UN World Population Prospect (2015) showed that Nigeria would become the third largest population globally by 2050 if the current fertility rate persists.

He said that good reproductive health implies that people were able to have contentious and safe sex life, and that they have the capability to reproduce with freedom to decide if, when and how often do so.

NAN also reports that the meeting is being attended by more than 49 MDAs and CSOs involved in reproductive health, family planning, population and development as well as humanitarian services.

They include the host Ministry of Budget and National Planning; Ministries of Finance, Education, Health, FCT and Women Affairs, NAN and National Population Commission, among others.

The meeting was supported by the UN Population Fund, UNFPA.

(NAN)

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The Senate has called for the resignation of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali.

The lawmakers said on Wednesday that Mr. Ali was not fit to hold public office.

The call follows Mr. Alis decision not to appear before the lawmakers in uniform on Wednesday as directed by the Senate.

The Customs boss told reporters on Tuesday that his decision not to appear was based on legal advice after a Nigerian filed a case in court seeking the interpretation of a Customs law on uniform for the Comptroller-General.

The Senate on Wednesday rejected the letter by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, asking the lawmakers to suspend discussion on Mr. Ali.

Mr. Malamis letter was read by the Clerk to the Senate at the plenary on Wednesday, just as the lawmakers dissolved into committee of the whole to receive briefing from Mr. Ali.

Mr. Ali and the lawmakers have been at loggerheads over a Customs policy on retrospective payment of customs duty on vehicles.

Although the Customs Service has since suspended the directive, the lawmakers still insisted Mr. Ali appears before them in uniform. The retired army colonel has not worn the Customs uniform since he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Details later.

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A Boko Haram commander who escaped from prison in 2010 has been re-arrested, the State Security Services, SSS, said.

In a statement by a Tony Opuiyo, the SSS said that the service arrested Nasiru Sani, also known as Osama, in Bauchi on March 15.

He said Mr. Sani escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Mr. Opuiyo said that in continuation of the service crack down on insurgents, it arrested another suspect, Adamu Jibrin, at Jeka-da-Fari Market in Gombe on March 13.

He said the suspect who operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule, serves as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders.

He said the suspect had affirmed his membership of the sect.

Mr. Opuiyo said in sustaining its operation, the service also arrested a suspected Boko Haram commander and food supplier, Ibrahim Fulata, and three of his associates in Dustsen Tanshi area of Bauchi State on February 28.

He said the suspects were being questioned to establish other possible members of the network.

Mr. Opuiyo said that the service had also arrested Boko Haram suspects in Kano, Kogi and Yobe.

The activities of Boko Haram have caused the death of about 100,000 people since 2009 according to official figures.

Mr. Opuiyo attributed the recent successes recorded to the cooperation and support of Nigerians who volunteered useful information to the service.

He assured that the service would maintain the zeal to ensure safety of lives and property of Nigerians.

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, will not appear before a Senate Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast on Thursday.

Mr. Lawal had earlier been indicted for alleged fraud by the committee and the Senate, who called for his removal.

He was found culpable by the Senate for his alleged role in a grass-cutting N200 million contract to clear invasive plant species in Yobe State.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter to the Senate, however defended Mr. Lawal saying he was not given fair hearing, thus necessitating the new summons.

Mr. Lawal has gone to court challenging his summon and indicated he will not appear on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria reports

Details later

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Leading Nigerian civil society organisations, advocacy groups and individuals were joined by a Senator on Wednesday to condemn the attack on Amnesty International, AI, by a controversial group.

A group, Global Peace and Rescue Initiative, GOPRI, had on Monday protested at the head office of Amnesty International Nigeria demanding the organisation leave the country within 24 hours for releasing reports critical of Nigerian military operations across the country.

A coalition of 40 prominent civic groups in Nigeria, however, condemned the group for its action.

The coalition, in a statement signed by leaders of each of the 40 groups, noted that GOPRI has not provided any alternative facts or information to debunk the issues contained in the AI reports.

We wish to state unequivocally that neither the group Global Peace and Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) nor its leader is a known entity within the Nigerian civil society community.

We have no iota of doubt that the protest the group has embarked on is procured and orchestrated. Members of the group have been paid to do the hatchet job for cowards in high places who are uncomfortable with the hard facts and truths contained in the evidence-based reports by AI, the coalition said.

It is useful to point out that AI-Nigeria is a fully Nigerian organisation, registered in Nigeria, whose members are Nigerians. We stand solidly in solidarity with AI and urge the protesters to give peace a chance and to respect the fundamental rights of AI to freedom of expression. They have nowhere to go and they are not going anywhere.

We urge the government of Nigeria to independently investigate all AI reports and findings with a view to ensuring redress and accountability for the violations documented in them.

In his reaction to GOPRIs call, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shehu Sani, said: Those opposed to the presence of Amnesty International in Nigeria are those inconvenient with its truth as contained in its findings and reports.

Those who want a reputable human rights organisation like the Amnesty International out of our country are atrocious elements of darkness, allergic to the light of truth. They want a light out to give them the license to operate without transparency and accountability.

The lawmaker said although protest is a fundamental rights for all Nigerians but this one against Amnesty International is one of the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau.

Campaigners against Amnesty international do not represent the conscience of our people but the interest of their puppeteers uncomfortable with the score-sheet of their conduct.

Also condemning the protests, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, in a statement requested that President Muhammadu Buhari urgently direct the Inspector General of Police to end the invasion of the Amnesty International Office.

I am seriously concerned that the police would allow some apparently hired protesters to invade the AI office in Abuja in broad daylight and subject its staff members to intimidation and harassment. These intruders have impeded the work of the organisation and threatened the safety and security of its members of staff who are all Nigerian citizens.

AI should not be harassed and stigmatised simply for exposing the human rights violations and abuses by the military in the North-East of the country. To allow that to happen is to endanger and undermine the work of not only AI but also other civil society groups in the country. This will in turn create a climate of fear and send an intimidating message to the human rights movement in particular and the entire country in general.

Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, called for an investigation of the protesters.

The group at the centre of the controversy, however, appears undisturbed by the criticisms that have trailed its actions.

GOPRI on Wednesday continued its protest against Amnesty International.

On Monday, the group had barricaded the Abuja office of Amnesty International and asked the international organisation to quit Nigeria within 24 hours.

Speaking for the protesters, its leader, Melvin Ejeh, said that the group would lead other Nigerians on a five-day Occupy Amnesty International protest as a first warning, if the organisation does not shut down its operations and leave Nigeria.

Mr. Ejeh said organizations like the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and the Global Amnesty Watch had condemned a recent report by AI which alleged human rights abuses by Nigerian security agencies against arrested Boko Haram suspects.

He accused AI of having ulterior motives.

On Wednesday, the protesters marched to AIs office with a coffin bearing the inscription, RIP Amnesty International.

Many of the protesters declined to speak with reporters, referring all questions to their leader, Mr. Ejeh.

Mr. Ejeh said the group was genuine and believed the Amnesty International reports contained several inaccuracies.

When asked to mention the inaccuracies, he said the group would release a detailed statement with the highlights.

Members of the group were later seen sharing money among themselves, an indication they could have been hired to partake in the protest.

The Amnesty International reports had accused the Nigerian Army of extrajudicial killings in its handling of the Boko Haram suspects in Borno, handling of pro-Biafra protesters and killing of over 300 Shiites in Kaduna.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has sentenced a Central Bank of Nigeria staff, Philip Togun, and a woman, Esther Afolabi, ex-staff of WEMA Bank to 18 years imprisonment for participating in stealing of N8 billion at CBN Ibadan branch.

They were arraigned for conspiracy, conversion, forgery, re-circulation of mutilated currencies and stealing CBNs N8 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Togun, a former Treasury Assistant at CBN Ibadan branch and Ms. Afolabi, have been standing trial since 2015 alongside others.

The other accused persons standing trial with the convicts are Kolawole Babalola, Muniru Olaniran, Festus Adeyemi, Yusuf Fatai, Olukunle Sijuwade, Emanueal Ordia and Patient Okoro.

Two others  Ademola Oni and Tope Akintade  had earlier opted for plea bargain and were similarly sentenced upon fulfillment of the terms of the plea bargain.

A few other accused persons have also reached advanced stages in their plea bargain with the EFCC.

Sentencing Mr. Togun and Ms. Afolabi, Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek held that she adopted the plea bargain agreement entered into by them with the EFCC as basis for her judgment.

I hereby convict the fourth accused person, Philip Togun, for counts 15, 17 and 19 respectively and convict the fifth accused person, Esther Afolabi, for counts 16, 18 and 19 respectively.

Togun is sentenced to three years in prison for each of the three counts of 12 calendar months a year to commence from Jan. 1, 2016.

The convict shall forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria the following assets found in his possession: a building located in Ibadan and the money in the two bank accounts operated by the convict.

Afolabi is also sentenced to three years imprisonment for each of the three charges, 12 calendar months of the year, commencing from Jan. 1, 2016.

The convict shall forfeit the following assets which are the proceeds of the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria  a five-bedroom duplex, a filling station, the entire money scattered across seven different bank accounts in Nigeria, the judge ruled.

Justice Abdulmaleek, however, said that the sentences would run concurrently.

The two defense counsels, Olalekan Ojo and Adewole Olajire, expressed dismay with the sentences.

They said the judge did not consider the date when the convicts were arrested and also did not give full consideration to the plea bargain between the two convicts and the EFCC.

Shortly before the judgment was delivered, the lawyers had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the former bankers.

(NAN)

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GlaxoSmithKline, a global health care company, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Bhushan Akshikar as its managing director.

Mr. Akshikar, according to a statement released by the company, joined the Nigeria business in January 2017 from Mumbai, India, where he held the position of Executive Vice President, GlaxoSmithKline, India.

The statement added that he would be part of a wider Africa and developing countries leadership team responsible for driving business performance and growth in Nigeria.

According to the statement, before joining GSK, Mr. Akshikar worked with Johnson & Johnson for over 16 years across diverse markets like India, South Korea and Belgium.

The statement also said Mr. Akshikar holds a post graduate MBA in Marketing and a Bachelors degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.

With over two decades of working in varying positions and increasing responsibility in the health care industry, Akshikar brings rich and broad commercial experience to the GSK Nigeria business, it added.

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The UN Development Programme, UNDP, says in spite of the progress recorded globally, women are still the most marginalized group.

The UNDPS latest Human Development Report, launched on Tuesday, found that while the average human development improved significantly since 1990, progress is uneven, with systemic discrimination against women, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities.

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark said while many people have greater access to education, health and sanitation, more focus needs to be paid to who has been excluded and why.

By eliminating deep, persistent, discriminatory social norms and laws, and addressing the unequal access to political participation, which have hindered progress for so many, poverty can be eradicated and a peaceful, just, and sustainable development can be achieved for all, Ms. Clark said.

Entitled Human Development for Everyone, the report noted that one in three people worldwide continue to live at a low level of human development, as measured by the Human Development Index.

The index is essentially a ranking of countries based on strides made with a peace-centric model of progress.

According to the report, women and girls are systematically excluded by economic, political, social and cultural barriers.

Women tend to be poorer, earn less, and have fewer opportunities in most aspects of life than men, the report found.

The report found that in 100 countries, women were legally excluded from some jobs because of their gender, and in 18 countries, women needed their husbands approval to work.

The report also pointed to dangerous practices, such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage, which continue to hamper the development of women and their inclusion in society.

In addition to women and girls, the report pointed to patterns of exclusion and lack of empowerment of people in rural areas, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees.

The report called for far greater attention to empowering the most marginalized in society, and recognized the importance of giving them greater voice in decision-making processes.

The report also warned that key development metrics could overstate progress when they focus on the quantity, rather than the quality, of development.

For instance, girls enrolment in primary education has increased, but in half of 53 developing countries with data, the majority of adult women who completed four to six years of primary school are illiterate, the report stated.

(NAN)

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The Peoples Republic of China Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, has met with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, requesting the Partys support in ensuring Nigerias full execution of the One China policy between both countries.

Mr. Pingjian was accompanied by the Chinese Deputy Ambassador, Jing Lin and Political Officer, Peng Chen on the courtesy visit on the APC National Chairman.

The Chinese Ambassador briefed the APC National Chairman and members of the APC National Working Committee, NWC, present on Chinas domestic politics and China-Nigeria strategic bilateral relations. He also explored areas of cooperation and collaboration between the governing parties of both countries  the APC and the Communist Party of China, CPC.

Mr. Pingjian disclosed that China has pledged and almost approved $5 billion to support infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

This year is a big one for party politics in China. Every five years, we hold party conventions were we draw a new blueprint for the years ahead. That means major policy decisions will be made at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China. A new Central Committee will be elected at the congress. The central committee will in turn elect the new central leadership, Mr. Pingjian disclosed.

Mr. Pingjian recalled that a United Nations 1971 resolution ensured the Communist Peoples Republic of China (mainland China) assumed the Republic of Chinas (Taiwan) place in the General Assembly as well as its place as one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

The Chinese Ambassador said: China and Nigeria has been very good friends since 1971. That year we set up diplomatic relations and that year, Nigeria was one of the twenty-three countries who supported the United Nations General Assemblys vote to admit the Peoples Republic of China.

Unfortunately, in 1999, Nigerias ministry of commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Taiwan which led to the setting up of a Trade mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Nigeria. That is two Chinas. For years, we have kept the pressure on Nigeria. Last year President Muhammadu Buhari was in Beijing for a state visit and the Chinese President, raised the issue. Upon resumption to Nigeria, President Buhari sent out directives to the Ministry of Affairs to honour and implement Nigerias One China policy.

Nigerias policy is one China but unfortunately, it has not been fully executed. The mission contravenes the Policy of One China What we are asking the ministry of foreign affairs to do is to fully implement, execute the One China policy We are requesting a change of name from the Trade Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Taipei Trade Agency, Lagos. We are not sure that has been done or not. We are also requesting the relocation of the Mission to Lagos, because Abuja is the political capital of Nigeria.

The APC National Chairman in his response promised to take the message of the Chinese Ambassador to the appropriate quarters. He thanked the Chinese Ambassador for the cordial relationships that exist between China and Nigeria.

We take the message very seriously and we will take it up. We must not let these issues stand in the way of very important and critical relationship between Nigeria and China. The APC National Chairman said.

Present at the meeting were the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu; National Auditor, George Moghalu; National Treasurer, Bala Gwagwarwa; Deputy National Secretary, Oji Ngofa and Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin.

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday criticised the composition of President Muhammadu Buharis Electoral Reform Committee, saying its chairman, Ken Nnamani, is not fit and credible to head the committee.

Mr. Fayose stated this position on Wednesday at the south-west zonal public hearing the committee held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

President Buhari set up the committee last year to prescribe amendments necessary for strengthening Nigerias electoral process, and appointed Mr. Nnamani, a former senate president, as its head.

But Mr. Fayose said Mr. Nnamani is a south-east regional leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and would therefore be partisan in his role.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Nnamani was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party on whose platform he had been elected to the Senate between 2003 and 2007. He has since last year defected to the ruling APC.

If this government is actually serious about electoral reform, then the chairman of this committee should resign and allow an independent person to take over, the governor said.

Nnamani is a South-East regional leader of APC, and hence incapable of rising above primordial and party sentiments to give us anything different from electoral inclusiveness that we have at the moment, the governor charged.

Mr. Fayose, in a three-page speech, said the electoral review body was not needed until it is equitable, apolitical and devoid of influence from the powers that be, stressing that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

The governor who was represented at the hearing by Samuel Omotoso, Chairman of Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Information, said he has no objection to reviewing and reforming the electoral process but decried the lack of sincerity of purpose deployed each time we display such political hallucinations under the guise of reforms.

This has amounted severally to playing to the gallery and this committee just like others that have embarked on several wild goose chases in the past is not likely to be different, he said.

He argued that the only time Nigeria made an attempt at a reliable electoral reform was during the tenure of late President Umaru Yaradua who appointed retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, as the chairman of the reform committee.

This singular move gave the panel credibility, widespread acceptability and massive support from all over the country and across political divides Mr. Fayose stated.

He, however, observed that such could not be said of the current panel he said has massive moral burden and conflict of interest as a result of the Chairman being a card carrying member of a political party called APC.

Mr. Fayose also accused the police of bias in the electoral process, saying that the establishment has allowed itself to be used for the selfish interest of those in power.

We all know those who commit crimes during the elections but this same people are protected using the police, which is supposed to ensure orderliness and legal consequences for electoral infractions.

The police would rather arrest and prosecute the victims of electoral malpractice and violence while releasing the actual aggressors due to the relationship of these offenders to the government in power, he added.

However, in his response, Mr. Nnamani declared that there was nothing to be afraid of by the governor as the committees report would still pass through the presidency and the National Assembly, which has members drawn from different political parties.

It does not make sense to say that because I am no longer a member of the PDP that I will compromise. Six months ago, I was with PDP and then nobody is talking about being compromised. Now I am in APC and the story is changing, he said.

Does it mean I dont have the fundamental right to belong to any association, which the Governor of Ekiti State is trying to infringe upon? Mr. Nnamani queried.

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The State Security Services, SSS, said it arrested a Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on March 20.

In a statement by a Tony Opuiyo, the SSS said that an Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect who is currently undergoing investigation.

Mr. Opuiyo added that the suspect was in the final stage of kidnapping some high-level targets in Ekiti to raise funds and terrorise communities in the state.

He said that the suspect was arrested by a joint military and DSS operation team.

Mr. Opuiyo said that a Boko Haram suspect, Usman Rawa, 29, was also arrested in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on March 17.

He said that Mr. Rawa rented an accommodation in Lafia for one Abdullahi Isa, who was known for his notorious terrorist activities.

His plan is to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining states, he said.

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The change of defence counsel on Wednesday stalled hearing of a N918 million fraud charge brought by Titi Abubakar, the wife of a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, against a pastor, Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs and two others at an Ikeja High Court.

Mr. Akpan-Jacobs and the two co-defendants in the suit are Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors Ltd.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had charged Mr. Akpan-Jacobs, Mr. Ibrahim and Dana Motors Ltd with a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to Titis company  THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.

During the proceedings, the counsel to the EFCC, Babatunde Sonoiki, told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial.

PW 5 (Prosecution witness) is in court and is ready to testify and we have another witness who came into Lagos from Yobe last night who is also ready to testify, he said.

However, counsel to Mr. Akpan-Jacobs, Nkechi Okafor, however, interjected, saying I am not ready to proceed with the trial.

My Lord, I am new in this matter, I do not have a full grasp of the facts of this case.

I will be requesting for time to be abreast of the happenings in this case.

While acceding to Okafors request, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the case until May 23 and May 24 for continuation of trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that during the trial on March 21, Mr. Akpan-Jacobs had informed the court that he had intention of changing his counsel because he suspected that his counsel had a cordial relationship with Mrs. Abubakar or had been bought over by her.

The proceedings had also taken an interesting turn when Mrs. Abubakar angrily told the lawyer for Dana Motors Ltd, Charles Musa, not to ridicule her while she was being cross-examined.

Her outburst came when Mr. Musa asked if she was a reliable person because the documents allegedly belonging to her which she tendered as evidence bore various names.

I will not agree with you, I am Florence, I am Dorego, I am Titi, I am Amina, I bear all those names; you cannot come and subject me to ridicule here.

I will not have you do that to me, these two gentlemen defrauded me and sold my property, she said.

NAN reports that THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000 belonged to Mrs. Abubakar, Mr. Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes.

Mrs. Abubakar was the majority shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares.

Mr. Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the companys Managing Director and Secretary, is alleged by Mrs. Abubakar to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to alter the shareholding in his favour and forge the companys board resolution.

He allegedly under the new share arrangement allotted 70 per cent shares to himself and 15 per cent shares each to Mrs. Abubakar and Mr. Holmes.

According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Mr. Akpan-Jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918 million.

The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has cleared all helicopter operators duly certified by the regulatory authority to commence operations in and out of Abuja.

The NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye, in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday said a letter had since been dispatched to all concerned operators.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongonu, had earlier placed a ban on helicopter operations into Abuja.

However, the restriction has been rescinded and all operators are hereby enjoined to embark on their regular operations as approved.

All operators should therefore carry out their operations in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), Mr. Adurogboye said.

Some commercial helicopter operators had indicated interest to convey high network individuals from Kaduna airport to Abuja airport following the closure of the airport for runway repairs.

The operators include Bristow Helicopters and Genesis Global Aviation.

(NAN)

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The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed Police Special Tactical Force to end the killings by unknown gunmen in Zaki-Biam, Ukum local government of Benue State, police spokesperson said.

Speaking on Wednesday, behalf of the Inspector General, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the team comprises of Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Units, Conventional Policemen, Special Anti Robbery Squad, SIB, detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Police Air wing (Aerial Surveillance Helicopters) and undercover operatives.

The Police Force is assuring the good people of Benue State of the renewed commitment of the Force to guarantee and sustain the protection of their lives and properties, Mr. Jimoh said.

I hereby enjoin them to allow justice and peace to prevail and also cooperate with the personnel of the Police Special Tactical Force deployed in their localities, Mr Jimoh added.

Dozens of armed men stormed Zaki Ibiam market on Monday and killed at least 52 people, the Punch reported.

President Muhammadu Buhari said the attack the nation had lost value for human lives.

The Special Tactical Force is led by the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations.

Mr. Jimoh called on the general public to support the police personnel in the discharge of their responsibilities to bring the perpetrators of this killings to justice.

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Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, on Wednesday took to the streets in the Federal Capital Territory FCT demanding the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, who have been in detention since December 2015, despite a court order for their release.

The members, who were not in their usual black attires, marched in separate male and female columns by the roadside along Wuse Market in Abuja as they chanted: Mr. President, Free Our Leader! Obey Court Order!! Where is your Justice!!!

Mr. Zakzaky and his wife were arrested on December 14, 2015, following a clash between members of his group and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

At least 347 members of the group were killed with the army saying they blocked a major road and prevented the army chief, Tukur Buratai, from passing.

The killings have been condemned by local and international rights groups and nobody has been prosecuted for them.

After months in detention without being charged to court, Mr. El-Zakzaky approached the court to demand the release of himself and his wife.

An Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole on December 2 last year said their detention was unlawful and illegal, since protective custody, which was cited as the excuse by the State Security Services, SSS, for their detention, was unknown to the law or the National Security Agencies Act establishing the SSS.

The court ordered the Nigerian government to release the detainees within 45 days of the judgement and to pay each of them N50 million as compensation.

The court further ordered the police to within 24 hours provide them escorts to a safe place.

The government, however, ignored the order and Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife have remained in the custody of the SSS.

The Federal Government later gave public interest and security concerns as the major reasons why it has refused to comply with the court order for the release of the detainees.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the movements head of medical team, Mansur Malumfashi, said Mr. El-Zakzaky was in a critical health condition and demanded his immediate release.

The IMN leader has been held by the Federal government for two years now and he is under a very serious health condition.

We took our case to court, the Federal High court. The court released him without any charge against him, they said they should release him and they gave them 45 days and since then, nothing has been done by the government. They are being adamant (against) the court order.

After the court order, we waited for the days assigned by the court for the government to release our leader, we waited until when the days elapsed before we continued with our protest. We even took this case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and we are waiting for their response. But the protest will continue, even if they are going to finish us, let us know that we are not Nigerians.

It is our right to choose what we want to serve. We can serve our own shoe, we can serve this road if we like, it is in the constitution, there is freedom of worship in this country.

Why is it only IMN that is being deprived of their own right of worship? The federal government is against IMN, there is no doubt about it.

We have been going to Human Rights Commission, London, America etc. We are advising the federal government to listen to our call, to respect the law of the country.

They have been saying we are violating the law of this country. If we are violating the law of this country, we will not go to court. And this court that ordered the release of our leader is the court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is not the IMN court.

In the aftermath of the clash between Nigerian soldiers and members of the IMN in Zaria, the Kaduna State government set up a panel of inquiry into the incident.

Following the report of the panel, the state government in October last year issued an order declaring the IMN an unlawful society.

The government said the order was to preserve peace and security in the state, and to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and Constitution.

The state government further banned public gathering or any activity in the name of the IMN in the state.

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The UN has expressed concern over the forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon in spite of recent tripartite agreement aimed at ensuring voluntary returns of nationals.

The refugees are part of the millions displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria. Majority of the displaced are internal within Nigeria with neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Niger hosting the others.

About 100,000 people have been killed since the insurgency started in 2009.

According to a statement from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday, Cameroon has forcefully returned more than 2,600 refugees back to Nigerian border villages against their will.

UNHCR spokesperson, Babar Balogh, said in the statement that the organisation was particularly concerned as these forced returns have continued unabated.

Mr. Balogh recalled that the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon signed a tripartite agreement with UNHCR in Yaounde on March 2, 2017.

He said that the forced return of asylum-seekers and refugees was a serious violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention, which he said, Cameroon had ratified.

He, however, commended Cameroon for its generosity in hosting more than 85,000 Nigerian refugees but urged it to honour its obligations under international and regional refugee protection instruments.

The spokesman said that refugees had fled violent attacks from Boko Haram and urged that their access to asylum and protection must be ensured.

Insecurity persists in parts of north-eastern Nigeria and access to basic services remains limited.

Most returning refugees find themselves in situations of internal displacement upon return and are unable to return to their places of origin, he stated.

He also said that UNHCR recognised the legitimate national security concerns of the Cameroon Government.

(NAN)

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Two suspects allegedly involved in the kidnap of two Germans in Kaduna State have been arrested.

The State Security Services, SSS, in a statement said on Wednesday that it arrested Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu for their alleged roles in the kidnap.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the kidnap of the two German archaeologists, Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger, on February 22 in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Two locals who tried to prevent their abduction were killed.

The Germans were later released by their abductors.

The security agency said the suspects were being questioned to establish other possible members of the network.

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The federal government on Wednesday approved N80 billion for the construction of roads across 12 states.

The government also approved N150.8 million for consultancy and engineering design for access road 1 and 2 to link Asaba in Delta State to Onitsha in Anambra State and the Second Niger Bridge.

These were some of the outcomes of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided by President Muhammadu Buhari for the second time since his return from his medical vacation in the UK.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, alongside the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, and the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, made the disclosures while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

According to Mr. Fashola, the 12 states where roads will be constructed include Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau, Osun, Kwara, Kano, Oyo, Enugu and Kaduna.

The approval is for 12 roads in various states including Numan, Jalingo roads connecting Adamawa and Taraba states, replacement of bridges at Mayachi along Gusau-Sokoto road in Zamfara states, construction of roads in Bauchi, Plateau, Osun, Kwara, Kano, Oyo, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano. The roads are at the cost of N80 billion, he said.

Mr. Fashola said another approval is for the engineering and consultancy design for access road 1 and 2 to link Asaba in Delta State and Onitsha in Anambra State to link the Second Niger Bridge project.

Subsequent to the award of further works of the Second Niger Bridge, we have started work now by this approval on the design of the link road that will connect the two states to the bridge.

The design is expected to be completed in six months and we will start procurement and as the bridge advances we can then connect the two states. The contract sum is N150.84 million

The minister also said the Council gave approval for various power projects.

There was also approvals for power projects. It relates to the extension of the consultancy and project management contract. It is an existing contract for the Katsina Wind Energy Farm project. It was awarded in 2010 and should have been completed in 2013.

The expatriate who was implementing it was kidnapped and when he was eventually rescued, he never came back and that delayed the project.

But we have revived the project. A new contracting team is back on site. The contract of the consultants representing us has expired and so we are extending his contract to cover new period of completion, he said.

Mr. Fashola said the last contract approved on power is the power sector recovery programme.

He said the programme comprises many policy actions and operational and financial interventions that need to be carried out by government to improve transparency and service delivery in the performance of distribution companies, Discos, and the Transmissions Company of Nigeria.

He said the aim is to create more viable power sector that is private sector driven.

Some of the highlights of the programme is how to simplify and reduce the cash deficits that have accumulated as a result of previous unilateral reductions of tariff by the last administration during the running of the elections;

How to make the Discos viable, accountable, responsive to customers, ensure stability of the grid and expansion of the grid and transparency and communication within the sector;

And also processes for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) debts and how to improve sector governance, our roles in the the quality of personnel on the board of the DISCO, it addresses access to renewable energy especially in rural areas using mini-grids and standalone solutions, and how we are going to carry out the solutions that have been developed for 37 federal universities and seven tertiary hospitals;

And how to solve the Niger Delta problem, and also how to ensure there is a stable and predictable foreign exchange policy for the sector so that it is somewhat protected from sudden head winds of the volatility of the foreign exchange market. So that they can plan and deliver, he said.

The minister said the new programme will look address vandalisation at consumer and production levels of pipelines so as to bring confidence to the market and stimulate the appetite that currently exists globally for Nigerias power sector.

We see a lot of people who want to invest but some of them are tied to what other international financial institutions do and the institutions are also waiting to see us commit to these things, he said.

On his part, the Minister of FCT, Mr. Bello said three key infrastructure projects were also approved by the Council.

There was approval for the award of contract for Phase 2 of the Abuja Mass Transit Lot 1B (26.77km) which is from Ring Road I, passing through Area 10 beside Wuse Market, Berger Junction, Jabi Motor Park, through Life Camp to Gwagwa, he said.

Mr. Bello said the project was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, at the cost of $1.79 billion; under a funding arrangement by NEXIM Bank.

Other projects for the FCT were Jahi District Infrastructure which was put at N19.473 billion and a 5km road to link Ring Road III to Wasa Junction with Karshi-Ara-Apo Road placed N2.454 billion.

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has absolved the Elegushi Royal Family of any wrongdoing following allegations leveled against the royal family in a petition to the House over the true ownership of the expanse of land historically known as Ebute-Ikate but which fishermen squatters there refer to as Otodo-Gbame.

This was part of the resolutions of the State House of Assembly passed at its plenary on Thursday, January 12, 2017, after debating the report of an investigation into the allegations of harassment and intimidation sent to the House by the squatters.

According to the findings by the state lawmakers: The said land called Otodo-Gbame is historically called Ebute-Ikate, which is part of Ikate land that belongs to Elegushi family and not the petitioners. Moreso, the petitioners, who inhabited Otodo-Gbame, are (mostly from Egun tribe of Cotonou and Togo) squatting in the area without the consent or permission from the Elegushi family.

The House of Assembly consequently directed that All land owners along the coastal areas of the state should take ownership of their land and report any emergence of shanties and squatters around their land to forestall encroachment.

His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State should direct appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take necessary steps to enforce compliance in respect of the setback policy on development throughout the state; and

The police and other law enforcement agencies should urgently distinguish between what operates as temporary fishing camps to permanent live-in-shanties so as to prevent the illegal structures from developing into problems for the State.

Attached is a copy of the House of Assembly Resolution addressed to the Elegushi Royal Family.



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The publisher of an online news portal, 247ureports.com, Ikenna Ezenekwe, has said that he may be on the radar of Nigerias secret police, the State Security Service, SSS.

In a statement he issued on Wednesday, Mr. Ezenekwe said he received a call from an unknown person at about 3 p.m. on Monday.

He said the caller introduced himself as Ugochukwu from SSS and said the Director of SSS, also called DSS, at Owerri, Imo State, wants to see him.

I quickly responded, is it SSS or DSS? And who exactly are you looking to speak with.

Sounding a little agitated, he said, the SSS wanted the owner of the phone number (08136697979) to come see their Director.

I then asked him to make a formal invitation. Of which he responded that I should not make this difficult, he said.

Mr. Ezenekwe told PREMIUM TIMES he has no idea why the SSS in Imo would want to see him; saying I do not reside in Imo State.

Asked why he thinks the SSS wanted to see him, Mr. Ezenekwe said of recent, 247ureports.com had published reports critical of the Imo State government particularly against the excesses of the office of the 1st Lady of Imo State.

We had also published critical reports against the APC government in Owerri over its mistreatment of Biafra activists.

Efforts to reach the number the publisher said was used in inviting him were unsuccessful. The line appeared to have been switched off.

The journalist also said his lawyers failed to reach the SSS in Owerri through the number used in calling him.

They had tried to reach the DSS to inquire on the reasons for the invite.

At the moment, I await the DSSs next attention. As I have not been able to confirm that the call was indeed coming from the DSS, he said.

The SSS currently has no spokesperson from whom clarification can be sought.

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The Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, has cast aspersion on the investigations of the police on the recent crisis in Ile Ife, describing it as unfair and one-sided.

The group, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, on Tuesday, said it had looked forward to a thorough police investigation establishing the immediate and remote causes of the crisis, but it appears that no thorough and trustworthy report would come from the police.

It called on the Osun Government to institute a commission of enquiry to conduct a thorough investigation into the crisis.

We are however shocked at the outcome of a purported police investigation which from all indications would now appear one-sided and tending towards a predetermined outcome, the group said.

For instance, the sin of one of those paraded, Obimakinde Samuel, according to police information, was that he was found with a fresh cut on his head suspected to have been inflicted on him during the crisis. Mr. Obimakinde, according to police information, is obviously a victim.

In a violent clash that involves deaths, injuries, and arson on all sides, the Nigeria Police are saying that Yoruba people are the only culprits, that Yoruba people attacked their own people, and burnt the houses of their own people. Who would believe this?

ARG also contended that the Ife crisis was not an ethnic issue even though the police was in the effort to make it one.

It disturbingly raised the question of partisanship and cast a doubt on the police institution, the statement said.

But the whole world can now see the joke that the Nigeria police is in the temple of justice and fairness.

What is desired is a thorough and trustworthy investigation but it appears that is impossible to get from the Nigeria Police that have failed to produce a single arrest in cases of perpetual marauders and killers in Southern Kaduna, Benue and Enugu States but have within a week found a sudden efficiency in the Ile-Ife crisis.

The group pointed out that the police failed to make any arrest when a similar crisis occurred at Mile 12, Lagos, last year during which Yoruba people were killed and their properties razed and when a LASTMA official, Tajudeen Bakare, was brazenly murdered in the process of enforcing the law.

It asserted that the Yoruba people were lovers of peace but also haters of injustice in any appearance or form.

We would not allow our people to be deliberately made a scapegoat of the inherent failure of Nigerias nationality, ARG said.

We therefore call on the Government of the State of Osun to inaugurate a commission of enquiry to establish the remote and immediate causes in a manner that will engender truth and reconciliation.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, has however, denied that the police investigation was one-sided or ethnic bias.

He told PREMIUM TIMES on the phone that the police carried out a thorough investigation and reported the facts.

It is not good for any group to be fanning the embers of disunity, Mr. Moshood said.

The police did a thorough investigation, and 30 people were arrested, but 18 were released unconditionally. Those involved will be charged to court.

Mr. Moshood said the crisis was not an ethnic one and the report did not indicate that.

According to him, some groups were trying to make it ethnic, warning that no one can perpetrate a crime and hide under any ethnic group.

The era of impunity is over, we cannot allow people to perpetrate comes and hide under any group, he said.

He said those to be arraigned have the opportunity to defend themselves in court to prove whether they are innocent or not.

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The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday assured that his administration will complete the ongoing construction of Ajah Flyover by the end of May 2017, just as he revealed the plans of government to remove three more roundabouts in Lekki-Ajah corridor to ease vehicular movement.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited led by its Chairman and Managing Director, Jeffrey Ewing, said the roundabouts would be removed starting from next week; adding that the action was in line with the resolve of government to totally eliminate traffic in the axis.

The affected roundabouts, according to Governor Ambode, are Igbo Efon, Chevron and Third Roundabout.

He said since assumption of office, his administration had tried as much as possible to improve on the business environment, and assured that government would continue to invest in security and infrastructure to make life comfortable for residents and investors.

We have tried to improve services within the state and the area of operation of Chevron which is the Lekki axis is not left out. Few weeks back, we improved on the traffic management towards that axis and we believe that the move would also enhance productivity of the people.

I also like to use this opportunity to say that because of the impact that we have seen in the elimination of roundabouts in the Lekki axis, we have actually approved another exercise and starting from next week, we will commence the elimination of additional three roundabouts in the axis most especially Chevron, Igbo Efon and Third Roundabout. We believe doing that will totally eliminate traffic in that axis and we hope to also open the Ajah Flyover before the end of May, Mr. Ambode said.

He noted that the essence of government is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, assuring that he would continue to do his best to provide safe and sound environment.

Security will be improved upon; we dont think we have gotten to the ideal state but we will continue to expend resources efficiently on security to ensure that the businesses that come to Lagos and the ones existing in Lagos will continue to thrive, he said.

Besides, Mr. Ambode commended Chevron Nigeria for provision of jobs for people in the state, sound Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as well as being dutiful in the payment of taxes; and expressed readiness to partner with the organization in the interest of the people.

Earlier, Mr. Ewing said he was at Lagos House to further advance the partnership that had existed between Chevron and Lagos State, saying that the organisation has had a robust relationship with the state for over five decades.

Mr. Ewing particularly noted the significant improvement that the present administration in the state had carried out in various sectors of the economy such as road construction, investment in security and education, among others.

He particularly expressed willingness of Chevron to scale up partnership with the state government in terms of CSR especially on healthcare delivery, education, among others.

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As in years past, the frosty Michigan winter looks to be overstaying its welcome. Thanks to the addition of three new vehicles to the Henry Ford Villages transportation program, however, residents are able to make shopping trips and physician visits while avoiding those treacherous few minutes walking to the car and waiting for it to heat up.

The villages addition of two new 14-passenger shuttles and a Ford Flex have expanded the possibilities of their transportation services, while providing a safer and more efficient means of getting around for its many residents.

Although most residents enjoy having their own cars, there is nothing like the convenience of door-to-door pickup and drop-off service, Village Resident Life Director Adam Sterling said.

Bruce Johnson, Henry Ford Villages head of transportation, explained how the new vehicles make travelling around Dearborn and the surrounding area simpler than ever, while avoiding the issues that can come with third-party transportation services.

In addition to those benefits, ride-sharing helps reduce the wear and tear on residents vehicles, the frustration that can come with searching for a parking spot, and even the villages ecological footprint.

William Port has been a driver with the village for two years and is a firsthand witness to the residents appreciation for these services and the brand new vehicles. The convenience of having a ride ready for you whenever you need it is something many of the residents here are very thankful for, Port said.

Henry Ford Village leadership and staff are also happy that, along with the many conveniences that come with living in the community, residents can count on a safe and comfortable commute.

Our amenities make it so residents have almost everything they need right here at the village, but for those times that they do need to leave for shopping or an appointment, we have a ride waiting for them, Sterling said.

Source: Henry Ford Village
By the end of Monday Night Raw on April 3, Roman Reigns needs to be a heel.

Im preaching to the choir, I know.

There are three types of people who make up most of the opinions on Roman Reigns. Theres the group that blindly hates him. Ive told that group to get a life already. Then theres the group that loves him to death, which mostly consists of little kids or the people who are Shield loyalists.

Then theres the group I fall in, one that thinks Reigns is one of the absolute best in WWE, but is tortured my the fact hes been mis-used since we booed the every-living holy heck out of Reigns at the Royal Rumble in Philadelphia a little over two years ago.

Ever since then, we watched Reigns work his absolute tail off to be one of the companys best while the writers themselves failed to get the real Roman Reigns across on TV.

Thats why at WrestleMania 33 in Orland in a mere 11 days, Roman Reigns needs to beat The Undertaker. No, Reigns needs to destroy The Undertaker in a way that makes Brock Lesnars victimization of the unbeaten streak at WrestleMania 30 look like a simple upset.

For well over six months, Reigns hasnt been the face, the good guy that the kiddos love or the person people think they hate. Hes slowly, quietly cared only for himself. Hes that damn good, and he has no problem proving it.

He said I got respect for that dude when Finn Balor beat him, as if the world needed his validation. He has bitten off more then he could chew several times, going after guys like Rusev and Braun Strowman. He put them down, proving that the ring is his yard.

He finally made that statement at this years Royal Rumble when he came out at No. 30, much to the chagrin of the WWE Universe. He then eliminated Taker, looked down at the future Hall of Famer and disrespected him by saying this is my yard now.

Three weeks ago, Reigns was called out by Strowman, and instead, Undertaker came out and turned Strowman away. Reigns came out and got in the face of Undertaker, telling the Dead Man, with all due respect to leave his ring.

When you start a sentence off with that phrase, clearly there is disrespect in your intentions. Reigns disrespected Undertaker and got a choke slam for his efforts. Taker tried to play mind games last week and they didnt work. This past Monday, Undertaker was speared by Reigns when he tried his mind games again.

In order for us to feel any sympathy toward Reigns, he needed to show vulnerability. A slight delay in a match against Jinder Mahal which ended in two Superman Punches is not going to garner that sympathy. Going into Mania fearless and cocky will bring about another emotion from the crowd, one hes so used to hearing already.

WrestleMania 33 is going to be filled with lets go Taker/Roman sucks chants during that match. The crowd is going to want nothing more than to see Taker finally bury the LOL Roman wins character.

But he shouldnt. Reigns should spear Undertaker in the middle of that ring and hand the Dead Man his second loss at Mania. On Monday, Undertaker should be in the middle of that ring, a broken man, and offer his respect to Reigns, telling him its his yard now.

Reigns should be in that ring too, and deliver one more spear to Undertaker. He should decimate Taker in that ring and put him out of commission to the point where we dont see him for a very long time.

Thats the Reigns WWE should be booking at its the Reigns that will finally get the respect, along with plenty of boos, from the crowd. That visceral reaction is what being a heel is all about.

Quick hits

WrestleMania 33 is taking shape. There are 12 matches official right now. Still to be booked are a potential match with Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe , the Seth Rollins and Triple H match and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Regardless, were looking at a really, really long show once again. May wanna take a power nap during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

and , the and match and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Regardless, were looking at a really, really long show once again. May wanna take a power nap during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. I will have an interview with Samoa Joe posted Friday. I spoke with Joe over the telephone Monday prior to Raw in Brooklyn. He looked extra grumpy that night. Sorry guys!

posted Friday. I spoke with Joe over the telephone Monday prior to Raw in Brooklyn. He looked extra grumpy that night. Sorry guys! Theres no secret that Kevin Owens was a mark going into WWE and still is. He still gets all excited to be around Shawn Michaels , so Chris Jericho using that in his promo to embarrass Owens was a nice touch of realism. Keep the shoot promos coming, WWE!

was a mark going into WWE and still is. He still gets all excited to be around , so using that in his promo to embarrass Owens was a nice touch of realism. Keep the shoot promos coming, WWE! Speaking of shoot promos: I sound like a broken record, but man The Miz and Maryse are killing it. The Total Bella Bull**** segment was stupid and hilarious. John Cenas rebuttal on Talking Smack was once again well-done. This feud is fantastic.

and are killing it. The Total Bella Bull**** segment was stupid and hilarious. rebuttal on Talking Smack was once again well-done. This feud is fantastic. Were getting creepy Bray Wyatt back. Nice!

back. Nice! Undertaker choke-slammed Braun Strowman. No matter how much help Strowman gave Taker in making the move look good, it was really cool. Hopefully Taker wasnt wincing in pain after and just wincing in realization he left himself open for Reigns to hit a spear.

Im not thrilled Nia Jax was added to the Raw Womens title match but she deserves a spot at Mania.

was added to the Raw Womens title match but she deserves a spot at Mania. I still think Austin Aries and Neville are going to steal the show with their match.

and are going to steal the show with their match. Ill never tire of Shane McMahon flying through tables.

flying through tables. Lastly, congrats to The Usos for winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Hopefully they and American Alpha have a rematch at Mania because that match Tuesday was really great.

Power 7 Rankings

Week of March 20

The top seven wrestlers on Monday Night Raw, SmackDown Live, 205 Live and NXT.

Monday Night Raw

Goldberg (1) Brock Lesnar (2) Kevin Owens (3) Samoa Joe (4) Roman Reigns (5) The Undertaker (UR) Bayley (7)

Out: Braun Stroman (6)

On the bubble: Chris Jericho, Nia Jax, Sheamus & Cesaro.

SmackDown Live

Randy Orton (1) Bray Wyatt (2) John Cena (4) The Miz (5) A.J. Styles (3) The Usos (UR) Alexa Bliss (7)

Out: Dean Ambrose (6)

On the bubble: Ambrose, Baron Corbin, American Alpha.

205 Live

Neville (1) Austin Aries (2) The Brian Kendrick (4) Jack Gallagher (3) T.J. Perkins (5) Noam Dar (6) Cedric Alexander (7)

Out: Rich Swann (2)

On the bubble: Akira Tozawa, Tony Nese.

NXT

Bobby Roode (1) Asuka (2) Authors of Pain (4) Shinsuke Nakamura (3) Eric Young (5) Roderick Strong (6) #DIY (7)

On the bubble: No Way Jose, Ember Moon.
WILDWOOD  The islands tourism authority hopes a fresh advertising campaign will draw more visitors and fend off out-of-state competitors.

Television advertisements featuring the campaigns tagline, As wild as you want to be, began this month. The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority unveiled the marketing plan Wednesday.

Darren Bult, executive creative director at Fuseideas, the Boston firm that designed the campaign, said the slogan represents all the resort has to offer, from low-intensity activities, like relaxing on the beach, to thrills, like amusement rides.

We wanted to own the name, Bult said. We made wild mean not something negative (but) positive.

Its the first new marketing campaign in a few years and comes as out-of-state vacation spots ramp up TV ads.

I see Virginia Beach all over. Theyre on all the time, said John Siciliano, tourism authority executive director.

He said places like Virginia Beach and Ocean City, Maryland, with multimillion-dollar marketing budgets are targeting the Philadelphia area. The Wildwoods authority has $850,000 for marketing and advertising, Siciliano said.

Im not afraid of the competition, he said. We have to be very, very wise where we put that money.

The campaign will feature billboards on I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway in the Philadelphia area and on the New Jersey Turnpike and I-287 in New Jersey, said Ben Rose, the authoritys marketing director.

TV ads will appear in the Philadelphia market and on cable networks in the North Jersey and the New York City area, he said. Rose said the authority wants to reach women ages 25 to 44, because they are more likely to have young families.

We target specific shows that our target audience actually watches at the time they actually watch them, Rose said.

Tourism tax revenue for Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwoo dipped last year, from about $4.5 million in 2015 to about $4.4 million in 2016, Sicliano said.

We sort of bite a bullet on Labor Day weekend, he said, referring to poor weather and forecasts that drove visitors away from the barrier island.

A study the authority commissioned found the Wildwoods tourism industry raked in $1.5 billion in 2015.

The island represents a substantial portion of Cape May Countys tourism proceeds, which a state report found reached $6.27 billion in 2016.
Ignore the grandstanding on Capitol Hill and the noisy town hall protests around the nation. The Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare will boost your chances of getting a job and cut your tax bill. Not to mention insurance costs. The repeal bill  The American Health Care Act  also will stave off a tidal wave of future Medicaid spending that threatens to drown the states and Uncle Sam in red ink.

No more penalties

If youre among the 8 million people getting whacked with a tax penalty for not enrolling in an overpriced Obamacare plan, the repeal bill is good news. The federal government will no longer compel you to buy insurance.

The repeal bill also cancels penalties on employers. The Affordable Care Act forced all but the smallest employers to provide a benefits package far costlier than what they had been offering prior to the ACA. Employers passed these costs onto workers, raising deductibles by 50 percent since 2011 on about 155 million people.

Other employers dropped coverage altogether for millions of workers. Only in Washington, D.C., would an employer mandate result in fewer people getting on-the-job coverage.

Still other employers  like community colleges and fast-food outlets  demoted workers to part-time status (below 30 hours a week) to avoid the mandate. In New York, some service and manufacturing companies stopped hiring altogether, according to the New York Fed.

Without repeal, there would be 2 million fewer people with full-time jobs by 2025, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The repeal bill is a jobs program.

Lower taxes

Its also a massive $600 billion tax cut. It eliminates taxes that pushed up the costs of insurance and devices like artificial hips. It also allows people to put aside more earnings tax-free in a health savings account for out-of-pocket health expenses. And it eliminates the taxes that targeted people earning more than $200,000 a year, including the Obamacare payroll tax hike (2.35 percent) and the 3.8 percent Obamacare tax on unearned income.

Medicaid fix

Repeal rescues the nation from a looming financial calamity.

Medicaid, the public program for low-income people, has grown explosively under the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid now covers 74 million people. The ACA encouraged states to expand enrollment by promising that the federal government would pay 90 percent to 100 percent of the cost. Thats like handing your teenager your credit card.

State politicians eager to rake in federal funds spent with abandon. More than half of all federal dollars now going to the states are for Medicaid.

And Medicaid spending per recipient is growing twice as fast as Medicare for seniors  without improving health measures like blood pressure control.

You pay for Medicaid costs twice: first as a taxpayer and again as a consumer. Because Medicaid reimburses hospitals and doctors only 90 cents for every dollar of care, the shortfall gets shifted onto patients with private insurance, adding about $1,800 a year to your premium. Ouch.

Disregard shrill complaints from Obamacare partisans like Zeke Emanuel that reforming Medicaid is cruel. The repeal bill protects Americans who need Medicaid, grandfathering in everyone enrolled through 2019. No one will lose coverage. But states are put on an allowance after 2019. Medicaid reform is long overdue, and this repeal bill launches it.

Individual insurance buyers

Finally, if youre one of the 19 million people who buys insurance in the individual market, youll find all the protections of Obamacare are preserved, including banning lifetime and annual payment caps and penalties for pre-existing conditions. True, subsidies for lower-income buyers are smaller.

But the most newsworthy innovation is a multibillion-dollar fund that states can use to reduce premiums. States will pay the costs of the sickest insurance customers, so that premiums paid by healthy customers can stay reasonable. That feature has been ignored by the media and repeal critics, but its a keeper. With adequate funding it has the potential to deliver what Obamacare didnt: affordability.

Betsy McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.
How fitting the arrival of spring should find the greater Atlantic City community in good spirits. The signs of the citys rebirth are pushing up like daffodils, reminders that with a little help people get through tough periods to flourish again.

The mood in the region seems to be nearing a tipping point, with reasons for optimism starting to outweigh years of despair and resignation regarding Atlantic City. Time to shift from mere hope to realistic enthusiasm and support for the vigorous growth of early shoots of city redevelopment.

The city headed for bottom with the closing of four casinos in a year and the effective bankruptcy of city government. To provide stability, state and local officials arranged for a subsidized call center to bring jobs to the city and for Stockton University to move forward on an Atlantic City campus. Then the outlook dimmed further when the Trump Taj Mahal, struggling to regain its footing after reorganizing, closed as a result of a labor dispute.

What now looks like the start of a turnaround began, as it probably often does, with a handful of risk-taking entrepreneurs acting on the potential that many saw.

Among them were Bart Blatstein, the Philadelphia redeveloper who acquired the former Pier at Caesars and Showboat casino hotel, and John Longacre and Mark Callazzo, who funded and built businesses in a city that often seemed headed in the wrong direction.

Then the foundation was set last year by state leaders unshakably resolved, regardless of misguided opposition, to take over city finances and restore their soundness. In just over three months, the state effort started paying off  saving the indebted city about $93 million by renegotiating the tax refund it owed to Borgata Casino Hotel. S&P upgraded the citys debt rating for the first time in years.

Two weeks later, the Taj joined the revival story when it was purchased by a partnership of Hard Rock International and two solid investors. Thats worth 3,000 jobs, 2,000 hotel rooms for the growing convention/meetings sector, and a business boost to the northeast end of the Boardwalk. Gov. Chris Christie credited the takeover effort: There is no doubt that this purchase was encouraged by our efforts to stabilize the finances of the city government.

After two more weeks, the closed Atlantic Club Casino Hotel was bought by a Ventnor-based group with plans to develop an indoor water park, hotel and restaurants.

Stocktons false-start purchase of the Showboat dampened early enthusiasm for its city campus, but the project now is shaping up as the hoped-for transformer of the citys southern end, enriching its economy, culture and even character. The university district already will include retail space and an urgent-care center, and more is being planned  probably extending west to Bader Field.

University officials told The Press editorial board city residents who cant easily travel to Galloway Township are looking forward to the new educational opportunities. Theyll join the regions degree-bearing core of 11,000 Stockton graduates, including many chief executives of businesses and organizations, according to President Harvey Kesselman. That influence will grow with a thriving A.C. campus.

These positive developments should encourage elected officials at all levels to build on the momentum by supporting efforts to balance the city budget and make the dreams of entrepreneurs a reality. Success breeds success, and with a little more it will become self-sustaining.
Government responsible for taking care of people

I was shocked to see the picture of the long line at the Ventnor food bank on Feb. 23. Shame on Congress to let this happen in the greatest, richest country in the world.

It is very, very sad that so many people now have to depend on the charity of others. It is so degrading. It is the governments responsibility to take care of the welfare of its population. Eliminating tax loop holes for the corporations, millionaires and billionaires could provide funding for programs similar or better than food stamps.

We are not living in the dark ages anymore or in a Third World country, i.e. survival of the fittest, or now the richest. Civilization is taking care of the population.

Elke Michaelis

Mays Landing

Still supporting president

I find it amazing that so many people voted for Donald Trump. Most of his Cabinet are intelligent, educated people; his family is running his businesses while he is attempting to run the country. He removed the option of the Spanish-speaking language from the White House website (probably because the United States is an English-speaking country). He is putting restrictions on immigration from countries that could possibly do harm to this country.

Meantime, as a citizen of the United States, I will continue to support President Trump, knowing that if I have a problem with that, I do have the option of moving to another country.

Thelma Emper

Egg Harbor Township

Help Sioux fight pipeline

I am 84 years old. I have voted in every election since I turned 21. Sometimes the winner of the presidency was not the man of my choice. But never has the man who became the leader of the country been an outright liar, stacked his Cabinet with big business people or blatantly rewarded those who financially or politically supported his campaign with such horrible neglect of the American people.

President Trump bragged that he approved the oil pipeline in the Dakotas. He also said Americans should have clean air and water. These statements cant both be true. If he were really concerned about clean water, he would not have approved the pipeline. He chose big business over the rights of the Sioux to have clean water.

The Native American Sioux citizens of the Dakotas have been fighting against putting an oil pipeline under the river that is their source of water. Pipelines are manmade and have notoriously (check Alaska) broken.

President Obama recognized the importance of clean water and stopped the $2.8 billion pipeline.

The Sioux Native Americans are trying to protect their water source. Big business and politicians are demolishing their right to unpolluted water for their families. None of us has the power President Trump has in his decrees, but we should help the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe fight.

Phyllis J. DArgenio

Absecon

Faults LoBiondo choice of one-on-one meetings

How cowardly and self-serving can Rep. Frank LoBiondo be. He will meet his constituents one-on-one. He wont hold town meetings to be seen and heard by them. And more importantly, there he would hear their views and afford them publicity he might not find to his liking.

Patricia L. Everett

Cape May

Spare NOAA from cuts

Its hard to overstate how detrimental the Trump administrations proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would be to New Jersey. Cutting NOAA satellite programs that help predict and track storms and hurricanes would put shore residents at greater peril. And funding for coastal management, estuary reserves and coastal resilience are also on the chopping block. Thats the program that seeks to bolster the ability of coastal areas to withstand major storms and rising seas.

Even if some (wrongly) deny the science of climate change, no one denies that the seas are rising and that residents along the East Coast must figure out how to adapt to this reality or leave. Cutting funding for programs that support coastal resilience is a perfect example of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Mar-A-Lago is just as vulnerable as Margate, but I guess the administration doesnt realize it. Sad.

Congress should be aware how important people think this funding is. They should know there is a danger of pretending more information isnt needed.

Anne Maiese

Ventnor City
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




I am pleased to report that HF 475 passed the House 95 to 0 recently. This bill permits rifles chambered for straight walled cartridges currently legal for handgun deer hunting in Iowa to be used as alternative harvest guns during early youth season, early disabled season and the two shotgun seasons. I have worked with many sportsmen on this bill and very closely with the Iowa DNR. As you can surmise by the vote, this is a bipartisan measure and promises to introduce new hunters to the sport and stimulate new sales across the state.

There have been some complaints that cartridges like the .50 Beowulf might exceed the low recoil intent of this bill. According to the bill, the DNR has jurisdiction over determining acceptable cartridges and will set the caliber range suited best for Iowa. This bill offers very exciting new hunting guns for Iowa sportsmen and women. It is now in the hands of the Senate.

We also passed HF 296 last week. For years, House Republicans have been working hard to stop the spread of synthetic drugs in Iowa. Unfortunately, politics often got in the way of good policy. This year presents another opportunity to improve the law. House File 296 is similar to legislation proposed in previous years aimed at curbing synthetic drugs in our state and keeping children safe.

House File 296 focuses on three key areas in the law; 1) changing how synthetic drugs are categorized, 2) ensuring imitation controlled substances are appropriately prosecuted and 3) allowing the legislature two years to evaluate the temporary designation of scheduled substances.

Under current law, the chemicals that make up common synthetic drugs are scattered throughout the code. This makes it difficult to determine what drugs are truly schedule I and what drugs arent currently listed. HF 296 properly lists synthetic drugs as schedule I controlled substances and adds several more synthetic drug formulas to the list. Keeping these chemicals categorized as schedule I substances helps keep these drugs off the streets and ensures those selling them will face appropriate penalties.

County attorneys have struggled to prosecute sellers of synthetic drugs when the drug is being sold as an imitation controlled substance. An imitation controlled substance is not a controlled substance, but is mistaken for one, because of its appearance. Synthetic drugs, not on the schedule drug list, can be packaged to look like an illegal synthetic drug. These imitation controlled substances can have the same deadly effect as a scheduled drug. Selling an imitation controlled substance is how many dealers attempt to get around the law. HF 296 includes imitation controlled substances in the same category as simulated and controlled substances. Under the proposed bill, the penalty for selling an imitation controlled substance would be the same as selling a simulated or actual controlled substance.

House Republicans look forward to working with the Senate to move this bill quickly to the Governors desk without the political hurdles faced last year.

We also passed significant bills for public school districts this week. HF 564 makes changes to a number of funds, including Professional Development funding, At-risk and Dropout funding, Preschool funding, PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) funding, and Talented and Gifted (TAG) funding, by adding additional allowable expenses that are meant to help the funding further the goals of the program.

HF 565 creates a new Flexibility Fund. School district funds have narrow parameters that prohibit certain funding streams from being utilized fully. As a result, school districts accumulate unused funds that grow year after year. There are currently over 74 identified sources of funding that school districts statewide have leftover funds in to the tune of over $146 million in FY 2015 (a $17.5 million increase over FY 2014). Much of this funding cannot be touched or used.

HF 565 collects some of this funding and creates additional spending authority for districts to use those funds in a broader fashion, but still in the direction of the original source of the funding.

I received a lot of feedback this week of both support and opposition to HF 518 dealing with Worker's Compensation Reform. I was not supportive of the bill in its original form. As the week progressed, we worked hard to amend the bill to address concerns from constituents. It is now a very palatable bill that is fair to both labor and management. The bill addresses abuses that have become increasingly more commonplace, while protecting the right of workers to be compensated for injuries that occur on the job.

Some issues the bill addresses:

It clarifies willful injury do to drugs or intoxication.

The bill defines "date of occurrence of the injury" as the date the employee should have known the injury was work related. The 90 days reporting and 2 years statute of limitations remain.

It prevents those injured in another state in an Iowa owned subsidiary from collecting workers comp in Iowa.

It stops double payments for the same injury under both partial and total disability claims.

It precludes a person from receiving unemployment compensation if he or she is already receiving permanent total disability workers compensation payments.

Results of amendments made last week:

We increased shoulder related injury weeks to 400.

We introduced a new vocational rehabilitation programs for those with shoulder injuries. Employers will pay for two years of vocational training up to $15,000 at a community college.

We removed all references to age 67 from the bill for both permanent partial and permanent total disability. This corrects age related disparity in the original bill.

It strikes section 17 in all references to "predominant factor" and replaces it with "substantial factor" throughout the bill. This is a return to the current "substantial factor" language.

It allows a worker who has been injured to be offered another job at the company at a wage level equal to or greater to what he was receiving and is then paid based on the functional disability for his injury, should he lose his job, he will be subject to a reopening of his case to address his earning capacity.
In his new role, Head will oversee the global sales organization and continue to grow the customer base as well as work closely with the New York and San Francisco offices to oversee Appboy sales processes across the globe. With over twenty years of sales and sales management experience to his credit at companies like Salesforce and SAP, along with a very successful first year at Appboy under his belt, he is well positioned to lead the sales organization through this next phase of growth. Under his leadership since January 2016, the EMEA office has brought on 22 employees and increased annualized contract volume in the region threefold, year over year.

"Mobile is more pervasive and far-reaching than ever before and the incredible growth we've seen out of our London office reflects this globalization" said Myles Kleeger, President and CRO of Appboy. "Daniel and James will continue to help us expand internationally, furthering Appboy's mission to humanize connections between brands and customers at a global scale, while ensuring that our clients have access to the best service and latest technology to meet their lifecycle engagement goals."

Manderson has over 10 years of experience leading CRM programs in multiple sectors. Recently he made the jump from the client side by joining Appboy, where he led the EMEA client success team for the past year. Previously he was Head of CRM at Universal Music Group International and spent a number of years working in not-for-profit where he headed CRM for the likes of Shelter, the UK's largest housing and homelessness charity.

About Appboy

Appboy is the leading lifecycle engagement platform for marketing, growth, and engagement teams. We exist to help marketers seize the opportunities created by the challenges of today's mobile economy. That means we built the world's best intelligent CRM so marketers can connect human-to-human, at scale, with their customers, driving deep engagement and ROI. The center of our platform is the holistic user profile that offers a single view of the customer. Our robust audience segmentation and advanced multichannel messaging allow brands to use the data from these user profiles to create and automate highly personalized marketing campaigns, and build meaningful dialogues with their audiences across devices and channels. Thousands of global marketers use Appboy to connect with over 750 million monthly active users, with 13 billion messages processed through our platform each month. We help brands like Domino's, Capital One, Opera, SoundCloud, and Urban Outfitters to better engage, retain, and monetize their customers. Appboy is venture backed with over 140 employees and offices in New York, San Francisco, and London. Learn more at Appboy.com.

For more information on Appboy's services in EMEA, visit https://www.appboy.com/contact/.

Press Contact:

Aimee Yoon

aimee@dottedlinecomm.com

646-596-7502

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480998/Appboy_Executives.jpg

Related Links

http://www.appboy.com



SOURCE Appboy
- Warburg Pincus to acquire a ~35% shareholding in Avaloq

- Transaction values Avaloq in excess of CHF 1 billion

ZURICH, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Avaloq group, an international fintech company and a leader in integrated and comprehensive banking solutions, announces that it has entered into an agreement for Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm focused on growth investing, to acquire a ~35% shareholding in the company from existing shareholders. The transaction values Avaloq in excess of CHF 1 billion. Detailed financial terms are not being disclosed.

Under the agreement, Warburg Pincus will partner with Swiss-based Avaloq to accelerate the company's long-term growth and value creation strategy. Avaloq serves banks and wealth managers worldwide, having largely completed a transformation from a pure software company to an integrated service provider. The transaction allows the firm to rebalance its shareholding structure and bring in an experienced partner in Warburg Pincus to help facilitate the next phase of growth and value creation, with an investment horizon of 7 years.

Warburg Pincus is a leading investor in the financial services and fintech sectors, with over USD 10 billion invested in over 90 companies in these sectors (nearly 20 of which are banks). Warburg Pincus's notable financial services and fintech investments include: AllFunds Bank, Arch Capital, China Huarong Asset Management, FIS/Metavante, HDFC, Interactive Data Corporation, Mellon Bank, Network International, Elavon, Sterling Financial Corp, Santander Consumer USA, Wall Street Systems, Webster Bank and many others.

Shared vision for further growth

The market for Avaloq's products and services is due to grow significantly based upon increasing demand for digital banking, outsourcing, Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions and the overall development of the banking digital ecosystem. Avaloq and Warburg Pincus share the belief that a focus on Avaloq's customers and developing best in class technology will propel Avaloq to further strengthen its position as leading global services provider to the banking and wealth management industry. This transaction is the first step towards a potential public listing of Avaloq in the coming years.

As part of the transaction, Avaloq founder and Chief Executive Officer Francisco Fernandez will also assume the role of Chairman. Jurg Hunziker will serve as Deputy CEO and Group Chief Markets Officer (CMO).

Concurrent with the transaction, Avaloq is creating a European Advisory Board to support the company's strategic initiatives and growth. The European Advisory Board will include Jacques Aigrain, former Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re and Chairman of LCH.Clearnet, Stefano Boccadoro, the former General Manager of Cassa Lombarda Bank and Chief Executive Officer of Santander Italy, Stefan Krause, former Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Bank and BMW and Javier Marin, former Chief Executive Officer of Banco Santander.

Francisco Fernandez, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Warburg Pincus as shareholders in Avaloq and look forward to partnering with them as we accelerate the growth of the business. Their global presence, in the US, Europe and years of experience in Asia, combined with their extensive experience in financial services and software, and large network in the broader banking and wealth management industry will be invaluable as we enter a new stage in the development of Avaloq and its geographic expansion. While Avaloq's management, employees and current Board of Directors retain the majority by means of shares and governance, we will leverage Warburg Pincus' expertise to continue our path for capital market readiness."

Daniel Zilberman, a Managing Director and Head of Europe at Warburg Pincus, said: "With its focus on innovation, we believe that Avaloq is uniquely qualified to take advantage of growing demand for cutting edge software and outsourced services in the financial industry. We look forward to partnering with Francisco, Jurg and the rest of Avaloq's talented team as the company enters a new and exciting stage in its international growth path."

Terms of the transaction

As part of this transaction, an affiliate of Warburg Pincus will acquire a ~35% stake in Avaloq from the firm's founders, management and employees. Francisco Fernandez will retain a ~28% shareholding. Management and employees will retain an additional ~27% shareholding. This transaction does not affect the shareholding of the bank Raiffeisen Switzerland. The transaction values Avaloq in excess of CHF 1 billion. Detailed financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Closing of the transaction is expected in the second quarter of 2017. Upon closing, Warburg Pincus will nominate two individuals to join Avaloq's Board of Directors.

Adarsh Sarma, a Warburg Pincus Managing Director, said: "Avaloq benefits from best-in-class technology which will form the basis for future growth in the core wealth management and private banking business as well as in the broader retail and commercial banking sector. In partnering with Avaloq, we will draw upon our deep financial services and software experience to accelerate the growth of the company."

Jurg Hunziker, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Group CMO of Avaloq, commented: "The technology and service market for the financial industry is growing rapidly and I believe that there are tremendous opportunities for further growth of the business. I look forward to continuing to drive Avaloq's international growth. In evaluating potential partners to support us with our growth strategy, we put special emphasis on company culture, and Warburg Pincus perfectly matches the Avaloq values. They will enable our team to provide the best possible digital banking technology and innovative services also in the future. Thanks to our very loyal customers and highly committed employees we have achieved a leading position in the market and are now ready for the next step."

Strong financial foundation

The transaction follows excellent financial results at Avaloq in 2016. The firm generated full year revenues of CHF 533 million1 in 2016, an increase of 10% on a reported basis from CHF 485 million in the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 41% to CHF 82 million from CHF 58 million in 2015. EBITDA margin improved year over year by 3.4 points to 15.4%. The company enjoyed strong cash flows with net cash provided by operating activities increasing by 100% to CHF 62 million and an 8% year over year increase in cash on hand to CHF 63 million. 1 Results subject to final audit.

Media Information

The latest press releases can be found at:

https://www.avaloq.com/nc/about-us/news/

Media Contacts

Avaloq group Warburg Pincus Andreas Petrosino Sarah Gestetner Corporate Communications Manager Director, Communications Allmendstrasse 140 Almack House, 28 King Street CH-8027 Zurich London, SW1Y 6QW, UK Phone: +41 58 316 26 86 Phone: +44 20 7306 0377 andreas.petrosino@avaloq.com sarah.gestetner@warburgpincus.com

About Avaloq: Essential for Banking

The Avaloq group is an internationally leading fintech company. With its core banking software, the Avaloq Banking Suite, and its international network of BPO centres, Avaloq brings trustworthy and efficient banking to the world, delivered through great user experience.

With its integrated BPO services, Avaloq is the only independent provider for the financial industry to both develop and operate its own software.

Avaloq's growing ecosystem comprises:

Over 2'000 employees (FTEs) from 66 nationalities;

3 R&D centres in Zurich , Edinburgh and Manila , and 3 BPO centres in Lugano, Singapore and Berlin ;

, and , and 3 BPO centres in Lugano, and ; More than 500 third-party developers that co-innovate with Avaloq;

155 banks and wealth managers in the most important financial centres worldwide which have chosen Avaloq technology to manage client assets worth over 4' 000 bn CHF ;

; 270 Raiffeisen banks in Switzerland which are served by ARIZON, a joint-venture of Raiffeisen Switzerland and Avaloq with over 300 employees

Headquartered in Switzerland, Avaloq has branches in Berlin, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Leipzig, London, Lugano, Luxembourg, Madrid, Manila, Nyon, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Zurich.

More information on www.avaloq.com

About Warburg Pincus

Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing. The firm has more than $44 billion in private equity assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 140 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 16 private equity funds, which have invested more than $60 billion in over 780 companies in more than 40 countries. Warburg Pincus is a leading investor in the financial services and fintech sectors, with over USD 10 billion invested in in over 90 companies in these sectors (nearly 20 of which are banks). Warburg Pincus' notable financial services and fintech investments include: AllFunds Bank, Arch Capital, China Huarong Asset Management, FIS/Metavante, HDFC, Interactive Data Corporation, Mellon Bank, Network International, Elavon, Sterling Financial Corp, Santander Consumer USA, Wall Street Systems, Webster Bank and many others. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com.

Related Links

https://www.avaloq.com



SOURCE Avaloq
- Bats Partners with FactSet to Provide Brexit 50/50 Indices Ahead of Triggering of Article 50

LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bats Europe, a CBOE Holdings, Inc. company and the region's largest equities exchange operator, today announced it has launched the Bats Brexit 50/50 Indices, two new benchmark indices designed to reflect the impact of Brexit on UK companies.

The two indices  the Bats Brexit High 50 and Bats Brexit Low 50  are designed to act as barometers for assessing how Brexit is impacting UK companies by analysing the difference in performance between those companies that generate a large portion of their revenues from the UK compared to those that have less revenue exposure to the UK.

Bats partnered with FactSet, a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications, and industry-leading services, to create the new Brexit 50/50 indices. The indices, which are calculated in real-time, utilise FactSet's Geographic Revenue Exposure (GeoRev) data to normalise and geographically analyse where UK-listed companies generate their revenues. To create the indices, the constituents of the Bats UK 100 Index (BUK 100), which tracks the top 100 UK-listed companies based on market capitalisation, were split into two groups  those with the largest and smallest proportion of GBP revenues.

Index Name Ticker Overview Bats Brexit High 50 BUKHI50P Comprised of the 50 companies in the Bats UK 100 Index that derive the largest portions of their revenues from the UK. Bats Brexit Low 50 BUKLO50P Comprised of the 50 companies in the Bats UK 100 Index that derive the smallest portions of their revenues from the UK.

Mark Hemsley, President of Europe for CBOE, said: "The UK's triggering of Article 50 is expected to lead to fundamental changes in the way businesses and capital markets behave prior to and subsequent to the UK's separation from the European Union. We are pleased to provide the marketplace with benchmark indices that are designed to gauge investor sentiment towards UK companies during this critical time. We are providing these bellwethers of the British economy through our network of vendors free of charge so that they are readily available to all as we navigate the complexities of Brexit."

Since the UK EU referendum on 23 June 2016, the Bats 100 UK Index is up over 16% in price performance alone, driven by the significant near 17% and 13% decreases in the value of sterling over the period against the U.S. dollar and Euro, respectively. In comparison, the Bats Brexit High 50 Index is nearly flat, up just 0.8% while the Bats Brexit Low 50 Index is up over 23%. The performance of the indices suggest that UK companies that generate a large portion of their revenues from outside the UK have fared better than those that generate a greater portion of their revenues from the UK.

Jeremy Zhou, head of indexing at FactSet, said: "For more than five years, we've been providing an innovative solution for estimating geographic exposure to help investors solve the geographic revenue puzzle. As markets become more integrated and companies expand operations beyond their domestic markets, GeoRev provides a valuable and standardised factor for analysing companies' revenues by geography, creating a consistent, accurate and normalised dataset ideally suited for alpha discovery, risk management, and performance analysis."

Bats' Brexit 50/50 Indices are managed under the same rules and methodologies used for other Bats benchmark indices so they can be compared accurately with other Bats national market and sector indices. Additional information is available via the Bats Brexit 50/50 Indices Fact Sheet.

The indices are calculated in real time and published on the Bats Indices website, as well as on Bloomberg and Reuters.

Bats launched its index business in June 2016 and currently manages 28 indices across geographic and industry sectors. Bats plans to continue to expand its index offering into other European national and regional indices over the coming months.

About Bats Europe

Bats Europe, a CBOE Holdings, Inc. company, is Europe's largest equities exchange and offers trading in more than 5,500 securities across 15 major European markets, over one platform and under one rule book. In addition, Bats Europe's leading trade reporting service, BXTR, reports the majority of OTC equity market trading executed in Europe.

Bats Europe is the brand name of Bats Trading Limited, a Recognised Investment Exchange regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

About CBOE Holdings, Inc.

CBOE Holdings, owner of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Bats exchanges, CBOE Futures Exchange and other subsidiaries, is one of the world's largest exchange holding companies and a leader in providing investors cutting-edge trading and investment solutions. With 14 trading venues, CBOE offers trading across a diverse range of products, including options, futures, U.S. and European equities, exchange-traded funds, and multi-asset volatility and global FX products. www.cboe.com.



Media Contacts



Analyst Contact









Stacie Fleming Hannah Randall Suzanne Cosgrove

Debbie Koopman +44-20-7012-8950 +1-646-856-8809 +1-312-786-7123

+1-312-786-7136 sfleming@cboe.com hrandall@cboe.com cosgrove@cboe.com

koopman@cboe.com

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

CBOE, Chicago Board Options Exchange, CFE, BATS, BZX, Livevol, CBOE Volatility Index and VIX are registered trademarks, and CBOE Futures ExchangeSM, CBOE VestSM and CBOE Options InstituteSM are service marks of CBOE Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. S&P and S&P 500 are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC and have been licensed for use by CBOE. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480877/Bats_Logo.jpg

SOURCE CBOE Holdings, Inc.
Represent more than 100 years of combined nuclear industry experience

RESTON, VIRGINIA, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement, and construction, and the nuclear reactor technology pioneer GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy today announced that the two companies have formed an alliance to assist Germany and Sweden in the safe decommissioning of their commercial nuclear power plants.

Representing more than 100 years of combined global nuclear industry experience, Bechtel and GEH provide a full range of decommissioning services including pre-shutdown planning, licensing, project development and management, dismantling, demolition, waste handling, and site closeout.

"Our companies are committed to safety and efficiency across the entire nuclear plant lifecycle," said James Taylor, general manager of Bechtel's Environmental business line. "Bechtel has performed work from design to dismantlement for more than 150 nuclear plants over the last 60 years. This experience will be critical to delivering quality as Germany and Sweden move forward."

Lance Hall, GEH executive vice president for Nuclear Services, added "The alliance of GEH and Bechtel provides customers a complete offering of decommissioning services that draws upon the comprehensive experience, resources and project management expertise of both companies. As plants in Germany and Sweden shut down, this alliance will support customers through the end of the nuclear power plant life cycle."

Serving as an environmental services leader for more than 30 years, Bechtel has extensive experience managing the cleanup, decommissioning, remediation and closure at more than 500 contaminated sites across the world including at U.S. Department of Energy sites in five states and at the Sellafield Site in the U.K. Bechtel delivered the successful decommissioning of Three Mile Island Unit 3 in the U.S. and led a consortium that designed the massive New Safe Confinement arch now covering the damaged reactor at Chornobyl in the Ukraine.

Bechtel remains committed to nuclear power as a safe, always-on, low-carbon provider of electricity in the U.S. and around the world, and has ongoing roles relating to nuclear plant construction and engineering in the U.S and in Wales, U.K.

About Bechtel:

Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done rightno matter how big, how complex, or how remote. Bechtel operates through four global business units that specialize in infrastructure; mining and metals; nuclear, security and environmental; and oil, gas, and chemicals. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 58,000 colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. www.bechtel.com. Follow Bechtel on Twitter @Bechtel.

About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety. Follow GEH on LinkedIn and Twitter @gehnuclear.

Fred deSousa

t. +1 (703) 429-6435

tfdesous@bechtel.com

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/326556/bechtel_logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.bechtel.com



SOURCE Bechtel
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled 'Global Market Study on Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapeutics: Neuro-Ischemic Ulcers Segment to Dominate the Global Market in Revenue Terms Through 2024', the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period 2016-2024.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )

Browse Report Overview @http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/diabetic-foot-ulcer-therapeutics-market.asp

Global Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapeutics Market: Segmental Forecast

By product type, the growth factors segment dominated the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market in terms of revenue in 2016 and the trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period. The growth factors segment is the most attractive segment in the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market, recording an attractiveness index of 1.8 and a CAGR of 20.7% over the forecast period.

By ulcer type, the neuro-ischemic ulcers segment is expected to remain the largest segment, registering a significant CAGR of 14.4% in terms of value over the forecast period. The neuropathic ulcers segment is expected to reach a market value in excess of US$ 3,500 Mn by 2024 end, registering a CAGR of 8.6% during 2016 - 2024.

By end user, the hospitals segment is projected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. Revenue from the hospitals segment is anticipated to grow 2.4x by 2024 end as compared to that in 2016. The specialty clinics segment is expected to be the second most lucrative segment in the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market, registering an attractiveness index of 1.3 during the forecast period.

A sample of this report is available upon request @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/5441

Global Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapeutics Market: Regional Forecast

By region, the North America diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market dominated the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market in revenue terms in 2016 and the trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period. Revenue from the North America market is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 10.8% over 2016-2024 to reach a market valuation of more than US$ 3,100 Mn by 2024. The Asia Pacific market is projected to be the second most lucrative market in the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market, with a market attractiveness index of 1.5 during the forecast period.

Global Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapeutics Market: Growth Drivers and Challenges

Rising prevalence of diabetes and subsequent increase in the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer is the key factor that is significantly responsible for positively impacting the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market. Also, increasing demand for accelerated wound healing and faster recovery therapeutics and growing acceptance of ingenious technologies and protocols to manage complex and hard-to-heal wounds is likely to fuel the growth of the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market over the forecast period.

However, the high cost of diabetic foot ulcer treatment medications may hamper the demand and subsequently restrain the growth of the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market. The lack of awareness regarding specific treatment options in developing countries such as China and India coupled with patient ignorance towards treatment options and medications is also expected to hinder the growth of the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market during the forecast period.

Request to Download and View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/diabetic-foot-ulcer-therapeutics-market/toc

Global Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapeutics Market: Competitive Landscape

Some of the key players identified in the global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market report include B. Braun Melsungen AG, Smith & Nephew Plc, Organogenesis Inc., Derma Sciences Inc., Sigvaris Inc., 3M, and Acelity L.P. Inc. Some of these companies are striving to increase their product portfolio, diversify their customer base, increase their global footprint and augment organic growth by identifying, integrating and acquiring other businesses, technologies and products.

Queries regarding these research findings can be addressed to Persistence Market Research's analysts at media@persistencemarketresearch.com

Persistence Market Research Overview

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

Contact

Persistence Market Research

U.S. Sales Office:

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York City, NY 10007

United States

USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353

Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

Email: sales@persitencemarketreserach.com



SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
Each year, when spring returns, so do the numerous species of waterfowl that fly through Iowa on their annual migrations. Fortunately, Iowa lies along the Mississippi Flyway, a major migration route for many species of birds, so we are able to observe large numbers of birds as they head north and south each year. One species that we regularly see this time of year is the wood duck, a species that only a century ago was faced with extinction. Its comeback is one of our nations finest conservation success stories.

Wood ducks are a little different than other ducks because they are cavity-nesting birds and, as a result, spend a lot of their time in trees. By all accounts, they were quite common when the first settlers arrived in North America. But, by the late 1800s, wood duck numbers were practically nonexistent. Wetland habitat loss and the loss of bottomland hardwood forests, along with extensive market hunting, doomed the species to almost certain extinction.

But, in 1918, Congress passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibited the hunting of migratory birds except by the issuance of a license. So, because of this law, wood duck hunting was banned. Soon afterwards, a biologist named Dr. Frank Bellrose developed a nesting box to replace the tree cavities that had been lost. As a result of these two developments, the wood duck population began to increase. By 1941, wood duck numbers had improved to the point that licenses were issued for limited hunting seasons.

Wood duck numbers continued to grow throughout the decades and are now quite stable. Hunting is still regulated, as dictated by the MBTA, as is the hunting of other waterfowl species. Nesting boxes continue to provide cavities in places where old-growth trees are sparse. And, recent efforts to protect and restore wetlands and bottomland habitats have provided new areas for Wood Ducks to inhabit. As a result of these efforts, wood ducks continue to be quite common throughout North America.

As spring weather sets in, and our wetlands open up for the year, we will once again see wood ducks moving back into the area. They will find the wetlands and bottomlands that we have preserved for them. They will find the old, hollow trees and the nesting boxes that we have provided for them. And, later this spring, little fluffball ducklings will emerge from those tree cavities and nesting boxes. Theyll jump out, not knowing, yet, how to fly. Then, theyll bounce a few times and take off for the water. There theyll start a new life, the next generation of a species that, at one time, almost disappeared.
DTM leader partners with Stripe and is supported by Apple and Google to provide fast and simple way of collecting payments and signatures

LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- From today, DocuSign customers across the UK will be able to benefit from the launch of DocuSign Payments, the company's latest platform innovation that provides a fast and easy way to collect payments and signatures in just one step. For the 65 percent of businesses that experience either delays in receiving payment or a complete failure to collect, this new way to sign and pay will make a huge difference.

At launch, via the partnership with global payments platform Stripe - users can DocuSign and pay using Android Pay, Apple Pay or any major credit or debit card. DocuSign will continue to integrate new payment partners - including Authorize.net, Braintree and PayPal - in the coming months. Recurring payments and other functionalities are expected to be available later this year.

"We have been working with our customers for years now to take their agreements digital," commented Ron Hirson, chief product officer at DocuSign. "Payments is the next step in the evolution of our DTM platform and eSignature service and it has been driven directly by those customers. A lot of businesses, particularly smaller organisations, are hugely affected by late payments or complete failures to collect - problems that could be the difference between meeting key targets and missing them. Combining the signing and payment processes is the natural answer to helping business transactions move even more smoothly."

A huge range of use cases present themselves for DocuSign Payments, across a variety of different industries, including the completion of lease agreements, insurance policies, contractor services, event bookings, donations, hotel stays, accounting, tax preparation and registration renewals, to name but a few. This potential is clearly recognised by DocuSign's customers who are keen to take full advantage of the new launch.

As Bruce Vickery, Operations Director from Davis Tate Estate Agents comments, "Renting a house or a flat is a naturally stressful decision and we have to do everything we can to take the pain away for our customers. People want to wrap up the deposit and sign their contract as quickly as possible to secure their accommodation - taking this transaction completely digital allows us to remove any worries and delays from the process."

Adding payments into the existing signing process is simple and straightforward. After a brief, one-time setup to connect DocuSign with Stripe, a sender adds a payment request to their agreement and sends it to the person who needs to sign. When that signer receives and DocuSigns the document, they can pay using Android Pay, Apple Pay or their credit/debit card, and the funds are collected immediately.

"It should be easy to pay for anything onlinewhether that's a pair of shoes, a cab ride or now a contract you're signing," said Cristina Cordova, head of business development at Stripe. "We're excited to work closely with DocuSign to make it possible for more than 100 million DocuSign users to easily and securely accept payments from anyone, anywhere in the world, whether they're on a desktop or mobile device."

DocuSign Payments is available today in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US. For more information, visit http://docusign.co.uk/payments

Contact:

Mitch Lowes/Sara Chandran/Michael Creane

docusign@madebychameleon.com

About DocuSign, Inc.

DocuSign is changing how business gets done by empowering anyone to send, sign and manage agreements and collect payment  100% digitally  anytime, anywhere, on any device with trust and confidence. DocuSign and Go to keep life and business moving forward. For more information, visit www.docusign.co.uk, call +44 203 714 4800, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Copyright 2003-2017. DocuSign, Inc. is the owner of DOCUSIGN(R) and all of its other marks (www.docusign.com/IP). All other marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/283113/docusign_for_newswire_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.docusign.com



SOURCE DocuSign, Inc.
ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Dutch Student Investment Fund (DSIF) has confirmed its first investment. On Tuesday 21 March 2017, the Fund's board (which is run entirely by students) signed the agreement with Grasp (a start-up company).

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480879/DSIF_Signs_First_Agreement.jpg )



The cooperative venture should get Grasp off to a flying start. The company has developed highly promising technology that is used to rapidly analyse huge amounts of digital content. Based on this analysis, it gives indications on where improvements could be made, to convey the message effectively. Grasp is owned by Frans van der Sluis.

Aside from providing financial backing of a 50,000 Euro investment, DSIF will be closely involved in the future development. "There is more to our cooperative ventures than the financial aspects," says Fund Chairman Marius Scrieciu. "We are cooperating closely to boost Grasp into a period of rapid growth. We make every effort to help the company along by leveraging our network's knowledge. The support provided by Novel-T, the catalyst of high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship in Twente, is proving very useful in practice."

Data-driven content strategy

During his PhD research at the University of Twente, Dr Van der Sluis developed a patented algorithm that analyses and structures large amounts of content, such as blogs and news articles. It searches content for 'sweet spots'. These are tipping points at which the information someone is reading is converted into knowledge. This involves factors such as topics, writing style and complexity. The analyses provide insight into the impact of the content. "Our key target group is content marketers," says Van der Sluis. "We have noted that our analyses form a perfect starting point for a data-driven content strategy. We have been working closely with Amsterdam- and Enschede-based content company Blutarsky. Combining our strengths will help in exploring new markets."

First fund to be run entirely by students

The Dutch Student Investment Fund is the first fund in Europe to be run entirely by students, for students. The fund is open-ended and invests up to 50,000 euros in start-ups in the very early stages, founded by students, PhD candidates or recent graduates. Scrieciu: "The kick-start we provide also opens the doors to additional investors." The investments take the form of convertible loans which can be converted into shares, for example.

SOURCE Dutch Student Investment Fund
ARLINGTON, Virginia and DUBAI, UAE, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Spire to leverage Endgame's automated threat hunting technology to close protection gap against advanced attackers

Endgame, a leading endpoint security platform to close the protection gap against advanced attackers, today announced that Spire Solutions, the leader in information security solutions for the Middle East, will utilize Endgame's endpoint protection platform to stop nation state level attackers in time to prevent damage and loss. Endgame will be available to Spire's broad client base in the Middle East, which includes 700 clients across 15 countries.

This partnership leverages Endgame's recently-announced platform enhancements that provide continuous prevention and detection of zero days, malwareless attacks, and ransomware in time to stop information theft. Endgame's endpoint security platform combines full stack prevention, detection, and threat hunting in a single dissolvable sensor to eliminate new and already-entrenched adversaries without prior threat intelligence.

Core to the partnership are Spire's seasoned security analysts whose unparalleled expertise and customer service make them the security provider of choice for enterprises across the Middle East. Spire's purpose-built services offer clients the best possible solutions, consultation, support, and training designed to help security teams streamline operations and stop attackers faster than ever before.

"Advanced attackers are waging war on the endpoint, and security teams now know that existing defensive technologies are not enough to prevent sophisticated attacks," said Nate Fick, CEO at Endgame. "Our partnership with Spire will allow enterprises across the Middle East to access the technology necessary to disrupt the attack lifecycle prior to data theft or damage."

"We're thrilled to partner with Endgame to help enterprises across the Middle East take a more proactive approach and actively hunt for advanced threats, rather than waiting for known threat intelligence," said Sanjeev Walia, CEO of Spire Solutions. "Delivering one service that combines the power of Spire's analysts with Endgame's best-in-class EDR platform will help security teams close protection gap and stop advanced attacks at the earliest possible moment."

About Spire Solutions

Spire Solutions is the region's leading distributor of Information Security Solutions and Services with exclusive distribution agreement with the world's best known security vendors. The key to Spire's success is in bringing niche solutions to the market that do not create one problem while solving others. The company works with a selective range of technology partners, while leveraging its channel partnerships to help organizations build and maintain a secure, compliant, and more confident operation. For more information, visit http://www.spiresolutions.com/ and follow us on Twitter @Spiresolutions



About Endgame

Endgame is a leading endpoint security platform that transforms security operations teams and incident responders from crime scene investigators into hunters that prevent damage and loss, and dramatically reduces the time and cost associated with incident response and compromise assessment. Endgame's platform uses machine learning and data science to prevent and detect unique attacks at the earliest and every stage of the attack lifecycle. Endgame's integrated response stops attacks without disrupting normal business operations. For more information, visit http://www.endgame.com and follow us on Twitter @EndgameInc.

SOURCE Spire Solutions
DUBLIN, Mar. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market Analysis & Trends - Industry Forecast to 2025" report to their offering.

The Global Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of around 5.8% during the forecast period 2015 to 2025.

This industry report analyzes the market estimates and forecasts for all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025.

The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. With comprehensive market assessment across the major geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Latin America and Rest of the world the report is a valuable asset for the existing players, new entrants and the future investors.

Current Trends:



Aids in preventing product contamination by eliminating dust particles present in the system.



Integration of intelligent control technologies with compact pressure-vessel.



New product feeding technologies are regularly developed.



Report Highlights:



The report provides a detailed analysis on current and future market trends to identify the investment opportunities.

Market forecasts till 2025, using estimated market values as the base numbers.

Key market trends across the business segments, Regions and Countries.

Key developments and strategies observed in the market.

Market Dynamics such as Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and other trends.

In-depth company profiles of key players and upcoming prominent players.

Growth prospects among the emerging nations through 2025.

Market opportunities and recommendations for new investments.



Companies Mentioned



Atlas Copco

AZO GmbH & Co. KG

Coperion K-Tron

Cyclonaire Corporation

DongYang P&F

Dynamic Air Inc.

Flexicon Corporation

Hillenbrand Inc.

Macawber Engineering, Inc.

Motan Colortronic

Nilfisk Group

Nol-Tec Systems

Schenck Process LLC

VAC-U-Max

Wamgroup S.P.A

Zeppelin Systems GmbH

Key Topics Covered:



1 Market Outline



2 Executive Summary



3 Market Overview



4 Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market, By Technology



5 Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market, By Operating Principle



6 Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market, By End User



7 Pneumatic Conveying Systems Market, By Geography



8 Key Player Activities



9 Leading Companies

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cgjxt6/global_pneumatic

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
LUXEMBOURG and LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Harinvest, a private investment company based in Luxembourg, and its partner Aquiline Capital Partners, a Private Equity firm based in NYC, have sold BISAM Technologies SA to Factset, a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications, and industry-leading service.

Founded by in 2000 by Alexandre Harkous, Christophe Volard and Xavier Chaude, BISAM is a leading provider of portfolio performance and attribution, multi-asset risk, GIPS composites management and investment reporting.

Many of the world's largest asset managers use BISAM's software to evaluate and enhance their investment strategies and better serve their clients. B-One, BISAM's award-winning, market-leading cross-asset solution, has emerged as the leading software solution for performance measurement and attribution. Simultaneously, its Cognity product (originally owned by FinAnalytica) is a powerful and recognized risk analysis for derivatives and quantitative portfolio construction engine.

BISAM B-One has won Waters' Buy-Side Technology "BEST PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT & ATTRIBUTION AWARD" for nine consecutive years.

"We have been pleased to partner with BISAM's founders and management team to help grow a market-leading investment management analytics business," said Geoff Kalish, partner at Aquiline Capital Partners.

"BISAM is a fantastic business success which we have created from scratch. It was expanded with the support of Aquiline Capital Partners, Donal Smith, Bill Haney, Michel Haski and Philippe Collas to become a global asset management leading analytics and reporting solutions provider," said Alexandre Harkous, founder of BISAM and Managing Partner of Harinvest. "I think that Factset is the best partner for BISAM and its clients, as well as a great working place for its employees," added Alexandre Harkous.

Harinvest was represented by Latham & Watkins and Barou Advisers.

For Harinvest

Alexandre Harkous, Managing Partner (aharkous@harinvest.lu)

SOURCE Harinvest
PARIS, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

At the Mobile Learning Week held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the President of Prosveshcheniye, Vladimir Uzun proposed to establish an an ad-hoc committee under the umbrella of UNESCO for the coordination of social educational programmes and projects implemented by businesses in various countries.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480923/Prosveshcheniye_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/480924/V_Uzun.jpg )

"Prosveshcheniye, as a socially-oriented company, has been supporting and implementing initiatives for many years that share the principles of UNESCO's activities through promoting the stable development of society and intercultural dialogue. We are ready to use our experience and join forces with like-minded people around the world," Uzun says.

In addition to Russia, Prosveshcheniye is also active in more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia. The Company's work has been inextricably linked with the history of Russia and the development of the Russian education system for more than 86 years.

"Prosveshcheniye is the most influential Russian company in regards to the improvement of the quality of modern education. The past organizational and business transformations mean the Company meets all the conditions for entering the IPO as a new stage of development, it has a significant potential for providing quality education, including distance and mobile formats of education, projects of modern digital education," Uzun emphasizes.

One of Prosveshcheniye's main priorities is to ensure equal access to quality education for all children without exception. According to the latest UN data, there are 65 million of displaced persons in the world. The issue of internal migration is important for multinational countries with remote territories, such as Russia. Prosveshcheniye experts have developed and published educational literature in 29 languages and dialects.

Mobile Learning Week also focused on special textbooks for disabled children. Two hundred new textbooks for visually impaired children in all secondary school subjects have been published by Prosveshcheniye for a short period of time.

Vladimir Uzun held a meeting with the Assistant-Director General for Education of UNESCO, Mr. Qian Tang, during which the importance of bilateral cooperation in the main areas of UNESCO activities - primarily in the field of distance learning in remote regions -was reaffirmed. The parties agreed to a special agreement aimed at development of the main initiatives of UNESCO within Education 2030. It will be signed at the Moscow International Salon of Education, which will be held in April this year in Moscow.

Contact: e.volkova@agt-agency.ru, office +7(495)624-03-01

SOURCE Prosveshcheniye Holding
QINGDAO, China, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Weather Conditions Conducive to Beijing Severe Haze More Frequent under Climate Change was published online by Nature Climate Change on March 20. The study, finished by the team from Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM) led by Chief Scientist Prof. Cai Wenju as the first author and the director of QNLM Academician Wu Lixin as the co-author, both professors from Ocean University of China, underlines that QNLM is a worldwide pioneer in the field of climate change research.

Prof. Cai told the journalist that though it was believed haze was directly caused by gaseous pollutants from traffic and industrial emissions, the impact from weather conditions still shouldn't be dismissed. He said that when Beijing haze happens in winter, the north wind on the land surface and the northwest wind in the middle troposphere weakens, while stratification stability in lower atmosphere strengthens. This weather condition is disadvantageous for driving away haze; instead, it helps accumulate it to be even heavier.

The study shows that in the background of global warming, the frequency and the duration of such stable weather condition will increase by 50% and 80% compared with the last century. This trend, which is closely related to a series of ambient atmosphere change, such as the rapid warming of the lower atmosphere caused by global warming and the weakening of the wintertime winds in east Asia, will bring Beijing more frequent severe hazes. Global warming weakens the wintertime winds in east Asia, due to the decrease of land-sea temperature difference in winter. Huge heat capacity in the ocean makes the sea surface temperature (SST) rise more slowly than land surface temperature. Meanwhile, the complex circulation system at the western Pacific and China offshore plays an important role in regulating SST in this region.

QNLM, the first national laboratory approved in China for pilot run, is a key organization that embodies the national will and optimizes the allocation of global science and technology resources by making collaborative innovations, in response to the national major strategic demands. Recently, QNLM is implementing major scientific projects including "Transparent Ocean" in support of accurate prediction of the marine environment and climate change. In the meantime, QNLM is preparing for building an international center of ocean and climate prediction by working with such organizations as the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) / Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory of Princeton University, Texas A&M University, etc. The ultra-high resolution prediction and evaluation of the marine environment and climate for the upcoming decades will be fulfilled by High Performance Computing Center in QNLM.

With increasingly urgent demand of coordination in scientific research, QNLM is ready to contribute to global climate change research as a comprehensively collaborative innovation platform. According to Prof. Pan Kehou, Secretary General of the Academic Committee of QNLM, QNLM will make continuous effort to find the scientific solutions to the issues that concern the well-being of the Chinese people. Besides, haze management is a common responsibility of all countries in the world, QNLM should take the responsibility to lead and promote the international cooperation on energy saving and emission reduction with scientific research institutions from other countries and regions, and to contribute to a better environment and development of the ecological civilization.

SOURCE Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM)
DUBLIN, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The new research portal has an extensive collection of company research on the Microsoft Corporation, including in-depth analysis of their current market position and future outlook within the computer software and consumer electronics industries.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349511LOGO )



Microsoft offers consumers a wide range computer software products, including several business intelligence (BI) tools and applications. According to this Business Intelligence Market report, the market is growing rapidly because of the transition from traditional techniques to advanced BI and analytics techniques, and the massive adoption of cloud across verticals. However, factors such as varying structure of regulation policies and high investment costs are expected to limit the market growth.

If collected data is left unmanaged, it becomes challenging to retrieve right data information when needed. Unstructured data comprises data from emails, social media, blogs, images, videos, and documents. BI is gaining traction due to its outstanding capabilities to handle and manage such unstructured data.

"The portal is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking information on Microsoft and their activities in various industries. It provides quick, and easy access to information on their performance as a company and their overall impact on the market," says Ross Glover, CEO of Research and Markets.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/companies/microsoft-corporation?cid=3psx25

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading market research store.

With more than 1.5 million research resources, we deliver the largest collection of business information products on the market. We offer the most in-depth market analysis across a multitude of industries. Our products provide clients with an unrivalled understanding of their chosen market. No matter how specialist your field, we have the insights and market data to help you make efficient and effective decisions.

Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T. Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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SOURCE Research and Markets
HELSINKI, Finland, Mar. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Citycon Oyj's Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place in Helsinki, Finland, today. The General Meeting approved all the proposals of the Board of Directors to the General Meeting.



The General Meeting adopted the company's financial statements and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer from liability for the financial year 2016. The General Meeting decided that no dividend is distributed by a resolution of the AGM and authorised the Board of Directors to decide in its discretion on the distribution of dividend and assets from the invested unrestricted equity fund as follows:

Based on the authorisation the maximum amount of dividend to be distributed shall not exceed EUR 0.01 per share and the maximum amount of equity repayment distributed from the invested unrestricted equity fund shall not exceed EUR 0.12 per share.

The authorisation is valid until the opening of the next AGM.

Unless the Board of Directors decides otherwise for a justified reason, the authorisation will be used to distribute dividend and/or equity repayment four times during the period of validity of the authorisation. In this case, the Board of Directors will make separate resolutions on each distribution of the dividend and/or equity repayment so that the preliminary record and payment dates will be as stated below. Citycon shall make separate announcements of such Board resolutions.

Preliminary payment date



Preliminary record date



31 March 2017



24 March 2017



30 June 2017



22 June 2017



29 September 2017



22 September 2017



29 December 2017

14 December 2017



The dividend and/or equity repayment based on a resolution of the Board of Directors will be paid to a shareholder registered in the company's shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd on the record date for the dividend and/or equity repayment.

Members of the Board of Directors and their remuneration

The number of members of the Board of Directors was resolved to be ten. Chaim Katzman, Bernd Knobloch, Arnold de Haan, Kirsi Komi, Rachel Lavine, Andrea Orlandi, Claes Ottosson, Per-Anders Ovin and Ariella Zochovitzky were re-elected to the Board of Directors and David R. Lukes was elected as new member to the Board of Directors for a term that will continue until the close of the next AGM. The Directors' personal details are available on the company's website at www.citycon.com/board.



The General Meeting decided that the Chairman of the Board of Directors be paid an annual fee of EUR 160,000, the Deputy Chairmen EUR 70,000 and the ordinary members of the Board EUR 50,000. The Chairmen of the Board of Directors' Committees would be paid an additional annual fee of EUR 5,000.



In addition, the General Meeting decided that the Chairmen of the meetings of the Board's Committees shall be paid a meeting fee of EUR 800 and other Board and Committee members EUR 600 per meeting. The Chairman of the Board shall be paid no meeting fees.



The members of the Board of Directors shall be compensated accrued travel and lodging expenses as well as other potential costs related to Board and Committee work.

Auditor

Ernst & Young Oy, a firm of authorized public accountants, was re-elected as the auditor of the company with authorised public accountant (APA) Mikko Rytilahti as the auditor with principal responsibility. The audit fee shall be paid according to the auditor's invoice.



Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of special rights entitling to shares



The General Meeting authorised the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of special rights entitling to shares referred to in Chapter 10 Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act by one or several decisions as follows:



The amount of shares to be issued shall not exceed 85 million shares, which corresponds to approximately 9.55 percent of all the current shares in the company. Shares potentially issued by virtue of the special rights entitling to shares are included in the aforesaid maximum number of shares.



The Board of Directors decides on all the conditions of the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares. The authorisation concerns both the issuance of new shares as well as the transfer of own shares held by the company. The issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares may be carried out in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive rights by way of a directed issue.



The authorisation is valid until the close of next AGM, however, no longer than until 30 June 2018.



Authorising the Board of Directors to Decide on the Repurchase and/or on the Acceptance as Pledge of the Company's Own Shares



The General Meeting authorised the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase and/or on the acceptance as pledge of the company's own shares in one or several tranches as follows:



The amount of own shares to be repurchased and/or accepted as pledge shall not exceed 50 million shares, which corresponds to approximately 5.61 per cent of all the current shares in the company. Only the unrestricted equity of the company can be used to repurchase own shares on the basis of the authorisation.



Own shares can be repurchased at a price formed in public trading on the date of the repurchase or otherwise at a price formed on the market.



The Board of Directors decides how own shares will be repurchased and/or accepted as pledge. Own shares can be repurchased using, inter alia, derivatives. Own shares can be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders (directed repurchase).



The authorisation is valid until the close of next AGM, however, no longer than until 30 June 2018.



For further information, please contact:

Marcel Kokkeel, CEO

Tel. +358-40-154-6760

marcel.kokkeel@citycon.com



Eero Sihvonen, Executive Vice President and CFO

Tel. +358-40-557-9137

eero.sihvonen@citycon.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/citycon-oyj/r/resolutions-of-citycon-oyj-s-annual-general-meeting,c2220976

SOURCE Citycon Oyj
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 6WIND, a high-performance networking software company, today announced its Next Generation Security Gateway solution for 4G and 5G mobile infrastructure. Available immediately, the solution is based on 6WIND Turbo IPsec software, a widely deployed product in mobile and fixed telecom infrastructure for 4G/LTE. 6WIND Turbo IPsec provides high performance IPsec VPNs on Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) servers, at a fraction of legacy hardware system costs. 6WIND Turbo IPsec can be deployed bare metal or in a virtual machine with the same functionalities and performance, enabling a seamless transition to virtualization and NFV.

With the 4G/5G data and voice convergence to single IP-based networks, new security and performance challenges arise. The mobile infrastructure, specifically the mobile backhaul, must meet these performance challenges and protect against the new threats linked to untrusted IP networks, while controlling costs. Operators are also transitioning to virtualization to further decrease costs while increasing service flexibility and optimizing their return on investment.

6WIND's Next Generation Security Gateway (SeGW) solution addresses these challenges with the following benefits:

Security Performance: Linear scalability of performance regardless of deployment configuration (bare metal or virtualized). 12 Gbps of encrypted IPsec traffic per core reaching more than 100 Gbps on a single Intel processor Up to 100,000 IKE tunnels with 1,000 tunnels establishment per second Traffic loads scale across 10, 40 and 100G connectivity

Linear scalability of performance regardless of deployment configuration (bare metal or virtualized). Virtualization Readiness: Complete virtualized SeGW appliance with support for Linux KVM, VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V hypervisors.

Complete virtualized SeGW appliance with support for Linux KVM, VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V hypervisors. High Availability: Link failure detection and failover mechanisms, combined with IPsec session synchronization, to eliminate single points of failure and enable local and geo redundancy without service interruption.

Link failure detection and failover mechanisms, combined with IPsec session synchronization, to eliminate single points of failure and enable local and geo redundancy without service interruption. Management and Monitoring: Operational Support Systems (OSS) and Management and Orchestration (MANO) integration for network management and monitoring.

"At 6WIND, we provide high performance software that allows standard servers to rival specialized hardware systems for all size network deployments," said Eric Carmes, CEO and Founder of 6WIND. "6WIND software is available today as a cost-effective alternative with high performance virtualization options so that mobile operators can scale and secure their 4G and 5G infrastructure without expensive hardware prices."

Demonstration at MPLS + SDN + NFV World, Paris, March 21 - 24

We will demonstrate 6WIND's Next Generation Security Gateway solutions for 4G/5G Mobile Infrastructure Security in our booth #302 along with additional solutions for Secure Site-to-Site VPNs. 6WIND CEO and Founder Eric Carmes will also present 6WIND's security solutions during his speech on March 23, Track 2, at 12:20 pm CET.

Additional Resources

6WIND Solution Brief for Mobile Infrastructure Security:

http://www.6wind.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Mobile-Infrastructure-Security-Solution-Brief.pdf

6WIND Demo Video for Mobile Infrastructure Security:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi1hasYWHs8&t=4s

About 6WIND

6WIND's networking software solves performance and time-to-market challenges for OEMs and Network Builders. The company's packet processing software and software appliances are optimized for cost-effective hardware, such as Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) servers, with a choice of multicore processors to deliver a wide variety of networking and security protocols and features. 6WIND is based near Paris, France with regional offices in China, South Korea and the United States. For more information, visit http://www.6wind.com.

Company Contact:

Kelly LeBlanc

VP of Marketing for 6WIND

Phone: +1 (408) 508-6732

[email protected]

SOURCE 6WIND

Related Links

http://6wind.com


WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Take charge of your health with AARP The Magazine's Special Edition Health & Wellness Issue, the only digital health magazine for people ages 50-plus. The issue unveiled today offers inspirational advice and practical tips to help you get fit, eat better and live a healthier lifeand provides an enhanced experience with interactive features and content.

AARP The Magazine's Special Edition Health & Wellness Issue Cover with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

"We all know that in order to live your best life as you age, you have to take charge of your health," says AARP Health & Wellness Editor Gabi Redford. "The good news is that it's never too late to start. In this special edition, we're pleased to offer tips and guidance to inspire men and women age 50-plus to live healthier lives."

The Health & Wellness Issue is filled with exclusive advice from some of the nation's top experts, including fitness guru Denise Austin, world-renowned big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who shares how he makes personal health a priority in his busy life.

Here's a peek at some of the exclusive content:

What to Expect in Your 50s, 60s and 70s: Learn what happens to our bodies at different ages and the steps you can take to help prevent or cope with certain health problems.

Learn what happens to our bodies at different ages and the steps you can take to help prevent or cope with certain health problems. America's Top Doctors Answer Your Health Questions: Learn the secrets to living well at any age from some of the nation's top physicians.

Learn the secrets to living well at any age from some of the nation's top physicians. Work Out with Denise Austin : Follow along with AARP's new wellness ambassador as she walks you through two of her favorite workouts.

Follow along with AARP's new wellness ambassador as she walks you through two of her favorite workouts. Laird Hamilton and Gabby ReeceFitness for Couples, A Love Story: Meet America's fittest couple as they give you 12 strategies on healthy living and relationships.

Meet America's fittest couple as they give you 12 strategies on healthy living and relationships. How to Read the New Food Labels: Read how the new Nutrition Facts labels coming in 2018 will make it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices.

Read how the new Nutrition Facts labels coming in 2018 will make it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices. WalkingThe Best Exercise for Any Health Woe: Learn different types of walking workouts designed to help ease diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression and more.

AARP The Magazine's Health & Wellness digital magazine for tablet is available free to AARP members ($2.99 for non-members). To access the issue, download the free AARP Publications Tablet App in the iTunes Store or Google Play Store. The desktop version of the digital magazine is also available (free to AARP members and non-members) at www.aarp.org/healthmag.

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

SOURCE AARP

Related Links

http://www.aarp.org


READING, England, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research suggests that shoppers routinely purchase the wrong item because of similarities in packaging and where products sit on a shelf, resulting in frustration and dissatisfaction. Acuity Intelligence announces the launch of AcuityVR:Shopper Edition, a new tool which applies their research expertise to help marketers better understand modern buyer behaviour using an immersive, virtual reality environment for the first time.

AcuityVR combines virtual reality and eye-tracking technologies to generate powerful insight into how shoppers respond to packaging, brands and the retail environment. This direct integration of technologies provides instant access to powerful analytics that enable brands and retailers to make better decisions about the factors influencing shopper journeys and decision making at the point of sale.

"It is imperative that brand marketers and retailers understand the interactions that are occurring in-store so they can make better informed decisions regarding their brands. Yet, all too often they struggle to make good decisions due to the difficulties associated with analysing increasingly complex data sets and AcuityVR aims to overcome this," explains Dr Tim Holmes, Director of Research and Development, Acuity Intelligence. "By combining eye tracking technology with virtual reality and our expert insight, we can make budgets work harder and empower brands and retailers alike with insightful consumer behavioural data."

AcuityVR helps retailers understand the entire shopper journey without them needing to set foot in a physical store. It analyses unrestricted movement through the environment, what catches the eye, the level of engagement and interaction with products and signage, through to the ultimate purchase decision at the shelf. The combination of VR headsets and AcuityVR provides a truly portable research lab, meaning researchers are no longer constrained to testing in expensive facilities.

AcuityVR works with multiple VR headsets and eye-tracking platforms, has the ability to use new or existing virtual reality environments and has the capability to synchronise with additional data streams. This unique approach maximises existing investment and is designed to integrate future innovations in a rapidly evolving field. The automated analytics it provides immediately generate actionable insights, at least 30 per cent cheaper and 2 times faster than current commonly used methodologies.

"The immersive nature of virtual reality provides new opportunities for marketers, in terms of research design, measurement and insight as it allows studies to be conducted in a controlled and replicable environment. The possibilities are endless," adds Dr Holmes. "AcuityVR eliminates data paralysis delivering relevant metrics and easily accessible results. It's easy to make the wrong decision; better research with smarter tools like AcuityVR reduces this risk and enables brands and retailers alike to start making great decisions."

Dr Holmes presented new research into shopper behaviour, conducted in partnership with GSK and the British Brand Group at Marketing Week Insight Show at Olympia, London earlier this month. The paper which highlights that more than a billion pounds worth of unconscious errors are being made by shoppers at the point of sale won Paper of the Year at the show.

About Acuity Intelligence:

Acuity Intelligence was founded in 2011 with a simple mission: to apply rigorous scientific methodologies from the world of neuroscience to answer commercial questions around human behaviour and cognition. It operates as a full service research agency providing detailed and actionable shopper insight. It delivers fully interactive education and hands-on training on a range of topics from visual perception and attention, to neuroscience of design and neuromarketing methods such as eye-tracking.

Through links with universities, it researches and develops unique in-house analytics and data visualisations to provide robust insights that are reflected in ROI. Its customers are many and varied ranging from the global FMCGs (Unilever, P&G, GSK) and leading brands (Coca-Cola, Ralph Lauren, Premier Foods) to smaller research agencies and also include advertising, design and content creators such as Coley Porter Bell, Tangible Worldwide, BSkyB and The Guardian. Further information at http://www.acuityVR.com and http://www.acuity-intelligence.com

SOURCE Acuity Intelligence
HONG KONG, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AIESEC Alumni goes inventive with WeChat strategy utilizing WeChat's popularity by making it work online and offline

1 sec check-in process saves time and hassle at the registration counter

WeChat has undoubtedly become a mainstay in the marketing toolbox of any brands serious about the Greater China market. That said, more often than not a challenge with such social media platforms is the difficulty in building and attracting a healthy following or fan base. "Content is king" has been a popular saying within the marketing circles for a while, and remains the textbook way of earning users' fickle attention. However, some have made use of WeChat's open-platform nature and found an alternative solution  simply digitizing an offline event with WeChat.

Take the AIESEC Alumni Asia Pacific Conference 2017 (AAAPC) as an example. The 3-day conference is to be held this coming June with the theme "ChanceForming Asia, where participants get to meet and discuss the impact of technology on enterprises in Asia. Walking the talk, the organizer leveraged WeAct, a WeChat event management offering provided by WeChat technology specialist WeMine, to digitize their event management while converting participants to fans.

Through following AAAPC's official WeChat account, participants can enroll for, and be notified about the conference to stay up-to-date on happenings. On the day, the same account allows for speedy check-in, name badge printing and agenda sharing. It will also be used for raising floor questions as well as real-time polling during various sessions. All these not only make both organizing and participating a breeze, but since following the account is a prerequisite to all the benefits and information, AIESEC almost effortlessly converted all the participants into their fans on WeChat, thereby extending what was a short 3-day interaction into a long term conversation.

Bring your sponsors into the fold and harvest conversion data

With WeAct, AAAPC killed three birds with one stone  not only did it streamlined event management and attracted fans, but they also took care of tracking data for their sponsor partners. Topiary, a class bar and lounge in SOHO was AAAPC's Happy Hour session sponsor. With WeAct, paper coupons had no place and gone were the headaches with coupons either too big or downright forgotten. Participants only had to scan the QR code at Topiary with the WeChat-embedded scanner and will get their free drinks. Based on use cases, WeAct can also push notifications to remind them about their outstanding offers. Horris Tse, Founder of WeMine, stated such mechanism is popular and flexible, mentioning that the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) leveraged much the same mechanism for a red packet distribution activity at their own spring cocktail event to good reception. At a time when the rage is all about data and performance, digitizing and tracking activities and sponsorship impact allows for organizers and partners alike to learn and act on customers' preference and behavior.

The WeMine team is placing an obvious bet on utilizing WeChat's nature being an open and highly customizable platform to offer brands with bespoke customer experience, while harvest precious data and learning on the backend. Horris might have sums it up their vision best when he said "WeChat is like play doh and can almost be shaped as you will it, you just need to be able to 'see' what's possible."

About WeMine (http://en.wemine.hk)

WeMine is a Hong Kong-based start-up, focusing on technology and development projects based on WeChat's public account platform. In addition, it serves clients from account establishment, creative strategy, to content creation and beyond in collaboration with consultant partner, RollAngle. On their portfolio, they boost names such as FTLife, Infinitus Company Limited, Maserati, Lazada, Chrstie's, Robert Walters and Hong Thai Travel Services. WeMine is also invited member to the Shenzhen government-backed incubation program at Namshan Park.

About AIESEC Alumni Asia Pacific Conference (http://aaapconference.com/)

AIESEC Alumni Asia Pacific Conference (AAAPC) is an annual event held by the AIESEC Alumni, aiming at putting forth ideas, through deliberation and collaboration, that will propel the region's betterment. The event rotates its venues and encourages society and business leaders to share their views and trends from an array of angles on an array of fields. The 2017 edition carries the theme "ChanceForming Asia" and will be held in Hong Kong from June 23rd to 25th.

About Topiary (https://www.facebook/topiaryhk/)

Topiary is the art of trimming, and therefore shaping shrubs and trees into ornamental shapes, and hence captures the spirit of this establishment in SOHO  the pursuit of all things elegant. Known for its handcrafted creative cocktails, precious whiskey collection, and delicate all-vegetarian horderves, guests can choose its French-styled outdoor area, the iconic bar, or the private lounge for whatever the occasion they are drinking to.

Media Enquiry:

Lala Tse ([email protected])

+852 2951 9003

Rainer Lau ([email protected])

+852 2951 9236 / +852 9809 9085

Related Files

WeAct_Press Release_EN_20170322b.pdf

Related Images

image1.jpg

image2.png

image3.png

Related Links

WeAct Video

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE WeMine / AIESEC Alumni Association Hong Kong
KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global asset management firm American Century Investments has acquired the portfolio management team responsible for Lombardia Capital Partners' International Equity Value Portfolio, a strategy seeking attractive long-term total returns through a value-focused investment process. The team of Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager Alvin Polit, CFA; Senior Investment Analyst Bert Whitson, CFA; and Senior Investment Analyst Jonathan Veiga, CFA joins American Century on April 10 to manage a strategy utilizing the same approach as the Lombardia strategy.

"Al and his team have generated competitive returns employing a bottom-up, fundamental, deep-value approach to investing in non-U.S. companies," said American Century Co-Chief Investment Officer Victor Zhang. "The addition of a differentiated non-U.S. value strategy to our well-established, high-quality U.S. value suite provides our clients with a full lineup of options. We're excited to welcome the team and look forward to leveraging this new capability for the benefit of our clients."

The Lombardia International Equity Value Portfolio is an actively managed, diversified portfolio of non-U.S. stocks. With a performance track record of 13 years, the Lombardia strategy has $454 million* in assets under management from institutional clients. The portfolio management team invests in stocks of non-U.S. companies that are trading at a significant discount to the team's conservative estimates of intrinsic value. Potential portfolio holdings consist largely of businesses experiencing temporary, company-specific or cyclical setbacks that are priced to be permanent.

"We gravitate toward companies that are out-of-favor, ignored or misunderstood," said Senior Portfolio Manager Alvin Polit. "By taking advantage of depressed valuations, we strive to achieve a favorable outcome for our clients -- the potential for significant long-term excess returns while paying attention to downside risk. We're honored to be joining American Century, a company that has distinguished itself through its investment management expertise and an operating model that results in a positive impact on society."

Polit noted that American Century's unique ownership structure was one of the things that attracted him to the firm. Each year, more than 40 percent of American Century's dividends are distributed to a medical research organization focused on finding cures and treatments for cancer and other gene-based diseases.

The former Lombardia team joins American Century's U.S. Value Equity discipline, which is comprised of 24 investment professionals and is overseen by its Chief Investment Officer Phil Davidson, CFA. The discipline represents $44.1 billion1 in assets under management. Earlier this year, Morningstar named the portfolio management team responsible for American Century Value, Equity Income and Mid Cap Value a finalist for 2016 U.S. Domestic-Stock Fund Manager of the Year. This marks the second time within a three-year period that Morningstar has selected the team as a finalist.

"Over the past 24 years, since the launch of our first U.S. value-oriented strategy, we have earned a reputation for achieving competitive risk-adjusted performance and aligning our interests with those of our clients," said Davidson. "Al and the team bring a strong track record to the firm and are a welcome addition to the U.S. Value Equity discipline."

Alvin Polit's investment management career spans nearly 30 years. He joined Lombardia in 2011 and has been responsible for managing the firm's International Equity Value strategy, as well as conducting company- and industry-specific research around the globe. Prior to joining Lombardia, Polit was chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Dean Chase Global Value LLC, where he directed the firm's global research efforts and managed international equity value and global value strategies. Polit also served as a portfolio manager and analyst at Brandes Investment Partners LP. He received a bachelor's degree from New York University and is a CFA charterholder.

Bert Whitson joined Lombardia in 2012 as a senior research analyst responsible for conducting fundamental equity research across all sectors for the International Equity Value strategy. Previously, he was a research analyst at Kiitos Capital Management, where he conducted equity research on companies across the globe. Prior to Kiitos, he was a research analyst at Riley Investment Management, focusing on small and micro-cap equity investments. He holds bachelor's degrees in finance and economics from California State University, Long Beach and received a master's degree in business administration from Columbia Business School. Whitson also is a CFA charterholder.

Jonathan Veiga, who joined Lombardia in 2008, has been serving as a research analyst for the International Equity Value strategy. Veiga has been responsible for conducting fundamental equity research across the globe. During his time at Lombardia, he served as an analyst for multiple strategies as both a generalist and sector specialist. Veiga graduated from the University of Southern California, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is a CFA charterholder.

American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting research that can improve human health and save lives. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments' 1,300 employees serve investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in New York; London; Hong Kong; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer, and Victor Zhang and David MacEwen serve as co-chief investment officers.

Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute over 40 percent of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, non-profit basic biomedical research organization. The Institute owns more than 40 percent of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of nearly $1.3 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.

* Lombardia International Equity Value Portfolio assets as February 28, 2017

1U.S. Value Equity Discipline assets as of February 28, 2017

2017 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain information contained herein: (1) is proprietary in Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar or its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

Morningstar nominees for U.S. Fund Manager of the Year are selected annually by mutual fund analysts at Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The awards acknowledge managers who not only delivered impressive performance in the previous calendar year, but have also generated excellent long-term risk-adjusted returns and have been good stewards of fund shareholders' capital.

You should consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before you invest. The fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting americancentury.com, contains this and other information about the fund, and should be read carefully before investing. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

American Century Investment Services, Inc., Distributor

2017 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc.

Contact: Chris Doyle

(816) 340-4638

Media Line

(816) 340-7033

SOURCE American Century Investments
GREEN BAY, Wis., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) today announced it will release first quarter 2017 financial results on Thursday, April 20, 2017, after market close. The Company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on the same day.

Interested parties can access the live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, http://investor.associatedbank.com. Parties may also dial into the call at 877-407-8037 (domestic) or 201-689-8037 (international) and request the Associated Banc-Corp first quarter 2017 earnings call. The financial tables and an accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company's website just prior to the call. An audio archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately fifteen minutes after the call is over.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $29 billion and is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

Investor Contact:

Teresa Gutierrez, Senior Vice President, Director of Investor Relations

920-491-7059

Media Contact:

Jennifer Kaminski, Vice President, Manager of Public Relations

920-491-7576

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp

Related Links

http://www.associatedbank.com


AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On World Water Day, we are all reminded of the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources. At Banyan Water, we work with partners who, through the power of technology, conserve millions of gallons of water each year.

In celebration of World Water Day, Banyan Water is proud to announce that our partners saved 300 million gallons of water in 2016, resulting in a new all-time total of 2.3 billion gallons of water saved. In addition to ensuring that the right amount of water is used on a property, the company's real-time monitoring detected 432 leaks, preventing over 58,000,000 gallons of water from being wasted.

"Banyan Water has helped JVM save millions of gallons of water while maintaining healthy landscapes and making a positive impact on our budgets. We're proud to have contributed to the 2.3 billion gallons saved milestone. Congratulations to our partners at Banyan Water," said Greg O'Berry, Chief Operating Officer of JVM Realty.

Banyan Water and its partners believe in the power of technology to change the way that we use and conserve water. Congratulations to all of the facilities managers, property owners, and real estate professionals who have contributed to this achievement.

"Real-time data and analytics provides us with unprecedented levels of insight into how water is being used on a property, and where we can most effectively conserve. We are proud of the financial and environmental results that we have achieved for our clients to date and are constantly striving to find new technology solutions that reduce operating costs and increase sustainability," said Gillan Taddune, Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Water.

About Banyan Water

Founded in 2011, Banyan Water provides total water management as a service for commercial and institutional businesses using real-time technologies and related services to save money and enhance properties. Banyan Water believes that better water management is not just a key source of profit for clients, but a requirement in meeting the needs of our growing population. The company helps businesses find and take action on water savings opportunities throughout their portfolios. Banyan Water has saved 2.3 billion gallons of water since the company's inception, enough to meet the water needs of over 16,000 households for a year. www.banyanwater.com

For more information contact [email protected] or visit www.banyanwater.com.

SOURCE Banyan Water

Related Links

http://www.banyanwater.com


"At Buxom we're big, we're bold, we're sexy and like Bella we don't shy from self expression, there's nothing subtle about us," stated Serena Giovi, Senior Vice President, Global Buxom at Shiseido Americas Corporation . "Bella is a social superstar and total style chameleon like all of us Buxom babes, she'll be sharing her best Buxom looks directly with fans  it's the perfect partnership."

"I live my life in full color and being a Buxom babe is a true expression of who I am," commented Bella Thorne. "I love to do it big and that attracted me to the brand, we are going to have so much fun together."

With more than 31 million combined social followers, Bella is known for her vivacious and relatable personality and deep connection with her fans. Bella is currently working on a number of projects set to release in 2017 and can next be seen in Freeform's "Famous in Love" on April 18th.

"It's time for Buxom to pump up the volume and be bigger, bolder and sexier than ever," commented Jill Scalamandre, President, Shiseido Global Makeup Center of Excellence. "We are looking to build a socially-driven brand with this generation's band of babes and talk directly to our fans."

The #BandofBabes campaign features the brand's cult favorite plumping products, like Full-On Lip Polish and Lash Mascara, as well as the new PlumpLine Lip Liner that launched last month.

The campaign shows an energetic squad of girls, fronted by Thorne, ready for a fun night out. The products are used to bring out the babe in each girl, creating the "feminine sexy" vibe.

Buxom invites you to unleash your inner vixen with fearlessly vivid color and products that stimulate the senses. Go onindulge your boldly sexy side and don't forget, a little mischief goes a long way.

Join the band of babes by posting your own content with the hashtags #BandofBabes and #BuxomBabe.

BUXOM COSMETICS

Unleash your inner bombshell with fearlessly vivid color and products that stimulate the senses. Go onindulge your big, bold, sexy side and don't forget, a little mischief goes a long way.

SHEISEIDO CO., LTD.

Shiseido was founded in 1872 as the first Western-style pharmacy in Japan. The business gradually evolved into a cosmetics company, offering people the most advanced technology and the finest aesthetics available in the East or the West. Now known globally as the premier cosmetics company with roots in Japan, the name Shiseido has come to represent the world's highest standards of quality. Shiseido's global selection of skincare, makeup and fragrance includes a high-performance category for special skincare, and a brightening line. Shiseido also offers body care, suncare and a skincare line for men. Fiercely contemporary and innovative after over 140 years in business, Shiseido group brands are now sold in over 120 countries and regions. For more information, please visit http://group.shiseido.com/.

Contact:

Brianna Wright

Bratskeir & Company

[email protected]

SOURCE Buxom Cosmetics

Related Links

http://www.shiseidogroup.com


LAS VEGAS, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Switch, the technology infrastructure ecosystem company that is powering the future of the connected world, announced today that Las Vegas City Manager, Betsy Fretwell, will be joining the company in July of this year as Senior Vice President of Switch SMART.

In this new capacity, Fretwell will drive the strategic development, implementation and national expansion of Switch's vision to integrate all aspects of smart city development utilizing its world renowned shared infrastructure platform.

For more than 16 years, Switch founder and CEO Rob Roy has developed the world's largest technology ecosystem with a vision of fully integrating the infrastructure and analytics needed to run a truly smart city. Switch SMART is the infrastructure for all smart city elements to communicate, integrate and operate within a co-location ecosystem platform. The company is planning a full roll-out of Switch SMART later this year.

Throughout her career, Fretwell has focused on utilizing technology and innovation to create better cities, better quality of life, better standards of service delivery, and improved sustainability. She has driven a collaborative vision and public policy framework that weaves together the critical infrastructure that has moved Las Vegas and the southern Nevada community forward. During her tenure, the City of Las Vegas has invested significantly in connected infrastructure to create an urban center testing area for autonomous and connected vehicles and recently tested the first driverless shuttle in the downtown core. Under her leadership, the City also moved to 100-percent renewable energy, a value shared with Switch.

"Betsy is a nationally recognized leader who has successfully brought together the strengths of both the public and private sector to achieve great strides in innovation and technology at the City of Las Vegas," said Switch Executive Vice President Kristi Overgaard. "Betsy will bring her unique experience managing the renowned City of Las Vegas for the last eight years to drive innovation and technology integration for cities, not only in Nevada, but across the country."

Fretwell brings to Switch and its customers a deep knowledge of the operations, challenges and needs of local governments, coupled with a unique understanding of how advanced technologies and powerful data analytics work together to create cities that will shape the future.

"I am thrilled to be joining Switch, a company I believe is changing the world through the vision of Rob Roy," Fretwell said. "To be able to harness the power of connected technology and big data within the Switch ecosystem to enable cities, agencies, and businesses to be truly smart and create a sustainable quality of life in our communities is the fulfillment of my life-long passion."

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman praised Fretwell's work at the City and the impact it will continue to have in her new role at Switch.

"Betsy has made an invaluable contribution to the City of Las Vegas and our efforts to become one of the most connected cities in the nation," said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. "Our organization is proud of her and grateful for her leadership. Since 2000, Switch has been on the cutting edge of innovation and Betsy has more than embraced innovations in making our city better. Her work at Switch will be a perfect fit."

About Switch

POWERING THE FUTURE OF THE CONNECTED WORLD

Founded in 2000, this technology infrastructure ecosystem company, headquartered in Las Vegas, is built on the intelligent and sustainable growth of the internet. Switch founder and CEO Rob Roy has developed more than 260 patent and patent-pending claims covering data center designs that have manifested into the company's world-renowned data centers and technology solution ecosystems. Visit switch.com for more information.

SOURCE Switch

Related Links

https://www.switch.com/


VANCOUVER, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - BonTerra Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BTR, US: BONXF, FSE: 9BR1) ("BonTerra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Kinross Gold Corporation ("Kinross") has agreed to acquire, by way of private placement, 14,857,440 common shares ("Common Shares") of BonTerra at a price of $0.35 per Common Share for total gross proceeds of $5,200,104 (the "Transaction"). On closing of the Transaction, Kinross will hold approximately 9.5% of BonTerra's issued and outstanding common shares on an undiluted basis.

The Transaction is expected to close on or about March 24, 2017. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares will be used for exploration on BonTerra's properties and for general working capital purposes. The Transaction remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Mr. Nav Dhaliwal, CEO and President of BonTerra, commented, "We are very pleased to have secured an important investment and a strategic relationship with an industry leader such as Kinross. Their entry into the Urban Barry gold camp further validates our ongoing progress and success at the Gladiator deposit and surrounding properties. The depth of technical expertise that Kinross offers will be of great value to BonTerra's development going forward."

Any securities to be issued under the Transaction will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the closing date of the Transaction in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws and such other further restrictions as may apply under foreign securities laws.

INFOR Financial Inc. was retained as strategic financial advisor to BonTerra with respect to the Transaction and its negotiations with Kinross and will be paid a finder's fee in respect thereof.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Nav Dhaliwal, President & CEO

BonTerra Resources Inc.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on BonTerra''s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to BonTerra's exploration and development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause BonTerra's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labour relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. BonTerra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE BonTerra Resources Inc.
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ERA Coalition welcomes the news that the Nevada legislature voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) today. Most Americans think the Constitution already guarantees women equal rights, but it doesn't. The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972 and ratified by 35 states, three states short of the 38 needed to put an amendment in the Constitution. Nevada's action to ratify the ERA, the first such vote since 1977, highlights the growing awareness of and support for the Equal Rights Amendment, which is needed to help women combat pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination, and gender-based violence.

There is increasing momentum throughout the country in support of Equal Rights Amendment. In North Carolina, legislation to ratify the ERA was introduced in the state Senate and House in February and 10 local resolutions in support of this legislation have already been passed. Ongoing recent efforts to ratify the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment include bills in Illinois, Virginia, Florida and Utah, which in both Illinois and Virginia have been passed in the Senate several times.

"Sex equality is good for men, families, and communities, as well as women" said Jessica Neuwirth, President of the ERA Coalition. "We are way behind the rest of the world in prohibiting sex discrimination in our Constitution - it's long overdue."

The ERA Coalition represents 73 member organizations and millions of women and men who are working for passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and for greater public understanding of the need for equal treatment of women under the law. For more information: www.eracoalition.org.

SOURCE ERA Coalition

Related Links

http://www.eracoalition.org


A 19-year-old Moline man is accused of breaking into the Rock Island County Courthouse over the weekend and causing a considerable amount of damage.

Flavio Barona Jr. was arrested early Monday after deputies discovered him inside a locked holding cell in an office used by security at the courthouse, 210 15th St., Rock Island, Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGehee said.

Barona faces charges of felony burglary and felony criminal damage to state-supported property.

Deputies began to investigate damage to the courthouse around 7 a.m. Once inside, deputies noticed additional damage inside the security office, which is on the first-floor.

They found Barona inside the office, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies think Barona broke a window on the east side of the courthouse, entered the building and then caused considerable damage to the security office.

Court documents filed Monday claim that he entered the building on Sunday and damaged office furniture, computers and the door to the holding cell.

The damage was estimated to be between $500 and $10,000, according to court documents.
SAN DIEGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BudTrader.com, which is the largest online medical marijuana marketplace, has begun the search for a Promotional Marketing Manager to oversee their bevy of supermodel promo girls at upcoming events.

"We need somebody who can manage models and promotions but also knows how to party," says BudTrader.com CEO Brad McLaughlin, when asked what kind of candidate they are looking for. "But they have to know the difference between partying in their personal life, and partying as a job. We need somebody that knows how to party professionally as a career."

The technical requirements are reasonable  Candidates only need to have their high school diploma or GED, and drug testing will not be done at this workplace (obviously). Brad McLaughlin says they are mostly looking for someone who fits in with the high-energy dynamic of the growing company. "We need someone who is a hardworking, hustler, a multitasker who knows how to have fun but is also ready to put in work."

The team at BudTrader.com is no stranger to 'putting in work'. They launched a flashmob-style promo at the California Cannabis Business Expo in San Diego earlier this month called "Blunts & Babes". At the event their team of supermodels gave away 10,000 pre-rolled joints and hugs to expo attendees. "The reaction to our BudTrader.com Blunts & Babes event was even bigger than we expected," says CEO Brad McLaughlin. "We know we had to hire someone super competent to make sure the models' interactions with BudTrader fans go smoothly and to make sure everyone has an awesome time."

This job comes with some unusual benefits, too. The job posting by BudTrader.com lists the job-related perks as a "unlimited samples" of various Marijuana/CBD/Hemp related products, along with a free gym membership, and hair cut & styling by a top stylist. The ad says, "We need our employees feeling good and looking sharp!" (see full ad description at https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/lab/6054535685.html)

BudTrader has been growing rapidly since the election in November. According to CEO Brad McLaughlin the site is averaging 5 million monthly visitors and currently has over 500,000 registered users, making it the largest medical marijuana website in the Country. The company plans to open up a Google-style campus in San Diego, California, and wants to attract the best and the brightest minds to help them cash in on what CEO Brad McLaughlin calls "the green rush". "Google was voted the best company to work for in 2016. In 2017, it's going to be BudTrader.com. Google were coming for your title this year!" says McLaughlin.

Media Contact:

Daniel Johnson

[email protected]

The Marijuana Journal

http://themarijuanajournal.org/

Related Links

Job Posting

Contributing News Source

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Ghs6X0xjU

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE BudTrader.com
NATCHEZ, Miss., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) ("Callon" or the "Company") today announced that senior management plans to participate in the upcoming investor events:

Scotia Howard Weil 45th Annual Energy Conference

The Company will present at the 45th Annual Energy Conference hosted by Scotia Howard Weil in New Orleans, LA on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 1:55 pm Central Time.

IPAA 23rd Annual OGIS New York

The Company will present at the 23rd Annual Oil & Gas Investment Symposium hosted by the Independent Petroleum Association of America New York, NY on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 9:15 am Eastern Time.

Callon Petroleum Company is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and operation of oil and gas properties in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

This news release is posted on the company's website at www.callon.com, and will be archived for subsequent review under the "News" link on the top of the homepage.

For further information contact

Eric Williams

1-800-451-1294

SOURCE Callon Petroleum Company

Related Links

http://www.callon.com


This is the latest collaboration with third generation master metal craftsman Bihou Asano, who individually hammered each bezel and band using the Tsu-i-ki technique with a Kasumi finish: a traditional craft method that creates unique relief patterns through hammering. The colors found in the bezel and on the hands are reminiscent of the colors featured on a traditional cloud dragon  "Japan blue."

Created to be the epitome of luxury and strength, the MRGG2000HT-1A titanium case and band undergo a special deep-hardening treatment that renders it five times harder than regular titanium, while the diamond-like carbon coating of the band and a sapphire glass crystal offer outstanding scratch resistance. Tough solar technology ensures stable operation even when using power hungry functions.

Each model also comes equipped with standard G-SHOCK technology of shock resistance and 200M water resistance, as well as world time (39 cities + UTC), an LED super illuminator light, daily alarm, a full auto calendar, 24-hour second stopwatch and 24-hour countdown timer, and automatic date update capabilities  all in a 49.8mm case.

The new MRGG2000HT-1A will retail for $7,400 beginning in September 2017.

About G-SHOCK

CASIO's shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe's dream of 'creating a watch that never breaks'. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as 'the toughest watch of all time'. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe's mantra "never, never give up." www.gshock.com

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

Erica Mapa / Kellyn Slone

Cornerstone

(212) 741-7100

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sue Vander Schans / Alli Colasacco-Sharpe

CASIO AMERICA, INC.

(973) 361-5400

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.casio.com


MESSE BASEL, Switzerland, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Casio America, Inc. announces several new timepieces across the company's popular brands including G-SHOCK, BABY-G and EDIFICE. Adding to their increasing portfolio of high-performance and tough timepieces, Casio's latest models will be on display at Baselworld from March 23-25 at the Casio booth located in Hall 1.1 B67, B71.

"Our new timepieces highlight Casio's focus on durability and style paired with connected technologies," said David Johnson, Vice President of Casio's Timepiece Division. "Casio continues to innovate with exciting designs and our new releases this year prove to be both tough and forward thinking."

New product highlights include:

G-SHOCK GSTS310D

As part of Casio's Baselworld exhibition, various G-SHOCK models will be on display, including the latest men's G-STEEL model, the GSTS310D-1A This new addition to the popular men's line boasts a stainless steel band and bezel with a black face, a 1.4mm smaller case design, and is capable of self-charging via sunlight  ensuring the stable operation of various energy-hungry functions through Tough Solar technology. The GSTS310D-1A is also equipped with standard G-SHOCK technology of shock resistance and 200M water resistance, in addition to a full-auto double LED light, neo-brite luminous hands, world time, 5 daily alarms, 1/100th second stopwatch, a countdown timer and hand retract feature in a 49.3mm case.

EDIFICE EQB501

Designed with a 3D dial, speed indicator and tachymeter etched bezel, Casio's new EDIFICE EQB501 embodies the look and feel of speed. With a brushed and polished stainless steel 44.4mm case, the new EDIFICE timepiece is water resistant up to 100 meters and protected with a scratch resistant mineral crystal. The EQB501 can connect to a smartphone with just one push of a button through Casio's Smart Phone Link Technology. By downloading the CASIO WATCH+ app and connecting to a compatible smartphone via Bluetooth SMART, the watch can access the correct time in its current location and for over 300 cities worldwide, even correcting for Daylight Saving Time if needed. The timepiece also automatically syncs the time four times a day or can be synced by the push of a button. Additional features include a stopwatch, daily alarm, Phone Finder and more. Casio's EDIFICE EQB501 will be available in April 2017 at select jewelers and retailers nationwide.

BABY-G BGA240

Designed with the urban runner in mind, the BGA240 serves as a sleek, stylish complement to an activewear wardrobe. The perforated band provides ultimate breathability and an added case back protector lends extra comfort for extended wear on long runs. This analog-digital hybrid is equipped with essential features including shock and 100 meter water resistance, an auto LED light, 1/100thsecond stopwatch with 60-lap memory, countdown timer, 2 daily and 1 snooze alarm as well a 12/24-hour time formats in a stylish 42.6mm case. The series is available in four distinct colorways  black with lime face detail, black with white face detail, pink with white face detail and white with black face detail.

Casio's new EDIFICE, BABY-G and G-SHOCK watches will be sold in continental Europe, the UK, North America, South America, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and other Asian locations, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

For more information on the new Casio timepieces, visit www.Casio-USA.com.

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About G-SHOCK

CASIO's shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe's dream of 'creating a watch that never breaks'. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as 'the toughest watch of all time'. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe's mantra "never, never give up." www.gshock.com.

About EDIFICE

Casio's EDIFICE collection reflects a distinct sense of style by providing men with features that are ideal for professional and weekend lifestyles. The collection speaks to upwardly, mobile men whose goals lie anywhere from the boardroom to the ballpark. With a variety of aristocratic, sleek styles, Casio's EDIFICE timepieces possess features including multi-layered dials, world time, daily alarms, and more. Made with strong, comfortable band materials of resin and stainless steel, each style exudes an attractive, sophisticated look. For additional information on Casio's EDIFICE line of timepieces, please visit www.EDIFICE.Casio.com.

About Baby-G

Casio's female timepiece brand, BABY-G, was created as a counterpart to its "big brother" G-SHOCK in 1994. The brand exemplifies the meeting of fashion and function for the vibrant, active woman with watches that are stylish, bold, tough and chic. Equipped with the same great functionality that G-SHOCK is known for, BABY-G timepieces are shock and water resistant with multiple daily alarms and stopwatch functions. The brand has partnered with some of the hottest names in music, fashion and pop culture on standout watch collaborations including Ke$ha, Rebecca Minkoff, Joyrich and Married To The Mob. For additional information on Casio's BABY-G line of timepieces, please visit www.Baby-G.com.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

Erica Mapa / Kellyn Slone

Cornerstone

(212) 741-7100

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sue Vander Schans / Alli Colasacco-Sharpe

CASIO AMERICA, INC.

(973) 361-5400

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.casio.com


BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Birmingham will be the site of an advance Alabama screening of the critically acclaimed Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary, on Saturday, March 25, at 7:00pm. The film will be screened at what was formerly the 2nd Presbyterian Church on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus. The building is now known as Spencer Honors House, a site where in fact, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke from the pulpit on one occasion.

To date, the only public viewings of this important feature documentary have been at select film festivals including the prestigious Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival where it was met with stellar reviews. The event is presented by Create Birmingham, in collaboration with Spencer Proffer and production company Meteor 17.

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary, written and directed by John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs John Lennon and Who Is Harry Nilsson and Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him? ), is a thought-provoking, uplifting, powerful and passionate film about an outside-the-box thinker whose boundary-shattering music continues to impact and influence people around the world. This rich, textured and compelling portrait of a remarkable artist reveals the critical events, passions, experiences and challenges that shaped the life of John Coltrane and his revolutionary sounds. The film was produced with support of the Coltrane Estate and the record labels that collectively own the Coltrane catalog.

Two-time Academy Award winning actor, Denzel Washington speaks the words of Coltrane throughout the film. "In many of his roles Denzel radiates an exceptional quiet strength," Scheinfeld said. "Coltrane, many of his friends told me, embodied a similar strength. That's why Denzel was my first choice to speak his words and I'm thrilled he made the time to participate in our film."

Amongst the film's interviewees are former President Bill Clinton, Wynton Marsalis, Carlos Santana, Academy Award winner Common ("Selma" title song), jazz legend Sonny Rollins and former Coltrane band member McCoy Tyner amongst other esteemed musicians. Spencer Proffer was selected by the Coltrane family to lead the production in light of his highly regarded and long career as a music producer and songwriter who has been responsible for millions of records sold around the world. He is producing important music based media projects for film, television and live events domestically and internationally. Proffer will be flying in to be on hand for the screening on Saturday, March 25th and will engage in a Q-and-A with the audience after the film.

Coltrane's composition and recording, "Alabama," and its genesis is highlighted in a segment in the film. The composition was inspired by the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and set to the pentameter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's sermon response to that act.

Producer Proffer is the child of Holocaust survivors and has stated, "16th Street and Kelly Ingram Park are hallowed ground. My family connection to the struggle for civil and human rights is the reason I wanted to personally deliver this film for viewing in Birmingham."

He has a career-long commitment to issues of civil and human rights, among other civic issues to which he gives time and resources. And most coincidentally, he is no stranger to Alabama. Governor Robert Bentley proclaimed Proffer an honorary citizen of the State in 2013 because of his continuing commitment to Huntsville's Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, where his son attended for 8 summers.

Proffer provided dozens of scholarships to kids across North America to further science and space education while producing the SET Award winning movie, Space Warriors, in partnership with Walden Media at that time.

In welcoming the film screening to Birmingham, Mayor William Bell stated, "The history of Birmingham is central to American history. John Coltrane's inspired 'Alabama' is an eternal musical monument to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley. We thank Spencer and his team for including us in this film's journey and making this very meaningful connection with our community."

Buddy Palmer, president and CEO of Create Birmingham, stated "It's an honor to be a local collaborator with Meteor 17 in bringing "Chasing Trane" to Birmingham. The film is a loving tribute to an amazing genius, and it reminds us that one of the greatest gifts that art gives to humanity is to express that which is otherwise too deeply felt for words."

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary, produced by Proffer, Scott Pascucci, John Beug and Dave Harding will have its national release in New York City on April 14, followed by opening in neighboring Atlanta, Georgia on May 12, 2017 at the Landmark Mid Town Art theater.

310 18th Street North, Suite 303 + Birmingham, Alabama 35203 + 205-458-1393 + CreateBirmingham.org + Birmingham365.org

Contact: Jessica Moody

205-458-1393

SOURCE Create Birmingham

Related Links

http://www.CreateBirmingham.org


"This is an opportune time to implement responsible investing in China. It creates a win-win situation where we can fulfill our corporate social responsibility while generating returns for our investors. As the Chinese economy develops, there has been an increased focus on environmental, sustainable, and ethical investment practices," said Xiaodong Tang, Chief Executive Officer of ChinaAMC. "PRI's principles are aligned with our commitment to sustainable investment practices. It is also consistent with our fiduciary duty on maximizing returns of our clients. We will embark on the ESG endeavor by first developing clean energy strategies and fund. As an industry leader, ChinaAMC will continue to play an active role at the forefront of China's asset management sector."

"We are delighted to welcome China Asset Management Company to the PRI," said managing director Fiona Reynolds. "Investors worldwide are increasingly recognising that ESG issues present material risks to their investments while at the same time, presenting new opportunities in areas such as renewable energy. We look forward to working with China Asset Management and hope that other Chinese investment managers will follow their lead."

About China Asset Management Company

Founded in 1998, China Asset Management Company is a leading Chinese asset management firm providing investment management, advisory and related services to retail and institutional clients. As of December 2016, the company has over $173 billion in assets under management.

SOURCE China Asset Management Co., Ltd. (ChinaAMC)
PARK RIDGE, N.J., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alecia Blake Studios announces the release of Color In Fashion: A Stylish Adult Coloring Book by Alecia Blake, now available on Amazon. This book utilizes Alecia's many years of experience as a fashion illustrator by combining original, hand-drawn fashion illustrations with intricate, patterned backgrounds.

Book Cover of 'Color In Fashion: A Stylish Adult Coloring Book' Alecia Blake

Color In Fashion features 30 single-sided coloring pages, filling a niche for coloring enthusiasts and fashionistas alike. Coloring Book Addict raves: "Alecia Blake is a fashion illustrator by trade and it shows. Where some fashion coloring books merely pattern simple designs, this book is much more focused on what a fashionista would like first, then translating that idea into a coloring page."

Color In Fashion was lovingly produced with page after page of hand-drawn, intricate settings and patterns, and willowy, graceful figures. Alecia describes the book as "a unique vision and concept, fun and creative for me to illustrate, and hopefully just as satisfying to color." With Color In Fashion, the New Jersey-based fashion illustrator and author hopes to fill a void in the adult coloring book genre: "I looked around at the other books already out there, and I knew I could add something unique to the wide array of adult coloring book choices with my book. There are very few fashion coloring books available that incorporate detailed backgrounds into the pages, and that makes my book unique."

Alecia Blake's accomplished illustration career has included work for major fashion designers, magazines and companies. Her career in fashion illustration has been featured in 201 Magazine, The Best Of Bergen. Alecia Blake attended Syracuse University School Of Art and Parsons School Of Design, where she earned a BFA in illustration. She also is the author of Chronically Me: Flushing Out My Life And Times With IBS, A Memoir In Comics written under the pen name Joy Spencer.

If you would like more information, please contact Alecia at 201-280-8566 or email at [email protected].

The Amazon link for Color In Fashion: A Stylish Adult Coloring Book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0998261009

Read an interview with Alecia:

http://www.coloringqueen.net/alecia-blake/

Contact: Alecia Blake

Cell: 201-280-8566

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.aleciablakestudios.com

SOURCE Alecia Blake Studios

Related Links

http://www.aleciablakestudios.com


"As a proven leader in the upper midscale and midscale segments, Choice Hotels has experienced its strongest growth in recent history, driven by the success of both the Comfort and Sleep Inn brands," said Anne Smith, vice president, brand strategy, Choice Hotels. "In particular, Comfort and Sleep Inn meet the needs of small- to medium-sized developers, and have fresh, relevant hotel prototypes that are cost-effective to build, maintain, and operate."

Comfort Transformation and New Construction

The successful Comfort brand transformation has led to outstanding performance metrics and renewed development. The brand is experiencing all-time high guest satisfaction scores and continues to excel in the upper midscale segment on RevPAR growth, stealing share and recording 27 consecutive months of RevPAR index gains compared to its competitors. In addition, nearly two-thirds of the 121 executed agreements in 2016, are new construction projects. This number has tripled in the last eight years. Currently, 28 hotels are under construction, totaling 2,136 rooms. Comfort hotels are ramping up across the United States and will expand to popular travel destinations, such as Charleston, S.C.; Miami; Jacksonville, Fla.; Dallas-Fort Worth; Charlotte, N.C.; St. Louis; Memphis; Nashville, Tenn.; and Birmingham, Ala.

"Innovative enhancements, trusted reliability, and best-in-class service, along with locations everywhere travelers want to stay, have drawn top developers to Comfort," said Brian Quinn, vice president, franchise development, Choice Hotels. "Our team has strategic initiatives in place to help hotel developers determine the best places to build new prototype Comfort brand properties. We also opened up optimal markets by removing 600 underperforming hotels."

Sleep Inn Growth and New Prototype

Similarly, Sleep Inn, an all-new construction brand and leader in the midscale lodging segment, is also generating strong interest from developers. The brand is outperforming the segment on RevPAR growth by more than double.

The brand unveiled an upgraded Designed to Dream prototype, in 2016, that remains cost-neutral and builds upon a 2010 system-wide renovation initiative. Designed to Dream has been well received by developers for its simple stylish aesthetic, which meets travelers' tastes and behaviors and is cost effective to build and operate. The newly evolved prototype has generated 51 new construction agreements, bringing the total pipeline to more than 100 locations. Most recently, the brand celebrated the opening of its first hotel featuring the new prototype design in Galion, Ohio, just nine months after the concept. Sleep Inn also has additional hotels coming soon to West Des Moines, Dallas and Houston.

"Sleep Inn has taken a 'less is more' approach with a simply stylish and consistent experience to ensure that we are meeting the needs of current and future travelers," added Smith. "We're seeing increased interest and positive feedback from developers and guests because the enhanced look and feel is universally appealing and versatile in all markets."

The Sleep Inn pipeline includes over 60 locations that feature the innovative Sleep Inn-MainStay Suites dual brand prototype that allows hoteliers to service multiple customer segments all under one roof, while delivering construction and operational efficiencies through shared public space, back of house facilities and hotel staff. More than half of the new Sleep Inn projects signed in 2016 will be part of the dual-brand with MainStay Suites.

The strong RevPAR of both the Comfort and Sleep Inn brands, dynamic brand performance, thriving new construction activity, and expansion of the dual brand Sleep Inn-MainStay Suites have positioned Choice Hotels for continued growth.

Comfort Rested.Set.Go.

The Comfort brand, franchised by Choice Hotels, has been trusted by travelers and hotel owners for more than 30 years. With a proven track record of reliability, convenience and value, Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites hotels offer everything you need to feel refreshed and ready to take on the day, whether you're traveling for business or leisure. Comfort is the largest 100 percent smoke-free hotel brand in the US and Canada, with more than 1,800 properties open and operating as of December 31, 2016. With a Comfort brand hotel everywhere you need to be, complimentary amenities that include a hot, hearty and healthy breakfast, free Wi-Fi, business center, and fitness center or swimming pool. Rested. Set. Go. Because behind every great day is great night. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Comfort-Inn or www.choicehotels.com/Comfort-Suites.

Sleep Inn Dream Better Here

Every Sleep Inn hotel offers a simply stylish stay that's designed to help our guests "Dream Better Here". You'll find fresh, nature-inspired design elements that are modern but timeless, that create a relaxed and serene environment. An all-new construction brand, every Sleep Inn is built with a specific vision in mind -- to be a sanctuary for travelers as well as an efficient property to build, operate, and maintain. Franchised by global lodging leader Choice Hotels, Sleep Inn boasts strong product consistency and an established presence in the midscale hotel segment with nearly 500 Sleep Inn properties open and under development across North America as of December 31, 2016. All Sleep Inn hotels include free Wi-Fi, a complimentary Morning Medley breakfast buffet with plenty of hot and cold options, swimming pool and/or fitness center. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Sleep-Inn.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,500 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of December 31, 2016, 775 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria hotels & suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, and Vacation Rentals by Choice Hotels brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 30 million members and counting, our Choice Privileges rewards program enhances every trip a guest takes, with benefits ranging from instant, every day rewards to exceptional experiences, starting right when they join. All hotels and vacation rentals are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.

 2017 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.choicehotels.com


ATLANTA, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Security, a leader in Vulnerability, Access Risk Management and Network Detection and Response, today announced the keynote speaker for its upcoming annual user conference, Connect 2017, October 16  17 in Atlanta, Georgia. Brian Krebs will deliver the keynote address. Krebs is a leading security journalist and investigative reporter, known often for being the first to break security news.

Krebs will delve into security trends and what organizations need to know to improve their security position in 2017 and beyond, providing a unique look at the dynamic threat landscape that exists today.

The Connect conference brings together Core Security customers, partners, and industry thought leaders to discuss ways to better tackle cybersecurity issues such as access risk, network detection and response and infrastructure vulnerabilities. The conference includes a full day of dedicated hands-on technical training and workshops providing attendees with a deeper understanding of solutions designed to more effectively secure their companies' data. Attendees will be eligible for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

"Today's IT security professionals need the right security solutions to not only detect and deter the serious threats that compromise critical assets and weaken their operations, but also to stay ahead and gain a holistic view of their security posture," said David Earhart, CEO, Core Security. "We are excited to have Brian, a veteran and industry thought leader, provide his expertise and best practices to help security practitioners manage through the chaos and uncertainty that is today's world of security."

View more information on Connect 2017 please visit https://coreconnect2017.sched.com/

About Core Security Corporation

Core Security provides companies with the security insight they need to know who, how, and what is vulnerable in their organization. The company's threat-aware, identity & access, network security, and vulnerability management solutions provide actionable insight and context needed to manage security risks across the enterprise. This shared insight gives customers a comprehensive view of their security posture to make better security remediation decisions. Better insight allows organizations to prioritize their efforts to protect critical assets, take action sooner to mitigate access risk, and react faster if a breach does occur.

Core Security is headquartered in the USA with offices and operations in South America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. To learn more, contact Core Security at (678) 304-4500 or [email protected]

Media Contact

Kari Walker

ZAG Communications for Core Security

+1.703.928.9996

[email protected]

SOURCE Core Security

Related Links

https://www.coresecurity.com


WASHINGTON, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Decernis LLC (http://www.decernis.com) and Decernis GmbH announced today that Dr. Rudolf (Ruud) Overbeek joined the company as the Chief, Business Development & Strategy. In this role, Dr. Overbeek will lead the company's expansion of our market position and outreach, and to ensure that we swiftly respond to our clients' needs.

"We are very pleased to have Dr. Overbeek join Decernis. He will lead the expansion of our global compliance solutions and services to meet changing market and customer requirements," stated Andrew (Pat) Waldo, CEO. "Ruud brings world class expertise and the capability to work closely with our clients to support their global compliance strategies."

Dr. Overbeek most recently served as Vice President of Global Health & Environmental Services and Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals North America for Intertek. At Intertek, Dr. Overbeek directed and delivered solutions enabling customers to ensure safety, quality, and performance of new and existing products. He has been granted over twenty patents and formerly received the DuPont Award for outstanding research.

Prior to joining Intertek, Ruud worked for Avantium Technologies as Vice President of Intellectual Assets & Licensing, Business Development, Operations and Discovery. He started his career in ABB Lummus Global as Technology Development Manager. Ruud is a member of a number of Associations including The Royal Dutch Chemical Society, the Dutch Catalysis Society and was appointed to the Health and Beauty America (HBA) Scientific Advisory Board. Ruud was awarded the DuPont Chemical Company Prize for Outstanding Independent Research and holds a Doctorate in Catalysis and a Master and Bachelors in Chemistry from Utrecht University. He has been granted over twenty patents.

Decernis delivers global solutions for product compliance, safety, and risk management through smart technology, Intelligent Systems Technology, Big Data Analytics, and global expertise. Our horizon scanning, enterprise solutions, supply chain management and experts in global food, consumer, and industrial product safety support our clients in meeting complex market demands and key decisions. Decernis tracks regulatory developments in more than two hundred countries on a day-by-day basis.

Americas Contact: EU/APAC Contact: Susanne Kuehne Christina Zimmermann Senior Manager, Business Development Decernis GmbH Decernis LLC Germany Phone +1 240.428.1800 Tel. +49 (6483) 915303 Cell +443.864.7035 [email protected] [email protected] www.decernis.com www.decernis.com



SOURCE Decernis LLC

Related Links

http://www.decernis.com


Computer science, molecular biology and immunology show largest declines, but world-class research and researchers still found in select specialties

PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent analysis of the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science data, which has surveyed Japan's research performance during the last decade, shows a marked decline in Japan's scientific output and a failure to keep pace with other leading nations. This finding is reported in The Nature Index, which explores the consequences of Japan's lagging performance and discusses what government policymakers and funders are doing now in an attempt to reverse the downward trend.

In 2015, Japanese researchers published about 600 fewer papers in the internationally influential journals indexed in the Web of Science than in 2005. While the decrease is less than 1%, the country's share of global papers dropped from 8.4% to 5.2%. With publication volume accelerating in China and South Korea in Web of Science journals, and at a rate of growth faster than nations with mature science bases, world share of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan can be expected to decline, since percent of global output is a zero-sum game.

"Japan is a special case because, in absolute terms, it's not growing either," says David Pendlebury, senior citation analyst with Clarivate Analytics. "In 11 fields, Japan published fewer articles in 2015 than in 2005. In materials science and engineering, strong areas for Japan historically, its publications fell by more than 10%. The most acute declines were in biochemistry and molecular biology, computer science and, a traditionally strong area for Japan, immunology." Astronomy was the only field in which Japan outperformed the average.

Pendlebury notes, however, that Japan still has many world-class scientists, and the nation is at the forefront of a variety of specialty, leading-edge areas. "There are always different stories to be found concerning research activity and performance as one drills down into the data, sort of like peeling an onion skin."

For example, data from InCites, an analytics tool and part of the Web of Science, shows that as a proportion of Japan's output, papers that rank in the top 10% by citations has been steady during the last decade. Papers that rank in top 1% in citation impact have actually increased some 25%. Even a field such as immunology, which has shrunk in output by a third in the last 10 years, has seen increased production of top 1% papers as a proportion of its output, from 19% to 26% more than expected.

Pendlebury also cites specific examples of Japan's scientific elite: Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, who created flexible metal-organic frameworks; Yoshinori Tokura of the University of Tokyo, at the forefront of research in multiferroics and strongly correlated electron systems; and Masatake Haruta of Tokyo Metropolitan University, a pioneer in catalyst by gold. "Clarivate Analytics has named these three  and others from Japan  as Citation Laureates, researchers whose publications have been so highly cited that we expect they may be in line for Nobel honors," he says.

"Careful analysis of publication and citation data represents a data-driven approach to science policymaking and funding and can be a key strategy for addressing weaknesses and building on strengths," says Pendlebury.

"We understand how important it is to use accurate, unbiased data and cited references, which uncover meaningful insights into research performance, the progression of an idea or scientific discovery and the influence of innovative ideas over the years," said Jessica Turner, global head of scientific and academic research at Clarivate Analytics. "For more than 50 years, we have been serving the scientific and academic research communities by providing trusted citation data, comprehensive citation analysis, as well as more than 30 years of bibliometric expertise. We are pleased that the Nature Index is using our Web of Science citation data and bespoke analyses to uncover significant findings for their special report on Japan."

Learn more about the Web of Science.

Clarivate Analytics

Clarivate Analytics accelerates the pace of innovation by providing trusted insights and analytics to customers around the world, enabling them to discover, protect and commercialize new ideas faster. Formerly the Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters, we own and operate a collection of leading subscription-based businesses focused on scientific and academic research, patent analytics and regulatory standards, pharmaceutical and biotech intelligence, trademark protection, domain brand protection and intellectual property management. Clarivate Analytics is now an independent company with over 4,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries and owns wellknown brands that include Web of Science, Cortellis, Thomson Innovation, Derwent World Patents Index, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet, among others. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.

SOURCE Clarivate Analytics

Related Links

http://clarivate.com


HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Digium, Inc., the Asterisk Company, today announced its annual Pinnacle Partner award winners, recognizing the company's outstanding channel partners around the world. Award winners were selected based on their annual sales from 2016, and commitment to excellent customer satisfaction.

The Pinnacle Partner awards are presented annually to Digium's leading partners who have excelled in developing and growing their partnership with Digium. These outstanding partners consistently put their customers first, while successfully growing revenues with the implementation and delivery of Digium's Switchvox Business Communications Solutions, Switchvox Cloud (hosted services), and Asterisk Custom Communications Solutions. Partners are certified to sell Switchvox Unified Communications (UC) on-premise and cloud services, SIP trunking, IP desktop phones, gateways, and telephony cards.

"It is rewarding to celebrate the success of these top partners who have shown such commitment to our joint success. They are some of the most innovative partners in the VoIP market today," said Steve Harvey, vice president of worldwide sales and service for Digium. "We have attracted some of the best and brightest to bring our products to market around the world. Together, we are delivering Switchvox UC and Asterisk custom solutions for customers who want the best value for their business phone systems."

Awards were presented to partners in the following categories:

Pinnacle Circle of Excellence

The Pinnacle Circle of Excellence is comprised of Digium's top 25 value added reseller (VAR) partners worldwide. They represent those who have generated the highest revenue across all Digium solutions and have achieved the highest levels of qualification and certification in our channel partner program.

The following are the 2017 Pinnacle Partner award winners:

Akuity - Auburn, MA

BEMA Information Technologies, LLC - Houston, TX

Chromis Technology, LLC - Tempe, AZ

Dauphin Datacom - Harrisburg, PA

Creative Solutions of SC, LLC - Summerville, SC

Dynamic Solutions Group, Inc. - Palm Harbor, FL

Emergent Networks, LLC - Edina, MN

Ferrum Technology Services - Elgin, IL

Freeway Communications - South Pasadena, CA

River Networks - Indianapolis, IN

KME Systems, Inc. - Lake Forest, CA

LeBlanc Communications Group, Inc. - Redding, CT

Line 1 Partners, Inc. - Maple Grove, MN

Logista - Pinson, AL

Max-IS, Inc.- Altamonte Springs, FL

Midwest Telecom Consulting, Inc. - Cincinnati, OH

Munger Technical Services - Milwaukee, WI

Network Services & Support, Inc. - Huntsville, AL

Networks, Inc. - Windsor Heights, IA

PhoneGuys Voice & Data Systems, Inc. - Huntington Beach, CA

Telecommunications Resource Management, Inc. - Raleigh, NC

Teledynamic Communications, Inc. - Hayward, CA

The Fulcrum Group - Ft. Worth, TX

TRACI.net, Inc. - Deerfield Beach, FL

Voneto, LLC - King of Prussia, PA

Partner of the Year

The Partner of the Year has achieved the highest revenue, the top certifications and highest level of qualification in our partner program in their respective geographic territory.

The Partner of the Year for each of the regions are:

Max-IS, Inc. - United States

Alliance Infotech Pvt Ltd - Asia Pacific

Avencall SAS - Europe

IPGate - Middle East

Tango Technology - Australia and New Zealand

Clarotech Consulting - Africa

Monarque Telecom - Canada

Digium Cloud Services Partner of the Year

The Digium Cloud Services Partner of the Year has achieved the highest monthly recurring revenue selling Switchvox Cloud business phone service and SIP trunking through our cloud agent program. Our Digium Cloud Services Partner of the Year is:

Max-IS, Inc.

Direct Marketing Partner of the Year

The Direct Marketing Partner of the Year operates a business model focused heavily on internet marketing and fulfillment. They have achieved the top certifications and highest level of qualification within our partner program. They have achieved the highest annual revenue across all Digium solutions. Our Digium Direct Marketing Partner of the Year is:

Telephony Depot - Norristown, PA

Distributor of the Year

The Distributor of the Year has achieved the highest annual revenue across all Digium solutions in their respective geographic territory. Our Distributors of the Year are:

Jenne, Inc. - United States

Digital Techniques Asia - Asia Pacific

Gentek Marketing, Inc. - Canada

Partner Program Advantages

Digium's award-winning Partner Program provides opportunities for resellers and agents to sell Digium's award-winning Switchvox Unified Communications phone systems, Switchvox Cloud and SIP Trunking Services, and build custom communications solutions with Asterisk, the world's most popular open source telephony software. Partners also can sell Digium IP phones, hardware and third-party products. The channel and agent programs feature multiple tiers with incentives, benefits, training and promotions designed to help authorized Digium partners have a competitive advantage in today's growing VoIP and business phone market.

To learn more about Digium's Partner Program, apply online or to find a partner in your area, visit: www.digium.com/ucpartner.

About Digium

Digium, Inc. provides Asterisk software, telephony hardware, and on-premises and hosted Switchvox business phone systems that deliver enterprise-class Unified Communications (UC) and UC as a Service (UCaaS) solutions at an affordable price. Digium is the creator, primary developer and sponsor of the Asterisk project; the world's most widely used open source communications software. Asterisk turns an ordinary computer into a feature-rich communications server. A community of more than 80,000 developers and users worldwide uses Asterisk to create VoIP communication solutions in more than 170 countries. Since 1999, Digium has empowered developers to create innovative communications solutions based on open standards and open source software, providing an alternative to proprietary phone systems. Digium Switchvox Cloud and other cloud-based products and services are offered through Digium Cloud Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digium, Inc. Digium's business communications products are sold through a worldwide network of reseller partners. More information is available at www.digium.com and www.asterisk.org.

The Digium Logo, Digium, Asterisk, Asterisk SCF, Switchvox, Asterisk Business Edition, AsteriskNOW, Asterisk Appliance and the Asterisk Logo are trademarks of Digium, Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Digium, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.digium.com


AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dosh, a free new app that finds cash for consumers when they use their credit and debit cards while shopping, dining out, and traveling, today announced that they have raised a $2 million seed round. The new funding brings total investment in Dosh to more than $6 million. The investment will be used to further enhance the Dosh platform and drive both merchant expansion and customer acquisition during the company's launch.

Currently, Dosh is entering private beta, where thousands of consumers will receive the cash back promise of the platform. The innovative commerce platform, the rapid integration of tier one merchants and global brands, plus launch partners who will engage more than 40 million of their consumers, prompted private equity firms and high net-worth individuals to invest in the most recent seed round of funding.

"Our executive team has been instrumental in bringing Dosh to market and attracting high-caliber investors to the company," said Ryan Wuerch, founder and executive chairman of Dosh. "The expertise we have across many different verticals has enabled us to develop a first-of-its-kind app and technology ecosystem. Every day, we are focused on delivering market-first technology that will drive billions of dollars back to consumers."

Dosh already includes more than 100,000 brands and merchants. The Dosh commerce platform ensures that consumers have a seamless experience earning instant cash back on their everyday purchases by simply downloading the app and securely connecting their credit and debit cards. Using proprietary technology, Dosh has eliminated the need to use coupons, scan receipts, select offers, or find coupon codes through a website. Dosh benefits merchants by enabling them to micro-target customers with customized offers while only paying for offers redeemed.

"I've been involved and invested in some of the most successful companies in technology around the world, and I believe Dosh's market potential is enormous. The company is positioned to create billions of dollars of value, and its leadership team has the track record to make it happen," said Charles Kim of China Renaissance Group.

Dosh is the vision of Ryan Wuerch, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded Solavei and Motricity both leaders in the mobile service space. Wuerch grew Motricity into a publicly-traded enterprise worth more than $1 billion before founding Dosh. Joining him is an executive team with successful experience at Amazon, American Express, Bain & Company, First Data, Iron Mountain, Stella & Dot, and more. The team includes:

Ed Mock , co-founder and executive vice president of product and innovation

, co-founder and executive vice president of product and innovation Mike Lohner , co-founder and chief strategy officer

, co-founder and chief strategy officer Moshe Joshua , chief technology officer

, chief technology officer Jeff Federman , chief revenue officer

, chief revenue officer Allyn Hebner , chief financial officer

, chief financial officer Chris Turnley , chief commercial officer

, chief commercial officer Huntley Tarrant , senior vice president of operations

, senior vice president of operations Kenneth Douglas , senior vice president of mobile wallet solutions

, senior vice president of mobile wallet solutions Ted Mooney , senior vice president of merchant and travel solutions

, senior vice president of merchant and travel solutions Marcy Comer , vice president of marketing

, vice president of marketing Joy Jamon , vice president of customer delivery & support

ABOUT DOSH

DOSH, a fintech company, developed market-first technology that includes a consumer app, mobile wallet, and merchant platform integrating a cash back offers ecosystem easily utilized through secured credit and debit cards. Dosh enables consumers to instantly get cash back "automagically" from more than 100,000 merchants and brands while shopping, dining, and traveling - all without thinking and working for it. Dosh helps merchants understand predictive behavior and create a virtuous cycle of consumer acquisition, loyalty, and social sharing with deep data analytics. "You've got DOSH"

SOURCE Dosh

Related Links

http://www.dosh.cash


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Hauschka Skin Carethe pioneering natural and holistic skincare brandis proud to celebrate two achievements in 2017: becoming 100% NATRUE Certified and the celebration of their 50th Anniversary. A pioneer and leader in natural and organic skin care for a half-century, Dr. Hauschka is a cult favorite coveted by estheticians, celebrities, make-up artists, and beauty enthusiasts. Fans of the brand trust the highly effective products to support skin's natural processes, and help transform skin to a healthy, radiant state. NATRUE certification ensures fans of the brand that every Dr. Hauschka product has met the strongest criteria available for natural and organic ingredients in personal care products worldwide.

"For more than 50 years, our company has focused on fostering well-being throughout the world" says Martina Joseph, CEO of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care. "This year we celebrate a half century of the brand's pioneering heritage in the natural, organic and biodynamic skin care category. Having an internationally recognized certification seal strengthens consumers' trust in our brand."

Historically, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care has proudly held BDIH product certification but recently transitioned to NATRUE certification. NATRUE is an internationally recognized non-profit association that ensures each certified product is formulated with raw materials derived from nature, minimally processed and free of synthetic fragrances, preservatives and dyes. To ensure the product's safety and purity, each item must be free of petroleum derived synthetics, ethoxylated (sodium laureth sulfate), genetic or nano-engineered ingredients, silicones, parabens, PEGs and phthalates. Finally, the certified companies must use environmentally responsible harvesting and processing, be free of animal testing and adhere to socially responsible business practices. NATRUE has partnered with IOAS, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, to create the accreditation body of NATRUE Certifiers who assess and verify the criteria. NATRUE certification establishes Dr. Hauschka Skin Care and their manufacturer WALA Heilmittel, as certified natural and organic by an internationally recognized organization.

Dr. Hauschka's line of holistic, natural skin care includes products for the face, body and bath, along with natural mineral make-up and the new Dr. Hauschka Med collection of clinical skin and oral care. The brand's most iconic product is the Rose Day Cream ($45.00; Dr.Hauschka.com). It has been the centerpiece of the skincare collection since it launched in 1967 and is beloved by beauty taste makers, makeup artists and celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Taylor Schilling, Keri Russell, and Mariska Hargitay.

About Dr. Hauschka Skin Care

The natural skin care experts since 1967, Dr. Hauschka offers a complete line of holistic skin care that supports balanced skin health to achieve lasting, radiant beauty. Plant- and mineral-based preparations for the face, body and bath are complemented by a collection of decorative cosmetics that nurture the skin while revealing a woman's authentic beauty. A favorite among discerning skin care enthusiasts, celebrities and make-up artists, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care is available nationwide at retailers including Whole Foods Market, Pharmaca, and CVS. Learn more at drhauschka.com, twitter.com/DrHauschka_USA and facebook.com/Dr.HauschkaUSA. Dr. Hauschka Skin Care, Inc. is a Certified B Corporation. Learn more at bcorporation.net/community/dr-hauschka-skin-care-inc

SOURCE Dr. Hauschka Skin Care
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Drones are breathing new life and possibilities into the film business. Among the many new developments, film production and its costs are more contained because of the technology. Visage Production, Inc. and the CEO, Annette D. Colbert-Latham, are using this advantage to strategically partner with federal and state agencies as well as major corporations.

"As with any new technology, it moves quickly," explains Annette, "You have to jump in and claim your stake in it." The U.S. Small Business Administration developed the UAS Cluster Initiative, with which Visage is now pursuing inclusion. "When I looked into the many markets drones are used in - competitive industries such as construction, real estate, oil and gas - I knew we were in the right lane." All contractors at Visage received drone pilot training and will be licensed as pilots as well.

"Working with drone manufacturers and placement with their companies will help us to fly higher," concludes Annette. With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Division, Visage received an invitation to the Aerospace Meetings Brazil with aerospace attendees in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. Ashley Wilson from the Oklahoma Division worked with Visage over the past 5 years to help identify and locate strategic partnerships.

The upcoming event will bring together over 250 companies from 24 countries to meet in Brazil from December 5-7. OEMs and prime contractors such as Airbus, Alenia, Aermacchi, Alestis, Boeing, Bombardier, Eaton, Embraer, Helibras, Latecoere, Liebherr Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Rock e well Collins, Rolls Royce, SAAB, SAFRAN, Sonaca, and Zodiac will be in attendance.

SOURCE Visage Production, Inc.
GREENVILLE, S.C., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Following last year's successful pilot program, Duke Energy and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's largest children's literacy organization, are partnering for a second consecutive year to minimize the summer slide and improve the reading proficiency of more than 3,000 current second graders in South Carolina.

During the summer months, all children are at risk of losing some of the learning and skills they've acquired over the school year. If the summer learning slide is not addressed at an early age, some children might fall behind as much as three years in reading comprehension by the end of fifth grade. In addition, existing research shows that 75 percent of students who read poorly in third grade, a benchmark for literacy skill building, remain poor readers in high school.

For the pilot year of the program, data was reported from 28 schools comparing second graders' test performance in spring 2016 compared to third graders in fall 2016. More than half of those reporting showed gains or no change in reading proficiency, a successful outcome for the first year of this type of program.

Angela Lisenby, a school reading specialist in McColl, S.C., a small rural town in Marlboro County, reported after last year's program that the books "definitely motivated" children to read. "The students were very excited," she said. "I even had one tell me, 'It feels like Christmas. I've never had my own books.' There was not one child that wasn't engaged."

As part of RIF's Read for Success program, the students receive eight books of their choosing and a book bag, journal and other motivational items to take home to enhance reading over the summer months. Last year, more than 26,000 books went home with students for the summer.

In addition, teachers receive a collection of 35 fiction and nonfiction books for the classroom and school library; printed and online access to enrichment and instructional activities; and in-person and online professional development to effectively implement the program model.

"The unfortunate reality is that six out of 10 low-income families have no age-appropriate books in their homes," said Alicia Levi, president and CEO of RIF. "The eight books and literacy resources students take home at the end of the school year not only motivate them to read over the summer, but more importantly, provide the fundamental building blocks needed to achieve their highest potential."

Families in participating South Carolina schools will be encouraged to take part in the summer book distributions  to begin in the coming weeks  and share stories together to help students develop a love of reading and experience the magic of books.

As with last year, dozens of Duke Energy employees will volunteer at these events, helping distribute books and talking to students about science and technology careers.

RIF will also have available supplemental booklists and fun activities for families to experience reading throughout the summer.

"Reading proficiency is the most important predictor of school success and high school graduation," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, president of Duke Energy in South Carolina. "Our children are the future leaders of our communities, and it is imperative that we as a company and community contribute to their success."

The program will be available in 36 Title I elementary schools in the Pee Dee region in northeast South Carolina. School districts in the South Carolina program include: Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg.

About Duke Energy

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to a literate America by inspiring a passion for reading among all children, providing quality content to create impact, and engaging communities in the solution to give every child the fundamentals for success. As a champion for children's literacy since 1966, RIF has provided more than 412 million books to 40 million RIF kids over 50 years, inspiring generations to read, learn and grow. Sign up for our newsletter at www.rif.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to learn more.

Ryan Mosier, Duke Energy

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

[email protected]

Aubrey Bourgeois, Reading Is Fundamental

202.536.3438

[email protected]

SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com


CARLSBAD, California and BARCELONA, Spain, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The eleventh annual BIO-Europe Spring international partnering conference wrapped up in Barcelona, Spain this week with over 2,500 attendees representing executives from the life sciences who engaged in 15,070 one-to-one partnering meetings vying for 3,294 licensing opportunities on offer. The event welcomed 1,450 companies overall, including nearly 200 delegates from the Catalonia region, according to Biocat CEO Albert Barbera. Produced by EBD Group, the event is co-hosted by Biocat, the organization that coordinates and promotes the health and life sciences sector in Catalonia, and the Government of Catalonia.

"We are very pleased at the success of BIO-Europe Spring in Barcelona as it reflects the energy and optimism in the international life science sector despite recent challenges," said Anna Chrisman, Group Managing Director, EBD Group. "We look forward to another great event in Amsterdam in 2018."

The opening plenary, "Innovation in an uncertain world," moderated by Alex Lash, National Biotechnology Editor of Xconomy, featured panelists Annie De Groot, CEO and CSO, EpiVax; Ji Li, Executive VP and Global Head of Business Development, BeiGene; and Kevin Sin, VP, Oncology Business Development, Genentech Partnering. The panel agreed that this is truly a time of tremendous technological change, and speculated about proposed NIH cuts and the unwelcoming political climate in the US and what it could mean for the next generation. Look for the video soon on Insight.

"Biocat is very committed to encourage healthcare entrepreneurship," said Biocat's Barbera. "We have a vibrant startup ecosystem and these kind of competitions are a great platform to showcase the potential of our projects, such as Peptomycs, the winner of the J&J slam."

A feature of the program was the Startup Slam, a pitching competition that offered emerging entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their innovative technologies to a panel of judges comprising business development executives, venture capitalists and industry experts. The winning pitch, given by Laura Soucek, CEO, Peptomyc, received a complimentary registration to BIO-Europe 2017 in Berlin, November 6-8, 2017 from EBD Group and mentorship from Johnson & Johnson Innovation, the event sponsor.

The program, in additional to the robust partnering activity, is tailored to the business development goals of decision makers from biotech, pharma, finance and investors and service companies who attend. The event is traditionally a strategic innovation and investment benchmark for companies along the drug development value chain.

BIO-Europe Spring 2018 will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, March 12-14, 2018, and is sponsored by HollandBIO. Jan Raaijmakers, Chairman of Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, said "Health~Holland actively stimulates, facilitates and supports partnerships to speed up innovation and boost solutions that improve health. We are most pleased to welcome BIO-Europe Spring 2018 to the Netherlands. Hosting this important partnering conference in Amsterdam not only reflects our leading position, it will gain momentum for further growth too."

For continuing news coverage about BIO-Europe Spring, including video interviews and articles on life science dealmaking, go to Insight or follow the conference hashtag #BIOEuropeSpring on Twitter or Instagram.

Additional links and information:

Follow BIO-Europe Spring 2017 on Twitter: @EBDGroup (hashtag: #BIOEuropeSpring).

About EBD Group

EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science industry. Since 1993, biotech, pharma and medical device companies have leveraged EBD Group's partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships essential to their success.

EBD Group's conferences are run with the support of leading corporations and international trade associations and include:

BIO-Europe and BIO-Europe Spring, Europe's largest life science partnering conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

largest life science partnering conferences, supported by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) BioPharm America, the fastest growing partnering event in North America

Biotech Showcase, a unique forum in San Francisco for presenting to investors and business development executives, co-produced with Demy-Colton

for presenting to investors and business development executives, co-produced with Demy-Colton BioEquity Europe, the investor conference co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO

ChinaBio Partnering Forum, the first dedicated biotech/pharma partnering conference in China , co-produced with ChinaBio Group

, co-produced with ChinaBio Group Biolatam, facilitating partnering among global life sciences executives in Latin America's vibrant life science hubs

vibrant life science hubs Cell & Gene Exchange, a partnering forum focused on the patient community in cell and gene therapy sectors, co-produced with Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM).

EBD Group's sophisticated web-based partnering service, partneringONE, is used as the partnering engine at numerous third-party events around the world, and partnering360 is the open online community of life science dealmakers that enhances partnering experiences throughout the year.

Tune into EBD Group's Insight for timely coverage of news that influences the business strategies of the life science industry.

EBD Group is an Informa company. Informa is the largest publicly-owned organizer of exhibitions, conferences and training in the world.

EBD Group has offices in the USA and Europe.

For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com.

Contact:

Erin Righetti

EBD Group

+1-760-930-0500

[email protected]



SOURCE EBD Group
PETACH TIKVA, Israel, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

ECI, a global provider of ELASTIC Network solutions, for service providers, critical infrastructures, and data center operators, announced today that it will showcase new Neptune packet capabilities at MPLS + SDN + NFV World Congress in Paris this week, March 20-24, 2017. These capabilities are particularly important to the future evolution of Metro networks.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141117/158923LOGO)

Jimmy Mizrahi, EVP of Global Portfolio, said, "The growth of traffic in the Metro already outpaces that of the network core. Businesses are moving from legacy services to Gigabit Ethernet, 10GE and beyond. Long term Metro solutions will require additional agility to keep up with the tidal wave of data, as 100GE interfaces permeate the Metro Edge. To support this evolution, Metro Edge networks will require a refresh in order to provide more intelligent, open aggregation of Layer 2 and Layer 3 services."

Mr. Mizrachi continued, "ECI's Neptune family of packet solutions enable service providers to meet these evolving service needs. The Neptune (NPT) 1800 provides 100GE to the service edge with all the layer 3 capabilities required to efficiently support L2 and L3 services. An embedded NFVI blade gives service providers the agility to rapidly support new services and capabilities such as vSR, firewalls etc. In total, the Neptune portfolio has been architected to scale efficiently with in-service expansion units and an optical extension shelf is available where OTN and ROADM are required."

ECI demonstrated Neptune's capabilities successfully in the Interoperability Showcase organized by EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center). Interoperability is in line with ECI's ELASTIC Network Strategy which seeks to provide open, vendor agnostic and secure tailored solutions, which are flexible enough to adapt as needs change.

Every year, vendors meet at the interoperability showcase to participate in a variety of tests and schemes dedicated to attest to the interoperability of networking solutions. This year ECI participated in tests that best highlighted this openness and interoperability, namely the Remote Loop Free Alternative Fast Reroute (LFA FRR) test and device configuration via NETCONF/YANG.

ECI's solutions will be displayed at EANTC's interoperability showcase during MPLS + SDN + NFV World Congress in Paris. ECI experts will be on hand at booths 211/212 to further explain about ECI's packet solutions for the metro and beyond. ECI's Jonathan Homa, Sr. Director of Portfolio Marketing will be speaking about ""Orchestrating Security Services in a vCPE Architecture" on March 23rd, and Sarit Tager, VP R&D SDN, LSO & APPS will be speaking on "MEF's Open Initiative: From Specification to Implementation" at the MEF seminar held on March 21st.

About ECI

ECI is a global provider of ELASTIC network solutions to CSPs, critical infrastructures as well as data center operators. Along with its long-standing, industry-proven packet-optical transport, ECI offers a variety of SDN/NFV applications, end-to-end network management, a comprehensive cyber security solution, and a range of professional services. ECI's ELASTIC solutions ensure open, future-proof, and secure communications. With ECI, customers have the luxury of choosing a network that can be tailor-made to their needs today while being flexible enough to evolve with the changing needs of tomorrow. For more information, visit us at http://www.ecitele.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

ABOUT EANTC

EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center) is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading independent test centers for telecommunication technologies. Based in Berlin, Germany, the company offers vendor-neutral consultancy and realistic, reproducible high-quality testing services since 1991. Customers include leading network equipment manufacturers, tier-1 service providers, large enterprises and governments worldwide. EANTC's proof of concept, acceptance tests and network audits cover established and next-generation fixed and mobile network technologies. http://www.eantc.com.

Press contact:

Marjie Hadad - MH Communications

On behalf of ECI

+972-54-536-5220

[email protected]

SOURCE ECI
MILLERSVILLE, Md., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Egg Gathering Apron and Egg Collecting Apron Made by Fluffy Layers is the Perfect Accessory for Spring Farming.

With the "peep, peep" of new chicks signaling the start of spring, backyard farmers are looking for the perfect tools to ensure a successful season.

The Egg Collecting Apron - A Beautiful Alternative to the Basket - Gather Eggs from Your Chicken Coop While Filling Your Waterer and Feeder With Eggs Kept Safe (Rooster Print)

One of those "must-have" spring accessories is the Egg Gathering Apron and the Egg Collecting Apron from Fluffy Layers. Designed in various patterns and sizes, the apron allows users to easily gather eggs in one visit to their coops. Aprons can hold between 10 to 15 eggs and come in children's sizes to make gathering a family affair. They feature hand-drawn chickens, farm animals and flowers.

Tara Jane Grier was inspired to start her business when attending a country fair where she saw an apron with rooster fabric. Her first two chickens, Rhode Island Reds, added to that inspiration.

"With an education in design, I left my career in Manhattan as a fashion sales executive to start a new dream: As a wife to my college sweetheart, an entrepreneur and mommy to two fun-loving boys," she said. "Designing around my new suburban lifestyle came naturally. With that mindset, I created our Egg Collecting Apron as a pretty and functional way to gather eggs."

Her business has since expanded to include a home collection, totes, cosmetic bags and scarves, equestrian items and cellphone cases. Her chicken population has expanded as well  the family now has 15 chickens and three rabbits.

Grier's work paid off when she was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year in the October/November 2016 issue of "Looking Good" magazine.

Fluffy Layers can be found in over 200 a farm and feed stores across the United States, as well as national chains of farm and feed stores.

Editor's Note: Interviews and print-quality photos of the Egg Gathering Apron can be obtained by contacting Leslie Milby at [email protected]. www.fluffylayers.com

Related Links

Entrepreneur of the Year Cover Story

Contact Fluffy Layers

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Fluffy Layers, LLC

Related Links

http://www.fluffylayers.com


"The design concepts behind these revolutionary housecleaning products are centered on catering to consumers' specific housecleaning demands and delivering professional results with effortless application," noted Ting Ting Cheng, vice general manager, Floorcare, Midea North America Corp.

The Ultimate Clean Pet Max is an effective solution to the problem of shedding pets, and the Professional highlights top-grade results with maximum suction power, while the Instant Clean 2-in-1 stick and handheld vacuum offers a mobile option for users to clean bare floors, stairs and hard-to-reach areas with little effort.

"It's handily lightweight at just 4.4 pounds, easy to carry around, convenient to recharge the battery and store," said Ting. "No matter what our consumers need, Eureka is here to make housekeeping an easy and joyful experience."

Product release information:

Ultimate Clean Pet Max (AS3451A): now available in Walmart stores and Walmart.com

Instant Clean (95A): now available on Eureka.com

Eureka Professional (AS1057A): will be released on April 15 at Eureka.com

About Eureka

Founded in 1909 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Eureka offers a full line of vacuums, including uprights, canisters, sticks, handhelds, battery-powered vacuums, steam cleaners, home build-in systems and home cleaning systems. Eureka also manufactures original and replacement parts such as bags, belts and filters for nearly all makes and models of vacuum cleaners. For over 100 years, Eureka has continued to innovate and bring to market new and exciting products, making it a household name in North America and all around the world. Eureka was acquired by Midea Group, Ltd. in 2016, a partnership that combines Eureka's heritage with Midea's extended manufacturing capabilities and full market coverage.

For more information, visit www.eureka.com.

About Midea Kitchen Appliance Division

Founded in 1968, the Midea Kitchen Appliance Division is affiliated to Midea Group, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest household appliance manufacturers in China. The division is among the world's largest kitchen suppliers with annual sales revenue exceeding US$22 billion and is the world's No.1 large appliances producer, No.1 microwave oven manufacturer and No.3 dishwasher manufacturer. In addition to its four production bases and two R&D centers in China, Midea also operates one production base in Belarus and five international R&D centers in Bologna, Italy, Louisville, KY, Silicon Valley in the US and soon in Germany and Japan.

For more information, visit Midea at www.midea.com/global.

Contact:

Carrie Ke

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Midea Kitchen Appliance Division
Seed financing of CAD$3.0M positions first-in-class WDR5 cancer therapy for clinical development

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - FACIT announced a seed stage investment in Propellon Therapeutics (the "Company" or "Propellon"), a start-up created by FACIT focused on developing a portfolio of WDR5-targeted anti-cancer therapeutics. FACIT's investment, combined with non-dilutive capital, achieves a targeted $3.0M financing for the lead program. The seed funding enables Propellon to accelerate the nomination of a candidate drug and position the Company for financing and/or entering a strategic partnership for clinical trials in patients with haematological cancers.

"Since forming the Company, significant progress has been made towards identification of a clinical candidate," said Jeff Courtney, President of FACIT. "Our investment will further accelerate the advancement of this exciting first-in-class therapeutic and is a critical step in FACIT's strategy to support early-stage oncology innovations in the Province."

"Our partnership with the Drug Discovery team at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has yielded substantial progress toward a breakthrough epigenetic therapy for haematological malignancies. FACIT's resources and funding ensures the Company moves to the next stage of development and growth in Ontario," said Dr. David O'Neill, President of Propellon. "Propellon has entered strategic discussions to further advance our promising lead program and the Company through a Series A financing round. This timely seed investment allows the Company to maintain development momentum and select the best partners for bringing this important therapy to patients in need."

About the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT)

Established by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) as a strategic partner to accelerate commercialization of oncology innovations, the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT) helps bring these innovations from the lab to the marketplace to benefit patients, researchers, investors and the Ontario economy. For more information, please visit the website at facit.ca or email [email protected].

About Propellon Therapeutics

Propellon Therapeutics is developing and commercializing novel cancer therapies targeting the WDR5 protein, essential for assembly of methyltransferase complexes and proper histone modification. The overexpression of WDR5 and resulting deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms are implicated in various cancers and correlated with poor patient survival. Established by FACIT, Propellon's WDR5 inhibitor platform arises from discoveries, research and innovations originating from OICR.

SOURCE Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust

Related Links

www.facit.ca


CHICAGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (Bank) is pleased to announce a recipient of its 2017 Community First Awards today at its member meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. The awards recognize outstanding achievements of the Bank's member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen their communities through affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Award categories include partnership, project or program, pioneer, and emerging leader. Award winners identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000.

Pioneer Award

Salli Martyniak, President of Forward Community Investments (FCI), has received a $10,000 pioneer award. FCI works with other organizations to strengthen communities by addressing the root causes of social problems. Martyniak is credited with growing FCI from a small revolving loan fund into a well-respected statewide organization. A proud supporter of Ms. Martyniak and her work with FCI, Monona State Bank (www.mononabank.com) invests in FCI and serves on its Lending Committee.

"Salli is a consensus builder with a steadfast vision; she truly embodies the spirit of a pioneer," said Suzi Thackston, FHLBC Community Investment Officer. "We appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the lasting impact Salli, FCI, and Monona State Bank have made in Wisconsin."

"I applaud Salli's commitment to helping those in need and building stronger communities," said Paul Hoffmann, President and CEO of Monona State Bank. "It has been an honor for our bank to collaborate with Salli and FCI on their incredible work."

The Bank will announce the final 2017 Community First Award winner tomorrow at its member meeting in Green Bay. The Bank also supports the community investment activities of its members by offering:

Forgivable grants for eligible projects through its competitive Affordable Housing Program

Down payment and closing cost assistance through its Downpayment Plus  Programs

Programs Favorably priced loans and credit products through its Community Investment Cash Advances

Lower-interest-rate, longer-term financing for community development organizations through its Community First Fund

Grants to grow and strengthen nonprofit lenders through its new Community First Capacity-Building Grant Program

Direct relief funding to members' communities through the Community First Disaster Relief Program

About the FHLBC

For information on the FHLBC and its range of Community Investment programs, visit www.fhlbc.com or @FHLBC. "Community First" and "Downpayment Plus" are registered trademarks of the FHLBC.

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Related Links

http://www.fhlbc.com


NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Star Publishing announces the release of Echoes of Terror by Maris Soule. Echoes of Terror (Hardcover, ISBN: 978-1-432832-81-0, 320 pages, $25.95) is now available where fine books are sold.

The latest release by award-winning novelist Maris Soule, Echoes of Terror is a taut, tense tale about secrets, deadly intentions, and what happens when murder hits way too close to home. Set against the backdrop of Skagway, Alaska, Echoes of Terror introduces protagonist Katherine Ward, a Skagway police officer who finds herself thrust in extraordinaryand extraordinarily frightening--circumstances when her past, present and future threaten to collide in a most dangerous way.

About Echoes of Terror: Rural Skagway, Alaska's small police force is accustomed to an occasional crime--a stolen bike here, a DUI there. But when a teenager goes missing, the Skagway Police force is hardly prepared, especially with its Police Chief in the hospital and an officer missing. Officer Katherine Ward is assigned the case, never expecting it to parallel her own kidnapping experience seventeen years earlier. Soon, Katherine realizes what originally appeared to be the case of a rebellious teen runaway is anything but. There's somethingor someonesinister at work in this usually quiet town and a teenager's life is in danger.

But missing teen Misty Morgan isn't your average teenager: she's the daughter of a billionaire. Misty thought running off with a college boy would get her father's attention, but now she and another kidnapped teen are praying for their lives at the hands of a ruthless kidnapper. Stuck in China on a business trip, Misty's father suspected his daughter was up to something and asked his longtime friend, Marine veteran Vince Nanini, to fly to Alaska and stop Misty. Problem is, Vince arrives too late to stop the kidnapping, and the police aren't eager to let him help find the missing teen.

When Katherine realizes the same man who kidnapped and raped her years ago is the one holding Misty and another teenager, the terror of her months in captivity resurface. Together, Katherine and Vince must figure out where the kidnapper has taken two teenagers, and fast. But nothing is at it seems in this race to stop a madman before he kills again. The clock is tickingand this time, the past is close behind. Dangerously close behind

According to bestselling novelist Libby Fischer Hellmann, author of the Ellie Foreman mystery series, "The pace and writing will keep you turning pages. And the twist at the end? I didn't see it coming. Do yourself a favor and read this thriller now."

Acclaimed novelist Maris Soule is a two time RITA finalist who has won numerous awards for her novels over the last three decades. Born and raised in California, Maris majored in art at U.C. Davis and taught art for 8 years before retiring to raise a family. Maris and her husband divide their time between Michigan and Florida. Echoes of Terror is her 30th book. Visit Maris Soule online at: www.marissoule.com

A division of Gale, part of Cengage Learning, Five Star publishes original fiction.

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12627871

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE MARIS SOULE, author

Related Links

http://www.marissoule.com


Based in Waterloo's thriving tech hub, known as Canada's Silicon Valley, BigRoad was founded to address the new HOS regulations imposed on the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry. The company released one of the first mobile HOS applications, BigRoad Mobile App, and today, with over 480,000 downloads, it is the most downloaded HOS application available. It continues to receive rave reviews on Google Play and iTunes, solidifying its premier position in the market.

In advance of the ELD mandate, BigRoad launched DashLink, an engine-connected electronic logging device that provides owner-operators and commercial fleets with a scalable, affordable, and easy-to-use solution to meet the upcoming FMCSA and Canadian Ministry of Transport requirements. Today, over 30,000 fleets in North America rely on BigRoad to achieve ELD compliance ahead of the mandated deadline.

"We are very excited about this acquisition," said Jake McGuire, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Success at BigRoad, "BigRoad is an established leader in the HOS and ELD compliance space and now, supported by the Fleet Complete IoT platform, I am confident we will continue to exceed customer expectations by providing the best ELD and connected vehicle solution on the market."

Fleet Complete's acquisition of BigRoad is part of the company's explosive growth, following its expansion into Europe in 2015 and Australia in 2016. Fleet Complete recently received the Greater Toronto Area Top 100 Employer award, ascertaining its position as one of the most forward-thinking workplaces in the tech industry. Striving to lead the global market with a superior and the most comprehensive telematics platform, Fleet Complete's partnership with BigRoad squarely positions its ELD and HOS solutions as the best in the industry.

"BigRoad is an impressive organization that has had a laser focus on creating the industry's leading product for ELD compliance," said Tony Lourakis, CEO of Fleet Complete. "Outperforming the competition in usability and connectivity, BigRoad's driver-friendly and feature-rich application will be a great complement to our integrated platform, giving Fleet Complete customers the most reliable top-of-the-line HOS solution."

Supported by Fleet Complete's expansive IoT infrastructure, BigRoad will continue to operate and sell directly to owner-operators and fleets, maintaining the BigRoad brand. Whereas the integrated Fleet Complete BigRoad platform will be offered through the North American partner channels, AT&T and TELUS.

"Leveraging BigRoad's immense success and combining it with Fleet Complete's strong partnerships with North America's mobile carrier elite, we can capture the largest share of the 4 million+ truck driver market," says Lourakis. "Through this integration, all of our customers, from individual truck drivers to large commercial fleets, will be equipped with the industry's best ELD compliance solution before the December 2017 deadline."

For more information on Fleet Complete, visit fleetcomplete.com and for more information on BigRoad, visit bigroad.com

About Fleet Complete

Based in Toronto, Fleet Complete is a global IoT provider of mission critical fleet, asset and mobile workforce management solutions. Since 2000, Fleet Complete has been providing dispatching, fleet tracking and mobile resource management solutions to over 8,000 companies worldwide. The company maintains key distribution partnerships with AT&T in the US and TELUS in Canada. Fleet Complete is one of the fastest-growing companies in North America and has won numerous awards for innovation and growth.

About BigRoad

BigRoad provides innovative and easy-to-use solutions that simplify safety and compliance for thousands of drivers and fleets across North America. BigRoad's ELD-ready DashLink is the most reliable and affordable solution available to ensure ELD mandate compliance. With over 480,000 downloads, the BigRoad Mobile App is the number one electronic logging app for drivers on Android and iOS. For fleets, the BigRoad Web App helps maximize operational efficiency with real-time visibility and risk notifications. Over 30,000 fleets have chosen BigRoad as their compliance partner.

SOURCE Fleet Complete

Related Links

www.fleetcomplete.com


(in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)

Guidance exceeded and $110 million agreement to acquire second package of U.S. oil & gas royalties

TORONTO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Franco-Nevada's CEO, David Harquail, commented: "Our diversified portfolio continues to perform very well. In 2016, we exceeded our recently increased guidance ranges for both Gold Equivalent Ounces1 ("GEOs") and oil & gas revenues. The growth in 2016 is reflecting the contribution from acquisitions we made during the recent downturn and increased activity by many of the operators on our lands. Franco-Nevada has no debt and is growing its cash balances. We continue to see investment opportunities and Franco-Nevada has just agreed to acquire, for $110 million, oil & gas royalties on the Midland portion of the Permian Basin in Texas, U.S."

2016 Q4 Financial Highlights

Record 129,036 GEOs delivered in the quarter, with 121,910 GEOs sold

$155.3 million in revenue  a 28.0% increase over Q4/2015

in revenue  a 28.0% increase over Q4/2015 $122.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA 2 or $0.69 per share

of Adjusted EBITDA or per share $4.5 million of net loss, or $0.03 per share, reflecting impairment charges of $67.4 million on the Cooke 4 stream

of net loss, or per share, reflecting impairment charges of on the 4 stream $42.9 million of Adjusted Net Income3 or $0.24 per share

2016 Full Year Financial Highlights

464,383 GEOs sold  a new record and a 29.0% increase year-over-year

$610.2 million in revenue  a new record and a 37.6% increase year-over-year

in revenue  a new record and a 37.6% increase year-over-year $489.1 million of Adjusted EBITDA 2 or $2.79 per share

of Adjusted EBITDA or per share $122.2 million of net income, or $0.70 per share

of net income, or per share $164.4 million of Adjusted Net Income 3 or $0.94 per share

of Adjusted Net Income or per share $157.8 million of cash and DRIP dividends paid

of cash and DRIP dividends paid $253.0 million in cash and cash equivalents at year end and no debt

Revenue and GEOs by Asset Categories



Q4/2016 Q4/2015



Revenue

GEOs

Revenue

GEOs



(in millions)

#

(in millions)

# Precious Metals





















Gold

$ 112.8

93,775

$ 88.0

79,800

Silver



21.9

18,650



18.9

17,112

PGM



8.0

7,611



7.9

7,523 Precious Metals - Total

$ 142.7

120,036

$ 114.8

104,435 Other Minerals



2.2

1,874



2.1

1,877 Oil & Gas



10.4





4.4





$ 155.3

121,910

$ 121.3

106,312

For Q4/2016, revenue was sourced 91.9% from precious metals (72.6% gold, 14.1% silver and 5.2% PGM) and 87.2% from the Americas (18.5% U.S., 22.3% Canada and 46.4% Latin America). Operating costs and expenses decreased slightly year-over-year, reflecting a realized gain of $14.1 million on the partial buy back of the Kirkland Lake NSR. Oil & gas revenue increased 136%, reflecting both higher prices and production levels year-over-year. Cash provided by operating activities was $121.9 million, an increase of 43.5% compared to Q4/2015.

Corporate Updates

Credit Facilities: On March 22, 2017 , Franco-Nevada extended the term of its existing $1 billion credit facility from November 12, 2020 to March 22 , 2022. In addition, on March 20, 2017 , Franco-Nevada's subsidiary, Franco-Nevada ( Barbados ) Corporation, entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility which provides for the availability of up to $100 million in borrowings.

On , Franco-Nevada extended the term of its existing credit facility from to , 2022. In addition, on , Franco-Nevada's subsidiary, Franco-Nevada ( ) Corporation, entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility which provides for the availability of up to in borrowings. Midland oil & gas royalties: On March 13, 2017 , Franco-Nevada agreed to purchase a portfolio of oil & gas royalties in the Midland shale play of the Permian Basin of Texas for $110 million . Closing is expected in the second quarter of 2017.

On , Franco-Nevada agreed to purchase a portfolio of oil & gas royalties in the Midland shale play of the Permian Basin of for . Closing is expected in the second quarter of 2017. STACK oil & gas royalties: On December 19, 2016 , Franco-Nevada acquired a $100 million portfolio of oil & gas royalty rights in the Sooner Trend, Anadarko Basin, Canadian and Kingfisher counties ("STACK") play in Oklahoma's Anadarko basin.

On , Franco-Nevada acquired a portfolio of oil & gas royalty rights in the Sooner Trend, Basin, Canadian and counties ("STACK") play in basin. Kirkland Lake royalty buy back: In October 2016 , Kirkland Lake Gold exercised its option to buy back 1% of an overlying 2.5% net smelter return royalty for aggregate cash consideration of $30.3 million . Franco- Nevada recorded a gain on disposal of $14.1 million .

In , exercised its option to buy back 1% of an overlying 2.5% net smelter return royalty for aggregate cash consideration of . Franco- recorded a gain on disposal of . Cooke 4 stream impairment: In October 2016 , Sibanye Gold Limited announced that it had ceased production at the Cooke 4 mine. Franco- Nevada recorded an impairment charge of $67.4 million .

In , Sibanye Gold Limited announced that it had ceased production at the Cooke 4 mine. Franco- recorded an impairment charge of . Antapaccay stream: On February 26, 2016 , Franco-Nevada acquired a $500 million precious metals stream from Glencore plc with reference to production from the Antapaccay mine located in Peru .

On , Franco-Nevada acquired a precious metals stream from Glencore plc with reference to production from the Antapaccay mine located in . Equity financing: On February 19, 2016 , Franco-Nevada completed a bought deal financing with a syndicate of underwriters for 19.2 million common shares at $47.85 per common share. Net proceeds were $884.3 million .

2017 Guidance

In 2017, Franco-Nevada expects attributable royalty and stream production to total 470,000 to 500,000 GEOs from its mineral assets and revenue of $35 million to $45 million from its oil & gas assets. Of the royalty and stream production, 335,000 to 345,000 GEOs are expected from Franco-Nevada's various stream agreements. For 2017 guidance, silver, platinum and palladium metals have been converted to GEOs using assumed commodity prices of $1,200/oz Au, $17.50/oz Ag, $950/oz Pt and $750/oz Pd. The WTI oil price is assumed to average $50 per barrel with a $3.50 per barrel price differential between the Edmonton Light and realized prices for Canadian oil. The Company estimates depletion expense of $265 million to $295 million. 2017 guidance and 2021 outlook below is based on assumptions including the forecasted state of operations from our assets based on the public statements and other disclosures by the third-party owners and operators of the underlying properties (subject to our assessment thereof).

2021 Outlook

Our outlook to 2021 further assumes that the Cobre Panama project will be ramping up production in 2019. At the same time, scheduled fixed ounce payments from Midas/Fire Creek, Karma and Sabodala are expected to step down to longer term royalty or stream payments. Using the same commodity price assumptions as were used for our 2017 guidance (see above) and assuming no other acquisitions, Franco-Nevada expects its existing portfolio to generate between 515,000 to 540,000 GEOs by 2021. Oil & gas revenues at the same $50 per barrel WTI oil price assumption are expected to range between $55 million and $65 million.

Q4/2016 Portfolio Updates

Precious Metals  U.S.: GEOs from U.S. precious metals assets increased by 14.5% year-over-year with decreases from Goldstrike being more than offset by payments received from the South Arturo mine. GEOs received from the U.S. precious metal assets were 22,971 GEOs. South Arturo (4-9% royalty)  This project, operated by Barrick and Premier Gold, poured its first gold in August. Q4/2016 payments represented 8,808 GEOs. The partners are looking at a second open pit (Dee) on the property and are advancing permitting for the El Nino underground opportunity below the current pit. Goldstrike (2-4% royalty & 2.4-6% NPI)  Barrick is unitizing Goldstrike in an effort to reduce AISC by $100 per ounce which would benefit the profit royalty. Bald Mountain (0.875-5% royalty)  Kinross reported that it has doubled reserves at this project to 2.1 million gold ounces. Stillwater (5% royalty)  Stillwater Mining now anticipates that the Blitz project will add between 270,000 and 330,000 PGM ounces of incremental production annually when fully ramped up by 2021-2022.





GEOs from U.S. precious metals assets increased by 14.5% year-over-year with decreases from Goldstrike being more than offset by payments received from the South Arturo mine. GEOs received from the U.S. precious metal assets were 22,971 GEOs. Precious Metals  Canada : GEOs from Canadian precious metals assets increased by approximately 8.6% to 20,849 GEOs compared with Q4/2015. Hemlo (3 % royalty & 50% NPI)  The main contributor to the increase in Canadian GEOs was the Hemlo NPI. Barrick has increased reserves at Hemlo including the Interlake and C-Zone Deep zones to which the royalties apply. Hardrock (3% royalty)  Centerra Mining and Premier Gold presented a feasibility for a 14.5 year project with production averaging 300,000 gold ounces per year. A draft EA has been submitted. Detour (2% royalty)  Detour Gold has had challenges in getting approvals for its West Detour pit and is expected to provide an alternative mine plan. Holloway (sliding scale royalty)  In Q4, Kirkland Lake Gold announced its intention to put Holloway on care and maintenance. The Holloway royalty property encompasses the Holt mine property on which Franco-Nevada also receives royalties. Mining at Holt is expected to extend onto the Holloway property in the near term. At December 31, 2016 , Franco-Nevada has recovered its initial investment in the Holloway mine. Brucejack (1.2% royalty)  Pretium Resources expects to begin commissioning of the underground mine in mid-2017. Timmins West (2.25% royalty)  Tahoe Resources expects to provide a reserve estimate for the Gap 144 zone in Q3/2017.





GEOs from Canadian precious metals assets increased by approximately 8.6% to 20,849 GEOs compared with Q4/2015. Precious Metals  Latin America: GEOs from Latin American precious metals assets represented the largest year-over-year increase due to the addition of the Antapaccay stream. Precious metal GEOs earned from Latin America were 60,808 GEOs, an increase of 26.0% year-over-year. Antapaccay (gold and silver stream)  Antapaccay delivered 22,927 GEOs in Q4/2016, for a total of 73,612 GEOs in 2016. Antamina (22.5% silver stream)  Antamina delivered 10,619 GEOs during the quarter compared to 13,021 GEOs in Q4/2015, reflecting adjustments for final settlements of provisionally priced sales. For the full year 2016, Antamina delivered 60,273 GEOs. Candelaria (gold and silver stream)  Candelaria earned 19,698 GEOs, compared to 21,846 GEOs in the prior year quarter, as expected according to its mine plan. Since acquisition, contained copper and gold in the reserves have increased by approximately 50% when mined depletion is included and the production profile has significantly improved. Guadalupe (50% gold stream)  The 400,000 minimum ounce Palmarejo obligation was paid and fully met by Coeur Mining in Q3. That resulted in the original Palmarejo gold stream being terminated and the new Guadalupe stream commencing. During Q4, Franco-Nevada received 7,058 GEOs under the new Guadalupe agreement. Cobre Panama (gold and silver stream)  During the quarter, Franco-Nevada contributed $46.6 million of its share of construction capital for the Cobre Panama project. Franco-Nevada at quarter end has contributed $462.2 million of its total $1 billion commitment for the construction of Cobre Panama. First Quantum reported that the project was 46% complete as of year end and that initial production in expected in late 2018 with ramping up through 2019. Franco-Nevada expects to contribute between $200-$220 million to the project in 2017.





GEOs from Latin American precious metals assets represented the largest year-over-year increase due to the addition of the Antapaccay stream. Precious metal GEOs earned from were 60,808 GEOs, an increase of 26.0% year-over-year. Precious Metals  Rest of World: GEOs from Rest of World precious metals assets were 15,408 GEOs during the quarter, a 9.0% decrease year-over-year. This reflected lower production at MWS and that a portion of ounces delivered from Karma and Sabodala had not been sold as at quarter end. Karma (fixed gold deliveries and stream)  3,750 GEOs were delivered in the quarter of which 2,500 were sold in Q4/2016. Sabodala (fixed gold deliveries and stream)  5,625 GEOs were delivered in the quarter, of which 3,750 were sold in Q4/2016. Teranga Gold won the PDAC award for Environmental & Social Responsibility for its work around the Sabodala mine. Edikan (1.5% royalty)  Perseus Mining completed an upgrade to the plant in October 2016 and is now reporting improved operating performance. Sissingue (0.5% royalty)  Perseus Mining reports that this project has been in full scale development since July 2016 and expects first production in the March 2018 quarter. Perseus has also secured financing of $40 million to complete the development of the project. Cerro Morro (2% royalty)  Yamana is targeting a Q2/2018 start-up. Tasiast (2% royalty)  Kinross continues to advance development of the Tasiast Phase One expansion and expects to provide a feasibility for a possible Phase Two expansion in Q3/2017. Subika (2% royalty)  Newmont Mining is expected to make a decision in the first half of 2017 regarding the underground development of Subika and expanding the Ahafo mill. Agi Dagi (2% royalty)  Alamos Gold has tabled a positive feasibility for the project projecting annual production of 177,600 ounces of gold over 5 years. A positive PEA was also completed for the neighboring Camyurt project on which Franco-Nevada also holds a royalty





GEOs from Rest of World precious metals assets were 15,408 GEOs during the quarter, a 9.0% decrease year-over-year. This reflected lower production at MWS and that a portion of ounces delivered from Karma and Sabodala had not been sold as at quarter end. Oil & Gas: Revenue from oil & gas assets increased to $10.4 million in Q4/2016 compared to $4.4 million in Q4/2015, reflecting both higher prices and production levels year-over-year.





Revenue from oil & gas assets increased to in Q4/2016 compared to in Q4/2015, reflecting both higher prices and production levels year-over-year. Acquisition of U.S. Oil & Gas Royalties  Midland Basin: On March 13, 2017 , Franco-Nevada, through its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, agreed to purchase a package of royalty rights in the Midland Basin of West Texas for a price of $110 million . The Midland Basin forms the eastern portion of the broader Permian Basin and represents one of the most active and profitable oil plays in North America. The royalties consist of approximately 97% mineral title rights, along with some GORRs, which apply to approximately 908 acres (net after royalties) that, with pooling, provides exposure to an estimated gross acreage of 675,000 acres (a significant portion of the overall Midland Basin) at an estimated average royalty rate of 0.14%. The royalties are subject to a diverse operator base, which is anchored by Pioneer Natural Resources. Royalty revenue is expected to grow in future years as horizontal drilling activity in the area continues to ramp up. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017.

Shareholder Information and 2017 Asset Handbook

The complete Consolidated Annual Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be found today on FrancoNevada's website at www.franco-nevada.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Management will host a conference call tomorrow, Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review FrancoNevada's 2016 results, as well as discuss the 2017 and five-year outlook. In addition, Franco-Nevada will be releasing its 2017 Asset Handbook with updated disclosures on our assets and the number of gold ounces and royalty equivalent units associated with each asset.

Interested investors are invited to participate as follows:

Via Conference Call: Toll-Free: (888) 231-8191; International: (647) 427-7450

Conference Call Replay until March 30 : Toll-Free (855) 859-2056; Toronto (416) 849-0833; Pass code 66380664

: Toll-Free (855) 859-2056; (416) 849-0833; Pass code 66380664 Webcast: A live audio webcast will be accessible at www.franco-nevada.com

Corporate Summary

Franco-Nevada Corporation is the leading gold-focused royalty and stream company with the largest and most diversified portfolio of cash-flow producing assets. Its business model provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to many of the risks of operating companies. Franco-Nevada is debt free and uses its free cash flow to expand its portfolio and pay dividends. It trades under the symbol FNV on both the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Franco-Nevada is the gold investment that works.

For more information, please go to our website at www.franco-nevada.com or contact:

Stefan Axell





Sandip Rana Director, Corporate Affairs





Chief Financial Officer (416) 306-6328





(416) 306-6303 [email protected]









Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management's expectations regarding Franco-Nevada's growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities. In addition, statements (including data in tables) relating to reserves and resources and gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs") are forward looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such reserves and resources and GEOs will be realized. Such forward looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Franco-Nevada to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward looking statement, including, without limitation: fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron-ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Franco-Nevada; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Corporation is determined to have "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC") status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; actual mineral content may differ from the reserves and resources contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious diseases; and the integration of acquired assets. The forward looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; the Corporation's ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Franco-Nevada cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements and investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedar.com and Franco-Nevada's most recent Annual Report filed on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The forward looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and Franco-Nevada does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

NON-IFRS MEASURES: Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. For a reconciliation of these measures to various IFRS measures, please see below or the Company's current MD&A disclosure found on the Company's website, on SEDAR and on EDGAR. Comparative information has been recalculated to conform to current presentation.

GEOs include our gold, silver, platinum, palladium and other mineral assets. GEOs are estimated on a gross basis for NSR royalties and, in the case of stream ounces, before the payment of the per ounce contractual price paid by the Company. For NPI royalties, GEOs are calculated taking into account the NPI economics. Platinum, palladium, silver and other minerals are converted to GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the relevant gold price. The gold price used in the computation of GEOs earned from a particular asset varies depending on the royalty or stream agreement, which may make reference to the market price realized by the operator, or the average for the month, quarter, or year in which the mineral was produced or sold. For Q4/2016, the average commodity prices were as follows: $1,218 gold (2015 - $1,104 ), $17.18 silver (2015 - $14.76 ), $944 platinum (2015 - $908 ) and $684 palladium (2015 - $606 ).



Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and EPS: income tax expense/recovery; finance expenses; finance income; depletion and depreciation; non-cash costs of sales; impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; gains/losses on sale of royalty interests; gains/losses on investments; and foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses.



Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-IFRS financial measures, which exclude the following from net income and earnings per share ("EPS"): foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses; impairment charges related to royalty, stream and working interests and investments; gains/losses on sale of royalty interests; gains/losses on investments; unusual non-recurring items; and the impact of income taxes on these items.

Reconciliation to IFRS measures:



Three months ended Year ended

December 31, December 31, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Income (Loss) $ (4.5) $ (31.4) $ 122.2 $ 24.6

Income tax expense (recovery)

13.4

(4.9)

45.7

23.9

Finance expenses

0.8

1.4

3.6

2.9

Finance income

(0.9)

(2.1)

(3.5)

(5.3)

Depletion and depreciation

67.2

65.8

273.8

216.3

Non-cash costs of sales

1.2

1.7

6.5

6.6

Impairment charges

67.5

62.8

67.5

62.9

Impairment of investments



0.1



2.0

Gain on sale of royalty interest

(14.1)



(14.1)



Gain on investments

(7.9)



(12.4)

(0.9)

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (income)/expenses

(0.5)

0.8

(0.2)

4.1 Adjusted EBITDA $ 122.2 $ 94.2 $ 489.1 $ 337.1

Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

178.3

156.8

175.2

156.9 Adjusted EBITDA per share $ 0.69 $ 0.60 $ 2.79 $ 2.16



Three months ended Year ended

December 31, December 31, (expressed in millions, except per share amounts) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net Income (Loss) $ (4.5) $ (31.4) $ 122.2 $ 24.6

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses and other (income)/expenses

(0.5)

0.8

(0.2)

4.0

Impairment charges

67.5

62.8

67.5

62.9

Impairment of investments



0.1



2.0

Gain on sale of royalty interest

(14.1)



(14.1)



Gain on investments

(7.9)



(12.4)

(0.9)

Tax effect of adjustments

4.3

(11.9)

4.7

(9.6)

Other tax related adjustments:



















Indexation adjustment





0.1

(0.4)



Valuation allowance

(2.5)



(4.4)

0.9



Impact of change in depreciation rate



4.0



4.0



Impact of tax increases

0.6

(0.7)

1.0

1.4 Adjusted Net Income $ 42.9 $ 23.7 $ 164.4 $ 88.9 Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

178.3

156.8

175.2

156.9 Adjusted Net Income per share $ 0.24 $ 0.15 $ 0.94 $ 0.57

FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in millions of U.S. dollars)



December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015









ASSETS







Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5) $ 253.0 $ 149.2 Short-term investments (Note 6)



18.8 Receivables

71.1

65.1 Prepaid expenses and other (Note 7)

37.1

41.6

Current assets

361.2

274.7









Royalty, stream and working interests, net (Note 8)

3,668.3

3,257.5 Investments (Note 6)

147.4

94.8 Deferred income tax assets (Note 17)

21.3

16.1 Other assets (Note 9)

23.4

31.2

Total assets $ 4,221.6 $ 3,674.3









LIABILITIES







Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 10) $ 21.0 $ 18.0 Current income tax liabilities (Note 17)

16.6

2.8

Current liabilities

37.6

20.8









Debt (Note 13)



457.3 Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 17)

37.5

33.2

Total liabilities

75.1

511.3









SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 18)







Common shares

4,666.2

3,709.0 Contributed surplus

41.6

44.3 Deficit

(336.8)

(302.2) Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(224.5)

(288.1)

Total shareholders' equity

4,146.5

3,163.0











Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,221.6 $ 3,674.3









Commitments (Note 20)







Subsequent events (Notes 13 & 22)









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our 2016 Annual Report available on our website

FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)



2016 2015









Revenue (Note 14) $ 610.2 $ 443.6









Cost of sales











Costs of sales (Note 15)

105.8

93.1



Depletion and depreciation (Note 8)

273.8

216.3 Total cost of sales

379.6

309.4











Gross profit

230.6

134.2









Other operating expenses (income)











Corporate administration (Notes 16 & 18)

20.7

15.1



Business development (Note 16)

3.4

2.7



Impairment charges (Note 8(b))

67.5

62.9



Gain on sale of royalty interest (Note 8(c))

(14.1)





(Gain) loss on sale of gold bullion (Note 2(b))

(2.3)

2.2 Total other operating expenses (income)

75.2

82.9











Operating income

155.4

51.3













Foreign exchange gain (loss) and other income (expenses) (Notes 2(b) & 6)

0.2

(4.1)



Realized gain on investments

12.4

0.9



Impairment of investments



(2.0) Income before finance items and income taxes

168.0

46.1









Finance items











Finance income

3.5

5.3



Finance expenses (Note 13)

(3.6)

(2.9) Net income before income taxes

167.9

48.5









Income tax expense (Note 17)

45.7

23.9









Net income $ 122.2 $ 24.6









Other comprehensive income (loss):







Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:





















Unrealized gain (loss) in the market value of available-for-sale investments, net of income tax expense of $5.3 (2015 - income tax recovery of $1.6) (Note 17)

52.9

(27.0)



Realized change in market value of available-for-sale investments, net of income tax expense of $1.6 (2015 - income tax recovery of $nil) (Note 6)

(10.6)

1.1



Currency translation adjustment

21.3

(163.4)



Other comprehensive income (loss)

63.6

(189.3)









Total comprehensive income (loss) $ 185.8 $ (164.7)









Basic earnings per share (Note 19) $ 0.70 $ 0.16 Diluted earnings per share (Note 19) $ 0.69 $ 0.16

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our 2016 Annual Report available on our website

FRANCO-NEVADA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions of U.S. dollars)



2016 2015 Cash flows from operating activities







Net income $ 122.2 $ 24.6 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:









Depletion and depreciation

273.8

216.3

Non-cash costs of sales

6.5

6.6

Share-based payments

5.0

4.5

Impairment charges (Note 8)

67.5

62.9

Gain on sale of royalty interest

(14.1)



Unrealized foreign exchange loss

0.5

3.7

Mark-to-market on warrants

(0.4)

0.5

Gain on investments

(12.4)

(0.9)

Impairment of investments



2.0

Deferred income tax expense

3.5

(2.2)

Other non-cash items

(1.2)

(0.8)

Acquisition of gold bullion (Note 2(b))

(53.5)

(66.6) Proceeds from sale of gold bullion (Note 2(b))

67.3

60.8 Operating cash flows before changes in non-cash working capital

464.7

311.4

Changes in non-cash working capital:











(Increase) decrease in receivables

(6.0)

7.0



Increase in prepaid expenses and other

(4.5)

(3.8)



Increase (decrease) in current liabilities

16.8

(0.3) Net cash provided by operating activities (Note 2(b))

471.0

314.3









Cash flows from investing activities









Proceeds from sale of investments

28.6

25.6

Proceeds from sale of royalty interest

30.3



Acquisition of investments

(1.6)

(111.3)

Acquisition of royalty, stream and working interests

(744.8)

(1,016.8)

Acquisition of oil & gas well equipment

(2.1)

(3.6)

Acquisition of property and equipment

(0.2)

 Net cash used in investing activities (Note 2(b))

(689.8)

(1,106.1)









Cash flows from financing activities









Net proceeds from issuance of common shares

883.5



Proceeds from draw of Credit Facility



480.0

Repayment of Credit Facility

(460.0)

(20.0)

Credit facility amendment costs



(2.3)

Payment of dividends

(118.1)

(94.1)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

16.3

10.5 Net cash provided by financing activities

321.7

374.1 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

0.9

(25.6) Net change in cash and cash equivalents

103.8

(443.3) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

149.2

592.5 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 253.0 $ 149.2









Supplemental cash flow information:







Cash paid for interest expense and loan standby fees $ 3.0 $ 3.0 Income taxes paid $ 30.7 $ 27.8

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements and can be found in our 2016 Annual Report available on our website

SOURCE Franco-Nevada Corporation

Related Links

www.franco-nevada.com


NEW YORK, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Wefering has joined Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI), an engineering and construction services firm, as Director of Sustainability in its Babylon and Manhattan, NY offices.

Headshot of Frank Wefering

In his new position, Mr. Wefering is responsible for developing a new service line centered on sustainability planning and transportation. Mr. Wefering brings a new perspective to project management and planning to GPI, which is based on his international experience in sustainable transportation and urban mobility planning. He will complement existing GPI service lines and develop new projects which account for the rapid and fundamental changes currently observed in the transportation field, especially in relation to mobility in cities. Mr. Wefering complements GPI's knowledge portfolio in areas including road safety/Vision Zero, transportation and health, mobility and access, smart cities, automated and connected vehicles, and integrated/sustainable urban mobility planning. He is also responsible for exploring international business and project opportunities for GPI in the wider field of sustainable transportation.

Mr. Wefering has more than 20 years of professional experience as a sustainability consultant, an urban mobility planner, and an economist. He has supported national and local governments as well as businesses worldwide in transportation planning. An internationally-experienced project manager, he has been focused on implementing innovative transportation solutions and improving quality of life in cities.

Prior to joining GPI, Mr. Wefering had his own consulting practice specializing in sustainable mobility and transportation for various public and private sector clients. His consulting assignments included strategy advisor to the NYC Department of Transportation and senior consultant to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Some of the GPI's recent transportation planning and design projects in the New York metropolitan area include the Ronkonkoma Hub for the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Wyandanch Plaza for the Town of Babylon, Green Infrastructure Design Services for NYC Economic Development, Select Bus Service (SBS) and Vision Zero Infrastructure Requirements Contract for NYC Dept. of Design & Construction; Citywide Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Projects for NYC Dept. of Transportation, numerous traffic engineering projects for the Port Authority of NY & NJ and bridge design projects for New York City Dept. of Transportation, among many others.

Mr. Wefering earned his Economic Graduate Degree from Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat in Munster, Germany, and his Master of Economics Degree from North Carolina State University. He currently resides in Bay Shore, New York with his wife and two children.

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. is an engineering firm that provides comprehensive services in the areas of civil design, structural/bridge design, transportation planning and design, traffic engineering, construction management and inspection, mechanical/electrical/plumbing design, sustainable design, municipal engineering, site planning, landscape architecture, environmental sciences, coastal and marine engineering, geographic information system (GIS), and asset management services.

GPI maintains offices in Babylon, Manhattan, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Montebello, NY; Lebanon, Ocean View, Red Bank, and Morris Plains, NJ; Wilmington and Southbridge, MA; Norwalk, CT; Jericho and White River Junction, VT; Portsmouth, NH; Portland, ME; Scranton, Mechanicsburg, and North East, PA; Newark, DE; Elkins, WV; Berea and Dublin, OH; Kentwood, MI; Louisville, KY; Annapolis Junction and Rockville, MD; Fredericksburg, VA; Greensboro, NC; Braselton, GA; Tallahassee, Mariana, Jacksonville, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, Fort Pierce, Pompano Beach, and Gainesville, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; Yacaipa, CA; and Portland, OR.

Media Contact:

Anita Garrahan

Phone: 631-761-7320

Email: [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE GPI - Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 79 market data Tables and 58 Figures spread through 149 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Frequency Synthesizer Market"

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Frequency synthesizers are key devices having applications in various sectors such as research and measurement, military and aerospace, and telecommunications. The key features of these devices are high signal clarity, low phase noise, high switching speed, and wide output frequency range. The availability of RF capable ICs and chips and an increase in adoption of mobile phones have contributed to a significant growth of the market. The reduced form factor of the RF capable ICs and chips easily enable integration. The wider adoption of mobile phones directly relates to the wider outreach of the telecommunications sector where frequency synthesizers are key components.

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Telecommunications application is expected to dominate the frequency synthesizer market during the forecast period

The telecommunications application constituted the largest share of the frequency synthesizer market in 2016 and is expected to grow at a considerable rate between 2017 and 2022. The dominance of telecommunications sector in the market is due to the widespread usage of various telecommunications technologies and the continuous evolution in the technologies deployed in the market. The upcoming 5G technology is expected to contribute significantly toward the growth in the market.

Analog type frequency synthesizers held the largest market share in 2016

The analog frequency synthesizers are expected to hold the largest share and dominate the frequency synthesizer market between 2017 and 2022. The comparatively enhanced signal clarity than that of digital type synthesizers and better phase noise performance is expected to contribute toward more popular adoption of the analog frequency synthesizers in the market.

North America expected to hold the largest market share, and RoW is expected to grow at the highest rate

North America is expected to hold the largest share and dominate the frequency synthesizer market between 2017 and 2022. A considerable number of frequency synthesizer vendors are based in the U.S., and there is an increase in investment to upgrade telecommunications, military and research equipment, which would contribute toward the market growth in the region. However, the frequency synthesizer market in RoW, consisting of the Middle East and Africa, and South America, is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate on the back of rapidly expanding telecommunications sector in the region and increasing expenditure from the governments to upgrade the electronic equipment of military.

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The frequency synthesizer market ecosystem includes the manufacturers such as Ultra Electronics (U.K.), Texas Instruments Inc. (U.S.), Analog Devices Inc. (U.S.), National Instruments (U.S.), Qorvo, Inc. (U.S.), FEI-Elcom Tech Inc. (U.S.), and Sivers IMA AB (Sweden).

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NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Overview



Fuel dispenser also known as a petrol pump or gas pump, is a machinery that pumps gasoline, petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, and other fuel types into vehicles at the filling station. Filling station is a service station where fuel dispensers are found. Here the fuel dispenser pumps the fuel from underground storage. Fuel dispensers are mainly of two types suction fuel dispensers and submersible fuel dispensers.



These are the different systems based on which fuel dispenser works. In suction type, the dispenser consists of motor and suction system included in their case so that the dispenser works independently. In submersible type, the dispenser do not consist of motor and suction system included in their case so the dispenser cannot work independently.



Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Scope of the Study



The report estimates and forecasts the fuel dispensers market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Units) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the fuel dispensers market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the fuel dispensers market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources.



The report includes Porter's Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the fuel dispenser market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein applications and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for fuel dispenser between 2016 and 2024.



Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Segmentation



The study provides a comprehensive view of the fuel dispenser market by dividing it on the basis of fuel types and geography segments. The fuel dispensers market has been segmented into petrol, diesel, CNG, compressed hydrogen and others based on fuel type. Fuel type segment have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.



Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for fuel dispensers in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for fuel type segments. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual fuel types in all the regions and countries.



Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Competitive Analysis



The report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report includes Tokheim Group S.A.S, Piusi S.p.A., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Gilbarco Inc. and others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).



Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.



In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players' product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis team's expertise and market understanding.



The global fuel dispensers market has been segmented as follows:



By Type



Submersible System

Suction System



By Flow Meter



Mechanical

Electronic



By Fuel Type



Petrol

Diesel

CNG

Compressed Hydrogen

Others



By Region



North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

GCC

Egypt

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04781984-summary/view-report.html



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Future Farm Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Future Farm") (OTCQB: FFRMF) (CSE: FFT.CN) is pleased to announce that its majority owned subsidiary, FFM Consulting Services, LLC, has purchased a state-of-the-art extraction machine, for the manufacture of concentrated cannabis oil and purified distillate.

The equipment purchased is designed to rapidly manufacture premium cannabis oil, to supply the growing demand for cannabis concentrates, in the state of California. The equipment utilizes a closed-loop system, to produce high quality oil in a high throughput system with minimal maintenance and labor. The equipment is estimated to be delivered, installed and in full production within the next 90 days.

Projected vendor recommendations and ROI :

Load Capacity per run = 20lb

Run Time = 1 hour (24 potential runs daily)

Oil yield = 10% on average

Estimated oil yield per run = 9080 grams

Estimated wholesale price per gram = $10-$20

Potential revenue per hour = 9080 x $10 = $9,080

"We believe this alcohol extraction machine is the best extraction equipment on the market today, which allows us to be able to process large amounts of cannabis flower into highly pure concentrates from day one," says Bill Gildea, CEO of Future Farm. "This equipment will immediately allow for high-volume and highly pure extraction production. With this purchase, Future Farm is now formalizing the marketing plan to include its own brand, as well as offering contract manufacturer services for other brands and cultivators across the state of California."

Cannabis concentrates and edibles are the largest and fastest growing segments of the cannabis market, which many experts believe will overtake cannabis whole flower sales by 2020. The market for cannabis concentrates is booming because they are used to make edibles, topical ointments, capsules and other packaged products that require a more professional extraction. As the recreational industry gets underway in California, many in the concentrates niche believe it's going to continue to explode in popularity.

"We are excited to begin creating unique extraction products, that are very high in quality as defined through a full complement of technical laboratory analysis," says John Sweeney, Future Farm's COO. "We will make data driven decisions that guide us, in further refining our processes to maintain the very best cannabinoid, flavonoid and terpene profiles. The chosen method of extraction is safe, non-pressurized, reliable, and easy to use. The low temperatures and short residence times helps to preserve all of the essential oils, and the consistency of operations including temperature, vacuum, and feed rates make it an ideal solution for scaling up."

On behalf of the Board,

Future Farm Technologies Inc.

William Gildea, CEO & Chairman

About Future Farm

The Company's business model includes developing and acquiring technologies that will position it as a leader in the evolution of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), for the global production of various types of plants. Future Farm provides scalable, indoor CEA systems that utilize minimal land, water and energy regardless of climate, location or time of year and are customized to grow an abundance of crops close to consumers, therefore minimizing food miles and its impact to the environment. The Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license to use a patented vertical farming technology that, when compared to traditional plant production methods, generate yields up to 10 times greater per square foot of land. The contained system provides many other benefits including seed to sale security, scalability, consistency due to year-round production, cost control, product safety and purity by eliminating environmental variability.

The Company is also in the business of designing and distributing LED lighting solutions, utilizing the COB and MCOB technology. The Company is focused on delivering cost efficient lighting to North America, via advanced e-commerce sites the Company owns and operates. LEDCanada.com which caters to B2B customers is a supplier of the newest and highest demand LED solutions. The Company also owns and operates COBGrowlights.com, which caters to both large and small agriculture green houses and controlled cultivation centers.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

For further information, contact

William Gildea

Director

Phone: 617-834-9467



SOURCE Future Farm Technologies Inc.
WATERLOO  A woman accused of dousing a person with gasoline inside a Waterloo store and trying to burn up the victim's children inside a vehicle on Tuesday has been arrested.

Traynetta Brisha Monique Ford, 29, also is accused of splashing gas on the victims vehicle that contained the victims children and tried to ignite it before running off.

Officers caught up with Ford, of 1732 Newell St., and she was arrested for two counts of first-degree arson, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was being held without bond in the Black Hawk County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon.

No fire was started, and no serious injuries were reported, said Capt. David Mohlis with the Waterloo Police Department.

The incident started about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Logan Avenue Convenience Store, 735 Logan Ave. Witnesses said Ford had a plastic bottle filled with gas and dumped the liquid on 35-year-old Yoshida Thomas and threatened to kill her and burn her children, according to court records.

Outside, Ford allegedly poured gas on Thomass 2004 Dodge Durango, which was occupied by three children. She then lit a cigarette lighter near the drivers side door, but Thomas chased her from the area before the fire started, court records state.

Police found two fuel containers in the area, and Ford was found hiding in the bed of a pickup truck parked in the 100 block of Harrison Street. A small amount of marijuana was found in her jeans pocket, and police found a pipe, records state.

Ford told investigators she was angry at Thomas, records state.

Court records show Ford was arrested in February for carrying a stun gun.

Jeff Reinitz writes for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach him at jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.
LONDON, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Aircraft are Becoming Internet-driven Environments with IoT Devices, Software Managing Onboard Systems, and Communications



The global aerospace onboard Internet of Things (IoT) market is in a state of change. The introduction of enhanced Internet Protocol (IP)-based software and equipment is driving the market in new directions. This insight covers the market from 2016 to 2026. The infrastructure necessary to provide connectivity and control functions is a significant part of the overall aerospace industry. The general trend is toward IPs; however, many current systems rely on other protocols.



Platform procurements will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% and will present a 2026 onboard new avionics IoT equipment market size of $674.6 million worldwide. The aftermarket portion of the industry will grow to a 2026 avionics equipment market size of $555.1 million worldwide. The global revenue shares from North America and Europe are forecast to decline, whereas Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to grow, and Latin America (LATAM) and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) will witness light growth.



Aircraft have used many different databus architectures since the first box communicated with another box aboard an aircraft. Many of these were proprietary; however, they are increasingly following recognized industry standards, which are specific to aircraft but are commonly based on commercial standards adapted to the fail-safe requirements of aircraft operations. Aircraft in production today are generally designed to follow one or more of the standards within 3 broad categories.



The cockpit data link IoT market includes a collection of avionics plus the connectivity provided by transmitters and receivers on the ground and on other aircraft. This connectivity often comes at a cost through a subscription or through a pay-per-use formula. Current data links are not IoT enabled, but most data links are moving in that direction. The cockpit data link equipment market is clearly part of the avionics market, and the IoT portion of that market will be part of the avionics IoT market.



The wishes of the traveling public drive the cabin IoT market, which is an outgrowth of the need to be connected that pervades societies worldwide. The demand for connectivity is the result of the many solutions available to people in their daily lives, and airlines are using this for POS processing.



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BOCA RATON, Fla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and manager of communication towers and locations in the United States, today announced the appointment of Governor Jeb Bush to its Board of Directors. Governor Bush will serve as an independent director.

"I have been impressed with the growth of Florida-based Vertical Bridge and the smart capital deployment of its parent company, Digital Bridge," said Governor Bush. "I have long been a strong proponent of the role that improved telecommunications infrastructure can and should play in enhancing our quality of life in so many diverse ways. I look forward to contributing to the continued progress at Vertical Bridge."

Coinciding with Governor Bush taking a seat on the Board, Vertical Bridge also announced that it has surpassed 52,000 total owned and master-leased sites in its portfolio. Since the company launched less than three years ago, Vertical Bridge has completed more than 100 acquisitions to become, by far, the largest private owner and manager of telecommunications assets in the U.S.

"Governor Bush understands and appreciates the need for greater wireless telecommunications infrastructure," said Marc Ganzi, Executive Chairman of Vertical Bridge and co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC, Vertical Bridge's largest investor. "We are delighted to welcome him to our Board and to have the benefit of his experienced, clear-thinking, strategic counsel as we plan and execute our growth strategy going forward."

Governor Bush served as the 43rd governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, and resides in Miami with his wife, Columba. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of several other privately held companies and non-profit organizations, Governor Bush serves as Chairman of Dock Square Capital LLC, a merchant bank headquartered in Miami. Dock Square Communications LP, an affiliate of Dock Square Capital LLC, has made an investment in Vertical Bridge to coincide with Governor Bush joining the Board of Directors. Governor Bush is also Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a national education reform non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education for every child.

Governor Bush joins Ganzi on a Board that also includes Ben Jenkins, Co-Founder and Chairman of Digital Bridge Holdings, Alex Gellman, Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Bridge, Trent Vichie, Senior Managing Director of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, Eion Hu, Senior Partner of The Jordan Company, and Ed Pallesen, Head of Infrastructure Investment for the Americas at Goldman Sachs Group.

About Vertical Bridge

Vertical Bridge is the largest private owner and manager of communication towers and locations in the United States. The company owns, operates and manages over 52,000 tower, rooftop, billboard, utility attachment and other site locations in support of all wireless network deployments. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Vertical Bridge was founded in 2014 by key executives from Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC and former senior officers of Global Tower Partners. The senior management team at Vertical Bridge has over 150 years of collective experience in tower infrastructure and related sectors. For more information, please visit www.verticalbridge.com.

About Dock Square Capital LLC

Dock Square Capital, LLC is a Miami based merchant bank, founded on the core principals of transparency, creativity, trust, and alignment of interest with our partners and investors. Dock Square Capital operates at the nexus of a global network of entrepreneurs and families, and possesses the structural flexibility to add value as principal investors, strategic advisors, and joint venture partners.

SOURCE Vertical Bridge

Related Links

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Authored by Richard Florida and Steven Pedigo, this latest release, Miami Turns on Global Talent , of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative evaluates Miami's immigrant talent base  in comparison to all 382 metros in the U.S., with a special focus on how the region stacks up against the 53 large metros with more than one million people. The report examines both high-skilled talent, those with a college degree or who are part of the knowledge, professional and artistic workers who make up the Creative Class, and lower-skilled workers in food service, tourism, retail and hospitality who fuel the region's service economy.

"Immigrants are more important to the Greater Miami economy than New York or Los Angeles. The only other region that may depend more on immigrants is the Silicon Valley," Florida said. "Recent moves by the Trump Administration to restrict the flow of immigration and foreign-born talent pose a significant threat to the innovativeness and economic strength of the Greater Miami region."

Key takeaways from the report include:



Foreign-Born Residents. Greater Miami's share of foreign-born residents (38.9 percent) is three times the national average and higher than San Jose , Los Angeles , San Francisco , or New York .

share of foreign-born residents (38.9 percent) is three times the national average and higher than , , , or . College Graduates. Immigrants make up more than 40 percent (41.4 percent) of college graduates in the region, those with a bachelor's degree or higher level of education. Greater Miami is more dependent on immigrants for highly educated talent than Los Angeles (35.9 percent), San Francisco (32.4 percent) or New York (30.9 percent).

Immigrants make up more than 40 percent (41.4 percent) of college graduates in the region, those with a bachelor's degree or higher level of education. is more dependent on immigrants for highly educated talent than (35.9 percent), (32.4 percent) or (30.9 percent). Associates Degrees. Immigrants make up 42 percent of adults with associate degrees in the region. This is more than in Los Angeles (31.8%), New York (30.7%), San Francisco (29.2%), or Washington, D.C. (23.5%).

Immigrants make up 42 percent of adults with associate degrees in the region. This is more than in (31.8%), (30.7%), (29.2%), or (23.5%). Creative Class. Immigrants comprise four out of 10 (or 38.9 percent) of Greater Miami's Creative Class of knowledge, professional, scientific, and artistic workers. This is greater than Los Angeles (31.6 percent), San Francisco (29.8 percent) or New York (28.1 percent).

Immigrants comprise four out of 10 (or 38.9 percent) of Creative Class of knowledge, professional, scientific, and artistic workers. This is greater than (31.6 percent), (29.8 percent) or (28.1 percent). Blue-Collar Workers. Immigrants make up more than 60 percent of Greater Miami's blue-collar workers  who work in factories, construction and transportation jobs. This is similar to Los Angeles (60.9 percent) but more than New York (50 percent) or San Francisco (48.2 percent).

Immigrants make up more than 60 percent of blue-collar workers  who work in factories, construction and transportation jobs. This is similar to (60.9 percent) but more than (50 percent) or (48.2 percent). Service Workers. Immigrants make up nearly half (47.2 percent) of Greater Miami's service workers, those working in hospitality, tourism, food preparation and service, retail trade, and personal care industries. This is the highest share of any large metro in the country.

About Creative Class Group: The Creative Class Group is an advisory services firm composed of leading next-generation researchers, academics, and business strategists. Utilizing its unique approach and metrics, CCG works with companies and governments worldwide. CCG Founder, Richard Florida is the Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at The University of Toronto's, Rotman School of Management, and a Distinguished Fellow at New York University's Schack Institute of Real Estate. He is Senior Editor at The Atlantic where he cofounded and serves as Editor-at-Large for City Lab and is a Visiting Fellow of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. Rana Florida, CEO of CCG who writes on business and entrepreneurship for Fast Company and the Huffington Post, serves as Director of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. Steven Pedigo, Director of Research at CCG is a Visiting Fellow. Reham Alexander is CCG'S Director of Operations and Events and runs the events programming for the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. For more information about CCG, visit: www.creativeclass.com.

About FIU: Florida International University is classified by Carnegie as a R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity and recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers 196 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, computer science, international relations, architecture, law, and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes almost $9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded more than 220,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, [email protected], and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU's Medina Aquarius Program houses the Aquarius Reef Base, a unique underwater research facility in the Florida Keys. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.

About the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative: A collaboration between Florida International University and the Creative Class Group, the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative engages political, business, and cultural leaders, faculty, students, alumni, and the greater community in a dialogue on how creativity, culture, design, and innovation can drive the greater Miami regional economy.

SOURCE Creative Class Group

Related Links

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Beijing Airport's Hainan Airlines VIP Lounge was designed by Dr. Patrick Leung, a well-known architect and interior designer from Hong Kong. The lounge's modern, aesthetic style is a refreshingly contemporary approach that combines natural materials and styles, creating an elegant and refined environment for airline guests, and enabling them to relax and recharge in an extremely busy transportation hub. Dr. Leung said: "In designing the VIP lounge, I found inspiration in the nature and harmony of Hainan, and discarded ideas of using excessive luxury decor. I used a modern, elegant approach to introduce the peace and tranquility of Eastern philosophy, and combined this with aspects of soft lighting and ocean wave forms in the lounge, to highlight the natural beauty of Hainan."
HAMILTON, Ohio, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has selected the Butler County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as the 2017 Small Business Development Center of the Year. This annual recognition awards the SBDC that exemplifies excellence in several different categories including business starts, capital infusion, jobs created, and jobs retained. The Butler County Small Business Development Center is staffed by Director, David Riggs and Associate Director, Mark Lankford - both are Certified Business Advisors. Over the past three years, The Hamilton Mill based center has generated over $20 million in loan funding to small businesses.

David Riggs, Butler County SBDC Director remarks, "We are truly honored to accept this award. When you consider the advisory talent at the Centers across Ohio, let alone the country, Mark and I are quite humbled. The support we receive from the SBA, the State of Ohio, The Hamilton Mill, the City of Hamilton, and the City of Middletown makes all of this possible. Our Center is committed to the mission of accelerating Ohio's economy by helping people start, sustain and grow their businesses."

The SBDC network was signed into law in 1980 and since then the network has grown to over 1,000 centers. America's SBDC network leverages a partnership that includes the U.S. Congress, SBA, the private sector, and the colleges, universities and state governments that manage SBDCs across the nation. SBDCs provide management and technical assistance to an estimated one million small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs each year.

"More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of three net new jobs in the U.S. each year. I couldn't be prouder of all the awardees this year  they are working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America's global competitiveness. It is an honor during National Small Business Week to honor and celebrate their hard work and success," SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said.

The SBDC at The Hamilton Mill helps build small businesses in its service area through a number of programs and activities, combined with strategic partnerships with other business-oriented entities, to provide a strong entrepreneurial assistance environment in Butler County, Ohio. Below are some examples:

Kaufman Foundation FastTrac  NewVenture Business Entrepreneur training program. Qualified clients attend these 10 week classes designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing their business plans and make successful decisions in the startup process.

The Butler County SBDC serves as a direct referral resource to The Hamilton Mill's business incubator and Pipeline H2O accelerator program. As part of this program, high-tech and water-related startups can access funding, manufacturing and technical assistance from a variety of resources.

The SBDC at The Hamilton Mill combines with City Economic Development Departments and private development resources to engage client businesses in local promotional events and assistance programs.

Hamilton Mill Executive Director Chris Lawson, stated, "We recognize that entrepreneurship is the foundation of our regional, state and national economies. We take great pride in sponsoring this award winning SBDC team because they build that foundation everyday." Chris further added, "This award represents a triumph in outcome driven collaboration between federal, state, and local entities including the Small Business Administration, the Ohio Development Services Agency, The Hamilton Mill, the City of Middletown, and the City of Hamilton."

This award coincides with first ever #SBDCDay - a national celebration of the accomplishments and achievements of the Centers across the country. You can read more about this celebration here.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE The Hamilton Mill

Related Links

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NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hive-IO, a leader in software-defined infrastructure, today announced the availability of the Hive-IO cloud compute VDI software bundled with Lenovo servers. Specific Lenovo server configurations combined with Hive-IO software are now available as a monthly subscription or as a perpetual license.

"Hive-IO is committed to expanding the availability and utility of its cloud compute VDI software and is proud to add MicroAge, one of the world's largest and most respected technology distribution and services companies, as a partner," said Joe Makoid, CEO and Cofounder, Hive-IO. "The combination of Lenovo servers and Hive-IO software will enable organizations to quickly and cost-effectively leverage VDI."

Hive-IO software, combined with Lenovo servers, provides a complete VDI solution that eliminates complexity and can be delivered from a customer data center or in a hybrid cloud. This bundle makes available at the lowest possible cost the essential features needed for VDI including; server and storage hardware, hypervisor, connection broker, and storage acceleration.

Hive-IO offers free full licenses for organizations to test the features and functions of its cloud compute software. Companies and other institutions can email [email protected] to receive the free software.

MicroAge is offering the following server bundles with Hive-IO software at less than $17 per user per month based on a 36 month subscription:

Lenovo System x3550 with Hive-IO VDI software for up to 40 users.





Lenovo System x3550 with Hive-IO VDI software for up to 55 users.





Lenovo System x3550 with Hive-IO VDI software for up to 85 users



(Note: The number of Hive-IO seats is variable based on customer requirements. Detailed server specs and pricing are available from MicroAge. Contact Dave Haller , [email protected] for more information.)

"As the demand for Hive-IO's fast emerging software increases, it's vital our customers work with industry partners that can supply the required infrastructure, technical support and products to end customers," explained Makoid. "Our reseller partners provide sales and support and help expand the reach of the Hive-IO software. This bundle with Lenovo servers is a welcomed addition to our sales offerings and we look forward to working with them."

Hive-IO recently announced "March Madness" pricing, enabling customers to take advantage of all of Hive-IO's business and technical benefits for the lowest possible cost. To learn more about Hive-IO's software for VDI, DaaS and IaaS solutions, the Lenovo server options from MicroAge, and to arrange for a demonstration or evaluation licenses, email Hive-IO at [email protected].

About Hive-IO

Hive-IO is an infrastructure innovation company that delivers the power, value and agility of the public cloud with all the security, control and governance of the private cloud. Our secure cloud software infrastructure platform and all-inclusive ground up solution delivers full cloud service out of the box. The Hive-IO solution is in use in some of the largest virtual infrastructure implementations across the world. For more information, visit www.hive-io.com and follow @Hive-IO1 on Twitter.

All trademarks and service marks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hive-IO

Related Links

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LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Elizabeth Kase, a partner at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP, has been named Chair of the firm's Criminal Law Division, announced Managing Partner Howard Fensterman.

Prior to joining Abrams Fensterman in 2014, Ms. Kase was a partner at Kase & Druker and had served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County where she prosecuted hundreds of cases pertaining to narcotics, street crime, domestic violence, white collar crime and sex crimes.

On Long Island, Ms. Kase has gained a reputation as a leading criminal defense attorney for her success in handling large-scale federal and state criminal matters including public corruption cases, mortgage fraud, embezzlement schemes, sex crimes, and narcotics crimes, clients with mental health conditions, as well as complex DWI matters. Ms. Kase also serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Medical Marijuana Law Group and counsels clients about the legalities and illegalities of the uses, abuses and distribution of medical marijuana under New York state and federal law.

"When the situation demands an energetic, considered counselor, Elizabeth Kase is the type of attorney clients want in their foxhole," says Howard Fensterman. "Liz's passion for the law and her tireless devotion to her clients is contagious, and sets a powerful example for her team members as well as for her colleagues throughout the firm," Fensterman adds.

Ms. Kase is a frequent lecturer and commentator on matters pertaining to criminal law, medical marijuana, evidence and social media and our youth. She also teaches trial advocacy annually at Cardozo Law School. Ms. Kase was named to Long Island Business News' (LIBN) "40 Rising Stars Under 40", as well as the "Top 50 Influential Women on Long Island" for her professional accomplishments and contributions to Long Island. Nassau County Bar Association named her Pro Bono Attorney of the Month for her work with victims of domestic violence. At 39, Ms. Kase was nominated for the position of County Court Judge and received a "Well Qualified" (highest) rating for this position from the Nassau County Bar Association as well as many civic endorsements. In 2016, Ms. Kase was designated a New York Super Lawyer, a distinction earned by only 5 percent of the lawyers in the New York metro area. She is a graduate of Smith College and Cardozo Law School.

"I am honored to be named Chair of the Criminal Law Division of Abrams Fensterman," says Elizabeth Kase. "Comprised of an exceptional team of former prosecutors and veteran defense attorneys, Abrams Fensterman's Criminal Law group benefits greatly from a unique firm-wide culture that fosters camaraderie, and from an integrated structure that breaks down silos and brings to bare all of our firm's expertise and resources on behalf of our clients as they deal with the increasingly complex nature of today's difficult criminal cases," Kase notes.

SOURCE Abrams Fensterman
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced with the Dublin City University (DCU) Water Institute a collaborative research pilot to leverage Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for environmental monitoring and management. The deployment of DCU sensors with IBM's machine learning and cognitive IoT technologies will aim to help protect and conserve natural resources and address environmental management issues such as water quality for both freshwater and marine environments.

IBM researchers Harry Kolar and Mike Kelly and RPI University researcher Larry Eichler deploy a Dublin City University Water Institute sensor with IBM's IoT technology to help protect and conserve natural resources on Lake George in New York. IBM Researchers, Harry Kolar (right) and Mike Kelly (middle) and RPI University researcher, Larry Eichler (left) deploy a Dublin City University Water Institute sensor with IBM's IoT technology to help protect and conserve natural resources on Lake George in New York State.

IBM's cognitive IoT technologies are able to provide deep learning capabilities for sensor platforms, which ensure quality and reliable data capture under a range of environmental conditions. Advanced analytics embedded in IoT-based sensor platforms, or the sensors themselves, can help detect subtle trends or early detection of environmental changes that may be crucial to public health and safety or remediation efforts.

The collaboration brings together IBM Research efforts in the area of cognitive IoT-based environmental solutions with DCU's Water Institute expertise and leadership in environmental sensing via the university's National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR). As a part of the program, IBM has joined the DCU Water Institute Industry Advisory Council.

IBM scientists are working on integrated IoT solutions to support a myriad of sensors to help better understand and ultimately manage a multitude of ecosystem challenges. These may include water quality changes due to natural, artificial, or climate-related effects. Sensors can measure physical, chemical, and biological parameters to help better understand changes in the environment. Applications may include improved management of pollution from sources such as agricultural or storm water runoff that can affect lakes, rivers, estuaries and marine ecosystems.

IBM and DCU Water Institute will be selectively piloting these technologies in Ireland and in the United States. The first sensors are being deployed on Lake George in New York State in conjunction with the ongoing Jefferson Project at Lake George.

"Over the next few years, we believe that Internet of Things technologies will play an important role in helping protect the environment and natural resources. At IBM Research, we are excited to leverage IBM's expertise in cognitive and IoT environmental monitoring and management with the DCU Water Institute to help advance the future of water management," said Harry Kolar, Distinguished Engineer, IBM Research.

The collaboration will focus on newly developed DCU sensor technologies that can have the potential for monitoring several key aspects of water quality at costs significantly lower than current commercial technologies. This new generation of sensors, when combined with IBM's environmental IoT platform may eventually help provide significant benefits for water management on a global scale.

"The technologies developed during this important collaboration will aim to disrupt the current norms of costly sensors limiting their distribution at IoT scale to provide really valuable information which supports better decision-making about our valuable water resource," said Professor Fiona Regan, Director of the DCU Water Institute.

The DCU Water Institute aims to develop technology-based solutions to facilitate greater water stewardship, translating technologies developed in the NCSR to the water domain. DCU Water Institute scientists and engineers are developing novel sensor and data analytics technologies to improve how we monitor water quality.

IBM Environmental IoT Images: https://flic.kr/s/aHskRr2Xzv

IBM Environmental IoT Video:

About the DCU Water Institute

DCU Water Institute has 30 academic principal investigators across 5 faculties of the university. DCU's Water Institute and NCSR provide state-of-the-art facilities, comprising custom-designed laboratories, a range of specialist support units and equipment, and dedicated technical and administrative staff. For more information, visit www.dcuwater.ie.

About IBM Research

For more than seven decades, IBM Research has defined the future of information technology with more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents. Scientists from IBM Research have produced six Nobel Laureates, 10 U.S. National Medals of Technology, five U.S. National Medals of Science, six Turing Awards, 19 inductees in the National Academy of Sciences and 20 inductees into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame.

For more information about IBM Research, visit www.ibm.com/research.

Media Contact

Chris Blake

IBM Media Relations  Research

[email protected]

415-613-1120

SOURCE IBM
LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ImaginAb Inc. today announced the appointment of Martyn Coombs as Chief Executive Officer.

Joseph Limber, chairman of ImaginAb, said "At ImaginAb we have exciting science and technology. Martyn has a strong track record that is directly relevant to our business, particularly in commercializing and making step changes in the value of products. We believe that with his leadership, we can realize our potential."

Mr. Coombs is a recognized industry leader in nuclear medicine and imaging. Most recently, as president of Jubilant DraxImage Inc., he led the company through a period of rapid organic growth, tripling revenue in four years. He built a strong team, and advanced the development pipeline towards approval, specifically for Ruby-Fill, a key PET cardiology product.

Mr. Coombs has also held senior leadership roles at Amersham (now GE Healthcare) and Nihon Medi-Physics, where he was the number two executive. Previously, he served as CEO of Asterand plc, a public life sciences company, where in 2008 he was recognized by the Financial Times for having the top performing stock on the London Stock Exchange.

Mr. Coombs holds a degree in mathematics, and an MBA with distinction from Warwick Business School.

Mr. Coombs will be initially based in the UK and travelling extensively to grow and develop ImaginAb's business.

Anna Wu, Ph.D., ImaginAb founder and chief scientific advisor said, "We are delighted to have Martyn join the ImaginAb team. This will help us position ImaginAb to deliver much-needed CD8 imaging tools for direct assessment of immune responses in immuno-oncology."

Mr. Coombs said: "ImaginAb's technology appears to be disruptive based on work the team has conducted in the clinic as well as with pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs. I'm excited to join the team, and we will aim to transform ImaginAb into a successful company positively impacting patient care. I can't wait to start."

About ImaginAb

ImaginAb, Inc. is redefining therapeutic management by harnessing the power of antibody technology for in vivo imaging. The company's proprietary antibody fragment platform yields actionable molecular information to guide treatment decisions in cancer and immunology. ImaginAb also collaborates with select biopharmaceutical partners to design imaging agents as companion diagnostics for therapeutic antibodies. ImaginAb's technology is positioned to deliver on the promise of precision medicine by improving patient outcomes and reducing the cost of healthcare.

ImaginAb engineers antibody fragments called minibodies that maintain the exquisite specificity of full-length antibodies while remaining inert in the body. Used with widely available PET scan technology, these novel minibodies illuminate high-value molecular targets, providing physicians with a whole-body picture of immune activity. ImaginAb is advancing a best-in-class imaging agent to improve prostate cancer management and patient outcomes. For more information about ImaginAb's pipeline and technology, visit www.imaginab.com.

SOURCE ImaginAb Inc.

Related Links

http://www.imaginab.com


ROCKVILLE, Md., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalorama Information has noted five news developments in IVD that should be important to those following the industry. This month the FDA granted a CLIA waiver to Alere's point-of-care (POC) RSV test, and the POC testing market has reached $18.4 billion in sales and continues to grow. An Alere subsidiary is facing a legal battle and the acquisition by Abbott is still in limbo. Meanwhile, Beckman Coulter launched a new chemistry analyzer and researchers evaluated fetal fibronectin screening for predicting premature birth. These are some of the top in vitro diagnostics stories in March 2017. Kalorama is a market research firm with a particular focus in the in vitro diagnostics industry.

The firm recently completed a full length study in molecular diagnostics.

RSV Molecular Test Approved For Point of Care Use

Alere's molecular test for respiratory syncytial virus received a CLIA waiver on March 6, adding a third point-of-care respiratory test to the Alere i platform in the United States.

The Alere i, a benchtop instrument weighing less than seven pounds, already offers CLIA-waived tests for Strep A and Influenza A and B. The RSV test, which the FDA cleared for marketing in August 2016, will now join those tests and be available for use in physician offices, hospital emergency rooms and walk-in clinics.

"Our innovative Alere i platform now offers the key trio of respiratory assays for rapid molecular detection of RSV, Influenza A & B and Strep A in a broad range of healthcare settings," said Avi Pelossof, Alere Global President of Infectious Disease, in a statement.

The RSV test returns a result in 13 minutes or less, the company says, using Alere's proprietary Molecular In Minutes isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology (iNAT), which amplifies viral DNA faster than polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Meanwhile, Cepheid received FDA clearance last month to market its own newer, faster molecular tests for respiratory infections.

The Xpert Xpress Flu and Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV tests return results in as little as 20 minutes, according to Cepheid. These tests run twice as fast as Cepheid's previous version, the Xpert Flu/RSV XC. The new Xpress tests run on the Cepheid GeneXpert systems in proprietary test cartridges. They will also run on Cepheid's portable benchtop device, the GeneXpert Omni, which the company intends to release later this year, according to reports by GenomeWeb.

Alere Remains Competitive, Despite Legal Setbacks

Alere continues to fight in court to reinstate Medicare billing for its subsidiary Arriva Medical, a diabetes mail-order supply company. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied Arriva's motions for interim relief this month, Alere announced March 9. However, the appeal continues, because the court denied a Center Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) motion to dismiss Arriva's complaint. CMS revoked Arriva's Medicare billing number in October and barred the company from re-enrolling in the Medicare program for three years, accusing Arriva of submitting invoices for dead patients. Alere blamed the errors on flaws in Medicare's system, according to a report in 360Dx, and filed an administrative appeal in December to reinstate Arriva's Medicare privileges.

"We remain confident that the administrative appeal process will lead to a favorable outcome for both Arriva and the hundreds of thousands of patients who depend on us for their mail-order supplies," Alere said in its statement.

The news, however, comes on the heels of reports March 1 that Alere will file its annual report late for the second year in a row, due to possible accounting errors related to "inappropriate conduct" by a South Korean subsidiary.

It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the deal announced in early 2016 for Abbott Laboratories to acquire Alere for $5.8 billion. Alere later rejected Abbott's $50 million offer to terminate the deal and sued Abbott to complete the acquisition.

Despite these troubles, Alere remains a strong competitor in clinical diagnostics. Kalorama Information ranks Alere No. 2 in the point-of-care testing market.

Point-of-Care Diagnostics Market Grows

The point-of-care (POC) diagnostics market reached $18.4 billion in sales in 2016 and is likely to continue growing, according to a new market report by Kalorama Information.

The growth is driven by the paradigm shift toward predictive and personalized medicine, and also by new technologies that provide fast, accurate diagnoses using smartphones, biosensors, lab-on-a-chip and wearable devices. So far, primary care clinicians and generalists most routinely use POC products and devices for pregnancy tests, fecal occult blood tests, dipstick urinalysis, Strep A, Influenza, and mononucleosis tests. Internists and specialists, who have older and sicker patients, drive in-office testing of prothrombin time, panel and individual chemistries, complete blood counts, and endocrinology. Looking to the future, Kalorama Information says the POC market is evolving with growth opportunity. Developing and developed markets alike have room to grow due to an aging population worldwide. Key companies such as Roche, LifeScan, Abbott, and Alere will likely maintain leading positions in the market through continued product innovation and strategic alliances and mergers.

Beckman Coulter Launches New Chemistry Analyzer

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics this month announced the commercial launch of its new DxC 700 AU chemistry analyzer for mid- to high-volume clinical laboratories.

The new platform combines Beckman Coulter's two existing clinical chemistry analyzers, the UniCel DxC and the AU, into one instrument, and runs new operating software that reduces the number of test-processing steps by 30%, the company says. Beckman Coulter designed the new analyzer with an eye toward lowering the cost of ownership; it uses fewer consumables, concentrated reagents, long-lasting ion-selective electrodes, and non-disposable cuvettes. The FDA granted 501(k) premarket approval to the DxC 700 AU in January. It is now available for sale in the United States, and the company intends to expand sales to other countries in 2017.

Fetal Fibronectin a Poor Indicator for Preterm Birth in Low-Risk Pregnancies

The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test is useful when a pregnant woman shows signs of premature labor. A negative result is a strong indicator that she is not likely to deliver in the next two weeks.

However, the test turns out to be of little use as a universal screening tool for asymptomatic women on their first pregnancies. A study published March 14 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the fFN test, even when combined with another potentially useful screening technique, detected very few of the women who would go on to have spontaneous preterm delivery. There was no threshold level of fFN at which it functioned as a useful screening test, the authors write.

Kalorama Information's The World Market for Molecular Diagnostics, now in its seventh edition, is a comprehensive study of the molecular diagnostics market. The report is available at: https://www.kaloramainformation.com/Molecular-Diagnostics-Edition-10595682/

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog on our company website.

Please link any media or news references to our reports or data to http://www.kaloramainformation.com/.

Press Contact:

Bruce Carlson

212 807 2262

[email protected]

SOURCE Kalorama Information

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MASON CITY | A Mason City man who allegedly hid bags of methamphetamine and a glass pipe between his legs faces criminal charges.

Nicholas Dralle, 32, was charged with felony possession of contraband in a correctional institution and misdemeanor trespassing, interference with official acts and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He's accused of having several bags of a white, clear, rock-like substance believed to be meth in between his legs while being booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail in Mason City about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to court documents.

A search by jail staff also allegedly found a clear glass pipe containing meth residue hidden in between Dralle's legs.

Mason City police had arrested Dralle shortly before midnight while removing him from the Super 8 Motel, 3010 Fourth St. S.W.

Motel staffers had asked him to leave because other patrons were complaining about his behavior, according to court documents.

Dralle allegedly tried to eat a small, clear bag with amphetamine residue when contacted by police.

His next court date is set for March 31 in District Court in Cerro Gordo County.

 Molly Montag
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/481213/O_P__Jindal___Universities_of_the_Future.jpg )



Speaking at the forum, President Mukherjee called on universities and institutions of the country for creating a higher education roadmap that focusses on critical elements of research, knowledge creation, institutional excellence and global benchmarking.

President Mukherjee also emphasized that the education system should take on the challenge of tapping the 'demographic dividend' while also pitching for a stronger industry-academia partnership. "Knowledge mobilization through quality higher education is pivotal to the socio-economic development of a nation. Innovation and futuristic universities are the driving force behind this," he said.

Mr. Naveen Jindal, Chancellor, JGU, said, "The universities of the future will be the pillars of growth and development of our nation. They must be transformed into sites of active learning and research which can act as launch pads for innovation and path-breaking ideas."

Chancellor Jindal announced the launch of the Jindal School of Journalism and Communication (JSJC) the 6th interdisciplinary school of JGU, which will offer opportunities for education, research and capacity building in media and communication studies.

JGU Founding Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Dr) C Raj Kumar, said, "India does not have a single university in the top 25 Asian universities while China has 5 universities in those rankings, besides Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and other countries. We need to introspect and think about the future of universities which will enable and empower us to contribute towards institution building for nation building."

"I have always maintained that while Make in India is important for developing business and advancing economic opportunities, the future of India will depend upon the making of India through academic institutions and universities," he said.

The conference was a culmination of a range of ideas and perspectives that will help shape India's aspirations of building world-class universities through comparative and international dimensions.

The forum recognized that while individual scholars have reached global excellence, the Indian university, as an institution requires essential reforms to acquire international status.

Media contact

Kakul Rizvi

[email protected]



SOURCE O.P. Jindal Global University
FORT WORTH, Texas, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Here in Texas, one person dies in a crash approximately every 2.5 hoursmany of them at intersections.

Using data from the Traffic Operation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, Patterson Law Group examined a vast collection of traffic data from the last five years to create the first interactive traffic study for the Fort Worth area. The firm's goal is to reduce and prevent accidents at intersections notorious for crashes. Over the last six years, Fort Worth has been home to more than 40,000 accidents.

Interactive Fort Worth Accident Map - over 40000 accidents going back 5 years are plotted here

"I hope this report makes the public appreciate just how dangerous driving really is around here. 'It won't happen to me' just doesn't apply anymore," stated attorney Travis Patterson. "With all the distractions inside vehicles these days, it's just a sad reality that you or someone you love will very likely be in a car accident at some point."

According to the most recent statewide data, 807 people were killed in crashes occurring at Texas intersections or related to an intersection in 2015. Earlier this year, a woman was killed and an infant critically injured following a two-vehicle wreck at a Fort Worth intersectionjust one of a number of traffic tragedies in the area. In Fort Worth, the intersection at State Highway 199 and West Weatherford Street ranked #1 for the highest number of accidents in 201651 total.

Distracted driving was attributed to approximately 15 percent of all Texas accidents in 2015. "Take the steps in advance to prepare yourselves for the inevitable. Be alert when driving. You might be a great driver, but you also need to be on the lookout for bad drivers around you," warned Patterson. "It's also a good idea to maintain adequate underinsured motorist coverage, and know the steps to take if you get into an accident."

Rounding out the city's top five most dangerous Fort Worth intersections include North Riverside and Western Center Blvd (28 accidents). Bryant Irvin Road and State Highway 183 ranked number three with 26 accidents. East 5th Street and Commerce Street came in at number four with 25 accidents. BI0287 and State Highway 183 came in fifth with 23 accidents. To view the entire 'Top 10' list, click here.

"By pointing out these Fort Worth accident collision hot spots, we hope to reduce the number of injuries in our community," stressed Patterson. "We hope this interactive study encourages drivers to keep their eyes and ears open in order to be prepared for the unexpected to happen at any moment."

About Patterson Law Group: As experienced personal injury attorneys, our goal is providing efficient representation while always keeping our clients' best interest at the forefront. When a client signs up with Patterson Law Group, our pre-litigation attorneys and staff aggressively pursue settlements with the insurance companies before filing a lawsuit. With a robust pre-litigation department that utilizes the latest technology, clients have access to their cloud-based case file, giving them up-to-the-minute updates on what is happening with their case. To learn more, click here.

Media Contact:

Travis Patterson

817.784.2000

[email protected]

SOURCE Patterson Law Group

Related Links

https://pattersonpersonalinjury.com


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation of Trecora Resources (NYSE: TREC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. On March 1, 2017, post-market, Trecora announced that the Company's Audit Committee "concluded that there were errors in the accounting for its equity in earnings from its investment in AMAK in Q2 and Q3 2016." Trecora further advised investors that the Company's quarterly reports for those periods should no longer be relied upon, and that Trecora would restate its financial and operating results for those quarters before filing its annual report for 2016. To obtain additional information, go to:

http://zlk.9nl.com/trecora-trec



or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972.

Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities and shareholder lawsuits. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Eduard Korsinsky, Esq.

30 Broad Street - 24th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Toll Free: (877) 363-5972

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com

SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

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PITTSBURGH, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, Isaly's, one of the most trusted names in the dairy and deli business, is making its return to freezer shelves with Isaly's Ice Cream. The relaunch of the iconic super-premium ice cream will adhere to Isaly's family tradition and source only high-quality ingredients including fresh cream and the purest flavorsa commitment to quality that customers have long associated with the Isaly's name.

Isaly's Ice Cream flavors will include favorites such as Whitehouse Cherry, Maricopa, Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

The Isaly's story began in 1833 when Swiss cheese maker Christian Isaly and his family emigrated from the hills of Switzerland to the hills of Monroe County, Ohio to continue the family legacy of cheese making. For years, generations of Isaly's carried on the family trade and even expanded to dairy farming. But Isaly's became a household name when Henry Isaly brought his brand of farm-fresh dairy products and deli meats to Pittsburgh from Ohio in the early 1930's. Here he opened an eponymous line of retail stores that operated as a grocery store meets deli meets ice cream storeand a hometown favorite was born. In its prime there were over 100 Isaly's shops serving culinary classics such as chipped chopped ham and tall, pointed ice cream cones known as "Skyscraper" cones, made with special scoops.

Isaly's was well-known for their unusual flavors of ice cream with unusual names like Maricopa, a mix of vanilla ice cream and butterscotch swirls; and Whitehouse Cherry, vanilla ice cream with plump maraschino cherries. The Whitehouse Cherry flavor is a nod to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue's meticulously landscaped cherry blossoms characteristic of Washington, D.C. The shops also sold a full range of sundaes; cones; milkshakes; and Klondike bars, originally sold with one random bar made with a pink center indicating that lucky customer received a free Klondike bar.

In the 1980's, after the Isaly family retired, the baton was passed to long time provisioners and friends the Deily family. After much success, the brand changed hands once more in 2015 when Tim Deily sold it to food industry veterans Jim and Leslee Conroy, owners of Conroy Foods, Inc. The Conroys have been in the food business since 1986 with their introduction of Beano's Original Deli Condiments. Tim trusted the Conroy family to carry on the incredible legacy of quality associated with the name Isaly'skeeping the brand, in essence, "all in the family." Under the Conroys, Isaly's deli products have met steady demand in food chains and independent stores all over Southwest Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and beyond by remaining passionately committed to preserving Isaly's tradition and quality.

When investigating a box of Isaly's memorabilia they received in the purchase, the Conroys discovered an original Skyscraper scoop, an Isaly's store operational manual, and much to their surprise, all of the original ice cream formulas. The rest, as they say, is history2017 will mark the return of Isaly's Ice Cream to grocery store shelves.

Customers can visit Isalys.com for more information and to find their nearest store.

Klondike is a registered trademark of Unilever USA.

About Isaly's Ice Cream

Based on generations of Swiss dairy farmer heritage, Isaly's Ice Cream was established in 1904 with one mission: to make ice cream according to family tradition that customers can trust for consistent freshness, high-quality ingredients, and unbeatable flavor. Now Isaly's Ice Cream is back with its unique flavors with unusual names. For more information, visit Isalys.com.

SOURCE Isaly's Ice Cream

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The purpose of the tour is threefold. One: To celebrate and thank the American people for liberating Italy from Nazi occupation under reviled Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on April 25, 1945. Two: Raise awareness of Italian arts and culture in honor of the international release of the new, critically acclaimed Italian comedy-drama Briciole Sul Mare. The motion picture is currently under consideration as an official nominee for a prestigious David di Donatello Award. Three: To raise funds for the Italian Red Cross to help the victims of central Italy's recent earthquakes.

Briciole Sul Mare tells the story of a fisherman living in the south of Italy whose regular fishing trip takes an unexpected turn when he falls asleep. During his slumber, he drifts south to the waters of beautiful, sunny Sicily. There he meets many new people, including Salvo, a young man who finds himself in a whirlwind of romance, family drama and legal troubleall which could completely alter his future. The film is full of dramatic and comical waves that rise and fall so unexpectedly that any avid roller coaster rider would be envious.

During the tour, Ms. Zanicchi will introduce three of Italy's rising star vocalists to North AmericaBriciole film star and director, Walter Nestola, Paola Gruppuso (from Italy's RAI-TV's The Voice), both of whom are featured on the films official motion picture soundtrack, and Italy's hottest new music sensation, Amato Scarpellino.

The multicity, North American tour, produced by the Balboni Communications Group, LLC, kicks off in Boston on April 22, 2017, with stops in Providence, Rhode Island; Hartford, Connecticut; New York City; New Jersey/Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Cleveland; and Buffalo, New York.

Tickets and information on Iva Zanicchi and The Platters tour are available online at: www.vivaitaliano2017.com.

Frederick J. Balboni, Jr.

T: 978.535.0704 | C: 978.518.7463

[email protected]

SOURCE Balboni Communications Group, LLC

Related Links

http://www.vivaitaliano2017.com


SEATTLE, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China's leading online education company, Hujiang EdTech, is attending the 2017 TESOL Convention in Seattle, USA from March 21 to 24, as the convention's most significant strategic sponsor. The Chinese education technology giant will showcase its efforts in revolutionizing the online education industry, and seek new talent and cooperation from around the world.

Hosted by the world's largest organization of English educators, TESOL, the TESOL Convention is the largest and the most important event in the industry. This year, the event will attract more than 6,000 professionals from around the world, including renowned publishing and educational institutions like Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, National Geographic Learning and the British Council, as well as major academic organizations and trade associations from the United States and elsewhere in the world.

This is the first time for Hujiang EdTech to attend the TESOL Convention, apart from that it has joined many other major international ELT Conferences and conventions before, and has made a positive impact on them. In 2016, Hujiang Edtech was the only EdTech brand sponsor from China at the IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) in the UK.

This year, as the strategic partner, Hujiang leads the sponsorship with a mission to bridge TESOL's high level resources to its various products that serves its users. As Hujiang's key business unit, HJCLASS attracts thousands of online ESL teachers for its own developed English courses and syllabus on a fixed or flexible schedule.

Meanwhile CCtalk, as an interactive online teaching platform for "iTeachers" under Hujiang EdTech, is playing a significant role of matching end to end users. On CCtalk, teachers can live-stream their lectures for students to watch, and use a range of innovative digital tools that facilitate the interaction between teachers and students. Seen as the Airbnb or Uber of the education industry, CCtalk offers a platform where independent teachers can pursue their entrepreneurial dreams of online teaching.

Aiming to integrate technology and education, Hujiang offers original online educational resources for its users in a variety of forms. It hopes to lead the education industry with the idea of "iTeachers"  the "I" stands for "independent" and "Internet". Hujiang now serves over 140 million users in China, the largest market for EdTech in the world.

Hujiang EdTech founder, chairman and CEO, Arnold (Cairui) Fu, says, "Hujiang makes education easier, fairer, and more enjoyable through the Internet." With China's youth crazy for live streaming, Jian Lu, partner of Hujiang EdTech and the President of CCtalk, believes that the technology should be used to aid and transform traditional education methods.

"The TESOL Convention will let the world's prominent educators know more about Hujiang and recruit talent for CCtalk and other projects. The convention can also help the company expand its business to a larger market," said a senior executive from Hujiang EdTech. "We hope that this win-win scenario will result in Hujiang serving more people and offering more inspiring alternatives for online education."

About Hujiang EdTech

Founded in 2001, Hujiang EdTech stands out from the booms and busts of the tech scene in China by offering solid answers to the two questions: How can technology change the education industry? What is an educational technology product, really? Started as an online BBS community offering online courses and now China's leading online education company, Hujiang EdTech strives to make high-quality education more accessible and enjoyable through mobile learning applications, online courses, and online visual classroom platforms. Serving over 140 million users (including 110 million mobile users) in China, Hujiang EdTech offers a wide range of online educational programs, including international & domestic examination preparation, foreign language learning, professional skills training, and more.

SOURCE Hujiang EdTech
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiwi Energy a leading retail energy provider of electricity and gas supply services for New York State, today announced it would be partnering with Safe Streets USA an ADT Authorized Dealer. The partnership will provide new and existing Kiwi Energy customers the opportunity to have a professionally installed ADT monitored wireless home security system by one of the most respected companies in the industry, Safe Streets USA. Kiwi Energy is also offering its new and existing customers who decide to install a system, an Ecogold credit that can be used towards any participating brand in the Ecogold Loyalty Plan.

Safe Streets USA is one of ADT's oldest and largest Authorized Dealers with consultants in 44 states and nearly 300 trained Installation Consultants across the country. Being one of the largest and most respected Authorized Dealers, their ownership and management team consist of a group of experienced and knowledgeable executives that are always abreast of the latest industry developments, products and technology. This dedication to providing their customers with innovative security products and services is also what sets them apart from the rest.

In business for over 142 years, ADT is a leading provider of security and businesses in the United States and Canada. ADT's broad and pioneering set of products and services, including ADT Pulse interactive home and business solutions, and health services, meet a range of customer needs for today's active and increasingly mobile lifestyles. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT serves nearly eight million customers and operates in more than 200 locations with 20,000 employees.

"We are delighted to announce our partnership with Safe Streets USA and to offer our customers the advantages of having a best in class security system monitored by ADT. Here at Kiwi Energy we are continuously exploring new ways to expand our growing suite of value added products, a professionally installed and designed home security system by Safe Streets USA will make a great addition." -Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Kiwi Energy

About Kiwi Energy

Kiwi Energy is an energy retailer dedicated to providing innovative energy solutions for your electricity and natural gas supply. We focus on environmentally conscious products backed by a friendly and efficient service. As a company we pride ourselves on transparency and our customer service team is always happy to help with any questions about the energy industry or our services.

Media Contact:

Nikki Clark

Email: [email protected]

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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Kiwi Energy

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Financial barriers and a lack of public transportation are barriers to regular cancer screenings, which are proven essential to early diagnosis, intervention and improved survival. By travelling to where these at-risk patient populations live and providing lung cancer screenings for them, the unit will provide better access to diagnose and care for underserved and uninsured populations.

"This unique vehicle visibly demonstrates our commitment to removing the barriers to care that exist in many of the communities served by Levine Cancer Institute," said Derek Raghavan, MD, president of Levine Cancer Institute. "We firmly believe that by taking advanced, low radiation lung cancer screenings to these communities, new lung cancer patients will be diagnosed at an earlier stage and will have access to a broad array of support and treatments."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, taking more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. The creation of the mobile screening unit will help reverse this trend by eliminating financial and resource barriers. Participants will be screened in their community, each receiving detailed information regarding any follow up process along with contact information to resources such as a program coordinator or navigator for any questions.

Increasing awareness about the impact of smoking and healthy lifestyles is another key component that could lead to earlier intervention and effective treatment for high-risk patients thus reducing the number of stage III and IV diagnoses.

Features of the unit include:

A built in portable, low dose CT scanner that can develop high quality images for soft tissue and bone for accurate diagnosis

Wireless connection for fast and easy image transfers

The utilization of low power consumption

Meets the technical requirements for the American College of Radiology (ACR) screening designation

Handicapped accessible

Two iPads with education on smoking cessation and other healthy lifestyle information

In addition to the mobile unit, the grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation provides funding for a comprehensive education, navigation and clinical intervention program, known as the Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life program.

"It is our belief that a mobile screening program like Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life could lead to a new industry standard for how initial diagnosis and care for lung cancer patients should transpire to ensure quality outcomes and extended survivorship," said John Damonti, president, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Levine Cancer Institute on the Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life comprehensive screening program to demonstrate that cutting edge cancer screening can happen in the most rural communities in our country. This will move the needle in terms of lung cancer survival and will provide a template for other states and organizations to follow."

If a patient is identified to have lung cancer the program then provides them with comprehensive education, clinical intervention, and patient navigators, who are nurses that assist patients through the network of cancer-treatment decisions and fears. Individuals requiring biopsy or other interventions will receive treatment with Levine Cancer Institute or a Carolinas HealthCare System facility regardless of insurance status.



"By eliminating the transportation, financial, and resource barriers to care that prevent patients from accessing early diagnosis and life-saving treatment, we believe this program will improve the quality of life and enhance survivorship for lung cancer patients in the Carolinas," said Mellisa Wheeler, director of disparities and outreach at Levine Cancer Institute. "Access to optimal screening is paramount to early detection, intervention and survival for those at high risk for contracting the deadly disease."

Levine Cancer Institute is committed to improving the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives. Providing seamless access to coordinated, high-quality healthcare close to where patients live is fundamental to the mission of the organization.

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation's leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas HealthCare System works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

SOURCE Carolinas HealthCare System

Related Links

http://www.carolinashealthcare.org


SAN DIEGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SelfHelpWorks, the leading provider of online video-based interventions for improving employee health and well-being, will be exhibiting its online solutions at the upcoming Human Resource Executive Health & Benefits Leadership Conference (HBLC) from April 19  21.

Health Advances On Display

SelfHelpWorks, the leading provider of online video-based interventions for improving employee health and well-being, will be exhibiting its online solutions at the upcoming Human Resource Executive(R) Health & Benefits Leadership Conference (HBLC) from April 19 - 21.

HBLC has long been known as the "must-see" conference for employers to learn more about how to retain today's best talent and optimize workforce health, and that makes SelfHelpWorks a natural fit for this venue. With so many companies focused on lowering health care costs and improving productivity, connecting with wellness solutions like SelfHelpWorks has become nothing short of necessary.

"SelfHelpWorks provides the 'missing link' in corporate health and wellness  a convenient, low-cost way for employees to successfully eliminate the stubborn, deeply ingrained unhealthy habits that lower productivity and increase healthcare costs. Our video-based online interventions are highly effective and easy to implement. More importantly, employees love them  we get comments from them all the time," said Lou Ryan, founder of SelfHelpWorks.

Saving Companies More Money Than Ever

Health problems cost employers billions of dollars per year, and many of those issues are directly tied to ongoing health issues that can be managed through better lifestyle choices. For example, many experts have suggested that diabetes prevention is going to be a massive target for employers over the next decade.

"Four years ago, the annual costs of diabetes in America were estimated at $245 billion  $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in lost productivity," said Ryan. "And things are only getting worse  one in three employees is now battling diabetes or pre-diabetes. It's costing employers an absolute fortune  but the good news is that it doesn't have to. The key is to provide your employees with effective diabetes prevention and management strategies like SelfHelpWorks can offer."

Making Plans to Attend HBLC

The conference will be held at the popular Aria Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Employers who are interested in attending HBLC are able to receive a $50 registration discount courtesy of SelfHelpWorks. SelfHelpWorks will be in Booth 231 in the Expo hall, all attendees interested in discussing anything wellness-related are invited to stop by.

Contact:

Bryan Noar, VP Marketing & General Manager

SelfHelpWorks

2727 Camino del Rio South, Suite 110 San Diego, CA 92108 619-296-6001 ext. 248

SOURCE SelfHelpWorks

Related Links

http://www.selfhelpworks.com


WILMINGTON, Mass., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Locus Robotics today announced it has been named to the Robotics Business Review's 2017 RBR50. The RBR50 is an international compilation of 50 of the most innovative and noteworthy companies in the robotics industry, recognized for their groundbreaking applications, market influence and industry potential.

"Locus Robotics is honored to be named one of the 2017 RBR50," said Rick Faulk, CEO. "The explosive growth in e-commerce worldwide has fueled the demand for greater productivity in the warehouse.

We are thrilled to be recognized for our contribution to this market, and look forward to continuing to drive greater throughput and operational efficiencies in the warehouse fulfillment space."

Robotics Business Review evaluated RBR50 companies from 10 countries, ranging from startups to some of the biggest robotics makers in the world. The list of honorees represents many different levels and facets of the competitive global robotics industry; identifying companies that are visionaries, trendsetters and companies to watch.

"The RBR50 list represents the cream of the crop of the world's most innovative, influential and commercially successful robotics companies," said Eugene Demaitre, Robotics Business Review's Senior Editor. "We expect the RBR50 honorees to continue to lead the industry across growing markets, and we look forward to tracking their progress in 2017."

ABOUT LOCUS ROBOTICS

Locus Robotics transforms your productivity without transforming your warehouse. Locus's innovative, autonomous robots work collaboratively alongside workers, helping them pick 2x-5x faster, with near-100% accuracy, and less labor compared to traditional picking systems. This proven, powerful technology integrates easily into existing warehouse infrastructure without disrupting workflows. For more information visit www.locusrobotics.com.

Locus Robotics will be demonstrating its collaborative, autonomous robotics solution, LocusEmpower at ProMat, April 3-5 in Chicago. ProMat is the industry's premier showcase of material handling, supply chain and logistics solutions in North America.

ABOUT ROBOTICS BUSINESS REVIEW

Robotics Business Review provides business intelligence for the global robotics industry. Members enjoy exclusive insights into global news, tracking of financial transactions, analysis of new technologies and companies, annual and quarterly research reports, access to the RBR50 Top 50 Companies list and much more. Visit RoboticsBusinessReview.com.

SOURCE Locus Robotics

Related Links

http://www.locusrobotics.com


MASON CITY | The City Council voted Tuesday night to direct city staff to begin negotiations with Gatehouse Capital on a development agreement for a hotel and convention space downtown.

The vote was 5-0. Councilman Bill Schickel was absent.

"This is just the beginning," said Councilman Brett Schoneman, noting there's a lot of work still to be done.

"This won't be successful without the entire community behind it," he said.

Gatehouse Capital of Dallas, Texas, proposes building a hotel in a portion of the Southbridge Mall parking lot and connecting it with The Music Man Square via skywalk.

The proposed plan includes remodeling The Music Man Square to include a ballroom/convention space with seating for 650 people and expansion of the museum.

G8 Development of San Diego also submitted a proposal to build a hotel with a conference center and bistro in the parking lot west of City Hall.

The city is required to secure $10 million in private investment to receive state funding for the $36 million River City Renaissance project, which includes a downtown music pavilion, parking ramp, mixed-use building and ice arena/multipurpose center.

Both Gatehouse and G8 both stated they were willing to make that $10 million investment.

Mayor Eric Bookmeyer stated Friday afternoon that he supports moving forward with Gatehouse.

Gatehouse pledges 'openness' to community on Mason City hotel project MASON CITY | Mayor Eric Bookmeyer said Friday afternoon he supports moving forward with Gate

Earlier this year, the city sought proposals from developers interested in building a downtown hotel. Both Gatehouse and G8 submitted proposals.

G8, owned by Philip Chodur, proposed essentially the same plan last year for a Mason City hotel. However, the company backed out when Chodur could not secure financing.

Chodur's proposal this year contained confirmation of financing from a North Carolina bank.

Councilman Travis Hickey said G8 took so long to get financing that "they have lost a lot of faith with citizens."

Meanwhile, the Gatehouse proposal has been gaining public support, according to Hickey.

However, he said he does have a number of concerns about the Gatehouse proposal, which includes the possibility of the city taking over the operation of the museum.

The museum, along with the rest of The Music Man Square, is currently operated by the not-for-profit Mason City Foundation.

Passing those operating costs onto the city would put an additional burden on taxpayers, according to Hickey.

Councilman Paul Adams said he's had countless conversations with citizens. Two people wanted him to vote against both hotel proposals, one wanted him to vote for G8 and the rest were in favor of Gatehouse.

He said he supports Gatehouse "100 percent," noting they have been responsible for $1 billion in hotel development across the country.

Ten people spoke during the public forum at the beginning of the council meeting.

Nearly all of them, including representatives from organizations such as Visit Mason City, Main Street Mason City and Leadership North Iowa, spoke in favor of Gatehouse.

Gatehouse official David Rachie said his company is open to suggestions from the community.

He said the plan is to submit several different options to the City Council and let the members form "the essence of what the project will be."

Former Councilman Max Weaver criticized city officials for how they have handled the hotel issue.

He noted just last week Bookmeyer said he would ask the City Council to approve putting both hotel proposals up to a public vote on Aug. 1, at the same time as the bond referendum for the ice arena/multipurpose center.

Weaver said when he heard the news that the council would decide the matter instead, "I felt like I got socked in the mouth," he said. "I thought you were going to let us choose."

Weaver said he does see merit in proposal that would attach the Gatehouse hotel to the south side of The Music Man Square.

He also proposed the city get out of the River City Renaissance program, claiming the city could save money and still have a new ice arena and development on the south side of Delaware Avenue.
According to Dr. Burke, up to approximately 1 million Americans are estimated to live with Lynch Syndrome, and it is believed that as many as 500,000 Lynch Syndrome carriers have no idea they are at risk of disease.

Lynch Syndrome is the most common inherited colorectal cancer syndrome. It accounts for three to five percent of all cases of colorectal cancer and 10 to 15 percent of colorectal cancers diagnosed in patients younger than age 50. Lynch Syndrome is also the most common inherited cause of endometrial cancer. It causes up to three percent of all endometrial cancers.

Individuals with Lynch Syndrome have a substantially increased lifetime cumulative risk of colorectal cancer and other Lynch Syndrome-associated cancers including endometrial, ovarian, gastric, small bowel and urothelial tract.

"Physicians should be reminded on this day to redouble our efforts to create opportunities in our practice to make a proactive diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome by utilizing simple and directed family cancer history taking, ensuring that all colorectal cancers in our patients are tested for evidence of microsatellite instability, a hallmark of Lynch Syndrome, seeing that appropriate patients and families are offered genetic testing, and providing them with the education and management schema to prevent death from Lynch Syndrome-related cancers," Dr. Burke advised.

"Prevention of the occurrence and death from some of these cancers due to Lynch Syndrome is possible with recognition of the syndrome and preventive strategies, such as colonoscopy and prophylactic surgery," she added.

About Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome, named after Dr. Henry T. Lynch who characterized the syndrome in 1966, is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome. It is caused by a germline mutation in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) or EPCAM genes.

Impact of Lynch Syndrome on Families

Lynch Syndrome affects families. Once it is diagnosed by genetic testing in one relative, other at-risk family members should undergo genetic testing and be offered appropriate management to decrease their risk of cancer.

Importance of Molecular and Genetic Testing

Data show that the family history alone is not accurate enough to select which patients should be tested for Lynch Syndrome. Some studies have shown that up to 40 percent of patients with Lynch Syndrome do not meet clinical criteria for the syndrome. In her commentary, Dr. Burke emphasizes that molecular and genetic testing is required to make the diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome.

Currently, the national recommendation is that all colorectal cancer tumors should be tested for evidence of MMR deficiency to reveal Lynch Syndrome. This is called "universal testing" and is endorsed by many organizations and agencies.

Many commercial laboratories offer genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome. Genetic counselors are invaluable in the process of risk assessment and providing genetic testing. The National Society of Genetic Counselors can provide information for a genetic counselor in your area (www.nsgc.org).

Dr. Burke offers a warning to her fellow gastroenterologists, "Be sure your Lynch Syndrome patients know that this is a 'family business' and provide them with recommendations to share with their family members, a lifesaving gesture!"

Read Dr. Burke's guidance for GI clinicians on Lynch Syndrome via the ACG Blog (acgblog.org/2017/03/20/acg-presidents-blog-lynch-syndrome-awareness-day).

Access patient education on Lynch Syndrome from the ACG patient website (patients.gi.org/topics/lynch-syndrome).

Access resources from Lynch Syndrome International on its website (lynchcancers.com) and Facebook page (facebook.com/LynchSyndromeInternational).

About the American College of Gastroenterology: Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 14,000 individuals from 85 countries. The College's vision is to be the pre-eminent professional organization that champions the evolving needs of clinicians in the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based and compassionate health care to gastroenterology patients. The mission of the College is to advance world-class care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders through excellence, innovation and advocacy in the areas of scientific investigation, education, prevention and treatment. www.gi.org. For more information on colorectal cancer screening, gi.org/ColonCancer. Follow ACG on Twitter @AmCollegeGastro.

SOURCE American College of Gastroenterology

Related Links

http://gi.org


MANCHESTER, N.H. and PETERBOROUGH, N.H., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Every student deserves equitable access to effective instruction every day they are in school. An upcoming SDE conference will help New England early childhood educators rise to this challenge by providing learner-centered instruction that puts students first. The 2017 New England PreK2 Conference, will be held March 2728, 2017, in Manchester, NH.

"As the educational landscape evolves, teachers are looking for highly focused strategies that enable them to meet the unique educational needs of their students. In response, we've built this conference around narrowed grade-bands that deliver just the content they need," Kymra Kurinskas, SDE program developer, said.

This year's line-up of PreK2 presenters is chock full of fresh faces, including Christina DeCarbo, Pat Pavelka, Reagan Tunstall, and Janiel Wagstaff. Each is an early childhood expert who knows what it takes to increase an educator's standards of professional practice. In addition, two powerful keynotes will be presented by author and behavior expert Dan St. Romain and author and DI, technology, and engagement expert Dedra Stafford.

Throughout the two days, attendees will get up-to-date on the latest and most effective ways to improve student success. According to Kurinskas, "they'll gain a whole new perspective on providing research-based instruction in core content areas of reading, writing, and math. They'll delve into project- and brain-based learning and how to promote both through technology and STEM. They'll also investigate new and better ways to manage, assess, and motivate a diverse group of learners."

Sessions will cover the "must haves" for every teacher, such as classroom management, planning and preparation, increasing content knowledge, and behavior and time management. Also sprinkled in will be cutting-edge topics like growth mindset, mindfulness and gratitude, play-based learning, and more.

With content specifically targeted to address each grade level more meaningfully, this year's conference will shape the performance and improve the classroom impact of teachers for years to come. "Spirits will be lifted as attendees sharpen their focus and get a well-deserved infusion of motivation. Without a doubt, they'll return to their classrooms fully prepared to efficiently and effectively deliver content that results in success for all," Kurinskas said.

To register for this conference or learn about SDE's national conferences, upcoming PD events, or other professional development opportunities, visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected].

About SDE

SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-Based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.

For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit www.sde.com, or to call 1-800-462-1478.

SOURCE Staff Development for Educators

Related Links

http://www.sde.com


CALVERTON, N.Y., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Environmental Group, Inc. (MEG), headquartered in Calverton, NY has expanded its Operations in the Harrisburg, PA market after opening its original MEG Operation Center in January of 2014. MEG has experienced pronounced growth that has outpaced its expectations. "We are very proud to announce that we have expanded into a 15,000ft2 space located at 17 Brenneman Circle, Suite 101, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. This expansion will allow MEG to better serve its client base in the Central PA marketplace," commented Mark Miller, Owner and CEO of MEG. The company will continue to expand its entire service line to customers in the region including Emergency Spill Response, Industrial Cleaning, Environmental Remediation, Waste Transportation, Disposal, Health & Safety Training, and Marine Support services.

Additionally, MEG is growing in the Baltimore, MD market as well. Soon, MEG will be moving to a much larger space in the Curtis Bay area of Baltimore. "MEG will be able to meet and sustain the growth in the Baltimore market by expanding from our current space that we have occupied for the past 12 years," remarked George Wallace, VP and Chief Commercial Officer. MEG has significantly grown its customer base in the Baltimore, MD market to include Utilities, Marine Transportation, Railroads, Insurance Companies, Chemical Manufacturers, Petroleum Terminals, and many other industries. "The determined growth of our company has positioned MEG to more fully address our clients' needs both geographically and by service line," commented Mark Lucy, Regional Manager for MEG.

Miller Environmental Group is a diversified environmental services company providing its clients industrial cleaning, environmental emergency response, environmental remediation, health and safety training, marine support services, and geothermal drilling coupled with heat pump sales. MEG's corporate headquarters is in Calverton, New York, and the firm has nine offices serving the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US. For more information about MEG's services, visit www.millerenv.com.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Mark Miller, please call Janet Martin at 631-369-4900 Ext. 212, or e-mail Janet at [email protected].

Contact Person: Mark Miller

Company Name: Miller Environmental Group, Inc.

Telephone Number: (631) 369-4900

Fax Number: (631) 369-4909

Email Address: [email protected]

Web site address: www.millerenv.com

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

SOURCE Miller Environmental Group, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.millerenv.com


Morphotek and SROCF are grateful to the women who participated in the roundtable and who helped to develop this educational resource. " Clinical Trials: A Start" is available for free download on SROCF's and Morphotek's websites.

"In light of our hhc Mission, we welcomed this opportunity to collaborate with the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation to educate patients and caregivers on the often complex subject of clinical trials," said Nicholas Nicolaides, President and CEO of Morphotek. "We hope that 'Clinical Trials: A Start' proves to be an easy-to-understand resource that helps patients to have a more meaningful discussion with their healthcare provider on clinical trials."

"We're hopeful that this brochure might serve as a starting point for women fighting ovarian cancer to learn about potentially lifesaving clinical trials," said Robin Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. "Many women are unaware of or confused by the options available to them, and we hope to change that."

About the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation

The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 organization created as a tribute to the life, character, and immense strength of Sandy Rollman. Sandy passed away from advanced ovarian cancer in May 2000. Prior to diagnosis, Sandy experienced many textbook symptoms. Her symptoms were whispering only no one was listening. The tragic result was that Sandy never had a chance against ovarian cancer. Her sister Adriana Way and her nurse Robin Cohen decided to keep Sandy's memory alive while trying to prevent other women from having to endure the same pain as she did. It is in Sandy's memory and the memory of all women who have succumbed to this insidious disease, that we have dedicated our efforts to help conquer ovarian cancer. Sandy Rollman was a fighter in the truest sense of the word. It would have been a mistake for us to just give up. Our mission is to fight for those who are fighting, speak for those who have fallen silent and provide for those who are working towards the end of ovarian cancer. For more information, please visit www.sandyovarian.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.



About Morphotek

Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of protein and antibody products through the use of a novel and proprietary gene evolution technology. The technology has been successfully applied to a broad variety of cell lines and organisms to yield genetically diverse offspring that are suitable for pharmaceutical product development in the areas of antibody therapeutics, protein therapeutics, product manufacturing, drug target discovery, and improved output traits for commercial applications. The company is currently focusing its platform on the development and manufacturing of therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and infectious disease. For more information, please visit www.morphotek.com.

About Eisai Inc.

At Eisai Inc., human health care (hhc) is our goal. We give our first thought to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs.

Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, and marketing capabilities. Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Morphotek Contacts: Investor Inquiries: Media Inquiries: Rod Dausch Diana Martens 610-423-6111 610-423-6085 [email protected] [email protected]



Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation Contact: Media Inquiries:

Robin Cohen

610-446-2272

[email protected]



SOURCE Morphotek, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.morphotek.com


"At MSC Cruises, we strive to create memorable vacation experiences for our guests while on board our cruise ships, and internationally inspired dining is a key feature of our offering," said Andrea Gangale, MSC Cruises' Head of Product Development and Guest Experience.

"We continue to drive innovation in cruising at many levels, which now also includes our onboard dining experience. The new dining concepts cater to the needs of today's cruise guests, who are looking for more flexibility and choices," continued Gangale. "Starting with MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside, guests will be able to manage their choices, through cutting-edge onboard technology, and experience an even greater selection of international restaurants which will deliver culinary experiences from around the world."

New Dining Styles on MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia

One of the new dining concepts that MSC Cruises is introducing is Flexi Dining1. This new dining style allows guests to pre-select a time slot for their evening meal, with the ability to change it at any time during their cruise. This way guests can get the most out of their vacation by easily scheduling their dining around their plans for each day.

The Classic2 cruise dining experience will still be available, with a choice of two seatings each evening. This traditional dining style is popular with guests who prefer a dedicated table each night so that they can enjoy personalized service from the same waiter who will know their names, dining preferences and how to accommodate them. This way, they can also socialize with the same guests each evening.

In addition, MSC Yacht Club guests will continue to benefit from free-time dining in the dedicated MSC Yacht Club restaurant, with the option of reserving a table in advance.

Casual dining venues are available for all guests 20 hours-a-day, offering a wide range of freshly prepared dishes. The MSC Cruises buffet  already one of the richest at sea -- has been further enhanced with a wide range of different international dishes suited to any taste. MSC Seaside, in particular, will feature two casual dining venues, one of which will be dedicated to families, serving family-friendly options and featuring child-friendly seatings.

Even More International Specialty Restaurants

Specialty restaurants are a standout feature on MSC Cruises' ships, offering guests the opportunity to experience quality cuisines from around the world even while at sea. The cruise line's new cruise ships launching in 2017  MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside  will feature restaurants with innovative 'open kitchens,' following the trend in restaurant design and creating a sensory experience that allows guests to see, smell and hear expert chefs at work. Selected restaurants on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside will also feature a Chef's Table, a dining concept designed for those seeking a true gastronomic experience.

Following the success of Kaito Sushi Bar, hailed as "The Best Sushi at Sea,"3 serving fresh fish, sashimi and tempura, MSC Cruises will introduce the new Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant on board MSC Meraviglia to complement the ship's Kaito Sushi Bar. With a modern twist on Asian cuisine, guests can sit at the cooking stations and watch authentic Japanese dishes come to life in front of their eyes. Expert chefs will cook with flare on an open grill  a visual spectacle with flames and sizzling ingredients coming together to form flavorful dishes.

Another new restaurant concept  featured on MSC Meraviglia as well as MSC Seaside  will be an authentic American Steakhouse  Butcher's Cut  celebrating the craft heritage of America blended with the skilful mastery of the butcher. Guests can select their favorite steak from glass-fronted meat aging fridges and then watch the skilled chefs preparing their selections in the open kitchen. The bar will feature a bold wine list with selections from the New World, cocktails inspired by American heritage, and an assortment of craft beers.

A highlight of the dining on MSC Seaside will also be the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi. The three distinct eateries created by the innovative Japanese-American chef will include: an a la carte restaurant serving gourmet Asian creations in a stylish venue with incredible sea views; a Sushi Bar; and an area with Teppanyaki Grills  each area offering authentic pan-Asian dining experiences at sea.

MSC Seaside will also feature the signature seafood restaurant, Ocean Cay. This stylish restaurant will serve American-style fish dishes with a Mediterranean twist. A simple menu with delicious signature dishes will include locally-sourced Stone Crabs, a delicacy in the homeport of Miami, beautiful fresh Sea Bass, flown in from the Mediterranean, and homemade spaghetti alle vongole (with clams).

Even More Collaborations with Renowned Chefs

MSC Cruises is committed to partnering with world-class experts in their fields and the dining experience on the new cruise ships is no exception. The collaboration with world-renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi on MSC Seaside extends beyond the creation of the menus. As part of the partnership, Chef Yamaguchi is personally involved in conceptualizing and designing every element of the new pan-Asian restaurant, including creating the recipes and menus, selecting chinaware, choosing music to create the right ambience, and designing wine pairings to complement the food.

A long-standing partnership with two-star Michelin chef Carlo Cracco will now encompass the development of signature dishes for the main restaurant menus on MSC Meraviglia as well as for the Christmas and New Year menus. Also onboard MSC Meraviglia, a partnership with award-winning French chocolatier and pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury will include Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Cafe, an open chocolate atelier, and Jean-Philippe Crepes & Gelato, which will serve sweet treats in the ship's Mediterranean-style promenade.

The chef collaborations extend beyond the new ships as part of MSC Cruises' focus on international fine dining. For example, MSC Cruises is collaborating with international Chinese chef, Jereme Leung. Globally recognized for his contemporary interpretation of Chinese cuisine, Chef Leung's modern approach has long caught the attention of top international restaurant critics, and he has brought his contemporary Chinese cuisine to MSC Lirica. In partnership with MSC Cruises, Chef Leung designed new and innovative dining concepts tailored to the tastes of Chinese guests, enhancing existing menus with creative flair and developing new exclusive signature dishes.

New Dining Packages for All Tastes

To help guests better plan their onboard dining experiences and make the most of their time on board, MSC Cruises is introducing a range of dining packages that can be booked prior to the cruise. For example:

Guests on board MSC Meraviglia will be able to book a Dinner & Show package where they will enjoy an exclusive table d'hote menu and then experience the breathtaking Cirque du Soleil at Sea performance in the impressive purpose-built Carousel Lounge.

will be able to book a where they will enjoy an exclusive table d'hote menu and then experience the breathtaking Cirque du Soleil at Sea performance in the impressive purpose-built Carousel Lounge. A special dining package is available for the Eataly Chef's Table on board MSC Meraviglia , which includes a dedicated chef and sommelier for the night, seven gourmet dishes cooked to perfection and all perfectly matched with seven wines.

Chef's Table on board , which includes a dedicated chef and sommelier for the night, seven gourmet dishes cooked to perfection and all perfectly matched with seven wines. For guests looking to explore a variety of specialty restaurants, special discounted packages can be pre-booked before the sailing.

For More Information

To view MSC Cruises' specialty restaurant packages, visit: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Already-Booked/Cruise-Upgrade/Speciality-Restaurants.aspx

For more information about dining options on MSC Meraviglia, visit: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Ships/MSC-Meraviglia/Restaurants.aspx

For more information about dining options on MSC Seaside, visit: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Ships/MSC-Seaside/Restaurants.aspx

ABOUT MSC CRUISES

MSC Cruises, part of the MSC Group, is the Swiss-based, world's largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, sailing year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman.

MSC Cruises' fleet is currently comprised of 12 of the most modern ships at sea: MSC Preziosa; MSC Divina; MSC Splendida; MSC Fantasia; MSC Magnifica; MSC Poesia; MSC Orchestra; MSC Musica; MSC Sinfonia; MSC Armonia; MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.

MSC Cruises has significant plans for future expansion through a nearly $10 billion investment plan, which consists of up to 11 new, next-generation MSC Cruises ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026. MSC Cruises is the first global cruise line brand to develop an investment plan of this length and magnitude, spanning a horizon of over ten years.

_________________________________

1 Fantastica experience guests can choose between Flexi and Classic dining

1 MSC Cruises will try to accommodate Bella guests' timeslot preference (as indicated during the booking process); however, slots are subject to availability. Fantastica experience guests will have priority of dining slot

2 The Classic cruise dining experience is available to Fantastica experience guests only

3 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships

SOURCE MSC Cruises USA

Related Links

http://www.msccruisesusa.com


ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings issued the following statement following Congressman DeFazio's (D-Ore.) introduction of "Investing in America: A Penny for Progress." This legislation authorizes the U.S. Department of Treasury to issue 30-year Invest in America Bonds annually through 2030. The bonds will generate nearly $500 billion in additional revenues for the Highway Trust Fund that must be put toward authorized highway and transportation projects.

"On behalf of the truckstop and travel plaza industry, I applaud Congressman DeFazio for his leadership in putting forth a sound proposal that will boost desperately needed revenues into the Highway Trust Fund and generate nearly $500 billion in additional revenues for authorized highway and transportation projects.

This proposal will stop us from losing ground on the motor fuels tax, which hasn't been increased since 1993, while providing real growth and real money for the Highway Trust Fund.

This measure will ensure that we can continue to prioritize direct federal spending on the nation's infrastructure. Positive solutions like this avoid the need for inefficient and counter-productive revenue-raising mechanisms such as tolling or commercializing rest areas, which harm highway users, interstate-based businesses and the local communities in which they operate.

The motor fuels tax remains the most equitable and efficient method of collecting infrastructure revenues, with nearly 99 percent of all funds collected put toward the Highway Trust Fund.

I commend Congressman DeFazio and his staff for their diligence and hard work in developing an efficient, sustainable solution for addressing the nation's infrastructure funding needs that ensures sufficient funds to support a vibrant and healthy infrastructure network into the future."

NATSO is the professional association of America's travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.

CONTACT: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman

Phone: (703) 739-8578

E-mail: twlazlow[email protected]

SOURCE NATSO, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.natso.com


"Subcutaneous C1-INH, as demonstrated in the COMPACT study, addresses an unmet need for patients and has the potential to change the treatment paradigm by adding a new option to prevent HAE attacks with a subcutaneous therapy," said Bruce Zuraw, M.D., of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Director of the US HAEA Angioedema Center at UC San Diego, and chairman of the steering committee of the study.

The NEJM paper provides detailed data on the Phase III randomized efficacy study (NCT01912456) which evaluated type I & type II HAE patients during two 16-week treatment periods. The study looked at the number of attacks experienced by a patient given CSL830 prophylactically and the number of times HAE rescue medication was needed; both were reduced. Depending on the administered dose, HAE attack rates were reduced by a median of 89% and 95% (for the 40 IU/kg and 60 IU/kg dose, respectively). Additionally, 40% of patients on the higher dose were completely free of attacks, and patients, in general, experienced fewer and milder HAE symptoms overall. No patients on 60 IU/kg experienced a laryngeal attack within the study period.

"The study not only demonstrates very robust and dose-dependent efficacy, but also that the subcutaneous self-injection could be managed by all patients and was well tolerated," said Hilary Longhurst M.D., of Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, first author of the manuscript and member of the steering committee.

"Despite the strides that have been taken to provide current treatment options, there still remains a need for new therapies that prevent symptoms of this debilitating and potentially life-threatening disease," added Andrew Cuthbertson M.D., Chief Scientific Officer and R&D Director, CSL Limited. "These study results demonstrate the promise of CSL830 and its potential to significantly change the lives of people living with HAE by reliably preventing attacks with a self-administered subcutaneous therapy. CSL Behring thanks all of the patients who participated in this study for their courage and collaboration. Patient and investigating physician partnerships make clinical programs like COMPACT possible and progress could not be made without them."

On August 30, 2016, CSL Behring announced that the US FDA accepted its Biologics License Application for CSL830.

About Hereditary Angioedema

HAE is a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic condition that occurs in about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people. HAE is caused by lack of or malfunctioning C1-INH. As a result, there are inadequate amounts of properly functioning C1-INH, leading fluid to build up in body tissues, causing considerable swelling episodes referred to as angioedema. HAE attacks can affect many parts of the body and can spread to multiple sites, including the face, abdomen, larynx and extremities. Patients who have abdominal attacks of HAE can experience episodes of extreme pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting caused by swelling of the intestinal wall. HAE attacks that involve the face or throat can result in airway closure, asphyxiation and, if untreated, death.

About CSL830 - Subcutaneous C1 Esterase Inhibitor (C1-INH)

CSL830 C1-Esterase Inhibitor (Human) is a novel, investigational, subcutaneous therapy. C1-INH replaces the missing or malfunctioning C1-INH protein in patients with a C1-INH deficiency.

About CSL Behring

CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader which is driven by its promise to serve patients' needs by using the latest technologies. We develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat coagulation disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders. The company's products are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.

CSL Behring operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. The parent company, CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs more than 17,000 people, providing its life-saving, life-changing therapies to people in more than 60 countries. For more information visit www.cslbehring.com and follow us on www.Twitter.com/CSLBehring.

Media Contacts



Natalie de Vane

Head of External Communications  CSL Behring

Office: +1 610 878 4468

Mobile: +1 610 999 8756

Email: [email protected]



Elliot Fox

W2O Group

Office: +1 212 257 6724

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE CSL Behring
MCLEAN, Va., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- National Teacher Day is Tuesday, May 9, 2017. It is a day designed to celebrate educators and thank them for their investment in the lives of our youth. The average teacher works nearly eleven hours each day. In addition to the seven hours they spend teaching, educators spend countless hours planning lessons, grading papers, communicating with parents, and attending meetings and training seminars. This doesn't count the additional time they spend caring for our students' emotional wellbeing both inside and outside of the classroom. A teacher's job is truly never done!

TeachersDay.com has free resources to honor educators TeachersDay.com has free resources to honor educators

TeachersDay.com is filled with free posters, cards, decorations, and activities. It is the perfect site for parents, administrators, or paraprofessionals looking for easy but meaningful ways to celebrate the teachers in their lives. The site is appropriate for all ages and grade levels, as its resources range from creative and persuasive writing prompts to crowns that can be decorated for the honored king or queen of the classroom. Parents will find things to help their kids surprise and thank their teachers.

About TeachersDay.com

TeachersDay.com is a website designed to help people celebrate Teacher Day around the world. Based in Virginia, TeachersDay.com has free downloadable activities for students of all ages that can be used to show appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week or anytime throughout the year.

Media Contact:

Russell Frey

[email protected]

5712136578

SOURCE TeachersDay.com

Related Links

http://TeachersDay.com


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Synopsis

Timetric's 'Non-Life Insurance in Singapore Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Singaporean non-life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Singaporean insurance industry with its regional counterparts.



It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Singaporean economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the Singaporean insurance industry, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



The report brings together Timetric's research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.



Summary

Timetric's 'Non-Life Insurance in Singapore Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Singaporean non-life insurance segment, including:



- The Singaporean non-life segment's detailed outlook by product category



- A comprehensive overview of the Singaporean economy and demographics



- A comparison of the Singaporean non-life insurance segment with its regional counterparts



- The various distribution channels in the Singaporean non-life insurance segment



- Detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Singaporean insurance industry



- Details of the competitive landscape in the non-life insurance segment in Singapore



- Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Singaporean insurance industry



Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in Singapore:



- It provides historical values for the Singaporean non-life insurance segment for the report's 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.



- It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Singaporean non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.



- It provides a comparison of the Singaporean non-life insurance segment with its regional counterparts



- It analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in Singapore.



- It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Singaporean insurance industry



- It profiles the top non-life insurance companies in Singapore, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Reasons To Buy

- Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Singaporean non-life insurance segment, and each category within it.



- Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Singaporean non-life insurance segment.



- Assess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segment.



- Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.



- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Singaporean insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.



Key Highlights

- The Singaporean non-life direct written premium increased at a review-period CAGR of 6.0%.



- Telematics, or usage-based insurance, is emerging rapidly in Singapore for both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments.



- The mixed economy and numerous commercial partnerships of Singapore gives countries such as China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong access to its financial services industry. This enables the non-life segment  especially the property category  to generate business from overseas markets.



- According to AIG Singapore, demand for cyber insurance in Singapore is expected to increase by 50% in 2016, as businesses look to mitigate the high reputational and financial risks associated with cyber breaches.



- Brokers were the most popular distribution channel for non-life insurers during the review period, accounting for 59.6% of the segment's direct written premium in 2015.



- In Singapore, the distribution of non-life insurance takes place primarily through bancassurance, agents and business partners.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p0957170-summary/view-report.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



http://www.reportlinker.com





__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

http://www.reportlinker.com


Doug Rozendaal has been flying airplanes for more than four decades, but when he took off from Mason City Airport on Friday it was a first for
NORFOLK, Va., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern today posted its 2016 Annual Report online, highlighting success at achieving first-year goals in the railroad's five-year strategic plan to streamline operations, drive profitability and growth, and enhance shareholder value.

In the report, titled "Delivering On Our Commitments," CEO Jim Squires tells shareholders that the company finished the year "a stronger, faster, lower-cost, and more profitable railroad." Through the continued successful execution of its strategic plan, Norfolk Southern met or exceeded the company's targets to lower operating costs and increase profitability while improving customer service, "putting us well on our way to achieving our 2020 goals," Squires said.

For the year, the company:

Achieved an all-time best operating ratio of 68.9 percent;

Reduced expenses in all areas of operations to generate savings of $250 million , surpassing a targeted $130 million ;

, surpassing a targeted ; Increased income from railway operations and net income by 7 percent each, driven by an 11 percent decrease in operating costs;

Produced year-over-year earnings per share growth of 10 percent; and

Rationalized 1,000 miles of secondary rail lines.

While exercising disciplined cost control, the company invested in strategic capital projects "to ensure safe and efficient operations and promote growth," Squires noted. In addition, efforts to improve locomotive fuel-efficiency, reliability, and emissions reduction continued as a cornerstone of the company's sustainability and business strategy, he said.

Amid shifting markets and industry dynamics, Squires said, the company is "more focused than ever on services that will help convert freight from highway to rail." To drive growth, the company is working on customer-service initiatives that range from modernizing its e-commerce platforms to developing shared performance indicators to measure service.

Squires notes that the railroad's management team began a structured dialogue with key customers and is using their input to improve operating efficiencies and deliver a superior service product.

"We are changing the way we do business in order to meet and exceed our customers' expectations and to drive superior value creation for shareholders," Squires said.

The report, in PDF format, can be downloaded from the corporate website.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

Related Links

http://www.nscorp.com


CHICAGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Park University announces Catalyst 606__, the University's Chicago-based applied academics curriculum. Catalyst 606__ designates time in the undergraduate schedule for learning outside the classroom in the city of Chicago.

North Park's Catalyst 606__

is a Chicago -centered urban, intercultural experience.

-centered urban, intercultural experience. offers hands-on learning.

provides cultural experiences in the city.

blends theory and practice with applied academics.

Facts about the labor movement in a textbook become alive with visits to the Historic Pullman Foundation; accounting becomes relevant in visits to the loop's financial district; economics becomes visible in tours of manufacturing companies; art and culture open eyes with attendance at operas and exhibits.

Arranged by faculty and staff, these experiences connect students to the world around them. Students engage with their peers to discuss and process their experiences together, build a better understanding of options for their career paths, derive inspiration to contribute to the community, and participate in their own learning experiences, making the connection between the theoretical and the practical.

Career interests of students, combined with a philosophy of hands-on learning, prompted North Park to restructure its weekly schedule to designate Wednesday afternoons for city experiences. "By the year 2050, 2.5 billion more people are expected to live in cities and the rural population will shrink," comments North Park Provost Michael Emerson. "In short, human population growth going forward will be urban," adds Provost Emerson.

About the name: "Catalyst 606__"

Catalyst describes

North Park students as agents of change and service in the world.

students as agents of change and service in the world. lives of significance and service through vocation and civic engagement.

606__ represents

the first three digits in Chicago ZIP codes.

no borders separating students from Chicago's neighborhoods.

neighborhoods. a community that embraces diversity, loves its neighbors, and serves in Chicago .

. a Chicago -centered University.

Launching the Catalyst 606__ program marks an exciting time in the University's 125-year history, complemented by earning consistent rankings as one of the "Best Colleges" in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and namedfor the third timea Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Students by the U.S. Department of State.

NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY



North Park University is an urban, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.

Visit northpark.edu/about.

SOURCE North Park University

Related Links

http://www.northpark.edu


WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As lawmakers continue to consider modifications to H.R.1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) released the following statement.

"While we applaud Congress and the Administration for their commitment to improving health care in America, we urge congressional leaders to seek solutions that will preserve access to health care for all Americans." said Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, President, American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "We ask that policymakers take a measured approach and continue to work to make certain that any final legislation ensures patient access to Medicaid, Medicare and other programs which cover the cost of their care. Three of four nurse practitioners (NPs) currently treat Medicare beneficiaries and 78 percent of NPs see Medicaid patients. We know the devastating impact such a loss of health care coverage would have on these vulnerable populations and the overall cost of health care in America. Congress and the Administration should work to find a solution that protects affordable coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, upholds the principles of essential benefits, safeguards patients' access to the health care provider of their choice  including nurse practitioners, strengthens the health care workforce and brings greater efficiency to the health care system."

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 222,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP membership includes more than 74,000 individual members and 200 organizations. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate a nurse practitioner in your community, go to npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Related Links

http://www.aanp.org


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK), the leader in online lending for small business, announced today that it had amended its asset-backed revolving credit facility with Deutsche Bank to extend the facility's maturity date to March 2019 and to increase the facility's borrowing capacity by approximately $52 million to a total of up to approximately $214 million.

"We are pleased to provide OnDeck with an extension and upsize of this credit facility, which will help OnDeck to continue providing financing solutions to the small business community," said Randal Johnson, director at Deutsche Bank.

Under the facility, loans will continue to be made to OnDeck Account Receivables Trust 2013-1 LLC, or ODART, a wholly owned subsidiary of OnDeck, to finance ODART's purchase of small business loans from OnDeck. The revolving pool of small business loans purchased by ODART serves as collateral under the facility. OnDeck is acting as the servicer for such small business loans. The ratings previously assigned to the Class A and Class B Loans under the facility by DBRS, Inc., did not change as a result of the amendment.

"The closing of this transaction reflects a continued ability to execute our financing strategy for 2017, which includes extending debt maturities and creating additional funding capacity for future loan growth," said Howard Katzenberg, chief financial officer, OnDeck. "Deutsche Bank, a leading global financial institution, has been a steadfast partner in supporting OnDeck's mission to power the growth of small business through lending technology and innovation and we are pleased to continue our relationship into 2019."

About OnDeck

OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK) is the leader in online small business lending. Since 2007, the Company has powered Main Street's growth through advanced lending technology and a constant dedication to customer service. OnDeck's proprietary credit scoring system  the OnDeck Score  leverages advanced analytics, enabling OnDeck to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital to small businesses in as little as 24 hours. OnDeck offers business owners a complete financing solution, including the online lending industry's widest range of term loans and lines of credit. To date, the Company has deployed over $6 billion to more than 60,000 customers in 700 different industries across the United States, Canada and Australia. OnDeck has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

For more information, please visit www.ondeck.com.

About Credit Ratings

Credit ratings are opinions of the relevant rating agency. They are not facts and are not opinions of OnDeck. They are not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities and can be changed or withdrawn at any time.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other legal authority. Forward-looking statements include statements about the extension of debt maturities and the availability of additional funding capacity, all of which are dependent upon compliance with the borrowing and other conditions of the amended facility and other debt facilities, as well as information concerning OnDeck's business plans and objectives and financing plans including future loan growth. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "will," "enables," "expects", "may," "allows," "continues," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based only on OnDeck's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Moreover, OnDeck does not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. As such, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, changes in circumstances, known and unknown risks and other factors that are difficult to predict and in many cases outside OnDeck's control.

As a result, you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. OnDeck's expected results may not be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from OnDeck's expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from OnDeck's forward-looking statements are the risks that OnDeck may not be able to manage its anticipated or actual growth effectively, that its credit models do not adequately identify potential risks, and other risks, including those under the heading "Risk Factors" in OnDeck's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in other documents that OnDeck files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, from time to time which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. OnDeck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in OnDeck's expectations, except as required by law.

OnDeck, the OnDeck logo, OnDeck Score and OnDeck Marketplace are trademarks of On Deck Capital, Inc.

SOURCE On Deck Capital, Inc.
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Opportunities II Ltd. (the "Offeror") today announced that it has amended and restated its previously announced Offer to Purchase For Cash Certain of the Outstanding Notes of Taberna Preferred Funding IV, Ltd. and Taberna Preferred Funding IV, Inc. by Opportunities II Ltd. dated March 1, 2017 (the "Original Offer") and the related Original Letter of Transmittal (as amended and restated, the "Revised Offer").

The Revised Offer is conditioned in all respects on the terms and conditions contained in the Amended and Restated Offer to Purchase, dated March 22, 2017 (the "Revised Offer to Purchase") and in the related Amended and Restated Letter of Transmittal (the "Revised Letter of Transmittal" and together with the Revised Offer to Purchase, the "Revised Offer Documents"), including, without limitation, the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition, the Investor Approval Condition, and the Additional Conditions. The Revised Offer to Purchase amends and restates, in all respects, the Original Offer to Purchase, dated March 1, 2017, and the Revised Letter of Transmittal amends and restates, in all respects, the Original Letter of Transmittal.

If you would like to participate in the Revised Offer, the Revised Offer Documents are available by contacting the Offeror at the contact information set forth below. If you are a holder of Notes, you are encouraged to review the Revised Offer Documents in detail. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Revised Offer to Purchase, and if not defined therein, have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

Subject in all respects to the terms and conditions contained in the Revised Offer Documents, the amendments to the Revised Offer are summarized below:

1. Revised Purchase Prices: Purchase prices have been revised as reflected in the table below, without interest thereon:

Notes(i) CUSIP(ii) ISIN(ii) Purchase Price Per

$1,000 Original

Principal Amount(iii), (vi) Purchase Price Per

$1,000 Aggregate

Outstanding Principal

Amount(iv), (vi) Class A-1 First Priority Delayed Draw Senior

Secured Floating Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036

("Class A-1 Notes")(v) 87330Y AB 9 87330Y AA 1 G86539 AB 2 G86539 AA 4 US87330YAB92 US87330YAA10 USG86539AB24 USG86539AA41 $371.19 $760.00 Class A-2 Second Priority Senior Secured Floating

Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class A-2

Notes")(v) 87330Y AC 7 G86539 AC 0 US87330YAC75 USG86539AC07 $400.00 $400.00 Class A-3 Third Priority Senior Secured Floating

Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class A-3 Notes") 87330Y AD 5 G86539 AD 8 US87330YAD58 USG86539AD89 $40.00 $40.00 Class B-1 Fourth Priority Secured Floating Rate

Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class B-1 Notes") 87330Y AE 3 G86539 AE 6 US87330YAE32 USG86539AE62 $15.00 $15.00 Class B-2 Fourth Priority Secured Fixed Rate Notes

Due May 5, 2036 ("Class B-2 Notes") 87330Y AK 9 G86539 AK 2 US87330YAK91 USG86539AK23 $15.00 $15.00 Class C-1 Deferrable Fifth Priority Secured

Floating Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class C-1

Notes") 87330Y AF 0 G86539 AF 3 US87330YAF07 USG86539AF38 $18.23 $15.00 Class C-2 Deferrable Fifth Priority Secured

Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036

("Class C-2 Notes") 87330Y AG 8 G86539 AG 1 US87330YAG89 USG86539AG11 $18.57 $15.00 Class C-3 Deferrable Fifth Priority Secured

Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036

("Class C-3 Notes") 87330Y AH 6 G86539 AH 9 US87330YAH62 USG86539AH93 $19.99 $15.00 Class D-1 Deferrable Mezzanine Secured

Floating Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class D-1 Notes") 87330Y AL 7 G86539 AL 0 US87330YAL74 USG86539AL06 $20.63 $15.00 Class D-2 Deferrable Mezzanine Secured Fixed

Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class D-2 Notes") 87330Y AJ 2 G86539 AJ 5 US87330YAJ29 USG86539AJ59 $30.40 $15.00 Class E Deferrable Subordinate Secured Floating

Rate Notes Due May 5, 2036 ("Class E Notes") 87330X AA 3 G8653R AA 4 US87330XAA37 USG8653RAA44 $24.04 $15.00





(i) The Revised Offer is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in the Revised Offer Documents, referred to therein as the "Conditions of the Revised Offer." The Conditions of the Revised Offer include, but are not limited to, a requirement that a certain amount of Notes be tendered in the Revised Offer (the Minimum Tender Condition, as defined in the Revised Offer to Purchase) and a requirement that certain investor and advisory board approvals be obtained (the Investor Approval Condition, as defined in the Revised Offer to Purchase). If the Conditions of the Revised Offer are not satisfied, the Offeror shall not be required to accept any Notes tendered and may terminate the Revised Offer in whole or in part. Holders of Notes should read the Revised Offer to Purchase and all Conditions of the Revised Offer in full. (ii) These are the CUSIPs and ISINs contained in the confidential offering circular for the Notes, dated as of December 22, 2005. (iii) Original Principal Amount Value is "Original Face Value" from the Note Valuation Report issued by the Trustee (as defined below), dated as of February 6, 2017. (iv) Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount is "Current Principal Balance" from the Note Valuation Report issued by the Trustee, dated as of February 6, 2017. (v) As discussed herein, the Offeror together with HH HoldCo Co-Investment Fund, L.P., and Real Estate Opps Ltd. currently owns, in the aggregate, approximately $104,202,000 in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-1 Notes, and $16,900,000 in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-2 Notes. The Class A-1 Notes owned by these entities have a net cost basis (after deducting cash proceeds since purchase) of $71,721,532, or approximately $688 per $1,000 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-2 Notes without interest and the Class A-2 Notes owned by these entities have a net cost basis of $8,320,805, or approximately $492 per $1,000 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-2 Notes without interest. (vi) The purchase price does not include any interest. By way of illustration, if a holder of the Class A-1 Notes tenders $1,000,000 original principal amount of Class A-1 Notes (which is equal to $488,408 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-1 Notes), the purchase price will be $371.19 per $1,000 of original principal amount of Class A-1 Notes tendered and $760 per $1,000 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of Class A-1 Notes tendered for total proceeds of $371,190; and if a holder of the Class A-2 Notes tenders $1,000,000 original principal amount of Class A-2 Notes (which is equal to $1,000,000 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount), the purchase price will be $400 per $1,000 of original principal amount of Class A-2 Notes tendered and $400 per $1,000 of Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of Class A-2 Notes tendered for total proceeds of $400,000. Any amounts (including principal or interest cash proceeds) received by a tendering holder on account of tendered Class A-2 Notes after the Offeror has accepted and paid the purchase price for the tendered Class A-2 Notes in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with any distribution with respect to the Class A-2 Notes received after, but with a record date prior to, such acceptance and payment) shall be held by such holder in trust for the Offeror and promptly paid to the Offeror.

2. Extended Deadline: The Offeror is extending the Expiration Time to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on April 4, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. New York City time on March 31, 2017.

3. Additional Disclosures: The Offeror has made certain additional disclosures in the Revised Offer to Purchase, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

To date, no Notes have been tendered.





Since the commencement of the Original Offer on March 1, 2017 , the Offeror has engaged in discussions with numerous parties, including but not limited to, parties that own Notes or that have exposure to the Notes, the Trustee, members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, and custodians and other representatives of other holders of Notes.





, the Offeror has engaged in discussions with numerous parties, including but not limited to, parties that own Notes or that have exposure to the Notes, the Trustee, members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, and custodians and other representatives of other holders of Notes. These discussions have caused the Offeror to conclude that (i) there is a high likelihood that the Minimum Tender Condition will not be satisfied and that, if this occurs, the Offeror will likely choose not to accept any tendered Notes, and (ii) the inefficiencies and defects present in the structure, governance, and management of Taberna are worse than the Offeror previously believed.





The Offeror decided to increase the purchase prices as described above and in the Revised Offer to Purchase because it still believes that a successful tender will enable the sale and liquidation of the Collateral to one or multiple parties who are unburdened by the significant inefficiencies and defects present in Taberna (which are described in the Revised Offer Documents), which will allow for the realization of significant value to Taberna and its stakeholders. Although the Offeror believes that eliminating these inefficiencies and defects to allow Taberna to actively, strategically, and efficiently manage the Collateral (which may involve selling some or all of the Collateral immediately or over time, and perhaps holding other items of Collateral for a long time or until maturity) may be preferable to selling and liquidating the Collateral, the Offeror believes that eliminating these inefficiencies is not feasible either through (i) directions or votes made by the existing holders of Notes to the Trustee in compliance with the Indenture or (ii) efforts by the existing holders of the Notes to amend the Indenture.





If the Revised Offer fails, the Offeror does not intend to extend the Revised Offer further or increase the purchase prices again. Instead, the Offeror intends to engage in constructive dialogue with interested parties (including holders of Notes, the Trustee, the Board of Directors, and the Collateral Manager) and explore other alternatives aimed at addressing the inefficiencies and defects described in the Revised Offer to Purchase, which alternatives may include (without limitation): (i) the formation of a group of holders of Notes that can develop consensus-based solutions; (ii) consideration of opportunistic amendments to items of Collateral designed to maximize value; (iii) investigating all causes of action that Taberna may have against third parties; (iv) amending the Indenture to eliminate certain defects and inefficiencies described in the Revised Offer to Purchase; (v) seeking better disclosures from Taberna and the Trustee, including with respect to the Collateral, the questionable actions of the Prior Collateral Manager, the actions of the Collateral Manager, the amount and nature of accrued fees and expenses and other relevant information; (vi) modifying or restructuring the relationship between Taberna and the holders of Notes, on the one hand, and parties involved in the governance, operation, and management of Taberna, on the other hand; (vii) pursuing, or directing the Trustee to pursue, the foreclosure of or monetization of some or all of the Collateral; (viii) seeking the appointment of a receiver or similar fiduciary; (ix) a comprehensive reorganization of the Issuer and Co-Issuer through a bankruptcy filing or other insolvency process; or (x) pursuing such other rights and remedies as may be available to the Offeror and other holders of Notes under applicable law.

The foregoing include certain of the additional disclosures made in the Revised Offer to Purchase only. Please refer to the Revised Offer to Purchase for all additional disclosures.

If you wish to participate in the Revised Offer, please note the following:

A. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Revised Offer to Purchase, the Offeror will pay the applicable purchase price on the Payment Date.

B. The purchase prices set forth in the table above are without interest and applicable taxes may be withheld from the purchase price.

C. The Revised Offer is being made only for the Notes identified above and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, is subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions set forth in the Revised Offer Documents, including the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition, the Investor Approval Condition, and the Additional Conditions. For example, the Offeror shall not be required to accept for purchase and pay for any Notes tendered, and may terminate the Revised Offer in whole or in part if the Offeror does not receive valid tenders in excess of the following: approximately $100.0 million original principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes ($48.8 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-1 Notes), $16.4 million original principal amount of the Class A-2 Notes ($16.4 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-2 Notes), $13.3 million original principal amount of the Class A-3 Notes ($13.3 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class A-3 Notes), $54.3 million original principal amount of the Class B-1 Notes ($54.3 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class B-1 Notes), $4.7 million original principal amount of the Class B-2 Notes ($4.7 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class B-2 Notes), $30.0 million original principal amount of the Class C-1 Notes ($36.5 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class C-1 Notes), $13.3 million original principal amount of the Class C-2 Notes ($16.5 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class C-2 Notes), $23.3 million original principal amount of the Class C-3 Notes ($31.1 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class C-3 Notes), $14.0 million original principal amount of the Class D-1 Notes ($19.3 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class D-1 Notes), $8.7 million original principal amount of the Class D-2 Notes ($17.6 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class D-2 Notes), and $16.3 million principal amount of the Class E Notes ($26.0 million in Aggregate Outstanding Principal Amount of the Class E Notes).

There are no withdrawal rights under the terms of the Revised Offer, and, subject to applicable law, once Notes are tendered in the Revised Offer, they may not be validly withdrawn.



The Revised Offer Documents may be revised, supplemented or amended from time to time (subject to applicable legal requirements).



The Revised Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M. , New York City time, on April 4, 2017 , unless extended by the Offeror.

Questions regarding the Revised Offer may be directed to Opportunities II Ltd., at Opportunities II Ltd., c/o HoldCo Asset Management, L.P., attention: Vik Ghei, 32 Broadway, Suite 1201, New York, NY 10004, via email at [email protected] or via telephone at (212) 785-5567. Copies of the Revised Offer Documents may also be obtained from the Offeror.

The Offeror makes no recommendation as to whether holders should tender Notes pursuant to the Revised Offer. Each holder must make its own decision, should review the Revised Offer Documents and information referenced therein and consult its own attorneys and other advisors regarding the Revised Offer. This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell Notes or other securities, nor shall there be any purchase of Notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or purchase would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

The description of the Revised Offer herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Revised Offer Documents governing the Revised Offer, copies of which are available from the Offeror. In the event of any inconsistency between the foregoing summary and the Revised Offer Documents, the terms of the Revised Offer Documents will govern.

SOURCE Opportunities II Ltd.
ORLANDO, Fla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle Industry Connect -- Today Oracle announced the findings of new research that examines consumer attitudes to new technologies and how their implementation will shape consumer behavior in the years to come. Insights from the Oracle Retail 2025 study highlight that consumers are most willing to engage brands with new technology if they feel that they are in control of their experience.

"Consumers clearly indicated that they have a conservative appetite for retail technologies that requires deep personal data and make decisions on their behalf," said Mike Webster, senior vice president and general manager at Oracle Retail and Oracle Hospitality. "This signals brands to focus on building a strong foundation to win trust. Warm attitudes toward utilizing virtual reality and receiving recommendations for custom-made accessories produced with 3D printing points to consumers' willingness to adopt new technologies if they are in control of their experience."

The Retail 2025 Report results provide a benchmark for where consumers are on the retail technology adoption lifecycle and the impact on retail in the next eight years. The Retail 2025 Report polled 709 consumers in February 2017.

Smart Gets Smarter

AI, VR and IoT present the opportunity to better anticipate consumers' next purchase. However, establishing a strong foundation of trust is critical to success when rolling out new experiences to consumers. If brands over step the reaction can be visceral.

64 percent of respondents liked the option of using virtual reality to navigate a personalized in-store experience and having a hand-picked wardrobe to try on in-store

58 percent of consumers indicated a positive attitude toward the idea of having their grocer suggest a shopping list for their approval based on purchase history, social and environmental data

54 percent of respondents indicated that having a grocer automatically charge and ship items based on purchase history, social and environmental data was invasive

Fast Gets Fierce

Velocity in fashion is critical and it will only get faster. 3D printing and drone deliver will accelerate the product design to consumer process from months, to days and eventually hours.

67 percent of consumers like the option of near real-time delivery to their doorstep by drones

64 percent of consumers responded favorably to the concept having a retailer suggest a custom-made accessory for them produced with 3D printing

57 percent of consumers find apparel recommendations from robots based on their social media profile invasive

Personalization Gets Perfected

Consumers are wary about volunteering data necessary for personalization but still look for a tailored experience, reinforcing the need for stronger brand relationships. On the flipside; there is a clear difference in consumer expectation for retailers to make data available and customize information about components, origin and recalls to their specific buying patterns.

54 percent of respondents viewed the concept of linking their wearable activity tracker to their pharmacy so they can suggest products to meet specific health and wellness needs as favorable

78 percent favor the option of having detailed information about product components (e.g., cotton, spandex, etc) and their origin prior to purchase

46 percent of respondents indicated that receiving real-time alerts on current product recalls, and time since last recall by a manufacturer, based on previous purchase history would improve their experience

About Oracle Retail:

Oracle provides retailers with a complete, open, and integrated suite of best-of-breed business applications, cloud services, and hardware that are engineered to work together and empower commerce. Leading fashion, grocery, and specialty retailers use Oracle solutions to anticipate market changes, simplify operations and inspire authentic brand interactions. For more information, visit our website at www.oracle.com/retail.

About Oracle

Oracle offers a comprehensive and fully integrated stack of cloud applications and platform services. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), visit www.oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Oracle

Related Links

http://www.oracle.com


LONDON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global orthopedic navigation system market is expected to reach USD 303.7 million by 2025, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing geriatric population prone to orthopedic diseases is a key contributing factor propelling the demand for orthopedic navigation systems over the forecast period. Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are most common disorders in the population aged 70 years and above. Growing prevalence of these disorders results in increased economic burden on many countries.

According to the WHO, 9.6% of men and 18% of women are suffering from various forms of arthritis globally. Over 82% of people suffering from osteoarthritis have difficulty in movement and around 25% are not able to perform daily activities. Degenerative joint disorders affect majorly knee, hip, and ankle. Knee and hip replacement procedures are performed in 85% of patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Other factors include physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, and injuries.



Further key findings from the study suggest:



Rising demand for computer-assisted orthopedic surgery due to associated advantages such as low recovery time and shorter hospital stay are anticipated to fuel the industry growth



Knee navigation systems held the largest market share in 2016 owing to increased adoption by healthcare professionals and ample availability of products



Asia Pacific regional market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth due to rising incidence of orthopedic disorders and awareness levels amongst consumers regarding benefits of minimally invasive surgery



High economic development is boosting medical tourism in countries, such as India and China, which is expected to drive the growth by increasing the buying capacity of consumers



The market is moving toward consolidation, as large pharmaceuticals are focused on strategic acquisitions of smaller companies to gain competitive advantage in coming years



Companies are striving to gain revenue share via new product development, geographic expansion, and partnership alliances



For example, Brainlab and De Puy Synthes entered into an extended collaboration for providing effective spine alignment treatment via navigation system



Key players such as Biomet, Orthokey Italia, Brainlab, Stryker, and De Puy dominate the market and hold more than 70% of the revenue share as of 2016



The market is highly competitive in nature as major players are focusing towards the product innovation strategies due to changing need of healthcare establishments, surgeons and patients



For example, in May 2015, Medtronic announced that StealthStation, a surgical navigation technology has received approval from the U.S. FDA for expanded use of the same in other surgical procedures apart from neurosurgery

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4785507/

About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


PHOENIX, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist Lloyd Claycomb is honored to have recently been appointed to National Director of the Navy League of the United States, adding to what has become an impressive and growing resume of accomplishment in the fields of both public service and philanthropy.

Lloyd Claycomb has been CEO and Chairman of the board for United Builders Service, Inc. since 1978.

As one who has served in leadership positions for numerous political, professional and philanthropic organizations throughout his career, Lloyd Claycomb is dedicated to representing the Navy League of the United States with the vigilance, diligence and integrity the organization has come to be known for.

As newly-appointed National Director, Claycomb shares in The Navy League's primary organizational objective, which is to provide advocacy and support for Marine and Naval Servicemen across the country.

In addition to his recent Navy League appointment, Claycomb has recently received appointments to two other nonprofit boards, including the Board of Directors for Adventist World Aviation and the Board of Directors for the Maricopa County Youth Assistance Foundation, respectively. Mr. Claycomb also maintains leadership positions for other nonprofit organizations, including Our Warriors at Home and the Waves of Grace International Ministry.

Adventist World Aviation is an international nonprofit that works to provide medical services, humanitarian services and evacuations to those in need throughout North America, Central & South America and Southeast Asia. The Maricopa County Youth Assistance Foundation provides support to programs that work to prevent youth violence, as well as to promote and cultivate social development and positive interaction between youths and law enforcement.

A well-known leader in the business community, Lloyd Claycomb has demonstrated considerable adeptness and leadership skill within the field of philanthropy for many years. Claycomb's ongoing passion for philanthropic endeavor has long inspired and driven his success in positions of public service. Previously, , he was responsible for organizing and supervising numerous charitable events on an annual basis, including for such renowned nonprofits as Our Children International, Autism Awareness, The Suva, Fiji Missions and Maranatha International Volunteers, to name a few.

Formerly a board member for Maranatha International Volunteers, Claycomb was charged with the supervision of construction on dozens of schools and churches throughout Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. As part of the Maranatha organization, Claycomb was also personally responsible for the development of orphanage and medical facility located in San Juan Opico, El Salvador; a facility that now provides services and support to over 160 orphans from across the area.

Lloyd Claycomb has built, and continues to maintain, a strong track record of success in philanthropy, business and public service. He is also noted as an active member of the political arena, having recently served as a member of the Trump Transition Finance Committee, as Fundraiser for the Trump Victory Campaign and as Chairman of the 2016 Republican State Victory Finance Committee for the State of Arizona.

Media Contact:

Zach Daly

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

image1.jpg

image2.jpg

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Lloyd Claycomb
DORAL, Fla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Precedent Management, LLC, a leading provider of innovative real estate solutions, announced today the expansion of its Code Compliance service division to accommodate demand for its municipal violation management services which includes proactive identification, compliance verification, vacant property registrations and curative solutions for lenders, servicers, and real estate aggregators nationwide.

"During the Great Recession municipalities became well versed compensating for loss of tax revenue by levying code violations, fees and penalties during the downturn," said Amy Sanchez, Precedent Management's Co-CEO. "Unfortunately, the volume and value of violations hasn't diminished as the economy has recovered and real estate operators and servicers are still running into these, often preventable headaches."

Precedent's Code Compliance platform evolved from service contracts with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is maximized through the use of a proprietary fulfilment software, RView, and highly trained staff.

"The investment to expand our Code Compliance division will focus on adding additional resources and upgrading automated technologies that support this segment of our company," said Rob DeWald, Co-CEO. "This represents our overall commitment and steady focus to preserve our client's priority positions."

About Precedent Management, LLC

Precedent Management, LLC, offers a comprehensive suite of real estate support service products such as lien curative, code compliance, HOA, utility and real estate tax account management solutions.

Precedent Management team has supplied its services to over 1 million commercial, industrial, multi-family and single-family assets and 300,000 performing, non and re-performing loans throughout the nation including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.

Precedent Management's persistent commitment to set the standard in real estate solutions has made it an industry leader in real estate management and consulting services nationwide.

CONTACT: Ralph Stebenne, [email protected]

SOURCE Precedent Management

Related Links

http://www.precedentmgmt.com


MIGDAL HA'EMEK, Israel, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PV Nano Cell Ltd. (OTCQB: PVNNF), an innovative producer of single-crystal, metal nanometric based conductive digital inks, today announced that they are cooperating with Meyer Burger, a leading global technology company specializing in innovative electronics systems and processes, including inkjet printing technology. PV Nano Cell's Sicrys silver and copper inks will be used with Meyer Burger's PiXDRO JETx printers for high volume production applications specifically in the fields of semiconductors, packaging, and the metallization of solar cells with additional plans to expand in other segments in the future.

"We are excited to be working with Meyer Burger on several projects utilizing their innovative inkjet printers and our specialized conductive inks for industrial uses. This mutually beneficial relationship may offer PV Nano Cell global reach through Meyer Burger's established sales team and existing customer base," said Dr. Fernando de la Vega, CEO of PV Nano Cell. "The recent launch of our Sicrys copper conductive inks has been a wonderful addition to our already in-demand portfolio of silver conductive inks, and now, we are able to offer our customers a complete solution from world leading ink and equipment suppliers."

The companies will collaborate on several projects in an effort to enhance the adoption of additive digital printing of conductive materials in the mass production of electronics. "PV Nano Cell's advanced line of conductive inks offers our customers added benefits when using the PiXDRO systems and applications," said Mr. Henk Goossens, Manager of Marketing & Business Development at Meyer Burger (Netherlands). "We believe that the advancements PV Nano Cell is making in the conductive inks market and the application specific adaptations it provides will bring great value to our customers. The advanced ink manufacturing capabilities of PV Nano Cell and its pioneering activities in copper inks support our efforts to offer cutting-edge, cost-effective and reliable inkjet solutions to the market."

With the recent expansion of Meyer Burger's portfolio of advanced JETx production printers, the company serves printed electronics applications in the solar, display, semiconductor, printed circuit board and wearables industries.

About PV Nano Cell

PV Nano Cell has developed innovative conductive inks for use in solar photovoltaics (PV) and printed electronics (PE) applications. PV Nano Cell's Sicrys ink family is a single-crystal, nanometric silver conductive ink delivering enhanced performance. Sicrys is also available in copper-based form, delivering all of the product's properties and advantages with improved cost efficiency. Sicrys silver conductive inks are used all over the world in a range of inkjet printing applications, including photovoltaics, printed circuit boards, antennas, sensors, touchscreens and other applications. For more information, please visit PVNanoCell.com.

Forwardlooking Statements

This press release contains forwardlooking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forwardlooking statements." All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forwardlooking statements. This includes all statements about the Company's plans, beliefs, estimates and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates and projections, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forwardlooking statements. These risks and uncertainties include issues related to: rapidly changing technology and evolving standards in the industries in which the Company operates; the ability to obtain sufficient funding to continue operations, maintain adequate cash flow, profitably exploit new business, and sign new agreements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting PV Nano Cell, reference is made to the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 20-F which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by the Company in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Contacts:

Garth Russell / Allison Soss

[email protected] / [email protected]

212-896-1250 / 212-896-1267



Media Contact:

Megan Vandenbos

[email protected]

201-465-8019

SOURCE PV Nano Cell

Related Links

http://www.pvnanocell.com


CLEAR LAKE | A Mason City woman admitted Wednesday to stealing more than $32,000 while employed as the office manager at Lake Chevrolet.

Amy Monahan, 43, filed a written guilty plea to felony first-degree theft. No sentencing date has been set.

The Cerro Gordo County Attorney's Office has agreed to dismiss related felony charges of ongoing criminal conduct and forgery, according to court documents.

Court documents indicate Monahan had been accused of taking more than $50,000.

Mason City woman pleads not guilty to Lake Chevrolet theft CLEAR LAKE | A Mason City woman accused of stealing more than $50,000 while employed as the 

The state has not yet made a sentencing recommendation.

The Clear Lake Police Department charged Monahan following a seven-month investigation into reports of misconduct while she was working for the Clear Lake car dealership from 2013 to 2016.

Investigators say she took money, received extra employment benefits, used business funds to pay personal credit cards and forged checks over a two-year period.

 Mary Pieper
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR, "Quaker") has been officially certified for the RC14001:2015 standard of the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care initiative. This certification challenges organizations to demonstrate a commitment to improving their safety, health and environmental (SH&E) and security performance. Quaker is only the second ACC member company in the U.S. to be awarded a 2015 version of the certification.

The five facilities that have been certified are located in:

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Middletown, Ohio

Detroit, Michigan

Santa Fe Springs, California (EPMAR)

(EPMAR) Batavia, New York (Summit Lubricants)

Together these locations employ more than 350 associates involved in producing process fluids and chemical specialties that support the steel, metalworking, aerospace, and coatings industries.

"Responsible Care certification reinforces the high value that Quaker places on the safety, health, and well-being of our associates, protection of the environment, and security of our facilities. By embracing a culture built around safety and environmental responsibility, we ask every single associate to be proactive and apply these elements to the way we actually work," said Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.

North America is the first region to have Responsible Care certification, and Quaker will look to expand to other regions in the coming years.

All of Quaker's main manufacturing sites around the globe are ISO14001 certified, and many of its main manufacturing sites outside of North America are OHSAS18001 certified. The addition of the RC14001 certification enhances Quaker's current efforts to enhance safety, and is a significant step in achieving its Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

For more information on Quaker Chemical, its Safety, Health, and Environmental Policy, and its commitment to the Responsible Care Guiding Principles, please visit: https://www.quakerchem.com/our-responsibility/she-policy/

About Quaker Chemical Corporation:

Quaker Chemical is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference. Visit quakerchem.com to learn more.

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation

Related Links

http://www.quakerchem.com


Published in the March issue of the American Journal of Infection Control , the peer-reviewed study of UV-C disinfection systems detailed the pilot testing and experiences of Vancouver General Hospital and Rochester General Hospital. According to the study, both hospitals selected the R-D Rapid Disinfector over a competitive system because of its shortest average treatment time, dose-based monitoring, metrics-driven data tracking, pause and reposition capability to illuminate shadowed areas, and easy maneuverability.

Steriliz's R-D Disinfector is the only UV-C system available that measures, records and reports data for hospitals to gauge effectiveness. The R-D uses patented remote sensors that measure and ensure delivery of published UV-C doses at all points of disinfection. The R-D works in conjunction with manual cleaning to eradicate bacteria, viruses and spores, such as MRSA, VRE and Clostridium difficile.

"Hospitals and outpatient care facilities across the country need automated ultraviolet-C disinfectant systems to reduce the risk of HAIs among their patients," said Steriliz President and CEO Sam Trapani. "This independent study is the latest proof that when it comes to patient safety and effectiveness in eliminating microorganisms, the R-D Rapid Disinfector is the gold standard in UV-C systems."

Michelle Vignari, RN, CIC, director of infection prevention and disaster preparedness at UR Medicine Thompson Health, said, "Our system, the R-D Rapid Disinfector by Steriliz, is the only system that has patented sensors which measure the amount of UV-C light delivered to an area, ensuring the correct dose to kill the hardest of organisms is achieved."

The AJIC article, "A model for choosing an automated ultraviolet-C disinfection system and building a case for the C-suite: Two case reports," is available on the AJIC website or on the Steriliz website.

About Steriliz LLC

Steriliz (rduvc.com) is a leading supplier of ultraviolet-C light disinfection technology with the specific goal of developing area and surface disinfection methods and processes that are science based, quantitative and traceable. In addition, Steriliz has collected a significant amount of clinical data and has developed unique data analysis techniques, which provide closed loop feedback and management information for infection control practitioners. The company is based in Rochester, N.Y.

SOURCE Steriliz

Related Links

http://rduvc.com


PHOENIX and LIVE OAK, Texas, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carvana, a leading e-commerce platform for buying used cars, and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU), a Texas-based credit union with over $7.5 billion in assets, today announce a partnership to provide RBFCU members with a simple, affordable, and convenient car buying solution.

The partnership will offer RBFCU's nearly 700,000 members access to Carvana's expansive inventory of high-quality, pre-owned vehicles, combined with the credit union's low-rate financing. Members can now easily apply their RBFCU approvals to Carvana vehicles and enjoy the benefits of a completely seamless online buying process that allows members to have their cars delivered as soon as the next day.

"As we expand in new and existing geographies, Carvana looks to partner with organizations like RBFCU that have deep roots in the communities we serve and share our commitment to outstanding customer experience. We are proud to strengthen our presence in the Austin and San Antonio markets with this partnership and look forward to bringing our unique online car shopping solution to RBFCU members," said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana.

In connection with the launch of their partnership, Carvana and RBFCU are donating a 2015 Nissan Frontier from Carvana's inventory to local Texas philanthropic organization Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Mobile Loaves & Fishes will use the truck in fulfilling its daily mission of delivering meals to the homeless and working poor in Austin and San Antonio. Teams from RBFCU and Carvana joined Mobile Loaves & Fishes at Carvana's recently launched Austin vending machine today to celebrate and finalize the donation.

"Both RBFCU and Carvana are dedicated to supporting the communities we serve, and we couldn't be prouder to offer this joint donation to Mobile Loaves & Fishes to assist with their mission of delivering hope and sustenance to local people in need," said Sonya McDonald, chief lending officer at RBFCU. "At RBFCU, members and community come first, and our partnership with Carvana is just another example of our daily commitment to giving members the best products and services to meet their needs. We are very impressed with the value, convenience, and transparency Carvana offers, and we can't wait to help our members take advantage of it."

All Carvana vehicles have no reported accidents, have completed a 150-point inspection and have met Carvana Certified standards. RBFCU members also have access to Carvana's 100-day/4,189-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as its 7-day money back guarantee, which enables customers to return their vehicle for any reason and receive a full refund.

For more information on purchasing a car through Carvana, RBFCU members can visit: www.Carvana.com/RBFCU.

About Carvana

Founded in 2012 and based in Phoenix, Ariz., Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy cars. By removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service, Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and convenient online automotive retail platform, with a fully transactional website that enables consumers to quickly and easily buy a car online, including finding their preferred vehicle, qualifying for financing, completing the purchase and loan with signed contracts, and arranging delivery or pickup of the vehicle from one of Carvana's proprietary automated Car Vending Machines.

For more information on Carvana, visit www.carvana.com or connect socially on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Established in 1952, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative whose mission is to improve member's economic well-being and quality of life. With assets exceeding $7.5 billion, RBFCU serves nearly 700,000 members from 55 branch locations throughout Texas. For more information, visit rbfcu.org

SOURCE Carvana

Related Links

http://www.carvana.com


TAMPA, Fla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) announced today the promotions of Mark Kuperman to Chief Operating Officer and Joel Davis to Chief Strategy Officer. RMS is a pioneering company that brings a data-based approach to pricing and business strategy for many of the world's top restaurant companies.

Mark Kuperman will oversee all client relationships and will be responsible for RMS' teams across all five of its offices (Tampa, London, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo). In the role, he will focus on implementing the company's strategic direction, developing client-specific solutions to continuously improve insights and performance, and ensuring that RMS associates grow with ongoing training and development.

Kuperman previously served as President, North America for RMS. Prior to joining the Company in 2005, originally as an intern, he worked in Italy and France for Michelin-rated restaurants and served as Executive Chef for Legoland in California. He holds a master's degree in hospitality management from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in statistics from Northwestern University, and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy.

"Mark has played a key role in RMS' success over the past decade," said RMS CEO John Oakes. "His combination of hospitality and business experience has helped guide us as we help restaurants with everything from pricing strategies to determining how to use data in decision-making. The COO role is a natural next step for Mark, and we look forward to his contributions in that role."

Joel Davis, previously Vice President of Operations for RMS, will be responsible for refining long-term strategic plans for RMS in the areas of management, operations and infrastructure. These initiatives range from advancing the company's leadership in providing strategic consulting for restaurant owners to recruiting and growing top talent internally.

Prior to joining RMS in 2014, Davis spent 13 years in operational leadership roles at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Excelsior College in Albany, New York, and an MBA from the University of Florida.

"Joel's strategic vision has made a significant impact for us at RMS, and this new role reflects his skill in this area," Oakes said. "Our strategy always relates to how we can best provide excellent, highly tailored service to our clients as we continue to grow, and Joel's approach and skills match up well with that objective."

About Revenue Management Solutions:

Revenue Management Solutions, based in Tampa, Florida USA, is a leader in bringing a data-based approach to pricing for restaurants, providing solutions for a number of leading global restaurant brands, including many of the largest companies in the industry. Since 1994, the company has been successfully providing solutions to clients to increase profit and enhance brand value. RMS assists 49 major brands in 41 countries, with its patented processes of revenue management used in more than 42,000 locations globally.

SOURCE Revenue Management Solutions

Related Links

http://www.revenuemanage.com


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RFID Journal announced today that speakers from Honda, the U.S. Army and Auburn University will be featured in general sessions at RFID Journal LIVE! 2017. The conference and exhibition will be held on May 9-11, at Arizona's Phoenix Convention Center. Key themes among all of these sessions will be the use of RFID to improve the customer experience and business operations, as well as increase efficiency in inventory management.

Jason Philpot, the manager of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, will discuss how his company cuts costs of managing finished inventory with RFID. Honda has solved the problem of managing finished inventory at its Indiana plant, by implementing an RFID system that includes solar-powered fixed readers and an innovative in-car reader. Philpot will explain how the system has reduced the expense of hiring workers during peak new-model periods by 80 percent, and how it has decreased the amount of time required to perform critical quality checks.

Brigadier General Patrick Burden, from the Army's Program Executive Office of Enterprise Information Systems, will explain how the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is transforming its supply chain with automatic-identification technologies (AIT), including RFID. This session will highlight the DoD's strategic focus on enhancing asset visibility in a manner that provides the ability to track assets throughout their lifecycle, while transforming asset data into actionable information that supports logistics decisions.

Dr. Bill Hardgrave, the dean of Auburn University's Harbert College of Business, will discuss how companies can successfully manage the transition to a new retailing paradigm, in which social media and ubiquitous connectivity are driving new shopping habits and customer expectations. He will explain how technologies like RFID will enable this transition, which will influence store reconfiguration and changes in the data-integrated supply chain. Dr. Hardgrave will share logical, business-driven steps to meet customer expectations and achieve real transformation.

LIVE! 2017 will also feature four industry-specific and four technical conference tracks, as well as eight in-depth preconference seminars and workshops, four post-conference seminars, fast-track training provided by RFID4U, and RFID Professional Institute certification. The event will be hosted alongside the IEEE RFID 2017 event and the 2017 RFID Journal Awards. What's more, the event will offer exhibits and demonstrations conducted by the industry's leading technology firms. For more information, visit www.rfidjournalevents.com/live.

About RFID Journal

RFID Journal is the leading source of news and in-depth information regarding radio frequency identification (RFID) and Internet of Things technologies (IoT) and their many business applications. Business executives and implementers depend on RFID Journal's websites for up-to-the-minute news, in-depth case studies, best practices, strategic insights and information about vendor solutions related to RFID and IoT technologies. This has made RFID Journal a trusted and respected technology information resource, serving the largest audience of RFID and IoT decision-makers worldwideonline and at face-to-face events. For more information, visit www.rfidjournal.com and www.iotjournal.com.

For more information, contact:

Quedah Locket

Marketing Manager

RFID Journal

(212) 584-9400

[email protected]

SOURCE RFID Journal

Related Links

http://www.rfidjournal.com


WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Joseph Shepard will serve as the Associate Administrator for the Office of Investment and Innovation.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Joe to the SBA," McMahon said. "His previous public sector experience at SBA overseeing the SBIC program, as well as his private sector experience as a subordinated debt lender and private equity investor in small businesses, is the perfect fit required for this critical lending, investment and oversight position."

As office head, Shepard will be responsible for Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) assessment and licensing; oversight and monitoring of existing SBICs, including examinations for regulatory compliance; divestment of portfolio companies within failed SBICs, and the timely recovery of taxpayer guaranteed capital; investment policies; new regulations; and strategic direction.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to be at the SBA and work with a group of highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals," Shepard said. "As a team, we will strive to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars."

Prior to his SBA appointment, Shepard was a Partner and Managing Director of Archway Capital Management, and was previously a Director of Banc One Capital Markets, the investment banking and private equity group of Bank One Corporation, now JP Morgan Chase, which managed seven bank-owned SBICs. In both positions, he was responsible for originating, evaluating, and processing direct mezzanine and equity investments, as well as providing merger, acquisition, advisory, and investment banking services. He had similar responsibilities and experience with Principal Financial Securities, and Texas Pacific Capital. He began his professional career as a management consultant with KPMG.

Shepard holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Harding University and earned a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

About the Small Business Administration's Office of Investment

The Office of Investment was established under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 at a time when no private equity industry existed in the United States. Almost 60 years later, the Office manages the current Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, which operates as a fund of funds by providing U.S. taxpayer guaranteed long-term loans to SBA-licensed SBICs. The SBICs use these taxpayer guarantees and privately raised funds to independently provide capital, primarily in the form of subordinated debt with equity enhancements, to qualifying small businesses. As of March 20, 2017, the SBIC program had a portfolio of 317 active SBICs with total outstanding and committed U.S. taxpayer guaranteed capital of approximately $14.6 billion, as well as a portfolio of 105 failed SBICs with associated taxpayer capital and assets of approximately $800 million.

To learn more, visit; www.sba.gov/sbic.

About the Small Business Administration's Office of Innovation and Technology

The Office's SBIR program was established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 with the mission of enabling small businesses "to undertake and to obtain the benefits of research and development in order to maintain and strengthen the competitive free enterprise system and the national economy." The STTR program, modeled after the SBIR program, was established as a pilot program by the Small Business Technology Transfer Act of 1992 to provide grants to small businesses working in cooperation with non-profit research institutions in order to facilitate transfer of technology from these institutions to commercial use. To learn more, visit: www.sbir.gov.

About the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more, visit: www.sba.gov .

Contact: Terry Sutherland, 202-205-6919

Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

Release Number: 17-14

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.sba.gov


WAKEFIELD, Massachusetts and MAIDENHEAD, England, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

SDL (LSE:SDL) today announced its Chief Delivery Officer, Silke Zschweigert, has been appointed as an Advisory Board member of the Translation Automation User Society (TAUS).

TAUS was founded in 2005 as a think tank for innovation in the translation industry. Today, TAUS serves as a resource center for the global language and translation industries, with a mission to enable better translation through innovation and automation.

"In line with our mission to enable better translation through innovation and automation, we are welcoming SDL's Silke Zschweigert to our Advisory Board," says Jaap van der Meer, Founder and Director of TAUS.

Zschweigert, who holds a Master's degree in Translation for Dutch, English, German and Chinese, makes a valuable addition to the TAUS Advisory Board, considering her practical insight into the daily use of language and Machine Translation technology. In her role as Chief Delivery Officer at SDL, Zschweigert ensures the right processes, systems and people are in place to deliver powerful language services to customers across the globe.

"We're delighted that Silke Zschweigert has joined the TAUS Advisory Board," said Adolfo Hernandez, CEO, SDL. "Silke leads a world-class delivery team of over 2,000 linguists, project managers and technical staff here at SDL, and has deep insight into the practical uses of language and Machine Translation technology. Her knowledge and experience will no doubt be an outstanding contribution to the community."

Silke Zschweigert, Chief Delivery Officer of SDL, added, "As a TAUS advisory member, I'm excited to regularly contribute to the group's community, helping to make translation easy and ubiquitous, for both enterprises and individuals. TAUS has been an accelerator for the adoption of tools for human and machine translation around the world and I'm honored to play a part in this important work."

The TAUS Advisory Board supports the organization's management with advice on strategic direction, content of forums and meetings and the growth of the membership. Advisory Board members review all membership requests.

About TAUS

TAUS is a resource center for the global language and translation industries. Our mission is to enable better translation through innovation and automation. We envision translation as a standard feature, a utility, similar to the internet, electricity and water. Translation available in all languages to all people in the world will push the evolution of human civilization to a much higher level of understanding, education and discovery.

We support all translation operators - translation buyers, language service providers, individual translators and government agencies - with a comprehensive suite of online services, software and knowledge that help them to grow and innovate their business. We extend the reach and growth of the translation industry through our execution with sharing translation data and quality evaluation metrics.

About SDL

SDL (LSE:SDL) is the global innovator in language translation technology, services and content management. Over the past 25 years we've delivered transformative business results by enabling powerfully nuanced digital experiences with customers around the world. Are you in the know? Find out why 79 out of the top 100 global brands work with us at SDL.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contacts:

SDL

Denis Davies

[email protected]



PAN Communications

Jenny Radloff / Kate Lavoie-Mayer

+1-617-502-4300

[email protected]



SOURCE SDL Plc
DALLAS, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingsley Gate Partners, a retained global executive search firm that addresses the senior executive recruitment needs of the digital age, today announced that Andrew Blane has joined the company as partner. The announcement follows the recent launch of Kingsley Gate Partners' global financial service practice and opening of two offices in New York and San Francisco.

Blane brings nearly two decades of experience in retained executive search, marketing and business development to Kingsley Gate Partners. He has conducted numerous team lift-outs for the buy-side of the asset management sector, and he regularly counsels CEOs across the globe about their corporate growth strategies. Blane specializes in helping investment management firms expand their business by identifying and securing top talent that matches the strategic, cultural and unique market perspective his clients need to be successful.

"Andrew brings a wealth of experience working with top asset and investment management firms, and he has delivered significant, positive impact for dozens of clients," stated Paige Scott, senior partner, Asset Management Practice, Kingsley Gate Partners. "As we accelerate our own growth, by delivering exceptional results for our asset management clients, we value Andrew's expertise, relationships and deep understanding of the market."

Prior to his current role, Blane was a managing director in the financial services practice at Sheffield Haworth, Inc. Earlier in his career, he was a partner and managing director with Warren International, a leading executive search boutique specializing in team lift-outs and searches for the buy-side of the asset management industry. Blane earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University.

About Kingsley Gate Partners

Designed for the digital world, retained global executive search firm Kingsley Gate Partners leverages its deep industry insights, vast search experience and state-of-the-art technology to bring transparency and faster results to the search process. Through its industry-leading, multi-phase evaluation process, the firm's search partners deliver the right candidates to meet the needs of discerning clients. Headquartered in Dallas, the partnership employs consultants and recruiters worldwide with expertise in financial services, private equity, life sciences, technology, manufacturing and professional services.

Editorial contact :

Valerie Beesley

Finn Partners

Phone: 646.202.9767

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Kingsley Gate Partners

Related Links

http://www.kingsleygate.com/


WESTFORD, Mass., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Seceon, the only threat detection and management company to visualize, detect, and eliminate cyber threats in real-time, today announced several new partner relationshipsa strategic partnership with Big Yak Technologies , offering advisory, business, and technology consulting in the financial services, security, insurance, aerospace and information security industries; a strategic partnership with InfoGuardian, the leading information security services provider in Africa; and reseller agreements with Orion Instruments, a leading reseller of security information and event management (SIEM) solutions and technology integrator for corporate security operations centers in Poland and Selectus Consulting, an IT management and consulting firm specializing in network security.

Specifically, Big Yak Technologies has become a strategic partner and a value added reseller of Seceon's innovative Open Threat Management (OTM) platform, the industry's first fully automated threat detection and remediation system, as have Selectus Consulting and Orion Instruments. InfoGuardian has become a managed security services provider (MSSP) partner.

"All our partners bring decades of experience addressing challenges at the intersection of business and technology and have the unique understanding of how to apply security in a way that enables, not hinders, enterprise business," said Chandra Pandey, Seceon founder and CEO. "Our partners turn to us for our ability to automate threat detection and response for any size company, stopping and eliminating threats before data theft, disruption or financial loss occurs."

Addressing security needs for all clients

Big Yak, Orion Instruments and Selectus Consulting now offer training, consulting, professional and managed services around Seceon's OTM platform, enabling customers to dramatically speed visualization, detection and elimination of cyber-threats through real-time, automated threat detection and response capabilities. Seceon OTM uses advanced data collection and analysis, machine learning, patent-pending predictive and behavioral analytics, enabling partners and/or their customers to detect and respond to all forms of viable threats in minutes, instead of hours or days, preventing risk, damage or loss of valuable information.

"Seceon's approach, leveraging big/fast data analytics with AI and machine learning to addresses cyber security with real-time threat mitigation, is gaining traction with enterprises and managed service providers," stated Jon Erickson, Managing Partner, Big Yak Technologies. "I am energized by the prospect of working with the Seceon team to address the increasing cyber security demands faced by all types of digital era companies, including financial services."

"Orion Instruments works closely with clients seeking the implementation and maintenance of integrated SIEM solutions to address incident response, case management, procedure training and staff education," said Piotr Brogowski, CEO, Orion Instruments. "Installed and effective within hours of installation, Seceon's automated OTM platform seamlessly integrates with any SIEM system to identify, analyze, notify analysts and automatically shut down and report on legitimate attacks as they occur. Offering this level of protection at unprecedented speeds, Seceon enables us to deliver the robust defenses our clients have come to expect and entrust to Orion Instruments."

"Seceon provides us with rich visibility into our clients' networks, applications and flows, so we can monitor and address, in order of priority, the most dangerous threats as they happen," said Mike Kiehl, CIO, Selectus Consulting. "By rapidly deploying real-time threat detection and remediation with its intuitive and easy to use dashboard, Seceon enables our client or staff to see and stop any suspicious network activity within minutes, protecting critical assets and mitigating risk."

Supporting provider's profitable security services

InfoGuardian now offers enhanced managed services around Seceon's OTM platform, providing customers with a proverbial "SOC-in-a-Box," automating human and time intensive analysis and decision-making to significantly speed the time to detection and remediation. Using advanced data collection and analysis, machine learning, patent-pending predictive and behavioral analytics, Seceon enables InfoGuardian to detect and respond to all forms of viable threats against its customers in minutes, instead of hours or days, preventing risk, damage or loss of valuable information. Moreover, InfoGuardian customers benefit from Seceon OTM's integrated and fully automated approach, enabling InfoGuardian analysts to detect and eliminate threats as they occur and to monitor and manage all traffic, customers and threats from a single pane of glass.

"We have chosen to partner with Seceon as it is clear that they are innovators and visionaries in the behavioral analytics field," said Yugan Reddy, CEO, InfoGuardian. "With traditional security no longer meeting the high demands of companies today, and threats becoming more persistent, advanced and targeted, a new approach was needed as signature-based defenses are no longer effective and cannot truly protect any organization. This is where Seceon steps in."

InfoGuardian has teamed with Seceon developers to integrate the OTM platform with new products and technologies to ensure a well-rounded system with the ability to analyze and detect the latest threats; including, but not limited to, ransomware, spyware, greyware, malware and even command and control (CnC) systems. "The initial focus of the Seceon offering from InfoGuardian will be for the SMB market, however, given the speed of Seceon's development cycle and coming product enhancements, the focus is likely to spread to the enterprise market in the near future," continued Reddy.

Seceon OTM

Anticipating attackers' behavior choices, the solution enables any size company or partner to see and stop the threats as they happen, preventing risk, damage or loss of valuable information. Utilizing dynamic rule sets, Seceon OTM is fully automatedit never needs tuning, monitoring or new rules to be added, and analyzes and reports or remediates findings automatically in emails, texts. Seceon OTM provides cost-effective, operationally efficient and comprehensive protection for today's enterprise or service provider, giving organizations without dedicated security staff at long last an advantage over would-be attackers.

About Seceon

Taking a new approach to conventional threat detection and management, Seceon helps today's enterprise detect and stop both recognized and never-seen-before threats when they happen, instead of days, weeks or months later. Leveraging intelligent data collection and analysis, Seceon's Open Threat Management platform provides unmatched visibility across the entire networkfrom users and devices to applications and flows surfacing only the most relevant threats in real-time and the means necessary to eliminate them immediately. To learn more about Seceon's comprehensive, Open Threat Management platform, please visit www.seceon.com or call (978)-923-0040.

Media please contact:

Lalit Shinde Alana Suko Seceon Guyer Group [email protected] [email protected] 978-923-0040 781-258-5803

SOURCE Seceon

Related Links

http://www.seceon.com


WASHINGTON, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) was honored today by the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) for his "outstanding legislative efforts to advance the quality and availability of mental health services in the United States." The award was announced at the NAPHS Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Sen. Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, was recognized for his success in advancing major mental health reforms into law. In the years since the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary, Sen. Murphy has been a vocal advocate for improving the nation's mental health system. Last year many of the key provisions advanced by Sen. Murphy became law as part of the 21st Century Cures law.

"We applaud and want to recognize the extraordinary contributions of this Congressional champion who has committed to improving mental health care for all Americans," said NAPHS President and CEO Mark Covall.

ABOUT NAPHS

The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental and substance use disorders. Its members are behavioral healthcare provider organizations that own or manage more than 800 specialty psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric and addiction treatment units and behavioral healthcare divisions, residential treatment facilities, youth services organizations, and extensive outpatient networks. The association was founded in 1933.

SOURCE National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS)

Related Links

http://www.naphs.org


LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Severe weather moved through parts of Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina overnight. High winds and hail caused damage to homes in these states, and at least one life was lost in Georgia. Farmers Insurance catastrophe claims representatives, agents, other personnel and resources are engaged and prepared to help customers who suffered damage.

Farmers Insurance Head of Claims Customer experience Paul Quinn emphasized that additional staff are being deployed to assist in these areas. Quinn also notes that customers in Midwest and Southern states should prepare themselves for upcoming severe weather this week.

Farmers Insurance Seasonal Smarts Digest provides safety and preparedness tips for homeowners all over the country. Quinn urges customers who are expecting severe weather to take time to prepare their homes and their families for potential winds, hail and tornadoes, having emergency supplies and plans in place, and keeping a close eye on upcoming weather.

Farmers customers who have damage from the storms can call their agent or the 24-hour claims center for assistance.

Farmers Claims Contact Center number: 1-800-435-7764.

Foremost and 21 st Century customers can also use the 1-800-435-7764 number for assistance.

Century customers can also use the 1-800-435-7764 number for assistance. Bristol West customers can call 1-800-274-7865 for assistance.

Spanish-language claims assistance is available to Farmers customers by calling: 877-RECLAMO (877-732-5266).

About Farmers

"Farmers Insurance" and "Farmers" are tradenames for a group of affiliated insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services and products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with over 19 million individual policies, across all 50 states, through the efforts of more than 48,000 exclusive and independent agents and approximately 21,000 employees. Farmers Insurance Exchange, the largest of the three primary insurance insurers that make up Farmers Insurance, is recognized as one of the largest U.S. companies on the 2016 Fortune 500 list.For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers.com, Twitter and Instagram, @WeAreFarmers, or Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

Contact: Farmers Insurance

Media Relations

(818) 965-0007

[email protected]

SOURCE Farmers Insurance

Related Links

https://www.farmers.com


WHEELING, Ill., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SG360, a leading direct marketing solutions provider, today announced a partnership agreement with Kitewheel, provider of the Customer Journey Hub. Under this agreement, Kitewheel will power an omnichannel marketing offering from SG360 that will enable more effective customer journeys.

"SG360 has been a leading advocate for omnichannel marketing solutions, and this partnership with Kitewheel is an excellent example of SG360's effort to support client omnichannel systems," said Mary Lee Schneider, SG360 CEO. "Our Kitewheel solution enables marketers to integrate their existing technology investments with customer data to drive real-time application of personalized communications. This in turn allows them to adjust tactics and improve results," she added.

In 2016, SG360 co-sponsored a whitepaper titled From Theory to Practice: A Roadmap to "Omnichannel" Activation with the Data and Marketing Association (DMA), the Winterberry Group, Acxiom, and Criteohighlighting the challenges marketers face in reaching their desired audience given the myriad of data, channels, devices, and marketing technologies available. SG360's partnership with Kitewheel represents the company's ongoing priority to identify solutions that help brands orchestrate and navigate effective omnichannel marketing programs.

"At Kitewheel, we are strong believers that the marketing channel is less important than the quality and timing of the message. We're excited to bring that mentality to enabling SG360's omnichannel approach to print and digital," said Mark Smith, President of Kitewheel. "By looking at the customer journey in its entirety, we can more accurately predict the messages that will most resonate with individual consumers, and enable SG360's clients see even better returns on their marketing investments through this enhanced personalization."

The Kitewheel Customer Engagement hub enhances SG360's portfolio of solutions and services that facilitate the delivery of highly-customized, innovative direct marketing communications.

About SG360

SG360 is an industry-leading printing and direct marketing services provider that offers multichannel marketing solutions. Its services range from research and strategy to concept and execution and include multichannel marketing, direct mail, data analytics, and fulfillment, among other services. Headquartered in Wheeling, Ill., it was founded in 1956 and has annual revenues of $300 million. Besides Wheeling, it has locations elsewhere in Illinois and also in California, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Texas. More information is available at www.sg360.com.

About Kitewheel

Kitewheel orchestrates intelligent customer journeys by unifying decisions across all touch points for brands and their agencies. Kitewheel's innovative Customer Journey Hub visually unifies disparate systems, touch points and technologies to provide seamless customer experiences that drive real-time revenue as well as long term loyalty.

Kitewheel has more than 25 of the world's leading marketing agencies as active partners, including the top five agency groups Omnicom, WPP, Publicis and Havas, and was named a Gartner Cool Vendor in 2014 and included in the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Marketing Hubs. Kitewheel serves its global partner base from offices in Boston, New York City and London. For more information, please visit www.kitewheel.com and follow Kitewheel on Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE SG360
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of TransDigm Group Incorporated ("TransDigm" or the "Company") (NYSE: TDG). Such investors are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/tdg.

The investigation concerns whether TransDigm and certain of its officers and/or directors have complied with federal securities laws.

On January 20, 2017, Citron Research issued a report entitled "Could TransDigm be the Valeant of the Aerospace Industry?" alleging that TransDigm's business model depended on "acquir[ing] airplane parts companies (over 50 in total), fir[ing] employees, and egregiously rais[ing] prices," and suggested that the company's business model was insufficient for a competitive bidding environment. Following this news, TransDigm stock dropped $24.86 per share, or 9.87%, to close at $226.90 on January 20, 2017.

If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation, or purchased shares of TransDigm, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/tdg. You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 212-697-6484.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm's expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz

212-697-6484 | [email protected]

SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

Related Links

http://www.bgandg.com


"One of the cornerstones of Marriott's values is the ability to give back to the community and enrich the lives of others. Our SaveArt program, pioneered by our SpringHill Suites brand, does just that by keeping art alive and relevant in our public schools," said General Manager Steve Osbon. "This past year was a banner year for our fundraising made possible by generous donations of our guests that visit the SpringHill Suites right here in Gaithersburg."

Partnering with The Brick Companies, the Gaithersburg hotel raised money to provide desired classroom art supplies for students at Brown Station Elementary School. During a recent visit to the school, representatives presented the art supplies in addition to a $1,200 cash donation to the school art program. "It was a joy to spend time with one of the fifth grade art classes, and we look forward to seeing their future talent turned into art gallery masterpieces," said Lex Birney, Chief Executive Officer at The Brick Companies.

SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg, recently acquired by The Brick Companies, has just completed a full renovation of its suites and public spaces. Travelers can kick back in one of 162 revitalized rooms with separate living areas, kitchenettes and large workstations. Accommodations also offer complimentary Wi-Fi, iHome docking stations and flat-panel TVs to keep guests connected at all hours. Outside of the stylish suites, the hotel made updates to its lobby, reimagined with modern decor, as well as its boardroom.

Guests will feel right at home with additional amenities including free parking, on-site laundry facilities and a 24-hour Market, offering snacks, beverages and various sundries. In-between meetings or social celebrations, the hotel invites attendees to unwind at its indoor pool or relax in the stylish lobby, which also provides free Wi-Fi.

About SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg

SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg at 9715 Washingtonian Blvd. in Gaithersburg, MD is near Washington Rio Center, The Universities at Shady Grove and Shady Grove Metro. The hotel features 6 floors with 162 suites and a 375-square-foot meeting room. Guests enjoy access to complimentary Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and free daily breakfast. For information, visit SpringHillSuitesGaithersburg.com or call 1-301-987-0900.

Sign up now for Marriott Rewards and get on the fast track to earn points for free hotel stays, room upgrades, flights, credit card purchases and deals with Marriott partners.

Learn more about SpringHill Suites and Marriott International Inc.



PRESS CONTACT

Steve Osbon

1-301-354-8780

[email protected]

SOURCE SpringHill Suites Gaithersburg

Related Links

http://www.springhillsuites.marriott.com


FREMONT, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tailored Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TLRD) today announced that Bruce Thorn has been promoted to president and chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Thorn joined Tailored Brands as executive vice president, chief operating officer, in June 2015. He oversees the Company's supply chain, store operations, information technology, strategic planning, omni-channel initiatives, and human resources, among other areas. Mr. Thorn will continue to serve on the Company's executive committee and report to Tailored Brand's Chief Executive Officer Doug Ewert.

"Bruce has been instrumental in driving Tailored Brands' operational excellence initiatives through a period of tremendous change for our Company," said Mr. Ewert. "Under his stewardship, we right-sized our store base, optimized our supply chain and cost structure and strengthened our omni-channel capabilities. We look forward to his ongoing leadership as we continue to innovate the men's specialty store experience at Tailored Brands."

Prior to joining Tailored Brands, Thorn was employed by PetSmart, Inc. in various positions, most recently as executive vice president, store operations, services and supply chain. Prior to joining PetSmart, Inc., he served in various leadership roles with Gap, Inc., Cintas Corporation, LESCO, Inc. and The United States Army.

Tailored Brands, Inc. is a leading authority on helping men dress for work, special occasions and everyday life. We serve our customers through an expansive omni-channel network that includes over 1,600 locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as our branded e-commerce websites. Our brands include Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Joseph Abboud, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G. We also operate an international corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the United Kingdom and Twin Hill in the United States.

For additional information on Tailored Brands, please visit the Company's websites at www.tailoredbrands.com, www.menswearhouse.com, www.josbank.com, www.josephabboud.com, www.mooresclothing.com, www.kgstores.com, www.mwcleaners.com, www.dimensions.co.uk, www.alexandra.co.uk. and www.twinhill.com.

Contact:

Investor Relations

(281) 776-7575

[email protected]

Julie MacMedan, VP, Investor Relations

Tailored Brands, Inc.

SOURCE Tailored Brands, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.tailoredbrands.com/


To see our analysis and download the full report visit: http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2017/03/top-technology-marketers-research

What did we find?

92% of those reporting increased success (over one year ago) attributed that success to doing a better job with content creation

Other Key Highlights:

95% said their organization is using content marketing

69% said their organization is extremely or very committed to content marketing

64% said that compared with one year ago, their organizations are much more or somewhat more successful with content marketing

74% said their organization always or frequently prioritizes delivering content quality over content quantity

"Top-performing technology content marketers do several key things differently than their less successful peers," says Lisa Murton Beets, Research Director, Content Marketing Institute. "For instance, they are more likely to deliver content consistently, prioritize content quality over content quantity, and be realistic about what content marketing can achieve. These are all important for success if technology marketers want to differentiate their companies in a crowded marketplace."

For research charts, a video, quotes and more, check out this BOX folder: https://ubm.box.com/s/732dwycq5r5ssmjh6svj1cdruoiaxyda

To view all CMI research and to subscribe to our emails visit: contentmarketinginstitute.com/research

About Content Marketing Institute

Content Marketing Institute is the leading global content marketing education and training organization, teaching enterprise brands how to attract and retain customers through compelling, multichannel storytelling. CMI's Content Marketing World event, the largest content marketing-focused event, is held every September in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and the Intelligent Content Conference event is held every spring. CMI publishes the bi-monthly magazine Chief Content Officer, and provides strategic consulting and content marketing research for some of the best-known brands in the world. Watch this video to learn more about CMI, a UBM company.

SOURCE Content Marketing Institute
LOS ANGELES and SINGAPORE, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Telin Singapore, a premier multi-tier data center provider, and Zenlayer, a global software defined network and services provider, today announced a partnership to help enterprises expand digitally to Southeast Asia (SEA) through innovative colocation and connectivity solutions.

Southeast Asia: Huge digital opportunity

Per a 2016 report released by Google and Temasek, SEA is the world's fastest growing internet region with an estimated 5-year CAGR of 14%.

To help global enterprises to accelerate speed to market, Telin Singapore and Zenlayer have joined hands in facilitating the digital coverage of SEA via Singapore. Singapore is the regional home of many multinational companies, enjoys transparent regulations and a pro-business government, and is the most connected data center hub in SEA with highly reliable infrastructure.

In addition, two submarine cables, SEA-US (connecting Indonesia, the Philippines and the U.S.) and IGG (connecting six Indonesian Islands and Singapore), are expected to launch in Q3 2017 and Q2 2018, respectively. Both will connect seamlessly to PT Telkom's (Telin Singapore's parent company) backbone and will offer unmatched latency for the region.

Global connections unite with local expertise

"As the provider of Singapore's first Tier IV certified data center, Telin Singapore is well poised to host global enterprises in its state of the art, carrier neutral facilities. The newest addition to its portfolio, Telin-3, offers flexibility, scalability and the utmost reliability with a Service Level Agreement of 100%," said Joe Zhu, Founder and CEO of Zenlayer. "We are very excited to integrate our colocation, network and edge computing services with Telin Singapore."

"Zenlayer's innovative SDN platform and complementary service offerings made them the logical partner for us to expand our network," said Daniel Then, COO of Telin Singapore. "We are especially looking forward to harnessing Zenlayer's global expertise and connections to tap into international companies seeking to expand to Southeast Asia. For a start, we are planning a series of roadshows together to showcase our products and services this year."

About Telin Singapore (http://www.telin.sg)

Telin Singapore, a subsidiary of PT Telkom Group, is the data centre provider of choice through best-in-class, integrated solutions. Telin Singapore currently manages flexible, modular and scalable data centre facilities in Singapore that are enhanced by proprietary-owned, seamless submarine cables connectivity from Indonesia and Singapore to the rest of the world. Telin Singapore's Tier III & Tier IV certified data centre facilities embrace the company's commitment to deliver world-class ICT solutions that are scalable and flexible to fit any customer's needs.

About Zenlayer (https://www.zenlayer.com)

Zenlayer is headquartered in Los Angeles and Shanghai with offices in Hong Kong and Beijing. Enterprises utilize Zenlayer's platform to quickly deploy and manage IT resources worldwide, and to globalize their business within minutes. Zenlayer offers on-demand bare metal cloud, SD-WAN, edge computing, and colocation in more than 60 data centers worldwide.

Media Contacts

Telin Singapore

Jess Nyew

[email protected]

+65-6278-8189 (ext. 2235)

Zenlayer

Dalerie Wu

[email protected]

+1-909-718-3558 (ext. 1111)

SOURCE Zenlayer

Related Links

http://www.zenlayer.com


Specifically, the conference will examine the energy industry's transitions, including the downturn in the oil market and related bankruptcies and OPEC's recent announcement to reduce production. Conference sessions will also discuss new opportunities and challenges for the industry under a Trump presidency, particularly in light of the fact that the U.S. is now a net exporter of gas and refined petroleum products.

Keynoters will be joined by the following, who will facilitate panel and debate sessions on legislative and regulatory priorities, power generation, allocation wells, transboundary resource management and environmental considerations:

Ronnie Blackwell , XTO Energy, Inc.

, XTO Energy, Inc. James Bradbury , James D. Bradbury PLLC

, James D. Bradbury PLLC Bech Bruun , Chairman, Texas Water Development Board

, Chairman, Texas Water Development Board David Cooney , Director of the Enforcement Section, Railroad Commission of Texas Office of General Counsel

, Director of the Enforcement Section, Railroad Commission of Texas Office of General Counsel Andrew Derman , Thompson & Knight LLP

, Thompson & Knight LLP H. Martin Gibson , Locke Lord LLP

, Locke Lord LLP Michael Goldman , Goldman Law, P.C.

, Goldman Law, P.C. Keith Hall , Associate Professor of Law and Director, Mineral Law Institute, LSU

, Associate Professor of Law and Director, Mineral Law Institute, Jose Luis Herrera , International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds

, International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds Richard Hyde , Executive Director, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

, Executive Director, Commission on Environmental Quality Russell Johnson , McGinnis Lochridge

, Warren Lasher , Director of System Planning, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

, Director of System Planning, Electric Reliability Council of (ERCOT) Brian Lloyd , Executive Director of the Public Utility Commission of Texas

, Executive Director of the Public Utility Commission of Greg Matthews , Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company

, Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company John Mitchell , Akerman LLP

, Akerman LLP Michael Nasi , Jackson Walker

, Somnath Sinha , Ph.D, Energy & Technology Advisor, ExxonMobil Corporation

, Ph.D, Energy & Technology Advisor, ExxonMobil Corporation Andrew Stakelum , King & Spalding

, King & Spalding Harry Sullivan, Jr. , Kosmos Energy

, Kosmos Energy Jason Wilcox , Wilcox, Swartzwelder & Co.

, Wilcox, Swartzwelder & Co. Nawzad Yasin , Consultant, International Oil & Gas

This event is approved for 12.75 CLE credit hours.

For more information or to register, visit law.tamu.edu/energysymposium.

SOURCE Texas A&M University School of Law

Related Links

http://law.tamu.edu


Bretagne, a 16-year-old Golden Retriever, owned and handled by Denise Corliss, was the last surviving 9/11 search and rescue dog before her passing in June of 2016, at the age of 16. As members of Texas Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Organization, the pair responded to the World Trade Center tragedy in New York shortly after the September 11 th attacks in 2001. At age two, as a newly certified FEMA Search and Rescue Dog, searching through the debris and rubble of Ground Zero was Bretagne's first ever deployment.

Denise Corliss accepted the prestigious award on behalf of her fallen partner, Bretagne at a press conference on Tuesday at the American Kennel Club's new pet care space, AKC Canine Retreat. Bretagne was a devoted dog as well as a source of comfort for the human teams working the tragic scene.

"Bretagne was a dedicated, courageous and loyal working dog whose commitment and bravery has not gone unnoticed," said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo. "She and handler, Denise Corliss, worked tirelessly day in and day out after the September 11th attacks, and the impact they have made on the Empire State is truly inspirational. We are proud to honor their contributions."

Bretagne retired as a disaster search and rescue dog at age nine but continued serving her community, working as a goodwill ambassador and reading assistance dog. In addition to their significant work at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, Bretagne and Denise Corliss deployed as a search team in response to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Ivan and many other disasters.

Since September 2001, The AKC has supported search and rescue organizations through its "DOGNY, America's Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs" initiative which raised over $3.5 million. These efforts helped rescuers in the aftermath of 9/11.

For downloadable images of Denise and Taser, click here.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

To become a fan of the AKC on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/americankennelclub. To follow the AKC on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/akcdoglovers.

SOURCE American Kennel Club

Related Links

http://www.akc.org


CHICAGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) has chosen the Ex Libris Alma library management service and Primo discovery and delivery solution. UNC Charlotte's J. Murrey Atkins Library selected the Ex Libris solutions as an integrated, best-in-class implementation to meet patron expectations and take the library into the future. Alma and Primo will replace Atkins' existing OCLC WorldShare Management Services platform.

During the evaluation process, UNC Charlotte's J. Murrey Atkins Library defined a number of goals for the new system, including an increase in efficiency, the streamlining of management workflows, and a powerful, modern search service. The Ex Libris solutions were selected to fulfill all of these goals. With the cloud-based, multitenant Alma architecture, software updates are automatic and require no effort on the part of library staff. Alma workflows streamline e-resource management while the Primo discovery experience offers library patrons a customizable interface, comprehensive search technology, and personalized result lists that support the needs of researchers and students.

Dr. Anne Cooper Moore, dean of J. Murrey Atkins Library, noted, "Among the features that particularly excite us are the full integration of the Alma platform with RFID inventory control and physical collection security systems as well as the platform's robust API capabilities, which will facilitate the integration of our secondary systems. The business intelligence and analytics components of Alma and Primo will enable our librarians to create reports on demand without any special training. Finally, we are looking forward to benefiting from and contributing to the extensive Ex Libris developer community."

"We are pleased to welcome the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to our growing Alma and Primo customer community," commented Eric Hines, president of Ex Libris North America. "We are excited to partner with UNC-Charlotte and to provide the ability to eliminate redundant systems and processes so that UNC-Charlotte can focus on providing strategic library services to their patrons."

About the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte, known as North Carolina's urban research institution, was founded in 1946 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The university leverages its location in the state's largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity; exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs; and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.

About J. Murrey Atkins Library

The J. Murrey Atkins Library advances the scholarly and creative endeavors of UNC Charlotte and the greater Charlotte community by providing exceptional collections, spaces, services, and technologies. Atkins supports learning, cultivates research and scholarship, and inspires innovation by connecting people, ideas, and resources. The library offers over 3.3 million volumes, including 930,000 e-books, over 400 databases, and approximately 75,000 journals, the vast majority available electronically. It is the largest academic library in the Southern Piedmont region and is a member of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries. For more information about J. Murrey Atkins Library, visit http://library.uncc.edu.

About Ex Libris

Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

SOURCE Ex Libris
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Jodi Berg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Vitamix, and John Cashion, Corporate Director, Culture Transformation at the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, will be featured speakers at the 13th Annual Customer Contact, East: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange. The event will take place on April 23rd to 26th, 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

To register for the 13th Annual Customer Contact, East: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange, or to view the event agenda, please click here.

Dr. Berg will host a Success Story session, Leading Your Company into the Future with a Transformational Customer Experience. She will explore how Vitamix, widely known as an innovator for its products, has built an army of brand ambassadors by cultivating both a deeply engaged workforce and a passionate customer base. Additionally, she will share insights on how Vitamix has leveraged key moments of truth along the customer journey to achieve category leadership and unprecedented levels of growth and engagement.

Moreover, John Cashion, formerly General Manager at the Ritz - Carlton Residences, will present a keynote, The Ritz-Carlton's Guide to Delivering Memorable Customer Service. He will provide strategic information about how the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company sets the gold standard in hospitality and customer service worldwide, as well as share their method for fulfilling not only the expressed, but also the unexpressed wishes and needs of customers. Finally, he will offer a guide to creating an anticipatory service that creates passionate brand advocates and will discuss developing a written service strategy to ensure consistency and cultivate customer loyalty.

This highly interactive event, themed Leveraging Customer Contact as a Strategic Asset, will disclose solutions that address the complex communication needs faced by today's consumer. The event will offer customer contact industry Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers and other senior level executives the opportunity to benefit from:

Current case studies and best practices

Dynamic collaboration zones

Expert panel discussions

Peer-to-peer networking opportunities

For additional information about Customer Contact 2017, East, please email [email protected].

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community.

Contact:

Chiara Carella

Corporate Communications  Global Director

P: +44 (0) 207-343-8314

E: [email protected]



http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Related Links

http://www.frost.com


ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The international toy manufacturer Toy Target Inc. has today announced that it will be launching two new brands of products in 2017. The new launch is made up of the "MG Series", a line of personal and business electronics gadgets, and "Suzy's Home", consisting of several home decoration products such as LED Candles and Christmas decorations.

Suzy's Home by Toy Target Inc.

With this initiative, and complemented with a special dose of good looking packaging design, Toy Target Inc. has created a more direct link with grown up clients who recognize the Toy Target brand of toys for their children. The inspiration behind this project, its development and launch accurately define Toy Target's international character and desire for offering quality products in the North American market.

"The launch of the new models of our LED Candles and Plug & Play Electronic gadgets is expected to give consumers a wide array of choice in the new range of products. These new developments highlight our commitment to continuously generate new ideas and designs to the consumer market, not only for children, as we did in the past, but also for their parents," said Michael Guebenlian, Director of Operations at Toy Target Inc. "Gathering with family and friends during the Christmas holiday season is important to our clients. Celebrating winter festivities at home and enjoying fire safe LED decorative Candles is what our holiday home decoration brand is all about."

Many of the new LED Candles in Suzy's Home collection are built with real wax, and their fragrances often connect to good memories and new experiences. Toy Target announced that its cost-effective brands of new products will be available throughout 2017 in-store at select retail locations in the United States and Canada including, but not limited to:

Sobeys

Lawtons

99 Cent Stores

Stores Gardian Drugs

IDA Drugs

Proxim

Rossy

Hart

and online at Amazon.com as well as Amazon.ca.

ABOUT TOY TARGET INC

TOY TARGET INC. is a toy maker based in Canada and USA, committed to production and sale of quality toys for children and other products for grown ups. Toy Target Inc. focuses on creating and distributing products that are safe and fun for children and adults. http://www.toytargetinc.com

Contact:

Joe Jessome, VP of Sales North America

1-855-737-4229 Ext 206

SOURCE Toy Target Inc.

Related Links

http://http://www.toytargetinc.com


The annual NATDA Trade Show & Convention is a must-attend for any dealership selling, distributing, servicing, renting or considering carrying trailers in any capacity. Hundreds of vendors and manufacturers in every segment  cargo, truck beds, concession, race car, horse, marine, dump, flatbed and toy hauler  are represented during the show's three days.

"This is the big event for dealers. They have an opportunity see the latest products, network, and attend free educational seminars," said Jesse Battle, NATDA Executive Director. "On top of that, they have a good time."

A first for the association, NATDA will be offering hands-on technical service and management training. Each live technical installation will focus on the most important elements of testing and repairing specific to trailers. This training will improve the quality of work and billable hours technicians produce in their dealership. FREE dealer education has been an integral part of the dealer experience at our annual trade show. NATDA is thrilled to offer a line-up of leading suppliers in the trailer industry.



The 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention is designed for dealers and will not be open to the public. For 10 years, dealers have attended our show for the perfect opportunity to network with leading industry professionals. For a limited time, dealers who register for the upcoming tradeshow will be eligible for the following:

FREE admission to the 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention

to the 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention FREE dealership education at the 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention

at the 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention PLUS: discounted hotel accommodations, special floorplan financing opportunities and admission to the hottest dealer-only receptions/parties in Indianapolis, IN

To register for the trade show, please visit http://www.natda.org/tradeshow/dealer-registration or call 727-360-0304. To learn more about our trade show, please visit www.natda.org/tradeshow.

About NATDA

The North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) is a professional business association in North America that serves the light and medium duty trailer dealers and brings them together as a unified team.





SOURCE North American Trailer Dealers Association
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential securities fraud at TransDigm Group Incorporated ("TransDigm" or the "Company") (NYSE:TDG).

The investigation focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by failing to disclose that the Company's business strategies in recent years may have rendered it uncompetitive in the contract bidding market.

Specifically, on January 20, 2017, Citron Research issued a comprehensive report entitled "Could TransDigm be the Valeant of the Aerospace Industry?" claiming that TransDigm's business model, including "acquir[ing] airplane parts companies (over 50 in total), fir[ing] employees, and egregiously rais[ing] prices," has put the Company at a disadvantage in effectively participating in contract bidding.

After the announcement, TransDigm's share price fell from $251.76 per share on January 19, 2017 to a closing price of $226.90 on January 20, 2017a $24.86 or a 9.8% drop.

Then, on March 21, 2017, California Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) wrote a letter to the inspector general of the Department of Defense, accusing the Company of "waste, fraud and abuse in the defense and industrial base."

On this news, TransDigm's share price fell from $237.94 per share on March 20, 2017 to a closing price of $224.79 on March 21, 2017a $13.15 or 5.5% drop.

Request more information now by clicking here: www.faruqilaw.com/TDG. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Take Action

If you invested in TransDigm stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, visit www.faruqilaw.com/TDG. You can also contact us by calling Richard Gonnello toll free at 877-247-4292 or at 212-983-9330 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding TransDigm's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

FARUQI & FARUQI, LLP

685 Third Avenue, 26th Floor

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Attn: Richard Gonnello, Esq.

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Telephone: (877) 247-4292 or (212) 983-9330

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

Related Links

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HARRISBURG, Pa., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today levied fines totaling $84,500 against two casinos for violations.

The fines were the result of Board approvals at its public meeting of consent agreements between the PGCB's Office of Enforcement Counsel and:

Downs Racing, LP, operator of Mohegan Sun Pocono in Luzerne County , which was fined $70,000 for five instances of failing to prevent underage access to its gaming floor; and,

operator of Mohegan Sun Pocono in , which was fined for five instances of failing to prevent underage access to its gaming floor; and, Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, LP, operator of the Valley Forge Casino Resort in Montgomery County , which was fined $14,500 for an instance in which an employee was not authorized to perform certain job duties that required licensure.

Details

The fine approved against Downs Racing, LP was for the following incidents in which persons under the age of 21 were permitted to gain access to the gaming floor:

A 20-year-old male gained access onto the gaming floor where he wagered at slot machines and consumed alcohol;

A 15-year-old female gained access onto the gaming floor and wagered on slot machines;

A 20-year-old male gained access onto the gaming floor and wagered at table games; and,

A 12-year-old female and 17-year-old male gained access onto the gaming floor, though neither participated in any gaming play.

The fine approved against Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, LP stemmed from an instance in which the casino had an employee who was required to be licensed by the PGCB while functioning in his capacity but did not have a valid license permit, registration or any other authorization approved by the Board.

The next meeting of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in the PGCB's Public Hearing Room located on the second floor of Strawberry Square in Harrisburg.

About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board:

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of the state's casino industry. There are 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos in operation, along with the two smaller resort casinos. These facilities collectively employ 18,000 people and annually generate approximately $1.4 billion in tax revenue from slot machine and table games play. The largest portion of that money is used for property tax reduction to all Pennsylvania homeowners.

Additional information about both the PGCB's regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania's casino gaming industry can be found at www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov. You can also follow the agency on Twitter by choosing @PAGamingControl.

CONTACTS: Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Related Links

http://www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov


SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM and the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC) are proud to announce their extended partnership and the third annual Massachusetts Medtech Week. Massachusetts Medtech Week will be headlined by the 21st Annual MassMEDIC Conference held in conjunction with UBM's BIOMEDevice Boston, taking place May 3-4, 2017.

MassMEDIC will feature a conversation with Advanced Medical Technology Association (ADVAMED) President and CEO, Scott Whitaker, at its Annual Conference on May 3, 12:00 p.m. local time.

To learn more about BIOMEDevice Boston and the annual MassMEDIC Conference, please visit: biomedevice.mddionline.com

"We are thrilled to continue and strengthen our outstanding partnership with MassMEDIC and present the third annual Massachusetts Medtech Week," said Nina Brown, Vice President of Events, UBM. "UBM's continued partnership with MassMEDIC has allowed us to provide unmatched educational content and one of the largest forums for networking in the industry. We plan to continue on our past success and hone our events to drive the prosperous medical technology industry within the New England region forward."

Massachusetts Medtech Week brings together two of the region's most respected medical technology authorities to provide top-notch educational content featuring the latest innovations in medical technology. The device industry includes 480 companies with about 24,000 employees in Massachusetts, according to MassMEDIC*. New England's robust medical technology industry provides a diverse landscape that can be seen at the partnered events in May. The May event will draw more than 4,000 engineers and executives, house over 400 leading suppliers, and provide unmatched presentations and panel discussions.

"The partnership MassMEDIC has with UBM has been extremely beneficial to the medical technology industry in the New England region. We are honored to have our annual MassMEDIC conference once again headline Massachusetts Medtech week in conjunction with BIOMEDevice Boston," said Tom Sommer, President, MassMEDIC. "We are also proud to welcome ADVAMED President and CEO Scott Whitaker to our Annual Conference. ADVAMED is the voice for the medical technology industry and we are excited to have Whitaker provide insights from years of experience at our conference in May."

ADVAMED, the world's largest medical technology association, named Whitaker as its President and CEO in 2016. Whitaker is the voice of the medical technology industry and is recognized as a leading healthcare advocate and policy expert. Prior to taking leadership at ADVAMED, Whitaker was the Chief Operating Officer of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and also Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

Whitaker will be taking part in a "fireside chat" with Brian Johnson, editor of MassDevice, on how the policies of the Trump Administration will impact the medtech industry and the current climate of medtech innovation. To learn more about the keynote presentation, please visit: massmedic.com/events/annual-conference-2017

Event attendees will not only gain access to BIOMEDevice Boston and the 21st Annual MassMEDIC conference but also UBM's entire Advanced Design and Manufacturing event in Boston, featuring three additional expos under the same roof, including Design & Manufacturing (D&M) New England, Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Boston, and PLASTEC New England.

UBM's Advanced Design and Manufacturing event in Boston continues to grow with the support of key sponsors, partners, exhibitors, and suppliers including: 3M, Allied Electronics, Auer Precision, The Davies Companies, Jordi Labs, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2), and MedTech, Proto Labs, Tekscan, Toxikon, Turck.

To register for BIOMEDevice Boston and save on early bird pricing before March 31, please visit: boston.am.ubm.com/2017/registrations/BIOMED

To register for MassMEDIC's Annual Conference, please visit: massmedic.com/events/annual-conference-2017

Follow us on social: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, #AdvMfgExpo, #ESCconf

* https://www.massmedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/kpmg20151.pdf

About Advanced Manufacturing Expos & Conferences

UBM's Advanced Manufacturing portfolio is the leading B-to-B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the advanced manufacturing market and leverage our proprietary 1.3 million name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Advanced Manufacturing portfolio is organized by UBM plc. UBM is the largest pure-play B2B Events organizer in the world. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors. Our deep knowledge and passion for these sectors allow us to create valuable experiences which enable our customers to succeed. Please visit www.ubm.com for the latest news and information about UBM.

About UBM

UBM plc is the largest pure-play B2B Events organizer in the world. In an increasingly digital world, the value of connecting on a meaningful, human level has never been more important. At UBM, our deep knowledge and passion for the industry sectors we serve allow us to create valuable experiences where people can succeed. At our events people build relationships, close deals and grow their businesses. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors  from fashion to pharmaceutical ingredients. These global networks, skilled, passionate people and market-leading events provide exciting opportunities for business people to achieve their ambitions. For more information, go to www.ubm.com; for UBM corporate news, follow us on Twitter at @UBM, UBM Plc LinkedIn

SOURCE UBM Americas
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Orbital ATK Cygnus vehicle is slated to launch its seventh cargo resupply mission (CRS-7) to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than March 27, 2017 onboard United Launch Alliance's Atlas V vehicle, carrying more than 40 ISS U.S. National Laboratory sponsored investigations. The ISS U.S. National Laboratory is chartered to facilitate research in the microgravity environment that benefits life on Earth. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) is leading the effort in partnership with NASA, industry, other government organizations, and academia to manage and promote the best use of the ISS National Lab. Among the major ISS National Lab sponsored investigations flying on Orbital ATK CRS-7 are the following:

ALTAIR Pathfinder Investigation

Griffith Russell, M.S., Millennium Space Systems, El Segundo, CA

Groups of small satellites can improve access to space because they are less costly, more easily customized, and therefore less risky to launch and operate than larger individual satellites. The Millennium Space Systems ALTAIR Pathfinder investigation tests and qualifies for space new platform technologies developed by Millennium Space Systems, a private firm that offers satellites for missions in low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit and deep space. The investigation will demonstrate that the ALTAIR design and technologies work as planned, paving the way for future satellite programs with NASA and the Department of Defense.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in Microgravity

Sourav Sinha, Oncolinx Pharmaceuticals LLC, Boston, MA

This investigation seeks to test the efficacy and drug metabolism of Azonafide ADCs in microgravity 3-D cell cultures. ADCs are therapeutics that target tumors through receptors on the surface of cancer cells, thereby reducing toxicity and increasing effectiveness of the therapy. Compared to cell cultures in a dish on Earth, cell cultures in microgravity serve as better tumor models due to specific cellular responses to the space environment. For example, cells arrange themselves into three-dimensional groups, or aggregates, in microgravity that more closely resemble tumors in the body here on Earth. These changes in the 3-D structure of tumors cultured in microgravity result in improved cancer models that are better able to predict the performance of therapeutics and accelerate the timeline for bringing a drug to market to fight cancer.

Implementation Partner: Bioserve Space Technologies

Cosmic X-Ray Background Nanosatellite (CXBN-2)

Benjamin Malphrus, Ph.D., Morehead State University, Morehead, KY

A second-generation nanosatellite that refines critical measurements for explaining the origin of the Universe. It uses an advanced materials detector system, a novel instrument configuration and a detector array twice the size of that used by the preceding CXBN mission. Data collected by the instrument minimizes critical uncertainties in subtle signals left over from the Big Bang and may clarify other sources of interstellar radiation as well. The instrument collects data for a year's time and enlists the help of citizen scientists and K-12 groups in satellite tracking.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

Crystal Growth of Cs2LiYCl6:CE Scintillators in Microgravity

Alexei Churilov, Ph.D., Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., Watertown, MA

The purpose of this payload is to conduct a series of experiments to grow scintillator crystals. Scintillators excite when exposed to certain types of radiation and can be used in detectors, for safety monitoring or homeland security applications. This investigation will leverage the modernized Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA)* furnace, which operates inside the ISS Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG).

Implementation Partner: Teledyne Brown Engineering

*To learn more about this investigation, and the SUBSA facility, please visit the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDeG7tl1R1k

CSUNSat1 (Battery sustainability in space)

Sharlene Katz, Ph.D., P.E., California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA

A CubeSat that tests out a new light-weight, longer-life battery system designed for the cold temperatures of space. A new configuration of high energy density materials known as ultra-capacitors, along with updated lithium-ion battery technology allows CSUNSat1 batteries to operate at very low temperatures without the added weight of a defrost system. A set of quantitative power and capacity goals are used to assess the battery system performance over a 200 day mission period.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

Detached Melt and Vapor Growth of Indium Iodine in SUBSA Hardware

Aleksandar Ostrogorsky, Ph.D., Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL

Leveraging the SUBSA furnace inside the ISS MSG, this investigation aims to synthesize new types of semiconductor crystals in microgravity. The research team hypothesizes these materials will be similar to other semiconductor materials in its non-toxicity and that the new material can be developed at a much faster rate.

Implementation Partner: Teledyne Brown Engineering

Genes in Space-2

Julian Rubinfien (Sponsored by The Boeing Company as part of the Genes in Space competition), New York City, NY

The rigors of spaceflight induce physiological, genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic changes within the human body. One such change is a shift in the dynamics of telomeres, critical protective caps on the tips of chromosomes. The shortening of telomeres over time as an individual ages is natural, but stresses can lead to aberrant regulation of telomere length, which has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and various cancers. Understanding how regulation of telomere length can change during spaceflight and how this may contribute to symptoms of disease experienced by astronauts is important for future space missions. This investigation seeks to determine whether telomeric DNA can be amplified in space, a necessary step to create an assay capable of measuring telomere changes during spaceflight.

Implementation Partner: Boeing/miniPCR

IceCube (Ice particle measurements within clouds)

Dong Wu, Ph.D., NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

IceCube consists of a CubeSat launched from the ISS that performs first-of-a-kind measurements of ice particles embedded within clouds. These measurements not only advance atmospheric monitoring technology, they also fill in critical gaps in understanding of how cloud ice affects the weather and how cloud formations process atmospheric radiation. IceCube uses a sensor new to space exploration that detects ice particles of different sizes at altitudes that correspond to the upper areas of heavy thunderstorms or the mid-sections of hurricane systems.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

LEMUR-2

Jenny Barna, Spire Global, Inc., San Francisco, CA

About 90 percent of global trade is shipped by sea, but tracking of oceangoing ships is inefficient; many ships are unmonitored as they transit the world's oceans, far from land and out of range of ground based beacons. The NanoRacks-LEMUR-2 satellites are part of a remote sensing satellite constellation that provides global ship tracking and weather monitoring. The satellites in this investigation are deployed from both the ISS and the visiting space vehicle, demonstrating the technology at a range of altitude bands.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

Magnetic 3D Cell Culture for Biological Research in Microgravity

Glauco Souza, Ph.D., Nano3D Biosciences, Inc., Houston, TX

This investigation seeks to incorporate magnetic cell culture technology into existing flight hardware and optimize platform operation to support continued 3D cell growth. This project will lay the foundation for flight experiments to explore the use of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic fields to culture cells on the ISS.

Implementation Partner: Bioserve Space Technologies

National Design Challenge-Bacterial Lag Phase

Brian Thomas, Centaurus High School, Lafayette, CO

The Effects of Simulated Gravity on Bacterial Lag Phase in a Microgravity Environment (NanoRacks Module 55: NanoRacks-NDCCHS-Bacterial Lag Phase) studies the bacterial lag phase, a delay period before the start of exponential growth, which is much shorter in microgravity than it is on Earth. The experiment uses a centrifuge to simulate gravity in orbit, comparing microgravity and simulated-gravity Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures to determine whether microgravity itself causes changes in bacterial growth.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

QB50

QB50 Consortium, European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development

This project uses the International Space Station to deploy a constellation of 28 CubeSats, from a total of 38, in order to study the upper reaches of the Earth's atmosphere over a period of 1 to 2 years. This constellation is the result of an international collaboration involving academia and research institutes from 15 different countries around the world. The project, coordinated by the QB50 Consortium, receives funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. The QB50 satellites conduct coordinated measurements on a poorly studied and previously inaccessible zone of the atmosphere referred to as the thermosphere. The project monitors different gaseous molecules and electrical properties of the thermosphere to better understand space weather and its long-term trends.

Implementation Partner: NanoRacks

SG100 Cloud Computing Payload

Trent Martin, Business Integra, Houston, TX

This investigation represents a technology-readiness-level (TRL) advancement of SG100, a single board computer platform that can support the much higher processor demands of the current and future scientific and aerospace applications in low Earth orbit. The test period will be two years, with interim data report intervals. The technology will provide a low-risk solution for satellite developers and space-science researchers.

Implementation Partner: Business Integra

To learn more about the ISS, including past research and available hardware and facilities, please visit: www.spacestationresearch.com.

About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASA in 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. CASIS is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit www.iss-casis.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space.

Media Contact:

Patrick O'Neill

(321) 480-1054

[email protected]

SOURCE Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)

Related Links

http://www.iss-casis.org


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fast-casual chain VERTS Mediterranean Grill, announced today a series of new executive hires that will support the organization's growth and expansion across the US. These new positions mark a major milestone for the company as VERTS grows into a national chain most recently entering new markets that include Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.

"Our new executive team represents industry leaders with extraordinary vision for our future," said Michael Heyne, CEO and Co-founder of VERTS. "Their wealth of knowledge and experience will help advance VERTS to 200 restaurants by 2020."

The new hires include Andreas Sossong as Chief Financial Officer. After gaining robust experience in finance and investment banking, Sossong has dedicated his career to management consulting most recently at Oliver Wyman. With a keen focus on strategy, he has advised leaders for both retail and consumer services across Europe, North America and South America. In his role, Sossong will mitigate financial risks as well as oversee financial planning and reporting.

Stefan Boyd has been appointed Vice President of Finance. Boyd holds an abundance of experience in financial management, analysis and system development. Having served as an Actuarial Analyst and most recently an Investment Banking Associate for J.P. Morgan, Boyd critically analyzes data and projections necessary for optimal growth.

Also joining the team is Rachael Kelly Marcus as Vice President of Human Resources. Marcus is a seasoned HR leader in the restaurant industry working with teams such as Sonic Drive-In and Pizza Hut of America. As VP of HR, Marcus will utilize her experience to direct VERTS' organizational vision, structure, and staffing goals that will result in successful administration of the VERTS mission.

Steve Barrow has come aboard as Director of IT. With a passion for computers and the restaurant industry, Barrow has run IT and consulted on technology with companies that include Luby's and Fuddruckers. Barrow will drive operation and marketing success through strategic execution of IT infrastructure and policies.

Accompanying these new executive positions, several current team members were promoted within the organization. This includes Zachary Johnson to Director of Accounting, Kevin Blackburn to VP of Development, and Keith Peterson to VP of Marketing.

In the upcoming months, VERTS plans to hire additional executives, directors, and managers to lead operations, marketing and human resource efforts. The roles include a Chief Operating Officer and Director of Brand Marketing. The company is actively seeking and interviewing candidates.

"When VERTS first began in 2011, we envisioned what the future looked like. We've finally arrived," said Heyne. "The caliber of talent that has joined our team is remarkable. With an aggressive growth plan and deliberate hiring strategy, we have positioned ourselves as fast-casual leaders."

Over the last year, VERTS has grown its corporate team from 15 to over 50 employees.

About VERTS Mediterranean Grill

Listed among the top 25 fastest growing fast-casual restaurants in 2016 by Restaurant Business, VERTS is an award-winning restaurant concept that delivers on its mission to become the culinary leader in fast-casual Mediterranean food by serving chef-inspired pitas, bowls and salads. Teams in each one of our restaurants' kitchens prepare savory, healthy food from scratch daily using fresh, all natural ingredients.

Millennial co-founders Michael Heyne and Dominik Stein launched VERTS in 2011 with the simple idea of recreating the popular food they missed from their native Europe and making it available for American consumers. Stein was recently recognized as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2017 and Heyne was featured on the cover of QSR Magazine in September 2016. VERTS currently has 28 locations across Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Boston, New York City and most recently Philadelphia. The company is undergoing a major expansion across the U.S. and plans to open 200 restaurants by 2020 including openings in Washington, D.C. amongst several new markets. To learn more, please visit us at www.eatverts.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*Additional images available upon request.*

Media Contact: Sarah Pendley | VERTS | [email protected]

SOURCE VERTS Mediterranean Grill

Related Links

http://www.eatverts.com


PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania ("Ben Franklin"); Independence Health Group ("IHG"), the parent company of Independence Blue Cross; and Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. ("Safeguard") (NYSE: SFE) today announced that VitalTrax received $150,000 in seed financing  the first company to receive funds from the group's $6 million digital health funding initiative, which was announced in December 2016.

Founded in 2016 by serial entrepreneur, Zikria Syed, VitalTrax delivers a complete clinical trial data collection and patient engagement solution built on a cloud-based enterprise platform and a mobile application for patients. Its electronic clinical outcome assessment tool, which is used to collect data directly from patients, more closely resembles social media than traditional clinical research documents, while still conforming to regulatory requirements. Capital allocation will support the continued development of the company's chief product.

"With its strong leadership and dedication to consumerizing the healthcare industry, VitalTrax is poised to be a major player in the region's digital health space and beyond," said Ben Franklin President and CEO, RoseAnn B. Rosenthal. "This is the first of many exciting deals to come through our funding initiative with Safeguard and IHG." Ben Franklin will lead the due diligence process and day-to-day fund management for VitalTrax.

"We are thrilled to receive this financing from premier financial sponsors and healthcare organizations such as Ben Franklin, Independence Health Group and Safeguard. With this financing, we are not only gaining their financial support but also access to their expertise in building and growing technology companies and their vast network of relationships in the healthcare industry." said Zikria Syed, Founder and CEO of VitalTrax.

VitalTrax is headquartered at the Innovation Center at 3401 Market Street ([email protected]), a University City Science Center-run co-working space on Drexel University's campus, for which Safeguard and Ben Franklin are sponsors.

About VitalTrax

VitalTrax delivers a complete patient engagement solution for today's clinical trials comprising of a cloud based enterprise platform and a mobile application for patients. For clinical study teams, VitalTrax creates an enterprise platform to run trials efficiently. For site teams, VitalTrax makes it easier to recruit and communicate with patients during the trial. VitalTrax's mobile app solution, Wing, is a world-class patient engagement tool that provides a way for patients to search for trials, apply to become a volunteer and stay involved during the trial. For more information, please visit vitaltrax.net.

About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin is the most active early stage capital provider for the region's technology sectors. Ben Franklin combines best practices of venture capital with a public-spirited purpose: leading the region's technology community to new heights, creating jobs and changing lives for the better. Ben Franklin is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. www.sep.benfranklin.org

About Independence Health Group

Independence Health Group, together with its subsidiaries, serves nearly 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to a growing consumer business, Independence Health Group serves employer groups ranging from small businesses to national corporations. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Independence Health Group is a diversified company offering a wide range of services including commercial, Medicare and Medicaid medical coverage, third-party benefits administration, and pharmacy benefits management. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Safeguard Scientifics

Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE: SFE) provides capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services and digital media. Safeguard targets companies that are capitalizing on the next wave of enabling technologies with a particular focus on the Internet of Everything, enhanced security and predictive analytics. Safeguard typically deploys between $5 million and $25 million over the course of its partnership with a company, initially investing in a Series A or B Round and opportunistically in a Seed Round. Safeguard has a distinguished track record of fostering innovation and building market leaders that spans more than six decades. For more information, please visit www.safeguard.com or follow us on Twitter @safeguard and LinkedIn.

Forward-looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements relating to Safeguard contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Safeguard's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, Safeguard's ability to make good decisions about the deployment of capital, the fact that its partner companies may vary from period to period, its substantial capital requirements and absence of liquidity from its partner company holdings, fluctuations in the market prices of its publicly traded partner company holdings, competition, its inability to obtain maximum value for its partner company holdings, its ability to attract and retain qualified employees, market valuations in sectors in which its partner companies operate, its inability to control its partner companies, its need to manage its assets to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and risks associated with its partner companies, including the fact that most of its partner companies have a limited history and a history of operating losses, face intense competition and may never be profitable, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which Safeguard's partner companies operate, and other uncertainties described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond Safeguard's ability to predict or control. As a result of these and other factors, Safeguard's past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. Safeguard does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this press release.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Jason Bannon

Director, Marketing and Communications

215-972-6700 x3214

[email protected]

For Independence Health Group

Ruth Stoolman

Public Relations Manager, Corporate Communications

215-241-4807

[email protected]

For Safeguard Scientifics

Heather Hunter

Vice President, Corporate Communications

610-975-4923

[email protected]

SOURCE VitalTrax

Related Links

http://vitaltrax.net


NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Voya Investment Management, the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that Douglas Cote, chief market strategist, will participate in Quinnipiac University's seventh annual Global Asset Management Education's (G.A.M.E.) Forum as a member of the Global Economy Keynote Panel on Thursday March 30 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

The three-day event is an opportunity for international college students and faculty to speak with leaders from the asset management industry to discuss critical issues and best practices. Keynote panels will focus on the global markets, corporate governance, the global economy and investment strategy.

"I'm honored to participate in this event for the fourth straight year," said Cote. "I'm constantly impressed by the quality of the speakers that Dr. David Sauer and the other organizers get each year and I'm always inspired to listen to the ideas of the next generation of financial service professionals."

The annual forum is one of the largest of its kind. Last year the event attracted over 1,400 participants representing 147 colleges and universities, 37 countries, 47 states and the District of Columbia. The event also features 117 speakers from 94 companies and organizations.

Cote is the chief market strategist at Voya Investment Management and the senior portfolio manager for the Global Perspectives Funds, a group of global tactical asset allocation strategies. With over 20 years of active money management experience as a portfolio manager and hedge fund chief investment officer, Cote delivers hands-on interpretations of the forces driving capital markets and effective ways to respond.

Media Contact:

Kristopher Kagel

(212) 309-6568

[email protected]

About Voya Investment Management

A leading, active asset management firm, Voya Investment Management manages, as of December 31, 2016, more than $211 billion for affiliated and external institutions as well as individual investors. With 40 years of history in asset management, Voya Investment Management has the experience and resources to provide clients with investment solutions with an emphasis on equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies and solutions. Voya Investment Management was named in 2016 as a "Best Places to Work" by Pensions and Investments magazine. For more information, visit voyainvestments.com. Follow Voya Investment Management on Twitter @VoyaInvestments.

About Voya Financial

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings  to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 13.6 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $11 billion in revenue in 2016. The company had $484 billion in total assets under management and administration as of Dec. 31, 2016. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible  one person, one family, one institution at a time  Voya's vision is to be America's Retirement Company. Certified as a "Great Place to Work" by the Great Place to Work Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible and has been recognized as one of the 2017 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, as well as one of the Top Green Companies in the U.S., by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook and Twitter @Voya.

SOURCE Voya Financial, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.voya.com


FOREST CITY | The Winnebago County Public Safety Center is expected to be completed by early May.

Inmates will be moved there in late May or early June, Sheriff Dave Peterson said.

The facility, located north of Lichtsinn RV, will include a 40-bed jail, a communications center and administrative offices.

The current jail is located across the street from the courthouse. The facility originally was was built as a hospital in 1934 and was converted into a jail in 1976.

"There were all kinds of issues with it," Peterson said.

State jail inspectors have told county officials "we are running out of time" to build a new facility that meets current standards, Peterson said.

The county's average inmate population is nine to 10 individuals, and the existing jail only has nine beds, meaning there's no way to segregate different classifications of inmates as required, according to Peterson.

"We have been shipping our prisoners to Kossuth County for the past two years," he said, noting this costs $50 per person per day.

Building a new jail saves the county money in the long run because it will no longer have to pay for them to be housed elsewhere, according to Peterson.

Plans for a new jail began around six years ago.

It took several revisions of the plan and two failed referendums before county voters finally approved a $4.6 million bond issue in May 2015.

Winnebago County voters easily approve new jail FOREST CITY | It took three tries for voters to approve a new public safety center in Winneb

That plan called for a 22-bed jail based on a projected increase in the inmate population.

Last year the county board of supervisors approved spending an additional $130,000 for two more cell pods, increasing the number of beds to 40.

Even with that additional expense, the overall cost for the project remains on track to stay on budget, according to county officials.

More cell pods to be added to Winnebago public safety center FOREST CITY  Two more cell pods will be built at the Winnebago County Public Safety Center 

Hancock County plans to send most of its inmates to Winnebago County once the new jail opens. The two counties have considered combining dispatch operations, but that discussion is on hold indefinitely, Peterson said.

The new jail will have separate spaces for the male general population, female general population, male maximum security, female maximum security and inmates who have communicable diseases and need to be quarantined.

It also will have an indoor exercise space. Peterson said the current jail has a fenced-in exercise yard for inmates, but it's not conducive to year-round use because of the harsh winter weather in North Iowa.

The public safety center also will have a training room, something the current jail doesn't have.

The working conditions in the new facility will be much better for staff than in the current jail, according to Peterson.

The general contractor for the project is Midwest Construction Consultants of Houghton. AIA of Bennington, Neb., designed the facility.

Peterson said an open house for the public safety center will take place once the facility is completed.
CHICAGO, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, the class of 2017 will leave high school equipped with knowledge on topics like geometry, world history and chemistry  but few will know how to manage a budget or build their credit score, two of the many money-management skills they'll need to navigate adulthood.

But students aren't the only ones falling short; research shows that two-thirds of American adults can't pass a basic financial literacy test, further proof of a national disparity in financial confidence and preparedness. Two local firms are hoping to change the conversation in Chicago: Wipfli LLP (Wipfli), one of the Midwest's leading accounting and consulting firms, and Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors (Wipfli Hewins), a national, CPA-based financial advisor, are partnering with Money Smart Week to cohost a series of public, financial education workshops  at no cost.

Founded by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, Money Smart Week is a national, public awareness campaign devoted to helping consumers better manage their personal finances. The campaign, which runs from April 22-29, brings together thousands of organizations across the U.S. to coordinate public classes and seminars covering a variety of financial concepts.

This year, Wipfli and Wipfli Hewins are inviting Chicagoans to join sessions on topics like real estate financing, cybersecurity, financial wellness for women and career paths in financial planning and accounting. Wipfli Hewins will also host a separate educational workshop for middle-school students at the Walt Disney Magnet School.

Wipfli Hewins' Chief Strategy Officer Gretchen Halpin hopes attendees are inspired to continue the conversation around financial literacy long after the workshops are over. "We want to empower people in their financial lives so they can make money decisions that could change their lives for the better," says Halpin. "We're honored to work with Money Smart Week to expand that mission and bring effective, engaging financial education to the City of Chicago."

Click here to learn more about Money Smart Week and sign up for a session.

About Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors

Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors is a national, CPA-based financial advisor that provides integrated financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, small businesses and retirement plans. Learn More

SOURCE Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors

Related Links

http://www.wipfli.com/


CARY, N.C., March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Found liable for fraud and a software license breach against SAS, World Programming Ltd. (WPL) has been ordered by a federal judge to post bond and deposit US revenues received in excess of the bond amount into escrow to safeguard the $79 million judgment until the appeals process ends.

In October 2015, a federal jury awarded SAS $26.4 million in damages when it found that WPL violated its software license for SAS Learning Edition by reverse engineering portions of the product to create its World Programming System software (WPS), as well as using SAS Learning Edition for production purposes. In addition, the jury found that WPL committed fraud and awarded SAS another $3 million in punitive damages. The jury also found that WPL violated the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which mandates the awarding of trebled damages to SAS, with the cumulative judgment totaling over $79 million.

John Boswell, Chief Legal Counsel for SAS, said, "When the jury issued its fairly quick verdict back in 2015, it validated the fact that WPL was engaging in unfair and illegal acts. SAS has continued doing business as it always has  by putting our customers first and developing innovative software that makes a difference to their businesses, and their lives. That will always be our primary focus."

SAS is being represented by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative analytics, business intelligence and data management software and services, SAS helps customers at more than 83,000 sites make better decisions faster. Since 1976, SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries.  indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright  2017 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE SAS
Gov. Branstad recently said that, in his fight against licensure laws in Iowa, he is up against very organized and powerful special interest groups that have a lot of money, and they work very hard to get these restrictions into law. And theyre interested in protecting themselves more than they are in protecting the public.

Actual facts reveal something much different: Educational requirements protect professions by keeping out those without the education and capability to perform the job. In most cases the protection and restriction of certain professions is in the interest of protecting the public.

The Board of Behavioral Sciences and the Board of Social Work exist to ensure the integrity and competence of licensed mental health professionals and investigate complaints for unprofessional conduct. Both boards websites maintain a list of sanctions that have been brought against unethical professionals throughout the years. This oversight is a benefit to both the profession and the public. The people on these boards have a professional and personal interest in maintaining high standards for the practice of behavioral therapy and client treatment.

Currently, if you share something damaging with your therapist, unless they have a duty to warn, meaning that safety is at risk (homicidal, suicidal threats, imminent harm to a child), the therapist cannot tell anyone else without your express, written permission. With no board in place, this code of ethics and the sanctions which would follow such a breach of confidentiality become harmless to the practitioner. This would decrease trust in the profession but, more importantly, would decrease clients sense of safety in sessions and their ability to benefit from services.

The boards also ensure that a therapist practices within the scope of their training. This ensures safety for the client, as well as a measure of accountability to other professions in related fields. Without a board to oversee and sanction therapists, giving advice to clients which falls outside the scope of practice will be largely without recourse, for the client or the other professionals impacted by this behavior.

The most directly damaging aspect of this action by the governor to Iowans would probably be the loss of clients ability to bill their insurance for these services. This would certainly benefit Gov. Branstad, as it would serve to make his Medicaid privatization less of a catastrophe, but most Iowans receiving therapy would no longer have access to insurance covered mental health care and would have to pay out of pocket for therapy, or simply go without. This may also burden the court and child protection systems, as they may need to surrender taxpayer funds for therapy and evaluations that would have previously been paid by their insurance.

Going without mental health care for severely mentally ill Iowans will run up both health care and public safety expenses, as these Iowans may frequently end up in emergency rooms or the criminal justice system. Both of these options are suboptimal and expensive.

The licensure boards, contrary to the governors claims, are self-sustaining. They are housed under the Division of Professional Licensure, which is supposed to be 100 percent fee supported, costing the state nothing. And the licensure fees that help support the board, contrary to what some may claim, do not appear to keep women and minorities out of the profession  about 90 percent of the therapists under these boards are female. The boards do not keep race or disability status on record, and it is unclear where the governor got this information for Iowa.

Speaking of money, therapists are not a rich special interest group. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists split the cost for their lobbyist with mental health counselors. Social workers as a group are not known for their deep pockets. Nor do other licensed professions likely have lobbies that rival the Koch brothers.

If the governor does want to talk about powerful special interest groups and expensive lobbyists, however, Americans for Prosperity and other Koch-brothers-funded groups have long backed the elimination of licensure. Mark Holden, senior vice president of Koch Industries, said in 2015 of the rally against licensure, We dont constrain ourselves by a budget. If theres something that makes sense to do, were going to look at it and do it.

Recently, Koch Brothers lobbyist Drew Klein publicly circulated a photo of himself shaking the governors hand after the governor signed the bill changing collective bargaining for public employees  an otherwise private event. We are fairly certain that the powerful, well organized social work lobby lacks such access to the governor.

Additionally, the day that the bill HSB 138 was introduced to the Legislature by the governors office, the State Ombudsmans office issued a report which was highly critical of the state boards. This report was confidential and the office reported that they were unable to identify the boards examined in the study, but that We believe at least some of the weaknesses we identified here are likely to exist with other state licensing boards. Making such a generalization based on an examination of 14 percent of the states roughly 36 licensing boards is pretty slick, but far from honest. This report is brief, poorly written, and contains only anecdotes. It contains no actual data. The fact that this report came out the same day as HSB 138 brings some very serious questions to mind, as does the governors introduction of HSB 174, a bill which would have also abolished licensure, the day after HSB 138 was killed.

This is not how an honest government functions.

The ombudsmans report says, A government agency that purports to exist for the benefit of the public but refuses to explain its work invites deep suspicion and distrust. Such is the case with Iowas licensing boards, which have displayed an obvious preference for secrecy over transparency. This is said in a report that investigates five of 36 boards, does not identify which boards were studied, and makes a broad generalization about all Iowa Board functioning based on this secret, limited sample.

The report also does not make a specific recommendation, stating: We are not making a specific legislative recommendation at this time, as we recognize there may be valid policy arguments for and against opening licensing board records. To be clear, this report did not recommend abolishing any of the boards.

Removing licensure for therapists would affect both public safety, and Iowans ability to access this care using their insurance. This determination on the governors part does not appear to be in the best interest of most Iowans.
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
Mumbai, March 18 : India and Pakistan need to start a new journey and work together to fight terrorism and bring peace in the region, Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit said on Saturday, toeing the usual line of denialism about terror camps in his country.

Basit, faced with a barrage of questions at the IndiaToday Conclave here over alleged cross-border terrorism, advocated India-Pakistan talks over Siachen, Kashmir and other pending issues between the two countries.

"The time has come to introspect and to see how can we be constructive in building good relationship," Basit said, during a discussion "India Pakistan -- Love Story or Hate Tale".

Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan G. Parthasarathy was face to face with Basit during the over 30-minute talk that turned out to be a heated exchange between the two.

"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," Basit told the audience.

Parthasarathy countered Basit's denial, reminding him of Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, world's most wanted terrorist, who was found living close to a military cantonment in a palatial house in Pakistan.

"...and they deny backing terror groups."

The former Indian diplomat said ex US Secretary of State 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."

Basit said India-Pakistan ties suffered from trust deficit that needed to be addressed.

"Dealing with terrorism requires cooperation between both the nations. We need to deal with the issue of terrorism as well."

Parthasarathy said for better ties with Pakistan, India needed "to be reassured that nothing happens in the future and so, the borders should be sealed" to prevent terror incursion from across the country.

"It is an open secret that 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."

Basit was asked about delayed trial of 2008 Mumbai terror attack. He said the case was subjudice and hoped "things would move forward".

"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 "I would request my Indian friends not to jump the gun. We need to assist our court in order to give justice...," Basit said.
New Delhi, March 19 : Bollywood actress Dia Mirza says she believes in the concept of sustainable fashion and feels emphasis needs to be laid on reuse and recycle of products as a matter of respect towards nature.

Swedish fashion retail giant H&M, along with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) hosted a preview to introduce the new Conscious Exclusive collection of the brand at the Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) where Dia was invited as the special guest.

The event also highlighted the brand's efforts towards sustainable fashion and its ongoing initiative which urges customers to join in the movement for a circular fashion future.

Talking about her love for sustainable fashion, Dia told IANS: "I am huge champion of nature and this line of H&M reflects my personal ethos... I think it's important to pay attention on how one can reuse and recycle for sustainable fashion."

Dia was seen wearing a sheer, feminine tulle gown, created with 100 per cent recycled polyester from the H&M Conscious collection.

The actress says that even when she is away from cameras, she prefers to opt for clothes that are sustainable.

"The only thing I am concerned about is being comfortable, and if I am dressed appropriately for the occasion, I take great pride in that. My stylist is always looking out for putting me in clothes that are sustainable, so we celebrate fabrics and also opt for designers who choose to make clothes from hand woven and organic materials.

"I think it's all about finding balance," said the former beauty queen.
Mumbai, March 20 : Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma on Monday refuted reports of any fight with his co-actor Sunil Grover.

Kapil said that for the first time in five years he has shouted at Sunil , adding that he loves, respects and treats him as "an elder brother".

It was reported that during a flight from Australia to Mumbai, Kapil had physically assaulted Sunil, known for essaying the role of Mashoor Gulati, a doctor, in "The Kapil Sharma Show".

The comedian on Monday took to Facebook to deny all rumours.

"Was celebrating my best time and suddenly I heard a news about me and Sunil paji fighting," Kapil said in a post.

"First of all see where it is coming from. What are the intentions behind this? If I fought with him in the flight then who saw it and informed you. Is he trustworthy? Some people enjoy these kind of stuff," Kapil posted on his Facebook page.

The funnyman said that he and Sunil eat and travel together.

"I meet my brother once in a year and spending almost everyday with my team, especially Sunil. I love him. I respect him," he added.

Kapil said that he had an argument with Sunil. "But are we not normal people? I shouted at him first time in five years. Itna to chalta hai bhai (this much is okay)," he added.

Kapil said that they would sit and talk and sort out the matter.

"I love him as an artist as a human being..He is like my elder brother.. why so much negativity all the time? " he said.

He added that there are other serious issues in the country that need focus than his and Sunil's problems.

"We spend a lot of time together rather than (with) our families... and sometime it (fight) happens in family... its our family matter.. we will sort this out," he added.
Islamabad, March 20 : Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday ordered to reopen the Pakistan-Afghanistan border with immediate effect.

The Prime Minister said that the decision was taken as a goodwill gesture as the countries enjoy "religious, cultural and historical ties", reported Dawn newspaper.

Pakistan sealed the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan for an indefinite period in the aftermath of a bombing at the Lal Shehbaz Qalandar shrine in Sindh province last month. At least 72 persons were killed in the blast.

The border crossing was sealed for all kinds of trade and commercial activities due to security concerns.

However, earlier in March, Pakistan temporarily opened the border crossings at Torkham and Chaman to allow stranded Afghan nationals to return to their country.

The border crossings remained open on March 7 and 8 "in order to provide an opportunity to those nationals of Afghanistan who had come to Pakistan on valid visas and wish to return to their country", a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated.

The newly-built Pakistan Gate on the Torkham border was opened in August 2016, albeit without a formal ceremony.

Clashes between PakisAtani and Afghan security forces over the construction of the border gate last year left four soldiers dead on both sides, said the report.
Pyongyang, March 20 : North Korea on Monday denounced the "anti-terror war" by the US as an excuse to intervene in the sovereignty of other countries.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the "anti-terrorism war" of the US is "state-sponsored terrorism and a new version of war of aggression against the anti-US countries for realising the imperialists' ambition for world domination".

"The US has wantonly infringed upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries while escalating the 'anti-terrorism war' worldwide," said the news agency.

It further said "the strategy and purpose of the US 'war on terrorism' was to train terrorists and steadily spread terrorism on one hand and perpetrate military intervention in sovereign states under the signboard of combating terrorism on the other", Xinhua news agency reported.

"The US forces, which were deployed mainly in Europe during the Cold War era, are being reorganised, centring around Asia in the new century," KCNA said.
Washington, March 21 : Democratic senatorsduring a congressional hearing launched their campaign against Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's nominee for the vacant Supreme Court seat.

Gorsuch, 49, appeared on Monday for the first time before the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask senators to vote for him and allow him to take a lifelong seat on the high court replacing conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016, Efe news reported.

Gorsuch stressed "the importance of an independent judiciary" in his opening statement to the committee.

"Under our Constitution, it is for this body, the people's representatives, to make new laws. For the executive to ensure those laws are faithfully enforced. And for neutral and independent judges to apply the law in the people's disputes," he said.

During his 13-minute remarks, the Judge - who serves on the Denver-based 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals - made no reference to Trump's attacks on other judges but directed some of his remarks at the rest of the country's judiciary and thanked the nation's judges for their work.

Democratic senators have asked Gorsuch to publicly take a position on Trump's attacks on the judges who have blocked his executive order temporarily prohibiting US entry to refugees and nationals of six Muslim-majority nations.

Specifically, one of the Democrats' objectives in these hearings is to evaluate Gorsuch's willingness to oppose Trump, given that the Supreme Court potentially will have the last word on measures that the president is proclaiming by decree, including the immigrant and refugee travel ban.

In addition, during the hearing, Democratic lawmakers criticised Gorsuch for the rulings he has issued in favour of large companies.

Meanwhile, Democrats portrayed Gorsuch as a coldhearted magistrate who interprets the law literally, while Republicans praised his legal preparation and expressed support for some of his rulings, including the one he issued in 2013 against former President Barack Obama's healthcare reform.

To gain confirmation, once moving through the Judiciary Committee, Gorsuch will need 60 votes in the full Senate, a barrier that could be difficult for him to overcome since Republicans only hold 52 seats and would need the support of at least eight Democrats.

That support could be difficult to muster because Democrats are still angered over the Republicans' decision not to consider Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for the high court seat, a move that was ignored by the Republican lawmakers using the argument that it made no sense to approve such a nominee in an election year.

Given these difficulties, Trump has asked Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to resort to the so-called "nuclear option," a rule approved in the past by Democrats to enable them to approve bills or nominations by a simple majority of 51 votes instead of a super-majority of 60.

The committee will meet again at 9.30 a.m., on Tuesday and is scheduled to hold hearings until Thursday, after which the full Senate vote on Gorsuch's nomination could come in early April.
Kolkata, March 20 : Amid allegations of medical negligence and fleecing of patients, the Apollo Gleneagles Hospital authority on Monday promised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rationalise tariffs if needed and admitted its level of care has deteriorated.

"I think from the past one and half year, the level of care has not been what it had been. If we have to rationalise our tariffs, we are quite happy to do it," Apollo Hospitals Group vice chairperson Preetha Reddy told the media after the meeting.

Reddy promised to work with the regulatory commission set up by the state government to monitor private hospitals.

"The Chief Minister has set up a commission. We will be working with them. The CM was extremely gracious and pointed out certain facts, which I think is something all hospitals have to look into. And patients have to be treated well.

"Patients coming to the Emergency have to be given the level of care which they need," she said.

Reddy pointed out that the hospital had treated almost nine million people from the state and would continue to do so.

Apollo Gleaneagles is facing a police probe following the death of Sanjoy Roy, a resident of Dankuni in Hooghly district who was critically injured in a road accident.

Roy died on February 23 at the state-run SSKM Hospital after being shifted from Apollo.

Later, his relatives and friends accused Apollo of "inadequate treatment" even while raising a huge bill and refusing to allow him to be shifted to SSKM unless they paid up the full amount.

They alleged the hospital delayed his discharge and relented only after they submitted fixed deposit certificates.

A six-member health department team set up to probe the allegations against the leading private city hospitals found "overall negligence" and multiple other anomalies like improper billing, multiple charges and evidence of not following proper medical procedure during treatment.

Police have so far questioned a number of doctors and senior officials of the hospital in connection with the death.

During a meeting with representatives of private hospitals and nursing homes last month, the Chief Minister said that the most allegations, particularly related to exhorbitant charges, were against Apollo.
Wellington, March 21 : Immigration to New Zealand continued at record levels, prompting opposition lawmakers to claim the numbers were unsustainable, the national statistics agency said on Tuesday.

According to Statistics New Zealand, since the beginning of 2016 until February, a net 71,300 migrants arrived in the country, while departures were 57,500, Xinhua news agency reported.

"About a third of all migrant arrivals for the year were people coming to New Zealand on work visas," an agency official said.

"Just over a quarter of all work-visa migrants were from the UK and France."

The next largest sources of migrants coming to New Zealand to work were from Germany, Australia, South Africa, and the US.

The opposition New Zealand First party said the government had ignored advice from the Treasury and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to rein in immigration numbers to "realistic and sustainable" levels.

Ordinary New Zealanders were getting "fed up" with the unsustainable levels of immigration, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said in a statement.

"They are realising that thousands of migrants, many of whom are low-skilled and desperate to get here, artificially pump up the economy and help create a bogus surplus," Peters said.

More than 91,000 young New Zealanders were jobless and were not in training or education and the numbers had worsened, he added.
New Delhi, March 21 : Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday urged the government to grant additional bonus of Rs 1,000 per quintal over the MSP for tur dal to farmers, specially those from Karnataka which is one of the major tur producing states in the country.

"I urge upon the government to kindly grant additional bonus of Rs 1,000 per quintal in the interest of the farmers. This facility should also be extended to the farmers who have already sold their tur (pigeon pea) pulse at MSP (Minimum Support Price)," Kharge said in the Lok Sabha.

He said the central government has announced MSP for tur at Rs 5,050 with a bonus of Rs 425 and the Karnataka government provided an additional bonus of Rs 450 per quintal, but it is quite low and does not cover the cost of production borne by the farmers of the state.

"As per estimation of Karnataka agriculture price commission, total cost of production works out to Rs 6,403 per quintal in the state. Keeping this in view, it is requested that an additional bonus of Rs 1,000 be announced by the Government of India over and above the MSP of Rs. 5,050," Kharge said.

Kharge said that Karnataka had a record area sown of 12.5 lakh hectare of Tur.

"In the backdrop of high prices in 2015-16, various initiatives were taken for increasing pulses' production. The year 2016 was the International Year of Pulses.

"Even though monsoon was poor this year in Karnataka, the anticipated production of Tur this year is estimated to be about 7.1 lakh tons, more than three times the average annual production," he said.

The Congress leader also asked the government to procure Tur from the farmers at the same rate it imports Tur from outside the country.

"The government last year imported 57 lakh tonnes Tur. This year also they have imported 27.86 lakh tonnes at the rate of Rs 10,114 per quintal. Instead of importing Tur from outside, the government should come forward to purchase from our own farmers at the same rate or at least at the rate of Rs 7,000 per quintal," he said.
Ranchi, March 21 : An ex-Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad and three others were killed in suspected gang war in Dhanbad on Tuesday evening, police said.

"Four persons, including former Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad Neeraj Singh, have been killed in a shootout in Dhanbad district. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the incident," Jharkhand Police spokesperson R.K. Mallik told IANS.

Some unidentified criminals fired indiscriminately on a vehicle, in which Neeraj Singh and three other persons were travelling, near Steel Gate of Dhanbad. According to police sources, an AK-47 was used in the firing. More than 20 bullet marks have been found on the vehicle.

Police said it could a fallout of a gang war.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been deployed in the city for security reasons.
Ankara, March 22 : Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned German charge d'affaires late Tuesday over German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) chief's remarks on Gulen, who Ankara believed was behind last year's failed coup.

The statement released by the foreign minister said that Turkey protested BND chief Bruno Kahl's remarks that he was not "convinced" about Fetullah Gulen's role in the botched July 15 coup attempt, Xinhua reported.

Evidences, including the communication records among suspects before and after the attempt coup, show that the failed coup has connection with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the statement said.

Hundreds of prosecutors, judges, police and FETO followers, who are in violation of the basic principles, are still stay in Germany right now, the statement added.

Kahl said he could not see a direct link between the FETO and the coup attempt despite all the documents submitted to German authorities. He also defined FETO as a "civil association for religious and secular education," according to report from German news magazine Der Spiegel.

Kahl also claimed that Turkish President Erdogan used the coup attempt as a pretext to dismiss civil servants and to imprison hundreds.

According to Turkish government's claim, FETO is led by fugitive preacher Gulen and has organized the failed coup attempt in July 2016.
Seoul, March 22 : North Korea test-fired missiles on Wednesday but apparently ended in failure, South Korea's military said.

Yonhap news agency quoted the military as saying that South Korea and the US were aware of the related issue.

The statement came as a response to reports that North Korea test-fired several missiles at around 7 a.m. from Wonsan on its eastern coast, Xinhua news agency reported.
Seoul, March 22 : South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that North Korea failed in its test-firing of a missile that was believed to have exploded in the air, a media report said.

A South Korean Defence Ministry official said via phone that North Korea fired one missile near the Wonsan airfield on its eastern coast and it was estimated to have failed, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to local media reports, the missile exploded in the air right after blasting off from the ground.

The test-firing was an apparent show of force toward the ongoing US-South Korea military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

The Foal Eagle fielding training exercise, which started off from March 1, is scheduled to continue by the end of April, with the Key Resolve command post exercise set to end on Friday.

Pyongyang has denounced the springtime war games as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.
New Delhi, March 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greeting to people on the occasion of Bihar Day.

"On the occasion of Bihar day, I offer my heartiest greetings to the people of Bihar," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day is celebrated every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. The state was carved out from West Bengal in 1912 and declared a separate state by the then colonial British government.
Wellington, March 22 : New Zealand lawmakers on Wednesday called for an independent probe into allegations that the country's special forces troops killed unarmed civilians in a raid in Afghanistan in 2010, a media report said.

Investigative journalists Nicky Hager and John Stephenson alleged in their book, "Hit and Run," released on Tuesday, that the Special Air Service (SAS) and US forces killed six civilians including a 3-year-old girl in a New Zealand-led raid on two villages, Xinhua news agency reported.

Another 15 civilians were injured in the action in Afghanistan's Baghlan province where the SAS mistakenly believed they would find insurgents who had attacked a New Zealand patrol 19 days earlier, killing a New Zealand officer, in neighbouring Bamiyan.

"If there is nothing to hide, then there is nothing stopping (Prime Minister) Bill English from announcing a full, independent inquiry into these allegations today," the opposition Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said in a statement.

"Full transparency from the government is the only way we're going to find out exactly what happened. Refusing to comment and refusing to investigate won't make these allegations go away."

Leader of the opposition Winston Peters from New Zealand First party said the allegations could not be left to stand without proper investigation.

"What New Zealand must do is appoint a respected and trustworthy individual who the public can have faith in, and get the inquiry under way immediately," Peters said in a statement.

An investigation just after the raid by a joint Afghan Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assessment team, in accordance with ISAF procedures found allegations of civilian casualties were unfounded, but critics say that the investigation was a cover-up.

The government has repeatedly denied reports of innocents being killed in the raid.

Information in the book was given by present and former New Zealand, Afghan and US military personnel and had been cross-checked, while people from the Afghan villages that were raided had also assisted, said the authors.
Panaji, March 22 : Even as a debate rages in Goa over the safety of foreign tourists, especially after the rape and murder of Irish tourist Danielle McLaughin, five women met over coffee in Glouchestershire county in the UK to fight for justice for their kin they have lost in the Indian state over the years.

Among those present at the Boston Tea Party cafe in Cheltenham on Sunday were Fiona Mackeown, who has been battling a reluctant Indian justice system after her teenaged daughter Scarlett Keeling was killed in 2008, Amanda Bennett, who lost her brother Stephen in mysterious circumstances in 2006, Minna Pirhonen, who lost her son Felix Dahl in 2015, and Maureen Sweeney, sister of Denyse Sweeney who also died in Goa in 2010. A fifth woman was also present.

According to Mackeown, apart from writing a letter to the Indian and UK Prime Ministers, the group is in the process of using the social media platforms to create awareness about the perils of Goa as a tourism destination.

"We all agreed to share and spread our stories in any way we can to raise awareness that it is dangerous to go to Goa, and of how many people have actually died under suspicious circumstances. We will lobby tourism companies to put pressure on them to advise tourists to go elsewhere," Mackeown told IANS on Wednesday.

Mackeown's daughter Scarlett was drugged, sexually assaulted and left to die on north Goa's Anjuna beach in 2008. Two beach shack workers, who were arrested in connection with the crime, were acquitted by a trial court last year. The case is now in appeal before the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court.

Bennett told IANS that the statistics of foreign tourists dying in Goa were alarming and the authenticity of the investigation process in the coastal state were dubious.

"The modus operandi is very predictable. The lack of investigation and blaming the victim to mitigate these murders is the status quo. All victims are deliberately maligned when the family asks questions. We are all aware that these crimes are organised and the police facilitate criminals as long as bribes are paid before the murder," she claimed.

Her sister Denyse was found drugged and dead in Anjuna, even as the post mortem ruled out foul-play blaming overdose for the death.

Sanna Cutter claims that instead of demanding justice as individual families, coming together as a group and connecting with more kin, who have victims slain in Goa, could be fruitful.

"The families will be going forward as a group now. We are connecting with more families of victims worldwide. So far no one has been prosecuted for the crimes. Instead all the killers are still walking free," she told IANS.

Cutter also said that the non-committal expatriate community in Goa, many of whom are involved in tourism-related business, should take a stand on these 'mystery' deaths.

"We truly hope they have the same interests in their (expats) hearts as we do. This time around the approach 'love and light' won't be enough. If they do not take action or demand anything to be done about this sad situation taking place in Goa, then that can be taken as agreeing with the corrupt system," she said.

"That would also make them as corrupt as the place where they have made their homes and opened their businesses," she added.

One of the most popular beach tourism destinations in India, Goa attracts nearly four million tourists every year, half a million being foreigners. Over the years, the state has also been under spotlight for crimes against tourists as well as easy availability of drugs and narcotics substances.
Hyderabad, March 22 : Telecom equipment company Qualcomm Incorporated on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with T-Hub, India's leading technology incubator, for a strategic collaboration.

The announcement comes as a follow-up to Qualcomm's commitment to invest $8.5 million as part of their Qualcomm Design in India programme announced in January 2017.

As per the agreement, Qualcomm will utilise this association to expand its Innovation Lab's ecosystem in the country by providing access to design, development, and testing facilities at Hyderabad, while T-Hub will provide mentorship and logistics support from in-house experts for start-ups focused on innovation around financial technologies and Smart Cities.

"We stand committed to enabling the partner ecosystem in India in new areas of technology. Our collaboration with T-Hub will help us scale rapidly, utilising their infrastructure and resources and bring path-breaking innovations to India," said Jim Cathey, senior vice president and president, Asia Pacific and India, Qualcomm International, Inc.

"As an invention company we truly understand how technology can transform people's lives, while benefiting the ecosystem. We are pleased to collaborate with T-Hub, and are committed to bringing advanced technologies to the ecosystem towards building a Digital India," said John Han, senior vice president and general manager, Qualcomm Technology Licensing.

CEO T-Hub Jay Krishnan said they were pleased to work with Qualcomm, a global leader in innovation, to support the expansion of their initiatives in India.

"The start-ups enlisted for this collaborative programme offer creative solutions for helping India advance on a technological front in critical sectors like rural development, healthcare and digital payments. We are privileged to house them and provide the best mentorship opportunities to translate their ideas into reality," he said.
New Delhi, March 22 : Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna on Wednesday joined the BJP and heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Krishna formally became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party president Amit Shah. He left the Congress earlier saying he was feeling neglected.

"I am feeling grateful on joining the BJP. Now, a great India has emerged under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he told the media.

Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Krishna said he had been "associated with the great leadership of the BJP" when he was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004.

Krishna was also the Indian External Affairs Minister.
Beijing, March 22 : China has expressed serious concern and called for restraint amid tensions in the region following a fresh missile test by North Korea on Wednesday.

The South Korean Defence Ministry said in a statement that Pyongyang's latest missile reportedly exploded after being launched from near Kalma airport in Wonsan city, reports Efe news.

"Any unilateral actions for selfish interest will only complicate the situation and will not help achieve their own security," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Hua declined to say if the missile test was meant by the Kim Jong-un regime as a threat to the US and China in view of their unified stance against the Pyongyang weapons programme.

Hua advocated China's proposal to suspend the US-South Korea joint military manoeuvres in exchange for North Korea halting its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Hua said the proposal deserves serious consideration, adding it was the only way to break the current deadlock in the Korean peninsula.
Chennai, March 22 : Indian import of cars from Britain has seen nearly 11-fold increase in the past seven years, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Wednesday.

According to its website, SMMT is the voice of the British motor industry representing more than 700 automotive companies in that country.

"In 2016, Indian motorists bought 3,372 British-built cars, up from 309 in 2009. Demand rose 15.8 per cent compared with 2015, lifting India from 10th to eight place in the UK's Asia export markets," SMMT said in a statement on its website.

According to SMMT, the top British best seller models in India are Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar XF. Jaguar XE and Jaguar F-Pace.

On the other hand, Indian-built models accounted for 31,535 new car registrations in Britain in 2016, logging an increase of over 12.6 per cent over 2015 numbers, SMMT said.

Asia is now the third biggest export market for British built cars, after Europe and America, accounting for 13.4 per cent of sales.

"Economic growth has led to increased demand for high-quality luxury vehicles. Key to the British sector's success has been meeting this demand with a shift to premium," said SMMT.

"Ten new car models began production in Britain last year, nine of them from premium brands, helping to make Britain the second biggest producer of premium cars in Europe, after Germany, and the EU's third biggest car producer,a SMMT added.

"Growing prosperity in Asian markets in recent years has seen a surge in demand for premium cars, even despite high import duties in many countries. As a car market, India really understands British brands, and thanks to its engineering excellence and highly skilled workforce, Britain has a rich heritage of producing the highest quality, globally competitive premium vehicles," Tamzen Isacsson, Director of Communications and International, SMMT was quoted as saying in the statement.

According to SMMT, last year, some 14 million pounds worth of British car parts were bought by the Indian automotive aftermarket, and this is set to increase significantly - by around 15 per cent annually over the next five years.
Ranchi, March 22 : The Congress on Wednesday sought a CBI probe into the killing in Jharkhand of former Deputy Mayor of Dhanbad Neeraj Singh.

Criminals on Tuesday evening gunned down Singh and three others in Dhanbad when they were returning to their homes.

More than 50 bullets were sprayed on their vehicle. Neeraj Singh was cremated on Wednesday.

"The murder case should be handed over to the CBI. We cannot hope for justice from the BJP government," Subodh Kant Sahay, a former central minister and a senior Congress leader, said in Dhanbad.

Neeraj Singh's supporters have called a shutdown in Dhanbad on Thursday.

The Jharkhand government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. No arrests have been made yet.
New Delhi, March 22 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Chief Secretaries of 10 States to be present before it for their failure to comply with its order to provide relief to the drought-affected areas of their states.

While asking the Chief Secretaries to be personally present before it, the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice N.V. Ramana directed them to file an affidavit to explain why the directions issued by it have not been implemented.

The Chief Secretaries of Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat have been summoned to appear before the Supreme Court.

The court order asking the Chief Secretaries of 10 States to appear before on it April 26 came on a contempt petition by Swaraj Abhiyan for the failure of these states to comply with the top court order of May 11 and May 13, 2016.

Besides the implementation of the National Food Security Act, the top court in its May 13 order had directed the setting up of the State Food Commission for the purpose of monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the NFS Act, and the appointment of District Grievance Redressal Officer.

The court said that no household in a drought affected area would be denied food grains as required under the NFS Act merely because they don't have a ration card.

It had ordered the implementation of mid-day meal scheme with the provision of egg and milk, compensation for crop loss and the restructuring of crop loans.

The top court in its May 11 order had directed the setting up of a National Disaster Response Force within six months, creation of National Disaster Mitigation Fund within three months, and the formulation of a National Plan for risk assessment, risk management and crisis management in the event of a disaster.
Kolkata, March 22 : The West Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday organised a massive rally here demanding arrest of the Trinamool Congress leaders purportedly seen taking money in the Narada sting operation footage.

The rally, led by state BJP President Dilip Ghosh, started from north Kolkata's College Square up to Esplanade in central Kolkata. It broke police barricade at the Esplanade crossing and got involved in a "minor tussle" with police personnel.

One of the woman supporters present in the rally received injury.

Terming the rally as "historical", Ghosh claimed that people "spontaneously" joined them as his party has been constantly fighting against corruption.

"This is a historical rally. Today, the people joined us in such huge numbers, because we are constantly raising our voice against the ongoing corruption in the state," Ghosh said.

"The charges of corruption against the present state government is unprecedented. Everyone involved in this (Narada sting case) corruption should be arrested and punished," he said.

Ghosh said that although there was a "minor tussle" between the police and the BJP party workers near Esplanade, they had no complaints against the role of the lawkeepers.

Police requested them to rally peacefully as the high school board examinations are going on, the leader added.

"There was a minor scuffle between the police and the agitators when they tried to break the final barricade at Esplanade. No lathi-charge was done by the police. The situation was under control," Supratim Sarkar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), said.
Mumbai, March 22 : Jet Airways on Wednesday said the appointment of Ranjan Mathai as the independent director of the company has been cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

"This is to inform that the MoCA has vide its letter dated 21 March 2017 granted security clearance for the appointment of Ranjan Mathai as Director," the airline major said in a BSE filing.

"Accordingly, Mathai's appointment as an Independent Director of the company takes effect from 21 March 2017."

Ranjan Mathai is a former Indian Foreign Secretary and Indian High Commissioner to Britain.
New Delhi, March 22 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a high-powered expert committee to look for technological solution to block the uploading of videos of rape and child pornography on internet.

The committee will have the representatives from the central government and the three search engines -- Google India, Yahoo India, Microsoft Corporation (India) Ltd -- and social networking site Facebook.

Setting up a high-powered committee, the bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit asked Google India, Yahoo India, Microsoft Corporation (India) Ltd and Facebook to send their top technocrats to India to participate in brain storming meeting to evolve ways to block offensive sex videos.

Giving the committee 15 days' time to come up with technological solutions, the court said that they would report the outcome of the meeting before the next date of hearing on April 20.

The court order came as it is looking for a technological solutions through which the uploading of videos of sexual offences and child pornography is automatically blocked instead of existing practice of blocking them after they are uploaded.

The court was told by some cyber security officials working under the CBI that internet was a wild highway and blocking videos of sexual violence at the source itself was a technological challenge, since blocking videos on sex could also eclipse the work of arts and sculpture like in Ajanta, Ellora and Khajuroha.

The top court had on December 5 last year sought responses from the three internet search engines and Facebook on a plea that sought curbs on sharing of videos related to sexual offences and cybercrime.

The court had sought response from three search engines and Aand social networking site Facewbook on NGO Prajwala's plea seeking a defined place where one could report such rape videos and seek their blocking.

Although the scope of the hearing now stands expanded, initially the hearing had commenced on a letter by Hyderabad-based non-governmental organisation Prajwala, along with two rape videos. Two videos submitted in a pen drive showed a man raping a woman and another man filming it.
New Delhi, March 22 : The ruling AAP on Wednesday accused the Delhi State Election Commission of acting as a subordinate of its political masters by ordering removal/covering of "Aam" word displayed in Delhi government's schemes.

Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey, in a memorandum to the commission, said that the party members were shocked over the directions to remove the word from various schemes, including Mohalla Clinics and public transport buses.

"What shocks us the most is the fact that a constitutional body is acting as a subordinate of its political masters and taking orders from them," Pandey said in the memorandum.

"We urge the commission to immediately correct this mistake," Pandey said.

He said that Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic concept is a revolution in the field of public healthcare and the model was being appreciated worldwide.

"We are pained to note that commission officers have trampled over the Constitution by following the diktats of political leaders," the AAP leader said.

He said the commission did not even care to follow due procedure and issue notices to the state government and the AAP and allow them a hearing.

He wondered whether the State Election Commission will ask the Chief Secretary to cover "Bharatiya" and "Janata" words, wherever they appear on government buildings, installations and billboards, as the two words figure in the name of the Bhartiya Janata Party.

"Will the commission cover words "Indian" and "National" from all government buildings, installations and billboards because they also figure in the name of Indian National Congress?" Pandey asked.

The State Election Commission on Tuesday directed the AAP government to remove "Aam" word from all displays vis-a-vis its schemes as demanded by BJP legislator Vijender Gupta.

The commission also demanded a "compliance report" within 48 hours.
New Delhi, March 22 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Nabard Act to increase its authorisd capital from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore, an official statement said.

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved amendments to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) Act, 1981, which "include provisions that enable the central government to increase the authorised capital of Nabard to Rs 30,000 crore and increase it beyond the amount in consultation with the RBI, as deemed necessary from time to time," an official statement said.

The Cabinet also approved transfer of 0.4 per cent equity of Reserve Bank of India in Nabard amounting to Rs 20 crore to the Government of India.

"The proposed increase in authorised capital will enable Nabard to respond to the commitments it has undertaken, particularly in respect of Long-Term Irrigation Fund and recent Cabinet decision on on-lending to cooperative banks," the statement said.

The transfer of entire shareholding in Nabard held by the RBI to the central government will remove the conflict in RBI's role as banking regulator and shareholder in Nabard.

Nabard is an apex development bank of country and is engaged in agricultural credit and other economic activities in rural areas.
New Delhi, March 22 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of 403 km of National Highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram, official sources said.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for development of approximately 52 km in Meghalaya and 351 km in Mizoram," said a Cabinet release.

The estimated cost is Rs 6,721 crore, including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and other pre-construction activities.

The projects will be taken up for implementation during fiscal 2017-18. The civil works are expected to be completed by 2021 and maintenance works are expected to be completed by 2025.

The work for development to two-lane standards are under 'North East Road Network Connectivity Project Phase I' scheme with loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency.
New Delhi, March 22 : Four property dealers were arrested in Delhi and over Rs 6 crore in demonetised notes seized from them, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

The accused were carrying the demonetised currency notes in a Honda City and Maruti Ritz cars to exchange it in upscale Safdurjung Enclave market area, a senior police officer told IANS.

"Over Rs 6.58 crore in currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 was seized," the officer said.

Two of the accused, Sunil and Jitender, told police they invested in multi-storyed housing projects.

The Income Tax Department officials have seized the cash and are investigating Intial investigation suggested the involvement of some hawala traders, he added.
Itanagar, March 22 : Arunachal Pradesh Governor P.B. Acharya on Wednesday cautioned the people from the north-eastern states against dubious land deals and other criminal activities in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Reacting to media reports in some local dailies regarding crimes against North East people, including those due to shady land deals in Noida and Gurgaon, among other areas, the Governor cautioned the north-easterners to be more aware and not let people hoodwink them.

Acharya, who met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his recent visit to the national capital, discussed and highlighted problems faced by the people from North East in Delhi.

He appreciated the proposed welfare and security programmes by the Delhi Government for the North East people.

The Governor also lauded the Delhi Police for keeping a check on the crimes committed against the north-easterners while stating that one should be more careful in future and keep guard, so as not to be lured by such unwanted elements.
Chennai, March 22 : The Election Commission in an interim order late Wednesday night froze the 'two leaves' poll symbol of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK and also decided that neither of the two factions will use the party's name.

After hearing through the day arguments of contending factions -- one led by General Secretary V.K. Sasikala and another led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam -- the poll panel decided that neither of the two groups will be permitted to use the 'two leaves' symbol and use the name All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The panel said both groups shall be known by such names as they may choose showing, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party -- AIADMK.

Both the groups shall be allotted different symbols from a list of free symbols notified by the EC for the purposes of the current by-election from Radhakrishnan Nagar assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.

The by-election for the seat is slated for April 12.

The Commission has directed both groups to furnish on Thursday the names of their respective groups by which they would be recognised by the panel, and the symbols which could be allotted to the candidates by the respective groups.

They may indicate names of three free symbols, in the order of their preference, anyone of which may be allotted to their candidates by the EC.

Further, the Commission has given both groups a final opportunity to submit all such documents and affidavits on which they propose to rely on regarding their respective claims, latest by April 17.

Reacting to the development, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran, party candidate in the Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency, told reporters: "This has not come as a shock. We will get back the symbol."
London, March 23 : Three people and a terrorist were dead after an attacker brought carnage to central London on Wednesday, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and hacking at police with knives in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

At least 20 people were hit on the crowded bridge when a 4x4 drove along the pavement, knocking down pedestrians before crashing into a fence below Big Ben, the local media reported.

An intruder, described by a witness as "middle-aged and Asian", then managed to break into the grounds of the Parliament where he fatally stabbed a police officer with two knives, the Daily Mail reported.

The policeman died at the scene. The attacker, who was shot by armed officers, died after he was taken to hospital.

Prime Minister Theresa May was bundled into her car by a plain-clothes police officer and driven quickly from the scene as the attack unfolded. She will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra Committee.

Scotland Yard said the attack, which comes a year to the day after the terrorist atrocities in Brussels, was being treated "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise".

Witness Jayne Wilkinson said: "We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us, and then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

"And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

"He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him."

A spokesman for the Port of London Authority, which looks after safety on the River Thames, said: "A female member of the public was recovered from the water near Westminster Bridge. She is alive but undergoing urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier. We believe she fell from the bridge".

He said the river has been closed from Vauxhall to Embankment "as part of the security response".
Jerusalem, March 23 : Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Wednesday that there has been "significant progress" in recent US-Israeli talks about curbing the settlements expansion in the West Bank settlements, Israeli media reported.

"There has been significant progress in the talks regarding the construction of the settlements," Netanyahu told reporters in China before embarking on a flight back to Israel that concluded his week-long visit, Xinhua reported.

Officials with Donald Trump's administration and an Israeli delegation headed by Netanyahu's chief of staff, Yoav Horwitz, started on Monday a series of talks in Washington to achieve understanding over the Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

"The talks have yet to conclude, but there is a progress of which I will hear when I arrive back in Israel," Netanyahu said.

The talks follow a visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah by US President Donald Trump's Special Representative, Jason Greenblatt. Greenblatt held several separate meetings with Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli leaders including President Reuven Rivlin and head of the opposition, Isaac Herzog.

In a joint statement, Greenblatt and Netanyahu said they "made progress on the issue of Israeli settlement construction, following up on President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu's agreement in Washington last month to work out an approach that reflects both leaders' views."

Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East War and had been controlling these lands ever since, despite international condemnation.

The US considers the settlements, constructed on lands where the Palestinians wish to establish their future state, as an obstacle to peace.
Damascus, March 23 : The Syrian army has killed over 150 rebels during the three-day long military showdown in the eastern part of the capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported on Wednesday.

Hundreds of rebels were wounded during the battles, said SANA, adding that the government forces also destroyed three explosive-laden vehicles, and killed seven suicide bombers before reaching their destination at military posts east of Damascus.

The report came a day after the Syrian army confronted the second wave of rebel attack from the rebel-held neighborhood east of Damascus on government-controlled areas in the eastern parts of the capital that started on Tuesday morning.

On Sunday, the rebels of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and like-minded groups unleashed the first attack on the capital, raiding down the city with tens of mortar shells and explosive bullets.

The military forces called in reinforcements from the elite forces of the 4th Division and the Syrian Republican Guards' unit, to help protect the capital eastern part.

So far the rebels failed to make a notable breakthrough, but the offensives they waged and the counter attacks from the Syrian army reminded the capital's people of the first days of the armed rebellion in eastern Damascus.

"The Syrian forces are fighting intense battles with the terrorist groups north of Jobar neighbourhood," said SANA, citing a military source.

Meanwhile, the state news agency said that the Syrian air force carried out intense airstrikes against the rebel positions in the Eastern Ghouta countryside, from which the rebels unleashed their offensives against the capital.
Lithuanian English

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-03-22 08:43 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The resolutions of the General Shareholders Meeting of INVL Baltic Farmland, AB that was held on 22 March 2017:

1. Presentation of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland consolidated annual report.



Shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland are presented with the consolidated annual report of INVL Baltic Farmland (There is no voting on this issue of agenda).

2. Presentation of the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland.



Shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland are presented with the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of INVL Baltic Farmland (There is no voting on this issue of agenda).

3. On the approval of the consolidated and stand-alone financial statements for 2016 of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland.



To approve the consolidated and companies financial statements for 2016 of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland.

4. Regarding the distribution of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland profit.



To distribute the profit of the public joint-stock company INVL Baltic Farmland as follows:

Article (thousand EUR) Retained earnings (loss) at the beginning of the financial year of the reporting period 4,800 Net profit (loss) for the financial year 1,193 Profit (loss) not recognized in the income statement of the reporting financial year - Shareholders contributions to cover loss - Distributable profit (loss) at the end of the financial year of the reporting period 5,993 Transfers from reserves - Distributable profit (loss) in total 5,993 Profit distribution: (226) - Profit transfers to the legal reserves - -Profit transfers to the reserves for own shares acquisition - - Profit transfers to other reserves - - Profit to be paid as dividends* (226) - Profit to be paid as annual payments (bonus) and for other purposes - Retained earnings (loss) at the end of the financial year 5,767

*0.07 EUR is paid for one share

5. Regarding purchase of own shares of the public joint stock company INVL Baltic Farmland.



Until the day of the General Shareholders meeting the reserve for the purchase of own shares which is equal to EUR 3,079,668.66 is not used.

To use the reserve (or the part of it) for the purchase of own shares and to purchase shares in the public joint stock company INVL Baltic Farmland by the rules mentioned below:

1) The goal for the purchase of own shares - to ensure for shareholders a possibility to sell company's shares.

2) The maximum number of shares to be acquired - the nominal value of own shares by the public joint stock company INVL Baltic Farmland, which may not exceed 1/10 of share.

3) The period during which the public joint stock company INVL Baltic Farmland may purchase its own shares 18 months from the day of this resolution.

4) The maximum and minimal one share acquisition price: the maximum one share acquisition price- EUR 4.5, the minimal one share acquisition price - EUR 3.16.

5) The conditions of the selling of the purchased shares and minimal purchase price: the acquired own shares may be annulled by the decision of the General Shareholders Meeting or sold by the decision of the Board on condition the minimum price of sale of own shares shall be equal to the price at which they were acquired and the procedure of selling the shares shall ensure equal opportunities for all shareholders to acquire the said shares.

6. Approval of the regulations of the Audit Committee.



To approve the regulations of the Audit Committee of INVL Baltic Farmland, AB (enclosed).



7. Regarding election of the Audit Committee members.



To cancel Danute Kadanaite and Thomas Bubinas from AB INVL Baltic Farmland audit committee members. To elect Danguole Pranckeniene (independent member) and Tomas Bubinas (independent member) to the Audit Committee of INVL Baltic Farmland, AB for the 4 (four) years term of office.



8. Regarding approval of the remuneration for the Audit Committee members.

For a work in the Audit Committee of INVL Baltic Farmland, AB, to set a rate not higher than EUR 145 per hour. To delegate to the Board of the Company to determine the remuneration payment procedure for the Audit Committee members.

Regarding the dividend payment for the shareholders:

Persons, who will be shareholders of INVL Baltic Farmland at the end of 5 April 2017, the tenth day after the general shareholders meeting to approve the resolution to allocate part of companys profit for the payment of dividends, are entitled to receive dividends.
We are delighted to make A2J Author more readily available to the large population of self-represented litigants through our association with ImageSofts JusticeTech platform

ImageSoft, Inc., provider of the JusticeTech suite of solutions for a paperless court, today announced it has entered into a partnership with the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI). CALI is a non-profit consortium of law schools dedicated to helping improve access to justice and use of technology in legal education.

CALI developed A2J Author, a cloud-based tool that helps self-representing litigants (SRLs) to easily complete and print documents in preparation for filing. A2J Author provides Guided Interviews which distill complex legal instructions into an easy to understand format in order to enable SRLs to navigate through complex court processes and procedures.

Partnering with CALI to help self-representing litigants maneuver through the courts is a logical extension of our JusticeTech platform, said ImageSoft President Scott Bade. ImageSoft and CALI leverage technology to help make the court system easier-to-navigate and operate for SRLs, court staff, and the public served by attorneys.

We are delighted to make A2J Author more readily available to the large population of self-represented litigants through our association with ImageSofts JusticeTech platform, stated CALIs Executive Director John Mayer. Our mission is to provide assistance to the layperson to participate in the judicial system. Every encounter with the judicial system does not require legal representation from an attorney. A2J Author makes it possible for the layperson to effectively resolve some legal issues by providing access to court forms and processes in self representing or unbundled representation situations.

JusticeTech Solution Suite. The Paperless Court People.

About ImageSoft, Inc.

ImageSoft, Inc. provides document and process management solutions to automate, streamline and improve workplace operations. Specializing with courts and government, ImageSoft has developed a tightly integrated suite of technologies called JusticeTech that provide eFiling, CMS, eBench and ECM (enterprise content management) to streamline case flow processing for both civil and criminal court cases. Since 1996, ImageSoft technology and workflow solutions have increased productivity, reduced operating costs and saved time and money for customers in government and the healthcare and insurance industries. ImageSoft serves customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information about JusticeTech, visit the website at http://www.justicetech.com.

For information about the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, visit the website at http://www.cali.org. Information about the Access to Justice Author can be found at http://www.a2j.org.
The Global SOF Foundation's 2016 Washington-based reception featured over 300 attendees. People attend Global SOF events for a reason. They want to connect. They want to find solutions.

The Florida-based Global Special Operations Forces Foundation works to connect and convene the global Special Operations Forces (SOF) community at multiple annual events across the United States and Europe. This community includes active duty and retired military, thought leaders in policy and diplomacy, influencers across academia, and members of the defense industry. Current Global SOF Foundation annual events include a February symposium in Tampa, FL, a November policy seminar and reception in Washington, DC, and a fall European symposium held in rotating cities. This year's will take place in Bucharest, Romania, while last year's inaugural event was held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This San Diego networking reception was a logical addition to the Global SOF Foundation's event calendar. The greater San Diego area is home to several SOF commands, including Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) and units from Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC). The abundance of active and retired members of the military has led many defense-focused businesses, small and large, to root themselves in San Diego. These factors, coupled with the views and weather, made Coronado Island the prime location for a networking reception.

As Global SOF Foundation President Stu Bradin said at the Global SOF Symposium in February, "GSF events are all about connecting people." While GSF receptions are focused heavily on networking opportunities, this event will also feature a keynote speaker. Capt. Keith Davids, the Deputy Commander of NSW, will provide remarks to the audience, focusing on NSW's approach to the future of special operations.

The West Coast called and the Global SOF Foundation answered; the special operations-focused non-profit organization is heading to San Diego to host a networking reception on April 5. This event is open to anyone that is interested in learning more or collaborating with SOF, with discounted entry fees for students and Global SOF Foundation members. It is also free for active duty members of the military and government civilians.

Register to join our elite community at this event at the link below:

https://globalsoffoundation.org/2017-west-coast-reception

--------------------

The Global SOF Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the only professional association for the international Special Operations community. The Foundation mission is to both advocate for SOF resourcing and convene the SOF community.

https://globalsoffoundation.org/
Sharon Moon, Founder and President of Automated Voice & Data Solutions (AVDS) has been named one of Houstons 50 Most Influential Women of 2016 by Houston Woman Magazine.

Each of the honorees was nominated for inclusion on the 50 Women list by a subscriber of Houston Woman Magazine and, later, selected by the staff of the publication.

According to Beverly Denver, publisher of Houston Woman Magazine, Those selected as Houstons 50 Most Influential Women of 2016 are individuals with vast networks of social and professional connections. They have earned an enviable reputation for their expertise in a particular field or arena. They are knowledgeable, credible and trustworthy. The thoughts and actions of these women influence the thoughts and actions of others. It is our distinct pleasure to introduce these remarkable women to our readers and to others in our community.

Since 2008, Houston Woman Magazine has published an annual, keepsake edition featuring Houstons 50 Most Influential Women of the Year.

A festive afternoon tea to honor and connect the 50 Women has been an annual celebration. This years event, attended by more 225 invited guests, was co-hosted by Houston Woman Magazine and Chevron and held on Sunday, February 19 in the ballroom of The Junior League of Houston.

Copies of the keepsake edition featuring Houstons 50 Most Influential Women of 2016 were recently mailed to all subscribers of Houston Woman Magazine. Additional copies are available for purchase via the magazines website (http://www.houstonwomanmagazine.com) or by calling 713-780-2098.

Those previously recognized as Women of Influence by Houston Woman Magazine are listed, by year selected, online at http://www.houstonwomanmagazine.com/index.php/50-women.
Prof. Te Wu will share the spotlight of the PMI Global Congress with insights on business execution founded on his presentation, The Five Rules of Business Execution: Achieving Immediate and Sustainable Strategy Implementation.

PMI Global Congress 2017 will present Te Wu, founder and CEO of PMO Advisory and Assistant Professor at Montclair State University as an Education Session featured speaker on May 2, 2017 in Rome, Italy. A recent survey of more than 600 global and U.S. executives found that execution excellence was the number one challenge facing corporate leaders in Asia, Europe, and the United States, leading a list of some 80 issues, including innovation, geopolitical instability, and top-line growth. Te Wu will tackle this challenge head on as he shares the spotlight at the PMI Global Congress with insights on business execution founded on his presentation, The Five Rules of Business Execution: Achieving Immediate and Sustainable Strategy Implementation. Additional topics from Te Wu will include an exploration of the current state of strategy implementation, a discussion of common factors leading to both successes and failures, an illustration of a comprehensive framework for planning success in organizations, and the laying out of the foundation for sustainable business execution.

Bringing together hundreds of project, program and portfolio managers from around the world, PMI Global Congress 2017 provides 3 days of unparalleled professional development, premier education, knowledge sharing, and networking. PMI Global Congress 2017 enhances personal skill sets, empowering leaders to drive strategic organizational objectives through the advocacy and advancement of the profession. Innovative keynotes challenge the status quo, industry experts deliver actionable solutions and peer driven content offers real-world insight into todays evolving project and business challenges.



Who: Te Wu, Founder and CEO of PMO Advisory, LLC

What: Applied Education Session Feature Speaker

When: Tuesday, 2 May 2017 10:45 am  12:00 noon.

Where: PMI Global Congress 2017, Rome Italy

Session Title: The Five Rules of Business Execution: Achieving Immediate and Sustainable Strategy Implementation

Follow on Twitter: #PMIEMEA17

Those unable to attend PMI Global Congress 2017, you can still gain the Business Execution insights and advisory of Prof. Te Wu by signing up with the PMO Advisory Newsletter entitled the Project Management Insider. The Project Management Insider is monthly and includes helpful and practical advice on Portfolio, Program, and Project management topics which will benefit any organization. Also included is advance notice about training, events, webinars, new product development, upcoming releases and more including early bird discounts on training courses. Click here to view the latest newsletter and sign up for the PMO Advisory Project Management Insider Newsletter.

About Prof. Te Wu:

Prof. Te Wu is a certified PfMP, PgMP, PMP, and PMI-RMP, the CEO of PMO Advisory - a PMI Global R.E.P, and an Assistant Professor at Montclair State University. He is an active PMI volunteer on multiple fronts, including serving on PMIs Portfolio Management Core Team, CAPM Learning Objectives Task Team, and he is one of the few people that spans the boundaries of being a practitioner, executive, teacher, storyteller, writer, and researcher.

About PMI:

Project Management Institute is the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program and portfolio management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI delivers value to more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research.
We have worked diligently to attract sophisticated investors like VARIV Capital and Chilango Ventures who know and understand the regions we are working in, said Alonso Garza, chief investment officer, MPOWER Financing.

VARIV Capital, one of Latin Americas leading venture capital firms, and Chilango Ventures, an investment firm with offices in San Francisco and Mexico City, have invested in MPOWER Financing (http://www.mpowerfinancing.com) to help the innovative fintech firm expand its presence in Latin America and attract a greater number of high-potential students to Americas best colleges and universities.

Latin American students already represent 25 percent of MPOWERs outstanding loan portfolio, with Mexico representing the third-largest student population currently studying in the U.S. through MPOWERs financial support.

We have worked diligently to attract sophisticated investors like VARIV Capital and Chilango Ventures who know and understand the regions we are working in, said Alonso Garza, chief investment officer, MPOWER Financing. As someone who was born and grew up in Mexico, I know how important it is for MPOWER Financing to have trusted partners who are part of the fabric of the country and who can help us attract the best and brightest from Mexico and other Latin American countries looking to study at the best universities in the United States.

With the addition of these two new equity investors, MPOWER Financing has assembled a diverse global investor base that is enabling the firm to fulfill its mission to provide educational loan support to high-potential, international students who do not fit within traditional credit assessment models. Currently, MPOWER Financing, founded in 2014, has a pipeline of more than $120 million in loan applications from students in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa which it expects to fill in 2017. The recent investments are part of the closing of MPOWER Financings Series A funding.

VARIV Capital, one of Latin Americas leading investment firms, invests in early-stage technology companies in Mexico and Latin America. The firms investment in MPOWER Financing underscores its fintech focus and its mission to collaborate with global companies that see Latin America as an essential strategic market. VARIV Capital has invested in more than 20 high-growth companies in the fintech, e-commerce and supply-driven marketplace sectors.

We were attracted to MPOWER Financing based on its success in enabling high-potential, Latin American students to pursue their educational goals in the U.S. Financial firms like ours, and the Latin American technology companies we partner with, will ultimately benefit from the pool of qualified young people who attend top colleges and universities thanks to MPOWER Financings financial assistance, said Jose Bolanos, partner at VARIV Capital.

Chilango Ventures, a U.S.-based venture capital firm with strong roots in Mexico, has invested in MPOWER Financing as part of its early-stage, high-return investment strategy. Chilango Ventures looks for startups that can take advantage of significant disruptions in the financial sector and the related ecosystem.

MPOWER Financing is a game-changer in the fast-growing, international student loan market, said Carlos Ochoa, founding partner, Chilango Ventures. It occupies, by itself, a unique niche that facilitates the bringing together of international, full-paying students to colleges and universities needing to diversify their student bodies while maximizing their tuition base.

About Variv Capital

VARIV Capital (http://www.variv.com) is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies doing business in Mexico and Latin America.

About Chilango Ventures

Chilango Ventures (http://www.chilangoventures.com) is a U.S.-based venture capital firm that has assembled an exceptional team with deep domain expertise for early-stage, high-return investments. Our current portfolio consists of five startups and reflects our vision for the upcoming waves of innovation. We foresee significant disruptions in the financial sector and the related ecosystem. Advances in data manipulation and machine learning are coming of age and hold the promise of fundamentally altering the practices of institutions such as banking and the role they play in trade globally. Our team has entrepreneurial experience in both the pitfalls and the opportunities in domestic as well as the international markets.

About MPOWER Financing

MPOWER Financing is an innovative fintech company and provider of educational loans to high-promise international students who do not fit the traditional credit criteria of banks or lenders. The companys mission is to remove the financial barriers to higher education in the U.S. by providing the financial resources necessary for these students to attend and complete their undergraduate or graduate education. MPOWER Financing helps students build their credit histories and provides them with personal finance, education and gateway financial products to prepare for life after college. For more information, visit http://www.mpowerfinancing.com, or follow MPOWER on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

# # #
Startup Weekend Ventura County (SWVC) announced that Zebra Technologies, a global leader in providing solutions and services that gives enterprises real-time visibility into their operations, will be SWVC 2017s product sponsor. SWVC 2017, organized by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce and Dignity Health St. Johns Hospitals, will be held at Rancho Campana High School in Camarillo, California on April 21-23, 2017.

SWVC 2017 will bring together entrepreneurs from healthcare and agriculture end-user sponsors (Dignity Health St. Johns Hospitals, Ventura County Medical Center, Limoneira, Bonipak and Reiter Affiliated Companies) and team them up with subject matter experts, healthcare professionals, agriculturalists, physicians, farmers and engineering/business students from universities like UCSB, Cal Poly, CSUN, CSUCI and Cal Lutheran. Teams with the most promising ideas addressing the challenges faced by the healthcare and agricultural industries will develop proof of concepts over the weekend and present their work to a judging panel made up of senior executives including Zebra Senior Vice President, Hugh Gagnier. Winning ideas and concepts will then have the opportunity to be funded. For more details, please visit (http://www.up.co/communities/usa/camarillo/startup-weekend/9367).

Zebra provides visibility into all aspects of the healthcare facility, providing the critical intelligence necessary to make better decisions and improve outcomes. Zebras identity, mobility and intelligence solutions include mobile computers, scanners, RFID printers and software that empower healthcare organizations to increase clinician productivity, provide awareness and boosted visibility to hospital operations and allow staff to better collaborate and focus on patient care. Zebras system and application engineers will join the aspiring entrepreneur teams to provide expertise and guidance.

Zebra delivers real-time visibility and location solutions, which transform the physical to digital so organizations can sense whats happening in their operations, analyze that data to deliver insights, and act on those insights to make smarter decisions, said Chris Sullivan, global healthcare practice lead, Zebra Technologies. By participating in Startup Weekend Ventura County, we believe we can collectively expedite the delivery of innovative patient identity, clinical mobility, real-time location system (RTLS) and track and trace solutions.

Zebras sponsorship of Startup Weekend Ventura County significantly expands the type of innovation our participants can bring to market, said Martin Shum, a representative of Dignity Health St. Johns Hospitals and a board member of Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. Given the complexity of healthcare and agriculture, many of these industries challenges require system-level solutions. Zebra offers a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT)-ready technology such as mobile computers, tablets, laser and thermal printers, barcode scanners, RFID wristbands and location solutions that can serve as great building blocks for next generation solutions.
March 22, 2017

Proposal fails to recognise value of AkzoNobel and neglects to address significant risks and uncertainties, including extensive anti-trust concerns

AkzoNobel N.V. (AKZA.AS; AKZOY)

AkzoNobel today announces it has rejected a second unsolicited, non-binding and conditional proposal of 20 March from PPG Industries Inc. for all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of AkzoNobel.

The proposal not only fails to reflect the current and future value of AkzoNobel, it also neglects to address the significant uncertainties and risks for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The Management Board and Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel, together with their financial and legal advisors, have thoroughly reviewed the second proposal taking into consideration the interests of AkzoNobel's shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders.

The revised proposal represents a value of 88.72 (adjusted for final dividend) consisting of 56.22 (adjusted for final dividend) in cash and 0.331 PPG shares, as at 20 March 2017, per AkzoNobel share.

The proposal does not address the concerns expressed by the Boards in their initial rejection of 9 March 2017. The revised proposal:

Is not in the best interests of shareholders. It substantially undervalues AkzoNobel and fails to reflect the value creating opportunities of the new strategic direction and focus for both the Specialty Chemicals and the Paints and Coatings businesses, allowing them to build further on their respective leadership positions.

Contains significant risks related to the increased stock component and the high leverage of the proposed combined businesses.

Would result in a large number of substantial divestitures due to the major geographical and segment overlap of both companies across Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings, bringing into question value leakage. It does not address the significant risk and uncertainty, including timing, of deal completion due to extensive anti-trust concerns. These anti-trust issues would have a significant negative impact on employees and customers which will affect the integrity of AkzoNobel.

Will lead to significant job cuts. It includes synergies which can be expected to result in the restructuring of the combined employee base, leading to job losses. PPG provides no substantive commitments to employees, creating potential uncertainty for thousands of jobs worldwide.

Does not address fundamental stakeholder concerns and uncertainties, nor does it substantiate any tangible solutions in relation to, among others, R&D, pensions and employees.

Does not meaningfully address our concerns regarding community contribution and sustainability and the significant culture gap between both companies, including how any issues arising from this would be addressed.

The unsolicited proposal does not warrant AkzoNobel's engagement with PPG. The Boards unanimously reject PPG's revised proposal.

Ton Buchner, CEO, AkzoNobel:

"This proposal significantly fails to recognize the value of AkzoNobel. Our Boards do not believe it is in the best interest of AkzoNobel's stakeholders, including our shareholders, customers and employees. That is why we have rejected it unanimously.

"We are convinced that AkzoNobel is best placed to unlock the value within our company ourselves. We are executing our plan, including the creation of two focused businesses and new cost structure, and believe this gives us a strong platform for continued profitability and long term value creation for all our stakeholders with substantially less execution risks."

AkzoNobel will provide updated financial guidance and hold an upcoming investor event soon. Details of the event will be announced in due course.

This is a public announcement by AkzoNobel N.V. pursuant to section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). This public announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in AkzoNobel N.V.

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

AkzoNobel had total revenues of 14.2 billion in 2016: Specialty Chemicals - 4.8 billion, Decorative Paints - 3.8 billion, Performance Coatings - 5.7 billion..

Not for publication - for more information

Corporate Media Relations Corporate Investor Relations T +31 (0)88 - 969 7833 T +31 (0)88 - 969 7590 Contact: Andrew Wood Contact: Lloyd Midwinter



Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements which address key issues such as AkzoNobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, products in the pipeline and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our latest annual report, a copy of which can be found on our website: www.akzonobel.com.
"LoadExpress is the answer to our prayers. We are constantly fighting for every penny we earned and going back and forth with people who don't care about what we are doing...fighting for detention pay, for a good rate. I have already signed up."

LoadExpress, Inc. is launching its freight auction and matching marketplace, a web-based platform that enables shippers and carriers to deal directly without brokers. It is an automation, transaction and management platform that enables owner-operators, small-medium fleets and shippers to manage their truck freight business on it. It is totally free to join.

LoadExpress enables FMCSA-qualified carriers in its network to bid directly for shipments posted by shippers. Once a bid is accepted, the winning carrier and shipper will deal directly with each other throughout each job and complete the transaction on the platform. Both parties can track the shipment and transaction, communicate and get alerts in real-time; all documents, notes, signatures, images are generated, verified and stored on the platform; payments are settled; and each party will rate the other after each transaction. Transaction data and analytics will also be available to help users optimize their freight operations.

Shippers will lower their freight costs considerably by multiple carriers bidding for their shipments directly, instead of getting limited quotes from brokers with high margins built in. Pricing and all terms and conditions are totally transparent on the platform visible to both parties. Service and productivity will also increase since shippers can communicate directly with carriers and their drivers, there is real-time load tracking and alerts, and all business terms, documents and notes are all accessible on the marketplace. The LoadExpress workflow is in stark contrast to the current process where brokers control the information flow and the simplest request wheres my shipment may require a 5-party call ending in Ill get back with you after an hour.

Reliable and fast payment is the lifeblood of carriers. LoadExpress pays carriers their full invoice amount on any completed delivery with proof of delivery within 24 hours with ExpressPay (money code), and 2-3 days via ACH. No processing fees, holdbacks, or hassles; just hard-earned cash. Fuel advance of 50% of the invoice is available for qualified carriers. Carriers do not need factors by using LoadExpress.

With its Deal Direct, No Brokers business model, carriers can make more money by setting their own rates, getting their own customers and competing in the market without depending on brokers. They can reduce empty miles by using LoadExpress patent-pending load matching software anywhere along a route. Carriers will also reduce overhead cost through automation. Shippers will also enjoy corresponding benefits.

"LoadExpress is the answer to our prayers. We are constantly fighting for every penny we earned and going back and forth with people who don't care about what we are doing...fighting for detention pay, for a good rate. I have already signed up, and I advise everybody to sign up too," said Roger Dunlap, owner of RD's Tractor Trailer Express in Denton, TX.

LoadExpress is different from other load matching services in two major ways:

1) It is an end-to-end solution from posting/searching loads to payment settlement and ratings, as well as exceptions handling for detention, accessorials and other disputes. Others are partial services that lack all the features in LoadExpress.

2) Other services are either some form of online broker or use a pricing database to determine pricing. LoadExpress is an auction marketplace where carriers and shippers settle pricing between themselves via an auction mechanismthe most efficient pricing model.

Were using proven web-based technology to wring out billions of dollars of operational and price inefficiencies from the truck freight industry, said Ken Liu, V.P. Business Development at LoadExpress. When you eliminate the middlemen and all the inefficiencies that come with them, carriers will make more money, shippers will lower their costs, and both will enjoy higher productivity and customer satisfaction.

LoadExpress is absolutely free to join, easy to sign up, and users will be up in minutes. There is no downtime required. Shippers pay one transaction fee for each completed shipment on LoadExpress. LoadExpress is also available via a companion app on smart devices (both Android and iOS) that allows carriers to manage their business on the go 24 x 7.

About LoadExpress

LoadExpress mission is to bring an automated, direct business model to the logistics industry through proven technology. Its approach will unlock billions of cost savings and incremental revenues for both shippers and carriers in the $250 billion truck freight industry. It will also increase customer satisfaction and productivity across the industry. Based in San Diego, LoadExpress was founded in 2015 by veterans of the logistics, trucking, financial and software industries who have a track record of building and selling successful new ventures.

+++++++++++++++

Contact: Ken Liu, V.P. Business Development email: ken(at)loadexpress(dot)com Tel: 858-722-0912
PowWow Mobile Improving the way that employees share and collaborate on mobile app development, as well as access to critical analytics on how apps are being used, represent a key and very welcome area of improvement in PowWow Mobiles SmartUX 5.0 release.

PowWow Mobile, the leading enterprise mobility platform that allows companies to deliver powerful, modern native mobile apps quickly, simply and economically, today announced the latest release of its SmartUX Platform version 5.0. The new enhancements will simplify collaboration between IT and business teams through new levels of speed, visibility, and controls.

SmartUX 5.0 is the most powerful platform for the rapid design and deployment of enterprise mobile apps. The enhanced platform features include pre-built micro-app and universal app templates to accelerate the creation of mobile app projects and role-based permissions that provide individual users or departments with access to projects, as well as preview and sharing of apps with specific teams. In addition, SmartUX 5.0 will provide users with the new SmartUX Dashboard, an end-to-end suite of analytics and performance monitoring for apps built on the SmartUX Platform.

Improving the way that employees share and collaborate on mobile app development, as well as access to critical analytics on how apps are being used, represent a key and very welcome area of improvement in PowWow Mobiles SmartUX 5.0 release, said Adam Holtby, research analyst, enterprise mobility and productivity, Ovum Research. Mobility, and particularly mobile apps are a valuable element of digital transformation efforts. For organizations, being able to identify the habits and usage patterns associated with mobile apps will be important in reporting on how mobility initiatives are contributing to broader digital transformation objectives.

The SmartUX Platform 5.0 Features:

Micro-App Templates and Universal App Templates  New app templates deliver the ultimate experience in speed and productivity. Micro-app templates allow for rapid mobile enablement of common organizational workflows including employee timecards, multi-system approvals and corporate directories. Universal templates provide a more granular set of pre-built interfaces that are commonly used in all apps such as login, list view, calendars, shopping carts, etc. These templates can easily be dropped into new or existing SmartUX projects.

When building an app that leverages an existing application, the universal template also maintains the current data model of the source application such as SAP, Oracle, and PeopleSoft. This capability further accelerates the development of mobile apps, alleviating the need to re-map the existing application data to the new mobile app.

SmartUX Dashboard  SmartUX Dashboard is an advanced analytics suite that provides users with comprehensive real-time and historical insights into the adoption, usage and performance of enterprise mobile apps deployed with the SmartUX Platform.

Role Based Permissions  Support collaborative development across multiple departments and projects, allowing for centralized access control and project visibility. With the new collaboration functions in SmartUX 5.0, business units have the ability to innovate while still giving IT the control and security they need.

PowWow Mobile disrupts the speed, complexity and economics commonly associated with delivering productivity enhancing apps to an increasingly mobile-first workforce. The PowWow SmartUX Platform accelerates mobile app development by transforming existing Windows, web and Java applications and workflows into modern mobile experiences or; by creating net new apps that connect to any third-party data source, API or SQL. With PowWow Mobile, users can easily design and deploy personalized, intelligent and secure apps that run anywhere, on any device (PC, laptop, tablet, phone or watch) and any OS (iOS, Android, Windows 10, or HTML5).

The goal of the Smart UX 5.0 release is to provide our customers with a solution that not only breaks down complex processes that occur with app development, but one that breaks down the barriers that commonly exist between IT and business users, said Jonathan Kaplan, co-founder and chief technology officer, PowWow Mobile. We want to provide our technical and non-technical users with platform enhancements that drive collaboration in a simple-to-use environment for a streamlined experience when developing business apps. We also want to empower all users by providing real-time actionable analytics into how their apps are performing so they can quickly and easily make adjustments and meet expectations.

For more information about PowWow Mobiles SmartUX Platform 5.0, click here.

About PowWow Mobile

PowWow Mobile allows enterprises to transform business applications into modern, mobile app experiences. PowWow Mobile eliminates business-IT friction as enterprises seek competitive advantage and increased productivity through mobile for todays digital workplace. Our SmartUX Platform accelerates enterprise application transformation by creating new, native mobile apps from any web or Windows app, quickly without sacrificing quality, and at a lower cost than custom solutions or other tools. PowWow Mobile works with customers across industries, including financial services, healthcare, telecom, software, consulting and public sector. PowWow Mobile is based in San Francisco. Learn more at http://www.powwowmobile.com
The Virtual Vocations Employer Portal was developed for telecommute-friendly employers in search of their next remote hire. It is a secure, streamlined Web resource enabling businesses and organizations interested in hiring high quality remote candidates to post unlimited telecommuting job openings for free.

Laura Spawn, CEO of Virtual Vocations said concerning the new release, Our goal is to provide employers with a pool of experienced, high-quality jobseekers who are looking for remote work. When you post your jobs with Virtual Vocations, we provide maximum exposure to bring you the best candidates for your positions.

In Virtual Vocations 2016 Year-End Report, the company detailed the high caliber nature of their site members and subscribers. More than 56% of these professionals have five or more years of telecommuting experience and 82.3% have received at least one post-secondary degree or diploma.

Employer-submitted job postings published through the employer job dashboard will be presented to Virtual Vocations members and subscribers through a multi-faceted promotional approach implemented through the following channels, and at no cost to the employer:



Email alerts sent out to the site's more than 900,000 job seekers

Promotion via Virtual Vocations social media accounts

Jobs featured in the weekly Virtual Vocations Employer Alert blog post highlighting the most recent telecommuting job submissions submitted by Virtual Vocations Employer Partners

Virtual Vocations Employer Profile, including a company summary, website and social media links, feed of recent company news, and more, added to the Virtual Vocations Telecommute Companies Database

Dedicated Employer Relations Manager to help with hiring needs

In addition to the job distribution options mentioned above, Virtual Vocations' Employer Partners will be able to submit all of their telecommuting job postings using the portals easy-to-use Employer Dashboard, making job posting and application management a simple process during every step.

About Virtual Vocations:

Virtual Vocations is the largest and most comprehensive online database of telecommute-only jobs. Offering more than 40 diverse career categories and customizable search filters, Virtual Vocations is committed to helping job seekers gain an advantage in the competitive telecommute job market by finding quality job leads faster and easier. Virtual Vocations has assisted over half a million people in their search for flexible, telecommute jobs and is dedicated to bringing subscribers scam-free job leads that offer some form of telecommuting or virtual work. Virtual Vocations is a private family-owned and operated company based in Tucson, Arizona.
QSAN, enterprise data storage manufacturer, today announced the launch of the XCubeSAN 3200 series, the product range that meets SMB and Enterprise needs. The XS3200 series is the most advanced QSAN product to date, offering state-of-the-art hardware and the new SANOS 4.0 SAN storage operation system.

The XCubeSAN 3200 series products come in a wide range of form factors and host connectivity options, all fully modular and includes redundant feature. The XS3200 range of SANs includes the worlds first 2U 26 bay, small form factor XS3226 in both dual active/active and single controller (upgradeable). QSANs host interface cards allow the XS3200 range to offer outstanding flexibility with 10Gb ports built in, and additional 16Gb Fibre Channel and 10Gb iSCSI (SFP+ & RJ45) options. The XS3200 allows hybrid interfaces, so can mix any two host connectivity types into a single chassis, allowing for maximum flexibility.

QSANs new SANOS 4.0 is equipped with a refreshingly simple to use web GUI and easily deployable into any infrastructure. SANOS 4.0 is packed with a large selection of value-added features, including optional QCache 2.0, QSANs SSD cache technology. QCache 2.0 is a pool-based read/write cache, allowing for up to 32TB of SSD cache on up to 4 storage pools, resulting in an impressive 128TB of SSD cache capability.

QSANs XS3200 comes with several key features:



Sterling performance  the XCubeSAN 3200 series can deliver an astounding 12,000MB/s1 sequential read and 8,000MB/s1 sequential write in throughput. Using SAS SSD storage, the XS3200 product is capable of up to 1.1 Million sequential IOPS.

Advanced RAID level TechnologySANOS 4.0 supports all RAID levels including RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, 60, and N-way mirror.

QThin  QSANs efficient thin provisioning technology is built-in XCubeSAN products, allowing user to allocate disk storage space in a flexible manner based on the minimum space required.

QTiering  QSANs intelligent automated data tiering technology is now available on XCubeSAN products, allowing users to intelligently assign data to the right disk for the level of access.

Backup Features  Snapshot, Local Volume Clone, and Remote Replication are all free of charge with the XCubeSAN XS3200 product range, allowing secure data for less.

Integrated Virtualization  The XS3200 is highly integrated with leading hypervisor platforms of VMware VAAI, Windows Hyper-V ODX, and Citrix XenServer. These make the XS3200 an ideal primary storage system for virtualized datacenters to help provision, migration and management of VM storage both faster and more efficiently.

Scale-up Solution  The XCubeSAN XS3200 storage capacity can cascade with XCubeDAS XD5300 12Gb SAS expansion enclosures, allowing up to 10 expansion units and support up to 286 drives for future data growth.

Super Capacitor M.2  The XCubeSAN now offers BBM and Super Capacitor cache protection modules to protect data against power loss.

Built with interoperability for the most popular operating systems, the XS3200 can be used for datacenter storage, archiving, cold storage, backup, large-scale surveillance, video streaming and editing. The XCubeSAN XS3200 range is the affordable and reliable storage solution, starting at only $7,499. Compared to its Tier1 competitors, the XCubeSAN solution can be a more affordable alternative for all primary and secondary storage. Moreover, the XCubeSAN series can provide more than a 50% increase in performance, thanks to QSANs revolutionary technology and the 24/7 free technical support. For more information on XS3200, please visit http://qsan.com/XS3200

About QSAN

QSAN Technology, leading storage technology designer and manufacturer, was founded in July 2004. Building on our vast experience in the industry, QSAN strives to build enterprise class storage systems that pride ourselves with outstanding performance, secure data protection and comprehensive data management. QSAN endeavors to provide the industry with high quality data storage systems that are simple, secure, scalable and reliable. For more information, please visit http://www.QSAN.com
zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Annual Conference & Expo being held March 27-29, 2017 in Hilton Head, SC. Representatives from zumBrunnen will also be available in the expo area to answer questions about facility condition assessments, capital replacement planning, construction monitoring and other building-related services.

Business Continuity Planning Beyond Regulatory Disaster Plans & New Energy Codes Regulations:

Doug McMillan, P.E., President of zumBrunnen, and Russ Bell, Executive Director of Finlay House, are co-presenting an educational workshop titled "Business Continuity Planning Beyond Regulatory Disaster Plans & New Energy Codes Regulations" on March 28 from 2:00  3:30 PM.

Green building policies and energy conservation guidelines will continue to get more stringent over time so it is imperative to find new ways to improve the energy efficiency of both residential and commercial buildings. This session will discuss new trends in both design, construction, and mandated reporting and benchmarking as well as basic energy savings initiatives that owners can access in existing facilities as part of their normal operating procedures and capital replacement plan. In addition, an introductory session on the foundations of a business continuity plan will be featured to include the planning life cycle and overview of the components of a complete plan for governance and strategic policy, risk assessment, crisis response planning, implementation, and testing.

About Doug McMillan, P.E.:

Doug McMillan, P.E., is President of zumBrunnen, Inc. He began his engineering career in 1980, and he joined zumBrunnen, Inc. in 1998. McMillan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. He is a former Resident Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and he is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). McMillan is a licensed professional Civil Engineer in the state of California.

For over 25 years, our firm has partnered with hundreds of senior living providers assisting them in evaluating buildings, creating accurate budgets and successfully managing their facilities, says Doug McMillan, PE, President of zumBrunnen, Inc. Our senior living clients trust our team to help them with facility assessments, capital replacement planning, construction monitoring and other specialized services. We enjoy helping our senior living clients maximize the value of their facilities, and we are proud to be an active member of LeadingAge.

About LeadingAge:

LeadingAge is an association of over 6,000 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. LeadingAge strives to advance policies, promote practices and conduct research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age. LeadingAges members offer a continuum of aging services including: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. For more information, please visit http://www.LeadingAge.org.

About zumBrunnen, Inc.:

zumBrunnen, Inc. was founded in 1989. With offices in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the firm specializes in construction consulting, property condition assessments, facility condition assessments, long-range capital replacement budgets, reserve studies and other building-related services for a diverse list of national and select international clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary FacilityForecast Software System, a unique facilities condition assessment and budgeting tool designed to forecast and manage life term capital replacement expenses and to provide custom reserve funding plans designed to their client's business model.

The firm has completed notable projects in a variety of market sectors including senior living, educational, multi-family, student housing, healthcare, institutional, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, hospitality and public assembly. The firm is involved with numerous associations including LeadingAge (at a national level), LeadingAge North Carolina, LeadingAge Florida, LeadingAge Georgia, LeadingAge Illinois, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Community Associations Institute Georgia (CAI-GA), Community Associations Institute North Carolina (CAI-NC), Community Associations Institute South Carolina (CAI-SC) and Community Associations Institute Southeast Florida (CAI-SEFL). For more information, please visit http://www.zumbrunnen.com.
The 20th Annual CFAC Event - Mt. Timpanogos, Utah I chose to sponsor someone to represent me on a CFAC Event. Next to my Oral Cancer Cause, CFAC is my favorite example of how practices can Do Well While Doing Good!

It's hard to believe nearly twenty years have passed since our first dentists' hiking event, says CFAC executive director and AIM Dental Marketing president Daniel A. Danny Bobrow. We began with Mt. Whitney in 1998. Since then, we've successfully completed hikes of Mt. Rainier, Longs Peak, Mt. Adams, The Grand Teton, Mt. Charleston, The Grand Canyon, Humphreys Peak, Mt. Hood, Mt. Marcy, Yosemite's Half Dome, Oregon's Middle Sister, San Jacinto Peak, The Narrows at Zion National Park, Wheeler Peak, and Pikes Peak (if you notice the count is less than 20, that's because we hiked Mt. Charleston and The Grand Canyon more than once, owing to their popularity), concludes Bobrow.

Past participants, speakers, and supporters have included: Howard Farran, Bill Blatchford, Paul Tucker, Linda Miles, Lorne Lavine, Lisa Philp, Lois Banta, Alisson Farey, Chris Kammer, Benco, Carestream, as well as hundreds of dentists and team members from across North America.

I chose to sponsor someone to represent me on a CFAC Event. Next to my Oral Cancer Cause, CFAC is my favorite example of how practices can Do Well While Doing Good! Says Linda Miles of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

To date, the Foundation has, in conjunction with its in-country partners, treated more than 70,000 children in 5 countries (Guatemala, Nepal, India, Vietnam, and Tanzania) with equivalent care delivered in excess of $10 million. Its goal is to double that level by 2020.

When the earthquake hit Nepal in 2015 we issued an emergency fund challenge to rebuild one of the schools where we stage our clinics that was severely damaged by the quake. Within 24 hours our challenge was met twofold. Its that kind of generosity, which ensures we will make our vision a reality. Says Bobrow.

To encourage as many dental professionals and teams as possible to join CFAC this year, anyone who refers 5 or more Primary Registrants will be allowed to join the CFAC Team with no further fund raising commitment. Watch event details here.

Industry participants will have the chance to introduce Themselves, attend all events, and communicate one-on-one with as many Participants as she/he wishes. KOLs will also be allowed to speak during the Friday Kick Off C.E. Event to be hosted and catered at Banyans Provo, UT headquarters.

We're even paying $100 for each Primary Registrant who joins us as a result of anyones efforts! Shares Bobrow.

CFAC is also paying up to $1000 (maximum commitment $25,000) to defray a participant's fund raising commitment. Details about this may be viewed at http://www.climbforacause.org/event-registration/.

With pre hike events like a zip line course at the Sundance Resort, fly fishing and river rafting down the Provo River, a distillery tour, all culminating in a summit attempt of Mt. Timpanogos, CFAC 2017 promises to be the Foundations best ever.

Participants are guaranteed to meet like-minded health professionals, network with industry KOLs, earn C.E. credit, have an exciting physical challenge, and a life transforming experience.

Contact Daniel Bobrow at 312-455-9498 or Director(at)ClimbForACause(dot)org
The National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC) welcomes Stay Dry Roofing to its national accreditation network as a Silver Preferred Member. The NIRC vetted member network is comprised of the best contractors in the industry, dedicated to upholding high ethical and workmanship standards through consumer guidance and education through the insurance restoration process. Stay Dry Roofing is a prominent Indianapolis-based roofing contractor specializing in commercial and residential roof repair, inspection, and replacement.

We are proud to join the National Insurance Restoration Council member network. Were committed to excellence by providing the best quality work to property owners throughout Indianapolis. We are honored to hold this esteemed accreditation with the NIRC, says John Olinger, owner of Stay Dry Roofing.

Stay Dry Roofing is committed to quality, integrity, and superior customer service. As a family owned and operated business in the Indianapolis area, Stay Dry Roofing provides commercial and residential property owners with superior dedication and commitment.

The NIRC is proud to welcome Stay Dry Roofing to our member network. Our members continue to raise the bar throughout the industry through their excellent workmanship. Indiana has a lot of storms, a lot of contractors and construction companies, and Stay Dry Roofing is top notch, says Joe Radcliff, CEO and founder of the National Insurance Restoration Council.

The NIRC as a self-regulated entity and cooperates with the Department of Insurance (DOI) and

other regulatory authorities throughout the United States to improve the ethics of the industry through education and high standards. NIRC vetted members undergo a stringent screening process through independent 3rd party Global Risk Management Solutions, and raise the bar for industry ethics and standards nationwide.

About the National Insurance Restoration Council

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the National Insurance Restoration Council (NIRC) is a non-profit organization devoted to protecting and educating property owners and restoration contractors when dealing with insurance claims. The NIRC acts as the principal advocate for improved legislation and case law to protect consumers and contractors when dealing with insurance claims throughout the nation. The NIRC serves the common interest of insurance restoration contractors and protects consumers from unethical contractors. Vetted and certified NIRC certified contractors adhere to a strict code of professional conduct, educate property owners about the insurance restoration process, and give back to communities in storm damaged areas. NIRC certified contractors go through an extensive background check to become members of the Diamond Standard code of business. The NIRC as a self-regulated entity and cooperates with the Department of Insurance (DOI) and other regulatory authorities throughout the United States to improve the ethics of the industry through education and high standards. Learn more at http://www.NIRC4Change.org.

About Stay Dry Roofing

Stay Dry Roofing thrives on applying the highest standards in quality, workmanship, integrity, and honesty in every project they undertake. As a family owned company, Stay Dry Roofing is committed to providing property owners with the best customer service. Stay Dry Roofing is a complete roof repair service company that does it all. Stay Dry Roofing proudly holds a 5-star rating on Angies list, Google, and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Stay Dry Roofing offer free estimates to residential and commercial property owners throughout Indianapolis area and surrounding communities. To learn more visit http://www.StayDryRoofing.com.

Media Inquiries:

Angela Delmedico

Elev8 Consulting Group

Ph: 386.243.5388

Web: http://www.elev8cg.com
Brickstone Porcelain We remain focused on next generation design trends that combine high-quality materials with innovative technology to bring authenticity, durability, and affordability to all the styles we offer.

MSI is gearing up to roll out its latest collection of new surfaces at Coverings trade show next month. The event will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 4-7, 2017. MSI, the largest premium surface supplier in North America, will introduce a wide variety of cutting-edge collectionsincluding porcelain, ceramic, quartz, and recycled glass  at booths #3880 and #4080.

The market continues its trend toward more 3D wall tiles, wood lookalikes, and geometric patterns. MSI addresses the demand with a newly expanded porcelain and ceramic tile lineup featuring standouts like Adella and Kenzzi Porcelain. For homeowners looking to create statement walls with imaginative designs and textures, Adella Porcelain & Ceramic offers a modern palette in large format, 3D ceramic wall tiles with coordinating porcelain floor tile. Kenzzi Porcelain provides the timeless look of encaustic tiles in stylized flowers and mod geometrics in floor and wall tiles. The team will present other unique lines like Watercolor Porcelain plank tiles with a light-as-air brush stroke design, and Brickstone Porcelain which is inspired by stacked stone and brick looks.

One of the most versatile debuts, Livingstyle Porcelain, is an indoor/outdoor large format tile collection with pavers, designed to capture the raw beauty of limestone. Turin Ceramic features an economical large plank floor tile with never-seen- before linear wood looks. Attendees can also peek at the reimagined Recycled Glass decorative mosaics line, complete with natural stone, textile, and wood-inspired tiles in trendy hex and subway patterns.

A coast to coast obsession with quartz countertops has generated a wave of new styles in the companys Q Premium Natural Quartz collection. Seven innovative new colors offer designers, architects, and builders more options for creating a dreamlike space for their clients. From the whispery veining of Carrara Marmi to the even softer ones in Carrara Caldia to the dramatic movement in Calacatta Laza, each of these new selections take a style cue from luxurious white marble  right down to the realistic veining. As the trend for concrete looks escalates, the team will also introduce two new concrete finish styles in Babylon Gray Concrete-Finish and the black stunner Midnight Majesty Concrete-Finish.

Rup Shah, President at MSI, said, We remain focused on next generation design trends that combine high-quality materials with innovative technology to bring authenticity, durability, and affordability to all the varied global styles we offer. With 25,000 people in attendance at Coverings, there isnt a more exciting venue to reveal new additions to our line. Since we share a common passion for bringing the best of the best surfaces to the U.S. market, the event is always inspirational.

MSI is also proud to announce that two members of its team will deliver noteworthy presentations at the conference. Emily Holle, Director of Trend and Design, will share inspired tips on planning a phenomenal showroom in her talk Site Lines - Tips from the Trade on Designing Showrooms. Allyson Humphries, Sales Director, will contribute to the Women in Stone Speed Mentoring & Leadership Workshop  a cutting-edge network-building discussion focused on personal branding.

To learn more about the show or to schedule an appointment with MSI representatives, please visit our Coverings webpage.

Founded in 1975, MSI is the leading supplier of premium surfaces in the U.S. - including flooring, countertops, decorative mosaics and wall tile, and hardscaping products. The company offers an extensive selection of granite, marble, porcelain, ceramic, quartz, glass, quartzite, among other styles. Headquartered in Orange, California, MSI has distribution centers across the United States and Canada and maintains over 125 million square feet of inventory, imported from over 36 different countries on six continents. For more information on MSI, visit http://www.msistone.com
Jim Sweener, Director of Sales for RacingJunk, said, "This partnership is a great opportunity for both TDRA and RacingJunk.com."

RacingJunk.com, the world's largest online motorsports marketplace, is pleased to announce it has been named the Official Classifieds of the Texas Desert Racing Association (TDRA). This partnership will benefit both partners by raising awareness and attendance of TDRA events while broadening RacingJunk.coms reach to competitors and fans who can benefit from its services.

The flagship website of Motorhead Media, Racingjunk.com is a one-stop shop for those looking to buy, sell, trade or interact with people throughout the automotive and racing and performance communities. With more than 850,000 registered members and 28,000 classified ads, the website generates over two million visits every month.

The goal of the TDRA is to organize, promote, sponsor, endorse, sanction and conduct off-road desert races in a safe and sustainable way. 2017 will be TDRAs fifth season, and will boast four races on at least three properties - the Texana Ranch, the TDRA Notrees, TX track and the new Penwell, TX track.

The goal of TDRA is to promote safe races on private property while working with property owners to forge long-term relationships that allow us to keep racing in Texas, said TDRA President Trey Palreiro. Now, more than ever, the desert community/mindset is expanding in Texas, and to accommodate fans, racers, businesses and landowners the TDRA will focus on team effort and work together for the greater good of desert racing in Texas.

Jim Sweener, Director of Sales for RacingJunk, said, "This partnership is a great opportunity for both TDRA and RacingJunk.com. Were excited to bring TDRAs exciting events to our community of members and fans, and were sure that TDRAs fans and drivers will benefit from our classifieds and other services."

For more information on the Texas Desert Racing Association, visit their website at texasdesertracing.com. For more information on RacingJunk.com, go to http://www.racingjunk.com.
Convergent Outsourcing, Inc., one of America's largest, global business process outsourcing companies, is announcing the grand opening of a new age customer contact center in the Megaworld Business District of Iloilo City, Philippines.

Located directly across from the Iloilo City Convention Center, the new Convergent site covers more than 30,600sq feet of office space and boasts over 400 employee workstations. Like Convergent's other contact center sites in the Americas, the Iloilo site will utilize the same award-winning performance management and gamification systems that have earned Convergent numerous awards including 2016 Best of Business Process Outsourcing Solutions.

Exponential growth in both communications and e-commerce business lines resulted in an immediate need for a 10th contact center location.

"The new center in Iloilo is a result of our steady growth, the desire to create a 'follow the sun' solution for our clients, and the abundance of highly talented contact handling resources in Iloilo," said Mike Meyer CEO of Convergent.

Casey Kostecka, Chief Business Development Officer, also commented, "We're extremely excited to offer our existing clients and new partners the additional capacity needed for continued growth, and this new state-of-the-art facility in Iloilo offers so many advantages."

The center will open with two training classes on April 3, 2017, for one of the World's premier telecommunications providers. New training classes will continue to take place each month throughout the Spring and Summer months. Most of the new positions will involve customer service support, as well as supervisory and training positions.

Anyone interested in career opportunities can inquire about positions and apply for contact center jobs through the Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. website: http://www.convergentusa.com/. Just click on Careers.

About Convergent Outsourcing, Inc.

Convergent Outsourcing has been operating in the United States since 1998 and opened its first International contact center in 2014 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Since then, Convergent has continued to grow in the US and Latin America; the Philippines will now contribute to continued expansion. Convergent's World-class omni-channel contact center operations deploy specialists managing customer engagement transactions, spanning the entire lifecycle of the customer. Their services include customer acquisition, sales, technical support and revenue management transactions. Convergent works to empower its clients with an innovative combination of an adaptable workflow engine, technology-enabled operations, next-generation analytics and professional services to deliver superior financial performance and high levels of client and consumer satisfaction.
English Finnish

COMPANY RELEASE 22 MARCH 2017, 12:00 p.m. EET

The initial public offering of Next Games has been discontinued due to oversubscription

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG, SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

The initial public offering ("Initial Public Offering") of Next Games Corporation ("Next Games" or the "Company") has been oversubscribed, and the Company's Board of Directors has, therefore, decided to discontinue the subscription period for the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Initial Public Offering.

The subscription period of the Initial Public Offering for private individuals and entities in Finland and personnel offering to the personnel of the Company ended in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Initial Public Offering on Monday, 20 March 2017, at 4:00 p.m. EET. The subscription period for institutional investors in Finland and internationally was discontinued today Wednesday, 22 March 2017, at 12:00 p.m. EET.

The final number of shares offered in the Initial Public Offering and the final subscription price is expected to be announced later today, Wednesday, 22 March 2017.

Further enquiries:

Saara Bergstrom, CMO, Next Games Oyj, tel. +358 (0)50 483 3896, press@nextgames.com

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Singapore or Japan.

These written materials do not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, nor may the securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration as provided in the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Next Games Oyj (the "Company") does not intend to register any portion of the offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States.

The issue, exercise and/or sale of securities in the initial public offering are subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Neither the Company nor Danske Bank A/S, Helsinki Branch ("Danske Bank") assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions.

Danske Bank is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else in connection with any transaction mentioned in this announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as a client in relation to any such transaction and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to its clients, or for advising any such person on the contents of this announcement or in connection with any transaction referred to in this announcement. The contents of this announcement have not been verified by Danske Bank and Danske Banks accepts no liability for this information included in this announcement.

The information contained herein shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Investors must neither accept any offer for, nor acquire, any securities to which this document refers, unless they do so on the basis of the information contained in the applicable prospectus published or offering circular distributed by the Company.

The Company has not authorized any offer to the public of securities in any Member State of the European Economic Area other than Finland. With respect to each Member State of the European Economic Area other than Finland and which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of securities requiring publication of a prospectus in any Relevant Member State. As a result, the securities may only be offered in Relevant Member States (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive; or (b) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive. For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to exercise, purchase or subscribe the securities, as the same may be varied by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.

These written materials do not constitute an offer of the securities referred to herein to the public in the United Kingdom. No prospectus has been or will be approved in the United Kingdom in respect of the securities referred to herein. This communication is directed only at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") and (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment activity to which this communication relates will only be available to and will only be engaged with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Content marketing company Carusele recently surpassed 3 billion impressions of native advertising on campaigns with a collective goal of 1.4 billion. The company, which facilitates the creation and syndication of content for many large consumer brands, sells packaged content marketing programs that include both guaranteed content creation and guaranteed reach.

"Were passionate about putting relevant, platform-agnostic material in front of targeted sets of consumers, and were thrilled that our unique process has yielded these impressive results - more than double our stated goal, said Jim Tobin, president of Carusele. Weve been running influencer campaigns for more than two years now and our approach has moved influencer marketing from a spray and pray marketing tactic to a highly-targeted mechanism for getting authentic content in front of an audience thats receptive and engaged.

Founded in 2015, Carusele attributes its rapid rise to creating influential content rather than just tying brands to influential people. They monitor all content they create for performance and syndicate only the most successful posts in locations amongst audiences who are organically interested in the material.

About Carusele

Carusele, headquartered in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, was created by Ignite Social Media to utilize a handcrafted network of over 7,500 content producers to create high-quality, shareable, branded content and then actively manages it through organic syndication, paid syndication and aggregation. The result is scaled, targeted audience reach. More at: http://www.carusele.com.
SBDC Day is March 22, 2017

Today, the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) have released the results of their services to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in 2016 as part of National SBDC Day.

In 2016, the Pennsylvania SBDC network helped small businesses obtain $182,198,317 in new investment for their companies and grow sales more than $221,000,000 ($184,661,378 in domestic sales and $37,088,093 in international sales).

The number of small businesses who received no-fee, confidential business management advice from the SBDCs professional staff totaled 7,150 individuals, resulting in 91,020 hours of business consulting delivered by 18 SBDCs statewide. The number of business education programs held by the Pennsylvania SBDC in 2016 totaled 698, attracting 9,520 attendees.

In total, the Pennsylvania SBDC network helped 705 Pennsylvanians start or purchase a business in 2016. This resulted in the SBDCs contributing to the saving and creation of 6,628 jobs across the Commonwealth last year.

Since 1980, the Pennsylvania SBDC has provided valuable services to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Today, on SBDC Day, SBDCs across Pennsylvania will hold educational programs and other events to showcase the expertise available to the Commonwealths business owners. For a full listing of Pennsylvania SBDC events and programs, visit: http://pasbdc.org/events.

To follow SBDC Day happenings on social media, follow the hashtag #SBDCDay and @PASmallBusiness on Twitter.

About Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

The Pennsylvania SBDC network is the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to empower new and existing businesses. SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, individualized sessions to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. The SBDC program is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and 18 universities and colleges across the Commonwealth. For more information on the Pennsylvania SBDC services and impact, please visit http://www.pasbdc.org.
Algolux, Inc., a provider of machine learning optimization platforms for imaging and computer vision systems, today announced it was selected from over 1000 startup applicants by Plug and Play to participate in a 12-week accelerator program for new Mobility solutions.

According to Tractica, the market for computer vision hardware and software is expected to grow to $48.6 billion by 2022 from $6.6 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 33 percent, with the largest growth coming from automotive. As more sophisticated cameras and Computer Vision (CV) algorithms are being integrated into vehicles for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving, the requirement to improve image quality and CV accuracy continues to increase. Compelled by the need to reduce accidents and improve driving efficiency, automotive providers have begun investing heavily to achieve these requirements. But, the current process for tuning these systems is manually intensive and costly, time-consuming, and requires deep expertise.

Algolux takes a novel optimization-based approach by applying machine learning solvers to automate the tuning process against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), reducing the time needed to achieve the required image quality or CV accuracy from weeks or months down to hours or days. This, in turn, can lead to savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars per system.

Mobility and the path to autonomous vehicles requires a new approach to ensure the vision systems in these vehicles see better for improved safety. We are excited to have Montreal-based Algolux join our Mobility accelerator program here in Sunnyvale as their unique machine learning optimization approach addresses this challenge head on for automotive suppliers and impact a large and quickly growing market, said Plug and Plays Mobility Director, Sobhan Khani.

The embedded camera and vision system market is experiencing explosive growth, and this is led by the automotive industry as the sector most in need of automating their tuning processes against qualitative and increasingly quantitative metrics. By working with Plug and Plays Mobility accelerator and corporate partners, we look forward to accelerating the adoption of Algoluxs technology within the automotive supplier ecosystem and reducing the complexity of bringing these vision systems to market, said Algolux CEO Allan Benchetrit.

About Algolux

Algolux provides groundbreaking machine learning technologies that enable the smart optimization of computer vision systems, transforming the development and accuracy of machines that can see. Computer vision is at the heart of autonomous cars, ADAS, AR/VR, robotics, drones, IoT, medical equipment, and mobile devicesleading the next wave of market growth and social impact. Developed by an industry-recognized team of machine learning, computer vision, and image processing researchers, our patented CRISP technology addresses the cost, schedule, and expertise challenges that product development teams face in optimizing their imaging and vision systems.

Visit us at http://www.algolux.com.

About Plug and Play Mobility Accelerator

Plug and Play Mobility provides an ecosystem where startups connect to forward-thinking corporations and VCs. Twice a year, three month programs for 20 early-to-late stage mobility-related startups will be hosted in Silicon Valley  the capital of innovation. Startups will work with engineers of leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers on prototypes and pilots. Alongside this, startups get access to Plug and Play's international network of investors, corporations, mentors, and advisors. Plug and Play Mobility accepts startups creating solutions in the following technologies: connected car, shared economy, telematics, electrification, security, biometrics, and predictive analytics. Learn more here: http://plugandplaytechcenter.com/mobility/

 Copyright 2016 Algolux, Inc. Algolux, the Algolux logo, CRISP, CRISP-ML, CRISP-EC, and other designated brands included herein are trademarks of Algolux in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Algolux

Dave Tokic

+1 (877) 424-9107

dave.tokic(at)algolux(dot)com
North Charleston-based Equiscript, LLC, has announced an ongoing initiative to generate support for Charleston-based global nonprofit OneWorld Health. The company plans to provide approximately $30,000 in support for OneWorld Health in 2017.

The organizations noticed a synergy in their missions early in their communication.

Equiscript, a 340B pharmacy services management company founded in 2009, operates with the cause of improving access to healthcare in the communities the company serves. Equiscript does this primarily by implementing and managing home delivery pharmacy programs on behalf of healthcare providers who serve low-income, rural, and otherwise underserved communities in the United States.

OneWorld Healths mission is to provide quality, affordable healthcare to people in need in developing nations around the world. They do this by establishing sustainable healthcare initiatives that empower the communities they serve to bring about long-term change and tangible improvements in their health and quality of life. The nonprofit has served more than 200,000 patients in East Africa and Central America since opening its first sustainable medical center in January 2011.

We are working tirelessly to bridge a healthcare accessibility gap in East Africa and Central America, said Michael ONeal, Executive Director of OneWorld Health. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who dont have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Corporate partners like Equiscript and others help us develop infrastructure and programs that will become self-sustaining sources of quality healthcare for people in these communities, he said.

Michael Burkhold and Steven Kerr, Equiscripts CEO and CFO, announced this week that the company will provide financial support for a OneWorld Health medical mission trip to Nicaragua in December. In addition to this, the company will make a donation to OneWorld Health for each new patient it serves through its pharmacy programs in 2017. Kerr says Equiscript plans to donate about $30,000 this year to OneWorld Health.

Our whole company is energized and excited about this program, said Kerr. As a group, we are inspired and motivated by the good work our healthcare clients do in their communities in the United States. We look at the OneWorld Health program as an opportunity to expand our mission beyond our borders, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to partner with a like-minded organization like OneWorld Health.

See more at http://www.equiscript.com/owh.
Bob Kippola has more than 20 years in global sales and leadership experience in the hospitality industry and I am certain he will deliver similar success for BDMs customers.

Brewer Digital Marketing, a leading provider of innovative hotel software tools that serves more than 3,000 hotels worldwide, today announced it has hired Bob Kippola as the companys new Vice President of Sales to help address the exploding demand for their software tools and Hotel Marketing Web Platform.

Semantic discoverability is a critical asset for hotels and resorts today - as we have seen with Googles Hotel Rich Cards, which opens up an opportunity for a hotel to stand out in search results and attract more potential guests, said Brad Brewer, CEO and founder of Brewer Digital Marketing. Were thrilled to have Bob on board to help guide hotels, management companies, and brands as they embrace the ever-changing landscape of search and deliver out-of-the-box strategies to help drive their revenue. Bob has an incredible track record of helping hospitality technology companies succeed through a consultative approach to the sales of digital marketing. He has more than 20 years in global sales and leadership experience in the hospitality industry and I am certain he will deliver similar success for BDMs customers.

Prior to joining Brewer Digital Marking, Bob Kippola was the Senior Director of Business Development at a Silicon Valley-based digital media company focused on the hospitality industry. In over 6 years with the company, Bob helped guide its strategy and sales efforts, which propelled the company in driving over $500 million per year in revenue for over 1,500 hotels and resorts.

--------------------------

About Brewer Digital Marketing:

Brewer Digital Marketing provides a Hotel Marketing Web Platform that enhances your digital assets in organic search, social, email and virtual personal assistants by leveraging structured markup. In addition, with a single line of code, BDM can annotate existing hospitality websites with structured markup with their software, powering rich results for brands and independent hotels. Visit their website to learn how to generate rich results with one line of code: http://www.brewerdigitalmarketing.com.

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SAE Institute students worked on the filming and post-production of EngineerGirl webisodes. This is a project we are extremely proud of and one that will resonate with our students for years to come.

Instructor George Retelas and students from SAE Institute San Jose have teamed up with middle schoolers to create a multi-media project for EngineerGirl to benefit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. EngineerGirl is a non-profit service of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).

The project was the culmination of over 2 years of planning, countless extracurricular production hours, and the participation of dozens of students from Motion & Graphic Design, Digital Filmmaking, Interactive Audio, and Game Art & Design programs. 10 female middle schoolers with interest in STEM education were chosen as finalists from auditions held at the SAE Institute San Jose campus. They served as correspondents on the project, interviewing outstanding women working in engineering.

The idea of the project was to work with a non-profit organization to showcase women in STEM. We chose engineering because there is still a lot of misconception about that field of study where women are still a minority. We thought it would be interesting for girls to hear from women engineers about the exciting opportunities that engineering presents for them in the field of STEM education, says George Retelas.

Students had the opportunity to work directly with several major companies including Disney Pixar, Ford Research & Innovation Centers, GE Ventures, NASA, and others in creating 18 short interview-style videos for the EngineerGirl website. Each video features women working in several areas of engineering, as well as two women from the original Rosie the Riveter campaign about women engineers produced during World War II.

The project also allowed students to practice their project management and marketing skills in addition to their audio, music production, and video editing skills, all while bringing attention to the engineering opportunities available to women.

Retelas says, This is a project we are extremely proud of and one that will resonate with our students for years to come. Not only did it provide students with practical experience, it offered them invaluable opportunities to meet and learn about these impressive engineers.

Working on the project was a fantastic experience for everyone -- students, parents and professionals.

"It was an honor to be given the chance to score the music for EngineerGirl," says Cristian Munoz, a student of the Interactive Audio program.

"Working on EngineerGirl was a great experience! Not only was it fun creating the music but I learned so much about these amazing engineers," says J.P Esquivel, also studying in the Interactive Audio program.

In celebration of Womens History Month, these inspiring videos will be launched throughout the month of March from the National Academy of Engineering on Twitter @EngineerGirlNAE, and can also be viewed on YouTube searching #EngineerGirlShow. The #EngineerGirlShow project aims to inspire young girls to consider a career in engineering.

About SAE

SAE Institute provides aspiring creative media professionals with a foundation of practical theory and valuable hands-on training in their chosen areas of concentration. Under the guidance of industry-experienced faculty, students gain the essential experience they need for entry-level jobs in the creative media industry. Students are supported in their job searches by SAE Institutes international network of alumni, many of who are leaders in the music, film, game arts, and live performance arenas. SAE Institute offers accredited programs in Audio, Animation, Film, Games, and Music Business focused on preparing students for employment in the creative media industry upon graduation. SAE Institute Group, Inc. is a part of Navitas LTD. Learn more at usa.sae.edu.

About Navitas

Navitas is an Australian global education leader, providing pre-university and university programs, English language courses, migrant education and settlement services, creative media education, student recruitment, professional development, and corporate training services to more than 80,000 students across a network of over 120 colleges and campuses in 31 countries. Learn more at Navitas.com.
Lucas VanDeWoestyne, left, and James Chakires from Apex Apex CPAs and Consultants celebrate winning the AABE award from the Daily Herald Business Ledger. This (award) is a team effort and is only possible because we have amazing employees serving great clients all supported by a clear vision of where were going.

The Daily Herald Business Ledgers Annual Awards for Business Excellence (AABE) honored Apex CPAs and Consultants of St. Charles in the small business category for their success. The event, held on March 15 at the Medinah Shrine Center in Addison, recognizes highly successful suburban businesses and people behind those enterprises.

It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and to be recognized for business excellence, said James N. Chakires, CPA, CVA, President and CEO of Apex. This is a team effort and is only possible because we have amazing employees serving great clients all supported by a clear vision of where were going. It just comes together naturally. Apexs culture just lives and breathes excellence and it means a lot to be recognized for it. It is a proud day!

Apex CPAs & Consultants, Inc. is a forward thinking accounting firm located in St. Charles that places top priority on identifying opportunities and implementing a comprehensive strategy that gives businesses a serious edge over competition. Apexs innovative culture and specialized technical experience helps its business clients grow.

Every year the Daily Herald Business Ledger awards businesses in the Chicagoland area with the AABE. There are fourteen different categories and any individual, business or organization may submit a nomination. The Business Ledger editorial staff conducts the judging and selects the companies to receive the honors.

Apex CPAs & Consultants:

Apex CPAs & Consultants, Inc. is a forward-thinking advisory firm located in St. Charles, IL. Apex services a broad range of industries, including specialized experience with manufacturers, wholesalers, construction contractors and suppliers, professional services and retail businesses. A common trait of an Apex client is the growth-minded closely held business owner. The firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. It is also a member of the also a member of CPA Connect, Inc., an international association of independent accounting firms. For more information, visit: http://www.apexcpas.com/

About the Daily Herald Business Ledger

The Daily Herald Business Ledger is the leading provider of business news and information about businesses and the economy in suburban Chicago. The company publishes a bi-weekly newspaper and also distributes information through special publications, an Internet site and a daily e-mail newsletter. In addition, The Business Ledger hosts a series of seminars, conferences and awards programs. The Business Ledger is a sister publication to the Daily Herald and part of the Paddock Publications family. For additional information, call Jim Elsener, Mgr. of Business Development for the Daily Herald Business Ledger at 630-955-3593.

# # #
"As part of our industry exclusive P3SM Technology Platform, we now offer the market leading capabilities to mitigate risk, eliminate incidents and create the best outcomes for our clients," stated Wyckoff.

Sharp Robotics Business Development (SRBD), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), announced the appointment of U.S. Security Associates (USA) as an authorized guard services reseller of the Sharp INTELLOS Automated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV). Introduced to consumers of security technologies and human guard services by Sharp at the ASIS International September 2016 security exhibition in Orlando, Florida, the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV is a cost-effective, multi-terrain, mobile sensor platform that can capture video, audio and environmental data, while providing a visible deterrent. The data collected by the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV can enhance outdoor surveillance, security, safety and maintenance inspections, helping organizations meet the challenges of an ever-changing security landscape by augmenting a skilled guard force.

Cliff Quiroga, Vice President of SRBD, lauded the relationship with USA. Robots in security will help protect people, infrastructure and assets. To Sharp, protecting people means caring first for those who care for the rest of us -- our frontline security officers. The human workforce can be availed of tedious, repetitive and often dangerous tasks. Instead, their attention can be focused on more intelligent-based work.

Richard L. Wyckoff, President and CEO of U.S. Security Associates, stated, "Our agreement with Sharp ensures USA's clients will continue to have the most innovative capabilities and additional layers of protection to enhance daily security measures. Importantly, the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV can also provide a first response protection capacity in an emergency or crisis situation."

"As part of our industry exclusive P3(SM) Technology Platform, we now offer the market leading capabilities to mitigate risk, eliminate incidents and create the best outcomes for our clients," stated Wyckoff.

ABOUT U.S. SECURITY ASSOCIATES

U.S. Security Associates (USA) is North Americas security solutions leader, with locally-responsive offices providing premier national security services and global consulting and investigations. The company provides career paths for over 50,000 security professionals serving several thousand clients and a range of industries. Innovative applications of leading-edge, proprietary technology enable USA to rank annually among the worlds best training companies, sustain the highest standards of quality, and underscore world-class customer service with unparalleled accountability. USAs rise as one of todays largest security companies is a natural byproduct of these differentiators together with a commitment to investing in employee reward and development, giving back to local communities, and relentlessly striving to be the best: Safe. Secure. Friendly.. For more information, visit http://www.ussecurityassociates.com.

ABOUT SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japans Sharp Corporation. Sharp is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, professional displays, robotics and energy systems. For more information, visit SharpUSA.com.

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Priester Aviation's King Air 250 Cabin in Boston, MA The ease of our on-demand private travel allows for greater freedom with the simplicity of Priesters pay-as-you-fly model  giving you ultimate flexibility and control over your schedule.

Priester Aviation, LLC has announced its expansion into the Boston market with the addition of a brand new, Wi-Fi enabled, King Air 250 to its global fleet of over 65 aircraft. The world-class Beechcraft King Air 250 is available for immediate on-demand private charter.

With the addition of the new King Air 250, our expanded Northeast service delivers greater efficiency to our clients, said Andy Priester, president and CEO for Priester. The ease of our on-demand private travel allows for greater freedom with the simplicity of Priesters pay-as-you-fly model  giving you ultimate flexibility and control over your schedule.

The six-seat King Air 250 offers exceptional efficiency, both in time and cost savings. Its range of over 1,720 nautical miles and exceptional short-field performance provides greater access to more convenient airports. The ultra-quiet King Air 250 is well-appointed with high-speed WiFi, leather seats, an aft private lavatory, power outlets and boasts an oversized luggage area. This aircraft is perfect for any business or leisure trip to popular destinations such as Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and New York City, from Boston or the surrounding area. With Priesters industry-leading on-demand charter, jet travelers experience private aviation in a simpler format, backed by the highest safety standards and concierge-level service.

A virtual tour may be accessed at: http://www.priesterav.com/virtual-tours/King-Air-250/

About Priester Aviation, LLC

Priester Aviation is among the world's most experienced global private aviation companies, specializing in aircraft management and private travel solutions. With over 70 years of experience, Priester Aviation is among the elite private aircraft operators that hold the highest safety accreditations including the ARGUS Platinum rating, Wyvern Wingman, IS-BAO Stage III and Air Charter Safety Foundation certifications.

For more information, please contact Priester Marketing at 847-537-1133, or visit http://www.priesterav.com.

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Sir David Adjaye Dwell on Design returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 23-25, 2017, and has announced the first wave of new programming including renowned global architect Sir David Adjaye as a featured speaker.

Dwell on Design returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 23-25, 2017, and is excited to announce the first wave of new programming! The highly-anticipated annual fair will welcome 300 new and returning exhibitors, transforming 100,000 square feet of concrete into a design incubator where prefab comes to life and design luminaries debate the issues of today. With three days of onstage programming from the top leaders in design, as well as continuing education opportunities for every design discipline, Dwell on Design 2017 is shaping up to be another incredible event. The first wave of announcements includes the first confirmed featured speaker, the five content pillars, and a preview of returning brands and pavilions.

The first of many in the new featured speaker series, Dwell on Design welcomes renowned architect Sir David Adjaye. Adjayes ingenious use of materials and his sculptural ability have established him as a leading architect with an artists sensibility and vision. His firm, Adjaye Associates, built their reputation with prestigious commissions around the world, including the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo and the Moscow School of Management. Most recently, Adjaye gained recognition for his design of the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in fall 2016 at the National Mall in Washington, DC to praise and popularity. Adjaye Associates has offices in London, New York, and Accra, Ghana, with ongoing projects across the UK, US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Adjaye has held academic posts at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and was awarded the prestigious Panerai London Design Medal in 2016. Dwell on Design is honored to present Adjaye onstage Friday, June 23rd, accompanied by Christopher Hawthorne, the esteemed architecture critic for the Los Angeles Times.

In an effort to foster community and create a shared experience at Dwell on Design, all sessions and featured panels will take place on one main stage with each lively discussion covering one of the five major content pillars throughout the fair. Guests can anticipate inspiring and engaging educational sessions about Technology/Smart Home, Health & Wellness/Aging, Urban Space/Densification, Resiliency, and Business of Design. 2017 will see a shift in the session programming, with intriguing formats including featured speakers, fire-side chats and thought-provoking panels. Attendees can expect deep dives into content via one-hour sessions and snappy downloads in short 30-minute sessions.

Returning pavilions include the popular prefab homes by Method Home and Cocoon9, where attendees are welcome to tour and experience what has become a leading trend in home building and design. For the second year in a row, Prime Edition returns to the show floor. Set amid a gallery-like setting, this show-within-a-show offers a unique platform for designer-makers, industrial designers, and artists to showcase their work. Notable returning exhibitors also include Benjamin Moore, Build.com, Ergotron, Hansgrohe, Humboldt Redwoods, Koble & Koble, Marvin Windows, Smith & Fong, and Stokke. The Shop will make its debut offering one-of-a-kind finds for attendees to purchase. In addition, honoring great design in restaurant and nightlife, the AIA Restaurant Design Awards will be presented during the three-day fair..

Dwell on Design will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Friday, June 23 from 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday, June 24 from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, June 25 from 10 am to 4 pm. Registration is now open to guests. Architects and design professionals, along with the design enthusiast public, may acquire tickets online at dwellondesign.com/register.

###

About Dwell on Design

June 23- 25, 2017 / Los Angeles Convention Center

With three full days of dynamic exhibitions, unparalleled educational opportunities, new home technologies, onstage panels, 40+ speakers, and more than 2,000 innovative modern furnishings and products, Dwell on Design is the largest design event on the west coast. In addition to featuring over 300 exhibitors, Dwell on Design encourages an ongoing design dialogue. Learn more by visiting dwellondesign.com.

About Dwell

Dwell is a media and technology brand focused on design and architecture. Through an award-winning magazine that has been published since 2000, and a sharing platform launched in 2016, Dwell promotes an architecture that is optimistic and innovative. In December 2016 Dwell launched a collection of products with Target called Modern by Dwell Magazine. Dwell, Dwell Homes, Dwell Prefab, and Dwell on Design are registered trademarks of Dwell Media, LLC. Dwell Media, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Dwell Life, Inc.

About Informa Global Exhibitions

Dwell on Design is part of Informas Global Exhibitions Division. With over 200 trade and consumer exhibitions annually, Informa Exhibitions is a global market leader in such end markets as Beauty, Construction & Real Estate, Design, Life Sciences, Maritime, Health & Nutrition, Natural Products, Agriculture and Pop Culture. Through face to face and digital channels, our transaction-oriented exhibitions and trade shows enable communities to engage, experience and do business. In doing so, we bring together people who want to buy and sell, network, do business and gain inspiration. Our industry insight, coupled with our innovative and entrepreneurial approach, provides them with the opportunity to create business advantage and access markets.

Informa Exhibitions is a division of Informa PLC, a leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. Informa PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.
WOODSTOCK, Ontario, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joshua Gold Resources Inc. (OTC PINK:JSHG) (JSHG, or Joshua) an American gold exploration company headquartered in Canada, engaged in the exploration of highly prospective properties in North America, is pleased to announce it has acquired 14 claims (560 acres) in Janes Township, Sudbury Mining Division, in Northern Ontario.

The newly acquired 14 claims (560 acres) in Janes Township, Sudbury Mining Division, in Northern Ontario are potential gold targets. The region has gold occurrences in shallow (2 meters to 40 meters in depth) sedimentary formations called the Mississagi formation. This paleo-placer formation is unique and it is a new, innovative way to locate gold in these very shallow geological formations.

The property, Janes Reef, is south of where junior exploration companies are planning a major exploration program this coming summer to explore the gold anomalies in the Mississagi formation.

Ben Fuschino, JSHG CEO, It is an interesting, unusual gold occurrence and our geological team will be monitoring how the other companies make out in testing this new zone this summer so we can better plan our exploration techniques in exploring Janes Reef.

Joshua Gold Resources Inc. (OTC:JSHG) purchased 100% of the property for $750 cash, one hundred and sixty thousand (160,000) common shares of JSHG and granted a three per cent (3.0%) Net Smelter Royalty on the property to the vendor.

Joshua Gold Resources Inc. (OTC:JSHG) is a publicly traded American gold exploration company headquartered in Canada, engaged in the exploration of highly prospective properties. Joshua Golds focus is to pinpoint mineral opportunities in Northern Ontario, Canada, a mature and friendly jurisdiction for exploration and mining companies. Northern Ontario is home to the three billion year old Canadian Shield which contains a wealth of minerals from nickel, gold, copper and cobalt to chromium. For more information on JSHG go to http://www.joshuagoldresources.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement This release includes forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as JSHG or its management believes, expects, forsees, forecasts, estimates,or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Companys business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
Evolver Achieves Relativity Best in Service

Evolver, a technology company and provider of eDiscovery solutions to law firms, corporations, and federal clients, today announced that they have achieved kCura's Relativity Best in Service status for the second straight year. The designation recognizes Relativity Authorized Partners who provide an exceptional Relativity experience for end users.

Evolver, which has been a Relativity Authorized Partner since 2009, deploys the eDiscovery platform Relativity in both private and public cloud environments, offering clients the scalability and secure infrastructure they demand.

With a strong foundation in information technology, Evolver has extensive experience managing large data sets using Relativity during eDiscovery, investigations, and compliance projects.

Additionally, Evolver is committed to making eDiscovery more efficient for clients by leveraging analytics whenever possible. They strive to apply analytics to most of their new Relativity cases, helping clients organize large document sets, visualize their data to uncover trends, and quickly identify key information in the face of strict deadlines.

In January, Evolver announced an integration between XLerator, their tool for native excel review, redaction, and production and Relativity. The integration, which is listed in the Relativity Ecosystem, allows Relativity users to review, redact, and produce native Excel files without leaving Relativity.

We are delighted to be recognized again for our outstanding work as a Relativity Best in Service partner, said Bruce S. Markowitz, vice president of eDiscovery at Evolver. We are deeply committed to providing superior hosting services, expert product knowledge, and excellent customer service to our clients.

Through a voluntary audit, Relativity Best in Service partners demonstrate their expertise and experience hosting projects in Relativity. kCura evaluates these partners individual data centers in three areas: technical infrastructure, customer service, and product expertise. Additionally, Best in Service partners meet a set of requirements for duration as a hosting partner, size of Relativity installations, and core Relativity certifications.

The Best in Service program is all about showcasing partners that demonstrate commitment to a great Relativity experience for their customers, said George Orr, vice president of customer success and support at kCura. Evolver does just that, and were excited to recognize them.

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About Evolver

The Legal Services division of Evolver, Inc. provides secure eDiscovery, Cybersecurity, and IT Infrastructure solutions to law firms, corporations and government clients. In addition, we offer XLerator, a unique-to-the-industry web-based tool for reviewing, redacting and producing excel spreadsheets natively. We have a dynamic combination of legal, information technology, and management experts to develop comprehensive solutions that maintain quality and schedule objectives while reducing risk and costs. Evolver is headquartered in Reston, VA, with offices in Washington, DC; Alexandria, VA; Denver, CO; and Boston, MA. More information: http://www.evolverinc.com.

About kCura

kCura are the developers of Relativity, an e-discovery platform used by more than 12,000 organizations to manage large volumes of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance projects. Relativity has over 150,000 active users in 40+ countries from organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 70 Fortune 100 companies, and more than 195 of the Am Law 200. Corporations, law firms, and government agencies use Relativity on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid platformwith hosted, on-demand solutions available through a global network of partners. As a platform, Relativity also allows developers to design, build, and integrate applications that extend its functionality. kCura has been named one of Chicago's Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for six consecutive years and received the CityLIGHTS Lighthouse Award from the Illinois Technology Association in 2016. Please contact kCura at sales(at)kcura(dot)com or visit http://www.kcura.com for more information.
This 2016 Mountain Living Home of the Year residence, featured on the new JLF Design Build website, reflects the teams extreme attention to detail (photo: Audrey Hall). Our passion for Design-Build is endless, says JLF Design Build principal Paul Bertelli. This new website provides a means of telling our story and expressing that passion.

A new website reveals the evolution of architecture and construction as told through JLF Design Builds collaboration on remarkable and award-winning residences. Rich with photography of the teams finely crafted houses in often spectacular mountain settings, the website (http://www.jlfdesignbuild.com), launched this week, showcases the special alliance between JLF & Associates architecture and Big-D Signature construction, defining the depth of a partnership built over 17 years of working together.

Our passion for Design-Build is endless, says JLF Design Build principal Paul Bertelli. This new website provides a means of telling our story and expressing that passion.

JLF Design Build offers a different way to create customized houses. Based on trust, artistry and communication rather than competition, the team of architects and artisans crafts timeless structures rooted in integrity and simple elegance. The process starts with a client and a conversation: Why are you building this house? Where is the property? What are your needs? From there it evolves to a relationship with a team of professionals who craft a house that realizes their clients vision.

Unlike a traditional top-down model with architect as dictator, the Design-Build relationship ensures a seamless manifestation of the clients vision through transparent reporting, honest promises and quality-control. Forging a unilateral relationship that is collaborative and communicative is essentially more creative, explains Bertelli. Ultimately the Design-Build approach unifies the vision and values, giving the client the freedom to build a legacy and enjoy an unforgettable experience making a house that will become home to many memories in the years to come.

With offices in Bozeman, Montana; Jackson, Wyoming; and Park City, Utah, JLF Design Build has a foundation in the Rocky Mountain West that combines four decades of experience. Theyve cultivated a responsive design program that incorporates materials grounded in place: salvaged 100-year-old hand-hewn timbers, weathered siding, stacked stone, century-old recycled floors  and the master artisans to construct with the highest level of quality. The intention is to respect the past with design that will stand the test of time, appearing to grow organically from the site.

Our intention with this new website is to explain our Design-Build process, says Jason Dunlop, vice president of JLF Design Build. We wanted to highlight the relationship of trust that our two companies have built over two decades and emphasize the benefits for clients with our approach.

JLF & Associates began in 1979 when principal Paul Bertelli joined forces with Jonathan L. Foote in Montana. The duo designed houses to honor the quality of the Rocky Mountain West. Maintaining the fundamentals of landscape and craftsmanship, JLF remains rooted in honest materials and respect for regional context, scale, comfort and simplicity. JLF has expanded its palette of materials to incorporate wood, stone, glass and steel in architectural designs that respond to diverse landscapes across the country, referencing local history and environment while contrasting artifact with clean, contemporary lines and materials.

In 2001 the architectural firm paired with Big-D Signature Group, turning to the long-established contractor for its defining quality in the distinctive home market. Big-D Signature maintains a roster of experienced builders, artisans and journeymen to deliver construction that is on time and on budget. Each building is customized through handcrafted detail for the client, the site and the budget, and infused with a level of craftsmanship that incorporates the best building traditions with modern engineering technology. Applying the JLF Design Build method of sole-source construction management for custom residences translates to an integrated project delivery program facilitated by communication between design and construction.

About JLF Design Build:

The focused approach of JLF Design Build features a genuine alliance, built over 17 years of working together. Winners of Mountain Living magazines 2016 Home of the Year, JLF Design Build unites passionate architects with dedicated builders to enable the collective imagination of visionary artisans working with visionary clients. Building timeless structures rooted in integrity and simple elegance, the JLF Design Build team applies distinctive solutions and materials to create place-based houses marked by the influences of landscapes from the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern Seaboard. The team's award-winning perspective is powered by inspired design and an exacting eye for placement, an ethos that stems from a unity of nature, beauty, balance and imagination. For more information on JLF Design Build go to JLFDesignBuild.com and connect with JLF Design Build on Facebook.

Media Contact: Seabring Davis, Word PR + Marketing,

seabring(at)wordprmarketing(dot)com, 307.734.5335
Real estate agent Tim J. Gullicksen was honored as the No. 1 agent at Zephyrs Pacific Heights office March 3 at Zephyr Real Estates Top Producer Cocktail Party. Accepting the award is nothing new for Gullicksen, as this marks the sixth straight year he has been so honored. Gullicksen is also the No. 2 agent company-wide, closing 60 transactions in 2016 that totaled more than $70 million.

Gullicksen said he is looking forward to continuing to serve clients in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area with top services. He added that hes hoping to maintain his status as one of Zephyrs top agents throughout 2017 and beyond.

Gullicksen has worked for Zephyr for 10 of his 15 years in the real estate industry. During those years, he has helped countless first-time home buyers, as well as those looking to purchase the home of their dreams. His specialty his real estate services throughout San Francisco and Pacific Heights. Staying informed of real estate industry developments, Gullicksen brings an attention to detail like no other real estate agent does  from showing the property to every piece of paperwork involved in the transaction. This comes from his background as a teacher.

About the company:

Tim Gullicksen has been a top-producing real estate agent since he first entered into the business and takes great pride in managing every aspect of each transaction. After graduating from high school in the South Bay, Tim earned a bachelors degree in political science and history from the University of California-Berkeley. He went on to earn his teaching credentials from JFK University in Orinda and taught kindergarten in the San Jose Unified School District. He brings an educational approach to real estate developed from that background and sees himself as a facilitator of property transactions. For more information, visit his website at http://www.timgullicksensf.com/.
Some of the new features include:



Employees now have the option to upload supporting documents when requesting time off

HR administrators can generate detailed eSignature reports to view information such as documents viewed & not viewed or signed & not signed. These are also visible on the Documents and HR Admin dashboards.

HR administrators can define expiration dates for time off balance carry over.

Notifications are now displayed for 30 days unless completed.

HR Admin settings provide options to set custom or auto generated passwords.

Notifications are displayed on the recruitment dashboard when a requisition budget exceeds the approved budget amount.

Employee benefits summary report: HR Administrators can now view the employees enrolled plan along with the dependents assigned to those plans.

Interview panel members will receive notifications to provide interview feedback.

For more information, please visit http://www.sutihr.com or call us on 650-969-SUTI.

About SutiSoft

Sutisoft provides a comprehensive suite of cloud-based business platforms and solutions for companies of all sizes. These platforms include scalable and easy-to-use solutions for HR, Employee Travel & Expense, Wireless Spend Management, CRM, Document Management, Business Data Analytics, and Electronic signature. Our platforms and solutions enable small, mid-size, and large enterprise customers to control costs, save time and assist in making smart business decisions. Headquartered in Los Altos, California, SutiSoft also has regional offices in Germany, India, and Japan. For additional information visit our website at http://www.sutisoft.com.
GroundLink surveys travelers in light of news on recent travel bans. Nearly Ninety Percent of Those Surveyed Will Not Change Travel Plans; Nearly Half Say They Will Avoid Traveling to The Middle East

Ninety Percent of Those Surveyed Will Not Change Travel Plans, But Half Say They Will Avoid Traveling to The Mideast

As President Trumps travel ban continues to be challenged by the courts, and international airports across the country struggle with the evolving situation, resulting protests, traffic snarls and delays, GroundLink, a leading tech-enabled black car service, surveyed 400 travelers on their international travel habits and opinions.

Travelers to Plan Ahead and Leave Earlier for the Airport

The vast majority of those of those surveyed (87 percent) will not make any immediate changes to their international travel plans as a result of the current travel ban situation. Only seven percent will avoid traveling internationally altogether, while six percent will continue to travel internationally for business but avoid traveling out of the country for leisure. Nearly half of those surveyed (46 percent) are just as concerned about terrorist threats abroad this year as they were the same time last year. Thirty percent said they are neither more or less concerned while 21 percent are more concerned this year than they were last year. Even with talk of increased security screening, more pat-downs and delays at customs and immigration, most travelers (56 percent) do not plan to make any changes to their travel plans. However, 39 percent said they would plan ahead and leave earlier for the airport. Three percent said they will reduce their travel in the coming months, and two percent of those surveyed said they would opt for smaller, less congested airports with shorter security lines.

Travelers to Avoid Middle East Destinations; Avoid Taking Public Transportation

Not surprising, the Middle East ranks highest as the region that concerns American travelers most (44 percent), followed by Europe (22 percent). Asia is only of concern to two percent of those surveyed. Along similar lines, 53 percent will avoid traveling to the Middle East, and seven percent will avoid trips to Europe. Interestingly, twice as many women (eight percent) than men (four percent) surveyed said they would avoid Europe. Only two percent said they would not travel to Asia.

When traveling to regions/countries where travelers are less familiar and/or concerned about their safety, they are more likely to avoid taking public transportation (30 percent), avoid using ride-sharing providers (12 percent) and taxis (five percent) and only use reserved black cars or limousines (28 percent).

When traveling internationally, to determine how early to leave for the airport for their return flight home, most (47 percent) of those surveyed rely on the hotel concierge for their recommendation. Another 32 percent go by what their airline recommends, while seven percent go by GPS or a mapping app. Another seven percent just go with their gut and only two percent listen to traffic or weather reports to make their determination.

Worst Airports for International Arrivals, Customs and Immigration: JFK, EWR and MIA

When asked what are the worst international U.S. airports for international arrivals, customs and immigration, New Yorks JFK Airport got the dubious honor, followed by Newark and Miami. The top three airports for international arrivals, according to those surveyed: Denver, Dallas and Houston.

About GroundLink

GroundLink is a tech-enabled provider of executive black car service in major cities throughout the world. Offering the industrys only on-time guarantee, GroundLink focuses on duty of care, with professional drivers who are screened, properly licensed and fully insured. GroundLink offers a multiple booking platform for its consumer and corporate clients that includes its website (http://www.groundlink.com), its iPhone or Android app, and its 24/7 Customer Service Center (855.463.7150). GroundLink has offices in North America and Europe, with its headquarters in New York, NY. Connect with GroundLink on Twitter @GroundLink and on

Facebook.com/GroundLink.

# # #
EpicGear, the leading brand in professional gaming peripherals, today announced the latest innovation the MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse. Designed and based on feedback from the gaming enthusiast and community, MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse implements MSC (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge) for easy switching laser and optical sensor, as well as MSS (Modular-Switch-Structure) which enables the swapping of switches with different click resistance. MORPHA X, the flagship RGB modular gaming mouse redefines modular gaming mouse and further expands EpicGears range of gaming peripherals.

MSC (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge) and MSS (Modular-Switch-Structure)

Designed with MSC (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge), MORPHA X allows easy switching between optical and laser sensors. Using the included Modular Senor Cartridges, the MORPHA X equipped with an 8,200 DPI laser sensor and the latest 12,000 DPI IR LED sensor for improved accuracy and precision targeting, gamers can choose the sensor which is right for their game and handle any situation.

Gamers with specific preferences on micro-switches will be impressed with the MSS (Modular-Switch-Structure) which allows the swapping of micro-switches including, EG Purple  Pro, Omron 50 million click lifespan and EG Orange - Medium, Omron 20 million click lifespan each with a different click resistance.

Co-developed by pro gamers, every line and curve of the symmetrically shaped, right-handed MORPHA X, is designed for superior support providing a perfectly balanced grip. The separated button-cover design provides absolute clicking precision and feedback, while the adjustable weight system provides hassle-free flexibility and adjustment of the MORPHA X to the preferred weight and balance. A total of 20g across four 5g pieces can be placed in the four internal slots.

MORPHA X also incorporates RGB customizable lighting color and brightness to match each gamers style, system or environment. Away-From-Mouse (AFM) Ambient Lighting is a programmable feature via GUI software. All lights start to glow in RGB radiance when being left stationary for 20 seconds. All lights will resume normal when movement is detected. MORPHA X can be tuned using the dedicated GUI software. Angle-snapping, lift-off distance, button assignment, DPI, profiles, and USB report rate, just to name a few. MORPHA X also offers detachable mouse shells with grey and white schemes.

MORPHA X RGB Modular Gaming Mouse Specifications



MSC (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge): 12,000 DPI IR LED sensor cartridge and 8,200 DPI laser sensor cartridge

MSS(Modular-Switch-Structure): EG Purple  Pro, Omron 50 million click lifespan and EG Orange - Medium, Omron 20 million click lifespan.

Adjustable lift-off distance with auto-calibration feature

Adjustable angle-snapping

Customizable RGB LED colors

On-the-fly sensitivity change

Adjustable report rate: 125~1000Hz

Optical sensor cartridge: Up to 250ips tracking speed & 50G acceleration

Laser sensor cartridge: Up to 150ips tracking speed & 30G acceleration

AFM Ambient Lighting mode

Lock-down function

7 longevity buttons with 6 programmable

5 gaming profiles with dedicated LED color assignment

Ultra-swift big-size PTFE mouse feet

1.8 meter X-braided cable with gold plated USB connector

Approx. dimensions: 4.98inch(L) x 2.62inch(W) x 1.57inch(H) / 126.5mm(L) x 66.5mm(W) x 40mm(H)

Approx. weight: 3.27 oz / 92.6g excluding sensors, cable & weights

Adjustable weight & balance system: 5g x 4 weights, 20g in total / 0.177 oz x 4 weights. 0.70 oz in total.

Availability and Pricing

MSRP: $ 129.99 at Amazon and Newegg.

For more information about the EpicGear MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse, please visit https://www.epicgear.com/en/products/mice/morpha-x

Images: https://goo.gl/2yqeHq

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciy47EYbnzY

About EpicGear

EpicGear, a brand of GeIL (Golden Emperor International Ltd.) is a professional gaming peripheral brand determined to design and produce the ultimate gaming gear for gamers to perform at their best and dominating the opponents. EpicGear is comprised of an elite team of members from different walks of life, but all share one thing in common  the passion for gaming.

Equip to dominate is the motto that EpicGear lives by - gaming life with style, an epic style! More EpicGear product availabilities in the U.S. : Amazon, Newegg, and MicroCenter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epicgeargaming

Twitter: https://twitter.com/epicgeargaming

YouTube: http://bit.ly/2mDINfr

Media Contact:

Rita Kuo

iDee Creatives Marketing Consulting Inc. on behalf of EpicGear

ritakuo(at)ideecreatives.com
According to Kelsey Charzewski, Entourage Academy Program Director, Entourages mission is to foster the professional development of the next generation of yearbook advisors so that they are able to lead great yearbook programs at their school. To accomplish these goals, Entourage has established the Advisors Academy which seeks to not only recognize the dedication of yearbook advisors, but encourage, support, and provide resources as well as a wide range of privileges to participating advisors. For example, the company already has the industrys fastest turnaround time but Master Advisors can earn the option to utilize a rushed production of their yearbooks.

Charzewski explained that the Master Advisor Consulting Program, one of the Academys most anticipated services, forms a community that links novice advisors with master advisors who have mastered the knowledge, leadership, and management of their school's yearbook through technologies needed to build the book, budget management and profit margins, and marketing. Master advisors are able to visit member advisors as consultants to help them with various aspects of the yearbook. Ruben Cazares, a master yearbook advisor at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona, recalled the uncertainty he felt when his former yearbook vendor was unable to provide sufficient support and he was unable to consult with his schools previous advisor. Cazares sought guidance from the yearbook advisor at Desert View High School who helped him to organize his yearbook program and also introduced him to the vendor he has worked with for over four years, Entourage Yearbooks. Cazares added that he is happy to give back and provide guidance similar to that which he received from his mentor.

Novice advisors are eligible to participate in the kick-start program which includes an overview from another advisor regarding how to use the Entourage system of tools, access help, share best practices in organizing people, create a schedule, and discussing the top ten common mistakes made in creating yearbooks. Advisors of varying experience levels would benefit from services such as proofreading, on-site yearbook rescue, and webinar training. Additionally, members of the Advisors Academy will have access to yearbook coursework and lesson plans that other advisors have submitted in exchange for compensation. Entourage believes that yearbook advisors can achieve amazing things if they feel supported and have the tools that they need. The company hopes that the encouragement, resources, training, and privileges provided by the new Advisors Academy will help yearbook advisors to feel empowered to create amazing as well as memorable yearbook programs.

Please visit this page for more information about the Advisors' Academy. You may also email academy(at)entourageyearbooks(dot)com or call 888-926-6571, ext. 101.
Tina Howe, Women of Influence President's Award WInner She possessed a talent for business and finance, but also immediately had ideas to generate ways to build the Bill Howe brand.

The Bill Howe Family of Companies began as a small one man plumbing company in San Diego in 1980. Bill Howe focused on quality services at affordable rates in the beach area where he was located. As Bill Howe grew his company, he began expanding in service areas and services. After 37 years, the Bill Howe Family of Companies comprises three divisions: plumbing, heating & air conditioning, restoration & flood remediation. In 2016, they were voted the best San Diego plumber, heating & air company, and contractor.

Tina Howe joined Bill Howe in 1983 as a customer service representative and dispatcher. I quickly realized the value Tina brought to my small company, said Bill Howe, President Bill Howe Family of Companies. She possessed a talent for business and finance, but also immediately had ideas to generate ways to build the Bill Howe brand and expand the business. Tina has been a driving force for the past 37 years, going from one employee to 160, one division to three divisions: Bill Howe Plumbing, Heating & Air, Restoration & Flood.

Connected Women of Influence was founded by Michelle Bergquist and Jaimee Pittman to create an organization advocating the advancement of women in business. Their mission is to build a strong professional community fostering growth, support and collaboration through the development of professional relationships, alliances and partnerships of women owners, executives and professionals.

The 2017 Women of Influence Award Ceremony was held on March 15th at the San Diego Hilton, Mission Valley. There were ten categories, and Tina Howe was nominated for the Presidents Award. The Presidents award recognizes a CEO, President, or owner who has demonstrated success, growth and achievement in their business enterprise. Tina Howe was the winner for the Presidents award category.

It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Connected Women of Influence, said Tina Howe. Our success for the past 37 years is due to a team of talented individuals, and I am so proud to lead our companys growth. In addition to solidifying the Bill Howe brand and dedication to retaining their mission and core values, the Bill Howe Way, Tina Howe has been instrumental in creating employee retention policies that not only attracted some of the best individuals in the industry, but have retained those employees, some of which have recently celebrated a 20, 25, and 30-year anniversary. 43 percent of employees have been with the company 5+ years.

For more information about the Bill Howe plumbing in San Diego, or other services offered, http://www.billhowe.com, or to speak with Bill or Tina Howe regarding this announcement, contact Bill Howe Marketing Director, Julie Riddle at Julie(at)billhowe(dot)com.

About Bill Howe Family of Companies

Bill Howe Family of Companies is comprised of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc.; Bill Howe Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; Bill Howe Restoration & Flood Services, Inc. The family-owned and operated company began in 1980 with the plumbing division and has grown into San Diego Countys largest low-cost one-stop-shop for service, repairs and installation, offering both residential and commercial services. 9085 Aero Drive, Suite B, San Diego CA 92123. Call 1-800-BILL-HOWE because We Know Howe!

###
Fred C. Bosse, Southwest Region Vice President for the American Insurance Association (AIA), issued the following statement in response to the Texas Public Policy Foundations report entitled: The Lone Star State Model for Helping Injured Workers. The report inaccurately characterizes the Texas workers compensation system as an opt-out system, and asserts that the opt-out model would serve other states well.

Mr. Bosses statement follows:

AIA strongly disagrees with the assertion that the Texas workers compensation system is an opt-out system. That is simply not true. Texas has an opt-in model, where employers have the option to opt into the system. The strength and stability of the Texas workers compensation marketplace is due to the reforms that were enacted in 2005.

However, both the Texas system and opt-out are models of a non-mandatory workers compensation system. The non-mandatory workers compensation model  whether a Texas opt-in model or an opt-out model  raises policy questions that proponents need to consider when evaluating its merit. These include: uniform protection of workers and the employers; recompense for a work-related injury should be uniform, regardless of employer; no cost shifting to other benefit programs or to public benefit programs; uniform adjudication of disputes; broad coverage of injuries and diseases, with no categorical or anatomical exclusions; incorporating incentives for workplace safety; and ensuring payer solvency and benefit security.

Proponents of a non-mandatory system have not done this. One only need look north of Texas to Oklahoma and the state supreme courts 2016 ruling in Vasquez v. Dillards to see the instability caused by opt-out. Any workers compensation system must include state oversight while reaffirming employers basic obligations to their workers. Opt-out does not do this.
I am incredibly honored to be nominated as a finalist for these awards and am grateful to have the opportunity to lead so many talented employees throughout my years at Cal Net." --Luca Jacobellis, President and COO of Cal Net Technology Group

Cal Net Technology Group, Southern Californias premier IT services provider, is excited to announce that the Los Angeles Business Journal has nominated Luca Jacobellis, Cal Nets President and Chief Operating Officer, and Randy Nieves, Cal Nets Chief Technology Officer, as finalists for their annual CTO Awards. Jacobellis is nominated as a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement award category and Randy Nieves is nominated as a finalist in the CTO of the Year award category. The Los Angeles Business Journal CTO Awards honor Chief Information and Technology Officers and, more broadly, those in the top information technology positions within their organizations. The goal of these awards is to recognize these important individuals and the vital roles they play in making Los Angeles a hub for innovation, and in making its businesses, institutions, and nonprofits successful.

Randy Nieves is currently the CTO of Cal Net Technology group and has been with the company for eleven years, directing the companys product and service strategy and leading Technical Operations and the Cloud Services Network Operations. Luca Jacobellis joined Cal Net Technology Group in September of 2000. As Cal Nets President and Chief Operating Officer, he oversees day-to-day operations and is responsible for organizational evolution and integration of acquisitions, new business units, as well as building strategic partnerships. Under Mr. Jacobellis leadership, Cal Net has completed three acquisitions, diversified its solution portfolio and evolved its technology strategy while growing from 3 to over 150 employees.

I am incredibly honored to be nominated as a finalist for these awards and am grateful to have the opportunity to lead so many talented employees throughout my years at Cal Net who have each contributed to making Cal Net the culture-focused, client-centric, successful company that it is today. States Luca Jacobellis, LABJ Lifetime Achievement Award Finalist and President and Chief Operating Officer at Cal Net.

We are incredibly honored to have both Luca and Randy recognized and nominated as finalists for the 2017 LA Business Journal CTO Awards. Having two finalists from Cal Net not only validate their personal contributions to the success of Cal Net, but it also highlights the commitment to excellence that both Luca and Randy permeate throughout Cal Net and for other IT Managed Service Providers to emulate, said James Hwang, CEO of Cal Net Technology Group, We are grateful for their past and on-going contributions to make Cal Net the premier IT services provider.

About Cal Net Technology Group

Cal Net Technology Group is the premier provider of outsourced IT, cloud, security services and unified communications, servicing small to medium-sized businesses in the Southern California market. Cal Nets team of experts consist of the best and most talented engineers in the area that are well trained on the latest technologies, follow industry-standardized processes in delivering support, and excel in handling the complexities of any IT environment. Cal Net is a four-time Microsoft Region Partner of the Year recipient, IT Service Partner of the Year honoree from the Los Angeles Business Journal and Dell Security Partner of the Year. Cal Net is one of the top 50 Managed Service Providers in North America as listed by the MSPMentor 501, is a CRN MSP Elite and Fast-Growth150 member for three consecutive years and is an eight-time Inc. 5000 honoree.
Pursuant to the notice of 6 March 2017, an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of Prosafe SE was held today, 22 March 2017, at the Company's registered office at 126 Stadiou, 6020 Larnaca, Cyprus.

As follows from the attached minutes from the extraordinary general meeting, all items on the agenda were duly approved as proposed, and the following persons were elected to the Prosafe Board:

Mr. Kristian Johansen

Mr. Johansen is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) based in Houston, Texas, USA. Prior to this, Mr. Johansen served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer for TGS since 2010. Mr. Johansen also has executive experience from the IT-services and construction industries and he has been on the board of several publicly listed companies in Norway.

Mr. Johansen earned his undergraduate and Master's degrees in business administration from the University of New Mexico.

Ms. Birgit Aagaard-Svendsen

Ms. Aagaard-Svendsen is a full-time board director. Her directorships currently comprise Axis Offshore Pte. Ltd., Otto Mnsted A/S, and chairman of the Audit Committee of West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Ass. She is also a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School in respect of Executive Board education. Ms. Aagaard-Svendsen has more than 35 years of international business experience, including 25 years of shipping experience and 10 years within the offshore industry. Until 2016 she was CFO of J. Lauritzen for 18 years.

Ms. Aagaard-Svendsen has a Bachelor in Science of Engineering degree from the Technical University of Denmark and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the Copenhagen Business School.

The Chairman extended his appreciation to the retiring Directors, Ms. Carine Smith Ihenacho and Mr. Anastasis Ziziros.

Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is headquartered in Larnaca, Cyprus and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to www.prosafe.com

Larnaca, 22 March 2017

Georgina Georgiou, General Manager

Prosafe SE

For further information, please contact:

Glen Ole Rdland, Chairman

Prosafe SE

Phone: +47 907 41 662

Jesper K. Andresen, CEO

Prosafe Management AS

Phone: +47 907 65 155

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
Lucernexs cloud-based software came highly recommended by many of my colleages in the retail industry and fits our needs, said Denis Gagnon, vice president, information technology at Bouclair.

Lucernex announced today that Bouclair, a leading Canadian home decor and furniture retailer, has selected Lucernexs lease administration and lease accounting software solution to manage its real estate and equipment leases.

Lucernexs cloud-based software came highly recommended by many of my colleages in the retail industry and fits our needs. We will be able to improve the efficiency of our internal processes and stay ahead of costs, said Denis Gagnon, vice president, information technology at Bouclair.

Lucernex OneClick is a powerful financial tool that allows organizations to proactively manage their real estate leases, control costs and stay compliant with mandated regulatory guidelines. OneClick is fully integrated so the IT team is not burdened with complex integrations or recurring updates.

We are very enthusiastic about our partnership with Bouclair, said Joe Valeri, co-founder, president and CEO of Lucernex. Our cloud-based platform is available when and where Bouclair needs it most and will provide complete visibility across the organization.

About Lucernex

Founded by industry innovators, Lucernex provides cloud-based real estate lifecycle, lease compliance and lease accounting solutions to emerging and enterprise companies in more than 20 countries across five continents. Our solutions help 180 brands in tens of thousands of real estate locations drive efficiencies, increase revenue, and reduce cost. Lucernex is the market leader in helping customers mitigate risk through regulatory compliance of the new FASB and IASB guidelines. Visit http://www.lucernex.com for more information.

About Bouclair

We believe that home starts with a feeling. That's why we're here - to inspire and enable you to discover and build your own vibe. Proudly Canadian with 100+ stores across the country and 24/7 online shopping.

###
There is an enormous market opportunity for Envysions intelligent video services, and, given our continued investment in technology, the Companys ability to deliver valuable business insights for our customers has never been stronger.

Envysion, Inc., the industry leader in video-based business intelligence software, today announced that its board of directors has named Calvin Quan as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Quan first joined Envysion in August 2015 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President in January 2016. Mr. Quan has been instrumental in developing and executing the Companys growth strategy and further extending the Companys technology advantage since being named President.

Mr. Quan draws on more than 20 years of experience in executive positions leading both public and private companies with strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, change management and growing shareholder value. He has demonstrated significant success partnering with private equity to build valuable businesses. Most recently Mr. Quan was CFO at Providence Corporate Development Company in Littleton, Colorado and President and CFO at Miller Heiman, Inc. Before that, he held senior financial and operations roles at a number of technology and Internet companies, including Verio and Nortel.

Regarding his new role, Mr. Quan stated, I am thrilled to accept the role of CEO of Envysion. I look forward to continuing the success of Matt Steinfort and the founding team of Envysion. There is an enormous market opportunity for Envysions intelligent video services, and, given our continued investment in technology, the Companys ability to deliver valuable business insights for our customers has never been stronger.

Calvin has been able to accomplish a tremendous amount in his tenure at Envysion, helping the Company deliver record sales, improved employee productivity and increased profitability for our customers, remarked Andrew Dodson, Managing Partner of Parthenon Capital Partners and member of Envysions board of directors. We are excited to partner with him in his new capacity as CEO.

Calvin succeeds Matt Steinfort, who will remain involved with the Company as a member of the board of directors.

About Envysion

Envysion is a leading intelligent video software provider that provides restaurant and retail operators with instant and actionable insight, enabling them to increase profitability 10-15% through broad utilization of powerful video-driven business intelligence. Envysion has transformed video intelligence into a strategic management tool that provides instant and unfiltered business insights to users across management, loss prevention and operations.

About Parthenon Capital Partners

Parthenon Capital Partners (http://www.parthenoncapitalpartners.com) is a leading mid-market private equity firm based in Boston and San Francisco. Parthenon utilizes niche industry expertise and a deep execution team to invest in growth companies in service industries. Parthenon seeks to be an active and aligned partner to management, either through recapitalization transactions or by backing new executives. Parthenon has particular expertise in financial and insurance services, healthcare technology and services, and business services, but seeks any service, technology or delivery business with a strong value proposition and proprietary know-how. Parthenons investment team has deep experience in corporate strategy, human capital, capital markets, and operations, thereby enabling the firm to pursue complex, multi-faceted value creation opportunities.
Weve created this report to help members of the industry understand key policy initiatives and trends that will drive financial regulation over the next year

Clutch Group, a leading legal, risk, and compliance analytics and consulting firm, has published its Annual Financial Services Regulatory Highlights Report for 2017 covering the major policy initiatives and enforcement trends expected from 26 of the worlds most powerful and influential global financial regulators such as the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) among many others. The release of the report coincides with the 2017 Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar hosted by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). Clutch is a presidential sponsor, the highest tier available of the seminar to be held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina from March 19th to 22nd.

This is the third consecutive year that Clutch has published its Financial Services Regulatory Highlights Report. The report has been compiled following in-depth research of each regulatory bodys proposed plans, public statements, and past enforcement actions. It is designed to quickly and lucidly provide a general overview of the global regulatory state as well as brief summaries of the anticipated focus areas for major regulators in the financial worlds most critical jurisdictions.

This year, Clutch has highlighted several trends that have emerged as common themes in global regulators plans for the year ahead and beyond:



Political Change and Deregulation

Fintech and Regtech

Financial Resilience and Resolvability

Conduct and Culture

At Clutch, we are continuously engaged with the worlds most influential regulators and key stakeholders at the largest financial services institutions to track movements in enforcement, compliance, and surveillance, said Charles Haste, Regulatory Head at Clutch and former supervisor for the FCA who currently leads Clutchs Regulatory Consulting practice. Weve created this report to help members of the industry understand key policy initiatives and trends that will drive financial regulation over the next year. We view it as our continuous regulatory engagement summarized in a flights worth of reading for leading executives.

As an organization, our goal is to help the worlds largest financial firms achieve compliance and align their operations with the key priorities of global regulators across investigations, compliance, and surveillance, said Varun Mehta, EVPClient Engagement, Clutch Group. Our Regulatory Consulting team not only tracks these priorities, but helps design programs to manage their impact. This report, designed to be a quick and compelling read, concisely covers tremendous ground and enables key stakeholders to stay on top of emerging trends.

The report briefly covers the following jurisdictions and regulators:

International Organizations  Financial Stability Board || - Basel Commitee on Banking Supervision || International Organisation of Securities Commissions || International Accounting Standards Board || International Association of Insurance Supervisors || Bank of International Settlements

European Union - European Banking Authority || European Central Bank || European Commission || European Securities and Markets Authority ||

Germany - Federal Financial Supervisory Authority

Switzerland - Financial Market Supervisory Authority

United Kingdom - || Bank of England || Financial Conduct Authority || Prudential Regulation Authority || Serious Fraud Office

China - State Administration of Industry and Commerce

Hong Kong - Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Singapore - Monetary Authority of Singapore

United States - Commodity Futures Trading Commission || Consumer Financial Protection Bureau || Department of Justice || Federal Reserve || Financial Industry Regulatory Authority || Office of the Comptroller of the Currency || Securities and Exchange Commission

To download the report, visit http://info.clutchgroup.com/financialservicesregulatoryhighlights-report2017

About Clutch

Clutch Group is a leading legal, risk, and compliance analytics and consulting firm headquartered in Washington D.C., with offices in NY, Chicago, London, Bangalore, Zurich and Hong Kong. The firm is dedicated to helping companies in the financial services, life sciences, and energy industries solve complex problems presented by the exponential growth of data and regulation. Clutchs global team of attorneys, consultants, and technologists leverage deep subject-matter expertise and Clutch.IQ, a suite of cutting-edge data analytics solutions, to help clients manage large-scale litigation and investigations, conduct comprehensive communications surveillance, and re-engineer their internal legal and compliance functions. Clutch has been recognized by industry authorities including Nelson Hall, the New York Law Journal, Chambers Global, Frost & Sullivan, and Dun & Bradstreet and is regularly featured across major industry and market publications. For more information, visit http://www.clutchgroup.com.
In recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, CURE Media Group, the nations leading digital and print media enterprise focused on cancer patients, cancer centers and advocacy groups, and MJH Studios, a leading producer of healthcare video content, has released a special 12-part educational video series, No Ifs, Ands, or Butts, that focuses on Colorectal Cancer detection, prevention and management.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States; however, if detected early the disease can be defeated. For this reason, CURE Media Group has developed this special video series to help encourage men and women to get educated on the importance of screening in colon cancer.

No Ifs, Ands, or Butts, features the insight of prominent medical experts who play a role in the detection and management of colorectal cancer. Included in the program is Dr. John L. Marshall, medical oncologist at the Reusch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers of Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Thomas Loughney, gastroenterologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.; and Jhuli Patel, physician assistant, Gastroenterology, at Saint Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The medical experts are also joined by Michael Sapienza, CEO of Colon Cancer Alliance in Washington, D.C.

Discussed throughout the series is information regarding what to expect when undergoing a colonoscopy, recognizing barriers to getting screened, and where patients can seek additional support and resources on colorectal cancer and colonoscopies.

To view this special video series, No Ifs, And, or Butts, please visit http://www.curetoday.com/insights/colorectal-cancer-screening.

About CURE Media Group

CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. It combines a full suite of media products, including its industry-leading website, CUREtoday.com; innovative video programs, such as CURE Connections; a series of widely attended live events; and CURE magazine, which reaches over 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is part of the Cranbury, New Jersey-based Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., family of businesses, which includes the acclaimed OncLive (http://www.onclive.com) platform of resources for the practicing oncologist. For more information, visit http://www.curetoday.com or http://www.mjhassoc.com.

MJH Studios

MJH Studios is a world-class production facility and resource center dedicated to the development and distribution of original content, MJH Studios is part of the Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc. family of businesses, which includes Cure Media Group (http://www.curetoday.com/), Onclive (http://www.onclive.com) and Pharmacy Times (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/), and is conveniently located in Cranbury, New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.MJH-studios.com or http://www.mjhassoc.com.
Cybereason, developers of the most effective Total Endpoint Protection Platform including EDR & Next-Gen AV, today announced numerous corporate and product milestones achieved during the past 12 months. Highlights include the company increasing revenue by 300 percent and tripling its workforce to 260 employees.

Cybereason is one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies and is quickly becoming the leading choice for enterprises looking to combat sophisticated threats. Additional 12 month corporate highlights include:

Global Headquarters Relocation: Cybereason moved its global headquarters to a world-class, iconic 62-story, 790-foot skyscraper at 200 Clarendon Street known to all as the John Hancock Building, a hallmark of Bostons vibrant economy. More than 100 Cybereason employees share the 15,000-square foot space.

New Senior Management Additions

Andy Byron, Chief Revenue Officer

Andy Byron joined Cybereason as Chief Revenue Officer in January 2017 and will lead Cybereasons global sales team in the Americas and EMEA, including sales engineering and sales operations. Byron was previously President and COO at Fuze.

Sam Curry, Chief Product Officer

Sam Curry joined Cybereason as Chief Product Officer in September 2016 and he is responsible for driving the product strategy for the companys award-winning platform, as well as overall product management, innovation and operational excellence. He was formerly CTO at Arbor Networks, spent seven years in senior management roles at RSA and worked previously at McAfee, Microstrategies and Computer Associates.

Mike Volpe, Chief Marketing Officer

Mike Volpe joined Cybereason as Chief Marketing Officer in August, 2016 and is responsible for driving Cybereasons marketing strategy, brand management, lead generation, and overall marketing planning and execution.

Cybereasons growth is the direct result of the achievements reached by our world-class employees across the globe and is a reflection of our growing customer base, comprised of enterprises that see the value in our technology and vision. The reality in todays digitally, connected world is that hackers have the advantage over the vast majority of enterprises because of legacy, antiquated technologies that simply no longer work. What Cybereason is doing is turning the tables on nation states and hacking groups, exposing them and giving the advantage back to companies of all sizes, said Lior Div, co-founder and CEO.

International Expansion

Cybereason expanded internationally with the opening of its EMEA office in London in November 2016 to drive growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The office also supports current customers and partners in Europe. Simon Sharp was named Vice President of EMEA.

In April 2016, Cybereason launched Cybereason Japan, a joint venture between Cybereason and Softbank, and it has already delivered Cybereasons award-winning technology to many Japanese companies.

Significant Awards

JMP Securities Super 60 Company to Watch

2017 CRN Security 100: 20 Coolest Endpoint Security Companies

Best Places to Work 2016, Boston Business Journal

2017 Built in Boston 50 to Watch List (the only security company on the list)

2017 Cyber Excellence Awards Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company

2017 Cyber Defense Magazine Award for Cutting Edge Endpoint Security Solution

2016 EY Entrepreneur of Year Lior Div, CEO

Strategic Advisory Board Launch

In January 2017, Cybereason launched its Strategic Advisory Board to support the companys record growth and global expansion. The board consists of cybersecurity leaders with diverse backgrounds in both the private and public sector. The board includes:

Pinhas Buchris, Founder and Managing Partner at State of Mind Ventures

Edward Davis, President of Edward Davis, LLC

Gerhard Eschelbeck, Vice President Security and Privacy Engineering at Google

Mike Gordon, Deputy CISO and Director of Intelligence & Operations at Lockheed Martin

Jeanette Horan, Former Managing Director at IBM

Nick Percoco, Chief Information Security Officer at Uptake

Richard Rushing, Chief Information Security Officer at Motorola Mobility

New Product Innovation

RansomFree Launch

In December 2016, Cybereason declared war on ransomware and launched RansomFree, a free and unique product designed to block never-before-seen ransomware in order to protect consumers and small businesses from becoming victims. RansomFree is being used by more than 150,000 people and blocks 99 percent of ransomware strains.

Total Endpoint Protection Platform

Last month, Cybereason launched a new Endpoint Security Platform that includes next-generation antivirus (NGAV) functionality that will be available in Q2 2017. By integrating Cybereasons award-winning endpoint detection and response platform with classic and next-generation antivirus, enterprises can secure their entire environment against sophisticated threats on a single agent for ease of deployment and management.

About Cybereason

Cybereason is the leader in endpoint protection, offering endpoint detection and response, next-generation antivirus, and managed monitoring services. Founded by elite intelligence professionals born and bred in offense-first hunting, Cybereason gives enterprises the upper hand over cyber adversaries. The Cybereason platform is powered by a custom-built in-memory graph, the only truly automated hunting engine anywhere. It detects behavioral patterns across every endpoint and surfaces malicious operations in an exceptionally user-friendly interface. Cybereason is privately held and headquartered in Boston with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.cybereason.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Cybereason

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cybereason

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/cybereason

Media Contact:

Bill Keeler

Director, Public Relations

Cybereason

bill.keeler(at)cybereason(dot)com

(508) 414-7755 (cell)
Miami mid-market single-family home sales rose by double digits while median prices and total dollar volume increased in February, according to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.

Single-family home sales in the $250,000 to $600,000 range jumped 10.5 percent last month. Median sale prices for existing Miami single-family homes ($321,000) and condominiums ($220,000) expanded 18.8 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

Competition for mid-market Miami homes continues to heat up, said Coral Gables Realtor Christopher Zoller, the 2017 MIAMI chairman of the board. With mortgage rates on the rise, home buyers have an urgency to lock in rates. In addition to a continued jump in mid-market sales, Februarys data also showed a 56 percent increase in sales for homes priced between $600K and $1 million.

Mortgage rates, while still at historic lows, are rising. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage is 4.17 percent.

$600K to $1M Home Sales Rise 56 percent

Total existing Miami-Dade County residential sales  which posted a record year in 2013 and near record years in 2014 and 2015  decreased 10 percent year-over-year from 2,039 to 1,835.

Miami single-family home sales decreased 10 percent year-over-year in February, decreasing from 979 to 881. Fewer properties available in popular price points impacted sales. The Miami single-family homes market had a strong 2016 by posting the third-most annual sales in county history.

Condominiums declined 10 percent year-over-year, from 1,060 to 954. Existing condo sales are competing with a robust new construction market.

A closer look at Miami single-family home sales in February shows a 10.5 percent rise in home sales for properties listed between $250,000 to $600,000. Homes sold in the $250K to $600K range represent 25.8 percent of total Miami single-family home sales.

Sales for Miami single-family homes listed from $600,000 to $1 million increased 56 percent in February, from 50 to 78.

Miami single-family traditional sales, or non-distressed transactions, rose 6.1 percent. This growth in traditional sales, from 718 to 762 transactions, shows the market is healthy and continues to grow.

Total sales volume for all properties accounted for $834.1 million last month, a 1.5 percent increase from the $821.5 million sales volume a year ago. These sales do not include Miamis multi-billion dollar new construction condo market.

Median Prices Rise for All Properties

Miami-Dade County single-family home prices jumped 18.8 percent in February 2017, increasing from $270,221 to $321,000. Miami single-family home prices have now risen for 63 consecutive months, a streak spanning more than five years. Existing condos increased 6.3 percent, from $206,950 to $220,000. Condo prices have increased in 67 of the last 69 months.

Despite the rise in prices, Miami real estate remains a major bargain. A 120-square meter condominium in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach cost $170,000 in 2016 Q3, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). The average cost of a 120-square meter apartment in 2016 in the prime inner city areas of London ($4.1 million), Hong Kong ($3.1 million), and New York ($2.2 million) were at least ten times higher, according to Global Property Guide.

Miami Distressed Sales Continue to Decline

Total Miami distressed sales declined 49 percent year-over-year, from 478 to 244 last month. Only 13.3 percent of all closed residential sales in Miami were distressed last month, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared to 23.4 percent in February 2016. In 2009, distressed sales comprised 70 percent of Miami sales.

Short sales and REOs accounted for 2.8 and 10.5 percent, respectively, of total Miami sales in February 2017. Short sale transactions dropped 56 percent year-over-year while REOs fell 46.7 percent.

Nationally, distressed sales accounted for 7 percent of February transactions, down from 10 percent a year ago.

Miami Real Estate Selling Fast and Close to List Price

The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Miami single-family home sales was 61 days, a 3.2 percent decrease from 63 days last year. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date for single-family properties decreased 6.7 percent to 112 days.

For condos, the median time to contract increased 15.3 percent to 83 days. The median number of days between the listing date and closing date increased 4.1 percent to 127 days.

The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes decreased 0.3 percent to 94.9 percent. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums decreased 0.7 percent to 93.1 percent.

Lack of Condo Financing Continues to Impact Sales

In addition to competing sales from new construction units, the lack of access to mortgage loans continues to impact existing condominiums. Of the 9,307 condominium buildings in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, only 12 are approved for Federal Housing Administration loans, down from 29 last year, according to statistics from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and FHA.

National and State Statistics

Nationally, total existing-home sales retreated 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.48 million in February from 5.69 million in January. Despite last month's decline, February's sales pace is still 5.4 percent above a year ago.

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes remained relatively flat last month, totaling 18,033, down only 0.5 percent compared to February 2016, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide condo closed sales totaled 7,949 last month, up 4.1 percent compared to February 2016.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types in February was $228,400, up 7.7 percent from February 2016 ($212,100). February's price increase was the fastest since last January (8.1 percent) and marks the 60th consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $225,000, up 12.5 percent from the previous year, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in February was $167,500, up 11.7 percent over the year-ago figure. February marked the 63rd month in a row that statewide median prices for both sectors rose year-over-year.

Miamis Cash Buyers Represent Almost Double the National Figure

Miami cash transactions comprised 47.4 percent of February total closed sales, compared to 52.4 percent last year. Miami cash transactions are almost double the national figure (27 percent). Miamis high percentage of cash sales reflects South Floridas ability to attract a diverse number of international home buyers, who tend to purchase properties in all cash.

Condominiums comprise a large portion of Miamis cash purchases as 60.8 percent of condo closings were made in cash in February compared to 32.8 percent of single-family home sales.

Sellers Market for Single-Family Homes, Buyers Market for Condos

Inventory of single-family homes decreased 1.1 percent in February from 6,558 active listings last year to 6,489 last month. Condominium inventory increased 10.4 percent to 15,289 from 13,852 listings during the same period in 2016.

Single-family homes have a 5.9-month supply, which indicates a sellers market. Existing condominiums have a 13.7-month supply, which indicates a buyers market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six and nine months supply of inventory.

Total active listings at the end of February increased 6.7 percent year-over-year, from 20,410 to 21,778. Active listings remain about 60 percent below 2008 levels when sales bottomed. New listings of Miami single-family homes decreased 21.8 percent, from 2,040 to 1,595. New listings of condominiums decreased 14.6 percent, from 2,826 to 2,414.

Nationally, total housing inventory at the end of February increased 4.2 percent to 1.75 million existing homes available for sale, but is still 6.4 percent lower than a year ago (1.87 million) and has fallen year-over-year for 21 straight months.

New Construction Market Update

Most Miami preconstruction condo developers require a 50-percent cash deposit on new units. The deposit is not only one of the highest in the United States but is significantly higher than the 20 percent required during the last real estate cycle. The large cash deposits show how committed Miamis preconstruction condo buyers are to the local market.

Seventy condo towers with 7,112 units have been completed in Miami-Dade County east of I-95 in the last six years since the start of 2011, according to a March 20 report from preconstruction condo projects website Cranespotters.com and MIAMI.

To access February 2017 Miami-Dade Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com

Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system.

About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 97 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward Council, the Jupiter Tequesta Hobe Sound (JTHS) Council, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Council and the award-winning International Council, it represents more than 46,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S., and has official partnerships with 160 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.miamire.com

###
Cooks Direct, a leading national foodservice equipment and supply dealer and marketer, is unveiling its latest concept, Cooks Campus Dining Supply, at the NACUFS Midwest Conference in Iowa City, Iowa, from March 19-22. Cooks Campus Dining Supply will be located in booth #13.

Cooks Campus Dining Supply has been designed specifically with the needs of the college and university dining professional in mind. As such, the company will highlight its unmatched innovative products that are built tough enough for the campus kitchen environment.

Cooks will feature its own brand line of kettle tools, highlighting the Cooks Brand globe whip. Cooks Brand is our signature line, and is built tough, said John Yeager, Director of Business Development. The Cooks Brand Globe whips exclusive design makes it nearly indestructible, and the easy-grip oar style handle is unique in the industry. Todays campus kitchen is a demanding environment, serving restaurant quality meals across all day parts and at scale. Cooks is breaking new ground with products that thrive in this environment.

In addition, Cooks will unveil its new catalog and website for the college and university market, showcasing a full line of displayware, smallwares and equipment. The company will also showcase its new tailored service, backed up by 20 years of experience serving institutional foodservice customers across the country. Cooks Campus Dining aims to offer dining professionals innovative product ideas and a personalized, collaborative and responsive service that results in tailored product recommendations and solutions.

Jeff Breeden, CEO of Cooks Direct, said, We are proud to launch Cooks Campus Dining Supply at NACUFS. We are a supporter of NACUFS, and their conferences are important to us, not only to highlight our latest offering but also to engage with the college and university community.

ABOUT COOKS CAMPUS DINING SUPPLY

Cooks Campus Dining Supply provides displayware, smallwares and equipment for campus dining across North America. It is a part of Cooks Direct, which sells smallwares and equipment into a number of institutional foodservice markets as well as the restaurant market. The company is known for its innovative products, and is celebrating its 20th year of customer driven innovation. Cooks Brand is a private label line, developed out of customer driven needs for tough, resilient, back-of-the house products. The company is also known for its strong customer service and overall knowledge of institutional kitchen operations. -- http://www.CooksCampusDiningSupply.com.

ABOUT NACUFS

NACUFS is the National Association of College and University Food Services. NACUFS annual Midwest conference is taking place this year March 19-22 in Iowa City, Iowa.  http://www.nacufs.org.

###

Media Relations Contact:

Candace Meneou

Cooks Campus Dining Supply

630-515-9789 x 121 (Office)

cmeneou(at)cooksdirect(dot)com

http://www.cookscampusdiningsupply.com/

http://www.cooksdirect.com/
Wes Moore to deliver commencement address at Claremont McKenna College Wes Moores story moves us to serve others, observed Claremont McKenna College President Hiram Chodosh.

Claremont McKenna College announced today that Wes Moore, a decorated Army combat veteran, Rhodes Scholar, best-selling author, and CEO of BridgeEdU, a national initiative focused on closing gaps in college completion and career opportunities, will be CMCs 2017 Commencement speaker. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 13, at Claremont McKenna College and will mark the 70th CMC Commencement.

This is a class filled with passionate, driven, and thoughtful people, and so we were looking for someone who would really connect and resonate, says Cole Mora 17, who as CMC senior class president worked with students in selecting the Commencement speaker. Beyond his exceptional accomplishments, Mr. Moore connects purpose and meaning with how we face and overcome our challenges. I cannot thank my classmates enough for their help with this process, and we cannot wait to have him join us for Commencement.

Moore is the author of two New York Times best-selling books, The Other Wes Moore, and The Work: My Search for a Life That Matters. He is also the host of Beyond Belief on the Oprah Winfrey Network and executive producer and host of Coming Back with Wes Moore, which focuses on veterans as they reintegrate into society. Moore is also the executive producer for the PBS documentary All the Difference, which follows two African-American teens from the South Side of Chicago on their journey to achieve their dreams of graduating from college.

Moore graduated Phi Theta Kappa from Valley Forge Military College and in 1998 received his bachelors degree with honors from Johns Hopkins University. He completed an MLitt from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 2004. Upon graduation, Moore served as a paratrooper and captain in the U.S. Army, serving in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Wes Moores story moves us to serve others, observed Claremont McKenna College President Hiram Chodosh. His journeyfrom Baltimore to Oxford, from Afghanistan to advocacy for vets, from his own academic achievements to building bridges of opportunity for otherscuts an exemplary, inspiring path for our outstanding graduates and our entire CMC community.
DATIS HR Cloud, Inc. The purpose and passion of DATIS is to serve the Health and Human Services industry and enable these organizations to achieve their missions

DATIS HR Cloud, Inc. commemorates the 5th year of their strategic partnership with National Council for Behavioral Health and looks forward to exhibiting at the annual NatCon Conference in Seattle from April 3rd  5th, 2017. On the evening prior to the start of conference sessions, DATIS will be hosting an Executive Welcome Reception, an opportunity for attendees to network during a fun and relaxing event.

The purpose and passion of DATIS is to serve the Health and Human Services industry and enable these organizations to achieve their missions, said Erik Marsh, CEO of DATIS HR Cloud. Our strategic partnership with National Council allows us to keep pace with the industry and better understand the challenges that we can help these organizations overcome.

DATIS has over 20 years of Health and Human Services industry expertise and they have built a best-in-class, industry-specific software that enables organizations to better manage their workforce. DATIS clients serve more than 500,000 children and adults annually, across more than 35 states. These organizations serve their communities in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, intellectual developmental disabilities, children and families, veterans services, and many more.

Conference attendees are encouraged to visit Booth #1003 to learn more about DATIS HR Cloud, Inc. and their strategic partnership with the National Council during the vendor showcase.

About DATIS

DATIS brings together the best in cloud technology, industry expertise, and superior customer service to deliver a holistic Human Capital Management and Payroll Software that manages the entire employee lifecycle in one cloud-based workforce application. Built on a foundation of Position Control, the DATIS software is a completely configurable solution designed to enable Health and Human Services organizations to increase compliance and revenues while reducing expenses and risks. Visit http://www.datis.com to learn more.

About National Council for Behavioral Health

The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of Americas mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with over 2,800 member organizations, serving 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid. In 2014, the National Council merged with the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS). To learn more about the National Council, visit http://www.TheNationalCouncil.org.
Depo International, a worldwide court reporting firm with an office location in Las Vegas, now has a spectacular mock courtroom available for rent. Whether you are an attorney looking to prepare for your next case, an educator looking for a spot for your students to do mock trials, or a business owner looking for a spot for your next company meeting, this is the place for you!

Depo Internationals Las Vegas state-of-the-art mock courtroom can be used for multiple purposes, including large depositions, CLE classes, arbitrations, mediations, and litigation-related mock trials. Those individuals preparing for a trial can rent Depo International's mock courtroom and use mock jurors or test out legal theories as they prepare for the case. College students can also benefit from using this mock trial room to learn more about the legal system in a competitive and meaningful manner.

Depo International has offices in numerous locations across the country and is committed to helping people in the legal industry by providing the most up-to-date technology for their court reporting needs. As a company looking towards the future of the industry, the business is also dedicated to helping raise awareness about the value of court reporting. More than 5,500 court reporting positions are expected to open in the next few decades. With much of the current industry retiring, this is a great time to teach the next generation about the career opportunities available through court reporting.

Depo International has been recognized as the trial lawyer's choice for more than 40 years. They have been involved in legal videography, legal support and comprehensive court reporting services. It is a women-owned business and court reporters have active real time experience. They are one of the few court reporting firms across the country that does not charge for travel. Their primary focus is on making clients feel appreciated.

Depo International offers CLE-certified educational seminars, monthly thank you events for clients, client celebrations, holiday goodies, and other client appreciation events. They operate their business in accordance with the National Court Reporters Association's constitution and bylaws and their ethical business practices make them one of the primary choices for court reporting services in Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Chicago and internationally.

To learn more about the business and the court reporting services offered by the firm, please visit http://www.depointernational.com.
TROY, Mich., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altair presents at this year's HANNOVER MESSE, April 24 - 28, its solutions and methods for simulation driven design and a technology demonstrator of a virtual cobot (a collaborative robot), as well as customer examples to demonstrate how Altair's solutions can be applied to develop innovative products. In addition, Altair will host: a "Design the DifferenceTM" day, offering a conference program that addresses the challenges and needs of engineers working on the development of increasingly complex products, featuring customer examples of successful product developments. The "Design the Difference" day conference program is included in the overall program of the CAE Forum and will take place on April 25th at 1:30 pm in hall 6/L46.



Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff9a2075-c31d-4b86-9fd0-4f028c3ce823

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76e5b9e7-8133-46b7-a407-1c1652010843

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/151caa12-e91a-4ba6-add8-8d1aad0ef977

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/070f0f37-60f2-45b6-993a-66507693cd71

Today product creators have to consider the entire mechatronic system, including its structure, sensors, actuators, controllers and much more. How these complex processes can be handled will be presented with a virtual cobot demonstrator, showing the challenges in the development of smart devices and offering solutions for innovative IoT products. From 1D to 3D - from sensors to optimized structures, as well as data analytics, all required development steps can be conducted and solved with Altair's software platform and its simulation driven innovation approach.

How to handle manufacturing methods and smart materials are showcased with exhibits of products by Altair customers. Among these the Robot Bike, a bike that combines carbon fiber and 3D printing technologies, resulting in a fully customizable, lightweight, and high strength mountain bike. PROTIQ's additively manufactured injection molding tool, that offers unparalleled profitability through structural and thermal optimization. And an example of a before welded component of a rocker arm for an agricultural soil tillage unit, which is now casted and was optimized regarding weight, material usage and durability, from AMAZONE. The demonstrator was developed together with Altair, voxeljet, and Procast.

Highlighted topics at the Altair booth are:

Design processes for modern manufacturing methods

Electric efficiency

Smart Material Design

Connected Model Based Engineering

System Simulation

Industry 4.0 / Cobots / Smart Devices / IoT

and HyperWorks 2017 the most comprehensive CAE platform available today.

In addition, Altair is pleased welcome Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH as a co-exhibitor at this years conference. Together the two companies will present their specific solutions for additive manufacturing, a collaboratively developed "Design for Additive Manufacturing" training program as well as a joint case study of a bionic brake pedal demonstrator.

We are happy to welcome Laser Zentrum Nord at our booth," said Mirko Bromberger, Director Marketing and Additive Manufacturing Strategies at Altair Engineering. The company is an important ally for us, especially with regards to new development and manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing. The visitors of Hannover Messe can expect a very broad and informative program, highlighting solutions for various production and engineering disciplines, smart materials, Industry 4.0 and much more.

"We have joined Altair at their Hannover Messe booth for the last couple of years and are very happy to do it again this year," said Frank Beckmann at Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH. "At our demo station at the Altair booth we will focus on our innovational technologies for metal additive manufacturing and will be showing, amongst other components, a 3D printed bionic brake pedal demonstrator, which was optimized using the Altair tools and manufactured following the processes we recommend for more efficiency in metal 3D printing. The structure of this demonstrator was optimized with the aid of topology optimization against the background of light construction. The design was adapted for additive production in order to keep the number of support structures as low as possible. As a result, the effort in the after-treatment of the pedal is reduced to a minimum."

The agenda of Altair's Design the Difference program covers the challenging journey engineers have to make when developing for Industry 4.0 and presents solutions and methods for simulation driven innovation by illustrating various industry examples on how to develop innovative products successfully, despite an increasing complexity.

Agenda:

How Simulation Driven Design Revolutionizes Product Development - If Done Right!

Electrical Engineering in the Age of IoT

Designing a Collaborative Robot  Predevelopment with solidThinking

Podium Discussion - Why do we Need to Change the Design Paradigm for IOT Devices?

Visit Altair at HANNOVER MESSE 2017, hall 6/booth L17 and on Tuesday, April 25 at 1:30 pm at the CAE-Forum in hall 6/booth L46.

About Altair

Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA with more than 50 offices throughout 22 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.
Spring is a great time to watch nature wake up and enjoy the fresh air,

March 22, 2017  Fort Lauderdale, FL

Express Glass & Board Up, Fort Lauderdales leading professional sliding glass door service, is proud to announce a new Spring Program for residents. Spring can bring many reasons for broken window glass. Migrating birds or flying debris from a thunderstorm can quickly create a shattered glass emergency. Fort Lauderdale locals may consider it time to upgrade windows and patio doors to impact-resistant glass in preparation for the Summer, 2017, hurricane season.

Spring is a great time to watch nature wake up and enjoy the fresh air, commented Yaniet Santos, general manager of Express Glass & Board Up. Its also a time when we get calls about shattered windows from all kinds of flying objects like birds or patio furniture from hurricane-force winds. We want to remind the Florida community our spring program can help get them through any broken glass turmoil.

To view the informative post about the Express Glass Spring Program, please visit

http://www.expressglassfl.com/impact-resistant-glass/. Details regarding various types of high-impact glass for hurricane-force winds can be reviewed. Information about the programs 10% discount for sliding glass door repair and window replacement can also be found by clicking up to the site navigation. Interested parties can also refer to the Fort Lauderdale page at http://www.expressglassfl.com/fort-lauderdale-glass-window-repair/ or simply call in and mention the special 10% discount available to Ft. Lauderdale residents for "spring clean up."

Fort Lauderdale Sliding Glass Door Repair Has Brought High Impact Spring Program to Residents

Fort Lauderdale residents may be ready to enjoy the outdoors as spring approaches. In an area known as Hurricane Country, residents may also need to prepare for high-impact winds. If a resident has scheduled sliding glass door repair service, it could be a good time to include a full glass inspection as well. Worn windows and tiny cracks in patio doors can shatter from hurricane force winds. Installing high-impact insulated glass before debris flies toward the residence could help ensure home security. Finding a top sliding glass door repair service offering inspections and installations at a reasonable price may be the first step.

Express Glass & Board Up, a sliding glass repair service for the Fort Lauderdale community has recently announced a new Spring Program. The business has updated its hurricane-resistant glass page and offered a complimentary glass repair inspection for spring. Several options for sliding glass door repair and high-impact glass can be found. Choosing hurricane resistant glass may not have to break a home budget. Express Glass has offered a 10% discount to residents mentioning this recent press release. Tropical storms in Fort Lauderdale can be weathered in the safety of a secure home with high-impact glass. After the skies clear, Fort Lauderdale locals can open the windows and enjoy the fresh spring air.

About Express Glass Repair and Board Up

Express Glass and Board Up Service Inc. is a family owned and operated glass repair business with more than 20 years of experience. Professional technicians and the large variety of inventory make Express Glass the top glass door replacement and repair service. If customers are looking for Miami sliding glass door repair, or Ft. Lauderdale glass repair as well as glass repair in Delray Beach please reach out to the company for a free estimate. If customers need a 24/7 Miami Sliding Glass Door repair service, or glass repair in Ft. Lauderdale or Boca Raton, technicians are standing by. The company specializes in sliding glass door repair and window glass repair; technicians will handle any glass replacement situation efficiently. Home or business glass repair is the company's main priority.

Express Glass Repair and Board up

http://www.expressglassfl.com/
Pamela Overton Risoleo and Char Hubble, Chairman of the 2017 Phoenix Heart Ball

Pamela Overton Risoleo, shareholder in the Phoenix office of international multipractice law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been selected as the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Peggy Goldwater Award.

The Peggy Goldwater Award was established in 2014 in honor of the first Heart Ball Chairman, Mrs. Barry Goldwater. As recipient of the Peggy Goldwater Award, Risoleo will be recognized for dedicating more than 25 years to philanthropic causes and for her passion for serving the Phoenix community, including the American Heart Association where she has been a member since 1993.

Risoleo will be recognized at this years Phoenix Heart Ball Nov. 18, 2017, at The Phoenician Resort. This years gala will be celebrating 58 years benefiting the nonprofit American Heart Association and funding cardiovascular research and educational programs in Arizona and beyond.

Professionally, Risoleo served as chairman of the Greenberg Traurigs Phoenix litigation practice from 1999-2014 and has served on the firms national litigation steering committee since 2008. She has also been instrumental in the Greenberg Traurig charitable Giving Program. Her tireless work ethic, commitment to clients, sharp mediation, arbitration and trial advocacy skills, and her ability to motivate and cultivate a collaborative team environment have brought her the highest accolades from Arizona and national organizations and publications.

Risoleo received the prestigious honor of being named Arizona Woman Magazine's "Arizona Woman of the Year" in 2008, has been recognized as one of the "Top Ten Business Women in the State of Arizona for 11 straight years, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2008. Other honors include a listing in Southwest Super Lawyers for nine consecutive years, recognition in Arizona Business Magazine as one of the leading Arizona "Women in Power," and receiving the Arizona's "Golden Heart of Business" award from Today's Arizona Woman magazine, acknowledging her extensive contributions to the Arizona business community and to local charities.

About Greenberg Traurig's Phoenix Office

In Arizona, Greenberg Traurig counsels clients on a wide range of critical issues, such as mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, securities, labor and employment, real estate, public finance, bankruptcy, and intellectual property matters.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the second largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2016, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.
Nor-Tech, one of the worlds leading custom HPC cluster computer builders, was just named to CRNs list of the top 40 Data Center Infrastructure Providersjoining ranks with IBM, Dell, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Lenovo.

Nor-Tech President and CEO David Bollig said, This was quite an honor from a publication that we consider to be an important resource for us and our partners. We were also pleased to be included among the legends of the technology industry.

CRNs Joseph F. Kovar said, The cloud, all-flash storage and software-defined everything, as well as the pressure on businesses to turn capital expenses into operating expenses, means data center costs are a key part of any equation. For solution providers, finding the right experts in their quest to help customers build and operate their data centers is crucial.

For over 30 years, CRN's editorial coverage has helped technology solution providers make successful decisions and avoid costly pitfalls. CRN editorial is a leading source for breaking news, cutting-edge opinion from channel leaders and technical analysis. The publication is a property of The Channel Company; the list is featured in the February 2017 issue and online.

Nor-Tech was previously honored with Microsofts Most Valuable System Builder Partner Award, which is given to only one organization each year. The award honors the OEM system builder that delivers superior customer value as well as key support services. Nor-Tech was also an HPCwire award finalist in 2015 and 2016.

These awards are an important touchstone for us, another confirmation of the value we bring to the market, Bollig said. Of course the most important indicator is our expanding portfolio of clients that trust us over and over for leading-edge technology backed by outstanding service.

Nor-Tech is renowned throughout the scientific, academic, and business communities for easy to deploy turnkey clusters and expert, no wait time support. All of Nor-Techs technology is made by Nor-Tech in Minnesota and supported by Nor-Tech around the world. In addition to HPC clusters, Nor-Techs custom technology includes workstations, desktops, and servers for a range of applications including CAE, CFD, and FEA. Nor-Tech engineers average 20+ years of experience and are responsible for significant high performance computing innovations. The company has been in business since 1998 and is headquartered in Burnsville, Minn. just outside of Minneapolis. To contact Nor-Tech call 952-808-1000/toll free: 877-808-1010 or visit http://www.nor-tech.com.
Available in only a hand full of senior care facilities across Iowa, Avera eCARE provides 24-hour access for residents to a doctor at no additional charge. It is resident friendly. No scheduled appointments and transportation to a clinic or hospital, immediate information and services help make the resident more comfortable along with assisting staff, and family members can feel confident that the medical care needed is available.

Rotary Senior Living's use of the virtual telemedicine services has been proven to decrease the number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, by providing education and tools to help facility staff identify earlier treatment for acute conditions and give residents easy access to urgent care services.

The Avera eCARE services will be online during the Open House along with trained staff from Avera to demonstrate and answer questions on this new service.

"Avera eCARE sets Rotary Senior Living apart from other facilities with this new service," states Tara Behrendsen, Project Manager at Rotary Senior Living. "Having this virtual support in addition to our experienced nurses and caregivers, at no extra cost to our residents, provides a greater level of care for the residents."

Tours of the facility and refreshments will be served as well during the Open House. The public, family members and medical professionals are encouraged to attend.

Rotary Senior Living is a licensed 42 residential care facility (RCF) and a 46 bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) located at 620 SE 5th Street, Eagle Grove, IA. Facilities include apartments, duplexes, townhomes, and low income housing. The Wellness Center is a recent addition and provides outpatient rehabilitation and community fitness programs. Information on the services provided are available at http://www.rotaryseniorliving.com, on Facebook and by calling 515-448-5124. #ThisIsFortDodge
Through a rigorous evaluation process, Optum has developed Centers of Excellence networks that provide access to clinically superior, cost-effective health care.

Shady Grove Fertility, a respected leader in the fertility community, which has helped bring more than 40,000 babies into this worldmore than any other center in the nation, has been designated a Center of Excellence by Optum.

Optum and Shady Grove Fertility are committed to providing quality infertility services to men and women trying to conceive. According to Optum, The truth is, not all health care providers are created equally. For complex medical conditions, the disparity is especially high. Through a rigorous evaluation process, Optum has developed Centers of Excellence networks that provide access to clinically superior, cost-effective health care.

In order to earn this distinction, Shady Grove Fertility demonstrated successful clinical outcomes and exceptional physician experience, staffing, and facilities, as well as maintained accreditation status and continuous quality assurance.

As a result of increased demand from patients, Shady Grove Fertility has recently welcomed three new physicians to the Pennsylvania medical team.

Dr. Ryan Martin is a Yale University-trained fertility specialist, where he also served as an instructor at the Yale University School of Medicine and earned numerous teaching awards. Dr. Martin joins Shady Grove Fertility in Bala Cynwyd, PA after building a successful fertility practice in New Haven, CT.

Dr. Kara Nguyen is one of only a few physicians to be triple-board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and medical genetics. Dr. Nguyen has practiced in Pennsylvania for several years, and now sees patients at Shady Grove Fertilitys Reading, PA office.

Dr. Caleb Kallen earned his medical degree and doctorate in philosophy (Molecular and Cellular Biology) from the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, Dr. Kallen served as the Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Thomas Jefferson University. He now sees patients at Shady Grove Fertilitys Chesterbrook, PA office.

Shady Grove Fertility has offices in Bala Cywnyd, Chesterbrook, Harrisburg, and Reading. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-761-1967.

About Shady Grove Fertility

Shady Grove Fertility is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence offering patients individualized care, innovative financial options, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. 2016 commemorated 25 years of Shady Grove Fertility providing medical and service excellence to patients from all 50 states and 35 countries around the world, and over 40,000 babies bornmore than any other center in the nation. Today, 39 physicians, supported by a highly specialized team of more than 700 Ph.D. scientists, geneticists, and staff care for patients in 19 full-service offices and six satellite sites throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Shady Grove Fertility physicians actively train residents and reproductive endocrinology fellows and invest in continuous clinical research and education to advance the field of reproductive medicine through numerous academic appointments and partnerships such as Georgetown Medical School, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the University of Maryland, and the National Institutes of Health. More than 1,700 physicians refer their patients to Shady Grove Fertility each year. For more information, call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
Travelucion Records Monthly Sales in February 2017 of over $192,000

Sen. Jerry Moran (Rep) Introduces Legislation to Restore Trade with Cuba

Steve Marshall appears on Telemundo News

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) (OTCBB:MPSFF) (the Company) is pleased to announce that the companys CEO Steve Marshall has signed an exclusive agreement with Tyrval, a world supplier to the hotel and hospitality industry. Republican Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran introduces legislation to lift the Cuban embargo. The travel division of the company had a very strong month in February, usually Cubas low season, of $192,000.



Cuba Ventures signs exclusive agreement with major Hotel industry supplier Tyrval

The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive agreement for the Island of Cuba with Tyrval, the world eminent supplier to the Hotel & hospitality industry, currently represented in USA, Panama, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Aruba, Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Bahamas, St Martin, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cape Verde, France and Spain. Tyrval is an exclusive supplier of LG Electronics, Hotel room equipment and decoration, industrial restaurant equipment, including dining room fittings and fixtures, indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting and other hotel related hardware. Cubas hotel infrastructure is experiencing a major upgrade due to the advent of increased tourism, with over 4 million arrivals in 2016. Cuba Ventures' consulting division has identified a need for such synergies to assist its Cuban hotel partners with the upgrade of partial or complete hotels, common areas and guest accommodations. Tyrval is the preeminent company for offering turnkey solutions and one-stop purchasing for partial or complete interior and exterior upgrades of Cuban hotels. The company anticipates providing Tyrval with a minimum 1 USD million dollar turnover by 2018 under a contracted minimum of a 5% commission structure. Steve Marshall, the companys CEO commented, due to our positioning in the Cuba travel industry, we have our finger on the pulse for planned hotel upgrades across the island. Furthermore, the unprecedented decision taken by the Cuban government to allow Iberostar Hotels to freely import goods for their hotels in Cuba is a trend that is likely to spread across the whole hotel management sphere on the island. Previously, all imports to Cuba were administered by the Cuban government. The hotel equipment industry in Cuba is potentially a billion dollar industry and, as tourism continues to increase, existing hotels need to be modernized and new hotels are built. Tyrval CEO Jordi Tomas Romero stated, Tyrval has long considered an entrance into the Cuban hospitality market, having supplied extensively to hotel chains in the Caribbean region since 1993. The travel division of Cuba Ventures Corp, Travelucion, works alongside all hotels in Cuba on a day-to-day basis, therefore, key market intelligence is gleaned, allowing Cuba Ventures to gain a head-start when proposing our products to hotels looking to upgrade or, for complete hotel refurbishments or, as new hotels come on line. As our exclusive partner in Cuba, we consider Cuba Ventures Corp as the sole alternative.

Monthly Sales in February 2017:

The Company booked over CDN $192,000 in unaudited net sales for the month of February 2017. January's sales show the strength of the Company's robust travel services, even in the historically slow Cuban travel month of February. Increased interest in Cuba, along with heightened media attention in the United States surrounding the Companys Cuba-centric digital media platform, including 432 websites focused upon Cuba, is stimulating these increased revenues. Visitors to the Companys websites from the United States now represent 36.8% of the approximately 37 million annual page views, up from 6% in 2014.

Sen. Jerry Moran (Rep) Introduces Legislation to Restore Trade with Cuba

In an unprecedented move, on March 13th Republican Senator Jerry Moran introduced legislation to the US senate known as; The Cuba Trade Act of 2017 (S. 472) to Lift the Cuba trade embargo and allow U.S. financial institutions the freedom to extend credit to Cuba.

http://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/3/sen-moran-introduces-legislation-to-restore-trade-with-cuba

http://krvn.com/agricultural/video-sen-moran-introduces-legislation-to-restore-trade-with-cuba/

Nearly 150 U.S. organizations have voiced their strong support for common sense reforms to U.S.-Cuba relations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers, Engage Cuba and the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC). The senator from Kansas is keen to see U.S farmers sell agricultural commodities to Cuba as the U.S farm belt states suffer the worst economic crisis since the great depression.

Another key Cuba trade proponent, Sonny Perdue, was chosen by the president as the Agriculture Secretary position. Sonny Perdue, the then governor of Georgia visited Cuba in 2010 to promote free trade with the island nation. The companys CEO Steve Marshall visited Capitol Hill earlier this month, meeting with key supporters of this legislation Engage Cuba and the office of congressman Adriano Espaillat (R).

Resignation of Donald Huston

The company announced today that Donald Huston has resigned from Cuba Ventures' board of directors effective March 16, 2017. Donald Huston has provided valuable insight and assistance as the company has acquired assets and expanded as a company. Cuba Ventures Chairman, Jim Petitt, said, "We thank Mr. Huston for his service to the company and wish him success in his future endeavours."

Cuba Ventures in the Media

Cuba Ventures CEO Steve Marshall Interviewed on Telemundo news Washington DC (Spanish):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc48Z2AGpUQ

About Cuba Ventures Corp.:

Cuba Ventures Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company capitalizing on the growth and unique opportunities in the USD $3.5 billion per year Cuban travel and tourism industry. Travelucion, a wholly owned subsidiary, is a digital media and marketing company which owns a vast portfolio of Cuba related websites and online portals providing travel information, featuring individual web assets for Cuba's popular cities and towns, online booking solutions and online reservations through proprietary software, catering to international visitors to Cuba. Travelucion's online travel division is a duly licensed retail travel supplier handling millions of dollars in sales annually.

Travelucion's 432 Cuba focused multilingual websites generate over 30 million page-views per year, directing traffic to the company's online booking and e-commerce sites. These online websites cover all facets of Cuba including over 80 travel destinations, hotels & resorts, bed & breakfast, tours, car rentals, restaurants, as well as Cuban culture, history, music, celebrities, sports, medical treatments and more.

Travelucion's revenues have been rapidly growing in the wake of the notable shift in American policy towards Cuba. With diplomatic relations now normalized and restrictions on qualified American travel to Cuba relaxed, opening of the multi-billion dollar travel market to the Caribbean nation is becoming a reality. Travelucion's continued media dominance over the past two decades has provided Cuba Ventures with a competitive advantage in the burgeoning Cuba travel and online media space. With the relaxing of rules for American travelers to Cuba and the potential of further easing, growth and investment opportunities are on the rise in Cuba.

Cuba Ventures' consulting division harnesses over 60 years of combined advisor experience in submitting and, obtaining approval for, joint ventures, joint production agreements and import/export permits for foreign enterprises. More recently the company has taken a royalty approach for future agreements between third parties anxious to begin commercial operations with Cuba and, the companys Cuba Consulting Unit.

For further information on Cuba Ventures Corp. (TSX-V:CUV) or Travelucion visit the Companys website at www.cubaventures.com or www.travelucion.com. The Company has 72,412,487 shares issued and outstanding.

CUBA VENTURES CORP.

STEVE MARSHALL

______________________________

Steve Marshall

CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Nick Findler

Cuba Ventures Corp.

Telephone: 604-639-3850

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@cubaventures.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.
News

From Bulgaria

Bulgarias Kozloduy NPP Posts A Mere BGN 2.283 Million EBT for 2016

Following the bankruptcy of the Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB) Kozloduy NPP has suffered a 20 per cent write-down on its receivables which shrank to BGN 4.537 m, interim financial statement shows

AUTHOR: publics.bg



 Kozloduy NPP



Bulgarias state-run Kozloduy nuclear power plant posted just BGN 2.283 m (about EUR 1.17 m) earnings before taxes (EBT) in 2016, compared to BGN 123.337 m a year earlier, a preliminary financial statement of the power plant shows. There are no details on the reasons for the severe 99.99 per cent drop in the EBT, with more information expected in the audited financial statement which could take up to end-July 2017 to be published.

Kozloduy NPP also reported a BGN 15.4 m y/y decrease in electricity sale incomes, reaching BGN 813.569 m in 2016. Expenditures, except financial ones, have risen on all accounts, hitting BGN 830.224 m for 2016, or BGN 71.949 m more than in 2015.

As on December 31 2016 when the interim financial statement was published, associated debts towards Kozloduy NPP amounted to BGN 120.348 m, BGN 113.424 of which on the accounts of power incumbent NEK. Both NEK and Kozloduy NPP are subsidiaries of the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH).

Kozloduy NPP has also recurred to debt assignment amounting to BGN 39.672 m, owed by NEK, and has subsequently raised its capital with the same amount. The amount was deducted from the distributed dividend of Kozloduy NPP.

Following the bankruptcy of the Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB), which at a certain point serviced large portions of the energy state-run companies financial assets, Kozloduy NPP has suffered a 20 per cent write-down on its receivables which shrank to BGN 4.537 m.

In 2016 Kozloduy NPP did not transport spent nuclear fuel for treatment in Russia, even though the power plant had spared BGN 29.942 m for its transportation a year earlier. The reason cited for this decision was physical defects on its construction which led to the need of additional analysis on safe ways for transportation. This process stretched longer-than-expected in time and following the severe winter conditions in January of this year, a new transportation deadline was set for July 30 2017.
Anne Heltzel at Amulet has acquired comedian and YouTube personality Steve Hofstetter's True Stories of a High School Dork, a series of humorous essays based on the author's own tragicomic high school years. Publication is planned for spring 2018; Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret handled the deal for world rights.

Wesley Adams at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought at auction world English rights to Jeff Vandermeer's debut YA novel, Jonathan Lambshead and the Golden Sphere, and the next two books in the planned Adventures of Jonathan Lambshead trilogy. In the story, a boy inherits his grandfather's mansion, uncovering three strange doors, providing evidence that his grandfather did not die of natural causes, as well as clues to the family's ties to an alternate Europe immersed in a war fought with WW1 technology and dark magic. A pub date has not been set; Sally Harding at the Cooke Agency negotiated the three-book deal.

Benjamin Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books has acquired Heretics Anonymous, a debut contemporary YA novel by Katie Henry. Pitched as The Breakfast Club meets Saved!, it's the story of an atheist teen who learns a lot about faith after joining an unlikely group of rebels at his new Catholic school. Publication is scheduled for summer 2018; Sarah LaPolla at Bradford Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.

Ali Fisher at Tor Teen has bought Django Wexler's YA debut Deepwalker, a fantasy adventure in which a teenage girl secretly trained in the art of combat magic is blackmailed into stealing a legendary ghost ship. The first book is expected in winter 2019; Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company negotiated the three-book deal for North American rights.

Rhea Lyons at Rodale Books has struck a world rights deal with the media and education group Story Pirates for two books. The first one, The Story Pirates Present: Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey, tells of 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 is based on an idea from a sixth grader in Tennessee. Publication is slated for March 2018; Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management represented Story Pirates, and Josh Getzler at Hannigan Salky Getzler represented Rodkey.

Kelly Loughman at Holiday House has acquired The Bottle Imp of Bright House, a middle grade novel by Tom Llewellyn about a 13-year-old who finds an old bottle with an imp inside who can grant him wishes. But unlike the genie-in-a-lamp story, for everything the wisher gains, someone, somewhere loses something. The novel is loosely based on one of Robert Louis Stevenson's final stories. Publication is set for fall 2018; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary brokered the deal for North American and Chinese rights.

Rosemary Brosnan at HarperCollins has bought at auction a debut middle grade novel by Coretta Scott King Award winner Pat Cummings, called Trace. When 13-year-old Trace stumbles into a ghost story born in the turmoil of New York City's 1863 Draft Riots, he finds that the past is more fluid, and more forgiving, than he knew. Publication is planned for fall 2018; Marietta Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.

Heidi Kilgras at Random House has acquired author Diana Murray's (l.) Pizza Pig, an early reader to be illustrated by Maria Karipidou, in which Pig makes every pizza "just right," until a shy turtle comes into his shop and he can't figure out what she wants. Publication is projected for spring 2018; Brianne Johnson at Writers House represented the author, and James Burns at Bright USA represented the illustrator.

Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster has bought two picture books to be illustrated by Jessie Sima, author of Not Quite Narwhal. The first is Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies, written by Christian Trimmer a retelling of the classic Snow White story, but with more humor and many more ponies. Publication is set for summer 2018. The second is a picture book written by Sima, about an adventurous young robot who doesn't seem to fit in until encountering an equally adventurous girl. The book is due out in fall 2018. Thao Le of Sandra Dijkstra & Associates Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.

Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights for Captain Bling's Christmas Plunder, written by Rebecca Colby and illustrated by Rob McClurkan. Captain Bling and his merry crew want nothing more than to steal treasure, but when a storm strands them at the North Pole, they meet Santa and devise a plan to get on his "Nice List." Publication is scheduled for fall 2017; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright USA represented the illustrator.

Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear has acquired Marsha Diane Arnold's (l.) May I Come in?, a picture book that celebrates inclusion. It tells the tale of Raccoon, who needs a safe place to stay on a stormy night. Jennie Poh will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2018. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary negotiated the deal for world Rights on behalf of Arnold, and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright USA represented Poh.

Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to Los Angeles, written by Elisa Parhad and illustrated by Alexander Vidal, a board book featuring the sights and delights of Los Angeles in simple rhyme. Publication is set for spring 2018; both the author and illustrator were unagented.

Grace Maccarone at Holiday House has bought debut author-illustrator Yuko Katakawa's untitled picture book, in which Mouse and her animal friends try to scare the largest animal in the forestonly to be tricked in the end. Publication is slated for fall 2018; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency handled the deal for world rights.

Louise May at Lee & Low Books has acquired world rights to Todos Iquales/All Equal, written and illustrated by Christy Hale. This bilingual book pairs a traditional Mexican corrido (ballad) with a narrative that presents the true story of the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident, the first successful school desegregation court case in the United States. Publication is scheduled for spring 2019; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.

Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has acquired, and Kelsey Horton will edit, Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella's debut chapter book series. The first book, Fairy Mom and Me, follows Ella and her mother, who is secretly a fairy. But when her mother's spells go wrong, Ella must assist to return everything to normal. Marta Kissi will illustrate; publication is planned for January 2018, with a simultaneous release in the U.K. and Canada. Kim Witherspoon at Inkwell Management in association with Araminta Whitley and Philippa Milnes-Smith at Lucas Alexander Whitley Ltd. negotiated the deal for U.S. and open market rights.

Jessica Almon at Razorbill has bought actor and comedy writer Matt Boren's YA debut, Folded Notes from High School, an epistolary novel set in the early '90s, about a status-obsessed senior who unexpectedly falls for a freshman because of his Danny Zuko audition for their high school's production of Grease. The book will be published in spring 2018; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties brokered the world rights deal.

Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has acquired Emma Berquist's debut YA alternative history of the West, Devils Unto Dust, the story of a girl who overcomes incredible obstacles and a deadly virus that has infected thousands, for the survival of her family, and maybe the world. Publication is scheduled for spring 2018; Heather Flaherty at the Bent Agency did the two-book deal for world English rights.

Nicole Frail at Sky Pony Press has bought a second YA novel by Natasha Sinel, Soulstruck, about a teenage girl trying to navigate relationshipswith her best friend, her family, and with boys. The book is slated for spring 2018; Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights.

Toni Markiet and Alyson Day of HarperCollins have acquired world rights to a middle-grade series called Mean Queens by Newbery Honor author Kathryn Lasky, in a three-book deal. The books tell the story of an orphaned 12-year-old girl who finds herself traveling between present-day middle school and the court of two English princesses, Elizabeth and Mary, both daughters of King Henry VIII. Publication of the first book is set for March 2019; Brenda Bowen of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates negotiated the deal.

Laura Schreiber at Disney-Hyperion has bought debut author Leslie C. Youngblood's middle-grade novel Love Like Sky, as well as a sequel. Love Like Sky follows Georgie as she tries to find her place in her blended-up family, with both her parents remarried and a new teenage stepsister she'll do anything to win over. When a devastating illness strikes her stepsister, Georgie will do whatever it takes to make her better and bring her family together. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2018; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.

Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree has acquired world rights for Jennifer Swanson's Save the Crash Test Dummies, an illustrated middle grade book that covers the history, science, and engineering of car production and safety. Publication is slated for spring 2019; Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management did the deal.

Michelle Frey at Knopf has bought Kimberly Newton Fusco's Chasing Augustus, a story about Rosie, a girl who will stop at nothing to find her lost dog, no matter where the trail leads. Publication is planned for fall 2017; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown negotiated the deal for U.S., Canadian, and open market rights.

Allison Moore at Little, Brown has acquired Instagram sensation Soosh's debut picture book Dad by My Side, a celebration of the relationship between a father and young daughter depicted through the artist's watercolor illustrations, a series of which has gone viral on social media. Publication is set for spring 2018; Gary Brown at Koru, Inc. brokered the deal for world rights.

Christy Ottaviano at Macmillan's Christy Ottaviano Books has bought world rights to B Is for Brooklyn creator Selina Alko's School to Ten and Back Down Again, a counting, rhyming picture book starring a diverse classroom of learners moving through a day at school. The book is scheduled for 2020; Marietta Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal.

Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Chickens on the Run!, a picture book written and illustrated by Nikki McClure, about four chickens who flee the coop, roam the world, and return home just in time to roost. Publication is set for spring 2018; Steven Malk at Writers House did the deal.

Jennifer Besser at Putnam has bought author-illustrator Deborah Marcero's picture book In a Jar, about a young bunny named Llewellyn, a collector of things big, small, and even the intangible, who embarks on a journey of magical realism and friendship. Publication is planned for spring 2019; Danielle Smith at Lupine Grove Creative brokered the deal for world rights.

Nancy Paulsen at Penguin's Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Senorita Mariposa, a debut picture book celebrating butterfly migration as witnessed by American and Mexican children, written by Latin Grammy Award-winning children's musician Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer) (l.), to be illustrated by Mexican artist Marcos Almada Rivero. Publication is slated for 2018; Zoe Sandler at ICM represented the author in the two-book deal; the illustrator was unagented.

Carol Hinz at Millbrook Press has acquired world rights to The Octopus Postcards by Irene Latham (l.), illustrated by Thea Baker, presenting the octopus life cycle through a series of postcards exchanged by various creatures, including a boy, a crab, and another octopus. The book is scheduled for fall 2018; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author and Susan Beveridge at Bright USA represented the illustrator.



Marissa Moss at Creston Books has bought world rights to Nancy Churnin's Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing, to be illustrated by James Rey Sanchez. The nonfiction picture book tells the story of the boy who grew up to become the prolific songwriter who wrote God Bless America and gave every penny the song earned to the children of the land that he loved. Publication is planned for spring 2018, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the year Berlin wrote the song. Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary represented the author; the illustrator was unagented.
TUCSON, Ariz., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since 1971, when the UK national registry for breast cancer was started, the incidence of breast cancer has continued to increase worldwide. Breast cancer screening, which started in the 1980s, increased detection but cannot account for the continuing increase in cases, write actuary Patrick Carroll and colleagues in the spring issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. The lifetime risk of breast cancer for women is now around one in seven for malignant tumors and one in six if in-situ lesions are included, they write.

Certain risk factors, they note, including childlessness, are widely acknowledged, as are protective factors such as a young age at the birth of the first child, further full-term pregnancies, and longer breastfeeding.

But most health authorities have been unwilling to acknowledge the long-term risk of hormonal contraceptives, although it is similar to that of hormone-replacement therapy, which doctors are now reluctant to prescribe, Carroll et al. observe. Likewise, epidemiologists are not warning women of the additional risk of induced abortion, and British medical journals do not publish articles showing the link. Authors note that under the 1967 Abortion Act two physicians must approve an abortion, and if an abortion-breast cancer link were accepted, many more professional liability cases would likely be brought.

Using a linear regression model incorporating cohort rates of fertility and induced abortions, Carroll et al. were able to forecast future incidence of breast cancer accurately.

Hormonal and reproductive risk factors also help to explain the social gradient, the authors write. Women in higher socioeconomic groups have a higher incidence of breast cancer. Upper class and upwardly mobile women may be more likely to have nulliparous abortions, later childbirth, and fewer children, authors suggest.

Accurate forecasting of future case numbers is important in planning treatment facilities, the authors state.

The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
Books about Islam by Muslim publishers for English-speaking readers constitute a rich niche market, with centuries of classic materials in addition to contemporary work. But in addition to the usual challenges faced by small publishers trying to reach readers, several Muslim publishers we recently talked with spoke of an extra burden: countering cultural misunderstanding.

Athar Jatoi founded Mecca Books in Allentown, Pa., six years ago because he was interested in representations of Islam consistent with its traditions and written by Muslims. When I would enter Barnes & Noble, every book that I saw there had nothing to do with Islam and was written by someone who is not in any way connected to Islam, giving the outside point of view, said Jatoi. Mecca began as a part-time retail operation, added distribution, and will publish its first book under the imprint Ihya Publishing in March: Three Treatises: Mutual Reminding, Good Manners, The Aphorisms by Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad, a 17th century Yemeni Sufi sage and poet.

Founded in 1972, Kazi Publications in Chicago calls itself the oldest Islamic publisher and distributor in North America. With 400 titles in its catalog, the house is concentrating on classical Islamic writings. Its series Great Books of the Islamic World has just finished the five-volume Canon of Medicine by the 11th century physician Ibn Sina. Titles by the prolific medieval philosopher al-Ghazali have lent themselves to repackaging; a pricey two-volume Alchemy of Happiness set was broken down into smaller booklets containing individual chapters. We cant even keep them in stock, Laleh Bakhtiar, production director at Kazi, said.

The school market is growing as public schools seek culturally appropriate material for Muslim students, and Kazi is developing titles such as Logic and Critical Thinking: An Introduction for Muslim Students by Edward Ryan Moad (Feb.). Critical thinking is not a new term, but its been lost amid very conservative interpretations of Islam within the religion itself, according to Bakhtiar.

Tughra Books in Clifton, N.J., grew from a bookstore that opened in 2001; it began publishing in 2004, starting with the works of Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a figure at odds with the current Turkish government. Those books are a small part of Tughras list today of 200 books, including a childrens line and a related academic line, Blue Dome, that has a list of 70 titles. Tughra is growing modestly, not landslide numbers, but there is some humble percentage of sales growth, said Huseyin Senturk, director of publications. Tughra uses National Book Network (NBN) as its distributor, but many smaller Islamic bookstores arent part of a distribution network. Large events, such as the annual Islamic Society of North America convention and a similar gathering in Canada, Reviving the Islamic Spirit, are important for marketing and sales.

Tughra largely aims at a Muslim audience, but it also publishes titles intended to be introductory books for non-Muslims. Bridge to Light by Kathleen St. Onge (2005), a Canadian convert to Islam, is one of the houses bestsellers, having sold 6,000 copies. One focus of Tughras list is interfaith dialog and cultural understanding. One of the biggest contributions of our publishing house is providing books that promote communication among the religions, Senturk says. Its titles, including editions of the Quran, Islams sacred text, are also requested in prisons, where chaplains have been using its books to teach about Islam.

Based near Leicestershire in the British Midlands, Kube has published more than 500 titles since it started up in 2006. It began with a focus on adult trade publishing and added academic and childrens imprints in 2013, and now publishes as many new childrens titles as adult. Childrens books are among its most popular categories, along with gift books and books on the Quran or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Kube organized a panel at this years London Book Fair on publishing for Muslims and representing their experience authentically. Kube uses Consortium as its U.S. and Canadian distributor.

Amana Publications is best known for updating one of the standard 20th century English translations of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Meaning of the Holy Quran. It is a bestseller for the house, located in the Washington, D.C., area. Business has slowed down drastically over the last several years, Fakhri Al-Barzinji, CEO and president, said in an email. Amana has cut down substantially on its print inventory and on new titles, but it still publishes backlist, including its edition of the Quran.

Simon & Schusters Salaam Reads is the first imprint at a major publishing house to focus on Muslim characters and stories. Zareen Jaffery is the executive editor at the imprint, which launched last year. Her focus is on books that reflect the diversity within the Muslim community, but authors also explore issues that many Muslims face in the U.S. today. Unfortunately Islamophobia has been going on for a long time, although it does feel like its been heightened today, with mosques burning down and verbal assaults increasing, said Jaffery. Feeling threatened tends to permeate the mind and writers respond to that in their workmaybe not directly, but it does show up.

Salaam aims to publish nine books a year in three categories; picture books, mid-grade, and YA. A major initial release for Salaam, Yo Soy Muslim by HBO Def Jam poet and TEDxRamallah speaker Mark Gonzales, is slated to publish this fall. It celebrates a childs multicultural heritage and encourages readers to take pride in their Muslim identity.

The imprint relies on authors platforms to get the word out about books, but a large part of its sales strategy is getting books into schools and libraries. We have a school and library marketing department, there is an e-newsletter that goes out, and were at the school librarian conferences where people can learn about new products, said Jaffery. We also have school visits with the author, and Skype visits.

Despite the nuances found in the Muslim publishing industry, one common goal between publishers is clear: to provide resources that accurately represent beliefs and experiences of distinct and numerous communities of Muslims in the U.S. and around the globe. Such books can expand the base of knowledge on Islam, according to Jaffery.

There are 1.6 million Muslims in the world who all pray in Arabic, but some speak Urdu, Punjabi, Iraqi Arabic, and more. We celebrate the same holidays, but we dont have the same traditions, if that makes sense, said Jaffery. This past year [in publishing] has been a huge education for me.
This memoir, a Dutch bestseller written by the husband of a woman killed in the suicide bombings that shook the city of Brussels on March 22, 2016, emerged as a hot book at the just-wrapped London Book Fair. Co-written with a Belgian nonfiction writer, the book received several foreign rights offers at the fair.

Book title: Een jihad van liefde (in English A Jihad for Love) by Mohamed El Bachiri with David Van Reybrouck

First published by: De Bezige Bij of the Netherlands on March 9

Format: paperback original

Author: El Bachiri is a former subway driver, and he had coincidentally taken the day of the attack off from work. His wife was killed in the subway bombing. El Bachiri's wife was the only Muslim killed in the attack, which was carried out by jihadists.

Acquiring Editor: Haye Koningsveld

How Its Done: Within a week after publication, the book landed at #2 on Bestseller 60, the official Dutch bestseller list, and as of this writing is poised to take the #1 spot on the list. De Bezige Bij said there are currently 60,000 copies of the book in print after six printings. At the London Book Fair, the publisher received translation rights offers from publishers in the U.K., Germany, and France.

Why They Think Its Working: El Bachiri became a well-known figure in the Netherlands after he said on Belgian television that he did not hate those who committed the attacks in spite of the despair he felt about losing his wife. He later went on to record a TEDx Talk. Koningsveld compared A Jihad for Love to the bestselling French memoir You Will Not Have My Hate, which was written by a man who lost his wife in the 2015 terrorist attack in Paris. Both books, Koningsveld said, champion the idea that a person can deal with grief by transforming it into feelings of love and compassion.
Swedish Debut Drawing Buyers

In the Mire by Swedish author Susanne Jansson has sold in several territories, including to publishers Cargo (Netherlands), C. Bertelsmann (Germany) and Aschehoug (Norway). Astri von Arbin Ahlander of the Ahlander Agency controls all rights to the title, which was originally published by Wahlstrom and Widstrand. The novel follows Nathalie, who travels to rural Sweden to conduct experiments in a mire for her biology thesis. After discovering a dead man in the mire one night, she begins searching for his killer.

Colombian Author Becomes Toast of LBF

Melba Escobar's The Beauty House, which HarperCollins UK's 4th Estate recently acquired world English rights to, has emerged as a hot book of the just-wrapped London Book Fair. Pontas Literary and Film Agency controls rights, and other deals have been made with, among other houses, Planeta (Latin America), Denoel (France) and Marsilio (Italy). The novel is about a beautician in Bogota who becomes a key witness in the investigation into the murder of one of her clients. At press time, multiple offers were in on the book.

Taiwanese Novel Picks Up New Sales

My Enemys Cherry Tree by Wang Ting-Kuo recently sold, in a world English rights deal, to U.K. publisher Portobello. The novel, which follows the entangled history of two men--a cafe owner and his former mentor--also sold to Xander (Holland). As of press time, offers were in from publishers in Germany and Turkey. Gray Tan of the Grayhawk Agency controls rights to the book, which was originally published in Taiwan in September 2015. Because a full English translation of the book was not available when the title was released in Taiwan, Anne Meadows at Portobello acquired the novel having only read reports on it that she commissioned.

Italian Debut Novel Racks Up Sales

In June, Rizzoli (Italy) will publish The House of Burning Island by Emma Piazza, which has sold to Penguin Verlag (Germany), Fayard (France) and Sweden (Forum). Laura Ceccacci controls rights to the book, which follows a pregnant painter named Teresa who goes back to her home in Corsica to deal with mysteries concerning her family. Ceccacci called the book the Mediterranean answer to The Girl on the Train.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University biological sciences professor Ximena Bernal will lead the March edition of Purdue Science on Tap with a talk on ecology, sexual selection and the surprising consequences of mating calls in the wild.

Bernal's talk, titled "Love Bites: Lessons from Tungara Frogs and Frog-Biting Midges about the Ecology and Evolution of Eavesdropping," is at 6 p.m. March 30 on the top floor of Lafayette Brewing Company, 622 Main St., Lafayette. Event sponsors are the Department of Biological Sciences, the College of Science and Discovery Park. The talk is free and open to those 21 and older.

"Over the last 50 years, it has become increasingly obvious that predators and parasites that eavesdrop on the mating signals of their victims are really common," Bernal said. "Predators and parasites used signals emitted by their prey or host, but not originally intended to them, across taxonomic groups. However, there is currently no underlying framework to understand the ecological consequences and evolutionary trajectories of species with this unique behavioral strategy."

In her talk, Bernal said she will highlight her research into the challenges encountered by male frogs when they produce mating calls to attract a mate, but the calls also make them susceptible to eavesdroppers that attack them. In particular, she will discuss the story of tungara frog males, their efforts to attract females and how they are attacked by frog-biting midges and frog-eating bats.

"I will discuss the sensory ecology of the frogs and the eavesdroppers addressing their interactions and ultimately the selective pressures female frogs and midges impose on male tungara frogs," she said. "The audience will learn about ecology, sexual selection, frogs, bats and midges."

Bernal, who received her doctoral degree in ecology, evolution and behavior from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007, focuses her research on animal communication, addressing questions about signal function and evolution by performing experiments within a naturalistic context. She received her master's degree in physiology and animal behavior and bachelor's degree in biology, both from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia.

Science on Tap, led by graduate students Andrew Hesselbrock, Paula Cooper and Carolina Vivas Valencia, provides Purdue faculty and collaborating researchers the opportunity to share research activities in an informal setting with presentations that are designed to appeal to a more general audience. Monthly attendance has averaged 80 during the program's first four years.

Writers: Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Sources: Ximena Bernal, 765-494-0127, xbernal@purdue.edu

Carolina Vivas Valencia, cvivas@purdue.edu

Paula Cooper, porourk@purdue.edu
In London around 310,000 families will be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare



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Wandsworthsw18.com Millions of parents can pre-register from today for the governments new childcare offers, with the launch of a new Childcare Choices government website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. The introduction of the governments Tax-Free Childcare scheme will begin on 28 April, for parents of the youngest children. It will be gradually rolled out over 2017  cutting childcare costs for working families across the UK by up to 2,000 per child per year, or 4,000 for disabled children.







Putney MP & Education Secretary, Justine Greening, said: Affordable childcare and early years education are a vital part of how we can get our children on the right path, whilst also helping parents to be back at work, if that is what they want. Many parents are struggling to balance the cost of childcare against the benefits of being in work and this government wants to help. From today, parents can use the Childcare Choices website to find out what support is available for their family. Whether thats our 30 hour free childcare offer, Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit, the website is a quick and easy way for parents to choose the offer thats best for them and their children. In addition, from September this year parents of three and four year old children living in England will be able to apply for a new 30 hours free childcare offer, worth around 5,000 per child. The Childcare Choices website includes a Childcare Calculator (www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator) for parents to compare all the governments childcare offers and check what works best for their families. Through the site parents can also pre-register for email alerts that will notify them when they can apply, as well as providing details of existing government childcare offers. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said: The Government is on the side of working families and our childcare support will cut thousands of pounds off bills for millions of households, as well as supporting parents to return to or remain in work. The new Childcare Choices website provides busy families with options that suit their needs, so they can clearly see which childcare offer works best for them. For the first time, we have brought all the childcare options together to make the process easier and simpler for families and childcare providers. Two million working families will be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. It will be gradually rolled out, with parents of children under two invited to enter the scheme first. By the end of the year, all eligible parents will be able to receive government top-ups of 2 for every 8 that a parent pays into their Tax-Free Childcare account. This will be open to all working parents across the UK with children under 12, or under 17 if disabled. The new 30 hours free childcare offer for working parents of three and four year olds in England doubles the current 15 hours of free childcare currently available, saving eligible working families up to 5,000 a year. Parents will be able to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and the 30 hours offer in one go through the governments new digital childcare service. Eligible parents can benefit from both Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare at the same time. Both of these new offers have been run as trials over recent months, to test the new digital services. More than 4,000 parents are already benefiting from the 30 hours offer in eight early implementer councils, with thousands more set to follow suit, as four new areas launch the 30 hours offer in April. And over 2,000 parents are cutting their childcare costs with the Tax-Free Childcare trial. These offers build on the childcare support already available to thousands of families, including:  15 hours free childcare for all three and four year olds

 15 hours for disadvantaged two year olds

 enhanced childcare support through Universal Credit

 childcare vouchers.

March 22, 2017
KEWANEE  One person is dead following a Saturday afternoon accident south of Kewanee on what police have called a dangerous stretch of U.S. 34/Illinois 78.

Lucille Kemerling, 86, of Kewanee, was pronounced dead at the scene of a three-vehicle accident at 12:50 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 34/Illinois 78 at Flex Court.

According to the Henry County Sheriff's Office, a vehicle driven by Bradly Simmons, 31, of Kewanee, was stopped in the southbound lane of the highway waiting to turn left into Flex Court when a Ford Escape, driven by Destiny Gibson, 18, of Toulon, failed to stop behind him. Ms. Gibson struck Mr. Simmons, with both vehicles overturning onto their tops, one of them landing in the northbound lane.

According to the sheriff's office, Monroe Kemerling, 86, of Kewanee, was driving a Chrysler Town and Country minivan in the northbound lane and swerved to avoid the overturned vehicle. He entered a ditch and struck a culvert, causing the van to roll several times before coming to rest on its top.

Ms. Kemerling was killed in the accident. Mr. Kemerling was taken to OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee, where he was treated and released.

Ms. Gibson and the two occupants of the Simmons vehicle declined medical treatment. Two passengers in Ms. Gibson's vehicle were not injured.

Mr. Simmons was ticketed for no insurance. Ms. Gibson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Henry County Sheriff's Office Capt. Captain Kerry Loncka said the stretch of road is dangerous, with several businesses as well as vehicles speeding up as they leave Kewanee.
DAVENPORT  Michael Blake, vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will headline the Scott County Democratic Party's annual Red, White and Blue Dinner on Saturday at the Starlight Ballroom, 2815 Locust St., Davenport.

The event starts with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner program at 7. To obtain the $50 tickets, contact Emilyne Slagle at 515-537-4674 or emilyne.slagle@gmail.com, or visit secure.actblue.com/page/scottdems.

Other scheduled speakers include former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.; U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa City; Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Derek Eadon and state and local officials and candidates.

Mr. Blake, a New York state assemblyman, was Iowa deputy political director and constituent outreach director for President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. He became associate director of public engagement and deputy associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

He left the White House in 2012 to be national deputy director of Operation Vote for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.
BOULDER, Colo., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biodesix, Inc. announced today the results of a study demonstrating that the use of the VeriStrat test for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) directly impacts physician treatment decisions in real-world clinical practice. In the study, use of the VeriStrat test resulted in an 89% decrease in ineffective treatments for patients who tested VeriStrat-Poor. A decision impact study demonstrates that a test changes the way patients are treated after test results are known. The decision impact study on VeriStrat was published in Current Medical Research and Opinion.



VeriStrat testing significantly influences treatment recommendations for patients with lung cancer, reducing ineffective and expensive treatment at the end of life, said Dr. Ray Page DO PhD, FACOI. Dr. Page is the Director of the Research Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, in Ft. Worth, Texas. VeriStrat test results facilitate conversations between physicians and patients about prognosis and best supportive care, a common yet difficult discussion for this patient population.

The study evaluated 2494 patients who were tested with VeriStrat between 2012 and 2016, and largely treated in the community setting. For each patient, treatment recommendations were recorded both prior to testing and after the test results were provided to the physician. The study evaluated whether physicians followed VeriStrat test results in making treatment decisions, the extent to which test results changed treatment recommendations, and patterns of referral to best supportive care.

VeriStrat test results are used during physician-patient shared decision making conversations on best supportive care, the study showed. After testing, physicians recommended best supportive care for 25% of patients with test results of VeriStrat-Poor. Physicians followed test results in 98% of cases and changed treatment recommendations for 82% of patients with a test result of VeriStrat-Poor.

The results were published online in advance of the print issue and can be accessed at http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007995.2017.1301903

About the VeriStrat test:

The VeriStrat test is a predictive and prognostic blood-based proteomic test for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The test is used to assess disease aggressiveness by characterizing host response to the tumor, classifying patients as either VeriStrat-Good or VeriStrat-Poor.

VeriStrat and Biodesix are registered trademarks of Biodesix, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Biodesix

Biodesix is a molecular diagnostics company advancing the development of innovative blood tests in oncology to enable precision medicine. Biodesix discovers, develops and commercializes multivariate protein and genomic diagnostic blood tests, including the GeneStrat and VeriStrat tests, that deliver results within 72 hours. The company is changing the standard of care by providing physicians with diagnostic tests for better therapeutic guidance, more accurate prognosis and enhanced disease monitoring to improve patient outcomes. At the forefront of precision medicine, Biodesix is developing new blood tests to identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapies. In addition to developing novel diagnostics independently, the company partners with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop companion diagnostics for use with therapeutic agents.

For more information about Biodesix, please visit www.Biodesix.com.
BOSTON (AP)  The former head of a Massachusetts pharmacy was acquitted Wednesday of murder allegations but convicted of racketeering and other crimes in a meningitis outbreak that was traced to fungus-contaminated drugs and killed 64 people across the country.

Prosecutors said Barry Cadden, 50, ran the business in an "extraordinarily dangerous" way by disregarding unsanitary conditions to boost production and make more money.

Cadden, president and co-founder of the now-closed New England Compounding Center, was charged with 25 counts of second-degree murder, conspiracy and other offenses under federal racketeering law.

After five days of deliberations, the jury refused to hold Cadden responsible for the deaths and cleared him on the murder counts. He was found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud and could get a long prison term at sentencing June 21.

The 2012 outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections in 20 states was traced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contaminated injections of medical steroids, given mostly to people with back pain. In addition to those who died, 700 people fell ill. Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee were hit hardest.

Joan Peay, 76, of Nashville, Tennessee, suffered two bouts of meningitis after receiving a shot for back pain. She wept upon learning the verdict.

"He killed people and he's getting away with murder. I am furious," she said. She said that she got so sick from meningitis "I didn't care if I died," and that she still suffers from hearing loss, memory problems, a stiff neck and low energy.

Alfred Rye, 77, of Maybee, Michigan, said: "I wish I could give him the same shot he gave me. I think they should pay for their crime."

Rye fell ill after getting an injection in his lower back 4 years ago. He said he continues to suffer from a loss of balance and other ill effects.

"Life has been totally hell," he said.

The racketeering charge and the 52 counts of fraud carry up to 20 years in prison each, but federal sentencing guidelines typically call for far less than the maximum.

Companies charged with selling contaminated drugs often reach settlements with the federal government and agree to pay large fines. The case against the New England Compounding Center stands apart because of the large number of deaths and serious illnesses and because of evidence that Cadden was aware of the unsanitary conditions, said Eric Christofferson, a former federal prosecutor in Boston.

The scandal threw a spotlight on compounding pharmacies, which differ from ordinary drugstores in that they custom-mix medications and supply them directly to hospitals and doctors. In 2013, in reaction to the outbreak, Congress increased federal oversight of such pharmacies.

Federal prosecutor Amanda Strachan told the jury during the two-month trial that the deaths and illnesses happened because Cadden "decided to put profits before patients."

NECC used expired ingredients and falsified logs to make it look as if the so-called clean rooms had been disinfected, prosecutors said. After the outbreak, regulators found multiple potential sources of contamination, including standing water and mold and bacteria in the air and on workers' gloved fingertips.

Cadden's lawyer, Bruce Singal, told the jury Cadden was not responsible for the deaths and pointed the finger at Glenn Chin, a supervisory pharmacist who ran the clean rooms where drugs were made. Chin has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

After the verdict, Singal said it was a "disgrace" that prosecutors brought murder allegations against Cadden.

"We're very pleased that the jury acquitted Barry on all 25 of the murder charges and that he can now go home and tell his children that he's not a murderer," Singal said. "At the same time, it is Barry's fervent wish ... that people still remember the victims of this terrible public health outbreak."

NECC filed for bankruptcy after getting hit with hundreds of lawsuits. NECC and several related companies reached a $200 million settlement with victims and their families.

The son of Kentucky Judge Eddie C. Lovelace, who died after receiving injections to treat neck and back pain, said the outcome had shaken his family's faith in the medical and legal systems.

"Dad always ensured that the defendants were treated justly and fairly. He did that in life, and in death, I feel like he wasn't afforded either justice or fairness," Chris Lovelace said.

"As of today, criminally no one has been held responsible or held accountable for my father's death," he added. "The only mistake, if you want to call it a mistake, that my father made was he sought out relief from back pain from the medical profession and the consequence of that decision for him was death."
Go To The Polls And Pull The Lever

We hope everyone turns out to pull the lever next Tuesday (Nov. 8). Actually, new voters wont know what we are talking about, as the...

Letters To The Editor

Street Closure Dangers Neighbors, Friends, Citizens of NYC/QUEENS: Many may not know that NYC has decided to close off miles of streets to cars in...
MAPLE GROVE, Minn., March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Local member-owned cooperative TopLine Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Hennepin County Library to provide financial literacy workshops for the library systems Teen Tech Squad employees. TopLines workshops provided participants with the foundational knowledge they need to prepare for the financial challenges of adulthood.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0737525c-d4de-4ecf-84dd-bc29a632c34e

The Teen Tech Squad program employs teens at multiple branches of the Hennepin County library system, where they prepare for life beyond high school, strengthen leadership skills, explore peer-to-peer communication and express themselves through creative projects. The teen employees role is to lead technology workshops, from game and animation creation to sound recording and editing, aimed at other teens and school-aged children. However, this time around it was TopLine who was leading the educational workshop for them. TopLine worked with the teens to establish a broad knowledge base of practical financial understanding that will serve them well as they pursue their dreams after high school. Topics included personal finance basics like how to use checking accounts and debit cards, how to manage credit wisely, the importance of credit reports and scores, keeping college-related expenses down and preventing identity theft.

Were so proud to help these local students set off on their lives with the financial skills necessary to engage with the modern economy, says Vicki Roscoe Erickson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at TopLine Federal Credit Union. We value the opportunity to give back to our community, and believe that reaching students while they are still in high school is key to nurturing a savvy, responsible attitude towards money management. These young people are earning and spending their own money for the first time, and we can work with them to prepare for a lifetime of smart financial decisions.

Hennepin County Library is a national leader of library service, innovation and excellence. With 41 libraries, website and outreach services, they serve over 1.2 million county residents. Their mission is to nourish minds, transform lives and build community together. The Teen Tech Squads help to facilitate creative learning experiences at several library sites for kids and teens focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The program is an opportunity for youth to develop leadership and twenty-first century skills.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 13th largest, with assets of more than $390 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations  in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Pauls Como Park  as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members. Visit us on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TopLineFederalCreditUnion.
In October 2014 MassDOT awarded CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles (now part of CRRC Corporation) a $US 566.6m contract to supply 152 vehicles to replace the PA3 cars built by Hawker Siddeley Canada in 1979-81. MBTA also ordered 132 vehicles for the Red Line, an order which was subsequently increased to 252 cars.

The trains will be equipped with LED lighting, air-conditioning, and advanced passenger information systems.

Assembly will be carried out by CRRC MA at its new 13,900m2 plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, where manufacturing is due to begin in April 2018. The Orange Line cars will enter service between 2019 and 2023.

For detailed data on metro train orders around the world subscribe to IRJ Pro.
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Efforts to hold the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accountable for persistent chemical weapons use were dealt another major blow recently when the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution punishing Syrian officials for their roles in chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015. Absent UN action, the United States and its allies have only the findings of a joint Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-UN investigation to sustain the drumbeat for punishing Syria.

Despite a concerted U.S. Government-led effort to establish an accountability mechanism in the UN, previous resolutions passed by the UN Security Council contained watered-down language meant to appease Syria-friendly countries like permanent Security Council members Russia and China. It was no votes by Russia and China that sank the latest resolution.

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) would have to be bolstered if the Assad regime is to be rebuked for its use of chemical weapons. Leadership from the United States on this issue could send a message to allies that despite a change in government, the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to holding those who use chemical weapons accountable. For example, the United States could encourage its allies to levy sanctions against individual perpetrators the way the U.S. Government did in January. As the Trump administration continues to develop its Middle East policy, efforts to implicate Assad and his government for chemical weapons use should be part of their considerations.

Second, the United States and its allies could call upon the OPCW, which oversees implementation of the CWC, to be more vocal in condemning Syria's actions. The OPCW's special section on Syria has not issued a press release since Dec. 13, 2016. The organization responsible for implementing the CWC should be the leading voice of outrage in the international community regarding Syria's continued chemical weapons use. Such statements could call attention to the recent veto votes in the UN Security Council by Russia and China. As signatories of the CWC, and allies of the Assad regime, the unwillingness of Russia and China to take a harder stance against Syrian chemical weapons use weakens their credibility as OPCW Executive Council members.

Syria has always been an outlier among the 192 States Parties of the CWC. As the only country to ratify the treaty after carrying out a devastating chemical weapons attack  in which 1,400 Damascus-area residents were killed by sarin in August 2013  Syria agreed to the removal and destruction of its declared chemical weapons stockpile to avoid military intervention and acceded to the CWC that year....

The remainder of this commentary is available on nationalinterest.org.

Natasha Lander is a senior policy analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

This commentary originally appeared on The National Interest on March 21, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Criminal case against imam charged with justifying terrorism transferred to court

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI)  The criminal case against Moscow imam Makhmud Velitov, who stands charged with justifying terrorism, has been transferred to the Moscow District Military Court, RAPSI learnt on Wednesday from lawyer Dagir Khasavov.

Khasavov told RAPSI that he was going to call high-ranking religious figures of Islam as witnesses in this case and to conduct an additional complex psychological-linguistic expertise. He added that none of the books seized from Yardam mosque and the imams home contained any sign of extremism.

Investigators have reclassified charges against Velitov from public justifying terrorism with the use of mass media to public calls to terrorist activity or justifying terrorism. His house arrest has been therefore replaced with travel restrictions, the lawyer said.

On September 23, 2013, Velitov, being a council chair and imam of a religious organization, made a public speech justifying activity of one of Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami terrorist organizations members during a prayer in a Moscow mosque, according to the Investigative Committee. This organization has been banned by Russias Supreme Court.

As follows from the conclusion of a forensic examination, the imams speech contained a set of psychological and linguistic features of justifying terrorist activities, investigators said earlier.

According to defense, Velitov performed a religious ritual allowed by canons of Islam regarding a deceased Muslim.

Hizb ut-Tahrir (the Party of Islamic Liberation), founded in Jerusalem in 1953, is banned in several Arab and Central Asian countries. Russia's Supreme Court banned the group from operating on the territory of the country in 2003, describing it as a terrorist organization.

Hizb ut-Tahrir members are regularly arrested by the police across Russia, mainly in big cities in central Russia, the Volga region and Siberia. Also, there are many supporters in Crimea, which rejoined Russia last spring.
Arrest of Browder in absentia upheld by Moscow court

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has dismissed an appeal against a lower courts ruling to arrest Hermitage Capital Management CEO William Browder in absentia, RAPSI learnt in the court on Wednesday.

The ruling of the Tverskoy District Court of Moscow has come into force.

Browder had been charged with several economic crimes, including deliberate bankruptcy and tax evasion, his attorney Alexander Antipov has told RAPSI earlier. The investigation into Browder was completed within the shortest possible time, from February 8 to 17, 2017, the lawyer added. However, neither the defendant nor his legal team were notified about investigation. According to Antipov, this fact exemplifies secret justice and violates the law.

Earlier, the Tverskoy District Court arrested Browder in absentia on charges of embezzling stock of Russias oil giant Gazprom. According to Russian authorities, Browder illegally bought over 130 million Gazprom shares worth at least 2 billion rubles ($32.6 million at the current exchange rate) at a lower, intra-market price through a Russian company he controlled, Kameya LLC, which amounts to large financial loss for Russia.

However, the United Kingdom refused to extradite its national.

In 2013, a Russian court sentenced Browder in absentia to nine years in a penal colony. The court found that in 1997-2002, Hermitage Capital auditor Sergei Magnitsky created and applied an illegal tax evasion scheme in the interests of Browder.

Magnitsky worked for Firestone Duncan and represented Hermitage Capital, which the Russian authorities accused of tax evasion. Magnitsky was arrested on fraud charges in November 2008 and found dead in a Moscow detention center in November 2009. The lawyers death provoked an international outcry.

In July 2013, Moscows Tverskoy District Court found Magnitsky guilty of tax evasion and closed the case due to his death. According to the case materials, Magnitskys and Hermitage Capital director William Browders actions cost Russia over 500 million rubles (over $8 million).
Investigators will seek detention of suspects in Russian Presidents residence fraud

MOSCOW, March 22 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul)  Russias investigating authorities will seek detention of Andrey Kaminov, director of state-run enterprise Atecks, and his alleged accomplices, who are suspected of multi-million embezzlement related to the construction of the Presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryevo in 2012 through 2015, the Russias Investigative Committee informs on Wednesday.

The Russias Investigative Committee has initiated and is currently investigating a criminal case against a criminal gang over a large-scale embezzlement of state funds allocated for the execution of various construction projects of federal importance. The total estimated loss suffered by the state as a result makes no less than 225 million rubles (about $4 million), according to a Committees representative.

Alongside Kaminov, Atecks former first deputy director Stanislav Kyuner, Dmitry Torchinsky, Sergey Litvinov, Sergey Perevalov, and Alexander Rodionov have been also arrested in the case investigated by the Committee in collaboration with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Federal Guard Service (FSO).
The story of the Amiraults of Massachusetts, and of the prosecution that had turned the lives of this thriving American family to dust, was well known to the world by the year 2001. It was well known, especially, to District Attorney Martha Coakley, who had by then arrived to take a final, conspicuous, role in a case so notorious as to assure that the Amiraults' name would be known around the globe.

The Amiraults were a busy, confident trio, grateful in the way of people who have found success after a life of hardship. Violet had reared her son Gerald and daughter Cheryl with help from welfare, and then set out to educate herself. The result was the triumph of her lifethe Fells Acres schoolwhose every detail Violet scrutinized relentlessly. Not for nothing was the pre-school deemed by far the best in the area, with a long waiting list for admission.

All of it would end in 1984, with accusations of sexual assault and an ever-growing list of parents signing their children on to the case. Newspaper and television reports blared a sensational story about a female school principal, in her 60s, who had daily terrorized and sexually assaulted the pupils in her care, using sharp objects as her weapon. So too had Violet's daughter Cheryl, a 28-year old teacher at the school.
LONDON, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the Company) today announced that it is commencing a cash tender offer (the Excess Cash Flow Offer) to purchase up to $20 million aggregate amount (the Maximum Offer Amount) with respect to its outstanding 10.000% First Priority Secured Notes due 2019 (the Notes) at a purchase price of 102% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the purchase date.



The Excess Cash Flow Offer is being made pursuant to requirements set forth in the indenture governing the Notes that require the Company to offer to purchase Notes, subject to there being at least $1.0 million of Excess Cash Flow, up to a maximum of $20 million and subject to certain limitations, within 120 days following the end of each fiscal year.

The Company had at least $20 million of Excess Cash Flow in fiscal year 2016.

The Excess Cash Flow Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 19, 2017, unless extended by the Company, in its sole discretion (the Offer Expiration Date). If the aggregate amount with respect to the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Excess Cash Flow Offer exceeds the Maximum Offer Amount, the trustee under the indenture governing the Notes will select the Notes to be accepted for purchase on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be needed so that only Notes in minimum amounts of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof will be so purchased). Tenders of the Notes must be made on or prior to the Offer Expiration Date and may be validly withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Offer Expiration Date.

In the event that the aggregate amount with respect to tendered and accepted Notes is less than the Maximum Offer Amount, any amount less than the Maximum Offer Amount not used for the purchase of Notes pursuant to the Excess Cash Flow Offer will be available by the Company for use in any manner permitted under the indenture.

The Excess Cash Flow Offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated March 22, 2017, and related documents (collectively, the Offer Documents), which set forth the complete terms and conditions of the Excess Cash Flow Offer. The Excess Cash Flow Offer is made only by and pursuant to the terms set forth in the Offer Documents, and the information in this press release is qualified by reference to those documents. Subject to applicable law, the Company may amend, extend or terminate the Excess Cash Flow Offer.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes.

THE EXCESS CASH FLOW OFFER IS BEING MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY WILL DISTRIBUTE TO ITS NOTEHOLDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE OFFER DOCUMENTS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE VARIOUS TERMS OF, AND CONDITIONS TO, THE EXCESS CASH FLOW OFFER. NOTEHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THESE MATERIALS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCESS CASH FLOW OFFER.

About Global Ship Lease

Global Ship Lease is a containership charter owner. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under long-term, fixed rate charters to top tier container liner companies.

At December 31, 2016, Global Ship Lease owned 18 vessels with a total capacity of 82,312 TEU and an average age, weighted by TEU capacity, of 12.0 years. All vessels are currently fixed on time charters, 15 with CMA CGM. The average remaining term of the charters is 3.9 years or 4.0 years on a weighted basis.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Companys current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Companys expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, continue, estimate, expect, intend, may, ongoing, plan, potential, predict, project, will or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure you that the events or expectations included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the factors described in Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F and the factors and risks the Company describes in subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
While helping my daughter run her first lemonade stand, a nice neighbor approached and asked what charity we were raising money for. But, we werent raising money for anything. My daughter had just started her first business, and I was proud of her for that. So, I looked at the neighbor and said that we were working for profit, not charity. Given the recent controversies surrounding Unilevers CEO, Paul Polman, maybe they should consider consulting my daughter about the value of profit seeking as the company conducts its comprehensive review.

The value of profit is often overlooked by the chattering class in the media not so much investors or stockholders yet the medias outlook has changed the way that the rest of us perceive companies and the individuals that run them.

Businesses are about making profit. Charity can be a tool in that process  although likely not an effective one. But, charity can also be done right; Bill Gates one person who is doing it right. He and his wife Melinda have set up an incomparable foundation that does amazing work throughout the world. However, it was only after he personally amassed wealth that the foundation became particularly active.

Even more importantly, he isnt using Microsoft as his charitable outlet. Microsoft has made Bill Gates billions with a product whose marginal cost is almost $0. That isnt charitable, but the world is orders of magnitude better off because of his innovations  and that should be celebrated.

Some business leaders dont understand this concept. They mistake the marketing advantage of company charities, and do-gooding, as the companys mission. This form of headline-chasing leadership is a recipe for disaster and a nightmare for stock holders. The current shenanigans at Unilever are a case study on corporate charity, and in this case it isnt going well.

There are lots of ways to make money in a business as large as theirs  the company has its fingers in so many pies (both figurative and literal) its almost impossible for them not to make money. However, under Polmans leadership Unilever seems to have morphed into a fourth option: a mega-corporation with the mission of a non-profit charity  they even have a website promoting their new strategy. And, because of his outspoken opinions on capitalism and the environment, Polman has been heaped with predictable, eyeroll-inducing praise from the media.

Of course, these vanity projects cost money.

For instance, Polman directed the company to commit $25 million to plant trees in the developing world, which might be a noble goal for a non-profit, or a privately owned company, but at a for-profit, publicly traded corporation, that money came from shareholders pockets. Interestingly, that money likely came from profits derived from fees raised in the developing world. In 2013 royalty fees from its Indian partners were doubled, and in 2015 fees to local partners in South Africa were tripled. Praise from these actions has helped to spur Polman on, but the praise hasnt been from his shareholders, because the mission of the company that they invested in was to profit. And that mission has been lacking.

Unilever recently hit a five-year low in sales growth. From February 2016 to last month, the companys stock has slipped by more than 2 percent while the S&P 500 has soared 25 percent; and analysts forecasts for the next 12 months have Unilever's stock price down 4.1 percent. Last month, hostility from Unilever caused Kraft Heinz to pull its $143 billion purchase bid; a majority of Unilever shareholders who would have benefited significantly from the merger are unhappy with this maneuver by Polman, according to a recent survey.

I am sure that Paul Polman is a nice guy, and the media certainly agree, but running a business is not about being nice. Running a business also isnt about being mean. And, running a business also isnt about polluting or exploiting anything or anybody. Running a business, running a large mega-corporation, is about making money.

Just ask my daughter  or that neighbor that ended up purchasing a glass of lemonade and a cookie. (The margins are higher for the lemonade, in case youre wondering.)
On March 13 the White House announced that President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a two-day summit in April at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. This could be helpful. Personal connections ought to be subordinate to national interests, but good relations at the personal level are more likely to help than hinder future cooperation between the two world leaders.

President Trump has already expressed some of his ideas about the U.S.-China relationship. As president-elect, Trump repeated his campaign accusation that China has manipulated its currency to take advantage of the United States. On Dec. 4, Trump tweeted: Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the U.S. doesnt tax them) or build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I dont think so.

Trump is understandably concerned about both the commercial relationship between the United States and China, and the security challenges that Chinas actions in the region have raised over the past few years.

Opening moves

While he was president-elect, Trump accepted a congratulatory phone call from the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. He also let it be known that the long-standing U.S. commitment to the so-called One China policy might be revisited. Such a re-evaluation could put an end to formal U.S. recognition that there is a single entity called China -- the United States recognizes this diplomatic construct by maintaining an embassy and ambassador only in Beijing.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministrys website answered that [t]he One China principle, which is the political foundation of the China-U.S. relations, is non-negotiable. Resolving this uncertainty, Presidents Trump and Xi spoke by phone shortly afterward, and the former assured the latter that the United States remained committed to the One China policy. Even if that policy is on the back burner for now, there are important issues between Washington and Beijing that a meeting could usefully address.

No single issue is more important to address than Chinas maritime aggressiveness in the region, specifically in the South and East China seas. Chinas single aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, together with five escorting vessels, navigated south of Taiwan in late December 2016 as the group entered the South China Sea.

In early March, the Chinese government news agency, Xinhua, reported that Chinas premier, Li Keqiang, proposed strengthening its maritime management at the annual National Peoples Congress. In the same address, Li called for increased military manpower in offshore locations, in all likelihood a reference to the artificial islands that Beijing has been building in the South China Sea. In conjunction with the same Congress, Wang Weimin, deputy chief of staff of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), told Xinhua that China is speeding up the development of a marine corps, a key military instrument for amphibious operations trained to overcome opposing forces and move well-armed ground forces from ship to shore.

Chinas penetration of the airspace and the territorial waters of Japans Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu Islands, in the East China Sea, has become more frequent in recent years and is now a fact of life in the region.

Chinese aggressiveness in both the South and East China seas threatens Americas allies and partners in the area. It also challenges a principle of U.S. foreign policy that dates back to Americas founding -- namely, freedom of navigation in international waters. This is a necessity for a maritime nation like the United States that has traded with the world since before it declared independence from Great Britain.

The value of U.S. support to partners and allies

Trump campaigned on making America great again. He spoke repeatedly of diminished respect for the U.S. around the world and criticized then-President Barack Obama for weakness in the face of challenges from global competitors and adversaries. The Trump administration offered specific proposals for securing the nations borders and increasing the defense budget before it addressed Obamacare and tax reform. There is a lot that President Trump can discuss with President Xi with the aim of defending fundamental U.S. principles and protecting our friends and allies in Asia. A portion of this discussion is already underway.

The administrations secretary of defense, James Mattis, visited Asia in February and said in Tokyo that Washington will continue to recognize Japans administration of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and that the United States would defend the Senkakus if they were threatened. Earlier Mattis stopped in Seoul, where he said that the United States would deploy the THAAD anti-missile system to augment South Koreas defense against a North Korean adversary that has increased the frequency of its missile tests in recent months.

Beijing has complained at length about the deployment, arguing that THAAD threatens China. President Trump could include in his discussions with Xi Chinas unhelpful support of Pyongyang, which facilitates Kim Jong Uns accelerating aggression in the region. There are plenty of other issues for the U.S. president to raise. They are united under a couple of common themes: the Chinese ambition to dominate East Asia, and Washingtons interest in preserving its alliances as a guarantor of democracy, security, and prosperity in the region.

Trump is not likely to persuade Xi to renounce Chinas standing threat of force to resolve its disagreements with Taiwan. But clarity about U.S. willingness to stand by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 would help Xi understand that the Trump administration will honor commitments to friends, partners, and allies around the world. The Taiwan Relations Act requires that the United States make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.

Throughout the Obama administration, arms sales to Taiwan were few and far between. The Trump administration can change this: Regular and uninterrupted sale of appropriate defense technology to Taiwan would demonstrate clear resolve in discussions with Chinese leadership. Taiwan wants to purchase U.S. maritime patrol aircraft, mine-hunting ships, and combat helicopters; upgrade their missile defenses; purchase other missiles that would defend against ships, aircraft, and tanks; and buy aircraft with systems that provide early warning against attack. All these platforms and weapons are needed to help Taiwan defend itself against blockades, amphibious landings, and intermediate-range missile barrages launched from the mainland. A regular and frequent sale of these weapons would greatly improve Taiwans ability to deter attacks and it would increase the chance for peace and stability in cross-strait relations. The stronger Taiwans defenses are, the less interested China will be in challenging them.

On the diplomatic side, Xi would benefit from Trumps reiteration of the Six Assurances, the U.S. Congresss expression of American support of a peaceful resolution of differences between Taiwan and China. The assurances are backed by a reaffirmation of American defense assistance and respect for the existing understanding of Taiwans sovereignty. In the occasionally circuitous language of diplomacy, the Six Assurances establish that:

The U.S. has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan;

The U.S. has not agreed to hold prior consultations with the Peoples Republic of China on arms sales to Taiwan;

The U.S. will not play any mediation role between Taiwan and China;

The U.S. has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act;

The U.S. has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan;

The U.S. will not exert pressure on Taiwan to negotiate with Beijing.

Trumps personal affirmation of these assurances will tell Xi that the United States remains very much committed to Taiwans defense. It will also signal that Washington intends to stay engaged in East Asia and that the United States is a reliable alliance partner throughout the world. This may not please the Chinese leader. It will demonstrate that America is as good as its word. A superpower cannot be great at home without being great beyond its borders. President Trump pledged to make America great again. Standing firm on U.S. assurances to Taiwan will be a large step toward achieving this.
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AMARILLO, Texas, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Producers Ag Insurance Group, Inc. (ProAg), a member of the Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) group of companies, today announced a purchase agreement had been signed to acquire crop managing general agent (MGA) International Ag Insurance Solutions, LLC (International Ag). The transaction, which is subject to a number of closing conditions including final approvals by certain International Ag members and regulatory authorities, is expected to close by April 3, 2017.



Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, International Ag manages multi-peril crop, crop hail and named peril crop insurance. In 2016, the company managed gross premiums of $67.4 million, as reported by National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS).

ProAg believes International Ag provides a complementary platform to add business from a strong group of independent agents, while improving our profitability and enhancing our diversified portfolio. This acquisition shows TMHCCs continued commitment to the U.S. crop insurance space. We are pleased to welcome International Ags management team, employees and independent agents to ProAg, said Michael Connealy, ProAgs President and Chief Executive Officer.

International Ag is excited about the opportunity to join the financially strong and geographically diverse agricultural risk management program of ProAg. Under the guidance and support of ProAg, we will be able to expand our product offerings and elevate the superior service our customers have come to expect, said Rob Boysen, International Ags Chief Executive Officer.

Together with International Ag, we will work through the details to provide a seamless transition for policyholders, agents and employees over the coming months, said Kendall Jones, ProAgs Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

ProAg is a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies, with a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company, Inc. The company is positioned as a financially strong and well-capitalized crop insurer with over 90 years of experience in protecting the American farmer. ProAg writes multi-peril crop, crop hail, named peril crop and livestock insurance. The company is headquartered in Amarillo, Texas with seven offices spread across the United States. ProAg employs approximately 400 people supporting crop insurance operations in 41 states. For more information about ProAg, please visit www.ProAg.com. ProAg is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. Tokio Marine HCCs major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company, Inc., and AA- (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC. Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $31 billion as of December 31, 2016. For more information about Tokio Marine HCC, please visit www.tokiomarinehcc.com.
NEW YORK, March 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that federal securities class action lawsuits have been filed against Walter Investment Management Corporation (Walter or the Company) (NYSE:WAC). The class actions, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, are on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Walter securities between February 29, 2016 and March 13, 2017 both dates inclusive (the Class Period).



Investors who have incurred losses in the shares of Walter Investment Management Corporation are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website, www.whafh.com.

If you have purchased shares of Walter Investment Management Corporation and would like to assist with the litigation process, you may, no later than May 15, 2017, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class.

Walter Investment Management Corporation, a diversified mortgage banking firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida, focuses primarily on the servicing and origination of residential loans in the United States. Among the Companys subsidiaries is Ditech Financial (Ditech).

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) the Companys Ditech subsidiary had a material weakness in its internal control over operational processes; (ii) accordingly, the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, Walters public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On March 14, 2017, Walter filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reporting the Companys financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016 (the 2016 10-K). In the 2016 10-K filing, Walter disclosed that [a]s of December 31, 2016, we identified a material weakness in internal controls over operational processes within the transaction level processing of Ditech Financial default servicing activities.

On this news, Walters share price fell $1.05, or 38.89%, to close at $1.65 on March 14, 2017.

Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation.

If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com, or visit our website at www.whafh.com.

Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.
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Cameron Keen and Roya Naghepour (far left and center left) are running on the Ignite ticket in the upcoming SGA Elections, along with their rivals Ripken Gorman and Ammishaddai Grand-Jean (center right and far right) who are running on the Rise ticket. (Photo/Christopher Carson, ccarson@randb.com)
Whatever Mr Modis other shortcomings be, his consistent efforts to motivate have created an aura of positivity, hopefully stable.

He has also shown that he is not averse to taking decisions with possibly negative implications for him, says Shreekant Sambrani.



The clearest takeaway from these elections is the BJPs dominance of Indian politics and in turn, that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. Photograph: PTI Photo.



No, this column is not about Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, the Badals, Arvind Kejriwal or Harish Rawat. Nor is it about some psephologists who could not predict the Bharatiya Janata Party landslide win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

It is about the professional commentariat. Most were incredulous when presented with exit poll findings on sundry television channels a couple of days before the long-drawn out suspense of the state assembly elections finally ended on Saturday.

They readily joined the chorus when the party faithful thundered, Remember Bihar! Remember Delhi! But some anchors had smartly pre-empted them by owning up those blunders in advance.

One cannot fault the parties and their leaders for being sceptical about the exit polls. They had fought long and arduous campaigns, unlike any prior in state elections. They could ill-afford to throw in the towel at the first signs of trouble.

The pundits had watched the scene equally long and claimed domain expertise on the basis of their earlier work. They were expected to offer better justification for their disbelief than saying that the projections did not square with their personal observations (possibly blinkered) or discussions with friends and associates (most likely supportive of with shared pre-judgements).

The clearest takeaway from these elections is the BJPs dominance of Indian politics and, in turn, that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

This will continue for some years, since there is no challenger in sight, if for no other reason. While the Congress is on a dramatic, possibly terminal, decline, the BJPs ascendance is indisputable, regardless of one's professed ideology.

The reasons for this are not hard to discern. For a decade, India suffered a regime led (nominally) by a mumbling prime minister and his bungling ministers. The result was a rapid transition from an aspirational to a despairing India, and its diminishment internationally.

Whatever Mr Modis other shortcomings be, his consistent efforts to motivate have created an aura of positivity, hopefully stable. He has also shown that he is not averse to taking decisions with possibly negative implications for him.

Those are the reasons for the ready, almost enthusiastic, acceptance of demonetisation. If it were a case of stoicism of the masses or schadenfreude, as some have tried to explain this enigma, surely there would have been some electoral cost.

This was not seen anywhere, from Gujarat to Manipur and from Punjab to Odisha, in recent state and local-body elections. The fact that the BJP has retained very nearly its entire 2014 tally of Uttar Pradesh assembly segments shows the extent of popular support for the measure.

That tells us that most commentators were at least premature, if not altogether mistaken, in their interpreting the crowds they saw waiting for cash after November 8 last as mass disapproval of note bandi.

Dr Manmohan Singh was uncharacteristically intemperate in his language in calling it organised loot and legalised plunder. His unsubstantiated assertion of a negative impact of at least 2 percentage points on GDP won him no converts and besmirched his reputation as an economics jagadguru.

P Chidambaram held forth from every available forum and claimed that remonetisation would take at least seven months. In a little over half that time, as of mid-March, over 80 per cent of the currency has been replaced and liquidity appears to be no problem any longer.

So the imminent collapse of the economy, much feared by many learned commentators, some of whom later spoke on elections as well, was a case of some exaggeration.

We must await revised GDP estimates later this quarter and the next to see if the same is the case of the awe and distrust that have accompanied the numbers released so far.

The point common to the scepticism expressed about exit polls and demonetisation is that these events presented scenarios beyond the ken of the commentators.

Their initial reaction of disbelief sprang from their inability to reconcile their past experience with seemingly unlikely outcomes of these unforeseen events. But that hardly inspires confidence in their capacities to display the spirit of rational enquiry and a mind open to entertain all possibilities.

Another example of this is the assertion of a liberal commentator adept at reading the writing on the wall to the effect that Uttar Pradesh had slipped back into identity politics from the earlier high of aspirational voting. The results show how little caste and community influenced the electoral outcome.

An entirely unplanned consequence of these election results is the sleeplessness they are causing in all probability to the present owner-occupant of one Matoshree bungalow in Bandra east, Mumbai.

On the reckoning of the trends of the last three weeks, it would be well nigh impossible to deny the BJP an outright majority and more if Maharashtra were to face a mid-term poll now.

The powers that be in the party might just be tempted to exercise that option as an effective answer to the continued needling from a recalcitrant ally!



Shreekant Sambrani is an economist.
Venture capitalists Adam Wolfensohn and Ameya Bijoor tell Anjuli Bhargava about the kind of investments and companies they are looking at in India.

IMAGE: Encourage Capital is excited about the digitalisation of financial services to reach a new segment. Photograph: Pawan Kumar/Reuters.

Encourage Capital was formed in 2015 by the merger of Wolfensohn and Eko Asset Management.

Wolfensohn had invested in FabIndia, Ujjivan, National Stock Exchange, REPCO Home Finance and DCB Bank -- it has exited three, one partially (DCB) and one it still holds (NSE).

Co-founder and managing partner Adam Wolfensohn and partner Ameya Bijoor were in India for the Prabhav Conclave organised by the Impact Investment Council in Gurugram.

Excerpts from a chat:

What kind of investments and companies are you looking to invest in India?

Wolfensohn: The strength of our portfolio has been in inclusive finance.

Our stage of investment is in the growth stage so the business model has been proven.

We'll make investments of $10-20 million in expansion-stage firms. We see a strong opportunity here for companies to leverage technology to drive growth and in reaching new customers.

We are particularly excited about financial technologies. The digitalisation of financial services to reach a new segment is something we are excited about.

The enabling environment to bring new people into the financial system is very strong in India. With Aaadhar giving an identity to millions for the first time and with a unified payment interface, there is potential to not just access new customers but also to design new products specifically for their needs to help improve their livelihoods.

We'd like to partner with established financial institutions and provide them with growth capital.

Typically, we'd work with small banks, non-bank finance companies, MFIs, insurance companies. Investments for us are typically in unlisted companies. Our holding periods are 3-5 years, but in some cases they are longer.

Are you looking at sectors like education and health care or will you focus only on microfinance?

Wolfensohn: There's still a lot to be done in the financial space -- well beyond microfinance. For instance, lending for small and medium enterprises, housing finance, finance for healthcare and insurance, finance for renewable energy.

Let me say finance is a critical enabler for so many sustainable development causes, and we think it's a particularly powerful place to have both impact and deliver financial returns.

We can't do everything. If we invest in education, we are only investing in education. We have a focus on renewable energy, for instance, but instead of backing a developer directly we are looking at financing investors to help enable an SME to work in the area.

Finance itself is a means to an end.

What has been your biggest win?

Wolfensohn: Ujjivan is up there in the top five. In terms of the number of people it has managed to reach, it is one of the more impactful investments.

But this is a bit hard to say. It's like asking which of your children is your favourite.

Why is there such a low domestic base from India coming into the impact sector?

Bijoor: Let me try and answer that.

I think it's a mindset thing. When I told my father I was leaving Arthur Andersen and moving to join the Clinton Foundation in India, he was taken aback as he felt that philanthropy and charity work was something you do after your career was over. I think culturally -- especially in India -- it's a mindset barrier and a cultural barrier.

But having said that, it's a mindset issue in most parts of the world. The people you see coming here for this impact conference are a very tiny subset of what one would see with, say, private equity. So it's not as if this sector is that big the world over.

Wolfensohn: Besides that, there's not a massive LP equity market to start with.

Second, if you have a charitable trust in India, there are regulations that prevent you from investing in equity. So, there are regulatory challenges.

In India, the impact investment community invested in very early stage investments -- companies that were very disruptive and very impactful but also often with a very high risk of failure.

Do you think old businesses in India have not fully understood this new creature.

Wolfensohn: Yes, absolutely. But let me again say that this is not an issue that India alone faces. Even in the Western world, there is a huge variation in what impact means to different people.

Investors' risk appetites differ greatly, as do their intentions and objectives.

I also think there is more impact investment happening even without people necessarily thinking of it that way. Clean energy is an example. A lot of old Indian business houses have invested in this -- some perhaps without directly stating this to be their primary objective or classifying it as such.
The Tata group-owned budget hotel chain is going back to the drawing board to reboot the brand. But is it too late?

IMAGE: The Jaipur Ginger hotel. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: www.ginger.com.

Losses and rising competition from budget room aggregators are driving the makeover at the 13-year-old Ginger Hotels, owned by the Tata groups Indian Hotels Company which also operates Taj luxury hotels.

Over the past few quarters, the company, that has 37 properties across the country, says it has taken a deep and hard look at the rapidly evolving travel and hospitality environment. And come up with a plan that takes Ginger back to the basics and refreshes the brand in public memory.

Given the rapid rise in the number of players and pitched battle for customers in the segment, Ginger has a rough trek ahead.



The hospitality chain is confident it can put together a winning formula, being among the oldest players in the category.

I am not trying to give a deluxe experience diluted and then saying I will charge less. The experience we want to deliver is very simple. We are defining it as BBBB: Bed, bath, breakfast and broadband, says Rahul Pandit, managing director and chief executive officer.

Market clutter, changing traveller expectations and evolution of a whole new eco-system of aggregators, developers and reviewers have hit hotels in the budget category.

A host of start-ups have entered the space too. Some are aggregators -- Oyo, Airbnb -- and others run a brand-led franchisee model -- Treebo and Fab.

Budget brands from leading hotel companies, like Ibis (Accor Hotels), Country Inn & Park Inn (Carlson Rezidor) and others, have added to the crowd. Ginger has been slow to catch up with the changes. Though the rapid expansion of capacity in the segment points to a booming demand for such services, it has struggled to get its groove back.





IMAGE: The Goa Ginger hotel. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: www.ginger.com.

Pandit says in the months ahead, they will play to the brands inherent advantages. He says, It is not only distribution. The piece of the puzzle we need to crack is how to deliver consistent quality nationally.

Ginger will focus on security and cleanliness as brand differentiators. In luxury hotels, you dont need to make this promise. This situation is unique to India, he adds.



The hotel chain is also focusing on comfort. It says it is making sure guests are not only guaranteed a comfortable bed, but a room insulated from sound and light to ensure a peaceful night. Double-pane windows, blackout blinds and enviro-seal doors are being put in place.



Ginger is also communicating more clearly with potential customers and taking their feedback seriously. For instance, they once offered shampoo and conditioner in a single dispenser, as many budget hotels do. Pandit says, during an interaction with a group of women guests, he discovered the two needed to be separated. The changes were incorporated, he adds.



If we deliver the four (BBBB), we are sorted. This is the focus Ginger has in order to reorient the brand. We are doing this for three quarters but are yet to roll it out, says Pandit. Also, We dont want to deliver everything to everyone.



The brand is being careful not to make promises it cant keep. It does not have a large breakfast menu but quality and extended hours for the morning meal are guaranteed, it tells guests. It also pays heed to complaints: Guests complained about the quality of broadband and Pandit says the team is trying to ensure that the Wi-Fi works smoothly everywhere, even as one walks out of the room to the lift.



The question is whether these changes will be enough to lift the brand out of its losses. Roots Corporation, which owns the Ginger brand, posted a loss of Rs 11 crore in FY16 on revenue of Rs 143 crore.

Pandit maintained that the business was profitable at the operating earning level and the loss was due to exceptional project-related issues. Numbers for the current financial year are not yet available.





IMAGE: The Chennai Ginger hotel. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: www.ginger.com.

This CEO spent about 12 years with Lemon Tree Hotels before moving to Roots in mid-2015. He believes that Ginger can beat the competition by focusing on the four Bs. These might look simple but a lot of work is being done.

We are educating people about what we are trying to deliver. The product is easy, the process is difficult and the big challenge is to reorient the workforce.



It is also important to manage guest expectations. Ginger has put in internal audit measures, a customer feedback system and third-party validation through TripAdvisor and HolidayIQ to monitor the reviews. Social media semantics is being followed.

He said a matrix has been put in place to measure and reward performance of the 2,000-plus staff.

What about negative feedback? Pandit says if people flag a negative issue, the good thing is that the guest is giving the hotel a chance to fix it.

Once you fix it, it is strong brand building. A negative response handled well leads to a much stronger brand ambassador.



Ginger will also look at opportunities to increase engagement with guests at the pre-arrival stage, in residence period and post departure.

At many hotels, you may find the staff developing amnesia after you pay the bill. That should never happen.

Given the array of choices travellers now have , it will be a challenge getting them to keep coming back for more.
Around 625 workers have been fasting since Monday; no disruption of production at the plant

The management-worker tussle at US-based car major General Motors' (GM) Halol site seems to be far from over, as around 625 permanent workers at the site have now gone on a hunger strike demanding jobs from the buyer of the asset, China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC), or a better VRS package.

Interestingly, the plant which is inching towards closure on April 28, is still making Taveras and Cruze. The workers have not disrupted work at the site.

"We are demanding either a better VRS package, or we want the new owner to absorb us. They will need experienced workers at the site, then why not us?," asked a senior worker at the site.

The company, on its part, has bettered the VRS package. Earlier, they had offered 40-days of pay per year of service plus gratuity. Now that has been increased to 100-days of pay per year of service. The deadline for accepting the VRS is also over in mid-March.

Sources indicate that the company is now likely to issue mass transfer orders for workers to move to Talegaon. This roughly works out to be around Rs 10-12 lakh per worker at Halol. The average salary of the permanent workers is around Rs 28,000-30,000 at Halol.

Since the average age of workers at Halol is around 35-36 years, many are not keen to accept the VRS offer. Worker sources, however, claimed that the VRS offered by the company is beneficial for managerial cadre employees and not workers.

Workers, however, are unwilling to move to Talegaon. GM India has already transferred around 300 workers to Talegaon.

The Chinese buyer is not ready to absorb the current set of workers at Halol. GM India, on its part, has formally announced earlier this month that it would cease production from April 28, 2017. It is a part of its plan to consolidate manufacturing at its Talegaon plant, Maharashtra.

Sources in the state bureaucracy who are monitoring the developments closely said that no acquirer is bound by law to absorb the current set of employees.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters
GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar tells Sudipto Dey how information technology can improve service delivery of government departments.

IMAGE: GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar has earlier worked closely with setting up the technology backbone for the RTI system. Photograph: Courtesy Business Standard.

Our guest is a self-confessed non-foodie. Given a choice he would eat home food at the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) canteen on the fourth floor office at Worldmark 1 in Aerocity complex near Terminal 3 of the New DelhiAirport.

Despite repeated attempts to meet at a restaurant of his choice -- and there are plenty of them within the Aerocity complex -- Prakash Kumar leaves it to us to decide on the place for our meeting.

To get more bang out of the time allotted for the midweek lunch meeting -- roughly around 90 minutes -- we zero in on Bella Italia at Holiday Inn. While the user reviews of the United Kingdom-based restaurant chain on various websites were largely positive, what clinched the choice of place was the fact that it was just next door to the GSTN office -- at best five minutes away.

As we walk into Holiday Inn, Kumar, the CEO of GSTN, confesses that he has been to this hotel only once for a meeting and this was his first visit to the restaurant. "This shows you how much of a foodie I am," he chuckles.

Though we had pre-booked a table for two, actually there was no need. At 1 pm, the restaurant was largely empty.

We settle down in a corner by two large windows. Both of us decide to order the food before starting off with our conversation.

After scanning the menu, Kumar suggests it would be a better idea to take the help of the restaurant staff. "I am allergic to shrimps and want to avoid sea food," he instructs the person serving our table.

We decide to share the pasta and lasagne, settling for Agnello Tagliatelle (prepared from fresh egg tagliatelle with slow cooked lamb) and Pollo Pancetta (fresh pasta with slices of chicken breast, crispy pancetta in cheese sauce and mozzarella).

We kick off our conversation with Kumar's active interest in the Right to Information (RTI) movement.

As information technology (IT) secretary with the government of India he worked closely with setting up the technology backbone for the RTI system in the mid-2000s.

Earlier, in the 1990s, he was involved in automating the sales tax department for the Delhi government. He has co-authored three books on RTI while in government

He concedes that he did not know much about RTI till he saw an opportunity to use the IT platform to make information available to stakeholders.

"The idea was to create a Google for government information -- answer anything people ask about government services, put that out in the public domain," he says.

In his two-decade-long stint in the government, the 1985 batch IAS officer has observed that "mal-administration happens when stakeholders do not have information".

The IIT Kanpur alumnus strongly feels that IT has to be used as a platform to improve the service delivery of government departments. "My entire work over the last 20 years has been in this area," he says.

So, when the offer came up to join GSTN he did not hesitate to take a salary cut to be part of -- as he puts it -- "one of the biggest tax reforms the country has seen".

Kumar had left government in 2008 to join the corporate sector and had stints with technology giants Cisco and Microsoft. Just like the Unique Identification project created a platform, GSTN -- the technology backbone for GST -- will be a platform for the indirect tax system.

"We are also creating a platform on which many other things can be done apart from GST compliance," he says.

Services that the GSTN backbone can offer include verifying whether one is registered with the tax department or have a rating service on the lines of credit rating. The network has already been integrated for PAN verification, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for DIN verification, and with UID for Aadhaar verification.

Ten minutes into our conversation the food is served -- the quickness of the service take both of us by surprise. As we dig into the pasta and lasagne, Kumar appears pleased with the choice. "This is good. I should come here more often," he says.

Going back to our conversation we decide to talk about some recent controversies surrounding the project. This includes issues around its ownership, the role of the private sector, data protection among others.

"There is no controversy around GSTN, just lack of information," says Kumar.

So, following his lessons from the RTI project, Kumar decided one day to put all information relating to the organisation into the public domain through FAQs on the GSTN website. "I just wrote all the answers on the website and put it out," he says.

It worked.

Over the last couple of months there are fewer questions around the GSTN project, he says.

The government created GSTN as a private not-for-profit company, but with complete strategic control with the government. Forty nine per cent of the shares are held by government, equally between the Centre and the state governments, and the remaining 51 per cent is with private financial institutions.

The Centre and the states have six directors on the board while private financial institutions have -- even with 51 per cent ownership -- three directors.

The two independent directors on the board are a former IT secretary of the government of India and a retired deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

"The structure was created to give flexibility to recruit people from the technology sector at market rate salaries. The second reason was to give agility to the organisation to take quick decisions," says Kumar.

On the issue of auditing of the project, Kumar clarifies that GSTN was audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the first three years.

"Apart from that there is a statutory auditor and an internal auditor chosen from a CAG-approved panel," he says.

On recent charges of service tax evasion Kumar seems a bit circumspect.

"This was due to some misunderstanding or lack of understanding about something," he says.

The tax department has asked for details of book of accounts and the grant provided by government.

"We have provided them all the details," he says.

He is quick to add that one learns to handle uncomfortable questions around projects after being in the government for 23 years. "You should take pinpricks in good stride, why bother," he says.

The pushback of GST roll-out by three months to July 1 has come as a big breather for the project, concedes Kumar.

"Our only request to the government has been to give the final rules quickly," he says.

With the biggest roadblock of dual control cleared, the rest will fall in place in due course, says Kumar.

The plan is to unveil the GSTN software in April for tax officers to work and play around with.

"They can give suggestions for further improvements," he says. Around 2,000 tax officers have been trained as master trainers in the use of the software.

From the middle of May, the system would be opened up for some taxpayers as decided by the tax authorities.

"Depending on the feedback we will clean up the system, sanitise it and be ready by the last week of June for the July roll-out," says Kumar.

We finish our main course in barely 30 minutes, but Kumar is reluctant to have dessert.

"I am not a diabetic, but have been advised to avoid sweets. I am a borderline case," he says defensively.

We finally agree to have a cookie dough lava cake, served with molten choco and warm caramel sauce and vanilla gelato.

As he digs into the cake, there is a sense of familiarity in his facial expression. "My wife tries something similar at home once in a while," he says, perhaps reading my thoughts.

In the last lap of our conversation -- for around an hour -- Kumar delves into what will keep him awake if GST rolls out on July 1.

A lot of things, he says. Primary among them would be sheer availability of the system and its response time. Then one has to watch out for break-in.

"There could be break-in attempts by hackers" he says candidly.

In fact, there was a massive hacker attack on the system on November 8 last year when the GSTN opened for registration,

Kumar says matter-of-factly.

"But the team was able to ward it off  thereafter access to the portal from outside the country has been disabled," he says. "We do anticipate huge attempts to break the system when we roll out."

On that note Kumar looks at his watch and realises that we are well past his 2 pm deadline to wrap up the meeting.
'If you prove that a mandir was demolished and a mosque was constructed there, we will leave the place.'

IMAGE: A Babri Masjid Re-Building Committee demonstration in Ayodhya. Photograph: B Mathur/Reuters

On Tuesday, March 21, the Supreme Court said the Ram temple in Ayodhya is a 'sensitive, sentimental issue' and should be sorted outside the court through discussion.

S Q R Ilyas, joint convener, Babri Masjid Action Committee and a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf why he welcomes the decision.

Your reaction to the Supreme Court's suggestion for an out of court settlement on the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid issue?

We do not reject the offer.

We are ready to talk if the Chief Justice of India desires so.

We believe that in these talks there should be no preconceived notions and both parties should be considered equal partners.

We have been saying this from the very beginning, that this problem can be settled by negotiations or by a court of law.

But earlier, from the time of prime ministers V P Singh to P V Narasimha Rao, the other party's attitude has been very adamant.

They used to say only one thing -- that we must leave this place.

We have always said that if you prove that a mandir was demolished and a mosque was constructed on the site, then we will leave the place.

In Islamic Sharia law, it is said that a mosque cannot be built on illegal land or by capturing land.

But the other party did not prove their allegations.

We told them to give us some documentary proof of land record or some historical proof.

They only told us that this is a matter of faith and we must abandon this place.

Negotiations between the two parties has been going on for 25 years and yet no solution has been reached. So what is new today? What has changed on the ground?

There is no change.

The apex court of India is ready to mediate, so we welcome it.

Nothing has changed, but if the Supreme Court says we should sit and find a solution, then how can we oppose it?

The Allahabad high court gave a panchayat-like ruling and now the matter is before the Supreme Court.

If they want to open the issue of negotiations, we are not opposed to it.

What were your objections to the high court judgment?

We were not happy with the Allahabad high court judgment.

They did not hear our side of the argument.

They rejected our claim and gave the order that each of the three parties must get one-third of the land.

This is not a judgment, but a panchayat system.

What have been the developments in the case since the high court judgment?

There is no development.

The case is in the Supreme Court for the last six years and they have not had a single hearing in this case.

We are very worried.

The Allahabad high court order is about 8,000 pages and it took three years to transfer those papers to the Supreme Court.

There are eight parties representing the Muslims in this case and there are six parties representing Hindus in the case.

There are thus a total of 14 parties involved in this dispute.

We are ready for talks. If someone is ready to negotiate, we are ready to negotiate.

Why it is so important for Muslims that the Babri Masjid be reconstructed at the same spot where it was demolished on December 6, 1992?

You tell me why it is important to build the Ram mandir at the same spot?

There was a mosque at that place from 1528 to 1949 and there was no dispute over that place.

Till 1949, there was no dispute.

There was a chabootra (platform) outside the Babri Masjid where Ram Lalla idols used to be placed and Hindus used to worship Ram Lalla there.

In 1949, this Ram Lalla idol was suddenly placed inside the mosque.

After that, the Babri Masjid was locked up.

In 1992, they demolished the Babri Masjid and therefore this entire issue is going against the Muslims.

For 400 years, Muslims were worshipping in this mosque, then you demolish it and you ask us why this mosque is important to us.

But this is a matter of aastha (faith), as many Hindus say.

Matter of faith yes, but from when?

Till 1949, there was no aastha for the Ram Mandir at the site of the Babri Masjid.

There was a chabootra outside the Babri Masjid and Hindus worshipped there. And that chabootra too was built only in 1886.

So if you say this is a matter of aastha, then there has to be history.

Lord Ram was born thousands of years ago, so this aastha should be that old, but then why did this aastha suddenly develop from 1949 only?

There are seven Ram Mandirs in Ayodhya and every mandir claims that Ram was born there.

During Emperor Akbar's time, Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitra Manas in Ayodhya. He sat in Ayodhya and wrote the Ramcharitra Manas.

He too never mentions the Babri Masjid being constructed over a Ram Mandir.

Tulsidas never wrote that Muslims destroyed the Ram temple.

Till 1949, there was no dispute over this place.

IMAGE: Artisans working on sandstone pillars for the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Photograph: Sondeep Shankar/Getty Images

You say that a mosque cannot be constructed on a Hindu temple. But what about the fact that many temples were brought down by Muslim invaders?

This is not true. These are false allegations. I am saying, please prove it.

This is the propaganda of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and I, therefore, say that it should be proved historically.

When we filed the case in the Allahabad high court, six prominent historians said in court that there was no mandir at the site of the Babri Masjid.

Historically, there is no proof.

All these historians who deposed before the court were non-Muslims.

The Gyan Vyapi mosque in Varanasi was constructed over a temple. Aurangzeb destroyed that temple. Did he not?

Vishwambar Nath Pandey was the governor of Orissa and he wrote a book in which he said that Aurangzeb gave permission to build 100 temples.

It is a wrong allegation that Aurangzeb demolished temples.

Do you believe you can now sit across the table and sort out the problem?

We are ready for talks.

If someone is ready to negotiate, we are ready to negotiate.

You see, aastha is not proof.

You have to give historical records, revenue records, land records.

If you capture my house and then say that there was a Ram Mandir there, will I not ask for proof?

There are so many places in Ayodhya where Muslims can reconstruct the Babri Masjid. Why insist on that same site that Hindus hold sacred?

You can ask the Hindus the same question too. They can build the Ram temple anywhere else.

Historically, you will never be able to prove that there ever was a Ram Mandir at the site of the Babri Masjid.

The day they establish this proof, we will lose the case and we will leave the place.

IMAGE: Stone columns that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad says will be used to build a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Photograph: Rupam Jain/Reuters

With Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Narendra Modi as prime minister, the BJP can introduce a bill in Parliament and the state assembly can pass it to construct the Ram temple at the disputed site.

So, what is the point in fighting this issue in court?

If they want to do dadagiri (use of force), dhandli (fraud), they can do so and we do not have any problems.

We are only talking of law and justice.

If they want to bring a bill on the Ram Mandir, then let them bring it.

But can a secular government bring such a bill on the mandir and masjid?

Legally, they should not bring the bill because we do not live in a Hindu rashtra, but a secular nation.

Historically, you will never be able to prove that there ever was a Ram Mandir at the site of the Babri Masjid.

The day they establish this proof we will lose the case and will leave the place.

When then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi brought in a bill to overturn the Supreme Court verdict granting alimony to Shah Bano in the 1980s, was that a sign of a secular nation?

You are confusing the two issues. The Sharia Application Act has been passed by Parliament, which is the Muslim personal law enacted by Parliament.

The Hindu Code Bill has also been enacted by Parliament. This is the law.

If a Muslim woman is divorced and if you have a problem over her maintenance, then the best solution is given to her. She has the rights under Sharia law.

Now, let them prove that there was a mandir there. Till date they have not given any proof of the Ram Mandir's existence at the site.

They always say it is a matter of faith for them. They say you give us this site as deeksha (offering).

So why not give deeksha, treating it as what a younger brother gives an elder brother?

But elder brothers must give deeksha.

The Babri Masjid is not an ego issue for Muslims.

Our problem is -- once a masjid is constructed at a place, then it is not our place, but the place of Allah.

If it was my house I would have given the place to the Hindus for the Ram Mandir, but this place is the place of Allah.

We are custodians of this place for Allah. And once a mosque is built it has to be a mosque till doomsday.

But in several Muslim countries they have demolished mosques to build roads, dams and highways. Why cannot we do that in India as well?

Those countries are not constructing a mandir at that place, but building roads and highways.

My only argument is, prove that a mandir was demolished and a mosque was built on the site and Muslims will give up their claim.

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'Why should farmers who give us food be vacated to hand over their property to a private company held by one individual?' asks activist S P Udaykumar.

IMAGE: Farmers protest against the proposed hydro-carbon project in Neduvasal, Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu. Photograph: PTI Photo

Activist S P Udaykumar spearheaded the agitation against the Koodangulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu, for which he had over 300 cases registered against him, including charges of sedition.

He contested the assembly and parliamentary elections to further his campaign against nuclear power, but lost.

Unfazed, Udaykumar has been busy with his Green Party, constantly campaigning for the environment.

Last fortnight, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jaggi Vasudev's ashram near Coimbatore to inaugurate a 112-feet tall statue of Adiyogi (Lord Shiva), Udaykumar wrote to Modi saying the statue was in the catchment area of the Noyyal river where construction is banned and hence the prime minister should not come for the function.

Udaykumar, left, spoke to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar about his concerns over this and other environmental issues in Tamil Nadu.

Why did you write to the prime minister asking him not to inaugurate the Adiyogi statue built by the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore?

The entire construction is illegal. The government has issued notice to the Isha Foundation asking them to vacate that place.

There is a court order to vacate that place, but the government has not implemented the court order because Jaggi Vasudev is an influential man.

But they are not the only violators in that area.

That area is an elephant habitat. How can anyone encroach upon an elephant habitat?

They have no plan approvals from any government agency. Now the prime minister has added legitimacy to an illegal construction. That is not good for his image.

We are facing a severe drought in Tamil Nadu and our catchment areas are very important. We cannot be building on them.

You also support the protests against the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.

There have been protests in the Cauvery delta against the hydrocarbon project that is coming up there.

The protestors became so agitated that the Tamil Nadu government has since withdrawn permission for the project.

They have given out 31 wells to private companies, of which 14 wells went to just one entity without any auction or tender. How they arrived at this bid, we are not told.

You know who is getting this particular well in Neduvasal?

Davangere's BJP member of Parliament, G M Siddeshwara, whose company Gem Laboratories has been given the licence to extract hydrocarbons, and who is the son of two-time MP Mallikarjunappa.

The government has given them this site for 15 years. All the 31 sites together would generate Rs 49,000 crores (Rs 490 billion) in profit; the government will get only Rs 9,600 crores (Rs 96 billion).

This is their idea of income sharing.

Neduvasal is in the Cauvery delta, which is rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.

Why should farmers who give us food be vacated to hand over their property to a private company held by one individual?

What is important, feeding the people or enriching one individual?

You also announced plans to approach the Supreme Court against PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Why?

The Tuticorin Thermal Power Plant has been shut down as there is no water to cool it. The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has allowed Pepsi and Coca-Cola to take water from the Thamirabarani river for their bottling plants at this juncture.

What sense does this make? A public utility doesn't have water, but a private company is allowed to use the same water.

I will move the Supreme Court to have the high court order overturned.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed the hearing in the Babri Masjid demolition case for Thursday in which senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti are accused.

A bench headed by Justice P C Ghose said the appropriate bench comprising him and Justice R F Nariman will be hearing the matter on Thursday. Justice Nariman was not present in the court on Wednesday.

The bench, also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta, said that Justice Nariman will be back on Thursday and it will take up the matter.

At the outset, counsel for Haji Mahboob Ahmad (since deceased) moved an application seeking a weeks time to file a report with regard to the status of the case in trial court.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the BJP leaders, said the matter should be listed after four weeks to enable them to file some documents.

On March 6, the apex court had decided to examine the appeal against dropping of conspiracy charge against the accused including Advani, Joshi and Bharti in the case related to demolition of Babri Masjid in the disputed Ram janmabhoomi in Ayodhya in 1992.

The top court had also came up with an option of ordering a joint trial of cases arising out of the two FIRs lodged in the wake of the demolition of the disputed structure.

However, the clubbing of two FIRs was opposed by the counsel for the accused on the ground that there were different sets of persons named as accused in the two cases,

the trial of which were at an advanced stage at two different places.

They were of the view that joint trial would lead to the beginning of proceedings de novo (afresh).

Altogether, 13 persons including Advani, Joshi and Bharti were discharged of conspiracy charge in the case, the trial of which is being held at a special court in Raebareli.

The second set of case was against unknown karsevaks who were in and around the disputed structure and the trial was being held at a court in Lucknow.

The appeals were filed by Ahmad and the Central Bureau of Investigation against dropping of conspiracy charges against Advani, Joshi and 19 others for demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, 1992.
Ceasefire violations by Pakistan and casualties on the Indian side of the Line of Control and the International Border and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have come down after the surgical strikes by India, the government said on Wednesday.

It also rejected the Opposition charge that the issue was not only being taken seriously, but was being butchered by the way the concerns of members were being replied to.

The ceasefire violations by Pakistan have come down post the surgical strikes. There were 228 ceasefire violations at the LoC in 2016 and 221 at the IB (international border). However, till February 2017, there have only been 22 ceasefire violations till now and 6 on the IB, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said while replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha.

The civilian casualties and injuries in 2017 has been zero at the IB and LoC, whereas in 2016 there were 13 civilian casualties and 83 injured on the LoC and 8 casualties on the IB and 74 were injured.

Five BSF jawans lost their lives and 25 were injured along the international border. We claim that the incidents of ceasefire violations have reduced post surgical strikes, he said.

Ahir said that during the three months prior to the September 29 surgical strikes, there were 110 terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 34 security personnel and seven civilians were killed.

But during three months, post surgical strikes, there were 87 terror incidents in the state in which 19 security personnel and six civilians were killed, he said in a written reply.

Earlier Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad had alleged that the manner in which the government was replying to such an important matter, the issue was being killed and butchered as never seen before.

Rejecting the charge, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, I fully contradict the charge made by the Leader of Opposition.

The surgical strikes were carried out by the Army after the terror attack in Uri.

The government had said that during the strikes, many terror launch pads were destroyed and several militants killed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Representative image.
The Election Commission on Wednesday night issued an interim order freezing the 'two leaves' election symbol of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, saying both the rival camps cannot use the party symbol as well as its name for the prestigious R K Nagar assembly bypoll.

After a day-long hearing New Delhi, the commission said since there is little time available with it to issue a final order, it is issuing an interim one.

Thursday, March 23, is the last date to file nominations for the April 12 bypoll.

The interim order will place both the rival groups on even keel to protect their rights and interests, it said.

"Neither of the two groups shall be permitted to use the name of the party 'All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam' simplicitor; neither of the aforesaid two groups shall also be permitted to use the symbol 'Two Leaves', reserved for 'All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam'," the order said.

It said both the groups shall be known by such names as they may choose for their respective groups, showing, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party.

Both the groups will also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission.

The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of J Jayalalitha.

The OPS camp has announced E Madhusudhanan's name as its candidate for the bypoll in R K Nagar.

T T V Dinakaran, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary and nephew of Sasikala, is the candidate of the other camp.
India on Wednesday clearly put the onus on Pakistan for resumption of dialogue, asserting that it should commit to end the state-sponsored terrorism.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also said in the Rajya Sabha that the government was ready to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to normalise the situation there.

Pakistan should at least make a beginning and say it is willing to talk and end the terrorist activities and seek the support of any country in the world (in ending terrorism). Pakistan should take an initiative, he said.

Singh was responding to questions by members as to why talks are not being held with Pakistan.

The previous (United Progressive Alliance) government had also placed a condition for Pakistan to give a commitment to end state-sponsored terrorism, he added.

To questions over the situation in Kashmir, the home minister said, We are ready to talk to everyone... The entire nation wants the situation to normalise in Kashmir. We are ready to cooperate with everyone and have taken all initiatives in this regard.

He noted that he had visited the Kashmir valley thrice during the unrest last year.

When there was unrest, I went to the Kashmir valley thrice. I have spoken each time. The government wants the Kashmir situation to improve. We have taken every initiative, he said.

I also want to inform the House that there has been no dearth of official communication, he said.

While talking about steps and schemes initiated to normalise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the home minister said he does not, at the same time, dismiss the work done by the previous governments.

We never want to take credit of anyone. We dont claim that we alone can improve the situation and solve the Kashmir problem. The support of every political party and every citizen is required to solve the Kashmir problem, he said.

He said the Modi government was trying to take forward the initiatives taken by previous governments.

Listing some of the initiatives taken, he said the selection process for the armed police forces is over and job opportunities for Kashmiri youth have increased.

He added that never before have there been recruitment of as many as 10,000 SPOs in Kashmir valley and five new India Reserve Battalions have been raised there with as many as 4,500 personnel.

Besides, he said, central armed police battalions have been raised in J&K with 1200 personnel.

Referring to the visit of an all-party delegation to Kashmir during the unrest last year, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had even written a letter, inviting all such (separatist) forces to talk to the visiting delegation. However they still did not turn up.

Mentioning about the snub given by separatist Hurriyat leaders to some members of the delegation when they tried to meet them, he said, These people (the delegation comprising Yechury and others) were forced to beat a hasty retreat. What do they expect from us?

The home minister said there were 322 incidents of terrorist violence in 2016 and 150 terrorists were killed, but in 2017, as many as 32 terrorists were killed.

The home minister, while talking about the benefits given to the soldiers, mentioned out-of-turn promotions and honour to soldiers involved in surgical strike.

We have decided that under any circumstances the family of a jawan martyred will get overall financial support of more than Rs 1 crore, he said.

He said although sacrifices of the jawans cannot be measured in monetary terms, they got less money earlier.

He added, Whenever our soldiers are martyred, we take full precautions to send his body to his village and the district authorities as well as the MLAs and MPs concerned are informed to be present in the funeral ceremony.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asked what the government has done in the Kashmir valley to normalise the situation.

Sharad Yadav (Janata Dal-United) asked why the government is not engaging in a dialogue with Pakistan to normalise the situation in Kashmir.

Why have you closed the road? Why dont you talk? Why do you want to suppress everything with the force of gun? Why has the agenda of governance not been implemented, as the demand has been made by the state chief minister also? The process of dialogue is shut and there are no talks (with Pakistan), he asked.

Sitaram Yechury (Communist Party of India-Marxist) said Jammu and Kashmir situation is not just a law and order problem. He said the trust deficit is growing by the day in the Kashmir Valley.

Why not the commitment of starting a dialogue with all stakeholders? Merely tackling terrorism is not going to solve the problem, he said, adding that talking to Pakistan was also raised by the chief minister.

*****

India for ties with Pak sans shadow of terror: President

India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, President Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Mukherjee said this in his message to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain on the eve of their national day on Thursday.

On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend greetings to you and to the friendly people of Pakistan on the occasion of your National Day, he said.

India is committed to building ties with Pakistan in an environment free from terror and violence, he said.
An attacker drove a car along a pavement in Westminster, stabbed a policeman and was shot dead by police in the grounds of Parliament.

IMAGE: A woman lies injured undernath a bus on Westminster Bridge in London . Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Five people were killed and 40 others injured when a terrorist suspect mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and stabbed a police officer outside parliament complex before being shot dead by Scotland Yard officers in an incident inspired by international terrorism.

The knife-man behind the attack in the heart of London was shot dead by armed Scotland Yard officers.

The Metropolitan Police named the police officer killed as 48-year-old Keith Palmer and also confirmed that the attacker was known to the police.

I can also now confirm three members of the public also lost their lives in this attack. And I confirmed earlier, the suspected attacker was shot dead by an armed officer - therefore meaning we now have five people in total who have died, said Mark Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner.

I will not comment at this stage on the identity of the attacker, but our working assumption that he was inspired by international terrorism, Rowley said.

Also, at this stage, but it may change -- we believe approximately 40 people were injured, some with serious injuries, including three police officers, two of whom are in a serious condition, he said.

IMAGE: Injured people are assisted after a car mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the terror strike as sick and depraved attack on democratic values, which was doomed to failure.

May also paid tributes to the exceptional men and women of the police force who responded to the attack.

We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart, she said.

Scotland Yard had earlier called on the public to remain vigilant and said a review of policing strategy across the city was underway, with additional police officers being deployed across London.

The Indian high commission in London has set up a special Public Response Unit for any Indians caught up in the terror attack.

IMAGE: An injured person is assisted on Westminster Bridge. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon as a man tried to gain entry into the British Parliament via the main entrance and stabbed a police officer. Plainclothes armed officers shouted warnings at him before shooting a number of rounds. He was later seen being covered by blankets, presumed dead.

UK Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the stabbed police officer but said he died at the scene.

In an incident just minutes earlier, a speeding grey Hyundai i40 mowed down several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge nearby before ramming into the iron railings of the side of the House of Commons building.

The driver of this vehicle then ran out of the vehicle to try and enter the Parliament building, where he attacked the police officer and was eventually shot dead.

Dozens of injured people were rushed to hospital from the scene and one woman was confirmed dead by doctors at St Thomas Hospital near Parliament hours later.

We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible, London Ambulance said in a statement.

IMAGE: Armed police respond outside Parliament . Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said French school pupils are among the injured and offered solidarity with our British friends, and full support for the wounded students and their families.

Commons Leader David Lidington, who suspended the Parliament session as this unfolded outside, told MPs the alleged assailant was shot by armed police.

It seems that a police officer has been stabbed, that the alleged assailant was shot by armed police. An air ambulance is currently attending the scene to remove the casualties, Lidington said.

There are also reports of further violent incidents in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster but I hope colleagues on all sides will appreciate that itd be wrong of me to go into further details until we have confirmation from the police and from the House security authorities about what is going on, he added.

Witnesses said the attacker was shot by police as he approached a second officer clutching his knife during the incident.

IMAGE: Paramedics treat an inured person . Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

May, who had just completed her weekly prime ministers questions, was seen being ushered into a car as gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident.

Downing Street said the PM was safe as an emergency services helicopter was seen landing in Parliament Square, which has been cordoned off and closed to traffic.

The Prime Minister was brought back to Number 10 from Parliament. She is currently monitoring the situation, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

May chaired a meeting of the governments emergency Cobra committee at Downing Street.

IMAGE: Michelle Langan, a writer caught in the Parliament lockdown, tweeted this photograph from inside, saying, "Locked in the cafe at the Houses of Parliament as someone has a weapon outside.'. Photograph: @Liverpoolshell/Twitter.

MPs and peers were in lockdown inside the Parliament building for an extended period before being walked down across the road to Westminster Abbey.

Workers and members of public in buildings in surrounding areas were also held up behind the cordoned off area. A number of schoolchildren were also held back until the police cordon was lifted. Tourists on the famous London Eye attraction were among those trapped in the pods as part of the lockdown.

There was chaos in the area as people were seen running and being pushed back by Scotland Yard officers.

In a statement, Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Reports suggest the ongoing incident in Westminster this afternoon is extremely serious.

Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, (their) families and friends. The police and security staff have taken swift action to ensure the safety of the public, MPs and staff, and we are grateful to them.

IMAGE: An air ambulance lands in Parliament Square . Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said his thoughts were with those affected and expressed his gratitude to the citys police and emergency services who work so hard to keep us safe and show tremendous bravery in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

WATCH THE VIDEO:
The resident doctors of state-run hospitals in Maharashtra stayed away from work for the third day on Wednesday, prompting the government to order them to report to duty by this evening or lose six months salary.

IMAGE: Nearly 4,000 doctors have been on strike in various government and municipal hospitals since Monday demanding security at the work place in the wake of a string of attacks on their colleagues . Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Nearly 4,000 doctors have been on strike in various government and municipal hospitals since Monday demanding security at the work place in the wake of a string of attacks on their colleagues.

As many as 500 resident doctors in medical colleges in Mumbai have been issued notices by their deans, an official from Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors said.

Also, 370 resident doctors in Nagpur, 200 in Pune and 114 in Solapur have been suspended by the deans of their respective medical colleges, the official said.

Their protest mainly affected the medical services of Out-Patient Departments and general wards, a MARD official said.

Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan ordered the resident doctors to report to duty by 8 pm on Wednesday or lose their six months salary.

The resident doctors should report to duty by today evening or they will lose their salary for six months. The students of post graduate courses who are serving as resident doctors will also face the action, Mahajan told reporters.

We have all the legal provisions to take such steps, he said.

We have assured them of providing enough security and it will be given by month-end. Now, they should resume the duty, the minister said.

IMAGE: The medical services in 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra, including 4 in Mumbai have been affected because of the protest. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

He said patients from the economically weaker sections come to government hospitals and the resident doctors should not play with their lives by taking such an extreme stand.

Medical services in 17 government hospitals in Maharashtra, including four in Mumbai, have been affected because of the protest.

The OPDs in these hospitals have been hit hard as only senior doctors are available to attend the patients.

The MARD, the apex body of the resident doctors, has officially not supported the decision of the medicos to stay away from work, but many of its members are a part of the ongoing protest.

The Bombay high court had on Tuesday rapped the medicos while observing that their conduct was shameful, and asked them to resign if they dont want to work.

However, the hearing on the petition filed by activist Afak Mandaviya, seeking action against the protesting doctors, was adjourned in the high court on Wednesday as the bench presided by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur was not available.

The plea will to be heard on Thursday.

IMAGE: Patients at government hospitals have had to wait as OPDs haven't been functioning owing to the strike. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Asked about negotiations with the Maharashtra government, MARDs general secretary Dr Parthiv Sanghavi said, When we contacted Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan regarding the same, we got just two minutes with him.

Nobody is giving the resident doctors any written assurance, hence they are not convinced. As long as the resident doctors are not convinced, they would not resume the duty, he said.

A senior official from the medical education department said, We have assured them of deploying some 400 security personnel by April 1, but the resident doctors are not convinced by it.

They want it immediately but as the budget session (of Maharashtra assembly) is on, without informing the House, government cannot take any major decision, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Currently, the demand of the resident doctors is to be provided security immediately and to restrict the entry of relatives while admitting a patient in the hospital. The negotiations are still going on, the official said.

IMAGE: The resident doctors say they want security and a restriction on the number of relatives each patient can bring along with them. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Dr Sagar Mundada, chairman of Indian Medical Associations youth wing in Maharashtra, said, It is true that in some government and municipal run hospitals there have been delays in treating the patients.

One must not forget that resident doctors are the junior most medical staff working in such hospitals. There are senior doctors as well as visiting specialists in such hospitals and they are attending to the patients, he said.

If an OPD is kept close and patients are suffering, then the onus is on the dean of the medical college attached to that hospital as he is the administrative head.

Unfortunately, we are blamed for causing inconvenience to patients, whereas nobody is questioning why the existing medical staff is not running the OPDs and other medical services, Mundada said.

He claimed that all emergency services, including attending to serious or critical patients, were being taken care of by resident doctors.

Since day one, the resident doctors have taken a stand not to hamper the emergency services, he said.

On the demands of medicos, Mundada said, The resident doctors need sufficient security staff at the hospitals. The dean of a medical college has special funds to appoint security guards at the gates and outside special wards. No dean uses the funds and resident doctors face the wrath of relatives if something goes wrong.

When more relatives gather in a hospital, it becomes difficult for any doctor to answer all their queries, he said.
Congress veteran and former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna, who had quit the party in Jaunary, on Wednesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at its headquarters in New Delhi.

He joined the BJP at a programme in the presence of party chief Amit Shah and other key leaders.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, he said they have taken the country to great heights.

I am grateful today that I am joining the party which was led by the great leaders. I see great India emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ably supported by the party President Amit Shah, he told reporters after joining the party.

Krishna said that these two leaders have taken the country to great heights and this is not an exaggeration.

Earlier this year, Krishna has resigned from the Congress.

Krishna served as Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004 and had a stint as the countrys external affairs minister during the United Progressive Alliance government.

He had also served as the Maharashtra governor.

IMAGE: BJP president Amit Shah greets former Karnataka chief minister S M Krishna who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo
United States President Donald Trump will visit Brussels on May 25 on his first foreign trip to attend a meeting with leaders from countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which he had dubbed as obsolete.

The President looks forward to meeting with his NATO counterparts to reaffirm our strong commitment to NATO, and to discuss issues critical to the alliance, especially allied responsibility-sharing and NATOs role in the fight against terrorism, the White House said in a statement.

Trump's trip to Brussels, Belgium for the MATO Summit would be his first overseas visit after he was sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20.

During his election campaign, Trump had asserted that the NATO allies must pay their fair share for the cost of defence, while in January he dismissed the alliance as obsolete.

However, Trump last week reaffirmed the US' commitment to the military bloc.

He has also committed himself to travel to Germany later this summer to attend the G-20 Summit which among others would be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi has been invited by Trump for a White House meeting this year. Modi has also extended Trump an invitation to visit India. Both have accepted the invitations and dates are being worked out. In case of no additional travel, the G-20 Summit could be the earliest opportunity for a Modi-Trump meeting.

Trumps first visit to a NATO summit is considered as significant given that traditionally the new US Presidents overseas travel has been to a neighbouring country.

In addition to the President's participation in the NATO Leaders Meeting, the President will also welcome Secretary General (Jens) Stoltenberg to the White House on April 12, 2017, where they will talk about how to strengthen the alliance to cope with challenges to national and international security, the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary James Mattis met Stoltenberg at the Pentagon on Wednesday wherein they discussed the fight against the Islamic State and the situation in Afghanistan among other things.

We all understand that in times of turmoil, in times of uncertainty, the need for strong international institutions like NATO is even greater so therefore we need to adapt, we need to strengthen NATO in response to the challenges and the unpredictability we see surrounding us today, Stoltenberg said in a joint media appearance with Mattis at the Pentagon.

A strong NATO is good for Europe, he said.

We are also grateful for commitment of the US and the security guarantees to Europe. But strong NATO is also good for North America because stability in Europe is good for all of us. Two world wars and the Cold War have taught us all that the peace and stability is important for Europe of course but also North America, he said.

Mattis said he looks forward to engaging with the coalition members who are here in Washington this week on the counter-ISIS fight.

I am confident that NATO will as always be one of the leaders as we deal with this threat, he said.

World leaders have gathered in Washington to attend the US lead international meeting of anti-IS coalition.
Livid at the sight of betel juice stained walls of the building that houses his office, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday banned the use of paan and tobacco products in schools, colleges, hospitals and other government buildings.

On his first visit to the secretariat annexe building in Lucknow, the chief minister gave a piece of his mind to officials there asking them to stop chewing pan and pan masala when on duty.

He was visibly put off when he saw betel-juice stained walls of the building which is known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan and houses the chief minister's office and his secretariat, offices of the state chief secretary, principal secretary (home) and other senior Indian Administrative Services officers.

A few hours later, the chief minister directed officials to enforce a ban on the use of paan and tobacco in schools, colleges, government hospitals and hospitals. He also prohibited the use of plastic in government offices.

The chief minister visited all the floors of the annexe building and met officials posted there. After detecting betel stains on walls, he asked employees not to consume pan or paan masala during duty hours and ensure cleanliness, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accompanied Yogi, said.

Adityanath also asked the staff to make the atmosphere in the building healthy and clean by avoiding the use of plastic, Maurya told reporters.

A stickler for cleanliness, the saffron-robed 44-year-old chief minister had administered a sanitation pledge to officials a day after he took over as the UP CM and asked them to ensure that the pledge is effectively implemented on the lines of Swachh Bharat Mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The officers were made to repeat after him a swachhata pledge -- I will not litter, nor allow anybody to do it. I will devote 100 hours every year, to make the pledge of cleanliness come true and I will propagate the message of Swachch Bharat Mission in every nook and corner of the country.

Adityanath, who is the head priest of Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, is known to take a round of the Mutt and temple premises, inspecting the cleanliness of the place after practising Yoga between 4 to 5 am every day.

Photograph: PTI Photo
'The minister said we should stop fishing near the shore and start going for deep sea fishing.'

Tempers which have been frayed among fishermen in southern Tamil Nadu for years over Sri Lanka arresting some of them for fishing in what it claims are its territorial waters, seizing their boats, etc, spilled over recently when a 21-year-old Indian fisherman, K Britjo, was killed by the Lankan navy.

Britjo was among six fishermen who were fishing in the waters around Dhanushkodi on the night of March 6 when the Lankan navy opened fire on their mechanised boat.

Hit in the throat by a bullet, Britjo died before he could be brought ashore for treatment.

Calling it a 'cold blooded, inhuman, horrific and illegal barbaric killing of a young Indian fisherman,' Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ezhapadi K Palaniswami wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to summon the Lankan high commissioner over the killing to convey the anger of the fishermen community.

Britjo's death was only the latest incident in a decades-old row over the Sri Lankan navy's regular arrest of Indian fishermen and seizure of their boats.

The fishermen of Rameswaram say with the International Maritime Boundary being too close, such clashes are bound to happen.

In a bid to resolve this long and vexatious issue, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj invited six fishermen from Rameswaram to New Delhi for talks on March 21.

Jesuraja, one of the six fishermen who met Swaraj, reveals to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar what transpired at the meeting with the EAM.

"We asked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to arrange for monetary compensation for the fisherman killed by the Sri Lankan navy.

"We also told her that the arrest of fishermen near Katchatheevu should stop immediately. It is our traditional fishing area, we told her.

"Furthermore we told her that while Sri Lanka was releasing our fishermen, it was not releasing their boats.

"The Sri Lankan navy has over a hundred of our boats in custody. The boats must be in very bad shape now.

"We told the minister that we could not go fishing with fear in our hearts.

"She has promised compensation for the boy who was killed. She also said that talks to retrieve the boats are on with the Lankan government and they would be released soon. But she did not give a date for that.

"She said we should stop fishing near the shore and start going for deep sea fishing.

"She said the government was releasing Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) for us to improve our deep sea fishing methods.

"Each boat costs Rs 70 lakhs (Rs 7 million). So we will pay Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million), while the government will give us Rs 60 lakh (Rs 6 million).

"It is a subsidy and not a loan.

"We are happy with the talks and we hope they can convince the Lankans to give our boats back."

"Even as we were talking to the minister, the Lankans arrested 10 more fishermen. One more boat was seized.

"We are capable of deep sea fishing and we look forward to this new innings in our lives.

"It will certainly benefit the fishing folk, and the people who eat fish will get greater variety.

"Overall, the fishermen have come back happy after meeting Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"All we need to wait for is how soon she can get our boats back and how soon the new scheme will be implemented.

"After that, the fishermen of Rameswaram can start venturing beyond Lanka into the deep blue sea."

Image only published for representational purposes. Photograph: Babu/Reuters

MORE features on Tamil Nadu's troubled fishermen in the RELATED links below...
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A study co-authored by Qatar University College of Medicine (QU-CMED) researcher Dr Suhail Doi who is also affiliated with The Australian National University, and published in the Lancet -- one of the worlds leading medical science journals -- showed that mass deworming leads to a significantly greater reduction in prevalence in children than targeted deworming, for both hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides, while no effect was seen for Trichuris trichuria.

This study was conducted in collaboration with The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections are a major global health issue, causing substantial morbidity in the worlds poorest populations. Regular delivery of anthelmintic drugs is the mainstay for global soil-transmitted helminth control. Deworming campaigns are often targeted to school-aged children, who are at high risk of soil-transmitted-helminth-associated morbidity. However, findings from the study suggest that deworming campaigns should be expanded community-wide for effective control of soil-transmitted helminth transmission. The research team carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effect of mass (community-wide) and targeted (children only) anthelmintic delivery strategies on soil-transmitted helminth prevalence in school-aged children.

These worms are not common in Qatar, said Dr Doi, adding, but a study conducted this year by QU and published in Parasites and Vectors reported a prevalence of combined helminths of 7% in Qatars migrant population being highest among the western Asians. While this is an indirect impact of the burden of infection with Qatars Asian neighbors, the eradication strategy recommended in this study will be of much greater consequence for these nations themselves.

He added: The results of this meta-analysis contribute to the evidence base surrounding the benefits of expanding drug therapy programs for control of soil-transmitted helminths to all members of the community. Our findings support those of modelling and cost-effectiveness studies. We suggest that soil-transmitted helminth control guidelines should be re-evaluated with consideration of expansion to community-wide drug administration in endemic areas.

QU Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences and CMED Dean Dr Egon Toft said: This research reflects CMEDs collaborative efforts with international partners to advance the health care sector in Qatar, and to promote research on issues that are relevant to the Qatari society. It also shows QUs commitment to advancing its positioning to become a center of excellence for public health, clinical epidemiology and related translational research in the region.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries to Murielle El Hajj Nahas, +974 4403 5790; [email protected]

About Qatar University:

Qatar University is one of the leading institutions of academic and research excellence in the GCC region. It provides high quality undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare competent graduates, primed to shape the future of Qatar. The organization's strong relationship with Qatari society is reflected in its community service efforts and in its vibrant research portfolio that addresses relevant local and regional challenges, advances national goals towards a knowledge-based economy, and contributes actively to the needs and aspirations of the society.
A Cambodian government spokesman on Wednesday slammed a rights groups report condemning ruling party moves aimed at shutting down the countrys political opposition, saying the ASEAN-linked groups views do not reflect those of the larger regional body.



The report Death Knell for Democracy released on March 20 by the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) reflects only the dark concept of a few individuals who have not let facts get in the way of making their wild allegations, a spokesman for Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said.



APHR is only a small group of several current and former parliamentarians from ASEAN-member countries and has not been recognized as an entity associated with ASEAN, the spokesman said in a statement released on March 22.



Cambodias ruling party under Prime Minister Hun Sen has created a climate of fear as the government widens a crackdown on the opposition and activists ahead of commune elections in June, APHRa group of former and serving Southeast Asian lawmakerssaid in their report on Monday.



Democracy in Cambodia is being systematically dismantled, APHR said, calling recently passed amendments to the countrys law on political parties the culmination of an ongoing effort to undermine the capacity of the political opposition.



Over the course of the past two years, an assault on free expression, dissent, and opposition by the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) has targeted nearly all segments of Cambodian political life, the report said.



This has significantly impacted the oppositions ability to functionboth within Parliament and outside itand has created a climate of fear, which casts a dark shadow over all of Cambodian society.



Long-term goal



Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) vice president and APHR member Mu Suchoa on Tuesday described the CPPs moves as aimed at blocking the ability of Cambodias political opposition to campaign effectively in nationwide commune elections in June.



This has been their strategy, Suchoa said, quoted in a March 21 report in the Phnom Penh Post.



Their goal has always been to weaken the opposition and silence it at all costs, she said.



CNRP officials have warned that the CPP seeks to prevent its candidates from standing in the upcoming elections through a variety of different measures, including the passage of amendments to the political party law approved by the National Assembly on Feb. 20, despite an opposition boycott of parliament in protest.



The new law bars anyone convicted of a crime from holding the top offices in a political party and forced former CNRP president Sam Rainsy to resign last month to preserve the party. Other amendments put the party at risk of being dissolved for fanning disunity, which observers say is deliberately vague.



Since a culture of dialogue broke down with the CNRP in mid-2015, the CPP has launched a series of politically motivated cases, eroded parliamentary immunity protections, and orchestrated violence against opposition politicians, according to APHRs report.



The CPPs tactics have increasingly threatened not only the safety of opposition parliamentarians, but the credibility and effectiveness of democratic institutions themselves, including the capacity of the Parliament to serve its legislative, representative, and oversight roles, the report said.



The report noted that at least 17 opposition parliamentarians, out of 66 in the National Assembly and Senate combined, have been direct victims of harassment and attacksjudicial or physicalwhile others face what it called looming threats in an unpredictable and hostile political climate.



Reported by Nareth Muong for RFAs Khmer Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
The lawyer representing jailed political and social commentator Kim Sok on Wednesday called a decision by Cambodias Appeals Court to deny his client bail flawed, saying the ruling assumes he is guilty of incitement and defamation charges without having been tried.



Speaking to reporters after the hearing, which was held earlier amid tightened security and closed to the press, Kim Soks lawyer Choung Chou Ngy said Appeals Court Judge Nguon Im had violated the principle of presumption of innocence by declaring his client ineligible for release.



In ruling against my clients appeal for provisional release, the court has based its reasoning on the grounds that Kim Sok shall remain in custody to prevent the crime from happening again and ensure his presence during the court proceedings, Choung Chou Ngy said.



I consider such grounds flawed. The court has presumed that the crime was actually committed.



Kim Sok was arrested Feb. 17 and charged with inciting social chaos and defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen during a radio interview with RFAs Khmer Service last month. He is being held in Prey Sar Prison on the outskirts of the capital Phnom Penh.



Hun Sen sued the analyst for allegedly accusing the CPP of orchestrating the July 2016 murder of popular political pundit Kem Ley, but Kim Sok has told RFA that what he said about the killing was simply a reflection of what many Cambodians believe.



Kem Ley was gunned down in broad daylight on July 10 when he stopped in a Star Mart convenience store beside a Caltex gas station in Phnom Penh.



Although authorities charged a former soldier, identified as Oueth Ang, with the murder, many in Cambodia dont believe the governments story that Kem Ley was killed by the man over a debt.



Just days before he was gunned down, Kem Ley had discussed on a RFA Khmer Service call-in show a report by London-based Global Witness detailing the extent of the wealth of the family of Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for 31 years.



On Dec. 23 the Phnom Penh court quietly closed its investigation into the murder case without revealing its findings and in a final hearing on March 1, Oueth Ang confessed to killing Kem Ley.



New norm



Am Sam Ath, a monitor with local rights group Licadho, told RFAs Khmer Service Wednesday that rulings against detained activists had become the new norm in Cambodias judicial system.



It is customary now that the courts will simply use whatever reason they can to deny applications for provisional release [for activists], he said.



Cambodian courts are notorious for their lack of independence, and opposition politicians and critics of Hun Sen often find themselves before the courts on various charges.



Wan-Hea Lee, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) representative in Cambodia, has called for a fair trial conducted by an independent court to determine Kim Soks guilt or innocence.

The verdict in his case is expected to be delivered on March 23.



Reported by Moniroth Morm and Chandara Yang. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
A prominent Chinese lawyer has made a complaint to Beijing's mayoral hotline about a nationwide police operation targeting the country's human rights lawyers beginning on July 9, 2015, likening it to the political violence of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).



Liu Xiaoyuan, a partner at the now-shuttered Fengrui law firm that was the first target of police raids and detentions, made the complaint on Wednesday, saying that he and other lawyers had lost their business licenses as a result.



Liu said the crackdown, which was to target more than 300 lawyers, law firm staff and associated rights activists in the months to come for detention, professional sanctions, house arrest and travel bans, including for family members, had had a devastating impact on China's legal profession.



"These were tactics that were very similar to the campaigns of the Cultural Revolution," Liu told RFA. "But we are not in the Cultural Revolution any more, so they shouldn't be using such methods."



"[It's because] everyone just does what their bosses tell them, so we have the rule of personalities instead of the rule of law," he said.



Liu warned that allowing a legal professional to do his job is a crucial part of the rule of law, and of human rights protection.



Meanwhile, there are no signs that government pressure on lawyers is easing.



Fellow rights lawyer Chen Jiangang said on Wednesday that the Beijing government judicial affairs bureau and its Chaoyang district sub-bureau would be running inspections of law firms in Beijing starting on Thursday.



Chen hit out at government judicial affairs officials at every level, for colluding in a continuing attack on lawyers.



"They have acted as accomplices in the July 2015 crackdown from the outset," Chen told RFA. "All of the lawyers who had agreed to act as lawyers or defense attorneys for the detained lawyers have since been forced to withdraw [amid huge official pressure]."



"In China, there is a single, unified source of power. This is a highly politicized police state," he said.



"That's why we saw the state prosecution departments, the judiciary and even the state security police all colluding to target lawyers in the July 2015 crackdown," Chen said.



Investigations by RFA revealed that while Beijing Fengrui is still listed as a law firm on the official website of the Beijing judicial affairs bureau, the firm's former premises in the capital are now occupied by a commercial company.



And Fengrui cases continue to be cited in the education and information section of the bureau's website.



However, an official who answered the phone at the bureau declined to comment when contacted by RFA on Wednesday.



Diplomats' letter



The complaints come amid reports that eleven governments have jointly urged the ruling Chinese Communist Party to investigate reports of torture of detained rights lawyers, and to end a controversial system of secret detention for up to six months in cases allegedly involving "national security."



The Feb. 27 letter, reported in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, was addressed to China's police chief Guo Shengkun and signed by diplomats from Australia, Canada, Japan and Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



The letter indicated "growing concern over recent claims of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in cases concerning detained human rights lawyers and other human rights defenders."



It also called on Beijing to end the recently legalized practice of "resident surveillance in a designated location," which it said amounts to "incommunicado detention in secret places, putting detainees at a high risk of torture or ill-treatment," according to the Globe and Mail.



It calls on the government to end the practice and repeal the relevant legislation.



"Detaining people without any contact with the outside world for long periods of time is contrary to Chinas international human rights obligations," the paper quoted the letter as saying.



It also called for investigation of "credible" claims that lawyers Xie Yang, Li Heping, Wang Quanzhang and Li Chunfu and activist Wu Gan have been tortured in detention.



Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon said he was very disappointed that the United States hadn't signed the letter.



Speaking as China's official media hailed the "cooperation" signaled by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a brief trip to Beijing last weekend, Poon said something has changed in the international community when it comes to standing up for human rights.



"The United States is one of those countries that would previously have taken part in such calls [for rights protections]," Poon said. "The fact that we didn't see U.S. participation in this is a bit disappointing."



"Amnesty International calls on all countries to bring up issues with human rights violations in other countries," he said. "This is their responsibility and their duty, not from a diplomatic point of view, but from a human rights point of view."



"It is best if such issues can be aired in public," he added.



Jailing hailed



Earlier this month, the head of China's Supreme People's Court, Zhou Qiang, hailed the jailing of former Fengrui boss Zhou Shifeng and others as a notable success during his annual work report to the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.



Zhou Shifeng and others had "attacked the socialist system" and "incited confrontations," the Global Times newspaper reported at the time.



Last week, fellow rights lawyer Xia Jun also made comparisons with the legal crackdown and the Cultural Revolution.



"It's like back in the Cultural Revolution when the army was in charge of politics, and what they said, went," Xia said. "Neither the courts, the prosecutors or the police upheld the law or due process, and they would just kill people at will."



He said it took years to undo all of the miscarriages of justice committed by kangaroo courts during the years of political turmoil and violence.



"Zhou Qiang spoke against the rule of law because he wants a promotion," Xia said.



Reported by Ng Yik-tung, Sing Man and Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by CK for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Beijing poet and political activist Wang Zang, who was detained in 2014 for posting a performance art selfie in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, says his wife has developed severe mental health problems following serial attempts to evict his young family from their home.



Wang, who last spoke out about camping with his family in their rented home in Beijing's Songzhuang artists' village after the authorities cut off the electricity and internet connection for nine days, said his family has been evicted nine times in recent months.



But in recent days, his wife, Wang Liqin, 33, began showing signs of mental collapse.



"We have been constantly evicted lately," Wang told RFA on . "Since , my wife has been acting strangely, and she has become unwell, constantly muttering in her own dialect for four days straight."



", she went out on the street and paid no heed to the traffic, just walking out into the middle of it," he said. "She was nearly hit."



"I had to run out there with the baby in my arms and drag her back inside again," Wang said. "My wife has now lost touch with reality, and she keeps muttering over and over 'mind nobody steals the baby' and 'they are coming to kill us!'."



"She just keeps saying stuff like that. She no longer has any clarity in her thinking, and she keeps talking to herself, just nonsense, jabbering away," he said.



Wang said the three-week period from Feb. 23 had been hardest of all.



"There were people sitting watching us outside our front door, and they would follow me wherever I went, even with the kids, watching and following," he said.



"I think the huge stress of all of our recent evictions left her psychologically traumatized; there were government officials in our house, yelling at us, and scaring the kids so they were crying," Wang said.



"She was really angry about that, and she started trembling uncontrollably when one of them threatened to kill our entire family," he said. "I think that left scars."



Dissidents face hardship

Wang called for help getting psychiatric treatment for his wife.



"I am thinking about possible treatment options for her, and I will have to do some research, before deciding what to do," he said.



Fellow artist and Songzhuang resident Hua Yong told RFA he was shocked and appalled at the effect of official harassment on Wang's wife.



"Dissidents in China have to put up with so much hardship, and so do their families," Hua said. "My father is lying ill in bed, Wang Zang's wife has lost her mental stability..."



"There used to be talk among my friends of manning up, but I don't want to man up any more," he said. "The situation is too cruel."



Hua said he recently came home from an overseas vacation to find his entire studio and apartment had been smashed up in his absence.



Wang has previously used performance art to show support for Hong Kong's 2014 democracy movement, detained Guangzhou rights lawyer Guo Feixiong, and to commemorate the execution of Mao-era dissident Lin Zhao.



Wang has also expressed opinions through his accounts on Twitter and Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent, in support of jailed Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, self-immolating Tibetans and followers of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, which the authorities have designated an "evil cult."



Reported by Ding Wenqi for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Authorities in Laos are increasing cooperation with their counterparts in neighboring Vietnam and deploying additional security forces along the boundary shared between the two countries amid an uptick in cross-border crime, according to Lao government sources.



An official from the Anti-Narcotics Unit of Xam Tai district, in northeastern Laos Houaphanh province along the border with Vietnam, said late on Tuesday that the two countries are collaborating to battle drug traffickinga major factor driving the increase in transnational crime.



We are coordinating with our Vietnamese counterparts along the border, said the official, who spoke to RFAs Lao Service on condition of anonymity.



Police in each town and district are also cooperating and exchanging information about [drug] trafficking.



The official said the number of methamphetamine and heroin seizures along the border had jumped significantly in the past three years, without providing specific details.



A security officer in Xiengkhouang province, which also borders Vietnam in northeastern Laos, told RFA Tuesday that he had seen a spike in drugs being trafficked from Laos into Vietnam through his Nonghet district.



The Nonghet border gate is one of the main transit points for drug smuggling into Vietnam, said the officer, who also asked not to be named.



On Wednesday, Vietnam sentenced nine drug traffickers to death for smuggling half a ton of heroin into the country from Laos, according to a report by the official newspaper of the government of northern Vietnams Hoa Binh province. Nine others were jailed for life, the report said.



The drug ring had smuggled the drugs for resale in China, earning some U.S. $607,000 between 2012 and 2016, the official Vietnam News Agency said in a separate report.



News of the bust follows the signing of an agreement to extend cooperation in security matters between Lao Minister of Public Security Somkeo Silavong and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam during the formers March 15-17 visit to Hanoi.



The two ministries agreed to continue mutual support in protecting national, social and political security and in preventing cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, as well as ensuring security along the two countries' shared border, according to a report by the Vientiane Times.



Porous border



Earlier this week, an official from the Lao Ministry of Public Security told RFA that citizens of both Laos and Vietnam regularly cross the porous border illegally to engage in drug running, but also other crimes, such as the trafficking of endangered wildlife.



People from that side cross to this and vice versa almost everywhere [along the border], said the official, who spoke anonymously.



We have been monitoring and solving problems to ensure safety, security and order along the border.



As part of a bid to reinforce security between the two countries, more guards will be deployed to patrol the boundary in all Lao provinces bordering Vietnam, the official said, from Phongsali in the north to Attapeu in the south.



The official did not specify how large the deployment will be or when it will take place.



Many citizens of Vietnam illegally cross the border seeking job opportunities in Laos, where the population is less than one-tenth as large and natural resources are abundant.



Last week, Laos Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare registered more than 24,000 foreign workers living illegally in the country80 percent of which were Vietnamese.



This year Laos and Vietnam marked their 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.



Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (L), commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, meets with Hong Liang (R), China's ambassador to Myanmar, in Naypyidaw, March 21, 2017.

Myanmars military commander-in-chief on Tuesday summoned Chinas ambassador to Myanmar to discuss the volatile situation along the border area in northern Shan state where Myanmar ethnic rebels are battling government forces, in a bid to relax relations with the neighboring country strained by the hostilities.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told Ambassador Hong Liang in the capital Naypyidaw that both countries must cooperate to create peace and stability in the border areas, according to an announcement by the commander-in-chiefs office.

They discussed the situation in Laukkai, capital of the area controlled by the ethnic Kokang in the northern part of Shan State and site of recent clashes between ethnic rebels and security forces.

Min Aung Hlaing also said the hostilities have hurt local residents and bilateral border trade relations with China

Hong Liang reiterated Chinas call for a cessation of fighting in the area, which he said was harming peace, stability, security, and participation in the negotiations for restoring peace in Myanmar.

On March 15, leaders of the Northern Alliancea coalition of four ethnic militias engaged in fighting in northern Shan statemet with a Chinese envoy in Kunming, capital of southwestern Chinas Yunnan province, to discuss stopping deadly clashes along the border that have forced tens of thousands of Myanmar residents to flee to China.

Sun Guoxiang, Chinas special envoy for Asian affairs, told the representatives from the ethnic armed groups that China would be willing to mediate negotiations between the militias and the Myanmar government.

The members of the Northern AllianceArakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)launched coordinated attacks on Nov. 20 on government and military targets in northern Shan state and the 105-mile border trade zone between Myanmar and China.

China suspends ban account

In a related development, Reuters reported on Wednesday that China had suspended an account at the state-owned Agricultural Bank of China (AgBank) used by the MNDAA, also known as the Kokang army, to receive donations from supporters.

The MNDAA is involved in ongoing hostilities with Myanmar security forces after launching an attack on a police station, military camps, and civilian buildings on March 6 in Laukkai township in northeastern Shan State.

Dozens have been reported killed in the skirmishes that have driven more than 30,000 people to flee to safety, mostly in China where the Chinese government is housing them in refugee camps.

Calls by the Chinese government for an immediate cease-fire and the restoration of order along the border area have been ignored.

Presidential spokesman Zaw Htay praised the move and told the news agency that stability and peace in the border area is a common interest for both sides.

The Myanmar News Agency has reported 57 armed clashes between the MNDAA and government soldiers up to March 14.

NMSP seeks political way

Meanwhile, another ethnic armed groupthe New Mon State Party (NMSP)has changed tack in its approach to reaching a cease-fire deal with the Myanmar military, an NMSP spokesman said on Wednesday.

The NMSP did not sign the nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) with the Myanmar government that eight other ethnic militias inked in October 2015.

The Mon people suggested that we decide to sign the governments NCA as a political way [to resolve the hostilities with the Myanmar army], said Naing Win Hla, adding that the organization will abandon its insistence on a peace deal with the government that includes all militias that have not signed the NCA.

The NMSP cannot participate in talks along with the AA, MNDAA, and TNLA because they have said that they will not sign the NCA and will try to reach peace through other means, he said.

The NMSP will join other ethnic armed groups that are part of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups that did not sign the governments NCA.

Reported by Kyaw Soe Lin for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written by Roseanne Gerin.
Tourists and other foreign visitors are being kept away from the large Yachen Gar Tibetan Buddhist complex in western Chinas Sichuan province, a French journalist and recent traveler to the area says.



Yachen Gar, located in Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) prefectures Palyul (Baiyu) county and founded in 1985, until recently housed an estimated 10,000 residents devoted to scriptural study and meditation, but received few outsiders due to its remote location.



Now, authorities have restricted access to the sprawling complex and areas nearby, Brice Pedroletti, a reporter for Le Monde, told RFAs Tibetan Service.



There are now heavy restrictions for tourists traveling in Tibetan areas, even when they carry visas allowing them to travel, Pedroletti said.



Arriving at Yachen Gar in a rented car on Feb. 18 of this year, Pedroletti and three traveling companions were quickly approached and questioned by police, he said.



Suddenly six plainclothes police officers came to the restaurant where we had gone for some food and asked questions concerning where we had come from and where we were going, Pedroletti said. And soon even more police arrived and questioned us too.



We told them that we were tourists with documents allowing us to visit Yachen Gar, but this did not convince them, Pedroletti said.



Members of Yachen Gars state-controlled management committee then arrived, and Pedroletti and his group were questioned for five hours, he said.



They also searched our cameras and ordered us to leave the area by 9:00 the next morning, putting us in a hotel under guard.



They chased us away the next day, and we could not see Yachen Gar or the [Larung Gar] complex in nearby Serthar [Seda] county, he said.



Restrictions on Yachen Gar and the better-known Larung Gar complex in Serthar are part of an unfolding political strategy aimed at controlling the influence and growth of these important centers for Tibetan Buddhist study and practice, the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said in a March 13 report, Shadow of Dust Across the Sun.



[Both centers] have drawn thousands of Chinese practitioners to study Buddhist ethics and receive spiritual teaching since their establishment, and have bridged Tibetan and Chinese communities, ICT said in its report.



Reported by Lhuboom for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Vietnamese authorities have arrested two blogger activists, charging them with propaganda against the state under a controversial article of the countrys penal code used to target dissidents, state media said Wednesday.

Police arrested Phan Kim Khanh, 24 from Phu Tho province on March 21 and Bui Hieu Vo, 55, of Go Vap district in Ho Chi Minh City on March 17 for posting online content that authorities described as fabricated and malicious and aimed at to spreading propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, said Vietnamese state media. They have been charged accordingly under Article 88.

Democracy advocate Khanh has administered two blogs called Bao Tham Nhung (Corruption Newspaper) and Tuan Viet Nam (Vietnam Week) since 2015.

He also maintains three Facebook accountsone for Bao Tham Nhung and two others called Tuan Bao Viet Nam (Vietnam Weekly) and Dan Chu TV (Democracy TV), as well as two YouTube channels for Viet Bao TV and Vietnam Online.

Vo is the owner of a Facebook account called Hieu Bui on which, authorities claim, he called for the use of incendiary bombs and acid to attack police and government officials.

Vietnamese authorities frequently use Article 88 along with Articles 79 and 258 of the criminal code to arrest and imprison those who support democracy and human rights and denounce abuses.

Article 79 pertains to carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration, while Article 258 refers to abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens.

Broadly-worded section

The articles are among the broadly-worded national security section of the 1999 Penal Code that rights groups and Western governments say Vietnam uses to persecute dissidents. They carry lengthy jail sentences or even life imprisonment in some cases.

Authorities have recently detained other prominent Vietnamese activists under Article 88, including Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a 37-year-old blogger and human rights defender better known as Mother Mushroom (Me Nam).

Me Nam was arrested on Oct. 10, 2016 for openly voicing her opinions on the deaths of people in police custody, Vietnams sovereignty over the disputed Paracel and Spratly islands in the South China Sea, and the governments handling of a toxic waste spill off the countrys central coast last year.

Likewise, Tran Thi Nga, a 40-year-old human rights defender and labor and land rights activist, who was arrested on Jan. 21 in Phu Ly, capital city of northern Vietnams Ha Nam province, has been charged under Article 88 for using the internet to spread propaganda videos and writings against the state. She faces up to 20 years in prison.

There are at least 84 prisoners of conscience in Vietnam, including bloggers, labor and land rights activists, political activists, ethnic and religious minorities, and advocates for human rights and social justice who have been convicted after unfair trials or are held in pretrial detention, according to a July 2016 report on Vietnamese political prisoners issued by London-based Amnesty International.

Reported and translated by Gia Minh for RFAs Vietnamese Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Afghanistan wants the United States to send more forces to help battle the Taliban and the Islamic State extremist group, the country's top diplomat has said.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on March 21 welcomed a recent call by U.S. General John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, for a few thousand more troops from the United States or other coalition partners to help break the stalemate in the war-torn country.

The Trump administration has not yet said if it will send more forces in response to Nicholson's comments. Some 8,400 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, performing counterterrorism operations against insurgents and training the Afghan National Army. The war is in its 16th year.

Citing a deadly attack this month on a military hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said Afghanistan needed U.S. help in addressing "military shortfalls," through increased training, ground and air capabilities, and reconnaissance and intelligence support.

"We stand confident that the new U.S. administration under President Trump will remain strategically engaged and continue its support," Rabbani said at the Atlantic Council conference ahead of a gathering in Washington of the U.S.-led coalition against IS.

He described Nicholson's call as "an appropriate decision considering the prevailing security challenges still facing us."

In a sign of how major powers are vying for influence in the region, Rabbani said Russia was planning a 12-country conference on Afghanistan. The former Soviet Union engaged in a disastrous decade-long war in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Rabbani said the United States had been invited but didn't know if it would attend. The State Department said it hadn't yet decided on its participation.

Rabbani said the discussions would follow up on six-country talks held in mid-February involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Iran. He said he did not think the Taliban would be invited.

In congressional testimony last month, Nicholson said Russia had been publicly legitimizing the Taliban and seeking to undermine the United States and NATO in Afghanistan.

Rabbani said Russia and Iran had both told Kabul they have been in contact with the Taliban to encourage a return to the negotiating table, but deny providing the Taliban material support.

With reporting by AP and Radio Pakistan
WASHINGTON -- The White House has said that President Donald Trump did not know his former campaign chairman had worked for a Kremlin-connected Russian billionaire and had proposed a political strategy to benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.



White House spokesman Sean Spicer on March 22 insisted the work that Paul Manafort did for Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska had taken place a decade ago and was irrelevant to Manafort's job with Trump's election campaign last year.



Spicer's remarks followed an explosive Associated Press (AP) report that said Manafort's proposed plan was aimed at influencing politics, business dealings, and news coverage across the United States, Europe, and the former Soviet Union in ways that would favor Putin.

His comments also came as Trump's administration continues to be dogged by allegations that his aides were in contact with Russian officials during the election campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies released a report in January assessing that Russia conducted a hacking-and-influence campaign aimed at denigrating Trump's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.



FBI Director James Comey on March 22 confirmed that the agency began investigating possible links between Trump aides and Russian officials in July, a month before Manafort left the campaign.



Manafort proposed the plan to Deripaska as early as June 2005, AP said, and eventually signed a contract worth $10 million with the tycoon. The two men had a business relationship until at least 2009.

The AP report appears to contradict earlier statements by the Trump administration, and Manafort himself, that he had never worked for Russian interests.



Manafort resigned as chairman of Trump's presidential campaign in August 2016 following reports of illicit payments related to his previous work for the political party of Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian Ukrainian president who was ousted in February 2014.



Manafort confirmed to AP that he worked for Deripaska. But he said that the work "did not involve representing Russian political interests" and was being unfairly depicted as "inappropriate or nefarious" as part of a "smear campaign."

Manafort did not immediately respond to phone calls and text messages from RFE/RL seeking comment.



Speaking to reporters at the White House, Spicer said that the work Manafort did for Deripaska happened long before his tenure with the Trump campaign. And he said the Trump campaign did not have the ability to vet all of its employees' clienteles.

Spicer: Suggestion 'A Bit Insane'



"The report is entirely focused on actions that Paul took a decade ago," Spicer said. "To suggest that the president knew who [Manafort's] clients were from 10 years ago is a bit insane."



In addition to contributing to his resignation as campaign chairman, Manafort's work for Ukrainian clients has drawn scrutiny in Ukraine itself. A Ukrainian lawmaker on March 21 released documents that he said showed that Manafort went to great lengths to hide $750,000 tied to his work for Yanukovych.



Deripaska, meanwhile, is one of Russia's wealthiest businessman, whose company, Basic Element, is a massive industrial conglomerate employing thousands of people. The holding includes Russia's largest aluminum company, UC Rusal.



Like many of Russia's tycoons, he built his fortune in the 1990s, when the business environment in Russia was characterized by bare-knuckled and often violent practices.

Visa Issues



He has faced persistent allegations of ties to organized crime that has prompted the U.S. State Department to refuse him an entry visa since the early 2000s. In 2005, he was granted a limited-entry visa, but it was later revoked after doubts were raised about statements he made to U.S. officials.



Deripaska has repeatedly denied he has any connections to organized crime.

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2009 that Deripaska received another limited entry visa at the behest of the FBI, and that he visited the country twice that year.



One U.S. government official has told RFE/RL that Deripaska has continued to visit the United States despite not having a valid visa, using a diplomatic passport issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

An e-mail sent by RFE/RL to Basic Element's press office was not immediately returned. AP said that a spokesman for Deripaska declined to answer questions about Manafort.



Deripaska has hired some of Washington's top lobbying firms to advocate on his behalf, including former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole in the mid-2000s, and in 2009, another lobbying company, Endeavor Group.



A year later, Endeavor Group filed paperwork showing it was also working on behalf of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with the aim of "gathering information and providing advice and analysis as it relates to the U.S. policy towards the visa status of Oleg Deripaska."



Deripaska's company has retained other powerful lobbying groups as well, including Barbour, Griffith and Rogers, headed by the former chairman of the Republican Party, Haley Barbour.

AP cited a U.S. official as saying on condition of anonymity that Manafort has been a leading focus of the U.S. intelligence investigation.

With reporting by AP
Moscow says it hopes former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic will be granted provisional release from detention in The Hague to undergo medical treatment in Russia.

The statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on March 22 came a day after the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) released a motion in which Mladic's lawyers said that the 74-year-old's health had significantly deteriorated.

The lawyers said that releasing him "is the only just, humane, and medically sound course of action that can ensure he will live to see the trial judgment."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow has given the ICTY the "necessary assurances for a positive resolution of the matter."

"We hope that the ICTY will promptly make a decision on his temporary release and allow Mladic to undergo treatment at one of Russia's medical institutions," it said.

Mladic's trial wrapped up in December.

Judges are considering verdicts on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in connection with his role in the 1992-95 Bosnian War.

With reporting by AP and Interfax
BRUSSELS -- Belgium marked the first anniversary of two terrorist bombings that killed 32 people in Brussels with moments of silence and noise to commemorate the countrys worst-ever attacks.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were joined by Prime Minister Charles Michel and hundreds of others at the Zaventem airport in the capital, where two suicide bombers killed 16 people when they blew themselves up in a busy departure hall a year ago.

After a moment of silence at 7:58 a.m., the time of the first blast, they traveled by train to the Maelbeek subway station in the city center to join another group commemorating a second suicide bombing on a train at 9:11 a.m. the same day that killed 16 others.

In a show of defiance, participants at the second memorial held what Stib, the citys transport authority, deemed "a minute of noise to show that we have not forgotten, but remain standing against hate and terror."

"March 22, 2016, will forever be in our hearts...We stand here united," an airport official said after reading out the names of those who died in the bombing.

More than 320 people were wounded in the attacks, which investigators have said were carried out by the Islamic State extremist group through a network that was also behind the November 2015 attacks in Paris in which 130 people were killed.

"There was an enormous feeling of solidarity in Brussels after the attacks. You see it. You saw it this morning throughout the country. It is very strong," said Jimmy Jamar, the head of the European Commission representation in Belgium.

A new memorial to the victims of the attacks will be officially unveiled in the Belgian capital's European quarter, where many European Union institutions are located.

The 20-meter long, 2-meter-high metal sculpture by Brussels-born artist Jean-Henri Compere, titled Wounded But Still Standing In The Face Of The Unthinkable, commemorates recent attacks in France, Tunisia, and Turkey, as well as Brussels.

"People of all backgrounds are here to show their respects and to show that we are not going to give in to fear. We are going to continue to live our lives in a good way," said Rob Brouillette, an American tourist visiting Brussels.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
A Crimean Tatar leader who has criticized Russia's seizure of the Black Sea peninsula appears likely to face trial soon on what he says are spurious charges of separatism.

Ilmi Umerov, deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body, the Mejlis, said he and his lawyer were informed on March 21 that the case against him had been sent to a court in Russia-controlled Crimea.

He also said he has received the final written charges, a step that is often followed within days or weeks by a trial.

Umerov, 59, was charged with separatism in May 2016 after he made public statements opposing Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014.

He denies the charges, saying he has the right to express his opinions freely.

Russia took control of Crimea after sending in troops and staging a referendum considered by most countries worldwide as illegitimate.

After the takeover, Russia adopted a law making it a criminal offense to question Russia's territorial integrity within what the government considers its borders.

RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena went on trial in Crimea on March 20 on separatism charges he says are unfounded.
So Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied that Russia was preparing to annex territories in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts occupied by Moscow's proxies.

And when you consider all the other things the Kremlin has denied (things that turned out to be -- you know -- like, true) well, then you can't help but wonder if the annexation of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics might actually be on the table.

After all, when the Kremlin denies that it's doing something, it's not a bad rule of thumb to pay a little bit more attention to that particular something.

And then there's all the, you know, stuff, that's been happening lately.

Stuff like Russia recognizing travel documents issued by separatist authorities.

Stuff like Moscow encouraging the use of the ruble in the occupied parts of the Donbas.

Stuff like Kremlin-backed warlords seizing mines, factories, and other enterprises owned by Ukrainian-registered firms.

Stuff like Ukraine cutting off cargo traffic to the territories in retaliation.

And stuff like Russia building up its armed forces near the Ukrainian border.

In recent months, the last ties between and the Russian-occupied parts of the Donbas and the rest of Ukraine have been pretty much severed.

It's become clear as day that the much-maligned and deeply flawed Minsk peace process is finally dead in the water.

And it's become clear that Moscow's Plan A -- forcing the occupied territories back into Ukraine as a Trojan horse -- has failed.

So now Russia's war on Ukraine is entering a new phase.

The Kremlin may be preparing to annex the occupied territories. It may be preparing to recognize their independence. Or it may be preparing for a new offensive.

But it is clearly preparing to do something.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.
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.
YNTYMAK, Kyrgyzstan -- Yntymak is not at war, but you wouldn't know it from talking to the people who live in the southern Kyrgyz border village.

"We hear gunfire that shakes our windows and frightens our children," says one resident of Yntymak, located a stone's throw from a Soviet-era military training ground in neighboring Uzbekistan.

Troops at the Uzbek facility frequently conduct live-fire drills, striking fear into the hearts of Yntymak's 1,300 inhabitants situated just 300 meters away.

"When they hold military drills, they fire from large-caliber weapons," Keldibek Osmonov says. "It makes us nervous."

The villagers have launched a campaign making clear that they don't feel safe when guns are being fired near their children, and are demanding that the Kyrgyz authorities press Uzbekistan to relocate the facility.

Tazhigul Arapova says she and other local parents don't allow their children to play outdoors, fearing they will be hit by stray bullets.

No such injuries have been recorded, but villagers say they don't want to wait until such a tragedy occurs to take action.

WATCH: RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports from Yntymak (in Russian):



The farming community is situated close to the Uzbek village of Yambarak, which lies across the border in the Ferghana region. The two countries are divided by barbed-wire fencing along some stretches in the area; in others, the border remains unmarked and wide open.

Arapova says that herds of sheep, goats, and cattle that graze on nearby hills sometimes roam across the border and disappear.

"We can't cross the border to find our livestock," she says. "We can't complain to anyone on the other side. Many households in our village lost their farm animals to such incidents."

The villagers took their complaints to the governor of the Kadamzhai district in the southern province of Batken, where Yntymak is located.

The governor's office, however, says the issue is beyond the district government's authority.

"We have no authority to move a foreign country's military training facility," Governor Akramzhan Madumarov says. "The ground is located within Uzbek territory."

Madumarov says that issue is one for the countries' central governments to resolve.

Kyrgyzstan shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Uzbekistan, and in recent years border issues have led to violent clashes, hostage takings, and fatal shootings.

Negotiations between the governments in Bishkek and Tashkent generally failed to defuse tensions during the rule of late Uzbek President Islam Karimov, known for his tough stance vis-a-vis the country's neighbors.

The Kyrgyz government is hoping for better luck in its dealings with Tashkent now that President Shavkat Mirziyaev has come to power in Uzbekistan. Mirziyaev has said that improving relations with fellow Central Asian republics would be a top priority of his foreign policy.

Just days after Karimov's death was announced on September 2, Tashkent withdrew Uzbek policemen deployed in a disputed area on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border and released four Kyrgyz hostages, ending a weeks-long border dispute.

Kyrgyz and Uzbek government officials have since met numerous times to discuss border-demarcation issues.

Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service correspondents Zhenish Aidarov and Bolot Kolbaev
Lithuania and Ukraine have rejected Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's allegations that they were involved in what Lukashenka called a planned "armed provocation" in Belarus.

On March 21, Lukashenka said that some 20 armed militants who had been trained in militant camps in Belarus, Ukraine, and "most likely" in Lithuania and Poland, had been apprehended on suspicion of planning "armed provocations" across the country.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told reporters on March 22 that Lukashenka's statement was groundless and suggested he had resorted to a Soviet-style "search for enemies."

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on March 22 that Lukashenka's statement "does not correspond to reality, is provocative and imposes damage on neighborly ties between Ukraine and Belarus."

Lukashenka's statement came a day after he referred to political opponents in his country as a "fifth column" that wants "to impose tension in Belarus with financial assistance from Western foundations and secret services."

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the former Soviet republic in recent weeks to protest an unemployment tax in the largest antigovernment demonstrations in Belarus in years.

More than 150 protesters have been arrested since March 1, and dozens have been fined or sentenced to up to 15 days in jail.

There have been no reports of armed protesters.


A lawyer representing the family of the deceased Russian whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky remained hospitalized on March 22 after falling several stories from his apartment building, though Magnitsky's former employer said his condition had improved.

Lawyer Nikolai Gorokhov on March 21 suffered serious injuries after plunging at least four stories from his apartment building outside Moscow as he reportedly attempted to bring a hot tub into his home.

There was no indication from authorities that foul play was suspected in the incident, which occurred one day before he was due to appear in court in connection with the Magnitsky case.

Magnitsky's former employer, U.S.-born British investor Bill Browder, said a day earlier that Gorokhov had been "thrown from the fourth floor of his apartment building."

Browder said in a March 22 statement that Gorokhov's condition had been changed from critical to serious, and that he was able to speak with doctors earlier in the day.

Magnitsky's death in November 2009 while in pretrial detention in Moscow was the catalyst for a 2012 U.S. law, which Browder lobbied for, allowing sanctions against alleged Russian rights abusers.

Magnitsky's family and friends say he was jailed, tortured, and denied medical treatment that could have saved his life as retribution for accusing law-enforcement and tax officials of stealing $230 million from Russian coffers.


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
Some of the laundered Russian money was used to buy fancy cars. Some of it to purchase furs. Some of it paid for elite prep-school fees. And some of it was spent on real estate.

But at least some of the Russian black cash also helped finance political mischief.

The latest investigation into Russian money laundering by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) exposed the inner workings of a vast criminal conspiracy to siphon at least $20 billion out of Russia and launder it through foreign banks.

The Guardian cites unidentified law-enforcement officials as saying the total amount that sloshed through this massive money laundromat could be as high as $80 billion.

Most of this appears to be the run-of-the-mill fraud, tax evasion, and capital flight of a kleptocracy.

But for Russia, crime and corruption are also often simultaneously used as weaponized tools of statecraft.

And it's hard to imagine a money-laundering operation of this magnitude, involving major Russian banks and figures with ties to the Russian government and security services, that isn't at least tacitly Kremlin-sanctioned.

Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian organized crime and security services and a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, notes that "most of this $20 billion haul was, of course, just the corrupt proceeds of corrupt people doing corrupt things," but some of it "seems to have been put to political use by the Russian security services."

According to the OCCRP report, for example, some of the funds went to the Center for Geopolitical Analysis, a think tank in Poland that pushes the Kremlin's agenda in Europe.

The center is run by Mateusz Piskorski, who leads the Euroskeptic political party Zmiana -- and who was detained last year on charges of spying for Russia.

So far, that's the only documented case of the laundered funds being used for political purposes.

But Moldovan officials told Reuters that some of the money was used to advance Russian state interests.

Moreover, OCCRP's co-founder, Paul Radu, who led the investigation into Russian money laundering, told me that "we don't know where 80 percent of the money went," adding that it was largely distributed to "ghost companies" without clear owners.

"It's like a Tor network of financial transactions," he added, referring to the popular Internet anonymizer.

That's a lot of untraceable black cash.

And this black cash is sloshing through some of the world's top banks as the Kremlin's active measures in the West are becoming ever more active: as Russia is suspected of stealthily funding political movements, NGOs, and so-called "alternative" media outlets in Europe that stoke fears about the migrant crisis, advocate a Euroskeptic agenda, and otherwise promote the Kremlin's agenda.

"Putin's corrupt system functions as a network of business relationships," political commentator Leonid Bershidsky writes in his column for Bloomberg.

"It's a kind of secondary nervous system inside the Russian bureaucracy, running parallel to the official one, creating parallel chains of command and serving different goals than the official system whose tools it uses."

But often the goals overlap. And when they conflict, there is little question whose interests have priority.

The security services tolerate, monitor, and recruit hackers from Russia's digital underworld. Intelligence and law-enforcement agencies run protection rackets. And organized crime is allowed to flourish, so long as it doesn't embarrass the state.

And yes, money-laundering schemes are allowed to operate.

The condition on all this is that the Kremlin can reach in at any time to use crime and corruption it has tolerated and nurtured to advance its geopolitical goals.

And you can stir up a helluva lot of mischief, buy a lot of influence, stealthily fund a lot of fake-news-spewing media, and secretly finance a lot of xenophobic political parties with $20 billion.

NOTE TO READERS: Be sure to tune in to The Power Vertical Podcast on March 24 when we will discuss the OCCRP report and some of the issues raised in this post. Joining me will be co-host Mark Galeotti and the OCCRP's Paul Radu.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny has rejected sites proposed by the authorities for an anticorruption rally on March 26, vowing to hold the protest in central Moscow.

Navalny's March 22 pledge to conduct the march and demonstration near the Kremlin sets up a possible showdown with police.

Navalny, who helped lead a wave of large antigovernment demonstrations in 2011-12, hopes to bring thousands of people into the streets for a protest against what he says is rampant corruption among officials close to President Vladimir Putin.

The planned rally comes after Navalny's anticorruption group released a report on March 2 accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of using charities and NGOs to collect donations from tycoons and state banks and using the funds to buy costly assets.

On March 18, Moscow authorities denied Navalny permission to hold the protest in central Moscow. On March 22, he said the authorities had proposed two alternate sites in less central neighborhoods.

"I'm sorry, but no," Navalny said on his website. He called on people to come out at 2 p.m. Moscow time on March 26 at "any point on Tverskaya Street" -- a main artery that ends outside Red Square and the Kremlin.

Navalny contends that the denial of permission is unlawful and said that if anyone is detained trying to demonstrate on March 26 he will challenge the authorities in court, taking cases as far as the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

Organizers said on social media that they hope to hold rallies in 98 cities and towns.

Navalny announced in December that he would run for president in a March 2018 election in which Putin, in power as president or prime minister since 1999, is widely expected to seek a new six-year term.

Russian authorities say Navalny will be barred from the ballot if a conviction on financial-crimes charges is upheld on appeal, but he has pushed ahead with campaign-style events.

He has denied any wrongdoing and said his convictions in two separate cases were politically motivated punishment for his opposition to Putin.
Russia's lower house of parliament has approved legislation to exempt Russians who are under Western sanctions from paying tax in Russia if they are registered as taxpayers in foreign countries.

The bill, passed in its third and final reading in the State Duma on March 22, also exempts such individuals from declaring their incomes.

It will become law if approved in the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin.

The legislation, initiated by ruling United Russia party lawmaker Andrei Makarov, also grants Russians under sanctions the right to receive a refund on taxes paid to the Russian treasury since 2014 if they prove their status as a foreign tax resident.

In 2014, Western countries imposed asset freezes and travel bans on dozens of Russians -- some of them close to Putin -- after Moscow seized the Crimean Peninsula and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

A 2013 law bans Russian officials and lawmakers from having bank accounts, valuable papers, or companies abroad, but allows them to have property in foreign countries that are taxed by local authorities.

Based on reporting by meduza.io, TASS, and Interfax


Russia's late United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has been remembered with tributes and a moment of silence in the UN General Assembly hall.

Diplomats from the UN's 193 member states on March 21 stood silently to honor Churkin, who died suddenly on February 20, the day before his 65th birthday. UN leaders and representatives then praised him in glowing terms as his wife, Irina, and son, Maksim, watched.

Calling the Russian envoy "a dear friend," General Assembly President Peter Thomson said. "To put it simply, in the theater of diplomacy, Ambassador Churkin was a giant, a deep and eloquent intellectual with a sharp wit and disarmingly approachable manner."

Germany's deputy UN ambassador, Jurgen Schulz, said it was how Churkin did his job, connecting with associates on a personal level, that made him "a landmark figure."

"In the world of diplomacy, there's no greater compliment than to be respected by those with whom one disagrees," Schulz said. "Ambassador Churkin earned this respect from everyone, regardless of policy or political differences."

Based on reporting by AP and TASS
DUSHANBE -- The head of an opposition party in Tajikistan has openly challenged the imprisonment of a human rights lawyer and an opposition businessman, a rare move in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation.

Social Democratic Party leader Rahmatillo Zoirov urged the Supreme Court on Facebook on March 21 to review the cases of lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov and businessman Zaid Saidov, calling the prosecution of the two men politically motivated.

Zoirov, who is also a lawyer, told RFE/RL on March 22 that Saidov had not been provided with the means and conditions to defend himself.

Saidov, a businessman and leader of the unregistered opposition party New Tajikistan, was sentenced to 26 years in prison in December 2013 after being convicted of financial fraud, polygamy, and sexual relations with a minor.

He also contends that the charges and trial were politically motivated.

Yorov was sentenced to 23 years in prison in October, after the Dushanbe City Court convicted him of issuing public calls for the overthrow of the government and inciting unrest.

Zoirov said he believes that Yorov was prosecuted only because he defended 13 members and leaders of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, which President Emomali Rahmon's government labeled a terrorist organization and outlawed in 2015.

On March 15, the Supreme Court sentenced Yorov to an additional two years behind bars after finding him guilty of contempt of court and insulting a government official.

Yorov denies any wrongdoing, saying that his imprisonment is politically motivated.

Although Zoirov's party is officially registered, it has no seats in the parliament.

Rahmon, 64, has ruled the poor, predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic since 1992.

Rights groups and opponents say he tolerates little dissent and suppresses his critics.

In December 2015, a bill was endorsed in Tajikistan that gave Rahmon the title "Leader of the Nation" and granted him and his relatives lifelong immunity from prosecution.

In January 2016, constitutional amendments were adopted giving Rahmon a right to run for reelection for an indefinite number of times.
ON MY MIND

It appears that Alyaksandr Lukashenka has made his choice.

For the past month, the Belarusian strongman has been showing an uncommon tolerance for protests against an unpopular tax on the unemployed. The protests were different in that they were led from the grass roots and not by Belarus's traditional opposition and in that they were taking place not just in Minsk but in provincial centers as well.

These were demonstrations by ordinary people driven by declining living standards.

But now Lukashenka seems to have decided to take a page out of Vladimir Putin's book, with arrests and accusations that Western intelligence services orchestrated the protests -- and accusations that the demonstrators are "fifth columnists."

The question now is how does the "Belarusian street" respond? Do they retreat, as Russian protesters did after Putin deployed the same tactic in 2012? Or do they come out in even greater numbers, as Ukrainians did in 2013-14?

We're about to find out just how different this round of Belarusian protests is.

IN THE NEWS

Vitaly Milonov, the firebrand nationalist Russian lawmaker, has called for a criminal investigation of the Freemasons, saying the fraternal organization is engaging in illegal political activity.

Nikolai Gorokhov, a lawyer representing the family of the deceased Russian whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky, has been hospitalized in Moscow with serious injuries after falling several stories.

A postgraduate student at Moscow State University says he was beaten and interrogated by the Federal Security Service after he exposed a makeshift Ukrainian flag on the third anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Russia's late United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has been remembered with tributes and a moment of silence in the UN General Assembly hall.

A suspect in the deadly 2002 hostage-taking attack at a Moscow theater has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said about 20 armed militants who were planning "an armed provocation" in Belarus have been apprehended.

Ukraine's Central Bank says a blockade of the part of the country controlled by Russia-backed separatists will hit the countrys economy harder than previously expected.

Paul Manafort is under scrutiny again after a Ukrainian lawmaker released documents he says show that U.S. President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman went to great lengths to hide $750,000 tied to his work for former President Viktor Yanukovych.

WHAT I'M READING

The True Russian Threat

Index.hu has a fascinating interview with Ferenc Katrein, a former Hungarian security service agent, in which he talks in detail about Russia's efforts to destabilize Europe.

To Catch A Hacker

Garrett Graff has a piece in Wired looking at the hunt for Evgeniy Bogachev, Russia's most notorious hacker.

A Russian Spy In The EU

Jacobo Barigazzi has a piece in Politico profiling Alexandre Kojeve, one of the architects of the European Union who may have been a Russian spy.

The New Art Of Spying

In Republic.ru, Anastasia Zyryanova interviews Edward Jay Epstein, author of the book How America Lost Its Secrets: Edward Snowden, The Man And The Theft, about how technology is changing the espionage game.

A New World Order -- And A Trap

Daniel Twining of the German Marshall Fund of the United States has a piece in Medium arguing that "abandoning the liberal international order for a spheres-of-influence world is a trap for America and its allies."

Putin's Lukashenka Problem

In a column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky looks at how Alyaksandr Lukashenka has become a "thorn in Putin's side."

Understanding Russian News Consumption

Vox has an interview with Ellen Mickiewicz, author of the book No Illusions: The Voices Of Russia's Future Leaders, on how Russians watch the news.

Russian Nationalists Eye The Baltics

A piece in the Russian nationalist website Sputnik I Pogram on how to "reorganize" the Baltic states provides a valuable window into the thinking of Russia's far right.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has urged members of the international coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) militants to boost their contributions to the effort.

Tillerson made the remarks in Washington on March 22 at a meeting of a 68-nation anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition that is discussing how to defeat IS extremists in Iraq and Syria.

The extremist group seized large parts of the two countries in 2014 but has been losing ground since 2016.

"The United States will do its part, but the circumstances on the ground require more from all of you," Tillerson told the gathering. "I ask each country to examine how it can best support these vital stabilization efforts, especially in regard to contribution of military and financial resources."

Calling the defeat of IS the "number-one" U.S. goal in the Middle East, Tillerson praised "hard-fought victories in Iraq and Syria" that he said "have swung the momentum in our coalition's favor."

"But we must increase the intensity of our efforts and solidify our gains in the next phase of a counter-ISIS fight. Degradation of ISIS is not the end goal -- we must defeat ISIS, he said, using an alternate acronym for the group.

Tillerson said Washington plans to establish "interim zones of stability" to help refugees return to what is left of their homes during the next phase of the fight against IS and Al-Qaeda militants.

"The United States will increase our pressure on IS and Al-Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through cease-fires, to allow refugees to return home," Tillerson told the gathering at the State Department.

He said it is "only a matter of time" before IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is killed.

Tillerson said the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria had decreased sharply during the past year.

"It is harder for terrorists to get in and more importantly harder for them to get out to threaten our homelands," he said.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
The Dutch prosecutor's office said it is investigating ING Groep over the global financial firms possible role in money laundering and corruption in Uzbekistan.

Prosecutors said on March 22 they are looking at "irregular" transactions involving ING Bank, a unit of ING Groep, as well as "unusual" payments by telecoms firm VimpelCom to a company held by an Uzbek government official.

ING stated in its annual report last week that it is the subject of a Dutch criminal investigation. It added that U.S. authorities had filed information requests with the Dutch bank regarding the investigation.

"The bank is suspected of having failed to report, or report in a timely fashion, irregular transactions," Dutch prosecutors said in a statement. "It is suspected of having enabled international corruption and money laundering."

The prosecutor gave no further details. International investigative journalist collaboration OCCRP said on March 20 that ING was one of more than 730 banks linked to Russian money laundering between January 2011 and October 2014.

VimpelCom, which has its headquarters in the Netherlands, paid 716 million euros in February 2016 to settle its role in the case.

Based on reporting by Financieele Dagblad and Reuters


The top executive at Vastly, previously known as Tranlin Inc., which is planning to build a $2 billion paper plant in Chesterfield County, is no longer with the company.

The company confirmed the departure of Jerry Z. Peng in a brief statement this week.

Effective immediately, Dong (Donald) Lan is serving as acting CEO for Tranlin Inc. (also known as Vastly), following the departure of Jerry Peng, the company said in the statement. Mr. Lan is president of Tranlin Company Ltd. and has served in various capacities for the Shandong Tranlin Paper Company Ltd.

Peng was chairman and CEO of Tranlin and a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginias Darden School of Business. The company did not give any reasons for his departure, and a spokeswoman did not have any comment beyond the statement.

Peng could not be reached for comment.

Tranlin is the U.S. subsidiary of China-based Shandong Tranlin Paper Co., a paper products company which announced plans in 2014 to build a paper factory on an 850-acre site near Willis Road between the James River and Interstate 95. The plant is expected to employ about 2,000 people.

The company has said the plant should be completed and operational by 2020. However, project delays led the company to defer payment last year for about $2 million in grants the state awarded for the project.

Tranlin, which has its offices in Charlottesville, announced last year that it was changing its name to Vastly.

Work continues on our production facility in Chesterfield County. We are working closely with local and state officials on necessary steps to move us closer to construction of our facility, Lan said in the companys statement. We continue to be very grateful for the support we are receiving from Chesterfield County and the state of Virginia.
Richmond-based Envera Health is consolidating its local operations into one office space in downtown Richmond that will serve as headquarters for the growing company.

Envera said Tuesday it has finalized a lease agreement to move into 27,000 square feet of office space in the Riverside on the James building along the Haxall Canal.

We help health care systems connect more efficiently with patients and help health care providers connect more efficiently with each other, said Envera Chief Executive Officer Dan Neuwirth, who founded the company in 2015.

Among the services the company provides is a call center that assists patients with needs such as scheduling and navigating the health care system.

We expect pretty dramatic growth (during) 2017, Neuwirth said. We are targeting about 100 percent growth in our business year over year.

The move to the new location is part of a consolidation of Enveras office locations in the Richmond area. It previously had offices on East Cary Street in Shockoe Slip, on West Broad Street near the Science Museum of Virginia, and in the Innsbrook Corporate Center in western Henrico County.

Neuwirth said the company has moved out of the Cary Street and West Broad locations and is temporarily occupying the Innsbrook office while the new space downtown is prepared. It plans to move into that location in early August, bringing its 120 local employees together in a single location.

The location near the James River is great for us for a number of reasons, Neuwirth said. It enables the company to operate more efficiently in one location, he said.

It is a beautiful space, he said. Having a beautiful, natural space with a natural setting to it is conducive to the type of service we want to provide to the patients we touch.

The company said it is making a long-term commitment to Richmond. The lease has a term of 10 years, with up to two renewals of five years each.

The move comes after Envera last year completed a $14 million capital raise, shortly after it acquired two area businesses: inHEALTH and MedVirginia, which have been integrated into the business.

The capital raise was led by three major investors: Richmond-based Harbert Venture Partners, a unit of Birmingham, Ala.-based Harbert Management Corp.; Georgia-based Noro-Moseley Partners; and New Richmond Ventures, a local venture capital firm.

Envera said it is working with Richmond-based SMBW Architects on the design of the office space.
Few people have captured the imagination and changed the course of history like Pocahontas.

Four hundred years after her death, shes remembered as a child cartwheeling through the streets of Jamestown, a savior of Captain John Smith and the entire English attempt to colonize America, a young woman kidnapped by the colonists, the first Indian convert to Protestant Christianity, the bride of an important English settler, the mother of a celebrated Virginia lineage, an Indian princess presented to the English king and finally the victim of a grave illness as she started back to her homeland.

Who could have predicted that an Indian girl born in the Virginia wilderness around 1595 would have been so widely remembered?

At the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian, associate curator Cecile Ganteaume said a film and exhibition will recognize her unique place in the development of America.

Were trying to get people to recognize what an important historical figure she was and how very unique it is to know details of somebodys life who lived 400 years ago  let alone a woman and let alone an American Indian woman, Ganteaume said. ... It puts her in the category of very, very few women, like Joan of Arc or Cleopatra.

She is the person who put a human face on the indigenous people of the Americas.

In England, where Pocahontas was buried at Gravesend on March 21, 1617, her legacy has been celebrated this month by participants who included four Richmond students from Franklin Military Academy: Shakiyah Bolden-Jones, LilMeal Boyd, Alyssa Brown and Saki Nowacki. They were part of a delegation organized by Replenish Richmond to participate in commemorations on Monday at Syon House, where Pocahontas and John Rolfe lived near London, and on Tuesday at Gravesend.

In Virginia, where in 1607 her father, Powhatan, was the powerful ruler of an Indian federation when the first permanent English settlers landed at Jamestown, Pocahontas legacy has inspired events this weekend at Henricus Historical Park and this summer at Jamestown Settlement.

Theres still this fascination with this woman who lived between two different cultures, said Nancy Egloff, historian for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, which operates Jamestown Settlement and will open a Pocahontas exhibit July 15.

We like to put thoughts into her head, but we cant really understand what was motivating her. We still look at her as the savior of Jamestown, the savior of John Smiths life, although we dont know if that happened for sure. ... By saving Jamestown shes saved America. She has this saintlike virtue about her, that she was willing to sacrifice herself to save a person of another culture, that she was willing to embrace another culture.

At Henricus, where she may have lived at the time of her conversion and marriage, the anniversary of her death will inspire a look at sickness, death and burial in Indian and English cultures, said John Pagano, supervisor of historical interpreters.

Both in the Indian village and on the English side, we will give visitors a scenario. If Pocahontas was very ill, how would she have been treated? How would she have been cared for, how would she have been buried and how would she have been remembered when she died? We will match that on the English side by replicating a couple different scenarios of what may have killed her. Tuberculosis or a deadly virus are among the possibilities, he said.

At the Virginia Historical Society, William Rasmussen, lead curator, says hes been talking professionally about Pocahontas for longer than she lived. The book he co-authored in 1994, Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend, was a companion to a major exhibition that celebrated the year of her birth.

Rasmussen sticks to the facts about her life as he works on plans for a traveling Pocahontas exhibition. Shes the young woman who concerned herself with John Smiths safety in 1607 and in 1609, was abducted and baptized in 1613, married John Rolfe in 1614, and traveled to England in 1616-17

.

Artists and writers have celebrated Pocahontas in a variety of guises, he said, as Guardian Angel of the Colony and peacemaker; as princess; as Native American willing to immerse herself in English culture (a civilized princess); as a beautiful woman; as embodying the European ideal of the virtuous primitive (a beautiful forest girl); as a woman of achievement; as the figurative mother of the antebellum Virginia aristocracy  and in turn of the Confederacy; as the precursor of the 20th-century modern woman who acts independently; as representing Americas mistreated minorities.

Whats common to all those guises is an affection for the young woman who played such a large role in Americas founding. Rasmussen likes to quote a line from Herman Melvilles novel, The Confidence Man, written in 1857:

When I think of Pocahontas I am ready to love Indians.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian shares the love for Pocahontas in two projects this year.

First is a film, Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Channel. It premieres , at 8 p.m. Monday, March 27.

Second is a new permanent exhibition, Americans, that will open Oct. 26. It will examine the staying power of four stories about Indians: Thanksgiving, Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears, and the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Ganteaume, the NMAI curator, said Pocahontas was embraced early on as a founding figure of the country.

In the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, for example, shes portrayed in three images: a sandstone carving and a frieze showing her legendary rescue of Captain John Smith in 1607 and a painting depicting her baptism in 1613.

The most famous, of course, is the rescue scene that Smith described in his Generall Historie of 1624  the one where Pocahontas lays her head on Smiths to keep the Indians from clubbing him to death. Historians debate whether it really happened the way Smith told it, but its too good a story to forget. Two years later, in 1609, she saved Smith again by warning him that her father intended to kill him.

In fictional versions of her life, starting in the early 1800s and continuing up to the Disney animated film in 1995, Pocahontas was motivated by romantic feelings for Smith, even though she was about 12 at the time and Smith was about 28.

That romantic image is part of the reason that shes had such staying power, Ganteaume said, but just part of it. Its her association with the colony, and the birthplace of representative government, and what begins the United States, and the wealth and power of Virginia.

The ultimate secret of her success then and now may have been her personality.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe and advocates for Virginians with disabilities and mental illness have raised concerns about how the Republicans proposed health care bill would impact the state.

The bills latest iteration, which may be voted on as early as today by the U.S. House of Representatives, could reduce Virginias Medicaid funding by $708 million over the next decade, Joe Flores, deputy secretary of Health and Human Resources, said late Wednesday afternoon. Had the bill been passed in its earliest version, the decrease in funding would have been around $1.8 billion, he said.

McAuliffe and several of his cabinet secretaries met in Washington on Wednesday afternoon to discuss with Virginias congressional delegation their opposition to the bill, which has the support of several leading conservative groups. So far, a majority of Virginias 11 members in the U.S. House of Representatives oppose the bill.

We are very concerned about the uncertainty it adds to the marketplace  the 400,000 or so Virginians that currently receive coverage through the exchange  but also the unprecedented changes that this bill would make to the Medicaid program and the implications for pregnant women, children, the elderly and disabled, Flores said.

More than a million Virginians are enrolled in Medicaid. About a third of the spending through the program goes toward services for children, pregnant women and low-income parents; the rest is spent on care for elderly and disabled Virginians, Flores said.

Flores said the caps on Medicaid spending in the bill would force states to either come up with more money to pay for services, cut the number of people served, cut services, or pay providers less.

The proposal proffered by House Speaker Paul Ryan and endorsed by President Donald Trump is meant to replace former President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act. Conservatives have praised it for saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and for shifting power to states.

As advocates of free market principles and limited government, we endorse this significant legislation that would take the first major step toward repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, wrote 12 leading conservatives in a letter to Congress. In its place, it would create a more market-oriented health care system that prioritizes liberty, consumer choice, and innovation over Obamacares government mandates.

Advocates for people with disabilities and mental illness are opposing the bill. Some of them descended on Capitol Hill from Richmond this week to lobby against the bill.

Among them was Jamie Liban, executive director of the Arc of Virginia, an advocacy group for people with disabilities.

Peoples health, services and lives are at stake, Liban said. The level of cuts over time would decimate the Medicaid program, causing harm to thousands of Virginians with disabilities and their families.

More than 11,200 people are on a waiting list for disability services funded through Medicaid as of this week, officials with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services said.

Mira Signer, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia, said people diagnosed with serious mental illness stand to lose access to doctors if the bill is approved.

Medicaid is a lifeline for someone with serious mental illness who has become disabled and quite frankly is out of the workforce while they are getting through this, Signer said.
Richmond City Auditor Umesh Dalal said Wednesday he has reviewed allegations made by a city official about his staffs handling of taxpayer data and found them to be without merit.

Instead, he attributed the issue to a misreading of his offices decision to use a late property tax bill received by one of his offices employees to investigate why residents dont always get their tax bills on time.

So we traced that case and the facts of that case through the process, Dalal said, adding that his staff was disturbed by the claim that it had acted inappropriately.

During a budget hearing Monday, Finance Director John Wack said he had reason to believe (the auditors) staff has inappropriately used taxpayer specific information, when pressed by council members for an explanation of why his office was not cooperating with a review of the citys tax collection efforts.

Wack and administration officials have since declined to elaborate, but they met Tuesday privately and both sides said they had largely resolved their disagreement surrounding the contested audit.

Dalal said that during the meeting, Wack also provided two emails to back up the accusation of misused data.

Dalal explained his side of the situation in an email Wednesday afternoon to City Council members, saying his staff members tax information was used with permission and with the approval of managers overseeing the audit.

I stand by my staff, Dalal said in the message. I am very disappointed that the Finance Director did not have the courtesy to consult with me prior to publicly attacking the credibility and integrity of my staff.
President Donald Trump will deliver the keynote address at Liberty Universitys commencement May 13, the university announced this morning.

Trump spoke at Liberty University during convocations in September 2012 and again in January 2016, while on the campaign trail.

"It is a tremendous honor and privilege for any university to host a sitting U.S. President, and we are incredibly grateful to have President Trump be a part of this historic day, LU President Jerry Falwell Jr. said in a news release.

Liberty has always been proud to provide its students with the opportunity to hear from successful professionals, including athletes, business leaders, ministers, entertainers, and politicians, regardless of their political or theological persuasion. This May, Liberty students will have the honor of hearing from a man who has succeeded in business and in politics, defying conventional wisdom to become the 45th President of the United States as a champion of the average American citizen, including many who felt forgotten and neglected by the establishment.

Falwell was an early supporter of Trumps. Shortly after Trumps January 2016 appearance at LU, Falwell announced his personal endorsement of the then-candidate. He recorded radio ads and appeared with Trump on the campaign trail to boost support among evangelicals and others.

Falwell has said he hopes to work with Trump to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which restricts tax-exempt entities  including churches  from engaging in partisan politics, such as donating to or endorsing a political candidate or campaign.

Falwell also has said he will lead two new presidential higher-education task forces to be created by Trump to reform the Department of Education.

Falwell has not described a timeline or specific goals for the task forces; in January, he told The News & Advance its all still very much in flux.
By Katrina vanden Heuvel

President Trumps America First budget is headlined by its big hike in military spending, which Trump touts as one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history. The buildup is paid for by cuts in civilian programs, including savage cuts to the State Department, U.N. programs, foreign aid and the Environmental Protection Agency and anything related to climate change. In fulfilling his campaign pledge to throw money at the Pentagon, Trump is undermining his oft-promised America First foreign policy.

Trumps budget document misleadingly claims that the militarys depletion under President Obama is our foremost challenge. In fact, the United States already spends nearly 40 percent of all the money spent globally on defense and more than the next 12 highest military spenders combined. (The hawkish GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona complained that Trumps budget calls for only a 3 percent increase over Barack Obamas last budget.) Yet on top of the billions already being poured into the military, Trump wants to add 60,000 active-duty soldiers to the Army, 78 ships and submarines to the Navy, 12,000 Marines, 1,200 active Air Force fighter planes, plus enhanced missile defense, cyber-capabilities and more.

The president mistakes the problem. The military is stressed not because we spend too little but because it is asked to do too much. Trumps budget is paying for a military that is tasked with policing the world  with a bigger Navy, more expeditionary forces and more attack aircraft. This global reach is reflected in Trumps early foreign policy moves  continuing the buildup in Eastern Europe, sustaining the longest war in Afghanistan, apparent mission creep in Yemen and Syria, threatening military action against North Korea and more.

On the campaign trail, Trump lacerated the failures of the foreign policy establishment. He criticized endless wars that we never win, expressed skepticism about regime change, suggested better relations with Russia could lead to cooperation against the Islamic State, called NATO obsolete, and questioned our commitments to Japan and South Korea. But now, as each week goes by, inertia governs. The allies have been reassured; the endless wars without victory continued. Trump has pushed the allies to bear more of the burden, but his military expansion will reduce their motivation to do so.

A true America First policy would build up diplomacy rather than military forces. Wed cut back on policing the world and seek to mediate and help settle disputes. Wed end the pointless war in Afghanistan and reduce our presence in the Middle Easts agonies. Wed seek to revive nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation efforts with the Russians and cool the drive toward a new cold war. Wed work with China to help enforce freedom of the seas in the South China Sea rather than launching a buildup to assert our right to bear that burden alone. All of this would suggest augmenting, not reducing, our investment in diplomacy. Wed want to support U.N. peacekeeping and development efforts more, so that we would no longer dispatch forces to more than 100 nations across the world every year.

Ironically, it is military officers familiar with the horrors of war who understand the importance of diplomacy and foreign aid; 120 retired general and admirals warned Congress against cuts to the State Department and foreign affairs budget. They cited Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who said while he headed U.S. Central Command, If you dont fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.

Trump rails about the $6 trillion squandered in failed wars in the Middle East, enough to rebuild the United States many times over. Instead, to pay for a military able to police the world, Trumps budget would slash funding for science, for health research, for innovation and for education, from preschool to work-study programs and more. Some of the cuts  to infant nutrition, home heating, and rural and urban development  are simply cruel. Cuts in research are simply stupid  reducing investment in Americas economic future to pay for its overstretched military. And an America First policy would be investing more, not less, in renewable energy, in energy efficiency and in meeting the costs of the damage already caused by climate change.

Trump has promised to make the U.S. armed forces so big, so powerful, so strong, that nobody  absolutely nobody  is gonna mess with us. But the question is whether we will continue to mess with them. A military that can go anywhere and do anything is called on constantly to go somewhere and do something. The problem with endless wars without victory is that they must be ended without victory. The challenge for a true America First policy is to reduce the lives and resources squandered across the globe in order to rebuild at home. Trumps budget submission omitted plans for his promised rebuilding of U.S. infrastructure. Clearly the military buildup took priority. And that buildup  along with the doubling down on current policies in Europe, the Middle East, Korea and the South China Sea  suggests that once more the bipartisan consensus of the United States as the indispensable nation on duty across the world will betray the promise to rebuild our country.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Agribusiness and food production giant Land OLakes Inc. plans to build an animal feed manufacturing facility in the Roanoke Valley, the company announced Tuesday.

Plans call for the new plant to open in December 2018, the company said.

Land OLakes declined to disclose where the facility would be located, what sort of investment was anticipated or how many people might work there.

The plans for this new project are evolving, and we dont have additional details yet to share at this time, spokeswoman Becky Lentz said.

Economic development officials throughout the valley contacted Tuesday by The Roanoke Times said they were unfamiliar with the project.

Lentz said the plant will produce Purina-brand horse and cattle feed, as well as other livestock feed. Purina Animal Nutrition, a subsidiary of Land OLakes, does not manufacture Purina-brand cat and dog food, which are products of Nestle Purina.

Land OLakes had planned to acquire the feed assets of Henrico County-based Southern States Cooperative Inc. The companies announced a deal in November.

But Land OLakes is looking to move more quickly in this strategic market than the discussions with Southern States allowed, said Beth Ford, group executive vice president and chief operating officer of Minnesota-based Land OLakes.

When they announced the deal, the companies said they expected to complete their transaction in January.

The southeast region is the single biggest growth opportunity for our Purina animal nutrition business, Ford said. While the new facility is being constructed, we will serve our important current and future customers from product made at our existing facilities and distributed through warehouses at Virginia and Kentucky.

Southern States animal feed business represents about 20 percent of the companys overall annual revenue, generating about $300 million in sales during the most recent fiscal year.

In February, Land OLakes reported a record $320 million in net earnings on annual sales of $13.2 billion for the year ended Dec. 31.

The company says it does business in all U.S. states and more than 60 countries.
BLACKSBURG  Blacksburg officials are re-exploring the possibility of the town becoming a city.

The council Tuesday instructed Town Manager Marc Verniel to prepare a presentation listing the conditions required for the move. The discussion follows the towns failed attempt to acquire the former Blacksburg High School from Montgomery County.

Town officials declined to meet the countys asking price of $3 million, saying they disagreed with a county appraisal. Blacksburg planned to turn the land into recreational space or hold it for a school.

Mayor Ron Rordam said the thwarted bid prompted him to consider making the town a city, which would give Blacksburg ownership of its schools as well as the responsibility to fund them.

The council briefly discussed the issue during a work session Tuesday. Council members were enthusiastic about considering the possibilities. Councilwoman Krisha Chachra was absent.

I would like to see us at least continue the conversation, Rordam said.

Councilman John Bush responded, I second that.

Councilman Michael Sutphin recently has quipped on social media about the town converting to city status.

The town considered the move in the 1980s, leading to a study that Verniel told council members he would bring with him in about a month, when he plans to revisit the issue with them. He said he would explain then what services well have to take on.

Towns provide such services as policing, utilities, trash pickup and recreation. But the scope of responsibilities for Virginia cities is much wider.

Cities must provide schools, courts and jail, and constitutional officers such as a sheriff, prosecutor and Circuit Court clerk.

Providing such services would require Blacksburg to significantly increase its real estate tax rate of 25 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Montgomery County, which funds and owns all public schools in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, charges a real estate tax of 89 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Blacksburg and Christiansburg property owners pay town and county real estate taxes. If Blacksburg became a city, property owners there no longer would pay county real estate taxes. Determining what the impact might be on tax bills would require further study, said Town Attorney Larry Spencer.

The town would have to tax at least the rate of the county, if not a little more, he said.

Virginia localities changing their status is not uncommon, but often its financially challenged cities reverting to towns. South Boston reverted to town status in 1995, six years before Clifton Forge did the same. Bedford made the switch in 2013.

Christiansburg officials in 2012 considered making the town a city. Some council members were dissatisfied with how the town was being represented on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and school board. The town eventually abandoned the idea, but pointed to its retail sector and population of roughly 20,000 as signs that it could build the necessary tax revenue to become a city.

County supervisors Chairman Chris Tuck said he has trouble seeing how Blacksburg could support its own schools when it couldnt meet the $3 million asking price for the old high school. The town at one point offered $2.75 million under the provision that it would share the costs of demolition with the county.

It would be very difficult for them to purchase the new Blacksburg High School. That high school, not including the land, was over $63 million, Tuck said. I dont know if theyre thinking things through, but they got to do what they believe is right for the citizens of Blacksburg.

The town would need the General Assemblys approval to become a city, Spencer said.

If we dont talk about it and think about it, Rordam said, well never know.
A POLICE officer has reportedly been stabbed in the Houses of Parliament.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs in the Chamber the alleged assailant was shot by armed police following a serious incident.

There are also reports five people have been injured by a car on Westminster Bridge.

A group of University of Sheffield students were on a tour of Westminster when the incident happened.

MA Print Journalism student Hannah Dodd (22) (pictured above) said: I am in Portcullus House, which is opposite the House of Lords and we have been on a university tour.

We had broke for lunch and were told to come back a little bit early to get through security.

We were coming through the security doors and I was just being searched and people started shouting: You need to run right now and police told us to run and then I overheard on an officers radio: Officer down and everybody was shunted to the back of a cafeteria area.

We were just filtered into the safest part of the Westminster building and we have just been told to wait until its safe to leave.

It was quite frightening to be honest. It certainly got your heart racing.

A member of staff in Westminster, who did not want to be named, told the Advertiser: We have heard that gunshots have been fired but we are on the other side of the Houses so I dont know that for sure.

We can see Westminster Bridge and I think somebody has driven into five people.

We saw people running down the street after the shots were fired. There is an ambulance outside and we are just staying in the office.

There are loads of sirens outside and helicopters in the air.

The member of staff added: Parliamentary business has been suspended and we are waiting to find out what to do.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said armed police remain around the Houses of Parliament and the force was treating it as a terrorist incident until it knows more.
Pangolin Diamonds said three new diamonds were recently discovered from soil samples at the Malatswae diamond project in Botswana.

It said one of the diamonds measured +2mm in all directions, clear and white in colour.

Sixteen +0.5mm diamonds had now been discovered in soil samples within six zones at Malatswae.

The first zone had produced nine diamonds from soil samples and the current focus was within a 2 square kilometre grid where four of the nine diamonds and several other kimberlite indicators minerals were discovered.

A new diamond was discovered in one of the samples done in zone two.

The second zone saw a total of 275 samples being collected on a 250m x 250m grid covering the entire area.

Meanwhile, Pangolin said Botswana had experienced a most unusual heavy rain season.

The wet conditions have adversely affected the soil sampling programme progress in terms of access to certain areas, it said.

The heavy rain has not affected processing of soil samples through the DMS plant and the detailed ground magnetics.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




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Our technologies  CVD machines and growing technology  are game changers, asserts Arnaud Flambeau, Executive Chairman, 2DOT4 Diamonds LLC Arnaud Flambeau is the Executive Chairman of 2DOT4 Diamonds LLC, Dubai, a fully integrated lab-grown diamonds company. The Company provides rough 'as grown' diamonds, in-house polished IGI certified loose polished diamonds and high-quality...

Stargems brings the DaVinci system to Botswana Stargems, which was founded by Shailesh Javeri in 1981, has diversified into manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing and tendering or auctioning of diamonds and diamond jewellery.

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Coloured diamonds are the best investment option if anyone would like to invest in diamonds Dr Sergio Calqueiro, the President and Managing Director of the Dubai-based Foz Gold & Diamonds Trading has been dealing in polished diamonds, gold, Import & Export, International trade and development for the past six-plus years. Sergio is also the...
Sarin India has opened 'Sarin House', a new state-of-the-art facility in Surat. Sarine Technologies' subsidiary in India has consolidated its Surat operations in a brand new, wholly-owned, hi-tech facility.

This strengthens the company's roots in India and signifies its long-term commitment to the Indian diamond industry, announces a press note from the company.

Located on AK Road in Surat, India's diamond manufacturing hub, the new facility covers 5,100 square meters over six floors, housing approximately 400 staff members. All operations and services of Sarin India in Surat have moved to Sarin House, including Customer Care and Support, Galaxy inclusion mapping, Quazer laser processing and the Sarine Profile trade and retail services.

According to David Block, COO and designated CEO of Sarine, "The opening of Sarin House in Surat is an exciting and important milestone. The new structure is designed to serve the current and future needs of the Group's operations in India. Wholly owned by Sarin India, the establishment of Sarin House strengthens the Company's presence in India, and signals our long-term vision of Sarine as a key supporter of the diamond industry in India, today and into the future."



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Lucapa Diamond said it was registered as a 70 percent shareholder in Mothae Diamonds Limited (MDL), which holds the mining licence and other assets related to the advanced Mothae Kimberlite Diamond Project in Lesotho.

This development follows the issuance of a new 10-year mining licence to MDL for Mothae.

Lucapa had also made the first $400,000 payment to the government of Lesotho for its stake in MDL.

The also said that it had appointed its representatives to the board of MDL.

The representatives would include managing director Stephen Wetherall, chairperson Miles Kennedy and chief operating officer Nick Selby.

In addition, Lucapa has appointed Mr Keith Whitelock and Mr Jan Venter to the MDL Board, said Lucapa.

Mr Whitelock is a former Chief Executive of Letseng Diamonds and both he and Mr Venter have significant experience in diamond mine development in Lesotho.

Meanwhile, the company said it had engaged independent consultants to convert the Canadian NI43-101 Mothae diamond resource to JORC 2012 compliant standards.

This work is expected to be completed shortly, it said.

Lucapa plans to bring Mothae into production within 12 months.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, graced the 43rd India Gem & Jewellery Awards (IGJA 2016) hosted by Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The event was powered by GIA to recognise and reward star performers of the Indian gem and jewellery sector.

As total of 50 nomination awards and felicitation awards were given away with Laxmi Diamond Pvt. Ltd. & Emerald Jewel Industry India co-partnering the event.

IGJA has become one of the foremost recognition platforms for the jewellery sector in India to encourage exports and award excellence in manufacturing, finance and innovation. Several luminaries from the gems & jewellery sector were present on the occasion. Sevantilal Premchand Shah (Founder Partner, Venus Jewel) won the Lifetime Achievement Award. State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank and Vijaya Bank also won awards in Best Banks Financing the Industry. Ms. Sunita Sekhawat won the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said, In the golden jubilee year of GJEPC, the India Gem and Jewellery Awards 2016 are more special than ever before. The emphasis is on 360-degree excellence by going beyond turnover and evaluating performance based on all-round excellence, ensuring transparency through third party assessment and incorporating awards in new categories. IGJA, which is the oldest awards scheme in the gem and jewellery industry, has stayed relevant and popular for more than four decades.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town have all signed on to appear at the upcoming Gulf Coast Jam festival. This year's event will take place in Panama City Beach, Florida and is scheduled for September 1-3.

This marks the fifth year that the event will take place. The full lineup for the Gulf Coast Jam will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the event will go on sale beginning April 2.

The headliner confirmation comes at a busy time for Bryan, who will be hosting the upcoming ACM Awards along with Dierks Bentley. The show is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, on April 2 and will air live on CBS beginning at 8PM ET.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Entertainment News
Japan posted a merchandise trade surplus of 813.389 billion yen in February, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.

That surpassed expectations for 807.2 billion yen following the downwardly revised 1,087.9 billion yen deficit (originally -1,086.9 billion yen) in January.

Exports jumped 11.3 percent on year to 6.346 trillion yen, beating forecasts for 10.1 percent following the 1.3 percent gain in the previous month.

Exports to Asia surged 20.9 percent on year to 3.485 trillion yen, while exports to China alone advanced an annual 28.2 percent to 1.196 trillion yen.

Exports to the United States added an annual 0.4 percent to 1.223 trillion yen, and exports to the European Union gained 3.3 percent to 700.579 billion yen.

Imports added an annual 1.2 percent to 5.533 trillion yen, missing expectations for 1.3 percent and down from 8.5 percent a month earlier.

Imports from Asia were down 8.0 percent on year to 2.490 trillion yen, while imports from China alone tumbled 17.7 percent to 1.084 trillion yen.

Imports from the United States eased 0.7 percent on year to 611.900 billion yen, and imports from the European Union slipped 7.5 percent to 659.445 billion yen.

The adjusted trade surplus was 680.3 billion yen, beating forecasts for 551.9 billion yen and up from 155.5 billion yen in January.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Norway's unemployment rate declined in January, figures from Statistics Norway showed Wednesday.

The jobless rate came in at 4.2 percent in January from 4.7 percent in October. This was the lowest since March 2015. Economists had forecast a rate of 4.5 percent.

The decrease happened mainly among those over the age of 24, the agency said. Overall unemployment decreased by 0.6 percentage points or 17,000 persons.

According to the labor force survey, the number of employed decreased by 11,000 from October. This change was within the margin of error.

The January data indicates the average of December to February period and the October figure reflects September to November period.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
The White House said the United States is exploring new diplomatic, security and economic options targeting North Korea, which claims to be developing a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with an atomic warhead.

Responding to a question during a routine news conference Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, "The United States, in coordination with our allies, is exploring a new range of diplomatic, security, and economic measures in response to the grave and escalating threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

The White House statement coincides with the introduction of a legislation in the House of Representatives by Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee, to tighten US sanctions against North Korea.

The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chairman Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Ranking Member Brad Sherman (D-CA), says North Korea's nuclear arsenal poses a growing and urgent threat to the United States. "Soon, many believe the Kim Jong Un regime will be able to target all 50 states and our Asian allies with a nuclear warhead", it warns.

Pyongyang claims it is in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, fitted with a nuclear warhead, that could reach the US mainland. Experts say the reclusive Communist nation may be able to reach such capability in this decade.

Earlier this month, North Korea had fired four rockets in what it termed as a rehearsal for an attack on US bases in Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Defense Ministry said that the North conducted an unsuccessful missile test from an air base in the eastern port of Wonsan Wednesday.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
President Trump's proposed 31 percent budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency will have "disastrous impacts" across New York State, NY Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman predicted today.

At a press conference held on the banks of the Gowanus Canal, Schneiderman outlined the negative environmental impact that slashing the EPA's budget would have on the city's Superfund siteslike Newtown Creek, the former Wolff-Alport Chemical Company in Ridgewood, and of course, the Gowanus Canalin addition to Superfund sites across the state. Trump's proposed budget cuts would include a 43 percent reduction in Superfund site cleanup funding, which Schneiderman says will likely slow down cleanup and make it more difficult to add new polluted areas to the list.

Schneiderman also noted that the budget will no longer provide adequate funding to maintain the state's drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, meaning New York's clean drinking water supply could be compromised across the board. According to the Attorney General's data, about 95 percent of New Yorkers drink water from the public supply.

More chillingly, the Attorney General pointed to specific cuts made to climate change programs and research, which will have an overall detrimental effect on New York State's air, water, "and overall health, safety, and welfare," according to Schneiderman, who noted how climate change contributed to the damage done by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Here's how the proposed budget cuts would affect the following programs, according to the AG's office:





A 45% cut in Categorical Grants to states that help develop and implement various water, air, waste, pesticides, and toxic substances programs.



A 50% reduction in the EPAs Office of Research and Development.



The total elimination of the $427 million funding of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other geographic programs.



The total elimination of funding for the Clean Power Plan, international climate change programs, climate change research and partnership programs, and related efforts, totaling $100 million.



A 30% reduction in Superfund site cleanup funding.



A 30% decrease in the EPAs enforcement and compliance budget.



The total elimination of funding for 50 EPA programs totaling $347 million, including Energy Star, a voluntary labeling program, created in 1992, designed to identify energy-efficient, cost-saving home appliances, lighting, and electronics for consumers.



Schneiderman has been openly critical of Trump's policies, both implemented and proposed, since 45 was elected. Last week, the AG announced New York would file a motion supporting the EPA against Trump's rollbacks of federal emissions standards. He also vowed to fight Trump's rollbacks of the Clean Water rule earlier this month. And yesterday it was announced that Schneiderman has hired Howard Master, the assistant U.S. Attorney who spearheaded public-corruption prosecutions under fired U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. Master will now reportedly focus on Trump under the auspices of Schneiderman's office.
Sheriff's deputies arrested a Bronx landlord at JFK Airport late Monday night for allegedly ripping the doors, electrical sockets, and windows out of an apartment where a tenant was asking for more time to pay the rent, then taking a sledgehammer to the ceiling for good measure.

Michelle Richards says she had been living in a room in a two-family house in Morris Heights for four years last summer when she first started to have trouble with the landlord, Eon Mathieson. Mathieson has allegedly turned the building into a single-room-occupancy-like arrangement, with strangers living in each of the 10 bedrooms and paying him rent weekly. Richards said that she was paying $150 a week for the room she shared with her fiance, but that last year when she told Mathieson that she would be late for June and July and wanted to set up a payment plan, he told her she would have to leave.

"He said, 'I dont want your rent money, I want you to get out of here,'" Richards recalled. "I said, 'Youre going to have to take me to court.'"

Mathieson didn't file for eviction, but Richards came home one day that July and found her door sitting off its hinges. She placed a strip of fabric over the door-frame as a stopgap, and went about her business. Later in the week, she came home from church and found the electrical sockets and light-switches in the room all pulled out of the walls, she said.

With the help of Legal Aid lawyers, Richards sued, demanding that Mathieson repair her apartment. She also called the police and made a harassment complaint. "I want you out of my damn house," the report quotes Mathieson as saying. Soon thereafter, he allegedly removed the windows.

"After they pulled out my windows, [a police officer] came and said, 'You cant live like this,'" Richards said. "Birds were flying in and out. Bugs were flying in and out."

She went to the house with a police officer two weeks later, and the officer told Mathieson to make the repairs by the following day, according to court filings. He didn't.

"The last nail he drove into the coffin was when he took a sledgehammer and sledgehammered the roof," Richards said. "He broke down my bed, put everything in trash bags, then trashed all my stuff...and changed the locks on" another door.



The landlord claims these holes in the ceiling were caused by a leak. (Michelle Richards/Gothamist)

The items Mathieson bagged up included Richards's furniture, television, clothing, and jewelry, which are now under a tarp in a locked metal cage outside the house. Richards said her engagement ring was lost in the ransacking.

As all of this was going on, Richards's lawyers were filing legal papers in Bronx housing and Supreme courts. Mathieson did not appear for any of the hearings, and as the summer turned to fall, judges issued a series of increasingly stern orders demanding that Mathieson fix the apartment and let Richards back in.

By January, when Mathieson had still done none of those things and made no case for himself, Housing Court Judge Laurie Marin issued a warrant for his arrest on contempt charges, but he was nowhere to be found. Richards said that he was likely taking his annual three-month trip to Guyana. In court today, Judge Marin ordered him to begin making the repairs and return to court on April 7th, according to Legal Aid lawyer Megan O'Byrne. He will also face sentencing for criminal and civil contempt, charges that could carry fines, imprisonment, or both. Criminal contempt charges against delinquent landlords are rare.



Room with a view: Mathieson removed the windows from Richards's room. (Michelle Richards/Gothamist)

Reached by phone, Mathieson had a wildly different account of what happened. He claimed to have been living in the house on Grand Avenue, and said that rather than being tenants, the other people living in his house were roommates. Richards, he said, was in need of a place to stay, and he let her sleep in his living room. She had been staying there no more than eight or nine months, he said, when she allegedly announced her intention to "not pay another f---ing dime."

"She a f---ing liar. Shes a liar," he said. "I put her up as a good heart. She tells me go f--- myself, shes not paying no rent. She tells me go f--- myself, shes going to take me to the cleaners. Its my apartment. I put her up in my apartment."

(Richards provided scanned rent receipts dating back to August 2012. The receipts are initialed "E&V," the first initials of Mathieson and his wife Virginia. Eon Mathieson claimed he has divorced.)

Mathieson readily acknowledged removing the door and placing Richards's belongings outside, but claimed that she had installed the door on an open frame against his wishes. The many holes in the ceiling, he said, were the result of a leak from the roof. The windows, he explained, were in danger of falling outside onto someone and had to be removed.

"Never! Never!" he said when asked if he had sabotaged the room. "I wouldnt destroy my own place."

Mathieson also claimed to be unaware of the pending lawsuits until his arrest this morning. Legal Aid records show that paralegals tried to serve Mathieson with an order five times altogether at both the Grand Avenue address and another Morris Heights address he has listed on court papers in a separate work injury case. Legal Aid sent the initial lawsuit by certified mail to both addresses, and a paralegal ultimately posted the order paperwork on the door at the second address.



More of the aftermath of Mathieson's series of alleged rampages. (Michelle Richards/Gothamist)

"This is probably one of the most egregious cases Ive ever seen," lawyer Megan O'Byrne said of Mathieson's behavior. "Most landlords in New York are pretty educated as to their obligations under the law...As far as the damage he did to the room and his complete unwillingness to show up to court, I think he thought if he ignored it it would go away. Theres a difference between being negligent and affirmatively creating poor living conditions, and this is obviously an affirmative thing that he did."

In addition to seeking repairs and getting Richards back in her room, Legal Aid is seeking damages, and to have the building declared rent-stabilized, since it has allegedly been carved up into more than six apartments and was built before 1974. The aggressive Supreme Court strategy is made possible by added funding from Mayor de Blasio for homelessness prevention, O'Byrne said.

Since being thrown out, Richards said she and her fiance have been staying with an elderly couple they know.

"Its mental hell. I cant do the things I want to do, because Im living in somebodys house," she said. Richards claims Mathieson has yet to let her retrieve her stuff, so, "Everything I dont have I have to spend money and buy. I had no clothes. The people that are living here, they had to help me to put clothes on my back."

Richards also said she has had to go on unpaid leave from her job as a social services case worker to attend all the court dates.

When she got the call today saying Mathieson had been arrested, "It was like, 'Thank you, Jesus, my prayer has been answered.' Because this guy has been running for the longest."
Though reported crime in the city hit an overall record low last year, city parks saw a worrisome spike in some felony crimes last year, prompting one Council Member to propose the city's budget include provisions for an increase in Parks Enforcement Patrol Officers.

According to this year's Fiscal 2017 Preliminary Mayors Management Report (which you can read here), the number of felony crimes committed against persons, like robbery, rape, and assault, in city parks went up 28 percent from 2015 to 2016, reflecting an uptick from 488 crimes to 612. That data excludes Central Parkthere, overall felony crimes decreased 9.3 percent (from 85 felony crimes to 78) from 2015 to 2016, and crimes against persons decreased by 3 (from 33 to 30) according to NYPD data.

Still, in the first four months of 2017, there was an 11.8 percent increase in felony crimes against people in city parks (excluding Central Park) and a 45 percent increase in crimes against property.

Council Member Mark Levine, who chairs the Council's Committee on Parks and Recreation, is concerned about the uptick. "Its noteworthy that at a time when crime in the city is dropping overallreally an extraordinary achievementwere moving in the opposite direction in parks," Levine told Gothamist. "Weve got to figure out why. And weve got to devote the resources to deal with it."

Levine has proposed installing an extra 200 Parks Enforcement personnel in hopes of combating crime, an increase that would cost the city about $8.5 million in this year's budget. "I dont think we have a good answer as a city to why the trend is moving in the wrong direction in parks. I dont think its enough to just say that its because park use is increasing," Levine said. "Weve got to look at appropriate responses to make sure that people feel safe when they are in the sanctuary of the park."

The Parks Department argues city parks saw only a 5.65% increase in reported crimes overall in the last quarter of 2016, as compared with the last quarter of 2015. "We believe that the increase in crime at the end of 2016 compared to that time the previous year, was largely due to milder weather, as well as the growing popularity of our parks," Parks Department spokesperson Sam Biederman told Gothamist in a statement, adding, "We will continue to address issues of crime in parks by working closely with NYPD and expanding Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design techniques like Parks Without Borders," an initiative that aims to change park design to improve visibility so more people can see into them, discouraging bad behavior.

Park crime, which represents only a sliver of city crime overall, is still relatively low. Asked about Levine's proposal, Austin Finan, a City Hall spokesperson, issued a statement saying, "Crime across the city is at an all-time low, and crimes in parks remain rare. Just like they do on the streets, NYPD is focusing resources on trouble spots using a model of precision policing that has made our city the safest big city in America." Regarding Levine's call for additional budgeting funds, he added, "We will discuss this and other council priorities throughout the budget process."

Asked about Levine's proposal, an NYPD spokesperson said, "Crime in city parks comprises less than 1% of all reported crime in New York City. City parks represent 14% of New York City land mass, which makes them one of the safest places in the city and the country. Crime in New York City is on pace for record lows and New York continues to be the safest big city in America."

But Levine says any uptick is cause for at least some action.

"Our parks do remain overwhelmingly safe places, and if you look at the number of instances relative to the size of the city and the population of the city and the number of park users, people really should feel comfortable in their parks," Levine said. "But that doesnt mean that we dont need to take the uptick seriously, and thats why weve called for more resources, and that were hoping to find answers for what the cause is."

He suggests parkgoers protect themselves against crime by not leaving property unattended, and by staying out of parks past their closing times.


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.
Police are questioning a man who turned himself in for the fatal Monday night stabbing of a 66-year-old man in Midtown Manhattan. The suspect reportedly approached officers at the Times Square police station shortly after midnight this morning and said, "You need to arrest me. I have the knife in my coat"

Officers found two knives on him at the police station, according to multiple reports. (An NYPD spokesperson confirmed to Gothamist this morning that a man was being questioned, but would not provide additional details.)

Police say the victim, identified by the NY Post as Timothy Caughman, was involved in a dispute at West 36th Street and 9th Avenue on March 20th when he was stabbed in the chest and back. He then walked into the Midtown South Precinct, at 357 West 35th Street, just before 11:30 p.m., where he told officers he was stabbed. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital but doctors could not save him, and he was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Last night, authorities released a surveillance image and footage of a person of interesta man with blonde hair, wearing a black coat, brown shoes and dark-colored pants. In the video, he is seen running down a street.

The man being questioned is the man seen in the video and image, NBC New York reports.

Update 12:09 p.m.: A police source now tells the Daily News that the suspect in custody is a Maryland white supremacist who told cops he came here from Baltimore for the express purpose of murdering black people. Specifically, the News's source says the suspect was motivated "by rage against black men who get romantically involved with white women."

An NYPD spokesman would not confirm or disconfirm the racial motivation, but told us a 28-year-old male suspect has been taken into custody. The spokesman said more details about the homicide would be provided at an NYPD press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today. We'll update as more information becomes available.


Fast-food executive Andy Puzder, whose bid to become Labor secretary collapsed last month, is stepping down as chief executive of Carls Jr. parent CKE Restaurants.

Taking over the reins at CKE will be Jason Marker, a fast-food veteran who has served as president of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Marker will start the job in April.

For six decades, CKE  which also owns the Hardees chain  was based in Southern California. But last year, the company announced it was consolidating operations and moving its headquarters to Nashville, Tenn.

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Puzder has served as chief executive of CKE since 2000. In a statement Tuesday, he lauded Marker as an outstanding executive who will continue to build the Hardees and Carls Jr. brands.

I expressed my desire to have CKE plan for succession approximately a year ago, he said. I could not be more pleased to have Jason Marker selected to be the companys next leader.

Analysts say that Puzders move was unsurprising, especially after controversial details of his personal life were widely publicized during his confirmation process. Those included his hiring of a housekeeper who was in the U.S. illegally and decades-old allegations of spousal abuse.

CKE is concerned about their perception, said Jeff McNeal, president of restaurant and hospitality consulting firm Fessel International. I dont think this is anything about the financial performance of the company. It was his failed nomination.

Puzder had been outspoken in recent years on business issues and served as an economic advisor to Donald Trumps presidential campaign. In December, Trump tapped him to be Labor Secretary.

Democrats, unions and workers rights advocates immediately opposed Puzders nomination.

They criticized him for labor law violations at his companys restaurants, his past opposition to an increase in the federal minimum wage, and his criticism of the Affordable Care Act. His provocative musings about the advantage of increased automation at restaurants also sparked controversy.

In an interview last year with Fortune magazine, he noted that machines are always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, theres never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex, or race discrimination case.

Puzders wife recanted the old spousal abuse accusations and he paid back taxes related to his housekeeper.

But that wasnt enough to stem the growing concern among Senate Republicans. Puzder withdrew Feb. 15. He said a top administration official called him to say there didnt seem to be enough votes for confirmation.

I didnt want to tilt at windmills, Puzder told Fox Business Network on March 9.

He blamed Democrats for the collapse of his nomination.

I think the big problem here was the left and the Democrats really didnt want a successful businessman who started out as a working-class kid, he said in the Fox interview. That really was their worst nightmare for the Department of Labor.

Puzder got his start with CKE as the personal attorney to Carls Jr. founder Carl Karcher. He helped turn the company around financially in the 1990s after its purchase of the troubled Hardees franchise.

In 2010, CKE was taken private when it was sold in a $1-billion deal to an affiliate of private equity firm Apollo Management. Three years later, a different private equity firm, Roark Capital Group, bought the company from Apollo for an undisclosed amount.

Both Carls Jr. and Hardees operate a franchise model with about 94% of its combined locations owned by franchisees. The two chains have over 3,800 locations in 44 states and 41 countries and territories outside the U.S.

CKE has actually weathered changing consumer tastes better than rivals, McNeal said. Chains such as McDonalds have struggled with falling sales as its diners turn to fast-casual restaurants such as Shake Shack and Blaze Pizza selling food made with higher-quality ingredients.

They have done fairly well, McNeal said, considering that the fast-food industry has struggled slightly.

CKE has successfully focused on appealing to young men by rolling out new products and running ads that feature women in bikinis chowing down on burgers (think Paris Hilton). Kentucky Fried Chicken, led by Marker, has attracted a similar demographic with over-the-top foods such as bacon sandwiched between two fried chicken fillets.

shan.li@latimes.com

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com
Voters could be asked this November to approve a hike in the hotel room tax to fund a more than $600 million expansion of San Diegos bayfront convention center, Mayor Kevin Faulconers office said Wednesday.

In a presentation to the board of the San Diego Convention Center Corp., mayoral Chief of Staff Stephen Puetz announced for the first time that Faulconer wants to revive an already approved enlargement of the center, despite previous discussions about possibly scaling down the project.

The original $550 million cost, though, has now escalated to between $630 million and $685 million, and delaying a public vote until 2018 would mean having to finance an even costlier project, Puetz said.

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RELATED: Hotel developer battling mayor over convention center site

To pay for that project, Faulconer will need a two-thirds majority of voters to endorse raising room taxes by 1 to 3 percentage points, depending on how close or far away individual hotels are from the waterfront center. A smaller portion of the hotel tax revenue generated would go toward road repairs and fighting homelessness, a plan that Faulconer has previously promoted.

The mayor, buoyed by a January court victory that effectively upheld the Coastal Commissions approval in 2013 of an earlier expansion project, will bring the ballot measure proposal to the City Councils Rules Committee early next month.

We just won a court case in January so we are now in a great spot to move forward with a piece of whats needed, which is financing, Puetz told the convention center board. What were talking about doing is the full expansion. There have been different discussions over the past year about, does it make sense to do a scaled-down expansion. The answer to that is no. Studies have shown that doing the full expansion will enable us to not have to go back to coastal (commission) for any additional review.

A boost in the hotel tax, now at 10.5 percent, would provide enough to finance the expansion and initially generate between $17 million and $20 million a year for tackling street repairs and homelessness, Puetz said. On top of the 10.5 percent, visitors who stay at the citys larger hotels currently pay an additional 2 percent surcharge to fund tourism marketing.

Under Faulconers proposal, the maximum total levy for overnight guests would be 15.5 percent, including the marketing surcharge.

An expansion of San Diegos center has been stalled for several years, ever since a judge ruled in 2014 that the plan to finance it with a hotelier-approved room tax hike was unconstitutional.

City and tourism leaders have been pushing for years to enlarge the center, which they say is no longer big enough to accommodate larger conventions like Comic-Con and lucrative medical meetings, which demand a great deal of exhibit space.

Meanwhile, two of San Diegos West Coast rivals are pursuing expansions. Anaheim has nearly completed a $190 million expansion, and San Franciscos Moscone Center is about to embark on a $500 million expansion project.

The San Diego project would enlarge rentable space from the current 816,000 square feet to more than 1.2 million, which includes adding 223,000 more square feet to the exhibit hall, Puetz said.

Time is of the essence, he stressed, because of rapidly rising construction costs, which are going up by as much as $3.6 million a month.

Councilman David Alvarez questioned the rush to hold a special election when he thinks there are many questions that still need to be answered, including how much money would be set aside for infrastructure and homeless issues.

This requires significant public participation if were going to address homelessness, he said. You just cant just throw leftovers to that. On the infrastructure side, we have a multi-billion-dollar problem, and if theres not a significant enough amount of money to fix our infrastructure then why arent we doing this?

Councilman Chris Ward, who represents the downtown area, was more enthusiastic.

Im encouraged by the renewed enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead and look forward to carefully reviewing what comes before the Rules Committee to identify a viable step forward, he said.

Although many more hotel rooms have been constructed in the last few years, generating considerably many more millions of dollars in room tax revenues, the financing plan will still require a $60 million contribution from the San Diego Unified Port District, Puetz said. That was also a requirement under the earlier funding strategy.

Still a looming issue, though, is control over the waterfront site where the city wants to expand the convention center. A hotel development team known as Fifth Avenue Landing currently has a lease with the Port of San Diego to develop the property and is processing plans for a $300 million hotel complex there.

While the city at one time had control over the 5-acre hotel site, it opted to back out of a deal the Convention Center Corp. consummated in 2010 to acquire the leasehold at a cost of $13.5 million because the expansion project had stalled and no longer had financing.

Just last week, an attorney representing Fifth Avenue Landing sent a letter to Faulconer warning him to stop interfering with his clients development plans. Longtime port tenants Ray Carpenter and Art Engel currently hold the lease and have teamed with hotel developer Robert Green to build out the property.

Late Tuesday, City Attorney Mara Elliott released a letter her office sent to the developers attorney, Vincent Bartolotta Jr., reaffirming the citys right to continue exploring a possible expansion of the convention center.

At the same time, she said the city also recognizes the legal rights of Fifth Avenue Landing to pursue processing of its development plans under its lease.

But that does not preclude the city from moving ahead with planning on an expansion, including a potential ballot measure, Elliott said. She also opened the door for continued talks between the city and the developer, despite Fifth Avenue Landings recent dismissal of a proposal by Faulconer to significantly downsize its hotel project, which includes a 44-story high-rise.

The city requests that (Fifth Avenue Landing) more seriously consider the concepts presented, she wrote, and the benefit of working together to achieve the best result for all San Diegans.

Green said he is willing to hear what the mayor has to say but the development team remains committed to the project it has proposed.

Were not trying to be the bad guys here, Green said. But the question people should be asking the city and Convention Center Corp. is, if you wanted to do this, why did you default on your payment and give up your land?

There remains the possibility that the hotel tax hike could be sharing the ballot with the proposed $1 billion SoccerCity project on the Qualcomm Stadium property. Backers of the project began collecting signatures earlier this month in support of their stadium and housing development, and its possible they could seek a special election if the council chose not to approve the project.

Staff writer David Garrick contributed to this report.

Business

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
Guitar ace Steve Lukather was in such high demand in the 1980s that he had to turn down concert tour offers from Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Miles Davis.

I did a lot of stuff! said Lukather, 56, who performed in San Diego last month with former Beatle Ringo Starr. He returns Sunday to play at the Pala Events Center with Toto on a double-bill with Michael McDonald.

Lukather was barely out of high school in 1977 when Toto began making its debut album and he recorded with Diana Ross, Boz Scaggs and others. His resume grew dramatically with each succeeding year.

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His credits include albums by Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Cheap Trick, Michael Jackson (all the guitar parts on Beat It, except for Eddie Van Halens solo, are by Lukather), Paul McCartney, Van Halen, Earth Wind & Fire, The DBs, Dolly Parton, Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil, Les Paul, Larry Carlton and enough others to nearly fill this page.

Luke, as he is known by fans, also recorded with the hard-core punk favorites Circle Jerks. However, as he laughingly recalls, the band declined to credit him.

They said: We love your playing, but we cant put your name on our album because people wont think its cool. I said: OK, pay me the bread and Im out of here! 

One of the few acts Lukather hasnt recorded with is Guns N Roses. But hes good buddies with former GNR guitarist Slash, who is quick to sing his praises.

Steves awesome! Slash said. Hes probably one of my closest friends  and I have very few in this business. Hes one of the best guitar players and coolest, most down-to-earth musicians I know. Hes been through it all and hes a great songwriter, guitar player and professional.

Like Slash, Lukather is a survivor. Or, as he puts it: I went through the whole rock excess thing, which is a cliche and almost embarrassing, and came out the back end healthier.

Lukather has played on so many classic recordings it seems unfair to ask him to name favorites. But he cites Joni Mitchell and Aretha Franklin as two standouts.

Joni was wonderful, Lukather said. When you play with an artist who sits in the room with the other musicians and plays guitar or piano and sings live  and thats the take they use on the album  those artists dont exist anymore. Aretha was another like that.

Totos current concert trek is in support of 35th Anniversary Tour  Live in Poland, which was recorded last year. Available as a two-CD set and on DVD, it includes such Toto hits as Africa and Rosanna, and features San Diego-bred music great Nathan East on bass and drums. (Because of other commitments, East is not on this tour). Totos next album drops in March.

The myth that old guys cant write anything fresh is just a myth, Lukather said. We know we probably wont ever have a No. 1 record again. But does that even count now? These days, if you sell 10,000 copies, you have a No. 1 record. I was 19 when we started recording the first Toto record and I feel healthier now. And Im still as fired up about music as when I was a kid.

Despite (or, perhaps, because) it featured some of the top young studio session musicians in Los Angeles at a time when punk-rock was ascending, Toto was never a fashionable band. While some critics praised the group for its musicianship, many others blasted Lukather and his band mates as purveyors of slick corporate-rock.

They tried to kill us, but they couldnt! he quipped of Totos detractors.

Why did the band inspire such a negative response from some quarters?

Ill tell you, Lukather replied. We came out at exactly the wrong time. We came out the same year as the Sex Pistols and The Clash, and they (critics) were like idiots to compare us. How could you compare us? We were different, culturally, spiritually and in terms of musical ability... People didnt like us because we were strong players. We didnt have a strong image, thats true.

MTV ruined music for us. Were not actors; were musicians. With MTV, the (music industry) machine came in and made everything (into) plastic music that was made for beautiful people who are plastic. We hit it big at a time when it wasnt cool to like us. Then again, weve outlasted all (our detractors).

He chuckled.

Were there legitimate reasons to ridicule us? Of couse! There was some silly (stuff) we did, but it was the same with everybody else. You think I liked wearing stupid clothes and mullets? Now, thanks to the joy of the Internet, I will have live with this (image) forever. Its good thing I have sense of humor.

Bonus quotes

We asked Lukather to comment on some of the legends hes worked with over the years. Heres what he had to say about...

Miles Davis: He played on a song (Dont Stop Me Now) on our Fahrenheit album and he took a shine to us. He heard the whole album, dug my playing, and said: Hey, man, come join my band. I said: Im deeply honored, but were leaving on tour tomorrow for three months. He liked the rock (stuff) and I love jazz. I dont consider myself a jazz player, like Joe Pass, but I can play through (chord) changes.... I have a photo of us together and it almost looks like its Photoshopped; Miles in a red leather suit, a striking, unbelievably handsome black man, and us, a bunch of guys from the (San Fernando) Valley.

Ringo Starr: Hes brilliant, man, very soulful, and a bad-ass drummer. Ringo is the chicken that laid the first egg for all the rest of the drummers in the world. There would not be any of these other rock drummers, if not for him. He was the first cat to do the whacky drum fills on record. The grooves he plays are such an important thing. And hes never played to a click-track. He said: I am the click-track! Being around this genius, I still act like Im a little kid. I woke up one morning and he phoned, and said: How are you doing? Can you help me get a suit for my daughters wedding. Thats the kind of guy he is.

Michael McDonald and Toto

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Pala Casino Spa & Resort Events Center, 11154 Highway 76, Pala

Tickets: $55-$90 (must be 21 or older to attend)

Phone: (877) 946-7252

Online: palacasino.com
A lone assailant struck at the heart of London on Wednesday, mowing down pedestrians with a car and then fatally stabbing a police officer outside Britains Houses of Parliament in an apparent terrorist attack that took place on the anniversary of twin bombings in Brussels.

Four people were reported dead in the attack, including the police officer and the assailant, and dozens were injured. Tobias Ellwood, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister, had administered CPR to the officer as he lay on the sidewalk, but it was ultimately not enough.

 UPDATE: Suspect in London attack was previously investigated by MI5

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Prime Minister Theresa May was at Parliament at the time and was rushed away in the back of a silver Jaguar. Speaking to journalists later outside her residence at 10 Downing St., May condemned what she described as a sick and depraved terrorist attack.

The location of this attack was no accident, she said. These streets of Westminster  home to the worlds oldest Parliament  are engrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament represents  democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law  command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.

May pledged that lawmakers would meet Thursday and Londoners would go about their day as usual, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.

Mark Rowley, acting deputy commissioner at Londons Metropolitan Police, told reporters Wednesday that it appeared there was only one attacker, but it would be foolish to be overconfident early on.

Rowley declined to identify the attacker but said authorities believe they know who he was, and the working assumption is that he was inspired by Islamist-related terrorism.

Police raided six addresses overnight, resulting in eight arrests.

On Thursday, Rowley revised the death toll from five to four: the attacker, the police officer and two civilians. At total of 29 people required hospitalization, he said, and seven of them were in critical condition.

Authorities were still working out the number of walking wounded. Police had previously given the number of injured as around 40.

It was the latest in a string of deadly attacks that have struck major cities in Europe over the last two years, including Paris, Nice and Berlin. It came as Belgians were commemorating last years coordinated suicide bombings, which killed 32 people and injured more than 300 others at the Brussels airport and a subway station.

Wednesdays attack played out around some of the most iconic sites in Britain, including Westminster Bridge, where the car plowed into pedestrians; the River Thames, where one woman was rescued after either jumping or being knocked off the bridge; and Parliament, whose Gothic Revival buildings have long stood as a symbol of representative government worldwide.

Witnesses reported hearing a commotion, shouting and the sound of gunfire when the car crashed into a railing. A man, who was reportedly clad in black and wielding what was described as an 8-inch knife, then exited the vehicle and ran toward Parliament, where he was confronted by police.

Officers shot and killed the assailant during the confrontation.

Images shared widely on social media showed Ellwood trying to revive the unarmed officer who was injured in the encounter and applying pressure to his wounds. Ellwood lost his brother, Jon, in a 2002 bombing attack that killed more than 200 people in Bali, Indonesia.

Authorities identified the police officer who was killed as Keith Palmer, 48, a husband and a father.

Police declared the attack a terrorist incident and locked down Parliament for hours while they conducted a search to make certain that no other assailants were in the area.

This is a day that we had planned for  that we all hoped would never happen  but sadly it is now a reality, Rowley said.

Parliament staff and lawmakers in the area were told to stay inside their offices, and a session of the House of Commons was suspended.

I am locked in my office with other MPs and frightened young researchers, Michael Fabricant, a Conservative Party lawmaker, said on Twitter. We have broken open a bottle of whiskey.

Jonathan Ashworth, a member of Parliament from the opposition Labor Party, said he was working in his fifth-floor office in Portcullis House when his phone rang Wednesday afternoon. It was his wife calling to check on him, and asking whether he had heard the news.

Ashworth rushed to look out his window, which overlooks New Palace Yard. There he saw a car up on the sidewalk, and a flood of paramedics trying to resuscitate someone on the ground. Police carrying guns swarmed the area.

Moments later, security officers banged on his door, yelling, We have to evacuate straight away! Ashworth was taken with four staffers to wait in an atrium and were later moved to another building.

Thousands of people work here, and thousands of people come here every day  were all in absolute shock, he said. But he added, We will not let this defeat our values of democracy and justice and freedom.

David Anderson, another Labor Party lawmaker, said roughly 300 people were locked down in and around the House of Commons chamber, some watching the news on a television in the lobby.

Everyone is calm but very concerned, he said via email. Our phones etc. are working intermittently so some problems responding to friends and families who are worried for us.

Deputy speaker announces UK Houses of Parliament suspended after incident on Westminster Bridge https://t.co/WG8yXWpPVV pic.twitter.com/0SpfNcjAIv  BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 22, 2017

Police and witnesses on Westminster Bridge described the car striking pedestrians, including three police officers who were returning from a commendation ceremony. Bodies of the dead and injured were left scattered along the length of the bridge.

One witness, identified as former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, told the BBC he was driving along Westminster Bridge in a taxi at the time.

I didnt see the car, but I heard what I thought was just a collision, he said. Then I looked through the window of the taxi and I saw someone down, obviously in great distress. Then I saw a second person down. Then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely.

A doctor at a nearby hospital told Britains Press Assn. that a number of people suffered catastrophic injuries in the attack.

The victims included students and visitors from a number of countries.

The French government said it was sending a plane to London on Wednesday evening with the families of three French students who were among the injured. Romanias Foreign Ministry said two of its nationals had also been taken to a hospital for treatment.

Several students on a field trip from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk were also injured, the British university said in a statement.

The woman in the river was pulled out, alive but injured, said Martin Garside, a spokesman for the Port of London Authority.

Police blocked off roads and bridges throughout the area, as emergency responders sped by with sirens blaring and lights flashing.

A helicopter hovered noisily overhead, and the giant Ferris wheel known as the London Eye stood motionless in the distance.

Rowley said officers  some armed  would be patrolling the country in greater numbers in coming days and urged members of the public to remain vigilant.

He also said: We must recognize now that our Muslim communities will feel anxious at this time given the past behavior of the extreme right wing, and we will continue to work with all community leaders in the coming days.

The threat level in Britain was already listed as severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely, and authorities said it would remain at that level.

London has in the past been the target of numerous terrorist attacks, including IRA bombings in the 1970s and 80s and a 2005 attack in which Al Qaeda-inspired assailants blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52 people.

Until Wednesday, however, the city had largely escaped the latest wave of Islamist-inspired attacks sweeping through Europe.

I want to reassure all Londoners and all our visitors not to be alarmed, said London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Our city remains one of the safest in the world. London is the greatest city in the world, and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have and we always will.

Government officials from Italy to Australia said they were assessing the security threat in their countries after the attack.

In Washington, President Trump was briefed on the situation in London and spoke with the British prime minister, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.

The city of London and her majestys government have the full support of the U.S. government in responding to the attack and bringing those to justice who are responsible, he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was hosting his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, in Washington at a meeting on the global fight against Islamic State, condemned the attack but stopped short of referring to it as a terrorist act.

On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families, Tillerson said. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference.

Special correspondent Boyle reported from London and Times staff writers Zavis and Tchekmedyian from Los Angeles. Staff writers Brian Bennett and Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.

UPDATES:

1:40 a.m., March 23: Updates on death toll and more information about the injured.

6:00 p.m.: Updates with added statements from police, other details, including that it is not clear whether the woman rescued from the river was knocked in or jumped.

3:40 p.m.: Updates with identity of slain police officer.

3:35 p.m.: Updates with death and injured toll rising, quotes, description.

2:17 p.m.: This article was updated with prime ministers statement.

1:48 p.m.: This article was updated with the British prime minister rushed to safety and background on other attacks in Europe.

12:15 p.m.: This article was updated with more witness accounts and details.

11:21 a.m.: This article was updated with the new death toll and the deaths of the police officer and assailant.

11:09 a.m.: This article was updated with further details and description of the attack.

10:05 a.m.: This article was updated with the number of people injured on Westminster Bridge.

9:50 a.m. This article was updated with reports of at least one death and other details.

9:05 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times reporting and with police calling the attack a terrorist incident.

8:30 a.m.: This article was updated with officials confirming an assailant stabbed an officer, police confirming an incident on Westminster Bridge, and a witness account from George Eaton.

8:10 a.m.: This article was updated with statements by the leader of the House of Commons and MS15 officials.

This article was originally published at 8:04 a.m.
LEARN MORE To see a trailer or purchase the film, Given Our Chance, go to akingproduction.com. Abandoned for Life is available at abandonedforlife.com/buy-the-book.

Izidor Ruckel left Romania in the early 1990s. Today hes an author and aspiring filmmaker.  Courtesy of Izidor Ruckel ( / Courtesy of Izidor Ruckel)

Given Our Chance, a new film by Izidor Ruckel and Alex King, Romanian orphans who were adopted by U.S. families.  Roxana Popescu

For the first 11 years of his life, every person Izidor Ruckel loved, he lost.

He contracted polio as an infant in Romania in the early 1980s, and his parents left him at a hospital and never went back. His beloved caregiver at the orphanage, a woman named Onisa, died through an accidental electrocution. He would grow attached to the more humane nannies at the orphanage, and theyd inevitably be transferred to different floors or leave the hospital.

In 1990, a 20/20 crew showed up at the orphanage and filmed a documentary that shocked the world. The unflinching camera showed emaciated children, rocking back and forth in metal cribs. They looked half their age. Some where naked. Others wore straitjackets.

The documentary resulted in thousands of Romanian children being adopted.

Izidor, then a frail, dark haired boy with probing eyes and a feisty demeanor, was one of those children. He moved to San Diego. Got medical care. Started swimming. Grew up. Wrote an autobiography. And became a filmmaker.

Ruckel, now 33, has turned his cameras lens on Romanias orphans and on the people who helped rescue him, with a harrowing yet hopeful film he created with another adopted orphan, Alex King. Part social history, part memoir, part advocacy message, their movie is the latest chapter in Ruckels complicated life, and proof of what can happen when someone who was abused and neglected is given the chance to thrive.

They named their movie Given Our Chance.

Izidors story

Izidor Ruckel was born in 1980 in Tasnad, a village in northwestern Romania. After being abandoned as a baby because one of his legs was deformed, he was transferred to an orphanage designated for children with mental and physical problems.

Ruckel described his early years in his autobiography, Abandoned for Life, which he started writing as a teen and published when he was 22.

At the orphanage, he wrote, he received savage beatings. Injections with used syringes. Taunting about not having parents. Meager, moldy food. Fleeting exposure to sunshine or fresh air.

The orphanages name revealed everything about the Romanian states attitude toward its most vulnerable citizens: Hospital for the Unsalvageables. Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena wanted to grow the number of citizens, so contraception and abortion were outlawed under all circumstances. When parents couldnt care for their swelling families, or when children were born with physical or mental conditions, the states solution was these orphanages.

View the photo gallery: Izidor's story

After the 20/20 program aired, little Izidors life took a sharp turn for the better. A San Diegan named John Upton watched the program and understood those children were more than salvageable  they were lovable, beautiful, worthy. And they were adoptable. Through Uptons efforts, several children were adopted by San Diego families. Izidor was one of them.

He landed in San Diego in 1991, joined his new parents Danny and Marlys Ruckel, and began a whole new way of life in Poway  filled with swim meets, birthday parties, his own bedroom. And hugs.

His parents, who adopted another Romanian orphan and had three biological children, took him to doctors. A series of operations helped strengthen his leg.

When he was in his early 20s, Ruckel returned to Romania to meet his biological parents, he wrote in his autobiography. They asked him for money and criticized him for taking his adoptive familys name.

Around that time, "20/20" did a follow-up program that showed conditions in the orphanages had not uniformly improved. Some were still atrocious.

I watched it so many times, Ruckel said in a telephone interview from Denver, where he lives now. That was when he realized, I want to do something.

Given Our Chance

For decades, the world has read and heard about Romanias orphans. This film is a rare chance to hear from two of these orphans  what daily life was like in the institution, but also how it felt to leave.

Windows at the orphanage in northern Romania where Ruckel spent his childhood. Children took in the world through those bars, he said. He took this photo on a visit when he returned as an adult.  Courtesy of Izidor Ruckel ( / Courtesy of Izidor Ruckel)

In the film, he talks about the difficulties of joining a family where life was marked by expressions of love and an absence of violence. He was constantly afraid of being sent back. He pushed his family away. Hed lost everyone he loved, so why would these people be different? Instead, he says in the film, they stayed patient and constant, and eventually he grew closer to them.

The filmmakers also reconnect with some of the people who helped bring them to America. One is Janice Tomlin, a former producer at 20/20 who ended up adopting two girls from Romania.

Another is Sarah Padbury, an adoptive mother who talked about how the purpose of adoption can change for parents. What happened with us is, you get to the point where youre adopting kids, and you dont need anymore children, but you realize that there are children who still need families, she says in the movie. Adoption changes. It changes from getting a kid for yourself to giving your family to a child who needs a home.

One person they couldnt interview was John Upton, the filmmaker who traveled to Romania many times and brought back orphans to San Diego. The children called him Johnny. He was fatally shot last year, and his neighbor has been ordered to stand trial.

On the phone, Ruckel credited Upton  along with his adoptive parents and God  for saving his life and helping him achieve what he has.

Ruckel said he was unprepared for the response the movie has generated. The Washington Post profiled him, he was on NPR this week. But most moving, he said, has been hearing from other orphans.

There were so many orphans that I talked to, after the documentary came out, who continue to go through a lot of problems, he said. They realized, Oh my gosh, Im not the only one. Look at all this. The storys the same as mine. Now I dont feel alone. 

When someone is faced with hardship, there are two paths to choose from, Ruckel continued. Youre always going to have that (trauma) in your mind. You can either live with it as a nightmare, or you can live with it as hope, he said. The hope is that you can help other people, share your story, and help other people overcome just by hearing what you went through and how you overcame it.

He wants to visit Romania again  Im sick. Im homesick, he said  and start working on a second documentary. The first was about two boys that got away. Now hes raising funds (from the film, book, speaking proceeds and donations) to tell the stories of the ones who were left behind.

Izidor had 20/20, his parents and John Upton. Now, Romanias orphans have Izidor.
After a heated morning of debate and impassioned statements from students, professors and lawmakers, the California State University Board of Trustees voted 11 to 8 Wednesday to increase tuition as a way to fill a looming gap in state funding.

I dont bring this forward with an ounce of joy, said Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White, addressing the packed meeting chamber. I bring it with necessity.

Dozens of students stood and shouted Shame! Shame! Shame! after the vote was taken. Some wiped away tears, while others hugged and vowed to take their fight to lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown, who have the power to ease the systems budget woes.

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There are a lot of people looking at the CSU now and seeing this problem of affordability, said Courtney Yamagiwa, a member of Cal State Long Beachs Associated Students and the grass-roots activist group Students for Quality Education. Its not just students yelling anymore.

Yamagiwa and her peers from across the systems 23 campuses had gathered at dawn to protest any increase to their financial burden. They demonstrated throughout the morning with drumbeats and chants of, The more we pay, the longer we stay! They waved signs that stated the amount of their student debt and demanded: Change the system, Keep college affordable.

University leaders had hoped Browns January budget proposal would provide enough money to preserve the quality of the nations largest public university system. Instead, the additional state funding he allocated was less than half of what Cal State had requested.

Cal States decision follows the University of California regents 16-4 vote earlier this year to end a tuition freeze and approve a 2.5%, or $282, increase next school year.

At Cal State, the increase will amount to about 5%, or about $270 for in-state students. Tuition for out-of-state students as well as graduate and teacher credential programs also will go up.

These increases will generate $77.5 million in crucial net revenue, officials said. The more than 60% of Cal State students whose tuition is fully covered by grants and waivers will not be affected.

1 / 7 Maya Canales protests outside Chancellors office after Cal State Board of Trustees approved a tuition fee increase. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7 Liz Sanchez, center, protests tuition fee increase approved by Cal State Board of Trustees. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 7 CSU Chancellor Timothy White, flanked by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and chair Rebecca Eisen, speaks at the Cal State Board of Trustees meeting that approved a tuition fee increase. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 7 Student Alejandro Alfaro addresses the Cal State trustees about proposed tuition increases Wednesday morning. (Iran Khan / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 7 Students from across the systems 23 campuses protest outside Cal State trustees board meeeting Wednesday in Long Beach. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 7 Lt. Gov. Newsom, left, asks the CSU Board of Trustees to reject the proposed tuition hike Wednesday morning in Long Beach. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 7 Students from across the California State Universitys 23 campuses protest proposed tuition increases outside the Cal State trustees meeting Wednesday morning in Long Beach. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

To give themselves some leeway, the trustees built into their vote the possibility of reconsidering their decision after the governors budget is set in June. Administrators, faculty and student leaders have been lobbying state lawmakers for months and remain hopeful Cal State might get more funding.

But if history is any indicator, the university system still will be grappling come June with escalating pressures to enroll more students, graduate them faster, offer thousands more classes and hire 400 more faculty  all with a smaller share of state dollars than in years past.

Even though the systems campuses have enrolled 20,000 additional students since the recession, administrators said, 30,000 qualified applicants had to be turned away last year. Cal State also has a $2-billion backlog of building upgrades.

State funding covers about half of Cal States operating costs, compared with 80% in the 1990s, according to administrators. The system relies on tuition and fees from its 475,000 students to cover the rest.

During the recession, the state slashed nearly one-third of its support to Cal State. From 2006 to 2011, tuition more than doubled, to $5,472.

In exchange for a tuition freeze, Brown pledged annual increases, and the state has steadily restored funding in the last six years.

But growing demands have outpaced these increases, Cal State administrators said.

This year, Browns budget proposal allocates Cal State about $157.2 million in additional funding for the next fiscal year, which would raise the systems total state support to about $3.6 billion. University officials estimate they need an extra $324.9 million.

These numbers charged Wednesdays contentious debate. Peter Taylor, a trustee and chairman of the boards finance committee, said his vote for the increase was based on a realistic view of what it took to preserve the university systems priorities.

Were here because the state has consistently, persistently, underfunded this institution. It is embarrassing that we are stuck with this awful choice between access and quality, he said, pounding the dais in frustration. Our tenure track density is an embarrassment, our worn-out buildings are an embarrassment, our class size is going in the wrong direction. ... Quality costs money.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who also voted against the UC increase as an ex officio UC regent, challenged Cal State trustees to put the pressure back on state lawmakers. Voting to increase tuition, he said, is letting them off the hook.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), who backed a sweeping financial aid proposal last week to help students graduate with less debt, defended the Legislature and said it did fully fund Cal States budget request two years ago. That the trustees were now talking about needing more money and turning to students to fill this gap seemed absurd, he said.

Lateefah Simon, a trustee who spent ten years working her way through college as a single mother, said she empathized with students and with the staff and our chancellor trying to figure out how to fill holes with anguish.

But in recent weeks, she said, shed received more than 500 calls, emails and texts from anxious students and parents. I was going to vote yes, and I just cant, she told her colleagues.  I know exactly what these students are going through.

During public comments, dozens of students spoke passionately of homelessness, hunger and the families they are supporting while going to school. Some said they juggled multiple jobs and worked more than 30 hours a week, even collecting empty bottles to make ends meet. They spoke of textbook costs as high as $240  for a single subject.

Radhika Kataria, in her third year at Chico State majoring in public administration, had driven down to the meeting with about 15 other classmates and slept overnight in a nearby church in order to protest at dawn.

Its not fair to the students, she said. How do they expect us to graduate in time when we also have to work multiple jobs just to pay for college?

rosanna.xia@latimes.com

Follow @RosannaXia for more education news

UPDATES:

5:30 p.m. This article has been updated throughout with student comments and details from Wednesday mornings debate.

This article was originally published at 1:00 p.m.
A San Diego man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of robbing a Chula Vista bank in what the FBI has dubbed the Deposit Slip Bandit series.

Sened Beyene Michael, a former bank teller, was arrested after the FBI searched his home in Emerald Hills and his Nissan Versa Tuesday morning. He denied any involvement in the robberies, according to a complaint filed in San Diego federal court.

While he is charged with a single Feb. 16 robbery, the FBI has suspected him of others in which the robber has written a demand note threatening on the back of a bank deposit slip that he has a gun, according to court documents. The robber wore aviator-style sunglasses and similar clothing in many of the robberies.

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On Nov. 28, a robber threatened on the note to give me all the money in the drawers and got away with about $3,900 from the Wells Fargo Bank on Garnet Avenue in San Diego, according to the complaint. On Jan. 3 at the U.S. Bank on Federal Boulevard, the robber said in the note, I dont have a withdrawal, I have a gun, I just want the money. He got away with about $5,100.

On Jan. 11, at the Wells Fargo on Scripps Ranch Boulevard in San Diego, the teller didnt comply with the robbers demands and he left empty-handed.

On Feb. 16, at the Banner Bank on F Street in Chula Vista, the robber wrote the demand note at the deposit slip counter, checked his phone, then handed the note to the teller that said, I have a gun just give me the money 100s, 50s and 20s. He got about $950.

Afterwards, Banner Bank disseminated a photograph of the robber and linked the same man to three other incidents at sister banks. In the first two incidents, he entered the banks but after checking his phone appeared to change his mind and left. Bank employees noted the behavior as odd at the time. In the third instance, a bank employee who was exiting recognized him and ran back inside to warn others, who confronted him. He fled.

The FBI put out surveillance photos of the robber through Crime Stoppers, offering a reward of up to $1,000, and received a tip to investigate one man. Investigators quickly learned that man had an alibi  he is currently in prison serving a 26-year sentence for home invasion robbery. But they learned he had a brother who looked similar  Michael  and took a closer look.

A witness to one of the robberies had seen the bandit get into a blue Versa and speed away, and DMV records connected Michael to a blue Versa, the complaint said. Investigators also learned Michael had worked as a teller at the U.S. Bank on Grand Avenue in 2015. Investigators showed some of Michaels former co-workers surveillance photos from the robberies and they identified Michael as the suspect in some of the photos, according to the FBI.

During the searches Tuesday, investigators seized two pairs of sunglasses that matched the description of those worn during the robberies but were unable to locate any other pieces of clothing potentially worn during the robberies.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
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A San Diego Superior Court judge has finalized his previous ruling against the makers of a test pregnant women used to predict the gender of an unborn child, saying the company made misleading claims about the products safety and efficacy.

In his judgment, signed March 7, Judge Joel Wohlfeil issued a permanent injunction against IntelliGender, barring it from making untrue or misleading statements about the product.

Owners of the Texas-based company had claimed the tests were more than 90 percent accurate  according to laboratory tests  in predicting the sex of an unborn child. They also claimed expectant mothers could use the product safely at home.

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It is troubling that these misleading claims were made to prey on pregnant women, San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, whose office filed the lawsuit in 2012, said in a news release.

According to court documents, the tests contained sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, and aluminum, which when mixed in a small container with the womans urine could cause a mini-explosion that left some customers with chemical burns.

The judge ordered IntelliGender LLC and its managers, Teresa Garland and Rebecca Griffin, dubbed The moms of IntelliGender, along with Don Garland and Kurt Griffin, to pay $250,000 in civil penalties.

Attorney John Palter has said his clients improved the product and its labeling long before any lawsuits were filed, and he said the city did not effectively use taxpayer money when pursuing the case.

City attorney spokesman Gerry Braun said Monday that the office contacted IntelliGender nearly eight years ago based on a complaint. Later, the city commissioned a study by UC San Diego that found no scientific basis for the companys claims.

Braun said the city contacted IntelliGender in October 2011 to discuss the studys findings and continued talks with the companys representatives for a year about ways they could avoid a lawsuit.

For nearly 8 years, Rebecca Griffin and Teresa Garland refused to stop defrauding and endangering pregnant women, despite knowing their product was a scam, Braun said in an email.

The city attorney is also suing five retailers who sold the product in San Diego. The Texas manufacturer and one retailer have settled.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
After a heated morning of debate and impassioned statements from students, professors and lawmakers, California State Universitys Board of Trustees voted 11-8 to increase tuition as a way to fill a looming gap in state funding.

I dont bring this forward with an ounce of joy, said Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White, addressing the packed meeting chamber. I bring it with necessity.

Students stood up and shouted Shameful! and Shame, shame, shame.

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The increase will amount to about 5 percent, or about $270 for in-state students. Tuition for out-of-state students as well as graduate and teacher credential programs also will go up.

These increases will generate $77.5 million in net revenue, officials said. The more than 60% of Cal State students whose tuition is fully covered by grants and waivers would not be affected.

Dozens of students from across the systems 23 campuses had started gathering at dawn at the meeting in Long Beach to protest any decision that would increase their financial burden. Wearing graduation gowns and caps with tassels dangling signs showing their student debt, the students demonstrated throughout the morning with drumbeats and chants of The more we pay, the longer we stay! They waved signs that read Change the system and Keep college affordable.

University leaders had hoped Gov. Jerry Browns January budget proposal would provide what was necessary to preserve the quality of the nations largest public university system. Instead, the amount he allocated in additional state funding is less than half of what Cal State had requested.

Cal States vote follows the University of California Regents 16-4 vote earlier this year to end a tuition freeze and approve a 2.5%, or $282, increase next school year.
Confusion can cause people with severe memory loss to unintentionally harm themselves or others, often resulting in trips to the hospital emergency room or even an arrest.

Mary Ball, chief executive of the nonprofit group Alzheimers San Diego, vividly remembers a couple her organization helped for years. Certain sounds transported the husband, a veteran suffering from memory loss, back to his battlefield days.

Every time he would hear planes coming, he wanted to protect his wife. So he would forcefully put her in the bathtub and throw himself on top of her. In his efforts to protect his wife, he injured her, Ball said.

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If a caregiver  usually the patients elderly spouse  ends up calling 911 and law enforcement is dispatched, the first responders may be forced to make an arrest if someone was injured. Geriatric experts said typically, the patient and victim end up in the emergency room because no one is quite sure exactly what to do.

Its a situation that nobody wants, and one that a new collaboration between the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and Sharp HealthCare aims to improve.

On Tuesday, the supervisors voted 4-0 to pursue a pilot project with Sharp Grossmont Hospital and the Grossmont Healthcare District in East County to look for more effective ways to divert people with memory loss from the ER and law-enforcement systems  instead providing less drastic, more appropriate therapies and hopefully keeping caregivers out of harms way in the future.

County board chairwoman Dianne Jacob, speaking at Tuesdays meeting, said its imperative to put together a system for handling these incidents in a more humane and proactive fashion.

We want to develop a model that starts with the call for help and ends with in-home services, Jacob said.

Dr. Jeffrey Jackson, a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin whose research has explored difficult doctor-patient encounters, said a government-led plan for anticipatory dementia intervention that gets everyone working from the same blueprint makes a lot of sense.

What youre seeing now is is mostly disjointed efforts with sometimes not great resources, Jackson said. By and large, its the Wild West out there. Individual providers are a little overwhelmed trying to keep on top of these kinds of situations.

The pilot program is part of the countys ongoing Alzheimers Project, a comprehensive effort in San Diego County that was launched in 2014.

Currently, an estimated 64,000 local residents are living with Alzheimers disease. That number is projected to grow to 100,000 by the year 2030.

According to the county, Alzheimers and other forms of dementia are involved in about 32,000 emergency-room visits per year at hospitals across the region.

Its unclear how many people with memory loss are arrested each year after episodes of violence. Lt. Michael Knobbe of the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said law-enforcement dispatch systems dont note whether an arrested person suffers from dementia.

Dr. Michael Plopper, chief medical officer for Sharp Behavioral Health Services, said the bulk of violent incidents involving a person with memory loss results in that patient being brought to an emergency room.

He said Sharps partnership with the county isnt meant to create a new kind of hospital ward that can receive Alzheimers patients in crisis, but rather to do a better job of spotting cases that may end up becoming difficult for caregivers to handle and addressing them early on. A chief objective is to eliminate the need for 911 calls arising from unintentional violence.

We want to try and head off these phenomena before they get to the point where there is a crisis, Plopper said.

How exactly to do so is an open question, he added. Theres some thought that Sharp Grossmont might be able to look at its own records to determine which dementia patients are returning frequently for lower-level medical problems and use that information to intervene when it looks like symptoms are escalating.

If health professionals are able to step in early enough, Plopper said, they may be able to adjust medications or detect other unresolved medical problems that can eventually lead to violent outbursts.

He and others emphasized that theyre early in the process of developing the pilot program, funding it and rolling it out. At the Tuesday meeting, the supervisors asked the projects team to return in 180 days with its recommendations for moving forward.

Plopper said Sharp is willing to participate in the effort, but noted that the organization is interested in an initiative that can be sustained financially in the long term. That means more money from outside Sharp would be needed.

Social-service specialists, case workers and other professionals already provide some version of the envisioned services to dementia patients, but Plopper said theyre not connected as closely as they could be to law enforcement, hospitals and other community groups.

These kinds of services do exist in the community, but they tend to be offered on a limited basis. They need to be expanded and coordinated, Plopper said.

Indeed, the family and internal medicine doctors who care for Alzheimers and dementia patients do monitor for escalating symptoms, but it can be difficult for them to detect changes on their own.

Its unclear whether San Diego Countys nascent dementia intervention program has been attempted in other areas of the United States.

The Alzheimers Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties recently addressed part of the issue. It conducted training for the San Diego County sheriffs search and rescue team on special procedures for dealing with dementia patients who have wandered off from home or a care facility.

Similar training has been given in other parts of the nation, said Katie Croskey, director of the association.

But Croskey said she wasnt sure whether other communities have tried to establish programs aimed at preventing violence and other dementia-related crises in the first place.

Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life

paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1850

Twitter: @paulsisson
Controversial Playboy model Dani Mathers will promote her health-conscious cannabis pill on Thursday afternoon at San Diegos first legal medical marijuana dispensary.

Mathers, the 2015 Playboy Playmate of the Year, was charged with misdemeanor invasion of privacy in November for secretly photographing a naked woman in a gym locker room and posting the photo on social media with negative comments.

While Mathers has kept a relatively low profile since the July body-shaming incident, she is still actively promoting CannaPro, vegan marijuana pills that contain no sugar, fat, gluten or solvents.

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Marijuana users who prefer consuming edibles to smoking the drug often complain that most edibles come in the form of cookies and candy, which include sugar, fat and other unhealthy ingredients.

RELATED: San Diego marijuana businesses worried about possible Trump crackdown

Zach Lazarus, chief executive of A Green Alternative dispensary in Otay Mesa, said the pill created in 2014 by Mathers and boyfriend John Connor helps solve that problem.

Being in the health-conscious state that we are, this is a very successful product for us, said Lazarus, who began selling CannaPro about four months ago. Its flying off the shelves.

Mathers will promote the pill with an appearance from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at A Green Alternative, 2335 Roll Drive in Otay Mesa.

The bulk of the business will always be the traditional flower, which has been here since the beginning of time, said Lazarus. But a lot of people like to participate in the world of cannabis without smoking it.

CannaPro pills are also available at Harbor Collective at 2405 Harbor Drive, another of the 15 legal dispensaries the city of San Diego has approved. In addition, the pill is sold at several illegal dispensaries the city is trying to shut down.

Lazarus said the pills will be legal without a medical marijuana card when the state finalizes regulations later this year based on approval by state voters last November of recreational marijuana. The new laws, however, may require some packaging changes, he said.

Mathers pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of invasion of privacy in Los Angeles last fall. She has also publicly apologized for the incident.

In July, Mathers posted to Snapchat a photo of a nude woman in the locker room of an L.A. Fitness gym with the caption If you cant un-see this, I cant either. Mathers also added a picture of herself covering her mouth to hold back laughter.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
Since the 1960s, Medicare has paid for a substantial portion of medical residency programs. But in 1996, it limited the number of residents that would be funded to that years total, preventing any significant expansion of training programs since that time.

Today, there are 110,000 doctors in residency training programs nationwide.

About $12 billion a year is spent on training, with Medicare covering about $3 billion in direct costs. Other funds comes from clinical revenues, grants and other support.

As Medicare and Medicaid payments continue to fall below the actual cost of providing care, that clinical revenue stream, we think, will get tighter and tighter, making it harder for teaching hospitals to pay for more trainees,said Dr. Atul Grover, chief advocacy officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Federal funding works this way:

The Direct Graduate Medical Education program uses a funding formula based on expenses, number of Medicare patients at a training hospital and number of resident trainees, all based on 1996 caps.

The Indirect Medical Education provides money to teaching hospitals in recognition of the higher costs involved in training doctors. The formula calculates the number of residents using 1996 caps, multiplied by per-resident funding set by Congress that has fluctuated over time. Medicare pays $6.5 billion a year through this program.

Pediatric residencies at childrens hospitals get funding from the Childrens Hospital Graduate Medical Training Program. The $300 million program was cut by $48 million this fiscal year as part of deficit reduction, Grover said.
A San Diego police officer suffered minor injuries after his patrol car collided with a van in San Ysidro Tuesday night.

The officer was traveling east on Dairy Mart Road and the driver of the van was heading south on Beyer Boulevard just before 10:30 p.m. when the vehicles collided in the intersection, San Diego police said.

The officer suffered a wrist injury and was taken to a hospital to be checked out. The driver of the van, which displayed a handicapped placard, was not hurt.

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It has not yet been determined who was at fault in the crash. Police are investigating.

619-293-1710

debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com

twitter.com/Debbi_Baker
I was horrified to discover the other day that The Wild Thornberrys, which is indisputably one of the greatest television shows of all time, is no longer streaming on Netflix. This is a travesty, and I will not stand for it, for Nigel Thornberry is a True Hero of the small screen.

Indeed, it doesn't look like Netflix is adding The Wild Thornberrys to its streaming repertoire in April, but we are getting a few new goodies. These include both An American Tail AND An American Tail: Fievel Goes West; Gremlins; and Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, a film during which my parents had to take me out of the theater because I cried so much when the cat went in the water.

Criminally, we are also LOSING some of the greatest television shows in history, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, House, and The X-Files.

Here's what's coming this month:

Available 4/1

A Weekend with the Family (2016)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Across the Universe (2007)

An American Tail (1986)

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)

Boy Bye (2016)

Born To Be Free (2016)

Cool Runnings (1993)

Good Witch: Season 2 (2016)

Gremlins (1984)

Only for One Night (2016)

Richard Pryor: Live & Smokin' (1971)

Scooby-Doo (2002)

Schindler's List (1993)

Something's Gotta Give (2003)

Thunderstruck (2012)

Wynonna Earp: Season 1 (2016)

Trouble with the Curve (2012)

Tropic Thunder (2008)

The Tenth Man (2016)

Available 4/2

The D Train (2015)

Available 4/4

Chewing Gum: Season 2NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Louis C.K. 2017NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available 4/6

Disneys The BFG (2016)

Available 4/7

El Faro De Las OrcasNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Dawn of the Croods: Season 3NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Get Down: Part 2NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Win It AllNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Available 4/8

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Available 4/10

Documentary Now!: Season 2 (2016)

Available 4/11

Kevin Hart: What Now (2016)

Available 4/12

DCs Legends of Tomorrow: Season 2 (2016)

Available 4/14

Chelsea: Season 2NETFLIX ORIGINAL

El Elegido (2017)

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The ReturnNETFLIX ORIGINAL

Sandy WexlerNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Available 4/15

Disneys Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

SlamNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Available 4/18

Lucas Brothers: On DrugsNETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available 4/19

A Plastic Ocean

Available 4/21

Bill Nye Saves the World: Season 1NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Girlboss: Season 1NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On: Season 1NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Sand CastleNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Tales by Light: Season 2NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show: Season 4NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Prestige (2006)

TrampsNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Available 4/22

The Great British Baking Show: Masterclass: Season 1-3 (2016)

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Available 4/23

Liv and Maddie: Season 4 (2016)

Phantom (2013)

Available 4/24

Long Nights Short Mornings (2016)

Available 4/25

Disneys Queen of Katwe (2016)

The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and DisappearedNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Vir Das: Abroad UnderstandingNETFLIX ORIGINAL

Available 4/26

Real Rescues: Season 6-7 (2012)

Trust (2010)

Available 4/28

A Murder in the Park (2014)

Casting JonBenetNETFLIX ORIGINAL

Dear White People: Season 1NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Rodney KingNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Small CrimesNETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM

Available 4/30

Sofia the First: Season 3 (2015)



As for the aforementioned titles leaving us, as Emerson said, "It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but retire a little from sight and afterwards return again." We'll meet again in the Hellmouth, Buffy & Spike.

Here's what's departing Netflix for the netherstreamingworld next month.

Leaving 4/1

Ally McBeal: Seasons 1 - 5

Angel: Seasons 1 - 5

Better Off Ted: Season 1

Barbershop 2: Back in Business

Bones: Seasons 1 - 4

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Seasons 1 - 7

Chaplin

Dollhouse: Season 1

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Firefly

House, M.D.: Seasons 1 - 8

Lie to Me: Season 1

Menace II Society

Resident Evil: Extinction

Rosewell: Seasons 1 - 3

Snow Day

Stomp the Yard

Superman II

Superman III

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Superman Returns

Superman: The Movie

The Agony and the Ecstasy

The Boys from Brazil

The Escapist

The Princess Bride

The Riches: Seasons 1 - 2

The Usual Suspects

The X-Files: Seasons 1 - 9

Vanilla Sky

Leaving 4/3

Collateral Damage

The Circle

Leaving 4/7

Legit: Season 2

Wilfred: Season 4

Leaving 4/9

Hero

Leaving 4/10

Legit: Season 1

Flower Girl

Leaving 4/14

The Lazarus Effect

Leaving 4/15

A Fantastic Fear of Everything

Leaving 4/17

American Dad! Season 6

Leaving 4/26

The Nutty Professor 2: Facing the Fear

Leaving 4/30

Under the Tuscan Sun

The Mirror

Born to Defense

The Defender


A San Diego motorcycle officer had her stopped for speeding. Suddenly, she hit the gas, and the chase was on.

As officers trailed at her at 70 mph west on state Route 94 to downtown San Diego, the officer radioed what she told him before fleeing.

Shes a sovereign citizen, he said, moments before ending the pursuit because of potential danger to the public.

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Law enforcement officers around San Diego County say encounters with so-called sovereign citizens are rare here, maybe a couple a month, but theyre out there. All these kooks are running around out there, said Carlsbad police Lt. Kevin Lehan.

People who call themselves sovereign citizens or, sometimes, constitutionalists or freemen, dont belong to a single organization, but share general anti-government, anti-tax conspiracy theories. According to the FBI, the decades-old movement has expanded with information-sharing on the Internet.

They are known to violate traffic laws, take over empty homes for sale, defraud insurance companies, and file endless streams of court documents including property liens against anyone who would hinder them. They often create their own ID cards, license plates and other pseudo-legal documents.

Escondido police have seen self-described sovereigns with fake car license plates and registration papers, while California Highway Patrol officers in East County have stopped some who object to signing traffic tickets. Local police say they havent encountered violence from the extremists beyond occasionally resisting arrest.

The FBI recognizes them as potential domestic terrorists who have killed police officers.

Sovereign citizens are a particular concern to us for safety reasons, since they dont recognize law enforcement authority, said Escondido police Sgt. Eric Distel. They think they have a right to use force against us. They killed officers in Wisconsin and Georgia because the officers stopped them. Its kinda like the lunatic fringe.

Last year, two dozen people claiming they had a right to public land took over the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon for six weeks. One man was killed by authorities but the others ultimately surrendered. Some pleaded guilty to conspiracy; jurors acquitted others.

Most law enforcers in San Diego County have gotten some training on dealing with sovereign citizens. Carlsbad police Lt. Kevin Lehan said the training put them on higher alert. Our policy is, we want to de-escalate, and get another officer to cover you.

CHP Officer Kevin Pearlstein, who patrols East County, said sovereigns sometimes resist handing over ID and sign tickets only under protest.

Most will sign when they see the tow truck and realize it will cost $300 or $400 to get their car back, Pearlstein said. Theyre just trying to get out of a ticket.

Ramona sheriffs Lt. Jerry Hartman recalled a man who started sleeping in a church parking lot even after church leaders asked him to leave.

I tried to explain about trespassing, Hartman said. He eventually left. He thought he was on sanctuary land and the church would allow him to be there.

Of sovereigns in general, Hartman commented, They may not have a full grasp of reality.
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University City, also known as the Golden Triangle, is a tale of two cities: an older section with single-family homes and a newer region bustling with commerce and high-rise apartments.

History: The southern area of University City, between San Clemente and Rose canyons, was developed in the 1960s. The original goal was to build a residential area for students, staff and faculty of nearby UC San Diego, but instead it became a middle-class neighborhood. Ernest Hahns University Towne Centre opened in 1977 north of Rose Canyon, and a wave of residential, retail and office development followed. By the mid-1980s, it was one of the fastest-growing communities in Southern California. The Mid-Coast Trolley extension will connect University City to the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.

Did you know? The area was nicknamed the Golden Triangle because of its well-appointed location inside the 5, 805 and 52 freeways.

Landmarks: Rose Canyon Open Space Park bisects the community. The canyon is an urban oasis with a creek and trails, as is San Clemente Canyon, on the southern border, also known as Marion Bear Memorial Park. The gleaming-white Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with its twin 190-foot spires, is a signature building along Interstate 5.

Things to do: Standley Park is the hub in the southern section. The recently remodeled Westfield UTC mall attracts shoppers and diners from throughout the county.
The Sheriffs Department is conducting an internal affairs investigation of a sergeant accused of unlawfully detaining and searching a retired police officer in the parking lot of the Chula Vista Superior Court.

Timothy Newell, 44, of El Cajon is making the allegation against Sgt. Elizabeth Palmer, a 27-year Sheriffs Department veteran.

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Palmer has been the subject of three other internal complaints in the past three years, but the department deemed two of the cases unfounded and did not investigate the third.

One of the men who accused Palmer of misconduct, whose complaint was rejected by the department and a citizen review panel, sued in federal court. The county paid him a $150,000 settlement last year  without admitting liability.

Sgt. Dave Schaller, president of the Deputy Sheriffs Association, said it was important to give Palmer the benefit of the doubt.

In her position at the courthouse, she could have hundreds of contacts with the public each day, Schaller said.

Newell, who retired from the San Diego Police Department in 2003 with a knee injury, said that on Nov. 29 Palmer questioned his parking in a handicapped spot and challenged why he was in the lot.

He said that he identified himself, pointed out his visible handicapped placard and told her he was looking at a used patrol car for possible purchase. Newell, who now runs a security company, said Palmer then got backup from court deputies, called him a liar, and for the next 90 minutes, rifled his car and belongings.

He said she asked him about his cellphone contacts and photos of people who appeared to be Middle Eastern. Then, he alleged, she had a deputy frisk him and take his picture.

Im 6-foot-4, a big guy, said Newell, 44. The whole time she was trying to provoke me. I didnt buy into it. I didnt want to go to jail or get killed.

Sheriffs spokeswoman Jan Caldwell confirmed the ongoing internal affairs investigation and said state law makes it illegal for her to release further details or discuss personnel records. Palmer could not be reached for comment.

Patrick Hunter, director of the citizen review board that rejected two past complaints about Palmer, said the 11-member volunteer panel reviews evidence and may find that the events never happened, the were justified, or no determination was possible. He said about 6 percent of complaints are sustained.

Patrick Howard

Patrick Howard, 44, of Ocean Beach, said he went to the Chula Vista courthouse on Nov. 10, 2008, to file legal papers as a process server.

According to the federal lawsuit he filed in 2009, Howard walked through a metal detector for county employees only, which he had done on many occasions, and Palmer confronted him. Howard said she jabbed his chest with her fingers and ordered him through the public entry.

Howard filed a complaint two days later. That same day, he said, he returned to the courthouse and was handcuffed by a deputy while Palmer watched, and was cited for interfering with business for his improper courthouse entry two days earlier.

Howard alleged that Palmer told him he would be banned from every court in San Diego, and said, I should have taken you down to the ground.

On Dec. 12, 2008, Howard also filed a complaint with the countys Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board, which later said his claims were unfounded. He later agreed to the $150,000 court settlement.

Multiple red flags have popped up, Howard said. People are now coming out of the woodwork. The public should be outraged  they paid me that amount of settlement money.

Lee Lacy

Lee Lacy, 24, of Chula Vista said he went to the courthouse on Nov. 4, 2010, to take care of a fix-it ticket. In an interview, he said that Palmer overheard his conversation with a receptionist and came up in a very aggressive manner.

Lacy said they exchanged words and Palmer ordered him out, using an expletive.

While I was leaving, she was screaming like she had completely lost her mind, Lacy said. I glanced back and laughed a little, then I was shoved in the back by another deputy.

Lacy said he told the deputy not to touch him, pulled away and tried to keep walking. Other deputies wrestled Lacy to the floor. He ended up in the hospital for stitches in his face before spending a night in jail.

His complaints to internal affairs and to the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board ended as not sustained. Lacy has retained an attorney, Eugene Iredale, in preparation for a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Ramon Acosta

Ramon Acosta, 32, of Mission Valley, filed an internal affairs complaint alleging that on Jan 18, 2011, Palmer was very excessive in the manner she had grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the courthouse entrance line because his belt had triggered the security alarm. Acosta said in an interview that two weeks later, internal affairs sent him a letter saying it appeared the matter had been resolved, so no investigation would be conducted. Acosta said the matter had not been resolved, and he was still upset by the incident.
As an anti-euthanasia activist since 1993, I am used to opponents stretching the truth. True to form, Barbara Coombs Lee, the head of Compassion & Choices (formerly, the Hemlock Society) claimed I advocate making assisted suicide a federal crime to invalidate state laws legalizing prescribed-death. (Head off federal threat to medical aid in dying laws, March 16).

No, I dont. I support prohibiting federally controlled substances from being prescribed for assisted suicide, a different approach altogether that would not invalidate any state law. Indeed, such a policy would be consistent with the federal governments primary role in regulating opioids  which were developed to ease pain or aid sleep, not cause death.

Coombs Lee opposed confirming Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court because he wrote a book opposing euthanasia, forgetting to inform readers that the high court ruled 9-0 in 1997 that assisted suicide isnt a constitutional right. She conjures much darkness from Gorsuch writing 10 years ago that the assisted suicide debate is not yet over  and may have only begun. But by her very advocacy, doesnt she demonstrate that Gorsuch was absolutely correct?

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More urgently, Coombs-Lee claimed there have been no abuses. Yet, a new California regulation grants terminally ill, involuntarily confined, mentally ill patients the right to seek court release from their hospital to commit assisted suicide. If refused, the regulation requires the state to facilitate the death.

Think about this. California specifically requires government cooperation with the suicides of people adjudicated to be so mentally ill, they are confined involuntarily for treatment.

Wow. The so-called death with dignity movement is driving us out of our collective minds.

Smith is a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and a consultant to the Patients Rights Council. His most recent book is Culture of Death: The Age of Do Harm Medicine.

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Two days into 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch s confirmation hearing for the U.S. Supreme Court, his answers to a variety of questions are offering insights into what kind of justice he would be.

President Donald Trump s nominee for the nations highest court is being asked about issues as contentious as abortion but also about the current political climate. By Tuesday afternoon, we were left with at least a few clues as to how he might fulfill his role.

Take a look:

On abortion

Gorsuch was asked how hed deal with Trump asking him to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision from decades ago that finds abortion to be constitutional.

Heres how he replied.

Gorsuch: "Senator, I wouldve walked out the door. Not what judges do."

Asked if he thought it was the right decision all those years ago, he declined to reply.

Gorsuch: Im not in a position to tell you whether Id personally like or dislike any precedent. Thats not relevant to my job. To come in and think that just because Im new or the latest thing Id know better than everybody who comes before me would be an act of hubris.

On Trump

Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate pressed Gorsuch on his ability to remain independent and not feel beholden to the president who nominated him, especially when it comes to Trumps executive orders.

Would you have any trouble ruling against a president who would appoint you? Sen. Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa asked him.

Gorsuch: I have no difficulty ruling against any party based on what the law and the facts of the particular case requires.

Asked whether the president has the authority to approve torture despite a law against it, Gorsuch basically said no.

Gorsuch: No man is above the law.

On Trumps travel ban

Theres a good possibility that Trumps travel ban  which bans travelers and refugees from six countries  would reach the Supreme Court. So, of course, Gorsuch was asked how he would rule on it.

Here are some of Gorsuchs comments on the travel ban, according to The New York Times and Politico.

Gorsuch: I have offered no promises on how Id rule to anyone on any case.

Gorsuch: Im not going to say anything that gives anybody any idea how Id rule in any case like that that could come before my court. Itd be grossly improper to do that.

America reacts

With live streams of the hearings playing on several cable news networks and all over the internet over two days, people got a chance to size up the nominee for themselves.

Many were pleased with his efforts in the hearings.

But others staked out ground against his confirmation, whether over his past decisions or that hes Trumps nominee.

Have you been watching the hearings? What do you think of Gorsuch?

Comment below!

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
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History: Established in 1887, Pacific Beach is one of San Diegos oldest suburbs. Its centerpiece was supposed to be the 23-acre College of Letters, which opened in 1888 on the Garnet Avenue land where the Pacific Plaza shopping center now stands.

The college soon closed due to lack of students. With the exception of farming (lemons were the prime crop), the community remained sleepy until construction of the Crystal Pier in the late 1920s, with a ballroom and amusement center  soon shut down due to construction flaws. When it reopened in 1936, the pier was longer, and the ballroom was replaced by cottages.

World War II and San Diegos military presence boosted P.B.s profile and population. Visitors still flock to Crystal Pier, and partygoers converge on Garnet Avenue bars.

Did you know? The late Larry Gordon and his surfing buddy Floyd Smith launched the famed Gordon & Smith Surfboards out of a Pacific Beach garage. Surfer and Endless Summer co-star Mike Hynson learned to surf in P.B., and the late Frank Zappa was a student at Mission Bay High School.

Try this: Neighbors on the Nextdoor social network suggest Fig Tree Eatery, Sushi Ota and Leilanis Cafe.

Things to do: Spend the night in a Crystal Pier cottage. Have a sunset picnic with a killer view at Sessions Park. Paddleboard on Mission Bay. Watch the action at Tourmaline Surfing Park.

And keep an eye out for the green flash. It could happen to you.


If you want to sell your products through Costco, be prepared to offer top-of-the-line merchandise that can generate a minimum of $500 to $1,000 per week in sales per warehouse.

Those rules apply whether you are selling family-recipe barbecue sauce or cotton onesies for infants.

As the nations third-largest retailer, Costco generated nearly $58 billion in U.S. revenue in 2009, ranking ahead of Target, Home Depot and other top stores.

Art Jackson, vice president of general administration for the warehouse chain, shared advice Thursday in San Diego with vendors who aspire to reach the companys 57 million card-carrying members.

Baby clothing maker D. Ann Roberson has been designing a line of College Bound Baby clothing out of her Chula Vista home. She brought a newborn onesie  printed with a baby-bottle-and-piggy-bank design  to show Costco executive Art Jackson on Thursday. He advised her to speak with a company buyer about testing her products through a road show in local stores. Roberson, who teaches a personal-growth course at San Diego City College, said that she sells clothing at baby showers and through word of mouth, and hopes to expand. Im grading papers all the time but this is the year I plan to stay focused, she said.

More than 100 small-business owners attended the free, public event, organized by the San Diego Regional Minority Supplier Development Council in the Bridgepoint Education building in Kearny Mesa.

Barbecue sauce maker Roy Landers, president of Smokin Joe Jones LLC, is already a Costco supplier. The 10-year-old company operates restaurants in San Diego and Santee and sells its mild and regular barbecue sauce through local stores (a 64-ounce jar sells for $4.99 at the Costco store on Fenton Parkway). Companies like Costco give us opportunities to have a huge footprint in terms of branding and reaching customers, he said. Youre partnering with a large, well-known company. Costco makes a wonderful partner because they have an open-door policy to help you in any way they can. He attended Thursdays event to learn about expanding his product line to include precooked beef brisket and pulled pork in the refrigerated section. His company is also introducing a low-carb sauce sweetened with the herb stevia, he said.

Jackson shared advice on selling products through Costco:

 Visit your local Costco warehouse. Familiarize yourself with the products and the layout of the building before making your pitch to a buyer from the company. You cant possibly present an item to us without knowing our business, Jackson said.

 Your sales through Costco can represent no more than 20 percent of your total business. If somethings not selling well, well swap it out, Jackson said. We dont want to be the cause of any business going under because theyre no longer dealing with us.

 You might be asked to test your product through a road show, offering it for four days or more to see how consumers respond. This is a good way to test different flavors or sell items that require extra handling or explanation, he said.

 If you sell food, you will need to present records of food-safety certification and audits.

 If you sell nonfood items, make sure your packaging is tough enough to withstand storage and transport to and from warehouses without looking worn.

 Products need to sell briskly, although they dont need to be in every store. Generally, an item should generate a minimum of $500 to $1,000 in sales each week per warehouse, he said.

 Costco is selective about its merchandise, limiting offerings to 4,000 products per store, and focuses on top-quality products. The company doesnt accept seconds or closeout items, Jackson said.

 Understand your limitations as a company and be honest with Costco about what you can do.

 Jackson also discussed obtaining contracts to provide the company with services from electrical and plumbing services to landscaping and parking lot sweeping. Contractors are required to provide licensing and references, secure $2 million in liability insurance, and limit their use of subcontractors, he said.

 To learn about special opportunities for minority-owned and women-owned companies, click here and search for the term supplier diversity.
Little Italy is pushing for an overhaul of a neighborhood park in exchange for letting the city put public restrooms in the area.

Drawings presented to the Little Italy Association board of directors call for expanding Amici Park to incorporate the restrooms, a snack shack, areas for dogs and a stone pathway to Our Lady of the Rosary Church.

The push comes a month after the citys downtown redevelopment arm recommended that the San Diego Redevelopment Agency clear the way for two prefabricated restrooms  known as Portland Loos  at the intersections of 14th Street and L Street and Market Street between 11th Avenue and Park Boulevard downtown.

The Centre City Development Corp. board also stipulated that the restrooms not exceed $367,260, and recommended that the cost of restrooms in Little Italy be limited to $185,000 each. Marco Li Mandri, chairman of the Little Italy Association, said the park improvements must be part of the plan.

We know that theres a difference between people designing parks to win awards and parks being functional, Li Mandri said. Amici Park is an award-wining park that has been completely nonfunctional for 10 years.

The proposal would expand the park five- to 10 feet into Date Street, converting traffic to one way heading east, and into existing merging lanes on State Street. A row of Italian cypress trees would be removed to construct large sitting steps for Bocce spectators.

Steve Gallaso, president of the associations board, acknowledged that other downtown neighborhoods were not expected to receive improvements from the Centre City Development Corp. for hosting public restrooms.

But did they ask? he said. We always ask for stuff and were always ahead of the curve.

The Little Italy Association is scheduled to approve the drawings and forward a recommendation to the Centre City Development Corp. next month. Li Mandri said he hoped the park reconfiguration would be added to the 2011-12 budget.